Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: Marcus

Daniel couldn't breathe. He was sitting with Sammy and TJ, waiting to see if his girlfriend and their child would survive.

“We brought coffee.” Belle and Charlie walked in. Belle handed Daniel a coffee and sat next to him.

“You gonna sit down?” Sammy asked Charlie, who shook his head.

“How did arresting Marion go?” Charlie asked TJ.

“Well, Haiter was definitely enthused about doing it.” TJ replied. “I don't know if the Troupe still consider the Mob a threat or not, probably just Haiter being his usual hateful self.”

“She'll be out by next week, count on it.” Sammy sighed. “She knows things about Demon and Haiter that could bring them down.”

“Courtesy of being Judiths sister.” Belle said.

“Actually, we've been chatting while Judy's been having tests and stuff. She's actually really nice when she's not being the leader of the Mob.” Sammy said. “I might have let a few things slip accidentally.”

The others stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Hey.” Petunia nudged open the door with her arm. “Just letting you know things are stable for now, but the baby is coming and coming fast. We can't stop it.”

“Will they live?” Daniel asked. “Will my baby live?”

“We don't know.” Petunia said, looking tired and upset.

“For Globs sake, you useless WHOA!” Daniel had gotten up and was heading towards Petunia, but was stopped by the Lions Claw Blade.

“So THAT'S why you wouldn't sit down.” Sammy mused.

“Sit down Dan. You know full well that the staff here are doing everything they can to keep Judith and the baby alive. You know they're not miracle workers. I suggest you get over yourself before I make you.” Charlie said evenly.

“Well that escalated quickly.” Belle sipped her coffee.

“I don't think it did. I think it's been escalating since Judith got into hospital.” TJ said, standing up. He turned to Daniel. “Mate, we've been nothing but supportive, but you've treated us like we're the reason everything has gone wrong.”

Aren't you though?Daniel thought. He thought back to all the times that they could have outright killed Marion, Revolver, Roger, Daryl, Demon…all of them. He thought about how easy life would be if they had.

And killing was SO easy…

“Please, we're all on the same side here. We want you to be happy, we want Judith to live and we want your baby to be okay.” TJ continued. “Please, believe us and stop treating us like we're the enemy.”

“You sure you're not the enemy? You've got a sword to my face.” Daniel pointed out.

“And you're not supposed to have it in my hospital.” Petunia frowned.

“Are you going to stop being a butt or not?” Charlie asked impatiently.

Everyone looked at Charlie.

“Yes, I know I'm the butt right now, but Dan has been a butt longer than me.” Charlie snapped.

“Fine, I'll sit down and not say a word shall I?” Daniel slumped into a chair grumpily.

“Better than being snarky.” Charlie sheathed the Lions Claw Blade.

“Wouldn't it have been easier to bring your daggers instead of shoving that thing under your clothes? It's gotta be uncomfortable.” Sammy asked.

“But it wouldn't have been as classic.” Charlie grinned.

“We're leaving.” Belle dragged Charlie out by his collar. “REALLY Charles, you couldn't help yourself could you?”

“I had my reasons!” Charlie argued back, his voice fading as Belle hauled him away.

Daniel stiffened. Charlie couldn't know. There was no way Charlie could know…

Could he?

—

Sure enough, not even 24 hours later Marion was back at the hospital looking frazzled.

“Hey Marion. You okay?” Tammy asked, sitting near the water cooler that had been put near Judiths room.

“I've just been in gaol overnight and now my sister is giving birth!” Marion snapped.

“Yeah, I'd be pretty pissy too. Water?” Tammy offered her a drink. Marion accepted it wordlessly.

“I'd be careful going to the waiting room. Dan's not biting our heads off anymore but he's still being cold.” Tammy warned Marion as the older woman sipped her drink.

“Oh stuff him. It's Judy I'm worried about.” Marion sighed. “Do you think they're going to be okay?”

“Well, 'Tuney is looking after them, and she says it's 60-40 in favour of them both surviving.” Tammy said.

“So they'll be perfectly fine then.” Marion grinned. “Judy's faced worse odds before and won, easily.”

Tammy couldn't help but smile. Marion really WAS likeable when you took away the Mob. “Well, you've made me feel better.” She admitted.

“Good. Now let's deal with Danny Daddy-o. See if we can't get him to wise up.” Marion smiled back.

Tammy followed Marion into the waiting room, wondering which one would be more dangerous if things went wrong – Daniel or Marion?

—

Thankfully, a few hours later, it turned out everything was okay.

“IT'S A BOY!” Daniel came running out of Judith's room, looking rapt and nearly taking out Sammy.

“And Judith?!” Marion asked.

“She's tired, but all okay. They'll have to stay here for a few more weeks, but Marcus is in surprisingly good health considering how premature he is.” Daniel's face hurt with all the grinning, but he couldn't turn it off.

“Marcus?” TJ asked.

“That's his name. After her father.” Daniel looked at Marion, who started crying silently. “She wants to see you Marion. She wants you to meet your nephew.”

Marion nodded, and went to see her sister. Daniel sat down, looking exhausted and excited.

“Congrats mate!” He wasn't allowed to be exhausted for long, not with TJ and Sammy mobbing him with hugs and kisses. Tammy cheered and started running laps around the room in excitement, only stopping to help Petunia sit down when she finally emerged from the delivery room, also exhausted.

“It's almost like old times again, isn't it?” Petunia smiled, leaning back into her chair. “Just the five of us against the world.”

Daniel looked around. He was surrounded by his old playmates, who had stuck by him since they were children.

“I guess I owe you guys a huge apology…and a steak dinner…and ice cream…okay I'm not made of money!” He laughed at the greedy stares he was getting.

Inside his humicrib, Marcus looked around at his new life. His mother and aunt smiled down on him.

Back at Sunnys place, Melodys fever finally broke, and she started to sleep naturally. Outside, Belle was chasing Charlie, who had stolen her Highly Mega Ultra Super Advanced Dictionary First Class.

All was well in the world. For now.