#au4!hazel

Time seemed to race on.  The apartment that Logan had been working so hard on was finally finished, and they were able to get everything out of her apartment first, with the help of their friends and coworkers.  Then came the cleaning out of his apartment, and the laughable puzzle of figuring out how to merge two lives' worth of furniture and belongings into one space.  The new place was gorgeous.  There would be plenty of room for them and their new addition when it arrived.  So the early fall was sent sorting and unpacking, Hazel finding that she truly hated having any cardboard in her decor.  It was all gone by mid-October.

The days passed after their decision, and the idea became more real, bit by bit.  A big bit was the first morning she was nauseous.  It wasn't too bad but crackers were about all she could manage along with tea in the morning.  She returned to work, and insisted that everyone just please...don't make a big deal of this?  She's alright.  She can hold things well enough in her left fingers to chop and cut and manage...so...let's move on.  And thanks for keeping the place going while she was out.

She had a constant escort to and from work.  No questions asked, she was not walking alone if Logan could help it.  On nights that he needed to stay later, she either got a cab or waited for him.  As the injuries faded, she found some solace in going to the gym and doing light workouts or stretches as she felt up to it.  Walking was recommended, so she did that once a day around the gym track, as far as she could go in a half hour at a good clip.  Things were changing even if they couldn't see much yet in the belly, and she was keeping track of everything in a dayplanner.  The first formal doctor checkup was scheduled in just a few days at the end of the tenth week, and she was trying to keep everything straight.  

She was a little more tired but vitamins and exercise actually helped with that, along with drinking as much water as she could.  And nothing could dim her spirits.  She was happy.   Logan was so protective and doting, she wanted for nothing.  She felt loved, cherished, and it was amazing. 

The long hot weeks of the summer were perfect.

August was closing and Hazel found herself with a very consistent and attentive boyfriend.  A smart, strong, handsome, charming and sweet man who never failed to bring a smile to her face.  They'd gone to Coney Island, visited a few museums, walked through the parks, gone picnicing and listened to the symphony, gone to movies, watched movies at home, he loved her cooking...and holy shite, the sex was amazing.  

She'd gone to the doctor and went on the Pill.  Since she'd had to start mid-cycle, the doc had warned her that it would push her cycle off, but the quick blood test had confirmed there was no worry, so she (and he) had been able to really relax and enjoy one another.  Every moment they could.  Despite his claimed physical age, they both really did act like teenagers whenever they got the moment.  It was blissful and fun.  They were very much in love.  

She was walking home from the market one evening with a pair of good steaks and potatoes and everything to go with in the bag in her arms.  Logan had a combat training session for some of the junior agents going on, he was going to meet her at her place in about an hour.  She was crossing a smaller side-street when suddenly someone grabbed at the pack on her back, yanking her off-balance.  She yelled in surprise but a large hand went over her mouth, cutting it off.  Another hand went across her eyes and held her back against a body.   The grocery bag fell to the ground and burst as she was hauled into the shadows of the side-street.  She struggled and was rewarded for her trouble with several punches to her side from another set of hands.  Rough voices threatened and laughed as they mishandled her, twisting her wrists and blocking her kicking feet as they rummaged through her pockets and cruelly groped her.  

She'd worked very hard all day.  Partly to make sure she would be able to get out at six and head home, partly to keep herself busy.  The time came around and she didn't waste time but fairly jogged to her building and went up for a quick shower and change of clothes.  She came back outside as her phone beeped the hour of seven, wearing a white summerweight sweater shell over a deep blue skirt and a pair of heeled sandals, her hair pulled back in a tail.