#millory4life

“Michael, I want to talk to them, Aunt Myrtle and Cordelia. I-“, Michael cuts her off before she can finish. “Mallory, I don’t want you getting upset. It’s not good for you or the baby.”

Simply nodding as she smiles up at him, “Michael, I’ll be fine. I promise I’ll go in and sit down. I will do my best to not get upset, and if I do, I’ll simply stop discussing the subject.” Not entirely convinced that Mallory can do this, Michael watches cautiously as she slowly gets up from the bed. It doesn’t go unnoticed how she winced while climbing off the bed, or the pause as her small hand moved to her growing belly as if she’d had a pain. Getting up as well, knowing he left her once when she needed him most, Michael Langdon is determined he’ll never make that mistake again. Placing his hand on her back as the bedroom door opens. As much as she thought she was ready to see Cordelia and her Aunt Myrtle, the minute they come into view her heart begins to race. Her small hands reach back desperately, pawing at Michael as her hand seeks out his. Doing her best to keep her promise, Mallory realizing she’s failing miserably as the tears begin to fall.

“Are you sure you want to do this now?” Michael whispered into her ear. Unable to look at him, she simply nods as they slowly approach the witches. Both women rise as Mallory comes into view. The older women are trying to hide the shock as they see Mallory and her growing belly. Cordelia is the first to approach, opening her arms for a hug. “Mallory, I’m so sorry. We never could’ve known. We were wrong, all we wanted what was best.” “I forgive you, Cordelia. I also thank you. Michael told me everything. I know if it weren’t for you and Aunt Myrtle I would’ve died and his father would’ve taken both me and Harper with delight.” “Yes, my dear, we couldn’t allow that to happen. We did what we thought was right at the time. Mallory, we didn’t listen. What happened was just as much our fault as it was Michael’s. We made the mistake of separating the two of you. Moira begged us not to take you. She pleaded and promised to take care of the two of you. I didn’t trust my own sister”, tears slipping from the side of Myrtle’s eyes as she thinks of Moira. Walking over to her Aunt Myrtle, embracing her tightly, “Aunt Myrtle, I forgive you, too. We can’t take back what is done. It hurts, and probably always will”, looking up into the older woman’s eyes, smiling, “we have things that are of greater importance, now”, taking her hand, placing it on her belly. Myrtle’s eyes open wide as she feels Mallory’s belly. Cordelia knows that look all too well, moving over to feel her growing belly. Looking to Cordelia, “Delia, do you” pausing for a moment, “feel the same thing?” In a panic as the two witches look at one another, “Aunt Myrtle, Cordelia, what.. what’s wrong with my baby.”

“Oh darling, it’s not that there’s anything wrong. It’s that”, Myrtle stopping herself, not knowing if Mallory knows or even wants to know. “Mallory”, Cordelia began hesitantly, “do you and Michael”, turning to look at him, “do you know how many babies you’re having?

“Babies?” feeling as if she’s going to be sick, turning to look at Michael.

“That’s impossible, Mallory feels her belly frequently. We’ve both felt the heartbeat”, Michael replied moving beside of Mallory. Reaching out, Myrtle takes Mallory’s hand, while Cordelia takes Michael’s hand, “Feel, right here” as the elder women place their hands on Mallory’s belly. “There are two heartbeats” Cordelia said, hesitantly. Looking over to Michael, seeing his stoic expression never changing as his hand begins to move all around Mallory’s belly. He’s in utter disbelief at how he missed this. Surely, he and Mallory had mistaken the second heartbeat as hers and just dismissed it. They were thankful to have just one strong heartbeat, two was something they simply never imagined. Breaking the silence, Mallory’s soft voice lit up the room, “Two. Michael, we’re going to have two babies.” Her smile melted his heart, just as it always had. Mallory meant everything to him. He knew at this point there was nothing he could do to bring Harper back, but he had another chance to be a father. “This time, things will be different. I’ll be by her side, always” thinking to himself. “Mallory, I know Michael explained that pregnancy is a delicate situation for you. I know being confined to a bed is difficult, but it’s necessary. You mustn’t be up walking around unless it’s absolutely necessary. You need to be prepared, both of you”, Cordelia looking to Michael, then Mallory, “for what is to come. Because of the divine lineage that runs through your veins, your babies will grow strong much faster than a normal child. That’s why you’re showing the way you are. We need to keep those babies inside of you as long as possible while keeping you safe.”

Having been prepared by Michael that the babies would be born much earlier than she expected and knowing how they’d have to be delivered, Mallory was ok with the plans that had been made. It’s just the bed rest she wasn’t prepared for. They were supposed to be headed for the Sanctuary that evening, instead she learns they’ll be there a few more months- at least until the babies are born. In truth, she knew little about the Sanctuary. It’s something she and Michael had never discussed, and the more she thought about it, something just didn’t sit right with her.

Feeling her anxiety beginning to rise, she knows it’s time to go lay back down. “Michael, I’m starting to get tired, will you help me back to bed?” Taking her hand, holding it gently in his, “Let’s go my love.”

“Aunt Myrtle, Cordelia, thank you. I’ll speak with you soon”, smiling as Michael slowly escorts her back to their bedroom. Taking a deep breath, feeling as if she can actually breathe as they enter the room. Before getting into the bed, Mallory unties the bow on her nightgown, allowing it to fall off her shoulders and onto the floor. Turning to the side, completely naked, looking at her changing body. “Beautiful”, admiring his wife, Michael is extremely proud of himself as his gaze falls to her growing belly. Blushing, rubbing her, large for her, belly as she looks over to Michael, “I- I just had to look. I wanted to see for myself. I could feel it, but I wanted to see it.”

Hanging his coat up in the closet, taking off his boots, placing them in the correct spot as well, turning to his wife while unbuttoning his shirt, “There was never a more beautiful sight than my wife with my children growing inside of her.” Hanging up his shirt, walking over to Mallory, his large hand touching her face so gently. Slowly, his hand begins to move down her neck, groping her left breast. A small moan escaped her perfect lips as he did, her back arching slightly, pushing into him. Twisting her nipple before his hand continued to move down to the bare flesh of her belly. “Love. Love is what created these children”, seeing the tears in her eyes as she placed her hand atop his. “Michael, they are our blessings. We’ll be good parents.”

There have always been doubts in Michael’s mind if he would be a good parent. After all, other than Moira who looked after him when Constance threw him out, he’d truly never had a parental figure who didn’t want him, told him what a monster he is, actually guided him, or didn’t use him for their own agenda. Mallory wasn’t much different. Her father and stepmother were abusive and ultimately plotted to kill her. Mallory always suspected her father killed her mother, but she could never prove it. If it weren’t for Moira, she wouldn’t have had anyone, at least that she had many memories of to genuinely love and care for her. Right now, Michael is trying to push all of those doubts out of his head. He wants his entire focus on his wife, who looks more beautiful than he’s ever seen her. “Michael, I know I’m not terribly big, yet. Well, I’m probably as big as a 3, maybe 4 month pregnant woman”, really looking at herself, her gaze returning to Michael, “We never really had much of a chance before, when I was pregnant with Harper, but now that my body is changing, do you think you’ll still want to make love to me?” Sensing her insecurity, Michael takes her face in his hands, cupping it, tilting it ever so gently so that she’s looking up into his eyes, “My love, I’ve never seen you look more beautiful than you do right now with my children growing inside of you”, taking her hand, moving it down his pants until she feels his erection growing through the soft material. “The mere sight of you takes my breath away.”

Looking up at him with the shy look he’s always loved, “I love you, Michael. I know it may be a little difficult to make love, but I need it. I need to feel that love with you as long as it’s safe. Right now, I don’t think we’re in any immediate danger.”

His hands caressing her belly ever-so-gently, leaning in placing a soft kiss upon her lips, “Lie down, Mallory.”

Michael’s voice always melts her, and even moreso when he’s giving her commands. Her hand caressing his strong chest as she walks over to the bed, lying back, watching as his removes his slacks. Mallory’s eyes never leave Michael, moving from his beautiful eyes down his body, her hand lazily moves to her breasts, caressing them as he climbs onto the bed.

“Mallory Langdon, you are breathtaking, do you know that?”

Seeing Michael looking away, sensing the hesitation in his voice, Mallory instantly knows something is wrong. Her heart racing as she sits up, crawling over to Michael, taking his face in her hands, “Michael, look at me. Your nose was bleeding. You won’t look me in the eye. What’s wrong? Please, tell me. No matter what it is, we can work through it. I promise. I love you.” Knowing he doesn’t deserve her love and loyalty, and at this very moment, that’s all that’s really keeping him going. Taking a deep breath, looking into her eyes, he slowly begins to reply, “Mallory, no matter what I tell you, I need you to remain calm. I’m not leaving you, so please, do not panic.” Crawling in closer, laying her head against Michael’s chest, nuzzling in closely. Mallory knew if Michael was asking her to remain calm it must be bad, especially if he reassured her from the begining he wasn’t leaving her. Unable to reply, she simply nodded her head against his chest, clinging to him tightly. Sighing, trying to figure out how to explain everything to Mallory, when in all sincerity he wasn’t sure himself how everything had transpired. “Mallory”, he began, “there’s no easy way to tell you, let alone explain. I was making the final preparations for our departure to the Sanctuary, when I was”, stopping for a moment, looking over at the crack in the door, “interrupted by some unwelcomed guests.” Mallory’s head popping up from his chest, looking up at him wide-eyed. “Michael, who’s here?  Where did they come from? Did they come from the Sanctuary with bad news?” Placing her head back against his chest, running his fingers through her long hair, trying to soothe her, “No my love, it’s nothing like that. It’s, how shall I put it? My in-laws.” Her head popping up again, looking at Michael with confusion, fear, joy, angst, and everything in between. “Michael, do…. Do you mean my… My Aunt Myrtle?” Sighing as he caressed her cheek loving, “Yes my darling, your beloved Aunt Myrtle. And Cordelia. And that whore-witch, what’s her name?” Feeling as if she’s going to pass out, her head falls back to Michael’s chest, clinging to him, “My Aunt Myrtle, Cordelia, AND Madison?” “Madison, that’s it. I only remember her as the one who was desperate to get fucked, or fuck someone. No matter, that’s her. I told your Aunt and her merry band of witches that they couldn’t have you. I informed them that we would never be separated again, and that we were expecting”, taking a deep breath, pausing for a moment, “that’s when things got- delicate.” “Delicate?” looking up at Michael, thinking that perhaps her Aunt and sister witches weren’t happy about her pregnancy, but knowing that what they thought about it mattered not to her. As much as she loved these women, she loved Michael more- she always had. Right now, her baby and Michael were her main priorities. “Well, they gave me some information that I was taken back by”, kissing the top of Mallory’s head, holding her close. “I was angry at them for years for taking you away from me. I blamed them for Harper’s death, when they had no part in it. I actually owe my eternal gratitude to them.” Looking up again, feeling more puzzled than ever, “You feel grateful to them?” “Yes. Let me go back and explain. You knew from the beginning I never knew my birth mother. I didn’t know anything about her, no one ever discussed it. Cordelia and your Aunt Myrtle explained to me that you might be in danger. I was certain it was a trick to stop me from killing or banishing them. However, I sensed no deception in what they were telling me, so I allowed them to proceed. They went on to explain how they sent that traitor Behold and the whore to our home. Knowing they’d been in our house brought up rage I haven’t felt in years, until-“ closing his eyes, holding Mallory closer, “they explained to me how my birth mother died.” Sensing how upset this made Michael, Mallory, squeezed him tighter, trying to be reassuring. “Mallory”, looking down at her sorrowful, taking her beautiful face in his hands, “my birth mother died giving birth to me. She hemorrhaged to death after an exhausting labor”, for the first time in so many years, Mallory can see the hit of tears welling in Michael’s eyes, “I killed my mother, Mallory. I told you so many years ago I was a monster. I truly am.” Clinging to him, closing her eyes, “NO! No, Michael! You’re no monster. It’s not your fault. I’m so sorry about your birth mother, I mean that”, looking up into his eyes, taking his face in her hands, “Michael, it’s a horrible unfortunately truth about childbirth, sometimes women do die. It’s not the baby’s fault, and most of the time it’s not the mother’s fault- she didn’t do anything wrong. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people.” Turning his head, knowing it’s his damned father who has a hand in it all, but unable to bring himself to say the words aloud, “Mallory, when your Aunt Myrtle and Cordelia arrived at our home, the day you lost Harper, you were so close to death” pulling her in close, knowing he’ll never forgive himself for leaving her that fateful day. “Your fate was dangerously close to that of my mother’s.” Looking up at him, making the connection at last, “Michael, what… what does-“ cutting her off, “It means, your body knew you couldn’t carry Harper to term, only my” pausing for a moment, “my father had a hand in my mother’s death. Had it not for your Aunt Myrtle and Cordelia, he would’ve taken you from me forever. I’ve spent my entire life hating your aunt and Cordelia for taking you away from me, when all they were doing was trying to protect you.” “Michael, I. I don’t know what to say? This is a lot to take in.” “I told you it would be my love. Unfortunately, that’s not everything”, moving his hand down, caressing the small bump in her stomach softly, able to feel the strong heartbeat of his child. “Mallory, with our powers and lineage being what it is, our child will have a shorter gestation than that of other children. Our child will grow larger, quickly. Instead of the normal 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, you’ll do well to make it to 24 weeks”, Michael stated matter-of-factly. Looking up at Michael, nodding confused as to what’s so upsetting about this? As long as their baby is born healthy, she doesn’t mind how soon or late it arrives. “We have to monitor you extremely carefully, as the baby is depleting all of your energy. I had to perform a transference of energy earlier. Myrtle and Cordelia informed me that as your get further along, it will require all of us to give you energy. We are going to have to monitor your gestation very carefully. When our baby is strong and viable, Cordelia is going to remove the baby and placenta from you to prevent hemorrhaging once again.” Nodding in understanding, placing her small hand upon her belly, feeling so many emotions all at once. Unable to speak, closing her eyes as the tears began to fall like rain. “Oh Michael, I just want to give you a child-“ Stopping her before she can go on, tilting her chin up to look at him, “And you shall. Our child will grow strong, and you will be a wonderful mother, just like we always dreamt. I’ll never let anyone hurt you, or our children. I swear this to you, Mallory.

 Unable to stop herself from eavesdropping, Myrtle heard the entire heartfelt confession and proclamation to Mallory. Walking softly back to the fire, taking a seat next to Cordelia. “You know, I never thought I’d ever utter such words from my lips, I have to give the young man credit.” Cordelia looking over to Myrtle, shocked.

“I know. I know Delia. If I hadn’t heard him myself, I’d be unable to believe it. He told her everything. He, Michael Langdon, the prince of sin, himself, admitted he was wrong.” “Myrtle, were… were we wrong? I mean, I look around at the state of the world, and all he did, and I assure myself that we made the right decision taking Mallory away, but did we? Had we reunited them a few years later, would things have ended up this way? Would we have been able to steer him down a different path?” “Delia, you mustn’t dwell on such things. Right now, we need to focus on keeping Mallory and her baby safe. Michael’s father isn’t going to be pleased. Not only did he choose his beloved Mallory, one of the strongest witches to ever live, over him, he got her pregnant for not the first, but second time. His father will do whatever he can to take that child, and Mallory from Michael.”

 “I know, Myrtle- that’s what I fear the most, the retribution for all of this. If he takes her, again, it will be Michael, and Michael alone who would be able to perform Descensum to retrieve her. I fear for both of their safety if this were to happen.” Lighting a cigarette, taking a long, slow drawl, looking into the fire, “Delia, let’s not dwell upon that. What we need to do is regroup a plan to get out of this mess. I can’t bear staying in this dungeon one second longer than necessary.” Performing Tempus Infinituum was originally the plan. Mallory was going to reverse time and stop the Apocalypse. Now that she’s pregnant, Mallory will be much more hesitant if not outright opposed to going back in time and erasing the existence of her child, or children as it may be. She’s already lost one child, there’s no way she will give up Michael and their child once again. “Myrtle, if Mallory and Michael performed Tempus Infinituum together, before the baby is born, perhaps Mallory would be open to going back in time. In theory, if they were successful in reaching the time period they need, Michael can stop the Apocalypse, himself, and as a strong unit within the Coven, we would be able to protect Mallory and their child. As it stands right now, we’re all sitting ducks. Michael included.” Eavesdropping on the witches, being the highly clairvoyant Warlock that he is, Michael hears the plans being made. As much as he HATES admitting the witches could be right about anything, especially after everything they’ve done to him and Mallory, he realizes they have a point. They are ALL sitting ducks. In his haste to appease his father and Mrs. Mead, he was a dutiful son doing all that had been asked of him. Having it drilled into him since he was a teen that he was the chosen one, and he must fulfill the prophecy and create the new world. It was easy for Michael to be manipulated once Mallory was erased from his memory. Cordelia was correct in wondering if they made a mistake. They made a fatal mistake, but hindsight is 20/20. All of Michael’s grand plans and dedication to his father went out the window when he found his precious Mallory once again. He directly disobeyed his father by not killing all of the witches and committing the ultimate betrayal to his father: marrying the strongest witch to ever live and then getting her pregnant. For the second time. Not the first. The second.

 Holding Mallory close as she cries, feeling her petite hands clinging to him, feeling so helpless as to how to comfort her. He doesn’t know the words to say to take away the fear, because right now he knows he’d be lying if he said everything is going to be alright. Placing a soft kiss atop her head, leaning her chin back so he can look down into her eyes. He sees the utter despair. The fear of losing yet another child, the fear of losing him. He sees it all. What’s left of his heart is crushed at this moment. Unable to keep up his strong façade, a small stream of tears began to fall from the side of his eyes. “Mallory, my darling, I will give my life to protect you and our child. This I swear to you. No matter what, you will never have to live in fear. I will never allow anyone or anything to hurt you.” Reaching up to wipe the tears from his eyes, caressing his cheek, “Michael, I love you more than anything. I couldn’t go on without you. You are the air I breathe. Together, we are one, always. Promise me, no matter what, you’ll never leave me.”

  From the balcony, Langdon could hear the excited chatter from those below talking about the Halloween Masquerade Party that evening. It was Coco, as usual, who was the first to notice that Emily and Timothy were gone. She looked over to her faithful sidekick Gallant loudly inquiring, “WHERE are Timothy and Emily!” Looking around with a curiously puzzled look on his face not seeing either of them replying, “That’s a good question. Where ARE they?”

 The anxiety in the common room begins to rise as one by one the survivors realize that there are only two logical explanations: they were taken to the Sanctuary. Or. They’re dead. You can tell by the look on Dinah’s face she’s hoping they’re dead. Evie Gallant was the one who finally spoke up, “Darlings, we all know they went to the Sanctuary. They’re probably fucking like rabbits right about now.”

    The loud banging of Venable’s cane brings everyone’s chatter to a silence. “Yes, Timothy and Emily have indeed gone to the Sanctuary per Mr. Langdon’s orders. They left before dawn this morning. I do not know who, if any others, have been chosen to go to the Sanctuary. We will find out in due time. In the meantime, I suggest you finish up any last-minute touches to your costumes for our soiree this evening.”

   In Michael’s suite, Mallory was resting, but it wasn’t a peaceful slumber. Her body is frail and weak. She was correct, her pregnancy with Harper wasn’t anything like this one. When they were teens, neither of their powers were remotely close to as strong as they are currently. If either of them knew the story of Michael’s birth, they indeed would be terrified right now. Michael’s father is definitely NOT on their side, as Michael was instructed to kill all of the witches, not marry and have children with one. At best, Mallory was a few weeks pregnant, but due to both of their powers the baby is depleting all of Mallory’s energy developing at double the rate it should.

   Even when she was pregnant with Harper and knowing nothing about pregnancy, she knew that her baby looked larger than it should’ve when she had the miscarriage. It probably won’t even occur to her until her body begins to change much faster than it should. Being so small, it’s not shocking to either Michael or her that she’ll begin to show sooner than most women.

   Looking in on her, seeing for the time being she seems to be sleeping, Michael begins to put his evil plan into motion. Mrs. Mead is downstairs putting up the decorations and bringing out the tub of water the apples will be put in for the bobbing for apples game. In Coco’s suite, Gallant is busy doing a masterpiece updo for the upcoming party. Ms. Venable has a bad feeling she just can’t shake, despite the plan she and Mrs. Mead hatched to eliminate everyone for their shot at the Sanctuary.

   As the afternoon turns to evening there’s an excitement that hasn’t been in the Outpost since Langdon’s arrival. There’s music playing, everyone dressed up in their best costumes, dancing and having fun. It’s when Mrs. Mead comes out with the pristine red apples that everyone’s mouth begins to water. They’re all starving and the apples look so tempting. It’s not until everyone has an apple that Ms. Venable gives the instructions that they are all to enjoy the apples together, holding hers up, and then with a sinister smile on her face, takes the first bite, along with everyone else.

   One by one, coughing and gagging, gasping for air as the foaming at the mouth and vomiting begins. Coco and Gallant, being the most greedy were the first to take a bite fall quickly. From there, it was a domino effect. One by one the bodies began to hit the floor, lifeless. Thinking she’s won, Venable smiles, until she feels the wave of nausea that hit everyone else. Looking to Mrs. Mead with panic, “Something… something’s wrong.”

   Looking at Venable, her hands crossed in front of her with a wide grin on her face, “No Ms. Venable, there’s nothing wrong. Everything is going according to plan.”

   “How…. How could you?” coughing, gasping for air as Venable begins to throw up violently, fighting for her life.

 “Oh, Ms. Venable, this was always part of the plan. You simply didn’t know. It’s for the best, really”, watching as her cane drops, and Venable falls to the ground, mouth foaming, lifeless. Taking one last look about the room, making sure there are no survivors, the older woman climbs the stairs, pleased with her work, ready for her son to clean up the mess, so to speak.

   “Michael”, knocking softly on his door. Pushing back from his desk, walking to the door and slipping out as quietly as possible. “I take it our plan went off without any complications?”

   “Yes, my beloved son. They’re all dead, just like we planned. Do you want to simply burn them all so Mallory doesn’t see them, or are you going to keep her in a slumber until the carriage arrives?”

   Before Michael has the chance to reply, he senses a presence in the main hall. “They aren’t all dead, mother.”

 “Michael, that’s impossible, I just saw them. Not a single soul survived.”

  Hearing the voices he could only imagine in his head from years past, for the first time he thinks he’s hallucinating. “It can’t be. It simply can’t be”, hurriedly walking to the grand staircase with Mrs. Mead right behind him. For the first time in what feels like a lifetime he’s face to face with the women who took his precious Mallory away from him. Crossing his arms in front of his body, tilting his head slowly, calculating as he looks over Cordelia and Myrtle.    Slowly walking to the edge of the staircase, looking down upon the witches he resists the urge to begin to torture them immediately. He wants them to suffer in every way possible.

   Before he can even speak, Cordelia opens her mouth in somewhat of a panic after seeing the bodies strewn across the floor. “Michael! Where’s Mallory!”

   Angered at the thoughts that SHE could even IMPLY that he would harm Mallory was insulting. He knew the next words to come out of his mouth would cut both Cordelia and Myrtle like a knife.

  “Oh Cordelia, how nice of you to feign concern for Mallory. Ironic, isn’t it? The woman, well, women who took Mallory away from the one place she was truly happy, asking ME where she is. Oh, that is rich”, he replies laughing hysterically. “You want to know where Mallory is”, becoming deadly serious again, “my beloved wife is resting in OUR bed. Morning sickness is very hard on her during the early stages of pregnancy.”

   “Michael, please. There’s something you have to know-“

   “I know I need rid of the two of you, and that whore witch you brought with you”, looking over to Madison with disdain cutting Cordelia off.  “Michael, I know you hate us, and you have every right to”, Myrtle replies, looking to Michael, then Cordelia. “I promise you, Michael if you give us the chance, we’ll explain, but right now, you need to listen to us, Mallory’s life depends upon it.”

   Hearing that Mallory’s life depends upon what they have to say, he pauses for a moment. Unable to sense a lie, but the skeptical part of him thinking this may simply be a trick on their part to buy. In the event it’s not, he’s willing to hear them out. “Proceed.”  “Michael, there’s something you don’t know, about your birth mother”, Cordelia begins taking a deep breath. “I know you never knew your birth mother, but before the world ended, Madison and Behold went to yours” swallowing hard, “and Mallory’s home. She went at my command looking for answers. What she returned with, wasn’t at all what I expected.” Taping his foot, Michael began to get impatient. The LAST thing he wanted to hear about was his birth mother, and how DARE she or any of those other women enter their home. That took a lot of fucking nerve. “Get on with it.” “Michael, your birth mother died giving birth to you.”

   The tapping immediately stops. For the man who creates chaos, chaos was just brought into his world. Trying not to show any fear as his heart races at the thoughts of losing his Mallory again.  “Michael, that’s why Mallory lost Harper when the two of you were younger. Her body was too small to carry a child to term. Now that she’s in her 20’s, she’s still in danger, Michael. She can’t carry a child to term. She’ll die” Cordelia says with tears in her eyes, knowing the deep pain of losing a child and longing so desperately for one.  Those words were a knife in his heart. No. He wouldn’t lose Mallory. Never again. Listening to Cordelia, his mind was racing. He knew there had to be a way to keep Mallory safe, and allow her to deliver his child without death. There had to be a way.  “Michael, we can save her. The baby has to be delivered early. I promise you, no harm will come to Mallory or your child. I know you have no reason to trust us, but we also know that without Mallory, there is no way we could ever defeat you. We know she won’t turn on you, that she is where she wants to be. Where she’s always wanted to be.”

   “I swear, if you so much as harm a hair on her head, I will burn your souls. Do you understand?” looking down at the three women.  “No, Michael we will never harm Mallory, your baby, or you”, feeling a deep sickness in the pit of her stomach having to assure Michael that she wouldn’t harm him. Knowing that she has no choice in the matter, Cordelia knows the only choice they all have is if Mallory is able to bring forth some sort of redemption within Michael.  Reluctantly trusting the witches, but realizing what they’re saying at the very least holds some truth, as Mallory has been extremely weak. Much weaker than she was when she was pregnant with Harper. “Michael! You can’t possibly be buying this load of garbage! Remember your purpose my boy!” Mrs. Mead exclaims, angry Michael seems to be losing focus. “Mother, this is my WIFE and CHILD’S life we’re talking about. I will walk through Heaven and Hell BOTH to save them. I will NEVER lose them again. EVER. Do you understand me!” losing his semblance of control as he screams loudly.  “Michael, we need to heal Mallory’s body, and all of us will have to give her some of our strength and energy. We cannot move her until she’s had the child. It’s too risky”, knowing that was part of Michael’s ultimate plan, but right now Cordelia’s only thoughts are on keeping Mallory alive and helping her to deliver a healthy baby. This threw the proverbial wrench into his master plan. The last thing Michael was prepared for was staying at Outpost 3 a day longer than necessary. Only now, it was necessary. He was angry because he knew the witches weren’t lying to him. He was angry, because he knew in his gut that his father had to have a hand in this. Never before had it occurred to him that his father could possibly be responsible for the death of his and Mallory’s first child. It’s hitting him like a ton of bricks right now.  With no choice left but to trust the witches, he raises his arm, pointing towards their suite.  “Come with me, but before we enter the bedroom, I will go in first, alone. I don’t want your presence causing her more distress. I believe the last thing we all want is for Mallory to become upset.”

   Myrtle looks to Cordelia, nodding in agreement, as Madison looks around, rolling her eyes. She never did like Mallory, and if she and her kid die it’s certainly no skin off of her back. Instead of coming with Myrtle and Cordelia, Madison slips off on her own to investigate, looking down at the dead bodies grimacing in disgust as she tries to dodge them and the vomit.  Closing his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening the door to his chambers half expecting to see Mallory looking around frantically for him. When he opens the door, he’s surprised to see nothing has been disturbed. There’s part of him that hopes she’s finally truly resting, but another part of him that knows her body is extremely weak and that makes the all too human part of Michael afraid.  “Wait here”, Michael instructs Cordelia, Myrtle, and Mrs. Mead, “I’m going to go check on her and see how she’s doing. I’ll be back in a moment.”  Opening the door to their bedroom, he can see Mallory laying peacefully on their bed. Her petite hand is resting on the small bump in her belly, just like she always loved to do. Her cheeks are terribly sunken in, and there are deep blue rings under her eyes from lack of sleep. Reaching out, caressing her cheek so lovingly, then placing his hand atop hers, “Mallory, my love, how are you feeling?”  So weak she’s unable to open her eyes, smiling so softly when she hears Michael’s voice. Her voice so soft as she replies, “Michael, tell Moria to bring me a 7-Up with a cup of ice. May…. Maybe a cracker or two, please.”  Michael’s eyes close for a moment, not wanting the witches to see him vulnerable or weak as a piece of his heart breaks. “She doesn’t realize we aren’t at home”, thinking to himself. Rubbing her small hand lovingly, able to feel their baby’s heartbeat as he touches the small bump, fighting back tears as he replies, “My love, anything your heart desires, I’ll get you. Just rest for a few more moments”, leaning over to kiss her lips so softly as he gets up.

   Trying to put his aloof exterior on as he exits the bedroom, walking back over to his mother and the two elder witches. Looking to Myrtle, then to Cordelia, absolutely HATING to admit this, “Ladies, you were correct. She is indeed weak. I believe she’s most likely dehydrated. She’s oblivious to where we are at the current time. She just asked me to have Moria bring her a 7-Up with a cup of ice and some crackers. I didn’t have the heart to tell her we aren’t in our home, and Moria isn’t here to bring her a 7-Up or crackers.”  For the first time in a long time, Cordelia and Myrtle can sense the deep pain Michael is feeling. They never for a moment doubted his love for her. They knew he’d been searching for her for years. They knew in turn, how deeply Mallory loved him. The two women spent years wondering if they did the right thing. Was taking Mallory away from Michael the right thing? They didn’t just take her away, they completely erased him from her life. How much of this does she remember? Does she even know? Has Michael told her? Does she hate us? These were questions that whirled like a cyclone through the heads of the witches as they realize just how complicated and delicate this situation truly is.  “Michael, I know this is a spell you probably thought you’d never perform, the transference of energy- Do you remember how to perform it?” finally breaking the silence as Myrtle speaks frankly.  “Yes, I do. You’re right, I never thought it would be something I’d ever perform. If it weren’t for my wife or child, you’re correct, I never would perform it.”  “She needs your energy right now and will be more receptive to it. There will come at time as she gets closer to giving birth that she will need all of our energy”, Cordelia adds.  Nodding, looking to the women as he walks back into the bedroom. Sitting down on the bed, caressing Mallory’s hair, one hand moving down to hold hers, the other resting on their growing baby inside of her. Closing his eyes, feeling his energy moving into her body, strengthening her. He doesn’t realize just how much energy he’s given her until she gasps, “Michael! Your nose! Your nose is bleeding!”  He can hear the fear in her voice as he moves one hand up to wipe his nose. Indeed, there is some blood. It’s been so many years since his nose bled. Smiling down to her reassuringly, “My beloved, it’s just a little blood, don’t worry. How do you feel?”

 “Michael, I feel fine. I’m just worried about you. Why is your nose bleeding? Did you go outside? Please say you’re ok. I know we’re supposed to leave soon.”