From: creative-archive@anxst.com Subject: Amanda from Allenna1@aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 18:03:37 -0700 (PDT) This story rest doesn't haven't anything to do with B5 but it's background information on one of the characters I have created for Babylon 5. This is a story about a young woman named Amanda......well you'll find out for yourself. The year is about 2238. Enjoy Standard disclaimers. =========================================================================== "Ma'am? Ma'am--?" Amanda was jolted awake by someone shaking her. "What--?" "Ms.--we've arrived in New Orleans--we're deboarding the shuttle." Amanda looked up to see a stewardess standing over her. "Oh-thank you." She grasped her shatchle in front of her and tried to rise. Amanda didn't have much success. "Ohff-" "Here let me help you Ma-ma." the stewardess gave Amanda a hand and helped her to her feet. The two women walked to exit together. The stewardess helped her down the steps. "Let me call assistance for you--their help you get to a taxi." "Thank you. I don't think I'd be able to get there on my own." "It's no problem. How far along you?" the steward asked after calling down to get some help for Amanda. The younger woman's curiosity had apparently gotten the better of her. "Seven month. I'm due January 4." She answered smiling shyly. Amanda loving placed a hand on her stomach and felt the very active baby kick. "Whoa, I would have only placed you at five months." Her frankness over coming her professionalism." Boy or girl?" "A girl." said Amanda proudly, rubbing her hand over stomach. "The doctor said a little small for seven months but other than that she's healthy." "Are you meeting your husband here in New Orleans." Amanda's smile faded. "Her daddy's not with us anymore." She didn't add that the daddy had never been with them. That her precious baby was the product of one night with her brother's best friend. She blinked rapidly. "Well, here they are for you." "Thank you for all you help." "No problem. Good luck with the baby." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ By the time the Amanda got the hotel she was exhausted. Caring this baby wasn't easy. Amanda called for room service for hot chocolate and jambalhla. She smiled as she ate. * At least I'll eat good here.* She drew herself a hot bubble bath. She slowly lowered herself into the water with a sigh. *Mmm-- what in heavens name have I done so good that I deserved all this. This is to wonderful. * About an hour later Amanda final got herself out of the tub. It took some doing but she got out. She slid on one of the few nightgowns that she could still wear. She drank some more hot chocolate and slowly walked out onto the balcony, looking out on the city. This hotel was wonderful but she couldn't afford to stay there long. Tomorrow she'd have to go look for a job and go apartment hunting. Jane had given her the name of a woman who might give her a job. Amanda smiled, everyone on the force had gone out of their way to help her. The chief had offered to give her a recommendation for the N.O.P.D. but Amanda didn't want to be a cop again till her baby was at least a year old. All the girls had thrown her a baby shower--she now had more name books, single parenting books, and baby clothes for at least two babies. Amazingly no one had said a word about the father. No one had condemned her for not telling him and marring him. They all had been a little disappointed when she hadn't told her big brother. But how do you tell you brother that his friend got you pregnant? Music from a jazz band drifted up to from Bourbon Street below. As she lost herself in the sound she felt like she had her baby were final home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Mrs. Deoux?" Amanda was standing in St. George book shop. It was almost noon and Amanda was hungry. Then again lately she was always hunger. She'd spent the first half of the day sight seeing and seeing. She looked at the woman in front of her and smiled. "Yes? Can I help you young lady?" "I think so--Jane Way sent me--she thought you might be able to give me a job. I'm Amanda The woman came from around the counter and took the girl to the back room. "Here dear sit down. Janey told me all about you. Of course I can give you a job! Janey's momma was an old friend of mine. And please call me Danna." Amanda was stunned speechless by this burst of goodwill. But then she grinned liking Danna instantly. Danna and Amanda talk for almost an hour. Ironing out the things Amanda would do working for Danna. All Danna really needed was some to help her run the shop been when she discover that Amanda was more than willing to run it she was more than happy to let her do it. About one Danna had instead on taking Amanda to lunch. "Do you have a place to stay yet, Mandy dear?" "I'm staying at hotel right know but I was planning on looking for an apartment this afternoon." "Nonsense, you'll do no such thing. What you'll do s stay in the studio and loft that are on the shop." Amanda couldn't believe that she was offering a stranger something like this. "Oh, I don't want to impose on you." "Don't you worry none bout that I've got a place in the Garden District. The store is a great place for a young mother. Especial with that garden in back of it. Not to mention a retired police detective living two doors down." "Thank you so much--" "It's nothing girl." She interrupted. "Now tell me bout this baby. When's he due?" "She. She's due in January...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 months later. December 24. ------------------------------------------------ "Can I help you?" "Yes, I'm lookin' fer a book on Stephen King." "It'll be under classic horror. Here I'll show you." Amanda cheerfully helped what she hoped was the last customer of the day. "That'll be 15 dollars." She said smiling at the woman. "Thank you." "Merry Christmas, Mandy." "Merry Christmas Ms. B." Amanda happily closed up the shop. She reached down to pick up her purse and groaned at the back pain. She rubbed her back than her stomach. The doctor said that the baby would come soon. Amanda could hardly wait for her baby. She looked at her watch. Damm, she was late! Amanda was meeting her friends at a little restaurant for a small Christmas part. Corey Knight and her husband Matt, her Lamaze coach. Corey had become her best friend, and as a mother of two helped her a lot. Everyone she met here was so nice to her. But something was missing. She didn't know what. *Mandy!! You're going to be late!!* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Have you picked a name yet?" "Nope. There are just to many!!" "Don't worry Mandy me and Matt didn't pick Kristina name till she was a day old!!" Corey laughed. She patted her friends hand. "So how you doing?" Becky asked. "Other than the normal aches and pains, I'm fine!!" They all laughed. "Ah-she's kicking again!!" Amanda wailed. "Active baby just like her Momma!!" Jason laughed teasing her again. "Doesn't that kid ever sleep, Manda?" Becky asked her. Amanda yawned." Nope but her momma has to. I'm calling it a night guys." She hugged Corey." See you tomorrow. Night Knights." A roar of laughter came from behind her. Amanda smiled and called a cab. The next morning Amanda opened the shop for a while even though it was Christmas Day. She was getting ready to close up and go up to Corey's for the day when someone came into the shop. "Can I help you?" "Yes, I think you can--" He pulled out a list and read a few book names to her. One of the books was Rama II and another was Little Women. Amanda looked up quickly to see who was making such and odd request. The man was relatively young and good-looking. He had short brown hair and pale blue eyes. But it was his face that caught her attention. His features were different somehow--not quite human. The bridge of his nose was almost flat. "I'll get them for you Mr.--?" "Lennie--" He stopped suddnely," Mr. Lennon. John Lennon." "Kay." She absently got the books for him. This man was really odd. His accent was well--not --not--oh she didn't know. There was something about the he moved--like he was wearing someone else's body. "This is a nice shop you have here, Ms. Amanda." *What I never told him my name!* "Oh-it's not mine I just work here. That'll be twenty dollars." "Uhm-do you take credits?" "Sure." Credits? No one used them on earth. "Thank you, Ms. Amanda." "Sure, come back anytime." "I just might do that. Good luck with your little girl." Okay, this was going past weird. "Thanks. Merry Christmas!" She called after him. He stop puzzled then he seemed to remember something. "Yeah-Merry Christmas." Amanda sighed as he left. *God why can't I met any normal guys?* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the next couple of weeks the man kept coming back to the shop. Not every day, but close to it. He was a very nice guy. But he seemed more interested in the baby than her. Sometimes he almost called the baby by a name but then stooped himself. He seemed to know the baby better than she did. She groaned and got up from her seat the doctor said she's have the baby in about a week. Right know Amanda was late again. This time for a New Year's Eve party. She closed up the shop and stared walking towards the corner. A bright burst of light flashed by her. She stopped and looked around. Suddenly someone grasped and pulled her into an open door way. It was John. "What do you think you're doing--"she hissed. She didn't get a chance to finish. He shoved her down just as the building came down around them. Amanda screamed a he covered her body with his own body as it fell. AS it crashed down she felt a wave of pain. *Oh-God-* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Amanda-Amanda!!" Someone was yelling her name. A wave of pain hit her as she opened her eyes. She saw John kneeling beside her holding her hand. "Amanda, your water broke--you've gone into labor." "Ahh--I--can--feel--that."She screamed. "Amanda just hold on--we're trapped here. You're going to have to deliver here." Amanda clinched her teeth. "You got to be kidding!" "I'll help you-I'll be right here--you are not going to lose her--you will not lose this baby--" his tone bordered on desperate--almost as if something important depended on all this. "Will you let me help you?" She tightened her fist as the pain came again. "Do I have a choice? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outside rescue crews and police had arrived on the scenic. "What happened here?" "The whole building collapsed!" "There can't be anyone in there--" "Some lady saw a man and a woman go in. Said the woman was pregnant!" "Are you sure?" "Positive, sir!" "Then what the hell we waiting for!! Come on people lets get them out of there!!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Almost an two hours later the rescue crew still hadn't reached them and Amanda was still in labor. "Push, Amanda! Push. Come on. You are doing a great job!" The contractions were getting closer and closer together. She should of given birth by now. He looked a the tried woman in a panic. She could not lose this baby. She couldn't. Amanda screamed in pain. "It hurts so much--I can't do this--"she sobbed. He squeezed her hand. "Yes you can. You are doing fine." Another contraption came. "Push! Come on Amanda, all this will be worth it when you old her in your arms." Amanda didn't know how longer she could last--she was so tried. But she pushed again. "I can see her head. Come on just one more push--" Amanda screamed and pushed again--the air was filled with the sound of a baby crying. Amanda's tears became ones of joy. "It's a miracle--my miracle--" He just held her and the baby close. Suddenly light filled the room. "Hey down there--ya'll all right?" "Yes, mother and daughter are fine. Just get us out of here!" "Yes, sir!!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amanda laid in an ambulance holding her baby. She smiled at he man who'd helped her. "Thank you--thank you so much." He blushed and tenderly touched the baby. "What are going to call her?" She looked at he sleeping child. "I don't know--" she looked up at him "what would you name her?" He hesitated then answered. "Name her just what she is---" "A miracle?" "Exactly." He rose to his feet. "You're leaving?" He nodded looking at the baby. "I have to go back. I have done what I had to do--now they need me--she needs me--" Amanda nodded she had know it somehow. He leaned over and kissed the baby's forehead, whispering-"I will see you soon." He jumped out of the vehicle. "John--" he turned- "I want you to know that if I could have anyone as the daddy of her I'd pick you." He smiled. "Amanda I'm going to say to you what I have only said to one other woman. Nuh gans Feani EnEleezme dran." Then he disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly before she had a chance to ponder what he'd said, she heard a familiar voice--Corey. "Amanda--Amanda!" Corey came to her side. " Thank the lord you're okay!" "I'm fine Corey--Matt--we're both fine." "God, she beautiful and so tiny!" Matt said. "She perfect, Amanda--"Corey told her. "Told you she'd be a New Year's baby!!" "What--"Amanda said in disbelief. "A new year started twenty minutes ago!" "She was born twenty minutes ago!" Amanda gasped. "Born the stroke of midnight how about that!!" A young police officer came over to them. He smiled at Amanda and her baby. "That's a pretty baby, there Ma'am. Congratulations!" Amanda looked at him and her heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, please call me Amanda." Then young man blushed. "Well then Amanda--what's this little charmers name?" Amanda hesitated a second. "Miracle--her names Miracle." "Miracle--I like that. She'll live up to her name." Amanda grinned and then laughed. "That she will! Miracle met the world!" She smiled tenderly at her child. "World met my daughter Miracle Garabldi---" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Somewhere else the young man who'd help Amanda opened his eyes--to the most beautiful creature in the universe. "Thank god!" she gasped holding his hand. Then she buried her face in his chest. "I thought you were never going to wake up--"she sobbed." The doctor said your mind was gone--" He lifted her chin gentle and wiped away the tears. "Hush--it's okay--" "I had to tell Delenn everything! I was so afraid you were--were--" He managed to sit up and hold as she cried-very brotherly of course. "I'm sorry Lennier--" "Shush you did the right thing--" Lennier was glad she didn't but almost wished she'd hear the next part. Softly he whispered into her hair- "Nuh ganas Felani EnEleezme dran, Miracle." Somewhere a mother holding her baby smiled. ==================================================================== The End Hope you liked it!! Allenna Sinclair