In the shadow of a storm, a small cottage was nestled against the edge of a forest. The lights were on, shining through the dark night into the pelting rain. Inside, through the golden windows, the shadow of people moved around nervously. They stayed downstairs, and in the kitchen several pots were boiling.

A scream was heard from the room above them. The guests in the living room paused, like they did for the ones before, and listened for it to pass. Budder sat in an arm chair, pale as a sheet, shaking like it was the end of the world.

"Hey, calm down dude" Fluffy smiled, leaning against the back of his chair. "You know she'll be okay. She always has been. Remember when you two went mining and she took out that hoard of zombies? You weren't scared then. This is way easier" He said, trying to cheer up his friend.

Budder looked back at him and nodded. "I know, I just- I can't help it. You and Quartz, you've already got Jenna. You've been through this" He replied. Another scream broke out above them, this time louder. Budder gripped the arms of the chair tighter.

Tomy appeared at the top of the steps and the conversation in the room died. Slowly, he walked down stairs, fighting to hide a smile.

"Budder, would you like to come meet your son?" He asked, finally giving in and grinning. Budder slowly stood up, as did Notch who sat over in the corner. They followed him up the steps quietly. The house was oddly silent.

Budder quietly pushed the door to the bedroom open. On the bed, Crystal was tucked under a quilt. She was pale and looked exhausted. She held the baby boy against her chest carefully. Endra stood up from the stool next to the bed and offered it to Budder with a small smile. Nodding a thanks, Budder sat down and gently took Crystal's hand.

"It's a boy" She said quietly. Budder smiled and nodded, watching the baby, his baby, yawn and rest against his mother.

"Yea" Budder replied. He was at a loss for words, and realized it sounded dumb but the awe of the moment had overtaken him. He realized he was a father.

Notch stood in the doorway, watching quietly. A sad expression crossed his face.

"Crystal" he said quietly. She looked up at him slowly.

"He has-" Notch started. Crystal shook her head and looked back at Budder.

"Max" She said. Budder blinked confused.

"I'm not-" He started. The thought of complications started whirling through his head as he worried about her having memory problems.

"No" She said laughing slightly. "That's what I want to name him. Max" she smiled, and looked back down at the little boy in her arms. He was still, all except for his mouth which moved silently.

"oh" Budder replied, his cheeks turning red. He nodded and smiled. "I like it"

"Crystal" Notch said again, more urgently. She looked up at him seriously, her eyes flashing white for a split second.

"I know" She said. Her voice was pained. Slowly, she sat up more and kissed the top of Max's head. "I know" she repeated.

Notch walked over and stood next to the bed. He put one hand on Max's head, and started to murmur under his breath. Max squirmed at first, then started to cry as Notch's hand glowed bright white. Crystal held him close, murmuring to him quietly. The lights in the room flickered with each cry, and Notch's eyes started to glow.

Budder watched as if transfixed. It felt like eternity, when in reality the whole thing only too a few minutes.

Once done, Notch fell to the floor unconscious. Max continued to cry but this time the lights didn't flicker. A tear fell on his cheek.

Crystal looked over at Budder, tears sliding down her face. She was smiling, but her eyes were full of pain.

"He's safe now" She mumbled, "he won't be taken"

"What did he do?" Budder asked. He stood up and walked over to Notch who lay still on the ground.

"He had my powers" Crystal said quietly. "Now, he doesn't" She sighed and relaxed.

Budder nodded sadly. He called down the steps and Fluffy walked upstairs. Together, they pulled Notch out of the room and closed the door, leaving the two alone for the night.

"No one will hurt you" Crystal murmured as she looked down at Max. Gently, she brushed a wisp of his hair off his forehead. "I'll make sure of that. I promise"

From the woods, dripping wet and grinning, two glowing eyes watched patiently.