Part 13
March 2014
Max laid his head back on the pillow and tried to catch his breath. Sheen of sweat covered his body and his face was flush from their lovemaking. He felt Liz’s gasping breaths blow against his chest. His eyes glanced down at his naked body… well, not entirely naked, he noted. His hand reached down for his member and began to unroll it off. He grimaced a little as he did it. It was easier going on than coming off. He tossed it in the trash basket next to the bed. “I still don’t get why we have to use condoms. You said you might already be pregnant, so what’s the point?” he whined once again about it.
“Because I might not be and if I’m not, I would rather wait for a little bit before we have another baby. Don’t you want time with just me and Jamie?” she asked as she got her breathing under control.
“Yeah, that would be nice,” he admitted. He still didn’t like using condoms though. “So how long do we have to use them?”
“Three weeks and I should know if I’m pregnant or not. If I am, then we won’t need to use them, if I’m not, then I go to the doctor and get some other form of birth control. But if it’s the pill or patch, we’ll need to keep using them for another month,” she explained again.
“Right,” he breathed out as his heart rate started to slow back down close to normal. He felt her shift and then rise. “Where are you going?” he asked with heavy lidded eyes.
“To wash up,” she told him and smiled. “I’ll be right back,” she promised and placed a quick kiss on his lips before slipping on her nightshirt and locating her underwear in the tangle of sheets and blankets at the foot of the bed. She looked back again and smiled at him as he just lay there watching her. He was a beautiful site lying there naked and all flush and sweaty. It was a site she would never get tired of.
Max closed his eyes when the door closed behind Liz and he let his mind mull over the possible baby issue. Part of him had wrapped itself around the idea of having a daughter in nine months and he didn’t want to let go of it. The other part acknowledged that everything Liz said was correct. It would be best to wait and give all of them time to get to know each other better and to bond as a family. While a baby may bring them closer as a couple and a family, it would also add to the stress as well. But still, that first part of him kept picturing a little baby girl in his arms and looking at him with big brown eyes that reminded him of her mother and made his heart melt. He wanted that and soon. It was something he could happily dream about. He half opened his eyes when he heard the door open and close. Liz walked over and climbed next to him with some towels in hand. It felt incredible to first feel the cool dampness washing away the sweat from his face and arms, followed by a warm towel drying him off. He moaned as she continued her ministrations on the rest of him.
“Feel good?” she asked in response to the moan and the smile that tugged at his mouth.
“Um-hum. Incredible in fact,” he mumbled as he kept his eyes closed and relished her touch on him. A few minutes later and he was on the verge of falling asleep when it occurred to him that she’d stopped washing him. It took a great deal of effort but he finally managed to open his eyes enough to see her sitting next to him, and looking him up and down. “Liz?”
She brought her eyes up to meet his. Hers were moist as she could only imagine what had caused the various scars that marred him. She wondered how deep those scars went and how much pain they might still cause him. “What happened Max? Why didn’t you heal them?” she asked.
“Because they don’t matter,” he said instantly and then quickly changed his mind, “Or maybe because they do matter. Maybe they tell of the other scars that are hidden,” he said softly but there was no missing the bitterness that tinged his words. He felt a tear drop on his arm and watched silently as Liz straightened out the bedding and covered them both before settling next to him. He felt her lightly touch his side, the one with the most scars.
“Tell me what happened?” she asked and remained silent. He was either ready to talk about it or not. She wouldn’t push him.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on her, how she felt lying next to him, how soft her skin was, how her body molded perfectly to his, how sweet she smelled, how warm her breath was against his skin, and how she made everything else seem insignificant.
She was beginning to think he’d dozed off when he finally began in a low soft tone.
“We’d been back for two years. Nothing was like what they’d told us. They didn’t need a figurehead but an actual leader and they’d expected me to be it. What did I know about leading a war? I was a kid, just a scared kid.” He swallowed as the exact memory surfaced behind his closed eyes. “We were in a base camp on a small sister planet. We’d heard rumors of Kivar sending an assassin after us. It was the middle of the night when suddenly alarms sounded, and we were under attack. People were screaming and running for safety or their weapons. It was chaos. Michael and I got our weapons and scrambled to a spot on a hill where we hoped we could get an idea of what was happening and how to counter it. A group of our inner circle, the ones that we thought we could trust were there with us. Out of nowhere came enemy fire. It lit the sky. I was hit in the side but I didn’t know it. My side felt funny but there was no pain. It wasn’t until I looked down and saw my shirt burned away along with my skin that I even realized I had been hit. Later, I found out that the burn had gone so deep it destroyed all the nerve endings and that’s why I didn’t feel any real pain. One of our inner circle people came over, I thought to help since by then I was well on my way to going into shock. I tried to raise my arm so he could maybe do a little healing or at least cut away the rest of my shirt and sanitized the wound. I can remember watching him pull the dagger out and thinking he was going to use it to cut the shirt. I didn’t comprehend what he was doing until he I felt the blade slip between my ribs. Michael said I screamed but I don’t remember. All I recall is that I had been sitting and suddenly I was on my back and that bloody dagger was about to stab me again and not being able to do anything. But there was Michael, dragging the guy away. All these people suddenly surrounded me, trying to staunch the flow of blood before I bled to death, but all I focused on was Michael in the distance and felt the rage in him as he fought with my attacker. I guess I blacked out because the next thing I remember was hearing Isabel trying to convince me to open my eyes. I’d been unconscious for four days and was weak from blood loss and the trauma to my body. I was too weak to heal myself and deep healers, like me, are few and far between, so it was up to the surgeons and doctors to heal me. I never got around to healing the scars. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it reminded me to watch my back,” he said and was grateful for her tender, healing kisses.
He was silent for a while as various parts of his life replayed in his mind. There was something he needed to tell her but he was scared. But he knew she should know. That if he was ever going to truly put it behind him he needed to tell her. Plus she deserved to know what kind of a man he really was. He just hoped that she would be able to love him once she knew. “Liz.”
“Hmm,” she mumbled and clung to him, sensing that he needed to feel her right now.
“I…I need to tell you something,” he began hesitantly.
She kissed his chin and snuggled against him, ready to listen to whatever he had to say. “Okay, go ahead. Tell me.”
Max drew in a deep breath. “The war ended five years ago.”
His words hung in her ears as she tried to figure out what exactly he was saying and why it was obviously so difficult for him. “Okay, so what have you been doing for the last five years?” she asked cautiously.
“Being king,” he replied.
“O-kay,” she answered slowly as her mind tried to justify why he hadn’t returned to her five years ago. “They… they must have needed you.”
“No… I mean yes, that’s why I stayed but that’s not what I’m trying to tell you.” He took a ragged breath to calm his nerves and tried again. “Liz, it’s not like it is here. The throne rules everything. There is no congress or parliament. The courts serve at the throne’s pleasure and have to answer to it. Whoever sits on the throne holds absolute power over everything and everyone. And… and for the last five years the throne has been me.”
“Max…I…I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to tell me,” Liz finally said after waiting for several moments to see if he had more to add.
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely. I…hated it. I hated being expected to make all the decisions. I held the power of life and death and could use it however I saw fit. That kind of power…it terrified me.” He could feel the tears starting their trek down his cheeks. “And God help me, I wanted more. It was like a moth to the flame. It was dangerous and I knew it was wrong, that nothing good would come of it, but it called to me and I couldn’t turn away. And hated every minute of it. And hated what I was becoming even more. I was becoming Kivar,” he admitted out loud for the first time.
Liz looked up at him and saw the tears and the anguish etched on his face and she knew on his soul as well. Her thumbs gently wiped at the tears. “But you didn’t. You said you stepped down,” she soothed but then she remembered what else he’d said. “Max, you handed it all over to…Tess? Now she can…”
Max shook his head. “No. She can’t. One of the benefits of holding that kind of power is if you want to set up a new form of government you can. For the last three years Michael and Isabel and even Tess helped me work with advisors on how to set up a parliament made up of elected officials and a fair court system. They still have a long ways to go but they’re on the right path. And the throne is now no more than a figurehead for the government. Tess holds no more power then say England’s monarch. But still…Liz, for a few years there…Liz, I was an egotistical bastard. I mean I never ordered anyone’s death but…I was ashamed of myself,” he told her. “I’m glad you weren’t there to see me that way. I know you would have hated me then.”
“Max, look at me.” She waited until he looked her in the eye. “But you let it go. You walked away. You should be proud of that,” she told him firmly.
“But he’s still there, Liz. Inside of me is that power hungry bastard. He’ll never be totally gone,” he told her.
“He’s in all of us. He has to be. How else would we recognize the good if the bad didn’t exists as well? But he didn’t win, Max. You didn’t let him win. In the end you did the right thing. You gave your people their freedom, more freedom than it sounds like they ever had. I’m proud of you, Max,” she told him and kissed his lips gently. “And I love you,” she told him and kissed him more hungrily that time.
Max slowly started to let go of the anguish and doubt that had plagued him for so long. He had truly been horrified at the person he had almost become. If it hadn’t been for Michael literally knocking some sense into him and throwing ‘what would Liz think of you acting like this?’ accusations at him, he would have ended up despising himself and everything in his life. The worry over how Liz would react finally vanished. She still loved him. She was amazing. “I love you too,” he told her in between kisses and felt his love starting to stir again and he made a mental note to pick up some more condoms soon.
~
“Umph,” Jamie grunted as he sat his end of the dresser down in the middle of the living. “That it, Dad?”
Max took a look around. All the furniture was in the middle of the living room with suitcases and a few boxes sitting next to the door. “I think so, but we should probably double check the closets and cupboards to be sure before the Salvation Army truck gets here,” he suggested and it was a good thing too since they forgot the linen closet.
“Okay guys, the ice cooler is all packed and the refrigerator is cleaned out,” Liz announced from the kitchen. It was so strange to actually be moving, as in actually moving and not running. She walked around the corner to the living room and saw a new pile of stuff. “Guys?”
“Hey, are we taking any of this?” Max asked. He was thinking a few extra blankets and pillows might be a good idea, wouldn’t it?
“Mmm, yeah, here let’s take these quilts and bed pillow and donate the rest,” Liz told them and helped them separate out the ones she meant. Those too went by the door.
“Okay, looks like we’re all set,” Max announced and looked at the stuff piled in the living room. “Liz, you sure you’re okay donating all of this? We can rent a trailer or even a small truck if you want to keep any of this,” he reminded her one more time. Nothing looked all that new but there might be a few things she wanted.
Liz looked it over once more. She could remember buying most of it, all second hand from various garage sales or the Salvation Army store. All someone’s leftovers, and she didn’t want to start her new life with leftovers. “Nope, it can all go. I’m sure. You’re just going to have use some of that money you mentioned to buy me all new stuff,” she informed him and gave him a peck on cheek.
“Okay, I’ll do that,” he assured her and then turned to his son. “Okay Jamie, I’ll go bring the car around near the stairs so we don’t have as far to tote this stuff.”
“Okay,” Jamie replied and grabbed a box.
~
Two hours later they were on the highway headed home. Max drove while Liz flipped through the various radio stations and Jamie alternated between reading and seeing what was in the cooler that was sitting the backseat with him, and doing his best to hear everything his parents were saying.
“So how far do you think we’ll get tonight?” Liz asked.
“I’d like to make it to Kingman at least, maybe a little further if we can,” Max answered.
“Mmm, that means a pretty long drive tomorrow. You want to break it up or do it all in one day. We’d be getting there in the wee hours of the morning,” Liz pointed out.
“I’d rather be wide awake and semi-coherent when I see my parents for the first time in fourteen years. I think I might have a few things to explain,” he commented and cast a glance in the rearview mirror at his son.
“So two days. We can stay in Albuquerque tomorrow if we stay on I-40 and then cut over and head south on 285 the next morning. If we leave say by eight or nine we should make Roswell by early afternoon,” she calculated.
“That sounds good,” Max agreed.
“Do you want to call and let your parents know so they won’t worry?” Liz offered.
Max chewed the inside of his cheek, reluctant to tell her. “They…uh, they’re not exactly expecting us,” he finally admitted.
“They’re not expecting us. Wait a minute. You said Isabel stayed in Roswell. Isn’t she with your parents?” Liz asked.
“Yeah,” Max answered and then clammed up.
Liz’s fingers drummed on the hand rest as she waited for him to continue. “M a x…” she finally had to prompt him.
Max swallowed. “We ditched her,” he mumbled.
“I’m sorry, you what?” Liz demanded.
“She knew that I had plans to track you down immediately so she agreed to go to Mom and Dad and let them know that we were back. So that’s what she did. I…uh…um… Michael and I stayed at Sheriff Valenti’s while he dropped her off at home,” he glanced over at Liz and wasn’t sure what she was thinking but her arms were crossed. “If I went with her and then turned around and left again…it…I just didn’t want the big scene with Mom crying and everything. Besides, while Valenti was out Alex called and that’s when we learned that the Special Unit was going to make a move against you Saturday night. So when the sheriff got back and we explained, he let us borrow his truck and told us to head over to Kyle’s in Tucson, that he knew where you were. So that’s what we did,” he finished.
“And what was Isabel going to tell your parents about your fourteen year absence?” Liz wanted to know.
“The truth,” he said and cringed.
“You left your sister to explain to your parents that you’re part alien and haven’t just been out of state or country but off world, and then you disappeared on her without a word?” Liz asked incredulously.
“No, not exactly. We talked…um, okay she talked…well, yelled actually, for a good hour as we drove until we lost cell reception in the desert,” Max explained.
“And what did your parents say when you talked to them? Are they okay about… about who you are?” Liz asked and waited and waited and waited, and when he didn’t say anything she filled in the blanks. “You didn’t talk to them, did you?”
“No,” he almost whispered.
“Do they even know you’re back?” Liz asked in disbelief.
“Yeah… I think so. I’m pretty sure Isabel yelled something about that somewhere along the way,” he said and hoped he’d heard right. He hadn’t really been paying much attention though.
“Max, when we stop tonight you are going to call your parents,” Liz told him.
“Liz, I’d rather not tell them over the phone. I thought we could…surprise them,” he suggested and gave her a hopeful look. It didn’t work.
“No. You will call them and at least let them know that we’re coming so they can be prepared. I am not going to ambush your parents that way.” She held firmly.
“What about your parents? Aren’t you going to call them?” he countered and was pleased to see her flinch a little.
“We’re not planning on staying with them, but if you’d rather stay with them, then yes, I will call them, and that way my dad can have his shotgun all nice and ready when he sees you, and you can explain about running off on me after getting me pregnant at age sixteen,” she pointedly told him.
Max scowled. Did Jeff Parker really have a shotgun? “I didn’t skip out on you. You didn’t tell me you were pregnant,” he defended.
“Well, you were present when we did the deed and knew that we hadn’t used any protection. Didn’t you at least consider it?” she retaliated with, as she was starting to get pissed. How could he not have talked to his mother and let her know he was okay? She was sure Isabel would tell her but it wasn’t the same as hearing it first hand, hearing his voice again. As a mother herself, she would have been incredibly upset and broken hearted if her son took off again after a fourteen-year absence without so much as a phone call.
“Um, no. I was a stupid seventeen-year-old boy that wasn’t exactly using his head to think with. I was more interested in figuring out how to get an encore performance,” he shot back, kicking the ‘conversation’ up a notch as his temper rose.
“Max Evans, so you were just a horn dog after all. Maria was right! All you wanted was to get into my pants!” she accused.
“That’s not true and you know it. Besides, you haven’t seemed upset about it before, if anything you’re the one that’s wanting to get into my pants all the time,” Max countered. Okay, so maybe he didn’t have any problem with that, none whatsoever, but that was beside the point. There was a point here somewhere, wasn’t there?
Jamie was going to throw up if this went much further. “Um, guys…impressionable kid back here that really would rather not know any details of his parents’ sex life. Or better yet, even know that you have one. Its bad enough that I’ve had to wear headphones to bed the last couple of nights, do I have to wear them in the car too?”
Max and Liz shot each other a look and then both turned and looked at Jamie for a moment. The appalled look on his face was just too funny and they burst out laughing.
“Okay, okay, I’ll call my parents tonight when we stop,” Max conceded between laughs.
~
A suddenly and violent downpour forced them to stop for the night just outside of Kingman. A quick trip through a drive-thru for dinner and then to the motel and they were set for the evening.
Liz looked over at Jamie watching TV while Max took his turn in the shower. “Jamie.”
“Yeah Mom?” he answered and tore his eyes off of the Baywatch repeat.
“Jamie, I want you to take it easy on your dad. He’s pretty new at this and,” she paused when she noticed the confused look Jamie had. “Okay, let me put it to you this way, do not try to con him into anything, like playing hooky again. Because, believe me, I will find out and then you’ll be dealing with me. Got that?”
Jamie had the good sense to at least look guilty. “Okay Mom. I didn’t mean to get Dad in trouble.”
Liz snorted at that and tried not grin too much. “He’s not in trouble. He’s just forgotten what it was like to be a teen. I just don’t want you taking advantage of that. And speaking of taking advantage, I expect you to be on your very best behavior when you meet your grandparents and aunt and everyone. I have no doubt they’ll be just itching to do some major spoiling and I expect you to mind your manners,” she warned and wagged her finger for emphasis at him.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Jamie dutifully replied. Grandparents. Other kids had grandparents that they’d tell him about how they’d spoil them and now he did too. He couldn’t wait. He looked up when the bathroom door opened and his Dad came out with a towel still drying his hair.
“So what’re we talking about?” Max asked as he picked up a comb and raked it through his hair.
“Grandparents spoiling me,” Jamie answered with a grin.
Max turned to look at him, saw the smile on his face and returned it with one of his own. “Yeah? I can guarantee you they’ll be doing a lot of that.” he confirmed as he came over and plopped down on the bed. “My mom is going to go nuts over being a grandma, and I bet my dad’s going to want to do some fishing,” he said and smiled at the idea. It’d been a long time since he’d done any fishing with his dad and he missed it.
“So…um, which one is the…uh… non-human grandparent?” Jamie asked tentatively.
“Huh?” Max replied in surprise. “Which…oh, um…neither. They’re both totally human. They adopted me and my sister when we were about age six.”
“Oh…what happened to your real parents?” Jamie inquired.
Max frowned. “My real parents? Jamie, Philip and Diane Evans are my real parents. They are the ones that raised me and are the only ones that I’ve ever known,” he answered a bit defensively and then sighed. “Jamie, I’ve never had any other parents. See, my…predecessor was a king and was murdered along with his sister, his second-in-command and his new wife. He had no direct heir. The person who murdered him took his throne. A group of loyalist looked for a safe place and found Earth. They took DNA from four…human subjects and mixed it with DNA from the four slain royals, that way the resulting…offspring would better be able to fit in here on Earth while growing up but still be…alien as well. Anyhow, the four embryos were put into incubation pods and sent to Earth.”
Jamie scratched his head as he tried to grasp what exactly his dad was. “So that’s like what? Invitro but you stayed in the petrie dish?”
Now it was Max’s turn to think about that. “Um, sort of…I guess,” he said and decided to move on, “Me, Isabel and Michael…um, hatched when we appeared to be about age six. And being kids, we naturally wandered off. Michael got separated from Iz and me and wound up in foster care, while the Evans found Isabel and me that same night. We got lucky.”
“What about the other one? You said there were four. Your wife, right?” Jamie was curious.
Max winced a little at that. “Um, not exactly my wife. But… um, Nesado, our alien protector that was sent with us, was there when she hatched a short time later and raised her.”
“What happened to her? Did she come back too? Are you married to her?” Jamie asked and then looked over at his mom. He could tell that Mom didn’t like that last question.
Max followed Jamie’s gaze and reached for Liz’s hand to reassure her. “No, she’s not my wife because we never married. When I decided to leave, I abdicated my throne and handed it over to Tess to be queen, who’d married a distant, full-blooded alien cousin of mine. Thus ensuring the royal line. She already had one daughter and was expecting a son when I left. She seemed…content with her life there. But I was more than happy to leave and come home…to your mom and my human parents and family…and you.”
Liz cleared her throat to get their attention. “Well, we still have a good drive ahead of us tomorrow and we’ll need to get an early start so we should be turning in soon…right after Max calls his mom,” she said as she handed him her cell phone.
Max looked at the phone and frowned. He wanted to talk to his mom, more than anything but he knew she was going to get all weepy on him.
“We can…um, move over here and watch the TV so you can have a little privacy,” Liz suggested.
He grabbed her hand. “No, don’t. Stay. I may need your help,” he said as he flipped the phone on and dialed the number he still remembered even after all of these years.
“Hello, Mom?” His voice cracked at hearing her voice. “Mom, it’s me…No, no, Mom, I’m fine. I swear. I…” He felt the tears threatening. “I know. I know we should have told you the truth years ago…I… I’m sorry. We were kids and scared…Mom, please don’t cry. Mom…Mom, I’m coming home…yes, for good this time. Um, Thursday afternoon. Mom, I bringing Liz with me…and our son…Mom…Mom?” He moved the phone away and swiped at his own eyes before looking at Liz. “She’s crying,” he told her and listened to the sobs continue on the other end. Finally he heard another voice come on the line. “Dad? Yeah, yeah. We’ll be there Thursday afternoon, me, Liz, and Jamie, our son. Um, is it okay for us to stay there with…okay, great. Thanks Dad…for everything. I love you too. And tell Mom, I love her too…okay. Bye. See you then,” he said and turned the phone off. “Mom was still crying. Um, they want us to stay as long we like. They said we can have the guest room and Jamie can have my old room.” He smiled at a thought. “I bet Mom has Isabel help her clean the house from top to bottom getting everything ready and I bet that she buys out the grocery store.” He had missed his parents so much but hearing their voices, it made his heart ache, and he longed to be there with them right now.
“Well, let’s get to bed,” Liz told them and soon everything was quiet as she lay in Max’s arms. Tonight were his parents, but in a few days it would be hers. She both couldn’t wait and dreaded it at the same time.
~
Welcome To My World ~ Liz/CC~TEEN/MATURE~Complete
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Forum Moderators
Part 14
March 2014
Max peeked around the curtains of the cheap motel in Albuquerque and grinned at the early morning sunshine. After driving in the rain the day before, he was beginning to wonder if he’d ever get to see the yellow sun shining down in all its glory again. It was an incredible site and a great omen for the start of a new life, or was it picking back up an old one. “No rain,” he commented to the other occupants of the room.
“Cool! Can we put the top down then?” Jamie asked as he dressed.
“Yeah,” Max happily replied.
“Okay, but Jamie, put on a jacket. It’s still cool out,” Liz told him and then looked over at the t-shirt Max was wearing and added, “You too, Max.”
“Yes, Mom,” Max chuckled and slipped his jacket on as they prepared to leave and head home. After all these years and after everything that they had gone through, they were going home. He wondered what they would find there.
~
“Uh Liz, do you remember that?” Max asked and nodded to the right as they were on the outskirts of Roswell.
“No. No, I don’t,” Liz admitted. “I guess Roswell’s done some growing. Look over there. Is that that another new housing division going in further out, near the old highway?”
“Looks like it,” Max agreed after glancing in the same direction. Where had all these people come from? The town had certainly changed. It made him wonder if he’d even recognize it or anyone in it.
Liz wondered since when Citrus had an exit right off the highway. She was glad to see Max wait and took the next exit, the one that went right along their old high school. She noticed what seemed to be a new wing of classrooms, and was that a pool they’d added in? But she was glad to see the blue and gold ‘Home of the Comets’ sign still painted on the side of the auditorium and everything else looking pretty much the same. “Jamie, that’s where your dad and I went to high school, West Roswell High.”
Jamie eyed the collection of buildings and tried to picture what his parents had been like back then. It was hard to picture them ever being that young but he supposed they must have.
Liz noticed Max starting to tense as the turned down familiar streets as they neared Murray Lane. She reached over and placed her hand on his thigh.
“Mom’s going to cry. I know she is,” Max mentioned as he was starting to stress.
“Yes, she probably is and you’re going to let her. Let her be your mom and you, just be her son. That’s all she wants, Max,” Liz told him.
Max nodded in agreement but he hated to see his mom cry and hated it most when she cried over him, no matter what the reason. His stomach knotted as he turned onto Murray lane and the two-story Spanish style home came into view. Home. He felt Liz give his leg a good squeeze in support. Mother and son. Mother and half-alien son reuniting after a fourteen-year absence, his mind reminded him.
Liz could almost see his mind running through all the self-doubts that she knew Max had always harbored. How could anyone love him, an alien? How could his parents really love him unconditionally? “Max, I love you. No matter what, I love you. And so do your parents. They’d never turn their back on you any more than you would on Jamie,” she soothed as they pulled into the driveway and stopped. The house looked the same. The shrubs and trees were a little bigger but everything else…felt the same. She saw the curtain in the kitchen window move a little. They’d been watching for them. “Go say hi to your mom and dad. They’re waiting for you, Max.”
Max gave Liz’s hand that was on his thigh a good squeeze and slowly climbed out. Dad had a new truck he noticed, and in the open garage he spotted his old jeep. Dad had kept his old army surplus jeep. Somehow that mere fact gave him hope that maybe Liz was right. Deep down he knew she was. His parents knew already, Isabel had told them, and the other day when he’d called he’d been given assurances by them that it was all okay, but somehow the fact that they’d kept that jeep…it touched him deeply. The side door opened suddenly, startling him out of his musing. A smiled played at his lips as he walked over. “Mom,” he said and was instantly in her arms and being held tight.
Diane couldn’t stop the tears if she’d tried, and she didn’t. She couldn’t let go of him. Her son. Her baby boy. She thought she’d lost him forever and now… oh, God, now he was home. Her little boy was home.
Philip was waiting to hug his son but was willing to wait until Diane was done, which he knew was going to be a while. He glanced over toward the car and spotted Liz and a boy, his grandson, standing there patiently waiting. The way the boy stood with his hands shoved in his front pockets reminded him of his son when he was uncomfortable or unsure of things. The memory and sight made him smile. He looked a little further and spotted their neighbor standing on the sidewalk and staring. “Diane, we should probably let the kids come inside,” he gently suggested.
‘Kids?’ Jamie thought and looked at his parents.
“What? Oh…OH! Oh, yes, please…please come inside,” Diane finally said when she got herself together, albeit temporarily, and stepped aside so they could enter. She never let go of her son’s arm though. She was too afraid he’d disappear again. It wasn’t until they were all inside that she spotted Liz and her…grandson standing there and her eyes began to fill with tears again. “Liz?”
“Mrs. Evans,” Liz answered politely.
“No, Diane…at least called me Diane, please,” she told her and then they hugged. She always knew that Liz was special to her son. She had been the only one to make his eyes shine like that. And any girl that could do that just had to be special. And just over Liz’s shoulder she eyed him. Her grandson stood just a few feet away and he was…beautiful, just beautiful. Her hold on Liz slackened as she itched to put her arms around him. “And this is Jamie?” she asked as she and Liz released their hold of each other.
Liz hadn’t been overly close to Max’s parents but they had always treated her well and made her welcome. Even though she was the only one that Max had gotten into trouble with at school and hauled into the principal’s office even. Plus the night out in the desert together didn’t exactly go unnoticed by either set of parents. “Yeah,” she said softly to the new grandmother.
After Max and his dad hugged, he decided to do the introductions. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you both to meet Jameson Valenti Parker…Evans, Jamie for short,” he said proudly and waited for his parents’ reactions. He didn’t wait long.
“Oh my…” Diane was a flood of tears and couldn’t stop herself from wrapping her arms around him. She could tell how startled he was by it but soon she felt arms reach back around and hug her in return. “Welcome home, sweetheart,” she said softly between sobs.
“Diane, how about a turn?” Philip asked gently, his own voice thick with emotion. This was his grandson. He had a grandson, his son’s son. And he was here with them. All of them were, at last, home. “Welcome to the family, Jamie. I’m glad you’re here,” he said and gave him a good squeeze before releasing him and gave him a good once over and smiled. He liked what he saw, a fine looking boy.
“Oh Philip, isn’t he beautiful?” Diane asked and tried her best not to lose it again.
“Beautiful?” Jamie stammered.
“Yes, he is,” Liz proclaimed proudly.
Max grinned at the slightly perturbed look Jamie now had when a smell hit him, a delicious smell. “Wow, that smells good, Mom!”
“Oh, thank you dear. I decided to make a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for dinner,” Diane informed them.
“Oh Mrs. Evens…uh, Diane, you didn’t need to go to all that trouble. Let me help you?” Liz offered.
“Oh, I wanted to. It’s been a long time since I’ve had enough people in this house to warrant fixing a whole turkey and decided not to pass up the opportunity,” Diane explained as Liz followed her into the kitchen to help check on how the bird was doing.
Max looked around for a moment looking for someone and when he didn’t find her he turned to his dad, “Dad, where’s Isabel?”
“Alex Whitman came into town last night and came over this afternoon. He and Isabel went for a drive but they promised to be back for dinner,” Philip told them as they headed toward the den.
“Cool, I’ve never got to meet Alex but Mom talked about him. And I saw him once…from a distance, though, when Mom went to meet up with him in Denver once at a hotel. We didn’t get to stay long,” Jamie told them as he checked out his dad’s various high school pictures. Man, what funny haircuts they had back then, he thought.
Philip’s eyebrow shot up at that revelation and wondered who all knew about his grandson and never said a word. He noticed how Jamie kept looking at all the pictures that lined the walls. “So, Jameson Valenti Parker Evans. That’s quite a name,” Philip hinted and clearly was waiting for an explanation, especially for that second name.
“Yeah, for quite a kid,” Max replied and couldn’t help puffing up a little with pride, but then he noticed his dad was pretty much doing the same. “But, yeah I could use your help with that…” he began and started to fill his dad in on a few legal matters that needed tending to.
Philip listened quietly. He would have to think about what would be the best way to fix the birth certificate. It wasn’t as easy as a simple name change to add Evans on, they needed to change the legal parent on it as well. And do it all without any blood work. Legally, Max may have to actually adopt his own son with Kyle Valenti agreeing to relinquish his parental rights. He was both deeply disturbed and thankful for the help the Valenti’s had shown Liz and his grandson, but he also remembered how the sheriff had remained silent as he and Diane had filled out those missing persons’ reports. The man knew where his children were, knew what they were, and knew they had a grandchild out there and had never said a word. Not one word in fourteen long years. Intellectually he understood why, to protect them, but the father in him was furious. And now his grandchild even carried the Valenti name and not his own?
“Dad?” Max asked hoping to cut through the deepening angry emotions that he saw playing out in his father’s expressions. “I know. I do, but I know why they did what they did. I know that you do too. I admit that I would take a great deal of satisfaction in knocking Kyle flat just on principle but the other half, the half that I have to listen to is glad that they were there for them all these years,” Max pointed out to his dad.
“Hey Dad, is this your Little League picture?” Jamie excitedly asked as he came over with a framed picture in hand that had been sitting on the fireplace mantle.
Max grinned at the picture. It was so long ago, in another lifetime. “Yeah, that was me,” he confirmed and looked at his own dad. “From what I understand your grandson here is quite the shortstop and pitcher. You think it’s too late to get him signed up for Little League?”
“He is, huh? Well, we’ll have to see about that. I think we might be in time with sign ups,” Philip replied with pride. Max had been a pretty decent player as he recalled and he had never missed one of his games. Now he had the chance to enjoy those times again with his son and grandson.
“Cool. What about fishing? Dad, you said something about fishing?” Jamie reminded him.
“Fishing, eh? Well, it just so happens that I finally broke down and got the boat I had always wanted…okay, maybe not the exact boat since your mother insisted on it being something we both could enjoy but it’s comfortable enough. I keep it out at the lake. We could go fishing this Saturday or Sunday if you’d like? With the weather still cool like this, I bet the fish are biting,” Philip told him enthusiastically.
“Dad?” Jamie asked, his eyes shining with excitement. “I’ve never been fishing before,” he added.
“Sounds good,” the three men agreed immediately and began making plans for the weekend.
~
“Mom, we’re home!” Isabel called out as her and Alex walked in the front door. The first person she spotted was a much younger version of her brother in the hall. “Oh my God! You’re Jamie, right? Oh God, you’re my brother’s little boy, my nephew! You look just like him!” she told him and before she thought about it had him in a hell of a bear hug.
“Umph,” Jamie gasped out when he had the chance. What was with all the hugging? It must run in the family, he decided.
Alex just grinned. “I know many a jock years ago in West Roswell High that would have killed to be hugged like that by Miss Isabel Evans,” he joked. “Hi Jamie, I’m Alex Whitman, your mom’s friend,” he looked past the boy and into the kitchen and spotted Jamie’s father. It’d been a long time and he was surprised to feel so happy to see him. Sure he’d missed them all, but Max and he hadn’t been that close…or maybe they had been and he just hadn’t realized it. “Actually your dad’s friend too, not to mention your Aunt Isabel’s,” he amended.
“I remember you! You met my mom at a hotel once. It was raining, and you gave her a bunch of money, didn’t you?” Jamie recalled.
Alex grinned and was pleased that Jamie had remembered. “Yeah, it was the least I could do. It’s nice to finally get to meet you properly. You staying here in Roswell, I take it?” He asked as they shook hands.
“Yeah…at least I think so. Mom and Dad said so,” Jamie answered.
‘Mom and… Dad? ‘ Alex grinned at how Jamie had taken everything so well. He was a remarkable kid, but then he had remarkable parents and a fairly incredible aunt as well. “Hey Max, it’s been a long time. Glad you’re back,” he said and offered his hand, which Max immediately took and even gave him a quick hug.
“Alex, I don’t even know where to start thanking you. You’ve done an incredible job looking out for Liz and Jamie when I couldn’t. I don’t know how I could ever repay you,” Max told him sincerely.
Alex smiled a bit smugly. “It was the least I could do,” he repeated. “I’m just glad you’re back to do it right. And since Liz is like a sister to me, I must ask…you ARE going to do it right… aren’t you?”
Max chuckled. “Well, I suppose Liz should make an honest man out of me. Think she’ll ask me?”
It was Alex’s turn to laugh. “Oh, I think she just might. She always did have a soft spot for hard luck cases.”
“Dinner!” Liz announced as she walked around the corner and into the hallway. She spotted him immediately and literally jumped for joy, “ALEX!” she shouted as she ran into his arms. “Oh Alex. I’m so glad you’re here!” She hugged him tight. “God, Alex, I’ve missed you so much!” she told him as her eyes moistened.
“I’ve missed you too, Liz. I’m glad you’re home and safe, Jamie too,” he told her.
“Kids, kids, come on dinner!” Diane called out from the dining room.
“Come on, you won’t believe what all she’s fixed for dinner,” Liz told them as they headed toward the dining room.
“Yes, I would. She dragged me to the grocery store yesterday, and that was after we spent all morning cleaning,” Isabel remarked.
Max grinned and shot Liz an I-told-you-so look. But his sister’s hand on his shoulder pulled him back into the hall for a moment. Max cringed when he saw her expression. “Hey, Iz.”
“Hey, Iz? You have got to be kidding me,” she steamed with her hands on her hips and proceeded to lay into him, “You ditched me. You might as well admit it. I already forced it out of Michael. You ditched me and left me to deal with not only telling Mom and Dad the truth but then getting to sit and worry with them while you and Michael went off to play Batman and Robin!”
“Kyle tagged along too,” he tried to joke and took a step back. Joking probably wasn’t the best way to go at the moment.
“Kyle tagged…I…you…ARGGHHHH!” Isabel was beyond angry and was starting to see red.
“Max, Isabel, dinner!” Diane called again.
“Iz, it’s fine. We took care of it. Everything is fine,” Max soothed with little effect.
“Fine? No, not everything is fine. I’m not fine. I’m far from fine. I went through hell and what’s more I got to watch Mom and Dad go through hell this past week without so much as a phone call until a few days ago. That’s far from fine!” Isabel informed him with increasing volume.
“Okay, Iz. I got the point. What will make this fine?” he asked in a slightly condescending tone, just wanting to be done with this.
SMACK! He never saw it coming.
“There, that helped. I’ll let you know when things are fine again. In the meantime, I believe dinner is ready,” she said much calmer now.
Max scowled as he rubbed the side of his head and followed her in to the dinning room. Now it was Liz’s turn to shoot him and I-told-you-so look as he took his seat at the table. He noted that Isabel was once again her charming self and made a point to tell Liz about all the changes she’d seen in Roswell on her and Alex’s earlier drive.
Dinner was everything that was promised, turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh corn, all kinds of salads, fresh rolls with butter and every kind of pie and cobbler imaginable. “Man, Mom that was incredible. I‘d forgotten how good home cooking was,” Max complimented his mom, as he picked over his third helping of turkey.
“I’m glad you like it,” she smiled and watched as Jamie added some Tabasco to his cranberry sauce to go along with his turkey. It felt good to see her children and grandchild eat. It’d been just her and Philip for far too long. “So what are your plans?” she inquired.
“I’m not sure exactly. I sort of need a job which isn’t going to be too easy since I don’t even have a high school diploma and I can’t really cite my previous experience as an alien king as a reference,” Max pointed out. He hated the idea of being nothing more than a high school dropout, but here, that’s exactly what he was. And now he had Liz and Jamie to support.
Philip and Diane exchanged glances and smiled. “Max, Isabel, you know that your mother and I had started college funds for you when we first adopted you two. We still have them. They’ve been sitting in investment accounts for the last fourteen years. As of their last statement there was a little over a hundred thousand in each. It’s yours to do with as you like,” Philip informed them.
“And don’t worry about a place to live. You all are welcomed here for however long you’d like. Besides, this house has been far too quiet for too long,” Diane added.
It took time for both Max and Isabel to recover from their shock. “A-a hundred thousand?” Max mumbled.
“Yeah, even with today’s inflation, it should help get you on your feet. Maybe you can go back to school… adult school I guess and get GED’s and onto college. And if it is not enough…well, your mom and I are pretty set and can help more. We’d rather do it now for a short while, then for much longer later on. We don’t want either of you kids to be shy about asking for help. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s what we’re here for,” he said and then looked at Liz,” And that goes for you too.”
Liz glanced over to Max, who was still trying to come to grips with the announcement. “Actually, I already got my GED. I’m just not sure if I can use it since it’s under a slightly different name,” she replied. “But…thank you, Mr.Ev…Philip, and you too Diane. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this means for us and what difference it’ll make,” she told them sincerely.
“Well, we’re just happy we can do it,” Philip assured her. Dinner conversation followed them into the living room with coffee and soda for Jamie. Both Max and Isabel and even Liz all agreed to work on getting GED’s this spring or summer and hopefully sign up for college fulltime in the fall. While Liz and Max were thinking of the local community college for at least the next two years, Isabel wasn’t so sure.
“Perhaps, something in the DC area might be interesting,” Isabel suggested and gave Alex a slight smile. Alex just beamed a grin back. And knowing glances passed amongst the other adults in the room.
~
Liz sat at the antique vanity in the quest room that night and combed her damp hair. She wasn’t totally successful in hiding her sly grin as an equally still damp Max strolled in wearing some lounge pants and a t-shirt, fresh from his own shower.
He slowly circled around and took the comb from her and laid it on the vanity. His hands glowed softly as they slowly ran them through her hair, gently straightening any tangles and slowly drying her hair with each stroke. “I love your hair. It’s so soft,” he mumbled and bent to nibble her neck.
Liz closed her eyes and relished the feel of him running his hands through her hair. His breath was so hot, and his lips so soft and tantalizing. “Mmm, you know I cut it real short after Jamie was born.” She tilted her held the other way so he could nibble on that side.
“Why?” he murmured against her soft skin.
“Your son liked my hair too. His favorite thing was to grab hold of it at every opportunity,” she told him and wondered where her bag with the condoms went.
“Mmm, perfectly understandable reaction,” Max joked softly and slipped his hands around her middle and underneath her t-shirt, to the warm skin. It was still pretty smooth but he thought there might be the tiniest of tiny little bulge there. It was about the only sign that Liz was a mother…and maybe a mother to be? Despite everything, he still was hoping that was true.
Liz could almost sense what he was thinking as a warm hand made little circles on her abdomen while the other one wandered a bit further up. “You know, I gained fifty pounds with Jamie. I was a whale. I remember wondering what your reaction would be to seeing me like that.”
Fifty pounds? What was she talking about? “I have no idea. I guess you’ll need to show me,” he suggested and nipped at her collarbone as his one hand cupped her breast and began to massage it. He could feel himself harden as she scooted back into his arms more, and an enjoyable sigh escaped her lips.
“Mmm, that feels so good,” she moaned as his hands worked magic while his lips kissed and sucked along her collarbone.
“MOM, CAN I STAY UP AND WATCH TV?” echoed through the quiet house.
Liz’s eyes popped open and she glanced over at the bedside clock, 11:21 p.m., and she realized where she was. Her lips pursed in a straight line. “I don’t believe it,” she growled and rose from her place in her lover’s arms. “Hold that thought,” she told him as she marched out of the room.
Max’s jaw dropped as she closed the door. She’d been right there in his arms one minute and gone the next. What the hell happened? What’s the big deal about Jamie watching TV? Damnit, a thought was not what he wanted to hold, his mind yelled as he followed her downstairs to the den.
“Jameson Valenti Parker…Evans, you were not raised in a barn! And you will NOT yell in this house like that…especially in the middle of the night!” she admonished in a harsh but low tone, while wagging her finger at her son.
“But I just wanted to watch TV. And Grandma said I should consider this my home,” Jamie defended.
“Don’t get smart young man! I said no yelling!” she yelled.
Max slinked around the corner and wondered if he should go back upstairs, so as he wouldn’t get yelled at too. But, that was his son, and he didn’t want him getting in trouble the first night at his new, though temporary, home. “Liz, it’s okay,” he said and could tell by the way she whirled around, that it was anything but okay. Uh-oh.
“Max…do NOT…” she bit her tongue. She didn’t want to fight in front of Jamie. She’d be sure to explain about united front idea to him later.
Jamie glanced at the TV and saw a kooky commercial about a local restaurant, and then he caught the name of the place. “Hey Mom, isn’t the Crashdown the name of your parents’ place?” he asked and pointed to the TV.
“Oh my God!” Liz exclaimed as her jaw dropped. There was her Dad behind the counter, and the mural on the wall, and the stupid waitress uniform with the antennas, and the same greasy food selection and pies, and she couldn’t stop the tears. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and a gentle kiss graced her temple. “It hasn’t changed hardly at all.”
“Maybe a little, looks like they added an outdoor eating area off to the side there where the alley is…or I guess was. Damn, I have some great memories of that alley and the fire escape leading to your balcony. I hope it’s still there. Maybe we can relive some of those memories,” he suggested happily.
Jamie groaned and flopped back on the sofa.
~
The next morning Liz sat nervously on the sofa and stared at the phone. Max was next to her silently lending his support. She could do this. She could do this. She dialed the number and held her breath as it rang. She was about to give up and hang up when it was finally answered. She recognized the voice but it seemed…older. “Mom?” Liz paused and tears threatened. “No Mom, I’m okay. I really am. What? No…no, you don’t need to come get me…I…I’m already back in Roswell…at the Evans…Mom…yes, I’m with Max Evans…No, no Mom, that’s not it…Mom, please. Could you and Daddy come over? Huh? Yes, of course it’s okay, but…um, they did leave for a bit so we can have some privacy…What? Of course HE’s here.” She reached over and gave Max’s hand a squeeze. “Mom, please don’t be this way. I want to see you and Daddy, and I want… I want you to meet your grandson.” She sighed in frustration. “Mom, do you want to come over and see me and meet Jamie or not?” she finally spit out. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to get snippy. Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes. I love you, too,” she finally got to say before hanging up and leaning back into Max’s arms. “Well, that was fun,” she quipped.
“I take it they’re not overly happy with me?” Max asked as he massaged the tensed muscles in her shoulders.
“You could say that. Alex and Maria told me a long time ago that they blamed you and by extension your parents for me running off, they assumed with you. I’m afraid that they haven’t changed that opinion much in the last several years,” she told him and closed her eyes as gentle hands worked their magic. “Thank you. You know, you could make a mint as a massage therapist,” she joked.
“That might be kind of fun, working with all the lovely ladies at a spa. Aren’t they usually just wearing a sheet for massages? Mmm-yeah, not a bad idea at all,” he teased.
“Um-huh, the two hundred pound ones are nude too. You’ll love those,” Liz teased right back. And laughed when Max groaned. They were still chuckling when the doorbell rang. Liz took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for this. “Max, why don’t you go make some coffee?” she suggested. One more deep breath and she opened the door. “Mom, Dad, it’s good to see you,” she told them and stepped aside so they could come in.
Nancy immediately hugged her daughter and sobbed, “I’ve missed you so much!”
“Lizzy,” Jeff greeted her and then took his turn hugging her.
“Daddy,” she said softly as they hugged before escorting them to the living room sofa. As Max entered the room with a tray of coffee, it felt like the temperature dropped twenty degrees from her father’s icy glare. “Daddy, please. We have a lot to talk about and this won’t help,” she told him quite reasonably.
“Max,” Jeff groaned out by way of a greeting.
“Mr. Parker,” Max said and offered his hand to shake. It hung there for a few moments and eventually Max pulled it back and took a seat on arm of the chair that Liz was sitting in. “Mrs. Parker,” he said politely and nodded in her direction.
“Max,” she replied in kind.
“Where have you two been for the last fourteen years? And where’s this…grandson you mentioned, Liz?” Jeff asked gruffly. He’d missed his daughter immensely and had worried over her everyday and night for the last fourteen years. He’d always believed that she’d run off with or after Max Evans, and them being here together pretty much confirmed that, in his opinion. And they have a child?
“He went shopping for some school clothes with my parents. They should be back shortly,” Max explained.
“School clothes,” Nancy repeated and felt a twinge of jealousy. Liz was back and with a child no less, and she comes here first, and now the Evans got to take their grandchild shopping and getting to spend time with him first. How could that not hurt just a bit? “H-how old is he? Jamie, right?”
“Yeah, Jamie and he just turned thirteen earlier this month,” Liz proudly told them.
“Thirteen?” Jeff repeated and shot Max a deadly glare. Thirteen meant Liz was pregnant when she left or shortly there after.
It wasn’t difficult to follow her dad’s train of thought. “Yes, Dad. I was pregnant when I left. But it’s not why I left. Well, maybe it was but not the reason you think.”
Nancy shook her head, clearly confused. “I don’t understand, Liz. Even…even though we wouldn’t have been thrilled, you had to know that we would have helped you and supported you and the baby. Why did you leave? Why didn’t you give us a chance?” she asked, clearly desperate for an answer.
“You went with him, didn’t you?” Jeff accused.
“Him? Max, Dad. And he’s sitting right there. And no, I didn’t go with him, or go after him. He left and I knew he wouldn’t be back for a long time,” she clarified, somewhat.
Jeff’s attention zeroed in on Max then. “You left? You ran off on my daughter? You got my little girl pregnant and left her? What the hell kind of man are you?” Jeff yelled angrily.
“I didn’t know. She didn’t tell me about the baby. I…I’m not sure what I would have done exactly but I would have made some kind of arrangements so she and the baby would be safe,” he explained in an even calm tone. Part of him was wondering if perhaps Liz was serious about that shotgun joke from the other day.
“Some kind of arrangements? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jeff demanded and rose from his seat. Years of pent up anger was starting to spill out and the half answers he was getting wasn’t helping any. This bastard had abandoned his daughter just when she needed him the most and he just admitted that he hadn’t been willing to stand up and take responsibility. He didn’t deserve her!
“DADDY STOP!” Liz stood and yelled. “You don’t understand!”
“You’re damn right I don’t understand. You’re pregnant at sixteen and this scumbag splits on you and for some reason that I can’t fathom at the moment, you decide you can’t come to us for help, that at some level, you had to know we’d give you. And are gone for fourteen years with no word whatsoever, and then out of the blue show up here, not at home, but here…with him! You GODDAMN RIGHT I DON’T UNDERSTAND!” Jeff exploded.
“Liz,” Max said as calmly as possible, though it was growing increasingly difficult, and grabbed her hand to get her attention. “I think we need to tell them everything. It’s the only way they’ll understand,” he suggested. Fourteen years ago, he would have been terrified at the prospect but after everything that had happened in his life, it seemed so minor now. So what if Jeff and Nancy Parker did want to turn him in? Who’d he turn him in to? The Special Unit had been officially and unofficially disbanded and Nesado was still there monitoring things, and Alex would be returning to it too. And they’d also be turning in their own, and for right now at least, only grandson, and that he knew was something they’d never do, no matter how furious they might be at him.
Liz nodded in agreement. “Right,” she told him and turned back to her parents. “Dad, please sit down. What I have to explain is going to take some time and I’m sure you’ll have questions, but please wait until I’m finished, okay?” She then proceeded for the next hour to spell it all out, starting with being shot that day in the Crashdown and ending with Max doing a little molecular manipulation as proof.
Jeff held Nancy’s trembling hand even though his wasn’t much steadier. Aliens. His daughter was in love with an alien, correction, half alien, and had already had a baby by him. Their grandchild was part alien. And because of this his little girl had been… hunted for the last fourteen years while Max was off playing Luke Skywalker or some such shit. It was all because of him. “She ruined her life for you,” he accused.
“What?” Liz asked in shock.
Jeff ignored her and stayed focused on Max. “You got her pregnant, whether you knew about it or not, you had to know it was possible, and you left her to fend for herself. She gave up all her dreams for you, for your…bastard child. You had no right to do that. You ruined her life,” he angrily accused.
“Jeff, that…that’s our grandchild,” Nancy reminded him. She was still conflicted about all that she had discovered and would need time to sort it all out in her head, but for now she relied on her instincts, her maternal instincts.
“Is he? Hell, we don’t even know what he is.” Jeff stubbornly held on to the anger and threw out accusations before he could think them through. He didn’t want to think, he wanted someone or something to lay all the blame on for all the worry and heartache of the last fourteen years and right now that something was standing right in front of him, and by extension, his ill begotten off-spring. He just couldn’t see past it and he didn’t want to. “For all we know, it could be three feet tall and green!” he spat out.
Liz felt like someone had punched her and had to sit down.
Nancy gasped in horror.
Max saw his oldest fear coming true, but it was much worse. These were his son’s biological grandparents. Blood was supposed to be thicker than water. He’d sat there and taken most of Jeff Parker’s abuse because he had so far kept it directed at him but he had just taken it to far. “Now just a Goddamn minute…’
“No I’m not,” came a small voice from the hall.
Max spun around and saw him standing there with a fishing rod in his hand. “Jamie,” Max said and his heart broke at the devastated look on his face.
“I was going to show you the new rod and reel that Grandpa…” He paused and gave, whom he knew was his mother’s father, a brief look before looking down. “My other grandpa,” he amended, “bought me. I thought maybe we all could go fishing tomorrow. I guess I was wrong,” he said and fled to his room before he humiliated himself by crying in front of everyone.
“Oh my God!” Liz said and then ran after her son. As far as she was concerned she never wanted to see her father again. She would never forgive him for hurting her son this way.
Jeff’s jaw was hanging open. It dawned on him what he’d said and what the boy…the boy, who had his daughter’s chin and mouth, must have heard and was horrified by his own actions and words. Jamie wasn’t some part-human monster he had pictured in his mind but a child, his grandchild and suddenly nothing else matter. “I…I…I’m sorry. I’ll go talk to him and apologize,” he stammered out.
Max spun around and faced Jeff head on. “No. I think you’ve done quite enough for one day. Get the hell out of this house!” he yelled with clenched fists and barely contained fury. The crying he heard coming from behind a closed door down the hall only added to his fury. “GET OUT!”
~
It was early afternoon, after lunch but before the dinner crowd, when Jim stopped by the quiet alien-themed restaurant for a cup of coffee. In his hand was a flat bag with a Walgreens label. And the first person he spotted just happened to be the on he was looking for, and he looked like crap. “Afternoon Jeff,” he greeted him.
Jeff barely looked up at first, but then it dawned on him who it was and how involved the sheriff had been in his daughter’s life for the last fourteen years, and his head jerked back up in anger. “You bastard! You knew where she was. You knew he’d gotten her pregnant, and you never said a word. Not one Goddamn word!” he yelled.
“Yeah, I did,” Jim very calmly acknowledged. “I had to make a decision. I could tell you and risk you trying to contact her or even just letting it slip that you knew her whereabouts and possibly putting her and Jamie at more risk, or putting their safety ahead of everything else. I chose the latter, and if I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing.”
Jeff opened his mouth but nothing came out. He felt so broken inside. After all these years, he finally got another chance and he blew it. And Nancy will never forgive him for it anymore than he’d forgive himself. He kept picturing the boy, his grandson, Jamie, standing there in the hallway and how devastated he looked. And Liz’s anguished cry as she ran after him as he fled, and then Max’s rage and ordering them to leave. He didn’t blame Max for throwing them out. Looking back, he was surprised that Max hadn’t done it earlier. His regret ran so deep, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever rise above it. “You’re right. I apologize,” he choked out. “Thank you for what you did. You helped keep them safe. Thank you,” he told him near tears at the thought of what he’d lost.
Jim nodded and then pulled the picture from the bag. “Liz gave me a wallet size of this when I met her and Jamie for his seventh birthday. Kyle and I took the two of them to a ballgame. It was the only time I got to see him. Jamie’s a great kid and I’ve always been proud to call him my grandson, which I don’t plan on changing anytime soon. But I have to admit that I always felt bad that I carried a picture of Jamie while you and the Evanses didn’t. I…uh, I had some copies made, both and 8x10 and a couple of wallet sized ones for you and Nancy. I dropped off the same over at the Evanses,” he told him.
Jeff’s hand shook as he looked at the picture. It was of a young boy about six or seven in a baseball outfit with a bat in his hand. The picture blurred for a moment as his tears filled his eyes. He swiped at his eyes to clear them so he could look at his grandson again. He was perfect. “H-how were they?” he asked, as that devastated look popped back into his mind, contrasting with the smiling image before him.
“Mmm, they’ve been better,” he admitted. “But I understand that Philip still plans on taking Max and Jamie fishing tomorrow. They’re going to be getting an early start, around five or so. I bet they could use a good breakfast before hitting the lake,” he said and let the comment hang in the air for a moment. “Well, maybe I should get the cup of coffee that I came in for to go. I need to be heading back to work.”
Jeff could only nod as he pour some coffee in a to go cup. His mind was whirling with the possibility that maybe, just maybe, all was not lost after all.
~
No one had felt much like lunch or even dinner really that day, especially Jamie. Liz had spent some time with Jamie, who was refusing to come out of his room, and only came out when Jim stopped by. But Max stayed away. He was still too angry and didn’t want to upset Jamie further. He’d been hiding out in the garage, and looking over his old jeep. Dad must have been keeping up the maintenance on it since it had started right up. That’s where his dad found him as the sun was starting to set.
Philip watched his son for a while. He could still see the tension in his shoulders and the scowl on his face. No doubt Max was still angry but that was better than the devastated look he’d found on his grandson. “Max, you thinking about takin’ her out for a spin?” he finally asked as he approached.
Max looked up in acknowledgement and then stuck his head back under the hood, checking the water and oil again for the fourth or fifth time. “Maybe later,” he replied as his dad stood next to him.
“I bet Jamie would love a ride. Remember when you first got it? You weren’t sixteen yet and you and I took it out in the desert and I let you drive for the first time,” Philip recalled fondly.
“Yeah, you warned me never to tell Mom that I almost flipped or she would never let me drive it again,” Max shared the fond memory with his dad.
“Mmm, actually, I lied,” he smiled at his son’s shocked look. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, your mother absolutely wouldn’t have let you have driven it again but that’s not why I didn’t want you to tell her.” He grinned. “She would have killed me for letting it happen. Nothing stronger than a parent’s desire to protect their children.”
Max regarded his father as he wiped the grease off his hands. “You think Jeff Parker is right, that he was trying to protect his daughter…by attacking his own grandchild?” Max asked in surprise and no small amount of disgust.
“I don’t think he really meant what he said. I think he was simply reacting to the stress and emotions. He’s kept it bottled up for a long time. And he’s been blaming you for most of it. Seeing you and hearing the story…I don’t know, Max. We both know the Parkers love Liz and had high hopes for her future, what parent doesn’t? He feels cheated and angry,” Philip said and knew that he was stating the obvious. “Um, Nancy called.”
“What’d she want?” Max asked. He didn’t want to care but he did. These were Liz’s parents and his son’s grandparents. He had to care for their sakes.
“To apologize. Your mom talked to her for a bit. They both were crying,” he told him. “She wanted to know if there was anyway for her to meet Jamie, and anyway that you and Liz would let Jeff apologize to him. She seemed pretty sincere,” he said and watched his son’s reaction. The anger was still there but just maybe there was a hint of forgiveness.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Liz,” he conceded. He wanted Jamie to know both sets of grandparents, but within reason. “But I won’t let them hurt him again,” he was adamant.
“Okay,” Philip patted his son on the shoulder. “Come on, your mom has dinner ready.”
~
Max entered his old room and saw that nothing had changed. Mom had kept it exactly as it was when he was a teen. He felt like he’d walked into some kind of time warp, but it felt good too. He sat the plate of food down on the bedside table and regarded his son for a moment. His eyes were still a little puffy from earlier but he seemed calm now as he stared up at the ceiling. He looked up at that familiar ceiling and could remember every nook and cranny. “It helps if you listen to the Counting Crows while staring at the ceiling. I used to imagine I could see the constellations in the different patterns,” he quipped and was rewarded with a very dubious look from his son. “Your mom and grandma insist you’re hungry and expect that plate to be clean when you return it to the kitchen,” he informed him as he walked around the room. He wondered if his old iMac still worked. And smiled when he saw the stack of CD’s still sitting next to his old boombox.
“I’m not hungry,” Jamie stated.
“Yeah, well, they say you are and you’ll have to take it up with them,” he said somewhat distractedly as his pulled out his old Moby CD and popped it in. Techno sounds of Moby filled the room as he moseyed over to the new fishing rod and shopping bag sitting next to the closet. He made himself comfortable on the side of the bed and dumped the bag out. “Nice rod,” he commented as he tested the feel and weight of it.
“Yeah, that’s what Grandpa said,” Jamie answered, intrigued despite him self.
“Nice reel too,” Max observed and then proceeded to show him how to hook it all up and put new line on it. Jamie was slowly turning the rod, making sure the line didn’t get tangled while Max held onto the pencil that was stuck through the spool of line. “Your Grandpa wants to leave by five tomorrow. He has this thing about ‘getting a jump on the fish’.”
Jamie paused and looked unsurely at him. “We’re still going?” he asked.
“That was the plan. You still want to go, don’t you? I know I was looking forward to it and so was my dad. Aren’t you?” he asked.
“I…I guess,” he said and thought about it, “I mean yeah, I wanna go.”
“Good. And I guarantee you it’s a heck of a lot more fun than moping around here all day,” Max told him and got a small smile in return as Jamie resumed putting new line on. They were quiet until Jamie was done and then Max showed him how to pack his new tackle box. “Jamie, we were thinking of stopping by the Crashdown for breakfast tomorrow morning. They said they’d open extra early for us. Is that something you could do?” he asked cautiously.
“The Crashdown? Isn’t that…his place?” Jamie asked guardedly.
“Yes, it’s Liz’s parents place,” Max confirmed and turned to face his son. “Jamie, what he said… what you heard, it wasn’t really directed at you or wasn’t really about you at all. It was really meant for me. See, your mom had an excellent shot at going onto Harvard on a full scholarship. It was her dream to study microbiology at Harvard…and her parents’ dream as well.”
“And she had to give it all up because of me. Thanks, Dad, you really know how to cheer a guy up,” he bit out, once more disgusted with himself and the whole stupid situation and was wishing it was just him and Mom again. This was just too much work.
“No Jamie, not because of you, because of me. Even with a baby, Liz would have found a way to go to college, maybe not Harvard but some college. You were never what held her back, but I was, even though it was the last thing that I ever wanted to happen. And that’s why Jeff Parker was so angry… But Jamie, that’s between Jeff and me. Jeff and Nancy Parker are your grandparents and they very much want to get to know you. They want you to be a part of their lives, and them to be in yours. Can you find it in yourself to give them a second chance?” he asked earnestly. He still wasn’t totally sold on all of this but he and Liz had talked it through and after all these years apart, a second chance seemed like a small thing to ask.
“Why should I?” Jamie retorted, still not totally able to let it go.
“Because I asked, and it would make your mom happy. She really misses them and wants a chance to spend time with them.” Okay, the guilt trip had been Isabel’s suggestion and he knew it was a low blow but it did seem to have an impact. “And it would be the mature thing to do,” he added in for good measure.
Jamie sighed heavily, “Okay, but I go on record as not being overly happy about it.”
“So noted,” he agreed and ruffled his hair for a moment before swiping a glowing hand over the plate of cold food. “There, now all nice and warm again. Eat up, or you’ll be answering to your mom and grandma, and those two are a very formidable force,” he reminded his son. And he should know, they’d ganged up on him over dinner on this.
~
Nancy’s hand shook as she turned to unlock the front door. She was a bundle of excitement. “Come in, come in,” she said and beamed a grin at them, especially the dark haired boy. Her hand hovered for a moment almost touching him. She ached to just touch him and maybe even a hug if he’d let her. But she wasn’t sure if it’d be welcomed and she didn’t want to do anything that might make him feel uncomfortable or push him away. She let her hand dropped and walked further into the restaurant. She and Jeff had been up for hours, wanting to make everything…perfect. “Um, did you want to sit at a booth or table?”
“Oh, no need to go to that much trouble, Nancy. The counter will be fine. Besides maybe we could visit a little,” Philip suggested.
“Oh, okay…um, well then have a seat and I’ll get you some coffee. I just made a fresh pot…um, Jamie I could make you some hot chocolate or get you some juice or milk, or something?” she offered on her way to the coffee station.
‘She couldn’t stand to even touch me’. Jamie’s heart sank at the thought. “Doesn’t matter,” he replied dejectedly as he slunk into the stool. He suddenly wasn’t so hungry anymore.
“He’ll have some hot chocolate, if it’s not too much trouble,” Max answered for him and gave him a little nudge to sit up straight.
Nancy took an even breath when she heard Jamie’s tone and reply. Obviously this was going to take a little more effort and time, but it was worth it. “No problem, coming right up,” she called back to him.
Jamie looked around the place, the alien mural on the wall, and the reprinted articles of the crash, even an alien themed menu. “Dad, did it ever bother you? All this…stuff?”
Nancy almost dropped the tray when she heard the question. She was horrified. “Oh…I…I’m so sorry Max. We never…I mean it didn’t occur to us that…” She didn’t know what to say.
Max actually laughed. “Don’t worry about it. It never bothered me. For Christ sake, I used to work at the UFO Center, and participated in many a festival and was even in charge of that UFO Convention that the Center sponsored one year. Remember?” he asked and shook his head.
“You worked at a UFO Center?” Jamie asked in shock.
“Yep. I needed a job,” Max told him and accepted the coffee from Nancy. He watched Jamie take a sip of his hot chocolate and give it a rather indifferent look. “Nancy, do you have some Tabasco?” he asked.
“Tabasco? Oh…uh, sure,” she said and reached underneath the counter for a bottle and sat it before him. She didn’t know what to say when he shoved it toward Jamie, who with a little prompting from his father, proceeded to dump a good measure into his hot chocolate. “Uh…”
“I’m afraid he inherited that from me. Most foods are somewhat bland to me, so I like to spice them up and Tabasco is the spice of choice. And I especially love to mix sweet with spicy. We all do. It’s sort of an alien quirk,” Max explained as light hearty as possible. He wanted to keep things upbeat and stress low to an already stressful situation.
Nancy recovered quickly and nodded in understanding. Then an odd fact popped into her mind. “So that’s why we would go through so much Tabasco. It seemed we used to order almost as much Tabasco as we did ketchup and mustard,” she said, clearly amused by it.
“Yep, guilty as charged,” Max joked back.
“Well, whatever Jeff’s got going back there smells great,” Philip commented as his stomach rumbled a little.
“Oh, I should go see if he needs a hand. We weren’t sure what you’d like but thought you would probably want to be on your way before it got too light out, so we made a few things,” she told them. “I’ll be right back.”
Max looked the place over again and smiled at the memories it brought back. It hadn’t changed all that much. The mural was still there, though it did look like it’d been touched up a bit. The framed newspaper reprints still hung on the walls. Alien dolls were scatter around and little alien lights were hung about. And over by the swinging door that led to the back were some pictures of friends and family. There was one Liz and Maria in their uniforms, one with Alex being served some alien-themed treat by Liz, and even one of Michael working the grill, and then there was one of…” His mouth dropped in surprise. It took him a minute, but he smiled when he figured it out. He tapped his dad’s shoulder and pointed. “Look familiar?”
Philip looked and then smiled. The sheriff had been by their place and thanks to him, Philip now had a small picture of his grandson at age six in a baseball uniform in his wallet, with matching ones in Max’s wallet and Diane’s billfold, and a nice 8x10 glossy in a new silver frame on top of the mantel, right next to one of Max at about the same age. “Yeah, looks like the sheriff’s been busy,” he said.
“That’s me!” Jamie exclaimed in surprise when he spotted what his dad and grandpa were looking at. They had hung his picture up. “Why’d they do that?” he asked in confusion.
“Do what?” Jeff asked in reply as he came in loaded down with several plates of eggs and hash browns, cottage fries, waffles, biscuits, and toast. Nancy carried the bowls of mixed fresh fruit and freshly whipped whole cream, and placed them next to his platters on the counter in front of them. “I hope everyone’s hungry,” he said and gave them what he hoped was a friendly, welcoming smile. He wanted this so much. It had to work. It just had to.
“Uh…yeah,” Max said slightly dumbfounded at all the food. “Uh, you two are going to help us eat all of this, aren’t you?”
“Oh, um…we wouldn’t want to… intrude,” Jeff stated carefully. He was well aware that he’d treated Max very badly yesterday, and was actually surprised that Max was still willing to treat him so civilly.
Jamie watched him and noted how nervous Mom’s dad seemed, though he was trying hard to hide it. He was trying really hard to be…nice. Jamie kept watching, staring actually, as he tried to get a reading on him, on what he was really thinking and feeling. He was sensing many things from him, nervousness, fear, regret, longing, loneliness, hope, and as their eyes met he felt it hit him full force, pride and love. He loved him. Jeff Parker, his mom’s dad, the man that had riled and yelled at his dad and said all those things just yesterday, loved him? And was even proud of him? He tore his eyes away and looked at the picture that hung on the wall. They’d even put his picture up and in their restaurant where everyone could see. He glanced down at all the food in front of him and snagged some waffles. “Can I have some whipped cream and…more Tabasco, please?”
“Oh, sure,” Jeff beamed as the boy had at first engaged him in a staring contest and looked over at the picture the sheriff had given them yesterday, and then asked him for some whipped cream and…Tabasco? “Uh…” he mumbled as he slid a new bottle over to the boy and watched him dump almost the whole bottle on his waffles and cream. He glanced over and saw that Max had done about the same thing with his eggs and hash browns, but that wasn’t too unusual, many people liked their eggs and potatoes with salsa or hot sauce. But when Max topped a couple of biscuits with butter and marmalade and then more Tabasco, he got the idea. “Um, Tabasco is uh… the condiment of choice for uh…”
“Aliens? Yeah,” Max confirmed with a grin.
~
March 2014
Max peeked around the curtains of the cheap motel in Albuquerque and grinned at the early morning sunshine. After driving in the rain the day before, he was beginning to wonder if he’d ever get to see the yellow sun shining down in all its glory again. It was an incredible site and a great omen for the start of a new life, or was it picking back up an old one. “No rain,” he commented to the other occupants of the room.
“Cool! Can we put the top down then?” Jamie asked as he dressed.
“Yeah,” Max happily replied.
“Okay, but Jamie, put on a jacket. It’s still cool out,” Liz told him and then looked over at the t-shirt Max was wearing and added, “You too, Max.”
“Yes, Mom,” Max chuckled and slipped his jacket on as they prepared to leave and head home. After all these years and after everything that they had gone through, they were going home. He wondered what they would find there.
~
“Uh Liz, do you remember that?” Max asked and nodded to the right as they were on the outskirts of Roswell.
“No. No, I don’t,” Liz admitted. “I guess Roswell’s done some growing. Look over there. Is that that another new housing division going in further out, near the old highway?”
“Looks like it,” Max agreed after glancing in the same direction. Where had all these people come from? The town had certainly changed. It made him wonder if he’d even recognize it or anyone in it.
Liz wondered since when Citrus had an exit right off the highway. She was glad to see Max wait and took the next exit, the one that went right along their old high school. She noticed what seemed to be a new wing of classrooms, and was that a pool they’d added in? But she was glad to see the blue and gold ‘Home of the Comets’ sign still painted on the side of the auditorium and everything else looking pretty much the same. “Jamie, that’s where your dad and I went to high school, West Roswell High.”
Jamie eyed the collection of buildings and tried to picture what his parents had been like back then. It was hard to picture them ever being that young but he supposed they must have.
Liz noticed Max starting to tense as the turned down familiar streets as they neared Murray Lane. She reached over and placed her hand on his thigh.
“Mom’s going to cry. I know she is,” Max mentioned as he was starting to stress.
“Yes, she probably is and you’re going to let her. Let her be your mom and you, just be her son. That’s all she wants, Max,” Liz told him.
Max nodded in agreement but he hated to see his mom cry and hated it most when she cried over him, no matter what the reason. His stomach knotted as he turned onto Murray lane and the two-story Spanish style home came into view. Home. He felt Liz give his leg a good squeeze in support. Mother and son. Mother and half-alien son reuniting after a fourteen-year absence, his mind reminded him.
Liz could almost see his mind running through all the self-doubts that she knew Max had always harbored. How could anyone love him, an alien? How could his parents really love him unconditionally? “Max, I love you. No matter what, I love you. And so do your parents. They’d never turn their back on you any more than you would on Jamie,” she soothed as they pulled into the driveway and stopped. The house looked the same. The shrubs and trees were a little bigger but everything else…felt the same. She saw the curtain in the kitchen window move a little. They’d been watching for them. “Go say hi to your mom and dad. They’re waiting for you, Max.”
Max gave Liz’s hand that was on his thigh a good squeeze and slowly climbed out. Dad had a new truck he noticed, and in the open garage he spotted his old jeep. Dad had kept his old army surplus jeep. Somehow that mere fact gave him hope that maybe Liz was right. Deep down he knew she was. His parents knew already, Isabel had told them, and the other day when he’d called he’d been given assurances by them that it was all okay, but somehow the fact that they’d kept that jeep…it touched him deeply. The side door opened suddenly, startling him out of his musing. A smiled played at his lips as he walked over. “Mom,” he said and was instantly in her arms and being held tight.
Diane couldn’t stop the tears if she’d tried, and she didn’t. She couldn’t let go of him. Her son. Her baby boy. She thought she’d lost him forever and now… oh, God, now he was home. Her little boy was home.
Philip was waiting to hug his son but was willing to wait until Diane was done, which he knew was going to be a while. He glanced over toward the car and spotted Liz and a boy, his grandson, standing there patiently waiting. The way the boy stood with his hands shoved in his front pockets reminded him of his son when he was uncomfortable or unsure of things. The memory and sight made him smile. He looked a little further and spotted their neighbor standing on the sidewalk and staring. “Diane, we should probably let the kids come inside,” he gently suggested.
‘Kids?’ Jamie thought and looked at his parents.
“What? Oh…OH! Oh, yes, please…please come inside,” Diane finally said when she got herself together, albeit temporarily, and stepped aside so they could enter. She never let go of her son’s arm though. She was too afraid he’d disappear again. It wasn’t until they were all inside that she spotted Liz and her…grandson standing there and her eyes began to fill with tears again. “Liz?”
“Mrs. Evans,” Liz answered politely.
“No, Diane…at least called me Diane, please,” she told her and then they hugged. She always knew that Liz was special to her son. She had been the only one to make his eyes shine like that. And any girl that could do that just had to be special. And just over Liz’s shoulder she eyed him. Her grandson stood just a few feet away and he was…beautiful, just beautiful. Her hold on Liz slackened as she itched to put her arms around him. “And this is Jamie?” she asked as she and Liz released their hold of each other.
Liz hadn’t been overly close to Max’s parents but they had always treated her well and made her welcome. Even though she was the only one that Max had gotten into trouble with at school and hauled into the principal’s office even. Plus the night out in the desert together didn’t exactly go unnoticed by either set of parents. “Yeah,” she said softly to the new grandmother.
After Max and his dad hugged, he decided to do the introductions. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you both to meet Jameson Valenti Parker…Evans, Jamie for short,” he said proudly and waited for his parents’ reactions. He didn’t wait long.
“Oh my…” Diane was a flood of tears and couldn’t stop herself from wrapping her arms around him. She could tell how startled he was by it but soon she felt arms reach back around and hug her in return. “Welcome home, sweetheart,” she said softly between sobs.
“Diane, how about a turn?” Philip asked gently, his own voice thick with emotion. This was his grandson. He had a grandson, his son’s son. And he was here with them. All of them were, at last, home. “Welcome to the family, Jamie. I’m glad you’re here,” he said and gave him a good squeeze before releasing him and gave him a good once over and smiled. He liked what he saw, a fine looking boy.
“Oh Philip, isn’t he beautiful?” Diane asked and tried her best not to lose it again.
“Beautiful?” Jamie stammered.
“Yes, he is,” Liz proclaimed proudly.
Max grinned at the slightly perturbed look Jamie now had when a smell hit him, a delicious smell. “Wow, that smells good, Mom!”
“Oh, thank you dear. I decided to make a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for dinner,” Diane informed them.
“Oh Mrs. Evens…uh, Diane, you didn’t need to go to all that trouble. Let me help you?” Liz offered.
“Oh, I wanted to. It’s been a long time since I’ve had enough people in this house to warrant fixing a whole turkey and decided not to pass up the opportunity,” Diane explained as Liz followed her into the kitchen to help check on how the bird was doing.
Max looked around for a moment looking for someone and when he didn’t find her he turned to his dad, “Dad, where’s Isabel?”
“Alex Whitman came into town last night and came over this afternoon. He and Isabel went for a drive but they promised to be back for dinner,” Philip told them as they headed toward the den.
“Cool, I’ve never got to meet Alex but Mom talked about him. And I saw him once…from a distance, though, when Mom went to meet up with him in Denver once at a hotel. We didn’t get to stay long,” Jamie told them as he checked out his dad’s various high school pictures. Man, what funny haircuts they had back then, he thought.
Philip’s eyebrow shot up at that revelation and wondered who all knew about his grandson and never said a word. He noticed how Jamie kept looking at all the pictures that lined the walls. “So, Jameson Valenti Parker Evans. That’s quite a name,” Philip hinted and clearly was waiting for an explanation, especially for that second name.
“Yeah, for quite a kid,” Max replied and couldn’t help puffing up a little with pride, but then he noticed his dad was pretty much doing the same. “But, yeah I could use your help with that…” he began and started to fill his dad in on a few legal matters that needed tending to.
Philip listened quietly. He would have to think about what would be the best way to fix the birth certificate. It wasn’t as easy as a simple name change to add Evans on, they needed to change the legal parent on it as well. And do it all without any blood work. Legally, Max may have to actually adopt his own son with Kyle Valenti agreeing to relinquish his parental rights. He was both deeply disturbed and thankful for the help the Valenti’s had shown Liz and his grandson, but he also remembered how the sheriff had remained silent as he and Diane had filled out those missing persons’ reports. The man knew where his children were, knew what they were, and knew they had a grandchild out there and had never said a word. Not one word in fourteen long years. Intellectually he understood why, to protect them, but the father in him was furious. And now his grandchild even carried the Valenti name and not his own?
“Dad?” Max asked hoping to cut through the deepening angry emotions that he saw playing out in his father’s expressions. “I know. I do, but I know why they did what they did. I know that you do too. I admit that I would take a great deal of satisfaction in knocking Kyle flat just on principle but the other half, the half that I have to listen to is glad that they were there for them all these years,” Max pointed out to his dad.
“Hey Dad, is this your Little League picture?” Jamie excitedly asked as he came over with a framed picture in hand that had been sitting on the fireplace mantle.
Max grinned at the picture. It was so long ago, in another lifetime. “Yeah, that was me,” he confirmed and looked at his own dad. “From what I understand your grandson here is quite the shortstop and pitcher. You think it’s too late to get him signed up for Little League?”
“He is, huh? Well, we’ll have to see about that. I think we might be in time with sign ups,” Philip replied with pride. Max had been a pretty decent player as he recalled and he had never missed one of his games. Now he had the chance to enjoy those times again with his son and grandson.
“Cool. What about fishing? Dad, you said something about fishing?” Jamie reminded him.
“Fishing, eh? Well, it just so happens that I finally broke down and got the boat I had always wanted…okay, maybe not the exact boat since your mother insisted on it being something we both could enjoy but it’s comfortable enough. I keep it out at the lake. We could go fishing this Saturday or Sunday if you’d like? With the weather still cool like this, I bet the fish are biting,” Philip told him enthusiastically.
“Dad?” Jamie asked, his eyes shining with excitement. “I’ve never been fishing before,” he added.
“Sounds good,” the three men agreed immediately and began making plans for the weekend.
~
“Mom, we’re home!” Isabel called out as her and Alex walked in the front door. The first person she spotted was a much younger version of her brother in the hall. “Oh my God! You’re Jamie, right? Oh God, you’re my brother’s little boy, my nephew! You look just like him!” she told him and before she thought about it had him in a hell of a bear hug.
“Umph,” Jamie gasped out when he had the chance. What was with all the hugging? It must run in the family, he decided.
Alex just grinned. “I know many a jock years ago in West Roswell High that would have killed to be hugged like that by Miss Isabel Evans,” he joked. “Hi Jamie, I’m Alex Whitman, your mom’s friend,” he looked past the boy and into the kitchen and spotted Jamie’s father. It’d been a long time and he was surprised to feel so happy to see him. Sure he’d missed them all, but Max and he hadn’t been that close…or maybe they had been and he just hadn’t realized it. “Actually your dad’s friend too, not to mention your Aunt Isabel’s,” he amended.
“I remember you! You met my mom at a hotel once. It was raining, and you gave her a bunch of money, didn’t you?” Jamie recalled.
Alex grinned and was pleased that Jamie had remembered. “Yeah, it was the least I could do. It’s nice to finally get to meet you properly. You staying here in Roswell, I take it?” He asked as they shook hands.
“Yeah…at least I think so. Mom and Dad said so,” Jamie answered.
‘Mom and… Dad? ‘ Alex grinned at how Jamie had taken everything so well. He was a remarkable kid, but then he had remarkable parents and a fairly incredible aunt as well. “Hey Max, it’s been a long time. Glad you’re back,” he said and offered his hand, which Max immediately took and even gave him a quick hug.
“Alex, I don’t even know where to start thanking you. You’ve done an incredible job looking out for Liz and Jamie when I couldn’t. I don’t know how I could ever repay you,” Max told him sincerely.
Alex smiled a bit smugly. “It was the least I could do,” he repeated. “I’m just glad you’re back to do it right. And since Liz is like a sister to me, I must ask…you ARE going to do it right… aren’t you?”
Max chuckled. “Well, I suppose Liz should make an honest man out of me. Think she’ll ask me?”
It was Alex’s turn to laugh. “Oh, I think she just might. She always did have a soft spot for hard luck cases.”
“Dinner!” Liz announced as she walked around the corner and into the hallway. She spotted him immediately and literally jumped for joy, “ALEX!” she shouted as she ran into his arms. “Oh Alex. I’m so glad you’re here!” She hugged him tight. “God, Alex, I’ve missed you so much!” she told him as her eyes moistened.
“I’ve missed you too, Liz. I’m glad you’re home and safe, Jamie too,” he told her.
“Kids, kids, come on dinner!” Diane called out from the dining room.
“Come on, you won’t believe what all she’s fixed for dinner,” Liz told them as they headed toward the dining room.
“Yes, I would. She dragged me to the grocery store yesterday, and that was after we spent all morning cleaning,” Isabel remarked.
Max grinned and shot Liz an I-told-you-so look. But his sister’s hand on his shoulder pulled him back into the hall for a moment. Max cringed when he saw her expression. “Hey, Iz.”
“Hey, Iz? You have got to be kidding me,” she steamed with her hands on her hips and proceeded to lay into him, “You ditched me. You might as well admit it. I already forced it out of Michael. You ditched me and left me to deal with not only telling Mom and Dad the truth but then getting to sit and worry with them while you and Michael went off to play Batman and Robin!”
“Kyle tagged along too,” he tried to joke and took a step back. Joking probably wasn’t the best way to go at the moment.
“Kyle tagged…I…you…ARGGHHHH!” Isabel was beyond angry and was starting to see red.
“Max, Isabel, dinner!” Diane called again.
“Iz, it’s fine. We took care of it. Everything is fine,” Max soothed with little effect.
“Fine? No, not everything is fine. I’m not fine. I’m far from fine. I went through hell and what’s more I got to watch Mom and Dad go through hell this past week without so much as a phone call until a few days ago. That’s far from fine!” Isabel informed him with increasing volume.
“Okay, Iz. I got the point. What will make this fine?” he asked in a slightly condescending tone, just wanting to be done with this.
SMACK! He never saw it coming.
“There, that helped. I’ll let you know when things are fine again. In the meantime, I believe dinner is ready,” she said much calmer now.
Max scowled as he rubbed the side of his head and followed her in to the dinning room. Now it was Liz’s turn to shoot him and I-told-you-so look as he took his seat at the table. He noted that Isabel was once again her charming self and made a point to tell Liz about all the changes she’d seen in Roswell on her and Alex’s earlier drive.
Dinner was everything that was promised, turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh corn, all kinds of salads, fresh rolls with butter and every kind of pie and cobbler imaginable. “Man, Mom that was incredible. I‘d forgotten how good home cooking was,” Max complimented his mom, as he picked over his third helping of turkey.
“I’m glad you like it,” she smiled and watched as Jamie added some Tabasco to his cranberry sauce to go along with his turkey. It felt good to see her children and grandchild eat. It’d been just her and Philip for far too long. “So what are your plans?” she inquired.
“I’m not sure exactly. I sort of need a job which isn’t going to be too easy since I don’t even have a high school diploma and I can’t really cite my previous experience as an alien king as a reference,” Max pointed out. He hated the idea of being nothing more than a high school dropout, but here, that’s exactly what he was. And now he had Liz and Jamie to support.
Philip and Diane exchanged glances and smiled. “Max, Isabel, you know that your mother and I had started college funds for you when we first adopted you two. We still have them. They’ve been sitting in investment accounts for the last fourteen years. As of their last statement there was a little over a hundred thousand in each. It’s yours to do with as you like,” Philip informed them.
“And don’t worry about a place to live. You all are welcomed here for however long you’d like. Besides, this house has been far too quiet for too long,” Diane added.
It took time for both Max and Isabel to recover from their shock. “A-a hundred thousand?” Max mumbled.
“Yeah, even with today’s inflation, it should help get you on your feet. Maybe you can go back to school… adult school I guess and get GED’s and onto college. And if it is not enough…well, your mom and I are pretty set and can help more. We’d rather do it now for a short while, then for much longer later on. We don’t want either of you kids to be shy about asking for help. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s what we’re here for,” he said and then looked at Liz,” And that goes for you too.”
Liz glanced over to Max, who was still trying to come to grips with the announcement. “Actually, I already got my GED. I’m just not sure if I can use it since it’s under a slightly different name,” she replied. “But…thank you, Mr.Ev…Philip, and you too Diane. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this means for us and what difference it’ll make,” she told them sincerely.
“Well, we’re just happy we can do it,” Philip assured her. Dinner conversation followed them into the living room with coffee and soda for Jamie. Both Max and Isabel and even Liz all agreed to work on getting GED’s this spring or summer and hopefully sign up for college fulltime in the fall. While Liz and Max were thinking of the local community college for at least the next two years, Isabel wasn’t so sure.
“Perhaps, something in the DC area might be interesting,” Isabel suggested and gave Alex a slight smile. Alex just beamed a grin back. And knowing glances passed amongst the other adults in the room.
~
Liz sat at the antique vanity in the quest room that night and combed her damp hair. She wasn’t totally successful in hiding her sly grin as an equally still damp Max strolled in wearing some lounge pants and a t-shirt, fresh from his own shower.
He slowly circled around and took the comb from her and laid it on the vanity. His hands glowed softly as they slowly ran them through her hair, gently straightening any tangles and slowly drying her hair with each stroke. “I love your hair. It’s so soft,” he mumbled and bent to nibble her neck.
Liz closed her eyes and relished the feel of him running his hands through her hair. His breath was so hot, and his lips so soft and tantalizing. “Mmm, you know I cut it real short after Jamie was born.” She tilted her held the other way so he could nibble on that side.
“Why?” he murmured against her soft skin.
“Your son liked my hair too. His favorite thing was to grab hold of it at every opportunity,” she told him and wondered where her bag with the condoms went.
“Mmm, perfectly understandable reaction,” Max joked softly and slipped his hands around her middle and underneath her t-shirt, to the warm skin. It was still pretty smooth but he thought there might be the tiniest of tiny little bulge there. It was about the only sign that Liz was a mother…and maybe a mother to be? Despite everything, he still was hoping that was true.
Liz could almost sense what he was thinking as a warm hand made little circles on her abdomen while the other one wandered a bit further up. “You know, I gained fifty pounds with Jamie. I was a whale. I remember wondering what your reaction would be to seeing me like that.”
Fifty pounds? What was she talking about? “I have no idea. I guess you’ll need to show me,” he suggested and nipped at her collarbone as his one hand cupped her breast and began to massage it. He could feel himself harden as she scooted back into his arms more, and an enjoyable sigh escaped her lips.
“Mmm, that feels so good,” she moaned as his hands worked magic while his lips kissed and sucked along her collarbone.
“MOM, CAN I STAY UP AND WATCH TV?” echoed through the quiet house.
Liz’s eyes popped open and she glanced over at the bedside clock, 11:21 p.m., and she realized where she was. Her lips pursed in a straight line. “I don’t believe it,” she growled and rose from her place in her lover’s arms. “Hold that thought,” she told him as she marched out of the room.
Max’s jaw dropped as she closed the door. She’d been right there in his arms one minute and gone the next. What the hell happened? What’s the big deal about Jamie watching TV? Damnit, a thought was not what he wanted to hold, his mind yelled as he followed her downstairs to the den.
“Jameson Valenti Parker…Evans, you were not raised in a barn! And you will NOT yell in this house like that…especially in the middle of the night!” she admonished in a harsh but low tone, while wagging her finger at her son.
“But I just wanted to watch TV. And Grandma said I should consider this my home,” Jamie defended.
“Don’t get smart young man! I said no yelling!” she yelled.
Max slinked around the corner and wondered if he should go back upstairs, so as he wouldn’t get yelled at too. But, that was his son, and he didn’t want him getting in trouble the first night at his new, though temporary, home. “Liz, it’s okay,” he said and could tell by the way she whirled around, that it was anything but okay. Uh-oh.
“Max…do NOT…” she bit her tongue. She didn’t want to fight in front of Jamie. She’d be sure to explain about united front idea to him later.
Jamie glanced at the TV and saw a kooky commercial about a local restaurant, and then he caught the name of the place. “Hey Mom, isn’t the Crashdown the name of your parents’ place?” he asked and pointed to the TV.
“Oh my God!” Liz exclaimed as her jaw dropped. There was her Dad behind the counter, and the mural on the wall, and the stupid waitress uniform with the antennas, and the same greasy food selection and pies, and she couldn’t stop the tears. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and a gentle kiss graced her temple. “It hasn’t changed hardly at all.”
“Maybe a little, looks like they added an outdoor eating area off to the side there where the alley is…or I guess was. Damn, I have some great memories of that alley and the fire escape leading to your balcony. I hope it’s still there. Maybe we can relive some of those memories,” he suggested happily.
Jamie groaned and flopped back on the sofa.
~
The next morning Liz sat nervously on the sofa and stared at the phone. Max was next to her silently lending his support. She could do this. She could do this. She dialed the number and held her breath as it rang. She was about to give up and hang up when it was finally answered. She recognized the voice but it seemed…older. “Mom?” Liz paused and tears threatened. “No Mom, I’m okay. I really am. What? No…no, you don’t need to come get me…I…I’m already back in Roswell…at the Evans…Mom…yes, I’m with Max Evans…No, no Mom, that’s not it…Mom, please. Could you and Daddy come over? Huh? Yes, of course it’s okay, but…um, they did leave for a bit so we can have some privacy…What? Of course HE’s here.” She reached over and gave Max’s hand a squeeze. “Mom, please don’t be this way. I want to see you and Daddy, and I want… I want you to meet your grandson.” She sighed in frustration. “Mom, do you want to come over and see me and meet Jamie or not?” she finally spit out. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to get snippy. Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes. I love you, too,” she finally got to say before hanging up and leaning back into Max’s arms. “Well, that was fun,” she quipped.
“I take it they’re not overly happy with me?” Max asked as he massaged the tensed muscles in her shoulders.
“You could say that. Alex and Maria told me a long time ago that they blamed you and by extension your parents for me running off, they assumed with you. I’m afraid that they haven’t changed that opinion much in the last several years,” she told him and closed her eyes as gentle hands worked their magic. “Thank you. You know, you could make a mint as a massage therapist,” she joked.
“That might be kind of fun, working with all the lovely ladies at a spa. Aren’t they usually just wearing a sheet for massages? Mmm-yeah, not a bad idea at all,” he teased.
“Um-huh, the two hundred pound ones are nude too. You’ll love those,” Liz teased right back. And laughed when Max groaned. They were still chuckling when the doorbell rang. Liz took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for this. “Max, why don’t you go make some coffee?” she suggested. One more deep breath and she opened the door. “Mom, Dad, it’s good to see you,” she told them and stepped aside so they could come in.
Nancy immediately hugged her daughter and sobbed, “I’ve missed you so much!”
“Lizzy,” Jeff greeted her and then took his turn hugging her.
“Daddy,” she said softly as they hugged before escorting them to the living room sofa. As Max entered the room with a tray of coffee, it felt like the temperature dropped twenty degrees from her father’s icy glare. “Daddy, please. We have a lot to talk about and this won’t help,” she told him quite reasonably.
“Max,” Jeff groaned out by way of a greeting.
“Mr. Parker,” Max said and offered his hand to shake. It hung there for a few moments and eventually Max pulled it back and took a seat on arm of the chair that Liz was sitting in. “Mrs. Parker,” he said politely and nodded in her direction.
“Max,” she replied in kind.
“Where have you two been for the last fourteen years? And where’s this…grandson you mentioned, Liz?” Jeff asked gruffly. He’d missed his daughter immensely and had worried over her everyday and night for the last fourteen years. He’d always believed that she’d run off with or after Max Evans, and them being here together pretty much confirmed that, in his opinion. And they have a child?
“He went shopping for some school clothes with my parents. They should be back shortly,” Max explained.
“School clothes,” Nancy repeated and felt a twinge of jealousy. Liz was back and with a child no less, and she comes here first, and now the Evans got to take their grandchild shopping and getting to spend time with him first. How could that not hurt just a bit? “H-how old is he? Jamie, right?”
“Yeah, Jamie and he just turned thirteen earlier this month,” Liz proudly told them.
“Thirteen?” Jeff repeated and shot Max a deadly glare. Thirteen meant Liz was pregnant when she left or shortly there after.
It wasn’t difficult to follow her dad’s train of thought. “Yes, Dad. I was pregnant when I left. But it’s not why I left. Well, maybe it was but not the reason you think.”
Nancy shook her head, clearly confused. “I don’t understand, Liz. Even…even though we wouldn’t have been thrilled, you had to know that we would have helped you and supported you and the baby. Why did you leave? Why didn’t you give us a chance?” she asked, clearly desperate for an answer.
“You went with him, didn’t you?” Jeff accused.
“Him? Max, Dad. And he’s sitting right there. And no, I didn’t go with him, or go after him. He left and I knew he wouldn’t be back for a long time,” she clarified, somewhat.
Jeff’s attention zeroed in on Max then. “You left? You ran off on my daughter? You got my little girl pregnant and left her? What the hell kind of man are you?” Jeff yelled angrily.
“I didn’t know. She didn’t tell me about the baby. I…I’m not sure what I would have done exactly but I would have made some kind of arrangements so she and the baby would be safe,” he explained in an even calm tone. Part of him was wondering if perhaps Liz was serious about that shotgun joke from the other day.
“Some kind of arrangements? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jeff demanded and rose from his seat. Years of pent up anger was starting to spill out and the half answers he was getting wasn’t helping any. This bastard had abandoned his daughter just when she needed him the most and he just admitted that he hadn’t been willing to stand up and take responsibility. He didn’t deserve her!
“DADDY STOP!” Liz stood and yelled. “You don’t understand!”
“You’re damn right I don’t understand. You’re pregnant at sixteen and this scumbag splits on you and for some reason that I can’t fathom at the moment, you decide you can’t come to us for help, that at some level, you had to know we’d give you. And are gone for fourteen years with no word whatsoever, and then out of the blue show up here, not at home, but here…with him! You GODDAMN RIGHT I DON’T UNDERSTAND!” Jeff exploded.
“Liz,” Max said as calmly as possible, though it was growing increasingly difficult, and grabbed her hand to get her attention. “I think we need to tell them everything. It’s the only way they’ll understand,” he suggested. Fourteen years ago, he would have been terrified at the prospect but after everything that had happened in his life, it seemed so minor now. So what if Jeff and Nancy Parker did want to turn him in? Who’d he turn him in to? The Special Unit had been officially and unofficially disbanded and Nesado was still there monitoring things, and Alex would be returning to it too. And they’d also be turning in their own, and for right now at least, only grandson, and that he knew was something they’d never do, no matter how furious they might be at him.
Liz nodded in agreement. “Right,” she told him and turned back to her parents. “Dad, please sit down. What I have to explain is going to take some time and I’m sure you’ll have questions, but please wait until I’m finished, okay?” She then proceeded for the next hour to spell it all out, starting with being shot that day in the Crashdown and ending with Max doing a little molecular manipulation as proof.
Jeff held Nancy’s trembling hand even though his wasn’t much steadier. Aliens. His daughter was in love with an alien, correction, half alien, and had already had a baby by him. Their grandchild was part alien. And because of this his little girl had been… hunted for the last fourteen years while Max was off playing Luke Skywalker or some such shit. It was all because of him. “She ruined her life for you,” he accused.
“What?” Liz asked in shock.
Jeff ignored her and stayed focused on Max. “You got her pregnant, whether you knew about it or not, you had to know it was possible, and you left her to fend for herself. She gave up all her dreams for you, for your…bastard child. You had no right to do that. You ruined her life,” he angrily accused.
“Jeff, that…that’s our grandchild,” Nancy reminded him. She was still conflicted about all that she had discovered and would need time to sort it all out in her head, but for now she relied on her instincts, her maternal instincts.
“Is he? Hell, we don’t even know what he is.” Jeff stubbornly held on to the anger and threw out accusations before he could think them through. He didn’t want to think, he wanted someone or something to lay all the blame on for all the worry and heartache of the last fourteen years and right now that something was standing right in front of him, and by extension, his ill begotten off-spring. He just couldn’t see past it and he didn’t want to. “For all we know, it could be three feet tall and green!” he spat out.
Liz felt like someone had punched her and had to sit down.
Nancy gasped in horror.
Max saw his oldest fear coming true, but it was much worse. These were his son’s biological grandparents. Blood was supposed to be thicker than water. He’d sat there and taken most of Jeff Parker’s abuse because he had so far kept it directed at him but he had just taken it to far. “Now just a Goddamn minute…’
“No I’m not,” came a small voice from the hall.
Max spun around and saw him standing there with a fishing rod in his hand. “Jamie,” Max said and his heart broke at the devastated look on his face.
“I was going to show you the new rod and reel that Grandpa…” He paused and gave, whom he knew was his mother’s father, a brief look before looking down. “My other grandpa,” he amended, “bought me. I thought maybe we all could go fishing tomorrow. I guess I was wrong,” he said and fled to his room before he humiliated himself by crying in front of everyone.
“Oh my God!” Liz said and then ran after her son. As far as she was concerned she never wanted to see her father again. She would never forgive him for hurting her son this way.
Jeff’s jaw was hanging open. It dawned on him what he’d said and what the boy…the boy, who had his daughter’s chin and mouth, must have heard and was horrified by his own actions and words. Jamie wasn’t some part-human monster he had pictured in his mind but a child, his grandchild and suddenly nothing else matter. “I…I…I’m sorry. I’ll go talk to him and apologize,” he stammered out.
Max spun around and faced Jeff head on. “No. I think you’ve done quite enough for one day. Get the hell out of this house!” he yelled with clenched fists and barely contained fury. The crying he heard coming from behind a closed door down the hall only added to his fury. “GET OUT!”
~
It was early afternoon, after lunch but before the dinner crowd, when Jim stopped by the quiet alien-themed restaurant for a cup of coffee. In his hand was a flat bag with a Walgreens label. And the first person he spotted just happened to be the on he was looking for, and he looked like crap. “Afternoon Jeff,” he greeted him.
Jeff barely looked up at first, but then it dawned on him who it was and how involved the sheriff had been in his daughter’s life for the last fourteen years, and his head jerked back up in anger. “You bastard! You knew where she was. You knew he’d gotten her pregnant, and you never said a word. Not one Goddamn word!” he yelled.
“Yeah, I did,” Jim very calmly acknowledged. “I had to make a decision. I could tell you and risk you trying to contact her or even just letting it slip that you knew her whereabouts and possibly putting her and Jamie at more risk, or putting their safety ahead of everything else. I chose the latter, and if I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing.”
Jeff opened his mouth but nothing came out. He felt so broken inside. After all these years, he finally got another chance and he blew it. And Nancy will never forgive him for it anymore than he’d forgive himself. He kept picturing the boy, his grandson, Jamie, standing there in the hallway and how devastated he looked. And Liz’s anguished cry as she ran after him as he fled, and then Max’s rage and ordering them to leave. He didn’t blame Max for throwing them out. Looking back, he was surprised that Max hadn’t done it earlier. His regret ran so deep, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever rise above it. “You’re right. I apologize,” he choked out. “Thank you for what you did. You helped keep them safe. Thank you,” he told him near tears at the thought of what he’d lost.
Jim nodded and then pulled the picture from the bag. “Liz gave me a wallet size of this when I met her and Jamie for his seventh birthday. Kyle and I took the two of them to a ballgame. It was the only time I got to see him. Jamie’s a great kid and I’ve always been proud to call him my grandson, which I don’t plan on changing anytime soon. But I have to admit that I always felt bad that I carried a picture of Jamie while you and the Evanses didn’t. I…uh, I had some copies made, both and 8x10 and a couple of wallet sized ones for you and Nancy. I dropped off the same over at the Evanses,” he told him.
Jeff’s hand shook as he looked at the picture. It was of a young boy about six or seven in a baseball outfit with a bat in his hand. The picture blurred for a moment as his tears filled his eyes. He swiped at his eyes to clear them so he could look at his grandson again. He was perfect. “H-how were they?” he asked, as that devastated look popped back into his mind, contrasting with the smiling image before him.
“Mmm, they’ve been better,” he admitted. “But I understand that Philip still plans on taking Max and Jamie fishing tomorrow. They’re going to be getting an early start, around five or so. I bet they could use a good breakfast before hitting the lake,” he said and let the comment hang in the air for a moment. “Well, maybe I should get the cup of coffee that I came in for to go. I need to be heading back to work.”
Jeff could only nod as he pour some coffee in a to go cup. His mind was whirling with the possibility that maybe, just maybe, all was not lost after all.
~
No one had felt much like lunch or even dinner really that day, especially Jamie. Liz had spent some time with Jamie, who was refusing to come out of his room, and only came out when Jim stopped by. But Max stayed away. He was still too angry and didn’t want to upset Jamie further. He’d been hiding out in the garage, and looking over his old jeep. Dad must have been keeping up the maintenance on it since it had started right up. That’s where his dad found him as the sun was starting to set.
Philip watched his son for a while. He could still see the tension in his shoulders and the scowl on his face. No doubt Max was still angry but that was better than the devastated look he’d found on his grandson. “Max, you thinking about takin’ her out for a spin?” he finally asked as he approached.
Max looked up in acknowledgement and then stuck his head back under the hood, checking the water and oil again for the fourth or fifth time. “Maybe later,” he replied as his dad stood next to him.
“I bet Jamie would love a ride. Remember when you first got it? You weren’t sixteen yet and you and I took it out in the desert and I let you drive for the first time,” Philip recalled fondly.
“Yeah, you warned me never to tell Mom that I almost flipped or she would never let me drive it again,” Max shared the fond memory with his dad.
“Mmm, actually, I lied,” he smiled at his son’s shocked look. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, your mother absolutely wouldn’t have let you have driven it again but that’s not why I didn’t want you to tell her.” He grinned. “She would have killed me for letting it happen. Nothing stronger than a parent’s desire to protect their children.”
Max regarded his father as he wiped the grease off his hands. “You think Jeff Parker is right, that he was trying to protect his daughter…by attacking his own grandchild?” Max asked in surprise and no small amount of disgust.
“I don’t think he really meant what he said. I think he was simply reacting to the stress and emotions. He’s kept it bottled up for a long time. And he’s been blaming you for most of it. Seeing you and hearing the story…I don’t know, Max. We both know the Parkers love Liz and had high hopes for her future, what parent doesn’t? He feels cheated and angry,” Philip said and knew that he was stating the obvious. “Um, Nancy called.”
“What’d she want?” Max asked. He didn’t want to care but he did. These were Liz’s parents and his son’s grandparents. He had to care for their sakes.
“To apologize. Your mom talked to her for a bit. They both were crying,” he told him. “She wanted to know if there was anyway for her to meet Jamie, and anyway that you and Liz would let Jeff apologize to him. She seemed pretty sincere,” he said and watched his son’s reaction. The anger was still there but just maybe there was a hint of forgiveness.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Liz,” he conceded. He wanted Jamie to know both sets of grandparents, but within reason. “But I won’t let them hurt him again,” he was adamant.
“Okay,” Philip patted his son on the shoulder. “Come on, your mom has dinner ready.”
~
Max entered his old room and saw that nothing had changed. Mom had kept it exactly as it was when he was a teen. He felt like he’d walked into some kind of time warp, but it felt good too. He sat the plate of food down on the bedside table and regarded his son for a moment. His eyes were still a little puffy from earlier but he seemed calm now as he stared up at the ceiling. He looked up at that familiar ceiling and could remember every nook and cranny. “It helps if you listen to the Counting Crows while staring at the ceiling. I used to imagine I could see the constellations in the different patterns,” he quipped and was rewarded with a very dubious look from his son. “Your mom and grandma insist you’re hungry and expect that plate to be clean when you return it to the kitchen,” he informed him as he walked around the room. He wondered if his old iMac still worked. And smiled when he saw the stack of CD’s still sitting next to his old boombox.
“I’m not hungry,” Jamie stated.
“Yeah, well, they say you are and you’ll have to take it up with them,” he said somewhat distractedly as his pulled out his old Moby CD and popped it in. Techno sounds of Moby filled the room as he moseyed over to the new fishing rod and shopping bag sitting next to the closet. He made himself comfortable on the side of the bed and dumped the bag out. “Nice rod,” he commented as he tested the feel and weight of it.
“Yeah, that’s what Grandpa said,” Jamie answered, intrigued despite him self.
“Nice reel too,” Max observed and then proceeded to show him how to hook it all up and put new line on it. Jamie was slowly turning the rod, making sure the line didn’t get tangled while Max held onto the pencil that was stuck through the spool of line. “Your Grandpa wants to leave by five tomorrow. He has this thing about ‘getting a jump on the fish’.”
Jamie paused and looked unsurely at him. “We’re still going?” he asked.
“That was the plan. You still want to go, don’t you? I know I was looking forward to it and so was my dad. Aren’t you?” he asked.
“I…I guess,” he said and thought about it, “I mean yeah, I wanna go.”
“Good. And I guarantee you it’s a heck of a lot more fun than moping around here all day,” Max told him and got a small smile in return as Jamie resumed putting new line on. They were quiet until Jamie was done and then Max showed him how to pack his new tackle box. “Jamie, we were thinking of stopping by the Crashdown for breakfast tomorrow morning. They said they’d open extra early for us. Is that something you could do?” he asked cautiously.
“The Crashdown? Isn’t that…his place?” Jamie asked guardedly.
“Yes, it’s Liz’s parents place,” Max confirmed and turned to face his son. “Jamie, what he said… what you heard, it wasn’t really directed at you or wasn’t really about you at all. It was really meant for me. See, your mom had an excellent shot at going onto Harvard on a full scholarship. It was her dream to study microbiology at Harvard…and her parents’ dream as well.”
“And she had to give it all up because of me. Thanks, Dad, you really know how to cheer a guy up,” he bit out, once more disgusted with himself and the whole stupid situation and was wishing it was just him and Mom again. This was just too much work.
“No Jamie, not because of you, because of me. Even with a baby, Liz would have found a way to go to college, maybe not Harvard but some college. You were never what held her back, but I was, even though it was the last thing that I ever wanted to happen. And that’s why Jeff Parker was so angry… But Jamie, that’s between Jeff and me. Jeff and Nancy Parker are your grandparents and they very much want to get to know you. They want you to be a part of their lives, and them to be in yours. Can you find it in yourself to give them a second chance?” he asked earnestly. He still wasn’t totally sold on all of this but he and Liz had talked it through and after all these years apart, a second chance seemed like a small thing to ask.
“Why should I?” Jamie retorted, still not totally able to let it go.
“Because I asked, and it would make your mom happy. She really misses them and wants a chance to spend time with them.” Okay, the guilt trip had been Isabel’s suggestion and he knew it was a low blow but it did seem to have an impact. “And it would be the mature thing to do,” he added in for good measure.
Jamie sighed heavily, “Okay, but I go on record as not being overly happy about it.”
“So noted,” he agreed and ruffled his hair for a moment before swiping a glowing hand over the plate of cold food. “There, now all nice and warm again. Eat up, or you’ll be answering to your mom and grandma, and those two are a very formidable force,” he reminded his son. And he should know, they’d ganged up on him over dinner on this.
~
Nancy’s hand shook as she turned to unlock the front door. She was a bundle of excitement. “Come in, come in,” she said and beamed a grin at them, especially the dark haired boy. Her hand hovered for a moment almost touching him. She ached to just touch him and maybe even a hug if he’d let her. But she wasn’t sure if it’d be welcomed and she didn’t want to do anything that might make him feel uncomfortable or push him away. She let her hand dropped and walked further into the restaurant. She and Jeff had been up for hours, wanting to make everything…perfect. “Um, did you want to sit at a booth or table?”
“Oh, no need to go to that much trouble, Nancy. The counter will be fine. Besides maybe we could visit a little,” Philip suggested.
“Oh, okay…um, well then have a seat and I’ll get you some coffee. I just made a fresh pot…um, Jamie I could make you some hot chocolate or get you some juice or milk, or something?” she offered on her way to the coffee station.
‘She couldn’t stand to even touch me’. Jamie’s heart sank at the thought. “Doesn’t matter,” he replied dejectedly as he slunk into the stool. He suddenly wasn’t so hungry anymore.
“He’ll have some hot chocolate, if it’s not too much trouble,” Max answered for him and gave him a little nudge to sit up straight.
Nancy took an even breath when she heard Jamie’s tone and reply. Obviously this was going to take a little more effort and time, but it was worth it. “No problem, coming right up,” she called back to him.
Jamie looked around the place, the alien mural on the wall, and the reprinted articles of the crash, even an alien themed menu. “Dad, did it ever bother you? All this…stuff?”
Nancy almost dropped the tray when she heard the question. She was horrified. “Oh…I…I’m so sorry Max. We never…I mean it didn’t occur to us that…” She didn’t know what to say.
Max actually laughed. “Don’t worry about it. It never bothered me. For Christ sake, I used to work at the UFO Center, and participated in many a festival and was even in charge of that UFO Convention that the Center sponsored one year. Remember?” he asked and shook his head.
“You worked at a UFO Center?” Jamie asked in shock.
“Yep. I needed a job,” Max told him and accepted the coffee from Nancy. He watched Jamie take a sip of his hot chocolate and give it a rather indifferent look. “Nancy, do you have some Tabasco?” he asked.
“Tabasco? Oh…uh, sure,” she said and reached underneath the counter for a bottle and sat it before him. She didn’t know what to say when he shoved it toward Jamie, who with a little prompting from his father, proceeded to dump a good measure into his hot chocolate. “Uh…”
“I’m afraid he inherited that from me. Most foods are somewhat bland to me, so I like to spice them up and Tabasco is the spice of choice. And I especially love to mix sweet with spicy. We all do. It’s sort of an alien quirk,” Max explained as light hearty as possible. He wanted to keep things upbeat and stress low to an already stressful situation.
Nancy recovered quickly and nodded in understanding. Then an odd fact popped into her mind. “So that’s why we would go through so much Tabasco. It seemed we used to order almost as much Tabasco as we did ketchup and mustard,” she said, clearly amused by it.
“Yep, guilty as charged,” Max joked back.
“Well, whatever Jeff’s got going back there smells great,” Philip commented as his stomach rumbled a little.
“Oh, I should go see if he needs a hand. We weren’t sure what you’d like but thought you would probably want to be on your way before it got too light out, so we made a few things,” she told them. “I’ll be right back.”
Max looked the place over again and smiled at the memories it brought back. It hadn’t changed all that much. The mural was still there, though it did look like it’d been touched up a bit. The framed newspaper reprints still hung on the walls. Alien dolls were scatter around and little alien lights were hung about. And over by the swinging door that led to the back were some pictures of friends and family. There was one Liz and Maria in their uniforms, one with Alex being served some alien-themed treat by Liz, and even one of Michael working the grill, and then there was one of…” His mouth dropped in surprise. It took him a minute, but he smiled when he figured it out. He tapped his dad’s shoulder and pointed. “Look familiar?”
Philip looked and then smiled. The sheriff had been by their place and thanks to him, Philip now had a small picture of his grandson at age six in a baseball uniform in his wallet, with matching ones in Max’s wallet and Diane’s billfold, and a nice 8x10 glossy in a new silver frame on top of the mantel, right next to one of Max at about the same age. “Yeah, looks like the sheriff’s been busy,” he said.
“That’s me!” Jamie exclaimed in surprise when he spotted what his dad and grandpa were looking at. They had hung his picture up. “Why’d they do that?” he asked in confusion.
“Do what?” Jeff asked in reply as he came in loaded down with several plates of eggs and hash browns, cottage fries, waffles, biscuits, and toast. Nancy carried the bowls of mixed fresh fruit and freshly whipped whole cream, and placed them next to his platters on the counter in front of them. “I hope everyone’s hungry,” he said and gave them what he hoped was a friendly, welcoming smile. He wanted this so much. It had to work. It just had to.
“Uh…yeah,” Max said slightly dumbfounded at all the food. “Uh, you two are going to help us eat all of this, aren’t you?”
“Oh, um…we wouldn’t want to… intrude,” Jeff stated carefully. He was well aware that he’d treated Max very badly yesterday, and was actually surprised that Max was still willing to treat him so civilly.
Jamie watched him and noted how nervous Mom’s dad seemed, though he was trying hard to hide it. He was trying really hard to be…nice. Jamie kept watching, staring actually, as he tried to get a reading on him, on what he was really thinking and feeling. He was sensing many things from him, nervousness, fear, regret, longing, loneliness, hope, and as their eyes met he felt it hit him full force, pride and love. He loved him. Jeff Parker, his mom’s dad, the man that had riled and yelled at his dad and said all those things just yesterday, loved him? And was even proud of him? He tore his eyes away and looked at the picture that hung on the wall. They’d even put his picture up and in their restaurant where everyone could see. He glanced down at all the food in front of him and snagged some waffles. “Can I have some whipped cream and…more Tabasco, please?”
“Oh, sure,” Jeff beamed as the boy had at first engaged him in a staring contest and looked over at the picture the sheriff had given them yesterday, and then asked him for some whipped cream and…Tabasco? “Uh…” he mumbled as he slid a new bottle over to the boy and watched him dump almost the whole bottle on his waffles and cream. He glanced over and saw that Max had done about the same thing with his eggs and hash browns, but that wasn’t too unusual, many people liked their eggs and potatoes with salsa or hot sauce. But when Max topped a couple of biscuits with butter and marmalade and then more Tabasco, he got the idea. “Um, Tabasco is uh… the condiment of choice for uh…”
“Aliens? Yeah,” Max confirmed with a grin.
~
Part 15
June 2014
“Hold still or I’ll stick you,” Maria growled as Liz once again fidgeted.
“God, why is this thing so tight? It wasn’t when I bought it,” Liz bemoaned and did her best not to jump when Maria stuck her once again with a pin.
“Well, it could have something to do with that expanding waistline of yours. That does tend to happen when you’re pregnant you know,” she remarked dryly.
“Ha ha,” she mouthed back at her. “I am so not looking forward to being a hippo again. I gained fifty pounds last time and they say you gain more with the second one,” she lamented and slouched. “OWW!” she yelped when she felt a particular sharp prick.
“Sorry, but stand up straight. I’ve almost got it, just one more…there, done. How’s it fit?” she asked and stood up behind her friend as they gazed into the mirror at the white empire waist gown that allowed plenty of room for middle expansion but was growing tighter across the bust by the day. “Mmm, I bet Max doesn’t mind those,” she quipped.
Liz’s eyes grew wide in shock, “MARIA! He doesn’t…I mean he’s not that kind of…uh…”
“Not a boob man? Got news for ya Chica, they all are,” Maria stated knowingly.
“So that means Michael…”
“Let’s just say it was a shock for him when I slipped off my push up bra. But, I have to give him credit for not saying anything. But his shocked expression spoke for him. Oh the joy of getting older. I sometimes think I’m becoming my mom,” Maria remarked.
“Um, I know what you mean. We were looking at cars yesterday and you know what we almost considered? A van. A friggin’ van so we would have plenty of room for the kids, all of their stuff and we could get a car seat in and out easier. And the new house, you know what finally sold us on it? Closets. It had tons of closets and a walk-in pantry, and attached garage. What happened to sports cars that were fun to drive and blasting the radio while the wind blew your hair? Or that cool condo in a big city high-rise with the granite fireplace and views to die for?” Liz wondered and then focused back in on her reflection in the mirror.
Maria pulled Liz’s hair up on top while purposefully letting several strands fall loose. “I think some white baby’s breath is all you need. What do you think?” she asked. Liz looked lovely. Her pregnancy was far enough along to be past the morning sickness and she was just starting to get the ‘glow’ of impending motherhood. She made a beautiful bride.
“Yeah, perfect. God, I can’t wait. I’ve dreamt about this for so long. I can’t believe it’s really happening,” Liz gushed as Maria helped her out of the gown that was held together by pins.
“Well, with one kid and another on the way, I’d say it’s about time, girl,” Maria pointed out.
“Ugh, you are my mother, aren’t you?” Liz accused and then laughed. “So any wedding march in the near future for you?”
“Umph, you’re getting Mr. Romance proposing on bended knee in the middle of a rose garden and a country club wedding.” She snorted and added, “I’d be lucky to get a tacky Elvis wedding in Las Vegas.”
“Maria, that’s not true and you know it. Besides, it’s only the patio of the country club. It’s not like a big affair in the main ballroom or anything,” Liz downplayed. She knew that the venue was the result of the Evans being members and using their influence to secure it. The town had been a hive of gossip, both about all of their departures and now subsequent return. They’d been getting so much unwanted attention that she and Max had almost done exactly what Maria suggested, run off to Las Vegas and get married just to avoid the raised eyebrows. But then Philip had pointed out how disappointed they and her parents would be if they missed out on seeing their children ‘properly’ married, especially her dad walking her down the aisle. So they’d started looking for places, which were all either too public, such as a park or hotel lobby, or already booked. And they didn’t want to wait until the baby was born or for her to get too large. She absolutely refused to waddle down the aisle, so that meant someplace private and soon. They’d just about decided on the Evans’ backyard when Philip was able to use his influence as a long time member at the country club, as well as his seat on the membership board, to get them to rent the little patio garden to them when it had suddenly become available due to another’s cancellation. “So how’s Michael working out as Mr. Mom?” she asked by way of changing the subject.
Maria snorted. “Fine, but then why wouldn’t he? After all Michael never completely grew up. I swear that some times I now have three kids,” Maria remarked and snorted again. But then her mood grew softer, “When I got home last night they were playing king of the mountain with Michael as the mountain. It’s been a long time since I heard my girls laugh like that, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard Michael really laugh out loud before.”
Liz smiled at the mental image that created. Michael had been at a loose end and decided to attend community college part time and baby-sit Maria’s two as much as possible so Maria wouldn’t have to pay for childcare. It’d seemed like a strange idea until she’d seen Michael with them. His gruff, bad boy image disappeared around the girls and in its place was this big teddy bear of a man that took them to the park, played games, even did some baking with them. Liz thought it was Michael’s way of being able to capture some of the childhood that he’d missed out on with Hank, and she couldn’t be happier for him or Maria. “I know. I think they’re adorable with him.”
“Mmm, yeah, and they love the ‘magic tricks’ he does for them,” she commented. “So, is Isabel all set?”
“Yep, she’s packed and repacked. You should have seen her when Alex explained that it would take a week before the shipping company would deliver all her stuff to Washington D.C. She then had to repack so she’d have the ‘essentials’ for the week, then Alex informed her that she was limited to two suitcases on the plane.”
“So what’d she do?” Maria asked with a snicker.
“She bought two new larger suitcases that are expandable and stuffed them to the gills. I cannot believe all the stuff she’s acquired in just over two months!” Liz remarked in shock and just a touch of envy.
Maria chuckled. “Come on, we’re talking Isabel Evans, remember? She has fourteen years of shopping to make up for.”
“True,” she conceded. “I’m just glad that she and Alex are finally connecting. Though it’s a bit hard to get used to the idea of Isabel being the significant other of an FBI agent. The irony is just…poetic,” she finished off with a chuckle.
“Mmm, well, I’ve seen his place, all chrome and glass and leather and electronic gadgets everywhere. She certainly has her work cut out for her,” Maria said.
“Well, at least she’ll be busy and she’s always loved decorating,” Liz responded.
“True, and Alex’s place certainly needs it. About the only homey touches are his dirty clothes on the floor,” Maria replied. “So, how’s Jamie working out at the Crashdown?” she asked while Liz finished getting her street clothes on.
“Fine. Of course Dad lets him work whatever shift he wants. And I know he’s slipping him extra cash. No way does a part-time busy boy make an extra fifty in tips in two days,” Liz pointed out.
“Well, in fact he could. A few smiles to the cute girls…, sway the hips…What?” she asked in pretend surprise.
“What, she asks. Jamie is not…you know. He’s only JUST thirteen. He’s way too young to be thinking of girls, let alone encouraging them!” Liz not so calmly stated.
“Oh really. And just how old was Max when he got the hots for you? Like nine,” Maria retorted.
“Oh no you don’t! That was totally different,” Liz was adamant.
Snort. “Yeah, right. Chica, that boy is a head turner and already has many a young girl going to the Crashdown everyday for a bit of an alien blast, not to mention an occasional milkshake. And how many times did we go to Little League games in junior high school on our own accord, hmm? None, so why are Jamie’s games so popular with the ladies?” Maria pointed out.
“Maria, you’re making this up. Jamie is…he’s just a boy and his team is in first place and getting some write ups in the local paper, that’s why they’re games are so well attended,” Liz remained firm in her conviction.
“Um-yeah, right. Well attended by twelve and thirteen year old little girls,” Maria reiterated and then moved on, “So Jamie all set to stay with your parents for your weeklong Cancun honeymoon?”
“Yeah, I think so. I know my parents are certainly excited about having him,” she sighed with a slight frown.
“What? After such a rocky start, I ‘d think you’d be thrilled,” Maria pointed out.
“Oh I am, it just that between Max’s parents and now mine, Jamie gets everything he wants, has more spending cash than Max and I do, and is becoming totally rotten,” Liz explained.
Maria laughed. “Ah Chica, let them have their fun while they can, both Jamie and the grandparents. Be glad for it. It’ll be easier for you to deal with it when you two get back from Cancun and into your own place with all those nice closets,” she remarked and laughed again. Their attention was drawn to the noise that just entered the front of the house. “Mmm, sounds like they’re back,” she noted and followed the sound along with her best friend.
Liz grinned from ear-to-ear at the sight. There was Michael with six-year-old Jessica on his back, and five-year-old Breanna hanging upside down under one arm, with him wearing a happy frazzled look. “How was the walk?”
Maria watched as Michael dumped the girls on the sofa. “Walked into Baskin Robbins I see.”
“So? They were hungry,” Michael explained.
“Tell her about the bike shop, Michael!” Jessica excitedly nudged. “It’s totally cool, Mom!”
“Bike shop?” Maria repeated with raised eyebrows.
“You know old Pete Sorenson’s Motorbike and Repair Shop?” Michael asked.
“Yeah, so….”
“He’s looking to retire. He said he’d be willing to take six months to train someone to replace him.” Michael watched her reaction and wondered how much higher her eyebrow could go. “And he does a good business.” Pretty high, he noted. “I thought I’d sit down with Max’s dad to go over what a contract might look like,” he finally spit out and waited.
“Buy Pete’s place?” she asked in surprise at first and then smiled. “That’s a great idea!” She exclaimed enthusiastically. Michael was finally talking about putting down roots in Roswell with her and the girls.
“Yeah?” Michael asked, unbelieving.
“Yeah,” Maria confirmed.
~
The following Saturday Liz looked in the mirror that stood in her old room and smiled as her mother and best friend helped her put on the finishing touches to her wedding ensemble. Maria was doing the final adjustments to the baby’s breath and miniature white roses in her hair, while her mother stood ready to attach the veil to the hair clip that held most of her hair up with a few strains purposefully hanging loose and softly framing her face.
“There, perfect,” Maria proclaimed as the last petite white rose finally stayed in place. “Now, let’s get that veil on and then you’re all set.”
Nancy was a flood of tears as Maria finished and there stood her little girl in her wedding gown and veil about to become a wife. She knew it was foolish to think that she was losing her daughter when she had been gone for fourteen years, but somehow this made it seem official. “Oh, my little girl. You’re so beautiful,” she sobbed.
“Mo-om,” Liz pleaded with a hint of an indulgent smile peaking through.
“You think this is bad, wait until you see your dad,” Maria pointed out. “Okay, Chica, I’ll leave you to the parents for a bit, while I go see if Spaceboy managed to tie his tie or make a noose out of it like he was threatening to do when I left this morning.”
“My baby girl is all grown up,” Nancy sighed, sad but happy too.
“Mom, I have a teenaged son and a new one on the way. I’ve sort of been grown up for some time now,” Liz pointed out.
“Oh, I know. But now… now it’s official,” she softly sobbed.
“Mom, you’re going to get me crying soon, and then we’ll have to explain to Isabel why her makeup job’s a mess and I’ll have raccoon eyes for the wedding,” Liz told her and delicately touched a Kleenex to her moist eyes.
“Knock, knock,” Jeff said from the doorway and smiled at his daughter. This was the day he had always look forward to and dreaded. But it was here and she was happy and that’s all that mattered.
“Dad, hi,” Liz said as he entered.
Jeff looked over at Nancy for a moment and then came over to stand next to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. Nancy placed her hand on his arm and together they present it to her. “Liz, we know that you have ‘something old’ already but we thought you might want to use this instead,” he nervously told her.
Liz looked at both of them and saw the emotions playing across them both. They’d come a long way in repairing the damaged that had been done between them over the years and especially just recently, but they still were ‘on-guard’ much of the time. Forgiving them seemed much easier than she had expected. It was the forgetting that was tough. Her hand trembled as it reached for the box and carefully opened it. She forgot to breathe for a moment. “Oh. My. God!” It was stunning. A necklace of diamonds, one large one with several smaller ones surrounding it in a starburst pattern, and all set in white gold.
“My grandfather gave it to my mother on her wedding day. He’d brought the diamonds back years earlier from South Africa around the turn of the twentieth century. I know your Grandma Claudia wanted you to have it. Today seemed like a good day to give it to you,” Jeff explained.
Liz was speechless. This had been Grandma Claudia’s and her father had kept it for her for all these years. All these lost years. She was definitely going to have raccoon eyes for her wedding as the tears began to flow. “Could you put it on me, Daddy?”
Jeff had to blink several times to keep the tears at bay but his hand still trembled a little as he carefully slipped the clasp into place. They all turned to look in the mirror. The diamonds caught the afternoon sun and shimmered in a prism of colors. It dazzled, but no more than the smile on his daughter’s face. He finally had her back and now…and now he had to give her away. His little girl. His princess.
Nancy squared her shoulders, stuffed a handful of Kleenex in her small purse that was died to match her new dress and held her head high as she started to leave. “I heard the car pull up. I’m going to go ahead and head on over. I’ll…uh, I’ll let Isabel know that a quick repair job is going to be in order,” she said proud voice and a flood of tears.
Jeff gave Nancy a quick kiss and returned to look at him and his daughter together in the mirror. “You ready?”
Liz thought of how handsome Max had looked in his new suit when he’d tried it on at the shop. She’d dreamed of this day ever since she was a sixteen-year-old sophomore. She’d never dreamed it would be fourteen years and one…she glanced down at her expanding waistline… correction, one and a third children later, but it was here. What she had been dreaming of was finally here and she was more than ready. “Yeah, but are you?”
Jeff gave her a rueful smile. “How’s that go? A son’s a son until he takes a wife, but a daughter’s a daughter for the rest of your life. No, I’m not ready and I never will be, so if that’s what you’re waiting for, it’ll never happen.” His eyes grew soft, as he really looked at her. She just radiated happiness and love. If Max Evans could make his daughter shine like that, then maybe he’s all right after all. “We better go. He’s waiting for you,” he told her as she slipped her arm through his.
~
The late afternoon was clear and the heat of the day was cooling to a comfortable temperature as she entered the garden area of the country club on her father’s arm. Liz’s eyes misted over as she saw her two special men standing at the altar. Max was in a dark blue suit and matching tie with a crisp white shirt and staring at her with a look of wonder and love. She knew that even as late as last night that Max still couldn’t believe that they really were getting married, that his and her, dream really was coming true. That is before Maria insisted on the inane practice of the bride and groom having to sleep separately the night before the wedding and dragging her out of his parents’ house and to hers for the night. It had been aggravating but exhilarating too. Who knew phone sex could be so much fun?
Jamie was in his new dark blue suit, similar to his dad’s, and standing next to Dad and Michael. They were both serving as his dad’s best men. He thought Mom looked beautiful in her gown and Dad certainly made Mom smile. He’d never seen his mom look so happy but he wondered why her cheeks were so red.
“We are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony…”
Liz didn’t hear a word after that she was too lost in his expressive eyes. They were these shining beacons to her soul. They spoke to her and told her of the deep love he held for her and the incredible joy he felt at finally being able to build a life together, as husband and wife. That and the silly, stupid grin that he was sporting.
“Do you, Liz, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?”
Silence, as Liz continued to stare into Max’s eyes.
Maria stifled a snort, rolled her eyes, mumbled, “There they go again,” and performed her maid of honor duty and gave the bride a bit of a shove to snap her out of it.
“Huh? Oh…I do,” Liz finally confirmed with reddened cheeks and an embarrassed smile. She watched his lips replied, “I do,” when it was his turn and then turn to Michael. Her mind was in a fog as Max reached for her hand and started to slip the gold band on her left ring finger. She saw his forehead knit into a frown and glanced down at her hand. The ring wouldn’t fit on her pregnant, water-retaining, fat finger. She fought the urge to roll her eyes but couldn’t stop the slight groan, which caused a slight chuckle in response from Max. She felt his warm hand massage her finger and ring for a moment and her ring magically slid on all the way. Ahhh, the advantages of having a half alien husband, now if he could only do that with the rest of her wardrobe for the next six months, everything would be perfect! She felt a slight tap on her arm and turned to her maid of honor, who held a thick gold band in her fingers, which she sheepishly took for a moment before passing it to the minister to be blessed. “I, Elizabeth, take thee, Max, as my lawfully wedded husband. To love, honor and cherish, from now until death us do part,” she softly said as she slipped the band on Max, now her husband’s, left ring finger. Against all of the odds, her fondest dreams had just come true.
December 2014
Liz rolled over and got out of bed. At least that was the plan but instead she flopped back with a grunt in aggravation. The snickering coming from the doorway didn’t help. “What’s so amusing?” she growled in warning.
Max couldn’t hide the delighted smirk if he’d wanted to. “You,” he replied with a slight chuckle as he walked over and offered both his hands to her.
Liz glared but grabbed both of his hands and allowed him to help her up out of bed. “This is all your fault you know,” she accused once she was on her feet.
“Uh-huh,” he grinned and enjoyed watching her waddle to the bathroom.
“You don’t have to be so damn smug about it,” she grumbled as she closed the door and barely made it to the commode in time.
“Yes, dear,” he replied to the closed door.
Liz rolled her eyes as she sat there and wondered for the hundredth time exactly why she had wanted him around the first time. She managed to rise without help and waddle over to the sink to wash her hands. He was still standing there with that stupid little grin on his face when she opened the door. “What are you waiting for?” she asked irritably as she made it over to the side of the bed and tried to slip her slippers on. Stupid things were too tight to get all the way on.
“You.”
She looked up at him and watched him come over to her. “What?”
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he kissed her tenderly.
“Oh Max,” she mumbled as his warm strong arms wrapped around her - well, almost.
“Mmm, I think I’d better finish getting dressed. Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you’re already ten days late and somehow I don’t think after Christmas shopping is….”
“Max, do not start that again. There is nothing more dangerous than pissing off a pregnant lady who’s starting her tenth month. Got that?” she testily reminded him.
“Yes, dear,” he obediently replied with a sigh. He’d been saying those two words a lot lately, but he’d been warned that this time was coming. His father-in-law had pulled him aside some months back and explained how it was when Nancy was pregnant with Liz. He smiled slightly at the thought. Jeff Parker had bent over backwards to make amends. Max had to admit that they had been incredible with Jamie ever since that first time. Jeff and Nancy had done everything they could to basically spoil Jamie rotten, and his parents weren’t any better. Even Jim Valenti had taken his turn at spoiling, maybe even more so now that he’d retired and had the time to do it properly. And now there was going to be a new one any day or second actually.
“I swear to God, if you ‘yes, dear’ me one more time, I’ll smack you,” she warned.
“Yes,de…er, m’kay,” Max quickly amended and escaped into the bathroom before he got into any more trouble.
~
The mall was crowded and noisy and perfect for a distraction. And God did she ever need one. Not only was she officially ten days late, but also she had Max and Jamie both hovering over her like she was some damn invalid. It only served to annoy the crap out of her and she was cranky enough as it was. She purposefully avoided the women’s clothing section and stuck to housewares and the baby section. And Max’s hovering came in handy in the store. He was the perfect shopping bag holder. She paused in her browsing when she heard someone calling her son’s name, a high-pitched giggly voice to be exact. Her jaw dropped and her heart sank as some little tiny blond in tight jeans and a clingy t-shirt with her jacket tied to her waist was smiling and talking to her son. Did she have to swish her hair and sway her hips like that when she laughed? And why was Jamie smiling like that? What was she doing with her baby?! She gasped and her hand flew to her mouth.
Max had no idea what was wrong with Liz, but he knew the signs well enough. She was going to start yelling or balling any minute and it was a fifty-fifty shot which. He followed her gaze and saw a little girl talking to his son. “Huh, she’s flirting with him,” he thought. He looked back at Liz and saw the tears starting to form. “Liz?” he asked gently.
“That’s my little boy. He’s just a baby,” she sobbed as she stared.
He looked back at Jamie, who was grinning like an idiot, and then around the store and noticed that people were basically still ignoring them and wanted to keep it that way. “Um, maybe we should take a break and come back later,” he suggested and prayed she’d go for it. Her response was to fall into his arms and sob, while causing him to drop numerous bags. Oh hell. Now people were looking. “Okay, let’s go home. I think we still have some of that herbal tea you like. How does that sound?’
“Okay,” she conceded and then shot that little blond trying to take her baby away from her a dirty look. “Go get Jamie,” she told him with a voice that still quaked with emotion but was firming up by the minute.
“O-okay,” Max replied very carefully and moved to go collect their son before Liz made a scene. He was beginning to think he just might have lucked out being off at war in outer space last time. These mood swings are scary!
On the drive home Max did his best to ignore the plaintive looks his son was giving him from the backseat as Liz was determined to make sure her little boy was okay. He figured it was better that it was Jamie than him. When they got home Liz was a bundle of nervous energy. She wanted this moved, that fixed, tote that barge, lift that bale, and God help either of them if they uttered a peep of protest. They both cringed when she came back from the laundry room, certain that she had another project for them.
“Okay, it’s time,” she announced in a surprisingly calm voice. “Oh, and uh…someone needs to mop the laundry room floor. It sort of got wet when my water broke.”
Max’s jaw dropped as he gaped at her.
“Oh shit,” Jaime said in equal astonishment.
Max shot Jamie a stunned look, and got a similar one in return.
“Um, guys, that usually means we should go to the hospital,” Liz reminded them. They remained glued to the spot for a few more seconds before general panic took over. Jamie ran to grab her bag while Max called the hospital and then ran out the door to start the car. Watching them run around reminded her of the I Love Lucy episode when Lucy gave birth to Little Ricky.
“You okay, Mom?” Jamie asked with concern as he took her arm to help her to the car. Her overnight back was slung over his shoulder.
“Fine, honey,” she replied and then winced as a sudden labor pain proved her a liar. “But maybe it’s a good thing the hospital isn’t too far,” she amended.
~
His hand was going to fall off. He was certain of it. He had no idea she could squeeze that hard. “Honey?” he croaked out as he could tell another labor pain hit.
“Uggghhhh…” She bore down harder and then released her breath as the pain subsided but she only had a few seconds before another one hit. “You are NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN! I MEAN IT THIS TIME!” she yelled for all to listen.
“Uh…” He looked slightly more than alarmed at that loud announcement. The doctor grinned as the nurse patted him on the shoulder. They’d heard it all before.
“Don’t worry. It’ll pass,” the nurse assured him.
“NO IT WON’T!” Liz protested and bore down. Why was it that she couldn’t have drugs for this? Oh yes, the part alien thing. Damn him and his alien genes! This is what happens when you marry an alien hybrid!
He couldn’t feel his fingers any longer. “You’re doing great, honey,” he tried to encourage. She squeezed his hand harder.
“Okay, one more just like that and we’re there,” the doctor advised.
“Riiiigggght,” Liz growled through clenched teeth and did it once more.
Max forgot about his hand as he stared at the miracle happening before him. He heard the squalls of a newborn as the doctor cleared the airway, then clamped the cord and handed him the scissors. It felt like he was moving in slow motion as he snipped the cord where the doctor told him and before he knew what was happening the beautiful life they’d just brought into a receiving blanket and in Liz’s arms. He looked at them with wonder and awe. “She’s beautiful. Just like her mom,” he finally said as he gently touched a tiny foot peeking out of the blanket.
Liz was a flood of tears as she held their daughter. “She doesn’t have your ears but I bet she has your eyes.”
“She’s perfect. She’s you,” he told her through his own tears of joy.
“What are we going to name her?” Liz asked. They’d gone though every name book there was and they still hadn’t a clue.
Max smiled as he stared down at his little girl. She marked a new beginning in their lives, one that he had longed for, ever since he could remember. She looked so much like her mother. “How about Evion Elizabeth Evans?”
Liz looked down at her and considered it. Evion, yeah, she looked like an Evion. Maybe Eve for short? “Welcome to our world, Evion. It’s going to be a good one.”
The End.
June 2014
“Hold still or I’ll stick you,” Maria growled as Liz once again fidgeted.
“God, why is this thing so tight? It wasn’t when I bought it,” Liz bemoaned and did her best not to jump when Maria stuck her once again with a pin.
“Well, it could have something to do with that expanding waistline of yours. That does tend to happen when you’re pregnant you know,” she remarked dryly.
“Ha ha,” she mouthed back at her. “I am so not looking forward to being a hippo again. I gained fifty pounds last time and they say you gain more with the second one,” she lamented and slouched. “OWW!” she yelped when she felt a particular sharp prick.
“Sorry, but stand up straight. I’ve almost got it, just one more…there, done. How’s it fit?” she asked and stood up behind her friend as they gazed into the mirror at the white empire waist gown that allowed plenty of room for middle expansion but was growing tighter across the bust by the day. “Mmm, I bet Max doesn’t mind those,” she quipped.
Liz’s eyes grew wide in shock, “MARIA! He doesn’t…I mean he’s not that kind of…uh…”
“Not a boob man? Got news for ya Chica, they all are,” Maria stated knowingly.
“So that means Michael…”
“Let’s just say it was a shock for him when I slipped off my push up bra. But, I have to give him credit for not saying anything. But his shocked expression spoke for him. Oh the joy of getting older. I sometimes think I’m becoming my mom,” Maria remarked.
“Um, I know what you mean. We were looking at cars yesterday and you know what we almost considered? A van. A friggin’ van so we would have plenty of room for the kids, all of their stuff and we could get a car seat in and out easier. And the new house, you know what finally sold us on it? Closets. It had tons of closets and a walk-in pantry, and attached garage. What happened to sports cars that were fun to drive and blasting the radio while the wind blew your hair? Or that cool condo in a big city high-rise with the granite fireplace and views to die for?” Liz wondered and then focused back in on her reflection in the mirror.
Maria pulled Liz’s hair up on top while purposefully letting several strands fall loose. “I think some white baby’s breath is all you need. What do you think?” she asked. Liz looked lovely. Her pregnancy was far enough along to be past the morning sickness and she was just starting to get the ‘glow’ of impending motherhood. She made a beautiful bride.
“Yeah, perfect. God, I can’t wait. I’ve dreamt about this for so long. I can’t believe it’s really happening,” Liz gushed as Maria helped her out of the gown that was held together by pins.
“Well, with one kid and another on the way, I’d say it’s about time, girl,” Maria pointed out.
“Ugh, you are my mother, aren’t you?” Liz accused and then laughed. “So any wedding march in the near future for you?”
“Umph, you’re getting Mr. Romance proposing on bended knee in the middle of a rose garden and a country club wedding.” She snorted and added, “I’d be lucky to get a tacky Elvis wedding in Las Vegas.”
“Maria, that’s not true and you know it. Besides, it’s only the patio of the country club. It’s not like a big affair in the main ballroom or anything,” Liz downplayed. She knew that the venue was the result of the Evans being members and using their influence to secure it. The town had been a hive of gossip, both about all of their departures and now subsequent return. They’d been getting so much unwanted attention that she and Max had almost done exactly what Maria suggested, run off to Las Vegas and get married just to avoid the raised eyebrows. But then Philip had pointed out how disappointed they and her parents would be if they missed out on seeing their children ‘properly’ married, especially her dad walking her down the aisle. So they’d started looking for places, which were all either too public, such as a park or hotel lobby, or already booked. And they didn’t want to wait until the baby was born or for her to get too large. She absolutely refused to waddle down the aisle, so that meant someplace private and soon. They’d just about decided on the Evans’ backyard when Philip was able to use his influence as a long time member at the country club, as well as his seat on the membership board, to get them to rent the little patio garden to them when it had suddenly become available due to another’s cancellation. “So how’s Michael working out as Mr. Mom?” she asked by way of changing the subject.
Maria snorted. “Fine, but then why wouldn’t he? After all Michael never completely grew up. I swear that some times I now have three kids,” Maria remarked and snorted again. But then her mood grew softer, “When I got home last night they were playing king of the mountain with Michael as the mountain. It’s been a long time since I heard my girls laugh like that, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard Michael really laugh out loud before.”
Liz smiled at the mental image that created. Michael had been at a loose end and decided to attend community college part time and baby-sit Maria’s two as much as possible so Maria wouldn’t have to pay for childcare. It’d seemed like a strange idea until she’d seen Michael with them. His gruff, bad boy image disappeared around the girls and in its place was this big teddy bear of a man that took them to the park, played games, even did some baking with them. Liz thought it was Michael’s way of being able to capture some of the childhood that he’d missed out on with Hank, and she couldn’t be happier for him or Maria. “I know. I think they’re adorable with him.”
“Mmm, yeah, and they love the ‘magic tricks’ he does for them,” she commented. “So, is Isabel all set?”
“Yep, she’s packed and repacked. You should have seen her when Alex explained that it would take a week before the shipping company would deliver all her stuff to Washington D.C. She then had to repack so she’d have the ‘essentials’ for the week, then Alex informed her that she was limited to two suitcases on the plane.”
“So what’d she do?” Maria asked with a snicker.
“She bought two new larger suitcases that are expandable and stuffed them to the gills. I cannot believe all the stuff she’s acquired in just over two months!” Liz remarked in shock and just a touch of envy.
Maria chuckled. “Come on, we’re talking Isabel Evans, remember? She has fourteen years of shopping to make up for.”
“True,” she conceded. “I’m just glad that she and Alex are finally connecting. Though it’s a bit hard to get used to the idea of Isabel being the significant other of an FBI agent. The irony is just…poetic,” she finished off with a chuckle.
“Mmm, well, I’ve seen his place, all chrome and glass and leather and electronic gadgets everywhere. She certainly has her work cut out for her,” Maria said.
“Well, at least she’ll be busy and she’s always loved decorating,” Liz responded.
“True, and Alex’s place certainly needs it. About the only homey touches are his dirty clothes on the floor,” Maria replied. “So, how’s Jamie working out at the Crashdown?” she asked while Liz finished getting her street clothes on.
“Fine. Of course Dad lets him work whatever shift he wants. And I know he’s slipping him extra cash. No way does a part-time busy boy make an extra fifty in tips in two days,” Liz pointed out.
“Well, in fact he could. A few smiles to the cute girls…, sway the hips…What?” she asked in pretend surprise.
“What, she asks. Jamie is not…you know. He’s only JUST thirteen. He’s way too young to be thinking of girls, let alone encouraging them!” Liz not so calmly stated.
“Oh really. And just how old was Max when he got the hots for you? Like nine,” Maria retorted.
“Oh no you don’t! That was totally different,” Liz was adamant.
Snort. “Yeah, right. Chica, that boy is a head turner and already has many a young girl going to the Crashdown everyday for a bit of an alien blast, not to mention an occasional milkshake. And how many times did we go to Little League games in junior high school on our own accord, hmm? None, so why are Jamie’s games so popular with the ladies?” Maria pointed out.
“Maria, you’re making this up. Jamie is…he’s just a boy and his team is in first place and getting some write ups in the local paper, that’s why they’re games are so well attended,” Liz remained firm in her conviction.
“Um-yeah, right. Well attended by twelve and thirteen year old little girls,” Maria reiterated and then moved on, “So Jamie all set to stay with your parents for your weeklong Cancun honeymoon?”
“Yeah, I think so. I know my parents are certainly excited about having him,” she sighed with a slight frown.
“What? After such a rocky start, I ‘d think you’d be thrilled,” Maria pointed out.
“Oh I am, it just that between Max’s parents and now mine, Jamie gets everything he wants, has more spending cash than Max and I do, and is becoming totally rotten,” Liz explained.
Maria laughed. “Ah Chica, let them have their fun while they can, both Jamie and the grandparents. Be glad for it. It’ll be easier for you to deal with it when you two get back from Cancun and into your own place with all those nice closets,” she remarked and laughed again. Their attention was drawn to the noise that just entered the front of the house. “Mmm, sounds like they’re back,” she noted and followed the sound along with her best friend.
Liz grinned from ear-to-ear at the sight. There was Michael with six-year-old Jessica on his back, and five-year-old Breanna hanging upside down under one arm, with him wearing a happy frazzled look. “How was the walk?”
Maria watched as Michael dumped the girls on the sofa. “Walked into Baskin Robbins I see.”
“So? They were hungry,” Michael explained.
“Tell her about the bike shop, Michael!” Jessica excitedly nudged. “It’s totally cool, Mom!”
“Bike shop?” Maria repeated with raised eyebrows.
“You know old Pete Sorenson’s Motorbike and Repair Shop?” Michael asked.
“Yeah, so….”
“He’s looking to retire. He said he’d be willing to take six months to train someone to replace him.” Michael watched her reaction and wondered how much higher her eyebrow could go. “And he does a good business.” Pretty high, he noted. “I thought I’d sit down with Max’s dad to go over what a contract might look like,” he finally spit out and waited.
“Buy Pete’s place?” she asked in surprise at first and then smiled. “That’s a great idea!” She exclaimed enthusiastically. Michael was finally talking about putting down roots in Roswell with her and the girls.
“Yeah?” Michael asked, unbelieving.
“Yeah,” Maria confirmed.
~
The following Saturday Liz looked in the mirror that stood in her old room and smiled as her mother and best friend helped her put on the finishing touches to her wedding ensemble. Maria was doing the final adjustments to the baby’s breath and miniature white roses in her hair, while her mother stood ready to attach the veil to the hair clip that held most of her hair up with a few strains purposefully hanging loose and softly framing her face.
“There, perfect,” Maria proclaimed as the last petite white rose finally stayed in place. “Now, let’s get that veil on and then you’re all set.”
Nancy was a flood of tears as Maria finished and there stood her little girl in her wedding gown and veil about to become a wife. She knew it was foolish to think that she was losing her daughter when she had been gone for fourteen years, but somehow this made it seem official. “Oh, my little girl. You’re so beautiful,” she sobbed.
“Mo-om,” Liz pleaded with a hint of an indulgent smile peaking through.
“You think this is bad, wait until you see your dad,” Maria pointed out. “Okay, Chica, I’ll leave you to the parents for a bit, while I go see if Spaceboy managed to tie his tie or make a noose out of it like he was threatening to do when I left this morning.”
“My baby girl is all grown up,” Nancy sighed, sad but happy too.
“Mom, I have a teenaged son and a new one on the way. I’ve sort of been grown up for some time now,” Liz pointed out.
“Oh, I know. But now… now it’s official,” she softly sobbed.
“Mom, you’re going to get me crying soon, and then we’ll have to explain to Isabel why her makeup job’s a mess and I’ll have raccoon eyes for the wedding,” Liz told her and delicately touched a Kleenex to her moist eyes.
“Knock, knock,” Jeff said from the doorway and smiled at his daughter. This was the day he had always look forward to and dreaded. But it was here and she was happy and that’s all that mattered.
“Dad, hi,” Liz said as he entered.
Jeff looked over at Nancy for a moment and then came over to stand next to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. Nancy placed her hand on his arm and together they present it to her. “Liz, we know that you have ‘something old’ already but we thought you might want to use this instead,” he nervously told her.
Liz looked at both of them and saw the emotions playing across them both. They’d come a long way in repairing the damaged that had been done between them over the years and especially just recently, but they still were ‘on-guard’ much of the time. Forgiving them seemed much easier than she had expected. It was the forgetting that was tough. Her hand trembled as it reached for the box and carefully opened it. She forgot to breathe for a moment. “Oh. My. God!” It was stunning. A necklace of diamonds, one large one with several smaller ones surrounding it in a starburst pattern, and all set in white gold.
“My grandfather gave it to my mother on her wedding day. He’d brought the diamonds back years earlier from South Africa around the turn of the twentieth century. I know your Grandma Claudia wanted you to have it. Today seemed like a good day to give it to you,” Jeff explained.
Liz was speechless. This had been Grandma Claudia’s and her father had kept it for her for all these years. All these lost years. She was definitely going to have raccoon eyes for her wedding as the tears began to flow. “Could you put it on me, Daddy?”
Jeff had to blink several times to keep the tears at bay but his hand still trembled a little as he carefully slipped the clasp into place. They all turned to look in the mirror. The diamonds caught the afternoon sun and shimmered in a prism of colors. It dazzled, but no more than the smile on his daughter’s face. He finally had her back and now…and now he had to give her away. His little girl. His princess.
Nancy squared her shoulders, stuffed a handful of Kleenex in her small purse that was died to match her new dress and held her head high as she started to leave. “I heard the car pull up. I’m going to go ahead and head on over. I’ll…uh, I’ll let Isabel know that a quick repair job is going to be in order,” she said proud voice and a flood of tears.
Jeff gave Nancy a quick kiss and returned to look at him and his daughter together in the mirror. “You ready?”
Liz thought of how handsome Max had looked in his new suit when he’d tried it on at the shop. She’d dreamed of this day ever since she was a sixteen-year-old sophomore. She’d never dreamed it would be fourteen years and one…she glanced down at her expanding waistline… correction, one and a third children later, but it was here. What she had been dreaming of was finally here and she was more than ready. “Yeah, but are you?”
Jeff gave her a rueful smile. “How’s that go? A son’s a son until he takes a wife, but a daughter’s a daughter for the rest of your life. No, I’m not ready and I never will be, so if that’s what you’re waiting for, it’ll never happen.” His eyes grew soft, as he really looked at her. She just radiated happiness and love. If Max Evans could make his daughter shine like that, then maybe he’s all right after all. “We better go. He’s waiting for you,” he told her as she slipped her arm through his.
~
The late afternoon was clear and the heat of the day was cooling to a comfortable temperature as she entered the garden area of the country club on her father’s arm. Liz’s eyes misted over as she saw her two special men standing at the altar. Max was in a dark blue suit and matching tie with a crisp white shirt and staring at her with a look of wonder and love. She knew that even as late as last night that Max still couldn’t believe that they really were getting married, that his and her, dream really was coming true. That is before Maria insisted on the inane practice of the bride and groom having to sleep separately the night before the wedding and dragging her out of his parents’ house and to hers for the night. It had been aggravating but exhilarating too. Who knew phone sex could be so much fun?
Jamie was in his new dark blue suit, similar to his dad’s, and standing next to Dad and Michael. They were both serving as his dad’s best men. He thought Mom looked beautiful in her gown and Dad certainly made Mom smile. He’d never seen his mom look so happy but he wondered why her cheeks were so red.
“We are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony…”
Liz didn’t hear a word after that she was too lost in his expressive eyes. They were these shining beacons to her soul. They spoke to her and told her of the deep love he held for her and the incredible joy he felt at finally being able to build a life together, as husband and wife. That and the silly, stupid grin that he was sporting.
“Do you, Liz, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?”
Silence, as Liz continued to stare into Max’s eyes.
Maria stifled a snort, rolled her eyes, mumbled, “There they go again,” and performed her maid of honor duty and gave the bride a bit of a shove to snap her out of it.
“Huh? Oh…I do,” Liz finally confirmed with reddened cheeks and an embarrassed smile. She watched his lips replied, “I do,” when it was his turn and then turn to Michael. Her mind was in a fog as Max reached for her hand and started to slip the gold band on her left ring finger. She saw his forehead knit into a frown and glanced down at her hand. The ring wouldn’t fit on her pregnant, water-retaining, fat finger. She fought the urge to roll her eyes but couldn’t stop the slight groan, which caused a slight chuckle in response from Max. She felt his warm hand massage her finger and ring for a moment and her ring magically slid on all the way. Ahhh, the advantages of having a half alien husband, now if he could only do that with the rest of her wardrobe for the next six months, everything would be perfect! She felt a slight tap on her arm and turned to her maid of honor, who held a thick gold band in her fingers, which she sheepishly took for a moment before passing it to the minister to be blessed. “I, Elizabeth, take thee, Max, as my lawfully wedded husband. To love, honor and cherish, from now until death us do part,” she softly said as she slipped the band on Max, now her husband’s, left ring finger. Against all of the odds, her fondest dreams had just come true.
December 2014
Liz rolled over and got out of bed. At least that was the plan but instead she flopped back with a grunt in aggravation. The snickering coming from the doorway didn’t help. “What’s so amusing?” she growled in warning.
Max couldn’t hide the delighted smirk if he’d wanted to. “You,” he replied with a slight chuckle as he walked over and offered both his hands to her.
Liz glared but grabbed both of his hands and allowed him to help her up out of bed. “This is all your fault you know,” she accused once she was on her feet.
“Uh-huh,” he grinned and enjoyed watching her waddle to the bathroom.
“You don’t have to be so damn smug about it,” she grumbled as she closed the door and barely made it to the commode in time.
“Yes, dear,” he replied to the closed door.
Liz rolled her eyes as she sat there and wondered for the hundredth time exactly why she had wanted him around the first time. She managed to rise without help and waddle over to the sink to wash her hands. He was still standing there with that stupid little grin on his face when she opened the door. “What are you waiting for?” she asked irritably as she made it over to the side of the bed and tried to slip her slippers on. Stupid things were too tight to get all the way on.
“You.”
She looked up at him and watched him come over to her. “What?”
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he kissed her tenderly.
“Oh Max,” she mumbled as his warm strong arms wrapped around her - well, almost.
“Mmm, I think I’d better finish getting dressed. Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you’re already ten days late and somehow I don’t think after Christmas shopping is….”
“Max, do not start that again. There is nothing more dangerous than pissing off a pregnant lady who’s starting her tenth month. Got that?” she testily reminded him.
“Yes, dear,” he obediently replied with a sigh. He’d been saying those two words a lot lately, but he’d been warned that this time was coming. His father-in-law had pulled him aside some months back and explained how it was when Nancy was pregnant with Liz. He smiled slightly at the thought. Jeff Parker had bent over backwards to make amends. Max had to admit that they had been incredible with Jamie ever since that first time. Jeff and Nancy had done everything they could to basically spoil Jamie rotten, and his parents weren’t any better. Even Jim Valenti had taken his turn at spoiling, maybe even more so now that he’d retired and had the time to do it properly. And now there was going to be a new one any day or second actually.
“I swear to God, if you ‘yes, dear’ me one more time, I’ll smack you,” she warned.
“Yes,de…er, m’kay,” Max quickly amended and escaped into the bathroom before he got into any more trouble.
~
The mall was crowded and noisy and perfect for a distraction. And God did she ever need one. Not only was she officially ten days late, but also she had Max and Jamie both hovering over her like she was some damn invalid. It only served to annoy the crap out of her and she was cranky enough as it was. She purposefully avoided the women’s clothing section and stuck to housewares and the baby section. And Max’s hovering came in handy in the store. He was the perfect shopping bag holder. She paused in her browsing when she heard someone calling her son’s name, a high-pitched giggly voice to be exact. Her jaw dropped and her heart sank as some little tiny blond in tight jeans and a clingy t-shirt with her jacket tied to her waist was smiling and talking to her son. Did she have to swish her hair and sway her hips like that when she laughed? And why was Jamie smiling like that? What was she doing with her baby?! She gasped and her hand flew to her mouth.
Max had no idea what was wrong with Liz, but he knew the signs well enough. She was going to start yelling or balling any minute and it was a fifty-fifty shot which. He followed her gaze and saw a little girl talking to his son. “Huh, she’s flirting with him,” he thought. He looked back at Liz and saw the tears starting to form. “Liz?” he asked gently.
“That’s my little boy. He’s just a baby,” she sobbed as she stared.
He looked back at Jamie, who was grinning like an idiot, and then around the store and noticed that people were basically still ignoring them and wanted to keep it that way. “Um, maybe we should take a break and come back later,” he suggested and prayed she’d go for it. Her response was to fall into his arms and sob, while causing him to drop numerous bags. Oh hell. Now people were looking. “Okay, let’s go home. I think we still have some of that herbal tea you like. How does that sound?’
“Okay,” she conceded and then shot that little blond trying to take her baby away from her a dirty look. “Go get Jamie,” she told him with a voice that still quaked with emotion but was firming up by the minute.
“O-okay,” Max replied very carefully and moved to go collect their son before Liz made a scene. He was beginning to think he just might have lucked out being off at war in outer space last time. These mood swings are scary!
On the drive home Max did his best to ignore the plaintive looks his son was giving him from the backseat as Liz was determined to make sure her little boy was okay. He figured it was better that it was Jamie than him. When they got home Liz was a bundle of nervous energy. She wanted this moved, that fixed, tote that barge, lift that bale, and God help either of them if they uttered a peep of protest. They both cringed when she came back from the laundry room, certain that she had another project for them.
“Okay, it’s time,” she announced in a surprisingly calm voice. “Oh, and uh…someone needs to mop the laundry room floor. It sort of got wet when my water broke.”
Max’s jaw dropped as he gaped at her.
“Oh shit,” Jaime said in equal astonishment.
Max shot Jamie a stunned look, and got a similar one in return.
“Um, guys, that usually means we should go to the hospital,” Liz reminded them. They remained glued to the spot for a few more seconds before general panic took over. Jamie ran to grab her bag while Max called the hospital and then ran out the door to start the car. Watching them run around reminded her of the I Love Lucy episode when Lucy gave birth to Little Ricky.
“You okay, Mom?” Jamie asked with concern as he took her arm to help her to the car. Her overnight back was slung over his shoulder.
“Fine, honey,” she replied and then winced as a sudden labor pain proved her a liar. “But maybe it’s a good thing the hospital isn’t too far,” she amended.
~
His hand was going to fall off. He was certain of it. He had no idea she could squeeze that hard. “Honey?” he croaked out as he could tell another labor pain hit.
“Uggghhhh…” She bore down harder and then released her breath as the pain subsided but she only had a few seconds before another one hit. “You are NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN! I MEAN IT THIS TIME!” she yelled for all to listen.
“Uh…” He looked slightly more than alarmed at that loud announcement. The doctor grinned as the nurse patted him on the shoulder. They’d heard it all before.
“Don’t worry. It’ll pass,” the nurse assured him.
“NO IT WON’T!” Liz protested and bore down. Why was it that she couldn’t have drugs for this? Oh yes, the part alien thing. Damn him and his alien genes! This is what happens when you marry an alien hybrid!
He couldn’t feel his fingers any longer. “You’re doing great, honey,” he tried to encourage. She squeezed his hand harder.
“Okay, one more just like that and we’re there,” the doctor advised.
“Riiiigggght,” Liz growled through clenched teeth and did it once more.
Max forgot about his hand as he stared at the miracle happening before him. He heard the squalls of a newborn as the doctor cleared the airway, then clamped the cord and handed him the scissors. It felt like he was moving in slow motion as he snipped the cord where the doctor told him and before he knew what was happening the beautiful life they’d just brought into a receiving blanket and in Liz’s arms. He looked at them with wonder and awe. “She’s beautiful. Just like her mom,” he finally said as he gently touched a tiny foot peeking out of the blanket.
Liz was a flood of tears as she held their daughter. “She doesn’t have your ears but I bet she has your eyes.”
“She’s perfect. She’s you,” he told her through his own tears of joy.
“What are we going to name her?” Liz asked. They’d gone though every name book there was and they still hadn’t a clue.
Max smiled as he stared down at his little girl. She marked a new beginning in their lives, one that he had longed for, ever since he could remember. She looked so much like her mother. “How about Evion Elizabeth Evans?”
Liz looked down at her and considered it. Evion, yeah, she looked like an Evion. Maybe Eve for short? “Welcome to our world, Evion. It’s going to be a good one.”
The End.