Across town:
Driving up to Sheriff Valenti’s home, Max’s hands shook as he beeped the horn for Zan. What was he going to say? How was he going to tell his son that Tess was dead and that he was the cause? These questions had been running rampantly through his mind for the past few days as he arranged Tess’s funeral; and went over a cover story with Michael and the Sheriff. The Sheriff had arranged for it to be in the paper today. Max had read it this morning, as he packed up her clothing with everyone’s help.
It was brief but it said as much as this: Roswell resident, Tess Evan’s was instantly killed on Wednesday morning in a freak accident outside of Roswell, New Mexico. Tess Evans’s Tan blazer was found smashed into a small river creak. The Sheriff is ruling this as an accident. It was witnessed by another driver that Tess’s car went out of control, swerving in front of an oncoming car. Trying to avoid a crash, Mrs. Evans flew down a rock incline before driving into the river. She is survived by a son, Alexander Evans, and by a husband, Max Evans. Ms. Evans’s funeral will take place next Friday at 12 pm.
Honking his horn one more time, Max waited. Finally Zan ran out smiling, followed by a waving Ms. Deluca. Max waved, in return, as Zan hopped into the pickup. “Hey dad…” “Hey sport, have a nice time?” Max asked, driving off. “Yeah, we went to the fair. Then Sheriff Valenti took us roller skating.” Max smiled sadly at his son’s chatter. Pulling onto the highway to the Pod chamber, he drove listening intently to Zan’s excitement. “Where are we going?” Zan asked suddenly as he glanced out of the window. “To the desert…” “To practice my powers?” Zan interrupted excitedly. Max remained silent, not exactly answering the question.
Finally at their destination, Zan took in their surroundings. There was nothing but sand and rock. He looked to his dad who was looking at him. “Dad…?” Hopping out of the pickup, Max walked around to Zan’s side. “Let’s walk…” Zan nodded as he climbed down from the truck. “Okay.” Walking for a few moments in silence, Max was trying to figure out how to break this to his son. “Dad…” “Zan…you know that I love you right?” Zan, bewildered, nodded his head. “Yeah…I love you, too dad.” “And you know that no matter what I’ll always be here right?” “Yeah…” Sighing, Max stopped down to look into his son’s eyes. “Zan… no matter what… always remember that your mother loved you and that if given the choice… this would not have happened!” “What are you talking about dad?” “Zan…there’s been an accident…”
Tess’s Funeral:
Max stood beside his son, holding his hand, as Tess’s casket was lowered into the earth. Zan watched, bleakly, as his mother was buried. He felt nothing but coldness... a suffocating coldness. Standing stock still, he watched as everyone said their goodbyes. His mom was dead and he couldn’t cry. Why couldn’t he cry? That would be so much better than this. Max watched Zan’s still expression in worry. He wouldn’t eat, sleep, nothing. Max had tried everything to get through to Zan… next to force feeding him but nothing would work. He looked as if he had lost weight, his cheeks were sunken in, and his usual animated green eyes were blank: devoid of life.
Max had despised lying to Zan about his Tess’s death. But neither could Max tell his son of what really happened. Zan upon hearing about his mother’s death, a week ago, had slowly backed away from Max, shaking his head in denial. Max, silently in tears, had tried to comfort Zan, only to be rebuffed. He hadn’t spoken a word to Max since then. It was if his son were being buried right along side Tess, leaving behind this pale somber boy in his shadow. Max glanced around to see only a few Roswell residents had come to Tess’s funeral, including Isabel and Michael.
Max had had a hard time convincing them to attend. But they had given in for Zan’s sake. Max had refused to even make the mistake of asking Kyle, Maria, or Liz to the funeral. They had been through to much on the account of his sins. He wouldn’t ask this of them. There were a few High School acquaintances that had come but that was it. Tess had never cared for humans, especially as friends. At that moment, Isabel and Michael came over. “How’s he doing?” Michael asked as they watched Isabel hug Zan. “Not so good. Thanks for coming though.” Michael nodded in understanding.
Leading Zan back to the Pickup, Max noticed a bright yellow Beetle parked a few cars behind them. “Max… why don’t you guys c’mon by for lunch sometime this week?” Isabel suggested climbing into her car. “Thanks Iz, we’ll be there.” Max replied, distractedly as helped Zan into the pickup. Moving around to the other side, Max spotted Liz, Amelia, and Alex coming from the other direction. Wearing a black chenille sweater coat and jeans with her hair tied up in a small pony tail, she looked exhausted. The kids held both held her hands as they walked towards the car. Amelia’s gaze looked up as if sensing his gaze before smiling. Alex looked up as well, following his sister’s gaze and frowned fiercely. Liz, oblivious to Max’s gaze, made her way to the yellow beetle.
Getting Liz’s attention, Amelia pointed to Max in excitement. She looked up and met Max’s eyes across the distance. She stalled, momentarily, before opening the driver’s side door. Liz hadn’t seen Max since last week. He had been busy with Tess’s funeral and Zan. Liz had also been busy with Alex, Amelia, and her thoughts. After a week, she still didn’t think this was a very good time for them to talk. Giving him a small smile, Liz closed the car door behind Amelia. She knew what was going through Max’s mind right now. ‘Where did this leave them?’ Liz honestly didn’t know and wasn’t really ready to find out either. Her life was titled chaos at the moment; she didn’t have the time nor energy necessary to deal with Max and the thought of them.
A few Days later:
“Maybe you should let her explain…” Liz shook her head in denial. “No. I can’t stand being to be lied to again, Maria.” Maria sighed, rubbing her tummy. “Look Lizzie, just let her explain. Maybe there’s a reason they lied to you for so long. I’m not saying that I agree with what they did. I’m just saying that maybe you should just hear her out.” Liz sighed, broodingly, watching as Amelia, Alex, Annabelle, and Alex colored at the next table. Ava was at the moment upstairs watching T.V and relaxing. Her mother had gone grocery shopping.
The diner was all but empty except for a few customers. The breakfast rush was now long over. Taking her break, Liz had plopped down across from Maria and put up her feet. The conversation had started out about how Maria couldn’t wait for the day when she gave birth, then it had headed towards Alex and Amelia’s birth, then it had turned to how fast time went, and then it turned into a direction Liz dreaded: Nancy Parker. She knew Maria was right. But she wanted to be angry. She had a right to be angry. Deep down Liz knew she was afraid. She was afraid of what she was going to learn from her mother’s explanation. She was afraid of the pain she would feel after the anger was stripped away.
Sighing, Liz took a big bite of blueberry pie and almost choked on it upon Max’s arrival. Wearing a dark blue thermal with dark stonewash jeans, Max looked down right rugged. His dark shaggy brown hair curled around his neck and his face was neatly shaven. Walking over to the counter, he ordered a cup of coffee and a chocolate milk to go before turning around to meet Liz’s gaze with a small smile. Walking over to the kids, Max suggested something to the kids that made them all laugh in delight that is except for Alex who instead frowned. “Liz get up and go say to the man. He looks too good this morning to be ignored. Ohmigod…look how he’s looking at you.” Maria whispered, grinning. Liz couldn’t help but blush. “Maria…” “Go and say hi, Liz. Life is too short.” Liz rolled her eyes before obeying, just to get away from Maria. She took in a deep breath as she stood. She was only going to say hi, damn it. Nothings changed. So why was she so out of breath and blushing?
Max watched Liz as she made her way towards him. She was absolutely beautiful when she blushed. Max had missed that about her the most. Who was he kidding? He had missed her, period. He knew he had about much blew any chance of a future with her but he had to try at least one more time… to show her how much he had loved her then and how much he loved her now. He had to convince her that his mistakes were just that mistakes. Max couldn’t take them away… couldn’t change them as much as he tried but he could make it up to her. It wouldn’t be easy and he probably wouldn’t succeed so much as make it worse. But he had to try.
“Hey…” Liz smiled, slightly. “Hey.” Max breathed. “Excuse me…” The waitress interrupted from across the counter. “Thanks.” Max smiled, grabbing the cup of coffee and chocolate milk. The young waitress nodded with a seductive smile before walking away. Liz smiled, taking the money out of his palm,” I’ll take that…” Following her over to the cash register, Max glanced outside to Zan’s still body in the pickup, waiting. Noticing the direction of his gaze, Liz asked in concern, “How is he?” “Not so good. He refuses to eat…” Liz breathed, “Oh god, I’m so sorry, Max. Alex and Amelia aren’t doing to well either.” “What?” “Alex has nightmares and Amelia has a fear of me leaving and never coming back. Isn’t it ironic how it’s the kids who always pay for their parents’ mistakes and choices…?”
Max felt as if the guilt would eat away at his insides. He had never really taken into consideration how this week might’ve affected Alex and Amelia but now he knew. “Listen… the reason I came by is…Is to ask if maybe I could spend sometime with the kids tomorrow and… maybe this weekend?” He asked nervously while scratching behind his ear. Liz looked over to the table where her kids were seated and thought about it. She didn’t want Max to feel as though he couldn’t be apart of the kids’ lives because he could but in the same instance Liz wasn’t really ready to let them out of her sight. “Max… you don’t have to ask if you want to spend time with them…just make sure to tell me ahead of time.” Max nodded, predicting what was going through Liz’s head by her expressions. She was scared. She didn’t trust him. “Liz…why don’t you come with us…” “What? No. I can’t do that, Max. You guys need some alone together.” “Are you sure?” Max asked. “Positive…I want you to know them and… I want them to know you. What time should they be ready?”
That Night
After tucking both Amelia and Alex in for the night, Liz finished locking up the diner and turning off all the lights. Keeping busy, she tried not to think of her up and coming conversation with her mother. But to her misfortune, it had been on her mind all day. Climbing the stairs, Liz’s gaze traveled down the hall to see that her mother’s bedroom light was still on. Well, Liz thought, it was now or never. Controlling her shaking hands, Liz quietly knocked. “Come in” Nancy called from the other side of her door.
Opening the door, Liz came upon the sight of her mother reading in bed. “Hey, I had thought you’d already be in bed.” She shook her head, “No.” Nancy nodded with a sad smile. There was a tense silence, then. “Liz…why don’t you come and sit down. So we can talk.” “No that’s okay. I’ll just sit over here.” Liz responded motioning to her father’s old recliner. “Okay…” Nancy smiled, trying to disguise the pain. “What do you want to know, Liz?” Liz sat silently for a few moments before answering. “Every thing”
Nancy nodded, “Ok… well where do I start? You were born to Prince Rainer and Princess Kiara of Wideran. You were a beautiful child and unfortunately the only. They were very protective of you. I was your nanny and Kiara’s best friend. When you were murdered, Kiara went into a deep depression. She couldn’t take your death and blamed King Zan. Your father was just as bad. He was obsessed with bringing you back. The scientist and father in him went to the ends of the Antar to clone you. Actually out of the Royal Five you were first to be cloned and sent to earth. Jeff and I were on that ship with you. No one was to know about your presence on earth. Kiara and Rainer made sure of that. But somehow the secret came out while we were still on the ship and Kivar had the remaining Royal four cloned.” Liz interrupted, confused, “I thought that it was Max and Isabel’s parents who cloned them?”
Nancy shook her head, “No, sweetie, that was a mind warp. A part of Kivar’s plan to get the heir. But he made a big mistake, seeing as though it’s not Zan who is the heir but Alex…” “What? How can that be? Zan’s the first born.” “Yes Zan’s the first born but you’re the true queen. After King Zan divorced and banned Ava, and married you, there was a meeting between the counsel and King Zan. Ava, being the trader that she was, was pregnant at the time and it was said that her child could not be the heir being as though she was no longer the Queen and a banned trader. So that being said, the first child that you and Zan were to have would be the heir and that hasn’t changed.” “So Alex is the heir?” Nancy nodded with a proud smile.
“After having found out his mistake, though, Kivar sent out a full search for you but by that time you were already gone. He went into a full rage…in the end killing Jeff. This way you would have no choice but to come back.” Liz nodded in understanding, then another thought dawned. “If Kivar was already leader…why did he need Max’s heir?” “Because Kivar isn’t the true king but a dictator. Everyone has someone to answer to someone on Antar and Kivar wasn’t any different. The counsel was livid with anger during the war. But they decided not to intervene, seeing as though King Zan wasn’t in a very good state of mind to rule anyway. So… they sat back and watched but they did have a request of Kivar. There had to be an heir and it had to be Zan’s if he were to rule. By that time, the former King of Antar had already been beheaded…” “Why didn’t you ever think to tell me this?” Nancy went quiet, then, before answering.
“There were a lot of reasons. There was your protection as the Queen to take into thought. Then there was the thought of having to go back to Antar and lose you. We had tried for so long to have children. But it couldn’t happen. Once we landed on Earth, met Claudia, and started a life we had decided that it would be best if you didn’t know. Rainer and Kiara had sent you down here for the simple reason of living in peace…” “So Grandma Claudia…” “We met her in the desert on one of her excavations. She was alone and it was dark out. She took us in…and fell in love with you.”
Liz just sat there in silence, taking everything in. “Why didn’t I remember all of this before now?” “There’s two ways for you to remember: with your mate’s help and with the help of someone ‘really’ powerful. Rainer and Kiara had wanted you to live normally. So upon cloning you they put something in your DNA so you couldn’t remember. But of course something back fired and they had only stopped you from remembering temporarily. See… your alien side was dormant for most of your life, making you human. But when Max saved you that day…oh yes Liz I know about that? He opened the door to your alien side.”
Finishing, Nancy tried to see what Liz was thinking. “So that’s it then…” Liz sighed emotionally exhausted. Standing up, “I think that’s enough for tonight…” “Liz…” “I’m looking for a place to stay. We should be gone before the month is up.” “Liz…please.” “No…just don’t say anything. God… I can’t even call you mom. I wish I could tell you that every thing is ok…but it’s not. I might understand why you did what you did but that doesn’t stop it from hurting. You lied to me and it wasn’t little white either. My whole life you couldn’t give me a hint about who I was because it would inconvenience you. I’m so tired and confused I just wish you could’ve told me sooner.” Liz finished, leaving the room.
At nine on the dot the next morning, Max pulled up across the street from the Crash Down. Zan sat in silence, giving his father a questioning look. “What are we doing here? I told you I wasn’t hungry.” Zan muttered, glaring at the Crash Down entrance. Max sighed, rubbing his jaw, while hiding his smile of relief. This was the first time Zan had actually spoken to Max in a week. “We’re not here for the food. We just came to get Amelia and Alex.” He watched as Zan’s green eyes turned their glare on him.
“Why?” “I told you last night why…” “We’re not just here because of them are we? You’re here to see her.” He answered, with a glare of accusation. Max didn’t deny it, knowing it would just be another be a lie. So he just asked, “You wanna come in or stay in the truck?” He remained silent for a few moments before muttering, “I’ll stay here.” Max nodded, in anxiety. Zan watched, in tears, as his dad crossed the street, entering the Cafe. He hated Liz Parker. He hated his dad for lying to him, and most of all he hated knowing the truth.
In the Crash Down, a few minutes earlier, Alex sat in a booth with his head cradled in his arms. He was going to see his dad today. Alex didn’t know whether to be wary or jump for joy. He had so many mixed feelings towards Max Evans. On one hand, he was excited to finally have a father; but on the other he was wary, that by getting too close, his dad in result would become closer to his mom, hurting her in the process. Alex plainly didn’t trust his father when it came to his mom.
Across the diner, Amelia sat on a stool as her mother tenderly brushed her hair back into a pony tail. She was so excited. She was finally going to see her dad. Amelia couldn’t wait for her new project to come into affect. Project: Mom and dad. Alex didn’t know about it, simply because he had a big mouth and would tell mom. Amelia knew Alex didn’t care for their mom and dad being together. And at first neither did she but then she connected to her mom and saw everything.
“What’cha thinking about, Princess?” Liz asked with a smile. Amelia gave her mother an innocent smile. “Oh nothing…” Liz didn’t buy it. She had seen that smile too many times on her daughter’s face when she was up to something, that something usually meaning playing a nasty prank on Alex. But Liz didn’t have the chance to comment on it because at that exact moment Max entered the Crash Down. “Hey…” He greeted with a small smile. Hair ruffled from the wind, Max stood before her in jeans and a v-neck t-shirt. “Good morning…” Liz smiled, meeting his eyes, before turning towards her kids. She felt the tension in Alex and stooped down to hug him.
“You know the number, right?” Alex nodded, looking between his father and mother, in worry. Liz smiled, reassuringly, before standing. “Ok have fun. Amelia…Alex, I warn you to behave.” She said sternly while kissing Amelia on the forehead. Max watched, uneasily. He felt as if he were intruding. Turning around, Liz gave Max a small smile. “What time will they be home?” “Around six, if that’s okay” He asked nervously. “Okay, that’s fine with me.”“We need to talk, Liz.” Max said suddenly, surprising her. “Ok…” “Can I come by around twelve-thirty tomorrow? I have to go to work but that’s usually when I take my lunch break.” Liz, nodded, taking a deep breath in dread. She knew what that talk would entail: them. “Ok…you want me to drop by or…” Ushering the kids to the door, Max looked back. “I’ll pick you up.”
Back in the pickup, Zan watched as his dad and Amelia held hands across the street. His gaze, then, went to Alex. Alex had his hands stuffed into his pockets and was watching his dad intently with a small smile. This was his brother and sister. He had always wanted brothers and sisters but not from someone other than his parents. Zan didn’t know how to respond to them. Should he hate them because they were Liz Parker’s kids and not his mother’s? Or should he just be happy that he had a brother and a sister? He didn’t know. As they came up upon the Pickup, Zan heard Alex ask in wonder if that was really his dad’s truck. Zan decided that the first one would do. He remained silent as his dad told him to scoot over for Amelia and Alex.
Climbing in, Max gave Zan a worried glance before starting the engine. As they pulled off, Alex glanced at Zan’s stiff profile before staring out the window. There was tense silence in the cab as they made their way to Max’s house. Amelia sat, uneasily, peeking at Zan from under lashes. Tears silently fell down her cheeks as she realized she had killed Zan’s mommy. Turning toward his sister’s whimpers, Alex glared in concern. Communicating through each other’s mind, Alex asked. “What’s your problem, Amelia?” Amelia, guiltily, met Alex’s glare with tears in her eyes.
“I killed Zan’s mommy…” “You dummy, stop it. If you hadn’t killed her then she would’ve killed us. You saved our mom. So don’t cry.” Alex scolded as he watched his sister rub her tears away. Both Max and Zan noticed this but kept silent. Max remained silent, having noticed Amelia’s change of attitude once they were driving, knowing exactly what was taking place. He wouldn’t intrude though, especially in front of Zan. He would have a talk with them later, reassuring them that everything would be alright. Zan watched in awe and envy at Alex and Amelia’s connection. He wanted that, too, but then he remembered his oath to hate them. So, Zan remained eerily silent during the drive home.
Arriving a few minutes later, Max parked. “Anyone hungry?” “Me…” Amelia whispered with a smile. “Amelia, you ate this morning.” Alex complained. “I know that. But I didn’t finish it. I was too nervous.” Amelia answered, giving Alex a glare. Max shook his head in amusement before exciting the cab. Taking Amelia’s hand, Alex made an inspection of the house. It was big, bigger than their house in Clovis. “Are you rich?” Max turned toward Alex with a grin. “Not exactly…” “Oh.” Alex said disappointedly. Zan stood to the other side of his dad, frowning. Upon entering, Zan ran upstairs to his room slamming the door behind him.
Alex and Amelia gave each other a look before turning to their dad. Max’s attention was on the boy upstairs. He had thought that with Alex and Amelia here Zan would come out of his shell a little. There was no use in going up to talk to him. Zan would just ignore him, retreating into his shell more. Sighing, he gave Amelia and Alex a sad smile. “What do you want to eat?” “Ummm blueberry pancakes.” Amelia stated tilting her head to the side with a smile. Laughing softly, Max nodded. “Pancakes it is. Alex?” Max followed Alex gaze up the steps. “No thanks…Can I go up?” He asked, absently, before giving Max a questioning look. “Sure…go ahead. Zan’s room is the second on the right. I’ll be in the kitchen. Just be warned, Zan is not himself.” Alex nodded. Max smiled before ruffling his son’s hair. Max just couldn’t believe that Alex and Amelia were his. Alex reminded Max so much of Michael as a boy. “Ok…you going up to Amelia?” “No I think I’ll stay down here with you.”
Alex made his way up the steps taking everything in. The hall held two paintings: one of his dad, Zan, and that evil lady; and one of just Zan as a baby. Sneakers squeaking on the hardwood, Alex went to open the first door. The room was huge. There was a bare four poster bed and dressers covered with sheets. “You’re not supposed to be in there. Get out.” A voice commanded from behind him in rage. Alex turned around to meet his brother’s anger. Nodding, silently, Alex closed the door. Zan gave the boy one more glare before going into his room. Alex followed. This room was much smaller than the other one. Neatly furnished with oak, the room held everything from toys, a computer, to a fish tank. “Wow…” Alex whispered in wonder. All he had was toys in his room and a stereo.
Mom said that he wasn’t allowed any pets, since the last one ended up in the dryer. “What are you doing? Get out.” Zan demanded as Alex made his way over to the computer. “Can I get on?” “No.” Alex shrugged before looking into the fish tank. “I said get out.” Zan stated, his frown growing darker “Oh, I thought you heard me too. I said ‘No’.” Opening the toy box, Alex inspected the toys. Picking up a remote control operated race car, Alex inspected it, before turning to his brother. “Can I play with this?” “No.” “Oh, stop having a temper tantrum. Didn’t your mom ever teach you how to ‘share with others?” Alex realized his mistake too late. Zan eyes darkened with anger and tears. “No but has your mom ever taught you to go away when you’re not wanted? Oh, I guess not since she hasn’t learned herself.” Alex took a threatening step, “What’s that suppose to mean?” “It means that my dad doesn’t want your mom, so she can stop begging like the dog she is…” Alex saw red, pushing Zan to the floor, ready do some damage.
Amelia was about to enter the room when she heard the argument. “Hey…” Alex and Zan cried out as they went skidding across the room in different directions. “Idiots…you’re both big idiots.” Amelia steamed as both boys stood, eyeing her warily. Zan took the first step to blast her. “Back off, Zombie Boy” Slamming him up against wall again with her powers, Amelia looked to Alex with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “You are so going to get when I tell mom…” “He started it” Alex cried out, while rubbing the back of his head. “And he had a right to…I get him. But don’t get you, Alex.” “What?” “His mom just died. What’s your reason?” Alex cried out, “He was talking about mom…” “I understand, Alex. God but… he’s our brother.”
Alex clenched his jaw in shame, looking to Zan. He had his eyes on Amelia with tears, “Fine, I’m sorry.” Amelia smiled at Alex before turning to Zan expectedly. “I’m sorry too.” He mumbled. She grinned before saying, “Now give each other a hug…” “What? No” Alex and Zan shrieked before grinning at each other in humor. “I ‘said’ give each other hugs.” Both boys obeyed, warily eyeing Amelia. Outside of the door, Max stood listening before silently making his way downstairs.
The day went, unfortunately, fast after that. Max served Amelia breakfast while boys played out in the yard. Max and Amelia then joined them before sitting down for lunch. Afterward, Max sat the kids down with a movie while he cleaned up. By the time the movie was over, Max dropped the kids off. Liz wasn’t there at the time. So, Max just left them with their grandmother with the promise of seeing them that weekend. Afterward, Max drove to his parents’ for dinner. “Did you have fun today?” Zan put on a frown, folding his arms before replying, a “No”.
*Here's the promised part. I'll be back later, enjoy
Stay tuned for Chapter 2 next Saturday 
