Mr. USA - (AU, M/L - ADULT) - [Complete]

[short_up]

lol!
I'm glad that you all "appreciated" my generosity!
I had a great time during my vacation, thanks for asking!
Oh, and just wanted to let you all know that there is a lot more coming, even though it seems like the story's coming to an end... IT'S NOT!

PART TWELVE

“Liz? Liz, where are you?” Max whispered, an urgency filling his veins. Where was she? He had come back to their shelter to find her gone. But before letting the panic invade his mind, he decided to look around.

Long minutes later, he still hadn’t found her. God, what if those men had her? When he had gone searching after them, he hadn’t found out a single thing, other than they were waiting for drugs. But from their coarse language and sneers, Max could tell that he didn’t want to tangle with them.

“Let go of me!”

Startled, Max froze. It took a full second before Max realized who that voice belonged to. Liz. Without thinking, Max sped towards her screams. Sprinting as quickly as he could, Max soon found himself racing towards a group of five large men, their hands all over Liz.

“Get off of her!” he shouted, his fist sending one man sprawling backwards.

Max wasn’t thinking, just reacting. As a large first came sailing towards him, Max ducked, charging forward, knocking the man down. Turning around, he kicked another and then punched another.

Liz couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was as if Max was a machine. He reacted mechanically and automatically, not pausing for a second. Her eyes widened as she realized one of the men, the one that had captured her in the first place, was racing towards her.

“Max!” she screamed, terror in her eyes.

In a flash, Max was there, his punches knocking the last man off of his feet.

“Liz, honey, are you ok?” he asked, his eyes full of concern.

Liz threw herself into his protective arms, her tears trailing down his body. Hiccupping, she tried to explain, “Max, I’m so, so sorry. I was scared, so scared. I went to, to look for you, and then, he, he got me!”

“Shh, baby, it’s all right. I’m here,” he soothed, rubbing her back softly. “Pulling away slightly, he said, “Come on, Liz, let’s get out of here before they wake up. They have a boat about a mile or so away from here.”

Liz nodded, but she was still reluctant to leave the safety of his embrace. “Max, where did you learn to fight like that?”

Getting up slowly, Max replied, “My grandfather was a cop and he wanted me to be able to defend myself. I took karate classes; I’m a black belt.”

“Oh.” Accepting the hand Max offered, Liz allowed Max to pull her up. Immediately, when he would have let go, Liz tightened her hold on his hand.

Surprised, Max turned and caught Liz’s intense gaze. A swift understanding passed between them and then Liz smiled. Although it was a weak one, it was enough to restore all of Max’s confidence. Tugging on her hand, Max led them to the location of the boat he had seen earlier.

Shit. Even before they were twenty feet away from the boat, they could hear the distinct voices. Max may have been a black belt, but he was still sore and in pain from taking on all those men before. He didn’t think that he had it in him to survive another match. Pulling Liz back, he couldn’t bear to look into her eyes. He knew what he would see: disappointment.

This couldn’t be happening, not after Max had fought all of those bad guys! Liz’s mind was frantic, her heart beating wildly. How were there more? Was this some bad-guy convention where they all got together? What were she and Max going to do?

“Liz,” Max whispered into Liz’s ear, “we’re going to have to hide out somewhere until they leave. I’m sorry, baby, but we won’t be getting on that boat.”

Liz nodded, knowing there was no other way. But having that knowledge didn’t prevent the tears from falling.

“Liz, please don’t cry. I’m sorry, so sorry, but I promise, we’ll make it out of here.”

His words should have had hope swelling in Liz’s chest, but for some reason, they didn’t. It was as if Liz had given up all hope of ever escaping. Throwing herself into Max’s arms, she clung tightly onto him.

Closing his eyes, Max let himself enjoy the feel of Liz in his arms for a few moments. Then, snapping back to reality, Max slowly pulled away and gave Liz a quick kiss. “We’ll be ok.”

She believed him. She didn’t know how, but she knew that she believed him.

And hopefully, that would be enough.

[short_up]

Hey everyone!
Thanks so much for being so patient!
But I had this huge power outage in Maryland and I haven't had power for the last 36 hours and with school starting and everything, I've been so busy! But here's part thirteen.
Enjoy!

PART THIRTEEN

“Liz, Liz!” Max shouted, excitement flowing in his voice.

Yawning, Liz opened her eyes slowly to the bright morning light. Sitting up, Liz saw Max sprinting into their shelter, his eyes shining. “What is it, Max?”

Kneeling beside her, Max grabbed her bare shoulders. “Liz, there’s a ship! A real ship! And it’s heading for us!”

“What?” Liz couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“I was taking a walk, looking for breakfast and then, I saw a ship, it looked like a Navy ship, so I tried to get its attention, you know, by jumping up and down and well, I think it saw me! It’s heading straight for us, Liz, straight for us! Come on, Liz, get up, get dressed!”

Bewildered, Liz fumbled, trying to get her clothes back on.

Days ago, after having to hide away from the group of drug dealers, Liz had forgotten about ever returning home. She had accepted the twist of fate and had grown accustomed to living the simple life. In the morning, she and Max would go search for breakfast. Then, they’d make love. When it was lunch time, they’d find lunch. Afterwards, they’d make love. And, then, at night, if they were hungry, they’d go look for dinner. Then, they’d spend the whole night making love until dawn. Yes, Liz had been in heaven. What could be better than spending all day making love with Max?

And now, they were going to be rescued. They were going to go home, away from their little island of paradise. Liz honestly didn’t know how she felt about that. Of course she wanted to get back to civilization, to taste exquisite food from an expensive restaurant, to spend $300 on a Donna Karen dress which she would wear once and never again. But once she got back home, she would lose Max. Suddenly, life without Max seemed unbearable. Closing her eyes tightly to hold the tears at bay, Liz’s brain prayed to be rescued while her heart wanted nothing more than to stay on the island with Max for ever.

“Liz! Come out here!”

Liz’s eyes snapped open, allowing a single tear to escape. Brushing the tear away, Liz straightened her torn clothes and walked out onto the hot sand.

“Oh,” Liz gasped, staring wide-eyed at the huge boat several hundred feet away. Several small boats were approaching the shore with men and women on board wearing navy blue shirts with huge, bold yellow letters spelling, “Navy” on them. Breathing brokenly, Liz’s gaze wandered, searching for Max.

While Max was shaking the hand of one of the Navy crew members, he felt Liz’s gaze on his back. Abruptly, he turned around and caught Liz’s gaze. His breath caught. He had expected to see happiness and joy in her eyes, but that wasn’t what he saw. No, instead he saw a sadness which weighed heavily on his heart. Forgetting his rescuer, Max quickly made his way to Liz’s side.

Looking up, Liz attempted a smile, but it was weak. Max must have sensed her pain because, without saying a word, he enveloped her into his strong arms. Closing her eyes, Liz laid her head on Max’s shoulder, wanting to engrave this feeling in her memory for ever. Because once they set foot back in Roswell, memories would be the only things she had left of Max.

[short_up]

Wow! Thanks soooooo much for all of the great feedback, you guys
There is so much more coming, but I'm afraid that it's going to take a while to get it all out. It's just that I have so much going on with school and the SAT's and everything that it's really hard for me to just sit down and write. But I promise that I'll try my hardest!
For now, part fourteen:


PART PART FOURTEEN

“Max! Max, tell me, what was it like being stranded on an isolated island?”

“Max, is it true that you and Ms. Parker were forced to eat insects and drink only coconut milk?”

“Were you really attacked by a whole band of pirates?”

Max shook his head in disbelief. He had just reached his home to find a huge hoard of reporters outside, wanting to just pounce on him. It was because of them that Max considered getting himself stranded again just to avoid them. Long moments later, Max had finally reached the safe haven of his home. Collapsing onto his couch, he buried his face into a pillow and let out a muffled shout.

“Oh, Max, please. It’s not that bad, darling,” Victoria, a manager from Max’s model agency, said, sitting down on the edge of the couch. Sighing, she began to massage Max’s tense shoulders. “Now, Max, you have to get tons of rest. You have a full day of press conferences and interviews tomorrow. Also, you have to meet with Michael Guerin, the model from New York who won the “Mr. USA 2003 Competition”, ok, honey?”

“Goddamnit. Do I have to? You know that that title was supposed to be mine!” Max pouted, closing his eyes and allowing for Victoria to soothe his aching muscles.

“Yes, Max, you do. And yes, Max, I do know that that title was supposed to be yours, but it’s not, so cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!”

“Damn, Victoria, but couldn’t you at least be a little more sympathetic?”

“No,” was her blunt answer.

“Liz would be. She’s caring and understanding and -“

“Look, Max, I really don’t want to hear about her. She’s nothing but your PR agent and as of next week, hell, she won’t even be your PR.”

“What?” Max shot up into a sitting position.

Victoria’s eyes widened. “What do you mean ‘what’? She’s quitting, not that we’re complaining. She’s bad luck and right now, we can’t have anything mess up your career, not now that it’s faltering.”

“My career is not faltering, Victoria. And we can’t let Liz quit! I want her!”

One sleek eyebrow rose. “Well, calm down there cowboy. Did something happen between you and the Ice Queen?”

Max swallowed. “No duh, Victoria. We were stranded alone together. Of course we’ve gotten to, umm, know each other better.”

“You slept with her!” Victoria yelled, jumping up and letting out a laugh. When she realized that Max wasn’t laughing that satisfied male laugh that comes with “conquering a woman,” she paused and stared intensely at him. “Oh migod!” her eyes widened to the size of saucers. “You’re in love with her.”

“Yeah,” he looked down at the floor.

“That’s wonderful, Max!” Victoria giggled, throwing her arms around Max’s neck. “I’ve always prayed that you would find someone to love! Oh, you’re right then, we couldn’t possibly let her quit now. Oh, this will be so cute, the perfect fairy tale: hot male model falls madly in love with Ice Queen PR. Oh, you’re in love, Max!”

Chuckling, Max nodded. “Yeah, she’s wonderful, Victoria. I didn’t even realize how much I cared for her until it just smacked me on the head. But, look, Victoria, she doesn’t exactly know how I feel about her, ok, so please don’t say anything.”

“But, Max! You should go over to her right now and tell her! These things can’t wait!”

“It’s not that easy, Victoria. Well, she and I have already decided that I’m not exactly the right kind of guy for her. She needs a forever kind of guy and that’s not me, or at least it wasn’t me until recently. But that’s not the point; the point is that she’s just having a brief ‘fling’ with me before she finds her guy.”

“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, Max! Go tell her how much you love her right now and I can promise you that she’ll tell you that she loves you, too. I mean, who wouldn’t love you, darling?”

“It’s not that simple, Victoria.”

Victoria let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. “Well, you decide, but for now, go take a bath and relax. You need all the rest you can get.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Max shook his head and got up.

“Where are you going?” Victoria asked as Max walked towards the kitchen. “Darling, your room is in the opposite direction.”

“I know,” Max yelled from the kitchen. “I’m calling Liz.”

Victoria just smiled.

[short_up]

Whoo! I am SOOO sorry that it's been so long since my last update (11 days!).
I've been so incredibly busy; life is so hectic!



PART FIFTEEN

“Max, this won’t work anymore. I’m quitting; I can’t be your PR anymore!”

Shaking his head, Max grabbed Liz’s arm gently, but firmly. “Liz, look at me,” he ordered, gazing intently at her until she met his gaze. “I’m not letting you go, Liz. Not now, not ever.”

Trembling under his deep gaze, Liz sensed that Max wasn’t talking about her quitting anymore. “Max, it’s not your choice. I’m leaving and that’s that.”

“What about what we had on that island, Liz? What about us?”

Closing her eyes to fight the tears lurking there, Liz said softly, “It’s over, Max. There’s no more ‘us.’”

Swallowing, Max felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. He knew that Liz didn’t love him back, but was it possible that she didn’t feel a single thing about him and the time they shared? “Liz, I care about you and I want to be with you.”

“Oh, Max,” tears shone in her eyes, “it’s not that easy.”

“Why, Liz? Why isn’t it that easy? Liz, remember what you said about buying your car?” When Liz’s confused gaze met his, he explained, “You saw it. You fell in love. It wasn’t that complicated.”

Tears started trailing down Liz’s face, her heart swelling with hope.

“Liz, well, I saw you. I fell in love. It’s not that complicated.”

“You… what?”

“I love you, Liz. I’m madly, crazily in love with you. You’re caring, beautiful, smart, loving, and so much more. Liz, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Oh, Max.” Throwing her arms around him, Liz buried her face into his neck. She didn’t say anything, but just held on. She wanted to engrave this moment into her memory for ever because she and Max, they just weren’t meant to be. Pulling away, Liz said, “Max, I, I care about you, too, but I’m not going to stand in the way of your career. It means so much to you and I, I won’t be the reason you don’t reach your dream.”

“What, what are you talking about, Liz? You won’t be standing in the way, honey, you are my dream.”

Shaking her head, Liz gently cupped Max’s handsome face in her hands. Slowly, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “No, Max. It’ll never work between us.” When Liz reached the door of Max’s office, she turned around and said softly, “Good-bye, Max.”

And then she walked out of Max’s life for ever.

[short_up]

Oh migod, you guys!

I'm SO sorry that I haven't updated in so long! It's just that production is a pain in my ass and I haven't had time to do anything but production and maybe sleep and eat for the past week! Forgive me

So, to make up for my absence, I'm posting TWO NEW PARTS! Whoo! :smilecolros:



PART SIXTEEN

“Liz, you have to tell him! He deserves to know!” Nancy Parker, Liz’s mother, told her. Soothing back her daughter’s hair, Nancy stared into Liz’s panicked eyes. “He obviously has strong feelings for you if you two slept together. Not to mention that you two spent more than a week together stranded on an island! It’s only reasonable that you two have developed feelings for one another!”

Liz shook her head, her head still resting in her mother’s lap. “Mom, you just don’t understand! He’s this famous supermodel with tons of girls fawning over him every second! He thinks that he loves me, but he doesn’t. He’s just looking for something deeper in general and due to a twist in fate, I came along.”

“Do you really believe that, sweetheart?” Nancy asked, combing her fingers through her daughter’s hair.

Liz was silent. Did she really believe it? Or was she just looking for an excuse to avoid pain?

“Liz, you’re my daughter and I love you, but I think that you’re making a huge mistake right now. You love him and he loves you. You need to tell him about this. If you don’t, just think about what will happen if you accidentally run into him years from now and then he finds out! He’ll be crushed and outraged!”

“I don’t want to ruin his life, Mom, and I will, if I tell him. He deserves more than that.”

Frustrated, Nancy shook her head. “Liz, he deserves to know the truth: that he’s the father of the baby you’re carrying.”



PART SEVENTEEN

“After his one-week fiasco of being stranded on an island, supermodel Max Evans is back in the spotlight. Although Evans missed all of the ‘Mr. USA 2003 Competition,’ it appears as if his career is not yet over. As of an hour ago, it was made official that Evans will be doing a two-month photo shoot all over the world. Later, these photos will be made into a book in the form of a large photo album. Thirty percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Kids With AIDS Foundation. That’s all for MTV News. Ten to the hour, every hour.”

Turning the television off, Liz turned and moaned into her pillow. Here she was, sick and in horrible suffering, while Max was getting ready for a two-month vacation traveling the world.

“It’s your stupid fault,” Liz scolded herself. “If you had just told him that you loved him and that you were pregnant with his baby, you would be with him getting ready for a two-month vacation traveling the world.”

Sighing, Liz managed to get out of bed without losing her breakfast. But the moment she opened her bedroom door and smelled the rich aroma of cookies in the air, Liz’s stomach protested furiously and once again, she ended up at the toilet.

“Mom! Mom!”

Within less than a second, Nancy had made it to her daughter’s side. Gently, she placed a wet towel on Liz’s forehead and cooled Liz’s flushed face. “Oh, Liz, not again! You’re getting thinner and thinner and the doctor already said that you were too thin as it is! You must stop throwing up everything you eat!”

“Well, Mom,” Liz threw accusative glares at her mother, “if someone hadn’t been baking like I asked her not to, I wouldn’t have gotten sick!”

“I made you cookies, sweetie! Your favorite, double-chocolate chip!”

And with that image, Liz not-so-gracefully retched into the toilet again.

“Oh, Liz, I shouldn’t be the one wiping off your face or trying to make you eat.” With a brave pause, Nancy continued, “Max should be. Why don’t you just call him, Liz and ask to speak to him? Maybe, if you see him again, you’ll realize how much he loves you and then you can tell him about the baby! Doesn’t that sound good?”

“Oh, Mom, he’s already gotten over me!” Liz cried, slouching against the bathroom wall. Burrowing her face into her hands, Liz burst into tears, something that had been happening often (she blamed it on hormones). “He’s going on a two-month exotic vacation with tons of pretty, not-pregnant girls!”

“Liz,” Nancy sighed, “I can assure you that Max will not notice a single one of those ‘pretty, not-pregnant girls.’ Instead, he’ll be going crazy thinking about you!”

Wiping away the tears, Liz allowed her mother to pick her up and lead her back to bed. She didn’t even protest when Nancy placed the phone next to her and demanded firmly, “Call him.”

Once her mother was out of the room, Liz sat up and with trembling fingers, dialed Max’s cell phone number.

After three rings, Max’s deep, masculine voice filled Liz’s eager ears, “Hello?”

She hung up.

Burying her head into her pillow again, Liz managed to hold the tears at bay for a record time of 6 seconds. Hearing Max’s voice after so long was too much for her; she missed him so much!

“Oh, Max, please just come back to me,” she whispered to the loneliness which invaded her soul.

RING, RING!

Startled, Liz immediately grabbed the phone. “Hello?”

“Liz?” Max’s familiar voice filled her ears, “Did you just call me?”

Liz’s heart pounded faster at the hope in his voice. Taking a deep breath in hopes of calming the butterflies in her stomach, she said, “Yes. I, umm…. Are you busy right now?”

“Yeah,” Max sighed in frustration, “I’m at a conference with Michael Guerin, ‘Mr.USA 2003.’”

“Oh, Max, I’m sorry! It must be really horrible for you to have to meet him knowing that that title was supposed to be yours.”

“No, Liz, it’s not that horrible at all.” There was a brief, pain-filled silence before Max admitted softly, “But you know what’s really horrible? Standing here alone with you on the phone and missing you so much that I don’t feel as if I can live another day. That’s horrible, Liz.”

Tears gathered in Liz’s eyes as Max’s words stabbed swiftly at her heart. “Oh, Max, you know that I love you!”

“No,” Max began dejectedly, “all I know is that you say you love me, yet you won’t be with me. Liz, don’t call me or even acknowledge my existence ever again until you can promise me that you’ll stay. I love you, but I’m tired of your games.”

And with those last words, he hung up, leaving the wound in Liz’s heart wider than ever.

[short_up]

YIKES! Liz is pregnant?!?!?! Wow...I guess they had a little too much fun on that island.

...Yes... I guess you could say that....

So anyways , thanks for being so patient with me and I'm sorry about the short parts but this one is longer!

So hold on tight because here goes!



PART EIGHTEEN

Max was hurting, a deep hurt that gnawed at his very being and threatened to take over. Ever since Liz’s phone call a week ago, Max had been filled with the knowledge that Liz never really loved him. If she had, she would be here with him, her ivory skin browning as the sun kissed her skin.

Shaking his head, Max forced himself back into reality. Liz wasn’t there, and she probably wouldn’t ever be there. Instead, he had been a jerk and had practically demanded that she leave him alone. At that time, Max had believed that he was justified in reacting the way he had. He loved her and had told her that he loved her. And not only did she tell him that she loved him, also, but that a relationship between the two of them would never work. If she had made any sense at all, maybe Max would have been able to stop her from walking away, maybe he could have made her stay.

“Max, honey! Where are you?”

Groaning, Max threw an arm over his eyes and yelled, “Leave me alone, Victoria! I’m not changing my mind!”

Max sensed her looming over him.

He was proven right when she said, “Max, you have to make an appearance at this party! The press will be there and so many of the top models will be attending, too!”

Sitting up, Max sighed, “Victoria, after this whole break-up thing with Liz, I really don’t feel like partying.”

“Oh, sweetie, I understand how heart-broken you are, but that’s all the more reason why you should go! You need to get out and meet new people, women preferably. It’s not like you to sit here and sulk.”

“I just miss her, Vic,” Max admitted softly, his gaze fixed on the calm waves in the distance. “I thought that this vacation would help me take my mind off of her, but if anything, it’s just made me miss her more. I wish she was here with me right now; it would have been like when we were on the island.”

Putting a comforting hand on Max’s shoulder, Victoria said, “Max, go to this party tonight; you might just find what you’re looking for.”

“If Liz isn’t there, then I won’t.”

Abruptly, Victoria asked, “Max, are you ready for children right now?”

Eyes wide with surprise, Max nearly yelled, “What?!”

She didn’t even blink. “Are you ready for a family now? A wife and little Max’s running around? Are you ready to leave this life of fame and freedom to go dedicate your life to a wife and children? Can you really let go of all of this? The modeling? The traveling? The women?”

Max wasn’t sure. For a while now, he had been looking for a little something more with a woman, but did that necessarily mean that he was ready to settle down for an office job and a wife and kids waiting for him at home? Was he really willing to drop this jet life style and instead have routine and predictability?

He was about to answer “no” when suddenly, an image of Liz’s beautiful face filled his mind. He could almost see himself walking through the door of their home and announcing, “Honey, I’m home,” almost see Liz rushing towards him in an apron to greet him and give him a kiss. And he could also almost see the little, brown-haired children running into the room and flinging themselves into his arms. Closing his eyes, Max could almost feel the warmth of their little bodies in his arms, and he could almost hear Liz’s sweet laughter ringing in his ears along with his own and the children’s.

“Yes,” he whispered so softly that Victoria almost couldn’t hear him, “I’d give it all up for Liz.”

[short_up]

Sorry it's taken so long, but I've been swamped with AP work. Rugh I hate school! Lol.

So that's why this part is so short... sorry again! But good things are happening soon and the next part, I think, is like HUGE it's so long

And thanks to everyone who voted on the poll; I think I know what I'm going to do.....


PART NINETEEN

“Oh, Mom! Look! There’s the head!” tears filled Liz’s voice as her gaze remained glued to the ultrasound screen where she was catching her first glimpses of her beautiful baby.

Nancy squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly, feeling the intense emotions flowing through Liz’s body. Tears gathered in her own eyes as she watched the small life move around on the black and white screen. “He’s beautiful.”

“Or she,” Liz whispered, her heart about to burst. Max deserved to be there with her, to feel these same emotions. He should be there, handing her hand, and whispering sweet nothings into her ear as they marveled at the baby. But Max wasn’t here…. And it was all her fault.

The door opened and Dr. Sanchez stepped back in, smiling as she saw the overwhelming happiness and delight on the two women’s faces.

“Well, is it a boy or girl?” Liz asked, eagerness lighting up her young face.

Dr. Sanchez’s smile grew even larger as she walked over and said, “Both. You’re having twins, Liz!”

Silence filled the room for a quick moment as the news sunk in. Then, in a flurry of emotion, joyful sobs echoed throughout the small room as Nancy enveloped her daughter in a hug.

“Liz, you’re having twins, twins! You’ve always wanted twins,” Nancy cried, overwhelmed with the fact that all of her daughter’s dreams seemed to be coming true.

Liz couldn’t believe it; not only was God giving her one sweet life, but two! Max would be so happy when he found out that there would be two babies for him to love and - Liz’s face fell. Max would never know. He wouldn’t ever to be able to love their children because she was too chicken to tell him about them.

“Liz, you have to tell Max now, sweetie! Here, call him right now,” Nancy demanded sternly as she thrust the cell phone into her daughter’s hands.

Biting her bottom lip, Liz shook her head. “Mom, I can’t do this to him. Knowing Max, if he found out, he’d give up everything whether or not he really wants me and this children. And I just can’t do that to him. His modeling career means so much to him and-“

“-I’m sorry to interrupt, Liz,” Dr. Sanchez said, “But even though I don’t know this Max fellow, I do know you. And I know that you are one of the most loveable women on this earth. Of course Max loves you, and I’d bet my career on it that he wouldn’t mind giving up everything if it meant being with you and your children.”

When Liz remained silent, Nancy added in, “If you’re not going to think about you and how much you love Max, then think about your children, Liz. It’s not fair to keep them away from their father. Liz, don’t you remember Daddy? He loved you so much and you loved him so much; don’t you want your children to have that, too?”

Liz nodded, remembering the happiness she had had with her father and the pain that consumed her when he passed away. She had loved him so much! Her mom was right; her children did need a father…. Max.


------- I decided for this story that I was going to do a change from my norm of Max and Liz having twins, but I guess, according to everyone's comments, that TWINS it is again! Lol. I've always done twins and I guess I'm doing it again

[short_up]

Heylo!

I just wanted to leave you all with a part before production starts (ugh!) because I know that once it does start, I won't have time until it's over (which should be by the end of next week)!

So enjoy!

PART TWENTY

“Damn, Victoria, I can’t believe I let you convince me to come,” Max sulked in the backseat of the limo he and Victoria were in. “It’s going to be the same old same old and you know that I would really rather stay at the hotel and mope around.”

Victoria smiled and placed a hand on top of Max’s, “I know, darling and that’s why you have to come tonight. You’re young and handsome; you shouldn’t be spending your time alone and longing for something you don’t have.” After a pause, she added cheerfully, “Did I tell you how wonderful you look in that ensemble, sweetie? Very sexy.”

Max smiled as he looked down at his black dress pants and white dress shirt. Liz would have liked this outfit, Max decided before the pang in his heart reminded him that Liz wasn’t there to like the outfit.

“Oh! We’re here, Maxie!” Victoria announced, and a second later, the door opened and she and Max stepped out.

“Wow,” Max whistled. “When you said party, I thought you meant at someone’s mansion or summer house, not a full-out ballroom!”

The corners of Victoria’s mouth lifted as she said mysteriously, “Tonight’s party is very, very special.” Leaving Max to do what he wished with that statement, she swiftly walked forward.

Ten minutes later, Max was seated at large table surrounded by the world’s most beautiful female faces.

“Oh, Max, it must have been so scary all alone on that island like that,” the gorgeous Candy Macklin cooed as her fingers toyed with Max’s chest.

“But I wasn’t alone,” Max countered as he attempted to escape the blonde’s touch. “I was with-“

“-Oh, yes, that commoner,” another model, Tiffany Whittaker, rolled her eyes as she flipped her red hair behind her shoulders. Then, looking at Max through lowered eyelashes, she said huskily, “If it was me and you, Max, we wouldn’t have been lonely or bored.” Leaning closer, she whispered in his ear, “We would have been making plenty of heat ourselves. Why don’t we play with fire tonight, Max, after this long party?”

It this had happened months ago, Max would have smiled and smoothly taken up the woman on her offer. But that was B.L.

Before Liz.

Now, all Max did was extract himself from both of the women’s holds, claiming hastily that he needed to use the restroom. But the second those words flew out of his mouth, he regretted them as the redhead offered to join him.

Max practically ran away from the table.

“Max, darling! Are you enjoying yourself?” Victoria asked as he ran in to her, a look that oddly resembled fear on his face.

Shaking his head, Max said, “I’m leaving, Victoria, I can’t stand this any longer! They’re all crazy!”

Grabbing his arm, Victoria said, “You can’t leave yet, Max! The main event hasn’t even started!”

And with that last word, the lights dimmed and the noise died down slowly.

“Max, go back to your seat this instant!”

Sending a glare her way, Max walked back to his table and sighed with relief when he saw that all of the women sitting at his table had all of their attention focused on the stage. Seating himself, Max took a sip of his champagne and prayed for this evening to end soon. Closing his eyes, Max didn’t see the speaker step onto the stage, a smile lighting up the speaker’s face. Seconds later, when Max noticed that all was silent, he opened his eyes… and nearly choked!

It couldn’t be! It just couldn’t be! Max’s thoughts were furiously running around inside of his head as he stared at the speaker on the stage. It just wasn’t possible!

“You’re probably all wondering why I’m here tonight,” the speaker began, eyes focused on Max, “But I can assure you that it’s for a good reason. A few months ago, the ‘Mr. USA 2003 Competition’ began and Max Evans was a definite shoe-in for the title. But just before the competition actually began, Max had to travel to Labadee for a quick photo shoot. Surprising everyone in the world, the plane crashed and Max was nowhere to be found. Unfortunately for him, the competition went on and Max wasn’t there to claim the title. Instead, someone else was named ‘Mr. USA.”

The silence in the room was unbearable as the speaker paused. “And that someone was me, Michael Guerin.”

Max couldn’t believe that Victoria had forced him to come to this party, obviously aware of the fact that Michael would he there, too!

“I’m here today,” Michael continued, “to admit that Max really deserves the title I have and to wish him luck in getting it next year. Also, as known to everyone, but Max, I’m also here today to name him ‘Honorary Mr. USA!’”

Everyone erupted in cheers and applause as, smiling, Max made his way up to the stage. Several whistles sounded and Max grinned into the microphone after he shook hands with Michael. “Wow,” Max said brilliantly, his eyes shining with delight, “I never expected this to happen! And to think that I didn’t even want to come tonight!” Laughter sounded and Max continued on, “You guys don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you.”

His dream had finally come true! But as people came up to congratulate him, Max couldn’t help feeling as if something else was still missing.

Liz.

[short_up]

Hey everyone!
Sorry it's been like forever since I've updated, but here's the second to last part

PART TWENTY-ONE

Smiling, Liz flipped another page in her brand-new 101 Baby Names book. Lying on her stomach, ankles crossed over one another in mid-air, Liz looked remarkably like a 16-year-old flipping through the pages of the latest magazine featuring the hottest new band.

“Jason,” Liz took a few seconds to ponder that name before a huge grin broke out on her face and she eagerly scribbled the name down onto the piece of paper to the left under the first column labeled “boy.”

“Shana…. No. Sheryl…. No. Shiri…. Oh! That’s such a beautiful name!” Satisfied at her growing list of baby names, Liz added one more to the “girl” column.

“I wonder if Max would like any of these names,” Liz thought aloud, a deep pain shadowing her eyes.

“Elizabeth Parker! What in God’s name are you doing?”

Startled, Liz jumped and turned around. Biting her bottom lip, Liz scolded herself, a grown woman, for still being afraid of her mother’s wrath. And boy, did her mother look angry, standing there with a frown on her face, her hands on her hip.

“Liz, why are you lying down on your stomach? You know that’s not healthy for you and the baby!” And then, as if she was an entirely different person, Nancy smiled and placed a hand on her daughter’s stomach, “Oh, Liz, you’re already showing! Isn’t it just wonderful?”

Liz’s tearful grin said it all.

“Let’s take pictures!” Nancy declared, practically already out the door.

“Mom! We don’t need to take pictures of my stomach every time it grows a millimeter!” Liz protested, a protective hand splaying across her stomach where two little precious lives grew.

“I know, but I just feel as if Max would want to see these pictures since he’s missing out on the real thing, sweetheart.”

Liz gasped. “That’s why you’ve been running around with a camera practically glued to you these past few weeks? Oh, Mom, you know I-“

“-I don’t care what you say. I know you, and I know that sooner or later, though I hope sooner, you’ll tell Max about the babies and let him be a father. So, until that day, I’m doing to document every little thing for the poor man.”

Tears gathered in Liz’s eyes. Moving over to her desk, Liz opened a drawer and pulled something out. Tears spilling down her face, she handed the magazine to her mother and said, “Poor? Look at these pictures, Mom, and tell me that Max hasn’t enjoyed his two-month vacation traveling the world with gorgeous models in his arms every night?”

Afraid of what she might find, Nancy slowly looked down at the magazine to find pictures of Max and numerous women in scantily-clad clothing scattered on the cover. The headline read, “Max turns up the heat!” with the subheadline, “And no, it’s not just with the camera…”

“Oh, Liz, you can’t possibly believe all of this! I understand that there may be pictures, but for all you know, those women could be his sister, or cousin, or just close friends! You said that he loves you, and if he does, do you honestly think that he could be over you that quickly?”

“I don’t know what to think,” Liz confessed on a sob.

“You know what I think? I think that you need to get out, have some fun with your friends, and just relax. And then, tomorrow, think about what you really feel for Max and decide from there what to do.”

Hours later, Liz was dancing and laughing with her childhood friends at Roswell’s trendiest night club when all of a sudden, she could feel someone’s intense gaze burning her back.

Max.

Slowly, Liz turned and fought to keep her emotions under control as she took in Max’s look of shock, pain, and anger. The emotions played over his face just as the flashing lights of the club did.

It was like a bad movie. It seemed to Liz as if the whole room had stopped dancing and were staring at the two of them when, in reality, no one had noticed either of them. Then, suddenly, Max was stalking towards her like a lion on its prey. Fighting the initial flood of panic that threatened to course through her body, Liz stood still, watching Max approach until he stopped, an inch away, so close she could see the fiery fury in his dark eyes.

“Liz.” That single word, edged with anger, was all that came out of Max’s mouth.

Liz swallowed. “Hi, Max.” When he didn’t say anything, just continued to hold her gaze fiercely, Liz muttered in one long breath, “I’m really sorry, Max, but I can explain. It’s not exactly as you think, well, it is. I mean, I am pregnant, but, I… I’m sorry for not telling you.”

“Let’s go to my car,” Max managed to get out through clenched teeth, his restrain evident.

Liz suspected that Max wasn’t offering, but demanding. Seeing no other option, Liz allowed herself to be carted off, Max’s arm glued firmly to her waist. When they had finally reached Max’s car and both of them were seated inside, Max started the car and started to drive.

“Where are we going?” Liz managed to gather up the courage to ask.

Max didn’t even spare her a glance, “Home.”

“Home? My home?” Liz asked softly.

“Our home.”

“Our home?” Liz repeated dumbly, not exactly sure what he meant, but uncertain of how to ask him.

“You and the baby are going to be living with me. We’ll hire movers to go over to your old apartment and pick up your things.”

It took exactly 6 seconds for Liz to comprehend exactly what Max was saying. “What? Max, no! I am not going to move in with you!”

Max finally looked at her, for about half a second. “Yes, you are. You’re pregnant with my child and-“

“-Children.”

“What?” Max threw her a confused glance.

Softly, Liz said, “We’re having twins. A boy and a girl.”

The car screeched and swerved as Max temporarily lost focus for a moment. “What?!” he demanded as he carelessly swung them onto the side of the road and parked.

Looking at her hands, afraid of what she’d see in Max’s eyes otherwise, Liz repeated, “Twins. Two babies.”

The silence in the car was suffocating. Neither of them said a word; neither of them moved.

Finally, so softly that Liz almost didn’t hear him, Max asked in a choked voice, “Why? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Liz didn’t know what it was that made her look at Max, maybe it was the pain in his voice or maybe it was just her own guilt, but she did, and what she saw made her breath catch and tears form in her eyes.

Max was staring at her, pain and love evident in his watery eyes.

Unable to resist, Liz gently placed her hand over Max’s. Instantly, Max turned his hand over and intertwined their fingers. Swallowing, she replied, “I was scared. I didn’t want to tie you down; you deserve so much more than to be forced to be with me just because I’m pregnant with your children. And besides, there are plenty of women nowadays who are single and have children.”

“Liz, you wouldn’t have been forcing me to do anything. I love you and I want you to marry me, not because you’re pregnant but because I love you and you love me and we’re meant to be together.”

“What?” Liz asked, her eyes wide with hope. Marry?

Without releasing her hand, Max used his other hand to dig into the pocket of his jacket. A moment later, he pulled out a small velvet box. Quickly, he opened the box, revealing a large, sparkling diamond perched regally.

Liz’s gasp filled the tense silence and tears started to flow down her face.

Tears in his own eyes, Max asked hopefully, “Elizabeth Parker, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife? Will you share eternity with me and watch our children grow up? Will you love me?”

Throwing her arms around Max’s neck, Liz cried, “Yes, Max! A thousand times yes!”

Max chuckled and then, his eyes turning serious, cupped Liz’s face in his large hands and whispered, “I love you.”

Bringing her lips to meet his, she whispered back, “I love you, too.”

[short_up]

Well, this is it It's been nice while it lasted, but 'Mr. USA' is now finally at an end.

I'd like to thank everyone who ever took time our of their lives to read 'Mr.USA'. And most of all, I'd like to thank Nora, who claimed to be my #1 fan and gave me motivation to write.

For those of you who like my story, I've got a new one out called A Killer Among Friends. Please read it at:
http://www.roswellfanatics.net/viewtopic.php?p=151844

I'll see you all there and I hope you like the ending to 'Mr.USA'!

P.S. Sorry about the poll. Something's wrong with it and RoswellFanatics won't let me fix it It was supposed to ask what you thought of 'Mr.USA' (whether it was #1 or "Thank God it's over")



EPILOGUE

“Honey, I’m home!” Max yelled, stepping into his large home and locking the door behind him. Somewhat weary, Max dropped his briefcase, loosened his tie, and was about to shrug out of his suit jacket when Liz walked into the room. Freezing, Max couldn’t seem to get himself to move as he watched his wife of five years rush, well as much as an eight-month pregnant woman could, towards him, her arms open and a smile lighting up her face. To Max, Liz just got more beautiful every day, and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

“Max!” Liz cried happily as she threw her arms around her husband’s neck and gave him a deep “welcome home” kiss. “I missed you so much today!”

“I missed you, too, Liz,” Max replied as Liz rested her head on his shoulder. Content, he held onto her. “How are the-“

“Daddy! Daddy!” two little voices chorused as footsteps thundered towards the couple. Liz had moved back just as their son, Jason, went catapulting into Max’s arms. “Daddy! Guess what? Mommy brought me and Shiri to the zoo! We saw tigers and elephants and snakes!”

“Really?” Max asked, a smile on his face as he swooped down and caught Jason’s twin, Shiri, in his arms. “Hi, Princess,” Max greeted, causing his sweet little girl to giggle and give him a kiss.

“Daddy, Mommy said that you’ll go with us to the zoo next time. Will you, Daddy?” Jason pleaded, and Max knew that he could never deny his adorable son anything when he gave him that puppy face.

“Yes, Daddy!” Shiri exclaimed. “Please come with us! We saw dolphins, real dolphins! And Jason and I got wet and-“

“Come on, kids,” Liz interrupted gently, “Daddy’s had a long day at work, and he’s tired. Let’s let him take a shower and change. Then, we can tell him all about our trip to the zoo, ok?”

“Yes, Mommy,” Liz’s angel-faced children answered, giving their father one last hug before climbing off of him and chasing one another towards the playroom.

“Liz,” Max said gently, wrapping his arms around his round wife, “you know that I don’t mind the kids; they always reenergize me.”

“I know,” Liz smiled, a mischievous light in her eyes, “but Mr.Evans, I have this undeniable yearning for you right now, and it must be satisfied.”

Chuckling, Max scooped Liz up into his arms and made his way to their large bedroom. “Well, then Mrs. Evans, I mustn’t keep you waiting,” he teased, locking the door and then laying his wife down onto their soft bed.

Liz watched, entranced, as Max began to undress, revealing more and more of his wonderful body. Even though it had been years since Max quit the modeling business and started his own law firm, he had still managed to stay in shape and got even more handsome with age. When Max was just about to remove his boxers, a hurried knock sounded at the door.

“Mommy! Daddy! Auntie Vicky’s here!” Jason yelled quickly before racing back down the stairs.

Groaning, Max helped Liz stand up and said, “I’m going to kill her; she always picks the worst possible times to come barging in.”

“Oh, Max,” Liz giggled, giving her husband a light kiss. “Hurry up and shower, and we’ll all be waiting for you downstairs.

Before Max could utter a protest, Liz was out of the door.

Grumbling, Max took a quick shower and walked downstairs, but stopping short at the sight of his children laughing and playing with an equally content Liz. Max wasn’t sure what he had ever done to deserve such happiness, but he wasn’t about to complain.

“Max!” Victoria exclaimed, giving him a kiss on the cheek before ushering him into the family room. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything,” Victoria said, her eyes sparkling with amusement, “but the cover of the new Business Man of America was just sent to me. You remember that photo shoot last week with Liz and the children? Well, I think you’ll be pleased to see which picture they’ve chosen for the cover.”

Max raised an eyebrow and nodded, though he wasn’t paying much attention to what Victoria was saying. Instead, he was sulking over his longing to walk over to his family and join them in their play. Moments later, he did just that, ignoring a completely frustrated Victoria.

“Max!” Victoria nearly shouted in a futile attempt to get and hold the man’s attention. Finally having enough, she called Liz.

Liz, unlike her impossible husband, stopped and with a smile, eagerly went to Victoria to see the cover.

“Oh!” she gasped, her eyes tearing and her mood changing in a way only a pregnant woman’s mood could change. “It’s beautiful!”

And it was. Max, looking impeccable in an expensive, tailored business suit, stood smiling in his large, elegant office. Files were stacked neatly in piles and the view of the city from Max’s large window was magnificent. Hanging off of each of Max’s arms were a laughing Jason and Shiri, clothes rumpled and wrinkled from play. Plastic cars and pretty Barbie’s laid scattered across the lush carpet. The headline read, “From Mr. USA to Mr. Family Man: Max Evans does it all.”

“Mommy! Mommy! Lemme see, please, lemme see!” Jason and Shiri pleaded as they jumped up and down in an attempt to grab a hold of the cover.

Tears flowing down her face, Liz released the picture into the hands of her children and made her way over to Max, throwing her arms around him as she wept. His large hand tenderly stroked her hair as he tried his hardest not to smile.

“Liz, come on, sweetheart,” he tried to soothe. “It’s just a picture.”

“I know!” she wailed helplessly, soaking her husband’s shirt and hiccupping every few words. “But it’s just these stupid hormones! I can’t stop!”

Chuckling, Max slowly pulled away and tucked Liz’s hair behind her ears so that he could look straight into her eyes. “You’re wonderful. Have I ever told you that?”

“Yes,” Liz sniffled, her eyes swollen slightly and her nose pink from crying.

To Max, she had never looked more beautiful.

“I think,” Victoria interrupted, “that it’s time for me to go now. Walk me out, kids?”

Hours later, Max, Liz, and their twins laid snuggled up in the couple’s king-sized bed. Max held his family securely in his arms as he watched Liz’s eyes light up while she read the bedtime story and took notice of his beautiful children slowly drooping to sleep.

Life couldn’t get better.

THE END