Newlywed Games (AU,M/L,ADULT) Pt 6 - 05/27/04 {WIP}

[Forever Yours]

Title: Newlywed Games
Category: AU M/L
Rating: ADULT

Author: Forever Yours …Samantha

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters or the book…

Summary: This story is based on one of my favorite books. I’ve had this idea in my head a while…Max is Liz’s boss. What will happen when Liz tells her mother a little white lie to make her final hours happy?

Authors note: This is only my 1st real fic so please leave feedback and tell me what you think. I’ll try to get a part out at least once a week because I know how much I hate to wait!


Newlywed Games

Prologue

Liz shifted in the hard chair next to her mother’s hospital bed .She wanted to spend every last minute with her mom. Although the doctor said she wouldn’t, her mother lasted through the night.
“Good morning Mom”
Heavy eyelids fluttered open. “I’ve had better”
A nurse slowly walked into the room and picked up Nancy’s charts. “It seems she is pulling out of this.”
“Congratulations on your new marriage”The nurse spoke directly at Liz.
“Marriage?”
“I heard you tell the doctor you just got married, did I ruin a surprise?”
Liz searched her head for conversations with the doctor the previous day. When had she mentioned marriage? Only when the doctor told her to give her mother something to fight for. She had told the doctor the only thing that would make her mom happiest would be if she told her she had just gotten married. The nurse must have only heard part of the conversation. Liz opened her mouth to set the record straight when her mothers tired voice stopped her.
“Oh darling, I’m so happy for you.” Liz’s protest dies in her throat with her mothers smile and bright eyes.
“It must be that nice young manager you are always talking about.”
“Assistant manager” was all she could manage to say. Did she really talk about him that much?
“My daughter always played down on her relationship, but a mother can tell. I knew she was hiding something.” Her mother turned back to her then.
“His name is Max right?”
Her affirmation came out as a squeak, and then she cleared her throat and said.” Max Evans”
“Liz Evans, doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?”
Liz thought so. But exactly how did she become Mrs. Max Evans? More importantly, how would she become tactfully unmarried to her boss?
The doctor came in breaking Liz out of her thoughts.
“Whatever you are doing… keep it up. She’s improved since I was last here.”
Keep it up? But it’s not true!
She looked from the doctor to her ill mother. A weak smile pulled at Liz’s mouth.
I guess I’m married…for now.

[Forever Yours]

Part 1
‘I’m going to kill my mother!”
“No your not.” Maria said as she tried to console her best friend.
“Yes I am! When I tell her I have no husband, she will collapse again …only this time at my feet!” Nancy was all that Liz had left in this world except her best friend Maria. Her mother thought it was absurd to be 25 years old and not married.
“I have to let her down easy…I’ve got it! How about you tell her. It wouldn’t be such a shock coming from you.”
“That won’t work. It’s really quite simple what you should do…”
Liz didn’t really know if she wanted to hear one of Maria’s crazy plans although in some sense, they did usually work.
“Care to explain how telling my mother that I’m not really married to Mr. Right and not killing her is simple?”
“Yep,”Maria stated.” You don’t”
Liz frowned, “I don’t what?”
“You don’t tell her you’re not married.”
Liz got off the sofa disturbing her black lab and her feet.” I thought you were going to help me!”
“I am Liz, more than you know.Look, your mom is not really well yet right?”
“Right”
“But thinking you are married and settled has been a big help for her right?”
Liz looked at Maria uneasily from the playful spark in her friend’s eyes….
“Right”
“And telling her the truth might send her into relapse right?”
“Is this supposed to be helping me?”
“All I’m saying is that you keep up the act for now. I mean what’s more important, making sure your mom gets better or making yourself feel better by telling the truth? Who are you hurting? You’ll tell your mom the truth when she is strong enough, but for now, go along. It’s what she always wanted, so why not give it to her for awhile?”
Liz hated to admit it but for once, Maria sort of made sense.
“So how do I explain the absence of my supposed husband while Mom is here?”
“I’ve already thought of that. He’s on an extended business trip and you get one of the guys from the hotel to call you now and then to talk to you. Trust me your mom will buy it.”
“I don’t know Ria”
“Trust me, have I ever lead you wrong... okay don’t answer that.”

[Forever Yours]

Part 2

Liz waited and watched for her mother at the terminal gate. She saw her mother walking towards her in the back of the crowd. When Liz reached her mother she asked how she was feeling.

“I’m doing great! I feel fine.” her tired eyes betrayed her.

“Mom…”

“Okay, I’m tired and worn out. Are you happy now? But I know I will feel much better here with you and Max.” she added.
She just had to rub it in didn’t she?
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
They walked towards the baggage claim as Liz debated on when to tell her mom about Max…

“I thought Max would come with you to pick me up. Where is he?”

“Well actually he went on a business trip”*crosses fingers that she will believe me* but that was actually the truth for once.

“Oh…I was looking forward to meeting him…I guess it will have to wait.” the disappointment evident in her voice.
Longer than you know…

“When will he be back?”

“I’m not sure but don’t expect to see him on your visit.”

“I’m going to be here a whole month! Surely he won’t be gone the whole month will he?”

“As assistant manager, he doesn’t have much say in the matter.”

“But can’t he come home a few days while I’m here? I’m beginning to think I’ll never get to meet him!”

That’s the plan…

“I’ll ask again…maybe it can be arranged.”

“Well at least you can tell me all about him.”

“He’s wonderful, Mom.”

I didn’t lie about that either…

She looked at her mother longing to confess but then she took in her frail form and knew she couldn’t do that to her.

“Max would be here if he could. He tried everything…”

[Forever Yours]

Part 2

Liz waited and watched for her mother at the terminal gate. She saw her mother walking towards her in the back of the crowd. When Liz reached her mother she asked how she was feeling.

“I’m doing great! I feel fine.” her tired eyes betrayed her.

“Mom…”

“Okay, I’m tired and worn out. Are you happy now? But I know I will feel much better here with you and Max.” she added.
She just had to rub it in didn’t she?
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
They walked towards the baggage claim as Liz debated on when to tell her mom about Max…

“I thought Max would come with you to pick me up. Where is he?”

“Well actually he went on a business trip”*crosses fingers that she will believe me* but that was actually the truth for once.

“Oh…I was looking forward to meeting him…I guess it will have to wait.” the disappointment evident in her voice.
Longer than you know…

“When will he be back?”

“I’m not sure but don’t expect to see him on your visit.”

“I’m going to be here a whole month! Surely he won’t be gone the whole month will he?”

“As assistant manager, he doesn’t have much say in the matter.”

“But can’t he come home a few days while I’m here? I’m beginning to think I’ll never get to meet him!”

That’s the plan…

“I’ll ask again…maybe it can be arranged.”

“Well at least you can tell me all about him.”

“He’s wonderful, Mom.”

I didn’t lie about that either…

She looked at her mother longing to confess but then she took in her frail form and knew she couldn’t do that to her.

“Max would be here if he could. He tried everything…”

[Forever Yours]

Im really sorry that this took so long...please leave feedback!thx for waiting and reading.
Samantha
Part 3

Max grabbed his luggage and briefcase as he walked by the baggage claim. While walking through the airport a certain petite brunette caught his attention. It took him only a second to recognize her. He would know her anywhere, especially looking down. That’s how she always looked at work behind the front desk when he would study her. She was even wearing her yellow sundress he loved. Though conservative, it flattered her in every way. The warm place inside of him that she unknowingly claimed jumped to life.
He had fought the urge to date her because of his position as her boss, but he couldn’t resist looking for other ways to spend time with her on the job. In the process, he found out that they had a mutual love for the historic old hotel they both worked in.
The discovery came when he was on a mission to locate some old records. He was trying to recount the hotel’s history. Liz knew where she thought some records could be and offered to show him where. He could’ve gotten directions but he didn’t want to pass up the chance to be alone with Liz.
While rummaging through some of the old dusty boxes they came across a old scrapbook someone had kept on hotel events 50 years ago. Liz gasped and Max turned to her surprised at the delight on her face. While going through the book, Liz squealed with delight. “A masquerade ball!”
Her enchanting voice awash with enthusiasm tickled his senses and stirred a deep longing in his heart. A longing that was fueled every time he was around her and even when he was not.
Together they came up with a plan to restore the old ball. They had thrown out ideas for decorations, costumes, and anything else you could think of.
He smiled down at her and asked, “What would you suggest for me? A knight in shining armor?” He held out his hand as though he held a sword. “Saving damsels in distress?”
“No distressed damsels for you. You would be appointed to the excruciating task of dancing with all of the ladies there. You would be the regal prince.”
If you were one of those ladies I would dance with every last one of them just so I could dance with you.
In the stillness she whispered “Maybe”
Looking down at her brown eyes shining up at him, the urge to kiss her nearly took control of him. Instead, he mustered up the will to step back. But the spell she ha over him didn’t diminish when they stepped back into the present.
At thirty, his life was quite comfortable. He knew where he was going and what he wanted. The only thing lacking was someone to share his life with. And the weird thing is that Liz seemed to be the one that kept coming to mind. Or was it his heart? He didn’t know but he did know that employee or not, he was going to ask her out and see where it would lead.

[Forever Yours]

I just want to say that I am bringing Tess into this story now and she and Max used to date. Max does NOT like her anymore but she still wants him to be there when she wants him back. She doesnt want him to get with anyone else. She interrupted Liz and Max at a party and also interrupted a future they might have had...thats just some background info if you wanted it. Tess wont get her way just so you know... I HATE HER!!!
Samantha



Part 4

He strode over to her, now standing by the baggage claim. “Liz Parker”
She looked up at him with a start. Her eyes widened. “Mr. Evans”

“Please we aren’t at work. Call me Max.”

She just stared up at him, looking at him like she had swallowed something wrong. Ever since the Hotel’s Christmas party when Max’s ex-girlfriend, Tess Harding, barged in on them, Liz had been cool to him, and he backed off on pursuing her. But it was a new day and she stood before him as pretty as ever. Even though she didn’t seem to know what to say to her employer outside of the hotel, he figured he would give a stab at small talk and work up to asking her out. “Have you been out of town too?”

She looked down at the claim tickets in her hands.
“No-these aren’t mine.” Glancing away quickly in a guilty gesture.
“My mother just came in.”
He drew in a slow breath to hide his disappointment that she wasn’t at least a little happy to see him. Had he wasted too much time and waited to long to ask her out? Maybe her interest in him had only been in his imagination. “Where is she? I’d like to meet her.”
“No!!!”
He raised his eyebrows at her abruptness, and a blush crept up Liz’s cheeks.
“I mean she went to the restroom. She’s been ill and needs rest, besides; I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure you are busy. I’ll see you at work tomorrow. Well then, bye.”
Her words came out in one breath and Max felt the need to breath for her.
“You can go now.”
Her firm words and determined wide eyes left no doubt, this was a brush off. He could take a hint when it slapped him in the face…
“Max?” a woman called out. “Is that you?”

[Forever Yours]

Part 5
Liz’s eyes widened even more, if possible. “No! Tell her no!”
She swung around, forcing a smile. Her sweet perfume smelled of strawberries, momentarily entrancing him.
His eyes came upon an elderly woman approaching them. She looked just like her daughter except she wasn’t draining of all of her color at the moment.
Even though he hadn’t been introduced to her yet, he liked her. He saw no reason to deny who he was. What harm could be in meeting Liz’s mother?
“Yes, I’m Max Evans.”
“I knew it was you! Liz has told me so much about you. I think I could have recognized you even if you weren’t standing next to my daughter.” Her eyes watered and she pulled out a tissue to dab at her eyes. “You don’t know how much it means to have you here.”
“Mom…” The single word held a heavy note of dread.
Liz might not want him there, but he saw no reason to be rude to her mom. He put down his briefcase and bag to extend his hand to her. “I’m pleased to meet you Mrs. Parker.”
“Please call me mom.”
“Mom!”
Max glanced at Liz. She looked like she was going to be sick. Something was up. What could his employee possibly have said to her mother to make her so emotional about meeting him?
“At least call me Nancy, since we are family now.”
He looked at Liz for an explanation. She stared open-mouthed at her mom.
“I was so disappointed when Liz said you would be away my entire visit. I knew you would make it if you were everything Liz said you were. And here you are! Do you mind if I give my new son-in-law a hug?”
“Mom!!!”
So that was it. Understanding washed over Max. For some reason she told her mom they were married. He knew he should be put out but he wasn’t. Not even a little.
For one thing, he knew the kind of pressure parents could put on their children to get married. For another, he was pleased Liz had chosen him. He managed to hold back a smile. Maybe he had a chance with her after all. “It would be my honor to give you a hug… Mom.”

[Forever Yours]

hey i was wondering if any of you would be willing to make a banner for this fic... i really don't know how but i wanted it to have one...here is the part i promised!(sorry its so short!)
Samantha


Part 6

Liz chewed on her bottom lip nervously as she thought about how her little lie was spinning out of control….quickly. Mr. Evans hasn’t said anything yet for which she was grateful, but she didn’t know how long this would last. She hadn’t really thought about what would happen if he found out...he wasn’t supposed to. She would probably get fired tomorrow.
Liz knew exactly how he felt when he found out about their supposed marriage. She had the same sinking, confused feeling. Maybe if she explained it to him he would understand. How could she have let Maria talk her into this?
Recognizing a bag coming towards her she reached out to grab it.
“Let me get that for you.” The deep voice caressed her ear, and all her senses became alert, her skin tingling at his closeness.
She looked up into Max Evan’s smiling face, and as he reached past her she smelled his masculine cologne and stared at his short raven hair that fell across his forehead.
“Thank you.” She barely managed to get out. As their eyes connected she wished that her lie would come true.
“You’re welcome. Any others?”
“One more, it’s larger than this.”
“Mr. Evans, I’m so sorry for this…misunderstanding.”
“Now you should really call me Max. After all, we are married.”
“I can explain”
He made a tsking noise. “A wife should never keep such secrets from her husband.”
How could he tease her at a time like this? “Please let me explain.”
“I look forward to every word of it. I bet it’s quite entertaining. Is this your mother’s?”
“Yes”
“You aren’t going to say anything to my mother then?”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you. I promise to think of something to get you out of this mess.”
As he bent down to get the suitcase, she thought she heard him softly say, “No rush”


TBC...