A/N Sorry i didnt get a chance to update yesterday.. things were crazy for me. If you are Australian than you might understand if i tell you i was in Sydney for State of Origin. It was fabulous. Anywayz since i didnt update yesterday and part 12 is a tad short i will double post today too. Thanx for reading guys
12.
*Flashback*
Michael was sitting on his couch enjoying the latest hockey action when there was a knock at the door. He got up to open it and found Maria Deluca standing there; he made no move to let her in.
‘Hi Michael’ she smiled.
‘What are you dong here?’ he grumbled.
‘Can we talk please?’ she asked, pleading with him with her eyes.
He moved aside and let her in the apartment, she took a seat on the couch and waited for him to sit across from her and turn the television off.
‘So talk’ he told her.
‘I came to apologise. What I did to you at the beginning of summer was unforgivable and I know that coming here and asking for you to forgive me is even worse but I miss you Michael and I cant not have you in my life’ but the time she finished her speech there were tears in her eyes and Michael couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. But then he thought of his sister, pregnant and alone because of Maria and Max.
When she realised he wasn’t going to say anything she continued ‘I know you must hate me for what I did. One moment I was with you and the next I was moving to Boston with Max but the truth is Michael I was scared shitless’
‘Scared?’ Michael laughed.
‘Michael being with you was so special to me, but I was so overwhelmed. One night of being with you was more intense than my entire relationship with Max and that scared the crap out of me because I was positive Max was it for me’
‘Well I guess you worked through the intensity issue?’ he snapped sarcastically ‘How is Max and Boston?’
‘Max misses Liz’ she told him, her head slumped in defeat.
‘Well Max had no idea what he has done to my sister so I am glad he’s miserable’
‘I miss you too Michael, I made a mistake, a big one and I am begging you to not shut me out of your life for good. I love you’ she cried.
Michael was quiet for a long time contemplating what she said. Maria took his silence as bad and got up to leave his apartment, her hand was on the door when Michael grabbed hold of her crashed his mouth against her. He knew that this was the most stupid thing he had ever done, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved her.
3 months later
‘You’re back?’ he asked her
‘Yeah’ she smiled and walked over to his embrace.
‘Tell me it’s for good this time Ria, Please tell me this time you’ve told him the truth’
Maria didn’t say anything.
‘Ria you say that you love me so why the hell are you living in Boston with Maxwell?’
‘Michael I do love you please don’t ever doubt that but I don’t want to hurt him. He’s so good to me Michael and he loves me and I do love him too.
‘You cant keep doing this to me Maria. I cant keep doing this’
‘I promise Michael I’ll talk to him soon’
Michael watched the scene in his sister’s room unfolding with sadness. Maria had caused this, she may not have meant to but her selfish ways had caused this and he had indulged her. They were engaged and he knew that it didn’t matter what she said next time he couldn’t go back. With the decision made he stepped into the room.
‘Max I think you better listen and GET OUT’ he told him.
Max immediately shook the thought from his head. Liz would have told him if Jackson was his. Hearing Michael he knew he was right and that he should leave, he had never seen Liz so upset before and he was unsure of what his sisters connection to all this was.
He turned quickly with one last look at Liz and the small bundle in her arms and left the apartment. He would make things right with her before he went back to Boston he thought.
8 hours later Liz, Jackson and Michael were on a flight out of Roswell to Florida with no plans to return for a very long time.
The Path We Take - [ADULT] [AU] ~{COMPLETE}~
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Erina, Hunter, Forum Moderators
Part 13
13.
10 months later.
Liz and Michael sat on the plane in silence, both with their own thoughts about their return to Roswell. Liz had bought an extra seat for her son who would be a year old in a few days; he was asleep in his baby seat.
Michael had stayed with Liz in Florida since last Christmas, both helping each other through the healing process. They were returning to Roswell to share Jackson’s first birthday with their parents, and hopefully Jackson’s other grandparents.
Over the past 11 months Liz had come to realise that despite her anger and sadness it was wrong to keep The Evan’s from Jackson’s life, she was even convinced she was ready to face Max, until last week that is.
It had finally come, forwarded by her parents ‘Amy Deluca along with Phillip and Dianne Evans invite you to attend the wedding of Maria & Max’ Michaels had been delivered the same day. The wedding was to be held at the end of January, an engagement dinner on Christmas Eve. Michael and Liz wouldn’t be attending either.
***
‘Home sweet home’ Michael grumbled as he carried their bags into their old bedrooms.
‘Mama’ Jackson murmured bringing a smile to the entire Parker family.
‘Hey pumpkin’ Liz laughed back at her son.
‘How long are you staying?’ asked Jeff Parker.
‘I need to be back for school after Thanksgiving’ Liz replied.
‘So everything for the party is planned?’ Liz asked her Mum.
‘Sure is sweetie you just need to deliver the invitations. We didn’t know who you would want to invite’
‘Actually it will only be family Mum. Us, Izzy and Alex who will be home tomorrow and possibly Mr and Mrs Evans’ Liz told them. She put Jackson down on the ground and let him play with some blocks, he looked more like his father everyday.
‘Would this have something to do with the fact that our grandchild strikes quite a resemblance to a member of Evan’s family’ her father asked.
‘Yes’ Liz sighed. “He doesn’t know and as far as I know wont be home for Thanksgiving’
‘Liz?’ Her mother questioned.
‘Please not now Mum. I think Jackson and I might take a walk’ she pleaded with her parents to let it go. Picking up Jackson she placed him in his stroller and grabbed his beanie and put it on his head and headed out of the apartment.
‘I’ll help you with the pram down the stairs sis’ Michael told her getting up to follow her.
‘Hey Action Jackson, have a nice walk buddy’ he told his nephew and then nodded to his sister in silent communication. It was time.
***
Max walked in the door of his parent’s home in Roswell and called out to see if there was anyone home. The house remained silent, they must be at work he thought to himself and dropped into the couch with a tired sigh.
He felt like he was constantly on a plane at the moment flying back between Roswell and Boston. He had finally given in to Maria’s pleas after last Christmas to get married sooner, and to do that she would need to stay in Roswell to organise it. She had been there for almost 4 months now, with him flying back and fourth. The only good thing about marrying soon was that she would then be in Boston to stay. Somehow he didn’t feel relieved by that thought. He was brought out of his pity party by a knock at the door.
***
Liz and Jackson walked slowly to Murray Lane, where Max’s parents lived. Liz talked quietly to her son on the way about his grandparents and how happy they were going to be to meet him. The talking was more for her then it was for Jackson though. Before she knew it they were there and she was standing on the front porch knocking on the door.
***
‘Liz’ Max said shocked at the fact she was standing on his parent porch.
Liz looked up, and shock registered in her eyes also. He wasn’t supposed to be home she thought.
‘Um sorry I was here to see your Mum but I’ll just come back another time’ she mumbled without looking him in the eye and began to manoeuvrer Jackson’s pram off the front porch.
‘Mama’ squealed the little boy. Apparently someone was enjoying the jerking of his pram.
Max bent down and held onto the pram stopping Liz from her escape ‘Hey there little fella. How you doing?’ he said. But when the little boy sat up and looked at him he gasped and let go of the pram in shock, sending himself over onto his butt.
There were those eyes again, he looked up at Liz to see her staring at him with a look he didn’t recognise. For the fist time since he had known Liz Parker he had no idea what she was thinking. Making up his mind he got up quickly and rushed into the house to where he knew his mother kept the photo albums and when he found the one he was looking for he thumbed through it carelessly.
Liz and Jackson stood on the porch in silence. Liz wasn’t sure what to do anymore, she saw the look of recognition in Max’s eyes but then had just got up and bolted. Making her decision she manoeuvred Jackson’s pram in to the Evans foyer and then picked him up out of the pram.
Max was sitting on the floor of the living room staring at the photos of him as a baby.
‘Mirror image apparently’ Liz’s whispered voice broke him out of his shock.
Seeing Liz and Jackson standing there awkwardly he got up and went to them and stared at the little boy. He raised his hand shakily and removed the little beanie that was covering his head and his dark brown hair and ears were revealed.
‘Oh god, what have I done’ he cried, moving back to sit on the couch where he began to cry. Liz Parker had never seen Max Evans cry before.
‘Mama’ Jackson squealed again and began pulling on Liz’s hair indicating he didn’t want to be held any longer. Liz moved forward and sat on the lounge across from Max placing Jackson on the floor in front of her.
Max sat and stared at his son who was crawling around and pulling himself up holding onto the coffee table.
‘Why?’ he asked quietly without looking up.
‘Why what’ Liz asked.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asked again, this time meeting her eyes.
A sound of a car driving into the driveway stopped Liz from answering the question, seconds later a very excited Maria Deluca ran into the house and launched herself at her fiancée without noticing Liz.
‘We should go’ she said and picked up her son.
‘Hi Liz’ Maria smiled brightly as she watched Liz placing a beanie back on the small boy. ‘Who’s that?’
Liz shook her head in humour; he hadn’t even told her that Liz had had a baby, yet he thought they could make a marriage work.
Looking at Maria she remembered what this girl at put her brother through last year. Max had made some horrible mistakes and hurt her terribly but he had never intentionally walked all over her like Maria.
‘Maria this is our son. Jackson Maxwell Parker’ she told her.
10 months later.
Liz and Michael sat on the plane in silence, both with their own thoughts about their return to Roswell. Liz had bought an extra seat for her son who would be a year old in a few days; he was asleep in his baby seat.
Michael had stayed with Liz in Florida since last Christmas, both helping each other through the healing process. They were returning to Roswell to share Jackson’s first birthday with their parents, and hopefully Jackson’s other grandparents.
Over the past 11 months Liz had come to realise that despite her anger and sadness it was wrong to keep The Evan’s from Jackson’s life, she was even convinced she was ready to face Max, until last week that is.
It had finally come, forwarded by her parents ‘Amy Deluca along with Phillip and Dianne Evans invite you to attend the wedding of Maria & Max’ Michaels had been delivered the same day. The wedding was to be held at the end of January, an engagement dinner on Christmas Eve. Michael and Liz wouldn’t be attending either.
***
‘Home sweet home’ Michael grumbled as he carried their bags into their old bedrooms.
‘Mama’ Jackson murmured bringing a smile to the entire Parker family.
‘Hey pumpkin’ Liz laughed back at her son.
‘How long are you staying?’ asked Jeff Parker.
‘I need to be back for school after Thanksgiving’ Liz replied.
‘So everything for the party is planned?’ Liz asked her Mum.
‘Sure is sweetie you just need to deliver the invitations. We didn’t know who you would want to invite’
‘Actually it will only be family Mum. Us, Izzy and Alex who will be home tomorrow and possibly Mr and Mrs Evans’ Liz told them. She put Jackson down on the ground and let him play with some blocks, he looked more like his father everyday.
‘Would this have something to do with the fact that our grandchild strikes quite a resemblance to a member of Evan’s family’ her father asked.
‘Yes’ Liz sighed. “He doesn’t know and as far as I know wont be home for Thanksgiving’
‘Liz?’ Her mother questioned.
‘Please not now Mum. I think Jackson and I might take a walk’ she pleaded with her parents to let it go. Picking up Jackson she placed him in his stroller and grabbed his beanie and put it on his head and headed out of the apartment.
‘I’ll help you with the pram down the stairs sis’ Michael told her getting up to follow her.
‘Hey Action Jackson, have a nice walk buddy’ he told his nephew and then nodded to his sister in silent communication. It was time.
***
Max walked in the door of his parent’s home in Roswell and called out to see if there was anyone home. The house remained silent, they must be at work he thought to himself and dropped into the couch with a tired sigh.
He felt like he was constantly on a plane at the moment flying back between Roswell and Boston. He had finally given in to Maria’s pleas after last Christmas to get married sooner, and to do that she would need to stay in Roswell to organise it. She had been there for almost 4 months now, with him flying back and fourth. The only good thing about marrying soon was that she would then be in Boston to stay. Somehow he didn’t feel relieved by that thought. He was brought out of his pity party by a knock at the door.
***
Liz and Jackson walked slowly to Murray Lane, where Max’s parents lived. Liz talked quietly to her son on the way about his grandparents and how happy they were going to be to meet him. The talking was more for her then it was for Jackson though. Before she knew it they were there and she was standing on the front porch knocking on the door.
***
‘Liz’ Max said shocked at the fact she was standing on his parent porch.
Liz looked up, and shock registered in her eyes also. He wasn’t supposed to be home she thought.
‘Um sorry I was here to see your Mum but I’ll just come back another time’ she mumbled without looking him in the eye and began to manoeuvrer Jackson’s pram off the front porch.
‘Mama’ squealed the little boy. Apparently someone was enjoying the jerking of his pram.
Max bent down and held onto the pram stopping Liz from her escape ‘Hey there little fella. How you doing?’ he said. But when the little boy sat up and looked at him he gasped and let go of the pram in shock, sending himself over onto his butt.
There were those eyes again, he looked up at Liz to see her staring at him with a look he didn’t recognise. For the fist time since he had known Liz Parker he had no idea what she was thinking. Making up his mind he got up quickly and rushed into the house to where he knew his mother kept the photo albums and when he found the one he was looking for he thumbed through it carelessly.
Liz and Jackson stood on the porch in silence. Liz wasn’t sure what to do anymore, she saw the look of recognition in Max’s eyes but then had just got up and bolted. Making her decision she manoeuvred Jackson’s pram in to the Evans foyer and then picked him up out of the pram.
Max was sitting on the floor of the living room staring at the photos of him as a baby.
‘Mirror image apparently’ Liz’s whispered voice broke him out of his shock.
Seeing Liz and Jackson standing there awkwardly he got up and went to them and stared at the little boy. He raised his hand shakily and removed the little beanie that was covering his head and his dark brown hair and ears were revealed.
‘Oh god, what have I done’ he cried, moving back to sit on the couch where he began to cry. Liz Parker had never seen Max Evans cry before.
‘Mama’ Jackson squealed again and began pulling on Liz’s hair indicating he didn’t want to be held any longer. Liz moved forward and sat on the lounge across from Max placing Jackson on the floor in front of her.
Max sat and stared at his son who was crawling around and pulling himself up holding onto the coffee table.
‘Why?’ he asked quietly without looking up.
‘Why what’ Liz asked.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asked again, this time meeting her eyes.
A sound of a car driving into the driveway stopped Liz from answering the question, seconds later a very excited Maria Deluca ran into the house and launched herself at her fiancée without noticing Liz.
‘We should go’ she said and picked up her son.
‘Hi Liz’ Maria smiled brightly as she watched Liz placing a beanie back on the small boy. ‘Who’s that?’
Liz shook her head in humour; he hadn’t even told her that Liz had had a baby, yet he thought they could make a marriage work.
Looking at Maria she remembered what this girl at put her brother through last year. Max had made some horrible mistakes and hurt her terribly but he had never intentionally walked all over her like Maria.
‘Maria this is our son. Jackson Maxwell Parker’ she told her.
Part 14
14.
‘Maria this is our son. Jackson Maxwell Parker’ she told her.
Maria looked at Liz confused ‘this is our son’.
‘Come on pumpkin we should get home to Unca Michael and plan your party’ Liz cooed to her son as she put him back in his pram and readied herself to leave.
‘Liz please wait’ Max called out quickly and rushed over to them.
‘No Max. I shouldn’t have come here’
‘What do you mean by ‘our son’ Liz?’ Maria asked suddenly.
Liz ignored her and pushed Jackson’s pram out of the Evan’s and left.
***
Max stood staring at Liz’s retreating form as she pushed Jackson down the street. He had a son he kept repeating to himself over and over. Him and Liz Parker had a son together. Both thoughts brought a huge smile to his face. He turned back to face his fiancée then.
‘What was she talking about? Did you know Liz had a baby?’ she asked him.
‘Yes I found out last Christmas he was only tiny then’ he responded honestly.
‘Any you never told me this why?’ she asked her voice rising.
‘Because you never want to hear about anything I say about Liz, Maria. Every time I brink up her or Michaels name I ended up spending a week on the couch’ he shouted back.
‘I’ she stumbled over the right words, shocked at the anger she heard in his voice
‘What did she mean?’ she finally got the words out.
Max remained quiet for a moment thinking about what he needed to tell his fiancée, it didn’t matter what he said it wasn’t going to be easy.
‘Why is his middle name Maxwell, and who is his father Max?’ she asked again this time raising her voice letting him know she demanded an answer.
‘His name is Jackson Maxwell, Maxwell after his father’ he told her quietly. ‘Jackson is my son Maria’.
***
Liz pushed Jackson through the entrance of the Crashdown and took a seat at one of the back booths. The Crashdown was extremely quiet at this time of the day thankfully.
‘Hey sis’ Michael said as he sat down opposite her and pulled Jackson into his lap.
Liz made an effort to smile but she failed miserably.
‘Max knows’ she finally told him.
‘Oh’ Michael nodded.
‘So does Maria’ she continued.
‘Wow, they’re in Roswell already’ Michael said painfully.
‘Apparently’ Liz replied dryly concerned at the look on her brother’s face. Michael had dated over the past 11 months but hadn’t found anyone worth keeping around. Liz had also been on a few dates with a guy from her one of her classes, his name was Dave and things were nice.
‘It’s all going to come out now you realise that don’t you?’ she asked her brother finally.
‘I thought it would eventually’ he told her meeting her eyes.
Sighing ‘You should fight for her’ she told him softly.
‘What?’ her brother asked shocked.
‘Michael, I am not a fan but it’s pretty obvious that you are going to forgive her and that it’s only a matter of time. You still love her and unlike me you are in a position to fight for what you want, you should before you don’t have another chance’
Michael nodded, taking in what his sister said.
‘Why aren’t you in a position?’
‘Because it’s not just me. It’s Jackson and me, we’re a package deal’ she shrugged.
‘Think about it Mike, before it’s too late’ with that she got up and took her son back upstairs to her apartment.
‘Maria this is our son. Jackson Maxwell Parker’ she told her.
Maria looked at Liz confused ‘this is our son’.
‘Come on pumpkin we should get home to Unca Michael and plan your party’ Liz cooed to her son as she put him back in his pram and readied herself to leave.
‘Liz please wait’ Max called out quickly and rushed over to them.
‘No Max. I shouldn’t have come here’
‘What do you mean by ‘our son’ Liz?’ Maria asked suddenly.
Liz ignored her and pushed Jackson’s pram out of the Evan’s and left.
***
Max stood staring at Liz’s retreating form as she pushed Jackson down the street. He had a son he kept repeating to himself over and over. Him and Liz Parker had a son together. Both thoughts brought a huge smile to his face. He turned back to face his fiancée then.
‘What was she talking about? Did you know Liz had a baby?’ she asked him.
‘Yes I found out last Christmas he was only tiny then’ he responded honestly.
‘Any you never told me this why?’ she asked her voice rising.
‘Because you never want to hear about anything I say about Liz, Maria. Every time I brink up her or Michaels name I ended up spending a week on the couch’ he shouted back.
‘I’ she stumbled over the right words, shocked at the anger she heard in his voice
‘What did she mean?’ she finally got the words out.
Max remained quiet for a moment thinking about what he needed to tell his fiancée, it didn’t matter what he said it wasn’t going to be easy.
‘Why is his middle name Maxwell, and who is his father Max?’ she asked again this time raising her voice letting him know she demanded an answer.
‘His name is Jackson Maxwell, Maxwell after his father’ he told her quietly. ‘Jackson is my son Maria’.
***
Liz pushed Jackson through the entrance of the Crashdown and took a seat at one of the back booths. The Crashdown was extremely quiet at this time of the day thankfully.
‘Hey sis’ Michael said as he sat down opposite her and pulled Jackson into his lap.
Liz made an effort to smile but she failed miserably.
‘Max knows’ she finally told him.
‘Oh’ Michael nodded.
‘So does Maria’ she continued.
‘Wow, they’re in Roswell already’ Michael said painfully.
‘Apparently’ Liz replied dryly concerned at the look on her brother’s face. Michael had dated over the past 11 months but hadn’t found anyone worth keeping around. Liz had also been on a few dates with a guy from her one of her classes, his name was Dave and things were nice.
‘It’s all going to come out now you realise that don’t you?’ she asked her brother finally.
‘I thought it would eventually’ he told her meeting her eyes.
Sighing ‘You should fight for her’ she told him softly.
‘What?’ her brother asked shocked.
‘Michael, I am not a fan but it’s pretty obvious that you are going to forgive her and that it’s only a matter of time. You still love her and unlike me you are in a position to fight for what you want, you should before you don’t have another chance’
Michael nodded, taking in what his sister said.
‘Why aren’t you in a position?’
‘Because it’s not just me. It’s Jackson and me, we’re a package deal’ she shrugged.
‘Think about it Mike, before it’s too late’ with that she got up and took her son back upstairs to her apartment.
Part 15
15.
Max stood outside the Parkers apartment trying to decide whether he should knock or not. When the truth had finally come out with Maria and him it hadn’t been pretty. She had cried and cried sobbing that only her should have been the mother of his children. The crying had quickly turned to anger and her refusing to listen to his explanation. She didn’t care that it had happened when they were broken up at graduation she was just devastated that his first-born was with someone else. A day later she still wouldn’t return his calls.
‘You know knocking would be the best way to get someone’s attention’ a voice said from behind him and he turned around to see Michael walking up the stairs.
‘I know’ he said stiffly unsure of whether he should be angry with his supposed best friend right now for helping his sister keep this secret from him, or scare that he was going to pound him for knocking her up and leaving her.
Michael pushed passed him and opened the door ‘You should come in’ he told him and then led him into the apartment.
Liz and Jackson were playing on the floor of Liz’s bedroom when Michael and Max walked in.
‘Hey there Action Jackson, what are you building there’ Michael asked his nephew.
Liz looked up and saw Michael and Max who was standing not to far behind him.
‘What are you doing here Max?’ she asked.
‘I’m here to see my son Liz. You know the one that you’ve kept from me for the past 12 months’ he snapped back.
Liz shook her head ‘Max, just go back to your life. We don’t expect or want anything from you. Go get married and have kids with Maria and leave me and my son alone.’
‘Well thanks to you I may not have a fiancée to marry anymore Liz’
Liz saw red at his comment ‘Oh I’m sorry Max I forgot that it was me out in the dessert that just fucked herself. Stupid me and I thought biology was my specialty’
Max sighed ‘You're right Liz. I’m sorry’ he sat down then and pulled his son into his lap. Michael quietly left the room.
‘Hey there little man, how are you?’ Jackson squirmed in Max’s arms trying to get back to his mother ‘mama’ he squealed.
Liz saw the hurt in Max’s eyes and before she knew what she was doing her mouth opened, and the anger faded into the background for the sake of her son. ‘He just doesn’t know you, that’s all. It takes him a bit to warm up’
Pulling him into her arms she sat with him on the bed and gestured for Max to sit with them. “Pumpkin look at Mummy’ she told him and waited for him to pay attention. ‘This is your daddy sweetie, can you say daddy pumpkin?’
Max smiled at the beautiful way Liz interacted with their son ‘You should tell Daddy how it’s your birthday tomorrow’ she continued on. Max was playing with his little hand when he started to worm his way out of his mother’s arms and gestured for his father to pick him up.
‘Hey there’ Max cooed to his son as she snuggled into his chest.
‘He’s sleepy he’ll probably fall asleep in a few minutes’ Liz smiled at the picture of her son with his father.
‘Thank you’ he told her quietly.
‘For what’ Liz asked
‘For giving me the most precious gift in the world’ he responded looking down at his son, and with that one comment Liz knew, she would never be able to keep him from his son again.
‘So it’s someone’s birthday tomorrow?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, he’s 1 tomorrow’ Liz replied quietly.
Jackson was settling in his fathers arms just like Liz had said, he would be asleep soon. ‘He’s so beautiful Liz’
‘Yeah I know he looks just like his Dad’ Liz smiled.
Max’s head snapped at the comment, she thought he was beautiful? ‘I think he looks a lot like his mother too’ he smiled back.
‘Yeah Isabel says he’s a mirror image of you but Alex says he’s perfect blend of both of us. Well except for the ears’ she gave a little chuckle Max joined her at the last comment.
‘Isabel knows then?’
‘Yes. Please don’t be mad with her Max. I told her and Alex while I was in labour because I wanted to tell them my self. I didn’t want her to see Jackson and see the similarities, which I suspected he would have. They only agreed to keep it a secret because I told them that if they didn’t I would take him and run and they wouldn’t get to be part of his life’
Max nodded accepting her answer.
‘Why didn’t you tell me Liz? I would have been there for you’ He told her sincerely.
‘Don’t you get it Max? I didn’t want you to be there just because I was having Jackson. I was hurt and angry and I didn’t want you anywhere near me’
‘And now?’
‘I’m still hurt and angry but I wont keep him from you and I want your parents to be part of his life too.’
Max smiled, ‘that’s why you came to the house today wasn’t it?’
Liz hesitated before answering ‘Yes. Isabel showed them some pictures last Christmas’
‘And me? When were you planning on telling me?’
‘I was going to tell you last Christmas’ she replied.
‘What stopped you?’
She didn’t respond
‘Isabel told you about the engagement’
‘Jackson is my son Max and I wont let him be brought up by anyone else’ she told him forcefully.
‘But I came here that night Liz, I saw you with my son, I saw his eyes and you denied it. You let me believe that he was someone else’s don’t you know how much that hurt’
‘Wait a damn minute Max’ Liz fumed. ‘I answered all your questions truthfully until you told me I should have told you so that you and Maria could be there for me. How the hell did you expect me to react, then you followed it up with asking me where my boyfriend was. Can you say insensitive Max?’
‘How was I to know that you had broken up with your boyfriend?’ Max whispered furiously back, aware that any shouting could wake his sleeping son.
‘What boyfriend are you talking about Max?’
‘I called Michael after you never showed up in Boston. He told me you stayed because you had met someone’
Liz sighed, everything had turned out into a big mess ‘I stayed in Boston Max because I was pregnant and the day I found out the fathers ex-girlfriend called me to tell me that they were back together. When you phoned that same night it just made the decision easier’ she replied sadly.
‘Mama’ Jackson’s little voice murmured from his father’s arms, he held up his hands for his mother.
Liz and Max smiled at each other ‘Come on pumpkin’ she cooed taking him from Max.
‘We’re having a little party for him tomorrow at 12. You should come and bring your Mum and Dad.’
‘I’d love to’ he replied.
Max stood outside the Parkers apartment trying to decide whether he should knock or not. When the truth had finally come out with Maria and him it hadn’t been pretty. She had cried and cried sobbing that only her should have been the mother of his children. The crying had quickly turned to anger and her refusing to listen to his explanation. She didn’t care that it had happened when they were broken up at graduation she was just devastated that his first-born was with someone else. A day later she still wouldn’t return his calls.
‘You know knocking would be the best way to get someone’s attention’ a voice said from behind him and he turned around to see Michael walking up the stairs.
‘I know’ he said stiffly unsure of whether he should be angry with his supposed best friend right now for helping his sister keep this secret from him, or scare that he was going to pound him for knocking her up and leaving her.
Michael pushed passed him and opened the door ‘You should come in’ he told him and then led him into the apartment.
Liz and Jackson were playing on the floor of Liz’s bedroom when Michael and Max walked in.
‘Hey there Action Jackson, what are you building there’ Michael asked his nephew.
Liz looked up and saw Michael and Max who was standing not to far behind him.
‘What are you doing here Max?’ she asked.
‘I’m here to see my son Liz. You know the one that you’ve kept from me for the past 12 months’ he snapped back.
Liz shook her head ‘Max, just go back to your life. We don’t expect or want anything from you. Go get married and have kids with Maria and leave me and my son alone.’
‘Well thanks to you I may not have a fiancée to marry anymore Liz’
Liz saw red at his comment ‘Oh I’m sorry Max I forgot that it was me out in the dessert that just fucked herself. Stupid me and I thought biology was my specialty’
Max sighed ‘You're right Liz. I’m sorry’ he sat down then and pulled his son into his lap. Michael quietly left the room.
‘Hey there little man, how are you?’ Jackson squirmed in Max’s arms trying to get back to his mother ‘mama’ he squealed.
Liz saw the hurt in Max’s eyes and before she knew what she was doing her mouth opened, and the anger faded into the background for the sake of her son. ‘He just doesn’t know you, that’s all. It takes him a bit to warm up’
Pulling him into her arms she sat with him on the bed and gestured for Max to sit with them. “Pumpkin look at Mummy’ she told him and waited for him to pay attention. ‘This is your daddy sweetie, can you say daddy pumpkin?’
Max smiled at the beautiful way Liz interacted with their son ‘You should tell Daddy how it’s your birthday tomorrow’ she continued on. Max was playing with his little hand when he started to worm his way out of his mother’s arms and gestured for his father to pick him up.
‘Hey there’ Max cooed to his son as she snuggled into his chest.
‘He’s sleepy he’ll probably fall asleep in a few minutes’ Liz smiled at the picture of her son with his father.
‘Thank you’ he told her quietly.
‘For what’ Liz asked
‘For giving me the most precious gift in the world’ he responded looking down at his son, and with that one comment Liz knew, she would never be able to keep him from his son again.
‘So it’s someone’s birthday tomorrow?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, he’s 1 tomorrow’ Liz replied quietly.
Jackson was settling in his fathers arms just like Liz had said, he would be asleep soon. ‘He’s so beautiful Liz’
‘Yeah I know he looks just like his Dad’ Liz smiled.
Max’s head snapped at the comment, she thought he was beautiful? ‘I think he looks a lot like his mother too’ he smiled back.
‘Yeah Isabel says he’s a mirror image of you but Alex says he’s perfect blend of both of us. Well except for the ears’ she gave a little chuckle Max joined her at the last comment.
‘Isabel knows then?’
‘Yes. Please don’t be mad with her Max. I told her and Alex while I was in labour because I wanted to tell them my self. I didn’t want her to see Jackson and see the similarities, which I suspected he would have. They only agreed to keep it a secret because I told them that if they didn’t I would take him and run and they wouldn’t get to be part of his life’
Max nodded accepting her answer.
‘Why didn’t you tell me Liz? I would have been there for you’ He told her sincerely.
‘Don’t you get it Max? I didn’t want you to be there just because I was having Jackson. I was hurt and angry and I didn’t want you anywhere near me’
‘And now?’
‘I’m still hurt and angry but I wont keep him from you and I want your parents to be part of his life too.’
Max smiled, ‘that’s why you came to the house today wasn’t it?’
Liz hesitated before answering ‘Yes. Isabel showed them some pictures last Christmas’
‘And me? When were you planning on telling me?’
‘I was going to tell you last Christmas’ she replied.
‘What stopped you?’
She didn’t respond
‘Isabel told you about the engagement’
‘Jackson is my son Max and I wont let him be brought up by anyone else’ she told him forcefully.
‘But I came here that night Liz, I saw you with my son, I saw his eyes and you denied it. You let me believe that he was someone else’s don’t you know how much that hurt’
‘Wait a damn minute Max’ Liz fumed. ‘I answered all your questions truthfully until you told me I should have told you so that you and Maria could be there for me. How the hell did you expect me to react, then you followed it up with asking me where my boyfriend was. Can you say insensitive Max?’
‘How was I to know that you had broken up with your boyfriend?’ Max whispered furiously back, aware that any shouting could wake his sleeping son.
‘What boyfriend are you talking about Max?’
‘I called Michael after you never showed up in Boston. He told me you stayed because you had met someone’
Liz sighed, everything had turned out into a big mess ‘I stayed in Boston Max because I was pregnant and the day I found out the fathers ex-girlfriend called me to tell me that they were back together. When you phoned that same night it just made the decision easier’ she replied sadly.
‘Mama’ Jackson’s little voice murmured from his father’s arms, he held up his hands for his mother.
Liz and Max smiled at each other ‘Come on pumpkin’ she cooed taking him from Max.
‘We’re having a little party for him tomorrow at 12. You should come and bring your Mum and Dad.’
‘I’d love to’ he replied.
Part 16
A/N Hi guys well i am back with the next part and have been totally overwhelmed by your feedback. It's definetely not my intention if it seems like Liz lets Max off easily, and as for Maria well stay tuned because it's just going to get worse. Big thanx to my regular readers and everyone that left feedback.
Kay B
Behrobsession
Begonia9508
ccrswll
LittleHottie510
polar vixen
aurorasky
behrsgirl77
kittens
16.
Michael walked around Roswell with no destination in mind just trying to give Liz and Max some space. He was a little surprised when he found himself outside the Deluca residence; he hadn’t been there in years.
‘Michael’ a voice interrupted him from behind. He turned around to see a tear stricken Maria Deluca standing behind him.
‘Hey’ he told her simply. “Just walking around seeing what’s changed since I’ve been gone’
‘You didn’t even say goodbye’ she replied softly.
‘Yeah well at least I didn’t go to my girlfriends to break up with her and accept her marriage proposal instead’ he snapped back.
‘I’d say we’re even’ she smiled slightly.
‘Not even close Maria’ he grunted and walked off.
‘Michael wait’ Maria yelled stopping him in his tracks. He turned around and looked at her.
‘I’m sorry’ she sobbed ‘Please’ she begged. Michael was shocked he had never seen her break down like this before, she was vulnerable for the first time Michael had known Maria Deluca. Before he knew what he was doing he was taking her into his arms and leading her inside.
***
Things had not gone as he had planned he sat up on the side of the bed and watched the pixie lying next to him for a moment. Finally he got up and started to re-dress.
‘Michael’ her voice broke him out of his thoughts. He tuned around and looked at her.
‘I have to go I have to do some things for Liz for the party tomorrow’ he told her and resumed dressing.
‘What party? Is it someone’s birthday?’ she asked.
‘Yeah Jackson’s, I believe you met him earlier’ Michael smiled slightly. Maria however did not return his smile.
After Michael put his shoes back on he turned back to look at her ‘Michael I won’t stand by and watch your sister try to steal everything that belongs to me’
Michael grunted at the comment and then realisation set in, he was just a pawn in Maria’s game. “Is that what you think she’s doing? I think if she wanted Max she could have told him months ago about Jackson’
‘Well Max having a son doesn’t change anything’ she argued then.
‘And what about sleeping with me behind Max’s back? Do you think that would?’ he snapped back. He didn’t wait for an answer he left knowing that this was the last time he would let Maria use him to make herself feel better.
‘Michael’ she yelled after him.
‘Save it Maria’ he yelled back and slammed the door behind him.
Kay B
Behrobsession
Begonia9508
ccrswll
LittleHottie510
polar vixen
aurorasky
behrsgirl77
kittens
16.
Michael walked around Roswell with no destination in mind just trying to give Liz and Max some space. He was a little surprised when he found himself outside the Deluca residence; he hadn’t been there in years.
‘Michael’ a voice interrupted him from behind. He turned around to see a tear stricken Maria Deluca standing behind him.
‘Hey’ he told her simply. “Just walking around seeing what’s changed since I’ve been gone’
‘You didn’t even say goodbye’ she replied softly.
‘Yeah well at least I didn’t go to my girlfriends to break up with her and accept her marriage proposal instead’ he snapped back.
‘I’d say we’re even’ she smiled slightly.
‘Not even close Maria’ he grunted and walked off.
‘Michael wait’ Maria yelled stopping him in his tracks. He turned around and looked at her.
‘I’m sorry’ she sobbed ‘Please’ she begged. Michael was shocked he had never seen her break down like this before, she was vulnerable for the first time Michael had known Maria Deluca. Before he knew what he was doing he was taking her into his arms and leading her inside.
***
Things had not gone as he had planned he sat up on the side of the bed and watched the pixie lying next to him for a moment. Finally he got up and started to re-dress.
‘Michael’ her voice broke him out of his thoughts. He tuned around and looked at her.
‘I have to go I have to do some things for Liz for the party tomorrow’ he told her and resumed dressing.
‘What party? Is it someone’s birthday?’ she asked.
‘Yeah Jackson’s, I believe you met him earlier’ Michael smiled slightly. Maria however did not return his smile.
After Michael put his shoes back on he turned back to look at her ‘Michael I won’t stand by and watch your sister try to steal everything that belongs to me’
Michael grunted at the comment and then realisation set in, he was just a pawn in Maria’s game. “Is that what you think she’s doing? I think if she wanted Max she could have told him months ago about Jackson’
‘Well Max having a son doesn’t change anything’ she argued then.
‘And what about sleeping with me behind Max’s back? Do you think that would?’ he snapped back. He didn’t wait for an answer he left knowing that this was the last time he would let Maria use him to make herself feel better.
‘Michael’ she yelled after him.
‘Save it Maria’ he yelled back and slammed the door behind him.
Part 17
A/N Hi all!! i have been loving reading all your feedback so thank you soo much and you will be pleased to know i have been spending a lot of time making some changes to please you. Oh and consider this a *bitch slap* for Maria.
17.
That night after dinner Max asked his parents and Isabel if he could talk to them about something. Isabel was unaware that Max knew about Jackson yet but he wanted her there for moral support.
‘What’s this about Max’ his father asked.
‘Actually I got some news today that I wanted to share with you. It came as quite a shock but I couldn’t be happier’ he answered his father’
‘What is it Max?’ his sister sighed annoyed. It didn’t go unnoticed to either of the Evan’s parents that Max and Isabel had not been getting along since his engagement to Maria. They no longer talked on the phone, Isabel using her parents to pass messages to her brother when the need arose. Dianne Evan’s had tried talking to Isabel about the rift but she would always shrug it off telling her that it was nothing and that they were just busy.
‘I have a son’ he told them.
Isabel gasped ‘You know?’ she asked in shock.
Max pulled out a photo Liz had given him that afternoon and handed to his parents. ‘This is Jackson Maxwell Parker, my son’ he told his parents.
Isabel couldn’t hold back the tears that came to her eyes when she saw the look of happiness on her brother’s face and moved across the room and embraced him tightly.
‘My god he looks just like you did when you were a baby’ his mother said.
‘Yeah but he still looks a lot like Liz too’ He smiled proudly.
‘Max, how is this possible?’ Philip Evans looked at his sone confused.
‘Well I think that’s obvious Philip’ Dianne answered for him.
‘She’s kept this from you?’ he asked.
‘Dad she had her reasons’ Isabel interrupted.
‘You knew? You knew and you didn’t tell your brother?’ he fathers anger began to rise.
Isabel nodded ‘I was there for Jackson’s birth’
‘How could you Isabel? How could you do this to your brother to us’ her father roared?
‘Dad that’s between Isabel and I’ Max interrupted his father much to the surprise of his sister who smiled her gratitude. ‘I understand that you’re upset that she kept this from you, I should know that better than anyone but I don’t want to concentrate on that right at this moment’
‘Does Maria know about this Max?’ His mother asked then.
‘Yes’
‘How did she take the news?’
‘Not very well’ he replied honestly.
‘What are you going to do about that Max?’ his father asked seriously.
‘I’m not sure. We have some things that we need to talk about and I’m not prepared to make any type of decision at the moment without doing that. It’s not just me I have to think about anymore’ he told them truthfully.
‘Max your getting married in 2 months. All the arrangements have been made’ His mother told him.
‘I am aware of that Mum but I cant force Maria to marry me and ’
‘And what Max?’ his father asked.
‘I don’t want to be apart from my son and marrying Maria may cause that’
‘What do you mean Max?’ his father asked confused.
‘Liz kept this from me because of the way things went down with us. I’m not proud of myself for that and I cant help but think that things would have been completely different if she had told me from the start but I cant change that now. Liz however is very adamant about who she will let in Jackson’s life and I’m not quite sure she is prepared to let Maria be one of those people’
‘She cant keep him from you Max, we’ll fight her through the court if we have too’ Mr Evans spoke seriously again.
‘What!!’ Isabel yelled. ‘You cant do that Max you have no idea how much Liz has been through. She gave up her dreams to raise your son and to give you the life you wanted to badly’ she fumed.
‘Isabel what are you talking about?’ His mother asked.
‘Liz have up her scholarship to Harvard to have Jackson it’s been her dream since she was 8. She didn’t want Max to give up his dreams, to give up Harvard or ruin things with his precious Maria’ Isabel mocked.
‘Izzy I didn’t know. If I had known’ Max cried the force of his sister words hitting him at his very core.
‘She thought you loved her Max, you told her you loved her and then you turned your back on her and got back with your ex-girlfriend. How could you?’ Isabel sobbed.
***
Jackson’s party went off without a hitch, it took him a while to warm up to his new grandparents but by the end of the day he had come around slightly. They had left with promises that Liz would allow them to see Jackson as much as they could before she returned to Florida. Talk of returning to Florida caused a sense of unease in Max.
Over the next week Liz allowed Max to see Jackson everyday and with Isabel present he was allowed to take his son to she his parents also. Both Jackson and Max were very clingy to each other when they had to say goodbye at the end of the week.
Michael was happy to be leaving for Florida again with his sister and nephew, he never told his sister about what happened with him and Maria and the guilt was waying on him heavily.
17.
That night after dinner Max asked his parents and Isabel if he could talk to them about something. Isabel was unaware that Max knew about Jackson yet but he wanted her there for moral support.
‘What’s this about Max’ his father asked.
‘Actually I got some news today that I wanted to share with you. It came as quite a shock but I couldn’t be happier’ he answered his father’
‘What is it Max?’ his sister sighed annoyed. It didn’t go unnoticed to either of the Evan’s parents that Max and Isabel had not been getting along since his engagement to Maria. They no longer talked on the phone, Isabel using her parents to pass messages to her brother when the need arose. Dianne Evan’s had tried talking to Isabel about the rift but she would always shrug it off telling her that it was nothing and that they were just busy.
‘I have a son’ he told them.
Isabel gasped ‘You know?’ she asked in shock.
Max pulled out a photo Liz had given him that afternoon and handed to his parents. ‘This is Jackson Maxwell Parker, my son’ he told his parents.
Isabel couldn’t hold back the tears that came to her eyes when she saw the look of happiness on her brother’s face and moved across the room and embraced him tightly.
‘My god he looks just like you did when you were a baby’ his mother said.
‘Yeah but he still looks a lot like Liz too’ He smiled proudly.
‘Max, how is this possible?’ Philip Evans looked at his sone confused.
‘Well I think that’s obvious Philip’ Dianne answered for him.
‘She’s kept this from you?’ he asked.
‘Dad she had her reasons’ Isabel interrupted.
‘You knew? You knew and you didn’t tell your brother?’ he fathers anger began to rise.
Isabel nodded ‘I was there for Jackson’s birth’
‘How could you Isabel? How could you do this to your brother to us’ her father roared?
‘Dad that’s between Isabel and I’ Max interrupted his father much to the surprise of his sister who smiled her gratitude. ‘I understand that you’re upset that she kept this from you, I should know that better than anyone but I don’t want to concentrate on that right at this moment’
‘Does Maria know about this Max?’ His mother asked then.
‘Yes’
‘How did she take the news?’
‘Not very well’ he replied honestly.
‘What are you going to do about that Max?’ his father asked seriously.
‘I’m not sure. We have some things that we need to talk about and I’m not prepared to make any type of decision at the moment without doing that. It’s not just me I have to think about anymore’ he told them truthfully.
‘Max your getting married in 2 months. All the arrangements have been made’ His mother told him.
‘I am aware of that Mum but I cant force Maria to marry me and ’
‘And what Max?’ his father asked.
‘I don’t want to be apart from my son and marrying Maria may cause that’
‘What do you mean Max?’ his father asked confused.
‘Liz kept this from me because of the way things went down with us. I’m not proud of myself for that and I cant help but think that things would have been completely different if she had told me from the start but I cant change that now. Liz however is very adamant about who she will let in Jackson’s life and I’m not quite sure she is prepared to let Maria be one of those people’
‘She cant keep him from you Max, we’ll fight her through the court if we have too’ Mr Evans spoke seriously again.
‘What!!’ Isabel yelled. ‘You cant do that Max you have no idea how much Liz has been through. She gave up her dreams to raise your son and to give you the life you wanted to badly’ she fumed.
‘Isabel what are you talking about?’ His mother asked.
‘Liz have up her scholarship to Harvard to have Jackson it’s been her dream since she was 8. She didn’t want Max to give up his dreams, to give up Harvard or ruin things with his precious Maria’ Isabel mocked.
‘Izzy I didn’t know. If I had known’ Max cried the force of his sister words hitting him at his very core.
‘She thought you loved her Max, you told her you loved her and then you turned your back on her and got back with your ex-girlfriend. How could you?’ Isabel sobbed.
***
Jackson’s party went off without a hitch, it took him a while to warm up to his new grandparents but by the end of the day he had come around slightly. They had left with promises that Liz would allow them to see Jackson as much as they could before she returned to Florida. Talk of returning to Florida caused a sense of unease in Max.
Over the next week Liz allowed Max to see Jackson everyday and with Isabel present he was allowed to take his son to she his parents also. Both Jackson and Max were very clingy to each other when they had to say goodbye at the end of the week.
Michael was happy to be leaving for Florida again with his sister and nephew, he never told his sister about what happened with him and Maria and the guilt was waying on him heavily.
Part 18
Foreverdreaming 15 - thanks for reading i think the two families coming to gether is important
extingman - wow thanks i am glad you are enjoyng the story *S* i think in the next few parts you'll be happy about some of the changes in Max. Lets just say the secrets dont remain secrets forever.
alana - i like you idea of the poll and i wsih i thought about it earlier but i have written so far ahead that i almost have the story finished. I hope you guys will be happy with what where i decided to go. Oh and to answer your questions about Florida and great people, look out for the introduction of a new character in the next part.
I am a dreamer - retribution will come I promise. Michael will make you proud
ccrswll - hey again. No i dont think Michael feels neccessaryily guilty for keeping it from Liz i think he just feels guilty over the whole situation.
Littlehottie - Michael will grow some balls soon i promise *S*
18
Max retuned to Boston the day after Liz and Jackson returned to Florida without resolving anything with Maria. He had a lot of time to think about everything over the past few days, about Liz and Jackson and his relationship with Maria.
Looking back now he realised that getting back together with Maria while Liz was in Florida was the biggest mistake he could have made, he had let his emotions doubts about what would happen between him and Liz drive him to make bad decisions.
He just didn’t know what to about anything anymore, he realised that Liz was still very angry with him and had given him no indication that she was interested in having him in her life, only Jackson’s.
Max was sitting in his apartment contemplating calling Liz again to see how her and Jackson were when he heard the door to the apartment open and saw Maria enter.
‘You’re the last person I expected to see’ he told her without moving. He knew that they had a lot to talk about.
‘Well I have a wedding planned Max and we have a flight leaving in 2 hours so you better go shower and change’ she told him seriously.
‘A flight? Where too?’ he asked confused.
‘To Florida. I want to meet my stepson before the wedding. The last thing I want is a crying baby ruining my wedding photos’
‘I think that’s the last thing we should be worried about right now Maria. I think we should talk’ he replied.
‘About what Max. About how you cheated on me and got her pregnant or how I have been living under the shadow of you best friend for the past 2 years and how I wont tolerate it anymore’
Max looked at her shocked.
‘Our flight leaves in 2 hours and there is nothing else to talk about’ she told him and then moved towards the bedroom door and closing it heavily behind her.
‘Shit’ Max cursed
***
Michael and Liz were sitting on the couch when there was a knock on the door, Liz got up to get it and was shocked at the site that greeted her. Max Evans and Maria Deluca.
‘Max’
‘Hey Liz’ He smiled. ‘Sorry we didn’t call before showing up’ he said looking slightly uneasy.
‘Hi Liz’ said Maria.
‘Maria’ Liz replied politely.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked Max
‘Hoping to see Jackson?’ he asked using his puppy dog eyes. ‘Can we come in?’
Looking hesitantly over her shoulder at her brother who was sitting on the couch Liz reluctantly stepped aside and let them enter the house.
‘He’s asleep and I don’t want to wake him or he’ll be hell for Michael tonight’ she told them leading them into the living room.
‘Hey Michael’ Max smiled walking into the room.
‘Maxwell, how are things?’
‘Hi Michael’ Maria smiled.
Michael ignored her and sat back down.
‘So what brings you here?’ Michael finally asked.
‘Um a couple of things actually. I missed Jackson like crazy and Maria didn’t get the chance to meet him and wanted to before the wedding’
‘Why would the wedding make a difference?’ Michael asked confused, noticing his sister’s silence and seeing the upset look in her eyes.
‘Well we don’t want him to get upset in the photo’s’ Maria replied.
‘Well then you wasted a trip because Jackson wont be in any photo’s’ Liz snapped back.
Max looked at Liz confused ‘Why not Liz?’
‘It’s a bit hard to be in photos when you’re in Florida Max’ she replied angrily.
‘You’re not coming?’ he asked a look of hurt on his face.
‘No’ Liz smiled.
‘So what was the other reason?’ Michael asked trying to change the subject.
‘Well I was hoping that you would agree to be my best man?’ he asked Michael.
Michael looked at him shocked. He never saw that one coming. Before Max could answer Jackson voice interrupted them through the baby monitor.
‘Excuse me’ Liz said and got up, Max quickly following her.
***
When they reached Jackson’s room he was sitting up playing with the toys. ‘Hey pumpkin did you have a nice sleep’ Liz asked her son with a small smile?
‘Mama’ he squealed and raised his hands for her to pick him up.
‘Hey there little fella’ Max cooed to his son trying to stroke his hair but Jackson squirmed away and buried himself his mothers neck. Liz saw the hurt look on Max’s face.
‘He’s still waking up Max give him a minute.’ She told him with a small smile.
‘Hey pumpkin did you tell Daddy that you learnt some new words’ she said to her son.
‘You did?’ Max asked rubbing his back.
‘You sure did, how bout we show daddy hey?’ Liz coaxed him away from her shoulder.
‘Can you say Mama?’ ‘Mama’ he squealed with delight.
‘How about Iz?’ ‘Is Is’ he repeated.
‘Close enough’ Liz smiled up at Max. ‘How about Uncle’
‘Unc’ he repeated.
‘That’s what he calls Michael and Alex’ Liz explained to Max.
‘How about we try a new word pumpkin can you say Dada?’
Jackson looked at his mother confused and then looked at his father and shook his head with a smile but held his hands out for his father to take. Max smiled at his son but Liz could see the underlying hurt that his son didn’t really know who he was.
‘Liz why won’t you come and bring Jackson with you to the wedding?’
‘Max I have school and exams that I can’t miss I’m already a semester behind’ she lied. Although she did have school she knew that if she needed to she could take a few days off.
‘But Liz I want my son at my wedding’ Max argued.
‘Well that’s just too fucking bad’ Liz bit back angrily. Max looked at her in shock.
‘Liz he’s my son too and you have no right to keep him from me?’ Max yelled back.
‘You know you have a lot of fucking nerve’ she gritted out. ‘You don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself Max, you don’t give a shit about me, you haven’t even asked about our life, you didn’t even tell me that you sorted things out with Maria. Yet I’m the bad guy when I wont let you use our son to make yourself feel better. You want Jackson at your wedding? That’s a crock of shit Max and we both know it’
‘You know I used to consider you my best friend in the world but I don’t know who the hell you are anymore and that scares me, I don’t know if you’re the type of person I want for a father for my son anymore’ she continued angrily.
‘Oh your one to talk Liz, you didn’t even have the guts to tell me you were pregnant, and I’ve changed?? Unbelievable’ he argued back.
‘Yeah well Max at least I had the guts to live by my bad decisions. At least I’m not hiding because I’m too scared to deal with the truth’
‘What is it that you want from me Liz? I don’t need this from you too’
Liz didn’t respond she took Jackson from Max’s arm and laid him down on the change table to begin changing his diaper. Indicating to Max that the conversation was over. Max turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. He had just reached the living room when he heard that unmistakable voice of his son ‘Dada’ he stopped in his tracks.
‘Max’ Liz called out. Max came racing back into the room.
‘He said it’ she grinned at him. ‘Say it again pumpkin, look who’s here’ she said pointing to Max.
‘Dada’ he squealed again smiling at his father. Max’s face could have lit up the entire house from that 1 word and without thinking pulled a grinning Liz who was holding Jackson into his arms. ‘That’s right pumpkin, I’m you daddy’ he whispered against Liz’s temple while stroking his son’s hair.
‘I’m sorry Liz, I keep trying to do the right thing for everyone but it just keeps getting messed up and you’re the one that keeps suffering. I don’t want that you deserve so much more. I just want to know my son’ he whispered
‘We’re coming home for Christmas. I promise’ Liz whispered to Max.
‘So you’ll come to the dinner then and bring Jackson’ he asked, still yet to relinquish the tight hold he hand on her and his son.
‘No’ she shook her head ‘I just cant’ Liz whispered trying to hold the tears back that was threatening to fall. ‘He’s too young for a restaurant like that Max and he’s normally asleep by the time dinner is supposed to start so there wouldn’t be any point. If you want to introduce him to relatives or friends from Boston coming out just organise something for daytime’
‘So Christmas, we’ll have it together?’
‘I promise’ she told him.
extingman - wow thanks i am glad you are enjoyng the story *S* i think in the next few parts you'll be happy about some of the changes in Max. Lets just say the secrets dont remain secrets forever.
alana - i like you idea of the poll and i wsih i thought about it earlier but i have written so far ahead that i almost have the story finished. I hope you guys will be happy with what where i decided to go. Oh and to answer your questions about Florida and great people, look out for the introduction of a new character in the next part.
I am a dreamer - retribution will come I promise. Michael will make you proud
ccrswll - hey again. No i dont think Michael feels neccessaryily guilty for keeping it from Liz i think he just feels guilty over the whole situation.
Littlehottie - Michael will grow some balls soon i promise *S*
18
Max retuned to Boston the day after Liz and Jackson returned to Florida without resolving anything with Maria. He had a lot of time to think about everything over the past few days, about Liz and Jackson and his relationship with Maria.
Looking back now he realised that getting back together with Maria while Liz was in Florida was the biggest mistake he could have made, he had let his emotions doubts about what would happen between him and Liz drive him to make bad decisions.
He just didn’t know what to about anything anymore, he realised that Liz was still very angry with him and had given him no indication that she was interested in having him in her life, only Jackson’s.
Max was sitting in his apartment contemplating calling Liz again to see how her and Jackson were when he heard the door to the apartment open and saw Maria enter.
‘You’re the last person I expected to see’ he told her without moving. He knew that they had a lot to talk about.
‘Well I have a wedding planned Max and we have a flight leaving in 2 hours so you better go shower and change’ she told him seriously.
‘A flight? Where too?’ he asked confused.
‘To Florida. I want to meet my stepson before the wedding. The last thing I want is a crying baby ruining my wedding photos’
‘I think that’s the last thing we should be worried about right now Maria. I think we should talk’ he replied.
‘About what Max. About how you cheated on me and got her pregnant or how I have been living under the shadow of you best friend for the past 2 years and how I wont tolerate it anymore’
Max looked at her shocked.
‘Our flight leaves in 2 hours and there is nothing else to talk about’ she told him and then moved towards the bedroom door and closing it heavily behind her.
‘Shit’ Max cursed
***
Michael and Liz were sitting on the couch when there was a knock on the door, Liz got up to get it and was shocked at the site that greeted her. Max Evans and Maria Deluca.
‘Max’
‘Hey Liz’ He smiled. ‘Sorry we didn’t call before showing up’ he said looking slightly uneasy.
‘Hi Liz’ said Maria.
‘Maria’ Liz replied politely.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked Max
‘Hoping to see Jackson?’ he asked using his puppy dog eyes. ‘Can we come in?’
Looking hesitantly over her shoulder at her brother who was sitting on the couch Liz reluctantly stepped aside and let them enter the house.
‘He’s asleep and I don’t want to wake him or he’ll be hell for Michael tonight’ she told them leading them into the living room.
‘Hey Michael’ Max smiled walking into the room.
‘Maxwell, how are things?’
‘Hi Michael’ Maria smiled.
Michael ignored her and sat back down.
‘So what brings you here?’ Michael finally asked.
‘Um a couple of things actually. I missed Jackson like crazy and Maria didn’t get the chance to meet him and wanted to before the wedding’
‘Why would the wedding make a difference?’ Michael asked confused, noticing his sister’s silence and seeing the upset look in her eyes.
‘Well we don’t want him to get upset in the photo’s’ Maria replied.
‘Well then you wasted a trip because Jackson wont be in any photo’s’ Liz snapped back.
Max looked at Liz confused ‘Why not Liz?’
‘It’s a bit hard to be in photos when you’re in Florida Max’ she replied angrily.
‘You’re not coming?’ he asked a look of hurt on his face.
‘No’ Liz smiled.
‘So what was the other reason?’ Michael asked trying to change the subject.
‘Well I was hoping that you would agree to be my best man?’ he asked Michael.
Michael looked at him shocked. He never saw that one coming. Before Max could answer Jackson voice interrupted them through the baby monitor.
‘Excuse me’ Liz said and got up, Max quickly following her.
***
When they reached Jackson’s room he was sitting up playing with the toys. ‘Hey pumpkin did you have a nice sleep’ Liz asked her son with a small smile?
‘Mama’ he squealed and raised his hands for her to pick him up.
‘Hey there little fella’ Max cooed to his son trying to stroke his hair but Jackson squirmed away and buried himself his mothers neck. Liz saw the hurt look on Max’s face.
‘He’s still waking up Max give him a minute.’ She told him with a small smile.
‘Hey pumpkin did you tell Daddy that you learnt some new words’ she said to her son.
‘You did?’ Max asked rubbing his back.
‘You sure did, how bout we show daddy hey?’ Liz coaxed him away from her shoulder.
‘Can you say Mama?’ ‘Mama’ he squealed with delight.
‘How about Iz?’ ‘Is Is’ he repeated.
‘Close enough’ Liz smiled up at Max. ‘How about Uncle’
‘Unc’ he repeated.
‘That’s what he calls Michael and Alex’ Liz explained to Max.
‘How about we try a new word pumpkin can you say Dada?’
Jackson looked at his mother confused and then looked at his father and shook his head with a smile but held his hands out for his father to take. Max smiled at his son but Liz could see the underlying hurt that his son didn’t really know who he was.
‘Liz why won’t you come and bring Jackson with you to the wedding?’
‘Max I have school and exams that I can’t miss I’m already a semester behind’ she lied. Although she did have school she knew that if she needed to she could take a few days off.
‘But Liz I want my son at my wedding’ Max argued.
‘Well that’s just too fucking bad’ Liz bit back angrily. Max looked at her in shock.
‘Liz he’s my son too and you have no right to keep him from me?’ Max yelled back.
‘You know you have a lot of fucking nerve’ she gritted out. ‘You don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself Max, you don’t give a shit about me, you haven’t even asked about our life, you didn’t even tell me that you sorted things out with Maria. Yet I’m the bad guy when I wont let you use our son to make yourself feel better. You want Jackson at your wedding? That’s a crock of shit Max and we both know it’
‘You know I used to consider you my best friend in the world but I don’t know who the hell you are anymore and that scares me, I don’t know if you’re the type of person I want for a father for my son anymore’ she continued angrily.
‘Oh your one to talk Liz, you didn’t even have the guts to tell me you were pregnant, and I’ve changed?? Unbelievable’ he argued back.
‘Yeah well Max at least I had the guts to live by my bad decisions. At least I’m not hiding because I’m too scared to deal with the truth’
‘What is it that you want from me Liz? I don’t need this from you too’
Liz didn’t respond she took Jackson from Max’s arm and laid him down on the change table to begin changing his diaper. Indicating to Max that the conversation was over. Max turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. He had just reached the living room when he heard that unmistakable voice of his son ‘Dada’ he stopped in his tracks.
‘Max’ Liz called out. Max came racing back into the room.
‘He said it’ she grinned at him. ‘Say it again pumpkin, look who’s here’ she said pointing to Max.
‘Dada’ he squealed again smiling at his father. Max’s face could have lit up the entire house from that 1 word and without thinking pulled a grinning Liz who was holding Jackson into his arms. ‘That’s right pumpkin, I’m you daddy’ he whispered against Liz’s temple while stroking his son’s hair.
‘I’m sorry Liz, I keep trying to do the right thing for everyone but it just keeps getting messed up and you’re the one that keeps suffering. I don’t want that you deserve so much more. I just want to know my son’ he whispered
‘We’re coming home for Christmas. I promise’ Liz whispered to Max.
‘So you’ll come to the dinner then and bring Jackson’ he asked, still yet to relinquish the tight hold he hand on her and his son.
‘No’ she shook her head ‘I just cant’ Liz whispered trying to hold the tears back that was threatening to fall. ‘He’s too young for a restaurant like that Max and he’s normally asleep by the time dinner is supposed to start so there wouldn’t be any point. If you want to introduce him to relatives or friends from Boston coming out just organise something for daytime’
‘So Christmas, we’ll have it together?’
‘I promise’ she told him.
Part 19
19.
Sometime later Max, Liz and Jackson finally emerged from the nursery and found that Alex and Isabel had also joined the group.
‘Uh Lizzie?’ Michael asked looking at his watch.
‘Yeah?’
‘Don’t you have a date tonight? That’s supposed to start in 5 minutes?’
Liz looked at her watch ‘Shit. Yes’ she said and walked off to the back of the house to quickly run a brush through her hair and change her clothes. She walked back into the living room as the door chimed oblivious to the pair of eyes that followed her hungrily.
‘Hey David’ she smiled and stepped aside to invite him. ‘Um if it’s ok I thought we could stay here and order in? I’ve had some friends from out of town visit un-expectantly’ she asked him while leading him back into the main room.
‘Sure. Maybe I’ll finally get to meet that gorgeous little boy of yours that you are always talking about’
‘Mama’ Jackson squealed from his fathers arms when he saw her walking back into the room, he was smiling unlike his father who didn’t like the new edition to the room.
‘Stay with Daddy for a second pumpkin’ Liz told him.
‘Um everyone this is David, Davis this is everyone’ Liz introduced.
‘You know Isabel and Alex from school’ they waved ‘That there is Michael my brother and sitting next to him is Maria’ Michael nodded and Maria smiled. Walking a little forward ‘This little man is Jackson and this is Max his father’ Liz finished. Jackson clapped and Max and the rest of the group laughed.
‘David’s going to stay and I thought we could order in if everyone is keen’ Liz asked using her eyes to plead with Isabel and Alex to help her out.
‘Oh Liz that’s okay Max and I can go, we’ll just grab some food before going to the airport’ Maria told her getting ready to stand up and leave this uncomfortable situation, she didn’t like how comfortable Max was with his son and Liz’
“You’re going back tonight? You just got here?’ Liz asked Max confused.
‘Our plane doesn’t lave till 11 Liz and we would love to stay’ Max replied sending a pointed look at Maria who quickly nodded and sat back down on the lounge.
‘Iz could you go get the take out menus I think there in the kitchen’ Liz asked.
“Liz could I use the bathroom?’ David asked
‘Sure, Alex would you mind showing him?’ Liz asked after seeing Michael indicate to let Alex go.
When it was only the original 4 left Michael began to speak ‘Now that we’ve got a moment I just wanted to um answer your question Maxwell. I’m sorry but I can’t be your best man. I have no intention of attending and I think your making a huge mistake and I wont stand beside you and pretend that I’m happy about it’
‘Wow, I didn’t realise you felt that way Michael’ Max replied shocked.
‘Who the hell do you think you are Michael Parker to tell Max he’s making a huge mistake. You don’t know anything about Max, our relationship or me’ Maria yelled.
‘Oh don’t I Maria’
The argument came to a direct halt when Alex and David entered the room but it was obvious to all occupants of the room that the argument was far from over.
***
When dinner arrived everyone moved to the dinning room and stood around awkwardly not sure where they should sit. Isabel could see the tension so decided to take charge.
‘Michael why don’t you take one end and David you can take the other. Liz you can sit next to David, Alex and I will sit on either side of Michael and Maria and Max can squeeze in on my side’ She smiled and everyone went and took their seat, Liz placing Jackson in between her and Alex.
‘So I take it you guys have been friends for a while’ David asked trying to break the tension in the room.
Liz looked up at him like a deer caught in headlights ‘Yeah you could say that, we’re all from Roswell’
‘Yeah we go way back. It’s actually quite an interesting story David you should get Liz to tell you sometime’ Maria added sarcastically.
‘I’d love to hear about it’ David replied oblivious to Maria’s undertone.
‘Maria’ Max warned.
‘Well you see David Liz, Alex and I were practically best friends from birth and when we met Max in high school we all hit it off. That’s how we met Iz as well and Michael was Liz’s brother so he hung with us a lot too. Max and I started dating in our junior year but when we broke up briefly after graduation that’s when Liz revealed herself for the backstabbing bitch she is and coursed Max into fucking her, getting her pregnant and then she kept his son from him for 12 months’ she told him bitterly.
‘Maria that’s enough’ Max roared at her.
David, Alex and Isabel all sat there with a similar look of shock on their face.
‘Yeah we’re great friends’ she finally added.
‘But Maria you missing my favourite part of the story?’ Michael spoke up.
‘Michael’ Maria warned uneasy about where he could be going.
‘What parts that Michael?’ Alex asked.
‘While Max was off indulging in consensual sex with my sister, that resulted in my great little nephew here you were pretty busy fucking me’
Isabel gasped, Alex dropped his fork, David remained neutral aware he had opened a can of worms and Liz tried very hard not to burst out laughing at the look on Maria’s face.
Maria didn’t wait for anyone to react she got up quickly grabbed her bag and left the house without a word, leaving Max sitting silently.
‘I wont apologise for what happened then Max because that would be like apologising to Maria for sleeping with Liz but I would like to apologise for the way I revealed the information. I wont sit here and listen to Maria bad mouth my sister’
Max nodded silently and then went back to eating his dinner, Liz sat wondering what he was thinking and wanting to comfort him but knew that she couldn’t. But she knew there was one thing she could do for her best friend and that was convince her brother to tell Max the truth about everything before he made the biggest mistake of his life and married Maria Deluca.
Sometime later Max, Liz and Jackson finally emerged from the nursery and found that Alex and Isabel had also joined the group.
‘Uh Lizzie?’ Michael asked looking at his watch.
‘Yeah?’
‘Don’t you have a date tonight? That’s supposed to start in 5 minutes?’
Liz looked at her watch ‘Shit. Yes’ she said and walked off to the back of the house to quickly run a brush through her hair and change her clothes. She walked back into the living room as the door chimed oblivious to the pair of eyes that followed her hungrily.
‘Hey David’ she smiled and stepped aside to invite him. ‘Um if it’s ok I thought we could stay here and order in? I’ve had some friends from out of town visit un-expectantly’ she asked him while leading him back into the main room.
‘Sure. Maybe I’ll finally get to meet that gorgeous little boy of yours that you are always talking about’
‘Mama’ Jackson squealed from his fathers arms when he saw her walking back into the room, he was smiling unlike his father who didn’t like the new edition to the room.
‘Stay with Daddy for a second pumpkin’ Liz told him.
‘Um everyone this is David, Davis this is everyone’ Liz introduced.
‘You know Isabel and Alex from school’ they waved ‘That there is Michael my brother and sitting next to him is Maria’ Michael nodded and Maria smiled. Walking a little forward ‘This little man is Jackson and this is Max his father’ Liz finished. Jackson clapped and Max and the rest of the group laughed.
‘David’s going to stay and I thought we could order in if everyone is keen’ Liz asked using her eyes to plead with Isabel and Alex to help her out.
‘Oh Liz that’s okay Max and I can go, we’ll just grab some food before going to the airport’ Maria told her getting ready to stand up and leave this uncomfortable situation, she didn’t like how comfortable Max was with his son and Liz’
“You’re going back tonight? You just got here?’ Liz asked Max confused.
‘Our plane doesn’t lave till 11 Liz and we would love to stay’ Max replied sending a pointed look at Maria who quickly nodded and sat back down on the lounge.
‘Iz could you go get the take out menus I think there in the kitchen’ Liz asked.
“Liz could I use the bathroom?’ David asked
‘Sure, Alex would you mind showing him?’ Liz asked after seeing Michael indicate to let Alex go.
When it was only the original 4 left Michael began to speak ‘Now that we’ve got a moment I just wanted to um answer your question Maxwell. I’m sorry but I can’t be your best man. I have no intention of attending and I think your making a huge mistake and I wont stand beside you and pretend that I’m happy about it’
‘Wow, I didn’t realise you felt that way Michael’ Max replied shocked.
‘Who the hell do you think you are Michael Parker to tell Max he’s making a huge mistake. You don’t know anything about Max, our relationship or me’ Maria yelled.
‘Oh don’t I Maria’
The argument came to a direct halt when Alex and David entered the room but it was obvious to all occupants of the room that the argument was far from over.
***
When dinner arrived everyone moved to the dinning room and stood around awkwardly not sure where they should sit. Isabel could see the tension so decided to take charge.
‘Michael why don’t you take one end and David you can take the other. Liz you can sit next to David, Alex and I will sit on either side of Michael and Maria and Max can squeeze in on my side’ She smiled and everyone went and took their seat, Liz placing Jackson in between her and Alex.
‘So I take it you guys have been friends for a while’ David asked trying to break the tension in the room.
Liz looked up at him like a deer caught in headlights ‘Yeah you could say that, we’re all from Roswell’
‘Yeah we go way back. It’s actually quite an interesting story David you should get Liz to tell you sometime’ Maria added sarcastically.
‘I’d love to hear about it’ David replied oblivious to Maria’s undertone.
‘Maria’ Max warned.
‘Well you see David Liz, Alex and I were practically best friends from birth and when we met Max in high school we all hit it off. That’s how we met Iz as well and Michael was Liz’s brother so he hung with us a lot too. Max and I started dating in our junior year but when we broke up briefly after graduation that’s when Liz revealed herself for the backstabbing bitch she is and coursed Max into fucking her, getting her pregnant and then she kept his son from him for 12 months’ she told him bitterly.
‘Maria that’s enough’ Max roared at her.
David, Alex and Isabel all sat there with a similar look of shock on their face.
‘Yeah we’re great friends’ she finally added.
‘But Maria you missing my favourite part of the story?’ Michael spoke up.
‘Michael’ Maria warned uneasy about where he could be going.
‘What parts that Michael?’ Alex asked.
‘While Max was off indulging in consensual sex with my sister, that resulted in my great little nephew here you were pretty busy fucking me’
Isabel gasped, Alex dropped his fork, David remained neutral aware he had opened a can of worms and Liz tried very hard not to burst out laughing at the look on Maria’s face.
Maria didn’t wait for anyone to react she got up quickly grabbed her bag and left the house without a word, leaving Max sitting silently.
‘I wont apologise for what happened then Max because that would be like apologising to Maria for sleeping with Liz but I would like to apologise for the way I revealed the information. I wont sit here and listen to Maria bad mouth my sister’
Max nodded silently and then went back to eating his dinner, Liz sat wondering what he was thinking and wanting to comfort him but knew that she couldn’t. But she knew there was one thing she could do for her best friend and that was convince her brother to tell Max the truth about everything before he made the biggest mistake of his life and married Maria Deluca.
Part 20
Snoopie 13 - thanks i'm glad your enjoying the story.
I am dreamer - stay tuned you'll be happy with what goes down
Modelgirl - Hi welcome to the story
secretgurl - welcome too
alana - i think i'm getting the vibe on Max *S*
roswellluver - thanx
Rosthe IcePrincess - thanx i;m glad you guys liked that part
LittleHottie 510 - I love the dance you started and hi to your husband hope he liked it too
Behrsgirl77 - thanks Tanya it's coming i tell you
bergonia958 - thanks
A/N - Hey so i am back at work as of today so i apologise if i am a tad on the slow side with replying to your feedback but i do still intend to post nearly everyday if i can.
20
After everyone had left that night it was just Max, Liz and a sleepy Jackson who just refused to go to sleep. ‘I think he senses that you wont be here if he goes to sleep’ Liz told him quietly. They were sitting on the couch together while Max tried to nurse Jackson to sleep.
‘You think?’ he asked with a small smile.
Liz nodded.
‘So David seemed nice’ he commented hesitantly.
‘Yeah he is’ Liz replied moving nervously in her seat.
‘Are you serious?’ he continued.
‘Um I don’t know I guess we could be if I let it’ she finally replied after some thought.
‘How long have you been seeing each other?’
‘Oh I guess about 4 months or so’
‘Oh okay and tonight was the first time he’s met Jackson?’ Max raised his head to look at her then and noticed that she was biting her bottom lip in that cute way she always did when she was nervous’
‘Yeah, I usually see him maybe once or twice a week and usually for lunch or something’
Max nodded then seemingly happy with the answers she had given him.
‘So are you going to let it get serious?’ he finally asked then.
‘What are you asking me Max?’
‘I guess I’m wondering if you’re in love with him’ he blurted out.
Liz thought about what to tell him then for a moment ‘I haven’t really thought about it to tell you the truth and besides you cant give something away that doesn’t belong to you’ she told him quietly.
Max looked at her confused for a while not sure what she meant and decided he would have to give it some thought.
‘I’m sorry about what happened at dinner’ she finally said.
‘You have nothing to be sorry for, you did nothing wrong. Maria however’ he stopped then deciding he didn’t want to let it get to him while he was spending precious time with Liz and his son.
‘Can I ask you something?’ she asked then.
‘You can ask me anything you should know that’ he smiled at her.
‘Why are you marrying Maria?’
‘I’m not really sure anymore to tell you the truth. I got back with her originally when I was confused. I knew I loved you but I didn’t know if we were really going to give it a go. When she came and begged me to take her back I felt like I owed it to her and ever since then I’ve been making rash decisions based on emotions rather than using my head like I used too’
Liz nodded to his response.
‘I hurt you badly didn’t I?’ he asked then.
She nodded again ‘I don’t want to talk about it though’
‘I think we need to Liz because it’s what everything keeps coming back too. Everytime we have a disagreement about something it’s never just about that subject it always feels like a truckload of other issues get thrown on top’
‘What do you want me to tell you Max? did you want to know that I was miserable for almost 2 years and not only did I loose what I thought was going to be the love of my life but I lost my best friend in the process’
‘Liz, my feelings for you haven’t changed I want you to know that and it killed me tonight watching you with David and to think what he could mean to you, that someone else could mean so much to you’
Liz studied him carefully then to see if he was being honest with her and she saw that he was. ‘I don’t know what to say to you, your’re still engaged to marry Maria even after everything so your words don’t really mean all that much to me anymore Max. And as for David well I don’t know where that’s going I;m not looking for Mr Right anymore I’m just going with Mr Right Now.’
Max nodded sadly he knew that she was right
Max looked at the clock then and realised that he needed to leave if he wanted to make it to the airport for his flight.
Sighing ‘I have to go, I wish I didn’t but I do’ he told her regretfully.
‘It’s ok we’ll see you in a week. I’ll call and let you know when we will be flying in’ she told him as she walked him to the door.
Max turned and pulled her to him in tight embrace and gave her a quick and innocent kiss on the lips ‘Bye Lizzabelle’
‘Bye Max’
I am dreamer - stay tuned you'll be happy with what goes down
Modelgirl - Hi welcome to the story
secretgurl - welcome too
alana - i think i'm getting the vibe on Max *S*
roswellluver - thanx
Rosthe IcePrincess - thanx i;m glad you guys liked that part
LittleHottie 510 - I love the dance you started and hi to your husband hope he liked it too
Behrsgirl77 - thanks Tanya it's coming i tell you
bergonia958 - thanks
A/N - Hey so i am back at work as of today so i apologise if i am a tad on the slow side with replying to your feedback but i do still intend to post nearly everyday if i can.
20
After everyone had left that night it was just Max, Liz and a sleepy Jackson who just refused to go to sleep. ‘I think he senses that you wont be here if he goes to sleep’ Liz told him quietly. They were sitting on the couch together while Max tried to nurse Jackson to sleep.
‘You think?’ he asked with a small smile.
Liz nodded.
‘So David seemed nice’ he commented hesitantly.
‘Yeah he is’ Liz replied moving nervously in her seat.
‘Are you serious?’ he continued.
‘Um I don’t know I guess we could be if I let it’ she finally replied after some thought.
‘How long have you been seeing each other?’
‘Oh I guess about 4 months or so’
‘Oh okay and tonight was the first time he’s met Jackson?’ Max raised his head to look at her then and noticed that she was biting her bottom lip in that cute way she always did when she was nervous’
‘Yeah, I usually see him maybe once or twice a week and usually for lunch or something’
Max nodded then seemingly happy with the answers she had given him.
‘So are you going to let it get serious?’ he finally asked then.
‘What are you asking me Max?’
‘I guess I’m wondering if you’re in love with him’ he blurted out.
Liz thought about what to tell him then for a moment ‘I haven’t really thought about it to tell you the truth and besides you cant give something away that doesn’t belong to you’ she told him quietly.
Max looked at her confused for a while not sure what she meant and decided he would have to give it some thought.
‘I’m sorry about what happened at dinner’ she finally said.
‘You have nothing to be sorry for, you did nothing wrong. Maria however’ he stopped then deciding he didn’t want to let it get to him while he was spending precious time with Liz and his son.
‘Can I ask you something?’ she asked then.
‘You can ask me anything you should know that’ he smiled at her.
‘Why are you marrying Maria?’
‘I’m not really sure anymore to tell you the truth. I got back with her originally when I was confused. I knew I loved you but I didn’t know if we were really going to give it a go. When she came and begged me to take her back I felt like I owed it to her and ever since then I’ve been making rash decisions based on emotions rather than using my head like I used too’
Liz nodded to his response.
‘I hurt you badly didn’t I?’ he asked then.
She nodded again ‘I don’t want to talk about it though’
‘I think we need to Liz because it’s what everything keeps coming back too. Everytime we have a disagreement about something it’s never just about that subject it always feels like a truckload of other issues get thrown on top’
‘What do you want me to tell you Max? did you want to know that I was miserable for almost 2 years and not only did I loose what I thought was going to be the love of my life but I lost my best friend in the process’
‘Liz, my feelings for you haven’t changed I want you to know that and it killed me tonight watching you with David and to think what he could mean to you, that someone else could mean so much to you’
Liz studied him carefully then to see if he was being honest with her and she saw that he was. ‘I don’t know what to say to you, your’re still engaged to marry Maria even after everything so your words don’t really mean all that much to me anymore Max. And as for David well I don’t know where that’s going I;m not looking for Mr Right anymore I’m just going with Mr Right Now.’
Max nodded sadly he knew that she was right
Max looked at the clock then and realised that he needed to leave if he wanted to make it to the airport for his flight.
Sighing ‘I have to go, I wish I didn’t but I do’ he told her regretfully.
‘It’s ok we’ll see you in a week. I’ll call and let you know when we will be flying in’ she told him as she walked him to the door.
Max turned and pulled her to him in tight embrace and gave her a quick and innocent kiss on the lips ‘Bye Lizzabelle’
‘Bye Max’
Part 21
A/N Hi guys i have read all your feedback and it's great so thank you very much. I'm sorry i havent had time to reply to it but i do appreciate you guys posting. Here is the latest part though i hope you enjoy.
21
Max stood at the airport waiting for Liz and Jackson to disembark their plane that had landed only moments ago when he thought back to the conversation he had with his sister a few hours earlier.
‘Max?’ Max was interrupted from his thoughts by the voice of his sister. Alex and her had flown home with Michael for Christmas a couple of days ago but as of yet they hadn’t had much of an opportunity to talk a bout anything,
‘Hey Iz’ Max smiled gesturing that she should come in and take a seat.
‘So how are you? I mean things have been a bit crazy around here the past couple of days’ she finally asked.
Max smiled again ‘I’m good Iz. I’m really good’ he replied.
‘But Max you just cancelled your wedding?’ Isabel prodded.
‘It was for the best Iz. For Maria and me. I didn’t love her like you should love someone your going to marry’
After the incident in Florida Max had gone to the airport and found Maria sitting at their boarding gate waiting for their flight to board. They talked a little on the journey home but nothing that was of any significance. When they arrived back in Boston Max told Maria to go home and cancel the wedding and that he couldn’t marry her.
Max told his parents that the wedding was off the next day and was greeted by mixed reactions from the Evan’s. His father was furious because he would have to pay for the cost of cancelling the wedding since it was Max’s decision. His mother however was sympathetic and was a great listener when Max finally confided in her why he had cancelled the wedding.
But when his mother came to him when he arrived home with the news that Maria had made no move to cancel any of the wedding plans Max had been forced to deal with the details himself. She had apparently notified all the guests coming to the engagement dinner that she was unwell and that the dinner was cancelled but she seemed to be waiting for Max to change his mind and agree to marry her. She also wouldn’t take his calls when he rang.
Isabel nodded seemingly understanding what he was trying to say.
‘I’m not angry with her over being with Michael because that would be hypocritical Iz but I wont deny that I am angry with her for not telling me the truth when she found out about Liz and I. She crucified me Isabel over that, she wouldn’t come back to Boston, wouldn’t take my calls and when she finally did I couldn’t put a step wrong without having it thrown in my face. And that the day we came to Florida she arrives in Boston with an ultimatum that I take he too meet Jackson and make him a part of her life as well or it was over.’
‘So I hear your picking Liz and Jackson up from the airport?’
Max’s face lit up with a huge smile, one that reached his eyes unlike the others he had been plastering on his face for the past couple of days.
‘Max?’ Isabel asked a little unnerved by the look on her brother’s face. ‘You cant do this to her Max. Liz is better than a rebound’
‘Izzy I would never do that to her’ Max interrupted her.
‘Your in love with her aren’t you?’
‘Yes. I never lied when I told her I loved her Isabel, and I never stopped I just thought that if I loved Maria the way I was supposed too that I wouldn’t feel that way. I made bad decisions because of it’
‘Just be careful Max she’s been through to much’
‘Dada’ a squealing voice brought him out of his thoughts and then he saw them. A smiling Jackson squirming in his beautiful mothers arms trying to get free.
‘Hey there pumpkin’ Max smiled and removed him from Liz’s arms ‘Hey Lizzabelle’ he then greeted Liz and leant down to kiss her forehead. ‘Welcome home’
***
The drive home started of very quietly ‘Thanks for coming to get us. My parents and Michael were all busy and I didn’t want to have to hire a car’
‘You don’t have to thank me it’s my pleasure’ he replied with a smile.
Liz saw his smile and thought to herself that he looked happier then she had seen him in a very long time. It must because the wedding is so close she thought to herself.
‘I’m thinking about transferring next semester’ he blurted out. Liz turned and studied him carefully again. ‘I want to be closer to you and Jackson. I want to be part of his life everyday if I can and hopefully I can help you out too’
‘Ok. Florida’s a really nice place I’m sure Maria would really like it out there’ she responded without emotion.
Max began fidgeting slightly in his seat unsure of how to start to tell Liz everything. This is the mother of your child, your best friend, you love her talking to her should be easy her thought to himself.
‘Actually it’ll just be me’ he finally answered.
‘What about Maria? Are you going to commute?’ Liz asked confused
‘No. I’m not sure what Maria’s plans are. The wedding has been cancelled’
‘Cancelled, Wow’ was what she came up with.
‘It was the right thing to do for both of us. The trip to Florida was a wake up call for me Liz. Not just because of what Michael revealed but also because I realised that I wasn’t in love with Maria like you should be with the person you’re going to marry. I haven’t been in love with her for a very long time’ he explained.
Liz was staring at him while he explained and he could see that she understood what he was trying to tell her, like she had known all along. He realised that was what she meant when she told him last year at Thanksgiving that he should stop pretending.
‘So what are the plans for Christmas?’ he changed the subject.
‘Well Mum has invited your whole family for breakfast tomorrow and then we can all open presents with Jackson and you’re welcome to stay as long as you want or if you feel ready you can take Jackson for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It’s up to you’ she told him but those few words meant the world to Max because it revealed that Liz had finally dropped her last barrier and was trusting him and letting him in completely.
21
Max stood at the airport waiting for Liz and Jackson to disembark their plane that had landed only moments ago when he thought back to the conversation he had with his sister a few hours earlier.
‘Max?’ Max was interrupted from his thoughts by the voice of his sister. Alex and her had flown home with Michael for Christmas a couple of days ago but as of yet they hadn’t had much of an opportunity to talk a bout anything,
‘Hey Iz’ Max smiled gesturing that she should come in and take a seat.
‘So how are you? I mean things have been a bit crazy around here the past couple of days’ she finally asked.
Max smiled again ‘I’m good Iz. I’m really good’ he replied.
‘But Max you just cancelled your wedding?’ Isabel prodded.
‘It was for the best Iz. For Maria and me. I didn’t love her like you should love someone your going to marry’
After the incident in Florida Max had gone to the airport and found Maria sitting at their boarding gate waiting for their flight to board. They talked a little on the journey home but nothing that was of any significance. When they arrived back in Boston Max told Maria to go home and cancel the wedding and that he couldn’t marry her.
Max told his parents that the wedding was off the next day and was greeted by mixed reactions from the Evan’s. His father was furious because he would have to pay for the cost of cancelling the wedding since it was Max’s decision. His mother however was sympathetic and was a great listener when Max finally confided in her why he had cancelled the wedding.
But when his mother came to him when he arrived home with the news that Maria had made no move to cancel any of the wedding plans Max had been forced to deal with the details himself. She had apparently notified all the guests coming to the engagement dinner that she was unwell and that the dinner was cancelled but she seemed to be waiting for Max to change his mind and agree to marry her. She also wouldn’t take his calls when he rang.
Isabel nodded seemingly understanding what he was trying to say.
‘I’m not angry with her over being with Michael because that would be hypocritical Iz but I wont deny that I am angry with her for not telling me the truth when she found out about Liz and I. She crucified me Isabel over that, she wouldn’t come back to Boston, wouldn’t take my calls and when she finally did I couldn’t put a step wrong without having it thrown in my face. And that the day we came to Florida she arrives in Boston with an ultimatum that I take he too meet Jackson and make him a part of her life as well or it was over.’
‘So I hear your picking Liz and Jackson up from the airport?’
Max’s face lit up with a huge smile, one that reached his eyes unlike the others he had been plastering on his face for the past couple of days.
‘Max?’ Isabel asked a little unnerved by the look on her brother’s face. ‘You cant do this to her Max. Liz is better than a rebound’
‘Izzy I would never do that to her’ Max interrupted her.
‘Your in love with her aren’t you?’
‘Yes. I never lied when I told her I loved her Isabel, and I never stopped I just thought that if I loved Maria the way I was supposed too that I wouldn’t feel that way. I made bad decisions because of it’
‘Just be careful Max she’s been through to much’
‘Dada’ a squealing voice brought him out of his thoughts and then he saw them. A smiling Jackson squirming in his beautiful mothers arms trying to get free.
‘Hey there pumpkin’ Max smiled and removed him from Liz’s arms ‘Hey Lizzabelle’ he then greeted Liz and leant down to kiss her forehead. ‘Welcome home’
***
The drive home started of very quietly ‘Thanks for coming to get us. My parents and Michael were all busy and I didn’t want to have to hire a car’
‘You don’t have to thank me it’s my pleasure’ he replied with a smile.
Liz saw his smile and thought to herself that he looked happier then she had seen him in a very long time. It must because the wedding is so close she thought to herself.
‘I’m thinking about transferring next semester’ he blurted out. Liz turned and studied him carefully again. ‘I want to be closer to you and Jackson. I want to be part of his life everyday if I can and hopefully I can help you out too’
‘Ok. Florida’s a really nice place I’m sure Maria would really like it out there’ she responded without emotion.
Max began fidgeting slightly in his seat unsure of how to start to tell Liz everything. This is the mother of your child, your best friend, you love her talking to her should be easy her thought to himself.
‘Actually it’ll just be me’ he finally answered.
‘What about Maria? Are you going to commute?’ Liz asked confused
‘No. I’m not sure what Maria’s plans are. The wedding has been cancelled’
‘Cancelled, Wow’ was what she came up with.
‘It was the right thing to do for both of us. The trip to Florida was a wake up call for me Liz. Not just because of what Michael revealed but also because I realised that I wasn’t in love with Maria like you should be with the person you’re going to marry. I haven’t been in love with her for a very long time’ he explained.
Liz was staring at him while he explained and he could see that she understood what he was trying to tell her, like she had known all along. He realised that was what she meant when she told him last year at Thanksgiving that he should stop pretending.
‘So what are the plans for Christmas?’ he changed the subject.
‘Well Mum has invited your whole family for breakfast tomorrow and then we can all open presents with Jackson and you’re welcome to stay as long as you want or if you feel ready you can take Jackson for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It’s up to you’ she told him but those few words meant the world to Max because it revealed that Liz had finally dropped her last barrier and was trusting him and letting him in completely.