Okay, this is it. The last chapter. Well, there is a epi, whick will be out this weekend, so keep your eyes open.
Chapter 10
"Looks like someone had a good night," Maria teased as she watched Liz float around the kitchen.
"Eww, Maria, I do not need to hear about my brother's sex life," Isabel groaned in distaste as she washed the rest of the vegetables for the salad. Liz giggled and tried to hide the furious blush that crept up her neck and stained her cheeks.
"Spill girlfriend," Maria said, ignoring Isabel's protests.
"Maria, that's private," Liz's blush grew wildly as she tried to evade her friend's persistent probing.
"Oh come on," Maria begged, "ever since you and Max got back together, you've been all surreptitious, depriving me of all the juicy details," she pouted.
"Maria!" Isabel cried in annoyance, causing Liz to laugh at her sister's expression. It was true. Her and Max were slowly making there way back to what they once had. Every since he had opened up to her three months ago, they had been slowly working things out. When he had went away for rehab, it had been the longest four weeks of her life. Of course he called her and the kids every other day and she would go down to visit him where they would undergo counseling, but the fact of being away from him when things were just getting on track scared her.
It seemed like once the gates had been open and she showed him that she didn't blame him for Josephine's death, he willingly talked to her and his therapist about their daughter. He still hadn't worked up the courage to visit her gravesite. Liz knew it was because visiting Joey's grave was like finally facing the truth. She was gone and never coming back. Liz had faced that fact months ago; had learned to let go. But Max never had that closure. Instead, he choose to run away, ignore it, hoping that if he didn't acknowledge her death it wouldn't be real.
Then there was the guilt that ate at him daily, consuming him to where he turned to alcohol to soothe his conscience and pushing her away in the process. She never knew what had been going through his head that day she came home to find her house surrounded by police and paramedics, mainly because he had shut himself off from her the moment he saw her standing there with a panicked look on her face. She never knew he felt so much guilt and fear. Guilt for letting her out of his sight for just a second, and fear that she would blame him for letting their daughter die.
When he was released from rehab, he returned to his apartment across town. Even though they were working things out, he didn't want to rush things between them. They had agreed to take things slow and work on there relationship. Things had been said and done after Josephine had died that they both regretted and hearts needed mending. So they continued to see the family therapist and let things progress slowly.
They began 'dating' again, and Max would show up at her front door with flowers just like he did when they had first been allowed to go out on dates. Of course, this time it wasn't just her he would be picking up, but two eager six-year-olds as well that didn't understand why if their parents were back together, they still lived in separate houses. Liz and Max had sat them down and had a long talk about what was going on, and that even though mommy and daddy didn't live together, they still loved each other and them very much and were working to fix their family.
"Does that mean no more fighting?" Hannah looked between them sadly.
"Or screaming?" Justin piped in hopefully. Max and Liz shared a pained look that soon turned to guilt for what they had put their babies through.
"No more fighting," Liz promised, pulling them into her arms.
"Or screaming," Max added, rubbing their backs gently. Justin pulled away first, looking at his daddy tentatively.
"D-does that mean when we talk about Joey, you won't get so sad?" Max swallowed thickly. He knew the kids never talked about their sister much, but he always assumed that it was because they were still young when she died and didn't understand. Truth was they never spoke of her around their parents because it always made their mommy cry and their daddy upset, which led to them arguing. Max nodded stiffly, wrapping his son in his arms.
"You can talk about Joey all you want Big Guy...all you want," he choked out, pulling Liz and Hannah against him as he cried.
Just because they were taking things slow, didn't stop Liz and the kids from spending nights with him at his apartment or him with them at the house. They were gradually returning to a family again.
Liz was brought out of her wandering thoughts when Hannah and Justin came barging through the back door, screaming at the top of their lungs, Kyle and Michael right behind them with large Super Soakers in their hands.
"Hey!" Liz laughed, trying to pry the two wiggling forms from behind her back as they tried to escape their uncles.
"I swear, you guys are so immature," Isabel rolled her eyes as she watched the two soaked, overgrown men prance around the kitchen.
"You know what your problem is, Iz?" Kyle started, ceasing his attempt at retaliation against the twins. "You don't know how to let loose, let your hair down and have fun." Kyle looked over at Michael and saw him send him a small smirk, knowing he knew what he was thinking. Before Isabel could react, they turned the soakers on her and hosed her down.
"Ahh!" she screamed as they continued to spray her. Only when their guns were completely empty did they let up.
"Uh oh," Justin whispered, seeing the murderous look in his aunt's eyes. Kyle and Michael shared a look before running out the door, Isabel hot on their heels. Maria and Liz had to lean on each other as their laughter overcame them as they watched the trio through the screen door. Isabel had cornered them against the back gate and she had the water hose in her hand. They were apologizing furiously, but she wouldn't hear any of it. All the parents just looked on in amusement.
It was Forth of July and they were having a get together to watch the fireworks later on that evening. Zan strolled through the back gate. He turned to see his sister spraying Michael and Kyle with the water hose. He raised a questioning eyebrow, but ignored their pleas for help.
"Hey Moms," he smiled, placing a noisy kiss on her cheek before turning and doing the same to Nancy and Amy. They had all grew up so close, that each one of them called their friend's mom, mom.
"Hey you," Diane smiled. "Where's your brother?" she questioned expecting to see Max trailing behind him. Zan took a seat across from his dad and Jim, who were preoccupied in a game of Gin.
"He had a meeting with Lou. He said he'll be here soon." Max had returned to the department one month ago after the lieutenant felt he was ready to return after the rehab and counseling. He was happy to be back, and the lieutenant was glad to see him doing better and working through his problems.
"I hope he makes it before the fireworks start. The kids really wanted to watch them with him," Liz said as she came up behind them having heard what he had said.
"Don't worry, he'll be here," Zan assured as he fixed himself a huge plate of food and settled down with the twins on the blanket spread out on the ground and listened as they talked excitedly about the fireworks they were going to see soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max zipped up his duffel bag and tossed it over his shoulder. Looking at his watch, he saw that he had just enough time to make it before the fireworks began. He had promised the twins he would be there, and he didn't plan on breaking that promise. Suddenly, the sirens in the house went off and he was nearly ran over as his fellow firemates ran past him.
"Evans." Max turned around to see Dan rushing toward him. He liked Dan. He had went through training with him and Zan and had become fast friends.
"What's going on?" Max asked as he began to run along side him.
"Five alarm at the Orange Street orphanage. You in?" he panted out as he strapped on his gear. Max hesitated briefly before grabbing his gear in climbing onto the engine. The sirens blurred to life as the engine pulled out of the firehouse. He prayed the twins understood
~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz watched the twins stare at the back gate for the tenth time in five minutes. The fireworks had started twenty minutes ago, and Max still hadn't arrived or called to say he was going to be late.
"He'll be here," she smiled reassuringly. The twins nodded and turned their attention back to the fireworks. After another fifteen minutes went by, Liz grabbed a bowl off the table and headed into the kitchen to busy herself. Flipping on the small black and white they kept on the kitchen counter. She grabbed the bag of ice from the refrigerator.
"When we return, we'll have more news on the fire alarm five that has engulf the Orange Street Orphanage..." the anchor woman announced, causing Liz to stop what she was doing and stare at the screen. Maria came through the door in search of her.
"Hey, there..."
"Shh," Liz waved her off as she frantically flipped through the stations.
"What's going on?" Maria whispered, coming up beside her.
"Come on..." Liz whispered as she searched each station for info. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, that was Max's district. She finally found a station that was broadcasting the fire.
"...once again, two firefighters died in the Orange Street Orphanage and three are still missing. There is no word what started the five alarm five that swooped through the building earlier this evening..." Maria ran to the back and called for Zan. At her panicked voice, everyone ran into the house. Maria shushed them before they could ask what was going on and went and wrapped her arms around Liz's waist in comfort.
"Investigators aren't releasing the names of the fallen firefighters until their families have been notified..." Liz's heart pounded in her ears as she listened to the news. She felt her knees grow weak and she was grateful for Maria's support.
"Oh god," she whispered brokenly.
"Liz, no. Don't even think like that, Max is fine," Maria stated firmly, knowing exactly what was going through her best friends head. As soon as the words left her mouth, the phone shrieked, causing all of them to jump in start and stare at it with dread.
Returning to Love (AU,M/L,MATURE/ADULT) [COMPLETE]
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Erina, Hunter, Forum Moderators
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Lady Scorpio
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 7:29 pm
Check out my fics:
~~Lady Scorpio's Fics~~
Forever Mine
Love, Life and Danger
Generation Next
Running from the Past
The House
Down Low
God Sent
Returning to Love
~~Lady Scorpio's Fics~~
Forever Mine
Love, Life and Danger
Generation Next
Running from the Past
The House
Down Low
God Sent
Returning to Love
-
Lady Scorpio
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 7:29 pm
Okay, I know I said that this would be out this weekend, and I hadn't plan on breaking that promise, but some RL stuff came up and I had to hold off. Amyways I know I left it in a bad place and I apologize. But I'm back. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that stuck with this story and left wonderful feedback. I also want to send a special Thank You to Itzstacie who took time out to beta this for me. She's awesome. Well I know you all don't want to read amymore of my rambling so here is the last part. Also because I wanted to get this out to you guys, I haven't even sent it over to Stacie so I apologize if there are any major errors.
wearydreams2003
magikhands
ngel Eyes
Behrsgirl77
roswellchick03
Strawberry88
behrlover18
Jason's Lover
~*Sonia E.*~
magikhands
roswellluver
Alien614
Applebylicious
limegreenli
Hybrid-Angel
.Lana.
kay_b
g7silvers
sweetbrowneyes
FSUMSW94
OmegaRam1
nayney
purpleant
Bixie
Emz80m
polar vixen
trueblue
Sweet Liz
Smac
moonlight
Becca1974
begonia9508
Dreamer 4 Ever
mmcherron
coloradospace
Michelle
MilesToGo99
stargrl678
adreamer
Evans3
CandyDreamQueen
EvansParker03
hazz
Ellie Adair
dreamer19
I love Orli
extingman
Milla
Jess79
Tinkerbell_Luvs_Roswell
linliz68
and of course...Lurkers
XOXOXOX
LS
Epilogue
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Liz shouted as she slammed a frustrated hand down on the front dash.
"Liz, calm down," Maria said from the backseat as she placed a calming hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Don't tell me to calm don't, Maria!" Liz shouted. "My husband is out there. . .possibly dead and you're telling me to calm down!" Hot tears burned her cheeks as her eyes danced wildly with hysterics.
"Itty Bitty," Zan whispered softly, using the name he had given her when they were kids. Taking his eyes off the road for a second, he gathered her hands in his much larger one. "She's right. You have to calm down. Max is fine, you'll see." Liz shook her head in denial.
"Some thing's wrong, Zan. Max knows the routine," she cried brokenly. The 'routine' as they had dubbed it, was that if he and Max were on duty and a firefighter was hurt or worse, one or the other would call home and let her know that they were okay no matter what. But Max hadn't called. When the phone had rung shortly after the news broadcast, they were for certain it was him informing them that he was indeed okay, but it wasn't. It had been their neighbor Ms. Moser who was calling to see if they had caught the news and wanted to know if Max had called. Even she knew the routine. When she had hung up the phone, Liz had fell to her knees as the air whooshed out of her lungs and she was overwhelmed by fear. Zan had tried to call Max's cell but kept getting his voice mail. He had called the station house to see if he could get any information, but once again no one answered. He figured with a five alarm fire, the whole house was out. Liz had grew panic then and demanded that they went down to the site.
That was why he was driving like a bat out of hell to get to his brother. He didn't want to say anything, but he was starting to worry himself. Max did know the routine. In fact it was him who thought of it in order to keep Liz from worrying when they had first joined the force. He didn't understand why Max hadn't called. Unless. . .something had happened, preventing him from calling. Zan quickly shook the thought out of his head.
"Max is fine," he stated firmly. But he wasn't sure if he was saying the words more to convince Liz or himself. Liz nodded stiffly as she gripped his hand in a death grip.
"He's fine," she whispered softly as she stared out the window unseeingly. "Please God, let him be okay," she prayed silently as the butterflies in her stomach returned and her heart ached.
***********
"Oh my god," Maria whispered as they came upon the scene a few minutes later. The place was swarming with police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. There were flames shooting from everywhere from the building and people and officials were running around frantically. Liz was out the car before Zan could pull it to a complete stop.
"Liz!" he cursed as he jerked the keys out of the ignition and he and Maria chased after her. She fought desperately through the cluster of spectators on the sideline trying to get a glimpse of the fire.
How do I get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be
Oh I, I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul
"Excuse," she mumbled as she tried to get to the front of the line.
"Ma'am, please step back," a police officer directed as she tried to cross the yellow tape.
"But I have to get through," she demanded as she tried to push past him.
"I'm sorry, but no one gets past this line," he stated firmly, pushing her back behind the barricade. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her.
"You don't understand, my husband's in there. . .I need to see him," she cried hysterically.
"I'm sorry," he said once again, his voice holding no real compassion.
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything good in my life
And tell me now
"Liz," Zan called out to her as he and Maria finally made their way to the front of the crowd.
"Zan, he won't let me go through. . .tell him I have to get through." she began crying again. Maria gathered her in her arms while Zan turned to the police officer. She vaguely heard him tell him that he was with the LAFD and a few traded words later, they were allowed through.
"I don't see him," Liz mumbled brokenly as she and Maria stood around the madness around them. Zan had went to see if he could find out anything, leaving her to question every official she came in contact with.
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
"There's Zan," Maria nodded as she saw Zan heading towards them. Liz turned, and when she saw the look on his face, she knew.
"No," she shook her head adamantly. "NO!" she shouted as he wrapped wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "No. . .no. . .no," she cried, slamming her fist into his chest. Zan swallowed the large lump in his throat as he tried to fight his tears. He had searched the scene for his brother. Finally he had ran into Dan, who had told him that Max had went back for a little girl that was trapped on the third floor and the roof had collapsed.
"Why. . .why," Liz sobbed. "I just got him back." Maria stood to the side with tears soaking her cheeks. Her heart broke for her best friend. Max and Liz had just started getting things back right, and than something like this happens. It wasn't fair. They didn't deserve the hand Faith had dealt them. And the twins, they will never survive this. She stepped forward and Zan wrapped a comforting arm around them as he finally let his tears fall.
Without you, there'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me
And I, oh Baby, I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me now
"Look out!" someone shouted and everyone scattered as the remains of the charred building came tumbling down.
"M-max," Liz sobbed as she sunk to her knees and watched the building collapse like a card tower. Inside that smoking ruins, was the love of her life. Her heart and soul. She didn't understand why this was happening, why she was being punished. Why was the world was being so cruel to her? How was she going to explain to Justin and Hannah that their daddy wouldn't be coming home?
"Why?" she cried out. She felt Maria wrap her arms around her shoulders and whisper soothing words into her ear. "How am I s-suppose to l-live without him?" she stumbled, the thought bringing forth a heart-wrenching cry.
"Oh sweetie, you're going to get through this. We all are. You have to s-" Maria stopped abruptly as she stared at something straight ahead, her mouth open in shock.
"Liz. . .look." Liz lifted her head from her chest and turned to see what she was talking about and she felt the air leave her body for the second time. There, standing at the back of an ambulance talking to a paramedic...was Max.
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
Please tell me baby
How do I go on
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby don't you know that you're everything good in my life
And tell me now
"Max!" Max turned around as he heard someone call his name to see Liz running dead at him. He didn't have time to ponder what she was doing there, fore the next thing he knew, her tiny body slammed into his.
"Thank you god. . .thank you," Liz mumbled against his chest as she clung to him. She didn't care that he was covered in soot or smelt like an ashtray, all that mattered was that he was alive and in her arms. Zan and Maria stood not far from them, relieved smiles on their faces. Zan immediately pulled out his cell and called the house to inform the family that Max was indeed okay.
"Liz. . .baby, what are you doing here?" he asked, cupping her face between his hands. He noticed her tears, and brushed them away with the pad of his thumb.
"You didn't call," she cried brokenly. "You didn't call." Her tiny fist clutching his fire jacket in a death grip. "T-they said two firefighters d-died a-and three were missing. . .I-I thought. . .I thought. . ." she couldn't finish at what she had thought, what they all had thought.
"Oh baby. . .Liz, I'm so sorry," he said guilty as he finally realized what was happening. Wrapping his arms around her tightly, Max kissed her forehead and held her close as she continued to cry.
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
When her tears didn't subside, Max pulled back. "Hey, hey, you think I would leave you after I just got you back?" he said seriously. "Face it. . .you're stuck with me," he smiled, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Despite the situation, Liz felt the corners of her mouth twitch. "I love you Liz, and I plan on spending the rest of my days with you," he whispered thickly, all kidding aside.
"I love you too. Come home Max," she pleaded, her eyes staring into his.
"You mean. . ."
"I mean come home with me. Back to our home with the kids. I don't want to wake up another day without you next to me. When I-I thought something had happened to you, I just kept thinking if only I had one more day with you. N-now I have that chance, and I don't want to go another day living apart and. . ." Max didn't give her a chance to finish as his mouth came crashing down on hers for a smoldering kiss. He buried his hand in her hair, cupping the back of her neck as his our hand fell to the small of her back and dragged her against him. Liz's arms cradled around his neck for support as he kissed her breathless. Sirens roared around them, children cried and officials shouted, but everything around them seized to exist as they held on to each other with frantic need. Reluctantly, the need for air pulled them apart, but Max didn't let her get to far.
"God I love you," he panted, brushing away the few straggling tears from her cheeks.
"Lets go home, Max." Max nodded, placing another sweet kiss on her lips. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her against his side.
"Lets go home."
How do I live without you
How do I live without you baby
How do I live. . .
***********
A few months later
Max clutched the bouquet of flowers in his hand as he stood frozen to the ground. He felt a hand slip into his free hand and he stared down at his wife.
"Are you okay?" she asked, noticing the way he held the flowers in his hand tightly.
"Yeah," Max whispered, squeezing her hand for comfort.
"It gets easier," Liz gave his hand one last squeeze before letting go and walking over to her daughter's grave-site. Liz sunk down to her knees. She ran her fingers over the tiny Cherub that rested upon the headstone, and smiled a sad smile.
"Hi sweetie," she said softly, "today's a special day. . .and guess who's here to see you," she smiled as she felt Max lower down beside her. "Daddy's here." Liz looked over at Max, who looked like he was ready to break.
"I'll give you two some time," she stood up, giving his shoulder a encouraging squeeze before going to sit at a nearby bench. Max fiddled with the bow around the flowers, yellow, her favorite color. Max inhaled sharply as he tried to control his trembling hands.
"Hey Joey Girl," he uttered softly. He ran his hand through his hair as he fought off his tears. "I guess you're wondering why daddy hasn't been to see you. . .I-it's just. . .I d-didn't know what to say," he admitted. Liz listened as he talked to their daughter. She had been surprised when he announced that he wanted to come with her to visit Joey. Even though he was able to freely talk about her without the guilt eating at his heart, he still hadn't gone to see her.
". . .and of course your aunt Maria didn't like that one bit," he chuckled, bringing Liz's attention back to him. "Well, I guess I better go. But don't worry, daddy will be back," he smiled, placing the flowers at the base of her headstone. "Happy Birthday Joey Girl," he sighed, for the first time in a long time feeling like a weight had been lifted from his chest, and he could breathe. Standing up, he kissed his fingers and ran them over her headstone. Max turned to see Liz smiling brightly at him. He returned the smile as he walked toward her.
"You okay?" she asked seeing the few tears that had managed to escape. Wrapping his arms around her, Max couldn't get over the fact that she was in his arms. He had put her through hell the last two years, had hurt her deeply because he failed to be there for her when she needed him the most and failed to let her be there for him. He had almost lost her, and he thanked the heavens everyday for the second chance. A second chance to return to the love they had once shared. A love that had been tested, but withheld the trials of life.
"I am now."
THE END
***********
Song...How do I Live by Leanne Rimes
wearydreams2003
magikhands
ngel Eyes
Behrsgirl77
roswellchick03
Strawberry88
behrlover18
Jason's Lover
~*Sonia E.*~
magikhands
roswellluver
Alien614
Applebylicious
limegreenli
Hybrid-Angel
.Lana.
kay_b
g7silvers
sweetbrowneyes
FSUMSW94
OmegaRam1
nayney
purpleant
Bixie
Emz80m
polar vixen
trueblue
Sweet Liz
Smac
moonlight
Becca1974
begonia9508
Dreamer 4 Ever
mmcherron
coloradospace
Michelle
MilesToGo99
stargrl678
adreamer
Evans3
CandyDreamQueen
EvansParker03
hazz
Ellie Adair
dreamer19
I love Orli
extingman
Milla
Jess79
Tinkerbell_Luvs_Roswell
linliz68
and of course...Lurkers
XOXOXOX
LS
Epilogue
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Liz shouted as she slammed a frustrated hand down on the front dash.
"Liz, calm down," Maria said from the backseat as she placed a calming hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Don't tell me to calm don't, Maria!" Liz shouted. "My husband is out there. . .possibly dead and you're telling me to calm down!" Hot tears burned her cheeks as her eyes danced wildly with hysterics.
"Itty Bitty," Zan whispered softly, using the name he had given her when they were kids. Taking his eyes off the road for a second, he gathered her hands in his much larger one. "She's right. You have to calm down. Max is fine, you'll see." Liz shook her head in denial.
"Some thing's wrong, Zan. Max knows the routine," she cried brokenly. The 'routine' as they had dubbed it, was that if he and Max were on duty and a firefighter was hurt or worse, one or the other would call home and let her know that they were okay no matter what. But Max hadn't called. When the phone had rung shortly after the news broadcast, they were for certain it was him informing them that he was indeed okay, but it wasn't. It had been their neighbor Ms. Moser who was calling to see if they had caught the news and wanted to know if Max had called. Even she knew the routine. When she had hung up the phone, Liz had fell to her knees as the air whooshed out of her lungs and she was overwhelmed by fear. Zan had tried to call Max's cell but kept getting his voice mail. He had called the station house to see if he could get any information, but once again no one answered. He figured with a five alarm fire, the whole house was out. Liz had grew panic then and demanded that they went down to the site.
That was why he was driving like a bat out of hell to get to his brother. He didn't want to say anything, but he was starting to worry himself. Max did know the routine. In fact it was him who thought of it in order to keep Liz from worrying when they had first joined the force. He didn't understand why Max hadn't called. Unless. . .something had happened, preventing him from calling. Zan quickly shook the thought out of his head.
"Max is fine," he stated firmly. But he wasn't sure if he was saying the words more to convince Liz or himself. Liz nodded stiffly as she gripped his hand in a death grip.
"He's fine," she whispered softly as she stared out the window unseeingly. "Please God, let him be okay," she prayed silently as the butterflies in her stomach returned and her heart ached.
***********
"Oh my god," Maria whispered as they came upon the scene a few minutes later. The place was swarming with police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. There were flames shooting from everywhere from the building and people and officials were running around frantically. Liz was out the car before Zan could pull it to a complete stop.
"Liz!" he cursed as he jerked the keys out of the ignition and he and Maria chased after her. She fought desperately through the cluster of spectators on the sideline trying to get a glimpse of the fire.
How do I get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be
Oh I, I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul
"Excuse," she mumbled as she tried to get to the front of the line.
"Ma'am, please step back," a police officer directed as she tried to cross the yellow tape.
"But I have to get through," she demanded as she tried to push past him.
"I'm sorry, but no one gets past this line," he stated firmly, pushing her back behind the barricade. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her.
"You don't understand, my husband's in there. . .I need to see him," she cried hysterically.
"I'm sorry," he said once again, his voice holding no real compassion.
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything good in my life
And tell me now
"Liz," Zan called out to her as he and Maria finally made their way to the front of the crowd.
"Zan, he won't let me go through. . .tell him I have to get through." she began crying again. Maria gathered her in her arms while Zan turned to the police officer. She vaguely heard him tell him that he was with the LAFD and a few traded words later, they were allowed through.
"I don't see him," Liz mumbled brokenly as she and Maria stood around the madness around them. Zan had went to see if he could find out anything, leaving her to question every official she came in contact with.
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
"There's Zan," Maria nodded as she saw Zan heading towards them. Liz turned, and when she saw the look on his face, she knew.
"No," she shook her head adamantly. "NO!" she shouted as he wrapped wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "No. . .no. . .no," she cried, slamming her fist into his chest. Zan swallowed the large lump in his throat as he tried to fight his tears. He had searched the scene for his brother. Finally he had ran into Dan, who had told him that Max had went back for a little girl that was trapped on the third floor and the roof had collapsed.
"Why. . .why," Liz sobbed. "I just got him back." Maria stood to the side with tears soaking her cheeks. Her heart broke for her best friend. Max and Liz had just started getting things back right, and than something like this happens. It wasn't fair. They didn't deserve the hand Faith had dealt them. And the twins, they will never survive this. She stepped forward and Zan wrapped a comforting arm around them as he finally let his tears fall.
Without you, there'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me
And I, oh Baby, I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me now
"Look out!" someone shouted and everyone scattered as the remains of the charred building came tumbling down.
"M-max," Liz sobbed as she sunk to her knees and watched the building collapse like a card tower. Inside that smoking ruins, was the love of her life. Her heart and soul. She didn't understand why this was happening, why she was being punished. Why was the world was being so cruel to her? How was she going to explain to Justin and Hannah that their daddy wouldn't be coming home?
"Why?" she cried out. She felt Maria wrap her arms around her shoulders and whisper soothing words into her ear. "How am I s-suppose to l-live without him?" she stumbled, the thought bringing forth a heart-wrenching cry.
"Oh sweetie, you're going to get through this. We all are. You have to s-" Maria stopped abruptly as she stared at something straight ahead, her mouth open in shock.
"Liz. . .look." Liz lifted her head from her chest and turned to see what she was talking about and she felt the air leave her body for the second time. There, standing at the back of an ambulance talking to a paramedic...was Max.
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
Please tell me baby
How do I go on
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby don't you know that you're everything good in my life
And tell me now
"Max!" Max turned around as he heard someone call his name to see Liz running dead at him. He didn't have time to ponder what she was doing there, fore the next thing he knew, her tiny body slammed into his.
"Thank you god. . .thank you," Liz mumbled against his chest as she clung to him. She didn't care that he was covered in soot or smelt like an ashtray, all that mattered was that he was alive and in her arms. Zan and Maria stood not far from them, relieved smiles on their faces. Zan immediately pulled out his cell and called the house to inform the family that Max was indeed okay.
"Liz. . .baby, what are you doing here?" he asked, cupping her face between his hands. He noticed her tears, and brushed them away with the pad of his thumb.
"You didn't call," she cried brokenly. "You didn't call." Her tiny fist clutching his fire jacket in a death grip. "T-they said two firefighters d-died a-and three were missing. . .I-I thought. . .I thought. . ." she couldn't finish at what she had thought, what they all had thought.
"Oh baby. . .Liz, I'm so sorry," he said guilty as he finally realized what was happening. Wrapping his arms around her tightly, Max kissed her forehead and held her close as she continued to cry.
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I live
When her tears didn't subside, Max pulled back. "Hey, hey, you think I would leave you after I just got you back?" he said seriously. "Face it. . .you're stuck with me," he smiled, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Despite the situation, Liz felt the corners of her mouth twitch. "I love you Liz, and I plan on spending the rest of my days with you," he whispered thickly, all kidding aside.
"I love you too. Come home Max," she pleaded, her eyes staring into his.
"You mean. . ."
"I mean come home with me. Back to our home with the kids. I don't want to wake up another day without you next to me. When I-I thought something had happened to you, I just kept thinking if only I had one more day with you. N-now I have that chance, and I don't want to go another day living apart and. . ." Max didn't give her a chance to finish as his mouth came crashing down on hers for a smoldering kiss. He buried his hand in her hair, cupping the back of her neck as his our hand fell to the small of her back and dragged her against him. Liz's arms cradled around his neck for support as he kissed her breathless. Sirens roared around them, children cried and officials shouted, but everything around them seized to exist as they held on to each other with frantic need. Reluctantly, the need for air pulled them apart, but Max didn't let her get to far.
"God I love you," he panted, brushing away the few straggling tears from her cheeks.
"Lets go home, Max." Max nodded, placing another sweet kiss on her lips. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her against his side.
"Lets go home."
How do I live without you
How do I live without you baby
How do I live. . .
***********
A few months later
Max clutched the bouquet of flowers in his hand as he stood frozen to the ground. He felt a hand slip into his free hand and he stared down at his wife.
"Are you okay?" she asked, noticing the way he held the flowers in his hand tightly.
"Yeah," Max whispered, squeezing her hand for comfort.
"It gets easier," Liz gave his hand one last squeeze before letting go and walking over to her daughter's grave-site. Liz sunk down to her knees. She ran her fingers over the tiny Cherub that rested upon the headstone, and smiled a sad smile.
"Hi sweetie," she said softly, "today's a special day. . .and guess who's here to see you," she smiled as she felt Max lower down beside her. "Daddy's here." Liz looked over at Max, who looked like he was ready to break.
"I'll give you two some time," she stood up, giving his shoulder a encouraging squeeze before going to sit at a nearby bench. Max fiddled with the bow around the flowers, yellow, her favorite color. Max inhaled sharply as he tried to control his trembling hands.
"Hey Joey Girl," he uttered softly. He ran his hand through his hair as he fought off his tears. "I guess you're wondering why daddy hasn't been to see you. . .I-it's just. . .I d-didn't know what to say," he admitted. Liz listened as he talked to their daughter. She had been surprised when he announced that he wanted to come with her to visit Joey. Even though he was able to freely talk about her without the guilt eating at his heart, he still hadn't gone to see her.
". . .and of course your aunt Maria didn't like that one bit," he chuckled, bringing Liz's attention back to him. "Well, I guess I better go. But don't worry, daddy will be back," he smiled, placing the flowers at the base of her headstone. "Happy Birthday Joey Girl," he sighed, for the first time in a long time feeling like a weight had been lifted from his chest, and he could breathe. Standing up, he kissed his fingers and ran them over her headstone. Max turned to see Liz smiling brightly at him. He returned the smile as he walked toward her.
"You okay?" she asked seeing the few tears that had managed to escape. Wrapping his arms around her, Max couldn't get over the fact that she was in his arms. He had put her through hell the last two years, had hurt her deeply because he failed to be there for her when she needed him the most and failed to let her be there for him. He had almost lost her, and he thanked the heavens everyday for the second chance. A second chance to return to the love they had once shared. A love that had been tested, but withheld the trials of life.
"I am now."
THE END
***********
Song...How do I Live by Leanne Rimes
Check out my fics:
~~Lady Scorpio's Fics~~
Forever Mine
Love, Life and Danger
Generation Next
Running from the Past
The House
Down Low
God Sent
Returning to Love
~~Lady Scorpio's Fics~~
Forever Mine
Love, Life and Danger
Generation Next
Running from the Past
The House
Down Low
God Sent
Returning to Love