In Love Again (AU,CC/UC,MATURE) [COMPLETE]

[sweetbrowneyes]

Hey everyone! Sorry about the wait. My muse kind of got away from me. But here's a brand new part and I hope you enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Chapter 21

Smiling triumphantly, I glance at Liz once more before turning my eyes back to the road. I snicker quietly, but Liz hears me and turns to glare at me.

“What? Why do you keep doing that?” she asks.

“You might as well spill Liz.”

“Spill what? What are you talking about? You keep saying that, but I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she laughs.

I snort and Jasmine giggles from the backseat. “Oh come off it. I know I’m not going over to my parent’s house to fix and leaky pipe.”

“Then what do you think you’re going to do?”

“You guys are throwing me a birthday party.” Liz blows out a breath and rolls her eyes. “Oh come on, you’re just mad that you couldn’t outsmart me and I found out about it beforehand. I mean you and Jas were just too eager to come with me.”

Liz shrugs her shoulders. “I haven’t seen your parents in awhile and Jas wants to visit her grandparents. Right sweetie?”

“Wight!” Jasmine declares.

“What’s the big deal? We figured that since you’re going we could tag along,” Liz explains. “It has nothing to do with your birthday.”

“Yeah right,” I mutter. “You and I both know that there is no leaky pipe. This is all just a ploy to “surprise” me with a birthday party; which you guys are doing a horrible job of by the way.” Liz rolls her eyes and stares out the window. I’m way too slick for them to pull one off on me. “I know your plan. It’s so obvious,” I gloat.

Liz turns to me and raises her eyebrow. “Oh really? And what do you think this “plan” is?” she challenges.

“It’s so simple. Dad calls and asks me to help him fix a “leaky pipe” on the day before my birthday. You guys thought you were being sneaky by doing it the day before, but I caught on.” Liz raises her eyebrow and looks at me as if I’m crazy. She’s doing a really good job of acting like she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“You and Jas just happen to all be excited and want to tag along. We all get there, we go in, and surprise, surprise! There’s a slamming, jamming birthday party for me and no “leaky pipe.” See simple,” I say with a triumphant smirk.

“Whatever Max,” Liz mumbles. “Just don’t be disappointed when no one’s there.”

“Uh huh. Whatever you say Liz,” I say with a smug smirk that I know she hates and she sticks her tongue out at me. “See that kind of behavior sets a bad example for our child Liz. Jas, never be a bad sport like Mommy is right now.”

Jasmine giggles. “Kay Daddy.” Liz glares at me and reaches across the seat to pinch my arm. I yelp and scowl at her in mock anger.
“Violence is not the answer,” I scold playfully. Liz laughs as she shakes her head.

Ever since our talk three weeks ago, Liz and I have fallen easily back into our old ways. Though there are still some wounds that need to be healed, I know that in a matter of time, I’ll have my best friend back. And that’s all I ask for.

Once we reach my parents house, I see no other cars there but my parents’. “Where’s everyone else?”

Liz just laughs as she gets Jasmine out of her car seat. “There is no one else.” With a confused frown, I follow Liz and Jasmine to the front door.

“Grandma!” Jasmine runs into Mom’s awaiting arms and buries herself into her embrace.

“There’s my princess. You’re getting prettier everyday,” she says as she ushers us all into the living room. “Liz, it’s great to see you. How have you been?” She pulls Liz into a warm hug.

“I’m fine Diane. How are you?”

“I’m as well as I can be with a restless husband running around,” she laughs. “I swear with him retiring is going to run me up the wall. I love the man with all my heart but if I see his face one more time I’ll strangle him,” she says quietly so Jasmine won’t hear.

“Don’t hurt him Mom,” I say as I wrap my arms around her. “He’ll get used to retirement soon enough.”

She snorts as she rolls her eyes. “He’d better. He’s waiting for you in the basement sweetie.”

I smile. “Sure. I’ll just go and help him fix the “leaky pipe.”” I wink, going along with their plan.

“What’s he talking about?” Mom asks as I make my way into the basement.

Much to my disappointment, I find nothing but an empty basement. “Hey Max. Ready to get to work?” Dad says as he appears behind me. He slaps me on the back and gestures towards a leaking pipe a few feet away from us.

I frown. “There really is a leaking pipe?”

“Um… yeah. Now, let’s get to work.”

I pout the whole time we’re working. I was so sure it had all been a set up. Maybe I just read into the whole thing to much.

After Dad and I are done, we head back upstairs. As I make my way down the hallway, I feel someone grabbing my hands from behind me as a blindfold is placed over me eyes. I’m about to struggle, thinking that something is really wrong when I here Jasmine giggling and I realize it’s all been a set up after all.

“Have fun fixing the pipe?” Liz snickers from behind me. I feel her sliding her arm around mine and I let her guide me to wherever she’s taking me.

She leads me outside before shoving me into a car. We ride for a few minutes before she pulls me out of the car.

“Liz, where are we?” Just as I ask her, I hear a bell jingle and the blindfold is ripped off.

“Surprise!!” I jump back at the loud shout and a wide smile adorns my face as I take in the sight of all my friends standing in the middle of the M&M café.

My parents appear behind me and Dad moves to untie my hands.

“Happy birthday Max,” Liz says.

“You little sneak.” I poke her in the side causing her to giggle before I pull her into my arms. “You set all this up on purpose,” I accuse.

“Well we couldn’t have you figuring out our plan now could we?” she says. “Besides, your Dad really needed the help with the pipe. That was just a coincidence.”

“And you,” I sweep my smiling daughter into my arms and tickle her sides. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me? I thought we had an understanding,” I say with mock hurt.

She shrugs innocently. “I sowry Daddy but dey gave me candy.” I laugh as I set her on her feet and I’m surrounded by my friends.

After all the happy birthday wishes, I spot Isabel sitting with Alex in a booth in the far corner. I haven’t seen her since Kyle and Tess’ wedding two weeks ago and I haven’t talked to her since our argument at the fitting.

She looks my way a offers a small smile. I return the gesture and make my way over to her.

“Hey,” I greet.

“Happy birthday,” she says as she hands me a wrapped gift.

“Thanks.”

“Look Max, I just wanted to apologize for everything. I…”

“Isabel, don’t worry about it. What’s in the past is the past. Liz and I are starting over and I think you and I should too.” She smiles brightly as she gets up to embrace me.

"Hey Max, one more year and you can drink legally with the rest of us!" Michael remarks.

“Alright everybody!” Kyle yells. “Ley’s get this party started!” He turns up the stereo, thus beginning one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.
***********

I awake to the sounds of childish laughter coming from the other room. I’m about to get up when I hear Liz and I figure she can handle whatever Jasmine’s gotten herself into.

I settle deeper into my warm sheets and just before I start to drift off again, I feel something jumping onto my stomach.

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” Jasmine shouts as she bounces on my stomach.

“Jas, pumpkin please stop jumping on Daddy’s stomach before he blows chucks all over the place,” I say as gently as I can with her knocking the air out of me every time she jumps.

“Happy birfday Daddy!” she yells enthusiastically as she crawls over my chest.

I managed to sit up and pull her wiggling form into my lap. “Aww thank you pumpkin.”

“It cake time now!”

“No it’s not cake time. You had cake yesterday,” Liz laughs as she appears in the door.

"We can half more," she pouts.

Liz laughs as she walks deeper into the room. “Happy birthday Max. You're catching up with the rest of us. You’re a big boy now,” she teases. I hate that she’s five months older than me.

“At least I’m still taller,” I retort with a smirk. She makes a funny face before jumping into the empty space beside me.

“What? No breakfast in bed?” I pout. “I deserve something after what you guys did to me yesterday.”

Liz scuffs and Jasmine giggles. “Hey, you got your party. Now why would you think you’d get breakfast in bed?"

I put on my best puppy dog face. “But Liz you always used to make me breakfast in bed for my birthday,” I whine.

“Okay, okay. We did make you breakfast.” I smile brightly and Liz rolls her eyes as she gets up and leaves the room.

“I help Mommy make breakfast,” Jasmine says proudly. “I buddered da toast and put da syrup on da pancakes. And I put da nanners in da seereal.”

“You put the nanner in the seereal?” I laugh as I kiss her cheek.

She nods vigorously and I can’t help but smile. “Yep an I poured da orange juice in da cup!”

“Well you’ve been busy his morning huh?” I tell her before I place a raspberry against her neck. She laughs loudly and squirms in my arms as Liz returns with a tray full of food, singing “Happy Birthday.” Jasmine sings along and I smile widely as I spot the burning candle sticking out of the pancakes. Liz places the tray in front of me before settling beside me.

“Happy birfday to youuuuuuuu!! Blow out da candle Daddy!” I do as I’m told and blow out the candle.

“Yay! Now cake time!!” Jasmine cheers.

“It’s not cake time Jas,” Liz laughs. I share my breakfast with Liz and Jasmine and after we’re done, we move into the living room.

“Presents!!” Jasmine shouts excitedly as Liz brings out my gift.

“Liz I told you that you didn’t have to get me anything,” I say as I eye the gift excitedly.

Liz snorts as she hands me a gift and sits beside me. “Yeah right. You would’ve moped and sulked all week if we didn’t bother to get you anything.” I smile. She knows me too well.

Jasmine wiggles herself into my lap and she smiles brightly with excitement. I swear she’s enjoying this even more than I am. “Open it Daddy! Open it!”

“Okay,” I laugh as I ruffle her hair affectionately. “Are you sure you used enough tape?” I tease as I peal back the mountain of tape holding the wrapping paper together.

Liz elbows me and rolls her eyes in mock annoyance. “Just open the thing.”

I smile and scrape through the tape until I reach what looks like the back of a picture frame. I pull it free from the wrapping paper and flip it over.

The frame itself was a deep mahogany color with three windows that could be folded closed. In one window was a drawing done by Jasmine. It was a colorful picture of Liz, Jasmine and I standing in a field of flowers. It was really quite good for a three year old.

“I drawed it myself Daddy,” Jasmine says.

“It’s gorgeous pumpkin.” I smooth back her hair before I study the other pictures.

In the middle window was a photo of Liz and Jasmine smiling brightly into the camera and my heart melts at the sight of them together. Jasmine looks so much like her it's like their twins.

In the third window was a black and white drawing of Jasmine. She was standing in an open field with her hands cupped in front of her, holding out a single flower.

“You drew this?” I ask Liz. She nods shyly and I turn to stare at the drawing in awe. I always knew that Liz loved to draw, but it's obvious that she'd gotten really good in the years she's been gone.

“You like your present Daddy?”

“I love it. Thank you.” I pull Jasmine and Liz into a tight hug. “When did you find the time to draw this?”

“I started mine a few weeks after I got here. And about three weeks ago I ask Jas to draw something for you,” Liz explains. “We would’ve given it to you yesterday, but you know how I am with my drawings.”

I nod as I turn my gaze back to the pictures. Back in high school Liz was always very secretive about her drawings. I don’t think anyone else knows she draws because she never lets anyone see her work except for me and that was only because in the eighth grade I stole her notebook that she kept all her drawings in. If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t even know she had such a great talent.

“It looks like Jas inherited your talent,” I say as I look from Liz’s drawing to Jasmine’s.

“I do good Daddy?” Jasmine asks me.

“You did very good pumpkin. Thank you.”

We spend the rest of the day hanging around the apartment as a family. And that’s all I could ever hope for on my birthday.

TBC…………

[sweetbrowneyes]

Thanks for the awesome fb! I hope you enjoy...

Chapter 22

<center>Two months later</center>

“Max! Hurry up! We have to meet everyone at the park!” Liz calls from the living room.

I grumble in response and check myself in the mirror once more before shuffling out of the bathroom. As soon as Liz sees me, she bursts into laughter.

Tonight is Halloween and this is Jasmine’s first year trick or treating and she and Liz have joined forces to make me dress up this year. My costume is not really a costume. I’m wearing a bright red wig with a small, black top hat sitting on the top of the large hair. My shirt looks like it came from sixties with its bright colors and my pants… well let’s just say that they make MC Hammer’s pants look good.

I hate that when Liz and Jas get together they can get me to do anything. I need to start forming a resistance.

“That’s it, I’m changing!” I yell as I turn to stomp into my room.

“No! No Max, you look… you look good,” she laughs. I roll my eyes and I plop on the couch with a pout.

“I look like a hippy clown on crack!” I glower as I snatch off the stupid clown wig. I hate this holiday.

“Couldn’t I be something cool like a ninja or… Tarzan? I’ve got the bod for it,” I boast as I wiggle my eyebrows and flex for her.

“Yeah. Keep telling yourself that Max. You know if you say something long enough, you actually start to believe it,” she teases.

“Jealous,” I mutter.

“Of you? Never that,” she smiles.

“Hey! You’re hurting my feelings over here,” I sulk. “Come on Liz. Why do I have to wear the costume and you don’t have to,” I whine.

“Because we don’t have time to find one for me and I would look hideous in that getup.”

“And I don’t?” She giggles and I roll my eyes. “Fine. If I have to wear this, then I’ll make you a costume.”

“Max no!” she says as she pulls on my arm to try and stop me from walking away. But I don’t relent. She knows I can come with pretty ridiculous stuff and I will make her wear it.

“If I have to look silly, you are too.” I walk into the kitchen and grab some glue and glitter out of the drawer along with a garbage bag from the counter. I’m about to get to work at the kitchen table when Liz pelts herself onto my back. I lose my balance and we stumble onto the floor.

“Make that costume and you die Evans!” She growls as she straddles my back.

We wrestle for control and being that I’m bigger than her, I manage overpower her and I throw her kicking form over my shoulder.

I toss Liz onto the couch and before I can pounce on her, she rolls away and attacks me with a throw pillow.

“Yay! Go Mommy go! Go Daddy!” Jas cheers from the side as Liz and I continue to wrestle around the living room. She cheers loudly as Liz twists me into a head lock, but I tickle her sides and she curls up in laughter.

“Stop Max!!” she laughs as I tickle her unmercifully. Twisting crazily, she manages to get away from my wiggling fingers and she turns the tables on me.

Once we’re out of breath, we lay on the floor panting heavily and I elbow Liz in her side. “I win,” I declare.

“No you don’t,” she retorts through her gasps for air. “I tore your shirt.”

“Ha. Good now I won’t have to wear it.”

“When are we going to da park?” Jasmine queries as she sits herself on my chest. I swear she thinks I’m a chair sometimes.

“When we get ready,” Liz answers.

“Why don’t you go get your costume and I’ll help you put it on,” I say.

“Kay Daddy.” She scurries off into her room. She returns with her costume and I help her slide it on. I can’t help but smile at her. This year, Jasmine insisted on being a pumpkin for Halloween since I call her pumpkin all the time. She looks so cute.

“I look good Daddy?” she asks as she waddles around the living room to model her costume.

“You’re the best looking pumpkin I’ve ever since,” I tell her.

“Come on sweetie.” Liz says as she sweeps Jasmine into her arms. “Let’s go put on your shoes while your Daddy changes.”

Once we’re all ready, we go up and down the halls of the apartment building. Jasimne’s little bag is almost full by the time we head outside.

“Can I half da candy now Mommy.”

“We have to check the candy first sweetie.”

“And den can we pig out!?” she asks with shining eyes.

Liz and I laugh at her choice of words. “Yes. Then we can pig out,” Liz laughs.

When we reach the park, it’s already swarming with kids and their parents. Jas bounces excitedly between Liz and I as we enter the gates of the park and buy our wrist bands. Every year for each holiday, the park is turned into this huge carnival like festival with rides, games and contests. They have everything for everyone. Liz and I used to come here all the time and stay until they closed and kicked us out.

“Daddy, can we go through da maze first?”

“Sure pumpkin. But we have to find your Aunts and Uncles first. They should be wandering around here somewhere.” Just as soon as I said that, Liz screams as a guy in a ware wolf mask jumps in front of her.

“Alex! Don’t do that!” Liz scolds. I laugh, but I stop when I feel Jas pressing her face against my leg.

“Aww pumpkin what’s wrong?” I hoist her into my arms as she immediately buries her ace in my neck.

“I wanna go home Daddy,” she cries.

“See look what you did Alex,” Isabel reprimands as she, Maria, and Michael join our group. “You scared her.” She beats him on his arm and he cowers away.

“It’s only Uncle Alex Jas,” I tell her.

“It’s only me babe. See.” Alex holds up his mask for Jas to see. “It’s only a mask. It’s not real.”

“His real face is just as scary looking as the mask,” Michael mutters.

“Can it Guerin.” I roll my eyes at my friend’s banter and I turn my attention back to my crying daughter.

Liz stands beside me and brushes back Jas’s hair. “Jas, noting here is real. These are all people behind the masks. Nothing can hurt you here,” Liz says. “You know like on Scooby when they solve a case and they pull the mask off the man at the end? That’s just the way it is here. It’s all fake baby.”

“What ‘bout dat man on Nightmare Streets? He wasn’t wearing a mask.”

“Nightmare Streets?” I ask in confusion. I look to Liz and she shrugs having no idea what that is either.

Michael clears his throat and we all turn our attention to him. “Um… I think she’s talking about ‘Nightmare on Elm’s Street.’”

“When did you see that movie?” I ask her.

“Uncle Mike and Uncle Kyle let me watch it,” she mumbles against me. All eyes turn to Michael who’s trying to look as innocent as he can.

“What? Kyle did it. I was just a tool in his evil plan. I swear.”

“Uncle Mike say dat I was a big girl an I could watch it,” Jas clarifies.

“Michael!”

He laughs nervously as Maria glares evilly at him. “We only let her see one little scene. We didn’t think it’d hurt.”

“Michael she’s three years old,” I say. Why do these people insist on treating my daughter older than she is? “What did you expect? Liz can’t even watch it without having nightmares.”

“Max!!”

Liz and I spend another ten minutes trying to get Jas to calm down. Once she realized that everyone here was in costumes, she let Maria and Isabel take her to get on a few rides. Michael and Alex head off to the games, leaving Liz and I alone. I find it strange how they all just took off, but I don’t think much about it. Instead, I turn to Liz with a wicked grin.

“Let’s go in the haunted house.”

She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Um… no. Max you know how much I hate those things.”

“Aww, come on Liz. Please,” I pout.

“The only reason you want me to go in there with you is so that I can be all over you and you laugh at me because I’m scared.”

“Well duh.” That was always the main reasons why I always dragged Liz into the haunted house with me. I always got a kick out of watching Liz get scared out of her wits. And even though she tried to act like she didn’t like it, I knew she did.

“Shut up Max.” She slaps me across the chest and begins to walk away.

“Okay. How about I win you a stuffed animal and then you come into the haunted house with me?”

“The biggest one they have?” I roll my eyes but I nod anyway. That puts a smile on her face and she takes my hand and pulls me over to the games.

“Come on Max. You’ve been to this carnival since you could walk. You should be able to make a basket by now,” Liz teases as I try my hardest to get the stupid basketball into the moving hoop.

“Hush Parker, I’m trying to work here,” I grumble.

Sixteen dollars and seven games later, I manage to win Liz this humongous teddy bear that’s dressed in an angel costume. Another eight dollars and four games later, I win a smaller bear dressed in a princess costume for Jasmine.

I carry to two bears and take Liz’s hand and drag her over to the haunted house. “Now let’s go in the haunted house.”

She resists as she starts walking in the other direction towards the swings. “Why don’t we just go sit on the swings?”

“Nope, we made a deal.” I pull her towards the looming building and we get in line. Someone screams inside the ride and Liz jumps and hides her face in my chest. “Liz, relax,” I tell her as I wrap my arm around her waist.

“I am relaxed.”

“Then stop digging your nails into my side,” I laugh. She releases her grip but she still leans on me and I’m happy to play the part of her railing. “Weren’t you the one who was just telling our daughter that none of this was real?”

“Yeah but I don’t believe it. I was just saying that to calm her down.” I chuckle, and again she slaps my chest. “Max I’m serious. I swear when were in the ninth grade and we got on this thing one of those ghouls touched my leg and then it brushed up against my neck.”

I scratch the back of my neck as my cheeks burn in a blush. “Um… that… that was me.”

“You?”

I nod. “Yeah. I figured I could cop a feel since we were in the dark. I didn’t know you’d end up scarred for life,” I laugh.

“Max, you jackass! I had nightmares for weeks because of that!” She beats on my chest and I put the teddy bears in front of me to protect myself.

“I know. And when you had nightmares, you’d sneak across the street and sleep in my bed with me. Added bonus. I scored big time,” I grin evilly even as I continue to dodge her tiny flying fists.

“Asshole,” she mutters when she’s finished beating me up. I just laugh and wrap my arm around her shoulder as we make our way to the front of the line.

During the ride, Liz is all over me as expected and I can’t keep the grin off my face. It’s been so long since I had this much fun and it’s because of her.

“Well, that was entertaining,” I snicker as we walk out of the ride.

“I know that was you rubbing against my leg trying to scare me,” she grunts. I can only laugh. “Evil bastard,” she mutters.

I laugh as I take her hand in mine and we make our way to the others. “You loved it though.”

“So what?” She fails to keep up the angry façade and her face brightens as she smiles. “You’re still evil for getting your kicks out of seeing me squirm.”

“Well, I guess this means you’ll be having nightmares tonight and you’ll have to come across the hall and sleep with me.”

“Is that an invite?” She raises an eyebrow in an open challenge.

I opt to take the safe route. “Maybe.” We stop in front of the tree where we all agreed to meet and I set the bears down before leaning against the trunk and pulling Liz into my arms.

“Oh there are no maybes in this game Evans.”

“No maybes?” I murmur huskily. My eyes drop to her lips and I dip my head forward.

“No maybes.” She’s so close I can feel her warm breath against my lips. All I need to do is move in a little bit more…

“Boo!” I jump with a loud yelp as I spot someone wearing a Jason mask jumping out from behind the tree out the corner of my eye.

“I got you Daddy!” Jas laughs as she lifts off the mask. “I make Daddy jump,” she giggles.

I step away from Liz and swing Jasmine into my arms. “You got me real good you little sneak,” I tell her as I tickle her stomach and blow a raspberry on her cheek. She laughs hysterically before I set her down.

“Alright. Let’s go back to the café and par-tay!” Alex says.

“It’s about time,” Maria mutters. I find that she’s looking straight at me and I wonder if she’s talking about leaving the park, or Liz and I.

TBC………

[sweetbrowneyes]

Thanks for the awesome feedback! Now for the part you've all been waiting for! I hope you enjoy!


Chapter 23

I shuffle into the apartment and toss my keys onto the nearest table.

“Daddy!”

I immediately smile when I see my little girl running towards me, full speed. She always has so much energy. Sometimes I get tired just by watching her. She jumps into my arms and I swing her in the air.

“Hey pumpkin. What has my favorite little girl been up to today?” I ask her as I head into the kitchen with her still settled against my hip.

“Grandma took me shopping and I help her bake a cake. Den Mommy came an we came back here an’ played…” She continues to talk excitedly about her day with full details until she finishes and runs off into her room to play.

I make myself a sandwich and head down the hall to Liz’s room. Her door is open and I peek my head to see her laying on her stomach, her head propped up by her fists as she reads a magazine and sucks on a popsicle.

God! Does she really have to lick the popsicle like that?

She swirls her tongue around the top of it before taking the whole thing in her mouth. I stir to life as a bit of the cold liquid slips off the popsicle and lands on her chest. She wipes it off with her forefinger before closing her mouth around it.

I must be really horny if I’m getting a hard on from a popsicle.

“Hey Max,” she says when she notices me standing in the doorway. “You just get here?”

“Um… y-yeah.” My voice cracks and I clear my throat in hopes that it covered it up.

“How was class?” she queries before she sticks the popsicle back in her mouth.

“Uh… it was fine. Luckily, I don’t have to work tonight.” I watch as she sucks on the red liquid before biting a piece off. I wonder if she knows how crazy she’s driving me.

“Is that for me?” She gestures to the forgotten sandwich in my hand and I take an uneasy step into the room. “What’s wrong with you?” she asks me, probably sensing my discomfort. I pray to God that she hasn’t noticed the tent appearing in my pants.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I say as causally as I can as I watch her lick the popsicle. “I’m just wishing I was that popsicle right now.”

She rolls over on her side and I take my chances and lay next to her.

“Max Evans, are you implying what I think you’re implying?”

I narrow my eyes. “What are you thinking that I’m implying?”

“What do you think I’m thinking that you’re implying?” Liz counters.

“I’m not implying anything if this conversation is going to get this confusing.”

She narrows her eyes as she studies me. “Did you come in here for a certain reason?” Her eyes scan my body and I’m glad I’m lying on my stomach.

“Get your head out of the gutter,” I scold, though a bright smile is rapidly spreading across my face. “I did not come in here for sexual favors.”

She rolls her eyes. “You know you want me,” she says knowingly.

I try and act causal because I know her statement is true. But that doesn’t mean she has to know it. I remember the sandwich in my hand and I take a bite.

She turns her attention back to the magazine in front of her and I continue happily eating my sandwich, deliberately moaning and making a big deal of how good it tastes.

I scoot closer to her. “Delicious,” I moan in her ear before I take a big bite.

“Max, stop trying to cop a feel!” She rolls away from me.

“I’m not doing anything!” I reply. “I’m just eating my sandwich. You’re the one suggesting that I came in here just because I wanted a sexual favor.”

“I did not. You started the whole thing,” she accuses. “How inappropriate for you to be talking about that kind of stuff with our three year old daughter in the apartment.” She shakes her head disapprovingly at me.

“Me!? I’m not the one pleasuring a popsicle.”

“You know you really annoy me Max.”

“Well I’ve accomplished something today.” She sticks out her tongue and I only smile and return my attention back to my sandwich.

“What?” I ask when I notice her staring.

She puts on an innocent smile. “Can I have half?” she asks sweetly.

“No. Go make your own.”

“Please Max. I just want a little piece.”

I smirk. “A piece of the sandwich or me?”

She suddenly strikes me with a pillow, knocking the sandwich out of my hand. “Aww Liz. Look what you did,” I whine. “You always have to resort to violence don’t you.”

“Well you should learn to share.”

“Mommy!!” Jas enters the room and tries to pull her short stature onto the bed. I help her out and in turn, she sits on my back. “Mommy, when is Uncle Kyle and Aunt Tess comin’?”

“There should be here in a minute sweetie,” Liz answers.

I frown. “Why are Kyle and Tess coming over?”

“Dey takin’ me an Kevin swimmin’ at da pool Daddy.”

“Tess’ nephew, Kevin, is in town and he’s around Jas age. They’re supposed to go to the rec. center and they invited Jas,” Liz explains to me.

“Mommy can I show Daddy my new swim suit?”

“Sure sweetie.” Liz scoots the bed and swings Jas into her arms. Before she leaves the room, Liz bends down and picks up the sandwich off the floor and shoves it in my hand. “Enjoy,” she says sweetly before prancing out of the room.

I roll off of the bed and head into the living room. Just as I flick on the TV, Jas and Liz come out and Jas models her swim suit.

“She’s wearing that?!” I exclaim. She has on a deep blue two piece suit with pink and purple flowers scattered across the front.

“What’s wrong with it? She looks adorable,” Liz says.

I grab Liz’s arm and pull her into the hallway. “Liz!! Our three year old daughter is wearing a bikini!! She’s showing everything!” I whisper fiercely. Liz laughs and I look at her like she’s crazy. “What? What is so funny?”

“Max, first of all it’s a tankini. She’s not showing anything but a little belly button. You’re acting like she’s showing cleavage which she’s doesn’t even have yet,” she laughs.

“Damn right. She’s not getting cleavage until she’s thirty five and I’m in a retirement home,” I say seriously.

“Max, get real.” She rolls her eyes and sails past me.

“You like my suit Daddy?”

I open my mouth to respond, but Liz beats me to it. “Daddy likes your suit sweetie. He’s just being silly.” She shoots a glare my way before taking Jas into her room to put her clothes on over the suit.

I slump onto the couch in defeat. I swear these two women have complete control. I have no say in anything.

When they return, there’s a knock at the door. “Hey Max,” Kyle greets when I swing open the door.

“Hey guys. How’s married life?” I ask as I let them step pass me.

Kyle leans in close and whispers out the corner of his mouth. “Max, I thought after you get married you’re supposed to have twenty-four hour access to the goodies every night. But it ain’t happening.”

“Hey I heard that!” Tess says as she slaps him on the arm. “And watch what you say, there are minors in the room.”

“Yes ma’am,” Kyle mumbles.

“And who is this little guy?” I bend down in front of the wide eyed little boy. He has a head full of blonde hair with wisps of it falling over his forehead, almost hiding his bright blue eyes.

“I’m Kevin.”

I hold out my hand for him to shake. “Hi Kevin, I’m Max. I believe I met you at the wedding?”

“Were you da one dat was dancing on top of da table?”

I chuckle as I ruffle his hair. “No that was Alex.”

“Oh.” He spots Jas standing next to Liz and I watch with narrowed eyes as he runs over to her.

“Well, we’re headed out. We’re going to see a movie afterwards. Is it okay for Jas to come?” Tess asks as she pulls Jas into her arms and takes Kevin’s hand.

“Sure,” Liz says. “You be good for Aunt Tess and Uncle Kyle,” Liz says to Jas.

“Kay Mommy.”

“Have a good time.” Liz and I say our goodbyes to Jas as she waves her little hand in the air.

“We’ll see you guys later.” Kyle says.

Before I can say anything else, they’re out the door. “Liz did you see that?!” I exclaim.

Liz flops down on the couch and turns on the TV. “See what?”

“Did you see how that… that little boy just ran over to Jas like that? He was macking on my daughter! I mean the boy is way too old for Jas!”

Liz laughs. “Max, Kevin is only three years old. They’re friends. He wasn’t looking at Jas that way.”

“I was looking at you that way when I was three!” I counter.

“Well that’s because you were born horny and I was and still am a knockout,” she says smugly.

“Whatever,” I mumble.

“Max you know you want to make out with me. You don’t have to lie.”

“I’ll admit it if you admit that you want my body,” I smirk.

“In your dreams,” she grumbles.

I roll my eyes. “Anyway, back to the point at hand. Jas looks just like you. I swear if he breaks my baby’s heart…”

“Max,” Liz laughs. She gets up and pulls my down on the couch. “You’re being weird. Relax. Jeez I’d hate to see you when boys are really interested in Jas.”

“She’s getting home schooled,” I pout.

She rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to the TV. There’s nothing interesting on and Liz seems to agree with me because she soon turns off the TV and turns towards me.

“Let’s go somewhere,” she says.

“I don’t wanna,” I sulk.

“You don’t wanna? How old are you again?” she teases. “Come on. Take me to the park Max. Please?” She pokes her lower lip but I turn away before I give in.

“No Liz. Why do you want to go to the park anyway?” She still has her lip poked out and I swear I’m melting faster than an ice cube on the surface of the sun.

“Just to get out of the house. Please Max. You know you want to.”

“Liz…”

“What? You’re scared that I’ll beat you in a jumping contest like I always used to do?” She smirks evilly knowing she’s caught my interest.

“Is that a challenge Ms. Parker?”

“I believe so.” Her smile widens and a few minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of the entrance to the park. It’s late in the evening and the park is deserted. Liz and I sprint towards the swings.

“Okay. You know the rules. The one who jumps the farthest wins,” she says. “Wherever you land first is your mark.” She looks at me sternly then and I smile innocently. I haven’t done this in ages. I feel like I’m a little kid again.

“Okay, you’ve got thirty second to get as high as you can,” I say. We pull back and count to three before letting go and trying to swing as high as we can.

“Okay… on the count of three we’ll jump,” she says. As she counts, I reach across the space between us and grab onto her chain. With the flick of my wrist, her swing twists just as we jump off, causing her to fall short.

Unfortunately, twisting her swing screwed me up too and I loss my balance as I land and fall face first into the grass.

Once I spit out all the dirt, I grin triumphantly. “I win!!” I shout gleefully.

Liz picks a twig out her hair as she crawls towards me. “Yeah you won because you cheated.” She hops on top of me and my breath leaves my lips in a whoosh. Why do these people choose to sit on me?

“Is it possible for you to win in anything fairly?”

She’s straddling my stomach now and I can’t help but imagine how she would feel against me if that sweater and those jeans were gone.

I snap myself out of my daydream to find myself pulling her down so that she’s stretched over me.

“I managed to win you over pretty fairly,” I retort huskily.

“I felt sorry for you so I let you win,” she murmurs in return. Her eyes drop to my lips as I push her silky hair behind her ear. My heart pounds in my chest as her head drops forward and I lean up to meet her.

I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’ve been hesitant to move forward with her because I didn’t trust her not to hurt me again. I didn’t want to go through the same pain that I felt when she left. But I can’t live in the same apartment with her and not be able to be with her like I want to. Our constant flirting is fun, but its absolute torture and I can’t wait to be with her again.

“Max?” she whispers. I know what she’s asking just from the sigh of my name. I wrap my arms around her and bury my fingers in her hair to bring her down the last few inches.

I know it’s too good to be true. Feeling Liz’s lips against mine is like paradise. And my thoughts are proven. Just before she can press her lips to mine, she screams, and for a second, I’m confused as to why she screaming. Then I feel icy cold water spraying my face and I scream too.

“Oh shit that’s cold!” I gasp as Liz and I scramble to our feet.

Just fucking great. The sprinklers would have to just choose this particular time to come on. I swear today is not my day.

Soaking wet, Liz and I climb back into my SUV. I stare ahead, wanting to scream out in frustration, but before I do, Liz bursts into laughter.

Her mirth is contagious and soon I find myself laughing along with her. I’m not exactly sure why this is so funny, but I just go along with the flow and laugh my heart out.

Once we sober up a bit, I wipe the tears from my eyes and glance at Liz. She’s still giggling quietly to herself and I can’t take it anymore.

Grabbing her around her waist, I lift her over the space between the seats and into my lap. I fuse my lips with hers, thrusting my tongue in her mouth and searching out hers. Liz shifts to straddle my lap as our tongues glide easily, and fiercely together. It feels like I haven’t touched her lips in so many years, but the feeling gives me a tingling throughout my whole body. My hands wander her petite form, before coming to rest under her soaked shirt.

The need for air becomes too great and I reluctantly pull away.

“Well, that was unexpected,” she teases as she pants for air.

“I’m sorry. I just… I’m just.” She silences me with her finger. She always knows what I’m thinking without me saying anything.

“Me too,” she whispers.

“We’ll go slow.” She nods in agreement before I rest my lips against hers once more.

And all I can think of is: I’m falling for her all over again.

TBC…..

[sweetbrowneyes]

Sorry about the wait. Never put up Christmas lights while it's snowing. You will definately catch a cold. Anyway, there's only like two more parts of this story left so I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 24

“So who’s going in first?”

“I’m not going in there,” Kyle says with wide eyes.

“You wuss,” Alex retorts. “Have you no backbone?”

“Well then why don’t you go in first oh brave one,” Michael counters.

Alex takes a large step back. “Never mind. I’ll just stay out here and wait for you guys.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s just a store, why don’t we just go in real quick and come out,” I say, trying to sound reasonable as I stare nervously at the entrance to the Victoria Secret’s store.

We’re all trying to do some Christmas shopping for our women. And after three hours, we’ve hit every store in the mall, purposefully avoiding the dreaded lingerie section of each store.

“It’s not just a store!” Kyle retorts fiercely. “The only time I’ve been in there is forcibly and I will not put myself through that again. Yes, it’s fun to see my girl wearing that stuff, but I can not and will not watch her buy it. It’s just wrong.” He actually shudders as he finishes.

“Look, Liz used to drag me to these things all the time,” I say. “Since I have more experience here, why don’t I go in first and then you guys can follow behind?” They all nod in agreement.

“Okay, stay calm. They can smell your fear,” I coach to the rest of the guys. “Just relax and whatever you do, stay clear of the sample ladies.”

I glance nervously at the woman standing at the entrance, just waiting to spray a sample of strong perfume over me. I quickly glide past her, and come face to face with an array of lacy lingerie.

I cringe and I’m ready to bolt.

“You think Maria would like this?” Michael asks as he holds up a red satin v-string.

“Maria wears anal floss?” Kyle asks seriously. I roll my eyes and his choice of words and I causally browse the store. It’s not so bad when you actually get in here. I wonder if Liz prefers briefs or thongs.

Hours later, we all exit the mall. I still haven’t found anything worth giving to Liz.

“So you’re back in this thing with Liz? How’s the sex?” Kyle asks bluntly. I just ignore him. “Come on Max. We tell you about us.”

“Yeah and I never ask to hear it. You just assume I want to hear about your kinky bedroom stories,” I say as I back out of the parking space.

“Well I think that Liz has got to be one hot number in the bedroom. I bet she’s a screamer.” Michael comments.

“Hey! Chill out Michael!” I growl.

“What? I’m just saying that Liz is pretty hot. If she’s anything like Maria, she’s a loud one.”

“I did not need to hear that,” I groan.

“Umm… strange cause Isabel’s pretty quiet,” Alex says.

“Well maybe that’s cause she’s faking,” Kyle laughs. “Has she been having any constant headaches?”

“I wouldn’t laugh if I were you Valenti. Last time I heard Tess wasn’t giving you anything either,” Alex retorts.

I shake my head helplessly as they continue to bicker back and forth and I pray that I can restrain myself before I strangle one of them to death.
**********

Liz, Jasmine and I make our way to the entrance of the M&M café. It’s Christmas Eve and Maria insisted on throwing a Christmas party much to Michael’s protest.

“Merry Christmas guys,” Maria says us as we walk through the doors.

“Merry Christmas,” I say as I hand her the gifts we brought.

“Look Mommy it Santa!” Jasmine squeals as she spots Michael dressed up as Santa sitting at the counter. I choke back a laugh at how miserable he looks.

“Why don’t you go over and saw ‘hi?” Liz tells her. She smiles brightly and runs over to Michael. She bounces excitedly at his feet and I can’t help but laugh.

“Liz, Mom and Dad are waiting for you upstairs,” she says. Liz’s face immediately pales and I squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry chica, I tried to tell them to be nice, but you know how stubborn they are.” Maria pulls Liz in to a hug before she goes to joins Jas and Michael.

“You okay?” I ask her as I throw an arm around her shoulders. She melts into my side and I lead her into the backroom.

“Max, I don’t think I can deal with them right now,” she cries. I pull her into my arms and drop a kiss on her forehead. No one makes her cry like her parents do and I can’t help but dislike them for that.

“This is your chance to kind of clear the air with them,” I say.

“Yeah, but why do they have to do it now? It’s Christmas Eve and I really don’t want to go through this whole rollercoaster ride with them right now. I don’t know what to say to them.”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do Sweet Pea.” She looks up at me and smiles and I lean in and caress her lips with mine. It feels good to be able to do that anytime I want to now.

“I’ll go up with you if you want me to.”

She nods eagerly. “Thank you.”

We head upstairs and find Liz’s parents on the couch. Liz stiffens beside me and I wrap my arms around her waist. “H-Hi Mom, Dad.” I simply nod in acknowledgment.

“Liz, sit down for a second,” Mr. Parker says. I never really liked Liz’s parents. They never seemed to try and get to know me and they just always seemed to be distant.

Liz doesn’t move to sit and I stand firmly at her side. “Look, Mom, Dad whatever you were going to say or accuse me of you can just stop now,” Liz says, surprising me and her parents. “I know I screwed up horribly and I’m not the perfect daughter that you hoped for but all I can say is I’m sorry.”

“Liz…”

“You know, you could’ve given me a chance to explain myself when I came back. You could’ve shown a little support when you found out I was pregnant with Jas. You didn’t even show up at the hospital when I had my miscarriage!”

“Liz, relax,” I say as I rub her arms to calm her down. I’ve never seen her blow up at her parents like this before and I can’t say that I’m not mad at her for doing it.

“Liz we wanted to apologize.” Both and Liz and I are surprised by Mrs. Parke words. I don’t think either of us has heard those words come from her before. “You're right Lizzie, your father and I… we were wrong for treating you as we did…”

“…and we were thinking that maybe if we hadn’t been so hard on you, you wouldn’t have run in the first place,” Mr. Parker finishes.

Liz’s jaw drops open and so does mine.“I… don’t know what to say,” Liz says. I thought I’d never see the day when Liz’s parents would put aside their pride and admit they were wrong.

“Lizzie we’re so sorry sweetie.” I step out of the way as her parents get up to embrace her. Over her father’s shoulder, Liz smiles at me and I know that everything is on its way to being okay.
*********

I step into the living room with my arms full of cookies and eggnog. I give Jas a cookie and Liz a glass of eggnog.

“Thank you Max,” Liz says as I drop beside her and Jas on the couch. I lean over to peck her lips.

“Daddy I wanna a kiss too,” Jas pouts as she crawls into my lap.

“I’m sorry pumpkin. How many kisses do you want?”

She narrows her eyes and puts her little finger on her chin like she’s thinking. “Um… tree cause I tree year old,” she says as she holds up three fingers.

“Three it is then.” I raise her up over my head and toss her in the air. She giggles as I catch her and places a kiss on her cheek. “One…” I say before I toss her up again and kiss her cheek. “Two…” She’s laughs excitedly and I can’t help but join her. “Three. And another because I love you,” I say before I blow a raspberry against her stomach.

“Do again Daddy!” she says as I set her back in my lap. I laugh and toss her in the air once more. “Now do Mommy!”

I smile mischievously at Liz. “Come on Liz.”

“Max, you are not tossing me in the air!” Liz says with a playful warning glare.

“Can we open pwesents now?” Jas asks. Ever since we got back from Maria and Michael’s that’s all that’s been on her mind. “Pwease,” she says with a pout.

“We have to wait until morning sweetie,” Liz says. “Santa hasn’t brought all the gives yet.” She gestures to our small tree that has barely a few gifts underneath it.

“But we saw Santa at Aunt Wia’s and Uncle Mike’s. How come he not come here now?” she asks innocently.

“Cause he’s waiting for you to go to sleep so that you won’t bother him while he’s pulling the presents under the tree,” I laugh as I tickle her sides.

“So the faster you go to sleep the faster you get to open your gifts,” Liz says.

Jas quickly climbs off my lap. “I ready ta go ta sleep now.” Liz and I laugh and we tuck her in bed.

After reading her a story and kissing her goodnight, she drifts off and Liz and I place off her gifts under the tree and eat the cookies she left out for Santa.

I realize Liz is standing over the mistletoe hanging next to the tree and I pull her into my arms and kiss her sweetly. “You’re all I ever wanted for Christmas,” I whisper to her.

“And you’re my Christmas miracle.” I smile and pull her tightly against me as my lips descend on hers. What started out as a simple kiss turns passionate as I nip at her bottom lip and suck it into my mouth. She moans and I take the opportunity to slide my tongue into her mouth.

I feel her fingers threading through my hair, pulling me closer as her tongue glides against mine. I didn’t notice we were moving until I fall on top of her as we collapse onto the couch. I move down her neck and nibble on her collarbone as my erection grinds into her center.

My hands wander up her shirt and over her smooth skin. “Liz, tell me to stop,” I mumble against her soft skin. I couldn’t stop touching her if I tried and the fact that her small hands are inching their way up my shirt doesn’t help.

“Max, I can’t stop,” she moans as I run my tongue over the shell of her ear. I crash my lips to hers and we both moan at the contact. I lift off her for just enough time for her to pull my shirt off.

I start working on her shirt and before I can get it off her, there’s a knock at the door. I’m thankful and I curse the distraction at the same time. I ease off Liz and pull my shirt back over my head. Liz is buttoning up her shirt as I make my way to the door.

“Carolers,” Liz squeals as they start to sing outside of the door. I wrap my arms around her waist as they sing the soft tune of Silent Night.

“We better get to bed,” I tell her once the carolers are gone. “There’s no telling how early Jas is going to wake us up.”

She laughs and I walk her to her door. We stand in front of her bedroom door awkwardly and it feels like our first date again. I want to invite to stay with me, but I don’t know how.

“Goodnight Max,” she says before she reaches up to kiss my lips. She disappears in her room before I can think and dejectedly, I walk into my room.

I lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. I can’t believe how fast I’ve fallen for Liz again. Not three months ago, I wanted to kicked her out on the streets and never see her again. After everything we’ve been through, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel this way for her so quickly. I’m not sure if I’m ready to love her again yet.

But maybe I never really stopped loving her. Maybe it was always there and I just couldn’t accept it. I don’t think my love for her ever went away; it was just buried underneath all the pain I was feeling because of her.

I’m broken out of my thoughts when I hear my door opening. I know its Jas trying to get me to let her open her gifts and I keep my eyes closed. The sheets are lifted and a petite body wiggles itself in my arms. I feel breasts pressing against my chest and I my eyes pop open.

“Liz?”

“Is this okay?” she whispers. I can't see her face, but I can tell she's nervous.

I tighten my arms around her as I slant my lips over hers. “It’s perfectly okay,” I murmur before I press my lips against hers once more.

TBC……..

[sweetbrowneyes]

Thanks for the awesome feedback. There's only one more part to go. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 25

I awake early the next morning to find Jas jumping excitedly on the bed.

“It Cwistmas!!” she shouts as she bounces. “Santa came!! Santa was here.”

“You ready to open your presents?” Liz asks as she pulls Jas into her arms. I glance at the clock and I groan when I see its five thirty.

“Daddy come on!” Jas says as I burrow further into the covers. Liz yanks the covers off me and I’m left exposed to the cold air.

“Come on Max. Stop being lazy.” She scurries out of the room with Jas in her arms as I toss a pillow in her direction.

I find the two of them by the Christmas tree and they both look utterly giddy. The scene they make is absolutely adorable and I can’t stop the huge grin from forming on my face.

Since the majority of the gifts were for Jas, Liz and I sit back and watch her tear through the presents.

“Ohh, Santa bought me a compuder!”

“What?!” I watch in surprise as Jas finishes unwrapping a brand new computer. I know my parents are behind this. “I think Santa went a little overboard,” I whisper to Liz.

Once Jas is done opening her new toys, Liz and I exchange gifts. “What’s this?” she asks as I push the semi-big box in front of her.

“Open it and see,” I say with a smirk.

“Yeah Mommy, open it and see!” Jas says excitedly.

With a bright twinkle in her eye, Liz tears through the wrapping paper. A mile wide smile appears on her face when she sees the drafting table that Jas and I got her.

“An art studio?” I nod and she jumps into my arms.

“You like it Mommy?”

“Yes baby. Thank you,” she says as she takes Jas into her arms. She squeals in delight and I swear she and Jas act just alike sometimes, no matter the age difference.

“And your official studio chair is sitting over there,” I say as I point to a second wrapped box sitting off to the side.

She steps into my arms and I gladly wrap her in a tight embrace. “Thank you Max. It must have cost you a lot.”

I brush my lips against hers in a delicate kiss. “It’s all worth it to see you smile.” She blushes and hides her face in my chest. She’s too cute for words. “I got you chocolates too.”

“Chocolate?” She’s beaming now and something tells me if I had only just got her chocolates, she’d be just as happy.

“Liz, don’t eat it all in one day,” I tease, knowing that she will do just that. But that’s exactly why I hid her other gift inside the chocolate.

“Now, where’s my gifts?” I say excitedly.

“Here Daddy. Dis is from me an Mommy.” Jas hands me a small box and I kiss her cheek before I peel through the wrapping. Inside is a silver locket key chain with my initials graved on the front. I flip it open and realize it’s also a pocket watch with a small black and white photo of Jas and Liz.

“This is gorgeous,” I say as I stare at the photo of my two favorite girls. I give Liz a sweet kiss and pull my energized daughter into my arms.

“Daddy can we put da compuder together now?”

“Sure pumpkin.”

“Why don’t you two start on that while I make breakfast,” Liz says. “How does Christmas tree pancakes sound?”

“Yay!!” Jas shouts. Liz and I laugh at her enthusiasm and I couldn’t think of a more perfect first Christmas together as a family.
*********

“Max?” I lift my head up from underneath the sheets to see Liz standing in my doorway. After getting up so early, I couldn’t go through the rest of the day without getting in at least an hour nap. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, it’s okay,” I say as I sit up. “Come here.” I open my arms and she gladly climbs into them. “What are you hiding?” I ask her when I see her putting something under her shirt.

“Nothing,” she says innocently.

I narrow my eyes in suspicion. “What am I going to do with you?” I say as I shake my head.

“I have something else for you.”

“What?” She pulls another gift from under her shirt and hands it to me. “What’s this?”

“It’s something that I just thought you should have. If you don’t like it, it’s okay,” she says. She nervously bites her lip and I wrap and arm around her waist and pull her into my lap.

She rests her head underneath my chin and I drop a kiss in her hair before I open the gift. I pull a leather book free from the wrapping paper.

“I-It’s a book of poems, letters, and drawings I did while I was away. I wanted to send them to you, but I didn’t know how you would react.” She hides her face in my chest as she speaks.

I flip open the silver clasp and open the book. The first page is a black and white drawing of Liz and I. She’s leaning up against something and I’m sitting between her legs, my head resting under her chin. I flip through the book, looking at the various poems, drawings and letters. I stop at the last page and read the letter.

Dear Max,

It’s about two in the morning right now. I know I should be sleeping, but I can’t sleep unless you’re beside me. I haven’t had a descent’s night sleep since I left. I wish I were with you. I wish I were with you and our child. I’m starting to realize how stupid I’ve been and I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to see me again. I was the luckiest girl to have you and I messed that up.

I miss you so much Max. It feels like my heart is still in Roswell with you while I’m just walking around in a daze. I know that my heart will forever be with you and that’s why I’ve decided to come back home. My bags are packed and I’m leaving in a few hours. I know you won’t accept me with open arms and you probably hate me right now, but I have to try and win you back Max. I can’t not be with you and if there’s any chance that you would maybe forgive me, I have to take it. I want to be in my child’s life. Though I’ve missed three years, I don’t want to miss anymore.

I hope this is the last letter I’ll have to write because I’ll be with you again. I know it won’t be easy, but I have to try. I love you.

Yours forever,

Liz

I close the book and lock the clasp in place.

“You don’t like it,” Liz concludes when I say nothing for a while.

I slant my lips over hers, catching her by surprise. I swipe my tongue across her bottom lip and she moans as she opens her mouth to invite me in. My tongue dances with hers until the need for air overwhelms me. I pull away and rest my forehead against hers.

“Thank you for coming back,” I murmur. There’s no doubt how much I love her. There’s no point in denying it anymore. I’m in love with Liz Parker again.

“So you like it?”

“I love it Sweet Pea. Thank you.” She smiles and so do I.

Still feeling exhausted from waking up so early, I head back into my room after tucking Jas in for the night. Just as I settle under the sheets, I hear a piercing scream and I smile. Liz found her gift.

She bursts into my room and I can’t help but laugh. She jumps into my arms and starts to pepper kisses over my face.

“What was this doing in my chocolate?” She holds up a gold, heart-shaped locket and a gold charm bracelet with a small heart dangling from the chain.

I gasp dramatically. “How did that get in there?”

“You’re a horrible actor Max,” she laughs. I chuckle and roll over to pull out a gold chain from the night stand drawer. I put it through the loop in the locket and then put it around Liz’s neck. I pop open the locket. It reads, ‘Max and Liz forever. Long lasting love, even through the tough times.’

I put the matching bracelet around her wrist and hold her in my arms.

“Merry Christmas Liz.”

“Merry Christmas Max.”

TBC......

[sweetbrowneyes]

Here it is, the last part... I finished it early so I'm posting it early. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 26

I never knew cleaning cabinets could be so highly erotic.

Watching her standing there, on top of the stool with those short shorts she wears showing off her creamy thighs, its driving me crazy. I mean, does she have to wiggle like that?

She has her hair tied up in a red bandana with wisp of the chocolate tresses falling over her face. She’s been cleaning all day and I’ve been watching. I’m just an inch away from taking her right there on the counter.

I lick my lips as she bends over. Damn those shorts are short. I tilt my head to get a better view and I swear it just got hotter and my pants tighter.

“Like what you see?” I jump at the sound of Liz’s voice and I see her smirking at me. “You know, you don’t have to be so obvious.”

I take a step toward her, but I’m afraid if I get too close I’m not going to be able to let her go. “Well, if you’d bend over a little more I wouldn’t have to look so hard,” I retort as I continue to advance towards her.

Liz rolls her eyes. “You’re really perverted, you know that Max?”

“Yeah well I think I’ve earned the right to be a little perverted for awhile.”

I haven’t had any "action" in three years and to say that I’m sexually deprived would be a serious understatement. I get aroused at every little thing this woman does. Yesterday I had to leave the apartment just because Liz was eating a stupid hotdog. I know I’m going to explode if I don’t do something about this soon.

I guess the solution to my problem would be just to be intimate with Liz, but I don’t want to rush things. But as time wears on, I’m starting to think that rushing things might just be the way to go.

“Is there something that you wanted Max?” she asks when I continue to stare at her.

“Can I get a piece of that ass with me on top?” I ask seriously as my eyes roam her body.

“Sure. You want ketchup and mustard with that?”

“No, but I’d like you to dress up as a French maid and call me Francisco.”

Liz burst into laughter, but I’m dead serious. “I don’t know what goes through that mind of yours Max, but you really need to get it checked out.”

She turns back around and continues to wiggle as she cleans the cabinets. I know she knows she’s torturing me. She’s doing this on purpose. I advance towards her, ready to take her into my arms.

“Daddy!!” I whirl around just in time to see Jas running towards me. “Daddy, can I go over an see Madison?”

I breathe deeply to calm myself down. “Okay pumpkin. But only for a little while cause you’re going over your grandparents house soon okay?” Tonight is New Years Eve and mine and Liz’s parents are supposed to keep Jas while the rest of us go out.

“Kay Daddy.” She scurries off and I turn back to Liz.

I slap her ass as I pass by and she yelps in surprise. “I wanna see you in that maid outfit when I come back,” I say.

“In your dreams Max.” I wink at her before Jas appears beside me and I take her over to see her friend.
********

“Liz, hurry up!!” I yell as I slump on the couch. We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago to meet up with the rest of our friends, but Liz is taking forever to get ready.

“Liz, what are you doing?”

“I’m coming!!” she calls from the bathroom. I hear the shower turning on and I groan.

I get up and stalk over to the bathroom door. “Liz you’re just getting in the shower? Hurry up!” I shout through the door. I here a dull thump and Liz hisses in pain. “Liz?”

Afraid that she slipped in the tub, I burst into the bathroom. I see her leaning against the wall of the shower, holding her foot in pain.

“Liz? What happened?” I don’t think the fact that she’s completely naked and standing under the shower spray has registered to me yet.

“Max!! Get out! I just stomped my toe against that stupid shower door,” she says.

“Oh.” I back away towards the door, but not before I get a good look at her naked form. I don’t think we’ll be making it to meet the others any time soon.

“Max, what are you doing?” she queries as I shut the door behind me. I kick my shoes off as I advance towards her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

A growl starts deep in my throat as I step in the shower with her. She backs into a corner, her eyes widening. “Max are you… are you growling?” The water is spraying directly on me, drenching my clothes, but I could care less. I know I have to reel in my control being this gets too out of hand, but damn it, this it what happens when a man goes living horny for far too long.

“Max…” she breathes.

My control snaps then and the next thing I know, I’m pressing her against the tiled wall, thrusting my tongue inside her mouth. She wraps her legs around my waist and she holds on to me tightly as I grind against her. Unfortunately, wet socks don’t have a good grip and we crash to the floor. That’s going to hurt in the morning, but right now all I need is Liz.

I struggle to remove my socks while still greedily kissing Liz. I toss them aside once I get them off and return my full attention to Liz.

“Oh Max,” she moans as I massage her perfect round breasts. I stare down at her pert nipples, taunting me, just begging me to taste them. It doesn’t take long for me to give into temptation and I bend my head to gently suck on her pink nipples, nipping at them when she moans out for more.

I realize porcelain is very uncomfortable when my back starts to hurt and I quickly get to my feet, bringing Liz with me.

“You have on way too many clothes,” she mumbles as I suck on her neck. I detach my lips from her just long enough to let her pull my soaked shirt over my head. I lick my way up to her ear as she works on unbuckling my pants.

I suck on the space behind her ear, knowing that she used to always drive her crazy. I give her breasts a slight squeeze before I roll her rigid nipples between my fingers. She digs her fingers in my now bare hips as she throws her head back in pleasure.

I let one hand travel down to her dark curls and I cup her and watch her moan in contentment.

“Oh Max,” she moans as I trace her lower lips with my finger. I enter her, pumping my finger in and out of her slick walls fiercely.

“Max!! Oh my God! Max!!” she cries she shudders in my arms and I know she’s close. I drop to my knees and wrap my lips around her. I drink her juices and watch her in fascination as she screams out in ecstasy.

When she’s done, I get to my feet just as she slumps in my arms. “I hope you’re not tired,” I murmur huskily against her lips. I’ll die if she’s tired.

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she wraps her arms around my neck and slants her mouth over mine. She spreads her legs and I position my stiff cock against her hot center. I can’t wait anymore and I enter her in one quick thrust, causing both of us to hiss with the contact.

“Shit Liz,” I groan as I pound into her. I haven’t been inside Liz in three years and it feels like heaven. I’ve come home.

“Max… Max…” she chants as I thrust powerfully into her. “More Max… more!” she screams.

She wraps her legs around my waist and I hold her up with one arm and brace myself against the wall with the other. I drive into her as far as I can go before I pull almost all the way out and drive into her again. Our bodies slap together in the warm shower spray and I fuse my mouth with hers. She cries out as our bodies come together again, but I silence her as I nibble on her tongue and suck it into my mouth.

“Ah Liz! Shit…” her wet walls tighten around me and I don’t think I can hold out much longer.

I drive into her one last time before we both let go. With a hoarse grunt, I empty myself inside her and she coats me with her juices.

Unable to hold up any longer, we slide to the floor in exhaustion, with the cooling water running over us.

“Wow!” she breathes against my chest.

“Yeah.” I rest my cheek against her head until I can catch my breath. “We’d better get out before the water runs cold.”

She agrees and when I get enough strength, I pull Liz to her feet and wash her before she washes me. After helping her out of the tub, I dry both of us off before I sweep her into my arms. I carry her into my room and lay her on my bed before I climb in after her.

“Now that we got some of the pent up… aggression out of the way, why don’t we do this the right way?” She giggles at my choice of words.

“Nice and slow,” she whispers.

I nod. “Yeah, just like that.” I bend down to kiss her sweet lips. “I love you,” I murmur against her. I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to tell her and know seems like the right time.

Her eyes glisten and soon tears are rolling down her cheeks. “I love you too. I always have and I always will.”

I kiss her then, taking her lower lip between mine and sucking it gently into my mouth. I cherish every part of her body, making sure not to miss any inch of her. It’s been too long since I’ve been with her and I want to make up for lost time.

“Oh Max,” she whimpers as I enter her and I rock my hips in the same rhythm as hers. I swallow her moans of bliss as I cover her mouth with mine.

“Liz,” I cry out as I spill my seed inside her. She comes moments later and I collapse on top of in sated bliss.

“Liz?” I call out softly as I drift off.

“Hmmm?”

“Move in here with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she whispers as she buries her fingers in my hair and lays her cheek on top of my head. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I smile and kiss her breast and I wrap my arms tightly around her as I drift off into a peaceful sleep.
***********

<center>3 weeks later</center>

“Daddy do I get a wing too?”

“These rings are a little too big for your fingers pumpkin,” I tell Jas as I gaze through the glass with her on my hip.

“How come dey don’t half wings dat fit my fingers?” she pouts.

I swear she’s too cute for her own good. “Because these are for grown ups. Daddy will buy you your very own ring later okay.”

Her pout suddenly disappears and is replaced by her wide grin. “Can it be just like Mommy’s?”

“Of course pumpkin.”

“Do you wove Mommy lots?” she asks innocently.

“Yes. Very much.” I answer with a dreamy sigh. I know I'm pathetic.

“Do Mommy wove you lots too?”

“Yes she does.” I can finally say that and know it’s true. I know she loves me as much as I love her. “And we both love you lots and lots and many more lots,” I say as I give her a raspberry on her cheek. She laughs out loud, causing a couple of people to look our way, but they simply smile and return to their business.

“Now dat you getting Mommy a wing, are you gonna get mawried like Uncle Mike and Aunt Wia did?” she asks excitedly.

“You’re just a ball of questions today aren’t you?” I laugh.

A few weeks ago, Maria and Michael finally tied the knot and it made me start thinking of when Liz and I would finally be the ones to walk down the aisle. We’ve only been back together for a couple of months now, but why wait? We’ve wasted so much time already and I can’t wait to call her my wife.

“Well, first I have to ask her and then if she says yes, we’ll be engaged. Remember when I told you about that?” She nods and I continue. “After that, we have to plan the wedding and then we’ll get married.”

“Yay!!! Can I help?”

I smile and kiss her cheek. “Of course! In fact, I have a plan and I’m going to need your help.”

“Me?”

“Yes you,” I laugh as I tickle her. “Now, let’s pick out a ring and then we’ll go for ice cream.”

“Kay Daddy.”

Two weeks later, Jas and I have perfected our plan and we put it in motion.

“I’ll be right outside your door if you need help okay. Ready pumpkin?” I ask her.

“Yes Daddy.”

“You know what to do?” She nods eagerly and I kiss her cheek before I send her on her way. I watch her scurry off into the living room but I stay back just far enough so that I can hear.

“Hey baby,” Liz says.

“Mommy will you pway wif me?” Jas asks. I can tell just from the sound of her voice that she’s putting on her best pout. That’s my girl.

“I’d be happy to sweetie. What do you wanna play?”

“Let’s pway house.” I duck back into my room as Jas pulls Liz into hers. Once they’re inside, I creep up to the door and peek inside so that I can see.

Jas hands Liz her Barbie doll and Jas takes the Ken doll. “Now dats Liz and dis is Max,” Jas explains, pointing to the two dolls.

Liz smirks. “These people wouldn’t happen to be your father and I would it?”

Jas glances my way and I nod quickly. “Yes,” she says triumphantly. “Now dey are weally in wove and Max has somefing ta ask Liz.”

I cross my fingers and hope that Jas remembers her lines. “Liz I half somefing ta ask you,” Jas says as she tries to impersonate my voice.

“Really Max, well what is it?” Liz responds as she moves her doll as if it were talking.

“I wove you lots,” Jas says. She glances at me and I give her thumbs up to proceed.

“I love you too Max.”

“Good cause I wanna mawry you,” Jas says. “Will you mawry me Liz?” Jas pulls out the diamond ring we bought and puts it around Barbie’s arm.

Liz’s eyes grow wide as she spots the ring and her hands fly to her mouth. “Oh my God!!”

I take that as my cue and I walk into the room and kneel on one knee in front of Liz. “Oh my God!” she squeals as I take her hand. “Max…”

I smile proudly at Jas before I turn to Liz. “Liz, we’ve been through a lot over the years and we've had more drama than most people have in their lifetime. It’s amazing that our love still came out strong in the end and I nevre should have doubted it. I’ve loved you for so long and its unnatural for me not to feel so strongly for you. I know what’s it’s like to live without you and I don’t want to go through that again.”

“Max…” She’s crying now and I reach up to wipe her cheeks.

I pick up the ring and hold it out to her. “Liz Parker, will you marry me?”

“Oh my God!!” She nods eagerly but doesn’t seem to be able to get the words out. “I… Oh my God!”

“Liz, you kinda have to say more than ‘Oh my God,’” I tease.

She slaps my arm before she throws herself against me. “Yes, I’ll marry you!! Always Yes!!”

“I love you Liz. So much.”

“I love you too… I love you…. I love you.” I pull back slightly and slip the ring on her finger before I press my lips against hers.

“Hey!” Jas calls. Liz and I pull apart and turn our attention to her. “Are you emgaged now?” she asks with hopeful eyes.

I laugh gleefully. “Yes pumpkin, we are.”

“Yay!!” She bounces happily and I pull her into my arms. “I do a good job Daddy?”

“You did a perfect job pumpkin.”

I hold my two girls in my arms and I feel that strong, overwhelming, powerful feeling of love again and I know that everything is going to be okay now. I have my family in my arms where they’re supposed to be and now I can finally start living my life like I was meant to.

Just Jasmine, Liz and I.

The End

Okay, so it's over. Thanks to everyone who stuck with this fic. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Take care everyone and Happy Holidays!!

Tiffany