Eve: Max is a really big Pain in this one, but a cute pain. How's your bathroom coming? I'll bet it looks nice. Mine was done 1 1/2 years ago but it was a mess...the valve on toilet stuck and flooded the damned bathroom and my bedroom and started down the hallway by the time I discovered it. Took the construction crew 5 weeks to replace the bathroom floor,redo the hardwood floors, remove wallpaper, paint walls and the whole Mary Ann...what a mess. At least you caught yours in time. Check that toilet!!!
Carolyn: Did you get your hubby home yesterday? I'll bet you're both happy. Tell him good luck.
My prayers are with you. 
Chapter: 50
All too soon Friday evening was there and everyone was at the cathedral for the rehearsal. Of course the magnificent seven were all scrubbed and decked out in their finest but their moms were nowhere in sight.
Their moms were all hiding in the choir loft praying that God in His infinite wisdom would smile down on these hellions for Liz’s sake.
Liz on the other hand didn’t have a care in the world as far as the boys were concerned. She knew they would be wonderful, not a doubt in the world.
She was proud to have them there and she introduced them to her father and her best friends with as much pride as she would have if they were her own boys.
The boys were perfect little gentlemen just as she knew they would be and she beamed with happiness. They practiced seating Amy and Diane and then Isabel and Maria took their little arms as well and allowed them to lead them down the aisles to seats just for more practice.
They understood that they would be seating a lot more ladies tomorrow and Max asked if they minded doing this because they didn’t have to if they didn’t want to…They all said they wanted to do it because it made Liz smile. Max nodded, said okay, and then the boys headed to the back of the church where Liz was waiting.
Michael was Max’s best man and Alex was Maria’s escort for the ceremony; the three men stood at the front of the church while six of the young boys all took their places on either side of the runner, three on each side, while Jeremy held Liz’s arm and beamed with pride.
First Maria went down the aisle followed by Isabel. They had to lay three runners down the center aisle due to the length of it and when Liz’s gaze saw the length from the rear of the cathedral she thought maybe she should have worn her jogging shoes, that aisle seemed endless.
When Maria and Isabel were in place Liz started her walk with Jeremy holding her arm…no mother could have ever been prouder and to say that the boy’s mothers were proud was an understatement. Their dads were pretty proud of them also, but they weren’t upstairs hiding out. They sat right up front, in the first pew so they wouldn’t miss a thing and they beamed right along with Liz.
When they got to the altar and the monsignor asked “who gives this woman to this man?” all seven little boys said in unison…”we do your honor sir”…and they brought the place down. Anne and Katy wanted to die and Liz giggled, she motioned for the boys to come to her and she whispered… “You don’t have to say your honor…just say ‘we do’”…
“But Liz, it’s more respectful to say your honor”…then Liz nodded in understanding…they weren’t trying to be funny…they wanted to be correct and respectful…
“Okay guys…instead of saying your honor say ‘we do monsignor’” She nodded yes in a questioning way and they thought about it for a minute and nodded in agreement…they all turned around and said in unison…”we do monsignor.”
The monsignor looked at the boys and smiled and then Jeremy gave Liz’s hand to Max and they proceeded to get on with the rehearsal. After everyone understood what their duties were they all headed to Luigi’s for some great Italian food and a good time.
Around 11:00 it was decided that tomorrow was going to be a big day for all of them and then Pete wanted to know where Max was staying tonight. Max got a look on his face that practically sent chills down Pete’s spine; he didn’t know Evans could look so menacing.
Liz looked at Pete and smiled…
“We have all been informed that Max is spending the night in his own bed and not with Michael or anyone else…He has informed us that at six o’clock tomorrow he will lay his eyes on his bride for the first time as his bride but nothing will change between now and tomorrow.”
Then Pete took hold of Max by the shoulders and said “Hey buddy…look here…we don’t mess with tradition…You’re coming home with us and there’s not a damned thing you can say about it. Kiss Liz goodnight and she can bring your tux to the church tomorrow and you can change in the men’s room.”
Then Michael piped up and said it wouldn’t be necessary…his bag was packed already and in the trunk along with his tux. Max glared at Michael and Michael smiled, ignoring the glare. He’s seen it many times and then he said, “Hey man, it’s tradition…now get your ass in Pete’s car and we’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.” Then Max, with a scowl permanently planted on his face, thanked Michael, dropped the scowl, somewhat, and kissed Liz good night. He whispered to her that he would be thinking of her all day tomorrow…
“Oh me too Max…I’ll miss you. Be good and listen to Pete and Anne okay?”
“Yes mother”…and Max bid everyone goodnight and went home with Pete and Anne.
“I really didn’t think it would work.” Liz said as she got in the car…
“Neither did I.” answered Diane…
“I don’t think any of us did.” And then Maria and Isabel added an “Amen.”
Then Amy piped up with
“Liz? I was wondering…” and Liz stopped her dead in her tracks…
“Don’t even say it Amy…I’m too happy right now and nothing about tomorrow will be changed…got it?”
“Got it.” And they drove home in silence. Liz knew what her old friend was going to say about the ‘magnificent seven’ and she would not let anyone put a damper on her big day. It was settled.
* * *
The next morning Liz woke up at 9:00 a.m. and couldn’t believe how late she had slept. She hadn’t done that in years. She felt really rested though and was looking forward to having a wonderful day.
She got up and went into the bathroom and took a quick shower and washed her hair. She would work her magic on it later and then she found some jeans and sweat shirt, put those fuzzy slippers on her feet and went in to make her bed.
She decided to strip the sheets and send them down with the dirty towels and underwear from the bathroom and then she took the clean sheets from the linen closet and made up the bed. She opened her bedroom door only to run into her dad coming down the other end of the hall…
“Good morning dad…are you just getting up too?”
“Oh no Liz…I’ve been up for awhile now. I was talking to your Mom…just checking in to see how she was doing.”
Liz walked over to the laundry chute and threw all the dirty clothes down the opening then she put the basket in the dumb waiter and sent it down to the laundry room as well. This gave her a chance to think about what to say to her dad…
”Oh, how’s she doing?”
This was her first encounter with her father alone so she motioned him into hers and Max’s rooms… she took her dad past the bedroom and into the little sitting room with the fireplace. She picked up the remote and lit the automatic log and motioned for her dad to sit down. Jeff sat on one of the overstuffed chairs and Liz took the one opposite him and they sat for a minute before Jeff spoke again…
“She’s doing better Liz, she’s trying very hard to learn new ways and it isn’t easy. It wouldn’t be for anyone I’ve been told, but I will not make excuses for either one of us. There aren’t any for our behavior but we are trying Liz. We’re trying to work out our own problems as well as your moms. After all she didn’t do all of this alone.
“Father O’Brien is working closely with the therapist and we’re all trying to understand how her religious logic is all messed up. I have to go with her occasionally to help understand my part in her problems as well. My passiveness and willingness to just let her run amok didn’t help a damned thing either. So between the two of us we managed to really screw things up…but hopefully we can fix it in time.
“I am only happy that you were able to grow up fairly normal in spite of us Liz and I thank God every day for Max Evans and his family…They have been your family forever…they have been the family we should have been Liz and I can only say I am so sorry that we hurt you. You’ll never know how sorry I am.” Jeff was practically in tears.
“Dad, I know you’re sorry and I am sorry for you but you have to know that I don’t hold any grudges…the only thing I ask of you is that you understand me and my feelings.
“I can’t feel close to you, I want to but I can’t. Dad, I don’t know you. I am sure you are a wonderful caring person but I don’t know this first hand.
“You are welcome in my home any time you want to come, so is mom if she can behave herself. But Dad, you have to know that I will never let her belittle me or degrade me ever again. Max will not tolerate this from her either. And Dad, I will not prevent him from stopping her and as long as she knows this and understands this she is welcome here any time she wants to come.
“We don’t want our families alienated from us; we want our children to know their grandparents and to be a part of our lives. But there has been enough unhappiness in my life to last me a lifetime and I don’t want anymore. Does this make sense to you?”
“Yes Lizzie, it makes perfect sense and I won’t let your mother ever hurt you again, trust me. It’s time for us to build some sort of relationship with each other and to get to know each other and I think we can, what do you say?”
“I say it’s about damned time Dad.”
Liz got up and walked over and gave her dad a kiss on the top of his head and told him it was time to go get some breakfast…she was starved. He laughed at her and then asked about the laundry…
“Come check this out Dad, you won’t believe this place….”
“Oh yes I will Liz…even if it is unbelievable.”
Liz giggled at her dad’s remark and explained the laundry chute, the dumb waiter and by that time they were down stairs and standing in the laundry room Jeff was looking around in amazement. “Liz, I don’t think Roswell’s Laundromat is this big.”
“I wouldn’t know dad but I wouldn’t be surprised. If we do start a children’s facility here we will probably need to add another couple washers and another dryer just to keep up with sheets and bedding.”
“You’re serious aren’t you?”
“Oh yes Dad, Max is working on his doctorate in psychology at Penn State, his new classes start in January and he’s been working on his thesis. He is using my experience as part of his paper…
“We want to help people with problems like Tess before they have a chance to develop into dangers to society…I feel that there could be a genetic defect causing these problems and If I can get my company in on the bandwagon we may be able to get funding through them to conduct enough studies to find a cause and possibly a cure.
“Maybe we can use the talents of Joanne, Cynthia, Claudine and Bernie as well. Max and I didn’t really get into it too deeply Thursday night but we might be able to help the girls with some of their financing and then have them work here with the children after they graduate…they would be paid of course, but we would like to use their talents. We really like them and think they would be a tremendous asset to the facility.”
Jeff just stood there and listened to his daughter speak as an educated adult for the first time in his life and he was truly amazed at her maturity and wisdom. How is it that he never took the time to realize her genius? She truly is magnificent he thought as he watched her sort clothes and load washing machines…he just shook his head and then Diane poked her head into the laundry room and told them breakfast was ready…She looked at Liz and started laughing…
Liz looked at Diane with a puzzled expression and said “What?”
“Check out the bride would you…washing clothes like Cinderella.” Liz just laughed and said “Come on…let’s eat.” And they headed to the kitchen where everyone but Max was loading their plates…’God, 6:00 o’clock can’t get here soon enough’ she thought. Then she reached for the phone…Isabel grabbed it and said…”Who’re you calling?” And gave Liz that ‘behave yourself or else’ look. Liz looked at her and said sheepishly…”Max.”
“Huh-uh…put it down.” So Liz put the phone down and took her plate to the table and sat down like a good girl and ate her breakfast. Everyone tried to keep the conversation going and worked on keeping her busy but it didn’t work…finally she said she was going to go upstairs and take a nap…
Isabel looked at her and said… “No phone calls Lizzy girl…”
“Okay, okay, no phone calls…good night.” And with that she headed back up the stairs and set her alarm for 3:00 o’clock just in case she did fall asleep. She was a little tired…she was sure it was more mental than physical but it didn’t change the fact one little bit that she was still tired.
*~*~*
Meanwhile back in Roswell a little Toyota was speeding down the highway toward the Las Cruces airport in order to make the noon flight to Philadelphia. She would arrive at about 4:30 and by the time she got her luggage and caught a cab she should be at the cathedral by 6:00…she only hoped she would make it on time.
*~*~*
Pete and Anne were doing their damnedest to control Max. Pete had never seen him like this in all the years they had known each other. “What if she changes her mind Pete?” Max was beside himself, the world as he knew it was across town and he felt like he’d been abandoned or worse.
“Max, are you insane? She’s adores you…it’s not going to happen, please you have to relax. We will be at the church at 5:45 like we were told to be and she will be there…my God man, relax already.”
“Okay…I’m relaxed…see.” Pete looked at his friend and he was shaking like a leaf.
“Max, I swear, I would get you drunk if it was any other circumstances … but you have to relax, you’re going to have a stroke if you don’t”
“Okay, okay…let’s play cards or something.”
“Okay, cards it is.” And Pete went looking for a deck of cards.
Anne just stood there shaking her head. She couldn’t believe that Mr. Joe Cool himself was acting like a basket case. Maybe separating the two of them wasn’t such a good idea after all…She had called Isabel and she said Liz was doing everything in her power to sneak a phone call. They probably should have just left the two of them show up at the church together and tradition be damned. Oh well…it’ll work out.
*~*~*
Liz’s alarm went off at 3:00 just like it was supposed to and she was so glad that she had set it…she had fallen asleep.
She took her engagement ring off and went to the safe and removed the wedding rings. She slipped the solitaire into the wedding jacket and took Max’s wedding band with her and headed down the hall.
She knocked on Isabel’s door and Alex came out with his pants on and his shirt hanging open and Liz never said a word. She handed him Max’s wedding band and Alex knew he was to give it to Isabel, no words were necessary. Then she went over to Maria’s room and knocked quietly and Michael came out dressed about the same way that Alex had been and Liz smiled up at her old friend and held out her hand.
Michael looked down at her and winked as he said “You can have them back in about two and a half hours” Liz looked up into Michaels eyes and smiled.
“Thank you Michael, I needed that.” Michael bent over and took his old friend into a fierce hug and whispered… “Be happy Lizzy, you deserve it.”
He put the rings in his pants pocket and kissed her on the head and closed his door. Alex smiled at her as she padded down the hall to her own room and then he handed Max’s ring to Isabel…She smiled and told him to put it in his pocket for her and he did, they agreed ‘This was a good day’.
Liz went up to the attic and brought her gown and the rest of her things to her room. She sat at the dressing table in the bathroom and took the curling iron and started doing her hair and before the iron was heated Maria came in and picked it up for her.
“Remember Liz, we used to do this for each other all of the time.”
“I remember Maria, but don’t go too crazy…I want to look like me today.”
“Oh, I promise you Liz, you will look like you…now up or down?”
“I think pulled back and long…no?”
“I think we’ll try a couple of ways and see which looks best…we have time.”
“Okay.”
So Maria worked with Liz’s hair and she pulled it up…it looked great…she pulled it back, it looked great…then she asked, “How does Max like it?”
“Hell, I never asked…Oh wait…he wanted it down for the prom…down I guess.”
“Back and down it is.”
And when Maria was finished Liz’s hair looked beautiful.
Then she brought out the new makeup she purchased the other day when she was out shopping and started to apply the foundation…Isabel and Maria were both in Liz’s room by now and both girls wanted to try this new stuff…it looked so light and natural. Liz handed over the jar and both Isabel and Maria couldn’t get over how nice this stuff felt…”Where did you get this Liz?”
“At that little boutique in the mall. They had a demonstrator there the other day and I tried some. It’s really nice isn’t it?”
“It’s wonderful…I’m going to go get Mom and Amy…they need to try this.” Isabel was elated with the texture and look of this new cosmetic.
“But is it the right shade?” Liz wanted to know.
“Hey, they can always wash it off.” Maria answered…
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
And soon Liz’s bathroom was full of women applying makeup like a bunch of school girls playing. Believe it or not they all looked great in the stuff.
Soon all Liz had to do was put her gown on and decided to do it at the church in the bride’s room, that’s what it was there for, so she put her gloves around the hanger in a plastic bag and Isabel carried her veil downstairs to the waiting Limo.
Liz threw on a pair of jeans and a windbreaker over her bustier while Maria grabbed her shoes and she carried her gown in the garment bag it came in out to the waiting limo. They were all on their way while Michael, Philip, Jim, Alex and Jeff all followed in the truck. Charley, his family and the girls all followed in the Escalade and things were looking up for Dr. Liz Parker…’soon Max, soon’ kept running through her mind. God she felt like she was going to combust if six o’clock didn’t soon get here.
Philip still hadn’t seen his wife’s dress…she got dressed in Liz’s room and Liz helped her with her hair. She put it in a very pretty French twist and was he in for a surprise. All of the women thought she looked positively radiant.
