Roswell Fanatics

Hey all. So I'm here with a new part, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to post the next part. Finals are kicking my ass and I haven't had the time or energy to write. Hopefully I can get another part out next week at the latest.

So anyway, the angst is coming. I hope you enjoy.

<center>Chapter 10</center>

Liz was first to stir and an overwhelming sense of comfort and safety rushed over her as she woke.

She turned to Max who was still sleeping peacefully beside her. She fell in love all over again at the sight of him and she had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. His face was still flushed from their love making as was hers and she let her finger run down his handsome features.

She leaned forward, brushing his lips with hers. He stirred, his eyes fluttering open slowly.

“Hey,” she said as she brushed back his bangs.

“Hi.” He ran his hand down the curve of her waist. He cupped her cheek and pulled her in for a soft kiss.

Liz sighed in content. This was what it felt like to truly be loved. “I hope you enjoyed your birthday.”

Max grinned goofily as he nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Oh you have no idea,” he confessed.

Liz looked over his shoulder and peered at the blaring red number on the digital clock on the nightstand.

“It’s almost two. I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to leave you.”

“Me either, but we have to go.”

“Why?” she pouted. “Can’t we just stay here.”

Max ached for her as he kissed her pretty face. Soon he was rolling on a condom and positioning himself between her legs.

They lay spent in a tight embrace after content in the other’s arms.

After procrastinating for another two hours, they reluctantly climbed out of bed and were soon headed back to Max’s place.

“I love you,” he whispered as he leaned against her car.

“I love you too.” She took his hand and let him help her into her seat. “Call me later?”

“I will.” Max watched her pull off and it wasn’t until he could no longer see her that he headed into the trailer for the night.

Liz cautiously crept through the front door and down the long hallway. She’d never had a curfew, and sneaking in during the wee hours of the morning was never a problem for her, considering that her father didn’t really care so long as she wasn’t doing anything to damage the family’s reputation.

But she knew that her father knew she was going over to Max’s place and she knew that he wasn’t happy about that in the first place.

She tiptoed passed the kitchen and hung a right passed his office. The stairs that would lead her to safety were just ahead and she quickly made her towards them.

“It’s a little late, don’t you think?” She jumped at the remote tone and stepped into the living to find her father waiting for her.

“Max’s father gave him a car for his birthday and he and I went for a drive,” she explained. It wasn’t a complete lie and it sounded innocent enough.

John studied his estranged daughter carefully. It was a bad move to be seen with someone who wasn’t of their status, but surely she wouldn’t be dumb enough to sleep with the boy.

“Look Elizabeth, I’m not going to even ask what you two did, and frankly I don’t care. But I want this nonsense to stop. Now!” he demanded. He was satisfied when he saw his daughter flinch at his loud tone.

“Dad I love him and I won’t stop seeing him,” she argued.

“Elizabeth, I won’t tell you again,” he said as he stepped closer to her. “Word has already gotten out…”

“That’s the thing Dad. I don’t care what other people think and neither does Max. It’s everyone else that’s making a big deal out of this…”

“That’s because it is Elizabeth. This… this so-called ‘relationship’ is inappropriate…”

“How can you say that?!” she wailed. With frustration, she ripped her fingers through her hair, racking her brain trying to think of some way to make him understand. “You try and set me up with some self-centered asshole just for a business deal and you want to call my very real relationship with Max inappropriate?!”

“He lives in a damn trailer park Elizabeth! He doesn’t love you! He’s using you for the money and I will not allow you to keep seeing him! What can he do for you?!”

“He can love me Dad! Max is one of the smartest people I know and he’s going to make something of himself when he graduates. That’s a hell of lot more I can say for David. If it wasn’t for his parent’s money, he wouldn’t know how to dress himself!”

“That’s enough Elizabeth! I’m telling you now; I forbid you from every seeing that boy again and if I find out that he does as little as touch you I’ll…”

Her eyes widened as tears pricked her brown eyes. She wasn’t entirely sure if he wouldn’t actually do anything to harm Max or his family and that was what scared her the most.

“Dad you can’t do that!?” she cried. “I love him!”

“It’s over Elizabeth!” he ordered, his voice cool and controlled, not affected by his daughter’s distress and her tears. “Next time you speak to David, I want you to be on your best behavior. It’d be a miracle if he ever asks you out again after the way you treat him.”

“This is what’s best for you Elizabeth,” he assured her.

Liz couldn’t stand looking at him anymore and she scurried up the stairs and into her room. Flinging herself on her bed, she soaked her pillow with her frustrated tears. How she and her father were related was lost on her and she wondered how he could be so cold to his own daughter. She wondered if it would be different if her mother was still alive. From what she could remember, she always kept him grounded and without her, everything fell apart.

Swiping at her tears, Liz reached for the phone and pressed the speed dial.

His voice was on the line seconds later, immediately soothing her aching heart.

“Hello?” After tucking the sheets snuggly over a shivering Maria, Max had just climbed into his own bed when he heard the phone ring.

“Max,” she cried.

With concern washing over him at the tears in her voice, Max quickly sat up. “Ellie? What’s wrong?”

Her answer came in a broken whisper, for fear that her father would overhear her talking to Max “I-I can’t see you anymore.”

“Why not? I thought…”

“M-Max, I love you,” she declared. “But my Dad… he doesn’t want me seeing you anymore. I love you so much,”

Max wasn’t shocked by the news. In fact, in the back of his mind, he knew this was coming, if not now, then later. But all he cared about right now was Liz.

“Ellie, calm down okay? Everything’s going to be alright.”

“No Max. He w-wants me to be with David, but I can’t… I love you Max,” she sobbed. Being forced to be with David was winding her up, but the thought that her father was capable of doing something to Max pushed her over the edge.

“Shh. I know you do Love. I love you too. You know that right?”

She sniffled as she wiped her eyes. “Yeah.”

“It’ll be okay. We’ll figure something out,” he eased. “Wipe your eyes Sweetness.”

Liz reached for the box of Kleenex on the nightstand and did what she was told. “Are you in bed?”

“Yeah,” she answered in a small voice.

“Close your eyes and rest.”

“Hold on.” She set the phone aside and kicked off her shoes. They landed on the floor with a thud and she stood to pull off her jeans. She climbed under the sheets in her panties and tank top.

“Okay,” she said once she was settled.

“I want you to relax and just imagine yourself in my arms… just like you were twenty minutes ago.” Max and Liz both sighed as they imagined themselves back in the hotel room. “I can still feel your soft skin under my fingers and your body pressed against mine.”

Liz smiled against her pillow. She could still smell Max’s scent on her top.

“I wish you were here with me right now,” she sighed.

“Me too. Want me to sing to you?”

Liz giggled at his unexpected question. “I don’t know. If you sing, will I end up with a headache?”

Max laughed, but started to sing anyway. “You put the lime in the coke you nut and drink it both together. You put the lime in the coke you nut and drink it all up.”

“Max!” she laughed.

“Ha! I mission accomplished. I made you laugh,” he chuckled. Maria stirred in her bed beside his and he silenced his laughs and shrunk underneath the sheets.

Liz giggled as she shifted to her side. “Max, be serious.”

“Okay.” Max did as he was told and sung for her.

Just like the Birds
That whistle in the tress
At peace so happily
Well, you're my tree
And through my storms
You have stood strong for me
Kept me warm as can be
Like a candy, to an apple
Oh, we go together
Your so sweet on me
I can say that I do believe
This is destiny
It keeps calling me

Now it's me and you
It's you and me
And it's whatever
Whatever you want it to be
I'm telling you
If it's up to me
Whatever is whatever
It's whatever with you and me

He heard her deep even breathing on the other end. With a soft smile, he laid his head on his pillow and drifted off with the sound of her breathing comforting him into sleep.
*********

Liz grudgingly stomped down the stairs to meet her date for the night. She couldn’t believe that just the other night, she was in the arms of the man of her dreams and now she was being forced to go out with a guy she couldn’t even stand to look at.

She and Max had agreed that it would be best of she at least hung out a few times with David just to get her father off her back. Though Liz hated the idea, they didn’t know what else to do.

“Hello Elizabeth,” he said as handed her a red rose. Smiling tightly, she forced out a ‘thank you’ through gritted teeth.

She shuddered in revulsion when he screwed his arm around her waist and led her out the front door with her father wishing them a good time behind them.

“Where are we going?” she asked him as she climbed into his Mercedes. She found herself missing the hard seats of Max’s beat-up jeep.

“How about a movie my dear?” His smile was sickening sweet as he cupped her hand in his and kissed her palm. He mistook her shudder for one of pleasure and he smiled triumphantly as he pulled out of the long driveway.

Across town, Max anxiously hopped from foot to foot. Tonight was the night that Liz was supposed to go out with David. Though he knew that she didn’t like him and she was forced to do it, he still was a little nervous.

Michael and Kyle offered the idea to go out so that he could take his mind off the whole situation for awhile.

“Max, can I come. Puh-lease!!” Maria whined.

“No Ria. Don’t you have some little friends you could be playing with right now?”

Maria pouted and latched on to his arm. “Please Max. I’ll be your bestest friend for ever and ever and ever…”

“And that’s supposed to convince me to let you come?” He laughed when she hopped away from him and slapped his arm in disgust.

“Look Squirt. Next weekend I’ll take you to the movies. Okay?”

“Just me and you?”

He smiled and ruffled her hair. “Just me and you.”

Her eyes brightened. “Can Liz come too?”

“I thought you wanted some quality time with your brother,” he said, in mock offense.

She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Nah. I think I’d rather have Liz come too.”

Max playfully pushed her aside and headed for the door. “Dad, I’m leaving now!”

“Have fun!” he called from his room.

“Bye Squirt.”

Max hopped into his jeep and drove off to pick up Michael and Kyle.

At the theater, Liz stood as far from David as possible as they stood in line for their tickets. He was trying to be a gentleman tonight and that alone sickened her even more because she knew it was just an act.

“You want anything lovely.”

Liz rolled her eyes as she again extracted his arm from around her waist. “No thanks. And please don’t call me that.”

“Why not? It suits you, you know.” He smiled and Liz cringed, wishing for the night to be over.

Max pulled into the parking lot of the theater and killed the engine. “Ellie brought me here once. Their popcorn is so much better than at the one we usually go to.”

“Hey, I thought we weren’t going to talk about her tonight. This is supposed to be guy’s night, there will be no mention of girls,” Michael said as they made their way to the ticket booth.

“Unless, their names begin with Halle and ends in Barry,” Kyle added. “Or Carmen Electra, or that hot chick on TRL. What’s her name?”

“Vanessa,” Max said. “What?” he said when Michael and Kyle stared at him.

“I though that since you were Liz, you were incapable of finding other girls attractive,” Michael explained.

“Yeah. All that goggle eyed mushy shit is ridiculous Max. Very unmanly.”

Max raised his eyebrow in a challenge. “This coming from the guy who was bawling his eyes out after Jennifer Huddleston dumped you.”

“Hey! That girl was my everything,” he retorted.

Max snorted. “Yeah until an hour later when you met that other girl. What was her name?”

Kyle narrowed his eyes as he tried to think of the red head he’d fallen in love with after seeing her for the first time. “Deborah something. I was in love man.”

“And yet you can’t remember her name,” Michael chuckled.

“I thought we weren’t talking about girls tonight?” Max said as he paid for his ticket.

Michael shrugged. “What else is there to talk about?”

After buying their tickets, the trio entered the building, but Max stopped in his tracks when he saw familiar long brown tresses amongst the crowd waiting in line at the concession stand.

“Ellie?”

“Are you ready Elizabeth?” David grabbed her hand and held on tight making it impossible for her to pull away.

“Let go of me David!” she ordered quietly. She spun away from him as he tried to slither his arm around her waist. She managed about a foot distance between them, shooting him a harsh glare, challenging him to come any closer.

Loving the fight that she put up, David merely smirked. She was a feisty one; the greater the challenge, the better.

As the two made their way towards their show room, a tall guy with shaggy brown hair brushed passed her, elbowing her in her side.

“Look behind you Liz,” he whispered as he passed her by. She watched him continue on as if nothing happened and she realized it was Michael.

If Michael was here, then that meant that Max was probably not far away. Excitement burst in her chest and she glanced behind her, catching sight of him standing in line at the concession stand. He offered her a smile and a wink and she smiled in return, nearly collapsing in a heap of mush at the sight of him.

Max saw the struggle between Liz and David and he was about to go over and punch David’s lights out before Kyle stopped him and sent Michael over to Liz let know he was there if she needed him.

He made sure he knew exactly which show room she’d disappeared into and after getting his popcorn, he followed.

Half way through the movie, she got up and looked directly at him as she passed by. Catching on, Max waited a few seconds before following. Across the empty lobby, he spotted her slipping into the girls’ bathroom. Without a moment’s hesitation, he followed.

He pushed into the bathroom. “Ellie?”

He found her leaning against the sink waiting for him. He strode to her and quickly pulled her into his arms.

“Hey stranger,” she purred as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

“Not as glad as I am considering I’m risking major embarrassment since I just walked into the girls’ bathroom.

Her giggle was cut short when Max lifted her onto the counter and stepped between her legs.

“Max, what if we get caught?” she moaned as he nibbled her neck.

“Don’t care,” he mumbled against her.

Closing her eyes, she sighed with content in his arms as he pushed the collar of her shirt aside and nipped at her creamy skin. “I really hate this Max. I don’t want to spend any more time with him.” She paused to let out a low groan as his warm hands wandered under her shirt.

“I swear I’ll strangle him if he touches me one more time.”

“Not if I get to him first.” With dazed eyes, he admired the mark he left on her shoulder.

His lips searched out hers, hungrily caressing and nipping as she moaned against him. Liz moaned with the aching need for him when his hands slipped over her thighs and up her waist then back again.

They reluctantly separated when the need for air overwhelmed them.

“We should be getting back,” she said as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. “I love you.”

“I love you.” He helped her hop from the counter before he kisses her sweetly. “Call me later.”

She nodded and after one more kiss, he disappeared through the door.
**********

“So you missed like ten minutes of the movie,” Michael laughed as they sped towards his house. “You and Liz have a quickie in the bathroom?”

Max reached across the seat and punched him in the arm. “No. I was making sure she was okay. I didn’t like the way that asshole was all over her.”

“So what are you going to do about it? Is she going to keep seeing him?” Kyle queried from the backseat.

“She’s not seeing him. She’s just hanging out with him for awhile just to get her father off her back.” His cell phone rang in his pocket and he quickly fished it out. “I just can’t believe how strict he is. It’s like he has no heart,” he said as he flipped open the cell phone

“Hello?”

“Max! Oh my God. Oh my God! Oh my God!”

“Maria? What’s wrong?” Panic immediately flooded through him at the sound of her sobs over the floor.

“I-It’s Dad … I-I found him on the floor… H-He wasn’t moving…” her hysterical cries overwhelmed her and Max felt his heart drop. “Daddy’s in the hospital,” she sobbed.

The shock came suddenly and the phone slipped from his hand as the jeep swerved on the road.

Michael quickly grabbed the wheel before they collided with the oncoming traffic. He guided the jeep to the shoulder of the road and put it in park. “Whoa! Maxwell. What the hell…” His rant was immediately halted when he saw his friend’s ashen features.

“My Dad,” he cried. “I gotta get to the hospital.”

TBC…….

Aaliyah: “It’s Whatever

Finals are almost over so I'll be back soon. I hope you enjoy.

<center>Chapter 11</center>

Liz climbed out of the car before David had the chance to jog around and help her out. She just wanted to get inside so she could wash the memory of this night with him away in the shower.

She closed the car door and walked a few paces ahead of him.

“What’s the rush Lovely,” he purred as he easily caught up to her and slipped his arm around her waist.

Liz stepped away from him and quickened her pace as she walked up the stairs to the front door.

David, who was unfazed by her unwillingness to have any physical contact with him, latched onto her again as she frantically searched her purse for her keys.

“David, let go of me!” she growled.

She had just found her keys when the front door swung open to reveal her father’s smiling face. He was obviously pleased with the fact that Liz had went out with David.

He invited David in despite Liz’s protests and just as she was about to complain, her cell phone shrilled inside her purse.

“Hello?”

“Liz, its Kyle.”

Hearing the commotion and crying in the background, she immediately grew concerned. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

Kyle almost snorted as he took in the scene around him. “No. Look, Max’s dad is in the hospital and we think it’s serious. I think Max really needs you right now.”

She didn’t need to hear anything else. “I’m on my way,” she said, causing her father and David to look at her curiously.

“We’re at Roswell Memorial.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She hung up and headed down the stairs.

David grabbed onto her arm before she could get far. “Where are you going? Our date isn’t over yet.”

“It is now,” she muttered as she snatched her arm out of his grasp.

She was grabbed by her father next. He jerked her until she was close enough for him to whisper in her ear. “Elizabeth, I told you about acting like a snob! Watch yourself,” he growled.

Liz pulled his fingers from around her forearm and took a step back. “Look, Max’s father is in the hospital. Max needs me.”

“Who cares about that trailer trash?” David exclaimed.

“I told you, you were never to see that boy again and he has the audacity to call here!”

“His father is sick and I know he needs me right now. For once could you think of someone other than yourself and your fucking money?!”

Both gawked at her, wondering where she got the nerve to speak to her father that way.

As they stood there dumbfounded, she stomped down the stairs, went to her Land Rover in the garage and was on her way before either of them could stop her.
*************

Max cradled his near hysterical sister in his arms as he to comfort her. The fact that Maria had found their father’s unconscious form sprawled across his bedroom floor hadn’t even hit him yet. All he cared about was Maria right now.

Not knowing how to comfort their friends, Michael and Kyle stood off to the side. They both saw Max’s blank features when he saw his hysterical sister when they came into the waiting room. They all recognized that same look when his mother died earlier that year. Max was shutting down and they had no idea how to help.

They both jumped at the idea to call Liz, hoping that she could bring some comfort to him.

“Max, we can’t lose him. We can’t,” Maria cried against her brother’s shoulder. She had already soaked the collar of his shirt with her tears, but neither of them noticed.

“Shh, everything’s going to be alright Ria. He’s going to be fine,” he consoled her. Though he didn’t believe a word he was saying he knew if he told her what he really thought was going to happen, it would throw her off the deep end. He just hoped that what he was thinking wouldn’t happen.

Liz entered the waiting room, her eyes searching for Max. She spotted him and Maria huddled up in one of the green plastic chairs in the corner of the room.

Maria looked devastated and Max looked emotionless as he rocked her. Her heart broke for them.

Not wanting to interrupt them, she spotted Michael and Kyle and headed over to them.

“What happened?”

Michael threw a sad glance at Max and Maria before turning to Liz. “Maria found him in his room while we were all out.”

“Is…” her voice cracked and tears welled in her eyes at the sound of Maria’s sobs behind her. She cleaned her throat and continued. “Is he going to be okay?”

“We’re not sure. They’ve been working on him for awhile now,” Kyle answered. “I just hope so for Max and Maria’s sake. They have no one left.”

With Max’s comfort, Maria calmed enough to stop crying.

She managed to give Max a soft smile and said in a hoarse tone, “I’m going to go get something to drink.”

Max nodded and let her climb off his lap. “I’ll go with you short stuff,” Michael offered.

Max watched his sister leave the room. He took a deep breath, as the onslaught of this whole situation hit him. His father was in the hospital and they had no idea what was wrong with him. If something happened to him, he didn’t know what he was going to do.

“Hey.” Max jerked out of his thoughts to find Liz staring down at him with a tender smile.

“When did you get here?” he asked wearily as he ran a tired hand down his face.

“Just a few minutes ago.” Liz sank into the seat beside him, her concern growing as she looked into his expressionless eyes. “How are you doing?”

He dragged his eyes to hers and she caught the flash of fear before they returned to a blank stare. “As well as I could be I guess,” he answered. “Ellie, you don’t have to be here. I know your father doesn’t approve and I don’t want you getting into anymore trouble.”

“Max I don’t care about that. I’m right where I want to be.” A slight nod was his only response. Her heart breaking for him, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. He was rigid against her at first, unwilling to accept her comfort.

“Max, everything’s going to be fine,” she told him.

Once again, a nod was all she got, but he relaxed in her embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Kyle’s parents arrived minutes later after hearing the news followed shortly by Michael’s parents. They both tried to show they’re support for Max and Maria all the while trying to keep their emotions in check. It seemed it wasn’t long ago that they were in this same situation when Susan passed. And that chilled them all to the bone.

What seemed like a lifetime later, Dr. Boyce came into the waiting room. Max shrugged out of Liz’s embrace, Maria out of Michael’s and they approached the doctor.

“How’s my Dad? Is he going to be okay?” Maria asked while her hand searched out Max’s. Her tiny fingers intertwined with his larger ones, taking comfort as well as giving it.

“Well he’s stable right now. You’re father didn’t have an asthma attack, he has angina pectoris.”

“What’s that?” Max queried.

“It’s temporary chest pains that occur when the heart is not getting enough blood. That’s why he’s been tired and pale all the time like you mentioned.”

“Is that sort of like a heart attack?” Mrs. Valenti asked.

“Sort of, but he didn’t have a heart attack,” she rushed to explain when she saw the worried looks. “Having angina means that you have an increased risk of having a heart attack, but since you father has gone so long without medical assistance, there’s a very high chance that he could have one.”

Max’s heart dropped and the lump in his throat swelled in fear for his father. He was grateful when Liz appeared at his side and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Is he okay right now?”

“He’s not clearly out of the water yet, and we want to keep him here for monitoring reasons.”

“Can we see him?” Maria asked.

“Yes. He’s awake and he’s asking to see you two.” Dr Boyce gestured to Max and Maria and they both shared a look before following the doctor.

Maria let out a soft whimper as she hurried to her father’s side. His skin was almost a grayish color and looked like he was barely alive with the tubes flowing in and out of his nose and the machines hooked up to him. Max pushed himself forward and stood at his father’s side. The steady beeping of the heart monitor gave him hope.

“Daddy,” Maria whimpered. “Are you okay?”

Roy managed a smile as he looked at his two beautiful children. “I’m fine Minnie. You know you’re old man is as strong as an ox.”

Max thought he didn’t sound like it. “How do you feel Dad?” Max kept glancing at the heart monitor, afraid that the constant beep would stop at any given second.

“Like I’m in a hospital with tubes down my nose,” he joked weakly. Roy stopped as if he had to catch his breath.

Max’s heart thumped wildly in his chest the few seconds his eyes were closed. Again his eyes drifted to the machine.

“Dad you’re going to be okay,” Max reminded him as he looked at Maria as if it would be the last time he’d see her. Roy turned to him next.

“Max, I want you to take care of Maria if anything happens to me,” he said. “I want you two to stay together. You’ll be fine if you stick together.”

“Daddy, what are you talking about?” Maria cried. Her hysteria was returning and she grabbed her father’s hand in a vice-like grab.

“Promise me Max.”

Max nodded as he blinked back tears. “I promise Dad.”

“My sweet Maria,” he smiled. “God, I love you both so much.” He opened his arms and without the slightest hesitation, both of his kids jumped into his arms, whispering their love for him.

In a way, both of them knew it was going to happen before it did, but neither wanted to believe it. Their eyes darted to the monitor as its beeping sped up and Roy clutched at his chest. Max ran for help, his eyes frantically searching for anyone to help them.

Doctor’s rushed in, a nurse gently eased Max and Maria out of the room and back into the waiting room where the rest of the group was waiting anxiously.

As the questions were fired left and right, Max ignored them all as he kept his gaze on the room where his father was fighting for his life.
*********

Max carefully lifted his sleeping sister from the back seat of Liz’s Land Rover and bumped the door shut with his hip. She had passed out from exhaustion during the ride home. After being told the news about their father, she had begun to hyperventilate. The doctors wanted to keep her over night but Max had insisted that she would be better off at home. He knew what was best for his sister and he was going to keep his promise to his father.

Kyle pulled up in Max’s jeep.

“You think they’re going to be okay?” he asked Liz as he handed her Max’s keys.

“I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything yet.”

Kyle nodded and pulled Liz into an affectionate embrace before joining his parents in their car.

Liz walked ahead of Max and opened the door to the trailer, letting Max step in before following.

Kyle’s parents had offered to let them stay with them for the night, but Max refused and he hadn’t said anything else since.

Liz watched with a heavy heart as Max carried Maria into their bedroom. She knew he was hurting, but he seemed to be in his own world and Liz couldn’t blame him. She couldn’t imagine what he was going through right now. Losing both his parents in the same year, she couldn’t imagine what he was feeling.

Why did this have to happen to them? They were the last people who deserved this.

Liz entered the room just as Max was finishing tucking Maria in. “You should go now,” he said without turning around. “Thanks for being there and everything.”

Liz flinched at his dry tone. She took a tentative step forward. “Max…”

“Your father must be really angry by now. Maybe…”

“Max, I don’t care about that,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb Maria. “Now if you really want me to leave… then I’ll go. But don’t shut me out Max.” She stepped forward and a stray tear rolled down her cheek. Though his features were vacant, she knew he was in pain. He had to be.

“You should get home.” He turned away from her and began to get ready for bed.

“Max.” He ignored her as he pulled off his shirt and climbed into bed.

Not knowing what else to do, Liz backed out of the room and headed home.

TBC……….

Okay, hold on guys cause it's about to get rough. I'm just warning you now.

<center>Chapter 12</center>

It was quiet when Liz walked into the house later that night. She had expected her father to be waiting to rip into her when she got home, but she found him no where in sight and she wasn’t about to go looking for him.

Liz scurried up to her room, breathing out a sigh of relief when she made it without being spotted. She turned and almost screamed out loud when she found Alex perched on the edge of her bed.

“Damn it Alex! Don’t do that!” she hissed as she shrugged off her jacket and tossed it aside.

Alex watched her move around the room, yanking the expensive earrings out of her ears and slamming them on her dresser. She kicked off her shoes and left them in the middle of the floor which was unusual since she was normally so neat.

“What happened?”

Liz jerked off her diamond bracelet and chucked it clear across the room, disgusted that she had so much she didn’t deserve while Max and Maria deserved so much more than what they had and kept getting short changed.

“Liz.” Alex opened his arms in an invite for comfort. Liz immediately went to him, crushing her face against his chest as the dam broke and her tears cascaded down her cheeks.

“He’s dead Alex,” she cried. “He had a heart attack right in front of them and now they have no one. Why did this have to happen to them?”

Alex rocked her gently as he rubbed her back. “I don’t know Lizzie. You know everything happens for a reason.”

Liz sat her, wiping her eyes angrily. “What reason is there that he had to die and leave them alone? Maria’s devastated and I know Max is too, but he won’t talk to anyone,” she sobbed. She leaned against Alex, seeking his comfort. “I’m so scared for them Alex.”

“Shh, I know you are. Just give him time. He’ll come around,” he soothed. “Maybe it’s just his way of grieving or maybe it hasn’t hit him yet. Just give him time.”

Liz nodded against him as another onslaught of tears assaulted her.

Alex didn’t want to tell her that her father had been pacing through the house all night like a wild animal. Alex knew he was up to something and he wanted to warn Liz about it but thought it was better to wait.

For now, he held her tightly and gave her the comfort she needed.
***********

Liz walked into class to find Max already there, his head buried in his chemistry. Sliding into the stool next to him, she gave him a soft smile which he quickly returned before she pulled out her books.

It had been a week since his father’s funeral and she had yet to see Max shed a tear, though she’d never forget the vacant look in his eyes as they lowered his father into the ground.

He acted as if nothing had changed though he and Maria where now living with Kyle and his family since Kyle’s parents had gained custody of them through Roy’s will. He shied away every time she tried to talk to him about it, but she figured it was his way of dealing.

“Max, do you want to do something tonight? Maybe go out for dinner or something?”

Liz hadn’t gotten a chance to be alone with him since the night his father passed and they’d snuck off into the bathroom at the theater.

“Ellie, are you sure it’s okay for us to be doing stuff together? You know with your father and everything.”

Liz hadn’t spoken to her father since she’d left him stand on the porch that night. She hoped he finally decided to leave her alone so that she could be with Max.

“Max I don’t care what he says. I love you and I want to be with you.” She reached for his hand beneath the table and laced her fingers with his. “So how about dinner and a movie? I’ll come and pick you up?”

Max nodded, and let out a weary sigh. This whole thing with Liz was starting to weigh on him. He was starting to think that maybe it’d be easier if they’d just cool it for awhile. He had his sister to take care of now and he needed to focus all of his attention on her.

After school, Max headed over to the small café where he worked and started his shift. He ignored the sympathetic looks of his boss and co-workers and denied the offer of a few days off.

“Look Max, I know you’re going through a hard time right now, so if you need a few days off….”

“I’m fine Mr. Spencer. Thanks anyway.” He smiled as his order was called. He picked it up and headed into the dining area to serve his patrons.

Much to his dismay, Mr. Spencer relieved Max of his shift early. Max shrugged off his apron and tossed it into his locker. Grabbing his backpack, he shut his locket and headed out through the back door.

The fact that he wasn’t headed home to his beat up trailer where his father was always waiting
brought tears to his eyes. But just as quickly as they came, they were gone as he felt himself being thrust against the brick wall of the café. He groaned as his arms were painfully twisted behind his back.

“Stay the hell away from Elizabeth,” a voice growled from behind him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Max said. He then whimpered he spotted a sharp blade shining in the moonlight before he felt a sharp prick in his side. He figured it was best to keep his mouth shut.

“Don’t fuck around with me. You know damn well what I’m talking about. Stay away from her.” As quick as he had come, he was gone, leaving Max shaking in the aftermath.

He slid to the ground, breathing heavily to try and get his bearings. He frantically lifted up his shirt, checking to see if he’d been stabbed. Finding nothing wrong, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the brick wall. He thought about going to the police, but thought better of it. Especially if Liz’s father had sent the man, no one was going to believe a poor boy’s accusation.

Once he got himself together, he stood on shaky legs and hurried towards his jeep.

He reached the Valenti’s home moments later. He planned to call Liz and break it off with her as soon as he got the chance. He entered the house that he was now supposed to call home and headed straight for the stairs. He stopped at his sister’s room contemplating on whether he should go in or not.

Deciding on it, he knocked softly before pushing the door open softly. He found her curled in a ball on top of the sheets and he quickly went to her side. She hadn’t slept in days and her appetite was gone. He knew it was her way of grieving, but he was getting worried.

“Ria?” he called as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Maria sat up, her eyes red and brimming with tears. She eagerly crawled into her brother’s open arms and buried her face in his chest.

“I miss them both so much,” she sobbed.

“I know you do,” he whispered into her hair as he rocked her gently. He hated seeing his sister so distraught and he’d do anything to make her feel better. She was his responsibility now and she was all he had. He promised his father he would take care of her and that was exactly what he was going to do.

“Remember what Dad said? He said that we were going to be okay if we stuck together.” His voice cracked as he spoke and he paused to regain control. He had to be strong for her. “We’re going to be okay Ria. I’m not going anywhere. You still have me.”

Her small arms tightened around him, as he rubbed her back, hopping to soothe her enough so that she could rest.

He didn’t know how long it was until she finally settled down. He laid down with her and she curled in his arms, even in sleep, looking for his comfort. Max didn’t mind because as much as didn’t want to admit it, he needed the comfort too.
*********

Liz stepped onto the porch of the Valenti home and rang the doorbell. Amy opened the door moment later, greeting Liz with a bright smile.

“Hi Mrs. Valenti. Is Max here? We were supposed to go out tonight.”

“Oh I thought I heard him coming in about a half our ago,” she said as she stepped aside to let Liz in. “Why don’t you go up to his room and see if he’s ready. Go up the stairs and his room is the last door to your right.”

“Thanks Mrs. Valenti.” Liz waved at Kyle who was on the couch watching TV as she made her way to the stairs. She knocked on his door, but got no answer. His room was empty when she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

She backed out of the room, thinking she’d gone into the wrong one. She turned to the door across the hall. She knocked softly before pushing the door open.

She found Max and Maria sound asleep and her heart broke at the sight. She stood at Max’s side and brushed back his hair. He stirred, his hazel eyes opening slowly.

“Hey sleepyhead,” she said with a soft smile. “Are we still on for tonight? It’s okay if you don’t feel like it.”

He shook his head and eased himself from under Maria. “No, it’s okay. But do you think we could go out to the desert instead? We need to talk.”

Liz smiled and reached up to brush back his tousled hair. She stood on her toes, wanting to brush her lips with his, but was disappointed when he moved away.

“I’ll go change,” he said as he brushed pass her and out of the room.

“Liz?”

Liz whirled around to see Maria sitting up in bed, rubbing her tired eyes.

“Hey Maria. How are you feeling?”

“Okay I guess.” She ran a hand through her tousled hair. “Liz can I ask you something?”

Liz moved to the edge of the bed and laid her hand on top of Maria’s offering comfort. “Sure. Go ahead.”

“Could you talk to Max? I mean, he’s… I know it’s only been a week, but he won’t talk to me and he’s acting so funny. He gets angry and snaps at me whenever I try and talk about my parents or see if he’s okay and…I’m scared for him.” Maria lowered her eyes before she brought her teary gaze to Liz. “I figured that maybe you could help him somehow.”

Liz nodded and offered a soft smile. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Thanks.” Maria wrapped her arms around Liz’s neck, pulling her into a thankful embrace.

Max entered the room at that moment, dressed in fresh clothes. “Are you ready?”

Liz nodded and followed Max out of the house.

The ride to the desert was full of uneasy tension which was a first for Max and Liz. Max seemed restless, constantly throwing nervous glances out the window to the road behind him. She reached across the space between the seats and grabbed his hand. He jumped in fright, jerking away from her as if she’d burned him. She realized that maybe he wasn’t dealing with his father’s death as well as she thought.

Max bounced his knee nervously as they pulled to a stop. He had been jumpy the whole ride, hoping that whoever had followed him to his job hadn’t saw him leaving with Liz. He just wanted to break it off and get it over with. He needed to get back to his sister and he didn’t have time to deal with this.

Liz climbed out first, grabbing the blanket she had started keeping in her SUV. She spread it over the desert sand and waited for Max to join her.

He sat as far from her as possible and Liz frowned with concern. “Max, is something wrong?” He ducked his head, his eyes falling shut. “Are you okay? I mean… are you dealing with everything okay?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he replied quietly.

“Max…”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it,” he growled. Liz was taken aback by his outburst and she figured it was best not to push him.

“Look Ellie, I wanted to come out here because I need to talk to you.” He paused to make sure he had her attention. “Ellie, I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

“What? Why?” She hadn’t expected that at all.

“We’re two different people and I don’t think this is working.”

“So you’re just going to give up?”

Max shrugged and turned his gaze to his hands sitting in his lap. He didn’t realize how hard this would be and he found himself fighting back his tears.

Liz, on the other hand was determined. After everything they’d been through, she wasn’t letting him go that easily.

“Max before my mother died, she used to tell me that if you loved something enough… if you believed in something then you should fight for it. Something as great as what we have is worth fighting for.”

Max shook his head in denial, remembering the incident at the café. “I can’t Ellie. I’m sorry.”

Liz moved closer to him. “Max I know what you’re going through. I lost my mother too and my father… it feels like I lost him as well. Max, Maria’s worried about you. I’m worried about you. I know you’re hurting but…”

“Ellie I don’t want to talk about this. You don’t have to worry. I’m fine,” he snapped through gritted teeth.

“Then why are you getting angry? Why can’t you talk to somebody? Why have you been snapping at your sister?” she said gently. She could see him breaking and she scooted closer to him.

“Ellie please…” Max clichéd his fists, trying to get a hold on his control.

“Max I’m not trying to hurt you, but you have to let go.” She reached his side just as she saw a silent tear roll down his cheek. “You’re not grieving and it’s going to hurt you in the long run. You can’t keep holding everything in.”

“I’m not,” he protested.

“You are.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulder, but he shrugged her away.

“Ellie I can’t do this with you.” She winced when his voice cracked and he choked up. “I can’t handle this right now.”

Liz nodded. “Okay. If you want to break up, then that’s fine, but don’t shut me out Max.”

“Ellie,” he whimpered. She pulled him into her arms and this time, he let her.

His control broke and he let go, sobbing into her chest.

“I can’t do this,” he cried. “I’m supposed to be strong for Maria. She’s the only family I have. And now… I don’t know what to do. And you, I… I love you, but I can’t be with you the way I want to be because we constantly have to defend ourselves and… I… I need you Ellie and I don’t want to let you go.”

Her heart soared and broke at the same time with his confession and she rubbed his back, hoping to calm him as he cried against her chest.

“Shhh, Max, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere okay; no matter what everyone else says. I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

He nodded against her, relishing in her comfort.

It was getting cold out and she felt him shivering under her touch. The last thing they needed was to get sick and she eased out of his arms and headed to her SUV to get another blanket. When she returned, his head was dropped low, his hands covering his eyes as his shoulders heaved as he cried.

She wrapped them in the blanket and pulled him close.

“It’s okay,” she whispered to him. “Just let it out.”

Max let himself grieve for his father and let himself give in to the need to be with Liz and knowing that after everything, he’d still have her.
***********

On the deserted road, a black Sedan crept to a stop. The driver peered out the window, watching as the couple slept, tangled in an intimate embrace.

Picking up his phone, he dialed the familiar number.

“It’s me. I found her…” He turned back to the couple and his eyes narrowed to the boy, sleeping peacefully with his head against the girl’s chest. He had warned him earlier and was sad to see that he hadn’t taken him seriously. “He’s with her… Yes sir, I assure you, Max Evan will be dealt with.”

TBC…….

Hey all, thanks for the wonderful feedback! I'm just offering the Dreamer insurance now if anyone needs it so I hope you enjoy.

<center>Chapter 13</center>

The cool breeze whipping around the young couple woke Liz. At first she was confused as to where she was until she spotted the dark head of head resting peacefully against her chest.

Max was still deep in sleep, worn out from the night before. The tears stains were still evident on his handsome features and it broke her heart. Having him break down in her arms was the most heartbreaking and humbling experience and she just hoped that she at least helped him a little.

She didn’t have the heart to wake him, knowing that he hadn’t had a decent night's sleep in days though he tried to hide that fact, but it was already well past two in the morning. She was sure that the Valenti’s were worried.

“Max,” she whispered in his ear. “Max, it’s time to get up.”

He mumbled in protest when she shook his shoulder, cuddling deeper into her embrace and waving her pestering hand away.

“Max, it’s late. We have to get back.” His sleepy eyes opened, and she smiled softly when he looked up at her. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

He rubbed his red eyes and rolled away from her. “Better,” he whispered.

“Ready to go back?” He nodded mutely and helped her roll up the blankets.

Liz started the engine, but before she could turn to the road, Max grabbed her hand. “Thank you for… for being here for me.”

She smiled and cupped his tear stained cheek. “I’d do anything to help you.”

That earned her a soft smile as he turned his head to press a soft kiss in her palm.

Liz pulled onto the road and they rode in silence, a little lighter than they were when they came.

Liz helped a drained Max up the stairs to his room. He’d conked out during the twenty minute ride back to Roswell. He rolled into bed, asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Liz pulled off his shoes and tucked the sheets around him. “I love you Max,” she whispered to him as she kissed his forehead.

Liz ventured back down stairs, and headed home.
*************

The next morning, Max tentatively stepped into the living room where Maria was watching cartoons.

“Hey Squirt,” he said as he moved around the couch to sit beside her.

Maria smiled when she saw her older brother looking refreshed and better than he had been when he left with Liz last night. She had obviously done the right thing in asking her to talk to him.

“Hey.” She frowned as she pointed to his sleep tousled hair. “Please tell me you’re not keeping your hair like that,” she teased. “But then again, it does look better than whatever you usually do to it.”

He gave her a funny look. “Don’t start,” he said, though he was happy that to see the twinkle returning in her eyes. “Look, Ria, I’m sorry about the way I’ve been acting.”

Her smile faltered she dropped her gaze to her hands playing in her lap. “I was worried about you. You wouldn’t talk to me and every time I tried to help you, you snapped at me.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I… I just didn’t know how to deal with everything. And… and I wanted to make sure you were alright and I couldn’t do that and deal with my grief too.”

She nodded, understanding now what he was feeling.

“Max, do you think this will ever get better?” she asked. Max swung his arm over his shoulders and she leaned against him. “I mean, the Valenti’s are nice, but do you think this will ever feel like home?”

“I hope so.” He poked her side in hopes of cheering her up. “But look at the bright side, we won’t have to eat your cooking anymore.” He laughed when she smacked his arm and pushed him away.

“God, am I glad I have my own room now,” she mumbled.

“I don’t know. I think I’m going to miss sharing a room with you Squirt.”

She perked up. “Really?”

He scrunched up his nose as he shook his head. “No. Not really.” He barely dodged the throw pillow she chucked at him.
************

Liz trudged downstairs, the fresh smell of bacon and eggs luring her to the kitchen.

“Thanks Louise,” she said, smiling their cook, she took her plate. She headed into the dining room.

Halfway through her meal, Alex came in. “Hey Liz.”

Liz nodded to him as she polished off her eggs. “What’s up Alex?”

“Well uh… there’s a visitor waiting for you in the living room.”

Liz frowned. She wasn’t expecting anyone today, not that she had anyone to expect. “Who is it?”

Alex simply stepped aside and Liz gasped when she saw her former best friend stepping into view.

“Hi Liz,” she said with a soft smile.

“Isabel.”

The tension was too thick for any of them to stand. “Why don’t we just go up to my room?” she suggested.

Alex and Isabel agreed and followed her upstairs.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been up here,” Isabel mumbled. “I don’t see you in school much anymore.”

Liz nodded. It was because she had specifically been avoiding her. Knowing her supposed best friend would snob her just because her boyfriend was poor hurt her and she didn’t want to chance running into Isabel.

“So Isabel,” Liz started as she settled on the edge of her canopy bed. “What brings you by?”

Alex closed the door behind him and acted as moderator between the two as he always did when they had got into it.

“I heard about Max’s dad and I know your father is still giving you a hard time about Max. I wanted to see if you were dealing with everything okay,” she said as she wrung her fingers together. Liz had rarely seen her doing that she knew she only did that when she was beyond nervous, which it took a lot to make Isabel nervous.

“I’m fine Isabel.”

“Good.” Glancing back at Alex, Isabel took comfort from his soft smile before she turned back to Liz. “Look, I came over to apologize. I was wrong in thinking of Max that way. I shouldn’t judge a person by what they do and don’t have. And I shouldn’t have shunned you Liz.” She moved to sit next to her. “You’re my best friend and I should’ve seen how happy he made you and accepted the fact that you love him. Can you forgive me?”

Liz smiled, wrapping her arms around her friend. “Of course I forgive you Iz. I missed my best friend.”

Isabel laughed as she crushed Liz to her. “I missed you too.”

Liz laughed as she pulled away. “But you have to apologize to Max to.”

Isabel smiled. “No problem,” she said. “Maybe we should all hook up sometime.”

Liz smiled, happy to have her best friend back. “That sounds good.”

Isabel stayed for hours, and she and Liz caught up with what’s been going on with the other in the weeks they hadn’t spoken. Much to Liz’s dismay, Isabel had to leave, saying that her parents were expecting her home.

“Liz I have to tell you something,” Alex said after he’d escorted Isabel out.

“What is it Alex?” She frowned, not liking the serious look that adorned his features.

“That night Max’s father passed, your father was acting really weird.”

“What do you mean?”

“This could be nothing, but he just kept pacing through the house all night and yelling at someone on his phone. He might be planning something and I just wanted to give you the heads up.”

Liz nodded and gratefully hugged her cousin. “Thanks for letting me know Alex.”

“No problem.”
***********

“Elizabeth.”

Liz cursed under her breath as she turned and made her way to her father’s office. She had been trying to sneak by without him noticing her.

“What is it Dad?”

“I need to talk to you,” he said as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Hesitantly, she made her way into his office, fearful of what he had to say. “Good news,” he said as he clapped his hands together. He actually had a slight smile on his face. Liz thought it looked out of place.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re moving.”

“What?!” she cried as she shot out of her chair. “Why?”

“Elizabeth, sit down,” his voice was calm and it chilled her to the bone. She did as she was told. “I got an offer to open another store in Boston and I took it. So we’ll have to move there so we can get everything set up.”

"Is this what you've been planing?" He nodded, his smile growing. “You can’t do this. What about school, all my friends are here and…”

“Max.”

Her eyes snapped to his and the hard look returned to his eyes. “Is this because of him? Why are you doing this to me? Why can’t you see that I love him?”

He chose to ignore her and instead handed her a pamphlet. “That’s the academy you and Alex will be attending. You will finish up the semester here and then we’re off to Boston. I already talked to Alex’s parents and they agreed that he could come with us. It’s one of the best school’s Elizabeth. It’s a shoe in for Harvard.”

Throwing the brochure on the desk, she stood once more. “I don’t give a fuck about Harvard. I don’t want to go. You can’t make me.”

He smirked. “I can and I will. You will see that this is best for you Elizabeth.” He nodded to the door. “You are dismissed.”

Turning on her heels, Liz hurried out of the office, and into the seclusion of her room.
*************

Max stuffed his feet into his boots, ignoring Maria and Kyle’s bantering behind him. They had been at it all day, arguing over everything. Why they were currently bothering him in his room, he didn’t know.

Max had been on edge all day. His thoughts kept wandering to the threat he’d gotten the night he’d left work. Through his shift earlier, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching.

He needed to talk to Liz; he needed to end it with her. Her father wanted them apart that bad to send someone after him. He couldn’t risk getting hurt; especially now that he had to watch over Maria.

“Will you two shut up!?” He shouted. Kyle and Maria stared at him as if they’d just noticed he were there. “Why are you guys in here anyway?”

“There’s no where else to go,” Kyle said. “Besides, can’t I hang out with my best friend?”

“Yeah and can’t I hang out with my brother,” Maria added.

Max rolled his eyes in annoyance as he searched for his keys.

“Where are you going?” Maria asked.

“To meet Liz at the Crashdown.” She had called eariler and said that she needed to talk to him.

“Can I come?” Maria shrieked as she bounced around him. “Puh-lease Max.”

Max picked her up and tossed her onto his bed. She giggled as she bounced and he tickled her side. “No. Liz and I need to talk, privately.”

“So you’re going to a public place,” Kyle deadpanned.

Max glared at him. He thought it was best, knowing it was least likely that he’d get attacked while in a crowded area. He didn’t know if anyone was following him, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

“I gotta go.” He kissed Maria’s cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” she replied.

“What about me?” Kyle whined as he puckered his lips.

“You know I worry about you some times,” Max laughed.

Max headed downstairs, told Jim and Amy where he was headed before he trudged to his jeep.

The streets were quiet and he hated that he worked so late that he couldn’t meet Liz while it was still light outside. He cautiously scanned the road as he drove, looking for any signs that he was being followed. Finding nothing but a SUV in front of him, Max relaxed for the ten minute ride to the Crashdown.
************

Liz entered the Crashdown, and quickly scanned the restaurant for Max. He hadn’t made it yet and she figured he had gotten held up at work and was running late. She moved to the back, sliding into the booth she and Max always sat at and ordered a Cherry Coke.
***********

Max cursed, his foot slamming on the brake as the SUV in front of him slowed abruptly. The relief he felt when he avoided crashing into the back of the truck was short-lived when the jeep jerked forward.

“Shit,” he muttered when he spotted another SUV behind him and one more pulling beside him.

Panic overwhelmed him as they sped up; forcing Max to do the same or be ran over. He jerked forward once more, the jeep swerving as the car next to him edged into his lane. The jeep scraped against the railing, the only barrier keeping him from crashing to the ravine below.

Another hard jerk followed and Max banged his head against the steering wheel with the force of it. The jeep swerved out of control as the car beside him rammed into his side, pushing him off the road.

Max hoped his sister would be okay as the railing gave way, with one final push and the jeep toppled down the ravine.

The SUV that was behind the jeep slowed to a stop as the other two continued on. The driver climbed out and watched the jeep as it tumbled before the mangled mess finally collided with the bottom of the gorge.

Smiling in accomplishment, when he spotted no movement from inside the twisted metal, he pulled out a lighter and cigarette. He smoked a few puffs before pulling out his phone and calling an ambulance.

TBC…………

Hey all. Thanks for all the feedback and I'm just telling you to hold on to those dreamer insurances.

<center>Chapter 14</center>

Liz pulled herself out of her car and headed up the walk way to her home. She had waited a half hour for Max to show, but he never came. She pulled out her cell phone and tried to call his cell again. She got no answer and tried the Valenti’s next.

Again, she got no answer. Frowning, with worry about to consume her, Liz walked into the house and was immediately bombarded by a frantic Alex.

“Liz, thank God you’re okay,” he gasped as he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Her frown deepened. “Alex what’s going on? Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

He silently pulled her into the living room and turned on the TV. “What’s…” she paused when she saw that he had turned on the news.

“… around ten o’clock this evening, sixteen year old Max Evans was driving down this very road when a witness says that he lost control of his jeep and swerved into the ravine.”

An older man appeared on the screen. “I was behind him and he was driving pretty fast. Next thing I know, the jeep’s swerving across the road and then he flies off down the gorge.”

“Oh my God,” Liz gasped as a picture of the mangled jeep being pulled up from the ravine was shown.

“Paramedics arrived quickly and took the teenager to Roswell Memorial where he is in critical condition…”

“Oh God! I-I have to…”

Alex followed her to the door. “I’ll drive you.”

Alex worriedly glanced over at his cousin as he sped down the deserted streets of Roswell. He knew she had to be in shock and what had happened hadn’t hit her yet.

“Are you okay?”

Liz simply nodded, turning her gaze out the window. All she could think about was getting to Max. That was all she wanted and that was all she was going to let herself think about because she knew she would break if she dwelled on what happened to him.

The duo rushed into the hospital minutes later. They were guided to the waiting room where Michael, Kyle and the Valenti’s and the Guerins’s were trying to console a sobbing Maria. She had lost her mother at the beginning of the year and she’d just lost her father. Now she was close to losing her brother; the only family she had left.

As soon as Maria spotted Liz standing at the door, she rushed into her arms. She was the one person that loved Max as much as she did and she knew what she was going through.

Having a hysterical Maria in her arms finally broke her dam and Liz sank into the nearest chair, rocking the younger girl as they both cried.

“Any word on how he’s doing?” Alex questioned Jim.

He shook his head sadly as he wrapped a comforting arm around his distraught wife. “No. Not yet.”

Everyone stepped aside and let the two girls grieve. Meanwhile, they tried to deal with their own pain the best way they could as they waited on the news that would tell them whether Max would survive.
*************

“Does anybody else want coffee?” Vivian Guerin asked the somber group. She was met with a round of head shakes and she left with Amy to retrieve some coffee.

It had been almost three hours since they had taken Max into the emergency room. It was past twelve in the morning and Jim had left to see what was taking so long.

Her tears having finally dried up, Liz glanced over at Maria who was sleeping fitfully against Michael’s chest. Liz had retreated into Alex’s arms for comfort. He assured her that Max was going to be okay, but the more he said it, the more she got worried.

Jim returned to the waiting room followed by Max’s doctor. Everyone stood trying to read the doctor’s face before he could tell them of Max’s fate.

“How is he?”

Dr. Hammond sighed and they all knew that they weren’t going to like what they were about to hear. “Well, he’s broken an arm, leg and several ribs which have punctured his lungs. He needs the assistance of a respirator, but that’s not what we’re worried about right now.”

Liz leaned against Alex, afraid that the doctor was going to tell them that Max was going to die. She closed her eyes, willed her tears away and latched on to the hope she had left.

“There’s been some damage done to his spinal cord and we’re going to take him into surgery in a few hours. But what we’re worried about most is his head injury. He had some bleeding into his brain. We preformed a craniotomy, and we’ve done all that we could do but there’s a possibility that he could slip into a coma.”

“Isn’t there something you could do?” Amy asked desperately.

He sadly shook his head. “There’s nothing we can do but to wait and see if he pulls out of it.” He sadly glanced over the solemn group. Though he loved his job, this was the part that he could do without.

“We’re transferring him into a room in the ICU. So you guys can come and see him in a few minutes.”

“Liz.” She looked up to see Kyle standing over her. She could tell he was heartbroken over his friend, but was holding it in for her and Maria’s sakes. “He’s going to pull out of it Liz. I know he is.”

Liz let him wrap his arms around her as she cried.

Fifteen minutes later, Maria and the Valentis were allowed to see Max, considering that they were family. In what seemed like an eternity later, Jim emerged into the waiting room to escort Alex, Michael, Liz and the Guerins into Max’s room.

However, Liz stayed back. “You go ahead guys. I can’t right now…” She wasn’t sure she wanted to see him. It would just make this whole thing to real and she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Liz do you want me to…”

“Go ahead Alex.” He sympathetically squeezed her arm before they all left her alone.

Liz retreated into the nearest seat and buried her head in her hands. She broke, her tears overwhelming her as she thought of the love of her life laying helpless in a hospital bed, needing the help of a respirator to even take his next breath. Again, she wondered why this had to happen to Max. He had done nothing wrong. He and Maria had done nothing to deserve this.

It was nearing one in the morning and a reluctant Michael and his parents headed home with promises of returning later that day. Alex left shortly after them, but not before making sure that Liz was okay. Kyle and his parents cleared out the room, wanting to give Maria some time alone with Max.

Once she got herself together, Liz shuffled towards the ICU. After finding his room, she waited outside the door.

No one pushed Liz to go in. She was desperate to see him, just to know that he was still alive. But the fear of seeing Max so helpless was eating away at her and she couldn’t bring herself to walk through the door.

Finally, after a few shaky deep breaths, Liz pushed herself off the wall and knocked gently on the door.

Liz nearly fell to her knees at the sight of him. Her eyes connected with a distraught Maria and she stumbled over to Max’s side. Her eyes roamed over his bruised and battered form. His shaved head was covered in bandages from surgery and his right leg and leg arm was confined to casts. She closed her eyes, feeling lightheaded from the whirling sounds of the heart monitor and the respirator pumping air into his lungs.

“Oh Max,” she cried as she reached out to him, carefully avoiding the tube lodged in his throat and the large gash across his forehead.

“He’s going to be okay,” Maria mumbled from the other side of the bed. “He told me… he told me that he’d never leave me. He told me he wasn’t going anywhere and Max always keeps his promises to me.”

Liz nodded, hanging on to that small amount of faith as she took Max’s and in hers. She laid her head next to his and cried.
**********

“Max, remember the first time we met?” Liz smiled at the memory. “When we bumped into each other in the hall, I knew you weren’t like any other guy I’ve ever met before. I could just feel something pulling me toward you. I know a lot of people don’t believe in it, but I think it was love at first sight.”

She combed her fingers through his short, spiky hair. It had grown back the two months he’d been in the hospital. His spinal surgery, was successful and was healing nicely, but just as his doctor predicted, he’d slipped into a coma. Liz was constantly at his side, as was Maria who had finally left his side long enough to go home and get some rest.

“I wanted you to feel the same about me, but when I thought you liked Isabel, all hope of that flew out the window. So I lied and said that I sucked at math just so I could spend more time with you, hoping that you’d notice me the way I noticed you.”

She laid her head against his chest, comforted by the way it rose and fell steadily with the help of the respirator.

“Remember our first time on your birthday Max?” She smiled as she brought his fingers to her lips, pressing a soft kiss on each one before twining her fingers with his. “That was the most amazing night of my life. We’re going to have more nights like that when you wake up and visit me in Boston Max.” She closed her eyes. “You have to wake up,” she cried.

She was leaving for Boston tomorrow. She had tried every trick in the book to get her father to let her stay with Max, but he never relented. For two months she had been trying to convince him that Roswell was the best place for her to be, but it was all in vain.

She hadn’t had the heart to tell Maria that she was leaving. Liz and the younger girl had formed a sort of a bond as they stayed up and acted as guardian over Max. She had no clue as to how to break it to her that she was leaving.

There was a soft knock on the door before Alex poked his head in. He gave her a soft smile before stepping in the room and closing the door behind him.

“How’s he doing?” He asked as he stepped toward her.

“The same,” she answered as she pressed her lips to Max’s cheek.

Alex had been extremely worried about Liz. The first few weeks after Max had been brought into the hospital, Liz hadn’t moved from his side. She wouldn’t eat, she wasn’t getting any sleep and she was wearing herself down. The Valentis had to force her to go home and take care of herself before she got sick.

“Liz, it’s getting late. Don’t you think its time you came home?”

“Alex I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Liz you haven’t eaten all day,” he argued. She held up a bag of chip and a bottle of water. “Liz, that’s hardly a meal.” Liz still refused to leave his side and rested her head next to Max’s.

Alex sighed in frustration. It was the same argument every time, but Alex refused to lose this one.

“Look Liz, I know you’re worried about Max and all, but …”

“What would you know Alex?” she snapped, finally letting her anger over this whole situation roll over her. “How do you know how I feel? Is the love of your life lying in a coma, fighting for her life? Are you constantly worrying that you’re going to lose her at any given second?” She swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks and continued, her voice gaining volume with each word. “Do you know how empty I feel right now? We’re moving to Boston tomorrow Alex. Way across the damned country so forgive me if I want to spend an extra few minutes with my boyfriend.”

She turned her tear filled eyes back to Max. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t leave him.”

Alex stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Liz, you’re right. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I do know that going on like this won’t help Max. Look, just come home with me and have a good meal and get a couple of hours of sleep. When you get up we’ll come back and see Max okay?”

Liz nodded, after a long moment. She knew he was right but leaving Max’s side was something that she dreaded.

“Mrs. Valenti is on her way to sit with Max so he won’t be alone,” he told her and he guided her out of the room.

When the two got home Isabel was waiting her Liz’s room with a carry out of Liz’s favorite burgers from the Crashdown.

“How is he doing?” Isabel asked.

“The same,” Liz sighed. Soon after finishing her burger, Liz fell into a much needed sleep. Alex and Isabel quietly left the room, their worries growing for their friend.
************

It wasn’t until the next morning that Liz awoke. She was more tired than she thought. It was almost noon and she scrambled to get ready to go see Max before they left for Boston. But just as she was pulling on her shoes, Alex entered her room, his face somber as he dropped his eyes to the carpet.

“Alex what’s wrong?”

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There’s always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day

“Liz something happened while you were asleep.”

I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

Liz felt her weight buckling down on her and she collapsed on the edge of her bed. Before he even opened his mouth, she knew that her worst fear was coming true.

“Liz, Max is dead.”

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear

Before Alex could stop her, she was rushing out of the house and speeding off in her car. It wasn’t until she found herself in the desert where Max had brought her and they had declared their love that she let her tears fall.

You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

She didn’t know how long she had been out there. The sun was now high in the sky, mocking her with its bright rays shining down on her. With a shaky finger, she drew a heart in the desert sand with her and Max’s initials incased in the middle.

She watched as the wind picked up and soon the heart was gone.

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack

She didn’t have time to grieve for her lost love because they would be coming soon to get her. She whispered a final goodbye and headed back towards town only to be whisked away in a limo headed for the airport.

It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

She leaned into the comfort of Alex’s embrace as they sped out of Roswell, leaving her love behind.

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie

Across town, Maria sat beside her beloved brother as she stroked her fingers through his spiked hair. She took his hand between both of her tiny ones and said a silent prayer. A slight flutter against her hand spiked her hope and she raised her wide eyes to find him staring back at her.

“Max.”

You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

TBC……….

Sarah McLachlan – ‘Angel’

Hey all! I’m back. All I’m saying is that don’t kill me after you read a particular part of this chapter.

Behrsgirl1230 you got it right on the nose. Everything will be explained in the next part so hang tight and enjoy.

<center>Chapter 15</center>

<center>Ten years later</center>

Elizabeth Parker sighed as she waved goodbye to the last of her students. It had been a long day and all she wanted to go was go home and take a nice long bath.

After clearing up the blocks scattered across the room and the spilled glue, she packed up her things and headed out of her classroom.

“Liz!” She whirled around to see Serena, her best friend running to catch up with her. She slowed her pace and together they walked out of the preschool.

“What do you have planned for tonight?”

“Well its Friday, so I plan to go home, take a long bath and hopefully there’s a good movie on tonight,” Liz said.

“What? No long drawn out lovey dovey phone call from David scheduled for tonight?” she teased.

“It’s not even like that,” Liz sighed.

Five years ago she and David ran into each other while she was out to lunch with Alex. He surprised her when he apologized about how he’d acted back when they were sixteen. They’d become friends and it wasn’t until last year that they started dating.

“Anyway, cancel your plans because you and I are going shopping.”

Liz frowned at her friend. “What for? We just went shopping last week.”

“I know, but… I met this guy, Kyle while I was on vacation in Cancun.”

That name briefly stirred feelings inside Liz that she had been trying to let go of for the past ten years.

After Max died, she spent the first few years away from Roswell trying to come to terms with it and move on with her life. She dated a few guys, but no one seemed to come close to what she and Max shared. At first Alex thought she was crazy for giving David a chance, but he treated her well and it wasn’t like they were serious. She needed the distraction and that’s what he provided.

She shook herself out of her thoughts and tuned back into Serena.

“I heard from him and it turns out that he lives here in Boston and we’re going to meet in the park tomorrow.”

Liz knew that the chances that it was the same Kyle was slim to none, but she couldn’t help but wonder.

“And you need something spectacular to wear?” Liz laughed. Serena nodded and Liz rolled her eyes. “Sure. I’ve got nothing better to do.”

Ten minutes later, Liz was pulling into the parking lot of her apartment building. Amid trying to get over her first love, she had immediately ran from her father’s clutches as soon as she could. He died two years ago of a heart attack. But before that, she hadn’t spoken to him in years. As cold hearted as it sounded, she couldn’t bring herself to regret that. In turn, he’d left his jewelry company to Alex.

Liz tossed her keys aside as she stepped into the apartment, pressed the button on the blinking answering machine and kicked off her shoes.

“Hey Liz. It’s me. Alex and I are coming up there to visit you. We have some wedding details to plan,” Isabel giggled over the phone. “We’ll be there Sunday afternoon. I hope you have room for us cause you know how cheap Alex is. How the hell did I end up with him. See you then.”

Isabel had changed significantly in the last ten years. She was less materialistic which was ironic since she was a successful fashion designer in New York. She and Alex had fallen in love when she joined them in Boston after she graduated high school in Roswell.

Liz was happy for her friends, but she wished she had what they had. And she feared that she wasn’t going to have it since the only man she could love was dead.

The phone clicked and the next message played.

“Hey Ellie.” Liz rolled her eyes. She hated it when David called her that. She had told him countless times that she didn’t like it. There were only two people who could call her that and both of them had passed on.

“I’m still out in sunny Cali. We’re still working out the kinks on this business deal, but the new store should be opened in about a month. I miss you and I’ll see you in about three weeks. Call me when you get in. Bye.”

Not having the patience to deal with him, Liz bypassed the phone and headed into her room to change. Minutes later, she was out of the door to pick up Serena.
*********

Just outside of Boston, a loud shriek of a baby crying and a persistent knock woke Max and he grunted when he saw how early in the morning it was.

He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and realized it was Grace that was crying. “Gracie. Daddy’s coming baby,” he called as he climbed out of bed.

He limped into his daughter’s room. She was standing up in her crib, holding onto the bars like she had just learnt how to do.

When he neared her, she raised her arms, wanting to be picked up. “What’s wrong with daddy's little girl huh?” he cooed. She quieted as soon as she was in his arms. He chuckled and headed to answer the front door.

“Max, I’ve been knocking forever!” Kyle exclaimed when Max opened the door. “Hi Gracious.” Grace giggled as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

Max stepped aside to let Kyle in. Max, Kyle and Maria had officially become siblings when the Valenti’s adopted them a few months after Max’s accident. Though they’d never forgotten about their biological parents, Max and Maria had grown to love the Valentis and thought of them as their parents.

It had taken years of physical, occupational, and speech therapy for Max to get back to his normal life, though his slight limp reminded him everyday of how hard he worked to get to where he was today.

When he woke from his coma, the doctors found out that his head injury was worse than they thought. He was as useful as a new born baby. He saw how it had hurt Maria when he didn’t remember her or their biological parents, but few memories and significant moments of their life before the accident evenutally came back to him. What he couldn't remember, Maria filled in.

“Max, you have to help me man.”

Max sighed as he carried Grace into the kitchen. He handed her a bottle and set her in her play pen. “What’d you do this time?”

“What do you mean ‘what’d I do?’ Why do I have to have done something?” He looked hurt, but this early in the morning, Max could care less.

“Because if you hadn’t have done something, you wouldn’t be over this early,” Max retorted.

Kyle held his hands up in surrender. “Point taken.”

“So why are you here, waking up my kids?”

“Hey, at least I didn’t wake up…”

“Daddy!!!!!”

Max turned to Kyle with a annoyed smirk. “You were saying?”

“My bad.”

Max headed into his son’s room, smiling when he saw identical amber eyes looking back at him. Adam smiled brilliantly at Max as he hoisted him in his arms. “How’s Daddy’s little man doing this morning?”

"Cookie!"

Max laughed. "Nice try. You're not getting a cookie this early little man."

Max walked into the living room where Kyle was playing with Grace. He gave Adam his sippy cup and placed him in the play pen with his sister. “Now that you’ve disturbed my whole family, may I ask why you’re here?”

“You know Max, I get the feeling you don’t enjoy my company right this moment,” Kyle quipped.

“Just because you’re my brother doesn’t mean I won’t hurt you,” Max retorted.

“Okay look, I met this girl…”

Max threw his hands up. “A girl. What’s new?”

“I met her in Cancun. It was just a fling, but I really like her and I can't stop thinking about her. I found out that she lives here in Boston and we’re supposed to meet in the park today.” Kyle looked desperate, but Max still didn’t understand what that had to do with him.

“And? So?”

“Bestest friend, brother of mine… I need you to come with me.”

“Why do I have to go?”

“Gracie Poopy!” Adam squealed as he pointed his little sister and scrunched up his nose. Grace giggled innocently beside him.

Max sighed and hoisted Grace into his arms. Kyle followed his as he headed into her room to changer her diaper.

“Max, I really like this girl," Kyle continued. "And I’d like my best friend to be there with me to make sure I don’t blow this.”

Max took off Grace’s diaper, wincing at the smell. He’d done this many times before, but he could never quite get used to the smell.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” He said as his daughter laughed up at him. “Kyle, throw this away for me.”

Kyle jump away in fright as Max held the diaper out from him to take. “Max, don’t wave that thing at me like that! It could be poisonous!”

Max rolled his eyes. “It’s just a dirty diaper. Stop being such a wuss.”

Kyle plugged his nose with one and held the diaper out at arms length with the other. “The things I have to do,” he mumbled. “Toxic diapers and shit.”

Max rolled his eyes as he continued to clean Grace up.

“Dada go!” she giggled, yelling the only to words she knew when he was finished.

“That feels better huh?” He tapped her button nose and kissed her cheek.

“Now why don’t you get Michael to go? Today’s my day off,” Max said as he entered the living room. He set Grace down and watched her crawl over to where her brother was playing.

Kyle innocently shrugged. “I already asked Michael and he said no.”

Max raised a curious eyebrow. “I thought I was the best friend.”

“What? Michael lives closer; therefore I stopped by his place first,” he justified.

“So you come crawling to me as your last resort,” Max finished for him.

“Pretty much.”

Max sighed. “Fine. Let me see if Maria can keep the kids.”
***********

Max and Kyle headed into the city to drop Adam and Grace at Maria’s. They had been standing in front of her apartment door for almost ten minutes and they still hadn’t gotten an answer.

“What the hell is she doing? You called her right?” Kyle muttered as he shifted from foot to foot.

“Would you relax? Yeah I called her,” he said as he pulled his key out of his pocket. “She’s probably in the shower or something.”

Max and Kyle stepped into the silent apartment. Worry started to seep into Max’s bones until he heard a scream coming from the bedroom.

“Oh Michael!” Maria screamed.

“Michael?”

Max set Adam on his feet and ran into the bedroom, catching Michael and Maria just as she was peeling off his shirt.

“What the hell is going on here?” Max roared.

“I think that’s pretty obvious don’t you think?” Kyle quipped as he came up behind Max.

Max glared at Kyle as Michael scrambled to cover Maria’s naked chest. “Max? What are you doing here so early? I thought you weren’t coming until three?”

“It is three,” he growled as he turned narrowed eyes to Michael. “What are you doing with my sister? Is this the girl you’ve been seeing these past few months?”

“Max, we can explain…”

“I’ll kill you…” Max charged forward, only to be stopped by Kyle, who pulled him into the living room where Adam and Grace where playing with their toys that were kept over here.

“Max, just calm down okay?”

“How am I supposed to calm down when I find out that my best friend is screwing my little sister?!”

“Max, we were going to tell you,” Maria said as she entered the living room, dressed in her robe. Michael trailed behind her with his arm wrapped around her waist.

"This is insane," Max muttered.

“We just didn’t know how you were going to react, so we… sorta prolonged it.”

“Ria…” Max grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the couch. “Why Michael.”

“Hey! I am standing right here!” Michael yelled.

“You can barely stand him,” Max argued. “I can barely stand him.”

“You’re walking on thin ice Maxwell,” Michael warned. Max ignored him and turned his full attention to Maria.

“I don’t know. I just… I love him Max.” Max winced. He wasn’t ready for his kid sister to be in love and have sex with boys. Let alone his best friend.

“Oh God! You’ve had sex with my best friend,” Max groaned. “Maria you’re only twenty-two. Aren’t you supposed to wait until you’re like thirty to do that type of stuff?”

Maria laughed. “Max, I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing. I’m sorry for not telling you and sneaking around your back. But I love him.”

“Yeah Maxwell. Sorry about that. I sorta kinda love her too.” Maria and Max both threw a glare at him and he shrugged sheepishly.

Max sighed. He knew that nothing he was going to say was going to help his point. There really was no reason why he should be upset that Maria was with Michael. He knew that Michael would treat her well.

“Just… give some time to get used to this.”

“Okay, now that that’s settled, can we go now Max. My girl awaits,” Kyle said as he pulled Max to his feet and dragged him to the door.

“I’m not done with you yet Michael!” Max called as he let Kyle guide him down the hallway.

Max and Kyle made it to the park minutes later and quickly headed to the fountain where Kyle and Serena agreed to meet. Kyle quickly spotted her, standing with a short brunette.

“Serena!” he called. Max rolled his eyes as Kyle practically skipped to her.

Liz tossed a penny into the fountain, silently making her wish just as Serena squealed beside her.

“Oh there he is!”

Liz turned, her eyes widening when she spotted Kyle Valenti, a face she hadn’t seen in ten years walking towards her. He pulled Serena into an embrace before turning surprised eyes to her.

“Liz?”

She was confused by the slight anger she spotted in his eyes and she was about to greet him when she spotted the man that he’d come with.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes went wide. She closed and opened them again, trying to clear her vision and make sure that her eyes weren’t playing a cruel trick on her. Could her wish have just come true?

“Max?” she gasped as she stared into the familiar amber eyes looking back at her.

Confusion flashing through his beautiful eyes was the last thing she saw before the world went black.

TBC……….

Sorry! Sorry! I know it took me awhile to get this out, but I’m having a writing crisis right now that I’m still trying to get through. Plus this part is super long and it’s not exactly done because not all of the questions are answered like I said they would be. I didn’t want to keep you guys waiting so I wanted to post what I do have.

So anyway, thanks for the amazing feedback and sorry for the torture. I didn’t know the part would come out so long Enjoy!

<center>Chapter 16</center>

“Hey guys. Back already?” Maria said as she stepped aside to let an angry Kyle and frowning Max inside.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Daddy!” Adam shrieked as he jumped into his father’s arms.

“Hey little man. You have fun at your aunt’s?” Adam nodded eagerly and curled into Max’s arms. Grace was busy chewing on her stuffed bear’s ear.

Max sunk onto the couch as he drifted back into his own thoughts. He couldn’t get that girl out of his mind. She was the girl from his dreams. For the past years, even when he was with Camilla, he had dreamt of a girl with long brown hair and chocolate eyes. He had never told anyone about her, mainly because he simply thought she was just a reoccurring dream. This Liz person was her. She was his dream girl.

Kyle grabbed Maria’s arm and pulled her into the bedroom where Michael was seated on the bed. “Liz is here.”

“What?!” she and Michael shrieked. “Does Max know who she is?” Maria asked.

“No. She passed out when she saw him and Serena took her home. He hasn’t said anything about her so…”

“What are we going to do? Should we tell him about her?” Michael asked.

“No,” Maria said, her features hardening in anger. “She left without telling anyone. How could she just pick up and leave Max like that? I don’t want my brother anywhere near her.”

“Maria…”

“No Michael! She ran when it got tough and now she has to deal with it. Everything Max had to go through; for ten years he struggled just to get back to a normal life and where was she? How do you know she even wants to have anything to do with him?”

Over the years, Max and Maria’s roles had been reversed. Maria had become the overprotective one, looking after Max anyway she knew how. After Max had woken up, Maria and the Valenti’s had tried to find Liz, even going to West Roswell Academy and asking information about her. The only information they could gain was that she no longer attended West Roswell Academy.

At first, Maria figured that Liz’s father had taken Liz and moved somewhere else by force. But as time wore on and she saw how Max struggled, she grew angrier and that theory faded into the background. It didn’t make sense to her. Why would Liz just up and leave without telling anyone?

“Why don’t we wait,” Kyle suggested. He himself had some doubts about why Liz left. He wanted to be angry at her, and he was, but it didn’t add up. He knew Liz loved Max and it didn’t make sense that she’d just leave.

“If he asks about her, then we tell him the truth. I won’t lie to him.”
*************

“Max!” Liz bolted upright, confused by her surroundings and shaking as the remnants of her dream lingered just out of her reach. She had the strangest dream that she had gone with Serena to meet up with her date and Max was there.

The moon was shining brightly outside her window and she wondered how long she’d been out.

She ran a frustrated hand through her hair and breathed deeply to calm herself. She couldn’t believe that after all these years, he was still all she could think about. All those years of therapy, of grieving… he was still everything to her.

“Liz, you’re finally up,” Serena said as she came into the room. “I thought you were going to be out all night.” She handed Liz a cup of coffee before settling at the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. “What happened?”

“You don’t remember? We were meeting Kyle at the park and you fainted when you saw him,” Serena explained.

Liz choked on her coffee. “That was real?” she shrieked. “It wasn’t a dream.”

“Liz?”

“Max isn’t dead,” she whispered as tears sprung to her eyes. “He isn’t dead.”

“Who isn’t dead? Liz calm down. You’re scaring me.” Serena reached out for her, but Liz squirmed out of the way and jumped to her feet.

“The love of my life. The Max that I’ve spent ten years trying to get over is alive.”

“Are you sure it was him?” Serena asked.

Liz nodded, as she paced the room, wondering how he could be alive all this time and she hadn’t known about it. Did he love someone else now? Was he single? Did he think of her just as much as she thught of him?

Whatever the answer was, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to see him.

“I need you to call Kyle,” she said, already reaching for the phone.

“What for?”

“He can give me Max’s phone number and address.” She held the phone out for Serena to take, and then thought better of it when she remembered the anger in Kyle’s eyes. Speaking to him might not be the best right now. “Oh you no what, never mind. I’ll get the phone book.”

Liz hurried out of the room to retrieve the phone book. She couldn’t believe that after all these years, Max Evans, the love of her life was in the same city she was and she hadn’t realized it. Not that Boston was a small city; it was still strange to her.

Her heart thumped against her chest when she found his name. There it was, in ink, staring back at her. He lived almost twenty minutes away.

Now all she had to do was get the courage to call.
***************

Michael grumbled as he stuck his head into Max’s refrigerator. He grimaced when he saw all the milk and juice boxes, but no beer.

“Maxwell, this is a travesty! What kind of house are you running here?”

“Michael will you be quiet. Adam and Grace just fell asleep,” Max hissed as he closed the door to Grace's room.

“Sorry.”

Max rolled his eyes. “Isn’t it time that you be heading home?”

Michael settled for a juice box. He needed to start eating healthier anyway. “Come on Max. You still can’t be pissed that Maria and I are together.”

Max sighed. “I’m not mad. I mean… I guess if she has to be with someone, I’m glad it’s you Michael.”

Michael smiled. “Thanks man.”

Max turned serious as he narrowed his eyes at his long time friend. “But I swear if you hurt her, I’m coming after you,” he threatened. Michael raised his eyebrow in surprise. He knew Max was protective over Maria and he’d seen first hand what the wrath of Max’s protectiveness looked like, but he’d never experienced it and he wasn’t about to start.

“Point taken Max.”

Max nodded and turned his attention back to the football game. But his thoughts kept running back to that girl. Why was he dreaming of her when he'd never met her before? He couldn’t possibly have known her before and his friends and family hadn’t told him about her? Could he?

Just as he was about to ask Michael, the phone interrupted him and reached behind him to answer it.

“Hello?” He frowned when he heard a deep intake of breath on the other end. “Hello?”

The voice on the other end hitched before it shakily spoke. “M-Max?” Liz willed herself not to pass out when she heard his voice. It sounded like heaven to her.

“Who is this?”

Liz cleared her throat and swallowed back her tears. “This is Liz. Liz Parker.”

Max straightened up. “From the park right?”

Liz choked back a sob, devastated that he didn’t remember her. She remembered the confused look in his eyes at the park and she blamed his forgetfulness on his accident. She didn’t dare think that he’d moved on with his life and forgotten about her on purpose.

“Look, I’m sorry for calling so late, but I was wondering if we could talk.”

Max eagerly nodded, though she couldn’t see him. He didn’t know why but he felt drawn to her and he couldn’t wait to see her again. Now that he’d seen her in person, he realized his dreams didn’t do her justice.

“Sure… Um, you could come now if you want. I mean… that is if you’re not doing anything else. O-Or we could just wait until the morn…”

“No!” she let out a tearful laugh. He was just as timid as he was in high school. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him again. She wouldn’t be able to last through the night if she waited. “I mean, tonight is fine. Just um… I’ll be there is fifteen minutes.”

Max smiled, his heart was racing. What was wrong with him? “I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay. Bye Max.” I love you.

“Bye Liz.”

Michael, who had been eavesdropping through Max’s whole conversation, cursed under his breath as he watched Max hang up the phone. He stared at it with a glazed look in his eye; the same look he would get when he and Liz were dating back in high school.

“Maxwell,” Michael called, chucking a throw pillow at him to get his attention. He succeeded when Max turned around, a bright, goofy smile adorning his features.

“What’s with you?” he queried, as if he already didn’t know. He knew that if Liz saw him, she wouldd want to see him. He never bought the story that she’d just abandoned Max. He knew there had to be a reason.

“Liz is coming over. The girl from the park this afternoon. She says she wants to talk. Michael….did I know her before my accident?”

Michael gaped at his friend. He, Kyle and Maria had agreed that if he asked, they would tell him the truth.

“I just… She just seems so familiar. Like I should remember her. Kind of like I felt about you guys.”

Michael sighed. “Maxwell, since she’s coming over, I think its best that she tell you everything. She was…. She was very important to you and I have a feeling that she still is.”

Max nodded, letting Michael pull him into a brotherly hug before he headed home for the night, leaving Max alone to wait for Liz.
********

Liz gripped the steering wheel as hard as her hand could as she sat in front of Max’s home. It looked cozy; the perfect house for a family. It looked like the perfect house for Max.

She climbed out of her car and walked along the neatly cut grass, up to the porch steps. She took a much needed breath before she stepped up to the door and knocked.

She could hear his footsteps drawing closer on the other side of the door and willed her heart to be still. The door swung open and she stared at him through the screen door. She almost passed out at the sight of his smile.

“Hi,” he greeted as he pushed open the screen. She was so beautiful. He confirmed that his dreams hadn’t done her justice.

His smile faded when she didn’t return it. Her eyes were wide and unblinking. He almost thought she was going to pass out again until her face crumbed and she launched herself into his arms.

He stumbled back with the sudden force of her body against his. But he held onto her, confused as to why she was sobbing and holding him as if she’d never see him again.

The screen door slammed shut and he managed to kick the wooden door closed, but this went all unnoticed to Liz. She was in Max’s arms. She had missed these arms for ten years. She had dreamt of them and thought she’d never be held by them again. But here he was and she wasn’t about to let him go again.

“I missed you Max,” she cried into his neck. “I missed you so much. I’ll never let you go again.”

Max stumbled back onto the couch, still confused, but unwilling to let her go. He could smell her sweet scent teasing his senses. He nuzzled his nose against her hair and was taken by surprise when a sudden image of him and Liz, sitting in the desert, gazing up at the stars flashed through his mind. As quick as it had come, it was gone.

Max pulled away, cupping her tear streaked cheeks and searching her glittery eyes as if the answers to his questions where hidden in her chocolate depths.

It was there, something was there, but he couldn’t remember. Instead he asked, “Who are you?”

It hurt. He didn’t remember her and her heart broke into a thousand pieces. “Max, it’s me… Liz.”

He shook his head, his eyes shining with confusion. “I feel drawn to you. Like I should know you. I’ve been having dreams about you and I have these feelings for you. But how could that be if I don’t know you?”

“What dreams?”

“For the longest time, probably ever since my accident, I’ve been having these dreams. Until now, I didn’t know it was you I was dreaming of. But, I don’t know you.”

Liz cupped his beloved face in her hands, willing him to remember. “Max you know me. Look at me. Remember me.”

“Liz I don’t remember. I’m sorry.”

Liz wasn’t deterred. “We… we were in love, but my father wanted to keep us apart. But we didn’t care. We were each other’s firsts.”

“You mean…”

She nodded, knowing what he was asking. “It happened on your sixteenth birthday. You’re father bought you a car and we drove out to the desert.” She smiled, cupping his cheek and pleased when he leaned into her caress. “We went to a motel and we spent the night loving each other. It was the best night of my life and I’ll never forget it.”

Max tensed, his gaze dropping. “I-I’m sorry Liz. I don’t remember. I know I’m supposed to recognize you, but I just can’t. I’m sorry.”

She nodded, hurt that he had no knowledge of her, but grateful that he was alive. She drew herself back into his tight embrace, needing to be close to him.

After a few moments of silence, Max pulled away and pinned her with a tender gaze. “Liz, if we were so in love, why am I just meeting you. Where have you been?”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, tearfully explained why she wasn’t there for him for all these years.

“Right before your accident, my father told me that we were move here, to Boston so that he could open another store.”

Max frowned. “Another store?”

“My father owned a well-known jewelry store and he was going to open another one here. He was very wealthy which is why he didn’t want you and me to be together. I called you and we were supposed to meet so I could tell you that I was leaving, but you never made it to meet me.” She brushed away a stray tear as she lowered her gaze. Having to go through this all over again was tearing at her heart.

“For two months I watched you lie in a coma and it killed me that I couldn’t do anything to help you. And before I knew it, it was time to move. I… I hadn’t told anyone that I was leaving and I was planning on doing that the day that we left, but… but I was told…. that you… I was told that you…”

She burst into tears before she could finish and Max was quick to pull her into his embrace.

“I was t-told that you had…died and I… I left without telling Maria or anyone.” She sobbed into his chest, clinging to him as tightly as she could. “I tried to move on. I tried to forget you Max, but I never could. You mean so much to me.”

Max lifted her so that she was straddling his lap, crying softly against his neck. He knew her. Her memory was a tickle in his mind, just out of his reach. But it was like he didn’t have what it took to reach it.

He had no idea how long they’d sat there, him comforting Liz’s frantic cries. He knew it was long enough for her to cry herself to sleep. With her arms loosely draped around his neck and her damp cheek resting against his shoulder, Max rose off the couch, easily lifting her light form. He hobbled down the hall to his bedroom and gently laid her on his bed.

Here she was, practically a complete stranger to him as far as he knew and he had these feelings and he had no idea where they stemmed from. His dream girl, in every sense of the word was sleeping in his bed. Memory or not, he couldn’t deny that he was drawn to her.

After pulling off her shoes and tucking her under the covers, he quietly made his way to the door.

“Max.” He turned; surprised to see her brown eyes staring back at him. “Where are you going?”

He jerked his thumb behind him, gesturing to the hallway. “I was going to sleep on the couch.”

“Please don’t leave me,” she whimpered. Tears filled her eyes. She’d thought that she’d be all cried out after the display earlier, but the thought of being away from him even just a few feet, just after she’d gotten him back was enough to sending her sobbing again.

Taking her offered hand, Max climbed into bed with her, circling his arms around her petite body.

“I know you must think I’m a cry baby,” she joked weakly.

“No. You have every right to be upset.” He pressed his forehead to hers, his hand rising to cup her cheek. “What I don’t understand is why no one ever told me about you,” he whispered, mostly to himself.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Maria filled me in about everything after my accident, why didn’t she tell me about you. God Liz, I would’ve came and found you.”

“Max, I left without telling anyone. Those two months just went by and I didn’t know how to break it to them.” she explained shamefully. “I know that’s no excuse but… They probably think I didn’t want to be found. That was my fault. And when I finally worked up the nerve to call a few years after I left, the number wasn’t in service anymore.”

Max nodded. “I needed extensive therapy and the clinic I needed to go to was in Albuquerque so we moved a few months after I woke up.”

“Oh Max,” she cried. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that. And I wasn’t there to help you through it.”

“You’re here now.”

“But you don’t remember me,” she whimpered, her gaze lowered.

“Then help me remember Liz.”

She shivered under his intense gaze. She had forgotten how he could make her feel with just one look. Her already ragged breathing quickened, just as her pulse did as his eyes captivated her. Max had grown older; he was a handsome twenty-six year old, much more mature than she remembered but still had a boyish look about him. But his eyes; they looked just the same.

It took him by surprise when her lips brushed against his. She was tentative at first, afraid her kiss wasn’t welcome. But he responded eagerly, letting her deepen the kiss. He fell into her, that little tickle of remembrance nagging him in the back of his mind. He became aware of that fleeting image of them together in the desert, gazing at the stars. The vague memory grew into something more until it fell from his grasp again.

Liz moaned against him, whimpering out his name. It seemed so familiar. He knew she had done that before. This had happened before. An image, a memory of them lying together, sleek with a thin sheen of sweat. They were in the desert… no they were at a motel. They had just come from the desert after looking at the stars and Liz had suggested that they go somewhere else.

“I love you Ellie. So much.”

“I love you too.”

Long after Liz had pulled away from the kiss, Max kept his eyes closed, deep in thought. Their first time. He remembered.

“Max?” His eyes fluttered open and he saw her smile. “I missed doing that,” she whispered, pulling her lip between her teeth.

He used to love it when she nibbled on her lip.

She brushed her lips against his once more in a light kiss. “I love you Max. I never stopped.”

“I love you Ellie.”

Her eyes widened when he realized what he just said. “You just called me Ellie.”

He sported a wide smile when he realized what had left his mouth. He remembered her. “I did.”

“I love you Max,” she cried, burying her face against his chest. “Please don’t ever leave me again. Please…”

“I’m here Ellie. I’m not going anywhere. I promise,” he proclaimed. “I love you.” Max felt the tears slipping from his eyes as he nuzzled his cheek against the top of her head. How could he ever forget her?

Liz touched her lips to his, needing to feel him though she was as close to him as humanly possible. He responded readily, his desire for his unknown dream girl finally escaping. His fingers crept to the back of her head, burying in her tresses of silk and pulling her as close as she possibly could get. His tongue mated with hers, similarly like what he wanted to do with her body. He longed for her, even when he didn’t know her.

Liz had dreamed for this for ten years. She had longed for him. And now she had him and she wanted to love him; all of him. Her lips left his just long enough for her to lift his shirt over his head, her hands resting against his warm naked skin.

Breaking away from their ardent kiss, Liz traveled down his neck, almost disappearing beneath the sheets as she fumbled with his belt buckle. Her tongue danced across his chest as she pushed his jeans and boxers down his legs. She pulled them free, tossing them onto the floor. Liz sat up, straddling his legs and admiring the man she had loved for so long, lying completely exposed to her.

“You’re just as perfect as I remember.”

Max sat up, his lips meeting hers, resuming their passionate dance as his hands moved to the small of her back, lingering against her soft skin. Her shirt rose as his hands did and he gently eased it over her head and tossed it aside, his eyes trained solely on his dream girl. He pressed soft kisses against her neck as he worked on the clasp of her bra. He easily slipped it off her and she spilled out into his hands.

He switched positions, him straddling her and he eased her back against the mattress. He feasted on her beast. He’d dreamed of these mounds for ten years and now she was here, in his arms and he wanted to cherish every inch of her. She kicked off her jeans and panties as he pushed them down her thighs.

He nipped at the delicate skin of her neck, marking her as his though he had no doubt that she was already.

“You’re beautiful Ellie. You haven’t changed at all.”

She smiled adoringly at him, her arms draping around his neck and bringing him down on her. She could feel his stiffness against her stomach and he could tell she was ready for him, but both were hesitant, afraid it’d all go by in a blur if they went to fast.

“We have all the time in the world now Ellie,” he whispered as he positioned himself over her. “Let me love you.”

She nodded, knowing she would do anything he asked of her at that moment. He reached for the nightstand, but she caught his wrist before he could reach the drawer.

“I want to feel you and only you.”

“But El…”

She brought his hand up to her lips, presses a gentle kiss there before she said, “I have that taken care of.”

“How…”

“Later,” she promised with a nod for him to continue.

Their lips joined just as their bodies and they moved together in a smooth rhythm. He filled her completely and it felt as if her other half had been found. Max was back and so was her heart.

Max grunted with his release, shuddering in pleasure as her release coated his softening member. He collapsed on top of Liz’s small form, smiling in bliss.

He rolled his heavy weight off her, bringing her with him, careful not to pull out of her. He wanted to savor the feeling as long as he could.

“I love you Ellie.”

“I love you too Max,” she countered as the night’s events caught up with her. “Always.”
**********

Liz nearly jumped for joy when she awoke the next morning, realizing that the night before wasn’t a dream and she was still embraced in Max’s arms.

She turned over, propping herself on her elbow so she could gaze down at him. He was still peacefully sleeping, one leg bent at the knee and peeking from beneath the sheet. She buried her fingers in his hair, pleased that he didn’t stir. She wanted this time to take him in and admire him uninterruptedly.

She sifted her fingers through his hair as her eyes roamed across his chest. Her free hand fell against his hard chest, surprised that even after his accident his body hadn’t changed at all, simply matured from boy to man. His muscles were greatly defined, his skin beautifully tanned, glowing in the few rays that escaped through the blinds over the windows. He was simply beautiful to her and she couldn’t believe that she was with him again.

Her eyes traveled up his neck, lingering on the marks she’d left there before moving to his parted lips and resting on his serene features. She frowned when she noticed the large scar across his forehead. She remembered that from his accident and she gently traced it with her finger tips.

She stilled when he stirred, mumbling as he turned on his side, throwing his arm across her waist and burying his face against her chest.

An hour passed before she was interrupted and she turned her gaze from Max’s sleeping form when she heard a baby’s cry. Frowning, she nudged Max.

“Max. Wake up.” He groaned, turning on his back before he settled back into sleep.

Liz sighed and eased out of bed. She picked up Max’s shirt and her underwear and slid them on. Quietly, she crept out of the room, following the baby’s cries down the hall. Grace’s cries quieted when Liz entered the room.

Liz gasped at the sight of the little beauty standing up in her crib. She looked like she couldn’t be more than one.

“Hey there sweetie.” Liz cooed as she slowly approached. She didn’t want to scare her. She didn’t know how she would act having a stranger around.

Grace smiled, holding out her arms for Liz to take her. She pulled her into her arms, feeling her bottom to see if she was wet. She had babysat Serena’s two year old niece plenty of times and considering she was a preschool teacher, she was used to babies and small children. She adored them. “Are you hungry?”

Grace formed her mouth in a small “O” shape, causing Liz to laugh. “Let’s go see if we can find something for you to eat.”

Liz padded into the kitchen, finding some bottles already in the refrigerator. She placed one in the microwave before handing it to Grace.

It was obvious that she was Max’s. She had his mouth and his eyes. She was beautiful though she admitted that it hurt that he had a child with someone other than her. But she could hardly blame him. It wasn’t that she expected him not to be with anyone the years they were separated, especially when he didn’t even remember her.

She wondered where the mother was. It didn’t look like she lived here and Max hadn’t mentioned her, though he didn’t mention this little bundle in her arms either. But she couldn’t help but smile as Grace stared up at her with her big eyes. She was a little piece of Max and Liz was already falling in love.

“I guess you found out my little secret.”

Liz gasped when she saw Max stepping into the kitchen, a sleepy little boy hiding shyly behind his legs.

TBC…..

I’ll be back within the next couple of days. Hopefully! *crosses fingers*

It's a miracle I got this done. Thanks for the feedback and I hope you enjoy.

<center>Chapter 17</center>

“So I see you’ve met Grace.”

Liz turned her stunned gaze to the little girl in her arms. Grace dropped her bottle and reached for her father. “Dada! Dada,” she giggled, wildly waving her hands in the air.

Max smiled and took his daughter into his arms. “Morning sweetheart,” he crooned. “Ellie, this is my daughter Grace and this is my son Adam.” Liz snapped out of her shock to see Adam peek out from behind Max’s legs.

He was the perfect little copy of Max with his coffee colored hair and honey colored eyes. She couldn’t help but fall for him too. Though Adam and Grace weren’t hers like she desperately wanted them to be, she fell quickly and decided that any part of Max was worth loving.

But she worried that it was a possibility that there was someone else in Max’s life. It took two to make a baby and she knew Max wouldn’t just hook up with a random girl. She hadn’t seen him in ten years, but she knew Max and that wasn’t something he did. As bad as it sounded, for her sake, she hoped they Adam and Grace’s mother was out of the picture.

Liz shook herself out of her thoughts and kneeled before Adam, reaching out her hand for him to take. “Hey there little guy. You’re so handsome. You look just like your father.”

“Adam, say ‘hi’ to Ellie.”

“Hi Lele.” Adam smiled shyly but he retreated behind Max’s legs, lifting his arms, wanting to be held.

Max stooped down with Grace on his hip and lifted Adam into his arms. Liz thought they looked like the perfect family. She wondered if his arms had any more room to embrace her as well.

“He’s always shy around new people.”

“It’s okay.”

Max glanced at the clock on the stove. It was almost noon. He’d over slept. “Look, I know we need to talk, but my parents are visiting from Roswell and going to be here in like a half hour. They’re supposed to take the kids to the zoo. We can talk after they leave.” Max began to back out of the kitchen, holding both his kids in his arms. “Make yourself at home while I give them a quick bath. How much water they splash in my face will determine how long I take,” he laughed.

Liz smiled, watching as he disappeared into the hall.

Liz padded back into Max’s room and got dressed. She couldn’t help but glance back at the bed and she smiled when she remembered what transpired the night before. She was ecstatic to find that Max still loved her. Though he didn’t remember her before last night, she was still in his thoughts and his dreams.

She looked around the room, not having the chance to do so the night before. Her gaze stopped at a picture on the nightstand. It was of Max, Grace and Adam, all smiling brightly in the camera.

Liz let out a wistful sigh as she took the frame into her hands. She wanted this life, this family life with the kids and the wonderful marriage with Max so badly. She’d waited ten years to feel alive again and now she did. She just hoped that she would be accepted into their family.

Childish laughter floated into the room and Liz set the picture back on the nightstand. She treaded down the hall, stopping in front of the bathroom door. The door was slightly ajar and she pushed it open just enough to see inside.

“Adam stop splashing your sister,” Max scolded as he tried to keep a hold of Grace and wash Adam’s hair at the same time. “Gracie, please stay still.” He let go of Grace, needing the free hand to reach for the shampoo.

Squealing in fright, Adam shied away from Max when he saw the shampoo bottle. “No. Burn!” he wailed, pointing dreadfully at the bottle.

Max sighed. “I promise I won’t let it get in your eyes this time.” Adam squirmed out of his reach and Max sat back in frustration just as he was sprayed with another splash of water from Grace. She smiled up at him, wrapping him even toghter around her little finger. Both his kids did that from time to time and he loved them dearly, but it was times like these that he wished he had someone to help him.

A brief thought of Liz crossed his mind as he tried to reach his son once more. Max wondered what she was thinking right now. He knew she loved him. He’d seen and felt that the night before, but he worried that the fact that he had kids with someone who wasn’t her would turn her away from him.

“Burn! Burn!” Adam shouted as he splashed and wiggled his way out of harm’s way.

“Dada go!” Grace laughed as she splashed about, leaving Max dripping wet.

Max heard a quiet titter behind him. He whirled around, finding Liz leaning against the door jam, her bottom lip between her teeth as she fought back her laugh. “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist seeing a father in action.”

“I’m glad you find this so humorous,” he teased. Smiling, Liz grabbed a towel hanging from the rack on the wall and handed it to him. “Thanks.”

“Need some help?”

Max started to say no, but then glanced back at his two kids, splashing wildly in the tub. “Please?”

Giggling, Liz kneeled beside him. Max handled Adam while Liz took on Grace. Max was surprised by the practiced why she handled Grace.

“I work with little children. I’m a preschool teacher and certified child handler,” she laughingly explained when she saw his questioning stare.

Max smirked. “Huh,” he said as he continued to struggle to wash Adam’s hair. He’d finally gotten the shampoo in his hair, now he just needed to get it out.

Liz shot Max a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Max shrugged as he gently washed the shampoo out of his son’s hair. “What?”

“That ‘huh’ and the look you gave me? What’s that all about?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking that being a preschool teacher seems to fit you.”

Liz smiled, her cheeks shaded with a slight blush. “Thanks.”

With Liz helping, it only took half the time to get Adam and Grace ready. They were just finishing their breakfast when Jim and Amy arrived.

“Max, I finally got Grace to drink from her sippy cup….”She trailed off when she saw Jim and Amy standing in the room. “Um… hi.”

To say that Jim and Amy were surprised to see Liz with Max was an understatement, though they greeted her warmly. After leaving with two very excitedly toddlers, Max and Liz were left alone in the living room, both at a lost on where to start. They sat facing each other on the couch with their legs crossed, their knees touching.

Max was first to take the plunge. “Ellie, I know you have questions...” Max grabbed her hand, his fingers lacing with hers. “And you’re wondering what I’m doing with two kids so… um I’ll just explain.”

Liz nodded, squeezing his hand for comfort.

“It took me awhile because of therapy and everything, but I was accepted into UCLA when I was 20. I majored in business and now Kyle, Michael and I own our own architect company. We build houses and sell them.”

Liz smiled. She always knew Max would make a great living for himself one day despite where he came from.

“Anyway, that’s where I met Camilla.” He smiled when he thought of the shy, wide-eyed girl he met in the student union. “We became fast friends and we were nothing more until one night I had this dream about you. I had been feeling like I was missing something for so long and that night… it was just too much. She was the only one I ever told about my dreams. She comforted me and one thing lead to another… Adam was conceived.”

Max dropped his head, feeling guilty that he was with someone other than Liz.

“We both were in our junior year when he was born and we decided to stay in college and raise him together. We got an apartment and finished school. Camilla was originally from Boston so after we graduated, we moved here so she could be closer to her parents. They were willing to help us until my company go on its feet.”

Liz swallowed thickly as she listened to Max’s story before she asked the one question that was troubling her most. “Max, did you... did you love her?”

“Ellie, I… I loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her. She was my friend and I loved her to death. But I…” She leaned into his caress as he cupped her cheek. “Ellie, no one has ever come close to making me feel what I feel for you.”

Liz smiled. “But… you said that she was your friend. Is she not around anymore?” She couldn’t possibly imagine anyone abandoning Grace and Adam. She had only known them since this morning and already that thought seemed impossible.

Max ducked his head. “Um… the second time we… we got together, we were kind of drunk. The condom broke and nine months later, Grace was here and Camilla… she… she um died of complications during childbirth.”

“Oh Max. I’m sorry.” She pulled him close when she saw his eyes glistening with tears.

“I thought that if you knew I had kids then you wouldn’t want to be with me.”

“No Max,” she cried. “It’s the complete opposite. I want to be with you. I want to be in your life and Adam and Grace’s. That is, if you want me to be.”

“Of course Ellie. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Max smiled, leaning in to kiss her lips, but Liz’s hand on his chest stopped him.

“Max, there’s just one slight problem,” she said. “I… I kinda have a boyfriend.”

His jaw dropped, his eyes widening in shock. “Ellie, why didn’t you tell me?”

She shrugged guiltily. “When I saw you last night, all I could think about was being with you again. Lord knows I couldn’t care less about some guy that I’ve just been dating.”

Max nodded, but he still wasn’t one to step on anyone else’s toes. “So um… is that why you… you um… didn’t need me to wear a condom last night?”

“Oh God no!” she shrieked. The thought of her going all the way with David disgusted her. “I was under so much stress when I came to Boston that I started having irregular periods, so I made an appointment with my doctor and got on the pill.”

Max sighed in relief. “Who is he?”

“Do you remember David… from high school?”

Max frowned, the name sounding familiar, but he couldn’t recall the memory. “I don’t… No I don’t remember him.”

Liz sighed. It was probably best that he didn’t. “Well he and are dating sort of. But now that you’re back…”

He started to protest. He wanted her to be sure. “Ellie…”

“No Max. I want to be with you and only you okay?” It didn’t take Max long to nod in agreement and he let her pull him in for a long kiss. That was one thing he didn’t want to argue about. He wasn’t about to let his dream girl go.
**********

Liz finished off her sentence and set her journal aside to answer the door. Her therapist had suggested she start keeping one to help her deal with her grief. It did help, but there was nothing like having Max back.

She reluctantly left his house when Serena called her cell phone and told her that Alex and Isabel had arrived at the airport and was in the process of getting a rental car before coming to see her. Liz had completely forgotten about them visiting and had unwillingly left Max with a promise to call later.

Now she had to deal with Alex. On the drive home, she had remembered that he was the one that told her that Max was dead. She trusted Alex and she knew he would never lie to her about something like that. He was one of the few people that supported Max and Liz’s relationship and she couldn’t see him knowingly lying to her like that.

“Hey Lizzie,” Isabel squealed, immediately pulling her best friend in a tight embrace. Though they had seen each other a few weeks ago, not having her best friend close was tough especially since she was getting married.

Alex was next to hug her. “Hey cuz,” he greeted.

“Hey guys. Come in.” She stepped aside, closing the door behind her. She led them into her spare bedroom, where they often stayed when they visited even though Alex had plenty of money to stay on the best hotels.

“Do you guys want anything to eat? Drink?”

“No thanks,” Isabel said.

Alex frowned as he watched his cousin fidget around the room, fluffing the already plumped pillows and brushing at the nonexistent fuzz on the bed spread. “Liz is everything okay? You seem a little restless.”

“Yeah. I need to talk to you guys.” She gestured for them to have a seat on the bed and began pacing the room.

“Well, what is it?” Isabel prompted.

She didn’t know how to tell them, so she blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Max is back.”

She didn’t know what she expected from them, but dead silence wasn’t it. They both stared at her as if she was crazy before turning knowing glances at each other.

Isabel was first to speak up. “Liz, sweetie…” She grabbed Liz’s arm, pulling her between her and Alex. “I know you loved Max and you miss him, but he’s gone sweetie. It’s been ten years now. You have to move on.”

“No! You don’t understand. He’s here. I saw him yesterday.”

Alex placed his hand over her forehead. “Liz, are you feeling okay?”

“Alex would you listen to me?!” She stood and once again began pacing. “Max is alive. Serena met Kyle on vacation and it turns out he lives here too. So yesterday she wanted me to go with her to meet him at the park and I did. He brought Max with him. He’s alive and I was with his last night. We’re back together!”

Alex and Isabel’s jaw dropped once thy realized she wasn’t crazy and had finally gone off the dead end with her grief. It was minutes before either one was able to speak.

“Okay, so how is this possible and what do you mean you were ‘with him’?” Isabel queried.

Liz ignored her and turned to Alex. “Why did you tell me he was dead?” she asked, her tone curious and not at all critical.

“Liz, I saw it. I mean I was there when your father got the call.”

“My dad?”

Alex shook his head, his eyes wide with shock. “I was standing right there when the phone rang. He answered it and then told me that it was Mr. Valenti saying that Max had died during the night. I didn’t… he told me it would be best if I told you...”

Liz gasped. “It was all a set up. He did it on purpose so I would think Max was dead.” She sank to the floor.

If only she had called Maria, she would have known he was still alive. Ten years lost because of her father. She couldn’t believe he would do something that vicious to his own daughter. But then again, this was her father she was talking about.

Isabel wrapped her arms around her distraught friend. “Liz, it’s okay now. Max is here, he’s with you now.”

Liz nodded, comforted by that fact. “I know.”

“So what are you going to do now Liz?”

“Break up with David.”
************

“Hello?”

Liz nervously chewed on her lip. Over the last ten years, she had dated, and had broken up with a few guys. But every time she did, it didn’t get easier. “Hi David.”

“Hey Ellie. How’s my favorite girl?”

She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting the urge to scream at him for calling her that. How many times did she have to tell him?

“David I told you not to call me that,” she said in a controlled tone.

“What’s wrong?”

After a deep breath, she blurted out, “Look David… I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

“What?! Why? Ellie, I thought everything was going well.”

She sighed. “See David, that’s the problem. I’ve told you time and time again not to call me ‘Ellie’ but you completely ignore my wishes…”

He snorted exasperatedly. “So this whole thing is because of a name?”

“It’s not just that,” she blew out a long breath and dragged her hand through her hair. “David, this isn’t working out and it’s just best if we end it here.”

She had no plans of telling her that the reasons she was breaking up with him was one of the same reasons she never got together with him in high school. He had her quite convinced that he had matured and changed into a man up until an awhile ago. Now she realized he was the same immature, spoiled brat that he was in high school.

She heard a heavy sigh on the other end before he spoke. “Okay. Fine. I’ll be seeing you around Liz.”

She was met with the dial tone before she could say anything else.

TBC……..

Thanks for the feedback back everyone. I hope you enjoy.

<center>Chapter 18</center>

“What the hell?” Michael grumbled as Maria scrambled out of bed. She threw on her rob, hurrying to stop the loud pounding on the door.

After undoing the lock, the door flung open to reveal an angry Max. He pushed past her into the apartment.

“Well come on in Max. Nice of you to drop by,” she grumbled sarcastically.

Max ignored her, turning his intensely fiery eyes to her. “Why didn’t you tell me about Ellie?” he growled.

Maria stumbled back in surprise. “Wh-what?”

“You know damn well what the fuck I’m talking about!” he shouted. Maria practically jumped a foot off the floor. Max had never yelled at her like that before.

“Hey! What’s going on in here?” Michael stumbled out from the bedroom, sporting only his boxers.

“I was in love with her and you didn’t think it was important enough to tell me about it?”

“Max I didn’t want to hurt you…”

“Bullshit Maria!”

Michael stepped between the two, seeing this would quickly get out of hand. “Max would you just calm down for a second.”

Max closed his eyes, taking in a few deep breaths.

“Max, she abandoned you. She left without telling anyone and I thought it would be better if you just never knew about her,” she explained tearfully.

“Did you ever stop to think that she didn’t want to leave?” Max retorted. “You knew her father didn’t want us together. Didn’t you think it was a little strange that she just packed up and left?”

“If she loved you so much then why didn’t she ever call to see how you were doing? She could’ve come out to visit when she was old enough to get away from her father. She never tried.”

“That’s because she thought I was dead Maria.”

Both Maria and Michael gasped in shock. “W-Why would she think that?”

“Her father. He made it look like Jim called him and told him I was dead. She tried to get in touch with us but by that time we had moved to Albuquerque.”

Maria leaned against Michael in light of this new information. They all had known that Liz would never leave Max, but they, especially Maria were looking for someone to blame. Max had gone through so much and she was there for none of it and that angered Maria the most.

But now that she knew what happened, she had proof that Liz hadn’t abandoned him, she felt her anger melt away.

“Max, I’m so sorry. We never meant…”

“Max we didn’t want you to get hurt,” Michael added.

“And not telling me about her wouldn’t hurt me?” He snorted disbelievingly. “I’ve been dreaming about her for ten years without knowing who she really is.”

Maria stepped to her distraught brother. “Max…”

“No. Maria. Just leave it alone. You’ve already done enough.”

With that, he walked out of the apartment, leaving an upset Maria and Michael behind.
***********

“Max, they’re so adorable.”

Max smiled as his son buried his timid smile in his neck, hiding from Max’s guests and Grace, as cranky and sleepy as she was, openly accepted and responded to the compliments. She had quickly toddled to Liz when she’d come into the house.

Max was pleased to see that she had taken to Liz so quickly. Adam on the other hand was reluctant to be near anyone but him, but Max knew that would change once he got to know Liz.

“With that face? He’s going to be a heartbreaker,” Isabel laughed. Max set Adam on his feet and he took off towards his blocks on the other side of the room.

Grace was quietly nodding off in Liz’s arms and she put the girl down for her nap.

Liz, Alex and Isabel had dropped by hoping to clear up any misunderstandings about what happened ten years ago. Max didn’t remember Alex or Isabel, but he was appreciative that they took the time to come over and see how he was doing. Isabel even apologized for how she treated him in high school. Max simply frowned in confusion and waved it off, saying it was all in the past.

“Are you guys sure I can’t get you anything?” Max questioned while gesturing to the kitchen.

“Thanks, but no. We have to go meet with the florist,” Alex said with a roll of his eyes. He couldn’t understand why Isabel was dragging him with her. All he cared about was that she was going to walk down that aisle in two months.

Liz’s smile dropped in disappointment. She had hoped that she could stay and be with Max a little longer, but she had promised Isabel that for the week they were in Boston, she would help her with the wedding plans. But that was before she knew the love of her life was still alive and living in the same city.

Isabel witnessed Liz’s frown and smiled. She was happy for her best friend. Through the years, she had seen Liz going through the worst times and now she was practically glowing when she was around Max.

“You know what Liz? I think Alex and I can handle the florist on our own,” she said, hiding her grin when both Liz and Max smiled brightly.

“Are you sure? I mean I promised that I would help…”

“Yeah, but I think you have more important matters to tend to.” Her eyes darted to Max, and Liz suddenly blushed.

“Ellie, you could hang out here, if you want,” Max added.

Liz smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. She wondered how she lived without him for ten years.

Seeing that Max and Liz were locked in a staring match, Isabel and Alex bid their goodbyes, sure that they hadn’t heard it anyway and saw themselves out.

The door closing broke Max and Liz’s spell and they blushed, realizing that Alex and Isabel were gone.

“Hi,” Max smiled.

“Hi,” she returned. She felt like she was in high school again, shy but eager to be with him.

“So um… do you want to watch a little TV?” Liz nodded mutely, letting him take her hand and lead her to the couch.

He handed her the remote and she stared up at him in shock. “You’re going to let me have the remote?”

He grinned as she leaned against him, her back to his chest. “What?”

“There’s not many men around that’ll give up rights to the infamous clicker,” she teased.

“Well I guess I’m the exception,” he mumbled against her lips.

She smiled, forgetting the remote all together and in turn, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I guess so.” Max caressed her lips, sighing in content. But before he could get lost and deepen the kiss, he felt a soft tug on his pant leg.

He looked down to see a sleepy Adam rubbing his eye with one hand and raising his other to be picked up.

“What is it sweetie? You sleepy?”

“No nap,” he whined as Max pulled him into his lap.

Max chuckled. “But you can barely keep your eyes open.”

“No nap. Gracie pway,” he said as he pointed to his blocks.

“Grace’s sleeping Adam,” Liz said.

“Gracie pway,” he cried.

“Okay, come on champ.” Max swung his son on his hip before trekking into the kitchen. Max filled Adam’s sippy cup with apple juice and settled back on the couch with Liz.

“He’ll fall asleep in a minute.”

Sure enough, moments later, Adam was nodding off in his lap. Smiling at his son, Max carried him to his room and tucked him in.

Liz leaned against his chest when he returned, feeling safe and comfortable in his arms. “Have you talked to Maria yet?”

Liz wanted to know why Maria hadn’t told Max about her as much as Max did. Though she already figured it was because they thought she had abandoned him and in a way, she felt like she had. If only she had tried to get in touch with them earlier, or told them that she was leaving, none of this would have happened.

“I talked to her and Michael yesterday.” He admitted now that he had overreacted a little and hadn’t meant to make it seem as if it was their fault that he and Liz were separated.

“They thought I abandoned you?”

Max nodded, noticing the look on her face. “Hey. What’s with that look?”

“Max I should’ve told someone I was leaving or at least called when I got to Boston. If I wasn’t so caught up in my own grief I could’ve thought to call Maria and I should’ve known that my father was up to something. I should’ve checked for myself…”

“Hey, it’s alright Ellie,” he soothed when she started to cry. “How could you have known? It’s not your fault. All that matters is that we’re together now, okay? Nothing’s going to change that.”

Leaning in his caress as he wiped away her tear, she jerked her head in a small nod. He was right. All that matters is that they were here, together.

Max sweetly kissed her lips. “No more crying about things we can’t change okay?”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you,” he answered just as softly. “Now I think it’s my turn to hold the remote awhile.”

She smiled, catching his playful mood. “No. I just got it,” she whined, watching as his eyes glittered in amusement. “I knew it was too good to be true.”

“Ellie, just hand me the remote and we can avoid conflict.” He held out his hand only to have Liz slap it with hers. “Ellie, hand it over. I don’t want to watch educational television.”

“What makes you think I’m going to watch that?” she countered.

“What else is a teacher going to watch?”

She gave him a funny look. “No Max. There’s no takesie backsie. Once you give up the remote you can’t get it back.”

Max made a sound deep in his throat. “Oh I’ll get it back,” he vowed deeply.

“What…” she was cut off by her own scream as Max tackled her and they both fell back against the couch.

“Max let go!” she laughed as he tried to pry her fingers from around the remote. “Stop!”

He wiggled his fingers against her side causing her to squirm underneath him. “Not until you hand it over.”

“Max, I can’t breathe,” she laughed.

“It’s a tough price to pay for having the remote Ellie. Ha!” he shouted once he got a hold on the remote. Gloating, he dangled it in front of her face and was taken completely by surprise when she ambushed him, sending him flying backwards.

She sought revenge on him, tickling him just under his arms where she knew he was ticklish.

He tossed her the remote, in hopes that they could call a truce. “Okay, okay! I give.”

“I knew you’d see it my way,” she boasted as they straightened up.

“Take the stinkin’ remote. I didn’t want it anyway.”

She laughed at his pout. “Whatever Max.” She resumed her position against him and flipped through the channels until she found something they’d both like.

Their comfortable silence was broken when the door bell rang. He wasn’t surprised to see Maria, Michael and Kyle.

“Hey guys.” He stepped aside to let them all in.

After all the pleasantries were exchanged, Max got straight to the point. He knew why they were here. “Look, I’m sorry for blowing up yesterday. I overreacted and I could’ve handled it better than that. You guys were just trying to protect me and I understand that. I’m sorry.”

“Hey man, don’t worry about it,” Michael said.

“Yeah, we should have told you about Liz,” Maria added.

“And I’m sorry for leaving without telling you guys,” Liz added.

Max smiled as apologizes were given and accepted. For now, everything was okay.
**************

<center>Three Weeks Later</center>

Hand in hand, Max and Liz walked through the deserted park, enjoying the cool breeze and dark, clear sky. Though they couldn’t see the stars as brightly as they could in Roswell, it still was a perfect night.

It had been three weeks of reacquainting themselves with each other and falling even deeper in love than they were. Max had made it his mission to make Liz feel like she was a part of his family now. She had dinner with him, Adam and Grace every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. On plenty of occasions, they visited her at her place where she treated them to a home cooked meal.

Adam had easily warmed up to Liz as Max had suspected. He was now even asking for her when Max tucked him in bed at night.

It hadn’t been long and he knew that he was moving fast, but he was ready to marry her. He had been waiting ten years for his dream girl and now that she was here, he wanted to make it official. He had seen the wistful look in her eyes when she was helping plan Isabel and Alex’s wedding. He knew she wanted it just as much as he did and he was planning on making it perfect.

Liz was thinking the same thing. She had always wanted to call herself Max’s wife and these last weeks only reinforced that feeling. She loved him and his kids to no ends and she couldn’t see her life without them, though it still felt surreal that he was with her

“What’s wrong Love,” Max asked when he saw her tears shining in the moonlight.

“It’s just… I never thought that I would get this chance to see you again. I missed you so much.”

Max dragged her closer as he rubbed her back. “No more tears. I’m here,” he soothed.

“I know,” she cried.

His hands cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away her tears. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She managed a small smile as she buried her head beneath his chin. “Even if I really wanted you too?” she teased.

“Even then.” His chest rumbled as he chuckled. “Come on, let’s go.”

Max drove them the short ways to her apartment and walked her to the building’s doors. “Will you stay?” she asked shyly, feeling as if she was that young girl back in high school. Max simply smiled. He had asked Maria to keep the kids overnight seeing as he was originally planning to ask Liz to spend the night with him anyway.

Her scent surrounded him when he stepped inside her apartment and he inhaled deeply.

“You want some coffee?”

“Sure.”

“Lots of cream?” Max smiled, pleased that she has memorized the way he liked his coffee.

“How’s a movie sound?” Max called from the living room while Liz busied herself with making a snack for them in the kitchen.

“Great. You know where they are.”

Max put on a movie and Liz returned with their coffee and snacks and they cuddled on the couch. But the movie and snacks were quickly forgotten. Max couldn’t stop himself from kissing her and he didn’t want to. He eased her back on the couch, resting his weight on top of her tiny frame. He was afraid of crushing her, but she always complained when he moved away.

But just as quickly as things escalated, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Max growled in frustration as he rolled away from her. They hadn’t been together in almost a week and he missed burying himself inside her.

“Let me get rid of whoever this is,” she said, feeling the frustration herself.

With great annoyance, she stomped over to the door, flinging it open once she undid the locks.

“Hey Ellie,” David cooed with a crooked smile.

Liz frowned, surprised by his appearance and the fact that he still didn’t respect her wishes enough not to call her that. She was suddenly very grateful that they were never serious.

“What are you doing here David? I thought you weren’t coming back for another week.” He moved to enter her apartment, but she effectively stepped in his way.

“We finished earlier than I thought.” She looked annoyed and he frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“David I’m busy right now so if you could just…”

“Who have you got in there,” he asked casually as he pushed pass her slender frame. “Max?”

Max frowned at the sight of this man in his girlfriend’s apartment. He had witnessed the whole scene at the door and he was just about to help Liz in shooing this man away.

David hid his surprise well. He was sure that Max Evans was dead. Liz had told him so and she had been without him for ten years. No wonder Liz had dumped him. He had been nothing but kind to her and only Max Evans could come between that.

“Ellie isn’t it a little late to be having guests,” David sneered.

“Okay, it’s time for you to leave,” Liz said as she pushed him towards the door. “I told you it was over and I’d appreciate it if you’d respect my wishes and leave me alone.” She pushed him outside and closed the door, nothing waiting for his response.

“I am way too nice to that bastard,” she groaned.

Max took her hand. “That’s because you are a wonderful person with a beautiful heart.”

“Thank you,” she said as she leaned into him.

Now I believe we were doing something before we were interrupted.”

“I believe so too Mr. Evans.” His mischievous grin sent shivers coursing through her. She giggled when he hurriedly shut off the TV and the lights and chased her into the bedroom.

They tumbled into bed and loved each other for the rest of the night.

TBC……

Hey all! Thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it. This is fic is winding down to a close so I hope you enjoy!

<center>Chapter 19</center>

Max watched her from the other side of the yard as she chatted with George and Thelma, Camilla’s parents. She was so breathtakingly beautiful to him and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Today was Grace’s first birthday and Liz had planned a small get together in Max’s backyard.

“Geez, you two have been together for almost two months now and you’re still looking at her like you’re seeing her for the first time,” Maria teased as she stepped behind her brother. “Careful. Don’t burn the burgers,” she laughed, gesturing to the meat sizzling on the grill.

“I can’t help it,” he sighed as he dragged his eyes away from the petite woman that had captured and ran with his heart. There was no way he was going to get tired of looking at her. “She’s beautiful.”

“Max, you never called me beautiful,” she pouted.

“That’s because I have morals and lying is seriously frowned upon.” He laughed when she punched his arm. “I’m kidding,” he chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You have blossomed into a gorgeous young lady and Michael is very lucky to have you.”

Maria smiled up at her brother. “Thank you. And Liz is very lucky to have you.”

Max smiled though he couldn’t keep his eyes from zeroing in on Liz again as she played with Adam and Grace. He couldn’t wait to make her officially a part of their family.

Maria spotted the look in Max’s eyes and she smiled. She was happy for him. Even though both Max and Liz said that they forgave her, Michael and Kyle, Maria still berated herself for not telling Max about Liz, especially after seeing how he came alive ever since she stepped back into his life. They had wasted ten years and she couldn’t help but blame herself.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she turned her attention back to Max. “Did you get the ring yet?”

His grin was wide and bright. “I picked it up yesterday. When we get a chance, I’ll show it to you.”

Maria nodded. Since Alex and Isabel’s wedding a week ago, Max talked about nothing but marrying Liz. He had immediately begun planning, but Maria got the feeling that he had been thinking about it long before then.

Max scanned the yard before his eyes landed on Michael sitting with Kyle and Serena. Those two had hit it off since they reunited in the park. They’ve been dating ever since.

“Michael!” Max called, waving his friend over. “Can you take over the grill for a while?”

“Sure thing.” He winked at Maria before taking the spatula from Max who was making a beeline towards Liz. “Excuse us,” he said to George and Thelma. Taking her smaller hand into his larger one, he led Liz away.

“Max, what are you doing,” she giggled as he pulled her through the back doors towards the kitchen.

“Come here,” he growled. Her squeal resonated throughout the kitchen when he hoisted her up on the counter and easily slid between her legs. His lips sought out hers in a hungry kiss.

He had been craving for her all morning and now that he finally had her, he didn’t think he would be able to let go.

“Have I told you how much I adore you today?” he mumbled against her.

“Not since this morning, but it’s good to hear it again.” His tongue demanded entrance into her mouth and she immediately granted it, moaning into him as his tongue stroked hers in a sensual dance.

“Hey guys, we’re… oh!”

Max and Liz broke apart at the intrusion and they turned to see a smirking Serena standing in the doorway.

“I was just wondering when you were going to bring out the cake, but I see you two had a few things to take care of first,” she teased.

Liz hid her crimson face in Max’s chest. “We’ll be right out Serena,” he told her. She smirked once more before leaving the two alone.

“Come on, let’s go before anyone else starts looking for us,” she laughed.

Max pouted. “Okay, but we’re continuing this later,” he demanded as he poked her nose.

“Definitely.”
************

As the credits rolled down the screen, Liz flipped off the DVD player and glanced down at her sleeping family. They had been watching Finding Nemo, Grace’s favorite movie since it was her birthday. Now, Grace lay sound asleep, cradled in her arms while Adam was nestled safely against Liz’s side. Max was curled against her, snoring lightly, Liz’s lap pillowing his head.

Her heart swelled with love at the thought of how quickly she had fallen in love with Max’s little family. They had now become her family. Seeing Alex and Isabel marry a week before had fueled her desire to marry Max and officially adopt Adam and Grace, becoming a family in every sense of the word.

Grace whined in her sleep, her tiny thumb disappearing into her mouth as she calmed. Liz thought it was best that she put her to bed. She eased Adam on the couch and slipped from beneath Max before she treaded into Grace’s room. After tucking her in, she retrieved Adam and tucked his in his bed as well.

Max was still sleeping peacefully when she returned to the couch. She kneeled before him and stroked back his dark hair. “Max? Baby, wake up.”

His eyes fluttered open and he smiled when he saw her. Taking his hand, she pulled him off the couch. “Come on.”

Max rubbed the sleep from his eyes. After a long day of hosting Grace’s birthday party and cleaning up afterwards, Max felt like he was about to drop. “Where are the kids?”

Liz pulled him into his room and shut the door behind her. “I already put them to bed.”

“Will you stay over tonight?” he asked.

Liz smiled. She rarely stayed in her own apartment anymore and she was starting to think that it was pointless to even pay the rent anymore.

Max shimmied out of his jeans and shrugged off his shirt leaving him in only his dark boxers. He led her to the bed and motioned for her to lie down. Liz saw the dark look in his eyes and she knew what he wanted to do to her. She shivered just thinking about it.

“Max, you can barely keep your eyes open. Don’t you…”

He shushed her with a finger to her soft lips. “We have to continue what we started earlier don’t we?” he murmured. He dipped his head, his lips touching the soft skin of her stomach. The simple touch sent waves of heat through her body.

“O-Only if you’re up to it,” she stuttered.

He made a sound deep in his throat as he worked on the button of her jeans and eased down the zipper. “Lift up, love.”

Liz did as she was told, feeling his warm hands brushing against her thighs as he pulled down her jeans. She surpassed a moan, still completely amazed that a simple touch from him could drive her insane.

“I plan on making you feel good tonight Parker,” he growled as he cupped her heat over her panties. Max pressed his lips to her belly button while he worked his hands under her tank top, lifting it up as his lips traveled farther north. Her shirt was tossed aside without a care as Max turned his attention to her lacy bra. Much to Max’s pleasure, the bra’s clasp was in front and with a flick of his wrist, she was spilling into his waiting hands.

She dug her fingers into his thick hair as he brushed his thumbs against her taut nipples. His eyes darken as he started at her luscious mounds. He latched on to her, his tongue immediately darting out to taste her. He teased her slowly, smiling when she moaned his name.

He left a hot trail of kisses down her chest as he slipped his hand inside her panties and traced her center with his finger. Liz arched off the bed as he brushed against her clit. They both moaned at the intimate contact.

“Max,” she whimpered helplessly while she watched with heavy lidded eyes Max dip his head, his tongue darting out to taste her.

Hooking a hand behind her knees, Max propped her slender legs over his shoulder. His tongue dove deep inside her and feasted upon her, his tongue massaging her and taking her to the brink of madness as she tensed, her release growing dangerously close.

With her eyes tightly shut, her fingers digging into his scalp, Liz gasped, her mouth forming an “O” as she let go.

Like a dog looking for its last drink, Max greedily lapped up her release as she shuddered beneath him.

“Oh,” she breathlessly sighed, “wow.” As her legs slid off his shoulders, Max crawled up her body, barely giving her time to recover before he took her lips in a passionate caress. Liz didn’t mind in the least as she was desperately trying to pull off his boxers.

“Max, I need you now,” she cried in frustration.

Max quickly wiggled out of his boxers and positioned himself over her, his member suspended just above her heated center. He slid inside her, both gasping at the now familiar feeling, but every time it was more passionate than the last and neither one of them could seem to get enough of the other.

Their moans and sighs of pleasure resounded around the room as they moved together in a steady rhythm. They reached their zenith together, before starting all over again and again. They brought each other bliss until both collapsed in exhaustion.
************

Outside, in the black SUV, a deep growl sounded as he checked the time, noting that it was well into the early morning. He knew she was fucking the Evans guy, but it didn’t get any easier every time he sat here and waited for her to leave.

He knew Max was planning on proposing. He had followed him when he went to the jewelry store and it made his blood boil.

He had been watching them for two months now, constructing the best plan of action before he finally figured out a way to handle it. Last time he had done it all wrong, sending someone else to do his dirty work. You just can’t trust someone to do a good job these days. This time he was going to do the job himself and he was going to make sure he succeeded.
***********

Max sat both his kids on the couch and kneeled on the floor in front of them. Tonight was the night that would change their lives forever. He was giddy with excitement as well as shaking with nervousness.

Max put Adam’s foot into his sneaker and began to tie the laces. “Adam, Gracie, tonight is a very special night for all of us. I’m asking Ellie to marry me.” He breathed deeply as he slipped Grace’s sandals onto her feet. “You two still think I’m doing the right thing? I mean, Ellie is going to make a great mommy to the both of you. She loves you very much.”

Grace giggled happily as she reached out for a lock of her father’s hair.

“Lele! Lele!” Adam laughed. Max smiled at Adam’s version of trying to say ‘Ellie.’

“Yeah. Ellie will be your mom. Would you like that?” Grace and Adam smiled brightly and Max found his answer. Maria always teased him about how he talked to his kids like they spoke actual English instead of gibberish. But he knew they understood him and he understood them.

Max shouldered their backpack before scooping Grace and Adam into his arms. They were going to stay with Maria while Max took Liz out for dinner and dancing. He had planned for them to stay in one of the finest hotels in the area, given that she accepted his proposal at the restaurant.

Max placed Adam and Grace in their car seats and headed off to Maria’s. When he got there, she had flung the door open before he even knocked, talking a mile a minute. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to set Adam and Grace on their feet before she got them in her vise like grip.

“Oh my God Max! You’re getting engaged tonight! I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve been bursting to do this ever since you saw Liz again and it’s finally happening. I can’t believe its happening!”

Max groaned and he wondered how someone so little could have such a tight grip. “Maria can you let go so we can breathe?”

She stepped away before plucking Adam out of Max’s arms. “You’re going to have a new mommy big fella,” she cooed as she swung Adam in the air. Grace bounced in Max’s arms, wanting to be swung like her brother.

Maria set Adam on his feet before grabbing Grace and twirling her around next.

“God Maria, I swear you’re more excited about this than I am,” Max laughed.

“What? My big brother is getting engaged.”

“How do you know…”

“Max, this is Liz we’re talking about,” Maria started before he finished. She knew where he was going and she would not allow him to get down on himself like that. Liz was mad for him just as he was for her and she had no doubt that she was going to have a new sister in-law soon.

“Where’s the ring?” He had asked that Maria keep it at her place as an extra precaution that Liz wouldn’t find it.

She handed him the velvet bow that held the beautiful diamond ring. His heart jumped at the thought that soon it would be on Liz’s finger.

Maria dropped the ring into his pants pocket and pushed him towards the door. “Now go,” Maria demanded. “You call me as soon as she says yes. Michael and Kyle are coming over and we’ll be waiting for your call.”

Max smirked as she pushed him out into the hall. “You’re all just cheering us on like some football game?”

“Yeah. Duh! Now go get me a future sister!” She shooed him away and soon he was on the road headed back to his place.

He pulled his cell phone from pocket and dialed the familiar number.

“Hello?”

Max smiled into the phone. “Hey beautiful.”

“Hi! Are you calling to tell me what this is all about or are you going to let your beloved girlfriend who you cherish suffer?”

Max chuckled as he pulled into his driveway and killed the engine. “I think I’m going to go with the suffering.”

“Max!” she whined.

“Ellie, it won’t be a surprise if I tell you now would it?” He walked up the driveway, unaware of the opened gate that led to the backyard. “Besides, I already told you that we were going out to dinner.” He smiled secretly as he patted the ring in his pocket.

“Okay, I got that, but why do I have to pack an overnight bag? Maxwell Evans if you don’t tell me what’s up this instant…”

“You’ll what?” he laughingly challenged. He entered the house, kicking the door closed behind him.

She breathed heavily into the phone. “What do you mean ‘what’? Aren’t you afraid of the consequences? I can be very convincing you know?”

“I do know,” he purred huskily. “But you’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Max, this is torture,” she sulked. “Well can you at least tell me when you’ll get here? I hardly got to see you this week.”

“I know,” he sighed. “I’m sorry baby, but I was busy this week.”

“Planning my surprise that you won’t tell me anything about?”

“Exactly,” he laughed. “I’ll be there to pick you up in about twenty minutes okay?”

She growled, but hesitantly agreed. He could just imagine her sitting there sulking with a cute little pout on her lips. He couldn’t wait to see her.

“Bye beautiful.”

“Bye handsome,” she giggled. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”
*********

He heard the car pulling into the driveway just as he got the back door open. He stepped inside, hiding in the shadows as he watched him enter the living room and then disappeared down the hall. He heard the shower and he decided to wait until the perfect time to make his presence known.
************

Max stepped out of the shower, the steam bellowing out behind him. He quickly shaved the slight shadow that had grown since that morning, combed his damp hair, leaving his bangs to fall into his eyes. He padded to his room to change into black dress pants and a deep red shirt. Liz had told him that was her favorite color on him. Tonight was about her and he only wanted to make her happy.
***********

He moved stealthily down the hall, stopping at the slightly ajar door. He watched his pathetic competition as he searched for his socks. He was on the floor searching under the bed. He smiled, knowing it was time.
***********

Finding his socks just beneath his bed, Max moved to stand, but the sudden creaking of his door opening caught his attention. He found himself staring down the barrel of a gun before he spiraled into darkness.

TBC…….