, I hope you like this next part. Vicki LVCM
OrangeSky - I like Zan too!! No, that's cool, they're a fucked up bunch
L-J-L 76
begonia9508 - You Too
LegalAlien
aussietrueblue
NUNARFEATHER00 - You too, and i'm glad you liked it
Shadowlynxbehr
dreamsatnight
nibbles2 - wow harsh! But i'm glad you like Michael again
martine
tequathisy
BehrObsession - better now then later when there is a lot more commitment involved?
Eleven
Christmas Eve Night
“So what will it be? Santa Claus 3 or Elf?” Isabel asked the occupants of the living room.
After a massive traditional Evans feast, which was slightly strained from the events of the day, everyone had gathered in the lounge room to watch a video. Outside the weather had turned and there was even a slight possibility that it might snow that year.
“You’re kidding right?” Michael asked over the choices Isabel was offering him.
Isabel narrowed her eyes at her older brother, “No I’m not Michael, so which one will it be?”
The decision was put on hold when there was a quiet knock on the door and the Evans family all looked at each other in surprise.
“I’ll get it,” Isabel offered and headed off.
She pulled the door open and her mouth fell open in shock when she saw the face grinning back at her from the other side.
“Hi Isabel,” Alex Whitman grinned. He was holding a wrapped present under one arm, and a bottle of wine in the other.
“Alex! What are you doing here?” She asked.
Alex’s smile wavered a little then. “Oh I ran into Michael and Maria last night and they invited me,” he informed her.
“They did?”
“Yeah,” he nodded but when he could see the look on face he realised that this was the first she had heard of it. “Oh God Isabel, I’m so sorry. This wasn’t your idea at all was it…?”
Isabel shook her head.
“I’m so embarrassed,” he whispered. He held out his hands with the present and bottle of wine then. “Here, Merry Christmas,” he said shoving them into her hands and quickly stepping back.
When he had run into Michael the night before he had been surprised to be introduced to Maria, who was apparently Max’s girlfriend. Alex had been amused at the idea of the loud Maria with a quiet guy like Max; she seemed much more like Michael’s type. He was even further surprised when after being introduced to Maria that she seemed to know who he was, and when Michael had gone to the bar Maria had told him that she had heard all about him from Isabel. He couldn’t believe some of the things he was hearing from Maria so when she had suggested that he come by after dinner on Christmas Eve, and insisted Isabel was looking forward to seeing him, he had instantly accepted. He shouldn’t have known that someone as beautiful and smart as Isabel Evans wouldn’t be interested in a geek like him.
“No Alex stop,” Isabel called out stepping onto the porch.
Alex halted his steps and turned back.
“Please come in,” she smiled shyly.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
“Positive, we were just about to watch a video. You can help us decide which one,” she smiled.
Alex smiled back then. “Ok,” he agreed and followed her into the house.
***
“Did you get flights?” Liz asked Maria as she got off the phone.
Liz had been reluctant to agree to fly home on Christmas Eve. At this rate, they would spend their entire Christmas day just flying home to New York.
“No not until tomorrow morning,” she sighed. “What are we going to do now?”
Liz felt bad; it was obvious that Maria was hurting despite her best efforts to pretend that she wasn’t.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Liz asked.
Maria sat down. “There isn’t much to say. Its over,” she shrugged.
“How do you feel about that?” Liz asked. She didn’t want to seem like she was psycho analysing Maria but she thought it would help to get it off her chest.
Maria thought about what Liz was saying. “Truthfully I don’t know,” she admitted. “It hurt when Max told me it wasn’t going to work because we’re too different but the more I think about it the more I think he’s right.”
“Really?” Liz asked surprised, and a little hopeful.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “And lets face it the only person in his family I actually liked was Michael,” she added.
Liz quirked her head to the side then, “Michael hey?” She asked.
Maria blushed, “Yeah he’s pretty cool.”
Liz grinned, “Oh my God. You’ve got a thing for Michael don’t you?” She accused. It made sense now, why Maria had taken the break with Max so well.
“No!” Maria lied but her denial was useless as her face gave her away too Liz.
“You know it’s ok if you do. I mean I think Michael is a much better match for you,” Liz admitted.
“It’s too weird. I mean before I came here to meet the Evans I thought for sure that I was in love with Max, I even told him but now…”
“It’s ok, I can see why you would want to be in love with Max,” Liz replied.
Maria narrowed her eyes at Liz then who had looked away uncomfortably.
“Liz?” She questioned.
When Liz looked back, there were tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she immediately apologised.
“What for?” Maria asked. But when she looked into Liz’s eyes again she knew.
“Liz are you in love with Max?” She asked her.
“What? No of course not. I mean I hardly know him,” she shook her head.
But Maria wasn’t buying her story. “But you want too don’t you?” She guessed.
“I’m sorry Maria I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Liz sobbed.
“For what? For me and Max to break up because we both finally realised what everyone else knew all along?” She chuckled.
It had taken Max to say the words for her to finally accept what she had known since their very first date. Liz was right; Max Evans was the type of man you wanted to be in love with but in Maria’s case wanting just wasn’t enough. She could love him easily yes, but they’re relationship lacked one of the most important components, passion.
In truth the realisation had probably come to Maria during the night she had spent with Michael but she hadn’t wanted to admit it because that would mean once again her relationship was doomed to fail and she was really tired at failing in relationships.
“We kissed,” Liz blurted out.
Maria’s eyes went wide; she hadn’t expected to hear that.
“When?”
“Last night, after you had walked off on him.”
Maria just stared at her sister for a few seconds before she just broke out in laughter.
“You’re laughing?” Liz asked in disbelief.
Maria stopped then and just smiled. “I’m sorry I just find this whole thing hilarious. I was crying this morning because I thought I’d cheated on Max with Michael and now I’m all confused about my feelings for Michael and you’ve developed feelings for Max.”
“You’re not angry with me?” Liz asked.
“No,” Maria shook her head.
“Thank you,” Liz whispered.
“No thank you,” Maria said. “You’re always there when I need you, I don’t know what I’d do with you,” she whispered.
“Me either,” Liz agreed.
***
Max smiled as he watched his sister come alight in happiness as Alex told another one of his corny jokes. He had never really thought of Alex as Isabel’s type but now that he saw them together he had to admit that they were perfect for each other. Now Isabel just needed to admit it.
But watching Isabel and Alex made his thoughts turn to Liz. Would he look as happy as Isabel if he were with Liz right now?
***
On the other side of the room Michael was having similar thoughts to Max, but he was thinking about Maria.
He hadn’t been surprised that Max and Maria had broken up regardless of him coming clean about the events of their night together. But he had been surprised at how happy he had been about it. If you had asked him two days ago what he thought of Maria he would have told you that she was an uptight New York socialite who should learn to keep her mouth shut, but now…
***
Isabel smiled shyly as she walked Alex to the door.
“Well thank you very much for tonight…” he turned and smiled goofily at her.
“No thank you, it was really nice to have you here tonight,” she replied.
“Really?” Alex asked surprised.
“Yeah,” she grinned. “Remind me to thank Maria next time I see her.”
“Ok,” he nodded. “It’s a shame that her and Max decided to call it quits before Christmas. I was looking forward to seeing her again and meeting her sister.”
Isabel nodded, “Yeah,” she agreed, “A couple of days ago I couldn’t wait to see the back of her but now that her and Liz are gone, and on their way back to New York, Max just isn’t himself.”
“You know I’m still surprised that Maria wasn’t Michael’s girlfriend, she just seemed like his type.”
Isabel smiled at the comment, she hadn’t given it much thought but now that Alex had pointed it out she could see it.
Alex opened the door then and stepped through, “I really think it just might snow,” he commented.
“I hope so,” Isabel smiled.
“Well goodnight Isabel Evans,” he said.
Feeling confident Isabel stepped forward and leaned in until her lips were pressed against Alex’s for a brief second.
“Goodnight Alex Whitman,” she whispered.
Alex stood speechless for a few minutes before he finally walked down the Evans porch and to his car.
Once he was safely inside, Isabel closed the door and leaned against it with a big grin.
“You and Alex, who would have thought?” Max shook his head and smiled at his sister as he leaned against the doorframe.
“He’s a really nice guy,” Isabel replied.
“You’re right, he is. I’m really happy for you,” Max smiled.
“You know what Max? I realised something tonight, you don’t always get to choose who you love, sometimes loves just chooses you,” she said softly and gave him a knowing look before walking past him and heading up the stairs towards her bedroom leaving Max to think about what she said.