Chapter 11
I toss and turn in attempt to find a comfortable position, something I’ve been trying to accomplish for over two hours now. I’m dead tired, but still I’m unable to peacefully drift off. It’s about two in the morning and I swear I hear someone crying in the bathroom. I try and make out the sound, but it stops and I decide to let it go.
Finally accepting that I won’t be getting to sleep any time soon, I fling back the covers and decide to watch a little TV, hoping a little Nick at Nite will help put me to sleep. I swing open my door and smack right into Liz just as she’s about to knock.
She staggers back and I quickly wrap my arms around her to help her gain her balance; they fall away just as quickly when she’s steady. Her face flushes as she ducks her head and steps back a little.
“Sorry,” she murmurs.
“S’okay,” I answer with a soft smile. She’s staring at her toes now, her black hair flowing around her, covering her face. But I still see the paleness in her skin. She looks a little sick to me. “Are you okay?” I ask.
She lifts her gaze, confused for a second before she nods slightly. “Yeah… I just have a headache. Um… I was just going to ask you if you had any aspirin. There wasn’t any in the kitchen or bathroom,” she explains softly. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
I shake my head as I return to my room and grab the bottle of Aleve from my dresser. “I was already up.” I hand it to her and she smiles gratefully. She heads into the bathroom while I proceed into the living room, flopping down on the couch and begin my search for the remote. I find it on the floor and flip on the TV. Propping my feet up on the coffee table, I flip through the channels, finding nothing interesting. I settle for an infomercial for some new laundry solution that’s supposed to keep your blacks blacker than black and your whites brighter than ever. I roll my eyes as I watch the overacting woman gasp as a grape stain disappears from her delicate table cloth.
“Mind if I join?” I turn to see Liz standing beside the couch, twisting her hands nervously.
“Sure,” I say as I pat the empty space beside me. She smiles brightly and takes a seat. “I Love Lucy?” I ask, knowing that she’ll want to watch it. She always had. Turns out I’m right as she gives me a knowing look and nods.
I flip channels and we watch in silence, occasionally snickering at the scenes playing out on the television. This feels so familiar, yet totally different. Before everything, I could always tell what she was thinking and I look at her now, and it’s like she’s a whole different person. But I guess she must feel the same about me.
“So… what has you up at this time of night?” Liz suddenly asks.
I shrug. “I think I can’t sleep because school just ended and I’m not used to all this extra sleeping time.” I take my eyes off the screen to glance at her quickly before returning my gaze.
She doesn’t look at me. She keeps her eyes trained on the TV. This shouldn’t be such a big surprise because Liz was always an avid TV watcher. She used to know each and every commercial jingle and would sing them all the time, causing the annoying songs to get stuck in my head. When I would catch myself singing the latest jingle for tampons, I knew that I needed serious help.
“Max?” I turn to her waiting for her to continue. “Why are you being so nice to me? Why don’t you hate me like everyone else?” She ducks her head and fiddles with the hem of her tank top.
I knew this was coming up, and to be honest, I’m not really prepared to answer that question. “Liz, everyone doesn’t hate you. They’re just angry and hurt.”
“But why aren’t you avoiding me like everyone else. You should be the main one pissed off at me,” she queries miserably.
I shrug. “You’re right. I should. But what would it solve if I was cold and callous to you? You’re the mother of my child and if you do plan on staying, we have to learn to get along, at least for Jas’ sake. I mean, I’m not saying that I’m not angry with you because I am, there’s no doubting that,” I say, wincing as I spot a tear trail down her face. “But just because I’m angry with you doesn’t mean that I’m going to leave you in the dust.”
“Like I did to you,” she adds quietly, her guilt written all over her face. “I did you wrong and now I’m paying for it by losing you, Jasmine and the rest of my family. I regret what I did every day and I guess it makes it even worse that you’re being so kind to me. I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but I really don’t deserve it.”
I don’t argue with her because she’s right. “I guess I should be yelling at you, telling you how much you screwed up, but truth is…. I missed you Liz.” She looks surprised, her eyes glistening with tears as she stares up at me. “I miss my best friend and I only hope to restore the friendship that we once had, because you were always such a big part of my life. I always thought that you felt the same about me, but when you left… I guess that kind of shattered that thought.”
She shakes her head in protest and grabs my hand. “No, Max it was never about that. I just freaked and I ran when I should’ve come to you. You are still everything to me, and you always have been ever since you knocked down my blocks in kindergarten.” She smiles teasingly and I let my lips form a small smirk. “I missed you too Max. You’re my other half.”
I’m silent. I really don’t know how to answer that. All this time I thought that she just stopped caring or that she never really cared at all. But that doesn’t excuse what she did. If she cared so much about me, then why the hell did she leave? How could she just throw everything we had away like it was nothing? It makes no sense to me and I figure it never will.
“Max, about Jasmine,” she starts nervously. “I was thinking that we could tell her about me soon. I’d like to get to know her as my daughter and I want her to know me as her mother. And I think it’s better if we tell her sooner than later.”
“Liz…” I sigh exasperatedly. “I don’t think that’s such as good idea.”
“Max…”
I shake my head, promptly cutting off her protest. “Liz, it’s not that I don’t want her to know who her mother is, because I do.” I bow my head, knowing what I’m about to say is going to break her heart. “It’s just that I’m trying to protect my daughter. I know what it felt like to love you so much and then to lose you. Jas has wanted a mother for so long and I can’t trust you enough to tell her and then get scared by this situation and then run away again. I couldn’t bear to see her hurt because of that and I’m not going to let it happen.”
A few tears slip down her cheeks and I wrap my arm around her shoulder. “But… But she’s my daughter too Max,” she cries.
“You haven’t been here Liz and you can’t expect to just come back and everything to be perfect.” She cries harder and I pull her against me. I feel like the meanest person right now, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my daughter from any pain that I had to go through from losing Liz.
She sniffles and I stroke her back until her cries lessen. “I just want her to know. I already love her so much,” she whimpers. “What can I do Max? What can I do to show you that you can trust me?”
“Just be here and make sure you don’t hurt her,” I say. She nods guiltily as she sits up and wipes her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, glancing at the wet spot she created with her tears on my shirt. “I’ve been crying quite a lot lately.”
“Understandable,” I say as I wipe away a few stray tears on her cheeks. She smiles shyly and I give her a smile of my own. I guess its second nature to be there for Liz. It’s in my programming and no matter what; I’m always here for her.
After an I Love Lucy, a Three’s Company’s and two Cosby Shows, I finally feel the drowsiness of sleep. I glance at Liz and find her fast asleep with her head resting on my arm which is thrown across the back of the couch and her feet tucked under her small frame. I bite my lip in uncertainty as I stare at her gentle features. She shivers, her brow creasing in a frown and I pull her towards me so that she’s resting against my chest. She stirs a little and cuddles into my side as I grab the blanket draped over the back of the couch and wrap it around us. I rest against the arm of the couch and feel myself drifting off. I can finally sleep.
********
“Max, I don’t think we should be doing this.”
“Come on Daddy! Auntie Wia gots some cookies fo me!”
I stop my ascent up the stairs and turn to hoist my anxious child into my arms before I turn towards the visibly shaken woman behind me. Her small hand is clinging tightly to mine and I gently brush my thumb across her hand in comfort.
“Liz, relax. I’ll be right there with you,” I say as soothingly as I can.
“But…”
“Liz, if you don’t want to do this then I can take you home. You said you wanted to talk to them, so now’s your chance.”
“Don’t be ‘fwaid Liz. Auntie Wia is weally nice an she makes da bestest cookies. You can half some’ma mine is ya want to,” Jasmine offers, putting a smile on Liz’s face. “Her cookies are better den Daddy’s cause dey don’t taste as yucky and dey don’t be burnded.”
Liz bursts into laughter and I stare in surprise at my daughter. “Jas! I thought you liked my cookies,” I pout.
“I sowry Daddy but dey was yucky. I didn’t want ta make you sad.”
“Well, I’m sad now,” I say seriously. I thought my cookies were pretty good, aside from a few that were a little burnt around he edges. But those could be for people how like theirs extra crispy.
“I sowry Daddy,” she says before she kisses my cheek.
I smile and return the kiss. “Thank you pumpkin.” I throw a teasing glare at Liz who is still giggling before starting up the stairs again. I knock on the door and I hear a loud “coming!” before the door swings open to reveal Kyle.
“There’s my favorite munchkin,” he coos as he plucks Jasmine out of my arms and swings her in the air. She dissolves into giggles as he sets her on top of his shoulders.
“Um… Yeah, what about me? No ‘Hey Evans’ ‘What’s up, how’s it going?’”
“Nope,” he says over his shoulder as he continues to play with Jasmine. But the short brunette hiding behind me catches his attention and he pauses for a minute to check her out. “Well, well. Who do we have here?” He sets Jasmine down and advances towards Liz. I clench my fists, trying to control myself as his eyes roam her body. “Why are you standing over here with Evans when you can have a real man,” he croons as he licks his lips. I swear if my three year old daughter wasn’t in the room, I’d pound him right now.
“A real man my ass!” Kyle whirls around to find Tess staring angrily at him, her hands propped on her hips and her foot tapping impatiently. Out of no where, she starts beating him with a throw pillow. “I can’t believe you would go hitting on other woman in front of me you bastard!” she yells between hits.
“Baby,” he whines, obviously trying to weasel himself out of the situation. “I was just being friendly.” I roll my eyes and step deeper into the apartment with Liz firmly attached to my hand. Everyone is crowded into the living room, chit chatting idly. Michael is the first one to spot us, followed by Alex. Jasmine already has her hands on a cookie and is happily eating away by herself.
“Hey guys,” I greet them. They all wave back, but their eyes are locked on Liz. “Guys this is Liz Parker, Liz this is Michael, Alex, Kyle and Tess,” I say as I point to each one of them. They all greet her with kind smiles.
“Hi,” Liz says shyly as she tucks her black hair behind her ear.
“Get out!” Liz and I whirl around to find the angry eyes of Isabel and Maria, standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Maria…”
“I said get out!”
“Maria, calm down,” I growl. I turn towards Michael, Alex Kyle and Tess. “Guys, could you take Jas downstairs into the café please?” They quickly agree, grabbing Jasmine and heading downstairs. Once they’re gone, Maria resumes her yelling.
“Why did you bring her here?! She’s not invited!” Maria snarls.
“I just want to talk to you,” Liz says, her voice wavering with emotion. “I just want to explain myself and try work things out.”
“The least you could do is hear what she has to say. You’ve been avoiding her since she’s got here. At least listen to her for a second,” I say, returning their glare of disapproval.
Isabel and Maria glance at each other for a moment before moving over to the couch and taking a seat. I lead Liz over to the love seat, keeping my hand on the small of her back for comfort.
Maria and Isabel are silent, the tension building as we all wait for Liz to start. She takes a few deep breaths before she starts explaining her reasons for leaving. I see Isabel and Maria growing redder by the second and I’m so close to telling Liz to stop before one of them explodes. Deafening silence follows after Liz finishes and I know she’s seconds from breaking down. I rub her back soothingly, hoping to ease her nervousness.
“So, let me get this straight,” Isabel starts. “You left your new born baby and your family because you didn’t get into college? You left for three years because you were scared?! That’s fucking bullshit Liz! We were all scared for you! If you had so many doubts why the hell didn’t you go to somebody other than that fucking crackpot!?”
I’m confused as to who Isabel’s talking about now. Does Isabel know something that I don’t? I glance at Maria for any type of hint, but her gaze is locked to the floor, her fists clenched at her sides. She’s not uttering a sound and I know she’s beyond pissed now.
“Isabel I was confused. I was young and stupid and I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry I left and never called or got into contact with you guys, but I can’t go back and change it now. I’m sorry. I just want my family back,” Liz cries. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry is not good enough,” Isabel mutters. “Do have any idea of how much pain you put us through!? And Jas…” She shakes her head as she stands and paces angrily in the corner.
“Maria?” Liz whimpers, desperate for any reaction from her. Maria stays silent, not even looking up to meet Liz’s gaze and Liz sags into my side, her breath hitching due to her sobs.
“Come on Liz,” I whisper as I usher her towards the door. It’s obvious that the two women aren’t going to give in tonight and there’s no need to stay here and push it. I shoot a deadly glare their way, having nothing else to say to them before I lead Liz through the door. I tell her to wait in the car while I get Jasmine and we drive home in silence.
The walk towards the apartment and the elevator ride was filled with tension. I shift a sleeping Jasmine in my arms as I glance at Liz. She’s staring at her feet, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. I want to help her somehow, but I decide against. I head towards Jasmine’s room once we make it back to the apartment and gently lay her down. After I tuck her in, I find Liz in the living room, trying her damnedest not to cry. I feel so bad right now and I open my arms to her and she gladly steps into my embrace.
“Shh. It’s okay,” I croon gently. I move my hand to her cheek and wipe away her falling tears with my thumb.
Her cries subside and her watery gaze pierces through mine and I’m staring into the most beautiful brown eyes. They were exactly the way I remembered them, save for a little weariness. I missed losing myself in her eyes like this. I try hard to stop myself, I want to look away, want an interruption. But it doesn’t come and my head dips forward.
I’m falling.
What the hell is wrong with me? Her breath mingles with mine as I hover just centimeters away from her lips. Her eyes flutter shut and she raises her head and my gaze drops to her soft lips. I haven’t tasted her in three long years and my pulse races at the thought of doing just that again. My tongue darts out to wet my lips before I lean in and take the plunge.
TBC…….
Hope you enjoyed.
Tiffany
And as for the posting once a week thing, I would love to post more than that, but I'm a really slow writer and it takes me awhile. Sorry for the torture, I really don't do it on purpose. 
Max and Liz would almost together already and the story is over. Remember, just because Max gets “turned on” by Serena doesn’t mean it’s serious or they’re in love. Think of the madness there would be if every guy is serious about a girl just because he’s aroused. A guy would be serious about just about every girl that passes them by on the street (no offense to any male readers out there 
