Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:01 pm
Disclaimers in the first chapter! Thanks for all the feedback. Enjoy!
Chapter 15
“Max!” Liz stuck her head in the bathroom door and fanned her hand in front of her face trying to see through the steam. “Max, the phone is ringing.”
“Go ahead and answer it, just take a message for me.” He replied over the running water and Liz shut the door. That morning things between the two of them had returned to normal-normal being not speaking of the intimacy that they shared just a few hours before.
Liz sighed and answered the phone. “Hello?” She asked in a pleasant voice. She wasn’t Max’s damned answering service.
“Who’s this?” Liz frowned at the feminine voice that came from the other end of the phone. “Maria, is that you?” The voice asked and Liz cleared her throat.
“My name is Liz; may I ask who’s calling please?” There was a long pause before the woman answered.
“I think I have the wrong number. I’m looking for my husband, Max Evans.” This isn’t happening Liz chanted over and over in her head as she slowly eased herself down to the bed. Max walked back into the bedroom and stared at the exchange going on.
“Your husband?” Liz repeated slowly. Max dropped the towel he had been using to dry his hair and rushed to her side.
“Who’s on the phone Liz?” Max asked quietly. Liz looked up at him and held the receiver out.
“Your wife.” Liz replied shakily and handed him the phone. She got off the bed and paced in front of him, watching to see what he would do. He brought the phone up to his ear slowly and took a deep cleansing breath.
“Tess, I heard you had gotten released.” Max said slowly, his voice void of all emotion.
“Yes, and I’m ready to come home.” She declared breathlessly. “I can’t wait to see you.” There was a small pause before she continued. “Maxwell, honey, who answered the phone?” Max’s eyes darted to Liz and he frowned.
“Tess, listen, it’s been 10 years, we’re divorced. Liz is my um, my new wife.” He shrugged helplessly at Liz’s expression. The minute those words left his mouth her head whipped around and she stared at him open mouthed.
“What!” Tess cried in disbelief. “Max, how could you remarry? Didn’t you ever love me?” Max thought back to the woman that he had fallen in love with.
“Yes, yes I did Tess, but you changed. You can’t honestly expect to be forgiven after everything you said…and only God can forgive you for what you did to Zan.” Max said with a clenched jaw.
“Zan, who’s Zan, and what on Earth are you talking about?” She sighed and cleared her throat. “I’m coming to see you.” She said finally.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Do you remember Todd Ferguson? I suggest you talk to him. I don’t want you within 500 yards of me, understand that?” He slammed the phone down and buried his face in his hands.
“Were you even going to tell me?” Liz asked in a small voice. He looked up to see her standing there. “You weren’t were you?”
“I just…I wanted to, it just slipped my mind.” He added lamely.
“That’s crap Max and we both know it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “So I’m your wife now am I?”
“What was I suppose to say Liz, ‘Oh, her, she’s my 18 year old lover.’ I’m sure that would have went real well.” Liz gasped and looked away.
“Would it be so bad if we were married?” He asked suddenly and stood up. “I mean, we both enjoy each other’s company. We have fun together, that’s what a marriage is about.”
“No Max, a marriage should be about love, we both know how I feel about you. Do you think it would be fair for me to marry you knowing that you didn’t love me?” She bit her bottom lip. “Besides, I’m not going to be part of a scheme that will get Tess off your back.”
He looked at her shocked. “Is that what you think?”
“Well, why shouldn’t I? Seriously Max, if we got married she would back off, she would have to come to terms with the fact that you guys are divorced.” Liz answered and walked out of the room.
“Liz, listen to me.” He grabbed her hand before she could leave. “I care about you, in fact you’re the first person that I’ve cared about in ten years. Isn’t that enough?”
“I wish it was.” She pulled out of his grasp and walked out of his bedroom, hurt beyond belief that he would even consider asking her such a question. She walked into his study and flipped through the rolodex on the desk.
She pulled the card out and tucked it in her pocket then went to her room to get dressed. “I’m going out for awhile.” She said quietly as she walked by Max’s room. She glanced in and saw that he was now sitting on the edge of his bed holding a photograph.
~~
After finding a comfortable place far enough from the house and pulled out the index card with Maria Guerin’s name on it. She punched the number into her cell phone and waited.
“Maria Guerin at your service.” Her voice was upbeat and Liz couldn’t help but smile.
“Maria, hi, this is Liz Parker, Max’s friend and I um, well, I need to talk to you.” She said breathlessly.
“Is Max alright?” Maria replied quickly.
“Yes, no, hell, I don’t know.” Liz answered honestly. “Tess has been released and she called him.”
“WHAT?” Maria screamed in her ear. Liz held the phone away while the woman ranted and raved about demented gerbils. “Liz, Liz are you still there?”
“Yes, sorry.” Liz sat down on a rock and sighed. “Max practically asked me to marry him.” Again Liz had to remove the phone from the side of her ear as Maria demonstrated her vocal range.
“Explain to me from the beginning please.” Maria said after she calmed down. Liz told her in detail about what had happened just a half hour before. Maria stayed quiet until the young woman was done. “I think you should do it.”
“What?” It was Liz’s turn to raise her voice. “Are you crazy, he doesn’t love me.”
“But you love him, right?” Maria asked and Liz sighed.
“Yes, I do. I love him so much and it hurts me to see him like this.” Liz closed her eyes and thought about the man that made her heart ache.
“Then you should definitely do it. Max likes you Liz, it could grow to love.” Maria said softly. “I think you would be good for him.”
“Didn’t you think I was after his money?” Liz asked skeptically.
Maria chuckled. “See, he tells you things. Besides, you can’t be all that bad. You did call me in a time a crisis. That makes you alright in my book.”
“Thanks Maria, um, why don’t you and Michael come over for dinner tonight?” Liz offered and stretched as she stood up. “But call Max first-just; don’t let him know that we talked, alright?” Liz asked.
“Sure, no problem, see you tonight.” Maria said and hung up the phone. After tucking her phone and the card that held Maria’s number on it back into her pockets she headed back toward the house.
~~
Liz walked back into the house and saw Max sitting on the couch. He looked so lost and her heart went out to him. “Did you mean what you said?”
He looked up confused and sighed. “What I said about what?” Liz walked over and stood in front of him.
“About us getting married. Would you really want to do that?” She asked with her heart in her throat. “I mean, we barely know one another.”
“Yeah, it would be nice to have you around all the time.” He answered with a crooked smile. Liz smiled back.
“Alright then, I accept.” Max’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “You’re sure? I mean what you said before about it being fair, you have a point.”
“Max, I know that you loving me is probably something that could never happen, but I love you, and if you just care a fraction of the amount about me that I care about you, I’m sure we can work it out.” She squatted down to get eye level with him. “I love you Max, and I want to be with you.”
Max hugged her tight and kissed the side of her head. “I promise Liz, I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. You’ll never want for anything.” Liz smiled sadly and thought to herself, ‘except love.’ “You’ve saved me from a life of being alone Elizabeth Parker.” He pulled away and helped her stand. “I won’t take your love for granted Liz, never once will I take advantage of it.” He whispered and placed his hand over her heart. “Thank you.”
“Max…” Liz blushed and stood on tip toes to brush her lips across his. “Where’s my ring?” She broke away with a smile and winked.
“Oh, I have to go into town and see what I can find huh? I need to pick up a few things too.” He kissed her quickly and went over to the door to slip on his shoes. “Wait, um, do you want to come with me? You know, to pick your ring out?”
“No, I want to see what you think I’d like.” She smiled and handed him his cell phone from the table. “Keep this with you.” Liz paused and then asked. “You don’t think she’ll call back do you?”
“No, she shouldn’t. Todd will explain everything to her.” He picked his keys up and opened the door. “Just don’t answer the phone to be on the safe side, alright?” She nodded and smiled.
“Be careful.” He waved slightly and shut the door behind him. Liz stood in the window and watched him leave. The phone ringing disturbed her thoughts and she stood rigid as the answering machine picked up.
“Maxwell honey, I know you’re home. Listen, we can work something out, I’m sure of it. You can’t just divorce me when I’m in a coma, I mean, I have no where to go, no money, Max, pick up this phone right now.” Tess sighed and choked on her tears. “I love you Max, please.” There was a long pause before Liz heard the click of the phone. Frowning she walked into the kitchen to set out food for dinner tonight.
~~
“Yes Maria?” Max said into his phone as he stopped in front of a jewelry store.
“Hey Max, I was wondering if Michael and I could come over tonight for dinner. I want to make it up to Liz for the way we behaved the other night.” Maria sounded sincere enough so Max relented.
“Sure, that sounds alright with me. While I’ve got you on the line, let me ask you a question. If you had your pick of engagement rings, what would you want?” Max asked and waited for the scream that he knew would come.
Maria didn’t disappoint and Max chuckled. “Max, you’re serious? You’re getting married again?”
“Yes, I mean, it’s pretty sudden but Liz just said yes so I rushed into town to get her a ring.” Max explained as he walked through the heavy glass doors to the jewelers.
“I think Liz and I have different tastes when it comes to jewelry. I wish I could help you. Find something that you think would look good on her and suits her personality. Oh, wait until I tell Michael!” Maria squealed in his ear and he sighed.
“Alright, I’ll see you guys tonight.” He said and shoved the phone into his pocket. He searched through the various cases until he found something that he felt suited Liz.
A half carat diamond emerald cut solitaire in white gold. Max had the store box it and wrap it. He left the store and headed to the SUV, unaware of a pair of ice blue eyes that followed him.
Chapter 15
“Max!” Liz stuck her head in the bathroom door and fanned her hand in front of her face trying to see through the steam. “Max, the phone is ringing.”
“Go ahead and answer it, just take a message for me.” He replied over the running water and Liz shut the door. That morning things between the two of them had returned to normal-normal being not speaking of the intimacy that they shared just a few hours before.
Liz sighed and answered the phone. “Hello?” She asked in a pleasant voice. She wasn’t Max’s damned answering service.
“Who’s this?” Liz frowned at the feminine voice that came from the other end of the phone. “Maria, is that you?” The voice asked and Liz cleared her throat.
“My name is Liz; may I ask who’s calling please?” There was a long pause before the woman answered.
“I think I have the wrong number. I’m looking for my husband, Max Evans.” This isn’t happening Liz chanted over and over in her head as she slowly eased herself down to the bed. Max walked back into the bedroom and stared at the exchange going on.
“Your husband?” Liz repeated slowly. Max dropped the towel he had been using to dry his hair and rushed to her side.
“Who’s on the phone Liz?” Max asked quietly. Liz looked up at him and held the receiver out.
“Your wife.” Liz replied shakily and handed him the phone. She got off the bed and paced in front of him, watching to see what he would do. He brought the phone up to his ear slowly and took a deep cleansing breath.
“Tess, I heard you had gotten released.” Max said slowly, his voice void of all emotion.
“Yes, and I’m ready to come home.” She declared breathlessly. “I can’t wait to see you.” There was a small pause before she continued. “Maxwell, honey, who answered the phone?” Max’s eyes darted to Liz and he frowned.
“Tess, listen, it’s been 10 years, we’re divorced. Liz is my um, my new wife.” He shrugged helplessly at Liz’s expression. The minute those words left his mouth her head whipped around and she stared at him open mouthed.
“What!” Tess cried in disbelief. “Max, how could you remarry? Didn’t you ever love me?” Max thought back to the woman that he had fallen in love with.
“Yes, yes I did Tess, but you changed. You can’t honestly expect to be forgiven after everything you said…and only God can forgive you for what you did to Zan.” Max said with a clenched jaw.
“Zan, who’s Zan, and what on Earth are you talking about?” She sighed and cleared her throat. “I’m coming to see you.” She said finally.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Do you remember Todd Ferguson? I suggest you talk to him. I don’t want you within 500 yards of me, understand that?” He slammed the phone down and buried his face in his hands.
“Were you even going to tell me?” Liz asked in a small voice. He looked up to see her standing there. “You weren’t were you?”
“I just…I wanted to, it just slipped my mind.” He added lamely.
“That’s crap Max and we both know it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “So I’m your wife now am I?”
“What was I suppose to say Liz, ‘Oh, her, she’s my 18 year old lover.’ I’m sure that would have went real well.” Liz gasped and looked away.
“Would it be so bad if we were married?” He asked suddenly and stood up. “I mean, we both enjoy each other’s company. We have fun together, that’s what a marriage is about.”
“No Max, a marriage should be about love, we both know how I feel about you. Do you think it would be fair for me to marry you knowing that you didn’t love me?” She bit her bottom lip. “Besides, I’m not going to be part of a scheme that will get Tess off your back.”
He looked at her shocked. “Is that what you think?”
“Well, why shouldn’t I? Seriously Max, if we got married she would back off, she would have to come to terms with the fact that you guys are divorced.” Liz answered and walked out of the room.
“Liz, listen to me.” He grabbed her hand before she could leave. “I care about you, in fact you’re the first person that I’ve cared about in ten years. Isn’t that enough?”
“I wish it was.” She pulled out of his grasp and walked out of his bedroom, hurt beyond belief that he would even consider asking her such a question. She walked into his study and flipped through the rolodex on the desk.
She pulled the card out and tucked it in her pocket then went to her room to get dressed. “I’m going out for awhile.” She said quietly as she walked by Max’s room. She glanced in and saw that he was now sitting on the edge of his bed holding a photograph.
~~
After finding a comfortable place far enough from the house and pulled out the index card with Maria Guerin’s name on it. She punched the number into her cell phone and waited.
“Maria Guerin at your service.” Her voice was upbeat and Liz couldn’t help but smile.
“Maria, hi, this is Liz Parker, Max’s friend and I um, well, I need to talk to you.” She said breathlessly.
“Is Max alright?” Maria replied quickly.
“Yes, no, hell, I don’t know.” Liz answered honestly. “Tess has been released and she called him.”
“WHAT?” Maria screamed in her ear. Liz held the phone away while the woman ranted and raved about demented gerbils. “Liz, Liz are you still there?”
“Yes, sorry.” Liz sat down on a rock and sighed. “Max practically asked me to marry him.” Again Liz had to remove the phone from the side of her ear as Maria demonstrated her vocal range.
“Explain to me from the beginning please.” Maria said after she calmed down. Liz told her in detail about what had happened just a half hour before. Maria stayed quiet until the young woman was done. “I think you should do it.”
“What?” It was Liz’s turn to raise her voice. “Are you crazy, he doesn’t love me.”
“But you love him, right?” Maria asked and Liz sighed.
“Yes, I do. I love him so much and it hurts me to see him like this.” Liz closed her eyes and thought about the man that made her heart ache.
“Then you should definitely do it. Max likes you Liz, it could grow to love.” Maria said softly. “I think you would be good for him.”
“Didn’t you think I was after his money?” Liz asked skeptically.
Maria chuckled. “See, he tells you things. Besides, you can’t be all that bad. You did call me in a time a crisis. That makes you alright in my book.”
“Thanks Maria, um, why don’t you and Michael come over for dinner tonight?” Liz offered and stretched as she stood up. “But call Max first-just; don’t let him know that we talked, alright?” Liz asked.
“Sure, no problem, see you tonight.” Maria said and hung up the phone. After tucking her phone and the card that held Maria’s number on it back into her pockets she headed back toward the house.
~~
Liz walked back into the house and saw Max sitting on the couch. He looked so lost and her heart went out to him. “Did you mean what you said?”
He looked up confused and sighed. “What I said about what?” Liz walked over and stood in front of him.
“About us getting married. Would you really want to do that?” She asked with her heart in her throat. “I mean, we barely know one another.”
“Yeah, it would be nice to have you around all the time.” He answered with a crooked smile. Liz smiled back.
“Alright then, I accept.” Max’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “You’re sure? I mean what you said before about it being fair, you have a point.”
“Max, I know that you loving me is probably something that could never happen, but I love you, and if you just care a fraction of the amount about me that I care about you, I’m sure we can work it out.” She squatted down to get eye level with him. “I love you Max, and I want to be with you.”
Max hugged her tight and kissed the side of her head. “I promise Liz, I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. You’ll never want for anything.” Liz smiled sadly and thought to herself, ‘except love.’ “You’ve saved me from a life of being alone Elizabeth Parker.” He pulled away and helped her stand. “I won’t take your love for granted Liz, never once will I take advantage of it.” He whispered and placed his hand over her heart. “Thank you.”
“Max…” Liz blushed and stood on tip toes to brush her lips across his. “Where’s my ring?” She broke away with a smile and winked.
“Oh, I have to go into town and see what I can find huh? I need to pick up a few things too.” He kissed her quickly and went over to the door to slip on his shoes. “Wait, um, do you want to come with me? You know, to pick your ring out?”
“No, I want to see what you think I’d like.” She smiled and handed him his cell phone from the table. “Keep this with you.” Liz paused and then asked. “You don’t think she’ll call back do you?”
“No, she shouldn’t. Todd will explain everything to her.” He picked his keys up and opened the door. “Just don’t answer the phone to be on the safe side, alright?” She nodded and smiled.
“Be careful.” He waved slightly and shut the door behind him. Liz stood in the window and watched him leave. The phone ringing disturbed her thoughts and she stood rigid as the answering machine picked up.
“Maxwell honey, I know you’re home. Listen, we can work something out, I’m sure of it. You can’t just divorce me when I’m in a coma, I mean, I have no where to go, no money, Max, pick up this phone right now.” Tess sighed and choked on her tears. “I love you Max, please.” There was a long pause before Liz heard the click of the phone. Frowning she walked into the kitchen to set out food for dinner tonight.
~~
“Yes Maria?” Max said into his phone as he stopped in front of a jewelry store.
“Hey Max, I was wondering if Michael and I could come over tonight for dinner. I want to make it up to Liz for the way we behaved the other night.” Maria sounded sincere enough so Max relented.
“Sure, that sounds alright with me. While I’ve got you on the line, let me ask you a question. If you had your pick of engagement rings, what would you want?” Max asked and waited for the scream that he knew would come.
Maria didn’t disappoint and Max chuckled. “Max, you’re serious? You’re getting married again?”
“Yes, I mean, it’s pretty sudden but Liz just said yes so I rushed into town to get her a ring.” Max explained as he walked through the heavy glass doors to the jewelers.
“I think Liz and I have different tastes when it comes to jewelry. I wish I could help you. Find something that you think would look good on her and suits her personality. Oh, wait until I tell Michael!” Maria squealed in his ear and he sighed.
“Alright, I’ll see you guys tonight.” He said and shoved the phone into his pocket. He searched through the various cases until he found something that he felt suited Liz.
A half carat diamond emerald cut solitaire in white gold. Max had the store box it and wrap it. He left the store and headed to the SUV, unaware of a pair of ice blue eyes that followed him.