Roswell Fanatics

Part 20

LIZ

“Kyle!” I grinned, surprised.

He practically ran to me, his face showing me the same surprise.

I threw my arms around my old friend, not really believing that I was seeing him after such a long time.

He pulled away and chuckled, “I can’t believe you are here, Lizzie!”

“Me either.” I said, just as excitedly.

He stood in front of me at an arm distance and looked at me up and down, “Oooh, looks like my little princess is not little anymore, huh?”

I smiled. “Yes, well, it looks like my young friend is not young anymore, huh?”

He narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t changed. Not even a bit. And yes, please forget I ever called you a princess.”

A scream of some kid attracted my attention and distracted me from saying something to Kyle.

I turned to Max and said, “Max, this is Kyle Valenti, my old buddy. And Kyle, this is Max Evans.”

Max came forward and shook Kyle’s outstretched hand.

“I didn’t know you knew anyone in New York.” Max said, casually.

“Oh yeah, I don’t know what Kyle’s doing here.” I looked at Kyle.

“Well, due to the lack of contact, Lizzie, I never got to tell you. I moved two months ago and live just down the street.”

“Oh, that’s so great. Never knew we’d meet again as neighbors.” I told him, smiling.

“What I want to know is what you are doing here?” Kyle asked.

“I’ll tell you some other time.” I replied after glancing at Max.

“Umm… I guess I’ll just go inside and put these bags.” Max said already starting to walk.

I put my hand on his arm and said, “Max, let me help you.”

“Liz…” He warned me.

I made a pleading face but he shook his head. “No, you shouldn’t.”

I noticed Kyle passing curious glances at us but his next words proved that he had just shrugged it away. “If you don’t mind, I’ll help you with it.”

“Oh no, that would be not necessary. I can ha-”

“Max, let him. Remember you said these are heavy loaded ones?” I teased him.

He colored but let Kyle help him.

I followed them inside and gasped when we entered the living room. Beautiful was an incorrect word to describe the beauty of the room. The furniture was of wood and the fireplace plus the wonderful decoration gave a homey feeling to the room. And at that time, I couldn’t believe that it was my house.

“Oh my God, Max, this is so… wow.”

He smiled at me and nervously scratched the back of his neck.

“Lizzie dear, I’ll come by later.” Kyle said.

“Oh no way, stay for a while. We need to catch up.” I said disapprovingly.

“No, it’s clear that you’re just moving in. Get settled and I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. Besides, it has been an hour since I’ve been out of my house. David must be waiting for me.” He said.

And then I remembered about his child David. It came to my mind that he must be three years old by now.

“Oh David! How is he?” I grinned at Kyle who didn’t seem to hide his smile either.

“He’s great. Sleeping right now. Anyway, I’ll be back tomorrow, okay? It was nice meeting you, Max.” He said, looking at Max.

“Yeah… same here.” Max replied.

“Bye, Lizzie.” Kyle said and after giving me a quick hug, he was out of there.

“Well, that was a surprise.” Max murmured.

I smiled at him. “Yes, it was. Totally unexpected.”

“So, he’s an old friend of yours?” He asked, folding his arms.

“Yes. No offense, Max, but I’ll tell you later all about him. Right now, I am curious to see the rest of this place.”

He chuckled and said, “No offense taken. Follow me.”

“Thanks.” I said, grinning at him.

Fifteen minutes later, I collapsed on the couch happily.

“Max, this house is beautiful- no wait, super duper beautiful.”

Max smiled, standing beside the coffee table. “I’m glad you liked it.”

I just kept smiling at him until he broke the silence.

“Okay, I’ll just go and set the table. You must be hungry.” He said and then started walking towards the kitchen.

I propped myself up on my elbows and watched until he disappeared from my sight. God, how rude I had been. He had been making sure about my comfort for the last one hour and I hadn’t even shown the gratitude.

I immediately stood up, feeling guilty. I was, after all, not a guest and sitting comfortably while he did all the work didn’t satisfy me either.

I walked to the kitchen and leaned against the door just as he took out plates from the cabinet. He looked at me in surprise.

“Liz, why don’t you sit down?” He asked and then proceeded to place the plates on the table.

I walked to him and touched his arm. He turned to me and then unexpectedly, I hugged him, burying my face in his shoulder. “Thank you.” I whispered.

I felt his arms moving around me. “No problem.”

For the third time that day, I felt tears building up in my eyes. And this time, I didn’t even know the reason.

Max must have felt something wet on his shirt that he asked, “Liz, you okay?”

I pulled back, never dropping my arms from around him.

“I am so grateful to you, Max. For everything.”

He pulled my chin up so that I could look into his eyes. “Liz, you don’t need to thank me… for anything.”

I sniffled and then smiled, realizing my stupidity. “Damn hormones.”

Max smiled back and we stared at each other. Then I realized how close we were, I could feel his breath on my face. And goodness, he looked beautiful. The dim light played a shadow on his face.

It was the first time I had ever hugged him. And I had been drunk the last time I was so close to him. I couldn’t recognize what his eyes were hiding but he was looking at me with… admiration?

Max must have realized too that we were very close because he stepped out of the embrace and cleared his throat.

What had just happened? I felt my cheeks reddening and when I looked at him, he was staring at his shoes. He suddenly looked up at me and my gaze skittered away.

I blushed even harder and nervously tucked my hair behind my ears.

“Well, I guess, I should finish setting up the table.” He said and went back to his work.

I just stood there and after a few seconds asked him, “Am I supposed to just stand here while you do all the work?”

He smirked and then walked to the cabinet.

“Maybe.” He said on his way.

“No, that's the wrong answer. I am supposed to help you.”

He sighed and looked at me. “What I think is that you should go, freshen up and then after dinner, you could help me as you are so keen to.”

I smiled, satisfied. “Deal.” I started walking away.

But then I stopped after taking two steps and turned around, “Max, you made lunch?”

“No, angels always help me.” He joked.

“Funny.” I said sarcastically.

And then I quickly left the kitchen.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

As soon as she left the kitchen, I leaned against the counter, sighing loudly.

God, I had been so close to kissing her, touching her. She was looking at me with a blank expression on her face. I didn’t know why was she crying or hugging me but I was sure that her hug never meant more than friendly.

I had seen how she had interacted with Kyle Valenti. At first, I was quite unsure about this guy who just came and threw his arms around her. I had wanted to ask Liz about him but she brushed it off.

After two minutes, Liz walked in, a polite smile on her face, startling me from my thoughts.

“So, what’s for lunch?” She asked.

“Pork roast.” I answered, placing the dish on the table.

“Holy shit! Max, it looks good.” She smiled.

I noticed she was in a very good mood since we came home. But I brushed it off realizing that it must be because she met Kyle.

Soon, we sat down on the table, opposite each other.

“You work everyday?” She asked ten minutes later.

“Oh no, Monday to Thursday. I got the job through a friend.”

“Really? Who’s he?”

I smiled. “Not a he, a she. Her name’s Tess. It’s her brother who is the manager and so, he hired me.”

She was silent for a few seconds. “Oh. How is it working there?”

“It’s okay. Actually, Liz, I think you might get a job over there too.”

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Really? What job? I’m in for anything right now.”

“My boss, who is also a friend of mine now, told me that he was looking for an experienced waitress. And you are experienced.”

“Yeah, it’s been five years since I have been working at Crashdown.”

“Great then, you come with me tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll get the job.”

She grinned. “Thank you so much, Max.”

I waved my hand. “Don’t.”

“You know, Max, it’s odd.” She said a moment later.

I looked up at her, thinking maybe she was referring to the food.

“We never had the friendship ceremony.” She said when I didn’t utter a word.

I looked at her, amused. “Friendship ceremony?”

“Yeah, you know, new friends do that.” She answered.

“Well, okay, what do you have to do in that ceremony?” I asked, biting my lip from smiling because she looked serious.

“It’s very simple, you see. You introduce yourselves and shake hands.”

“I’m Max Evans. Nice to meet you.” I said, holding out my hand.

She shakes my outstretched hand and smiled, “I’m Liz Parker. Your new friend.”

I chuckled. “Okay, that was some ceremony.”

“Yeah. You know, I never thought I’d meet Kyle after so many years.”

I looked at her, interested.

“He looked like a college guy.” I commented.

“Hmm, no. I am pretty sure his university is done.”

“So, how did you guys meet?” I asked casually, hiding any signs of my interest.

“Well, I was coming back from Florida and we met on the plane. I was thirteen then and he was nineteen. I remember I was so angry that I had to sit with some guy while my parents sat together behind me.” She said, smiling.

I just smiled back.

“But then, by the end of the trip, he became a very good friend. He stayed in Roswell for two years then left for Florida again. And I never saw him.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, lunch was great, Max.” She said, standing up with her plate.

Five minutes later, she was washing the dishes.

“Liz, what are you doing?” I asked as I stepped in the kitchen.

“Washing the dishes.” She replied, glancing at me.

“I took a two minute trip to the bathroom and you started washing the dishes already? You are so keen on working today.” I teased.

She just smirked.

* * * * * * * * * * *

LIZ

I woke up in the morning when I heard the doorbell ringing. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was twelve at noon. I quickly stood up and stroked my hair, then proceeded to go and check out who it was.

“Kyle!” I said as soon as I opened the door.

“Hey, Liz. David, this is Liz.”

My eyes landed on his three year old and I grinned. The last time I had seen him he was only a week old.

“Goodness, look at this cute guy.” I said, pinching his cheek and he smiled shyly.

“So, are we allowed to come in?” Kyle asked.

I slapped my forehead. “Come in.”

“Why don’t you two sit down in the living room while I go and brush my teeth?”

He smirked. “No wonder why it took you so long to open the door. I should have known you would be sleeping.”

I poked him on the shoulder and he winced. “You so haven’t changed.”

“Go and sit down, would you?”

I entered the bathroom a moment later and started brushing my teeth. Max had told me the previous night that he had to go to the university and would come back sometime in the afternoon.

After brushing my teeth, I took some extra time to change into a tank top and shorts and comb my hair.

“I knew you were wrong when you said that you’ll be back in a moment.” Kyle said as I entered the living room.

I frowned, sitting beside him. “I never said that. And besides, nobody takes one minute to brush their teeth.”

“David does. Right, David?” Kyle asked him who ignored his question; too busy playing with his father’s keys.

I smiled at David and noticed how much he looked like his father.

“How’s Amanda?” I asked Kyle.

He tensed at my question and took a few seconds to answer. “She must be fine.”

“You’re not on speaking terms with her?” I asked.

“The woman left me and David for her career. She must be so fine.” He said, angrily.

I shook my head. “That’s not the answer to my question.”

He sighed. “No, I haven’t spoken to her since she left. I don’t even know in which part of the world is she.”

“Oh.” I said, staring at David.

A moment later, Kyle spoke. “Why did it happen, Lizzie? I thought we were meant to be.”

“You thought, not she. Kyle, she freaked out when she got to know she was pregnant. It’s clear she never wanted to spend the rest of her life with you.”

“Yeah, but I thought everything was okay after that. And just two days after the birth of David, she left.”

I nodded. “And so did you.”

He glanced at me. “Liz, I couldn’t live there. There were too many memories.”

“I understand, Kyle. But we all were so worried about you.”

“I know I was being selfish, Liz. But I’m glad I moved. It was the only way to move on with my life.” He told me.

“And did you succeed?”

He looked at David and then answered, “Hardly at first. I could see Amanda in him. But then, he was the one who made my decision a success. I hardly think about her.”

I put a hand on his shoulder. “I know how hard it’s been for you, Kyle.”

“Yeah, but that’s history now.”

“So, why did you move to New York?”

“My father wanted me to look after the business here. Besides, I think I wanted to get away from all the people and start over with my child.”

I nodded. “Do you want something? We got juice, cold drinks… stuff.”

“No, what I want is information.”

I frowned at him, sitting up straight. “Information?”

“Yeah, what are you doing here? Living in this beautiful, big house? And who is this Max Evans?” There was a hint of tease in his last question.

I ducked my head. “Kyle, I am… pregnant.”



TBC...

Okay, so it was posted on the 31st but now it's not here so I am reposting it.

Part 21

LIZ

“Kyle, I am… pregnant.”

He raised his eyebrows and kept staring at me for a few seconds.

“You got married! And I never knew!” He complained, standing up.

I shook my head. “Kyle, I did not get married.”

“Oh.” He said and then sat down again. “So, you are going to get married?”

“No. I will not.”

And for the next fifteen minutes, I explained everything to him.

“Shit, Liz. So much happened to you.” He sympathized, rubbing his forehead.

I gave him a small smile. “Everything’s okay now.”

“But what about the future, Liz? Have you ever thought about it?”

I ducked my head. “Sometimes, you just leave it to God.”

But before he could open his mouth to say something, the phone started ringing.

“Excuse me.” I said and then walked over to the phone.

“Hello?”

“Uh, is this Max Evans house?” The woman asked.

“Yes. Who are you?” I asked, confused.

“I’m Tess.”

I sighed. “He’s not here, right now. You could call him on the cell phone.”

“He’s not picking it up. And I’ve been looking all over for him in the college but I think he left.”

I frowned. “I don’t know. He told me he’d be back sometime in the afternoon.”

“Okay, well. Are you his sister, Isabel?” She asked.

“No, I’m his friend, Liz. Anyway, I’ll tell him to call you when he returns.”

“Okay.” She said, and then hung up the phone.

After staring at it for a few seconds, I walked back in the living room, sitting quietly beside Kyle.

Kyle must have noticed the change in my mood as he asked, “Liz, you ok?”

I looked at him. “Max’s friend called. She said she’s unable to contact Max.”

“Well, he must be at someone else’s place or somewhere.” Kyle said.

I sighed, shaking my head. “You are right.”

“So, if you don’t mind me asking, how’s your pregnancy going?”

I smiled, placing my hand on my abdomen. “Better. But I still get that morning sickness sometimes.”

He beamed at me. “Oh, I know about that. I saw Amanda throwing up and complaining but I-” He stopped suddenly and then sighed.

I knew what he was going through. He claimed he got Amanda out of his life but not his heart.

“Anyway, I could make use of those drinks now.” He said, changing the subject.

I raised my brows. “Drinks? Sorry, they are not available anymore.”

“What? They were available half an hour ago!” He looked at me confused.

“Oh, Valenti, I’m just kidding. Come with me.” I stood up and motioned him to follow me.

Behind my back, I heard him say, “I’m out of chicken at my home. Could you care for two needy little babies today? You know, cook for them and feed them?”

I turned around and looked at him amused. “Kyle, you could have told me you were hungry and were dying to have lunch here.”

He smirked and walked to me with David asleep in his arms. “Well, I figured I’d do it the other way. And besides, you would have never asked me for lunch.”

I just rolled my eyes.

A few seconds pass but I didn’t move.

Finally, he broke the silence, “What are we waiting for? Christmas?”

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

I stepped out of my car and saw Kyle coming out of my apartment. He had David in his arms who was being showered with kisses by Liz. I watched her and wondered that if she was so affectionate towards someone else’s child, then how would she be with our child?

I smiled. Our child, my child… it made me happy that I was going to be a father soon.

I saw Kyle leaning forward to give Liz a kiss on both of her cheeks. She grinned at him and then laughed at something he said.

I looked away immediately. I envied Kyle, even though I didn’t know much about him. He was a nice guy by what Liz told me and I believed her, but still, that feeling of jealousy never left my heart.

He turned around and noticed me standing beside my car. I swallowed and took out the grocery bags, locked the car and walked towards them.

“Hey, Max. How are you? Nice to meet you again.” He said, smiling.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I said, nodding my head.

He turned to Liz and said, “I’ll call you, Lizzie. Bye and try to invite me over for lunches a lot more because it would save my chicken.”

Liz’s eyes widened. “Kyle,” She said, in what seemed like a warning tone but then she smiled, “You are welcome any time.”

“Good. David say bye to Aunt Lizzie.” Kyle said, looking at his son admirably.

“Aunt Lizzie? Nah, that’s way too formal. David, you can call me Liz.”

“Liz.” David said and Liz and Kyle chuckled. I smiled at the little boy.

“Hey, you know what? Alex is coming tomorrow and he'd be happy to meet you.” Liz offered.

“Hmm, I'll stop by for a while because I have to go somehwere.” Kyle replied.

“Sounds good.”

“Okay then, bye Liz, Max.” Kyle said, looking from Liz to me.

“Bye!” Liz smiled and soon he walked away.

A few seconds passed but Liz didn’t move. Her eyes were trained on them.

“Liz, I need to put these bags inside.” I told her.

She looked at me and then gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

I kept the bags on the table while she closed the door and entered the kitchen.

“So, I see you have done some shopping.”

I glanced at her. “Yeah, that’s why I got late.”

“Hmm, I was wondering where you were though.”

I smiled. “Now you know.”

“You got a call anyway.” She said, helping me take out things from the bags.

“Who was it?”

“Tess. She said she had been looking all over for you and you weren’t picking up your phone?” She asked, looking at me.

“Yeah, my cell was switched off. I’ll call her back later.” I replied and noticed some sandwiches in the refrigerator.

“Did Kyle bring these?” I asked, taking out the plate and showing it to her.

She shook her head. “Oh no, I made those.”

“You did? Smells good.” I commented, putting them in the microwave.

“You didn’t have lunch?” She asked.

“No, didn’t get much time. Besides, it’s four only right now. Anyway, I’ll go freshen up.” I told her and went to the washroom.

On the way, the phone started ringing.

“I’ll get it.” I told Liz and picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Max, hey. Tess here.”

“Tess, hey. What’s up?” I asked.

“I had been looking for you and calling you. What, are you ignoring me, Mr. Evans? Am I that bad friend?”

I smiled. “You know you are not. I was just busy.”

“Hmm, can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Some woman picked up the phone. She’s your new girlfriend, right?”

“What? No, she’s not my girlfriend.” I answered, sighing.

“Oh, then a friend?”

“Yeah. Tess, I’ll tell you about that later. I was just going to take a shower.”

“Oops sorry. But wont you ask me why I called you?”

“Okay, I am going to ask you that.”

“Then ask!”

I chuckled. “Why did you call me?”

“I called to tell you that I am throwing a party.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You are?”

“Yeah, I am known as a party girl you know.” She said, proudly.

“Sure, a party girl who sleeps at ten?”

She groaned. “That’s a completely different story okay.”

I laughed. “Okay.”

“It’s tomorrow night.”

I frowned. “Tomorrow night? Tess, I wont be able to make it.”

“Why?” She sounded disappointed.

“I have work, remember?”

“Hey, I’ll ask my brother. He’ll let you off for a day.”

I sighed. “I don’t know, Tess.”

“But hey, you have some additional bonuses!”

I raised my eyebrows, amused. “Additional bonuses?”

“Yeah. You can bring anyone with you. You can bring your girlfriend…” She said, teasingly.

“Tess, I don’t have a girlfriend.” I clarified to her for the thousandth time.

“Well, that’s a shame. But you can bring pets too, you know. But please, no cats, dogs, puppies, rabbits, rats, elephants etc.”

I rolled my eyes. “I think I’m better off without a pet. Besides, I don’t have one.”

“Hmm, okay. Then I’ll see you tomorrow. And get ready to get drunk.” She said.

“Okay, see ya.” I said and hung up the phone.

After taking a shower, I went to the kitchen and saw Liz sitting on the stool, drinking water. My eyes landed on the sandwiches set on the table with ketchup and a glass of juice beside the plate.

I raised my eyebrows at Liz who just shrugged and smiled.

“I thought I’d do some work. Besides, I figured you must be exhausted.”

I just stared at her, amazed by her concern. “Wow, thanks.”

“I am thinking you had no problems looking for things while preparing these sandwiches?” I asked her, taking a bite.

She sat down beside me and answered, “It took me time but I found everything. And now I am pretty sure about where is everything.”

I smiled. “Good. You are a hard worker.”

She grinned. “I am a waitress after all.”

“These sandwiches are great.”

“Thanks. Kyle was starving and so was I, so I decided to make some sandwiches.” She said.

I nodded.

“Who called anyway?” She asked, putting her head in her hands.

“Oh, that was Tess. She called to invite to her party.”

Liz raised her eyebrows. “Party? You are going?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. You want to come?”

She shook her head. “I’m not invited.”

“You are actually.”

She frowned. “I am?”

“She said I could bring a guest along.” I replied with my mouth full of food.

She ducked her head. “I’m not a party kind of girl.”

“Liz, I’d like you to come. Don’t you wanna see the New York parties?” I asked, smiling.

“No, seriously, Max. I think I’ll get bored.”

“You have to come. Or I’d have to blackmail you.” I said, biting my lip from smiling.

She gaped at me and then smirked. “Blackmail, how?”

“I wont go if you don’t come with me.”

She sighed. “Okay, I’ll come with you.”

I grinned at her. “You are such a good friend.”

She stood up. “Thanks, but clearly, you are not.”

I just shrugged and she poked on my shoulder, smiling at me.

I rubbed my shoulder, pretending to be hurt. “Ow! That hurt.”

“You deserved it. Remember, you blackmailed me?”

I smiled proudly. “Yep and it worked.”

She just sighed and said, “Guys.”

“What about guys?” I asked, innocently.

“Nothing. Kyle brought a DVD. You wanna watch it?” She asked, her hand on her hips.

I stood up with my plate and the glass. “I’m in.”



TBC...

Next part is going to be posted tomorrow.

Thank you all for leaving feedback. I am unsure about this part but then again I'm always unsure about everything.

Part 22

LIZ

“You know what I think?” He asked.

“About what?” I looked at him.

“About this song.”

When he didn’t say anything else, I asked, “You were going to tell me what you think?”

He smirked. “I was waiting for you to say something.”

“Well, now that I have said something, you could continue…”

“I changed my mind. Tell me what you think?”

“It’s all right.” I replied and turned to look out the window.

“Is everything okay?” He asked after a few moments of silence.

I sighed and lowered my gaze. “I’ll miss Alex. He’s leaving tomorrow.”

“You mean, you are missing everyone?”

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. “Yes.”

“I do too. I mean, Isabel and Michael. And surprisingly, my parents too.” He commented, smiling.

I smiled back. “So, I didn’t even get the chance to ask you why were you late?”

Max had gone early for lectures and had come back just the time we had to leave for the party. He was in such a hurry that he didn’t get the chance to explain where he was and the next thing I knew, we were sitting in the car, driving to his friend’s place.

He glanced at me before returning his gaze to the road. “I went to the bar. I asked my boss for the night off and he was fine with it. Except that he wanted me to work in the evening instead.”

“Oh. I thought I’d give you a call but then I figured you must be busy.” I told him.

“You can call me any time you want. I may be busy but I can always spare a few minutes for my friends.”

“That’s good to know. Max, I want to thank you for last night.” I said, nervously.

He raised his brows. “Last night? All we did was watch a movie, I went for work and then we talked till late hours. What’s there to thank for?”

I shook my head. “Not just that. I get lonely and bored sometimes so thanks for keeping me company.”

“Hey, what are friends for?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. It’s just that I know you were exhausted but you were still ready to stay up till one to talk to me.”

“Liz, I think it’s my obligation.” He said, his voice softer.

“Obligation?”

“Obligation as a friend to get to know you.”

I smiled. “And what about me, huh? My obligation as a friend to know you? Last night was all about me.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “We’ll find time for me later.”

That’s what we don’t have, I wanted to say.

“So, how was your day with the guys?” He asked.

“Well, Kyle didn’t stay for long. He came for half an hour only. But Alex was there for a long time. In fact, he left an hour ago before you came in.”

“Oh. I meant to see him but I got late…”

I ducked my head. “I understand. And I’m sure he did too.”

He sighed. “Liz, please tell me if I’m not around much? I know I’ve been busy…”

“No, no, Max. I completely understand. There’s school and there’s work. Life’s not all candy and chocolate. And besides, I’ve been here only for three days.”

“I hope everything changes after the baby’s born. I want to be there for him or her.” He said, his eyes boring into mine.

I swallowed. “I’m sure you will.”

“I’ll try my best.” He promised.

I gave him a reassuring smile. “I believe you.”

“So, do you want it to be a boy or girl?” He asked me after a moment of silence.

I was shocked that he had talked about this. Whenever the word ‘baby’ was mentioned, awkwardness was bound to surround us but this time it was different.

“I don't know. What about you?”

He tilted his head to a side, looking thoughtful. “A boy. I like boys.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, that’s obvious since you are a guy yourself.”

He shrugged. “Well, I like girls too. I’m a male, I’m bound to like girls.”

I laughed.

Five minutes later, we were walking towards Tess’s front door.

“Wow, her house is huge.” I said, admiring what I saw.

Max smiled. “She’s rich.”

She must be beautiful, I thought.

Before Max could even ring the bell, the door flew open with a blonde woman standing in front of us.

“Max!” Her face lit up when she saw him.

Max just hugged her and she wrapped an arm around him.

“Tess, this is Liz. Liz, this is Tess.”

Tess smiled at me. “I believe we’ve already talked, Liz.”

“Yes, we have.”

“Hey, you two should get in. Max, I doubted you’d come. I was having second thoughts.” She said, while closing the door behind us.

I looked around my surroundings and hell, this party wasn’t any different then the last one I had attended where I ended up losing my virginity to the man standing next to me.

“Hey, James!”, she said to a man who came to greet her. “Give me a moment, would you?” Tess asked Max but before he could answer, she disappeared.

“Well, if you want to go home, I wont be surprised.” Max said, his body close to mine.

I smiled. I could do this for Max. He had wanted to attend this party and I wasn’t going to ruin it for him.

“No, I’m fine.” I lied even though the smell of the room irritated me. How did I even manage to gulp that alcohol down my throat ever remained a surprise to me.

“Liz, seriously, I don’t think you should be here. The alcohol, the smoke… I might not be an expert but I think it’s not good for your health.” He said and I could swear I saw concern in his eyes.

I shook my head. “I’m okay.”

An hour later, I was coughing so hard I thought I couldn’t breathe. I was after all sitting opposite a guy who was smoking almost on my face. I looked around for another place to sit when a voice broke my chain of thoughts.

“Hey, are you all right?” The drunken guy beside me asked.

I only coughed harder.

“Liz, Liz!” I looked up at Max who had just appeared.

“Jesus, what happened to you?”

I took deep breaths. “Nothing. I think I choked on my food.”

“No, you didn’t. Lets go, we’re going home.” He said and I couldn’t argue.

He wrapped an arm around me and led me to the front door. “I told you to tell me if you felt uncomfortable here.”

I swallowed. “Max, I’m feeling okay now.”

Just then, Tess appeared on my side. “Hey, where are you guys going?”

“Tess, I am sorry but Liz isn’t feeling well. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Max replied.

“But, Max… wait!”

Max didn’t wait to hear another word as the door closed behind us. I stopped, causing Max to stop too.

He took my hand and tugged at it lightly but I just closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air.

“Liz, come on.” He said, impatiently.

Five minutes later, we were headed towards our home. I leaned back into my seat and laid my head back, staring outside my window.

“I’m sorry.” Max said after a few minutes of silence.

I looked at him. “For what?”

“For bringing you here. I really am. Man, I am an ass.” He said, rubbing his temples.

I shook my head. “It was just the smoke of those cigarettes.”

“I’m also sorry for leaving you alone for a while. I should have said no to Tess.”

Max had introduced me to his friends and then, we were sitting on a vacant couch, talking with them. But then, Tess had urged Max to dance with her. I had seen that Max had hesitated but had given in after a lot of insistence.

I shrugged. “You did, remember?

He sighed. “Still, I am sorry.”

I smiled. “Apology accepted.”

When we reached home, Max told me to go and get some rest. I couldn’t argue much and did what I was told. Just as I was slipping under the covers, he came in my room after knocking.

He seemed nervous and dug his hands into his pockets.

“Are you feeling better?” He asked.

I smiled. “Yeah.”

He stepped closer to my bed. “Do you think I am a bad friend?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Okay, thanks.”

We remained silent for a while. I wanted to assure him that he wasn’t responsible for what had happened but I knew he wouldn’t listen.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to the doctor?” He asked and I knew he was talking about the pregnancy.

“Yes, I wanted to. My mother had told me about a friend. I’ll call her tomorrow.”

He nodded. “I just wanted to say goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Max.”

He smiled, relaxing. “Goodnight.”

He left the room after switching off the lights and I slept with a smile on my face.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

“Hey.” Liz greeted me as I entered the kitchen.

I scratched the back of my neck and rubbed my eyes.

“What’s the time?” I asked, sitting on a chair.

I noticed she was wearing a robe with her hair combed.

“You look fresh.” I commented.

She smiled, walking towards me. “Well, it could be the fact that I had great sleep. And by the way, it’s twelve right now.”

My eyes widened. “Seriously? Wow.”

“You think you overslept? That’s the time I normally woke up before my job.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You did? Wow.”

Liz had taken another job at a restaurant because I didn’t think a bar was an ideal place for her to work at after what had happened at Tess’s party.

She giggled. “What’s up with the wows, Max?”

I shrugged. “No idea, Lizzie.”

I stood up and walked to the fridge. “Lets see, who wants to go in Max’s stomach this time.” I joked, looking inside the fridge.

I heard the sound of Liz’s laughter and for a second, I forgot what I was doing standing in front of a refrigerator.

“I have already made an omelette for you. You can have that with a cup of coffee.” She told me, coming to stand beside me.

I pointed a finger at her. “You are the sweetest woman in this world, Liz Parker.”

She just smiled, shaking her head but I wanted to tell her that I really thought of her as the sweetest person that I loved so much. The smile on my lips disappeared soon when the realization hit me that she might not feel the same for me.

Later, she sat beside me while I ate my breakfast.

“You know, I’m thinking of cooking today.” I told her.

She raised her eyebrows. “You want to cook?”

I smiled, teasingly. “You look like you don’t like my cooking…”

“No, actually, I was planning on cooking today.”

“You’ve been cooking for the last three weeks. I think it’s time for you to take a break.”

“Well, I do that because I like cooking for some weird reason.”

“I bet. Hmm, how about we cook together?”

She smiled. “Yeah, we could do that. So, what you want to make?”

“Uh, how about hot dogs?”

She sighed. “Hot dogs?”

“Yeah, hot dogs. I feel like eating them today.”

She bit her lip. “How about we make a cake too?”

I frowned. “A cake with hot dogs?”

“Oh, you are right. Well then, how about a pizza?”

I nodded. “Yeah, we could that. But I don’t how to make one.”

“Neither do I.”

“But we can look up for the recipe in that book you have.” I suggested.

She shook her head slowly. “I don’t like the recipe in that book.”

“Well, we have another option.”

A small frown ceased her forehead. “Which would be?”

“We order in!” I said, sitting up straight.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. “I wonder why I didn’t think about that before.”

I pointed to my forehead. “Brains, Liz. Brains for food.”

She laughed. “Brains for food? Sometimes, I just don’t get you.”

I looked at her, my face showing no expression. “Yes, you don’t.”

She didn’t notice my tone when I said that as she just smiled and said, “I’ll go and take a bath. I don’t feel… fresh.”

I shrugged. “You look fine to me.”

“That’s your ‘brain for food’ talking right now.” She pointed out to me.

“Right, go ahead.”

Fifteen minutes later, the phone started ringing while I was watching MTV.

“Hello?” I asked, my eyes not turning away from the television.

And that’s when I heard Maria’s voice. “Liz? Is this Liz Parker’s house?”

“And Max Evans. Who are you?” I asked even though I had a clear idea who it was.

“Max, don’t play with me. How are ya, man?”

“I’m great, Maria. Watching MTV instead of porn.” I joked.

She groaned. “For starters, I know you don’t like porn.”

I laughed. “I’m a guy, remember?”

Our friendship had progressed a lot in the last three weeks. She’d call for Liz and would end up talking for a longer time with me than Liz. I was comfortable with her and talked to her like she’d been my friend for years.

“Wait a minute, why are we talking about porn again?”

“I was just teasing you.”

“Really? Or is it the fact that you are in a good mood?” And I could swear she had an evil smile plastered on her face.

“Maybe I am.”

“And there must be a reason behind it…?”

“No.” I answered, simply.

“Oh yes there is. You are hiding something from Maria Deluca! That is illegal.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, sure it is, sweetness. I wonder why the cops haven't arrested me yet.”

“Hmph. It’s useless talking to you. Where’s Liz?”

“Hey! Am I that bad of a friend?” I asked with feigned disappointment.

“Maybe you are.”

“I’m upset. No more in a happy mood.”

“Ohh, I am so sorry. It’s just that my girlfriend’s ignoring me for the last few days and I need to know why.”

I snickered. “That’s what people like you deserve.”

“Oh come on, Max. We are talking about my girlfriend’s betrayal down here, not about mine!”

“Okay, okay. I think you should break up with Liz, Maria.”

“Hell, yeah. I should dump her ass.”

I bit my lip from laughing. “But on the other hand, you deserve to know why she betrayed you.”

A few seconds pass before she answered and I assumed she was trying not to laugh either. “You are so right, Evans. I so deserve that.”

“Exactly.”

“So, are you gonna sit there or toss the phone to the princess?”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s in the shower, Ria.”

“So?” She said like it didn’t matter at all.

I leaned forward. “So… she’s taking a shower.”

“But you still can pass her the goddamn phone.”

I leaned back in my seat, grinning. “There’s one rule in my life, Maria. Don’t ever disturb a person when they are taking a shower or a bath.”

“What about other things?”

“They are included.” I replied, nodding.

She laughed. “You are such a genius! Now, could you pass the phone to Liz? Like now!”

I groaned. “Okay, okay.”

I stood up and walked upstairs to Liz’s bathroom. “I swear, Deluca. One of these days…”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

I just sighed, knowing that I had to accept my defeat. “Okay, you win. I’m standing outside the bathroom’s door.”

“Doing what exactly? Waiting for Christmas?”

I frowned. “Can’t you be lesser rude than this?”

I heard her sigh. “Okay, Max, could you please pass the phone to Liz?”

“Good girl. Hold on a sec.”

I knocked on the door and said, “Liz, it’s Maria’s call. She wants to talk to you now and wont have it any other way.”

“Okay. The door’s not locked. You could come in.” Came her reply.

I raised my brows. “Um… are you, are you… decent?”

“Yes.” She said and I slowly opened the door, still unsure.

And then I saw her in the bathtub, her skin hid behind those bubbles. I could only see her face but the the fact that she was indeed naked was enough to leave me dumbfounded.

She blushed when she saw me and I swear I did the same. I just stood there, staring at her, momentarily forgetting about the task in hand.

“Uh, Max, the phone?” She asked and I wondered if she was feeling awkward.

The moment sent chills down my spine. “Yeah, here you go.”

I stepped forward and handed her the phone and in a flash, left the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, I tried nothing but calm myself.

Fucking shit, I thought.



TBC...

Okay, guys, I am so so sorry for the delay. I had written the chapter on Saturday but didn't get a chance to post it.

And thanks to everyone who left feedback. Especially anonymousarfan.

Part 23

LIZ

“How could you let him come in while you were taking a bath?” Maria asked.

“Uh, hello, you were the one who forced him into this.”

“I never told him to go inside while you were in the bathtub. Liz, didn’t you feel even slightly uncomfortable?”

I frowned. “Um, yeah. I did.”

“I would never do that if I were you.” She said.

“Yeah, if you were me.”

“And you are telling me this now, like after one week. Where were you when we were talking on the phone while this happened?” She asked, sarcastically.

“What difference it makes whether I tell you now or before that. And I didn’t feel like it was important to tell you. Now you just asked about Max and how we are living together that I just mentioned this to you.”

“Okay, well, whatever. I’m sorry, all right. It’s just… I’m really pissed off.” She said, softly.

“When aren’t you…” I mumbled.

“Pardon?”

I shook my head, trying not to laugh. “Nothing. What’s up? Why are you so pissed off?”

“Well, it’s… nothing. Nothing at all.”

I raised my brow. By the tone of her voice, it did not seem to me there was ‘nothing at all’. Some thing was up and I was determined to get it out of her mouth.

“Nothing, huh? Then why would you be pissed off if there was nothing?” I pushed.

I heard her sigh. “Liz, can we please drop it?”

“Really? Should I? You didn’t do so when I asked you to drop the whole ‘Max coming into my washroom while I was in the bathtub’ thing.”

“Hey, you’ve become like me. So like me.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t try to change the subject and tell me what’s going on. Is it Amy?”

“Oh no. It’s a… guy.” She replied, hesitantly.

“Okay. And…?”

“Fine. I am dating somebody.”

I was pretty sure my eyes were as big as saucers right then. “You are?! Where was I when this happened??”

“Duh, New York.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. So, who is he?” I asked, girlishly.

“It’s a guy.”

“Well, obviously. You are not gay.” I commented, laughing.

“Shut up, okay. You know him.”

“Oh, do I?”

“Yes. He’s… Michael Guerin.”

My jaw hung open. “Michael, as in Max’s best friend, Michael Guerin.”

“Exactly. We got into a fight yesterday. I mean, the guy’s nuts, Lizzie. We have only been out three times and he’s showing his true colors.”

I smirked. “What about you? Aren’t you showing him your true colors?”

“What do you mean? I don’t have any true colors. What you see is what you get.”

“Oh really? When you first see a guy, Maria, your all sweet and afterwards, you are ‘hurricane Maria.’”

“Am not.”

“You are.”

“Uh, whatever. Why did I even bother to tell you?” She sounded irritated and I smiled because irritating Maria was something that I loved.

“Fine. I wont push you anymore. Give me anymore details whenever you feel like.”

“What do you mean by ‘details’? There are no details. Michael and I are over. O-V-E-R.”

“Okay, okay. Fine. I have to go now though. Somebody’s at the door.” I told her, glancing at the door.

“All right. Talk to ya later, chica. Take care. And give my love to Max.”

“Give love to Max? You are talking like his mother.”

“Whatever. Bye.”

I giggled. “Bye.”

After hanging up the phone, I opened the door and found Max standing in front of me.

“Hey, you are early.” I said, stepping aside so he could step in.

“Yeah, and I do not have to work today.” He said, a smile on his face.

I grinned. “That’s great. I mean, seeing you don’t get to relax much.” I commented as he sat down on the couch.

He closed his eyes. “Hmm, yeah.”

“I think you should go and rest… in your bedroom.”

His eyes flew open and he sat up. “No. I am fine. Not sleepy.”

“Oh really? You do look sleepy.”

He shook his head. “Nah, I have Tess coming over in a few minutes.”

I was speechless for a moment. “Tess? She’s coming here?”

“Yeah. You don’t mind, do you?” He questioned, studying me.

I beamed at him. “No, of course not.”

He nodded and walked to the kitchen. I followed him.

“So… is she going to stay for dinner or something?”

He glanced at me before filling a glass of water. “I don’t know. She looked down today and I invited her over to give her some company and hopefully, cheer her up.”

“Cheer her up? Is she okay?” I inquired, curious.

“I am guessing she has some problems with her boyfriend.”

“Oh.”

“So, how was your day?” He asked, coming to stand in front of me.

I folded my arms on my chest and answered, “It was fine. I went to work and yeah, I just finished talking to Maria.”

He smiled. “She called. How is she?”

“Oh, she’s fine. She said, quote: ‘Give my love to Max.’”

Max chuckled. “Your best friend sure is weird.”

“Aha. And so is yours.” I said, resting my chin on my palm.

He frowned. “You mean Michael?”

“Yes. Maria just told me that she’s dating Michael.”

Max just stared at me. “Yeah, well, that was bound to happen.”

“Aren’t you shocked?” I asked, amazed at his reaction.

“I saw it coming.”

“You mean…” I trailed off, moving my hands.

“Yeah. You could see the fireworks.” He said, grinning.

“And now the fireworks are gone.”

A small frown ceased his forehead. “Don’t tell me they are over.”

“They are. But I know that Maria still has feelings for him.”

“Hmm, I hope they get back together soon.”

“Yeah, me too.” I agreed, looking him in the eye.

He immediately broke the eye contact and said, “So, I’ll just go freshen up. If Tess comes, please tell her to wait for me.”

I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

Soon, he left the kitchen, leaving me staring at his back.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

When I came out of my bedroom, Tess was nowhere to be seen. I spotted Liz sitting on the couch, looking deep in thought.

“Liz?”

She looked shocked to see me but then relaxed. “Yeah?”

“Tess isn’t here yet?”

“No. Besides, you haven’t been long.”

I smiled. “Yeah. So, what are you doing?”

She looked down at her feet and replied, “Nothing. Just sitting and thinking.”

I sat down close beside her. “About what?”

She shook her head, not looking at me. “Nothing. Nothing that would interest you.”

I bit my lip. “Is it because I don’t wanna know or you don’t wanna tell me?”

She looked at me directly in the eye and replied, “I don’t wanna tell you.”

I noticed how close we were but didn’t change my position. “Why you don’t wanna tell me?”

She looked away and said, “There are some things that you should keep to yourselves before you figure out what they really mean.”

I frowned at her, not getting what she said. “What do you mean?”

She giggled, waving her hand. “Sorry, I think I’ve lost my mind or something.”

I have lost my heart, I wanted to say as I stared at her.

“Do you know your mother called today?” She asked after a few seconds of silence.

I raised my eyebrows. “She did?”

“Yeah, she was asking for you. But as you were not home, she started talking to me.”

I smiled. “What were you guys talking about?”

She shrugged. “Nothing important. Just general stuff.”

I nudged her. “Come on, at least you can tell me what you guys really talked about.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “General stuff, Max. Like how’s my pregnancy going? How is New York? That kind of stuff.”

I nodded. “I’ll call her later.”

I stared ahead, not wanting to break the silence.

“If you don’t mind, can I say something?” Liz asked.

I looked at her, wondering what she wanted to say.

“You have changed, Max.”

I shrugged. “You mean I have become handsome then ever, then yeah, I’ve noticed that too.” I joked.

She lightly slapped my cheek, shaking her head.

“No, seriously. Haven’t I become more handsome?”

She studied my face for a while and said, “Maybe. But you definitely still are proud.”

“Thanks.”

“Jokes apart, I didn’t mean your appearance when I said that.” She told me.

“Go ahead. Tell me what you meant.”

“You have changed from inside, Max. I mean, I’m not saying you weren’t like this before as I never knew you so I wont judge you. But still, you have even changed with the people that do not know you so well.”

I shook my head. “I haven’t changed, Liz. I’ve always been like this. It’s just that now I’m showing the real me.”

“So, can I ask what made you do that?”

“Yeah, you can. Go ahead, ask me.” I joked.

“Max, seriously.” She said, her face nothing but serious.

I’ve fallen in love, I wanted to say. Instead, I said, “Whatever happened between us, Liz, made me think a whole different way and see things differently too.”

She nodded. “Same thing happened to me. I think I’ve changed too.”

“Yeah, you are getting fat.” I smiled, trying to lighten up the mood.

“Well, I would of course. I am pregnant, remember?”

“You are an elephant.” I joked.

“No, I’m not that fat.”

“You are. Whenever I see you, you are eating.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You didn’t see me eating today when you came in.”

“And, you look good. You look healthy and that’s good. The doctor told me this when we went to the hospital yesterday.”

Her face lit up. “She said that? That’s a compliment.”

“I’m glad you are taking care of yourself and the baby, Liz.”

She shook her head. “It wouldn’t be possible if you weren’t here with me.”

“I am rarely here, Liz. And I’m sorry about that.” I told her, looking away.

“Don’t even think you are not taking care of me or anything. You are, Max. You really are.”

“Isabel was asking about you when she called me yesterday.” I told her, wanting to change the subject.

“Yeah, I haven’t talked to her for a while. You know, I always thought Isabel was not the kind of girl I would be friends with but that was proved wrong.”

I nodded, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my thighs. “She’s a good girl. She wont bite you.”

Liz giggled and a second later, the doorbell rung.

“Must be Tess.” I said, standing up to open the door.

“Hey.” Tess said as I opened the door.

I gave her a small smile and told her to come in.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” She said.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Liz stood up from the couch to greet Tess. “Hey, Tess. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Yeah, me too.”

I noticed Tess wasn’t smiling and seemed nervous. Before I could ask her anything, Liz said, “Excuse me.”

I watched her as she went upstairs then told Tess to sit down. I sat down on the coffee table in front of her and said, “What is it, Tess? You don’t look okay to me.”

“I am fine.” She replied, avoiding eye contact.

“No, you are not. I have noticed that you don’t really talk much. Something is up and I wont let you leave until you tell me what is it.”

She just looked at me.

“Is it because of that Anthony guy?” I asked.

“Anthony? No, we are over. It’s been a week already.”

“Then? Please Tess, tell me what’s bothering you.” I pushed, placing my hand over hers.

She sighed. “Can we go to the backyard or your balcony or something? I think I need some fresh air and the weather’s good out there.”

I nodded, finding her attitude strange. “Lets go to the backyard.”

When we came out, I turned to her and asked, “Now, tell me. You can tell me anything.”

She smiled. “I don’t know if you’d like what I’m about to say but I just can’t hide it anymore.”

I frowned. “Hide what?”

She took a deep breath and said, “I have feelings for you, Max.”

I just stared at her, shocked and said, “You mean…”

She nodded, understanding what I wanted to ask. “Yes. I have had feelings for you the day I met you, Max. That Anthony and others were just to forget about you. But I can’t. I just… can’t.”

I looked away. “Tess, I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you feel the same…” She said, studying my face.

I looked at her. “I dont. I don’t… feel the same way about you.”

I saw tears building up in her eyes.

“Tess, I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not your fault. I am sorry.”

“Tess…”

“Can I ask you why? I mean, I know I sound crazy and you don’t have to tell me… but still.”

When I didn’t say anything, she said, “Are you in love with someone else?”

I sighed. “Tess, I’ll tell you when the time is right. Right now, I can’t tell you anything.”

She nodded, looking away. “I understand.”

The silence that followed was uncomfortable but then she broke it. “I think I’ve just ruined our friendship, huh?”

I took her hands in mine and said, “No, no. Tess, I don’t think I’ll ever find a friend like you.”

She looked at me for a few seconds and then whispered, “I’m sorry.”

I leaned forward and hugged her. Maybe it was not the right thing to do but I didn’t want her to feel bad. When we pulled away, she lightly brushed her lips with mine. I didn’t pull away, unsure what to do and let her kiss me.

She took a step backward and said in a low voice, “Just wanted to know.”

Then, she just left, leaving me speechless.



TBC...

I'll try to get out the next part as soon as possible. And I can promise you it won't take me a month to finally post.

Guys, thank you so much for being so patient and leaving feedback. I definitely appreciate it. Anyway, this thread was locked for a while so I didn't get a chance to post it day before yesterday.

By the way, there are only six more chapters left. I haven't written them yet but I plan to finish this fic after 6 chapters.

Part 24

MAX

Standing there, watching Tess walk away, I felt weird and confused. I didn’t know if it was the correct decision to let her kiss me but I knew that when she said she had messed up our friendship, she wasn’t wrong because I couldn’t see her the way I used to. It would be different with her from that day onwards and she was well aware of that fact too.

Walking back inside, I looked for Liz. I hoped she hadn’t seen or heard whatever happened outside. I stood in front of the stairs, looking up at the closed door of her bedroom. I wondered whether I should go up and check out on her but decided against it later thinking she might need some privacy as she had excused herself minutes ago.

Looking here and there, I couldn’t get what Tess told me out of my head. Sure I had played with girls before but it never came to love and I wondered if I had been giving her some kind of signal that made her feel this way.

Shaking my head and trying not to think about such things, I decided to go out for drive. Wanting not to disturb Liz, I decided to write a note to her. After putting it up on the refrigerator, I took my keys and went outside.

I had no idea where I was going. Roaming around the busy streets of New York, I thought about Liz. I didn’t think I could live like that anymore. Whenever I would look at her, the sudden urge to kiss her and tell her I loved her came to me. I knew it was crazy, living with her under the same roof and not being able to openly convey my feelings.

I wanted to know what she felt about me but at the same time, I didn’t want her to assume things because if she didn’t feel the same, it would have had crushed my heart. I knew I was being a chicken but I was afraid of heartbreak. I had seen Tess’s face when I told her I didn’t feel the same and knew that we wouldn’t be like what we were before so it frightened me to think it would be the same between Liz and me if I told her and she didn’t feel the same.

Taking out her picture from my wallet, I smiled at the memory. She hadn’t even known I had taken the picture without her knowing. The picture was of her and me hanging out. At the time she had a camera with her so she had asked an old man who was standing beside us to take a picture of both of us standing together.

Looking at her angelic face, all I wanted to do was tell her I loved her. And so I decided to. I decided to tell her as soon as I would reach home.

For the rest of the hour, I wondered if it was the right thing to do. Finally deciding to tell her, I drove back to our place. Walking back in, I glanced at the clock and realized I was late and it was the time when Liz mostly would turn in.

Still, walking up the stairs with my heart thumping in my chest, I knocked on her door. Waiting for two minutes and getting no response, I slowly turned the doorknob and called out her name.

“Liz.”

Then I saw her lying on her bed, fast asleep. Stepping closer to the bed, I realized how peacefully she was sleeping and to wake her up would be a crime.

The blanket was not on her and she looked like she was in need of one so I put up the blanket till her shoulders and she stirred in her sleep. Her hair was coming on her face so I lightly brushed it off, careful not to disturb her in the process.

Glancing at her one more time I walked to the door and switched off the lights. Then closing the door quietly behind me, I walked to my bedroom deciding to talk to her the next day.

But I knew I would not get much sleep that night. And I didn’t.

* * * * * * * * * * *

LIZ

After excusing myself, I quickly went upstairs. I didn’t know what was the hurry about but I felt quite left out whenever Tess and Max would be talking. Besides, Max had told me that Tess was not being herself so obviously she must have wanted to talk to him privately and I didn’t want to interfere.

But this didn’t stop me from being curious to what was going on downstairs. My door was open and I could hear their hushed voices but didn’t understand a word. After a while, I couldn’t hear anything and slowly walked out of my bedroom.

The sound of my cell phone ringing distracted me. Startled, I quickly walked back in my room and picked up the phone. It was Kyle.

“Hey, sweetness.” He sounded happy.

I sat down on the edge of my bed, thinking what a wrong time Kyle had chosen to call me. But I didn’t dare say it to him.

“What are you being all sweet about?” I asked him.

“I am always sweet, Liz. It’s a shame that there are few occasions you notice my sweetness.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why did you call me?”

“Just bored. You know, you are the only girl in New York who is the best.”

“Really? How?” I said, unenthusiastically.

“You’re smart, not sexy and you always have time for me. It’s good to have a friend like you.” He joked.

“You know what? I take that as an insult. And for that reason, for the very first time, I do not have time for you. So good night.” I said, preparing to hang up but his next words stopped me.

“Wait, wait!”

“What is it now, Kyle?”

“David and I are going out tomorrow. And we were wondering if you and Max want to come.”

Max. That reminded me of what I was doing before.

“I’d like to come but I do not know about Max.”

“How would you know, Lizzie? You haven’t asked him yet!”

Growing impatient, I said, “Yes, yes. I’ll ask him and call you later. I need to go now. Good night.” With that I hung up.

I again walked out of my bedroom and then finally downstairs where I didn’t see anyone.

Unsurely, I called out Max’s name, “Max.”

Walking into the kitchen, I saw the back door open. Curious, I opened it a little wider and what I saw surprised me.

Quickly, I ran out of the kitchen and leaned against the wall. I didn’t know why I was being all stupid and why I didn’t see it coming. Max liked Tess and it was obvious Tess had always liked Max. It was no big deal but why did it look a big deal to me.

Why did something happen to me when I saw them kissing?

A few seconds later, I decided to just go upstairs and accept what was going on.

When I reached my bedroom, I sat down on the bed and wondered what was happening to me. Why did I care about Max having a girlfriend, in being a relationship? He was after all Max Evans and every girl adored him then why would he waste time to get in a relationship?

I got up and paced around the bedroom.

Something definitely was happening to me. The change that I saw in myself in Max’s presence was something that I could not deny. And I cared… I cared whether he was with another girl or not.

But then I assumed I cared because what Max was doing was unfair. To me, to the baby. How could he be in a relationship when he had a baby coming? Tess didn’t even know about the baby… or did she?

I hated him for this and couldn’t believe that the Max Evans who did everything to make our plans work would do this immediately. And he was not only doing justice to me or our baby but Tess as well. Granted, we hadn’t made a deal or anything but he owed me a lot like I did and it was pretty understandable what had to be done.

Finally, I gathered up the courage and talk to him about it. He was being unfair and I simply wanted to tell him that. In the process, he might not care about anyone but I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t told Tess and even he did, why didn’t she seem to care?

Quickly, I ran downstairs but didn’t see him in the backyard. Walking back on confused, my eyes landed on a note on the fridge.

Liz,

I felt like going for a drive. I wont be back soon so please do not wait for me.

-Max

I read it again not believing that he didn’t even have the decency to talk about this with me.

I wondered what had happened to Max immediately. He called me a friend and to him I was nothing. He could have had written he was leaving with Tess but I sure was nothing to him. Hell, he didn’t even discuss anything with me. Didn’t it occur to him that his decisions might hurt people or they’d be unfair?

I couldn’t believe that the Max Evans who was constantly taking care of me had forgotten everything so easily. Suddenly, I had the urge to cry. I left everything to be here in New York. Sacrificed everything because I trusted him. And to him I was nothing, just a piece of trash who was going to have his baby and he had to take care of me out of obligation.

I sat down on the chair and for the tenth time, I wondered what I was doing here. Miles away from my family, friends and the people who loved me.

I decided to seriously talk to Max no matter what. It was clear from his note that he would not be back that night any sooner so I didn’t bother to call him either. I knew I couldn’t come to any conclusions without discussing it with him so I tried to forget about everything for a while but I couldn’t.

Walking upstairs to my bedroom, I lied down on my bed, wanting to wait for him but soon I had drifted off to sleep.

Next day, when I woke up, I noticed that the lights were off and I a blanket was on my body. I couldn’t remember if I did that but then I glanced at the clock and everything came flooding back to me.

I remembered I had to talk to Max and it was already late. After quickly brushing my teeth, I headed downstairs, determined to talk to him even if it meant pissing him off.

When I went downstairs, I saw him in the kitchen and suddenly, I grew nervous. I wondered if I should talk to him but I knew that I had to before it bugged me even more then it already had.

“Max.”

“Hmm?” He glanced at me and returned to reading some papers.

I noticed he was all ready to go and his bag was lying on the table. Then my eyes landed on the keys of his car.

“Where were you last night?” I asked him.

He looked at me and said, “I went on a drive.”

“For more than two hours?”

He was silent for a moment. “You were awake?”

“Yes, I was. But I don’t know when you came.”

“Yeah, I… I came late last night.”

He looked as if he was in a hurry so I took a deep breath and said, “Max, there is something I have to talk to you about.”

“What is it?”

Constant honking of a car interrupted me from saying anything further.

“Oh, shit.” He cursed and started packing things.

I looked at him confused and before walking out of the kitchen, he said, “That’s Andrew. He came to pick me up today because I don’t feel like driving right now.”

I followed him out of the kitchen. “But Max…”

He stopped and turned around. “I also have something to tell you. We’ll talk later.”

He lightly touched my cheek and whispered, “Take care.”

With that, he left the house and soon I heard the sound of his friend’s car driving away.

Sitting down on the couch, I wondered what he wanted to tell me. Did he want to tell me about his relationship with Tess? Maybe he wasn’t planning to hide it from me and maybe he hadn’t lied when he said he just went for a drive.

I tried to believe him but the only way I knew I could was if he said it on my face. And I was determined to make him.





TBC...

Yep, this chapter was definitely short and boring. I'll try to have a longer part next time.

Hey, guys! Thanks for the incredible feedback.

I know many of you didn't like Liz in the previous chapter so this one's all Liz's POV.

Part 25

LIZ

“Hey.” I said when Kyle opened the door.

“Liz, hey. I see you are on time.”

I simply nodded and realized he was staring at me rather curiously.

“What?” I asked him.

“I see there is something missing…”

“That would be?”

“Max. Don’t tell me you forgot to ask him.”

I shook my head. “I intentionally didn’t ask him because he is really busy today. And I have no idea when he’ll come back so…”

“Hmm, I understand. Why don’t you come in?”

I nodded and he stepped aside to let me in.

“Where’s David?”

He smiled and led me to the living room. “He’s in his room playing with his neighbor.”

I raised my brow. “Really?”

“Yeah. The other baby is of my neighbor’s who was looking for a babysitter for tonight and so I offered.”

“Right.” I said and sat down on the couch.

He sat down on the coffee table in front of me and I commented, “Looks like that’s how you earn your money. By babysitting babies.”

He rolled his eyes. “Liz, shut up. And by the way, I am an expert in babysitting. Look at David… isn’t he just well-behaved and nice like his father?”

I smiled and replied sarcastically, “Yes, he is.”

“Now, tell me what’s up with you?”

I ducked my head, clasping and unclasping my hands. “Nothing.”

“You know, Lizzie. I know whenever you are in a bad mood. So don’t deny it.”

“Kyle, please. If there was something, would I have not told you?”

He shook his head. “No, you would not.”

I sighed irritably. “Kyle…”

“It’s true, Liz. I’m not lying. You know you are good in hiding things. You don’t like letting others know about any of the stuff that is going on with you. Hell, you even hide from yourself.”

I frowned. “What?”

“You do. You know you do.” He pointed a finger at me.

I leaned forward and rested my head on my hands. “Is this some kind of third degree?”

He shook his head slowly. “You know it isn’t.”

“Kyle, I have no idea what you are trying to do or say right now. I do see an argument coming up because of this and if that’s the reason why you had invited me here, then I think I should probably leave.” I said softly.

“You have got it all wrong, Liz. I think it’s your hormones talking.”

“Kyle…”

He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not trying to do anything here and this is not the reason why I invited you.”

I leaned back and looked at him, realizing how I had been acting. “I’m sorry…”

“I know you are.” He said with a smirk on his face.

“Yeah. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Maybe you are right, it’s my hormones talking.”

He shrugged and said, “I wouldn’t really know. Hey, you just sit here while I’ll go and get some snacks for us, okay?”

I smiled politely. “Sure.”

When he walked away, I just stared ahead, not knowing what to do. Standing up from the couch, I walked to David’s room. It brought a smile on my face when I saw how engrossed he and his friend were in fixing the toy.

His friend was watching curiously as David tried to fix the toy. The expressions on their faces were priceless and I wished I had a camera with me right then. But at the moment, just seeing these two babies in their own world was enough for me. The moment reminded me of the baby that was growing inside me. This only widened my smile.

Shaking out of my thoughts, I walked inside the room and they looked up at me when I knelt beside them. David seemed excited to see me as a joyous one replaced his grumpy expression.

“Liz!”

“Hey.” I giggled and kissed his cheek.

Then I turned to his friend who was watching me curiously and seemed a little shy.

“David, won’t you introduce me to your friend?”

“Intoduc? Daddy told me wat is dat yestday.”

I smiled in awe. “He did, huh? So, who’s your friend?”

“Joey.” David answered.

I shook Joey’s hand who was still staring at me. “Hey, Joey. I’m Liz. I’m also a friend of David’s.”

“Hi.” He said quietly.

I smiled at him. “So, what are you guys playing with?”

“This.” They both said in unison, holding the toy in their hands.

I noticed that the door of the car was hanging outside and refused to close. Taking the toy in my hands, I said, “I see this car needs to be repaired.”

They both nodded innocently.

“Yes, I’ll repair it.” I looked behind me where I saw Kyle standing in the doorway with an amused look on his face.

“Yeah. After all, you are a ‘nice’ man.”

“I see you got no doubts, Parker.” He said, walking inside the room.

I shook my head vigorously. “None.”

“All right. Joey and David, why don’t you guys come outside so that we can keep an eye on you?”

“But daddy…” David started.

“If you want, you can take all the toys with you. I don’t care as far as I know what you guys are doing. Right Joey?”

“Yes.” Joey nodded.

“See, David. Your friend agrees. Lets go, baby.”

Kyle and I helped the two babies with their toys and soon they were sitting on the carpet of the living room while I munched on the snacks and Kyle watched T.V.

“I thought we were going somewhere…” I said when I noticed he was just changing channels and staying at nothing.

“I’m a babysitter at this moment so we can’t.” He told me after glancing at me.

“Hmm.”

“Daddy, we want to draw. Can we go and sit on the table?” David asked.

The table was on the far corner of the room so we didn’t mind. After the two boys ran off, Kyle groaned and switched off the T.V.

He looked at me and said, “Does your mood always change when you see babies?”

I raised my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“When you came, you weren’t in a good mood. But now, you do have a hint of smile on your face.”

I smiled and ducked my head. “I like children. They do get me in a happy mood.”

He nodded. “I see that.”

We remained silent for a while and the looks Kyle was giving me, were scaring me off. I knew what those looks were of.

I sighed and said finally, “Kyle, stop giving me those ‘I know there’s something wrong with ya’ looks.”

He nodded. “I do know there’s something wrong with you.”

I placed the bag of chips on the table and turned to him. “All right. What’s wrong with me?”

“That’s what I don’t know and I’d like to know.”

I nodded. “Ask away.”

“It’s about Max, isn’t it?” He asked.

“What?”

He gave me a warning look. He knew I was still trying to hide and deny.

“H-how did you know?”

“Just tell me what happened.”

I stood up from the couch and walked to the window. “I’m just confused.”

“Of what?” I heard him say.

Turning around, I said, “I don’t know. I’m even confused about that.”

“Okay Liz, now you are confusing me too.”

“I am assuming Max and Tess are together.”

He remained silent for a few seconds. “Assuming or are you sure?”

I shook my head. “Assuming. I saw them kissing last night.”

“Oh. And that’s bothering you because…?”

I looked up at him immediately and stared at him in shock. “Excuse me?”

He stood up and walked towards me. Finally, coming to a stand in front of me, he asked again, “It’s bothering you because…”

I remained silent for a while, not sure what to say. Somehow my mouth had gone dry and my mind blank.

“Do you have a good reason for this?”

I ducked my head and said, “He’s unfair to Tess. And our baby.”

“You mean to say you had a set of rules before coming to New York? Like he can’t date or something?”

I frowned. “No.”

“Then he can date, right?”

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I realized at that moment that I was being pissed off for nothing. Yet, it didn’t make me feel better to know that Max was with Tess.

I sat down on the couch and remained silent. Kyle came to kneel down in front of me and said, “Tell me what is the reason, Liz. Why is it bothering you?”

“I… I don’t know.” I said in a low voice.

“Are you jealous?”

I looked at him. “What?”

“Are you jealous?” He repeated.

“I… I don’t know.”

“What do you mean? It’s either a yes or a no?”

I looked away. “Kyle, look, I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“What are you feeling?” He questioned, silently.

“Right now, I’m feeling guilty. Guilty of this… misunderstanding. Guilty because I had thought such stupid things for no reason.”

He nodded. “Does the fact that Max and Tess are together bother you?”

“I…” I trailed off.

Kyle placed his hand over mine and looked at me. “Think.”

I sighed in defeat. “Yes.”

“It still bothers you?”

“Yes, yes it still bothers me.” I answered, honestly.

“Why?”

“I don’t know!”

“You are jealous.”

“Why should I be?”

“You are. It’s written all over your face!”

“Kyle, please…”

“Tell me. Aren’t you jealous? Because if you aren’t then it shouldn’t bother you ”

“It does bother me!”

“Because you’re jealous.”

“No. Because I love him!” I almost shouted.

Amazed, I just stared at Kyle who was smirking.

“I’m sorry I treated you like this. But you had to get it out, Liz.” He said and left my hand.

I looked away, not able to say anything.

“I love him.” I whispered to myself more than to Kyle.

He just nodded. “I knew it.”

Standing up, I paced around the room. “Oh my. I am such a stupid.”

“Yeah well, that’s something that everybody knows.”

I looked at his amused expression for a while and then smiled, despite myself. “You are right.”

“I am assuming you have had feelings for him for a while and you weren’t able to understand anything.”

I sank down on a chair, studiously concentrating on a crack on the wall.

“It’s all my fault. I started blaming him for nothing.”

“Yeah. But you still don’t know if he’s with Tess.”

I nodded, looking at Kyle. “He told me he wanted to tell me something tonight.”

Kyle looked at his watch. “Hmm, it’s seven right now. Why don’t you call at your place? If he’s home, then go.”

I smiled and quickly dialed our number. After several rings, I hung up the phone.

“He’s not home.” I told Kyle disappointedly.

“Oh. You know what, I think Joey’s mother must be home now. I’ll go and check and if she is home, then you, David and I can go out. That is, if you want to.”

I looked at him and I felt guilty. Sitting up straight, I apologized.

“For what?” He asked, looking confused.

I stood up and faced him. “I know I haven’t been such a good company.”

“Who said so?”

I shrugged and then said, “Me.”

He smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Liz, instead of apologizing, you should be thankful. I got out the truth from you.”

I smiled, looking at him in wonder. “You know me so well.”

He shrugged. “After all, I am Kyle Valenti.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, okay, let’s not start bragging. Go and check out if Joey’s mother is at home. And yeah, I am more then ready to go.”

Kyle grinned and quickly left the apartment. Till the time, he was out, I tried calling home but nobody picked up the phone. Wondering where could Max be really, I sighed.

An hour later, Kyle, David and I were headed to the playground. We had planned to go for David and that’s where he wanted to go. I didn’t mind being around children so I was the first one to agree.

Kyle and I sat on a bench while David played with his new friends.

“Remind me to bring this guy here again. At least he’s in peace.”

I gaped at Kyle and playfully slapped his chest. “Kyle, this is your son you are talking about.”

He shrugged. “Yeah but I am just saying that there’s peace.”

I rolled my eyes and turned back to watching kids.

“What are you thinking about?”

I looked at Kyle and replied, “I can’t wait for my child.”

He smiled. “I know what you mean. Everybody’s giddy about their first child.”

I grinned and ducked my head. “I know what happened between Max and me was not right. But somehow, I don’t regret it. If it wasn’t of that night, I would have never known the real Max Evans and would have never become pregnant with his child.”

Kyle put his hand over mine. “Lizzie you love him so much. How come it took you so long to realize that?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess, that’s me. Hiding from everything.”

“Liz, when I said that, I was furious with you. I am sorry. I never meant that.”

I smiled at him. “Kyle, what you said was right. And I want to thank you… for everything.”

He kissed my forehead and whispered, “That’s what friends are for.”

About half an hour later, we decided to go back. As we were sitting in the car, Kyle suggested dinner.

“Kyle, I am not so sure.”

“Why not? Come on, Lizzie. It’s not everyday I get to spend time with you.”

I smiled. “Okay. But I am not staying for you but the little guy.”

I turned around to see David grinning at me. “Right, David?”

“Right!”

Kyle and I laughed and headed to a restaurant nearby. When we finally finished the dinner and headed back home, David refused to let me go. I waited till he slept in his room and then headed outside with Kyle following me till the front door.

“Well, I guess the night is over.”

I smiled and pinched his cheek. “Yes, it is.”

“You go now. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

I hugged him and when we pulled away, I said, “Thanks again, Kyle. You are the kind of friend that everybody wishes for.”

“Yes. And you wished for it too and it came true.”

I giggled. “Yeah. Good night.”

“Good night.”

When I reached the house, I noticed that it was almost midnight. The time had flown by so quickly that I didn’t even know.

After unlocking the door, I stepped in quietly; pretty sure that Max would be sleeping.

Then I noticed that the lamp was switched on and Max was lying on the couch. Stepping closer, I knelt down beside him and brushed the bangs off his forehead. He stirred in his sleep but didn’t wake up. I smiled and decided to get a blanket for him. Just as I stood up, Max called out my name.

I gasped and turned around. “Max.”




TBC...

The next chapter will take some time as my exams are coming up and many other things. Though I will try my best to get the next part out soon.

Guys, thank you so much for the feedback. I know I haven't been frequent in updating but reali life has been taking a toll on me.


Part 26

LIZ

“Max.”

He looked at me with slightly opened eyes. “Liz, you’re home.”

He tried to lift himself up but suddenly gasped in pain.

I rushed to his side and asked, “Max, what happened?”

He put one hand on his forehead and groaned. “Could you help me sit up?”

Frowning, I did not refuse and helped him sit up. When he did, his head was in his hands.

“Max, are you okay?”

He nodded slightly and lifted his head up which I noticed was forced. “I’m okay.”

“You don’t look fine to me.” I whispered. Somehow, I didn’t feel like raising my voice a little bit because of the silence that surrounded us.

He brushed my comment off and said, “When did you come back?”

I looked away and replied, “Just now.”

He glanced at the clock and turned to me. “It’s midnight.”

“Yeah. Kyle and David…”

Before I could continue, he said, “Kyle and David?”

I looked at him in shock when his tone sounded cold.

“Yeah, they asked me to stay for a while so I…”

“So you stayed. Even though we were supposed to talk tonight.”

I studied his face for a while. He seemed… different. And I knew there was something wrong with him.

“Max, are you sure you are okay?”

“Yeah. Just a little drunk.”

I stared at him in shock and remained silent for a while. “You’re drunk?”

“Yes.” He replied, nodding his head.

“I thought you told me you had given up drinking.”

“So? Maybe I didn’t mean it.”

I frowned at him. “Max, why are you being like this? First, you seem to be angry at me and then you say you’re drunk.”

“I’m not angry at you. I’m angry at myself.” He said, this time his voice low.

“You’re confusing me.”

He gave me a small smile that soon faded away. “I am confused myself. I’m confused as to what I’m doing here. I’m confused as to what we are doing here. And yeah, I’m confused as to what you were doing till midnight even though we had to talk.”

“Max, I…”

“Wait, wait. Maybe you forgot. It’s okay. Besides, I don’t think you would have been keen on talking to me seeing my condition right now.”

I sighed. “Max, why did you get drunk? I know that you had given up drinking and I also know you meant it. Please Max, talk to me.”

“No. I don’t think I have to tell you everything.” He said, giving me a harsh look.

Frustrated, I said, “Max, stop being like this! Why are you being so cold?”

“Cold? Isn’t that the same question I should ask you?”

“Max, please. I have no idea what has happened to you.” I said, giving him a pleading look.

“You hate me, don’t you?”

“What?”

“You distrust me.”

“What are you talking about? If I do not trust you, then why would I be here with you?”

“You don’t have to live here if you don’t want to.” He simply replied.

“Max, I don’t understand you. You are being angry because I went out with a friend and his child? Or are you being angry that I’m late? What, what is it?”

He suddenly stood up and looked dizzy. “I don’t think we need to talk about this topic anymore. Besides, I’m drunk right now. I don’t want things to go out of hand.”

I stood up in front of him and said, “No. You are not shutting me down. You are telling me why you are angry.”

He shook his head. “No, I have to go.”

He walked passed me and walked towards the stairs. I followed him and grabbed his arm.

“Max, you don’t make any sense to me.”

He shook my hand away and said, “Yes. If I would have made any sense to you, you would have trusted me.”

“Max, I trust you! Who told you I don’t? And what makes you think that I don’t?”

He turned to me. “What makes me think that? I think you should ask that question to yourself.”

“Come on, Max. Please. Tell me.” I pleaded.

He ducked his head and whispered, “It’s all written.”

“Written? Where?”

He looked up at me. “In your journal.”

I stared at him for a while. “My journal?”

“Yeah, a lot about me. About last night.”

“You… you read it.” I whispered, looking away.

“You want to know what was written in there?”

I sighed and forced myself to meet his eyes. “Max, that…”

“No, wait. Let me finish. You wrote I had changed. You wrote… you don’t trust me like you did. You wrote I… I don’t care.”

By then, I was devastated. He looked at me with hurt written all over his face.

“Max, that… that was a misunderstanding.”

He frowned at me. “A misunderstanding? Well, how come you have not cleared that with me yet?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk about tonight.”

“But it’s not important to you anymore, is it? Or maybe it’s because I don’t care, as you said.”

Tears flooded my eyes. “Max, please. I don’t know what I was thinking yesterday. I was being irrational and too sensitive.”

“No, Liz. That’s just an excuse. I had read whatever you had written. You hate me.”

A tear rolled down my cheek. “I don’t.”

“You do! You have always hated me!”

“I haven’t!”

“That’s it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m going to my room.” He said and moved away.

I once again grabbed his arm. “Max, no. Look, I have to tell you something. We have to clear this misunderstanding.”

“I think everything’s clear. Your feelings about me are clear. What else do you have to say to me?”

“Max, I don’t hate you. I…”

“No! Please, Liz. Just leave me alone for now. I am not thinking straight and I’m way too angry. You have no idea how much you’ve hurt me today.”

“Max, please try to understand. It’s all a big misunderstanding.”

“A big misunderstanding? You were angry with me yesterday and now you have just misunderstood me? What’s the difference between last night and tonight?”

“Last night I had seen you and Tess kissing. And I had assumed a lot of things. Tonight, all I wanted to do was clear everything.”

“If you were so eager to clear everything then you would not have been this late tonight. You would have at least called me!”

“I did try calling you. It’s not my fault that your cell was off and you were not home!” I complained.

He kept staring at me but didn’t say anything.

“Max, I just don’t understand why you still misunderstand me? Why don’t you believe me when I say I trust you, that I don’t hate you?” I asked him, this time my voice low.

“Maybe it’s because I don’t trust you anymore.” He answered.

I sighed. “Why did you get drunk?”

His gaze skittered away. “You’d never understand, Liz. You don’t how worried I got. Liz, I… forget it.”

“No, finish what you were saying.”

He shook his head and his eyes met mine. “We’ll talk about this tomorrow. Right now, I really don’t know what to think, what to say and what to understand.”

He started to move away and I asked, “Where are you going?”

“Upstairs. My head’s spinning.”

“Would you stay here if I say I have to talk to you?”

He turned around to look at me and replied, “Does it matter?”

“Max…” I said.

While walking upstairs, he said, “No, Liz. Just… please, go.”

I stared at his retreating back until he vanished from my sight.

“Where?” I whispered to nobody.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

I walked through the front door of my house and called Liz’s name. When she didn’t answer, I put my things on the couch and quickly headed upstairs.

I had been looking forward to see her. Tonight, I had wanted nothing more than to clear my feelings in front of her, tell her that I loved her. Even more curious was I as to what she wanted to talk about. By the look of her in the morning time, she had seemed dead serious. It was clear what she wanted to talk about was urgent and I felt guilty leaving her like that. But I had little choice and hoped she understood.

I knocked on her bedroom door but got no response. I tried calling her name once again and knocking the door a little harder yet I heard no response. Slowly I turned the knob and quietly called her name.

Before reaching her room, I had looked over everywhere but she was not to be found. In her bedroom, I glanced at a notepad that was open. Assuming, she must have written a note or something to tell me where she was gone, I walked towards her desk and picked up the pad.

After two minutes, I had to sit down. What she had written about me was devastating. The entry date was of yesterday’s. The most shocking thing to me was that she had seen Tess kissing me but she had assumed the other way round. But when I read further, I realized she had assumed a lot. By the end of it, her words had made it clear to me she didn’t trust me and didn’t think I cared.

Though in the end she had written she wanted desperately to talk to me about this, I had been totally broken by then. Unable to read any further, I put the notepad down on her bed and stood up slowly.

I should have felt guilty then, invading her privacy like this. But the guilt was the last thing in my mind. All I felt was hurt. It hurt me that the woman I loved didn’t love me back, didn’t think highly of me. But moreover, I was hurt with the fact that she did not trust me. This meant she had never considered me as a true friend, she had always considered me as the father of her child who was just doing his duty, living with out of obligation.

Torn into pieces, I walked down the stairs. I didn’t know where I was going but I felt like going out of that house. The reason was simple, it reminded me of her. It reminded me what she thought about me.

I walked to the counter absent-mindedly where I had placed my car keys earlier and noticed a little note placed over there.

Max,
I would return quite late. I’m gone to Kyle’s place. Please call me if you need to.
-Liz

The first instinct was to call her and tell her to come back so that we could talk. But then I assumed it might not matter to her that much like it did to me. If it had, she would have stayed or she would have returned before I did. But she didn’t. And that hurt me more.

I dropped the note intently and walked out of the door. A few minutes later, I found myself outside the bar I worked at. As I walked inside, the familiar surroundings seemed strange to me. My mind had not yet drifted from what I had read and it was obvious that it would not for a long time either.

I made my way to the bar and sat down on the stool. The bartender seemed surprised to see me there.

“Max, what are you doing here? Today’s not your working day, remember?”

I looked up at him. “I am not here to work, Jake. I… I want a drink.”

He frowned. “Uh… okay. But are you old enough to drink?”

“What bullshit? Jake, we are friends, remember?”

A minute later, he placed a glass of drink in front of me. I kept staring at it.

“So, you’ve given up drinking?” She asked.

I looked at her. “How did you know?”

She fidgeted with the napkin. We were sitting on the breakfast table and she still seemed tired from last night.

“I noticed you hadn’t drink anything yesterday at Tess’s party. You weren’t even smoking.”

I smiled. “Well, yeah. I am trying to quit both.”

She rested her head in her hand and looked at me attentively. “Trying or succeeded?”

“I have quite succeeded to quit alcohol. But… smoking is still taking a toll on me.”

She seemed surprised. “Oh.”

“Liz, I don’t think I’ll ever have alcohol.”

She stared at me for a few seconds and then questioned, “What changed your mind?”

I gazed into her eyes and replied, “Life.”

Getting frustrated and aiming not to think about her, I gulped down the alcohol quickly down my throat. Jake stared at me in surprise and after shaking my head, I asked him for some more.

“Jake, hey.”

I didn’t turn to see who it was. I just concentrated on the liquid.

“Tess, hi.”

I slowly turned to see Tess who was sitting beside me, looking surprised herself.

“Max, what… what a surprise.” She said and then glanced at the drink in my hand.

“Hi, Tess. Long time, no see.”

She frowned at me. “Max, we just met last night.”

I raised my brows and chuckled, amused at myself. “Sorry. My bad.”

“Looks like you are way too drunk.” She commented.

I held up the glass in front of me and stared at it. “I have had three glasses till now.”

“Last week you told me you had quit drinking.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “I had. But I’m back at it again.”

I heard her sigh but that didn’t affect me. I only asked for more.

“Wait, Jake. Don’t let him drink anymore.”

I looked at Tess with frustration. “What? I’ll drink how much I want, Tess. You are not giving me a treat.”

Jake, helpless, placed another glass in front me. I decided it to be the last one.

“Max, why are you drinking?”

“Because of a reason.”

“Won’t you tell me?” She asked.

I looked away. “I am not ready to talk about it yet.”

“Why not? Max, I know what happened between us last night is weird to both of us but does it really have to affect our friendship this much? Can’t we be friends again?”

I closed my eyes momentarily. “We are, Tess.”

“Then, why wont you tell me? I thought I was one of your best friends.”

“You are. You still are.”

“Max, I don’t mean to push you but this seems as a big thing. It’s troubling you.”

I leaned forward and put my glass back down.

“Liz and I are having problems.”

“What problems?”

“She… she doesn’t trust me anymore. I think she… hates me.”

“What? Max, that’s ridiculous.”

I smiled sadly. “To you it is. To her it isn’t. She hates me.”

“Max.” She whispered my name.

“No. I don’t want sympathy, Tess. That’s the last thing I need.”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t going to either. Max… do you, do you love her?”

“How did you guess?”

She smiled. “It’s not everyday a man gets this drunk and this upset for a woman…”

I smiled back. “You are right. I am totally crazy about her.”

She smiled but after a moment, her face went serious. “Max, I don’t know why Liz doesn’t trust you or why you think she hates you but I know that you would have to talk to her about this.”

I shook my head, turning down her suggestion. “I don’t think I could, I am too angry at her. If I look at her I know I would lose it. And I am afraid of saying something that I’d regret.”

“What are you going to do then? Go on like this forever?”

My eyes dropped to the floor. “Possibly not.”

“Then? Max, I am not going to give you suggestions anymore, I’ll start demanding now. You are stopping this drinking thing and going home. Is Liz home?”

“No…”

She forced the glass out my hand and stood up, placing the glass far away from my reach.

“Well, then you’ll wait for her. I’ll drop you home.”

I didn’t move. “I have my car.”

“You think I’d let you drive while you are this drunk and angry? I don’t think so. If you are stubborn, then I am more stubborn.”

She challenged me with her eyes and I had no choice but to be lead by her outside the bar.

Minutes later, she stopped in front of my house and I just stared at it, not moving.

“Go, Max. It’s time to clear everything.”

Despite of my condition and my mood, I smiled at her in gratitude and slowly walked to my house. Once inside, I recognized Liz wasn’t home yet so I lied down on the couch.

The next thing I remembered was waking up in my bedroomin the morning. Looking around, I wondered how I had turned out in here when I had slept on the couch.

Just then, the phone started ringing. First, I hadn’t wanted to answer it but after a few disturbing rings, I had no choice but to answer it.

“Yes?”

“Is this Mr. Max Evans?”

Frowning, I sat up. “Yes, speaking.”

“Mr. Evans, I am sorry to disturb you but your number is Liz Parker’s emergency number and so…”

“What happened to Liz?” I interrupted the man.

“Mr. Evans, Liz has been in an accident.”




TBC...


Okay, guys, before you all start throwing stones at me, I do understand you'd be angry with the characters. Believe me, I had been unsure about this part and wrote this chapter today and I feel tired and exhausted so does that count as an excuse? The next part will be out soon... make it sooner because I am free for the next two weeks and would possibly have much time to write.

Well, I wasn't lying when I said sooner... lol. Umm, I just hope you guys like this part better than the previous one.

And guys, I had just wanted to give Max's POV and how he got drunk and stuff. But just to clarify, when Max reaches home from the bar, he sleeps on the couch and then the whole argument with Liz happens. I hope you are not confused anymore...

Part 27

MAX

Guilty. It was what I was feeling at that time. Sitting in the waiting room, I just stared outside the window and wondered for the hundredth time what the hell was I doing here in the hospital, surrounded by such people? Moreover, I wondered what Liz was doing there. She didn’t deserve to be here. Maybe I did. But I deserved a bigger punishment because everything happening was because of me.

I realized how much I had lost in just twenty four hours. I had lost Liz, sure, as a friend because of how I had treated her. But at least she was here and I wondered what I would have done if anything had happened to her. I wondered why the punishhment of my mistakes had ultimately been given to one being who didn’t deserve it, who hadn’t even seen the world.

A man entered, carrying a new born baby is his arms. His family was sitting at a distance and they looked excited to see him there. A few tears followed when they saw the little bundle in the man’s arms. I recognized the look of utter happiness in that man’s eyes. He held the baby protectively in his arms and I wanted to be in his place.

I would have had been standing there, showing Liz’s and my child to our family. I knew I would have been happy because it was this child who had changed me, in and out. I would have never been me and fall in love with Liz if this child was never there.

But he wasn’t here anymore. The doctor had told me the sex of the baby and I had wondered what we would have named him. Liz and I had discussed that once and the scene replayed in my mind…

“No, I think Brad’s a good name.” I told her.

She had a very thoughtful look on her face. “Yeah, it is. But don’t you think it’s common?”

I shrugged. “Guess so. But I like the sound of it.”

She leaned forward, an excited gleam in her eyes. “Okay, okay. What if it’s a girl?”

I raised a brow. “A girl? Never given that a thought…”

She stared at me in surprise. “I thought you wanted a girl?”

I grinned. “Yes, that’s right. I just don’t seem to come up with a perfect name for my daughter.”

“Okay, then, how about Serena?”

I gave it a thought. “Serena. Hmm, sounds good.”

“So, it’s a deal?”

I chuckled. “Lizzie, you never make a deal about this stuff.”

“Oh, really? I can’t believe whom it’s coming from as you were the one earlier today, being all serious about names already and determined to come up with final names which, as you said, ‘couldn’t be changed later…’”

I leaned forward. We were sitting in the kitchen, opposite to each other. “Well, I said that because some people just don’t seem to give their final word.”

She looked at me suspiciously. “Are we talking about me in here?”

“Maybe. Because, sweetness, till yesterday it was ‘Natalie’ and today it is ‘Serena’.”

She stood up and said, “Well, if you know so much about names then go ahead with it. Don’t bother to ask me again.”

With that, she proceeded to leave. “Liz! Liz, wait up!”

After that, I remembered persuading her and promising her ice-cream. I knew she was playing with me and afterwards, we sat on the table again and discussed what we were talking about earlier.

I was put out of my thoughts when my cell started ringing.

“Max, Tess here.”

“Tess, hey.”

“I had gotten your message earlier. I am… I don't know what to say.”

“You can blame me if you want.”

“No, Max. Please.”

“You should, actually. I got drunk, wasn't that stupid? I didn't listen to Liz, wasn't that even more stupid? Goodness, I feel like killing myself. Just tell me I am a moron.”

“Max, stop it, would you? If you keep thinking about past, then who's gonna think about the present?”

I just sighed.

“Max, I am coming to the hospital later with your car. How did you get there?”

“Taxi, what else? Wait, Tess, I'll go and get it myself. I don't want to bother you.”

“If that's what you call bothering, then you are a moron. Anyway, it will take me sometime to come there. I hope you don't need the car in the meantime?”

“No, I don't. Thank you so much, Tess.”

“You are welcome. Just… take care of yourself and Liz.”

“I will.” I promised and hung up.

“Max.” I looked up and saw Kyle standing over me.

I was relieved to finally have somebody here. He had David asleep in his arms. It was still early in the morning and I felt guilty calling him up.

“Kyle, I’m really sorry to call you up this early but…”

“Max, what are you talking about?” He interrupted. “Liz is one of my best friends and how can I stay back when she’s in this condition?”

I nodded, dropping my eyes to the floor.

“What happened?” He asked a while later.

I sighed. “Kyle, we’ve lost… we’ve lost our child.”

He looked shocked and didn’t say anything else for a long time. He finally sat down opposite to me and I noticed he was hurt by that too.

“How, how is Liz?”

“She’s resting right now. She got a few bruises but doctors say she’s going to be fine.”

He nodded. “Did you see her?”

“No, I haven’t yet. Doctors say it’s better if she keeps resting without disturbance. I guess we’ll be seeing her when she wakes up.”

Kyle sighed. “Did you call everybody else?”

I pursed my lips together and nodded. “I have called Isabel, my sister. She’ll tell everybody else.”

I didn’t tell him the reason why I had only told Isabel. It was difficult for me to call my parents or Liz’s and break the news to them. I didn’t think I had the nerve after what had happened.

“Max, how did… this happen?”

I remained silent for a while. “Liz and I had a fight last night. She went away late and had been driving the car fast.”

I stopped then and couldn’t find my voice to speak further. Covering my eyes, I felt Kyle’s hand on my arm. I nodded, indicating I was fine.

“I guess we should be glad that at least Liz is fine…” He said.

I couldn’t agree with him more. He didn’t know how glad I was that Liz was not that hurt. But the fact that we had lost our baby and she had been in a car accident was enough to make me feel guilty all over again.

“Max, for how long have you been in here?”

I looked up at him. “Two hours.”

“If Liz is not waking up any time soon, why don’t you go home and rest for a while? You look very tired.”

I vigorously shook my head. “No, I can’t. I can't leave her alone right now.”

Kyle nodded in understanding.

A moment later, my cell started ringing. I looked at the screen and it was Isabel.

“Isabel.”

“Max, we are coming tonight.”

“You managed to prepare everything so quick?”

“Yes, we had to. Mr. Parker, Mom, I and Maria are coming.”

“Okay, call me when you need me.” I told her, scratching my brow.

“Max, I… I don’t what to say.” She seemed torn.

I sighed. “Isabel, I'll see you later.” With that, I hung up. I just didn’t have the energy to speak anymore.

“Your family’s coming tonight?” Kyle asked.

I just nodded my head. An hour later, when his son started crying, I suggested Kyle to leave and come back later.

“No, Max. I need to be here.”

“Kyle, Liz might not wake up while you’re gone. Besides, David’s getting restless. Why don’t you take him home and then come back later?”

Kyle thought about it for a while then nodded his head. “You are probably right.”

He stood up with David getting more restless in his arms. “Please call me if anything happens.”

“I will.” I promised.

After Kyle left, I found myself dozing off even though I tried hard to keep my eyes open. Sometime later, I felt somebody shaking my shoulder.

I opened my eyes to see the doctor standing in front of me. I quickly stood up and rubbed my eyes.

“What happened?” I asked, my heart beating faster in my chest.

“Mr. Evans, Liz was taking your name in her sleep some moments ago. I am sorry to disturb you but I thought you might want to go in or something…” He informed.

I swallowed. “Is she awake?”

“Not yet.”

I nodded my head and followed the doctor to the room where Liz was put in. He held the door open for me and I greatefully entered the room. The doctor went away, leaving me alone with Liz.

I looked over her and almost gasped. I saw her bandage on the arm and around her forehead. A blanket was draped over her and she was sound asleep.

I slowly walked towards her, feeling more and more guilty with every step I took. I wondered what would she say when she’d wake up? Maybe she would choose to ignore me or she’d slap me for my behaviour last night that lead to all this. I grew nervous when I stood beside her and thought of our luck.

I decided to sit beside her on the bed. Her lips were dry and her head tilted to a side. My eyes travelled to her stomach which was flat now. My eyes brimmed with tears. I slid my hand inside her balnket and placed it on her abdomen.

“I feel restless today.” She frowned.

I looked at her and turned off the television. “Why?”

“I don’t know. I am also not in a good mood today.” She made a face.

I smirked. Hormones, I thought.

“Was anybody troubling you?”

“Yeah, the baby. And I just realized standing in front of the mirror, how fat I had grown. You were right when you were saying I looked like an elephant.”

“Liz, I was just kidding.” I clarified.

“But you were right. Have you seen my belly? It’s weird being pregnant. I can’t bend much and do have problems with standing up and sitting down.”

I rubbed her hand to make her feel better.

She looked at me. “I can’t wait to see this child. When he’s born, he and I will have a talk.”

I chuckled. “How do you know if it’s a ‘he’?”

“Woman’s instinct, I guess.” She smiled.

“Hmm. Can I… touch it?”

“What? My instict?” She said with a hint of tease in her voice.

“Liz…”

She laughed. “Just kidding. Go ahead.”

I slowly lifted my hand and placed it on her belly.

“Wow, you do have a big belly…” I said.

Frustrated, she brushed my hand away.

“Max Evans, you are supposed to make me feel better. Not try to make me feel like an elephant.”

I pursed my lips together to keep from smiling. “I didn’t say you were an elephant today.”

“But you have before. And I know that’s what you think about me.”

I turned away, amused and said, “Liz, you and your hormones.”

I quickly placed my hand back on my lap and felt a tear rolling down my cheek. It occurred to me Liz and I would never have those moments again and that was heartbreaking.

Unable to take it any longer, I stood up and decided to leave. But her voice stopped me.

“Max.”

I turned around and saw her looking at me with half opened eyes. Then her eyes travelled around the room and she frowned. She tried to sit up but gasped in pain, placing her hand on her forehead. I quickly rushed to her side and rubbed her shoulders.

She looked at me. “Max, what am I doing here?”

I ducked my head. It was time to tell her the truth.

“Liz, you had been… in an accident.”

She looked at me like I had gone crazy but didn’t say much about it. She must have felt something and gasped when she touched her belly.

“Max…” She asked, hopelessly.

I shook my head, assuring her.

“No. No!” She yelled.

“Liz…” I took her hands.

“It can’t be Max. Can’t be…” She sobbed.

“Liz, please. Calm down.”

She only sobbed harder. I leaned down until our foreheads were touching. She quickly buried her face in my neck and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me close.

I placed a kiss on her head and reassured her again and again, “Everything’s going to be okay, Liz. It’s going to be okay.”

We just held each other like that. There was no place for any questions in that moment, of hows and whys. All we needed was each other.

But I knew I would never be able to forgive myself.

Never.




TBC...


Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll try to come up with a new part soon.

Part 28

MAX

My fingers were massaging her hand. She had wanted to sit up and leaned her back on the headboard. My eyes darted from her hand to her face. She seemed deep in thought.

“Liz?”

She didn’t say anything even though she had heard me.

“Why don’t you rest now? You haven’t had much sleep.”

She shook her head. Liz remembered everything about her car accident but hadn’t discussed it with me yet. Maybe she just wanted to forget it for a while. I didn’t question anything either knowing that she needed time. But she had been sitting like that since she had stopped crying and hadn’t uttered a word.

“Max,” she said a while later, “Why did this happen?”

She looked at me and her eyes glistened with tears. Soon one of them rolled down her cheek. I wiped it off with my thumb and leaned closer to her.

“We’ll talk about this later. Right now, you need rest.”

“Max…” She whispered.

I leaned closer to her and kissed her lips lightly. The kiss was short and when I pulled away she seemed surprised but didn’t say anything.

I stared at her for a while and stroked her hair. “Please, Liz. For me.”

She dropped her eyes to our hands clasped together and nodded. I kissed her cheek and helped her lie down comfortably. My hands never left hers during the process.

Standing up, I bent down and kissed her head. Then turned to leave but she tugged at my hand.

“Stay here, Max. Don’t leave me.”

She closed her eyes and held my hand tightly. My other hand was stroking her hair. Soon she had gone to sleep and I unwillingly left her hand. I looked at her for a while then whispered, “I love you.”

A moment later, when I left the room, I saw Tess hurrying towards me.

“Max.” She said, coming to stand in front of me.

“Tess.”

“Is Liz awake?” She asked, glancing at the door.

“She just went back to sleep. But she was awake for sometime.” I told her.

“Oh. I am late or I would have gotten a chance to see her.”

I just nodded. She handed me my car keys.

“You know, I regret taking your car last night. But then again, I couldn’t let you drive alone.” She said as we walked towards the waiting room.

Tess had insisted to drive my car the previous night and asked her brother to drop her car at her place. I hadn’t said much, just nodded when she asked if it was fine.

“I do think you are after my car.” I said, trying to lighten up the mood.

She gave me a smile and lightly punched my shoulder. I sat down beside her on the chair in the waiting room.

“How is she?” She asked.

“She’s better… physically at least.”

“What about you? How are you?”

I looked at her. “What do you think? I’m broken.”

She placed her hand on mine and squeezed it briefly. “You are still beating up yourself, right?”

“How can I not? I am responsible for everything that happened, whether you believe or not.”

She sighed. “That’s your problem, Max. You just don’t realize, do you?”

I looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Max, you are not the only one responsible for this. You and Liz, both of you have made their share of mistakes. If you fought with her than she did leave the house without thinking.”

I shook my head. “Tess, anybody would have done that. The way I treated her… it was terrible. She wanted me to listen to her, begged for me to understand but I… I refused. She was crying in front of me, Tess, and instead of making things better, I made them worse.” I told her, my eyes glistening with tears.

“Max, you were drunk. You were not thinking straight.”

“That’s it, I was drunk. That was my mistake firstly. I shouldn’t have gotten drunk.”

“Max, if you are going to keep hanging in the past, then what will happen to now? You can’t possibly live without moving on from that.”

I ducked my head. “Tess, when I look at Liz, everything comes flooding back to me. How can I forget about it? Besides, Liz and I haven’t had much chance to talk about what happened but when we’d do, what will she say?”

“You mean to say that Liz would not be able to forgive you?”

I looked up at her. “Yes.”

She remained silent for a while. “Max, when you went to see here now, did she tell you to get lost? Did she tell you she was angry at you?”

“No.”

“So she treated you okay in there, right?”

I nodded.

“Then? Max, if she hadn’t forgiven you, she wouldn’t have talked to you. She would have shouted on you and blamed you for everything. But she didn’t, Max.”

I swallowed and remained silent.

“This is your biggest problem, Max. You don’t trust yourself and then you think others don’t trust you either. You tell me, if you are not going to have faith in yourself, then how can you expect everybody else to have faith in you?”

“I am lost.” I whispered, my eyes dropping to the floor.

“Then find yourself. You know, the biggest problem is that you and Liz don’t talk about the stuff that bothers you and instead assume what the other is thinking. And I am saying this because of what you had told me last night in the car.”

I didn’t say anything to her.

“I am right, aren’t I?”

“Tess…”

“Max, have faith in yourself. If you are not going to be strong then how will Liz be, huh? You need each other and that is not going to happen if you keep running away and hiding your feelings from each other.”

I looked at her in surprise.

“I have never seen this side of yours, Tess.” I told her.

She rolled her eyes. “Never showed you.”

We were interrupted by Kyle then.

“Kyle, hey.”

“I was worried, you know. You hadn’t called and everything. I just had to come and know how Liz was doing.” Kyle said, looking depressed more than ever.

“Kyle, I was about to call you.”

He sat down on the opposite seat to mine and glanced at Tess.

“Tess, this is Kyle.”

They shook hands and exchanged greetings. Then Kyle turned to me.

“So, how is Liz?”

“She’s okay. She woke up half an hour ago and just went back to sleep.”

Kyle rubbed his face. “Thank God, she’s okay.”

I noticed he hadn’t brought David with him.

“Where’s David?” I asked him.

“Well, I couldn’t bring him to the hospital with me this time so I left him with a friend of mine. She’s going to take care of him for sometime.”

I nodded. Just then, Tess’s cell rung.

“Oh, it’s a message.” She mumbled.

After reading her message, she put her cell back in her purse and said, “My friend is here to pick me up. I have a class in ten minutes. I would have wanted to stay but it’s kind of important.”

I nodded. “I understand, Tess.”

“Well, then, I’ll see you later?”

I nodded again and she hugged me. After saying good-bye to Kyle, she left the room.

* * * * * * * * * * *

LIZ

“Mom.” I said when she walked into the room.

Tears were streaming down her face when she looked at me. “God, Liz.”

She rushed to my side and hugged me. I hugged her tight and blink back my tears.

She pulled back and whispered, “Are you okay?”

“I’m better.”

She placed a kiss on my forehead and hugged me again. I saw Maria standing behind her.

“Ria…” I called out her name and my mother stepped aside so that Maria could hug me. I felt so much better to see them finally. It had been a long time and I was glad that they were there because I needed them.

Mrs. Evans was standing beside Max and he looked happy to see her. I looked around for Isabel but she was nowhere to be seen.

I caught Max’s eye and looked away when Mrs. Evans headed towards me. Max and I hadn’t got anytime alone because Kyle was here the whole day and I had woken up late. Then he had to go and pick up our family from the airport. When we finally got a moment alone, our family had already reached here.

The three women surrounded my bed while Max stood at a distant.

“Liz, how did this all happen? I mean, what were you doing driving so late?” Mom asked.

I looked at Max immediately and he looked at me back.

“Mom, can we talk about this later, please?” I complained, looking back at her.

She gave me a small smile and stroked my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“Well, Max, when is Liz getting discharged?” Mrs. Evans asked politely.

Max took a step forward. “Tomorrow, hopefully. I still have to talk to the doctor about it.”

Maria sat down beside me. “Good. Liz, how are you feeling?”

Even though I had answered the same question to my mother, I didn’t want to remind Maria that. “I’m better.”

She kissed my forehead and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I rested my head on her shoulder and my eyes automatically darted towards Max.

He cleared his throat and said, “I’ll be back. I need to talk to the doctor about Liz’s discharge thing.”

With that, he left the room. I knew he was waiting for a moment alone just like I was but my family needed me around at the moment and so did I.

Maria turned to me and asked, “Liz, I thought you had a lady doctor but outside I saw Max talking to a male doctor?”

I quirked an eyebrow. “My doctor is out of town.”

“Oh.” Maria said.

The next day I was discharged in the late evening. I was physically fine but emotionally broken. But I was glad to be out of there because the hospital reminded me every second of what I had lost.

When we reached home, my mother asked me to go and take some rest.

“No, mom. I have had enough rest.” I said, sitting on the couch.

Max entered the living room and closed the front door.

I walked up to him and whispered, “Max, lets go upstairs.”

He nodded and followed me upstairs. Once inside the room, he locked the door and sat down on the chair while I sat on the edge of my bed, facing him.

“Liz, I really need to talk to you…” He said.

I nodded. “I know.”

He took a deep breath. “You don’t know how sorry I am, Liz. I shouldn’t have treated you like that, shouldn’t have said those things to you, and shouldn’t have gotten drunk. But I did and I regret it. I feel guilty for what I have done.”

“Max…” I breathed out.

“I know what you are feeling. I’ve hurt you so much. I have to tell you I cannot forgive myself for what I did but if only you can forgive me…”

“Come here.” I told him.

He looked at me in surprise but walked towards me and sat down close to me.

“Max, you think you are the only one responsible here? You think I was thinking straight? Like it wasn’t my fault that I had ran away like that without thinking?”

He remained silent. I wiped a tear off my face.

“I have made my share of mistakes. First, I overreacted when I saw you and Tess and then I just ran away. I could have done so many things but I did not. I came late that night and it was my fault.”

“Liz…” He said, touching my arm.

I put a finger on his lips and said, “There is no point in blaming ourselves. That baby wasn’t supposed to come in this world.”

He hugged me and I sobbed in his arms. It was so painful to face the fact that I had lost my baby forever.

When we pulled away, our faces were close to each other. He stroked my cheek and looked into my eyes.

“Max, do you remember when that night I told you I didn’t hate you and before I could say anything you interrupted me?” I asked him in a low voice.

“Liz, I…”

I once again put my finger on his lips and pleaded, “Don’t say sorry.”

He nodded and let me continue.

“I wanted to tell you something important. But I didn’t get a chance to. Now, I’ve gotten the chance and I want you to know how I feel. I don’t want to hide anything anymore, Max. I just don’t.” I whispered.

Leaning forward, I closed the distance between us and kissed his lips. I pulled away and said, “I love you.”

He stared at me for a few seconds and then hugged me, burying his face in my neck. “I love you too, Liz. I love you so much.”

I smiled and pulled back to look at his face. He cupped my cheeks and said, “I have been in love with you since that graduation night, Liz. You have no idea how many times I had meant to tell you but I always chickened out, thinking that you didn’t feel the same.”

I shook my head. “I do, Max. I love you. You mean everything to me.”

“And you mean the world to me.” He whispered and captured my mouth with his.

There was no place for words at that moment. All we did was feel each other. His kiss grew deeper and his tongue searched my mouth with urgency. Our hands were roaming everywhere. When we finally drew apart, I hugged him, wanting him close.

Our promises to each other were silent. They didn’t need to be said out aloud.




TBC...

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Part 29

LIZ

I woke up the next day in the arms of Max. When I had first opened my eyes, I checked if it was a dream. Had I really lost my baby? Had Max and I really come out with our feelings? Covering my eyes, I tried to forget about my car accident. I had to move on from that and knowing that Max was with me, I could deal with it.

Looking at his sleeping form, I smiled. Last night, Max and I had discussed about everything and ended up sleeping late together. We had mourned the loss of our baby but decided to start over.

I felt Max stirring in his sleep and when I looked up at him, I saw him staring at me with smiling eyes.

“Hey.” He whispered.

“Good morning.” I breathed out.

He stroked my hair with his fingers. Somehow, I felt shy and couldn’t help smiling.

“I didn’t know you looked this beautiful in the morning.” He commented.

“Oh really? What about my tousled hair, my bad breath? Do I still look beautiful to you?”

“You know you do.” He answered, smiling.

He leaned forward to kiss me but I pulled away. “No, gotta brush my teeth.”

He made a face, looking hurt. “I didn’t know my kiss was less important than your teeth.”

I giggled and lightly punched him on the shoulder.

Suddenly, things turned serious all over again. I couldn’t believe how magical our relationship was, so at ease and perfect. I had waited for this feeling for years and when I finally felt it, I wanted to make full use of that. He looked at me with love in his eyes and that was all to make my heart jump.

I leaned forward and captured his mouth with mine, giving him a deep kiss. No matter how many times we kissed, it became more and more magical. Our tongues were dancing together and I just wanted to get lost in him. When we drew apart, we panted on each other’s faces. But I never closed my eyes and neither did he. Maybe I had no words to describe to him what he meant to me but I was sure that my eyes said it all, just like his did.

“So?” He whispered.

I propped myself up on my elbows and kissed his cheek lovingly. My lips lingered on his skin as I spoke, “I’ll go and take a shower. And then we could go downstairs.”

He turned my face to look at him. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”

“No, you didn’t.” I pointed out.

He took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips. Kissing my fingers one by one, he said, “There is no end to my love, Liz. I can’t describe how I feel.”

I nodded in understanding because I felt the same.

“Hey, Max.”

“Hmm?” He asked, drawing lazy circles with his thumb on my palm.

“I forgot to ask before but where is Isabel?” I tenderly questioned.

“She was in Boston, as you know. She meant to come but she had a lot of work to do there.”

I nodded, running my free hand up and down his chest.

He pulled me closer so that’d my arms were trapped by my sides. “She said she would call you. I guess she’d do that today because she knows you're home now.”

“Good.” I commented.

He kissed me again and when we pulled away, I rested my forehead against his and said, “Max, I have something important to tell you.”

“Go ahead.” He said lovingly.

“My mother… she asked me yesterday whether I wanted to stay here or go with her to Roswell.” I told him, my heart beating wildly in my chest, waiting for his reaction.

He remained silent but his expression remained neutral. “What do you want to do?”

I ruffled his hair, smiling. “I want to stay here. With you.”

He grinned and placed a kiss on my forehead. “I’m glad.”

“Well, you are not going to get rid of me so easily…” I prompted teasingly.

His face remained serious. “I wouldn’t want to. I need you.”

I looked at him adoringly. “I need you too.”

He pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear and I bit my lip, remembering about Tess.

“Max, I want to apologize to Tess.” I said.

He frowned. “What for?”

I swallowed and looked away, ducking my head. “That night, I had assumed a lot of things about her too. She had done no harm to me and yet I…” I trailed off.

He pulled up my chin so I could look at him. “Are you blaming yourself again?”

I shook my head. “No. But I really want to apologize. I don’t want hatred between me and her.”

“She came to see you yesterday.”

I raised my eyebrows. “She did?”

“Yes. She stayed for a while and wanted to see you but you were asleep.”

“Oh.”

“I think she’s going to come today. Maybe then you guys could talk.”

I sighed. “I’ve realized that I misunderstood her all along.”

He chuckled. “Well, she is my friend after all. She has to be nice and good, right?”

I pinched his cheek lightly. He was just so adoring that it was impossible not to touch him.

His face turned serious then. “Liz, you do know that that night, the kiss meant nothing to me?”

“I know. You told me last night, remember?”

He smiled. “Just checking.”

“You mean to say you thought I was still angry?” I asked.

He looked somewhat embarrassed. “Yes.”

“Max, even before talking to you, I had realized my mistake. I had overreacted that night and had no right to be angry at you without your reasons. I am not angry about it and keep that in your small brain.”

“Hey! I don’t have a small brain.” He defended himself but the playfulness in his tone never went unnoticed.

I giggled. “Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Well, now you know.” He said, shrugging his shoulders.

I smiled. I realized how much time we had wasted. All along we felt the same for each other and yet couldn't express that verbally. It was sad that we admitted our love to each other after we lost the baby but it was satisfying to know that we had admitted it finally.

“Were you jealous?” He asked a moment later teasingly.

I rolled my eyes. “No, I wasn’t.”

“Really? Then why would you be angry, huh?” He said, smirking.

I smiled. “Okay, fine. I was jealous. But I am not the only jealous one around. You got jealous too.”

He looked confused. “Of who?”

“Don’t tell me you weren’t jealous the other night because I was with Kyle. You were like, ‘Kyle and David?’” I said, chuckling.

“I was drunk. Had no idea what I was talking about.” He said but I knew he was lying because of the look on his face.

“You know, you have this ‘LIAR’ written in invisible ink on your forehead right now.” I teased and laughed when he groaned. “Admit it, Max, you were jealous.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “All right. Maybe. A little. A lot of jealousy is bad.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “A little?”

“Okay, okay. I was jealous. But you have to admit that the guy got more hugs and caresses from you than anybody else.” He said, smiling.

“Well, how about I show you that my hugs, kisses and caresses are all for you now…?” I said huskily.

I leaned down to kiss him but was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. We both looked towards the door and soon heard Maria’s voice.

“You lovebirds, get out of there. It’s late and I have no idea where you put your coffee.” She complained.

I rolled my eyes. I wondered how she knew Max and I were together? Then I remembered her bad habit of eavesdropping. She was so going to get a lecture about that later.

“We are coming, Maria.” Max said loudly.

Soon, we heard her retreating footsteps. I turned to Max and saw him looking at me.

He sighed. “Maria and her wrong timings.”

“I know.” I agreed, giggling.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MAX

After Liz went for her shower, I quickly brushed my teeth and headed downstairs. Our guests wanted to have breakfast and so I had to go to the kitchen.

When I reached the kitchen, I saw a very tired looking Maria sitting on the table. She had her head in her hands and her eyes were closed.

“Maria?” I said and she looked at me.

“Oh, it was about time you came down here. I’m dying for coffee.” She told me.

I smiled and walked further into the kitchen, taking out things to prepare coffee.

“Do you want to eat something?”

“No, I don’t feel like. A cup of coffee would be fine.”

I looked at her. “You sure? Because in case you were wondering, we do have eggs and bread and…”

She smiled. “Good for you but I don’t feel like eating.”

I shrugged and turned to the task in hand. “Breakfast is necessary though.”

“Max! Okay, fine, I’ll toast a bread.” She said, groaning.

I grinned at her, showing her I had won. “We have cheese and jam if you want that too.”

She was standing by the fridge and glared at me. “Just tell me where your toaster is.”

I pointed across the kitchen. “Right there.”

She nodded and soon we were sitting down, eating breakfast.

“Where is everybody else?” I asked her.

“Guess everybody’s sleeping. They both slept late last night.”

I looked at her, surprised. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know. I’m guessing they were talking.”

“Hmm. So what else did you guys do last night?”

Liz and I hadn’t left the room at all last night. They hadn’t disturbed us either. Maybe they had known that Liz and I had a lot to talk about.

“Nothing much. I love your television though. It’s huge.”

I chuckled. “Courtesy of my father.”

“Liz told me you weren’t taking money from your father anymore. I mean, you were taking care of the house by your money.” She said, looking at me curiously.

“That’s right. Except my education which is been paid by my father lately. But I plan to change that soon. And besides, I think Liz forgot to mention she was working too. We both are taking care of this house.”

She smiled. “That’s good.”

I took the bread when it was done toasting and proceeded to take the jam. When I returned to the table, Maria said, “You are going to eat bread and jam too? I mean, the eggs weren’t enough?”

I smiled. “This is not for me. It’s for Liz.”

I poured a glass of milk and Maria looked at me surprised. “Liz drinks milk?”

“She had to. For the baby and all. Don’t worry, she’s gotten used to it.” I told her.

At the mention of the baby, I saw her stiffen. “Max, Liz hasn’t talked about the car accident at all with us. I and her mother especially are very worried.”

I stared at her in surprise, caught off guard. “Maria, Liz needed time. I think she’s ready now to talk to you guys.”

She placed her hand over mine and gave me a sad smile. “I never got a chance to tell how upset I am about the baby, Max.”

I remained silent for a while, the truth still hurting me. I squeezed her hand briefly and we continued with our breakfast.

“Hey, how do you know Liz likes bread and jam, huh?” She asked teasingly.

I rolled my eyes. “Gee, Maria. Maybe because we’ve been living under the same roof lately.”

She laughed at that and smacked her hand against her forehead. “I was just teasing you, lover boy.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Lover boy? Anyway, how do you know Liz and I got together?”

“Because I had eavesdropped a little bit.”

I glared at her. She lifted her hands up in surrender. “Didn’t want to but couldn’t help. And don’t worry, I had only heard Liz saying that her hugs and kisses were all for you.”

My eyes widened.

She laughed and said, “But before she could show you how, I had to interrupt because…”

“Okay, okay. That’s it.” I said, putting my hand on her mouth. Boy, she talked a lot.

For the next two minutes, she didn’t stop giggling.

“What’s all this giggling about?” drawled a voice and we turned to see Liz standing in the doorway, amused.

“Oh, I was just telling Max how I knew you guys were together…” Maria wriggled her eyebrows at Liz.

Liz glared at her and angrily marched towards her. “About that, Maria. You do that again and forget about seeing the world forever.”

Maria smiled apologetically but I knew she was not sorry. “Got it, mom.”

Liz playfully punched her shoulder and Maria rubbed it. “Max, Liz has a very bad habit of punching.”

I laughed, remembering her punching me on the shoulder earlier that morning. “I know.”

“Stop talking like I am not present in the room, guys.” Liz said, sitting beside me.

She intently placed her hand on my thigh and pinched it. I coughed out loud.

Maria looked at me confused. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s okay.” I replied, glancing at Liz who innocently looked at me.

I saw Liz’s mother entering the kitchen and after exchanging ‘good mornings’, she sat down on the table too with a cup of coffee in her hands. We shared some light conversation and I noticed how frequent Mrs. Parker sent curious glances towards Liz.

Maria finished her coffee and stood up, placing the dishes in the sink. “I’m full. I’ll go and take a bath.”

A moment later, she was out of the kitchen.

“Mom, you remember you asked me yesterday whether I wanted to stay here or go with you?” Liz asked.

Her mother seemed surprised and leaned forward. “Yes, dear. Your father was wondering that too.”

Liz took my hand that was on the table and Mrs. Parker glanced at our joint hands.

“I want to stay here.” Liz replied, looking at me.

Mrs. Parker smiled, getting the signal.



TBC...


This was the last part... well, I do plan on writing an epilogue. But guys, thank you so much for your support till now.