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Title: A New Year For Traditions
Author: Alysia
Category: Alternate Universe, no aliens
Couple(s): Max/Liz
Summery: This is just a short piece for New Year’s. Max and Liz goodness,
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters familiar to Roswell.
“Thanks for lunch...” Liz Parker trailed off, smiling tightly at her companion. Truthfully, she wasn’t so comfortable accepting a free lunch, she’d grown so used to paying for everything she wanted.
“It’s not a big deal, like I said…to help make up for the Christmas present that hasn’t gotten here yet,” her companion denied in a smooth, velvety tone.
Smiling in gratitude, she ignored the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach. It was a common reaction to the sound of his voice, the open and friendly smile that he held for…basically, it was a reaction common to everything that was Max Evans. “Again, you didn’t have to get me anything,” she argued, feeling uncomfortable, seeing as she hadn’t been able to get him anything. All of her money had gone to buying presents for her son that year. She just felt bad that she hadn’t thought to repay his kindness.
From the very first day that Max began working with her, she’d been enraptured. He was unlike anyone she’d ever met, unlike all the people that she grown up with. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the small minded people that she’d known all her life. He wasn’t her boss, but he did hold a position of authority over her, something that he never had actually used. He treated her as though she was his equal. In the few short months since his arrival, they’d developed a strong friendship, one that Liz had grown to treasure.
“No, but I wanted to,” Max argued back softly as he waited for the waitress to return with the check and his card. “Why can’t you just accept it when someone wants to do something nice for you?” He asked back. He understood that she’d had a difficult time and had grown used to taking care of things on her own, but it didn’t explain why she never accepted even the smallest compliments.
“I’m just not used to it,” Liz excused with a wave of her hand. The only person that she ever accepted help from was Jim, even then, she did so grumbling the entire time.
When the waitress returned, Max filled out the receipt. “It’s a shame that you aren’t. You deserve to be spoiled every now and again.”
Liz scrunched her nose at his words. Her? Be spoiled? Not likely. She’d never been overly spoiled as a child. Her mother died when she was so young and she’d never been very close to her father. She hadn’t been completely ignored, but it certainly wasn’t what she would label ‘ideal’. By the time Adam came along, things were just worse all around.
“Okay Max,” she replied, her tone, one of mockery. Some people were spoiled, and others weren’t. She knew which category she fell in, and she didn’t have any complaints to it.
Across from her, Max felt a frown pull at his lips. Why didn’t Liz realize just how special she was and that his words were generous? “Why do you say it like that?”
“Like what?” Liz asked, her own frown marring her features. “I know how things work, some people get what they want, some people don’t…it’s okay, I’m used to the way things are.”
Max shook his head at her words, but wisely decided not to say anything in response. “You ready to head back to the office?”
Liz shook her head in answer. “Can’t we just spend the rest of the afternoon here? She asked. With Christmas just past and New Year’s approaching that weekend, work was the furthest thing from her mind.
Max smiled genuinely at her words, he felt the exact same way. “Somehow, I don’t think Alex would appreciate it if I monopolized his secretary’s entire afternoon,” he answered.
Liz smiled along with him. “No, I suppose not.”
As they headed out of the restaurant, Liz nearly tripped over her feet when she felt Max’s large palm against the small of her back. With a quick look to the side at him, he seemed completely unaware of it.
“So…what are your plans for New Year’s?” Liz asked as the two began the short journey back to their office. She was still deciding what she was going to do. It was the first time that she’d be able to go out, under Jim’s insistence. Usually, she stayed in the house and settled on the couch for movies.
Max shrugged. “I don’t really have any set plans. Tess invited me to come over…” he trailed over at the mention of his sort of girlfriend. When he arrived in town, Tess Harding had made it her personal mission to get to know him. At the time, Max had been flattered that such a beautiful woman was pursuing him. After a few dates, the novelty had worn off. He’d dated plenty of women like her over the years and he was ready to find something better. He’d tried to break things off with her, but Tess refused to accept it.
“So…you and Tess huh?” Liz asked after a pause. She wasn’t aware that they were still seeing each other. Wouldn’t Max have said something?
“Yeah,” he nodded with a shrug of his shoulders. “I’ve tried to end things with her, but she just won’t…accept it.”
Liz nodded at his words. “Yes, Tess is nothing, if not persistent,” she acknowledged. “We used to be friends back in high school.”
Between all the time that he’d spent with both Liz and Tess, neither had ever said anything about it. “Really?” He couldn’t picture it. Tess and Liz were so completely different, aside from that, Tess had been less then friendly to Liz. He could still remember their first meeting, or the first one where he had present.
“Afternoon Liz.”
“Hi Max. How are you?” Liz asked, smiling brightly. Even though he’d only been there for two weeks, she’d grown very used to their brief conversations during the day.
“Pretty good,” Max answered with an easy smile. “And you?”
Ignoring the butterflies she felt in her stomach, Liz opened her mouth, ready to respond when she heard someone clearing their throat. It was then that Liz noticed the woman standing slightly behind him.
“Oh,” Max smiled sheepishly at the lack of his manners. “Liz, I’d like you to meet Tess Harding…”
At the familiar name, Liz felt her smile fumble. Well, there went her chance with the handsome man…as if he would ever be interested in someone like her, Liz snorted to herself. “Tess…” she hedged off, not sure how the other woman would respond to her. A cool smile was her only greeting.
“That’s Ms. Harding to you,” the blonde replied tersely before turning to Max, her expression much softer. “Max, can we go now?”
“Of course,” Max replied as he placed his jacket on. “We’re heading out to lunch Liz, did you want to join us?”
For one brief second, Liz was tempted to accept the invitation, but the cold, hard look in Tess’ eyes quickly filtered in. She knew that accepting that invitation wouldn’t be a good idea.
“I never would have guessed,” Max added, breaking Liz from her thoughts.
Liz smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I don’t suppose that you would…then again, I guess that was the wrong thing to say,” she amended. “I thought we were friends,” she clarified. Needless to say, they weren’t anywhere near it, at least when it came down to it.
“Oh? Do you mind me asking, what happened?” Max asked awkwardly.
“You can ask,” Liz replied, smiling coyly as she pulled her hair back. “Seeing as we’re here though…there isn’t time enough to answer.”
Max nodded at her as he held the door open. “Another time then.”
“Perhaps.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“So, what else happened?” Liz asked, captivated by her son’s story. She watched his blue eyes light up as he finished it. “Really? And what did Allison do?”
“She tried to kiss me,” Adam Parker revealed, scrunching his face as he thought back to the moment.
Liz hid an amused smile behind her hand. She waited until she had it under control before she removed her hand from her face. “No!”
“Why would she want to do that?” Adam asked. “I was just getting used to liking her as a girl…”
“Well, you won’t always feel this way,” Liz predicted.
“Girls have cooties,” Adam argued, ignoring his mother’s words. “I won’t ever kiss one,” he replied defiantly. “Did you ever kiss a boy?”
Liz nodded. “Once, but it was a long time ago.”
Adam’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Why do people want to kiss?”
At the question, Liz paused to consider her answer. What could she say to this? “Uh…well…” she trailed off, trying to think of something to say. Thankfully, she was saved from coming up with anything when Adam’s interest moved to something else.
“Hey! Look! There’s Max!” At her son’s point, Liz spun around in her seat at the booth and look in the direction that Adam was pointing. Sure enough, Max was standing in the front of restaurant, speaking to the hostess. “Max!”
Liz felt her face flush with her son’s over anxious call.
“He’s coming over!” Adam exclaimed.
“I don’t doubt it, what with all the noise you made,” Liz whispered back as she coached herself to calm down. She didn’t understand how Max could affect her in such a way. Here she was, somebody’s mother, but every time she was around Max, she felt as though she was an awkward teenager all over again.
“Hi Adam,” Max greeted as he approached the table. “Liz…”
“Hello Max,” Liz greeted in a soft voice.
“Hi Max!” Adam exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting something to eat.”
“Us too,” Adam shared. “You wanna’ eat with us?”
Liz felt her cheeks flare up from embarrassment. “I’m sure that Max already has plans honey,” Liz denied, sure that Max was trying to come up with an excuse as well.
“Oh, thanks for the offer buddy,” Max began, ready to find an excuse. Between Liz’s work and studying for school, he knew that she looked forward to the time she spent with Adam. He didn’t want to interrupt them.
“We haven’t even ordered yet,” Adam interrupted. “You could eat with us…”
Letting out a small smile, Max looked from Adam to Liz. He wouldn’t mind eating with them, he always had an entertaining time whenever he saw Adam, and he certainly didn’t mind spending time with Liz.
Max wasn’t sure what it was about the brunette that had captured his attention so, but he found himself falling for her with every moment they spent together. In all honesty, he didn’t understand it. Liz was a brunette, something that he’d never found attractive. He usually preferred to date girls with lighter hair then his own, but he couldn’t remember the last time he found someone as attractive as he did Liz.
“Liz?” He asked, waiting to hear what she said.
Liz shrugged her shoulders. “If you’re sure we aren’t bugging you…”
“Never,” Max denied as he moved to sit next to Adam. “So, what were the two of you talking about?”
“Some girl tried to kiss me today…” Adam shared, taking on the same, less then pleased expression he wore before. “Max, did you ever kiss a girl?”
“Uh…”
“’Cause mommy’s kissed a boy before,” Adam shared. “And since you’re way bigger then her, then that means you did too…right?”
“Yes,” Max nodded. “Why?”
“I just don’t understand why boys and girls would want to kiss when there’s so much better stuff to do out there…”
Max smiled kindly at the younger boy before turning to Liz in question. “Uh, you know Adam…you might change your line of thinking one day…”
Adam frowned. “Mommy said the same thing. I don’t think she knows what she’s talking about though…”
At Adam’s admission, Liz raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Well, you’re just a girl…I’ll ask grandpa tomorrow when I stay the night with him,
the young boy answered.
Dinner was a lively affair, the three never lacked for conversation. By the time they were finished eating, a friend of Adam’s from school had arrived with his family. Adam moved to sit with him for a few minutes.
“So….”
Max trailed off. Liz nodded with him. “Yeah.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Max asked after a few moments of silence.
Liz shrugged. “I don’t know. Usually, I just stay home and watch movies,” she excused. “I’m not one for partying. My friend Maria has been trying to get me to go out with her, but…I don’t really want to ring in the New Year with a bunch of strangers. What about you?”
“Well, I usually go out with my friends, but I’m looking forward to a more…quiet night this year.”
Liz nodded. An invitation for him to join her was on the tip of her tongue, but she held back. Why would Max want to meet up with her? She was nothing more then a secretary that worked in the office building as him that he had lunch with sometimes. Of all the people that he had a choice of ringing the New Year in with, and he would choose her? Liz snorted at her hopeful thoughts. Despite everything that she knew, she still found those pesky thoughts of hope.
“Adam and I should get going,” Liz excused. “I still have to get movies for tomorrow night…” she offered lamely. She watched as Max reached for the check and she slapped his hand away.
”What?” he asked, confused at her action.
”Don’t you dare! You paid for lunch remember?” Liz threw some money on the table to cover the check and tip.
“So?” Max asked, not used to letting a woman pay for their shared meal.
Liz rolled her eyes at him. “If it bugs you that much, then you can pay next time we eat,” she offered, standing up. “Have a happy New Year Max,” she wished as she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Completely unprepared for the feel of her lips on his cheek, Max sat dumbstruck as she walked away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Maria, I don’t know about this,” Liz confessed as she looked around the area unsurely. She had been thankful when her friend forwent on the over crowded party, but even this get together was larger then what she would have preferred.
“Come on Liz…live a little,” Maria replied. “You never just let loose and relax.”
Liz frowned at her friend’s point. It was true. She never did let loose, she’d done that once and she wound up pregnant because of it. No, she couldn’t afford to just let loose, not with someone that depended on her.
“Now, all you need to do is mingle a little…” Maria coaxed. “Go introduce yourself to some guys.”
Liz snorted at the thought. She never just introduced herself to guys, she never had. She didn’t have a ‘take a chance’ gene. Before Liz could say anything though, she found herself alone, as Maria disappeared into the sea of people.
Moving in the direction if the refreshments table, Liz tried to stay as invisible as possible where other people were concerned. She was completely out of her comfort zone. The only thing that could make it worse was if she were to be approached by a guy.
So involved in her thoughts was she, Liz failed to notice the body before she plowed into it. “Ooomph.” She prepared herself for a fall, but nothing came from it. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into familiar amber eyes. “Oh Max…”
“Liz…”
“Thank goodness it’s you,” she breathed out, smiling at him.
At her words, Max raised one eyebrow as he released her body. “Oh?”
“I mean, that I ran into you and not someone else,” she clarified. “I mean, not that I enjoyed running into you…” Inwardly, Liz realized how she sounded. “I mean, I did…I just…” Liz felt her cheeks flame in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I always stutter when I’m nervous.” Once again, Liz closed her eyes in mortification.
“You’re nervous?” Max asked.
Liz let out a laugh and owned up to her reaction. “Yeah…as you can see, I’m not one for social situations…”
Max smiled to ease her nerves, sensing that Liz felt more then awkward. “I don’t know about that, you seem to be doing okay so far.” He wondered where the strong, independent woman he had lunch with was.
As the next hour passed, Liz and Max stuck by each other’s sides. The two spent that time talking about things that they usually avoided whenever they had lunch. While they’d made a quick friendship, they avoided each other’s past and spoke mostly about work and the people that worked in their office.
Liz was surprised to learn that Max had also grown up in a small town. When he’d moved there, he’d left the big city. There was an air about Max, she had just assumed that he grew up in the city as well. He had a twin sister and both of his parents were lawyers. He confessed that he was the black sheep of the family before her pursued a different career path from his family. His sister entered law as well…as a result, he always felt as though he let his father down in that respect.
“I’m sure he’s proud of you,” Liz denied. Even if he wasn’t a lawyer, Max was successful.
”Maybe…” Max trailed off. “What about you?”
Liz shook her head in denial. “No, let’s stay on you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re much more interesting then I am,” she answered as though it was the easiest thing in the world.
Max shook his head at her once again. She gave herself far too little credit. “For me, please?”
Liz rolled her eyes. “It isn’t that interesting. I grew up here…my mother died when I was little…and I still live here.”
“Was that the abridged version?” Max teased.
Laughing, Liz shook her head. “Only the facts.”
“There has to be more then that,” Max implored. “What about yesterday? When you spoke of school…tell me about that.”
“It’s really not that interesting,” Liz replied, trying to dissuade him.
Leaning closer to her, Max nudged his shoulder against hers. “I’m interested.
Liz began talking about her family life and the way she felt where her father was concerned. “I tried so hard in school, I wanted to do whatever I could to gather my father’s praise. By the time high school came around, I had stopped doing it for him. I’d come to realize that nothing would change my dad. Instead, I focused on getting the hell out of here…”
“Was it really that bad growing up here?” Max asked. While he was still relatively new to town, he found it a pleasant place.
Liz shrugged. “You know how it is…small town…everyone knows everything about everyone else.” It was what Liz hated most about growing up in a small town. “Anyway, Tess and I were equally matched on every level where school was concerned. We had a…what I thought, was a friendly competition. Senior year rolled around and…Kyle Valenti moved to town.”
Kyle Valenti? Max hadn’t heard that name before. Was that Adam’s father?
“Both Tess and I expressed an interest in him so we decided to leave it up to Kyle to decide which one of us he preferred. I won,” that was really the beginning of the end of her friendship with Tess. “Kyle and I….he was my first everything where boyfriends are concerned, but he ended up dying in a car accident.”
“I’m sorry Liz.”
Liz shrugged at Max’s apology. Over the years, she found that it hurt less and less whenever she thought about Kyle’s untimely death. “It was after his funeral that I found out I was pregnant. It didn’t take long for everyone to find out. Tess was the first person I told, and the first person she told was the school’s biggest gossip.”
Max paused momentarily. While he didn’t think Tess was anywhere near a saint, he couldn’t fathom her being so callous. Then again, he had a feeling that she was on her best behavior where he was concerned.
“And that was…it. I lost my place in being the valedictorian, lost my chances to go to college…I didn’t even get to graduate that year. It was ‘suggested’ that I take alternative courses at home so I would embarrass myself, only it was the school that didn’t want to be embarrassed.” Liz shook her head. “And…I’ve been trying to graduate college ever since.”
“I’m sorry Liz, that you’ve had such a hard life,” Max offered, feeling lame in the apology. It just didn’t seem like enough.
Shrugging again, Liz tried to smile. “It wasn’t all bad. Kyle’s mom had left years earlier and after Kyle…I was able to bring Jim some peace. And then of course there’s Adam…”
“He’s the most important thing in your life…”
Liz smiled at the thought of her son. “He’s the light of my life,” she corrected. “I just…sometimes I feel like such a failure,” she confessed.
“Why?”
“I can’t offer him everything, we just barely scrape by. I moved in with Jim and we lived with him until…a few months ago.”
“You aren’t a failure Liz,” Max denied. “You…completed high school and you’re still taking college courses. Yes, it isn’t ideal, but at least you attempted to do something to better your life. That speaks volumes.”
At the upbeat tone of his voice, Liz shook her head. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Manage to make me feel better,” she shared, biting back the embarrassment at her confession.
“Must be a special power of mine,” Max excused. “I don’t say or think anything that you don’t deserve.”
“Oh, is that so?” Liz asked, not knowing of anything better that she could have said in response. She had a feeling that something was about to change between them. Her stomach was in knots at the intense look on his face, it was something that she’d never seen before.
Growing up, she’d wanted it all, a successful career, a doting husband and family. Having Adam changed all that. While she still wanted something more where her work life was concerned, she had grown to realize that it wasn’t everything. More then anything, she wanted to find someone to share her life with. She had grown so lonely over the years. After years since school, watching women her age and sometimes younger, get married. She longed for the same thing, she wanted companionship. Most importantly, she’d wanted a father for Adam, someone that she could maybe have more children with some day.
Despite all her wants and desires, she never pursued them. Dating was one thing, but she had Adam to consider. Even if there was no Adam, she had no experience with dating, bar the short time she spent with Kyle. Instead, she found herself hiding behind Adam when the past few offers were extended.
“Max?”
“There’s something that I…” Max licked his bottom lip as he tried to find the right words. “For the past few weeks, my feelings for your have…changed.”
Not daring to speak for fear that she would ruin the moment, Liz just swallowed her words.
“I like you Liz…”
“Oh…” OH! Liz closed her eyes at her lame response. She never thought that she would stand a chance with Max and the one time he admitted liking her and she said ‘oh’?
“A lot,” Max added in afterthought.
Looking down, Liz grinned with giddiness. This was too good to be true.
“And I was just wondering, if there was a chance that you might…sort of return those feelings?” As he finished speaking, Max wanted nothing more then to start over again. He’d muddled up his feelings, he only hoped that she understood what he was trying to convey.
“Max…I’ve been attracted to you too…”
At her revelation, Max wanted to hoot in joy, but then he remembered the way that she had trailed off. He tried to prepare himself for whatever news he was about to hear.
”It’s just, I’m not very good at this sort of…stuff. I don’t do relationships, the last time I was involved with someone, it was with Adam’s father…and even then, he was my first boyfriend,” she acknowledged, certain that Max would decide that she just wasn’t worth it.
“That’s okay,” Max denied. He had no expectations where she was concerned, he just wanted a chance to show her how he felt…and hopefully find a partnership with her.
“And…and I just…there’s always Adam to consider…” Liz stumbled over her words. Max had no idea what he was getting into. She wasn’t just some girl. She was a mother, and Adam would always be around…
“Liz, Adam and I get along pretty well,” he liked Adam, and he was sure that the young boy liked him well enough. “I know he’s your son and that he’ll be around. I’ve thought about this,” he admitted.
“Have you really?” Liz asked. “Because this isn’t some movie,” she reminded him. “Chances are that Adam could really form an attachment to you and I…would just hate for things to go bad between us because it would affect him as well.”
“Liz, we can go slow…we don’t even have to tell Adam that things have changed between us…you set the pace. I’ll gladly agree to anything. I just want the chance to love you.”
“Love me?” Liz asked, wasn’t it a little too soon to begin using such an important adjective?
“Liz, you are sorely lacking and I intend to make it up to you,” he replied. Lightening up the mood, he placed an arm around her shoulders. “And what better time then New Years? When I make my resolution to start a new tradition this year in spoiling you?”
“Max…” Liz pushed him away playfully. “Be serious.”
“I am. I meant it Liz, this is it…a fresh tradition for the New Year.”
Around them, everyone began the count down the remaining seconds in the year.
10….9…
“Max…I don’t know what to say,” she confessed. She certainly had no poetic responses and she was sure that anything she said would sorely lack after all the sweetness he’d pledged.
“Say yes…”
5….4….3…
“Yes.”
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Max and Liz laughed over the loud exclamations of everyone. “Happy New Year Max.”
Leaning in closer to her, Max nodded. “It certainly is,” he acknowledged, before drawing their lips together in the first of many kisses.
The End.