Finishing touches took longer than I thought.
Epilogue “Max”
~ Christmas, 2006
Max lay in bed propped up on his elbow gazing at his sleeping wife. Wife. He didn’t think he’d ever tire of that word. It had taken them a while to get to that point, but it was all worth it. Watching Liz sleep he recalled the time he informed her that he would one day be marrying her…
*FLASHBACK: July 2002*
School had been out for a month and Max, Liz, and Syn were readying for the move to Las Cruces where both would be attending NMSU. Liz received a full scholarship and planned to major in psychology and Max had received a partial scholarship as well as several grants; he would be a criminal justice major. He absently rubbed the new key residing on his key chain and smiled softly.
“What’s got you grinning like that?” Liz asked crawling into bed next to him. She knew it was odd to people, how their parents allowed them to live together at their age. Max moved in at the beginning of senior year, but after a few weeks of bunking with Michael he’d moved in with her. Everyone thought they were sleeping together…which was true in the most literal sense, since there was only one bed they slept together.
“Life I guess.” Max sighed contentedly. “We’re together, getting ready for school, have our first place…it’s all so exciting.” He reached an arm toward her, pulling her into his embrace. She went willingly as she always did, but this time he felt a tension in her that hadn’t been there since before they became a couple. “Liz? Baby what’s wrong?”
She pulled away and sat up to face him. “Max,” she started then paused to gather her resolve, “Max do you…are you disappointed we don’t…” she trailed off briefly before forcing herself to continue. “Are you disappointed we aren’t sleeping together?”
“Huh?” Max asked completely lost. He sat up realizing this was a serious conversation and carefully planned his words. “Liz-”
“I mean it seems like we’re the only ones of age in this damned town not having sex and I wanted to know if it bothered you that we aren’t having sex.” Liz continued not noticing his attempts to speak. “Cause I’d understand if you were upset that we aren’t having sex. I know a lot of the guys you hang out with are having sex and we aren’t having sex and I’m pretty sure they know that we aren’t having sex and are probably not very nice about it. You can tell me the truth-”
Giving up Max gently placed a finger to her lips and waited, “First of all, please stop saying sex.” Max grinned at Liz’s blush, “Baby we will never just have sex. When it’s right for us then we’ll make love. It will be special and beautiful and most of all it will be right for both of us. And no I’m not disappointed we aren’t having sex. Yeah most of the guys are having sex, but most of those same guys won’t remember who they were with in a year. Liz where is all this coming from?” he asked puzzled at the topic.
“Maria asked me how we made our first time special. Isabel overheard and was upset I hadn’t shared with her and then Kyle butted in letting them know we hadn’t actually made love yet.” Liz told him reluctantly, “At first Maria was shocked and then she kept asking all these questions about why and blathering on about how all guys want to get laid all the time. It’s not like that with you and I wanted to know if you were keeping it from me to…I don’t know protect me or something.” Liz shrugged as she toyed with the edge of the blanket.
“Baby,” Max sighed pulling her into his arms again. He kissed her then, putting all his love into that kiss and soon she was relaxed in his arms. He slowly leaned them back on the bed twisting slightly to lean over her. He pulled away slowly and gently cupped her cheek. “One day Liz Parker I will make you Liz Evans.” Max reverently stroked her cheek as he whispered, his eyes shining brightly, “I love you more than anything. One day I will ask you and you will say yes.”
“Oh Max...” Liz trailed off, “I love you so much.” She wrapped her arms around him pulling him back toward her, “So much!” she whispered softly and slowly brought her lips to his. “Max, no one’s home…please…”
“Mmm,” Liz stretched languidly as she awoke, “Max? Baby what are you doing up?” She blinked sleepily, “You know we have to get up soon. As Kyle and Luca’s ‘couple of honor’ we have to get them ready. And you know how long Luca takes.”
“I know, just promise me you’ll try to take it easy today.” Max gently caressed the slight bump where their child lay, “Try not to let Luca stress you.” Grinning boyishly he shimmied down the bed kissing Liz’s tummy, “You be good for mommy Champ, today is a big day for our family.”
“What if your ‘Champ’ is a girl Max?” Liz asked rolling her eyes even as a sappy smile graced her lips.
“It’s just a feeling Liz.” Max shrugged, his bangs falling over his eyes. After Liz brushed them back he curled up with her again, “We have to be up soon.”
“I know.” Liz sighed closing her eyes, her hand innocently drifting down Max’s bare chest.
“Liz, baby,” Max whispered as her hand drifted lower…and lower, “Liz…” he hissed looking at his sleeping wife.
Shifting Liz hid her smile and continued to feign sleep. She subtly maneuvered her leg to tangle with Max’s, “Oh Max…” she softly murmured.
“Liz wake up sweetie. Come on Liz please baby,” Max gently nudged her and tried to recite the periodic table in his mind.
Giving up all pretense of sleep Liz quickly straddled her husband, “Got a problem babe?” she smirked devilishly, “Ooh, it’s a big one too. Let me help you out big guy.”
As Liz finally reached for her husband the bedroom door burst open. “Max, you have to help - OH MY BUDDHA! My eyes! I’m blind!” Kyle cried slapping a hand over his eyes. “You’re like the frigging Energizer Bunny Max. Didn’t you get enough yesterday, we all know you two were doing a special happy dance while the rest of us went over today’s schedule. Geez, today is my wedding day all anyone cares about is getting lucky!”
Liz collapsed on top of Max laughing at the look on Kyle’s face, chancing a glance at Max she noticed he didn’t think it was so funny.
“Kyle is you want to be able to enjoy your wedding night walk out of the room, close the door, and go eat a cookie from the batch Amy brought over.” Max ordered tightly.
Before Kyle could comply the phone rang, glancing at the clock Liz sighed and reached to answer it, “Hello Luca. What’s wrong?” Hearing that Kyle promptly fled knowing if Luca was a nervous wreck he’d soon follow. Glad he could remain calm in a crisis Kyle congratulated himself and headed for the kitchen…and ended up in the hall closet.
”Wrong? Wrong? I’ll tell you what’s wrong! You aren’t here to calm me down! What am I doing? I can’t get married! I’m not ready for this. Do you know what I realized last night? Here. By myself. While my horny bestfriend went and did the special happy dance with her hottie hubby? I realized I’m never gonna sleep with anybody else!” As Luca’s babbled faster his voice rose higher.
“Luca. Listen to me I’ll be right there. Get the paper bag I left you on the side of the bed and breathe into it. Deep breaths. That’s it. You’re doing great.” Liz gave Max a quick kiss and began to change. “I’m on my way. Do not pull a Maria on me.”
“Thanks Liz. Tell Max I’m sorry, I know I probably interrupted another round of the special happy dance.” Luca managed between breaths.
“Don’t worry I’ll be there soon.” Liz sat next to Max as she hung up the phone. “Baby I have to go. Luca needs me.”
“Liz, I need you.” Max pointed down.
“Oh sweetie,” Liz patted his cheek, “I’ll make it up to you later.” She hurried to finish getting ready.
Pouting Max shuffled into the bathroom stripping as he went. Starting the shower he grinned, “Liz, I think you should go ahead and take your shower.” Without waiting for her answer he walked back to their bedroom scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom.
“Max,” she sighed exasperated wriggling to be let down. “I don’t have time…” she trailed off as her eyes took in her husband’s form and forlorn expression, “Maybe a quick one.” She agreed giggling at his quick grin, “No funny stuff though.” She warned.
“Of course not Liz.” He swore solemnly as she climbed in, jumping in after her he grinned, “There’s nothing funny about it.”
Several hours later after much hustle-bustle, anxiety attacks, and quickies in closets Max and Liz Evans stood beside their friends as Kyle James Valenti took Luca Cortes to be his lawfully wedded husband, and vice versa. Michael handed his long-time girlfriend Maria a tissue as she bawled, Alex handed his very pregnant wife Isabel another tissue as well as her schedule book. Syn carefully watched over her two cousins Philip and James Whitman and smiled glad that Uncle Luca and Uncle Kyle were so happy. Sheriff Valenti squeezed his wife’s hand and handed her another box of tissues.
“I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss your husband.” The minister announced, “Mr. and Mr. Cortes-Valenti.”
Watching as his bestfriend had a day he never thought possible, Max smiled,
’Dad, he thought happily,
I hope you’re watching today. I hope you are as happy for Kyle as I am.’ Reaching for Liz he kissed her cheek before following the newlyweds down the aisle. It had taken a lot to get where they were today. A lot of struggle, heartache, love, loss, and tears went into building their lives. Their families. And watching everyone gather to celebrate Max knew everything was worth it if it lead up to this point in time.
