Roswell Fanatics

Hello All Long time no see.....

Lets see where to begin ....

Here's what the last year or so has brought.
My father did not make through his illness, he died on June 18th of last year. Three weeks after that my mother suffered a severe brain injury and spent almost two months in the hospital. She is now staying with me on a permanent basis. I got divorced from Candice about that same time. It was just not meant to be. You can't pull the past to the future. I started a new job, managing a hobbyshop. A lot less pressure, a little more fun. I have also gotten married to wonderful woman, her name is Andrea. We have been together for a year and a half and were married on June 12th of this year. A few days after our marriage she she went in for open heart surgery in Clevland. She did extremely well, we'll know if the operatiion was a complete succcess in a few more months. When we arrived at our home upon her release, I went into the hospital for surgery with Diverticulitus and have to have 4 inches of my colon removed. We are both due to be going back to work around the middle of this month.

Whew.... With that said, I do want to apologize for just simply dropping of the face of the earth. A lot of you have been very kind to me and supportive. I want to thank you all for that. I will not be posting as frequently as I used to. I want to concentrate on one story at a time and do a better job that before.

This one will finish out in a few more chapters. Some of my other stories I am going to re-edit and clean upp some of my first time mistakes. I also have two to three more stories and I am slowly working out.

Well enough about me and on with the show.

Here is a linnk to the first seventeen chapters
From Behind The Tree Parts 1 - 17

Author: MoonieADT

Category: Max/ Liz

Rating: TEEN - ADULT

Disclaimer: Roswell, Max, Liz etc. don't belong to me. Just borrowing them with thanks.

Summary: Revisiting the life of Max and Liz as seen through Max’s eyes. Close the series but not quite. Aliens are still aliens and humans are humans. Enjoy

Authors Note: I have been viewing this board for almost a year now and have read many wonderful fics. They have inspired as well as saddened me at times, but that’s what they are suppose to do. Like just about everyone else I was saddened with what they did to the show and wanted to see it in a new way. This is my first FanFic. I would really appreciate feedback.

From Behind The Tree:
Chapter 18
Higher Learning:

We had been in our new apartment now for a couple months. It was great to finally be on our own, no more running off to the granolith chamber to make love, no more sneaking through windows to see each other. Every night we curled up together and drifted off into the most fulfilling sleep either of us had ever known. It took us both almost a full month before we really started to believe that we had finally done it, we were finally married.

Some people say that the only difference between being married and dating is that you have a piece of paper and rings to show that you belong together. I feel sorry for those people; they are truly missing the point. Liz and I are so much closer now; I never thought that it would be possible. Our connection brings us as close as two people can get but, being married, pledging ourselves to each other in that age-old ceremony, deepened a bond that was already fathomless.

I know that I sound like some kind of wimpy, sentimental sap, but I am so in love with my wife, sometimes it literally hurts with the intensity of how deep the feelings are. Sometimes I find myself taking an extra deep breath, trying to deal the how intense my love for her is. It’s so easy to act all aloof and above it all, it takes a real man to open himself up and turn yourself over to the feelings that are swirling around your heart. When you do that, that’s when you really know how much you love someone, you now how much they touch your heart and soul.

How can I even begin to describe to you what she means to me? The fact that I’m writing this chronicle of our life should give some testimony to it. It’s hard to describe love; it’s so elusive, kind of like a song. You can only experience the joy of the music while it’s playing and then your left with the memory of it. You have to experience it to really know it.

When I look at her I feel so powerful and yet to weak. She fills me with the strength to take on anyone and anything yet all she has to do is look at me and I’m putty in her hands. When I’m not with her my chest feels so tight and empty, the memories of her fill me but they are never enough. When I finally find myself back in her arms after being away from her its like having my entire being renewed. I almost feel like an automaton when I’m away from her, only truly coming alive when I am in her presence.

I think of her and I want to cry from the shear beauty she possesses. Not just on the outside, but all that she is.

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“Max, c’mon. Everyone’s going to be there tonight. It’ll be a blast.” Bill prodded him.

We were standing in the living room of my apartment. This had become something of a monthly ritual for Bill. I had met him in one of my classes at college in Roswell. Occasionally we would get together and shoot baskets down at the park near the apartment. Not living at home anymore, I didn’t have the luxury of my own private court any longer but this was just as good.

“Bill, we do this every month. You ask and I say no.” I said with a laugh.

Bill shook his head as I took a drink from my glass of iced tea. The cool liquid felt great going down, it had been a very hot afternoon, but that hadn’t stopped us from spending a good hour and a half on the ball court.

“Max, no offense, but won’t the little woman let you go?” He asked with a smirk.

“<I>The little woman</I> has nothing to do with it.” I said a little clipped.

“Whoa, I was only kidding Max. Is there a reason you won’t go out?” Bill asked trying to smooth things over.

I drew my fingers through my hair and looked briefly up at the ceiling. How was I going to explain this to someone who didn’t have a serious relationship?

“So what would we be doing?” I asked thoughtfully.

The smile on Bill’s face told me that he thought he had his partner in crime.

“Well, we’ll get the guys together and head to the club, have some drinks, check out the women, you know, just generally have fun.” He said, taking another swig of his drink.

“So, I’m supposed to have a good time watching you guys hook up. Right?” I asked with a bit of amusement.

“Well, I’m sure there would be someone there for you.” Bill replied without much thought.

“WHAT?” I asked with a little more venom that I had meant to.

“Shit…Max, I’m sorry man. Um…I.” He tried to apologize.

“Bill just don’t.” I said raising my hand to stop him from continuing. “You now that <I>little woman</I> I live with? She’s my wife. WIFE. I would never do anything like that to her. I’m going to be a father for Christ’s sake and you’re asking me to act like a teenager. What’s wrong with you?” I ventured a little calmer that before.

“Max, I’m sorry. That was way out of line. I didn’t mean to offend you or Liz. I just…how can you do it? Max you <I>are</I> a teenager.” He said with emphasis.

“Bill, it’s about maturity, not how old I am. Just because I’m nineteen, doesn’t mean I have to act it. I have no business going out with out my wife. We are a team. Where one of us goes, the other goes. What am I going to find in a bar? Trouble, that’s what. I may have the greatest respect for my wife, but those other people there don’t. It’s not going to stop some girl from coming up to me. I don’t want that. You guys are going to be there wanting that attention, I don’t, sorry man. It was just never for me.” I finished.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes, each of us lost in thought. We had never really gone down this road before. Our conversations had always been pretty light, sports and such, never anything that could be considered deep.

“Hey Max, man, sorry bout, you know. Listen, I’m gonna get going. Got to meet up with the guys.” He said as he got up and grabbed his bag from the floor.

We walked over to the door and stepped outside, a little breeze had picked up since we had been on the court. The afternoon was giving way to early evening; it was going to be a beautiful night.

“All right Bill, I’ll see ya at school, have a good time.” I said sincerely.

“Max, you’re real lucky you know that?” He said, his eyes looking slightly to my side.

I looked down and there she was. My Liz. Her stomach rounded with our children, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She is my everything. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to my side, her body molded itself completely to mine. At my first touch, the whole world expanded and I became warm from the inside of my soul. I always carry that part of her in me, but when we touch it doubles in the intensity. I smiled down at her, my wife and felt the world unfold before me all over again.

“I know, believe me, I know.” I replied without looking up, my eyes and mind captivated by the tiny beauty that holds every part of me in the palm of her hands.

I heard Bill chuckle slightly and utter his good-byes.

“See ya Bill.” I called out as he entered his car.

Arm in arm we turned and went back inside our home. We walked over to the couch and set down, I pulled her onto my lap and absentmindedly rubbed my hand along her swollen stomach. It was October now and Liz had started to really show over the last few months. We only had less that two months before the arrival of our twins, our gifts that we were both so afraid we might never be able to have.

“So, what ya doin to night?” She asked me from where she had her face buried in my neck, her voice was smooth and silky, just like the breath that played along my skin with each one she took.

She had heard the whole conversation.

“Anything as long as it’s with my family.” I answer her softly.

“Max, do I hold you back? Are there things that you would like to do?” Liz asked me as she sat up to look me in the eyes.

“Liz, they don’t understand. I have a family. You and the twins are what are important to me. I’m not missing out on anything. I am right where I’ve always wanted to be. What about you?” I ask a bit hesitantly.

“Max, I don’t want to be anywhere without you. I believe in all the things you said to Bill. Sure we do stuff with our friends but there are certain things that I just don’t want, if I ever did, anymore.” She placed a little kiss on my nose before pulling back a little to look deep into my eyes. “Besides, you’re the only one I want to hook up with.” She smiled seductively at me and fluttered her eyelashes.

“Mrs. Evans, are you hitting on me?” I asked her with mock seriousness.

“Well, that depends…” She trailed off as she looked slightly away from me; she had mastered the coy look so long ago.

“On…” I prompted as I snuggled in closer to her neck and placed little kisses along the sensitive skin begging to be tasted there.

“Am I going to get lucky with you if I am?” She asked me while her hand made its way down between our bodies to rub over my hardening excitement.

“Well, you’re going to have to work for it. I can’t have you thinking that I’m easy or something like that. I do want you to respect me in the morning.” I replied as my fingers began to dance down the front of her blouse, loosening the buttons that held the silky fabric in place that was blocking my hungry eyes from her ripening body.

Liz pulled back a little and pulled her blouse completely off. She unsnapped the clip at the front of her bra and pulled the lace cups away, letting her plump breasts fall free from the cups. Her nipples were already hardening as the cool air of the room caressed her skin, making me jealous that it was first to touch her.

“Well, I happen to know for a fact you are easy when it come to me Mister Evans, but that’s why I respect you.” She laughed sweetly as she descended towards my lips with hers.

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“All right everyone, pick a spot on the floor and get settled with your partner.” The instructor called out from the front of the room.

Liz and I looked around the room at all of the pregnant couples, husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, moms and daughters, all combinations you might be able to think of. We found a spot off to the side and settled down with our mat and pillow. I laid the mat on the floor and took Liz’s hands in mine and settled her gently to the floor. I sat behind her and let her rest her back against my chest.

Liz leaned back further into me and turned her head to look up into my eyes. Our eyes held and we just lost ourselves as we always do. I slipped my hands around her and drew lazy circles over the stretched fabric of her maternity top. She was so tiny; I still had such a hard time believing that she was going to be able to carry the twins. Liz said that she felt great, as a matter of fact; she had said that even though the twins were feeding from her, they gave her back energy. It was the most incredible thing, she looked so bright and vibrant, and she really, truly glowed.

I leaned down and captured her lips for what was supposed to be a simple kiss for support and love. But as soon as our lips touched, they clung together, having a mind of their own. Her lips parted slightly and her tongue swept against my lips, pushing between them and seeking its connection to my own. Languidly we kissed, our lips brushing gently yet passionately together.

The clearing of a throat brought us from our haze that we had settled into. We became aware of the entire room looking at us with a mixture of awe, jealously and happiness. Liz started to laugh as I ducked my head behind the curtain of her hair, my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

“Your names?” The instructor asked Liz.

“Um, Liz and Max Evans.” She said in a clear voice, her tucking a hair behind her ear was the only thing giving away that she was a little nervous.

“Nice to meet you.” She said with a kind smile. “Well class, as you can see, being pregnant does not mean that your partner wants you any less.” She said giving us a mischievous smirk. “In fact, some find it to be completely erotic to be intimate while they are pregnant. And no, unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you cannot hurt the baby. In fact, it is very healthy for the baby. Remember, a happy mom, means a happy baby.” She finished with a wink towards us.

I just shook my head and sighed, I just didn’t know how to control myself when it came to Liz. And no matter what happened, I still never seemed to learn my lesson.

“Well Max, that explains why the twins are doing summersaults all of the time.” She playfully quipped at me, smacking me lightly on the chest, the only problem was that she said it loud enough for the entire room to hear. Everyone erupted into laughter at her antics. Some of the woman gave their husbands a bit of a look that said, <I>you should be more like him</I>.

“All right class, I think we’ve embarrassed the Evans’ enough for today. Lets get to the task at hand. Welcome to Lamaze or Natural childbirth. Here you will learn the techniques to help you through the incredible experience of giving birth to your child. The goal is to have a completely safe and natural experience. Notice I said safe first. That’s the most important part. Some of you may not be able to go the natural method and that is perfectly okay, that’s just how it was meant to be. Remember safe is the most important, natural is only secondary to that.”

The instructor carried on for the next hour giving us some handouts and instructions on what to expect. She described the different stages of labor and what would be happening in each of them. It was truly amazing what my wife was going to be going through to give birth to our children. It gave me a whole new respect for her and for women. It really was a miracle, giving birth.

<center>*******************************************</center>

While Liz had been finishing up with the instructor, I had stepped outside and made reservations for us. As we were driving home, at least that’s what Liz thought, she told me about what she and the instructor had been discussing. Liz had wanted to know if there was anything special she needed to know since she was having twins. Much to her dismay she had only replied ‘a lot of energy.’

She had told Liz, not that she had not already read this with Isabelle in any one of the many books the two of them had poured through preparing for the births, that twins usually have a lower birth weight than single children. She had assured her that it was perfectly normal for this and that the births would be a little easier because of the smaller size. We both knew that no matter how you cut it, giving birth was not going to be easy at all, smaller baby or not, but the lady was only trying to help.

As we pulled up in front of the restaurant Liz looked over at me with a slight line of confusion across her forehead.

“Max?” She asked me as we pulled into the parking lot.

“Hmmm.” I replied a bit non-committal.

The line on Liz’s forehead deepened, she hated when I answered but didn’t answer. It usually got me in pretty deep trouble, but I had a plan and there was no way she was going to be upset about this, at least I hoped not.

“Max Evans, do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?” She asked, a slight tone of warning entering her voice.

“Liz Evans, is that where you want your loving husband to sleep tonight?” I threw right back at her.

I have to say; the look of utter shock that crossed her face at my unexpected retort was priceless. She had never expected me to take her on like that, most of the time I was too scared to. Tonight I wasn’t going to let her bully me into giving away anything. Hell, who am I kidding, I was scared shitless that she was going to have a fit that I was not telling her, but a guy has to try.

Before she could recover from her shock, I got out of the car and came around to her side and opened the door for her. I bent down and placed a kiss on her still, (thank god) shocked face and took her hand into mine. Giving her a gentle tug, I helped her out of the car and we walked silently through the door up to the maitre de.

“Yes sir, may I help you?” He asked sincerely.

“Evans? We have a reservation.” I said, sneaking a look over at my wife, a slow smile was starting to form on her lips.

“Yes sir, your table is ready, all has been arranged just as you asked.” He snapped his fingers and our server escorted us in.

We were seated in a nice secluded area, the lighting was low and the table was lit only by candlelight. I had asked for the most romantic spot in the place and they had not disappointed. Soft music wafted through the room, slow and sensual. I pulled out her chair and paused for her to be seated and helped her slide in. I looked down at her and paused. My senses filled with everything that was her, I became aware of everything.

I kneeled down on one knee next to her chair and took her hands in mine. I gazed deeply into her eyes, eyes that had shared so much with me, eyes that would see our children’s, children grow old, eyes that I would look into at the end of everyday and the beginning of every morning for eternity.

“I love you!” I whispered passionately to her, my lips closing on hers just as I finished my heartfelt declaration.

I made love to her mouth, slowly and thoroughly. We reacquainted our lips and tongues with each other’s over and over again. I was completely thirsty, never being sated, as I drank from her mouth. Her taste drove me beyond the limits of all that I have ever known. My fingers sifted restlessly through her hair, drawing her closer to me, molding her chest to mine. My other hand stroked her stomach, the temple that held our treasures, our futures.

Someone saying, “Why can’t you be more like that.” broke me out of my haze and brought me back. Liz looked over my shoulder at the woman who had made the remark to her husband, a slight blush covering her already rosy cheeks.

“Don’t be embarrassed sweetheart,” the lady assured her, “be proud of your husband, he is definitely a keeper. You are very lucky.” She finished wistfully and her and her slightly disgruntled husband left their table.

Liz caressed my face lovingly with her fingers; everywhere she touched little tingles of fire and passion stirred in their wake. Her eyes wandered my face, it seemed as if in some ways she was seeing me for the first time.

“Are you going to tell what all of this is for?” She asked me breathlessly.

“How long do you have?” I asked her, a slight glint marking my eye.

“Max….” She warned.

I moved over to my seat and took her hands in mine, running my fingers lightly over the back of hers.

“Liz, You mean the world to me. I don’t want there to be a day that goes by that I don’t tell you that.” I paused to look up at the ceiling, trying top find the words to say what was bursting inside of me. “You’re having our children, its such a miracle Liz. What you have to go through is just; I don’t know how to describe it. The most incredible thing is, is that you do all of these things for love.”

As I looked up from making my tiny speech I’m met with eyes bright with tears and a smile that could stop time.

“Max, I love you, our children, our life.” She said simply.

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“Maria, will you stop.” Liz said in exasperation

“Liz, now listen to me. I’ve been reading about this and its very interesting. They say that having your baby underwater…” Maria tried again.

“Enough!” Liz said tossing her hands in the air.

Maria looked over at me for help and I just shook my head. I was not getting in the middle of this one. Maria was on her own, and if she knew better she should quit now. Liz was only a few weeks from delivering the twins and she was in no mood for anything other than normalcy.

“Now Liz…” Maria started.

“Maria, I am not a fucking science experiment.” She cursed.

As mush as I tried I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped when she swore. You have to understand, Liz <I> Never</I> swears. Every time she does it just seems like the funniest thing. Most of the time I can tell when it’s coming so I don’t laugh but this time came right out of the blue.

Liz turned her sights on me and fixed me with a semi cold glare. The last thing I needed was an irate wife.

“Do you have something you wish to add?” She asked me severely.

“No, I just can’t believe Maria is suggesting this.” I said meaningfully.

Mission accomplished.

The focus is now back on Maria and, no, she is not pleased with me. But you know what, I don’t have to live with her.

What, I’m a king, not stupid! There is a time and place to point out the irrationalities of a situation to someone. At no time is almost twelve months pregnant a good time to do such a thing.

Michael looked over at me and smirked, he knew what the score was, he was going to get an earful about me from Maria later on but he just usually laughed it off and by the end Maria usually was laughing to. So what if they made fun of me as being a wimp, or scared of a little five foot two woman. All I have to say is that when Maria gets pregnant, and we all know she will, Michael is going to be laughing out of the other side of his ass.

“All right, everything has already been planned. We are not changing now. “ Isabelle affirmed, sliding a reassuring hand down Liz’s arm.

“I was just trying …”

“MARIA!” The whole group called at once.

Liz, me, Isabelle, Alex, Michael and Maria all just looked at each other. I decided I might as well try and smooth things over. I stood up and moved over to the kitchen table where the girls were sitting together.

“Cupcake?” I asked Liz as I picked up her favorite kind from the tray Maria had brought over for our little gathering.

I don’t know why, but the whole room thought that was the most hilarious thing they had ever heard. Then just to make it all the more funny, well at least for some. Liz smiled widely at me and took the cupcake from me. She took a bite and them proceeded to shove, yes you heard me right, shove. the remains of it into my face. All the while she had the biggest smile on her face.

“Max, I love you.” She said as she stood up and pulled my face to hers and kissed the concoction from my lips and cheeks.

“Okay, that’s our queue to leave. Have fun Betty Crocker.” Alex called over his shoulder as Isabelle shoved him towards to the door.

<center>*******************************************</center>

“Max, I’m as big as a house.” Liz whined from the bed.

“Honey, your beautiful.” I called to her from the bathroom as I finished brushing my teeth.

“Max, so I’m a beautiful big house?” She asked me, the voice that I had expected to be playful was on the verge of tears.

“Honey, no.” I tried to assure her.

“So I’m an ugly big house?” She called tearfully to me.

Oh god, what had I done. I wait till now, only a few weeks before the twins are to arrive to totally screw up my perfect record of dealing with her pregnancy hormones.

SHIT!

I moved quickly from the bathroom to her side of the bed and kneel down next to her. I pulled her into my arms and tried to sooth her worries.

“How can you stand to touch a big ugly house?” She moaned as she tried to push me away and turn into the covers of the bed to hide.

“Liz, you are not ugly. You are not a house. You are not big.” I say rapidly before she thinks I will leave something out. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever or will ever see in my entire life. I have loved you from the time I was little and I will love you until beyond this life. I think you are incredibly sexy pregnant if you really most know.” I said trying to give her a little smirk.

“So you didn’t think I was sexy before I was pregnant?” She sniffled.

I looked up at her face, incredulous, until I noticed a little smirk of her own. She’s back; my playful Liz is back and by the look in her eye, yep (Her hand just wandered down the front of my pajama bottoms and grabbed my, well, you know.) she’s definitely back.

“Liz there is never a time when you’re not sexy.” I say, very proud of myself, I might add.

Liz chuckled and gave my hardening flesh in her hands a rather firm and serious squeeze.

“You’re only saying that because I hold your life in my hands.” She giggled to me.

“Well, what ever are you going to do with my <I>life</I>?”

“Hmm.” She eyes me thoughtfully as she pulled me towards her by the very thing we are talking about. “I have a very creative imagination.” She said dreamily as she pulled my head down to hers with her free hand for the first of many kisses that night.

From Behind The Tree

Author: MoonieADT

Category: Max/ Liz

Rating: TEEN – ADULT

Disclaimer: Roswell, Max, Liz etc. don't belong to me. Just borrowing them with thanks.

Summary: Revisiting the life of Max and Liz as seen through Max’s eyes. Close the series but not quite. Aliens are still aliens and humans are humans. Enjoy

Authors Note: I have been viewing this board for almost a year now and have read many wonderful fics. They have inspired as well as saddened me at times, but that’s what they are suppose to do. Like just about everyone else I was saddened with what they did to the show and wanted to see it in a new way. This is my first FanFic. I would really appreciate feedback.

Chapter 19
All good Things…:

“Aggghhhhhhhhh” Liz cried out as another contraction ripped through her.

Liz had been in labor for almost ten hours. The contractions were coming about five to six minutes apart now. I felt terrible that she was experiencing this pain while I was helpless to do anything about it. Liz had insisted that we have the twins naturally; she wanted that bond that comes through the labor and the pain of bringing forth your children into the world.

I know I will probably sound like a fearful little boy, but I would not want to endure what she is going through right now. But even with her face contorted with the contractions, sweat dripping from her forehead; she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. At this moment I can’t help but fall more deeply in love with her, a love that I already though was bottomless and without end. Even through the pain, her eyes smile at me, the joy of being so close to holding our dear little babies in our arms giving her the strength she needs to keep going.

“Okay, I don’t want you to bare down yet. They’re not ready. You have to try and hold off for me okay?” Isabelle gently coached her.

Liz looked up with tired eyes and slowly nodded her head in understanding. I didn’t know how much more she was going to be able to take. I could tell from the look on her face that she wanted to push so badly, to bring our children into the world.

“Here sweetheart, here’s some ice chips, it’ll help.” I tried to offer encouragingly.

Liz looked deep into my eyes and smiled wearily, I could see all of the love she had for our family shining brightly in her deep doe colored irises. Then just as quickly as the smile appeared it was replaced with a grimace as another contraction approached.

“Max Evans, don’t you ever come near me with that cock of yours ever again, if you do I will bite the fucker off.” She said vehemently as she pushed her head back firmly into the pillow, the strain of the contraction finally leaving her face.

Liz lifted her head to where my now shaking hand was holding the cup of ice chips and took a couple of them into her mouth hungrily. She laid back contentedly, as the soothing coolness of the ice quenched her parched throat.

“Thank you sweetheart.” She smiled up at me, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

Now I have to admit, I had learned from reading and the Lamaze class that women oft say things terribly mean during delivery and have no recollection of it after the birth. I can completely understand how you could do that. You’re trying to force something the size of a football out of an opening that size of a lemon. That is definitely the makings for a very bad day. Its just witnessing it first hand that is completely terrifying. Not to mention that fact that in one breath she was cursing me and in the next she was calling me sweetheart. All I could do was stand there and shake my head.

Isabelle placed her hand over Liz’s abdomen and closed her eyes, I watched as she ran her fingers over the swollen and stretched flesh, her face turning sour with what she seemed to be finding. She pulled her hand away and looked at me with trepidation in her eyes. I could feel my heart sinking into my shoes with each passing moment. She turned her attention to Liz and took her hand.

“Liz, honey, the baby isn’t turning around like he should. I’m going to try and turn him okay? You’re going to feel some pressure on your tummy.” Isabelle said softly.

Liz looked at me with a little bit of fear in her eyes. She knew what was going on, she had read all of the same books that Isabelle had. She knew that the baby had to turn or it could get real dangerous for all three of them.

“Okay.” Was all she said as she gripped the sheet of the bed tightly in her fingers, her other hand fiercely clutching mine for support.

Isabelle began to move her hand over Liz’s stomach, trying to reposition the babies so that they were head first towards the birth canal. She had her eyes closed in concentration as she pushed tenderly on my wife’s abdomen.

“Max, I need to you to get me the portable stereo and place it at the foot of the bed. Put on something easy listening, soothing.” Isabelle said a bit distractedly, still massaging Liz’s stomach.

I didn’t question why, I just turned the little stereo we had in the bedroom on, one of Liz’s favorite CD’s was already queued in the changer and it started to play. I hurried back to Liz’s side and took her hand again in mine. She looked up at me, her eyes looking deep into my soul.

<I> * It’s going to be okay baby. * </I>I whispered into her mind.

I pushed as much love and confidence as I could through our connection to her. I wrapped her in a blanket of emotion that was warm and complete, everything I felt for her and our children.

The minutes passed like hours, when after ten minutes of no change, Isabelle stopped her attempts at shifting the baby’s position. She looked up at me and shook her head.

“It’s not working, I want to try one more thing. Max, I need some ice in a Ziplock bag. Wrap it in a towel and bring it here.” She said as she took Liz’s hand in hers and smiled comforting down at her.

“Liz, everything’s going to be okay. We’re gonna get this baby to turn around. He’s just being stubborn like his father. You alright?” She asked gently.

Liz nodded her head, “I’m okay, I just want to push so bad…”

“I know you do sweetie, just hold on…” Isabelle encouraged her.

Isabelle turned back to me as I was just standing there watching the moment play out between my sister and wife.

“Max. Ice. Now.” Isabelle stated in her perfect Ice Princess tone.

I knew that was my queue to high tail it out of there and get what I had been ordered to find. I rushed around the kitchen and filled the bags from the ice trays. I had no idea as to why I was doing this, but I trusted Isabelle. She had taken being our midwife very seriously and I knew that she had a purpose for what she was asking for.

I returned quickly to our bedroom and handed the bags and towels to my sister. She wrapped one of the ice bags with a towel.

“Liz, I’m going to place this on the top of your stomach, above the babies head. It may be a little cold. The baby isn’t going to like the cold so he should turn around and face the way he is supposed to.” She said as she lowered the wrapped bag to Liz’s skin.

Liz sucked in a quick breath as the cold hit her skin. She took a couple of deep breaths as the next contraction began to weave its way into existence. Time ticked slowly by, every second more like an enemy than a friend. After ten minutes the ice had not done the job of turning the baby any more than the music had. I watched helplessly as Isabelle pulled the towel from Liz’s stomach and tossed it aside.

“Max see if you can connect with the baby, try and show him what we need him to do. Remember, pictures not words.” She suggested swiftly.

I moved closer to Liz and placed my hand on her distended stomach and closed my eyes. I could feel the little ones reaching back to me but they were tired. I could feel them weakening so very slowly. There was no real danger yet, but in another hour the danger would be very real and life threatening. I sent image after image to our son, showing him what he needed to do. He grabbed at the images and eagerly absorbed the energy that came from me as I projected them to him, but it was no use. He still was too weak to completely turn.

Then I saw the reason why he couldn’t turn, why he was slowly weakening, dying before my minds eye. The cord had wrapped itself around his neck and was slowly choking him. The more he strained to do as I was requesting from him, the more he constricted the cord around his tiny throat. I pushed more images to him, showing to lay still and not fight, to go back to the position he had been in right next to his sister. I pushed a quick burst of energy to both of them and then slowly pulled back. I reassured them both that they would see their mommy and daddy soon.

“Max, what’s wrong?” Liz asked me, her voice rising a little in fear.

I realized that I had tears streaking down my cheeks at that moment. I had tried so hard to keep it under control but I wasn’t able to hide my emotions while I had been so deeply connected to our children.

“Are you ready to have our babies?” I said hoarsely to her.

Liz smiled and nodded her head with confidence. I could tell that she knew something was going on but she was putting her faith in me.

“Max, I believe in you. I love you.” She whispered and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

The next few minutes are still a blur and I’m not real sure how it all happened but we delivered two healthy babies, a boy and a girl. I know, I know, you’re wondering how. I’m not really sure myself but I’ll do my best to describe it to you.

Isabelle came up beside me and had readied the towels and suctions. I moved the gown that Liz was covered in, up over her tummy. With a swipe of my hand, I removed any bacteria from the area and numbed her abdomen. With a trembling hand, I slowly swiped across her and opened the skin, cauterizing the blood vessels as I went. Her skin and muscle folded back perfectly to reveal her womb and our two beautiful babies.

Gently I reached down and removed first one and then the other of our twins, holding them tenderly, but all to briefly in my arms. I handed each off in turn to Isabelle, who suctioned their noses and cleaned them up. As each child’s nose was cleared we were greeted with a tremendous cry from those tiny, fresh lungs. It was the sweetest sound any of us had ever heard, a fresh new voice singing its way into our hearts and permanently etching this moment in time. I severed the cords on each of our children, separating them from the womb that had been their home for the last year.

Quickly I concentrated back on my wondrous wife. I delivered the placenta and mended the tissue that I had parted to bring our children into this world. Slowly and carefully I knitted the tissue and muscle back together. I scanned her for any damage from the impromptu cesarean and with one final pass, cleaned her abdomen one last time.

Isabelle laid one child in each of Liz’s arms; they instinctively snuggled into their mother’s warmth and scent. I smiled mistily at the scene before me, knowing that I would never again see such an incredible sight as this one.

I had been so focused on my task, I hadn’t realized how much energy I had expended delivering the twins. I began to teeter backwards only to be caught by my sister. She helped to steady me and gently helped me to that chair that was right next to the bed. I sat and regained my strength while Liz cooed and whispered nonsense to the new arrivals.

“My love, are you okay?” Liz asked me worriedly, her love reaching out to me through our connection, stroking me and nourishing me.

I smiled happily to her and nodded my head. I could feel my strength rapidly returning, adrenaline was quickly taking over and refueling me.

I was a father!

My family had just doubled in size in the blink of an eye.

I raised my hand and gently brushed my fingers through the soft downy hair of our son. Tears streamed down my face as the wisp of tendrils touched my fingers. Liz’s tears rained with mine, our happiness was overflowing and spilled out into the room, the very essence of the air was electric with the feeling of family from the love we shared.

Our eyes met and we fell into the connection that was always ready to explode between us. This time there was something different; this time there were two new presences with us, sharing our joy and happiness, sharing our love. Our children frolicked and played within the cascades and shimmering colors of our souls, within the spaces that had once been empty within our hearts, the spaces that had been meant all along to be filled by these two special gifts.

“They’re beautiful Max. Liz, she looks just like you.” Isabelle exclaimed, her voice quivering slightly with the emotion of the moment.

They were mirror images of their parent’s, a miniature Liz and Max with just the perfect mix of the other to be shared between them. They were our creation; they were from a moment of pure and complete love, a love that we would forever be showing to each other. It was a love that we would never know the end of.

“Hey daddy, do you think you liked to hold one of your children?” Liz said playfully, breaking me out of the haze of emotion that we had all fallen into.

I smiled deeply at her and reached out to pick up our daughter. She gurgled softly as I nestled her safely into the crook of my arms. I placed a soft kiss on her pink forehead, breathing in the sweet smell of her newness.

“Hi sweetheart, welcome too the world. Mommy and daddy love you so much, you and your little brother. When you get big you have to thank your mommy, she was so brave and strong.” I said, my voice cracking with the weight of the moment.

I looked down at Liz in time to see her lowering the strap of her nightgown and exposing her full breast. The nipple was taunt and dripping with fresh milk. Our son had begun to whimper and was driving his face into Liz’s chest. He could smell the nourishment he was seeking but just couldn’t seem to find where it was. He was letting everyone know that he was getting very cranky about that. His eager mouth latched onto Liz’s hardened brown nipple and began to nurse contentedly. His lips made little smacking sounds as he drew the life giving fluid from my queen’s body. Almost as if in revolt, our daughter began to squirm a little herself and began to root around looking for her own source of food.

“Sorry pumpkin, I’m not equipped with what you need right now, but I’m sure your brother would be willing to share.” I said smiling down at her, Liz’s laughter softly broke the quiet of the room at my attempt at baby talk.

“So, don’t keep me inn suspense here, what are they’re names?” Isabelle whined in a very un-Isabelle type way.

Liz lovingly down at our son as he suckled, her love flowing in waves around everyone in the room.

“I would like you to meet Anthony Phillip Evans and Claudia Samantha Evans. Anthony, Claudia, this is your aunt Isabelle.” Liz cooed to the babies.

“Guys, I hate to interrupt the moment here, but you have a living room full of expectant friends and family. They are all probably out of their minds with worry by now.” Isabelle chuckled softly.

I moved over to Liz and sat down beside her on the bed. We traded children and let Claudia have her fill of what mom had to offer her. When she had finished and we got Liz clean up we both decided it was time to let the families come in.

As that day wore on, many tears were shed and words of love spoken. I’m not sure, but something appended that day. A wall that had always existed between some of us was finally torn away and we made the next step to becoming a family. For Liz and I, we had been in that place so long now we didn’t know any other way to be, but for the rest, they caught a glimpse of what they could have. That day marked the shift in both Isabelle’s and Alex’s relationship as well as Michael and Maria’s.

The end of the day found us all curled up together on our big bed, Mom, Dad, Son and Daughter. A family.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words. You all have brighten a part of my life. THANK YOU!!!!

Well, Here it is, The last chapter ......
Of course there will be a epilogue ....
I just have a little more to do an that part.

Again thanks for everything....

ALSO... I am working on other stories and hope to be posting the first chapter to one of them in the next couple of weeks. This new story will be a bit ofg a departure from what I usually write. I will also be trying a new style of writing to some extent. I hope it works out.

Well, enough from me...On with the show


From Behind The Tree:
Chapter 20
Christmas:

I had never really believed in God. Believed in the miracle of the birth of the Christ child, everything that Christmas was based upon. To me it had always been a holiday to give and receive gifts, that was until Liz had told me on a Christmas eve not all that long ago that I was going to be a father. I knew then, that something greater than all of us is out there, helping us on our way. Never pushing or shoving, never forcing or controlling, just whispering soft words of advice when we quiet our souls long enough to listen. I don’t know if that’s God or any other name you want to use, but it’s something beyond us. I give thanks everyday to that entity, that I have the life I have, that I have the love of my life to share it with and two of the most beautiful children I have ever seen.

This was our first Christmas together, our family. Liz was glowing with excitement as the decorations were hung up around the house. We saved the tree for last, I’m not sure why, it was something Liz had insisted upon and who was I to not want to give my wife anything she asked for.

“Max, I’m almost done here, we can start on the tree soon, okay?” Liz asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling from the soft glow of the candles that were lit around the room.

“Sure.” I said as I watched her bounce around the room with Anthony in her arms, the light sounds of Christmas songs playing in the background.

“Am I going to get a chance to dance with my girl too?” I asked her with a small smile playing at the corner of my lips.

“Max, I believe there is <I>one</I> of your girls who would very much like to dance with you, my partner here gets a little cranky when he doesn’t get his full turn.” Liz said with a light giggle as she twirled away from me.

She was right after all; Anthony was one to throw a slight fit when he wasn’t ready to be put down yet. A few soft words usually did the trick in quieting him but in this case Liz was right. I looked back behind me to where Claudia sat in her swing, softly cooing to herself and watching her mother and brother move gracefully around the room. Her eyes danced from one thing to the next, anything that caught her attention. Finally her eyes fell to mine and held, her tiny mouth turned up in a toothless grin and her little fist went to it, almost as if she was waiving me over to her. My heart swelled as I soaked her in, my baby, my girl. She was the perfection that Liz and I had created, she was our miracle.

As I slowly walked over, her smile grew larger with each step closer I took. I bent down to one knee and let my fingers sift through the soft downy hair that covered her head, chocolate, the same as her mothers. The fresh smell that only a child can produce filling my senses, that same distinct air that surrounded Liz but with just enough difference. Mother and daughter, one the stem and the other the petal.

“Would you like to dance little one?” I asked her softly.

Claudia gurgled and gripped my fingers with her own. Taking that as my answer, I un-strapped her and pulled her up to my chest. She snuggled herself right in close to me and gripped my shirt.

“See sweetheart, I told you she wanted to dance with her father.” Liz said as she swayed past me on another trip around the living room.

“Well, after these two, its our turn, okay?” I asked her from over Claudia’s shoulder.

“Honey, you know I always save my best for you.” She said with a wink and a seductive twirl of her hips.

“Liz, not in front of the kids.” I admonished her.

“Max, they’re only a few months old, I don’t think they’ll be scared from me flirting with their daddy. Besides, if you think I’m going to stop being affectionate to you in front of the kids you are out of your sweet alien mind.” The swat on my ass punctuated her statement.

With a shake of my head at my slightly whimsical wife, I started to move around the living room with Claudia.

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It took a long time for me to understand why this Christmas was harder than any other. The truth was that this was the first being a daddy and a mommy. I wanted it all to be perfect for Liz, for us.

She was an incredible mother. It was almost as if she knew what the children needed before they did. I have to admit I was still a bit dense sometimes but what I lacked in my wife’s mind reading skills I think I made up for in just the blind intensity of the love I felt for my family. Liz made it all seem so effortless, even though I know that it wasn’t. I would catch her in the off moment leaning on the wall catching her breath, or using her powers to smooth away the tiredness from her eyes (By the way, that was one thing that she did get her beautiful butt scolded for.).

So there I was in turmoil about what to get the love of my life for our first Christmas as parents. I wanted the gift that would say everything I felt for her, how much she meant to me, the wonderful gift that she had given us in our special children. That’s when it hit me.

<center>*******************************************</center>

I got up early Christmas day and snuck quietly out of our bed. Liz protested in her sleep, her hand softly reaching to find my body and pull it back close to hers. When she settled back into her sleep I made my way out of our room and gently closed our door. As I walked downstairs I couldn’t help but remember how much like a child she had been last night. Probing me about her gifts, what it was, what was this <I> mystery gift</I> that I had gotten. All I could do was smile that half smile she likes and just tend to the kids. She had jabbed me in the ribs announcing that I was no fun.

I got the gifts for Liz ready, especially the ones that had been the hardest to think of to make this perfect for her. It took a little time to prepare every thing but it was well worth it. This was for her, for me it was always for her and now our children.

*Max?* Liz questioned through our connection, so she wouldn’t wake the twins, from the top of the stairs.

I came to the foot of the stairs to look up at her, my angel. Her hair tousled, her cheeks still flush from sleep. She had never looked more beautiful.

“Yes sweetheart?”, I whispered back to her.

Liz started down the stairs as she asked, “Why didn’t you wake me when you got up?”

I just gave her a slight smile and said, “Well Santa Claus needs to work privately sometimes.”

By this time she had reached the bottom of the stairs and was staring up into my eyes, eyes that no matter how many times I looked into them I saw something new and beautiful.

“Santa Claus huh?”, she replied with smirk. “Did you feed the twins already?” she asked having checked their room and finding it empty.

“All taken care of. They’re in the living room waiting for mommy to open her presents.” Max teased her as he took her into his arms and kissed her good morning.

“Morning.” Liz mumbled against my lips.

“Morning.” I said placing another light kiss to her forehead.

Liz then started bouncing up and down like a little kid, rubbing her hands together. “Let’s go see what Santa brought.”

Hand in hand we walked into the living room, the smell of evergreen wafting softly towards us as we entered. It was still pretty early so the lights on the tree gave a dazzling glow to the room, warm and romantic. Liz stopped short at the sight she saw just in front of the tree. There, in their rocker seats, were the twins with little bows attached to their seats. In their laps they each had a little box wrapped simply, one in blue the other in pink. Between them was a larger box, about the size of a toaster, wrapped in sliver paper with a silver relief pattern all over it.

“Max, …Oh Max, what’s this?” She said, the emotion showing in her voice at the sight before her.

“Honey, you’ll just have to read the cards on the presents.” I gently prompted her as I lead her over to the tree.

We sat down together in front of the twins. Both of them were smiling and playing with the ribbons on the packages they held. Liz just took in the sight for a few moments. I knew how precious times like these were to her, for us.

“Liz, your presents aren’t going to open themselves.” I said nudging her with my shoulder.

She offered me a teary eyed look before reaching for the first present in our sons lap. He giggled as Liz’s fingers brushed his stomach as she took the package from its resting place. With a slight tremble to her fingers she opened the card and read it.

<I>Mommy,
Merry Christmas. Thank you for all you do, especially thank you for loving me like you do. I know you will be there to put band-aids on my boo boos and pick me up when I fall.
I love you.
Anthony
</I>

Liz put her hand to her mouth to cover the sob that I could tell was threatening to escape. She lowered her gaze to the package and removed the ribbon and took off the light blue wrapping paper, making sure not to rip it. She took the lid from the package and placed it upon the floor next to her where she had set the paper and ribbon. She looked over at me before removing the tissue paper covered gift from the small box. Slowly she unfolded the paper to reveal a crystal etched glass figurine of our baby boy, smiling and playing with one of his toys.

“Oh my god, Max. This is beautiful.”

Liz looked up at me and smiled, her face and eyes pouring out their love. I pulled her into a quick hug and then released her pointing to the other box in our daughters lap.

“You have another one. I don’t think Claudia wanted to be outdone by her baby brother.” I said, urging her towards her next present.

She removed the card and read this one, hers eyes expressing the deep emotions crashing through her as she read the words.

<I>Mommy,
Merry Christmas. I wish I could tell you how much I love you, to thank you for all you do for me. I can’t wait until we can play dress up and we can have quiet talks together.
I love you.
Claudia
</I>

“Max, it’s beautiful.” She said, her voice choked with emotion

I just smiled at her and wiped away the tears that were falling. I gently brushed my fingers against her cheek, feeling the wetness left there. When she had calmed a little she opened the box in her shaking hands. She unfolded the tissue paper covering her present. When the gift came into view, again she could not believe what greeted her. Another etched glass figurine of our daughter, with her hands raised wanting to be picked up.

“I don’t know what to say Max, They’re both so beautiful. I don’t ….”

“Honey,” I said as I placed a finger gently to her lips, “You don’t have to say anything, but you do have that bigger package on the floor to open yet.”

Liz looked at me with love in her eyes that I could almost not describe. It thrilled me and humbled me with its depth and all consuming feeling. She kept her gaze locked with mine for a few seconds more, our connection completely filled with the intensity of the moment.

Slowly she turned her attention to the larger package between our twins. Liz opened the card attached to the top. Her fingers traced lightly over the embossed cover as if she was trying to place it in her memory in every way possible, sight and touch, to absorb this moment forever.

<I>Liz,
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to put into words what you and our family mean to me. I never thought this would happen to me, having the life I dreamed of from the time I first saw you. I just thank every higher power that I was sent here and found my true love, my soul mate. It would be a lonely universe without you beside me. I love you for all that you do for me and for the twins. I am who I am today because of you.
Thank you my love,
Max
</I>

Liz turned to me, as the card fell from her hand. With tears fresh in her eyes she wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. Her petite body shook from the emotions coursing through her. The only sounds breaking the silence of the room were the twins softly speaking to each other in a language only known to them.

“Max…” She said in a emotion laden voice.

“Shhh.. I know.” I soothed her, “That’s how it will always be for me, for us.”

I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded my head towards her present from me.

“You still have to open it, remember?” I said with a small smile tugging the corners of my lips.

“Oh..” She said, a little embarrassed at having forgotten. “I guess I should do that huh?”

I just nodded my head as she reached for the present. Slowly Liz lifted the cover from the package. As it finally came loose the sides of the box fell away, leaving only tissue paper hiding the gift from my heart to her. With a deep breath and a quick glance towards me she pulled the paper loose. It fell to the floor as she gasped at the gift before her. It was again an etched glass figurine but this one was of all of us. Liz holding our daughter and I was holding our baby boy. It had been taken from one of Liz’s favorite photographs of our family when we had first brought the babies home.

“Max, it’s beautiful. I can’t tell how much this means to me.”

“Liz, you don’t have to, I can feel it.” I told her as I pulled her close. “I wanted to give you something that would try to show what was important to me, to us. That would mark a moment in time and freeze it for us forever.”

As the day went on, more gifts were unwrapped and emotion filled embraces and kisses were shared. It was a day that was marked permanently in our minds, with or without the presents. I had been so nervous with the gifts that I had chosen for her. I wanted it to be just right, perfect if possible. From what I felt from her all through out the day and the passion she showed me that night, I think I was as close as you can get.