Author: TJ
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a crappy car, and lots of shcool loans.
Summery: Liz and Michael find out just who their true friends are.
Rating: (MATURE) Just to be safe
AN: Okay I know what you thinking, but this one is finished.
I am going to post the first two chapters if you like I will post the rest. Also it is told in Michaels POV.Chapter One
I was once asked if had ever thought of the consequences of our actions. If we had thought of the pain we would our thoughts. When we were with them we pretended to just be friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. But in the end I didn’t care who knew. I didn’t care about anything, but her. That’s not to say that I didn’t care what the others were feeling, because I did. However, what she was to me was more important than anything. When I looked at her I would always call her ‘my beautiful baby girl.’ It never failed to make her laugh.
I remember the day the others discovered. I remember like it was yesterday. Every detail, right down to what she was wearing when she came to me. The Crashdown had closed for the night. Maria and I were closing. She had the night off. She told me that she was going to be upstairs, waiting until the others showed up. We were to have movie night at my place that night. Things didn’t end that way though.
Maria and I had just finished our closing duties; I had decided to wait in the kitchen for her, while Maria went out to join the others in the restaurant. “No way girlfriend,” I heard Maria say as she walked towards them. “You boys chose the movie last time. This time the ladies choose.”
I didn’t bother listening to what Max had said in return because at that moment she appeared. She was wearing the sundress that always drove me crazy. It was the same one she wore the first time we had ever made love. I could not help but let my eyes wonder over her as I thought of the things I wanted to do at that moment. One of those thoughts consisted of dragging her upstairs and having my way with her. As I brought my eyes back up to her I noticed for the first time that her eyes were red and puffy as if she had been crying. “Liz, what’s wrong?” I remember asking as I ran to her side.
She didn’t answer, she just handed me something that she had been holding the entire time. “I’m sorry Michael.” She said as I took the object. Looking down, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was a pregnancy test. A positive pregnancy test. My beautiful baby girl was pregnant. I was going to be a father. I didn’t think. I pulled her to me hugging her tightly. I surprised her I know that. She confirmed it when she asked if I was upset. I wasn’t upset, I had told her. I was thrilled. I was going to be a father. The woman I loved more than anything was going to be the mother of my child.
“Michael?” Reality had just come walking in through the kitchen door. Turning I saw the faces of the six of my friends. The ones I considered to be family. I can remember their faces clearly. Max’s face was a deep red. I knew he would be angry. There was never any doubt in my mind about that. Isabel and Alex were shocked. Kyle and Tess, now they surprised me. They were smiling, happy for us. Maria however just stood there, not wanting to believe what she had just heard. “What’s going on Michael?” She asked coming further in to the room. “Because I could of sworn that you just said you were going to be a father. I mean I know that the three of us are not pregnant.” She said pointing to Isabel, Tess and herself. “So that would leave Liz, but that would be crazy, she’s with Max and she would never do that. She would never betray a friend or cheat on her boyfriend.”
“Maria…” Liz whispered from my side. “Nothing I say can make up for this.”
“How could you Liz? You knew I wanted him back.” Maria said. Next thing I knew Maria stormed up to her and slapped her. Liz said nothing after that. She just turned into me and started to cry once more.
I watched as Maria turned and walked out the back door. Turning back I waited for the next round. It never came though. I was shocked to say the least. Max just stood there staring at us, then just turned and followed behind Maria. “How could you do this to them?” Isabel had asked. “How could you both betray them? I could see this coming from Michael, but you Liz. You swore to me you would never hurt him.” I remember feeling total disbelief that the one I considered my sister, had felt this way about me.
“How dare you speak of him like that.” Liz had said as she stepped away from me. I had seen that look before. “You claim that you love him.” She said as she advanced on Isabel. “You claim he is your brother, and no matter what you will be by his side. But it was all a lie.”
“Wait a min…” Isabel had try to say.
“SHUT UP!” Liz screamed as she came face to face with her. “I’m not through. You are nothing but a selfish bitch. If I ever, ever hear you say one more thing like that to Michael again I don’t give a shit about who are what you are. I will hunt you down and make you regret ever hatching on this planet. Are we clear?”
I stood there stunned as Isabel nodded her head then turned and left. “Any thing you like to say Alex.” She had asked as she turned to her best friend. No matter how much she tried to hide it I could still hear the pain she was feeling. She knew that she had just lost one best friend. And she was about to lose another.
“No Liz. I have nothing to say. I’m sorry though. I’m sorry I can’t be here for you.”
“Go Alex. Just get out.” She told him shaking her head. I didn’t watch this time as one more friend turned their back on us. “What did we expect?” She asked as I came and pulled her to me. “It’s okay, baby girl, you still have me.” I had told her as I kissed her forehead.
I remember looking at Kyle and Tess, waiting for what they had to say. Where they going to turn on us as well? But they didn’t. In fact, I watched in complete surprise as Kyle and Tess informed us that they would be there for us. Tess even told her that if she needed anything to give her a call and she would be there. After that Kyle had taken Tess’s by the hand and led her out of the restaurant.
“Well that went better then I thought.” I said as I led her upstairs.
“Better?” She asked me pausing at her door. “How could that have been better?”
“Well first of all I expected Max to kill me.” I said giving her my famous smirk.
“Don’t worry Michael,” She told me as we walked into her room. “Just wait till we tell my parents.”
I didn’t have to ask what she had meant by that. I knew Mr. Parker was a man to fear when it came to his little girl.
She had been right too. As always. We had told her parents the next day. We had no choice. By the time we reached school the next morning the rumor mill was in the works. I was no fool. I knew exactly who had started it. Maria and Isabel. Those two can be a total bitch alone, but put them in the same room together and you might as well pray for their victim. In this case their victim was Liz.
The moment we had stepped off the bike Kyle and Tess came running to us. They informed us that everyone knew what was going on. The three of us had insisted on taking her home, but she refused. The way she looked at it was they were going to find out sooner or later. So she might as well face the firing squad. By third period neither Liz nor I were able to walk into a room with out all conversation stopping. The class would just sit and stare waiting to see what one us would say. Having the reputation that I did, all I had to do was glare and they would look away. Liz though would just sit and stare at the board taking notes. She refused to let them get to her.
Fifth period was when it all went down hill. Liz and I had been called to the principal’s office. I should have known that the teachers would hear the rumors. As we were both led into the room there sitting in a chair was Mrs. Parker. Standing behind her was Mr. Parker. The first words out of Mr. Parker’s mouth were to ask if it was true. Was Liz pregnant? When he watched as she stepped closer to me, he knew the answer. Nothing was said after that, to us at least. We were informed that we were able to go home early. This was something that needed to be discussed in the privacy of our home, Mr. Parker had said. Unfortunately for me Mr. Ramsey had agreed.
I followed The Parkers to their Black Explorer Pickup, where to my surprise I find my bike had already been placed in the back. I knew why though. It was to guarantee I would not leave town. The ride home was tense. No one said a word. Liz and I sat in the back, her leaning into me. Every few minutes I would watch as Mr. Parker would look in the rear view mirror ready to speak, and then he would shake his head and look away.
When we had reached the Parker apartment we were ushered to the living room. I watched as Mrs. Parker sat in the chair facing the couch we were on. Mr. Parker once again standing behind her. This time he was pacing back and forth. We just sat there listening as he informed us how disappointed he was in us. He had said that we were just children ourselves. How did we expect to raise a child of our own, he had asked. I didn’t know what to say. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. Because I was. I was scared shitless. I told him this. Then looking at Liz, I informed him, that I did not regret one thing. I informed him that I loved her and I loved our baby, I told him I would be there every step of the way, for the both of them. I then surprised him when I stood and looked him straight in the eye and told him that I would not let this ruin her life. I would do everything in my power to guarantee that she graduated and went to college to complete her dreams.
“Don’t ask me to get rid of my child,” She had said coming to stand by me. “Because I won’t.” she said kneeling in front of her mother, “I love Michael mom. I love him, like you love daddy. I know you are disappointed in me, and that is my only regret. What you both think of me means a lot. I hate that this is how you feel right now. But no matter what if you force me to do something like giving up something that is both me, and Michael I will never forgive you. Most importantly I will walk out that door right now and never look back. But I don’t want to do that. I want my child to know his or her grandparents. I want my child to know how much love they have for each other.” She said coming back to me. “Please mommy,” she said as tears ran down her cheeks, “I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I’m asking for you to be there for me, for us.”
Next thing I knew I was being pulled into a hug that not only consisted of Liz and I, but Mrs. Parker as well. Over her shoulder I stared at Mr. Parker waiting to see his reaction to all this. I watched as he walked towards us with a purpose. I could not help but pull away from Mrs. Parker. I even tensed my self, waiting for what ever he had to say to me. Imagine my surprise when he informed me that they would help us every step of the way.
Chapter Two
Kyle and Tess were true to their word and stood by our side every step of the way. The others never spoke to us. Any time Max would see us, he would turn the other way. Maria had quite working at the Crashdown, claiming that she could not stand the sight of us. Yet it did not stop the four of them from coming in on nights Liz and I were working. Isabel and Maria seemed to take great pleasure in making Liz’s life hell.
Tess had taken Maria’s spot at the Crashdown to help lessen Liz’s work since she insisted on working even though she was eight months pregnant. Despite that, things were going great for us. Liz and I had connected with the baby and discovered that there were in fact two babies, one boy and one girl, both healthy.
I remember the night when she finely agreed not to work any more. Kyle and I had come in to visit our girls since we knew they were completely dead. Jose was in the back shutting down early, when all of sudden the bell above the door rang signaling new customers. Looking up we saw Max, Maria, Isabel and Alex walking in, and heading straight for Liz’s section. Tess seeing the look of dread on Liz’s face had offered to take it. But being the stubborn person Liz is insisted she would take it.
As soon as she reached the table Maria and Isabel started in on her. Making her run back and forth. The entire time laughing at her, while Max and Alex just sat talking, ignoring every thing. Max’s attitude did not surprise me; he could be an ass when he wanted to. But Alex, what Alex was doing was shocking me. Liz and he had been best friends longer then Maria and her. I never thought he would do this to her.
On the third trip from the table to the soda machine I heard a crash followed by laughter, from Maria and Isabel. However when I looked up, everything seemed to stop. “LIZ!” I heard Kyle and Tess scream, jumping up. I don’t even remember getting up. But I was the first one to reach her. Liz was on the floor holding her stomach. “It hurts Michael.” She whimpered before passing out.
“Liz?” I heard someone say from behind me. I knew it was Maria.
“Get the fuck away from her.” I heard Tess say as I picked Liz up and carried upstairs. I didn’t bother staying around to listen to what they had to say. Once I reached the door to the apartment I stood there trying to open it when Kyle stepped around me and open it for me. I didn’t even know he was there.
As soon as we walked in Mr. Parker was by my side demanding to know what in the hell was going on. “Nancy, call 911!” I heard him yell. “No you can’t do that.” Tess said as she came into the room.
“Why the hell can’t I?” He demanded to know.
“I promise you, Mr. Parker. Just wait. If you call 911 you will be putting, not just Liz, but Michael and the babies life’s in danger as well.”
“What? What the hell are you talking about Kyle?” He asked.
“Daddy.” Liz whispered as she started to come around. “Please. I’m fine.”
“You are not fine, Liz.” He said as he came up beside me. “Sweetie you passed out down stairs. I think we should have your doctor look at you.”
“I haven’t been to one.” Liz told them as she looked at me.
“Why the hell don’t you have one?” Mrs. Parker demanded to know. “You told me that you had chosen your own doctor!”
“Because of me.” I whispered standing up to look at her parents. “Because of what I am.”
“Because of what we are.” Tess said taking my hand. Looking at me she continues to tell them what I could not. What I feared to tell them.
The entire time I stood there. I was afraid they would tell me to leave. Call me a monster. But it never came. Mrs. Parker suddenly pulled me in to her. I could not believer it. She was excepting of me. Mr. Parker told me that he always knew there was something special about us, and now he was honored to know just what it was.
“Can you find out what’s wrong with Liz?” Mr. Parker asked
“I’ve already connected with her downstairs.” Looking at Liz I said. “No matter what you say you are done working until the twins are born. You are wearing yourself out, Liz.”
“Okay Michael.”
“I mean it. Don’t do that to me again baby girl.” I said as I lay down next to her.
“Don’t worry.” Mrs. Parker said, “I’ll make sure she does nothing strenuous when you are not around.”
“Thank you.” I say as Mr. Parker leads the others out of the room so we could be alone.
The next day at school word had spread about Liz collapsing in the Crashdown. It seems that Pam and her lackeys had decided to pay us a visit as well, at the request of Maria and Isabel, just as everything happened. Since Liz and her parents felt it would be better if she were tutored at home until the twins were born rumors instantly started that Liz had lost the babies. I personally did not care what they said. All I cared about was her and our children.
“Michael?” I didn’t need to turn to see who it was I knew that the four of them were there watching long before Maria said something.
“I have nothing to say to you.” I told them as I closed my locker and preceded to walk to the quad were I was to meet Tess and Kyle. I should have known it would not be that easy to get away from them. No matter how fast I walked the four of them seem to keep pace.
“We just want to know how Liz is.” Maria said.
“Why do you care?” Tess asked as Kyle and her met up with me at the doors leading outside.
“She’s Alex and Maria’s best friend. They have a right to know. We all do.” Isabel said.
“This coming from the bitch who tried to make her life hell the past eight months.” Kyle said with a slight laugh. “You know what your problem is. None of you care how she is. All you care about is clearing your conscience, because you know last night never would have happened if you didn’t come in to the Crashdown.” I could not believe Kyle was saying this, he knew the real reason Liz had collapsed, but at the same time I understood him. These people were supposed to be our friends. Yeah what Liz and I did to Max and Maria was wrong. I will never deny that, yet at the same time, when I needed Iz the most she left me. And the same with Alex and Liz.
“That’s not true.” Alex said. “I still consider her my friend.”
“Some friend you are.” Kyle responded.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Max asked speaking up for the first time.
“Think about it Maxwell. Eight months ago Liz and Tess hated each other. Now those two are inseparable. You all claim to be our friends despite what happened. Yet you made damn sure to put us through hell. You know I understand, I really do. You had to take your brothers side. Any sister would have. But you Alex, you I am greatly disappointed in. For as long as I can remember I envied you. You and Liz were so close long before Maria ever showed up. Yet instead of helping her, you stood by and watched knowing it was killing her. I tell you man,” I said shaking my head softly. “I no longer envy you. I feel pity for you.
Max, Maria, I know what Liz and I did to the two of you was wrong. Instead of telling you the truth as to how we felt, we lied and we cheated on you. I will fully admit it. We tried telling ourselves that we were doing it for the group. We didn’t want to break up the group. The real reason was we were scared to lose you. But I will tell you this. No matter what we did, no matter how wrong it was. I don’t regret. I will never regret it. Because if I did, it would mean that I was regretting my son and daughter. Maria I did love, but it was more sisterly than anything. When it comes to Liz, she is my everything; she is the best thing ever to come into my life. And right now, my biggest fear is no longer loosing the ones I consider part of my family. It’s I am going to loose Liz and our children. So just do us all a favor and turn around go do whatever it is you do without us.”
“Michael…” Iz said reaching her hand out to me.
“Save it Iz. You have nothing to say that I want to hear.”
Suddenly I could feel fear coming off Liz in waves, however before I could say anything Tess’s cell phone start to ring. As I watched her look to see who the caller was, I knew, it was the Parkers.
“Hey Mrs. Parker what’s up is everything okay?” I could hear Liz’s mom, but could not make out what was being said. “We’re on our way.” She said then hung up.
“What’s going on?” Kyle asked. I already knew though.
“Liz is in labor.” I answered.
“How do you know?” Max asked.
“I just do. Something wrong.” I said looking at Kyle and Tess.
“I’ll drive.” Kyle said already reaching for his keys.
“Let me come Michael,” Max said following us. “We both know if something is wrong I could help.”
As much as I wanted to tell him where he could go I knew he was right. After all he was the healer amongst us. “Fine lets go.” I said running to Kyle’s car.
So should I post the rest?