Fate?, The Sequel
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay guys, a really dear friend of mine brought it to my attention that I'm spending time editing this old piece when I should be progressing with my many other projects. That being the case, I have decided to post the remainder of this story unedited! God forbid, but I'm going to.
Please keep in mind that I wrote this several years ago and with the intent for it to be purely fun fan fiction that would only be shared with a post board I'd joined dedicated to the TV show, Roswell. I never intended (at least at that point) to seek out a professional writing career. I hope that the story is as fun to read for you as it was for me to write. Enjoy!
ANOTHER NOTE: I do not own any rights to the characters or songs used herein! Just the story idea. :-)
Chapters:
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 |
Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 |
Chapter 9 |
Chapter 10 |
Liz sat alone on a large 747. It was the newly designed model which had been updated to have more seats across. That should be a comfort, she thought absently. Why wasn't it?
She sat on the left side of the plane near the wing with two empty seats to the right of her. She realized it had been awhile since she had returned to Roswell. She had only been home three times in the past two years. The other passengers have got to start boarding soon, she thought to herself. She had boarded when they had called for those with handicaps or children to board. Being alone left her time to ponder the flight. Just as the past times, she always thought of Max when boarding a plane. Why couldn't she forget him? Oh, yeah, now I remember. She thought sarcastically to herself.
Liz let her mind wonder to just two years ago when she and Max had left for Paris. They had the time of their lives. She had given her presentation on microbiology and he (although he told her he wasn't going to be able to make it because of orientation for his presentation) had simply snuck into the back of the crowded room. When their eyes met toward the end of her speech, he made her melt. She almost forgot what she was saying. He could always do that to her. When she caught a glimpse of those soulful eyes, she could easily get lost and forget what she was saying. After the presentation was over, she remembers going back to her room to find dozens of red, white and pink roses all over the room. They were from people who had admired her work but she had immediately thought of Max. Later that night he had decided to check in with her and tell what a great job she had done. When she opened the door he had forgotten why he was there. She remembers his face as she opened the door in her silk night shirt. She hadn't thought it was him, she had thought it was her ice cream she ordered from room service. She had been preparing to take her ritual Friday night bath and had candles lit all over the room. The mix of the sweet smell of the roses and the light scent of the vanilla aroma therapy candles were what had set the mood. As he entered he hadn't been able to look away from her eyes. She now realized that was for fear of letting himself forget his purpose.
That night was when he decided to finish their conversation they began in Roswell the night she had been shot by Kyle. She hadn't pushed him for a reason why he was able to heal her then. She knew when he was ready, he would tell her. They had spent most of their first week in Paris together doing all kinds of romantic thing as 'just friends' and apparently it was getting to him. He couldn't take not being able to touch her when she was that close to him. He had simply asked her not to say anything until after he had finished what he needed to tell her. He began pacing and asked her to sit down on the bed. When he finally realized he was beginning to scare her, he quickly told her he was 'not of this earth'. Since she had expected something like this she just told him it was okay. That had done it. The barrier between allowing her to choose whether or not to be with him was now broken. There was no reason they couldn't be together. Liz had found that the hotel's television picked up American music and Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy began playing. As soon as the words began "All the fear has left me now. I'm not frightened anymore. It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh. It's my mouth that pushes out this breath and if I shed a tear I won't cage it. I won't fear love and if I feel a rage I won't deny it. I won't fear love." it was immediate. Liz and Max were in a very passionate embrace. Something they had both dreamed of for so long. It wasn't long until they had undressed one another and were laying down when Max had said the most comforting words. He knew that this was her first time and it was his too. Neither had time for relationships with other people, little on wanted one and so this was what they had waited so long for. Max looked into her eyes and simply asked "Are you really sure?" His honesty, sweetness and concern had all made her shed a tear before quickly agreeing.
Then after spending the next week together being close friends, getting to know each other more and being ... lovers, he had realized that she didn't understand (or so he thought) about the dangers of being with him. He had always hidden who he was. He hadn't let anyone in (with the exception of his sister and best friend). It scared him how calm she was about everything. If anyone ever found out about him, it was over. Anyone who was around him, everyone he cared so much about would be destroyed. He knew that if the wrong people knew about him interrogation, dissection, and death was inevitable. He had to protect her....even if that meant he had to hurt her now. So, trying to make it sound as though she wouldn't understand the dangers or accept them, he had decided for both of them that it had to end. He told her how much he loved her; how this time in Paris was what he could have only dreamed about; how being with her made him feel as though nothing else mattered; how she meant the world to him; how he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her; and finally how they couldn't be together any more. He had left her crying in the hotel room. She had to fly back alone and hadn't seen or heard from him in way over two years.
As the other passengers began to board, Liz was snapped back to reality. As Michael and Maria passed her, they motioned and said their seats were towards the back if she needed them. Liz just smiled and nodded. She turned to stare out the window and was quickly lost back in her thoughts.
As the outer door of the plane was shut Liz leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She felt someone staring at her and could sense that someone had stopped in the aisle next to her seat. She opened her eyes and just stared at the figure who was also staring at her with intensity.
"Liz." Max said as he looked down at her as though he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Max." Liz said with no expression on her face but inside she was jumpy. What was he doing here? On this plane? Standing next to my seat? It couldn't be. Liz thought to herself.
"It looks like fate has put us together again." Max said as he pushed his bag into the overhead compartment.
"Fate, yeah." Liz said as she turned towards the window. As Max began to sit down next to her she quickly turned and blurted out "Oh, that seat is taken." Max looked at her with surprise and sat down in the seat next to the aisle. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that so rude like, but Sam will be back soon." Liz said as she turned to look out the window again.
She can't even look at me. She still hates me. If she could only realize that it was for her safety that I had to walk away. Then it hit him. She had said Sam? as if it was someone who was with her. Husband? Boyfriend? Max quickly glanced at her hands and found no wedding ring. It must be her boyfriend. He thought to himself before taking in a deep breath and trying to hold down the knot that was building in his throat. He couldn't breath. She had moved on. He hadn't. How could she just throw away her feelings and move on? Wait. That's not fair. I should be happy that she was able to put aside all of our feeling for each other and move on to someone who she would bring home to Roswell with her. He thought to himself as he just lightly shut his eyes trying to take it all in.
Chapter 2"Mommy!" Sam shouted as the stewardess returned her to her seat.
"Hey baby!" Liz said and just smiled as she stood taking a hold of her tiny daughter. Sam was built like Liz. She was small boned and didn't appear to have any of her baby fat left. "Did you have fun?" Liz asked.
"Yes, lots." Sam replied.
"Did you thank the nice lady for allowing you to see the cockpit?" Liz asked.
"No. I forgot." Sam said as she turned to the stewardess who was still standing with a smile on her face. "Thank you. I truly appreciate your hospitality." Sam said as she gave the stewardess a very pretty, heartfelt smile.
"Your very welcome. I hope you enjoy your flight." The stewardess replied as she turned to walk away but then turned back to Liz. "I just have to ask. How old is she?" Liz quickly looked at Max who was staring at all of them with a puzzled, startled look on his face. Then she swallowed hard and said "Two."
"Really. That is what she told me but she is extremely intelligent for her age." the stewardess blurted out with a surprised look on her face.
"Yeah. She apparently takes that after her father." Liz replied. The stewardess left.
"Mommy, the nice lady said that she would check with the captain and would come back and get me if it is okay that I go up there while we are in-flight." Sam just smiled with excitement.
"You know you probably shouldn't bother them while they are concentrating on keeping us airborne." Liz said as she laughed a little at her daughter. She knew that Sam would be asking the pilots all the questions that she could come up with.
"Liz?" Max said as he looked at her buckling up Sam.
"Max, not now." Liz said sharply without looking at him.
~~~~~~~
Soon they were airborne. Sam asked to unbuckle herself and Liz had agreed. Then Sam turned to her and said "Can I go sit with Aunt Maria?"
"Do you remember where they are sitting?" Liz said as she looked intently at her two year old.
"Yes." Sam simply replied.
As Liz began to stand up and lift her daughter out of her seat when she realized that she hadn't introduced Max. Should she? She thought to herself. Then agreed that it couldn't really hurt. "Honey, before you go, I want you to meet Max, Max Evans." Liz said as she turned her daughter towards Max.
"Hello, Mr. Evans." Sam said politely. Max just nodded and said with his voice cracking "Hello, Sam."
Liz lifted Sam over Max and stood her in the aisle. "Go straight to them. Do not investigate anything strange or talk to anyone other than the stewardess. OKAY?" Liz asked with a serious face. "Yes ma'am. Do you want me to come back in any certain amount of time?" Sam asked in her best 'I'll be good' voice. "No. If you need me, you know where I am." Liz said as she turned putting her knee in her seat to watch her daughter go to the back of the plane where Maria and Michael sat. When Maria stood up acknowledging that Sam had made it back to them Liz turned and sat down.
"Liz?" Max asked looking intently at her.
Liz just turned to face him.
"I didn't know." Max said with a half shocked look on his face.
Did he know she was his? How could he? She could have slept with someone else after him. Liz thought to herself. She wanted to know more about what he was thinking so she simply asked "Know what?"
"That you had had a child. I mean, we do have mutual friends but they didn't tell me."
"That's because I asked them not to." Liz said as she turned toward the window.
"Why? I wouldn't think less of you knowing you had a child." Max said as he thought of how that must have sounded like she needed his approval.
"WHAT?" Liz said a little louder than she meant to. "I can't do this. I just can't do this." Liz said as she stood up sliding by Max heading toward the back of the plane.
As she reached Michael and Maria she blurted out "Will you go sit with him?" to Michael. "Who?" Michael said with a confused look on his face. "Max." Liz said realizing they didn't know that Max had been sitting with her. "Max? What is Max doing on this plane and sitting with you?" Michael said still with a really confused look on his face.
"Fate. He thinks its fate." Liz said with a little annoyance in her voice. Then she turned seeing Sam in Maria's lap and just started crying. "Sure." Michael said as he glanced at Maria who just gave a slight nod of approval.
"Oh, Liz. It's going to be okay." Maria said as she shifted Sam on her lap so that she could put her arm around Liz.
"Mommy? Why are you crying? Did that man do this to you?" Sam said with an intense look of anger on her face.
Liz looked at Sam and realized she didn't want her to hate Max. "No honey. I'm just really happy about going home. It has been a while." Liz hoped Sam couldn't tell she was half-lying.
Just as Liz had finished speaking the stewardess came to see if Sam still wanted to go to the cockpit again. She stopped in front of Liz and Maria and Sam. "Playing musical chairs, huh?"
"Oh, Sorry. I just had to talk to my friend." Liz said hoping the stewardess wouldn't make her go back to her seat. "It's okay. I just wanted to see if Sam still wanted to go to the cockpit again. The pilots agreed that it would be fine for her to." The stewardess then reached out her hands to pick up Sam as Liz replied "She sure does."
"But Mommy are you going to be okay?" Sam asked concerned. "Yes, sweety. Mommy is fine. You go have fun but don't disturb them to much. OKAY?" Liz smiled the best she could with tears still in her eyes. "Okay. I'll see you later." Sam smiled back.
"Maxwell?" Michael said as he reached Liz's seat. "Michael?" Max said surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Maria and I are heading back to Roswell for a visit. You?" Michael looked at his friend with a hint of concern.
"Isabelle asked me to come home. I hadn't been back since we...I left for Paris." Max replied as he looked down.
"You okay?" Michael said.
"Yeah. It's just. Why didn't you tell me that Liz had a child? I mean, you knew from our last conversation that I was planning on finding her soon and trying to make her forgive me for what I had done to her in Paris." Max turned questioning his friend.
"She asked me not to Max. I wasn't going to break that promise. She keeps my ... our secret and I wasn't going to make her question that. Besides, she is Maria's best friend and Maria would definitely kill me. You don't know what is like being married to her?" Michael said with a big grin.
"Married?" Max said with a shocked and a hint of hurt in his voice.
"Oh, man. I'm sorry. I should have told you. We've just been married a few months. We had been living together for about a year when we decided it was time to make it official. It was a small ceremony with just me, her, Liz and Sam. I should have called but it has just been so hectic until now." Michael said hoping he could make amends with his best friend.
"Izzy know?" Max asked wondering how she had/would take it.
"Yeah. I told her when she called begging us to come in." Michael said with a slight grin.
"She begged you, too? I wonder what she is up to?" Max asked.
~~~~~~~
As the stewardess carried her back through the aisle past Max and Michael, Sam turned back to stare directly at Max. Max could see the hurt and anger in her eyes as she passed.
"I see you've just made her mad for the first time." Michael said smiling at Sam as she passed.
"Uncle Michael, be careful he might hurt you too." Sam yelled back at Michael.
"It's okay, honey." Michael replied.
"Uncle Michael?" Max said as he looked at Michael.
"Yeah. Lizzy wanted her to have some family around and she didn't understand exactly so we just decided that Aunt Maria and Uncle Michael would be her family." Michael nodded at Max.
"I still can't believe it. I was planning on trying to convince Liz that I was wrong about us being together." Max said with a sigh.
"So, why can't you still do that?" Michael asked.
"Well, what if she is still in love with or involved with Sam's father?" Max asked.
"I'd say you had it on the first try." Michael said looking at Max with wonder.
"You mean she still is in love with him?" Max asked with a great deal of hurt in his voice and eyes.
"I think so." Michael said.
"Great. I'm too late." Max said with a sigh.
"What? Where is the Max I used to know? The smart one? You haven't figured it out yet, have you Max?" Michael said wondering if he could break the news to him without actually saying it. Liz would kill him if he just blurted out Your Sam's father!
"What am I supposed to figure out Michael? How would I know who her father is? I haven't seen Liz since over two years ago in Paris." Max asked as it apparently dawned on him. Two years ago. Sam's two. No, it couldn't be they had used protection each time. They were very careful.
"It can't be. We were careful. We used protection every time, Michael." Max said almost trying to convince himself.
"Look. I can't believe you can't just tell by looking at Sam. She is the best of you and Liz. She has your eyes, Liz's hair, our powers." Michael said coming to a whisper on the latter part.
"Powers?" Max said whispering to Michael.
"Yeah. She's just learning but she is really good. A lot better than we were even at age 12. I have been working with her and she has them under control." Michael said with a proud look on his face.
"You've been working with her?" Max said as he stood up turning to go to the back of the plane to find Liz. "I have to talk to Liz."
"Max, wait." Max turned to look at Michael who quickly continued "Do you think that is such a good idea right now? I mean, she was really upset and I don't know if you've ever seen her mad but it isn't a pretty sight." Michael saw that Max was turning to go ahead and so he quickly added "just be cautious we are in a very closed-in environment."
As Max reached where Maria and Liz were sitting he realized Sam hadn't returned. "Maria, um... Michael wants to see you." Max tried to come up with something so Maria would leave her friend. Max knew Maria was very loyal to Liz and wouldn't leave her without a sound reason. Liz just nodded as Maria looked at her questioningly.
As Maria left, Liz turned her head toward the window as Max sat down and began his speech he had rehearsed so many times to himself but adding some new things as he realized the circumstances were definitely different from what he had imagined. "Liz, I had planned on coming to find you after my trip home. I hoped that I could beg for your forgiveness. I wanted to tell you I was wrong. I don't want to live without you." Max's voice broke as Liz turned to meet his gaze. He could see the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"Max, don't. It's too late." Liz replied as a single tear fell from each of her dark brown eyes. She then turned to the window and let more of her tears fall hoping that Max couldn't tell.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Max asked touching her shoulder. She flinched and he removed his hand.
"Tell you what?" Liz turned quickly looking at Max with an intense look of mixed feelings. She loved him, even after all that she had gone through by herself needing him to be there for her.
"That she's mine." Max said as his voice cracked and he swallowed hard.
"What makes you think she's yours?" Liz asked wondering if Michael had told him or if he just figured it out on his own.
"You can see it in her eyes, Liz. Plus two years since we...., she's two. And, I know you. You just don't go sleeping with people so easy. You couldn't have been with anyone else that soon after me." Max said sounding so sure of himself.
"She doesn't know Max. And your not going to tell her." Liz said with a hint of sternness in her voice.
"I want to know her. I think she deserves to know me." Max asked pleading with Liz using his eyes.
"She has my name. Her birth certificate says 'father unknown' and you couldn't prove that she is yours. You would risk her life and yours if you wanted a blood test." Liz said almost in an angry defensive tone.
"I would never try to take her away from you." Max said as his heart jumped to his throat. Was that what she thought I was meaning. "I just want to be a part of your lives."
"Max" Liz said softly. "You gave up that right when you left me in Paris." She then turned back to the window - this time shifting her whole body.
"Liz, please." Max said pleadingly.
Liz turned her head slightly so that she could see his eyes and blinked slowly "You can't do that to her. I won't have you leave her the way you left me. She doesn't deserve that. I can't take that again. Now, you can sit here because they are going to get upset with us if we move much more but I won't talk about this anymore. I've made up my mind and she is my daughter." Liz turned back to the window. Max just sighed and lowered his head into hands rubbing his face.
The flight was nearly over when Liz woke up and realized she didn't know where Sam was. She jumped up startled. She quickly turned around and found Sam sitting beside her with her head leaning on Max, asleep. He was also asleep. That is the most beautiful sight. Liz thought to herself as tears began to form in her eyes. As they began to fall, Sam jerked up and realized who she was leaning on. She then pushed away from Max and reached for her mom. When he felt her hands pushing herself away from him Max jerked up. He looked over to see Liz with tears in her eyes and streaks down her face. She just smiled slightly at him. Then he saw the look in Sam's eyes. It was disgust or something horrible. He realized she had woken up to find that she was leaning on him, the man who hurt her mommy. The pain Max felt at the thought of his own daughter fearing and hating him was too much to bear.
Realizing how her daughter was looking at Max and the pain in his eyes, Liz turned to her daughter and began "Sam. Max didn't hurt me. Don't look at him like that, okay?"
"Yes he did mommy. I can tell. I can tell that he is sorry too but you're my mommy, and I won't let him hurt you." Sam said looking at her mom with those gorgeous soulful eyes.
"I would never hurt your mom again." Max said with his lower lip quivering.
"Somehow I know. But you did hurt her and the pain is still there." Sam said as she looked questioningly at Max. "I know." Max said as he looked over at Liz.
Their discussion was interrupted by the pilot informing all of the passengers they were about to land. The plane landed and they gathered their things to depart the plane. They all met up at the luggage rack.
"Why don't we all ride into Roswell together?" Michael suggested.
"I better just grab a taxi." Max said looking over at Liz. He had secretly hoped she would say something about not wanting him to but she didn't.
"Nonsense." Sam said as she looked up at Liz and Max.
"What?" Liz said looking at her daughter.
"It isn't logical that we shouldn't ride together when we are all going to the same place." Sam said looking at her mom.
"You amaze me, you know that don't you." Liz said looking at Sam.
"I try." Sam replied.
"So, We'll go get the rental and meet you guys out front. Wanna go with me sport?" Michael asked as he reached out for Sam. "Mommy?" Sam said looking at Liz. "It's up to you." Liz replied smiling. "Thanks." Sam said.
"She is so amazing. It is hard to believe she is just two years old." Max said smiling at Liz.
"Yeah. She seems to have the mind of a 20 year old sometimes." Liz said smiling watching them walk away.
"Thanks." Max said looking seriously at Liz.
"For what?" Liz asked innocently.
"For not having her hate me. I don't think I could take it knowing you both hated me." Max said swallowing hard and turning from Liz's eyes.
"Max, I don't hate you. I just can't allow you to hurt us." Liz said touching Max's arm before realizing what she was doing. She quickly jerked it back.
"I won't hurt you again." Max said honestly looking into Liz's sparkling eyes.
Liz just met his gaze and stared into his eyes for what seemed like forever. Then they broke away and began to move towards the front of the airport to meet with Michael and Maria and their daughter Sam.
Michael and Maria sat in the front and Liz, Sam and Max sat in the back. Sam sat between Liz and Max in a booster car seat.
When they were on their way, Sam turned to Max and began interrogating him. She asked where he lived, where he was from, etc. He just smiled and tried to answer all of her questions honestly. Every once in a while he would glance at Liz who was usually looking at either Sam or him and smiling. Her heart was melting by how Max and Sam interacted together. It was what she had always wanted for her daughter.
After a while Sam reached over and touched Max's hand. She immediately jerked back. "WoW! She said looking at him with surprise. Before thinking about it or discussing it with her mom or Michael she blurted out excitedly "Your one of us!"
The car was silent and everyone looked as though their had been a bomb go off in the car. "Honey, what have we talked about? You can't talk about your gifts." Liz said sternly.
"But mom, I felt it. I saw things." Sam wouldn't stop she was too excited. "Michael, you know too don't you?" Sam questioned Michael. Michael smiled in the rear view mirror and just simply said "yes."
"I am." Max said smiling at Sam then looking at Liz who had a serious worried look on her face. "Michael and I are like brothers." He added hoping to throw her from her own origins to his.
"This is soooooo exciting." Sam said sounding like Maria. "Can you do things too?" Sam asked Max. "Yeah. I can do things." "Can I touch you again?" Sam asked questioningly to Max and then turning to her mother. "I think that's enough of a lesson for today sweetie. Look we are almost to granny's and you can't discuss this in front of them." Liz hoped her daughter would accept it. At least for now.
"Can we get ice cream?" Sam asked quickly.
"Sure." Liz said smiling.
"What's your favorite?" Max asked Sam.
"Mint oreo. Yours?" Sam asked.
"Same. Do you know what your mom's favorite is?" Max asked Sam
"Plain vanilla. Her taste buds are boring. I eat mine like Uncle Mike with lots of Tabasco. You?" Sam asked starting up her questioning again.
"Same." Max said smiling.
Liz rolled her eyes to herself and mumbled "Lord knows I had to eat enough of that stuff while I was pregnant with you." She couldn't keep it from Sam. Not with Max around and all of these questions. She needed time to think. Max just had to smile at the thought of Liz eating her ice cream with Tabasco sauce.
"So, do you want to get some ice cream with us Max?" Sam asked honestly.
Before he could answer Liz blurted out "He probably needs to go check in with his sister. I believe she has some news for him."
"News?" Max said questioning Liz.
"She'll tell you." Liz said smiling that she finally knew something about Iz that he didn't.
"Some other time?" Max said looking at Sam.
"Sure. Maybe we can get together tonight for a movie {looking at her mother she quickly added} or we'll have a flight back together." Sam just stared at Max with wonder. He was like her. She was excited to know someone besides Michael that could do what she could.
Michael dropped Max off first, then Liz and Sam. Maria and himself were going to check in with her mother. "I'll see you tonight at rehearsal." Maria said as she waved bye to her friend.
~~~~~~~
"Mommy, is Max my uncle too?" Sam asked.
"Not exactly dear. I'll explain it to you sometime. You need to go visit with your granny and grandpa. They have missed you." Liz knew it was only a matter of time before she would have to tell her.
Alex met Michael, Maria, Liz and Sam at the door of the church. "ALEX!" Liz and Maria screamed in harmony. "LADIES!" Alex replied. "I'm so glad your both here." He added.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world. You have been our best friend since...like forever." Maria said hugging Alex. Liz just smiled and joined in on the hug.
"Uncle Alex." Sam added and jumped on his leg hugging him.
"Mutchkin. I've missed you." Alex said picking up Sam.
"Me too. So when are you going to move closer?" Sam smiled at Alex.
Liz turned to Maria and said "You mind watching her while I go to the ladies room?" "Not at all." Maria replied.
Liz left and as she turned the corner towards the restrooms she ran into Max nearly knocking him over. "Sorry." She said as she quickly ran past him.
Was she upset? She didn't appear to be. Maybe it was all of the marriages around them. First Maria and Michael and now Alex and Isabelle too. Who would have thought that his sister would be marrying Alex Whitman? Alex was nice, pretty good looking but he just wasn't Isabelle. What was up with this? Max thought to himself. He waited to catch Liz as she exited the restroom.
"Liz." Max said as she exited the restroom straightening her dress.
"Max. What are you doing back here?" Liz looked stunned that he had waited on her to come out of the restroom.
"I had to see if you were okay." Max said honestly.
"Yeah. Just had too many cups of coffee with mom trying to catch up. So, how did you take the news?" Liz asked smiling.
"Shocked. Who would have thought that our best friends (even given that Isabelle is my sister, she is one of my best friends - Max thought to himself) would marry?" Max realized the look Liz was giving him was full of hurt.
"Yeah." Liz said as she began to walk back into the church "We should get back. I need to check on Sam."
When they arrived back at the front of the church Liz saw Isabelle staring at Sam. Alex had come to visit several times and knew about Sam but he must not have told Isabelle, Liz thought to herself as she watched Isabelle walk over to Sam.
"So Isabelle. I see you've met my daughter." Liz said as she swooped up Sam hoping to keep them from touching. She didn't want a repeat of this afternoon with everyone around.
"Yeah. Liz... she's beautiful." Isabelle said smiling at Liz.
"Thanks." Sam said with a smug looking grin.
Isabelle just smiled and turned to find Max. "I'll see you guys a little later. Oh, and don't forget you have to be at the dress shop by 9:00 in the morning. I have to get you two fitted for Sunday."
"We'll be there." Liz added as Isabelle walked away.
As soon as Iz found Max she grabbed his arm and headed outside. "Why didn't you tell me your news?" Isabelle looked at Max with a hurt expression on her face.
"I just found out today. Liz doesn't want Sam to know so keep it quiet." Max replied.
"She can't keep that from everyone. You can look at Sam and tell that you're her father. It is soooo obvious. Max, you have rights too." Isabelle added sharply.
"No Iz, I don't. I gave those up when I left Liz in Paris the way I did." Max looked off as he said the last few words.
"Max. You did what you felt you had to do." Isabelle tried to console her brother.
"Hey! This is your time, not mine. Don't make this about me. You need to get back to your soon to be husband and other guests." Max smiled brightly at her. She would always be his little sister but he was seeing her in a different light.
"Thanks big brother. I'm glad your going to be up there with me Sunday. But, how do you feel about walking down the aisle with her."
"Have you told her yet?" Max asked with a questioning look.
"Alex is supposed to find out if it is okay. We only have you and Michael on his side, her and Maria on mine. Michael will want to walk with his wife."
"Yeah."
They entered the church and went to join the others when the Evans' entered behind them. They said their hellos and continued.
As Diane Evans saw Sam playing on the piano she quickly turned to Max questioningly "Max?"
Max turned to her puzzled until he saw that she was looking at Sam. He couldn't tell her the truth just yet so he just said, "Oh, that is Alex's friend Liz - her daughter Sam." "Max she is so beautiful. I thought there was something that you forgot to mention to me." Diane Evans gave a half grin as she looked over at her son.
Max began wondering to himself Why was it so obvious to Isabelle? Mom? I didn't get it right away. All I could see in Sam was her mother.
When the preacher called for everyone to take their places for the rehearsal Max, Isabelle, Michael, Maria, Liz and Sam went to the back of the church. A little boy named Chris (who is a child of a friend of the Evans') was the ring bearer. Sam had been asked by Alex to be the flower girl. Liz and Maria were to be Isabelle's brides maids and Michael and Max were Alex's best men.
As the music began Isabelle directed Sam and she walked proudly down the aisle acting as though she was sprinkling flower petals over the velvet walkway. Max looked over at Liz and just smiled as she had such a warm look in her eyes watching 'their' daughter walk down the aisle. Then Isabelle directed Chris and handed him the heart shaped pillow and asked that he pretend there were rings on the pillow. Then she grabbed Michael and Maria and gave them a little push down the aisle. Next it was Max's turn. Isabelle turned to him grabbing his arm and Liz's hand. Liz looked surprised but didn't jerk away. Isabelle laced Liz's arm through Max's and gave them a little push. They both took in a deep breath as they walked down the aisle. Max couldn't help but look at Liz who turned her eyes to him and met his gaze. They just smiled slightly at each other and then looked back to where they were headed. When they were at the alter, Liz turned to Max and gently withdrew her arm from his. He had a frightened look in his eyes and she couldn't help but feel that this was what she wanted someday. But why the frightened look? She thought to herself as she took her place to the left of Maria and her daughter. Liz was to be the one standing beside Isabelle. Max was to be between Alex and Michael. Then the brides music began to play as Mr. Evans and Isabelle walked slowly down the aisle. Liz looked over at Alex who was just standing in awe of his bride. Then Liz glanced at Max who was also looking at Isabelle but quickly turned his gaze to Liz as she smiled at him. He smiled back.
After rehearsal, everyone loaded up to go to the restaurant Isabelle had chosen for their dinner. Max walked over to where Liz and Sam were standing talking to Alex.
"Liz, Michael and Maria are heading over to her mother's before coming to the restaurant so I was wondering if you and Sam wanted to ride with me." Max asked looking down at Sam.
"Yeah." Sam said quickly then she turned to her mother.
"Why not." Liz said shaking her head and beginning to crack a smile at her daughter.
"You know you will spoil her if your not careful." Liz added looking at Max.
"Wouldn't want it any other way." Max spat back.
When they were headed to Max's jeep Liz realized she had forgotten her sweater and turned to Max. "I'll be right back I forgot my sweater. You could go ahead and buckle her in her seat." Max had already gotten the car seat from Michael and put it in the back of his jeep.
As she watched Liz walk off Sam turned to Max. "You know she really likes you, right?" Sam added looking at Max and waiting for a response.
"Really? How do you know?" Max said smiling at Sam.
"She sometimes calls your name while she is asleep. I don't think it is always a nightmare either. I can also just tell. I sense things sometimes. Like how you seem to like her a lot too. Why don't you ask her for ice cream?" Sam replied looking at Max with wonderment in her eyes.
"Do you think it would just take ice cream to make her not be mad at me anymore?" Max asked.
"As long as you are sure to put lots of toppings on it." Sam added as she began to giggle. That giggle....just like her mothers. Max thought.
As Liz walked up she had to ask "What are you two up to? Why are you in fits of laughter young lady?" Liz asked looking at her daughter smiling at how happy she looked.
"Oh, nothing." Max and Sam said in harmony.
"Right." Liz added as she buckled herself in the front seat.
After eating dinner and laughing with their friends and family, it was time to go home. Maria and Michael asked if they could give Liz and Sam a ride but then Liz did something surprising. "Max?" Liz asked without really asking. "It is on my way, why don't I take you two home." Max asked.
"Sure." Liz said smiling at Maria. Maria grabbed her arm and told Michael to just give her a minute. "What is going on? Is he forgiven?" Maria snapped at Liz. "I don't know. It is just so hard to see him with Sam and not want to give him a second chance, you know." Liz said wondering if maybe she was doing the wrong thing. They looked over to the table where Max was helping Sam on with her sweater. "I know. Just be careful. I don't want to see you like you've been the past couple of years, okay." Maria said as she patted Liz on the shoulder.
As Max, Liz and Sam drove up to the Crashdown Liz saw her parents still in the restaurant and pointed them out to Sam. After unbuckling Sam, Liz turned to Max and asked if he had a minute. Of course he said yes. "Sam, honey. Go on in and see grandma, okay. I need to talk with Max for a little while. Tell them I'll be back in a few minutes." Liz watched as Sam went inside and waited for her mother to waive at her. Liz knew it was okay to leave her with them so she turned to Max and asked "Can we go somewhere?" "Sure. Any place in particular?" Max asked surprised by the turn of events.
"I just think we should talk." Liz said simply with a look of concern on her face.
"Okay. Why not take a short drive to the desert?" Max asked.
"Sure." Liz said with a quick smile and thinking how that would be best to be away from everyone.
After they had driven a pretty good ways into the desert Max pulled off the road and drove a little off the highway. "This okay?" He asked Liz. "Yeah." She replied. He stopped the engine and turned off the lights. They sat in the darkness for a little while before speaking. Liz just stared into his eyes and tried to breath. Max did the same.
"Max. It just isn't going to work." Liz started.
This was not what he had wanted to hear. "Why? I think it is going fine."
"She is getting attached and in a few days we are heading back home and you....well, your going home too. I just don't know how to explain you....your connection to her. I know it won't be long before she figures it out. She is really smart." Liz tried to catch her breath and get her thoughts in order.
"Liz. I am transferring to Harvard remember. I only have less than a month before I'll be moving to .... well, where you two are. I know we can make this work if you just give me a second chance. I know I hurt you. You have to believe me, I really didn't mean to. I thought I was protecting you." Max said as he reached his hand and brushed it over her cheek.
"Oh, Max. I do believe you but it is so confusing. What does this mean? How can we be together now but not then? What has changed?" Liz looked up at him with tears forming in her eyes.
"I realized the moment I left you that I couldn't live without you. I didn't want to put you in danger but mainly I was a little afraid of how I felt. I knew that it wasn't going to be an easy road letting you go, but I had no idea that it was going to be this miserable for both of us. It is almost as though the danger is okay if we're together. Do you understand?" Max asked hoping he had made some sense.
Liz took her hand and brushed his cheek before leaning closer to him. "Max do you .... are you sure you still.....feel the same way about me? I mean, I kept something really important away from you."
"I have always loved you. That hasn't changed. I know you had your reasons and I respect them, but it is different now that I know. Liz, I want to be a part of her life. I want to be a part of yours." Max leaned closer to her but didn't dare touch his lips to hers without permission.
Liz smiled through her tears and whispered, "Ditto" as she leaned in for the kiss. It was beautiful. They stayed in their embrace for a long time just holding each other and kissing passionately. After a while, they had fallen asleep holding each other.
The sun shining brightly over the desert woke them up. Liz jumped up with a scared look on her face. Max couldn't help but think maybe she regretted being there with him and how they had let their feelings take over last night. "Liz, what is it?" Max said concerned. "I'm sorry. I just haven't been away from her all night before." "Oh, I'm sure she is okay. She is with your parents." Max assured her. "Right. I just .... well, frankly I'm an overprotective mother." She said smiling at him then added "and you will be an overprotective father too once you spend a little time with her and see exactly what she can do." Max felt a huge waive of relief.
~~~~~~~
As they drove back into town, Liz realized she had to be at the dress shop in 30 minutes. Max ran her by the Crashdown to get Sam and then to the dress shop. He too had to be at the taylor's by 9:00 so they agreed he would pick them up back at the Crashdown after they had time to go home and grab showers.
~~~~~~~
"Mommy?" Sam asked as she walked through the door to the dress shop.
"Yes, baby." Liz asked lovingly toward her daughter.
"Is Max going to be my daddy?" Sam looked up at Liz smiling.
"Maybe." Liz said and took her daughter by the hand and led her over to where Isabelle and Maria were waiting.
Max knocked on the door of the apartment above the Crashdown and held his breath when the door opened and Mr. Parker was staring back at him.
"Max." Mr. Parker said with a stern voice.
"Liz is expecting me." Max said not knowing what else to say.
"Come on in." Mr. Parker turned letting Max walk past him. "You can have a seat on the couch and I'm sure she'll be down shortly."
Mr. Parker stood watching how nervous he was making Max and just smiled to himself. He hoped that this little interrogation technique would make him think twice before hurting his little girl again. Mr. Parker knew that Max had left Liz and knew that (although his daughter never told him) Max was Sam's father. "Can I get you something to drink?" Mr. Parker asked as he walked in front of Max. "No, sir. Thank you." Max replied as he glanced up at Mr. Parker and then back down at the floor.
"Max. I know it is none of my business about how Liz runs her life. I know Liz is a grown woman but she is still my little girl. I have to ask, what are your intentions?" Mr. Parker sounded like someone from an old black and white picture.
"Intentions, sir." Max asked hesitatingly.
"Yes, Max. I want to know if you plan on hurting her again." Mr. Parker couldn't help but ask. He loved Liz more than life itself and now he had Sam that was just as Liz was once, an innocent child. He couldn't allow anyone to hurt them.
"Sir, I didn't mean to hurt Liz. It was never my intention. I just thought it would be better for her for me to step back. I soon realized I was wrong. I had a hard time living with myself knowing that I had hurt her, so that is why I am trying to find a way to make it up to her." Max said sincerely as he looked up into Mr. Parker's eyes.
"Ice cream." Mr. Parker replied.
"What?" Max asked quietly.
"Ice cream, Max. It is the way to her heart. She has always loved vanilla ice cream with lot of different toppings. It will give you the start that you need to making everything up." Mr. Parker shot a glance toward the stairs as he finished. Max jumped up and turned around.
Liz was walking down the stairs holding Sam's hand. They looked beautiful together. Two beauties standing side by side. Max held his breath. They were his life. Liz had always been, but now that he knew about Sam that was all she wrote. They had his heart in their hands.
"Honey, you two look beautiful." Mr. Parker said as he smiled at Sam.
"I picked out our clothes." Sam said smiling at her grandfather.
"You did a good job." Max said smiling at Liz and then Sam.
"You guys have fun." Mr. Parker said as he left going down the stairs to the restaurant.
"We shouldn't be gone too long, Dad." Liz shouted after him.
"I won't be waiting ..... again." Mr. Parker yelled back laughing.
~~~~~~~
"So, ladies where should we go?" Max asked as he walked toward the two.
"How about a movie?" Sam said looking up at her mother.
"Which one?" Liz asked looking down at Sam.
"Not one with the smoochy stuff. I don't think I can stand that. How about What planet are you from? I think that looks funny." Sam said looking at Max.
"So a movie it is." Max said smiling.
"Are you guys hungry? Should we get some lunch first?" Liz asked looking at Max then at Sam.
"I'm fine, if you are mommy." Sam said looking at Liz.
"I'm really not too bad, either." Max said also looking at Liz.
"Well, I guess lunch can wait. A movie it is then." Liz said smiling.
"I thought we might make a pit stop first. I had something I wanted to show Sam." Max said questioningly to Liz.
Liz looked at him with wonder but she trusted Max and knew it would be okay to indulge whatever he wanted to do. So she just nodded and gave a sideways smile.
~~~~~~~
They drove to the desert again, but this time it was just a little further than where he and Liz had stopped the night before. There were two cactuses sitting in the middle of an open area. Max went to one and tied a piece of white cloth on it and then to the other and placed an unopened can of soda on one of the cactus arms.
"What are you doing?" Liz asked looking over at Max.
Max unbuckled Sam and sat her on the hood of the jeep. "I wanted to see what you meant this morning." Max smiled at her and Liz smiled back knowing he wanted to test Sam's powers.
"Sam, honey can you make that white piece of cloth come to you?" Max looked at Sam and Sam smiled back.
"You want to see if I can use my gifts to make things move." Sam smiled up at Max who simply nodded to her.
Sam held out her hand out to the side and while still looking at Max she summoned the cloth to her. When she had it in her hand (while still looking at Max) she handed it to him.
"Whoa." "Now the soda." Max said still looking at Sam. The soda was soon in her hands. "You don't have to look at the object to make it move?" Max asked curiously.
"Nope. I just visualize what I want and then it happens." Sam said then returned the questions. "What about you? Can you do that? Do you have to look at the object?"
"Yes, I can bring things to me but not without looking at them. I have to concentrate." Max said smiling.
"You just don't use your powers enough." Sam said smiling. "Maybe." Max said beginning to think of what to do next. Before he had come up with anything Sam made the soda and white cloth fly from Max's hand and back to the cactus. "Now you." Sam said looking at Max.
"This is a test for you, not me." Max said smiling down at the beautiful little girl and realized for the first time what everyone had seen. His eyes. He had thought they were Liz's but now he knew they were his.
"I won't do anything else until you do it." Sam said looking at her mother. "Is that rude, mom."
"I'm not getting in the middle of this one." Liz said somewhat amazed that she wasn't going to interfere. She knew that Max had to learn to handle her on his own if they were going to be a 'family.'
"Okay." Max said as he stared at the object and brought both of them to him at once.
"Nope. That won't do." Sam said as she made the objects fly from Max's hands back to the cactus. "Look at me when you do it."
"I can't." Max said a little frustrated.
"Yes you can. You just have to visualize a little more and then it will happen." Sam had the most serious look a two year old could give an adult. She was definitely a lot older in her thoughts than any human child could be at that age.
"Sam." Max said sharply and glanced at Liz who was just nodding no with a disapproving face at how sharp Max's voice was with their daughter.
"Just try Max." Sam said with a puppy dog look on her face. "I'll leave you alone if you can't do it, but I know you can. I can feel it."
Max stared deep in Sam's eyes. He held out his hand and tried to summon the cloth to him. Nothing happened then Sam reached her hand to Max's hand which was still touching the jeep, and the cloth flew to Max. He was surprised but then realized that it must have been Sam. She shook her head no as if she was reading his thoughts. "I didn't do it, Max. You did. I just gave you the courage to try." Sam said. "Now the soda."
Max concentrated on the soda while still looking into Sam's eyes. The soda came flying to him. Sam hadn't touched him but the soda was in his hand. He quickly swiped Sam up into his arms and swung her around. "I told you so." Sam said in her two year old's smart voice.
"You did." Max said as they both turned to Liz who was just smiling brightly at them.
"Now can we go to the movies?" Sam asked quickly. Max agreed and put her back into her seat.
They arrived at the theater and Max got their tickets as Liz and Sam went to the ladies room. When they came back and found seats Sam began to ask for popcorn. Max asked her to go with him and they went for the treats before the movie started.
"Max?" Sam asked as they waited in line for the popcorn and drinks.
"Yes." Max said looking at the bundle of joy he held in his arms.
"Are you going to be my daddy?" Sam asked sincerely.
Taken by surprise Max thought quickly and said "That is something you'll have to ask your mom."
"I did this morning." Sam said still wanting an answer from Max.
"And what did she say?" Max asked quickly.
"She said maybe." Sam still wanted an answer from Max.
"Maybe, huh? I guess I'm wearing her down. You think?" Max said smiling at Sam. But Sam still wanted an answer.
"Well?" Sam asked again.
"I hope to be." Max said hugging her.
~~~~~~~
When the movie was over they had decided to go for ice cream. "So you're taking my dad's advice?" Liz said smiling.
"You heard?" Max said looking like a boy who had been caught again dipping his paws into the cookie jar.
"Can't really miss a conversation like that when your standing on the stairs. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have eased dropped but I heard you knock." Liz said with a sheepish grin.
"So, do you think it will work?" Max said with a serious face.
"What will work? Us?" Liz asked surprised by the question.
"Ice cream? I know 'us' will work. I've just got to get past that 'I know your going to leave again' look I keep getting from you." Max still had his serious face on.
"Well, you keep up all of this waiving her hands around and raising an eyebrow and you might just get that second chance." Liz said smiling at him.
Max couldn't help but feel a waive of hope in his stomach. He knew she had given in about allowing him to be a part of Sam's life but he wasn't so sure about hers until now.
After they ate ice cream they decided it was time for Sam's nap so they headed back to the Crashdown. "You want to do something later on?" Max asked shyly. "Can't." Liz said hoping to intrigue him enough to make him ask why. "Oh. Okay." Max said with a heavily accented hurt voice. "Max. I can't believe you would forget that you can't either." Liz said nudging him with her elbow. Then it hit him. His sister was getting married tomorrow and tonight, well tonight was the parties. The guys had theirs and the girls had theirs. "Oh, yeah. I did forget. See you do that to me. You make me forget that anything else exists." Max said smiling at Liz.
As they pulled up to the Crashdown Max looked in the rearview mirror and saw that Sam had fallen asleep. "I'll carry her up for you." Max said as he stopped the engine. "You don't have to, I can get her." Liz said in a motherly way. "I want to." Max said as he lifted Sam from her seat. Liz led the way and opened the apartment door. Then she led Max up to her bedroom. Just lay her on the bed. She'll just be out for about an hour.
As they started to go back out of the room Max leaned in close to Liz and whispered "You know, I remember the first time you led me in here."
"Oh really." Liz said slyly.
"Yep. And I was wondering if you might want to...oh, say....skip the communal festivities tonight for some more one on one time?"
"I don't think so." Liz said narrowing her eyes, shaking her head and smiling at Max.
~~~~~~~
Liz was almost finished getting ready when her mom yelled upstairs that Isabelle and Maria were waiting downstairs in the restaurant for her. She hurried downstairs, kissed Sam good bye and headed towards where Isabelle and Maria were standing near the front doors. As she hurried past the front booth someone caught her attention from the corner of her eye. It was Kyle staring back at her. She didn't stop just proceeded out the doors getting into Isabelle's Mustang Convertible. The girls were definitely up for some entertainment tonight. They were headed out to the new strip club where Maria had planned on getting everyone drunk and allowing them to watch some very well toned, tan guys. Maria had spent some time planning this night. It was going to be perfect.
As they stopped at a the last red light before they would turn into the club's parking lot the Mustang was bumped. Liz and Maria quickly turned around to see that it was Kyle. Oh, no. She thought to herself as Isabelle proceeded to get out of the car.
"What the hell?" Isabelle shouted at Kyle.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention and my foot slipped off the break. I really am sorry. I'll pay for any damage." Kyle said looking over Isabelle's bumper.
"Your right you will. I'll be right back. I'm calling the police." Isabelle shouted at Kyle.
"No. Please don't. I will give you my information but I would appreciate my father being left out of this." Kyle looked at Isabelle with pleading eyes.
"I don't think so." Isabelle snapped back as she turned to go to the car for her cell phone.
Kyle grabbed her arm and Isabelle swung around pushing him away from her - hard. He flew against his car and just stared at her with wonderment. "I said I don't think so." Isabelle snapped.
Liz and Maria jumped out of the car and stood by Isabelle. "Kyle, what are you doing?" Liz snapped. "Liz. I just I'm sorry." Kyle stood up straight looking her in the eye. "Did you follow us?" Liz snapped again. "Sorta." Kyle whispered.
"Why?" Liz snapped. "I just had to tell you I was sorry. I needed to see that you were okay. A couple of years ago I shot you... or at least I thought I did. I was drunk and when I woke up the next morning...I was in the middle of the desert and I had a gun. I had flashes of memory where I ...........shot you. Then when I didn't hear anything about it, I realized I must have just blacked out or something. And when I saw you in the Crashdown I just had to make sure you were okay." Kyle took in a deep breath and stood staring at Liz.
"You, what? Are you still stalking her? Are you planning to kill her?" Maria yelled out. "No. Oh, no." Kyle said quickly. "Then why are you following her?" Isabelle jumped in. "I'm really not. I just had to tell her I was sorry for everything. I am heading to rehab tomorrow and just had to make some kind of peace with her." Kyle pleaded.
"Peace? You stalk me for nearly 5 years and confess having thoughts of killing me and you want to make peace." Liz snapped back in surprise.
"Liz, I know I've done some horrible things to you, but please you have to accept my apology." Kyle said leaning forward with his hand held out in a gesture of friendship.
Just as his hand was about to reach for Liz's, there was a very loud squealing sound as everyone jerked their heads to see Max's jeep and him flying towards Kyle. He shoved him to the ground and as he raised back his hand to hit Kyle, Liz grabbed his fist. He quickly turned to see who had stopped him and when he saw Liz's face and she was shaking her head no, he released his grip on Kyle's shirt and stood up. Max knew that Liz wasn't afraid. He could see it in her eyes. Knowing it was her decision Max just stood halfway behind beside her and put his hand on her shoulder. Liz took Max's hand that was on her shoulder and held it with hers. She stood staring at Kyle and simply said "I accept your apology with one condition. You must never talk to me or my family again. I don't want to ever see you in the Crashdown again. Don't even look at us when we are on the street. I'm not trying to be mean, Kyle but you have caused a lot of grief over the past years and it won't be forgotten. Good luck with your rehab." Liz finished and stood staring at Kyle as he just shook his head okay and got into his car.
"You know, I could still catch up with him and beat him up for you." Michael said as he checked everyone for signs of upset.
"Thanks but I think that chapter of my life is finally behind me." Liz said smiling at Michael as Max squeezed her shoulder/hand. Liz turned and smiled up at Max. He just smiled back. "You want to go home?" Max asked concerned. "No way. We just have another block and we get to see naked men....." Liz said as she ran toward Maria screaming and giggling.
Max turned to the girls who were now jumping up and down and dancing around. Isabelle had even joined in. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous but yet it was a very comforting feeling seeing them all like this. "Just don't touch!" Max, Alex and Michael yelled in unison as the girls jumped into the convertible. They all just all waived their hands and drove down the block turning into the strip club. The guys couldn't say much, after all they were also heading to a strip club of their own.
~~~~~~~
It was about 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning when Liz arrived back home and checked in on Sam before heading to bed. As she entered her room it was dark and she tried not to make any loud noises. She didn't want to wake anyone up.
"Liz" she heard whispered across the room. She looked around quickly trying to find where it came from. She found Max climbing through her window.
"What are you doing?" Liz asked quietly beginning to giggle.
"I just had to check to see if you were okay. I know you didn't seem to be upset over the whole Kyle thing but I wanted to make sure." Max walked to her.
Liz was holding her shoes in one hand as she walked toward Max. "I'm fine." Liz said looking up to Max's eyes. Her own eyes had now adjusted to the dark and all she could see was the sparkle in Max's from the street light.
"Well, I guess I should go then." Max said as he started backing away from her and heading toward the window. Liz dropped her shoes and grabbed Max's jacket lapel with both hands and pulled him to her.
"Not so fast." Liz whispered teasingly as she brushed her lips to his.
"You know if I stay things are going to happen. I don't think I can control myself, tonight." Max said honestly.
"What if I want things to happen?" Liz said holding her breath. With those words Max took his cue and they were in a very passionate embrace.
Then Max realized that maybe she had been drinking and wasn't sure of what she was saying. He had been the designated drive but what about Liz. He couldn't taste or smell any alcohol on her breath but he had to be sure. He didn't want her to regret what they were obviously about to do.
"Liz, um...have you been drinking?" Max asked as Liz pulled back looking at him with a disturbed look.
"What? Do you think I would have to be drunk to be like this?" Liz snapped and jerked away from Max's arms.
"No. That isn't what I meant. I just wanted to be sure you weren't going to regret this tomorrow." Max said as he grabbed her arm turning her back to face him. Liz realized he was just being the gentlemen he always was and replied "No. Max I haven't had anything all night." Then she reached her arms around his neck and they were back in their passionate embrace.
~~~~~~~
The sky was dark and cloudy and Liz awoke startled. Since it was dark in her room, she hadn't even thought to look at the clock as she turned to face the angelic face sleeping beside her. She couldn't help but smile. He was so beautiful to her, unlike any other being she had ever known. Well, that is except their daughter, Sam. She couldn't help but wonder what he was dreaming about because of the slight grin on his face. As she reached over to swipe a few stray hairs from his forehead, his hand reached from under the covers and grabbed her hand. He quickly pulled her over to him kissing her gently. His grin grew wider as the kiss deepened. He couldn't help but smile when he had everything right in his world. Suddenly he felt the urge to roll over on top of her but as he did, the bright, huge red letters of her alarm clock caught his eye.
"Oh, no. Liz we are going to be late and Is will kill us." Max exclaimed as he gently kissed her lips and jumped out of bed.
"What?" Liz said startled. Then she quickly looked at the clock and found that they only had 20 minutes to get ready and get to the church before they were late. "Oh!" Liz exclaimed as she jumped out of bed. "I'll grab some clothes and go get Sam up and ready." Liz said as she hurriedly ran to the closet and grabbed her comfy clothes she was going to wear to the Church where everyone in the wedding was supposed to start getting ready in 20 minutes. "Ok. I'll get dressed and then we can ride over together." Max said smiling and taking a small break from panicking to grab Liz by the arm and pull her to him for another kiss. "We don't have time for this Max." Liz said laughing. "I want us to always make time." Max said smiling. "Ok, we will but after the wedding. Agreed?" Liz said pushing herself away from him with a huge smile on her face. Her life was finally coming together. She was getting everything she had always wanted to come true. It was like a dream. She thought to herself as she hurried to get her daughter and herself ready.
Max was waiting in the Jeep as Liz and Sam appeared running down the steps and toward the parked Jeep. Max got out and quickly put Sam in her car seat which was located directly behind him and buckled her in. Liz jumped into the passenger seat and buckled. Max jumped in and started toward the Church. It was raining and he had already placed the top on the jeep. As they headed through the second of three red lights on the street which led to the Church, out of the corner of her eye Liz saw a car screeching and sliding trying to stop but it didn't appear to be having any success.
"Max!" was all that was said as the car collided with drivers side of the Jeep. The car pushed the Jeep through the intersection and it began to flip. Liz quickly looked back at her daughter who had a horrid look of fear and there was blood. She could see that somehow Sam had hit her head. "Mommy." Sam whispered as tears streamed down her face. "Hold on, baby." Liz said calmly. She tried to keep her composure but things were happening fast. Max looked over at Liz and he too had blood running from a gash over his eye. What is happening? How could this happen? We were all so happy this morning. Liz thought quickly. That was the last thought she had time for. The Jeep began to flip over and over and over. The last words she saw mouthed by Max was that he loved her. He smiled at her and then she blinked and his eyes were closed. As the Jeep finally began to settle, she realized she too was bleeding from cuts on her face. She began screaming "Max! Sam! Max!" and then the lights were going out. It was dark. There wasn't another sound.
Suddenly Liz heard music playing. Where is it coming from? She thought as she began searching through the darkness. That song. It was a song she knew well. She had listened to it many times at the Crashdown while she was in highschool. She had often thought how that song described how she and Max had often encountered each other. The words to the song were becoming clearer to her. The song was I Love You by Sarah McLaughlin. Why was she hearing this song? Liz thought as she kept walking. Her eyes began to race looking around for something in the darkness, something that would let her know where she was. She felt as though she was vibrating from within or like someone was shaking her gently. The song was becoming louder to her. She could see a light just ahead. If I can make it to that light, I'll be able to see Sam and Max again. Liz thought quickly as she began to run toward the light. She started screaming again "Max! Sam!" There was no answer. She chanted it over and over again trying to get someone to acknowledge that they were okay. Then she reached the light.
~~~~~~~
Liz's eyes flew open and she grasped for air. The light was bright and the music was loud or was it her head was pounding. Then she saw him. Her angel. "Max!" She exclaimed as she reached up and grabbed him pulling him into an intimate embrace.
"Liz, you need to lay back down. You need to rest but don't go back to sleep." Max said softly brushing her hair and still holding her tightly. This was his dream. To hold her like this. To comfort her.
Liz jumped back from his strong warm arms startled. She quickly looked around with the wonder of a child. Where am I? She thought to herself. The lab? The bio lab in high school? How did I get here? Where is Sam? Liz turned back to face Max and realized that he wasn't her Max. Or at least not the grown up version she had been with just moments ago. Was it a dream? No. It couldn't have been. It was so real. Liz looked at Max with confusion and wonder.
"Liz, um... who is Sam?" Max asked quietly still trying to make sure she was comfortable.
"Sam?" Liz said questioningly. "Max, you don't know who Sam is?"
"No. But if you want me to get him, I can." Max said hesitantly. Why would she think I knew who Sam was? I don't know anyone in school whose named Sam.
Liz just looked at him and tears began to form in her eyes. She blinked them back. It was all a dream. She thought to herself. "Max. Sam is a long story. But, I have to ask you something."
"Anything." Max said honestly.
"This may make me sound a little crazy, Max. But I have to ask. Um.....Max.....Are you an alien?" Liz asked with a clear voice.
Max's face said all that she needed to know. His face was filled with wonder, fear and various other emotions she interpreted to be because he wasn't sure how she knew. "Liz..." Max began but before he could continue Liz's hand was gently placed on his cheek with her thumb placed over his lips. "Shhhh. Max you don't have to say anything. I know." Liz said as she let a few tears slip down her cheeks. "But, how? How do you know Liz?" Max said with his lips trembling a little.
How could she know? I've never told her. Have I acted in a way that would make her wonder? Max thought then quickly chided himself. She couldn't have known but now she does. What am I supposed to do? I have always wanted to tell her but I never expected her to guess. Max quickly turned his thoughts back to Liz and realized there was no fear in her eyes. She had tears but they appeared to be of love. What was going on? Max had to know what she knew. There was only one way to know for sure. He would have to connect with her. But would she be willing?
"Liz. Can I touch you?" Max said hesitantly. "I mean, I want to touch your face."
"Yes, Max. I know you want to see what I mean and maybe it would be easier if you did instead of me trying to explain. I just want you to know that it must have been just a dream. But, .....um... I have wanted to tell you about how I feel for a long time." Liz said blushing a little and allowing the corners of her mouth to rise in a small grin.
Max took this opportunity to touch the sides of her head at her temples and the connection was instant. Max saw flashes.
*FLASH*
An older Liz getting on a bus to go to college. She saw an older him standing in the shadows of the bus station.
*FLASH*
The airplane ride back to Roswell a year later.
*FLASH*
Liz being shot by Kyle and Max saving her. Max and Liz sleeping in bed together. Just sleeping peacefully.
*FLASH*
Liz and Max in Paris. The convention. The speeches. Max in her room and her crying. Him leaving.
*FLASH*
Liz pregnant. A beautiful baby girl. Sam is what they called her.
*FLASH*
Michael and Maria together playing with Sam as Liz watched.
*FLASH*
Michael and Sam using powers together in front of Maria and Liz.
*FLASH*
The flight back to Roswell when Max found out about Sam.
*FLASH*
Max and Liz fighting over not telling Sam that Max was her father.
*FLASH*
The wedding rehearsal. Isabelle's rehearsal for her marriage to Alex.
*FLASH*
Max and Liz in the desert discussing Sam and their future.
*FLASH*
Liz and Max embraced and then in bed again.
*FLASH*
The realization that they were going to be late for the wedding and their rushing.
*FLASH*
The car coming out of no where. The crash. The blackness. The fear. The pain.
As the connection broke Max grasped his chest. He was having a hard time breathing. He looked into her eyes and they were clear. There was no fear there. She had realized it was all a dream. He wasn't sure what to say to her. Still, how could she have known I was an alien? Max thought. It was just a dream, right?
Liz's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Max? Say something, anything." Liz asked pleadingly. Her voice was strained and she appeared to be tearing up again. Was I wrong about how he felt about me now? The realization of where they were came back to both of them and they struggled to get up.
"Oh, Liz. You should probably stay lying down. You might have a concussion." Max tried to express his concerns without touching her. "I'm fine, Max." Liz said calmly and sat on a nearby stool. She remembered it all so clearly now. Max and her were in bio lab after school trying to get an assignment finished for tomorrow. They had decided it would be easier to do it in the lab instead of at home. Their teacher had agreed and left them to lock up when they were finished. They had started the experiment but two chemicals had been mislabeled and they caused an explosion which caused Liz to jump back and fall landing on the floor hard. She had hit her head on the floor hard enough to knock her out. That was all she remembered ....well except for her ....dream.
"Liz?" Max asked with worry and concern on his face. It was as if she had zoned out on him.
"I'm sorry Max. I was just trying to remember everything. I do now. I'm sorry I scared you. I'm fine. You don't have anything to worry about. REALLY." Liz emphasized the last word and then looked down at her shoes.
"Liz, I'm not worried about anything but you. I'm not so sure your okay. You look shaken up." Max said politely.
"Max,..... you still haven't said anything about what you saw in the visions." Liz said calmly raising her eyes to look at him. Those eyes. She thought to herself. Stop it. He doesn't even appear to feel anything you do. As if that isn't enough, you've just scared him to death by telling him you know his secret. He'll either hate you or try to ... not Max....never would he try to hurt you. At her last thought she just looked into Max's eyes and smiled.
"I don't know what to say. I don't understand it at all. How could you know about me? No one knows." Max said the last part and flinched. I've just lied to the woman I love. What a jerk! Max chided himself.
"Not even Isabelle and Michael? They are like you here aren't they?" Liz asked questioningly.
"Liz. This is complicated. You can't know." Max said a little sterner than he had meant to.
"Okay. But, Max don't worry I won't say anything to anyone." Liz said and she began gathering her things. It was time to get out of there. Things were not going in the direction she had hoped after realizing she was still back in high school.
"Liz wait." Max said calmly. "I know you would never...tell anyone. I trust you."
Liz turned around and faced Max at the word trust. She smiled and reached for his face. She hesitated and then dropped her hand. "Max, I now know how it feels to lose someone you love dearly....and I would never want to put anyone else through that." Liz added quickly looking down. Had she just said love to him... he wasn't her Max....or was he?
Love? Max thought to himself. It was just a dream she had... or was it? Could she really love him as much as he did her?
Liz turned and picked up her book bag. She started to the door and just as she was about to turn the knob, a hand reached hers. She quickly turned looking at Max. It wasn't clear what her expression was but he had to tell her. It was now or never. "Liz.....I know how it feels to almost lose someone you love dearly." He looked into her eyes and then quickly began to blush.
She smiled at him and her heart jumped for joy. She took one hand and lifted his head so that his eyes met hers. "Are you saying that .... that you love me, Max?" Liz said looking him directly in the eye.
"Forever." Max said shyly.
"Me too." Liz saw the look of confusion on his eyes. He must think I mean I love myself too? Liz quickly added smiling at him, "I mean, I've loved you forever too, Max Evans."
Max leaned closer and took her in his arms. They were embraced in a passionate kiss. This is so right. They thought together. Their thoughts echoed throughout each others brain. Maybe it wasn't a dream after all. Liz thought and Max heard her thought and replied It was a dream come true.
THE END! OR IS IT?
Want to read more of Max & Liz's story?
Read Fate?, The Next Chapter.
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