Fate?, The Next Chapter
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 |
Epilogue
Max stood staring out the locked window, it couldn't be opened from the inside or out. It was there just to allow the sunlight to fill the room. The sunlight was supposed to lift everyone's spirits. Problem was she wasn't waking up again.
The memory of the night Liz was shot came rushing back. It had been over two years and still there was that part of him that couldn't stop the fear from creeping back over him. He had thought then that he had lost her after only just getting into her life. After she had finally regained consciousness, he had vowed not to lose her again.
It was only two weeks after he had made that promise to himself that he had broken it. He tried to make himself believe that he had done it all for her but that wasn't true. He had pushed her away because he was scared. Not only was he scared for her safety, but he was scared that he would love her to much and then she would be gone. The night he had told her goodbye in Paris, he had relived the horrid nightmare of seeing her lifeless and grasping for breath after Kyle had shot her.
This time it had never occurred to him that he might lose her. It hadn't even crossed his mind because now he had a daughter, he was about to get a brother-in-law, and miraculously his best friend had moved on with his life and married Maria. Everyone seemed so happy. Nothing could interfere with this. Nothing should have anyway.
Max gave himself a good shake just as one of the doctors rushed through the door. He was apparently running late doing his rounds.
"Dr. Mackey." Max acknowledged.
"Max. How's our patient? Have you noticed any movement?" Dr. Mackey countered.
"None. I keep watching, hoping but none." Max said in a defeated tone.
"It could still all work out. Don't give up on her yet. It's just been a little over 24 hours. She could still pull through." Dr. Mackey stated before going over to the lifeless patient. He took out his pocket light and held one of her eyelids open. There appeared to be some stimulation to the light this time. He hadn't gotten that the last few times he had checked in on her.
"We may have something here." Dr. Mackey muttered.
Max immediately jumped and ran quickly to the side of the bed. "What is it?" He asked in an urgent tone.
"There is a sign of brain activity. It should just be a matter of time before she wakes up, hopefully. But, Max.....I must warn you that there are many possibilities as to things that could be wrong with her when she wakes up. She could have memory loss, loss of body functions, and there are other possibilities as well. We will not be able to run tests until after she wakes up. I just wanted to forewarn you." Dr. Mackey sympathized with the young man standing beside the fragile creature laying on the bed. With a nod of acceptance from Max, Dr. Mackey took his leave.
As he was exiting the room, Isabelle and Maria walked through the door. Dr. Mackey just gave them a ‘knowing' smile because he understood their need to see the patient. The rules of the hospital didn't always seem to apply in situations like these, he thought.
"Max?" Isabelle questioned. When he didn't immediately respond, she whispered his name again.
Without taking his eyes off of the love of his life, Max spoke softly. "She's going to wake up. The doctor saw brain activity when he examined her." With a hint of hope in his voice.
"But, Max, didn't he already know she had brain activity because she's breathing on her own?" Maria questioned sympathetically. After all this was her best friend in the World. The only person who she dared to share all her secrets with. Liz knew things about her that she wouldn't even begin to know how to tell Michael. Maria just wanted to understand. She wanted to have the hope that Max was grasping at.
That observation made Max snap his head toward Maria and give her an awful glare. "Sorry." Maria said softly. Max immediately felt sorry for the reaction and whispered the same one word apology.
"I can't give up hope. I just can't." Max said choking back sobs. He couldn't let Liz hear his tormented voice and think he had given up on her, not just yet.
"Where's Sam?" Max questioned.
"She's in the lobby with Michael. She really wants to come back and see her mom, Max. I know you said initially that you didn't think that was a good idea, but it might help?" Isabelle answered.
"I don't know. I really don't want this to be the way she remembers Liz if anything happens, you know." Max said in a whisper.
"Look, Max. I know how your feeling. I really do. I love her almost more than anything in this World. She is like my sister and we've always been there for each other. I really think Liz would want Sam to see her. I mean, she would want her to at least see how peaceful she is sleeping and not the tormented screams from the wreck." Maria's voice was raspy with emotion and she clung to the hope that maybe Sam would be able to reach Liz. It was a long shot but maybe if Liz sensed Sam, something would allow her to break out of this sleep she was in.
"I'm sure your right." Max said fighting back the tears that were threatening to break free. He wasn't able to keep his control in tact. At least not when it came to Liz. Max had tried to reach Liz through a connection but each time he was met with darkness. Her thoughts were so muddled he couldn't get through. He had turned to Isabelle and Michael for help, then. No one seemed to be able to break the barrier.
Chapter 2How could this have happened? Max questioned himself again for the umpteenth time. Reviewing the moments just after the accident while Isabelle and Maria had gone to get Sam, Max felt his control slip further away.
*Revere*
Max had been staring intently at Liz after the jeep had finally settled. He had mouthed that he loved her and then blinked only to see that her eyes were shut tightly. Isabelle, Michael, Maria and Alex had all witnessed the crash as they were just about to walk into the church to get ready for Isabelle and Alex's wedding. Of course after the accident occurred, they had decided to postpone the wedding. They had declared that even if they had to be married with just their closest friends and family at the courthouse, they didn't want Liz to miss it. God help them if anything happens to her. They all have learned to love her and need her just as much as they needed their respective others. Knowing that Max and Sam would be discovered, Isabelle and Michael were quick to heal them. It didn't take much for Sam but Max was a different story. He had insisted that they heal Liz first. That wasn't an option. What Max hadn't realized was that other than the bruises and cuts on Liz's face, she was fine. He, on the other hand, had broken bones. It didn't make sense.
Liz shouldn't be asleep. Max repeated in his head. She hadn't hit her head all that hard, at least that is what the doctors kept telling him. Then why is she still asleep?
~~~~~~~
After Liz finally convinced Max that she was fine and just wanted to get home, he had agreed to drive her. As they left the school grounds in Max's battered old jeep, Liz couldn't help but reflect on what she had dreamed. Two years. Could it really have all been a dream? Liz thought to herself. She couldn't quite get the look of Max's tattered face out of her mind. She had most certainly thought he was dead. He didn't appear to be moving or breathing. What about Sam? She couldn't have made it either. Liz quickly chided herself for remembering these depressing thoughts. It had all been a dream, it must have. Max was sitting beside her. They had finally gotten over that ‘just friends' stage and he had admitted that he loved her. What was wrong with her then?
Max had a worried look on his face from the silence. Liz was doing it again. She was zoning out on him. "Liz" Max whispered.
"Yeah." She countered.
"I was just checking to see if you were still with me." Max said smiling.
"Yeah." Liz countered smiling. "Hey, when we get to the Crashdown I would like for you to stay for a soda or something if you can."
"Crashdown?" Max asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah." Liz said with a ‘what are you talking about look'.
"You mean Saucer's, right? We can stop there first, if you want." Max asked to be sure.
"Oh. Um....yeah, I guess." Liz replied with a serious frown.
"You don't remember do you?" Max asked softly with a look of concern.
"I do. Yeah, I do." Liz assured him, but silently she didn't. What was wrong with her? This was her home, her place in life. She could almost remember everything about it, but something just wasn't right. Maybe it is just the dream, again. Liz quickly turned the topic to something she was sure hadn't changed, Isabelle and Michael.
"So, um...are you going to tell Michael and Isabelle that I know?" Liz asked softly and hesitantly.
"Um...I'm not so sure they would understand just yet. I think I should probably wait on telling them." Max's voice cracked a little. He hadn't even thought about telling them. If they found out they would be furious. They had all agreed a long time ago that they would ‘dispose' of anyone who found out about them, and Michael had already done just that once before. He wasn't going to put Liz in that kind of danger. Who knows what Michael would do to her?
"Oh." Liz replied and when they were in front of a restaurant that appeared to be just like the Crashdown in her dream, she let a little sigh of relief. At least she hadn't confused that with her dream.
Max quickly got out of the jeep and went to assist Liz inside. They sat at one of the booths and ordered Blood of Alien Smoothies and sat quietly with each other. Neither said a word while they sipped their drinks.
Finally, Liz broke the silence by asking Max to join her upstairs for a movie. The look on Max's face was of severe confusion. She quickly guessed she had confused reality with her dream again. WHAT was wrong with her? She couldn't seem to keep it all straight.
"Max, I think I am ready to go home. Would you mind taking me?" Liz asked quietly with a sincere look. She must have hit her head harder than she thought. She couldn't seem to get it straight. "I thought I remembered, but I guess there are still some things I'm confused about."
"Maybe we should take you to the hospital to get checked out. I think you may have hit your head harder than you think." Max replied in a soft sincere tone. He looked concerned and Liz couldn't help but feel out of place.
"I think I'll be okay. I just need to go home." Liz assured Max.
They got up and left Saucer's. They got back in the jeep and Max headed for Liz's house. She couldn't help but feel sick to her stomach. Why did she feel like this was all wrong? Why was she confusing her dream with her reality?
Just as quick as the collision in her dream, this jeep was flipping through the air. "Max!" Liz exclaimed. He didn't respond. His eyes were shut and blood trickled down the side of his face. He was pale and his breathing was shallow. When the jeep was settled, Liz was frantic. What was happening? The black was almost too much for her to think about going through again. She felt a strange pounding sensation in her temple. Then silence. Then blackness. All of the colors around her, all of the objects, everything was blurring together. Liz was still conscious, or so she thought. Nothing was as it seemed.
"MOMMY!" Sam exclaimed. "Please come back to me."
Where was that sound coming from? Sam? Max? Where am I? Liz thought.
The sounds were becoming deafening. What is happening to me? Liz shouted to herself. Then the silence engulfed her once again. Then the blackness.
"Dr. Mackey to ICU" The speaker shouted for the second time.
As Dr. Mackey entered Liz's room, he immediately ran to her side. She was pulling at her IV's and kicking and punching at everything and everyone. She appeared to still be asleep.
"How long has she been like this?" Dr. Mackey demanded.
"Just about 2 or 3 minutes." Max assured him. "I've been trying to hold her down and keep her from pulling out her IV's. What is happening?" Max demanded to know.
"I'm not certain. I don't think I've ever seen someone who has been unconscious for this long fight it. By that I mean, it appears she is still asleep but her body isn't accepting it. I'll have to give her something to calm her down but I really hate to. I'm afraid it might keep her asleep if she were trying to come out of this." Dr. Mackey explained.
"I'll hold her. I won't let her hurt herself. I don't think putting her to sleep is going to help bring her out of her sleeping state." Max said sternly and had an awful frown on his face. Silently he thought maybe this wasn't the best doctor in the world. Now that he looked at him, he was much to young to know what he was talking about. Oh, Hell. Max thought. It wouldn't matter who the doctor was he would have his doubts about his abilities to save Liz until she was fully recovered.
Sam entering the room with Isabelle and Maria brought Max back to reality. "No. Get her out of here." Max said in a harsh tone.
"What is going on, Max?" Maria shouted.
"Just get Sam back to the waiting room." Max said sternly never bringing his eyes up to theirs.
"No. I'm staying with my mommy. You can't make me leave." Sam said in a pout and tears coming to her eyes. She quickly ran over to the opposite side of the bed from where Max and Dr. Mackey were standing. As soon as Sam put her hand on Liz's. Liz immediately settled down. It happened so fast the it caught both Max and the doctor off guard.
As they stared at Sam and Liz trying to figure out what had just happened, they watched the most amazing thing. Liz's hand gripped onto Sam's.
Max watched as Sam shut her eyes and he could sense that the connection was instantaneous. After just a couple of seconds, he grabbed Liz's other hand and shut his eyes. Dr. Mackey was unsure of what was happening, but since Liz's heartbeat was back to normal and it didn't appear that she was struggling any more, he decided to take his leave. He was talking to Max but when he didn't receive a response, he turned to Maria and Isabelle. "I will check back in with her in about 15 minutes. Please notify the nurses if you need me before then."
~~~~~~~
They stood in the darkness holding hands. Sam held onto Max for dear life. He wasn't aware of anyone else in the darkness but somehow he knew Liz had to be in here.
"Liz?" Max whispered.
"Mommy?" Sam echoed Max's thoughts.
"Max. I'm scared. What if she isn't in here anymore?" Sam asked looking up to Max. Her eyes were adjusted to the darkness but she couldn't tell what his expression was.
Max bent down and picked Sam up. He held her close. "It's going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you."
"I know. I just am scared mommy is gone. What if she already went to heaven?" Sam sounded about ready to burst into tears. Max's heart broke in two listening to her anguish.
"She hasn't left us yet. I know she's here we just have to find her." Max whispered.
Max squeezed Sam to him and then put her back down. She held on to his pants leg. Max put his hands together and created a bright white light. He then began to study his surroundings. He couldn't make out any objects just smeared colors. There was no sign of Liz but he could feel her presence.
"Liz, it's me Max. Sam and I want you to come back to us. We need you." Max pleaded.
"Mommy, please. I love you." Sam pleaded but there was nothing but silence filling the air.
"I'm sorry but there was nothing more we could do." Dr. Mackey stated softly to Max. The doctor was quick to put his hand on Max's shoulder. The tears streamed from Max's face and his silent sobs began to rack his body.
Isabelle rushed to his side and wrapped him in her arms. She held him close as he began to break down from the strong, controlled person they know him to be. "You have to be strong, Max. You have to be there for Sam. She needs you." Isabelle whispered in his ear.
Max nodded but still held her close crying into her shoulder. After he finally got himself under control, Max raised his head and looked over to Liz's lifeless, pale body. "How could she leave me?" Max whispered.
Sam came rushing through the door with Maria chasing her. "Sam, NO!" Maria yelled as the door flew open. Max quickly turned and saw the torment etched across Sam's face as the reality of what was going on was sinking in. Yes, Sam is extremely young and someone her age normally wouldn't know what was going on, but not Sam. Sam was part alien and therefore prone to learn at an accelerated speed.
Max rushed to Sam and enveloped her in his arms. This was his only link to the woman he loved so dearly. When he was squeezing her tight to his chest, he whispered how sorry he was and how he would take care of her no matter what. Sam pushed back from his shoulders and looked him right in the eyes. "She's not gone." Sam said softly.
Max shook his head and gently stroked Sam's hair from her face. "No, she's not gone. She will always be with us." The torment was in his eyes. He was trying to stay strong for Sam but it was becoming unbearable. How could Liz leave them? Why? It wasn't fair.
"I'll leave you alone for a few minutes." Dr. Mackey stated as he exited Liz's room.
"Max, I'm so sorry." Maria choked out through her tears. She wrapped her arms around both him and Sam. Michael and Alex entered the room just as the doctor was leaving. They hadn't known that Liz was gone and neither did Maria until she ran into the room after Sam. Sam had felt something and jumped up running to Liz's room. Isabelle had joined in the group hug consisting of Maria, Sam, Max and Isabelle. Michael placed his arms around the group from Maria's back and Alex did the same from Isabelle's. They stood their holding onto one another for a long moment.
"Can I get in on the action or is this a private moment?"
The group jumped and turned quickly. Their stunned faces made Liz smile. She had moved her bed into an upright position and was waiting patiently on someone to acknowledge she was there. When her heart had stopped, the doctor had silenced the monitor and they hadn't heard her heart start up again. It was a momentary lapse but long enough for Liz to wake up and adjust to her surroundings as she watched in wonder as the exchange between Isabelle and Max and then Max and Sam had taken place. The jolt back into reality must have resulted in her heart stopping but there was no sure reason. It was a miracle she was alive and everyone realized that without question. After all, stranger things have happened.
"See, I told you." Sam stated sarcastically.
That was all it took for everyone to run and surround Liz. They all enveloped her at once. She let out a gasp just as Sam jumped on the bed with her. Sam and Liz hugged each other tight as everyone else leaned in for the hug. The tears streaming down freely.
"Oh my God, Liz. I thought .... I mean they told us.... I can't live without you!" Maria screeched.
Liz just smiled through the tears. "Is this reality or my dream?" Liz asked still a bit confused but feeling this was where she belonged.
"What?" Michael asked softly.
"It's just that I think maybe I was dreaming I had dreamed all of this. I don't know....it's confusing. I just know this feels right." Liz finished her explanation turning to look up at Max who hadn't said a word. He had fresh tears in his eyes and their was an unreadable expression on his face. "Max?" Liz asked softly not knowing what else to say she waited for his acknowledgment.
"I thought you were .... God! I can't lose you. I didn't know what I was going to do. I love you so much! Liz, will you marry me?" Max asked getting down on one knee beside her bed.
Liz was stunned for all the time that they had talked about being together, Max hadn't mentioned marriage. Neither had she. She was just concerned with him being near her and Sam. Even living together if that was what he wanted, but marriage. It seems like the logical thing. I do love him, Liz thought to herself. I can't live without him, Liz stated emphatically to herself. We did it all backward, Liz thought.
Max was still waiting on an answer his face was etched with seriousness. He didn't think she would say no but it appeared she was thinking about it. Although it had just been seconds, it seemed like an eternity.
"We did it backwards didn't we?" Liz asked as the tears streamed down her face and she reached for Max. She touched the side of his face with her hand and he leaned into the touch. He nodded then smiled.
"Is that a yes, Miss Parker?" Max teased.
"Always." Liz replied leaning over to kiss Max.
Just as their kiss broke, Sam's excitement couldn't be calmed. "YAY! I new you'd be my daddy!" Sam shouted to Max excitedly.
Liz and Max shared a smile and then Max took Sam into his arms. "Sam. I am your father. Even if your mom and I hadn't made up, I would still have been your father."
Sam smiled big and wrapped her arms around Max's neck in a fierce hug. "I love you, daddy." Sam whispered. "And I love you." Max replied with tears in his eyes.
The doctor was quickly called back to Liz's room and was quite astonished to find her alive. When he had left her room, he was most sure that she had passed on. After ushering everyone but Max out of the room, Dr. Mackey proceeded to examine Liz. He concluded that she was going to be fine. She did have a few scrapes and bruises but those would heal. He instructed her to rest and if she was a little stronger tomorrow she could go home.
~~~~~~~
When Max and Liz arrived at the Crashdown after she was released from the hospital, Liz was surprised to see a welcome home party in progress. All of her family and friends were there. She turned to Max with a suspicious look on her face and inquired in a low voice, if they should make this an engagement party as well? He agreed and as soon as everyone was finished with their welcomes, he grabbed a spoon and tapped his glass until he had everyone's attention.
Max turned and smiled at Liz and took her hand before beginning his speech. "Liz and I thought we should use this opportunity, since everyone is already together, to make a very important announcement. Liz and I are getting married."
Both sets of parents were ecstatic. They knew that Liz and Max loved each other immensely and that they had already taken the leap into parenthood. This was the best logical step for them.
After the party, Mr. and Mrs. Evans had asked if they could take Sam home with them. After careful thought (and Max's urging) Liz agreed. This left a group of six alone in the Crashdown. They sat at one booth with Michael pulling up a chair on the end and Maria onto his lap.
"I can't believe you two are actually married." Isabelle smirked at Michael.
"Why?" Maria insisted.
"It's Michael. I just never thought he'd tie the knot." Isabelle said in a chuckle.
"Honestly, me neither but then again Michael has matured a lot since we graduated." Max agreed.
"Oooh. My doing, right?" Maria smiled at Michael raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, definitely." Michael agreed with a smile as he captured Maria's lips with his.
"So, I was wondering. About a date? Have you thought of when you want to get married?" Isabelle asked shyly.
Liz and Max shared a look and then Liz responded, "not yet. We haven't had time to really talk about it. But, I think we'll probably just have a small ceremony or something I don't want to go through what you two did. I mean, I know you're not married yet but all the formality is a little drab."
"Drab?" Alex chirped up.
"I wouldn't call it drab." Maria said joining in on the conversation.
"Sorry, drab is probably too harsh. I was just thinking something really simple. Mainly just family and friends. Nothing fancy, not a lot of fuss. I mean, we've already done everything backwards. This is just a formality, really." Liz seemed to be trying to convince everyone including herself that her dream of a fairly traditional church wedding wasn't necessary. She knows in her hurt that her and Max love each other and the white gown would be a little funny since they already have a kid. Besides, it's not like any of their ‘group' was traditionally normal.
Max saw the change in Liz's face and knew that she wasn't so sure of what she was saying. They really hadn't had time to talk about it yet and when they did, he would make sure she knew all of her dreams could come true. All she had to do was say so.
"You know what. I think we should probably just wait on the plans until after we have had a chance to talk a little more and get a better idea of what we want. Don't you?" Max inquired softly looking at Liz.
Knowing that he wasn't trying to be harsh and simply wanted them to have time to make the decisions together, Liz smiled and nodded. Knowing that now they would have the rest of their lives to be together and fulfill their dreams, Liz was more than happy to put aside the details since she knew the end result would be everlasting.
The white, red and pink roses covered the entire church. The aisles were streamed with white silk connecting each pew. There were candles lit everywhere emanating a soft glow. There was sunlight shining through the stain glass window that overlooked the altar.
After careful discussion, Alex and Isabelle had decided that they really didn't want to wait for this type of service. They had flown to Los Vegas right after Liz's coming home party. They had agreed to wait on leaving for their honeymoon until after Liz and Max's wedding. That seemed like a working plan. However, Max was insistent that Liz's dream of a traditional church wedding be fulfilled.
The church was filled with family and friends. Some from Harvard had made their way down on short notice to be there for Liz and a few of Max's friends from school also made the trip. Everyone who knew them was invited and ended up filling the church.
Max waited patiently at the alter with Michael and Alex as well as the preacher. They watched while the ushers seated the parents and the mothers lit the unity candle. The music softly playing without lyrics was a soft romantic tone. As Sam made her way down the aisle dropping colorful rose petals, Max couldn't help but smile with pride. That was his little girl and he would be there to watch her grow up. It was a wonderful feeling. His thoughts were interrupted as Isabelle began her descent to the front of the church. She was wearing an almost iridescent red dress. It matched the red roses in her bouquet perfectly. As soon as Isabelle was stationed, Maria began walking toward them. She was dressed in a shiny pink dress which was the same color as her pink roses which she carried. When Maria was settled, the wedding march began.
Knowing she was breathtaking and seeing it were two different things. Max had always though Liz was perfect but seeing her standing in the doors of the church in her lovely white wedding dress with white roses streaming down from her bouquet he was wasn't sure if he could make it through the service. She was beautiful. She was the mother of his child. She was his. From this moment on, they would always be together. Even being the tough guy he was, Max was sure that his eyes were glassy. Love, hope, forever....they all ran through his mind and emotions.
Liz walked down the aisle with her father. Max wouldn't allow her to settle. Her dreams were important and always would be to him. She loved this man more than life itself. Their love ran deep and sure. Even without the ring and verbal commitment of ceremony that they were going through, she knew that no matter what they would never be apart again.
After the ceremony was complete, including the kiss for the bride and groom, Max and Liz made their way to greet people and then to the reception. As they made their way, Max couldn't help but steel glances and short kisses from his new wife.
"Well, Mrs. Evans, are you as happy as you seem?" Max asked softly in Liz's ear.
"Oh, Max." Liz answered with tears in her eyes and a smile just for him. "I love you so much. You know I am."
"I'm glad. I want to start off the new phase in our lives happy. I also want to tell you that you can't have anything alcoholic tonight." Max said with a teasing smile.
"Why?" Liz asked confused.
"Let's just say a little birdie told me that in less than nine months she'll be having a little brother." Max replied in a whisper.
The shock on Liz's face quickly turned to joy as she stopped then swung herself into Max's arms.
"This is perfect. A new beginning. Forever." Liz smiled sincerely with tears in her eyes.
"Forever." Max repeated.
THE END!
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