Always and Forever (Use Six Against The World)

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10a/Part 10b/Part 10c

Author: Linda

E-Mail: Crazy4Roswell@aol.com

Rating: PG-13

Category: Max & Liz, Maria & Michael, Isabel & Alex, Kyle & Cassie (She's mine)

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, just borrowing 'em. I'll return' em the way I found 'em.

Summary: Lots of my faithful readers wanted to know what happens to the eight kids in the end. What do Liz and Max's parents say when they tell them they are pregnant? Do they tell any of the parents that Max, Michael and Isabel are Aliens? Does Liz safely deliver the babies? What about the other couples? And what about Nasedo? For he's still out there...somewhere...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you haven't read my previous stories, "Us Six Against the World" or "Sense of Completion", it is recommended before reading this one. This is the last in the Trilogy. And, to make the time frame work in my story I have to make my characters start the timetable with Max saving Liz in their junior year, instead of their sophomore year of high school. Hey, what can I say? Author's license.. ;-)

Always & Forever
By: (I'll be getting the name of the artist soon) <G>

Always and Forever
Each moment with you
Is just like A Dream to me
That some how came true

And I know each moment
Will still be the same
Cuz we've got a lot of love
That won't ever change

Everyday love me your own special way
Melt every heart away
With a smile
Take time to tell me
You really care
And we'll be together forever

The end of "Sense of Completion"

"Max?" Liz swallowed and looked up into his warm, love filled eyes. "What are we going to tell our parents? I mean, are we going to tell them just about the pregnancy when I'm about 8 months from delivery? Or...are you wanting to tell them...all of it?"

Max sighed and met her worried eyes. "I don't know. I know that telling them about you being pregnant will be enough for them to handle at one time. But should we tell them after that? I know Isabel wants to tell our parents. And I'm just not sure if I agree. But I will think about it since I know how important it is and always has been to Isabel, and it would be nice to have Jordan meet them--but--" he swallowed.

Liz felt his fear and she hugged him closer. "Max! They would never reject you or Isabel! They love you. Unconditionally! I know it. You should have seen your mom when you were gone? She came to see me all the time to see how I was, and just to talk to someone who missed you and loved you as much as she did. "

"It's going to be pretty shocking for them if we tell them. I mean, that their children that they raised aren't even human. That they're a different species. Aliens." He swallowed.

"Max. I love you and will stick by you in any decision you make. I know they won't reject you, but I want you to want to tell them. And as for my parents, I don't know either. I think I will just see how they take the pregnancy." She winced only imagining how that would go over.

"We'll do it together Liz. I won't let you face them alone. And I'll let them know that I'll take excellent care of their little girl. Always and forever." He promised huskily.

Liz nodded and snuggled her cold nose into Max's warm neck. He smiled at the feel of her cold little nose, and sighed in contentment. They had a bumpy road ahead of them, but at this minute he knew that both of them had never felt the total sense of completion that they did right now.

Liz echoed his thoughts. She knew that as long as they were together there would always be that sense of completion.

Part 1

Ten months later--

Max and Liz walked into the living room of the Evans' house and faced Max's parents who were already seated. Max saw his parents calmly waiting for the two teens to begin. However, Max could tell that his parents were worried. They exchanged looks but showed an outwardly calm exterior. Max knew they didn't want to scare him or Liz into not talking to them about whatever they felt was so important. Max saw his mother look at him and Liz. He knew his mother could sense the tension in Liz and the worry and stress in her son's eyes as well, for she too held her breath and clenched her hands, waiting.

Max put an arm around Liz, as they sat across from his parents in the oversized chair. Max held his breath, met Liz's eyes for a minute, and then decided to just get it over with.

"Mom, dad...Liz is pregnant and we want to get married." Max blurted out and then waited. He kept his eyes level with his mother and father's.

His father was the first to respond. "So what? Do you want us to congratulate you? Give you our blessings?" he asked with bottled anger as he realized just what his son was telling him. His son was telling him that he had just ruined his life. He had blown his whole future. "How did you let this happen!?" his father said through a clenched jaw. "We asked you to at least be careful if you couldn't--restrain yourselves.." His father said hoarsely, trying to keep his anger on a leash. But he couldn't help but look at Liz with blame in his eyes.

Max swallowed and squeezed Liz tighter. "We did take precautions, it just--"

"Oh Max." he heard his mother said in a very sad, disappointed voice.

He looked at her and could see how terribly hurt and disappointed she was in both of them. He felt Liz start to shake next to him. He knew they were looking at her and blaming her.

"You didn't use a condom did you?" his father blurted out raking a hand through his hair and glancing again at Liz. "And she told you it would be okay because she was on the pill right?" he continued. Then raked a glance at Liz. "You've ruined my son's life. I hope you're happy." He said and started pacing.

Liz bit her lip and held a hand over her mouth to hold back a sob.

"NO! It wasn't Liz's fault!" Max stood up and faced his parents again, and this time he took a deep breath.

His mother looked up at him but her hurt and disappointment was there to be seen. She was giving him a chance to explain though. "Why is that Max?" she said softly.

"Mom. Liz was on the pill. She...it would have been okay if...if I was normal. It's my fault." He swallowed and felt Liz's hand slip into his and squeeze his in comfort for what he was about to reveal.

"Max?" his mother looked up at him wide-eyed and held her breath.

"You were right when you said I was different, Mom. And I know you wanted me to be honest with you awhile back, but I couldn't. I--this is not easy. The reason I've always been able to heal animals...and other strange stuff you've noticed is...when you found Isabel and I in the desert that night, we had just come out of incubation pods from the '47 crash. Mom...I'm really an alien from that crash." Max said. Then let out his breath at finally saying those words to her. He felt Liz squeeze his hand again and he looked at her and saw her smile though her tears. He swallowed and looked back at his parents.

His father was looking at him as if he were crazy. He could tell his father didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. Then he looked at his mother and saw how pale she had gotten and how she just stared. Her eyes wide and shocked.

"Maxwell Evans! You have never been a liar before, Son and I don't like what this girl has done to you lately! Enough crazy lies!" his father exploded and came to stand before them.

Max met his father's eyes with his direct stare and swallowed again. There was pain in Max's eyes. "I'm not lying dad. And if you thought about it, you'd realize that there has always been something a little...off with me." He said in his own now hoarse voice.

His father stared at him again and then flinched and slowly backed away shaking his head in denial.

Max turned to his mother and saw her look away and down at the ground, a fist to her mouth.

Both his parents had looked at him as if he was a monster, and now they couldn't look at him at all. "Mom?" Max pleaded for her to look at him. She had said it wouldn't matter! She had promised.

When she didn't look at him he looked at his father who actually looked terrified, and backed up behind the couch. "Look, we won't say anything. Just--go. We don't...we can't have you here anymore. And my God...what kind of baby is that?" his father choked and turned away, himself.

Max thought he was going to be sick. He glanced again at his mother but she wouldn't meet his eyes. "Mom?" he whispered in another plea. "Mom!" he shouted. She still wouldn't look at him. He couldn't believe how wrong Isabel had been about their mother's acceptance.

"It's okay. shhh..." Liz soothed him and cooed in his ear.

Max thought she was crazy. No it wasn't okay! It would never be okay again. "Please Mom!" he cried.

"Max!" Liz whispered forcefully.

Max shot up in bed shaking and crying. Liz made soothing sounds again in his ear, hugging him and pushing back his now wet hair from his face.

"It's okay Max. It was a nightmare." She said softly and finally got Max to lie back down quietly, but his breath was still coming in gasps, and he was still shaking.

Max stared up at the ceiling with wild fear in his eyes and Liz held back a sob of her own. "Max, you can't keep doing this to yourself. Please. That won't happen. It was just a dream." Liz said and gently caressed the side of his face, taking his tears with her as she moved her hand softly.

Max had had the same nightmare now for over a week. The first time Liz had actually been in the dream with him. Being held close by him he had pulled her into the dream. But Liz could now distinguish it as a dream and pull herself out, whereas Max continued to go through the whole nightmare over and over again.

"Your parents love you Max. Your mother loves you. She will not reject you. She loves you unconditionally." Liz told him again.

She was grateful that her parents were away for the night, or they would have heard Max's cry. The nightmares seemed to be getting worse in intensity.

"How do you know?" Max finally said in a hoarse voice. He was still staring up at the ceiling but now turned his head to look at Liz.

She met his eyes with warm, loving ones. "Because a mother's love IS unconditional." She smiled.

Max just shook his head, the dream had been too real. Who said it couldn't happen the way it had in his dream?

"Max. You don't have to tell them all of it. We have to tell them I'm pregnant, but we don't have to tell them all of it if you don't want. I know Isabel has been pushing you to tell them, but it can wait. It doesn't have to be now, when we are going to have to tell them about me as well." Liz said softly and hurt for Max. She looked over his beautiful face and into his good heart and soul and couldn't believe he really thought that his parents would reject him.

Liz kissed his lips gently, softly, and then got up and padded into the bathroom to get him a glass of water.

She sat on the side of the bed while he sat up and drank. His eyes were still haunted. Liz smiled sadly and took the glass from him, put it on the table and then turned back to him.

He met her eyes with his haunted ones. "Max, how would you feel if our babies...came out small and green and slimy?" she asked seriously.

Max choked and glanced at her, his own fear growing more so at her words.

She realized that she was not making her point. "Would you be disgusted and turn away from them?" she asked softly.

His eyes searched hers and he swallowed. "Wouldn't...wouldn't you?" he asked in a shocked whisper.

Liz smiled and shook her head, all the honesty there in her eyes for him to see. "I would love them no matter what they looked like." She said softly.

Max looked shocked and then tears filled his eyes again. How did he find her? How was he lucky enough to find someone who accepted all there was about him?

"It's easy Max. We were meant to be." Liz answered his silent question and leaned in to kiss him.

Max was used to her reading his mind by now, and just sobbed and pulled her into his arms, and lying back, he dragged her on top of him. Liz just held him tighter, letting him feel her warmth and love. The cold and pain was finally receding from his body.

"We won't tell them Max. We will only tell them all about the babies." Liz said and sighed when she felt Max release his breath and slowly doze again. She felt the tension drain out of him and she held back her own sob.

Oh Max! How could you doubt your parents' love for you! You are more human than most people in this world! She thought to herself and then burying her head in his neck, she thought about this upcoming weekend. They had finally decided that this weekend they were going to tell their parents about the babies.

They all were graduating on Friday, from high school, and since they had to make future plans that included two babies; they had to tell their parents. Liz had a little over 8 months to go yet, and still wasn't showing, but they needed to plan for the future, and it was time to tell their parents. She knew this is what had brought on Max's nightmares the last week.

Isabel had been pushing him to tell their parents everything and get it all over with, but Liz knew now that Max was far from ready for that. She couldn't blame him right now. She was dreading just telling their parents about the babies...Their parents were so proud of them and had such high hopes and expectations for them. She couldn't imagine telling her parents that her babies were also part alien.

Liz sighed and kissed Max's chest softly, rubbing her lips back and forth over his sculptured muscles, and loving the light taste of his skin under her lips. They would get through this weekend, and then they would talk about Max's fears.

Part 2

May 25, 2001

I'm Liz Parker and today is Graduation Day. I can't believe we've all finally made it! So much has happened in the last year and a half, since Max Evans stepped forward and saved my life. Before then, Maria, Alex and I had sworn that we would all graduate together and then no matter who we were with, we would get together, just the three of us, and celebrate our past accomplishments, and our futures. But now we never think of ourselves as the three of us anymore. For a while after Max had saved me, it was the six of us, and then in the last year, it's been the eight of us. It's just amazing how much life can change. I now realized that even though it's still good to have a plan, you also have to be ready for unpredictable things to suddenly occur that could change all your well laid out plans. And to realize that unpredictable occurrences can actually be better than what you'd planned. I wouldn't change one thing in my life right now. Even knowing all we still have to go through in the near and distant future...

Liz smiled and glanced over at the form next to her in her bed. She had woken up early and was writing in her diary as she tried to do every morning or night before she went to bed. But she also loved this time of morning when Max was still asleep, snuggled up with her in her bed, and lightly snoring.

A time when she could just devour him with her eyes, openly loving him and admiring him in solitude. Not that she couldn't and didn't openly love and admire him all the time, but it was so peaceful just to know he was asleep next to her in the quiet hours of the morning. She was amazed at how hot he always was. No matter what time of year it was, he always slept in just his boxers and either a t-shirt or no shirt. And when they were at Jordan's ranch, where they didn't have to worry about parents catching them, he didn't even wear his boxers. This brought a smile to Liz's lips.

Soon they wouldn't have to sneak around anymore. They wouldn't have to crawl through each other's windows to be together. For after graduation today, tomorrow, they were going to finally confront their parents about her pregnancy, and plan for their future together. Liz reached for the ever-present chain around her neck and clasped the diamond ring in her hand. Soon now she would wear this on her finger, where Max and she both wanted and needed it to be.

Liz bit her lip remembering Max's dream again from last night. She would have to talk to Isabel today. And explain what was going on with Max, and how they would have to hold off on telling her parents everything. Liz needed to figure out why Max was so afraid of rejection from his parents.

Liz started to write in her journal again when she felt a little nip at her hip. Startled she jumped and dropped the pen and the book slid to the end of the bed.

Max had woken up to see Liz's cute little hip in line with his face, and couldn't resist nibbling on her first thing in the morning.

"Max!" Liz giggled as he then climbed up her body and slid her down again onto the pillows.

"Breakfast." He murmured as he took her mouth with his for a long lingering kiss. Liz sighed and draping her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes and just let herself float away on the feelings that Max could always stir.

Suddenly he stopped kissing her and sat up with a frown. "What?" she asked in concern. Had he been thinking of the dream again?

"You brushed your teeth!" He accused, looking grumpy now.

Liz giggled and tried pulling him to her again, but he resisted. He looked like a little boy all pouty with his hair all messed from sleep. "So?" she whispered and tried again to pull him back down to her. When he still resisted she sighed. "Max?" she questioned patiently.

"I have morning breath and you don't." he said and jumped up and disappeared into the bathroom.

Liz looked surprised. This was new. Many a mornings she got up first, and showered before writing in her journal. And Max often woke and attacked her first thing. It was one of the things she loved and looked forward to. Why was he worried about this all of a sudden? Max was worrying about too much lately, and Liz bit her lip knowing they needed to talk about what was really bothering him.

She picked up her journal and wrote again.

I can't wait until tonight. There's going to be a big dance at the gym at school, and the guys are all taking us. We will spend one last night at a high school event, before we say goodbye to high school forever. Part of me is sad to be leaving behind all that I know, but knowing that my future is Max, makes me unafraid of all that the future may bring...

Max pounced on the bed and grabbed Liz again, knocking the book once more to the end of the bed, while the pen went flying this time.

Max growled playfully and Liz giggled right before he closed his mouth over hers. They wrestled for a few minutes before Liz sat up eying Max, as he lay stretched out on the bed content for the moment with their morning kisses. "You ready for your speech?" Max asked with a smile as he glided a hand down her arm, watching her watch him. Liz frowned and nodded. Max just chuckled and sat up. "Don't worry Ms. Valedictorian, you'll do great! Your speech is excellent and inspiring." He said with pride in his eyes.

Liz nodded and smiled. She wouldn't worry. They were going to enjoy today, all of it.

Max once again slid out of the bed to go shower. He bent down, placed a hand on Liz's still flat tummy, and kissed it. "Morning little ones." He said softly. Then he picked up Liz's journal from the bottom of the bed and handed it to her. He winked. "You can finish writing now." He smiled and headed into the bathroom.

Liz laughed and put the book on the nightstand. Max didn't need to look at her journal any more. Not only had she shared it with him a long time ago, but also he knew her every thought, as she knew his. Liz smiled knowing that this helped to make them closer, and she started to hum, her own hand over the babies, as she too got up and started getting dressed.

"Oh my God, Liz. Why didn't he tell me?" Isabel said, her face drained of color and her eyes pained.

"I don't think he realized how much it was bothering him until recently, Isabel. I think part of him wants to tell your parents too, which is why he's been having the dreams. Every time he starts to convince himself to tell them everything, he has the nightmares." Liz sighed.

Isabel bit her lip and met Alex's equally worried eyes. "We can wait. Of course we can wait." Isabel said in a low voice.

Alex knew how she felt and he put his arm around her and looked at Liz. Liz looked tired. And Max looked tired lately too. Alex knew that the past few weeks had been extremely wearing on all of them with finals and graduation and plans for the future, not to mention the added burden for Max and Liz to tell their parents about the pregnancy.

"Michael's not ready yet either I don't think." Isabel sighed again and then shook herself and smiled. This was their last day of high school. They were not going to worry about anything today. "Hey! You coming over right after school to get ready?" Isabel changed the subject.

Liz grinned, her face brightening and nodded. "Definitely! Maria is going to pick me up and we'll meet you and Cassie right after school to start getting ready for graduation and the dance afterwards."

"I hate dancing." Michael commented as he and Maria approached Isabel's locker where they had gathered.

"Well I love it." Maria said her own eyes twinkling as she too thought about tonight. "We did it guys! We made it through high school!" she added and gave a shout and hugged Liz and Isabel who both laughed.

"No more Mr. Bell!" Isabel sighed, thinking of her Math teacher.

"No more Ms. Riker!" Maria laughed thinking of their gym teacher.

"No more cafeteria lunches!" Alex added, getting into the spirit now.

Michael smiled, his arm around Maria. "No more slips for being absent or late," he couldn't help but add.

"No more condescending looks from Mr. Parady," Liz laughed thinking of their chemistry teacher.

"No more eraser room." Max said coming up behind Liz and sliding his arms around her.

"We won't need it Maxwell!" Michael grinned realizing now that they were out of high school, there would be less restrictions on them.

"No more conferences in the halls between classes," Maria suddenly said quietly.

"No more lunches together in the Quad," Liz whispered.

"No more group meetings under the bleachers," Cassie added as she and Kyle came up to the group.

They all stood around looking at each other. Torn between being excited to be moving ahead with their lives, and yet afraid of the changes to come. Would they ever be as close as they were now?

"Hey! Come on guys! We've got some serious fun to look forward to tonight!" Isabel said suddenly, pulling them all out of their blue moment.

"Hey Maria, Kyle how are your parents' wedding plans coming along?" Alex asked.

Maria smiled and exchanged glances with Kyle. Now that the secret was out in the open and Kyle's dad was actually their protector, none of them minded the pairing of Maria and Kyle's parents.

"Great. They are so happy." Maria smiled. Liking that her mom was happy now.

"I've never seen my dad so happy. He actually whistles around the house. It's kinda scary." Kyle quipped, making Cassie laugh.

Maria smiled to herself remembering what her mother had just asked her last night. They had been going through some more wedding catalogues when Amy had asked Maria a question...

***"Honey, what do you think of my asking Michael to give me away?"

Maria had been flabbergasted but then had smiled widely and hugged her mom. "He'll love it!" Maria said. "And hate it." She added and then they both laughed. ***

She smiled remembering that tomorrow, after graduation; her mom was going to ask Michael.

Then she remembered what tomorrow was for Max and Liz and she looked over at them. They both looked even more tired than the rest of them, but that was understandable. She just would be glad, like everyone else, when they got the talk over with.

They weren't worried about being told they couldn't see each other, considering Max had turned 18 in March and Liz had turned 18 at the beginning of the month. But they did want their parents' blessings.

"So! Girls! My place right after school?" Isabel smiled looking around.

They all nodded and Max grinned at the guys. "Great, we're going to be in for it." He rolled his eyes. He could tell the girls were seriously in the mood to party tonight.

And that usually kept the guys on their toes.

Part 3

Maria looked around the auditorium at the rest of her graduating class. Her stomach was churning. She was terrified. Most of the class already knew what they wanted to do or become after they graduated. But she had no idea! She looked to her right, two seats down, and caught Isabel's eye, and they exchanged smiles.

Isabel knew what she wanted to be, Maria sighed. As amazing as it once might have seemed, Isabel wanted to teach. Maria had always thought Isabel would become a high-class model in New York or L.A, before she'd really gotten to know her. But now she knew that teaching was perfect for Isabel. She had a lot to give, and her poise and grace could help others feel more confident about themselves.

Maria looked next to Isabel and saw Max. He too grinned at her and winked. Liz's other half as she always thought of him. Even before he had saved her life and become part of it, they had always been like two peas in a pod. Max was smart and dedicated and knew what he wanted to be as well. He had ironically enough decided to become a doctor. But not just any doctor. Max was going to take his practice to Jordan's area and learn more about his own people and the ones of mixed races, and help out there.

Maria leaned down the row a little and saw Michael, who automatically felt her look and turned his head to catch her eyes. He grinned and then rolled his eyes to let her know he hated this pomp and ceremony stuff. Maria smiled wider and nodded, agreeing with him. Michael even knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to work with troubled kids, and like Max, he wanted to help his own race. He too wanted to work in Jordan's community and help the troubled teens there. He knew he'd be able to relate to them very well. And he also had his painting. She knew he would continue to paint as well, and knew that one day his painting would become very much in demand.

She looked back several rows and met Liz's eyes. Liz winked at her and they exchanged smiles. Her best friend. Her confidant and strength since kindergarten. Michael liked to tease them and call them Frick and Frack, but it was true. They complemented each other perfectly. They were opposites, and yet they balanced each other out. Liz of course always had known what she wanted to be. A scientist. And not just any scientist, but a molecular biologist. And of course she too was going to work at Jordan's ranch, in the lab after she graduated, and while she took courses in college.

Maria met Alex's eyes and saw him give her his famous thumbs up sign. Maria grinned. Alex was going into computers and was going to study everything he could about them in college. But Maria figured he could probably teach the college professors some stuff.

Maria's eyes continued around to Kyle Valenti. Kyle was going to play football for the UNM, but he also had higher goals. Ironically he wanted to go into law enforcement like his dad. Now that he knew how important his dad's job could be, and how he could really help people, Kyle wanted to be like his dad. And Kyle was also, technically going to become her stepbrother...

She met his eyes and he winked and tilted his head toward their parents who were holding hands and looking proud for them both. She glanced at her mom and Kyle's dad and was truly happy for them. She looked back at Kyle and saw he was too. Kyle the lawman. Maria smiled to herself. She knew Kyle also figured if he and Cassie were going to have a future together, they could all use another lawman on their side.

Which brought Maria's thoughts around to Cassie. The other scientist and brain of the group. She too was going to follow Liz in her career choice and also work out at Jordan's lab while going to college. She met Cassie's eye and Cassie smiled a warm and reassuring smile. As if she knew what Maria was feeling. Maria raised an eyebrow at Cassie who only shrugged, and then Maria smiled and shook her head.

Everyone had a career path to follow but her. Maria swallowed and tried to fight back the sudden burst of panic. What did she want to do? Liz had told her not to worry, that it would come to her. That it was somehow predestined and she would figure it out when the time was right.

Maria's eyes shone when they called Liz up to the podium to give her speech as Class Valedictorian. She had always known that one day she would be listening to her best friend give this speech. Maria knew the speech by heart since she had helped Liz with it over the years, and then just recently when she'd refined it. She was so proud of her best friend. And she could see the pride in Max's eyes as Liz made her way to the podium.

She glanced over at Liz's parents and saw them exchange smiles as Liz's mom wiped a tear away, and then reach for her husband's hand. The pride in them was there for all to be seen as well. Maria bit her lip hoping that they didn't loose that pride when their daughter talked to them tomorrow.

Maria sighed and let Liz's words drift back to her. Then she sat up and met Liz's eyes. Liz had added a part that Maria hadn't been aware of. Liz was saying how she knew that some of the class still didn't know what they wanted to do, but that there was something special out there waiting for them all, and that they just had to go with their hearts in finding what it was. And that it would come to them, not to panic. Maria smiled through tears and nodded to her friend as Liz smiled at her and then continued looking around as she spoke.

Maria would hold that hope inside her. There was something out there for her...And she would figure it out. All she had to do was follow her heart.

"Isabel you look stunning!" Cassie exclaimed as Isabel stepped into her dress and Maria zipped it from behind. Isabel was wearing Alex's favorite color. Red. It was a form fitting dress that clung to her every curve and ended a little above her knees. And it had spaghetti straps holding it up.

Isabel smiled and glanced at Cassie who looked equally stunning. Cassie had on a green dress that matched her eyes, and the sparkle in them and the high color in her cheeks made her radiant as well. "You do too Cassie." She told her admiringly.

Maria finished zipping Isabel and turned around for Isabel to zip her. Maria was wearing a classy black dress and matching heels that complemented her to perfection as well.

"Maria you look so much older and sophisticated!" Liz grinned from the doorway to the bathroom where she was getting ready.

"Well Chica, you look quite the stunner yourself in that dress." Maria raised an eyebrow at Liz's outfit. She too had on a form fitting dress, only in royal blue, that went to above her knees, and had spaghetti straps, but her dress dipped in the back and was backless. Maria knew Max would love it. "So ladies are we going to have fun partying tonight or what!" Maria exclaimed as she slipped on her black heels.

"The guys are going to look so dreamy in their tux's." Isabel sighed as she applied the last of her jewelry.

"Mmmmm...not just dreamy but sexy as hell!" Maria laughed imagining their guys in tuxes.

Liz pictured Max in his tux and swallowed. She hoped she could restrain herself tonight. She still had her cravings, and Max was still high on that list. She just knew that seeing him in his tux was going to do her in.

"I think I'm going to dance the whole night away!" Maria said and spun around.

"Poor Michael!" Isabel laughed, knowing how much he hated dancing.

"Well, I'll make it up to him later." Maria winked as she turned up a song on the CD player and started dancing to it.

Diane Evans stood in the doorway and smiled warmly. The girls had the house to themselves since Mr. Evans and Max had left to let the girls get ready.

Diane thought they all looked so beautiful. And she envied them this time in their lives. She knew it was a scary time, but it was also the most exciting...Oh to be young, vibrant and glowing with the future all ahead of her again. Diane thought as she watched the girls' giggle and laugh and get ready for this dance, their last one of high school.

Diane was so proud of Isabel. Isabel had really matured and become more open and confident since she had started hanging around with Liz Parker and Maria DeLuca. And she knew how Liz Parker had changed her son's life for the better as well. She was very proud of her children, and happy now that they were so obviously happy. Diana had been so worried about Max before he'd met Liz Parker. She had often times wondered what would happen to him. She had always felt that he was just buying time. She couldn't explain it, but he'd always seemed to be waiting for something. And Diana smiled realizing it must have been Liz. Whether he realized it or not.

Diana thanked the heavens that Max had found Liz. She couldn't have picked a more perfect girl for her son than Liz.

Then Diane looked at a picture on Isabel's night table of herself and Alex Whitman, and she her eyes warmed again. Another perfect match. She'd seen her daughter go through dates like nothing, but she had seen the change in Isabel when she'd met Alex and started to let him in. Diane adored Alex Whitman and couldn't have wished for a better man for her daughter.

And her own eyes misted over as she realized that her babies were now grown up and ready to leave the nest. She didn't feel like she'd had long enough with them. She thanked the stars every night for bringing the two to her that night so long ago, but she wasn't ready to give them up yet. Although, she didn't think any mother was ever ready for that.

Isabel saw her mother in the doorway with happy tears in her eyes and she walked over to her. "Mom." Isabel said and hugged her mother. No more words were needed.

Isabel hugged her mom tightly and knew in her heart that her mom would love them no matter what. She just had to convince Max of that.

The gym was already packed when the eight of them got there. They looked around and saw that most tables were already taken.

"Great, see Isabel, you had to take that extra time, now we don't have a place to sit," grumbled Michael.

"You won't need to sit. You promised you'd dance with me tonight. And I don't intend to leave the dance floor." Maria smiled and grabbing his arm she yanked him out onto the already crowded floor. They could hear him groan as she pulled him away.

"Poor Michael." Alex laughed. Then he turned to Isabel. She looked breathtaking tonight. She had worn a beautiful red form fitting dress that had straps and only went up to mid thigh. She knew how much he loved her in red, and she knew he loved her long legs as well. Her hair was curly and down, lose and free so he could run his hands through it. "You ready to dance gorgeous?" he asked and rose an eyebrow continuously as he gave her a leering look.

Isabel laughed and let him sweep her up into his arms and onto the dance floor as well.

Kyle and Max looked down at their girls and saw the way they were already dancing in place. Kyle rolled his eyes and sighed. "Guess we won't be sitting around any ways."

Max grinned at the tortured look on Kyle's face, which matched Michael's, as then he led Cassie out onto the dance floor as well.

Max grinned down at Liz. She looked radiant tonight. She was in a form fitting deep blue dress a lot like Isabel's only it was backless. Max knew he could hold her all night feeling her skin against him so he wasn't going to complain about dancing. "What about you beautiful? Care to dance with me?" he said with his eyes hooded with passion. Just looking at her could turn him on.

Liz laughed at his look and nodded. "It's either that or a trip to the eraser room from the way you look. And I really want to party our last night of high school." She answered.

Max nodded, knowing how much she wanted to dance and enjoy tonight, and taking her hand in his, he led her out to join the others.

Michael and Kyle looked pained as they danced to a fast song. Cassie and Maria were completely into the song, singing and dancing near each other so they could do a duet to the music. Max grinned at the guys as he passed and Michael rolled his eyes at him and groaned. Max knew that Michael hated dancing, but he loved Maria and would stand there shifting back and forth all night for her.

When the music slowed, Max sighed and took Liz into his arms. He could dance like this all night with her. He let one hand rest on her hip while the other gently caressed her bare back.

He felt Liz's heart rate increase, and she sighed and tucked her nose into his now open collar. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed these last hours of freedom from worry and responsibility. Although as he hugged Liz closer, he knew he didn't see her as a responsibility, but as his life. One he couldn't imagine without her.

And tomorrow, tomorrow was going to bring out the secret that he'd hated hiding. He wanted to world to know that Liz was his. And he wanted to start planning that life with her. If they could just get through the talk with their parents tomorrow. He thought and felt his gut tighten at the thought.

Then he took deep breaths and concentrated on the girl in his arms instead. He was going to relax tonight and enjoy just being with his girl and his friends.

Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Part 4

Isabel was at the kitchen table when Max finally came down Saturday morning. She glanced at him and frowned with concern. He looked terrible. Probably another sleepless night from the looks of him. And from what Liz had told her, probably filled with nightmares as well.

She watched Max go to the fridge and pour a glass of juice, and then he just stood in front of the kitchen window, above the sink, and stared out at nothing.

"Max." Isabel said softly and came to stand beside him. She saw him finally turn toward her and for the first time he realized she was in the room. "Don't tell them anything more than you have to today. I think telling Mom and Dad about the babies will be more than enough. I...it can wait. The rest I mean. Until you're ready." She swallowed seeing the pain and fear that flashed in his eyes.

He lifted his eyes to hers. "What if I'm never ready, Is?" he asked quietly.

Isabel took a deep breath and swallowed again. "We'll worry about that later...We'll talk about it later. But for right now, just get through today okay?" She smiled softly and put a hand to his cheek.

Max returned the smiled and felt a little bit of the tension leave him. Isabel wouldn't push it. At least not today.

Isabel saw the relief cross Max's face and she went back over to the table to grab her bag. "I'm going to get the heck out of here so that when all the parents gather here I'll be long gone." Isabel winked and strolled toward the back door.

Max grinned and mumbled, "Coward," as she opened the back door.

Isabel laughed. "Of course! We'll be at the Crashdown when you guys get through. Come let us know how it went okay?" she bit her lip.

Max nodded and went back to look into the fridge.

Isabel started toward the Jeep when she saw Liz coming up the walk. "Hey. You ready?" Isabel asked with concern. Liz too looked tired.

Liz nodded and took a deep breath. "Yeah. I mean I can handle anything as long as I have Max, but I'm worried about him, Is. He had another nightmare last night and this time in it your mom was so disgusted with him she screamed for him to get out of her house. And she kept calling him a monster." Liz trembled holding back tears.

Isabel's own eyes filled with pain and sorrow at her brother's emotional state. "I told him not to worry today. Just to tell them about the babies. I think that will be enough for one day." Isabel said softly and touched Liz's arm. She knew Liz was hurting for her brother as much as she was.

"Isabel, I know your mom would never be like that." Liz exclaimed.

Isabel nodded, "I know, I know, but it's Max's fear that I'm worried about." She sighed. "Go on in. I think he needs you right now. He's in the kitchen but he's not doing so well." Isabel told her.

Liz swallowed. "I know." She said softly.

"Of course you do! How could I forget?" Isabel laughed at herself. No one knew Max better than Liz. It used to bother her, but not anymore. She was glad her brother had found his other half. "What time are your parents coming over?" Isabel asked as she got into the jeep.

"In about two hours. Your parents should be back from work by then. It will give me a little time to get Max to relax some." Liz added and headed toward the kitchen door.

She came in softly and saw him standing in front of the fridge. He looked dejected and Liz's heart went out to him. She came up behind him and wrapped her hands around his waist and leaned her head against his muscular back.

Max took a deep breath, loving the feel of Liz against him, and closed his eyes just enjoying her touch.

Finally she released him and he turned around to her. He shut the fridge behind him and smiled at her. "You're early." He said nuzzling her neck and putting his hands on her hips and pulling her tight up against him.

Liz made a noise that sounded like agreement, but she closed her eyes and just let him kiss a path to her ear and then he nuzzled that the way she liked. "You left before I got up this morning. I needed a proper good morning greeting from you." She teased and let her hands slide around his back and caress it.

"You're right. Sorry, let me fix that." He murmured and then placed his hot, open mouth over hers.

When they came up for air, Liz smiled and walked to the table to sit down.

"Did you eat? Did you have your chocolate milk?" Max asked opening the fridge again and this time pouring a big glass of milk and squirting chocolate in it.

Liz just smiled watching him putter around the kitchen. She could get used to seeing him in a kitchen. She watched the curve of his butt and how they fit so well in his jeans, and she sighed just enjoying the view as he worked at the counter.

"Where the heck is the Tabasco now?" he mumbled looking in different cupboards. Liz took her eyes off of his cute butt and glanced at the table where she was sitting. It was right in front of her.

"I had my milk this morning already." Liz sighed and frowned, not wanting to be forced to drink more.

"Don't pout love, you know it's good for the babies." He smiled and turned around to look at her from across the room. His eyes were warm and happy. At least she knew he didn't regret the babies or her.

"What if I don't want any?" Liz asked raising her chin in defiance, a little teasing glint in her eyes.

"You don't have a choice. I want you to drink another glass. I read that you should drink several glasses of milk a day when your pregnant." He grinned, coming toward her with the glass.

"You can't make me." Liz teased back, glad to see a smile on Max's lips as they joked.

Max raised and eyebrow and a slow wicked smile formed on his face as Liz was pulled in his direction without moving her feet.

Liz laughed and put her hands on her hips. "Since when did you learn to do that? Let me go!"

"Make me." He mocked with a glint in his eyes.

"Well, here's the Tabasco sauce." Liz grinned and looked at the Tabasco and watched it come off the table, hover over it a second and then go shooting toward Max.

He caught it and swore. "Liz! God you know I hate it when you do that!" he said and couldn't help but laugh. Then he sucked in his breath and all the color drained from his face.

Liz spun around to the kitchen entry where Max was looking, and saw his mother standing there in shock.

Diane Evans took a deep breath and saw her son's face. She tried to calm her own spinning emotions and concentrate on the total fear and devastation she saw there.

She glanced at Liz who also looked worried, but looked more worried about Max's reaction than anything else. And when she met Liz's eyes she saw them almost plead with her. She tilted her head in question and then realized that Liz was pleading for Max. She raised an eyebrow and then sucked in her breath when she turned back toward her son. Max was shaking, frozen in place, looking as pale as death and his eyes were wild with fear. The pain she saw in her son's eyes almost made her own heart burst.

"Max--" she started to say, coming toward him.

Max moved finally and backed up against the counter behind him.

Diane Evans stopped and met his eyes with shock. He was afraid of her! She realized. Of what she had seen and heard. She took a deep breath. She had to be very careful about how she put her thoughts into words she realized.

"What--are you doing here?" You're not supposed to be back for another hour or so!" Max finally choked out, shocked that he had so stupidly been caught after all the years of care he had taken.

"I got out of the meeting early. I knew something was...bothering you two when you said you wanted to talk to all of us, but...I..." Diane didn't know what to say. She could tell from her son's eyes that he was ready to run. She didn't know what to say that wouldn't upset his delicate stability right now.

"How long have you been here?" Liz asked softly since neither mother nor son could think coherently enough to speak.

Diane focused on Liz for a second and calmed down. "I...since Max told you you needed milk because..." She swallowed. "Are you--?" she tried to ask. Max making Liz move without touching her, and the bottle spinning through the air was still too overwhelming in her mind. She was having a hard time taking it all in.

Liz nodded, meeting Mrs. Evan's eyes calmly. "Yes." She said then looked from Max's still terrified eyes, to Mrs. Evan's own shocked face. "But that's not all you saw was it?" Liz asked. She knew that it was time, whether Max was ready or not. And since neither of them seemed able to talk about it, Liz took the initiative, and slowly walked over to Max and took his cold hand in hers. She tried not to cry when he grabbed onto her hand like he needed saving.

Liz looked at Mrs. Evans again and saw that she too noticed Max's tight grip on Liz.

Then she looked up at Max again and bit her lip to hold back a sob when Max watched his mom's eyes go from their clenched hands to his face once again, and he flinched when his mother looked at him.

Diane took a deep breath and realized the pain her son was in. Nothing was more important that getting rid of that look in his eyes. "I saw Max move you without touching you. And I saw you move that bottle without touching it." She answered steadily. She tried to meet Max's eyes again, but he was looking down, as if waiting for something horrible to happen. "This has to do with the healing you can do doesn't it?" she asked softly.

Max nodded, and finally looked up. He had to just get it out. Get it over with. It was too late to do anything else. He took a deep breath and met her eyes. He knew how this played out. He'd been through it so many times in the last week. He could get through it one more time.

"I--I'm not just a healer Mo--." Max stopped. He couldn't say mom. He didn't know if she would want him to call her that after he told her what he had to...What he was.

Liz squeezed his hand tighter trying to tell him it would be okay. Her vibes of love came through, and gave him the courage to just get it out.

"You were right when you said I was different. And I know you wanted me to be honest with you awhile back, but I couldn't. I...The reason I've always been able to heal animals...and other things you've noticed is--when you found Isabel and I in the desert that night, we had just come out of incubation pods from the '47 crash. I'm really an alien from that crash." Max finished and his voice was like sandpaper.

Diane's mind went numb for a second, and she wanted to laugh at the ridiculous joke, but then she saw how very serious both of the teens standing in front of her. Her mind spun around and she thought she might faint. But she knew now why her son was afraid, terrified of her, and in pain.

And it started to make sense.

She had always wondered what they'd been doing out there in the desert that night with no clothes on, and not able to utter a word in any language. How quiet and careful Max had always been, and except for Liz, he had never let anyone close, not even her or her husband. Now she knew why. And she knew his fear of rejection and her heart ached seeing that look on her son's face.

"Max--" Diane started to say and came forward, pain evident in her own tear-filled eyes.

Max flinched, waiting for the blow. Whether physical or verbal he didn't know, but he lowered his eyes, unable to look at the pain that now filled his mother's eyes. He swallowed and waited. He wanted to run, to not hear the words he'd heard so often in the last week, but he couldn't get himself to move.

He was frozen in fear and dread.

When his mom touched him he actually make a choking sound like a sob, and then she was embracing him and crying as she told him she loved him and she didn't care what he was. That he was still hers and always would be.

Liz let go of Max's hand when his mother put her arms around him, and she put a fist to her mouth to hold back her own sobs. The tears were running freely down her cheeks as she watched the shock and amazement on Max's face as his mother's words finally penetrated.

And then he let out a sob and with shaking hands, he wrapped his arms about his mom, hugging her back.

"Mom." He cried out and just hung onto her, letting the sobs come now.

"Max, baby. My baby. I love you...I'll never stop loving you. You and Isabel were mine the minute we found you and you will never be anything but our children, always." She said through her own tears and hoarse voice.

Diane just soothed her son and held him tighter as his sobs racked his body. She closed her eyes and thanked God her son had finally opened up to her after all these years. She had always thought she would lose him one day, but now that she understood why, she knew she'd never let that happen.

Then she glanced over at Liz and she held out her hand to the girl who loved her son unconditionally. She realized that if this small woman hadn't given that love so unconditionally to her son, she would never have had this talk with Max and she probably would have lost him. She smiled and reached a hand out to her son's love.

Liz saw the gratitude in Diane Evan's eyes and she took her hand and smiled through her own tears. They both loved him, and that was the only bond they had ever needed.

When Max finally stopped the shudders and had quieted down, Diane lifted his head from her shoulder and cupped his sweet tear ravaged face in her gentle hands. "I love you. I always will." She smiled through her tears, but met his eyes with all the seriousness she could put in her own.

Max nodded finally realizing she meant it. He blushed at how he had cried so openly in front of his mother, but her look told him he'd better not even try to look embarrassed.

"Now!" Mrs. Evans said with her hands on her hips. "What is this about Liz being pregnant!?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and concern in her eyes.

Part 5

Max cleared his throat and tried to look serious, but he couldn't help but smile. After what he had just shared with his mom, everything else would be easy.

He grabbed Liz's hand and eyed his mother, who waited patiently for the two teens to talk.

Diane Evans was not going to let this go easy. Just because her son was an alien, didn't mean he could go around and impregnate Liz Parker when they were both so young!

"Mom. I love Liz and I'm going to marry her. I've known since the minute I saw her back in third grade, that she would be the only one for me." He said honestly.

Diane's eyes warmed a little, and she smiled at Liz, knowing she couldn't ask for anyone better for her son, but she wanted more for both of them then to be so young and pregnant. "My God kids. You two are so young. And you're both bright and intelligent. Couldn't you have at least taken precautions?" she asked really trying to understand this.

"We did, Mom. Liz was on the pill. Only...we didn't realize that my being...different would make that form of protection...ineffective." Max cleared his throat. It was never easy talking about sex with a parent.

Diane realized how difficult it must have been for the two to even take the chance, not knowing the consequences of two separate races mating. "My God Liz, honey, are you okay? And the baby?" she asked with concern written across her face.

Liz smiled and nodded. "Yes. We've found out since, that we have nothing to fear. The babies should be fine." She said quietly, and her eyes softened as she unconsciously put a hand to her stomach.

Diane blinked. "Babies? As in two?" she whispered in shock.

Max grinned and nodded. "Yeah. Two. Can you believe it?"

Diane saw how happy Max was, and how content the two of them looked about all this and she sighed. She realized she needed to sit down. There was so much to deal with all at once.

Max and Liz exchanged worried concern and came over to the table to sit with Diane. They waited, letting her digest all she had seen and heard in the past half hour.

Diane took deep breaths, long calming ones, and tried to get all her thoughts straight before she spoke again.

"What--what do you plan to do? How do you plan to raise two babies? What about college? You're both so bright and had so many plans!" Mrs. Evans couldn't help but swallow her voice filled with sorrow.

"We're still going to go ahead with those plans." Max said in a soothing voice, knowing how high his parents and Liz's parents' expectations and hopes for them were.

"How? Do you know how much it's going to cost to raise one baby let alone two?"

"Mom, recently, we found out that...God there's so much to tell!" Max realized and wondered how much more his mom could take in one day. There was Jordan to explain, and all he had learned about himself and about Michael being their brother. Then there was the FBI and Nasedo as well. Max looked to Liz realizing how much there was yet to explain, and that they didn't have much time.

Liz looked at the clock. Her parents would be here in about an hour. Mr. Evans was due home before that.

"This is what you were going to tell us?" Diane finally realized when she saw them look at the clock and remembered the meeting.

"Only the part about the pregnancy and us getting married." Max gave a small smile realizing that that was definitely enough.

"Good. I think that will be enough for now." Diane swallowed and voiced her son's thoughts. "Are you planning on telling your parents everything, Liz?" Diane asked, serious now. She had so many questions. More questions than she had answers.

" I don't know. We know that the less people that know the safer it is. But I was going to wait and see how they take the pregnancy, and also...if the babies showed signs of Max's powers." She admitted to Diane and held Max's hand tighter.

"Powers...Max...what...what can you do?" Diane asked, and then looked to Liz. "And how did you...you're not--"

"No Mom. Liz is not an alien. But being pregnant by me, is giving her some of my hormones and stuff. She started getting these...symptoms after we...after she got pregnant." Max tried to explain, and both of them tried not to blush at Diane's staring between the two of them.

"So the babies could have...alien traits?" She asked in a whisper. And when they nodded she sighed. "Well, that certainly does add to the whole equation." She tried to think.

"Max, Liz, how are you going to go through with your future plans?" Diane couldn't help but ask again.

Max sighed and decided they didn't have much time; he would start with Jordan for now.

Maria was behind the counter of the Crashdown when her mother came in with her daily delivery of pies.

Michael, who had been sitting at the counter talking to Maria, jumped up and took the pies from Amy DeLuca.

She smiled brightly at him. "Thank you, Michael!"

Michael just nodded and looked away, feeling self-conscious. It was still hard for him to accept praise or gratitude, but he was trying. Maria smiled at Michael and winked at him. Then she caught her mother's eye and nodded.

Amy DeLuca sat down next to Michael at the counter and looked again between her daughter and Michael. "Michael, could I ask a favor of you?" Amy asked.

Michael looked ready to bolt, but the look of hope on Maria's mother's face reminded him so much of Maria that he could only nod.

"When Jim and I get married...I don't have anyone to give me away. And I was wondering if you would do me that honor?" she said quietly, meeting his eyes seriously and waited.

Michael was dumbfounded. He opened his mouth then closed it, then opened it again but still nothing came out.

Maria giggled and Michael turned to her with a frown. Then turned back to Maria's mom. "Why me?" he finally managed to ask.

Amy met the young man's eyes with warm ones of her own. "Because you are important to my daughter and the only man I consider family right now." She answered.

Michael swallowed again and could only nod. "Yeah. I'd--I'd like that.." He managed to say then turned back to Maria when she took his hand.

Maria thanked him with her eyes and he felt good. He had just made the two DeLuca women very happy, and that pleased him.

"Sit down Jeff, Nancy." Diane offered them the couch and watched her husband take the chair. "Would you like some tea or something?" Diane asked trying to keep the atmosphere calm. The three-seated adults were all tense, realizing that something was up for Max and Liz to need to talk to them all.

"Yes, thank you Diane. Do you need some help?" Nancy Parker asked and started to get up.

Diane waved her back down. "No that's fine. I've got it." She smiled and headed into the kitchen.

Nancy looked to where her daughter and Max were seated across from them on an oversized chair. She swallowed. She had been waiting for this. Both she and her husband had watched how much a part of each other's lives Liz and Max had become over the last two years, and had known that they were going to want more after high school. Nancy just hoped that between all of them, they could at least convince the two to wait until after college to get married.

Liz gave her mom a small smile when she caught her eye, but was relieved when Max's mom came back in with the tea. When Diane was seated on the arm of her husband's chair, Max and Liz looked at each other, took deep breathes, clasped hands and looked at the four waiting adults.

Max looked at Nancy and Jeff Parker who looked anxious, to his dad who met his eye with a serious one of his own. Max knew they all suspected something. He figured he should just get it out.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Parker," Max started. He glanced once more at Liz who smiled up at him with all the love she had, and he couldn't help but smile back at her. She was his life. That was all that was important. He looked back to the adults, then to Liz's parents and met their eyes seriously. "I'm in love with your daughter. I have been as long as I can remember. We love each other, and we want to get married." He ended in a sigh.

Mr. Evans shifted in his chair, as if to say something, but his wife's hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked at his son, who was waiting for a response from Liz's parents. He sat back and waited.

Jeff and Nancy Parker also took deep breaths, exchanged looks, held hands and then turned to the two teens seated before them. "Liz, Max, we've known this was coming. You two have been inseparable for the last two years, and Max, we think Liz couldn't have found a better man, but can't you two wait until after college to get married?" Jeff Parker asked.

Liz bit her lip and looked at her parents. "So if we went away to the same college, and lived together, whether only sometimes, or if we didn't bother wasting an apartment and we just lived together all the time, you would prefer that to our getting married?" she asked.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker were caught off guard. Then Nancy looked at her daughter and gave her a small smile. "Well, at least you two are honest."

"Mom, you always told me not to be afraid to come to you with anything...and..." Liz started, but her mother held up her hand.

"I know. I know I did and I--your father and I meant that. We just want what's best for you. You have your whole life ahead of you and--"

"And we want it to be together. It will be together. But we wanted your blessings." Liz said softly, looking between both her parents.

Liz's parents knew that once Liz went away to college on her scholarship, that she no longer needed their permission. That Liz and Max were not asking permission, but rather their acceptance because they wanted to keep their parents in their lives.

"I love your daughter more than life itself, Mr. and Mrs. Parker. I'll take care of her always and forever." Max promised them, meeting their eyes levelly.

Nancy and Jeff looked at each other again, and then Jeff nodded with a small, sad smile to his wife. Nancy got up from the couch and came over to her daughter. Liz stood up and met her half way. "I love you baby. And we know that you'll take care of her Max." she said holding Liz and looking over at the young man who had won their daughter's love.

Nancy held Liz's face in her hands and then wiped a tear from her own eye and smiled a little. "It's just, you're our baby girl and we're not ready to let you go." She laughed softly.

"I know, Mom. Dad?" Liz asked, looking at her father who had been rather quiet.

He chuckled as he wiped a tear of his own before he too got up and hugged his daughter. Then he leaned over and reached out a hand to Max. Max stood up and then met his mom's eyes saw her nod seriously, and he took a deep breath.

"There's just one more thing." He started. He wanted to accept Mr. Parker's hand and acceptance, but not before he told them everything.

Liz came back to stand next to him and he put his arm around her. Liz put her arm around Max and held onto his side tight, looking up at him and met his worried eyes, before they looked back at her parents again.

Part 6

"We've already worked it out that we will both go to college and work on our careers, just like we've chosen, and we already have a little house where we can stay, near a...friend, for free. He has a little place on his land.. And Liz will also be working part time at the big Lab facility over in the mountains above Santa Fe, which is near where we'll be living." Max explained.

"You did get that job? Oh honey! You mentioned you were looking into it!" Nancy Parker laughed and hugged her daughter again.

Liz watched her mom step back again, and then she took a deep breath. "Yes. I'm going to take courses towards molecular biology, and the lab is going to let me work there in an intern capacity. And Max. He's still going to the university of NM to study medicine." Liz continued, and looked to the Evans' now too.

"But..." Liz started to say, only Max squeezed her hand and she stopped.

He looked at her and then turned to her parents and his again. "We didn't plan for this right away, but we always planned to be together. Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Liz is pregnant with twins and I'm the father." He blurted out on a breath.

The room was completely silent. Liz swallowed and continued before they could blame Max. "And before you say anything, we did take precautions...they just didn't...work." She finished quietly and waited.

"My God Max." his father finally said.

Max looked to his father with steady eyes, waiting for whatever they had coming.

"Liz." Nancy Parker whispered and putting a hand to her mouth, she sat back down on the couch in shock.

"You...you kids took care and still--?" Jeff Parker tried to say. He tried to be rational, but it was so much to take in.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I would still be marrying Liz no matter what. But I know this will make it more difficult for us. But we've both figured out ways to make it work. It won't be easy, but we both want this very much." Max said and hugged Liz tightly, looking down at her and exchanging happy, content looks.

"Max. What about money?" his father said in frustration. He raked a hand through his hair and paced the room. "You kids may have a place to live free and clear for awhile, but when the babies come, God two of them! There'll be so many more expenses. Did you think of this?" he rubbed a hand over his face and turned back to the two teens.

Max nodded. He knew they were taking it much better than either he or Liz had expected, and he was glad that they at least had thought about all these things and had some answers for their parents.

"Yeah. Liz and I both have scholarships for school and Liz will be getting paid to work at the lab. And I'll be working there at night too. It will just be janitorial work at first, but it will pay enough so that we will be able to make it work."

"Max, have you thought how difficult med school alone will be?" his mother finally said. She had so many questions still, but the major ones had been answered.

"Don't worry Mrs. Evans, I'm going to be paid really pretty good at the lab, and I'll be working there full time for awhile." Liz tried to reassure them that Max wouldn't take the load alone.

"But Liz...what about your schooling? Honey you said you would be taking courses too." Nancy swallowed, still in shock.

"And I will." Liz nodded. "I will be taking them through correspondence and I can work on it at night and on the weekends. We know this isn't want you wanted for us. And it's not what we would have chosen exactly, but we realize that we don't have a choice now, and we are willing to do whatever it takes. Max will go to college and Med School and I will be able to keep us going on the pay they will give me for working full time at the lab."

Nancy watched her husband come back and sit down next to her, just as stunned and unsure what to say as she was. She held his hand and took deep breaths.

Mr. Evans looked to his wife who hadn't seemed as surprised or asked many questions. "Did you know about this?" he asked looking tired and old all of a sudden.

Diane put a hand to his face and nodded. "I just found out this morning, when I came back early from my meeting. I know it's a lot. I'm worried about them too, but they are two very level headed kids, for the most part," Diane said, and gave them a hard look which they knew they deserved, and then continued. "But it's done now, and I know that we can help them out too." Diane said and
then walked over to stand near the still shocked Parkers. "I do know that even though it's sooner than we hoped, that Liz is the best thing that happened to our son and we always hoped that she would be our daughter too someday." Diane smiled at Liz.

Liz swallowed and felt the tears fill and overflow as she met Diane Evans' look. The she looked to Mr. Evans, who met her look, and then sighed and nodded.

"Oh God...they're just so young?" Nancy whispered and shook her head, trying to take it all in.

Liz let go of Max's hand and went to sit on the floor in front of her parents. She met their eyes and let them see the love and excitement in her eyes. "I'm so sorry we hurt you with this. I know you wanted more for me, but I'm not sorry that I'm pregnant. I love these babies so much already, and we will make this work. For some reason this happened, and we want to do what's best. And Max and I know that being together is what is best, has always been best for us." Liz said through her tears. She hugged both her parents as they leaned forward toward her.

"Are you okay? The babies are okay?" Mrs. Parker finally asked really looking at Liz now. Her daughter was a grown woman and what was done was done now. But she knew that both of these teens were smart enough and level headed enough to make the best of it and make it work. "How...how far along are you?" she asked, now looking into her daughter's eyes and seeing the total peace and contentment in them.

"I--I have eight more months." Liz answered honestly.

"What about a wedding? We...what are your plans?" Nancy swallowed again and cupped her daughter's face in one of her hands. She wondered if her daughter knew how much they loved her. She was their only baby and always would be.

"We'll have a small ceremony. You'll still give me away won't you dad?" Liz asked biting her lip. She knew this was a lot for them, but she wanted their acceptance.

"Of course!" Jeff Parker said and hugged his little girl to him again.

Mr. Evans came over to his son. Max met his eyes and waited. "Max, I can't say I'm thrilled about this, but I am proud of you for being responsible enough to do the right thing and to have made good level headed plans to help you out in this situation." He said and then hugged his son.

Max met his mom's eyes over his dad's shoulders and silently mouthed the words "thank you" to her.

Diane smiled, winked and blew him a kiss. It would be okay. Now she had one more thing to do.

Isabel, Alex, Kyle and Cassie sat in their favorite booth at the Crashdown and waited. Isabel looked up at the clock again. "God I don't know how much longer I can wait. What if Liz's parents don't take it well? What if none of them take it well?" Isabel worried.

Alex put an arm around her and just held her. Kyle and Cassie just exchanged equally anxious looks.

"Hear anything from them yet, Is?" Maria asked as she and Michael came over. She nodded to Isabel's cell phone.

Isabel shook her head and sighed. "God what's taking so long!" she asked again.

"Well it takes awhile to bury the body of Max I'm sure." Michael remarked.

Alex and Kyle laughed but the girls all glared at him.

"What?! Kidding!" Michael rolled his eyes and then grabbed Maria around the waist when she tried to hit him. "Behave." He whispered in her ear with a grin.

"Oh my God! Here they come." Isabel said looking at the front of the store where Max was just opening the door for Liz.

The calm looks on their faces made the other six breath easier and relax.

"Max bro, you're still alive!" Michael greeted him.

Max punched Michael on the arm and grinned at them all. "Yeah. I can't believe how well it went."

Isabel saw a relaxed look in Max's eyes that she'd never seen before. "Max?" she asked hesitantly.

Max's eyes softened as they met his sister's. "Mom knows everything, Is. But only mom." He said and saw her eyes fill with tears of overwhelming happiness.

"Really?" she whispered still not quite believing it.

Max smiled at her and nodded. "She's waiting for you at home." He said softly.

Isabel sucked in her breath and gave a laugh and a cry. Then she turned to Alex.

"Come on." He said not even having to be asked for the ride home.

They watched Isabel and Alex leave and Cassie smiled up at Max. "I'm so glad for you guys. God, Isabel is going to be so happy."

"Yeah. Yeah she will." Max smiled remembering his mother's reaction to him.

"So, Liz, your mom and dad didn't kill Max huh?" Maria teased now.

Liz laughed and shook her head. "No! Although I think they almost died of a heart attack all of them, but...they were...really great." Liz said in an amazed voice.

"They know about BOTH babies?" Kyle shook his head finding it amazing himself.

"Yeah. They know everything. Well, everything about Liz and I and the babies." Max grinned sheepishly.

Then he saw Michael's quiet, closed expression. "Michael?" Max asked, and then realized what it was. "I told my mom about you too. She said somehow she isn't surprised. She smiled and looked happy about it. I know she'll want to talk to you, too, if that's okay. After Isabel."

Michael looked around at all the understanding faces and he did what he did best. He straightened and shrugged. "Hey, it's no big deal. I'm just glad she's okay with it and I know how much it means to Isabel." He said casually.

Maria gave him a hug and met his eyes with hers. "I love you." She whispered in his ear as she kissed his jaw.

"So, Liz, when's the wedding?" Cassie asked anxiously.

Max grinned and then turned Liz around to face away from him. "Max what?" Liz asked with a curious smile of her own.

But she gasped when she felt him lift the gold chain from around her neck and felt it slide between her breasts and leave it's warm place for the first time since he had put it on her.

Then she turned back to him and watched him slip the ring off of the chain and meet her eyes.

"Liz Parker, will you wear my ring now?" he asked in a husky whisper, and held up the ring for her.

Liz nodded as her eyes blurred with tears and held out her hand.

Max's hand was shaking as he placed the ring on her finger for the final time. Then he grabbed her up in his arms and spun her around as they both realized that they didn't have to hide anymore.

"It should be against the law to be that happy. What do you think Kyle? Can you check it out?" Michael grinned and winked.

The others laughed and Kyle raised an eyebrow. "I'll look it up."

Isabel hugged Alex and watched him drive away. She was shaking but from happiness as she opened the door to the kitchen.

When she came in, she turned to find her mom smiling and standing in the middle of the kitchen.

Isabel's eyes overflowed with the love she saw there. "Mom..." she said.

Part 7

"Mom," Isabel whispered.

Diane saw the hope and joy on her daughter's face and her heart went out to her, her beautiful baby girl. Diana held out arms that were aching to hold Isabel. Max had told her how badly Isabel had wanted to tell her all these years, and that it'd been him that had made her hold back.

Isabel half laughed, half sobbed as she rushed forward into her mother's arms. As they closed around her she closed her eyes and smiled with such relief. Her mom knew, accepted and still loved her. She had known it, but to actually have it come true. No more hiding every little thing for her. No more having to watch every single movement and word she said.

Diane held Isabel and felt her own tears overflow. Isabel had always been the daughter Diane had wished for, but there had always been one barrier she hadn't understood or been able to cross. And now it was gone.

Isabel stepped back and wiped her tears. Then she smiled at her mom and the two of them went into the living room to sit and talk.

Isabel curled her legs up under her on the couch and sighed. A REAL mother daughter talk, finally! She thought happily. " I KNEW you would be okay with this. I told Max he didn't have to be afraid."

Diane took Isabel's hand and smiled at her. "Your brother was wrong, but his fears were strong. I'm just glad I was able to overcome them finally."

"Oh Mom...do you know how many times I wanted to share things with you? Something funny that I'd do or Max would do and then remembered I couldn't. Oh, and the fun we can have with nail polish and lip stick!" Isabel laughed with a sparkle gleaming in her eyes.

Diane laughed and raised an eyebrow. "Really? Do tell."

"So neither one of you got grounded or anything?" Maria asked, still surprised at how well both sets of parents had taken the news.

Liz shook her head and smiled. "Maria it was unbelievable, although I think Max's mom kept Mr. Evans from exploding at first." She teased and hugged Max's arm as they sat at a table with the others.

Max grinned lazily at her, and just kept playing with the ring on Liz's finger. He was still amazed that she was going to be his. And now the whole world would know.

"And the wedding? Oh my God! When is it?" Maria suddenly asked realizing it couldn't be too far away.

"Well, it's next weekend. We're just going to have a quiet little ceremony but I still want you to be my maid of honor Maria." Liz said seriously. Then grinned when Maria's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh my God girl! You know I've always got your back. Come here." She swallowed and the two stood and hugged.

"Two weddings?" Michael mumbled and rolled his eyes. He shifted in the chair and groaned.

Cassie came back from the bathroom and sat back down next to Kyle. She smiled at the two girls hugging and crying. "What'd I miss?" she asked the three guys who were still seated.

Before the guys could respond, Liz turned back around to the table and grinned at Cassie. "Cassie could you be a bride's maid? I want you and Isabel to be my bride's maids." She asked excitedly. She was pulled back down by Max and he began playing with her hand and ring again. He was in his own little world, just loving listening to Liz's excitement and how her face just glowed.

Kyle stared at Max, smirked, and then nudged Michael. When Michael looked at Kyle, he nodded his head toward Max.

Michael smirked as well, and grinning asked, "So Max. A week huh? How did the parents take that you wanted to be together for the next week?"

Liz frowned and gave a frustrated look, as Max answered. "They didn't take it at all. We didn't ask them. We think we should wait the one week." He gave a small smile.

Liz rolled her eyes and gently slapped Max's arm with the hand he wasn't playing with. "We?" she stressed to Max.

Max grinned and ducked his head to hide his blush. "Okay, me. I just wanted it to be special. You know, if we weren't together together from now until the wedding." He explained.

The guys laughed and Maria and Cassie looked at him with awe and as if he wasn't for real.

"Don't even think about that for us!" Michael said seeing Maria's romantic dreamy smile.

"Oh really?" Maria raised an eyebrow and turned her look on Michael. "Says who?"

Michael was relieved when they were interrupted and he didn't have to respond. He knew that look.

"So Liz, you sound like you're more upset about the ah...week apart than Max does?" Kyle teased.

Liz pouted and met Max's amused eyes. "Well SOME of us have cravings! You try going a whole week without totally big cravings that drive you crazy."

"I've been doing it for years." Max whispered in her ear and then nipped at it.

Liz gasped and felt her blood turn to fire, and her body come alive. She almost moaned aloud at how badly she needed Max right then.

Max pulled back and stared at Liz. He felt her need and his own body hardened instantly in response. Max was almost dizzy with how fast he had responded. He swallowed and wondered if he'd made such a good decision after all. But then he took a deep breath and with a tight jaw, he fought his lust for his fiance. One week, just one week. He told himself over and over.

Liz could hear him and she smirked knowing how useless it would be when she got through with him. She wanted him and had no intention of waiting a week. With a smile that looked serene, she leaned her chin on her hand and started talking to Maria and Cassie about what they should wear next week. But in reality her mind was on the seduction of the hunk next to her.

She slid her hand out of Max's and then put her hand under the table and rested it on her thigh. Then when she felt Max start to relax, she slid her hand up high on his hard thigh.

When Max jumped, they all stopped talking and looked at him. All except Liz who sat still looking across at the girls, with a serene smile still on her lips.

Max took Liz's wandering hand back in his and shoved her out of the booth. "Excuse us." Max cleared his throat and led Liz to the back of the restaurant.

"Now there goes a man who's going to have to eat his words." Michael smirked, having seen the determined smile on Liz's face, and the hard flush of passion on Max's face.

"Liz--" Max started to lecture when they got to the back.

Liz interrupted him by putting her arms around him, leaning completely in to him and smiling up at him. She nipped at his lower lip and her tongue snuck out to take a taste of his wonderful bottom lip. "Max, let's go for a drive." She whispered in his ear and started nibbling on that as well.

Max clenched his jaw and taking a deep breath, he gently pulled Liz's arms from around his neck and held her a little away from him. Then he gave her a serious look hoping to dissuade her. "Liz Parker, didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with fire." He tried to tease, but was seriously trying to keep to his decision.

Liz looked up at him with her big doe eyes and smiled. "But you're so much fun to play with Max. I love getting burned by you." She whispered and nipped at his chin.

Max backed up and laughed. She was totally being irrational and seducing him right in front of the kitchen staff. He adored her and couldn't resist her play. He took her hand, then threw her over his shoulder and laughed when he heard her squeak. Then he tapped her bottom and told her to behave.

"Max! What do you think you're doing?" Liz shrieked when she realized he was heading out the front of the store, and back into the crowd of customers and friends.

"Taking you for that drive." Max said in a determined but cheerful voice and saluted to their friends who were staring at them from the table as he walked by.

When he got to the jeep he started to put her down but her words stopped him. "Put me down this minute!" she demanded all flustered. Max smiled at her adorable affronted behavior and the wonderful position he had her in.

"You wanted to play with fire?" he said in a low growl and nipped her butt quickly where it was right on his shoulder. Then as she shrieked again, he set her down gently in the passenger seat of the jeep and then leaned in and before she could say anything, he put his hot open mouth on hers.

Liz was lost. She whimpered and her arms clung around Max's neck as she opened her own hot mouth more, letting him ravish hers with his tongue and teeth.

When Liz tried to get on her knees to get closer to him, Max finally stepped back, unhooked her arms from around his neck, and gently placed them on her lap.

"Hold that thought." He said in a hoarse voice and ran around the other side and started up the jeep.

Liz was burning up. She needed to touch Max. Every fiber of her being was calling out to him and she couldn't wait. She knew Max was driving out of town as fast as possible and yet still keeping them relatively safe, but she needed to touch him now.

Liz leaned closer to him and saw his hard jaw clenched as he tried to concentrate on driving out of town. His hands were gripping the wheel and his own chest was heaving with his own wants and needs.

Liz licked her lips and couldn't wait. She slid a hand up his thigh and let it rest at the top, not going any further. Her breathing was as short as Max's and she leaned into him and kissed his jaw and nipped at his ear.

"Liz. God honey if you want me to get us out of town without having an accident please!" He begged in a raspy voice and tried to swallow back a groan.

Liz breathed in his ear. "I can't wait...I need you."

Max clenched the wheel tighter and prayed that she kept her hand where it was on his thigh or he might not make it far enough out of town.

When Liz sat back again in her seat he sighed, but looked over at her quickly when she laid her head on his lap and sighed.

Max felt his heart clench with love for his hot passionate woman and the mother of his children, and he placed one hand on her head and glided his hand through her soft silky hair. He could stay like this forever.

When Max knew they were out far enough he looked behind him in the mirror, saw that the road was clear, and pulled off of the road and drove into the desert several hundred feet until they were behind some shrubs and had some semblance of privacy.

Max stopped the car, and met Liz's hooded; passion glazed eyes as she sat up and he leaned down and ravaged her mouth again.

Liz collapsed against Max and just lay there limply in his arms trying to catch her breath. She could fell Max's own heaving chest against her cheek, and she smiled as she felt his lips kiss the top of her head, and his hand run down the back of her head, and through her hair.

"I love you so much Max." Liz whispered, her throat hoarse from her screams of pleasure, and looked up so that Max could meet her eyes.

"I adore you Liz Parker, soon to be Evans." He rasped back and took her mouth, this time for a sweet, gentle kiss. "Now I have a favor to ask." He said softly against her hair.

Liz looked up at him and smiled serenely, still in a haze from their lovemaking. "Anything." She whispered and brushed her lips across his neck.

"One week." He said.

Liz sat up and met his quiet eyes. "It really means that much to you?" she asked just as seriously now.

Max gave a one sided smile, surprised himself at how much it did mean to him. "Yeah. I don't know why, but I want to wait the one week." He sounded surprised himself.

Liz looked over his beautiful face and knew she would do anything for him. "Okay Max Evans, one week. But then you are all mine." She whispered against his mouth as she rubbed her lips against his.

"Forever." He promised and opened his mouth and deepened their kiss.

Part 8

"Oh Mom! I can't wait for you to meet our Uncle Jordan!" Isabel suddenly remembered.

Isabel and her mother were still sitting in the living room catching up. They had nail polish and lips sticks all over the coffee table and her and her mother were trying different shades, as Isabel would change the colors and experiment with them. They were laughing and just girl talking. Mother and daughter talk, like they had both always wanted.

Diane beamed and nodded. "Max told me about him. But he said there was a lot more to share, and that he would have you both there when it was explained." Diane said looking in the little mirror at the new color lipstick Isabel had made for her.

"I'm so glad Jordan was there for you three when you ran from the FBI and the sheriff. And now Sheriff Valenti is on your side." Diane shook her head in amazement. "Thank God the sheriff isn't a problem. I know he's been obsessed with finding aliens since his father. And to think his father was right all this time."

Isabel smiled realizing this was still a lot for her mom. She pushed back a strand of her own hair and hugged her mom again. "I'm just so glad I can talk to you about all this!" Isabel sighed.

Diane laughed and then sat back and smiled. "Now...I know Max and Liz are meant for each other, and she knows about you three, but what about your other friends? And Alex?"

Isabel smiled and nodded. "Maria, Kyle, Cassie and Alex know too."

Diane nodded then took her daughter's hand. "I love your Alex, Isabel. You do too don't you honey? I've never seen you as happy as when you are with Alex Whitman."

"Oh Mom...Alex is wonderful! He accepted all of this so well! And it didn't even make him hesitate in his feelings for me for a second when he found out the truth. Yes! I do love him." Isabel smiled brightly, her eyes lighting up.

"I'm so happy with the choices you children have made." Diane sighed and wiped another tear of happiness and then laughed. "Your father is going to come home from the stores and wonder what we've been talking about when he sees our red eyes."

"Don't worry mom, I can get rid of those." Isabel winked. "So when do you want to meet Jordan? I know he wants to meet you! And dad too when we tell him." Isabel smiled."When do you think we should tell Dad?" She couldn't wait, but wondered what Max and her mom had decided.

"We'll sit down with your dad probably in a few days. I want him to get used to the idea that his son is going to get married and have a family. But I know that Max wants him to know before he and Liz get married next weekend." Diane replied.

"Oh? Why is that?" Isabel tilted her head a little and held up her hand to see the new nail color in the light.

"Max and Liz decided to get married up at Jordan's ranch. They want an outdoor ceremony up in the beautiful mountains where they say you all find such peace. And that way we can all meet Jordan, and Liz's parents can see the Lab and the area where they will live."

Isabel nodded and then laughed. "Leave it to Max and Liz to come up with the perfect plans all the time."

Diane laughed with her. They knew Max was so much like Phillip, neat and organized, and they had always teased them both about it. "What are your plans honey? I know you want to go to UNM to study teaching, but do you know where you want to teach?"

Isabel's eyes softened. "Yeah." she said with a small smile.

Diane's own eyes softened and she just knew. "In Jordan's community?" she guessed.

Isabel nodded. "I don't want to be too far from you, but I really want to help with my people. Max does too, and so does Liz."

"And Michael?" Diane said with a flash of pain in her eyes.

"Mom? What is it?" Isabel had seen the quick flash of pain.

Diane sighed. "I always wished that we could have adopted Michael all those years ago like we did you two. The three of you were always so close, I had a feeling you three knew each other already when you all met in school here, and thought it was from the orphanage you all were at. But now I know it was deeper than that. And I wish even more now that your father and I had found Michael that night along with you and Max." Diane sighed sadly.

"Oh Mom. Max and I have always wished that as well, but it was Michael. He wouldn't come out of hiding when your car drove up. He ran. He was afraid. But it wasn't your fault! Michael knows that!" Isabel comforted her mother who looked like she just realized she'd lost a child. "He grew up with us and had our love and yours too in a way. And just think that now you've gained a son sort of." Isabel said softly.

"Yes. Yes I hope he would like that too. I would love to talk to Michael. My goodness there is still so much to say and learn about all of you!" Diane said with a laugh.

"We have the rest of our lives to do that." Isabel smiled, beyond happy to have her mom to really talk to finally.

"Now, where is that adorable Alex of yours?" Diane laughed to lighten the mood. Diane smiled seeing how her daughter just glowed when Alex was mentioned. She had a lot to thank Alex for. Her daughter had always been distant with people, even when she dated all the time and went out with friends, but now, with Alex, her daughter was calmer and trusted easier and was really happy.

The doorbell rang just then and Isabel lit up. "That should be him!" she grinned and raced to the door. She threw it open and her ecstatic face made Alex smile wildly and then she threw herself into his arms and laughed from pure happiness.

Alex smiled and looked past Isabel who was in his arms, and saw her mom smiling and standing in the hallway with tears in her own eyes as well.

"I have a lot to thank you for Alex Whitman." Diane said warmly.

"Ah...I think I have a lot to thank you for too Mrs. Evans." Alex smiled back.

Later that night, Max and Liz were snuggled together on the lounge chair on her balcony looking up at the stars and just enjoying being together.

"So you aren't going to even sleep beside me this next week?" Liz pouted, snuggling deeper into Max's arms.

Max laughed. "Yeah right! Like I could trust you. Look what you did to me this afternoon! You teased me till I caved. But we are going to wait this one week Liz. And the only way is if I stay in my own bed."

"Me too. My own, cold, lonely bed." Liz sighed and turned a little bit more towards Max and nipped gently at his chest and neck, where it was unbuttoned.

Max laughed at her antics. He loved her with all his heart. And he was actually amused to see what she would try next, to get him to give in. With a wicked grin he cupped her chin and raised her face gently up to his. Their lips met and clung in long slow kisses that deepened more and more as they continued to kiss.

"I love your lips." Liz whispered in between kisses, then took her tongue and licked his bottom lip before sucking it back into her mouth. Max moaned and held her closer, turning her into his body more.

He knew if he continued too much longer he wouldn't be able to stop. Slowly, he released her mouth and taking deep breaths, he tucked her head under his chin and rested his lips against her soft hair. He smiled again when Liz kissed his chest where his shirt was open, but he just held her close.

"You sure you don't want to spend the night? We could take a shower." Liz whispered against his throat.

Max chuckled but shifted Liz gently out of his arms and stood up looking down at her. He leaned down, kissing her once more. "Good night Liz. Goodnight my babies." He whispered then turned toward the ladder.

"If you stayed and we showered together you could wash the babies again?" Liz said softly and with a smile.

Max froze in place and took a deep breath.

Liz grinned. She remembered how last time they had showered together how he had gotten down on his knees with the soap and had rubbed it over her tummy saying he was washing the babies. Liz had been torn between crying and laughing when he'd done that, but now she looked forward to it.

Max knew Liz had said the one thing that could make him stop. But he laughed and turned to her again, his eyes warm and filled with heat. "I love you Liz Parker." He said and then flew down the ladder like someone was chasing him.

Liz frowned, then sighed and smiled. "I love you too Max Evans, you stubborn man you!"

Maria gave up trying to sleep and quietly slipped out of Michael's arms and out of his bed.

She walked over to the window in his apartment and looked up at the night sky. No longer did she fear the sky and what it used to mean to her. She used to think that the sky would someday take Michael from her. But now she knew that wouldn't happen.

She smiled, but sighed as well. She was afraid for a different reason. She didn't know what she wanted to do with her life. Everyone else knew, and had plans, and Maria had none. Everyone kept telling her that it would come to her, but she was worried of when this might be?

Years from now? Months from now, after everyone had gone off to do their own thing? She didn't know. She knew Michael wanted to go help out at Jordan's ranch. But what could she do? She bit her lip. She had no idea.

Large, warm strong arms surrounded her and she smiled and leaned back against Michael's chest.

He leaned his head next to hers and kissed her hair. "I know you will find what's right for you Maria. And it will be with me no matter what it is. I'm not leaving you here. Our future IS together Maria, you have to know that no matter what." He whispered in her ear and ran a hand down her short blond hair soothingly.

Maria couldn't help but let the tears fill her eyes. Michael was there for her. He wouldn't leave her. And she wouldn't let him down either. She would find her way. She knew it. She just had to give it some time.

"I love you Maria. You are my life." Michael sighed and turned her around in his arms and captured her mouth.

Maria let all thoughts and worries leave her for now, as she enjoyed Michael's loving. She would worry about her future and preparing for the two weddings tomorrow. Tonight she would only focus on Michael.

Part 9

Michael paced back and forth in the room he and Max were occupying, in their Uncle Jordan's house. He was nervous and kept patting the front pocket of his tuxedo to make sure Max and Liz's ring's to each other were still in there.

Max sat on the bed silently watching Michael in amusement.

Michael turned and caught Max smiling at him and he frowned at his best friend and brother. "Why the hell aren't you nervous!" Michael couldn't help but ask in a frustrated voice as he threw up his hands and placed them on his hips.

Max grinned, his eyes glowing with inner peace, contentment and sheer happiness. "I don't know." He just shook his head knowing that answer didn't please Michael.

"How can you sit there so calmly and wait for them to call you out there so you can commit yourself forever to someone." Michael swallowed still shaking his own head.

"Not just someone Michael. Liz." Max answered softly, saying her name almost reverently. " I'll have her forever after this. Liz and I committed to each other a long time ago, but now we can finally make it legal and let the world know that we belong together. That Liz is mine and I am hers, forever." Max smiled wider; his eyes seemed to gleam even more.

Michael swallowed. He didn't know if he'd ever be that calm when he was getting ready to walk down the aisle with Maria. He felt the same things Max had just explained, about being able to make the girl of your heart yours forever and to let the world know, but he still knew he would be a wreck while waiting for his Maria to come down the aisle towards him.

There was a small knock on the door and then Phillip Evans opened the door, grinned and stepped in, closing the door behind him. He just stood looking at his son who sat on the bed in total contentment, and then to his other "son" who was pacing. "It looks like Michael, your sister and I are more nervous than you are, Max." Phillip Evans stated with amusement.

"What about mom?" Max grinned already knowing the answer.

"As happy, content and relaxed as you seem to be." He shook his head in amazement.

"It's not normal!" Michael threw another look at Max.

Phillip smiled at Michael and put an arm around Michael's shoulders. "I think you and I are nervous enough for him." He teased.

Max just watched his father and brother joke and he smiled even more. He was amazed at how everything was working out for all of them. They were really becoming one big family.

Phillip and Diane's total acceptance of Max and Isabel's history, and Michael's place in their lives had bound them all even more in the past week...

Max remembered the night they had told his father. He and Isabel had been so nervous even though they knew in their hearts that their father loved them like their mom did. But Diane Evans had smiled calmly at them and then had put her hand on her husband's arm and let them tell their father.

Max returned to the present and winked at his dad.

Phillip Evans saw his son's smile and knew he was remembering last Monday night, when they had finally enlightened him all about themselves.

Phillip remembered that night himself. At first he had just sat there silent and shocked. Then going back and analyzing all he knew about finding the children and all that had happened over the years he finally nodded and met his children's eyes with warm ones of his own. "I should have known."
He said shaking his head at how blind he had been. Ever the analytical one, which was where Max got it from, he put all the little pieces together and now it all made sense.

Finding the children in the desert unclothed, unable to speak any language and then how everything was so new to them. And the healing that he and his wife had witnessed from Max many times while the boy was growing up.

Then realizing that his children looked a little anxious and unsure, he got up and grabbed them both to him. "You are ours and we love you. And now I thank God and whoever else is responsible for bringing you to your mom and I." He said in a choked voice and hugged his children closer.

Phillip Evans came back to the present when Michael made another comment to Max about being so calm on his wedding day. Phillip took Michael's side and they teased Max.

Michael looked over at Mr. Evans. He shook his head as he realized how comfortable he now felt with the Evans. He himself was amazed at how Mr. and Mrs. Evans had not only totally accepted their children, but him as well.

As soon as they had realized that Michael was Max and Isabel's sibling, they'd just automatically treated him as if he was theirs as well. Mr. Evans hadn't made a big fuss or tried to embarrass Michael, he had just grabbed him in a big hug and welcomed him to the family 'for real' he'd said.

Michael returned to the present when Phillip Evans gave him a slap on the shoulder and started toward the door. "Well, I'll come back and get you when the bride is ready. You obviously have everything under control in here. No need for me to calm the groom. Michael you're doing a great job!" Phillip winked and then left.

Max just laughed and looked out the window. It was a beautiful Saturday morning for the wedding. He smiled as he remembered last night.

They had come up here last night, and Jordan had welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Evans and they had thanked him for all his support. Jordan had just smiled and thanked them for the wonderful job they had done with the children, and how he knew that his sister and her husband would be so happy with the way their children had grown up surrounded by unconditional love and caring.

Diane Evans had teared up and Jordan had laughed and hugged her. Then teased her about being like his wife, and that he would have to remember to keep a tissue available for her as well now.

Max then thought of Liz. He hadn't seen her since they parted last night at her bedroom door. She had stopped teasing him about the sleeping arrangements, finally. She'd just smiled at him last night, gave him a sweet, loving, light kiss and whispered how she couldn't wait for tomorrow night. Because he would never keep her from him after that. He had laughed and agreed completely.

Max came out of his thoughts when there was another knock on the door and Diane Evans came in. She smiled widely at both boys who were not really boys any more but young men. She came to Max and as he stood up, she hugged him, kissed his cheek and stood back to proudly look him over in his Tux. "Your bride will swoon over you. You are so handsome." Diane sighed with pride.

Max actually blushed as he grinned, making both Michael and Diane laugh.

Then Diane turned to Michael and casually put her arm around him in a confiding hug. "How are you holding up?" she teased with a wink.

Michael smiled warmly and put his arm around her so comfortably. He couldn't believe how close he felt to Diane Evans now. Before she had always been like the fantasy mother he always wished he could have. But now, he felt her love and sorrow for the missed years with him. At first he'd felt shock and then love for her as well. She was the only mother he had ever really known.

Michael remembered the other night when Diane had asked to speak with him alone. He'd felt confused and nervous. But when he'd seen the love in her eyes, and the total acceptance of him, he'd known it would be okay. And when she'd asked him to forgive her for not finding him out in the desert that night as well, he had suddenly felt overwhelming love and protectiveness for her. He didn't want her to feel guilty about what had happened to him. It had been his own doing. But he told her how she had made him feel like part of the family all the time, even when he'd been fighting it.

And since then, he had been her son. He knew that in Diane's heart she saw him as her son now and always would. And he felt the bond and love with her that he had always wanted in a mother.

"You two make me proud. And I know you make your father and Jordan proud as well." She smiled still hugging Michael as she spoke to both young men.

"How's Liz doing?" Max asked knowing his mother had just come from Liz's room.

"She's beautiful, no radiant, and just as calm as you are. And I think she has that same glow in her eyes as well." she teased, looking into her son's eyes.

Max just grinned and sighed. *I love you Liz Parker* Max sent to her.

Liz let Maria, Isabel and Cassie fuss over her hair and make-up one more time as she sat quietly in a chair in front of the long mirror they had brought in.

The knock on the door made them all turn around, and then Liz smiled when she saw her mother. Her mother and father had driven up this morning, and Liz could tell by the happy look on her mother's face, that she was okay with this marriage.

"You look beautiful my lovely baby girl. Although you aren't my little baby girl anymore are you?" Nancy smiled through her tears.

Liz stood up, tears in her own eyes and they hugged. "I'll always be your girl mom. I'm just not a baby anymore." She whispered.

"I know." Nancy whispered back and kissed her daughters cheek and squeezed her tightly before stepping back and looking her over again.

"Oh Liz...wait until your father sees you." She swallowed and smiled, holding a hand to her chest that was filled with love and pride. Liz was wearing and off the shoulder shawl type long white flowing soft silk wedding gown. It had pearls down the back of the dress, and as the girls put on her veil, the wedding outfit was complete, and Nancy teared up again.

Then she turned to her daughter's closest friends. The girls who had become so important to her daughter. Maria had been there for her forever. And she was still her life long unwavering friend. And now there was Isabel and Cassie who completed the small but very close-knit group that surrounded her daughter. They all looked beautiful, and she knew her daughter had chosen her friends well, for she knew they were all as solid and good for Liz as Maria was. She knew that they would always be there for her daughter, even if she and her husband couldn't always be.

"You girls all look so beautiful." Nancy swallowed overcome with emotion and happiness. "Your own men will be wondering why it isn't you going down that aisle." She grinned and saw the other three girls blush happily.

Liz sighed at how perfect this day was starting, and she knew how perfect it would end as well, she smiled thinking of what she would do to her husband tonight.

Then she heard his voice. *I love you Liz Parker* and she smiled, her own eyes glowing, as she threw back at him. *You are mine now Max Evans* she teased.

And she actually felt the grin Max sent her.

Always and Forever (Part 9b: The Wedding)

Max took a deep breath as he stood at one end of the aisle that had been set up on the lawn surrounded by the chairs for the few close family they had. He looked at his mother and father, Jordan and his wife Nadi on one side, and they all winked at him.

Then he looked over to where Mrs. Parker, Amy DeLuca and Sheriff Valenti sat.

When he met Mrs. Parker's eyes, his widened as he saw her wink as well. He grinned knowing she was letting him know that she was happy for her daughter and him.

Then he looked down the aisle as he heard the music begin and Cassie and Kyle emerge from the ranch house first, followed by Isabel and Alex, and then Maria and Michael. He smiled letting his friends know how important they all were to him, and saw the guys nod and the girls smile.

Then he held his breath as the wedding march music started. And then there she was.

Liz felt a rush of excitement run through her like how a child felt on Christmas, as she stepped out of the house and saw Max standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her. The arched trellis was behind him, and the minister was standing next to him, but all she saw was Max Evans.

Seeing Max in his tux, and standing proud and waiting for her made her heart stop. She loved him so much that she thought she might pass out from the rush of happiness that overwhelmed her. Their eyes connected, and it was Max's eyes that helped her make it down the aisle toward him. That and her father's arm helping to keep her knees from giving out.

Max couldn't breathe. She was breathtaking and he was so overwhelmed with love for her at this minute that his head spun. All he could see were her big beautiful doe eyes as she kept coming toward him, her own eyes glowing with incredible happiness and love.

Neither one took their eyes off of each other during the short ceremony. Once her father placed Liz's hand in Max's, She heard nothing else. The connection was instantaneous and their souls joined together as well.

Liz looked up at Max as they danced to their song.

Max held her close and kissed her neck softly. "Hi Mrs. Evans." Max whispered in her ear and then stood up straighter and looked into her eyes.

He could see how the sound of her new name delighted her by the dreamy light that shone in her eyes as she looked up at him with a bright smile.

"Hi Mr. Evans." She whispered back and let her hands play with the sensitive hair at the back of his nape as they were curled around his neck.

"How long before we can leave the party?" Max whispered, looking deeply into her eyes.

Liz felt the hardness of Max against her stomach and smiling, she snuggled in closer. Then she looked around. "I think we have to at least wait until we cut the cake and throw the bouquet." She said dryly.

When Max sighed in agreement, Liz laughed. "Serves you right for making us wait a whole week." She nipped at his ear and felt Max shiver and harden even more against her.

Michael looked down at Maria as he spun her on the dance floor. She looked stunning in her maid of honor dress. When he'd first seen her in her dress this morning, he'd had a flash of her in a wedding dress. Michael smiled at the thought and was surprised at how content he felt with the thought.

He remembered how Maria had been so unsure of herself and them the other night. He didn't want her to ever feel that way about them. He knew what he was going to do before they too moved to Jordan's ranch in a few weeks. He grinned at the thought.

Alex grinned as he pushed Isabel out of his arms and watched her twirl away. Then he pulled her back into him and held her close. He was very happy for his best friends and was very happy with the way his relationship was going with Isabel as well.

He knew that the two of them would be going off to college in a few weeks, and he couldn't wait to start the next phase of their lives. He knew he wanted to share an apartment with Isabel when they went to the UNM, but he wasn't sure if he should ask her that. He loved her mother and didn't want to upset her parents with that thought. But he really didn't want them to both have to find an apartment. He knew they would usually be together any ways. Then he smiled at the thought that crossed his mind.

"What are you smiling about Whitman? I don't trust that smile." Isabel looked at him with her own smile and teasing light in her eyes.

"Hmmm... just enjoying the day with my best girl, and my best friends.." Alex answered and kept his thoughts deeply hidden. He knew his Isabel was as curious as a cat and would try to probe him if he acted too suspicious. This was one secret he was going to keep from her until he was ready.

Isabel looked at him through narrowed eyes but let it pass for now. She'd find out what he was up to later. She smiled smugly and just snuggled up in Alex's arms enjoying the day as well.

Kyle held Cassie close in his arms, and inhaled the fragrance of her hair. She was so important to him that it sometimes still amazed him. His life had changed so much in the past year.

He was looking forward to when the two of them would go away to college in a few weeks. They would have more time together and he would work toward getting into law enforcement so he could take care of his friends, and Cassie, and just help people in general like his dad. And he knew without a doubt that Cassie would be by his side, always.

"You get your course schedule yet?" Kyle asked Cassie as she looked up at him.

She nodded and smiled. "Yes, I'll be taking a lot of biology and science classes. I want to double up over the summers too. I really want to work with Liz in the lab here on Jordan's ranch when I graduate." She beamed.

Kyle smiled down at her and nodded. He knew her dreams and wanted to make sure she fulfilled them, with him at her side. That was why he had asked Jordan about a possible future in this county as sheriff. That way they too could live close to the lab so Cassie could fulfill her dreams and help her people right along side Liz.

Max helped Liz up onto a chair as she struggled with her long dress and train. When she was up on top of it she glanced behind her, located Maria and grinned. She saw Michael nod at her and she turned back around facing away from the small crowd of young ladies. She winked at Max and then threw the bouquet over her head in Maria's direction.

She laughed and jumped into Max's arms when she turned and saw it had landed right in Maria's unprepared arms.

Max slid her to the floor and watched her run over to Maria and hug her. "You're next my friend." She whispered in Maria's ear.

Maria blushed and waved the thought away with a hand. "Yeah right. Michael probably just took off for the bathroom or something when he saw me catch this thing." She said trying to sound unaffected.

Liz grinned as she saw Michael come up behind Maria. "I don't think so Maria." She giggled and giving Maria a quick kiss on the cheek, she went back to Max.

"May I have this dance?" Michael said quietly in Maria's ear.

Maria turned, startled and then tried to hide the bouquet behind her back.

Michael smiled in amusement and reached around her and pulled the flowers out of her hands. "Nice." He looked them over. "Never know when they might come in handy." He winked and just smiled wider when he saw Maria's eyes widen as he led her back onto the dance floor.

Liz was sitting on Max's lap laughing with her parents and his, when she felt him stir again beneath her. He had actually been in that predicament for hours now, but she felt him jump and harden even more and knew his thoughts were again drifting to when they could leave.

She decided to tease him a little longer, and she pressed down against him more, wiggled around a little, and answered a question Mr. Evans had asked.

She heard Max groan and then she met his burning eyes and her's twinkled mischievously. "Witch!" he whispered in her ear and then nipped at it. Then he let one of his hands roam under her dress where no one could see, under the table, and he slowly ran his hand lightly up her leg and thigh to cup the place between her legs.

He felt Liz jump as she turned to him in surprise and then her own eyes narrowed. Max grinned meeting her eyes with his burning ones.

Then Liz jumped off his lap, and stood up and hugged her parents and Mr. and Mrs. Evans, thanking them for everything.

The two sets of parents glanced at each other, and then hugged their children back. "I'm happy it's you Max." Mrs. Parker whispered in his ear as she hugged him close.

Max swallowed and met her sincere eyes and then nodded. "I'll take care of her with my life." He promised.

"I know." Mrs. Parker smiled meeting his eyes with her own content ones.

"Welcome to the family daughter." Mrs. Evans said softly to Liz as she hugged her tight. "Now go get your groom out of here before he turns to ashes from all the burning glances he's been throwing at you." Diane winked and watched Liz's look of shock, then her bright laugh as she hugged Diane tighter and whispered her thanks in her ear.

Then Liz grabbed her husband's hand and they rushed away toward Max's jeep to drive to their new home a half a mile away.

The parents turned back toward each other and the men held up their watches. "Later than I bet. I think you win Jeff." Phillip Evans sighed.

"Nope, I said 4pm. It's just a little after that now." Jim Valenti smiled as he came up to the foursome with Amy.

"You men BET on when the kids would leave?" Diane Evans looked surprised, exchanged equally surprised looks with the other women, and then the three of them chuckled.

"I won our bet, Diane." Nancy grinned, and then they laughed at the shocked faces of their men.

Max drove the jeep down the dirt road that led to their new home, but he could barely take his eyes off of his bride. It was a good thing it was a quiet deserted road, for he barely saw it.

He held onto Liz's hand, playing with her full set of wedding rings, and just stared into her eyes.

Liz smiled widely when they pulled up in front of the charming little cottage, and then she looked back at Max and her breath caught at the look she saw on his face as he came around and lifted her gently into his arms.

Part 10a

Max kept his hot hooded eyes on his bride as he carried her up the steps to the little cottage they’d be calling home.

Liz held Max’s eyes with her own hot heavy ones, and with her arms casually looped around his neck, she let her fingers run up the back of his hair. She smiled a wicked smile when she saw his eyes darken at her touch.

Max didn’t look away from Liz even when he slid the key into the lock and swung the door open. Then his mouth captured his brides as he carried Liz over the threshold and kicked the door closed behind them.

“Welcome home Mrs. Evans.” He said in a deep velvety voice. His eyes flickered warmly as he smiled at the words.

“Welcome home Mr. Evans?” Liz smiled dreamily up at Max’s gorgeous face that she adored so much.

Then Max let a smile widen on his face as he slowly lowered Liz down against his still aroused body. Enjoying the feel of her soft body sliding against his hard one.

And he couldn’t wait to get her out of the dress that didn’t let him get to feel all of her the way he wanted, against him.

As if reading his mind, Liz leaned into Max as her feet touched the ground and she let her delicate hand slide up her groom’s tuxedo covered legs to find his aroused flesh waiting for her touch.

His breath hissed between his teeth at the first touch of his wife’s delicate hand. His wife. Just the thought made Max’s head spin. He looked down at the beautiful vision in white in front of him. He loved her in her white wedding dress. It was a scene he had seen the minute he had laid eyes on her in 3rd grade. It was one of the reasons he had known they were meant. But right now he needed to be closer to Liz.

Max picked up the small sexy woman in front of him to be equal with his face, and then took her mouth in a long hot deep kiss.

Liz whimpered, clasped her hands around Max’s neck to get closer to him, and Max couldn’t wait another second.

He put her down and turned her around. His eyes widened in shock at the neat row of about 100 buttons running down the back, and then he narrowed his eyes and with the wave of his hand they all fell open at once.

Liz gasped and then chuckled, but before she had a chance to laugh aloud, Max had spun her back around, and captured her hot mouth again and slid the rest of the dress down her delicate form.

Liz’s hands weren’t idle either. She nimbly undid the buttons to his white shirt and pulled that off of him as well. Then when Max released her mouth to lift her up and pull the rest of her dress off, Liz reached for his pants and undid those.

They couldn’t wait. It had been a long week. Max sucked in his breath when he saw the sexy outfit Liz had on under her wedding dress. The little white lace teddy with the matching white garters and lace stocking almost made his knees give in. But he leaned back against the door, lifted Liz up again and as she wrapped her legs around his hips, he slid a hand between her legs and pushed aside the wet lace and grunted.

Liz had already freed him from his pants and had him in her hands. She guided him to her and they both cried out when Max thrusted his hips up and Liz came down hard on his pulsing rigid flesh.

They cried out at the connection and then they both moved in unison, needing the explosion of being one again.

They couldn’t get enough of each other. Liz was whimpering and clawing at Max’s bare back as he held her hips and pushed himself up into her as fast as she was pushing down over him. The friction was fast, hot and slick and soon even Max couldn’t stand anymore. He kneeled down with Liz still connected to him, and then placed her on cool tile floor in the hall and never leaving her body, he followed her down. Placing his hands on either side of Liz, he moved faster, knowing they both needed the release now. Liz bit Max’s shoulder and he grunted, lifted her legs higher; putting them up on his shoulders and then he moved faster.

“Max! God Max! I love you!” Liz cried out. Max looked into her wild heavy eyes with his own hot hooded ones, and he felt her release start. He was about to try to cover her scream when he realized he didn’t have to anymore. The sudden awareness made him surge again with excitement, and he let her cry out, watching her. When he felt her soft walls contract around his hard pulsing flesh, he too felt his release begin and throwing back his head, he too cried out as he poured all of himself into his bride. Max gave Liz everything he had, his body, his heart and his soul. All of it poured into Liz as they both tumbled into ecstasy together.

“I love you Mrs. Evans.” Max whispered as he fell onto his side, keeping them joined, while rolling Liz into his arms.

Liz laughed with sheer joy at their wild loving and rolled till she laid on top of her husband who was sprawled out on the floor looking sweaty and exhausted, but very happy himself.

“Wow Max.” Liz sighed and put her head down on his chest. Neither one of them had the energy to move.

“Which room shall we christen next?” Liz finally said, lifting her head and meeting his widening eyes. Her own eyes were twinkling in delight and in only a half teasing manner.

He laughed and finally moved. It was getting cold on the tile beneath him and he wanted their bed.

“The bedroom is next. I need to give my back and knees a rest.” He grinned at her.

Liz blushed and laughed as they both stood up and looked at the way they were half dressed, with clothes strewn all around them.

“At least we made it into the house.” Liz teased as she eyed the door behind her.

“Barely” Max mumbled and grinned as he picked her up and carried her to their waiting room.

Max put her down just inside the doorway and turned her toward the bed. He stood behind her with his arms around her slim waist that was still covered partly by her lace teddy.

Liz gasped and Max smiled. “Max!” Liz whispered in awe.

Their bed was in the middle of the room which had rose petals scattered all over the carpet that made a path to the huge bed that was covered in rose petals as well.

Max snapped his fingers, a trick he learned from Isabel, and a thousand candles around the room suddenly lit.

Liz gasped again and then turned back to face her husband and looked up into his soft eyes with tear filled ones. “How did I find you? You are the sweetest, most wonderful man in the world!” she sighed and pulled his head down to brush her lips against his in a gentle, loving kiss.

“You bring out the romance in me Liz. When I’m with you it’s only natural.” He whispered and ran a hand down her bare arm and grinned as he watched her skin glow everywhere he touched her.

Liz looked her beautiful naked husband up and down and grinned. He was all hers. No one would come in to interrupt them and they didn’t have to hide anymore. They had every right to be here together and to make love as often and anywhere they wanted.

Max saw her devilish grin and knew what she was thinking. In answer he slid the rest of her teddy off of her, and lifted her up so that the teddy slid off and landed on the floor.

Now he looked his incredibly sexy wife over in return. Her long silky flowing brown hair begged for him to bury his hands in it. Her eyes were hooded and glazed with passion again, and he held her sexy naked body in his strong arms and grinned in delight when he noticed all Liz had on was her garter, white lace stockings and her white heels.

Liz felt the raging hard Max bump up against her butt and she giggled. Then she bit her lip and swallowed. “Max…” she whispered.

With that Max carried her to the bed and lay her down gently on the soft, sweet smelling rose petals. He wasn’t done with her by a long shot, his eyes told her as he stood over the stretched out sexy vision of his wife.

Part 10b

Liz’s breath caught in her throat at the love and adoration Max’s eyes burned into hers as he looked down at her. She didn’t think it was possible to love Max anymore than she did, and yet it seemed with every breath she took, that love continued to grow.

When Max kneeled on the bed at her feet, Liz raked her gaze over his sexy muscular body and she sighed. He was perfect, and all hers. Her little smile made Max chuckle and she knew he was reading her thoughts.

She smiled her special smile meant only for him and stretched out on the big bed, throwing her hands behind her head and waiting for what Max planned to do, for she could see he had a plan in his mind. Now that the raw passion had been eased, she knew he was ready for the romantic seduction that the scene he’d created around them called for.

Max lifted one of Liz’s legs, still covered with the stocking that led up to the garter, and began to slide on hand up and down her from ankle to calf to knee. Liz wondered why he hadn’t taken off her heels, but then she smiled and let him have his fantasy. She would have hers later.

Liz sighed and let herself just feel Max’s hands caressing her. Even the feel of his hands on her ankle left her breathless. She was putty in his hands and she knew her husband knew it. He had a satisfied glint in his beautiful soulful eyes that made her heart jump.

Max stared down at the lovely vision spread out on their bed before him, and slowly let his hand glide over her calf and up to her bare thigh letting his fingers caress her right up the beginning of her dark curls and then he retraced his movements back down her leg.

Liz’s eyes narrowed with building passion, and she met Max’s knowing ones. He was in no hurry. He wanted to enjoy every inch of her.

Max nipped at her ankle and then placed light kisses over the lace-covered calf and then his tongue traced the path up her bare thigh. Again he let the path lead him right to the tip of her curl, and then he retreated back down to her ankle with his mouth.

Liz moaned and sucked in her breath. She didn’t know how much longer she could take the erotic feelings Max was creating. She was throbbing and aching for his intimate touch.

Max put her leg down gently and then repeated the same moves on the other leg. Knowing that he had Liz trembling beneath him and on the very edge already by the time he lifted from her legs and placed her second leg down as well.

Liz waited, knowing Max was coming as close to exploding as she was. She raked her hooded gaze over his hot pulsing sex that was so hard it was pressed against his stomach. She licked her lips, wanting to touch him.

Max gasped as he read her mind, and he swallowed and tried to calm his body down from the visions of what Liz had in mind, and he concentrated fully on her again. This part was for her. Later he’s let her have her way with him.

Max gently nudged her legs apart with his knees as he moved in a little closer to her.

Liz swallowed in anticipation and held her breath. Her legs fell open and she knew her heat was begging for him. She felt her own body’s reaction to his and she actually felt moisture glide out of her and run down her leg.

Liz blushed but lost her breath completely when she saw the raw passion blazing in Max’s eyes as he watched her body calling to him.

Then Max slowly leaned down on his stomach, his eyes never leaving the trail of passion that ran down her leg.

Liz sucked in her breath and bit her lip when she felt Max’s breath almost part her feminine hair. Then she jumped and yelled as Max’s tongue suddenly lapped up the little trail of fire and then he dipped his hot moving tongue deep into his wife’s waiting heat.

Liz cried out and gave herself up to Max. Her legs relaxed even more and she widened them, giving Max all the room he needed.

Liz trembled as Max’s tongue of fire raked up and down her moist entrance, and then dipped in for a taste before pulling out again and laying his tongue flat, he ran it the whole length of her aching flesh.

Max couldn’t get enough. He loved the taste and scent of Liz. He always got drunk on her.  She was like alcohol to him. His head spun when he was near her or touching her, and he felt drunk on her when he was like this with her. She was his, all his and he could never get enough of her. Max loved loving her and as he felt her tremors and her yearning become his, he groaned deep in his throat and then knowing what Liz needed he took her little bud of sex deep into his mouth and sucked on it.

Then Liz’s head arched back as her thighs tightened around him. She put her heels flat on the bed and lifted her hips, grabbing at Max’s hair to keep him in place. Then she held him there and cried out as her orgasm hit her. And he didn’t stop his caresses until she had cried out three more times. Every time she started to come down he’d build her passion up again. Liz was exhausted by the time he was finished.

Max’s tongue ran up her moist passion one more time before he crawled up the rest of her body and gently pushed the sweat-dampened hair from her precious face.

Then he leaned over her and took her mouth with his.

Liz tasted herself and Max. The combinations made her head spin. Max’s taste mixed with hers was intoxicating. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down on top of her, needing to be as close as possible to him at that moment.

Max let himself lie fully on top of Liz for a minute, knowing she was okay with his weight. He too needed to be touching her everywhere. As her heat cradled his hot-ridged sex, Max shifted to glide his pulsing hardness between her curls, letting her still moist folds caress his own aching flesh.

Liz gasped and her legs widened and then wrapped around his waist of their own will, opening herself to him completely. She felt her heels dig into his butt and she saw his eyes widen in awareness and arousal.

Max continued to tease them both by letting their bodies slowly glide against one another until he couldn’t take it anymore.

Then he lifted up on his elbows on either side of her and met her eyes. “I adore you.” He whispered and then slowly, gently guided himself into her, keeping his eyes on hers as he felt her warmth wrap around him inch by pulsing inch.

Liz kept her eyes on his and loved the feel of Max slowly gliding into her making them feel and enjoy every inch that he pushed into her until he was fully buried within.

“I love you Max.” Liz whispered before taking his face in her hands and pulling him down for a deep kiss.

Then they started a slow dance of love. In and out their bodies moved. The shadows on the walls swayed in the candlelight and the heavy scent of roses and their own passion was something Liz would never forget.

Max could feel Liz’s tight hot body pulling on his throbbing flesh as he pulled in and out of her unhurriedly. He loved the way the candlelight flickered across her face, letting her lips shimmer from his wet kisses.

Liz could feel Max’s fullness as it glided in and out of her and she could feel her body pull on him as he almost eased himself all the way out before sliding once more fully into her.

The build up was slow but just as powerful as before. Liz felt the passion start to roll over her in waves and she gasped and pushed herself up to meet his leisurely strokes.

Max felt the fervor roll through Liz and into his own body. He tightened above her when he felt her start to shatter. He let himself go then, taking her mouth with his as poured his own passion into her.

Part 10c

Max rolled to his side and taking Liz into his arms, he snuggled his head in her shoulder and kissed her neck lightly.

When he looked up into her eyes he saw she was asleep and he grinned. He had worn out his sexy little wife. He was pleased with himself and put his head down on the pillow with hers, slid one hand through her silky hair to keep her close against his chest, and then his other hand protectively over her stomach where their children were nestled, and he too fell asleep.

Liz didn’t know how many hours she had slept, but it was completely dark when she awoke. She lifted her head from Max’s chest and let her eyes wander over his beautiful body as he held her close.

She let her hand glide lightly up the arm that cradled her stomach and then up over his shoulder and down his smooth hard back as far as she could reach. She just loved touching him. Her own had tingled wherever they touched.

Her heart was so filled with love for this man that she swallowed trying to keep from crying out with all the emotions she felt.

Max slowly awakened to the gentle caress on his back, and he smiled before he even opened his eyes. He just drank in the feel of their connection. It was a gentle loving connection right now and a peaceful content one.

Max leaned up and met her eyes, almost overwhelmed with the love he saw reflected in hers.

Then his stomach growled and Liz giggled.

Max blushed and then laughed. “That was real romantic.” He rolled his eyes.

“My love is hungry from ravishing me. That IS romantic. Come my husband and I will feed you.” She smiled and he let her lead them into the small cozy kitchen.

Liz only put on the little light over the stove as she sat him down at the little table and started humming as she fixed him a platter of food that Isabel and Maria had put in her fridge earlier that day. She arranged the cheese, meats and crackers on the plate adding more for both of them to share.

Max’s eyes burned his love into her. She was a vision. She was naked except for the garter and stockings that were still on her. She had kicked off the heels before they had fallen asleep and now padded around their cozy kitchen in her lace covered feet.

Liz grabbed a bottle of Tabasco sauce, and  when she turned to Max she gasped. His wavy hair was unruly and fell across his forehead in a totally adorable manner, and she took in the sight before her. Her sexy husband looked young with his hair falling across his forehead from sleep, but the rest of him was all man. All man from the tip of his toes on up his naked body to his muscled chest and then to his eyes, which were anything but young and innocent looking.

Liz’s heart leaped with emotions that she saw were equally reflected in his eyes, and when he held out a hand to her, she slid onto his lap and began to feed him from the plate in her hands. Their eyes never leaving each others.

Even eating was stimulating. As Liz fed Max a piece of cheese or meat, he would nibble at it and at her hand licking away any food left on her fingers. Liz shivered and smiled, keeping her eyes on Max’s soulful ones.

Then Max would feed Liz in return and she would suck on his fingers to get any meat or cheese juices left behind.

When Liz felt Max stir beneath her again, she stopped eating and reached closer for a kiss, her eyes starting to glaze over again.

But Max stopped her by placing another piece of cheese in her mouth, catching Liz off guard.

Her eyes widened and she tried not to choke on the food as she laughed. She saw the merriment in his eyes as well, and then swallowing, she lightly punched him.

“Eat first. You’re eating for three remember? You need your strength for the rest of the night.” He teased in a low sexy voice.

Liz swallowed and nodded and then shivered as Max ran one finger up from her stomach to between her breasts, then up her neck, chin and to her mouth.

Liz took his finger into her mouth and slowly sucked on it as Max moved it in and out between her heated lips

He fed her a few more pieces of cheese and let her feed him a bit more, before Liz couldn’t take it anymore. She put the plate down and straddled her husband, facing him.

His ridged flesh pushed up against her stomach as their bodies melded closer. Liz smiled at the feel of his need and she reached between them and began to slowly caress her husband’s hard throbbing flesh. She knew how to please him. She knew when to squeeze with just a little bit more pressure, and when to release that pressure. Up and down her gentle hand went over his turid flesh.

Then she smiled a wicked smile that made Max groan and she slid to the floor and kneeled between his legs.

When she took his hard flesh into her hot mouth, he threw back his own head and his eyes closed at the total pleasure of having Liz loving him as intimately as he had loved her.

Up and down he felt her mouth move. Taking him all in till he was buried deep in her throat, and then up till only the throbbing tip of him was in her mouth. She was loving him so completely that he just let her have her way for a few more minutes.

Then when he couldn’t take it anymore his arms lifted his bride from the floor and sat her on the table in front of him. Then he kicked the chair back, lifted her legs and growling, he saw how ready she was. Max saw Liz’s pleading eyes and when she grabbed his raging flesh and guided him to her waiting heat, he plunged in with a cry of satisfaction at the connection once again.

Max held her legs open wide as he plunged in and out and listened to her cries of pleasure as he slid a hand between them and rolled her little bud around between his fingers.

He continued to please his hot wife until they both were panting. Then he lifted her up again, and without leaving her body, he walked with her to the counter by the sink and continued to plunge in and out of her soft totally accepting body.

When they both cried out and collapsed onto the kitchen floor, Liz giggled again and hugged her exhausted husband tight.

“Wow…which room should we christen next? There are only two room left. The living room or the bathroom?” Liz teased.

Max chuckled, lightly slapped her sweet bare butt and gave her a quick kiss. “You are going to be the death of me Mrs. Evans.”

“Yes…but what a way to go.” Liz smiled her special smile for him and wiggled her eyebrows.

Then he felt Liz shiver and he frowned realizing she was lying on the cold kitchen tile. First they had sweated, then he had placed her on a cold floor. He cursed himself for forgetting her condition and lifted her up again into his arms and carried her to the bathroom.

“Hmmm…perfect…” Liz whispered and nibbled on his ear.

Max ignored her, his frown of concern for her now overriding his passion. He lowered the toilet seat lid and sat her on it as he leaned over the tub and turned on the water, adjusting the temperature and plugging the drain to let it fill. He grabbed the little bottle of bubble bath that he knew was Liz’s and that the girls must have unpacked earlier, and he poured some of that in as well.

Liz continued her exploration of Max’s bare body. His muscular back was too much of a temptation as he leaned over her, and she let her hands run up over every muscular indent, enjoying his perfectly sculptured back.

When her hand continued down and caressed his taunt butt and then lower to cup his sensitive sacks, Max jumped up and moved away from her with a frown. But when he looked down at his wife and saw her naughty look and smile, he caved in and lifted her up for another through kissing.

Then he gently placed her in the tub and kneeled beside her. Their eyes met again and Max lifted the washrag he held, filled with soft soap bubbled.

Liz knew what he wanted, and leaned back against the tub, letting his hands softly glide over her stomach to first wash the babies, and then up her body to wash her, his wife, as well.

Liz closed her eyes and tried to hold back tears of complete joy. She didn’t know what she had done to deserve this happiness, but she could only pray that she never for one minute took Max or their life for granted.