Part 96A *********** As Liz pulled up into the driveway, Max and Noah burst through the door, both of them greeting her on the walkway. "Momma!" Noah ran into her legs, scrambling up her body, wanting to be held. Liz fell back, laughing as she kissed him. "Hey, precious. I missed you sooo much." Noah twined his hands in her hair, smiling as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Mished you." He lay his head on her shoulder, feeling completely at peace that she was close by and that he was in her arms. Max finally made it down the porch steps, his eyes sparkling. He cupped the back of Liz’s neck, placing a kiss on her warm lips. "Hey." "Hey." She ran her free hand down his arm, her eyes never leaving his. "I missed you too. You have no idea how lonely my shower was this morning." Max groaned, looking up into the sky. He looked back down at her, giving her a rueful smile. "It was probably as lonely as mine." Liz chuckled at his playfulness. She reached for his hand, but stopped when she saw that he was wearing the gold band on it. She fingered the ring, feeling the coolness of it against Max’s warm skin. "I thought.....I thought you said that you were gonna put off wearing this until- Max gave her a broad smile. "I said I didn’t want my mom getting the wrong idea, and well, considering that she and my dad took the news pretty well, I didn’t see the point in not wearing it. I mean, I proposed to you, and you’re wearing my ring. You proposed to me, and I want to be able your ring. I want people to see this, and know that I belong to you and only you." A slow smile came to pass on Liz’s lips, but as realization dawned on her, she grabbed Max’s arms. "They took the news pretty well? You told them already?" Max nodded slowly. "I hope you’re not mad. I just, I wanted to be honest with them." "I’m not mad, just surprised. I guess things are still taking a little while to sink in." She smiled, letting him lead her into the house. "Yeah, well Isabel and everyone are gonna be here in a little bit. Apparently they all spent the night at Maria’s, and well, I thought that we could tell them together." Liz giggled as an image of Maria popped into her head. "Max, honey. Breakfast is all ready. Your dad and I are gonna see if we can catch a little shut eye." Diane walked into the room, yawning as she did so. She looked up to see Liz, a smile breaking out on her face. She walked to her, throwing her arms around her. "Liz. It’s nice to see you, dear." Phillip walked into the room, his lips curling into a smile. When Diane moved aside, he gave Liz a hug as well. "I think a congratulations is in order." Diane squeezed Liz’s hand. "Welcome to the family, sweetheart." Liz just nodded, her throat to choked up to say anything. On her drive over here, she was a little on edge. A little scared, wondering what Max’s parents’ reaction would be to their recent engagement. But as they did every time, they surprised her with the amount of love they showered her with. "Thank you." A convoy of engines, were heard in the driveway. Diane and Phillip took that as their cue to leave. Max and Liz looked at each other, smiling as they braced themselves with announcing their news. *********** The front door opened loudly, accompanied with the heavy footsteps of six teenagers still dressed in their pjs. Isabel barely looked at her brother as she walked past them, plopping herself on the couch. "Hey, Liz." One by one, the rest of the group made their way into the house, each of them still partially dead to the world. Maria was the last to walk in, her hair still mussed from sleep. She walked into the living room, sitting on the floor with a dramatic sigh. She looked up at Max and Liz. "This had better be good. I mean you do realize that it’s....." She looked up at the clock, squinting to read the time. Her eyes refused to focus, so she gave up. "Yeah, well it’s too early." Isabel mumbled from her spot on the couch. "Yeah....and why is it that we all had to be here?" Max and Liz just smiled at each other, finding it amusing how each and everyone of their friends were definitely not morning people. Liz lifted her hand to brush the hair away from her face when a loud shriek came from Maria. Isabel sat up, wondering what the commotion was all about. She looked at Max and Liz, noting the way they stood so close together, like it was physically impossible for them to be apart. She watched Max pull Liz closer to his side. "Omigod!" Isabel jumped with Maria, both of the shrieking and giggling, forgetting that sleep was threatening to consume them only minutes ago. Kyle sat up, pulling Courtney with him. He turned a horrified look at Maria and Isabel bursting with excitement, then turned to everyone else. He pointed at Maria and Isabel. "Someone, turn them off!" Courtney laughed, her eyes flying to Liz and Max. A small gasp made it’s way past her lips as she too noticed the rings that the two of them were sporting. Maria and Isabel turned to her, pulling her up with them. The three of them danced their way to Liz, pulling her and Noah away from Max. They pulled her into the kitchen, bombarding her with questions, accompanied with the occasional giggle of excitement. The other three guys sat up groggily, still unsure of what happened. Michael scratched his head. "What the heck was that?" Alex shrugged his shoulders, watching curiously as the girls fawned over Liz. "I don’t know. It must be woman intuition or something, because that totally flew over me head." Kyle held his hands to his head, trying to keep it from pounding. "I don’t know how your ears aren’t still ringing from that." Alex chuckled, turning his gaze to Max. "Do you have any idea what that was about?" Max walked into the room, laughing. "Sorta." Kyle looked at Max then finally noticed the dopey grin on his face. He watched as Max sat down. He flinched when the sunlight flickered across the ring on Max’s finger. He didn’t think anything of it, until it flickered again, the gold color flashing in his eyes. Kyle jumped up, pointing at Max, his eyes wide. "Holy cow, you guys got hitched!" Part 96B ************ Max fell back, laughing in his chair at the stunned look on his friends’ faces. He didn’t mean to laugh, but Kyle’s outcry was just too funny. He hadn’t even expected them to pick up on the ring, but now that they had, he had a little explaining to do. Alex frowned, not really sure if he was happy that Max and Liz tied the knot, or upset that he wasn’t invited. Either way, he wanted an explanation. Max wiped the tears from his eyes, holding onto his stomach as he attempted to speak. “Liz and I didn’t get married last night. I know how you guys can think that,” he held up the ring on his hand, letting his friends see it. “But, Liz proposed and well I wanted to wear the ring, just like she’s wearing the ring I gave her. We couldn’t even think about getting married without having all of you there.” Alex smiled, glad that they hadn’t eloped. He just couldn’t imagine not being there when Liz walked down the aisle. Michael leaned his elbows on his knees, looking at Max. “Wait, let me get this straight. You and Liz proposed to each other last night?” Max nodded, laughing when Michael shook his head with a smile. “Trust the two of you to propose at the same time.” ************ Liz sat Noah on the counter as Maria and Isabel’s voices continued non stop. Liz placed her hands around Noah’s cheeks, placing a kiss on them. His eyes flew from Maria to Isabel, watching curiously as they talked up a storm. “You guys think you could quiet down a second? I feel like I’m watching a ping pong match. I have no idea who I’m gonna listen to first,” she chuckled. Both Isabel and Maria blushed at the way they had gotten so carried away. “Sorry.” Each girl took turns giving Liz a hug, whispering their congratulations. Liz smiled, happy that her friends were just as excited about the news as she was. “So, first thing’s first. When’s the big day?” Liz laughed. “Maria, we just got engaged last night. We haven’t gotten that far yet.” Maria gave her a wicked grin. “So how far did you guys get last night?” “MARIA!” Liz turned a bright crimson, completely and utterly embarrassed. Maria gave a hearty laugh, stumbling back a little bit. “Relax hun. That isn’t what I meant. I was talking about the wedding plans.” She shook her head at Liz, in mock disappointment. “You need to get your mind out of the gutter.” The girls laughed some more, as Liz covered her face. “Um, yeah, well...I’m not really sure. We haven’t had a chance to discuss any of it yet.” “Well, I suggest you get Max’s cutie patootie behind in here so we can plan.” The sound of a male voice clearing his throat from the doorway caught the attention of the girls. Michael had his eyebrow raised, his arms crossed against his chest as he looked at Maria. “What was that about Max’s behind?” It was Maria’s turn to blush as Michael teased her. “I thought I was the only one with a cutie patootie behind?” Maria flushed some more, walking to Michael, slapping him in the chest. “Enough of that. We need to get a move on with the wedding plans.” Isabel nodded. “Exactly. Wouldn’t it be great if you guys had the wedding right after graduation?” She turned bright eyes towards Liz. “You’d make a beautiful June bride.” Alex walked into the kitchen, shaking his head. “Guys. I’m thinking Max and Liz would like a say in their own wedding. Don’t you?” “Of course, but it would help if my brother was actually in the same room.....MAX!” Max covered his ears, walking towards Liz, placing his arm around her waist. “Iz. You don’t have to yell. I’m right here.” “Oh, right. So, what’s the plan?” Max looked to Liz who only shrugged her shoulders. They both laughed, turning back towards their friends. “There is no plan.....yet.” Isabel threw her hands up in the air. “You’re absolutely hopeless, Max.” She reached for Maria’s hand, leading her towards the table with Courtney. “We have a crisis here.” Maria eyed the couple, hoping to get a little help. “Have you guys even thought of a possible date?” “Well, I...I kinda like the idea of an early wedding. June sounds good, right after graduation...I mean, whatever Liz wants.” He turned hopeful eyes on her, hoping that she would agree to a June wedding. Liz grinned at him. “June sounds good.” Maria clapped her hands together. “June it is then.” As quickly as she turned her head, panic rose. “Omigod! We only have like three weeks before graduation.” She jumped from her seat, pulling Liz towards the door. “You don’t even have a dress yet.....Where are you gonna have the wedding?....There’s soo much to do.” Michael grabbed Maria’s arm, stopping her from running out the door with Liz as her captive. “Hold it right there, blondie. Where do you think, you’re going?” Maria rolled her eyes at him, as if he should know where it was that she intended to drag Liz. “We’re gonna look for a wedding dress, silly.” “I hate to break it to you, sis, but the mall doesn’t open till another couple of hours. How about we all get something to eat first, then you can do whatever girly things it is that you girls do?” Kyle had made it into the kitchen, taking a seat beside Courtney. Max had walked up to Maria, taking Liz back into his arms. “Kyle’s right. Why don’t we have breakfast first, then you Isabel, Courtney and Liz can go to the mall and look for dresses and stuff. I have to put in a couple of hours at the UFO Center later, so you can have Liz to yourselves.” He placed a light kiss on Liz’s shoulder, pulling her towards the table. “But for right now, she’s mine.” Maria walked back into the kitchen, accepting defeat. Michael was the last to sit at table. He stopped by the counter, taking Noah into his arms. “Hey, little guy. How you doin’?” Noah shook his head at Michael, looking at him seriously. “Am not little. Am a big boy.” Michael laughed, handing Noah to Max and Liz. “You got me there, pal.” ************* Breakfast went on without a hitch, with the group laughing and talking about the prom. Max had refused to let Liz out of his sight until the last possible minute. That’s why they were standing in front of the Jetta, with Max holding onto Liz, kissing her as if there was no tomorrow. Maria stuck her head out of the window, tapping on the hood of the car. “Let’s go Romeo. I promise I’ll bring her back in one piece.” Liz ran her fingers through Max’s hair, whispering in his ear. “I’ll stop by the UFO Center when we’re done. I’ll bring you some dinner.” Max smiled, not able to stop from touching her. “Ok. I’ll see you later.” He opened the door, helping her in. He waved goodbye as he watched the girls drive off in one car, and the guys drive off in Alex’s rabbit. Maria had somehow baited them in going to the mall with them. Max sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. He couldn’t wait until June. Being apart from Liz for just a little while was driving him insane. June definitely couldn’t come soon enough. Part 96C Rated: NC-17 ********* Max walked around the back office, shifting files into boxes. He had been at it for the last three hours. Brody had told him to get rid of the old files to make room for the new files that his new business partner was bringing. Brody had sold half of the UFO Center to some guy named Milton, who apparently was as big a UFO nut as Brody. Max shook his head, grabbing another box to seal away some of the more outdated files. He didn’t even miss a beat when he heard someone knocking on the door. “I’m almost done, Brody. I just have to get this box sealed, and moved upstairs to storage and I’ll be done.” A woman’s laughter echoed through the small room, causing Max’s head to snap up. “That’s good to know.” “Liz. When did you get back?” He glanced at the clock, calculating when it was that he last saw her. She walked into the room, closing the door behind her. She offered him a take out box and a plastic cup filled with cherry coke. “About an hour ago.” She jumped onto the table, making herself comfortable as she watched Max devour the food she had brought him with gusto. He smiled at her, wiping at his mouth with a napkin. “So, how’d shopping go?” Liz laughed, swinging her legs as they dangled from the table. “It didn’t. We drove to Maria’s so everyone could get ready, and that itself took like three hours. Then we got stuck in traffic, and by the time we got to the mall, Michael, Alex and Kyle wanted to head to the food court. Maria didn’t want to let them out of her sight, thinking that they might try to make a run for it, so we spent like an hour trying to figure out what we wanted for lunch, and then another hour eating.” Max laughed, trying to picture it all in his mind. “So, what did you guys get done today?” “Other than stuffing ourselves with greasy mall food, I’d have to say, nothing.” Max gave her a sympathetic smile, his hand landing on her knee, giving it a soft squeeze. “I’m sorry you guys didn’t get anything done.” Liz shrugged her shoulders. “I think I like it better this way. As much as I love Maria and Isabel, I was kinda hoping you’d be there with me to make all of the decisions.” She let out a heavy sigh. “And I’ve always imagined having my mom and my grandma being there with me to choose my gown. And I would really love it if your mom could be there too.” Max smiled, running his hand down her calve to sooth her. “Well, maybe it’s fate’s way of telling us that today just wasn’t the day to do that stuff?” Liz nodded in agreement. “Speaking of, when do you plan on telling your mom and dad about our engagement?” Liz looked thoughtful for a moment, as she tried to find what to say. “Well, I’ve been dying to tell them, but this isn’t something I don’t want to tell them over the phone. My dad’s gonna wrap up the part time job he took, so he and mom are gonna be back by next week. Grandma Claudia says she’s probably gonna stay with us till graduation, so I guess that’s like killing two birds with one stone.” Max took a sip of his soda, his head bobbing in response. He grabbed the plastic containers, dropping them into the nearest waste basket. “Well, if you’d like me to talk to them with you, you know I will.” Liz smiled, throwing her arms around his neck. “I know you would, but just like you talked to your parents about this, I need to do this with my parents, alone. I hope you understand.” “I do, but I just had to say it.” Liz grinned, letting her hand flutter against the hair on his nape. She loved how it curled towards the ends, making her want to run her fingers through it. “I know you did.” She brushed her lips against his, murmuring softly. “I missed you today.” He gripped her hips, helping her stand on her tip toes so that they were at eye level. “I missed you too. So much.” His lips captured hers again, wanting to feel her warmth against him. His hands, ran slowly up her sides, the tips of his fingers teasing the sides of her breasts. Her head fell back, her teeth sinking into the soft flesh of her bottom lip to keep from moaning out loud. They pulled apart at the sound of insistent knocking on the other side of the door. “Evans! I’m heading out. I’m meeting Milton at the airport first thing tomorrow, so I’m gonna leave you to lock up by yourself.” Max held his finger over Liz’s lips, smiling as he spoke. “No problem, Brody. I’ll see you and Milton tomorrow.” “Night, Evans! Make sure you fix the sign over the autopsy display before you leave. It seems about ready to fall. Wouldn’t want to have a lawsuit on my hands.” “I’ll get right to it, when I finish up in here.” “Thanks.” Max waited until he heard the click of the back door closing before he let go of Liz. “Help me with this, and I’ll walk you home?” Liz nodded, walking out of his embrace to help pick up some of the mess. “Sure. Only if you promise you’ll stay for a little bit before you leave me alone in my big lonely bed.” She stuck out her bottom lip, batting her long eyelashes at him. He threw a file at her, smirking. “Like there was any doubt.” The two of them began working to clear out most of the back office, making some small talk. “So, what were you doing while we spent a hellish day at the mall?” Max grunted, lifting a box onto the dolly. “Not much. Noah and I played with his toys for a little bit, then I came down here to work my shift. I was gonna go home early, but Brody sprung this project on me.” Liz nodded her understanding, the two of them working in companiable silence till they were done. *********** After 45 minutes of shifting files, both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Liz reached for the door knob, but Max grabbed her wrist, twisting her till she was facing him. “Not so fast. I wanna finish what we started.” He gave her a wicked grin, his hand tipping her chin for a languid kiss. Liz grabbed onto his work vest, clinging to it for dear life. “Mmm...” The two of them stumbled backwards, stopping when the back of Liz’s thighs hit the table. Max grabbed her by the waist, depositing her onto the table. Just as he had in his day dream from a while back, he eased her legs apart, coming to stand in between her spread legs. He grabbed her tush, pulling her forward so that he was tucked snugly in between her thighs. Liz gasped, her breaths turning into pants. She watched as Max reached out to tangle his hands in her hair, his lips meeting hers in a kiss. His tongue teased her lips open, searching the deepest recesses of her mouth. His hands squeezed her thighs, working up until he reached behind, his hands landing on her backside. With a will of their own, his hips thrust forward, as his hands helped Liz do the same. The breathy moans that escaped her lips, thrilled him, making him want more. He pulled his lips away from hers, making a wet trail down her neck. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined you like this.” Liz let her head fall back, letting Max suckle the delicate skin on her neck. Her hands had dipped into his shirt, massaging the taut muscles on his back. The sound of his voice excited her, making her ache for desire. “Really?....H-here?.....In the office?....” Max chuckled, his hands returning to her thighs. He let them glide up and under her skirt, kneading the softness of her skin. “Not just here. The kitchen counter....the counter at the crashdown....our lab table.....” His voice trailed off, as his lips once again sought hers out. Their kisses were sloppy, their hands groping as they continued. Liz pushed on his chest a little, without releasing him from the confines of her legs. She smiled at him, her brown eyes twinkling in the dim fluorescent light hanging above them. “So you uh....you have a thing for tables and counters?” Max’s flushed skin deepened in color, as he nodded his head slowly. He cupped her face, bringing her face close to his so he could whisper in her ear. “Well, I think about making love to you everywhere, but uh....the tables and counter thing.....I haven’t been able to get it off my mind ever since we were baking Noah’s birthday cake.” Liz’s sharp intake of breath, confirmed that she remembered. “That’s.....that’s what your daydream was?” Max nodded against her cheek, his hands never ceasing their caress of her thighs. “Uh huh.” Liz bit back a devilish grin as she pulled off Max’s work vest. She grabbed the edge of his polo, throwing it behind her. “Guess it’s time to make that dream a reality.” She reached for his zipper, her eager hand sticking through the hole. She didn’t care that she the metal teeth was grating against her skin, all she wanted was to feel that part of him that was throbbing between her legs. Max groaned, his head falling back as Liz’s little hand gripped him. “Liz....we....we.....don’t....have..” She tugged on his chin, kissing his lips with a bruising force that left room for no argument. “Max....I want you....and I want you now.” Even as he spoke, his head lolled backwards, enjoying every minute of Liz’s sweet torture. “Are...you...sure?” Liz yanked her hand from his jeans, her hands quickly undoing the button. She shoved his pants and boxers down in one fluid motion, leaving his erection jutting forward against his belly. The corners of her lips turned up, her eyes trained on his golden skin. She sat up, yanking her dress over her head. She reached behind her, unsnapping the clasp of her bra. Her eyes trailed hotly up his body, finally landing on his midnight eyes that were usually amber in color. “You see, Max. You left me lonely in my shower this morning, so I plan to collect.” She reached for her purse on the other side of the table, getting a condom out. She ripped it open, taking the latex out with care. Before her hands could touch him, he stopped her. “Wait.” He waited until she met his eyes again, wanting to be sure that she wasn’t just doing this just because he wanted it. Her hand cupped his jaw. “I want this too.....so bad...” Max let his hand, drift to her underwear, his fingers dancing lightly over her crotch. “But what about the pain?” She pulled his hand up, placing a kiss on his palm. “I’m still a little sore, but it’s nothing bad. It kinda feels like that first time you uh...” His head bobbed against her hand, understanding what she was saying. He stepped back a little, letting her work the latex down his rigid form. As she did so, he grabbed the edges of her panties, slinking them down her creamy thighs. For a split second, he admired her nakedness, a wave of possession overcoming him. To think that she belonged to him, and no other man would be able to touch her this way, or watch her throw her head back in ecstasy, boiled his blood to a heightened level. Unable to wait for him to make the next move, Liz grabbed his manhood, placing him at her opening. Before he had a chance to ask her one last time if she was sure, she grabbed his hips, thrusting him deep inside her. Their moans coincided at the feel of their joining. “Oh God!” Liz wrapped her legs around his waist, her head falling back as Max’s mouth latched onto her heaving breasts. Her hand held his head in place, as her other hand landed on his hip, urging him to go faster. Their lips met in another heated kiss, their tongues mimicking the pumping action of their lower bodies. With heavy pants, Liz gripped the small of his back, pushing him as deeply as he could go. A guttural moan passed his lips as he continued to pump, faster and faster. He could feel the first tremors of her release, making him work that much faster. With an animalist growl, he grabbed her waist, thrusting inside her for all he was worth. He bit his lip, holding on till he was sure that she was ready. He didn’t want to go over the edge without her. He squeezed a hand in between their pumping bodies, his thumb searching for her special bundle of nerves. Making a few tight circles, Liz’s head fell forward on his shoulder, her voice breathless. “Max....hold me.” His arms wrapped around her slick form, as her walls clamped down around him, sending them both to see white flashes of light behind their eyes, their hips still moving in time with each other. When their bodies stilled, Liz placed an amorous kiss on his neck. “I like this method of baking cake, better....” she finished with a mischievous smile.