Part 2 *************** Max pulled open the doors to Blondie’s, holding Noah’s hand. “Blondie’s, how many will it be?” The hostess looked up, blushing when she realized that it was Max. “Mr. Evans. I didn’t realize that it was you.” She looked down at Noah, smiling. “Will it be just the two of you?” “Uh, actually- His sentence was abruptly cut off when Maria entered. “Max!....Noah! How you doin’ big guy?” She leaned down, pulling Noah into an embrace. “Hi, ‘Ria.” He let go of his father’s hand, clinging onto Maria’s instead. Maria turned to the hostess and smiled. “It’s ok, Angie. I’ve got ‘em.” Maria led Max and Noah into the kitchen, while striking up a conversation with Max. “So, it seems like you’ve still got the charm going.” Max looked startled, laughing a little. “What are you talking about, Maria?” Maria tipped her head back towards the front of the restaurant, where Angie’s attention was focused on Max’s retreating form. “Oh please, you honestly didn’t see her checking you out?” Max turned to look at Angie, who turned around quickly. His cheeks warmed, a red color tinting his them. “Maria, Angie is going to be one of my students this year. She can’t be....she doesn’t think of me that way...Besides, who’s ever had a crush on their English teacher?” Maria gave Max a look. “You mean, you’ve never thought about your teachers that way?” When Max just gave her a blank expression, Maria laughed. “Ok then. Just be careful, Max. I mean these days, the kids in school are a lot worse of then when we were there. And especially since the new teacher happens to be a 22 year old hottie- Max interrupted Maria, shoving his hands in his pockets. “It doesn’t matter. I love Liz. I don’t have eyes for anyone else.” Maria grinned. “Well, that’s always good to know.” She looked down when she felt Noah tug on her hand. “Excuse, me?” She smiled, leaning down so that she could hear him over the bustling waiters. “Yes, hun?” “Can we see, Michael? Momma wants me to say hi for her.” “Sure honey.” Maria pulled Noah further into the kitchen in search for Michael. “Maria, how much longer?” Maria looked at her watch. “Uh, give us another ten minutes or so. We’re backed up in orders. Is that ok?” Max nodded, grabbing his keys from his pocket. “That’s great. Look, there’s something I need to pick up at the drug store and I was wondering if you could watch Noah for a few minutes?” “Sure.” She grabbed his hand before he could run out of the door. “Is everything ok?” Max smiled. “Yeah. I just have to pick up a few things for the new house. You know, aspirin and stuff.” Maria gave him a pat on the back as he went through the back exit. *********** Max drove to the drugstore, walking purposefully inside. He walked to one particular aisle. He eyed the boxes in front of him, trying to decide which one to get. Finally heaving a sigh, he grabbed the one he was more familiar with and headed to the counter. The cashier gave him a fake smile, eyeing the box. “Will this be it for you, sir?” Max nodded, but on second thought, he changed his mind. “Actually, throw in some aspirin, will you?” ************ Max walked back into the kitchen, smiling when he saw Noah perched on one of the metal tables. He had captured Maria and Michael’s attention, telling them some story, using his hands animatedly. “Is the food ready?” Michael wiped his hands on his apron, smiling. “Yep. Jose is wrapping it up right now.” He turned to Noah, placing his hand onto the little boy’s head. “I’ll see you later, Noah.” He tipped his head to Max, grinning. “Max.” Max smiled back, pulling Noah to his feet. Maria reached for the paper bags that held Max’s order, and handed it to him. “Here you go.” She winked. “And I put a little something extra in there for dessert.” Max grabbed his wallet, but Maria shooed him away. “Don’t think about it, Max. It’s on the house.” Max shook his head, taking out the money to hand it to her, but Maria jumped away from him. “You just go home to that beautiful wife of yours, and let her eat dinner, then you can tell her to call me.” Looking defeated, Max turned to Michael. Michael only shook his head. “Sorry, Max. Like Maria said, your money is no good here. You just go home and we’ll see you later.” Before Max could get out another word, Maria pushed him out of the kitchen. “We’ll see you guys at mom and dad’s bbq tomorrow,” she waved. Max stumbled a little, just nodding. He grabbed Noah’s hand, moving to the front of the restaurant. He stopped by Angie’s podium, handing her some money. “Can you make sure that Maria gets this? Tell her it’s from me.” Angie took the money from his hands, deliberately brushing her hand against his. “Anything for you, Mr. Evans.” Max pulled away, feeling uncomfortable. “Right...Thanks.” Angie waved. “I’ll see you in English, Mr. Evans.” **************** After dinner, the Evans family worked through a few more boxes. When it drew close to Noah’s bedtime, Liz walked into his room to find him playing with an airplane. “Hey. Light’s out.” Noah put down his airplane, scrambling to his bed. “Sorry, momma. But I couldn’t sleep.” Liz sat down on his bed, pulling the covers around him. “I know, but we have to get up early tomorrow to get more of the boxes done, then we’re going to Amy and Jim’s bbq, and you can see Jade.” Noah scrunched up his nose. “But momma, Jade’s a girl.” Liz laughed, leaning down so that her hair fanned around the two of them. “So, what’s wrong with being a girl? I’m a girl.” Noah shook his head. “You’re not just a girl....you’re my momma. Jade, well, Jade is only four.” He held out four fingers to emphasize his point. Liz kissed his cheeks, smoothing back his hair. “Well, you’re not that much older. Just promise me you’ll be nice and play with her tomorrow?” Noah smiled, touching Liz’s cheeks. “Ok. Anything for you, momma.” He placed a noisy kiss on her nose, snuggling back into his covers. His eyes drifted shut as his breathing evened out. “Nite nite, precious.” Noah turned on his side, curling under the sheets. “Nite nite.” Liz smiled, walking to the door to switch off the light. Before doing so, took one last look at Noah before closing the door behind her. She walked to her and Max’s room, practically skipping. She found him sitting on the bed, looking over some papers. She hurriedly shut the door behind her, pulling her shirt over her head. “Noah’s asleep.” A devilish grin passed over Max’s lips as he put his papers away. Seeing that Liz had already taken off her shirt, he did the same. There were no pleasantries as they jumped into each other’s arms, practically devouring each other. The words, ‘Noah’s asleep’ became code for when they had a few hours of alone time together. It was hard to have an active sexual relationship, with an inquisitive little boy around, so they took what they got, when they got it. Liz rolled onto the bed, intending to let out a moan, instead, letting out a shriek of pain. “Ow!” Max jumped away, looking worried. “Did I hurt you? Was I too rough?” Liz shook her head, her breathing still ragged. Instead of talking, she rolled over, looking at the brown paper bag lying on the bed. “What’s this?” “Oh, it’s uhm....I sorta stopped by the drugstore and got you something.” Liz eyed him warily, opening up the contents of the paper bag. She pulled out a bottle of aspirin, and then a pregnancy test. She sighed, tracing the lettering on the box. “Is that why you didn’t want me doing too much lifting? Because you think I’m pregnant?” Max sat on the bed, looking down. “Well, you are late, and you’ve been a little sick...I just......I hope you’re not mad.” Liz shook her head, placing her arms around him. “Of course I’m not mad. I just, I don’t want you to get your hopes up, honey. I mean it could just be stress.” Max nodded, swallowing past the lump in his throat. “I know...and I promise, it won’t be like last time....I just want to be sure, is all.” Liz kissed his forehead, taking the test into the bathroom. “Well, I can’t take it till tomorrow morning, so we’ll just wait.” She took her pants off, throwing on one of Max’s old shirts. Max wrinkled his nose. “Hey, isn’t that my shirt?” Liz giggled, jumping into bed. “Yeah, but I like your clothes so much better. They’re so comfy.” Before Max could pounce on her, a knock came from the door. Max and Liz sat up, finding Noah at their door. “What’s up, little man? You’re supposed to be asleep.” Noah nodded. “I know, but I can’t sleep. Can I sleep in here tonight?” Max and Liz exchanged a look, knowing that their plans were foiled. Liz scooted to her side as Max stood up, scooping Noah in his arms. “Alright, pal. But just for tonight.” He dropped Noah in the middle, shutting off the light as he climbed into bed. “Night, all.” “Nite, daddy.” “Nite, Max. I love you.” The three of them snuggled in the big bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms just as they used to do.