Part 20A ****************** Max sat in the nursery, fiddling with Noah’s old crib as he tried to set it up. Liz looked down at him with sleepy eyes from where she had fallen asleep in the rocking chair. “Hey.” Max looked up, taking the baseball cap off of his head to ruffle his hair, then placing it back on his head. He smiled warmly at Liz, reaching out to touch the smooth skin of her calves. “Hey, you. How was your nap?” Liz yawned, stretching her arms lazily. “Good.” She grinned when she saw the state of disarray the nursery had become since Max had started working on the crib. “Looks like things are going well,” she teased, her doe eyes sparkling. Max made a face as he stared at the miscellaneous pieces of the crib. “You know, you’d think these companies could make something that people can actually build.” Liz hid her smile behind her hand. “Did you try the instruction booklet?” He turned to look at her sharply, offended that she would insinuate that he would need help from a stupid book to build a silly little crib. “I don’t need a book to tell me how to build my daughter’s crib. I did it with Noah, I think I’m pretty capable of doing it for Leah.” He shook his head, but smiled when he eyed the mobile that he had successfully put together. He held it up proudly, giving Liz a lopsided smile. “I put this together.” Liz giggled, taking off Max’s cap so that she could run her fingers through his hair. “Oh honey, that’s great. Now, if only we had something we could hang it on.” “Ha ha ha.” Max turned away, bending over to gather the pieces of the crib so that he could put it together. Liz tilted her head, muttering under her breath. “Not bad.” She brought her fingers to her lips, whistling loudly as she began catcalling. “Woohoo! Shake that bootie!” Max turned his head, rolling his eyes in jest. “First you insult my masculinity about not being able to put together the crib together, now you’re treating me like a piece of meat.” He got back on all fours, reaching for the rest of the pieces, making sure to give Liz an eyeful, as he swayed his butt back and forth. Liz was beside herself with giggles. “Tease!” She was set on continuing to play with Max when the phone rang. She reached for the cordless, holding it up to her ear. “Hello?” "Hey Lizzie! How are the munchkins doin’?” Liz chuckled into the phone. “Maria, what are you doing calling me? It’s your honeymoon!” "I know, I know. Just wanted to check in and say that married life is treating us well.” Both girls chuckled into the phone. “Hey Ria, hold that thought. I have another call.” "Oh, I won’t keep you. Just wanted to say hi, and love you babe. Give the fam smooches for me.” “Love you too. And I will. Oh and be sure that Michael sees some sun while you guys are out there,” she laughed into the phone. "Bye, hun!” Liz was met with a click of the phone. She smiled, pressing the flash button to get the other call. “Hello?” "Liz?" “Iz?” "It’s me. I was wondering if you and Max were doing anything tonight? Alex and I are going to mom and dad’s for dinner, and we have some news that we wanted to share with everyone.” “No, we’re not doing anything. What time should we get there?” "Around sixish? Is that ok?” Liz smiled. “Sounds great. Tell mom that we’ll be bringing dessert.” "Alright, and thanks, Liz.” “Talk to you later.” Liz hung up the phone, trying to get out of the rocker, when she couldn’t quite maneuver herself up. She held out her arms, batting her eyelashes at Max. “Help, please?” Max stood up, eyeing Liz playfully. “Why should I help you? I feel like my emotions have toyed with enough.” Liz reached out to pinch his side. “Yeah? Well you are the reason why I am now looking like hippo,” she taunted. Max just raised his eyebrow. “Really? Well I didn’t hear you complaining.” Liz grinned widely. “Alright, you got me. You think you could just give me a shove in the right direction? I promised Isabel I’d bring dessert to your mom’s for dinner, and I need to get cracking if I’m gonna do that.” Max bent down, placing most of Liz’s weight on him as he helped her up and into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter, frowning as he watched her move around. “You know, maybe we should just buy dessert? I don’t want you overworking yourself.” Liz looked up from where she was measuring her dry ingredients. “Max, I’m fine. I need something to do, rather than just sit around eating and sleeping all day.” Max looked reluctant to leave her be, but she pointed up the stairs. “Come on, you still need to finish the crib. I want it to be done before my grandma comes to visit.” He just nodded, jogging up the stairs. Before walking into the nursery, he stopped into Noah’s room to find him playing with his legos. Noah looked up, smiling at him. “Hi daddy. Wanna come play?” he offered. Max shook his head, coming to sit down in front of Noah. “Actually, little man, I was wondering if you could do something for me.....” *************** A few minutes later, Noah came down the stairs, sitting himself on a stool at the breakfast counter. He placed his elbows on the tabletop, leaning his chin on his hands. Liz looked up from mixing the cake batter, laughing as Noah watched her intently. “Hey precious, what are you doing down here? I thought you were playing legos?” Noah just shrugged his shoulders. “Is okay. I just came down to watch you.” Liz stopped mixing, wiping her hands on her apron as she pushed the hair out of her eyes. “Oh really? And why is it that you came down here to watch me?” “Nuthin’.” He replied casually. Looking at him disbelievingly, Liz walked up to him, then up the stairs. “Did your dad send you down here to watch me?” Noah didn’t answer, just simply looking down. Liz tilted up his chin. “Noah....” He sighed heavily. “But I’m not supposed to tell, momma.” Interested, Liz leaned across the counter, watching her son’s troubled face. “Tell me what?” He let out a breath, looking into his mother’s eyes. “I’m not supposed to tell you that I’m supposed ta be watchin’ you. To protect you while daddy’s busy,” he finished. He hadn’t realized that he had inadvertently revealed his secret. Liz felt her heart burst into a million different pieces. “Aww, honey. That’s really sweet of you to want to protect me, but I can take care of myself.” He nodded, reaching out to pat her hand. “I know, that’s what I told daddy, but he doedn’t believe me. He says that he’s worried.” He leaned in close, his voice lowering to a whisper. “Maybe we can keep it secret? I’ll just sit here and watch you, that way daddy won’t be so scared?” Liz smiled at how wonderful and caring her son was. He was definitely the miniature version of Max, always worrying and caring for everyone else. She kissed his cheek, holding out her pinkie finger. “Ok, pinkie swear.” He grinned, linking his pinkie finger with hers. “Pinkie swear.” Liz kissed the top of his head as she started moving around the kitchen again. “You know what, when I’m done with the spoon, I’ll let you lick it.” He clapped his hands together, his eyes twinkling with an excited gleam. “Oooh, can I share with daddy?” Liz placed a hand to her chest. “Of course you can, precious.” Part 20B ******************** Liz put on a light sweater as she came down the stairs. She walked into the kitchen, intending to put the cake in carrying container, when she found Max and Noah, sticking their fingers into the frosting. “Hey, hey....you two get out of there.” She playfully smacked Max on his shoulder as she shooed away her two cake bandits. She grabbed a spatula, smoothing out the part that they had swiped some frosting off. She shook her head at her boys, despite the smile that was creeping up on her face. “I cannot believe you two. I already let you guys lick the spoon, and the bowl, and now you’re trying to attack the cake before we even get to mom’s house for dinner.” Noah grinned, his two front teeth covered in chocolate. “I’m sorry momma, but it’s just soooo good.” Liz bent down as far as her tummy would allow, her hands ruffling Noah’s hair. “Go brush your teeth honey. I wouldn’t want your gramma kissing you with all that chocolate all over your teeth.” Liz stood back up, placing a hand on her lower back as she eyed her husband. “Max, Max, Max....what am I going to do with you?” He grinned to show all of his teeth, but like Noah, he had chocolate all over them. Liz stifled a laugh as she pointed to his teeth. “Honey, you got a little sumthin’ sumthin’ on your teeth.” She pointed to her own teeth to demonstrate where it was. Max swiped his tongue over his teeth, grinning again at Liz. “Is it gone?” She nodded, before pulling his face down to hers for a kiss. Her velvety tongue teased open his lips, swiping past his teeth, as she sought the deepest recesses of his mouth. When Max groaned, Liz pulled away. “I thought you said it was all gone?” He asked, a little dazed. Liz proceeded to pack up the cake. “Oh, it was. I just love your chocolate flavored kisses.” She looked over to him, winking, then laughing as she saw the tips of his ears turn pink. Noah stood by the front door, tying up his shoes. “Let’s go. I’m ready!” Liz raised an eyebrow at Max. “You heard the boss, let’s go.” **************** Diane watched amusedly as Isabel stuck her nose in every pot on the stove. She crossed her arms, smiling. “Isabel, relax. Everything is fine.” Isabel nodded, taking a seat on a stool. “Right.” She reached for the salad bowl, eating some vegetables while they were waiting. Diane reached over to touch, Isabel’s hand. “Honey, is everything all right? You seem a little tense.” “I’m fine. I just wish Max and Liz would get here already.” “Speaking of, why are you guys all here for dinner tonight? Not that I mind, I really miss cooking for a family.....” Isabel turned pleading eyes to her mother. “Mom, I promise you, when Max and Liz get here, Alex and I will tell everyone the news. We just want everyone together so that we can say it all at once.” Diane nodded, when the doorbell rang. “We come bearing dessert.” Liz’s voice filtered into the house as she made her way into the kitchen. She exchanged hugs with the family, helping Diane put the cake on a serving dish. Diane opened up the container, eying the cake carefully. Liz placed her hand on Diane’s arm. “Is something wrong?” Diane just laughed. “Nothing’s wrong, it’s just that when Izzie told me that you were bringing dessert, I was expecting to see it half eaten, or at least nibbled on.” Max pulled out Liz’s seat, helping her sit down. “Funny, mom. But I’m grown now, I can actually control myself.” He excused himself, going to find Alex and his dad. Diane sat in front of Liz, smiling. “The truth?” “I probably wouldn’t have had a cake to bring over if I didn’t catch them in time. They both had their fingers dipped into the frosting.” All the women laughed as they gathered around the table. Diane reached over to touch Liz’s belly. “So how’s my granddaughter doing?” “She’s good. Although Max is already spoiling her.” She grinned. Isabel sat back, watching the contented smile on her mother’s face as she listened intently to all of Liz’s pregnancy stories. She smiled, hoping that her mother would be that interested when she told them about her pregnancy. ****************** After dinner was finished, Diane brought out the chocolate cake that Liz had baked. She offered everyone a slice as Phillip handed everyone a cup of coffee. Max whispered in Liz’s ear. “Do you want me to get you a glass of milk?” She smiled against him, nodding as she picked up her fork. Phillip placed a cup of coffee in front of Isabel, but she pushed it away. “No thanks, dad. No caffeine for me.” Alex placed a hand on her shoulder as he called out to Max. “Hey Max, you think you could bring a glass of milk for Isabel too?” Max gave Alex a look, grabbing a third cup of milk. He gave one to Liz, Noah, and then placed one in front of Isabel. Diane rubbed her palms together as she looked to Isabel and Alex. “So, what’s the big news that you guys wanted to tell us?” Isabel put her milk down, turning to look at Alex. He gave her a smile of encouragement, squeezing her hand firmly. “Well, mom and dad, Alex and I, we’re pregnant.” Everyone was silent for a minute before Noah spoke up. “You guys are having a little one too Auntie Iz?” She grinned at him excitedly, nodding her head. Alex smiled at Noah, touching his soft cheek. “That’s right pal. This baby is gonna be your cousin.” Noah nodded, as he swallowed his piece of cake. “Cool. Another baby.” Isabel looked around at everyone. “Aren’t you guys gonna say something?” Liz stood up, hugging Alex and Isabel. “I’m so happy for you guys.” She pulled away from Alex, hugging Isabel again. “Do you realize how great this is? Our kids are going to be so close in age.” She grinned as she whispered in Isabel’s ear. “So I was right?” Isabel laughed. “Yeah, I went to the Dr. a couple of days afterwards and I found out.” Max stepped in, hugging his sister. “I can’t believe you’re gonna have your own baby. My little sister.” Isabel pulled back, smiling as she poked his chest. “Hey, I’m only your little sister by five minutes.” Max laughed, shaking Alex’s hand. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or beat you up for getting my sister pregnant,” he joked. Liz pinched Max’s side. “Max, quit it.” Max smiled a broad smile, pulling Alex into a hug. “Congratulations, Alex.” Alex gave a goofy grin, patting Max on the back. “Thanks.” Max and Liz stepped away, making room for Diane and Phillip who were looking a little bit dazed. “Mom and dad?” Isabel asked, a little worried. Diane looked up at her husband, shaking her head in disbelief. “Phillip, do you hear that? We’re going to be grandparents again.” He smiled. “For the third time.” The two of them hugged Alex and Isabel, letting out excited giggles, and words of advice for the new parents to be. They all stopped talking when Noah’s voice piped up. “So how long before your little one gets here, Uncle Alex?” Alex grinned. “Well Noah, it’ll be a while yet.” Noah stood up, patting Alex’s hand consolingly. “Good luck, waiting.” He sighed. “It’s gonna be a long wait. I’ve been waitin’ for Leah to get here, but momma and daddy say it’s still gonna be a while.” He threw up his hands, shaking his head as he went to the living room. “They keep on saying that.” All the adults laughed at Noah’s predicament, thinking it was adorable that he couldn’t wait for his little sister to be born.