Part 6 ********** Max and Liz sat on either side of Noah, on his bed, trying their best to explain about the new baby on the way. Noah looked up at Liz with wide eyes. “There’s a baby, in there?” He pointed to Liz’s still flat belly, his eyes dancing with curiosity. Liz smiled, holding a hand to her stomach. “Yes, precious. The baby is in here, and then it’ll grow inside of me until it’s ready to be born.” Max kissed the top of Noah’s head. “Your momma’s right, little man. And when the baby does come, we’re going to have to spend a lot of time with it, and it give it lots of attention. But just because we’re doing that, it doesn’t mean we love you any less.” Noah smiled at his parents before taking Max’s large hand in between his. He gave it a soft pat, as if to reassure Max. “Is ok, daddy. I’m a big boy now, ‘member?” Max laughed. “You’re absolutely right.” Noah stared at Liz’s stomach curiously. “Was I in there too, momma?” Liz felt her throat choke with tears. “I’m afraid not, sweetie. You remember when your daddy and I told you about your other momma? Tess?” Noah bobbed his head. “Uh huh. You and daddy said that she was my birth mommy.” Liz smiled through her tears. “That’s right, precious. Since she was your birth mommy, you grew inside of her.” Noah smiled as he finished the all too familiar story. “And then I was born. But Tess had to go away, and then daddy and I were alone. Until he found you.” He cupped Liz’s cheek. “Then we were a family, and my other mommy watched us from up there.” He pointed his finger up to the sky. Max reached for Liz’s hand, squeezing it. “You’re right.” Noah scooted closer to Liz, his small hand fanning across her belly. “Can I choose what it is?” Max and Liz chuckled softly together. Liz placed her hand on top of Noah’s. “Well honey, it doesn’t really work that way. We can’t choose what we want the baby to be.” Noah looked disappointed as he sat back down. “Oh.” Max put his arm around Noah, pulling him to his side. “Sorry about that, pal. But if you could choose, what would you want? A little brother or a little sister?” Noah grinned. “A sister.” “A sister? But I thought you didn’t like girls?” Liz asked him jokingly. Noah shrugged his shoulders. “I dunno know. If the baby is like Jade, then it would be ok if she was a girl.” Max and Liz shared a look over Noah’s head. “So you like Jade?” Max asked, leadingly. Noah nodded. “Uh huh. She’s funny, and she always shares her toys.” “Well, that’s good to know. But I’m afraid it’s time for bed. Light’s out, precious.” Liz kissed his cheek, moving to tuck him in. Max kissed his other cheek, smoothing back his hair. “Sleep tight, little man.” “Nite nite.” He turned to his side, closing his eyes. But before Max and Liz could close the door behind them, Noah called out. “G’nite to you too, baby.” Liz held a hand to her chest, trying to keep her emotions under control. She linked hands with Max, the two of them walking to their room. After shutting the door behind them, Max pulled Liz into his warm arms. “You, ok babe?” Liz nodded against his chest, tightening her arms around him. “Yea. I’m great. Just a little overwhelmed, is all.” Max hugged her tighter, his hands, dancing in her hair. “I’m sorry honey. But I promise, Noah and I, we’re going to do a lot more.” Liz pulled away from him, shaking her head as she smiled. “Max, you don’t have to go overboard. It’s true that I’m going to need a little more help now, but I don’t want you killing yourself in the process. I maybe pregnant, but I’m not an invalid.” Max just stared at her, a goofy grin on his lips. Liz eyed him warily. “What?” Max shook his head, looking away shyly. “Nothing...it’s just....you’re really pregnant.” He cupped her cheek, his amber eyes sparkling. “We’re gonna have a baby.” Liz bit the corner of her bottom lip, trying her best not to cry. “How can you still look at me like that?” Max looked confused. “Like what?” Liz laughed softly. “Look at me like I’m the most beautiful thing in the world. Like you haven’t seen my face everyday for the last five years.” He kissed her lips softly, as his hands flanked her face. His thumbs softly brushed the sides of her lips, as his tongue gently made love to her mouth. Leaning his forehead against hers, he pulled back, his breaths hitting her lips as warm puffs. “Because I love you. Liz, you’re the most beautiful person I know. Inside and out. How can I not look at you like that?” Liz let the tears drip. She hugged Max to her chest, trying to lose herself in him. “God, I love you. So much. I don‘t know what I ever did to deserve you, Noah, or this baby.” Max kissed her cheek. “I think you’ve got that the other way around. I’m not the one that deserves you, but I’m not about to complain.” He chuckled, his laugh vibrating against his chest. Liz wiped the wetness from her cheeks, smiling into Max’s eyes. “We’re gonna get through this, right?” “Of course we are. If life throws us lemons, we make lemonade- Liz held a hand to his chest, crinkling her nose. “Honey, you really shouldn’t listen to all of Alex’s um, sayings.” She began to chuckle. “They’re kinda geeky.” Max let his jaw drop in mock shock. “Are you calling me a geek?” Liz shrugged her shoulders. “If the shoe fits....” Max grabbed her by the sides, his skilled fingers skimming down her ticklish spots. “What was that about you calling me geeky?” Liz held out her hands in defeat, gasping for breath. “Ok, I take it back. You’re not geeky, but very sexy.” Max let go of her, rolling his eyes. “You...Come on.” He led her to the bed as he started undressing. “It’s time for bed. Work, tomorrow.” Liz pouted at him. “No goodnight kiss? Noah’s asleep.” Max shook his head. “Nope. Goodnight kisses lead to certain other things.” He waggled his eyebrows. Liz laughed. “And you’re saying you don’t want it to lead to things?” Max curled up under the covers. “Of course not, but we’ve had a long day. I just want to hold you tonight.” Liz let out a dramatic breath before snuggling into Max’s arms. “Have it your way Mr. Evans, but know this. I plan to collect, one of these days.”