Part 7A Max walked down the halls of West Roswell as if he could walk on water. He continued to grin like a fool until he reached his classroom. There were no students yet, but his attention was directly averted to the fallen frame on the floor. Shards of glass was littered around it, the picture rumpled. Max felt a chill run down his spine, his blood running cold to find that it was Liz’s picture. It wouldn’t have bothered him too much if he had just found the frame broken on the floor, but it looked as if someone had deliberately stomped on it. Cleaning up the mess, Max tried to think of who would do something so obviously disturbed. His thoughts returned to Angie, and how he had left her alone in the classroom yesterday. He knew that Angie had a crush on him. She had made that blatantly obvious. But was she so far gone that she would do something like that? Max shook his head, not knowing what to think. He muttered under his breath as he cleaned up Liz’s picture. “Get over yourself, Max. You ain’t no Michael Douglass and this isn’t a fatal attraction.....I really need to stop listening to all of Michael’s conspiracy theories.” ************** As the day wore on, Max found his stomach churning at the thought that he was going to have Angie in his class. He knew that he had to set her straight, and try to figure out a way to stay as far away from her as possible. The bell rang, students leaving in exchange for a new batch. Max kept a close eye on the door, waiting for Angie to come through. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he just didn’t want her sneaking up on him. The second bell rang, and there was still no sight of her. Max just rolled up his sleeves, turning his attention to his class. “Alright, seeing as you’re all here today, I think it would be okay for me to assume that everyone has done the reading?” When no one answered, Max sat at the front of his desk. He reached behind him, opening his book. “Anyone?” Again, no one answered, frustrating Max. “Okay, this isn’t going to work. At this point, I don’t care if you did the reading. All I want is some sort of response.” Just then, the door opened, with Angie walking in slowly. She just smiled at Max, heading towards her seat. “Ms. Taylor. So nice of you to join us.” Angie stopped talking to the girl next to her, turning her attention to Max. “I’m sorry, Mr. Evans, but- Max cut her off, standing up to full height. “Do you have a pass?” Angie shook her head. Max walked behind his desk. “That’ll be a detention for this afternoon.” Angie sat up, protesting. “But- Max held a hand to his head, to keep it from pounding. “Ms. Taylor, you walk into my class late, and without a pass. I distinctly remember handing out a piece of paper that stated what I expected out of the people in this class. You’re all old enough to read, otherwise you wouldn’t be in my class. This is high school people. I’m not here to babysit. You’re all 15, 16 years olds. I expect better.” He turned his eyes to Angie. “Report to detention after school, Ms. Taylor. End of discussion.” The class had become eerily silent, unlike the lack of interest of before. The students in the class sat up a little straighter, not wanting to be on Max’s bad side. As soon as they had first laid eyes on Max, they had immediately thought that he would be a pushover, considering how young he was. Apparently, they were wrong. Max continued on with his lesson, trying to forget the incident. He knew that he may have been a little harsh, but rules were rules. Or so he told himself. **************** With five minutes left till school let out, Max finished up his lecture, letting the students talk amongst themselves. He gathered his things together, wanting to get home as soon as possible. The bell rang, the voices of the students getting louder as they left the classroom. Angie purposely placed her book bag on her table, wanting an excuse to come back and catch Max alone. She ran out of the door, heading towards detention. Max was putting the last of his stuff together, when a knock came from the door. Without looking up, he spoke. “Come in.” Liz smiled, walking into the classroom. Max had yet to look up at her, so she decided to have a little fun with him. She walked quickly, sitting on his table, while he was still putting his stuff away. “What the- Max looked up to see Liz sitting on his desk, wearing a sexy grin on her face. Her short legs dangled, swinging back and forth as she reached for his chair. She pulled him closer, so that he was in between her legs. “Well Mr. Evans....if I had known you would have made such a sexy English teacher, I would’ve flunked all of my English classes, just so you could be my teacher.” Max shook his head, grinning. “What are you doing here?” Liz smiled, pulling Max closer to her by his tie. “Nadine and I got done early at the lab, so Dr. Green let us home early.” Max trailed his hands up her thighs, his eyes never leaving her face. “We have to go pick up Noah.” Liz shook her head, as she bit her bottom lip. “I talked to Maria, and she’s going to be watching Jade tonight, so she offered to watch Noah for a couple of hours.” Max gave her an impish smile, his hands reaching for her tush to bring her closer. “So, you’re saying that, uh....” Liz nodded, brushing her lips against his. “That’s right, Mr. Evans. I plan on collecting.” She was about to kiss him again, when a loud bang sounded from the door. Startled, Max and Liz jumped apart, their eyes landing on Angie. Angie stood by the door, smiling sweetly. She held her hands behind her back, her fists clenching and unclenching. Max straightened up his tie, standing up. “Aren’t you supposed to be in detention?” Angie nodded, pointing to her book bag. “I forgot my bag.” She walked in, grabbing her bag quickly. Before leaving, she gave Max a lingering look. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Evans.” Liz stood up, her eyes following Angie until she was out of sight. She frowned, feeling a shiver run down her spine. Max came up behind her, his hand massaging her neck. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Liz had yet to relax her stance. “I do not like the way she was looking at you.” Max threw the strap of his messenger bag over his shoulder. “What do you mean?” Liz turned to face him, still looking unhappy. “She was looking at you like you were her last meal or something.” Max ran his hands down Liz’s arms, trying to comfort her. “Well, you don’t have anything to worry about. I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world, who’s having my baby. I belong to no one else, and I could want no one else.” Liz melted at his words. “Well, just to be sure, I think we should go home and uh,” she tugged on his tie. “Let little miss thing know that you belong to me.” Max’s eyebrows knotted in confusion. “But how will she- Liz kissed him, her tongue colliding with his. “Well, I plan to claim you, numerous times, Mr. Evans.” She gave him a roguish grin. “And to be honest....maybe this is more for me than it is for her.” Max had to gulp air into his lungs at her words. Grabbing her hand quickly, he led the two of them to the car, both of them running like two mad lovers. Angie stepped out from behind the lockers, watching through the window as Max practically carried Liz into the car. Before he went around to the other side, he gave Liz a lingering kiss, his hands wandering where prying eyes shouldn’t be looking. Screaming, Angie threw her back pack at the lockers, kicking it with her foot. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away her messed up hair, a smile tinting her lips as she picked up her bag. Part 7B ************ Maria sat at the kitchen table, talking to Courtney and Isabel. Jade walked in, pushing Noah in front of her. Noah lost his footing, tripping over his own feet. Maria smiled at him, stopping her conversation. “Is there something you wanted, honey?” Noah looked to Jade, who only pushed him again, whispering in his ear. Noah turned to look at Maria, swallowing thickly. “’Ria, I was wonderin’. How do babies get into their momma’s tummies?” Maria felt the laugh erupt from her lips, as she tried to find a way to explain to Noah how babies were created. Taking a few deep breaths, she turned to her friends, asking them with her eyes to give her a little help. Courtney stood up from her chair, leaning down so that she was the same height as Noah. “Well, Noah, that’s really something you should ask your mom and dad. I’m afraid they might not be too happy with us if we just told you.” Isabel joined in the conversation, kneeling down beside her nephew. “What’s with the question, buddy?” Noah pointed to Jade. “I was tellin’ Jade ‘bout the baby in momma’s tummy, and how daddy says we’re gonna have a little one. But Jade doedn’t believe me. She says that babies can’t be in their momma’s tummies.” Jade walked forward, holding her hands to her hips, the hair on her head, flying around. “Babies can’t be in their mommie’s tummies. I know.” Maria looked at her little sister curiously, a smile on her lips. “And how do you know?” Jade pointed to the big television in the living room. “I sawed it. The stork brings the babies to their mommies and daddys.” All three women laughed, tears filling their eyes at Jade’s sweet innocence. Courtney wiped the tears from her eyes. “Well, I’d have to say that Noah’s right honey. The stuff you watch on television isn’t always true.” Noah stuck his tongue out at Jade. “See, I told you I was gonna have a baby sister.” Jade walked up to Noah, grabbing the toy truck out of his hand. “Mine!” Maria stood in between the two of them. “Munchkins, quit it. I don’t want to have to get all parental on the two of you. I’m supposed to be the fun aunt.” She grinned, trying to keep the kids from fighting. It wasn’t until the two kids had quieted down, did Maria’s mind start rolling. “Noah, did you just say that you were gonna have a baby sister?” Noah nodded, grinning to reveal all of his teeth. “Uh huh.” Maria’s eyes grew wide, her jaw dropping to the floor. She turned to her friends, who all appeared to be wearing the same expression as her. “Did you guys know about this?” Courtney stood up, looking a little dazed. “Liz didn’t mention anything to me, and I just saw her at work.” “I cannot believe that Max wouldn’t say anything to me!” Isabel huffed. Maria turned to Noah, making sure that it wasn’t something that he had misinterpreted. “Honey, are you sure that your momma and daddy are gonna have a baby?” Noah nodded again, feeling slightly confused with all of the questions. “I already told you that ‘Ria. Did you forget already?” He continued to ramble on as he tried to make her feel better for forgetting so soon. “It’s ok. I forget things sometimes, too. Daddy always has to remind to put my toys away. He gets trustated but he doedn‘t get mad.” He smiled, reaching for her hand. “I won’t get mad at you, ‘Ria.” Maria smiled at Noah, smoothing down his hair. “Thanks, hun. I’m just a little surprised to hear the news about the baby. Your mom and dad didn’t mention anything to us.” Noah looked to all of the women around him. “Momma and daddy only knowed yesterday. Maybe they’ll tell you tomorrow?” He tried to get them to understand, not wanting them to be upset at his parents. Maria gasped, holding a hand to her mouth. “What? What is it?” Isabel shook Maria’s shoulder. “I get it now.” Courtney’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Get what?” “Why Liz asked me to watch Noah tonight. I guess she and Max plan on having a private celebration. If I know Liz at all, she and Max are probably baking cake as we speak.” Maria smiled to herself, feeling proud that she had figured it out. Isabel made a gagging face. “TMI, Maria. I really, really don’t need to know about my brother’s extra curricular activities with my friend, thank you very much.” Courtney just giggled, finding it rather amusing, that after five years, the code, “baking cake” still ran among the friends. Noah’s voice startled them. “Can we have some cake?” Maria tried to keep the laughter from bubbling forth at his naive question. “Honey, I don’t think you’re gonna want any of that kind of cake until you’re older....Much older,” she added. Isabel tried to get the focus off of Max and Liz’s “baking cake”. She just felt a little awkward even mentioning it, so she changed the subject. “How about we bake a cake of our own? Huh? How does that sound?” Jade jumped up, clapping her hands together. “I wanna lick the spoon!” She grabbed Noah’s hand, smiling. “We can share.” The two of them smiled at each other, forgetting about their little argument from moments ago. Noah pulled on her hand as the women started setting everything up. “Maybe we can ask them if we can lick the bowl too. Me and my daddy always ask my momma.” Jade grinned at him, before letting out a high pitched plea. “’Ria, can we lick the bowl too?” The two conspirators smiled at each other, both of them batting their eyelashes, while giving the girls the quivering bottom lip. Maria shook her head. “Oh, you guys are sooo good at that, it should be outlawed as a crime.” Courtney laughed, placing a hand on Maria’s shoulder. “I think that’s how Kyle becomes putty when it comes to Jade.” Isabel yelled over her shoulder, as she stuck her head out of the fridge. “Tell that to Max and Liz. I think they’re the poster children for being whipped when it comes to their kids.” She stood back up, standing with her friends to watch Noah and Jade, plead their case. “Jeez, they’re good.” Part 7C Rated: NC-17 **************** Max fought to keep his eyes on the road, instead of on his beautiful wife. Home was only ten minutes away from school, but right now it seemed like an eternity. The way Liz kept stealing glances at him, raking hot looks up and down his form, made it difficult to breathe. Max gulped down air as if he had been deprived for days, his brow beading with sweat. He watched in silence as Liz unbuttoned her blouse, fanning it away from her body. The audible gasp that escaped his lips, startled Liz, her eyes flying to his. Before she realized that she was speaking out loud, the words passed her lips, her voice trembling slightly. “Hurry, Max.” Max just nodded, stepping onto the gas pedal. They zoomed down the street, with Max haphazardly pulling up into the driveway. He was so intent on getting inside, that he was about to leave the keys in the jeep. “Keys!” Liz yelled as she struggled to take off her seat belt. Max turned back around as if realizing for the first time that the engine was still running. “Oh, right, keys.” He yanked the keys out, jumping through the door. He met Liz by the front of the jeep, their hands automatically linking. They ran up the porch steps, while Max dug through his keys. Liz looked around the street, jumping from foot to foot, hoping to keep from mauling Max at the front door. Max breathed a sigh of relief when he put the key in the hole, the door opening wide. Liz shoved him inside, slamming the door behind her. Before Max had a chance to romance her, she pushed him against the back of the door, her lips latching themselves onto his. Max was a little stunned, but at this point, he was too far gone to care. He grabbed Liz’s hips, bumping it against his own. The breathy moans that escaped from her throat, only served to excite him, his hands squeezing her tush. She held onto his shoulders, standing on her toes to get closer to him. Taking a button in her hand, she quickly began slipping his shirt open. She slipped her hands inside, her warm palms running across his smooth skin. Untucking his shirt, her hands quickly moved to the zipper of his pants, her fingers clumsily trying to open them. Max tore his lips from her, his breaths ragged as he tried to speak. “Upstairs...” He moved to take her upstairs, when Liz’s hand pushed against his chest, the back of his head hitting the door lightly. “Uh uh.....it’s too far.” Her hands returned to their original task, her chest heaving a sigh of relief when she got the zipper down. Max quickly glanced at the stairs, but his eyes fell shut the moment Liz’s hand maneuvered itself into his pants, slipping through the hole in his boxers to meet his heated flesh. She squeezed him tight, her fingers begging a slow rhythm over his arousal. A strangled moan was torn from his lips as he opened his eyes to look at the stairs once again. Deciding that it really was too far away at the moment, he wrapped his hand around Liz’s wrist, gently extricating her hand from his member. He turned around so that she had her back to the door. Giving her a tight smile, he whispered against her lips before practically swallowing her whole. “Upstairs...too far.” With that, his lips fused themselves with hers, his tongue colliding with hers in a tidal wave of lust and love. Moving quickly, he ran his hands up her skirt, letting the material bunch around his wrists as he continued upward. When he reached the top of her panties, he pulled them down her slim thighs, letting it pool at her ankles. Taking her hands, he helped her step out of them, before pinning her back against the door. Looking into her eyes to see if she was ok, Max tucked her hair behind her ears, a form of endearment that he had continued to do since they had first developed a tentative friendship all those years ago. Liz felt tears sting her eyes at the gentleness that Max continued to shower her with. She swallowed past the lump in her throat, allowing her passion to rule her. She lifted her leg, wrapping it around Max’s hip as she pulled him into her. Grasping his erection in her tiny hand, she led him to her entrance, pleading with him to complete their joining. Max kissed her again, bending his knees slightly to enter her slowly. They moaned in each other’s mouths, before Liz sucked his tongue hard, urging him to take her body the way she was taking his mouth. Max took the hint, slowly pumping in and out of her body. The awkward angle that they were in slowed his movements, making it hard for him to set a rhythm. Liz pulled her lips from his, her breaths catching in her throat as she spoke. “Max....please...” Max didn’t want to hurt her by being too rough, but they were at the breaking point. They needed the release and that was what Liz was begging him to do. Grunting, Max lifted Liz’s leg higher on his hip, as he began pounding into her for all he was worth. Liz grabbed his ass, trying to push him in deeper, wanting him to go faster. Their pounding bodies rammed against the door, making a banging noise as their movements picked up speed. Max buried his face in Liz’s neck, his knees trembling at his impending orgasm. “Oh god...Lizzzzz....” He continued to pump into her body, his stomach clenching in anticipation. Hot white lights flashed in the back of Max’s mind as he teetered over the edge, falling deeply in the abyss of his orgasm. Liz bit into his shirt, muttering obscenities as she too fell, her walls clenching his flesh inside her. They stayed that way on shaky legs, neither wanting to lose contact. Max pulled his head from it’s place on Liz’s shoulder, his lips brushing tenderly against her forehead, as he pulled her into an embrace. “I love you, baby.” *********** Maria, Isabel, and Courtney sat around the kitchen table, trying to devise a surprise baby shower for Liz. Maria looked up from her list, tapping the pencil against her chin. “So, I was thinking, Courtney could be the one to distract Liz at work, while Kyle makes a quick stop at the school to keep Max from coming home early.” Isabel shook her head. “I don’t get it? Why does Max even have to be there for the baby shower? Isn’t it supposed to be a girl thing?” “I think it’d be more fun to have all of the guys there. Besides, I think it would be fun to watch the guys play a few of the baby shower games.” Maria smiled wickedly, eliciting laughs from her friends. The timer on the oven went off, causing the three of them to stand up. “Jade! Noah!” Maria placed her hands on her hips, raising a playful eyebrow at them. They looked at her innocently, as they tried to hide the evidence behind their backs. But it was too late, because their faces were covered in frosting, as were their hands. Jade looked up at Maria, trying to look as innocent as possible. “We wasn’t doin’ anytin’, ‘Ria.” Courtney walked slowly with the cake in her hands. “Alright, someone grab the frosting so we can ice this baby.” Isabel laughed. “I think we might be too late. It appears as if all of the frosting is gone.” Courtney placed the cake down, wiping her hands against her jeans. “Gone? But we just opened..... The sentence died in her throat as she eyed Jade and Noah trying to look as innocent as possible with icing covered faces. “Oh my.” She held a hand to her mouth, laughing at their predicament. “I guess we’ll be eating a dry cake.” Maria grabbed Jade, sitting her on the counter. Isabel did the same with Noah, her and Maria grabbing paper towels and wetting them, as they tried to clean up the culprits. Maria shook her head. “Jade, Jade, Jade.....what am I going to do with you?” She smiled at her little sister, as she continued to wipe up her face. Breathing heavily, Jade spoke softly. “I sorry, ‘Ria. But the frosting is just nummy.” Isabel looked at her nephew, raising a slender eyebrow at him. “And what do you have to say for yourself?” Noah just shrugged his shoulders. “Daddy and I do it all the time when momma isn’t looking.” The sound of the front door opening sounded through the house, several loud footsteps being heard. “Honey, we’re home!” Michael, Kyle, and Alex appeared in the kitchen all of them smiling when they laid eyes on their respective others. Part 7D Rated: NC-17 ************* Max carried Liz in her arms to the master bedroom. Gently placing her on her feet, he turned around, plugging the tub and filling it with water. He turned around, and began slowly undressing Liz. She gave him an amorous smile, his slow and tender movements a stark contrast from his wantonness from earlier. He smiled back, kissing her forehead. “Go ahead and take a bath. I’ll uh, start on dinner.” Liz shook her head slowly, her long tresses swaying from side to side. “No.” Max bent his knees so that he was almost at eye level with Liz’s 5’1 frame. “No I won’t be making dinner?” The tone of his voice a little humorous. “Exactly. Dinner can wait. I can’t.” She sat on the edge of the tub, her hand dragging across the bubbles that were beginning to surface. She looked up at him, a fiendish grin tinting her lips. “Are you telling me you’d rather be outside making dinner, while I’m in this big, lonely tub, all by myself?” Max mumbled under his breath, stripping as he went. He stood in front of Liz naked, her words leaving a very noticeable affect on one of his extremities. Liz looked him over appreciatively, licking her lips in anticipation. Max shook his head, turning off the faucet. “Now, now, Mrs. Evans......behave yourself.” Liz nuzzled the taut skin on his stomach, her teeth snapping together as she pretended to bite him. Max yelped, jumping away. Liz laughed as she stood up. She gave Max her most demure smile, reaching out a hand to him. “Give me a hand?” Max nodded mutely, helping to ease her in the tub. Once inside, Liz hugged her knees to her chest, moving forward so that there was room behind her for Max to get in. She gave him a coy look, crooking her finger as an invitation to join her. Max couldn’t find it in himself to answer, so he responded by moving in to sit behind her. He sank into the warm bubbles, his head leaning back against the cool edge of the porcelain tub. He reached blindly for Liz’s warm body, cuddling her close. Liz sighed, scooting closer to Max’s warmth, almost as if she were trying to crawl inside him. Max groaned, his hand dipping into the water to stop Liz’s wandering hips. The more she wiggled her tush, the more her back rubbed against his arousal, making his body tremble with need. Panting, Max placed his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging them. “I thought....you said....you would behave?” Liz’s sultry laughter echoed against the tile walls. “I didn’t say anything about behaving.....you were the one who assumed that I would.” She wiggled against him some more, trying to get a rise out of him, not that she already hadn’t. Max growled, his hands cupping her breasts possessively, his thumbs brushing against her nipples, turning them into stiff peaks. She let her head fall on his shoulder, her hands gripping onto his thighs under the water. Max gave a wolfish smile before taking Liz’s lips, branding her as his. He continued to fondle her heaving breasts, his skilled hand sliding down her flat stomach, dipping into the water as he urged her legs apart. Liz complied, raising her legs onto the edges of the tub, giving Max free reign. She gasped for air the moment his fingers delved into her heat, driving her to the brink, making her so insane with lust that she had only one thing in mind. One goal in mind. The water lapped around them as she moved against his hand, breaths of frustration escaping her lips as the water slowed down the pumping of his hand. Unable to keep herself from going insane with want, she slipped her hand under the water, her hand covering his as she assisted him. Together, they worked, slipping in and out of her folds. Her legs shook against the tub, her toes curling in the air as her walls clamped down on his fingers. A low keening sound came from her lips, her head falling limply on his shoulder as she tried to regain her bearings. Taking several deep breaths, her eyes took a moment to focus. She smiled, letting her legs fall back into the water. Turning around purposefully, she faced Max, biting her bottom lip as she eyed the head of his arousal throbbing against his stomach, the tip glistening in the warm afternoon sun, seeping through the window. She braced her hand against his chest as she reached behind him. Max’s eyes widened when he saw her slip the shower gloves on her hands, her eyes dancing with a devilish quality. Liz placed a chaste kiss on his lips, her hands seeking out his arousal. A guttural moan sounded from his lips as she began to pump her glove covered hands over his erection. The semi-abrasive material of the gloves caused a delicious friction against his pulsating flesh. He bit the corner of his bottom lip, his eyes closing in unadulterated pleasure. Unable to keep his hips still, he moved in time with her hands, the water splashing softly around them. Liz kissed his chest lightly, her teeth nibbling his soft skin. He jumped in her hands as she licked his nipples, her teeth biting the hard nub softly. Knowing that the end up almost upon him, Liz leaned up, her lips capturing his. She gave one last tug against his flesh, his head falling back as he gave himself up to her. His shallow breaths sounded ragged in the silent room, his chest fighting to get oxygen into starved lungs. He opened his eyes, his amber orbs twinkling. “Where the hell did you learn how to do that?” Liz blushed, burying her face in his neck. “A woman never reveals her secrets, Max.” Max chuckled, his hand running down her naked back. “That’s fine with me, just as long as you have a few more of those secrets hidden in your bag.” Liz giggled against him. She sat up, intending to continue their soft banter when the phone rang. She groaned as Max left the tub, her eyes watching his retreating form as he wrapped a towel around his waist. ********* “Hello?” Max cradled the phone against his ear, trying to keep the towel from falling from his hips. Nothing was said on the other line, the only sound was harsh breathing against the phone. Max felt the hairs on his arm stand up, fear filling his veins. “Who is this?” He was met with a click on the other end. Part 7E *********** Ed nudged McKenzie, causing her to abruptly hang up her cell phone. “Are you gonna be on that phone all day? They’re calling us to board now.” Ed had already gotten up, clutching his carry on luggage. McKenzie took deep even breaths, trying to calm her harsh breathing. She stared at the phone in her hand, then at her husband. She hadn’t even realized that he had returned. She was glad that she hadn’t said anything on the other line to make him suspicious. Holding her purse to her shoulder, McKenzie flipped her curly blonde hair over her shoulder. “So, you said you would be working the whole time we were down there, right?” Ed rolled his eyes, handing his boarding pass to the flight attendant. “Exactly, which is why I don’t understand why you were so adamant about joining me. The whole time I’m going to be in Albuquerque is going to be strictly business.” McKenzie forced a smile on her face, sitting in her seat as she fiddled with her lap belt. “I know, but you know how much I hate being alone.” The twinge of sadness in her voice did not go unnoticed by Ed. He leaned across the arm rest, putting his arm around her shoulders. “I know, Mac. I’ll see what I can do to set aside a weekend for us. See what New Mexico has to offer.” The flight attendants voice came through the intercom, instructions about flight safety being spoken. McKenzie closed her eyes, leaning in to her husband’s touch. As much as she wanted to spend some time with him, she had her own selfish reasons for wanting to go on this trip with him. She wished that work would keep him busy, otherwise all that money she spent on that private investigator would be shot to hell if Ed found out about her plans. ********** Liz slipped out of the tub, wrapping herself in a towel. She walked into the bedroom, finding Max glaring at the phone in his hand. Walking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, placing a light kiss on his back. “Hey, you ok?” Max nodded, putting the phone away. He turned around, slipping his arms around Liz, almost crushing her with the force of his embrace. He nuzzled her cheek, his hands running up and down her body as if he were checking her for physical injury. Liz pulled away, tilting his chin so that she could look into his face. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Max closed his eyes, placing his lips against Liz’s. “Nothing....I just, I just really needed to do that.” Liz looked concerned, her arms running across his shoulders. “Not that I’m complaining, but is there something that you’re not telling me?” “No.” She cupped the side of his face, her hand running through his ebony hair. “Not that I don’t believe you, but I know something’s bothering you. Did it have something to do with that phone call?” She eyed the phone on the night stand, wondering why Max had been sending it death rays only minutes ago. “It was nothing, just a hang up.” He shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to say anymore than that. He didn’t want to tell her that it had creeped him out, because that would mean getting her worked up over nothing. She stepped away from him, fiddling with the phone. “Did you check the caller id?” Max took the phone from her hands, placing it back on the console. “Yes, and it was a private number. Look, it was probably just a wrong number anyway. Hang ups just give me the heebie jeebies.” Liz chuckled. “Heebie jeebies?” Max laugh, the sound a deep rumble. “Alright, I’ll quit with the Alex sayings already.” He held her hand, tugging on it. “Come, let’s go downstairs and uh rejuvenate.” Liz pulled him back into the bedroom, her laughs consuming her. “I’m not done with you yet.” Max kissed her breathless, his hand coming down to rest on her belly. “I know, and I’m not done with you yet either. But we gotta let the little one have something to eat, and you my dear, you need to keep your strength up.” He raised his eyebrow in a suggestive manner, finally getting Liz to agree with him. ************ After eating dinner together, and teasing each other mercilessly, Max and Liz had eventually returned upstairs, making love in their bed. They had gotten dressed a little while afterwards, driving down to Maria’s to pick up Noah. ************ Maria kneeled down in front of Noah and Jade, giving them a quiz. “Alright, Noah. If your momma and daddy ask if we know about the baby, what are you going to tell them?” Noah looked thoughtful for a second, before grinning his answer. He held out his arms, tilting his head to the side. “What baby?” Maria grinned, ruffling his hair. “You’re a genius.” Isabel kneeled beside Maria. “Alright, you guys remember that you’re not supposed to say anything about the baby shower right?” Jade nodded. “My lisps is sealed.” She held her hand up to her lips, pretending to lock it with a key, then throwing it away. “Good girl!” Isabel turned to Noah, who did the same thing. In the kitchen, all three men groaned as Courtney explained the roles they had concerning the baby shower. Kyle banged his head against the table. “Tell me again why I have to be the one to keep Max busy? You do realize that he will never buy it. He’d probably run me over in a second just so he could get to Liz.” Everyone laughed, knowing that what he was saying wasn’t too far from the truth. Michael slapped him on the shoulder. “Suck it up, Valenti.” Kyle made a face before scooting closer to Courtney. The door bell rang, signaling Max and Liz’s arrival. Everyone scurried around the house, pretending that they hadn’t been talking about them. ******** “Momma!” Noah ran into Liz’s arms. “Hey, precious.” She kissed his cheek lightly, looking around to see that everyone was present. Max stood behind her. “Looks like everyone is here.” He and Liz shared a smile. “Well, seeing as we’re all together, I can’t think of a better time than now to- Maria cut him off, handing him Noah’s stuff. She didn’t want Max and Liz to spill the beans about the baby to them until she had pulled off the baby shower. She wanted to surprise them. “It’s getting kind of late, and everyone was just leaving, so we’ll see you guys this weekend.” Maria glared at Alex and Kyle, trying to get them to play along. It took them a minute to catch on, but Alex was the one who stepped up. He stretched his arms above his head, yawning. “Yeah, it’s been a long day.” He turned to Isabel, leading her towards the door. Kyle followed his lead, taking Courtney’s hand. He ushered Max, Liz, and Noah out of the door, waving goodbye to Michael and Maria. Liz looked curiously at her friends. “What was that?” Alex shrugged his shoulders, shoving his hands in his pocket. “You know Maria. It’ll take a little while for everything to go through her filter. I’m sure it’s nothing.” He kissed the top of Liz’s head. “We’ll see you this weekend, right?” Liz nodded, watching as her friends left. They climbed into the jeep, her mind still working. “That was weird.” Max laughed as he turned the wheel. “Yeah, but when is anything ever normal with our friends?” Liz smiled. “True, but I really wanted to tell them about the baby already.” Max reached for her hand, kissing it. “I know. We’ll tell them this weekend. When we’re all together.” Liz sighed, knowing that what Max was saying was true. They’d just wait until the weekend to tell everyone about the baby.