Choosing Love (M/L Adult, Seq) Conclusion 11/19/08

[sylvia37]

Title: Choosing Love
Author: Sylvia37
Pairings: M/L
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Roswell or any of it's characters.

Synopsis: Sequel to "Stolen Moments". You don't really have to have read that one to get this one.

Author Note: Thanks to everyone who voted for "Stolen Moments". I've been working on this sequel for a while, so I'm glad to be able to answer those who voted for it. As always, it's really a suprise and a pleasure to see the awards and very humbling to have been voted over some other great stories.

This is the first of two parts.

And a huge Thank you to pijeechinadoll for the lovely banner!







Choosing Love Part 1


Another hotel room.

It was the story of their lives, but this time, it was Liz’s turn to wait anxiously. Wondering what had prompted this hasty meeting, Liz fidgeted nervously as she paced. Max had actually called her on her cell phone. They never phoned. They always e-mailed or texted. This time, he had called. He sounded rushed and anxious as he asked her to meet him, saying he didn’t have time to explain and that he would tell her the reason when he saw her.

Liz glanced at her watch again. This waiting was driving her crazy. It was the first time she both wanted and dreaded seeing him at the same time. Something that compelled Max to contact her out of the norm of their usual communication was either very good…..or very bad. Unfortunately experience prompted Liz to think the latter. The universe they lived in never seemed to give them a break and she no reason to think it would now.

Her eyes went to the door as she felt his presence suddenly nearer and a moment later, a disheveled and weary looking Max came through the door.

“Max…..” Liz said anxiously, hurrying towards him. Her arms encircled his neck as she pulled him close and he reciprocated, holding her tightly against his body before burying his face in her neck. Liz could feel the tremors running through him and her anxiety increased.

“Max….” she said again, trying to pull back a little to get him to look at her, but he only held on more tightly and she had no choice but to stay where she was, tightening her own arms around him in response.
“What’s going on,” she finally whispered into his hair.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liz felt Max’s hold on her loosen and she quickly lifted her face to look up at him. She was about to ask again when he suddenly let her go and turned to run his hands through his hair and down his face.

When he finally turned back around, Liz felt her heartbeat increase at the troubled look on his face.

“We…….found a way to get home.”

Liz’s heart froze at the words.”

“We…..Alex has been working on the translation of the book for a while….as you know and… he finally finished it.” Max looked down at the carpet and continued hoarsely. “It tells us how to use the Granilith as a transport and….…we all agreed that we should go……”

“Go……” Liz parroted in a cracked voice.

His lips trembled for a moment. “Go…..back to our planet to fight Khivar.”

Her legs suddenly felt rubbery as the blood rushed from Liz’s head, and she lowered herself to the edge of the bed.

“When…..…..” Liz swallowed and tried to complete her thought, but Max answered her before she could manage it.

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!” Liz didn’t feel the tears gathering in her eyes as she stared at him in shock.

Max came and knelt in front of her, taking her cold hands in his, his eyes running over her face as he tried to explain. “We’re ready, Liz. We have been for a long time. The timeline’s changed. “

“I know...” Liz answered shakily. “I just…..thought we would have more time. It’s only been ten years.”

“This is better, isn’t it?” Max argued. “And this time, we’re taking the fight to him. Khivar won’t have a chance to come here and hurt anyone.” He reached up to push her hair back from her face, wishing he could do something to change the lost look on it. “I called as soon as I could after we decided so I could see you……before…”

“Before you leave the planet,” Liz finished for him, nodding unhappily.

Max looked down at their entwined hands, tears of his own not far off. “Liz…I’m….”

“Don’t say you’re sorry, Max.” Liz gazed at him, shaking her head even as the tears flowed. “We knew this day might come…..we knew that you might have to leave a long time ago. I just……,”Liz’s words became garbled as her tears thickened her throat. “I’m not… ready …..”

Max’s gaze was pained as he opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, a loud knock sounded at the door.

Motioning Liz to silence, Max rose quickly and strode to the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s us, Max.” Michael’s voice sounded aggravated through the wood. “Open the damn door.”

Liz was already heading into the bathroom in the other room of the suite and Max waited until he heard her close the door to open his.

He barely had time to move before a very irate looking group of alien hybrids came through.

“What are you doing here?” Max asked in a controlled, authoritative voice as all three turned to stare at him.

“We followed you,” Michael answered him. “Tess heard you on the phone and realized that you were about to take off so we waited until you’d left.”

Max glanced at Tess who only stared back balefully.

“Why are you following me?”

“Because we were worried about you, Max,” Isabel said angrily. “We leaving the planet tomorrow and you just decide to take off without an explanation to anyone about where you’re going…..”

“I can take care of myself. I don’t need an entourage. Shouldn’t the two of you be saying goodbye to your mates?” Max felt anger boiling at their explanation, not just that they would spy on him, but that they might find out about Liz.

“Why are you coming to a hotel room by yourself, Max?” Tess spoke for the first time, her voice very obviously suspicious.

Max looked down at her, letting his anger show through. He was normally very even tempered with all of them, but saying goodbye to Liz was hard enough without having to explain himself to them. As he was about to give a sharp retort, the other door suddenly opened and Liz stepped into the room.

“He was saying goodbye to me, Tess.” Liz went calmly to Max’s side. Though he looked at her in surprise, her silent communication said it all. She would not stand by and let him take the blame for this. The time of hiding was over.

“Liz!” Isabel gasped in recognition, and Liz would have found their expressions of disbelief funny had the situation not been so serious. In ten years, they had hardly changed at all, except for minor differences like hair length and style.

“What the hell is this?” Michael asked with his usual directness, again almost making Liz smile. Some things never changed.

“You lied to me.” Tess’s voice brought Liz’s attention to her, and any thought of humor was wiped away. The expression on the blond girl’s face was livid. “You’ve been lying to me! You bastard, how long has this been going on?”

Before Max could say anything, Isabel interjected in distress. “Max, tell us what’s going on. How long have you been seeing her?”

Max sighed and answered his sister. “I never stopped seeing her, Isabel.”

“What?” Tess cried, turning her livid gaze to Liz.

“I want you all to leave,” Max said suddenly to Liz’s surprise.

“Leave!” Michael exclaimed in disbelief.

“Yes, leave Michael. I know I owe you an explanation, but you’re not going to get it right now. I’ll be back in a while and then you’ll all know.“Max’s voice was once again calm and authoritative and Liz realized that this was what he was used to. This was the Max he was forced to become after they had made their decision to live their lives the way they did. She suddenly knew that she was the only one who knew the real Max. Her heart went out to him, and she felt his heartfelt response through their connection.

“No!” Tess’s said furiously. “I want you to come with us. I want……”

“I don’t care what you want,” Max cut her off succinctly. “I said I’ll be back and then I’ll explain.”

Tess’s cheeks were red with her anger, and she looked like she wanted to argue some more, but apparently the warning tone in Max’s voice held her back. Even Liz was surprised by it. He never spoke that way to her. But the aliens must have known what it meant because no one argued; they simply headed toward the door with obvious reluctance.

Only Isabel held back while the other two disappeared. Gazing at her brother in concern, she said, “Don’t be all night, Max. We need to talk.”

“I know, Is. I meant what I said. ” Max told her, his tone considerably softer now that it was just his sister.

Isabel nodded and then looked at Liz. “Do Maria and Alex know about this?” she asked in a trembling voice.

“No.” Liz answered her. “We didn’t want them to have to lie to you.” Liz smiled wanly at the look of relief on Isabel’s face.

“I....”Isabel hesitated a moment, then said, “Goodbye Liz.” Flashing another concerned, warning look at her brother, she turned and left.

The tension seemed to drain out of Max like air out of a balloon. His body, held so rigidly before, seemed to sag just a bit and he went to the bed and put his head in his hands.

“I’m sorry, Max. Maybe I shouldn’t have shown myself, but…..” Liz began, seeing the weariness of his slumped shoulders.

“No, it doesn’t matter. There really wasn’t any other explanation I could give them that was plausible for why I was here.”

Liz sat down beside him on the bed and took his hand. She stared down at it, noting as always how much she loved his hands. So big, so strong, but so gentle when they had to be. She loved them. Just like she loved every part of him, with her whole being. How was she going to live without him in her life?

“What are you going to tell them?” she forced herself to ask, pushing back the tears that were threatening again.

“The truth,” Max replied, finally looking at her. “I’ll tell them that my future self came to you, not me like I told them before, and I’ll tell them what we decided afterward.”

Liz nodded. “And Tess?”

“I’ll handle Tess,” Max said, a decidedly sharp edge to his tone.

“She’s going to be even more furious than she was when she left,” Liz warned, shuddering slightly at the thought. The girl had looked at her murderously.

“Don’t worry about Tess,” Max dismissed her fears. “She wants to be Queen too much to mess up what we’ve got planned. She’ll do what we need her to do. She’ll make my life hell during it, but she’ll do it.”

“I’m sor…”Liz began again, but Max’s mouth on hers shushed her apology.

When he lifted it away, he said, “You have nothing to be sorry for. You’ve kept me sane for the last ten years. I would have killed her by now if it weren’t for you. She doesn’t know that, but she will.”

Max turned completely to her on the bed, sliding his arms around her, bearing them back against the coverlet. He slid up until he could look down at her delicate features, tracing them with his eyes.

Liz lifted a trembling hand to his face, doing the same thing. “Max…..”

“I love you Liz,” Max whispered achingly, the look in his eyes a little desperate. “I want you to know that. There will only be you for the rest of my life.” He looked down for a moment before bringing his now swimming gaze back to hers. “But I can’t….I won’t…..”

“Don’t, Max…..” Liz begged, cutting off what she knew he was going to say.

“No, I have to, Liz. If …..I don’t come back, I want you to…..”

“Stop,” Liz said shakily, her voice breaking as the tears flowed down her cheeks and onto her neck. She gazed up at him with inarguable conviction. “No one else in this world or any other will ever be what you are to me.”

“You’re only twenty seven years old, Liz.” Max wiped convulsively at the tears on her cheeks. “I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life.”

“I won’t be because you’re coming back,” Liz answered him with conviction. “You’re coming back and we’re going to have the life we were supposed to have together.” Her voice thickened with her tears, “You’re going to come back to me and love me because that’s what we deserve….”

Max gazed down at her for a split second of intensity before leaning down to kiss her with a desperation that would leave his imprint on her body for months to come. His hands reached down to pull at the button of her jeans, and suddenly they were the Max and Liz they always were when they came together, desperately hungry for each other. Only this time, they knew that these moments might be their last.

Without bothering to undress, they pulled clothes out of the way to get where they needed to be. Foreplay was barely a thought. For now they just needed to join their bodies, to be one. Liz grasped Max’s erection, stroking it roughly, before leading him to her. The feel of him pushing her panties to the side in his haste to get inside her had Liz almost at the point of orgasm before he entered her. Her gasp of pleasure when he finally did echoed his.

Wordlessly they stared at each other, not moving, just feeling where they came together in body and soul, tucking it away in their hearts to take out later when they were alone. Liz couldn’t stop the tears that kept falling, and they only fell faster when Max leaned down to kiss them away. All of their thoughts, all of their love flowed between them like a river, giving them comfort and at the same time, making them dread the coming separation even more.

Finally unable to stay still any longer, Max began to move, starting out slowly, but building quickly to a hard, steady rhythm. He yanked impatiently at Liz’s jeans until they fell from her legs, then wrapped her around him tightly, imbedding himself deeply. Liz orgasm washed over him in a wave, but he only gritted his teeth against his own need and kept going. Harder, longer, he stroked inside her increasingly wet core, wanting nothing more in his life than to make this moment last forever. When Liz came again, he gave a harsh almost painful grunt, but didn’t stop, building her up again, making her sob.

“Oh…God….Max…..come with me…..please……come…..”

It was his undoing. Feeling his whole body seize, Max dropped his head to her chest, grasping her hips to him tightly as the powerful spasms of his release tore through him. He groaned in pleasure when Liz arched, her legs spreading wider to feel every inch of him pulsing his seed into her. Time ceased to exist as they clung to the moments of pleasure as long as they could.

Finally, boneless and trembling from exertion, Max felt tears gather and run down his cheeks, his emotions releasing along with his body. Liz lay in the same state beneath him, small hiccups trembling passed her lips as she cried into his chest. Neither one felt able to move or stop. After what seemed like hours, Max managed to pull himself together long enough to undress the both of them and pull Liz into his arms beneath the covers of the bed. Holding her close, he stared at the ceiling and prayed to a God that he didn’t believe existed, that he would make it back to earth in one piece……

**********************************************************************************


They were dressed now. Max and Liz stood by the door of the hotel suite, unable to let go, even though Max had already said his goodbyes. Liz gripped him tightly, still feeling the stamp of his possession in and on her body. She never wanted the feeling to fade.

Finally, with strength of will he didn’t know he had, Max pulled gently away and framed her face with his hands. He gazed into the red rimmed, brown eyes and smiled a soft smile that only reached his lips. He leaned forward to kiss her one last time.

“I love you, Liz Parker. Don’t forget.”

Kissing him back fervently, Liz whispered, “Never.”

Max let go and opened the door. As he stepped out into the hallway, he suddenly turned back and looked at her gravely. “When I come back, I’m going to ask you a question……and depending on your answer, we’ll spend the rest of our lives together.”

Liz swallowed back a sob and forced herself to smile her answer through her tears. “I was always pretty good at word problems so……I think my answer will be the right one.”

Max smiled. “I’m counting on it.” He reached up to caress her cheek with his thumb for a moment then turned and walked determinedly down the hallway, disappearing from Liz’s sight.

Liz shut the door and slid to the ground against it, feeling her heart slip away as the love of her life got further and further away…….

[sylvia37]

Thanks so much to all you who left a note.

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I appreciate you all taking the time to answer.

Here's the conclusion. Hope you enjoy.



"Choosing Love" Conclusion


“Pitty”

The little girl fingered the whirlwind pendant hanging from the chain around Liz’s neck.

“You’re pretty,” Liz answered her, smoothing the silky hair back from the child’s eyes. They rose to look up at her, deep brown and innocent.

“You pitty,” the little girl repeated before looking down again and Liz smiled not knowing whether she was saying it to her or just repeating what she’d heard.

The baby powder scent of the child in her arms surrounded her and Liz felt the familiar sadness that had been her companion for the last two years creep up on her, despite her efforts not to dwell on her loss.

Two years.

Two years since Max, Michael, Isabel and Tess had left the planet to fight their enemies but to Liz, it seemed like an eternity.

The first three months right after Max left had been the worst of her life. It had taken all she could do just to get out of bed in the morning and sometimes she couldn’t even do that. From the moment he left the planet their connection had become a blank, and Liz felt as though her soul were ripped in two. At least before, even though she only saw him every few months, she could feel him; feel his soul intertwined with hers. Now…there was nothing…..and it almost killed her.

It was Maria and Alex who had finally pulled her from depression. Maria was pregnant. She found out after the aliens left earth and she needed her best friend to help her cope. Someone who had also lost the man that she loved to the Alien Abyss, and she and Alex had let her wallow in her grief long enough.

Liz still remembered the morning when they came to her apartment and literally dragged her from her bed and into the shower. Maria, looking irately determined, had shoved a bar of soap at her and barked at her to wash while she and Alex fixed breakfast. When Liz had finally made it downstairs, she found the two of them drinking coffee and waiting for her.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Maria watched Liz make her way shakily to the breakfast bar. “Actually, my cat drags in better stuff than what you look like right now.” She handed her a cup and poured some coffee into it, sliding cream and sugar across the table to her. “Here, have some of Alex’s mud.”

“Hey, I resent that remark. I’ll have you know that I learned to make coffee from the best. IT specialists know how to make the good stuff.” Alex gestured with his cup before taking a fortifying sip of the thick liquid coating his cup.

“Yes, if you’re trying to grow hair on your palms,” Maria retorted. “Otherwise, I think this only qualifies as silt. I’m just lucky I can’t have caffeine right now.” She looked over at Liz who was staring rather dejectedly at her cup. “You however, need it. Drink up, Missy. “

Liz looked up at her two friends, realizing what they were trying to do and she half heartedly set about putting cream and sugar in her coffee as Maria spooned eggs onto plates, adding bacon before handing them out. Then she sat down and gestured to Liz.

“Start talking. I want to hear everything from the beginning.”

“You know what happened, Maria, “Liz offered, picking at the eggs congealing on her plate. “I already explained.”

“Yes, you told us that you and Max never really broke off your relationship like we thought and that Max actually came to you from the future, not him.” Maria shook her head at the sci-fi nonsense of it all. “But I want details. I want to know what was said and how you decided and….everything.” She gazed at her friend pointedly. “I think we deserve it after being lied to for so long.”

“You know why I didn’t tell you,” Liz said, finally looking up from her eggs. “I didn’t want you to have to lie to Michael and Isabel. It wouldn’t have been fair. It was bad enough that Max had to lie all of these years. It was horrible for him.” Liz felt the inevitable tears sting her eyes at the mention of her love.

“We get it, Liz.” Alex looked over at Maria with a quelling glance. “We really do, but we still want to know all of it.”

Liz let out a sigh and in halting words, told her friends the details of her and Max’s decision and almost everything that had occurred since, sans the intimacy details. When she finished, she felt drained and thought seriously of going back to bed.

“I always knew he didn’t really have feelings for Tess,” Maria stated after a moment. “I could just tell. He always looked like he was trying too hard. But when she wasn’t looking….,”she shook her head. “He just seemed empty.” She snorted. “And I knew that whole sex drive explanation was bullshit. I saw the two of you together too many times to think that Max Evans had a low sex drive.

Alex sputtered into his coffee, frowning at Maria as he mopped drops from his shirt. “Please do not say sex drive and Max Evans in the same sentence ever again. I heard enough of it when Isabel came home talking about it.”

Liz was barely listening to their conversation. “I ……” She felt the tears welling up before she could stop them and she covered her face with her hands. “I can’t feel him anymore.”

Liz felt a flush of embarrassment when she thought about it now. There she was crying her eyes out, meanwhile, Maria had lost the father of her child and Alex had lost Isabel. But instead of reminding her of that, her two friends had opened their arms and let her cry, comforting and supporting her.

It was then that she decided she had to pull herself together. If not for her own sake, then for theirs. She moved back to Roswell to be near them, first finding a house and then a job at a pharmaceutical company doing research. The hard, rewarding work kept her too busy for much of a life…. which is what she wanted. Otherwise she would be going crazy.

But sitting here now, holding the result of Michael and Maria’s love in her arms, Liz had to remind herself for the thousandth time that she should be grateful. Grateful that Maria allowed her to spend so much time with her and Michael’s daughter and grateful that she and Alex had let her back wholeheartedly into their lives. Her parents were also beyond thrilled that she was living nearby and really, she had nothing to complain about.

Except …….

Liz gazed down at the little girl in her arms, now lying innocently against her, her eyelids blinking tiredly as she started to fall asleep.

This. This is what was missing. It was what she wanted more than anything else in the world besides Max himself. His child to love and to make her life more than an empty shell. If only she had known he was leaving so quickly, she would have thrown caution to the wind and stopped her birth control in that moment. But it wasn’t meant to be, at least not at that time. Maybe it never would be.

Stop that, Liz told herself, irritated now with her negative thoughts.

She hadn’t given up hope. Far from it. She knew that if there was a way in heaven or hell, Max, Michael and Isabel would make it back to their loved ones on Earth. It was just that having something of Max to hold on to and to love would have made the waiting so much easier ……

“She must be getting heavy,” Maria entered the living room, smiling at the sight of her daughter now asleep on Liz’s lap.

“Not really,” Liz replied, but she allowed Maria to lift the little girl from her arms. She watched wistfully as
Maria kissed the child’s forehead before leaving the room to lay her in her bed.

When Maria returned to living room a moment later she found Liz still sitting in the same spot, staring off into space, a sad look on her face. Sighing, she sat down on the couch across from her, knowing what her friend was thinking about. She herself thought about it every minute of every day. As did Alex. The waiting and not knowing was hell on all of them but it just seemed to be harder on Liz; or maybe she just wasn’t adjusting as well. Maria didn’t know, she just wished there was something she could do to take away the aura of melancholy that seemed to permeate her friend’s being.

“Hey, Mom is coming over later to cook and Alex is bringing movies. You want to stay? It’ll be fun and I know you could use a good meal.” Maria tried to coax her, but only managed to get a faint smile and a negative shake of the head.

“I don’t think so tonight. I have some work to get done.” Liz didn’t really feel like very good company at the moment, and to tell the truth, she was starting to feel a little under the weather. Maybe she was catching a cold.

“Come on, Liz. You work too hard. Please stay. Watching movies with Alex and my Mom is like being the only sober person at a frat party. Please don’t force me to endure that.”

Liz shook her head, smiling genuinely now even as she got up to leave. “I’m sorry. I really do have work to do, otherwise I would stay.”

“Fine,” Maria huffed, getting up with her. “But you owe me. You can’t say ‘no’ next time.”

“I won’t. I promise.” Liz hugged her friend goodbye, promising to call her tomorrow.

A little while later, she entered her quiet house and tiredly hung her purse on a hook by the door. As she went about her evening routine, she frowned at the faint headache that had begun behind her eyes. Rubbing her forehead, she made a cup of tea and ate some cheese and crackers while she opened her laptop and tried to get some work done. But after a while, she gave up, too restless to finish.

What the hell was wrong with her? Liz sought out a bottle of pain reliever for her headache and turned on the television, hoping to become tired enough to fall asleep, but it was still relatively early when she gave up and went to bed. She read for a while, and finally began to feel a little bit sleepy, so she turned off the light. She drifted between wakefulness and sleep, at last dosing off……..

Liz shot upright in her bed. Her hands flew to her throat as her breath left her in a rush and she felt faint for a moment. She grabbed for the phone that had begun ringing off the hook, but before she could say anything, Maria’s excited voice came over the line.

“Liz! They’re back!”

Stumbling out of bed, Liz practically fell as the connection she hadn’t felt in two years assaulted her senses.

Oh God, Max was here!

“Liz! Liz….are you there?” Maria’s voice was panicked.

“Yes…..I’m….here….Sorry…..” Liz was already hastily pulling on street clothes. “Where……”

“At the Evans. Listen to me, Liz…..”

Liz was fumbling around for her shoes. “Why didn’t Max come here or…..call……” She stopped suddenly clutching at her chest, realizing the connection, although there, was faint. She knew he was in Roswell….but that was all.

“Liz…listen to me.”Maria’s urgent voice finally got her attention.

“What’s wrong….” Liz asked huskily, dread filling her heart.

“Max is……he’s ……well for lack of a better word….he’s in a coma.”

“What?” Liz said faintly.

“He’s…...he won’t wake up. Isabel explained it to me…….”

“I’m on my way.” Liz didn’t wait to hear Maria’s explanation. She clicked off the phone and threw it on the bed. Grabbing her purse, she rushed out the door.

It was raining. Staring desperately through the rain-soaked windshield, Liz drove as fast as she dared. This damn rain was costing her valuable time. She wanted to BE there already.

He needed her.

Finally, finally, she turned onto Murray Lane and gunned the engine as she shot down the residential street. Pulling haphazardly into the driveway, Liz hurriedly exited the car only faltering slightly when the door to Max’s parent’s house opened to reveal Maria.

“Liz, thank God…..”

“Maria…..where is he?”

“He’s in his old room.” Maria gave her a quick hug before ushering her inside. Liz stepped into the familiar foyer of the Evan’s home and turned to the stairs, but before she could go up, Isabel, Alex, and Michael appeared along with Max’s parents.

Liz stopped, unable to say anything as she stared at the people she hadn’t seen for so long. Except for Alex, that was, but otherwise, the people staring back at her were virtual strangers. The Evan’s had aged the most, of course, looking tired and worried. She had only seen them a couple of times in the last two years. Michael and Isabel looked virtually the same, their twin expressions of uncertainty probably mirrored on her own face. It was finally Alex who stepped forward to give her a hug.

“How is he, Alex?” Liz whispered as she hugged him back.

“We don’t know. He hasn’t woken up. He’s breathing, and he doesn’t seem to be sick…he just won’t wake up.”

Liz nodded, swallowing painfully before letting him go to face the rest of the people in the room.

Finally after a beat of awkward silence, Mrs. Evans spoke. “Liz….thank you for coming. We….” She glanced at her husband and daughter helplessly as she stopped, seemingly unable to come up with anything else to say.

“I…..thank you Mrs. Evans….I….wanted to come.”

Michael finally broke the alien’s silence. “Do you think you can help him?”

“I….don’t know.” Liz felt tears come to her eyes. “It’s like his…..soul is just…. draining away from me. I can barely feel him. Please….what…..”

Isabel felt her ambivalent feelings towards this woman melt away in the face of her distress. “Max killed Khivar. Do you know…..has he explained how the foursquare works?” Isabel looked at her uncertainly, unsure what she did and didn’t know about them.

“Yes, “Liz answered. Max had explained how, once they had figured out the foursquare, that the combined energy of the three others, pooled inside him as the king. He was the one who unleashed hell, so to speak against their enemies.

Isabel nodded. “After we killed him, Max just collapsed. We tried everything we can think of to connect with him, but he…won’t let us in.” Isabel wiped at the tears pooling in her eyes. “We left Antar with Tess in charge and……”

Liz looked up toward the stairs, barely acknowledging the relief she felt at the knowledge that Tess wasn’t there. She hadn’t even given the girl a thought. She needed to get to Max. It had only been out of politeness that she hadn’t run up there before now.

“Go to him, Liz,” Alex urged her, and Liz glanced at him gratefully before heading up the staircase.

When she got to Max’s room, she took a deep breath opened the door. Her gaze immediately zoomed in on Max lying pale and still in his bed, the shallow rise and fall of his chest, the only indication that he was alive. Forgetting everything else, Liz hurried to his side, falling to her knees by the side of the bed, wiping his hair back from his brow, her eyes drinking in his beloved features, even as tears fell on the covers.

“Oh Max….” Liz wiped at the tears and slipped under the covers with him, gazing down at him, willing him to open his eyes and look at her.

“Please……..please wake up. I……need you to wake up. You killed Khivar. You’re home. You won. Come back to me……”

Liz laid her head on his chest as the tears soaked his shirt, closing her eyes and reaching out with all her might to find him. She felt herself slipping away as she sank into their connection.

It was dark. Liz felt blind as she searched the darkness. She could feel Max, surprisingly serene, but she couldn’t see anything. Slowly her eyes seemed to adjust and she saw a pinprick of light in the distance…..at least it seemed like a distance. As she became aware of it, the light suddenly became brighter until she found herself standing in sunshine. It was a beach, azure sky and clear water as far as she could see. Her feet were
bare and she could feel powdery sand caressing them.

Looking around, she finally spotted Max, sitting in the sand, water lapping at his bare feet, his arms wrapped around his knees. As she ran to him, Max looked up at her smiling a smile that Liz had never seen before. Such happiness, such purity…..its beauty took her breath away.

Max got to his feet and pulled her to him.

“Liz….Liz…..you’re here.”

His lips covered hers and Liz lost her grip on the reality of the situation. They kissed and kissed, hardly needing air in this place. Her heart soared at being in his arms again, feeling his lips devouring hers, his soul surrounding her, and it was that feeling that finally brought Liz back to herself. His soul was so light here. There was none of the heaviness of his responsibilities and the life he’d been forced to lead that usually weighed it down; Just pure happiness that she was there and they were finally together. But it wasn’t real. And whatever reason had brought him to this place, she was going to have to bring him back.

“Max……Max…..we have to stop.”

“No! No……..” Max pulled her closer, his expression suddenly clouding over as she tried to pull back from his embrace. “No,” he mumbled again, his face buried in her neck. Liz held him close in confusion, then realized that he thought she was going to disappear. The lightness had dimmed a little.

“Max, listen to me.” Liz forced him to look at her. “You’re home. You’re safe. When we wake up, you’ll be in your bed and I’ll still be there. I swear it.”

Max looked into her eyes, his expression uncertain, his hands holding her in a death grip. Liz tried again, willing him to feel the reality of what she was saying. “Max, believe me. Your parents, Isabel…Michael…..they’re waiting for you to wake up….”

“Isabel….Michael…..” Max suddenly looked panicked and Liz realized that he didn’t know that outcome of the battle they’d fought. Reality was intruding.

“They’re fine,” she assured him. “Just worried about you. Please come back with me……” She reached for his hand. “Are you ready?” she asked, but the place was already fading…….

Liz opened her eyes and quickly lifted up on an elbow to see Max’s eyelids fluttering before they opened too.
He looked at her in confusion, obviously groggy and disoriented.

“Oh!”

Liz turned in time to see an anxious Isabel and Michael coming through the door, Isabel’s exclamation having gotten her attention.

She turned back to Max. “Just lie still,” she said and sat up when he seemed to be trying to lift his head.

“Liz….” Max said hoarsely, still not seeming to be sure that she was real, his mind not quite all there yet.

Isabel came forward and Liz started to let her sit next to her brother, but Max grabbed her hand, forcing her to stay where she was. Isabel sat down on the other side.

“Oh God, Max we were so worried,” she said tearfully, taking his other hand.

“Yeah, way to pull the disappearing act,” Michael joined in, but the relieved tone in his voice showed his true feelings.

Max started to lift himself into a sitting position and found many helping hands to assist him. His eyes held Liz’s even as he allowed himself to be hugged by his sister, making sure she stayed where she was, and she smiled at him reassuringly. He grabbed her hand again the moment Isabel let go, as though afraid she would disappear, but Liz had no desire to be anywhere but at his side. She knew he was feeling the same burgeoning relief that she was at the return of their connection. She was surprised that the two of them weren’t glowing with it. She lifted his hand, rubbing it softly against her cheek before kissing it. Max’s fingers clenched at the sensation and his eyes and his thoughts told her that he wanted to be alone with her to show how much he’d missed her. But they both knew that they couldn’t do that to his family. Not yet.

“What happened?” Max asked, tearing his eyes away from Liz to take the glass of water Isabel offered him.

“What do you remember?” Michael asked in return.

Max’s forehead wrinkled for a moment as he handed the glass back. “I remember we were surrounded and…..we activated the four-square.” He put a hand to his temple and rubbed it. “Khivar grabbed me and…we struggled…..” He looked at the three of them. “Then….nothing.”

“You killed him, Max.” Isabel said, glancing at Michael. “We killed him.”

“The power surge you let loose knocked us off our feet.” Michael stated. “It was huge. When we recovered, you were out. We thought you just needed time to recover too but….” He gestured, indicating Max’s prone state.

“We waited for days.” Isabel continued. “The healers couldn’t find anything wrong with you. We….” she paused, looking over at Liz. “We decided we should bring you back and see if …..something here could help.”

“It did,” Max replied gazing at Liz as well and no one could mistake the expression in his eyes. Liz flushed with the warmth of it.

“I thought it might,” Isabel gave a small smile, then grew serious again. “Max…..we left Tess in charge.”

Max sighed wearily, running a hand through his shaggy hair and over the heavy razor stubble on his chin. His hair was much longer now then when he left and Liz had already decided that she liked it. Of course, she liked all of his looks, but this sexy, scruffy look was…..well….sexy. Max glanced up at her, his eyes conveying the fact that he knew what she was thinking and she blushed at the quick intensity of his gaze before he looked back at his sister.

“How was she when you left?” His question was not that of a concerned boyfriend or lover, but more along of lines of him expecting the worst.

“She wanted us to stay,” Isabel answered with the same weariness as though it were an old argument. “Specifically, she wanted you to stay. She was sure they would figure out what was wrong with you. But we finally told her that we were leaving.”

“That’s the nice way of saying it,” Michael interjected with smirk. “You missed quite the cat fight, Maxwell.”
Max raised an eyebrow at his sister, a small smile forming on his lips, growing a little wider when Isabel looked chagrined.

“She was being such a ……well you know how she can be,” Isabel said and Max’s grin turned into a grimace as he nodded. Isabel continued, “She’s fine. She’s in charge. It’s what she’s always wanted.” She looked pointedly at Max. “But you know eventually we’ll have to go back and settle things.”

“I know,” Max replied tiredly. He looked at Liz again and his expression became firm as he saw her uncertainty. He squeezed her hand. “I’m not staying,” he stated succinctly. “I don’t care what she or anyone else wants. I’m coming back to Earth.”

Liz sighed imperceptibly as Isabel answered. “We know, Max. We all are. No one will force you to stay.”

Max nodded and settled back against the headboard. Liz could tell he was exhausted despite the fact that he had been essentially sleeping for days.

“What happened with Khivar, Max?” Michael asked as he finally sat on the computer chair across from the bed.

Max looked down, away from their penetrating gazes, the fingers of his free hand pulling at a small thread on the blanket. Liz felt his hesitation and to her dismay, his hands began to tremble a bit before he finally looked back up, still not meeting anyone’s eyes, even hers. She realized in that instant, how much he didn’t want to talk about this. His face wore the strained look he always got when he was trying to suppress his emotions. But to her surprise, he answered honestly, making her realize just how much his relationship with Michael and Isabel had changed since she had been a part of the group. His willingness to admit his vulnerability to them spoke volumes about how close they had become.

“When I touched him…..right before I sent the energy into him, I saw him….inside.” The trembling increased and Liz took his hand in both of hers, even as Isabel reached out and took the other one, needing to offer comfort as well.

“He was evil,” Max continued starkly. “I saw….all the things he’d done to his people….to our parents…to us….before.” He finally looked up at all of them. “I ….just wanted to disintegrate all of that evil, so I sent the power into him and…..then…..I…..”

“You don’t have to say it, Max. We understand.” Isabel glanced at Michael and Liz saw tears in her eyes again, much like the tears in her own.

“No,” Max shook his head. “You deserve to know.” He took a deep breath. “I….didn’t….I couldn’t deal with it anymore.” His voice shook. “All the things we’d seen….all the things we did….everything.” He looked at Liz and she could tell that he was including all of the time he’d spent deceiving Tess and being away from her. Their connection was open and she knew that their separation had affected him just a much as it had her. But he hadn’t had the luxury of wallowing in his grief the way she had those first few months. Her heart ached for him.

“I needed to get away…” Max continued softly. “I didn’t do it on purpose…..I just….all I could think about was how tired I was and how much I wanted to rest and not think about all the bad stuff anymore…..and I ended up…..finding a place to do that.” He looked down again. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone….or stay away for so long. It just….it became real after a while and I…..”

“It’s okay, Max. We know what you’ve been dealing with.” Isabel looked at Liz again, this time with sympathy. “No one could blame you for needing a break.”

“Yeah, but next time, ask for a vacation instead of scaring the shit of us, okay?” Michael added.

“There won’t be a next time,” Max replied, looking at Liz. “Everything I want and need is right here.” His heart was in his eyes, and Liz smiled a little mistily at the look she knew he reserved only for her.

“Well on that note, I have some good news to share.” Michael got up and called down to the others.

A moment later, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Alex and Maria holding her daughter piled into the small room.
Michael held out his hand to Maria as Liz finally relinquished her place on the bed so first Mrs. Evans and then Mr. Evans could lean down to hug their son and exclaim their happiness at his recovery. Michael took Isabel’s place and pulled Maria to his side. Taking his daughter into his lap, he whispered in her ear while she gazed innocently at the man in the bed, clutching a stuffed rabbit to her chest.

“Max….I’d like you to meet my daughter, Amelia.”

Max’s mouth fell open a little bit as his eyes widened. He seemed at a loss for words as he stared at the little blond girl sitting on Michael’s lap. Amelia stared back and then suddenly reached out offering her rabbit to him. “Bun?”

Max’s mouth closed as his eyes widened further and the whole room erupted into laughter at his nonplussed expression.

“Wow, Max. You still really know how to charm the ladies.” Alex grinned at him from his stance at Isabel’s side. “She won’t even let me near that rabbit.”

“Yeah, she likes you already,” Maria said, running a hand over Amelia’s blond curls. “Welcome home, by the way.” She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.

“Congratulations,” Max said, finally finding his voice. He still looked wide eyed at the fact that Michael had a daughter, noting the way Michael’s eyes were riveted to his child’s face. His gaze softened and he sought Liz’s eyes from across the room. His expression told her that he knew how much seeing Maria with Michael’s child must have hurt her sometimes, knowing how much she wanted one of her own. But Liz gave a slight negative shake to her head, telling him with her heart and eyes that she loved him and that they would have all of their dreams now.

“Why don’t we head downstairs for something to eat and you can tell us all about ….everything,” Mr. Evans suggested. They all agreed and headed toward the door, except for Liz. She crossed the room to sit beside Max on the bed as he swung his feet over the edge. He took her hand, and just looked at her as though he couldn’t get enough of her.

“We’ll just…..wait downstairs……” Alex said, hastily closing the door when he realized that the two people on the bed were drifting closer together.

Neither one heard him. “I need to kiss you,” Max said huskily as his hands reached up to sift through her hair.

“Please…..” Liz pleaded right before he did just that. Their lips came together hotly, each seeking to satisfy the need for the other that had been missing for so long.

“God, I missed you so much,” Max mumbled between kisses. “I thought I would die when I couldn’t feel you anymore.”

Liz shook her head, unable to voice her own feelings about their separation through the tears in her throat. But her kisses conveyed her commiseration fully. Their kisses were becoming more heated, but reality intruded when a voice from downstairs called their names.

“We have to go down,” Max sighed, his arms remaining around her, as though unable to let go now that he had her again.

“I know,” Liz agreed, feeling the same. She laid her head on his chest. “But we only have to stay to eat and then you can tell them you’re tired and we’ll go back to my house.”

“It wouldn’t be a lie,” Max replied wearily. “I feel like I’ve run a marathon.”

“I know, I can tell,” Liz sympathized squeezing him before letting go. “We won’t be long.”

Max nodded and stood, offering his hand to bring her to her feet, but as Liz started to rise, he suddenly stiffened, his expression going blank. Instead of helping her to her feet, he dropped her hand and walked over to his bureau pulling open the top drawer.

Max…what…..” Liz paused, noticing his clothing for the first time. It was strange. His pants were made of some material she had never seen before, something like leather, but softer looking, not shiny. His shirt was long sleeved and made of something that looked like cotton, but again, she wasn’t sure. The clothes clung to his frame like they were custom made and she suddenly felt her temperature go up at how beautiful he was. And powerful looking. He was like a warrior of old, with his longer hair and odd clothing.

But then she found herself suppressing the urge to laugh. Her battle roughened warrior was rummaging through his sock drawer. Muttering to himself, Max’s expression became endearingly anxious when he couldn’t seem to find what he was looking for, but then it changed to one of relief when he finally did. Giving Liz a surreptitious glance over his shoulder, he pocketed his find and turned to her innocently.

“Ready?”

Liz nodded, suppressing another smile. She quirked an eyebrow at him instead, questioning his odd behavior, but Max just took her hand, leading her to the door before leaning down to kiss her.

“I love you,” he said softly, and Liz felt her heart melt.

“Me too….so much,” she answered.

Max kissed her again, then let go with a sigh. “Just a quick bite, then we’re gone,” he said determinedly.
Liz nodded her wholehearted agreement and they finally headed downstairs. When they got there, everyone was already eating. Liz noticed right away that Isabel and Michael were both wearing the same sort of oddly made clothing that Max was, and she and Maria questioned Isabel about it. She explained that it was made out of a plant, much like cotton. The two girls exclaimed over its uniqueness and they fell into a discussion about fashion.

The other conversations around the table ranged from sports to diaper changing, and Liz suddenly felt like crying as she watched Michael cradling his now sleeping daughter, a look on his face she had never seen before. Isabel was holding Alex’s hand as they talk to her parents. God, they were all sitting around eating and talking like a real family. Twelve long years to come to this point. Max felt her sudden emotion and he squeezed her hand, feeling the same way. If this was the result of their sacrifice, then it was totally worth it.
A little while later, Liz suggested that they leave. Max was drooping in his chair. Hugs were exchanged all around and Isabel took a moment to pull Liz aside while Max packed a bag.

“I just wanted to thank you,” she said. “Max has been so miserable…..all he wanted for the last two years was to come home to you. He’s worked himself practically to death to make that happen.” Isabel seemed to want to say something else, but her expression waivered uncertainly.

“I love him, Isabel,” Liz answered her, knowing what the other girl was trying to convey. “I’ve waited a long time for my chance to take care of him. Please don’t worry.”

Isabel smiled a little shakily and Liz hugged her, feeling a little overwhelmed herself at finally being a part of Max’s family. “Let Alex take care of you too. He’s missed you so much.” She pulled back and gestured to Michael and Maria. “It’s been hard on everyone.”

“I know,” Isabel agreed, smiling up at Alex as he approached. He put his arm around her, closing his eyes for a moment when she settled snuggly against him. Liz smiled at her friend and said her goodbyes.

A few moments later, they were in Liz’s car. Max reclined in the passenger seat, half asleep even as he clutched Liz’s hand. She drove in silence letting him rest. It was enough just to be in his presence, knowing that he didn’t have to leave in a few hours or days or even weeks. He was hers at last. The thought filled her so full, she thought she might burst with it.

When they reached her house, she helped him from the car. Once inside, Max looked around, touching her things, looking at her pictures, getting used to her home.

“It’s your home now too, if you want it to be, Max.” Liz smiled at him tentatively.

“There’s nothing in this world that I want more than that,” Max replied, reaching out to take her in his arms. “Except maybe a shower.” He smiled a little at her chuckle and followed her as she led him upstairs. Showing him where the bathroom was, Liz got him a towel and put his bag in the bedroom.
A few moments later, Liz heard the shower come on. She put some of Max’s things away, and headed to the bathroom to put his toothbrush and toiletries in there. But when she saw him silhouetted through the beveled glass of the shower doors, she didn’t hesitate.

“Liz……” Max looked at her for a split second of surprise when she opened the shower door, then stepped back to let her in, his dark eyes drinking in the sight of her nakedness. He pulled her into his arms. Liz noted that he had removed some of the heavier growth of his beard, but had left some light stubble. Her hands slid into his hair as he lowered his mouth.

Their mouths blended together, their slick bodies sliding against each other, rousing their desire to fever pitch. Liz arched her neck as Max spread feverish, sucking kisses across it, his large hands running over her body, making her feel whole for the first time in two years. But even as Max’s body reacted to her, Liz felt his exhaustion. His arms were trembling with it and she knew that as much as he might want her at the moment, he was in no shape to make this the homecoming they both craved.

It didn’t matter. Liz decided if she couldn’t have him, she would have the next best thing. Grasping his
erection, she kissed a trail down his chest, licking the water from the ridged muscles of his stomach.

“Liz….what are you…..”Max’s question was cut off with a groan as she took him in her mouth. His hand went to her head, trying to raise her even as his erection swelled in her mouth.

“Liz…..you don’t….……you don’t…..have to…..” Max tried again….but Liz pulled away long enough to shush him.

“Shhhh. Just let me do this. I want to…..” Liz bent to take him again and Max gave in, wanting what she was about to do more than his next breath. Unable to do anything but let her do her worst….or her best as it turned out, he leaned back against the shower wall, panting helplessly against the sensations her mouth was creating on his rigid flesh as she sucked him in. He became precariously close to the edge in a matter of moments.

“Liz…..I can’t…..hold….

Come, Liz thought and a moment later, she got her wish as Max surrendered with a groan, his eyes closing at the almost excruciating pleasure of his orgasm. Liz reveled in his unbridled feelings, loving that she could give him this gift. It was almost as good as receiving pleasure herself and doing this for him was as much for her as it was for him. She needed to show him how much she loved him and missed him and needed him.

Max was on the verge of collapse. His release had pushed him right to the edge of total exhaustion. Liz helped him from the shower, drying them both and even helping him brush his teeth. She put him to bed and a few moments later slid in beside him, snuggling against his warmth. To her surprise, his arms came around her and she realized that he had forced himself to stay awake while she finished getting ready for bed.

“Thank you,” Max whispered, his voice slurred with his need for sleep.

“I love you, Max,” Liz replied, closing her eyes and letting herself bask in the fact that he was finally in her bed and in her arms. Silent tears of happiness stung her eyes and began to course down her cheeks, and she realized with a burst of joy that just a day ago, she had been lying in this same bed alone, crying silent tears of sadness.

What a difference a day makes.

The events of the evening finally caught up with her, but Liz couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she drifted to sleep……

***

Please let this be real, Liz thought her mind coming slowly awake. She kept her eyes tightly closed as the whisper touch of lips slid over her, first her collarbone, then her breasts. A tongue circled and licked, then a mouth closed strongly over the bud of her nipple. Despite the pleasure that went straight to her core, Liz kept her eyes closed, afraid it was just a dream. That she would wake up and be alone again. It had happened too many times before.

“Liz…..look at me,” Max whispered over her breast.

Liz opened her eyes and found herself staring into the most beautiful eyes in the world….in any world as far as she was concerned. His hair hung down around his face, and she felt a tremor go through her at how gorgeous he was.

“Open for me,” Max commanded, and she complied, sliding her legs apart to let him come between them.

With a long slow glide, he entered her. Liz closed her eyes for a brief moment, reveling in the heavy intrusion of his flesh into hers. So long……

“Is it….okay?” Max breathed against her, wanting to move but afraid he’d hurt her. He hadn’t been able to wait another second to be a part of her.

In truth, it did hurt a little. Two years was long time. But Liz knew the pleasure was just around the corner and she didn’t want him to stop. “Yes….please…..Max…..move…..”

Max did as she asked, and she moaned as the pain ceased and her body adjusted to him, becoming slick and soft around him.

“Liz….Liz…..”Max groaned out her name in need, gritting his teeth not to come on the spot. They had been too long without each other. Too long without this…..

“Oh….harder,” Liz panted, grabbing the headboard above her for leverage, arching in abandon to his powerful thrusts. His hair brushed against her skin as he leaned down to nuzzle hungrily at her breasts and Liz felt her core begin to spasm at the exquisite sensations. No wonder he loved her hair so much.

“Yes….” Max ground out at Liz’s actions. Unable to hold back, he grabbed her hips, surging forward as his body erupted violently into hers. His breath left him a moment later when Liz followed, her muscles contracting tightly around him. She held onto him, sobbing out her pleasure into his neck and he buried his face in her hair, his body shaking with the force of his powerful release.

Liz continued to hold him as the both tried to calm down. At the feel of him still throbbing inside her, a smile of pure joy crossed her lips at the significance of his naked flesh inside hers. She shivered at the thought and Max’s arms tightened around her.

“Are you alright? “ He asked still a bit breathless, starting to move away, but Liz tightened her hold on him.

“I’m perfect,” she said, keeping him where he was.

But Max levered up just enough to look down at her, his eyes caressing her contentedly smiling face, a small smile of his own forming.

“I didn’t kiss you,” he remarked.

“No, you didn’t,” Liz replied, not at all bothered by it. But when he leaned down to take her lips, she sighed and returned his kisses wholeheartedly.

Max finally moved off of her, pulling her close as they rested. Liz settled her head against his shoulder and ran her fingers over his muscled arm luxuriating in his nearness.

“Max…..”

“Yes….?”

“What happens now?” She looked up at him as he shifted to his side to listen to her. “I mean, with your planet and Tess and everything.”

Max sighed. “I’m not sure of everything yet. I do know that I don’t want to be King. Tess may want me to stay, but I think she’ll get over it once she realizes that without me there, she’ll be completely in charge. In fact, she’s probably figuring that out now.”

“Is that okay with you? Her being in charge?”

“Yes. Despite how I feel about her personally, she’s a good leader. Although I would like to see Antar become more of a republic rather than a monarchy. I may suggest it when we go back. I don’t know how she’ll feel about it.”

“What about you? What are you going to do?” Liz couldn’t keep her hands off of him, even as she asked her questions. And Max apparently felt the same about her because his fingers kept brushing over her skin, making her tingle.

“I don’t know. I don’t suppose there are many job openings for a deposed king.” His lip quirked ruefully, then he grinned at her. “Maybe I’ll just stay at home and let my wife work.”

“Wife?” Liz echoed, her eyes widening a little.

Shit. His face reddening, Max looked at her sheepishly, then leaned in to kiss her quickly. “Wait here,” he whispered and hopped from the bed, rummaging to find his clothes from the night before. Liz just watched in a daze, anticipation making her heart pound. When Max found his pants, he pulled something from the pocket and came back to the bed, kneeling beside it. Liz sat up, pulling the sheet up with her and looked down at what he now held out for her inspection.

A black velvet ring box.

“Liz,” Max began, gazing up into her rapidly tearing eyes. “I told you when I left that I would have a question for you when I got back. This is not how I planned to ask…..but…..”

“The answer’s yes, Max.” Liz swallowed past her tears to answer him.

“Don’t you want to see the ring before you answer?” Max joked, his own voice a little thick with his overflowing emotions.

“It could be tin and I would still say yes.” Liz smiled down at him.

“Well, if that’s the case, can I try and sell it on Ebay?” Max grinned at her suddenly outraged expression. “We were just talking about the fact that I don’t have a job.”

“Give me that ring, Max Evans, or you may find yourself naked outside on the lawn instead of naked by my bed.”

Max grinned again and opened the ring box. Lifting it from its satin bed, he took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Liz found herself tearing up again at the sight of the Princess cut diamond. The band had diamond accents and it shone brilliantly on her trembling hand.

“Will you marry me, Liz Parker?” Max asked, seriously this time, wanting to say the whole thing and hear the answer from her lips.

“Yes,” she whispered and leaned down to kiss him, her tears wetting his lips.

“Two months at the most,” Max breathed, pulling away slightly to look into her glowingly happy face. Liz nodded eagerly.

Sweeping her into his arms, Max stood and swirled her around as they kissed, causing Liz to laugh as she held onto him. Then he lowered them back to the bed, sliding on top of her, covering her neck with kisses. Liz laughed again, holding onto his shoulders as he rapidly became more serious in his pursuit. She could feel his growing desire against her and she closed her eyes as her own passion ignited again.

“Max……?” Liz mumbled a moment later, returning his heated kisses.

“Hmmm?” Max answered unintelligibly, his mouth otherwise occupied.

“How….” Liz moaned as he worked a hardened nipple with his tongue. “How do you feel…..about being a stay-at-home Dad?”

His start of surprise made her bite her lip. Max pulled back to look down at her wide eyed gaze.
“I stopped taking my birth control pills right after you left.”

Liz watched as Max’s gaze shifted down to her abdomen. Her body melted when she felt his answer to her question sliding thickly between her legs.

“I‘d say we have a lot of work to do.”They both gasped as he slid deeply into her welcoming entrance. “I want our baby to attend the wedding.” Max whispered.

He got his wish.

~The End~