Roswell Fanatics

A/N - I know...trust me I know you're all like WTF?! Is Liz thinking...hopefully this part will help explain...I think lol! Thanks for great and *heated* feedback...love it!

Chapter 11

Three Weeks Later

Liz was back at her job and adjusting nicely. At least, that is what she told herself to help the days pass by. If she was honest with herself, she knew she missed Max with such an intense passion. The first week she threw herself into her work, but then last week she was sitting in her living room flipping through the channels, and her thoughts drifted back to Max. Back to when he took her to a football game, it felt like ages ago to her.

One night after work, she came home, crawled into bed and pulled open her nightstand. She handled the piece of paper as if it was made of the finest crystal that could shatter at any moment. She unfolded it and read it again, for what was probably the hundredth time in weeks.

It was the letter from Max. Oh, how she missed him. She missed coming home from work to him, missed his smile, his laugh, his hands, his lips and the feeling of total completeness just being around him.

She knew she had made a mistake and now she was trying to figure out how to fix it.

****

Max Evans left Roswell the day his heart walked out the door. He called his parents and his friends and told them that he needed some time to himself, to figure things out. Honestly, he needed to figure out how to make the pain of Liz leaving him go away.

Needless to say, his parents, friends, and sister were less than happy about Max’s current state of mind. It was as if he just gave up caring, that’s why he needed to get away, and as much as they hated it, they understood.

After taking an extended leave of absence from work, Max left for an undetermined amount of time to figure things out and to help himself deal with the fact that he was so wrong about Liz.

****

One afternoon, a week later, Liz was still trying to find out how to fix what she did. She was sitting down in a local coffee shop going over her choices. She looked outside the window and was quickly on her feet. It couldn’t be, she thought.

She was pushing through the afternoon crowd as fast as she could. She thought she lost him, but then she spotted him entering a bookstore across the street. When she finally caught up, she was panting heavily yet she was so close, she couldn’t stop now.

Liz searched the entire store and finally saw him standing at the end of one of the aisles with his back turned.

“Max?” She questioned and saw the man slowly turn around.

“Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were someone else.” Liz said sadly and turned to leave. What was she thinking? That he would come after her? That was a fantasy; Max Evans would not be coming looking for her, ever again.

She headed back to work and decided to stop by a diner for dinner, one that she usually goes to after work. After placing her order, a gentleman turned in his booth and asked her for her ketchup bottle. Liz couldn’t contain her tears; she handed it to him and ran outside.

Once she reached her apartment, she climbed into bed and turned on the television once again, and there was a commercial that came on for a miniature golf range that was opening in town. That was it. That was her breaking point, there were just too many reminders of Max, of what she and Max had and she couldn’t take it any longer.

She pulled off the covers and planted her feet on the floor; she then ran to her closet and pulled out her suitcase. She knew she fucked up and made the worst mistake of her life and now she had to fix it. She was going back to Roswell and begging on her hands and knees if necessary to ask for Max’s forgiveness.

****

Her plane landed in Roswell and she felt the pressure begin to mount. She knew it was going to take more than an, ‘I’m sorry’ to fix this, but she was willing to do anything to get Max back.

She took a taxi and headed straight for Max’s place. But when she arrived, there wasn’t a single light on and his car wasn’t in the driveway. She even tried calling his home and cell phone, and even tried at work knowing he was probably not there. Both is cell and home phones had been disconnected.

Liz knew that the only place she could find out where Max whereabouts, was at his parent’s house, the prospect of going there did not appeal to her, but it was her only option.

The taxi came to a stop in front of the Evans home and Liz bit back the urge to cry. This was going to be hard, but she took a deep breath and made her way to the front door.

“What are you doing here?” Isabel answered the door never expecting to see the girl that broke her brothers heart on the other side.

“Isabel, I’m looking for Max. Do you know where he is?” Liz didn’t want to argue, but she knew that was inevitable.

“He’s gone Liz.” Isabel answered flatly. She never wanted to see Liz Parker for as long as she lived.

“Gone. Gone where?” Liz asked desperately. Did he leave Roswell and move somewhere else? Did something happen to him? Dread began to fill her heart, what if…

“I don’t know, after you broke his heart he said he needed to be on his own for a while. We get letters once a week with no forwarding address. The post mark is different each time.” There was no remorse in Isabel’s voice, it did look like Liz was upset, but that didn’t matter, she hurt her brother and Isabel didn’t have time for people like that.

“Oh, okay thanks. Bye Isabel.” Liz knew that even if Isabel knew where Max was, she wasn’t going to tell her. Not that she blamed her, but it would help if she didn’t just shut her out.

“Bye Liz.”

Liz turned and looked at the taxi waiting to take her home…to Boston. She felt like she lost him forever and there was nothing she could do about it. She thought about leaving him a letter, but what good would that do? Liz knew that she needed to confront Max face to face; he would never believe something she wrote in a letter. Besides that, he deserved more than a letter asking for forgiveness.

She returned to work a few days later and went about her daily business, but it was just a routine. She didn’t stay late anymore and didn’t strive to be the best. Liz stopped caring about work. It wasn’t as important as she thought it was, not now, after she knew what it was like to be in love and have someone love you back. She longed for him, just to talk to him again. But she knew that once you made your bed, you had to lie in it.

****

The next morning one week later, Liz woke up sick to her stomach. She hadn’t been eating properly and thought that it finally caught up with her. She decided to stay home from work. However, later in the day she just felt worse and she was getting a fever, so she called the doctor.

“Ms. Parker, can you just tell me what you’ve been feeling?” Liz sat and watched the doctor move around the room. It was freezing and she just wanted to go home to sleep, and knew that the quicker she answered the questions the quicker she would be home.

“I’ve been tired, and I haven’t really be able to sleep or eat. So I just eat when I remember really, which I know is not good. And then this morning I woke up vomiting and then I felt feverish, so…” Liz wasn’t sure what else the doctor wanted to know.

“Very well. We’ll just run some blood and urine tests and hopefully we’ll find out what’s going on.” The doctor excused herself and shortly thereafter a nurse entered to draw Liz’s blood and then asked for a urine test.

About twenty minutes later the doctor returned and Liz was getting nervous. She didn’t know why, but for some reason she just knew that doctor was about to deliver life-altering news.

“Ms. Parker, can you tell me when the date of your last period was?” This was it; Liz didn’t know why she didn’t figure it out sooner. She was late, and by her calculations, very late.

“Am I pregnant?” Liz asked letting out a shuddering breath.

“Yes. Congratulations Ms. Parker, you are pregnant.” And that's when she felt the walls come crashing down on her.

****

The ride home from the doctors was a complete blur to Liz. She was pregnant and alone. She deserved it too, she knew that, but now more than ever she knew she needed to find Max and soon. Regardless if he wanted to be with her or not, she was carrying his baby and he had every right to know.

As soon as she pealed her jacket off she reached for the telephone. She needed to make a call to the Evans. Although the prospect of doing so and possibly having to speak to Isabel didn’t make her feel warm and fuzzy inside, but she didn’t have a choice.

“Evans residence, Diane speaking.”

“Hi Mrs. Evans, this is Liz, Liz Parker.” Liz let out a shaky breath. She wondered how much Max’s parents knew about what happened between her and Max. She didn’t have to wait long for that answer though.

“Yes Liz how can I help you.” Diane was cold to her. At first Diane was all to happy to see her son with Liz, she seemed like a very nice young lady. But when she destroyed her son’s spirit. Isabel had told her everything that happened the way Max had explained and Diane no longer had any use for Liz.

“I really need to speak with Max, has he returned?” Liz pushed through her nervousness, and pain. She really liked Max’s parents and now she knew that they knew everything, they probably hate her, she thought.

“No, I’m sorry he hasn’t and I don’t know where he is, no thanks to you.” Diane bit out angrily. Her son was destroyed and he left home because of this girl. No, Diane would not help her.

“I’m sorry, but it’s really important.” Liz knew she was sounding desperate, but what choice did she have? She knew that they all knew where Max was, but because of what she did to him, they would not be eager to help her.

“I can’t help you.”

“Is Isabel there? Can I please speak with her?” She closed her eyes in frustration, she didn’t want to cry, but it was beginning to look pretty hopeless.

“Sure, hold on please.” Diane covered the mouthpiece and called her daughter to the telephone, being sure to advice Isabel that Liz was on the other end.

“Hello Liz,” Isabel was getting tired of speaking to the girl. She had wanted to believe that when Liz said she wouldn’t or rather didn’t want to break her brother’s heart, that she meant it. But that was a lie; she did the one thing Isabel had been trying to protect Max from, she broke his heart.

“Isabel, look I know I’m not your favorite person but I need to know anything that you know about where Max is, and if I can get in touch with him.” She was desperate and the tears were evident in her voice.

“I told you already I don’t know.”

“I’m pregnant Isabel and it’s Max’s.”

There was silence.

“What did you just say?” Isabel must have misunderstood, right?

“I’m pregnant with Max’s baby.” Liz whispered out and bit back the sobs threatening to rake havoc on her body.

“Are you sure it’s even his?” Isabel knew that her brother was too smart to get any girl pregnant. Liz had to be lying, she thought.

“Yes, he’s the only person I’ve been with in years Isabel. I need your help.”

“Sorry Liz but I can’t help you.”

“Well, if you hear from him, can you tell him I’m looking for him and that…and that I love him?” The tears were cascading down Liz’s cheeks, she just needed Max and no one was willing to help her. It was beginning to look like she might not ever see Max again, that is if his mother and sister had anything to say about it.

“Sure thing. Bye Liz.” Isabel had no intentions of telling Max anything. She did however tell her mother and they both agreed to keep it to themselves since they figured that Liz was either lying or that Max wasn’t the baby’s father.
****

It had been almost three months since her first phone call to the Evans’ home. Liz had since called every two weeks and each time she called Isabel said she still hadn’t heard from Max. She had no choice, but to believe her, she even tried his cell phone on several occasions, but both that number and home number had been changed.

Liz was well into her 17th week of pregnancy and knew that she couldn’t hide it forever; she was really starting to show. Liz figured it was because she was so tiny in that area.

She had already contemplated leaving Boston and heading back to Roswell, so she was already packed and ready to go the following week. Liz knew once she arrived she would have to tell her parents and she knew they would be anything less than supportive.

For Liz, if she was going to raise this baby, then she knew she had to do it in Roswell.

There was only one thing that brought her comfort, she knew Max’s parents still lived in Roswell and so long as they were still there; she knew Max would eventually return.

TBC…

A/N - So I see some of you are torn between feeling sorry for Liz, and thinking that she deserves to suffer a little. And all of you are wondering where Max is...well you don't have to wonder much longer, cause you'll know in this part. I think everyone is understanding that yes Diane and Isabel feel a need to protect Max, but at what cost is the question?

I want to thank you guys for sticking with me and this story. The next few parts were very difficult for me to write and it took me about 5 weeks to get them written. They are personal and difficult and well I did promise a dreamer ending and one you shall have


Chapter 12


“What do you mean you’re pregnant?! Whose baby is it?!” Jeffrey Parker roared out at his daughter sitting across from the kitchen table. Liz had arrived from the airport about a half hour ago and immediately her mother noticed her pregnancy. Liz was seriously reconsidering her idea of coming here to begin with. They wouldn’t understand. They would just berate her.

“Max’s baby.” Liz mumbled out and sat back and waited as she watched her parent’s face light up with total confusion.

“Does he know?” Nancy asks. She didn’t know where she went wrong with her daughter. How could she get pregnant? She was more responsible than that, wasn’t she?

“No.”

“You didn’t tell him?!” Liz’s father was beyond furious. First of all his only child, daughter no less, was pregnant and she was keeping it from the baby’s father? That did not sound like the girl he raised. Where did he go wrong?

“I tried but he’s gone, he left and no one knows where he is. Look, I just wanted to come here to tell you that I was pregnant and that I’m going to be staying here for a little while.” Liz said rising to her feet. She needed out of that house, they looked at her with disgust and Liz was all too familiar with that look. Everyday, as a matter of fact, she would give herself that same look.

“What about your job?” Jeff stood in front of his daughter. He knew she was trying to escape, but he needed answers. Why was she throwing her life away?

“I quit.”

“What?! Liz how are you going to raise a baby with no job?” She wasn’t planning on raising the baby alone but if she had to she would. She really longed for Max. She knew what she destroyed, but in doing so even though he didn’t know it, she destroyed her own heart in the process.

“Don’t worry dad. I won’t bother you with it. I just thought it was right to tell you in person. I’ll be at the motel in town if you need me.” She left and on her way she ran into Maria and Michael, who knew about everything that happened. Maria could clearly tell Liz was pregnant the girl was so tiny.

“Hi Maria, Michael.” Liz tried to drum up a smile, but it was useless. It was clear she was tortured with guilt. Maria felt bad, but what if Isabel was right? They really shouldn’t interfere.

“Hi Liz.” Both Michael and Maria said and then they stood there in total awkwardness not knowing what else to say to her. She looked so lost and broken.

“You guys haven’t seen Max have you?” Liz knew she was being desperate, but maybe they knew something…anything.

“No, I’m sorry we don’t know. He left a couple of months ago, and we haven’t heard from him. Have you tried talking to Isabel? Maybe she knows.” Maria honestly didn’t know where Max had gone. It was unforeseen that he would leave for as long as he had, but he said he needed time to reevaluate his decisions and his life. What was even more unnerving was that Michael and Max were best friends and he hadn’t called him either.

“I did, but she and Mrs. Evans said they didn’t know where he was and hadn’t heard from him.”

“I haven’t heard from him either Liz, sorry.” Michael looked at the petite girl and saw the pain and anguish etched across her face. He wished he knew more, but he only knew what Isabel had told him. He ,too, missed his best friend, but it seemed that Liz needed him more now than ever. He could easily tell she was pregnant, and although he knew Max wouldn’t be careless enough to get her pregnant on purpose, it was obvious to him that Liz was not lying, despite what Isabel had told him.

“Well. if you do could you tell him I’m looking for him? And that I’m staying at the motel in town.”

“We will, Liz.” Maria reached out and gave Liz a quick hug. “He’ll be back Liz.” Michael said reaching out a hand to her and squeezing her hand reassuringly.

At first glance, Liz was certain that they hated her, but now she knew better. They were in the dark just as much as she was. She just hoped that Max would return soon, because although she kept telling herself that she could raise this baby alone, she knew better. She loved Max and he deserved to be there every step of the way. But because she was so selfish, he might not get the chance.

Her walk to the motel wasn’t very far; she just hoped her things had arrived already. She had decided to ship her clothing and other person effects, not that she had that many. Liz knew that all the stress she was under wasn’t good for her or the baby, but she didn’t know where to begin. She had to make an appointment for the doctor next week. She hadn’t been to the doctor since she found out she was pregnant.

Liz wished that she had a better relationship with her mother, so she could ask her questions and ease some of her fears. That was wishful thinking because if her mother cared about her welfare, she would have asked her how she was feeling instead of looking at her with pure disgust that she had gotten pregnant in the first place.

When she reached the hotel, the manager advised her that her items had arrived and that someone would bring them upstairs to her room. Liz settled on her bed and closed her eyes. She couldn’t help but cry. She knew everyone including Max hated her, hell she hated herself for what she did to him…to them, but she didn’t think she deserved to be punished for one bad mistake, albeit a very big mistake.

Later that evening, she wasn’t feeling well, she was getting small craps in her stomach but brushed them off as being hungry, she decided that she really did need to start taking care of herself for her baby.

After eating a rather large dinner, she settled back into her room and thought about the serious prospect of Max never returning. It upset her to think about that being a real possibility, no matter how much faith she had. Things didn’t appear to be getting any better for her. She rolled onto her side and allowed a very stressful sleep consume her.

****

The next morning Liz decided to head over to the library. She had no idea how to raise a baby or be pregnant for that matter. She did manage to look up a local doctor, and had scheduled an appointment for the end of the week.

She knew she would need to find a job soon, but she did manage to save most her income while in Boston. When her boss hired her back, he provided her with an apartment, compliments of the company of course. Therefore, she had enough to sustain her for a few months, since she was given a huge bonus and salary increase when she returned.

After checking out some books, she stopped and grabbed a sandwich for lunch. She then retired to her room, and ate in silence, alone with her thoughts. Thoughts that always seemed to return back to Max. She missed him desperately. Liz closed her eyes, laid down on her bed and cried herself to sleep, ignoring the pain she felt in her back and legs.

****

Max tried to escape the suffocation that was surrounding him. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He still loved her, he still wanted her and it took all of his willpower not to go after her.

But how could he? He didn’t even know if she loved him, a big part of him knew that she had to, but the insecure sixteen-year-old inside told him it was just a dream. Max knew that even though he’s staying away, it was going to come down to him demanding an answer from her, something to tell him that he wasn’t completely wrong. That he was right in loving her and wanting to be with her. A person couldn’t just make up the feelings he felt being with her. He saw it in her eyes; he didn’t think she could fake those emotions.

Then again he never thought she would leave him. He was just as confused as he was weeks ago. It was time to go home. He packed his things, got in his car and decided he needed to start living again, no matter how much it hurt.

It only took him a couple of hours to reach his parents house. Max had been away from home for over four months. He left the same day Liz Parker walked out of his life after he told her he loved her. And he was sure she found the letter since she had to go home and pack but that didn’t stop her. He was a fool.

“Max! Honey you’re home.” Diane opened the front door and was pleasantly surprised to find her son standing on the other side of it.

“Yes mom I’m back for good.” He smiled weekly. He looked tired and warn but just as handsome to Diane.

“Max.”

“Isabel.” They hug and she took in his appearance. Isabel seriously contemplated telling Max about Liz, but decided that she should let him settle in first.

“Son, good to have you home.” Philip enters the room after hearing the commotion from his study. He wrapped his arms around his son as they settled further into the living room.

“It’s good to be home dad, how’s everyone?”

“We are all doing good. You’re father just got back to town last week.”

“Really, where were you?” Max asked just enjoying having people around him to talk to about mundane things.

“I was in Switzerland. It was for a new client at the firm, and I’ve been gone for about three months, so it’s good to be home. And it’s even better to have you home as well.” Philip smiled at his only son. Mrs. Evans soon interrupted them to have dinner.

“I think I need to head home and check some serious mail and messages. I know that my phones have probably been disconnected since I haven’t paid the bills since I left.” Max chuckled to himself. He would never be that irresponsible, but a broken heart does some crazy things to a person, he thought.

“Max.” Isabel called out to her brother as he reached his car.

“Yeah Iz?”

“Are you okay I mean with everything that happened with…” She knew he didn’t want to discuss it, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was being too harsh. As much as she was upset with Liz, after speaking with Michael and Maria she was reevaluating her choice to keep Max’s whereabouts a secret from Liz.

“Don’t Isabel, don’t say her name. And I don’t know if I’ll ever get past it but I’m trying okay?” Max said flatly. He honestly knew he would never get over Liz. After all these years she still held a place in his heart, as much as he tried to deny it to himself.

“Sure thing Max.” She knew she should tell him but decided that based on what her and her mother discussed it was best that he never see her again. She destroyed him the first time, if she was in deed pregnant with his child, and she left him they knew it would kill him.

Max arrived home shortly thereafter. It was cold and quite. Every room he walked into was filled with memories and voices. He was surrounded by her presence. That night he couldn’t even enter his bedroom, some of her things were still there, so he decided to sleep on the couch.

As he lay there in the middle of the night, he realized that every thought that passed through his mind was of her. Liz. He realized that after a few months that even though she would always be a part of him, he would just have to learn to live without her.

****

The next morning he had a loud knock on his door and when he stumbled to it he wasn’t surprised in the least to see his best friend standing on his porch.

“Michael.”

“How the hell have you been, Maxwell?” Michael entered the house and they both hugged each other briefly.

“I’m doing good.” Max shrugged and Michael seriously decided he wanted to tell Max about Liz. He knew that his friend was hurt and pissed off, but Liz was pregnant and he had no doubts that it was Max’s.

“Good. Look Max, can we talk?” Max nodded and gestured towards the couch. Just as they were settling down, Michael’s cell phone shrills to life.

“Hello?”

“Maria, I’m with Max right now, but I need to talk to him. What? Isabel…I know that, but it’s not your decision. No. I…” Michael was trying to get a word in between Isabel’s rant. She was telling him that he needed to wait to break the news to Max. He had just gotten home and he didn’t need the added stress. In those few moments Isabel managed to convince Michael to wait a day or two.

“What did she want?” Max asked. His eyebrows knitted in confusion.

“Nothing, look Max what are you doing this afternoon?” Michael hated it, but he knew that some of what Isabel told him was true. Max needed a little more time. Besides what could it hurt?

“I have to stop by the hospital to let them know I’m back and to get an updated schedule for the coming weeks, but after that I’m free.” Max smiled and it felt good to not have anything to do.

“Good. Because you’re sister wants you dressed and ready to go for lunch.” Max eyed his best friend suspiciously.

“I don’t know. So don’t ask. She’s your sister and when she has something brewing, you know that I’m the last one to know.”

“Right.”

As soon as the door closed, Michael sighed heavily. He really had no idea what Isabel was up to, but he was sure that he wouldn’t like it.

****

“Hey brother.” Isabel said giving Max a hug before stepping away.

“Hey. So what is this about?”

“About? I just wanted to have lunch with you. Oh! And Maria and Michael will be joining us as well as…” Isabel trailed off and looked at a figure approaching them from behind Max’s back.

“As well as? Who?” Max noticed Isabel’s gaze and he turned slightly to see a petite blonde approaching them. He let out a groan of displeasure and Isabel slapped him on the arm chastising him for his rudeness.

“Isabel…”

“Not now. Hi Tess! How are you?”

“I’m good. Thanks for having me.” Max finally turned and looked at the girl. She was pretty, but not his type. Tess reached out her hand to greet Max, “I’m Tess Harding, it’s nice to finally meet you. You’re sister has told me all about you.” Tess smiled brightly. She had only seen one picture of Max, and she determined that pictures didn’t do him justice.

“Nice to meet you, too.” Max tried to smile but it never reached his eyes. He knew was being set up and by his own sister.

Michael and Maria showed up shortly thereafter and they made their way to the restaurant for lunch. Michael had pulled Max to the side at one point and told him he had no idea that Isabel was trying to set him up. Max knew it was the truth and decided to just go with it.

Afterwards, Isabel excused herself, saying that she needed to meet with Alex to go over some plans. That didn’t upset Max, but Isabel’s next move did. She had all but insisted that Michael and Maria go over to the house to help as well. Strategically leaving Tess and Max alone together.

“My sister is anything but subtle.” Max smiled trying to make the best of the situation.

“I know. But thanks for staying.” Tess was finding it hard not to get lost in Max’s eyes. They were powerful and full of emotions. She decided to try and get to know him a little better.

“So Max how come a great guy like yourself doesn’t have a girlfriend?” They had been walking along joking about this and that. When she asked that question, Max couldn’t help but tense up.

“Max are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Tess saw how upset that question got Max and wished she’d kept her mouth shut.

“It’s okay. Really.” Max looks down at her and gives her a small reassuring smile.

“I think I should head back home.” Max said not trying to be rude but he needed some time alone. Tess however didn’t want it to end, so she asked Max if he wouldn’t mind getting some ice cream with her. She was really in the mood and didn’t want to eat it alone.

“Sure, sounds like a good idea.” Max smiled and followed Tess across the street. They get to talking and Tess asks him if he would want to go out with her the following week. That is when Max knew he needed to let her know where they stood.

“I can’t. I’m sorry but I can only give you friendship. So if you’re looking for something more, you aren’t going to get it from me. I’m not saying this to be mean; it’s just the truth. That’s all I can give.” Max finished as they took a seat on a nearby bench.

“It’s okay Max, I understand.” Tess took a seat beside him and decided to talk about something funny, that she and Isabel had done the week before. Soon after they fell into a conversation about how she ended up in Roswell.

****

Liz Parker had awoken from her afternoon nap in a panicked start. She had felt a pain shoot through her body swiftly and sharply. She thought she had slept wrong and after a few minutes the pain was gone. Liz decided she needed some fresh air.

A few minutes later a very pregnant Liz Parker was about a block from her hotel, when she rounded the corner and stopped dead in her tracks. She had to blink a few times just to be sure she wasn’t hallucinating. Just a few feet from her, she saw him…and a girl. They looked like they were having a good time and she felt like it was really over. He had moved on, moved past her.

Just as she was going to turn to leave she felt this intense pressure in her abdomen and doubled over in pain.

From the corner of his eyes Max saw someone standing staring. He turned and was stunned to see Liz, but before he had a chance to figure out if it was his imagination or not he saw her grimace in pain and double over holding her abdomen. He jumped off the bench and was in front of her in seconds.

“Liz, what’s wrong?” Max said somewhat panicked. He didn’t know what was wrong with her.

Liz felt like she would pass out from the pain she was feeling. Something was wrong and now Max who she had been searching for, for months was there…with someone else. Her heart broke at that moment.

“Max…” She looked up at him one last time before she fainted into his arms.


TBC…I posted a new part to Forever Was The Promise as well

A/N - I see, I have made you all take a better look at Liz, which just means I accomplished my mission. Which I am happy about

Frenchkiss70- Welcome back

Thea - Girl, you know I missed you. And to answer your question yes another story...I posted the summary on my Work By Author Page

Lastly, I want to thank all of you for reading and always supporting me. It means so much, especially when I post this next part. It took me a long time to write it. It was probably one of the hardest chapters I have written, as well as the one that follows this one. I'm still not happy with it, but due to the subject matter I couldn't work on it any longer.

Also, please keep in mind this is based on a Challenge, and therefore there are things that *must* happen in this story, which means this is the part that was left off the challenge...if you read it Regardless, I hope you enjoy


Chapter 13


Max paced the Emergency Room floor. He had picked her petite form up in his arms and carried her to his car. The hospital wasn’t that far away, but Liz was unconscious for the entire ride as well as when he brought her in. He didn’t know what was wrong with her and he hoped that someone would tell him soon.

He had wanted to go back and check on her himself, since he was a doctor after all but the nurses had insisted on letting someone else look at her. He felt sick. She was in so much pain that much he could tell before she passed out and the other thing that he could clearly tell was that she was pregnant. He quickly decided to call his parents and they were headed to the hospital as well.

“Max!”

Isabel and Diane rushed over to his side and embraced him, followed by Michael and Maria who happened to be over at the house.

“What happened honey?” Diane asked. She was feeling sick with guilt. If it was Max’s baby, which Michael and Maria were more than certain about, she knew her son would never forgive her. She didn’t even want to think about how upset her husband would be when he found out. They were all at the house discussing what to do about Liz and the pregnancy and when to tell Max, but it looked like they were too late.

“I don’t know I mean one second I see her the next thing she’s in pain and…” Max was trying not to breakdown. What if…

“Dr. Evans.”

“Yes. Patricia how is she?” Max turned and the nurse could see the anguish and helplessness etched across his face, she wished she had better news to deliver though.

“Liz has awakened…”

“Thank G…”

“She’s in labor.”

“Labor? But she doesn’t look more than a few months.” Max was confused. This was not happening, not now.

“That’s right according to our calculations she appears to be about 18 weeks. I’m sorry.” Max took a step back he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think. The only thing he knew was that Liz was pregnant with his baby and she was in very premature labor. And being doctor he knew the chances of the baby’s survival weren’t good since she was apparently having severe pain.

But he remained hopeful.

“I need to see her right now!” He said through clenched teeth. He should have been there for her; he should have never disappeared for months. She was probably looking for him and he…he couldn’t think about that. Liz needed him.

“Just a minute, I will send Cynthia out and she will take you to her room.” Max just nodded and told her to hurry. He wanted to burst through those doors but he knew he would be making their jobs more difficult.

“Honey, I’m so sorry.” Diane hugged her only son and watched him as he walked through the metal doors leading to Liz.

Max tentatively walked into the room and could see Liz in total discomfort and tears.

“Liz.” She turned her teary eyes towards him.

“M-Max.” He was by her side in an instant. He brushed her hair away from her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. He then leaned back and looked into her painful and worried eyes. He wanted to tell her everything was okay, but that wasn’t the case. He had already talked to the doctors who explained that the baby’s heartbeat had stopped and that her body was in labor from the miscarriage and there was nothing anyone could do.

He wanted to yell and scream for them to make it better, but he knew it was impossible. Their baby was gone. And the hardest part was still to come though.

“It’s okay Liz I’m here, I’ll never leave you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead once again. He sat on the bed next to her and pulled her ever so slightly against his chest as they cried together.

“What’s happening?” Liz said when she calmed down enough to speak. She was so thankful that Max was there with her. Max pulled away to regard her; he swiped her tears away before telling her.

“The baby Liz. The heart stopped and I’m sorry baby, it didn’t make it.” He saw her face crumble and it was enough for him to feel his heart break into a million pieces.

“No! NO! Max it…it can’t be! Don’t tell me that! I just found you again…it can’t be over. My baby is not dead!” Liz broke down into harsh sobs that racked her tiny body, she was so overwhelmed, and Max just wrapped his arms around her tightly willing this nightmare to be over.

“I’m so sorry Liz. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.” Max said, his voice hoarse from trying to be strong for her, but it hurt like hell. Why was this happening? Why now?

Shortly thereafter, two doctors entered the room and explained what needed to be done. Liz resisted, she yelled and screamed. She didn’t want anyone touching her. She didn’t want anyone taking away her baby. Max had asked for the doctors to leave for just a moment, so that he could calm her down.

“Liz. Liz you need to calm down.”

“No! Don’t you see Max? They want to take away our baby. I won’t let them!” Liz was in extreme pain but she refused any drugs, saying it would hurt the baby. She knew it was true. She knew that her baby was gone, but she just couldn’t let go. Not yet.

Max couldn’t help the tears that spilled forth. He was hurting as much as she was, but if she didn’t cooperate then they would sedate her. And he didn’t want that. “Liz, you have to listen to me. If you don’t calm down they are going to tie you down and give you drugs to…”

“I don’t want them! They can’t give them to me if I don’t want them!”

“Yes, Liz they can. If they don’t get the baby out…Liz please. I need you to do this for me. Please.” Max whispered softly in her ear while holding her tightly. He felt her relax in his arms and nod gently.

The doctors entered the room after they had heard the commotion die down. They explained that she would have to deliver the baby, she was fully dilated and it was the best way. Liz cried through the entire procedure, but Max never left her side and for that she was eternally grateful for.

They removed her baby and she caught a glimpse. At that moment, she needed to see her baby. She needed to hold her baby. She turned to Max and squeezed his hand. Max looked down at her and wondered what she wanted, and then he saw the look on her face.

“Wait!” Max halted the doctors.

“Can she…can we see the baby?” Max asked trying to not break down completely. Liz needed him and he would be there for her.

The doctors looked at one another and then at Liz who was reaching out for her baby, and they decided that it was the least they could do.

They wrapped the baby in as small of a blanket as they could find and placed the tiny, still form in its mother’s arms. Liz looked down and cried harder than she ever thought she could. She felt like she was splitting in two. Max couldn’t control the harsh sobs that took over his body. He watched as Liz asked the doctor’s if it was a boy or a girl.

“It’s a girl.” They would have had a beautiful baby. A little piece of her and a little piece of Max, pure perfection, she thought. Liz knew she had to let go, but she looked up at Max and she could tell he needed something from her.

“Max?” He was somewhat startled.

“I want to name her Liz.” Max swiped the tears from his eyes. His daughter, she would have been perfect, he thought. He reached out a shaky hand and brushed his thumb across her cold forehead and then down her cheek. His shoulders began to shake once again, but then he heard Liz’s voice.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way Max. She deserves a name.” Liz smiled through her tears and waited for Max’s response. He let out a harsh breath and kissed Liz’s lips softly, not wanting to pull away.

“Okay. How about Carisa?” Liz said looking down at her daughter.

“I like that. And what about A-Angel for her middle name?” Max asked still staring at his lifeless daughter. She would never get to walk, or talk or smile. She never had a chance and he felt like it was his fault. In though, in reality he knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault.

“I love it Max. It’s a beautiful name. Carisa Angel Evans.” Liz looked up at Max and smiled. Yes, that was a perfect name for their baby.

“I feel empty Max.” Liz said in a small whispered voice as she placed her tiny hand over the place where their baby used to lay. Shortly they wheeled her into recovery. Max had yet to leave her side, and if he had it his way, he never would.

“I know baby, I’m so sorry. I wish I was here…I wish that I could have done something.” Max said letting his tears fall freely. She moved slightly allowing him room to lie down beside her.

“She would have been so beautiful and smart. I know it.” Liz smiled despite her pain. He looked up at her and swiped away her tears, then wrapped his arms around her.

“Yes she would have Liz.” Max said feeling just as empty inside but knew that what she just experienced had to be more traumatic; it was her body after all.

****

They laid there for about an hour without a word passing between them. They needed this time to grief.

“When did you get back?” His only thought to her question was that she had been looking for him and he just felt worse.

“I got back a couple of days ago. I’m so sorry Liz, I didn’t know.” She stiffened in his arms. How could he not know? She had practically begged his family and friends to tell him she was looking for him. Max felt her uneasiness and looked up at her but she just turned her face and let the fresh tears slip from her eyes.

“What? Liz, tell me.” Max raised himself on his elbow and pleaded with her gently to tell him what was wrong.

“I came back after a month to talk to you, but you were gone. And I went to your parent’s house and Isabel told me she didn’t know where you were. W-when I found out I was pregnant I called your Mom and Isabel and told them…” She finished with her bottom lip trembling.

“You told them what Liz, that you were looking for me?” It had to be that; because there was no way in hell they didn’t tell him that Liz was pregnant. Max was feeling the bile rise to his throat. Not his mother and sister, it had to be a mistake.

“That I was pregnant.” She looked at him and broke down once again. Max felt disgusted. His own family kept this from him. He couldn’t believe it, but he also knew that Liz was not lying. He wrapped his arms around her and told her that he would be back in a few minutes. It was time he found out the truth.

“Do you want anything Liz?” She just shook her head and he covered her body with the blanket, and placed a kiss on her lips before walking out of the room.

****

“Is she okay Max?” Isabel asked her brother the second he entered the waiting room. But he didn’t stop to talk. Instead he asked them all to step outside with him. They all followed not knowing what was going on.

“She had to deliver our baby. The…heartbeat stopped, they don’t know when and she went into premature delivery. We had a girl. Her name was Carisa Angel Evans.” He finished sadly trying keep his emotions in check.

“Honey I…” Diane started but Max was quick to cut her off. Philip on the other hand was completely confused, as well as Alex.

“I don’t want your sympathy. In fact I don’t want a damn thing from any of you! You knew she was pregnant?! I can’t believe it! She was looking for me and you knew where you could find me and you just let her suffer! I don’t understand!” Max roared out at his mother and sister.

“Max we didn’t know for sure if it was yours or not I mean she did leave you and…” Diane tried to calm her son down, but knew it was useless.

“No! You will not put this on her! This is your fault, she was probably begging you to get in touch with me when she found out she was pregnant and you just turned her way. I can’t believe that my own family and friends would do that. You know how I feel about her…”

“But you left and when you came back you said you didn’t want to hear about…” Isabel tried to explain weakly.

“Bullshit Isabel! All you had to say is that she’s pregnant, that would have been enough! So don’t give me that story. This was important, she is important and you just left her alone! I don’t know you…I don’t know any of you.” He finished looking completely disgusted by the entire situation.

“Max, I’m sorry I was going to tell you tomorrow. But I should have done it sooner…I…” Michael couldn’t help the tears that welt up in his eyes. He should have listened to his instincts. Max could tell that his friend was being sincere, and if he knew better he knew that his sister’s phone call had a lot to do with it.

“I know Michael. In fact I can tell by the shocked faces I see, from you, Alex, Maria and my dad, that the only two that were very involved in the divulging of information regarding Liz, were my sister and my mother. So I appreciate you guys for being here, but it would be best if you left.” Max finished flatly. He just wanted to get back to Liz.

“Max, please just listen…” Diane pleaded with her son. Max just turned around and looked at his mother and sister, pinning them with a cold stare and asked, “Did you listen to Liz?”

With that he left them outside the hospital as he made his way back to the most important person in his life.


TBC…

A/N - I just want to reiterate what I have already said. I know some of you think it was cruel or mean to have the baby die. But I will just state for the record it was part of the challenge, and probably the main reason why I chose to write this challenge. In any event, I do hope this part helps and I'm glad you are enjoying this.

I will also just like to say to those of you that have already begun nominating and have nominated this story, thank you it means so much to me, as this was a very difficult one for me to write. Now...onto the good stuff


Chapter 14


One Month Later


“Liz do you want something to eat?” Max asked for the third time that day. It was still hard for him. However, he had taken all his time worrying about Liz. Which left no time for him to think about how he felt.

“Yes. I am kind of hungry.” Liz said from the couch. She wished that she didn’t feel like crying every five minutes. She wished the pain of the loss went away already. More than anything, she wished she didn’t let Max down. He was doing his best to help her, and she knew it, but she also knew she didn’t deserve it.

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Max walked into the kitchen to prepare some dinner. Which only left Liz with her thoughts. She was still upset from seeing her parents earlier that day. She received a hug from her mother and father as well as a lecture. Max became so furious that he threw the both of them out, something Liz was very grateful for. They had basically told her that she didn’t take care of herself, that she should have gone to the doctors right away when she felt any pain or discomfort. As upset as Liz was with her parents, she knew they were right. She was so busy trying to find Max that she never stopped to think that she was hurting her baby.

“Here you go.” Max said as he entered the living room with a bowl of soup and crackers for Liz. Lately she hadn’t been able to keep anything down, he knew it was from depression, but he hoped that she would one day return to him. He just wished he knew what he could do to help her. He held her every night and during the day, he would make sure Maria came over to keep her company.

After talking with both Michael and Maria, he understood their reasons for not telling him, and was granted comfort in knowing had none of this happened he would have found out the following day regardless. His sister and mother on the other hand had tried to contact him several times, but finally gave up when he told them that he wasn’t ready and didn’t know if he would ever be ready to speak to them again. Max had spoken to his father, as well as invited him over. Max needed him, he felt so confused and lost, but in speaking with his father he came to realize that it was time for Max to decide what he wanted from life.

And if it was indeed Liz, then he needed to do what was best for the both of them, no matter whom he hurt in the end. Philip explained to his son, that although he was angry with his mother and sister, they still loved him, even though they were wrong. But that one day, he would find it in his heart to forgive, but right now it was all still too raw. Max knew he was right, but he wasn’t ready and to be honest he couldn’t foresee a time when he would be.

“Max.” Liz snapped Max from his thoughts.

“Yes.”

“I…I want to leave, Max.” Liz said ducking her head. She was afraid that he wouldn’t want to go with her. That he still hated her. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about that night she left him, or about how she felt.

“Leave?” She wanted to leave him…again? Max knew he wouldn’t be able to bear being without her again.

“Yes. I want to move away, Max. I need out of this town for a little while at least. Will you…will you come with me?” Liz looked up into his eyes and waited with baited breath for his answer.

“Of course I will, Liz. I told you I would never leave you again and I meant it.” Max smiled and pulled her into his embrace. They sat in silence for a little while longer, until Max felt Liz relax against him, and her breathing slow down. He knew she was asleep and so he carried her into his bedroom and watched her as she slept.

****

It took a few months for Max to transfer to another hospital affiliate. He needed to work, and Liz needed out of Roswell. They both decided on Michigan. Max was able to put in transfer papers and all they had to do was wait until the hospital was ready.

They were finally settled in, and Liz had taken her time to decorate the house her and Max had picked out. She was grateful for the reprieve. She was so busy most days, that she didn’t have time to think about anything but what she had to get done.

Max had arrived from a very long shift at the hospital only to find Liz in the bathroom. “Liz are you okay?” Max asked when he entered their bathroom to find Liz throwing up.

“Yes. I just don’t feel good, Max. I don’t think I’ll ever feel better. I just want the pain to stop. I want it to stop hurting so much. I just feel broken and…I don’t know how to fix it.” Liz cried to him brokenly and Max kneeled down and pulled her into his lap.

“Shh, it’s okay, Liz. It’s going to hurt for a long time but it will get better. You’ll never forget but it will get better. I promise.” Max tried to reassure her. He hated seeing her so broken. Now that the house was completed he knew that she had more time on her hands to think things over.

He carried her to their bed and rocked her to sleep as he did most days. Max was beginning to think that he had lost her. He suggested they go to therapy but Liz refused to talk about her baby with anyone. She didn’t want people forming opinions about her that didn’t even know her. Max was beginning to think that he would never see her smile again.

He closed his eyes and prayed to whoever was listening, to help her. To bring her back to him because he needed her more than she knew.

****

One night a few weeks later…

“It’s my fault you know.” Liz said pulling out of Max’s embrace. She missed being intimate with him and she was sorry that all she could give him was a kiss here and there, bundled with a hug.

“What? No Liz, these things happen. Unfortunately too often but it wasn’t your fault.” Max pulled her back to him and held her firmly against his body. He wouldn’t let her blame herself.

“Yes it was. I was being punished.” Liz whispered into his chest.

“Punished for what?” Max looked at her confused. Surely she didn’t believe that.

“For hurting you, for choosing my stupid career over your love and I’m sorry I lost our baby.”

“Liz it’s not your fault! The baby’s heartbeat stopped Liz; no one can control that, only God baby. There was nothing you could have done.” He knew it was falling on deaf ears. She wasn’t ready to accept the fact that it wasn’t her fault

“That’s where you’re wrong. I was a bad person Max, I should have treated you better, I should have told you that I loved you and…”

“What did you just say?” Max looked down at her in disbelief.

“That I love you, Max. That I think I always loved you, but I just didn’t think I knew how to love you. I know it sounds weird but after a month away from you I realized what a mistake I made, and I came back. I realized on my way to Roswell, that I loved you more than I thought possible. But when I got back you were gone and then…I found out I was pregnant and I knew I needed to find you. And when I did you were with that other girl and…”

“Liz, what other girl?”

“The blonde girl.” Max was wracking his brain trying to figure out who Liz was talking about and then it dawned on him.

“Tess? No, Liz she and I are only friends. In fact that day you saw us was the first time I even met her. There is only one person I want to be with, only one person I love and will ever love and that’s you Liz.” Max willed her to look at him, and when she did he was hit with her teary gaze.

“Why Max? Why love me? I don’t deserve it.” Her chin trembled slightly; she was trying not to break down. She was trying to believe that what he was telling her was the truth. That he would always love her.

“Liz, you deserve so much more than this world has given you. I want to give everything you deserve, but I need you Liz. I know you’re in there…I just wish I could help you. More importantly I wish that I could take your pain away. I love you more than you could even imagine and I want to give you the world. I want to show you all this life has to offer, will you let me Liz? Will you let me love you again?” Liz closed her eyes and took in a ragged breath. He still loved her just as passionately as he did before, if not more and she knew it. She felt it in her heart and at that moment, she decided to let a little of her pain go.

“Yes Max. I love you.” Max smiled and leaned down for a soft kiss. “I love you too.” Liz smiled and pulled him down against her for another kiss, one that was filled with all the love she had for him.

****

“Max do you have to go?” Liz called out from the hallway to Max.

“Yes. But I’ll be back around eight. I don’t want to go you know that right?” Max asked kissing her lips softly. He longed to touch her but she still wasn’t ready and he understood.

“I know. I love you.” Liz rose up on her tiptoes to receive Max’s kiss. She then decided that she missed his caresses. So making the first move; she reached her hands around his waist and pulled him closer. Max was shocked to say the least but welcomed the feel of her body pressed against his.

“Liz…” Max moaned out softly as he dropped his briefcase to the floor and lifted her in his arms. He began to ravish her lips and neck; he couldn’t get enough of her. Liz let out a soft whimper, as she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and tried to pull him even closer.

Max was becoming consumed with her scent and her soft whimpers. He carried her to the couch and laid her down before resting his body against hers. Max then felt Liz reach around his back and slide her hands up the back of his shirt. Without breaking the kiss he moaned into her mouth and then he felt her grinding her body against his.

Liz didn’t know where the desire came from; maybe it was because he had been so patient with her. He never pushed her on the subject of being intimate again, but seeing him leave this morning, she didn’t want him leaving without knowing that she still wanted him. And that she was broken but she was still there with him.

Max moved his hands to her waist, trying to bring her that much closer. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest; he wanted her like he wanted his next breath. He tore his lips from hers and trailed his tongue down her neck and when he reached the soft swell of her breast he looked up at her, he didn’t want her doing something she wasn’t ready for.

Liz gave him her silent confirmation that she was ready. Max kissed her lips once again, and rose to his feet, taking her with him.

“Not here Liz.” Liz nodded and allowed Max to carry her to their bedroom. He gently placed her on the bed and slowly began to remove her clothing. He sucked in a breath when he saw her completely exposed to him; it felt like a lifetime since he last saw her that way.

Liz reached out her arms to him, and he quickly fell into her embrace. Max began to assault her once again with wet open-mouthed kisses, and then covered her breasts with his hands. He caressed them gently and was rewarded with a strangled moan escaping past her swollen lips. She couldn’t take it much longer; she reached down between them and helped him out of his pants and then his shirt. Finally, he was completed naked and she wanted to feel his body join hers, she wanted to feel complete again.

“Liz, are you sure? I…I love you.” Max said and sealed their lips once again, and then he felt Liz reach between them once again, and guide him into her welcoming body.

“I love you, Max. I love you so much…make love to me.” Liz whispered out right before she felt Max push through and seal their bodies.

He moved within her gently, not wanting to hurt her but soon she was moaning his name and begging him to go faster…deeper. Never one to let her down he did as she wished, and soon they found themselves reaching their end. They whispered promises of forever as they went over the edge together. In the aftermath of their love making, they held each other as a lifeline.

“Don’t go.” Liz begged softly as Max extracted himself from her arms. He didn’t want to leave but he needed to work.

“I don’t want to you know that right?” Liz just nodded. She needed him today, she didn’t know why. She just knew it would just get worse if he left.

“I love you baby. I’ll call you in a few hours.” Max smiled and kissed her lips softly. He hated leaving her.

“Love you too.” Liz laid back in the bed after Max left and fell asleep.

****

Liz woke up a few hours later and decided she needed a shower. As she reached into the tub to turn on the water, she decided she’d like a bubble bath better. She filled the tub up with warm water and disrobed.

She walked into the kitchen to get a knife, since she couldn’t get the plastic off of the bubble bath. She walked back into the bedroom crossing to the other side and entered the bathroom. The water was filling up nicely and Liz turned to grab the bottle of bubble bath, when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.

She had a smile on her face. She had almost forgotten what it was like to see one. Liz then made the mistake of looking down further; she rested her hands on her abdomen and took in a deep breath. She willed the tears not to fall. This was a good day, she thought.

Reaching for the bubble bath, she placed the knife on the counter and then she changed her mind. Instead she reached for the knife and then turned back to the bathtub, thinking maybe that would be better.

Liz settled into the bathtub, knife in hand and closed her eyes as she ran her fingers down the sharp edge of the knife. Without realizing what she was doing, she had begun to run the knife across her wrist once…twice, until the third time she drew blood. She opened her eyes and began to cry. She didn’t want that. But she also didn’t want to feel empty inside, she couldn’t remember the last time she didn’t feel empty.

She rested her head against the back of the tub and then it hit her like a ton of bricks. This morning. It was this morning with Max that she didn’t feel empty. He loved her with his whole heart and body as did she, and she didn’t feel empty. All this time she was searching for something that she already had.

Before she had a chance to put the knife down, Max stormed into the bathroom and pulled the knife from her hand. He kneeled down beside her and was in total and complete panic. What was she doing?!

“I…I didn’t mean it Max…I just needed to do it.” She was not explaining herself correctly because at that moment he was lifting her out of the tub and pulling her robe over her shoulders.

“You needed to do it? Are you crazy?! Liz…I need you.” Max cried out, he didn’t know what to think when he walked into the house. He tried calling her a few times, but she didn’t answer that’s when he started to worry. Then he came home to find her with a knife in hand and blood dripping down her wrist? He couldn’t loose her. They had a good day…what happened?

“I…I felt alone and afraid. I wasn’t thinking right Max. I started to get depressed and after I did it…” Liz was trying to form the right words as Max carefully bandaged her wrist. It was just a flesh wound, was all he could think.

“Why? You said you loved me? Why would you want to leave me?” Max begged her with tears in his eyes.

“I smiled today, Max. I was happy today Max…and I felt guilty. I thought that I wasn’t allowed to be happy, that I wasn’t allowed to move on. But I am Max, and I can. I just didn’t realize that I had my reason for living, for moving on until that moment the blade pierced my skin.”

“What? Liz I don’t…” He didn’t understand what she was saying; he was trying hard to listen but all he could think about was; what if he lost her? What would he do then?

“You. It was you all along. You make me complete. You make me feel whole but most importantly you make me so incredibly happy. I’ll never leave you Max…never.” Max pulled her into his arms and cried into her chest. A weight he didn’t know existed lifted from his shoulders and he let everything he was holding in go.

“I’m sorry Max.” Max just stood there in her arms crying and listening to what she had to say.

“I was searching for myself for so long. And this morning being with you I realized I found it. See Max, I know now that I will never forget Carisa, but she’s gone and I can’t have her back no matter how much I wish it. But I have you and that’s more than I could have ever hoped for. I’m sorry for a lot of things Max, but most of all I’m sorry for not realizing sooner that this has happened to you too. I got so lost that I failed to realize that I didn’t just loose our daughter, but you did too and you deserve your time to grief. I want you to know that you can talk about it with me. I want you to. I want to remember her, but I have to let her go.” Liz let her tears slide down her cheeks as she waited for Max’s response.

Max swiped the tears from his eyes and framed her face with his hands. “I wish things turned out different. I wish that she didn’t die more than anything in this world. I have to wonder if it was meant to be. That maybe we wouldn’t be where we are right now if it didn’t happen. Finding out that I was going to be a father and then in that same breath that I was losing my child was enough for me to feel like I was breaking in half. I wanted…no I needed to do something, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t help you…and I couldn’t help her. I couldn’t…I….” Max broke down once again. He hadn’t realized he was holding all of that in. Liz’s pain and his guilt was the glue keeping him together. But once she let it all out, he realized that he didn’t have to hide his feelings from Liz any longer and it was such a relief. He could breath again and it felt incredible.

Liz placed her finger on his lips, halting his words. She knew exactly what he was feeling. “I know Max. But this isn’t the end of us. It’s only the beginning.” Liz smiled and Max leaned in and sealed his lips with hers.

“Forever Liz, this is forever.” Max smiled against her lips before sealing their lips once again.


TBC…

A/N - So I decided to post these two parts together, since the first one is kind of short. I'm sad to say that this story has only one more part and then it's over Hope you like these two parts


Chapter 15 a

Six Months Later

Max decided that it was time that he spoke to his mother and sister. He and Liz were doing very good and tonight they were going to celebrate their six-month anniversary, again. He only hoped this one would turn out better than the last, but he knew it would, so he wasn’t that worried.

“Hello…yes mom it’s me. I’m fine. Yes Liz is fine too. Mom I was wondering if it would be possible for you and Isabel to come up here in a couple of weeks?” Max waited for his mother to stop crying and apologizing. He and Liz had been having long talks about what he would do about Isabel and his mother, as well as what she would do about her parents. They both decided it would be better for everyone, if they got their explanations for everyone involved at the same time.

“That’s good mom. Okay…yes…okay…bye.” Max hung the phone up with a heavy sigh. He did miss his mother and sister, but he was still not ready to forgive.

“What did she say?” Liz said as she shuffled into the living room and took a seat beside Max. She was still groggy from her nap.

“She said that she missed me. That she was sorry for what she did to both of us, but especially you. And that she would call me after she spoke to Isabel to find out when they could make it down here.” Max smiled and pulled Liz into his arms. He kissed the top of her head and asked if she had a good nap.

“Yes. Now I’m ready to celebrate, Max!” Liz said as she jumped into his lap and kissed his lips hungrily.

“Good! Let’s get dressed because, Ms. Parker I have a surprise for you.” Liz was so happy, it took a long time and some days were better than others but today, nothing would ruin today.

“Me too!”

“You too? What do you have for me?” Liz smiled devilishly and kissed the tip of his nose while lifting off his lap.

“That is for me to know, Mr. Evans and for you to find out.”

“You are so bad.” Max ran after her into the bedroom.

“I know, but you love it don’t you?” Liz said as she removed her clothing and turned on the shower.

“Oh yeah, Liz. I love everything about you.” Max smiled and kissed her lips as she stepped into the shower.

****

“It’s so beautiful here, Max. I love it!” Liz kissed his lips before they entered the Botanical Gardens. She had passed by it several times but never had the chance to go inside. Max took her by the hand and led her to the second floor restaurant terrace. When they reached the glass doors, Max opened them and let Liz’s hand go. He then heard Liz’s small gasp beside him.

“Oh my G…” Liz was speechless. It was lit in colorful candles and there was a white blanket covered in red rose petals in the center of the dining room area.

“Happy Anniversary, Liz.” Max smiled and pulled her against his body for a sweet kiss.

“Happy Anniversary, baby.” Liz was so overwhelmed. She just couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have him in her life.

Max pulled her to the blanket and kissed her hands before telling her to stand in the center of it.

“Close your eyes, Liz.” She did as he requested but she couldn’t help the pounding in her chest. She almost blurted out her surprise, she was THAT excited.

Max took a deep breath and smiled. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw the excitement etched across her face. It was written all over her face, even with her eyes closed. He reached into his pocket and then asked her to open her eyes. She did so willingly and couldn’t help but begin to cry as she watched what he did next.

“Don’t cry, Liz. This is a good thing.” Max smiled as he lowered himself to one knee. He was nervous, not because he thought she might reject him, but because he knew she would accept it. It was something he dreamed about for so long, and now it was going to become a reality.

“Liz Parker, what can I say that I haven’t said to you a thousand times? That is what I’ve been thinking about for the last few months. And I realized that there was only one thing I could say to you above anything else. And that is, thank you. Thank you for trusting me, for loving me and for not giving up on us. You have had my heart since I could remember and everything that we have been through, all the pain was for a reason. And that reason is this moment. I could never love anyone the way I love you, and I never will. I can say that with confidence because my heart belongs to you, it will always belong to you.” Max smiled and he reached up and swiped the tears from his beautiful girlfriend’s eyes.

“Liz Parker, will you marry me?” Max said and he didn’t have to wait long for the answer. Because as soon as the question left his mouth, Liz yelled, “Yes! Yes Max! Yes!” He quickly placed the ring on her finger and lifted her into his arms, kissing her breathless.

They sat and had dinner shortly thereafter. They nibbled on fresh fruit for dessert as Max cradled her against his body. “Are you happy?” Max whispered his question into her ear. “Yes, so happy, Max.” Liz smiled up at Max and placed a kiss on his neck.

“So what was my surprise?” Max asked as he gently stroked her arm and placed a kiss on her shoulder.

Liz turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes and waited for their eyes to connect. She then rose to her feet and smiled, she asked that he follow her. Max was confused but he would follow her anywhere.

Liz led him to the balcony overlooking the gardens and took a deep breath before she turned her attention back to him. She reached out and intertwined their hands and smiled up at him.

“I have a surprise for you, Max. And I hope you’ll be happy about it.”

“If it’s from you Liz, I could never not be happy.”

“Actually it’s a gift, Max. It’s a gift from you and it’s a gift from me.” Liz smiled and waited until the realization of her words hit him. And when it did she saw his entire face light up even more than it had when she accepted his proposal.

“We’re going to have a baby?!” Max could tell from her face that he guessed right, but he needed to hear her say it.

“Yes.” Liz couldn’t help but let a soft sob out. She was happy, but a part of her was terrified, what if…

“Don’t. Liz, don’t do it. Let’s just take it one day at a time and be thankful for what we have and how far we have come.” Max sealed his lips with hers and wrapped his arms around her. He loved this woman more than any words could express.

“One day at a time. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Liz was amazed that he knew her that well. She realized how blessed she really was.

They made their way home that night and held each other until they fell asleep. They both said a silent prayer that things would turn out for the better this time around. But they had faith, that it would and that is what allowed them to be happy. Truly and completely happy.


Chapter 15 b

Today was the big day. The Evans and the Parkers were arriving and Liz was on edge. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to see her parents. Max was more concerned with Liz’s health than anything else. So far everything with the pregnancy was going smoothly, but he didn’t want her stressed at all. Therefore, should the occasion arise he would have no qualms about kicking them out of his house once again.

“Are you okay, Liz? Because if you’re not, I’ll tell them they can’t stay.” Max asked as he pulled Liz into a tight embrace.

“No. Max, I’m fine.” Liz reassured him but when she heard the doorbell ring she jumped slightly.

“Max.”

“It’s okay. How about you go take a nap, Liz? I’ll come get you in a little while. There are some things that I need to deal with and I don’t want to upset you. I want them to be calm and more importantly, I want to be calm when you see them again. Okay?” Max really didn’t want Liz to be witness to some of the harsh words that he knew would pass between them. And hoped that she realized he was doing it for her.

“I love that idea. You are just so smart. I guess that’s why I agreed to marry you.” Liz smiled and slapped his backside as she left the room.

“Oh I’m so lucky!” Max yelled out and then heard Liz’s muffled voice down the hall, “You bet your ass you’re lucky!” He had to laugh at her comments; she was so adorable when she flirted with him that way.

With a deep sigh he opened the front door to reveal not only his parents and Liz’s but Michael, Maria, Alex and Isabel as well.

“Maxwell!” Michael was the first one to approach Max and pulled him into a hug. They talked almost daily but it was different than being used to seeing someone everyday.

“Michael how was the trip?”

“Oh you know, Maria nagging about this and that. And then she couldn’t decide what to get Liz so that took all of yesterday for her to finally decide.” Maria brushed passed Michael and planted a big kiss on Max’s cheek. Max was very happy to see the both of them, and he knew that Liz would be very happy to see them as well.

“Dad!” Max and his father had their reunion while still on the doorstep. That was when Max realized they were still standing there with the door wide open. He invited them all inside and straight into the backyard. That way they would be far enough from Liz over hearing anything that might upset her.

“Mom, how are you?” Diane tried to bite back the tears in her throat and regarded her son with a smile.

“I’m good honey. How are you? How’s Liz?” Max smiled when his mother mentioned Liz. So far the only ones that knew she was pregnant were Maria and Michael.

“She’s doing great! She’s taking a nap right now, so I thought it would be best if we sat outside to talk.”

“Max, it’s good to see you.” Nancy smiled despite her disappointment of not seeing her daughter right away.

“You too, Nancy.” Max then turned to Liz’s father, whom he expected to completely disregard him. Much to Max’s shock Jeff pulled Max into a quick hug and thanked him.

“For what?” Max was confused.

“We know about…about what she did. I know you didn’t want us to know and we can’ t tell you how sorry we are that we pushed her. We love her, and we want a chance to know her.” Max smiled; this was a good thing, he thought, a very good thing.

“You don’t have to thank me. I love her and I would do anything for her. Now, I know that all of you don’t have to be here right now to witness this next conversation. So I would ask that if at all possible, could you please go back into the house. Liz has set up trays of food and there are plenty of drinks and the television has a gazillion channels, because even though she can’t watch them all, Liz feels security in knowing they are there.” Max said seriously, and because they couldn’t help it, they all burst out laughing.

“Got it, Max.” Michael said as he led Maria and Alex into the house.

After they left Max turned back to the remaining few and addressed Liz’s parents first. “I know you have questions about Liz and I’m very happy about that, but you have to let her come to you. She has spent her whole life trying to do everything you wanted her to do, to make you proud. But she’s different, the entire experience changed her, for the better I’m happy to say. But if you so much as insult the color shirt she is wearing I will not hesitate to throw you out of our house, and should you ever think of contacting her again I will take her away and you will never see her again. This is not a threat, but if you take it that way, then that’s up to you. I am simply telling you what I WILL do.” Max stated firmly to Liz’s parents. They weren’t the least bit upset or taken aback by what Max had to say, he was simply looking out for their daughter, something they realized they should have been doing as her parents.

“We understand, Max. And we won’t do…”

“Good. Thank you.” Max smiled and told them that there wasn’t anything left for him to say to them, but they could stay should they choose. Jeff and Nancy decided that they needed to speak to their daughter, and would wait patiently until she was ready. They excused themselves and entered the house.

“Mom…Dad. I love you both. I really do. Mom, I’ve missed you so much. It’s taken me so long to get past the hurt and betrayal. Liz has helped me understand that you didn’t set out to hurt me, or her for that matter. You were simply trying to protect me, and in doing so you almost destroyed my heart.”

“Max…I…”

“No, Mom let me finish. Like I was saying, you almost destroyed my heart. Not this one.” Max pointed to his chest and then looked at his mother once again. “Liz. She is my heart. If I lost her I don’t know what I would do. And I would do anything for her, even if it meant never talking to you, or seeing you again. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s the way I feel. I love you Mom and I know we will get past this, but I don’t trust you with Liz and I don’t trust you with my feelings. I hope that one day that will change, but right now I have to be this way.” Diane nodded. She understood what Max was saying. After all wasn’t that what she was doing when she kept secrets from him? She was trying to protect him the best way she knew how. Although, she now knew that it was the worst thing she could have ever done. She could have approached the situation completely different, but that was her choice and now she had to live with it. She wanted a chance to prove to her son that she had learned from her mistakes.

“I know. I love you too, Max. I never stopped, I hope you know that.” Diane stood before her son, and wrapped her arms around him. She cried when she felt him raise his arms around her embracing her. “I know, Mom.”

They were alone. He finished with everyone first, leaving her for last. It was on purpose. Not to be cruel, but because he wasn’t so sure that he had forgiven her yet. He tried, Liz had even tried to get him to see it from all sides, but he couldn’t. Now as he stood before her, he knew he didn’t. And he couldn’t lie. But he also didn’t know what to say. He felt drained.

“Max. I don’t know what to say. I know…I can tell when you look at me that you don’t forgive me.”

“I don’t.” Max said flatly.

“My behavior was inexcusable and I will never forgive myself. I could never in this lifetime or the next take back the damage I’ve done to you and to Liz. I’m sorry you lost your baby Max. I’m so s-sorry it was my fault.” Isabel cried out and fell to her knees overcome with sobs. Max felt pity, but not enough to go to her. This was his sister, he trusted her with his deepest, darkest secrets and she just used them against him and against Liz. And she abused his trust.

“When she came to you begging to get in touch with me you did nothing. How could you do that?! You knew I loved her and it was my choice to figure out if she was lying or not!” Max yelled out. He couldn’t contain the fury building deep inside of him.

“You’re my sister! I would have done anything for you! How could you hate her so much? All she ever did was try to get everyone to like her. I still try to figure that out, because if anything, you Isabel, you should have been trying to get to know her! She’s so wonderful, and funny and smart. But above all else she’s so forgiving. It still amazes me that after everything people her entire life have put her through, she still has this amazing ability to forgive. She didn’t deserve the shit you put her through! I can’t forgive you. I’m sorry but I can’t and I don’t know if I ever will.” Max shook his head and didn’t try to hide his tears.

“I know. I don’t know why I did it Max. I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?!” Max roared out. Pain and anger ran through his veins at the thought of her turning Liz away while she was pregnant. He had pushed those thoughts away, because he knew things had already gotten out of hand.

“That I would loose you and that you would love her more than me. I know it was wrong and I know you will never forgive me, but that’s all I can say.”

“Not good enough! I want to know why you disliked her from the beginning?” Max knelt down next to her he wanted to hear it.

“I was jealous of her. I tried so hard to be perfect, but everyone loved her. You! You loved her the moment you saw her, how could I compete with that?” Isabel cried harshly and closed her eyes, willing this to be over.

“Compete? When did I ever make you compete? When did I ever compare you to her? When did I ever tell you I loved you any less? Never Isabel! I won’t feel sorry for you. I won’t! You let your jealousy overtake what you knew was wrong. You hurt her so bad, she would tell me that you didn’t like her and I was so fucking naïve that I didn’t see it! She forgave me for that, because her heart is perfect. You’re my sister. You are supposed to be the one person above and beyond everyone else that I could trust. And you threw that away.” Max stood up and turned to leave her there, but when he looked up he saw Liz in tears watching from the back porch.

“Liz!” It only took a few strides for him to reach her. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Max fired out quickly.

“I’m…I’m okay Max, but…I need to talk to you.” Liz turned and waited for Max to follow her.

When they were safely in their bedroom she turned to him and told him that she heard everything he said to Isabel.

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re crying.” Max ran his hands down her arms.

“I don’t want you to hate her, Max.”

“What? Liz are you crazy?”

“No. I’m not crazy. Max she’s your sister…”

“Even more so why I shouldn’t forgive her. She broke my trust and she hurt you Liz, don’t you understand? You are everything to me.” Max said as he pulled her flush again his body.

“I know, Max. I just don’t want you to regret it, Max. I don’t want you to wake up two, three…ten years from now and realize that you’ve lost her forever. I couldn’t bear to think that you lost your sister because of me.”

“What? Liz…you don’t understand how I feel.”

“I know I don’t, Max. I don’t have any brothers and sisters but you love her. And if you love her, even if you are upset with her right now, you need to tell her Max. She’s so broken and I know what that feels like, please.” Liz pleaded with him and she felt Max relax in her arms and nod against her shoulder.

“For you I…”

“No! For you. Don’t do this for me. Do this for you, Max.” Liz smiled and placed a kiss on his lips before making her way out to her parents in the living room.

Max stood there shocked that she was that amazing. Because she really was.

He went outside and talked to Isabel for a little longer, and looked her in the eye and he knew that Liz was right. He would regret it. So he told her that he loved her.

****

“I guess we wanted all of you here for a reason. One was to face the past and the second was to move on with our future. As you know Liz has agreed to marry me, but what you don’t know is that after I proposed, Liz gave me the best surprise of my life.” Max and Liz smiled at one another and announced the pregnancy.

“That is so great! Congratulations!” Diane and Nancy both jumped up and hugged Liz and then Max. Liz had a chance to talk to her parents, they begged for her forgiveness but Liz wouldn’t accept it. She told them that she wanted them to understand her, and to know that she always loved them, but what they had done was wrong. But that she also knew she played her part as well, and with that they began to rebuild a relationship they should have had, instead of the one they ended up having.

They spent the rest of the day catching up on what Liz and Max had been up to, as well as receiving a tour of the house.

When the day came to an end, Max’s parents asked if when the baby was born, if they would still live so far away.

Max had advised them they weren’t ready to go back to Roswell. It held too many bad memories, and they wanted this pregnancy to be as stress free as possible for Liz.

“I’m sorry but we want to have the baby here. We won’t keep you guys away, but we just need time to be alone with each other. Enjoy one another without everyone telling us what we should and shouldn’t do.”

“We understand, but can we…will you let us see the baby?” Nancy asked hesitantly. She understood, as did everyone else, the need that Max and Liz had.

“Of course! But we don’t know how often the visits will be, but trust us we will do what is best for everyone.” Max smiled and placed a kiss on his fiancés temple.

This was their family, they only got one and they knew it. But hopefully as they say time heals all wounds, and Max and Liz would find their way back to where it all began.

TBC…

A/N - Posted at the end.


Chapter 16

Three Years Later

“Daddy I wanna go see mommy too!” Max looked down at his baby girls face and saw the tears in her eyes. He leaned down and picked her up in his arms.

“Mommy is going to be busy with the doctors who are going to help her bring your baby brothers home.” He wasn’t sure how to explain to his two year old daughter the entire labor process. She was smart but well not that smart yet.

“Okay. I’m a miss you daddy.” She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

“Me too sweetie but I promise you’ll see mommy tomorrow okay? And be good for Aunt Maria and Uncle Mike okay?”

“Kay. Lub you daddy.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

****

“One last push Liz and he’ll be here.” She had already delivered their first baby boy, Christopher Erik Evans.

Liz felt like she was being ripped in two but did as both Max and the doctor instructed. She was rewarded with the sound of her second son’s loud cry, announcing that Joshua Alexander Evans had entered the world.

“You did it Liz, baby you did it!” Max’s face lit up when the doctors brought over both of his sons. He held them close and looked at them both, “They are so beautiful Liz, thank you.” Max turned a tearing gaze to his wife, she despite the fact that he knew she was exhausted managed a big smile. He placed both of their sons in his wife’s arms and just stepped back and watched her interact with them.

This is what he always wanted; he just never dreamed it would actually come true.


When they were alone in the recovery room with their sons, Liz turned a teary gaze to her husband. She wanted him to know that everything they went through was worth it to her. “I love you Max, more than you could ever know, thank you for always being there for me, and for forgiving me…” Max silenced her with a kiss.

“I love you, Liz. I told you that, you were made for me. I will love you and our children for the rest of my life.” He kissed her lips again.

The next morning he had called his parents as well as Liz’s to let them know how the delivery went. Just as Max and Liz had promised, they didn’t leave his family out of his children’s life. After Nicole was born he had them come up for a visit, to see her and they had come every six months or so since her birth.

Isabel had come every trip up as well. Right before Nicole was born, Isabel and Liz sat and talked. Mainly it was Isabel talking and apologizing for her behavior, she explained to Liz that she felt like she was losing her brother. Liz understood that Isabel and Max had always had a close relationship, they were each other’s best friends and she used that against Max.

Liz knew what it was like to have Max in her life, even if as friends and how it felt to not have him. So she could sympathize with Isabel. Ultimately for Liz, the fact remained that she believed in her heart that things happened for a reason. And she couldn’t blame Isabel, Diane or herself for her miscarriage. That would be wrong, and Liz had faith that things would get better. And they did, she had her daughter and she and Max couldn’t have been happier.

Liz understood Isabel’s need to be a part of the family, so Liz couldn’t shut her out, that wasn’t in her nature. Isabel was always taking pictures of Nicole; she was such a proud aunt. Max had only polite conversation with her. The relationship between them was still strained, but he was trying. Liz on the other hand, let go of the pain of the past, she needed to in order to move on. In order for her to be a mother, she had to learn to not only forgive Isabel and Diane, but herself as well.


It suddenly dawned on Max as he stood in the doorway of his wife’s room, that Nicole was now going to be the big sister. And that she too one day may make a mistake, but he would never want them not to talk, or not to see one another.

Looking at his sons gathered in their mother’s arms that morning with his daughter right beside her, he decided it was time to let go of the past and go home.

Liz had told him before the twins were born that she was ready to go back to Roswell. That she wanted to have her children grow up there, Max however wasn’t so sure that was the best thing. But he would do anything for Liz, so he agreed. At that moment he knew that was the right decision for them all.

****

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Liz turned to her husband as they made their way down the all too familiar street.

“Yes, I am for the first time in years I’m ready, Liz.” He smiled back at her. She reached her hand across the space between them and held his hand tightly.

Max stopped the car in front of his childhood home and took a deep breath. This was harder than he could have ever imagined. Liz sensed his uneasiness and decided to break the silence.

“I love you, Max. We all do.” Liz smiled brightly at her husband. She knew this would be hard for him but she knew he was stronger than he gave himself credit for. He doubted himself still, but she had the rest of her life to make sure she was there to comfort and guide him through those times.

“Yeah! We lub you daddy!” Nicole said from the back seat she was sitting between her two brothers, who were passed out. She didn’t know what her parents were talking about, but she loved her daddy and she wanted him to know.

“And I love you too, sweetheart,” He turned to Liz, “I love you too, baby.” Liz just blushed. She was still amazed that after all this time that Max Evans had the power to bring her to her knees with just a look.

“We made it back Max, to where it all began for us. And it feels right Max, it feels like this is home.” Liz smiled brightly and knew that Max would understand what she meant. It was time to forgive that was what this trip was about; it was also about finally figuring out where they belonged as a family.

Max Evans knew that today was the first day of the rest of their lives in Roswell. He knew things wouldn’t always be perfect. But who needed perfect when he had three beautiful children and the most amazing and beautiful wife in the world? A wife, whom he loved for as long as he could remember. Children, who he would watch grow into adults and have children of their own. Nothing in this world could compare to that. And nothing could be more perfect than that.

“This is Liz, it’s always been home. We just took the long way.” Max smiled at his wife, leaned in close and kissed her lips softly.

This is definitely home, he thought.


<center>The End</center>


*********
A/N - I just wanted to say that this story turned out to be quite a challenge for me to write. Not only for personal reasons but because at times I felt like I just couldn't write this story good enough for everyone to understand where I was coming from. But once again you guys have proved me wrong. For those of you who stuck with me, when things went bad, thank you for your kind words, they helped me so much. I have officially concluded my first *challenge* and I'm very happy with it...hope you guys enjoyed! *hugs*