Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:15 pm
Hi everyone! Well we have reached the end of this story, thank you for your patience and feedback from beginning to end. I've had this part mostly written for days but finally got around to writing the end so here we go.
Thank you to:
Gater101
Earth2Mama
Brook
RhondaAnn
Behrsgirl1230
anonymousarfan
BehrObsession
Emz80m
Jason's Lover
tequathisy
POM
begonia9508
Erina
roswell3053
orphyfets
FSUMSW94
lazza
cherie
Ellie
dreamer destiny
For your wonderful feedback and everyone who stuck with me! Hello lurkers. Okay, so without further ado...
Chapter 20
“Tell me again why I’m the one stuck here, helping you pack?” Michael questioned as he watched Liz float around her room, picking certain things out to place in one of several empty boxes. Briefly, Liz glanced over at her best friend and couldn’t hold in a laugh when she noticed the orange, Cheeto crumbs on his chin and shirt. “What?” he asked defensively as soon as he caught sight of her expression.
“You should really think about investing in a bib, Brillo Head” Liz teased and jumped out of the way when he attempted to pull her into a head lock. “Ah!” she screeched as he grabbed a handful of hair and gave it a gentle tug. “You know, we’re grown ups now. Grown ups do not pull hair and chase each other around a room” she playfully chided in a superior tone that had Michael rolling his eyes in mock annoyance. “And you’re helping because you love me… or maybe because Max is working and couldn’t get out of it” she added when he shot her a ‘try again’ look.
“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this” he commented though there was no judgment in his tone. “He’s the one for you, right? I mean he must be if you’re moving in with him this soon” Michael amended, causing Liz to look over at him, a curious expression marring her face.
“What’s up Mikey G?” Liz questioned, unable to hold in a smile when he grimaced at the name.
“Nothing” he started to say and backtracked when Liz shot him a look that plainly said, ‘this is me you’re talking to.’ “I’ve been thinking about me and Maria, about our relationship, you know?” Nodding, Liz gave him her undivided attention. “I was thinking about how she believed you were more important to me than she is. About how things got between us… how screwed up everything was before we even stopped and realized it.”
“But you’re working through it, right?” Liz asked in a patient tone.
“Yeah… we are but I don’t like that it even got to that point” Michael struggled to explain. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair and blew out a long breath before facing Liz again. “Throughout all that time when you and Maria weren’t getting along and when you came clean with Kyle, you and Max stayed together. You didn’t fight about it, you were there for each other… supporting each other. It’s why I hope you’ll understand why I’m leaving” he blurted out as a look of surprised confusion came across Liz’s features.
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” she questioned. “Where? When?” she asked and watched apprehension cloud Michael’s face. She knew he was nervous, a fact that instantly made her feel the same way.
“Some no name just signed with this big label in LA and she’s asking for Maria as her songwriter” Michael informed, shrugging slightly. “Maria took the job and she’s moving to LA for the next six months. I’m going with her.”
When Liz remained speechless, Michael rambled on in a way reminiscent of his girlfriend, something Liz offhandedly found amusing. “She said she would understand if I stayed here while she went. She said we could make it work through e-mail and phone calls but I just decided that I didn’t want that. I don’t want to have a long distance relationship. I don’t want to be away from her. She’s crazy and loud and even a little weird sometimes but I love her. I love her more than anything and I didn’t want to be away from her.”
Silently, Liz nodded and because he seemed a little anxious, took his hand in hers. “Why are you so nervous” she finally uttered. “It isn’t like you need my permission or anything” she reminded.
“I know” Michael acknowledged and squeezed her fingers gently. “But you’re my family, Liz. You and Nancy were there for me when my dad wasn’t and when my mom was too messed up to be there for me. I’d go whether you understood or not but I’m really hoping that you’ll understand anyway.”
In a moment, Liz thought about Max and everything she felt about him. She thought about how she would feel without him and how difficult it would have been if Nancy hadn’t understood her desire to move in together. “You know I love you. It’s not something that can change so if going to LA makes you happy, then I’m really happy for you” she whispered as several tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Laughing to keep from feeling sad, Michael hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him.
“You better not forget to call me either, small fry” Michael muttered in a grumpy tone that had Liz laughing back. Playfully, she jabbed him in the stomach and enjoyed the way he sputtered indignantly.
With a small smile on her lips, Liz stood up and began tossing things into her boxes. “Hurry up, Guerin. We’ve got a room to pack” she instructed and turned towards the window so that he wouldn’t see her tears fall.
~&~&~&~&~&
A few days later, Michael left with Maria to ring in the New Year in LA. The two were going to stay for a couple days, check out apartment listings before returning to Roswell to pack up their respective apartments. Nancy and Mrs. Guerin had plans with Jim and Amy Valenti so Liz prepared to spend the night alone with Max in their new apartment. Little did she know that Max had made other arrangements for the night.
“What do you mean, pack a bag? Where are we going?” Liz questioned as Max walked around their bedroom, gathering clothes and toiletries. “Max?” she said in a sing song voice and rose from the bed to wrap her arms around his waist. “Where are we going?” she asked again and closed her eyes in bliss when he placed a gentle kiss against her lips. “Hmm” she quietly moaned and pressed herself closer to his warm, muscular body.
“You’ll find out soon enough… now pack” he playfully nudged her, barely concealing a grin at the dazed look in her eyes.
~&~&~&~&~&
“You are crazy” Liz stated with utmost certainty as she and Max boarded an airplane headed to New York. Despite her words, Max easily saw the smile threatening to break free as she took her seat by the window.
“Well… the last time I went to New York, I couldn’t take you with me but I made a promise to myself after our phone call” Max admitted, taking her hand in his. “I promised that I would never leave you behind again. Besides, Isabel is a total party whore. She knows everybody everywhere, Zan has something going on and I still have some friends in the Village so the night should be an eventful one” he assured and placed a kiss to her palm.
Liz grinned and tightly held onto Max’s hand as the plane lifted off the ground. She could only remember one other time when she took a plane ride and at the time, she had been terrified. But now, sitting beside Max and knowing that he would always protect her, gave Liz a calmness that got her into the air. Afterwards, the two spent the rest of the plane ride chatting about Max’s friends and all his favorite places in Manhattan.
He had only lived there for a few years but Liz quickly picked up on his love for the city. She was only sorry that their trip would only last a couple of days. Liz wanted to see where Max used to live, the places he used to frequent as well as all the little tourist traps. The idea of seeing Ellis Island, China Town, the stock exchange and so many other places greatly appealed to Liz who had barely seen anything outside of the New Mexico desert.
Listening to Max answer all her questions got Liz through the rest of the flight. Before long, the pilot was instructing everyone to fasten their seatbelts as they began their descent into La Guardia.
~&~&~&~&~&
After getting settled in a SoHo loft that belonged to a friend of Alex’s, Max took Liz out into the city with careful instructions from Isabel about when and where to meet up. Wandering around, they ended up in Central Park, where Max bought Liz a hotdog from one of the nearby vendors. The look of pure satisfaction on her face at the first bite had Max laughing in triumph. “Okay…okay, so these are the best” Liz acknowledged and bought herself a second one.
Despite how cramped the train was, Liz thoroughly enjoyed riding the subway. In the back of her mind, she felt like a small town girl, amazed by everything but couldn’t bring herself to be embarrassed by that.
Eventually, the two had to go back to the apartment and get changed for their night out. Liz hadn’t been sure what to wear and found advice in an unlikely friend. “You must be Liz, Max’s new girlfriend” said a girl with a short cap of blonde hair. She was petite, blue eyed and very beautiful. “I’m Ava Truman. Nice to meet you” she greeted with a warm smile that instantly put Liz at ease. Politely, the two women shook hands before Ava plopped down on the bed and surveyed Liz’s clothes with a critical eye.
“Too much? Too little?” Liz asked when she noticed the appraisal in Ava’s gaze.
“Don’t even worry about looking like we’re going to a club… it’s damn cold outside” Ava replied and rooted through the garments before pulling out a pair of low rise jeans and a simple, off the shoulder top. “This’ll be great” she said and turned around while Liz changed.
Quickly, Liz peeled off the short skirt she had adorned and pulled the simple denim up her legs. Instantly, she felt warmer and swiftly replaced her top with the one Ava had suggested. “Okay” she said and sat down on a chair to pull on a pair of high heeled boots. “Max has told me a lot about you” she added, nervous. While Ava seemed nice and entirely comfortable, Liz wasn’t sure how she was supposed to act. This girl was someone Max had dated for a long time and even though she was dating Zan now, Liz didn’t know if there was something she should or shouldn’t say.
“All lies, I tell you” Ava joked, causing Liz to smile in response.
“You almost ready?” Max called out through the closed door, reminding Liz that she still had a boot to pull on. After running a hand through her hair a few times, satisfied with the look, she grabbed her purse, prepared to walk out when Ava gently put a hand on her arm. Curiously, Liz looked the other woman in the eye and saw the slight nervousness hiding there.
“Listen…” Ava began. “Max and I talked back in November and we’re both happy for each other. I love Zan and Max obviously loves you so we’re cool… okay?” Liz realized then that Ava hadn’t been as self assured as she appeared to be. She was happy, there was no doubt about that, but this had to be just as strange for her as it was to Liz.
“Okay” she smiled and followed Ava into the living room.
Growing up with Michael, Liz had rarely had female friends. Sure, there were girls she talked to in school but no one she could actually call a friend. While it wasn’t anything she regretted, Liz could admit that she hoped she and Ava would eventually become friends. It was nice to have someone to talk to about clothes, someone who understood all the littlest things Michael would never entirely be able to grasp because of his gender. “You look beautiful” Max complimented, bringing Liz out of her musings.
Smiling up at him, she accepted his gentle kisses until a throat cleared behind her. “I guess that means, you’re Liz” an amused voice said. Turning, Liz found herself face to face with someone who easily could have been Max’s twin. “Zan Evans” he greeted with the same grin that frequently adorned Max’s lips.
“Liz Parker” she said, smiling.
Their eyes were the same, she decided. Both warm and the color of honey. The angles and planes of their faces were so similar but while Max had longer hair, Zan’s dark locks were spiked. From beneath his sleeve, she spied a tribal band tattoo and another little symbol on his forearm. He was definitely edgier than her boyfriend but he seemed so friendly at her first glance.
“Let’s get going. Isabel will freak if we’re late” Zan said and threw his arm around Ava’s shoulders. Grimacing slightly, Max was inclined to agree and led the way out onto the street. With Liz’s hand firmly enclosed in his, the group caught the subway to a club that had a line all the way down the street. As she opened her mouth to ask whether or not they’d be able to get in, a tall, surly looking guy appeared by their side.
Shaking hands with both Max and Zan, Liz watched, amazed as the guy with the Mohawk then guided them to the front of the line and passed the bouncer. Once inside, he was introduced as Rath, an old friend whose dad owned and ran the club. He had a table waiting and graciously, he sent a waitress over with a tray of drinks on him. “You wanna dance?” Max asked, his breath gently tickling her skin as he leaned in close to Liz’s ear. Music pulsated around them while the dancing strobes provided the only light in the otherwise darkened club.
“Yes” Liz whispered back and followed Max to the dance floor where several other couples were grinding against one another. Tightly, he wrapped his arms around her smaller body and moved his hips in time to hers. Each let the music wash over them, guiding their movements as everyone and everything else faded into the background.
Max leaned down so that his lips rested against her neck. Placing feather light kisses against her skin, he caused a shiver to run up Liz’s spine while she wound her arms tighter around his shoulders. “I love you” he murmured before trailing his kisses to her lips. Eagerly, Liz returned the caresses and forgot where they were as they danced and kissed in the middle of the floor.
One song drifted into the next as their bodies continued to move. Smoke covered the floor, lending to the illusion of the club while the lights dimmed a little lower as a slower song filled the air.
This time what I want is you
There is no one else
Who can take your place
This time you burn me with your eyes
You see past all the lies
You take it all away
Closing her eyes against the words, Liz leaned into Max and let his scent envelope her. He was everything she needed and everything she never knew she had wanted. He accepted her the way she was, loved her like she had never been loved before and made it entirely too easy to love him back.
After everything they had gone through to be together, now that they were out in the open, Liz couldn’t possibly imagine her life without him in it. Somehow, he managed to get so deep under skin that it felt like he was a part of her. Liz wouldn’t have had it any other way and relished the feel of him surrounding her on the dance floor. He held her reverently and looked down at her with barely concealed passion in the depths of his amber colored eyes.
I’ve seen it all
It was never enough
It keeps leaving me needing you
Take me away
Take me away
I’ve got nothing left to say
Just take me away
When the song had played and the couples had danced, Max and Liz returned to the table where Zan and Ava were chatting up some old friends. A glance at a watch revealed that it was time to meet up with Isabel and Alex at another hotspot. It was there that Isabel embraced Liz warmly, welcomed her to their family and introduced her around like a long lost, old friend. She was easily accepted by the group of band mates and found herself laughing along at their theatrically told stories.
At the end of the night, they hurried to Time Square and managed to wiggle through the crowd to get to a relatively empty spot. Huddled together for warmth, they laughed and joked until time was a minute to midnight. Instantly, the crowd began their countdown to the New Year.
With his arm around her waist, Max and Liz stood together and joined in when the count got down to twenty five seconds. As loud as they could, they pronounced the numbers until they got to five… four… three… two… one!
Glitter and confetti rained down around them while a large 2007 lit up, emitting sparks or light. The crowd began the classic rendition of Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne!
“I love you, Liz Parker” Max said and leaned down to press an exuberant kiss to her lips. Laughing happily, she threw her arms around him and returned the kiss wholeheartedly.
“That’s good… because I’m gonna love you forever, Max Evans.”
<center>The End</center>
Thank you to:
Gater101
Earth2Mama
Brook
RhondaAnn
Behrsgirl1230
anonymousarfan
BehrObsession
Emz80m
Jason's Lover
tequathisy
POM
begonia9508
Erina
roswell3053
orphyfets
FSUMSW94
lazza
cherie
Ellie
dreamer destiny
For your wonderful feedback and everyone who stuck with me! Hello lurkers. Okay, so without further ado...
Chapter 20
“Tell me again why I’m the one stuck here, helping you pack?” Michael questioned as he watched Liz float around her room, picking certain things out to place in one of several empty boxes. Briefly, Liz glanced over at her best friend and couldn’t hold in a laugh when she noticed the orange, Cheeto crumbs on his chin and shirt. “What?” he asked defensively as soon as he caught sight of her expression.
“You should really think about investing in a bib, Brillo Head” Liz teased and jumped out of the way when he attempted to pull her into a head lock. “Ah!” she screeched as he grabbed a handful of hair and gave it a gentle tug. “You know, we’re grown ups now. Grown ups do not pull hair and chase each other around a room” she playfully chided in a superior tone that had Michael rolling his eyes in mock annoyance. “And you’re helping because you love me… or maybe because Max is working and couldn’t get out of it” she added when he shot her a ‘try again’ look.
“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this” he commented though there was no judgment in his tone. “He’s the one for you, right? I mean he must be if you’re moving in with him this soon” Michael amended, causing Liz to look over at him, a curious expression marring her face.
“What’s up Mikey G?” Liz questioned, unable to hold in a smile when he grimaced at the name.
“Nothing” he started to say and backtracked when Liz shot him a look that plainly said, ‘this is me you’re talking to.’ “I’ve been thinking about me and Maria, about our relationship, you know?” Nodding, Liz gave him her undivided attention. “I was thinking about how she believed you were more important to me than she is. About how things got between us… how screwed up everything was before we even stopped and realized it.”
“But you’re working through it, right?” Liz asked in a patient tone.
“Yeah… we are but I don’t like that it even got to that point” Michael struggled to explain. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair and blew out a long breath before facing Liz again. “Throughout all that time when you and Maria weren’t getting along and when you came clean with Kyle, you and Max stayed together. You didn’t fight about it, you were there for each other… supporting each other. It’s why I hope you’ll understand why I’m leaving” he blurted out as a look of surprised confusion came across Liz’s features.
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” she questioned. “Where? When?” she asked and watched apprehension cloud Michael’s face. She knew he was nervous, a fact that instantly made her feel the same way.
“Some no name just signed with this big label in LA and she’s asking for Maria as her songwriter” Michael informed, shrugging slightly. “Maria took the job and she’s moving to LA for the next six months. I’m going with her.”
When Liz remained speechless, Michael rambled on in a way reminiscent of his girlfriend, something Liz offhandedly found amusing. “She said she would understand if I stayed here while she went. She said we could make it work through e-mail and phone calls but I just decided that I didn’t want that. I don’t want to have a long distance relationship. I don’t want to be away from her. She’s crazy and loud and even a little weird sometimes but I love her. I love her more than anything and I didn’t want to be away from her.”
Silently, Liz nodded and because he seemed a little anxious, took his hand in hers. “Why are you so nervous” she finally uttered. “It isn’t like you need my permission or anything” she reminded.
“I know” Michael acknowledged and squeezed her fingers gently. “But you’re my family, Liz. You and Nancy were there for me when my dad wasn’t and when my mom was too messed up to be there for me. I’d go whether you understood or not but I’m really hoping that you’ll understand anyway.”
In a moment, Liz thought about Max and everything she felt about him. She thought about how she would feel without him and how difficult it would have been if Nancy hadn’t understood her desire to move in together. “You know I love you. It’s not something that can change so if going to LA makes you happy, then I’m really happy for you” she whispered as several tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Laughing to keep from feeling sad, Michael hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him.
“You better not forget to call me either, small fry” Michael muttered in a grumpy tone that had Liz laughing back. Playfully, she jabbed him in the stomach and enjoyed the way he sputtered indignantly.
With a small smile on her lips, Liz stood up and began tossing things into her boxes. “Hurry up, Guerin. We’ve got a room to pack” she instructed and turned towards the window so that he wouldn’t see her tears fall.
~&~&~&~&~&
A few days later, Michael left with Maria to ring in the New Year in LA. The two were going to stay for a couple days, check out apartment listings before returning to Roswell to pack up their respective apartments. Nancy and Mrs. Guerin had plans with Jim and Amy Valenti so Liz prepared to spend the night alone with Max in their new apartment. Little did she know that Max had made other arrangements for the night.
“What do you mean, pack a bag? Where are we going?” Liz questioned as Max walked around their bedroom, gathering clothes and toiletries. “Max?” she said in a sing song voice and rose from the bed to wrap her arms around his waist. “Where are we going?” she asked again and closed her eyes in bliss when he placed a gentle kiss against her lips. “Hmm” she quietly moaned and pressed herself closer to his warm, muscular body.
“You’ll find out soon enough… now pack” he playfully nudged her, barely concealing a grin at the dazed look in her eyes.
~&~&~&~&~&
“You are crazy” Liz stated with utmost certainty as she and Max boarded an airplane headed to New York. Despite her words, Max easily saw the smile threatening to break free as she took her seat by the window.
“Well… the last time I went to New York, I couldn’t take you with me but I made a promise to myself after our phone call” Max admitted, taking her hand in his. “I promised that I would never leave you behind again. Besides, Isabel is a total party whore. She knows everybody everywhere, Zan has something going on and I still have some friends in the Village so the night should be an eventful one” he assured and placed a kiss to her palm.
Liz grinned and tightly held onto Max’s hand as the plane lifted off the ground. She could only remember one other time when she took a plane ride and at the time, she had been terrified. But now, sitting beside Max and knowing that he would always protect her, gave Liz a calmness that got her into the air. Afterwards, the two spent the rest of the plane ride chatting about Max’s friends and all his favorite places in Manhattan.
He had only lived there for a few years but Liz quickly picked up on his love for the city. She was only sorry that their trip would only last a couple of days. Liz wanted to see where Max used to live, the places he used to frequent as well as all the little tourist traps. The idea of seeing Ellis Island, China Town, the stock exchange and so many other places greatly appealed to Liz who had barely seen anything outside of the New Mexico desert.
Listening to Max answer all her questions got Liz through the rest of the flight. Before long, the pilot was instructing everyone to fasten their seatbelts as they began their descent into La Guardia.
~&~&~&~&~&
After getting settled in a SoHo loft that belonged to a friend of Alex’s, Max took Liz out into the city with careful instructions from Isabel about when and where to meet up. Wandering around, they ended up in Central Park, where Max bought Liz a hotdog from one of the nearby vendors. The look of pure satisfaction on her face at the first bite had Max laughing in triumph. “Okay…okay, so these are the best” Liz acknowledged and bought herself a second one.
Despite how cramped the train was, Liz thoroughly enjoyed riding the subway. In the back of her mind, she felt like a small town girl, amazed by everything but couldn’t bring herself to be embarrassed by that.
Eventually, the two had to go back to the apartment and get changed for their night out. Liz hadn’t been sure what to wear and found advice in an unlikely friend. “You must be Liz, Max’s new girlfriend” said a girl with a short cap of blonde hair. She was petite, blue eyed and very beautiful. “I’m Ava Truman. Nice to meet you” she greeted with a warm smile that instantly put Liz at ease. Politely, the two women shook hands before Ava plopped down on the bed and surveyed Liz’s clothes with a critical eye.
“Too much? Too little?” Liz asked when she noticed the appraisal in Ava’s gaze.
“Don’t even worry about looking like we’re going to a club… it’s damn cold outside” Ava replied and rooted through the garments before pulling out a pair of low rise jeans and a simple, off the shoulder top. “This’ll be great” she said and turned around while Liz changed.
Quickly, Liz peeled off the short skirt she had adorned and pulled the simple denim up her legs. Instantly, she felt warmer and swiftly replaced her top with the one Ava had suggested. “Okay” she said and sat down on a chair to pull on a pair of high heeled boots. “Max has told me a lot about you” she added, nervous. While Ava seemed nice and entirely comfortable, Liz wasn’t sure how she was supposed to act. This girl was someone Max had dated for a long time and even though she was dating Zan now, Liz didn’t know if there was something she should or shouldn’t say.
“All lies, I tell you” Ava joked, causing Liz to smile in response.
“You almost ready?” Max called out through the closed door, reminding Liz that she still had a boot to pull on. After running a hand through her hair a few times, satisfied with the look, she grabbed her purse, prepared to walk out when Ava gently put a hand on her arm. Curiously, Liz looked the other woman in the eye and saw the slight nervousness hiding there.
“Listen…” Ava began. “Max and I talked back in November and we’re both happy for each other. I love Zan and Max obviously loves you so we’re cool… okay?” Liz realized then that Ava hadn’t been as self assured as she appeared to be. She was happy, there was no doubt about that, but this had to be just as strange for her as it was to Liz.
“Okay” she smiled and followed Ava into the living room.
Growing up with Michael, Liz had rarely had female friends. Sure, there were girls she talked to in school but no one she could actually call a friend. While it wasn’t anything she regretted, Liz could admit that she hoped she and Ava would eventually become friends. It was nice to have someone to talk to about clothes, someone who understood all the littlest things Michael would never entirely be able to grasp because of his gender. “You look beautiful” Max complimented, bringing Liz out of her musings.
Smiling up at him, she accepted his gentle kisses until a throat cleared behind her. “I guess that means, you’re Liz” an amused voice said. Turning, Liz found herself face to face with someone who easily could have been Max’s twin. “Zan Evans” he greeted with the same grin that frequently adorned Max’s lips.
“Liz Parker” she said, smiling.
Their eyes were the same, she decided. Both warm and the color of honey. The angles and planes of their faces were so similar but while Max had longer hair, Zan’s dark locks were spiked. From beneath his sleeve, she spied a tribal band tattoo and another little symbol on his forearm. He was definitely edgier than her boyfriend but he seemed so friendly at her first glance.
“Let’s get going. Isabel will freak if we’re late” Zan said and threw his arm around Ava’s shoulders. Grimacing slightly, Max was inclined to agree and led the way out onto the street. With Liz’s hand firmly enclosed in his, the group caught the subway to a club that had a line all the way down the street. As she opened her mouth to ask whether or not they’d be able to get in, a tall, surly looking guy appeared by their side.
Shaking hands with both Max and Zan, Liz watched, amazed as the guy with the Mohawk then guided them to the front of the line and passed the bouncer. Once inside, he was introduced as Rath, an old friend whose dad owned and ran the club. He had a table waiting and graciously, he sent a waitress over with a tray of drinks on him. “You wanna dance?” Max asked, his breath gently tickling her skin as he leaned in close to Liz’s ear. Music pulsated around them while the dancing strobes provided the only light in the otherwise darkened club.
“Yes” Liz whispered back and followed Max to the dance floor where several other couples were grinding against one another. Tightly, he wrapped his arms around her smaller body and moved his hips in time to hers. Each let the music wash over them, guiding their movements as everyone and everything else faded into the background.
Max leaned down so that his lips rested against her neck. Placing feather light kisses against her skin, he caused a shiver to run up Liz’s spine while she wound her arms tighter around his shoulders. “I love you” he murmured before trailing his kisses to her lips. Eagerly, Liz returned the caresses and forgot where they were as they danced and kissed in the middle of the floor.
One song drifted into the next as their bodies continued to move. Smoke covered the floor, lending to the illusion of the club while the lights dimmed a little lower as a slower song filled the air.
This time what I want is you
There is no one else
Who can take your place
This time you burn me with your eyes
You see past all the lies
You take it all away
Closing her eyes against the words, Liz leaned into Max and let his scent envelope her. He was everything she needed and everything she never knew she had wanted. He accepted her the way she was, loved her like she had never been loved before and made it entirely too easy to love him back.
After everything they had gone through to be together, now that they were out in the open, Liz couldn’t possibly imagine her life without him in it. Somehow, he managed to get so deep under skin that it felt like he was a part of her. Liz wouldn’t have had it any other way and relished the feel of him surrounding her on the dance floor. He held her reverently and looked down at her with barely concealed passion in the depths of his amber colored eyes.
I’ve seen it all
It was never enough
It keeps leaving me needing you
Take me away
Take me away
I’ve got nothing left to say
Just take me away
When the song had played and the couples had danced, Max and Liz returned to the table where Zan and Ava were chatting up some old friends. A glance at a watch revealed that it was time to meet up with Isabel and Alex at another hotspot. It was there that Isabel embraced Liz warmly, welcomed her to their family and introduced her around like a long lost, old friend. She was easily accepted by the group of band mates and found herself laughing along at their theatrically told stories.
At the end of the night, they hurried to Time Square and managed to wiggle through the crowd to get to a relatively empty spot. Huddled together for warmth, they laughed and joked until time was a minute to midnight. Instantly, the crowd began their countdown to the New Year.
With his arm around her waist, Max and Liz stood together and joined in when the count got down to twenty five seconds. As loud as they could, they pronounced the numbers until they got to five… four… three… two… one!
Glitter and confetti rained down around them while a large 2007 lit up, emitting sparks or light. The crowd began the classic rendition of Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne!
“I love you, Liz Parker” Max said and leaned down to press an exuberant kiss to her lips. Laughing happily, she threw her arms around him and returned the kiss wholeheartedly.
“That’s good… because I’m gonna love you forever, Max Evans.”
<center>The End</center>