Roswell Fanatics

I made it in one week!! Well this note isnt going to be long, I dont feel good and so I didnt leave you all individual feedback either! I apologize but the head is killing me! I hope you all know how much your feedback means to me and how much i appreciate every one of you! Lurkers I know you are out there...stop in sometime. Edited: Note to Melyssa!! You are awesome thank you so much for editing this for me!!! I should be shot for forgetting!!

icequeen
begonia9508
FSUMSW94
Earth2Mama
behrlyliz
Evelynn
Alien614
Maxsgurl
RASaero611
janesdilemma
martine
SAFIRESKYE26
Emz80m
Ellie
Ace Roswell
cherie
g7silvers
extingman
Brook- welcome aboard!
frenchkiss70


Chapter 19

When Liz and Max walked through the door Liz couldn’t help but smile. She was finally home! While she knew she was safe now, she still had this fear eating away at her. The hospital had almost been too much for her to handle, and every day it seemed like things were getting worse rather than better. Finally, feeling like she was ready, she’d insisted on going home.

As she walked further into the house, she could smell the familiar scent of baby shampoo, which made her smile knowing it belonged to AJ…she would know that scent anywhere. Unfortunately, the house was quiet, too quiet considering the normal sounds of an active toddler. She turned around to look at Max standing behind her.

“Is he gone?” The tone in her voice was pure sadness. While she knew AJ not being here right now was for the best, she still couldn’t help but feel terrible. She and AJ had never been apart for this long from the moment he was born, and all she wanted was to see his smiling face, and wrap her arms around him for dear life. She’d almost been taken away from him, so not being able to see him frustrated her a great deal.

Max nodded and ushered her into the living room. “Yeah, Isabel and Jesse came for him at about eleven this morning.” He helped her get settled on the couch, trying his very best to make her comfortable. When he saw her wince as she tried to get comfortable, he couldn’t help but feel responsible. Carefully, he moved closer and helped her put her feet up. “Do you need anything? Water, pain medicine, a magazine, the remote?” Liz just shook her head, obviously upset, so Max sat down beside her.

“So…they took him to LA?” Liz asked after a minute of silence.

Max could hear the hint of sadness in her voice, but this choice had been for the best. “Yeah…I think they were gonna do the tourist thing while Jesse was working at the firm.” Max was happy to have Liz home, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the night before and how upset she’d been with him.

“Liz…I think until you get a little better we should send AJ away.”

“Max, he’s my son! He needs to see me and know that I’m all right. We need to be together…it doesn’t matter how I look.”

Her eyes were shooting fire at him. “Liz, he’s already too smart for his own good. I don’t think he should see you like this…he already knows you’re here. Do you really want him to see you like this?” It wasn’t that he didn’t want AJ to see Liz or vice versa, he just didn’t want AJ to see Liz in the condition she was in.

“Max, I want to see my son. I want to hold him, and smell his hair. I haven’t seen him in three days!” She understood where Max was coming from, and even knew he was right, but she still wanted to see her precious little boy.

“Liz, it would only confuse him more. He knows what Aaron did to you in the past…I don’t want him to know what happened this time. Look…we can just send him with Isabel for the week, and then he’ll think it’s a vacation.”

“Max, you should know as well as I do that as long as he’s in town, he isn’t going to want to stay away from the house. Isabel doesn’t need that.”

Max blew out his breath and ran his hand through his hair. “What do you want me to do with him, Liz?” Max didn’t want to keep AJ here where he could see what Aaron had done to his mother, but as Liz sat in the bed crying, he almost gave up.

“No…I don’t want him to see me this way. It’s bad enough that he already knows as much as he does. Talk to my parents and see if they’ll take him to El Paso with them.” She said through her tears.

Max didn’t know what to say in that moment. He hadn’t told her that her parents weren’t coming home for a while. They had elected to stay in the jungle, and that was something he hadn’t wanted to tell her. She’d been through enough; she didn’t need to know that too. “Um, why don’t we just ask Isabel?”

Liz looked at Max and shook her head no. “She already does too much…just tell my parents to take him.” Why is he being so difficult?

At that point, he no longer had a choice…he had to tell her. “Liz, your parents can’t take him.” He saw the confusion flash across her face and instantly felt guilty that he had to be the one to tell her. “They aren’t back from South America yet.” With his eyes still locked on hers, he watched as she mentally tore herself apart. “They got stuck in the jungle…but they’ll be home sometime next week.”

Knowing that her parents didn’t care enough to come home, she didn’t want to discuss it any further. “Fine…let Isabel take him.”

After their conversation, she’d closed her eyes and hadn’t talked to Max for the rest of the night. Max hoped that she wasn’t upset with him, but right now he didn’t have a clue how Liz was feeling. She’d been through a lot over the past few days, so her mood seemed to change by the minute. He desperately wanted to help her, but he couldn’t do that if she pushed him away, which was exactly what she’d been doing.

When he’d finally gotten home, Isabel was there talking to their parents. She was extremely excited about taking him to LA with her and Jesse, and Diane and Philip were helping her pack some of AJ’s things. Max felt relieved for the help since he had no idea how to pack for a child, and no clue what he might need.

Unfortunately, the relief had been short lived. AJ stayed up most of the night crying that he ‘wanted mommy’ so Max had stayed up all night rocking him and telling him that LA would be fun and that Mickey Mouse was waiting for him. By the time the sun had come up, Max felt like he’d aged years. He was exhausted, and while he felt like he could sleep for a few months, he knew Liz would need him. He’d finally had to bribe AJ to go with Isabel and Jesse, convincing him that Mickey Mouse really was waiting for him, and that mommy and daddy would be there in a few days.

Now here they were again, in total silence, neither of them knowing what to say. He asked her again if she needed or wanted anything, but “no” was all she said to him. He was doing his best, but Liz was completely shutting him out and that was starting to get frustrating. Every time he asked her for anything, she simply looked at him and said those same words.

Max was thankful when Maria came over and spent most of the afternoon with Liz talking about shopping and watching QVC shopping for anything they felt they might want. Of course, he’d given his credit card up pretty easily and knew they were taking advantage of that and spending away. For some reason he felt like that should bother him since he wasn’t used to throwing his money around, but if it kept them busy…he was all for it. Later in the afternoon, Kyle came over and the two of them had a beer out on the porch.

“So, what are you going to do?” Kyle asked Max after waiting awhile for the subject to come up. He already knew what he had to do, and now it was Max’s turn to decide what he was going to do.

“I don’t know.” Max answered. “You know, Kyle…all of those years I trusted her. I was her friend and I thought she was the same to me. I’d given up on Liz, and everything I knew to be true. I even gave up knowing my son because of her lies and look where it’s gotten us.” Max brought the longneck to his mouth, and took a sip, while they both just stared into the back yard.

“Well after all the information we gave my dad, he and Hanson went to go talk to her. He still wasn’t back when I left to come over here.”

Max couldn’t begin to think about what would happen to her, he didn’t want to. “Do you want her to go to jail?” Max had to ask. He wanted to know what Kyle was thinking and where his head was.

Kyle looked at Max as he took another swig of his beer. That question had been haunting him since yesterday. He’d thought heavily about it, but just when he thought he was sure, his mind wavered again. “Do you?” Kyle asked him in return.

“Honestly…I don’t know, Kyle…I just don’t know. I want her to pay for everything she’s done, but at the same time I don’t want to stoop to her level. She robbed me of my son…I couldn’t bear to think that I was the one that robbed Ally of her mother, no matter how sick the woman is.”

Kyle shook his head. He knew exactly how Max felt. Although they both disliked Tess at the moment, their minds were on Ally and how all of this would someday affect her.

They’d been out on the porch for over an hour when Maria quietly joined them on the deck with Jim in tow.

“Liz went to sleep, but Jim’s here.” Maria said as she took a seat next to Kyle.

Max turned around to see Jim standing there in his uniform. Immediately, he and Kyle went to stand up, but Jim held his hand up.

“Please stay seated.” Jim didn’t know how to say this to both of these men…they’d already been hurt by Tess too much. “We went to the Tumbleweed to see Tess, but she’s no longer staying there. She packed up all of her things and took off. It looks like she took Aaron’s car and no one has seen her since.”

Each of them sat there, mouths hanging open, as Jim continued to tell the story.

“I’m sorry, but right now we don’t know where she is. We are still looking and will continue to look. I’d suggest you all be careful, look out for one another, and keep your eyes and ears open.” Jim stated regretfully.

They all shook their heads knowing that Jim was not only talking about them, but much more for Liz and Ally.

~*~*~*~*~

Tess pulled into a little café in Flagstaff, Arizona. She reached over, grabbed her purse, and tossed the keys inside before heading inside. She sat in a small booth over in the corner, ordered a small cup of coffee, and bought a paper. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do yet; she just knew that she had to disappear. She knew they were probably looking for her, so she had to do something. She’d called all her family members, but her dad was out of the country and her mom and step-dad were in Roswell, so they were of no help to her. Besides, she wasn’t sure just how much her mother knew at this point in time.

As she sat there, she thought of Ally. She missed her so much, and despite what everyone thought of her, she’d been a good mother to Ally. She had loved her, fed her, given her more than enough, and here they were trying to take Ally from her. One way or another, she was going to have to find a way to stop them from doing it, she just didn’t know how.

She was still waiting for a call from Max. They all thought they knew him, but she knew him better. She knew he would call any time now, she just had to hold out hope. She would’ve stayed in Roswell to wait for him, but after everything Kyle had said to her she knew she had to get out of there. They were going to come after her, and she couldn’t face what they were going to do to her.

She continued to sip her coffee, but left the moment she was finished. She couldn’t stay in one place for too long just in case. She needed to get back to LA quickly before someone found her, but something deep inside of her told her to hold out. Finally, she decided to find a place to stay around there, even if it was only tonight.

~*~*~*~*~

After a few days, the routine had set in. Max woke Liz up at seven each morning, at her own request, and then she got herself showered and dressed, refusing all help from Max. So, he’d leave her to herself, make breakfast, and then make sure she didn’t try to overdo anything. Just as Jim had suggested, he made it a point to make sure she felt safe. He would lock all of the windows and doors, and check them twice before he went to bed. Tonight was different though. Something in the way Liz was acting scared him. Liz had yet to get out of the house since she’d been home…she just preferred to stay in. She was quiet and distant, and obviously missing AJ. She passed the time either watching TV or staring into space. Max often wondered what she was thinking about, but she never told him. He knew she was going to be fine…he just had to convince her of that.

“Liz, you know getting out of the house would do you some good. You can’t stay locked up in here forever. Maybe tomorrow we could go to lunch or go shopping…what do you think?” She didn’t even bother to look at him when he talked to her anymore, but instead managed to focus on everything but him. “Liz…he can’t hurt you now. It’s over. He can’t ever touch you again.”

“What would you know?” She asked, finally turning around to glare at him as if trying to intimidate him.

Max decided to just ignore the comment and went to draw her bath water. He could hear her mumbling and he knew this had really taken its toll on her. He was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but he was starting to worry that she might not ever get over this. He returned to the room and smiled at her, hoping for some sign of the old Liz. “Come on…I drew you a nice warm bath.” He went to grab her hand, but she pulled it away. “Liz, what’s wrong?” He tired to sound caring, but he knew she could hear the annoyance in his voice.

“You’re hovering. I can do this by myself, Max. I’m not five.” She hadn’t had a moment to herself since she’d come home, and while she was grateful for Max’s help, she felt claustrophobic.

“Liz…I’m sorry…I’m just trying to help.”

Liz saw the hurt in his eyes and felt bad. She didn’t know why she was so angry with him, but she was. She seemed to be angry at the whole world, and Max constantly being around her didn’t help. “Max, I know you’re trying to help, but you have to give me some room…I feel claustrophobic.”

Max sat down on the bed next to her and sighed. “He did this because of me, Liz…its all my fault and I’m so sorry.”

"Stop making this about you! This has nothing to do with you! He did it to me! He didn’t want to share me, and he didn’t want anything in his way. He did it to ME! Do you hear me? TO ME!" She stood there screaming and sobbing uncontrollably. She was getting so tired of him always saying he was sorry and blaming himself. He had nothing to do with it! She’d been the one to go to that motel. She’d been the one to date him. She’d brought this upon herself!

“I’m sorry.” Max whispered again, not knowing what else to say.

"Sorry? Max, sorry isn’t going to make me better! It isn’t going make me forget! I killed him and all you can say to me is oh Liz you’re fine! I'M NOT FINE! I don’t know how to be fine! I don’t know how to fix this, to fix me!”

She almost sounded like she was pleading with him to help her, yet neither one said anything as she cried. He didn’t know what to say and she didn’t need or want him to say anything.

“I need some time to myself, Max. Just a few minutes…so I can breathe.” She looked up at him through her tears. She didn’t want him to back away. She wanted to hold him and for him to hold her, but she didn’t know how to do that…not now.

“Ok.” It was killing him to do this, but he had no other choice. He turned and walked out of the room as she asked. He had things to accomplish anyway.

~*~*~*~*~

Kyle, Maria, and Michael were sitting down with Philip drawing up the divorce papers. Kyle was eager to get this over with, but Phillip still needed more information from him.

“Kyle, here’s the problem…in California you have to wait six months to get a divorce.”

Kyle was already well aware of that unfortunate fact, but he did know he was going to relocate back to Roswell. He would have to establish residency and start all over, but he knew it was for the best. “I can handle that, Phillip…I just don’t want to be married to her anymore.”

Phillip nodded his head and went back to writing down all the information he would need to draw up the papers. “Are you going to ask for full custody?” He knew the answer, but as a lawyer he had to ask.

“She isn’t getting near my daughter, Phillip. I’m going to fight her on this.” Kyle stated firmly.

Philip shook his head. “Ok, I can do that. Are we changing your will also? If you get full custody and something happens to you, where do you want Ally to go?”

Kyle looked across the table at Maria and Michael. While he’d always wanted Liz to take her, now staring at his two best friends before him…he couldn’t think of anyone better. “Would you be willing to take her if something happened to me?” He directed the question at both of them. Then he heard it…Maria and her shriek!

Maria looked at Michael and he smiled. They both turned to Kyle and at the same time told him. “YES!”

Kyle smiled and went back to working on the papers with Phillip while Maria made them coffee…singing to herself.

~*~*~*~*~

Max quickly packed his bag. He grabbed his gym shorts, a few shirts, and jeans. Then he went into the bathroom and packed up his necessities. He needed to get out of here before he suffocated. He was tired of all of this on his shoulders and now was his time to do something about it. He quickly grabbed the bag and threw it outside in the hallway.

Making his way to Liz’s door, he slowly knocked and she called out for him to come in. “If you need anything call me on the cell…I’m going out for a while.” She just nodded and he huffed as he shut the door. He picked up his duffle and headed out.

He threw the bag in the car, started the engine, and pulled out of the driveway. He needed to call her…he needed to know everything. Quickly, he found her name programmed into his phone and hit the send button. It only rang once. “Hey.”

“You called!”

He could hear the endearment in her voice and he smiled. “Meet me in Albuquerque tonight.”

“I’ll be there! Where?”

He smiled again and looked at the sheet of paper in front of him. “Meet me at the Best Western off the 40.” He could hear the excitement in her voice as she told him she would be there. When he hung up the phone, he just smiled. This was exactly how he’d pictured everything happening.

TBC

dont throw anything...I beg of you!!!

Hello, there!! I know I have been MIA and today Melyssa got this back to me. Thank you, you are awesome! Thanks to jazzy for all her help on this one!! Have fun at Cold Play!!!You all had so many interesting points on the last chapter. And I will address them each to you!! I am sad to say that there are only two parts left after this chapter... I have written them both...so depending on things depends on when they get out! Thank you all for your awesome feedback and I cant wait for more!! And to all the lurkers drop in and say hi!

begonia9508-lol...you are good at the predicting! I cant for your feedback on this one
mmcherron- long time no see, glad that you left feedback!!
martine- martine!! lol..I have to say it was Tess...and I cant tell you if he gets rid of her!! but stay with me you will know everything soon
MsBlueIce- Welcome!!! Glad to see you!! And what is he up to? hmmm
extingman- hey I was so glad to hear from you and I cant wait to hear from you on this chapter!! And the next
FSUMSW94-Thank you for the bumps!! They mean a lot. LOL you were so right!!
RASaero611-Oh i loved your prediction!!! I cant wait to hear from you
g7silvers- You have to be one of the favs...i always love to see what you have to say...I cant wait to hear from you again
icequeen- Thanks for all the help..punches to you
cherie- thank you...i appreciate it...and good thinking!!
frenchkiss70- Ditto to you too..LOL...thank you!
Carebear79- so glad you came out of lurkdom!! do it more often!!!
Earth2Mama- Thanks for everything...and good thoughts!! I cant wait to hear more!!
behrlyliz- Toya!! So glad that you are OK!!! And it is ok you missed it...I miss things all of the time...oops did I say that outloud!!
Liz2Infinity-Welcome!!! Glad to see you!
Alien614- thank you!
adreamer- Thank you!!
hazz-Thanks
Evelynn-hey I was so glad to see you!!! Keep coming back!!!

Jennifer, Emma and Stephanie, and everyone else that didnt Feedback you are missed!!!


Chapter 20

Max glanced over at the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time that night already. He’d already been waiting for her at the motel for over an hour and with each passing minute he was growing more irritated. He looked out the window again, but there was still no sign of her. He couldn’t understand what was taking her so long. As he sat down on the edge of the bed, he started to question everything all over again.

[Could he really do this? Could he confront her and tell her how he really felt, or would he run away again?

Sitting there with the thoughts rushing over him, he remembered the last time he’d been in this position with Tess…

“Max, what are we going to do?” Her voice was innocent, almost coy, and the look of desperation on her face pulled at his heart, despite the circumstances.

Max could only sit there silently with his head in his hands. He’d just cheated on his wife, and that was something he never would’ve imagined in a million years. He was completely and utterly in love with Liz, and spending the rest of his life with her was all he’d ever dreamed of. But now, here he was with his ex-girlfriend listening to her telling him they’d slept together.

“I’m going to tell her…I have to tell her. I can’t go on like this, Tess. We didn’t mean for it to happen, right?” Tess shook her head and slightly smiled. “If I just tell her we can find someway to work it out…I know we can.” He was desperate. He couldn’t lose Liz…not like this, but Tess shook her.

“She’ll hate us both, Max! She won’t be so forgiving. She’ll leave you, divorce you, and she’ll out me with Kyle…we can’t let that happen.” Tess had her hands on his shoulders and Max stared up at her with tear stained cheeks. “Max, I know this is hard, but you have to leave. You have to get away from here, so no one finds out.”

“No! I can’t leave her, Tess, she means everything to me.” His voice was pleading, and yet Tess still held firm to her idea.

“You have to go, Max. If she finds out it’s the end of your marriage and mine. I won’t let you do that! Do you understand me? So pack your bags, write her a note telling her you had to leave, and then disappear. Don’t call, don’t write, and don’t respond. They can never know, Max, or we’ll be ruined.” Although, he didn’t want to leave Liz, something in Tess’s voice made him believe she was right. Was this the right thing to do? He hoped for Liz’s sake he was.

As the memory started to fade from his mind, he had to ask himself if he’d ever really wanted to tell Liz. Of course he’d professed that he did, but if he was being truly honest with himself, he had never wanted Liz to know, and Tess had played on that. She’d known him for years, and she’d known exactly what buttons to push.

Slowly, he stood up and walked into the bathroom to throw some water on his face. He was going stir-crazy sitting in this room and the walls were starting to close in on him.

~*~*~*~*~

Tess made her way into the parking lot of the motel and looked at the paper she’d written the room number on Room 15. Smiling and giddy like a schoolgirl, she pulled around and parked just outside of the room where Max was finally waiting for her. She looked into the mirror in the visor, reapplied her lipstick, fixed her curls, and then flipped the visor back up and stepped out of the car.

She’d been waiting for this moment for as long a she could remember. She’d dreamed, and hoped, and prayed for the day when Max would take her into his arms and they’d finally be together. She’d always wanted that more than she’d ever wanted anything. Suddenly, she stopped at that thought. She wanted her daughter too. Ally was a part of her and without her she wasn’t complete. Her wish of being with Max was about to come true, but while she stood here her daughter was asleep somewhere else. Tess had missed yet another night of kissing her, hugging her, and telling her how special she was to her mommy. She would never deny for a moment that she wanted Max and the life she’d planned…that life was not going to be complete without Ally in it.

Tess quietly knocked on the door and waited patiently for Max to open it. She could feel her desperation now. She couldn’t wait to see him, to touch him, to hold him. When he pulled the door open, he smiled slightly at her and he stepped aside to let her in. Immediately and without any hesitation, she waltzed over and sat down on the bed, smiling up at Max. The moment was here, he was here, and he was hers.

“Hi, Max.” She purred, forcing herself to be patient.

Max smiled back at her and took a seat in the chair next to the bed. “Hi, I’m sure you’re curious as to why I asked you to meet me here?” He asked in a steady tone.

Tess continued to smile and shook her head. “I’m just happy you called, Max. I’m glad you finally came to your senses about everything. I knew eventually you would see it my way.” She couldn’t restrain herself any longer, so she lunged herself forward and into his arms.

Max was definitely caught off guard, but then again he should’ve expected this. He wasn’t entirely sure what to do, but he put his arms around her as she held onto him.

She felt true relief and happiness as she laid her head on his chest…this was exactly how it was supposed to be, and now it was hers. After a minute, she raised herself up and looked into Max’s eyes. He was everything she’d ever wanted.

“Tess…I need you to tell me everything…starting from the beginning. If we’re going to make this work, I have to know the truth.”

She’d known this was coming, but she’d hoped for later rather than sooner. She took her coat off, straightened her blouse, and crossed her legs. She wasn’t afraid of the truth anymore…she just had to make him see she did this all for them. “Ok, what do you want to know?”

“Everything.” He insisted.

She shook her head again and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “First I need you to understand that for as long as I can remember you were all I ever wanted, Max. When we started dating in high school it was my dream come true, but then as quickly as we’d started dating, you broke it off between us. From the very first time I saw you with Liz, all I could think about was how you belonged to me. So, time passed, but my feelings for you never went away. That’s when I heard you were coming home for Isabel’s birthday party, and I knew it was my only chance. I didn’t want to deceive you, but I knew deep down in my heart that if you could see what I saw between us…you’d want me too. I put together a plan to get you to sleep with me. I went to Pam Troy because I knew she was connected to people, and I knew she could help me. She gave me something, but never really told me what it was. She just said it was powerful and she told me how much to give you.” As she relayed the story, Tess felt proud for how hard she’d fought for Max Evans. Obviously, it was she and not Liz who had been willing to go to extreme lengths just to be loved by him.

Max was still processing the information as it came and he knew there was a lot more so he let her continue. “Ok…I’m with you so far.”

“Well, we all went to Isabel’s party and I convinced her to do a toast. I told her she should make you participate, and I knew you wouldn’t say no to her. So…when I was at the bar I slipped the stuff into your drink, but if I had known for a second that the camera was there I wouldn’t have done it. Then, we all toasted, you took it, drank it, and that’s when I went to you. We started talking and I continued to order you drink after drink.”

“Is that when we went to the bathroom and had sex?” Max eyed her carefully looking for any type of emotion.

“No, Max…we made love. It was beautiful. We were so perfect together. Well…other than the fact you called out her name. You really thought I was her, but that was the drugs talking because if you had been sober you would’ve known it was me and you would’ve enjoyed it.” She winked at him as if this was a game.

Max continued to smile at her, but the sickening feeling in his stomach was growing. “So what happened when we left the bathroom?”

“When we were done, we went back out front, and I told Maria and Kyle that you were sick and someone needed to get you home. You couldn’t remember anything, and Liz was so worried about you…boo hoo.” Tess pretended to wipe away tears. “Poor innocent little Liz.”

Max sat there processing it all, then shook his head. “I don’t remember any of it.”

Tess smiled back at the memory of going to Max and telling him they’d slept together. He’d been devastated, but he’d played right into her hands. “I let you go for a few days, and then I came to you and told you what had happened. I played the victim, of course, like I hadn’t wanted it to happen. At first you wanted to tell Liz, but I knew I couldn’t let that happen. Everyone there had known I wasn’t drunk, so it wouldn’t have played out right. I also knew that you and Liz had been on the rocks since Alex’s death, which made it harder for you to go to Liz and I had to set up my life with Kyle, so it wouldn’t look suspicious. Then, I convinced you to run away and it worked. You ran. You left her and you went to California, so I set her up with my stepbrother. You know…it’s so amazing how people are too stupid to put two and two together.” She smiled at the thought.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s see…I had my step dad get Aaron the job at the same hospital Liz was working at and I had him go after her. I had him become her friend first, and then when she found out she was pregnant I had him play the sympathetic male support system. It worked so well. She fell for it so easily. She fell right into his open arms and she paid for everything she had ever done to me.”

“You mean he beat her?” Max didn’t know how to react to that one. Should he show her his true feelings? It took everything in him not to say or do anything.

“I mean, he taught her a lesson…one she’ll never forget. She could have left him, but I did my part with that too. I made sure she felt like no man would ever love her or want her. Aaron played on her insecurities, and he played on her love for you. All the while I played the sympathetic friend pretending I cared, when really I couldn’t have cared less.”

“What about Jessica?” Max finally asked.

Tess raised her chin and met Max’s eyes. Suddenly, her expression turned serious. “Jess knew nothing. She mentioned to me a couple of times that she was dating this guy named Alex, but it never occurred to me that it could be you. She never told me his last name or what he did…she just said she was finally happy. It never occurred to me that you were dating her until that day you told me you were picking Jessica’s brother Aaron up at the airport. Then I pieced it all together. I was almost furious with her, but she was my baby sister…I couldn’t do anything to her.”

“That’s when you were exposed?” Max stated more than questioned.

Tess shook her head and the tears started to fall. “I knew if you ever made it home you would confess everything. The instant I knew Aaron was coming to town and you were picking him up, I knew you would go home and say something.” The tears continued to fall down both of her cheeks. “I lost my daughter. I lost you. I lost my friends. I lost everything. I don’t regret what I did, Max, because I did it for us, but I want my daughter back. Together, we can get her and AJ and we can raise them. We can live as one big family and no one could stop us. We could move to Europe if we had to…anything as long as we’re together. No one will ever have to know where we are.” Her eyes were pleading with him as much as her words.

“I know that he’s with Isabel. If we go in at night we could get Ally, and then call Iz to get AJ. We could be gone by morning and no one has to know where.”

“What about Liz and Kyle?” She asked.

Max held her hands in his. “What about them? Kyle’s always had something for Liz…they can learn to love each other.” Max looked to the ground. What was he supposed to say to her? What was he supposed to do?

“Max, we can do anything together.” When she smiled at him in pure joy he almost couldn’t hold it back.

“I need some fresh air to think about all of this. What do you say we go and get coffee or take a walk?” Tess smiled and grabbed her coat.

*~*~*~*~*~

Liz stepped out and onto the mat, letting the coolness of the air hit her. The hot, steamy water had relaxed her muscles, which had been exactly what she’d needed, but the cool air was exhilarating! In that one brief moment, all of her troubles seemed to disappear and it was only her. No worries, no decisions…just her.

She wrapped the warm, fluffy towel around her body, and slowly made her way toward the mirror. She raised a hand to wipe away the steam, and then examined the reflection staring back at her. It should be me![/She thought, jumping back several feet, but when she glanced in the mirror again she couldn’t help but see Aaron’s face. She closed her eyes, desperately hoping his image would disappear, and when she gained the courage to open them again…he was gone. At first, Liz had thought this was completely normal considering everything she’d been through, but now it was starting to become a regular occurrence. It didn’t matter where she looked anymore, she saw him in her dreams, in windows, and even in crowds when she did manage to leave the house. She’d tried to explain to her friends and family that it was the reason she didn’t want to go out or be around people, but no one really seemed to understand. They meant well, but she couldn’t just let go. Although she knew Aaron was dead and could never hurt her again…he was still haunting her.

As Liz got dressed, she noticed that the house was quiet. Normally, it wouldn’t have bothered her, but there was an eerie feeling surrounding her. She finished pulling her tank top over her head and peeked out her door. The hallway was dark and when she peered across to Max’s room she noticed the lights were off and the door was open. Still feeling a little uneasy, she slowly crept out of the room and made her way downstairs. Hopefully, Max was downstairs watching TV or reading.

She made her way further and further down the stairs, but she heard nothing. He wasn’t watching television, nor was he in the study. Then, Liz began to panic. Her breathing started to speed up, her heart began to race, and her hands were sweating…Max? She called out in her mind. Where was he and why wasn’t he back yet? The last thing she wanted was to be alone, despite everything she may have said to him, being in the house alone was the last thing she wanted.

“Calm down, Liz, he probably went out for food.” She took a deep breath in and attempted to compose herself. She walked over to the door to see if it was locked and it was. She unlocked it twice, and then relocked it just to make certain it had locked. As she pulled her hand away from the securely locked handle another uneasy feeling washed over her. What if he left for good? What if he doesn’t come home? She watched her hands begin to shake and quickly tried to erase the thought from her mind. Don’t be stupid, Liz! Of course he’ll come home. She turned and headed toward the front windows.

She was overly careful, checking each window thoroughly to make sure each was locked. She was trying her best not to look into the reflections coming off the windows out of fear it wouldn’t be her own face looking back. Once she was sure everything was locked, she made her way back upstairs to her room. Right now she needed something, anything to keep her mind off Max.

Liz couldn’t help it. She repeatedly stared at the clock on her nightstand, watching the hours pass her by. Time was not on her side and the minutes resembled hours. With the passing of each minute she steadily became more nervous and exceedingly anxious. It was already one in the morning and Max wasn’t back yet. She glared down at the phone sitting beside her, and struggled with the decision of whether or not to call him. Would he answer and if he did would he want to talk to her? If he didn’t answer could she handle that? Finally, she picked up the phone and punched his cell phone number into the keypad and waited for the phone to start ringing. After the third ring, she knew it was hopeless and his voicemail was going to pick up.

“Hey I’m deliberately avoiding your phone calls, but if you’re someone important leave a message and if you’re lucky maybe I’ll call you back. Later!”

Liz placed the handset back on the receiver and didn’t even try to stop the tears welling up in her eyes. Maybe this time she had pushed too hard, and maybe he really had left her. She realized in that moment that everything she’d said to him, even if it had been how she was feeling in that single moment, Max hadn’t deserved. He’d been trying to help, and he hadn’t deserved to be lashed out at.

She picked up the phone again and dialed the one person she knew she could always count on not matter what.

“Hello.”

“Michael…its Liz.”

“What?” Michael was instantly on his feet. “What is it? Are you ok?”

Liz tried to hold back her tears but they were evident in her voice. “No, I need Maria.” Without hesitation, she heard him pass the phone over to Maria and as soon as she heard Maria speak she started crying so heavily that she could no longer talk.

“I’ll be there in five.” Maria insisted.

Liz nodded, but knew Maria couldn’t see her, and then hung up the phone. She drew her knees up to her chest and rested her head on her knees. Maria had meant what she’d said, in just at five minutes she came barreling through the Evan’s front door with a key they’d given her many years before.

“Liz, where are you?” Maria screamed from the entrance hall.

Liz could here the panic in Maria’s voice and called out to her. “I’m up here, Maria.” She blew her nose, sniffled, and called out to her best friend again. “In my room.” Still feeling dazed, she ran her finger over the missing eye of AJ’s bear thinking she needed to sow it back on.

Maria came running into the room and within seconds had Liz cradled in her arms. “Liz, are you ok? What happened?”

“He left me, Maria.” Her sobs shook not only her body, but Maria’s as well.

“Who left you?” Maria was confused. She knew Liz had been through a lot these past several days, but right now she wasn’t making any sense.

“Max.” Liz whispered, the thought still too unbearable.

Maria just stared at Liz in total shock. How Liz could think something like that was beyond her. “Liz, Max wouldn’t leave you. What makes you think he would?”

Liz sniffled and the tears began to flow again. “I was yelling…I was upset and I was yelling.”

“Liz honey, he knows what you’re going through.” Maria tried to reassure her.

Liz shook her head and pulled back a little. “No, Maria…I wasn’t just yelling because I was upset…I said some really harsh things. I made it sound like I didn’t want him anywhere near me. So…he went out to get some fresh air around seven and he hasn’t been back since.” Liz grabbed another tissue to blow her nose with before continuing any further. “I went into his room and his duffle bag is gone. Why would his duffle bag be gone if he hadn’t left me?”

“Honey, you’re overreacting. You’ve been through something that none of us can or will ever be able to comprehend. You’re stressed, you’re jumpy, and I’m sure that you didn’t mean anything you said to Max, and I’m willing to bet he knows that too. He didn’t leave you, he wouldn’t do that.” She couldn’t believe that Liz was thinking this.

“He left me once, Maria…what’s to stop him from doing it again?” She wiped her eyes with her hand and looked at Maria.

“Liz, I have to admit when he left you before I hated him. I wanted to hunt him down and hang him from his dick. Then, when he came back I broke his nose, not the same satisfaction, but it helped. But, Liz…the night you went into the hospital I watched him. I sat there and watched as he wore a hole in the carpet because he wouldn’t quit pacing. I watched his reaction every time the double doors opened and doctors and nurses walked out. He and I had a little heart to heart at the hospital and if there’s anything I could ever say to you with absolute certainty it’s this…Liz, he loves you. I’m not saying that what he did with Tess was right, in fact I think it was very wrong. If Michael ever did that to me I would skin him alive, but you either have to forgive him or move on. Personally, I think you’ll be much happier with the forgiving part, but it’s up to you. You and Max have never done well without the other, but you can’t keep tossing it at him…tell him you forgive him, or let him go. This isn’t just about both of you now. Liz, you have AJ and he needs you and Max. It isn’t just you anymore.” Maria smiled at her and took her hand.

Liz took a deep breath in and let it out. “So you don’t think he left me and I need to forgive him?”

Maria smiled and shook her head. “Yes! Please! You’re making yourself miserable, just look at you,” Maria stood up and pulled Liz to her feet in front of the mirror. “You look like you’ve lost more weight, which um you didn’t need to lose in the first place and have you slept at all?” Liz shook her head and gave Maria a weak smile. “He still haunts you?” Liz shook her head again and Maria pulled her into a hug.

“Liz, you know I love you more than anyone in the world, but you need to get help. Professional help. What happened wasn’t your fault, but if you don’t get help it’s going to drive you insane.” Maria was serious this time and there was no smile. “You can’t let this destroy you, because it will start to destroy all of you. When Max gets back, ask him where he put the number of the psychologist your doctor recommended.”

Liz looked up surprised. She’d thrown the number away thinking she would never need it.

“Yep, Max told me he found it in the trash and he took it out and put it somewhere. He knew you needed some time first. But time is precious, Liz…don’t let him control it anymore. The ball’s in your court now, so you have to make the choice, and you have to do what’s right.” Maria gave her a stern, but friendly look.

Liz wondered when her best friend had become such a genius. She reached out and pulled Maria close to her. She could always count on Maria…always. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, honey, anytime. How about we make some tea and I’ll stay until Max gets here?”

“I’d like that.” She took Maria’s hand in hers and they headed toward the kitchen. It was going to be a late night and she was glad for the company.


TBC

Ok guys...this is it...the next to the last!! And boy am I feeling it!! Ok so I will leave all the good stuff for next chapter. Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it more than you all realize. You are are AWESOME!! Gold Star to Melyssa for doing this...lol...with everything going on in life she took time out of her busy life and did this. Gold Star to icequeen you my dear deserve many gold stars and punches for this one!!
ok on with it!

harroc83- that is what I was going for...with a friend like that who needs enemies, I wanted someone you could hate. BTW thanks for reading
FSUMSW94- there are no words for you! you pick me up when I am down and there always seems to be a bump when I need it!! thank you! And you always seem to hit it on the nail with the feedback!!
behrlyliz- awww thank you..*tear*..just wait for the Tess part you get that...but in the next part you get it all.
Maxsgurl- you know i went saying that I missed you and then there i went and missed like both of your updates...sheesh i am an ass!! lol I wanted to make Max's family wonderful like that who didnt want to jsut shut Liz out when she had done nothing wrong...hint hint!! that is not cool! LOL..
g7silvers- Give him a chance, you will see in the next two chapters and hopefully with this one I have changed your mind at least I hope!!!
Ellie I seriously was looking everywhere for you and there you were and I had missed you..duh!! I will get to the Kyle part in the next chapter...I want you to see it and know why she didnt get rid of him and why he chose to ignore the signs.
icequeen JAZZY!! basehead she is! I have to agree. F she gets..shit or get off the pot? LOL that was hillarious LMAO... punches and cake and thaks a bunch
cherie- thanks...and they will..at least I hope the will
Emz80m- i am slow...super duper slow...well here is Max's story!
martine- here it is and I hope it wont confuse you anymore but pm if it does!
begonia9508- her awakening is coming in the next chapter...when she finally realizes everything..and you are right it will be hard...and you are right nit hard enough.
frenchkiss70- i hope that with this chapter and the next that I can save Max...I really do...
hazz- thanks...think it was long enough of a wait...lol sorry!
janesdilemma- oh stepherninnii- ok where that came from..dont ask... ...Isnt max exceptionally bright...I knew that you would think so? lol!! I knew you would see it my way! I know..with Max, Liz the whole situation...I am good at this...I like this..wait till you see what else i have up my sleeve!! LOL!! Ditto back at you...you know i feel the same!!
adreamer- thank you..always glad to see someone new!!
FSUMSW94- YOU ROCK!! anyone ever told you that?

Ok you all rock you all are awesome!! you alldeserve gold stars..and I am on drugs..I have a cold!

Chapter 21

As he stepped out of the motel room with Tess quickly following behind, Max felt a chill run down his spine. Glancing up, he saw the moon disappear behind a thick patch of clouds, and pulled his coat tighter. The night was ominous and the air was biting, not exactly the kind of night he wanted to be out on. Max let the eerie feeling of the night sweep over him as he walked beside Tess. His hands were shaking, so he shoved them inside his pockets. He was nervous, and getting more uncomfortable with each passing minute.

They walked for a few minutes, neither of them saying anything. It wasn’t the comforting silence that had once been there between them as friends, but instead uncomforting and almost hostile. Max was trying to stay focused on the moment at hand, but he was lost deep in thought. How had he missed so many signs? How had he not seen what was going on right in front of him? Looking back, it was all so clearly there. He could remember conversations between them and times when he was certain he was confiding in a friend. He’d trusted her whole-heartedly as his friend, and had believed she was giving him advice that would be best for everyone. Now, those conversations were all he could here…

He’d been standing in the produce isle that first day attempting to find something healthy to eat, but instead he’d ended up just staring at the strawberries and imagining the way Liz always used to smell. God how he’d always loved the way she smelled. The world had slipped away around him, but then out of nowhere he heard his name.

“Max Evans?”

He knew that voice. It was high pitched and familiar. It was from HOME. He turned around and came face to face with Tess Harding, a face that had never stopped haunting him. “Tess Harding?” He could see she looked angry with him, to say the least, but he couldn’t really blame her since they hadn’t parted on the best of terms.

“No…it’s Tess Valenti now. I married Kyle about a year ago.”

Was that even possible? Here he was living in pain, and yet Tess was living her dream…the dream he had to sacrifice for. “Wow…that’s great…congrats. I assume you two are living in LA since here you are?” She laughed, but Max wanted to flinch. He’d been having a bad day and this was the icing on the cake.

“Yeah, Kyle works for your dad now and he got transferred here to the LA office, so we moved about two months ago.”

“Kyle works for my dad? He has an LA office?” Wow! Everything had definitely changed in the time he’d been gone.

“Yeah um…your dad opened an LA office about seven months ago and Kyle had finished getting his degree, so he’s working there.”

“Wow…that’s really something. And you? What are you doing?”

“Well, Isabel and I both got our fashion degrees and now we have a clothing line along with Maria. It’s been going really well…I’m managing a boutique here, while Isabel runs the one in Roswell, and Maria handles the one in St. Louis.”

“Maria’s in St. Louis? I never thought she’d leave Roswell.”

Tess laughed again. “Do you really think she would be anywhere else?”

“Is Michael with her?”

“Yeah. They moved over there to be with Liz and AJ…”

AJ? Who’s AJ, and why is he with Liz? “Who’s AJ?” Max’s hands were clinched and he could feel the sweat forming on the back of his neck.

“AJ is Liz’s son. Michael and Maria moved out there to be with her and AJ about a month after he was born.”

She was talking about this as if it were normal, as if there was nothing painful about the entire situation! He couldn’t have this conversation! He couldn’t listen anymore! Right now all he knew was that he had to get out of here!

“I’m sorry, Tess, but I’ve gotta run. I have a really busy day and I’m running late.” He walked passed her, but stopped a few feet away and looked back. “Tess…please don’t tell anyone you saw me?” He turned back to leave, but she rushed over to him and handed him a small piece of paper with a number on it.

“Max, call me sometime…please. I won’t tell anyone at all. Your secret is safe with me.” He shook his head and walked out. Of course it was safe, who was she going to tell.

Why had he been so gullible? Had it been that easy to be fooled by her? True, she’d played innocent, but the whole time she’d been plotting against all of them. He remembered that day even more clearly because it had been the first time he’d ever really been angry with Liz. He’d thought about nothing else for weeks. How could she do it, how could she move on? Finally, he’d taken Tess up on her offer and they met for coffee.

“So you seem happy.” Max stated, attempting to sound happy for her, but inside he was fuming. He couldn’t help but feel resentful and angry that she had her life just the way she’d always wanted it, and someone else was living his.

“I am. Everyone is getting by…you know how it goes. It took a lot to move on after you left.”

Max had to fight back the urge to throw up. He’d never wanted to leave. He wanted his family back, but mostly he wanted to hold Liz again and never let go.

Tess saw the look on Max’s face and sighed. “It was for the best, Max. With everything that had happened…”

For her maybe, but he’d lost the only thing in the world that mattered most to him. His life was empty and all he had to hold onto was the realization that it had been his own fault. “How old is he?” Max mumbled quietly.

Tess gave him a sympathetic smile and put her hand on his. “He’s going to be one any day now.”

That’s when he felt his heart truly ache. She hadn’t waited long, three months at the most. Here he was waiting, holding on to a dream, and she’d moved on. “Is she married or living with his father?”

Tess gave him that look again, which answered his question. Liz was with someone new. She’d slept with someone else, conceived a child with him, and now shared a life with him. Their life…the life they’d dreamed about and planned for so long. He’d never hated Liz Evans more than he did in that moment.

After that first official meeting, things had become more relaxed between the two of them, so most of the time it was almost like he was hanging out with Michael or Isabel. He’d been so lonely for so long that he put his trust in her, and slowly she’d helped him heal. As time passed they saw each other more often, usually meeting for lunch twice a week. They talked about everything from complex things to simple things…she’d been the friend he’d so desperately needed.

She’d come to him when she first found out she was having Ally, she confided in him about life, and he did the same. They were there for each other and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t have done for her. They’d become so close over those three years, but in one moment everything he’d believed to be true had become a lie.

Tess looked up at him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Are you ok?”

Maintaining his cool façade, he turned to her and smiled. “Perfect.” He looked forward again and kept walking.

“Max, we have to do this. It’s the only way.”

It’s the only way! How many times had those words been spoken to him and how many times had he believed them? Now it was time to do what he had come to do…it was time to go back. “I’m ready. Let’s do what we have to do.”

Tess smiled and wrapped her arms around him. She’d never been so happy! This was the moment she’d been waiting years for. Finally, she was going to get everything she’d ever dreamed of.

The butterflies in Max’s stomach were growing with each step. They were approaching the room when he stopped. No longer feeling him close to her, Tess stopped in front of him and turned around.

“Why did you stop?”

He fidgeted with his pockets and pulled the room key out. “Thought I’d lost it.” He smiled and she smiled back. When they reached the door, Max readied the key. This was it. There was no turning back once he opened the door…things were going to change.

He opened the door and instantly saw the outline of a body. Then, he pushed the door open further to reveal Sheriff Valenti sitting on the bed waiting for them. Once Tess was inside the room she noticed Jim and looked to Max questioning why he was there.

“Hello, Tess.” Jim said calmly. He didn’t want this to get out of hand.

“What is this, Max?” She looked like a deer caught in headlights, eyes wide and her expression unchanging.

“Tess, I’m only here to help.”

She turned back to Jim. She’d always liked him, and looked up to him, but now he was here threatening to take away everything she’d worked so hard for. “I don’t need help.” She hissed back. Suddenly, she realized it had all been a trap. She needed to get out of here. She needed to run. She was starting to panic, but then she thought of Max again. No…he wouldn’t do this to her. He wouldn’t let Jim take her. “Max, what’s going on?”

When Max’s eyes settled on hers, she didn’t even recognize the person behind them. Max was behind this…he’d tricked her. “I think you know.”

“YOU DID THIS!” Her voice was powerful and angry, and there was fire in her eyes. “How dare you do this to me?”

“How dare I? You did this to yourself! Look at everything you’ve done! You’ve hurt everyone you were supposed to have cared about!” She was no saint and it was time she realized that what goes around comes around.

“I did everything for you, Max! Everything I did was for us and you DESTROYED IT!” Her face radiated the anger she felt, and hot tears began streaming down her face.

“NO, you did this for you! I WAS HAPPY! HAPPY! DON’T YOU GET THAT!?! YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING.” He could hear the anger and power in his own voice as he watched her flinch away. “All you ever cared about was yourself, Tess! It was never about me and my feelings or my happiness! It was all about yours! You lied to me! I trusted you and you lied! All of those years you watched me suffer, there was no truth to them at all! You knew I was dying inside and you let it happen! Hell! You planned it! You didn’t care about me or anyone else for that matter…I don’t think you know how to care about anyone but yourself. And why, Tess? For who? For what?” He was trying to calm down, but this was harder than he’d ever imagined.

Tess stood, hot tears rolling down face. “You’ll never understand! You could never get it! All you ever wanted was her! Perfect Liz, she had you so blinded. Even when I tried to tell you she’d already moved on, I could see it in your eyes that you still loved her. I told you she had a baby with someone else and you still wanted her! Pathetic! All I ever wanted was to love you, Max, and for you to see me, and to love me! Why was that so hard?”

“I saw you, Tess, and I did love you. You were supposed to be my friend.” He looked to her and then to Jim. “I’m sorry you felt you had to resort to this.” Max turned and faced the door. He was done, there was nothing more to say or do. This was no longer in his hands.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Max stared at the house and let out the deep breath he’d subconsciously been holding in. He knew what was waiting inside…Liz, but his feet didn’t want to move. He wanted nothing more in this world than to see her, touch her, and tell her everything, but he was afraid. His dreams had been shattered so long ago because he’d been a fool, but now there was nothing standing in his way. He knew the truth, but more importantly, Liz knew the truth. While he was relieved that it was all over, he couldn’t help but wonder if Liz would be able to truly forgive him for everything. He took another deep breath in and realized it was now or never.

Slowly, he turned the key in the knob and pushed the door open into the foyer. All the lights were still on, so he figured Liz was probably still awake. He stood there for a minute trying to gain the courage to face her and that’s when he heard her vivacious laughter and the gentleness of her voice. He couldn’t help but smile. Liz sounded happy and that was far from the way he’d left her.

As he came around the corner he saw Liz and Maria sitting on the couch watching a movie, talking, and laughing like they were still teenagers. It was the most he’d seen out of Liz since she’d been released from the hospital, so he stood there for a few minutes just taking it all in. She looked so young right now. Young, happy, vulnerable, and very much like the Liz Parker he’d fallen so helplessly in love with so many years ago. He’d loved her for most of his life and watching her now he realized that was the one thing that had never changed. His love for her had never left him.

“Hey, Max.” Maria said cheerfully when she finally took notice of him. She smiled widely, hoping to put him at ease.

“Sounds like you two are having fun.” He smiled at them both and watched as Maria got up.

“We are, but I think it’s time I head back to Michael now.” She leaned back down to hug Liz and whispered in her ear. “Be good to him.” She gave her one last squeeze before letting go and headed toward Max. “Goodnight, Max.” She hugged him tightly and headed for the door. She’d been waiting for this moment for both Max and Liz for way too long to end up spoiling it.

Max walked Maria to the door and watched as she made her way down the driveway to her car. Once he was sure she was safely inside with the doors locked, he pushed the front door closed and turned the dead bolt. He paused for a moment to compose himself before heading back to Liz. She was sitting on the couch, television off, and staring down at the pillow in her lap. She played with the edge of the pillow but didn’t look up when she saw Max’s feet pass by her.

“Liz, I owe you an explanation, but here’s the thing…I don’t need you to talk, I need you to listen until I’m done.” She nodded her head in understanding and looked to him as he started to explain what he had gone through.

“Tonight I did something…I did something that I wasn’t sure I could do, but I was desperate.” He looked up at her and saw that her eyes held questions, but he had to get this out before he lost his nerve. “After I left you tonight…I met Tess.” Before he could open his mouth to continue, she started to speak.

Max looked at her sternly holding his hand “Please…just let me get this out, and then you can say what you need to say.” He didn’t wait for her to approve, but instead continued with his story.

“I called Jim after you and I talked this evening. I told him I was tired of all of this hanging over my head and I wanted, no needed, to end this once and for all. I knew I was the only one who could end it, because I was the only one who could get her to come back.” He kept his eyes fixed on Liz as he talked.

“Jim and I discussed what to do, and then I called Tess. I asked her to meet me in Albuquerque, so I headed up there and waited for her. Jim and the unit from Albuquerque waited outside the whole time. At first I was worried she wouldn’t show, but something in me knew all I had to do was call and she would be there.” He looked at Liz, but she had gone back to playing with the pillow. It was obvious she was nervous and Max could feel the tension in the room building.

“When she finally showed up I told her I needed to know everything before I could let go of my life here. I couldn’t let on that I wasn’t interested in her or what had happened. I needed her to believe me and I knew that she wouldn’t if I didn’t play along, so I played her game. I sat there and listened while she told me everything she’d ever done alone or conspired to do.” He kept his eyes glued to Liz no matter how difficult it became. He wanted to look away and avoid the pained expression in her eyes, but it was past time for him to be honest with her and he was going to face her while he did.

Liz looked up at Max and saw his eyes glisten. She knew he was trying to hold himself together, to be strong. “You don’t have to go on.” She wanted him to stop. She didn’t want to hear anymore.

“No…you need to hear this. So when she finished telling me everything she’d done I had to get some air. I felt like I was suffocating, and I knew if I didn’t get some fresh air I’d be sick. I told her to come with me because I didn’t want to take the chance she might leave…”

“What did you talk about?” Liz had to ask. She had to know. They could’ve talked about anything, everything, nothing, but she needed to know.

“Well, for the most part we didn’t talk. We spent the time walking as I tried to remember why I ever started trusting her. I tried to remember why I sought out a friend in her to begin with. That’s when I realized I’d been living my life out of fear. The last four years have been about me running, and me not facing my demons. I let things get out of control, and then I ran away because I didn’t want to deal with it. While I did have some motivation to run…it was my choice. I didn’t want to face the consequences of my actions. By the time I ran into Tess in LA I’d been gone long enough for it to be easier for her to convince me to stay there. She would tell me about how happy you were with your new life, and she would talk about your son. I felt like there was no longer any reason for me to come home. I wanted to come back so many times, but she always had a new story to make me stay away. I do want you to understand that I know there’s no excuse for my actions.”

Feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Max met Liz’s eyes. It was the first time he didn’t feel completely ashamed. For the first time since he’d been home he was taking responsibility for his part in everything that had happened and it felt right. Max realized that sometimes you could control the things that happen to you, but if you let them spin so far out of reach that’s when you lose your grip. It was the story of his life.

Eyes still focused on Liz, Max took a deep breath in and let it out. “After everything, I turned her in. I had her over to the authorities and watched as she looked up at me with confusion and shock. For a minute, I almost felt as inhumane as she’s been. I held her entire life in my hands in that moment, and when I watched them take her away I realized they were taking away someone that had been my friend. However corrupt and misguided that friendship had been, she was still the only friend I thought I had left. But I walked away and let them take her. She needs help, professional help, and by me turning her in she’ll get that. The hard part was the realization that no matter what choice I made someone would lose. If I didn’t turn her in I was letting her get away with every misdeed she’d ever done, but if I did turn her in what happens to Ally? I know she doesn’t deserve Ally, but she is someone’s mother. I helped put away Ally’s mother.” Max sighed, but then continued. “Tess needed help though…maybe this way one day she can be the mother that Ally needs. I think it’s more inhumane to take her away from Ally than to let Ally have the chance to know her.” He was finished, so he sat there and waited for Liz to say something, anything. He saw the tears running down her face, but he was unable to read her.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think these last few hours too and I came to a few realizations of my own.” Liz looked up at him and took a deep breath. “I realized that you could’ve come to me…you could’ve told me what had happened that night. We used to be able to tell each other everything and we never lied to each other. Something in our relationship, in us, changed. How we let it happen I’m not sure, but we didn’t do anything to fix it. We let it go and look where it got us.” She put the pillow down and scooted toward him.

“I also realized I can’t blame you for everything that goes wrong. Not everything is your fault, and blaming you or you blaming me or both of us blaming Tess isn’t going to get us anywhere. Max, we both have to start taking responsibility for our actions and the pain that we’ve caused each other and ourselves. We have a little boy that needs us, our love, and our protection…we can’t give him what he needs if we’re constantly accusing each other of ruining everything.” She took his hands into hers and stared into his eyes. “I can sit here and apologize to you until I’m blue in the face, and I’m sure you could do the same, but there’s only so many apologies that one person can give and take. I want to start fresh. I’ve loved you almost half of my life, and I want us to be able to love again.”

Max smiled at her and took her into his arms. “You’re right…no more apologies, it’s in the past. We start fresh from here and I can’t think of anything I want more than that.” He kissed the top of her head and enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. Tomorrow was a new day, a fresh start for her, him, and for their family.


TBC

Hi everyone! Thank you for your patience and understand, I am still dealing with my family issues so thank you for your understanding during this difficult time! So here it is the last and final chapter of this story. I have had so much fun writing it and reading your responses and I have all of you to thank for keeping me going. I am sad this is coming to an end and it has been rocky at times, especially with feelings for Max and going from hating him to liking him to some of you loving him, and then there are those who still don’t like Max, and that is ok because I accomplished what I had hoped to accomplish! So thank you all!! Gold stars for each of you!! Now as for the story, you are going to be surprised at what I did with Tess, and no I did not explain why I did it or how it was done, but know that it was what I thought was right. The song that AJ is singing is called Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak the author of Where the Wild Things Are, and Carol King.

First off to Mel, you got me through this in one piece and I could never thank you enough, I think I would have to owe you some organ that they sell on the black market! But i would give you my kindney or half of my liver...yeah the liver it gorws back!! You are awesome and there are no words for you!! Gold Stars to you! Thank you for everything!!! Much Love!

frenchkiss70- Max made a mistake actually he made a few of them and I am in no way saying he was right for what he did to Liz or to his family but there comes a time when everyone must forgive or they are not able to move on. This isn’t because he is Max and it should all be handed to him on a silver platter. This is about forgiveness and moving on. Liz wasn’t exactly innocent either, she moved on and slept with Aaron. Thank you for your feedback it has been fun!
hazz- well thank you forgiveness is the key to all things!! Thanks for reading, it is much appreciated!
FSUMSW94- You know there are no words! I tired really hard to not let it known that Max was playing her although it was obvious I didn’t want to let anyone see the behind the scenes. You are right about Ally and when I wrote this last part it was her that I thought of when deciding about Tess. Thank you for the feedback and I appreciate it, thank you for the friendly bumps and the thoughts. I appreciate it more than you know!
RASaero611- Thank you for reading and sticking with me! I appreciate it.
Earth2Mama- it was justified wasn’t it and I think he did what he had to do to move on. He even showed the compassion that she didn’t deserve! Thank you for sticking with me and reading and I hope that you are feeling better!
Ellie- Thank you!! I had been wanting to put your feedback into words and you did it for me. It was about time there are only so many sorrys someone can say. And he does realize what you said he should it was time and I for one wanted it to be done. Thank you for sticking with this and for your feedback it was always something to think about!!
g7silvers- I know you still don’t like him..lol. But I had to do what I had to do, it wasn’t easy for me or for my characters! Thank you for reading and feedbacking I appreciate it and thank you!
behrlyliz- thank you…for everything! I appreciate it more than you know! Thank you for reading and feedbacking!! I know it has been a while but I hope everything is going well and you are doing ok!
begonia9508- thank you! He was responsible for his actions and how he handled things but you are right it was Tess’s doing that this all happened! Thank you for reading and feedbacking I appreciate it!
Martine- wow!! Liz does have a great heart, but so does Max. Even if it cant be seen he does and he knows what he did was wrong. But there is only so much groveling someone can do and he shouldn’t have to gravel. Thank you for feedbacking I appreciate it, it has been fun!
Emz80m- Emma, thank you so much for everything, with all your help and your guidance. Remember you are a genius! LOL!! Thank you so much for sticking with me and feedbacking, I am thankful Gold Stars for you!
Evelynn- Thank you!!! You deserve a few gold stars!! You made a beautiful banner for this fic and I appreciate it more than you know! Thank you for feedbacking as well.
cherie- thank you for the wonderful feedback you have given me and I appreciate it your reading. I am thankful for it and glad it is there, I would miss it if you had not left it.
roswell3053- well even if it is the end…WELCOME! Thank you for the feedback.
icequeen- There are no words! But what could I say that could sum it all up…hmmm love you! LOL… kidding, oh wait maybe hugs!! No I have a better one...BD, DC!!! There we go, so much better!! LOL…Thank you so much for the support, help and guidance along the way, I would be LOST without you and there would be no DC!!! LOL!! You are awesome Gold Stars for you...wait I almost forgot...P&C!!!
Maxsgurl! Jennifer thank you so much, I am going to PM you later for I just read yours! Thanks for everything I appreciate it more than you know!!!
janesdilemma- Stephers I have missed ya and I hope that you will get to read this! For this is the part we have both waited for!! You know what I think of ya and I will talk to you soon!!! Thank you for everything, for believing in me and for everything...you are the best!! Dont ever forget it either!!! All my love!

For all you lurkers, thank you for reading and I hope that you will stop by and let me know what you thought!!

You all are AWESOME!! ok enough with the BLAH BLAH BLAH

Am’s


CHAPTER 22

While the room was well lit with warm sunlight pouring in through the big picture windows, giving the room a breathtaking view of the Hill Gardens, the room still felt dark and cold. He sat there, his stomach turning and forming knots with each passing second. He wanted nothing more than to turn around and run out of this place as fast as his feet would carry him, but he couldn’t. When he’d first received the call from the doctor he’d been tempted to simply hang up and never look back again. He wanted nothing to do with her, but then the questions had washed over him and made him realize she was the only person with the answers he needed, wanted, and longed for.

His head snapped up as the door slammed shut. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, but the moment he’d dreaded just as much. He followed one of the nurses down the long corridor to the area set up for visiting family and friends. Even before she turned the knob to open the door, he could already feel the tiny hairs on the back of his neck standing up, and started questioning all over again whether or not he should even be here. Finally, the nurse pushed the door open and stepped aside for him to enter. The room was dreary, but he’d expected that. When he caught sight of her out of the corner of his eye, his heart began to race all over again. He turned and there she stood, looking much different than the last time he’d seen her. She was thinner, making her clothes droop, and her once short, tight blonde curls were now loose and long. Slowly, he sat down and waited. She smiled when she saw him, and didn’t hesitate to cross the room and take a seat across from him. Unlike her, he did not smile, but instead stared at her as if trying to cast a mental picture in his mind.

“Hi.”

He noticed instantly that her voice was no longer light and airy, but more dark and almost unnerving. His facial expression was unchanging, and he still couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Just looking at her and hearing her voice made him feel sick. The time that had passed had changed nothing.

“How are you?” She asked after a long moment of silence.

Unfortunately, that he knew he had to answer. Could he lie to her and tell her he was fine and so was everyone else? Could he tell her what she’d done had no effect on him? Should he tell her the truth and tell her just how miserable he really was? He didn’t know what to say. At a complete loss for words, he shrugged his shoulders and continued to sit there in silence.

“Well, you’re either good or bad…is it such a difficult question to answer?”

“Truth?” He watched as she shook her head yes. He decided that as ugly as it might be, she needed to hear it from him. “Ok, the truth is I’m horrible. I’m trying to restart my life, something I never intended on having to do. I’m taking one day at a time, but I can’t seem to get a handle on it. I feel lost, I feel like part of me is missing, and I don’t have even the slightest idea of how to fix it. So…is that what you wanted to hear?” There, he’d said it. He’d been bottling it up, but now it was out in the open.

Finally, he looked up to meet her eyes in time to see the tears present there. Had she really earned the right to cry? After all, all the tears that had been shed had been her doing. “How are you?” As much as he didn’t want to care, he did. He wanted to know if she was doing all right here, but he wasn’t sure he had the right to ask.

“Good…better. I’m trying to take it one day at a time.” She smiled and shook her head. She sounded as though she were trying to convince herself as much as him.

He reached into his jacket pocket to get something, stared at it for a moment, and then gently slid it across the table to her. Quickly, she opened it and started to cry as she flipped through pictures.

“She’s so beautiful.” She whispered as she clung to the picture of her little girl.

He couldn’t help but smile. Yes, she was beautiful, and while some days it was painful to admit, she looked so much like her mother. He continued to smile as he watched her flip through each picture over and over again.

“Thank you for this.” She looked up at him with tears spilling down her cheeks, and then quickly looked down again.

“Yeah well, I figured it’s been a few months since you’ve seen her, so I figured some pictures would be something you might like.”

She stared at them again and shook her head as she put the pictures back in the envelope. Her head was bent, but when she raised her head slowly, he came face to face with her ice blue eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

It was so quiet he almost didn’t hear her, but when the words penetrated the surface, the shock almost made him fall out of his chair.

“I know that I’ve hurt you.” She paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “I know I don’t deserve to be forgiven or for you to believe what I say, but I truly am sorry. I’ve been in this place for six months now, and while I don’t like it here I do understand why I’m here. I deserve this. Actually, I deserve much worse after everything I put you, Liz, Max, my family, our family through…I deserve so much worse. What I did was wrong and unforgivable…it took me a long time to see what I’d really done. It was so obviously wrong, but at the time I was so blinded by hatred…I just couldn’t see that. I know you probably don’t believe me, and I really can’t blame you, but I still needed to tell you regardless.”

He sat there, stunned and speechless, but waited for her to finish.

“I pulled you into something, but you had no idea what I was doing. The worst part was that I pledged vows and made a bond that was supposed to be sacred and trusting, then I turned it into something that was secular and full of lies. I even brought our precious daughter into this, and none of it was right. I destroyed lives with my deceitfulness, and there’s no excuse.”

Kyle really didn’t believe what he was hearing. How was he supposed to believe anything she said to him to be true or real? With every word she’d spoken, the room had grown darker and darker until the rain had started pounding against the window. To him, it felt like an omen. “Why should I believe this? Especially when six months ago you thought Liz had gotten what she deserved and that Max was all yours. Why should I believe any of that to be different now?” He couldn’t hide his anger, and there really was no point in trying. He needed her to know that sorry wasn’t going to fix this.

“I know…but it is different now. I know I was wrong, and I know what I did to all of you was inexcusable. I’ve been sitting here for six months, six months with nothing else to think about except what I’ve done! That may not seem like long to you, but in here it feels like a lifetime. In here all there is to do is talk to doctors and think. I think till my mind can’t think anymore, I talk to doctors till I don’t want to talk anymore. I’ve finally realized that I would never want Alexandra to be anything like me. I wasn’t a good example to her like a mother should be, or to anyone else for that matter. That’s what I’ve seen in myself these past six months. I destroyed lives and that was in no way right. I really am sorry, Kyle.”

“Well it’s too late for sorry! I loved you and trusted you! It’s too late!” He stood up so quickly that it sent the chair he’d been sitting in crashing to the floor, but he didn’t stop. He walked out of the room leaving her crying at the table. Once he was out in the hallway he stopped to catch his breath. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. This wasn’t the life he’d planned for himself and their daughter. Slowly, he turned around to face the direction he’d just come from, and for a brief moment he thought about going back, but he couldn’t…not now at least. He opened the double doors to the outside world, stepped out into the rain, and headed straight for his truck. Somehow, the rain seemed symbolic of the entire situation. He climbed into his truck, wet and shivering, and pulled out of the parking lot without so much as a glance in his rearview mirror.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Almost one hundred miles away, Liz pulled into a different parking lot and reluctantly stepped out of her car. While she knew this was something she needed to do, it didn’t mean it would be easy. Slowly, she walked into the small medical building and stopped just inside the doors. She was here to pick up a list of doctors before the move to LA, but she was almost sad. It was a lot harder saying good-bye to Roswell than she’d imagined it would be. When she finally reached her destination, she pushed open the door to a small office and smiled at the secretary.

“Good morning, Liz.” The woman behind the desk said cheerfully.

Liz smiled in return and signed the sheet. “Morning.” Silently, she took a seat in the waiting room and got out her book. It didn’t take long before Dr. Larson came out and welcome her in.

“So, Liz, how are things going? How’s all the packing and everything?”

Liz smiled widely at the question, because truly she couldn’t have been happier. She was sad to leave Roswell behind, but at the mention of her move her heart began to beat faster. “Very good. Packing is a bit of a hassle, especially since I hadn’t planned on ever doing it again, but AJ is just so excited. He can’t wait for all of us to be there and finally be a true family. I’m just glad Max and I are where we are. There were times when I had my doubts.”

“You two have come a long way in six months. I know it hasn’t been easy, but you’ve made progress. No more Aaron sightings?” She asked cautiously.

Liz smiled at that question too. “Not for three months…nothing. I can actually look at myself in the mirror again and not see him. I can look out the window and not see him staring back at me. I don’t even see him lurking in crowds. It’s refreshing and nice to be able to do those things again. Max hugged me the other day and it was the first time I didn’t flinch or back away when he touched me. It was wonderful.”

Dr. Larson could see the change in Liz and knew that starting over would be good for her. “That’s good for you, Liz, and I believe starting over is a good idea. A fresh start is always welcoming.” She smiled at Liz “Well, I have a list of good doctors in LA that you can see when you get there. I think you wanting to continue your treatment is a good idea.” She handed the list to Liz.

“Thank you. This means so much to me.” They both stood up and Dr. Larson gave her a hug. She knew it was a little unconventional, but they had formed a bond over the past six months and she was going to miss Liz.

“Take care in LA and anytime you get back here you’d better stop in and say hello. My door is always open.”

“Thank you for everything.” Liz turned and walked out the door. She stopped when she made it to the outside door and turned to look around. She really was going to miss this. Feeling confident, she opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Max was driving down the 405 when his cell phone rang. “Hello.”

“Mr. Evans?”

“Yes.” He confirmed.

“Mr. Evans, we’re all set, so if you just want to come in and sign the papers you’ll be clear to move in.” Max smiled. He couldn’t believe it…everything was finally coming together.

“That’s great, thanks! I’ll be in before four.” He hung up the phone and continued to smile. This was exactly what he’d been waiting for. He’d rented a modest, but tasteful condominium in downtown LA and now he couldn’t wait for Liz and AJ to get here to see it. Only two more days and they would be here for good, and their new life as a family could finally start. He was so lost in his own excitement that he almost missed the exit he needed to get off on. He exited onto the 10 and made his way back to downtown LA to sign the papers.

He opened his cell phone and dialed Liz’s number.

“Hello.”

Instantly, he heard the sweetness and agitation in her voice, and then he heard his son screaming in the background. “Is everything ok?” He hoped it was nothing serious, but he wanted to make sure.

“If I hear this damn chicken soup song one more time I’m going to lose my mind.” Liz growled into the phone.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. Obviously, Liz was frustrated, but to him everything AJ did seemed to be too cute to let it bother him. Several times Liz had responded to his sense of reasoning with “give it time” but he was just thankful to be with them. Quickly, he changed the subject. “Well things are going really good here. I have everything set up for when you both arrive.” He heard the doorbell ring over the phone.

“Max…can I call you back in a few minutes? There’s someone at the door.”

He could hear her running around and smiled as he pictured her perfectly in his mind. “Ok…call me later. I love you.”

“Ditto.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kyle slowly rang the doorbell and waited for her to answer. The door swung open to reveal a very flustered Liz with an extremely excited AJ singing at the top of his lungs.

“Please save me?” He laughed as she let him in the door.

“Uncle Kyle! Uncle Kyle, I learned a new song!” Kyle’s eyes got wide as he pretended to be excited with AJ.

“Really?” Kyle teased, while winking at Liz. “Sing it for me!” Liz stood behind her son desperately signaling no with her hands, but Kyle just laughed.

“In October I’ll be host to witches, goblins, and a ghost, I’ll sever them chicken soup on toast, Whoopee once, Whoopee twice, Whoopee chicken soup with rice!!” AJ was jumping up and down with joy and Kyle clapped.

“That was great, buddy.” AJ climbed up into Kyle’s lap and gave him a hug. “Well now that I listened to your song do you think you could go play for a while? I want to talk to your mom?” AJ nodded and hopped off Kyle’s lap. Like a flash, he was headed for his room.

“In November’s gusty gale…” When they could no longer hear him Liz blew out her breath.

“He has been singing non stop…damn preschool teachers!” Kyle laughed and Liz plopped down on the couch. “All day long it’s been the months of the year to Chicken Soup with Rice…I tell you, Kyle, it’s addicting. I sing it in my sleep!” He laughed at her again causing her to throw a pillow at him.

“So are you all packed?” Kyle was thrilled that she’d finally agreed to move out to LA. He’d decided to stay there and he was glad he wasn’t going to be alone.

“Almost. I still have a few more things, and then the movers are coming tomorrow, and AJ and I Fly into LAX the day after that.” She sighed seeming overwhelmed, but then smiled. “I really can’t wait, Kyle” Liz paused for a moment and then proceeded. “Jim told me Tess asked to see you.”

He shook his head and decided he needed to tell someone. “Yep…her doctor called me last week and told me she’d asked about a visit and I agreed. I went today, actually that’s where I’m coming from.”

“Are you ok to talk about this?” Liz asked, leaning forward and placing a concerned hand on his.

“Yeah…I think I need to get it out. It was a long drive back, so I had time to process everything she said…” Kyle stopped, stood up, and began to pace the room.

Liz thought about asking, but understood this was Kyle’s story to tell. A minute later he picked up where he’d left off.

“Do you know what she told me, Liz? She told me she was sorry! Like sorry could ever fix the things she’s done or fix me!”

Liz said nothing. She could only imagine what today had been like for Kyle. All she could see was that he was hurting and badly. She wanted him to finish before she said anything.

“God! I’m so stupid. I mean did she expect me to say oh it’s ok, and I still love you. You know, I was married to her for four years…four years, Liz. That’s a long time and I never once suspected anything. Occasionally, I had some doubts about things, but I never would’ve thought in a million years she was capable of what she did. How do you live with someone, become intimate with them, and not know their secrets?” He was shaking his head. He hated himself for the things that had happened to Max and Liz. He hated himself for not knowing, and for being so blinded by his love for Tess.

“I think you’re being way too hard on yourself, Kyle. You didn’t see because you didn’t want to see. When we’re in love, we don’t want to see. We see the people we love a certain way and we push aside any feelings of doubt because we love that person, and we don’t want to believe they’re less than perfect in any way. Besides, no one saw it, Kyle…it wasn’t just you. I certainly didn’t, and I thought she was my friend. Kyle, I was living and sleeping with her brother…do you think I knew? I had no clue. We go on blind faith, we trust what we feel, and we don’t want to think that the people we love are deceiving us.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “It doesn’t make you stupid, Kyle, it makes you human. You trusted her because you had no reason not to.”

“But what am I supposed to do now, Liz? I don’t know.”

It pained her to see him this way. He looked as lost and helpless as she had months ago. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. “Kyle, I know that sorry isn’t going to make any of this better, and I think she knows that too. But in order for you to make it past this, you have to confront it, you have to talk to her, you need to tell her everything, and you need to let it go. You won’t be able to move on and have a life with your daughter until you do.” She put her hand on his shoulder and he nodded.

“I know. I guess this means I have to go all the way back there, and I need to talk to her?”

Liz shook her head yes and pulled Kyle into a hug. “It’ll be ok, Kyle…it’ll all be ok.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kyle walked into the room and saw her sitting at the table. Slowly, he walked toward her, and sat down across from her. He took a deep breath in and slowly let it out.

“You came back?” She sounded surprised, which he could understand. He’d surprised himself by coming back.

“I didn’t want to and I wasn’t going to, but then a friend told me I needed to. You were right, Tess…you did something you can’t ever take back. You took my love for you, a love that was real and true, a bond that’s supposed to be the most sacred and beautiful promise of them all, and you turned it into something that meant nothing. You destroyed your life and the life of those around you. You manipulated and you lied and that is something that will never be forgotten. However, for me to be able to move on and live my life with our daughter I have to forgive you. I have to forgive you for her sake and mine, because hating you is making me unhappy. So, I accept that you’re sorry and I’m glad you’re healing and getting better. I’m glad for the sake of our daughter, she deserves to have her mother. A mother she could be proud of.” He stopped and took another deep breath, he had one more thing to say and the tears had started welling up in his eyes.

“Ally and I are going back to LA. I tried to stay here, but I just can’t do it. I’m taking her back home, and going back to work. It’s time that we both get on with our lives and she deserves some kind of normalcy. When she gets a little bit older and can understand, we will come and visit, and I’ll bring her here as often as I can, but we can’t stay and that you have to understand.” She didn’t speak, but shook her head letting the tears fall, for she knew he was right, this was something he had to do. Slowly, he stood up and touched her face.

“Please take care.” He kissed her forehead and looked at her one last time. In that second, he saw it. Finally, he saw it in her eyes, she knew what she’d done was wrong, and he knew that she was sorry. He realized that now she would be paying the ultimate price for the pain she’d caused because understanding what she’d done, she would have to live with herself. He saw it there in her eyes, and those were eyes that never lied.

~*~*~*~*~*~

This was the hardest part for Liz to face. She was excited about her family’s fresh start in California together, but there were still some things that were painful to let go of. Liz walked into the Crashdown Café to say her last goodbyes. Everyone was already there, gathered around and waiting patiently for his or her moment with Liz before she left. She’d known this would be hard, she’d even tried to prepare herself for this moment, but now she knew this was one of the hardest things she would ever do. She saw her family and friends sitting at the counter, but she said nothing right away. Instead, she watched them all for a few minutes before someone finally noticed she’d arrived.

“Lizzie!” Her father was the first to reach her, swiftly engulfing her in a hug. While she’d been furious with her parents once they’d finally gotten back to Roswell, they’d all sat down and after a long talk, they were now trying to work on their relationship. For the first time in years, she’d made them see how much she needed to be included in their priorities, and she could tell they were trying. She wrapped her arms around her father and stood there for a few moments, enjoying the feeling she’d missed for so long.

When she released him a minute later, she pulled back and looked at everyone. “Well…this is it.” She announced and she glanced from face to face. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as Maria approached her. Behind Maria, she saw AJ climb into Isabel’s lap and lay his head on her shoulder, pulling at her heartstrings even more.

Maria met Liz’s eyes and stared at her with so much love and pride. “I guess this is it…but I’m not going to cry. You and I will always be in each other’s hearts and in each other’s lives. I love you and I know you’ll do great out there. I’ll miss you.” Liz knew exactly how Maria felt. With a few tears starting to roll down her cheeks, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Maria. “But you’ll be back and Michael and I will come and visit.”

After Maria, one by one everyone made their way to her to say goodbye, but Phillip waited, intentionally wanting to be last. Philip pulled her close and wrapped his large arms around her. Liz leaned her head into his chest and in that instant, she finally cried. “Promise me you’ll take good care of you and my grandbaby. Make Max take care of you too and you take care of Max. You’ve both waited so long for this…be happy. We love you.” Phillip wasn’t normally an emotional man, but this time the tears were present in his eyes.

“I love you too.” She raised herself up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Then, she turned around and picked up AJ, who was also crying and kissed his cheek. Gathering every ounce of strength she could manage, Liz waved at everyone as they said goodbye one last time, and then she and AJ headed for the airport.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Max stood at the baggage claim area of LAX watching thousands of people as they passed him by. He checked his watch for what must’ve been the seven hundredth time since he’d been there, but there was still no sign of Liz and AJ. They should’ve gotten off the plane by now. He looked toward the stairs again and finally saw them.

Liz spotted Max at almost the same time and headed toward him. As soon as they met, Max enveloped her and AJ into a hug and brought her lips to his. “I’m so happy you’re here.” He looked at Liz and his son, and then smiled. He lifted AJ out of Liz’s arms and AJ immediately hugged him.

“Daddy!” AJ was so excited to see his daddy again, and this time he never wanted to let go. “Daddy, I learned a new song!”

Max’s eyes got wide, knowing exactly which song AJ had learned. He glanced at Liz and caught her rolling her eyes, and then he smiled. “You did! Will you sing it for me?”

AJ shook his head joyfully and began to sing. “In September for a while, I will ride my crocodile, down the chicken soupy Nile, paddle once, paddle twice, paddle chicken soup with rice!”

AJ immediately started clapping and Liz went into the month of October without even realizing it. Max looked at her and laughed while AJ joined in singing along with her. They finished October and AJ looked at Max seriously.

“Don’t worry, Daddy, we can teach you.” He assured Max.

Max glanced at Liz and she smirked at him. “See what he does? He reels you in with cute little songs about food. Just you wait till he sings you the days of the week with food…you’ll be singing that one too!” Max just laughed and they all walked hand in hand toward Max’s car.

By the time they finally reached the condo, Liz was completely wiped out from the trip. She’d spent two hours on the plane, followed by three hours in traffic, so her head was pounding. Max kissed her gently on the cheek and sent her off in the direction of their bedroom, promising he’d play with AJ and make sure he ate and made it to bed.

At 11:15 Max had finally settled AJ into bed in his new room, and was now attempting through the darkness to make his way to the master bedroom. Quietly, he peeked his head into the bedroom and saw that Liz was still sleeping. Trying his best to be silent, he crept across the room, undressed quickly, and climbed into bed beside Liz. Although she did not wake up, sensing his presence Liz curled up against him. For the first time in years, something actually felt natural. Max grinned and whispered in her ear. “I love you with all of my heart, Liz.”

Still asleep, Liz mumbled back. “I love you too, Max.”

Max drifted off to sleep with his true love finally wrapped comfortably in his arms, their son snoring softly in his bed, and their family finally at home.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Liz had been so exhausted from her trip the day before that she hadn’t even noticed the beautiful view from their bedroom window as she’d climbed into bed. Raising herself up in the bed, attempting to get a better view, she noticed the time on the bedside clock, and reluctantly climbed out of bed. Max had laid her robe out on the end of the bed, so as she wrapped it around herself she finally checked out her first real view of her new home. The city looked busy, but the view was amazing.

She heard giggling coming from the other room, so after brushing her teeth she headed in the direction of the laughter. When she came around the corner she stood back for a moment to watch Max and AJ as they interacted. For so long, Liz had feared AJ might never know his true father, and yet looking at them this morning it felt as if the wrongs in her life had finally been made right.

Several times she had to cover her mouth so they couldn’t hear her chuckle when Cheerios soared over each of their heads. Her mother’s instinct told her to scold them for playing with food, but seeing the smiles plastered on both of their faces was too rewarding to ruin. Finally, AJ pegged Max in the ear with a Cheerio and made a comment about ‘daddy’s big ears’ and she could hold back no longer. Her laugh was happy and boisterous, which immediately gave her away. She strolled into the kitchen and giggled again when she kissed each of them good morning.

AJ looked from his mommy to his daddy, and then quickly pointed a finger at Max. “He started it, Mommy! I know not to throw food.”

Max’s mouth dropped open, causing Liz to laugh loudly again. She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Sweet and innocent, huh?”

Max made a pouting face and tossed another Cheerio at AJ. “Traitor.” But AJ just snickered and winked at his daddy. It amazed Max at how easily AJ seemed to capture his heart with just a smile, which also made him realize he was a total pushover. He was about to start pouting again when Liz spoke up.

“So, boys…what are our plans for the day?”

Now that cheered Max right back up. “Actually, if you must know, I’ve already planned the entire days for us…I hope you don’t mind.”

Liz shook her head and smiled. “Not at all. I don’t know the first thing about this city…we’re all yours.”

Within the hour they were all in the car headed toward the one place Max claimed he used to escape city life. He admitted to liking LA, but sometimes even he had needed a place to hide. They pulled up in front of the Santa Monica Pier and AJ started cheering instantly.

“Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!” He continued to cheer after they’d parked and were climbing out of the car. “Daddy, you’re gonna take me on all the rides, right? Promise? You promise? You just gotta!”

Ma knelt down and waited for AJ to leap up onto his back. “Of course I will. Why else would I bring you here?”

“But, Max…some of those rides…well…we’ll just see.” Liz said, biting her bottom lip. She’d never taken AJ to a place like this, so she didn’t know what to expect.

Over the next several hours Max kept his promise. He showed AJ things he’d never seen before and it pleased her to no end every time she saw him smile. They played games in the Playland Arcade, rode the Carousel twice, went to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, where AJ quickly declared he’d never seen anything cooler, and then ended up at Pacific Park to ride a few rides.

“Only the kid’s area, Max.” Liz stated after looking over the descriptions and height requirements for each ride.

“But, Mooooomm.” Both AJ and Max whined in unison, but Liz was sticking to this decision. They all rode the kiddie rides AJ was big enough for, and then as the sun started to sink in the sky they headed for the end of the pier.

“It’s beautiful here.” Liz commented, looking out over the water where the sun was disappearing quickly. AJ had already fallen asleep on a small bench, exhausted from the day’s events. “Just so you know,” Liz said while pointing at AJ, “when he gets sick later tonight or tomorrow morning you get to take care of him.” She finished firmly.

Max looked down at hi slightly perplexed, and then looked back at Liz. “Why do you think he’ll get sick?”

Liz shook her head and smiled at Max’s naiveté. “Oh, well let’s see…could it be from the sun and rides alone? Nah, but when you add in the two corndogs from Harbor Grill, the banana split he shared with you at Carnation, not to mention the cotton candy and three icees you indulged him in…yeah…he’ll most definitely be sick later.”

“Oh no. He’s gonna be mad at me, won’t he?”

Liz grinned at Max before answering. “Are you kidding? He’ll thank you for every second.” Liz leaned over and kissed his cheek before turning to face the ocean again. “So, Max…this is where you’ve been?”

Max shook his head and reached for her hand. Gently, he placed it across his heart. “Yes, but this is where you’ve always been.”

With tears in their eyes, they watched the sun disappear on the horizon.


The End