Hey everyone
I know I promised days ago... but things have been busy, really busy... please forgive me!!!
Ch 35
Max wore a confused expression on his face when he turned to find Liz and his mother tip toeing into the room weighed down with bags.
Liz gave him a smile, indicating with a jerk of her head that he should come help her. Walking toward her he noticed that she was unloading supplies onto the table.
“What’s all this?” He asked.
“Liz figured if Zan can’t go to the zoo then the zoo should come to him. We bought some animal movies and supplies for an art project, oh and a book or two. We also have another gift but Liz thought it would be better to leave it in the car until we find out if we can bring it up.” His mother answered.
“Oh and what’s that?” he asked amused.
Liz blushed a bright red. “I couldn’t resist Max, it was just so cute and I thought he would really cheer Zan up. Plus the twins begged…I just couldn’t say no.”
Diane laughed. “She really didn’t put up much of a fight. I think she wanted it just as much as the twins.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t get him a puppy did you?”
Liz laughed, “He’s hardly that much work. He’s a Chinchilla.”
Max frowned. “You got him a rodent. I hate rodents. They are unhygienic”
Liz gasped. “Zipper is not a rodent!”
Max laughed. “You’ve already named it?”
Liz shrugged, “The twins did. Max you should have seen him. He’s just a baby and he was huddled in the corner of his cage and he looked so miserable. When the twins went to go hold him he just zipped right into their arms.”
Then she smiled, “Don’t worry, I think you’ll love him. He’s to cute to resist.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.” Max grumbled.
Diane smiled to herself, listening to their light flirting. It was cute, and their banter was so much like the old days. It warmed her heart to see the spark come back to her son’s eyes.
Liz laughed softly before bounding out of the room to go charm the nurses into letting her bring the animal up even if was for a little while.
“Dada.” Zan’s voice reached his ears, spinning around he noticed his son was sitting up in the bed rubbing his eyes with a fist.
“Hey buddy, how ya doing?” Zan yawned as an answer.
“I wnts ta go home.” Zan said, his large eyes luminous with tears.
Max sighed, sitting beside him. “I know buddy, but you have to stay here for now so that the doctors can make you better. You want to get better don’t you?”
Zan nodded, climbing into Max’s lap. He stuck his thumb in his mouth.
“Wers Izzie?” He asked.
“She went to go get the twins and a surprised for you.”
Zan’s eyes widened. “A durpise?” he asked. Max nodded. “Since we couldn’t go to the zoo today she thought it would be fun to play here. Would you like that?”
He watched as Zan thought about it. “Matsy ads Weddy de hews?” He asked. Max nodded, “Yup, they’re right outside. Would you like to go see them?”
When Zan nodded Max helped him down onto the floor. He made a note to himself to head back to the house and pick up some on Zan’s things. He knew that Zan’s recovery would be two weeks alone and they hadn’t even talked to the doctor about scheduling the surgery yet.
Pushing the IV stand beside him Max led Zan out of the room. Nodding to the nurses as they passed they made their way to where Maxie and Teddy were playing.
Zan smiled when he saw his siblings and letting go of his dad’s hand made his way over.
A few minuets later a nurse came over to check Zan’s vitals before asking Max what he would want for dinner. Zan said he wasn’t hungry and Max didn’t push, knowing that Liz would whip everyone up something and could couch Zan into eating.
Someone from the kitchen came up with large trays of jello and Max, with a raised eyebrow he watched as Diane directed them to Zan’s room.
When Liz arrived, Zan’s delighted shout brought other kids and their families out of their rooms. Zipper sat contently in one child’s arms for a little bit before; true to his name, zipped to another one.
Of the half a dozen kids there, only two weren’t feeling well enough to sit in the circle the other kids formed. Simply sitting on the side lines watching, but it seemed to be enough.
Max looked over to where Liz stood beside him and his heart swelled with love. She was amazing. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders and tucking her into his side, he sighed. Marveling at how something so small could bring such happy smiles to the kids around him.
Chapter 36
When it looked like Zipper had had enough, Liz picked him up and set him back into the travel case she had bought him. It would be enough until they found out if Zipper was staying.
The kids groaned in dismay before heading in different directions. The parents smiled their thanks and soon it was just them again.
Isabel showed up, a bright smile on her face. Max asked her where she had gone.
“Oh you know, here and there. Stopped by the police station, no charges.” She replied and Max smiled with relief.
“I have finger jello.” Liz told the kids. Maxie and Teddy’s eyes light up and they headed for the room. Liz picked up Zan and followed, leaving Isabel and Max to bring up the rear.
Diane had left to go join up with her husband, promising to see them the next day. Diane let Max know that Phillip wanted to talk to him, and he promised to call.
Isabel and Max sat on the couch watching as Liz settled the kids at the table. Pulling out animal shaped cookie cutters, she set each child up with a tray. Giving them each a container to put their pieces of art in. Each had one of the child’s name on it, so there would be no arguments on whose was whose.
With Zan in her lap she asked him which animal was which and told stories about where and how they lived. Helping him to cut the thick jello into animal shapes.
When that was finished, she didn’t have to ask Zan if he wanted to eat any, he gobbled up four in a row before stating he was thirsty.
She then sat the children up in the ‘sitting area’ and put a nature movie on, giving each of them a cup. Max watched as she then went back and cleaned up, before reheating the take out she had gotten at a restaurant earlier in the day.
There was a large container of chicken soup, with thick noodles and large chunks of meat and veggies. Along with baked chicken dinners for the adults, which included salad and wheat buns. A dish of mixed fresh fruit, which she set in the middle of the table, a large spoon sticking out of it.
Setting the table with disposable dish wear, she then filled a carafe with water and ice and placed it along side the fruit.
Her timing was impeccable, for just as she was placing the now piping hot food on the table, the movie ended. Telling the kids to go wash their hands she hoisted Zan onto her lap, Maxie on Max’s and Teddy received his own chair.
They finished their meals, and Liz didn’t even ask, she simply picked up a spoon and fed Zan the soup and fresh fruit. He didn’t finish all of it but enough to satisfy Liz that he had eaten something and she prayed that he would be able to keep it down.
Isabel cleaned up the food as Max and Liz worked side-by-side cleaning up the kids. Just as they were sitting down to read some stories Zan’s doctor walked into the room.
Max went to go talk to him leaving Liz on the couch with the twins on either side of her and Zan on her lap.
“So I hear there was some excitement today, the nurses were talking about how cute the little critter is. I was also told that you were wondering if you could keep him here.” He said.
Max nodded his head. “Yeah, Liz thought that Zipper would cheer Zan up. He’s been asking to go home. It surprised me also when all those kids showed up.” He said.
The doctor nodded. “Yeah, I was told. The thing is Max is with Zan having to go through this, I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to have the animal in the room with him.”
Max face fell a bit, he figured that would be the answer, but he had been hoping. “Tell you what Mr. Evans. I’ll make an exception for the simple reason that ‘Zipper’ cheered so many kids up today. I’ll type up a memo for the other doctors and nurses. Why don’t you set up his cage in the common area? Stick a note to it with his name and who owns him so that the other parents don’t let their kids take him out. Does that work for you?”
Max nodded with a big smile. He knew it would comfort Zan knowing his new friend could stick around.
“Good, and while I’m here I thought I would let you know that we’ll have those results back late tomorrow morning at the earliest.” Zan doctor said. Max nodded thanking him again.
Zan was sleeping again when Max rejoined the group, Isabel was once again reading in the chair and Liz was softly reading to the twins. Glancing at the clock Max noticed it was close to six.
Tucking Zan into bed, it was decided that Liz would head back to the house with the twins, leaving Max with Zan at the hospital. Liz would come back in the morning, leaving Isabel with kids.
Isabel headed to the car with the kids while Liz set up Zippers cage in the common room. Placing the little animal in the wired cage and filling his food and water dish she smiled when he immediately began checking out his surroundings. Pinning a note to the top of the cage she headed back to Zan’s room.
Max was standing at the window and Liz went to go stand beside him. “I want to thank you for what you did today.” Max spoke.
Liz turned her body toward his. “It was nothing. It’s always a pleasure being able to bring a smile to a child’s face.”
Max turned to face her; “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Liz nodded her head, reaching up to give him a hug. Pulling back a little, Liz stood on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
“Good night Max.” She whispered, turning to go.
She didn’t get two steps before she was being spun around and Max’s mouth was on hers. Hot desire flared though her body when she felt him swipe her mouth and she opened for him, her hands gripping his hair.
She groaned at the taste of him. It was just as heady as she remembered, and she knew she was done fighting, one taste and she was once again addicted to him.
His arms tightened around her, and Liz pulled back when she felt a part of him that showed her just how much he wanted her. Her breath coming in harsh pants, she was dazed when he released her. His voice was husky when he wished her a good night.
Turning she nearly floated to the car.
TBC...
