Roswell Fanatics

Carolyn: Your feedback always makes me smile. Thank you.
Dawn: Thank you so much for reading...
Natalie: thank you, you guys really are kind.
Destiny: Patience my friend (tee-hee) we're even going on a honeymoon, a real honeymoon! YAY!

You are going to get 2 chapters this week because Destiny wants to see and OBGYN. Since she's my adviser I will give her what she wants. (I don't do that very often.}

*~*~*

Chapter: 31 And life goes on!

The next morning Liz was awake at 7:00 a.m. and Max was already lying there watching her. She moved over into his arms and gave him a drowsy smile and cuddled up next to him and Max reached up and cupped her chin to look at him…”No kisses yet Max…morning breath is a bitch…especially after pizza and no toothbrush last night, remember?”

“Ok, but you have exactly three minutes to get back here.”

“Well, what about you?”

“Oh, I’ve already done the deed…I’ve just been waiting for you.”

“Well, in that case I’ll try to be back in two minutes…hold that thought I’ll be right back.”

With that, Liz scooted out of bed and made a beeline for the bathroom. She squeezed some toothpaste onto her toothbrush while she sat on the pot for her morning relief…she kicked her under panties in the general direction of the hamper and when she had finished on the pot she held her toothbrush in her mouth while she washed her hands and then finished brushing her teeth. She removed her tank top and bra and threw them in the hamper with her under panties and headed right back into the bedroom to join her husband who was sitting up in bed acting like a timekeeper with the clock in his hand. Liz looked at him and grinned, made a sexy pose at the foot of the bed and then jumped right in on top of him.


“Mmmph!%!@” came out of Max…

“God this is fun Max.” Liz giggled.

Max growled into her hair and said, “You (kiss)…are (kiss)…my (kiss)…fun (kiss).” And with that remark out of the way Max pulled Liz into a very loving and caressing hug while he started planting kisses all over her body. She didn’t remain idle either and soon they stopped their silly antics and settled down as Max scooted down under the sheets between Liz’s legs and continued his journey until he had her moaning so loud he thought Maria might break the door down to see what was happening in there…

By the time they finished ravishing each other it was 9:30 and they reluctantly made up their minds to get up and get busy. Liz reminded Max to tell Michael to pack Maria’s toothbrush and her favorite body wash. “There are some unopened bottles in the bottom of the linen closet, that way she won’t become suspicious” …Max told her they would do a good job and to just have fun. Liz asked Max if it would be alright if she bought a sewing machine and he told her to get whatever she wanted.

“You’re just too good to me Max.” She held him around his waist with her head on his chest and Max smiled…

“No sweetie, this has nothing to do with being good to you. I have seen what you can do with a sewing machine and I think it is a necessity in our home not a luxury, it gets filed right under refrigerator.”

“Well, thank you Max. I hadn’t realized that you were that impressed.” She said with a sly grin…

“Oh, trust me on this one Liz, I am very impressed with everything about you.” He said as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Ahhhhh, you are just too sweet. And now that most of the stuff is in here and it all fits I guess we don’t have to be too worried about where to put it do we?”

“No we don’t. The spare bedroom closet still has plenty of room for storage even with all of those empty boxes in there…so if you find the iron, ironing board and sewing machine you want we can always store them in there.”

“Great, I didn’t know you saved all of those boxes. What a great idea.”

“I just figured it would be easier to move the stuff if we had the original boxes to pack it in when the time came.”

“Good thinking, now I have to get busy and take Maria out for a couple of hours. When we get back maybe we can go finish the grocery shopping before your Mom calls. I thought about the pots and pans over the last couple of days and you know Max, I think I would rather go with the stainless steel. I have always liked cooking in stainless, what do you think?” Max chuckled remembering Michael’s remark…

“Well, Michael and I were talking about that the other day and you know he and I had a skillet, two pots and a can opener so I guess if you want stainless steel that’s what we should go with because I am certainly no expert on that subject.”

“Great, we’ll get the supermarket specials then. They really are good quality you know.”

“I trust you, now go. Get Maria and then I’ll go over and make sure Michael gets the right bath gel in the suitcase. You have a good time angel, and get whatever you want, ok?”

“You know what Max; I already have what I really want. The rest is comfort food.” She said with a sly little wink…

“Liz, you have to stop that now, you know you have to go…so go already.” He was almost sad to see her leave.

“Okay sexy, but I’ll be back.” And with that she sashayed her little behind out the front door with a wiggle.

Max just stood there with a smile on his face watching her walk over to Maria’s…how did he ever get so lucky?

As soon as the girls left Max went over to Maria’s and told Michael what Liz told him about the bath gel and Michael agreed. A new bottle would be the best way to go. Michael wanted to know if Liz liked their handy work and Max told him she was as pleased as punch. She was going to get a sewing machine this morning and then when they got back they were going back to the super market that had all of those promo’s going on and Michael laughed…out and out laughed.

“What else does she need Max?”

“According to her pots, pans, a couple more plates some flatware and a set of good knives…that should do it.”

“Well, we’ll see.” And with that both young men laughed outright.

Michael continued to pack Maria’s overnight bag as Max sat on the edge of the bed and kept him company…then Michael proceeded to take his own suitcase out of the closet and got a look on his face that Max wasn’t sure about and said,

“Max, you want to run over to my place with me while I pick up some clean clothes?”

“Michael, call Maria and see what she thinks about us just moving your stuff over here while they’re gone. We can use Liz’s truck and then we can put your stuff in the extra bedroom until you decide what you want to do with it. How does that sound?”

“Do you think that’s the way we should handle this?”

“Hell yeah, why pay rent on two places. You’re never there anyway.”

“Okay, give me a minute.”

So Michael called Maria on her cell and she told him she thought that was a bitchin idea and to go ahead and do it.

“What did she say Michael?”

“She said that was a bitchin idea and to go for it.”

“Great…I’ll go get the keys to the truck and you get that suitcase in your car.”

“Right. They might get back before us.”

And so the young doctors headed over to Michael’s and proceeded to pack his stuff into boxes that they stopped by the shipping company and bought. Things were starting to work out well for Michael as well…both young men were elated and so happy to be neighbors. Max started to take the TV and accessories apart while Michael tracked down the landlord to give him his notice. He was walking on cloud nine…he loved waking up with Maria next to him.

*~*~*

Liz and Maria got to the yardage shop and were looking around when Liz spied the sewing machine she had wanted last year on a clearance table. She had thought that it was a little pricey at the time but now it was half price and she couldn’t be happier. It was the floor model but she didn’t care. It was a gem! She immediately found a sales lady and had her put a sold sign on it while she shopped for fabric. She also found a beautiful iron on the same table and put that in her cart as well. Boy was she getting lucky today, she found one of those 5 step cake plates on special for $4.95 each and decided to get 6 of them…they really were versatile. Then she found Maria around the corner and told her about the machine and made the remark that maybe they should have brought the truck and Maria said,

“No way Liz, Max and Michael are using the truck right now.”

“What do you mean Maria?” Liz looked puzzled and scrunched up her eyebrows…

“Well, they are moving Michael into my apartment as we speak.” Maria grinned.

“Oh Maria, how wonderful…oh this is so good…this is too good. I love this day!”

Liz wanted to jump up and down with joy…Maria just looked at her friend and smiled. When Liz was happy the world was happy, that was part of her beauty. But…she was right…this is really a good day.

Michael had called Maria once again when he and Max got to his place to check and see if she wanted any of his furniture for the extra room.

“Use your own judgment Michael. If you think we can use the bedroom stuff then bring it on over but make sure to bring the computer station…it’s a lot nicer than the one I have.”

“Okay, and I’m going to bring all of the electronics. Anything I decide not to keep I’ll just call the Salvation Army to come and pick it up…how’s that?”

“Sounds great Michael, I’ll see you when we get home. We should be done soon, Love you spaceboy.”

“Love you too sweetheart…bye.” And they hung up.

*~*~*

When Liz and Maria got back to the apartments they found Max and Michael unloading the truck and both girls went over to see if they could help the men with anything. Both Max and Michael told them they had things under control and to just give them a minute and they would help them unload the car too. The girls gave their guys a quick peck on the cheek and each took an armload of silk flowers and fabric with them to Max and Liz’s apartment.

When Liz opened her door she noticed the answering machine flashing and immediately went to pick up the message. Diane wanted to let her know that the bar-b-que was on for this evening and for them to come over anytime they were ready. Maria told Liz that she thought that sounded like a really fun evening and Liz, not wanting to arouse any suspicion on Maria’s part about Michael’s plans for this evening asked her if she would like to go with them. Maria told her that Michael wanted to take her out to dinner this evening since they hadn’t had a real date in quite awhile and she really thought that sounded great. Liz couldn’t agree more and tried to keep the smile on her face to a minimum…it was tough though what with knowing what was going to happen this evening. She hoped Maria had a good time; Michael was trying so hard to make this a special occasion.


Liz then offered Maria a soft drink or some tea and Maria suggested that they go over to her apartment and make some lunch for everyone since Liz and Max hadn’t done their refrigerator grocery shopping yet. Liz looked at Maria with a sly grin and Maria said,

“NO…no peanut butter and jelly Liz, I want food. Come next door.”

Liz just giggled and told her to wait a sec until she called Diane to let her know they would definitely be there as soon as they finished their chores.

With that they headed to Maria’s to make some sandwiches and a salad while the guys unloaded everything, it didn’t take them too long to finish up. They brought Michael’s bed, dresser, nightstand and his computer station along with the electronics. They just left the clothes in the dresser drawers and put the hangers and all into a large wardrobe carton…it worked out really well. After they had their lunch they emptied Liz’s purchases out of the car and then Max and Liz headed off to the super market to finish up their food shopping and pick up the rest of the dishes and stuff for the kitchen. By 5:30 they were on their way to Diane’s for dinner. Liz scooted way over in the seat and laid her head on Max’s lap during the drive and by the time they arrived she was sound asleep. Max hated to wake her up but they still had a busy evening ahead of them and he had no choice.

“Liz honey, we’re here.” Max said with a smile on his face.

“We’re where Max?” Liz asked confusedly.

“Come on baby…we’re at Mom’s, dinner remember.”

“Oh yeah…ok, I’m awake.” She said, trying to come alive.

“Poor baby, you really are tired aren’t you?” He said with a little concern in his voice. She really has been going strong for the past couple of weeks he thought to himself.

“Yeah but I’ll be okay…just give me a second or two and I’ll be as chipper as all get out.” She didn’t sound very convincing though.

“Okay sweet, take all the seconds you need.” And with that he lifted her up and tilted her chin up and placed a kiss on her nose God how he loved her, she is the sweetest person he has ever known he thought to himself.

Liz got herself together very quickly and ran over to her Mom’s to say hello before they all headed over to Diane’s. She hadn’t seen them in what seemed like forever and couldn’t wait to share the wedding pictures with them. Grandma Claudia was so happy to see her that she almost tripped getting to the door. Liz giggled at her antics and gave her a great big hug and kiss on the cheek. Her Mom and Dad were elated. Diane had told them about the pictures and they wanted to know if she had them on her. She said sure and they all headed into the dining room for a quick prevue.

When the pictures of Max and Liz taken in the den came up they all gasped. Alex was right, they were beautiful. Nancy asked her daughter how she was going to choose and Liz told her that Max said they were going to buy all of the proofs and that way they would only have to choose a few for the announcements and thank you notes.

“Oh, and Mom…Dad…you choose the ones you want and you too grandma. We are letting the parents and grandparents decide which ones they want.” With that Max and Liz headed over to Diane’s to help Alex and Isabelle.

Jeff, Nancy and Claudia all but cried when they heard that…but like Liz and Max…they didn’t know how they were going to choose either. They soon had to put the pictures back into the envelope and get over to Diane’s…they were sure that the bar-b-que was ready to go so they all wandered next door.

Isabelle, Alex, were on the patio already and Max started putting the meat on the bar-b. Liz and her mother went to the kitchen and started to help carry dishes and food to the patio while Isabelle busied herself making drinks for everyone. It was so nice to have things like this. After Philip’s death Diane hadn’t had the chance to really take the time for things like this and she has missed these special little gatherings with loved ones. Yes, they definitely had to do this more often she thought as she shook the lonesome feeling from the back of her mind.

(And the old man remembered his mother and smiled.)

“You know Nancy, we don’t do this often enough and I miss it.” Diane said.

“I agree Diane, maybe since Jeff is in remission and Isabelle is planning on returning to the states permanently we can do it more often. Things have seemed to settle a little for both of us and I feel so much more relaxed lately…more so than I have in a long time.”

“I know what you mean. After Philip’s death I felt so out of it for so long and then when Liz came to work for me it seemed to put me back into a place that I had been missing for a long time. She is so helpful and has taken on so much of the administrative as well as a lot of the executive work from me and freed me up to do more important things. Then she helped find Kyle Valenti to replace Jeremy and he is wonderful. He has a kind nature and is really a hard worker without bringing tension to the job. He is a lot of fun to work with and to be around, he keeps all of us laughing all day.”

“Oh Diane, you don’t know how happy it makes me to hear that. I know you miss Philip, God; I would have been devastated had it happened to me. I know that Jeff is in remission but we never know how long that will last and at least I have some warning, but sometime I don’t know which way is best.”

“There is no best way Nancy…to quote the kids, it all sucks”

They both laughed a little at that remark…”It’s time to change the subject…it’s getting a little heavy for a fun filled evening, don’t you think?” Diane said…

And with that the two old friends hugged and picked up some more supplies from the kitchen and headed on out to the patio to join in the fun and look at some wedding pictures.

By the time the evening was ready to wind down Liz suggested everyone come over to the apartment tomorrow after Mass for some lunch. She and Max had picked up some food trays at the deli and they thought everyone would have a chance to take a look at what they have accomplished so far. They all agreed that was a great idea and with that the two young lovers headed on home for some much needed rest.

*~*~*

Chapter:32

( And then the old man smiled as he remembered…cake plates)

While they were getting ready for bed Max noticed all of the cake plates on the counter and asked Liz what she planned on doing with them.

“Wait until you see what we can do with them Max. I am going to use them tomorrow for our luncheon with the folks. This is going to be so much fun…we can turn them upside down, inside out and backwards if we want to…look at the pictures on the box.”

“Upside down, inside out and backwards huh?” Max said with a grin, his eyes sparkling all the while.

“Yep, just you wait and see. Here, help me take them out of the boxes, we can stick them in the dishwasher now and they’ll be ready for assembly tomorrow when we get up. We can put the food on them and then store them in the fridge before going to Mass.” After they unpacked the 6 boxes they decided they had better wash two of them since only four fit in the dishwasher at a time, what with those huge lids/bowls.

“Okay, but I think you should try and get some sleep tonight. What do you think?” He said with just a little concern on his face.

“Yeah, you’re probably right…but this will only take a minute or two with both of us working. We’ll just put the boxes in the spare bedroom…I plan on putting the plates back in them for storage.” She said as she busied herself getting ready for tomorrow’s company.

Max stood back and smiled at her for a second and then grabbed the boxes to help her finish up so she could get to bed. She really did look tired. After they had emptied all of the cartons Max headed over to the spare bedroom closet to put the boxes away and Liz turned on the dishwasher and headed to their bathroom. She closed the door, which is something she has never done since they got married and reached into a bag she had placed in the back of the cupboard. She was going to take an EPT test before her exam on Monday. She knows they aren’t 100% but she was still curious. Max came back to the master bedroom side of the apartment and noticed the closed bathroom door but didn’t think too much of it…it was strange to see but he didn’t give it a second thought.

Liz completed her test and it was negative…she wasn’t really sure how she felt about the results. She knew it was possible and the timing wasn’t the greatest but still, she sort of wished. Oh well. She finished up preparing for bed and headed on out to their room. Max was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a magazine waiting for her…

“Is everything ok?” he asked, just a little concerned.

“Of course…why?” She replied with a smile.

“Well, you never close the bathroom door and I was wondering if you were ok?” then he looked up and saw her in all of her naked glory and sort of swallowed deeply and grinned at her.

“It must have been a force of habit Max…I didn’t even think about it. Probably from being at the folks’.” And she grinned right back at him.

Max stood up and took her into his arms and started exploring her body with his lips and she started to melt right into his arms. It didn’t take them long to crawl under the covers and explore each other for the next couple of hours and then they snuggled down for some much needed rest. They would be attending 12:15 mass tomorrow that’s for sure.

*~*~*

When they woke up around 9:00 Liz crawled out of bed and headed for the bathroom as fast as she could. Max sat up in bed and wondered what in the hell she was in such a rush for and then he heard her…she started to pee and it sounded like a waterfall. He started to chuckle to himself. That’s what you call a real emergency…was she ever going to stop?

“Hey Liz, what did you drink yesterday?” he chuckled…

“Hell, I don’t know. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

“I can tell.”

“Come in here and join me, we can take a shower together and save time.” And she really giggled at that remark. Who was she trying to kid…save time…yeah, right.

Max had to laugh at that one too, “turn the water on honey, I’m coming.”

After their mutual shower they put their robes on and headed out to the kitchen. Max got the cereal boxes out of the cupboard and Liz set the table for breakfast. Max put a pot of coffee on and got the juice out of the fridge and before you knew it they were ready to assemble the “cake plates”. Liz turned one lid over, letting it rest on the large handle that fit into the base of the overturned plate that worked as a receiver for the lid. She then used another upside down plate to make a platter for the vegetables and placed the dip in the stand of the dish that actually served as a small bowl. Max covered it with some plastic wrap for the time being since the cake top was a little high for the fridge. After he put the plate in the fridge he pulled out the meat tray and Liz sat the next cake plate right side up, took the lid off, and transferred the various cuts of meat onto the platter and covered it with plastic wrap as well…they would put the lids on the plates later. She sat it in the fridge next to the vegetables and then she took the bag of crushed ice from the freezer and turned the lid to another plate over to use as a big bowl. She turned the base upside down and used the pedestal of the plate, which served as a dip bowl on the other plate, as a receiver for the upturned lid on this plate. She placed the handle of the lid into the bowl of the upturned plate and sat a wine glass inside of the cake plate lid. She filled the upturned lid with crushed ice all the way to the top and put the entire assembly back into the freezer to put the shrimp on later. She took the next plate and turned it over and then sat the lid inside the foot of the plate exactly the way she did for the shrimp bowl, and used it for a fruit bowl. Max watched her in amazement…he asked her what the next one was for and she went over to the pink boxes sitting on the counter and started opening all of the pastries she and Maria had purchased at the little teashop. Max’s eyes got really big and a cheesy grin appeared on his face.

“When did you have time to pick those up?”

“Oh, Maria and I stopped by on our way back from shopping. Nice?” she smiled…

“Very” as he reached over to help himself…and Liz smacked his hand and told him he had to wait…he pouted and she laughed and held out the platter for him. He almost passed up the chance but changed his mind very quickly and had a very rich looking poppy seed roll in his mouth in no time at all. Liz just giggled at his antics and put the lid over the pastries…the only cake plate that was used as a cake plate.

Max wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a kiss on her neck as he smiled over her shoulder and looked around their first kitchen. It looked beautiful, she looked beautiful and he felt beautiful. Life was grand.

“I am so proud to have you for my wife Liz. You have no idea just how happy I truly am.”

“Oh Max…thank you. You know I feel the same way…I just can’t find the right words to tell you how happy you make me. You are my reason for being on this Earth. Thank you for loving me.” Max was almost in tears by now…but they had to stay on track…they were having their first family gathering this afternoon and he knew that Liz wanted everything as nice as they could get it.

She had saved the last of the cake plates to use as a punch bowl and was very pleased with the way everything was turning out.

She had purchased a few bouquets of flowers for the tables and asked Max if he could go over to Maria’s and get some vases. She told him where they were and while he was gone she started unwrapping the bouquets and getting them ready to cut. She had purchased two-dozen white roses for the coffee table and some colored mums for the dining room in shades of purple, yellow and white. She thought it would look nice with the taupe table and chairs. But after looking at them she thought they weren’t too bad but she felt they could have been nicer. She wished she had stayed with the white roses for everything. Then she decided to split them up. She would use the purple ones in the bathroom. That would jazz that up a little and the rest would look nice elsewhere, ‘good show’ she thought.

When Max returned with the vases he watched Liz work her magic with the scissors…she had the roses laid out in a square squatty looking bowl for the coffee table and they really looked elegant. Then she took some greenery and the purple flowers and put them in a smaller vase and sent him to the guest bathroom to put them on the counter. When he returned she had cut and trimmed all of the other flowers and used one of the stainless steel pots for a vase for the table in the dining room. He raised an eyebrow at that one and she looked up at him and giggled…”improvise Max…improvise.” She had to laugh at his expression, it was priceless…”why did you have me get vases if you were going to use the pot?”

“Well, I didn’t know I was going to use the pot at the time…what do you think?”

“Actually, it looks great. Let me put it out there for you. We should probably start getting ready for Mass. Do we have everything we need as far as food is concerned?”

“Yep…I will just run over to Maria’s and get a couple of baskets for bread and crackers and we’re good to go. I picked up some paper plates yesterday so we have plenty of extras. We have enough glasses and cups for everyone; I think that should do it. What do you think?”

“I think everything looks great…now let’s get ready for church.” He gave her fanny a little swat as she walked past him and she gave her tush a little wiggle for his benefit and they both headed to their room to get dressed.

“Oh, Max…I talked to your Mom about getting away for a week or two and she thought that was a fantastic idea…have you given anymore thought to the subject since our last conversation? I can’t think of any one particular place I would like to go to can you?”

“No, I haven’t thought about it that much but let me check some things out on the Internet and see if anything really impresses me, ok?”

“Sure, sounds like a plan. I’ve thought about a cruise every once in awhile, but I’m not so sure that is what I really want to do for a couple of weeks. I think I would rather see something besides the ocean and seaside villages right now.”

“That’s interesting, I was having the same thoughts. Let me have a look tomorrow morning while you’re at work and we’ll see what I can find, ok?”

“Great.” Liz walked out of the bathroom with a little makeup on and her hair all done up nicely. All she had to do was find something to wear and they could be on their way.

“Oh, I need to leave a message for Michael and Maria to come over when they get home. How do you think things went?” She said as she found a pen and paper on the nightstand.

“I know they went beautifully…there isn’t any other way they could have gone.”

“You’re right. Now let’s get to Mass…I need to see that jolly old ‘fella’ that married us. I don’t know why I am so drawn to that man, he is just too sweet for words.”

“Yes he is.” Max had to agree as he followed his wife out of the apartment with a big cheesy grin on his face.

*~*~*

When they got to Mass Michael and Maria were already there and Liz made her way into the pew next to Maria who could only give her a big grin and hold out her hand. Liz grabbed it and smiled through tears and then gave her friend a great big hug. Max looked over the heads of the two girls and gave Michael a knowing nod and Michael looked back at his friend with the same look. He looked so happy that it made Max tear up a little too. Both men gave a thumbs up and then acknowledged their fellow doctors with a nod and soon Mass began. Father came out into the chapel and noticed his new friends sitting together and gave them a nod as he proceeded to begin Mass and before you knew it, it was over and everyone was exiting the chapel. Liz grabbed Max by the arm and held him back and whispered,

“Max, see if Father would like to come over for lunch…I’ll catch Sister when she turns around.” Max nodded and went up and knocked on the sacristy door. Father came out half dressed in his vestments and gave Max a smile and asked,” How’s it going Max?”

“Great Father, Liz and I were wondering if you would like to come over to our place for some lunch. We are having the rest of the family around two this afternoon…if you’d like to come we would love to have you.”

“Well Max that sounds like a great idea. I have a couple of calls to make here in the hospital before I leave. Some patients were having tests this morning when I made my rounds and I would like to see them before I leave but I would love to come over. Here, write your address on this tablet on my desk and I’ll be there sometime around 2:00.”

“Around two then Father. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you.”

In the meantime out in the chapel Liz caught Sister Margaret and asked her to join them as well and she was elated. She told Liz of course she would like to come and she would be looking forward to seeing their new place. Liz explained that the furniture had just been delivered on Friday and that Max and Michael had arranged everything to perfection and how happy she was with all of it but she still hadn’t had a chance to put curtains and accessories around yet…but it was coming along. Sister smiled lovingly at the young woman and told her she was sure everything was lovely and she was coming to see them not the window dressings then Sister asked if she could bring another nun with her. Sister Agnes lived with Sister Margaret and was getting on in years and didn’t get out much.

“Of course she’s welcome. Please bring her. She could have come to the wedding also if you would have said something.”

Sister smiled at Liz and told her she felt that it would have been too much for her to handle but lunch would be nice.

“Well good…and the next time we do something like this please don’t even ask, just bring her along if you think she’s up to it.”

And with that the two women hugged and Liz went out of the chapel to find the rest of her group.

When the four friends left the chapel they met Fowler out in the lobby. He had waited until they had a chance to talk to Father and Sister before saying his helloes. Max and Liz both asked him to lunch but he had to decline. His wife was waiting for him at his home…she had made some plans for the two of them this afternoon. He did mention that he would like to get together in the next couple of weeks to talk about the future and Max and Michael agreed that it would be a good idea. Max explained to him that he and Liz were planning to get away for a while on a honeymoon but Michael would definitely get in touch before they started their jobs at the hospital. Then Fowler mentioned that he was glad they accepted Sister’s proposal. He felt that it was most fair and was very happy to have the time to decide what he really wanted to do with his future. Max told him not to make any major decisions before they had a chance to talk and Fowler smiled and said great…he wouldn’t. With that conversation over with they all headed for their cars, but not before Max took a look at Maria’s ring. It was a beautiful one-carat emerald cut diamond surrounded by baguettes on either side and set in platinum. It really was gorgeous. Liz could only look at Maria and smile, and Maria was ecstatic.

Liz told Michael and Maria about lunch…she explained the note on their door …and Maria said they just needed a minute to get their things away and they would be over to help. Maria wanted to know if Liz needed anything and Liz told her she didn’t think so. They’d have to wait and see once she started setting up the buffet. Maria suggested some extra chairs and Liz thought about that for a minute and said probably. This luncheon was growing by the minute, just like everything else she ever planned. Max and Michael gave each other a knowing smirk and said they’d better hurry up if they had to start moving furniture again. Liz and Maria laughed at that remark but did start moving toward the door a little faster.

They got back to the apartment about 1:15 and Liz immediately started putting bread and crackers in the breadbaskets and then started setting the table. She had a lovely white tablecloth that she had purchased awhile back and she pulled it out of her bottom dresser drawer and put it on the table. She had used a couple of the matching napkins to line the breadbaskets with and set them along one side of the table. She then started taking out all of the cake plates and placing them down the center of the table with the flowers taking direct center. When she had completed the project the table was beautiful. The various heights of the cake plates, all matching, made a very nice picture.

When Max and Michael showed up with the extra chairs they were both very impressed with the effect that Liz had created. Although the foods were all deli foods the presentation was really nice. Liz used some of her wine glasses to put condiments in and then she made her shrimp bowl. The wine goblet that she had set in the middle of the overturned cake plate worked out quite nicely. She put cocktail sauce in the wine glass and placed all of the shrimp on top of the ice, it looked great.

Max nuzzled her neck and told her she was a genius and Alex was right…she did need to become a party planner. She looked at him and laughed…

“Sure Max, just what every journalist wants to do…be a party planner. I only like to plan our parties. They are less work. I don’t have to put up with other people when I plan our parties.” Max nodded his head and said, “I see.”

About this time the doorbell rang and Max found his family and Liz’s all standing on the other side of the door. He wanted to know if they came by bus and they all laughed.

“Only when you’re paying for it son.” Jeff said. Max gave the man a hug and said,

“I like the sound of that.”

“I do to Max, I’ve always felt you were a part of our family and now you truly are and I love it.”

Both men smiled at each other and joined the ladies in the apartment. They were already taking the ‘cooks tour’ and Max led Jeff to the kitchen and asked him if he would like something to drink. He had beer, wine, coffee, iced tea, hot tea, milk, juice, water and he thinks Liz made some punch, which would be in one of those “cake plates” on the table. Jeff smiled and said a cup of hot tea really sounded good and then looked at Max and said,

“Cake plates?” Max said,

“I’ll explain later…but take a look at the table and all of the ‘cake plates’. Your daughter had a field day with a cake plate sale. I’ll have the tea in a jiffy and what kind would you like? Liz managed to buy just about every kind of tea known to God and man and you definitely can have your choice.”

Jeff laughed at that one and told him just a plain old-fashioned cup of black tea. Max pulled out the Lipton teabags and sat them on the counter; both men gave a knowing grin and got on with the tour of the apartment.

When they finally got to the living room Isabelle asked Liz what she needed as far as gifts and Liz looked at Max with huge brown eyes and said

“Nothing. Why?”

“Well, there are some relatives waiting for announcements and they have all been asking questions.”

“Well Izzy…as you can see we pretty much have our needs covered and then some…don’t you think?”

“I certainly do. You must run around like wonder-woman or something.”

“Oh Iz, I didn’t do any of this. Max and Michael put all of this together…honest. I had nothing to do with it.”

Isabelle raised an eyebrow and looked at her brother and his friend in disbelief as did the other women. They were all taken aback at what Liz had just said.

About that time the doorbell rang again and it was Father and Sister Margaret and dear little Sister Agnes. Liz thought she looked darling…she was in a pair of bright pink slacks and a bright pink, blue and white plaid shirt. He gray hair was cut into a very short stylish bob and she had on bright pink lipstick. She didn’t look anything like a nun and Liz had to stifle a giggle…she was the cutest thing she’d ever seen posing as a nun. She was quite a contrast to Sister Margaret who was all dressed in her pretty print dress, sensible shoes and a nice linen blazer. Liz ushered them into the apartment and introduced Sister Agnes to the rest of the family and they all adjourned to the dining room to have some lunch. When Sister Margaret saw all of the food displayed so elegantly she asked Liz where she found all of those serving pieces and Liz explained to her that they were all cake plates. Really cheap cake plates at that. She found them on sale at the yardage shop and she only wished she had purchased a few more.

“You can use them for punch bowls, serving bowls, flower vases and as you can see so many other things as well. I think I may go back and see if they have anymore of them. They really are inexpensive…I got them for $4.95 each…can you believe it?”

Sister got the biggest kick out of this young woman…she had absolutely no phony airs about her at all…she was a jewel among women that’s for sure.

“If you go back to get more will you get me a couple as well. I will pay you for them. We can use these in the convent.”

“Of course…how many would you like?”

“Oh, I don’t know…how about we buy all they have and you keep a couple and I’ll take the rest.” Sister smiled at Liz and Liz nodded her head and smiled right back. They were both on the same page here.

Max and Michael were talking to the Priest and Max managed to sneak a peak over at Liz and Sister and wondered what in the hell they were so animated about. They looked like two kids that had just discovered a cookie jar. Women…it didn’t matter what the calling, they were all alike.

Grandma Claudia had captured Sister Agnes and they were sitting on the living room couch talking to each as though they had known each other all of their lives. Sister Margaret and Liz both smiled when they noticed them and then Liz looked over at Sister Margaret and said…

“Please feel free to bring her anytime. Even if you just want to give her an outing.” And Sister Margaret looked at the young woman in wonder and said “I will Liz and thank you.”

They just smiled at each other and started to mingle.

*

Max asked Father if he would bless their home for them and Father smiled and told him he would be happy to. The family all bowed their heads in prayer and then Father led the grace before meals and everyone dug in. They were all impressed with the pastries…Liz and Maria told them about the Tea Shoppe they had found on one of their yard sale excursions and how to find the place. They just knew they would all love it. Everyone agreed with them after sampling the desserts Liz had purchased and the afternoon turned into a very successful and enjoyable little party.

Grandma gave Liz a great big hug and told her how proud of her she was and what a lovely homemaker she was going to be. Liz told her she could only hope so, and grandma assured her that she knew so.

As the afternoon wore on everyone decided to call it a day. They thanked Max and Liz for a lovely luncheon and told them they would see them soon. Liz told Sister that she would have Max go over to the yardage shop tomorrow morning and pick up the rest of the cake plates and he could take them over to the hospital sometime during the week. Sister told her that would be fine and she reached out and gave Liz a nice warm hug. She normally didn’t do that but it just seemed right. Father bent down and kissed the young woman on the forehead as well and Max just stood back and smiled at his gracious wife. He just knew that he was definitely the luckiest man on earth.

After everyone had left Liz and Maria started to put leftovers in zip-locks and Max and Michael took the extra chairs back over to Maria and Michael’s apartment. By the time they had returned Liz and Maria had the sink full of soapy water and were washing the ‘cake plates’ and putting them back into the boxes. Max asked,

“Liz, are you sure we need more of these?”

“Yes Max…they are so versatile and if they get broken over the years we will always have backups. They are just too handy not to have around. We can even use them for Christmas decorations, colored Easter eggs; Max…they’ll be beautiful!”

“Okay sweetheart. How many more do you want?”

“I think we need two more but Sister wants all the rest the store has…so if you take the truck over to the yardage shop and buy all of them we can deliver them to her at the hospital…okay?”

“Okay baby, whatever you say. Are you sure she wants all of them?”

“Yes Max, that’s what she said. They are only $4.95 each…buy them all.”

“Okay…all it is.” Max rolled his eyes at Michael and Michael told him maybe they should go all over town and find every damned cake plate around and sell the things for $35.00 each…Max looked at him and smiled…maybe they should.

Liz and Maria looked at the two of them like they’d lost their minds. They could always peddle them on the street. And then they started to laugh about it all. They were right, but the plates really are a good deal…weren’t they?

*~*~*

Soon everything was put back in order and Liz asked Maria what her plans were for the evening. Would they like to watch a movie or something and Maria said she thought she would just like to unpack and relax. It really was a big night even if they didn’t do anything spectacular.

“What do you mean, not spectacular Maria? Michael has had this planned for weeks and wanted it to be so special.”

“Oh Liz, that isn’t what I meant at all. But it was more a mental spectacular than a physical spectacular, although that was good too…don’t get me wrong there…but it was a really big thing and very emotional.”

“I can imagine. Well you go home and get some quality time before you have to start another workday tomorrow. I know working out of the house is supposed to be easy but it’s still work and I personally know just how hard you do work. I will see you tomorrow evening and maybe we can plan something fun for dinner or something…over here okay?”

“Sounds good to me…see you later girlfriend.” With that the two girls hugged and Michael gave Liz her kiss on the head before leaving…

“Later Maxwell. Liz, lunch was really great honey and I really love the cake plates.”

With that Liz gave him a sock on the arm and Michael feigned pain as he left the apartment laughing. Liz yelled out after them…

“Maria, do you want a cake plate?” Maria answered,

“It’s okay Liz, I’ll borrow yours.”

With that the two of them giggled some more and Liz closed the door and walked into her apartment where she was greeted with her husbands waiting arms.

Max picked her up and carried her over to the couch and sat her down on his lap and proceeded to ravish her. She leaned into his kisses and sighed with delight. Max smiled into her lips and hugged her so tight she thought she was going to break.

“God I love you…you do know that right?”

“Pretty much…I love you right back though so I guess it’s mutual?”

“You bet it is. What would you like to do this evening? Would you like to go to dinner and a movie? You know we have never really been on a date.”

“God Max, you’re right…we haven’t. Well, maybe one big date. Our wedding could be considered a date, maybe?”

“Yeah, I guess it could, but we’ve never actually gone out together just the two of us and spent the evening looking at the stars and planning our future.”

“Well sweetie, I think we’ve been too damned busy living our future to take the time to plan it, and so far I think things have been pretty bright…what do you think?”

“I think you’re right. Anyway, to get back to the original question…do you want to go out on a date tonight?”

“Nah…I like it right here. How about we boot up that computer of yours, surf the net for some great vacation spots and eat leftovers. Later we can have each other for desert. What do you say to that big guy?”

“Oh I think that could be arranged. Let’s just finish what we started here and then we can talk vacations.” With that last remark Max slid Liz’s hand down between them just to make sure she understood where he was coming from and to say she was impressed was an understatement. She wondered how long he had been sporting that behind his zipper. She left her hand rest there for a while and then Max lifted her up and carried her into their bedroom where they could really enjoy each other. It was about 5:00 p.m. when they got started.

*~*~*

Carolyn: Remember Max and Liz only needed a toothbrush when they went to the Regency!
Zanity: Thank you so much.
Natalie: Thank You ...
Destiny: You're getting ObGyn...let's not get greedy!

*~*~*

Chapter: 33


When Max rolled over and looked at the clock on the nightstand he noticed that it said 5:00 o’clock. What the hell…did the battery run down or something? Then he noticed it was dark outside.

Holy shit…he and Liz never got back up once they had lain down. I guess they wore each other out. He lay there looking at his beautiful wife all sprawled out next to him. Her hair was covering her face and she was as beautiful as he had ever seen her in all her naked glory. She had her head resting on his arm and her left leg was draped over the top of his right leg and her left hand was resting on his chest. He just laid there and smiled at her. What a sense of peace it was to wake up like this.

He tried moving without disturbing her but it was beginning to be a problem. He really needed to get to the bathroom soon so he tried to slowly inch his body away from her, she gave a soft little moan and he placed a kiss on her forehead and just got up…no preamble, he was a man on a mission. Liz looked up through dazed eyes and saw her husband’s backside running to the bathroom and she started to giggle…and he had the nerve to make fun of her when she had to go…payback, that’s what it is, payback.

Liz lazily rolled herself out of bed and wondered over toward the bathroom and noticed the time. She too had the same reaction as Max had had at first and then realized that it was now 5:00 a.m. and they had slept the night away. Well, not totally slept, but you know what I mean. She really felt quite refreshed, she needed a night like that, making love and sleeping. It was great. She would have to thank Max for a wonderful ‘date night’. She heard the toilet flush and made her way into to the bathroom to take her turn while Max washed his hands and brushed his teeth. He came over to her and planted a kiss on the top of her head and then continued to brush and pointed to the shower. Liz looked at the clock on the counter and shook her head “No” and Max grinned, finished brushing his teeth and headed back to the bedroom. It wasn’t a couple of minutes later that Liz joined him for some morning fun. Around 6:00 they decided to get up and take a shower because Liz had a busy morning since she was taking off this afternoon. She asked Max when he would like to plan on taking a vacation and he asked her what she thought.

”Well, I think we should do it as soon as possible, don’t you?” I mean the month is about half over and that doesn’t leave us much time.”

“You’re right Liz. I’ll get on it as soon as I pick up the ‘cake plates’.” With that Liz rolled her eyes at Max and they both started to laugh.

“I wonder what Sister plans on doing with all of those cake plates?”

“Hell Liz, I wondered what you were going to do with all of those cake plates until I got a look at the table. I’m sure those nuns have large gatherings and can use them quite a bit.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe she’s going to use them in the hospital…what do you think?”

“Why didn’t you ask her?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t think of it at the time.”

“Oh. Hey, what time do you think you’ll be home? I can have lunch ready for you.”

“Oh, I don’t know, I’ll leave at noon so I guess 12:30 or so.”

“Okay, lunch at 12:30 or so. What do you want?”

“Leftovers are fine. Everything is in zip-locks so we can just have a sandwich and some vegetables. It will be fine.”

“Great…do you want me to get out the fancy plates for presentation?” Max said, with a little chuckle behind the words and a twinkle in his eye…

Liz punched him in the arm and told him that zip-locks would be fine. He laughed at her antics and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. “Do you want anything besides cereal for breakfast?”

“No…you know what I think I would like…a pastry.”

“Wow that does sound good; I think I’ll join you. How about some juice with it?”

“No, just some hot coffee and a pastry sounds good. I’ll be finished in a minute or two. Just have to put something on and I’m done.”

“Great…see you in the kitchen in a few then.” And Max left the bedroom with a big grin on his face.

*~*~*

Liz finished up her last typing job and shut her computer down for the day. She made sure that everything Jody and the crew needed was handy and bid them all goodbye until tomorrow.

Diane walked her out to the elevator and gave her a hug and told her not to worry about the exam. It wasn’t even uncomfortable as long as she relaxed and she was sure that Michael would do a pap smear while he was at it and not to be concerned over it either. Neither test was painful. Liz gave her a smile and a hug and thanked her. She explained to her that Max had told her he had never had it done and therefore didn’t know how it felt. Diane rolled her eyes heavenward and looked at Liz with a concerned look and then they both started to giggle.

“What are we going to do with him Liz?” She asked and Liz looked at her with a cheesy grin on her face and said,

“Let’s just love him.” Diane smiled right back at her daughter-in-law and said,

“Yeah! Let’s do.” With that Liz boarded the elevator and headed on home.

*~*~*

When Liz arrived home she found the kitchen table all set with place mats, napkins and leftovers all set out in dishes and bowls on the table. Max had really set a pretty table for their lunch and Liz was very impressed, but she couldn’t find him. Soon he came through the front door with a small bouquet of white roses for her and gave her a hug and kiss on the forehead before putting the roses on the table. He had moved the mums to the kitchen for the time being…he wanted her to feel special and relaxed for her first visit to the gynecologist…she really needed to relax…he was beginning to feel her discomfort at having Michael as her doctor and he only hoped she got over it…and soon…He was sure she would but he still couldn’t get rid of that gnawing in his gut. Oh well, the time was almost here and they would find out what his problem was soon enough.

He and Liz sat down to enjoy their lunch and then she headed over to the bathroom to get ready to go and when she entered the bathroom the entire place was lit with candles and had fresh flowers everywhere. She turned and looked at Max and started to get really teary eyed. He smiled at her and held her close …

“I just wanted you to feel comfortable and relaxed sweetheart. Just get in the tub and enjoy it and I will be back in a few minutes to rub your back for you. Oh, and honey, just put a pair of slacks and a tee shirt on, you’ll be taking everything off and it will be easier.”

She smiled up at her beautiful husband, nodded in understanding and started taking off her clothes, how did she ever get so lucky was the only question she had on her mind right now.

Max headed back out to the kitchen to clean up after lunch and Liz started soaking in the tub. It wouldn’t be long before she would be propped up on that horrific looking table with Michaels face plastered in her privates. “Oh God…what a thought.” Relax Liz, relax…she kept repeating to herself.

*~*~*

Right around 1:45 Liz and Max arrived at Dr. Jefferds, Michael and Max had talked about it earlier and decided that it would probably be best if they went separately, Liz was only too happy to hear this as she was nervous about the whole thing anyway.

Dr. Jefferds nurse led Liz to an examining room and told her to take everything off and put the blue gown on, open at the front. Liz went into the tiny dressing room and did as she was told, she wondered where in the hell they bought these paper things that barely covered anything and then she came out and sat on the table, it was no use trying to be modest about anything the damned paper gown was a joke. There was a paper throw of sorts folded on the table which she unfolded and draped over her lap… Shortly Max came in and sat with her while they waited for Michael to come in, which wasn’t a very long time after Max made his appearance.

Michael showed up in a nice button down shirt and blue slacks and Liz was very impressed. He was very professional looking and she would be sure to tell Maria just how comfortable it made her feel to think that Michael would be so thoughtful toward her.


Michael nodded to Max and Max gave him a slow smile and then he told Liz to lie back on the table. Then Michael sat on the roll around stool and lifted the stirrups on the sides of the table and told Liz to put her feet in them and he raised the blanket up over her knees. She looked at Max and her eyes were as big as saucers.

Max took her hand and patted it and tried very hard not to smile. He knew this was a very serious moment for her but it was so routine to the doctors that it didn’t occur to him that the women didn’t take to it as easily as they were led to believe.

This was a very good lesson for both Max and Michael.

Michael explained to Liz what he was about to do and the instrument would probably be a little cold and please, just relax and it would all be over shortly. Liz just looked up at Max and said, “mm-hmmm.” and chewed on her lower lip. Max gave her hand a squeeze and smiled at her genuinely now. And soon Michael motioned for Max to come and take a look. Max patted Liz, tried to hide the concern on his face, let go of her hand and took a seat where Michael had been.

Max looked at Michael with a strange look and mouthed “Jefferds?”…Michael nodded and left the room. Soon Dr. Jefferds came in and took the seat from Max and pretty soon Liz was really getting panicked.

“You know Michael…if you invite one more person in here for this ‘peep show’ I am going to start charging admission!”

She was on the verge of being hysterical and words started spewing from her mouth like an auctioneer at a beef sale.

Max grabbed the back of his head and turned to the wall…Michael stifled a laugh and Dr. Jefferds got up and walked out of the room slowly and gave a large guffaw as he closed the door behind him.

“Okay, you two jokers…what in the hell is going on here?” She asked with a slight irritation in her voice.

Max took a look at Michael who was red in the face and nodded his assent to Max, who finally looked at Liz said, “Honey, your uterus is tipped and we are going to have to run some tests to figure out what our options are here.”

“What do you mean…tipped Max? Is that a really bad thing?” She had been concerned from the minute Max took Michael’s seat.

“Well, it could be if you’re pregnant, but we’ll do a pregnancy test and make sure one way or the other and if you aren’t we can do a very simple procedure and fix it and if you are we will try exercises. Let’s just wait and see what we find out, okay?”

“Well, I did an EPT on Saturday and it was negative…” she said.

“What, you took an EPT? Why honey, have you missed your period?”

“Well, I don’t know because I never really kept track of it before, you know. It always came and went and I never paid too much attention to it one way or the other.” She answered slightly nervous.

“Okay, so it was negative, but we still have to do a standard pregnancy test…the EPT is not always accurate.” Michael interjected and looked at Max for confirmation…

“All right, if that’s what we need to do. Where do I go for it?” Liz was starting to get into her ‘let’s get this show on the road mode’.

“Right next door to the bathroom. But first just let Michael do a standard PAP while you’re on the table and then you can get dressed and give us a urine sample…okay?” Max said to his wife lovingly but with a matter of fact tone in his voice.

“Okay, whatever you say.” She looked at Max and gave him a small smile…she was starting to get scared again…

With that Liz laid back down and shut up for the time being. Michael finished up the job at hand and Liz was soon on her way to the ladies room with her little cup.

“What in the hell did they need the entire medical staff in that room for?” She mumbled to herself. Doctor Jefferds heard her and had to stifle a laugh…’what a character’ he thought to himself.

Dr. Jefferds met Michael and Max in his office and told Max he had a real gem in that one…Max replied,

“Don’t I know it. There’s isn’t anything she won’t say to anyone and people just seem to gravitate to her.”

Dr. Jefferds said, “I can certainly see why.” Michael just sat back and smiled…they were both right. Between her and Maria God knows what their lives were going to be like, but it was going to be an interesting ride that’s for sure.

Liz finally came into the doctor’s office and Dr. Jefferds stood and introduced himself. Liz held out her hand and gave him one of her drop dead gorgeous smiles and told him,

“Well, it’s very nice to meet the face that goes with the top of that head.” He chuckled at her remark and told her he was glad to meet her as well.

Michael explained the seriousness of her condition should she be pregnant and she was extremely concerned and serious at this point. She was alert and tuned right in on his every word. Max and Dr. Jefferds as well as Michael suddenly noticed the difference in her demeanor and proceeded to explain the possibility of miscarriage at 5 ½ months should she be pregnant and how they hoped they could tilt the uterus back into place with simple exercises. Liz asked if there was any literature on the subject and all three doctors said, “Yes” at the same time. Dr. Jefferds called his nurse on the intercom and told her to bring all the available literature on tilted uteruses to his office for him and she was there in a flash.

Liz flipped through some of the literature and then put it all into her purse and asked if there was anything else she could be doing in the meantime. They all assured her that they needed to wait for the test results before making any decisions regarding treatment and to just relax.

‘Yeah, relax.’ Liz thought. If I am pregnant I’ll be damned if I am going to relax until this baby is born and I will do everything in my power to keep it, but she didn’t say any of this out loud…only a silent prayer to Our Blessed Lady to please let this not be true this month. With that Liz asked if there was anything else they needed her for and Michael and Dr. Jefferds told her “Not at this time.”

Michael told her to go home and relax, he would see her later and he would go over all of her options then. She thanked both Michael and Dr. Jefferds and grabbed Max’s hand and bid them goodbye. Max nodded to the doctors as Liz practically drug him out of the office…she didn’t give him an opportunity to shake hands with Jefferds or to say so long to Michael…she was out of there.

“What do you want to do honey?” Max asked when she finally slowed down as they neared the car.

Liz just shook her head and said she would like to go home and read some of the brochures that she had and Max said fine. So he took her home and dropped her off and then headed over to the hospital with all of those damned cake plates…12 altogether, he couldn’t believe it. He found Sister Brenda in her office and asked her where she would like him to take the plates and she told him to take them to the cafeteria. She felt the place could use a little class and asked Max for the receipt. Max told her to forget it…the plates were on him and with that he headed over to the receptionists desk to ask her for the guy from maintenance to come up with a dolly…he had a delivery to make. The receptionist looked at him like he had two heads and Max assured her he had a delivery for Sister Brenda that needed to be taken to the cafeteria. She said fine and called maintenance.

After Max gave the plates to the maintenance man he headed over to the chapel for a quick visit…he needed to talk to the “Man”. He knelt down in the front pew and said a silent prayer that Liz’s test would be negative so they could take care of her before any complicated pregnancies could take place at the same time as Father came through the back door and saw the young doctor kneeling there.

“Hi Max. Is everything okay?” the old priest asked.

“Oh, Hi Father. Yes and no. Liz had her first female exam today and it was discovered that she has a tipped uterus, which is not a serious thing unless she’s pregnant. It could become complicated if she is. We have to wait a couple of days for the results, and I am hoping that the test is negative so that we can fix her up and insure a healthy pregnancy at a later date but if she is we will deal with it.” Max said, without even blinking an eye.

“I see. Do you think she might be?”

“It’s very possible Father. We knew it could happen and we discussed it the night we got married and made the decision to just let things happen one way or the other. We both want kids and decided that it didn’t matter when it happened…we would take them as they came.”

Father thought about that for a minute and then looked at Max and told him not to worry about it. If she is and she loses it that is what was meant to be.

“That’s easy for you to say Father, you don’t know Liz…this would have a terrible affect on her.” Max rubbed the back of his ear and looked at the old priest.

“Maybe so Max, but she is a very strong young woman and she will deal with it. I know this.” The old priest said.

“Yeah, I guess so. I just don’t want her to have to deal with it Father, she is such a good person.”

“Max, none of us want our loved ones to have to go through the rough spots but that’s what makes the good spots so great.”

“You’re right Father…I’ll try to be more accepting of things as they come, but when it’s Liz I have a little trouble dealing with trouble…you know?”

“I know Max. I will remember you in my Mass tomorrow and you relax…ok?”

“Sure Father…and hey, how about coming home with me…we can pick Liz up and go have some dinner somewhere. We haven’t eaten yet and I am sure you would like something besides cafeteria food. What do you say?”

“I think that sounds like a fine idea. It’s 4:30 now, do you think I can be back no later than 8:00 p.m. for rounds?”

“Oh, I am sure you’ll be back in plenty of time.”

And with that Max and the old priest headed out to their cars to go back to Max’s and pick up Liz for dinner. Max didn’t call Liz to let her know he was bringing company home…he never gave it a second thought.

*~*~*

Back at the apartment Liz had laid out the brochures on the coffee table and was studying all of them very conscientiously. She finally came upon one that had these numerous exercises in it and she went into the bedroom and retrieved a pair of shorts and put a tank top on and headed back out to the living room, she called Maria over to take a look at them to see what she thought. She turned the TV on and pushed the coffee table out of the way and assumed a position on the floor that put her ass high up in the air while she was lying with her chest on the floor. She managed to get herself into a position where she could turn her head and see the TV but this left her fanny facing the front door, Maria chuckled at this sight and told her she was going home to cook Michael some dinner. Liz told Maria so long and maintained her “frog like” position on the floor.

This is how Max and Father O’Brien found her when they entered the apartment.

Max walked in and saw the scene in front of him and could hardly stifle a laugh and tried to stand in front of the old priest to shield his wife but it wasn’t working, Father being at least 4 inches taller than Max. Father’s eyes had the look of a screwed up ‘kewpie doll’…he couldn’t help but chuckle…


“Liz, baby, what in the hell are you doing?” Max asked.

“Go ask Michael Max…this is one of the exercises that is supposed to tip my uterus back…Max, are you alone?” she thought she heard a strange voice.

“Uh, no Liz, Father is with me.” Max stifled a laugh and scratched his ear.

“Well, HOLY SHIT MAX, take him over to Michaels for a minute…Hi Father.” Liz felt like crawling into the walls…but she couldn’t get herself up.
”Hi Liz.” The old priest answered and Max grabbed the old man by the sleeve and led him out of the apartment and headed over to Michael and Maria’s. Father Mike was having an awful time containing his laughter.

Although Max had a key to Maria’s apartment he figured he’d better ring the doorbell because Father didn’t need to hear Maria if he caught her off guard, God, catching one of the “Bobsy Twins” in one day was enough.

“You have your hands full don’t you Max?” Father said with a chuckle.

“Oh Father, you have no idea and it’s just the beginning.” Max started to apologize and Father told him not to, it wasn’t necessary … after all he does work in a hospital and he recognized immediately what Liz was doing.

“Yeah, but Father, we didn’t tell her to start the exercises yet…we don’t even know if she’s pregnant.”

“From what I’ve observed Max, you won’t have to tell her what to do. I think she will find out what to do and do it without any urging from anyone.” He said with a slight chuckle in his voice.

“I guess you’re right Father.” Max said with a grin on his face.

About that time Michael came to the door and smiled when he saw Father and Max there. Maria had already told Michael how she left Liz not just 15 minutes ago and he had a pretty good idea why they were over here. He stepped aside, stifling a laugh, and the two men made their way into the apartment.

Maria was in the kitchen getting ready to prepare dinner when Max told her to put the stuff away. As soon as Liz got her fanny up off the living room floor they were all going to go to dinner.

Maria started to out and out belly laugh at that one.

“Caught her in the act did you?” she yelled from the kitchen.

“What! You saw that action?” Max asked.

“Oh yeah. She called me over to take a look to see if she was doing it correctly. Was she?”

“Well, from what I could tell she had her heart and soul into it and a few other parts.” Max said with a chuckle.

About that time Michael started to guffaw, “Welcome to ‘Evansville’ Father…never a dull moment. And if you think she’s a case you should see this one and her together. Never a dull moment…let me tell you.”

Father just smiled and said, “I can just imagine.”

Maria walked out of the kitchen and saw the old priest standing there…”Oh My Gawd…Father did you see that? And Hi by the way.”

“Hi Maria, and yes, I saw all of that…quite cute actually.” The old priest grinned.

About that time Liz came through the front door, beet red and apologizing to Father profusely. He just smiled and told her it was perfectly alright. “Maybe Max should have called before showing up with company.” He remarked.

“Do ya’ think?” and she gave Max a look...”I certainly agree with you there Father, but it isn’t everyday that I would be in a position like that it’s just I don’t want to wait to start those exercises. What’s up anyway?” She said, as she seemed to relax a bit.

“Well sweetheart, we are all going to go out to a nice dinner and Father is going to join us. How does that sound?” Max leaned in and kissed his wife on the temple…stifling a laugh as he did.

“Sounds great…and how nice do I have to dress? How about you Maria?” Liz said as she leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a little kiss on her husband’s lips.

“Okay ladies, nothing fancy…nice slacks will be fine. We’ll decide where to go while you get ready.” Max said as he gave Liz a little squeeze around the waist.

“Sounds great…only take me a minute and I’ll be right back…get a hurry on Maria, can’t keep the guys waiting you know.”

“Right you are girlfriend.”

Father looked at the two young women and smiled, then he looked at the two young doctors and said, “You two are very lucky, you know that don’t you?”

They both answered together, “We know it Father.” And they both smiled contentedly.

*~*~*

The group headed to one of Max’s favorite steak houses and Father followed behind them just in case things went longer than he had time for. When they arrived the place was just beginning to fill up so Max had Liz and Maria run in to put their names on the list while he parked. Michael took this opportunity to discuss the possibility of Liz’s pregnancy test being positive,

“You know Max, if Liz is pregnant we will do everything in our power to take care of her and the baby.” Michael said with a concerned look on his face.

“I know that Michael, but let’s not talk about it until we know. I don’t want to upset Liz anymore than she already is, and she is concerned. Let’s just keep it light tonight.” Max reached over and grabbed his friend around the shoulder and squeezed…

Michael agreed with Max and the two young men headed to the restaurant.

Father had already joined the ladies since he had a handicap license plate, he had bad knees, now they were only waiting for Max and Michael before being seated. The hostess seated them immediately and they were well on their way to enjoying a nice relaxing evening.

Father started to tell them some stories about his younger days as a priest in Rome and the kids were in hysterics. It seems the Passionist priests usually wear long brown robes and leather sandals with no socks and are a very poor order. Well, on one occasion, he and one of his friends were dying for a good meal and had saved money from their allowances for months to go into Rome to one of the nicer restaurants for dinner. While they were in there enjoying their meal a few of their fellow Passionists came through with their tin cups begging for donations, the old priest said there was nowhere for them to hide and they wanted to die…The entire meal was spent listening to the old priest entertain them with these types of stories. He was a delight to be around and the kids fell in love with him.

No wonder that little chapel was becoming so popular on Sunday mornings. It was getting so they had to open the doors to the lobby to make room for all of the people attending Sunday Mass.

Around 7:30 Father bid the group farewell and told them he would be seeing them at the hospital. He had to get back by 8:00 in order to make his evening rounds. He blessed them and took off.

Carolyn and Destiny Thank you for sticking around...it gets a little better really soon, honest!

*~*~*

Chapter: 34

Max, Liz, Michael and Maria all decided to see if the “Tea Shoppe” was still open for some dessert. It was only 7:45...maybe they would get lucky. So they headed out to the other end of town.

When they rounded the familiar corner Liz turned her head to watch “the house” until it was out of sight. The other three didn’t miss this action at all and Max raised an eyebrow to Michael in the rearview mirror. Michael only nodded…and then Maria jabbed Michael in the ribs and pointed to the house next door. It was up for sale and looked to be in as good of shape as the one Liz was in love with. Michael nodded and did a double take as well. Max didn’t miss any of this and Liz just kept looking at the yellow house. It had to be close to one hundred years old and it was gorgeous. They continued on their way to the “Tea Shoppe” and found it to be open. They were all ecstatic.

They piled out of the car like they were on a mission and no one was going to stop them. When they entered the Shoppe the proprietor recognized them immediately and told them to seat themselves. She was going to close early but since they were there she would take care of them. They thanked her and told her that they could just get something to go and she told them that would not be necessary, it would be a pleasure to serve them. They all smiled and found a table and were presented with menus. Liz couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted it all looked so good so she asked the lady to choose something for her. The proprietor told her to just call her “Emmy” and she would be more than glad to.

When Emmy brought their dessert orders back to their table Liz mentioned the two older homes in the neighborhood that were for sale. “Is there something going on in the neighborhood that people are not aware of.” Liz asked.

Michael, Max and Maria all gulped at that one…they hadn’t given it a thought that maybe things were being rezoned or something. Liz wouldn’t have either if it hadn’t been for the house next door to the one she was so taken with being on the market. Maybe the people that owned the yellow one also owned the one next door.

“Well, not that I’m aware of…usually we get notices about things like that…but if you’re interested you know you can always have those old places designated as historical homes and then they can’t be touched.” Emmy said.

“I see,”…said Liz. “So you haven’t had any official notices from planning commissions or anything like that?”

“No, and I don’t think anyone else has either.” Max and Michael both looked at each other with knowing eyes. Something to look into tomorrow, Max would have to call the estate lady immediately.

After the group finished their desserts they bought some pastries to take home for breakfast and headed on out. They are going to have to watch it or they’ll all have to join a gym. They all told Emmy goodnight and wished her well, she smiled at the four young people and bid them goodnight as well.

After the group exited the Tea Shoppe they decided to take a walk past the old homes and see if they were as nice from the sidewalk as they looked from the road. They ambled by quite a few older homes and fell in love with the neighborhood. It was so quaint and quiet. Liz kept feeling more euphoric the closer she got to the house. There was something about it that seemed to be calling to her…it seemed to radiate love and comfort to her. Max could sense these feelings coming from her and it was becoming intoxicating. Michael and Maria felt it too and when they noticed the house next door seemed to have the same aura about it. Michael now knew how Max felt about getting the house for Liz…he felt the same way about the white one next door, without even seeing it. He wrote the number of the real-estate agent on a slip of paper he had in his wallet and kept on walking. Max couldn’t take his eyes off Liz, she was enthralled.

*~*~*

After they got back to their apartment complex they bid each other goodnight and Liz kiddingly chided Michael for giving her those exercise pamphlets too soon. Michael laughed and told her “Thanks.”

Liz looked at him and said, “For what?”

“Oh, Liz, you have no idea how much fun you have brought to my day.” He said with a twinkle in his eye.

She punched him in the arm and said, “Don’t mention it…PLEASE…don’t mention it…ever again.”

With that they all started laughing and headed to their own front doors.

When they got into their own apartment Max lifted Liz off the floor in a big bear hug and smiled into her hair. She smiled at his antics and nibbled the bare skin on his neck and he shivered in response.

“Liz, you make my life so much fun. Everyday is an adventure with you…thank you sweetheart…just thank you.” And he squeezed her just a little tighter because it just felt good to hold her.

Liz giggled at that and asked, “What are you planning on doing with me Max. Carry me around all night or did you have something else in mind?”

Max growled in her ear…”I think I have something else in mind tonight Liz.” And with that he walked into their bedroom and deposited her in the middle of their bed where he promptly crawled up next to her and laid down. He laid his fingers across her cheek and drew over to her ear and placed some stray strands of hair behind it. He looked into her eyes and smiled. It felt so good being with her; it was like an answer to a prayer. Liz scooted closer into his arms and reached around to the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss. Not an urgent passionate kiss but a slow come here and let me show you that I love you kiss. Max was melting and Liz wasn’t far behind. When they came up for air Liz scooted down off the bed and headed for the bathroom out of necessity.

“Where are you going?” Max wanted to know.

“Max, I really need to do this…I’ll be right back…take your clothes off lover and set the alarm.”

Max chuckled back toward the bathroom and said in a loud tone, “Yes Maam.” Before he hung his jacket in the closet he removed a bag from his pocket and put it in the nightstand drawer.

After taking care of the necessities in the bathroom and brushing her teeth Liz joined Max in their bed where he was eagerly waiting for her. It didn’t take her long to join him and before long they were in a very steamy session of love making when Max reached over to the nightstand and retrieved the package. He removed a single foil package from the box and proceeded to open it.

“What’s that?” Liz asked, knowing full well what it was.

“I thought we’d better take a little precaution until we know what is going on for sure…don’t you think so?”

“Well, don’t you think that it’s a little late to be thinking about that?”

“We don’t know that yet and until we do I think we should be careful.”

“But Max, I really don’t like those things…it’s not the same.” She started to blush profusely.

Max took her hands in his and said, “Liz, I don’t particularly like them either but I feel certain that, if you are not pregnant we would like to keep it that way for a little while longer. What do you say?”

“Oh. All right Max, if you insist. I guess it’s better than nothin’.” She said with a fake frown.

Max pulled her into him and growled into her hair…”You’re driving me crazy, you know that?”

“No, tell me all about it.” She said as she giggled into his shoulder.

And Max proceeded to show as well as tell her all about it.

*~*~*

The next day Liz took off for work and Max straightened up the apartment and made a few phone calls regarding some property in the old section of town. He left a message for the estate lady and when she returned his call he answered,

“Hello, this is Doctor Evans.”

The estate lady, Sherry, was taken aback for a second and then asked, “Is this Max Evans?”

Max answered, “Yes it is and you are?”

“Oh Dr. Evans, I didn’t know you were a doctor. This is Sherry…Sherry Weingarde the lady handling the estate you were asking about.” She was very impressed right now…he just seemed like any ordinary good looking young man when they met a few weeks ago. Will wonders never cease?

“Yes Sherry, I hope you have some good news for me, and also, are you the one that is handling the property next door as well?”

This question suddenly sent the young woman into a defensive mode and she wanted to know what the young doctor was questioning the property next door for.

“Doctor Evans, what is your interest in these properties? Yes, they are both listed with our firm but if you have other interests besides living in these homes please take your business elsewhere. We do not want to ruin the integrity of the neighborhood in any way.”

“Oh believe me; I have no intention of ruining the integrity of the neighborhood. My wife is in love with the house we were in and our friends…Doctor Guerin and his fiancé are interested in the house next door. I was wondering if we could meet and go through them at your earliest convenience since my wife and I are planning a vacation in the next few days and will be gone for a couple of weeks. I would like to buy the house for her as a birthday present next month. What do you say to that Ms. Weingarde?”

“Well Dr. Evans, I see you are pretty direct in your approach to things. How about we meet at the properties this afternoon at 1:00 p.m.? Would it be possible for both you and Dr. Guerin to be there?”

“I am positive that Dr. Guerin and I will be there, if Dr. Guerin can’t make it I certainly can and I will take a look at the house for him. How does that sound?”

“You can look at a house for another person?”

”Yes, in this case I can, I assure you.”

“Great Dr. Evans, I will see you then.”

“Oh, and Ms. Weingarde, now that we have established our territories it will be all right for you to call me Max…Dr. Guerin is Michael…never Mike mind you…’Michael’ and we will call you Sherry. Is that all right with you?”

“Yes Max, that’s fine. I’ll see you at 1:00 p.m.”

Max smiled as he hung up the phone and went next door to pay Michael and Maria a visit. He knew that Michael could get away and only hoped that Maria didn’t have any conferences set up for this afternoon.

Then Max headed back to the apartment and set his laptop on the table in the dining room and started to check out various vacation packages and tours, that’s when he had a brainstorm. Isabelle still had her apartment in England and it was just across the channel from France, which was only a hop from Rome via air. What a thought. Max called Isabelle immediately and asked her what she thought of his idea and she told him it was a wonderful plan and to run it by Liz…she knew she would be elated.

As soon as they hung up Isabelle phoned her secretary in England and told her to see to it that the cleaning people went in and gave her apartment a thorough going over because her brother and his wife were going to be staying there for a few days, fill the fridge with drinks and make sure her car was detailed and filled with gas. She was so happy to be able to do this for them, oh life was grand.

*~*~*

At 1:00 p.m. Michael, Maria and Max all pulled into the driveway of the old house on Chestnut Lane. It was as grand today as it was the day they first looked at it. It had a charm equal to none and Max loved everything about it. They were met by Sherry who was already inside waiting for them. Sherry held out her hand to all of the young people and told them to take their time and she would be glad to answer any questions they had regarding the property. Not many young people were interested in these older homes and she was really surprised that they would be interested in both of them. Max and Michael smiled at the woman and told her that they happened to be in love with two of the most unique young women on the planet and their interests would shock about anyone. Maria just smiled at that remark. She liked being singled out as the love of Michael’s life and she knew that Liz would feel the same way. Maria asked Sherry if she would take her and Michael next door while Max roamed around in here and Sherry smiled and said she would be glad to. With that the three exited the old house and left Max to do his own exploring.

Max headed for the front of the house, to the front door and proceeded to start from there.

The place was now void of furniture and Max could use his imagination and start to visualize how it would be to live here with Liz and a family. It would be wonderful, warm, inviting, loving and beautiful. He looked toward his right and saw the living room with all of its’ old charm and newly finished hardwood floors and old molding lining the floors and the crown molding surrounding the twelve foot ceilings. It was beyond grand, it radiated elegance, just like Liz. To his left was another smaller version of the living room, Max figured there was a word for it but he could only envision it as a less formal living room. Not a den per se’ but a smaller version of the living room…directly on the other side of the smaller room, through a set of French doors was the dining room. It was very large, large enough for the entire family if you had a specially built dining room table, or maybe two pushed together…there’s a thought. They could probably use all of those damned cake plates in this room…and he chuckled at that one. Off to the right of the dining room was the butler’s pantry that led into the kitchen. Max’s mind was running wild and free with thoughts of a family in this house. He hoped he read Liz’s face correctly…Nah, he did…this wasn’t the time to be second-guessing himself.

In the entry hall from the front of the house there was a huge stairway that went up 8 steps to a platform and turned up another 10 steps to the second level. You could look straight up and see the stairway that led to the third story from the floor of the entryway. It was huge!

Straight ahead past both the entry doors to the living rooms there was a doorway leading to a small hallway that went to the left into the dining room and to the right into the kitchen. There was a stairway leading to the lower level directly under the stairway coming down from the back of the house from the upper level off the second hallway. This was directly off to the right of the kitchen entry.

When you walked into the kitchen you were met with the most modern kitchen setup on earth. Whoever designed this kitchen had to be a genius with old homes. This kitchen lacked nothing. It had a huge industrial stove with six burners, double ovens situated against an entire wall of real brick and a brick-warming oven with what looked like a pull out convenience of some sort under it. Max went over and opened it up and lo and behold it was a freezer. Max couldn’t believe they would put a freezer in this space but it certainly looked like it would be convenient. Liz would know more about that.

There was a large island with a sink situated in one end of it and what looked like an electrical cooking unit next to it, maybe it was used for heating up stuff or just keeping it warm. There were electrical outlets all along the perimeter of the island just under the overhang of the counter. It looked convenient anyway. All of the counter tops were black granite and the appliances were stainless steel. The new refrigerator would fit quite well in this kitchen. They could probably fit another one right next to it, something to think about at a later date. Max walked around the island and into a small room off the kitchen and was surprised to find a real walk-in pantry with a window looking out into the back yard. How cute it looked. The pantry was lined with shelves on the left hand side of the wall and the surrounding walls had a work type counter with shelves above and below it. All of these shelves were open, no doors on any of them. Max wasn’t sure he liked the idea but then he was no expert on this type of thing. There were plenty of cupboards in the huge kitchen so I guess the openness of the pantry wasn’t a problem.

From there Max turned and saw another long type hallway leading out to the back yard. It looked like a mud- room and he just smiled. It was large enough to put a bench for taking off boots and hooks to hang coats. He loved it. After leaving the kitchen Max headed to the entry again and decided to head to the basement to see what was in store down there. It was completely finished and it seemed to have been left up to the discretion of the owner to use it however they saw fit. The main room was huge; it took up the better part of the entire floor and could be used for a media room, a game room or extra sleeping rooms.

Beyond the large room was the laundry room with a nice counter that could be used as a folding table along the back wall and plenty of storage for clothesbaskets, ironing and other laundry needs. There was actually a laundry chute and a dumb waiter. Too cool, Max thought. On the other side of the laundry room was the mechanics room. There were three water heaters, a furnace and an air conditioner. Max checked it out and it was a five- ton unit. That didn’t seem large enough to Max…he would ask Sherry when she got back with Michael and Maria. If the place had three water heaters it had to have more heating and cooling than this. After his tour of the lower level Max headed back up the stairs via the back staircase just to check out the solidarity of it. It felt very stable and he was happy to find that out. It looks like nothing was wrong so far.

He headed on up to the second level from the kitchen and wound up in the hallway at the end of the second hallway upstairs; the one that led to the extra rooms once past the master suite off the main stairway. There were two bedrooms on each side of the hallway. Each of these rooms had a jack and jill bathroom between them and they were all done very nicely with hardwood floors, crown molding and high ceilings. The ceilings downstairs were 12 feet high but the one’s upstairs seemed to be 9 feet high. They all had large walk-in closets and they had plenty of windows for lots of sunlight. What a wonderful place this was. Max headed on down the hall to the main hallway and turned to his left into the master suite. It was huge to say the least. There were two large walk-in closets, one on either side of a hallway that led into the master bath. It had crown molding everywhere… and there was a fireplace against one wall and built-in shelves on either side. On the other side of the room was a doorway leading to a small sitting room type of a room. It could be used for a nursery, an office, a sewing room for Liz or just about anything they would want to use it for. Across the hall from the master suite was another bedroom, just a little smaller than the others and a bathroom that had access from the bedroom or the hallway. Max counted them, 6 bedrooms in all…would that be enough…Christ, he only hoped so. There was also a total of 4 bathrooms up here…he then headed to the stairway that led to the attic and he wasn’t disappointed…another huge room with plenty of storage built in…another walk-in closet and another bathroom…and lo and behold another mechanics room with another furnace and air conditioner. Max stood and chuckled…. he should never have doubted it. Max started thinking about the main floor…he never saw a bathroom on the main floor…there had to be one…he headed back down the stairs toward the entry and noticed a door under the platform of the main staircase and opened it. There it was…just a toilet and sink with plenty of artificial light and storage to be comfortable. Now he was a happy man.

He headed on over to the white frame house next door to see how Michael and Maria were doing with their walk through only to find the couple standing at the kitchen island filling out papers to turn in a bid on the place. Maria looked at Max and didn’t have to say a word. He could tell she had found her place on earth next to Liz. Michael and Max both nodded and Max asked Sherry if she had anymore of those forms on her.

She was dumb struck… she thought she was really going to be stuck with these two monstrosities forever. No one wanted homes this big anymore, especially these old homes. Granted they were jewels but they definitely were old and huge.

Max and Michael both knew that these places were white elephants to most of the population and they made their offers very fair but they were anything but over the limit either. Younger people didn’t want to live in these older neighborhoods…they wanted to be where the action was and they were too much for older people to take care of. Max and Michael wanted to be where they felt their families would be safe. Sherry looked at the bids and raised an eyebrow at both of them. Max and Michael both assured her the bids were fair and if she didn’t feel like presenting them to the sellers then they would deal with someone else. She looked at the two young men and said,

“Are you two sure you’re doctors?”

Maria laughed at that one and said, ”Yes they are but his family are lawyers.” As she pointed to Max.

“Oh.” Was Sherrie’s only remark. She assured them she would turn in the bids and get back with them as soon as possible. Max said thanks and told her that he and Liz would be in Europe until the end of the month and if she needed anything else to contact Evans and Associates. She assured him she would and bid the young people good day.

Michael and Maria took Max on a quick tour of the home they were buying and Max could only smile through the entire tour. The similarities were uncanny. The same builder had to have done both homes. The only difference between the two homes was the west side. There wasn’t any. When you walked through the front entrance the smaller living room to the left was absent and the dining room was directly off the entry hall and there was no butlers’ pantry but a downstairs bathroom instead. There were four bedrooms on the second floor instead of six, the attic was finished and so was the basement. Other than the size of the place they were practically identical. Max smiled at Michael and gave Maria a huge hug and asked her if she was happy…

”Oh Max, you know I am and if you think I’m happy wait until you see Lizzie’s face. She is going to shit her knickers!” And with that Max only laughed and said, “God I hope not.” And they all laughed at that remark.

The young people finally left and Max headed home to call his Mom. He wanted to let her know that he had put a bid in on a house and what his plans were for the next two weeks. Liz had already filled her in on the ‘tipped uterus’ problem and Max assured her that if she was pregnant the trip would not hurt her. His Mom felt better about that and then Max reminded her not to say anything about the house…it would be her birthday present if the deal went through and if it didn’t he didn’t want her to be disappointed. Also, he had not talked to Liz about Europe yet so mum’s the word on it as well. Diane smiled through the phone and assured her son that she definitely would not say anything to anyone. She knew what it was like to have to deal with relatives and answers when there were no answers to be given. She asked how he was doing and Max said he was great. Things just couldn’t be any better. Then Diane did the unthinkable…

”What’s the house like Max?” She just had to ask. Max chuckled and told her that if they got them they would put them on the historical list. Then Diane asked, “Them?” And Max chuckled again, “Yeah Mom, Michael and Maria put a bid in on the one next door.” Diane out and out laughed at that one. “I swear Max; sometime I think the four of you are joined at the hip.”

“So it would seem Mom, so it would seem.” With that the mother and son said their goodbyes and hung up.

Max settled himself with his laptop again and proceeded to check out points of interest on the Internet and then ran off some pictures for Liz to look at when she got home. He was getting very excited about taking a trip…this would be wonderful. He could route their departure from New York and they could go to a show there before flying overseas and they could return home through another city and spend a night there before flying back…Oh this is going to be great.

In the meantime…earlier that day Liz had passed a beauty supply house on her lunch hour and decided to try waxing herself for her ‘honeymoon’…so she went in and bought some bikini wax complete with instructions…’oh is Max going to be surprised’ she thought.

After that purchase she headed on over to Victoria’s Secret and purchased some very sexy thongs and lacy teddies. She was going to make this the best honeymoon ever!

*~*~*

Carolyn: Thank you...yes she really likes those damned plates doesn't she?

*~*~*

Cahpter: 35



Liz returned home at her usual 6:30 and Max had already started dinner and set the table. There were candles all over the living room and Liz couldn’t imagine what was going on…Max came out of the dining room with a dish towel thrown over his shoulder and Liz raised one eyebrow in question and Max just grinned at her.

“How does Europe sound?”

Liz looked puzzled for a minute and then the lights came on …

“What part of Europe?”

“England, France and Rome.”

“Seriously Max…that sounds awesome. Can we do that?”

“Of course. I thought we could fly into New York, spend the night and see a show…then head on over to England. Isabelle said we could stay at her place for a few days and use her car…then fly over to France and spend a couple of days then head over to Rome for four or five days. We can return home to Boston, Atlanta or another big city and spend the night before heading home. We can really get a lot of sight seeing in and have a great time in about 2 ½ weeks…don’t you think?” He was so animated that Liz thought she would have to tie his hands down.

“Max, that sounds wonderful…when do you think we should leave?”

“I will contact your grandmother’s travel agent tomorrow and we can make our plans from there. We will need a hotel in New York, France, Rome and one on our return. We will stay at Izzie’s in England. I am sure it will be nice, knowing Izzie.”

“I am sure you’re right. Oh, and Max…I am not pregnant, I started my period today so I guess we can have Michael write me up the prescription and I can start taking it this week. I don’t know if I am happy or disappointed, I can’t explain how I feel.”

“Oh honey, c’mere.” Max reached out and brought her into his arms and held her close.

“You know Liz, this really is for the best. If you had been pregnant you probably would have lost it and now we can take care of the problem and you will have many healthy pregnancies because of it.”

“I know Max, but I don’t want my life to be that structured…I want my pregnancies to just happen, not really planned right down to the minute the baby will be delivered. I want spontaneity, okay?”

“Okay, spontaneity it is and when you are ready to quit taking the pill we will be spontaneous, but we can still practice can’t we?”

With that Liz snuggled her head into Max’s shoulder and giggled… “Oh, I like practice.” Max held her and smiled, God how he loved her. All he wanted to do was make her as happy as she made him.

They were going over to see Michael and Maria as soon as they had their dinner. This would be a good TV night since Liz was out of commission for a few days anyway. Max just shook his head and headed to the kitchen to finish up dinner and Liz went to the bedroom to change her clothes and ponder a trip to Europe with her beautiful husband. How wonderful this all sounded. She would have to tell Diane tomorrow and get a temp in and trained before next week…things really moved fast in this household…she wondered if it would always be like this.

Then she opened her purchase from the beauty supply and proceeded to read the instructions…this didn’t seem too difficult…not difficult at all.

Liz followed the directions, using the melting pot she had purchased to melt the wax in. The sales clerk told her it was the best way and she would always have it, so she bought the electric appliance to melt her wax. Liz applied the melted wax and after the allotted time she attempted to peel the wax off according to the instructions. She took hold of the top edge of the wax and started to pull… it brought tears to her eyes immediately…

’good god almighty this hurts’ she thought to herself; she stopped instantly. Then she crossed her legs! Why? She didn’t know why. Maybe it would stop the pain…then she tried rolling it off and it still hurt like hell, now she was dancing around the bathroom…’oh shit, what now?’ she thought as the tears rolled down her cheeks in a steady stream, she was flapping her arms up and down as if it would help, it didn’t…’am I going to have to wear this shit forever?’ she asked herself. She tried slowly rolling again, then she tried gently tugging…everything stung like a bitch and the tears kept getting worse with each attempt at removal of the offensive goop that was stuck to her in the most tender of places… this was… “Oh Dear God” she pleaded…this was awful.

About fifteen minutes later Max went looking for her and found the bathroom door half ajar and called out…

“Liz honey, are you all right?”

“Hmmm…” A high-pitched squeak came from the bathroom…

“Can I come in?” Max asked

Then he heard another high pitched squeak, almost like a cry, and he went barreling through the bathroom door only to find his beautiful wife standing there naked from the waist down with a small mirror placed strategically on the bathroom counter, her legs crossed, doing what looked like some ritual dance and when she turned around she had tears in her eyes and he had to control himself when he saw what was going on.

‘God Max, just don’t laugh’ he told himself.

“Sweetheart, what in the hell are you doing to yourself?” He managed to get out with a straight face.

“Oh God Max, you have to help me here…I thought I could give myself a wax job and, oh… God…, it hurts like hell.”

“Okay honey, but what do you want me to do?” ‘Oh please don’t laugh’ he told himself…please God don’t let me laugh!’

“I don’t know Max, go to the hospital and get some Novocain or something and pull this ‘shit’ off.”

Max was still trying like hell to keep a straight face, “Liz, sweetie, you know I can’t do that. Now seriously what can I do to help you?”

“Max, I’m going to close my eyes and you take hold of this shit and pull it off. Okay?”

“Are you sure that’s what you want me to do?” Max was still trying to control a laugh…

“Jeeezus Max, just do it already. It’s got to come off and there’s only one way to do it…right?” Liz was dancing all over the bathroom by now…

( And the old man chuckled out loud as he raised his wife’s fragile hand and kissed it.)

“Whatever you say honey…close your eyes and hang on to the counter.” Max didn’t want any reflex jabs to his body when this shit came off, and with that he gave a yank and Liz gave a yell and damned near passed out…but she had a great bikini wax, even if the skin was a little red, it would heal.

Max looked down at her and then brushed away her tears and told her to look at herself…”Pretty sexy huh?” he said with a grin…stifling laughter…

“Yeah, well take a good look Max Evans because that’s the last bikini wax you’ll ever see on this body.” She wailed…

Max wrapped her in his arms, trying very hard to hide the smile on his face, and just held her close. God, she couldn’t see him smiling, not now. Will the surprises ever stop?

*~*~*

After dinner Max and Liz went next door to see Michael and Maria who had just settled down with a movie and some popcorn. Maria and Liz headed to the kitchen to get some sodas and while they were gone Max told Michael the news about Liz not being pregnant, he figured he’d better keep the bikini wax to himself for the time being, knowing Liz she would tell Maria who he knew would tell Michael. Michael was as relieved as Max about the pregnancy scare. The marriage was too young to be putting her through an almost certain miscarriage. Now they can correct her problem with some minor surgery and in a few months, if that is what they want to do, they can think about children. Michael smiled at Max and Max raised an eyebrow and looked at him in question…”what?” And Michael just shook his head and thought for a minute before speaking,

“You know Maxwell, it seems that your life has taken on monumental changes in the past month and neither one of you seem to be phased by it. You just keep moving forward with each day as if nothing else is happening around you. I’m not sure if I’m explaining myself correctly here…but things just keep working out right for you without any effort or thought on the subject from you. Do you two worry about anything at all?”

“Michael, I don’t know how to put this, but you’re right and wrong. We discuss just about everything but we don’t dwell on it. I don’t think I can explain what it’s like with Liz. We talk about things but it seems the decisions are mutual without discussion…does that make any sense at all. It doesn’t to me, but that is really how it is.”

“Yeah, Maxwell, I think it does make sense. You two are so in tuned with each other that you almost speak telepathically…right?”

“Jeezus, Michael…when you put it like that it’s downright scary, almost alien.”

“I know what you mean Max, but that’s what it seems like.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s telepathic really. We do seem to be in tune with each other and I don’t know if we will ever disagree on anything, but I hope we can deal with it the way we deal with life right now because it definitely makes the rest of living a lot of fun and enjoyable. It’s kind of like tonight…we came over to tell you about the pregnancy, to get a prescription filled out tomorrow and we are going to watch a movie with you guys. It doesn’t matter which movie it is as long as we are enjoying the evening together.”

“Yeah, I see where you’re coming from old man and have you talked to your Mom about the vacation yet?”

“Yes, and she’s all for it. They are going to hire a temp for the phones and Jody will take over transcribing until Liz gets back. Mom said any research that needs to be done can wait for a couple of weeks. Oh, and I told Mom about our bids and she said we are ‘joined at the hip’.”

Michael laughed heartily at that one…”You know Max…I believe she’s right.”

With that both of the young men laughed…it was true. Maria and Liz came into the living room with a tray of drinks and found their significant others laughing and having an enjoyable conversation.

“Can anyone join in or is it private?”

Max grabbed Liz around the waist and swung her into his lap and kissed her soundly on the lips and told her she could join in anything she wanted and Maria and Michael both started laughing at that one. Max got a little red and said…”Well, almost anything.” Liz replied…”Boy am I glad you qualified that statement…you had me worried for a minute.” Then they all laughed and Michael flipped the button on the remote and they watched their movie in silence. Life was great.


*~*~*

Dawnuk & Destiny: I'm going to start calling you two 'old faithfuls'...no matter how boring my fluff is you still leave fb. Thank you.

*~*~*

chapter: 36

The next morning Max got on the phone with the travel agent after seeing Liz off to the office and started making travel arrangements. They both had passports but he needed to verify the dates. Max was sure his was still valid and he was sure Liz’s was as well since their parents had taken them to South America when they were younger and Max was certain his Mom had taken care of his renewal when the time came and knowing Nancy and Jeff, Liz’s was also taken care of, he could only hope…otherwise Europe was out of the question. He called his mother to verify this information before proceeding any further and Diane told him that both his and Liz’s passports were current and they were both in the office safe. She would send them home with Liz. With that information Max continued making the arrangements

The travel agent was happy to be helping Max with his plans, she seemed very interested in the way he wanted things laid out. Most people want to leave and return by the same route…this was very interesting…allowing time to be spent in two different cities. It will also cut down on a lot of jetlag, being able to rest after the long overseas flights.

She was interested in their accommodations in England and wanted to know where they planned on staying while they were there and Max explained that his sister lives there and they will be staying at her apartment and using her car for their time in England although they will need hotel accommodations in France and Rome and he would like them to be the best.

Grandma’s travel agent was impressed with the young man’s insistence that they had the best there was. It didn’t matter that the accommodations weren’t the most expensive…that didn’t always mean the best…he definitely wanted the nicest available. She smiled into the phone at this remark and told him that she would see to it that they were booked into the nicest hotels that were available. She had traveled extensively in Europe and she was sure that she could come up with the most pleasing rooms available. Max thanked her and gave her his e-mail address to forward the itinerary and confirmations and bid her good-bye. After the travel agent and he hung up he proceeded to check the Internet for weather conditions and maps to points of interest. Then he thought, why not invite Isabelle and Alex over for dinner this evening and they could go over his and Liz’s plans. Maybe Isabelle would offer some suggestions to make the trip more fun. With that thought in mind he called Liz.

“Hi Jody, is Liz there?” He asked when Jody answered the phone.

Jody immediately recognized Max’s voice, ”Of course Mr. Evans, I’ll put her right on.”

“Oh Jody, please call me Max, and thank you.”

“Of course Max, one sec.” Max heard the phone click and then Jody said into the intercom, “Liz, Max is on line 2.” Liz smiled at the phone and told Jody thanks and picked up her handset.

“Hi sweetheart…can’t get enough of me can you?” She said with a giggle in her voice…

“You know it baby.” Max growled…”Hey, I was wondering how you feel about inviting Isabelle and Alex for dinner this evening. Maybe Izzie can give us some ideas about what to see, how long it takes to see stuff and things like that, what do you say?”

“Oh Max, that sounds like a marvelous idea…you are just too smart…you know that?” She smiled into the phone and Max felt a warm glow all over…

(And the old man remembered how it felt to talk to his young bride.)

“Yeah, anyway, what do you think we should have? I’m ok with steak and potatoes but I’m not so sure about other things in the kitchen yet.”

“Hey Max, steak sounds great…make sure we have French bread, and salad makings. I will fix those when I get home and get a nice bottle of red wine. Whatever sounds good. Do you think Michael and Maria would like to come over as well?” She queried.

“Well, I’m not so sure that this dinner would be the kind that they would be interested in since we want to discuss vacation plans. What do you think?”

“You’re probably right. I don’t want to hurt their feelings though.” She said thoughtfully.

“Oh my God Liz, why would we hurt their feelings by inviting my sister to dinner?” Max was really surprised at her remark.

“I don’t know…just a thought.” She was a little puzzled herself, this was all new to her, she and Maria always did things together.

“Okay sweetheart, just relax, no one is going to be hurt. Just get your pretty butt home on time and don’t forget the passports. Mom said they are in her safe and she would give them to you…they are current so we don’t have to worry about that.”

“Okay Max, I will see you about 6:30. Tell Izzie and Alex to be there between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. That will give me time to change and make a salad and some garlic bread. We can use the white tablecloth that is hanging in the spare bedroom closet. It will look nice…no?”

“It will look nice yes…I love you and I’ll see you around 6:30” Max felt so good, she is the sweetest thing ever he thought to himself…

“Bye Max, love you too.” They both smiled as they hung up their phones, each one getting busy with what needed to be done.

*~*~*

Liz arrived home just at 6:30 as predicted and Max met her in the hallway with his hands full of groceries. Liz asked him if there were anymore in the car and he said, “No…have it all right here. Oh, and I picked up a couple more plates.” Liz giggled at that one…always the planner; soon they would have enough dishes to service the entire apartment complex.

“Good, let me get the door for you.” And Max leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, Liz giggled at that maneuver as she followed right behind Max into the apartment. They both headed for the kitchen and after setting her purse on the dining room table Liz helped Max put the groceries away and then headed for the bedroom to change clothes, Max followed right behind her.

“Need any help?”

“As much as I would love for you to help me I am still out of commission you know.” She said just a little disappointedly.

“I know that, but I would if you want me to.” Max reached out and pulled her to him so he could nuzzle her neck,

“How’s the bikini wax?”

“Oh Max, I’m sure you would but that just seems too yucky and the wax job is doing just fine.” She added with a little sarcasm.

Max continued to nuzzle and said, “Okay sweetie, but should you ever change your mind I’m right here for you.” as he continued to nuzzle her neck…

“Thanks Max, but right now I don’t think I will…maybe someday but not yet.” She said with a sigh…God; she almost wished she didn’t feel this way, the things this man does to her have to be positively sinful. ‘Forget it’ she told herself and proceeded to change her clothes.

After Liz had changed into her jeans and pink tank top she headed out to the kitchen with the tablecloth and napkins from the spare bedroom and set them on the table in the dining room after removing her purse and putting it in the hall closet with her coat. She then headed to the kitchen where Max was already getting the marinade for the steaks and getting them ready to put in zip-locks for the time being. Liz went to the refrigerator and took out the vegetables for their salad when she noticed fresh green beans.

“Are these for dinner as well Max?” She asked as he turned around and looked at her. He had to concentrate…he was turning into a puddle of goo again…she looked so cute with her hair in that high pony tail, those jeans and tank top and those goofy bunny slippers on her feet. How long is she going to be out of commission again? Down boy, down, he chastised himself.

Max looked at Liz questioningly and Liz pointed to the beans in the fridge…”Are these for dinner?”

“Oh, yeah, I thought they looked good…what do you think?” he said with a smile and a wink.

“I think that they aren’t the only things you think ‘look good’ right now.”
Liz could see the problem rising behind Max’s zipper and smiled.

“I can take care of that little problem for you if you want me to.” She offered nonchalantly as she retrieved a salad bowl from the cupboard.

Max stifled a laugh and said, “Little? Since when?”

“Okay Studly, you know what I mean.”

And then she started blushing…Max pulled her into a tight hug and told her he was fine and to just get on with the salad, which she did, with her head very low on her chest.

She really didn’t mean to insinuate that Max was little, never! Max just grinned at her and got on with the task of cleaning the potatoes and getting them into the oven. She is just too cute he thought but he’d better keep his mind on dinner, God he wanted her in the worst way.

Right at 7:30 Isabelle and Alex arrived at the apartment and were greeted with two smiling newlyweds ready to welcome their dinner guests. Liz invited Isabelle into the living room where she had some red wine resting in a carafe and Max invited Alex into the kitchen where he was ready to put the steaks onto the stovetop bar-be-que. Alex remarked to Max that he thought, for an apartment, this place was really nice. Max had to agree, it was very comfortable and he and Liz both liked it. Then Alex produced a large box that neither he nor Liz had noticed when they came in. The wedding pictures…Oh Liz will love this.

“Liz, you’ll never guess what Alex brought with him.” Liz turned around to see a very smiling Max standing behind her and she then noticed the box…

“Are they the pictures Alex?” She asked excitedly…Alex smiled at her and handed the box over to her…Isabelle was overjoyed that her brother and his wife were so happy, it took so little to please them she thought to herself.

Liz opened the box and laid the pictures on the coffee table for all of them to see. They were wonderful. Alex had chosen three of his favorites and made a collage of the informal poses in the family room where the two were looking at each other, and had it blown up and framed for them as a wedding gift. Max and Liz were speechless…the picture was beautiful…they couldn’t believe it was them. Apparently they don’t see what other people see when they are together…it looked just like them.

Max lifted the framed picture and walked over to the fireplace and sat it on the mantle. It was just what the room needed, it radiated love, and he looked over at his bride and smiled a smile that came from the depths of his soul. Isabelle looked on in disbelief…was there ever a man more in love than her brother? Liz looked over at Max and melted…he was the most beautiful person on this earth, how did she ever get so lucky?

(And the old man smiled again as he looked at his little wife.)

On that note Max said he had to check the steaks and Alex was right behind him. Isabelle asked Liz if there was anything special she wanted to do while in Europe and she said,

“No. The idea of being with Max for 2 ½ weeks without interruptions sounds positively heavenly. I would like to see the normal tourist attractions of course…but I think I would also like to do some unconventional things as well.”

“Well, what I was thinking, how about taking the car on an overnight excursion through the countryside of all three cities. The outskirts of London are an entirely different atmosphere than the city as are the outskirts of Paris. You won’t have my car in France and Rome but you can rent these little scooters in Rome that have saddle bags on them that you could carry a change of clothes and some toiletries or you could take the train to Florence and see the statue of “David”…don’t go on Monday though, the museum is closed on Monday…found that out the hard way.” Isabelle went on, hardly taking a breath of air.

Liz giggled at Isabelle’s enthusiasm…she seemed as excited as Max and Liz.

Liz said that it all sounded wonderful and why didn’t they wait until the guys joined them and then they wouldn’t have to repeat their thoughts and have things get lost in the shuffle. Isabelle agreed and Liz started to tell Isabelle about the temp they hired today for when she was gone.

Isabelle was impressed with Liz’s description of the girl…it seems she was having trouble finding a full time job in her field, fashion, so she has been working as a temp for various firms in town. She just graduated from UNM in December. She was an early grad and had moved back home until she could find steady employment. Isabelle said she would stop by the office tomorrow and have lunch with her mother and look the girl over. Maybe she would be able to find something for her with her firm. Liz smiled; she knew she was on the right track when she gave her the job at the firm for the next month. Always looking out for the other guy…that was the essence of Liz Parker Evans.

The girls joined Max and Alex in the kitchen and started setting the food on the table. Max had taken the steaks off the bar-be-que and the potatoes were sitting on the same platter…Liz put the garlic bread under the broiler to toast it and removed the green beans from the steamer and lay them onto a nice flat serving dish and Isabelle got the salad from the fridge along with a container holding three kinds of salad dressings.

“Where did you get this Liz…it’s darling.” Isabelle said, pointing to the salad dressings.

“Oh, I found it at the linen shop where Jody gave us the gift certificate. It’s actually a jelly dish but I think it works quite well as a salad dressing server, no?”

“Yes, quite well in fact. I think I’ll stop by tomorrow after lunch with mother and get one for myself. Has mother seen this? I’ll bet she’d like one too.”

“No, I don’t think she has, but if you think she would like one let me get it for her. I never know what to get her for ‘just because,’ and this would be something cute to just show up on her desk.”

Max and Isabelle both looked at her and smiled…

“What?” Liz asked.

“What’s a ‘just because’?” Isabelle asked.

“Oh, sometime I just feel like giving her something because she makes me so happy and I have trouble finding some little thing that she can use without having to just find someplace to put it.”

“Oh, and do you do this very often?”

“No, not real often, but she just does things that makes everyone around her happy and she deserves a ‘just because’ present.” Liz smiled, reflecting on the love she feels for Diane.

Max, Isabelle and Alex all smiled at Liz…she truly is a unique individual and Max’s heart did a little squeeze as he watched his wife cut into her steak. He is beginning to believe that what he feels for Liz goes beyond love. There doesn’t seem to be a word to describe how he feels right now, but it definitely makes him happy.

As the happy group ate their dinner Isabelle started to tell Max about her thoughts on using her car to take a side trip along the countryside of England and then Rome and France. Max continued to eat in silence and listened to his sister go on about the regular sights being important but the actual lifestyle of the people was just as important. Max agreed and said that they would go over the printouts he had done this afternoon and maybe she could help him get time slots and itineraries. Isabelle said she thought that was a great idea and Liz told Alex how happy she was with the wedding pictures. Maybe they could stuff the announcements that she and Max had been working on tomorrow and get those in the mail before they left on Friday.

“Friday? You’re leaving Friday?” Isabelle said in astonishment.

“Yes…if we want to get maximum vacation time in before Max has to be back at the hospital we need to leave as soon as possible.” Liz said.

“Well, all I can say about you two is, you certainly don’t waste any time do you?”

“No…no need to. If you’re going to do it then do it. Right Max?”

“Right on sweetheart. Can’t let any grass grow under our feet…so the saying goes.”

And Max looked at his sister and grinned…no need to try and explain…he and Liz both agreed on this and Liz was right. If they are going to get maximum time out of this trip they needed to start it as soon as possible. And so the evening progressed to looking at printouts that Max had from his internet search that afternoon and Isabelle explaining the length of time to visit the places of interest and distance between them. All in all they had a very pleasant evening and Max and Liz were almost sorry to see the evening end. Isabelle was extremely interesting and helpful and Alex was a lot of fun. He had a very dry sense of humor and was constantly cracking jokes, and he was also an extremely talented photographer.

Isabelle and Alex bid their farewells around 10:30 and Liz told Max that they had time to stuff the pictures into the wedding announcements, which were already made out and addressed, and the thank you notes to everyone. It shouldn’t take them long at all. Liz had already put postage stamps on everything and if they stuffed them now they could put them in the mail tomorrow and that would be one less thing, actually two, they would have to worry about. Max just smiled at her and told her to go get them. He turned the TV on to get the local news while Liz was gathering up the envelopes to put the pictures in and as he sat and pondered the last month he started to understand what Isabelle was talking about at dinner. They certainly didn’t waste a lot of time thinking about things, they jumped right in and did. Very interesting he thought…even the house…he didn’t think twice about getting it, if it goes through great, if not they will find something else. Of course, not all young people starting out have the advantages he and Liz have had but he feels that, even without the family they have, things would be the way they are.

Soon Liz returned to the living room and sat next to her husband who pulled her close to him and gave her a small kiss on the temple. Liz looked up and smiled at him as she sat the box of announcements and thank you notes on the coffee table for them, she had put checks into the ones for the Choir and Father and included a picture for Father and Sister Margaret. She felt this would be a nice gesture since they went out of their way to make their wedding special. And so it went, they were happy and content and one day closer to Friday.

*~*~*

Carolyn, thank you...here's 37 a thru d (40 pages so grab a cup of tea) only a couple more and it's done!!!

*~*~*

Ch.: 37-a

I need to thank Dawnuk for her input regarding England and where Isabelle’s apartment is located. I chose Knightsbridge from the many suggestions she gave me because I kinda liked the idea of Knights, silly huh? She also informed me that if I made anything up she would call me on it so I asked her to give me some insight and she did. So thank you Dawn, for all of your help, not just with this chapter but with a couple in the past as well, i.e.: canal versus channel. That one was an unconscious error, lol, I have a lot of unconscious moments anymore.

Also, I had to split this chapter up because of the length, 41 pages, so I have labeled them a, b and c,&d. You can read or ignore at your leisure…it’s a honeymoon afterall.

(And the old man remembered the most beautiful honeymoon to ever take place)


The rest of the week seemed to fly by and soon Liz and Max found themselves sitting in the airport with Maria and Michael by their side. Max silently chuckled to himself, yes, they definitely were joined at the hip; his mother was right. They had already checked their luggage and found some seats outside the gate to sit and relax before heading into the gated area. Maria and Michael sat quietly while Max and Liz looked over their itinerary the travel agent had printed out for them and Max had printed a copy for Michael and Maria in case they needed to get in touch with them for any reason. None of them could think of any good reason to get in touch with each other but you never knew for sure.

Soon Max took Liz’s hand in his and nodded toward the escalator and Liz smiled up at him and stood…she grabbed Maria’s hand and squeezed it..

“I’ll see you in a couple of weeks Ria, behave yourself while I’m gone. Save the fun stuff for me too.”

“You know I will chica, now go enjoy yourself, don’t think of anything except keeping Max happy.”

Liz smiled and said she would and then Michael grabbed her into a great big bear hug and made her promise to have a good time. Max hugged Maria and then he and Michael gave each other a hug and pat on the back.

“Have a great time Maxwell, you two deserve it.”

“Thanks Michael, I know we will and take care while we’re gone…okay?”

“You know it Max and I’ll take care of anything important that comes up…just relax and have a good time.”

“You can count on it.” And with that Max and Liz headed toward the secure area of the airport to check in.

They were through the x-ray machine in no time and then had to take a shuttle to their gate for the first stop of their journey…New York City.

There was a limo for them at the main gate waiting to take them to their hotel. Isabelle told them that the limo service wasn’t too much more expensive than a taxi was and it was much nicer on such a grand occasion. Max couldn’t have agreed with her more. It was very nice to have the car waiting for them and Liz certainly was impressed, she reached up on her tiptoes and gave him a nice big kiss on the lips and finished it off with a big smile. The limo took them to their hotel where the honeymoon suite was ready and waiting for them. It was just as nice as the one they had spent their wedding night in and they planned on initiating this one in almost the same manner as the other with one exception…they would leave the room for some dinner and a show. They both giggled when they walked in and looked over their accommodations, “You like?” Max asked.

“I love.” Liz answered.

Max told her they had a couple of hours until their dinner reservations and asked what she would like to do first…Liz looked up at him then over to the bed then up at him again and he winked as he grabbed her into his arms for a nice, long romantic kiss and then he eased them to the bed with all the smoothness of a lion stalking his prey. Liz just smiled into Max’s mouth and sighed…he chuckled into her hair and they proceeded to take advantage of the huge bed in the center of the room. Oh, this was going to be one fun honeymoon.

As the sun started setting across the city Max and Liz made love to each other, taking their time to enjoy every part of each other’s bodies and reveling in the touch of each other. Their world consisted of just the two of them, this room, this bed, this time and life was beautiful. They had become very attuned to each other’s needs and the exploration taking place left them in a state of ecstasy that words could never describe. When they had reached their climaxes they were weak from the pleasure of it all, and when it was time to start getting ready for their night on the town they weren’t sure they really wanted to go … but they convinced each other that they really should get up and take advantage of their overnight stay in New York, so they got up from their romantic place on the bed and headed to the shower for another round of ecstasy. By the time they left the shower they really had to hurry if they were to make it to the restaurant in time for their reservations. Max told Liz that they should start showering separately if they were going to start making it to meetings on time and Liz answered, “Never, they can wait.” Max laughed at her as he grabbed his wallet and watch and answered the phone…their limo was waiting for them…they just made it.

They arrived back at their hotel around 11:30 p.m. and made short work of getting undressed and into bed…time was of the essence since they had been toying with each other all evening getting each other aroused in the most public of places, this was going to be a great honeymoon they both thought…neither had packed anything to sleep in…naked was the uniform of the night. They didn’t have to be at the airport until 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening so they practically had all day to get ready for their trip abroad.

They got up fairly early on Saturday, around 8:30 a.m. and decided to shower (together) and then head on out to see some of the city. They called the limo service for pick up around 11:00 a.m. and they went to the hotels’ restaurant for breakfast. When the limo arrived they loaded all of their luggage in the back and told the driver they wanted to go sight seeing…and if there were any places they could get out and see and still make it to the airport by 5:00 to please let them know. The driver was more than happy to oblige the young couple…they were two of the most beautiful people he had ever had the privilege of escorting and their personalities were even more beautiful than their physical appearance.


The driver took them over the Brooklyn Bridge, through central park, along Broadway, past Rockefeller Square, past the Empire State Building. He explained, if they wanted to get out and take the elevator up to the top of the Empire State Building it would take a couple of hours and Max looked at Liz and they both shook their heads ‘no’, maybe another time, so they headed to the United Nations and then for an early dinner. Their driver took them to Little Italy and they all enjoyed Italian Food at a little hole in the wall restaurant that served some of the most delicious Italian food Max and Liz had ever tasted. The driver was elated that he could do this for them and told them if they ever came to New York again to please call him…he would see to it that they got special rates and would definitely make sure their visit was all they hoped it would be. Max and Liz thanked him and gave him a huge tip when he dropped them off at the airport.

So far their trip was everything they had wished for and then some. Of course they had no idea that it was they who were making it this way, no one else.

*~*~*

When they got into the airport they checked their luggage and found their way to the security gate and stood in line with all of the other travelers waiting to get checked through. They took their shoes and jackets off, put their belongings into the tray provided and worked their way down the line. Before they knew it they were on the airport shuttle that would take them to their gate where their plane was sitting there waiting to take on passengers, this was starting to get very exciting! Liz looked up into Max’s eyes and he pulled her close and winked at her, then leaned in and kissed her softly on the temple. They took a seat on one of the available benches for two and Max asked,

“Excited?”

“Oh God Max, I think I might pee my pants.”

“Oh God Liz, please don’t” Max chuckled and Liz just wiggled in her chair. Max reached out and took her hand in his and started telling her about the places he had read about on the Internet. Liz listened to the soft drone of his voice, put her head on his shoulder and began to relax immediately. He just had a way with her that no one else did…it was uncanny.

Soon their flight was called and the babies and wheel chair bound were loaded …then first class, that was Max and Liz. They had very little carry-on. Liz put a small bag together with a change of underwear, toothbrushes and toothpaste, her newly filled prescription which she started taking yesterday morning and a couple of crossword puzzle books, pencils, and her purse. Max only carried his laptop in a briefcase along with their passports and itinerary, Izzie’s address and her suggestions for some sight seeing excursions on their own and the GPS he had rented at the airport at home. They were ready to start their trip. This was very exciting.

*~*~*

The trip across the Atlantic was uneventful…they had movies and music available to them along with their own viewing screens, blankets and pillows and practically around the clock food. All in all the time passed fairly quickly and the two of them were very contented just being with each other. Their stewardess noticed how much in love the two young newlyweds were and couldn’t help but enjoy their enthusiasm with life and each other. They were definitely unique.

They managed to get some sleep and when their stewardess walked past the two young lovers she could only smile at the sight. They had lifted the arm rests between their seats and Max had pulled Liz over to his side where he had turned towards her and she was nestled in his arms so comfortably that it looked as though she had been born to be a part of his body, her back to his front in a spooning position. Other passengers smiled as they walked by and noticed the two of them sleeping so soundly together. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

They landed in London on Sunday and it didn’t take them long to find their luggage and as they headed out of the airport to hail a cab they noticed a sign with their name on it. Max went over to the young woman holding the sign and introduced himself and she introduced herself to him as Isabelle’s secretary, Jane, and told them she had brought Isabelle’s car for them, she told them they could just drop her off at a local bus stop and Max insisted they would take her home, which they did of course. After Max dropped Jane off he keyed in Izzie’s address into the GPS he had rented and they were on their way to Izzie’s apartment. He had some adjusting getting used to driving on the left side of the road but it wasn’t too bad and they made it without incident. Liz was very impressed with her doctor to say the least, she was also impressed with the apartment building located in Knightsbridge…it was quite swanky and when they passed Harrods department store she almost dislocated her neck, that was one place she definitely had to visit before leaving. Max looked over at her and only smiled, it looked like some shopping was in store for the couple very soon.

When they arrived at Izzie’s apartment building they were very impressed indeed. It was very swank, modern and upbeat. Max and Liz were extremely surprised and wondered why Isabelle chose to live in a posh place like this when she could be living in her own home…I guess it’s none of their business how she chooses to live and it was decided they would just enjoy the accommodations while they were there, very nice indeed, they must call her and let her know how much they like it.

Liz made a beeline for the bathroom and came to a screeching halt. The place looked like it was lined in gold; all of the fixtures were brass that had been polished to such a high sheen that they literally looked like they were gold…she called

“Max, come here.”

Max made a beeline to the bathroom to see what, if anything, was wrong and stopped dead in his tracks…

“Good God Liz, do you think it’s really gold?”

“No, but I don’t think Iz spends all of her time polishing this shit…I bet she pays a pretty penny to keep this stuff looking like this. My God Max, just how much money does that sister of yours make anyway?”

“I haven’t a clue. I knew she was well paid but this borders on ridiculous…I ‘m going to have to ask her why she would consider leaving a job that made it possible to live like this.”

“Boy, I don’t blame you…I think I’ll add my two cents worth to that conversation.”

With that Max and Liz proceeded to check out the rest of the apartment and were surprised at the provisions in the kitchen. There were fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a pantry full of canned and dry goods and a freezer full of meat. There was a fully stocked bar and a wine rack that had been freshly stocked with some of the finest red and white wines available. Max looked at Liz and raised an eyebrow…she smiled and nodded in assent and Max took out his cell and called his sister,

“Hello Max, arrive safe and sound?”

“You bet we did and we are standing in the middle of your kitchen wondering what in the hell you did?”

“What? Isn’t everything to your liking?” She was a little puzzled…

“You know it is and then some. Did you think we would never leave the confines of these rooms Iz?”

“Well, if you decide not to leave you are going to be well provided for that’s for sure.” She said with a giggle.

“One question Iz, why in the hell would you leave a job that paid you enough to live like this and come back to the states? This place is a dream.”

“Oh Max, it isn’t mine, it belongs to the company. It’s used to do a lot of entertaining as well as being my residence, one of the perks of the job. If I were going to live there permanently I would definitely buy a place before paying the rent on that place.”

“Glad to hear it Iz, I thought you had lost your mind for a minute there. Are you sure it’s ok for us to be here?” Max was a little concerned now…

“Of course it is…it is my apartment after all and you are certainly welcome to stay there. Besides, as long as I’m not there it isn’t used, since I make all of the entertainment plans for the company.”

“Good to know…just wanted to let you know we are impressed and we will be here until Friday evening when we take the small plane over to France…will talk to you later Iz. Tell everyone we arrived safe and sound and send our love.”

“Will do Max and have fun, okay.”

“You can count on it.” With that Max hung up and Liz handed him a nice tall cool glass of cherry coke and proceeded to go over to the large window overlooking the city and look out. The view was as awesome as the apartment and Max just stood and looked at Liz…he thought she looked more awesome than the city and he started to get a warm feeling so he sat his drink down on the glass coffee table and walked up to his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist and started to nuzzle her neck. She leaned into his chest with her back and sighed a huge sigh and smiled as she turned her body around to face him. He was busy working his way down the front of her blouse and she moaned into his ear as he moved his hands around and up and down her back…then she whispered to him,

“You know Max, we haven’t checked out the bedroom yet and I’ll just bet it is as impressive as the rest of this place…what do you think?” as she sort of rubbed against him very suggestively.

Max mumbled an, “Mmmmm-hmmmm.” He reached down and put his arm beneath Liz’s knees and lifted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her into the bedroom for some serious lovemaking. They had forever together and it was time to make another memory. After a long and leisurely round of playing with each other Liz and Max fell asleep…and they didn’t wake up for hours…they had no idea just how tired they were until they awakened.

They made it to the bathroom and took a long and playful shower and since it was still pitch black outside they went back to bed for some more fun and games and another nap. They awoke when the sun was just coming up over the city and they arose to watch from the beautiful living room window. They stood with Liz’s back to Max’s front and admired the beauty of their surroundings. Life was beautiful and they said a silent prayer of thanks that they were allowed to be a part of this. It was Monday morning and time to start sight-seeing…that is why they came, isn’t it?

*~*~*

After having breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen Max took out his briefcase and retrieved his computer printouts and the notes he had made with Isabelle’s help. Liz sat next to him on the couch and they went over the notes together and after deciding where they would like to go today they headed out to the car and programmed an address into the GPS for Buckingham Palace, it would be their first stop of the day, and it looked as though it was going to be a beautiful day at that.

They were armed with the usual camera’s, backpack and notes to assist them with the days adventures and Isabelle’s suggestions for restaurants and various sights not normally visited by tourists but were as interesting as the well publicized places. Max suggested to Liz that they visit the fashion house of Isabelle’s employment as well and Liz thought that was an excellent idea. They made the 10:00 a.m. tour of the palace…had lunch and then went back for the 1:00 p.m. tour in another part of the palace and then headed to the fashion house.

They were very impressed with this place, and so glad to have put it on their list of things to see. When they entered the main lobby Isabelle’s secretary, Jane, recognized them immediately. She was relieving the receptionist and told them she would gladly give them a tour if they wanted to have a seat and wait for a couple of minutes. They were very happy to oblige and promptly found a comfortable place to sit while they waited.

Max took hold of Liz’s hand and placed a kiss on her fingers and she gave him a very big smile and melted right into his shoulder…this did not go unnoticed by the people in the lobby who had been very impressed with the young couple the minute they entered the lobby. Most of the people were employees or designers and thought that Max and Liz were models. Soon Jane joined them and before she started to show them around she introduced them to the staff that had been milling around to see who the beautiful young people were. Everyone was impressed when they found it was Isabelle Evans’ younger brother, the doctor and his new wife, what a beautiful couple they made…of course Isabelle was quite a looker herself.

Jane took them through the entire upper floor where the designers’ all had their spacious offices and showed them Isabelle’s office as well. It was very impressive and Max saw a picture of their families all together at one of the holiday gatherings. Liz was quite surprised that her family would be a part of her display…she felt very warm knowing that Isabelle thought enough of them to display them in her office along with her own family. Max was very pleased as well, he had no idea Isabelle would have a picture of any of them let alone all of them; it was very nice of her.

Jane showed them where they held their impromptu fashion shows, where they held their hush-hush meetings and then she took them to the cutting rooms where the miracles happened. This was really impressive…Liz couldn’t believe the size of the cutting tables and the bolts of fabric that were stored everywhere. There were mannequins that looked almost like sticks…did they really believe that women were that skinny…God, this had to be an advertisement for anorexia, no one could be that skinny and still be alive, could they?

Max noticed the look on Liz’s face and started to chuckle…”Honey, their just mannequins.”

“Yes, Max, but my God, healthy women aren’t that skinny…not even unhealthy women are that skinny…these mannequins represent the dead for Chris-sake!”

With that remark Jane burst into laughter…she had never heard it put quite like that but when you think about it she was right…then she explained…”Mrs. Evans…” and Liz interrupted her immediately…” Jane call me Liz, please.”

“Liz, the mannequins are that thin because they are used for test runs and it doesn’t take as much fabric to make samples. It gives the designer a chance to see if the design will work in reality.”

“Oh…thank God, I was really getting concerned about the health of your models.”

Jane continued to giggle as she moved to another section of the building. Max gave Liz’s hand a squeeze; he too was a little relieved to find out that they didn’t starve their models to death.

By the time they had finished touring the fashion house it was getting close to dinner and Max and Liz invited Jane to join them if she had no plans. She explained that she was going to spend the evening with her boyfriend and Max suggested that he join them as well if she wanted to. Jane said it would be wonderful and did they have any particular place in mind and Max suggested that they go to a restaurant that Isabelle had suggested; Jane was very impressed and asked what time should they meet and where?

“I don’t know Jane, what would you suggest…should we make reservations? That would give us a better handle on the time, don’t you think.”

“Yes, it would…wait right here.” And Jane excused herself and went into another office and made what looked like more than one phone call, after which she came out and asked Liz to come with her for a minute and told Max to relax and read a book or something. Max raised one eyebrow in question and Jane told him it would be all right…they would only be about 30 minutes. With that she took Liz toward the elevator and when they got off on the fourth floor Liz saw racks of ladies dresses in just about every style and color imaginable.

There was a woman dressed in a very prim dress and full body apron waiting for them and Jane introduced Liz to Mildred. Mildred took Liz by the hand and headed over to a rack of gorgeous semi-formal evening dresses and took a color chart from a shelf and held it up to Liz for a minute and the next thing Liz knew she was practically stripped down to nothing and had on the most gorgeous rose colored dress she had ever seen. Mildred took Liz’s hair and wrapped it around her hand a couple of times and pinned it up high on top of her head and turned Liz toward a wraparound full length mirror. Liz just gasped; she couldn’t believe this was her staring back at her. The dress had a fitted bodice with spaghetti straps and the fullest skirt in yards of the softest fabric that was layered from the rose of the bodice waning down to the lightest pink imaginable for the final layer next to the lining. All in all the skirt had to have at least 7 or 8 different colors under the rose color. Liz had never felt anything so soft in her life, and it seemed to hug her hips and show every curve of her body, she wondered how this was possible with all of that fabric. This had to be the finest fabric ever made…it was almost as thin as saran wrap. She felt like a princess in it…she looked at Jane and asked…

“What is this for?”

“It is a gift from us to you…do you like it?”

“It is the most beautiful dress I think I have ever seen, but I can’t accept this.”

“Of course you can…it is one of Isabelle’s creations and I think I know who she had in mind when she designed it…don’t you agree.”

“No, Isabelle would design a dress for me at home…not here…for the company.”

“Of course she would, when our designers start out with a thought or idea they usually have someone in mind that they envision the finished product on…don’t you think? The minute I saw you I knew she had you in mind for this. Mildred confirmed it with the color chart, now it is yours…please take it with our compliments.”

“Let me pay you for it then…please.”

“Oh no, a gift is a gift, is it not?”

“Well, yes…I guess it is. Thank you.”

“No, thank you for letting us see just how perfect this design will work. Trust me; we will be able to sell many of these now that we know who we need to show it for us.” Liz was catching on to the fact that Jane was just a little more than Isabelle’s secretary.

“Well, thank you Jane. Now should we get back to Max before he thinks you have kidnapped me?”

“Of course.” And with that Jane had the dress wrapped in a garment bag for Liz while she put her jeans and top back on and both girls headed back to Max who had been patiently waiting for them.

“Well Max, the reservations are all set for 8:00 p.m. and the car will pick you up at Isabelle’s around 7:30. John and I will already be in the car and we will head out to dinner from there. After that I thought we could go to some of the clubs, does that sound like fun?”

“Of course it sounds like fun Jane, but we didn’t want to take up all of your evening with your boyfriend.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Max, you are actually making our evening an enjoyable event since we didn’t really have anything planned…now we have a wonderful evening planned and it’s going to be great fun.”

“So it would seem.” Was Max’s only reply.

With that Max took Liz’s hand and looked at the package with a raised eyebrow and she just shrugged her shoulders at him and handed him the garment bag to carry…and they headed out the door to the car.

When Max and Liz arrived back at the apartment the doorman looked at the garment bag in Max’s hand and smiled…the young couple had been to Miss Evans’ place of employment…he hoped he got to see what the young Mrs. Evans would be wearing, he just knew it would be a beautiful sight if Miss Evans attire was any indication of what was in the bag.

Max and Liz proceeded to take their showers and Liz still had not opened the bag for Max’s viewing…she wanted to surprise him, she was still a little dumbstruck by it all and didn’t know what to tell him…so she decided to just show him what they gave her.

She spent some extra time on her hair and did it up the way Mildred had done it…very casually lifted to the top of her head…she left a few tendrils down and then she applied just a little more makeup than she usually wore and when she was finished she went to the closet to retrieve her only pair of stilettos, which by some magic were just the right color pink for the dress. A pink thong was her only underwear and when Max went to the bathroom to finish getting ready she unwrapped the dress and stood in the middle of the bedroom waiting for him.

Max walked out of the bathroom ready to go except for his jacket and when he caught sight of Liz he almost passed out. His knees buckled and he sat on the bed and stared and stared…he couldn’t say a word. Liz slowly turned around and asked. “Do you like it?”

Max didn’t say a word…he just kept staring.

“Max? Honey, say something.”

Max gulped…”God Liz, you are the most beautiful vision I have ever seen in my life. Where did you get that dress?”

“It’s one of Isabelle’s designs, they gave it to me…it’s mine. I wanted to pay for it but they wouldn’t hear of it. They said they now know who she had in mind when she designed it and they gave it to me. Can you believe it?”

“No. Yes. God. I don’t know what to say. It’s positively gorgeous, as if it was made for you, and I guess it was…was it the right size?”

“Yes, they pulled if off this rack, stripped me down to almost nothing if you can believe it and put it on me. I just stood there in disbelief Max. You have to feel this fabric…it feels like it isn’t even there, that’s how fine it is. I can’t believe it. I feel so elegant in it Max. I don’t think I have ever felt so pretty in my life.”

“Oh Liz, you are always beautiful, but that dress does look positively awesome on you. The color, the style…everything is beautiful. I am going to have to lock you away if you look any better. God, you look good enough to eat.”

“Well, I am going to hold you to that one lover…just you wait.” Max just chuckled at her…he really didn’t want to wait but he would.

About that time the house phone rang and the front desk told Max their car was there for them and Max escorted his gorgeous wife down to the lobby where the bellhops had all been waiting for their arrival. The doorman had told them about the garment bag they had with them when they got back from their day out and they knew they were in for a treat…and boy were they. Every eye in that lobby followed the young couple out the door. To say that Max was proud of his wife was an understatement. He was the envy of every man in that apartment complex and he knew it; there was an extra spring in his step this evening and he knew exactly why it was there.

When they exited the building there was a black stretch limo waiting for them and Jane and John were seated in the back waiting for them. Jane introduced John to Max and Liz and John had to do a double take. Isabelle Evans was a beautiful woman but this petite brunette could hold her own with anyone on earth…she was a vision to behold. Max took notice of John’s double take and felt very proud of his wife and his sister for that matter. It seems she must be held in very high esteem where she works to be able to have a relative treated with such high regard. Yes, he was proud indeed.

They went to dinner in a very nice section of London and the restaurant was very posh. They had a lovely time and when Max requested the check from the waiter he was informed that it had been taken care of already. Max looked at Jane and she smiled and said it was on the company and to relax and enjoy the evening…it was their pleasure to be able to treat Isabelle’s family for a change. She was always doing things for everyone else and now it was their turn. Max wasn’t really sure what Jane was talking about but apparently Isabelle was being repaid for kindnesses they were unaware of. So Max and Liz decided to just relax and let them treat them like royalty.

After leaving the restaurant the limo drove them to a very nice nightspot where there was live music and dancing and the four young people had a very good time visiting with each other, learning about some of the cultural differences of their countries and some of the slang. Some of it was almost like speaking a foreign language…all four of them laughed at the various uses of words and the more they drank the funnier they seemed to get.

They finally arrived back at their building around 3:00 a.m. and thanked Jane and John for a lovely evening. Max told Liz that they would have to send Jane some flowers tomorrow and Liz said she agreed and they also needed to send a thank-you note to someone…but she didn’t know to whom. They would have to call Isabelle and ask her, but Max had a promise to keep first, remember?

“So Max, do you remember our conversation before we left?”

“Don’t you know it, c’mere.” Max reached out for his lovely wife, undid her zipper and let her dress fall to the floor and there she stood in her little pink thong and those pink stilettos, Max gulped and told her the dress might have been beautiful but it didn’t have a thing on the sight before him right now.

Liz giggled, kicked off her shoes and told her husband…”I think one of us is overdressed.” In a very sultry voice…

With that remark Max quickly got out of his clothes and lifted his lovely bride up into his arms and made a quick retreat to the bedroom. He lay her down in the middle of the bed and started working his way up her body starting at her ankles with very hot lingering kisses, working his way up to her inner thighs while placing tiny little circles over her hips as he worked his way up to her breasts. When he reached the top of her legs he brought his hands down to the elastic on her thong and reached under and pulled it off in one easy movement and threw it over the side of the bed. He then took his thumbs and spread her lower lips to reveal the hard little nub resting there in wait for him…he looked up into Liz’s beautiful eyes that were half closed, watching him and he placed a kiss on her inner thigh and then kissed her in the place he knew would send her into the throws of passion. It didn’t take her long to reach down and take a handful of his hair and play with it as her legs automatically spread wider for him. He felt so wonderful and he did such wonderful things to her body…she could hardly wait…she moaned and whispered his name. Max smiled at her responses to his ministrations; she made him feel like a giant.

Max then started to suckle her clitoris and the more she twitched the harder he sucked. He entered her with one finger and when she started to move in rhythm with him he inserted the second finger and before long Liz was writhing and moaning in ecstasy as Max started moving faster and soon he felt her juices surrounding his fingers. He waited until she started to relax before laying his head on her stomach and caressing her hips as she came down from her climax. He couldn’t think of another thing on earth that gave him as much pleasure as knowing that he could bring his wife so much pleasure, he was as hard as a rock.

When Liz was relaxed she pulled her husband up her body and placed a long and passionate kiss on his mouth, tasting herself on him as she did and then she reached down between them and took her husbands rock hard erection and placed it into her body and sighed this passionate sigh right into his mouth and whispered…”I love you so much that it scares me.”

“Don’t be afraid Liz, I’m right here and I’ll always be right here.”

And with that Max started to love his wife as passionately as before and soon they were both writhing in the pleasure of each other’s bodies; life was just beautiful for these two, just too beautiful.

*~*~*


Chapter: 37b

Liz and Max both slept the sleep of contented babes and when they awoke the next morning it was almost noon. They didn’t get to sleep until around 5:30 and they were close to exhaustion by then, but now, 6 hours later they felt pretty refreshed. Max wanted to know what she wanted to do today and she said maybe a tour bus would be nice since they’re getting such a late start. They could catch the two o’clock bus and take the extended tour…get off and on when they wanted to and just spend a leisurely day letting someone else do the driving. Max thought that was a great idea and then suggested they call Isabelle and ask her who to send a thank-you to…

“Great idea Max, and tell her about the dress and ask her if I should have it cleaned and returned.”

“Great idea, but Liz, I think they meant for you to keep it.”

“I know, but I just don’t feel right about it.”

Max leaned over and kissed Liz on the nose and promised to ask, then he picked up his cell and dialed Isabelle.

“Hi Iz, need to ask you a question…we had dinner with Jane and John last night and according to Jane the company picked up the entire tab…Iz, I don’t feel right about this and also, they gave Liz a dress from the designer’s room and she wants to know if she should return it?”

“Oh Max, I am so glad you got to go out with Jane and John, aren’t they the most fun? And as for the dress, it belongs to Liz. I actually designed that dress with Liz in mind now we will get to see what it looks like, how does it look? As for the thank you, just send it to Jane she will take care of it. Other than that how are things going?”

“Things are going wonderful…we went to Buckingham Palace yesterday and took two tours and then stopped by the fashion house just to see where you worked and Jane spotted us and the rest of the day was spent with her. She gave Liz this gorgeous dress and then showed up at the apartment with a stretch limo, which we took to dinner and then clubbing. It was fantastic and Liz looked positively bewitching. Thank you.”

“You are very welcome Max…just keep on enjoying…what are your plans for today?”

“We are going to take one of those tour buses that you can get off and on anytime you want to, Liz said we should take a leisurely tour through the city and if we want to spend some time going through anything we can just get off and take a side trip and besides it's cheaper.”

“Sounds like a great idea Max. Make sure you visit at least one of the china shops along the way, not that you need to buy anything but they are something to behold. There are copies of the queens’ china in some of them as well as a lot of the older china patterns that are extremely interesting. Take the time to see as much as you can up close and personal Max…it is a wonderful experience.”

“Thanks Iz, will send some flowers to Jane and a thank you before we do anything…and oh…do you know what her favorite flowers are?”

“I know that John is always sending her white tulips…maybe you could send her a mixture, that way you won’t be stealing John’s thunder.”

“Gotcha, will do and thanks for everything Iz…love you and tell the rest of the family we send our love as well.”

“You’re welcome Max, and I certainly will.”

Max snapped his cell phone shut and smiled at Liz who was coming out of the bathroom with a couple of towels in her hand and he told her the dress was hers. She smiled back at Max and said “Oh goodie!” Max just laughed at her antics and asked…

“Are one of those for me?” pointing at the towels, and Liz just smiled and shook her head yes. With that piece of information Max was up and grabbing his naked wife around the waist and planting kisses everywhere he could find a spot that wasn’t covered. Liz giggled into Max’s shoulder and they headed for the shower.

After a leisurely shower Liz headed for the kitchen and got some cereal out of the cupboard and milk from the fridge…sliced some fresh fruit out of the fruit basket and made some toast. They had a nice breakfast in the dining room in front of the window that overlooked a park and enjoyed ‘people watching’ while they ate. Liz cleaned the area and did the dishes while Max found a florist in the phone book and ordered Jane a very large display of colored tulips and soon the two were on their way to the tour bus area that they had spotted yesterday while they were on their excursion about the city. Soon they were sitting in the upper deck of the bus with their little maps on their laps listening to the guide speak in a perfect “king’s English” accent. They enjoyed the tour guide as much as the tour. They had paid for a three-day excursion, which didn’t cost too much more than an all day excursion just in case they wanted to disembark too many times today. They thought this made more sense than coming back tomorrow and paying again.

*~*~*

After their tour bus excursion on Tuesday our young newlyweds decided to continue with the bus on Wednesday as well since is was a whole lot nicer for Max not having to drive and miss half of the sights. Besides, they were seeing a whole lot more with a tour guide pointing out things they were not aware of and otherwise would have missed by doing the driving themselves. All in all they were very happy with the tour bus idea…it was working out quite well. They spent a few hours in a museum; they stopped and went through the tower of London, took pictures in front of Big Ben and enjoyed the many churches and cathedrals along the way. They took the tour of Westminster Abby and stopped at a park with street vendors and spent a few hours eating fast food and walking through the park. On Thursday they decided to take a side trip through the countryside and spend the night in a little inn that Jane had told them about. It was on a par with a bed and breakfast in the states and Max and Liz thought this sounded very quaint. Jane had explained that the drive through the countryside to get there was beautiful and she was sure they would like it. It was only about 70 miles away, which would give them a nice drive without being too tiring, and the Inn had a very nice hiking trail around the area.

Max and Liz thought this sounded wonderful, so, on Thursday they had a leisurely breakfast and headed out of London around 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon toward the Cotswolds. It was a sunny afternoon and the drive was positively breathtaking. The villages with their thatched roof cottages and lovely market towns had a tendency to take you back to a time that you thought only existed in fairytales. Isabelle was right…the countryside was beautiful and Liz and Max were too enthralled with the scenery to take the time to talk about it, they just enjoyed it.. Max and Liz took picture after picture and stopped many times just to soak in the beauty. What memories they would have for the rest of their lives, Max reached out and wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist, his back to her front, and he melted as he stared out at the space before them. How beautiful life was, and he thanked God for all of his blessings once again.

*~*~*

They arrived at their destination about 4:00 p.m. and the Inn was everything Jane had said it was and Max and Liz were given a very lovely room overlooking the hills behind the Inn. The hiking trail started just beneath their bedroom window and seemed to disappear into the side of the surrounding forest. It was all too quaint for words, and then Liz noticed a church steeple off to the left and pointed it out to Max. “I think I would like to go over there and have a look at that small church Max.”

“Well then let’s get ourselves downstairs and go check it out.”

With that the two of them left their room and headed down to the main room of the Inn and asked if they needed reservations for dinner and the desk clerk told them absolutely not…just make themselves at home and when they were hungry to go into the dining room and sit anywhere they wanted to. Max said thank you and with that they headed over to the road that lead to the church.

They walked down the side of the road and enjoyed the surrounding scenery…there was a rock wall surrounding an old cemetery to the side of the road next to the old church and when they arrived at the old building they found that it was very well kept, with the name of the church on the side of a little framed sign post and the times of Sunday services listed. Liz went up the four long steps leading to the front door and found it to be open, she motioned to Max to follow her and they went inside. It was very old, the pews were well worn and the aisle leading to the main altar was also worn but well kept and very clean. The stained glass windows were old and beautiful and Liz felt a certain nostalgia as she took a seat toward the middle of the old building and looked all around at her surroundings. She was in awe at the obvious age of the building and how long it held a place of honor in this little community. Max sat beside her and took her hand in his as he too observed the old place. They hadn’t noticed the old man sitting in silence toward the front of the church but he noticed them. He was surprised to see the young strangers visiting his church…he usually didn’t see anyone until Sunday services so he arose and approached the young couple.

“Are you new to our village?” The old pastor asked the young couple.

“No sir, we are spending the night at the Inn and will be headed back to London tomorrow afternoon…is it alright that we visit here for awhile?” Max answered.

“Of course it is. I don’t usually see anyone in our church except on Sunday and I hardly ever see a tourist in here. Have you traveled far?”

“We are here on our honeymoon from the United States, we will be headed to France on Friday and then over to Rome for the last leg of our journey on Monday. We wanted to see some of the outlying areas of England before leaving. My sister works in London and she suggested that we take a side trip in each country to experience the lifestyle of the general population.” Max told the old man.

“Sounds like you have a very smart sister young man. After all not all of our countrymen live in places like London.”

“You’re right about that, just as not all American citizens live in cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and the like. The majority of us live in small communities and work very hard for a living, such as yourselves.” Max replied.

“Very true, and what are your names young man?”

“Oh, this is Liz and I’m Max…Max Evans, what should we call you?”

“You can call me Reverend Timothy Max and what are your plans for the rest of the evening?”

“Well, since we drove over from London we thought we would just have some dinner at the Inn this evening and then tomorrow we would take advantage of the hiking trails. Do you have any other suggestions Reverend?” Max asked.

“Well, if you are interested, we are having a book club meeting this evening in the local pub, it’s about 3 miles down the road, and we would love to have you join us if you are in the mood. One of our new authors will be there to read from her new novel.” Reverend Timothy told Max.

Liz looked at Max and nodded yes and Max then asked the old man…”Have you had your dinner yet Reverend Timothy?”

Timothy looked at Max and saw the sincerity in the young man’s face and replied “Why no, not yet.”

“Great then, come join us for dinner and we can go to your book reading together in our car.”

Timothy agreed and with that the three of them exited the church and headed across the road and back up to the Inn for dinner. Max and Liz had many questions about the little community and asked Timothy if he had always lived there…

”Oh dear me no, I came over from Scotland many years ago as a young minister and have had many parishes through the years. Although, I do believe that this is my favorite, but we learn at a very young age to not get too attached to one place. We may be ‘shipped off’ so to speak at any given time. Therefore, it is always a wise idea not to get too settled in.” Timothy spoke almost reverently about his lifestyle. Max and Liz looked at the old minister and almost felt sorry for him to not be able to get settled in and enjoy your surroundings. Max felt that Timothy should be permitted to choose where he would live his remaining years. He seemed like a very old man to Max but Max didn’t want to ask about retirement and such…he felt he would be overstepping his boundaries so he kept the conversation light and talked mostly about the area in general, the age of the church, how old the community was and what did most of the people do for a living around this part of the country.

Liz kept a close eye on the old minister and decided that, on closer examination, he wasn’t quite as happy as she thought he should be but she kept her observations to herself.

He certainly wasn’t anything like Father Mike, that’s for sure. But of course Father Mike worked at the hospital for a living and had his own apartment and did what he pretty much felt like as long as he carried out his duties at the hospital. What a difference, even though Father Mike told them that he was a Passionist Priest and they were a poor order Father did not live on a bread line. He had a car, clothes and had days off to visit his Sister and took vacations all over the world. He pretty much lived the good life, whereas this old minister seemed to like where he was but was afraid to ‘unpack his bags’ so to speak. What a difference. Liz felt sorry for him and would remember to include him in her daily prayers that she managed to fit into her schedule. She wondered if Max made time to pray. She would have to ask him about that.

The three new friends finished their long leisurely dinner and it did not go unnoticed in the Inn that the new arrivals had made a friend already, and then proceeded to take Isabelle’s car and head on over to the pub for some literature. This sounded like fun…something the two young people had never done before. It just goes to show you, it pays to be friendly to people.

When they walked in with Reverend Timothy they were all greeted with smiles and Timothy made introductions all around and soon Liz and Max were seated at a table right in front of the Dais with a pint apiece and Rev. Timothy had joined them after saying hello to everyone there.

The author eventually took her place on the dais and welcomed everyone, including the newcomers, and proceeded to thank them for having her back to her birthplace. She thought it was wonderful of them to make her feel welcome after all of these years and she only hoped that she would make them proud of her.

They applauded her intro and then she started to read some selections from her book aloud. She had a marvelous voice and held the audience spellbound for over an hour. Max and Liz were both impressed with her and wanted to know where they could purchase a copy of her book and she informed them she had a box with her and then Max had an idea.

“May we purchase all of them from you?”

The woman looked at them like they were nuts and they explained.

Max said,” We are on our honeymoon and feel almost obligated to purchase souvenirs for everyone and we don’t want to give them useless trinkets…” Liz popped up with “But your book would be something special to us and meaningful to all of them as well, what do you say?”

“Well, I guess I can do that…why don’t you give me your name and address and I will ship you a case of them and that way you won’t have to tote them around with you.”

“That will be wonderful; we can pay you now and then you can just send them when you contact your publisher.”

“Oh no, I will send them to you C.O.D., that way your money won’t be tied up and I know that you will receive them…now if you give me your name and address and a list of the recipients I will autograph them for you as well.”

“Oh, that will be wonderful.” Liz replied and she took a business card out of her wallet and handed it to the woman and told her to give her a minute and she would write a list of names for her, Liz was smiling so brightly that it looked like the sun had come out and chose to shine from her face. The pub owner gave her a tablet to write on and Liz proceeded to list the people they wanted to give the book to and when she had finished she asked her if she could ship two cases; they all laughed at her and said of course. And so the evening progressed and the young couple made a room full of new friends and about 11:00 p.m. they asked Timothy if he was ready to leave and he said of course. With that Max and Liz bid everyone a goodnight and drove back to the little church and dropped Timothy off before going back to the Inn.

When they got back to their room they were surprised to find their luggage had been placed on the luggage racks next to the bathroom and their beds were turned down. There were two thermos’s sitting on the table by the window…one with tea and one with coffee…there were two cups turned over on two saucers and a basket of biscuits covered with a napkin sitting next to the thermos’s. They noticed a jelly jar with a spoon next to it and a note regarding breakfast. It would be served from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Max smiled at Liz and told her they would have to send another thank you note to Jane, this place was absolutely wonderful. Liz had to agree and then she went over to the window and drew the blinds shut and motioned for Max to join her in the bathroom which it didn’t take him long to do.

They had a nice long leisurely shower together and headed for their bed…what a surprise…the entire bed was nothing but down. The mattress, the pillows, the comforter and even the blanket under the comforter seemed to be down. Could they get any luckier they thought. This bed was like sleeping on a cloud, oh the fun of it all…they both giggled in warm contentment at the feel of all this soft bedding…how wonderful…boy are they going to make some memories in this place…WHOOPEEEE! Max reached over and pulled Liz into him, nuzzled his head into her neck and growled as he held her, remembering all of the wonderful experiences they have had so far and relishing the thoughts running through his mind. The more he thought the tighter he hugged his wife. He didn’t have to say anything to her because she knew what he was feeling…she was having the same thoughts and they were wonderful. She snuggled down into the warmth of her husband’s body and started drifting off…this was almost too much for one human to handle.

When they awoke in the morning the sun was trying to peek its’ way through the shades on the window and Max looked down into Liz’s eyes and noticed that she was watching him as well.

“Looks like we were a little more tired than we thought last night, no?” He asked as he pulled her closer, if that was possible.

“Oh, I don’t think it was so much tired as it was a feeling of euphoria…I can’t ever remember feeling so at peace with the world or myself. It was wonderful just being in your arms and feeling loved and protected.” She said.

“That is exactly how I felt. I wanted to keep you in my arms forever and just preserve the happiness that I was experiencing. I didn’t want to ever let you go Liz, I still don’t. I love you with my whole heart and soul.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and smiled down at her lovingly…

“Oh Max, if you love me half as much as I love you I will feel cherished forever. Promise, you will always be with me, always.”

“Oh sweetie, you know I will…don’t even think thoughts like that, ok?” He squeezed just a little more…

(And as the old man remembered their confession of love a tear rolled down his cheek and he smiled a very lonely smile)

“Okay…it’s a deal.” And with that Max rolled over taking Liz with him and planted a great big kiss on the top or her head and told her he had better visit the bathroom before they had to buy all of these feathers. Liz giggled and let go of Max…but she told him it was only for a minute…he agreed…but then she had to meet him in the bathroom with the same problem and soon they were back in the shower, only this time it was playtime.

After they left their room, around 9:00 a.m., they headed to the dining room for some tea and toast before heading out on their walk. They decided to take their luggage out to the car so the maid could clean their room and get it ready for the next visitors but they told the desk that they would be back for their car sometime after noon. The clerk smiled and told them to take their time and to be careful…there were a lot of cattle roaming the hills and although the path was fenced it didn’t mean that a frisky young heifer couldn’t work her way to greener pastures if she wanted to. Max and Liz both chuckled at that and said they would keep an eye out for any strays. If they should find some what should they do…and the clerk said to ignore them…it was the owner’s problem to take care of his stock. Max nodded and they left on their hike.

After a few hours of walking through the countryside and taking picture after picture Max and Liz reluctantly headed back towards the Inn for some lunch and then back to Isabelle’s place. So far they have had a marvelous time…and as hectic as it might seem it really has been very relaxing. To say they were a couple of very happy young people was an understatement.

They arrived back at Isabelle’s apartment around 6:30 p.m. and decided to have dinner in the apartment and relax before their excursion to France in the morning. The flight wouldn’t be very long but they had to make their way through a foreign speaking airport and were not really sure just how good their high school French had stuck with them. So they settled in and had a light dinner of canned soup and sandwiches made up of the provisions in the refrigerator and Liz sliced some fresh fruit and vegetables and made a platter of finger foods to munch on. They opened a nice bottle of wine and had dinner in the dining room with the lights turned down and the drapes pulled all the way open. Max found a CD that he knew they would both enjoy and they had a very quiet, romantic evening just enjoying the scenery and each other.

Around 11:00 p.m. Liz started cleaning up the dining room and Max lifted their luggage onto the racks in the large walk-in closet and started to pack his belongings away. He came out and asked Liz if she would like to do a load of laundry while they cleaned up and she thought that would be great since Isabelle had a laundry room in the apartment. So Max gathered up the laundry and started the washing machine while Liz was putting the dishes away. Max came out to the kitchen and told her she could go in and pack her things and he would finish cleaning up after he had finished packing his bag.

Liz suggested that they wrap the bread and perishables in zip locks and put them in the freezer for when Isabelle returned. Max thought that would be a great idea and told her to go on…she could come back out and help him when she had finished packing…she gave him a quick peck on the lips and told him she would hurry, he just gave her a grin and kept on working.

By midnight the two of them had finished with all of their chores and were ready for a good night’s sleep but first they had to try out that bathtub…it looked like a miniature pool…Liz lit all of the candles in the bathroom and found some very nice bath oil to put in the tub and then she called Max in to join her…he took one look at the room and made short work of his clothes and crawled right in with her, they were really going to enjoy this…Max reached out and pulled Liz to him, allowing her to straddle his lap and wrap her legs behind him.

He reached out and retrieved a sponge laying in a dish on the side of the tub and used the bath gel next to it to lather it all up and proceeded to wash Liz’s back for her and as he rubbed around her shoulders and down to her waist she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulders and rubbed his chest with another sponge she had retrieved from the same dish. Soon she was lathering a very prominent part of Max’s body that he wasn’t ready to be lathered, or so he thought. Liz let go of the sponge and started a very nice rhythm with her right hand, while her left was busy rubbing the back of Max’s neck. She continued to rest her head on Max’s shoulder and soon she started blowing little puffs of air into his neck. Max was finally too engrossed in what was happening between their bodies and he in turn dropped his sponge and reached around and started massaging Liz’s breast and slowly working his way down to her core…he found her nub and started rubbing circles, applying more pressure as Liz’s performance started making him very hard…soon Liz moved her body into position over Max’s very prominent erection and slid right down on top of him…she was now holding on to his shoulders with both of her arms and moving in a very sensual rhythm over his body…Max couldn’t take his eyes off of her…she was so beautiful and it was as though she was in another world where only she existed. She was concentrating so hard on pleasing Max that she hadn’t even noticed that he had moved his lips towards her breasts…she just continued rock him to completion…and it didn’t take her long. When she felt him release his juices she picked up the pace and it didn’t take her long to follow behind…Max felt her contract around his erection and she continued to milk him dry. He thought they had experienced about every type of pleasure there was but this was something else. Just watching her work over him like that was one of the most sensual experiences he has ever had. He took her into his arms and held onto her for what seemed like forever. After they came down from their high Max finished washing Liz’s body as she did for him. They exited the bathtub with a newfound appreciation of each other and headed for the bedroom. They would clean the bathtub tomorrow.

*~*~*

It was about 9:00 a.m. when the two lovebirds awoke and decided to be a little lazy this morning. They didn’t have to be at the airport until 2:00 so they had quite a bit of time to laze around and straighten up the apartment. They didn’t have that much to do but they would have the breakfast dishes to clean up and the bed to strip. They knew a cleaning crew would be coming in but they didn’t want them to think Isabelle’s brother was a slob. So they stayed in bed and talked for a good hour about their trip so far and the wonderful people they met and the things they had done. They talked about what they would like to do when they returned home and also a little bit about the medical building and hiring Maria to run the corporate end of the business; nothing really heavy but just ideas running through their minds.

About an hour or so later they got up and stripped the bed down and put the sheets and pillow cases in the clothes hamper and folded the comforter and laid the pillows on top of it. They went into the bathroom and Liz ran water in the huge bathtub and rinsed it out while Max brushed his teeth and headed for the shower. Liz brushed her teeth and was soon in the shower with Max and they just looked at each other and laughed.

“Do you think we will ever be able to shower alone again?” Max asked.

Liz only giggled and said…”God, I hope not…why would we want to? This is so much fun.”

“You’re right.” Max chuckled and they started washing each other off with big smiles on their faces.

Soon they were packed and ready to leave…they did one more check of the apartment to make sure all of the food was stowed, they had all of their belongings and everything was put back where it belonged…then they were off. The cab they had called was waiting for them when they arrived in the lobby and the doorman bid them goodbye and told them it was a pleasure having them as guests. Then he asked when Miss Evans was going to return and Max told him that she was working in the U.S. facility for a little while and he was sure it wouldn’t be too much longer before she came back…the doorman thanked him and told him and Liz to have a great time in Paris and Rome. They both thanked him and Max gave him a nice tip and they were off.

*~*~*

Chapter: 37c

Upon their arrival in Paris Max and Liz had a tough time finding gate 35…they followed all of the signs and wound up in a large holding area for luggage carts and gate 35 was nowhere to be seen.

They spotted a man with an electric cart that looked a lot like a fork lift with the forks mounted sideways moving the luggage carts and they approached him and asked him where gate 35 was and he indicated he didn’t speak English…Liz quickly started counting in French in her head and came up with ”trois” and then held up five fingers since she was getting her French and Spanish mixed up in her head, the man immediately got a smile on his face and pointed to what looked like a solid wall across this large room and Max and Liz both looked at him with a puzzled look on their faces and he smiled at them and shook his head yes…Max and Liz headed toward the wall and the closer they got they realized that it was actually a small wall with a hallway behind it; it was like an optical illusion. On the other side of it, through a pair of sliding doors and up some steps was gate 35. What a relief. They showed their passports and had them stamped and then they were permitted to pass through. They finally found their luggage and proceeded to head out of the airport and into the sunlight. What a beautiful day…they hailed a cab and gave the driver the name of their hotel and were on their way. The trip from England to France didn’t take any time at all and they were amazed at how energetic they both felt. It was probably adrenaline but they felt great whatever it was.

After checking in at the front desk of the hotel they were lead up to their suite and were very pleased with their accommodations. Grandma’s travel agent had done very well…the suite was beautiful, consisting of a large sitting room/dining room combination and a beautiful large bedroom with adjoining bath and a huge walk in closet. They could look out their window and see the Eiffel Tower off in the distance and the bustling on the streets below seemed very inviting.

They unpacked their suitcases and made a quick stop in the bathroom before leaving their rooms and headed for the streets in front of the hotel. They decided to walk around tonight and stop at a random café or restaurant when they got hungry. They passed a pastry shop that looked like something out of a painting…it had some of the most delicious looking pastries they had ever seen. They would have to buy some of them before they left for Rome.

Max pulled out his map he had printed from the Internet and started to mark off where they were in respect to where they were headed when Liz suggested an evening sight seeing tour. Max thought this sounded like a great idea…after all it was the city of lights. He checked the map for a tour bus station and sure enough there was one two blocks ahead of them so they walked the two blocks and only had to wait twenty minutes for the next bus. As they waited they enjoyed ‘people watching’ as they held each others hands and snuggled close.

The sights were glorious…our two honeymooners sat and enjoyed the sights like two children turned loose in a candy store…they held hands, pointed out the sights to each other and all in all had a glorious time. When they spotted “Maxims” they asked the tour guide if they could disembark, have dinner and catch another bus later and the guide told them of course. The guide explained that the last bus would be by around 11:00 p.m. and to make sure they were out here by then. Then Max asked the big question, do we need reservations here and the guide raised an eyebrow and said, “It would be a good idea.” Max looked at Liz and she smiled and shook her head and said “Maybe we better wait until tomorrow for this place, and isn’t it kind of a famous fancy place?” Max agreed and they stayed on the bus.

They had a wonderful time…the guide had pointed out a lovely little restaurant that she was sure the couple would enjoy and told them the food was very good and the bus would pick them up right at this spot when they were finished with their dinner and they could continue on with the tour. Max and Liz thanked the guide and Max gave her a generous tip. She thanked him and the two disembarked and headed for the restaurant.

The guide had not made a mistake, the food was delicious and Max and Liz were very grateful to the guide as they were hungrier than they realized and enjoyed their meals tremendously. Liz told Max she was glad they had not gone to Maxims since she would like to wear her new dress again and Max agreed and told her he would make reservations tomorrow and hopefully they would be able to have dinner there before they left.

She smiled at him with a gleam in her eye and he asked her, “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on Liz, what?”

“It’s only that, I can’t explain it, I love you so much and sometime I just need to smile because it makes me feel so good just being with you.”

Max looked at her and almost started to cry, his heart actually felt like it was going to leap right out of his chest…she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful creature on God’s earth. How did he ever get so lucky? He reached over and lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the top of her knuckles and smiled, he couldn’t say a word or he would cry on the spot.

Their waiter was headed to their table and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the look on the two patrons faces, he had seen many lovers come and go in his time but this young couple took your breath away. There was something about them that left you speechless. He decided to wait before approaching them with a dessert menu and to leave them to their own little world.

Soon the honeymooners were back on the tour bus and headed for some nightlife and lights. It was only 9:00 p.m. so they disembarked again and headed for a little bar where they heard music. They decided it would be fun to have a drink and check things out up close and personal before being dropped off at their starting point. They stayed for about an hour or so, danced a few dances and spoke with some other American travelers who were also on vacation and about 10:30 they headed back to the bus stop and waited for the final bus of the evening. On their way back to the hotel they walked past the pastry shop and found that it was still open so they went in and purchased some very fancy breakfast rolls before heading back to their hotel. They giggled at each other over this and agreed if this kept up they would have to definitely join a gym when they got back home. Between the pastries at their favorite Tea Shoppe and this vacation they were not only going to need a gym they were going to need new wardrobes as well.

When they reached their rooms they discovered their bed had been turned down and an array of coffees and teas had been placed in the dining area on the buffet along with some very fancy pastries that looked as though they may have come from the pastry shop they had visited not 15 minutes ago. They looked at each other and started to giggle again…oh well…they would know better tomorrow wouldn’t they.

Soon they were in the very large shower enjoying each other very much and when they had dried each other off they headed for the huge bed that sat waiting for them in the other room and Max proceeded to show his wife, again, just how happy he was that she was his.

The next two days were spent sightseeing, eating, and enjoying each other’s company…they saw all of the usual tourist attractions and they did rent a car and drive through the countryside although they did not spend the night but drove back to Paris. They merely took a very long drive and had packed some cheese and bread, fruit and pastries and some bottled water and a nice bottle of wine in case they decided they wanted something besides the water. They were very happy they had taken the time to take this little side trip…Isabelle was right, it was beautiful. They enjoyed each other’s company and spent many hours holding hands in very comfortable silence just enjoying the scenery and the relaxing drive…life was beautiful.

Soon their time came to an end and they found themselves in the airport again and on their way to Rome. They only hoped that it was as wonderful as the last week and a half had been…they could count on it.

*~*~*

After they arrived and hailed a cab to their hotel, which again, the travel agent had really come up with some beautiful rooms, they unpacked and readied themselves for another busy evening of touring and eating.

Their hotel was just across the street from the train depot and the main tour bus depots and they were in walking distance from shopping and restaurants. They were very pleased with the locale and happy to find out that a very nice continental breakfast was served in an extremely elegant dining room every morning from 6:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. They weren’t sure if this was a good thing for their waistlines but it certainly looked nice.

After they freshened up a bit they headed out of the hotel and started walking through the streets, which were narrower than they expected, taking in the sights and enjoying the people. There were a lot of scooters and scooter rental places just as Isabelle had told them and they stopped by one of the rental places and checked out pricing and overnight availability. Everyone they came in contact with spoke very good English and this made their lives a whole lot easier.

Soon they passed a very nice restaurant that was made completely of glass…the walls, roof, doors…everything was glass. You could see the people all seated around tables that were set in white linens and waiters dressed in tuxes and Max and Liz decided they were hungry, again. They looked at each other and started laughing…nodded and Max placed his hand on Liz’s back and led her into the restaurant for their evening meal.

Max ordered a pasta dish and Liz ordered a chicken and potato meal because she figured she would be eating a lot of pasta the next couple of days and when they brought their meals to them both Max and Liz were elated. They shared portions of each other’s meals because they both marveled at the taste of their food. Liz had never had a potato taste so good in her life. It looked like it had been fried but it was also extremely light. That was the only way she could describe it, like a puff of air. Max tasted it and had to agree with her, it was definitely a delicious potato.

After enjoying their meal they walked some more and lo and behold they were standing in front of the Trevi Fountain. It was beautiful but it surprised them that it wasn’t as big as the movies made it look; they were not disappointed just surprised. They threw their coins in and made their wishes and Max put his arm around Liz’s waist and gave her a peck on the cheek, she looked up at him with that special smile and his heart started to swell again. He took her hand and they continued with their walk taking in all of the sights along the way, not doing a lot of talking, just enjoying being together and being in love.

They arrived back at their hotel around 11:00 p.m. and the desk clerk smiled at them as they walked in. Everyone noticed the two young lovers…there was something about them that drew people to them and made them smile. It wasn’t just their physical beauty, and they had plenty of that, it was something ethereal.

When they got to their rooms they headed for the bathroom which was completely covered in one-inch white and black tiles, the floor, the walls, the shower…everything was covered in these tiny white and trimmed in tiny black tiles…it made a very striking looking room. It wasn’t something they would want in a home or anything but they were impressed at how clean it looked, not antiseptic but nice. Liz told Max that she was getting an education in interior decorating as well as geography and history and he looked at her with a puzzled look and then started to chuckle at her…”only you would come up with something like that Liz.”

She laughed right along with him as she removed her makeup and proceeded to get undressed…then she said, “It’s true Max, we have been in four different countries in the past week and a half, if you include the U.S., and just think about it. We have stayed in several different hotels and Inns and each and every one of them have had a unique décor, then add to that all of the famous sights we have seen and isn’t a wonderful way to learn history and geography, up close and personal.”

Max grabbed her around the waist and brought her close to him as he nuzzled her neck…”you’re right Liz, it is a lesson in history and geography…and just wait until tomorrow when we continue with our education, it’s going to be wonderful just like you.”

Liz melted into her husbands embrace and reached between them and started to unbutton his shirt…it didn’t take him long to figure out what she wanted and he was only too happy to comply.

Way out in the distance they could hear thunder and see lightning and Liz couldn’t get close enough to Max…he chuckled in her hair as he hugged her close to him and told her that the Romans were marching out to war. She giggled into his chest and started moving her body in a very suggestive manner and it didn’t take Max long to catch on to what she wanted to do to take her mind off the weather. Oh life was just too grand.
*~*~*

The next morning they woke up to the sun shining through the window and there was no rain in sight…everything was beautiful. They lay in bed and snuggled with each other and talked about unimportant things and the sights they had seen so far and the sights they were going to see. Liz reveled at being in Max’s arms and Max never felt so content in his life.

They sort of lost track of what day it was and while trying to make a decision as to whether they should go to Florence today or tomorrow, they decided tomorrow for Florence since today was the day they had the tickets for the audience with the Pope and they certainly didn’t want to miss that. They could take the Vatican tour after the audience and do some shopping for some souvenirs while they were at it. Tomorrow would be a good day for the Florence trip to see the statue of David and the next day they would take a tour bus of the city. Things were starting to come to an end and they weren’t too sure whether they were ready to go home or not. They decided they didn’t like that conversation and turned their attention to each other…after all isn’t that what honeymoons are all about?

Upon arriving at the Vatican they got in line with all of the other people and found seats that seemed like a very long way from the podium but when the Pope made his appearance he rode around through the audience in something that looked like a golf cart and waved to all of the people. He passed by Max and Liz so close that they could have sworn they could reach out and touch the man…it was awesome. When the speeches were finished and the prayers had been said everyone seemed to scatter in all directions.

Max and Liz found their way through the gates to start their tour and were able to join another group and their guide and this made things a whole lot easier than reading the map and looking for the various points of interest. The tour guide was very informative regarding the history of the various popes from Peter on down and some of the points of interest actually brought chills to the body.

The one thing that amazed Max and Liz was the size of the Sistine Chapel…it wasn’t very big at all, the paintings were breath taking but the size of the place was really a big surprise. It’s amazing how pictures can be so deceiving. The Vatican guards were “cute” to quote Liz…all dressed in their colorful ancient uniforms. They looked like something out of a Shakespearian play. Max just looked at her and smiled when she said that…she was just too cute for words. To say they were impressed was an understatement. They loved the tour and then when they started to leave they went through some of the little shops that were located outside of the Vatican.

The religious icons were positively beautiful and Liz fell in love with a crèche and told Max that they should get one as a remembrance of their trip and he agreed. They would have one for Christmas anyway…so why not have one from Rome. The only difficult part was choosing which one, they were all so beautiful.

“Max, how big should we go? Are we going to display it under the tree or have a special place of honor for it? Maybe we should get a large one and a small one…what do you think?”

Max looked at his lovely little wife and smiled…pulled her in close and kissed her temple and said, “Liz, get two…one big, one small and one in between if you want. I’m sure we can use them with all of those cake plates.” And then he started to laugh…but really…in that big house they probably could use all of them.

With that remark Liz elbowed Max in the ribs and he faked a double over in pain position and when he looked at her she saw the gleam in his eye…oh was he going to get it later. So, without further discussion Liz chose a small set complete with shepherds, angels, wise men, sheep and the entire village to put under a Christmas tree and then a larger version to set in a place of honor somewhere else in a house. Max just watched her and smiled…she was certainly having fun, no doubt about it. They made arrangements to have the items shipped home for them and they were on their way.

They purchased some smaller items for the family and friends and headed out to catch a tour bus back to the city. They had a set of earphones with a tape player that explained the sights as they passed them and when the bus headed down a little side street they noticed a lot of people heading into a small restaurant on one of the side streets… the place was packed. This was a good sign that the food was good so they disembarked and walked into a very old but very clean large room packed with tables and patrons. You got in line and placed your order first and then a very pleasant elderly man seated them and took their drink orders…he spoke broken English but was easy to understand and he had no problem understanding them either. Liz noticed the couple at the next table were eating a hardy bowl of some kind of soup and asked the waiter what it was…he explained that it was potato soup and asked her if she would like to try some and she gave him her killer smile and said of course.

Max noticed the old gentleman was very taken with that smile, as were most people, and Max could only sit there and grin at his reaction, she was just too beautiful for words. Liz tasted the soup the gentleman had brought her and she ordered a bowl with her lunch. It was delicious.


After they had their lunch they went back outside and waited for the next bus to come by and proceeded on their tour. They got off at the coliseum and again joined another tour group that spoke English and walked all through the ruins. The coliseum itself was very large but the arena, again, was smaller than the Hollywood version. It was amazing how it was built in so many stories, and for the most part was still in tack. We should take some lessons from the ancients Max said and Liz agreed…in more ways than one.

After getting back on the bus they made a few more stops and eventually wound up back at the main depot where they headed over to the train station to check out schedules for their trip to Florence in the morning…off to see David in all of his glory.

When they made their reservations…not too early…they headed across the street for their hotel to get ready for dinner. They decided to take a little nap before showering and Liz got completely undressed while Max was in the bathroom and when he came out he started to melt…they had made love that morning when they awoke and then again before they got dressed for their tour but here she was in all of her naked glory and his body was sending him some serious messages that he couldn’t ignore…

“God honey, look at you, you are driving me nuts over here.”

“Well then, just come on over here lover and we’ll work on your ‘nuts’ for you.”

Max took one look at her and crossed the room to where she was standing and grabbed her into his arms and started to laugh, “Liz is it going to be this way forever?”

“Oh I hope so.” was her only reply as she started to unbutton his shirt and jeans. He lifted her effortlessly onto the bed and started to devour her with kisses and she melted…she couldn’t get enough of him, plain and simple.

After they finished with the fun and games they cuddled up and fell asleep for a few hours and when they awoke it was almost dark out. They took their time showering and getting ready for dinner and Liz decided to wear her “Isabelle” creation one more time. She did love that dress…she took it out of the closet and hung it over the door and when Max exited the bathroom he saw his lovely wife standing there in her pink stilettos and pink thong and his body started to come to attention one more time…he had to control himself and try to ignore the beauty before him…”Liz, can I help you put your dress on?”

Liz looked over at him with a puzzled look and said, “Sure, if you want to.”

Max looked at her with hooded lids and replied, “Liz, you have to put your dress on now or we are not going to leave this room, maybe never.”

“Oh. Okay Max. You can zip me up, How’s that?”

“That’s fine but let’s does it quickly.”

“Right you are big boy, one dress over the head.” She said as she pulled her dress over her head.

Max gulped and Liz turned around so he could zip the dress…God he didn’t want to.

He whipped her around and planted a very sensuous kiss on her lips and then let her go just as quickly and grabbed his jacket, wallet and keys and escorted his lovely wife out of the room.

When they entered the lobby they ran into a couple they had met on the tour bus earlier and the lady asked Liz where she got that beautiful dress. Liz answered, “It’s an original by Isabelle Evans, have you ever heard of her?”

The woman raised an eyebrow and said, “Yes I have, and she does extraordinary work doesn’t she?”

Liz smiled and answered, “She certainly does, we are all very proud of her; she’s my sister in law.”

The woman got a strange look on her face and then looked at Max who only smiled an acknowledgement in the woman’s direction, he wasn’t sure he liked her or not. She looked as though she didn’t believe Liz, which was ok by him, but he didn’t want anyone thinking his wife would make up something like that. Liz noticed the look as well and just smiled at her sweetly and told her to have a good night. Max took Liz by the arm and nodded to the woman and her husband and escorted Liz through the hotel doors and they started their short walk to “Alfredo’s”.

The woman walked over to the desk clerk and asked if he could give her the name of the couple that just left. The desk clerk smiled and said, “That’s Dr. and Mrs. Maxwell Evans.”

He had witnessed the exchange of pleasantries and was sure that Max and Liz would not mind him giving out the information to her…he used the doctor on purpose…it was on Max’s passport and he felt the woman needed to be put in her place…she was so obviously green-eyed about Liz being the sister in law to a designer who was very well known in Europe. The desk clerk smiled at her and the woman’s husband took her by the arm and led her to the elevators. He turned and nodded to the desk clerk with a knowing smile and disappeared behind the elevator doors. The desk clerk thought to himself, boy did she have that one coming.

Max and Liz arrived at Alfredo’s shortly thereafter and were pleasantly surprised at the size of the place. It wasn’t a large fancy restaurant at all, it was very clean, very well lit and the waiters were all in white jackets and black pants but the restaurant was not overly decorated.

The tables were placed along both sides of a long room and another row down the middle. There was a long table across the back of the room as well and there were two elderly men entertaining the patrons. One had an accordion and one played a guitar and sang, it was very homey and inviting.

They were greeted by the host and seated in the center of the room on the left hand side slightly away from the other tables. Taking notice around them they saw that all of the patrons, so far, had been seated in such a way to afford them some privacy during their dining. Max and Liz both smiled at the host and began to read the menu. When the waiter came back to take their order they asked what he would suggest and of course he explained that Alfredo’s was famous for its’ fettuccini Alfredo and that is what they ordered.

They were very surprised when their waiter, accompanied by the chef, brought a large platter of pasta and several cups of different cheeses and began adding these to the hot noodles right at their table. It didn’t seem like they had spent hours making a sauce…it was all of these cheeses mixed into the hot noodles and it was delicious. Liz told Max that she and Maria were going to have to check this out on the Internet…they have spent hours making different sauces and had ordered this same dish in America but it never tasted like this. Max smiled at his beautiful wife and told her that he was sure that hers was delicious as well.

“It’s good Max, but this is so different.” She smiled

“Yes, this is different, but isn’t that why we’re here, to enjoy the difference?”

“You’re right Max, but wouldn’t it be great if I could do this at home?”

“Well, you’ve just seen them do it and it didn’t look all that hard to me. All you have to do is figure out the combination of cheeses and you’ve got it made.”

“You know what, you’re right, but I’ll bet we can’t get these cheeses in America.”

“Probably not, but I’m sure you can come close. Now what did you think of the conversation you just had in the lobby of the hotel?”

“You noticed that? I thought it was my imagination…what a bitch!”

Max chuckled at that description…he couldn’t have put it any better had he tried.

“Do you think she thought I was lying to her Max?”

“I don’t know Liz, but it surely looked that way. Anyway, whether you have on an I. Evans original or not, she’ll never look as good as you honey no matter what she has on.” And with that he gave her a killer smile and a wink as he continued to enjoy his pasta.

Liz blushed at Max’s remark and said a shy “Thank you, Max. I love you.”

“Welcome baby and I love you too. Now let’s talk about what we are going to do tomorrow.” And with that they dropped the subject about the ‘bitch’.

After leaving the restaurant they found a little Irish Pub, if you can believe it, and went in for a drink. Everyone in there was having a wonderful time and Max and Liz found a vacant table and sat down to enjoy the festivities. They stayed there for a couple of hours and met some very lovely and interesting couples from various parts of the world and had a very enjoyable evening.

They arrived back at their hotel around 11:00 and the desk clerk nodded as they came in. He motioned for Max to come over to the desk and he told Max about the woman wanting to know their names and hoped that Max didn’t mind that he gave her the information. Max smiled at him and told him not at all, and asked him if he was sure that he emphasized ‘Evans’. The desk clerk grinned at Max and told him, “absolutely…’Doctor Evans’.” Max grinned at the young man and nodded his appreciation and then took Liz and headed for the elevator.

“What was that all about Max?” She queried.

“Nothing important honey, he just wanted to wish us a goodnight.”

“Oh, how nice of him.” Max smiled as they exited the elevator on their floor and led his lovely wife to their rooms. (Sometime a little ego felt good.)

They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow and if he wanted to get Liz out of that dress they needed to get busy.

*~*~*

Chapter: 37d

The next morning Max woke up and found Liz sound asleep on top of him again…there was no other way to describe how she wound up in that position every night except to say she was on top of him. The only part of her body not spread across his was her shoulder that touched the mattress where she was just under his armpit. He smiled at her face, which was partially covered by her long hair as he moved from under her in order to get to the bathroom. God, thank you for this lovely woman was all he could think as he exited their bed, he loved her so much that he thought his heart would burst right through his chest.

When he left Liz felt naked and started to stir…she started to feel around the bed unconsciously, looking for Max in her half asleep state and finally it dawned on her he wasn’t there. She rolled over and opened one eye and recognition came to her mind as she realized they were not at home. She grabbed hold of the pillow and shoved it under her head and laid there waiting for Max to come back to the room…she took in her surroundings and noticed it was going to be a beautiful day out as she looked across the morning sky. Their room was up high enough to overlook the hills surrounding the city and it was beautiful. She was looking forward to their train ride today as much as she was to going to the museum. She started to think about the past two weeks and got a smile on her face that was almost dreamy. The sights they had seen were wonderful but nothing was a wonderful as her husband, could there be anyone else on earth as beautiful as he was? She could only thank God for allowing her to be his wife.

Soon Max came back into their room and Liz moved over to make room for him beside her and gave him a great big smile…Max melted, he couldn’t get enough of her, she was like an addictive drug, he crawled in next to her and pulled her to him for a good morning kiss and then told her they needed to get up and get busy if they were going to have breakfast before heading over to the train station. Liz pouted at that and Max chuckled at her antics and told her to get into the shower, he would join her and then they could get dressed. She gave him a great big smile and shook her head as she made a bee-line for the bathroom…she gave him a little shake of her tush as she exited the bedroom and Max roared at her antics. She was, without a doubt, a living doll.

After they showered and dressed they headed to the dining room for the buffet and ran into the “bitch” and her husband in the coffee line…Liz smiled sweetly at her and Max nodded to her husband who gave him a knowing grin and said “good morning” to both him and Liz. Max realized the man knew what type of individual he was married to and only hoped this was her worst side, because, if it wasn’t, he intended to say some serious prayers for the dude. Soon they reached the coffee and other beverages and both Max and Liz poured themselves some juice and a cup of coffee and found a secluded table for two over in the corner of the dining room. They placed their drinks on the table and headed to the food buffet with their trays. There was fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, cereal, every type of roll and Danish known to man and they had themselves a feast. There was going to have to be some serious dieting when they got home.

After finishing breakfast Liz caught the eye of the ‘bitch’ and smiled as they left the dining room and Max merely grinned and nodded at the ladies husband knowing full well the man was embarrassed for his wife. It was all right though, because the encounter had not affected Liz in any way, she was still as happy as a clam.

*~*~*

They went back up to their room and made one last visit to the bathroom, grabbed their jackets and headed for the train terminal. There weren’t that many people there surprisingly and when they found the correct track number Max pulled Liz into him and rested his head on her shoulder and held her around her waist. He didn’t want to leave her out of his sight for one second, she felt so good in his arms. Liz just melted…she could stay in this mans arms forever.

Soon the train arrived and they were seated in a position that they could see what was coming their way as they rode down the tracks. This was one of those express trains and after they left the terminal they were glad they had chosen the seats they had because things went by so quickly you really had to have a handle on what was coming up. They were surprised at the ruins nestled in the hills as they whizzed by…and the olive groves and vineyards were beautiful. The land seemed so uncluttered, unlike the United States; it just seemed less busy for some reason. Maybe there were other parts of the country that were more inhabited but this area certainly was not. It was beautiful.

When they arrived in Florence they walked the distance to the museum; they had enjoyed the city as much as the museums visit. The statue of David was just the icing on the cake so to speak. After their tour of the museum they walked around the city some more and stopped in at one of the local restaurants for some lunch/dinner combination and again, they were not disappointed. The food was out of this world. Liz told Max he was going to have to roll her home…he chuckled at that remark and told her that she probably would have to reciprocate. They both laughed at each other and finished their meals.

After they left the restaurant they continued their exploration and they spotted another church, the city was loaded with them, and they walked up the steps to see if the doors were open, they were, and they went in for a visit.

It was very dark inside, but once their eyes got accustomed to the light they were overwhelmed with the beauty of the old structure. It looked very old and the statues and paintings were beautiful. The stained glass artwork on the windows was a work of art in itself and both Max and Liz were awe struck; it took their breath away. Liz put her hand in Max’s and he gave it a squeeze as they walked around the inside of the church, taking in all of the sights to be seen.

They lit a candle at one of the side altars and knelt together to say a prayer before leaving the old building. They were very quiet for sometime after leaving…they seemed to understand the need to digest what they had just seen; they were as impressed with the old church as they were with the museum that held the statue of David.

Soon they were back on the train headed back to Rome and Liz curled up in Max’s lap, put her head on his shoulder and went to sleep. Max wrapped his arms loosely around her and smiled as he watched the countryside go by out the window. Liz slept like a baby the entire trip back. This was a good thing…she’ll be more alert tonight he thought to himself as his smile grew broader.

When they arrived back at the hotel the desk clerk smiled as they headed for their rooms…Max told him goodnight and the young man returned the gesture and Max led Liz to the elevator, Liz turned and smiled back at the desk clerk as Max pushed the button and soon the door opened for them and they were on their way. It had been a very long day but Max couldn’t wait to get Liz alone again…her sleeping on his lap caused some very urgent feelings in his body and he needed to release some of them soon.

They were headed to Boston the next day so the young couple packed their bags and made everything ready for their departure in the morning and they headed for the shower before retiring. They hated to see this time come to an end, it had been more wonderful than they could have ever imagined. Everything and everyone was a beautiful memory.

When they crawled into bed Max pulled Liz into him and cradled her in his arms and nuzzled her neck as he whispered to her how much she meant to him…Liz could only moan her reply into his chest and plant little kisses along his neck. They were so wrapped up in each other that they hardly noticed the thunder storm developing out over the hills of Rome. Life was right there in this room at this time and nothing else on earth mattered to them. They felt at peace with one another and the world around them. Soon they were both sound asleep, Max wasn’t as awake as he had thought he was earlier and our young couple slept, nestled in each others arms and awoke the next morning ready for their long trek across the ocean to their home so many miles away.

After they finished packing their bags they headed to the dining room one last time for a nice leisurely breakfast before asking the desk clerk to call for a cab and then they headed up to their room to retrieve their luggage and back to the main desk to check out. Max thanked the desk clerk for all of the help he provided and the extra little effort he took upon himself to straighten out a certain guest in the hotel that would remain anonymous. The desk clerk, Angelo, smiled at Max and told him “It was my pleasure Doctor Evans.” Max gave him a huge smile and handed him a sealed envelope with his name on it and then he picked up his and Liz’s luggage and headed out the door to the awaiting cab. Angelo smiled and told Max if they ever returned to Rome to please stay with them…it was a pleasure having them. Max smiled and nodded as he exited the hotel right behind Liz.

They arrived at the airport in plenty of time to get checked in and find their gate and Max went and got each of them a cup of coffee to enjoy while they waited to board the plane. Their gate was slowly filling up with people of many ethnic descents and our young couple just sat and enjoyed people watching. Especially the young Oriental couple with the twins…this was going to be a harrowing experience if those two didn’t calm down. Max just smiled…someday that would be Liz and him…oh how much fun it is going to be to have children with his beautiful bride. She is going to be a wonderful mother…he just knew it.

Soon they were on their way across the ocean and Liz reached between their seats and lifted the arm rest and took Max’s hand in hers as she curled up with a magazine and Max found some music to listen to on one of the stations on his arm rest and the two of them relaxed for a bit while other passengers got themselves settled for the long journey home. ‘How beautiful life is.’ Max thought to himself…and soon he was snoozing as Liz continued to read. Before too long Liz was curled up on Max’s lap with a pillow against the window and Max had an arm around her waist with the other one resting on the arm rest and they both slept practically the entire trip home.

*~*~*

After landing in Boston they hailed a cab and headed for their hotel before doing anything else. Even though they had slept for quite awhile on the plane they both seemed to be exhausted. They showered and ordered some room service before settling into bed with a movie on the TV…they would do their sightseeing tomorrow…they were looking forward to it actually. They had read many travel guides and were interested in seeing as much of historical Boston as they could manage in one day…and they planned on having one meal at “Cheers”…be it lunch or dinner. It didn’t really matter since they had had quite a few fancy meals in the past two weeks.

Before the movie was over Max started to nuzzle into Liz’s neck and she started to enjoy the playfulness that was going on and soon the movie was pretty much forgotten for the evening while Max and Liz made up their own kind of entertainment. It just didn’t get any better than this for our young lovers.

The following day Max and Liz awoke fairly early and decided to get an early start on their day since they were headed home tomorrow…they took a leisurely shower that included their customary make out session, got dressed and headed to the hotels restaurant for an early breakfast. They acclimated themselves to the area and found a tour bus station near by and headed in that direction. It was late morning by this time and they figured they would have enough time to walk through the biggest part of the historical section of town and then reboard the bus for parts of the city that is better seen from a vehicle. They stopped at “Cheers” for an early dinner and continued their tour until about 7:00 p.m. after which they headed back to their hotel to pack up and get ready for their trip home. What a wonderful time they have had and would most certainly like to do it again someday when there was a lot more time to enjoy the sights. They would like to spend at least a week at each place someday instead of cramming in as much as possible in a few days at each place. They were not sorry that they went to all of the places, just that they would like to visit them again in a more leisurely manner. They both smiled at each other and decided that the best part of the entire trip was being with each other…on this they both agreed.

*~*~*

The following day they were at the airport early for their flight at 11:00 a.m. and soon they were boarded and on their way. Thank the Lord that this flight was only a few hours…they have had enough planes and airports for awhile and although they flew first class they were still glad that this part was over.

When they arrived home Michael and Maria were waiting at the gate to greet them and Max and Liz were beaming from ear to ear...Maria said,

”Either they are damned glad to see us or they are glad that trip is over.” Michael remarked…

”I think it’s probably both. That had to be one tiresome journey, no.” Maria said,

“You’re probably right Michael…but, I missed them.” Michael replied,

“I did too, Maria, I did too.” She reflected, “I’m glad they’re home.”

Max and Liz gave their friends each a great big hug,

“Boy am I glad to see you two…I really missed you!”

“Hey man, I missed you too, good to have you home.”

Michael answered with a big smile, they were both surprised at how much they missed their friends. Michael and Maria told both of them how happy they were to see them and how glad they made it home safe and sound. Max chuckled and said,

“I’m happy to be home, it was nice but it’s always good to come home.”

Liz said, “Amen to that.” And they all laughed.

After they picked up their luggage they headed out to their favorite burger joint for some much needed fast food…both Max and Liz were a little bummed out on “fine cuisine” which Michael and Maria both laughed at and the four friends sat and enjoyed each others company for hours. They stayed so long that they ordered another meal; thank God the owner knew them.

After their long visit they headed home and Max and Liz thanked Michael and Maria and bid them goodnight and they were back in their own apartment and ready to settle in for the hum-drum daily routine of working but not before they had a long leisurely shower in their own bathroom.

Carolyn: thank you so much...

*~*~*

Chapter: 38

Monday morning found the two newlyweds up at the crack of dawn, Max shutting off the alarm and Liz sprawled across his body as usual. Max looked down on the mass of hair across his arm and smiled to himself as he rolled over and adjusted his little wife into a comfortable hug as she started to awaken. She opened one eye and smiled up at his beautiful face…God, could this be any better? She asked herself.

“Morning.” Max said, as he kissed her forehead.

“Good morning to you too.” As she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Is it time to get up already?” she said.

“Well, it’s 5:00, and I need to leave in about an hour and a half and you need to do the same…it’s your call.”

“Well, which do you prefer, a quick shower or a leisurely shower?”

“Oh, I don’t know…how about a quick shower and a little longer in bed?” As he stretched out and pulled her into a more romantic position on top of him.

“Mmmmmmm, sounds good to me.” As she nuzzled down under the covers and started peppering kisses all over his neck. Max just chuckled to himself as he hugged her closer into him.

After they had a wonderful time enjoying each other they headed for the bathroom together…they took separate showers this morning for obvious reasons, and were soon in the kitchen getting breakfast and packing Liz’s PB&J for the day. It was going to be strange for both of them, getting back to work and having a regular old daily routine, but they will make it fun.

Max met Michael in the hall as he was leaving the apartment and the two headed on out to Liz’s truck to head to work. They nodded to each other as they had done for years and when they were well on their way Michael mentioned that the real estate lady had called and said that both of their bids on the houses were accepted and she would keep them posted as far as signing the papers and getting the loans ready. Max’s heart started to beat just a little faster…God; he hoped he was right about Liz liking the place. He would hate like hell to have done this and be wrong about her reaction. Oh well, it’s too late to second guess it now.

Michael immediately picked up on Max’s anxiety and asked him what was wrong…

“I don’t know Michael, what if I was wrong about her liking the place?”

“Shit Max, now’s a helluva time to be wondering about that.”

“I know that Michael, but what if I read her wrong.”

“Max, we were all there and I don’t think we could have all been wrong. She’s going to be elated.”

“Do you really think so Mike?”

“I know so. Now calm down…you’re going to give yourself a heart attack if you keep this up.”

“You’re right…she’s going to love it. Is Maria excited?”

“Oh you better believe it. She’s thinking maybe we should get married before we move in.”

“I thought she wanted one of those great big cathedral weddings with all the limos and the whole Maryann, what’s the deal? Are you not going to move in until next year?”

“No, she liked Liz’s and your wedding and was thinking a small affair like that would be just the ticket. All the money we’d save on the great big extravaganza would buy a lot of furniture.”

“Well, she’s certainly right about that.”

“So, did you enjoy your honeymoon?”

“Oh Christ Michael, it was everything I hoped it would be and then some. I hope we can go back to all of those places again when we have more time to spend at each one…and that includes New York and Boston. Everything was amazing, and the culture and history was an education in itself. Liz said she was getting an education in interior decorating while we were gone. The different atmosphere of each country was something else, and the churches in Rome were awesome, I can’t think of another word to explain them. It was like being in another time dimension…a feeling of peace…like a little bit of heaven. It was just beautiful. You should think about going…maybe we can all go together someday, that would really be fun.”

“Yes it would Maxwell. Now, when do we start thinking about the clinic? You know it’s going to take a couple of years to complete and the sooner we get started on plans and the like the sooner we can move forward.”

“You’re right Michael…do you remember the name of the guy that was in our dorm, the architecture major?”

“Yeah, I forgot about him…he was the top of his class wasn’t he?”

“That’s what I heard. Maybe we could contact him and see what he’s up to. Maybe he would be interested in helping us, what do you think?”

“I think that’s a great idea…in the meantime we have to be 100% for Sister Margaret you know. She’s counting on us.”

“You’re right and we will be. So let’s go save lives big guy.”

Michael just laughed at his friend as they exited the truck and headed on into the hospital. They went directly to personnel to fill out their papers and get their badges and then they were on their way. Sister was there to greet all of her new doctors this morning and gave each of them a hardy handshake and a hug. She was so happy to have all of these chosen young doctors on her staff. They were the cream of the crop.

After they left personnel Max headed to the nursery to look over the charts of the young patients and noticed there was one little guy, Jay, that wasn’t doing so well. He wasn’t responding to any medication and a diagnosis still hadn’t been determined. Max wrinkled his brow and strolled over to Jay’s crib to have a better look at the youngster. He was only 18 months old and Max’s heart broke when he saw the baby laying there so listless and pale.

He took out his stethoscope and had a listen to the child’s heart and chest and then he laid him down and started feeling his stomach for any abnormalities. He knew that the other doctors had performed these very same tests but he needed to know for himself what to rule out.

Max reached over and got a clean diaper and changed the youngster and put a clean shirt on his little body and picked him up and gave him a little kiss on the forehead and Jay looked up into Max’s eyes and gave him a weak smile. Max melted. He whispered to the little boy…”We are going to make you all better really soon Jay. You can count on it.” Then he said a silent to prayer for God’s help in healing this sweet little baby. Max lay the baby back down in his crib and went back to the desk at the nurses’ station to read all of the test results on the baby before making a decision on what to do next.

Most of the nurses at the station were familiar with Max and his abilities and just smiled at the young doctor when they noticed him with Jay. They knew if anyone could find out what the baby had it would be Max…he just never gave up.

As Max read about the baby’s history he noticed there were six older children in the family and he had a brainstorm…what if they had all used the same crib? If it was a family crib it might have been painted many times…Max ordered a lead poisoning test on the baby to be done STAT and the nurses all looked at each other in amazement. What ever prompted him to order this? Max could only chalk it up to his prayer…it was just a thought but worth a try. He told the nurses to call him up in maternity when the results came back and they smiled and said they certainly would and with that Max headed up to the newborn nursery on the third floor.

He loved these new little babies…they always smelled so sweet and were so lovable. Soon he was engrossed in checking out the newborns…holding them and giving them their little kisses on the forehead before laying them back down in their bassinets. The nurses positively loved watching Doctor Evans with the babies and it seemed the babies all loved Doctor Evans, for some reason they always slept more soundly after he checked them out. Max wrote in their charts and about the time he was finished checking out the last baby a call came from the children’s ward that little Jay’s test results were back. Max bid the nurses good morning and told them he would be back later and headed back downstairs like a man on a mission.

When he arrived back at the children’s ward the nurse’s station was all abuzz and Sister Margaret was there to greet him. “What’s up?” He asked everybody and nobody in particular…”you found the answer Max” was Sister’s only reply.

Max took the paper with the test results and his guess had been right. He looked up toward the sky and said “thank you.” The entire staff had heard him and he made no apologies for his prayer…he meant it from the bottom of his heart. Sister only smiled at him, patted him on the back and walked out.

Jay would soon be joining his family but not before they had a new crib for the little guy. Max would see to that. Max went over and picked up the little guy and kissed the top of his head again and told him he would be going home soon…the baby smiled back at Max and closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Max was elated. What a wonderful day he thought to himself. Meantime Sister Margaret was thinking the same thing, and she raised her eyes skyward and said her own ‘thank you’…thank you for sending this wonderful man to her hospital.

*~*~*

There was one new member of the staff at the nurse’s station taking all of this in and mentioned to one of the other nurses that the new doctor was certainly a fox. Nurse Jacobs, the head nurse, looked at her and smiled.

“Oh Doctor Evans isn’t new, he just got back from his honeymoon. You may have heard the scuttle butt about the beautiful bride and groom that got married in the chapel about eight weeks ago, well that’s him.”

“Oh that’s really too bad.” The newcomer said with a grin on her face. She knew how to work her magic and she certainly wasn’t going to pass this opportunity up. Nurse Harding finished her rounds with the babies, feeding, bathing and changing and noticed that Doctor Evans was leaving the ward. She went and checked out his departure and saw him head for the elevator…probably a coffee break…it was time for her to go into action.

She checked out with the head nurse and told her she was taking a 15 minute bathroom break and Miss Jacobs looked at her strangely and said, “Ok.”

Tess made a beeline for the elevator and made it just as the door was closing…she smiled at Max and said good morning to him.

Max acknowledged her and said good morning as well and patiently waited to get to the cafeteria. Tess started a conversation and kept looking at Max and acting weird as far as Max was concerned and he started to get uncomfortable…Max answered her questions without offering any input, he didn’t want to seem rude, and then it dawned on him. This woman was coming on to him. Holy shit, what to do now…he has to work with this person. Max kept his cool and then had an idea. As soon as the elevator door opened he stepped aside and allowed Tess to pass and then he took out his cell and dialed Liz’s cell.

“Hi sweetheart, do you have any plans for lunch?”

“Max, how sweet…no I don’t, you know that…you made my PB&J for me.”

“I know but I want you to come over to the hospital and have lunch with me at about 12:30. Can you do that? Oh, and Liz honey, let your hair down and wear sexy makeup.”

“All right Max…someone trying to put the make on you already?”

“You know me too well sweet…come up to Pedes to meet me, ok?”

“Sweetheart, I am going to look so sexy that you’re going to be rock hard all day.”

Max laughed at that and said good bye but not before he said I love you.

“Love you too baby, and thanks for being so open about this…maybe we can nip this in the bud before we have to get her ass fired.”

“Thank you Liz, that’s my girl.”

*~*~*

Liz went into Diane’s office and told her she was going to meet Max for lunch and she would probably be a little late coming back but she would work late this evening to catch things up. Diane smiled and told her as long as everything was done it didn’t matter what time she took off. Liz hugged Diane and told her she would see her later.

Liz immediately went home and found a very sexy (without being trashy) dress, silk stockings, high heels, and she fixed her hair in an extremely sexy style…she used the curling iron and left her long hair hang loose over her shoulders, just enough to frame her face. She put on foundation, eye shadow, blush and lip gloss then she stood back and looked in the mirror…yep, this was exactly what Max was looking for and with that she was on her way to the hospital.

When she walked into the lobby the receptionist said “Good morning Mrs. Evans.” Liz smiled at her and said “Good morning. Is Doctor Evans still in the children’s ward?” Julie checked her log in sheet and told Liz that he was. Liz smiled at her and told her thanks and have a great day…which Julie replied in kind.

Liz made her way to the elevator up on the second floor and headed right to the nurses station where she saw her husband bent over one of the desks reading a chart and then she noticed a buxom blond with curly hair actually ogling his ass. Liz smiled and walked over to the desk and smiled at Miss Jacobs who was still unaware of what was happening and smiled at her and said “Hi Chris…how are you?”

“Oh Liz, I’m just fine. How have you been…you’re looking great? How was the honeymoon?”

”It was fantastic. Everything I dreamed of and then some. Of course Max made it what it was.”

“I’m sure he did. So nice to see you.”

“You too. We’ll do lunch soon.”

All of this exchange did not go unnoticed by Tess. What a gorgeous woman, I wonder who she is?

Max had heard Liz talking to Chris and allowed them to have their conversation before making his move…when he was sure the girls were finished talking he turned around and saw his wife…HO_LY SHIT!!! Was all he could think, she sure as hell didn’t look like that when she left the house this morning. He got up from the desk he was sitting at and walked over to her with the biggest grin she had ever seen and pulled her into him right there in front of Tess and everybody and planted a great big kiss right on her lips. Liz giggled into his mouth and when he broke it off she leaned up and whispered in his ear…”Sexy enough for you?”

“Christ Liz, you weren’t kidding about me being rock hard all day were you?”

“You know it lover…and I think the blond over there has been put down for awhile. At least I hope so. Now, let’s go get some lunch and drive the rest of the interns nuts.”

“Whatever you say sweetheart. Love you.”

Tess looked over at Miss Jacobs and said “I take it that’s Mrs. Evans?”

“Whatever gave you that idea?” Was Chris’ only reply and then she got a wide awake look in her eye…this was all a show for someone and that someone is a certain blond on this floor. Good for Max and Liz and what a cute way of dealing with an uncomfortable situation…but she certainly was going to have a talk with a certain Nurse Harding.

“Tess, when you went to coffee this morning did you by any chance manage to take a break at the same time as Doctor Evans?”

Tess stammered a little, “Well, yes we did run into each other in the elevator but then he made a phone call when we got to the cafeteria and I didn’t see him again until he came back up to the floor.”

“Well I’m going to lay a little ground work here for you. This happens to be one of the best pediatricians to come to this hospital in a lot of years and if you do anything to make him uncomfortable in any way it will be your job. Do you understand?”

“Yes maam.” Was Tess’s only reply. She felt she shouldn’t try to deny anything and she knew that she certainly better back off if she wanted to pay the rent.

In the meantime Max and Liz headed down to the cafeteria for some lunch and ran into Michael and Fowler on the way. Michael took one look at Liz and asked her, “Where’s the party? You didn’t have that on this morning when we left the apartment.”

“Oh, you just missed it…it was up on Pedes a minute ago. Lot’s of fun actually…sorry you weren’t there.” Liz said with a little giggle and a twinkle in her eye.

Michael looked at her quizzically and said, “Huh?”

Max grabbed Liz around the waist and kissed her temple, “We’ll tell you later, ok?”

Then Michael grinned, “Someone put the make on Max, right?”

“Michael, cool it.” Max replied with a mild scowl on his face.

“I like it.” Michael replied and he and Liz both started to giggle.

( And the old man chuckled once again...what a ride he thought.)

Max didn’t think it was a damned bit funny and Fowler just smiled. He wished he would have thought of this a couple of years ago with the nurses aide that kept bothering him but he wasn’t so sure his wife could have pulled off what Liz just did…she probably would have been too uptight and creamed the girl. Liz had to be one special person to carry this off.

They all exited the elevator and Father O’Brien waved to them to join him…Liz gave the old priest a killer smile and went over and kissed him on the cheek. She thought the world of this priest…he was like a big old teddy bear that you wanted to hug every time you saw him. He had the cutest twinkle in his eye and seemed to love everyone. Father leaned down and kissed her cheek as well and she told him she would be right back as soon as she got her food.

Everyone in the cafeteria was watching her and then they recognized her as Max’s wife. God, did she look great today, ‘what was the occasion?’ they all wondered, she never dresses like that during the day. Max took all of this in and smiled to himself, she really was special. She had all the confidence in the world and he didn’t know very many men that could ask their wives to do something like this for them and have them do it with style and grace. Tess Harding never knew what hit her. To say that he was proud of her was an understatement.

Sister Margaret entered the cafeteria while the group was in line and Liz turned around and handed Max her tray while she went over and gave the Nun a big hug. Sister smiled from ear to ear…she wasn’t used to being greeted like this and it felt nice that Liz would do this.

“Are you having lunch Sister?”

“No honey, I came in looking for my assistant, I can’t reach her on her cell and I can’t find a file that I need. I don’t see her in here anywhere so I will have to be on my way but we should make a lunch date, how does that sound?”

“It sounds wonderful. How are the cake plates doing?”

Sister Margaret laughed at that and told her, “Check it out as you go through the line…they look wonderful. I kept two for the convent though, you’re right… they are versatile. You take care Liz, and give me a call.”

“Will do Sister and have a great day.” Liz waved to the Nun as she made her way out of the cafeteria.

Max handed Liz her tray when she got back in line and reached down and kissed her on the top of her head…he was so proud of her he was all but busting at the seams.

When they sat down next to Father for lunch the old priest asked them, “How did you like Rome?”

“Oh Father, it was wonderful…and I don’t want you to take this the wrong way because I sincerely mean this, the churches were the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. Not Saint Peter’s so much, nor the Sistine Chapel, but the actual churches in and around the city and the one’s in Florence were awe inspiring. Father, I don’t think I have ever felt so close to God in my life.” Liz said.

Father looked at the young woman and smiled, “Liz, I know exactly what you’re saying. They are so old and so beautiful that they take your breath away. Where else did you go?”

“Well, we stayed in New York one night and saw a show before heading to Europe. Then we landed in England where we stayed for a few of days…over to Paris for a few days then to Rome before heading home via Boston for a day. All in all it was very busy and I think I speak for both of us when I say that I would like to go back to each place and spend a whole lot more time in a leisurely fashion.” Max just smiled and nodded in agreement with Liz as he chewed on his sandwich. That is exactly how he felt.
The priest smiled at both of them and nodded in agreement as well. “You certainly did fit a lot into a couple of weeks, that’s for sure.”

Fowler and Michael just watched Liz and the old priest with each other and smiled the entire time. These two certainly became fast friends over the past couple of months…you could tell they each genuinely liked the other…this was a nice thing for Father, he was getting up in age and it was good for him to make friends with younger people. His life had to be lonesome for lack of a better word and Liz and Max didn’t seem to have any problems with his station in life. It was like the old priest was a favorite uncle and then of course Liz and Sister Margaret seemed to have a special relationship as well. She just seemed to draw people to her for some reason.

Soon it was time for the doctors to get back to their posts so they excused themselves and Father said he had to get busy with his afternoon calls as well. Liz bade the priest goodbye and gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Father hugged her back and patted her on the back. He then asked,

“Do you dress like this everyday?”

Liz giggled and said, “No Father, it was a special favor to Max, a little blond problem on pediatrics.”

Father looked at her and said seriously, “Are you all right?” The old man thought to himself, ‘We’ll have no one upsetting this marriage on my watch’.

“Never better Father…as a matter of fact it was fun.” Liz said with a little giggle.

The old priest chuckled and looked at Max and said, ”You do know how special she is don’t you?”

“I certainly do Father, never a doubt, see you upstairs.” And Max gave the priest a very knowing grin as he exited the cafeteria.

With that they all went their separate ways but Michael joined Max and Liz on the elevator on his way to maternity. Liz looked at Michael and asked him when they could schedule her procedure and Michael told her he would look into it and they could talk about it tonight.

Liz got off the elevator on the main floor and Max walked her out to the car. He told her how proud of her he was and she just smiled back at him and said “Thank you Max…for everything. For trusting me with your problem and letting me come to your rescue. You’ll never know how good it makes me feel to know that you trust me with something like this. I love you so much and I don’t want you worrying about trashy blond nurses.”

Max chuckled at her and leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. He could have devoured her right then and there but he knew he had to wait. “I’ll see you at home and I’ll have a surprise for you.”

“Oh sweetie, it’s no surprise, I can feel it getting ready for me already.”

“Liz, sometime I think you are positively wicked” Max said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Don’t’ you forget it lover…see you tonight.” And with that she gave her tush a little wiggle, got into her car, gave Max a wave and headed on back to the office. She made pretty good time actually, she was only an hour late.

*~*~*

When she got back to the office Diane, Jody and Kyle all did a double take, “What in the hell are you up to Liz?” came out of Diane’s mouth. Jody giggled and said, “Yeah, what she said.” And Kyle just gulped.

Liz looked at the three of them and said,” I had to shoot down a certain trashy blond nurse for my husband.” And with that she walked into her office with her head held high, job well done if she did say so herself.

Her three associates all looked at each other and then started to laugh…she certainly was a character that’s for sure.
*~*~*

Carolyn: Yes, a lot of the story was rewritten but the basis remained the same. I rewrote, edited and tried to make it flow better. Thanks for reading, it's almost finished.

*~*~*


Ch.: 39

The next few months went without incident… Liz had her uterus repaired successfully; Diane and the Guerins had a reception for Max and Michael as a gift and both young men were taken by surprise with it all.

Max and Michael contacted their contractor friend from college and the plans for the Medical Building were coming along quite nicely. They asked Fowler for his input as well as the girls as far as office space was concerned and everyone seemed to be quite enthusiastic about the entire project.

They had the Evans Law Firm handle all of the legalities including the financing and the setting up of the partnership between Max and Michael.

They used the property as collateral for the loan to build, just as Maria and Liz had suggested, and the business would pay back the loan on the property to Max and Liz and eventually the business would own the property as well as the Medical Facility. Maria was right in there from the ground floor overseeing everything and Liz continued working at the law firm.

The houses the young doctors purchased had closed escrow and Liz’s birthday was lurking in the background. Max wasn’t sure just how he wanted to handle her birthday party or just how he wanted to present her with her “present” but he had to make a decision soon.

He brought the subject up with Isabelle and the parents and they suggested that he call Tom and have the thing catered at the new house and Tom could bring all of the necessary tables, chairs and food…they could hire a DJ and have a great party in the empty house. Max could give her the deed when they drove up and that way she would be semi surprised when she came into the house. Max thought about this as one way to go but he still wasn’t sure, he would have to think about it some more. He really wanted this to be a very special birthday.

Finally Max decided to follow the advice of Isabelle and the parents and he hired a cleaning crew to come in and go over the house with a fine tooth comb. He had the windows all washed and managed to sneak all of the extra panels for the windows out of the spare bedroom closet without Liz catching on and Nancy, Maria, his Mom and Isabelle all went over and hung them in the downstairs windows. Maria went and purchased some new guest towels and soaps for the downstairs bathroom and the one in the basement. He hired a gardener to come and give the yard a good cleaning and manicuring and the place looked wonderful.

Max contacted Tom and met him over at the new house and told him what the occasion was and asked him what he would suggest as far as a party went. Tom took one look at the place and told Max that he thought a Monte Carlo night would be great since the place was empty. They could pull in gaming tables in the basement, cocktail tables in the large living room and a nice buffet in the dining room. There could be a bar set up in the kitchen and it would be a lot of fun. They could also have a DJ and dancing in the smaller living room and the reception area could be just that, a reception area with chairs placed around for comfort. Max thought this all sounded great and told Tom to prepare for about 75 people. Tom thought that would be a good number and he would get back to Max with a menu and if Max had anymore questions to give him a call. Max thought that sounded great and he would certainly be in contact with him. Now all he had to do was keep this a surprise. At least it was the day after her birthday…she shouldn’t expect anything after.

Maria and Michael had been readying their home for moving in and decided to have their wedding right there in the gardens of the new home. It was very hard for Maria to keep this a secret from Liz but the major plans were put on hold until after Liz’s birthday…she didn’t want to spoil Max’s surprise and she definitely wanted Liz to share in the joy of her special day.

*~*~*

When Liz’s birthday finally arrived she received a bunch of birthday cards in the mail from her family and friends and she was beginning to think they had all lost their minds. Is this how they were going to celebrate with her, with a card and a message in the mail? What the hell was going on here? Everyone has always gotten together for birthdays. Not just hers but all of them, then she figured Max was planning a surprise…that was it. So she whistled around the apartment and did her vacuuming with a smile on her face and when Max came home from the hospital he brought her a dozen white roses and a beautiful birthday card and a wrapped present and asked her if she would like to go out to dinner.

“Wha..what!…Dinner?…Alone?…Just us?”

“Yes honey, I thought it would be nice for a change. Just the two of us, a romantic evening, maybe a movie. What do you say?”

“Well, ok?”

Max took her in his arms and gave her a deep kiss and his thoughts were running wild in his mind…she looks so disappointed…maybe I should tell her. Then he thought, no, that’s what a surprise is, a surprise, don’t ruin it now.

So Max took Liz out to a lovely dinner and they danced and held each other and the longer they danced the more guilty he was feeling. She didn’t look unhappy but she sure as hell didn’t look happy either. Tomorrow will be here soon enough he told himself.

They got back to the apartment and Max asked Liz if she would like a cup of tea or anything and she told him she didn’t think so. It had been a long day and she would just like to go to bed if he didn’t mind. He of course told her he didn’t mind at all and with that they turned off all of the lights and crawled in bed. They made love that night and Max tried his damnedest to make it extra special but Liz just wasn’t into it. ‘Just give it another day Max’ he kept telling himself as he pulled his little wife into the folds of his arms for a good nights sleep.

The following morning, Saturday, Maria was on the phone wanting to know how Liz liked her birthday dinner and Liz told her it was wonderful with a whole lot less enthusiasm than Marie was happy with but she kept her mouth shut much to the surprise of Michael and Max. Maria asked her if she would like to go out for breakfast and she said she still had to finish cleaning the apartment and then run and get some chores done. Maria was almost in tears by then and told Liz she needed to go and look at some dresses at the bridal shop and she would really appreciate some input. Liz finally broke down and agreed to go with her and Max told Liz to go and have a good time and he would finish the cleaning for her. She got herself up and showered and met Maria an hour later and they were off.

Michael came over to the apartment to see how things were going and Max said,

“Mike, I don’t think I have ever seen Liz this down, she thinks we’ve all gone off and ignored her on her birthday and it’s so hard not to tell her what’s going on.”

“I know man, but it’s just a few more hours. Maria will keep her busy until it’s time to get ready so just hang in there ok?”

“Yeah, I know, I will…but God, you should have seen her last night, trying to have a good time when her heart wasn’t in it. I really felt like a jerk, you know?”

“Ah Max, you’re too hard on yourself, Liz would never think that about you. Maybe the rest of us but not you.”

“I guess you’re right, tonight should take care of everything, don’t you think?”

“I don’t have to think man, I know!”

“Good. Now let’s get over to the house and make sure everything is getting all set up. I want this to be perfect.”

And so our young doctors went to the new house to check it out and when they walked in they were amazed. It looked like a big hotel instead of a home. Tom and his crew had worked wonders with the place. Downstairs was the game room and there were two poker tables, a craps table and a big screen TV set up along the back wall with the sports channel keyed in. Max and Michael both grinned at each other…

“This room is going to be something to furnish Max.”

“Boy, don’t you know it Michael!”

Back upstairs, in the entry was a portable coat check and a cute little sign pointing to the rest room. Max chuckled at this and then, the living room had been transformed into a cozy looking dining room with a fire ready to burn in the fireplace. In the smaller parlor on the other side of the hall was a dance floor setup with the DJ’s equipment in the corner. And then, through the French doors Tom had set up a beautiful buffet, about 20 feet long, down the middle of the room with a hot food station on one side and cold food on the other. Along the wall was a long table set up for desserts. It didn’t look like a home at all. Max was so glad that he asked the parents how to handle this and Tom was a genius.

“I guess we’re all good at what we choose to do for a living aren’t we Mike.”

“You know it man.”

“Are you and Maria going to use Tom for your wedding?”

“I think that’s what Maria has in mind. You know she wants to get married next door don’t you?”

“Yes. Do you have a date yet?”

“Well, we didn’t want to make any waves with this surprise, but as soon as Liz knows about this place then we can move on with our plans.”

“Oh Mike, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think about you guys when I planned this.”

“Hey, it’s ok Max…we are still in the planning stages and although Maria would like some input from Liz on some of the things she said that it’s our wedding and we should be making most of the plans.”

“She’s right about that. Although I don’t think I missed out on a whole lot by letting Liz take care of everything.”

“Max, Liz didn’t take care of everything. A whole lot of people stepped in and made your wedding the occasion that it was and it was beautiful.”

“Yes Michael, for as fast as it happened, it was special.”


*~*~*

Across town the two young women in the bridal shop were looking at some gorgeous wedding gowns when Liz spied a dress on one of the mannequins. She went over to have a look at it and Maria just smiled. Maria had been in yesterday and was nosing around when she came upon this gorgeous creation that she thought Liz would look darling in and she had the saleslady put it on the mannequin, Maria walked over to Liz and said…

“Why don’t you try it on Liz?”

“Oh, I don’t think so Ria, it’s beautiful but I have my dress that Isabelle designed and there isn’t another like it, I love it and I don’t get to wear it often enough let alone buying this one.”

“Well, the Christmas party will be coming up before too long and then it will be damned near impossible to find something. I want you to wear your Isabelle dress for my wedding so how about I get this one for you since you won’t be needing a new one for the wedding ceremony.”

“Oh, I don’t think so Maria; it will just be a waste of money.”

“Nonsense, I insist, you bought my dress for me and I love it now I want to do the same for you. Try it on Liz, come on…”

“Well, ok, if you insist.”

Liz went into the dressing room and when she came out she looked like a vision, the dress looked like it had been made for her. It was a classy black spaghetti strapped number in silk organza with a flowing chiffon overskirt that was attached to a belt that could be removed. It hugged every curve on her body, even with the overskirt and she looked radiant. Maria was overcome with awe of her friend and when Liz saw the dress in the mirror she got the first real smile on her face since yesterday morning.

Maria found a few wedding gowns that she liked but nothing rocked her world so they packed up Liz’s dress and headed for the mall. That was always fun. They could grab a quick lunch and then get their nails done. Liz was beginning to perk up and Maria was starting to feel better that her friend was starting to show some life. She just hoped she could convince her to put the damned dress on tonight.

When the girls got home they found that Max and Michael were MIA, wonder what those two are up to Maria thought. God, I hope the party planning is on schedule. Soon the two guys showed up and wanted to know if the girls would like to go out tonight. Maria looked at Michael and gave him a big smile and said sure, but she had to run an errand before they could go anywhere…


”Why don’t we take two cars and meet up later, how does that sound. I’ll get dressed before I leave and that way I can be on time.”

Max pulled Liz into him and gave her a kiss on the nose and asked her how that sounded…’say yes Liz’ he thought to himself.

“Sure, where do you want to go?”

“How about the Regency? They have a great dining room, a nice ball room and we can get a couple of rooms for the night and not worry about coming home after…just throw some jeans in an overnighter and a toothbrush.”

They all agreed and then Liz asked Maria what she was going to wear…and Maria told her she thought she might wear a new cocktail dress she bought the other day. Liz raised her eyebrow and Maria said…

“Oh, I forgot to show it to you…wanna see it now?”

“Nah, I’ll see it later.”

“Oh Liz, wear your new dress, ok?”

“Are you sure it’s not too dressy?”

“Are you kidding, it will be perfect…and throw on those diamonds you have stashed away.”

“Ok, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure Liz, trust me.”

“Fine, diamonds it is.” And with that the friends bid each other so long until seven at the Regency.

*~*~*

“Max, are you going to make the reservations?” Liz asked and Max thought really quickly and said

“Sure honey, right now.” So Max grabbed the phone book and looked up the number of the Regency and called Michael. When he told Michael that he would like to reserve connecting rooms for this evening Michael picked up on it immediately and went along with the program and started to make jokes back at Max and Max was ready to crawl through the phone and strangle him. It was bad enough trying to maintain a professional demeanor over the phone while your wife is listening to you lie but to have your friend make jokes on the other end about kennels and puppies while you’re doing it made it twice as bad. Finally he hung up and told Liz everything was taken care of and she headed for the shower.

“Need some help in there?”

“You bet, come on.”

And soon Max and Liz were up to their usual shower games, it was a good thing they decided to shower early. When they finished with their showers Liz proceeded to dry her hair and Max pulled his razor out of the drawer…he usually shaved before showering but he had an offer he just couldn’t refuse. Liz looked at her husband standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist and nothing else on and she started to get heated up all over again…Max looked over at her and caught her checking him out and gave her a shy little wink over the white shaving cream and she just stood there and licked her lips and smiled back at him. So Max rinsed his face off, Liz turned the hairdryer off and soon they were in bed and all over each other once again. When they finished making love for the second time in the past hour they headed back to the bathroom and Max thought, ‘if this keeps up they may not make it to their own party’, but they finally managed to get themselves ready and Max was blown away with how beautiful Liz looked. She piled her hair on top of her head in a loose French roll and put the diamond ear rings on that her parents had given her for her sixteenth birthday, one carat princess studs, very elegant in their simplicity and she looked beautiful. She took Max’s breath away. He stood back and looked at her for so long that she started to blush. “Let’s call Mike and Maria and tell them we’re staying home.”

“Stop it Max, you’re making me uncomfortable, no, you know we can’t do that!”

“God Liz…I just want to ravish you.”

“Well, you can ravish me all you want later, we have to go now.” And with that they left the apartment to head on over to the house. Max had the deed to the property in his breast pocket and still wasn’t sure how he would handle this so he would just have to play it by ear.

When they headed down the off ramp to the older section of town Liz asked Max where he was going and he told her he had to do something before they headed to the Regency. Liz cocked her head in his direction and wondered what in the hell was he thinking. They were going to be late, and even though Maria was always late Liz didn’t like to be.

Soon they pulled up in front of the yellow house Liz noticed it was all lit up and had curtains on the windows…she looked at Max with a bit of a disappointment in her eyes but said nothing. ‘It was sold,’ was the only thing going through her mind. Max got out of the car and went around and opened her door and she looked at him with a questioning look on her face and he just smiled at her and took her hand.

“Come on Liz…’Welcome Home’.” He said with an uncertain smile on his face

Liz looked at Max very puzzled and then the wheels started turning…no, it can’t be, can it?

“Come on Liz.” And he took her hand in his and she got out of the car without ever taking her eyes off this beautiful man.

“Max, what’s going on?” She asked…they were the only words she could get out of her mouth.

“Happy Birthday Liz…do you like it?”

“What? Max? Like what? The house? Of course I like the house, I love the house but why are we here?” She still wasn’t sure what Max was trying to tell her.

“This is your birthday present baby…is that okay?”

“Oh…My…God…for real!?!” and she jumped into Max’s arms and kissed him all over his face. Max just stood there hanging on to her hoping they didn’t both fall onto the sidewalk.

“Yes baby, for real. Now let’s go look it over, shall we.”

And when they walked in the front door everyone yelled surprise and Liz started to cry…she just couldn’t believe this was happening…it was all too much. She looked around and saw the entire family, her friends and Michael and Maria at the top of the stairs smiling down on her. She turned her head into Max’s shoulder and cried like a baby. Again, Max whispered into her ear…”if you don’t stop Liz I will have to tickle you…” and she started to giggle, he always did that.

Soon she was over the initial shock of everything and the party was in full swing. She danced with everyone, ate, drank, played cards, shot pool (one of her favorites) and had a wonderful birthday.

She snuck up the backstairs when no one was looking and roamed through her house and envisioned the rooms full of happy children. There would be no only child in this home; it would be filled with children and love. Not that she didn’t have a happy childhood but large families were wonderful. Soon Max found her and put his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.

“Happy?”

“Oh God yes Max…beyond imagination.”

“What were you thinking when I came in?”

“I was thinking how happy our home is going to be when it’s filled with children.”

“That sounds wonderful, and as soon as your “parole” is up we will start working on that.”

“I can hardly wait. Just a few more months and then Michael said I should be safe and ready to go.”

“Good, now I have a smaller birthday surprise for you.”

“Oh God Max, this is enough, honest.”

“Oh, this didn’t cost a dime, honest Liz. Michael and Maria bought the house next door.”

Liz let out a squeal that would have awakened the dead. She jumped into Max’s arms and hugged him so hard he just knew he was going to drop them both. Some of the people downstairs heard her and Michael and Maria nodded to each other. People around them wanted to know what was going on and Maria said that Max must have given her the other news.

Fowler said, “What other news?”

“Oh, just that Michael and I bought the place next door. Max’s mom said we are joined at the hip and I think she’s right…and after that squeal we just heard I’m pretty sure she’s right.” Everyone laughed at her statement, including Diane who knew it to be true.

When Max and Liz came back downstairs Father O’Brien asked Liz what she was going to do with a house this big and she told him she was going to fill it up with babies. Max just stood back and smiled at her…she was ecstatic. Father laughed at her answer and asked her how many babies did she want and she said

“As many as God gives me and I hope he’s a generous God. My relatives are going to hate to see us come to their homes, we’ll have to buy a bus to transport us Father. Isn’t that right Max?”

She had everyone in stitches at her antics and Max was so happy that it didn’t bother her that she was center stage.

Max wrapped his arm around her waist and she looked up into those honey colored eyes of his and gave him one of the biggest smiles he had ever seen. He bent over and kissed her on the nose and said,” That’s right honey, just as many as you want.”

The old priest stood there looking down at this petite woman with the beautiful smile and her handsome husband and he believed every word she said.

To say the party was a success was an understatement, it was a wonderful evening for everyone. The food was absolutely delicious and the evening’s entertainment was extremely successful.

All of the grandparents were thrilled with the way Max and Liz were moving forward with their lives and they were very impressed with the choices they were making. They all wondered about the ‘babies’ statement though, if Liz meant what she said or not? They would have to ask Nancy and Diane if they thought she was serious. Of course if they would have asked Claudia she would have told them that it wasn’t a joke…she meant every word of it. Had it not been for Max Liz would have had a very lonely childhood and although Liz wasn’t completely aware of the need for a large family a lot of it stemmed from her own childhood.

It was after 2:00 a.m. before the last of the guests left the party and Tom and his crew asked Max if it would be alright to come back tomorrow to clean all of this up. Max assured him it would be fine and he gave him his house key. He told Tom to leave it on the kitchen counter when they were finished and he and Liz would get it later. He showed Tom where the freezer in the kitchen was to put the leftovers in and showed him the containers Isabelle and Maria had put in the cupboards for them. Tom thanked him and told him that he had done many parties in his time but this had to be one of the best he ever catered. Everything was wonderful and he thought the house was beautiful. Max and Liz both thanked him and assured him that they were going to be very happy here. Tom told them he had no doubts about that and then Max and Liz headed home for a good nights rest.

After they got into bed Max pulled Liz into his arms and cuddled her to him…and Liz said,

“Max, when can we move in?”

“Tomorrow if you want to Liz. It’s ours.”

“Oh, so if I start packing now we can leave in the morning?”

“Liz, you’re kidding right?”

And Liz started giggling, she almost lost complete control of herself she was so overcome with happiness…Max just held onto her and let her get it out of her system. When she finally calmed down he figured he’d better get her mind off things or she would be up thinking about it all night so he started moving his arms around her and turned her into him and started loving her as though it was their first time. She moaned and slid right into the mood and made her husband one of the happiest men alive. Turnabout is fair play, right?

*~*~*

It was a few weeks later when Max and Liz had finally moved completely into the new home. Their bedroom, the smaller one across the hall and the parlor were the only rooms that were furnished so far and Max was right about the ‘behemoth’ refrigerator…they could have put two into the kitchen and been safe. Liz told him that their next refrigerator would be one of those industrial things that would fill the space perfectly…in the meantime it was a good place for her to store the small ladder she needed to reach the top shelves in the cupboards. Max just laughed at her, God how he loved her.

Their bedroom looked beautiful with the new furniture and when Liz hung the panels along each side and a scarf to match across the top of the bed it looked positively elegant. She purchased fabric to make a valance for the windows and matching throw pillows for the bed. The panels under the valances on the windows matched the panels on the bed so everything matched. She put grandma’s rocking chair in the corner with the candle table next to it with a skirt to cover it in coordinating fabric to match the valance and pillows. She and Max had purchased a beautiful love seat to put in front of the fireplace with a library table in back of it to set a lamp on. The overall effect was beautiful. Max was so proud of her.

She was so careful not to make the room look too feminine even though Max told her that whatever she did he would like it but she made sure the fabrics and furniture placements were to his liking as well.

They positioned the armoire so that it faced their bed and they continued to use it as an entertainment center. They had no television downstairs except for Liz’s old TV which they put in the kitchen on one of the counters. They were in no hurry to furnish the rest of the house; they could wait until they saw something that they really wanted…there was no need to rush into anything.

Occasionally they would go window shopping after Mass, sometimes with Maria and Michael and sometimes alone, but all in all they were content with things the way they were. They were extremely happy and thanked God everyday for their blessings. Life was really wonderful in their eyes and as soon as Liz got the ok from Michael they would start on a family, God willing it wouldn’t be long before they started filling the house with children.


*~*~*