Roswell Fanatics

47

Maria stretched and rolled over, her eyes slowly focusing. Kyle’s room. Why was she in Kyle’s room? Her arm brushed against the body beside her, and she shot up. Michael. Michael was fast asleep on the blanket beside her, and she remembered.

Straightening her blouse, Maria got to her feet and leaned over Michael, brushing his hair off his forehead. He must have fallen asleep right along with her. She padded out into the hallway, the smell of fresh coffee leading her past a sleeping Kyle and Serena and into the kitchen.

“Morning Sheriff,” she offered, her voice still scratchy from sleep.

Jim looked up from the table, his hands wrapped around a mug. “Maria, good morning. Did you and Michael sleep okay?”

Maria blushed a little. “Yeah. We were both out as soon as we hit the pillow,” she said. The last thing she wanted was Jim – or Kyle or her mother, for that matter – thinking there was any hanky-panky going on in Kyle’s bed. Gross.

Jim smiled. “Same here. I didn’t get back till almost two.”

“Wow.” Maria paused. “How did things go at the station?”

“It was interesting, to say the least,” Jim answered with a dry chuckle. “Paul Faulkner is some piece of work.”

“Do you think…is he gonna say anything?”

Taking a swig of coffee, Jim rolled his eyes. “Oh, he said plenty. No one believed him, of course. He broke into the Sheriff’s house. It’s my word against his.”

“Yeah, but aren’t they still a little wary of what you…I mean, after what happened a few years ago, when you got…” Maria trailed off, embarrassed.

“What, fired?” Jim chuckled again. “You’re right, I thought about that, too. But the good thing about my dad’s UFO obsession is that no one was surprised his things would be at my house. It makes sense Faulkner would look for them here after he died. I don’t have to cover that up. Anything else is hearsay, but…as far as I’m concerned, Faulkner is gonna be locked up for a long time.”

Maria nodded thoughtfully. “I hope you’re right.”

Jim leaned closer. “Look. There are no guarantees. Never have been. But we’ve got to do whatever we can to keep them safe. All of us.” He paused. “That’s exactly what I told your mom this morning.”

“How’s she doing?” Maria asked. She knew if anyone could reassure her mother, it would be Jim.

“Remember how you felt when you found out?”

Maria nodded vigorously.

“I’d say about as well as any of us did. But…she’s concerned about you, Maria.”

“About me? Why?”

“Because you’ve kept this secret for so long.” Jim paused. “I shouldn’t be talking about this, it’s really between you and Amy.”

“What’s that?” Amy appeared in the doorway then, wrapped in Jim’s robe.

“Morning,” Jim smiled, getting to his feet and pouring Amy a cup of coffee. “How did you sleep?” he asked, kissing her cheek as he handed her the mug.

“Okay,” Amy offered hesitantly. “Morning, Maria.”

“Hey Mom.” Maria turned around and gave her mother a small smile. This was going to be interesting.

*****

“Are you sure you don’t mind picking up Jaycee?” Serena asked again as Kyle drove her car through downtown Roswell.

“Serena, it’s completely fine,” Kyle reassured, glancing over at her. “You need to rest. I’m taking you home and then I’ll go get her. No more arguing.”

Serena smiled at Kyle’s final tone and leaned back against the seat. “What a night, huh?”

Kyle nodded, his eyes again trained to the road. “How are you feeling?”

“Uh…well, still pretty much in shock, I think.” She paused. “Kyle, you aren’t…you aren’t one of them, are you?”

“One of them?”

“Yeah.” Serena shifted. “An…an alien.” She smiled ruefully. “It just sounds so strange to say. Like something that would come from Jaycee’s imagination.”

“I’d have to agree,” Kyle said with a chuckle. “And no, to my knowledge I wasn’t hatched out of a pod.” Seeing the strange look cross Serena’s face, he chuckled again. “Oh, you haven’t heard the half of it.”

Upon dropping Serena off at her house, Kyle headed the few blocks to Carol’s house. He pulled into the driveway, realizing he had no good explanation as to why he was picking up Jaycee. Taking a deep breath, Kyle made his way up to the house.

“Oh…Kyle, hello,” Carol greeted, pulling the front door open. “I wasn’t expecting you. How’ve you been, dear?”

“I’m alright,” Kyle answered, shifting his weight. “I’m picking up Jaycee for Serena.”

Carol nodded. “Well okay. Jaycee, honey, time to go home!” she called, turning into the house. “Come on in.”

Kyle watched as Jaycee bounded down the hall, pausing when she saw him. “Hi Jaycee.”

“Hey Kyle. Where’s my mommy?”

“She wasn’t feeling very well, so I told her I’d come pick you up. Is that okay?”

Jaycee shrugged, lugging her bookbag onto her back. “Is she gonna feel better when I get home?”

Kyle and Carol exchanged a smile. “I think you’re just what she needs,” he said.

After settling Jaycee into her carseat in the backseat, Kyle hopped behind the wheel.

“Are you sad, Kyle?” Jaycee asked suddenly.

Kyle glanced into the rearview mirror. “Do I look sad?”

Jaycee shrugged, kicking her heels against her seat. “Mommy said your grampy died. I was sad when my grampy died.”

“Oh.” Kyle paused. “Well, yeah, I am sad my grandpa died.”

“Did you grampy tell you stories?” Jaycee inquired.

“Uh…yeah. Yeah, I guess he did,” Kyle answered thoughtfully.

Jaycee grinned. “Grampies tell good stories, don’t they?”

Kyle couldn’t help matching Jaycee’s infectious smile, but as he glanced in the mirror, he saw her face grow serious.

“Did you know it’s okay to cry when you’re sad? Mommy said it was okay for me to cry when Grampy died. She doesn’t like me to cry when it’s time for my bath or to go to bed, but she said it’s okay to cry when your heart hurts.”

“Your mommy is right,” Kyle agreed quietly. Again he thanked whatever god was up there that Max was able to save this little girl’s mother – the woman he loved.

Upon arriving at the house, Jaycee scrambled out of her carseat and up the front walk. “Mommy?” she called, bursting into the house. “Mommy, is me!”

“I’m in here, Jay,” Serena called from the living room.

Kyle followed Jaycee as she scurried to her mother, throwing herself into her arms.

“Do you feel better now?” she asked sweetly.

“Much better now that you’re here,” Serena said, smoothing Jaycee’s hair off her forehead.

“That’s what Kyle said you’d say!” Jaycee giggled, burying her face in her mother’s neck.

Serena’s eyes met Kyle’s over Jaycee’s head, her eyes shimmering with tears. Kyle smiled and slowly backed toward the door. “I’m gonna get going-“

“No Kyle, stay and play!” Jaycee protested, turning to him. “I got Professor Bear for my birthday and we can play it on the computer.”

“Professor Bear, huh?” Kyle teased. “I don’t know how I can turn that down.” He and Serena shared another look as Jaycee grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room.

*****

“Isabel, don’t be so closed-minded. It’s been days since you saw her.”

Turning to Michael with a glare, Isabel propped her elbows on the counter. “I don’t understand how you can all just trust her so effortlessly.”

“I think it has something to do with the fact that she didn’t rat anyone out after Max did…what he did to her,” Maria supplied, handing Isabel another Coke.

“It’s been less than a week,” Isabel pointed out. “Michael, you of all people should understand how I feel.”

Michael considered this. “I guess,” he answered slowly, feeling Maria’s eyes boring into him. “I just…I think we can trust her. And Amy,” he added quickly.

Maria leaned over the counter. “My mom’s still too confused to freak out about it. Not that she will freak out, of course, but…” She trailed off. “At least she’s acting halfway normal around Michael now. She even invited him over for dinner this weekend.”

“Well that’s fantastic,” Isabel said dryly. “But it’s not your mom I’m worried about.”

“We’re back,” Liz announced, appearing from the back room with Evan balanced on her hip. He was sucking contentedly on a bottle, and Liz smiled. “I think someone’s feeling much better now.”

Isabel reached for her son. “Come here, sweetie,” she said, kissing the top of his head. “Thanks, Liz, I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Liz answered, bracing her hands in the small of her back. “What’d I miss?”

“Nothing,” Maria answered quickly, casting glances at Isabel and Michael, who was turning back to the grill. “How’s your back?”

“It’s been better,” Liz answered honestly, arching a little. “But don’t tell Max, or he’ll make me quit before Saturday.”

“Don’t push yourself, Liz,” Isabel said, balancing Evan on her lap.

Liz made a face. “I’m fine,” she assured. “Not having classes this week has been a huge help. There’s no way Max would be letting me do both.”

Isabel chuckled, knowing how true that was. Liz had just entered her third trimester, and if Max hadn’t been hovering before, he was going to be a regular bodyguard before long.

*****

Max strode cheerfully down the hall, his backpack slung over his shoulder. As he opened the door and went inside, he couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. The sounds of Wang Chung floated through the apartment. Liz was listening to 80’s music again.

Dropping his backpack to the floor, he noticed the low roar of the vacuum coming from the back of the apartment. Max shook his head, but his grin remained. He should have known – Liz may not be working, but there was no way she’d just sit around doing nothing.

As he headed down the hall, a new song began and Liz’s voice rose up over the sound of the vacuum. He peered into the nearly empty room that would soon be their baby’s nursery.

“I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I’m sure,” Liz sang along with the old Katrina and the Waves song as she pushed the vacuum back and forth. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, round belly poking out from under her snug T-shirt – and Max thought she looked gorgeous.

It was then that Liz glanced up and noticed him in the doorway. With a smile, she switched off the vacuum. “Hey you,” she said, brushing a strand of hair off her face. “How was the first day back?”

“Mind numbing,” Max grinned, reaching over to turn off the CD player.

“No, wait!” Liz hurried over and slapped his hand away. “We’re listening to that.”

Max arched an eyebrow. “We?”

“I told you before,” Liz reminded. “It seems our daughter has a penchant for 80’s music.”

Shaking his head, Max pulled Liz closer and rubbed his hand over her belly. “Silly girl.”

“Hey, I seem to recall someone with a thing for Adam Ant,” Liz giggled, leaning her forehead against Max’s.

“Classic rock,” Max defended, sliding his hands to her sides and swaying them back and forth.

Liz rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say,” she began, pausing at the movement in her womb.

Max felt the kick beneath his hands and beamed. “You like to dance with Daddy, don’t you, Peanut?”

“What am I, chopped liver?” Liz asked with mock indignation. She squealed as Max spun her out from his body and then pulled her back. “You’re perfect,” he corrected, pecking the tip of her nose as he continued to swing them around the room.

“I’m walking on sunshine,” Liz sang along, her giggles echoing over the music as they danced. The sounds made Max’s heart soar, and as cheesy as it sounded, that’s how he felt. He was walking on sunshine.

Before long, they were both singing along and dancing around the small bedroom, collapsing with laughter in each other’s arms when the song came to an end.

“I maintain she gets her thing for 80’s music from you,” Liz giggled, draping her arms over Max’s shoulders as the next song began. “Sing for us some more?”

Max groaned. “No. Absolutely not,” he said, reaching out to fiddle with the CD player.

“Why not?” Liz pouted.

“Because I am not going to sing along to ‘Jesse’s Girl,’” he responded. “It creeps me out.”

Liz burst out laughing again as Max snapped his fingers to begin a new song. Her eyes sparkled, recognizing it immediately. “Smooth.”

Max grinned smugly, pulling her close to him. “Baby, I’m hot just like an oven…I need some lovin,” he sang along, his voice a low murmur in her ear.

She couldn’t help the delicious shiver that ran down her spine as he swayed them back and forth, his body pressing against her.

“I can tell you darling, that it’s sexual healing…Let’s make love tonight…”

The sound of Max’s husky voice vibrating in her ear was doing things to her…and when he pulled away slightly to look into her eyes, her knees went weak. But rather than give in right then, Liz stared back into his darkened eyes and pressed closer.

Max let out a soft groan as her nails grazed over his back. The growing bulge in his jeans brushed the underside of Liz’s belly, and his hands tightened on her hips. Their bodies swayed to the sultry rhythm, slowly igniting the fire in their blood. Liz’s hands wandered past his waist and dropped to his butt, caressing him through his jeans.

“Liz…” Max hissed, his eyes drifting closed. His own hands began a descent to the small of her back, gently massaging her sore muscles.

Liz sighed at the feel of his strong hands on her, slowly drifting to her backside. But the moment she felt him squeeze the soft flesh, her eyes widened and she pushed him away.

Max’s eyes popped open in surprise. “Wha-?”

“You think my butt is fat, don’t you?” Liz accused, her eyes flashing.

“I do?” Max stared at his wife in bewilderment. What just happened?

“You just squeezed my fat!”

He raised his hands innocently. “You don’t have any fat there,” he told her.

“Oh, but I have it in other places?” Liz demanded, her hands planted on her hips.

“That’s not what I meant,” Max tried desperately. “Liz, the only thing that’s gotten, uh, a little bigger is your stomach.” He paused, seeing her skeptical face. “And…well, and these,” he added, gesturing to her breasts.

Liz studied him for a moment, her face finally softening. “Really?” she asked coyly. “You don’t think I’m fat?”

“You’re pregnant, Liz, not fat,” he assured, pulling her to him and closing his eyes in relief. “And you’re absolutely gorgeous.”

“You mean it?”

“I think you could feel it,” Max chuckled, his breath catching as her hand found his rapidly softening manhood.

Her smile reappeared as she moved her hand over him. “I’m sorry I ruined the mood.”

Max merely grinned and leaned in for a kiss. “I think that can be fixed.”

*****

Isabel had just finished laying Evan in his crib for his afternoon nap when the doorbell rang. “Shit,” she muttered under her breath, peering inside at her son. He shifted slightly in his sleep, but didn’t awaken.

She moved quietly out of the room and down the hall, pulling open the front door before whoever was there could ring the bell again.

“Hi Isabel.”

Isabel couldn’t help the look of shock that crossed her face. “What are you doing here?”

*****

“Max,” Liz moaned, her breath coming in ragged gasps as his fingers stroked her silky walls.

With one hand, Max brushed her damp hair off her face. The other worked busily between her legs as he sat beside her on their bed. “Come for me, babe,” he whispered huskily.

Liz arched her back when he pinched her clit, and the pressure combined with his words sent her sailing over the edge.

When she ceased pulsing around her fingers, Max slowly withdrew and settled onto his side. He caressed her bare sides and belly, waiting for her to come back to him. “How’re you feeling, baby?” he asked when she turned her head toward him.

A large grin spread over Liz’s flushed face, and she leaned over to capture his lips in a deep kiss. “Does that answer your question?” she asked when she pulled away.

Max nodded, his breath quickening as Liz’s eyes raked over his nude body. “Hmm,” she murmured thoughtfully, her gaze settling on his hardness.

“Hmm?” he repeated with a smile. His grin froze when she reached out and gave him a firm tug. “Liz…” he hissed.

“Just as I thought,” Liz announced, pushing herself up into a sitting position.

“Liz? Wha-“ Max trailed off as he watched Liz straddle his body. She sat on the tops of his thighs, reaching again for his erection. “Oh…god,” he managed as she took his pulsing flesh in her hands and began to stroke him.

“I think he was feeling ignored,” Liz stated matter-of-factly, her hand gathering speed.

Max pushed himself up on his elbows, watching Liz busily at work. “Not anymore,” he gasped, his head rolling back as Liz’s tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth.

Liz smiled down at her husband, shifting slightly on his lap and slowing her movements. “Wanna help?” she asked, her voice husky.

He stared back at her questioningly. “Do I want to-?”

Leaning forward as far as her stomach would allow, Liz whispered, “It makes me really hot when you touch yourself.”

Max thought he might explode right then, but managed a nod as he unclenched his fists from the sheets. His hands slid to her thighs, rising slowly up over the bulge of her belly and settling there for a minute before moving to cover her hand.

Liz let out a soft moan as he squeezed his hand over hers, setting a faster pace. She ground her sex against his thigh, trying to quench the fire burning between her legs. His free hand slid up her body, cupping first one, then the other swollen breast, and teasing her nipples into stiff peaks.

“Mmm…Liz…Liz, I’m so close,” he moaned. Both hands flew to her hips, lifting and settling her onto his manhood.

Liz sank over him with a strangled cry, her body accepting his thrusts as they raced toward completion. Their hands met, fingers linking on his chest as he jerked inside of her and spilled his seed.

“Oh god…Liz,” Max breathed, struggling to sit up. He pulled her against his chest, smoothing her hair and planting kisses on her forehead. He couldn’t get the image of their daughter, spinning in a circle, her dark hair flowing around her precious face, out of his mind.

Her giggle muffled against his warm chest, Liz said, “I bet she was listening to The Bangles.”

48

“What can I do for you?” Isabel asked coolly.

Serena shifted in the doorway. “I was wondering if I could talk to you.”

Isabel reluctantly moved aside and gestured for Serena to come in. She supposed it was better to be polite than to push Serena to tell of what she knew, and she tried to keep in mind what Max had said about Serena being a friend. Not just to Kyle, but to all of them. Then again, she’d barely even spoken to Kyle in two weeks. He didn’t seem interested, and she hadn’t yet managed to swallow her pride.

“The baby’s sleeping,” Isabel explained as she led Serena to the kitchen. “Uh, can I get you anything?”

“Water would be fine,” Serena answered, taking a seat at the table. “Look, Isabel, I didn’t come here to make trouble. I guess I’m just trying to figure out what you’ve got against me.”

Isabel slowly turned and set a glass of water on the table. “What makes you think I-“

“I’m not stupid,” Serena interrupted. “I know you don’t like me. But you used to. Until Evan was born, and I started spending time with Kyle.”

“You were on to us,” Isabel answered quietly. “I didn’t want you getting too close to Kyle and finding out.”

“But I did,” Serena pointed out. “I did, and it hasn’t changed anything.”

“Of course it has,” Isabel shot back. “You have no reason not to turn us in if something goes wrong. And then all of us – the aliens and the humans – and my son…we’re all as good as dead. And you know what? It’s one thing if I get found out. I’ve lived with that possibility my whole life. But Jesse and Evan…they’re innocent. Evan didn’t ask for any of this. And not a day goes by that I don’t ask myself if I’m just being selfish for wanting a family. But they are my family, Serena, and I love them. I won’t let anything happen to them.” By the time Isabel had finished, her eyes had filled with tears.

“And neither will I, if I can help it,” Serena whispered, reaching over and touching Isabel’s trembling shoulder. “Isabel, I was there when Evan was born. I risked my job to make sure his blood was safe, and I didn’t even know why. I don’t know what you’re scared of, but it shouldn’t be me.”

Isabel sniffled, thinking about this. “I don’t know exactly what I’m scared of, either,” she admitted finally. “I just…I have a very hard time trusting people. Jesse…he’s loved me unconditionally, throughout all of this. I chose to tell him, even though I struggled with other people knowing at first, like Liz and Maria. It seems like so many of the people that get involved get hurt, or…or worse.”

“Alex,” Serena murmured. “Kyle’s talked a lot about him.”

Isabel nodded silently, the tears dancing on her lashes. “He was amazing. Such a good person. He didn’t deserve what…” she trailed off. “Anyway, I think…I think I’m as scared for you as I am for us. Does that make sense?”

Serena thought about this. “It does,” she answered slowly. “But I wouldn’t put myself or my daughter in a situation that I thought would be harmful. I don’t see Kyle as a threat, and I’m not afraid of you either. Max saved my life. How could I fear any of you?”

Isabel took a deep breath. “I know it may be asking a lot, but I hope you can forgive me,” she said quietly. “I was only looking out for the people I love.”

A gentle smile crossed Serena’s face. “So was I.”

*****

“Max, don’t get mad at me.”

Max paused, fork mid-air. “Mad at you? About what?”

Liz smiled sweetly, dunking a bite of chicken in Tabasco sauce and popping it into her mouth before continuing. “I know you want me to stay off my feet and get plenty of rest until the baby comes, but…I’m going crazy. I can’t just come home after class and do nothing.”

“Liz-“

“Wait, wait, so I talked to my dad. And he feels the same way you do. But he said I could take a temporary office position, just basic organization and financing for a couple months. It’s stuff that needs to get done anyway, but it’ll help the Café and it’ll give me something to do a few afternoons a week.”

Max sighed, gazing at his wife’s hopeful face across the table. “Liz…I just don’t want you to push yourself. I mean, you’re taking eleven credit hours, and-“

“But Max, I feel great. Please, just trust me, okay?” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “You know I’ll take care of myself and our baby.”

“Of course I know that,” Max murmured. “And you know I trust you.” He paused, stroking her hand. “If you want to do this, I’m behind you.”

Liz smiled brightly. “Thank you, baby. I’m starting tomorrow.”

*****

“So did you hear?”

Liz turned from the desk in her father’s office to see Michael standing in the doorway. “Hear what?”

“Isabel and Serena were in together for lunch this afternoon.”

Liz made a face. “Michael, grow up. Neither of them swing that way-“

“Whoa, whoa,” Michael held up his hands. “Give me a little credit, okay? That’s not what I was implying.”

“Oh.” Liz chuckled, leaning back in the office chair to stretch her muscles. “So it’s true, then? The Ice Princess has thawed for yet another human?”

“Looks like it,” Michael grinned, remembering Maria’s high school nickname for Isabel. “Wonder what made her come around?”

“Maybe she just got tired of keep up her guard,” Liz said, shuffling through a stack of papers on the desk.

Michael nodded. “How’s the job coming?”

“Did Max ask you to check up on me?” she asked suspiciously.

“No.” Not this time, he thought wryly. “I’m just asking.”

Liz shrugged. “It’s keeping me busy. It’s definitely obvious we’ve never had an office manager before. Dad and Mom have so many other things demanding their time that it’s…oh.”

“What?” Michael eyed Liz cautiously as she abruptly got to her feet.

“I gotta pee,” Liz explained, her hands fanning out over her belly. “Sometimes when she moves around a lot she ends up right on my bladder. You’re running out of space, aren’t you?” she added, smiling down at the bulge.

Michael studied Liz’s stomach. “The baby’s moving right now?” he asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

“Uh huh.” Liz looked up at him with a grin. “Do you want to feel?”

“Um, I don’t know if I-“

But Liz grabbed his large hand and placed it on her abdomen just in time for the baby to give a strong kick.

“Whoa!” Michael yanked his hand away like he’d been burned.

“She won’t bite,” Liz assured gently. “Doesn’t it feel neat?”

Michael hesitantly replaced his hand, his eyes widening as he felt the baby squirm beneath the fabric of Liz’s top. “That’s…wow.”

Liz smiled. “That was pretty much Max’s reaction, too.” She paused as the baby shifted again, and her eyes widened. “Okay, now I really gotta go.”

Watching as Liz dashed toward the bathroom, Michael suddenly noticed Maria in the kitchen doorway. “Oh…hey,” he offered gruffly.

Maria’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, knowing Michael’s masculinity felt humbled. She waltzed over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning up to peck his lips. “My adorably sensitive Spaceboy.”

*****

“Max? Are you home?” Liz closed the apartment door behind her, kicking off her shoes. She heard a clatter and then the sound of Max cursing, and she smiled to herself. What was he up to now?

She followed the sound down the hall, pausing in the doorway of the spare bedroom. “Oh my god, Max.” Her eyes widened. “You got the crib up!”

Max glanced up from where he sat on the floor, several white wooden pieces and tools scattered around him. “Kind of,” he grumbled. “This one stupid piece won’t stay in place.”

Liz cocked an eyebrow. “To tell you the truth, I’m surprised you went to all this trouble. I figured you’d just wave your hand and it’d be done.”

Max shrugged. “Yeah, well…what better way to spend a Saturday.” He paused then, blushing a little. “I don’t know, I guess I just wanted to do this for her…”

And then she understood. Max wanted to put his daughter’s crib together just like any other dad. “I’m sure she’d appreciate the effort,” Liz said gently, rubbing her hand over her belly. “But I think we’d all appreciate a crib that doesn’t fall apart.”

Max stuck his tongue out, but got to his feet. “I guess.” He sighed, raising his hand to the partially assembled crib, and before their eyes it fused together.

“Beautiful,” Liz complimented, kissing Max’s cheek as he settled his arms around her.

“How was work?” Max asked, his fingers caressing her back.

“The usual,” she answered. “Lots of alphabetizing and filing.”

“Sounds stimulating,” he winked. “Oh, speaking of that, I got something.”

“Something…stimulating?” Liz repeated, watching as Max reached into the bedroom closet.

“I bought it today,” he explained, holding up a blue and yellow mobile. “The lady at the store said the shapes stimulate a baby’s eyesight.”

Liz sighed. “Oh, Max.”

“I mean, I know we haven’t really decided on a theme for the nursery yet,” he said quickly. “I just…I really liked the moon and stars. But if you don’t, it’s okay-“

“Max.” Liz silenced him with a finger to his lips, slowly shaking her head. “I love it. It’s perfect for our baby’s nursery.”

His eyes lit up, and he carefully placed the mobile in the empty crib as he noticed Liz sniffling. “Liz? Are you crying?”

“No,” she sniffled, swiping at her eyes.

“Yes you are,” Max argued, taking her in his arms. “I didn’t mean for you to cry-“

Liz shook her head, burying her face in his neck. “No, it’s just…I just love you so much.”

Max kissed the top of his wife’s head. Hormones. “I love you too, baby.” He was silent for a moment before holding her out at arm’s length. “So does this mean we’ve decided on a theme?”

“I think so,” Liz confirmed with a watery smile. “I saw the cutest moon and star design in one of the parenting magazines. If I can find out where it’s from…”

Smiling to himself, Max watched as Liz gained her composure and went back to business, hurrying from the room mumbling something about ‘lots of shopping.’ He glanced down at the mobile and shook his head. What had he gotten himself into?

49

“Oh! Look at this!”

Max hurried after his wife, wading through a sea of baby furniture. Liz had snagged him that morning, informing him that they were going to Baby World and they weren’t coming home until they had everything they needed. And apparently “everything” included lampshades, because that was what Liz was currently exclaiming over.

“Isn’t this perfect?” Liz gestured to a pale blue lampshade with tiny yellow stars dangling from it. “It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen."

Interesting, considering she’d already said the exact same thing about a diaper bag, a monitor, and a set of outlet protectors. But Max, dutiful husband and expectant father that he was, smiled cheerfully and said, “It’s great, Liz. Let’s get it.”

Liz squealed, throwing her arms around Max for a moment before plunking the lampshade into their cart. “Come on, we’ve got to look at mattress pads. Oh! And bibs!”

Max had to smile, marveling at Liz’s enthusiasm as she took off again. She may have been almost eight months pregnant, but that certainly wasn’t stopping her determined trek through Baby Land. Baby World. Whatever. “Liz, honey, wait up!”

*****

“Hey Blondie, hook me up with some of that pink stuff.”

Maria glanced up at Michael, who was currently standing on a stepstool at the back of the Crashdown. “What, the crepe paper?”

“Yeah. Crepe paper, pink stuff, whatever.” He caught the roll in his hands and proceeded to twist and attach it with a little alien magic.

“Careful, Spaceboy,” Maria warned, eyeing the door to the back room as she hung another pink balloon. Liz’s parents were back there setting up food, and an alien encounter as the last thing they needed to deal with on the day of Liz’s baby shower.

“Cake’s here!” Jesse announced, appearing from the back with a bakery box in one arm and Evan in the other. “Where should I put it?”

“That booth over there,” Isabel instructed, following just behind them. “Then make sure all the paper plates and utensils are out. Oh, and the cups, get those from the back.”

Jesse mock saluted, turning from the booth and settling Evan in his portable crib. “Okay, big guy, you gotta entertain yourself so we get Aunt Liz’s party ready in time.”

“So your Nazi Mommy doesn’t eat us all,” Michael cooed to the little boy.

Evan merely grinned, flashing several new teeth as his mommy smacked Michael upside the head.

*****

“I think we need a boppy.”

Max stared blankly at his wife. A what? "A what?"

“A boppy,” Liz repeated firmly. “Isabel had one, and she really liked it.”

Wracking his brain, Max tried desperately to figure out exactly what the heck Liz was talking about. She’d probably told him before and he’d forgotten. And if that was the case, she’d be upset. And then she might cry. And that was the last thing he wanted, so he merely nodded. “Right. A boppy.”

“Hmm.” Liz studied a shelf of pillows, pondering them thoughtfully. “This one,” she decided, settling on a soft yellow one and placing it in the cart.

“Liz, we don’t need any more pillows,” Max spoke up carefully.

Liz gave him a look. “But this is a boppy.” She noted his confusion as he eyed the u-shaped pillow and explained, “They’re good support to lay the baby on when you’re nursing, and then later when the baby is learning to sit up.”

“Oh.” Max considered this. “I could probably make one of those, you know. Let’s just hold off on it for now, okay? If we need one, I’ll run right out and get it.”

Liz easily returned it, much to Max’s relief. “You’re the best,” she smiled, stretching up to kiss her husband’s cheek.

And it would probably best to get out of there before Liz decided otherwise. Max rubbed his hand along the small of her back and said, “What do you think? Enough shopping for the day?”

Studying the overflowing cart, Liz nodded slowly. “For now,” she decided.

“Well, let’s check out and get this stuff home so you can put your feet up.”

Liz made a face. “Fine. But we have to stop by the Crashdown on the way home. Dad needs me to pick up some numbers to work on for Monday.”

“He’s giving you extra work?” Max demanded. “On top of schoolwork, he wants you to-“

“Max, calm down,” Liz laughed. “It’s no big deal. We don’t have the right graphing program on the dinosaur at work, so I said I’d finish it on our computer. As if my dad would overwork me.”

Max had to smile at the absurdity of that thought. If there was anyone as protective of Liz as he was, it was Jeff Parker. And Max was developing a whole new respect for his father-in-law, now that he was about to become a father himself. He was surprised Jeff allowed him to date Liz as early as he did – heck, his daughter wouldn’t be dating until she was out of college. Then again, if she was as talented a sweet talker as her mother, he anticipated many nights waiting up for his little girl to get home.

But that, thankfully, was a long way into the future. They still had lots to do just in preparing for her arrival, as he was clearly reminded of when he whipped out his credit card to pay. It starts, he thought wryly.

*****

“Do you want to wait in the car?” Liz asked, easing her seatbelt off.

“Nah, I’ll come with you,” Max decided, removing the key from the ignition and climbing out of the car. He hurried around to help Liz out, adding, “It’s not because I don’t think you can do it yourself, I’m just in the mood for an Alien Blast.”

“Me too,” Liz shot back, squeezing his behind.

Max jumped, his eyes clouding with desire. “Is that so?”

“I guess you’ll see when we get home.” Liz’s dark eyes twinkled as they reached the front door and stepped inside.

“Surprise!”

Max and Liz froze as their family and close friends poured out of the booths and the back room, and then noticed the large “It’s a Girl!” banner hanging across the back.

“What’s going on here?” Max chuckled, wrapping his arm around Liz’s waist.

Maria bounded forward with a grin. “It’s your baby shower, silly! We had the Crashdown closed for a 'private party,'” she said, leading the surprised couple into the café.

“Do you remember Liz now?” Kyle asked Jaycee, who was perched in his lap as he sat at the counter with Serena. “She got you your sundae the first time we brought you here.”

“Oh yeah,” Jaycee chirped, the memory of that yummy sundae coming back to her. She studied Liz and Max thoughtfully. “Her tummy is very big now.”

Serena exchanged a look with Kyle, both praying Liz wouldn’t overhear Jaycee’s innocent comment and take it the wrong way. “That’s because the baby in her tummy is going to be born soon,” she explained. “Like all the mommies and babies I work with. And that’s why we’re giving her a party.”

Jaycee considered this. “Yeah, but the baby doesn’t get to open any presents from in there.”

Kyle had to chuckle at this. “You’re right. But everything will be waiting for her when she gets here.”

“Maybe I could help open some of her presents since she can’t do it.”

Grinning down at the little girl, Kyle tickled her sides. “I bet Liz would like the help.”

“But I don’t think it’s time for presents just yet, Jay,” Serena added. “Patience, okay?”

“Okay,” Jaycee agreed. “Let’s just have some cake, then.”

Serena shook her head, smiling at her daughter. She glanced up just as Isabel passed. She returned Isabel’s tentative smile and asked, “Is there anything you need me to do?”

“Eat some food,” Isabel responded. “We’ve got a ton.”

Kyle needed no further invitation, as he was up off the stool with Jaycee before Isabel finished her sentence. Alone with Serena, she added sincerely, “I’m glad you came.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Serena answered. “Besides, Jaycee loves parties. And babies, for that matter.”

Isabel followed her gaze to Kyle and Jaycee, who were talking animatedly to little Evan in his crib. “I’m glad you both made it,” she repeated with a genuine smile.

“Time for games!” came Maria’s sudden announcement. She stood in the middle of the café, waving a baby bottle.

“Games?” Liz repeated, turning from where she and Max stood chatting with Diane. They went all out with this, didn’t they?”

“You have no idea,” Diane chuckled as Michael and Jeff emerged from the back room with two large soup pots full of water. Maria grinned, gesturing for them to set them on the floor. “This is a variation on the old favorite bobbing for apples that I like to call ‘Bobbing for Nipples.”

The party guests burst into laughter, while poor Max proceeded to turn a handsome shade of crimson. Liz squeezed his arm and couldn’t help whispering, “You should be a pro at this one, baby.”

“Wait, wait, come on people. This is a baby shower, remember?” Maria continued. “We’ll have two teams, boys against girls, bobbing for nipples like this one,” she said, holding up the bottle again. “Each person will get ten seconds to retrieve as many as possible, and the team that gets the most nipples wins.”

It was a close race, particularly between a very competitive Jim and Amy, but in the end the men came out on top when Brody proved his nipple-retrieving skills against Nancy. Liz sat with Diane and Isabel, laughing hysterically at their friends.

Max eventually sidled over, rubbing a towel over his damp face, and kissed the top of Liz’s head. “Did I make you proud?”

“Definitely.” Liz grinned, leaning into him and murmuring, “We’ll have to practice our nipple retrieval again tonight.”

A sudden commotion from the back of the café interrupted their playfulness, as Jesse’s voice rang out, “Oh my god!” Max and Liz turned in time to see Isabel crane her neck and gasp before racing to her husband. Time seemed to run in slow motion as someone else gasped, “He’s not breathing.”

Max’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening. His nephew. There on the back counter lay baby Evan, his little face turning blue.

“He’s not breathing!” Jesse’s voice was filled with desperate urgency as he laid his son on the back counter. His mind was racing; he didn’t know what to do. The heimlich? CPR? Oh god, he wished he’d paid more attention in his college first aid course.

Isabel and Jeff skidded to his side in the same instant, with Max right behind them. Both Max and Isabel had the same thought; to simply use alien powers to heal him. But Jeff and all the others were hovering so close…anyone would see. Max knew that Isabel would risk it all in a heartbeat to save her son, but they didn’t know what was wrong with him. They could do more harm than good before they figured it out, but they had to do
something.

“I think he’s choking,” Jeff mused. “Oh lord, I’m only trained for choking adults, not infants…” He trailed off, his eyes filled with sorrow as Serena pushed past him.

Only a matter of seconds had passed, but she knew how crucial it was. She lowered her mouth over Evan’s mouth and nose, giving a short breath before pressing two fingers against his chest and giving two firm thrusts.

Isabel and Jesse watched, clinging to one another in terror as Serena swept her finger into the child’s mouth. “Dammit,” she muttered, breathing into him again before another set of compressions. This time she did a finger sweep and Evan let out a little gasp. “Here we go, you’re okay,” she murmured, pulling a small fragment of pink balloon from the little boy’s mouth as he let out a lusty cry.

“Oh, thank god!” Isabel sobbed as Serena lifted Evan off the counter and carefully passed him to her. “My baby,” she whispered, cradling him in her arms and burying her face in his wispy hair.

Jesse held his wife and son close, his heart slowing as Evan’s cries faded into hiccups. “Thank you,” he managed finally, turning to Serena. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Serena answered softly, meeting Isabel’s eyes when she finally looked up.

“It’s okay,” Jeff announced loudly. “Evan’s okay.”

Across the café, Liz’s shoulders slumped in relief as Nancy gripped her arm.

“Liz, sweetheart, let’s sit down.” Nancy helped Liz into a booth, arms wrapped tightly around her daughter. “It’s okay. Evan’s fine.”

Liz nodded, sucking in a deep breath and willing her heart to slow down. She saw Max squeeze Isabel’s shoulder before making his way back to her, and she knew he was just as shaken. They both knew he would have used his powers to help Evan, even though it would have given away their identity. Thank god Serena was there and knew what to do. As Max approached the booth, Liz got to her feet and buried her face in his chest.

“He’s okay, Liz,” Max murmured, stroking her hair. “We’re okay.”

Nodding, Liz pressed her cheek against his pounding heart. “What did he choke on?”

“A balloon must have popped,” Max explained. “He swallowed a piece of it.”

Nancy shook her head. “I guess we won’t have any of those around for a long time.” She paused. “And I have a feeling your father might go back to the Red Cross and have his first aid card updated.”

Still shaking, Isabel ran her hands over her son to make sure he was really okay. He was perfectly fine now, and seemed confused about all the fuss. Kissing his forehead, Isabel again glanced up at Serena. Her eyes were swimming with tears as she murmured, “You saved my son’s life.”

“I would never let anything happen to him,” Serena answered softly.

Carefully handing Evan to Jesse, Isabel studied Serena for a long moment before pulling her into a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for everything.”

*****

“What do you think, Petunia? You up for some cake and presents?” Maria squeezed Liz’s shoulder, gesturing to the stacks of gifts that more than filled one of the booths.

Liz glanced over at Isabel, who bounced a smiling Evan in her lap. Things had calmed considerably, and Evan was clearly the picture of good health. Liz was still shaken up, but she knew how much work her friends had put into this shower and she was determined to enjoy it. “Hook me up,” she chuckled.

And that was how Liz and Max found themselves surrounded with bags and boxes of all different sizes, decorated with bears and ducks and rattles. Max hardly knew what to do with himself, and he was content to watch Liz open the gifts and exclaim appropriately with the other women.

“Ooh, this is from Isabel,” Liz announced, reaching into a large pink and white bag and sifted through a cloud of tissue paper. “A boppy!” she exclaimed, holding up a yellow and white gingham pillow. “Iz, thanks. Look, Max, you were right to wait.”

Max just flashed a cool ‘I knew it’ smile as Liz reached for another box. “Something else?” Liz asked incredulously, glancing up at her parents.

“So we splurged a little, it’s our first grandchild,” Jeff chuckled with a shrug.

Grinning, Liz removed the paper and her face promptly fell. “Oh no,” she sighed, studying the baby monitor as tears sprang to her eyes. “We – we just bought one this afternoon. I had no idea-“

“It’s okay,” Max soothed, squeezing her hand. He should have anticipated this. “We’ll just return the things we bought today that we won’t need.”

Liz sniffled, her smile returning. “Okay,” she nodded, turning back to her parents. “Thank you so much.”

“We have one more thing,” Nancy continued, glancing at Jeff. He held out a neatly wrapped box, which Liz reached for.

“Ah, ah. This is for Max,” Jeff informed her.

Feigning jealousy, Liz watched as her surprised husband accepted the box from her father. “Go ahead, open it,” she encouraged softly.

Glancing up at his in-laws again, Max carefully removed the wrapping. “I – wow,” was all he could manage when he caught a glimpse of his gift.

“A must have for every new dad,” Jeff was saying. “This will last you at least to the kid’s graduation, guaranteed.”

Max studied the handsome manual camera in awe. He’d always wanted to pursue photography, but had never really had the opportunity. Plus, the expense of a high quality camera simply wasn’t something that could be budgeted in. A gift, of course, was another story, and he looked up at Jeff and Nancy with a growing smile. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “It will go to good use.”

“It better,” Jeff chuckled. “I want pictures of my granddaughter all over the house.”

“And be sure to make doubles for us,” Phillip added.

Liz laughed. “I bet we could go through three rolls of film with her wearing a different outfit in every shot.” She had never seen so many tiny little undershirts and onesies, not to mention an array of sleepers, dresses, and booties in a variety of sizes and colors. Plus, Amy and Maria appeared to have gone a little crazy at Baby Gap. Liz was quite certain her unborn daughter was the proud owner of the tiniest denim jacket and flared jeans known to man.

Not only that, but they now found themselves fully equipped with a car seat, a stroller, a portable bassinet, and a bouncy seat passed down from Evan. Max was already making a relieved mental list of things he could return from their shopping spree.

Later, as the party was starting to wind down, Serena caught Max in a rare moment by himself as he got a cup of soda. “How’d you like the shower?” she asked, touching his arm.

“It was different,” he admitted. “I’ve never really done the baby shower thing, but it was really nice. And I know Liz loved it.” Max paused, studying the young woman. “Thank you again for everything.”

“Max, I-“

“We were ready to act, Serena,” he interrupted quietly. “We would have risked it all for him. But because of you we didn’t have to. You kept it – us – a secret. And I can’t think you enough for that.”

Serena nodded slowly. “I’m just glad I could help.”

Max smiled then. “More than you know.”

*****

Max stepped out of the shower, reaching for a fluffy blue towel and rubbing it over his body. It had been a long day. A good day, overall, but definitely exhausting. And the baby wasn’t even here yet.

After a vigorous rub though his hair, Max wrapped the towel around his waist and flipped off the bathroom light. He padded down the hall, past the nursery that was now cluttered with baby items, and paused in his own bedroom doorway when he saw Liz. “What are you doing, babe?”

Liz glanced up, removing the stethoscope from her ears. “Listening,” she grinned. “I love how Serena gave it to me so I can listen to the baby’s heartbeat whenever I want.”

“Ah.” Max smiled as Liz replaced the stethoscope and moved it over the expanse of her stomach. He dropped his towel, yanked on a pair of boxers, and sidled over to the bed. Settling beside Liz, he watched the look of pure contentment on his wife’s face as she listened to their daughter. Max couldn’t resist placing his hand against the side of her belly, watching the soft glow reflect there.

They both felt the sudden movement beneath Liz’s skin, and she giggled. “I think you woke her up,” she informed him.

Max grinned, feeling their baby squirm against his palm. “Did you have a good nap, Peanut?”

Liz rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “I sure did. She’s been kicking up a storm all night. I think she’s ready to come out.”

“Do you think so?” Max asked, his voice taking on an anxious tone. “I mean, Isabel’s pregnancy was the same length as a human one. You should have another six weeks left, shouldn’t you-“

“Max, Max, slow down,” Liz giggled, squeezing his hand. “We’ve definitely got some time. As much as I’d love wearing my old clothes and not having to pee every five minutes, it’s going to be a while. She’s not going anywhere.”

Max’s eyebrows furrowed. “How do you know?”

“I feel it,” Liz assured. “You may have those alien powers, but she and I have an understanding.”

“An understanding, huh?” Max watched as Liz reclined lower on the pillows and then settled down beside her.

“Yep.” Liz smiled brightly. “We’re not supposed to do anything that will give Daddy a heart attack.” She paused. “Well, I have a little more leeway, just because you’re way too paranoid.”

Max made a face. “Very funny, Liz, I-“ He paused. “Liz. Did you see that?”

“See what?”

“Your stomach. It just moved.”

“It moved?” Liz pushed herself up on her elbows to study the bulge and gasped. Sure enough, with each kick a tiny area of skin protruded. She watched in amazement as her daughter moved within her.

Max gingerly touched his fingers to her soft flesh, laughing in wonder as he felt his baby push up to greet him. They could literally see her stomach roll back and forth with the child’s activity. Unable to resist the urge, he leaned over a pressed a languid kiss to Liz’s belly and then slowly began to work his way up her body.

Liz gazed down at her husband, face nuzzled between her breasts, hand cupping her belly, and felt a wave of desire roll through her. His tenderness and sensuality melded together in a way that made her burn for him. “Max,” she breathed as his mouth nipped at her through the flimsy material of her nightgown.

“Oh Liz,” he sighed, slowly trailing his lips up to pepper her collarbone with kisses. “You just amaze me.”

Shivering, Liz ran the pads of her fingers over his muscular back. She shifted onto her side to face him, and their lips met in a kiss that exploded with passion. She moaned softly at the delicious intrusion of his tongue, pressing her body as close to his as she could manage.

Though their middle proximity was nowhere near as close as it used to be, it was more than enough for Max’s arousal to make itself known. Liz ran her hand down his side, coming to rest on the tented material of his boxers. “Do you want me, Max?”

“Yes,” he hissed, grimacing in pleasure as Liz’s slender fingers reached into his boxer shorts to free him. His erection sprang to life, brushing the underside of Liz’s round belly. “God, Liz, yes.”

Liz moaned appreciatively at his words and the feel of his rock hard flesh bumping against hers. She captured his lips in a deep, searing kiss before whispering, “Then take me.”

Max’s eyes nearly rolled back in his head at the force of their kiss, and he growled as he guided his aching erection to her. He suddenly heard Liz mutter, “Dammit,” and his eyes flew open as he felt her scoot away.

“Liz?” he whimpered, watching her ease up from the bed as quickly as her body would allow.

“I have to pee.”

50

“Mmm…Max, that feels so good.”

Max smiled, glancing up at his wife. “Right there?”

“Yes…mmm, right there,” Liz purred, her eyes drifting closed under Max’s ministrations.

Adding a bit more pressure, Max circled his thumb over a particularly sensitive spot and elicited a groan of pleasure. “You really needed this tonight, didn’t you?”

“God, yes,” Liz sighed. Her eyes fluttered open again and she gazed down at Max, whose fingers were working busily. “Mmm…nothing beats a foot massage at the end of the day.”

Max arched an eyebrow, ceasing his caresses. “Nothing?”

Liz couldn’t help giggling at his cocky expression. “Okay, maybe not nothing."

“That’s what I thought,” Max replied cheekily, returning his attention to her sore feet and swollen ankles.

Leaning back against her propped pillows, Liz rested her hand over the curve of her stomach. “So my mom was harassing me about it again today.”

“Isabel hit me up yesterday. And it was my mom the day before that.”

Liz shook her head. “They really are impatient, aren’t they?”

“Very,” Max confirmed with a nod. “I tried convincing Mom that we were seriously considering Eunice.”

“Eunice Evans. That has a nice ring to it,” Liz mused. She cocked her head to the side. “Wait…what was that, kiddo? You’d rather entrust your upbringing to Michael than to parents who would name you Eunice?”

Max chuckled right along with Liz, his large hand covering hers over the bulge of baby. “But to be fair, Michael’s not as clueless as he used to be.”

“Because he understands Sharpies aren’t appropriate playthings for Evan?” Liz teased. “Man, if it weren’t for her ability to remove permanent marker, Isabel would have freaked.”

Rubbing his fingers along the arch of Liz’s foot, Max smiled again. “So I suppose they know Eunice is out.”

“Probably,” Liz agreed. “But I think they’ll like what we decided on, don’t you?”

“I do,” Max nodded, one hand again straying up to her belly. “You approve, don’t you Peanut?” The resounding thump against his palm was all Max needed for his smile to extend into a beam.

“I think my mom is actually starting to wonder if that’s her name,” Liz giggled, watching as the child’s movement caused small waves to ripple across her abdomen.

“She knows we’re talking about her,” Max said, his voice hushed as he studied Liz’s belly in wonder. Liz loved when Max’s eyes lit up like that, like a child on Christmas morning. The pure awe danced across his handsome features as he pressed his hand against the warm skin over her womb. There was something so humbling about witnessing a life before it was even born, as Max and Liz had long since learned.

“Maybe she wants you to sing for her,” Liz suggested, brushing Max’s dark hair off his face. Truth be told, she was dying to hear his sexy voice, and not just the faint strains she made out while awakening some mornings.

Max’s cheeks flushed a little as he smiled. “You think so?”

“Definitely.” Liz watched as Max settled closer to her stomach, his hand caressing its fullness, and felt her breath catch at the sound of his silky voice.

“For you I wanna sing the happier song…for you I wanna try to right all my wrongs,” he sang softly, hovering over their baby’s glow. “For you I’m gonna break my bad habits…there’s a golden ring and I want you to have it.” His eyes raised to meet Liz’s, his lips curving into a smile. “There’s a golden ring and I want you…”

Liz let out a little sigh of contentment at the sound of her husband singing so sweetly, touching her so tenderly, and she settled back against the pillows as he continued.

“For you I’m gonna sit and patiently wait…it’s great if you’re early but it’s fine if you’re late,” Max sang to his daughter, feeling her press against his palm. “For you I feel love and I just wanna show it…you’re a beautiful girl and I want you to know it.” He grinned, placing a quick kiss against Liz’s skin. “You’re a beautiful girl and I want you to know it…it’s an infinite world and I want you…” Max trailed off then, feeling Liz’s fingers stroking his hair, and turned to see his wife fighting back tears.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled as his hand covered hers. “Everything sets me off now, and you just…you’re so…”

Max nodded, lifting her hand to his lips. He’d learned it was better to just wait out Liz’s emotional moments rather than try to say something to fix it. Liz was a strong woman, and it didn’t take her long to bounce back. And sure enough, this was no exception. Just moments later her fingers were running over his jaw.

“That was nice,” she murmured as he shifted closer, taking her into his arms.

“Can I kiss you?” was Max’s reply as his dark eyes studied hers.

Nodding, Liz met his lips in a long, languid kiss. The innocence of the moment was gone as Liz teased his mouth open with her tongue.

Max let out a low moan as Liz explored the recesses of his mouth, her warm tongue sweeping around him. She pressed herself a little closer, the fullness of her belly rubbing against his groin. “Mmm…Liz…”

“I want you, Max,” she breathed, her hands sliding down to cup his butt and draw him even closer. She was burning for him suddenly, aching… “I want you inside me, Max. Now.”

His eyes snapped open at the urgency in Liz’s voice. She wasn’t joking around. Her hand had already dipped into his pajama pants, urging his manhood into a stiff rod. He grimaced in pleasure as the tip of her finger ran over the sensitive head. “O-okay,” he managed, rolling her onto her back and shoving his pants down. He kicked them to the side as her pushed her nightgown up, and his fingers ran a tantalizing trail from her breasts down. Tracing the faint line that had appeared from her navel to her pubic bone, Max placed a wet kiss on each breast through the fabric and allowed his fingers to creep lower.

Liz’s back arched off the bed at the invasion of Max’s fingers, and she let out a low cry as he stroked her slick walls. “Max…please…”

“I’m here, baby,” he soothed, slowly withdrawing his fingers and cupping her in his palm. Rolling over, he gently eased Liz onto her side and parted her legs with his thigh. Her body quivered in excitement as he teased his head against her entrance, and her moan echoed in his ears as he slid into tight passage.

“Yes…yes…oh god, Max…” Liz mumbled almost incoherently as he moved inside of her. His thrusts were deliberate, and she met each one with an equal fervor.

“God, Liz, you’re so wet,” Max moaned against her throat. “I’m gonna come…” He was shocked that he was racing toward the edge so quickly, but her body was so warm and tight and perfect that he couldn’t help himself. “Liiiiz…”

She could feel him swelling even within her, and his pulsating flesh sent Liz into a shattering orgasm. Her own cries nearly drown out Max’s as his release overcame him a few moments later, and then they lay completely spent.

“Wow,” was all Max could manage as he rolled onto his back.

“Yeah,” Liz gasped in response. Her body was shimmering with perspiration, her heart and her mind humming from the connection with Max and their baby. It was just minutes before exhaustion overtook her and she fell fast asleep, Max’s slumber following right behind.

*****

“You are so beautiful.”

Liz pretended to look around the bathroom as she rubbed a towel through her damp hair. “Who, me?”

Max nodded, leaning against the doorframe as he gazed at his wife. “You are beautiful,” he repeated.

She glanced down, running her hands across her round belly. “I’ll be more convinced when I’m twenty pounds and a baby lighter.”

“Can I tell you something?” Max continued quietly. “I have never seen you more radiant.”

Tying her robe across her middle, Liz smiled. “Well, we thank you.”

Max took in a deep breath. It was true. She was the most arousing eight-and-a-half-months pregnant woman he’d ever seen. He slowly moved across the cool linoleum and behind her. Resting his lips at the nape of her neck, he slid his hands along her sides and around to her swollen abdomen.

Liz smiled at their reflection in the mirror as she entwined her fingers with his, then rolled her head to the side as he began to place gentle kisses across her neck.

A flutter beneath their hands made their breaths catch in their throats. “It’s absolutely amazing,” Max murmured into her ear. He slowly, gently turned Liz toward him and backed her against the sink. Running his fingers down her belly and over her thighs, he nipped gently at her bottom lip.

Liz grinned against him, deepening the kiss as she wrapped her arms around him. “Max Evans, what is going on in that head of yours?”

“Mmm…which one?” He caressed her thigh with one hand, while the other slowly slid into her robe.

“Max!” Liz swatted his hand away playfully, her face betraying her amusement. Grabbing a wide-toothed comb from the counter, she waddled out of the bathroom.

Max followed hot on her heels, watching as his wife lowered herself onto the edge of the bed and began to run the comb through her damp hair. “Liz…baby, let me…” He climbed onto the bed, swinging his leg behind her so that his thighs flanked hers.

Liz sighed contentedly as she felt his fingers pull her hair from the back of her neck and run the comb through its length. She ran her hands across the top of his bare thighs, letting one trail just under the leg of his boxers.

Shifting behind her, Max pulled her hair to one side so he had easier access to her right ear. “All done,” he breathed.

“Thank you.” She smiled, leaning her head back against his broad shoulder.

His hands quickly moved to her front, deftly untying the robe from her middle. They explored the newly exposed skin, stretched tightly over her impossibly round belly.

Liz arched her back as her husband ran his fingers down her side, and she left a trail of kisses from his ear to his chin.

Max pressed himself against her, his breath quickening as his hands slid up to cup her swollen breasts.

“Oh god,” she gasped against his jaw, her body stiffening momentarily.

“I’m sorry,” Max apologized, quickly removing his hands and circling them around her waist.

Liz smiled, pressing a kiss onto his jaw. “No, it wasn’t you. She got me in the ribs.”

Max placed his hand where the movement was strongest and cocked his head. “Her feet are in a different place.”

She nodded. “She’s been moving. Her head’s way down here now.” Liz guided his hand lower on her abdomen and grimaced. “Right on top of my bladder.”
“Give you mom a break, Peanut,” Max instructed the bulge beneath his hands.

After a moment, Liz grinned. “I don’t think she’s listening to you, Daddy.”

“Daddy,” Max repeated slowly. “That’s still so unreal…” He slid out from behind Liz and knelt down in front of her, resting his elbows on her thighs. Tenderly running his finger in concentric circles around her protruding bellybutton, Max raised his eyes to meet hers.

“Liz Evans, I love you.”

Liz gazed down at him and smiled. “I love you too, Max Evans,” she murmured, running her fingers through his dark hair.

Max leaned forward and pressed a long, gentle kiss onto her stomach. “And we love you, Peanut. We can’t wait to meet you.” He fell silent, resting his cheek against Liz’s warm flesh.

“What are you thinking about?” Liz asked after a few moments, curling a strand of Max’s hair around her finger.

“You. How beautiful you are,” he answered simply, raising his eyes to hers. “I want to take your picture.”

Liz studied him, arching an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“I want to remember how you look,” Max explained, fanning his hands out over her belly. “Like this.”

Not sure whether to laugh or cry as she listened to him and saw the pure honesty on his face, Liz felt the latter win out as her eyes filled with tears. “Really?” she whispered.

“Yes.” Max nodded firmly, his hands caressing her. “You don’t know how amazing it is to me, Liz. To know that our baby…this – this little person that we made is inside of you…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.”

Liz stared down at him, wondering if it was possible to love him more than she did at this moment. If it was possible to feel more loved, more special than she did because of him. Because of the part of him that was growing inside of her, giving her so much purpose. She loved this, she realized again. Loved feeling that perfect little person move beneath her skin, feeling her weight and her presence. She would never forget, she knew that. But she smiled down on him, blinking away her tears and cupping his chin in her hand. “I would like that.”

Max returned her smile, slowly getting to his feet and reaching for Liz’s hands. “I’ll get the camera ready,” he said, helping her rise.

And that was how Liz found herself in their baby’s nursery, watching Max as he fiddled with his new camera. She didn’t know what exactly Max had in mind, but he’d found a flimsy yellow nightgown in the drawer and told her to put it on. She obliged, wrapping her robe around herself again before sinking into the old rocking chair and watching Max. He fiddled with the lens, the focus, the flash, before finally turning to her.

A smile spread over his face at the sight of Liz, rocking slowly back and forth with her hands resting against the bulge of her belly. “Perfect,” he murmured, lifting the camera and aiming at her.

Liz looked up in surprise at the sound of the camera snapping. “I wasn’t ready!”

“No, it was perfect,” Max informed her, adjusting the focus.

“What, me sitting here?”

“Yep.” He fiddled with the lens a bit more and raised the camera again. “You look completely natural. That’s what I wanted.”

“Oh.” Liz cocked her head to the side and favored him with a coy grin. “Like this?”

“That’s fine too,” Max smiled, clicking another picture before kneeling down beside the chair. “Here, untie your robe.”

Liz made a face, but opened the robe up to expose her belly. “Tummy shot?”

Max nodded, snapping a picture. “Pull your nightgown up a little,” he suggested.

“Max, I’m not wearing any underwear!”

“Whose problem is that?” Max teased, wiggling his eyebrows before turning serious. “Liz, I won’t shoot anything inappropriate. I promise.”

Liz giggled, lifting the gown up to the top of her belly. “I was gonna say, this is starting to seem not so innocent.”

“Would I do anything like that with a camera from your father?” Max shot back.

“Point taken,” Liz laughed, settling her hands low on her abdomen. “Hey Max? Does the camera have a timer?” she asked suddenly.

“Yeah,” he answered, adjusting the lens.

“I want one with you in it too,” she requested, shrugging out of her robe.

Max watched Liz toss the robe on the floor beside her, tucking her long hair back over her shoulder. Her hair had become even more luxurious these past few months, a result of hormones, Liz said. Whatever the reason, it was thicker and silkier than Max had ever seen, and it was growing faster than Liz could keep it trimmed. He smiled, setting the camera onto the dresser and adjusting the timer before crouching down before Liz.

He spread his hands out over the expanse of belly, resting his forehead against her. He felt her fingers thread into his hair, and a moment later the camera went off. It was going to be a beautiful shot, they both knew it.

“C’mere,” he said then, helping to her feet. “I want to try a shot over by the window.”

Liz watched as he pulled the pale yellow curtains across the window and gestured for her to come stand. “Look, I match,” she announced, smoothing the nightgown over her stomach.

“You do,” Max agreed with a smile, retrieving the camera from the dresser. “Okay…hmm. Turn to the side a little bit. We’ll get a profile shot.”

“Like this?” Liz turned to the side, bracing her hands on the small of her back, and then glanced back at Max with a grin.

Max chuckled. “Just like that,” he confirmed, snapping several pictures.

Feeling a familiar thump, Liz pushed her nightgown up and settled a hand low on her belly. “Daddy’s taking your picture,” she said softly. “Smile pretty for the camera.”

Max simply gazed at his wife in adoration for a few moments before realizing he had to get that image on film. He quickly raised the camera without saying a word, as to not disturb this perfect moment. He wanted to remember it for always.


*lyrics by Duncan Sheik, For You

51

“Somebody’s on a mission.”

Liz giggled, following Maria’s gaze toward the front of the Crashdown. Isabel had walked in moments before, Evan on her hip and a look of determination on her face.

“How much do you want to bet she’s looking for-“

“Where’s Michael?”

Maria slid Liz a knowing look before answering, “His shift ended a couple hours ago.”

Isabel exhaled impatiently. “He told me he was here till five.”

“More like two.”

Muttering something under her breath, she shifted Evan and hiked her purse up over her shoulder. “He borrowed Jesse’s clubs for his golfing class, and Jesse needs them for tomorrow. Some office golf match.”

“I still can’t believe he gets college credit for taking a golf class,” Maria muttered. “Why doesn’t he just take a freakin basket weaving course?”

Isabel rolled her eyes. “So he didn’t leave the clubs in the back?”

“Nope, not that I saw,” Liz answered, returning her nephew’s grin.

“Fantastic. Okay, buddy, it looks like we get to take a trip to Uncle Michael’s,” Isabel informed her son in exasperation. She turned back to Liz and flashed her a quick smile. “Oh, and happy anniversary. Do you two have big plans for the night?”

Liz smiled coyly. “I guess.”

“Well, have fun. We’re off to hunt down Michael. Say bye-bye, Evan.”

Evan curled and uncurled his chubby fingers in the universal “bye-bye” wave as Isabel hurried back out the door.

Maria watched them retreat with a chuckle and then turned back to Liz. “So spill, chica. Where’s he taking you?”

“I don’t know, I was kind of hoping you’d tell me.” Liz leaned back in the booth, her feet propped up on the seat across from her. “He’s been awfully secretive about it.”

Maria took a sip of soda. “I think it’s romantic. I mean, it’s your first anniversary, why not make it a surprise?”

“True.” Liz absently twisted her wedding ring around her finger. It was much tighter now, as her hands were slightly swollen these days. “But first we have a doctor appointment, so maybe I can break him then.”

“Well we’re a little impatient, aren’t we,” Maria laughed, twirling her straw in her glass.

“Hey, I think I’m being quite patient!” Liz shot back, her hand rubbing over her belly. “Of course, I don’t know how long that’ll last.”

Reaching over to pat Liz’s hand, Maria grinned. “You’ve got, what, less than four weeks? You could pop any time, you know.”

Liz giggled. “Oh, don’t tell Max that. He’s excited, hut he’s so nervous. As much as he wants her to be here, he thinks she’s safer in here.” Liz didn’t say it out loud, but she was thrilled by that, thrilled that she could keep her daughter protected. Part of her still ached for Gabriel, and that part of her still felt like a failure. She knew it wasn’t her fault, but the fact that she’d lost the baby, hadn’t any control over what happened to him, still tore at her heart.

The baby gave a reassuring thump, almost as if she could sense Liz’s thoughts. And maybe she could. The connection seemed to know no bounds, but Liz knew she would miss the physical closeness with her daughter when she was born.

“Alright, I better get back to work,” Maria was saying as she slid out from the booth. “Is Max picking you up soon?”

Liz glanced at her watch. “Yep. His shift ended five minutes ago.” As if on cue, the bell above the door jingled and Max strode in. She caught his eye and grinned, pushing herself up from the booth.

“Hey you,” Max smiled, his hand resting in the small of her back as he leaned in for a kiss. “Are you ready?”

Nodding, Liz draped her purse over her shoulder. “Maria, when you see my dad tell him I got those figures ready, okay?”

“No problem, chica. Have a good time tonight,” she added with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

Liz and Max shared a lovesick grin as Max looped his arm around his wife’s waist and led her out the door.

*****

Dr. Sinclair stepped into the exam room, smiling when he saw his patient. Liz Evans sat on the exam table, legs swinging beneath the paper gown. And, as always, her husband Max was in position in a plastic chair beside her. Their heads were bent in soft laughter as they spoke, hands entwined over Liz’s knee.

Never before had he seen a couple so completely involved in one another. Not just in presence – after all, Max had not missed one appointment in the past eight months. No, it was more than that. In all his years as a physician, he had never seen a couple, especially one as young as they were, so completely connected. He could literally see them converse without speaking; they were better at communicating with their eyes than he and his wife were, even after twenty two years of marriage. But in all honesty, it was even more than that, something that wasn’t completely tangible. Their connection as husband and wife seemed to go even deeper.

He chuckled to himself then, wondering how things would be during the delivery. Childbirth could turn even the most intimate of couples into exhausted, cranky and irritated parents-to-be.

Suddenly noticing another person in the room, Liz glanced up. “Dr. Sinclair, hi,” she said cheerfully.

“Liz, Max,” Dr. Sinclair nodded in greeting. “How have you been feeling, Liz?”

“Great,” Liz answered assuredly. “The baby is still pretty active, and I haven’t experience any Braxton-Hicks.” Thank goodness, for Max's sake, she thought.

Dr. Sinclair nodded, consulting his chart. “Very good. Within the next few weeks you’ll notice her movement decreasing, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. The uterus gets extremely cramped in the last month of pregnancy, so she doesn’t have much space to move around.”

Max thought about this as Liz lay back on the table for her exam. He’d already noticed that the baby seemed to sleep an awful lot more these days. He knew this was good, that it meant she was getting ready to be born, but he couldn’t help missing some of the moments they used to share. He would wake up early and scoot down the bed to Liz’s belly, knowing that the baby was always active first thing in the morning. He’d talk and sing softly to her, feeling her press against his hand. Max knew, though, that even though this stage of their relationship was coming to an end, it was really just the beginning. In just a few weeks his daughter would be alive and whole and in his arms, and his heart filled to bursting with excitement.

“Well, Liz, you haven’t started dilating yet,” Dr. Sinclair was saying as he slipped off his latex gloves and draped the sheet back over her knees. “That may change by the next appointment.”

“But it’s in a week,” Max pointed out. “Is it okay for that to start so soon even though the baby isn’t due for three and a half weeks?”

“It sure is,” Dr. Sinclair assured. “It’s actually quite normal.” He placed his hands on the swell of Liz’s belly, measuring. “I would guess the baby is at about five and a half or six pounds right now. We don’t want her to get much more than eight or so, or else Liz could have a difficult time delivering.”

Max swallowed hard. A difficult time?

“Because she’s petite and has a narrow pelvis,” Dr. Sinclair supplied. “Again, it’s nothing to worry about right now. There’s a possibility that if the baby gets much bigger in the next few weeks we’d have to schedule a cesarean.”

Liz glanced up at Max, squeezing his hand. She didn’t want him to be alarmed, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit anxious herself. She wanted to have this baby naturally, especially with the possibilities of alien complications. They’d seriously considered a home delivery after the scare at Evan’s birth, and had even brought it up to Serena. Serena, however, assured them that she would be in the delivery room by their sides and was well aware of their concerns, but with Liz’s size it would actually be much safer for both her and the baby to be at the hospital. She wasn’t a certified midwife, and thought being in hospital setting would be better. Max and Liz had agreed, knowing there really was no easy way to go about it.

“Let’s take a look at her, shall we?” Dr. Sinclair was saying, wheeling the ultrasound monitor to the exam table.

Liz sent Max a reassuring smile, her touch urging him to focus on the present rather than worry about the future. Max returned her smile, and it widened into a beam at the sound of the child’s heartbeat. Moments later a fuzzy black and white image appeared on the screen and Max and Liz studied their baby’s changes intently.

“Look how big she’s gotten,” Max marveled, his fingers entwining with Liz’s.

“Why do you think I’ve gotten so big?” Liz giggled, watching their daughter’s small movements on the screen. “Look! She just turned her head!”

Dr. Sinclair chuckled. “She’s looking at us,” he said, reaching over to point to the screen. “There’s her jaw line, and there’s the outline of one ear…”

“Max, they look just like yours,” Liz said with a teasing grin.

“Poor kid,” Max muttered good-naturedly. He wasn’t concerned. They knew what their daughter would eventually look like from their visions, and she was beautiful. His ears or not.

*****

“Hold on, I’m coming,” Michael muttered, loping across the apartment to his front door. He pulled it open to find Isabel and Evan on the other side.

“So which is it, two or five?”

“Excuse me?” Michael stared at Isabel in bewilderment.

“That your shift ends. Two or five?”

“Oh.” Michael shrugged sheepishly. “Two. Sorry.”

Isabel rolled her eyes, stepping past Michael into the apartment. She wrinkled her nose, stepping over some dirty clothes strewn across the floor. “This place is a pigsty, Michael.”

“Was there a reason for this visit?” Michael asked pointedly.

“The golf clubs,” Isabel reminded, following Michael into the living room.

“Oh yeah. Sorry about that. I’ve got a paper due tomorrow and I’m a little distracted.” He gestured to a stack of books and a pile of papers collecting near his laptop on the coffee table. “Would you mind looking over what I’ve got so far? I hate to ask, but…” And it was true, he really did hate to ask. But his grade in this lit class was more important than his pride right now.

“I never thought I’d see the day that Michael Guerin would take summer classes,” Isabel mused, settling Evan onto a clear patch of floor before settling in front of the laptop and scrolling through his work.

“It’s about Mark Twain,” Michael supplied. “And how his work was banned and…stuff…”

Isabel nodded thoughtfully. “It’s pretty good so far,” she admitted. “You could probably include
more about Huckleberry – Evan, honey, come over here.” She glanced over to her son, who had crawled over and pulled himself to a standing position near one of Michael’s end tables.

Evan merely grinned at his mother, losing his balance and plopping onto his bottom. His attention turned back to the object in his hand, which just fascinated him.

“Evan, what have you got?” Isabel quickly got to her feet, still shaken by his choking incident, and crouched down to take it away from him. “What is…” She trailed off, studying the flat, shiny object in her hand. “Michael, what the hell is this?”

52

“What is this?” Isabel repeated, holding up the strange object for Michael to see.

His face paled slightly, but rather than answer he reached to snatch it out of her hand. “You shouldn’t let your kid crawl around and get into things.”

“You’re right, I must have momentarily forgotten that this pit is a hazardous waste area!” Isabel shot back with equal venom. She unclenched her hand, feeling the material unfurl to its original smoothness. Glancing down at her palm, she studied it more closely. “What is this?” It was more of a rhetorical question, as she fingered the object in curiosity.

Michael took a deep breath. “I think it’s something alien,” he said finally.

“Something alien.” Isabel cocked an eyebrow. “Where did you find it?”

“Up at the Grand Canyon. There’s something up there, Iz, I know it. That rock formation I found on the map, it-“

“Michael that was two years ago,” Isabel pointed out. “How come you never mentioned this?”

He sank back onto the couch. “Because Maria found it. I didn’t even know about it until a few months ago.”

Isabel sat down beside Michael and lifted Evan onto her lap. “And what did Max say about it?”

“He doesn’t know it exists. Maria wouldn’t let me tell him, because of the baby and stuff.”

“It’s probably nothing, you know.”

Michael looked at Isabel, only a little surprised. Of course that’s what she’d want to think. “I think it’s alien,” he repeated.

“And what if it is?” she shot back. “What do we want to do, connect with them? Figure out how to get to Antar? Get ourselves killed on arrival by traitors? Michael, I don’t care what it is. My life is here now. Completely.” She leaned down and kissed the top of Evan’s head, reassuring him after her outburst.

“I – I know,” Michael answered quietly. His was too, of course. But that wasn’t the point-

Or maybe it was.

Maria’s words from two years before came flooding back to him. "Why can’t this world ever be good enough for you?” Without even realizing it, he was hurting her again.

“Look, whatever it is, it’s probably not the best idea to just leave this on your table,” Isabel continued, holding out her hand and dropping the shiny object into Michael’s palm. “Put it away somewhere and let it go, okay?”

Michael sighed, looking up into Isabel’s eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am,” she replied. “Look, Michael, what Max said months ago, about embracing his human side…he meant it. And he was right.”

“But that doesn’t mean we have to forget about our alien side,” Michael argued, making his point by turning on a lamp with his powers.

“No…it doesn’t,” Isabel agreed. “It’s part of who we are, but it doesn’t have to control our lives.” She paused, brushing her son’s wispy hair off his forehead. “I won’t let it.”

And neither would Max. Isabel was right, and they both knew it.

“So we…what, we just forget we ever found it?” Michael asked.

“You know what, Michael, you can do whatever you want with it,” Isabel informed him. “Just leave me out of it.”

*****

“Babe, are you almost ready?”

“Almost!” Liz called back, smoothing her skirt as she paused beside the dresser. “Let me just get my-“ She trailed off, glancing out the window at the street below. “Hey Max? Did you move the car?”

“Nope,” he called from the living room.

“What the…” Okay, she must really be losing her mind. She knew Max had parked the Chevelle right in front of the building when they got home to change. And now there was…well, no blue Chevelle. “Um, Max? I think there’s a problem…”

Max appeared in the doorway, looking incredibly sexy in a pale blue linen button-up shirt and loose-fitting khakis. “What’s the matter?”

Liz peered through the blinds again, convincing herself that she wasn’t seeing things. “Um…the car is gone.”

“The car is gone?” Max repeated, squinting out the window. “What the hell? Come here.” He took Liz’s hand, pulling her out of the bedroom, down the hall, and out the door.

The stepped out of the apartment, both looking around in confusion. “Wait a second. What’s this?” Max reached into his pocket, pulling out a key and an unlocking device. He clicked it, and the horn of a silver car down the curb beeped once.

“Max, what-“

And then the Chevelle appeared around the corner, driven by…Jim Valenti?

“Howdy, kids!”

“Hey Jim,” Max grinned. “How’s she running for you?”

“Like a gem,” Valenti confirmed, resting his arm on the window. “Liz, how’re you feeling?”

“A little confused,” Liz admitted, glancing at her husband pointedly.

Max took Liz’s hand, placing the key in it and closing her fingers around it. “Happy anniversary, babe.”

Liz gaped at him and then turned to Valenti for help.

“I love my new car,” he told her, patting the dashboard. “What do you think of yours, Liz?”

“I didn’t know I-“ She turned back to Max, who was grinning like an idiot. “Are you serious?”

“Completely,” he told her, guiding her to the curb. “We couldn’t very well drive around in a convertible with a baby.”

Liz clapped her hand over her mouth in total surprise as Max opened the door. “It’s a ’98 Taurus,” he told her, “It’s never had any trouble, and look. It’s got four doors and a big trunk for a stroller and stuff,” he added, clearly very pleased with himself.

“Max, can we afford this?” Liz asked, her voice hushed as Max tried to show her some of the car’s features.

“I’ve always been jealous of this car,” Jim supplied, indicating the Chevelle. “So I figured, why not take it off your hands so you could get a kid-friendly one?”

“Are you sure?” Liz asked softly, gazing up at her husband. “You love that car, Max…”

“I love you more,” he answered simply, resting his hands against the sides of her belly. “Do you like it?”

“Of course I do,” Liz laughed, leaning in and kissing him. “It’s perfect.”

Jim gave a little toot of the horn, startling the couple apart. “Well, I guess I’ll be going now,” he chuckled. “You kids have a good night.”

“Thanks, Jim,” Max waved, wrapping his arm around Liz. “Okay, Mrs. Evans, are you ready to go?”

“Well…” They both glanced down at her bare feet. “A few more minutes,” she giggled as they turned to go back to the apartment.

*****

Later, as Max and Liz finished their meal at an intimate back table at Chez Pierre, Max handed his wife a fortune cookie. “You first.”

Liz grinned at him, her eyes sparkling in the faint candlelight. She loved that he took her to the spot of their first date for their first anniversary. “This is one of the best nights of your life,” she read.

Max shook his head, the smile on his face widening. “I think I’ve heard that one before.” He paused as the opening bars to a familiar Eric Clapton tune wafted from the jukebox speakers. Grinning at his wife, Max reached across the table to take her hand. “Dance with me.”

“You didn’t read your fortune yet,” she reminded.

“Don’t have to,” he informed her, pushing his chair back.

“Max, no,” Liz protested, unable to hide a smile. “I don’t want to go out there and dance, I’m huge.”

“You're beautiful," Max corrected. "And besides, it's tradition," he added, already helping her to her feet. Before she could give further protest he had led her onto the floor.

And then she asks me, do I look alright?
And I say yes, you look wonderful tonight

Max took her in his arms, swaying them back and forth. Her belly prevented their bodies from being as close as he would have liked, but it was easily forgiven considering it was their daughter that filled the space between them.

And then she asks me, do you feel alright?
And I say yes, I feel wonderful tonight

“Happy anniversary, Mr. Evans.” Liz gazed up into his adoringly.

Max dipped down to capture her lips in a sweet kiss. “Happy anniversary, Mrs. Evans.” He felt a sudden thump against his hip, and looked at Liz in surprise.

She just smiled and shrugged. “She likes to dance.”

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes

Max moved his hands to the sides of her round tummy. “We didn’t forget about you, Peanut,” he assured. “We’ll dance all the time when you get here.”

He was answered with two faint ripples to the palm of his hand, and he grinned up at Liz. “I guess she likes the sound of that.”

Liz smiled in return, taking his face in her small hands and kissing him long and deep.

And the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize
How much I love you

“Take me home, Max.”

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, staring down at her with sudden anxiousness. “Do you need to sit down? It’s not the baby, is-“

“Max?” Liz gazed up at him with a coy, flirtatious smile. “I want you to make love to me. Just like our wedding night. And I don’t think I’m in any condition to christen our new car just yet.”

“You…” Max trailed off, his heart beginning to pound. “Is it okay? I mean, with the baby-“

“Yes, Max,” she nodded, her hands beginning to wander low on his hips. “It’s completely fine for couples to have sex into the ninth month, Serena said so.”

Max swallowed hard as Liz began nipping lightly at his neck. “But I read somewhere…that it can start…labor,” he managed. “And it’s too early for…”

“Trust me, Max,” Liz grinned, “You won’t make me go into labor tonight. You’ll just…make me feel good. And I’ll make you feel good.” She paused, rubbing almost undetectably against him. “Don’t you want to feel good?”

“Yes,” he groaned, his hands tight on her hips as he pressed a little closer and stole a quick kiss. “I’ll get the check.”

*****

Maria pushed through the swinging door of the Crashdown with a groan. These ten hour shifts were the bane of her existence. She turned toward the kitchen and nearly dropped her tray of dishes.

“Jesus, Michael, you’re gonna give me a heart attack!” she yelped, shoving him out of the way. “Didn’t your shift end, like, five hours ago?”

“Yeah,” he answered simply, hands shoved in his pockets. “I gotta talk to you.”

“Well make it quick, I’ve got a guy waiting for Orbit Rings out there and it’s about to get ugly,” she replied, dumping the dirty dishes onto the counter and wiping her hands on her apron.

Michael jerked his head toward the back room, leading her away from the cook and other waitresses. “It’s about that…that thing you found up at the canyon.”

“Michael, don’t tell me you bothered Max about it today, it’s their-“

“I’m not gonna bother him about it at all.”

Maria eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not.”

“No. I’ve decided I’ve been making too big a deal out of it, and I’m going to leave it alone.”

“You are.”

"Yes," he repeated, and then sighed. “I thought that would make you happy.”

“Well it does,” Maria answered, chewing her lower lip. “But what caused this sudden decision?”

Michael shrugged. “I don’t know, I was just thinking…” He trailed off. “Okay, Isabel found it and reminded me how stupid it is to be chasing after this stuff. My life is here, you know?”

“I could have told you that,” Maria muttered, poking at a corner of tile with the toe of her sneaker.

“And you did,” Michael replied, reaching out and touching her arm. “Only…it takes a while to get stuff into my brain sometimes-“

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s not an excuse or anything, it just…okay, I guess it is. But…I wanted to come down here and apologize for being like – like that again. It’s not fair to you.”

Maria gazed up at him. “No, it’s not. But it’s not fair to you either. You’re just running yourself in circles, Michael. Let it go. Let it be. All that stuff.”

He smiled in spite of himself. She was right, as usual. Not like he’d tell her that. “You’re the best, Blondie,” he informed her instead, pulling her into a tight hug.

Maria grinned as his arms engulfed her. “Yeah, I know.”

*****

A telling trail of clothing led all the way down the hall to the bedroom, the only sounds soft giggles and the creak of the bed as Max carefully lay Liz onto their bed. She had lost her blouse almost the instant they entered the apartment, with Max’s shirt and khakis following just behind.

She leaned back, propped up on her elbows as Max eased her skirt down over the bulge of her belly. His fingers skimmed her smooth skin as he pulled it down her legs, leaving her in a pair of bikini underwear. The sheer fabric rested low on her abdomen, covering just her most intimate of places. Max knelt on the bed before her, his hands caressing her slim legs and traveling up over the curve of her hips. He ran his hands over the smooth, firm globe of belly before he lowered his lips to her skin. He kissed and tasted her, sending shivers down her spine as his lips followed the faint line from her navel down to her pubic bone.

“Oh…Max,” Liz breathed as his fingers hooked through her panties. He helped her lift her hips so he could pull them from her body, and then he settled himself back between his wife’s thighs. She could feel his warm breath puffing against her sensitive folds, and she squirmed in anticipation.

“My beautiful Liz,” he murmured, his fingers skimming the soft skin at the juncture of her thigh. “My beautiful, beautiful bride.” Nuzzling his nose against her, he slowly began parting her intimate flesh.

“Yes…” she hissed, the air escaping her lungs as Max’s wet tongue snaked out to touch her. “Ohh yes…”

His tongue dipped in and out, pausing to add just a touch of pressure to her sensitized clit. The combination of penetration and stimulation sent Liz to the edge in just minutes, until she was writhing against his mouth and crying out in release.

As he sucked her clit hard into his mouth one last time, he felt her final spasms against him and continued to lap gently until her quivering flesh began to cool. Feeling her fingers brush through his hair, he pressed one last kiss against her before resting his head on the inside of her thigh and gazing up at her.

“That was…so good,” she breathed, again propped on her elbows to gaze down at him over the curve of her belly.

“I’m glad,” Max said with a lazy grin, grazing his tongue over his lips. He sat back on his knees then, his prominent manhood springing into the air.

“Ooh,” Liz cooed, her desire boiling back to life at the sight of Max’s growing arousal. She reached for him, stretching her hand out to touch him, but couldn’t quite reach due to her swollen middle. “Damn,” she muttered.

“What’s the matter, baby?” he teased as he planted his hands on his hips, causing his lower anatomy to jut upward.

“I can’t…I can’t reach you,” Liz pouted after another failed attempt to wrap her hand around him. She leaned back on her elbows with a deep sigh, and suddenly a sparkle appeared in those big brown eyes.

“What?” Max asked suspiciously.

“Touch yourself.”

Max studied his wife, her sweet grin telling him exactly what she wanted. “Touch myself?”

“Uh-huh. Get yourself ready for me…”

He swallowed, already feeling a tightening in his groin. “Like this?” he asked, pumping himself once.

Liz nodded excitedly. “Just like that.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to help?” Max glanced down at her as he started a slow, steady rhythm.

“I’ll just watch,” Liz assured, licking her lips as Max’s large hand moved up and down over his thick shaft. “Do you know how sexy you are?”

Max offered her a smile from under hooded lids as he reached down to cup his heavy sac. “How sexy?”

“So sexy that I want to touch myself,” Liz whispered, her hand snaking down over her belly to the patch of curls between her legs. “And see how wet you’re making me.”

Max growled low in his throat as Liz rubbed first one, then two fingers between her dewy lips. He’d seen her touch herself many times, but every time she did it made him horny as hell. He tightened his fist around his swelling shaft, pumping with firm, swift strokes.

“Oh god, Max,” she moaned, her eyes drifting shut. “I’m so wet. Just for you. Are you hard for me?”

“Yes,” he managed, his voice strangled as he watched her fingers emerge. They were shiny, wet with her juices, and Max knew he couldn’t wait much longer. His hand wouldn’t cut it, it never did, not after knowing her hot, tight passage. And now…god, it was right in front of him, just tantalizing inches from his aching erection.

“I’m so wet, Max,” Liz continued, her voice breathy as she slipped a finger back inside. “Do you like it when I’m slick and wet?”

“Y-yes,” he gasped, rubbing his thumb over the pearly drop of moisture on the head of his penis. “I do.”

Liz slid her moist finger up to her clit, rubbing in a fluid circle. “What does it feel like, Max, when you’re inside me?”

Max slid his glazed eyes from her center to her face, meeting her eyes for a moment as he continued to pump shamelessly. “Perfect,” he breathed. “It feels tight and hot and the…the friction…it’s perfect, Liz.” God, how was she doing this? He was so close…

“Fuck me, Max.”

And with those three words he plunged into her, his hands grasping the backs of her thighs so her body could meet his thrusts. His hips moved in a frenzy, pounding in and out of her with such force that a voice in the back of his head was screaming at him to stop.

But Liz met each thrust with vigor, her keening moans of pleasure echoing in his ears and driving him on. She was so hot and wet…so tight…

“Liz! Liz, oh god!” He was out of control, so close…he couldn’t stop…couldn’t stop until they both…but he couldn’t hold on much longer…

“Max!” she shrieked, her orgasm slamming into her just when he thought he would explode from the mind-bending pleasure. And he did, releasing wave upon wave into her throbbing passage.

Max’s head dropped down onto his chest as he sucked in gasps of air, waiting for his body to stop pulsing. After a few moments he moved from her body and flopped onto his back beside her, still panting heavily.

“Hey,” she murmured, turning her glistening face to his.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

Liz nodded, delicious shivers running down her spine. She was fantastic. That was exactly what she wanted. She wanted him to forget her “condition” and make crazy, mindless love to her. All it took was a little distraction. And her grin broadened.

“What?” he pressed. “You’re not…you’re not in labor or anything, are you?”

She reached up and ran a finger down his flushed cheek. “Don’t worry, you didn’t break my water.”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” he gulped.

“Max!” she giggled. “Come on. Wasn’t that incredible?”

He nodded vigorously. Of course it was, but…what if he’d hurt her? What if-

“Stop,” Liz said. “That was my point. You’re not going to hurt me. I – I needed this. We’ve had so much going on lately, with the baby coming…who knows when we’ll get a chance to be like this again? And it’s our anniversary, Max. Look how much we’ve changed in a year…how much more comfortable we are?”

Max managed a sly smile, seeing her point. “It’s probably because you just keep getting sexier,” he informed her, rolling onto his side and running his hand from her belly up to her chest.

Liz grinned as he caressed her full breast. “Is that so?”

“Every day,” he sighed, leaning over to share a sweet kiss. “Happy anniversary, love.”


*lyrics by Eric Clapton, Wonderful Tonight

53

“Where’s your shadow?”

Liz rolled her eyes, waddling past Maria at the Crashdown’s counter. “At work, thank you very much.”

“You mean he’s actually letting you out of his sight for a few hours to earn a living?” Maria asked in mock horror. “Are you sure he hasn’t been possessed by aliens?”

Swatting her best friend’s arm, Liz giggled. “If it was up to him I’d be in bed resting. With the phone right beside me, of course, in case I go into labor.”

“Of course,” Maria chuckled knowingly. She reached down and patted Liz’s bulging belly. “No chance of that today though, right?”

Liz shook her head confidently. “We already discussed the fact that this is her cousin’s day. She’s supposed to wait another two weeks.” She paused, rubbing her sore back. Max had relieved her aches before he left for work, but they were slowly fading back. Liz know it just came with the territory of being so close to giving birth, but she also knew it made Max feel useful when he could ease her discomfort. In any case, she was willing to fudge on those two weeks. One week would be perfectly fine with her. Ten days, even.

“Well, your dad’s letting us all off at three so we can make it to the party,” Maria was saying as she fiddled with the shake machine.

“Okay, that’s gr-“ Liz was cut off by the sound of the telephone.

Maria gave her a knowing look, lifting the receiver and handing it to Liz without answering.

“Hi, Max.”

“How’d you know it was me?”

Liz smirked. “It’s 11:02, Max. Of course it’s you, making sure I got to work okay.” She was met with silence, and she giggled. “Am I right or am I right?”

“Smart ass,” Max muttered, his smile evident even through the phone.

“To answer your question, I made it work just fine and I am not, in fact, in labor,” Liz continued.

“You’re a little spitfire today, aren’t you?”

“Comes with being the mother of Max Evans’ children,” she answered breezily. “Now, if there are no further questions, I’m going to get to work. And I suggest you do the same, mister.”

“Okay, okay,” Max sighed. “But if you need anything, I’m right across the street-“

“Goodbye, Max.”

Max smiled again as he hung up the phone. He knew Liz felt a little crowded, but he couldn’t help it. Technically, the baby could arrive any day now. It was still a bit too early for his liking, especially since Dr. Sinclair said he weight was a little on the low side. This, of course, virtually guaranteed a natural delivery, and that made both Max and Liz relieved. But with each day that came and went, he was closer to being a father. With an actual baby. And it was kind of scaring the shit out of him.

“How’s Liz?” Brody asked knowingly, poking his head into the office.

“She’s fine,” Max answered, turning from the desk with his sheepish smile. “I think she’s getting a little annoyed with me.”

“Probably,” Brody agreed. “But it’s your first baby, you’re entitled-“ He cut himself off, realizing what he said. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t very-“

“It’s okay,” Max assured. “I know what you meant.” And he did. Obviously, he and Liz still thought about their first child. Gabriel. Just the other day, Max found Liz sitting on their bed, just staring at the painting on the wall.

“He would be fifteen months old now,” she’d said, noticing him in the doorway. “Running all over the place, getting into things…”

Max had nodded, stepping over to his wife and sinking down beside her. “We’d be chasing him everywhere,” he chuckled.

"You would be,” Liz corrected with a smile, rubbing her hand over her round stomach. She glanced up at him then, their eyes meeting instantaneously.

Max reached over, placing his hand over hers and linking their fingers. They both knew what neither had spoken aloud – this little girl, their daughter…she wouldn’t be. It was a strange thought, to know that this little person they’d already grown to know wouldn’t be in their lives. They’d never imagined that so much hope would eventually stem from so much pain.

Shaking his head in wonder, Max turned his attention back to Brody in the present. “I should get back to work.”

Brody nodded slowly. “Some moron switched around the dates on the magnetic timeline,” he sighed. “Could you-“

“I’m on it,” Max answered. He had a feeling these next few weeks would be full of mindless little tasks – anything to keep him busy until show time.

*****

“There’s the birthday boy!” Kyle crowed, spotting Evan across the backyard in Isabel’s arms.

The little boy immediately turned to his “Uncle” Kyle, raising his arms to him with a bright grin.

"Now it’s a party,” Isabel smiled, passing her son to Kyle. She turned to Serena and Jaycee and said warmly, “I’m glad you could make it.”

Jaycee nodded, holding up a brightly wrapped gift. “Can I give this to Evan now?”

“Actually, there’s a stack over there for gifts,” she said, gesturing across her parents’s yard, where a pile of gifts was gathering on the patio. “I don’t think Evan knows they’re for him. Or even what’s going on, for that matter,” she added with a wink.

Serena returned her smile, surprised to see how laid back Isabel appeared to be. She’d heard horror stories from Kyle about Isabel’s tyrannical grip when organizing just about any event, but she had yet to see the “Nazi” rear her head. Maybe motherhood calmed her, she thought with a chuckle.

“Well,” she spoke up to her daughter, “Let’s drop it off with the other gifts, okay?” As she led Jaycee across the yard, one hand guiding her shoulder, she couldn’t help recalling Evan’s birth one year before. And the eerie similarity with Jaycee’s.

“Serena! Hi!”

Serena snapped from her thoughts, seeing Liz relaxing in a patio chair with a tall lemonade. “Hey yourself,” she smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“That’s the question of the day,” Liz answered with a good-natured roll of her eyes. “I think everyone’s expecting a repeat performance of one year ago, but there won’t be any babies born today.”

Serena laughed. “Point taken.”

“You’re awfully strong, Jaycee,” Liz noted, watching as the little girl hefted the box onto the table of gifts.

Jaycee nodded proudly. “These Duplo blocks are heavy.” She paused, her eyes widening as she realized she gave the secret away. “Oops…”

Liz giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”

Max appeared at the screen door ten, a plate of food for Liz in his hand, and he paused. He watched his beautiful wife converse so easily with the child, and was again reminded what an amazing mother she would be. Liz, she just had this way with people. When she talked to you it was like you were the only person in the whole world. Their daughter was lucky. Hell, he was lucky.

“Are you going to give your wife her food or just stand there gawking at her all day?” Jesse teased from behind him.

Turning with a sheepish grin, Max said, “Was it that obvious I was staring?”

Jesse nodded emphatically. “But I’m guilty of the same thing with my own wife.”

Max studied him for a moment, realizing he no longer felt at all uncomfortable when Jesse talked about his sister. He was growing up. And just in time, he supposed!

“So any time now, huh?” Jesse continued, nodding in Liz’s direction. “I understand why you’re watching her like a hawk. I was the same way, but…” he shrugged, chuckling. “What can I say, Evan’s like his mother. He’s got a mind of his own.”

Max laughed, but now he fully understood why it was so hard for Jesse to leave Isabel just before Evan was born. Nothing on this earth – or any other, for that matter – would tear him from Liz. It was hard enough just going to work during the day!

Kyle approached then, with Evan in one arm and the other holding Jaycee’s hand. “We’re getting some food. I’ll let you take your kid back,” he winked, passing the little boy to Jesse.

“Hey big guy,” Jesse grinned, lifting his son into the air. “How do you like your party?”

His nephew really was a perfect blend of Isabel and Jesse, Max noted then as he watched Evan giggle. Jesse’s eyes and strong jaw line offset his fairer hair and complexion from Isabel. Max was again reminded of his daughter, how she would be such a perfect mini Max-and-Liz.

“You’ve got that look again,” Jesse noted, settling Evan on his hip.

“Just thinking,” Max said with a smile, watching his nephew inspect the plate in his hand. “Are you hungry, Evan? Here.” He took great care in breaking a bite of watermelon – seedless, of course – from the slice and offering it to the little boy.

Liz watched this from the other side of the patio, her heart swelling with love for her husband. He was going to make such an amazing father. Just seeing his smile, his gentle laughter at the face Evan made because of the juicy fruit, the way he wiped at his chin with his thumb…he was wonderful.

Max glanced up then, his eye catching Liz’s. He grinned at the sight of her ducking her head, caught in the act of watching him. So he wasn’t the only guilty one…

Excusing himself, he crossed the deck and crouched beside Liz’s chair. “Hey beautiful.”

“Hey,” Liz smiled, catching sight of his plate. “What’d you bring me?”

“Lots of good stuff,” Max informed her, plucking a plump strawberry between his fingers. “Open up.”

Liz complied, taking a bite from the sweet fruit he offered her. “This baby is going to be addicted to strawberries, you know,” she laughed.

“She’ll have to fight us for them,” he grinned, leaning up to kiss the sticky sweet juice from her lips.

“So competitive,” Liz scolded teasingly. “It’s your fault for feeding them to me all the time in the first place.”

“I can’t help it.” Max nipped at her lower lip. “I’m addicted.”

54

“Liz? Lizzie?”

Suddenly aware of someone speaking her name, Liz’s eyes fluttered open. She gazed up from where she sat slumped on the couch in the back room of the Crashdown to see her mother studying her.

“Are you okay, honey?”

“Yeah, Mom, I’m fine,” Liz answered, yawning and straightening a little. “I was only going to sit for a few minutes and I guess I ended up dozing off.”

“That’s alright,” Nancy assured, sitting down beside her daughter. “Liz, why don’t you call it a day?”

“Because I’ve only been here two hours,” Liz reminded, stifling another yawn. “If I go home I’ll just end up reorganizing the baby’s dresser. You can only fold undershirts so many times.”

Nancy smiled, patting Liz’s knee. “I was the same way before you were born,” she said with a chuckle. “It drove your father nuts. I was reorganizing left and right and he couldn’t find anything. Good thing you were a week early or I probably would have set to work down here and he would really have been in trouble.”

Both Nancy and Liz shared a laugh at this before a look of nostalgia crossed over Nancy’s face. “The day you were born is still crystal clear.”

Liz smiled, recognizing the look in her mother’s eyes. “Yeah?”

“Of course!” Nancy confirmed. “It was so rainy for May. It was pouring the entire time I was in labor and the nurse kept joking you were going to arrive by ark, not stork.” Nancy chuckled. “And then, right after the doctor put you in my arms, the nurse told me to look out the window-“

“Because the rain had stopped and there was a rainbow,” Liz finished with a smile, having heard that story dozens of times.

“God, it seems like it was just yesterday,” Nancy mused, squeezing Liz’s hand. “And now here you are…my baby girl is about to have her own baby girl.”

“Oh Mom,” Liz sighed, wrapping her arm around her mother and giving her a hug just as Maria pushed through the swinging door.

“Am I interrupting a moment?” she asked, watching mother and daughter embrace.

Liz giggled, wiping at her eyes. “It’s okay, Maria.”

“Well, blame it on Max. He’s on the phone.”

Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Liz pushed herself up from the couch. “He just doesn’t quit, does he?”

“Aw, he’s just a doting husband,” Maria said. “Lucky you.”

Making a face as she moved into the office, Liz lifted the phone from the desk. “Hi Max.”

“Are you okay? You sound tired,” came his voice without preamble.

“Max.”

He sighed. “I know, I know, I’m not supposed to call you every five minutes. But I have to stay a little late tonight and I don’t want you to wait for me. Can Maria take you home?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Liz answered, sinking into her chair. “I’ll start dinner later, then.”

“No, no, I’ll pick something up,” Max said quickly. “You just get home and rest.”

Liz almost opened her mouth to argue, but then stopped. It wasn’t worth it. “Yes, dear husband,” she answered with a teasing lilt in her voice. She really should stop messing with the poor guy, she knew that. But it was so much fun.

*****

“Liz, I’m home! I brought Chinese!” Max kicked the door shut behind him, arms loaded down with takeout bags. There was no response, but he could hear music wafting from the back of the apartment. 80’s. Of course.

He headed down the hall toward the music, pausing in the nursery doorway. “Hey, you.”

Liz glanced up from where she sat cross-legged on the floor. “Hi,” she returned cheerfully.

“It looks like you’re keeping yourself busy,” he noted, his voice tinged with amusement as he studied the piles of baby clothes scattered around her.

“I decided to reorganize the dresser,” Liz explained. “I don’t want the sleepers at the bottom, because she’ll be wearing them a lot and they should have easy access. Right?” She paused at the look on Max’s face. “I know, I know, I sound ridiculous-“

“Maybe you’re just hungry,” Max chuckled, reaching down and helping Liz to her feet. “There’s Chinese on the table.”

“Ooh, really?” Liz’s eyes lit up. “God, chicken kung pao sounds so good right now. Oh, and crab rangoons!”

Max smiled to himself as he led Liz down the hall, glad he also stopped by for a new bottle of Tabasco.

Later, as they polished off their rather mundane fortune cookies, Max leaned back in his chair and let out a contented sigh. “That was good.”

Liz nodded, pushing herself to her feet. No sooner had she crossed the small kitchen to put her plate in the sink than she paused, resting her hand on her lower abdomen.

“Liz?” Max’s voice rose in concern.

She turned to him, a smile crossing her face. “Max, I’m fine. I think the food gave me a little indigestion, that’s all.”

He got to his feet uneasily. “It doesn’t usually.”

“Max,” she laughed, placing her hands on his shoulders and giving him a little shake. “You’re going to give yourself a coronary.”

“I don’t think aliens can have heart attacks,” he shot back, trying to keep his voice light. But hell, he was sure he was going to have the closest thing to it before this baby was born. Every time the phone rang at work, every time Liz shifted in her sleep, every strange face she made, he was sure it was time. He was constantly on his toes, and Liz simply gave him that ‘don’t be such a dork’ look.

He moved his hands down her sides, rubbing over her belly. “I’m just nervous,” he said lamely.

“I kind of figured that,” Liz giggled, leaning her forehead against his. “Max, it’s got to happen sometime. And when it does, we’ll be fine. All of us. Okay?” She paused as he slowly nodded his head. “I promise.”

Max nodded again, considering this. Liz had never let him down before, and he was pretty sure she wouldn’t start now. But still… “Liz, I just-“

“Shh.” Liz silenced him with a finger to his lips. “Not another word. Let’s just relax and have fun tonight, okay? Just you and me. We won’t think about anything else.”

And as much as their typical definition of “having fun” had changed in the past few weeks, they still did just that curled up on the couch watching old reruns of Cheers. It was just before ten when Liz dozed off, and Max flipped off the television and lifted her into his arms. To him, she was still as light as a feather.

As placed her in their bed and waved his hand over her to remove her clothing, Liz’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked sleepily, asking, “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”

“You caught me,” Max chuckled, giving her a chaste kiss. “Here, lift your arms.”

Liz complied, and he slid her nightshirt over her head. Stripping his own clothes down to his boxers, he crawled into bed beside her. “Go back to sleep, love,” he urged, pressing another kiss against her forehead. He smiled to himself then, realizing she was already out, and ran his hand over her round belly. “Sweet dreams.”

*****

Liz awoke with a start. The sensation that washed through her was something new, a persistent ache that clamped around her body. She took a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling until it faded. And then she smiled, realizing that what she had been feeling earlier that evening was not, in fact, indigestion.

She glanced over to Max, sleeping soundly beside her, and considered waking him. He sighed in his sleep then, snuggling closer to her, and she decided against it. She figured this might be the last decent sleep he might get for a while, and so instead she settled back down beside him. Knowing she was beyond her own slumber, Liz’s eyes wandered from her husband to the wall beyond their bed.

The moonlight cast a pale beam across the painting, illuminating the angel. Her angel. Liz swallowed hard, closing her eyes. “Take care of your sister, Gabriel,” she whispered. “Help her get to us safely.”

*****

Serena’s eyes fluttered open, a sleepy smile crossing her face as she found herself surrounded by the warmth of Kyle’s arms. She shifted a little, realizing they must have fallen asleep on the couch after putting Jaycee to bed. Sure enough, the television cast a faint blue glow over his face, the low drone blending with his light snores.

Twisting her arm to glance at her watch, Serena sighed. 3:30. Should she wake him or just let him sleep? His dad was generally pretty cool about him being out late, but all night? She nearly chuckled then, remembering he was still a “kid” living under his father’s roof. His intelligence and amazing way with people belied his age, allowing Serena to overlook the fact that she was, technically, robbing the cradle.

As it turned out, Serena didn’t have to decide whether or not to wake him. The phone rang, startling them both.

“Wh-“ Kyle mumbled, his eyes flicking open as Serena disentangled herself and climbed off the couch.

“I got it.” She cleared her throat, but her “Hello?” was still raspy.

“Serena, I’m sorry to wake you-“

“Liz?”

“Yeah. Listen, I’m really sorry, but I have a question.”

“Go for it.” Serena exchanged a shrug with Kyle, relieved that there didn’t seem to be an emergency.

“A tightening feeling in the abdomen that, like, wraps around to your back is a contraction, right?”

“It definitely sounds like it.” Serena paused. “Liz, did you have a contraction?”

“Right before I called, actually,” Liz admitted. “And one seven minutes before that. And seven minutes before that, and ten minutes before that. And when I really think about it, probably earlier tonight-“

“Liz?” Serena tried unsuccessfully to hide the chuckle in her voice. “Sweetie, I think you’re in labor. Where’s Max?”

“Oh, he’s still sleeping,” Liz answered. “I wanted to wait until I knew for sure that’s what it was.”

“Well, assuming he’d like to join you at the hospital, I’d recommend waking him up.”

“Okay.” There was a short pause. “Um, are you-“

“We’ll meet you there,” Serena answered quickly, hoping to relieve some of Liz’s obvious anxiousness.

“Wait, we?"

Any apprehension was suddenly gone, and Serena could hear the smirk in Liz’s voice.

“It’s not what you – oh, never mind,” Serena groaned. “Go wake up that husband of yours and get to the hospital.”

Liz giggled. “Tell Kyle I said hi. See you there, Serena.” Hanging up the phone, Liz padded out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Pausing beside the bed, she gazed down at her sleeping husband. He was about to get quite a wake up, that was for sure. Liz lowered herself to sit beside him, brushing his dark hair off his forehead. “Max?”

Max let out a soft groan in his sleep, but showed no sign of awakening.

“Max,” she tried again. “Wake up, baby. We’ve got to go.”

He shifted again, these words breaking through his sleepy fog a little. “Hmm, go where?” he mumbled.

Taking her hand in his and leaning a little closer, she placed it on the curve of her belly. “To have our baby.”

These words registered like a jolt of lightning, and he bolted into a sitting position. “To have-“ He gulped, staring at Liz with a mixture of panic and excitement on his face. “Liz, are you…you’re…”

Liz couldn’t help but giggle at Max’s expression, and she nodded. “So I was thinking maybe we should go…”

“Yeah. Yeah, we should. Right now,” he babbled, throwing the covers aside and jumping to his feet. “Pants. Shit. Where are my pants?”

Stifling her laughter, Liz pointed to the back of a chair. Her smile faded as a contraction began to ripple through her, and she bowed her head to breathe through it.

“Liz?” Max’s eyes practically bugged out of his head at the sight of his wife, and he crouched before her. “God, Liz, does it hurt?”

She raised her eyes as it faded away, and arched a brow. “What do you think?”

“Oh god, I’m sorry,” he murmured, reaching for her hand. “I’ll…I’ll do something so that it doesn’t hurt-“

“No.” Liz shook her head.

“No?”

“Max, we talked about this. I want it to be completely natural. That means no drugs, and no powers, either.”

“But…but why?" It was going to kill him, seeing her in any kind of pain.

“Well first of all, it will be a lot less risky,” Liz reminded him. “And secondly…Max, do you remember when you put her crib together? How you didn’t want to use your powers?”

Max nodded, not having any idea what assembling a crib and giving birth to a baby had in common. “Yeah, I remember.”

“You wanted to do it on your own for her,” she explained. “And…well, I want to do this. I can’t do it without you, Max, and I want you right by my side. But I’m going to do this.” She paused, touching his cheek. “Don’t be upset.”

He stared at her, unsure of what to say. How could he be upset when she was so completely amazing? “I’m not upset, Liz. I’ll be right next to you the whole time. I won’t leave you,” he vowed, squeezing her hands.

“Then that’s all I need.” She smiled at him as he helped her to her feet. “Let’s have our baby.”

55

“Step it up a little, Spaceboy.”

Michael sighed as he trailed behind Maria through the hospital corridor. “It’s not like that’ll control when the kid gets here,” he reasoned. Besides, it was five in the morning and he was half-asleep. This, of course, hadn’t stopped Maria from rushing like a madwoman to get to the hospital from the moment Kyle had called her cell phone. Of all the nights for her to be sleeping over…

As they rounded the corner they spotted Serena and another woman outside a patient’s room. Michael immediately recognized as Rosa, the nurse from Evan’s birth. He and Maria exchanged a look, and as they got closer began to make out the conversation.

“Look, she’s young and nervous,” Serena was saying. “She feels more comfortable with me being here.”

“But I’m the attending nurse,” Rosa pointed out.

“I realize that,” Serena continued patiently. “But if Dr. Sinclair agrees to let me assist, then it’s one less patient for you to worry about.”

Rosa considered this for a long moment and finally nodded. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“That’s why I’m here,” Serena explained with a smile. “I’ll let Dr. Sinclair know about the change when he comes on duty.” She turned then, noticing Maria and Michael just down the hall. “Oh, hey! Liz is right in here.”

“How’s she doing? Is she in a lot of pain?” Maria asked anxiously, practically rushing Serena to get to the door. “Lizzie?”

Liz glanced up from the hospital bed where she sat panting through a contraction. She managed a short wave and a smile through clenched teeth before returning her attention to her breathing.

Max sat at her side, just as he’d promised, rubbing a soothing hand up and down her back. He murmured words of encouragement until the contraction passed, and then finally turned his attention to the doorway. Rather than greet his friends, he said, “They getting closer together.”

“And stronger,” Liz added wryly. “Definitely stronger.”

Serena chuckled. “That sounds about right. Listen, now would be the time to get any kind of pain relief. You’re progressing pretty quickly, and if we wait much longer, it won’t be an option.”

Liz shook her head firmly, glancing first at Max and then Serena. “Nope, no drugs.”

“Chica, are you crazy?” Maria squawked. “We live in a modern age where women aren’t required unnecessary suffering! Take advantage of what millions of women only dreamed about!”

Liz couldn’t help giggling at her best friend’s speech. “Thanks for the encouragement, Maria.”

Maria raised her hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m just going off what my mom said. You’ll notice I’m an only child-“

“Oh my god.”

Max launched forward in alarm as his wife shifted, wide-eyed, on the bed. “What, Liz? What’s wrong?”

Liz squirmed again, looking to Serena for assistance. “I think my water just broke.”

Serena nodded knowingly as Max let out a sigh of momentary relief and Michael looked on in pure confusion.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It’s normal, Michael,” Serena assured dryly. “Why don’t you give us a few minutes to get Liz changed and settled. Kyle should be here before too long, he’s keeping an eye on Jaycee until she wakes up and goes to my mom’s”

Muttering something about the damn waiting room chairs, Michael headed out of the room with Maria behind him, rolling her eyes.

Serena and Max helped Liz to her feet, and Liz gasped again. “It’s…is it supposed to look like that?”

All three stared down at the shimmering fluid that was soaking into the sheets. Serena chewed on her lower lip for a long moment before answering. “Isabel’s looked like this, too."

Liz nodded, watching as Max quickly passed his hand over the sheet and obliterated any evidence of the fluid’s existence. “It must be something…alien…” she murmured.

A wave of nausea rolled through Serena, but she managed to fight it back and give a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, okay? The rest of her delivery was completely normal.”

Max waved his hand over Liz’s gown then, drying it, before helping her back into bed. “See, baby? Everything’s going to be fine.” But from the look on Serena’s face, he didn’t know who he was trying to reassure more - Liz or himself.

*****

“That was so not the same one.”

“Yes it was!” Michael insisted.

“Nu-uh,” Maria argued. “Trust me, it was my ass on the sink, and the first one was not stainless steel.”

Michael rolled his eyes as they approached the waiting room. “You sure didn’t seem to be complaining.”

“Whatever, the one last year was right by the elevator. Not the water fountain.”

Kyle smirked from where he sat in a waiting room chair paging through an old People magazine. “Are you two arguing about the bathroom?”

“No!” Maria answered a little too quickly.

“The point is that you got action in a bathroom, am I right?” He smirked again, shaking his head. “You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”

“What are you talking about?” Isabel asked suspiciously, sliding her cell phone back into her pocket and hoping Jesse would be able to manage Evan on his own. “And where’ve you been all this time?”

“Nowhere!” Michael and Maria chorused as the Evans and Parkers filed into the waiting room.

“She’s starting to push,” Diane announced excitedly.

“What? Already?” Maria demanded. How long had they been gone, anyway? She’d wanted to see Liz before-

“Guess you’ll have to work on the whole quickie concept,” Kyle whispered with a devilish grin. He quickly snapped his mouth shut upon the glare he received from Michael.

“I’m so nervous,” Nancy mused, sinking into a chair beside her husband.

Jeff squeezed Nancy’s hand. “She’s going to be fine,” he assured. “Lizzie’s a strong kid.”

The rest of the group also experienced a twinge of nerves, but for a different reason entirely.

“Max and Serena will take good care of her,” Isabel said softly, as much for them as for the Parkers. “The baby will be here soon and they’ll all be fine.”

*****

“Push, baby. You can do this.”

You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting

Liz let out a low cry, clenching Max’s hand until he was sure it was broken and making him wonder briefly if his ban from healing included himself. He watched her face contort as she pushed, and his stomach churned. She was giving birth to their child. A child that they had both created, but that only she could give life to. Through their heightened connection, he could feel an ache echo through his body with each contraction, but he know it was nothing compared to what her body was going through. Still, he wouldn’t go back on his promise to Liz. She needed to do this and he needed to let her, no matter how hard it was for both of them.

You are the light into my soul
You are my purpose…you’re everything

Max crouched down beside the bed, running his thumb across her cheek. “Baby, look at me,” he encouraged. “I love you so much. You are doing this. You are so strong and so brave, baby. I am so proud of you.”

“Oh god, Max,” she gasped wearily. “I’m so tired."

I know, love,” he murmured, taking her hand in his and placing it on the swell of her belly. “Liz, that’s our baby,” he whispered, looking deep into her eyes and trying to project some of his energy into her exhausted body. Energy wasn't cheating, was it? “She’s ready to meet us. I know you can do this. You can give her life. Just like you do for me.”

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

She squeezed his hand. “I love you,” she breathed. Her grip grew tighter and she gritted her teeth as another contraction wracked her small frame.

“Okay, Liz,” came Dr. Sinclair’s voice from the end of the bed. “The baby’s head is fully crowned. Just a little bit more.”

Serena grinned at them from where she stood beside Dr. Sinclair. “Max, do you want to take a look? It’s the most incredible thing you’ll ever see.”

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Max thought about this for a split second before moving toward the end of the bed, still gripping Liz’s hand. His heart thundered wildly in his chest as the intensity of their connection increased.

“Oh my god,” he breathed. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to be seeing, but then…oh…oh god. “Liz, she’s right there. I can see her.” His throat tightened, and he clung to her hand. Not sure he could trust his voice, he spoke to her through their connection. She's almost here. So close, love...

Liz managed a weak smile and then groaned, prompting Max back to her side. You're amazing, he told her as she continued to push, her eyes squeezed shut in the effort.

“And…the head is out,” Dr. Sinclair announced after a few moments. “We’ve got some dark hair...”

“Liz, look down, sweetie. Look at your baby,” Serena encouraged, her eyes glimmering with excitement.

Liz clenched Max’s hand and wailed. And then…suddenly…there was another cry as they watched Dr. Sinclair lift their baby, pink and squalling, from Liz’s body.

You still my heart and you take my breath away
You are all I need…you are everything

Both Max and Liz uttered a collective gasp as the child was placed on Liz’s chest. The moment was unlike any they had ever experienced.

“It’s a girl,” Dr. Sinclair announced needlessly, grinning beneath his green paper cap.

“Our little girl,” Max murmured. He couldn’t take his eyes from the tiny life squirming on Liz’s chest. She was even tinier than he’d imagined, and red and wet and…beautiful. Just beautiful.

“Happy birthday, Peanut.” He dropped a kiss atop hers and Liz’s heads as Dr. Sinclair said, “Are you ready to cut the cord, Daddy?”

Oblivious to the rest of the world, Max gently ran a finger down their baby’s back. Her skin was slimy and wet, yet so smooth and so perfect! After a moment he heard Liz whisper, “Max, that’s you.”

Max swallowed hard, a dazed smile crossing his face. “Oh yeah.”

The doctor handed Max a pair of scissors and indicated where to cut. He looked at his wife and daughter in turn, joined physically for the last time. When Liz gently nodded, he cut the cord.

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Liz couldn’t stop touching her baby, the tears spilling down her cheeks as she ran her fingers over the top of her head, along the back of her neck, across her spine…the feeling of her body rising and falling on her chest with each breath was absolutely mind-blowing.

Serena, too, fought back tears as she watched Liz and Max meet their daughter for the first time. After a moment she asked for permission to clean her up, and gently lifted her from Liz.

Max squeezed Liz’s hand and gave her another radiant smile before following them to a little table, where their daughter was weighed, measured, and wrapped in a blanket.

You calm the storms…you give me rest

“Seven pounds even,” Serena announced. “Okay, sweetheart, are you ready to meet Dad?” she asked the whimpering newborn.

Liz watched Max’s face as the tiny bundle was placed in his arms, and she felt the tears spring to her eyes again. He stood in complete awe of their daughter, his amber eyes meeting hers for the first time. “Hi,” he whispered. “Hi Peanut. I’m your daddy. But you already knew that.”

You hold me in your hands
You won’t let me fall

Her cries subsided as Max gently traced a finger down her cheek, and her tiny eyes struggled to focus on his face. In that moment, he had never felt more connected to his daughter. And he had never been more proud in his life.

“Let’s see Mommy,” he said after a few moments, knowing mother and daughter needed to be together. He glanced up at Liz, holding her gaze as he crouched beside the bed. He placed a tender kiss on her lips before placing their daughter in her arms.

You still my heart and you take my breath away
You are all I need…you are everything

“Max, look at her,” Liz sighed, her heart swelling as the baby’s warm body nestled into her arms. She reached for the tiny hand that peeked from the edge of the blanket and carefully touched each delicate pink fingernail. “Five on this one,” she said, her eyes dancing as she glanced up at Max.

“That’s good. Because I counted seven on the other,” he grinned back, dropping another kiss onto her forehead.

Liz’s eyes widened for a moment and then quickly narrowed. “Max!”

“She’s perfect,” he assured, smoothing Liz’s damp hair back. “Absolutely perfect.”

Serena poked her head back in the room then, smiling at the couple who hadn’t even noticed her leave. “You’ve got some anxious visitors out there,” she informed them.

Dr. Sinclair glanced up from where he was stitching Liz’s minor tear. “I’m almost finished here. We’ll get cleaned up and then whenever you’re ready, Liz.”

Max gazed down at his wife, not wanting her to feel rushed. After all, she’d just given birth and-

“As soon as you’re done down there,” Liz said brightly, her previous exhaustion all but forgotten as she marveled over her child. She noticed then that the newborn’s lips were pursing insistently, and instinctively knew what her baby needed.

Max watched, puzzled, as Liz began to fiddle with the flap of her hospital gown. Serena was immediately at her side, assisting, while Max continued to look on in confusion. “Wh-“

“Your daughter is hungry,” Serena explained with a chuckle, noticing Max’s befuddlement at his wife’s sudden exposure.

Oh. Well of course she was. Max cleared his throat, feeling a bit embarrassed.

With Serena’s help, Liz guided the newborn to her breast. She gasped as the child instinctively found what she was looking for and latched on, but then relaxed a little when the baby settled comfortably to nurse.

“You’re naturals,” Serena encouraged, squeezing Liz’s arm. “Silly question, but does it feel okay?”

“Yeah,” Liz answered slowly, the awed expression never leaving her face. “Look, she’s already falling asleep.”

“She probably won’t take much right away,” Serena explained. “While you’re both adjusting, try to switch off as much as possible so you don’t get sore.”

I'll fix that, Max thought importantly as he rubbed his hand up and down Liz’s arm and watched their daughter drift to sleep. He guessed the moment of quiet would be short lived, and he was right. Just minutes later, the room filled with excited family.

The grandma’s were first, with Maria just behind. “Oh…Lizzie,” she gasped.

Liz and Max beamed proudly as their families marveled over their daughter, crowding around the bed to get a closer look.

“She’s just gorgeous,” Diane murmured, clasping Philip’s hand. “Philip, isn’t she gorgeous?”

“She is,” Philip agreed, grinning proudly.

Nancy and Jeff gazed down at their daughter and her baby – their first granddaughter. Jeff could barely speak around the lump of emotion in his throat, and Nancy, too, fought back tears as she said, “Lizzie, she looks just like you when you were born.”

Liz smiled at Max and then back down at her daughter. “She’s got Max’s eyes. You can’t tell right now, but they’re beautiful.”

“Does she have his ears, too?” Michael teased from Maria’s side.

Isabel rolled her eyes, elbowing him. “Don’t say that, she’s just an innocent little thing.”

“I think they’re cute,” Liz murmured, again meeting Max’s eyes with a smile.

He couldn’t resist leaning in for a sweet kiss, causing the child to stir slightly in Liz’s arms.

“Get used to it, kiddo,” Maria chuckled, the rest of the family joining in her gentle laughter.

“Are you going to tell us what to call her already?” Serena spoke up from where she stood in Kyle’s embrace.

Liz and Max exchanged another glance while the family waited expectantly.

Reaching over to touch his daughter’s tiny hand, Max took a deep breath. “Everyone, this is our little Peanut.” He paused for dramatic effect, making sure to catch his mother’s eye. “Hope Claudia Evans.”

The room buzzed with murmurs of approval, and if Jeff hadn’t been close to tears before, they were practically spilling down his cheeks now.

“We thought it fit her,” Liz added simply, gazing first at Max and then at her child with absolute adoration and love. And it did fit her. She was their hope – she had been before she even existed. All of their love and pain and joy weaved together to form this incredible little person now dozing in her arms. She would never forget the wise words Grandma Claudia had given her so many years ago. Because even though the road had been complicated, Liz would never regret the journey. Her eyes shone with love as she smiled up at Max. Her husband, the father of her child, her soulmate.


*lyrics by Lifehouse, Everything

56

Max couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The way her little rosebud lips pursed, and the feathery lashes that fluttered against her cheeks as she blinked, and the delicate fingers that wrapped into tiny fists. Hope Claudia Evans was, without a doubt, the most beautiful baby he had ever seen.

He gently ran his index finger along the side of her face, and she turned her head toward his chest curiously. Oops. Not a good idea. He suddenly remembered reading what that meant to a newborn. Feeding time.

“Sorry, Peanut, you’re looking at the wrong person,” he murmured with a smile. Max glanced up from where they were sitting in a wooden rocking chair in the corner of Liz’s hospital room. “Mommy’s sleeping. I think she’s had a long day, we probably shouldn’t wake her up just yet,” he whispered to his daughter.

Max’s eyes lingered on Liz as he slowly rocked back and forth. He’d lost track of the number of times that day he’d told her how amazing she was, but it still didn’t seem to be enough. It wasn’t adequate to describe the miracle of the tiny life he was now holding. It was, in a word, indescribable.

As he watched her, Liz began to stir. Her eyes opened slowly, and she focused on her husband and the tiny bundle in his arms. “Hi,” she murmured with a smile.

Carefully getting to his feet, Max crossed the room and eased onto the edge of the bed. “Hey sleepyhead,” he grinned. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore,” Liz admitted as she pulled herself up to sit against the pillows, her face glowing with happiness. “But it’s normal. And it’s totally worth it,” she added, reaching into the soft pink blanket and touching Hope’s cheek.

Max smiled as he watched the baby chase Liz’s finger. “Now you’ve done it,” he teased, gently transferring their daughter into Liz’s arms.

Pulling one of the flaps of her hospital gown aside, Liz carefully guided her baby to her breast. She sucked in a small breath as the newborn latched on, not entirely used to the feeling yet.

“Does it hurt you?” Max asked in concern.

Liz shook her head, gazing down at Hope. “It doesn’t hurt, really. It’s just…it’s hard to describe. I’ve never felt anything like it.” Her eyes lifted to meet his. “It’s so strange. For the past nine months my body’s been nourishing her from the inside, and now I’m actually seeing it.” She paused shyly. “Does that make any sense?”

Max tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” he murmured, touching his finger to Hope’s hand and watching as her tiny fist wrapped around it.

“It’s like a dream,” Liz agreed. She was silent for a long moment, watching her daughter nurse. “Were you scared, Max?”

Max considered this. “Yes,” he answered finally. “I didn’t want to see you hurting. I was afraid of being powerless to take your pain away.”

Liz nodded slowly. “But I mean…about things being…different.”

“Oh.” He swallowed hard, smoothing Liz’s hair off her forehead. “Liz, I’m always scared of that. Of how it could effect you. And now our daughter. It’s my biggest fear.”

Reaching out, Liz touched a soothing hand to his cheek. “I know. But…I knew Gabriel was taking care of her.”

Max managed a gentle smile, cupping his hand over Liz’s. “I think so too. And sometimes…I think maybe he sent Serena, too. We’re lucky to have her in our lives.”

Liz nodded silently, thinking back to those first days after they lost Gabriel. They were going through hell, but Serena was there for them without even realizing it. She never let them down through any of it, and now she was doing whatever she could to protect their children…their secret. Today had been no exception, as she took special efforts to make sure Hope didn’t leave Max and Liz’s sight. The scare from Evan’s birth was still too fresh, and while his blood proved to be human, they weren’t ready to take any chances. Not yet. They would test Hope’s blood someday, but at the moment they simply wanted to enjoy her sweet presence.

“Are you all finished?” Liz murmured presently to her little girl, watching as her mouth lost suction.

“I think she’s falling asleep,” Max observed. Sure enough, her dark eyes were hooded with sleepy lids, losing their struggle to stay open. “Maybe she’s got the right idea. You should try to get some more sleep.”

Liz stifled a yawn and nodded. “What about you, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m okay,” Max answered. “I’d rather stay awake and watch you both.” He paused, seeing the look Liz gave him – she was touched, but not fooled – and confessed, “I just want to be close to you.”

Giving him a smile that was full of love, Liz shifted in the bed and patted the space beside her. “Me too.”

Max needed no further invitation as he gingerly lifted his legs onto the bed and settled beside Liz and little Hope asleep in her arms. As Liz leaned her head against his broad shoulder, he leaned over to place a kiss on her crown. It was just minutes before the new family was sleeping peacefully, blanketed in the security of their love.

*****

“What’s that?”

Michael glanced up from where he stood before a shelf of stuffed animals in the hospital’s gift shop. “Uh…a duck.”

“Well I see that, genius.” Maria nudged his arm playfully. “Does little Mikey want a ducky to play with?”

Shaking her off, Michael flushed a little. “It’s not for me, it’s for the baby.” He shrugged, turning the soft yellow duck over in his hands. “I figured, she’s already got like twenty-eight teddy bears at home, y’know? So I’ll get her something different.”

Maria leaned up and kissed his cheek. “That’s sweet, Michael.”

“I don’t know, do you think it’s stupid? I mean, she’s just a baby. She can’t do much except drool and poop on it, but-“

“It’s perfect, Michael,” Maria assured. “Something she can keep forever from her Uncle Michael.”

Finally smiling a little, Michael shrugged. “Yeah, well…”

“Look, give me a second to pick out some flowers for Liz and we can go.”

Michael agreed, wandering toward the register with his purchase. He didn’t know what had gotten into him, picking through the piles of furry pastel creatures and getting all warm and fuzzy inside. That wasn’t him. Max, maybe. But not him.

“You ready, Spaceboy?” Maria called, a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

He turned to her, struck suddenly by how she looked clutching the arrangement of pink roses and baby’s breath. In spite of her messy hair and under-eye circles, she was beautiful. Like a bride.

“C’mon, let’s pay,” she continued brightly.

Michael merely nodded dumbly. What the hell was going on with him? First he’s picking out baby gifts, then he’s fantasizing about a wedding?

He needed to watch a hockey game, and fast.

Once their purchases had been paid for, Michael and Maria returned to the maternity ward. Passing the nurses’ station, they received a look for Rosa, who was still apparently on duty.

“Are you visiting someone?” she asked shortly.

“Liz Evans. Room 426,” Maria responded, her tone just as curt. The nurse nodded her go-ahead, and as she and Michael continued down the hall she muttered, “Bitch.”

“Easy, Blondie.”

“Isn’t she off-duty yet? She’s been giving us looks all day.” Maria trailed off as they entered Liz’s room.

Both Liz and Max appeared to be asleep on the bed, with baby Hope sleeping just as soundly in a bassinet beside them. Max sat propped with pillows, one around Liz and the other hand resting in the bassinet on Hope’s tummy.

Upon hearing their entry, Max’s eyes opened and a smile lit his face. “Come on in.”

“Oh, we’ll just drop these off,” Maria assured, her voice hushed.

“No, we’re awake,” came Liz’s voice, her eyes also fluttering open. “We’re just-“

“Resting,” Max supplied, adjusting the blankets swaddling his daughter.

Liz smiled at her husband as he doted upon the baby. He was clearly already taken by his little girl, but then, so was she. They’d spent the last little while just lying together listening to the soft noises Hope made in her sleep. Just the sound of her breathing was enough to send tingles of joy and pride through Liz.

“These are for you,” Maria was saying as she settled the vase of flowers on the small table that was already accumulating an assortment of flowers and balloons.

“Oh, thank you,” Liz leaned up to share a hug and kiss on the cheek with her best friend, who clung to her for a long moment.

“God, Liz, I’m so proud of you,” Maria murmured.

Blinking back tears, Liz smiled and said, “I had a baby, Maria, I didn’t find a cure for cancer.”

“One thing at a time,” Maria chuckled, standing back and peering into the bassinet beside the bed. “Look at her, she’s just precious.”

“Would you like to hold her?” Max asked grandly.

“Really?” Maria’s eyes lit up as Max slipped his hands beneath the tiny bundle and lifted her from the bassinet. She’d barely gotten a good look at the child earlier; the grandparents were proving to be serious baby-hogs. With a giddy grin, she bounded over to the rocking chair and plopped down, arms outstretched.

Michael shook his head as he watched on silently, but even he couldn’t keep the smile from crossing his face as Max carefully placed the newborn in Maria’s arms.

“Look at you,” she cooed. “El bebe pequena bonita.” Glancing up, she gestured to Michael with her free hand. “Come look at the baby!”

Obliging, Michael crossed the room and awkwardly held out his gift. “Uh…this is for you. It’s a duck.” He paused then, realizing he was explaining this to a sleeping 5-hour-old.

Max and Liz glanced at each other, biting back their laughter. Michael really was trying. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it someday,” Max offered.

“Yeah, well…” Michael knelt down beside the rocker and gazed up at his girlfriend. She was beautiful, glowing as she murmured to the baby. He could only imagine how incredible it would be to see her holding their own child one day. Their child. Had he really just thought those words? He supposed he’d considered it before, him and Maria having a baby someday, but sitting here watching her hold their friends’ daughter in her arms was like an awakening for him.

“Michael?” Maria’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she smiled down on him. “Here, it’s your turn.”

“Oh…no, I can’t-“

“Yes you can, it’s easy,” Maria informed him, slowly easing to her feet and nodding to the chair. “Sit down.”

Who was he to argue with her? Michael sat, holding his breath as Maria placed Hope in his arms. He let out a rush of air as the baby, so tiny and delicate, yawned and stretched before settling into him. Maybe this wasn’t as hard as he thought…

“There, see?” Maria grinned knowingly, touching Michael’s shoulder. “I knew you could do it.”

“Yeah…it’s nothing,” Michael muttered, studying the sleeping child. Her ears really did bear a resemblance to Max’s, he could see that from beneath the striped cap on her head. At the same time he could already see so much of Liz in her little face, and even he had to marvel at the miracle of this combination of his two friends.

Would a child of his and Maria’s be such a perfect mix? He smiled faintly at the thought. They’d have his nose, and Maria’s eyes. And her lips, those beautiful full, pouty lips. Well, the girls would. Definitely not the boys.

His thoughts were again interrupted, this time by the sudden whimpers from the bundle in his arms. Hope was awakening, and Michael was terrified. He looked up at Maria with a ‘help me!’ look just as Hope let out a healthy cry.

Liz giggled from her place on the bed. “It’s okay, Michael, she’s probably just hungry.”

Poor Michael looked like a deer caught in the headlights. That meant only one thing, and he sure as hell wasn’t equipped to handle it. “Here,” he said quickly, passing the baby back to Maria.

“Already keeping Uncle Michael on his toes, I like that,” Maria chuckled, crossing over to the bed to give Hope to her mother.

The moment Liz began to lower her top, Michael was on his feet. “We should go,” he announced. “You…you look like you could use a little privacy.”

“Why, Michael, does breastfeeding make you uncomfortable?” Max asked amusedly.

“No,” Michael shot back. Hell, just hearing Max say ‘breast’ was enough to creep him out.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Maria, having caught a quick glimpse as Hope began feeding, exclaimed, “God, Liz, you’re huge!”

Liz smiled cheekily. “It’s one of the perks.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Maria mused, puffing out her chest a little.

“We’re really leaving now,” Michael informed them, grabbing Maria’s arm and taking special care not to look in Liz’s direction. Still, as they finally headed out the door, he couldn’t help casting one more glance back to the family on the bed. His eyes lingered on Max. Michael had never seen him look so happy, so proud, in his entire life as he smiled down on his wife and daughter.

A strange sense of sadness washed over him. God, how he wanted that.

“You okay, Spaceboy?” Maria asked then. “We didn’t scar you back there, did we?”

“No…no, I’m fine,” he answered quietly. And he was. Because at that moment he knew exactly what he needed to do. He’d never been more sure of anything in his life.