Roswell Fanatics

The Road Not Taken
by Drea



Author: Drea

Rating: Hmmm... TEEN (at least to start with we’ll have to see how brave I get)

Catagory: M/L but Maria is demanding equal screen time for all couples so I'll see what I can do

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination

Feedback: Feel Free I won't mind a bit really!
Summary: This is loosely based on a movie I saw but for life of me can’t remember the name. Very different from the movie I assure you. The first few minutes of the pilot happened & that’s where I take over. I am, sure everyone will recognize the first paragraph but please keep reading!


Prologue
Maria: You are sooo bad girl. Oh, and Max Evans is staring at you again.
Liz: No way.....Maria, that is so in your imagination....Max Evans? This? No, un uh..it's not...
Maria: And with those cheeks! Preciosita tan linda!
Liz: Maria!! And, and even if it weren't I'm going out with Kyle. I mean, he's steady and loyal, and he appreciates me.
Maria: Sounds like you're describing a poodle.
From the other side of the restaurant you hear.........“You ask me to give you another day!!?? You're running outta time.”
Maria then screams for Liz but it is too late the gun goes off & Liz falls to the floor. Max runs to Liz but not before Michael stops him “What are you doing? Let go of me!” “Max, what are you going to do?” Max then tells Maria to call an ambulance. “Its going to be okay..... Liz..LIZ! you have to look at me....


She could hear Max calling to her but she was so very tired & with that she fell into a very deep sleep. Liz could feel herself waking up not where she had fallen asleep but in very soft bed. With an arm around her.....WAIT! she was not alone & that arm was not Maria’s! It hit Liz with a start she knew that arm, she sat across from that arm everyday for an hour. She knew that masculine smell, it was the one that could over power any chemical she was working with & do far more damage on her senses. It was amazing she had not broken more breakers then she had. “I must be dreaming, there is no way I am in bed with Max Evans himself” she thought to herself. It was not everyday she had a dream that felt this real so Liz decided to enjoy every second of it. Hmmmmm if only this is how she could “wake up” every morning how perfect would that be? Just then when her dream couldn’t get any better she felt two lips on the back of her neck. The hand that was so innocently on her waist a moment ago was making its way up her body. Liz rolled over to return the kiss & just when their lips were about to meet....................... “Mommy!! Mommy!!” a little girl six or so & a little boy of three came jumping into bed. “Mommy I’m starving! What’s for breakfast?” Liz sat up with a start & realized she was very much awake...............



Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Do you think I should keep writing?

Chapter 1
Liz’s logical mind took over First where was she? Second How!?!?!? Last thing she remembered was getting shot & with that all the color drained from her face.
Beside Liz, Max had pulled their little girl into his arms & gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Well I guess there is no such thing as a locked door in this house is there Liz? What have I said about knocking Katie?”
“Aunt Isabel said you de...de.. deserveded-it Daddy!” Katie replied innocently.
Max then looked over to Liz..... “Liz, Honey are you okay? Whats wrong? Are you sick?”
Needing sometime to think Liz replied “How about you take the kids & give them some cereal & we can talk after?”
“Okay..........” Max said unevenly “Alrighty kids first one downstairs gets hot cocoa with breakfast” and with that they were off.
Liz sat in the middle of the bed & pulled her knees up to her chin. She had to still be dreaming right? “How could this possibly be real?” she asked herself for what felt like the hundredth time. So she did the only thing she could think of.......... She pinched her arm.
“Ouch!” “Damn it I am awake” she muttered.
“Liz honey what exactly are you doing?” Max called from the door way.
Liz was so scared if by some chance this wasn’t a dream? What if this was her life & for some reason she had repressed it all? But why? So many questions but she knew Max was waiting for a response. How was she going to tell him?
“Max, I.....” the tears that had been forming in Liz’s eyes started to fall. Seeing that Max took two large strides towards the bed & took Liz in his arms. “Liz, its okay sweetheart I am right here. What’s wrong? Did you dream the world was going to end again? We fixed it last time I am sure we could do it again. Just please tell me what’s wrong?”
What in the world was he talking about “end of the world?” What kind of alternate universe was she in?
“Where are the kids?” she asked softly
“They are downstairs” he said while slowly rubbing the small of her back.
“Alone?!?” Liz cried
“Noooooo with Michael” Max said wondering just how long Liz was going to stall.
“What’s Michael doing here?” Liz sweetly replied, knowing she wasn’t going to get away with stalling much longer.
Max smiled “He grumbled something about Maria breaking his playstation so he came over here”
“What?” she yelled. “Maria would never do that” Liz alleged.
Max groaned “Yes she would! Just last week she threw Michael’s TV out the window because he was watching hockey & she asked him if the pants she was wearing made her look fat & because he didn’t really hear what she said.... he said yes & wha-la the tv went out the window & landed in our yard by the way. But Lizzie who cares about that. What going on? Whats wrong?”

Liz sat up & and slowly leaned over and kissed him on the cheek while he pulled her into a hug. She leaned her forehead against his and whispered “I don’t remember”
“Love, what don’t you remember?” Max whispered back.
“I don’t know” she cried.
Max was reeling from her words “Whats the last thing you do remember?
“ I was standing by the milkshake machine talking to Maria about yo..... ummm about an order and two men started arguing one pulled a gun and the next thing I know I am on the floor with you over the top of me trying to get me to open my eyes” she sobbed.
Max fell back towards the pillows pulling her with him. He was almost afraid to ask her the next question but he didn’t let that stop him “ What else?”
“Thats its I was really tired & the next thing I know I wake up here in your arms the only place I realized I ever wanted to be” Liz gushed. She then began to turn all kinds of red. Had she just told Max Evans that????

Max now was feeling like HE was in some bizarre dream. What had happened to his Liz? He looked over to his bride of 10 years “Liz, sweetie are you blushing?
“Yes” Liz said sheepishly then proceeded to bury her face in his shirt.
“Why?” he said trying not to laugh.
“I just pretty much told you I liked you” she blushed.
“Well I would hope so! You married me!” Max exclaimed.
“Oh yeah” Liz sighed. She then held up her left hand in front of her face. Damn! That was one hell of a ring! It must of taken me ages to shut Maria up she thought.
Max realized that his Liz she didn’t remember one very important aspect of their lives. That a majority of their family was not of this earth. Maybe he could put it off, jog her memory, do something, anything to make her remember so he would not have to relive that moment they shared in the band room all those years ago. Not that he had ever regretted telling her it was such a relief to finally tell her but it was also one of the hardest things he had ever done. Would she have the same reaction as before? This was a highly different situation. Her children that she didn’t even remember had just woken her up moments before. It was a just matter of time before she asked the question he was dreading. His Liz the incredible woman lying next to him was in his eyes a guiness he could almost see the little gears turning in her head. With that he heard Liz take in a deep breath he then knew the moment had come

“Max!! How in the world......Ummpph!”

Max had done something he had learned a long time ago from Michael. He kissed her.

All coherent thought left Liz’s mind. Max almost felt bad. In her mind she a barely knew him. But to him they had spent half of their lives together. Liz knew his soul inside and out. She was the purpose in his life, his shelter in the storm, his touchstone. And because of that what had started as a way to distract her led to his making love to her mouth. Liz couldn’t believe the sensations going through her. She had dreamed about this so many times before but it wasn’t until now she realized that her dreams couldn't hold a candle to the real thing. Max Evans loved her. That by itself was enough to send her reeling but the things he was doing to her mouth oh sweet jesus...........

Max could feel the flashes coming. After so many years with a connection that ran as deep as theirs did he knew he couldn’t stop them from coming & that would be the easy way out. Maybe after he explained a few of the more important things to her then he could use the flashes to fill in the gaps. Max from somewhere down inside himself found the will to stop.

“I am sorry for that. I know you have some questions & I will answer them as best as I can I swear.” Max tried his damnedest to say calmly. When all he wanted to do was....... Liz had pulled her mouth back to his. To borrow from Uncle Kyle Oh for the love of Buddha how could she expect him to be good & when she was putting her mouth there. He had stopped once, twice was just to much to ask of him right?

“MOMMY! Katie melted the remote so I can’t use it & she won’t let me watch Finding Nemo 8!!” Ethan yelled as he came running in the room.

Hi All! I know the chapters have been short thus far I will try to make the next one longer honest!


Chapter Two

“Melted?” Liz exclaimed. She couldn’t believe her ears! Katie must have stuck the remote in the microwave or something, right? Right?!?! Damn Michael did he call that watching them? Why I outta........ she rambled in her head.

Max couldn’t help but think that was definitely going to be different from last time thats for sure as he held his head in his hands.. Then as he raised his head you could almost see the light bulb materlize above his head as the idea came to him.

“Ethan! Do you wanna play a game with Mommy & me?”

“Yes!!! Ethan cried as only a boy of three could. Ethan then sat down on the bed & threw his arms around his mother. Liz instinctly put her arms around his back & squeezed him. Ethan looked up at her & smiled a smiled that was oh so very familiar to her. Max’s.
“Ethan” Max whispered playfully “Do you remember the story of how I saved Mommy that day?”
Ethan confused “Which time Daddy?”

Liz then turned a whiter shade of pale. Did he just say which time? As in there have been more than one?!?!?

“The First Time, E”

“OH!” Ethan giggled “Yes, I LOVE that story!”

“Do you wanna help me tell Mommy?”

Ethan took a deep breath of air in order to start the story “Mommy & Aunt Maria were talking about you & Uncle Michael” Max looked over to see Liz turning an adorable shade of red. He whispered “We were talking about you girls too” then gave her a quick wink. Ethan with an exasperated sigh continued “Then the Bad Men started fighting and Mommy you got hurt and Daddy ran over to save you even though Uncle Michael tried to stop him and then Daddy had to heal you because Mommy” Ethan paused and with his eyes shining brightly because this was his favorite part of the story. He slowly whispered “It was you” Liz was once again on the verge of tears, She could tell the story meant the world to him & it had obviously been told to him many, many times. But Ethan wasn’t through though “Daddy loved you from the first time he saw you & you said it was the same with me Mommy, you loved me from the first time you saw me”

Liz finally overcame the lump in her throat “Ethan how did Daddy heal me?”
Ethan laughed and laughed this was such a great game. Mommy was being so silly trying to pretend that she didn’t know what powers were! Ethan knew better than make his mommy mad. He had heard the story about how when Kivar kidnapped Katie and Mommy got sooooo mad her hands turned green! Uncle Kyle had told him that Kivar got fried & that Aunt Tess was standing too close & thats why her hair was curly now. Aunt Maria always laughed so hard when Uncle Kyle said that. Then Aunt Tess would always hit Uncle Kyle on the head & then E would laugh.

“Ethan why don’t you show Mommy how?” Max encouraged.

Ethan anxious to “win” this game put his hand over his Mommy pajama’s and changed all the flowers into little sponge bob squarepants.

“There! See Mommy!”

“Oh My God!” Liz screamed. How in the....but then saw the frighten look on the little boy’s face, she quickly recovered “You Won Ethan!”

“What did I win?” he said with his amber eyes sparkling.

‘Hmmm......... You get to be tickled by me!!!” Liz proceeded to tickle him till she heard “Uncle! Mommy, UNCLE!”

“Ethan,” Max regretfully interrupted “You can watch Finding Nemo in my office if your very very good & remember no playing with the special phone alright?”

“Okay Daddy!” as he ran of to get his movie before Katie melted it too.


“Liz, before I explain anything else I need you to know something, Your amazing, for one thing. For another I am so sorry you can’t remember what has happened in the last fourteen years." Max's voice began to strain it was so hard for him to think about let alone say. "I have no idea what that must be like for you & I hate that your going through this. I know you don’t really know me at all but I love you Liz, I have for a very long time." Awwh now the hard part, where to begin? "I am not from here. I don’t mean Roswell I mean Earth in general. We were in the crash in 47. It was not in fact a weather balloon that night. It was me” he smirked. So much for the lame attempt at humor. “We survived the crash though & spent the next thirty some years in an incubation pod. We came out & were found walking along side the road. Well all except......”

“Wait” Liz interrupted “We? Who Else?”

Max smiled a secret smile for he knew that some things never changed with Liz. This Liz sitting next to him may not be the Liz who remembered him & there life together but it was still Liz. The Liz he had loved for over half of his life. The Liz who knew him better than anyone else on earth or any other planet for that matter. Somewhere in that beautiful head of hers was in fact that knowledge about him. It had only been gone a few short hours but he couldn’t help himself, he missed it and with that his smile faded.

Bad News, My Spell check broke so I am sorry about any errors. Enjoy...


Chapter 3
“Michael, Isabel, & I.”

“Oh”

Liz got up from the bed and started pacing. Finally she stopped and turned to look at Max. She took a deep breath in. She was doing her absolute best not “pull a Maria” and run screaming from the room.
Her insides were rebelling against her. Her head was pounding so hard but when she looked into Max’s eyes everything just faded to the background. She realized oddly enough, that the only keeping her together was Max. He was calm enough for the both of them. His eyes were so deep & full of wisdom. He looked liked he had faced many battles. But little did she know how right she was.
Also there was little lines around the outside of them that helped give it away, along with a couple of gray hairs around his temples. From what she had seen so far their life seemed like something from a dream. What had happened before that put those gray hairs their? She could also see why she had fallen in love with him.
Even though his world must have felt like it was falling down around him. He kept it together, for her. On some level though she had always known that if she ever got a chance to know the real Max Evans not the facade he showed everyone else that she would fall in love with him heart, mind, and soul. And apparently she had she thought with a soft smile.

“ Max, when you healed me, who knew about you being a... an ali... an alien?”

“ As far as I knew then Michael, Isabel, and me.”

“ So no one knew” Liz voiced trembled “Max, Why me?”

“ Ethan told you, It was you Liz, It was you. Its always been you. From the moment I first saw you on the playground on my first day of school. I knew I would love you & I was right. The hardest thing about keeping my secret was not telling you.” he paused for a moment the memories of practicing in front of the mirror of how he would tell her if he ever got a chance, came to the surface.
“ Thats why I would always watch you from the distance. Because I knew that their was no half way with us. I couldn’t not share everything with you. What was even harder than telling you who I was keeping it from you.”
“You risked everything for me” Liz said with awe in her voice. Her Grama Claudia was right she had found her soul mate.What had made her worthy of such love though?

“No, Liz I am not worthy of you.”

Liz brought her face up looking half scared, half amazed.

“Did You Just Read My Mind?!?”

A small smirk quickly flashed acrossed Max’s face. Now was not the time obviously to tell her about that.

“No Liz, you may not remember me, But I remember you and I know your soul, your heart, your mind. I know how you think my love. And I have seen that look a few times before.”

“Oh” The pink on Liz’s cheeks turned a shade deeper. She seemed to be saying that a lot as of late. But then again it was a lot to take in. And she thought proudly I have not passed out or pulled a Maria. Maria, she would love to talk to Maria. Not that she wasn’t loving every moment with Max, because she was, it just sometimes you need your best friend to talk too. But if she wanted she could she talk to Maria about this? This secret of theirs who knew about it now? Maria? Alex? But wait Michael was a member of the I am an alien club. ANd form the sounds of it him and Maria now knew each other rather well. Which all by its self was a lot to wrap your mind around. Maria and...... Michael Guerin? Liz has been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed Max tell her he was going to make a few phone calls. When she looked in the mirror to the left of the bed. She screamed out loud & passed out.

“ Lizzie! Lizzie, wakie up!” Liz could feel her head in someone’s lap she knew she didn’t want to wake up but she couldn’t remember why.

Liz then heard another voice somewhere behind her say....

“ Max, do you have any idea why your wife passed out?”

“Alex!” Max said frustrated “ I have told you everything. She doesn’t remember anything after the shooting in the Crashdown. The last she remembers was I healing her. She was looking in the mirror, she screamed and passed out.”

Max ran his hands through his hair and then shoved his hands deep in his pockets. Maria saw him do this and laughed to her self. The King of Antar could order hundreds of thousands of men into battle and not even flinch. But when it came to anything being wrong with Lizzie he was scared to death. Maria started laughing even harder. She figured out what was most likely wrong with her chica.

“Max, so in other words Lizzie still thinks she is 16 right?” Maria exclaimed.

“Yes Maria, What are you getting at?” Max questioned.

“Well wouldn’t you find it a little shocking to be 16 and pregnant?” she said while stroking Liz’s hair.

Max groaned and quickly found the nearest chair to sit down in before he too passed out. So okay maybe he had left out one tiny little detail. There was already so much to tell her let alone the fact that they were expecting their third child. She wasn’t to far along but in recent weeks the familiar curve of her belly was again beginning to show. Maria thoughts were apparently along the same lines because she started humming a song to Liz and once again the memories came flooding back to Max


“Liz?.......Honey where are you?” Max shouted as she turned on light in their bedroom. He had just returned from summit meetings with rulers from four other planets and had some big news for Liz. But he was not prepared for the sight before him. Rose petals were spread over the bed, the glow from a few dozens candles was nothing from the glow coming from his wife who was sitting in the middle of their bed. She took breath away on a daily basis. He then heard a the first few words a song being played on their stereo.....

Well I just heard the news today It seems my life is going to change.....

“Liz!” Max beamed “REALLY?” He ran over to Liz and picked her up in his arms.
I closed my eyes, begin to pray Then tears of joy stream down my face
With arms wide open

“YES! REALLY!” Liz answered. Like he didn‘t know. Her poor Max had been so busy. But she was gratefull in some ways she had really wanted this to be a surprize. It was so hard to not to tell him sooner. Max was so sweet he must have suspected something but trusted that she would tell him when she was ready.

Under the sunlight Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything With arms wide open With arms wide open
Well I don't know if I'm ready To be the man I have to be
'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side We stand in awe,
We've created life With arms wide open

“So, Max your happy about this? I know this isn’t the best timing but..” Max shushed her with his mouth. He pulled back but kept his hand on her face.

I'll show you love
I'll show you everything With arms wide open
With arms wide open I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open

“Liz your right it might not be the best timing, we are at war. But thats what I came to tell you. The peace talks went really well today. If it keeps up and were are able to arrest Kivar. We could be home by the time the baby is born. And this baby is very much wanted” as Max put his hand on her stomach. He laid her down on their bed. He then proceded tp show her just how much he loved her and how much he loved their unborn child.

If I had just one wish Only one demand I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands That he can take this life And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world With arms wide open... With arms wide open Under the sunlight Welcome to this place I'll show you everything
With arms wide open Now everything has changed I'll show you love
I'll show you everything With arms wide open With arms wide open
I'll show you everything..oh yeah With arms wide open....wide open

With Arms Wide Open By Creed

Hi Everyone! I wish I could thank you all individualy but I am about to fall asleep typing. This is soooo short but I felt absolutely horrible about making you wait so long. So I am posting what I have so far. You guys are the greatest! I will try and update this weekend to make it up to you Take care.........



Chapter 4

“Mommy?”
“Aunt Liz!”
“Mommy!”
“Ethan Michael! Reilly Rene! What do you two think you are doing?” Isabel tensely whispered.

“But Aunt Isabel, Mommy won’t wake up and I am soooooo hungry! My tummy is making noises and Reilly said my tummy was sooooo hungry it had started eating my spine!!!!” Ethan complained with panic in his voice.

Isabel gave her daughter a strong look. Which was so hard for her to do she was the spitting image of her father. Except for her blond hair that she got from her mother. Isabel took each of them by the hand and lead them out of the room. She leaned over as far as she could which was not easy now a days.

“Ethan, go ask Uncle Alex to make you something please, and Reilly tell your father thats not what I meant by keep an eye on you please.” Isabel said quietly.

Reilly covered her mouth as she took Ethan’s hand and started down the stairs so her Mommy wouldn’t see her giggle. Her Uncle Michael would made a comment about her mommy being a naughtzi. It always made Mommy mad then Daddy would warn Uncle Michael that someday he would say that and Mommy would zap him. Reilly had done that to her barbie once, it had made her hair stand up and she glowed green but Aunt Tess fixed it for her.

Isabel went back in the bedroom to check on Liz and Max who were now both sleeping. She leaned against the doorway ans sighed. Things had come a long way since that fateful day. No matter what “destiny” had thrown at them they faced it together and always came out on the other side stronger for it. They could get threw this too.

Liz had come up with a motto they had all adopted “Screw Destiny”. Liz and Max lived the life they wanted not the life different ones had tried to force on them. Seeing Liz stand up to the world, hell the universe and fight for what she wanted had given Isabel the courage to do the same. Isabel had also fought for the life she wanted. It had been a hard fight but it was worth it, she had the life she had always dreamed of an incredible husband who understood her. Loved her not despite but because of all her faults and “natzi” tendencies. Alex had given her an amazing daughter who was brilliant just like him. And their son was due to make an appearance any day now.

Isabel smiled as she felt arms come up from behind her and settle on her stomach.

“I got your message” Alex said a with a grin in his voice. “ and don’t worry Tess & Kyle just got here and they are making lunch for all the kids.”

“Where is Maria & Michael?”

Alex groaned “Well when Michael found out about Liz he of course went into General Stonewall mode and Maria tried to take his mind off it which led to.......”

“....them fighting” Isabel finished. At least there was some comfort that some things would never change.

“Among other things” Alex suggested. “ You know.........”

“ALEX CHARLES!!” Isabel fained shock. “That is how I got in this state to start with!” She then took his hand and led him down the hallway. Hey, she had seen that episode of Friends. She was as big as a barn and very anxious to have this baby.

Meanwhile Liz had woken to arms she recognized wrap around her. This time she though she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Yes she remembered that she was in fact pregnant with Max’s child. A fact that had taken her by great surprise earlier but now that she had laid there for awhile slowly taking it all in it didn’t seem so bad. In fact she was dying of curiosity of what the rest of her life was like. She had overheard Alex & Isabel’s conversation. First Maria & Michael, which she was still trying to wrap her mind around by the way. Then she gets the shock of Alex & Isabel. But then again Alex had a secret crush on Isabel for years. She was just amazed Isabel had opened her self up to him.

She turned around so she was facing Max. She wanted to wake him up. She had sooo many questions. She wondered when he had planned on telling her about their new baby. She put her hand on her on her slightly rounded stomach. She wasn’t very far along from what she could tell. Her hand was covered by a larger one. A familiar one.

“Liz, I might have forgotten a little something”
Liz looked up at him and raised her eyebrows “ A little something?” she questioned.

“Okay in about five months it will be a big something, but right now its still kinda of tiny” Max teased.

Liz laughed, she wasn’t going to let him get away that easy. But later not now. She wanted to enjoy this moment. She closed her eyes and tried to memorize the moment so she would always be able to remember every detail. She was laying in his arms with his hand lying on her stomach rubbing ever so slightly whispering to their baby. The one thing she would never forget about this moment. She was falling in love with him. She couldn’t figure out how in the world she could of ever have forgotten that. Max was an amazing father. Was she a good mother? How did one go about asking a husband you don’t really remember that? She would ask Maria later.

There was one question that just couldn’t wait any more.

“Max, How old am I?”

Hello All!! Its been so long since I posted I thought I would give you what I have got so far. I know its not as long as you'd like but no worries. Because as you are reading this I am working on chapter 7. So it should be up sometime this week. Thanx again everyone. Your the greatest!!! Lana in case you see this chica I am doing great and will write you soon. Take care :Fade-color


Chapter 6

“ALEX!”
Something just came over Liz, she got up off the bed and pulled her childhood friend in a big hug. She just had this need to make sure he was real. So she wasn’t sure why but she had this overwhelming feeling of relief that he was here. But why wouldn’t Alex be here?

“I wouldn’t be saying much, Alex you did a fair amount of mooning over my sister as I recall” Michael reminded him.

Liz finally pulled back, she had the familiar sparkle in her eye. Like she had this secret wrapped up in her heart that just made her glow. Now Alex knew what that secret was. Love. And now he had secret of his own. The way Liz had hugged him had robbed him of all his smart remarks now all he could think about was this wasn’t some prank Kyle was pulling. Who had done this to his Lizzie?

“Well, to think I was worried you had forgotten who I was” Alex teased.
“ So Lizzie are you trying to tell me you don’t remem.....” Alex was cut short by a Max behind Liz desperately making cut signs across his neck. Max wasn’t sure were Alex was going with this and Liz had enough shocks for one day.

Alex seeing a picture on the dresser behind him he quickly tried to cover “Remember the day you married your favorite Czechoslovakian?”

“Czechoslovakian? What?” Liz questioned.

“ Awh Chica that is the code word we used for Alien” Maria answered.

“Oh,” Liz snickered, “ You so came up with that didn’t you Maria!?!”

“Maybe! Okay fine!! I kept slipping up and talking about it in front of the wrong people so hence czechoslovakian!” Maria said indignantly.

Liz eyes caught with Max’s. She could see the utter devastation. She realized that it had cut him to the quick to realize she didn’t remember their wedding day.

“Tell me about it”

Liz had meant Max but she got four other voices at the same time. She was grateful for the half smile it brought upon his face though.

“ONE AT A TIME!!!” she shouted above the voices.
Everyone quieted. Isabel started “I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It was you Liz, telling me that you were headed to Vegas to elope and would Alex & I meet you on your way back. There was no way I was going to let my brother and best friend get married by Elvis. So I talked you into letting me go with you.”

“ Enter The Wedding Natzi” Michael said under his breath.

“Which by the time she met up with you she had booked a hotel reception room, ordered dresses, flowers the works.” Maria interrupted.

After a death look from Isabel they shut up.

One more voice interrupted but this time there was no death looks from Isabel.


“It was amazing Liz. You looked perfect. It was the best day of my life.”

Liz was drawn to him. She couldn’t help it. She kissed him then as always with Max and Liz in anytime, place or life the inevitable happens. The flashes start. But Max had something special to show her.


Next thing Liz knew was she was standing in a ballroom. Looking at her & Max getting married. How had she ended up here? It must be apart of being a Czech. She turned to see her Max standing beside her.

“We were so young”

“19”

“19?!!?”

“We were in love age didn’t matter. I was worried what your parents would say. Or what could happen to you, see Liz we have always had enemies. But you said we would never know how long we have. We didn’t want to waste a minute apart. Ten years or ten days we would spend them together.”

Liz was fighting tears. But she ended up crying for the millionth time. Screw it, she thought she would just blame the hormones. This was so beautiful. Isabel was amazing, she owed her huge. When she had heard they had eloped part of her was a little sad she didn’t get a “real” wedding. But this was better anything she had ever dreamed.

“Max!” Liz grabbed him by the hand “My parents are here! And so are yours! Why? How?”

Max pulled Liz to him to till the foreheads touched. Then put his finger on her lips.

“Isabel took a very big risk and told our parents saying we were old enough so they couldn’t stop us. But if they could try and except it then they wouldn’t miss their children’s wedding.”

“Remind me to thank her later” Liz whispered. She had just seen her father give her away.

“Your even, trust me”

“How’s that?”

“I’ll tell you later”

He turned her around and whispered in her ear “Watch this.....”

The room before her changed. Like the memory had been fast forwarded to their reception.
Alex and Maria were on stage. Alex with his guitar and Maria with her microphone. Their was Max leading her on to the dance floor. Alex began to play the most beautiful music. Then Maria began to sing

He encontrado en tu amor
La fe perdida
Ahora tiene mi vida una raz`on
No se si fue el emburjo de tus ojos
Robale el corazon



“Max, what is she singing ?”

He took her by the hand and put his other at her waist. They slowly began to dance, mirroring the couple on the dance floor. Just slightly older but even more in love.

He began to sing quietly to her....

I have found in your love
My lost faith,
Now my life has reason
I don’t know if it was the secret of your eyes,
that whispered to your lips
Steal his heart

(Maria)
Yo se que en los mil besos
Que te he dado en la boca
Se me fue el corazon
Y dicen que ed pecado
Querer como te quiero
Quizas tengan razon

(Max)
I know that in the thousand kisses
I have given you on the mouth
My heart left me
And they say its a sin
to love you as I love you
Maybe they’re right

(Maria)
Pero que ha de importarme
Todo lo que me digan
No te he de olvidar
Que si es pecado amarte
Yo he de seguir pecando
Nunca lo he de ocultar

(Max)
But what should everything
They tell me, matter to me
I won’t forget you
for if its a sin to love you
I will continue sinning
I will never hide it

(Maria & Alex)
Te he de seguir amando
Te he de seguir besando
Hasta volverte loca
Hasta que me devuelvas
El corazon que en besos
Yo te deje en la boca..........

(Max)
I will continue loving you
I will continue kissing you
Until I drive you mad
Until you give me back
The heart that in your kisses
I left in your mouth.........

It was until Max kissed her she had even realized the song was over. They had been in their own little world. This place she realized was how they kept their sanity. When the world was crumbling down around them they came here, where they were surrounded by the love they had for each other.

She heard a new song start to play a more familiar one, one that she would keep on repeat for hours a time.....



song by patty griffin mil besos (thousand kisses)

Hey Everyone!!! I had planned on posting this soooo much sooner. But RL loves throwing kinks in my plans. My brother who is only 34 had a stroke & with that my already busy life got kicked up a notch. Also I love this story & I wanted it to be all fluff no angst. And until last night angst was all I could seem to write. Thanx for being patient with me you guys.




Chapter 7


“MAX! I love this song!” Liz cried.

“I know my love” he gently kissed her hand “Unfortunately though we have people waiting”

“Oh! Oh yeah I had forgotten about them. Do we do this a lot?”

Max smiled this secret smile. Hmm he would have to explain that some other time.

“Yeah,” he said finally “Most of their time when we are alone. But sometimes we can’t help it and then usually......... OW!....”



Then suddenly they were back in the bedroom with all their friends.

“That happens” Max finished. “Thanx a lot Iz.”

“if she hadn’t I would have.” Michael huffed.



Meanwhile in the hallway just outside Max & Liz’s bedroom there was someone listening in......

“She doesn’t remember him, but nothing has changed. No matter what time or place they always end up together.” she thought to herself. For a moment the alien had fleeting thoughts about being the intruder once again. She was so scared. The Liz in there had no idea who she was. She remembered what that Liz had thought of her at first. To this Liz she had not proved herself. She had now developed a strong kinship with the woman who she now called friend, confidant & Queen. She thought nothing could ever come between that. But she had been wrong. “This must just be a fraction of what Max is going through” she reflected.

She would never forget the day her & Liz had the “talk”. It was a week after Max had left for Florida to find Liz. Liz had came strait from the airport to Tess’s house. Needless to say Tess was almost as shocked as she was today. See Liz was not suppose to be there. Tess had her own talk with Liz, the week before. Which included her demanding that Liz leave town & never come back.

But Max had not taken that lying down apparently. Because as soon as he had found out were Liz was, he had been on the next plane. Tess had found a letter on her door the next morning.

Dear Tess,

I know you thought we were destined to be together. But I believe we make our own. I love Liz. I am sorry that hurts you. But it wouldn’t be fair to either one of us. You don’t want to be married to someone who loves another. I can’t stop loving her. She is my purpose in life. She is my reason. Without that fighting for Antar would be pointless, because my heart would not be in it. So there is no way we could win. The best advice I can give you Tess is be true to yourself & find your own destiny. Take care.........



Max



She had mindwarped him so many times by that point. Yet his heart was still fighting for Liz. She had come so close to chasing Max down & mindwarping him yet again. To this day she couldn’t tell you exactly what it was that stopped her. Maybe it was the look in his eyes she had seen when Liz ran out of the cave that day. He had been so different since the White Room. She had told Maria that once. Maria had laughed then quickly sobered. She told Tess that White Room had scarred him but the night they broke him out Liz had healed him. Maria had used such an odd word to describe them but it fit them perfect. “Cemented”. After that night they had been cemented together for the rest of their lives.

Liz had knocked on her door & walked right by her into the living room. Liz one of the kindest people Tess had ever met then proceeded to tell her to “get over her damn self.”

There would be no more mindwarping any of Liz’s family!!! And if Tess wanted she could be a part of that family. But all deals Tess had ever made with any enemy were off either way.
Tess’s mind was going a million miles an hour. How had in the hell had Liz known about the deal with Kivar!?!?!? Second how had Liz, this puny human busted her on the mindwarping? No one had ever figured it out before! Liz broke Tess out of her thoughts by shaking her by the shoulders.

“Tess, you have a decision to make. You can either be a murdering bitch. With no one to trust.......no one to love. Or you can take me up on my offer. You can have something that you have only dreamed about. A Family. People who will love you & always have your back. It won’t be easy at first, they don’t trust you which they have every right. Your going to have to prove yourself.

With that Liz walked out of the Living room & out the front door. Tess chased after her.

“LIZ!”

Liz stopped & turned around.

“Liz, why did you leave? I mean you love him. Its obvious to me now you were never going to give him up. So why did you leave?”

Liz smiled a now familiar smile but that day had been the first time Tess had ever seen it.

‘Simple, I have fought for his love. I need to see if he was willing to fight for mine.”

Tess was brought back to the present with a small scream.

“Who Are You!?!” Liz repeated.

Tess smiled maybe she was getting a second chance at a first impression.

“Hi, I am Tess. Kyle’s wife...” Tess said as she offered out her hand.
Liz grabbed her into a hug instead.

“It is so nice to meet you! Oh wait we know each other already don’t we? God this is so embarrassing! Did they tell you about.......” she trailed off as she pointed to her head.

“Yeah they did.” Tess’s voice almost broke. Oh for the love of budda she was getting as soft as Alex! Pull it together she yelled at herself.
She then remembered what had brought her up there in the first place.

“Max, has a phone call. I didn’t want to interrupt but its kinda of important.” Tess explained.

“Of course! Honey! You have a phone call!” Liz yelled as she turned around & bumped into a firm and very tight black t-shirt.

The strong arms caught her & said “I heard”

“Max, what are you doing there?” Liz playfully demanded. She also noticed that he looked slightly pale.

“You screamed!” he said with absolute concern.

Liz rolled her eyes. But she made no attempt to get away from the arms that had turned her around and then wrapped themselves around her. She could get used to this.

“Who’s on the phone Tess?” Max asked.

“Your Father”

“Can I call him back?”

“Ummmmm he is calling long distance”

“OH! That Father! Sorry Lizzie I have to get this” Max groaned. He kissed her & then ran downstairs.

Liz look around at the many doors leading down the hallway. Alright that answered how were her & Max financially. Dear lord someone was going to have to draw her a map. But at the moment she really had to pee so she was just going to have to break down & ask for directions.

“Uh Tess you wouldn’t happen to know which one of these is a bathroom?”

“Well you walked by two to get here” Tess teased. “But there is another right here.”

“Thanx Tess”


When Liz was walking out of the bathroom two arms were waiting to ambush her.

“Mommy!” cried the little voice as he hugged her leg. She instantly put her hand on his head and started stroking it softly.

She picked him up in her arms & asked “What’s wrong E?

He said nothing just put his face tighter into her shoulder.

“Do you me want me to rock you sweetie?”

Ethan nodded his head yes.

Liz looked again at all the doors trying to guess which one was his.
See this is where that map would have come in handy!

I'm back!!! Thanx for the incredible FB! You guys have no idea what it means to me. My brother is doing much better btw. Thanx so much everyone for understanding. When I started this story I was determined to post at least once a week. But it seems Liz isn't the only one that RL loves throwing curve balls. I have no idea but when I am writing this it seems so much longer then I post & its soooo short. I don't know how writers like Dee & Nicola & Kath manage it. Don't worry about the bumping Elise I have been busted for that too So I totally understand.


Chapter 8


Liz was standing in the middle of the hallway on the verge of breaking down and asking her son where in the world his room was when a voice whispered behind her

“Second door on the left.”

“KYLE!!”

“LIZ!”

Ethan busted up laughing.

“Unkle Kyle is sooooooo funny Mom!”

Liz rolled her eyes, along with his eyes Ethan had also received his fathers sense of humor. As Liz looked at Kyle she tried to put her finger on what was different about the smart as....aleck she had dated & apparently for not that long. It hit her finally, this Kyle that was before her was........happy. She could tell he was biting his tongue on a smart remark that was just dying to get out. Liz would have loved to have stayed & interrogated him on how things had ended up with them but she was needed elsewhere at the moment- the second door on the left.

“We’ll talk later? Your staying for dinner right?”

Kyle was no fool he loved the alien he was married to but all the alien powers had yet to make Tess a good cook.

“Absolutely! Oh btw, blue bookshelf second shelf down on the left.”

Liz gave him a puzzled look in response.

“You’ll see” was all Kyle said.

Liz smiled a thank-you back to him. She was about to open the door when the handle twisted by itself and the door opened. Liz knew it should have startled her but all she could think was “cool” & that was going to come in handy. She was going to ask Max what else they could do. How she was adjusting so quickly she had no idea it would have baffled Freud himself. All Liz knew that it felt right. Like nothing ever had.

Ethan’s room was fit for a prince Liz awed. Every toy you could think of was in there. Everything was also put away & hung up very neatly. Very unusual for a child of three, but with Max & Liz for parents and those handy dandy powers it wasn’t hard to see why.

Liz saw an over stuffed chair and made her & Ethan comfy. Ethan had yet to say a word. Liz had a bad feeling she knew what was coming but she was not going to jump to any conclusions since her and Max had decided not to tell the kids just yet. They hoped she would get her memory back soon so there would be nothing to tell E and Katie.

Ethan leaned against Liz and sighed......

“Did you forget Katie too or just me Mommy?”

Liz’s heart filled with hurt. She could barely breath to know her son was in such agony because of her. She realized she would do anything for him & she had only known him a few hours. How did he know? Did he over hear someone talking?
Liz hugged him tight hoping it would help stop her tears but instead it just encouraged them. She didn’t know what exactly to say to him but there way no way really to sugar coat this so she just decided to be honest.

“Ethan, I don’t know what happened to me. I woke this morning and all I could remember is that day in the crashdown that Daddy healed me. Its not because I don’t want to remember. I do! I really really do! I can see what it is doing to you and to your Daddy. But I can tell you this E, I love you that I am certain of. Your Daddy and I are going to fix this somehow.”

Ethan felt so much better after hearing his Mommy say that. He knew it would be okay, it just made him so sad to think his Mommy couldn’t remember him. His Daddy would fix it E knew that. His Daddy was a king you know. He had lots of special soldiers who were soooo cool. Who did whatever Daddy said. Uncle Michael was in charge of all them too he had a really cool sword that he had let E look at one time. E had to promise not to tell Mommy or Aunt Maria because Unkle Michael said they would have his head. Ethan wasn’t sure what his Mommy would want with Unkle Michael’s head but Aunt Maria once said that she would stuff it & put it above their fireplace if Uncle Michael said one more word. Unkle Michael was a really brave soldier but he was scared of Aunt Maria thats for sure!! E wanted to be just like him and his Daddy when he grew up. His Daddy once told him that they could handle anything as long as they were together. Ethan wouldn’t admit it to anyone weeelllllll maybe Unkle Michael but he kinda of liked his sister when she wasn’t melting his stuff that is. He Ethan almost laughed out loud when he remembered what he had planned for Katie and what color her hair was going to be in the morning. This though reminded E of his other sibling.

“Mommy if you don’t remember me does this mean Eli doesn’t remember me either?”
Liz resisted the urge to throw her head back and sigh. Eli??? just when she thought there were no more curve balls left to throw at her.

It was then Ethan’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Eli! Mom! Eli?”

Ethan turned in his mothers arms to face her & slowly pulled up her shirt to reveal her slightly rounded stomach. Ethan put his hand on her tummy, Liz could feel the life within her stir & slowly a tiny glowing green hand surfaced on Liz’s stomach.

“See Mom!! Eli ” Ethan cried happily “he still knows me!!”

Max had been standing in the doorway holding himself and Katie back. Letting Liz and Ethan have this moment to themselves. But seeing her siblings “playing” without her had been the last straw for Katie.

Katie ran up to her mother and threw her arms around Liz.
“Ethan, you can’t play with Eli and not Kira too!” Katie scolded as only big sisters can.

With that Katie put her hand on her Mommy’s tummy & whispered...

“Wake up Kira, wakie up....”

Then there was two tiny glowing handprints on Liz’s stomach. One green, One purple. Only a few months old, not even born yet but they could recognize their siblings voices.

Liz was grateful she was sitting down. Her heart was now filled with complete awe. It felt like it would burst from being filled with so much love. Liz was finally able to take her eyes off of her amazing children. She looked to Max with such love in her eyes and that was Max’s undoing. He strode across the room & pick her up in his arms & took her to the bed and laid her down.
Katie & Ethan just turned to each other and smiled. They each had a job to do. With a wave of the hand Ethan grabbed their favorite storybook off of the blue bookshelf on the second shelf on the left. Katie flicked her wrist with the flare that was very much like her Aunt Isabel and waited for the music to start to play. Not Mommy and Daddy’s song but their song. The one that Mommy and Daddy had sung to Ethan and Katie and now to Kira and Eli too. Katie & Ethan crawled onto the bed and Max pulled them close and craddled his little family in his arms.


When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No, I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me, so

Darling darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain
Should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me, and
Whenever you're in trouble
Won't you stand by me, oh stand by me



Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Chapter Nine

Liz woke slowly she could hear singing -a voice so familiar- a voice that should had listened to countless nights at the local pizza parlors on karaoke night. When two other familiar voices chimed in Liz was able to pry herself away from her sleeping family. She followed the voices down the stairs along a hallway to a room that that was a small theater with a stage. On this stage was Maria belting it out like only Maria could. And there was Alex & Kyle next to her also singing. The song selection for them was quite....interesting per say, but none the less there they were singing “Man, I feel like a woman!” Liz couldn’t keep the laughter from spilling over the sound of this got Isabel’s attention. She motioned for Liz to come sit next to her.

“What’s going on?” Liz yelled over the music.

“Its a long story” Isabel shouted back “Suffice to say that they lost a bet”

What surprised Liz the most was for losing a bet, the boys were really into the song. It reminded her of that night last summer when Kyle had gotten really drunk & performed American Pie on top of a coffee table then proceeded to throw up on her shoes. Liz was so relieved that her destiny did not include being Kyle’s personal cheerleader/head holder for the rest of her life.
Now that was Tess’s job she thought with a smirk.


Tess leaned over just then and shouted “Maria won too, but have you ever tried to keep a mic away from that girl?!? I don’t care how many powers I have I am never going up against Deluca.”

With one last “I feel like a woman” the song ended with Kyle down on one knee. Kyle then stood and the three linked arms and took a bow. Liz clapped and hollered as loud as could. She looked beside her & there was Isabel and Tess screaming just as loud. No she thought with a sigh, this fate was not so bad.

“Hey Lizzie” Kyle called to out to her as he jumped down off the stage then turned around to help Maria down.

“ How’s The Alzheimer’s ?”

Alex quickly took a step back, he wasn’t about to get caught in the crossfire for that one. Kyle then received an elbow in the ribs from Tess a slap upside the head from Maria and a death look from Isabel.


Kyle exclaimed “ I was just asking her how she was !!” while rubbing his head with one hand and his side with the other.

“I am fine Kyle, well as good as I can be considering.”

Maria gave Liz sympathetic look and then put her arm through Alex’s.

“ Come on Whitman, lets go see if we can salvage what Spaceboy is attempting to call dinner.”

Maria dragged a very scared protesting Alex into the kitchen. With a look from Isabel Kyle took Tess by the hand and quickly mumbled something about checking on the kids then basically ran from the room.


Apparently the Ice Queen still retained some of her attributes. Liz could see how they could come in handy though. Isabel then turned to Liz and gave her a very un-Ice Queen like smile. Liz wondered who Isabel deemed worthy to let her guard down for.

“You must have so many questions...”

“You have no idea!!!”

“So shoot, ask me anything” Iz offered.

Liz thought about this for a moment she had many questions for all of them. But what to ask Isabel? They hadn’t exactly been friends before had that changed? Was Isabel just being nice? So Liz thinking she didn’t have much else to lose she took Isabel up on her offer. Here goes nothing she gulped.

“So I know a little about how Max & I got close. But what about us Iz? Are we ...........friends? or just people who are polite to each other because they are family?” Liz dared.


To her surprise Isabel laughed.

“Well in the beginning, You were nice to me no matter how awful I was to you. Finally one day Max sat me down & told me that you would be my sister someday. And that I should stop underestimating him. He had enough love to give us both. Him loving you didn’t make me any less important to him. We were his family and would die protecting that. But he would no longer put up with Michael and I’s behavior to you. I could see in his eyes he meant it. So I made an effort to stop being such a bitch and instead of losing my brother, I got a sister and a really great friend. Who understood what it meant to love a King who had a whole planet of responsibility on his shoulders. So you and I, I guess you say were pretty tight now.”

For the first time that day Liz didn’t kick herself for forgetting her life. It made her appreciate what she had even more.

“Good! Then I can ask you what I have been dying to ask since I found out about you and Alex. How exactly did that...........” Liz trailed off.

Isabel’s cheeks turned a slight pink. Whoa! Did I make Isabel Eva.. Whitman blush? Wonders never cease not only was she friends with the Elle McPherson her class but she just made her blush besides. Liz was blown away by this. But Liz knew that this wasn’t the same Isabel she had gone to school with. That much Liz was sure of. The glow in her cheeks the sparkle in her eyes, Alex had put that there.


“After Alex found out about us we really got to know each other. I was so scared to let him in because I knew that would be it. I would never be able to let him go. I’ll never forget, one day you & I were painting our toes together. You asked me why I was trying so hard to keep my relationship with Alex platonic when it was so obvious to everyone it how we felt about each other. You told me you knew I was afraid, that it was scary even if your completely human and letting someone see the real you. That Alex was someone worth the risk. So I needed to stop being such an idiot and go for it. So I was sitting there feeling completely exposed, trying to figure exactly when you had gotten so brave to stand up to me, about to let you have it, to try and deny everything you had just said. I opened my mouth but something over your shoulder caught my eye. It was Alex. He was walking with Maria, when he looked up and caught my eyes and he gave me this smile that to this day still makes me come undone. Every defense I had I could feel them slipping away, then I could stop myself even if I had wanted to, I smiled back. You turned to see what had made me smile then whispered to me “ Isabel lowered her voice “Go for it Iz. You deserve to be happy!! Its all going to work out in the end trust me. Gave me a wink and walked away. Alex came over and asked me if I needed a ride home. I said yes so took me by the hand and helped me up. I remember what happened next like it was five minutes ago. He put his hand on the small of my back just barely touching me.” Isabel then took a deep breath in and with a look of pride “I am a princess Liz, I can make grown men run in fear. Blow up building with a flick of my wrist. This man who’s only power was love and he felt the need to protect me. So I realized you were right I had to do the scariest thing I have ever done....I let him in. I let him see the real me. Funny thing was he already knew her no matter how deep I had tried to bury her he had still seen threw the Ice Princess facade.” Isabel finished eyes full of unshed tears.

Suddenly, Alex was right there, he didn’t say a word just sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. He knew she needed him.

Isabel turned to Liz and proudly said “See”

Alex put his hand on his wife’s stomach and softly talked to their child.

“Now young man what have I told you about making your mother cry? Hmm? I am sorry son but no coming out of your womb for a week!!” Alex teased.

At that Isabel groaned “ Alex your son was scheduled to make an appearance YESTERDAY! He can come out anytime he pleases!

At that Alex grabbed his girls by the hand “Come my Ladies, to the kitchen where you can sit and watch me and be in awe of my culinary expertise.”

As Liz followed them into the kitchen she noticed Alex hand on Isabel’s back softly guiding her. Just then she felt a gentle but strong hand along her back. She had known he was coming somehow. Alien GPS she joked to herself. She turned to see Max laughing softly. She about to ask him what was so funny when a miniature Isabel ran by yelling DADDY!

Alex picked up a little girl he called Reilly with his free hand led his family into the kitchen. Alex made sure Isabel was comfy then resumed his culinary duties with Reilly helping. Michael had put him in charge of making the salad. Michael figured of all the things Alex could screw up, the salad was least likely victim.

Just then Kyle started screaming like a little boy on a roller-coaster. Michael looked to see blood on the counter by the chicken he had given Kyle to slice.

Kyle was jumping up and down screaming “Oh My Buddha I am bleeding out!! Quick cross and type for two! No wait!!! Make that four!!!”

Max calmly walked over to Kyle waved his hand over the small cut. Gave his friend a smile and then Max led Liz over to a chair and placed her on his lap.

“I never should have gotten you ER on DVD for Christmas Kyle” Maria retorted. Maria then went back to critiquing Michael’s cooking.

Liz loved the feeling of being in Max’s arms and being on his lap was even better. Though she had many questions still plaguing her like did she go to Harvard after all? They weren’t as important as they had been this morning. She didn’t care how she had gotten to this place in her life, she realized the people in this room more important to her than some school. She could feel the bond she had with her family. Unconventional as it was. She looked at how they all interacted with each other, Alex teasing Kyle about his “life threating” wound. Isabel tying her little girls shoes. Michael & Maria arguing about how much oregano to put in the marinara sauce for the pasta which resulted in the whole bottle being poured in. Which Maria of course immediately blamed on Michael. She could imagine all the family dinners they had cooked & shared together. As she leaned back against Max and put her hand on her stomach. She realized something with absolute clarity. She was falling in love with Max Evans......again.