Roswell Fanatics

Title: Where You've Been.

Author: Amy (Famers Amers)

Category: AU M/L

Rating: Adult

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Summery: Liz and Max were married but Max took off for unknown reasons...to everyone. They have a son and Liz has moved back home with her son to escape her abusive boyfriend.

A/N: Who knows what I am thinking...but I hope you like it! I added a song that I had no idea exsisted Thank you to Melyssa for giving me the great suggestion to add it!! You are awesome!! The song is Two Beds and Coffee Machine--Savage Garden


thanks Evelynn you are awesome!!


Part One

And she takes another step
Slowly she opens the door
Check that he is sleeping
Pick up all the broken glass
And furniture on the floor
Been up half the night screaming
Now it's time to get away
Pack up the kids in the car
Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write

Another ditch in the road You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

And there are children to think of
Baby's asleep in the back seat
Wonder how they'll ever make it
Through this living nightmare

But the mind is an amazing thing
Full of candy dreams and new toys
And another cheap hotel
Two beds and a coffee machine
But there are groceries to buy
And she knows she'll have to go home

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

Another bruise to try and hide
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Silent fortress built to last
Wonder how I ever made it


She takes a few steps and slowly opens the door to the bedroom. She checks to see if he has passed out yet. There he is on the bed passed out and snoring. She slowly closes the door careful not to make too much noise. Her thoughts go to her son.

She walks across the hall and opens the door. There he is in all his 3 year old splendor sleeping, he is probably dreaming of his toys and all the candy he can get out of his aunts and uncles. She smiles and closes the door and heads out to the living room.

She begins to pick up the mess that they have made. She turns the chair back up and picks the lamp up off of the floor. There is broken glass everywhere and she knows that she needs to vacuum. She sits on the couch and finds an overturned picture. She turns it over and looks at it. When did her life get to be like this? She puts the picture back on the mantle and looks up.

There it is the starting of a new bruise. She would have to get the makeup out and hide it. She had bought some new kind of miracle make up that did wonders. No one could tell when she had a bruise, the only ones who knew were her and the one who gave her the bruise.

She looked at herself in the mirror and she didn’t recognize herself. Who had she become? The old Liz would never have let anyone beat her, and now she took it, she figured if he beat her he would stay away from AJ.

AJ, Alexander Jeffery, the cutest boy in the world. He had dark brown hair and those famous amber eyes that sucked you in. He had his father’s eyes, and his father’s ears. He was a spitting image of his father. He was beautiful, just like his father…his father…god how she missed him. Max, where the hell was Max?

She heard a rumbling in the bedroom and shivered. She was not ready for another round of Aaron’s beatings. Aaron Burwell, he was a handsome man whom had dark hair and scary blue eyes. She had met him right after Max had left and he had not pushed her. He even was by her side while she was pregnant. It wasn’t until AJ was 1 that she agreed to date him and then when he turned 2 they moved in together. Max had not shown up since he skipped town and he wasn’t coming home. So she moved on, but she really hadn’t, she still dreamed of Max and of AJ knowing Max and of them being together.

Of curse Aaron had started beating her about 5 months ago. He had slapped her on the face one night and then now he was beating her. She didn’t know what made him this way, but she knew that she didn’t like it. She knew that one day he would turn to AJ. That is what did it for her. Not AJ, he could beat her all he wanted to, but he wouldn’t touch her son.

She quietly went into the room and grabbed the suit case. She grabbed all of her clothes and threw them in. She went across the hall and did the same with AJ and went and put the suitcase in the car. She went back into the house, got AJ and grabbed her cell phone, purse and keys and got into the car and left.

When she was out of town she reached into her purse and dialed the first number in her phone book. “Hello.” The voice was groggy. “Michael it is Liz.”
“LIZ…are you ok is AJ ok.” He was frantic now. “We are fine Michael, listen I just left Aaron’s. We're coming home.”

Thanks for the feedback... you guys are awesome!!!!

Ok there are no Aliens in this story but Alex did die in a car accident. But that will come up later in the story… And just so you all know. I really am a Max Lover…just for some reason I can never like him when I write him. The song is Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw


When she was out of town she reached into her purse and dialed the first number in her phone book. “Hello.” The voice was groggy. “Michael it is Liz.”
“LIZ…are you ok is AJ ok.” He was frantic now. “We are fine Michael, listen I just left Aaron’s. I’m coming home.”

“Liz, are you leaving Clinton right now?” she shook her head but realized that he could not see her. “Yes, I just left Clinton. I am going to drive all night and try to be out of Missouri by noon tomorrow.” She could hear Michael groan into the phone. “Ok Liz, drive safe and Maria says you can stay here when you get in and then do what you have to.”
“Ok I love you both, see you in a couple of days.” She could Maria in the background. “It better call before that!” she smiled. “Goodbye.” She hung up the phone and looked at the clock. 12:00 Am. It was so not going to take 12 hours to get out of Missouri, it was only going to take 2 and then it was only going to take 4 to get in and out of Oklahoma. But she was didn’t know what she was going to do.

She checked the rear view mirror at the little boy in the car seat. He was her miracle. After Max had left she wasn’t sure how she was going to survive and then she found out she was pregnant and she knew she would.

The song that came on the radio next brought tears to her eyes. She was not a country fan but the song meant something. Max had given her the song and told her that he had felt this way.

All our tears have reached the sea.
Part of you will live in me,
Way down deep inside my heart.
The days keep coming without fail.
New wind is gonna find your sail
That’s where your journey starts.

You'll find better love,
Strong as it ever was,
Deep as the river runs,
Warm as the morning sun,
But please, remember me.

Like the waves down by the shore
We’re gonna keep on coming back for more.
Cause we don't ever wanna stop.
Out in this brave new world you'll see
Over the valleys and the peaks,
And I can see you on the top.

You'll find better love,
Strong as it ever was,
Deep as the river runs,
Warm as the morning sun,
But please, remember me.

Remember me when you're out walking.
When snow falls high outside your door.
Late at night when you're not sleeping
and moonlight falls across your floor...
And I can't hurt you anymore.

Please remember me


She turned off the radio and let the tears fall down her face. He left her a letter saying that he held her back. But in reality he felt like he was the one that was being held back. He didn’t know what is was like without Liz by his side and he wanted to know that life.

The days after Max had taken off she had called so many people her head hurt. She even called the police. No one had heard from him, his parents, Isabel and Jesse, Tess and Kyle, no one, not even Michael. She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong. Things had been going so well. At least she thought that they were. They had been married two years and now there was nothing.

About a month after he had no one had heard nothing. Michael had not heard and thing and the police had stopped him in Mew Mexico and told him he had a missing persons report out on him. He told them he wasn’t missing and they dropped the case. He called the apartment. Liz had been tired and had decided not to answer the phone.
“Hi you’ve reached Max and Liz, we are not here so leave us a message and we will call you back…that is if we are not to busy.” She had not had the heart to change the message. She wished that she had but she hadn’t. “Liz it is Max…Listen I need you to forward all of my tax info and bills and stuff to this address. PO BOX 99221 Imperial Ca 92231. Thanks. I hope you are doing ok.” And that was it he had hung up she hadn’t even picked up the phone. That morning she had found out she was pregnant and she didn’t even get to tell him.

Of course she sent his things and letters. The letters all came back unopened and that crushed her, he didn’t even want to know. He didn’t even care.

Her thoughts went from Max to Aaron. He would be awake in 6 hours and he would wonder where she was. Hopefully by that time she would be in Texas. She knew that he would come find her and more than likely her would fly and meet her there. Hopefully he would call first and maybe she could lie.

Lying, that had become her life. She lied to her family, her friends, her boyfriend. The only person she didn’t lie to was her husband. She was going to have to come up with a lie for Aaron to keep him away from her and AJ. Then come up with a lie for her parents and Diane. Philip she would tell the truth to so he could help her. Everyone else would know the truth too. It was a long time coming.

He sat in the apartment bouncing the baby on his knee. He was making goggle sounds at her and she was smiling back at him.

“Why do insist on making those noises at her?” he looked up to the woman at the counter.

“Because she likes it.” The woman just laughed at him.

He was bouncing her up and down. “You know Max she just ate she is going to throw up on you.” He looked at the baby.

“Oh, Ally you wouldn’t throw up one me, you love me too much.” BLAAHH. Ally threw up on him. “

I told you, you should listen… a mother knows when her daughter is going to throw up.” He looked at her.

“Yeah, yeah, you would think after the first time that happened I would have listened.”

“You listen…Ha say something else that is funny!”

“Shut up Tess… when is your lovely husband supposed to be home?” Tess turned around and took Ally from him and handed him a wet rag.

“Kyle will be home in about an hour and we are leaving in three hours. Jim called last night and told us we needed to get home.” Max looked at the floor.

“You know sometimes I miss being home.” Tess looked at him, sometimes she felt sorry for him. But then he made his bed he had to lie in it.

“Max you made the choice three years ago to go. Then you made the choice to not let people know where you are and the only reason that I know is because I ran into you. Now you not being able to go home is no ones fault but your own.”

“You still haven’t told Kyle.” She looked at him as if he were stupid.

“Are you kidding if Kyle knew you were here do you know what he would do to you? Don’t worry Max they wouldn’t have to worry about where you were anymore. You know I am lying to my husband and my friends by knowing about you. I am risking a lot for you I hope that you know that.” Max just looked at her.

“You aren’t going to tell them when you go home are you?”

“Are you kidding, NO!I am not about to open wounds. But I think you should get out of here before Kyle gets home.”

“Yeah I am going, besides I have to get back to the studio. Filming starts in two days!”

“Oh yeah that is a way to be discrete, be in the movies they will never know you there!” she was sarcastic with him.

“Ha funny, Listen Jim didn’t tell you why he needed you home did he?” Tess looked at him and down to he floor. He knew she knew and he knew that it was about Liz.

“I am not sure Max. I will fill you in when we get back.” He turned and walked out the door.

He had run into Tess in the store about a year ago. They had moved out to Hollywood when Kyle transferred firms. Kyle had gone to work for Philip Evans and got transferred to the LA firm.

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

“Max Evans?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Is Michael with her?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


He remembered it like it was yesterday. He had run into her and learned that his wife had had a baby, by another man. He had asked very few time about AJ and she had given the information. He wondered how long it had taken her to move on with her life. How long it had taken her to hop into bed with the next guy.

What had he expected, he hadn’t stuck around. He left one day after she had left for work. She left and he left a note on the bed and took off. Never bothered to call anyone and tell them he was ok or that he was alive. The only reason they knew he was ok was about a month after he took off he called Liz and asked that she forward his stuff to a P.O. Box he had opened in some crap town in southern California that he was living in at the time.

She of course had complied and she sent letters and he sent them back. It was better to shut her out then to have to open and read those letters and know the pain that she was in. He loved her, he had always loved her, he still loved her, and it killed him to leave. He just didn’t know who he was with her and the funny thing was… he had no clue who he was without her either.

Thank you, you wonderful people who leave me such wonderful feedback!!! Once again I am posting and then I am going to be gone. Hospitals SUCK!!! I forgot to ask Lizza to post this one for me too...hopefully she will!! Thanks again and I will see you when i get back! Oh and I edited Chapter 1 I added a song, SAFIRESKYE26(which by the way Melyssa you are AWESOME!!!) told me about this great song that just happened to be alot like my fic, or rather my fic just happpened to be a lot like it! So check it out!

QBon
frenchkiss70
Emz80m
janesdilema
Lizza
begonia9508
extingman
icequeen



Chapter 3

By noon Liz was wiped out. She had stopped off in Texas at some tiny cheap motel to get some sleep. Of course she made AJ take a nap and if he wasn’t taking a nap he was watching the TV or playing with his toys.

At around 8 earlier in the morning Isabel had called her and told her that Michael had called. She explained that she would explain when she got home. But of course she could never not tell Isabel what had happened so she explained in small detail. Isabel then offered to be on the first plane to St. Louis and kick some ass. She also offered to drive and meet Liz half way. Liz refused and she told her she would see her later.

Diane also called and said Iz had called her and that Liz was coming home. She asked if it was permanent or temporary. Liz of course told her she felt that it would be permanent. Diane told her they would talk more and to drive safe.

The only ones who hadn’t told called her were her parents. They were in South America on some travel thing and she was really glad.

After she felt rested she got back on the road. It was five and she was going to drive all night. Aaron still had not called. She was thankful for that. She didn’t want to deal with him. AJ finally gave in and asked her “Mama, where are we going?” she looked through the mirror. “We are going to go see Grandma and Papa Evans.” His eyes lit up. Liz loved that. Even though he didn’t know Max, he knew his father parents and he adored them. “Papa and Nama….Yeah and Uncle Ichael and Mia and Uncle Jeffy and Iffy?”
“Yeah we are going to Roswell.”
“Wowell, why come Awon not coming with uf?”
“Oh sweetie Aaron had to work and so it is you and me.”
“YEAH…when we get fhere?”
“Tomorrow morning, the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner we get there.”
“Ok mommy I close my eyes and when I open them we be in Wowell.” She watched him close his eyes. He was so beautiful, and so cute.

She heard the familiar ring of Nessun Dorma, her cell phone was ringing. She looked at the caller ID. 714, who was calling from 714? She picked it up. “Hello”
“Liz it is Kyle.”
“Kyle, hey where are you?”
“Tess, Ally and I are on our way home, dad called and said we needed to get home, you are moving home? What happened to Aaron?”
“Oh Kyle it is a long story and I promise I will explain it all to you later. But right now I am driving and it is starting to rain.”
“Liz drive safe and we will see you when you get here, Where are you by the way?”
“I am just out side of Lubbock”
“Oh you will be here in like 4 hours?”
“Yeah by like 9”
“Did you drive straight through?”
“Yeah something like that. Listen give my love to Tess and Ally, I will see you all in a few hours. I’m going to stop by the Crash.”
“Bye” she hung up the phone and right as she did it started to ring again, the caller id read Aaron. She almost thought not to pick it up but she knew she couldn’t do that. She pulled over to the side of the road.

“Hey.”
“Elizabeth, where are you?”
“I am headed home, AJ and I are going to go and see Diane and Philip for a few days.”
“Listen Elizabeth, I am so sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I just saw you with that picture and I couldn’t help it.” She sat there looking at the steering wheel. “You had that picture of him and I just lost it, I thought you were going to leave me for him.”
“Leave you for him? You have got to be kidding.” She had raised her voice yet in fear she quieted her self back down. “I haven’t seen him in three years; I was cleaning out a box and came across the pictures. It was nothing more than that.” That was a lie. She had been looking through the box looking for that picture trying to find that one picture. “I know and I am so sorry. Please come home, it won’t happen again.”
“Listen Aaron I need to take AJ to see his grandparents and then I will call you in a few days ok.”
“OK, I love you Elizabeth.” She heard him and flipped the phone.

She checked over her shoulder and merged back onto the interstate. She would be home in a few hours and she was really relieved.

*********

Max sat in the make up chair in the trailer and read the clock. The trailer door opened and a man in head phones popped in. “Mr. Parker you need to be on the set in 15.” He smiled at the man. “Thanks.” He shut the door and let Bettie continue to apply the make up. “Ok Alex how does it look?” he looked himself over. “Looks good, thank you.” He showed her to the door and let her out.

He had not gotten used the doing the movie thing. He moved out to California and was in a restaurant when a scouting agent found him and got him some small parts. He wanted to change his name; he had to change his name, so he chose Alex as his first name.

His best friend Alex had died in a car accident four years ago. He was on his way to visit Max and Liz when a semi swerved into on coming traffic and collided with Alex. He was killed instantly. Max had blamed himself. Alex hadn’t told anyone he was coming except Max. It was Liz birthday and Max was throwing her a party and Alex was going to surprise her. He had blamed him self for the whole thing, he had never gotten over it.

Of course the last name Parker was for his wife. That was her maiden name. He now had been in two major movies and a bunch of small parts. But no one had recognized him. When he did magazine interviews there were no pictures only words. He couldn’t take the chance. Of course he did always pick movies that he knew that none of the group would go and see.

Alien films were his specialty; the group hated them, the refused to go see them. The only one who knew he did them was Tess so she could talk them out of it if they tried it.

His cell phone rang and he looked at the Caller ID, Jessica. He flipped the phone open. “Where have you been?”
“Oh Max I am so sorry, my brother has been going through some crazy crisis, apparently he thought his girlfriend was leaving him, he hadn’t heard from her in like a day or something.”
“Well you know I hadn’t heard from you in a day and I didn’t think you had left me.”
“Yeah well you and I don’t live together.”
“Apparently they got into a fight and she took off in the middle of the night. So of course he called us in a panic. I almost hoped the next plane to go out there.”
“Oh well is everything ok now?
“I guess, it seems she went to go visit some family or something like that, I don’t know. She will be home in a few days. But he wants us to go and meet them.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“Because you can’t leave LA? Well what if they came out here?” she waited for his answer. “Yeah that will work, wait and see till she gets back and then we can talk to them.”
“Oh they will be so excited, you will love them both, and they are so awesome.”
“Listen Jess, I have to go, but how about dinner tonight?”
“My favorite restaurant?”
“Your favorite restaurant, my favorite perfume!”
“Bye baby” he didn’t say it back he just hung up.

It was no wonder Jessica’s brothers girlfriend left him, talk about an ass. He had heard about him from Jess and didn’t care for him at all. He could only assume that this poor girl had gone to get away from him. Hopefully she would stay away. Then he wouldn’t have to deal with him.

He realized he was late for the set and he opened the door of his trailer. He put on his sun glasses and walked to his chair.

********

Philip Evans sat at this desk drinking his jack and water. He stared hard at the paper that read Alex Parker aka Maxwell Phillip Evans. He had found him about six months ago. He hadn’t told Kyle for next to the photo of Max was a picture of he and Tess and Ally eating lunch together.

He had hired a private investigator and this is what he had come back with, Max had been living in LA for only 2 years, the other year was spent in some crap town near Mexico. He had sent Kyle to find him and investigate but Kyle had found nothing. Then when he was just about to tell Kyle the picture came in of him and Tess.

He couldn’t believe it, the investigator and been told they had known of each other for a year and that Tess was keeping him a secret. It was obvious that Kyle knew nothing.

He was on his way to LA when his wife called him and told him that his daughter in law was on her way home. Liz, what a girl, he loved her like he loved Isabel. She had become a daughter to him. Max had married her after high school and he had greatly approved. He had watched her closely over the last three years after Max left. He didn’t understand his son, nor did he care for him at this point in time. He had it in his mind to go over there and drag his ass back home.

That wasn’t the way to handle anything. But he was going to do something so that his beautiful grandson knew who his father was, so that his wife knew her only son was ok, so that his daughter in law had some piece of mind. He felt like it was his fault that Liz didn’t have the life she wanted, that he couldn’t bring Max home.

Liz hadn’t been happy in three years. She had met Aaron shortly after Max left and he pursued her. Of course she couldn’t very well betray Max, she thought he was coming home. So Aaron stuck by her and stayed with her and helped her out. He even picked Diane and Philip up from the airport when Liz went into Labor. Philip liked him, up until a couple of months ago.

When Liz first started to have feelings for Aaron she came to Philip for advise. Of course Philip could see the anguish she was in and how it tore at her. He told her that life had gone on and Max probably had too, so why wait around for something was not going to happen. He gave her his blessing and she dated him. She actually started to seem happy again.

Then about two months ago Liz called him, she said that he had gotten upset with her and beaten her up. She wanted to know about a restraining order. Of course Philip flew there, he loved that girl and his grandson and had to go to her and help. So he went and she backed down. She told Philip not to worry about her that she would be ok and that Aaron was a good man, he just got carried away sometimes.

So when Diane told him they were coming home he knew. He knew that Aaron had beaten her; he knew that he was to blame; he had left her there alone and with the bastard. Even though it was her choice to stay…he felt responsible. Now he had one more thing to feel responsible about it, his son.

********

Isabel, Jesse, Michael and Maria sat in the Crashdown. Michael was running it while Liz’s parents were in South America. “I can’t believe he has been beating her for seven months.” Isabel shook her head. “It must have started right after we left. While we were there he was a saint to her. I mean a little possessive and all, but never abusive.” Michael kind of liked Aaron, he liked him much better than Max. Up until yesterday that was. “Why wouldn’t she tell before anyway? I mean the only reason she told was because she said she has some kind of bruise on her face and she didn’t want us to be shocked.”

Maria had never liked Aaron. She had started working with him in St. Louis and he was always going after Liz, even when she was still with Max. Max where the hell was he? He had dropped off the face of the earth; Philip had gotten a lead about him being in California and sent Kyle to check it out. Kyle of course had come up with nothing and Philip kept him out there just in case.

Find himself…UMHP…what the hell was that supposed to mean? If he didn’t know who the hell he was why the hell did he marry her? I mean they had the real thing…or so she thought…they all thought that. They had started dating in high school and then when they got out of school they got married. It was so fairy tale until that night in September. He just left, only a stupid note. It wasn’t even a note, it was a song. A stupid country song at that, she really had hated him after that.

They heard the bells jingle and in walked Kyle and Tess. Maria went straight to Kyle and hugged him. “Little brother, you are back!” he hugged her back and then led his wife into the restaurant. Of course Maria hugged Tess and then took Ally.

“Has she gotten here yet?” Kyle asked sternly. They were all waiting to see how bad it really was. They didn’t know, they had an idea but no really idea. That is when the bell rang again.

When they turned around what they saw shocked them all.

Hey its Lizza, just trying to help! so here's the next part


Part 4


They stood there in awe as Liz walked through the door with AJ in her arms. She looked as though she had lost 15 pounds and she was very pale. She had a huge bruise on her left eye and a cut that reached from the top of her eyebrow to the under pert of her eye. It almost looked like it might need stitches. Liz of course had doctored her self and used a few butterfly bandages to close the cut.

Michael immediately walked up to her and took AJ from her arms. She smiled at him and looked at the gang. The tears were starting to form in her eyes as she looked at Isabel and Maria and Tess who were already spilling tears. Kyle was clinching his fists and Michael was putting AJ in the booth.

Liz immediately went to Isabel and hugged her. Isabel could wrap her arms completely around her and that scared her. Liz only weighed 120 pounds normally so this was bad that she only looked to be about 100 pounds. Isabel let go and she made her way around the table hugging everyone.

They finally say down and she sat between Kyle and Michael. Michael had gotten her a soda and she was fidgeting with the straw. She didn’t know how to answer their questions. Finally Michael whom was tired of waiting, “Was he beating you while Maria and I were living there?” she looked at him and smiled. “No, I think he was too afraid, it started about two days after you left. Right after I moved in with him. He asked me to take my wedding rings off and I did but I put them on a chain and he didn’t like that. I got snappy and he hit me. I thought it was a one time thing, but it wasn’t.” she looked at the table. “When did it get to this?” she looked at Maria and back at the table. “He found me with me wedding rings on about a month ago, I had put them on my right hand to clean them and he came home, he saw them and he took them from my hand and heated them with a lighter.” She pulled her shirt collar down and showed them the scar. “He pushed them into my skin.” Isabel and Maria put their hands over their mouths and Tess walked to the back.

“I’m going to kill him.” That was all that Michael could say. Kyle sat there with his fist clenched and Jesse rambled on about restraining orders and suing and other legal jargon. Liz just looked at the table, she was ashamed. She was not the type of girl that let a man beat her and here she was a victim of abuse. “What made you decide to leave him?” Tess had come back into the room.

What a stupid question Jesse thought, why else would she leave him DUH!!! Sometimes that girl was too dense for her own good.

“If it was this bad with me, it was only a matter of time before he turned on AJ, He hated anything that had to do with Max and that is why he beat me most of the time. This last time was because I was looking though and old box and just happened to be looking at a picture when he came through. AJ was something that belonged to Max, it was only a matter of time and I wouldn’t let my son know that, he can beat me all he wants, but he wont touch my son.” They all looked at her and stared, Isabel realized she was exhausted. “Well Liz lets get you settled. Mom and Dad want you to stay with them at the new house.” He parents had gotten a new house when Liz refuse to stay there because the only room that she could stay in was Max’s and she wouldn’t stay there. “Ok, I don’t know how to get there.”
“Don’t worry Jesse and I will take you. Everyone else we can meet in the morning. Kyle, Tess I am sure that you are exhausted.” They nodded and hugged and told each other they would meet for breakfast.

Jesse picked up AJ and put him into the back seat of the pathfinder and Isabel rode with Liz. “Liz, I am so sorry I wasn’t there.” Isabel’s tears were streaming from her face. “No Isabel don’t, please. It is not your fault. You didn’t do it. He did and I stayed, I should have left the first time it happened. I just thought that no one wanted me. You know Max left me and no one wanted me. Aaron did and I didn’t want to let go of that.” It was the truth for Liz, she felt like she had some sort of defect and that no man would want her. Heck her own husband hadn’t even wanted her.

They pulled up to the house and Liz was amazed. It was huge, “I mean Iz when they told me it was big I never thought I was a whole block!” Isabel laughed; at least she still had her sense of humor. “Come on lets go.” Isabel helped her out of the car and they went inside the house. Jesse was pulling in behind them and trying to get AJ in without waking him up.

Diane heard the door open, “Isabel is that you?” Isabel followed the voice to the living room where Diane was engrossed in home movies. “Mom?” she turned and there was Liz, black eye, cut and skinny as ever. Diane like everyone else who saw Liz started to cry. While the two were engrossed in each other Isabel was staring at the TV.

Diane had chosen to watch the last home movie of Max that had been made. It was three days before he left. They had been in Roswell and Liz had been sick, now they know that she had been pregnant, but at the time she was stuck in bed while everyone else was out partying for Isabel’s birthday. So Max had made Liz a video.

Isabel turned the TV off and Philip came in. The minute he saw Liz his jaw tightened and he stiffened. Just then Jesse walked in and Philip took AJ. Isabel told them to show them to their rooms and she and Jesse waited for them in the living room.

When they were gone Isabel turned the TV on and pressed Play.

“Oh Liz, you are sick and we are here at CLUB something…I have no clue what it is called and let me tell you what it is no fun!!! NONE. And do you know why? Because my love you are not here…

“LIZ WE ARE BORED WITHOUT YOU!!” Maria was yelling. The gang of course waved at her.

“Ok this is my message to you my beautiful wife…I love you… everything that I am and have…You are my everything!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! I am nothing without you!!

Isabel had watched that so many times hoping that it was true. To show some hint that he wasn’t lying. No one could tell, they were all fooled, even Liz. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and turned the TV off.

Diane and Philip came back down the stairs and Jesse and Isabel met them at the door. Isabel hugged her mom, there were no need for words. They were already saying everything. “Mom we will talk more tomorrow, let her sleep late.”
“We, will, goodnight Iz.” Philip said as he hugged her. They both left and headed for their apartment.

Liz laid in the bed in the guest room staring at the ceiling. She had come home, she was finally some place where she belonged. She was where her family was and she was loved. The funniest part of it was, they were not her family, they were his family. Max’s family and they loved her.

She contemplated getting up and watching her baby sleep to make sure he was ok. She knew that he was, there was no way that he couldn’t be. She turned on the radio and she forgot that the only station that is playable from Fountain Street was country.

Country, it was killing her, the only songs that they played were about love gone wrong. WHY!!!! She listened to the song that was on.

When I woke up this morning
Wiped the sleep from my eyes
Found a new day dawning
And suddenly I realize
You're gone

Tell me I was dreaming
That you didn't leave me here to cry
You didn't say you don't love me anymore
And it was just my imagination telling lies
Tell me that you didn't say goodbye

I'm in a state of confusion
I hope things aren't what they seem
If this is really happening
Just let me go back to dream
You're home

Tell me I was dreaming
That you didn't leave me here to cry
You didn't say you don't love me anymore
And it was just my imagination telling lies
Tell me that you didn't say goodbye

“That’s it every freaking country song describes my love life!” she slapped the radio off and rolled over and let the tears fall. “Tell me you don’t love me!” She went to sleep.

*********

Max was laying in bed listening to the rain fall to the ground. Jessica had wanted to spend the night but he refused her. He had done that a lot lately and he didn’t know why. He found himself wondering what was happening in Roswell, why Kyle and Tess went home and if Liz was ok.

He grabbed his cell phone off the dresser and dialed the number in the phone book. “Hi, I cant answer right now, but if you leave a message I will call you back.” He hung up and put the phone to his chin. She never answered private numbers on her phone. That is why he called. She would never answer.

He dialed another number. “Hello.”
“Tess it is Max, are you alone?”
“Yeah, Kyle and his dad went over to your parent’s house and Amy is with Maria and Jesse and I have Ally and Kylee.”
“Who is Kylee?”
“Oh you don’t know…Jim and Amy got married and had a baby girl, Kylee, she and Ally and AJ are all within 3 years of each other.” There she went mentioning AJ again. “oh that is so great of them, why is everyone over at my house.” There was silence on the phone and that worried Max. “Tess, what is going on.”
“Listen Max, all I know is Liz is in bad shape.”
“You are lying you know more than that, what aren’t you telling me.”
“I don’t know anything to tell you Max, she is sick ok, she is rasing a baby by her self, and it is wearing her out.”
“Why is she raising the kid alone, doesn’t the father give a shit, oh wait, he is probably the first prick she jumped into bed with right?” he felt bad right after he had said that cause he could hear the glass that Tess had been holding in her hand polp down on the table.
“Yeah you know he is a real dead beat, he doesn’t give a shit about her or the kid, he wants nothing to do with them, You were so right about him being a prick! Listen I have to go Amy and Maria just pulled up.” She clicked on him and didn’t even say goodbye.

He couldn’t believe he had said that about Liz, he knew that wasn’t true. He figured that Liz had been lonely and had just given in and ended up getting pregnant. He never thought about the possibility of the baby being his. Well he did but when Tess told him his birthday he did the math and it wasn’t possible.

He would call again tomorrow and get more info out of her.

Thanks for the well wishes and thanks to Lizza for helping me out...you are awesome . Thanks to Melyssa for Editing for me Hope you enjoy

Chapter 5

Diane was in the kitchen the next morning peeling potatoes when Liz walked in. She, of course, had doctored her bruise but she still looked almost hideous. Diane just looked at her. She still saw Liz as beautiful. This girl had been through so much, so much because of her son. “Coffee is on the counter, help your self.” Liz looked almost lost; in the old house she knew where everything was, but in this house she knew nothing. “Oh I forgot, cups are the third cabinet from the sink to your right.” Liz smiled and grabbed a cup and poured herself a cup of coffee.

Just then they heard airplane noises. “Come on, Papa, do it again, do it again!!!!”

“Oh, AJ, your papa is almost getting too old for this.”

The little boy put his hands on his hips. “NOooooo, you awe onwe fity.”

Philip looked at his grandson and then at this daughter-in-law. “I see your mom has been telling my secret.”

Liz just smiled at him and he went over to her and kissed the top of her head. “Morning,”

“Morning. Did you sleep well?” Philip worried about her…he felt like he needed to.

“Yes…thank you, that bed was awesome.” Liz replied.

They hadn’t bothered telling Liz it was Max’s old bed, causing Phillip to feel a small pang of guilt.

“Mommy guess what?” AJ interjected.

Liz looked at her son. “What baby?” She looked at him with her eyes big.

“Papa told me he would take me to his office to see his big computer.”

“Wow. Did you thank Papa?”

AJ shook his head and went and climbed up on his grandpa’s lap. Alexander had a special relationship with his grandpa. He was the most important male figure in AJ’s life. He had Michael, Kyle, Jesse, and Jeff…but he didn’t have Max. He needed Philip.

“Well, Liz, what are we going to do about getting your stuff from Clinton?” Philip was going to get her out of Missouri if it killed him.

“I told A-a-r-o-n when I talked to him yesterday that I need a few days to sort through some stuff.”

Philip looked at her. He kinda thought it was funny she had to spell his name so AJ wouldn’t know who they were talking about. “AJ, can you give Papa and mommy some time to talk?” The little boy looked up at his grandpa and shook his head.

“Come on, AJ, you can help Nama peel potos.” AJ followed Diane.

“Nama, you can’t call them poto’s…onwe I can.”

She smiled, “I am so sorry.”

“Liz, you can’t go back, look at what he did to you.” Philip thought for a second she was going back to Aaron.

“I know I can’t go back. I won’t go back…I don’t want to see him, but he wants me to go to LA with him for a few days to see his sister and I am trying to avoid it.”

Philip looked at her. “Tell him you don’t want to go.”

“I know, but I told him three weeks ago that I would, and he wants to go now. After everything that’s happened I don’t know what to do?”

Philip just looked at her. “Listen, Liz, I’m going to LA on Friday, and hopefully I’ll be home on Sunday. Then, on Monday we are going to Clinton, we are getting your stuff, getting you an apartment, and moving you home.”

She smiled at Philip. “And I am saying no to LA.”

“You are saying no to LA.”

*****

Max and Jessica were sitting in the Hard Rock when her cell phone rang. She, of course, left the table and Max sat there thinking. He thought back to a life that was so much simpler.

His freshmen year of high school he was dating Tessa Harding. He liked her, she liked him, but he knew it was going nowhere so he broke it off. He was in love with the one and only Elizabeth Parker. So about a month after he and Liz started dating, they were inseparable. They were in love and it was a love like no other loves. They used to joke and say it was like the love that Wesley had for Buttercup in “The Princess Bride”. After High School they decided to get married, it only seemed logical and right. It was right! They were only 18, but they wanted it. They were married 4 years before he left, 4 wonderful years. There had never been anything better.

Then, he went to Isabel’s birthday party alone. Liz was sick and couldn’t go, so he and the gang went. And there in a bathroom stall, with a very drunk Tess Harding, he had sex.

“You don’t just do that to someone you love?”

“Excuse me, Alex?” He looked up and there was Jessica. “Sorry, Jess, what’s going on?”

“Oh, that was Aar. Seems Ell isn’t going to come out with him. She’s pretty mad at him.”

“Who is Ell?”

She looked at him funny. “Elly, his girlfriend, duh.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. She went home, right?”

“Right. Well, her ex-father in law, or something like that, won’t let her come.”

“What does he care? If he’s her ex-father in law, why would it matter?”

“Cause technically she and her ex husband aren’t divorced. He’s some jerk-off who left her when she was pregnant.”

Max huffed. “Some men are assholes.”

“Tell me about it.” They finished their lunch in silence.

Of course, Max still kept thinking about that night. The night he got drunk and had sex with Tess in the bathroom. Max had felt so guilty he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t believe that he could have done such a thing. And Liz, how would she have forgiven him for such a thing? How could he forgive himself?

The truth was, he never had forgiven himself and he never gave Liz the chance to know. He just distanced himself. Liz thought it was because she was sick, and because of his job…at the time he couldn’t afford to get sick. He packed his stuff while she was at the hospital one night and he left. He just left. He told work to tell her that he had given two weeks notice, and then he took off for California.

California was sunny and he heard it never rained. Yeah right, it rained. He must of hit it during some freak rain season. There was rain everywhere. It rained for 4 weeks straight when he first got there. He thought he had made the worst possible choice of places to go. Then it stopped and the sun came out, and here it was sunny and warm.

He had to get away from Liz, from Tess, from himself. He thought that by going away it would take all the hurt away. It didn’t. It only made the hurt worse. Sometimes he would dream of the life that Liz had. Was she happy with the life that she had with AJ? Who was AJ’s dad? Did she love him? Did he give her all the things that she wanted?

From the way that Tess had talked last night, Liz had left him. He was an ass, at least that was what Max wanted to believe. When Max had called Tess after seeing her in the store he only wanted to know one thing. He wanted to know if she had told Liz about what had happened.

“Tess, you never told anyone about us?”

“No, I couldn’t. I couldnt tell anyone anything.”

“Thank you for not telling her.”

“She’s my friend, Max. You can’t tell your friend that you had sex with her husband in the bathroom of a club.”

He just looked at her. “Yeah, I know.”

“I mean that is why you left.”

He just looked down. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She didn’t press the issue…she left it alone. “What about AJ?”

“What about him?”

“How old is he and what does AJ stand for?”

Tess looked at him and Max couldn’t tell that the wheels in her mind were turning or that she was about to deceive him. “Alexander Jeffery will be two and a half in about a week.” That was a lie if anyone had ever heard one… he was 3 years old. She knocked six months off of his age.

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry, Max, but you left. Life didn’t just stop because you left.” She returned to the stove.

He had hated Liz at that moment. She hadn’t even waited six months, but he still thought about her and what she did. Tess had given him her cell phone number and he called it all the time. Of course, Tess also told him she never answered private numbers, so he called and would listen to her voice mail.

Tess had given him the latest picture that she and Kyle had gotten of Liz. She had changed. She had cut all of her hair off, and it was extremely short. She was also thin. She looked too thin for her own good, but she was still beautiful, and she was still Liz.

*****

Tess was in the kitchen of the Valenti house when Maria came in with Michael and Kyle.

“So, Kyle, have you and Tess even heard of this Alex Parker?”

Tess’s eyes got big and she turned to face the sink. “I have, but I mean he’s in a lot of alien movies. You know we stay away from the stuff, but they say he prefers to be away from the photos and stuff like that.”

“Well the guy likes his privacy.” Michael always says movie stars need that.

“Yeah, but to not let them take any pictures of you…there’s something wrong about that. Don’t you think so, Tess?”

Tess turns from the sink. “Yeah I guess I wouldn’t know.”

“Well, when his new movie comes out I am going, alien or not!”

Tess thought to herself. ‘Why? You know him personally, so why do you need a movie?’ but she kept her mouth closed and put lunch on the table.

“Hey, Michael, when are you picking up Liz?” Tess asked him.

Michael looked at her. It wasn’t that she asked the question weird or funny, it was that Michael didn’t trust her. Michael didn’t like her. Michael knew that something had happened between her and Max the night of Isabel’s birthday and he also knew that she was withholding vital information…about what he didn’t know. “Oh in about a couple of hours. Did you guys know Philip was going to LA?” They all looked at him. “Yeah, he got a lead on Max.” Kyle looked up from his sandwich. “When, they really didn’t tell him.”

Kyle stood up, and kissed his wife. “Well, I’m headed over there.”

They watched Kyle walk out the door. Michael continued to watch Tess, while Maria played with Ally. He knew she was up to something.


TBC

Thanks for the feedback....you all make me think alot.

Chapter 6

Kyle was furious! How could Philip not tell him he had a lead on Max? Kyle was at the gate when it opened. He drove up and parked, and then went up to the door. He rung the doorbell and waited. About a minute later Liz and AJ answered the door. “Kyle! Hey what are you doing here?”

“Uncle KYLE!!!” The little boy flew into his uncle’s arms and hugged him tightly.

“Hey, buddy! Well, I’m here to see Phil…is he around?”

Liz shook her head. “Yeah, he’s packing. Come on in.”

Kyle went on talking to AJ. “So, bud, you taking care of your mom?”

“Yeah.”

“You like Papa and Nama’s new house?”

“So cool, they have a pool.”

Kyle laughed, “I know who would’ve thought a pool?”

Liz laughed and Kyle set AJ down. “AJ sweetie, go find Nama and tell her you’re hungry for some p,b, and j.” The little boy ran off to find Diane and Liz walked Kyle up the stairs.

“Kyle, you’re here about Max, huh?” Kyle looked at her. “Philip has another lead?”

“I honestly don’t know, Liz. Michael just told me this morning. I’m the one who lives in LA and he didn’t tell me…that’s why I’m here.” Liz was fidgeting with her hands. Kyle knew that meant she was nervous. “Liz…”

“Kyle, what if Max is in LA? What if Philip finds him? I want to know. I want to know everything. I want to know why he left me. I want to know what happened?”

Kyle looked at her. “Would you take him back?”

Liz just looked up at him. There was no need for words and he knew it. If the answers to the questions were good enough, she would take him back. He was the love of her life. There could never be another Max. He was the father of her son.

*****

Max and Jessica were in the airport waiting on her brother’s flight to get in. He’d only been dating Jessica for four months now. She was the first girl he’d dated since he’d left St Louis. Tess had told him that Liz had started dating again, so he figured if she had been dating, maybe he could too.

A voice announced the arrival of flight 223 from St. Louis, so Jessica and Max walked over to the gate. Max watched all the people get off and just then his cell phone rang. Jessica looked at him, but he put his finger up and stepped away.

“Hey.”

“Max, it’s Tess.”

“Hey. Listen, I can’t talk right now. Jessica’s brother, Aaron, just flew in from Clinton and he just stepped off the plane.”

“Wait! Did you just say Aaron from Clinton?”

“Yeah.”

“Aaron? As in Aaron Burwell?”

“How did you know that?”

“Listen, Max...”

“Tess?” He looked at his phone and it said ‘Call Ended’…He thought it was strange, but he put the phone away and turned around.

“Alex, I want you to meet my brother Aaron.”

Max stuck out his hand and Aaron just looked at him. “It’s really nice to meet you, Aaron. I’m sorry Elly couldn’t come with you.” That’s when it struck Aaron…this was not Alex, this was Max.

“You Bastard.” Just then Aaron’s fist came into contact with Max’s face.

“What the hell, Aaron? Alex, are you ok?” Jessica was picking Max up off the floor.

“How long have you been playing Jess too?”

Max was lost. He had absolutely no clue what the hell Aaron was talking about. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh like you don’t know! You fucking bastard! How long have you been living here in your life of luxury and how long have you been dragging my sister along with you?”

Jessica had no idea what was going on. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on, but the airport is not the place for it. Let’s go, we can do this later.”

“No now. He’s the reason she left.”

Max just looked at Aaron, he was so confused. “Who’s the reason who left?”

“NOT NOW!” Jessica grabbed them both and then went out the door.

They all got into Max’s jeep and he drove to Jessica’s apartment. The ride was silent and as confused as Max was, Jessica also had no idea what was going on. However, Aaron did, and one way or another she was going to get it out of him.

When they pulled up to the apartments, the three of them got out in silence and made their way to the apartment. Jessica put her purse and keys on the counter, while Aaron and Max just stood in the living room. “Ok, someone want to tell me what the HELL is going on?” Jessica looked at Max, and then to Aaron.

“Why don’t you let Alex start? Let him start by telling you what his real name is!”

Max looked at Aaron. This man knew, he knew that he wasn’t Alex Parker. “What did you say?” Max asked.

“I said tell her that your name isn’t Alex Parker and that your name is Max Evans.”

Jessica looked at Max and back at Aaron again. “Aar, what are you talking about? This is Alex Parker…the movie star. Max Evans is some guy that Elly knows.”

Max looked at Aaron, and then at Jessica. “I am Max Evans.”

Jessica looked at him. “You lied to me?”

“Oh that isn’t all he lied about. He has a wife and a son too, but I’ll bet he failed to mention that too.”

Max looked at Aaron. How this man knew so much he didn’t know. “Ok first off, who the fuck are you, and how the fuck do you know about me? Second of all, I do have a wife and we’re separated. I don’t have a son, she had a baby with the guy that she’s seeing now.”

Aaron started laughing at him. Max didn’t know why he found this so funny. “You know nothing do you?” Max just looked at him.

“Aaron, what are you talking about?” Jessica asked him.

“Jessica, Elly is Elizabeth Ann Parker Evans. She married Maxwell Philip Evans about eight years ago. Then about three years ago he picked up and left her for no reason at all. All he left was some song. Anyway, he left her when she was a couple of months pregnant. He called her to forward his stuff, but he returned all of her letters. All of them. If he hadn’t, he would’ve known the baby was his.”

Max just stood there. Tess had told him differently. “But I thought…Wait if you were with Liz then…” Max ran after him. “You bastard, what the hell did you do to my wife?” Max started pounding on him. “IF YOU HURT HER I’LL KILL YOU!”

By this point, Jessica was screaming. A neighbor had heard the altercation, and came over and pulled Max off of Aaron.

“Why do you care what I did to her? Not like you give a damn…you left her remember?”

Max just stared at Aaron, and then looked over at Jessica. She had tears in her eyes, and she looked at him with such pain. Pain he’d never meant to cause. “I think you need to go.” Jessica whispered.

Max grabbed his keys and went to leave. “I ever see you near my family again, I’ll kill you.” And he left.

That Bitch! He couldn’t believe it; she’d lied to him. That meant that Alex was three years old, not the age that Tess had given him. That made him wonder…what else had she lied about? That’s what he got for trusting a woman he’d had sex with in a bathroom. He’d been on the freeway for about twenty minutes when he pulled up to his apartment.

It wasn’t dark yet, and he brushed passed the doorman. If he’d stopped to talk to Benny, like he normally did, he would’ve known that his father was upstairs waiting for him. He took the elevator and Mrs. Wilkinson from two doors down was in there. “Hello, Max.”

“Hello, Mrs. Wilkinson, lovely dress.”

“Why thank you, dear. I met your father, now I see where you get your charm from.”

Max just looked at her “Mrs. Wilkinson, my father lives in Roswell.”

“Oh…well it must not have been your father, dear.”

Max just laughed, sometimes that lady was out of it. He got off the elevator on his floor and walked to his apartment. He opened the door, threw the keys on the counter, and stopped dead in his tracks.


Tess was shucking corn and watching Maria play with Ally. She and Kyle had been married almost two years now. Ally was seven months old, and she was getting so big. Kyle had insisted on naming her Alexandra Elizabeth, so Tess had agreed even though it boiled her blood. She liked Liz...oh who was she kidding? She hated Liz! Liz had ruined her life back in high school. She and Max had been dating and were very happy, or at least she’d thought they were happy. Then, out of nowhere, he broke up with her and started going out with miss perfect. Of course she and Liz were not friends for a long time, but Liz made the effort their senior year, and she’d accepted.

So, when Max and Liz got married Liz asked Tess to be a bridesmaid and she’d accepted. Tess led her to believe they were friends, but they weren’t. Then, the night of Isabel’s birthday party Tess finally decided she’d had enough. She’d just started dating Kyle and she went to see Pam Troy who was in town seeing Paulie. Pam had been notorious for the stash of ecstasy she kept and Tess was going to get her revenge.

Well, Liz just happened to get sick that night, and everyone thought it was the flu. Later the doctor said that it was most likely morning sickness, but she’d made Max go out that night. Later, Max had told her that it had been the worst mistake he had ever made. He had just wished he’d stayed at home with her.

They’d all gone out and had taken the camera. Of course everyone was dunk, and Tess had drunk the most. She wanted her revenge and she wanted Max…she put the drug in his drink, and he was out of it. Finally, she took him in the bathroom and had her way with him. Tess had taken Liz’s new undergarments that Max had bought for her, and they’d fucked right there in the bathroom. It was the best fuck she had ever had.

But then Max had left. Liz had come to Tess, asking her if she knew anything, but she’d lied to her. Tess knew what had happened and that it was probably why he left. It was only luck that she’d later run into him.

She had lied to everyone…Kyle, Liz, Max. She lied to them all. She lied because she had wanted revenge on Liz. Liz had the life she wanted, and Liz had the child she wanted. Kyle was a great man and he was good to her, but she wanted her daughter to be Max’s daughter. Was that so wrong?

Max had come to her crying, telling her he was going to confess everything to Liz, but she told him that Liz would never forgive them. She would divorce him, and he would be alone. Tess had told him not to tell Liz, but instead to just pack his bags and leave. And he’d done it…he’d left her. Tess had felt bad for Liz when it first happened, and even more so when Aaron had started beating her, but overall she was not sorry that she’d slept with Max. She could never be sorry about that.


Philip was sitting on Max’s couch and Max was stopped dead in his tracks. Philip reached over and turned on the lamp. “What are you doing here?”

Philip looked at his son. “Wow. What a way to greet your father. No, HI DAD!”

“How did you find me?”

Philip couldn’t believe his son. “Well, I found you in the phone book, Max. They are putting all kinds of people in there now days.” Max just looked at his father. “How do you think I found you? I hired a PI and he tracked you down to here. He found out you were using the name Alex and he found you under this address. But then I could have always asked Tessa,” he looked at Max looking for some sort of emotion in his face.

“Dad…”

“Dad what? Max you’ve been gone for three years. Tell me something, tell me anything, and tell me that you had a damn good reason to leave like you did.”

Max walked to the kitchen and took a glass out of the cupboard. He filled the glass with jack and chugged it. “I don’t know what you want me to tell you?”

Philip threw his hands in the air. “I’m about two seconds from coming over there and kicking your ass, you’d better start talking.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time someone kicked my ass today.”

Philip looked at his son. “What happened?”

“Oh well…let’s see, Aaron came to town…”

“Liz’s Aaron?”

“Yeah, that Aaron. See I’m dating his sister, only I guess I didn’t know that it was his sister, or that he was dating my wife.”

“Yeah, you don’t know a lot of things.”

“Tell me about it.” Max filled his glass up again. “Supposedly I have a kid.” He chugged the glass. “Some kid I’ve never even heard of.”

Philip looked at his son. “Well that is your fault.” He went to the counter and sat on the barstool.

“What did you come here for, Dad?”

“To tell you things.”

“What things?” Max looked at him.

“You willing to listen?” Max nodded, so he stood there leaning on the kitchen counter. “Ok well listen up, SON. You left and your wife, Liz, was pregnant. One month to be exact. She was so excited. She was looking forward to you calling, so she could tell you, and then you did call. You left a message, so she wrote to you. You returned every one of her letters unopened. You never even read one of them, which killed her. She didn’t get out of bed for a week, so your mom and I flew up to St. Louis to get her and bring her home. We packed the stuff you wanted, shipped it to you, and packed her up and moved her home. Her parents didn’t really want anything to do with the whole situation. They were more into their traveling, so we took her. She stayed with us and we did everything for her. She met Aaron when she was about three months pregnant. He wanted to date her, but she said no. She told him she was married and you were away for a while. We had all hoped that to be the truth. Then, she decided that she needed to move back to St. Louis. When she was six months pregnant she moved back. She got an apartment and Michael and Maria moved over there to be with her. Well, Aaron still wanted her, but she told him friendship was all she could offer. Then YOUR son was born. It was the best experience that we’d ever had. Liz called us and we hopped the first plane to St Louis. Aaron, of course, picked us up and took us to the hospital. That’s when we met our grandson. He was beautiful…he looked just like you did when you were born.” Philip took out the first of many pictures and handed it to Max.

In the picture there was a baby wrapped up in Liz’s arms. She looked beautiful, the baby was beautiful. “He weighed six pounds, fifteen ounces, and he was twenty-one inches long. He had a full head of dark brown hair, his dad’s ears, and those amber eyes from his grandmother. When we asked Liz about a name she still hadn’t decided. Your mom suggested Maxwell, but Liz said no. She named him Alexander Jeffery Evans. When AJ was about a year old she started dating Aaron. Liz came to me and asked me if I thought you were coming home, but I didn’t know what to tell her. What was I supposed to tell her? I looked into her chocolate eyes and they were so full of pain…I told her to move on, you probably had. Was I right? Had you moved on?” Max said nothing but continued to stare at his father. “When she first started dating him, your mother and I liked him, everyone liked him. Until he started beating her. I assume because of you. It was never confirmed to me if he did or not, but I assume so. This last time he beat her pretty badly. He blackened her eye and cut her eye up…all because he caught her looking at a picture of you. She came home, and I came here. I tracked you down here, only to find out that one of our own had known you were here all along.” He looked at his son hoping that he would say something back. “You still have nothing to say do you?”

“Dad, I didn’t know.”

“How could you? You didn’t care, and don’t tell me that you did because you would’ve called and let someone know where you were.”

“I care, Dad…I love her. I’ve never stopped loving her, and now I know I have a son with her.”

“And you care? You have a great way of showing it, Max! And Tess, where did you find her? I assume Kyle knows nothing?”

“Dad, I ran into her in the store about a year ago and yes…Kyle knows nothing.”

“I figured as much. You know, Max, when you disappeared I hoped that you were sick, or hurt, or that there was something really wrong to explain why you would up and leave your wife and family with nothing more than some song that describes absolutely nothing. But as I sit here I see there’s nothing wrong with you. So now I’m asking…I need to know why you left.”

Max just put his head down. He couldn’t face his father’s eyes. “Dad, I’m too ashamed. Too ashamed of something that I did…I had to leave. Liz would’ve left me. She would’ve divorced me, and I couldn’t have handled that.”

Philip stared at Max in confusion. “Whatever you did I’m sure you could’ve talked to Liz about it. We’re human, Max, we make mistakes. It’s something we do. None of us are perfect. If we were supposed to be perfect, your mother would’ve left me a long time ago. You needed to face whatever happened like a man, Max.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

Phillip walked over to his son. He almost felt sorry for him. “Max, go home, face the music, and tell Liz what happened. I don’t know if you can fix it now or not, but she deserves to know…at least give her that. I raised you better than this, Max. I raised you to take responsibility for what you do and did. Obviously, you didn’t do that, but you need to do it now.” Phillip walked to the couch, picked up his brief case, and headed for the door. “I’m headed back to Roswell. I suggest you go back and fix your mistake. I’m not going to tell anyone about you or Tess until Friday, which gives you three days.” He opened the door and turned around to Max. “And Max, remember your mom and I we will love you regardless. We do love you, but you have to know that we also have grown to love Liz and AJ. That’s something you’re going to realize, loyalties change, Max. You have a son that deserves to know more than just your picture, your wife deserves to know you’re safe, and your mother deserves to know that you’re alive.”

He walked out leaving Max standing there. Max picked up the phone and called his agent. “Jake, listen this is Alex.”

“Alex baby, what can I do for you?”

“Listen, I need to go home for a couple of days and see my family.”

“What about production?”

“Listen, Jake, I know it’s contract, but I am going home.”

“Wait, Alex, where is home?”

“Roswell, New Mexico.”

“Oh, well then you don’t even have to worry. We ‘re headed out there for filming anyway. So, we’ll see you in Roswell.” Max hung up the phone called the airlines and booked his flight. He was going home.

Thanks for the feedback.... Thanks Melyssa!!!


CHAPTER 7


Max stepped off the plane and into the temped New Mexico air. He looked around the base airstrip and realized it hadn’t changed that much. In three years he’d expected some great change, but there was nothing. He saw Jake on his cell phone waiting for him.

“Look, doll, I don’t care how you have to get it to the set, as long as you get it there. I told you what I wanted. Are we clear? Good, see you tomorrow.” He flipped the phone shut. “Alex baby, good to see you. These people are so…simple. I swear the food lady gave me hell and all I wanted was some sandwiches. So, we put you up in this new hotel called the Holiday Inn, classy eh? The car is there. You can take it, just return it to the budget on…”

“On Main Street?”

Jake looked at Max. “Oh yeah, I forgot you were from around here. Yeah, just return it when you’re done. Don’t forget to be on set tomorrow morning, so go see your family…or whatever it was you had to do.” He waved Max off and got right back on the phone.

Max found the key to his hotel room, and to the car, so he headed toward the Holiday Inn.

~*~*~*~*~

Liz and Maria were at the Crashdown helping Michael out with the morning rush. Maria was on the phone, and it didn’t look like it was going well. “FINE” she said irritated, and slammed the phone down. She looked up and noticed that Liz was staring at her. “What? The guy was a total ass! He thinks just because he’s from California that he’s better than me! Ha! The guy can kiss my ass.”

Liz looked over at Maria. “Ok, Maria, calm down. He’s paying us a lot of money to cater this lunch, so just ignore him. Try to think of the positive in this.”

Maria smiled. “Yes, the fact that we’re making big money, we get to mingle with Hollywood, and two words ALEX PARKER!!!” Liz just shook her head.

“What’s the deal with this Alex Parker guy?” Michael said from the kitchen.

“Well, because you never see him. That’s why. You never see publicity photos of the guy and we want to see him. Now, we finally get to see him. I mean people say he’s a real hottie!!” Maria smiled and winked at Liz.

“Maria. Would you stop winking at Liz? Like she needs anymore men in her life.” Michael said sarcastically.

Liz looked over at Michael. “Thank you!”

“Sorry, Liz, but it’s truth.”

Liz threw the rag in her hand at him “Yes, it is true. I don’t need any more men, but men are like elephants…I still like to look, even if I don’t want to own one.”

Maria and Michael both look at her. “Ok, Yoda. Let’s go fill the California guys order, so that we aren’t here for time and all eternity!!!” They headed to the back and Isabel walked in.

“Michael, I need my order.” Michael came out of the kitchen and handed Isabel her box.

“Ok, here’s everything along with your drinks. I put it all on your tab. Thank you for choosing the Crashdown Café.”

Isabel smiled at him and took her box. “Tell the girls I will be by later.”

“Yeah later.”

Isabel walked down the street to the law office with the box of food. When she got there a man opened the door for her. “Thank you.” She said as she walked in. He said nothing, but just walked in behind her. “Hi Lisa. Can you tell Jess and the guys I have their food?”

“Of course, Mrs. Ramirez. Go ahead and go to Conference Room Three.”

“Thanks, Lisa.” Isabel smiled, and walked past her toward the back of the office.

“Hi, welcome to Evans, Ramirez, and Valenti. How can I help you?”

Max smiled. He didn’t recognize the girl. “I’m looking for Philip Evans?”

“I’m sorry, but he’s in a meeting. Can I tell him who’s here?”

“Can you tell him Max is here?”

“Sure thing.”

Just then Isabel emerged from the back room. She couldn’t believe it, there in front of her was her brother. “Max?”

“Iz, you cut your hair?” She shook her head and just stared. “DAD!” Just then the guys came from their meeting.

“Isabel honey, you’re early.” They stopped and looked at her, and then turned to look at what she was looking at. Then they saw that she was looking at Max.

“Max?” Jesse said.

“Hi Jesse, Kyle, Dad. Good to see you guys.”

They all just stared at him. They couldn’t believe he was here. “When did you get in?” Philip asked.

“I got in a while ago. I dropped my stuff at my hotel, and came straight here.”

They all turned to look at Philip. “You found him? You found him and you said nothing?” Isabel couldnt believe him.

“Listen, I found him, but I didn’t know if he was coming home. I didn’t know he was going to just show up.”

Isabel looked at her father and then at Max. “Why? How could you? Do you have any idea what you did?”

“Isabel, I…”

“You what? You’re sorry? Is that what you were going to say? Save it, Max! Save it for someone who gives a damn. You know what, I’m out of here?” Isabel grabbed her purse and started to leave, but Max grabbed her arm.

“Iz, please don’t tell anyone. Please?”

She looked into his eyes. “Fine, whatever. You’re safe, but you have till tomorrow and then I rat!” She stormed out of the office leaving them all behind.

“That went well.” Max stated.

“Did you think it was going to be roses?” Max looked over at Kyle. “You finally come back here. What did you expect? A parade? Did you expect us to hover over you? If you had a missing limb, or a patch over your eye, or part of your face was missing, then yes, maybe, but you’re in one piece. So you don’t get that. What the hell are you here for?”

Max looked up at Kyle, his eyes full of regret. “I’m here to fix things…to make them right.”

“UMHP.” Kyle replied, and retreated to the back.

Jesse went up to Max. “I really don’t know what to say to you, but welcome home.” He shook his hand and left Philip alone with Max. Max ran his hands through his hair and let out a deep breath. “Did you expect them to flock to you? Did you expect a parade?”

“No, but I didn’t expect that either?”

“I told you, Max, loyalties change, and you needed to realize that. Now, when are you seeing Liz?”

“I don’t know, Dad. When do you think I should?”

“I don’t know, but you need to see your mother. Make sure you do both.” Philip grabbed his brief case and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “It’s tough, isn’t it?” Max shook his head. “Now you know what it’s been like for us.” With that, Philip turned and left the office.

Max walked around and looked at the pictures. There were some from when they were younger, and some from when they were older. He saw his and Liz’s wedding picture, and then some new pictures of Liz and AJ. He needed to see them. He needed to meet his son.

~*~*~*~*~

Liz was finishing up with the dishes when the phone rang. She dried her hands off and reached for the phone. “Hello.” She listened for a moment to the voice on the other end of the line. “Isabel, are you ok?”

“No. Listen, Liz, I need to talk to my dad…is he there?”

“No. He left with your mom to go to the Holiday Inn for dinner. Something about meeting a new client.”

“Yeah, new client my ass.”

“Excuse me?”

“Sorry, Liz, it’s nothing. When he gets in have him call me, ok?”

“I will. Listen, Isabel, I never got to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being you, for taking me in, for letting me be a part of your family, for accepting me when Max took off. Basically, for everything.”

“Liz, I love you. I wouldn’t have left you.”

“I know…but thank you.”

“Anytime, Liz. We’re family. I love you and AJ.”

“Love you too.” Liz hung up the phone and heard the door opened. Liz turned around to find a very upset Diane Evans walking in the door. Liz looked at her puzzled. “Diane are you ok?” Diane looked up at Liz and back to Philip. Liz looked at Philip. She was getting worried as the tears streamed down her face. “Guys, what’s going on?” Just then the door opened and a man stepped out from behind Philip. “Max?” Liz couldn’t believe her eyes. Was it really him? Just then she saw the head of dark brown hair coming straight for her.

“Mommy, mommy!” AJ ran straight for her and jumped into her arms. He seemed panicked and out of breath.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Mommy, there are monsters in my closet!”

Liz listened to AJ, but never let her eyes leave Max. “No, baby, there are no monsters.”

“Yes there are, Mommy. I saw them. Come and get them, come make them go away.” He was crying and Max looked at the little boy whom clung to his mother.

“Ok, baby, let’s go make them go away.”

“Can papa come too?” AJ picked his head up off of her shoulder and looked at his grandpa.

“Of course papa will go with you. How about we leave mama here?” Philip told his grandson. AJ looked at his mother through his tear soaked eyes, and then back at his grandpa and shook his head. He leaned from his mother’s arms into his grandpa’s and they went upstairs.

Liz continued to stare even after they had left.

Finally, Max broke the silence. “He’s beautiful, Liz.”

She shook her head, trying to register what he’d said. “Excuse me?”

“He’s beautiful.” She still looked confused, “your son, he’s beautiful…just like you.”

Liz smiled. She still hadn’t grasped the fact that Max was here, in the house with her. Diane stood back, watching the two of them standing there not knowing what to say. “Max, can I get you something to drink?”

Max broke he gaze with Liz and looked at his mom. “Yeah, um…Jack if you have it.”

Diane shook her head and went to the bar.

Liz looked up at him. “You hate Jack. When did you start drinking it?” Liz realized she knew nothing about this man anymore.

“I don’t really remember when. A while back I guess. I kind of acquired a taste for it.” Liz walked over and sat down on the couch. Max watched as she put her elbow on her knee and her chin into her right palm, and placed her right finger on the tip of her nose. As he watched her, Max knew she would start to tap her fingers in a minute. In the light he saw the cut above her eye and a round scar on her chest just below her neck line.

Philip came down a few minutes later. “Liz, AJ’s sleeping. I got rid of the monster.” Liz just looked at him. She didn’t smile, but just kept a straight face. “Diane and I really need to talk to Jesse and Isabel…we’ll let you two talk.” Philip walked over to Liz. She stood up and looked at him. He saw the tears in her eyes. “Oh, Liz.” He hugged her and she felt him squeeze her. “We love you. You always have a home with us…no matter what.” She squeezed him back.

Diane went to Liz too and hugged her. “We love you, baby.” The two left for Isabel’s, leaving Liz and Max alone.

Well most of you are not very happy with me.... I'm sorry! So I updated....Ok so this is only chapter 8 and I promise that Liz will get her say, and be awesome, Max will get what he deserves, as will Tess she will get what is comming and then some, and then everyone else will be good! But it is only Chapter 8 so give me time!!!

Thanks for the feedback, despite that I have most of you foaming at the mouth with your hate for Max and your unhappiness with me I still enjoy reading it!! Melyssa...Love ya girl you are awesome...hope you are doing ok!!!MUAH!!

Here is Chapter 8 and it is posted it 2 parts The song in the second part of the post is "Im Not Supposed to Love You Anymore." by Bryan White!

CHAPTER 8


Max watched Liz as she sat still on the couch. He wondered if she was going to talk to him, but he was afraid to speak first. Suddenly she stood up and walked right past him. He wondered where she was going. He watched her walk up the stairs and disappear. He waited, for what seemed like forever, and then she finally reappeared. She had a shoebox in her hand and right away he noticed it was the shoebox that her wedding shoes had come in. Gently, she placed it on the counter and made her way back to the couch.

She said nothing to him as she made her way back to the couch. He felt like she was giving him the silent treatment, but finally…she spoke. “If you’re waiting for me to start this conversation you’re going to wait for eternity.” That was all that she said to him.

What did she expect him to say to her? “I don’t know what you want to hear?” Ok, that was dumb. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear, it was what everyone wanted to hear. They all wanted to know why.

She gave him her classic ‘don’t play dumb with me’ look. “Why? I want to know why? I want to know what was so wrong with me that you had to leave me. I want to know what the hell I did to you to hold you back.”

That’s when it hit him. He hadn’t realized she’d been blaming herself. All of these years she thought it had been her fault. She thought she was the problem, and that she hadn’t been good enough.

“What? You were never the problem, Liz. It was never you, please don’t think that.”

There were tears in his eyes and the ones in hers were spilling over. “How could I not? You picked up one day and left. All you left me was a song.” She spaced out, “all our tears have reached the sea…Part of you will live in me way down deep inside my heart.”

Max continued the song, “you’ll find better love strong as it ever was, deep as the river runs, warm as the morning sun, please remember me.” He stopped singing.

“I never found a better love, Max…not one that was as strong, or that made me feel warm, or as deep. She looked over his shoulder and seemed to space out again. “Did you? Did you find love where you went?”

Max just stared at her and shook his head. “No…I didn’t.”

She looked up at him and met his eyes. “Did you meet other women? Did you date them?” He looked down at the ground and she turned away. She wasn’t sure why that hurt as much as it did. She’d dated Aaron, so why did it matter if he dated other women? “What was her name? Was she the reason you left?”

Max shot his head up “NO! I met her about a year ago, and I just started seeing her recently. When I tell you her name you’re going to put two and two together.” Liz looked at him questioningly. “Her name was Jessica, Jessica Burwell.”

Liz shot her head up. “Aaron…”

“Yeah, Aaron.”

She looked at Max. “You knew about Aaron?” Max just shook his head. “How much did you know?”

“Why did you let him beat you?”

With tears in her eyes and hands trembling, she answered him. “I don’t know…I didn’t think anyone was going to love me. I mean I really thought he was my last chance at love. You didn’t love me. You left me, alone and pregnant, and then Aaron came along. Even with a baby he seemed to really love me, so I took it…beatings and all.” She had malice in her voice and hatred in her eyes when she stared at Max.

“I loved you.”

“You had a hell of a way of showing it. You left me, Max. You just left. No explanation, no reason, but a song? You left a song, and you still haven’t told me why. I want to know why. Why did you do it? Did I repulse you that much? Did I hold you back that much? WHY? WHY? WHY?” She was screaming at him and crying.

Max turned to look up the stairs. “Liz, calm down…you’re going to wake up AJ.”

“Since when do you care?”

Max looked at her and hated all the resentment he saw. The resentment he’d caused. “Liz, let me explain.” She sat back on the couch and folded her arms, the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Do you remember the night we went to Isabel’s birthday?”

“Of course I do, I was sick.” Liz smiled. “Only I wasn’t really sick, I was pregnant with AJ. What does this have to do with it?”

“Liz, that night when I went to Isabel’s birthday, and I made you that tape…everything I said was true.”

“You say it was true then, but why should I believe you? What changed in the course of three days?”

“I did something that night that changed me…that changed our relationship.”

Liz looked at him. “Whatever you did, you could’ve come to me.”

“Do you remember that night? Do you remember what happened?”

“I remember I was sick…we thought I had the flu,” she smiled again, “but I was really pregnant. I told you to go and celebrate for me, and I remember that you came home drunk.” He had come home stone cold drunk. It was the only time in knowing Max she had ever seen him drunk. He’d been so drunk that Jesse, Michael, and Kyle had to carry him in and he’d slept on the couch. Liz recalled he’d smelled like women’s perfume…he’d smelled like Tess, but Maria told her that he had to hang onto Tess most of the night because he was so drunk. It was the only night of their marriage he’d slept on the couch. “I remember you slept on the couch because you were too drunk to make it up the stairs.”

“I was so drunk that…that I slept with Tess.”

Liz stopped, her eyes growing wide. She thought she’d heard wrong. “You what, I think I heard you wrong?”

“No…no you heard right. I got so drunk…I took Tess into the bathroom of the club and we had sex.”

Liz opened her mouth in horror. “You cheated on me?”

“Liz, I never meant to. I loved you so much…I didn’t plan on doing it.” Liz stood up. “I felt so guilty and I was going to tell you about it. So, I went to Tess and told her I was going to tell you, but she stopped me. She told me you wouldn’t forgive either one of us…”

“She was right.”

Max looked at her. “Liz, please you have to listen, please just let me finish?”

“Why? Why should I let you finish? What reason have you given me to let you finish?”

“Liz, all I’m asking for is to finish telling you why I left.” She nodded her head and he continued. “Tess told me that I needed to leave you and leave the town, that it would be better than to face what I had done.”

“AND YOU BELIEVED HER!!!!” Once again she was yelling, not thinking about AJ being upstairs.

“Liz, you have to stop yelling or you’re going to wake up your son.”

“Wake up our son, Max. OUR SON! He isn’t just mine. I didn’t make him on my own, I had help, your help to be exact, so get used to it. He is our son. You know, you’re unbelievable, Max! You just walk in here, tell me you’re going to tell me what happened and what you did, but are you going to take responsibility for it? You left me, Max. You left me pregnant, and there is a three-year-old little boy up there who doesn’t know you. ”

She was furious, so she was pacing the living room. She knew she needed to clam down, but she didn’t know if that was even possible under the circumstances. She sat down on the couch and took a deep breath. “So, let me get this straight…you slept with Tess. Then, instead of coming to me and telling me…you went to her. You told her you were going to tell me, and then she told you to leave and you did?” Max shook his head. Liz looked at him with more disappointment than she’d ever felt. “I never really knew you, did I? You and I, we never lied to each other, you could’ve told me anything.” She had her hand back on her chin and the tears were streaming from her eyes. “Did she know where you were at? Please tell me the truth…I’ve had enough of the lying.”

Max walked over to the couch and sat down next to her. He was surprised she didn’t move. “I ran into her in the store about a year ago, right after they moved out to LA.”

Liz shook her head. “She knew where you were and she never said anything? Poor Kyle…he knew nothing. Did she tell you about AJ?” Max looked at Liz and back at his hands. Liz formed a frown on her face. “What did she tell you?”

“She told me that AJ wasn’t mine?”

Liz stood up and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed the phone and was getting ready to dial, but she just couldn’t. She took the phone and beat it against the receiver. “I don’t understand. I just don’t understand!” She sunk to the floor and continued to cry. Max walked over to her and was about to hold her, but she yelled at him, forcing him to retreat. “Don’t touch me.” Max could hear the malice in her voice. “You don’t get to just touch me.”

Slowly, Max sat down on the floor in front of her. “Liz, why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”

She looked at him and got up off the floor. “You’ve some nerve.” He got up and went over to her, but she told him to SIT. He was surprised by her tone, but did as she asked, well demanded, and sat down on the barstool. He watched her as she played with the show box.

“Liz, why did you get out your wedding shoes?”

She looked at him. “These aren’t my shoes. I don’t even have those shoes anymore.” She continued to open the box and Max saw that it was full of things. Not just things, but memorabilia.

“What is all of this, Liz?” She smiled through her tears, and started to take some of the stuff out. She took out a photo of the group and put it on the counter; and then she took out a plastic bag. “This is from the Hospital…when AJ was born.” She handed it to Max. “Don’t open it here.” He put the bag next to him. Then she took out a bunch of letters tied with twine. “Here, these are for you.” She shoved them into Max’s hands. “You wouldn’t take them when they were mailed to you, so take them now. The least you could do is read them.” The tears forming back in her eyes, she handed the box to Max. “Here look through it…it’s all from the last three years, everything you missed.”

Max looked at her, trying to find words that would make a difference, but there were none. “I don’t know what to say, Liz.” He whispered.

Liz looked him in the eyes now. “I don’t know what to say either, Max, but let’s call it a night. We can talk more tomorrow.” Max took everything and started to walk out, but Liz’s voice stopped him. “WAIT!” He turned around and Liz was standing there. “You’re still going to be here tomorrow, right?”

Now he looked at her with shame in his eyes. She was afraid that he wasn’t going to be there in the morning and he really couldn’t blame her. “Yes, it might have to be later, I have to be at a meeting in the morning, but we can meet in the evening though?”

“Ok, Maria and I have to cater a lunch thing, so the evening is fine. Oh and Max…” she went to the office and pulled out a manila folder. She brought it over to him and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” He asked Liz. “You need to sign it.”

Max looked at her and at the folder. “Yeah ok, whatever you want.”

“It is what I want.” She followed him out and said good night.

Max went back to the hotel. He couldn’t help but think about how smoothly that had gone, but he couldn’t help but think that he had not heard the last from Liz. She had been in shock and when she had the time to contemplate the things that were said, she would give him a piece of her mind. Then again, Liz was not the same Liz he had known. He could tell that much from just looking at her.

He went into his room and fell onto the bed. He looked at the box and decided that he would open it. He opened it and started at the top. The plastic bag that had AJ’s stuff in it was on top. He opened it and took all of it out.

There were two hospital bracelets. Max read the first one. Elizabeth Ann Evans and the second one read Baby Evans. Then he found a few cards and went through them. Some were from family, and some from a few friends, all wishing health and happiness. He found a lock of dark brown hair tied with a piece of string. It was so soft. He held it, rubbing it between his fingers for a while. There were a few pictures of Liz and the baby, and then a piece of notebook paper that looked like it had been folded and refolded many times. He opened it and read it.

Alexander Jeffery,

This is the name that I have given you. I have named you after my best friend, Alex, and your grandfather, my father, Jeff. But we, your family are going to call you AJ. You are beautiful. I have never seen a baby more beautiful than you. You have my brown hair, my color of skin, and you have your daddy’s eyes. Those amber eyes that can suck anyone in.
Your daddy couldn’t be here today. Your daddy probably won’t be there for a lot of days in your life, but don’t you fret, little one, he loves you. Don’t ever think that he doesn’t. He loves you more than you could ever know. Daddy just couldn’t be here, he had somewhere else that he had to be. But always remember that he loved you, please remember that? As you get older and start to question if he loved you and if he loved me, know that your daddy loved you and your mommy more than he loved anyone else in this world.

AJ, you will grow into a young man who will be so smart, and you will accomplish many things. You will be loved by your family and your friends, and know that I love you. You are my whole world. Nothing and no one could ever be more special to me.

Love Your Mother,

Liz

Max couldn’t believe it…she had lied to their son. Well not lied, but even though Max wasn’t there to tell AJ he loved him, she’d told him his daddy loved him. Max didn’t know why Liz did that, but he was thankful. Max folded the letter back up and continued to look through the box.

He found pictures from birthdays and videotapes. He didn’t have a tape player, so he would have to watch them later. He found another hospital bracelet and looked at it. Elizabeth Evans the date read two months ago and stapled to it was an invoice. He read it “for treatment of third degree burns to upper torso below neck, wedding ring burned into flesh.” Tears started to form in Max’s eyes. He had done this to her. He had left her to this. He had left and she had gotten involved with Aaron.

He continued through the box and found more pictures and records. Then he got to the letters. He held the first letter and read the envelope “Return to Sender” she hadn’t opened them either. He opened the letter and unfolded it.

October 15th 2006

Max,

Where you are? I don’t know, but I’m hoping you will read this. I’m hoping you will read this and you will want to come home. I wanted so much to tell you this in person, to make you dinner, and give you a rattle. I wanted to be cliché like you see in the movies and tell you that we were going to be parents. I wanted that so much, but I guess that isn’t going to happen.

Max, I’m pregnant. I can’t do this alone, and I need you. Please call me so we can talk about this. I don’t know what happened or what went wrong, but we can fix this. I love you.

Liz

Max couldn’t stop himself now. Each letter was more torturing than the one before, but he had to know everything. He found the next letter and opened it.

October 31st 2006

Max,

Today I passed out Halloween candy, and I thought about the coming years and taking the baby trick-or-treating and how I want you to be there. How I want you to go and take him or her to pick out a costume and how I want us to go, hand in hand, walking up to houses together.

I went to the doctor today, by myself, and I heard our baby’s heartbeat. Max, it was so fast. I didn’t know if that was normal, so I was scared. The doctor reassured me that it was normal and that we had a healthy baby. Healthy, we have a healthy baby.

Where are you, Max? Are you happy? I still don’t think I can do this on my own, your mom and dad are coming to get me. I heard your call the other day. Hearing your voice was like having a little piece of heaven. I’ve played it so many times that I’ve memorized the words. I memorized the lines, the pauses, and the breaths that you took. Don’t send this letter back, Max. Please? Open it.

I love you,

Liz

She was alone and he didn’t even open her letter. “What an ass” he said to himself, and then moved on to the next letter.

November 26th 2006


Max,

Happy Thanksgiving. It’s the first one I’ve spent without you. Did you know that we cried all the way through to the dessert?

My tummy started to show and I had to buy new jeans. It was the first time since high school my pants didn’t fit. Michael laughed at me and I almost hit him. I wonder what you’re doing today and who you’re celebrating with.

I’m three months along now. In a little while I can find out what sex the baby is, I wonder if I will. Would you want to know? I ask questions as if you would answer back, but I know this letter will come back…just like the others.

I hope you’re safe. I love you.

Liz

He went through more, and came across one that was nothing more than a date, a song, and a note.

December 13, 2007

We agreed that it was over
Now the lines have all been drawn
The vows we made began to fade
But now they're gone
Put your picture in the shoebox
And my gold ring in the drawer
I'm not supposed to love you anymore

Now Sherri said she's jealous
Of this freedom that I’ve found
If she were me she would be
Out on the town
And she says she can't imagine
What on earth I’m waiting for
I'm not supposed to love you anymore

Oh I shouldn't care or wonder where
And how you are
But I can't hide this hurt inside my broken heart
I'm fighting back emotions that I’ve
Never fought before
'cause I’m not supposed to love you anymore

Now I’m writing you this letter
And it's killing me tonight
That I agreed when you believed
It wasn't right
And I couldn't sleep up on the bed
So I’m down here on the floor
Where I’m not supposed to love you anymore

Oh I shouldn't care or wonder where
And how you are
But I can't hide this hurt inside my
Broken heart
I'm fighting back emotions that I’ve
Never fought before
'cause I’m not suppose to love you anymore

I'm fighting back emotions that I’ve
Never fought before
'cause I’m not supposed to love you
Anymore

Max,

This is how I feel. I didn’t really agree that it was over, but you just ended it without asking me. I’ve contemplated that so many times. I realized that for some reason, beyond my knowledge, that it was something you needed to do. I hope that you found what you were looking for and everything you needed. I also hope you found the happiness that you wanted. Unfortunately, I didn’t. You were my happiness and I don’t have you. I don’t know how many times I’ve written to you now, but I do know you send the letters back unopened. I think by now you’ve most likely moved on, so they’ve stopped forwarding them to you. It hurts that you send them back, knowing that you don’t love me.

I put our pictures in my old shoebox that my wedding shoes came in. Do you remember that box, Max? I fell in love with it. I put my wedding rings in a drawer. Maria thinks I should be out painting the town or moving on. She tells me she doesn’t have a clue what I’m waiting for, but I know. I’m waiting for you, deep down I’ll always be waiting for you.

I know I shouldn’t care where you are, or wonder what you’re doing, or wonder who you’re doing it with, but I do. I wonder if you have a smile on your face or if you’re happy. I try so hard to fight these feelings. I don’t think I’m supposed to love you after you left me like you did. I got rid of our bed, I had to, because I just couldn’t sleep in it anymore.

So, as I write this letter, know that it’s killing me. Know that my tears are soaking it, and I’m watching our beautiful son sleep. He’s six months old now, and he is so wonderful. I wonder if he will ever know you. Oh, Max! Where are you?

Take care of yourself. Merry Christmas.

Liz

Max noticed immediately that it was the first letter that didn’t say she loved him. Was her love beginning to fade? Since there were more letters, he kept going. Finally, he came to the last one.


May 31st 2009

Dearest Max,

We have a son, a beautiful son. He’s so beautiful, and he looks so much like you. He has my hair and my skin, yet he has your eyes. Those amber eyes that you could get lost in. He’s two years old today. It’s amazing, he’s growing so fast, and everyday he looks more and more like you. Sometimes it makes my heart ache to realize how much he looks like you.

I watch him today as he opens his presents, and plays with his toys. I’m only regretful of one thing. Do you know what that one thing is, Max? That he doesn’t know you. He knows who you are, we show him pictures of you and tell him that you are away, but he doesn’t know you. He doesn’t know the kind of man that you were while you were with us. He will never know what it’s like to have you for a father. I’m sad that he doesn’t know that.

I named him Alexander Jeffery. You might’ve known that if you had opened the other letters, but you sent them back. Maybe you’ll actually open this one. I named him after Alex. I thought about naming after you, but then Alex would’ve loved it, and I think you would’ve too. We call him AJ for short. Everyone loves him, he is so different from you and I. Somehow, I think he got Alex’s personality, I really do. He’s so vibrant like Alex and so full of life. He isn’t shy or “stuck behind the tree”… he’s just beautiful.

I hope that you read this, Max, so that you know what our son is like. I also wanted to write to tell you that I’m moving on. I’ve waited for two years, and I finally realized you aren’t coming home. I’ve waited and waited and waited and it isn’t going to happen. Aaron cares for me, he’s waited for me, and I care for him. I can tell you now that I will never love him like I love you. I could never love anyone like I love you. There will never be another you. But I can’t wait for you forever.

I hope that you found what you were looking for in this world, Max. I hope you got it, because I got the best part of you, Max, and he’s right in front of me. The best part that you went looking for was always here, you just never got the chance to know him.

Forever,

Liz

Max read the letter and realized that she was right. He had left her with nothing but a stupid note and he had left because he’d listened to that whore! He’d left his soul mate with the other half of his heart here. What was wrong with him?

He picked up the manila folder and held it out. He knew it must be a set of divorce papers, that’s the only thing that would be in the file after all this time. He didn’t blame her either…he would’ve done the same thing if this had been reversed. He closed his eyes and took out the paper in the folder. He opened his eyes fully planning on seeing divorce papers, but instead there was only a birth certificate. There was a ‘sign here’ tab and he looked at it. He read through and saw that his name was on the line where the father’s name was listed.

Maxwell Phillip Evans DOB: 03-15-83

He signed the paper and put it back in the envelope. It really didn’t need his signature, but he knew it would make Liz feel better. He felt sleep coming on and he had to be on the set early in the morning. Finally, he drifted off with dreams of Liz and AJ filling his mind.


A/N- now no worries Liz will say more I promise and wait till the rest of them get a hold of him....!