Roswell Fanatics

Author: Amy with the help of Melyssa

Title: Moving Forward, Loooking Back

Category: AU and there are no aliens M/L K/L and everyone else

Disclaimer: I own nothing!!!!

Rating:Mature to Adult

Summary: Liz Parker has finally met the man of her dreams and is finally ready to take him home to meet her less than normal family. But when her past comes knocking, and is determined to ruin the perfect life she's found, will she and Max be able to stand the test of time?

A/N: I made Max good can you believe it?!!! This is mildly based on my life. Thanks to Melyssa for editing for me!!! OH and let me know if I need to change the Title.



CHAPTER 1


She was running around frantic trying to get everything together. She was going home for the first time in a year and she was excited, but more than excited…she was nervous.

She made sure that she had all of her toiletries, her undergarments, and her clothes. She ran over her list twice. Everyone made fun of her for it, but it was the only way that she made it with everything. After making sure that everything was packed, she put her suitcases by the door and finished getting ready.

She was watching TV when the doorbell rang. She opened the door and there he was.

“Hey beautiful, am I late?”

“No. You are right on time.” She hugged and kissed him, then let him into her apartment. He only had one suitcase, which of course was his briefcase. “Are you taking some of your case load with you?”

“Well, I wasn’t going to. I was going to devote my entire weekend to getting to know the Parker/Deluca/Valenti/Guerin/Whitman families, but Isabel called. Bottom line, everything will back up if I don’t. I hope you don’t mind?” He didn’t want to upset her, this was her weekend and he wanted her to be happy.

“No, not at all. I’m taking papers home to grade, so I don’t mind.” She smiled at him and he smiled back. “Well, we are going to be late if we don’t go.”

They grabbed their luggage and loaded it into the cab. He didn’t want to park the SUV at the airport all week long, and she didn’t want to park her car there either. They climbed into the cab, and of course she fidgeted the whole time. Finally, he put his hands on top of hers. “Liz, will you calm down? It’s ok, they’ll love me.” He smiled at her.

Liz just smiled back at him. She wasn’t worried about them not liking him; she was worried about every other possible thing. She was just worried…plain and simple.

They got to the airport and checked their bags, each of them keeping one carry on with them. They boarded the plane, but she was still nervous. Liz had told her parents she was bringing him home, so she knew her mom was extremely excited. She hadn’t dated since her breakup with Kyle, and now here she was bringing a guy home…her mom couldn’t have been more thrilled.

As they were waiting for the plane to take off, Liz looked over at the man sitting next to her. She had met Max six months ago in the coffee shop around the corner from her house. She was in a hurry to get to work, and she was walking out when she tripped over the raised pavement and bumped right into something, well someone.

He was dressed in a suit, which of course she’d spilled her coffee all over. She’d been so embarrassed, and she’d apologized profusely. “Oh, I am so sorry…I wasn’t even paying attention, and then I tripped…I’m such a klutz. I’m just so sorry.” The funny thing was, he wasn’t even angry. In fact, he’d thought it was funny.

He’d smiled and laughed as he spoke to her. “You know, you would think that Boston could afford to fix its sidewalks. I think I’m going to have to see the judge about this.”

She’d looked at him, positively horrified. “I can pay for the suit.” Even now she could still remember the way he’d looked at her funny.

“Now why would I let you do that?”

“Please let me?” She’d begged, but he’d only laughed at her.

“No. It’s not that big of a deal...my suit can be cleaned. Besides, it isn’t anything the washing machine can’t take out. Second, you just lost a perfectly good cup of coffee, so let me buy you a new one.”

“No I couldn’t possibly…”

“Please let me?” His smile had taken her breath away.

“Ok…” she stuck out her hand. “Elizabeth Parker, but I go by Liz.”

“Well, Elizabeth, who goes by Liz, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Maxwell Evans, but I go by Max.”

He bought her the new cup of coffee, but then she’d looked at her watch. “Oh, I am so late…my class is going to leave. Max, thank you for the cup of coffee. I really hope to see you again.”

“Liz Parker, the pleasure was all mine. Who knows, maybe tomorrow you’ll run into me again.” He winked at her and after that moment, she was in love. Of course, he’d fallen pretty hard that day too.

By the time they reached Roswell, they were both nervous. Max was nervous because Liz was making him nervous, and Liz was nervous because she just couldn’t get over it.

They got off of the plane and immediately went to collect their baggage, before picking up their rental car. Max had insisted on renting a car. Liz had told him that her car was still here and that she was sure they could drive it around, but Max didn’t want to put out Liz’s parents.

After the interesting experience at Budget, and then running into Pam Troy, whom Liz couldn’t stand, she was so glad to be on the road. Max was curious, and wanted to know who Pam was, so Liz put it as simply as she could. “Well, when you meet the Gerbil, remember that she and the Gerbil are best friends…then you’ll know why I hate her.” Max didn’t push the issue, but just kept driving.

Max couldn’t believe how small Roswell was. He’d grown up in the city all of his life, so he’d never known small town life. So here was this town that was not big, and he was in shock.

“Max. I should’ve warned you…you know my family isn’t like your family.”

“What do you mean?”

“My family isn’t nice, and polite, and friendly.”

He looked at her. “Ok, so what is your family like?”

“My family’s crazy. That’s all there is to it. They’re completely crazy. Remember that when you meet them, and you’ll be ok!” Max couldn’t help but laugh at her “You think I’m kidding, just you wait.”

They pulled up to a restaurant on Main Street and Liz had butterflies in her stomach. “So, you own this?” Max looked through the windshield.

“Yeah, my parents do…crazy huh? Worked here all through high school and then part of college.”

“It’s cool. Different, but cool.” Max liked it. It was like nothing he had ever seen.

“Well…are you ready to meet the parents?”

He looked at her, “You sound like this is such a bad thing, Liz. Chill out, it’s totally cool. They’re gonna love me. Have you met anyone so far that doesn’t love me?”

“No”

“Exactly, so let’s go.” Before she could procrastinate further, he opened his door.

Liz couldn’t help but think that there was one person who was going to hate him…Kyle. Kyle wasn’t going to care for Max at all, but that bridge had yet to be crossed.

Max opened her door and she stepped out into the temped March, New Mexico air. “Home Sweet Home.” She took Max’s hand and led him into the restaurant.

The bell to the Crashdown Café rang as they entered, and she looked around. The restaurant was bustling and it was busy with customers on their lunch breaks, and kids out on lunch as well. She couldn’t believe how much it looked the same. She hadn’t been back in a year, and although she hadn’t expected it to change, she thought maybe it might have.

“Well, look what the Eastern Wind blew into town.”


TBC

Thanks for all the feedback...you guys are great!!!

A/N..Melyssa wrote a summary and I posted it on Chapter 1, then my parents are not this crazy...well maybe my dad


Chapter 2


There he was, Alex Whitman one of her best friends, sitting at the counter with his usual orange soda.

“Well, if it isn’t Alex Whitman and his orange soda on the rocks… girl troubles?” She laughed as he pulled her into a hug.

“You look beautiful, Lizzy, as always.” He pulled away from her to get a good look at her. “Boston did you good.”

Liz smiled widely, happy to see him. “Thanks, Alex. You look great as well.” They went on talking.

Max was still standing there taking the atmosphere of the restaurant in. The alien theme was funny to him…he’d never seen anything quite like it. There were flying saucers for lights and the booths were green. There was a mural with alien drawings on it, and many different alien things.

“Alex, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Liz brought Alex over to where Max was standing. Max lifted his head up to meet Alex’s eyes. “Alex Whitman, I would like for you to meet Max Evans.” Max put his hand out and shook Alex’s hand. “Max, this is Alex Whitman, one of my best friends. We grew up together.”

“Ohhh, someone to dish about later on over ice cream…. and a movie?”

Liz looked over to Alex. “Yeah, and what am I supposed to do with Max?”

Max kinda thought it was funny that they talked about him like he wasn’t in the room.

“Oh come on, like Michael and Kyle won’t take him.” Alex teased.

That was the name she didn’t want to hear. Max liked the idea of being out with guys, not that this wasn’t fun, but a night with guys sounded interesting. “Yeah, not going to happen,” Liz said before Max could open his mouth. “We can dish later. Where is everyone, and when did they start letting kids out at lunch time?” Never mind. Max thought.

“Ok, Miss Rude… Max it’s nice to meet you. Apparently, Liz comes home and forgets that people, not wolves, brought her up. So what do you do?”

Max looks at Liz and smiles. Alex has a huge grin on his face, and it’s obvious that Liz is about to die from embarrassment. “Sorry…I’m just nervous. You know how Dad, Mom, and Maria are…you’re the only normal one left. I’m just really nervous.” She was jumping up and down.

Max had never seen her more nervous, and he thought it was really cute. He really had begun to fall in love with her. He’d started to fall for her that day in the coffee shop, but everyday was just a new experience with her and he loved it. She was always beautiful and always funny. He found that no matter what her family was like they had a muse, and he loved them for it. More than anything, he loved them for giving him someone to love.

“Well, if it isn’t my only daughter and her new pick from the meat market.” That was a man’s voice, so Max assumed it was Mr. Parker. “Elizabeth Anne Parker, I suggest you get yourself over here now and give your old man some sugar.” Max looked over at her and noticed her face now matched the color of her shirt, bright red.

“God, Dad, could you be any more crude?”

“Oh come on, Lizzy, where is the boy?” He was looking around everywhere, and then his eyes settled on a young man wearing a suit and tie. “Well, this must be Mr. Perfect right here.” Jeff walked over to Max. He and Max were the same height and they looked each other in the eye. “Well, at least he isn’t a short little shit like Kyle was…got to give you credit there, Lizzy!” Jeff Parker stuck out his hand. “Jeff Parker.”

Max shook the man’s hand. “Max Evans, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Oh and he has manners. That’s something the last one didn’t have, and a firm handshake shows you’re a real man, not a girly man. You know, I already like you.” He turned to face Liz, “Wow, Lizzy, where’d you find this one? Starbucks?” Liz just shook her head, she was so embarrassed. “Oh well. We need to get you upstairs to meet my wife. She’s going to love you.” He put his arm around Max and the other around Liz. “Ok, Love birds, let’s go.” She looked at Alex with the ‘help me’ look, and immediately Alex was in fit of laughter. Max looked perfectly fine.

When they got upstairs, Jeff excused himself and went into to the kitchen to find Nancy. Liz went straight to Max with her head in her hands. “Oh My God! I am so sorry.”

Max just chuckled at her. “It’s totally ok, your dad’s kind of funny.”

Liz lifted her head up and looked at him. “How can you say that? He totally embarrassed you and me, and UGH!”

Max grinned at Liz as he watched her minor meltdown. “Liz, it’s ok. Come on, it is ok.”

“I told you they weren’t normal.” Liz replied completely mortified.

Just then Jeff came out of the kitchen with a petite woman with Red hair. She had a drink in her hand and she went straight for her daughter. “Lizzy, you’re home! My baby is home. Finally, you would think someone had died. Oh and you brought a HUNK!”

Liz’s eyes got big, “Mom!”

Nancy walked over to Max. “Well, I’m Nancy and you must be…?”

“I’m Max Evans, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. I must say I can see where your daughter gets her good looks.”

Nancy looked at Liz and smiled. Then she threw her arms around Max and kissed him on the cheek. “Liz, this one is a keeper. You let him get away and we will have you committed.” Nancy grinned at her daughter and then looked back to Max. “So, hunk of burning love, what do you do?”

Nancy Parker was off the deep end and Max was steadying her. “Well, Mrs. Parker, I’m a lawyer in Boston. I’m working for my father’s firm right now. I might try branching out on my own later, but I’m comfortable for right now.”

Nancy winked at her daughter and in a not so quiet whisper said, “HE IS CUTE AND HE’S RICH!!!THAT’S A DOUBLE WHAMMY!!!”

Liz just shook her head and looked at her father. “Dad, where is Max sleeping tonight?”

Liz’s mom looked at her. “Oh well…I started painting the guest room and well…Imnotdone. So you and Max have to share a room!!!” She raised her eyebrows and smiled widely at her daughter. “Max, I’m sure my daughter probably told you that I’m conventional, and that I’m against sleeping together…well I’m not like that, shack up all you want.” She winked at him and he just smiled at her. “Jeff,” Nancy called out, “get their bags and take them to their love shack!!!”

Liz was mortified! In all her years her mother had never embarrassed her this much. Sure, she’d been a little crazy or weird, but never like this. Jeff grabbed Liz’s luggage, while Max grabbed his, and they headed toward Liz’s bedroom. When they got there Jeff put the stuff down. “Lizzy, it’s all in the same spot. You know where everything is, so help yourself.”

Her dad kissed her forehead and left them alone. Liz flopped onto the bed and put her hands over her face. “I’m so embarrassed, and I’m so sorry.” Max walked over to the bed and lay down next to her propping himself up on his elbow. He smoothed her hair back away from her face. “They’re a little wild, but they’re cool people…you just have to get to know them.” She pulled her hands down from her face and looked into his eyes. She had tears in her eyes.

“You’re serious?” He chuckled. “Of course, how can I not love them? They gave me you.” Max looks down at her face with all the love and admiration in the world. His eyes shine just staring into the light of her eyes. Liz has become his gift, his miracle, and for that he could only love the people that had given her life.

Liz picked her head up off the bed and kissed him. She couldn’t help but think about how perfect he was, and how with each passing moment she was falling more and more in love with him. Unfortunately, her inner demon was still whispering to her…would it work out or would he leave her like Kyle left her?

“So, when do I get to meet the rest of the crazies?” He raised his eyebrows a few times forcing her to laugh.

“I think we have to be at Amy and Jim’s at 5:00 for the BBQ.”

“Oh don’t sound so excited. I mean come on, Liz…you make it sound like they’re making you the Barbeque.” She threw the pillow at him and gave him a sarcastic look.

“Ha, ha. You wouldn’t be too thrilled if it was your best friend, her fiancé, her stepbrother, who just so happens to be your ex that cheated on you with his current girlfriend, the slut, were all going to be there. You would be uncomfortable too.”

“Yeah, but you are forgetting one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“That you have the HOT, HUNK of a boyfriend, who now has the ex girlfriend, whom just so happens to be the best looking girl going to the barbeque.” He winked at her and she couldn’t help but smile.

“I knew there was a reason I adored you.” Liz teased.

“Oh, Lizzy Parker, you more than just adore me.” He kissed her and made his way to the bathroom.

Liz knew how lucky she was, but she couldn’t help but think about the past. How was she supposed to move forward when she was still looking back?

Thanks for the great feedback..Sorry that it is taking me so long to get this out!!!! Again Melyssa GOLD STAR!!!

Illyria
janesdilemma
behrlyliz
Emz80m
begonia9508



CHAPTER 3

Liz was driving the rental car through the back streets Roswell, taking as much time to get there as she possible could. Her parents had done such a wonderful job of embarrassing her…she knew her friends would be no different!

“Liz, why are you taking the long way?”

Liz shot a quick glance over at Max. “Since you’ve never been here, how do you know it’s the long way?”

“I don’t, I was just assuming?”

In the back seat of course her mother blurts out, “Well, you know what they say about assuming?”

Max had to laugh. “Yeah, it makes and ass out of…” and then in unison. “YOU AND ME” Now everyone in the car was laughing.

Liz was shocked, but happy that Max was getting along with her parents so well. She’d thought he would die, or if he didn’t…at least she would.

Liz pulled up to the house and everyone quickly climbed out of the car, except her. Max went around the car and opened her door, but she had both hands on the steering wheel and was leaning into it.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

Liz turned her head toward Max. “I haven’t been here in a year. Things change, people change, I know I’ve changed. How do I do this?”

Max smiled at her, and grabbed her hands pulling her up to him. Then, he whispered in her ear. “You do this with me by you side.” He turned her around. “Now come on…crazy people await us!” He raised his eyebrows again, forcing her to giggle.

“LIZZY!!!!” Maria came flying at her with Michael close behind.

“Geez, Maria, give the girl some room to breathe.” Michael pulled Maria off of Liz and hugged her himself.

Maria looked Liz up and down, checking her out. “OOOH, Girlfriend! Boston did your body good! Michael, look at her. She’s HOT!”

Michael just rolled his eyes and so did Liz. “Ok, that’s enough. She’s right though, Liz you do look great.”

“Thank you. You both look great too.” She turned to find Max, but found that he wasn’t there. “Did you guys see where…” Suddenly he appeared on her left side.

“Hi, I’m Max. You must be Maria…I must say, you’re even more beautiful than your picture.”

Maria hugged him and looked at Liz. “Chica, this one is a keeper.”

Michael stepped forward and put out his hand. “Michael Guerin.”

“Max Evans. I’ve heard a lot about you. Good things of course.”

“Like wise, here let me take you out back, and we’ll let the girls gossip.”

Liz nodded for Max to go ahead, while she and Maria stayed behind in the house.

“Ok, where did you find him…the Yellow Pages?”

Liz laughed. “Why is everyone asking me that? My dad asked me that too. And no, I found him at Starbucks.”

“Was he on the menu?” Maria teased.

“Maria.” Liz rolled her eyes.

“Oh, that’s classic! So you’re in line ordering your decaf mocha latte, and he’s behind you ordering the same thing, and you just happen to fall in love?”

“Ok, no…by the way, I got a Regular Mocha Latte. Well then I was leaving and I tripped over the raised pavement, and spilled it all over him…I’ve been head over heals for the guy every since.” Liz said with stars in her eyes.

“Great story for the grandchildren! Have you seen half wit since you’ve been back?”

Liz grabbed Maria’s arm. “NO! I’ve only been back a total of four hours, and I haven’t seen him or her. I’m not too sure about it…I mean how is he?”

Maria looked at Liz with the ‘you can’t be serious look’! “OH MY GOD! You have like MR PERFECT outside and you’re worried about MR ASS! ARE YOU RETARTED? Geez, Liz, come on…get over it already! He totally cheated on you with that fake bitch, and you want to know how he is? Liz, he probably doesn’t think twice about it, and neither should you. So, get your cute ass out there, and make that half wit step-brother of mine realize what he let go!” She pushed Liz outside.

When Liz and Maria finally made their way outside, Nancy already had a drink in one hand and Max in the other. She was introducing him to Amy. “So, Amy, this is Max, Lizzy’s new catch. He’s a LAWYER and a hottie! So if I have any say in it we’ll be making him part of the family.”

Max let Nancy sit down on the bench seat, and shook Amy’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Max. This is my husband Jim.”

Max reached out his hand again. “I’ve heard so much about all of you. Liz talks about you guys so much.”

“Well that’s funny. We never heard anything about you.”

Max turned around and there was, whom he assumed, Kyle. “Max Evans.” Max reached out his hand politely.

“Kyle Valenti.” Kyle shook Max’s hand. “So you’re here because?”

Liz decided she had better step in. “Oh there you are, sweetie.” She linked her arm through Max’s and kissed his cheek.

“Hi, Liz.”

Liz looked at Kyle and smiled. “Hi, Kyle, Tess, always good to see you. I see you’ve met Max.” She smiled adoringly up at Max while she spoke.

“Yeah, he would be?”

Michael laughed as he watched the scene unfold. “Well see, that would be Max, Kyle. I thought we established that. Max is Liz’s boyfriend from Boston, and she brought him home to meet the family. And I thought I was dense.” Michael said sarcastically.

Finally, Jim intervened. “Ok, kids, that’s enough. The hamburgers are ready, let’s EAT!!!”

Everyone flocked to the table and got their food. Then somehow, Liz and Max ended up at a table with Tess and Kyle.

“So, Max, tell us what do you do.” Tess asked sweetly, batting her fake eyelashes.

Liz couldn’t stand her. They used to be great friends, once upon a time, but that changed after that night a year ago. Liz had come home to the apartment she and Kyle shared, and it was lit up, but she’d thought nothing of it. Kyle usually left the lights on, after all he was a man; men never shut the lights off. She’d put her coat up, hung her keys on the hook, and made her way to the kitchen to start dinner. Kyle would be home in an hour, and he would be hungry. Then, she headed toward their bedroom to change her clothes, and that’s when she heard it. The noise was a female voice, and not just any voice, but that of her friend…Tess. She continued to follow the voice into the bedroom. She opened the door and there, wrapped in the sheets of her own bed and Kyle’s arms, was her friend. Liz was in shock. For a minute she’d just stood there, like a statue molded to perfection. When she had finally composed herself, she’d run out of there never to look back. She had gone to Boston, and now here she was a year later.

“I’m a lawyer. Right now I’m working with my father’s firm.” Tess smiled and Liz knew that smile, it was the famous smile. “What do you two do?” Max was always so polite, it absolutely amazed her. Of course, Maria was standing behind Tess and Kyle making faces…Liz couldn’t help but smile and laugh.

“Well, Kyle is working at the sheriff’s station, and I’m doing some modeling. Liz, where are you working now?”

“Oh I got a job teaching at one of the schools in Boston. So, Kyle, the sheriff’s department? Did the draft just not work out?” Liz smirked as Kyle looked up at her.

“No, I hurt my knee and couldn’t go on. So I got a job with my dad instead.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that…and modeling is good Tess?”

“Yeah, it’s going super! All the men want me, but I have the only one that I want.” She made kissing faces at Kyle, making Liz want to be sick.

“Excuse me.” Liz got up and left the table.

“Is she ok?” Tess asked Max. Max just watched her go. He was about to go after her when Maria made the gesture that she would. “You know, Max, Liz and I used to be best friends.”

“Really? She never told me that.”

“Yeah, then last year, I’m not too sure what happened…she just decided to end our friendship. I kind of miss it.”

Max just looked at Kyle and Tess. Kyle had his head down and Tess looked nonchalant. Then Alex came over with his plate. “Oh you know, I guess when she caught you in her bed, wrapped up in her sheets, in her house, having sex with her fiancé, I think that’s when the friendship ended. Max, good to see you.”

Max watched Tess just sit there with her mouth open. “Yeah, Alex, you too.”

Liz was under the porch, sitting on a log, when Maria found her. “Hey. Whatcha doing down here?”

Liz looked up at Maria. “Just thinking.”

Maria sat down on the log next to her “Oh yeah, what about? Hot Boy or Ass Wipe?”

Liz grinned at Maria. “They do have names.”

“Oh come on, like I ever use them? So which one? Max or Kyle?”

“Kyle…you know, Maria, I didn’t think that after a year seeing him with her would still hurt like it does.”

Maria put her lips together and raised her eyebrows. “And….”

“And I thought by bringing Max home that it would mean I was over it.”

“But…”

“But, I’m not. I see him and I have these feelings for him, but I see Max and I have feelings for him too. They’re so strong, Maria, and they’re so powerful, but I’m stuck.”

“Listen to me, Kyle is an Ass times twelve ok. He took Tess home, your friend by the way, slept with her in your bed, and then didn’t seem to think about it ever again. Now you have hot Max here, who looks to me like he adores you. So, I would get over Ass boy and move on with hot boy!!” Liz just laughed.

Someone coughed and they both looked up assuming that it would be Max, but there stood Kyle. “Hey, can I talk to Liz for a minute?”

Maria stood up and walked over to him. “You stole millions of minutes from her…what’s one more?” Maria said sarcastically to him. “You gonna be alright, Chica?” When Liz nodded her head, Maria left the two of them alone.

“Hey.”

Liz looked up at Kyle. “Is there something that you needed?”

Kyle looked at Liz, “Geez, I just wanted to talk to you for a second. You don’t have to be so bitchy?”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Yeah whatever, Kyle. What do you want?”

“Why did you bring him here?”

“Why do you care? Max is my boyfriend, Kyle. I wanted him to meet my family. He wanted to meet my family.”

Kyle sat down next to her. “So you had to bring him home while I was home?”

She couldn’t believe this “Kyle, I can bring him home whenever I want to. I didn’t need to ask for your permission, and you live here…how could I have avoided that?”

“Well, I don’t like him. He isn’t your type, and he’ll hurt you.”

“Oh and you would know, since you’re the expert on that. You know what, Kyle, I don’t care if you don’t like him, because I DO. Second of all, how the hell would you know what my type is? Just because I dated your sorry ass means nothing. You know what else, go back to your life with Tess and leave me the hell alone.” Liz stormed off only to be met by Max half way.

“Hey, you ok.”

Liz smiled at him “Yeah…great.”

Max looked past Liz and saw Kyle sitting on the log. “Come on, let’s go finish eating.” He smiled down at her, put his hand on the small of her back, and led her back to the party. Still keeping his eye on Kyle, this was a man he didn't trust.

TBC

Thanks for the awesome feedback...you all are awesome. Thanks Melyssa, still get a GOLD STAR!! The song is The Last Worthless Evening by Don Henley and there is a line from Steel Magnolias- "You worship the quicksand I walk on"
"Don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt" and of course I own nothing....and yes girls Jas has a Ridgeback and he is huge and his name is Shuffle and he is more like an elephant!!


alana
Emz80m
behrlyliz
frenchkiss70
janesdilemma
icequeen
martine


CHAPTER 4


10 months earlier

The day that Max ran into Liz in the coffee shop he couldn’t get her off of his mind. He had gone to work and thought about her all day. All he had gotten was her name…how was he supposed to find her? Wait, that was dumb, he was a lawyer, he could find anyone if he really wanted to. Quickly, he grabbed his phone and called his secretary. “Lindsey, I need you to find me any information you can about a woman.”

“Sure, Mr. Evans, what’s here name?”

“Her name is Elizabeth Parker, but she goes by Liz.”

“Ok, I’ll see what I can find, but if you can give me a physical description it would help.”

Max thought back to Liz and how unbelievably beautiful she was. “She’s was about 5’5, with long, brown, silky smooth hair that goes to about the middle of her back, she had creamy colored skin, and she was prefect.” He heard Lindsey laugh on the other end of the line. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, Mr. Evans. I’ll see what I can find.”

Max hung up the phone just as his brother-in-law came into his office.

“Max buddy, you gotta help me out here. Your sister, my wife, keeps hounding me to find out when you’re going to bring a lady over to house for dinner?” Jesse slumped down in the chair across from Max.

“Doesn’t she ever lay off? Every since I broke things off with Claire she’s been on my back about dating again.”

Jesse shook his head in understanding. “I know, she just wants to see you happy.”

“I know, and I will be. I just have to find the right girl, Jesse.”

“By the way what happened to you?”

Max looked down at his shirt and smiled. “I ran into a girl at the Starbucks on 5th Street.”

“What were you doing on 5th your apartment is on 35th?”

“I was returning a box to Claire and I decided I wanted coffee. Well, this girl came out of Starbucks, tripped over the rise in the pavement, and spilled her coffee all over me. Jesse, you should’ve seen her…she was so beautiful.”

Jesse stared at him for a long moment waiting for the end of Max’s story, but Max said nothing else. “Well?”

“Well what?”

“Well did she offer to clean your suit?”

Max looked at him and threw a balled up piece of paper at him. “Yeah, she was completely mortified. I mentioned something about the Judge and she freaked. I was talking about the pavement, but she offered to have my suit cleaned. I declined, but now I wish I had gotten her phone number.”

Just then Lindsey came into Max’s office. “Mr. Evans, I have that information you wanted on Elizabeth Parker. There’s currently only one Elizabeth Parkers living in the Boston Area. She’s from Roswell, New Mexico and she’s a teacher at Boston’s finest public school.”

Max laughed when he read the name of the school. Liz worked in the ghetto. “Thanks, Lindsey.”

“Elizabeth Parker?”

Max smiled. “The girl who spilled coffee on me. Now if you would excuse me, Jesse, I have work to do.”

Jesse left and Max immediately picked up the phone. He dialed the number and it rang five times.

“Hi, this is Liz. If you are calling to collect a student loan, a debt of some sort, or other obligation, please press one and hang up now. If you are selling any products or services, or requesting charitable donations, please press two and hang up now. If you are from Roswell, and are not my parents, Maria, Michael, Alex, Amy or Jim, please press three and hang up now. Otherwise, press four and leave your message now. Pressing four is optional.”

Max couldn’t help but laugh. “Hi, Liz, this is Max Evans, we met in the coffee shop this morning. If you could give me a call back that would be great. Thanks. Oh and nice message.” As he hung up the phone he was grinning from ear to ear. He decided that he would wait for her message.

~*~*~*~*~

Liz walked into her apartment and threw her keys on the table, kicked off her shoes, and threw her bag on the floor. She was completely exhausted and her kids were killing her. High school kids were EVIL!!! She walked to the kitchen and saw her answering machine flashing, so she pushed the play button, and prayed it wouldn’t be any bad news.

“You have four new messages.”

“UGHH!” She growled and went to the counter, got a glass, and filled it with water.

“Liz, this is Maria. Have you forgotten me? Hello, you do remember me, your best friend? Michael and I want to come and visit you next month, but we need to make sure that you’ll be up for the visit. Call me back! WE Love you!”

“Liz, it’s your mother. Why haven’t you returned my calls? You know, we saw Kyle today and he is such a prick! Ugh! What did you ever see in him? Anyway, call your father and me back, we’re worried about you!”

“Liz, this is Claire. Listen I finally got that CD back, from my EX boyfriend, that I told you I would let you borrow, so call me.”

Liz didn’t feel like talking to her. Claire drove her crazy!

“Hi, Liz, this is Max Evans, we met in the coffee shop this morning. If you could give me a call back that would be great. Thanks. Oh and nice message.”

She spit water out of her mouth and almost dropped her glass. Was that the God she’d met earlier that she couldn’t get off her mind? She wondered what he wanted. She looked on her caller ID and found only an office number for Evans and Associates. She glanced at the clock. 4:00. She wondered if he was still there. She picked up the phone and dialed the number from her Caller ID. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to try.

“Evans and Associates.”

“Hello. I’m looking for Max Evans.”

“Mr. Evans is in a meeting. Can I take a message?”

“Can you please tell him that Liz Parker returned his call?”

“Yes, Miss Parker. I will give him the message.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re Welcome.”

Liz hung up the phone and decided that she would wait for him to call her back. She returned her other calls. She’d called her mother, Maria, and Alex. Alex had told her he would call her right back, so when the phone finally rang around 6:00 she assumed it was Alex. “Tell me all your secrets.” She whispered into the phone and giggled.

“Ok, I’m gay.”

“Excuse me?” Liz didn’t know who the voice belonged to.

“You wanted to know my secret, so there it is…I’m gay.”

“Who is this?”

Max just laughed at her. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth but all my friends call me Liz…this is Max Evans.”

She smiled like a giddy schoolgirl. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I thought you were a friend from home calling me back.” She was mortified! It was the second time in one day she had embarrassed herself with the same guy. She really needed to check the Caller ID before answering.

“Anyway, I’m not really gay?”

“Excuse me?”

“I told you I was gay, but I’m not…I promise.”

“Ok, well that’s good to know.” She was glad because he was way too cute to be gay, but then again, weren’t all the cute ones gay?

“So, Liz, tomorrow is Saturday and I was wondering if you were busy?”

“No, I’m not busy.”

“Great! Did you maybe want to talk and get to know each other?”

“Would I?”

“Excuse me?”

“Sorry…yes, I would love to.”

“So let’s start out simple. How about we meet in a park.”

Liz thought that would be ok. “Alright, which one?”

“Well, there’s one on 17th street that I take my dog to.”

“You have a dog?”

“Does that bother you?” Max asked, worried that this could be the deal breaker.

“No, not at all.”

Instantly Max felt relieved. “Would you mind if I brought him?”

“No, not at all. What time should I meet you at Buckley?”

“You know the park?”

She laughed. She wasn’t a complete dope. “Yeah.”

“Ok, how does ten sound?”

“Great, I’ll be there. Dress casual?”

“Of course.”

“Well, I’ll see you then!” Liz hung up the phone and danced around her apartment for an hour. She was in heaven

Saturday morning she woke up early and took a shower. She put on a pair of her yoga pants, a white tank top, pulled her hair into a ponytail, and put her running shoes on. It would only take her thirty minutes to walk to the park, so that’s what she decided to do. She headed out around 9:30.

When she arrived at the park she didn’t see Max, so she decided to sit down on the bench and wait. Suddenly, a huge beast came running up to her and jumped into her lap.

“SHUF! Get off of her!” Max ran as fast as he could to get his dog, Shuffle, off of Liz. Max grabbed the leash and pulled Shuffle off of Liz. “I’m so sorry, Liz. Are you ok?”

Liz sat up and straightened herself out. “Ok…I think we’re even now. I spill coffee on you, and your beast attacks me.”

Max laughed. “This is shuffle.” Max pointed to the dog and then noticed that Liz’s eyes were the size of coconuts.

“He’s HUGE!!! What kind of dog is that? I don’t even think he classifies as a dog!”

Max laughed again. “Shuffle is a Rhodesian Ridgeback.”

Liz laughed and stared at the enormous animal happily wagging his tail. “He’s an elephant!” Max smiled. “I can’t believe they let you keep him where you live.”

“You assume I live in an apartment. How do you know I don’t live in a house?”

She smiled up at him. “Sorry, I just assumed. I didn’t mean anything by…”

“I’m kidding. My father owns my apartment building, so I get to keep Shuffle in the building with me. Otherwise, he’d be living at my parent’s house. So, do you live close by?”

“Yeah, well like a few blocks.I live on Cooley.” He looked at her and was taken back. “Geez, Liz, you could’ve suggested something closer to your apartment…something that wasn’t thirty minutes away.”

“It’s fine, Max. The walk did me some good.” He looked at her, her body was firm and she was tone.

“I know someone who lives on Cooley in the Banster Apartments.”

Small world she thought looking up at him. “Really? That’s where I live.”

“Oh yeah, what floor?”

“I live on the third floor, I’m in 313.”

“Oh, I know the girl in 315.”

“Claire? Sweet girl, kinda drives me crazy sometimes, but nice.”

“That’s where I know you from! I helped move a box into your apartment.”

That was it! Liz knew he seemed familiar. He was Claire’s ex-boyfriend. “Oh my gosh, you’re Max?”

Max looked at her. “Yep, I’m Max. I’m sure you’ve heard all the nasty stories, huh?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Kinda.”

“Ok…well let’s make a deal. We’ll be friends, and we’ll be friends totally based on opinions formed on what we think, not what we’ve heard from others. Deal?”

Liz could handle that, so she stuck her hand out. “Deal” Max shook her hand and they spent the rest of the day talking.

They ate ice cream and Liz found out that he had a fascination for Rocky Road and Tabasco sauce, which she thought was disgusting! He found out she liked just plain old Vanilla. He also found out that she’d only been living in Boston for two months and she had moved here from Roswell. Sadly, she only knew the people she worked with, Claire, and now Max. When the day ended, he walked her back to her apartment. She invited him to come up and even said that Shuffle could come up as well. Max told her he should probably get back, but he would take a rain check.

Over the next four months they became fast friends. Movie night ended up being every Friday night. They either rented a movie or they went out to see a movie. They even switched off between seeing what he wanted and what she wanted. Max liked that Liz was really into movies that most girls snubbed. She liked horror movies, and she was into vulgar movies that not too many girls liked either. He wasn’t one for romantic movies, and she wasn’t one for action, but since she went…he went.

One Saturday morning he called her early after a late night of movies. She heard the phone, bringing her out of her dreams of Max Evans. “This had better be life or death, Evans, or you are so going to die.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“You are the only person who would call me at…6:00 on a Saturday morning.” She groaned, looking at the clock.

“Ok, tonight you and me… we’re going out.”

“And where are we going?” She yawned and put a pillow over her head.

“We’re going out, so wear something hot and be ready by six, because that’s when I’m picking you up.”

“Ok fine…six it is. Now I’m going back to bed. You know, no sane person is up this time of morning?”

Max laughed. “I know, but you adore me for it.”

“Ha! You wish, Evans!”

“Admit it, Parker, you worship the quicksand I walk on.”

“Yeah…so much I don’t know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt.” She replied in her most sarcastic tone. “Now I’m going back to bed. See you tonight.”

“Bye, Bye, sugar.”

“Bye, bye, SWEETIE” Liz slammed the phone down. He bugged her, but she liked him so much…so much it hurt. She wanted him so much. She just didn’t know if he wanted her. Ok, that was a lie. He’d told her he wanted to start to really date, but she told him she wasn’t ready, so they had kept it platonic. She drifted back off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

She looked at the time. 5:45. She couldn’t wait for him to get here. She was dressed in a black skirt and a purple top with a scooped neck that showed just the right amount of cleavage. Not that she had a lot, but it showed the right amount for her. She had her hair up in high ponytail and her heels on. She looked at the clock again 5:55. The door flew open and there was Max.

“Knock much? I could’ve been walking around without clothes on.”

“That would’ve been the day!” He laughed, and then stopped when he realized what she was wearing. “Wow, Liz, you look…amazing.”

She blushed then smiled at him. “Thank you. You look great too.” He just stood there, watching her. “Are you going to stare at me all night or are we going to go?”

Max shook his head and returned from his daydream. “Yeah…um let’s go.”

They went to dinner at a nice restaurant, and then Max took her to a quiet bar. “Max, what is this place?”

Max took her hand and led her to a table. “My father owns this.”

She laughed. “I’m beginning to think your father owns half of Boston.”

Max chuckled. “No, just the bar, the law firm, the apartment building, and a few other things.”

“So, what are we doing here?”

“I wanted to talk to you, Liz. We’ve known each other how long? Four months? That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, but what are you getting at, Max?”

“We’re so much more than just friends, Liz. Everyone can see it, I can see it, and I’m sure you can see it. Let’s make it official?”

Shocked, she looked up at him. “You’re serious?”

“Liz, I know you’ve been hurt in the past, but that’s no reason why we can’t try this. I mean we can take it slow, really slow, step by step, you and me. I won’t rush things.”

She smiled at him and shook her head. “Ok…let’s do this.” He let his breath out forcing her to laugh. “You were afraid I was going to say no?” He nodded and she got up and hugged him. “Never, Max, never.”

“Dance with me, Liz?”

Liz looked at him with a questioning look in her eyes. “What?”

“Dance with me?”

“There’s no music.”

He put his hand up and just then a song started to play. He took her hand and led her to a completely empty dance floor.

I know you broke up with him
And your heart's still on the shelf
It's been over two years for me
And I’m still not quite myself
You can't be with someone new
And you can't go back to him
You're beginning to realize
That it's sink or swim

I see you around sometimes
And my heart just melts
You're lookin' like if you had your wish
You'd be somewhere else
And it just breaks my heart
To see you here this way
Someday I’ll get the nerve
To walk up to you and say

This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
'cause I’ll be there
When your broken heart is on the mend

Every night it's the same old crowd
In smoky rooms
You catch a faint glimpse of love sometimes
But it never blooms
I've been around this block a time or two
And I’ve made some big mistakes
But girl I promise you, I promise you

That this is the worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
'cause it won't be long
'till your little heart is on the mend

People inside their houses
With the shades pulled down
God knows, we could use some romance
In this sleepy bedroom town
I know you're still afraid to rush into anything
But there're just so many summers
And just so many springs

And this is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance to show you how
To love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend, baby
'cause I’ll be there when your broken heart
Is on the mend

This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance, gimme a chance
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend 'cause it won't be long
'til your little heart is on the mend
They continued dancing and Max whispered in Liz’s ear. “It’s the last worthless evening, don’t you forget that.” She looked up at him through her tear-stained eyes, and kissed him. This is what she wanted. She wanted this man.

Hey, this is Melyssa! I'm posting for Amy since she's out of town. Don't worry She'll be home tomorrow On with the story...


Chapter 5


Present Day…

The rest of the time at the Valenti’s, Liz had stayed quiet. Max stayed close by her side and watched Kyle like a hawk. Kyle had also kept a close eye on Liz; fortunately for him Tess was oblivious. She was so wrapped up in her normal doings that she hardly noticed. When the barbeque ended Max thanked everyone for inviting him.

“Max, tomorrow night we’re going over to the bar to watch Jim’s band play, and you should come?” Michael had enjoyed getting to know Max and thought he was a cool guy.

Max looked at Liz and she nodded her head. “It’s ok…you should go.”

Max smiled in return. “Cool. What time?”

“Be ready by six-thirty and we’ll come and get you!”

Maria took this as the universal sign for ‘ice cream and movie night’ “Ok, girlfriend, my house seven o’ clock. Alex, you bring the vanilla ice cream and orange soda. I’ll bring the movies.” Liz just rolled her eyes as Max led her out of the house.

In the car it was silent. Nancy was passed out and Jeff just watched Max, watching Liz. Liz decided to take the fast way. The silence in the car was suffocating to her. By the time they reached home, Liz was almost in tears. She wasn’t quite sure why, but she was unnerved.

“Dad, let me help you get mom in the house.”

Jeff picked up his wife, while Liz got the door. Max followed behind Liz as she opened the door, and then went to open the Parker’s bedroom door. Once Nancy was squared away Max turned to look for Liz, but she was gone. He was still looking for Liz when Jeff found him.

“Try the balcony outside of her room. She used to go out there a lot when she was home.” Jeff laid a gentle hand on Max’s shoulder.

“Mr. Parker, thank you so much for letting me stay here.”

Jeff smiled at Max. For once, he thought, Liz had found herself a good one. “Max, please call me Jeff and you’re welcome here anytime. Just so you know, she’s a little fragile right now…go easy on her.” Jeff patted Max on the back and retreated to his bedroom.

Slowly and a little unsure, Max made his way to Liz’s bedroom and immediately noticed the lights on the balcony. He crawled through the window and saw Liz sitting on a lawn chair. “Hey, mind if I join you?” Liz looked up and Max saw the tears in her eyes. “Hey, why the tears?” He sat down next to her and she laid her head against his chest. She didn’t know why he was so good to her, she didn’t deserve it. He sat there, smoothing her hair, while she continued to cry. “Shh…it’s ok.”

Liz sat up and with the backside of her hand wiped her face. “No…it…isn’t.”

“Liz, why are you crying?” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Liz, they weren’t that bad. That can’t be what this is about, is it? Or is this about Kyle?” She sat up and looked at him. “Let me guess, you didn’t think it would still hurt after a year. You thought you would bring me home, and you wouldn’t feel anything for him. Am I right?” Liz couldn’t believe what she was hearing…was he right? “It’s ok, Liz. You were engaged to him, and you thought you were going to marry him. Then everything felt apart, so you left. You didn’t confront the situation, but instead ran from it. It’s going to hurt…it’s only normal whether you bring me here or not. I only have one thing to say about this, Liz…he didn’t deserve you. Any man who would cheat on you doesn’t deserve you. You’re sweet, kind, and beautiful. You deserve so much more than what Kyle Valenti was going to give you.” Liz stopped crying and smiled at Max. “Liz, it’s the truth, and you know it.”

Max titled her chin up gently, and kissed her. Liz needed so much to be close to him right now. She opened her mouth and let his tongue enter her mouth. It was exactly what she needed right now. Reassurance, intimacy, but most of all, to feel his unconditional love even after everything he’d witnessed today. After a few minutes, they climbed back through the open window, and got ready for bed.

“Liz, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable…I can sleep on the couch.”

Liz looked up to meet his eyes and smiled. “No, Max…the bed is big enough for the both of us. Besides, what kind of host doesn’t share her bed?” She winked at him, turned down the sheets, and climbed in.

Max was determined to stay on his side of the bed, but Liz had scooted over and was lying close to Max. “Liz?” She said nothing, but moved closer until her head rested on top of his chest. His chest was heaving up and down as he inhaled her scent. Finally, he was able to calm down and match her breathing pattern. After what felt like an eternity, he fell asleep. As he dozed off he thought he could go to sleep like this and wake up next to Liz forever.

The next morning when Liz woke up she felt disoriented. She was lying next to something hard and her face was molded down into the bed. “MMMM.” She sighed contently.

“Morning, sleepy head,” a husky voice said to her.

Instinctively, Liz jumped straight up and looked at Max. She was confused and wasn’t really sure what he was doing in her bed.

Max couldn’t help but laugh at her, she was quite a sight in the morning. Her hair was wild and her makeup was smeared, yet she still looked beautiful. “Sleep Well?”

Finally, Liz figured out where she was and laid back down on her pillow with her butt in the air. “UMMMM…what time is it?”

Max reached over and began rubbing her back. “Nine o’ clock.”

Liz looked at him with wide eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me? It feels a lot earlier, and like I have a hang over. UGGH!”

Max laughed. “Why don’t you go freshen up and I’ll go see what I can get for breakfast.”

Liz sat up and looked at Max funny. “Did you not notice that I live above a diner? Let me get ready and I’ll take you down for the best fried breakfast you’ve ever had!” She hopped out of bed and ran to the bathroom.

Max got up, dressed, and walked out into the living room. “Good morning, Mrs. Parker.” Max said with a smile.”

Nancy was sitting at the table with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bottle of aspirin. “Not so good, Max.”

“You know, I have a great hang over cure…let me make it for you.” She waved her hand at him and he went to work on it. When he finished he handed it to her and she drank it. “Now, go lay down for thirty minutes. When you come back out you’ll be good as new.” Max winked at her and she did as she was told. He assumed Jeff was working, so he went back to the bedroom where he found Liz getting dressed. “Hey, you ready?”

Liz turned around smiling. “Yup, let’s go.” She pulled her hair up and they headed down stairs.

Jeff was exactly where Max thought he would be, working the grill. Liz smiled at her father, and then she led Max over to her favorite booth. Liz noticed there were a couple new waitresses. A cheerful girl came to their booth and they placed their order.

“So, you worked here from the time you were what? Fifteen?”

Liz laughed. “Try twelve. Ok, not really twelve but yes fifteen. I worked here until I left a year ago. It paid me well, so I couldn’t complain. Plus I worked here with Michael and Maria, so I wasn’t alone.”

Just then, the bell to the Crashdown rang and in walked Kyle. He looked around and saw Max and Liz sitting in a booth, so he walked over to them. “Hi, Liz. Sorry, I can’t remember your name?” He said to Max.

Liz looked at Kyle. “Morning, Kyle. His name is Max.” She hissed out. “Is there something we can help you with?”

Kyle stared at them both. “I was wondering if I could talk to you?” He said to Max.

“Yeah sure. Let me finish my day with Liz and we can talk tonight.” Max smiled confidently.

“Ok, see you tonight.” Kyle didn’t smile, but walked away.

Liz looked at Max. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Max placed his hands on top of Liz’s. “Relax, what’s he going to do to me?” Before Liz could respond, the waitress came over with their breakfast.

They spent most of the day just sight seeing. Liz took Max to the UFO Museum and out to the old farm to ride horses. It was so nice and relaxing…they spent the whole day just hanging around. About six o’ clock the guys called and told Max they would be by early to pick him up. Alex decided he wanted to go with the guys, leaving Liz alone with Maria, her mom, and Amy.

Liz got dressed quickly, but Max was already ready to go. “Ok, Liz…they’re here.” He leaned down and kissed her goodbye. “I’ll be home later.”

“Be safe.”

“I will.” He kissed her again and headed out the door. Max got into Michael’s car and they headed for the bar.

Once they reached the bar it didn’t take long for Kyle to start his interrogation. “Max, how long have you and Liz been dating?” He asked first.

Max didn’t really think it was any of his business, but he didn’t want to start a fight. “We’ve been going out for almost seven months now.”

“Wow! Has she had commitment issues yet?”

Max looked at him “I don’t see how that’s any of you business.”

“Have you slept with her yet? Has she done that thing with her back, where she twists…”

“That’s enough, Kyle.” Michael interjected. “I don’t think Max wants to share, and it really isn’t any of your business or ours. I know I don’t want to hear it so knock it off!” Michael took a drink of his beer, while Kyle smiled at Max. Max was already starting to get annoyed.

“So, Max, you know she’ll break your heart, right?”

Getting angrier by the second, Max looked at Kyle. “Who?”

“Liz, of course. She’ll leave you for a real man, you know, a real man like me.”

Max smirked at Kyle’s arrogance. “That’s funny, Kyle, because I thought she had a real man.”

Without warning, Kyle got up from his seat, came around the table, and punched Max in the face sending Max stumbling back. Michael jumped up and held Kyle back, while Alex helped Max to his feet.

“You Asshole! She’s mine, and she always will be! You can’t top that.”

Max brought his hand up to his mouth and wiped the blood from his face. “Whatever, Kyle. Liz made her choice.” Max realized the fight and the words weren’t worth it.

Michael and Alex could both see this had been a mistake and it was time to go. Michael grabbed the keys and they left. They pulled up to the Crashdown a few minutes later and got out.

“What are we going to tell Liz?” Alex asked.

“We’re not going to tell Liz anything.” Max stated.

They both looked at Max. “Ha! She’s going to figure it out and want to know.”

“I know, but leave it to me…I’ll tell her something.”

Michael and Alex shook their heads and Alex spoke. “Ok, you take your life into your own hands.”

“Thanks for the night out, guys. Despite the whole Kyle thing, I had a good time. I hope we can do again sometime. I’d like us to become friends.”

Both of them laughed as they looked at Max. “You know, Max…we aren’t sure what your intentions are with Lizzy, but you’re good to her, and we like you so far. So yeah, we’d like to become friends with you.” Michael and Alex put out their hands and Max shook them. “Night Max.” Then they turned to leave.

“Hey, guys,” they tuned around to face Max. “My intentions for Liz are only good intentions. I plan on forever with her, and nothing short of that.”

“That a boy, Maxwell, that a boy.” Michael replied and winked at Max.

Max sat on the stairs leading up to the apartment. He thought about Liz and what she meant to him. He loved her, was that even possible after seven months? Was it possible to be so in love with someone? Well, he was and he was going to tell her. He just hoped, beyond all hopes, she would tell him she loved him too.


TBC

Hey, this is Melyssa again Amy is at work so I decided to post this for her. I love you, Amy...keep up the great work!!!

CHAPTER 6


Max walked into the house and saw that Jeff was waiting up for him. “Hey, Max.”

“Hello, Mr. Parker. How was your evening?” Max responded politely.

Jeff surveyed Max’s face and chuckled. “It’s Jeff, and apparently nothing like yours.” Jeff got up and disappeared into the back of the apartment. Max stood there wondering where he’d gone, but just as Max was about to head for bed, Jeff reappeared. Jeff had the first aid kit in his hand and handed it to Max. “You might want to clean that up before you head off to bed. I like you, Ma, but not enough to want to clean your blood off the sheets.” Jeff smiled again and winked at Max. Max shook his head and started going through the kit, pulling out things he would need. “So…want to tell me what happened?”

Max looked at Jeff and laughed. “I’ll give you five guesses and the first three don’t count.”

Jeff shook his head. “You know that boy is a pain in the ass. I love his dad and Amy, but he sure did get his mom’s genes. I hope you showed him who was boss.” Max lowered his head a little and shook his head no. “Well, that was probably the smarter thing to do on your part, although I would’ve beat the shit out of him. Liz wouldn’t have like that, so you did the right thing.” Max continued to fix the cut on his lip and listen to Jeff talk. “I don’t know how much my little Lizzie has told you about her relationship with Kyle, but I’ll fill you in. They grew up together, or at least since we moved to Roswell. We haven’t always lived here. Liz was born in Arizona, but her grandmother lived here, next door to Jim. We visited all of the time, so Liz played with Kyle whenever we came to town. Then, when we moved here to take care of my mom, they started to date. They even went off to college together and were engaged after not too long. Tess was a friend from high school. Liz, Maria, and Tess were the best of friends, so Maria and Tess were pretty much permanent fixtures around here throughout high school and part of college. Then everything started to go wrong. Tess and Kyle started to have classes together, study groups together, and started spending a lot of their free time together…that’s when he started sleeping with her. Liz came home one night and caught them in bed together and she took off.” Jeff remembered the heartache his baby girl had gone through and to this day it broke his heart. “This is the first time she’s been home since. It’s the first time she’s wanted to come home. Thank you, Max. Thank you for bringing my baby back to us. But…if you destroy her or hurt her in any way, I’ll cut off certain body parts…the important ones!” Jeff smiled at max as he watched his face go pale. “Well, I’m headed off to bed. Goodnight, Max.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Parker.”

Jeff turned around and shot a look at Max. “And if you call me Mr. Parker one more time, I’m going to cut that body part off anyway!”

Max just looked at him. “Ok. Goodnight, Jeff.” Jeff smiled and headed for the master bedroom.

Max sat there for a few minutes before he headed for the bedroom. When he finally did, he walked in to find Liz asleep on the bed. She was curled up in the fetal position and she was shivering. Max walked over and shut the window, and then pulled the covers up around her neck.

He went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. Quietly, he came back into the room and climbed into bed. Automatically Liz curled up against him, and he loved it. It was one thing he knew he could get used to. Max loved Liz, and he loved the way she snuggled next to him so trustingly. He loved the way she seemed to fit in his arms. She draped her arm over his chest and he kissed the top of her head. “Good night, sweet Elizabeth. I love you.” With that, he fell into a dreamful sleep.

When Max woke up the next morning Liz wasn’t by his side. He sat up in the bed and stretched, while a yawn escaped him. He got up and went to the bathroom, then headed out to the living room. He found Nancy at the table again. “Morning, Nancy. Another hangover?”

Nancy shot a glare at Max. “You assume I have a hang over!”

Now Max felt really badly. “I’m sorry, Nancy…I over stepped my boundaries.”

She waved at him. “No you didn’t. Can you make me that magic drink? I have a hangover.” He smiled and got out the blender to make her the ‘magic shake’ as she called it.

~*~*~*~*~

Liz was busy downstairs helping her dad with the restaurant when Kyle came in. She’d been too busy to even notice him come in. He sat in one of the booths and watched her. He’d forgotten how she moved and the way that she had done things. He’d fallen into a routine with Tess, and completely forgotten about Liz, but now he remembered. He remembered everything he’d forgotten. He missed the smell of her perfume that lingered in the bathroom after she left for work, the smell of her shampoo on the pillow at night, the way she would leave her books lying around for him to sit on or trip over. Those were the things he missed. Liz finally saw him and smiled. It wasn’t her famous Liz smile, but more like “Oh, it’s you, so I have to smile” kind of smile. For now, he’d take it.

Reluctantly, Liz walked over with a cup of coffee and handed him a menu. “Here, it’s not like you really need it.”

It wasn’t like she was trying to be rude, but he really didn’t need it. He smiled at her and wondered if Max had told her about last night. “Liz, do you have a minute?”

She looked down at him a little surprised. “Yeah sure.” Liz set the coffee pot down and took a seat in the booth. “So what’s up?” She almost felt like she shouldn’t be there, like she was doing something wrong, but she needed to put this behind her.

“I was just thinking maybe we could talk for a while later?”

“Oh, I’ll have to check with Max to see what we’re doing, but sure.”

Kyle smiled. He was going to get her back…it was only a matter of time.

Max came through the door of the Crashdown to see Liz sitting with Kyle, and immediately he felt his blood start to boil. After everything Kyle had said last night to see the two of them sitting in a booth laughing, was too much for Max.

Liz saw Max walk in and waved at him. “Sorry, Kyle, There’s Max. I have to go, so I guess I’ll talk to you later tonight then?”

“Yeah sure.”

“And you’re positive everything went ok with Max last night?”

Kyle smiled at her. “It went perfect. I just know we’re going to be great friends.”

Liz stood up and walked over to Max. The first thing she saw was his split lip. “What happened?” She gently rubbed her thumb across it, causing Max to wince. “Well there goes kissing.” She stuck her bottom lip out in a pout and he smiled.

“I think I can manage.” He titled her head up and bent down to kiss her. Although it was painful, it was worth it.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” She asked as she poured him a cup of coffee at the counter. Just then Michael and Alex walked in. They walked over to the counter and both sat on either side of Max.

“Morning, Maxwell, Liz. How’s the lip this morning?” Michael asked.

Liz looked at Michael, then at Max, and then at Alex. Max saw Liz watching them all. So he shot the ‘shut up’ look at Michael. “Ok, what happened to Max’s lip?” Knowing that Alex wouldn’t lie to her she looked straight at him first.

“Ok, so wewereatthebarandkylepunchedmax.” Alex said it so fast you would have to be gifted to understand what he’d said.

“Excuse me? Say it again.” She pointed her pen at him and Alex gulped. He was afraid of Liz and had been since the second grade. “And this time you’d better speak slower.” She shoved the pen close to Alex.

“He said Kyle punched me.” Max spoke up and Liz looked at him.

“Why?” Why did Kyle punch him? Kyle said they’d gotten along just fine. “Kyle said last night you both got along just fine?” Michael burst into laughter, but Liz didn’t have a clue of what he thought was so funny. “What? Why are you laughing?”

“I can’t believe that after everything that he’s put you through you’d believe him. Jesus, Liz! Last night we were all at the bar and he started a fight with Max and punched him for no reason. None at all…Max was the man here, he stepped down.”

Max just stared at Liz, not understanding how she could believe anything Kyle would tell her. Finally, Max stood up and walked out of the Crashdown. He walked to the park and sat down on a bench. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was confused. He heard his phone ring and saw that it was his sister. “Hey, Iz.”

“Hey, little brother. How’s Roswell? Meet any aliens?” she asked with a giggle in her voice.

Max could picture her face while she’d said that, so he laughed. “No, not yet. Then again, some of these people could pass for aliens.”

She laughed at him. “How’s Liz doing?”

He sighed. “I don’t know, Iz. I can’t help but wonder what Kyle really means to her…she seems so conflicted.”

“Listen, Max, remember when I dated Peter? He and I dated for 7 years, we were in love, and then bam…he ended it with no explanation. I didn’t understand, I still don’t, and I don’t think I ever will. No matter how much I tried or still try to make some sense of it, I cant. To this day I still care for Peter, he was my first love. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love Jesse or love him any less because of it. Do you get what I’m trying to tell you?”

“No, not really?”

“Kyle is always going to hold a place in Liz’s heart, Max. He was probably the first boy she did a lot of things with…that’s something that will never go away, but it won’t mean she cares for you any less or that she doesn’t love you. Understand?”

“I guess so, but I want to be her first for something.”

Isabel laughed “Well, find out something Kyle didn’t do and do that for Liz.”

“Good thinking…I knew there was a reason I kept you around.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah, much better. Thanks, Isabel.”

“Anytime, Max, and tell Liz hello for me. Oh and mom is having dinner for you guys when you get back on Sunday.”

“Ok we’ll be there.”

“Great! Love you, Max. Bye.”

“You too, Izzy. Bye.” Max hung up the phone, then immediately dialed the number in his cell phone that Liz had programmed in.

“Hello.”

“Maria, this is Max. I need a favor.”

~*~*~*~*~

Liz was sitting on a bench in the park waiting for Kyle, and she furious. She couldn’t believe he’d punched Max. After Max had left, Alex rehashed the entire conversation with Liz and she’d been more than pissed. Who the hell does Kyle think he is? She hadn’t seen Max all day, but he’d left her a note on the counter telling her to meet him at 7:00 at the mall.

Liz saw Kyle enter the park and walk toward her. He was still handsome. She waited until he got closer and sat down next to her.

“Thanks for meeting me here, Lizzybean.”

She hadn’t heard that name in over a year. “It’s Liz, and how dare you?”

“Excuse me?”

“You herad me. How dare you? I can’t believe the things you said to Max last night. How dare you tell him about our sex life and then ask if he and I have one! How dare you imply that he’s not man enough to keep me and that I’ll come back to you when I get tired of him! How dare you!”

Kyle sat there flabbergasted. For a minute he’d fully expected Liz to jump into his arms not to bite his head off. “Liz, it isn’t what he told you.”

“Oh really? So you didn’t ask him if I did that think with my back? You never told him he wasn’t man enough to keep me? Then when he implied that he was you didn’t punch him. You know what, Kyle…you weren’t man enough to keep me! You were the one who fucked up! You went behind my back and slept with my friend and now you expect me to come running back to you? Yeah right! What dream world are you living in? I finally found a man who loves me for me. A man I don’t have to worry about sleeping with my friend. A man who will love me with everything that he has, and who I happen to love back. You aren’t going to ruin this for me. I won’t let you.” Liz got up from the bench and left the park with Kyle still sitting there. She turned round one last time. “And, Kyle, thank you for the years you did give me. Thank you for letting me see that I deserved someone better. Someone like Max who was going to give me so much more than what you were. Thank you for giving me up.” Liz smiled and turned away, leaving Kyle with his mouth open.

~*~*~*~*~

At 7:00 Liz went to the mall. She did exactly as the note had said and went to the food court. When she saw the carousel she smiled. She’d always wanted to get on it with a guy and sit in the love seat and just be in love. She’d begged Kyle to do that for her, but he wouldn’t. He always had the same answer for her when she asked, “Carousels are for children, Liz. You’re not a child.” But at heart she was and that’s what she had longed to do. She saw Max headed her way and she waved. He had a wide smile plastered across his face as he waved back. When he finally reached her he kissed her on the cheek.

“Hello, gorgeous. Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“An adventure.” She looked at him when he took her hand and led her to the photo booth. He paid the two dollars and they had their picture taken together. They took goofy ones, cute ones, and one of them kissing. By the end of the event they were in a fit of laughter, and the people who had been watching on the TV outside were laughing as well.

“Thank you. That was fun.”

“We aren’t done yet.” They waited for their pictures, and then Max took Liz’s hand and took her back to the food court. “Ok, sit here.” She sat down and he took out a blindfold, and made sure he covered her eyes completely.

“Max, what are you doing?”

Max stood in front of her and lifted the blindfold up so she could see his eyes. “I know Kyle hurt you, and I know that he was your first for a lot of things, but I want to be your first for a lot of things too.”

“But Max you are…”

“Listen, let me do this first for you.” He kissed her slowly and passionately, and then put the blindfold back over her eyes. He grabbed her hand, keeping her close to him. He paid the man at the carousel and took her up. He put her in front of the seat and took her blindfold off. “Open your eyes.”

Giggling, she did and saw where she was. “Oh, Max!” She had tears in her eyes as she hugged him tightly. “This is a first!”

“I know, Maria told me.”

“Thank you.” Liz whispered.

Max smiled and they sat down. He took her hand in his and kissed it. “I have another first for you too.” She looked at him and smiled. “Liz, I love you.” He watched the smile fade from her face and thought he’d made a mistake.

Liz saw the look in his eyes and took his face in her hands. She kissed him passionately and then let him go. “I love you too, Max.” She watched his eyes brighten and he smiled, then he kissed her again.


TBC

Thanks to Evelynn for the banner and Melyssa for editing...you both are awesome!!!! And thanks to eveyone who did feedback..awesome!!!!



Chapter 7

Three weeks earlier…

Liz came home from work to find six new messages on her answering machine. She smiled as she wondered who loved her enough to leave six messages in one day. She tossed her keys on the table, and set down her purse as she hit the play button.

“Lizzy, this is Mom. We know you have spring break in three weeks and we thought maybe it would be time for you to come home for a visit. Your grandpa and grandma are going to be here, so it would be perfect if you could make it. Your dad and I love you, sweetheart. Call us back.”

Liz knew instantly that she was NOT going home! She just wasn’t ready to run into Kyle and Tess, and into the past she’d spent so much time trying to get away from.

“Hola, Chica, it’s Maria! You do remember me, you know, your best friend? Ok, so I was thinking…um…you have spring break in what, like 2-4 weeks? You should totally come home! We miss you! Besides, the airline companies have this really cool thing…it’s this great concept of flying two ways!! So either you come visit, or Michael and I aren’t coming back there. I love you! I hope you’re doing well…tell Max hello. Girl, what have you been dating him like 7 months now and I haven’t met him yet? Tsk, tsk! Anyway, call me back. Love you!”

At the moment she didn’t care if Maria ever came back out to visit…she was NOT going home!

“Hello, beautiful! I was just confirming dinner tonight with my parents, Iz, and Jesse. I’ll pick you up at six. See you then.”

She’d forgotten all about dinner! Thank God max had called to remind her. She shot a quick glance at the clock and realized it was already pushing five, so she would need to be fast. As she stripped out of her work clothes she continued to listen to the messages.

“Lizzy, it’s Alex. I was just calling to see how you were and if you were ok. Call me back.”

That’s why she loved Alex so much…he was simple!

“Hey, Liz, it’s Michael. I’m just calling to say Maria wants you to come homeassoonaspossible!! OUCH! Why’d you do that? Ok. Ok. So, we want you to come and visit. We love you! Screw Kyle…now you have that dude, um…I can’t remember his name. OUCH! Ok, sorry Max. You have Max. Ok so I’m gonna go. Love ya! Dang, woman, do you have to beat…”

By the end of the message she was laughing so hard she was practically rolling on the floor! Poor boy…he had to deal with Maria. Yep, he had it bad!

“Liz, it’s me again. Listen, I’m stuck in a meeting, so I’ll be a little late. I already called my mom, so I’ll call you as soon as I’m headed out the door. I’ll talk to you later.

She sighed, and decided she’d better go ahead and get dressed anyway. She touched up her make up, changed her clothes, and put on different shoes. She was still ready by 5:45. Since she had a little time to spare, she decided to call Alex.

“Whitman’s house of pain!”

Liz had to laugh…Alex was so unusual! “Hey, Alex, how are you?”

“Lizzy! How have you been? How’s life as a teacher treating you? Are you dating?”

“Well, I’ve been good, busy, but good. Teaching is hard…I never realized how hard teaching a bunch of teenagers would be. I mean today they gave me a frog! Who does that crap? Were we that bad?” She could hear Alex laughing his head off.

“Oh, Liz…so you forget about the time we set the desk on fire? Oh and when we gave Tapolsky the coffee with Ipecac in it? I mean come on…we were just as bad.”

“No…you, Michael, and Maria were bad, I was an angel.” Alex was laughing at her again.

“You keep telling yourself that, Parker. You were no angel!!! Hey, can I call you right back?”

“Yeah sure.”

“Ok, I’ll call you right back.”

Liz hung up the phone and looked at the clock. It was already six. She wondered when Max would call, or if he would call. Of course he would call…he always called.

The phone rang and she rushed to pick it up. “Dang, you really are a one minute man.”

“Well, I mean how would you know?”

Liz hit her forehead. “Max, I’m so sorry. I thought you were…” Why did she always have to embarrass herself like that?

“Let me guess, you thought I was Alex? How do I always manage to call at the same time he does?”

Still mortified, she tried to maintain some composure. “I’m not sure, but I’m sorry. How was your meeting?”

“It was long, and boring, and I would rather be with you.”

Liz smiled to herself. After being with Kyle she’d forgotten how it felt to feel so giddy over a relationship. For everything to feel so new and wonderful, and not like it was something you just did. “Well then, why aren’t you over here yet?”

“I’m working on it…give me fifteen.”

“Ok, see you then.” She hung up and held the phone against her chin. What if she did go home and she took him with her? No, that was dumb…he’d never go for that.

~*~*~*~*~

By the time Max finally got to her apartment it had been an hour. She’d started to get worried, but then he’d called and told her he was stuck in traffic. It was after seven now, so it was too late to make it to his parent’s house for dinner. He apologized profusely to his mother, promising her they’d be there tomorrow. Liz had called and ordered a pizza, which arrived at the same time Max did.

“You’re a goddess! Thank you.” He bent over and kissed her cheek, so she let him in the door along with the pizza.

“You’re welcome. Traffic that bad?”

“Yep, accident…it was bad.” Max went straight to fridge and got out a Dr. Pepper. “Want one?”

“Nope, water for me thanks.” Max grabbed her a glass of water and they both sat down on the couch. They were quiet for a few minutes, but Liz watched him out of the corner of her eye. This was routine for them, they were always doing something like this. The relationship wasn’t routine, but the activities were. She craved that. She loved that. Being with Max wasn’t just wonderful, it was simple. Just then, her phone rang bringing her out of her thoughts and breaking the peaceful silence.

“Hello.”

“Lizzy, you didn’t call me back.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I got busy, and Max is over. We were just…” Her mom immediately interrupted her.

“How is that lovely Max?”

Liz could hear it in her mom’s voice. She was on the verge of tipsy. “He’s good, Mom.”

“Tell him I said hi.” Liz waved to Max and he waved back and smiled. God she loved his smile! It captured her from the first moment he’d ever flashed it at her.

“Max says hello. What did you need, Mom?” Here it comes! Liz knew she was going to be grilled about not coming home in a year.

“Liz baby, you haven’t been home in a year.”

So predictable! “Well, Mom…did you think that maybe I don’t want to come home?”

Max could hear the whole conversation. He was pretending to pay attention to the movie on television, but it wasn’t happening. He could hear her mother as well. Max couldn’t help but wonder why she never wanted to go home.

“Liz, you need to come home. We haven’t seen you in a year.”

“Mom, did you know there’s this great invention called a plane? As Maria says, it works two ways!”

“Liz, come home. We need to see you. Everyone misses you, Maria, Michael, Alex, Jim, Amy, and…”

“If you say Kyle so help me I’ll hang up on you.” She didn’t want to even hear his name.

“Please, baby, just think about coming home. When is your spring break?” Liz huffed, and pushed the hair that had fallen from her ponytail back. “Spring break is in three weeks, Mom. Listen…I’ll have to call you back. I don’t want to continue this conversation right now. I love you.” She hung up the phone, not even waiting for a reply, and tossed the phone into the chair.

Max looked at her and tried to study her face. He could always tell what she was feeling, and right now he knew she was angry, so he knew he probably shouldn’t push her buttons. The last time she’d been this angry he’d pushed her and pushed her until she’d grabbed the book off the table and hurled it at the wall. At the time he’d thought it was slightly humorous, but she’d cried about it. So now, he waited for her to talk.

“That was my mom.” She stared at the throw pillow and started playing with the edges of it.

“Oh yeah, what’d she want?” He asked innocently.

“She wants me to come home.” Liz didn’t look at him, but instead continued to stare at the pillow. She didn’t know what to tell him. She’d never brought up her past before. She’d only told him she was coming out of a bad relationship.

“So, what’s the problem?” She said nothing, so he just continued to watch her. He wondered why she didn’t want to go home. What was it that she was hiding from?

“I don’t want to go.” She turned towards Max and finally locked eyes with him. She could feel the tears starting to form. “Max, I don’t want to go home because Kyle still lives there. He still has a home there, and I’m not ready to face it.” Her tears were flowing now. Liz knew that if she went home she would see Kyle and Tess, and the life they had. She couldn’t handle that…it was supposed to be her life, the life that she was supposed to have. How could she face that?

“Liz…you have to go home. You can’t avoid it forever because you’re afraid. You’re only showing him that he won, and he didn’t win. Trust me…go home. What have you got to lose?” He smiled at her and took her into his arms.

Liz felt so safe there in his arms. If she had the choice, she’d never let go. Once the tears had stopped flowing, she pulled back and looked at him. “Max…if I were to go home would you go with me?”

Max looked at her and smiled again. “Of course I would. Did you even have to ask? Liz, I’d love to go with you!”

Liz pulled him to her and kissed him. This was going to be interesting… to say the least.


TBC

Hey, this is Melyssa posting for Amy. She's having a rough week, so everyone please say a little prayer for her. Thank you for all the amazing feedback

CHAPTER 8

Max was sitting in Liz’s living room watching the baseball game with Michael, Alex, and her dad when Liz walked in. She flopped on the couch next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. Everyone watched this and noticed how easily Liz fit with Max. Even Michael, who was quite protective of Liz, thought they made a great match. Alex, who could never imagine anyone being good enough for his Lizzy, finally saw someone who met his expectations. They all believed Max was everything Liz deserved, and everything she needed, and it was obvious how much they both loved each other.

Alex thought back to the conversation he’d had with Liz just two weeks before.

“Lizzy?”

“Alex, hey how are you?” He listened to her voice and could tell she’d been crying.

“What happened, Liz? What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh, Alex…I have these strong feelings for Max and I know they’re real, but I still have feelings for Kyle. I know I should be over him, I want to be over him, but I’m not.”

Alex sighed and gripped the phone. “Ok, Liz, as your best friend I have to say something, and I mean this in the nicest possible way. ARE YOU INSANE??? My God, woman, you have a man who obviously cares immensely about you, and yet you’re stuck on Mr. Wrong! Come on, Liz…wake up! Kyle doesn’t even give a shit, so get over it. I don’t mean to be so harsh, but it’s been almost a year! He doesn’t deserve you, Liz! He never did! Do you love Max?”

“I think so.” Liz mumbled.

Alex could tell she did. He knew Liz better than she knew herself, and he could tell by the way she talked about Max. She was in love, and scared to death! “Liz, you’re only feeling this way because you’re coming home, but trust me…you’ll be fine. Don’t worry so much. You’re stronger than you think you are…you can do this.”

“Thanks, Alex. What would I do without you?”

He laughed. “Oh, Lizzy…you’d be lost.”

Liz had laughed in return. “Well I have to go. Max is picking me up soon. The Sox are playing tonight, and his dad gave him seats for the game, so I have to go change.”

“Liz, it’s a baseball game, not the ball.”

“Ha ha, smart ass. I’m not going to the baseball game in my work clothes. I was just going to change into jeans and my MIT shirt that you got me.”

“Ok, well have fun. I’ll call you next week.”

“Love you, Alex.”

Alex remembered that she’d finally stopped crying over Kyle that night. She’d been so much better, until she’d gotten into town. Seeing Kyle again had been difficult for her, but she’d finally faced that problem. She’d told him about her confrontation with Kyle in the park, and how she finally over that prick. Alex couldn’t have been happier.

“Hey, Alex! We’re ordering Chinese, you want some?”

Alex threw a pillow at her playfully. “Why does a smart girl, such as yourself, ask such stupid questions?”

Max chuckled, so Liz hit him with the pillow. “Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side.” She crossed her arms, sat back against the couch, and pouted.

“Oh come on, Parker…don’t be such a baby.” Michael said and winked at her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her this happy, and he loved it. “Why don’t you call Maria and tell her to come over for dinner.” He told Liz.

Liz happily stood up and headed over to the phone.

While Liz was busy calling Maria, Michael looked at Max and watched him. “She’s something special, isn’t she?”

Max smiled widely as he spoke to Michael. “That she is, Michael.”

“Just so you know, don’t hurt her, or you’ll be missing body parts. Valuable body parts.”

Max looked at Michael and Jeff chuckled. This poor boy had his body parts threatened twice in one week, and he still stuck around. Yep, Max was definitely a keeper.

Maria finally arrived, along with the Chinese food, so everyone ate and talked. Mostly, they grilled Max about his job.

“So, Max, tell us about your job?” Jeff asked. “What exactly do you do?”

“Well, Sir, I’m in corporate law, which is really a good business in Boston. If I moved somewhere smaller it would be more difficult, but I’ve established myself in family law as well, so I could do that too.”

“And how did you meet Liz?” Michael asked.

Liz threw a noodle at Michael and giggled. “You already know the answer to that.”

“We want to hear it again.” Maria said with a smile.

“Well, Liz was coming out of Starbucks and there was a raise in the pavement she didn’t see, so she tripped...”

“That’s our Liz, such a klutz. Do you remember that one time in history class our junior year? She was playing with the slinky and it fell…” Alex started.
“Oh yeah! She wrapped her foot around the desk to get it after it fell under Mr. Black’s desk, and she fell out of the desk trying to get it.”

They were all laughing now, so Liz was absolutely mortified. Then, she felt Max’s hand on her thigh telling her it was ok.

“Anyway, go ahead, Max. Sorry.” Alex said.

“Well, she spilt her coffee all over me, and from that moment on I couldn’t get her out of my head. So, I called her up and we met, and the rest is history.” Max smiled adoringly at Liz and squeezed her hand.

“She spilt her coffee on you? Oh she does that stuff all the time.” Nancy said.

“Yeah, but that’s why I love her. She may be a little clumsy, but she’s still the most beautiful women I’ve ever met, and I love her for it.” Liz smiled up at Max. Thankful for his sweet words.

“Liz, do you remember when you fell of the stage at graduation?” Alex asked.

“How could I forget? I sang the national anthem and then walked off, but when I went to get my diploma, I tripped over my shoes. I knew I shouldn’t have worn those stupid shoes.” She shook her head. She’d done this her whole life, so she just went with the flow now. It no longer bothered her, and Max loved her regardless.

“The day before that you tripped on the pavement and knocked yourself out.”

“Oh yeah, I was watching Tim. There I was walking along with Alex, Maria, and Michael and I was watching Tim and Kyle and not paying attention and I fell. They wanted to send me home, but it was my last day of high school, so I refused.” She smiled. “Wait, what is this? Bag on Liz night?”

“No, this is to tell Max all about you so he knows what he’s getting himself into.” Maria said.

“You can tell me all the bad stuff and I will still adore her. Don’t worry, she ran into the door the other night, so I know she’s a klutz.” Liz pretended to punch him, and then he pulled her to him and kissed her.

While they sat there eating and getting to know each other, Liz realized for the first time how glad she was that she’d brought Max home. Until this moment she hadn’t realized how much she missed being home. Liz was happy that Max had made the trip with her, but now she realized she was going to miss this place.

Once everyone had finished eating the boys cleaned up, while Maria helped Liz and Jeff put Nancy to bed. Then, they all said goodnight, and Alex, Maria, and Michael left, leaving Max and Liz alone finally. They sat on the couch, cuddled in each other’s arms. Max played with her hair, while she lay against him.

“Max, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go ahead.” He kept running his fingers through her hair.

“Max, how many women have you slept with?” That made him stop running his hands through her hair, so she turned to face him.

“Two. One in high school, and then Claire.” He hung his head, ashamed and almost afraid of what she would say.

“Why are you hanging your head? There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Max. I’ve slept with someone before too.”

“But you loved him. I didn’t love either of the ones I slept with. Why did you ask me that now?” He figured he knew the answer to that question already, but he wanted to hear it.

“I think you know…I want to make love to you, Max, but not in my parent’s house, not here. So, I was thinking when we get back home it’s something we should talk about.”

Max smiled down at her. “Yeah, it is.” Max leaned down to kiss her, and quickly the gentle kiss turned passionate. “Liz, if we don’t stop, baby, we’re not going to make it to back home.”

Liz continued to kiss him anyway. “Would that be so bad?” She smiled.

“Liz, I won’t do that to your parents…at least not in their house, despite what your mother told me about your room being the ‘love shack’!”

They smiled at each other, but they were both thinking the same thing. It was going to be a long two days!

TBC