Title: Down a Broken Road
Author: Caroline
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: no money is being made, don't sue
Rating: PG
Category: Pure Max/Liz
Summary: After Liz gets a life, Max decides it's time to move on. Set
in the future.
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I set out on a narrow way
Many years ago
hoping I would find true love
Along the broken road
I got lost a time or two
wipe my brow kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign
pointed straight to you
Max walked down the pathway of the park on a Friday morning. He was 27
now. For 6 years he had spent his heart on Liz Parker. They were
together from age 16 to 23. Now 4 years later he was a loner. Liz had
left him when he was 23 claiming she needed to find herself without
him. He life had depended on him and she left trapped like that. That
fateful night when she broke it off, she remember his words when he was
16, their first of many breakups "We're not meant to be". She had those
words in mind. Packed her stuff and left. Saying good-bye, looking back
at him. Thinking she made the right choice.
To him, it was painful as any breakup with your soulmate would be. But
he lived somehow. He managed to stay the same with his old 'let nobody
in' routine, before he saved Liz at 16. God how that seemed like
century's ago. All he knew of Liz now was what Isabelle told him. Is
and Liz had remained friends and were close. But Liz never asked or
commented about Max. She was trying to move forward. As of now Liz was
engaged to a normal man. His name was Rick Standish. Liz Standish, it
didn't right to him. Liz Evans, that name hit home. Their wedding was
set for October. It was now September.
He walked along the pathway still currently looking at happy families
in the park, envying all of them with his whole heart and soul. He
diverted his eyes to the left of him and saw Liz Parker, with Rick. He
was about 150 feet away from her, she didn't see him or sense him how
she once could. He could see her clearly. What made him break the most
was the little baby girl that sat between him and her. 'That should
have been mine.' He thought to himself. He had made up his mind within
15 seconds.
He took one step forward to twist himself around. He walked away
casually, yet with a plan in mind. Once he had left the area, Liz
looked to the spot where he had once stood a few moments ago, feeling a
sensation there. "Something wrong honey?" Rick asked her. Bouncy his
baby on his knee.
Liz turned and smiled at Rick. "No, of coarse not, I just felt like
someone was over there, but there isn't so never mind." She picked the
girl up from her daddy's leg and held her in her arms, not shaking the
feeling of someone's presence.
Max walked straight to his apartment. Gathered the belongings that
mattered to him, clothing, toilettres, some minor food iteams. A
picture in a frame that stood on his night table by his bed. It was of
him and Liz, on thier trip to Disney World as a couple. Only the two of
them went, Maria was off on some excursion, Isabelle was busy in L.A
and Alex and Michael were, well they were somewhere, being themselves.
He remember the day like it was yesterday.
Flashback::
"Excuse me, could you take our picture?" Max asked a couple
walking by. Liz gave him a smile that said she didn't want to
take a picture, but she obliged. The couple took the camera.
"Just press that button down till you see the light then press
it all the way down."
"Sure thing son." The man told him. Max put him arm over Liz's
shoulder and at the last minute he placed his Mickey ears on
her head. :FLASH: before Liz could react there was a genuine
photo of Liz and Max, with Liz in Mickey ears.
"Thank you." Liz said taking the camera back and then giving
Max a jab in the ribs. "You jerk." she laughed.
End Flashback::
Max took one last look at his apartment, a place that he and Liz used
to call home, together. He grabbed a letter he had just written Liz and
closed the door.
Every long lost dream
led me to where you are
other have broke my heart
they were just northern stars
pointed me on my way
into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God bless the broken road
That led me straight to you
He walked to the doorstep of where Isabelle said Liz currently lived.
He slipped it under the doorway and left holding bags in each hand.
Max handed the busdriver his ticket and walked to find a seat. As he
said he couldn't help but remember
Flashback::
Max walked slowly towards Liz his lawn, age 18, the day before
graduation. "Max, Max, you wouldn't, no, please, ok I give,
Max!, MAX!" She screamed as Max pointed the garden house
straight at her. He sprayed her, mercilessly. "You are dead
meat Evans." She belted out while running for her life. But he
dropped the hose and went after her. He caught up and grabber
her by the stomach and swung her around him his arms.
"Oh, and your saying I'm dead meat, well If I were in your
shoes, I'd be afriad right now." He smiled as she laughed while
trying to free herself.
He pretended to drop her a little but then held her tight
again. "Don't be a baby, I've got you, I won't let go, don't
worry." He said again. He truly meant it too. At the time.
End Flashback::
I think about the years I spent
just passing though
I'd like to take the time I lost
and give it back to you
but you just smile and take my hand
you've been there and you understand
Its all part of a grander plan
That is coming true.
Max looked out the window, while the bus passed the homes of Roswell,
knowing he'd never be back. He was going to get on with his life, as
everyone around him seemed to do. Thanking the lord for the time he
spent with Liz, thankful that someone sent her to him for their short
time, but it was enough to guide him for the rest of his life. He loved
Liz and would never forget her, but the time had come to leave her.
Maybe because he loved her so much, but maybe because he knew they
weren't going to get together, and seeing her around town, with that
diamond ring on her ring finger it would be too hard to hold back his
tears. "Good-bye Liz." He said as he saw the sign exiting Roswell.
Liz came home to her house with her new family and immediately noticed
the letter on the floor. She also noticed the handwriting. "Oh God."
She stated outloud. Her daughter and Fiance looked at her funny. She
walked into the bathroom for privacy to read it.
'Dear Liz,
I won't make this a drawn out letter. I just wanted to say bye
and thank you, for letting me see how life really is. I saw you
today at the park with your family and realized that if you
moved on why can't I? Well I believe it's safe to say we won't
see each other again. I'm leaving Roswell for good. Maybe I'll
move to a near state, or maybe across country to Boston or
Rhode Island, not really sure yet. But knowing that you once
loved me will get my through my lifetime. I wish you the
happiest life one could imagine. I am sorry I couldn't give you
that and that you had to find someone else. I don't think I'll
ever find love again, I think I'm meant to be by myself and I
accept that. I love you, always will. And I'll always be there
for you, just not physically. Thank you for keeping out secret.
I know you will never tell.
Love you,
Max.
P.S Keep this.'
Liz was so teary eyed she barly saw what was in the envelope besides
the letter. It was a picture of them from Disney, where Max had placed
the Mickey ears on here before she could protest. She buried her face
in her hands. Knowing what Max said was true. But she would always
wonder.
END