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| Part 40A Rated: NC-17 ****************** Max woke up in the wee hours of morning spooned behind Liz, watching in silent awe as she continued to sleep peacefully. His eyes were drawn to the rise and fall of her chest with each breath that she took. His eyes roamed over the expanse of skin revealed to him over the crisp white sheet, a slight contrast to the soft blush tinting her face all the way down to her chest. He was riveted to her beautiful face, humbled by the innocence she possessed in her sleep. Somehow, he knew that Leah would grow up to be just as beautiful as Liz, and it warmed his heart, knowing that he had been a part of creating something so beautiful - something so wonderful. Leaning on his elbow to get a better view, he sighed, thinking that she looked so warm and soft that his hand couldn�t keep his hand from roaming. At first, his knuckles only intended to graze her cheek lightly where her eyelashes lay, but of it�s own volition, his hand drifted down to her elegant neck, his fingers brushing over her pulse point. Continuing on it�s journey south, his fingers danced pitter-patter soft over the tops of her breasts. When the sheet barred him from further exploration, he gave it a little tug, smiling to himself when it fell away, bunching at their ankles. He had thought it would�ve been a more difficult feat considering Liz always managed to get tangled up in the blankets, but apparently, she was hot and didn�t mind being naked. He smirked to himself, thinking about what had made her hot in the first place, and it certainly had nothing to do with the weather. With cat-like moves, his hand moved to hover over her breast before cupping it in his hand. Burying his nose in her hair, he smiled in satisfaction as his hand closed tighter over her delicious globe, feeling her nipple pucker up to his touch. He was amazed at how responsive she was to him, even in sleep. Hearing the soft sigh emitted from deep in her throat, he slowly released his hold on her breast, but not before letting his thumb brush over the hardened tip. His hand skimmed down to her trim stomach, tracing invisible patterns as he went. He had to bite his lip, preventing the groan from escaping as he felt his erection springing to life. He slowed down, taking a deep breath to calm himself, wanting to savor the moment of being able to do this. It was euphoric, knowing that he could touch Liz like this, knowing that no other man would ever get the pleasure, or the right. After his little breather, his hand continued on it�s merry way, stopping just above her hairline. He placed tender kisses on her shoulder, intending to do a little more walking with his fingers when she turned abruptly in his arms, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She caught his wandering hand, bringing it up to her lips for a kiss. �Feeling a little frisky this morning?� At the smile dancing in her eyes, he grinned at her impishly, his fingers finding it�s way to tangle in her mussed hair. �I�m just saying good morning,� he answered cheekily. He topped off his statement with a sweltering kiss. Liz leaned into him, in effect grazing her hip bone against his prominent arousal. Giggling, she pulled back, a hand to her mouth as she looked down at his ever protruding lower appendage. She smiled down at it, tipping her head to the side in salutation. �Well good morning to you too, little guy.� �Little guy?� Max frowned, not at all liking the way she had said that. He wasn�t sure if she was insulting him or not. Stroking the hard ridges of his abdominal muscles, Liz cooed soothingly. �Oh baby, I didn�t mean it like that.� She rest her chin on his chest, further explaining herself. �It�s the biggest I�ve ever seen, honestly,� she amended. Feigning hurt, Max raised his eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. �Are you telling me that you�ve seen more than one?� Liz tilted her head to the side, tapping her index finger against her chin. �Well, there was that one time freshman year with Kyle- She didn�t even get a chance to finish her sentence when Max bolted upright, red-faced and jaw agape. �You saw Kyle�s.....Kyle�s....� He couldn�t quite bring himself to say it, finally sputtering out, �STUFF?� Liz held onto her stomach as she convulsed in laughter. The question he had just posed would be something that would keep her giggling to her dying day. Sulking, Max spoke sarcastically, feeling a little hurt that she thought this was all so funny. �I�m so glad that I could amuse you.� �Oh honey, I didn�t mean to laugh at you.� She crawled over his chest, straddling his waist. He tried to ignore the fact that she was naked and straddling him. His ego was still bruised, and the fact that he had just found out that she had seen Kyle�s..... Well, he still couldn�t bring himself to say it. �Don�t worry about Kyle, it was hardly nothing.� Max raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was insulting their friend as well. She smacked him across the chest. �I�m not talking about his you-know-what. It�s just that if you had let me finish my sentence in the first place, you would have realized that the only reason why I saw anything was because Michael pantsed him in P.E. I wasn�t the only who saw. I think the entire freshman P.E. class saw it.� She giggled as she remembered. �And quite frankly, there really wasn�t much to see because Kyle pulled his shorts back up so quickly so he could pound Michael.� He breathed a sigh of relief at the innocence of her statement, and he berated himself for jumping to conclusions. It�s just that his possessive nature turned to the point of beastly when it came to Liz. Before he could entertain the thought of a regular breathing pattern, he felt Liz shimmying down his body. His voice was quiet as he spoke. �What are you doing?� She looked at him from where she was nestled between his legs. She grinned, prying his legs open, her eyes never leaving his. �I�m saying good morning.� With that, she closed the distance to his cock, her tongue gliding over the tip. His breathe whooshed out him like he had been struck, his stomach twisting in knots as he watched her from between his legs. She had no idea how incredibly turned he was just by seeing her from this angle, but on second thought, seeing the feral look in her eyes right before closing her lips over the head of his penis told him that she probably knew. Liz drew her lips over the sensitive tip, stiffening her tongue to find the little slit. She sucked lightly when she found it, teasing it lightly with her tongue, enjoying the low keening sound coming from Max�s throat. She brought her hand down to his length, marveling at the warmth that he exuded. She could feel so much power radiating from what she was holding, but at the same time, she reveled in the fact that she controlled all of that power - that she was the one that was bringing him to his knees. She glanced up at him, watching as his head thumped against the headboard, turning from side to side restlessly. Her hand picked up a rhythm, her nails occasionally grazing over the tender skin. When he bowed off the bed, she pulled the tip of his penis between her lips, creating suction like she was sipping from a straw, her hand flying up and down his shaft at a maddening pace. Max felt like he was dying from too much pleasure. He wanted her to stop, but at the same time knowing that he would black out if she didn�t continue. He spread his legs wider, letting her have a little more room, and wanting to get a better view of what she was doing. He had to bite down on his fist as she continued her ministrations, his chest heaving as sweat pooled at his stomach. Feeling the first drop of his essence on her tongue, Liz licked it away, giving a few more good tugs with her hands before moving astride him in one fell swoop. She had to smile at the sound that was coming from her husband�s throat. It sounded like someone was killing him - from too much pleasure of course. She braced her hands over his slick chest, her lips, grazing over his as she spoke. �Shhh, honey. We don�t want to wake the kids.� He nodded stiffly, knowing that if he moved any more than that, he was going to explode. He found her statement somewhat amusing, knowing that he had used that line on her a few times during love making. His wife sure did have a set of lungs, and apparently, so did he. She kissed him deeply before rising off his lap then plunging down hard. His hips rose off the bed, meeting her thrust for thrust. Their pace had no set rhythm, only the same goal to reach orgasm together. The whimper tumbling from her lips was doing him in, that his hands moved to her waist to help speed up her undulations. He felt her hand bump into his, causing him to open his eyes. She grabbed his hand, bring it to her throbbing bundle of nerves. His eyes bugged out of his head at the image, watching as she guided his fingers into a rhythm. Feeling the pressure of her hand against his and the suction of her tight walls swallowing him over and over again ripped the bottom from his stomach. He rammed up inside her, growing rigid inside her until his seed shot out, heat fusing their bodies. A whimper escaped his own lips as she continued to ride him, his head falling to the side to bite into the pillow as he rode out the waves of pleasure with her. Liz collapsed on top of him, panting as he rubbed her sweaty back soothingly. When coherent thought returned, she nipped at his neck, laughing. �That was one heck of a good morning!� Part 40B ****************** Liz puttered around the kids� room, getting Leah�s things together for their day trip to see the Hardings. As she got ready to zip up the bag, she caught Noah sitting on the edge of the bed watching her carefully, silent as a mouse. Dropping what she was doing, she sat down next to him with a heavy thump, the bed bouncing. �You excited to see Mac again, sweetie?� Noah just shrugged his shoulders, his hand picking at the bedspread. �Precious?� Liz reached out to tilt his face to meet hers. She knew that he had been bouncing off the walls when she had mentioned that they were going to see Mac. He had been ecstatic that he would get to see his third grandmother, which is why she was puzzled to his sullen mood. She spoke in hushed tones, her hand touching his cheek soothingly. �Is your tummy still hurting?� He shook his head, still refusing to meet her gaze. �Dad, gave some pink goop last night.� She had to bite back a small smile at his reference to the Pepto Bismol. It was comical because she knew that he had picked that up from her. She had often referred to it as pink goop, herself. Clearing her throat, her mind returned to the situation at hand. She put her arm around him, pulling him closer to her side. She inhaled his scent, smiling at the baby smell that he still managed to exude. �Well, if you�re feeling better, then what�s with the frown?� She reached her index finger to rub away the crease between his brows, earning her a genuine Evans grin. Before she could appreciate his gorgeous smile, she was thrown back by the force of his hug, his small arms coming to wrap around her neck tightly. She could feel a prick against her heart as he continued to hold onto her as if he were afraid that she might disappear into thin air if he wasn�t looking. Max held his sleeping daughter against his naked chest, getting ready to walk through the door to get her dressed when his heart began thumping wildly in his chest at the scene that his wife and son presented. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, a sick feeling building in the pit of his stomach. Liz saw Max at the door, and she held up her hand, asking him to not make his presence known just yet. She turned her head, placing a soft kiss on her son�s nape, her hand running up and down his back soothingly. �Oh honey, what�s wrong?� She could feel his little body shaking against hers, his tears dripping silently against her neck as his fingers curled into her hair. �Please don�t leave momma! Don�t ever leave,� he begged. He hugged her tighter, climbing into her lap. He knew that he was getting a little too big to let his mother carry him, but he just wanted to disappear inside her. He was scared that if his hold on her slackened, his worst nightmare might manifest itself into reality, and he would be left without a mother. Tears stung Liz�s throat as she listened to her son�s tortured voice. She had no idea what had brought on his sudden outburst, but she wasn�t just going to sit around and wait. She hated seeing her loved ones hurt, and it especially hurt to see her little boy crying and not knowing what the cause was. Cuddling him tighter, she whispered in his ear reassuringly. �I�m not going anywhere, precious. I�m never going away.� She was stunned silent as Noah pulled back a little to look in her eyes, searching them for the honesty that her words spoke. �Promise?� �I promise.� She reaffirmed her statement with a nod of her head, eliciting a breath of relief from Noah. He lay his head on her bosom, hiccupping every other second. Liz squeezed his shoulders, rocking them gently back and forth. �What brought this on, sweetie?� She still couldn�t erase the look of utter terror in his eyes as he pleaded with her not to leave. He swiped at his nose, sniffing back another onslaught of tears. �I just don�t want you to leave us.� He whispered so softly that Liz had to strain her ears just to hear him. �I don�t want you to leave me.� Her heart was breaking with each second. Kissing his temple, she cupped his cheek so that he could see into her eyes. �I would never do that. What would give you an idea like that?� He continued to twine her long hair between his fingers, almost using it as a coping mechanism. �I just don�t want you to go away like my other mom.� He answered carefully. He had made sure to say the last word with great articulation so that she knew that he distinguished the difference between her and his birth mother. In all of their talks, he had never referred to Tess as momma. That endearment alone was reserved for Liz. Because the word momma wasn�t just what he called her, it was a word that expressed how he felt - it expressed all of the love he felt for her, more than calling her mom, or mother ever would. Liz was the one person who he loved a smidgen above his father. Liz felt a lump in her throat, making it hard to swallow. Things were starting to fall into place, and she was seeing what had gotten Noah upset. It wasn�t so much that he thought she would leave, he was afraid that by being in the place where he had lost his first mother, that it would hold true for the one he had now. She and Max had done their best to tell him stories about Tess so that he had some knowledge of where he came from. But death and passing on was a hard concept to grasp as adults, let alone a seven year old. �Precious, what happened to your birth mom....what happened to Tess isn�t going to happen to me. What happened to her was something that no one could control. Life just has some unexpected turns that we may not understand now, but in the end we�ll understand what those purposes were.� She rubbed her thumb over his flushed cheek. �I guess your dad and I should�ve explained to you a little better.� Noah was quiet for a second, his lips pursed as he thought deeply. �When we go to see my other mom, will she hear me when I talk to her?� Liz nodded, a lone tear escaping from her eyes. She wiped at it, quickly. �Yes she will. No matter where you are, your mom will be able to hear you, and she�ll know that you love her very much.� �Can she talk to me?� �I....� Max stepped out from the shadows, using his free hand to wipe away at the tears in his eyes. He sat down on the floor, his hand resting on Liz�s knee. He gave her a loving smile, trying to thank her for doing her part. He turned his attention to Noah, giving him a sad smile. �I�m afraid not, little man. Your other mom can�t talk to us the way we talk to each other. When someone goes away like that, they move onto another place where they can�t communicate their love for us. But they can watch us and look out for us like- �Guardian angels?� Noah asked. �That�s right.� Liz brought her hand to touch Max�s head, her fingers running softly through his hair. �Tess is looking out for you like a guardian angel.� Part 40C ************** McKenzie brought her hands to rest on the table, flesh rubbing against flesh as she wrung her hands together. She had been waiting for this moment to come for a long time, that now that it was here, it almost seemed like to much to even hope to be true. She glanced at her wristwatch for the millionth time in the last minute, wondering if she had gotten the time wrong, but her heart beat just a little faster as she watched the long hand move towards the twelve. In all honesty, she was more worried that her visitors had decided not to show up. In her age, paranoia was something that was becoming more prominent everyday. But she knew that she really didn�t have to worry, because Max Evans was a man of his word. He had proved that time and time again. She was just glad that the two of them had put the past behind them and were starting out fresh. A small sigh passed her lips, a melancholy look presenting itself in her eyes. She eyed the empty seat across from her, feeling disappointed that Ed had backed out in the last minute. He had agreed to meet with Noah today, but as they got in the car he had jumped out as if he had been burned. Tears spilled from his eyes as he apologized. �I�m sorry, McKenzie�.I thought, I was ready�.I�m sorry�.� She was brought out of her reverie by the sound of a jovial young voice, small arms coming to wrap around her neck as wet lips latched itself to her cheek. �MAC!� McKenzie�s face lit up as she leaned into the embrace, her own arms coming around her grandson�s back. �Noah, sweetheart, I missed you.� With a grin on his lips, Noah hugged her again before reaching out for his mother�s hand. He made sure to keep a close eye on her, still a little frightened that she might disappear into thin air despite her best efforts to reassure him. It wasn�t that he didn�t believe her, but he knew that grown ups tended to say things and keep promises they couldn�t keep. He just wanted to bring it upon himself to keep his momma safe, just the way his father always did. �Hi, McKenzie.� Liz touched her hands to Noah�s curly hair, smiling down at her son�s paternal grandmother. Smiling her greetings, McKenzie�s eyes brightened when she laid eyes on the sleeping bundle in Max�s arm. �And who this beautiful little princess?� Grinning like the proud papa that he was, Max pulled Leah�s blanket down to her chin, giving McKenzie a view of the beauty that his daughter was. �McKenzie, I�d like you to meet the newest addition to the family.� McKenzie stood to get a better look at the gorgeous baby that Max was holding protectively in his arms. Her mouth opened in wonderful awe as she continued to gaze at the beautiful, dark haired baby. �Aren�t you a pretty little one?� Noah squeezed between McKenzie and his little sister, reaching up to let her grab his finger in a fierce grip. �She�s my baby sister. Her name is Leah.� He announced proudly. He touched her cheek softly, whispering to McKenzie. �She doesn�t speak yet, but she likes it a lot when you talk to her.� �Is that so?� She ushered the family to sit around the table. �Well, I�m sure she�ll be just as intelligent as you when she gets to be your age.� Unable to keep from touching him, she cupped his cheek, her breath leaving her body. �I can�t believe how much you�ve grown since the last time I saw you.� She shook her head, still having a hard time taking in the growing boy in front of her. It was a little disheartening to know that she had missed so much of his growing years, and was no doubt going to miss so much more. �You�re such a big boy now.� Frowning at her, Noah brushed his hair out of his eyes. �I�ve been a big boy.� Leaning over to whisper in her ear, Liz smiled apologetically at McKenzie. �He�s considered himself a big boy since he was two. It�s a touchy subject for him,� she laughed. A tight smile made it�s way across McKenzie�s lips as she was once again reminded of how much she had missed of his life. But she wasn�t going to dwell on it. She wasn�t going to spend the time that she was blessed to share with her special grandson thinking about what should�ve and could�ve been. It wasn�t worth her time or energy. She wanted to soak up every second they had. �I see�.� She kissed Noah again, giggling excitedly. It felt like Christmas. She was being given the best present she could ever ask for, and Max and Liz had been gracious enough to grant it to her. Regardless of how callously she had treated father and son before, they looked past that and gave her another chance. A chance she probably didn�t deserve. Once they were all seated, the waitress took their orders, smiling down at the beautiful children. Noah held the crayon that the waitress had given him, his eyes smiling at his grandmother. �I missed you, Mac.� He drew a purple circle on the back of the children�s menu. �You ever gonna come back and visit us in Roswell, again?� �Of course, I will. That�s something you can bet on.� She laughed a little. �Your mom and dad will probably get sick of me visiting.� He shook his head. �Nah....� He looked around the restaurant as if looking for someone. �What�s the matter, honey?� McKenzie patted his hand gently. Letting out a small sigh, he bent his head so that only Mac could hear him. �I thought your friend was gonna come visit too.� McKenzie�s smile faltered a little bit. �You knew he was planning on coming?� Noah shrugged his shoulders. �Momma and dad told me. We�re not supposed to keep secrets.� She wiped at the tears pooling at her eyes. �Well that�s a good thing - you know, that your mom and dad are honest with you. They�re setting a good example.� She looked up at Max and Liz then, giving them meaningful looks. She was so thankful that Max and Liz had raised her grandson right. �Didn�t he wanna come see me?� His voice sounded so timid that McKenzie felt as if someone were ripping out her gut. �Oh honey, it�s not that. Ed, is just....� �Not ready?� He offered. His eyes were round and full of curiosity. Grown ups had a weird way of skirting around the truth, and he just wanted Mac to be honest with him. He wanted her to feel as comfortable with him, as he felt with her. They were family after all. And he knew, that she held something that his own parents couldn�t give him, despite how they wanted to. Through McKenzie, he would get to know his birth mother. �Yeah,� she breathed out. She was reduced to a one word answer as she was continued to fall in amazement over her grandson. ************* Ed clutched his keys in his hand as he waited at the front of the restaurant. In spite of his nervousness, he wanted to at least have the opportunity to see his grandson. Ever since that brief encounter at the airport, his heart had felt like it had been struck by an arrow. He never would have imagined that a six year old boy would be able to wither away at his cold heart. In the span of a few minutes, Noah Evans had restored a part of his heart that he had closed off for so long. So long that he thought that it was gone forever. But Noah had changed that. He found himself wanting to get to know his grandson, but scared out of his mind as how to go about doing so. He had been such an ass to Max and his grandson for so long that it made close to impossible to even make that first step. He didn�t see himself as redeemable and it had shot straight through his heart when Noah had accepted him right away. That Noah had a big enough have heart to give him a place in it was beyond comprehension to him. So he stayed in the shadows, just watching because he knew that he was unworthy of the love that little boy. *************** Liz took a sip of her water, her eyes taking in the surroundings. She kept an open ear to the conversation going on around her, but her heart lodged in her throat when she caught a glimpse of Ed Harding standing at the front of the restaurant. Smiling, she excused herself and made a beeline for Ed. This trip was a time for healing for her family. She hoped that Ed would see it as that too for himself. Part 40D ******************* Liz approached her son�s grandfather slowly and carefully. She just wanted a chance to talk to him before he ran out of there. It was obvious that he was interested in at least seeing Noah, that she hoped that she could coax him into meeting his grandson. She knew that it would mean the world to her son, and she wanted to give him that. Not to mention that she wished that Ed Harding would let some of his walls down. What Ed Harding had done to her family in the past was inexcusable, and downright shameful. But she knew that it stemmed from hurt and frustration that he couldn�t protect his only child. She couldn�t even fathom what it would be like to lose someone she loved, that she couldn�t fault him for that. Noah had missed out on knowing his birth mother. She just prayed to God that it wasn�t too late to know his maternal grandparents. �Mr. Harding?� Liz took a cautious step towards him. Ed tore his eyes away from his grandson grudgingly, only to be stunned silent to see Max�s petite wife standing no more than a foot away from him, her eyes burning with concern. He held a hand to his chest, feeling it constrict painfully. He stumbled back, awaiting her vocal blow, no doubt wanting to reprimand him for showing his face in the restaurant. �I was just leaving,� he stuttered out. He turned with a quick flourish, that Liz had to run just to catch up to him. Placing her hand on his shoulder lightly, she urged him to stick around. �Please don�t go. It looks like you just got here.� Ed stopped mid-stride, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. He had been fully expecting her to give him a tirade, but instead, he was met with a warm and friendly smile. He hadn�t been expecting that, so he didn�t know how to react other than expect the worst. After all, why should Max�s wife be anything less than unkind to him after all that he had done to her family? He had to swallow back a sob at that thought, because looking back in the dining area, he realized then that the family sitting there belonged to the young woman in front of him. The young man with the dark hair wasn�t Tessie�s Max, and the curly, blonde haired, little boy wasn�t Tessie�s little boy. They may have belonged to his daughter in the most technical terms of the word family, but it was obvious that their link ended at that. The young woman in front of him, had taken those two boys into her heart and made them her family in every sense of the word. How he missed having a loving family like that. Liz watched Ed closely, knowing just from his eyes that he was battling an internal struggle that most people would never realize. But she knew that tortured look. She had been privy to that many times when Max had thought himself unworthy of her. But regardless of how stubborn her husband was - and he was as stubborn as you could get - she had broken through his barriers. She had shown him that everyone deserved another chance. �I know that we don�t know each other, and you probably could care less about knowing me, but I know that Noah would really like it if you stayed.� She paused, trying to find the right words to make him understand. �He just wants to get a chance to know his family.� Ed blinked back his tears. How big of a heart could someone have? He would have thought that she would be the first person behind Max in being instrumental of keeping his as far away from Noah as possible. With being consciously aware of speaking out loud, Ed looked at Liz incredulously. �How can you be so nice to me after all I�ve done?� He hadn�t meant to say it out loud, but now that it was out in the open, he couldn�t help but wait with baited breath for her answer. Liz was silent, taking her time in explaining. She wanted Ed to know that she wasn�t doing this out of pity, or to make herself a martyr. She squeezed her hands together, her eyes dancing around, finally landing back inside the dining area, where she locked eyes with her son. It seemed as if he had been looking for her, his round eyes scrunched in worry. But the minute their eyes met, Noah smiled, waving at his mother. He picked at his straw, ready to turn back to the conversation going on at the table when he caught sight of who was beside his mother. He tilted his head to the side in curiosity as he recognized Ed. His pouty lips curled into a shy smile, as he held out his hand to give Ed a friendly wave. Ed reached out to grab onto the wall beside him, his breath leaving his body in a rush. Seeing that bright smile directed at him made his heart beat a little faster, letting him know that he was still alive. That he had wasted precious time going through the motions when his Tessie died. She had been the apple of his eye and a part of him died in that delivery room with her, seven years ago. But looking at Noah - looking at his grandson, he could see that a part of his daughter lived on. Her legacy had been preserved in a seven year old boy. Liz smiled at Ed�s reaction, knowing that even he couldn�t resist Noah�s sweetness. And it was then that she realized why it was, that she was being civil to him, when most other people would have shunned him by now. It was because of Noah. It was because of her precious little boy. �This is all for him. I love him more than life itself, and I would do anything to make him happy.� She touched Ed�s arm again, as she tilted her head towards the table. �I�m not going to push you into doing something that you�re not ready for, but I want you to know that you�re welcome to join us.� Ed�s eyes skittered over to Max who held his baby close to his chest, his right hand stroking his son�s hair absently. That vision of Max screamed out the perfect father. He was the epitome of a loving, caring, committed, and protective, dad. �And what about Max?� Following his gaze, Liz just smiled. �Max is Max. He won�t go ballistic just because you join us. He�s still hurt, but not because of what you did to him. If anything, he�s hurting for our son. Nothing can compare to the love that a parent has for it�s child.� She tipped her head at Ed meaningfully. �But I don�t think I need to tell you that.� Liz stepped away, knowing that she had done all she could. Everything was up to Ed now, and he could choose to take the next step to mending broken bridges. Because as much as any of them believed that they had burned down those bridges so long ago, those bridges needed nothing more than a little attention and care to repair the damage that had been done. Ed watched Liz return to her family, leaving him to mull over everything she had said, and everything she hadn�t. She had given him things to think about, and for once, he found himself open to those ideas. He was a man that thrived on doing things his way, regardless of the consequences. Maybe it was time to change that destructive way of living. Part 40E ******************** Liz rejoined her family, placing a sweet kiss on Max�s forehead as she sat down. Trying to be as discreet as he could, Max leaned back, whispering in her ear. �Where did you disappear to?� He smiled. �I thought I was going to have to call in the national guard.� �Stop,� she giggled joyfully. In any normal circumstance, she would�ve been slightly miffed that Max worried about her so much, but seeing the fear in her son�s eyes earlier, she knew that it was something that both her son and husband continuously feared. She knew in her heart that hell would have to freeze over before she left her boys, but the two of them shared the same uncanny sense of needing to protect her. The two of them had been so young when they had their first taste of grief. It was hard to wash that bile taste out of your mouth especially when you believe that you don�t deserve any better. She tuned her ears into the conversation going on around her, but was confused when all talk ceased. Everyone�s gaze seemed to be fixated on something at the end of the table. Turning her head in the direction everyone was looking, a slow smile spread over her face. �You came to see me?� Noah slowly pushed his seat out from under the table, walking around to face Ed. He stopped within a foot of Ed, afraid to come any closer. He didn�t want to scare Ed away. Mac had told him that Ed wasn�t ready, and he understood that - sort of. He wanted to seize the opportunity, but at the same time, he didn�t want Ed tearing out of there before he even had a chance. Max�s hand drifted down to grip Liz�s hand tightly in his. He was torn. He didn�t really know how to feel. A part of him wanted to get up and finally stick it to Ed. He wasn�t that gangly teenager that let everyone walk all over him. Not anymore. He was a grown man now, with a family that depended on him. He�d be damned if harm came to anyone that he loved. But the other part of him held a little bit of hope. He couldn�t help but hold his breath, his heart pounding hard against his chest as he prayed that Ed would put aside their differences and took the chance to finally get to know his grandson. Because whatever beef Ed still had with him, he could deal with that. If Ed never forgave him for taking away his daughter unwittingly, he could live with that. But what he couldn�t live with, was if Ed took that anger out on his innocent son. A little boy who never asked to be brought into this feud. Ed felt his knees quake together as he heard Noah�s soft voice permeate through his jumbled brain. The shy voice made his heart ache. All he wanted to do was fall to his knees and repent for being an ass for all of these years. He wanted to take back every hateful word, every angry action. Because the young boy in front of him did not deserve it. He never did. His throat was too choked up with tears for him to get a word out, so all he did was nod. The simple action was enough to hurtle Noah at his legs, his arms wrapping around Ed's middle. Ed stumbled back, but he couldn�t not return the hug. The tears came then, pouring from his eyes as he finally grieved for the daughter that he had lost, and at the same time celebrated the fact that his grandson was alive and in his arms. When Ed had kneeled down to Noah�s level to reciprocate the hug, Noah turned his head, whispering into Ed�s ear. �Thank you.� Ed pulled back, feeling more unworthy by the second, but not able to pull away. Even if he wanted to, it was impossible. Noah�s loving and accepting nature just bowled him over. He wanted to be around that, to experience love for a child again. He touched Noah�s cheek, his hand trembling. �Why are you thanking me?� It should have been him saying that. Noah just hugged him again. �Because you came. Mac says that you weren�t ready, but you still came to see me.� The significance of Ed�s presence wasn�t lost on Noah. He may be young, but he still understood some of it. He didn�t understand why his dad always got that scowl when he saw Ed, or someone mentioned his name. He didn�t really understand why it was only now that he was getting to know his third set of grandparents. All he knew was that all of his family was being brought together. And it made him happy. He just wanted everyone to get along. Mac let out the breath that she had been holding. She never thought that she would see this day. But it finally came, and she thanked the heavens for giving her this feeling of peace. They had all lost so much, but now they were being given a second chance. She just prayed that she and Ed could live up to the expectations. Max released his grip on Liz�s hand. The scene before him was bittersweet. Seeing Ed finally accept his son lightened the burden in his heart, but it would never really erase the hurt. In truth, he didn�t really want to forget, because it taught him the meaning of true love. Before he had Noah or Liz, the word love had been used as convenience. It was only when he had taken responsibility for his son, did he really understand what it was like to love someone so much that you would do anything for them. And then Liz came along, and he learned what unconditional love was. Because despite his many faults, and shortcomings, she loved him. And he was a better person because of it. He and Ed may never really ever be comfortable with each other, but watching Ed hold his son, he knew that they both loved Noah. Noah would be what would keep them from blowing up at each other . Noah would be the one that would allow them to finally let their demons sleep. ***************** Lunch had been shaky at first. Ed had seemed uncomfortable, not really knowing how to get out from under his shell. But Noah had insisted that he sit beside him so that they could share stories - one of Noah�s favorite pastimes. Noah told them tales of his friends Jade and Jamie. He spoke animatedly about his adventures with his father and baby sister during their summer vacation. And Ed and Mac just listened intently, living vicariously through Noah�s wild imagery, and flailing arms. In turn, they shared stories of Noah�s birth mother - stories that Max and Liz had no way to share. The three hours they spent at the restaurant was spent talking more than it was spent eating. But nobody seemed to mind. In everyone�s mind, it was time well worth spent. As they got ready to part ways, they made promises to keep in touch and visit often. The hugs and kisses were bountiful, with no one really making the first step to move away. But eventually, the time had come, and the Evans family had to leave. They bid their final goodbyes, waving as the Hardings walked away. Max watched as they moved further and further away before he handed his daughter to his wife. �I�ll be right back. Just wait here.� Without giving Liz a chance to get a word out, he rushed after Ed and McKenzie. �Wait!� Husband and wife slowed to a stop, both of them shocked to see Max running after them. �Is something wrong?� Mac looked over Max�s shoulder, checking to see if the rest of the family was okay. Max nodded, swallowing furiously as he tried to get the words out. �Thank you,� he said sincerely. Ed felt his respect for Max rise another few notches. If he wasn�t careful, he might end up putting Max on a pedestal. He knew now where Noah had gotten his loving and accepting nature. �I think that thank you is supposed to come from me.� The minute Ed saw Max�s lips open, he beat him to the punch. �I really do want to say thank you. You didn�t have to give me another chance, and Lord knows that I don�t deserve it�..but you have a big heart, Max. You always have.� He paused, looking truly sorry. �And since you�re here, I want to say I�m��..I�m sorry for being unbearably cruel to you, Isabel, and especially Noah when none of you deserved that. But losing my daughter- ,� he stopped for a second, trying to keep his emotions in check. �When Tess died, I lost it. A part of my heart died. I know that�s no excuse for how I acted, but I want you to know, that I truly am sorry. I could never ask you to forgive me because I know that wounds run deep and never really fade. But all I can ask is that you let me see Noah again.� He held up his hand, asking Max to let him finish. �I know it�s a lot to ask, and I would understand it if you said no.� He smiled sadly. �I�ll just take my few moments from today and cherish them for lifetimes.� Max looked at Ed critically, letting his words sink in. �I know that none of us can pretend that the past didn�t happen, but maybe we can finally look towards the future and put our differences aside- �For Noah,� Ed finished. The two men smiled at each other, acknowledging the fact that this was a new beginning for all of them. Everything in the past was just that. There was no need to cloud the future with what could�ve been. �Shake on it?� Max grinned, holding out his hand. Ed nodded, placing his hand gratefully in Max�s. Max stepped back, starting to walk away, only to turn back around. �What made you finally change your mind?� Ed slipped his arm around his wife, nodding in the direction of Max�s. �Your wife. Your son got that big heart of his from her.� He didn�t elaborate further on that, because he knew that Max would understand. Seeing the two of them at lunch today showed him that they shared a special connection. Max was taken aback for a second. He couldn�t really believe his ears. Ed seemed to accept the fact that Liz was Noah�s mother. The fact that he attributed one of Liz�s biggest traits to his son made him realize that Ed was a changed man. He looked up at Ed, to see the older man smile a crooked smile, and he couldn�t but smile himself. �You�re right about that.� ********************* The air turned cool, with the sun hanging low in the sky. Max steered his family down the familiar walkway. For some reason, walking down this path again, he didn�t hold a heavy heart. He had thought that he would feel the guilt eating him alive as he came to visit for the first time with his new family since he left almost six years ago. But he didn�t. In fact, it was almost like he was rejoicing. Not for the death of his first love, but to finally be able to share with his loved ones a piece of his past. The piece that had created a domino affect that led them to become a family in the first place. He stopped by the worn headstone, breathing in the air. And for the first time in a long time, it wasn�t the scent of despair and longing he smelt. He could smell recently cut grass, the smell of fresh flowers wafting up to his nose. He took Noah�s hand in his, turning to Liz. She smiled at him, brushing away his bangs affectionately. �Go ahead and introduce him. I think this is an introduction that�s been put on the back burner for too long.� Max opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind. He knew she was right. She always was. He and Noah needed a few minutes alone with Tess before they introduced the newest members of their family. The fact that she understood that and was okay with it, melted Max�s heart. Ed Harding was right when he said that Noah had inherited his big heart from his mother, because there was no one else in the world with a bigger heart than Liz. He bent his knees, placing a soft kiss on her lips as a thank you. �We won�t be long.� Liz touched his arm, her other hand rubbing soothingly through Noah�s curly mane. �Take all of the time you guys need. We�re in no rush.� She gave them one last encouraging smile before pushing Leah�s stroller to a bench where they waited. �Ready to meet your birth mom?� Noah let out a deep breath, nodding his head. He snuck a quick glance towards Liz before letting Max lead him to kneel on the soft grass. Smiling through the film of tears in his eyes, Max spoke softly. �Noah, I�d like you to meet your mother.� He placed a firm hand on her headstone, feeling the cool granite underneath his fingers. He turned to look at the name engraved on it. �It�s been awhile since we�ve come to visit. I bet you�re surprised to see how big he�s gotten.� Noah tugged on his father�s hand that he had yet to release. �Can I talk to her too?� Max pulled his son to sit on his lap, his chin resting on Noah�s shoulder. �Go ahead, pal. Your mother�s listening.� Nodding in determination, Noah placed his hands on the face of the stone, speaking softly. �Hi��mom.� He felt a little awkward talking with no one answering back, but his momma had always told him that even though Tess couldn�t answer, she could hear every word he was saying. �I don�t really remember coming here before, but dad says that he used to bring me here all the time when we lived here in California.� He looked back at his father, smiling when he saw the proud twinkle in Max�s eyes. �I know that I�m not really supposed to be happy that you�re not here with us.� He paused, trying to make it clear in his mind how to articulate what he feeling. �And I�m not, but if you were still here, I don�t think momma would�ve become my momma. She would�ve been someone else�s momma, not mine,� he said with a frown, not liking the thought of not having Liz in his life. �And I don�t like to think about that, because my momma�s the best momma in the whole, wide, world,� he boasted. A crooked grin curled his lips, showing his missing tooth. �And if she wasn�t my momma, daddy and I wouldn�t have Lee Lee.� He tipped his head in the direction of his baby sister. �She�s my baby sister. She�s real pretty, like momma. Her real name is Leah, but I call her Lee Lee. Only I get to call her that,� he said matter-of-factly. He had to hold a hand to his lips as he stifled a giggle. �And dad calls her puddin�,� he laughed. His laughter faded away, returning to a quasi serious tone. �I hope that wherever you are in heaven, you can see us. Because we�re really happy, mom.� Reaching out a finger, he traced her engraved name, much the same way Max always did. �I hope you�re happy too.� He kissed his fingers, touching them to Tess� name. �I love you.� He stood up, kissing his father�s cheek. Something told him that his dad would need a few moments alone to talk to Tess, so he quietly walked back to his momma. Max waited until Noah was out of earshot before he broke down into tears. The tears he cried were tears of joy. Joy because he had a wonderful son - a son that he was extremely proud of. He wiped away at the wetness in his eyes. �Isn�t he amazing?� He laughed a little. �I can�t really believe that he�s my son. It�s almost too good to be true.� His hand shimmied down the path that Noah�s hand had gone. �You should be proud of him, Tess. He�s a really good kid. He�s smart, he�s kind, and he�s loving. It sounds corny, I know. But it�s true. Liz did an amazing job raising him with me. We make a great team.� �I always thought that when I�d come back here to see you, that I�d be alone. And surprisingly, I�m not. It�s nothing short of a miracle. I found the most incredible woman in the world. And you know what the amazing thing is?�.She loves me for who I am. She took our son, and loved him like he was hers. And then she gave me a beautiful daughter.� He let out a shaky breath. �Noah�s right, you know. We�re not glad that you�re gone. Losing you was one of the hardest things I�ve ever had to face. The pain I went through is something I wouldn�t wish on my worst enemy. But your departure gave Noah and I a brand new start. It gave us Liz and Leah.� He bent his head. �I hope you don�t hate me for feeling this way.� Max stayed silent for a few minutes. �Before I let Liz meet you, I have some good news to share with you.� He smiled widely, this time without any hidden hurt in his eyes. �Your dad has finally come around, Tess. He met with Noah today�..Your mom and your dad really love him. It�s too bad that you weren�t around long enough to see the smiles on their faces when they were together. But if Liz is right, you were probably there watching over us when it unfolded.� He spoke to Tess for a few more moments before he brought over the whole family. Liz put down a fresh bouquet of forget-me-nots. She kneeled down as she spoke. �Hi Tess. I�m Liz. I hope that you don�t mind that I�m here, but I wanted to meet you so I could say thank you for bringing the most wonderful boy into the world. I�m sorry that you�re not here to raise him as you should be, but I want to reassure you that I�m taking good care of him. And Max too,� she added. �They�ve given my life meaning and made me realize what�s really important in life. I hope you know how much they love you. You�re connected to them forever and nothing will ever change that.� She stood up, wiping her knees. �Thank you for giving me heaven, Tess.� Back Next |