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| Part 41 ******************* Max rolled over to his side, mumbling a curse under his breath as someone kicked him in the stomach. Rubbing the recently attacked body part, he opened his eye into a slit to find out the cause of the pain. It took a moment for his eye to focus in the darkened room, but it didn�t take long for him to recognize the dark little head burrowed against his wife�s pillow. Bringing his hand to rub at his eyes, he sat up, shaking his head as he looked at his bare legs. He looked towards his wife�s side of the bed, chuckling at the way the blanket was tangled over her and their precious little daughter. He had no idea when his little girl had made it over to their bed, but she always managed to squeeze herself between her momma and daddy, sometime during the night. Leaning down, he brushed away his daughter�s soft locks, marveling how much her hair reminded him of Liz�s. He gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before settling back down on his side of the bed to get some sleep. But of course, the moment he found himself in the state of almost dreaming, the sweet voice of his daughter brought him back to the land of the wakeful. �Daddy? You sleepin�?� Max decided to have a little fun with her, pretending that he was immersed in his dreams. He even started snoring for effect. He felt the bed shift, thinking that Leah had gone back to sleep, but instead, he felt her weight settle on his chest. He resisted the urge to grunt as she tried to make herself comfortable, her face hovering over his. She pressed her small palms against his cheeks, her button nose resting against his as she breathed through her mouth, the smell of her toothpaste laden breath, tickling his nose. �You �wake?� Wiggling his fingers, he started tickling her sides. �No! Go back to sleep, puddin�.� Leah squirmed against him, giggling uncontrollably. Worried that his daughter�s laughter would wake up his wife, he snapped his head in her direction, to find her sound asleep. She was so asleep he figured she could sleep through a war and she wouldn�t even realize it. But he didn�t want to take the chance of waking her, so he placed a finger to Leah�s lips, asking her to be quite. �Shh, darlin�. Momma�s asleep.� Looking at her sleeping mother, Leah held a tiny fist to her mouth. �I sorry.� Max flipped her over so that she was lying between him and Liz, as he tucked the blanket securely under her chin. �It�s okay, baby. Just go back to sleep.� She frowned at him, sticking out her bottom lip. �I not a baby!� He laughed, remembering how Noah used to say that same exact phrase when he was younger. �I�m sorry. My mistake.� He kissed her forehead again, settling down beside her. �And I not sleepy,� she yawned before curling into her father�s chest. She reached out behind her, searching for her mother�s hand. Before she could utter another protestation, she was sound asleep, leaving a chuckling Max before he joined her. ***************** �Whatcha doin�?� Madison sat in her high chair, watching as her dad moved around the kitchen with practiced ease. �I�m making breakfast.� He held the skillet in his hand, doing a little dance around the twins as they fought over their lunches. �Watch out, boys! Skillet�s hot!� He laced each plate with pancakes, before slipping the bottle of syrup from his pants� pocket. �I wan the syrup, daddy!� Madison reached for the syrup, only to have Kyle wag his finger at her playfully. �It�ll rot your teeth if you have too much.� He smiled at her before ushering the boys to sit at the table. �Go ahead and start on breakfast. I�m gonna go get your mom.� Dexter, nodded at Kyle with a forkful of pancakes in his mouth. �Ok, dad.� When Kyle was gone, he slipped Damian the syrup bottle, letting his twin brother pour a generous amount on their little sister�s stack of pancakes. Damian giggled, as he put a finger to his lips. �Don�t tell dad that I gave you more syrup, �kay Maddie?� Madison pretended to lock her lips with an imaginary key, laughing as she watched her brother lick the remaining syrup from his hand. �Pinkie swear?� She held out her pinkie, smiling that she her older brothers were including her. �Pinkie!� Courtney came down the stairs with Kyle, stopping just outside of the kitchen to watch their kids. She could barely believe that three years had gone by. It made her heart swell to know that they were finally a family. �Everything okay?� Kyle came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he looked over her shoulder. She smiled, kissing his cheek. �Everything�s great. Couldn�t be more perfect.� ********************** Michael stood outside of the bathroom, listening to Maria retching on the other side. He frowned when she finally opened the door, looking pale and worn. She smiled at him weakly. �Don�t even say it. This happens to women when they�re pregnant. It�s only natural.� He cuddled her into his arms, resting his cheek on the top of her head. �Yeah, well it doesn�t make it any easier.� He sighed, rubbing his large palms soothingly down her back. �You know that if I could do the morning sickness for you, I would.� Laughing, she pulled away from him. �LIAR!� He laughed along with her. �Yeah, but don�t you feel so much better now?� ******************* �You be good for daddy, while I�m gone, okay?� Isabel kneeled down in front of her son, running her hands down his arms and his face. �Promise,� he said with a toothy grin. �Buh-bye, sweetie.� She kissed him on the cheek, standing up reluctantly. She turned to Alex, giving him a peck on the lips. �And you.....you be good for Gabe, okay?� she teased. Alex twined his fingers in her hair as he ushered her to the door. �Will do. I�ll make sure he and Leah keep me out of trouble today.� She waved from the driveway, sticking her head out of the car window. �Oh, give Leah kisses for me!� Holding Gabe�s hand, Alex stayed at the door, watching as Isabel drove away. ******************** Trying not to trip over his petite wife, Max went about filling his thermos with coffee. �Don�t they have coffee in the teacher�s lounge?� Liz looked up as she tied Leah�s long hair into a braid. �Yes, but it tastes like battery acid.� Noah laughed, spewing the milk from his cereal out of his mouth. �That�s a good one, dad.� He picked up his bowl, bringing it to the sink. Leah reached out her arms to her brother. �I wanna go to school wit you.� �You do?� He tipped his head to the side, studying her closely. �But you�re not big enough to go to school.� �Pees?� She begged, holding her hands together as she batted her eyelashes at him. Max and Liz watched from the side, laughing as they watched Leah work her puppy eyes on her brother. �You know that she got that from you,� Max whispered in Liz�s ear. The two of them watched as Noah picked Leah up from her chair, giving her a piggyback ride. �Okay, you can be my back pack.� He twirled her around in a circle, laughing when he heard her excited squeals. Liz looked at her husband, smiling innocently. �And I must say, she�s got it down pat.� Max looked about ready to chase her, but Liz held up her hand. �Don�t even think about it. You still have to pick up Jamie and Jade.� Grudgingly, Max picked up his keys and his bag. �Noah, let�s go.� Noah looked over his shoulder at his sister. �I gotta go, Leelee. I�ll see you later.� He put her on the ground, turning to get his book bag. �But I wanna go wit you!� She yelled, her bottom lip trembling. �Peees?� �Not today, sweetie. Noah and daddy have school.� Liz pushed a stray strand of Leah�s dark hair out of her face, shaking her head as she eyed the now messy braid. �And remember, you�re supposed to spend the day with Gabe and Uncle Alex, today?� �Gabe!� She ran into the living room, grabbing her powerpuff girl�s backpack. She took Liz�s hand. �Les go to Unca Alex, momma.� Max bent down, picking up Leah in his arms. �I see how it is. No goodbye kiss for your father?� She leaned her forehead against his. �You silly daddy.� She squeezed his cheeks together before giving him an extra loud zurbit. �I zurbit you.� Max laughed, giving her a zurbit as well. �I zurbit you too, puddin�.� He let her slide down his chest, as he leaned in to kiss his wife. �Any zurbits for me?� Liz hit his chest lightly, but not before kissing him. �Go before you�re late again!� The Evans men waved from the door, each carrying their bags as they scurried to the car. Liz grabbed her own keys in one hand, then grabbed Leah�s hand in the other. �Let�s go, baby.� Leah frowned at her. �I not a baby!� She whined. Part 42A ******************** �You ready for your camping trip this weekend?� Max stopped stuffing his duffel bag with his camping necessities. �Almost. Just a few things I�m missing.� He walked to where she was leaning against the door, pulling her against him as he wrapped his arms around Liz. He touched his forehead to hers. �Now, if only that duffel bag was big enough to fit you and Leah inside,� he said with a laugh. �Max Evans, don�t you even think about trying to squeeze me or your daughter in the raggedy old bag.� She swatted his chest, but rubbed away any sting with her light caresses. �This is supposed to be a father/son weekend trip. I don�t think the other boys are going to appreciate that two women showed up.� He sighed heavily, his fingers twirling in her hair. �I guess not, but you know I�m going to miss my favorite ladies, right?� He nuzzled his stubbly chin over the top of her head. �I don�t know how I�m going to sleep without you. I haven�t done that�.God, I don�t even remember the last time I didn�t sleep without you in my arms.� Chuckling softly, she cuddled his waist. �You�ll live. Spending two nights away from me isn�t going to kill you,� she laughed. �It�ll probably do you some good to get away with the boys. You know, burping whenever you feel like it, scratching when you have the urge to�..� She was in a fit of hysterics at that point. �Yeah, well I like it better when you uh,� he waggled his eyebrows. �Scratch the urge.� �Yeah?� She had moved to stand on her tip toes, her lips hovering over his. Although she hadn�t said anything, she didn�t know how she was going to get along without him and Noah for the weekend. She had seen them everyday for almost eight years. This was going to be a lot harder than she had originally thought. Before she could give him a �proper� goodbye kiss, Noah stormed into their room, complaining about his sleeping bag. �Dad, I can�t get it to roll back the way it was.� Max reluctantly let go of Liz, as he exhaled a deep breath. He took the unzipped bag, scratching his head. �Didn�t we just zip this up last night?� Noah shrugged his shoulders. �Yeah, but Leah wanted to know what it was, so I showed her.� As if knowing that she was being spoken about, Leah toddled into the room with her backpack and Noah�s old Pooh Bear. �Wait for meeh!� She ran into Max�s arms, causing them to fall onto the carpet. �Woah, not so fast, little lady. Where do you think you�re going?� Max sat up with Leah tucked neatly in his lap. �Wit you and Noah. Noah says we going to sleep on the ground in the woofs.� She explained with wide eyes. She looked up to her mother, feeling a little sad. She tugged on her father�s sleeve. �Daddy, can we take momma too? I don�t want her to be lonely.� Max felt his heart constrict in his chest. He didn�t know how to break it to his little angel that the camping trip was not going to include her, even though he wanted to sneak her into his bag secretly. He looked up to his wife, seeing the same look of pain etched in his eyes. He hated being the bearer of bad news. And he especially hated it when he had to break his daughter�s heart. �Puddin�, I�m sorry, but we won�t be able to take momma with us.� Her round eyes clouded with tears at the mention that her momma couldn�t go. Feeling worse than when he started his speech, Max had to swallow thickly. �And I�m afraid you can�t go either, sweetie. It�s supposed to be a boys only camping trip.� He rushed forward, trying to reassure her. �But I promise, we�ll take a family camping trip soon.� But his words fell on deaf ears as Leah ran into her mother�s arms, crying. She buried her tear stained cheeks against Liz�s neck. �I don�t like boys,� she sniffled. Noah touched her shoulder gently, feeling his heart break at seeing his baby sister cried. �Even us, Leelee?� �Yes!� She wrapped her arms around Liz�s neck, refusing to look at her brother and father. Max felt his throat well up with tears as his miniature Liz cried her eyes out. He wanted to take her in his arms and make all of her hurt go away. �Puddin���� He walked up to Liz, stepping behind her so that he could look into Leah�s face. But she just turned the other way, not wanting to look at him. Alex�s car horn blasted from downstairs and he knew that it was time to leave. But that didn�t mean he wanted to. With her calm and soothing voice, Liz spoke to Noah softly. �Go ahead get your stuff. Uncle Alex is waiting outside.� He stood by the door reluctantly, not wanting to leave when he knew that Leah was still upset with him. Liz just smiled warmly at him, mouthing the words that everything would be okay as she hoisted Leah higher up on her hip. When Noah was gone, she turned to Max, urging him to do the same thing. �You two should really get going. The sooner you guys leave, the sooner you�ll come back.� Max nodded, touching his lips softly to hers. He grabbed his duffel bag, his hand touching Leah�s back as he spoke to her quietly. �You got a kiss for daddy, puddin�?� �No!� She looked at him with a trembling bottom lip before she cuddled against Liz. Seeing the crushed look in Max�s eyes, Liz put her hand on his arm reassuringly as she walked him to the front door. �It�ll be okay. She�ll get over it. Just leave your cell on, okay?� He walked slowly to Alex�s rented SUV. He sat in the passenger seat, his heart breaking as they drove away. Leah watched as her uncle Alex drove away with her brother and father. She looked at her mother, crying all over again. �My loved ones are gone,� she whispered. �Oh honey,� Liz wrapped her daughter in her arms, feeling her sadness. She would miss her boys too, but it was a different story for her daughter. She didn�t understand that in two days they would be back and that they weren�t purposefully leaving her behind. Making a snap decision, she grabbed her keys and her purse. If the boys were going to have their guys only camping trip, then there was no reason for the girls not to have a weekend together. Part 42B ******************** �You okay, uncle Max?� Gabe followed Max as he tried to set up their tent. �You have an upside down smile,� he said thoughtfully. Max let himself smile a little, despite his heavy heart. �I�m okay, Gabe. I�m just missing, Leah and your auntie Liz.� �That�s what�s got your boxers in a twist?� Laughed Kyle. He shook out his sleeping bag, keeping a close eye on the twins as they played with Noah by the clearing. �Yeah, well it looks like Max isn�t the only one. Noah�s been wearing that, someone ran over my puppy look the whole drive out here.� Alex added. �You two are so the same, it�s kind of scary.� He laughed. Michael looked up from where he was trying to start a fire. �Hey, could we keep talking about the girl�s to a minimum? This was supposed to be a guys becoming one with nature weekend.� Max raised his eyebrow. �You have your cell phone on?� �Yeah,� Michael answered warily. Turning to Kyle, Max tipped his head to the side. �How many times, did he call Maria on the way over here?� Kyle was beside himself with laughter, his hands coming up to his eyes as he tried to wipe away the tears. �I�d have to say, it�s a good thing that he signed up for the unlimited weekends plan.� Max held up his arms, looking smug. �I rest my case. I don�t think that we can stop thinking about the girls even if we wanted to.� He sat down on the ground, pulling his knees up to his chest. �It kind of makes me wonder how they�re doing without us.� *************** Maria giggled over a fresh batch of popcorn. �Michael called me like a million times on the way over to Frasier Woods. I seriously thought about keeping the phone off the hook just to see how bad he�d flip out.� �Ooohh, girl....you are so evil. The poor guy would probably have a heart attack before the babies are even born.� Isabel leaned over Maria�s protruding belly, reaching for the popcorn. �Yeah, well I think I speak for all women out there when I say that it�s one thing to have a loving husband fawning over you, but there�s just times when you want to hurl him out the window because he won�t let you do anything without his assistance. It�s like suddenly, he thinks you�re an invalid because you�re carrying his kids.� Maria poked her finger in the air. Liz just laughed. �Yeah, well at least Michael didn�t have a broken heart before he left. Max was ready to cry when Leah wouldn�t kiss him goodbye.� Courtney looked up from where she was picking up Madison and Leah�s toys. �Are you sure you�re talking about Max and Leah? I always thought that there was an abundance of kisses with your family,� she teased as she sat on the sofa with the rest of the women. �Oh believe me, I don�t think anyone in my family can leave the room without someone getting a hug or a kiss, but Leah was so upset that it was a boys only camping trip. She thought they were leaving her behind because they didn�t want her around.� Liz looked to Courtney. �I�m surprised that Maddie isn�t upset that her dad and her brothers are gone.� Courtney just shrugged. �Oh she was, but the minute she saw Leah, I think she forgot about her daddy leaving her behind. I think barbie has her mind otherwise occupied,� she winked. Isabel shook her hands in the air. �Alright, enough talking about the boys. I�m pretty sure that they�re not moping around the campsite thinking about us.� ************** �GIVE IT!� Michael jumped over the pile of wood that he had collected, trying to catch Kyle as he ran away with his cell phone. �Michael, no more calling home. If you call again, you�re going to make Maria crazy. And if you make her crazy, you do know that she�s going to call all of our wives, and by the time we get home, we�re going to get our ears chewed out for going on this camping trip, when we obviously would rather stay home.� Kyle hid the phone behind his back, tossing it to Alex. �You know, he�s right. And I have a feeling you�ll get it the worst since it was your idea to take this trip.� Alex slipped Michael�s phone in his pocket, making sure that Michael wouldn�t be tempted to take it. Huffing, Michael slid to the ground, mumbling incoherently. �Yeah, well I didn�t want to take this trip. My mom suggested that I give Maria space before I drive her insane with trying to take care of her.� He shook his head, trying to get his mind off of calling Maria. There had to be something they could all do together without completely losing it and calling home. After all, it would only be one more day and one more night. �Uh.....has anyone seen Max?� ********************** Max wandered around the camp grounds, trying to get a signal as he tried calling Liz. She had asked him to leave his phone on, and he was worried to death that she hadn�t called him yet. �C�mon....pick up.� Liz heard her phone ringing from inside her purse. She quietly excused herself, walking into the kitchen to get some privacy. �Hello?� �Liz,� Max breathed her name like a prayer, his jangled nerves resting a little easier. She couldn�t help but chuckle into the phone. �Everything okay? You sound troubled.� �You weren�t answering at home, and I couldn�t get a stupid signal,� he took a quick breath, a smile tinting his voice. �Remind me to switch to a better cell phone company when I get home?� �Max...� Max fiddled with his shirt button, his boot covered toes kicking up dirt as he walked around restlessly. �So uhm....is she....is Leah still mad at me?� He could feel his heart pressing against his chest heavily, his breathing labored as he waited for Liz to lay it out on him for being a terrible father for leaving his precious girls at home when he was off gallivanting in the woods with the boys. �Why don�t you ask her yourself? She�s standing right here.� Liz leaned down, beckoning Leah to come closer to her. �Honey, there�s someone on the phone for you.� Leah�s big brown eyes were wide as she took Liz�s cell phone in her tiny hand. She held it against her ear, knowing instantly that it was her father. �Daddy, I mish you.� Max felt his heart thunder against his ribs at the sound of Leah�s voice. It was like music to his ears. �I miss you too, puddin�. I hope you�re not mad at me.� Giggling into the phone, Leah twisted her barbie in her hand as she listened to her father. �I not mad, daddy. I just mish you. An Noah.� She answered, already having forgotten that she had been upset at her father no more than a few hours ago. �Come home soon, daddy.� She puckered her lips against the phone. �Kisses.....Mwuah...� Holding a hand against his chest, he breathed a sigh of relief, a smile curling over his frown. �I will, puddin�.....� Leah gave the phone back to her mother, grabbing Madison�s hand and leading her into the living room where the rest of their toys were. �Feeling better?� Liz asked. �Much. I was thinking about driving back home tonight.� �Maaax,� she playfully whined. �You really worry too much. You should have fun with the boys before you return home to me.� His eyebrows quirked up in interest. �Why does it sound like my beautiful wife has something in store for me by the time I get home?� Liz twisted her wedding ring on her finger, before tracing the two emeralds nestled amongst the diamonds. �Let�s just say that I miss you too and can�t wait for you to come home.� Isabel came into the kitchen carrying the empty bowls of chips and popcorn when she shook her head in disgust as she caught sight of her sister-in-law. Grabbing the phone from Liz, she smiled wickedly. �Max Evans, you leave Liz alone. This is a girls weekend and we�ll see you guys when you get back.� With that she promptly hung up the phone, laughing when it started ringing again in less than a few minutes. She looked at Liz, laughing. �You better make it quick. If Maria catches you, she�ll throw a fit.� She winked at Liz, before leaving. �And tell Max to tell Alex and Gabe that I love them.� Liz waited until Isabel left before answering the phone again. �You better make this good because I only have a few minutes,� she joked. Part 42C ********************* �A few minutes, huh? That�s all your loving husband will get?� Max�s deep voice rumbled against the phone, leaving Liz�s insides to tremor with anticipation. Liz found her breathing strained as she tried to let the words past her lips. �Well, if you find yourself all alone and awake during the night, I�ll make it sure to make it worth your while if you call home.� Max clenched his free hand into a tight fist, his eyes closing as his imagination ran wild with possibilities of a late night phone rendezvous. �It sounds like you�re giving me no other choice. You make a pretty good deal, Mrs. Evans.� Her musical laughter echoed against the phone, tickling his ear. �That�s why I�m the brains in the family, and you�re the beauty,� she teased. �MAX!� Liz laughed into the phone as she heard someone call her husband�s name, followed by a curse from his lips. �Baby, I gotta go. I�ll make sure to call you later,� he whispered huskily. With her pulse quickening, she nodded even though she knew that he couldn�t see her. �I�ll be waiting.� Before she hung up, she heard Alex threatening to take Max�s cell phone away if he didn�t hang up, resulting in a growl from Max. Liz just shook her head laughing before whispering a heated goodbye. Returning to the living room, Liz came upon her friends, sprawled out on the plush carpet, looking lazy. �Hey, what the heck kind of a girls night is this?� She sat down with them, drumming her fingers together. �We should be doing something besides, eating junk food and sitting around.� Her eyes lit up with excitement. �I vote we go out, do a little shopping, have a fancy dinner, ooohh....maybe we could stop by La Tiazza for some hot chocolate at the end of the night.� Maria rolled over, struggling to get up. �I�m with Liz. I wanna go out and do something.� She stretched out her maternity dress, frowning at it in disgust. �The fancy dinner sounds good. I could get dressed up, and prettified without Michael breathing down my neck for pushing myself,� she said slyly. Courtney stood up as well, liking the idea of the girls getting dressed up just for the sake of it. Lord knows they never had the time to do anything like that anymore. �Yeah, well I get the feeling that Michael would be breathing down your neck for an entirely different reason if you were gussied up.� Scoffing, Maria leaned her hand over her aching lower back. �Yeah, well Michael Guerin can keep his hands to himself. He�s the reason why I have two little kickers in here,� she said affectionately, belying the sarcasm of her words. Isabel clapped her hands together excitedly. �This will be soooo much fun.� She turned to Liz and Courtney. �Are you guys bringing the girls too?� Liz looked at Courtney, biting her lip as she mulled it over. �I don�t know. If I take her out with us tonight, she�ll be out like a light by the time we get home.� She slipped her purse over her shoulder. �She won�t even have time to ask for her daddy to tuck her in.� Which would be very convenient when Max called later on for their late night tryst, she thought silently. Courtney smiled, liking Liz�s line of thinking. �And it would be kind of fun to dress them up.� Maria and Isabel�s eyes widened with awe, both wishing that they had daughters they could dress up. Looking at the clock, Isabel calculated in her mind the plan of action. �Alright, here�s the plan. We take two hours to get dolled up, I go pick up Courtney and Maddie. Liz you and Leah pick up Maria here, then we all meet at Chez Pierre for dinner.� She looked up to the other girls to see if they agreed. �Sound good?� All of the ladies put their hands in a circle, smiling at each other. �It�s a plan!� Madison ran into the living room, holding Leah�s hand. They pushed into the circle, smiling. �We wanna play too.� ********************* The men gathered around in a circle, playing cards as the four boys huddled together with Noah telling them a story. Max looked up from his hand of cards, smiling at the sight of his son, entertaining the younger boys. He was proud to see his son take on responsibility for the other boys since he was the oldest. He made sure that the little ones were having fun. �Your turn, Max.� Kyle elbowed him. Nodding, Max scratched his head again before putting a handful of trail mix on the blanket. His eyebrows quirked up in playful competition. �Does anyone have any fives?� Alex smirked, dropping two Hershey�s kisses in the growing pile of munchies in their card circle. �Nope. Go Fish!� Max groaned, picking up a card from the stack. When he found a pair, he pointed a finger at Alex, sticking out his tongue as he made a pair. All eyes turned to Michael when it was his turn. He looked down at his cards, chewing on his nails as he tried to figure out a strategy. �Does anyone have any ki- ......No, uhm, does anyone have any eight- wait....does anyone have- Slapping his hand against his head, Kyle shook his head in frustration. �Michael, just pick a card. This isn�t rocket science.� Michael pulled his cards closer to his chest. �Don�t get testy with me, just because you�ve lost every hand tonight, Valenti.� Alex rubbed his fingers over his temples. �Remind me again why we didn�t just play poker instead?� Max just laughed. �Because Michael and Kyle said it would be more fun this way.� He tapped his finger against his temple. �What was it they said? Something about the challenge of Go Fish.� Michael waved his hand in dismissal of Max�s laughter. �Yeah, yeah. Yak it up, all you want, Max. Because I�m going to sleep a winner tonight.� He grinned mischievously. �Does anyone have any twos?� Part 42D ***************** Sitting on her parent�s bed, Leah swung her legs back and forth as she watched her mother get ready for their fancy dinner. She loved sitting back and watching her mother get dolled up. She wanted to be just as beautiful as her momma when she grew up. Liz tightened the towel around her head, smiling when she caught sight of Leah in the mirror. Seeing Leah watch her with so much awed attention reminded her of the times she used to watch her mother in the same fashion when she had been that age. Turning around, she held out her arms. �You wanna help momma get ready, sweetie?� Leah nodded, her dark head bobbing enthusiastically as she let her mom sit her on top of the dresser. Her eyes were wide as she watched Liz apply makeup on, her cute little lips curving into a round shape. Pointing out her finger, she touched Liz�s tube of lipstick experimentally. �Waz this?� Curling her hand over Leah�s tiny fist, Liz took the lipstick and applied it to her lips with a smile. �It�s lipstick. It helps momma to look pretty.� With obvious fascination, Leah pointed to her lips. �I wanna be purdie too, momma.� Liz chuckled, capping the lipstick closed. �I�m afraid you�re a little too young to wear makeup, but�..� She dug into her makeup bag, reaching for the strawberry lip gloss she usually wore instead of the dramatic lipstick. Regardless of her age, she couldn�t part with it. Besides, Max had often mentioned how much he liked the strawberry flavor, commenting how it made her kisses that much sweeter. Twisting the top open, she held it out in front of Leah. �Make fish lips for momma, honey.� Obliging, Leah puckered her lips, sucking in her cheeks as Liz applied the clear coat of gloss. When Liz was done, she smacked her lips together, telling Leah to do the same. Leah couldn�t quite smear her lips together without getting it all over the side of her lip. Giggling, she stuck out her tongue, licking away the mess that she had made. Her grin grew even wider, as she pronounced with great childish exuberance. �Mmm, yummy!� Liz shook her head, laughing at how much Leah sounded like her father. She picked up her blush, brushing over a light layer to give her cheeks a little color. �Don�t eat it all, sweetie.� Leah nodded, placing her hands neatly in her lap as she continued to watch her mother in adoring fascination. As soon as Liz had dropped the brush, Leah brushed it over her chubby cheeks, mimicking her mother�s every move. �Are we makin� uselves purdie for daddy?� She asked absently as took to combing her long mane. �Not tonight. We�re getting pretty just for ourselves tonight,� Liz answered with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She let her long silky hair drape over her shoulders as she held out two dresses over her petite body. �Which one do you like better?� She held the conservative black dress over her chest, making a face. �Black�or�.� Her heart beat faster as she held her slinky red dress over her body. She had bought this dress years ago, but the memories that it invoked made her knees knock together. It was only fitting that Max would be calling her later that evening. Making a face, Leah pointed to the red one. �Red. Daddy likes it when you wear red.� With eyebrows raised, Liz couldn�t help but ask how Leah knew that. �How do you know your daddy likes it when I wear red?� Leah shrugged her shoulders, twirling her frilly skirt in a circle. �He oways smiles funny an den his tummy makes noises.� She stopped dancing around, scrunching her face into a tiny little ball as she growled. �Like this�.grrrr�.� Liz had to hold a hand to her stomach as she picked Leah up in her arms, kissing her soft cheeks. She had to hand it to her daughter, she was one perceptive child. But then again, Max had always been incapable of hiding his true feelings. �You ready to go, babe?� �Weddie!� ************************ After losing to Alex in their competitive game of Go Fish, all of the boys gathered around the camp fire as they toasted marshmallows. Michael�s brown eyes twinkled in the fire light as he rubbed his hands together. �So who�s up for some scary stories?� Kyle shook his head, thinking about the younger boys� well being. He didn�t want them to get nightmares. �I don�t know�.� Damian looked up at Kyle with pleading blue eyes. �Pleaasse dad? I promise Dexter and I won�t get scared.� Kyle laughed at Damian�s reassurance. He looked at Alex, wondering if he would agree to it considering he had the youngest of the boys. Alex just shrugged his shoulders, pulling Gabe to his side protectively. �I say we go for it. This may be the only time we get to do this without the girls telling us that this isn�t a good idea.� Clapping his hands together, Michael grinned roguishly. �It all began on a night, just like this. Four young boys, came out here to the woods for a camping trip. Everything was going as it should, except for a strange howling they heard.� All of the boys listened to Michael intently, their eyes wide with a tinge of fear. �What was it, Uncle Michael?� Michael looked down, contorting his face to look evil. �Well you�ll just have to wait for the rest of the story, Dexter.� He threw his head back, letting out a maddening laugh that had everyone gasping in fright. Noah scooted closer to his father, feeling the hairs on his neck stand up at the sound of Michael�s maniacal laugh. Max smiled, looking down at Noah. �You okay, champ?� He whispered. Noah just nodded, pretending to brave and not all scared of the story being told. �Uh huh.� �Good.� Max just opened up his arm, letting Noah sit beside him. He sensed that Noah was getting a little scared, but he didn�t want to embarrass him. Noah gave his dad a small smile, thankful for the respite that his father�s presence provided. Father and son grinned at each other for a second longer before returning their attention back to Michael�s crazy antics. Part 42E **************** �After looking into his eyes, the young peasant girl fell instantly in love with the handsome young prince. But she knew it couldn�t be, because he was royalty and she was a nobody.� Leah rubbed her chubby fists over her sleep laden eyes as she listened to her mother�s story intently. She had heard her momma tell her this story every night before she fell asleep, but she still couldn�t help but get excited about what was going to happen. Tugging on Liz�s wrist, she turned big brown eyes at her mother. �Does he fall in lub wiv her too momma? Huh? Does he?� Liz just smiled, holding a finger to her lips. �Well, you know how the story goes, but unfortunately, it�s time for light�s out.� She reached over Leah�s bedside, switching off the lamp as the nightlight illuminated the room with pink dancing ballerinas and blue ponies. �Oh, but momma...� Leah crossed her arms over her chest, pouting as she tried to get Liz to finish the story. �You habn�t telled me when they kiss yet...or, or, when the prince mawwies her, or when they hab babies....� Cocking her eyebrow teasingly, Liz leaned down so that her face was just inches from her daughter�s. �If I haven�t told you the rest of the story, then how come you know what�s going to happen?� Pointing to her temple, she looked at her mother seriously. �I �membered it in here.� She smiled, touching her mother�s hand gently. �But I like it better when you tell it.� �You�re smooth, little lady, but you�re not off the hook,� she laughed. �I still say it�s time for some sleep.� �Momma?� �Hmmm?� �How come your prince charming story isn�t in a book?� She asked seriously. Liz was taken aback by Leah�s statement, wondering why in the world, her three year old was asking a question like that. �Because, honey, it�s just a story I made up.� She tapped the side of her head, in mimicry of Leah�s earlier action. �It�s all in here.� Leah smiled at her mom. �You should make it a book, momma....I�d read it.� Touching her heart to her chest, Liz felt like she had been given the best compliment in the whole world. Come to think of it, she had never really thought about writing. She had done her fair share of short stories, and mindless thoughts in a journal, but she had just done it to pass the time. It was never something she considered seriously. She shook her head, laughing quietly. �Well, thank you, sweet cheeks. I appreciate the vote of confidence, but right now, you need to close your pretty eyes and start dreaming.� Leah shrugged her shoulders, cuddling Noah�s old pooh bear to her chest as she unsuccessfully stifled a yawn. �But I not sleepy yet,� she argued, her expressive eyes covered by her heavy lids. Liz kissed the top of her head, smoothing out Leah�s hair so that it fanned across the pillow. �The sooner you go get some shuteye, the sooner daddy and Noah will come home.� But it didn�t matter what Liz said, because Leah had already fallen asleep, her face snuggled against the pillow. Liz pulled the blanket under Leah�s chin snugly, her hand stroking Leah�s cheek softly. She stood up, walking to the door backwards as she watched her little angel sleep. She could barely believe how big she had gotten. It seemed just like yesterday that Max had brought both of them home from the hospital. It made her nostalgic for holding a baby in her arms. She sort of wished that she had taken more time off work to stay home with the baby, but that was neither here, nor there. She wiped at her suddenly misty eyes, wondering why she was getting so emotional over nothing. Chastising herself, she returned to her bedroom, slipping into one of Max�s old t-shirts. She loved the comfort it provided and the way his smell lingered. She looked at the big bed and heaved a sigh. As much fun as she had had with the girls, she missed her boys. Grabbing the phone, she jumped into the bed, dialing Max�s cell phone number. ************* Max lay still in his sleeping bag, waiting for everyone to fall asleep so that he could go and have his midnight rendezvous with Liz. But it was a lot harder to do than he anticipated, as the men had been left with four boys, scared out of their minds after Michael�s session of scary stories. The boys had all refused to sleep, claiming that they could hear the same howling sound that Michael had described in his story. He had to wonder why they had thought that telling scary stories sounded like a good idea. He was silent as he heard some shuffling and hushed whispers. He squinted his eyes in the dark, sitting up to see what was going on. Gabe slipped out of his sleeping bag, and crawled over his father�s snoring form. He kneeled down beside his cousin, his hand shaking Noah�s shoulder urgently. �Noah, you wake?� Noah�s soft voice permeated the small tent. �Yeah. Is everything okay, Gabe?� His voice was tinted with concern as he looked up to see his younger cousin hovered over him. �Noah, I�m scared.� Noah nodded, then unzipped his sleeping bag. He shimmied to the side, making room for Gabe as he held the flap open. �You want to sleep with me, tonight?� Nodding eagerly, Gabe slipped into Noah�s sleeping bag, his head resting on Noah�s arm. �Thank you.� Smiling, Noah just zipped up the bag. �You�re welcome. Let�s get some sleep.� Max smiled, as he lay back down. His heart swelled to bursting at what he just witnessed. Noah was a terrific older brother. And not just to his little sister, but to all of the other kids. They all looked up to him, and he brought it upon himself to look out for everyone. He thought quietly about what it would be like to have another child, maybe a little boy. His smile grew wider at an image of Noah holding a little boy�s hand that resembled him and Liz. His thoughts were interrupted at the vibration in his pocket. Digging in, he picked up his cell phone, using his lowest whisper to answer. �Hello?� �Max.� He sighed against the phone as he heard the way she breathed his name. �I miss you, baby.� �I miss you too.� Suddenly, he heard a few shuffles and whispers coming from her end of the line. �What�s going on?� Liz�s voice trailed across the line ruefully. �You�re daughter managed to find her way to our bed.� She giggled. �She says she can�t sleep because she can�t smell you.� Max had to cover his hand to his mouth at the image of his precious little puddin� cuddling herself to his wife. �That�s definitely a mood killer,� he joked. Sounding regretful, Liz whispered. �I�m sorry, baby. I know that- He interrupted her with his deep, tenor voice. �Don�t worry about it. I�m pretty much in a bind myself.� �Oh really? What happened?� Max just rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation. �I�ll tell you all about it when we come home. In the mean time, promise me one thing?� �Anything.� �Dream of me?� He shook his head at his corniness, but he couldn�t change who he was. And who he was, was a cornball husband, who was goofy and insanely in love with his wife, that he had no control over what he said. She smiled against the phone. �I already am.� They were both silent against the phone, just enjoying the sound of the other�s breath. As if on cue, they both replied quickly into the phone. �I love you.� They laughed at their predictability, wishing that there were a way that they could reach through the phone lines and touch each other. For now, they had to settle with the knowledge that two days apart would give them ample opportunity to make up for lost time. Back Next |