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| Part 43A **************** Dancing around the kitchen with an extra hop to her skip, Liz hummed softly under her breath as she busied herself with a welcome back home lunch for her boys. They were scheduled to be home soon, and she was just beside herself with excitement. Leah sat on the kitchen counter with the phone held tightly against her ear, laughing as she watched her mother sway her hips as she stirred the bowl of cake mix. �When you comin� home, daddy?� Max packed up his sleeping bag, glad that he had bought the hands free cell phone attachment as he listened to his daughter ramble on in his ear. �We�ll be home before you know it puddin�.� He watched as the other guys put away their gear, his head shaking from side to side. The lot of them had decided to pack it up a day early, not being able to resist going home to their wives. So much for the men bonding with nature weekend, he thought amusedly. Opening her mouth wide, Leah licked at the spoon that her mother gave her, getting chocolate everywhere as she spoke. �Come home soon, daddy. Momma and I have a surprise for you and Noah,� she said in a sing song voice. �Oh really?� Max laughed at his daughter�s teasing. �You think you could spill the beans to your old pop?� �Not on your life, Mr. Evans.� �Liz?� Sitting back, Max was stunned to hear his wife�s voice on the other end of the phone instead of his daughter�s. Clearing his throat, he tried to play it cool. �I miss you, baby.� Liz just laughed into the phone as she put the cake into the oven. �Don�t even try it. I already caught you.� She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, making a tsk sound. �Shame on you, trying to get your daughter to ruin our surprise.� His husky laugh filtered through the phone, causing Liz to shiver in anticipation. �Yeah, well you can�t blame a guy for trying. Besides,� he argued. �It wasn�t like I promised her a pony or anything.� �A PONY?� Liz placed her free hand on her hip, trying not to laugh at the image of her husband bribing their three year old with the promise of a pony just so that he could find out what the surprise was. �Have you completely lost your marbles?� �Yes, I have.� He grinned a mischievous grin as he helped Alex pile the stuff back into the car. �With no help from you of course,� he snorted. Liz just giggled, but leaned down when Leah tugged on her apron with a chocolate covered hand. Smiling a chocolatey grin, Leah spoke loudly, in the hopes that her father would hear her. �Momma, I wan a pohnee!� �Did you hear that? I hope you�re happy.� Picking up Leah, Liz rinsed her face clean, discarding off the wooden spoon much to Leah�s disappointment. �But I wasn finished momma.� She pouted, crossing her arms over her tiny chest. She batted her insanely long eyelashes, pleading with Liz to let her lick the spoon clean. �Pees, momma? If ya let me lick the spoon, den I won�t tell daddy about his- Promptly covering her daughter�s chattering mouth, Liz spoke hurriedly into the phone. �Love you, Max. Talk to you later.� With that, Max stared at his cell phone as he heard the click on the other end of the line. Rolling his eyes playfully, Michael rolled his eyes. �Would you quit with the someone ran over my puppy look? You�ll see your wife and daughter soon enough.� Max sniffed, cocking his head back as he put away his phone. �So how long before Maria hung up on you?� �Five minutes.� Kyle looked at Michael in obvious amusement, wondering how it was possible that he could get Maria riled up so easily. �What did you say this time?� Michael shrugged, flabbergasted that they assumed that it was his fault. �Hey, all I asked was how her hormones were treating her before she went all physco on me. She just started yelling and complaining about keeping it in my pants or else she would sentence me to life on the couch.� Covering Damian�s ears, Kyle tried to keep a straight face. �Hey, PG environment here?� Noah looked at his father in confusion. He didn�t understand why all of the men were laughing. He turned to Michael, his expression befuddled. �What does auntie Maria want you to keep in your pants?� he asked innocently. Michael turned a million different shades of red, his eyes flying to Max where he was waving his hands like crazy. Running his finger across his throat, Max�s eyes looked ready to bug out of it�s sockets. Coughing to hide his embarrassment, Michael gestured to Max. �Uh, I don�t think....uhm....maybe you should ask your dad?� Noah turned to look at his father who was shooting daggers at Michael. �Dad?� Max fanned his cheeks with his hand as he patted Noah on the shoulder. �I think that maybe, that�s a question you�re going to have to ask your mom.� He tugged at his shirt collar, trying to get some circulation in his veins. �She�s real good with that stuff.� Noah looked at the discomfort on Max�s face and just shook his head. �Forget I asked.� He climbed into the back seat, strapping on his seat belt. He looked at all the men one last time, noting the various shades of crimson coloring their cheeks as they tried to keep from laughing. �You guys are weird.� **************** Making a mental check of everything for their special family lunch, Liz smoothed down the skirt of her dress, as she spritsed a little perfume on her wrists and a smidge behind her ears. Leah ran into the room with a flourish, an excited gleam dancing in her eyes as she practically bounced off the walls. �Look what I can do, momma!� Revealing her teeth, Leah pushed her tongue against her big tooth, making it wobble. She grinned proudly, placing her hands on her hips. �I can make my teef dance.� Sighing, Liz tried to bite back her chuckle. She muttered under her breath as she took Leah�s hand in hers. �I knew letting you eat all those sweets was going to make all of your teeth fall out.� With horror etched on her face, Leah held her hand to her mouth, her round eyes shining with a thin sheen of tears. �But I don�t wan my teef to fall out.� Her body trembled with her tears as she looked up at Liz pleadingly. �I promise no more sweets. Jus don�t let my teef fall out.� �Sweet cheeks, you don�t have to swear of the sweet stuff.� She stroked Leah�s back soothingly as she kissed away the tears. �You just have to learn about moderation.� Hiccupping, Leah listened to her mother, with unrestrained curiosity. She loved it when her momma used big words. She hoped to be just as smart as her mother when she grew up. �Modewation?� �That�s right.� Liz rambled on about the technicalities as they waited downstairs, her voice giddy with excitement. �But you know what the best part about losing your teeth, is?� Leah held her hands up in the air, her head tilted to the side. �What?� Liz leaned her head down conspiratorially. �The tooth fairy.� �Toof faiwee?� Leah whispered the words as if she were being told an ancient secret. �Yup. When your teeth falls out, you put it under your pillow, and when you go to sleep, the tooth fairy comes and takes your tooth and leaves you a surprise.� Clapping her hands together, Leah could barely keep her excitement in check. �Ooohh, I like surprises.� Before Liz could respond, the door burst open with two grinning Evans men. �Honey, we�re home!� Part 43B **************** �DADDY!� Squealing with delight, Leah shook from side to side, then made a beeline for her father. Throwing herself in his open embrace, she placed wet kisses on his face. �Mom!� Noah dropped his backpack onto the floor, running to his mom for a hug. Although he had not said anything, he was glad that they were back. He missed his mother. �I got you something.� Picking up his backpack, he ripped open the zipper, pulling out a fresh handful of daisies. He scratched behind his ear as he smiled sheepishly. �I know they�re not white roses, but....� �Oh precious,� She held the small bouquet to her chest as she placed a kiss on top of his head. �Thank you. I love them.� Leah slapped her hands against Max�s chest as she asked him to put her down. She stepped up to her brother, holding her hands behind her back as she swayed from side to side shyly. �You got somefin� for me too?� Noah bit back his smile, shaking his head as he pretended that he had forgotten to get Leah something. Leah just nodded, her head hanging low. Her sad eyes looked up when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder, a smile spreading over her lips as she eyed the daisies in Noah�s hand. �Are dose for me?� Placing them in Leah�s small hand, he chuckled. �You didn�t think I�d forget you, did you?� Throwing her arms around her brother�s waist, Leah danced around in a circle, her excited giggles echoing in the room. Holding her brother�s hand, she walked to Liz, showing her mother the flowers she received. �Look momma, Noah got me flowers!� �I see that. Did you thank him?� Leah turned to her brother, grinning at him. �Thank you.� Tugging on his hand, she led him to the family room where her toys were set up. �Let�s play tea pahtee.� Wrapping his arms around Liz�s waist, Max nipped at her earlobe, his chin nuzzling her neck. �So much for missing her daddy.� He pretended to pout as he watched his ten year old succumb to playing tea party with his baby sister. Running the tips of her fingers over his forearm, Liz snuggled against the strength of his arms. �Well, it�ll give us a few minutes to get reacquainted,� she whispered suggestively. �I think I�m liking the way you think.� Turning her around in his arms, he bent his knees so that he was eye level with her, his fingers reaching up to run through the silken strands of her hair. Feigning hurt, Liz leaned back before he could kiss her. �So you only want me for my mind?� Giving her a feral grin, he bumped his hips against hers, letting her feel the beginning of his erection. �I think you and I both know that I love your mind, but....� His voice turned into a husky whisper, his hands reaching down to caress her hips. He smiled when he saw Liz�s eyes close involuntarily as he continued teasing her. �But I�ve always thought you were sexy as hell.� His breath fanned over her dark hair, making her shiver. �Especially when you wear red.� Before Liz could lose herself in any more of Max�s seduction, she burst out laughing, her hand resting on his shoulder for support. Frowning, Max looked down at her, wondering what it was that she found so hilarious. From his vantage point, he had not said anything that would cause her to weaken with laughter. In fact, he was trying to lead up into some dirty talk since they had missed out on their phone play, but he was beginning to think that maybe it was a good idea that they hadn�t been able to go through with it. It wasn�t doing his ego any good, hearing her laugh heartily at him. Especially when he was trying to ooze sexiness. He could actually feel his erection deflate in his pants. Liz wiped at her tears as she remembered Leah�s sentiments from before, her giggles bubbling forth again as an image of Leah growling reemerged in her mind. She didn�t mean to laugh, but it was just too funny to ignore. Finally regaining some control, she tilted her head up to look into Max�s eyes, only to see a flicker of hurt in his eyes. Sobering up, she touched his cheek. �Max?� He dropped his hold around her waist, feeling ridiculous all of a sudden. He felt his cheeks flame up, embarrassment making him stand rigid. �Nothing. We should check on the kids.� Not letting him get too far away, she grabbed his wrist, pushing him to sit on the big arm chair. She deposited herself in his lap so that he wouldn�t attempt to get away. �Don�t nothing me. I know something�s bothering you, and I for one am not moving a muscle until you tell me what�s going on.� Max found himself smiling a little at her persistence. She always knew when something was bothering him and she never let him wallow in his own angst for too long. While she was a patient person, she also knew when the time was right to bring certain things up so that nothing stood between them. �I.....� He felt stupid under her loving gaze, feeling inadequate as she smoothed her feather light fingers over his tense muscles. He allowed his eyes to close for a second, soaking up the tenderness in which she touched him. God how deprived he felt for not being able to feel this - feel her for one agonizing day. He opened his eyes, speaking despite his burning ears. �It�s just....when you laughed....� Liz�s eyes grew wide as realization dawned on her. She didn�t think about how he would take her laughter, considering he was trying to seduce her at the time. Mortified, she held a hand to her mouth, apologies flying out of her mouth as if they were being fired from a machine gun. �I�m sorry...I wasn�t laughing at you, or what you were saying.� She threw her hands in the air as she began explaining herself animatedly. �It�s just that I asked Leah which dress I should wear for our fancy dinner last night, and then she did this impression of your stomach growling, saying that you like it when I wear red.� Max�s eyebrows quirked up in amusement at Liz�s babbling and in part, curiosity about Leah doing an impression of his growling stomach. Voicing his thoughts, he grinned impishly. �So I�m guessing I�m not as discreet as I thought I was,� he laughed. Burying her face in his neck, Liz wrapped her arms around his shoulders. �You should have seen her, Max. She scrunched up her pretty little face and made these adorable growls.� She kissed his neck amorously, speaking without really thinking. �Sort of makes me wish that all our other kids will be just as adorable as her and Noah.� Gulping, Max stared at her with hopeful eyes. Had he just heard her right? Was she also wanting more kids in their future. �More kids?� He hoped he didn�t sound to expectant. He didn�t want to scare with thoughts of being pregnant again. Liz�s head shot up at his awed voice, her heart doing a little thumping dance against her chest. It almost sounded like he was as eager as she was to have more kids. But before she could go into specifics, Noah came into the room with Leah trailing closely behind him, wearing a floppy summer hat. Rubbing his stomach, he laughed. �Do we have any food? Leah�s pretend cookies aren�t really filling.� Leah raised her hand to her hip, pushing the hat out of her eyes. �But you said they were yummy!� Noah bent down to her level, grinning. �They were. I just want to know if momma made me something to eat as well.� Leah�s face brightened with a smile. �She did. And I helped.� She pointed her thumb to her chest, standing up tall. She called out to her father, grinning like the cat who ate the canary. �We baked you cake!� Liz slapped her hand to the side of her head. So much for surprises she thought ruefully. �Honey, it was supposed to be a surprise.� Holding her hands up, Leah just laughed. �But I couldn�t wait.� Standing up, Liz pulled Max with her, bringing them all to the kitchen. Hot on her heels, Max whispered in her ear, his voice tinted with a little disappointment. �You baked cake without me?� Liz just raked him over with a hot look. �No need to worry. We can do all the baking you want tonight.� Max stood rooted for the spot, unable to move after hearing Liz�s words. The only thing that broke him out of his sexually induced trance was Leah and Noah arguing over the frosting. Making his way to the table, he reached for his own slice. �Hey, save some for me.� Part 43C Rated: NC-17 ****************** After dinner was eaten, the family of four sat around the table stuffed, and unable to move. Rubbing his stomach with a contented smile, Max slouched over the back of his chair. �That was above and beyond the call of duty, Liz.� He smirked as he eyed the uneaten platters of food. �You�ve cooked enough food to feed an entire army.� He teased. Shaking her head, Liz placed her napkin onto the table delicately. �Hardy har har...� She began stacking the plates on top of each other. �I thought you guys liked my cooking?� Max motioned for Noah to get up out of his seat and clear the table. He wiped his mouth, then stood up. Walking up behind Liz, he wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands snaking up her bare arms to grab a hold of her wrists. �We do. And we appreciate that you went to all this trouble for us, but for right now,� he kissed her temple, pulling her away from the table to sit down on her chair. �You need to sit while Noah and I put this stuff away.� Liz�s mouth smacked open to spout of a protest, wanting to tell Max that she could very well clear he table herself, but she was silenced into a smile when Max kissed her on the lips. �It�s the least we could.� On the other side of the table, Noah made a gagging sound as he piled the plates on top of each other, causing a giggle to sound from Leah. Max lifted his head, quirking his eyebrow. �Hey! I heard that!� Noah bit back his laugh, shaking his head as he made his way to the kitchen to deposit the dirty dishes in the sink. Following suit, Max cleared the rest of the dishes and dropped them into the sink. Grabbing the dish rag, he threw it to Noah. �CATCH!� With a loud smack, Noah caught the rag in his hands and set about wiping down the table as Max rinsed the dishes. Donning the yellow, rubber gloves, Max whistled under his breath as he sunk his hands into the warm bubbly water. When he noticed the quiet around him, he turned his head back to look into the dining room. �Hey, what�s with all the silence?� He laughed to himself. �This is new.� Liz looked up from where she was whispering to the kids. She hurried them up to the stairs, making sure that Max was clueless as to what was going on behind him. Sidling up to him, she snaked her arms around his waist, standing up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. �Thanks for doing the dishes.� Flattening her palms against his chest, she smoothed them up and down his muscled torso as a smile slowly appeared on her lips. �I don�t know many husbands who would genuinely offer to wash the dishes for his wife.� Feeling his breathing pick up a little speed at her innocent caresses, he smiled back, the teasing tone in his voice obvious. �Yeah, well you got lucky,� he answered cockily, knowing that it would rile her up. He loved getting a rise out of her every once in awhile, and now seemed like a perfect opportunity. Liz�s lip curled up at the side, her slender eyebrow rising in piqued curiosity. �Since I�m the lucky one, how am I ever to repay you?� she asked dramatically. Max let a fit of laughter burst out, but it died in his throat when he felt Liz�s wandering hands, danced right at the top of his jeans, her fingers curling into the edges of shirt teasingly. His voice was husky when he spoke again. �I think I could come up with a few things?� The sultry sound of Liz�s laughter tickled his neck, sending shivers down his spine as his skin turned to gooseflesh. �Just a few things?� She placed a wet, open-mouthed kiss on his neck. She giggled when she felt his body stiffen, his stance rigid. She looked behind her to make sure that the kids were no where in sight. Satisfied at their lack of presence, she went in for the kill, bringing her hand down to cup the bulge in his pants that was slowing bursting the seams of his jeans. Exhaling a loud breath, Max let his head fall forward. �Liz,� he keened out, his heart pounding so hard against his chest that he could hear it ringing loudly in his ears. �What are you doing?� Liz made a mock frown, moving her hand up the top of his jeans. �Hmmm......maybe I�m being a little to subtle,� she whispered hungrily. �I guess I�ll just have to remedy that.� Leaning up, she captured his earlobe between her teeth, pushing her hand into his jeans. Max gritted his teeth when he felt her hand slip in between the denim of his jeans, her fingers lightly caressing his straining flesh. He gripped the stainless steel sink in his rubber clad hands, his words hissing out of his mouth as he felt her seeking the slit in his boxers. �The kids...� he rasped, all the while thrusting his arousal further into her hand, urging her to find the opening so she could touch his aching flesh. �Are upstairs getting ready,� she said sweetly, her hand rubbing against his hardness deliberately as she continued to search for the hole in his boxers. Moaning quietly, Max fought to remain upright as he circled his hips. �Getting ready for what?� he asked distractedly. Once Liz found the opening, the door bell rang, startling Max into reality. �That.� Pulling her hand from his pants, she kissed his shoulder, whispering to him in advice. �You might want to get a grip, Max. My parents are here.� Max felt his face heat up at her words as he willed himself to gain some control. The children�s excited shouts carried into the kitchen, alerting Max to their company. Cursing under his breath, he grabbed Liz�s apron and tied it loosely around his hips before meeting his in-laws. �How�re you doing Max?� Jeff asked jovially as he held Leah in his arms. Nancy ruffled Noah�s hair as she took his backpack into her hands. �Noah tells us that you and the guys had quite an adventure the other night.� She laughed whole-heartedly when she saw Max blush. Liz brought her hand to her mouth, biting the tip of her index finger casually. �Yeah, they seemed to enjoy roughing it out in the woods,� she laughed. Max�s eyes grew wide as he saw Liz chew the tip of her finger in front of everyone, especially knowing where that hand had been just a minute ago. He coughed to hide his embarrassment, feeling like a teenager again in the presence of Liz�s parents. Jeff shifted Leah in his arms, feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden. The room was fraught with sexual tension and it was just plain tripping him out. It was one thing to know that your daughter was happily married and had kids, but to actually be in her presence, knowing that she�d rather be alone with his husband made him feel weird. �Well, we should get going.� Thrusting Leah into her father�s arms, Jeff picked up Leah�s blankie and over night bag. �Say goodnight to your daddy, sweet cheeks.� Leah leaned her forehead against her father�s, kissing his nose. �Night daddy.� She giggled as she held her arms out for her grandmother to pick her up. She waved her finger at her father as she and her brother followed their grandparents to their car. �Be good!� She said jokingly, not realizing that the adults took her meaning another way. Nancy tried unsuccessfully not to laugh as she waved. �Call us when you want to pick up the kids tomorrow.� Liz blew kisses to her kids as she closed the front door behind them. She turned around slowly, laughing at Max�s appearance. He was wearing her apron and gloves while he continued to stare at the door in disbelief. He blinked. �Please tell me that our daughter didn�t just tell us to behave?� Laughing, Liz leaned back against the door. �Well, maybe it�s a good thing.� She chewed on the tip of her nail, batting her eyelashes demurely. �Being naughty while the kids are gone all night long won�t exactly be setting a good example.� Max nodded slowly, getting rid of his gloves and apron. He took a step forward, his eyes making love to Liz�s curves. �And who exactly would we be setting an example for?� He moved forward until he had her trapped between his hard body and the door. Liz felt her breathing rush as she felt her nipples harden at Max�s close proximity. �I don�t...� She saw his head move forward to kiss her, but she ducked under his arms and started running. She was the one supposed to be doing the seducing. Not the other way around. Feeling a little dazed, Max shook his head to clear it before he spun around to chase after Liz. With his longer legs, he caught up to her in no time. Picking her up, he dropped her onto the table, trapping her with either arm around her. �Not so fast.� He nipped at her chin, making a slow trail down her neck. His hands curved around her shoulders, running down to unzip her dress in the back. Liz gasped when she felt the cool air touch her naked back, her eyes widening when she stared into Max�s eyes. His eyes were so full of desire that she felt her legs tremble between his muscled thighs. He looked so powerful and sexy that she thought she would climax just by the way he was looking at her. Max gave her a sexy grin as he spread her legs slowly, his body sinking to the floor. He felt his jaw tighten when he heard her whimper. He was surprised at how responsive she was to him, and he hadn�t done anything yet. Smiling at her wickedly, he pushed the edges of her dress to her waist, but in turn gasped when he saw that she was wearing a tiny little thong that left little to his imagination. Brining his face mere inches from her heat, he closed his eyes and just inhaled her scent. Liz gripped the edges of the table her own eyes closing as she felt his breath hovering over her most private area. She took a deep breath to fill her lungs with much needed oxygen, but it was hitched in her throat when she felt Max�s hot tongue lick at her. She felt an answering wetness between her legs, further soaking up her panties. It made her all hot and bothered the way his velvety tongue lashed out at her through the flimsy material of her thong. It was almost like he wanted her so much that he couldn�t even take the time to take of her panties first. Max made a growling sound as he continued to taste her sweet nectar. It made him throb, knowing that she was wet and ready for him. Taking his finger, he traced the line of the wispy material between her legs, smiling when she moaned and opened her legs up wider. He took the thin strip between his fingers and pushed it aside, plunging his tongue into her burning cleft. Arching forward, Liz screamed as she felt his finger slip between her folds, his tongue lapping at her clit like a hungry lion. Reaching for his ears, she pulled him up, yanking his zipper down savagely. She sighed appreciatively when his erection sprung free, standing tall in front of her face. Unable to resist, she bent her head for a quick lick, smiling when she felt him fist his hand in her hair. Not being able to wait, she lay back against the table, bringing her legs up to further spread them in invitation. Max didn�t need any other coaxing as he rammed into her, his groan echoing in their dining room as he started thrusting into her roughly. He felt her body slid against the table, making him reach his hands to her hips to keep her in place. He kissed her sloppily, his tongue darting in and out of her mouth. �Liz...I can�t....Jesus....I can�t stop.....� He slapped his cock deeper inside her until she was screaming, her fingers making indentations in his butt as she tried to get him as far as he would go. �MAX!.....Deeper.....Oh God.....HARDER!� Max�s hips were a flurry of movement as his hips answered to her cries. �I don�t want to hurt you,� he whispered through gritted teeth. Liz felt tears prick the back of her eyes as she heard his concern. But she didn�t want slow and steady. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she drew him closer, biting her lip in anticipation. �I�ll die if you stop,� she said breathlessly. Taking it upon himself to fulfill her desire, Max stretched his hands up so that he was gripping the edge of the table just above Liz�s head. His feet stood rooted the floor as he pounded into her, making her scream his name in delicious agony. Spouting off a profanity, Max pushed his hand between their gyrating bodies to stimulate her clit as he felt himself falling into sexual release. �LIZ! I�m cumming!� Hearing his words being shouted from his lips, Liz�s legs tightened around his waist, her hips meeting his for the last time as her walls clamped around his cock rhythmically, making him cry out against her neck. Turning her head, she muffled her scream into his neck, bringing her hands to wrap around his sweaty back as she kept him deep inside her as they tried to return to the world. Part 43D Rated: NC-17 ****************** Rolling over to his side, Max stole heavy breaths from his open mouth, his eyes staring up at the ceiling unseeing. �Wow!� Giggling, Liz rolled over so that she was looking down at his awed face. It tickled her to see him so stunned and quite speechless from their lovemaking. It was a self-esteem boost for her, that after being together for eight years, they hadn�t lost their passion for each other. In some ways, it was like the attraction and the love was stronger now than it ever was. �For someone who�s in the field of the English language, that�s all you can manage? Wow?� Max gave her a goofy grin, nodding his head decidedly. His pulse rate had yet to return to normal, and speaking was still not an option. Instead, he brought his hand up to her cheek, caressing the softness of her skin. His movements were tender, gentle. �No words can describe how I�m feeling.� With her brown eyes widening in playfulness, Liz pressed her hand to his wet t-shirt. �I�m sure you say that to all of the girls.� Sitting up, he stripped off his soaking wet t-shirt. �There are no other girls.� He rolled up his t-shirt into a ball, bending down to kiss the tip of her cute little nose. �There�s only one woman for me.� Liz sat up, amused at the way he attempted to kick off his shoes and socks, something they had neglected to get rid of in their haste to be together. �You�re slick, Max.� She scooted towards the edge of the table, finding herself aroused at the way his back muscles rippled, his taut butt bent over. His voice was mumbled as he tried to keep from tripping over his pants. �Yeah well, I did just have a full body work out.� He turned his head, waggling his eyebrows. Jaw agape, Liz smacked his back, slipping off the table as he tried to get away from her. �That�s not what I meant and you know it.� She pretended to frown at him as he pulled his pants back up. With her back straight, she crossed her arms, marching to the laundry room. �Liz.� Leaving the door open, Liz began stripping, dropping off her wet clothes into the washer. Max ran to the laundry room, all coherent thought flying from his mind as he watched his naked wife doing laundry. He couldn�t believe that this was turning him on. Biting back her grin, Liz busied herself with dropping the clothes loosely in the washer. �Don�t just stand there all day in your sweaty clothes. You�ll catch a cold if you�re not careful.� She chanced a look at him, having to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from bursting out laughing. He looked so adorable with his naked chest, open jeans, and bare feet that she just wanted to have her wicked way with him in the laundry room. Almost as if a light bulb went off in her head, she walked up to him slowly, her eyes never leaving his as her hands reached for his pants. �Fine, if you won�t do it yourself, then I�ll just do it for you.� She began sliding the pants off his hips, her body shimmying down with the falling fabric. Max reached out to his sides, his hands gripping the door frame tightly as he fought to remain upright. His breathing was harsh as he felt the warmth of her breath, lingering at the center of his body. Looking down slowly, the breath whooshed out of his body at the way she was looking at his arousal. Licking her lips, Liz nuzzled the soft skin of her cheek against his hardening erection, her long dark tresses, tickling his thighs. �So nice of you to join us.� She gave his penis a smile before giving the tip a generous lick as if it were an ice cream cone, dripping on a hot summer day. �Jesus, Liz.� The muscles in his legs trembled. �Are you trying to kill me?� Liz just dropped his dirty clothes in the washer with hers. �Just being courteous is all.� She looked up at him, trying to seem as innocent as possible. �Could you reach for the detergent?� She rocked on her tip toes, in effect, making her breasts bounce against her chest. �I can�t reach it.� Nodding dumbly, Max stretched to grab the big plastic bottle, pouring a cup full of soap into the water. He froze when he felt Liz press her body against his back, her slender arms reaching over his waist as she turned to dials on the washer. Growling, he dumped the lid closed, turning around quickly to sit Liz on the washer, as his eyes burned with a hunger that threatened to drown her. �You�re doing this on purpose, aren�t you?� He knew that he was panting, but he didn�t care. Spreading her legs, Liz grabbed his thick cock, pumping her hands up and down his shaft. �And if I am?� His hands reached out to palm her breasts, his lips pressing heated kisses to her neck. �Then we need to stop teasing,� he ground out through clenched teeth as her fingernail rubbed over the slit on the mushroom shaped head insistently. Lapping at her stiff nipples, he brought his hands to rest on her naked ass, pulling her closer to his straining erection. �I can�t wait.� He wrapped his large hand over her pumping one, letting both of their hands glide up and down his hardness for a few strokes before he led her hand to caress his sacs. �I have to have you, NOW!� Liz felt her body shudder at his words. She�d never really heard him express his wants verbally, that it was creating a brand new experience for her. Guiding his cock to her opening, she found herself breathless as she spoke. �Take me!� Slamming into her, Max arched his back as he felt a little more of his control slip. If he wasn�t careful, this would be over in a few minutes. He stayed still for a few minutes, enjoying the way Liz�s hands danced over his skin. Biting her lip, Liz whispered in Max�s ear, hoping to hear him voice what he was feeling. �Tell me how I feel, Max.� Max�s eyebrows crossed together, his mind feeling a little disoriented. He didn�t know what she meant, and he was finding it a little hard to concentrate with how he was fully sheathed inside her body. Liz saw his confusion, so she decided to get the ball rolling. �You make me feel so full, Max.� Her head fell back as she squeezed her inner muscles around his aching shaft. �You fill me.� She closed her eyes, her fingers reaching down to tug and pull at her own nipples. �I feel all hot and achy.� Stroking her hair, Max�s jaw worked hard as he listened to her words. They made him want to explode inside her tight walls. Sticking out his finger, he traced the outline of her lips, moaning when she sucked on his finger, no doubt pretending that she was sucking on another appendage. �Tell me, Max.� He swallowed hard as he moved his hips involuntarily, his eyes darkening as she raised her own hips to meet him. �I.....You�re so tight, Liz....� He closed his eyes as he continued to slowly pull in and out of her body, beginning a slow and torturous rhythm. �And wet...and hot....� He held her close as he picked up his speed when she reached down to play with his balls. �You fit me like a glove...� �Aaahhhh.....� Liz grabbed one ass cheek in each of her hands as she urged him to go a little faster. To go a little deeper so that he reached all the way to her womb. She raised her legs, wrapping it around his torso as she kissed his mouth ravenously. �Mmmmm....Liz.....Lizz.....� His hips were moving faster now, trying to keep up with her demands. Leaning back, Liz gasped for breath as she suddenly felt the vibrations underneath her. Opening her eyes to slits, she looked at the washer dial, noticing that it was on the spin cycle. She whimpered at the onslaught of pleasure coming from Max, and the unexpected sensations of the washer. For an idle moment, she wondered if it had any affect on Max whatsoever. Apparently, she needn�t think to hard, because his gruff voice sounded in her ear. �Shit! Do you feel that Liz?� She could only nod as his pounding cock took on a blurring pace, her thighs squeezing around his waist as she quickly tumbled into orgasm. �MAX!� Max�s body jerked, his hips still hammering against Liz as her tight walls milked him to completion. He buried his face in the valley of her breasts as he continued to pour his essence inside her, surprised at how much control he had lost. If they were thinking about having more kids, they were bound to have another bundle after that performance, they thought quietly to themselves. Part 43E Rated: R/NC-17 ****************** �Am I still alive?� Max mumbled against the crook in Liz�s neck, his whole body still throbbing from the aftershocks from his monstrous orgasm. He was surprised that he was still in a somewhat upright position. Liz giggled, squeezing her muscles around his softening member. �Does that answer your question?� He whimpered against her breast, his hips jerking involuntarily. �You�re not playing fair.� He pulled his face up, pouting at her. She kissed the tip of his nose, before pushing against his chest so that she could stand up. �Nobody said anything about this being fair, sweetie.� She tugged on his hand, leading him back to the kitchen. �C�mon. I�m famished.� He held her hand, following her like a lost little boy. As they reached the kitchen, he resisted the urge to cover his family jewels, suddenly feeling exposed in his own house. He peered out the window, his hand reaching up to pull the drapes closed just in case the neighbors happened to look inside. He didn�t want them to catch an eyeful of his wife. Her body was for his eyes only, and he intended to keep it that way. �Honey, stop being so paranoid.� Liz stood on her tiptoes as she reached for a bowl before opening the fridge. �I doubt anyone would be interested in looking in on us.� Max just snorted as he sat himself down. �Yeah, well just humor me, alright?� Liz sighed dramatically as she sat down on his lap, grinning as she did so. �Okay, but just so you know, I expect to get something in return.� He raised his left eyebrow, his eyes following the movement of her lips as she nursed a plump strawberry with her pink tongue. �What did you have in mind?� He was aware of how his breathing suddenly seemed labored, his mind unable to concentrate. Turning around so that she was straddling him, Liz just grinned suggestively as she popped another strawberry into her mouth, giggling when a little juice dribbled down her chin. �I�m sure you can come up with something.� Before she could reach up to wipe away the wetness on her skin, Max�s head swooped down, his tongue licking away the sticky liquid. �I think that coming up with something won�t be a problem.� His hands traced down her sides, finally coming to rest on her trim waist. He gently moved her hips forward, starting a slow sensual rhythm over his flaccid member. Liz wiggled her bottom against his semi-hard penis, continuing to indulge herself with the luscious fruit. Her breathing came out in short gasps every time he hit a sweet spot. She bit into a strawberry, offering the rest to him when she had to get some air into her lungs. Max squeezed her hip, urging her to continue the torturous dance before he took the strawberry from her. But instead of eating the fruit, he brought the fruit against her breast, letting the textured surface rub across her hardened nipple. Her head fell back as she choked on her breath, her moans gurgling in her throat as she felt his tongue soon follow the sticky trail he was leaving behind from the strawberry dew. Her fingers tunneled through his thick brown hair as she urged on his ministrations. She couldn�t believe that she was ready again so soon. �Max....� He responded by biting on her nipple, his hands helping her grind harder against his crotch. As willing as he was to make love to her again, his body still needed a little time recuperating. So instead, he focused on bringing her the most intense pleasure. She was so responsive to him tonight. The last time that they had been this insatiable was when she had been pregnant with Leah. Back then, they were making love every chance they could. An idea hit him then, and it just egged him on. His continuous suckling making her rock against him harder, her juices dampening his lap. �Max....Max....Max....� Liz�s head fell back as she let Max guide her hips as her moans gurgled in her throat. She felt like she was about to fall off a cliff and all she wanted to do was get closer to the edge, to see how far she would be able to go. �That�s it baby......come for me....� He lapped at her breasts lovingly, his tongue making lazy strokes over her supple skin. Raking her nails over his back, Liz dug her nails into his shoulder as she reached climax, her body shuddering lightly against Max�s. He held her close, his large hands soothing her tremors as he kissed her everywhere he could with his luscious lips. Grinning as if she had just swallowed a canary, she nuzzled his temple, her hands squeezing his biceps. �You�re too good to me.� He leaned up, brushing his lips against hers. He smiled against her. �I�d be lying if I said that this was all for your pleasure, sweetie.� She narrowed her eyes playfully at him. �If you want to get lucky again, that�s probably not the best way to go about it.� They laughed together at her statement, knowing that what she was saying had no ounce of truth. Truth was, she was willing and ready anytime he was. �My whole body feels like jello,� she mused distractedly as she ran her hands up and down his slick skin. �That�s funny, you tasted more like strawberries to me.� Liz smacked him on the chest just as the phone rang. �You�re incorrigible.� She pinched him lightly as she reached for the phone behind him. �I�ll have to think twice before I ever let you spend more than a few hours with the boys again,� she teased. Max choked on his breath as Liz�s breasts dangled in his face as she answered the phone. He could faintly hear her speaking, but it wasn�t really registering. All he wanted to do was taste her again. So he did. Jumping, Liz cursed against the phone, then quickly mumbled an apology as she felt Max�s tongue do wicked things to her heated flesh. �I-I�m..s-ssorry....but I�ll have to get back to you.� Without waiting for the other person to say goodbye, she hung up the phone haphazardly as she held onto Max for dear life. Letting out a little moan, she bit her lip. �You are soooo bad.� Max grinned against her as he stood up, his hardening flesh digging against her core. �But you know you love it.� Liz just laughed, wrapping her legs around his waste as he carried her up the stairs. �You�re right. I do love it. But I love you more.� On the other end of the line, the person�s voice rang through loudly, although slightly muffled. �Liz? Max? Are you guys doing what I think you�re doing? Cos if your are, that�s just, way too much information for me...Hello? Hello? Is anyone still there? Hello?....Anyone?� Part 43F Rated: NC-17 ****************** �Max hurry!� Liz nibbled on Max�s neck as he took the steps to their room two at a time. She was on the verge of exploding if he didn�t get inside her soon. Max sucked in a greedy breath of air as his aching thighs pumped and squeezed with the effort he was exerting by hurrying up the stairs. He had to hold an unsteady hand against the banister, his other hand carefully holding Liz�s tush as made it past another step. He couldn�t control his heavy pants as he finally collapsed on a step. He had resigned himself that he would not be able to get them upstairs in a timely fashion. �I�m sorry baby.� He flipped them over so that he was sitting on the step somewhat uncomfortably as he slid Liz over his aching shaft. �YES!� Liz keened as she felt Max slide inside her warm depths. She rested her hands on the step above Max�s head, using it as an anchor as she rose up and down on his lap. She listened to his labored breaths and she knew he was with him. Rocking against him, like a jockey riding a horse, she ground herself against him sensually as the two of them flew over the edge, calling each other�s names. ******************** Nancy pushed open the door to Liz�s old bedroom, just making one last check on the kids. It was pretty mind blowing to think that Liz�s children were sleeping in the room Liz had grown up in. It seemed just like yesterday that Liz was Leah�s age, never wanting to sleep in her own bed, but instead, sneaking into the �big bed�. She chuckled a little, feeling somewhat bad for Max and Liz. She knew how inquisitive young children could put a damper on mom and dad�s alone time. But she thought it was only fair. Liz had been the picture of image of Leah, right alone with her blanket hogging. When she peeked her head in, she found Noah with his head buried under the pillow, dead to the world as he snored lightly. She smiled, thinking what a great young man her grandson would go grow into, no doubt like his father. But she had to stifle a laugh when she saw little Leah kicking off her covers and moving towards her brother. She shook him wildly, urging him to wake. �Noah! It�s wake up time!� She took hold of his shoulder, shaking him as much as her tiny body would allow. �Noah, pees? I gots somefing ta show ya!� Noah opened one eye groggily, taking in his surrounding. �Lee lee?� He sat up on the folding bed, scratching his eyes heavily. �What�s wrong?� Leah grinned at her brother, revealing a gap between her neat row of little teeth. Holding up her palm, she showed him her white tooth. �My toof fell out.� Smiling at his little sister, he patted her on the shoulder. �Congratulations.� He yawned, then turned over to lay on his stomach as he tried to go back to sleep. But Leah was having none of it. She jumped onto his fold out, her voice rising a little. �But the toof faiwee has ta come git it, so I can git some pwesents.� Her big brown eyes were wide with worry as she tried to explain to her brother that she had a crisis going on. �And he won fine me if I not at home.� She reached over the side of the bed, pulling on her little mermaid slippers. �We hafta go home.� It was then that Nancy made her way into the room, letting her presence known to the children. She mocked looked at her watch, her hands on her hips. �What are you two doing up?� She sat on the edge of Liz�s old twin bed. �I distinctly remember that grandpa Jeff and I tucked the two of you in already.� Noah shared a smile with Nancy as he flopped onto his back. �I was already sleeping. Leah�s the one who doesn�t want to go to bed.� Nancy held out her arms, beckoning Leah to come to her. Leah toddled towards her grandmother, her hand curled tightly into a fist so as not to lose her precious tooth. �Gramma. You and granpa hafta take us home, odderwithe da toof faiwee won fine me.� �Oh honey, you know the tooth fairy has a special radar that tells her- Leah shook her head, correcting her grandmother. �Him.� �Him?� Nancy asked, trying not to burst out laughing. �Uh huh. He�s a him.� She finished with a decisive nod in affirmation. �How did you know that sweetie?� She shrugged her shoulders. �I jus do.� Nancy nodded. �Right, anyways, I was saying, the tooth fairy has this special radar that tells,� she looked Leah in the eye, making sure she said it correctly. �Him where everyone is.� She ran her hand through Leah�s hair, hoping to reassure her. �So even if you�re here, he�ll still be able to find you.� With her lower lip trembling and her eyes bubbling with tears, Leah cried against her grandmother�s shoulder. �I wan my momma!� �Oh darling.� Nancy kissed her cheek, feeling torn. She knew that Liz had specifically asked her to keep the kids all night. She didn�t want to renege on their agreement, but she couldn�t very well let Leah cry all night. �Pees gramma?� Leah ran her chubby fist over her rosy nose. �I wan daddy.� ********************** After jumping into the shower to rid themselves of the smell of sex, Max pulled Liz deeper into his arms as he felt his eyes become heavy. He kissed the top of her head. �Goodnight, baby.� Liz nodded against his chest, not bothering to fight sleep. But before sleep could claim them, the doorbell rang loudly, followed by a loud banging. Max was up in an instant, pulling sweats over his naked hips. He grabbed a baseball bat from the closet, holding a hand to his lips as he asked Liz to be quiet. He slinked down the stairs, trying to be aware of his surroundings when he turned around abruptly, ready to swing. Liz ducked just in time, holding her hand to her chest. Max�s eyes were round with apology and surprise. �What are you doing?� He whispered as he gripped her hand tightly. �I almost hurt you.� She gave him a nervous smile. �No harm, no foul. Besides, I wasn�t about to let you come down here all by yourself.� They smiled at each other quickly before another banging sound against their front door. Tiptoeing to the peephole, Max laughed lightly as he turned to his wife. �You�re never going to believe this.� Part 43G ****************** Max opened the front door, revealing a disheveled Michael, looking ready to kill someone. Liz dipped under Max�s arm so that she could see who it was. �Michael?� Pacing along the Evans� front porch, he threw his hands up as he began grumbling incoherently. �You guys need to hang up your phone properly.� �What?� Max was beyond perplexed as he found himself getting dizzy with Michael�s continuous pacing. Michael couldn�t quite look Liz in the face as he said what he came to say. �I know you guys enjoy the baking of the cake, but some people really would like to sleep on a nice soft bed with his wife, especially after roughing it out in the woods and sleeping on the ground. And when I say people, I mean me. Maria�s driving me insane. She won�t let me come to bed until I make sure the two of you are okay and that you hang up your phone. She�s convinced herself that the two of you may have an important call that you can�t get and how impossible it would be to get a hold of you guys.� He ran his hand through his hair as he eyed Max and Liz, both of them blushing. �Oh come on.� His eyebrow twitched awkwardly. �It�s no secret what you two have been up to. All I ask is that you do what Maria asks so that I can have a descent night�s rest before the babies come.� He shook his head as he headed for his car, yelling one last time that they needed to hang up their phone, otherwise he wasn�t going to give them a night of peace either. Liz buried her face in Max�s side as she tried to get rid of her giggles. Max just kissed the top of her head, getting ready to lead her back inside the house when he heard a car pull up. The pitter-patter of little feet hit the pavement before a loud shriek made it�s way to his ears. �Daddy, I gots somefing ta show ya!� She waved her little hand around as she continued to run the rest of the way, followed by Noah and their grandparents. �Momma, da toof faiwee has ta come gib me shtuff now.� But before she could reach the porch, she tripped over her little feet, causing her tooth to fly out of her hand. Max leaped off the front steps, running to his daughter. Watching her fall towards the concrete was like seeing it happen in slow motion. He could feel his stomach clenching as he thought about how her precious skin would be marred by scrapes, her pretty face crunched up in pain. �Puddin�!� He slid down on his knees as he picked her up, his hands running up and down her sides as he assessed the damage. �Baby, are you okay?� Leah looked up at her dad, her face turned into a scowl. �I not a baby!� She whined, causing Max to laugh a little. His little puddin� had just fallen face first on their pavement, and she was more concerned with him calling her a baby. He kissed the top of her head as he felt everyone come closer to them. He tipped up her chin, looking into her big amber eyes. �Did you hurt yourself, puddin�?� Holding out her knee, Leah pointed to the redness settling in. �I hab an owie.� Max touched his lips to her little knee. �Is it better now?� She nodded. �Uh huh, but can I still hab da pooh bear stickies?� He chuckled as he stood up, effortlessly carrying Leah in his arms. �Of course you can still have the Pooh Bear bandaids.� He looked to his parents-in-law, his smile contagious. �So what brings you guys by anyway? I thought we weren�t scheduled to pick you guys up until tomorrow.� Looking apologetic, Nancy touched Max�s arm. �Leah�s tooth fell out, and she�s convinced that the tooth fairy won�t come to our house. She insisted that she had to be home in her own bed, otherwise, he wouldn�t give her any treats. I tried to call, but I kept getting a busy signal.� Max cleared his throat, his eyes darting Liz not so secretly as he blushed. After his mind cleared a little, both he and Liz raised an eyebrow after hearing Nancy refer to the tooth fairy as a he. Both grandparents just chuckled. �I�m sure Leah would love to tell you that story after she shows you her missing tooth.� Max nuzzled Leah�s button nose, thinking how he could just eat her up; she was so precious. He could only imagine that any future children they had would be just as precious. He loved how Liz had coined that term for their son. Liz and Leah were so much alike. Leah was just a bite size version. �I didn�t even notice.� Leah grinned, revealing a missing tooth in the row of her perfect little teeth. �Uh huh. It jus fewe oud.� She opened her palm to show him the tooth, when she frowned. �Oh no. Is gone.� Her lower lip started trembling, just as Noah stood up from where he had been kneeling the entire time. He took her tiny hand, placing her tooth in it. �Don�t cry. I found it.� Not able to contain her excitement and gratitude, she leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek, only to have him wipe it off with a yuck. She just laughed giddily, leaning her head against her father�s. Liz hugged her parents, thanking them for keeping the kids and bringing them back home. She walked them to their car before joining up with her family. She draped her arm around Noah�s shoulders, and she had to sigh back a tear. He was getting so big. Pretty soon he would be towering over her. She kissed his head as they walked back towards the house. Their peaceful silence was broken as Leah�s curious voice spoke up. �So how much money does da toof faiwee gib? Cos I won my piggy ta git fatter,� she finished, referring to her piggy bank that sat neatly on her dresser. Whispering into his wife�s ear, he joked. �Does the tooth fairy give raises?� Noah excused himself to his room as they tucked Leah in. Inside his room, he pulled open his sock drawer and took out a wad of bills. He had been saving all of his birthday money for a special occasion, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce his baby sister to the tooth fairy. He folded three crisp dollar bills neatly, thinking how he was giving Leah three dollars for her three years of life. He lay on his bed, waiting until his parents and Leah were asleep so that he could give Leah her present, because she had been his favorite present. Part 43H ******************* Tip-toeing into their daughter�s bedroom, Max and Liz tried their best not to make a peep. Their daughter had never been a sound sleeper, and they didn�t want to spoil the surprise. The two of them walked to the bed, giggling as quietly as they could when they saw that their daughter had somehow managed to twist and turn so much, that her feet had ended up on her pillow, while her head lay soundly at the foot of her bed. Her blanket lay crumpled on the floor, her sheets beginning to slowly detach from the bed. Max kneeled down beside her head, shaking his own head in amazement, that such a little thing could cause a mess. Sighing, he brushed her dark hair out of hair pretty little face, his index finger tracing her round cheek. In sleep, she looked just like her mother. So innocent and pure. He kissed her forehead as he ran his hand through her hair. Turning his head, he smiled at his wife. �I guess some things are hereditary, huh?� he whispered, referring to how Liz always tossed and turned so much. In turn, she always ended up with blanket wrapped around her whole body while Max was left in the cold. He imagined that Liz had been exactly like Leah, and he had further proof when Maria had told him that whenever she had slept over at Liz�s when they were younger, she always brought her sleeping bag because Liz kicked in her sleep. Maria always wound up on the floor anyway because Liz was such a restless sleeper that she would accidentally knock Maria over. He had mulled that over in his head, and he realized that Liz wasn�t so restless anymore, in the eight years that they had been sleeping together. Other than being the adorable blanket hog that she was, she always calmed him in sleep. He hoped that he had the same affect on her, taming her restlessness in sleep. Making a face, Liz poked him in the shoulder. �Hey,� Smiling, he took her hand in his. To make amends, he kissed her hand as spoke, his lips brushing over her soft skin. For one second, he was momentarily distracted at just how soft her skin was. He looked up into her face, noticing the warm hues tinting her cheeks. She looked like she was glowing. His heart started beating a mile a minute as he thought about the implications of it all. �What?� Liz couldn�t help the way her voice sounded breathy. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest so hard that it felt like it had reached all the way to her throat. She didn�t know why he was looking at her like that, but it was sending warm and tingling vibes all the way down to her toes. His face was etched in awe, all of attention focused on her. Max shook his head to clear it. He was getting too excited all over again. He had promised Liz that he wouldn�t do that again, knowing how devastating the false alarm was. Besides, unless he had super sperm, Liz was just glowing because he had loved her thoroughly, tenfold. He smiled at her amorously. �You look incredibly beautiful, baby. You�re practically glowing from the inside out.� Feeling her cheeks heat up, Liz hid behind the curtain of her hair. Of all the things she had expected him to say, that wasn�t it. He still managed to make her feel like a silly school girl. �Max,� He stood up, pulling her in his arms to feel her warmth. He kissed the tip of her ear as he whispered. �You are,� he took a shaky breath, not at all surprised that she was affecting him so quickly. She could turn him into putty at the drop of that hat. Hearing a soft snuffle coming from the bed, they say Leah sit up slowly. She rubbed at her eyes, yawning loudly. �Stop bein� nosy,� she told her parents tiredly. Max and Liz froze. They thought they were being quiet, but obviously, Leah thought they were being nosy.. Scooting over to the edge of the bed, Leah touched her bunny covered feet to the carpet. She looked up at her parents, wondering what they were doing up. She could tell that it was still dark outside. When she thought about it for a second, her little mouth curled into a small smile. �Did da toof faiwee git here awleddy?� She stood up, tugging on her father�s sweat pants. �Huh? Did he? Did he?� She turned to her pillow, grinning as she ran to it. Both Max and Liz yelled for her not to lift up her pillow just yet, since they hadn�t put the money under her pillow yet. But she was too quick for them, her hand carelessly throwing the pillow over her shoulder, not caring at all where it landed. �Momma, daddy! Look!� She picked up the paper money from where her pillow had once lay. She waved the three one dollar bills in the air. �I�m itch now.� Max and Liz were at a loss, both of them perplexed as to where the money could have come from. They had been together all night, so the suspicion that it was either of them was out of the question. Trying to be as discreet as possible, Max mouthed a question to Liz. �Is there really a tooth fairy?� Just then, Noah stumbled into the room, surprised to see his parents and his sister up at the late hour. �What�s going?� He stretched his arms lazily over his head. �Why is everybody up?� Leah ran to her brother, holding out the money that the tooth fairy had so graciously given her in exchange for her lousy old tooth. �Look! I�m itch.� She pushed her thumb to her chest, beaming brightly. Noah grinned, feeling good that he had caused his sister�s face to light up like that. �Wow! That�s a lot of money. How much you got there?� Shrugging, Leah just laughed. �I dunno.� She hurried to her piggy where she lifted it off of the dresser. She smiled at it, as she ran her palm across the cool porcelain surface. �Here ya go piggy. You gon git fatter now. We itch.� She turned her head to her brother, waving her arm so that he would come her way. �C�mere.� Noah walked towards her, smiling a million dollar smile. He picked her up, then sat her on the dresser. The two of them smiled at each other, talking about how rich Leah was now with the money that the tooth fairy gave her. Max and Liz stood side by side, watching the exchange between the children. With his voice full of wonder and awe, Max cocked his head to the side as he studied his son. �You don�t think��I mean, you think�..� He scratched behind his ear, in the tell tale sign that he was confused. He bent his head so he could whisper into Liz�s ear. �I thought he still believed in Santa Claus?� Liz rolled her eyes playfully. �Maybe he knows the truth, but was just humoring us for awhile now?� Noah yawned loudly. �You think we can celebrate in the morning?� He touched his finger to his sister�s tiny nose. �I�m still sleepy.� Even though sleep had come and gone for her, Leah agreed, wanting to do exactly what her big brother did. �Kay.� She jumped from where she was sitting, creating a loud thud. She climbed into her bed, her dark head resting on the pillow. She kissed her hand, throwing her whole arm in her family�s direction for her special brand of flying kisses. �Nite nite.� The three of them exited, leaving Leah be. But before Noah could make it all the way to his room, Liz�s voice stopped him �Honey, could I talk to you for a second?� Noah nodded as he swallowed thickly. He opened his door, knowing that his parents were right behind him. He sat on the edge of his bed, looking deathly afraid. Liz took a seat beside him, her arms coming around his shoulders as she kissed his cheek. �Don�t worry, you�re not in any trouble.� With disbelief coloring his face, he voiced what he was thinking. �I�m not?� Max pulled Noah�s desk chair to sit in front of the two of them. �No. We promise.� Liz rubbed Noah�s back soothingly to calm him a little. She wanted him to know that she and Max were not ganging up on him. �Precious, were you the one who put the three dollars under Leah�s pillow?� Noah�s eyes shifted from parent to parent. He didn�t know what to answer, not wanting to inadvertently get into trouble. �I�..� �If you did,� Max said softly, �We�re not going to get mad.� He lay his hand gently on Noah�s knee. Seeing the sincerity in his parents eyes, he nodded. �I did, but only because I didn�t want Leah to get disappointed. She was so excited about the tooth fairy, and I know she was expecting a lot, so�..� �So you went ahead and spoiled your sister?� Liz teased. When his face turned somber, she squeezed his shoulder. �I�m very proud of, baby. You did a good job. Your sister looks up to you. She wants to do everything you do, and I think you�re doing an excellent job of setting a good example.� �You do?� His eyes were round with surprise. He hadn�t really thought about things like that. �Of course we do.� Max ruffled Noah�s hair, feeling a little melancholy, knowing that his son was quickly outgrowing the gesture. �You�re a great big brother, and your sister sees that.� Noah just sat there, trying to take it all in. It was a little overwhelming to think that all of this responsibility lay on his shoulders. Leah looked up to him, and mimicked his actions. He was afraid that he might not be able to live up to that expectation and in the end, disappoint his parents. Their opinion mattered to him, and he wanted to make them proud, just as he had done right now. �But what if I mess up, and, and I end up not being a good brother?� Liz cupped his chin, turning it upward so that she could look into his eyes. �You could never be a bad brother. I think that�s close to impossible, but you�re not perfect honey.� She gave him a secret smile. �Well, I think you�re perfect,� she winked. �But what I�m saying is, you�re going to make mistakes. We all make them. The thing that will separate you from everyone, is if you learn from your mistakes.� Closing her eyes, Liz leaned her forehead against Noah�s. �But know this precious, there�s nothing you could do that would ever disappoint me or your father. We love you.� Noah wrapped his arms around Liz. �I love you too momma.� Feeling a little left out, Max held out his arms. �Hey, can I get in on this?� Rolling his eyes, Noah held out his other hand to his dad. Sometimes, his dad could be so weird and just plain goofy. But he loved him anyway. Max kissed Noah�s head, finally asking what had been plaguing his mind. �Since when don�t you believe in the tooth fairy?� Noah laughed, patting his dad�s shoulder. �Dad, I�ve known for awhile.� When Max raised his eyebrow, Noah elaborated. �I saw you putting the gifts under the tree a few Christmas� ago. When I realized that there was no Santa, I kinda figured that the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny, and all of those things were probably just you and mom.� Astonished, Max let his jaw hang. All of this time he thought he was being discreet, but obviously not. �I thought I was getting good at stealth,� he mumbled dejectedly. Noah smiled at his dad. �Don�t worry dad, mom, Leah, and I still love you.� He said reassuringly. Back Next |