| Part 33 ************** Max walked beside Liz, her small hand encased in his much larger one. He looked down to see the top of her dark shiny hair. Unable to resist, he leaned down and placed a kiss on her head, pulling her closer to his side. A small smile was playing against Liz�s lips. She looked up at him, her doe eyes twinkling. "What was that for?" His lips quirked up at the sides as he responded. "Are you saying I need an excuse to kiss you?" Liz�s long hair swung across her shoulders. "No, of course not. It just makes me wonder what I did to receive such pleasure." Max felt the tips of his ears warm up slightly. He shook his head and stopped walking. "You." Liz gave Max a questioning look. "Me?" Max moved forward, his forehead resting against hers. "Yeah, you. Just being you." He pressed his lips to hers in a feather light kiss. Pulling back, he gazed into her eyes, he tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "So, are we almost there?" Liz felt herself sway just a little bit. Max Evans definitely had a dangerous effect on her. She tried to concentrate on what he was saying. What was it again? Something about being almost there? "Almost where?" Max smiled a broad smile at the dazed look in her eyes. He was glad that he wasn�t the only affected by their kisses. He started walking again, gently bumping his side against hers. "To the coffee shop you said you wanted to take me to." Liz�s dark head, bobbed in understanding. "As a matter of fact, it�s just across the street." She pointed ahead them towards a little coffee shop on the other side of the road, right across from the street from the local park. As they came to the cross walk, Max gripped her hand a little tighter, as they made their way across to La Tazza Cafe. Liz led Max to one of the tables that was outside right beside the entrance. Max held out Liz�s seat for her before sitting across from her. "So, you�re telling me this place serves the best hot chocolate?" Liz nodded her head enthusiastically. "Yep, and they have the best chocolate cake here too." Max smiled at the excitement that Liz displayed. He enjoyed being able to be in her presence like this. He didn�t know what he did to deserve this, but he wasn�t going to complain. A waitress came out and took their orders. Max watched as people started setting up some music equipment just inside the cafe. They opened the front doors wide. He turned to Liz, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "What�s going on?" "They usually have a local band play here, every now and then. Some of them are actually pretty good." The waitress came back with two mugs of hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake. Liz waited for Max to take a sip of his hot chocolate. Max obliged her and took a sip. He felt the warm liquid warm his throat. Liz was right. This was the best hot chocolate he had ever tasted. Not even his mom�s could come close. He pulled the mug away from his lips to tell Liz, but frowned instead. He watched as Liz tried to hold in her laughter. "What�s so funny?" Liz put her hand over her mouth to keep her laughter inside. She didn�t mean to laugh, but Max just looked so adorable with whipped cream on the tip of his nose. When she had regained some of her composure, she leaned forward and wiped the whipped cream off his nose with a napkin. "You kinda had a little, uh......." Max let his eyes drop to the table as embarrassment consumed him. Liz lifted his chin so that they were looking at each other. "You have nothing to worry about. You still looked absolutely handsome without even trying. Even if you did have a smidgen of whipped cream on your nose." Liz felt her knees wobble slightly in her seat at the sight of the smile he gave her. Deciding to keep herself from sinking further into the depths of being a pathetic dork, she took her fork and took a piece of cake. She held it out to him and watched as he opened his mouth to taste the chocolate cake. She almost dropped the fork once he had started chewing on the moist cake. His lips turned up at the corners and then he reached for the fork in her hand. He let his hand graze hers for a little longer than necessary, wanting an excuse to touch her soft skin. He took a piece of the cake and held it out to her. When she opened her lips to receive the cake, he felt his own mouth open slightly. She chewed the cake in her mouth. When she finished, her tongue sneaked out past her lips to lick off the frosting that didn�t quite make it into her mouth. Max would have sat there like an idiot, had it not been for the music floating outside of the cafe. His eyes darted to the sky above them which had turned into a slew of fiery hues. His lips curled into a smile as an idea came to him. Max took one of the flowers from the vase that sat in the center of the table. He threaded his fingers through Liz's hair, pushing it behind her ear. He placed the flower behind her ear, causing Liz to smile at him. He pulled out his seat and stood up. He held out his hand for Liz. She gave him a weary look, but trusted him nonetheless. He lead her to the front of the cafe which was unoccupied by tables. He pulled Liz into an embrace and gently swayed their bodies to the music. "What are you doing Max?" Liz asked the question, a smile lighting her voice. Max rested his chin on her head, gathering her body closer to his if possible. "I�m dancing with you," he replied as if that answered everything. Liz buried her face against his neck, inhaling the scent that was just him. "I see that. But no one else is dancing." Max moved his lips closer to her ear. "So? Do I need an excuse to want to dance with my girlfriend?" Liz smiled against his chest and shook her head. "No, you certainly don�t." She lifted her head to look into his eyes. His eyes danced with happiness. The warm colors from the sunset caused his amber eyes to sparkle. She hadn�t realized it before, but his eyes were laced with specs of gold. She continued to stare into his eyes, but let her eyes drift close when he kissed her. His lips gently massaged hers, slowly getting acquainted with them. His knees grew weak when he felt her tongue trace his bottom lip, silently asking him permission to deepen the kiss. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth wider, allowing her tongue to dance with his. His hands, snaked up her body to cradle her face, holding her steady. The world seemed to fade away as they continued to kiss. The only thing registering was the music that floated in their ears. Several of the people in the cafe had stopped and watched as Max and Liz had started to dance. They had thought it was cute to see a young couple obviously very smitten with each other. But what had captured their attention was the way in which the dark haired young man gently held the young woman in his arms. He held her close, touching her with such tenderness. It was rare, actually close to impossible to witness something like that between two young people. There was no doubt that they were in love. As soon as they kissed the people in the cafe smiled, clapping their hands and cheered for the young couple. Max and Liz pulled away from each other, startled at the applause and cheering that they heard. They turned their heads to see that everyone was watching them, a smile on all of their lips. Liz buried her face in the crook of Max�s neck, feeling the blush start from her neck. "I can�t believe we just did that in front of all of these people." Max began apologizing for having embarrassed Liz. "I didn�t- Liz looked up at him, silencing him with her finger against his lips. She pulled her finger away and replaced it with her lips. Without pulling her lips away from his, she expressed her gratitude to him. "Thank you." Max smiled as her lips brushed against his when she spoke. Not pulling away, he spoke to her, letting his lips do the same as hers had. "You�re welcome." He wrapped his arms firmly around her waist, gliding it up across her back, before gently running his fingers through her hair. "Thank you, Liz." Part 34 *************** After their first official date, Max walked Liz back to her apartment above the Crashdown. Liz swung their linked hands up and down, not wanting this beautiful day to end. It was too perfect, too amazing for her to want it to end. But as much as she would have loved to stay out all hours of the night with Max, they both had responsibilities that they just couldn�t ignore. �So, I had a great time tonight Max. I want to thank you for making it perfect.� She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. When she pulled back, Max straightened the flower that he had put behind her ear earlier. �No, thank you for a perfect day Liz. You have no idea how much all of this means to me, how much you mean to me.� He traced the soft lines of her face before hovering over her lips, not touching, just feeling her presence. Liz found it hard to breathe with Max just mere inches away from her lips. She was tempted to take his hand and run away where they could spend a few precious hours together, but an image of Noah flashed in her mind. She placed a quick peck on his lips and smiled up at him. �You should go. Noah�s probably waiting for you.� Max nodded his head and reluctantly moved away from Liz. �You�re probably right. I�ll just call you later.� Bobbing her head up and down, Liz replied. �I�d like that.� When he started to pull further away from her, she made one last request. �Give Noah a kiss for me?� Max turned around, a smile on his lips and in his eyes. It touched him that Liz seemed to care so much for Noah, and apparently for him too. He made a quick dash back to her, pulling her into a sweet kiss. �I will. Bye Liz.� �Bye, Max.� ****************** Max dropped his keys on the table. �Anyone, home?� �In here.� Max made his way into the living room towards the sound of Isabel�s voice. He gave her a slight nod of his head as he picked up his son who was playing on the carpet. He gave him a kiss on the cheek and a smile. �Hey little man. What have you been up to while I was gone?� Isabel gave Max a curious look and wondered where he had been all afternoon. From the looks of his good mood, she wouldn�t need more than one guess. She couldn�t help the smile from forming. She was glad that Max and Liz seemed to work out their differences. It was good to see Max so happy. Max looked towards where Isabel was sitting and gave her an odd look. �Why are you looking at me like that?� Isabel just stood up from her spot on the couch and walked to Max and gave him a hug. Max stumbled back a bit, surprised by her hug. �What�s going on Iz?� She pulled away from him, giving a smile that could light up a Christmas tree. �I�m just so happy to see how happy you are. It�s been so long that I almost thought it was impossible.� Max�s lips quirked up at the corners as he remembered why he was in such a good mood. �Yeah, well for a while I sort of thought that it was impossible too. Liz has given me so much in the short time that I�ve known her.� Max looked at his son, then at Isabel. �I take that back. She�s given the three of us something we�ve never really experienced, and I only hope that I can show her how much she means to me.� Isabel felt her eyes tear up at her brother�s revelation of his budding relationship with Liz. Liz was definitely something the three of them needed in their lives right now. Who knows what would have happened to them had she not stepped into their lives like an angel and bringing her wonderful friends for the ride. ************ Diane Evans stood in the shadows and watched her twins and her grandson. Her heart hurt at seeing how fast time flew. They were growing faster than she would have liked, but she couldn�t complain. They were turning into the most responsible young people. She couldn�t be more proud if she tried. She had been waiting for Max to arrive home so that she and Phillip could have a word with him about what she suspected was going on between Liz and her son. But she didn�t need to ask Max whether her suspicions were correct, for he already admitted his feelings for Liz. Diane tried to be optimistic and be glad that her son was happy. But she couldn�t help but worry. Max was her first born, her only son. She had already seen how easily they had broken him when people had blamed him for Tess� untimely death. She didn�t want a repeat of that. She would do everything in her power to save her family from that kind of heartache again. It wasn�t so much that she disliked Liz. On the contrary, from what she had seen about the young woman, Diane would have wished Max would have ended up with someone who was as kind and genuine as Liz was. But they had unique circumstances. She just wanted to make sure that Liz was worthy of her son�s love and the obvious affection of her grandson. Clearing her throat, Diane made her presence to her children. �Mom.� Diane stepped into the room. �Isabel, would you get your father. He and I need to have a little word with Max.� Isabel�s glance darted from her mother, whose expression she couldn�t read, to that of her brother�s who seemed a little worried. She gave Max�s arm a little squeeze before heading out of the living room in search of her dad. Max gave his mom a nervous look before taking a seat on the couch, with Noah in his lap. Diane watched the way Max was giving her nervous looks here and there. She could feel the tension coming off of him in waves. There was nothing more than she wanted to do than take him in her arms and assure him that everything was ok and that he wasn�t in any trouble, but she decided not to say anything until Phillip was there. Phillip strode into the living room after Isabel had called him. Diane looked up to see Phillip and motioned for him to stand beside her. Together, the two of them walked towards Max. Max held Noah a little tighter in his arms and began speaking. �If this about me just coming home right now, I�m sorry. It was wrong of me to assume that I could just leave Noah with you like that.� Phillip pushed his hands into his pockets and studied the guilty look in his son�s eyes. As much as he didn�t agree with Diane with telling Max to slow down, and instead allowing Max to dictate his own life, he had hoped that this talk would get things out in the open and maybe help Diane see that Max was a fine young man. And that it wouldn�t be so bad if they gave Liz a chance. If Max thought she deserved his affection then they should at least try, for his sake. �Max, this isn�t about that. You don�t have to apologize.� Phillip took a seat on the coffee table so that he was facing Max. Diane stood beside him, her hand on his shoulder. �Your father�s right. We actually wanted to talk to you about something else. Actually, more like someone else.� Max felt his stomach twist in knots. Somehow those words just sent little alarms in his head, like this talk was some sort of ambush. �Talk to me about who?� Max found it hard to talk with all sorts of bad scenarios running in his head. Phillip watched the way Max�s eyes danced wildly with fear. He didn�t enjoy seeing that fear in his son�s eyes and therefore decided to nip this thing in the bud. �We wanted to talk to you about Liz.� He watched the fear grow in Max�s eyes making his heart ache. �We saw the way the two of you were with each other at the Crashdown. And we can only assume that she was the reason why you only just got home. Am I right?� Max swallowed past the lump in his throat. This was like something out of a bad dream. �It wasn�t her fault. I was the one who- Phillip held up his hand, and stopped Max. �It�s ok, Max. We�re not mad.� Max gave his parents cautious looks. If they weren�t mad, then why were they having this conversation? �Then, then what is this about?� Phillip turned to Diane and indicated that he wanted her to answer that question. After all, she was the one who had problems with this in the first place. Diane sat beside Phillip, and placed her hands on Max�s knees. �I�d like to know where this, this relationship is going. If this is serious, or if it�s just a friendship.� Max looked at Noah before answering his mom. �Mom, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, or ungrateful even, I don�t see why it would be something I should tell you. Whatever my relationship with Liz, romantic or otherwise, it�s between her and me. No one else.� Diane turned her eyes to Phillip who merely shrugged his shoulders. �I see where you�re coming from Max, and believe me, I understand. If this was just any other relationship, it wouldn�t be a big deal, but this isn�t just any normal relationship. You have a son to factor in.� Max turned angry eyes on his mother for even insinuating anything of the sort. �I realize that mom. There isn�t a day that goes by that I don�t realize that I have responsibilities that people my age probably won�t have to deal with until they�re married. But I�ve made some bad decisions in my life that I will have to pay for, and will continue to pay for. I can�t regret any of the choices I�ve made in the past because that would be like saying I regret having Noah, and that............, Noah is my son. I don�t know who I would be if I didn�t have him in my life, keeping me grounded. Keeping my eyes open to the realities that surround me.� Max took a breath, before he continued. �I know you�re worried about Liz, you�re worried if she�s going to leave when the novelty wears off and she realizes that this is my life. That I�m just another statistic.� �The truth is, all of that doesn�t matter to Liz. Liz accepts me for who I am and she doesn�t cast any judgments. She�s my friend first and foremost. In the short time that I�ve known her, she�s proved to me over and over again, that she�s someone I can trust my life with, and my son�s. That�s something I never thought I would be able to say about anyone else, other than my family. Liz has shown me that just because I�ve made some blunders along the way, that I don�t have to stop living my life.� Max turned teary eyes to his parents. �And if this doesn�t end up working out in the end, it won�t matter. Everything will be worth it in the end for me.� Diane watched quietly as her usually soft spoken son spilled his heart out to her. She watched as he talked about Liz, passion dancing in his eyes. If anything, Diane had to give credit to Liz. It was obvious that she had a lot to do with getting Max to open up and be happy for once. She had always thought Max was a good judge of character. And if he thought Liz was worth it, then she could at least give her a chance. And as far as she could see, Liz was liked by the whole family. Especially Noah. If Noah was giving Liz a chance then she would too. She would have thought that Noah was the toughest critic to please. Diane reached over and took one of Max�s hands and placed it between both of hers. �If she means that much to you, I�d like to get to know her better. Maybe you could invite her over for dinner or something.� Max felt his mom�s hands squeeze his hand tight. He could tell that he had gotten through to her and that she didn�t say those things to be mean. She was just looking out for him like she always was. He leaned forward and gave her a hug. �Thank you mom, for understanding.� His voice was muffled by her hair. Diane took him in her arms, rubbing his back. �I�m sorry Max. I hope you know that I only said those things because I worry about you and Noah. I don�t want anything happening to you guys. You mean the world to me.� Noah had started to squirm between Max and Diane. Apparently, he didn�t enjoy being squished. Max and Diane both pulled away, half laughing, half crying. Diane gave Max and Noah kisses on their foreheads before leaving. �And I�m serious, Max. I want you to bring Liz over for dinner. That way I can find out what makes her so special.� Diane gave him a wink and then headed for her bedroom. Phillip took a look at Max and gave him a smile. �I�m glad you�re happy son. It�s good to see you smile again.� He stood up and gently ruffled Max�s hair. He knew that Max had out grown that a long time ago, but Max would always be his son. He would always see him as the shy and quiet little boy he was. Phillip leaned and gave Noah a kiss before leaving. Max sat back on the couch, feeling like some much weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He was glad that his parents knew how much Liz meant to him. He wanted them to see just how special she really was. With that thought in mind, he rushed up to his room to give her a call. Part 35 After putting Noah to bed, Max stripped down to his boxers and jumped into bed himself. He grabbed the phone from his bedside table and dialed Liz�s number. �Hey, Max.� Startled, Max sat up a little in bed. �Liz? How did you, how did you know it was me?� Liz�s soft laughter filtered through the phone line, eliciting a smile from Max on the other end. �Caller id, remember?� �Right, so, um, what are you up to?� �Actually, I was just getting ready for bed? You?� Liz fluffed up her pillows so that she could lay against them. �Same here. I just finished putting Noah to bed.� Liz smiled at the image of Noah asleep and it warmed her heart. �I know I just saw him this afternoon, but I miss him already.� Max glanced to where his sleeping son lay. �Yeah, well I think he missed you to. He wouldn�t stop calling for you when I put him down.� There was a few moments of sweet silence between the two of them. Of just knowing that the other was on the other end of the line, sent them a comforting feeling. �So, I talked to my mom today, and she wants you to come over for dinner some time.� Liz felt her heart speed up just a little bit. �Have you....... did you tell your mom about us?� Now it was Max�s turn to be a little nervous. �I.......well, yeah.� When he didn�t hear a response from her, he started to panic. �I�m sorry, Liz. I shouldn�t, I shouldn�t have said anything without asking you first.� The fog in Liz�s brain seemed to have cleared at Max�s apology. �Max, please don�t apologize. I�m not mad at you for having told your mom.� Max felt his heart calm down a little at Liz�s reassurance. He just wasn�t used this relationship stuff. He had only ever been with one girl in his whole entire life, he didn�t want to ruin what he and Liz had. �Are, are you sure?� Liz gave a soft laugh as she started talking. �Yes, as a matter of fact, I couldn�t be happier. I just........ well I thought that you might be reluctant to tell them, you know, since you�ve only met me........� Max shook his head against the receiver even though he knew that Liz couldn�t see him. �Never. I know we�ve only known each other for a little while, but sometimes I get the feeling that I�ve known you my whole life, or maybe in other lifetime. Does that sound stupid?� Now it was Liz�s turn to shake her head. �No, it doesn�t. I........I get that feeling too.� Max sat up, allowing the sheet to fall to his waist. �I already miss you.� �Me too.� �Look, I know it�s late, but I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed.� Max�s voice grew a notch deeper. �So, uh, goodnight, Liz. I�ll see you at school tomorrow.� Liz�s voice grew to a whisper. �Goodnight, Max. And thanks again for today. I had a wonderful time.� Both of them waited a moment longer before hanging up and trying to sleep. **************** Max and Liz had tried to squeeze in as much time as they could together, but with school and part time jobs, it was almost impossible. They both lived for lunch where they could sit together and be with their friends. In AP Chem, they were reduced to little smiles and glances. Sometimes, Liz would just reach out under their lab table and hold Max�s hand, it made her feel at peace that he wasn�t too far away. The budding relationship between Max and Liz had not gone unnoticed by the student body. Especially since Max was considered the new hottie in town. Whispers and stares continued around them, but Max and Liz were too oblivious to notice. Whenever they were around each other, they were in their own little world. Everything and everyone else ceased to exist. �I don�t get it. How did mousy Liz Parker land a fox like Max Evans?� Pam Troy swung her long blonde her over her shoulder as she talked to the girls that were gathered around her. �Well, maybe it�s because she has some class. Something you obviously know nothing about.� Maria gave Pam a pointed look before walking the other way. What Maria wouldn�t do to just give Pam Troy a left hook. She wasn�t one to condone violence, but that girl was just looking for trouble. Pam gave a little huff as she watched Maria walk away. �Whatever, I�m going to find out what little miss goody two shoes has done to fool Max Evans. And when I do, he�ll be free for my taking.� *************** Max walked hand in hand with Liz to the parking lot. �So, do you need me to come pick you up?� Liz shook her head and tucked her hair behind her ears. �It�s ok. I�ll just drive down myself.� Max paused by his jeep where he let Liz lean against it. �Do you need a ride home?� Liz playfully smacked him across the chest. �I already told you that Alex was giving me a ride home. And besides, what is it with you and wanting to give me a ride?� Max gave her his half smile and leaned in to kiss her. �Nothing, it�s just we haven�t been spending a whole lot of time together, and......� He let his voice drift off as he ran his fingers through her dark tresses. �I know. I feel exactly the same way. But think about it this way, I�ll be over at your house for dinner later, and then we can spend some time together.� Max gave a little chuckle. �Yeah, that is assuming I can even get near you. My mom will probably corner you and ask you questions.........� Liz�s face paled a little bit, which stopped Max from continuing to joke. �I�m sorry, Liz. I was only joking. My mom is really the greatest. The only thing you�ll really have to worry about is her cooking. But I�ve already told Isabel to keep an eye on her and not let her out of her sight.� Liz gave Max a mock frown, but she couldn�t keep herself from smiling. �C�mon, Max. I�m sure your mother is a delightful cook.� Max just nodded his head slowly. �Well, that�s because you�ve never tasted her cooking.� Liz reached over and started tickling his sides. �Max Evans, that�s not a very nice thing to say!� Just then, Isabel and Alex showed up. �Let�s go, Parker, before Max decides he doesn�t want to let you go.� Liz looked at Alex and held up her hand, indicating that she needed a few more minutes with Max. Isabel smiled at the sight that her brother and Liz made. She looked towards Alex. �I really wish you could come over for dinner.� Alex looked down into her eyes and smiled. �Me too, but it�s Friday night. It�s impossible to find someone to cover my shift. Maybe another time.� �Yeah, I�d like that.� Alex hooked his thumbs into the straps of his back pack. �Yeah, well tell your mom thanks for the invite. And sorry that I won�t be there.� Isabel just nodded her head and the two of them just smiled at each other. Max leaned in closer to Liz. �As soon as you�re ready, just come on over. Noah�s been dying to see you all week, and that way, you and I could spend more time together.� Liz leaned in closer to his lips. �Yeah, that sounds nice.� Liz finally closed the distance between them and allowed herself to feast on Max�s lips. Before she could deepen the kiss, she heard someone clearing their throat. Liz pulled back and put some distance between her and Max. �I�ll just see you later.� With a dazed look in his eyes, Max responded. �Yeah, later.� Alex gave Max and Isabel a little wave before dragging Liz off towards his car. Isabel jumped into the drivers seat. �Let�s go Max.� Max gave one last look in the direction that Alex had taken Liz before jumping into the jeep. Later. Max couldn�t wait. Back Next |
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