So I've had this one sat on my desktop for a while and I thought sod it I'll do some work on this since there have been a few times people have asked if I was going to finish it. I've gone back over the stuff that was already up and changed some bits and tried to grab my mistakes (which is hard!) so even if you've read it before read the other chaps and then this one. I hadnt realised how much my writing style had developed until I reread this story. I've tried to make it flow better and I'd love to hear what everyone has to say so please leave some reviews! Enjoy xx
Since things were still feeling a little raw for them the group decided that being separated probably wasn't the best idea, and since Max's parents hadn't seen Liz, they left her sleeping and all piled into Max's father's car. They decided to do a few laps and Izzy would call them when their parents went to bed. She's decided to curl up on Max's bed with Liz and watch over her while Max was gone.
Max took the wheel and Kyle scrambled into the passenger seat while Maria and Michael sat in the back. While they drove Maria called her mother telling her she would be a Liz's house and Amy didn't even flicker at her daughter's explanation. Once Maria secured her cover she called Liz's mother and explained Liz had drifted off while studying and she was going to stay the night. Since this happened regularly and it was a Friday night her mother didn't bat an eyelid.
They circled the block a few times, Maria with her head resting lightly on Michael's shoulder as she fought drifting off.
"I'm not sure if I'm taking all of this in Max," Kyle said suddenly breaking into the silence that had enveloped them.
Max pulled over then knocking the lights off and plunging them into darkness for a moment before he flicked the overhead light on. He turned in his seat and looked at Kyle who was looking a little lost and knew exactly how he must be feeling. Everyone but him and Maria knew their secret pasts fully now.
"I know it's a lot to take on faith right now Aden," he sighed closed his eyes and reopened them, "Kyle, but I promise we'll find a way to pass everything to you as well. It's been easier for Michael and I but that doesn't mean it will be impossible for you and Maria."
Just then Maria's phone rang startling all of them and with a nervous laugh she flipped it open and talked quietly into the receiver. When she closed it again she smiled and nodded to Max and he started the car again.
When all four slipped into the house it was quiet, his parents obviously in their room and they slid down the corridor into Max's room with no problems. Iz was sat up in bed a book in her hands and Liz was curled on her side, her head buried against Izzy's hip. Max paused for a moment taking in the sight of Liz and felt warmth flood over him as he looked at the woman he loved. She was sleeping peacefully and he knew that having Iz close to her was soothing.
Max closed the door softly behind the group and with a flare of power secured it so his parents couldn't accidently walk in. With a smile Michael circled around the bed and knelt down next to Liz, brushing his hand over her hair. She murmured and the rolled over her eyes opening slightly and she smiled when she saw him.
"Rath," she sighed happily and he grinned.
"Hey baby sister you feeling better?" he asked feeling the love he held for her swelling inside of him.
She smiled giving a sleepy nod and pushed herself up into a sitting position. He stood then and Maria moved up next to him slipping down onto the bed to take Liz's hand in hers. The girls began whispering to each other and Michael stepped back to stand with Max who hadn't taken his eyes of Liz yet.
"Things have changed a lot Zan," Michael said not even realising he had called Max by his other name.
The other man sighed and turned to look at his friend, "yeah they have," he said simply and Michael knew he was feeling the same way.
It wasn't just what they had discovered, but it was also the fact that Liz was pregnant. A pregnancy that they knew wasn't going to be normal by any standards. Michael hoped they would have a few weeks to make some plans but he knew things had a way of getting to them faster than they could handle.
"Rath," Liz called suddenly and he looked up to see his sister smiling softly at him.
He moved back to the two girls since Izzy had climbed from the bed to wrap her arms around Max's waist.
"Yeah sis," he said kneeling down and she reached out to take his hand.
He felt warmth wash over him as she held his hand and he smiled as the familiar family connection flared to life, "there you are," she whispered and Michael couldn't help but laugh at that.
His mind filled with Kali for a moment, his memories of this life and the last swirling together and then there was another presence there and he realised Liz had taken Maria's hand.
"You need to remember him Lia," she whispered and then all of a sudden she was gone and all that was left was Maria.
Liz sat back and watched as her brother was lost to the love of his life. She knew from every angst filled rant that Maria had always felt a distance between her and Michael that she couldn't seem to cross. But Amelia and Rath had never had that distance and as she watched memory fill Maria's eyes she smiled.
Liz looked away then giving the couple their moment and turned to find Kyle stood back from everyone else. He was watching the couple with clouded eyes, a frown on his face and she knew he was worrying. She slid from the bed and padded across the room to him taking his hand.
"Don't worry," she whispered going onto tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek, "once Amelia remembers we can pull it forward for you," she said and he simply looked at her.
She knew he was having the most trouble with all of this. Michael, Max and Isabel had grown up knowing what they were and then Maria and her had a connection to it all through the men they loved but Kyle was on the outside of it all. He didn't have someone to anchor him, or at least he didn't think he did.
She could remember him in his past life, remember the way he had cherished his sister and she knew once Amelia returned they could have Aden back again. She smiled at him again and this time he smiled back and she felt a small pulse pass through them, a familiar link that was trying to flare to life. She remembered the way all of them had been, the way they had been connected by more than just their friendships and family ties.
Just then Maria gasped and Liz turned to see tears streaming down her cheeks. Liz expected her to launch herself in to Michael's arms but when she flew from the bed it was away from him, straight at Kyle. She flung herself into his grasp her arms going around his neck and his arm came up to catch her though he still had hold of Liz's hand.
"Aden," Maria mumbled into his chest and he patted her back lightly obviously unsure of what to do.
Liz smiled feeling the power surging inside of the two of them and using the talents she had discovered in herself she sent a pulse of power through Kyle helping to trigger the memories.
He gasped letting go of her hand and then he had Maria wrapped in his arms and he collapsed to the floor pulling her against him. He whispered soothing nonsense to her ear as he ran his hand through her hair calming her as best he could. He knew now why she had reacted that way to the memory of him.
"I'm here now," he whispered and she sobbed again.
He closed his eyes and heard her screams vibrate through his body. Liz had told them that she had scored a killing show on Avaria, but not why. Now he knew, knew that Kavar had killed him right in front of her and she had lost it then attacking. Amelia had watched as Kavar had killed her brother who was as close to her as a best friend and it had broken her. Now she was holding him again and feeling all the same sorrow and loss as before. He held her and let her cry knowing there was nothing more he could do.
Liz felt arms slip around her and knew instantly that it was Michael. She sighed and lent her head back against his chest letting her eyes close as she basked in the warmth of being with her brother. She could feel their connection, strong and buzzing in her mind now and it soothed her having him so close. He kissed her temple and she smiled feeling how familiar the gesture was. When she opened her eyes she turned slightly to find Max sat on the bed with Izzy practically sat in his lap. He was stroking her hair much the same as Kyle was soothing Maria.
"Well I think we're all up on what's happening then," Michael said breaking the ice and for a moment everyone stopped and turned to look at him.
And then Maria was laughing and the tension was gone and they were all laughing. Soon enough they were all sat around the room, Liz having sat back on the bed because she needed to stretch out and the others had taken seats on either the floor or the bed.
Max sat on the bed with Liz and she moved to rest her head in his lap, he smiled as he stroked his hands over her hair. He could feel their connection; feel the warmth of being with her spreading through his body. He sat for a while listening to the others chatting lightly about lighter memories, obviously avoiding the memories that would hurt them so much.
Soon enough it grew late and people began to tire.
"I think we'll let the girls have the bed and us guys will take the floor," Max said and Michael and Kyle agreed.
Isabel slipped down the hall to her room to grab the girls something to sleep in and the Max gave the boys something to wear that they quickly changed into while Maria and Liz turned their backs. Max stripped off his top and pulled on a pair of his sleep shorts ignoring the slight tug of embarrassment.
When Iz returned the boys risked heading into the hallway to give them some privacy. Luckily Max's parents room was at the other side of the house and so it wasn't too hard to keep quiet. When they were finished they all settled back into the bedroom Liz in the middle of the bed with the two girls besides her. Michael took the side of the bed where Maria lay and made a makeshift bed on the floor next to her. Max laid down near Iz and Liz and Kyle took the foot of the bed. Soon enough all of them feel asleep happy in the knowledge they were safe and with each other.