Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell, nor any of its characters. Wish I did though.

oOoOo

Chapter 35

For the next couple of weeks, Max tried to spend as much time with Liz as he could. Whenever they were at their respective offices, Max would make sure that they could have lunch together. He also spent a lot of time at their house whenever he could. He'd often have dinners with Nancy and Liz. He's hell bent on trying to get to know more about her every day. All in all, he wouldn't let a single opportunity pass if it meant that he could spend some time with Liz.

One night, he asked Liz out on a dinner date. At first she was reluctant, but Nancy insisted that she should go. And that was what she did.

Max took Liz to one of the fine dining restaurants in town, and he was wearing a black suit with a silvery blue tie. He looked so handsome that women who passed them would always do a double take. Liz was equally stunning. She was wearing a black slip dress with two thin straps holding it up. She wore her hair down and Max couldn't help but think how soothing it would feel to run his fingers through her strands. A pair of diamond earrings was her only jewelry. She was carrying a black beaded purse and a black chiffon shawl. And to complete the entire outfit, she had on a pair of strappy, black, high-heeled sandals.

When Max came to her house to pick her up, he was speechless when he saw her. If Nancy wasn't in the same room, he would have ravished his Liz right then and there.

As they walked in the French restaurant, Liz was gathering the attention of the men in the establishment. This wasn't left unnoticed by Max and he placed his arm around her shoulder and held on tightly.

Over dinner, they talked about everything they could think of. Liz was opening up a little more to Max and the other patrons as well as some of the working staff were in awe of the love that shone in the eyes of the beautiful couple.

"God, did you see Isabel's face when she saw the car?" Max asked. "Honestly, I was ready to bolt out of there if she started throwing things at me. I knew she wouldn't be able to do that to our parents, but she would never hesitate on me."

Liz laughed and Max was delighted that he caused it. "I thought she was really going to have you return it. Why did you buy it anyway?"

"Well, Dad thought it would be a great present. Xander is his first grandson. Although I'm sure that when we have kids of our own, we can expect him to spoil them as much," Max blurted.

Liz was stunned speechless and Max realized his mistake.

"I'm sorry, Liz. I… I didn't mean to say that… I…" Max stuttered trying to apologize.

"No, it's okay. I just didn't know you were thinking those things about us."

Max turned serious. "Is it wrong for me to think that? Is it just my wishful thinking?"

Liz shook her head no. Max breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"You don't know how much that means to me, Liz." Max reached for her hands. "Does this mean you're taking me back?"

"No… but, just so you know that there is that chance. I'll be honest with you. You know that I still have feelings for you, and I think eventually we'll end up together."

"But?"

"But, it's just too soon. There are things…"

"That we haven't talked about." Max finished her sentence. "That's actually what I was hoping we could do. Talk, about those things."

"Actually, there's just one left," Liz stated.

"The scare right?"

Liz nodded.

"Is that what happened at the party 2 weeks ago? I saw your reaction when Kyle asked you about having kids of your own. I knew that it could be that, but I didn't want to press you about it then."

"Can we not talk about this here please?" Liz requested.

"Will we ever get to discuss it? I know that there are still things that you're holding inside you. I don't think your mom even knows it. But you have to let it go, Liz. Please."

"I know. I just… don't know how." Liz shed a tear and Max wiped it away with his thumb.

"Let's finish this then we can go somewhere private to talk, okay?"

Liz nodded her consent.

They finished their dinner in silence and Max immediately asked for the check. He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible while Liz was still inclined to talking about the past.

Max drove them straight to his home and to his surprise, Liz did not utter any objections at all. He led Liz into the house and they went to the kitchen.

"Do you want coffee, wine, anything to drink?" Max asked.

"Um, just tea please."

Max nodded and started boiling water. He pulled out 2 cups and a tray from different cabinets and placed them on the counter. He also got 2 teabags, sugar and cream and put them on the tray. Both of them were silent while Max was moving around the kitchen with Liz merely observing him. Soon, the tea kettle whistled and Max placed it on the tray too.

They went into the den where there were a couple comfortable two-seaters. Max thought it would be a proper place for them to talk. He wanted Liz to be as relaxed as possible as she tells him more of the past. They each made their own tea and Liz took a sip. She returned the cup to the table and took deep breaths.

"You okay?" Max asked as he looked at her closely.

Liz nodded.

"You ready to tell me what happened?"

Liz nodded once more.

"So, what happened at Xander's shower?"

"I felt awkward. It brought back memories. Your dad talked about how Xander was his first grandchild. And I kept thinking…," Liz trailed off.

"About how it wouldn't be the case if I really got you pregnant," Max finished.

Liz nodded again, her head bowed down.

"Tell me what it was like." Max moved closer to her and took her hands in his.

"I was so scared at first. I didn't want to tell my mom, but I couldn't turn to anyone else. I didn't want you to know and I was sure that if Isabel and the others would find out, they'd run to you about it."

"I think they would have beaten me up if you told them."

"Well maybe they won't go to you in a good way, but you'll definitely learn of it and I didn't want that."

"Why not, Liz?"

"Because…because you dumped me. I thought you didn't want me. Y-you said you couldn't fall for a maid's daughter. What more if you impregnated one?" Liz's voice started to crack. "I was certain that you would have shunned me away." Tears fell from her brown eyes, and Max wrapped his arms around her.

"I wouldn't. If you had told me, I would have stayed with you. You would have found out earlier that everything I said was a lie, that I was deeply in love with you." Max pulled back and held her face. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be with you through it."

Liz shook her head, "No more apologies, remember?" She tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes.

Liz continued, "After my mom and I went to the doctor, we had to wait for the results. I stayed in our room most of the time. I just laid in bed sorting it all out in my mind. And then…"

"And then what?" Max prodded.

"And then I…I wondered what it would be like. The waiting makes you conjure up things in your mind. And I thought what if I am pregnant. I kept racking my brain thinking about what would happen. I would have lost my scholarship, I wouldn't be able to go to college. And there was you. How would I be able to tell you or keep it from you while we were in the same house, I couldn't ask my mom to quit her job because we needed the money, more so if there would be another mouth to feed, not to mention the expenses of having a baby."

"First, my parents wouldn't have taken away your scholarship to Winneman. And second, you know I would have helped you, don't you?" Max questioned.

Liz shook her head, "You told me you didn't want me. How could I know that you would be there if I needed you?"

"That's why you couldn't tell me and thought of keeping it from me." Max was actually making a statement than a question.

"Yes."

"Oh, Liz, I'm so sorry." Max hugged her tight, never wanting to let go.

After some time, Liz pulled away. "It's okay, there wasn't really a baby."

Max studied her closely, "But you wish there was, don't you?"

Liz nodded mutely.

"Is that why you were silent all that time at Isabel's?"

"Yes. I felt all those emotions washing over me. Maybe I wouldn't have turned out to be this cold person if there was a baby, you know? Maybe the baby would have kept me the way I was back then. And if we left, I had this dream that someday we'd see each other again. And you'd find out about our child and you'd come and get us."

"But more importantly, a part of me wished that there was one. Back then while I was lying in bed waiting for that call, I wanted it to be real. I wanted an entire being that was half you and half me. A baby that came from us," Liz sobbed.

"I didn't even tell my mom about this. You're the first person I ever told about my true feelings during that time in my life."

"Remember that you could always come to me, Liz, and I will always be here for you. I made that mistake of letting you go years ago and I have no intention of committing that same mistake ever again."

Liz looked up to meet his eyes. "Do you think we have another chance? At getting back together and being happy?"

"Yes, but only if you would let me in."

"I want to, Max, I really do."

Max gave her a million-dollar smile.

"I think I'm ready," Liz said softly.

"You're taking me back?"

She nodded. "If you think you can put up with me."

"Absolutely."

Max cradled her face and kissed her with as much passion as he had kept inside him for 10 long years.

Liz responded slowly at first, but as Max deepened the kiss, she gave in to the desire that stirred inside her.

As their lips melded, Max swiped his tongue on her lower lip, seeking entrance into the recesses of her warm, sweet mouth.

Their tongues dueled and when the need for air became greater than the need to kiss, they parted.

Max rested his forehead on Liz's, breathing in her sweet scent.

"I've missed that. I've wanted to do that ever since I saw you at Kyle and Tess's wedding.

Liz abruptly leaned back. "You were there?"

Max nodded.

"How come I didn't see you?"

"I hid from you. I sat at a table on the far corner so you wouldn't see me. I didn't know how you would react so I thought it was better for me to just stay away for the time being."

"Yeah, I probably would have run away."

Then Max pulled her face close to his. "And I would have run after you. I told you, Liz Parker. I'm never letting you go ever again."

Liz smiled and this time initiated a kiss which Max was more than happy to return.

When they separated, Liz felt like she was free, free from the burden she carried inside her for a decade. She smiled wistfully as Max hugged her tight.

Pulling her close, Max made a silent vow, 'Someday Liz, I promise you that someday, when the time is right, we will have that baby.'