Wait, they don't love you like I love you
Maps
Wait, they don't love you like I love you
Made off
Don't stray
My kind's your kind
I'll stay the same
-Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"After chilling for 3-4 hours, top with whipped cream and ground cinnamon before serving," Maxie read out loud.
Georgie thinks this is the first time her sister has made anything that requires more than twenty minutes of cooking. Growing up, Georgie was the one that had the patience to follow directions for cooking and measuring every ingredient precisely. Cooking for Maxie was pre-packaged items – Kraft Mac n' Cheese, instant mash potatoes, heating canned veggies, or soups. In the past, like Thanksgiving, Maxie has helped assist with prepping – washing, cutting, and setting up the table.
Lately, on the days when Maxie was too tired to bother with a can-opener, she would order take-out. If Georgie or Mac was not home to cook, Maxie has used the unlimited tap at the Metro Court restaurant or has counted on Diego. Georgie knows Diego can cook the basics. There have been times where Diego has helped in the kitchen at Kelly's diner during a busy rush. Often grilling the burgers for lunch or cooking up scrambling eggs for breakfast. Still, it was an odd sight to see Maxie and Diego in the kitchen with various ingredients laid out on the table.
Maxie has convinced herself that she can bake a Tres Leches cake with assistance from Diego. The table was covered with cans of sweetened condensed milk, cracked eggs, flour, sugars, and measuring cups. Maxie was currently sprinkling cinnamon on one of the cakes as Diego begins to clean up. After watching them quietly, Georgie walks over to the table to help Diego.
"So, how did the baking go," Georgie questions as she collects the measuring cups and spoon mixtures to the kitchen sink. She grabs a dish sponge, wetting it with water and soap.
"Went well, we haven't tried it yet, but I followed the directions to the letter," Maxie said with a smile.
"Well, I am sure it'll be delicious," Georgie said turning her head to look at Maxie with a smile. She then noticed not one but two trays of cake, "but why did you guys make two."
"Carly," Maxie and Diego both said with a look of duh.
"And why does Carly get a whole tray for herself," Georgie jokily questions.
"Well, when I talked about baking it, she was adamant that we had to make one for her," Maxie says.
"I am sure she'll share with the boys," Diego adds as he finished wiping down the kitchen table. He walks over to the kitchen sink; Georgie is now done with washing dishes. Diego washes the sugary stickiness from the baking ingredients off his hands. After washing and drying his hands, he cannot help feeling how domestic their day has been. Grocery shopping in the morning and baking in the afternoon. He told Maxie they can always drive to the city and buy a cake, but she insisted on making one.
Since they officially became an item, he has shared more stories about his life pre-Port Charles. Maxie knew about his father and how Carly use to be married to Lorenzo. She even knows about his life in foster care. However, he never told her the story of his mother. It was difficult to explain how the woman that he thought was his sister was his actual mother. It just became something in his life that Diego did not share, but he trusted Maxie to know.
His mother once had a complicated relationship with Lorenzo. She raised Diego for the first ten years after his life and lead him to believe she was his sister to protect him. When she was deported back to Mexico, she placed him in foster care. When searching for his biological parents, he never imagined it was his sister the entire time. At one point in time, he thought perhaps Sonny was his father. Ironically, he is now working for Sonny, betraying his actual father in the process. Discovering the truth of his family history left Diego with a feeling of anger and abandonment. However, he learned to forgive his mother and chose to cherish the good moments he had with her as a child. And when he informed Maxie, one of those moments involved a Tres Leches cake for special occasions she insisted on baking.
Maxie believed that it was a memory that should be cherished. She told him it should become a tradition - "you're family now, Diego. I want us to create as many memories filled with traditions."
This leads them to this day, one day away from New Year's, baking cakes. Time flew by since Thanksgiving. They have simply been immersed in each other with every kiss and every I love you. Cause they knew from experience that life is far too short to not cherish the small moments.
Two days after Thanksgiving, they announced their relationship to the family. Everyone was thrilled but not surprised. Diego told Skye during an outing to the park with Lila. Skye was happy to know Diego was starting to create a life for himself away from his father. Lila was also vocal with babbles and drooled over Diego's arm with a smile – "even your sister is happy for you!"
Maxie and Diego informed Mac together, who at first lectured them on life plans. Afterward, he shook Diego's hand and then proceeded to hug him – "I am trusting with my daughter, don't let me down."
Anna was on assignment overseas. Evidently, she was informed by Mac cause the day after telling Mac, Maxie received a text – "I am so happy for you, darling!"
Maxie informed Robin and Georgie during Sunday breakfast. Georgie hugged her sister, who was ecstatic to know Maxie was finally open to love again. Robin, for a doctor, was slightly confused – "wait, am I missing something, you guys haven't been together this entire time."
Georgie explained that Maxie and Diego have been together the entire time but just not officially. Maxie rebutted by saying that they were just very close friends until now. Georgie, give her the look of 'who are you kidding.' Which happen to be the same look Carly give when Maxie and Diego informed her over lunch the same day, – "seriously, this is an actual announcement! Come back to me when a wedding date is set."
Eventually, the news made its way around the Port Charles community. Everyone who knew Maxie and Diego had a reaction. Jason Morgan was indifferent, like always. Sonny, like Robin, was under the assumption they were already an item but congratulated Diego, nonetheless. Even went as far as offering protection guard for Maxie since Diego was now working for him. Elizabeth Webber informed them that she was happy for them when seeing them at a checkup with Doctor Lee. Lulu had no comment. She walked into Kelly's one day and saw the two of them affectionately holding hands at the table and walked right back out. Lucky, sticking to his promise to be respectful responded with "that's nice" during one of his rare meetups with Maxie to discuss pregnancy updates.
After the news went around, it eventually went to Lorenzo's ears. Unlike the other people in Diego's life, it did not matter if Lorenzo knew or not. Lorenzo's confronting Diego would lead to his and Maxie's first argument. It little over a week since they confessed their love for each other when Lorenzo approached them outside the Metro Court. Maxie has just got off work. Diego had the night off and just submitted his last term paper for the semester. He was planning to take her to see the new Will Smith movie that came out – The Pursuit of Happyness.
"Hey, you," Maxie said happily while wrapping her arms around his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist while placing tender kisses along her neck. Diego then moved behind her ear, giving her light pecks. She giggled as that was a tickle spot for her, which he knew very well. Her giggles became silent when he eventually reached her lips.
"Well, is this not a lovely sight," they heard a voice said, interrupting their moment of bliss.
"Mr. Alcazar, hi," Maxie said, unwrapping her arms from Diego's shoulders. Her face was slightly red, clearly embarrassed. Diego quickly grabs one of her hands to hold.
"Please, Miss Jones, giving the history between our families, I am sure first names can be acceptable," Lorenzo says with a smirk.
"History," Maxie says, looking from Lorenzo to Diego.
"What do you want," Diego questions his father with impatience.
Lorenzo ignores Diego's question, focusing on Maxie. "My apologies, you must have forgotten. Understandably, you were young. I find it very interesting that my brother once kidnapped you in an attempt for leverage over the war with Sonny since your family had ties to him. Now, years later, not only is my son is dating you, but he also betrays me by working for Sonny. How we come full circle," Lorenzo says with a spiteful smirk.
"You're working for Sonny," Maxie states rather than questions. She does not bother to look at Diego, taking the time to absorb the news. She lets go of Diego's hand, "I need to go think," she proceeds to head back inside the Metro Court.
"Maxie, I was going to tell you, please," Diego pleads to her to not leave.
Maxie turns to look at Diego, "I just need a moment. Talk to your father, and I'll be inside waiting."
She walks inside, and unknown to Diego, she aims to find Carly.
Diego turns to Lorenzo, clearly upset with his father's words.
"Imagine how I felt to discover my only son, working for the enemy," Lorenzo says.
"That's what bothers you the most? Not that I didn't update you on the latest development of my life, but I am choosing to work for Sonny instead of you," Diego asked.
"I thought you wanted distance from me to get away for the business. Then I hear from outside networks that you're Sonny's new errand-run soldier, it's clear that you just wanted nothing to do with me," Lorenzo angrily stated with hurt in his eyes.
"I don't…ugh…I just need an identity separate from you. My life has been based on lies, trying to find out who I am, and then was spent trying to find ways to please you as a son," Diego said honestly.
"You know when you came into my life, I thought this is great. I have a son without any of the growing pains, or so I thought. There are things I should have done for you, and I had no right to expect to have a perfect son when I been imperfect father," Lorenzo said honestly in return.
"That's just it, to be imperfect father, you have to be a father that was around trying," Diego said back.
"You forgive your mother. Why not me? If she had told me about you I would –," Lorenzo begin to say.
Diego cut him before Lorenzo can finish, "If you didn't treat her the way you did maybe, she would have. She did what she thought was best for me."
"I'll like to have a second chance. I like to be the father you deserve," Lorenzo asked sincerely.
Diego ponders a moment. Thinking how this would work. Should he give Lorenzo a second chance, and fix their complicated father and son history? Should he allow Lorenzo Alcazar to be a part of his life once again? Seemingly making him a part of Maxie's life and her unborn baby. How would that work while still working for Sonny? Before he could conclude what choice to make, additional men joined their father and son moment.
"Is there a problem here," Sonny asked with Max at his side. Max conveniently making it clear there is a gun hanging from his waist.
"This meeting does not concern you," Lorenzo stated.
"Well, Diego, is an employee of mine, and I have it on good authority that you disrupted his night off," Sonny responds.
"Good authority, huh. So, one sign of possible trouble your girl goes to make a call, son? She's trained well, was that by you or by Carly," Lorenzo asks with anger while still looking at Sonny.
"Watch it, Lorenzo" Sonny warned. Max places a hand on his gun in preparation if something was to go wrong.
"I asked my son a question, not you. Is this what you want, to run errands for Sonny instead of working alongside me," Lorenzo turns to look at Diego.
Diego thinks of the word 'meeting.' Instead of using the word 'conversation', he said meeting. As if he was simply talking to another employee instead of his son. Did Lorenzo sincerely what to rebuild a relationship as father and son? Or was he trying to take back an employee from an enemy? He thinks of Maxie as well and how he spoke to her. The dig of being 'trained' has also left him angry.
"I think our second chance at this moment in time is not possible," Diego answered.
"So that's it, you choose the man responsible for your uncle's death," Lorenzo questioned.
"I didn't even know the man, and from my understanding, he was a bit off in the head anyhow," Diego said back.
"Well then, you made your choice, I see. Perhaps Sonny can give you pointers on what it is to raise another man's kid," Lorenzo says as he begins to walk away.
"Well at least Sonny knows what it means to raise a kid," Diego yells out.
Lorenzo stops walking and turns back to Diego and takes few steps forward. Not enough to be next to him and the other two but enough that Diego can hear his words.
"I'll be careful working for Sonny. It would be unfortunate if history were to repeat itself," with that last remark, Lorenzo turns to leave once again.
Diego angrily balls his hands into a fist and begins to go after Lorenzo but is held back by Sonny and Milo. "LET ME GO! Did you hear what he said," Diego shoves both men off.
"Yes, we heard, man, we heard. Trust Mr. C. won't let anything happen to them," Max says.
That night, the movie theater was forgotten. It was spent at Sonny's house. They informed Maxie of the complicated history between Corinthos and the Alcazars. After the history lesson, Diego told Maxie about going back to his old ways to make an extra buck. He also told her how through Carly, he got a job with Sonny. Anger would be an understatement on how Maxie felt. She was outraged and hurt that Diego withheld his new job status. Words were exchanged between them. Followed by Diego pleading for forgiveness.
Jason, who was part of the history lesson, encouraged Maxie to take a moment to decompress. Jason, who always had a calmness to him, also aiding in Maxie calming down. Maxie found herself calm enough to allow Carly to talk. The men left them alone while they discuss Lorenzo's threat towards Maxie. Carly apologizes for her apart in Diego working for Sonny. She then informed Maxie what it means to be in a relationship with someone involved in illegal dealings. Eventually helping Maxie to see things from Diego's perspective – "he's whole life is based on survival, living in and out of the system. He's trying to be honest by going to college and work at Kelly's but this life is all he knows…"
Maxie began to understand Diego's hesitation to tell her he went back into the business. When she takes the time to process everything, she finds herself hurt more than anything. She is hurt that Diego was not completely honest with her. A normal girl would consider this a deal-breaker. Rational reasonings would be to end things. However, Maxie Jones is already irreversibly in love with Diego Alcazar. Deep down in her bones, she knows that without a doubt, Diego will do everything his power to protect her.
So that night, after the yelling, Maxie chooses to forgive Diego. He would go on thanking her for the forgiveness. He would even apologize some more. Maxie would silence him with a kiss. Placing his face in between her hands and said – "I love you, Diego. I don't think there is anything you can do that will make me stop loving you. But from now on, I need you to be completely honest with me."
Diego kissed her passionately afterwards and promised her to be always honest with her. Jason suggested Milo as her guard since he's around their age. The logic is that they can front as friends, so Maxie's family is unaware of what is happening. Also, Sonny pointed out it would be unnecessary for Milo to always be around the Jones house since Mac is Police Commissioner. However, everyone agreed it would not hurt to make an occasional visit for checks under the disguised of visiting a friend.
At first, thanks to his skills as a guard, Maxie's family was unaware of Milo's presence. However, after a visit to the Jones house, Mac questioned Milo's reasoning for stopping by their home. Just as Jason suggested, they played the friend card. Maxie informed Mac, that she knows Milo through Carly. Mac was not thrilled – "Maxie, friends with Carly, is one thing. I worked hard to accepting Diego, but friends with an active employee?"
Maxie quickly defended Milo. She reminds Mac of her parents' history. She also points out the Jones family affiliation with certain people. So, having a friendship with Milo would not make her life any more dangerous. Mac could not argue against Maxie's points but made her promise to be safe and never hesitant to call the police.
Maxie promised she would do those things. However, in her head, she thought her first call would be Diego. Also, with Milo as her watcher, a phone call may never be needed. The fact Milo and Maxie were close in age did not make the watch uncomfortable. They would often speak to each other or shared meals together. By Christmas, having Milo around became normal for Maxie. In a short time, they became real friends.
Christmas was interesting for Maxie and Diego. For Maxie, buying numerous gifts for loved ones was not new. However, she never imagined that she would be buying gifts for Carly Spencer. Or picking out the perfect gift for a mobster. Maxie ended up picking out a new leather gun holder for Milo, which he loved. For Diego, it was the first time he looked forward to a holiday. It has been a long time since he felt this much love from a family. The most exciting thing for Maxie and Diego is that they bought the gifts for others as a couple.
While Jasper Jax was fair with what he paid his employees, it was nowhere what Sonny paid. Not that Diego was lavish with his money. Diego, true to his word, only went back into the business for financial security. He did not care about the lavish lifestyle or power like most men his age that was in the business. His goal was to build a life with Maxie, and he would be forever thankful that Maxie accepted his choice of work. In turn, Diego has made it a habit to make his decisions with Maxie, including the finances.
So, at Christmas, they choose to buy gifts together to give to their family and friends. Maxie, the expert in shopping picked out many of the presents. From Mac's new toolset to Georgie's new laptop for school, it was a joy to see how happy the Jones family were with their Christmas gifts. What they enjoyed the most was seeing Lila at Christmas. Rather than going to the Quartermaines, Skye bought Lila over to the Jones' home. While Diego has made the occasional trip to the Quartermaines in the past, he did not want Maxie to go to the Quartermaines.
While Maxie is adamant that she has moved on from Lulu's actions, Diego thought it was best for the girls to avoid each other. Not just for Maxie's benefit but for Lulu's as well. Diego noticed during his many trips that Lulu was slowly starting to feel more comfortable at the Quartermaine mansion. As a person who experienced moving from home to home, Diego knew how essential it is to let Lulu have a place where she felt secure.
When Diego informed Maxie of his feelings on the matter, Maxie agreed. They decided it would be best to have Sky and Lila over to the Jones' home instead. Which was a delight. Seeing Maxie hold Lila bought smiles to everyone. Maxie spent most of the night holding and cooing at Lila and even fed her. The experience allowed Maxie to feel more ready for her own baby. Seeing Lila, babble and grab at the gifts also lead to everyone imagining next Christmas with Maxie's baby. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Maxie and Diego thought of the baby as well, but not as Maxie's but rather theirs.
Overall, it was a Christmas Diego would always cherish because it was the first one in a long time where he felt love and happiness. Maxie would cherish it forever because it was the first Christmas she spent with Diego. The only thing they did not get to do that Christmas was exchange gifts with Carly. This brings them back to today, New Year's Eve. Baking a Tres Leches cake, with a promise to make one for Carly. They planned to bring the cake to her house along with the Christmas gift for her. Unknown to them, that Carly would ask for a different gift from them.