1 Starting Over-Part 2
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Few years after college. This is an AU.
Authors' note: This story is told from each of the characters' points of view. This may start out weird. But never fear, I'm a dreamer all the way (
1.1 Liz
1.2 Next Morning
Maybe today's meeting wouldn't be all that bad. We could talk settle things you know maybe be friends. But I don't want to be just friends. Why is life so cruel why must I have to choose? I'm married. I have a kid. I'm happy, or was. I used to be. Until he came back. Although, was I ever truly happy, I know I love Daniel to death, I'd give him everything he needs. The thing is, I don't know if I'd do the same thing for Ethan. I love him. I don't know if I'm in love with him. I would do everything for him, at least I try, but it just is weird.
Maybe this isn't the best thing for me to be thinking about before class? I have a whole day ahead of me, dealing with evil ninth graders. I swear those kids are spawns of Satan. I can't think today, not even on biology, what am I going to do?
The bell rang; they start filing into the classrooms, groaning like they're going to die. I just want to yell at them to shut up and sit down, but I can't.
"Ok, class, I know you all think your dying, but please take your seats before announcements." I say sternly.
They file into their seats but continue their chatter. They abruptly shut up when the announcements begin. They know I don't put up with it during the announcements. Immediately they began talking after the announcements. Damn them.
"I give you five seconds to quiet down. Last person talking detention lunch today, Monday and Tuesday." I say loudly and firmly. Talking continues. Ok I'll do it the hard way, but for me easy way. "Everyone quiet, face me, all materials on the floor except pen and paper, Pop Quiz!" I say. Groans are heard but the class is silent. Too late.
I pass out the papers that were meant to be review for the quiz, and settle down at the desk for a nice relaxing thirty minutes. The power of teaching.
1.3 Max
She had a son, and a husband. Was she happy? She obviously loved little Daniel. What did he look like? He certainly seemed nice. He must be cute.
I wandered into the restaurant scouting for Liz. She should be here she was never late for anything. Although having a kid could make her different. Then I saw her. She was sitting having a conversation with a small boy that must be Daniel. He smiled. She was so into the conversation. He was talking away excitedly. He obviously loved each other very much. Now he was proudly showing his Mommy something on his arm. Her eyes widened in shock and then kissed his arm where Daniel pointed. Daniel smiled and put his arm down. He had an owwie, from what I witnessed and knew. I took then to go to the table.
"Hello, Liz." I said not knowing how else to start.
Daniel stopped his chatter and stared up at me. I could see where he would be confused. Who is this man talking to his mommy that wasn't his daddy?
"It's, um, Elizabeth now. I rarely go by Liz, just by Maria." She said looking at Daniel hoping he hadn't caught it. "But it's ok when we're by ourselves, just not around others." She added.
"Ok, Elizabeth." That sounded too weird.
"How are things?" She asked. "I know I was kind of mean yesterday, I was just shocked and yesterday wasn't the best of days." She said.
"Its fine. I just wanted to talk. Michael, Iz, and I have been living here for quite awhile." I started.
"Why?" She asked shocked.
"I don't know, change of scenery, different surroundings. We had no idea that you guys were so close. We live in the next county over. I was looking through some archived newspapers, at my job, and I saw your wedding announcement." I said.
"I guess we'll start with pleasantries." Liz started. Why did she have to be so formal? "This as you might have guessed is Daniel Evan Tailner, my son." She said proudly.
I looked at her, "Evan?"
She avoided my eyes, "Yes, after an old friend. Danny, this man here is Max." She said.
Daniel looked at me and I at him. "Nice to meet you," I said politely. How else was I supposed to act?
"Well, Max, what are you doing now for a living, since you already know what I'm doing." She asked. Was that a hint of mockery in her tone?
"Well, Iz, and I started our own little law firm with the help from our dad. She does most of the work, I do research and paperwork stuff, if you know what I mean."
"I never saw you as a office type person. Danny, please sit down on your bottom please, not your feet." She directed her son and then focused her attentions back on me.
"I wasn't but it works fine, and we pretty much set up our own hours when we're not on a case." I say.
"Oh, that would be nice. Daniel, if you don't stop right now I'll have to tell your father." The young boy glared at his mother and plopped himself down in his chair.
"So what's his father like?" I couldn't get myself to say husband.
"My husband is just fine, his name is Ethan Tailner, as you already know." She said shortly, but there was a hint of something in her eyes he didn't quite recognize. "He works late tonight which is why I decided to take Daniel out."
"How long have you two been married?" I asked simple enough correction, right?
Wrong.
"Why are you asking so many questions about my life?" She demanded.
"Just curious to see how your life was going, I didn't mean to offend you." I didn't know what was making her so upset.
We made small talk during dinner. Daniel got used to being around me; he talked quite a bit making it impossible for Liz and me to talk.
Daniel turned and mumbled something to her that I couldn't quite catch. I could pick out a few words but all sounded like mumbo-jumbo to me. But Liz understood and nodded her head. He tried to stand up but was belted down. Liz giggled at his frustration and undid it for him and set him down on the floor.
I paid for dinner against Liz's wishes and followed the pair outside to the little playground. She removed his shoes and sent him on his way.
1.4 Liz
Max was absolutely gorgeous tonight. As per normal. He was so nice to Daniel. Ethan doesn't even have that kind of patience with him.
The school that Daniel goes to teaches them two languages besides English before they start kindergarten. The thing is, Daniel doesn't understand the three languages are different. He thinks they're all one. He speaks, Spanish, French, and English. Those are the languages I learned in high school and college. Ethan only knows Spanish and is annoyed when he speaks French. I don't even think Max realized he was speaking a different language. He'll probably ask me sometime.
Daniel turns and yells at me to watch him go down the slide in his little language I turn and watch.
"How do you know what he's saying?" Bingo.
I patiently explained it to him. He just looked at me, God, he's so hot. Don't think like that Liz.
"I didn't know you spoke French." Max said.
"I learned in college. He probably speaks it better than I do though." I laughed and glanced at my son quickly.
"So how's your life going?" I asked.
"Good, good." Was his answer.
"How are things?" I put the stress on things.
"Good actually, do you really want to here about it?" He asked looking into my eyes.
"Actually, I would." I said cheerfully.
"Ok, after we graduated, Michael, Isabel, Tess, and I, all went to Santa Fe University. We found that we could easily defeat Khivar, which is what we did. After our time at the University was over we moved here. To start over. Um, Tess and I got married, and we had two kids. Twins, girls, Evelyn and Elizabeth." He looked down blushing, he actually gave his daughter my name and Tess accepted it.
"Is there a reason for Elizabeth?" I asked.
"Old friend." He smiled at his using of my words.
"Where are they now? Why didn't you bring them?" I asked, just curious.
"Dead." He looked straight ahead now.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." I was mortified. If anything ever happened to Daniel, I didn't know what I would do. He was my life. From the way Max talked about his girls they were his life as well.
"Its ok." He said in a tone that meant he wasn't going to talk about them any further. "After that, I moved out of the house that we lived in and into an apartment. There was no need for so much space with just me." He looked down. "So now I'm a lawyer, in a firm with Isabel, and that's what's happened in my life." Max said.
"Wow, and I thought I went through a lot in the past six years. To answer your question from earlier, I've been married for three years. I teach, and Daniel is my life. There you have it. Liz Parker in a nutshell." Oh God, I did not just say my maiden name.
He looked at me funny. "Don't you mean Elizabeth Tailner?"
"Yes, that is what I mean. I'm still not used to it." I laughed.
He smiled and we continued our small talk and once again became familiar with each other's lives.
(Thanks for continuing to read)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Few years after college. This is an AU.
Authors' note: This story is told from each of the characters' points of view. This may start out weird. But never fear, I'm a dreamer all the way (
1.1 Liz
1.2 Next Morning
Maybe today's meeting wouldn't be all that bad. We could talk settle things you know maybe be friends. But I don't want to be just friends. Why is life so cruel why must I have to choose? I'm married. I have a kid. I'm happy, or was. I used to be. Until he came back. Although, was I ever truly happy, I know I love Daniel to death, I'd give him everything he needs. The thing is, I don't know if I'd do the same thing for Ethan. I love him. I don't know if I'm in love with him. I would do everything for him, at least I try, but it just is weird.
Maybe this isn't the best thing for me to be thinking about before class? I have a whole day ahead of me, dealing with evil ninth graders. I swear those kids are spawns of Satan. I can't think today, not even on biology, what am I going to do?
The bell rang; they start filing into the classrooms, groaning like they're going to die. I just want to yell at them to shut up and sit down, but I can't.
"Ok, class, I know you all think your dying, but please take your seats before announcements." I say sternly.
They file into their seats but continue their chatter. They abruptly shut up when the announcements begin. They know I don't put up with it during the announcements. Immediately they began talking after the announcements. Damn them.
"I give you five seconds to quiet down. Last person talking detention lunch today, Monday and Tuesday." I say loudly and firmly. Talking continues. Ok I'll do it the hard way, but for me easy way. "Everyone quiet, face me, all materials on the floor except pen and paper, Pop Quiz!" I say. Groans are heard but the class is silent. Too late.
I pass out the papers that were meant to be review for the quiz, and settle down at the desk for a nice relaxing thirty minutes. The power of teaching.
1.3 Max
She had a son, and a husband. Was she happy? She obviously loved little Daniel. What did he look like? He certainly seemed nice. He must be cute.
I wandered into the restaurant scouting for Liz. She should be here she was never late for anything. Although having a kid could make her different. Then I saw her. She was sitting having a conversation with a small boy that must be Daniel. He smiled. She was so into the conversation. He was talking away excitedly. He obviously loved each other very much. Now he was proudly showing his Mommy something on his arm. Her eyes widened in shock and then kissed his arm where Daniel pointed. Daniel smiled and put his arm down. He had an owwie, from what I witnessed and knew. I took then to go to the table.
"Hello, Liz." I said not knowing how else to start.
Daniel stopped his chatter and stared up at me. I could see where he would be confused. Who is this man talking to his mommy that wasn't his daddy?
"It's, um, Elizabeth now. I rarely go by Liz, just by Maria." She said looking at Daniel hoping he hadn't caught it. "But it's ok when we're by ourselves, just not around others." She added.
"Ok, Elizabeth." That sounded too weird.
"How are things?" She asked. "I know I was kind of mean yesterday, I was just shocked and yesterday wasn't the best of days." She said.
"Its fine. I just wanted to talk. Michael, Iz, and I have been living here for quite awhile." I started.
"Why?" She asked shocked.
"I don't know, change of scenery, different surroundings. We had no idea that you guys were so close. We live in the next county over. I was looking through some archived newspapers, at my job, and I saw your wedding announcement." I said.
"I guess we'll start with pleasantries." Liz started. Why did she have to be so formal? "This as you might have guessed is Daniel Evan Tailner, my son." She said proudly.
I looked at her, "Evan?"
She avoided my eyes, "Yes, after an old friend. Danny, this man here is Max." She said.
Daniel looked at me and I at him. "Nice to meet you," I said politely. How else was I supposed to act?
"Well, Max, what are you doing now for a living, since you already know what I'm doing." She asked. Was that a hint of mockery in her tone?
"Well, Iz, and I started our own little law firm with the help from our dad. She does most of the work, I do research and paperwork stuff, if you know what I mean."
"I never saw you as a office type person. Danny, please sit down on your bottom please, not your feet." She directed her son and then focused her attentions back on me.
"I wasn't but it works fine, and we pretty much set up our own hours when we're not on a case." I say.
"Oh, that would be nice. Daniel, if you don't stop right now I'll have to tell your father." The young boy glared at his mother and plopped himself down in his chair.
"So what's his father like?" I couldn't get myself to say husband.
"My husband is just fine, his name is Ethan Tailner, as you already know." She said shortly, but there was a hint of something in her eyes he didn't quite recognize. "He works late tonight which is why I decided to take Daniel out."
"How long have you two been married?" I asked simple enough correction, right?
Wrong.
"Why are you asking so many questions about my life?" She demanded.
"Just curious to see how your life was going, I didn't mean to offend you." I didn't know what was making her so upset.
We made small talk during dinner. Daniel got used to being around me; he talked quite a bit making it impossible for Liz and me to talk.
Daniel turned and mumbled something to her that I couldn't quite catch. I could pick out a few words but all sounded like mumbo-jumbo to me. But Liz understood and nodded her head. He tried to stand up but was belted down. Liz giggled at his frustration and undid it for him and set him down on the floor.
I paid for dinner against Liz's wishes and followed the pair outside to the little playground. She removed his shoes and sent him on his way.
1.4 Liz
Max was absolutely gorgeous tonight. As per normal. He was so nice to Daniel. Ethan doesn't even have that kind of patience with him.
The school that Daniel goes to teaches them two languages besides English before they start kindergarten. The thing is, Daniel doesn't understand the three languages are different. He thinks they're all one. He speaks, Spanish, French, and English. Those are the languages I learned in high school and college. Ethan only knows Spanish and is annoyed when he speaks French. I don't even think Max realized he was speaking a different language. He'll probably ask me sometime.
Daniel turns and yells at me to watch him go down the slide in his little language I turn and watch.
"How do you know what he's saying?" Bingo.
I patiently explained it to him. He just looked at me, God, he's so hot. Don't think like that Liz.
"I didn't know you spoke French." Max said.
"I learned in college. He probably speaks it better than I do though." I laughed and glanced at my son quickly.
"So how's your life going?" I asked.
"Good, good." Was his answer.
"How are things?" I put the stress on things.
"Good actually, do you really want to here about it?" He asked looking into my eyes.
"Actually, I would." I said cheerfully.
"Ok, after we graduated, Michael, Isabel, Tess, and I, all went to Santa Fe University. We found that we could easily defeat Khivar, which is what we did. After our time at the University was over we moved here. To start over. Um, Tess and I got married, and we had two kids. Twins, girls, Evelyn and Elizabeth." He looked down blushing, he actually gave his daughter my name and Tess accepted it.
"Is there a reason for Elizabeth?" I asked.
"Old friend." He smiled at his using of my words.
"Where are they now? Why didn't you bring them?" I asked, just curious.
"Dead." He looked straight ahead now.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." I was mortified. If anything ever happened to Daniel, I didn't know what I would do. He was my life. From the way Max talked about his girls they were his life as well.
"Its ok." He said in a tone that meant he wasn't going to talk about them any further. "After that, I moved out of the house that we lived in and into an apartment. There was no need for so much space with just me." He looked down. "So now I'm a lawyer, in a firm with Isabel, and that's what's happened in my life." Max said.
"Wow, and I thought I went through a lot in the past six years. To answer your question from earlier, I've been married for three years. I teach, and Daniel is my life. There you have it. Liz Parker in a nutshell." Oh God, I did not just say my maiden name.
He looked at me funny. "Don't you mean Elizabeth Tailner?"
"Yes, that is what I mean. I'm still not used to it." I laughed.
He smiled and we continued our small talk and once again became familiar with each other's lives.
(Thanks for continuing to read)