Chapter Twenty-Four: Anticipation

Chapter Twenty-Four: Anticipation

            "Liz, we're out of Fruity Pebbles!" Alex cried, his head in the cupboard, searching for his favourite cereal.  "And, toilet paper," she said, coming into the kitchen with an empty roll in her hand.  He turned to her and made a face.  "Well, that's just great."  Liz grabbed her bag from the kitchen table.  "I'm gonna run to the store down the street, is there anything else we need?"  "Liz, Maria and Kyle are going to be here any minute now."  She shrugged.  "So?  I'll see them when I get back.  Besides, no one's going to be able to use the bathroom until I go get some more toilet paper."  He smirked at her.  "We could always send them down to Tom's."  "Funny," she answered, narrowing her eyes, "I'll be back in twenty." 

**

            Alex was placing his empty bowl in the sink when the doorbell rang.  "Coming!" he called.  When he opened the door, Maria launched herself in his arms.  "Whoa!" Alex cried, staggering backwards, "what's up with you?"  He looked at Kyle, whose face was split into a wide grin.  "Where's Liz?" Maria asked, ignoring the question, and stepping into the apartment, looking around.  "Oh, she had to run to the store," Alex told them, "so, where's your stuff?"  Kyle and Maria exchanged a look.  "They're, uh, in our rental car.  We'll go get them."  The two ran for the door.  "Well, do you need any help?!" Alex called after them.  "Nope!" he heard Maria's shout, "you just stay put!" 

**

            "Okay," Maria said swiftly, as they made it back to the car, "Liz went to the store, but Alex is there.  So, this is what I was thinking.  Isabel, you go up there alone.  Have your big reunion and come get us when you're ready."  "Well, what are we gonna do in the meantime?" Tess wondered.  Kyle took her hand.  "Walk the beach.  It's really beautiful around here," he said.  Isabel looked to Max, who tried to hide his disappointment.  "Go ahead," he told her, giving her a nod.  She smiled, taking a deep breath.  "Okay, here I go."

**

            Alex heard the doorbell again.  "If you can't even open the door," he called, "then you should have taken my … help."  Alex couldn't believe his eyes, but standing before him was Isabel.  "Alex," she said emotionally.  He stood and stared at her in shock.  "Alex," she repeated more sternly, "if you don't close your trap, you're gonna catch flies."  At that, a huge grin broke over his face.  "It's really you."  He picked her up by the waist, swinging her around.  "Ahhh," he breathed, holding her face between his hands, "you're still the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."  She smiled, tears in her eyes.  "I've wanted you to hold me for so long."  "Oh, yeah?" he teased, leaning in, "and what about this?"  She laughed.  "That too."  She touched her lips to his and they kissed.

**

            Max walked around the apartment, his hands in his pockets.  The rest of them had reunited and left, leaving him alone, waiting for Liz.  With a wink, Alex told them they'd be back in the morning.  Where they were going to stay, Max didn't ask.  It really was a beautiful beach apartment.  The view was amazing and the décor was a perfect blend of Liz and Alex.  It had plenty of feminine touches, but some things were pure Alex.  Max felt a little touch of sadness when he looked at the photos on the mantelpiece.  There wasn't a picture of the aliens among the bunch.  Suddenly, he heard keys in the lock.  Jumping back, he looked around, wondering where he should stand, what he should be doing when she walked in the door.  Finally, he decided to plop himself down on the couch.  The door opened and Max nearly stopped breathing.