Part 3

LIZ POV

I turned to go.

The window opened.

I froze. Time stood still for me. For us.

"Liz". It was just a whisper. I heard it vibrating through me. The wind blew, i strained to hear it.

I closed my eyes. Joy and misery flooded through me. I looked up to the sky.

Is this a sign? is this the crossroad where i am to make my final choice? a lifetime of unfullfilled desires and lies or a few years of true joy?

I was so confused.

I turned. And i almost fell to my knees.

He was so sad. I could read the pain clearly in his eyes. The defeat.

I looked away, unable to face him.. I felt so guilty. It hurts me more than you know Max, i told him in my head.

I doubted he heard.

"Liz". That whisper again. A small caress this time. I chanced to meet his eyes again. I felt hypnotized.

Was this a little flicker of happiness i saw? Was this a small measure of hope i could see light up within them as i looked at him?

I wanted to speak. Explain my presence. Apologize. Not only for being here but for everything.....i wanted to tell him.

No. I couldn't possibly. I blinked away my tears. Why should the world die just because i was happy?

My throat felt thick. But i knew i had to tell him something.

"I'm s-sorry" i managed hoarsely. I moved to step away. Anything to put distance between us. To allow myself to see reason against my true wishes.

"No" was all he said before his hand reached out and grabbed my arm. Electricity shot through my arm and traveled all throughout my body, leaving a tingling sensation behind.

I almost bust out crying.It's still there. No matter what, it still exists.

He looked taken aback by the feeling. His eyes looked thoughtful. Then he was pulling me to him.

I panicked. I tried to resist. But he was strong and in no time i was but inches away from him. Where had my breath escaped to?

The hand that was on my arm now traveled up to my shoulder, lightly. Up my neck, i shivered. To my cheek where his fingers lingered. Caressing, touching, wiping away my sudden tears.

I swallowed. "Max". His name honey on my lips. His very name seemed to affect me.

His hand slowly moved to my ear and he drew back a lock of hair behind it. I was touched.

"What are you doing here Liz?" He whispered the question. I locked gazes with him.

I feel so lonely Max. I wish you'd hold me. I wish i could give you a reason to.

***

MAX POV

I felt her hesitancy.

I wished i could hold her. Tell her everything will be alright. She looks so lonely.

Why was she here? Why did she come to me?

"I-I came to see you" she replied honestly. I felt my heart tighten. She came to see me.

"Why?" i could not manage to say anything above a whisper. This was too good to be true. I thought this dream would vanish should i diturb the tranquility of the night.

She looked away. First to the side then up to the sky. When she spoke, her voice was clear yet so very soft. She was still looking up at the stars.

"Do you want to go home?" the question caught me by surprise. I wanted to ask what she meant but i already knew, and i answered as truthfully as possible.

"I would like to know what it's like" i said quietly.

"What if....that wouldn't be possible" she looked down at me and my already broken heart broke once more.

"Then my home is here-" i stopped abruptly. i wanted to say ' with you.'

"What if that wasn't possible either?" her question was so low that i strained myself to hear her and was startled at what i heard. then i became suspicious.

"What do you mean Liz?" i asked, urging her to explain herself.

There was a moment of silence before she broke it "What if the world ended?"

I jumped back an inch. Surprised at such a question yet confused at the seriousness of her tone.

As if by impulse i framed her face with my hands and brought her close to me. Close enough to kiss. I stared into her eyes.

"Tell me Liz. You don't have to be afraid" i paused then to further plead my case i added "i feel my own world has already ended."

She drew back and tilted her head. As if assessing the situation. I gazed agonizingly back. When i couldn't hold her gaze any longer i caught sight of her lips.

A mistake perhaps. But i had the sudden urge to hold her close and kiss away her demons. I gave no thought to her betrayl, or my lack of faith. Right now, i just didn't want her to look so sad.

Suddenly it came to me. Could she really be here to tell me the truth? to confess her secret? To tell me she was sorry and that she loved me? i could only hope, i could only wish it so.

My hands still cupping her cheeks i started to caress them with my thumbs. She closed her eyes. As if savoring the feeling.

Her eyes snapped open so suddenly i started. She stared hard at me.

"Max" she said again, the voice of longing. I could not hold back, could not help myself.'just a taste of her. just a little taste' i convinced myself. I brought her face close again.

"Stop me if you have to Liz, because i want to kiss you" i told her. Her eyes grew wide.....but she didn't stop me.

And all this confusion suddenly became the clearest answer of all.

***

When Liz's lips met Max's, something that was too long ignored was brought back to life.Warmth filled her, and so much more. She felt her blood surge with newfound exhiliration. It made her want to curl in closer towards him. But she crubed the inclination to do so.

She had surrendered too much already. Putting her faith in one simple kiss was all she could do. This one kiss would prove to her what choice she should make. Yet she found this choice now too obvious, especially made by way of his kiss.

The faint smell of him engulfed her and she found herself drowning in it, breathing it in as if it was the air itself. He smelled vaguely of cologne and yet so very Max. So very male. So very arousing.

There was an almost soft texture to his skin, his lips. A touch she thought never to feel again. She brought her hand up to trail her fingers down his arm, only half aware of what she did.

He moaned in response and his reaction, far from making her reevaluate her decision made her lean in closer. His lips were full upon hers, making her feel warm, protected. Making her aware that she'd missed out on so much. The blissfulness of this kiss made her want to cry.

And cry she did.

For so suddenly, a white flash stole across her mind and then she knew. Her choice had been made for her, and it was so much a relief that she grew desperate in the kiss. Pushing more against him, feeling the hardness of his body she snaked her arms around his neck, opening her mouth to deepen the kiss. To seal him to her in one way or another.

Liz heard Max groan again and all at once his arms came around her, pulling her closer, enclosing her within his embrace . For the past month she had been trying to grow accustomed to his sad looks, his quiet voice, his cool treatment of her. Now all this was thrown out the window they were standing at and what was happening between them now was no proof of all that has happened.

It was just them. The kiss. And now......The truth.

Liz cried harder and her shaking forced her to become clumsy in the kiss. In the end Max pulled back. He was crying too, but there was such light in his eyes, it could not be mistaken for anything other than hope.He leaned in, their forheads bumping.

"Its been so long....i never thought it would happen" he remarked huskily. Liz gingerly raised a hand and wiped away a few tendrils from across his forehead. Then she moved her eyes to meet his.

"What did you see?" she dared to ask. Fear burst forth in that moment. Fear for their lives...but all Max seemed to do was smile softly.

"I saw love" he paused then continued "true unmistakable love."

Liz stifled a cry. Did he know? Does he know the truth now? He seemed to read her thoughts for he nodded, and swallowed.

"You're so beautiful" he said hoarsely, and she knew that he not only meant the way she looked. She allowed herself to smile.

"So are you" she replied softly. Then she shivered.

As if suddenly remembering that it was the a cold winter night and she was standing outside Max's eyes clouded with concern. He turned to check the time, and she followed his gaze.

12:00AM.

They looked back at each other.

"Merry Christmas" she said.

"Merry Christmas he said.

"I love you" she said.

"I love you too" he said.

Then he held out his hand to her.

Hers was immediately enveloped in his strong warm palm. "Come inside.This is one Christmas i don't intend to spend alone, wishing i could spend it with the girl i love,when she is standing right here infront of me."

And slowly Liz was led into the shadows through the window and into the loving embrace of the one she loved. Should the end of the world be upon them, let them remember this christmas and the angels that touched their souls.

THE END