Chapter Twenty Five

" Who the hell is knocking at my door at 2:30 in the morning? " growled Michael. He swung open his door. " What? "

" MICHAEL! " screamed Maria. She dashed into his apartment.

" Maria? What are you doing here? " he asked rubbing his eyes. Why was she here so late? Didn't she know that he had to sleep?

" Michael they're gone " she said pacing the room.

" What? Who are you talking about? "

" Max and Liz. They're gone Michael "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Where could they have gone? " asked Isabel as Thaman drove the Corolla towards Michael's house. " Why didn't they tell any of us if they were leaving? "

" I do not think this has anything to do with us Princess, " said Thaman calmly.

" What do you mean? " she said looking at him. " Do you think they went back to the lab again? "

" No I do not think so " he answered. " I think they went to fulfill a part of their destiny "

" You're not saying they, " she said looking at his face.

Thaman looked at her and she laughed. This was just so unreal. " I can't believe this is actually happening " she said laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" You wake me up at three in the morning to tell me Max and Liz have run off together? " complained Kyle as they all gathered at Michael's house. " Like we didn't expect that to happen "

" Kyle they went to get married " said Maria " That's a big step in any relationship "

" So they get married, " he said looking at her " We didn't know they would do it "

" Thaman do you know how long they've been missing? " asked Michael.

" At least an hour my Lord " answered Thaman.

" Then we have to go to Vegas, " said Serena

" What are her parents going to say when I tell them that Liz is going to Vegas to get married? " asked Maria. " It's not exactly something you can just tell parents "
" You will not tell her parents where they have gone. The best thing you can do is go to Vegas and not tell anyone " said Thaman
" Why? " asked Maria
" Because they're supposed to get married " said Michael looking at Thaman. " Isn't it obvious? They have to get married or else "
" How are we going to explain a random, last minute, late night trip to Vegas? " asked Maria.
" We'll figure something out Maria " said Valenti. " Let's just all get in the car and start driving over there before they get married and you miss it " he didn't necessarily agree to this act of desperation on the part of Max and Liz. He thought that them getting married was an awful idea because they were both so young. But he also knew that they were different.
" It's not like this is totally unpredictable " said Kyle as they all walked out of Michael's apartment. " We all know that they were married the same way in the other reality that Liz told us about "
" Yeah how could we think they would do things different? " asked Isabel in agreement.
" Because Liz never wanted to get married in Las Vegas. She had it all pictured out and this was not it " said Maria.
" I don't think they had any other option. Looks like we're going to have another memorable time in Vegas " said Michael as he closed and locked his door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Driving in the night watching the stars as they seem to move along with us as we drive towards Vegas. This was such a crazy thought. To just drive in the middle of the night with someone you love, to get married. She looked at her watch, 5:30am. They had left Roswell 8 hours ago. Max came by at about 8. He was nervous as he climbed the ladder up to my balcony. Not because of what we were about to do, but what would happen once we returned. He knew he would probably be killed but he worried that they would take me anyway. I am not leaving Max or anyone to go to Florida. I'm going to do everything in my power to stay and be here for them. I was already married to Max in more ways than one. The only thing keeping us from calling each other husband and wife is that piece of paper. Yes we're young but we don't have much time now. Who knows when Khivar will actually be coming. They had a little more than a decade together in the last reality. I know we wouldn't have that but I wasn't going to waste what time we would have together. Yes Vegas is not my dream wedding location but my parents would never allow a real wedding now. Besides, Max and I are now of legal age and this is what we want to do. This is what we need to do. The term girlfriend is just too temporary for me. Being called his wife is much more permanent. I can't be something temporary to him. I laugh to myself quietly thinking about how I thought I would never have this day but I will soon. I just have to wait a little longer until we get there. Max refuses to really speed it up. He doesn't want to take a chance that we get pulled over or get into an accident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I look at her while she's staring at the sky. She's so beautiful in the night light. I'm trying really hard to just look at the road but I can't help it. She's here with me and she's happy. She doesn't have any doubts about this. I don't have any doubts about this. I went to her room tonight to calm her down. Ever since she found out that she was moving I've been coming to her to calm her down. Just to hold her until she went to sleep. At night I know she's more liable to think about it. So tonight like the past five nights I've gone to her window. But something about tonight made me nervous. It kills me that I told her that I would never get married in Vegas and now here we are driving there to get married. We both agreed that we wouldn't tell anyone that we were going. I didn't run the risk that anyone would talk us out of it. It's been hard to avoid being alone with Michael because he would have probably guessed what we were going to do. To me this is only natural. To be on our way to get married. To me we're already married. There is nothing that will stop me from taking care of her. But for Liz's sake I want her to be respectable and not some girl that won't get married because it's not necessary. Liz deserved better than I could ever give her but I wasn't about to let her go. Getting married was a way to have Liz forever and I want that. Even though her parents will probably murder me when we get back to Roswell, this drive to Vegas with her with worth it for me.
Max grabbed Liz's hand and put their hands on his knee. A contented expression on his face. Liz closes her eyes as she inhales the cold desert air.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bright lights of Vegas were nothing compared to the smile on Liz's face. This was a city that both of them didn't particularly like. It was just the only place they could get away and get married fast. It was late again. They had been driving all day. Taking turns when the other was getting too tired. They were scared to stop and rest because they didn't want anyone to catch up to them. While Max slept Liz took advantage and sped down the highway. She knew that Max wouldn't like it but they were in a hurry. The sooner they got to Vegas the sooner they would get married.
She was exhausted but she was excited. Max drove towards the Elvis Chapel. He looked at her expression when they came towards it. He watched her face light up on sight of it. He sighed to himself. He was scared she would change her mind about being married in such a corny place.
When they got out of the car Liz grabbed Max's arm.
" What is it? " he asked gently. She was hesitating.
" I don't want to get married like this " she said looking up at the Elvis sign above them.
" All right " said Max as he turned towards the car again.
" No Max " she said grabbing his arm again. " I want a wedding dress on when I walk down the aisle. Can we stop by a shop and rent one? "
He looked at her and smiled. " Of course. I wasn't going to marry you otherwise " He reached for her hand and started towards the entrance. They stopped short in their steps when they noticed the sight in front of them.
" Hey guys " they both said nervously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael, Maria, Isabel, Serena, Kyle, and Thaman were standing there in front of the entrance looking at them with unreadable expressions on their faces. Max squeezed Liz's hand as Michael and Maria stepped up to them.
" Maxwell what were you thinking? " asked Michael, he looked tired.
" You were going to get married without me being your bridesmaid? " said Maria " To think I wasted precious years on a best friend that wouldn't put me in her wedding " she said hugging Liz. They were both jumping up and down.
Michael rolled his eyes as he looked at Max. " We had to drive double time to catch up with you. This one here " he said pointing at Maria " Had us up with her yapping "
Isabel walked up to Liz. Liz couldn't help but feel scared that Isabel would probably slap her or something. Liz was scared Isabel would hate her. They had always been in confrontation because of Max. Lately that hadn't been a problem but this was different. Isabel would be directly related to Liz. But Isabel did something that she had never done before, she hugged Liz Parker. Liz's eyes were wide open with surprise. Was Isabel actually hugging her? She looked at Isabel and smiled. "Congratulations " said Isabel, it looked like she was going to cry.
" Come on now guys " said Serena " We have a wedding to plan and we don't have much time to do it "
~~~~~~~~~~~
" So why didn't Valenti come? " asked Max as the guys were all trying on Tuxedos. Thaman stood there watching them. He refused to be part of the wedding even though he would help.
" Someone had to stay behind " said Michael. " We decided it would have been better that he played the innocent father for once "
" Instead of part of some government alien conspiracy " said Kyle trying to tie his bow tie.
" Isabel figured it would look better as a group run away " said Michael. " God I can't believe we're going to be wearing these things in public "
" You look pretty Space Boy " said Kyle.
" Don't start with me Valenti "
As Michael and Kyle got into yet another fight Max walked over to Thaman.
" Yes my King? "
" How are Liz's parents doing? "
" They are worried my Lord. I think they suspect what you are both up to " he said
" Thaman, I hope you're not disappointed "
" Why would I be disappointed my Lord? "
" Because I know this is no behavior of a King "
" You do what you have to do my King " said Thaman smiling at him.
" This does not bother you in any way? "
" My Lord, you do not need my approval for anything "
" I know Thaman. I just need to know if you think this, this is a good idea "
" Does it feel right my King? "
" Yes it does, " said Max. He felt more sure about it as he said it.
" Then you have my support " he answered. " And now we have a new Queen. I am just sorry I cannot give her a proper coronation "
" You don't need to worry about that Thaman, " said Max. " We don't need something like that "

~~~~~~~~~~~

" Can I trust you with the decorations? " asked Liz. Maria was too busy with Serena to try and find a dress. Isabel was the only one already dressed and ready.

Isabel was ecstatic when she asked her. " You want me to decorate your wedding? "

" Yes "

Isabel smiled at her and gave her a hug. " I won't disappoint you Liz " she said running out of the store. She didn't notice someone trying to come in the store at the same time and slammed right into them.

" Oh my goodness I'm so sorry " she said looking up. The sight nearly stunned her.

" Forgive me Princess " said Thaman " I was just…" he said looking at her dress.

She was wearing a red Chinese silk dress. Not exactly a traditional Bridesmaids dress. It was sleeveless and had a plunging neckline. It had a slit on the side going up to her lower thigh. She laughed shyly. He had this puzzled expression on his face. It was like he didn't know what she was wearing. What if he didn't like it?

" What's wrong? You don't like the dress? " she asked nervously.

" You are always beautiful my Lady. No matter what you wear and you know what to always wear " he said offering his arm. " Where are you headed? "

" Thank you Thaman " she said breathlessly. The thought that he thought she was beautiful made her feel exhilarated. " I have to hurry and decorate the Chapel for Liz " she said putting her arm around his. She really felt like a princess walking with him like that down the strip. She forgot her rush and enjoyed their walk. This was what she wanted. She looked Thaman over discreetly. He as wearing a black Tuxedo with a bow tie. His hair was neatly slicked back. He looked absolutely gorgeous.

" How would you like to decorate the Chapel my Lady? "

" I know Liz likes white roses, they're her favorite. But I think Orchids would be elegant too "

" We can always mix them up. We must get her a bouquet as well "

" I don't think we have time to get everything "

" We need not worry Princess, " he said looking at her. " I am sure you will manage everything. Leave the other things to me "