Chapter Thirteen
Making Up Is Bittersweet
"Is she okay?" Max asked.
"Well, that depends on your definition of okay. But, I think we both know what a dumb question that is. Of course, she's not okay. She's practically heartbroken; but there is no need for you to worry about her. I'll take care of her like I always do." Maria said as she looked up from watching the children to sit in a chair and observe him. "Could you just tell me how you could say what you did to her? I have always supported you; I have been your advocate for her. I really don't understand how you could even suggest that she doesn't believe in you or have any faith in you. That's the dumbest thing that you could have said."
"I didn't mean it like that Maria. I---," he was interrupted by her.
"Then what did you mean exactly? Because, when she told me what you said, I didn't want to believe her. But the tears on her face last night and the look of guilt that you have on your face right now makes me think that she was telling the truth. So please, enlighten me as to why you said that she never trusted you? That way I can decide how I will help you. Speak." She sat on the chair waiting for Max to speak. As she sat down Devon climbed up in the chair to lie down and sleep.
"I would prefer that if we are going to talk that I not do it in front of my son," he eyes pleaded as he begged her.
Maria's eyes went from those of his son to Max's to the children and decided that he was right. She looked over to Michael, who nodded and sighed as he bent to pick up his son and nephew. "Azarian and Gabe how would you two like to go get your toys ready to go home to Liz." He asked the little boys.
"Otay Daddy," Azarian said to his father as he was being picked up.
"Devon, come on honey. You don't want to let the boys do it all on their own. They need a girl like you to help them get everything together."
"No, I don't wanna go. I wanna stay wit Mama." She said as she clutched onto her mother.
"Michael, you can leave her with me. She won't be any trouble. Besides, she's tired and she'll probably be asleep in the next few minutes. Go on with Azarian and Gabriel so they can get the toys together to go home." Maria reasoned as she rubbed her daughter's back soothingly. Her husband followed her instructions carrying his son and nephew to the room with their toys. Devon got into a comfortable position in her mother's lap and promptly went to sleep.
"Now back to what we were talking about. Remind me when Liz has never trusted you. And this had better be worth my time. So go."
"When-is she going to be alright?" He asked pointing to Devon.
" She's fine. Now stop stalling for more time. Let's here your ridiculous reasons I haven't got all day you know. I'm on a tight schedule."
"Alright, she's never told me about Michael stealing her journal."
"I'll give you that one. Next."
"She didn't tell me what I did to her on the blind date,"
"Uh, no that doesn't count because you were drunk. And besides that was your own fault." When Max looked like he was going to interrupt her she held up her hand. "Your making me lose my patience and wasting my time, so move on."
"She didn't tell me when the Future---, when the other me came to her. She let me think the worst of her. And hurt her every time she tried to help me. That was her biggest and most horrifying example of her nontrust." Max said finally.
"Let me ask you one question, first." She paused to await his nod. "Have you ever asked Liz to keep a secret for you and not tell anyone else?" He nodded awkwardly. "What was that a Yes or No?"
"It was a maybe. But, I don't see what that has to do with anything?"
Maria sighed and looked down at her sleeping child. "Max, girlfriend, there in lays your answer. You, ... well the other you asked Liz to keep your secret. And that's exactly what she did. She kept your secret even thought it was killing her inside, Max. Don't you understand? Your... the future version on you came to her because he knew that he could trust her. He knew that she would help him she would keep his secret. He had faith in her ability to help him even if it meant breaking her own heart in the process. He trusted her above everyone else to help him." She moved her gaze from Devon to him. "Have you ever thought that it's not Liz you're mad at but your self? You're angry because you... well the future version of you for making Liz make decision that you know would never have the courage to do, You made her choose between your love for each other and the rest of the world. You made her sacrifice your love for each other. I think that's the reason you're so angry. Maybe, next time you'll time about the circumstances first before you get angry." And with that Maria stood with her daughter in her arms and walked to where husband was with the other children.
Leaving Max in the living room by himself with only the sound of cartoons in the background. "What have I done?" Max pondered out loud to the room in silence.
Chloe continued to pack her bag while Philip sat on the bed watching her move about the room. "We're okay, aren't we?" he asked.
"Yes, of course, we're fine. Why do you ask?" Chloe responded as she stopped what she was doing to stand in front of him. She touched his strong jaw only to have his hand grasp hers and take it to his lips to kiss.
"I was wondering because you're still packing a bag. I thought you were going to stay with me tonight."
"Well, I would but Liz needs me. Kay, Maria, and I are going to stay with her. I have to be there for her, like she was there for me. Please, try to understand that." She asked her husband who rose from his position on the bed to look at her eye to eye.
"Can I at least stay with you for a little while," he pleaded with her.
"I-I don't," she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hey, we're going to leave in like twenty minutes. Are you ready?" Maria asked from the doorway with a sleeping Devon in her arms.
"Yeah, I'll be ready," Chloe responded her eyes still on Philip's.
"Okay, I'm going to go tell Kay, then." Maria said while turning out of the room muttering under breath, "They are just like Max and Liz, barely realizing that other people are in the room."
"So you're going with them. You'll call right? I mean I'll worry about you and baby Lopez-Fitzgerald." Miguel said.
"Of course, I'll call you. You act like this is the first time I've ever been away from you for a day. But, in reality we both know that I am perfectly capable of going away for one or two nights. I'll be fine. Don't worry." Kay said trying to keep her husband calm as he watched her put her final piece of clothing into the bag.
There was a knock at the door and Maria stood holding Devon. We're going to be leaving in like fifteen minutes. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Good, then I'll be in the kitchen waiting for you." She said as she walked out of the bedroom.
"Well, since you're going to leave me again at least give me something to think about while you're gone."
"Okay, is this good enough for you?" She asked before she pulled Miguel to her and kissed him until they were both breathless.
"It's a start." He said when he finally came up for air.
"You know you are insatiable." She said as she laughingly hugged him.
Ten Minutes Later...
Everyone was in the kitchen getting ready to leave.
"Are you absolutely sure you don't want to stay with me tonight? I mean we could check on Liz tomorrow." Philip said as he followed Chloe into kitchen carrying her bag.
"You know Philip I've already told you no. And now you're starting to annoy me. I didn't need you to carry my bag down for me. I am perfectly capable of doing it myself. In any case since Liz was there for me, I'll be there for her." Chloe said. "I know you want me to go home with you, but you're just going to have to patient. Besides, even after Liz and Max make-up I might not want to go home with you."
Philip was following her every move around the kitchen until he heard her last statement. He stopped, dropping her bag on the floor and grasped her arm. Stopping her movement. "What? Why won't you go home with me?"
"Let me ask you a question, do you even know why I left you in the first place?" She asked after turning to face her husband.
"Yeah, you left me because I didn't tell you about--,"he stopped himself. "Because, I didn't consider you before I agreed to do a favor for my mom," He answered confidently smiling.
"That's not the reason left Philip." His confident smile disappeared. "Well, actually that was part of it. But, I really don't want to get into that right now. I'll take my bag from here. I'll call you later, okay." She leaned up and kissed on the lips. She then grabbed her bag from the floor and went out of the kitchen door to the car.
Philip stood in the kitchen watching her retreating back. "Okay, I think I missed what happened here." He said to the other people in the room.
"Well, I'm sure you'll get plenty of time to think about it while we're gone. In any case, I need to go so Michael, I'll see you later. You are going to call before you come over?" Maria asked her husband as she started towards the kitchen door with Devon in her arms and Gabriel and Azarian already heading outside to the car.
"Of course, do you need some help?" He asked her in return.
"No, I got it. It's not like I don't have any help. Besides, Azarian and Gabriel will probably be asleep before we get out the driveway. Bye, Spaceboy. Kay, stop making out with your husband and come on." Maria said with her hand on the doorknob looking at the smooching couple.
"Maria, will you tell Liz I'm sorry?" Max asked.
"Max, you know I will. But, might I suggest that you get some advice from the other guys about how to make-up with your wife. Because, technically speaking the only reason that they aren't with their wives tonight is because if you." Maria said as she grabbing Kay's arm from Miguel and pulled her out of the door.
"Bye, honey," Kay said as she was being pulled out of the door.
A few minutes later the door slammed shut. And there stood the four men. They stared at each other as if not realizing what had happened. "Well, now that they are gone we can get down to business." Philip said as he clapped his hands and grabbed his cell phone from his pocket. The other men looked at him curiously. "What? I don't know about you guys but I certainly don't plan to spend any more days with you guys then I have to. Because I would at least like to feel like I'm still married to my wife. And have her with me at night."
"So what are you going to do?" Miguel asked.
"I'm going to find out what he told his wife and call in some reinforcements to help me figure what to do." Philip responded as he dialed number.
"What happened between Liz and I is personal and frankly none of you business." Max stated.
"Well, it just became my business when my wife got involved. Besides, if there is one thing I know best, it's how to make up when you've gone something totally unforgivable. Now, you gave me some advice and I'm just going to return the favor. Because, now I'm in control." He said as the line started to ring.
