Chapter Five:

Max stood back his eyes squinted, hands out in front of him as he surveyed his work.  It took him two long hours to get it right, but Liz was worth every single second.  Tomorrow they start looking for Ava, but tonight…tonight he'll set the foundation to the most important mission in his life.

Glancing at his watch he smiled.  Two hours and counting he said to him self as he made his way to his jeep.

He looked at him self standing in front of Isabel's full view mirror.  He knew that his actions was so unlike him, but he wanted tonight to be prefect. 

"Nice."

Turning suddenly to the door Max felt his face turn a bright red at being caught not only in her room, but being caught scrutinizing his appearance.

"I'm sorry, Iz.  I shouldn't be in here, but…"

"Hot date?"  She asked walking into the room.

Max couldn't stop the smile that strung to his face.  "Yea…something like that."

"You look great, Max.  Liz's is going to love it."  She said standing beside him. Grabbing his collar she pressed it down trying to put it into place.  "Stay still."  She demanded.  "There."  She said brushing him on the shoulders moving his jacket into place.  "You clean up really well, Max."

Drawing his face into a frown a smile on his lips he watched her through the mirror.  "Thanks…I guess."

"She makes you happy and that's all that matters.  I never could understand why you were with…."

Turning from the mirror Max faced her.  "Are you okay?"  He asked touching her arm.

She pulled away from him.  "I could never understand why you were with that….that bitch."

"Iz…"

She shook her head as she closed her eyes for a moment.  "Go…Max.  Go make her happy…God knows she deserve it."

"So do you, Iz."  He said as he looked at her.  "You know that don't you?"

She pasted a smile to her face.  She loved him so much…to much sometimes.  Even though he tried to hide it, she knew how hard it was for him.  Always expected to have the answers, always having the faith of their world as well as this world on his shoulders. Taking a deep breath she pushed him toward the door.  "Cinderella awaits.  I wouldn't keep her waiting."

"Iz…"

"No Max…don't do this.  You have a wonderful evening planned with Liz.  Don't think about me because I'm fine.  Make things right with her."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you love her?"  Isabel demanded capturing his eyes with her.  "Do you love her?"  She repeated.

"Yes!"

"So why are you standing here talking to me.  Go Max.  Go to her."

Max hesitated for a moment before he walked out of the room.

"Wow…someone is having a party out here in the middle of nowhere."  She said as she looked at the huge tent looming before them.

"Yea…well.  I understand it's an exclusive party."  He said turning off the road.

"Max…what are you doing?"  She demanded, rotating her eyes from the white structure before her to Max.  "I don't think these people would appreciate us crashing their party." 

Pulling to a stop next to one of the five cars parked next to the tent he jumped out of his parent's car.  'I got to retrieve my jeep as soon as possible.' He told himself as

he made his way to the passenger side and opened the door for her.  Reaching his hand toward her he took her hand into his helping her out of the car.

"Max…I don't think…"

"Trust me."  He tugged her forward the tent and into the entrances.

"Oh my God."  Liz moaned looking around her captured immediately by the beauty laid out before her.  "I really don't think…"

Suddenly someone appeared before them bowing his head.  "Mr. and Mrs. Evens your table awaits."

Liz looked at Max her tears filling her eyes as she followed the man in front of her.  As he stepped behind her to pull her chair out Max suddenly dismissed him.  Walking behind her he pulled her chair out for her as he leaned into her brushing her cheek with his.

Liz felt everything inside her string to life as she took her seat.  She watched as Max took his seat across from her.  "Mr. and Mrs. Evens?"  She questioned staring across the table at him.

He shrugged his shoulders as he stared intently into her eyes.  "Just me holding on to what should have been…what will be."  He corrected himself.

Liz took a deep breath.  "Max…"

Max snapped his fingers and two waiters appeared with menus in hand, placing them before them before they quickly vanished from sight. 

"What's going on?"  She asked as she looked around her.  The tent was completely filled with white roses with an occasionally red peeking out.  Candles burned through out the room. 

"This…"  He ran his hand around the room.  "this is the first step to my twelve step program."  He said.

"What are you trying to quit?"  She asked, her heart racing inside her.

"What am I trying to acquire."  He corrected staring intently across at her. 

"Max…"

Pushing his hand across the table he took hers into his.  "I love you."  He said.  "I know that there's a lot of things standing in our way, but I can't stop the way I feel. You have always been everything to me even when you only saw me as a friend. Even when I thought you betrayed me. Even when I…"  He closed his eyes for a second before he captured her eyes again.  "Even when I betrayed our love for each other.  I never stopped loving you…Liz.  Never."

"Max…."

Moving his seat back suddenly he stood up and grabbing the chair moving it next to hers.  He sat down looking into her eyes.  Cupping her face within his hands he captured her eyes with his again.  "You are my world.  No matter what happens you are everything to me and if I should die tomorrow I'll die with the acknowledge that I was bless with you."

She felt her heart slam against her chest at his words, the tears hovering in her eyes running down her face.  Touching his cheek with her hand, a smile on her face Liz drew him to her, touching her lips with his.  Pulling away slightly she smiled down into his face.

"Why do you love me so much?"  She asked, her heart racing.  "Why…after everything I've done do you still love me?"

Covering her hand with his he asked.  "Why do you still love me?"

TBC