As he slipped under the covers, he couldn't
help but think that something was missing, something more than what he had.
Turning off the lamp, his gaze went out to the star-filled sky. Spotting a
shooting star, Max Evans once again repeated his nightly ritual before he
drifted off to sleep, a mere whisper escaping his lips.
"Goodnight Liz."
Chapter 4: And So It Begins…
Awakening at the sound of her alarm, Liz rolled over softly hitting the
offending noise as her vision cleared. To her surprise, there was a note next to
her on the nightstand, picking it up, she read gingerly.
Sweetheart,
Your aunt and mother have roped me into going shopping with them. We're really
sorry for not being there when you wake up, but your mom says that tonight she
will cook us a special dinner, just for us. Feel free to do whatever you want
today, but be home by six o' clock. There's some pancake batter in the fridge if
you're hungry.
Love,
Dad
Looks like my form of entertainment has left me. Liz thought as she put
the note down, and walked into the bathroom to begin her morning ritual. While
she brushed her teeth, she knew just what she was going to do today. There was
no way of avoiding it, so she might as well get it over with. Wiping her face
with her towel, Liz decided that today would be the day that her friends and Max
Evans will see the new Liz Parker.
==========
Shifting from foot to foot, Liz stood nervously in front of the door after
having rung the doorbell. It just felt so odd, so different now. She thought
with a pang to her heart, remembering a time when she could just walk right in
unannounced and be welcomed with Isabel's excited hug, and Max's disarming
smile.
Another thing to add to my list of regrets. I've been meaning to shorten that
thing. Liz thought, mentally laughing at herself, but sobered up immediately
when she heard footsteps from within, and clicking of the locks as they were
unlocked. The door opened, slowly it seemed to her, and revealed none other
than…
tbc…
[*dodges all the objects thrown at her* Just Kidding! Sorry, I needed that
little breather, I've been writing nonstop on a lot of my fics, and making fan
art like crazy! Ok, I'll shut up now, on with the show…er…fic! :) ]
The door opened, slowly it seemed to her, and revealed none other than… Diane
Evans, mother to two of her favorite people, and a second mother to Michael and
herself. She seemed older now as she blinked in surprise, and Liz knew that she
did not recognize her, but thought her familiar and was in the process of trying
to remember who she was.
"Yes? May I help you…" Diane stopped abruptly, took another glance over of Liz
and her mouth curved into a smile and a delighted expression crossed her face,
"Liz?! Liz Parker?!"
Liz returned the smile, somewhat hesitantly, "Hi Mrs. Evans."
"Oh my gracious! Lizzie! You're home!" Diane swept her surrogate daughter into a
tight embrace. "You're home!"
Liz smiled through the joyful tears that had escaped her eyes. Diane, not
knowing had given her the strength to continue meeting her past once more.
"I've missed you so much dear. Isabel has been so different this year, so lost.
Thank goodness she had Alex, and Max oh I don't know what to do with Max
anymore." Diane cried out, "But it's good to have you home dear."
"It's good to be home Mrs. Evans." Liz replied honestly, her heart warming once
more.
"Stop it with all of this Mrs. Evans nonsense. Call me Diane." She reprimanded
before releasing Liz from her embrace, "Come now, and let me see what Florida
has done to you."
She looked Liz over again, this time really looking, her mind comparing the
Lizzie she knew to the young woman who stood before her. "You've grown taller,
and so much more beautiful!"
Liz blushed at the compliment, nodding her head in thanks.
"And wearing a dress too! Who would have thought the day would come when little
Lizzie would actually wear a dress willingly!" Diane teased good-naturedly as
she glanced over the misty lavender sundress she had on, it fell down to
mid-thigh and had a low cut neckline, emphasizing, not flashing her now
developed curves.
Liz shifted under Diane's intense scrutiny, her hand playing with the pendant
she wore around her neck, a nervous habit she had picked up. But it wasn't so
much as the necklace that calmed her, but the thought of the person who had
given her the beautiful piece of jewelry. Those thoughts however always led to
that fateful night not so long ago, and tears were willed to stay at bay as she
tried to rid herself of the memories. Diane must have sensed her distress
because she ushered Liz into the house.
"Michael, Isabel, and Max aren't here at the moment. I sent them out on a few
errands for me; they should be home in about an hour." Diane explained as she
led Liz to sit down at the counter.
"Would you like anything sweetie? Cookies? Tea? Water?"
"Water will be fine." Liz didn't think she could stomach much else as she
glanced around her second home, taking in all the familiar surroundings.
Standing up, Liz walked over to the fireplace and her gaze swept over the
pictures that stood there. They were newer, recent ones. There was one with the
Evans family, one with the whole gang, and a few more with Max and Isabel.
Liz picked up the picture that held all her friends. Tess and Kyle were gazing
at each other, so much in love, that it made Liz smile to be able to capture the
love they felt from a mere picture. Isabel and Alex were glancing at each other
shyly, while her brother and Maria seemed to be in a big argument about
something or another and Maria seemed about to fall over. Again a smile swept
her face when she saw her brother's arm close to Maria, there to catch her if
she fell. Her smile disappeared when she caught sight of the lonely figure of
Max as he stared at the ground and not the camera. Even through this picture,
she could feel the longing he felt. It was the same longing she was still
feeling today. Placing the picture down, she hurried back to her seat just as
Diane came out of the kitchen with a glass of water and a plate of cookies. Liz
accepted the water appreciatively, but took no notice of the cookies. She wasn't
trying to be rude, but it was like a second nature to her now, she barely ate if
she ate at all.
"How was Florida? Tell me all about it." Diane said smiling, as she sipped her
own coffee and glanced over at Liz.
==========
The slamming of car doors brought the two women out of their lively
conversation, and Liz paled as she heard the familiar voices of three
individuals, arguing. Diane, not noticing this walked excitedly to the door to
greet her children, and surrogate son.
Liz's hand flew to the amethyst stone around her neck, and she fiddled with it
nervously. A distant voice in her head encouraged and strengthened her.
You's got a strong mind, but an even stronger heart. With that combination
and if you's believe in youself, you can do's anythin.
"Michael! Isabel! Where's Max?" Diane's voice drifted into the living room.
"He's bringing the groceries in." Isabel's cool, collective voice reached her
ears next.
"Yeah, Mr. High and Mighty decided that he was man enough to bring in the
groceries without any help." There was her brother's sarcastic voice, and she
closed her eyes at Diane's laughter.
"Well, alright then. I'm sure Max will be fine." The footsteps were coming
nearer and nearer, and Liz tucked her hair behind her ear, another nervous
habit.
"I've got a surprise for the all of you!" Diane's voice was so excited, and Liz
prayed that the others would be just as excited. She heard Isabel groan softly,
"It's not another one of your recipes is it mom? I told dad not to get you that
Martha Stewart recipe book."
"Hush Isabel, this is even better! You'll like it, I promise."
"What could possibly make you so excited Mrs. E…Liz?" Michael's voice caught in
his throat at the sight of his younger sister. The one person he would do
anything for, and the walls that were built around his heart crumbled as he
exclaimed again, even louder. "Liz!"
She heard Isabel's sharp intake of breath, and finally she dared to look up, her
eyes meeting with her brother's warm brown ones as he swooped her up and twirled
her around.
"Liz!"
"Michael!" She cried right back as he twirled her around, tears of joy once
again springing to her eyes. She never realized how much she had missed her
older brother until now as she glanced down to see tears in his eyes.
"Lizzie bear! You're home!" He stopped twirling her and put her down on her
feet, but did not relinquish his hold her, "You're home?"
It was a question, and Liz saw the doubt in his eyes, and rushed to reassure
him. "I'm home Michael, for good."
His eyes lit up and he once again swept her into a tight embrace, afraid to let
her go, and Liz held on just as tight.
Diane laughed happily as she watched the reunion that brought tears to her eyes.
She hadn't seen Michael express this much emotion since…well since Liz left. It
seemed he had built a wall around himself, a wall that only this one special
girl could penetrate.
"Dear, let her breathe." Michael let go of Liz and grinned sheepishly. Then the
teasing began. "Wow, I can't believe it."
He looked her over again, and continued, "You're still a pipsqueak, and can it
be? Has the world come to an end? Or is Liz Parker really wearing dress!?"
Liz blinked in surprise, and then a smile graced her lips, "I see you've
discovered the wonder of a comb and hair gel. I think that's the first time your
hair didn't look like you just rolled out of bed!"
They glared at each other, both with stubborn expressions on their faces before
they began laughing again. Isabel stood by and watched it all with an
emotionless mask. Diane noticed Isabel's silent mood and ushered her over to
Liz.
Liz looked at Isabel nervously, noting her new icy attitude. Isabel embraced
Liz, but her embrace was loose as she hugged her lifetime best friend. "It's
good to have you home Liz. I missed you."
No one seemed to notice the emotionless greeting, no one but Liz who caught the
icy look in Isabel's eyes, and she felt her heart dropped.
"Mom? Where do you want the…"
Liz's stance tensed, but no one seemed to notice, and she closed her eyes,
letting his soothing voice wash over her. She turned around slowly, and doe
brown eyes clashed with amber eyes as arms were suddenly limp, and bags were
dropped. None of this however interrupted their soulful gaze as they caught the
first glimpse of one another in such a long time. Max Evans stepped forward a
little, surprise still etched on his face.
"Liz?"
She let go of the breath she had been holding, and a soft sigh escaped her,
"Max."
tbc… (for real this time. So, what did you think of the reunions? I'm not really
good at writing those. They just aren't my thing…but neither is this whole fic
writing thing, but whatever. 'til next time...maybe. )