This must be the fifth time I felt Liz give me a curious look. But, just like before, I ignored it. I concentrated on my ice cream as I tried to duck Liz's stares. I looked at Isabel, who's got that dreamy smile on her face as she holds Jason. I guess the surprise went really well. I could hear the guys moving out of the kitchen and towards the front door.

"Hey Izzy, Liz. We'll be back in a while. We need to go get some stuff." Alex called through the Evan's foyer as he and Max headed outside.

"Get some baby wipes please Max!" Liz reminded him.

The door slammed shut and Isabel and Liz resumed their talk. I felt envious of them. They had caring husbands who don't leave at the drop of a hat. They know that Alex and Max will be there for them, no matter what. I let my mind drift. I still hadn't told anyone about Michael. I don't know what to say. I felt a ripple of excitement and nervousness as I thought about out 'date' tomorrow. There is so much I want to ask him. So much I want to tell him.

There it is again. That persistent gaze. I turned my head and found both Isabel and Liz staring at me. "What?" I asked annoyed.

Liz just shook her head. "Nothing…it's just…" She paused, as if not sure what to say.

Isabel broke in for her. "It's just that you're very quiet today." Her voice was concerned and worried. "Are you feeling okay?"

I bristled as she asked that. "I can be quiet you know!" I snap. Isabel backed off, a hurt look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry…it's just that you seem upset." She said.

"It's not like you to be so quiet Maria." Liz told me. I sighed and looked away. They were right. I was upset. I turned back to meet their worried stares.

"I met Michael today." I said quietly. I could feel their shock vibrating through the air.

"When-where…how is he?" Isabel finally managed to say.

I shrugged. "I don't know really. He looked fine. He had an art exhibition at the mall." I paused, unsure of how to break the news. I took a deep breath and continued. "I'm meeting him for coffee tomorrow."

Again the silence. I glanced at Isabel and Liz. They seemed to be in a daze. They never expected to see or hear from Michael again and there he was.

"Does he know…about Piper?" Liz asked hesitantly.

I shook my head. "No. I don't know what to say. Hey Michael you have a daughter...so how's your life?" I bit out. "No I can't do that."

Isabel was still in a daze. Her brother was back and she didn't know how to react. I know how she felt. I felt the same too. For me my world had been turned upside down. I didn't what to expect. Would he stay this time or run again? Would he be willing to meet the others? Thoughts were flying through my head at warp speed. I felt Liz give me a hug. I gave her a grateful smile.

"Izzy? Are you okay?" I asked hoarsely. I felt bad for her. I could tell that Isabel felt hurt. To know that Michael didn't even bother asking about her.

Isabel shook her head. "No. I'm not." She whispered, her eyes teary.

That was all I could take. Seeing Isabel cry, and seeing Liz's sad look was too much for me. I knew that if they guys came home they would want to know why everyone was so upset. I couldn't handle going through the details. I knew I was minutes away from bursting into tears. I sprang up from the couch. "I'm sorry. I have to go." I whispered and hurried out into the foyer. "Piper!" I shouted. "Piper come on, we're leaving!"

I heard Piper running down the stairs, at my teary voice. "But mom!" she whined. I heard Liz come and stand behind me, worried at my behaviour. I didn't care though. I had to get out of there.

"Come on chica…we have to go." I pleaded with her silently. She bit her lip, knowing something was wrong.

"Okay mommy. We can go home." She told me grabbing her coat. I smiled a bit in thanks. Sometimes I think that she was wise for her age. She seemed to know me too well. She was so much like Michael in that way.

Throughout the car ride back home to our apartment I drove silently. I know Alex and Max would find out before the night was over. I know they would try to go find Michael but I hoped I got to see him first. I wanted to be the one to question him. I wanted to be the one who welcomed him back. If he was back…

My mind was still disturbed as I put Piper to bed. I gave her a kiss as I tucked her in. "'Night chica." I whispered.

"Mommy? Why are you sad?" Piper asked me. She was worried; I could see it in her face.

I put on a bright smile for her. "I'm fine sweetie, just very tired." I told her.

She nodded after a while, silently accepting my explanation. I watched my daughter fall asleep and wondered how Michael would react when he found out about her.

***** 

I glanced around the Café once more. I sighed as I checked my watch for what seemed like the millionth time. He was late. I wondered briefly if he had decided against this meeting but shook that thought away. It hurt too much to even think about that. I stirred my now cold coffee absently. My mind raced with the millions of questions I had lined up for him. Suddenly my attention was caught by a view of spiky hair. Michael! No one had hair like that.

I frowned when I realised that he was just standing outside. * Isn't he going to come in? * I wondered. Well I had to do something about that. I grabbed my bag and walked to where he was standing. He had his back to me. I could tell he was considering running and ditching me.

"You should move. People might think you're a stalker." I said. He whirled around, startled by my appearance.

I waited for him to say something. Even a 'hi!' would do. But he just stood there staring at me, as if he still wasn't sure it was actually me. He opened his mouth to respond but no sound came out. I sighed dramatically and smiled. "I see all these years have done wonders for you vocabulary!" I joked. A small smile appeared of his face. The smile that made my heart stop, just like in high school.

"Still the same Deluca." Michael finally said.

I don't know why that made me smile. I guess that assured me that he still remembered me. That he had not forgotten about me or waved me off as 'some high school crush'.

"Hi Spaceboy!" I finally said with a small yet warm smile. I somehow was not angry with him. I guess I was over being angry. But the sharp pain in my heart told me I was not over being sad.

"So you remember." Michael said smiling. That darn smile!

I bit my lip. How could I forget Michael? I asked silently. Instead, I just hugged him tight. He tensed at first but then returned my hug. I let go quickly though. "Good to see you again."

He nodded slightly. "Yeah." He said, his voice thick. "Yeah. It is."

We stood there, outside the Café with people milling all around us. Just staring at each other-no one making a move. All the questions I had thought up, all the scenarios I had imagined just flew out of my head as I stood there staring into his liquid brown eyes.

Finally, he broke away from my gaze and gestured towards the café. "Well…how about some coffee?" he asked.

I shook my head, trying to get my thoughts in order. "Sure. Why not?" I agreed as we stepped back into the café.

****

"So where have you been all these years?" I asked as we sat nursing our coffees.

Michael sat back, looking aimlessly around. "Around. I went to Santa Fe, LA then Boston. I couldn't seem to settle down." He told me. I could tell he really didn't want to be talking about the past as that would lead to him leaving. But I wasn't letting him off easy. I might not be angry with him but I was owed some answers.

"You paint now?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. It's just something I'm good at."

"I remember." I told him softly.

He looked away, but not before I saw the pain in his eyes. He cleared his throat. "So…um, what do you do?"

I sighed. I knew we were staying on safer topics but I didn't do anything about that. I wasn't sure I was ready to face him yet. "I'm a teacher." He looked surprised.

"What? Why is that so surprising?" I asked, annoyed.

He shook his head. "It's just I never imagined you…a teacher huh?" he gave me an amused grin. "I imagine you more of a performer."

This time it was my turn to smile. "Well you're right there. I do perform. Three nights a week at 'The Singing Kettle'."

Michael gave me a look. I whacked his arm. "Nothing like that you pervert. Liz and Izzy bring the kids there!" I told him.

Michael's smile suddenly faded. "How are the others?" he asked.

I halted. We were beginning to tread on thin ice. "They are fine. Liz teaches biology at the University and Max is a doctor. Liz and Max had another daughter, Cordelia Ann Evans. She's almost three."

Michael smiled. "I remember Dawn as a baby…"

I smiled. "She's a vibrant one!"

Michael laughed. "She always was." He paused. "Umm…how are Izzy and Alex? Did they get married?"

I nodded. "Yeah, the year you left actually." I waited for the pain to subside. " Alex is working for a big computer company and Izzy's a lawyer. They have a four-year-old son. Jason Michael Whitman."

There was a look of surprise on Michael's face as he heard Jason's middle name. I sat there quietly, knowing he would want to know about Piper next. He had seen her after all.

But Michael did not say anything. He just sat there, with a guarded look on his face. After a few minutes, he asked quietly. "What about you? That girl I saw…" he trailed off. He didn't know what to ask, or whether he wanted to know.

I brushed the stray strand of hair off my face, anything to stall my answer. "She's my daughter, Piper."

"Oh." The sad hurt look on Michael's face made me touch his hand. I saw his eyes go towards my wedding finger. No ring. He looked at me puzzled.

"She's five years old…" I began. Michael still look confused, and even more hurt remembering that he left five years ago.

"You didn't ask her full name Michael." I told him quietly.

"Why?" his voice was choked. "What-"

I nodded, indicating I understood him. "Her name's Piper Michelle…" I paused and looked up at him, straight in the eyes. I wanted to see his reaction. My eyes brimming with tears, I took a deep breath and continued. "Her name is Piper. Piper Michelle Guerin."

Michael sat frozen to his seat. I looked searchingly at him for some sign. Finally, he looked at me with hope and love shining in his eyes. "She's mine?" he asked.

I nodded. "That night you left…"

Realisation struck him. "Oh. Wow!" he whispered.

"Yes. She's amazing." I bit my lip, still not knowing what was going on in his head.

We sat quietly as the new link between us washed over us. Suddenly I had to know. I don't think I could have waited longer. I looked up at Michael again and found him staring at me. "Why did you leave Michael?" I asked softly.

Michael flinched slightly. He looked away, his eyes darting all over the café. Finally, they settle back at me. I could see the conflicting emotions in his eyes. "I…well I got scared."

"Scared of what? Of me? Of us?" I asked, the hurt creeping into my voice.

"No!" Michael said firmly. He held my hand from across the table but I pulled away. He pulled back hurt. "I was scared…never mind! This was a mistake!" he said suddenly. He got up and mumbled. "I have to go. Nice to see you again Maria. Say hi to everyone for me and tell Izzy I'm sorry."

"Michael-" I began seeing him hurrying away. But he was already gone. I hurried outside determined not to let him walk away again. But I couldn't see him anywhere. Tears started to spill my eyes when I realised that Michael Guerin had left me high and dry once again.

**** 

tbc…