Mending Pieces

A Roswell Alternate Universe Story

By Andrea Sinisterra

Romance/Drama

Standard Disclaimers Apply

* * *

I cannot face the fear in this,

I see a place for you and I,

and we can make the most of it,

cause our passion never dies,

and if you don't believe in me,

I'll choose the path and change your mind,

and you can take me to your room

or wherever you may hide.

"For the Movies"

- Buckcherry

* * *

Part 2

Robert Evans eyed his grandsons wearily. His soft blue eyes scanned the uneasiness of his grandsons, from Michael's fidgeting fingers to Max's darting, avoiding eyes.

Then their three heads snapped up as the door burst open, with a heavily breathing Isabel at the threshold. "Sorry for the delay." She said simply and took her seat beside Max.

"I'm glad you could sneak us into your busy agenda." Robert drawled sarcastically.

"Yeah, I manage." And she smiled, "nice to see you, too, grandpa."

Robert smiled, "Time is passing by..."

"You know," Max interrupted, "there hasn't been one meeting, one meeting that you don't start with that phrase. It's getting old."

"Don't be insolent, young man!" Robert rose to his feet, "You want me to be blunt, then I'll be blunt, goddamn it! You are getting old. When the hell do you pretend to give that poor son of yours a mother, huh? Or what, do you think you can raise him all by yourself?"

"Look, I've done a great job raising Aaron by myself, in fact, it's not my fault that he doesn't has a mother! It's not anyone's fault, but hers! Would you just let it be; when I'm ready, I'll let you know!" At that, Max slapped his palm against the desk in front of him, for emphasis.

Robert slammed his own hand down, "Don't you dare yell at me! I know it's not your fault, goddamn it, I know it! But we are just worried about you and your son--"

"Well don't be, we are doing perfectly fine by ourselves! We've made it through the divorce without your or my father's help, thank you very much! Aaron understands our situation perfectly, and he knows the reasons for the divorce."

"Will you two shut up! Every time we come here, we talk about Max and his son, and how he should find a new mother for Aaron. Grandfather, he knows! You remind him every time you get the chance to. Just quit it. He won't listen to you or me, or anybody. Like he said, when he's ready, he'll let you know."

"Thank you, Isabel, I had this irresistible urge to rip my ears off there for a moment." Michael commented flippantly.

Robert let out a heavy sigh, "So Michael, what's going on with your life. Last I heard, you were going pretty serious with Ms. DeLuca."

Michael smiled softly, and looked at his watch, "we've been engaged for approximately 12 hours and 53 minutes."

Isabel shrieked, "you bastard, why didn't you tell me! Oh my God! I'm so happy for you!"

"Congratulations!" Max said, hugging his brother.

"My best wishes, son." Phillip Evans said from the door.

Michael detangled himself from Isabel's embrace and hugged his father, briefly. "Nice to see you, old man."

"Nonsense!" And then he turned to Max, "my boy?"

"At home, sound asleep, would be my guess. Where's mom?"

"She went to Albuquerque, to pick up a few things at your aunt's." He sat down by the window, lighting up a cigar, "so, Michael, what's this I hear about a wedding?"

"I'm getting married to Maria DeLuca, father." But before Phillip could interrupt, Michael continued, "we don't know yet when's the wedding, or where or whatever, so please, don't ask."

"I was going to congratulate you, and then move on to other matters." Phillip stood and went to Isabel, "my beautiful, beautiful daughter."

Isabel hugged him back, "Dad, I've missed you. How was your trip?"

"Tiring." He smiled. "The company's picnic is this Sunday--"

Everyone groaned, but the sound was drowned by Robert's deep laughter.

"Is this Sunday and I expect you all to come."

"Dad, we haven't gone to that picnic for--"

"Years!"

"That's right Max, that's why I expect you, all of you, to assist. Both families are going to assist, they always do. I'm pretty tired of always been asked of your whereabouts and having no answer! So this Sunday the three of you will sit in that goddamn blanket and sunburn till sunset!"

 * * *

"...Science in the 20th century has provided an overwhelming number of new findings and intriguing theories about biological processes. The annual output of biological material today is so massive that no single individual can possibly acquire all of the information. Biology has, therefore, become a discipline of specialists who restrict their research to small areas."

She stopped, "okay, people that's all for today, your next assignment will be an essay on all achievements and life objectives of Robert Hooke and Marcello Malpighi. Class dismissed."

Liz released a sigh of exhaustion once her students had cleared out of the classroom. A knock on the door caught her attention. She smiled.

Maria DeLuca came in, smiling, "I heard about this wonderful new restaurant downtown. They say they have great desserts." Maria sighed, "You work too hard."

"I do not."

"Do, too."

"Do not."

"Do, too."

"I don't work too hard, in fact, I don't work enough!"

"If it wasn't because you are my cousin, I'd smack your head a few times. Liz, it's all right to feel, you know. It's healthy."

"I don't want to feel like this. I have so much to do, so much things to think about and consider."

There was a silence. Then, "how about a trip to that restaurant, and I promise you can ask me anything you want."

"Okay, I have to pick up Paige at my mother's house first."

Maria went ahead, as Liz gathered her things. Liz smiled. Life had been hectic and cruel since her husband, Jake, had died nine years ago. Leaving her in love, pregnant and alone. It had been rough the first few weeks, when she didn't, couldn't accept the reality. Seven months pregnant, she had gained the pity of all her family. Long endless nights accompanied by ceaseless phone calls from family, friends, and people to share their pity with her. Didn't they know that they only reminded her more that her husband was dead!? She had wanted solitude, solitude to mourn, and weep, and cry alone.

Days went by, and she didn't eat, didn't shower, and couldn't muster strength enough to get up from her bed. She lived in total isolation until one day, Maria came barreling into her apartment, grabbing her roughly by the arm, and helped her bathe, and then fed her... They ended up shopping for baby clothes and they also bought a huge wooden crib... Maria had been her lifeline, slowly feeding her strength and courage.

Liz had been astonished at how careless she'd been with her unborn child. Guilt was what made her go through the next few months.

But all her sorrow ended the moment she felt the lightweight of her newborn daughter in her arms. How the tiny hands grabbed her fingers and how her eyes reminded her of Jake's. Beautiful baby blue eyes.

It had always been an unspoken truce between her and Maria. They never talked about it, even though both were aware of the consequences they barely avoided. That pregnancy had been the darkest days she had ever had in her whole life, hence the reason why she worshipped her daughter, the guilt ate away at her heart at all the 'what if's' that could've happened. But she always thanked her lucky stars for the daughter, friends, and family she had.

Liz followed Maria as she chatted about something or the other.

Maria Deluca was not only one of her best friends, but she was also her first cousin, by her father's younger sister, and they had been in high school together. They'd lost contact upon graduation for Liz had gone to Dartmouth and Maria had attended Harvard Law School. But they had reunited again after almost 6 years.

People like Maria and her daughter were the ones that kept her going.

Although, she suspected that she no longer depended on the memory of her husband to go through. Maria had insisted quite a couple of times on dating and even double dating with her. And she had gone on a couple of dates, it wasn't like she was a nun, or anything, but she guessed that the memory of her husband still lingered around. Or maybe it was the slight suspicion that she compared all her dates to her deceased husband?

Maybe she was afraid of falling in love again. Probably. Most likely.

"Are you coming, or not?"

"Aye, aye, ma'am."

 * * *

"Aunt Maria, it's huge!!"

Maria and Liz laughed. The restaurant was a little too crowded considering it was still early. But Maria had been right; desserts were fabulous. "Now, be nice, Paige."

"But mom, it's true!" Liz gave Paige a stern look, "and also veeery beautiful and shiny!" Paige said comically.

Maria had to laugh, "You two are so hilarious! But thank you, darling. I'll have to introduce you to Michael someday, he's going to love you!"

"I can show him my trick with the slime and the straw!"

"Err, sure, honey." Maria smiled mischievously, "ya'know..." she began in a conspiratorially tone, "your mom told me she met this handsome guy the other day! She said he was veery tall."

"Maria!"

"Well, didn't you?"

Changing the subject, subtly, "Isn't it getting a little too crowded in here?"

"Momma, you're changing the subject! You always tell me not to change the subject because it means you're avoiding the person!"

"You taught you daughter well."

"Stuff it, Maria."

"And you always tell me not to silence people abruptly because it's rude."

Liz glared at Maria as she hid a smile behind her hand, "Paige, do you really want to come here again anytime soon?"

"Yeah."

"Then, why don't you eat your sundae in silence and let me talk with your aunt, okay?"

"Okay." Paige resumed her attack on the poor sundae, "anyways, Aunt Maria, your ring is very beautiful. I bet Uncle Michael is nuts about you."

Maria smiled, "I sure hope so, sweetie."

"And are you going to have tons and tons of children?"

"Well," Maria laughed, "maybe not tons and tons, but two or three. I sure hope they are as pretty and as intelligent as you are."

"You're intelligent, though I don't really know Michael, but I assure you that your children will be just as smart and as beautiful as you." Maria laughed,  "I mean, my mom is beautiful and she told that my dad was too, and I didn't turn out that bad."

Liz's tone was wistful, "you happen to be the most beautiful, brightest child ever created. Don't you think so, Maria?"

"Yeah."

"Mom?"

"Yeah, sweetie."

"Your ice-cream's melting."

 To be continued...

Chapter 3: Shocking News