Mending Pieces  

A Roswell Alternate Universe Story  

By Andrea Sinisterra    

Romance/Drama  

Standard Disclaimers Apply

* * *

As the days go pass and the time slips away

It happened all so fast, I couldn't make her stay

All the memories she left, they rest in my head

Sometimes I feel I'd be better off dead

"I Don't Believe"

- Greenwheel

* * *

Part 11

The smiles that grazed the faces of the gathered crowd were priceless. The joy swept around the room in swirls of god-blessed luck to the couple at the altar. Row after row of guests, family, and friends gathered together to witness one of the most important events in a person's life. Marriage.

Amy Parker DeLuca cried. The thought of this happening had never ever crossed her mind. She didn't know why, she just always thought that her little girl would always be that; her little girl. Forever. It was painfully clear now. Her daughter had grown into a beautiful, elegant woman. Into an elegant, beautiful woman who had promised herself into marriage. And Amy DeLuca couldn't be any happier.

Imagining that she once held that woman in her arms in the form of a petite and fragile babe. Witnessing her grow and develop into the wonderful person she now was. Amy had never felt much pride about anyone in her life, but the pride she felt for her daughter at this moment left her almost breathless.

She watched the couple say their vows, pronouncing their unending love, and their utter devotion to one another and to the world. Amy's eyes scanned the surrounding guests, some were crying, some others were smiling. And when her eyes rested on the picture of her daughter kissing her new husband, Amy smiled as well.

The rain of white rose petals resembled large snowflakes in a winter Christmas card. Michael and Maria took off, rushing to the limousine awaiting them at the bottom of the church's entrance. And just when they were about to disappear into the luxurious car, Maria turned around, gave a wide smile meant only for her mother and then she was gone.

 * * *

Phillip's heart swelled after the whispered 'I do' his son had uttered. Things had worked out so smoothly that he almost couldn't believe it. It had been three months since that fatal August day. His eyes scanned the church from Max, the best man, standing there in his black tuxedo, a look of total happiness for his brother on his face. Max saw Phillip looking at him and smiled back.

Phillip let his eyes fall from Max's to his daughter's, who sat beside the first row of chairs. Her beautiful gold hair framed her tear-strained face, her hands unknowingly gripping the arms of the wheelchair. But before he could feel sorry for his daughter and himself, he saw a hand grasp her daughter's and squeeze comfortingly.

Phillip felt himself relax and then smile when he saw Isabel smile up into the also smiling face of Alex Whitman.

 * * *

Maria smiled up at her husband's grinning face. "You've been grinning like an idiot for the past half hour."

Michael ducked his head and captured her lips, for perhaps the hundredth time since they got into the limousine. "I have my reasons."

"Oh, yeah?" She sighed, when he started kissing down her neck, "and may I ask what reasons might those be?"

"Well, that I can't believe we're married and you are my wife..." He kissed her, "that I'm happy that you said 'I do' so quickly..." He kissed her again.

"I had nothing to think about. I wanted to marry you since the day we met." The soft look in her eyes made his heart melt. "What other reasons you have?"

"Hmm, there's the one where I love you, and need you, and crave you..." She laughed, "then, there's your name."

Maria pulled away from his distracting kisses, "what's wrong with my name!?" She asked defensively.

"Nothing!" Michael said amused, "it's just that you have a pretty long name, that's all." He kissed her again, deeper this time, "Maria Julianne DeLuca Parker Evans."

"Umm, I like the Evans part."

Someone cleared his throat. "You DO realize that there ARE people in here, right?"

"No, we didn't, until you decided to BARGE in!" Michael barked.

"Well, I'm sorry. But WE were a little disgusted with all your loving displays!"

"Max," Maria said softly, "we are newly weds, this is what we're supposed to do. You two, on the other hand, shouldn't even be here."

"Thanks." Liz said, the blush leaving her cheeks, "you didn't have to be so rude."

Michael sighed, "how long till we get there, Miles?"

Miles, the chauffer, laughed softly, obviously entertained by all the fuss in the back, "Almost there, sir."

 * * *

It was late into the night; people had finally filled out of the grand ballroom, and the food, long since gone. There was still the hum from a faraway party. Some waiters were still lingering around, finishing picking up the tablecloths and glasses left.

The reception had been beautiful. With bouquets of white orchids adorning the tables, and tons of glittered helium balloons pressed against the cold marble ceiling.

And even though the party was long since over, Liz still didn't want the night to end. She and Max had danced all night, and she felt she wouldn't survive without the strong comfort his hands, resting on the small of her back, brought. She had relaxed to complete calm in his embrace. And, boy, did that man dance.

She still couldn't believe how things had changed since Max came into her life. How happy and complete she felt knowing he was around, how safe she felt being around him. Even after everything that's happened, Tess and the accident only brought them closer. It almost felt like she was the one who had just married.

She sighed, as she felt his muscles move under her hands as he twirled her smoothly out of his arms and back again. She loved him. For the good person, father and boyfriend that he was. Her heart seemed to melt every time she saw him playing or talking to Aaron; how much he suffered when Aaron was in the hospital and how much it scared him knowing that Aaron wanted to get to know his mother. She loved him. And Paige loved him also. Perhaps, that was the main reason why she started to feel this way about him, so strongly. Paige trusted him, cared a lot about him. Not a day went by over the past four months that she hadn't asked about him or Aaron. With Max and Aaron in their lives, Liz felt like she and Paige were finally one big, happy family.

"Penny for your thoughts."

His deep voice intruded into her thoughts, and she smiled. His voice always brought a smile to her. "Umm."

Max laughed softly, and gathered her more firmly into his arms. "I can't believe our mothers would take the kids."

"Me neither. Besides, they volunteered." Liz snaked her hands into his hair, "they said we needed some rest."

He made a sound at the back of his throat that she couldn't define. "Sounds to me that they've been spending too much time together." They continued to dance to the soft medley that echoed through the walls of the luxurious hotel. Their bodies swayed in complete synchronization, as though they had been doing it for their entire lives.

 * * *

After five hours of the reception party and a few more of plane, Michael and Maria finally reached their destination: Fiji Island. The paradise where they would spend their honeymoon. Only, now that they were there, they couldn't imagine why they had bothered so much selecting a place for their honeymoon, all they wanted right now was a hotel, a room, a door, lots of food and a bed.

After their check in, and after receiving their keys, Michael and Maria sprinted for the elevator that would take them to the tranquility and comfort of their chambers. It had all happened in a flurry; the proposal, the preparations, the wedding, everything. It was amazing.

And Maria couldn't believe it. She was married. Married to Michael Evans; the man of her dreams. Still in the elevator, Maria found herself crushed against his chest with his hug. And though he was hugging her tightly, his embrace was still gentle.

"We're married." He whispered in her ear, his lips faintly touching. "I love you."

Maria held her hand out, her eyes trailing over the platinum gold of her engagement and wedding rings. The fiery 3.5-karat diamond was translucent and heavy in her finger, a deep contrast to the simple shiny band of her wedding ring with the words 'I love thee' engraved on the inside.

"I love thee." She whispered back, smiling at his deep chuckle.

Michael glanced at the back of the bellboy standing beside the doors, knowing he could hear every word they said. Finally, the man announced their arrival to the penthouse, letting them exit first and following with their suitcases.

After their bags were safely inside the room, and tipping the guy, Michael hefted Maria into his arms and carried her through the threshold, her surprised squeal resounding still, even after his lips sealed hers.

 * * *

They had driven all night into the desert. The dark velvet canvas tinted with flashes of light made into stars, but for Max and Liz, it was just peace. After years of solace on both sides, they finally felt at peace, no longer alone in a world too cruel for solitude.

Night came and went, leaving the couple covered in blankets to seal them from the cold night. Liz lay on Max's chest, the calming sound of his heartbeat a welcome after the accelerated night of drinking and dancing. He ran a hand up the length of her smooth leg revealed by the long golden silk gown she wore. The gown, of the richest of gold, was bundled up around her legs, wrinkled, and crumpled beyond recognition.

They had spent the reminder of the night talking and stargazing to their heart's content. Learning so much about the other, about their careers, their families, their lives in general, about anything that came to mind.

Liz hugged his tuxedo jacket more firmly around her shoulders, "I can't believe Maria is already married."

"I can't believe Michael is already married." Max replied, equally astounded.

"I almost feel..." She began, but stopped herself before finishing.

"Almost feel how?"

"Lonely."

Unconsciously, Max held her tighter against his chest, planting a kiss on the crown of her head. He remained quiet. The sun by now had started to rise, casting a golden hue on them.

"I don't know." She replied, encouraged by his silence, "I mean, Maria has always been there for me-"

"She will always be there for you."

"I know. I guess I'm just being foolish."

"No, you're not. You feel that way because Maria was there when your husband died and when Paige was born, and even before all that. She took care of you and she took care of Paige. You had her undivided attention. But now that she's married, you think she'll forget about you. But she's won't."

Liz laughed, "God, I feel like a little whining girl!"

Max also laughed, "hey, I understand perfectly. Trust me. Besides," He said, rolling her onto the blanket, bending his elbow near her head to support his body weight. Liz looked up into his face, "I'll be here. Always."

Liz reached up to lay her hand on the side of his face, the tips of her fingers touching his ear, "Max-"

He silenced her with a finger to her lips, "I love you." He whispered, seconds before his lips claimed hers in a kiss too passionate for simple hearts to even dream about.

To be continued...

Chapter 12: Any snowy day