[b] Hi Everyone! I was just thinking as I start this next part about Max. He's one of the reasons why it takes me forever between the chapters. A few months ago I was ready to turn this into a loyalist fic because I was so angry with Max myself. Then my dreamer self just couldn't let that happen so I'm trying my best to move them slowly back together. I hope I'm not moving too fast and as I've said before, Liz isn't young anymore; she's old enough to know what's right for her and her child. As much as she loves Max, she has Hannah to worry about and she won't give in easily to Max's charms. Have faith!
I know it's been forever, and I'm sorry. As I explained to some before it's AP season and that has taken up a lot of my time. I promise Two Kinds will be up within the next few weeks. I'm almost done with the next chapter of it. I haven't fully figured out how I want it to go. But I know what exactly is going to happen. Sorry again!
Here you go!
Mattie
Chapter 25 [/b]
Max drove easily back to work almost reluctant to go back. He had so much to think about, so much to wonder.
If he had been in Liz's position would he forgive himself?
In all technicalities, she had left him, not wanting to be found, she could be just as much to blame for running away.
He shook himself for even thinking the thought. He knew that she knew he could easily find her if he had really wanted to. He remembered how scared she had been about having Hannah. The way she had clung to him when they had told their parents. He had a feeling Liz wouldn't cling to anyone now. Except maybe Kyle.
Alex was 'Uncle Alex' where as Kyle was just 'Kyle'. What did that mean and why? How much of a bond was there between him and Hannah, him and Liz? This was a whole other factor that needed to be added into the long equation that was their lives.
He remembered back to when their relationship had been so simple. They were just a boy and a girl dating.
[I]
As children him, Liz and Isabel had been close friends. They were the children of the wealthiest, most influential people in Roswell, they were respected by the other children, maybe even feared, leaving them on the outside of all the play circles.
Maybe they were drawn together through necessity or the demands of their parents, but the bond held them tight.
It didn't help that Max and Liz had proceeded to be the top of the class excluding them further.
He remembered at the age of twelve when the feelings of friendships changed into something else. She became shy and withdrawn around him and he blushed easily in her presence. Isabel grew annoyed with them, knowing they both liked each other.
They now understood their parent's teasing about them marrying and bringing the two families together.
The flirtation continued on throughout their high school career. Then at the age of sixteen when they had been allowed to attend their first formal gathering with their parents' friends in Albuquerque, the truth came out.
They had been left alone a little too long, and Max suspected it was no accident on Isabel's part. They had been tentative and shy, not really wanting their parents to know. No one really knew, it was a secret. Max and Liz. The only other person who had known was Isabel.
At seventeen they decided it was in their best interest to tell their parents but to make it look as if it were a new development. Their parents had been ecstatic. They had applauded them and joked about one day being in the same family.
Then six months before Hannah's conception they had been discovered outside on the terrace, announcing to the world that they were in fact a couple.
Six months later Liz had made the announcement that she was pregnant.
Three months later she was gone.
Looking back now he realizes he should have stuck by her. Seeing how strong she was now only made him wish he could have been there to see her develop.
[/I]
Max returned to his present state of mind when his cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Max." His mother's voice came through the phone.
"I was just about to call you back, Mother."
"Sure, that doesn't matter. Max, I have something to tell you about Hannah." Diane stated. "Are you driving, maybe you should pull over." She said worriedly.
"Does this have anything to do with her heart?"
"Yes, how'd you know?" She said stunned.
"I just came from Liz's, Mom." He rubbed a hand over his eyes.
"She told you?" Diane said stunned on the other side.
"Yes, Mom." He said glancing at his watch.
"Did she tell you about her money situation?"
"What money situation?" They seemed pretty ok, the apartment seemed nice and Hannah had looked happy.
"She doesn't have very much of it, Max."
"What? Her trust fund was larger than mine, what do you mean she doesn't have any money?"
"Her trust fund was frozen when she left."
"They can't do that!" He had to calm himself down enough not to brake in the middle of the busy freeway.
"Her parents found a way to do so. She works two jobs, Max, she they're moving in a few weeks." Diane explained.
"Why?"
"Liz can't afford it anymore." Diane said wearily. She looked down at the files she had received earlier. "She wants to go to college, supposedly."
Max's heart hurt. Liz had loved to learn. She had always dreamed of going to Harvard and being head of microbiology. She hadn't even gotten the chance to attend any college. To raise their child.
"She deserves college, Mom." Max pulled into the parking lot of his law office. He sat in the car staring straight ahead.
"What are you going to do about it?" She asked patiently. She felt guilty for taking part in Liz leaving.
"I don't know, Mom, find a way to unfreeze her trust funds, and do it fast." He demanded. "I'll handle her temporarily."
There was no way she would accept any money from him, his family, or her parents. He hadn't even spoken with her parents since she left four years before.
"I don't know if I can do that." Diane heaved a sigh, it would be one large battle, one she wasn't sure she was prepared to face.
"Mom, please." Max pleaded. "Only you have the can to do that."
"I'll try, sweetheart." Diane gave into the pleading of her son.
"Thank you. I'll talk to you later, I have a meeting right now." He glanced at his watch and already knew he was going to be late.
"Alright, bye Max."
"Bye."
"What are you doing, Grandma?" Hannah asked the next day at Amy and Jim Valenti's house.
"Making a doll, my love." She had thought the young girl was sleeping.
"For what?" She crawled in her lap, heedless of the sewing materials already there.
"For Kailyn." She answered glancing at the baby sleeping in the crib across the room.
"I help?" Hannah asked staring at the pieces of cloth.
"Yes, you can help me choose the colors." Amy said gently holding up two cloths. She knew the child would have a hard life and she was already dreading the fact that it looked like her mother would get her back. If she went back she probably would end up back in the system at the age of five. She thought she'd make something that could be with her always.
"Purple?" Hannah asked hopefully.
"Purple is a good color." She nodded. "[I]Pourpre[/I]"
Hannah dutifully repeated the word in French she was always getting her colors wrong.
Hannah sat patiently as she watched Amy carefully stitch the dress on the dolls cloth body.
"Will you make me one too? To match Kailyn's?" She asked suddenly.
"Yes, after we're finished with this one. Do you want it in purple too or a different color?"
"Pink!"
"Alright."
"Grandpa!" Hannah said when Jim Valenti came home.
"Hello, little girl!" He said coming over to kiss the top of her head.
"Look!" She held up the doll.
"Careful, Hannah, the head's not on right. Hold her like I told you to hold Kailyn." Amy directed softly.
"Like this?" She cradled the doll against her body.
"Yes, very good." Jim applauded. "Speaking of Kailyn, did we hear from the social worker?" He plucked his shoes off and lifted Hannah into his lap.
"Whose?" Amy stood free of children for a moment.
"Any."
"Hannah's called, she's coming out next week." began putting her things away. "Hannah, let's start getting you ready for your bath, so your mommy doesn't have to do it tonight."
"Why?"
"I already gave you a reason, now scoot." She told her.
"What about Kailyn's?" Jim came up behind her and took her arm gently so she had to face him.
"I'll talk to you about that later." She said and turned back to see if Hannah had made it to the bathroom.
"Amy."
"There's a court appointment next week, apparently her mother's been starting to act right now." Amy said not trusting her voice she turned and walked down the hallway to the bathroom.
Not used to seeing his wife so distraught, he became unsettled. He scratched his chin as he wondered what that could mean.
"Hello?" Liz knocked on the door.
"Come on in, Liz." Jim called. "They're in the back bathing Hannah."
"Oh, alright." She shrugged. She smiled when she heard a small grunt from the nursery over the baby monitor. "She awake?" Liz asked hopefully.
"She is now." Jim smiled in Liz's delight.
"Do you mind?"
"No, I get her all night." Jim nodded.
Everyone seemed attached to that baby.
"You and Amy ever need a break and I'll gladly take her off your hands." Liz walked out, baby clasped firmly on her shoulder.
"I know you would. She seems to be hogging all the attention around here." Jim said, admiring the baby's pretty curls himself.
"I know." Liz remembered the feel of baby soft breath on her neck and smiled as she heard Hannah's laughter. "I haven't even seen my baby yet."
"She'll be fine for another few moments." He nodded to the couch. "Why don't you let Amy finish up and I need to talk to you."
Liz sat dutifully down, shifting the baby.
"You know, Liz, you're like a daughter to me, and Hannah looks to me as a grandfather—which I might add—I am not all that old." He sat down, with a chuckle, across from her. "And as such, I feel I have the right to give you advice. Kyle told me Hannah's father's back."
Liz nodded. "I was going to tell you, but—"
"I'm not lecturing you, love." Jim held a hand up to silence her. "I just want you to be careful, Liz. You mean a lot to me, us, Maria, Kyle. But I also know that you haven't gotten over Hannah's father, Max. I can't tell you what to do, Liz. But I can tell you to be careful, and that whatever you do, your decision is up to you. Just remember that what you do effects Hannah as well."
"I know." Liz focused her attention on the baby next to her. No one knew as much as her how much. No one knew that if it was only her heart at risk, she might already be back with him.
"I also want you to know that it's the most difficult thing in the world to stop loving someone you've loved for such a long time."
Liz met his eyes immediately. He knew! He knew she was still in love with Max! "That face just confirmed my suspicions. I know you still love him, just remember what I said, now go find your little girl." He took Kailyn from her arms.
"Yeah." She smiled and blinked back tears.
Jim ached for his son, but knew that Kyle didn't love Liz. Not really, not in the way she wanted to be loved. And not the way she deserved to be.
He knew all of this and he knew that he had a rough few months ahead of their family.
"It's you and me, Kailyn, come on." He looked at the baby who's face lit up in a smile. "Let's go ask Grandma what's going on with your mother."
[b] TBC [/b]
I know it's been forever, and I'm sorry. As I explained to some before it's AP season and that has taken up a lot of my time. I promise Two Kinds will be up within the next few weeks. I'm almost done with the next chapter of it. I haven't fully figured out how I want it to go. But I know what exactly is going to happen. Sorry again!
Here you go!
Mattie
Chapter 25 [/b]
Max drove easily back to work almost reluctant to go back. He had so much to think about, so much to wonder.
If he had been in Liz's position would he forgive himself?
In all technicalities, she had left him, not wanting to be found, she could be just as much to blame for running away.
He shook himself for even thinking the thought. He knew that she knew he could easily find her if he had really wanted to. He remembered how scared she had been about having Hannah. The way she had clung to him when they had told their parents. He had a feeling Liz wouldn't cling to anyone now. Except maybe Kyle.
Alex was 'Uncle Alex' where as Kyle was just 'Kyle'. What did that mean and why? How much of a bond was there between him and Hannah, him and Liz? This was a whole other factor that needed to be added into the long equation that was their lives.
He remembered back to when their relationship had been so simple. They were just a boy and a girl dating.
[I]
As children him, Liz and Isabel had been close friends. They were the children of the wealthiest, most influential people in Roswell, they were respected by the other children, maybe even feared, leaving them on the outside of all the play circles.
Maybe they were drawn together through necessity or the demands of their parents, but the bond held them tight.
It didn't help that Max and Liz had proceeded to be the top of the class excluding them further.
He remembered at the age of twelve when the feelings of friendships changed into something else. She became shy and withdrawn around him and he blushed easily in her presence. Isabel grew annoyed with them, knowing they both liked each other.
They now understood their parent's teasing about them marrying and bringing the two families together.
The flirtation continued on throughout their high school career. Then at the age of sixteen when they had been allowed to attend their first formal gathering with their parents' friends in Albuquerque, the truth came out.
They had been left alone a little too long, and Max suspected it was no accident on Isabel's part. They had been tentative and shy, not really wanting their parents to know. No one really knew, it was a secret. Max and Liz. The only other person who had known was Isabel.
At seventeen they decided it was in their best interest to tell their parents but to make it look as if it were a new development. Their parents had been ecstatic. They had applauded them and joked about one day being in the same family.
Then six months before Hannah's conception they had been discovered outside on the terrace, announcing to the world that they were in fact a couple.
Six months later Liz had made the announcement that she was pregnant.
Three months later she was gone.
Looking back now he realizes he should have stuck by her. Seeing how strong she was now only made him wish he could have been there to see her develop.
[/I]
Max returned to his present state of mind when his cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Max." His mother's voice came through the phone.
"I was just about to call you back, Mother."
"Sure, that doesn't matter. Max, I have something to tell you about Hannah." Diane stated. "Are you driving, maybe you should pull over." She said worriedly.
"Does this have anything to do with her heart?"
"Yes, how'd you know?" She said stunned.
"I just came from Liz's, Mom." He rubbed a hand over his eyes.
"She told you?" Diane said stunned on the other side.
"Yes, Mom." He said glancing at his watch.
"Did she tell you about her money situation?"
"What money situation?" They seemed pretty ok, the apartment seemed nice and Hannah had looked happy.
"She doesn't have very much of it, Max."
"What? Her trust fund was larger than mine, what do you mean she doesn't have any money?"
"Her trust fund was frozen when she left."
"They can't do that!" He had to calm himself down enough not to brake in the middle of the busy freeway.
"Her parents found a way to do so. She works two jobs, Max, she they're moving in a few weeks." Diane explained.
"Why?"
"Liz can't afford it anymore." Diane said wearily. She looked down at the files she had received earlier. "She wants to go to college, supposedly."
Max's heart hurt. Liz had loved to learn. She had always dreamed of going to Harvard and being head of microbiology. She hadn't even gotten the chance to attend any college. To raise their child.
"She deserves college, Mom." Max pulled into the parking lot of his law office. He sat in the car staring straight ahead.
"What are you going to do about it?" She asked patiently. She felt guilty for taking part in Liz leaving.
"I don't know, Mom, find a way to unfreeze her trust funds, and do it fast." He demanded. "I'll handle her temporarily."
There was no way she would accept any money from him, his family, or her parents. He hadn't even spoken with her parents since she left four years before.
"I don't know if I can do that." Diane heaved a sigh, it would be one large battle, one she wasn't sure she was prepared to face.
"Mom, please." Max pleaded. "Only you have the can to do that."
"I'll try, sweetheart." Diane gave into the pleading of her son.
"Thank you. I'll talk to you later, I have a meeting right now." He glanced at his watch and already knew he was going to be late.
"Alright, bye Max."
"Bye."
"What are you doing, Grandma?" Hannah asked the next day at Amy and Jim Valenti's house.
"Making a doll, my love." She had thought the young girl was sleeping.
"For what?" She crawled in her lap, heedless of the sewing materials already there.
"For Kailyn." She answered glancing at the baby sleeping in the crib across the room.
"I help?" Hannah asked staring at the pieces of cloth.
"Yes, you can help me choose the colors." Amy said gently holding up two cloths. She knew the child would have a hard life and she was already dreading the fact that it looked like her mother would get her back. If she went back she probably would end up back in the system at the age of five. She thought she'd make something that could be with her always.
"Purple?" Hannah asked hopefully.
"Purple is a good color." She nodded. "[I]Pourpre[/I]"
Hannah dutifully repeated the word in French she was always getting her colors wrong.
Hannah sat patiently as she watched Amy carefully stitch the dress on the dolls cloth body.
"Will you make me one too? To match Kailyn's?" She asked suddenly.
"Yes, after we're finished with this one. Do you want it in purple too or a different color?"
"Pink!"
"Alright."
"Grandpa!" Hannah said when Jim Valenti came home.
"Hello, little girl!" He said coming over to kiss the top of her head.
"Look!" She held up the doll.
"Careful, Hannah, the head's not on right. Hold her like I told you to hold Kailyn." Amy directed softly.
"Like this?" She cradled the doll against her body.
"Yes, very good." Jim applauded. "Speaking of Kailyn, did we hear from the social worker?" He plucked his shoes off and lifted Hannah into his lap.
"Whose?" Amy stood free of children for a moment.
"Any."
"Hannah's called, she's coming out next week." began putting her things away. "Hannah, let's start getting you ready for your bath, so your mommy doesn't have to do it tonight."
"Why?"
"I already gave you a reason, now scoot." She told her.
"What about Kailyn's?" Jim came up behind her and took her arm gently so she had to face him.
"I'll talk to you about that later." She said and turned back to see if Hannah had made it to the bathroom.
"Amy."
"There's a court appointment next week, apparently her mother's been starting to act right now." Amy said not trusting her voice she turned and walked down the hallway to the bathroom.
Not used to seeing his wife so distraught, he became unsettled. He scratched his chin as he wondered what that could mean.
"Hello?" Liz knocked on the door.
"Come on in, Liz." Jim called. "They're in the back bathing Hannah."
"Oh, alright." She shrugged. She smiled when she heard a small grunt from the nursery over the baby monitor. "She awake?" Liz asked hopefully.
"She is now." Jim smiled in Liz's delight.
"Do you mind?"
"No, I get her all night." Jim nodded.
Everyone seemed attached to that baby.
"You and Amy ever need a break and I'll gladly take her off your hands." Liz walked out, baby clasped firmly on her shoulder.
"I know you would. She seems to be hogging all the attention around here." Jim said, admiring the baby's pretty curls himself.
"I know." Liz remembered the feel of baby soft breath on her neck and smiled as she heard Hannah's laughter. "I haven't even seen my baby yet."
"She'll be fine for another few moments." He nodded to the couch. "Why don't you let Amy finish up and I need to talk to you."
Liz sat dutifully down, shifting the baby.
"You know, Liz, you're like a daughter to me, and Hannah looks to me as a grandfather—which I might add—I am not all that old." He sat down, with a chuckle, across from her. "And as such, I feel I have the right to give you advice. Kyle told me Hannah's father's back."
Liz nodded. "I was going to tell you, but—"
"I'm not lecturing you, love." Jim held a hand up to silence her. "I just want you to be careful, Liz. You mean a lot to me, us, Maria, Kyle. But I also know that you haven't gotten over Hannah's father, Max. I can't tell you what to do, Liz. But I can tell you to be careful, and that whatever you do, your decision is up to you. Just remember that what you do effects Hannah as well."
"I know." Liz focused her attention on the baby next to her. No one knew as much as her how much. No one knew that if it was only her heart at risk, she might already be back with him.
"I also want you to know that it's the most difficult thing in the world to stop loving someone you've loved for such a long time."
Liz met his eyes immediately. He knew! He knew she was still in love with Max! "That face just confirmed my suspicions. I know you still love him, just remember what I said, now go find your little girl." He took Kailyn from her arms.
"Yeah." She smiled and blinked back tears.
Jim ached for his son, but knew that Kyle didn't love Liz. Not really, not in the way she wanted to be loved. And not the way she deserved to be.
He knew all of this and he knew that he had a rough few months ahead of their family.
"It's you and me, Kailyn, come on." He looked at the baby who's face lit up in a smile. "Let's go ask Grandma what's going on with your mother."
[b] TBC [/b]