To answer Good Golly Miss Molly's question for everyone, no, this fic is indeed going to go on for a little longer. There is still something I want to deal with before I wrap it up. But thank you all for reviewing!

Lissa

Chapter 34

Hannah bounded into Max's arms on the front steps before he even got to the door. Hannah had sat out on the top step waiting not so patiently for him. "I missed you, Daddy."

"I missed you too, princess." He held her tight and smelled her freshly washed hair.

"Hey, Max." Liz smiled at him. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course." He pulled her in and hugged her as well.

"Hannah bean, we have to talk to you before we go." Liz said, sitting on the couch. Max sat down next to her with Hannah firmly in his lap.

"Hannah, you know you've been asking for a little sister?" Liz began. Max was letting her do the talking.

"Yes." She nodded slowly studying her parents closely.

"Well, usually for there to be babies, a mommy and a daddy have to be married."

"I know." She nodded.

"Well, how would you like it if me and your daddy got married?" Liz asked.

"Like Grandpa Jim and Grandma Amy?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"I can have a sister." She asked.

"Yes, but it won't be for a long time because your daddy and I aren't ready for a baby, but we will get married, soon."

"Yes!" Hannah clapped her hands. "Does that mean you'll live with us?" She turned around to look at Max.

"Yes." Max smiled. "Would you like that?"

"Yes, Daddy I would." She answered.

"Now, Hannah, I was reading the pamphlet about hermit crabs and it says they like to have hermit crab friends. Would you like to go pick out another one after we find Mommy's dress?"

"Yes please!" She said enthusiastically. "We have to find a Madame Cuddles."

"Of course." Max smiled.

"How is he?"

"He's fine and Ella hasn't eaten him yet. Aunt Isabel is getting used to him."

"Good. He's a nice crab." Hannah said.

"Oh, remember the play, Daddy?" They were now on the way to the mall.

"Yes."

"I'm going to be one of the elves." She said happily. "Me and Natalie."

Back to Natalie again.

"You want to try this store, Liz?" Max asked. It was filled with expensive looking dresses.

"Alright." She was taken back to when she spent hours in shops like this with Isabel.

Liz took her time trying on dresses—with Hannah's expertise of course. She finally picked out a red ankle length dress. It had tiny shoulder straps, and embroidered décolletage, with a matching red shawl with the same embroidered roses.

A few hours later they found themselves in jewelry store. "What are we doing here?" Hannah asked from her position on Max's hip.

"Picking your mother's engagement ring out." Max said.

"Now?" Liz said her eyes bright.

"You can't go tonight without an engagement ring." Max kissed her forehead, "So, yes, now."

"Alright." She looked at the selection. She chose a simple one, gold with three perfectly matched diamonds.

"Beautiful, Mommy." Hannah said complimented.

It wasn't till they were in the car and on the way to pick out a new crab when something dawned on Hannah.

"What's an engagement ring?"

"When a man promises to get married to a woman, they're engaged." Liz explained.

"Like you and Daddy?"

"Yes, like me and Daddy."

"I'm going to have a sister." She chanted.

Liz got quiet, as did Max. They were both reminded of Kailyn. She had gone back to her mother. Max had tried behind the scenes to stall the trial but it couldn't be done. He knew where her mother stayed and could keep track of the little girl for the rest of her life if necessary.

"Yes, but not right away." Max answered. "Mommy's going to go back to school first, then we'll try to get a sister for you."

"Alright." She smiled. "Promise?"

"Promise."

Hannah picked out her Madame Cuddles in a half hour, and then they got lunch and headed home.

"Oh do you have to leave?" Hannah looked up at Max after he had walked them to the door.

"Yes, but I'll see you tonight, before we drop you off at Grandma Amy's, ok?" He asked softly. "Then we'll be together all day tomorrow, too."

"I'll miss you." She hugged him but there were no tears since she had his promise to see him later.

"Daddy's here!" Hannah announced from her favorite spot on the top step. "Wait till you see, Mommy."

"I can't." He stepped into the apartment the same time Liz stepped from their bathroom.

Max's throat clogged. He swallowed several times to try to dislodge the lump that had grown there. Liz was gorgeous. He hadn't seen her when she tried this dress on. She had said it was a surprise and she didn't want him to see her in it. She had small diamond studs on her ears when that matched her engagement ring.

"Isn't she pretty?" Hannah asked from her father's arms. He was dressed in a formal tuxedo.

"Yes." He stood and set Hannah down. "She's stunning." That didn't even come close.

She blushed. "Thank you." She reached up to stroke his cheek. "So do you."

Her ring flashed in the light.

"Do you have your bag, Hannah?"

"Yep!" She said and swung it over her shoulder.

After promises to pick up Hannah early the next morning, they left a happy Hannah at the Valenti home.

They arrived at the house in San Clemente and Liz held her breath. She hadn't done this in so long. The demands of a society fiancé were so much more than those of a sixteen year old debutante. She wasn't sure she wanted to fill these shoes, but she knew this would help Max, and she was ready to stand by him now as his fiancé, and later his wife.

"You must introduce me to this lovely woman." An older, balding man and his wife—Liz guessed—greeted them at the door.

A butler took her shawl and Max's coat.

"This is my fiancé, Miss Elizabeth Parker."

"I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone seriously, Max." The man said studying her.

"Are you of the New Mexico Parkers, dear?" The woman asked.

Liz clutched Max's sleeve. "Yes, Mrs.--?" She didn't know the woman's name.

"Hart." She filled in.

"Mrs. Hart, yes, Jeff and Nancy Parker are my parents." There was no point trying to hide it, these people would find out anyway.

"I didn't know they had another daughter." She looked puzzled. "You know they had the one that disappeared and it's rumored that she came to California to have a baby." Then it dawned on her who she was talking to. "Oh, dear. I've said too much haven't I?" She put a hand to her mouth.

Liz clutched his sleeve tighter, they couldn't deny Hannah.

"As far as I know my parents only have one daughter, Mrs. Hart. I guess those rumors are true then?" Max directed her around the room making introductions eventually meeting up with Alex and Isabel, and surprisingly Michael and Maria.

Isabel pulled Max to the side, "Max, rumors are flying about you and Liz."

"And?" He seemed unconcerned.

"I don't think it was right to introduce her yet." She said. "It may not turn out for the best. If you plan to marry her you're going to be dealing with these people for the rest of your career, you don't want her shunned by them do you?"

"I think this is a test of how big my influence is. They'll accept her, Isabel, don't worry." He reassured his sister.

"If you know what you're doing." She took a deep breath. "Mom and Dad are here."

"What, when did they get here?" He asked furiously. "I didn't even know they were in the state."

"I didn't either until tonight, Mom is not going to be very happy about this."

Max was pulled away into conversation with more associates forcing him to leave Liz in Isabel and Maria's care.

Liz absently looked around the room, bored with the old women she was having a conversation with. Old society women never had anything good to say. Her eyes landed on Max and a feeling of complete happiness flooded her. Her smile faded when a young blonde attached herself to his side. He looked around the room then locked eyes with Liz. He was pleading for help.

Walking over to him with all the grace she could muster, she placed her hand on Max's arm showing off her ring. She whispered something in his ear, causing him to lean towards her. She sent a look at the girl that was clear in its meaning. He's mine.

"Are you enjoying yourself, darling?" He asked her his eyes forgetting the woman standing there glaring at them.

"Very much, love." She smiled up at him and glanced out of the corner of her eye to see if she was looking. She was. Leaning up on her tiptoes she pressed a kiss to cheek, with a brush of her lips she promised more.

"My fiancé, Elizabeth Parker. Tess Harding."

"Pleasure." Tess sneered through narrowed eyes.

"Mine." Liz reached out effectively showing off the ring when I glistened in the light.

Max smiled proud at the fact Liz could still effortlessly play the games.

Isabel froze and cursed, looking at Michael she filled him in. "Max and Liz just turned their backs on Tess Harding."

"Good." Michael shrugged and sauntered off with Maria.

"Max." His body turned rigid. Liz grasped his arm and her eyes flew up to his.

"Mother." He said. "I'll introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Parker."

"Elizabeth, what a surprise." Diane Evans gave Max a look that said they would talk later. It would have to wait a couple of days.

"It's good to see you again, Mrs. Evans." Liz greeted politely.

"You're looking wonderful, dear."

"As are you." Liz returned. They had completed the necessary compliments; they could be relieved of each other presence now.

"How is Hannah?"

"Great." She said shortly.

Max bid his mother goodnight and directed Liz away. "Thank you for coming to my rescue." Max told her. "Tess can be a bit overbearing sometimes."

"Your eyes were screaming for help, I couldn't deny you." Liz answered honestly. "It's kind of fun flashing a ring around."

"Thank you."

They circulated the groups multiple times and by the end of the evening everyone knew her and they knew she was the missing Parker girl and the rumors that she had been pregnant were true.

"Are you ready to go?" Max asked.

"Yes." She was tired. Tired of answering questions, tired of being around such tedious people, and tired of smiling at people she knew she would detest.

"Let's go."

Max drove her home and walked her up the stairs. She unlocked the door and opened it. Serena's door was open which meant she wasn't home.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Liz."

"Tomorrow?" She leaned up on her tiptoes again to kiss him. She had to strain further since she had removed her shoes.

He pulled her closer against him. Her arms went around his neck holding tightly. Their kiss deepened, begging for more.

Max pushed her away gently. "I love you, Liz." He had to go. Now. He wanted to do more than just kiss her. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Again Liz looked up at him. She didn't want to ask but knew she would have to.

"No, Max." She pressed a kiss to his throat instead. "Stay." She nipped his ear and held him close. "Please stay with me."

He stayed.

Liz lay awake early the next morning snuggled against Max, drawing lazy shapes on his chest. His breathing was even but she knew he wasn't sleeping anymore than she was.

"Max."

"Hmm?" He answered.

"Was it ok?" She asked shyly, she hadn't been with anyone since him. Not even Kyle. "I haven't...been...with anyone since..." She said quietly. He was her first and only lover. As was she for him.

"Yes." He kissed her. "Either have I, love."

That delighted her, but then doubt clouded her eyes. "My body's changed a little bit, well a lot, since the last time. Since I've had the baby."

"I know, for the better." He said, then he reached down and touched the tiny scar on her bikini line. "When did you get this?" He asked.

"When Hannah was born they had to do an emergency C-section." She tried to cover it with her hands, self-conscience about it.

"No," He moved her hand out of the way and intertwined it with him. He kissed her ring finger and looked down at her. "It reminds me of our baby. Don't be ashamed of it, Liz."

Moving over him she smiled down, "I won't if you won't."

"Never."

"We have to go get Hannah." Liz pushed herself out of bed. It was 7:30 a.m. Max rolled over and pulled a pillow over his head.

"It's so early, will they be up?"

Liz just looked at Max and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yea, this is Hannah." He looked around the apartment. "We have to stop by my place so I can change."

"OK. I'm just going to shower really quick, go ahead and head to the kitchen."

"Max, let's get married soon."

"Liz, come here." He held his hand to her. "I know this isn't the best time to tell you, but I need to tell you before you absolute commit to marrying me."

"Ok." She was a little nervous now.

"You know your trust fund, the one I unfroze?" She nodded staring up on him.

"That wasn't your trust fund. I set it up to look like yours, it's my money that's in that fund, I know you're going to get mad at me, and I'm sorry because I knew you wouldn't take it from me, and you needed it." He said looking ashamed with himself and busied himself with a strand of her hair.

"It's alright, love." She stood on her tiptoes to silence him. "I understand why you did it. I'm not saying I'm not mad, but I would have had to change my life around if you wouldn't have done it. My pride would never have accepted money from you. Thank you, Max, for pushing through."

"Your welcome." He was relieved she wasn't mad at him.

"Let's go get our daughter." She pecked his cheek and disappeared into the bathroom.

TBC