Part 3
'Everything is all right. Now what do you say that we get hitched,' Max thought to Liz
Her face lit up and she smiled as she thought back, 'okay let's do it!'
She then looked to everyone and said "I think its time I was married. Let's get this show on the road."
"Liz, what about your mum?" Maria asked.
"Max just told me that everything is fine. Now, Maria, I want to get married."
"Okay chica lets get you hitched," Maria smiled, glad that everything was okay but she knew that something was up with the group.
"Okay everyone get to your places. Isabel ordered going into wedding Nazi mode. "Liz is Max ready?" asked her almost sister in law
Liz looked thoughtful and then smiled. "Yes he's all set."
Jim waited from the bottom of the stairs. He was going to escort Liz to Max.
He looked towards the door and saw Jeff Parker coming through. "I know I've been a horrible person but I want to make it up to Liz, so please can I walk her down the isle."
Jim smiled and was relived that he didn't have to walk two girls down the isle, if Maria agreed to Michael's plan that was. "Of course you can I know that Liz would have wanted you do that for her. Besides I still get to walk one of the girls down the isle… providing she says 'yes'."
Michael came towards them with a nervous expression.
"Michael, are you sure about this?" Jim asked.
"Yes I am very sure, I love Maria. I just hope she says yes."
"She will Michael, don't worry. She loves you."
"Okay, Maria you go down first. Then Serena, I will follow Liz. You come down last with Katie," Isabel ordered the girls and Maria left.
"Okay come on; let's watch from the top of the stairs." Isabel said sounding excited. "I can't wait to see Maria's face. Serena you do have the wedding ring that Michael gave you."
"Yes Iz it's in my bag." Serena held up a small lavender purse and put the strap over her arm as they hurried to the landing to watch the scene below.
Maria knew something was up and as she descended downstairs she locked eyes with Michael who looked at her longingly.
"Michael what's going on? You are meant to be standing next to Max… waiting for Liz."
Michael took a big breath and got down on one knee, held out an engagement ring and looked at Maria. "Maria I fell in love with you the day I kidnapped you and we ended up in that horrible motel you said was like the porno version of Aladdin. I feel like you can do a whole lot better than me but please, Maria Deluca… marry me today."
Maria had tears in her eyes, "but Michael what about Liz and Max it's their day. We can't spoil that."
Liz spoke from the top of the stairs not noticing her father. "Maria, Max and I want this. Let's all get married like we talked about when we were kids."
Maria looked at Michael and nodded. "Yes I will marry you today." Michael picked Maria up and swung her around. When he let go he put the ring on her finger. "You do deserve me, no one loves me like you, and no one could make me feel as loved as you do. But who is going to give me away?"
Jim stepped forward, "My lady, allow me to walk you down the isle."
"Oh Jim thank you so much." Maria said kissing him on the cheek as Michael disappeared to find Max who was waiting at the altar.
The Evans' garden was done up with white roses and had a red carpet up to altar, with white chairs facing it. Along the isles a small amount of people were already seated, friends from school and relatives, all-waiting for the wedding to begin.
"So I take it she said yes then," Max asked as he saw Michael almost skipping up the isle with a grin
"Yep I can't believe she wants me," Michael said still amazed that she said yes.
"Dad what are you doing here?"
"Lizzie… I am so sorry I overacted. I was a fool and a coward; I didn't want to let you go. I realise now that you are not my daughter and never were."
"Daddy you are my father. I do remember my last life, but you are my father in this one. You are the only father I have in this life. My last life doesn't matter; it's this life, which counts now." Liz kissed her father and together they waited for the music to begin.