I'm so sorry, I didn't notice I was so behind on this board so I'll post two chapters today.

Chapter 17

Maria walked in with Matthew secure on her hip.

Maria told her to remember to remind Liz what a generous husband she had. A young child was screaming from the back of the house that served as a clinic.

Maria didn't know the whole story but Max, had allowed his wife to set up clinic in the far back of the house. The clinic was made up of two rooms, a waiting room and an examining room. Liz had few patients usually cuts and bruises and anything that didn't need the doctors attention. With the town growing the doctor had more matters on his mind than what he could handle. Both Liz and the doctor were eagerly awaiting the coming of Nellie Brighton, a nurse from New York, and old friend of Liz's.

Someone Maria wasn't so sure about.

"Hi, Aunt Liz." Matthew said walking into the waiting room. She had just sent out a colicky baby and had been hoping for a rest.

"Hello, Matthew." She smiled. "Mrs. Sullivan, if you would give the baby this," she handed the woman a tonic, "he should be alright. And make sure to burp him after meals."

"Yes, thank you Mrs. Evans." The woman said again, thankful that her child had settled down. "I'll bring him back next week."

"Good, have a nice day."

"You too." The woman walked out.

"So, Matthew what are you and your mother up to today?"

"We go to the lake." He said happily. "Aunt Liz come too?"

"I can't, I'm busy, sweetheart." She said, and a hand smoothed over her gently rounded belly. "And my husband would be upset if I went out without him."

"Oh, Liz, he can't watch you all the time. You're a nurse for heaven's sake you know what you're doing."

"I know." Liz smiled. "But I like to humor him, make him feel like he's in charge."

"That's the way we have to play it." Maria said. She loved seeing her friend happy.

"True." Liz smiled. Her face focused outside where her husband was talking with Michael.

Nancy Parker-Valenti stood watching her daughter-in-law pack. Her arms were over her chest, obviously she was upset.

Serena ignored her.

"You know a maid could do that for you."

"I prefer to do it myself." Serena said calmly adding another outfit to Logan's pack.

"Why are you doing this, taking my only son and grandchildren from me?" Nancy asked looking hurt.

Serena didn't bother to glance up. She knew there would be tears in her mother-in-law's eyes and her face would be a mask of hurt. All of it fake.

"Because your son is my husband, and your grandchildren are my children. I do believe that makes me able to take them where I want to go."

"You talked Kyle into this he would have never hurt me like this." Nancy accused.

Serena let that go. It had been Kyle's idea but she didn't want Nancy wrath coming down on Kyle.

"We will bring the children to visit you." Serena said calmly. She had long since given up trying to deal with her husband's mother. "We will hardly keep them from you. Cassidy will write you directly and Logan will once he's older."

"There can't be any decent schooling out there for a young girl like her. You should leave her with me and Jim. She can stay at Miss Milton's that way."

Serena straightened. "No."

"I could convince Jim. I think it would be best if she were to stay with us."

"No." Serena said again, her voice bland. She couldn't do that, Kyle would stop her right? Not her baby girl. "Kyle would not allow it."

"Kyle does what my husband says." Nancy said smugly.

"Not," Serena replied with a deadly calm. "When it involves his children." She hoped.

"We'll see."

"We will." Serena said bravely. She walked to the padded window seat where Logan had fallen asleep. Closing her eyes she prayed Nancy wouldn't keep her baby.

Max watched his wife in her excitement, happy that she was happy. Her small frame showed the evidence of their child beneath her skirts. Her skin was flushed and her eyes sparkled as they looked up at him.

"This is their train, Max." She gripped his hand tighter. She hadn't let go since they got to the station. Three months after their first argument his wife was fully open with him. If she had something on her mind she said it, if she was sad she told him, if she was happy…well if she was happy it burst through her.

"I know, darling." He smiled at her.

"Do you think Cassidy will like the pony we got her? I don't think she's ever ridden before."

"Everything will be fine." Max reassured her. "I'll teach her how to ride."

"I know, I know." She was jumpy, something she rarely was. Her hands fidgeted she reached up to smooth her hair, smooth it over her tummy. All the while her left hand stayed securely in his.

"Aunt Liz!" She heard the shout. Liz turned excitedly, "Aunt Liz!"

"I'm right here, sweetie." She bent down as the girl barreled into her. She let go of Max's hand for the moment. "Oh,I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Aunt Liz." She said excitedly and looked around. "Hi, Uncle Max, I missed you too."

"I missed you too, Cassidy." He smiled down at her. "I'm glad you'll be joining us."

Kyle and Serena joined them with Logan firm in Serena's arms.

"Do you remember me, Logan?" Liz asked tentatively. It had been months and young children had short memories.

His face lit up with a smile. "Aunt Liz!"

"Yes, sweetheart, Aunt Liz." She hugged him.

Serena and Liz eyed each other and slow smiles spread across their faces.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Serena asked.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Liz quipped. Both women were clearly carrying another child.

"It's hardly something I would write in a letter." Serena blushed. "Especially to my younger sister."

"Same reason, except you're older." Liz studied the other woman. Her eyes looked tired and her body looked frail, despite the child she carried. "Are you alright?"

"I will be." Serena answered honestly.

"Was it bad, I'm sorry I left you to deal with her? I'm really sorry."

"It's ok." Serena said. "It wouldn't do for both of us to be unhappy, would it?"

"Now we'll both be happy. Serena, I hope you like your home, it's not finished yet, but it will be by next month, you'll stay with us."

"We'll be able to catch up then." Serena shifted Logan and passed him to her husband when he grew too heavy.

"Good." Liz didn't miss the quick glance around and Serena reach out to pull her daughter closer to her.

"We're not supposed to have Cassidy." They sat in Liz's sitting room while Liz let her hair down. She sighed when the weight fell against the back of the chair. Taking her brush, she began to brush it straight.

"Why not?" Liz asked surprise evident in her expression. "Where is she supposed to be?"

"If Nancy had her way she would be in New York." Serena said.

"But why?"

"To hurt me." Serena said simply. "She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you."

"Oh, yes, she does, Elizabeth." Serena began to undo her own hair. "If it weren't for me, Kyle would have made some advantageous marriage, preferably to one of the Brightons. Without me, your family would forget that they were ever part of the…the poorer part of society."

"What?" Liz asked stepping closer to her sister-in-law. "How can you say that?"

"I have no connection to anyone."

"And my mother does?" Liz asked.

"She's married to Jim Valenti. The love of his life." She said. "Your father loves your mother."

"I know." Liz said. "That's true, but you're married to his son. The love of his son's life." She took her face in her hands. "My mother would hate Nellie Brighton if she married Kyle, she hates Max because he married me. She doesn't like anyone who threatens her family."

"But, Liz." Serena tried to get her to see, to understand. "She looks at me and sees all that she's tried to get away from. I open my mouth and its Ireland she hears."

"And what do you think she hears from me?" Liz asked. She let her accent become more pronounced. "I speak just like you do."

"She's becoming unbearable, Liz." Serena said quietly. "We got into arguments everyday."

"It's safe here, now." Liz tried to comfort her sister-in-law. "You don't have to worry about her."

"She's coming."

Liz froze. Setting the brush on the table she stood. "When, Serena?"

"Three weeks."

"Three weeks!" Liz sputtered. "Why?"

"Wants to make sure we're settled in."

"She'll never leave if she sees we're both carrying." Liz said with dismay. "She won't leave until after the babies are born."

"When is yours due?" She asked.

"April." Liz rubbed her stomach.

"Me too." She said quietly. "Liz it's the beginning of December."

Liz sighed. "I know." She paused thinking. "I'll discuss it with Max."

"I was hoping you would say that."

"Absolutely not." Max said his eyes leveled on Kyle. "I don't need my wife to be stressed right now."

"I noticed." Kyle said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Max looked out the window and wanted to shout. Bringing Liz out west had been one of the best things for her. And now the problem was following her. "I won't have my wife upset."

"Am I supposed to say no to my own mother."

"When it comes to your wife and unborn child, yes." Max said he fisted his hand. "Damn Jim Valenti!"

"My sentiments exactly." Kyle muttered.

"She will stay until New Year's and then she's gone." Max said.

"Kyle out here, it is our territory. You have your own savings correct?" Max asked.

"Enough." Kyle answered. "Nowhere near to you but yes."

"Good, so if you anger your father, you'll be alright until you're back into his good graces."

"I can take care of my family, yes." Kyle answered. Proud that he could say that but frustrated because it was a result of what his father did for him that he could.

"Good." Max said walking back to his desk. "You may need it."

"I realize that." He stood.

"Max, thank you for taking care of my sister, I couldn't."

"You did fine for eighteen years." Max said easily. "You did just fine."

"You talked to Kyle?" Liz asked that night in bed.

"Yes." He stroked her hair. He wondered how much longer he'd be able to hold her like this. Her stomach wasn't in the way yet, but it was going to be soon. He moved his hand down to where it swelled.

"You fix it?" She asked already half asleep.

"Yes." Max assured her. "Go to sleep. Don't worry about it."

"I won't." She settled. "Love you."

"Love you too, darling." He kissed her hair as she drifted. He remained awake for a long while after.