A/N: Ok guys. This story is starting to feel a bit long winded. That said, there are probably like three more chapters left after this one.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
ACT: 17
May 16, 2005.
Max watched amusedly as Liz went about the spacious living room frantically plumping pillows and smoothing the deep blue cushions of the micro-fiber sofa.
As if they could get any smoother, he thought ironically.
"Liz would you please just relax," Max said from his perch by the window. He'd been sitting there for nearly an hour. Under Liz's direction of course. He was the look-out so to speak. As if the people arriving didn't know how to ring a freaking door bell.
Liz's mania would almost be cute if she weren't driving Max mad right along with her.
She shot him a harassed look. "I just want everything to be perfect. Why oh why did I let Maria talk me into this?" She pouted mournfully. "And why didn't you stop me?"
Max shot her a look that said 'as if' and Liz sighed.
"Alright, alright. But are you sure I look ok?"
Now Max looked harassed. He'd watched her change several times before settling on a pair of black flowing trousers and apricot halter top with visible black seams.
"You look beautiful," he said coming up beside her. He felt her relax as he massaged the tense muscles at the back of her neck. "It's gonna be fine. They'll come, they'll eat, and then they'll leave. What could be so hard about that?"
-&-
Less than an hour later Max was eating his own words. When Liz had first told him about her idea of throwing a dinner party to introduce her news friends, i.e. Isabel and Alex to her old friends Michael and Maria, he had been all for it.
And then she'd told him the real reason.
Apparently, Michael and Maria who rivaled only Max and Liz for the most on and off again couple of the century, and who hadn't seen each three years were contemplating a reunion. That being the case, Maria had come up with the less than ingenuous idea of their first date occurring on neutral ground.
Liz's neutral ground to be exact.
Thus the origins of the headache inducing dinner party. And it had started out so well too.
All of the ten minutes it took to pass out drinks.
Michael of course kicked it off by staring at Isabel a little too long for Maria's taste. She wasn't used to being out shined. After one too many nudges to his kidney by her elbow he exploded.
"What the hell is your problem!"
"What the hell is yours? You haven't stopped staring at Isabel since we arrived."
"Shrimp ball," Liz offered walking into the room. She was clueless to the atmosphere.
"Don't mind if I do." This from Maria as she grabbed one, took two hardy bites and then swallowed.
Michael who sat next to her on the sofa crossed his long legs with a shudder. Alex smothered a chuckled, Isabel smiled innocently, and Max made a just shoot me gesture towards his head.
"What I miss?" Liz asked while sitting the tray on the glass table separating the sofa, loveseat, and lounger.
No one said a word merely stared pointedly at Michael.
"What the hell? All I did was try to figure out where the hell I'd seen Isabel before," he huffed defensively.
"Oh that," the statuesque blonde said blithely. "I model on the side. I was recently in a dream sequence commercial for Lever 2000."
No one was in doubt as they took in her perfect hair and curved body in a black knee length evening gown.
"That's it," Michael said thoughtlessly snapping his fingers. "The shower scene right?"
Max snorted and Liz who was sitting on the arm of the chair next to him pinched his thigh causing him to yelp.
This of course diverted everyone's attention and rescued Michael from the hot seat.
-&-
"That was a lot of fun," Max said after the last couple finally left.
"Good. Great. Fun was had by all." Liz's tiredly replied as she dropped wearily next to him on the sofa.
"I thought I would bust a gut during desert when Alex asked Michael what he did for a living and he replied, "I just signed a one year contract as the newest badass on the hit Soap Malibu." The look on Maria's face was priceless," Max quietly chuckled.
Liz smiled. "It was kinda funny. No doubt those two have a lot to talk about."
"So do we." Max was suddenly serious.
"Whatta you mean," Liz eyed him nervously. Her mind searched frantically for an answer as panic raced along the nerve endings of her spine.
Taking her hands in his, Max stared into her eyes for a few seconds before speaking:
"I know this may seem premature, but if life has taught us anything it's that time waits for no man."
"Max…" Liz tried to stop him, both fearing and anticipating his words all at the same time.
"No, let me finish," he touched his fingers gently to the bow of her lips to keep her silent.
"In all of my 28 years you are the only woman I have ever loved. And far from that being ordinary I think it's extraordinary." He paused to wipe a stray tear from the corner of her eye with the pad of his thumb.
"Not only has your love embraced me, but everyone you have ever come in contact with. Especially my daughter. Do you know how much Jessie loves and looks up to you? I could not have asked for a better roll model for her. And as for myself, when I'm with you, I feel like every prayer I've had has been answered, every dream I've had has come true. You Liz Parker complete me." He smiled as she gave a hiccupped laugh.
"And no, it's not just a line from a movie. I truly love you Liz. I'm asking you to be my wife."
"Oh Max." Reaching up to cup his face, she peppered kisses along his lips, cheeks, and finally his forehead.
Leaning back she stared deeply into his eyes and said:
"I love you with all my heart. But my answer is no."
A/N2: I know it's short guys and not exactly as promised, but it's the way it flowed. I had no choice but to follow my muse. Anyway, as I seem to have lost the majority of my readers, those who are still out there please review. I truly love hearing from you.
