A/N: Here we go guys, final chapter. Sorry for the delay. I have been trying to log on to this freaking site for several days without success. Hope this lives up to expectations.
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Epilogue
AUGUST 26, 2005:OVER TWO MONTHS LATER.
Liz was awakened by the sensation of being jostled. She opened confused doe-like eyes to find Max staring at her with lazy amusement.
"Good sleep," he asked.
"Yeah." She smiled softly.
"You were really out of it." He ran a gentle hand over her face brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"I had the best dream ever." Liz said while stretching.
"Did you now?"
She rolled her eyes at the sexual innuendo in Max's voice.
"Well?" he asked when she remained silent.
"You promise not to laugh?"
"I promise," he said with a smirk, his fingers crossed.
"I dreamed we got married."
Max's expression went from confused to concerned. "Liz… sweetheart… baby… we did get married."
Liz glanced down at her left hand. She saw the ten carat Celtic designed Diamond engagement ring that had been her closest companion for over three months. It was now followed by a matching wedding band. A smile spread across her face as a kaleidoscope of the day's events flashed through her head.
SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER
Liz sat at the vanity inside the bridal suite of the Odyssey Hotel. The wedding was being held in their beautiful gazebo and the reception in their classically designed ball room. Max had chosen the location for its name. There was just something so poetic about it, he'd said. Just like Odysseus and his wife Penelope in Homer's epic tale, he and Liz too had gone through trials and tribulations to find each other again. She'd teased him for being sappy. But inwardly her heart had sang with joy at the depth of love he felt for her.
She prayed that she would never give him reason to doubt she was as equally devoted.
Staring into the mirror, she could not help but admire her hair and makeup. One of the makeup artist from Maria's show had done it. Liz had been leery about the idea.
But who could say no to hurricane DeLuca?
Anyway, Felicia had done a wonderful job. Liz's dark hair now shoulder length, was styled in a glossy top-knot with a bang in the front. Tendrils hung along the sides of her face. As for her makeup, it was done in a shimmery-golden-peach bronze that made her skin simply glow. It matched perfectly with her lip gloss.
"Ready to get this show on the road?" Maria asked entering the room. She was closely followed by Nancy Parker who was dressed in a simple but elegant blue dress. It matched her eyes perfectly. Liz noted with pride.
As for Maria, she made one fabulous looking Maid of Honor in a blush pink Prada gown that fit her like a second skin. It was strapless and made out of satin with white rose patterned stitching surrounding the bottom.
"Almost." Liz answered Maria and then frowned. "I think someone," she stared pointedly, "chose the wrong bra size."
"Chica please. You've been a 34 B since junior high."
Nancy covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"Well something it definitely wrong." Liz tried several times to adjust the black strapless satin bra. Nothing seemed to help though. Her breasts kept spilling forward. Body by Victoria seemed to be working overtime.
"Stand up and let me see."
Liz complied and Maria too began to frown.
"Have you put on weight?"
Liz glared furiously.
"Ok, ok." Maria raised her hands defensively.
Nancy stared at her daughter's bountiful breasts and slightly rounder hips in bemusement. An unbelievable thought began to form in her head. But she couldn't be. Could she?
"Liz," Nancy called urgently to get her daughter's attention. When Liz looked up her she blurted, "When was your last period?"
"Huh?" she and Maria said at the same time.
Nancy smiled impatiently. "When…was…your…last…period…?"
Liz thought about this for a few seconds before going pale. Sitting down abruptly, she shook her head dazedly. "But that's not possible," she said more to herself.
"When Liz," Nancy asked again, while Maria's face brightened with dawning realization.
"Over two months ago," she whispered disbelievingly. "There was so much going on at the time I barely noticed. But I can't—be."
"The doctor said nearly impossible Liz," Nancy knelt in front of her shaken daughter to take her hands, "not impossible. Especially if you weren't using protection."
Liz's guilty flush was answer enough.
"You," Nancy pointed to Maria, "run out and find a pregnancy test. And make it quick. The ceremony starts in," she glanced at her watch. It was after one, "under an hour. And you young lady," she said staring sternly at Liz, "sit there and reflect on the consequences of being irresponsible. I'll try to keep everybody distracted."
Within seconds Liz was alone. She took her mother's advice and reflected on how this could have happened, if it was even possible, and more importantly what it meant for the future?
Would a child with Evans and Parker blood finally put an end to the age old feud? Did the original feud even matter anymore? Both families had lost so much because of it. Max's brother was dead and Tyler was sentenced, just last month, to ten years in prison for attempted murder.
And Liz's parents were getting divorced.
Nancy had decided she could no longer live with the consequences of Jeff's unrelenting hate of the Evans family. Especially when her daughter was about to become a member. She'd been saddened by Tyler's fate, but decided in the end that the outcome was just. She'd been staying at Liz's Condo in Marina Del Rey and planned to go back to school for her Masters in Early Childhood Education.
Liz could not have been prouder of her.
As for what a baby would mean to she and Max. Liz began to smile. A baby would only serve to further cement their relationship. Not that they needed any help in that direction. After the accident she'd practically moved in with Jessie and Max. Instead of needing a period of adjustment it felt like Liz had always lived there. And despite Max's healing injuries they had never been happier.
So was she being too greedy now? Reaching for something beyond her reach?
-&-
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
Max stood at the altar smiling proudly as he watched Liz march towards him on his father's arm. The sun was shinning brightly and it illuminated the tiara styled veil Liz wore like a halo. He knew it was a cliché but she truly looked like an angel. He had begun to panic when the ceremony was delayed by twenty minutes. He'd only breathed a sigh of relief when Liz's mother Nancy Parker explained it away as a clothing malfunction. Glancing at the barely there bodice of Liz's gown he snickered inwardly. He would tease her later with references to Janet Jackson.
For now, he took her hand firmly in his as she finally reached his side.
I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you…
Liz radiated from inside out with happiness. It seemed like she had been waiting for this moment, this man, all her life. Now that it was here, all her wishes had truly come true.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
-&-
The wedding reception was in full swing when the happy couple arrived almost an hour late. People were dinning on Grilled Salmon in cracked pepper lemon sauce, or white wine Grilled Chicken with basil and pesto. There was also sweat Corn Cakes, Wild Rice pilaf with wild mushrooms, Veggie Platters, Fruits, and Nuts, and an assortment of cheeses, wine, and Champaign.
A slightly befuddled Diane Evans had given the two hundred or so guest the go ahead to eat, having no idea where Max and Liz had disappeared to.
Nancy and Maria who were sitting at the bride and grooms table had shared a wink. They knew the reason for the couples delay. But it wasn't their news to impart. Now that Max and Liz had arrived, smiling happily, they rose to their feet with everyone else to give the couple a standing ovation.
The next few hours was filled with laughter, toast, and congratulations. The bouquet had been caught, by Maria of course, the cake had been cut, and it was almost time for the bride and groom to leave.
Jessie had skipped around giddily for most of the day introducing everyone to her new mom. She would be staying with Nancy Parker, her newest grandmother, while Max and Liz spent the next seven days in Venice Italy.
Maria nearly died of envy when she found out their destination a few nights ago. The various couples were having drinks together at the time.
"Venice, as in Italy," she'd sputtered.
"Yes, Maria. Venice as in Italy," Liz had laughed.
Staring at Max with a speculative look in her eyes Maria had followed up with:
"Just how rich are you?"
"Maria!" This from Liz.
Max had merely laughed and said, "Subtle isn't she."
"Like a brick to the head," Michael said sardonically. Everyone had laughed when Maria swatted him.
"Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention." When everyone was silent the band's lead male singer continued. "It's time for the last dance of the evening. Would the bride and groom please take the floor?"
Max and Liz complied and stood center stage with their hands joined.
"I hope you didn't pick anything too sappy." Liz leaned to whisper into Max's ear.
"As opposed to what you picked for our first dance." Max teased his bride. They'd had a deal that if Liz picked the first song then Max got to pick the last. Liz had picked the old Ella Fitzgerald song 'At Last'. Now it was time to see what Max had chosen.
"You are so dead," Liz mouthed to him as the band cued the instrumentals. He knew this was one of her favorite songs. Not only was it one of her favorite songs, but it always brought her to tears. She would make him pay for this later, Liz thought as they began to dance.
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains
Thrust from the sky
Never revealing their depth
Liz tried to blink as tears began to cloud her eyes.
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated; I'll hang from your love
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
A tear rolled down her face and Max used his thumb to wipe it away ashe twirled her around thedance floor.
I'll be your cryin shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life…
THE PRESENT: SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Max stared worriedly at Liz. Did she really not remember getting married earlier?
"Liz…?"
"Gotcha," she said with a roll of her eyes and a giggle. Like she could ever forget the best day of her life. "Told you I'd get you back for that song. You made me ruin my makeup."
Max grimaced and then smiled. "You are such a tease."
"You have no idea," she whispered hotly into his ear.
"Hmm," was Max's only response before he shattered Liz's composure with a deep drugging kiss.
When it was over, he calmly picked up the Wall Street Journal he'd been reading while she slept and began reading it again.
"Max!" Liz nudged his shoulder to regain his attention. How dare he kiss her like that and then ignore her?
He lifted his brow mockingly. "Problem?"
"Yeah," Liz pouted. "You know I don't like to be called baby," was all she could think to say, referring to his statement when she first woke up. "It's derogatory to women."
Max gave her a knowing smile before asking:
"Is it alright to call you Momma?"
A secret smile lit up Liz's entire face. "Only if I can call you Poppa."
"Deal," Max said before catching her lips in another scorching kiss.
The business woman in her early forties sitting in the aisle across from them sighed with envy. God, she wished she could find someone half as hot to fall in love with her. No such luck. All she had was a past filled with one bad relationship after the next. But something about this young couple inspired her. Filled her heart with hope. Maybe, just maybe, if she was lucky enough, she'd have what they had one day. No ordinary love.
A/N: I have never in my life been so glad to be finished with a story. Sorry I had to nip and tuck a lot of the wedding. There were just so many details involved it made my head hurt to even think about writing them. Now, I can focus on my other two stories Landslide and First Love, Last Love, which will be it for me writing Roswell. I hate to admit it but after six years of obsessing over it I'm done. Time to move on to other genres. That said a sincere thanks to all the readers who stuck with me along the way. If it weren't for you guys this never would have been completed.
