Part 4
Max
"Liz, slow down," I said, taking the cupcake wrapper from her. She was already on her fourth cupcake. She had chocolate icing all over her mouth. I just leaned back and laughed and then reached down and scooped up Madison. "Madison, we better hide the cupcakes before Lizzie eats them all and you won't even get one," I said, laughing.
"Hey!" she said.
"Liz, are you saving that icing for later?" Laughing, I reached over and took my thumb and wiped the icing from her mouth. Suddenly she stuck her tongue out at me and licked the icing off her beautiful mouth.
"Yummy," she said with a smile.
"You crack me up," I said.
"What? I'm eating for two," she yelled as she touched her protruding belly.
"Well, you could at least save one for Madison," I said as I opened the box and saw at least three cupcakes in the box. I put Madison in her highchair and handed her cup to her and went over to the box of cupcakes and took one out of the box.
"Your mom needs to like market and patent these cupcakes." Liz reached into the box to grab another one but I slapped her hand.
"That one is Madison's," I said.
"What about the one in your hand?" she asked, eyeing the cupcake and me. Is she serious?
"This one is mine." I started the pull the wrapper off and bite into it when she grabbed my arm to get the cupcake.
"I don't think so," she said. Oh, she wants to play cupcake war? I pulled my arm back from her grasp and held the cupcake up away from her grasp.
"Calm down, girl!" I yelled.
"I want that cupcake!" she yelled. This is going to be fun.
"Okay, I will surrender and I will make a compromise." I then started to split the cupcake in half and intended to give her half but she lunged at me. I've never seen someone go so mad over a cupcake. I grabbed her by the waist with my free hand and held her tight.
"Hey!" she yelled.
"Sharing is caring," I said with a smile.
"Not when you're pregnant!" she yelled.
"Okay." I took a big bite out of the cupcake and then shoved the rest in her face.
"You jerk!" she yelled. I just started laughing as I smeared the cupcake all in her face. She pulled out of my grasp. "That was so wrong!" she yelled through her face covered in cupcake.
"Yeah, but it's so funny," I said, laughing. She was fuming now. She looked over at the box with the last cupcake in it. "No, you don't," I said, seeing her evil grin then watched her grab the cupcake out of the box and held it up in front of me. She then split it in half and went over to Madison and laid it on her highchair tray.
"You know, your daddy is going to pay for that," she said with a smile. Madison just cooed and yelled; excited she had a treat in front of her. Liz then turned and held the other half of the cupcake up and smiled an evil grin at me.
"Don't," I said, leaning on the counter.
"Payback can be a bitch sometimes," she said as she lunged at me and smeared the cupcake all over my face. She was laughing hysterically and so was I. I've never had this much fun in my life with a girl not even with … I'm not even going to go there. I licked my mouth, tasting the chocolate icing.
"Yum," I said, still holding her. My eyes locked with Liz's. Suddenly, my heart started racing. Even with chocolate icing and cupcake covering her face, she still looked beautiful. I looked down at her mouth, wanting to kiss that icing off her face. I leaned down to…
"What in the world?" Liz suddenly pulled away from my arms and we both looked up at my mother's face as she stood in the kitchen. "What is going on here?" She looked from Madison, who by the way, is also covered in cupcake like me and Liz.
"He started it," Liz said, pointing at me.
"Um, are those my cupcakes?" she asked, seeing the empty box.
"Um, yeah…see, I," Liz started to say but my mother stopped her from saying another word.
"I don't even want to know. Just get this mess cleaned up now, please." Isabel came into the kitchen and looked at the scene
"Wow, do I even want to know?" she asked. We both shook our heads no. "Okay then," she said, laughing and walking out of the kitchen. I nudged Liz and she nudged me back.
"You were so going to pin everything on me, weren't you?" I asked.
"Me? Little old innocent Liz Parker?" She laughed then wiped some icing off my mouth with her thumb.
Maria
I really don't know what my criminal cousin sees in this girl. I know she is trouble. I can tell just by looking at her and also because she is living with my cousin and Michael Guerin. Michael Guerin – he is a whole other story. I know there is a story that goes with this Ava chick. I just need to find out what it is. I can't believe my mother suggested that I hang out with my criminal cousin and his best friend, Michael Guerin. I can't even believe I am sitting in this bowling alley, pretending I'm having the time of my life. "You're up, DeLuca," Michael said, handing me the bowling ball.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass. Play for me?" I said with a smile.
"Why do you have to be like this? Not having fun?" he asked.
"Nope, not at all," I said.
"I'll go for her," Ava said with a smile as she took the ball from him. Michael sat down next to me and I really wished he hadn't. I'm so over him, it's not even funny anymore. He is like a boomerang. I keep tossing him away from me and he keeps coming right back. I tried ignoring him as I concentrated on Ava tossing the ball down the lane.
"So, where's Liz?" Michael asked.
"Why do you care?" I gave him attitude because I really didn't want to talk to him.
"What is your problem?" he asked. I sighed. Suddenly, I realized something. I could use Michael to get information on Ava. After all, she has been staying with him so he should know something.
"No problem," I said with a smile. I need to put on the charm if I'm going to get what I want.
"What do you want, Maria?" he asked. Damn, he knows me all too well.
"What makes you think I want something? And what could I possibly want from you?"
"I know you all too well," he said. I sighed.
"Okay, maybe I do want something and you know how I hate to ask you this since I personally can't stand you," I said as I ordered a cherry Coke.
"This I know, spill it," he said.
"I need some info," I said as I sipped on my cherry Coke.
"Info on Ava?" he asked. Damn, can he read my mind or something?
"Are you psychic or something?" I asked. Before he could answer, someone stepped up behind me. I turned and came face to face with Tess Harding. Boy, this night can't get any better, can it?
"Hi, loser," Tess said.
"Oh, how nice you are, Tess," I said with a smile.
"Where is Prego?" she asked. I really wished Tess would just leave Liz alone. I don't know what she has against Liz.
"I don't keep a tracking device on her," I said. I just want to punch that dumb bimbo blonde's lights out. I started to walk away from her, but she stopped me.
"You know, Kyle called me. He is coming back to town," she said with an evil grin.
"Why should I give a damn about that loser?" What is she doing? I can see her evil wheels turning in her head. She twisted her blonde curls around her finger and smiled an evil grin.
"He is going to be so thrilled when he finds out that Liz is living with Max. I can't believe that little pregnant whore has him brainwashed. It's a shame he doesn't know what he is missing." That's it! The next thing I know, I'm throwing my soda and charging at her. Before I could even get close to her, I feel strong arms wrap around my waist.
"Let me go! I want to kill that bitch!" I yelled.
"DeLuca, she isn't worth it!" Michael yelled.
"You're such a bitch! Who is this loser you're hanging out with?" Suddenly I felt Michael loosen his hold.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Kick her ass." He let me go and then suddenly I'm charging at her. She screams as I pull her nasty blonde hair and pin her to the ground. She tries to pull my hair but I yank harder.
"This is for Liz!" I screamed as I yanked harder. Suddenly, Sean grabs me by the waist and pulls me off of her. Michael tries to restrain Tess as I push and pull, trying to get out of Sean's hold but he grips me harder. "You're lucky my cousin is holding me back, otherwise you wouldn't have a face left!" I yelled.
"Let me go, you asshole!" Tess yelled.
"Excuse me! All of you, out!" The manager of the bowling alley yelled. Michael let go of Tess and she turned and pushed him and practically punched him.
"Damn!" Michael yelled.
"Don't ever touch me again! DeLuca, you're going to pay for this!" Tess yelled as she walked out.
"Can I let you go?" Sean asked me. I jerked out of his arms and pushed him hard.
"Don't!" I yelled as I made my way outside. I knew Tess was probably long gone by now. I sat down outside of the bowling alley and took a deep breath. I looked over and saw Ava sitting next to me.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm good," I said, not wanting to talk.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes! Please, just…go!" I yelled.
"Come on, Ava, give her some space." Ava nodded and walked off with Sean.
"DeLuca, I never knew you had it in you," Michael said, laughing.
"Shut up! And go away!" I yelled.
"You're not in any shape to drive, let me drive you home. And we can talk about how glad I am you kicked that girls' ass," he said with a smile.
"Thanks for letting me," I said.
"You're welcome. Come on," he said as I stood. We pulled up in front of my house and I just sat in the car, taking slow, deep breaths. Michael didn't say anything and the silence was killing me. "Okay, so that was my excitement for the night," he said with a laugh.
"That girl hates Liz for some reason. And I don't understand why. And it has gotten worse since she found out Liz is pregnant and since Max came into the picture. Max and Liz have gotten closer this last month and I don't need Tess messing things up." I'm exhausted and tired and now, I can't believe I'm talking to Michael Guerin. I can't even stand him. I looked over and saw something in Michael's face that told me he was putting something together in his mind. "What? You have that look?" I asked.
"What does Max look like?" he asked. I looked at him, confused.
"Why?" I asked curiously.
"Just tell me. I think I might have figured something out." I quickly pulled out my phone and scrolled through the pictures I had on my phone. I found a recent picture I took of Max & Liz when we were just hanging out at school. I gave him the phone and showed him.
"He moved here a couple of months ago and he has a daughter named…"
"Madison," Michael finished my sentence.
"How did you know that? You haven't even met her? I just found out about her a month or so ago," I asked curiously.
"Well, that's because Ava is her mother." I looked at him, shocked and confused.
"What? Ava is…oh, dear god," I said, slumping down in the seat.
"I don't know the whole story, but she showed me some pictures of her and Max holding a baby and she said that was Madison and Max in the picture." Oh, this is great! Okay, so now I didn't need Michael snooping around for me. What am I going to do? Do I tell Max about this? Do I talk to Ava? I can't keep this from Max. I just can't.
"Why hasn't she confronted Max yet?" I asked.
"I think she is more or less scared and I'm not sure if she knows exactly where in Roswell he is staying or living. Sean has been trying to help her out but I don't think he has put two and two together yet like I did just now, otherwise he would have went to you and asked you about Max," he said.
"Well, it's not like I ever talk to Sean and it's not like I'm close to him. Look, thanks for telling me this. I'm going to figure out what the hell to do next," I said as I stepped out of the car.
"Hey, I think you should leave it alone and let Ava figure this out on her own," he said.
"Maybe you're right," I said as I walked up to the house and went inside. What the hell am I going to do? I leaned on the door and sighed.
"Maria?" My mother said, looking at me curiously.
"I'm fine, Mom," I said with a half smile.
"You look like you just got into a fight," she said, looking over like she is examining me for cuts and bruises.
"Yeah, I did, but it's nothing. I'm going to bed," I said as I headed upstairs.
Liz
One Week Later
I'm getting bigger and bigger now! I turned and examined myself in the mirror. Wow, I can't believe that I look almost 7 months pregnant now. And I can't believe that I'm having a little girl! A girl! There was a soft knock on the bedroom door.
"Yeah, who is it?" I yelled and Mrs. Evans stepped into the room.
"This came for you," she said, handing me an envelope. I took the envelope and noticed that my parents' address was at the top.
"It's from my parents?" I said as I ripped the envelope open and started to read the letter.
Dear Lizzie,
I know it's been a couple of months since you left us and we have been trying to keep in touch with you through Mrs. Evans but she only tells us bits and pieces about you. We just wanted to let you know that we have decided to sell the CrashDown and we are heading to Florida. We wish the best for you and your child and we wished things would have been different…
I didn't even bother reading the rest of it. I just crumpled it up and threw it in the wastebasket. I don't need them. I have everything here I need. "Also, sweetheart, the sheriff stopped by and told me to give you this. I don't know how he knew you were here." I took the envelope from her, already knowing what it was and I have every nerve to go down to the sheriff's station and rip it up in front of him and tell him to shove it up his son's ass.
"Thanks," I said as I ripped it in half and put it in the wastebasket.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Evans asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. I think I need some air." I headed downstairs and headed out the door and went outside and sat on the little bench Mrs. Evans had out front. I took a deep breath and let the fresh air hit my lungs. I looked down and noticed a hand. It was holding a cupcake. I smiled as I took the cupcake and looked over as Max made me scoot over to give him room.
"I thought I would be nice and give you one. Your limit is one per day," he said with a smile.
"Thanks," I said, holding the cupcake. Max has been amazing to me this last month or so, and the more time I spend with him, the more I feel closer to him. I leaned over and laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.
"You better eat that cupcake or I'm going to give it to Madison," he said. I giggled and lift my head and stared at him.
"How about I save it?" I said, handing it to him.
"Are you okay?" he asked me.
"Yeah, I'm good," I said with a sigh.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Positive," I said with a smile. I reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I wanted to ask you something," he said as he leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees and took a deep breath. I knew this was something serious. I can see it in his eyes and he is scared to death to talk about it. He looked at me with all seriousness.
"You're making me nervous," I said as I took the cupcake and started to chow down on it.
"Sorry. I know we have been a lot closer since you've moved in with us, and the last month or so, all I keep thinking about is Madison, you and this new baby coming. And the more I think about it, I realize how happy Madison is around you. And I see how happy you are now, and every time I look at you…" I licked the cupcake off my mouth and was now listening intently to what he was trying to say. He stopped in mid-sentence and just stared at me.
"Tell me, Max," I said softly. He reached over and held my face with his hands and brushed my cheeks with his thumbs. Suddenly my heart was racing and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I dropped the cupcake to the ground.
"I…look at you and all I see is love," he whispered on my lips. Oh my god, suddenly it seemed like time had stopped as he leaned in and brushed his lips over mine. The kiss was soft and gentle like he was asking permission to deepen the kiss. I don't know if this was some kind of pregnancy hormone running wild or what but I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him the invite to kiss me like I've never been kissed before. His one hand made its way down my arms and stopped on my pregnant stomach and the other snaked around to my lower backside, pulling me closer. I moaned softly as he deepened the kiss but then suddenly pulled away, breathless. "There is so much more I need to tell you," he said with his forehead against mine. His hand rubbed on my protruding belly and he smiled as he felt the baby kick.
"After that, you can tell me anything." I held his face in my hands and made him look at me.
"I've thought about this and I've talked to my mom about this…I want to be in this child's life. I want to be this child's father," he whispered. My eyes widen with shock and I pulled away from him, not sure what to think or even what to say now that he had just kissed me and…oh god, so many things are now running through my head. Max just looked at me, waiting for me to say something. "Please say something," he said.
"I…think…oh, god." Suddenly I felt sick. The next thing I knew, I had my head in the toilet. Great time, just great timing! Just great!
TBC…