Chapter Twenty-Two

Max was sitting at the dinner table with his parents, a normal setting for a normal family. This was good, this is what he wanted to see. He glanced at his Peter his Dad throwing his head back laughing, his mother smiling in amusement and Isabel looking at her parents adorily. These people, they had really loved him, taken care of him. But Max had a secret even Isabel didn't know, he remembered his Antarian parents. There weren't as carefree as Peter and Diana Evans but there was no doubt in Max's mind that the former King and Queen of Antar loved both he and Valandra. He shook his head another hint of pain in his mind. He only remembered what his memories allowed him to remember and it was painful to try and remember more.

Don't force this, A voice floated in his head, the memories are back, it will take time

"I need water" Max said standing up throwing a smile at his parents.

"Okay sweet" His mother said, then after a glance at the table, "Oh...get more potatoes will you"

Max gave a small nod then began making his way to the kitchen feeling rather weak and helplessly wondering what he was going to do about his son. Which really didn't matter at this point, he wondered if he should call Liz but why should he. He already felt guilty about avoiding her this past week. He had to stop making a habit of that. He loved her, he could not just erase those feelings but Tess was now occupering his mind more and more. And then that memories of Ava. The two of them, Tess and Ava. They were the same person and now he had Zan's memeories and more than that, Max was starting to think that he was Zan as well. He was thirst now, he needed water. Max froze realizing that something was definately wrong. He looked around then shook his head. He was being rediculas, he was all alone in the kitchen. He got his cup of water and turned to re enter the dining room when a voice rose up suddenly. He froze, recognizing the voice.

"Max" He turned to see Tess stumbling forward holding a small bundle in her arms. Max stood there is shock as he studied her, she was pale, seemed weak and in a bad state.

"Tess" He said trying to remain focused.

"Hold him" She said weakly pushing the baby into his arms, as soon as she had a strong grip on him. Tess took steps backward before falling on the floor. He was just still as shocked that he barely heard his father enter the kitchen.

"Max, what's going on?" Peter looked from Tess to the bundle in Max's arms, "Who is that?"

"It's my son" He answered calmly far from being how he felt. Tess was back and had come back with his son. Max glanced down and who looked as different as he could be. Such a beautiful son, his son, he turned to find his father with a shocked state. Max couldn't help that now, "Dad, Tess"

Those words had Peter taking action, as the man picked the girl up with ease and grace. Though he had many question, the only thing that mattered at that point was making sure that the young woman was alright. Peter remembered that this was the girl that Max had dated a while back, the own that dissappeared. And now she was back and with Max's child.

"Hon...who is...?" Diana stopped in midsentence as her husband run past her to the stairs. The girl looked familar, then with shock Max was right behind, caring what appeared to be a...

Baby.

Max watched Tess as she lay unmoving on the bed. He didn't know how to feel over this turn of events, he was glad to have his son back and Tess, well...He had been thinking about his past life with Ava and Tess. She looked so beautiful on that bed, his bed. So like Ava on the first night of the wedding. All the suddenly she stirred, moving slightly before waking up screaming out for Zan.

"My baby, Zan" Tess looked up and looked at Max as if not really seeing him, dangerously she raised her hands, "Where is my baby, Max?"

"Relax...Tess" Max said softly raising his hands trying get her to calm, "you named the baby Zan"

"Where is my son?" Tess asked again this time getting out of the bed searching for the baby.

"He is safe" Max said knowing that she wasn't going to get distracted when it came to the safety of her child.

Tess seems to relax after that small imformation, but after a while she was getting nervious. This was not what she expected this meeting to go. Max should be furious at her for all the lies she told of killing Alex but he was standing at the foot of the bed, arms crossed and staring at her. She knew that she looked bad but this was just nerveraking.

"What?" Tess asked sliding her fingers through her hair. She was getting sick.

"You killed Alex" Max said after a moment, Tess looked up looking rather guilty but surprised at Max's tone of voice. He wasn't as angry as she expected him to be. "I should kill you, for all the pain, the lies...I loved you Ava"

"Sure you did" Tess said trying to figure out what was going on with Max. Was he trying to kill her with guilty so she said the first thing on her mind, the first thing that jumbed at her.

"Alex, Tess" This time Max was careful to say the name she went by in this lifetime, he had to stay level headed.

"I did kill him" Tess said without emotion as she finally looked in Max's eyes, "Though it was my mistake, an accident. He wasn't suppose to die, I was rather trying to help him"

"I am sure you will explain that to me later" Max said in a small voice, the was silent as the two heard a crying voice from a distand. Max smiled looking at Tess who was wringing her hands obviously nervious and looking everywhere but at him, "I have a son and I promise you I will keep our child safe this time, Tess"

"I know" Tess respondant without thought before realizing and understanding his words. She froze and looked up at him, he was looking at her in a way she thought was reserved for Liz, even more so with desire, the way he used to look at her on Antar, "How long have remembered?"

"This last months" Max said watching her attempt to stand up, he moved to her side and took hold of her arms. "I forced myself to remember you and why I loved you"

"Well...What is you conclusion" Tess said breathless as she looked deep into his eyes, he was holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go.

"You were kinda hot" Max said with a smile making Tess laugh slightly, "No because of the other lives we have shared...Hey weren't you the first to tell me that I could make my destiny the way I desired"

"Kinda ironic, huh" Tess whispered, Max gave a small nod then Tess thought about Liz again. The way Max used to fune all over her like a love sick puppy, there was no way those feelings would just go away, "Max, what about Liz?"

Tess felt Max tense but he answered her unasked question, "I think she knows in her way, It's not rocket sience and the way I have been acting, I cannot believe I forgot you at all"

"This isn't going to be easy, especially for Liz" Tess said trying to be compassionate for the poor girl, though Tess was glad to have her prince back she didn't want anyone to feel the pain. She knew what it felt like to not have the man you loved. "They are not going to except me back"

"That would be more their problem than ours" Max said without hestiation, "I won't let anything or anyone hurt you or our son again Tess"

Tess looked up at Max and smiled putting her arms around him, "I love you Max"

"I love you" Max assured her before tilting her head back and giving in to his urge, kissed her deeply and passionately as if to possess her.

At that moment everything was clear to both of them. Everything was different now, because Tess was back in Max's life with Max's son. The heir of Antar. Tess thoughts flickered to Liz and didn't know wheather to laugh with joy and cry with joy. Max was hers now, as Zan always was, Liz could not have him now. He belonged to her just as she belonged to her. Max remembered his life with her and that once a long time ago in another lifetime, he pledged his unconditional love, the kind of love that always belonged to them and them alone. It wasn't all about Liz now, now it was all about their family, his son and the empire of Antar.

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Isabel Evans's emotions where in turmoil.

And her heart felt weighted down, things were happening to fast and she had yet to rest, really rest without a care in the world. And now that tess was back, she knew things where going to unravel fast.

Tess was back.

Isabel's head was overwhelmed, what to do forst. Right then, at that moment, all Izzy wanted to do was scream, murder.

That's what she was, A murder.

However she was sitting on a one person couch watching her mother in the kitchen through the open doors, trying to quiet the crying baby boy. A boy, Max has a little boy, she was an Aunt. Max had a son, a beautiful, health baby boy. How was it possible that something as wonderful as that boy come from scum like Tess? How?

God, she just felt so much anger at one minute, wanted Tess dead at her feet. She could picture Tess's death perfectly, it would be cruel and painful. Isabel closed her eyes and forced herself to beath. She needed to calm down.

Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn it all to hell.

Tess was back, Isabel knew that Tess would not be touched, Tess had Max's protection, that much she was sure of. Isabel remembered that Max promised her that Tess would pay for killing Alex but who knew was going on in his mind now that Max and Zan finally "connected."

"Isabel"

Isabel broke from her thoughts to find her mom looking at her in concern while trying to calm the whimpering baby down.

Diana come forward and sat down, she was tired, confused, and worried.

"Are you alright, sweety?" Diana asked in an experated voice.

Isabel was silent for a minute before forcing a smile on her face, "Fine, mom, just fine"

Diana nodded, though she knew that her daughter was laying through her teeth. Why, she had no idea. And right now she was concerned about Max and...Tess. She wasn't sure but she had this sinking feeling that the little life she was holding with the lungs of a tiger was her grandchild. That would make a lot of sense, her husband was probably still upstairs in the attac looking through baby boxes for baby clothes.

When Diana was young, she had thought that she would have children of her own one day, she would buy a few baby things here and there, baby clothes included. After then she found out she couldn't, her heart shattered and she put those things in a box and stashed them in the attic. Max and Isabel come along and helped meand her broken heart and she loved her babies like hell.

Isabel and Diana both looked up as Tess and Max walked down the stairs, holding hands but immediately let go of each other. Tess looked up and met Isabel's empty eyes, then smiled as she turned to Diana.

"Hi" Tess said walking to Diana, Diana was about to answer back before realizing that Tess's attention was only to her son.

Tess felt relieve as her son was placed in her arms, immediately Zan quieted down. Max smiled at Tess and Zan before turning to his mother, avoiding Isabel.

"Mom, I am going to take Tess to Michael's" Max said quietly.

Dian was shocked, "What...now, is she in shape"

"Yes, I am" Tess said looking up at Diana wearing a smile of her own, "I just want to say I am sorry about the inconvenience Mrs. Evans"

"I am just glad you are okay, dear"

Isabel said nothing, shaking her head, she watched as Max puts a light jacket on Tess, rubbing her shoulders slightly longer than necessary. Isabel felt like she was going to gag soon as she rolled her eyes.

Diana didn't make any kind of reaction, seeing something different in Max's face, he was glowing...he never showed that kind of emotion, only for Liz but even with Liz there was always this unfullfillment, one that Max had at that moment.

Max turned to Isabel and his mother, "I'll be back later, and we'll talk okay"

Daina nodded, smiling at the mother and child.

Max and Tess turned and walked out then Tess changed her hair color.

"Why are you changing your hair?" Max asked in a suspicious manner.

Tess looked up at Max and smiled innocently, "Just being careful"

Max looked down at Tess, a memory running through his head, didn't Ava always smile the same way when she was hiding something, "You'll tell me later, got it"

Isabel watched through the window and Max and Tess walked away from the Evans home. She was reeling in anger and felt like she was going to crush something. God, how she wished to scream loudly at that point, take out all her anger on something. Well, Tess wasn't getting Max that easily, not on her watch. That girl was posioned and she used Ava's memories as a way to hold on to Max. But that was all nonsense, Max wasn't Zan and Tess certainly wasn't Ava and she wasn't Valendra.

Isabel took out her cell phone and dialed Liz's number, "Liz, Max wanted you to meet him at Michael's...what...oh..uh uh...right now, actually"

Isabel quickly said goodbye and turned to find her mother standing behind her, hands on her hips, "Isabel, what the hell is going on here?"