Part 7

PMDSXXX

David Stone heard all the collected evidence and looked over with a fine-tooth comb. A witness came forward. One witness, a young woman, would clear Max. Although she hesitated at first to talk with the police, she eventually did when the investigator's had sought her out to get the real story whether Max was guilty or not on the day of bank robbery. She finally agreed to tell the police after they promised that her name would not be mentioned due to the other robbers still on the lame. In her statement, she stated that Max wasn't part of the heist. He was an innocent bystander who switched places with her so that she be out of harm's way, and he placed his own life to protect her.

Once he got the written statement, the investigator handed David Stone a copy of the letter for evidence, and would summon her to testify as a witness because she was the one that would be able to clear his son. In the meantime, the young thug that was still out in the wooded area was captured by Private Detective Mills. He brought him into custody, and the culprit was imprisoned again. Meanwhile, the two other robbers, were spotted across the state line and were involved in a shoot-out with the police and ended with two fatalities- the robbers. As a result of the shoot out, two officers were badly wounded.

When Kerri opened her eyes mid-morning, she realized that she wasn't in her home or in her own bed. As she smiled to herself, she felt a strong hand hold her body close, and she relaxed into his strong grasp with a sigh and kissed Max on his knuckles to wake him. He smiled without opening his eyes and nuzzled the back of her head before he placed kisses down her shoulder and on her earlobe.

"Morning, it looks like you slept in." She softly spoke and squeezed his hand with hers.

"We both deserved it, and I can stay in bed all day holding you if I want." He whispered into her curls and kissed her on her neck. He moved his arm that she used for a pillow and flexed his arm behind his head. She rolled to give him space and laid flat on her back for a moment before she curled up against him and relaxed on top of his chest to look up at him. He touched her cheek with his free hand while his other caressed and rested on her lower back.

"I thought about our living arrangements and wanted to ask you if you thought it would be a good idea if I kept my house while you kept your apartment until your practice got established here in your hometown. You're going to need to get clientele. Although, your father is successful you don't have a reputation yet. Because you're fresh out of law school, clients would look toward a much senior reputable attorney." She said to him as she caressed his sparse chest hairs.

"I understand what you are saying. First, get a reputation with clientele, and about six months to a year later, we'll finalize the living arrangements. What do you think is best for us? I know for certain I don't want to be apart from you for a long, extended period of time." He stated his opinion.

"Yes, it is. I want the best for us, and it seems logical to start out that way." She solemnly told him.

"I'm have no problem with it and I do agree." He pulled her closer to him and kissed her when she thoroughly kissed him to the point of breathlessness when the telephone rang. He answered it on the third ring as she kissed him along his jaw and cheek. He chuckled because she was adamant that he wouldn't answer the phone; however, she gave him access after he cleared his throat.

"Hello?" Max's baritone voice answered. She looked at him with innocent doe eyes and teased him with her soft touches which made him flinch.

"Max, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. I have some news for you and wondered if you would be available this evening for dinner to discuss what my investigator brought to me. I don't want to talk about it over the phone with you, and I'd rather tell you in person." His father listened intently as his son sighed into the receiver.

"Yes, I'll be over for dinner. I'll be bringing a guest with me too. What time would mom have dinner ready?" He asked his father.

"She usually has dinner around six o' clock. I'll give her a call shortly and tell her make enough for four people. She'll be glad to see you." His father smiled into the receiver and couldn't wait to tell him what the investigators discovered.

They both bid goodbye over the phone before Max placed it back onto the cradle before he looked over at her and pinned her to the bed as she giggled underneath him. She wrapped her arms behind his head as he looked down at her with his arms on both sides of her head and settled his weight over her so she could feel his already semi-erection again.

"What we're you doing when I had that very important phone call? You didn't think I'd let you get away with that did you?" He lowered his gaze from her eyes to her lips and he waited for her to respond.

"Nothing that you couldn't handle, and it was all in fun, Counselor." She tilted her head back as she teased him and looked at him seductively as she placed her hands on his chest. She pinched him on his ribs which he didn't offer to move until she nudged him with her leg. He closed his eyes and leaned down captured her lips in a slow, languid, open- mouthed kiss. She stroked his shoulders with her fingertips and gave into his kisses. He released her mouth and whispered into her ear which made her giggle at him before he finally rolled over onto his back, turned to look at her, and heaved a longingly sigh.

"Who was that on the phone?" she asked him and looked over at him before she sat up in bed, pulled the sheet up over her upper body, and waited on his answer.

"My father. He has information that the investigator presented to him and wants me to come to dinner tonight. I told him I'd be bringing a guest. He already knows who the guest might be since I told him that I have feelings for you when we got my car out of the impound lot." He replied and looked over at her as he took her hand in his and stroked the top of her knuckles and placed a kiss there.

"I hope for your sake it's good news. It would look really bad on my part if I was in any kind of relationship that has bad intentions." She looked at him with a sideways glance as he moved toward her and closed the gap between them as he looked deeply into her eyes.

"You think I have bad intentions? After all we've been through, and what we did last night?" He whispered against her lips. She licked her bottom lip before she pulled it between her teeth anxiously waiting on his next move.

"No, I don't think so. On the other hand, if my father found out about your bad intentions with his daughter, your life would be full of torment day and night." She didn't flinch as she looked him straight in the eyes and gave into him. She couldn't help herself and giggled uncontrollably. He pulled her into his arms, kissed her passionately, and pinned her against the headboard. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and deepened kiss.

Max got out of bed and brewed the coffee before Kerri finally appeared into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around him from behind. He felt her arms around him and looked over his shoulder at her before bent his head down to kiss her.

"I want to take you into town today to purchase a nice dress." He told her as he turned around and held her in his strong arms.

"You really don't need to buy my things, Max. I have dresses and outfits that are just fine."

"I know you have outfits. This is what I'm about taking care of "my girl" and making sure you're going to be happy. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? I am going to make you happy, protect you at all costs, and be at your side when you need me." He watched her expression, and she knew deep down that he was right. Kerri never felt this way about any other man until Max came into her life and his treatment of her thus far.

"Yes, but I've never been treated like…." Her voice trailed off in a whisper as he took his index finger to lift her chin to look up at him while a single tear escaped from her eye.

"You deserve protection and love as well as be cherished. I don't care what your father says about me, or what other men have said about you in the prison because I could care less what your ex-boyfriend thought about you. You have been the best thing that's ever happened to me." He expressed his love to her while he still held her in his arms.

"Being with someone who loves me like you do makes me fear that it will not last because every time I feel content with my life and happy, it all went downhill. I feel like I'm not good enough or boring." She closed her eyes and hugged him while he rubbed her back and settled his hands on her waist. She pulled back momentarily and glanced up at him with moist tears in her eyes.

"You are good enough for me, and that's all that matters. Don't underestimate my feelings for you because I'm in love with you and don't doubt my love for you."

"I love you too Max."

"Now, let's have some coffee before we go in to town." He lifted her chin with his index finger and saw the faint smile on her lips.

"Sounds like a good idea to me, and there is no expense limit on the dress, right?" She asked as she walked to her luggage and picked out her outfit.

"No limit. You can pick out whatever outfit you want." He eyed her as she closed her luggage and walked towards the bathroom to change.

Max took Kerri over to his parents, and they had a very nice dinner. His parents enjoyed seeing him happy for the first time since he graduated law school, and knew that his relationship with Kerri would be a long lasting one. They finished their meals before his father took him out onto the patio and explained what the investigator discovered. His father told him the evidence against him wasn't enough to put him behind bars, and a witness came forward to clear his name. She would appear in court on oath. Max and his father enjoyed a cigarette after their meal and talked out on the back patio before the ladies joined them, and they finished their smokes. Kerri didn't know that Max smoked, and she refrained from asking that question until later that evening. She thought to herself, 'what other habits did he have that she didn't know about?' and leaned against the railing of the patio balcony as she looked out into the evening sky.

"Max tells me that you've agreed to come work for him in his practice. Is that correct?" His father asked curiously.

"Yes, that's correct. I'm sure Max told you that I accepted his offer to leave my current job position to be with him." She smiled bashfully as she looked over at Max, who looked at her with confidence.

"Max has come a long way with all his studies to let this false accusation sabotage his career. He will overcome this, and I'm sure you will be by his side when he starts his practice." His mother fondly spoke and sipped her tea from her cup before she sat it back down on the saucer.

"Well, it was nice having you over for dinner, Max, and we're glad to finally talk with you and Kerri. You two must do this more often when you get the chance. It's getting late, and I'm afraid I'm about to turn in for the night. I've got some more notes to write up, and your court date is in the next couple weeks. I want to prepare and get all my documents in order beforehand." His father finished his bourbon and got up from his chair. Max rose up out of his chair while Kerri stood beside him and followed his parents into the house with his hand on her elbow.

"Thank you for dinner, Mother." Max leaned over and kissed her cheek while she hugged him.

"You're welcome and bring Kerri over more often. She's a good addition to the family, and before you know you it, we might have a little one running around the house." His mother winked at him as Kerri blushed before she smiled at the comment.

"The future Mr. and Mrs. Max Stone is the first step before a little one or two." Max responded with a twinkle in his blue eyes before he looked over at Kerri who listened to his every word.

"In due time, honey. I'm not rushing either of you, but you don't want to let her slip away either into another man's arms if you knew what's good for you." His mother teased him playfully before she joined her husband in the kitchen.

"Mother, do you mind if we stay and clear the dishes? I'm sure father needs to get to his notes and since you cooked dinner. It's only fair if we helped out and cleaned the dishes before we left." Max inquired as his mother turned the faucet on in the sink.

"We have a dishwasher now, Max. It will not take long, but if you insist."

"We do. It's no bother, and we'll be on our way afterwards." Her son took the dishcloth and sponge from her hand.

Kerri cleared the dishes and rinsed them before she handed Max the dirty plates and utensils to put into the dishwasher. He added the detergent, closed the door, and turned on the machine. He leaned against the countertop while she wiped the counter and sink. As she turned and saw him in a dazed state, she wondered what he was thinking, and cleaned the kitchen table off which made it more presentable. He hadn't moved nor made eye contact with her as if he was in a trance, and she couldn't fathom what was on his mind.

"What's wrong Max? Something bothering you?" Kerri asked him when he finally looked up at her.

"Yes, there is something wrong. Come with me now because I don't want to disturb my parents." Max told her seriously. They walked through the foyer and outside to the balcony once again, but she didn't understand why he isolated himself from his parents.

"What?" Kerri asked him with fear in her voice and pulled her hand from his.

"If you are telling me that we're done, you better make it clear to me right now, and I'll walk out of your life for good. Max, did you hear what I said? I'm not fooling around behind your back, and I expect the same from you." Kerri told him furiously as she looked away from him in disgust and turned her back on him.

"I knew my father was right about you that I couldn't trust you and be happy for once in my life. I should have listened to him. I think it's best you take me home, Max." Kerri still had her back toward him and wouldn't look at the man she thought she was in love with. Her eyes filled with tears when she looked to the heavens, and she could barely see the stars that dotted the skyline along with the crescent moon on the horizon. Max hadn't spoke to her while he let her vent out her anger. When she turned back around, she saw him knelt down in front of her.

"Max, what are you doing?" Kerri questioned him with blurry eyes, and saw him knelt down on bended knee before her.

"You have no idea how much I love you when your angry with me. I think it's time to set the record straight and for the reason I brought you back up here. In the past week, I have met the most beautiful, caring, strong, sincere, and loving woman whether by accident or fate, if it wasn't for me being in your hometown, I wouldn't have crossed your path. I can't imagine another man having the pleasure of being your significant other. What I'm asking you, Kerri Pike, is will you marry me?" He reached into his pocket and revealed an engagement ring, a one carat princess cut diamond surrounded by little diamonds and a matching diamond bracelet.

"Yes, I will marry you." She replied with tears in her eyes. He got up from his knelt position, slipped the ring onto her finger, and placed the fastened bracelet on her wrist. He picked her up off the floor, twirled her around in his strong embrace, and kissed her enthusiastically.

"Why did you think I brought you back out here? I maybe a lot of things, but a liar isn't one of them. I love you so much." He whispered into her ear while she hugged him and she kissed him on his cheek then his lips.

"I love you too, and I'm sorry I doubted you. I've had a lot of disappointments in my life. You walked into my life and offered me love within a week." She played with the hair at his nape of his neck and splayed her hands on his shoulders before she leaned back into his embrace because he was not letting her go. He looked deeply into her darkened hazel eyes that reflected off the moonlight and cocked his head as he admired her beauty.

"I'll never disappoint you. However, I do get turned on when you get angry and all flustered for no apparent reason." He chuckled at her and pulled her against him to make her feel his desire for her.

"Really? You haven't seen me angry, Max. I doubt you'll want to see me 'really upset and angry'." She grinned seductively at him and rubbed his forearms. He chuckled at her teasingly when she pulled his head down for a long, slow, and enticing kiss. He savored their kiss for a moment and held her in his arms.

They left for his apartment. Over the next couple of days, Kerri thought about how to reveal her engagement news to her parents. When Kerri returned back to work after she spent a wonderful weekend with Max before he returned her home. She made her final arrangements to leave the prison for good. She told her father that she wanted to have dinner at the end of the week to inform her mother what she planned on doing although her father already knew, but he was in the dark about her engagement. When he found out about his daughter's decision, Kerri wasn't sure how he would take the news on her choice of being with a man that she hardly knew.

During the middle of the week, David Stone received news that his son Max hearing was scheduled at the end of the month. He had all the evidence and witness confessions for court along with his notes in his brief. He knew his son would be cleared once and for all. As the end of the month was approaching, Kerri had told her parents about her engagement to Max when they had dinner. Her mother was elated for her and her Max. Max was always the perfect gentlemen around her parents and was on good terms with her father although he was still cautious. After the court trial, Earl Pike knew that Max was wrongfully accused, and all the doubts he had about him went away. The trial lasted all afternoon. With all the evidence and witnesses who came forward in support of Max Stone. He was an innocent bystander who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Max was successfully cleared of any robbery attempt or gang affiliation. Max and Kerri retired to her home where they planned out their future together. Max wanted to get his reputation established and worked alongside his father. Meanwhile, Kerri worked in the office as their secretary. She was finally content in her life. Although their work life was hectic, they always found ways to spend quality time together.