It was a nightmare for both Liz and Michael the next couple of days. They walked around the house trying to act normal. They tried acting like their usual selves before their declaration of love, but even then, it seemed like they had always acted like people in love.

It was always pretty obvious. Liz looked at Michael.

Thinking back on it, I know what you mean. Acting normal is going to be hard. As long as we don't disappear together for long periods of time, don't get caught making out or having sex, they won't know a thing.

Liz smiled and shook her head. If it's obvious to us, why do you think they haven't seen it? She looked from Michael to the rest of the group.

Everyone was in the kitchen. Some Isabel was chopping vegetable, Kyle was by the stove and Ava was digging through the refrigerator.

I don't know. Maybe they don't want to see it. Michael shrugged.

"What's up with you guys?" Isabel asked surprising them both.

Liz's first reaction was to freak out. Did we give something away?

Calm down, love Michael calmed her with a glance. "What're you talking about, Izz?" Michael pretended to be confused.

"You guys haven't said a word in the past half hour." Isabel frowned again. She knew there was something going on.

"I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well." Liz half smiled and shook her head trying to make it look like it wasn't a big deal.

"What's wrong sweetie? Did you have bad dreams?" Kyle asked concerned.

If by bad dreams he means did we hot raunchy sex, then yes." Michael chuckled in his head.

Liz instantly felt her face warm up. "That's not funny." She said low.

"What'd you say?" Ava asked.

"Oh, that's about right." Liz shot Michael a look to let him know he was going to pay later.

Michael's response was to laugh back at her in his head.

"I can dream walk you tonight and steer you into a happy dream if you want." Isabel suggested going back to her task of chopping up the carrots.

"Oh, that's ok, Izz. But tell you what if it happens again tonight I will let you know tomorrow."

Isabel simply nodded.

I'm gonna get you. She threatened Michael but all she got back from him was a burst of love for her.

"So how's the baby, Ave?" Michael finished placing the table and made his way to Ava.

"Good. I really want to go and get a check up but I'm worried he'll do something supernatural."

"Mind warp the doctor." Michael shrugged like it was no big deal.

Ava shook her head. "I can't. I get tired really quick when I do that. I don't want to be drained especially if the baby needs strength."

"I'll go with you, Ava." Liz was actually very excited and wanted to have a shot of the baby in the womb.

"Yea, me too." Isabel smiled.

"Thanks." Ava smiled. Liz could tell she was excited.

"Well, aren't I invited? I mean I did help make him." Kyle said.

"How about we all go?" Michael suggested.

The girls all looked at each other. "We can't all go." Liz almost laughed. "Can you imagine? Four people showing up just to be with the new mommy. I don't think they'll let the family in the room."

"It's ok." Isabel said. "They can go without us. As much as we all love him we do have to realize that Ava and Kyle are the parents and we're not."

Liz nodded, a little disappointed that she couldn't go. "We'll meet you after."

Dinner was good and everyone was happy. They all thought about how much everything had changed since Max had left. Everything seemed more relaxed and free even if it had just been days since he and Serena had moved out.

Isabel had her moments where she wanted to cry because her brother was no longer included but she had to remind herself of all the pain he'd caused. She knew it would take time for everyone to forgive and he'd have to make it up to everyone.

"Are you guys planning on telling Max about the baby?" She asked knowing the question wouldn't be answered with an answer she would like.

"No, not at the moment." Ava looked straight at Isabel, letting her feelings show in her eyes.

"If he needs to know, then we'll tell him." Kyle did not stop eating while he answered.

Do you want seconds? Liz looked at Michael.

Michael nodded. Thanks, love.

Liz reached for his plate and stood. She asked everyone at the table if they wanted seconds so it wouldn't be obvious she was only getting food for Michael.

As she made her way back to the table, the phone rang. She gave Michael his plate and ran over to the phone.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Good, Liz it's you." It was Max on the other line.

"What's up, Max?"

"I was just calling to see how everyone was doing?"

"Everyone's fine."

There was silence and finally he spoke, "How're you? I heard you got a new job."

Liz was going to kill Isabel. "Yea, I got a job as a secretary. I was lucky to get it." She hated making small talk with Max. Especially for the last couple of days that he'd been gone. He'd called every day and if he didn't, he come by. He always managed to talk to her and nobody else. It's like he knew when she was by herself or near the phone.

"I'm sure luck had nothing to do with it. You're very smart Liz."

Liz rolled her eyes. "Look, Max we're in the middle of dinner. Can we talk later?"

Max took his time to answer, "Um, sure. Yea. Bye, Liz."

Liz hung up and shook her head. He's so annoying!

He's been calling a lot lately.

She turned around nodding. Yea.

He wanted to talk to you again

What else? I hate that he feels pity on me and feels the need to call and check up on me.

I don't think he does it out of pity. I think he misses you.

Liz laughed ant then saw that Michael was serious. Hey?

Michael was in his own little world. Liz could see his worry, his confusion. HEY!

He finally reacted to her voice.

I love you. Michael, I wouldn't care if he did miss me. I love you. I've always loved you. It's going to be you and me now. There's no one else. Only you.

Michael's face cleared and he smiled. I love you Liz Parker.

They embraced and she held him tight. She knew there might be a chance that they might get caught in the hall but nothing was more important right now than to show Michael that she meant what she'd just said. She needed to show him her love for him. She looked up and kissed him. It wasn't a peck, it was a real kiss, one that reinforced her love for Michael and she made sure he saw it.

Michael loved that no matter how much Liz wanted their relationship kept a secret, she would jeopardize it to show him her love.

"Let's head back inside before everyone comes out to see what's going on." He pulled away from her and waved a hand over her lips. They had been a bit swollen from their kiss but they were now back to normal.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

"Guys?!" Isabel called from the kitchen.

They both smiled as they walked into the kitchen.

"What do you mean they're not getting along?" Michael stopped in the hall when he heard Ava and Isabel whispering.

It was exactly a month to the day that he and Liz had been together and he was on his way out to buy her flowers.

Both Kyle and Liz were out working.

"I've talked to him a couple of times this week and every time I talk to him there's another crisis. Apparently she thinks he's bossy and she does like the fact that he's been calling Liz." Isabel said to Ava.

Michael leaned against the wall and listened knowing full well that he shouldn't be intruding.

"That's why he's been calling Liz. Serena and Max fight all the time. I guess they've both realized that after the sneaking around and thrill is gone, now that he's not with Liz. Now that they can be open around them, they don't know what to do. I think he wants Liz back. He's realized the awful mistake he made."

Michael's insides turned and tightened as he heard Isabel's confession to Ava.

"Well, I hope he doesn't think he can just talk to her and everything will be forgiven. I still think Liz is too good for him."

Michael nodded, still feeling queasy.

"I've told him that Liz is happy and that she doesn't need him messing that up. I don't know what it is but I can see the difference in her. It's like she's found peace, she's found happiness."

"Do you think she's seeing someone?" Ava asked excited.

Michael relaxed a little. If the girls had noticed Liz looked happier then that meant he had something to do with that and they were good together.

"Maybe. Have you seen her boss? He's yummy. The times I've gone to drop lunch off for her, they look very friendly. They're always joking around or laughing. Ugh, if she's dating him, it'll be the first time I've jealous."

Again, Michael's insides turned. I trust, Liz. But he couldn't help listening to that other voice in the back of his head that told him he wasn't any good for Liz and she deserved better.

Michael walked out the front door and drove down to a flower shop. He tried putting the conversation he'd just heard in the back of his mind.

When he got to Liz's work, he paused and had to convince himself that he wouldn't catch Liz doing something with her boss.

He trusted Liz, he knew she loved him. He rested his head against the door. He was being ridiculous. Tonight was their anniversary and they were going to go have a nice romantic dinner and go have dessert at their spot and watch the starts.

He walked into the office and smiled when Liz yelped and jumped toward him.

"Hi, baby. Oh, I love them thank you." She said when he handed her the flowers. "I can't believe you remembered. You haven't said anything all week and I didn't want to bring it up if you didn't remember."

Michael only smiled and kissed her fully on the lips. "How can I forget, love? I'll never in my live forget that moment. I've never been so happy than I was when you said you loved me for the first time."

"Michael Guerin who knew you were so cheesy." Liz chuckled.

"Oh, Hi Michael." Scott Fisher, Liz's boss had just stepped out of his office. "Good, you remembered, Liz was terrified you wouldn't."

Scott handed Liz some papers and was telling her when they had to be done but Michael couldn't focus on any of it.

"You told him?" Michael blurted.

Both Liz and Scott looked at him.

"Yeah, he's the only one I could talk to about it and he knows it's complicated so he hasn't said anything when Kyle, Isabel or Ava came by." Liz shrugged.

Michael didn't know how to react with the information. He could take it as a good thing because that meant Scott knew Liz was taken but at the same time, it wasn't like Liz to tell people she didn't know things about her personal life.

"Your secret is safe with me, I assure you." Scott smiled. "Did Liz tell you I'm taking you out to dinner?"

Michael turned to Liz. Why didn't you tell me?

I kept forgetting.

Liz, I was taking you out tonight, you know for our anniversary.

Why didn't you say anything? I didn't know.

I was going to surprise you.

Michael we can't cancel on him. He invited us a week ago.

"Is there a problem? We can do dinner some other time." Scott interrupted them.

Liz immediately shook her head. "Of course not, Scott, don't be silly. We're going."

"Well, I have to run to make my 2:30 meeting. See you guys tonight. See you later Liz. Michael, see you tonight."

"Right," was all Michael could say before Scott disappeared out the door.

"Don't be mad, Michael. I honestly forgot to tell you. I was just going to call you and I didn't know you had plans. You hadn't let me know anything was going on tonight."

"My mistake, I just wanted to surprise you."

"Michael, don't be mad." She went over to him and hugged him. She looked up and looked him into his eyes. "I love you so much. Please be nice to Scott. I really like him and I think you'd like him too. I don't want to be rude and cancel on him last minute. He really wants to get to know you."

"You really like him, huh?"

"Michael." She gave him a look.

"I'm kidding, love. We'll go with him tonight and I promise to be on my best behavior." He brought up two fingers. "Scout's honor."

"You were never a Scout." She chuckled making her way back to her desk.

"Little thing we can overlook."

"So, you taking me out to a late lunch?" Liz grabbed her purse.

"Yea, you wanna grab something small like salad?"

Liz nodded and was making her way to the door when the office phone rang. "Hold on a sec." She told Michael before running to the phone. "Hello, Scott Fisher's office." She had answered the phone with speaker.

"Hi, Liz. I was calling to see if you wanted to meet for lunch."

Liz groaned in her head. "Hi, Max. I'm actually out the door. Michael came to pick me up for lunch." She looked at Michael, apologizing for answering the phone.

Michael's jaw clenched. He was going to have to speak to Maxwell about calling Liz and coming to see her.

"Oh, you're having lunch with Michael." Max sounded weird.

"Yes and we're actually running a little late. I've been busy at the office."

"Is it okay if I join you guys?" Michael shook his head at Max's words. "I'm actually right in front of your office."

What do you want me to say?! He's already here! "We'll be right out, Max." She said as she hung up on him.

"Dammit!" Michael was not going to hide his anger.

"Come on, baby. Let's get this over with." Liz opened the door for Michael. She locked up and they both turned to find Max waiting for them feet away.

"So, where are we going to eat?" Max asked.

Liz and Michael looked at each other. "We were actually just grabbing a salad." Michael answered.

It was the longest most boring lunch any of them had ever had. The air was tense with Max around and she had to keep reminding Michael he had to calm down.

Max and Michael walked her back to work. She wanted Max to leave to say goodbye to Michael properly but Max wasn't budging.

"Thanks for lunch guys. Michael, I'll see you at home." I love you.

Love you too. "Come on Maxwell. Let's let Liz get back to work."

"I actually have to talk to her, Michael. I'll see you later."

Again, Michael's jaw clenched. "I'm not leaving you alone with her."

"Jeez Michael I just have to ask her something." Max got defensive.

"Ask her while I'm here." Michael stood his ground.

"Max just ask me what you have to ask me because Michael won't budge and you both really have to leave." Liz was getting very annoyed. She looked at Michael. Well, really just Max has to go...you can stay.

Max looked from her to Michael and then back at her. He took a deep breath and then said the last thing Liz ever thought Max would say, "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Her jaw dropped at the same time Michael laughed. "You must be delusional. You really think Liz is going to go to dinner with you after all you did to her?"

It took Liz a minute to process the information and finally answer. "I can't have dinner with you tonight, Max. Not tonight and not ever. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't because I have plans tonight."

"What plans?" Max didn't miss a beat.

"She has a date." Michael answered for Liz.

"With who?! Michael I know how protective you are of her. You wouldn't just let her go out with some guy! Who is he?!"

"A nice guy." Michael snapped. "Someone who isn't going to hurt her."

"Someone who I can see my future with. Someone I love. Someone who is respecting me for who I am and letting me be a whole person and not just half of what they are." Liz answered; she was temped to look at Michael while she answered Max.

Just then, the door opened and Scott walked in. "I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?"

"Not at all." Liz shook her had and went to her desk. "Max and Michael were actually just leaving."

"Who are you having dinner with, Liz?" Max's calm voice scared her.

"Oh, she didn't tell you we were having dinner?" Scott butted in smiling. "Took her a while to finally say yes. Something about how some bastard hurt her. I knew I could get past all that. Liz is special. She needs a man who can make her happy."

Liz tried not to be surprised especially when Scott came to stand behind her.

Both Michael and Max walked out the door without saying another word.

"Thanks, Scott."

"Was that the bastard?"

She only nodded.

"Forget about him, Liz. And get back to work will ya. I feel like I pay you more for drama than for the actual work you put in."

He smiled walking into his office.

Liz laughed and went to work, trying to forget the past hour.

Outside of her office, Michael and Max were arguing.

"I can't believe you're letting her go out with that guy?!" Max yelled.

"He's the opposite of you so I trust him. But I am keeping an eye on him." Michael answered honestly.

"I gotta get home." Max turned pissed off.

"Yea, wouldn't want to keep your Missus alone for too long. Wouldn't want her to sleep with the next guy she meets at the door who's engaged." Michael yelled after Max.

To Michael's satisfaction Max through him a hating stare before climbing into his car and driving off.

To Michael's surprise, he was actually enjoying dinner with Scott around. The guy was laid back, loved hockey and loved making jokes. His earlier nerves had subsided and he could see that Scott wasn't interested in Liz in any romantic way.

When Liz was in the restroom, Scott turned to Michael and said, "Thank you for having dinner with me. Thank you for not biting my head off earlier in the office. Both times, the first when you realized you were spending your anniversary with me and when Max was there. Liz is great at the office and I can tell she's gone through a lot. She seems like such an honest person and I can see how much she loves you and vise versa."

"Scott, don't apologize. I'm sorry I wasn't too happy with your invite at first. It just took me by surprise. And thank you so much for what you did with Max. Liz wants us, to stay between us for now and I respect that. I don't want to push her. And I don't want him ruining that for her. You can come over anytime you'd like. You'd be a hit at the house. You'd get along well with everyone."

They only stayed a couple of more minutes, after Liz came back from the restroom. Scott promised he'd make time to go over to their house and Michael promised he'd call to hang out with Scott in his free time.

On the drive home, Liz thought about what she'd been up to all night. She knew Michael liked Scott, it was obvious but would he let him in.

"So, you like Scott?"

"Yea, he's a cool guy." Michael kept his eyes on the road.

"You think he has a chance with one of us?" She asked feeling giggly. "Would you let him come into our home as one of us?"

"What?!" Michael swerved. He didn't know that the hell Liz meant but he didn't like her questions.

"Michael, pull over." And he did.

"Run that by me again?" He looked at Liz.

"I wanted you to get to know him before I told you what I was up to."

"What ARE you up to?"

"Well, I want Scott to be part of the group. I wanted to know how you felt about him before I asked if he had a chance with one of us."

"Liz, what the hell are you talking about?"

"I mean for Isabel. I've seen how attracted she is to him and I've seen him look at her. I think they'd be great together. That's why he hasn't come over. He doesn't know how to approach her. And I know you're very protective over Isabel, so I needed to make sure you'd like him. There's no one else he can be with. Look." She said, reaching for his hand and widening their connection.

FLASH
Scott in their living room. He was sitting on the couch next to Kyle and it looked like they were watching a game on TV.

"Get up, get up! Liz is going into labor!" Isabel ran into the living room screaming.

The guys got up but didn't run.

"Calm down, Isabel. Remember how long it took Ava to give birth. If you can't see the head crowing, don't get so stressed." Kyle headed toward Isabel.

Liz was by the door doing her breathing, while Ava held her arm.

Isabel held Liz's bag and the girls headed out the door.

"Get her to the hospital, we'll make sure to lock up and meet you there." Scott informed them.

He and Kyle closed the door behind the girls and looked through the house, making sure everything was closed and locked.

"Ready?" Kyle asked Scott.

"Yea. Man I can't believe Lizzy's having a baby."

"Come on, we don't want the Christmas Nazi killing us for not being there yet."

"She isn't that bad." Scott closed the door behind them.
END FLASH
Michael was a little confused when he came back into the present. "Jeez I forget how your flashes sometimes feel like a punch."

"Did you see? Could you tell he was a part of the family? When they went upstairs, to check the windows, there were TWO master bedrooms. TWO! And did you see the pictures on the walls. Almost all of them had Scott in them."

Michael nodded. "I saw them, baby. I saw them."

"So, how're we getting them together?"

"Excuse me?"

"Isabel and Scott! How're we getting them together?"