ROSWELL on PLANET-SF

CHAPTER EIGHT

Preparations had been made, Liz had found a dress of ivory lace; her bridesmaids would be in lavender. Different styles, but the same colour. Max had his tux picked out and after much arguing was voted down on tails. Michael was fitted for his tux and Kyle had come into town a few weeks prior for his fitting. Diane Evans and Nancy Parker had their dresses ready to go.

"I can't believe you are going to finally marry Max Evans!" Maria hugged her friend. "I mean, it's tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded slightly. Her nerves weren't coming from the imepending nuptials, but from the night that followed them. "But it's all good."

"Of course it is!" Maria laughed. "I don't think Michael and I will ever get married. I don't think we're the marrying type."

"I bet you're right," Liz smiled and wondered if she should tell her about the small part of the future that she knows. No, she decided, it was best to keep that between her and Michael. She was relieved to know that Michael didn't spill anything. "So," she turned around and faced Maria. "What do you think?"

Maria took a step back and admired her. The long flowing Chantilly lace gown dusted the ground, a very short train in back. Cream ballerina slippers graced her feet. "I think you look beautiful. Max is so lucky."

"I think so," she turned to the full-length mirror in the bedroom. "I’m lucky too." She studied her reflection for a moment and noticed something on the front of her. Red was seeping through the dress. "Oh, no!" She pulled the dress up and watched as blood ran from her brand, staining the fabric. She turned to Maria, tears rolling down her face.

"Shit!" Maria rushed to her and bent down, gathering the rest of the gown in her arms. She pulled the lace up to Liz’s waist with one hand, while unzipping the dress with the other. "Shit!" She collected the gown and pulled it over Liz’s head leaving her standing in her underwear, shivering. Maria bolted from the room and into the bathroom. She filled the sink with cold water and Woolite and set the ruined fabric in the basin. She dried her hands and went back to the bedroom. Liz was still standing, her arms clutched over her naked chest. Drops of blood stained the toe shoes. "Liz?"

Liz shook her head. "Is it ruined?"

"Sweetie, I don’t know. Maybe it’s not as bad as it looked." Maria rummaged around in the bureau and found a T-shirt. She held it up and Liz put her hands above her head. "I feel like I’m dressing Leia."

"It’s ruined," Liz felt the gooseflesh on her arms. "I’m getting married tomorrow and I don’t have a dress."

"I’ll go see," Maria trudged off to the bathroom and brought the soiled part of the fabric out from under the bubbles. It was still as red as before. Nothing had come out. It was as if it was permanently stained. "Shit." She came back to the bedroom and sat on the bed. "Lizzie, it’s not coming out."

"I knew it wouldn’t." She looked to the blood on her thigh. It had it had stopped bleeding and now stained her skin.

"Well, we have to get you a new dress," Maria put her hand on her hips. She glanced at the clock radio on the nightstand. "We have twenty hours. That is more than enough time to find you a new dress."

"It took me a month to find that one."

"I don’t care," she reached for her friend’s hand. "C’mon, get up. We must shop."

In spite of the disaster, Liz smiled. Maria had the determined look in her eye; she wouldn’t rest until there was a new dress.

"Is Isabel with Leia?"

"Yeah, let me call her and tell her I have no idea when I’ll be home."

Liz smiled appreciatively.

* * *

Max stood in front of the full-length mirror in the tuxedo rental shop. Michael and Kyle were on either side of him.

"I feel so…" Max looked at his reflection.

"James Bond?" Kyle asked.

From Michael: "Penguin?"

"Bruce Wayne?"

"The Penguin," Michael smiled emphasizing 'the'.

"Thank you," Max rolled his eyes. "I was going more for nervous."

"Oh," Kyle and Michael said together and laughed.

"So, why are you so nervous?" Kyle asked. "I mean, it’s Liz. It’s not like you met her two weeks ago. This is just all the bullshit that you have to get out of the way so you can move on."

"I know," Max sighed and turned to look at them. "I don’t know what’s wrong. I have knots in my stomach, I feel like I’m going to throw up, my hands are shaking."

"Nerves," Michael nodded. "You’ll be fine. Once you see her in that dress nothing else will matter."

"You’ve seen it?" Max cocked his head to one side.

"Well, yeah. I’m not marrying her, it’s allowed."

"Yeah, me too. She looks beautiful," Kyle grinned.

"Do you think she’s as nervous as I am?"

"More so, I’m sure." Michael nodded. So much more because she knows what has to be accomplished. His pager went off and his shoulders sank; he had three days off in a row and so didn’t feel like having to work. He smiled when he saw Max’s number. Must be Maria. He took his cell phone out of his back pocket and called.

"Michael!" Maria sounded panicked.

"What’s wrong?" He asked and got the attention of both Max and Kyle.

"Liz," she spoke softer. "She’s in the shower right now. She was trying on her dress and that hideous name on her leg started bleeding. For no reason! Soaked through the dress and ruined it."

"Oh, no." Michael avoided Max’s questioning eyes. Evil forces at work. Shit. "What are you going to do?"

"Go shopping. We’ll come up with something by tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know that I was going to be late. Isabel said she’ll stay with Leia until one of us gets home."

"Okay, good luck." He turned the phone off and looked to his friends.

"What’s going on?" Max couldn’t hide the nervousness in his voice.

"It’s fixable." He nodded. "Slight accident with the dress."

"What kind of accident?" Kyle asked.

"Her scar started bleeding and ruined the dress." Michael watched as the color drained from Max’s face. "It’s getting taken care of Maxwell, don’t worry. Everything’s going to go without a hitch." Right.

* * *

By nine o’clock that night Liz Parker had found another dress. She didn’t like it as much as the other one, but it would work out just fine. Her and Maria had hit every store and eventually found the dress in Artesia, about forty miles away. It was laying in the backseat of the Jetta in a plastic bag. New slippers were next to it.

"I can’t thank you enough for helping me," Liz smiled and looked at the credit card bill again. "It wasn’t that expensive. My mom shouldn’t freak out too much when she gets the bill."

"You’re still staying over tonight, right?"

"I guess," she looked down. More than anything, she wanted to see Max and be with him tonight. They had made the decision awhile back that one of them would stay elsewhere the night before the wedding.

"God, don’t sound so thrilled about it."

Liz smiled; she was thrilled she was getting married to the man of her dreams in the morning. She was thrilled that she had good friends and a loving family. She was thrilled that she knew her future turns out okay. She wasn’t thrilled about facing a night where there were no rules. By this time tomorrow, everything will be behind them. The informal reception ended at seven and she wanted to be in bed with Max by eight.

"I’m sorry, just so much on my mind." Liz apologized. "You sure Michael doesn’t mind me staying?"

"No, he doesn’t. Like if he did it would matter?"

Maria pulled in the driveway in back of the Tempo around ten-thirty. She opened up the back and got out Liz’s dress and shoes. Liz followed her inside. Michael was lying on the couch watching TV.

"Found a dress, I see." He sat up and yawned.

"Finally, in Artesia." Maria hung the dress on the closet door. "Leia in bed?"

"Yup. Iz put her to bed before she left which was only about an hour ago." He looked at Liz. "You’re really going to marry Max tomorrow?" He laughed. "He’s crazy, you know. We’ve been over there all night, he’s like a basket case."

"That’s our Maxie," Maria shrugged. "I’ll be in the shower if you need me, then Space Boy, you’re going to sleep out here and me and Liz will be in the bedroom."

"I have to sleep on the couch?"

"We can’t have the bride sleeping on the couch the night before she gets married," she flicked his forehead. "Duh."

Michael shook his head after her as she walked out of the room. "She is so demanding."

"Yeah, but you love her."

Michael nodded. "So, your leg, how is it?"

"No more bleeding, but I’ve got a bandage on it about the size of Manhattan, just in case."

"Nothing else weird?"

"Nope. Do you think this all might just bypass us completely? Maybe Future guy was wrong."

"Anything can happen, Liz. You know that as well as I do." He sighed. "I can’t believe you two are getting married. It seemed like this was never going to happen. I’ve been hearing for years about the way Max feels about you and I’m just glad that it’s going to be permanent now."

"Thanks," she sat next to him and hugged him. "Promise me something, Michael. Promise me that we’ll always be friends."

"I promise Liz."

* * *

Maria put the finishing touches of make-up on Liz. Her new dress was on; shoes were ready to go. A huge bandage over her brand. Her hair piled loosely on her head, the way Max likes it, a few sprays of baby’s breath placed casually perfect.

"You are so pretty," Maria stood back and admired her handiwork.

"Thank you. How much time before we leave?"

"Fifteen minutes," she grinned. "Your mom’s going to be waiting for you, she wants to have a some mother/daughter pictures before the ceremony."

"When is Max getting there?"

"Michael said the boys are arriving right after we do. We don’t want the chance of Mr. Max seeing you before the show!" She grabbed her friend’s hand. "This is so cool!"

"Mushy stuff, again?" Isabel asked walking in to the bedroom.

"Of course," Maria said.

"Give us a sec, Maria, okay?"

"Surely," Maria mock bowed down to her and exited the room.

"Okay Parker. See in a little while I won’t be able to call you that anymore. Here’s the story; you’re going to have to take care of my brother now. I can’t keep running in and saving the day all the time," she grinned. "Seriously, I’m happy for you. I’m glad you’re going to be my sister-in-law. You make Max happy and that makes me happy." She hugged Liz. "Now, we better get going, I have a date later tonight."

"Erin?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." She smiled. "He’s nice and he treats me nice. No hidden agendas. I should thank you I suppose." Isabel shrugged.

"Please, don’t worry about it." Liz rolled her eyes and followed her soon to be sister-in-law out of the room.

* * *

"This is it bro," Michael clapped Max on the back. They were in Max’s old bedroom with Kyle. "You ready?"

Max nodded and cleared his throat. Kyle handed him his bottled water and Max drained nearly half of it in one swallow. "Thanks," he handed the bottle back to him.

"Sure, no problem." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Where are staying tonight?"

"Hotel. Mayfair. Very nice." Max nodded.

"And you’re waiting to take your honeymoon until schools out, right?" Kyle knew Max was nervous and just had to mess with him. It was one thing that always made him smile.

"Yeah." Max nodded.

"So then what? Babies? School? Station Wagon?"

Max shook his head. "I don’t know." He looked to Michael. "I don’t know."

"Leave him alone Kyle, you get to go back to school, I have to deal with him everyday."

Kyle held up his hands laughing. He looked at his watch and grinned. "T minus five, gentlemen. Ready to take your places?"

The Evans’ backyard was transformed into a magical fairytale. A white altar stood under the Oak tree, six rows of folding white chairs facing it. Off to the side was a white tent that was being used as the reception area. White resin tables and chairs were scattered about. Each had a centerpiece of fresh flowers; each one unique.

Max Evans stood at the altar in front of Liz’s minister. Michael was next to him, then Kyle. Kyle kept smiling at Morgan who was sitting with his dad and Amy. His dad had Leia on his lap.

Music began playing from a stereo somewhere in back and all heads turned towards the back of the Evans’ house. First came Isabel, a million-watt smile shining genuinely. Maria followed, her eyes trained on the altar, at Michael. The small group stood as Liz made her way down the short aisle on her father’s arm. Max stared at her, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants legs. When Jeff Parker released her, she looked to Max and was momentarily blinded by love. She felt as if his aura wrapped around her, squeezing her. She took in a small breath and gazed at her betrothed.

As the minister began the service Michael looked across to Maria, God, he loved her. He may never marry her, but he knew he’d always be by her side. He tried to turn his attention back to the minister, but couldn’t. He couldn’t take his eyes off of Maria.

Liz was beaming. Everything she had ever imagined this day being like, it was. She recited her vows and placed the ring on Max’s shaking finger. She was somewhat stunned when she heard the Minister say that Max had decided to write his own vows. She looked at Max; he smiled and gave her a small shrug.

"I’ve known I’ve loved you for years, seems like forever. We’ve been through a lot together, both good times and not so good times. We’ve loved, we’ve lost. Shakespeare said ‘the courses of true love never did run smooth’. I couldn’t have said it better myself." He smiled and took her hand. "I wanted to write this and surprise you with it. You own my heart and I can’t wait to start our lives together as husband and wife. And now as Robert Browning said ‘come grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.’ " He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I love you Tess."

Max stared at her hand; his mouth hung open. He felt Liz withdraw her hand. Kyle took a step towards him, fury in his eyes. Michael held his arm and pulled him back. Maria and Isabel stood motionless, their hands covering their mouths. Friends and family gasped, Nancy Parker was crying.

Liz looked at the top of Max’s head, she wanted to run away and actually took a step back, her brand throbbing. She looked past Max to Michael. Michael half way smiled and nodded. Liz grinned back at him and stepped forward. She placed her hand under Max’s chin and raised his head. His eyes were wet.

"I don’t know…" He whispered to her.

"It’s okay Max, I know." She smiled and turned back to Maria and Isabel. "It’s okay."

"Are you sure?" Maria whispered harshly in her ear.

"I’m positive." She looked to the minister. "May we continue?"

He finished the ceremony after Max slid the band of white gold on her finger; He was shaking and scared. When they were pronounced man and wife, a mixed reception ran through the gathered guests. Both sets of parents looked ashamed. Liz knew it wasn’t going to be the kind of reception she had dreamt of, but none of that mattered anymore.

Max was still flabbergasted through the reception. Liz felt sorry for him, it wasn’t his fault, but no one else would understand that. They’d always remember that he said someone else’s name during their vows. She shook her head, no way; no one was going to make her husband feel bad about this. Her husband, she smiled. She found an empty chair and with help from Morgan, stood upon it. She waited until a few people saw her before speaking.

"Hi. Everyone here is our friends and family. I know that many of you right now aren’t giving my new husband Max the benefit of the doubt." She smiled to him. "My husband. Did you all catch that? He loves me more than anything else in this world, any world. People make mistakes, people error. Please, as a favor to us both, don’t think about the slip of the tongue. That isn’t how either one of us would like you to remember our wedding." She looked around and saw nodding and relief swept through her. Before she stepped down she gazed at the sky. "That’s the best you got, huh? I told you once and I’ll tell you again, you will never win!"

"Who you talking to?" Michael was standing beside the chair. He held out his hand and helped her down.

"That was it." She smiled. "All these weeks of worry and that was it. If I hadn’t been warned, I would have bolted. I would have run until my legs gave out."

"That’s what I was thinking," he hugged her. "I think it’s over Liz, now go see your husband. He’s the one leaning against the tree looking like he’s going to cough up a hairball."

Liz rushed over to him and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and sank his face into her hair. "I’m sorry, I don’t know why."

"I do and it’s okay," she kissed his lips. "I’m not mad, I’m elated! This is the happiest day of my life!"

"How can you not be mad?"

"Because let’s just say on something’s I’ve got the inside scoop." She grinned. "You’ll have to trust me on this Mr. Evans. Sometimes you have to deal with fate, but it helps if you’ve got an upper hand."

"Well Mrs. Evans," he beamed. "I’ve got one last quote for you, ‘fate sucks. I swear.’ Drugstore Cowboy."

* * *

"I don’t even want to fucking do this," Kyle crossed his arms over his chest. The reception had been over for a couple hours and the gang had gathered back at Michael’s after changing into less formal clothes.

"Okay," Michael sighed.

"I’m serious." Kyle nodded. "Isn’t anyone else really pissed off that he called Liz by another name? Not only was it another name, it was that name."

Maria and Isabel looked at each and nodded. Michael looked around and sighed again. "Okay, listen. Liz knew a few things were going to happen. Him saying that name was no accident."

"What are you talking about Michael?" Maria asked.

"I can’t say much more, let’s just say we won. We all won."

"So we’re just suppose to forget it and make happy?" Kyle asked.

"Well, yeah. Trust me and trust Liz."

Isabel and Maria both knew if Michael believed it was right, then it was. Kyle would follow suit and Morgan would follow him.

Kyle shook his head. "Fine, but I tell you something. You freakin’ aliens are going to drive me crazy."

"Cool. Let’s get this stuff moved and call it a day!" Michael said relaxing that no further questions arose. It was good to have friends who trusted you.

The five of them arrived at the Evans’ apartment in two cars, well, two trucks. Michael was driving the Sheriff Departments 4X4 and Kyle, his dad’s truck. Kyle ordered everyone around and they unloaded the surprise.

Maria, Isabel and Morgan each carried up a high back wood chair, only resting once on the landing. When they got to the door Isabel waved her hand over the lock and they heard it click.

"You know," Maria held up a key in her hand. "I do have a key."

"I have a date tonight, I don’t have time to dawdle. "Isabel shrugged and opened the door.

They females folded up the lawn chairs and card table and waited for the dining room table. They laughed when they heard the swearing from the hallway. One more trip by each and the complete dining room set was in the apartment. Kyle retrieved a pocketknife from his pocket and they each took a turn signing their names underneath.

TO BE CONTINUED

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STORY OF LINES:
5 - ALL ROADS LEAD HOME

CHAPTER EIGHT

WRITTEN BY BECKY W

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