The Book of Love

Rating: ADULT
Category: Dreamer (Max's POV)
E-mail: behrsgirl77@msn.com
Disclaimer: I do not own a thing, except for my thoughts and ideas and a couple of the characters I made up for the story. I will state that this is based on a challenge by La'Shon (FSU/MSW-94).

Summary: Max and Liz meet in the most extraordinary way and their lives and their futures will never be the same because of it. This is a story about learning to appreciate the gifts we're given, no matter how they come to be.

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Part 26

The First Time

Liz and I never did get to make love, we didn't even get to share another kiss, or smile. Instead she went into labor nearly twelve hours ago, and answers are few and far between.

Testing, testing and more testing.

Early labor is normal, or so I'm told. Everyone has reassured me, but still I can't help the nagging feeling that something isn't normal.

Michael has been watching me carefully, as if I might just strangle the next nurse that comes within a two feet of me. Worry is stamped on everyone's face, including Dean's. He came within minutes of my phone call.

It was only right. I had to call him; he is Liz's best friend. She would want him here.

I drag my gaze from my brother, and over to Liz's brother. He offers me a weak smile; he's terrified. I've never seen him this way.

"Max," comes a voice from behind me, I spin the moment I recognize it.

"Dexter," I say, relief flooding me. He is as stable as they come in moments of crisis, and right now that's what I need. Not another worried face, but someone who can stand next to me and keep me focused.

"Stacie, is away on business or she'd be here too. I called her. Now, tell me what's going on?" he says, his tone even, his face the picture of serenity. I feel the tension in my shoulders lessen as I answer him.

"We were at home and her water broke. By the time we got here, she was in so much pain, I thought it was too fast, but I wasn't really sure. She was so scared... and I didn't know what to say..." I grasp for words, but they fail me.

Dex nods and asks, "What did the doctor say?"

"When they brought her in, they said she was four weeks early, and that they could deal with that. They were going to check her out and come back to me."

"Did they?"

"Yes, and they said everything was fine, that it would be a few hours before anything happened, so I just waited. But about thirty minutes ago, they said something about Liz's heartbeat and the baby's not being normal, or I don't know. They just threw this out at me and ran back into her room."

"Is Serena here?" he asks me and I blink, I hadn't thought about her.

I shake my head, run a hand through my hair, and say, "I don't know."

"Stay here, give me ten minutes and I'll get you something." Without another word he's already headed down to the nurses station, and if I know anything about Dexter, it's that in ten minutes I'll have an answer; whether I like the answer or not, that's a whole other issue.

*~*~*

"I don't understand why it takes this long to bring us an answer," Dean says from beside me. We both stand shoulder to shoulder in the center of the hall, no more than five steps from the room they have Liz in.

"Tell me about it. I wish I could just yell and get it over with, but I know that won't help," I say, casually.

"Yeah." A beat of silence passes then he says, "Thanks for calling me."

I turn to regard him, and I can't help but smile. "If it had been a week ago, I probably wouldn't have. Sorry."

Dean shrugs. "Don't worry about it. If it was the other way around, I would have taken an extra minute or thirty to call you." We both share a quick laugh, and return to our posts.

Much to my surprise, my parents, Isabel and Michael haven't asked me one question since they arrived. They offer their silent support, which I am grateful for, because dealing with anyone right now, will push me over the edge.

Dean however, for some reason or another, doesn't bother me.

"She was so scared, you know? I just wish they'd let me see her," I say, trying to hide my concern.

"She's tough." I nod in agreement. "And stubborn," he tacks on and I turn to him and slap him on the back. "You're damn right she is."

"Max!" Again my name is called and this one is even more familiar than Dex's.

"Sere, what's going on?" I ask, without formalities.

"They're coming to get you in a minute. She's fully dilated and they found the problem and why the baby is so small. She was leaking amniotic fluid, maybe within the last week or so... anyway, that's not important," she rushes out, with Dexter at her shoulder now.

"Okay what is?" I ask, urging her to get on with it. Dean is right at my side, along with Alex. My parents, brother and sister are not more than a step behind us.

"She says she isn't having the baby..."

"Meaning?"

Serena looks up at Dexter who then looks at me, and I'll be damned if he doesn't have a gleam of a smile on his lips. What the hell?

"I'm fucking panicked here, can you get to the damn point," I grind out, harsher than I meant, but at this point my nerves are on end.

Serena blushes and says, "Ah... maybe you want to wait until you're in there with her."

"How about you just tell us what the hell is going on?" chimes in Dean.

"This is something that I think Liz might appreciate sharing with Max, herself."

"Well if you both know then it's not much of a secret is it?" Dean says, moving closer and I place a hand on his shoulder, our eyes connect and he backs off.

"Fine. But tell me is she and the baby okay?"

"They are, but Max you have to convince her to have the baby, or they are going to do a C-Section."

"Is she hysterical or something?" says Alex over my shoulder.

Both Serena and Dexter nod.

"So she's scared, okay. I can handle that." I let out a sigh of relief and break from the crowd the moment I see the nurse heading towards us.

"Mr. Evans? I'm going to need you to come with me," she says and ushers me away. I take one look back, and I realize that when I come back down this hall... I'll be a father.

*~*~*

Liz's raised voice reaches my ears before I push open the door.

"I am not having this baby! You're just going to have to find a wait to make the baby wait!" I almost smile at the determination in her voice.

"Liz," I say coming to her side and she sags in visible relief.

"Max, oh thank God! I've only been asking for you for the past hour. I'm not sure we should have the baby here, they're all crazy!" she says, as she breathes through another contraction. Her hair is matted to her head, her forehead and neck sweat soaked and I honestly can't imagine how she's handling the pain and talking to me at the same time.

I reach out and push her hair back, and run my finger down her hot, damp cheek. "Sweetheart, this is a great hospital. And I don't think you have much of a choice, you're having the baby today, Liz."

"Soon," comes the doctor's dry reply and I try and hide my smile. Boy has she gotten under his skin.

Liz grips my hand, and looks up at me pleadingly. "We can't have the baby yet, Max. I can't!" I'm getting concerned once again, obviously she feels strongly about this.

"Why not?" She doesn't answer, as she pushes through another contraction.

"That cap on your head looks so cute, Max." What? Maybe she's not getting enough oxygen or something.

"Liz, talk to me. Why can't you have the baby?"

"Because we haven't had sex! How can we have a baby? It's not right, Max. The baby needs to wait."

"Okay... I understand, but the baby can't wait. And Liz, when the doctor tells you to push, you're going to have to push." I try to explain reasonably.

"How am I supposed to tell my child that they were conceived even before mom and dad even slept together," she says, reaching out and pulling my arm hard enough for me to bend over her, "It's just not normal, Max," she grits out.

"Liz, I know it's not but I promise, if you have the baby now," I pause, hearing the snickering from the nurses, but tune them out, because in all honesty I'm about to break into laughter myself.

"I'll make it up to you, Liz."

She looks up at me, desperate and I know she's in pain; I look at the doctor who nods his head. It's time.

Her eyes connect with mine, "Promise," she says.

Eagerly, I respond, "Oh hell yes, I promise."

"Max?" she says, just as the doctor prepares for the delivery.

"Yes?"

"I love you." I smile at her, swipe the fresh tears in her eyes, and kiss her lips. "I love you too."

Liz smiles at me, turns to the doctor and says, "Okay. I'm ready."

*~*~*

"It's a boy!" comes the doctors bellowing voice, as he holds up my and Liz's baby and I can't help but let out a puff of a sob. I don't cry easily, but when the doctor asks me to cut the cord and then minutes later when they are laying my son in my arms, I can't stop the stream.

"Liz... he's beautiful," I say passing him to her. Despite her exhaustion, she smiles and reaches for him. He's pink, and soft and warm. A full head of black hair, and ten perfect little toes and fingers.

"Oh my God, Max," she says looking up at me, a bright smile and tears streaking her face, I know exactly what she means.

"He's perfect," she whispers out, as she kisses our son's head. I lean down and kiss her lips and reach out for him.

"We never came up with a name," she says, her eyes half closed. I look down at my son, cradled in my arms and I smile.

It doesn't matter what his name is, he's mine and he's Liz's. I love Liz, but the love I feel for him doesn't even compare.

"What do you think of Andrew?" I say and Liz responds softly, "I love it." I turn to regard her, and I smile when I see her eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

Leaning down, I look into my son's eyes and think, he's the one thing I got right, the first time, without even trying.

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