Part 26

Max emerged from the bedroom half an hour later, clean and comfortably dressed in a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. He smiled at Liz as he entered the room to see her pacing around the room silently, while Megan was talking on the phone.

Moving stealthfully, Max slipped up behind Liz, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Sighing happily, Liz leaned back against Max’s body and closed her eyes as she breathed in his fresh scent.

"Mmmm…you smell good." Liz mumbled for his ears only, smiling as he buried his face in her hair, breathing her in deeply.

"So do you." He rumbled gently. "So how did it go?"

"It went pretty well." Liz replied softly.

"How much did you tell her?"

"Everything." Liz replied. "Well…everything I could tell her."

"Good…" Max replied as he pressed a soft kiss on her neck. "She seems like a really great friend…I wouldn’t want you to jeopardize that."

"I couldn’t do anything to hurt that…" Liz replied. "I would never let myself…" Liz trailed off for a moment. "She’s a little shocked about how quickly this has all happened…of course she doesn’t know everything that we’ve been through together…all of the history. So don’t be surprised if she’s kind of putting you to the test…trying to deem you worthy or something."

"Worthy?" Max asked with a chuckle. "Well I hope I pass."

"You couldn’t not." Liz replied instantly. "You’re wonderful just as you are…Megan will see that as soon as she gets a chance."

They fell silent as Megan finished her phone call.

"Yeah…" She mumbled into the phone. "Yeah…okay. I’ll remind them. Thanks so much, Chuck. Yeah…see you soon."

Megan grinned at Liz as she hung up the phone.

"It’s all arranged…and I know I don’t need to remind you...you know the gig."

Liz nodded. "Thank you."

"Do you need my car?" Megan asked.

"Yeah…that would make it easier…if you don’t mind."

"Sure…no problem. I trust you. I’ll go ahead and take the train home."

"Thank you."

Megan grinned back at her friend. "It’s all good. You two kids have fun…although not too much fun!" She smirked, before turning her attention to Max. "It was really nice to meet you, Max. Congratulations on the engagement…this is my best girl that you’re marrying, so you’d better treat her right."

"I will." Max replied honestly, the love shining openly in his eyes as his eyes burned into Liz’s.

"Good." Megan beamed back at him. "Thanks for the coffee…and I’m sure I’ll see you again soon."

Max leaned forward to shake Megan’s hand. "It was really nice meeting you. Thank you…for being such a wonderful friend to Liz all these years. I know you mean the world to her…and anyone who is important to Liz is important to me too."

Megan’s eyes widened in surprise at Max’s words, and Liz grinned, knowing that it effected her friend. "It was nothing, Max…Liz is my friend. That’s what friends are there for…to support each other."

Max nodded silently in agreement.

"So, I’m going to head out. I’ll see you later…with the car?"

"Of course." Liz replied. "Bye Megan."

"Later Liz."

Liz smiled wistfully as Megan let herself out, sorry to have to see her friend go, just as much as she needed this day alone with Max.

"So what’s this about borrowing Megan’s car?" Max asked curiously.

Wiggling around in his embrace to face him, Liz wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned mischievously at him.

"Well…yesterday you did something special for me, and today I want to return the favor to my soon-to-be-husband."

"Mmmm…" Max murmured. "Sounds intriguing. We’re leaving the city?"

Liz smiled. "Well…I guess you’ll just have to see. Shall we go?"

"Lead the way."