Max mumbled a little as he started to wake up. Something was tickling the back of his neck and as he woke up he realized with a grin that it was Liz raining kisses all along his neck and the side of his face. He had no idea what time it was, but he and Liz had gone to sleep a few hours ago and both of them had been so dead tired that they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Obviously Liz had woken up in a more playful mood.

He kept his body as relaxed as possible for as long as he could, which was a challenge with Liz’s teasing touches and the feel of her fingers running over his back and shoulders. She probably knew he was awake, but he intended to surprise her as much as possible. With swift movements he quickly flipped over and grabbed Liz’s shoulders, moving her underneath him so that she was pinned under his arms. She grinned at him, her eyes wide and sparkling when he finally leaned down to kiss her lips.

When he started to kiss her it had been with such a force and passion that it left Liz breathless. His movements became slow and tender and Liz found that she was still breathless from the way he seemed to pull her towards him, but also giving her face, her hips, her breasts equal attention. She sighed as his mouth left hers and trailed down her neck to her collarbone. She’d missed him so much, even though it had only been a few days since they’d last made love.

With everything that had happened, it felt like forever. And the time before that, she didn’t even want to think about. She smiled lazily as Max unbuttoned her sweater and pushed it away from her shoulders. His hands immediately covered where her sweater had been and she found her skin to be warmer than it had before. She impatiently pulled at his shirt, lifting it to his head.

"You are wearing way too much clothing," she mumbled as his lips came back to kiss her and then break away for just a second as his shirt was pulled over his head and off. When Max finally laid his body against hers and she felt his warm skin against hers Liz couldn’t even breathe for a second. She almost felt dizzy from the sensation of his muscled stomach flush against her own bare skin.

Max was stroking her hair and staring at her, his eyes so calm and so peaceful that Liz felt like she was the center of his world. As his hands reached between them to unbutton her jeans she also reached for his belt. She could feel him, hard against her and she was already anxious to rid him of the rest of his clothes.

"MOM!!!"

Liz’s head shot up immediately and she froze. That was Beth calling for Maria, and it probably only meant one thing. She and Max scrambled to pull their clothing back on and they finally made it down the hallway in time to see Beth standing next to Michael’s bed, his eyes open and confused as he looked at the people who were suddenly entering the room. Michael’s eyes finally rested on Max and Max walked forward, realizing that Michael was completely disoriented. And, knowing Michael, he might overreact or panic before they had a chance to explain what was going on.

As soon as Maria entered the room, Michael seemed to stop breathing. His eyes were fixed on her and Maria immediately started to cry at the sight of Michael awake and alive in front of her. Suddenly, like he remembered why they had left in the first place, Michael began to try and back away, his eyes darting around as he looked for some way to escape. Max hurried over.

"Michael, wait—"

Before Max could do anything, Beth grabbed onto her father, somehow managing to hold his face in her hands. She stared into his eyes and in only a few short seconds, she connected with him. Keeping her thoughts organized, Beth showed him everything that had happened and tried to explain to him that he was safe, and that there was no reason to run.

When she finally let go, Beth stepped back and immediately found that her brother stood behind her. They both stared at Michael, waiting and wondering what he would say. Michael seemed to be staring at the ground until Maria walked over and touched his arm. He jerked at her touch and she pulled back, the disappointment evident on her face. Michael saw her sadness and he reacted the only way he could think of, he grabbed Maria and pulled her into his arms, into a tight embrace.

Michael rocked her back and forth, murmuring words into her ear and trying to reassure her. Maria couldn’t stop the tears from falling down her face as she clung to Michael, saying over and over again, "I missed you."

Liz looked up at Max and smiled. He reached over with a finger and brushed away the tears that she hadn’t even realized had fallen down her face. They looked back and Maria and Michael as they pulled back and Michael showed uncharacteristic tenderness as he kissed Maria gently. The kiss was short as Michael pulled away and immediately turned to Beth and Mike. He looked from Maria to the children and back to Maria again, the astonishment plain on his face.

"God, they’re amazing. She’s beautiful, and she looks just like you," Michael whispered, holding Maria’s soft eyes with his for just a second. When he finally looked back that the two children that were his he almost couldn’t believe it when he looked into a face just like his own. His son even had the same wary expression around his eyes that Michael knew well. He knew what that look meant, and how hard the boy was trying not to show too much hope for fear of his hope being squashed. Michael kneeled down on his knees in front of them, looking the twins straight in the eye.

"I’m not going anywhere. I promise."

Beth grinned and launched herself into her father’s arms and then Michael held out his arm for Mike to take, which the boy finally did. Michael closed his eyes and let himself remember exactly what it felt like to hold his son and daughter. How she seemed to smell like sunshine and how her long golden curly hair was as soft as rose petals. And how Mike gripped his shoulder, pulling onto his shirt as if it were a lifeline. He wouldn’t forget how his children had been without him and how they needed him. And how Maria needed him. Beth pulled back and grinned at Michael.

"I knew you’d come back," she proclaimed. Michael arched an eyebrow, curiously surprised.

"Really? How’d you know?" he asked. Beth turned serious for a moment.

"Because I know who you are and I know how much you love Mom. I just knew you’d come back, and that you’d stay," Beth replied, her eyes reflecting the faith she had in her father. Michael nodded slowly, just coming to realize what hope Beth had put into him.

Michael finally stood and turned towards the rest of his family. Liz felt like they were back in the vision from earlier when they’d formed a connection with Michael and tried to heal him. Isabel hugged Michael tightly and Liz followed her when Michael held out his hand and gestured her forward. It was exactly like in the vision, with Michael happy to see them and looking at her and Isabel with a familiar fondness that Liz hadn't realized until that moment that she’d missed so much since he’d left.

With a twinkle in his eye Alex hugged Michael and both men laughed. Liz felt the tears streaming down her face, but she didn’t care. Isabel had an arm around her and Maria and as Liz looked at her friends, she knew none of them had been happier in years. When Max finally approached Michael, Liz saw something pass between the two men. It had been a long time alone for the both of them and Liz knew that the only person who could understand even a little of what it had been like for Max would be Michael. And the same was true for Michael. Max and Michael finally hugged and Liz heard Max’s voice faintly.

"We’re finally home."