Part 25

Emotion ran rampant through the bedroom, electrifying the air, as the four aliens stood silently, Max and Liz staring in awe at Matt and Alyssa, who were both in near tears at the recognition apparent in their parent’s eyes. Words had yet to be spoken, but so much was said just through the feelings expressed just through their gazes…love, fear, honor, marvel, hope…all strong, powerful, undeniable emotions that said more in that moment than any words ever could.

Liz took a single step towards Matt and Alyssa, before suddenly freezing, shocked into place, when in response to that one simple gesture, Alyssa broke down openly sobbing, the tears running down her cheeks in a massive flood, as in a choked voice words began pouring from her lips.

"I’ve wanted to tell you so badly." Alyssa cried, gulping for air between her tear filled words. "I wanted you to know from the first moment I saw you, but I was afraid…so afraid. I didn’t know how you would react, or if you would even want us here at all."

"Don’t say that!" Max gasped, quickly rushing to her newfound daughter and gathering her up in his strong, comforting embrace, as he gently stroked her hair, while rocking her body against his soothingly.

"Shhhh…it’s okay." Max whispered gently. "We’re here…and we’re not going anywhere…not ever again. We’ll always be here for you for the rest of your lives. There is no way that we will ever loose you again."

Tears filled Liz’s eyes as she marveled at the way Max held Alyssa, comforting her in such a fatherly manner. It was all so natural to him…while Liz wasn’t even sure how to react. She was so happy, so awestruck, she couldn’t even find the words to express all that she was feeling. But she couldn’t move, couldn’t speak…she couldn’t find the right way to tell her children how much she longed for this day, how much she loved them, missed them…and especially how sorry she was for abandoning them all of the years before. Guilt filled her heart at the way she and Max had just given them away…even knowing that a few days later, they would have been dead.

Still, Liz stood there in amazement, her gaze shifting back and forth between where Max and Alyssa stood embraced, and where Matt stood watching, as she was, a few feet away.

Liz could barely believe that this was happening to them. It was like a dream come true…for all of them.

The tremors surging through Alyssa finally began to slow, and Max reluctantly allowed her to slip from his arms, when immediately Liz surged forward to take his place, hugging her daughter warmly.

Liz’s mind raced as she held Alyssa close for the first time in this lifetime…and through it all one feeling became unquestionably clear.

It felt so right.

Ever since going through the memory retrieval, Liz found herself having moments where she was consumed with a sadness and longing for her lost children. Her first talk with Max was just one of many times where Liz had found herself wondering about them…if they were alive or out there somewhere…only to discover that they were right in front of her the entire time.

Suddenly Liz knew without doubt that even if Alyssa and Matt never admitted it, Liz would have known…she would have felt it in the way she reacted to them, so protectively. She would have felt it the first time they hugged like this, assuming their ever-building friendship grew that far. It would have been impossible for this to remain a secret for long.

Pulling away from Alyssa, Liz turned to Matt, squeezing him tightly in her arms, before returning to Max’s comforting arms, uncertain where this was all to lead.

The reunion over, Max knew it was time to get to the serious discussion, so he said the first thought that overtook him, as he remembered the last time he had seen Matt and Alyssa, when they were tiny little newborns, crying in his arms.

"I just want you both to know that giving you up was the hardest decision Liz and I ever had to make." Max cried in frustration.

"We wanted you so badly." Liz agreed. "But the danger was so great…you were targets. We had to keep you away from us."

"I’m so sorry that we were never there for you." Max sighed sadly.

"You were." Matt whispered gently, attempting to ease his parents concerns. "Maybe not physically, but your spirits were always with us as we grew up…thanks to the rebellion, and their loyalty to you, and their stories about your rule. It was the best place for us to be, if we couldn’t be with you."

"And then when word came through that your pods had hatched, it thrilled us to know that you were out there somewhere, and that someday we may finally get to be together." Alyssa added in.

"Since that day, it was always our goal to be by your side…somehow, in any way possible." Matt responded. "That’s why we volunteered for this mission. It was an opportunity to finally be with you."

"Thank you." Liz cried, her voice hoarse with emotion. "For taking that chance and giving us this opportunity. It means the world to us both." Liz squeezed Max’s hand, knowing that he felt the same way…they were so completely in tune with each other.

"I don’t know what to call you anymore." Alyssa chuckled nervously. "Are you Liz? Are you Mom?"

Max spoke up, always the leader, taking charge of the situation.

"I think you’d probably better stick to Liz and Max. At least as long as we’re here on earth. It will seem way too suspicious if someone catches us in public, since we all look to be about the same age here."

Matt and Alyssa both nodded in agreement.

"Age." Liz suddenly whispered. "God, you guys are about 60, aren’t you?" Matt nodded in confirmation. "60 years without parents…" Liz mumbled, shaking her head sadly. "I haven’t even been alive half that in this life."

"No…" Matt agreed. "But you have the experiences of two lifetimes. That’s something that Alyssa and I could never have."

"You guys ready for us yet?" Michael popped his head back into the room, interrupting the family moment. After a few exchanged glances, Max nodded, and everyone filed back into the room, staring expectantly at Max and Liz, waiting for an explanation.

Taking a deep breath, Max let the story come flowing out of him.

"In our past life, Liz and I had children…two of them, a boy and a girl. We never got a chance to know them, because they were born right in the middle of the conflict that we died in. It turns out…Matt and Alyssa are our children."