Once Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza

Part 50

 

Laying her head down on his chest, Isabelle tried hard to get into the film they were watching.  It was ‘Save the Last Dance’, and had all the right requisites for a film she normally enjoyed after a hard day at work.  It was a happy girlie flick, where the heroine overcomes personal difficulties to succeed with the help of the best looking guy in school.

 

Normally she’d be engrossed, but not this night.  She felt restless and fidgety; like there was something else she should be doing instead of relaxing.  The fact that the follow day was the start of the trial she and Max were involved in was weighing heavily on her mind.  Inside her head, she knew she needed something to make her forget about the events of the next day.

 

Alex’s arm moving to drape across her body brought Isabelle out of her daze and back to reality. 

 

“You ok babe?”  He queried softly, sensing her restiveness.

“Yeah, I guess I just can’t get into this film right now.”  She responded honestly.

“We don’t have to watch it then ……. what else would you prefer to do?”  He questioned. 

“I don’t know.”  She replied, looking up into his deep brown eyes.

 

His eyes were dancing around under the mellow hue of a nearby lamp.  His tousled hair and a soft smile spread across his face made him look even more handsome.  Out of his eyes poured the immeasurable love he felt for Isabelle, and how he’d do absolutely anything to make her happy. 

 

She loved him with all her heart too, but for Isabelle the weight of his adoration for her was sometimes overwhelming.  She knew how strongly he felt, and sometimes she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to return such enormous feelings.  Sometimes to her it felt like she was drowning under the shower of love he always gave her when she was around.

 

They’d been together for a while now, but never actually consummated their relationship.  At first it was Alex who had wanted to wait, and then her, both knowing they wanted their first time together to be special. 

 

Placing her hands gently on his chest, Isabelle pushed herself up so that she could look directly into his eyes.  Pausing for a moment, she dipped her head and gently kissed his soft lips. 

 

Wrapping his arms around her trim body, Alex pulled her close so that he could deepen the already intense kiss.  Running his tongue along her velvet lips, Alex paused for a moment before subconsciously asking for entry.  Eagerly obliging, she felt his tongue slip inside, and instantly felt her head start to spin. 

 

Caressing and stroking the insides of her soft mouth, Alex sought out Isabelle’s tongue to start an unwinnable duel. 

 

It was just a simple kiss, but it was doing an excellent job of heating her body up.  Her skin felt prickly to the touch, her heartbeat and breathing accelerating, her head very light. 

 

It still amazed her how quickly her body would react to Alex’s kisses.  She’d never experienced it before with previous boyfriends.  Normally she’d instigate moves, controlling her body, but with Alex it was different.  Isabelle reasoned that it was because she deeply cared for Alex, it wasn’t something shallow like with her other acquaintances.

 

Pulling her black lycra top from the confinements of her jeans, Alex slipped his hand under the material and laid it gently on her soft creamy skin.  It was like nothing he’d felt before, her body was so amazing to touch, so velvet like. 

 

Slipping the other hand from her side, he moved it to the back of her head.  With much ease, he took hold of the clip securing her hair, and gently opened it, allowing her long blond curls to cascade down her back. 

 

Sighing into the kiss, he scooped up some of the mass and gently caressed it in his fingers.  It was like touching silk to him, like the purest water, the softest sand, her hair was so beautiful.

 

Prising her lips away from his, Isabelle bent her head down to kiss the part of Alex’s chest exposed by the V-neck of his shirt.  After a few moments though, this wasn’t enough for her.  Swiftly, she ripped his top from the waistband of his trousers, and pulled it up and over his head. 

 

The sight in front of her made her head giddy once more.  He was perfect ….. no …..  he was more than perfect.  Ripping muscles defined his upper body along with a few hairs for presentation.  Snaking out her hand, she danced her fingers gently over his stomach, watching him suck in air under her touch.   

 

Needing and wanting more, he pulled her back so that he could attack her lips once again.  After a long sensual kiss, he finally broke contact with his girlfriend.

 

“Perhaps we should take this upstairs?”  He suggested softly, looking in her eyes.  “Parents are due back at some point tonight, and I don’t think they’d appreciate a floor show.”  He added with a cheeky grin.

“Ok.”  She replied, smiling at his light humour.

 

Taking her hand, Alex slowly led them up the grand staircase and along the corridor to his room.  After closing the door, he turned to face her once more.  Stepping close, he rested his hands on her hips before stealing another kiss.

 

His hands weren’t idle either, slipping under her top and slowly edging it up her body.  Lifting her arms up, Isabelle allowed Alex to pull it off her and fall gently to the floor in a pile.

 

Standing back for a moment, he took in the sight of Isabelle in front of him.  They’d never gone this far before, touching yes, but not seeing.  And to him her bust was even more glorious than in his dreams. 

 

Gently pushing her back towards his bed, he carefully laid her out before unclipping her bra.  Stretching out a shaky hand, Alex slowly allowed his fingers to cup her exposed breast.  A soft moan gently passed her red lips, indicating his touch was magic.

 

Bending his head, Alex connected once more with her sweet lips, all the while continuing to caress her body.  She was so beautiful to him, like a goddess sent down from heaven just for him.  To have her laying on his bed, semi naked was like all his fantasies coming true.  Just the mere thought made his stomach flip and his body react violently. 

 

Allowing his fingers to wander, Alex rested them on her exposed stomach for a moment, before reaching for her jeans button.

 

Her head was spinning …… literally spinning.  His touch was mesmerising, the effect on her body extremely profound.  But it was too much for her to cope with at that moment.  She felt like she was falling, careering off a cliff with no safety net.  She couldn’t shake the feeling of panic at not being in control of the situation. 

 

However much she enjoyed the feelings Alex was conjuring up, she couldn’t deny she was scared.  She’d let a lot of inhibitions fall by the wayside when she started dating Alex, but the control part was one she just couldn’t overcome.

 

Ragged breaths were sucked into her lungs in an attempt to calm her racing body.  Things were spiralling quickly out of control, and she could feel the rise of panic starting in her stomach.  She loved Alex with all her heart, but things were still moving way too fast for her.  She still needed time to adjust to the new her, time to accept how wonderful Alex could make her feel.

 

Unable to take any more of the pressure building up inside her, Isabelle gently pushed Alex’s hand away and sprung upright.

 

 

Completely shocked by her actions, Alex paused for a moment before sitting upright beside her.  Isabelle’s head was dipped, turned away from him so that he couldn’t see into her eyes.  He knew something was wrong though, even without looking into her soul. 

 

“What is it?”  He asked softly, resting a hand on her exposed shoulder.

“Nothing.”  She lied.

“Isabelle …….. lying isn’t your strong point.”  He said firmly.  “What is it babe?  Did I do something wrong?”  He asked, afraid he’d hurt her somehow.  May be he’d gone too fast, or his actions not what she liked.  A thousand thoughts ran through her head as he tried to rationalise why she’d pulled away.

 

“No!  No, it’s not you ….. it’s me.”  She replied insistantly.

“Then talk to me about it, please.”  He pleaded.

 

When he got no response from her, Alex gently slipped his finger under her chin and carefully turned her head so that he could see her face once more.  Her cheeks were flushed with arousal, her lips red from his kissing, but in her eyes he saw …….. fear. 

 

“What are you scared of?”  He queried.

“I’m …….. I’m just overwhelmed by ……. by everything you make me feel.”  She admitted, her voice wavering with emotion. 

 

“Then why didn’t you say something Isabelle?”  He questioned firmly. 

 

He wasn’t mad at her for wanting to stop, only mad that she’d pulled away and not told him she was scared.  He could full appreciate how she felt, they were feelings mirrored exactly in his body, but it didn’t scare him, only made him more excited. 

 

“Because …… because I didn’t want you to think I don’t want you?”  She stumbled.

“I would never think that.”  He replied, feeling a wash of relief flood over him.  It wasn’t him; she was just scared, he could most certainly relate to that.

 

Throwing her a look of pure love, Alex smiled softly before pulling her into his arms and leaning back so they lay out on his bed.  Kissing the top of her head, he encouraged her to rest it gently on his bare chest.

 

“I’m sorry Alex ……. for leading you on.  I did ……… I did want it at first ……. I just …….. wasn’t ready for everything I’m feeling right now.”  She admitted hesitantly.

“Shhhh.  No apology needed Is.  You have the right to stop us whenever you want.”

“Thank you for understanding.”  She replied quietly.

 

“Promise me Isabelle that you’ll never be scared to talk to me, please.”  He insisted.  “I will never, ever make you do anything you’re not ready for.  I love you babe, I never want to hurt you.”  He added, watching Isabelle turn her head up towards his.

“Thank you.”  She whispered softly.

“And we can take things as slowly as you like, there is no pressure whatsoever.  I love you Is, I’ll wait for as long as it takes for you to be comfortable with us.”  He said sincerely.

“You’re too good to me.”  She replied.

“And you’re too good to me, so I guess that makes us even.”  He replied smiling at her.

 

Kissing him gently, Isabelle returned her head to the comfortable pillow that was Alex’s chest.  Inside she felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.  He now knew exactly how she felt, and his response couldn’t have been more perfect.

 

The love she already felt for Alex was magnified more than 100 times over at that moment.

 

Closing her eyes, she slowly slipped into a deep sleep.  Lying on Alex’s bed with his strong arms wrapped protectively around her, Isabelle felt happy once again.

 

 

“You do realise I’m going to have to go home at some point tomorrow.”  Michael told her.

 

They were at Maria’s apartment, in her bathroom to be more precise.  The bath was filled to the brim with hot water and soft foaming bubbles, encasing the naked forms of Maria and Michael.

 

“Why?”  She queried, not opening her eyes.  She was in heaven at that very moment.  Michael was laid out along the whole length of the bath with Maria nestled between his legs, her head and body resting back against his chest.

 

“Because if I don’t I won’t have any clean clothes to wear.”  He replied, kissing and nibbling at her exposed neck.

 

He hadn’t been back to his house in nearly a week, Maria’s apartment becoming more and more like his home.  They were inseparable at work and at home, but neither were complaining.  Their relationship was going from strength to strength, both struggling to remember life without the other.

 

“And that’s a problem?”  She queried, allowing the bubbles to circle around her.

“Yes ……… unless you want me to start smelling.”  He countered, stretching his hands around to stroke her bare breasts under the water.

“Mmmm …….. as long as you’re here with me, you can do whatever you want to.”  She replied dreamily, floating in the water under his expert touch.

 

“And what is it you want me to do?”  He said huskily, nibbling at her ear as he spoke.

 

Her eyes shot open quickly, surprised at the sexy, aroused tone to his voice.  Recovering swiftly though, she paused for a moment before prising one of his hands from her upper body.

 

Bringing his sprayed fingers to her lips and kissing them, she trailed it down her body, past her stomach, to rest just below.

 

“That’s what I want you to do.”  She said seductively, feeling his fingers flex softly against her aching body.

 

Melting eagerly into his touch, Maria was powerless to stop a moan from being emitted from her lips.  His touch was exquisite, the perfect pleasurable pain.

 

Although it was simply wonderful, his touch wasn’t enough.  The insistent throbbing burning into her back was what she needed and craved.

 

Pushing his hand away, Maria rolled over so that she laid along the length his body.

 

Swiftly leaning forward, she fused her lips to his in a fiercely passionate kiss.  His hands slipped around her sides to caress her cute bottom.

 

Grinding her body into his, Maria made it quite clear what she wanted.  Pushing up on her forearm, she snaked a hand between then to capture and caress her man.

 

Throwing his head back, Michael tried to keep control as Maria did her best to burst it.  Deep breath after deep breath was sucked into his lungs until he could take no more.

 

Allowing a low growl to pass between his lips,  Michael pulled her head close to take her lips, mimicking how he intended to take her body very shortly.

 

Slipping his hands to her hips, he raised her body up slightly, before bringing it straight back down on him.

 

Sighs and moans filled the steamy bathroom as they joined as one.  The hot water sloshed around them as Maria sat up and started the torturous rhythm. 

 

Placing his hands back to her hips, he helped to up the pace, know it was what they both craved for.

 

The bubbles and water spilled out and cascaded over the blue rug on the floor, but neither noticed as they reached their peaks together.  Wave after wave of wonderful feelings hit them, until Maria fell forward into Michael’s welcoming grasp.

 

“You’re gonna be the death of me one of these days Maria DeLuca!”  Michael mumbled, struggling to keep his eyes open as waves of sleep washed over his body.

 

“Yeah ……… but what a way to go.”  She replied dreamily.

   

 

Part 51

 

Knocking gently on her son’s door, Samantha Whitman softly turned the knob and pushed it open.  It was getting late, a little after 8.00am, and she was concerned Alex hadn’t got up for work.  Normally he was down for breakfast way before 8.00am, but not this morning.  A niggling feeling in the back of her mind made her check that everything was ok.

 

Stepping into the room, Samantha resisted the urge to call her son’s name, since the room was silent.  Normally Alex had his radio on in the mornings to help him dig himself out from under the duvet and face the world, but not this morning.

 

Looking towards his bed, Samantha swiftly moved her hands to cover her mouth, to silence the gasp escaping from her lips.

 

Lying on top of the bed was her son, and his girlfriend.  Granted they were both still dressed from the waist down, but she was still shocked.  Alex had never allowed any woman to stay over with him, let alone share his bed; this was most certainly a first. 

 

Watching the protectiveness of Alex’s arms around Isabelle, Samantha couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.  His arms were wrapped tightly around his girlfriend and his legs entwined with hers.  Isabelle was lying on her side in his embrace, her head on his bare chest, her hand on his shoulder and her leg thrown over his lower body.  It was an embrace that screamed intimacy to any onlooker. 

 

Quietly tiptoeing back out of the room, Samantha shut the door gently.  She was still reeling slightly from the shock, but as she walked downstairs a smile slowly spread across her face. 

 

Although she was slightly upset Alex had allowed a young woman to stay over without telling his parents, she was secretly somewhat pleased too.  Something told Samantha her son had idolised Isabelle Evans for a very long time, but the young lady had taken time to realise.  Seeing her lying peacefully in Alex’s arms signalled to Samantha that Isabelle had finally let him in.

 

Seeing her son happy was most certainly Samantha’s prime goal, and she was sure the beautiful blond laying in his bed would do that.

 

 

Stepping into the office with Liz, Max was surprised how quiet it was.  Apart from Michael and Maria, no one else was anywhere to be seen.

 

“Hi guys …….. Is Isabelle around?”  He queried with his friends.

 

It was their first day in court and they were due at the courthouse in an hour.  Before big cases Isabelle normally came in extra early to double-check everything.  He couldn’t help but worry something was wrong.

 

“Nope, haven’t seen her Max.”  Michael responded as Maria also nodded her head.

“Mmm, I wonder where she is then.”  Max said to no one in particular.

 

Heading into his office, the first thing Max did was reach for the phone.  Flipping through his card roll, he dug out Isabelle’s cell phone number and punched it into the phone.

 

Listening to it ringing for a moment, Max then heard it pick up.

“Hello?”  A groggy voice said.

“Is?  It’s Max.”  He stated.

“Max? ……….. Oh my god!  What time is it?”  She suddenly exclaimed down the phone receiver.

“It’s 8.50am, where are you?”  He queried.

“I’m at Alex’s, I guess I overslept ……. I’m really sorry Max.”  She apologised, thinking about the case they were due to try that day.

“Don’t sweat it Isabelle.  Look, take your time and meet me at the courthouse at 9.45am.”  Max told her.

“Ok ……… and thanks Max.”  She added before clicking off the phone.

 

“Of all the days to oversleep!”  Isabelle grumbled, jumping from the bed.

“Is …….. calm down ……..”  Alex started.

“Calm down?  How can I calm down?  This is a huge corporate case we’re talking about Alex.  And I chose today of all days to oversleep!”

“Ok, you go and have a shower and I’ll round up some breakfast.”  Alex suggested, trying to calm her.

“Ok.”  She conceded before heading towards Alex’s bathroom.

 

Bouncing down the grand staircase, Alex headed towards the kitchen.  Rounding the corner, he nearly walked smack into his mother.

 

“Mum!”  He exclaimed, bracing his hands on her shoulders to keep the woman upright.

“Oh ….. you’re awake.”  She replied.

“Yeah …… I guess I slept in ……. Alarm clock didn’t go off.” He told her simply, taking two bowls from the cupboard.  What else could he tell her, he’d had the best night’s sleep of his life because Isabelle had slept in his arms?  No, that wouldn’t go down too well.

 

“Your alarm clock huh? ……….. and I suppose it had nothing to do with the young lady who shared your bed last night?”  Samantha suggested calmly.

“What?!”  Alex exclaimed, dropping the box of cereal and causing the contents to spurt out over the counter top. 

 

“I came in to see if you were ok, since you weren’t up.”

“Oh!”

“Yes oh.”  She replied raising her eyebrows up at her son.  “Look Alex, I know you are 24 and free to do as you please, but just ……… just be careful.”  She told him.

“Yes mum.”  He said dutifully.

“I’m serious Alex ………… you and Isabelle are both young, just enjoy it ……… but don’t take risks.”  She said firmly.

“Relax mum ……….. we haven’t event slept together yet!”  He protested slightly.  It would have been ok if they’d actually done something the previous night, but it was all pretty much innocent.  Yet his mother was jumping to conclusions with her assumptions.

 

“Then it’s just a matter of time before you progress.  Anyone with eyes can see how perfect you two are together.”  Samantha said, smiling at her suddenly all grown up son.  “And I for one am so very happy for you Alex.  You are a wonderful person who deserves someone special to love ……. and I think you’ve found that someone in Isabelle.”  She said, tears forming in her eyes.

“I love you mum.”  He said simply, pulling her into an embrace.

 

“I think Isabelle is gonna wonder where her breakfast is if you keep this up.  Go, before you’re late for work.”  Samantha instructed.

“Ok …….. erm, can you not tell Isabelle you saw us in bed …….. I think that would just make her day even worse than it is already.”  Alex asked.

“Sure, I won’t say anything.”  She replied.

“Thanks.”  He added, grinning, before disappearing back upstairs.

 

 

By 11.00am, things had calmed down considerably around the office of Evans Associates.  Max had stopped pacing around and disappeared to the courthouse where he was meeting Isabelle, and Alex had graced the others with his presence and quick wit.  Everyone was in good spirits as they casually went about their daily tasks.

 

 

 

“…… anyway so I told him if he wanted to then that’s his choice.”  Maria rattled off at her friend.  “You ok Liz?”  She added.

“Yeah ……. Sorry, what were you saying?”  Liz queried, slightly distracted.  She didn’t feel right, something felt wrong.  She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was a dull ache in her body. 


“About Michael wanting to work late next week.”  Maria clarified, tilting her head and looking at her friend.
“Oh right.”  Liz replied, standing up.  Placing her hands to the small of her back, Liz subconsciously rubbed at the aching area on her body.

 

However much she tried to ignore it, the pain in her body was insistent.  Sitting down made the pain worse, so she stood up and walked over to the coffee machine.  As she filled the jug up with cold water from the tap, the pain suddenly intensified, shooting through her whole body like a lightening bolt, jarring every muscle and vein on its way. 

 

“Ahhh!”  She cried out, dropping the jug in the sink and allowing it to make a loud clattering noise as chrome hit chrome.

“Liz?”  Maria called out, looking up at where her friend was.  “You ok?”  She queried.

“No.”  Liz breathed raggedly, sinking to the floor. 

 

The pain was too much, it seared incessantly through her body, culminating in her stomach.  Lying down on the floor, she instinctively grasped her hands around her midriff to try and stem the pain. 

 

“Liz!”  Maria called out once more, this time beginning to panic.  It was obvious her friend was in serious trouble.

“Michael!  Alex!”  She yelled, as she rushed over to Liz.

 

“What’s going on?”  Michael asked, walking out of his office.

“Quick call an ambulance, something’s wrong with Liz!”  Maria yelled, as Alex rushed over to join her.

“It’s ok Liz, the ambulance will be here soon.”  Maria said, trying to keep her friend calm. 

 

In truth though, the words were also said to help keep her calm too.  Inside Maria was panicking, she didn’t know what was happening to Liz, or what was wrong, except the obvious, the girl was in serious pain.

 

 

Taking his papers from his briefcase, Max tided them in an orderly fashion so as to look efficient.  It was just after lunch, and he knew it was his time to interrogate the witness.  In his mind, he went over the questions to ask, and the way he wanted the lead the witness so as to obtain the right information.

 

“You ready?”  Isabelle said quietly.

“Yeah.”  Max replied, looking forward to his next assignment.  He didn’t often get the opportunity to get his teeth stuck into a good case since moving more into corporate law.  But this was a high profile case, more of a favour to an important client, and therefore both he and Isabelle were working on it.

“All rise.”  The court clerk boomed out, signalling the judge was entering the courtroom.

 

“I believe the witness is yours Mr Evans.”  Judge Jacobs informed him, as everyone sat down.  Standing up and clearing his throat, Max started his examination of the witness.

“Miss Jones, can you please recall for the court the events that bring you here today.”  Max started.

 

Listening intently, he nodded his head and smiled softly at the witness so as to put her at ease while she recounted the events.

 

As he asked his next question, Max heard the large wooden doors of the courtroom swing open with a squeak.  Trying to concentrate solely on his job, Max proceeded with his line of questioning.

 

“And so Miss Jones, can you please tell the court how you came to that conclusion?”  Max continued.

“Well ………….”  She started, visibly distracted by what was unravelling behind Max.

“Miss Jones?”  Max added, ignoring the footsteps echoing around the courtroom.

“I ……… erm ………….”  She continued.

 

Giving in to temptation and eager to glare angrily at the person distracting his witness, he turned round and was very surprised to see Alex whispering something to Isabelle. 

 

Still trying to concentrate on the witness, Max pressed her for an answer.

“Please continue Miss Jones.” 

“Ok, well I guess it was when …………”  She continued, before she was abruptly interrupted.

 

“Excuse me, your Honour.”  Isabelle cut in firmly as she stood up.

“”Yes?”
“May I have a few minutes with my colleague?”  She asked

“Now Miss Evans?”  The judge queried, obviously agitated by her request. 

“Yes your Honour, it’s very important.”  Isabelle stressed

“Ok, we will adjourn for a ten minute recess then.”  The judge pronounced, before banging his gravel down. 

 

“Isabelle?  What the hell are you doing?  I was just getting started there.”  Max said, slightly angry, as he approached his sister and friend.

“Max ……… it’s Liz.”  Isabelle replied simply, ignoring her brother’s protests.

“What’s Liz?”  He asked
“Something’s wrong with her Max.”  Alex quantified.

“What do you mean?”  Max replied completely confused.
“She collapsed at work.  Maria went with her to the hospital.  I think you should go too.  She was in a pretty bad way.”  Alex clarified grimly.

 

“What!”  Max choked.

“You should go Max.”  Isabelle urged him.

“But ……… but what about the case ……… I can’t ……… you can’t ………”  Max stumbled, totally shell-shocked.  At that moment he felt like he’d been hit hard with a sledgehammer.

“Alex and I can handle this.  Just go Max ………. Liz needs you.”  Isabelle insisted, handing Max his jacket and pointing to the exit.

 

Not needing to be told twice, Max grabbed the jacket and pushed through the wooden gate.  Walking swiftly out of the courtroom, Max ran down the stone steps two at a time. 

 

By the time he reached his car, Max’s mind was racing.  He’d seen Liz barely a few hours earlier and she’d been fine, and now she was in hospital!

 

He drove on autopilot to the hospital, his mind occupied by more pressing things.  In his head ideas on what was wrong with his girlfriend flew around.  Alex had given very little away; Liz had collapsed, what the hell did that mean?  Was it just a bug?  Or was it something really serious? 

 

Then he remembered the flu bug Liz had been struck down by a couple of weeks earlier.  He’d been concerned about her sickness, that wasn’t a normal symptom of flu, yet the doctor had assured him she was fine.  Somehow though, Liz hadn’t been one hundred percent since then.  The trouble with Tess hadn’t helped either, she’d been upset and it had made her sick on more than one occasion.

 

Cursing himself for making Liz ill, Max abandoned his car in the hospital car park and dashed into the ER department.

 

 

“Hello sir, may I help you?”  The receptionist asked as Max approached the desk.

“My girlfriend was brought in.”  He blurted out.

“Ok, and what’s her name?”
“It’s Liz ……. Liz Parker.” 

“Erm ………. Liz?  There’s no Liz Parker here I’m afraid.  Are you sure she was brought to this hospital?”  The receptionist replied, scanning the list on her computer screen.

“It was definitely this hospital.”  Max insisted, becoming agitated.  He was in no mood to be messed about by some receptionist when Liz was in trouble.

 

“Oh wait ……… there is an Elizabeth Parker …………”

“That’s her!”  Max jumped in.
“Ok, I’ll show you to a private waiting room and the doctor will come and see you.”  She replied, before showing Max the way.

 

Opening the door, Max was greeted by a familiar face.

“Max!  Thank god you’re here.”  Maria cried, throwing her arms around her boss’s neck.

“It’s ok.”  He replied, trying to pacify her.  “What happened Maria?”  He added, needing to know how bad Liz was.  Nobody had told him anything except Liz had collapsed, and that wasn’t enough information for him.  Max had to know she was ok ……… before he went mad.

 

“She just collapsed Max.  One minute she was fine and the next she was in a heap on the floor.”
“I don’t understand, she just collapsed?”
“Yeah, she kept complaining of stomach pains while we waited for the ambulance.”
“Christ!  Have the doctors said anything?”
“No, no one has said anything since I got here.  Oh god she’s gonna be ok isn’t she Max?”  Maria cried, tears streaming down her face as she thought about her friend.

“She’s in the best place.”  Max replied, rubbing her back to try and soothe her fears.

 

Inside though, Max was struggling just as much as Maria.  He was scared, his mind drifting to places he didn’t want to as he thought about Liz.  He needed answers, he needed reassurance Liz was going to be ok, and above all he needed to know why she’d collapsed.

 

She was so precious to him, they’d been through so much together.  The whole Tess ‘incident’ had just served to strengthen their already strong relationship.  Just as things were looking up for them, this had to happen.

 

It had to be just a viral infection ……… or a bug …… or perhaps an appendicitis?  It couldn’t be something more life threatening could it?  He loved her so much; he couldn’t loose his Liz, his angel, his light at the end of a very dark tunnel.  She was so strong; she could pull through anything couldn’t she?  Liz was the strongest fighter he’d ever known ……… but was she strong enough?

 

The many thoughts flying through his head weight Max down so much as he stood in the middle of the private waiting room.

 

Blinking away tears of his own, Max tried to act positive and stay strong, Maria was literally falling apart in his arms, it wouldn’t do her good to see him cry too.  That would just confirm to Maria that he was scared ……….. really scared.

 

Rubbing his hand rhythmically along Maria’s back, he tried to soothe her fears, and make her feel better knowing he was there.

 

“Its ok ……… she’ll be ok.”  He whispered softly, trying to sound strong and convincing.

 

In his heart though, Max felt anything but strong.  The constant fear of loosing Liz drummed through his body.

 

A single, solitary tear slipped down his ashen face as he waited ……… and prayed that the beautiful angel who had captured his heart would pull through. 

 

 

TBC .......................?

 

 

 

 

Click here to jump to Parts 52 to 53

 

 

Click here to return to the story index page

 

If you liked this story, please let me know!  Just a few words of encouragement can go a long way!!!!

 

   

E-mail me at : Kaznstu@btinternet.com

 

Hit Counter