My Rosfic

Part 12

The wind blew through her blonde hair as she sat on the trampoline. The thing was pretty old, but still pretty strong. It would have to be after all the jumping Kyle, Maria, and Carly had done on it.

Maria pulled her knees up to her chest and stared into space, a thousand things running through her mind. Where was Carly? Was she dead or alive? Who took her? Why was she having these horrible nightmares? Who was the blonde man in her dream? Who were the other people? What was her family hiding from her? How did her shirt and license get into Carly’s car? Why was she seeing Carly? Was she crazy? Her mind was a whirlwind of memories and thoughts. Nothing was making sense to her. It was just a blur.

Maria looked towards the house and saw a small brunette walking toward the trampoline. She had a sad look on her face as she approached Maria. Her long hair was down, and she wore a simple tank top with Capri pants. Liz Parker, Maria’s best childhood friend.

"Hey, Maria," Liz said, climbing on the trampoline and sitting next to her.

"Hey, Liz," Maria said.

"How ya doing? Isabel told Max and me about what’s going on."

Maria nodded her head. "Yeah… I’m ok. I’m going to the doctor tomorrow."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Liz asked.

Maria smiled at her. "Would you? Michael starts his job tomorrow, Tess can’t get off work and my mom’s going but…"

"I would be happy to." Liz reached over and hugged Maria. "We’ve been friends forever and I know we grew apart but, if you need anything Maria, please… I’m here for you."

"Thank you. I’m just… I’m really scared. What if I’m crazy? What if they want to lock me in some padded room?"

"You aren’t crazy Maria… well you are a tad bit crazy," Liz added with a grin.

Maria laughed a little. "Well yeah, just a little."

Liz’s face went back to a serious look. "But really, I’m here if you need anything."

"Thanks Lizzie, I really appreciate it," Maria told her.

"So…," Liz started. "Tell me about you and Michael. I need all the details!" The girls laughed and Maria started telling Liz everything that had happened with her and Michael. As she and Liz talked and laughed, Maria felt herself really smile for the first time in a long time. The only other time she had been so happy was when she was with Michael. She was happy to have this time with Liz because she had a feeling bad times were coming, and she wanted to enjoy the good times while they lasted.

* * *

"Hey, Courtney," Michael said, standing outside her cell. He wanted to see how she was while he was at the station.

"Hi," she said, not bothering to get up from the cot where she was lying, staring at the ceiling.

"How are you?" Michael asked.

"Just fucking peachy," Courtney snapped.

‘O…K…," Michael said. She was obviously still pretty pissed at him. Though he didn’t blame her. He had been a jackass to her.

"Was there something you wanted?" she asked, still not looking at him.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok," he told her.

"I’ll be better once I get the hell out of here." She finally took her eyes off the ceiling and looked at him. "I’m scared," she admitted.

"I know. I’m sorry," he told her sympathetically.

"I didn’t do it," she said, sitting up.

"I know. They’ll figure it out and you’ll be out of here in no time," he assured her.

Courtney shook her head. "No, they haven’t found her yet. It’s been over a week; they should have found her by now."

"I know," Michael said. Courtney was hitting base on his own fears. "We just have to keep hoping."

"I am. The sooner she’s found, the sooner I get out of here."

"Yeah…," Michael said. "Well I should…"

"Go," she said, cutting him off. "I’m sure you and Maria have big plans."

"Maria’s sick," Michael told her, in a snotty voice. "Something’s wrong with her and no one knows what it is. We don’t have big plans. We usually sit around while she freaks out and cries because she sees her sister, who isn’t there. She’s really fucked up right now. So don’t presume to think that Maria’s in a better situation than you are!"

Courtney’s face softened a bit. "She’s really that bad?" she asked, almost as if she cared.

"Yeah…," Michael said. "She’s really scared, too."

"I had no idea."

"Well, I have to go. I’ll come back and check on you when I get the chance," Michael told his ex.

"Ok, bye Michael." Michael turned to leave when Courtney called him back.

"Michael!" He turned around and looked at her. "Tell Maria that I hope she feels better and that I‘m sorry about what I said about Carly."

Michael nodded. "I will, thanks."

* * *

There was so much blood. It was splattered on the wall and Maria didn’t comprehend what was happening. She started crying and screaming. The little boy that she didn’t recognize pulled her out of the room and dialed 911.

"Someone help me!" he cried into the phone. "My mom is hurt."
Maria cried and clutched the teddy bear to her chest, gripping it for dear life, but her arm hurt as she did. She looked down and saw the sling holding her arm in place.

* * *

Maria played in the backyard with Kyle. Amy and Jim watched from the screened-in porch with Carly in a small bassinette. "Maria honey, be careful," Amy called, as Maria jumped on the trampoline.

"Watch this Mommy!" Maria cried in glee. She jumped really high and tried to flip in the air. She landed on the springs, her arm lodged under her body. She felt the heat from the pain surge through her arm. "Mommy!" she screamed. Amy and Jim ran from the porch and picked her up. "My arm!" she cried.

Jim looked at her arm. "We need to take her to the hospital. I think it’s broken," Jim told Amy. Maria screamed in pain as her father carried her to the car. Amy followed with Carly in her arms and Kyle bringing up the rear.

* * *

"I want to go play with Liz and Alex, too!" Maria whined. Her arm hurt really bad and she had been confined to her bed for the past two days. She just wanted to play with her friends.

"Maria honey, you just broke your arm. You need some rest."

Maria stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. "I want to play!"

"No," Amy said sternly. "Now watch some TV. I’ll have Rosa bring you up some lunch."

Maria looked out her window and saw Kyle playing the backyard with Alex and Liz. She wanted to play too, but she couldn’t.

* * *

She was back in the hallway, this time as her 22-year-old self. "What’s going on?" Maria said aloud, to no one in particular.

"You’re remembering," Carly said, coming into view. "You’ve almost got it, Maria. Who’s the little boy?"

"I don’t know," Maria said, shaking her head.

"Yes… you do," Carly disappeared.

* * *

Maria awoke and sat up, turning on the bedside light. She yanked open the drawer on her bed stand and pulled out a pen and notebook.

"What are you doing?" Michael asked groggily.

Maria turned to him and smiled. "I remember."

Part 13

"So you remember breaking your arm?" Liz asked as she and Maria sat in the waiting room with Amy.

"Yeah," Maria smiled at her friend. "I’ve never remembered that, and last night I dreamed about it and it’s a clear picture now."

"That’s great," Liz exclaimed.

"I had the story right, right Mom?" Maria asked her.

Amy looked distracted. "Yeah, honey," she mumbled.

Maria shook her head at her mother’s disinterest and turned back to Liz. "So anyway, Michael was pretty mad that I woke him up at 3 in the morning. I hope he’s not too tired at work today. It’s his first day."

"That’s what Max said. Max is going over there today to talk to him about our house," Liz said, smiling.

"I’m so excited about you and Max getting married. And Tess and Kyle are getting married. I wonder if Michael and I will get married," Maria said, tilting her head and imagining marrying Michael.

"I’m sure you will," Liz said, laughing. "Wow Maria, you are in such a good mood today. The complete opposite from how I found you yesterday."

"I know!" Maria exclaimed. "I just feel like I’m breaking through on something, like I’m figuring it out."

"Maria Valenti?" a nurse said from the doorway.

Maria looked nervously at Liz and then her mother. "Well, here I go," she said. She got up and walked with the nurse towards the back.

* * *

"Mr. Guerin, I’m extremely impressed with the portfolio you have here. I knew when I hired you that you had talent, but I never realized how much," Mr. Edward told him.

Michael sat in the chair, all dressed up in his business suit with his hands crossed in his lap. He looked very professional. "Thank you, sir," he said, shifting a little.

"I want you to get to work immediately on getting models of these built," the older gentleman told him.

Michael felt an immense pride start rising up. His new boss was the owner of the most prestigious architecture firm in this part of New Mexico. "Yes sir," Michael said, standing up. "I just have a client in my office and then I’ll get on that."

"A client? Already?" he asked.

"My best friend Max wants me to design his house," Michael told his boss. "That’s ok right?"

"Yes, perfectly acceptable. You’ve got real talent kid. You’re going places." Mr. Edward smiled and Michael left the office happy.

* * *

"You aren’t really here," Maria told Carly’s reflection as she stepped out of the shower. She wrapped her towel tightly around her and tried to ignore the image of her sister.

"You’re right," Carly said. "I’m just a figment of your imagination. You created me to help you figure out what’s going on in your life. The only problem is that it backfired. Now you’re slowly driving yourself insane." Carly smirked.

"Go to hell," Maria snapped, leaving the bathroom. Slipping the towel off and letting it fall to the floor, she grabbed her robe and slipped it on. She tied it tight and headed back into the bathroom to brush her hair.

"I’m already there," Carly said. "I’m being tortured and you won’t even get over yourself for like 5 seconds to realize that you know who took me. You just refuse to remember. You’ve always been selfish like that. Repressing memories so you didn’t have to deal with things. Mom and Dad always wanted to protect you; it’s ridiculous."

"You aren’t real," Maria said calmly. "You aren’t real." She walked back into the bedroom and reached down to get her towel. She bit her bottom lip; it wasn’t there. She stood up and saw it sitting on her bed. She shrugged, and carried it into the bathroom.

"It’s you he wants," Carly whispered into her ear. "He’s coming."


Maria felt a chill run up her spine. "Who?" she whispered.

"You know." Maria looked behind her, but Carly was already gone. She rolled her eyes and started breathing deeply. It was just her imagination. No one was after her. She was fine.

* * *

"Michael!" Maria called when she heard the front door open.

"Maria?" Michael asked. He walked into the living room and saw her sitting on the couch, reading a book on the window seat. The setting sun and a flashlight she had sitting next to her were her only light. "What are you doing here?"

She stuck out her lower lip. "Nice to see you, too."

He sat down next to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I didn’t mean it that way," he said.

She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. "What happened to your electricity?" she asked.

"Oh, I uh… I blew a fuse," he lied, trying not to look her in the eyes. He didn’t want her to know that he had been so busy with her, he hadn’t gotten around to paying the electric bill.

"And it took out the power in your whole house?" she asked with a smirk.

"Big fuse." He put his arms around her and pulled her into his lap, kissing her deeply. She straddled him and entangled her fingers in his hair.

"Hmmm…," she said softly into his mouth.

"What?" he asked, pulling away.

"Well, we’ve had sex on the kitchen table, your bed… how about in the bathroom?" she asked.

Michael laughed. "You’re crazy." She kissed him again and he pushed her away gently. "Speaking of… what did the doctor say?" he asked.

She glared at him. "Speaking of me being crazy?" she asked.

"Maria…," Michael warned. "You know what I mean."

She pursed her lips. "Anyway, they did some fun tests and poked me with needles and examined my brain. They said they’d call in a few days with the results," she told him.

"And… have you seen her since?"

Maria nodded. "I took a shower after my doctor’s appointment and I saw her."

Michael pouted. "You took a shower without me?"

Maria laughed and shook her head. "Now who’s crazy?"

"Only about you," he told her, running a hand through her hair. She smiled at him and sighed pleasantly, resting her body on top of his.

"I love you," she told him.

"I love you, too," he said. He looked down at her and grinned mischievously. "Ready for another shower?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Guerin?"

He kissed her lips gently. "Always," he said.

She got up and grabbed his hand. "Come on, let’s go!"

* * *

They slept peacefully, entangled in each other. His arms were wrapped around her and she rested her head on his chest. They fit together perfectly, like a puzzle. Their sleep was interrupted by the loud ringing of the phone. Michael groaned and reached for it. Maria moved a little and woke up, too.

"Hello?" Michael snapped into the phone. He was tired.

"Michael Guerin? This is Deputy Hansen down at the Sheriff’s department. I need you to come down here. There’s something wrong with Courtney. She’s asking for you. Something about the baby."

Michael sat up in bed. "Is she ok?" he asked urgently.

"What’s going on?" Maria asked groggily.

"I’ll be right there." Michael hung up the phone and looked at his alarm clock. It was only 11:00. They had fallen asleep early. "Something’s wrong with Courtney. I have to go down to the station."

Maria let out a whine. "Fine."

"Get dressed." Michael stood up, pulled on his jeans, and slipped a t-shirt over his head. "I’ll take you home."

She shook her head. "I have my car. You go, I’ll just get dressed and get myself home," she told him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, obviously concerned for her.

"Yes Michael, I’m a big girl."

He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow after work."

She nodded. "Love you, too." He headed out of the room and a few seconds later, she heard the front door slam. She got up and quickly put her clothes on. She was exhausted. She grabbed her purse off the table and locked the door behind her. She rummaged through her purse, grabbing her keys and unlocked her car door.

"Damn," she cursed. She had left her book and she really wanted to finish it. She started back towards the house when her cell phone rang. "Hello?" she said. It was Billy… again.

"Hey, Maria. Whatcha doing?" he asked.

"Billy…" She felt a chill go up her spine and she looked around. It was silent except for the wind blowing and the crickets chirping. "What do you want?" she asked.

She dropped her keys and reached to pick them up. She stood up and finished the walk to the door. She went to stick the key in the lock when Billy’s southern accent flooded her ears, sending waves of panic throughout her body. "I thought you knew, darling. It’s you I want."

Part 14

"Hey Jim," Michael said, walking into his office.

"Michael, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Jim asked. "I was just about to leave."

"Hansen called and told me to get in here. Something about Courtney," Michael told Jim.

Jim looked at him, confused. "Hansen hasn’t been here all day. His daughter is sick and he had to stay home."

Michael’s face dropped as fear and confusion washed over him. "Then who called me?"

Jim shrugged. "I don’t know, but I just checked on Courtney and she’s fine."

Michael swallowed hard. "Hmmm." He spotted the file that he had found in the Valenti’s attic and for some reason he was drawn to it. He opened it and noticed something he hadn’t before. It was a newspaper article. He read it quickly and gasped at what he read. "Jim, look at this."

Jim looked at the words above Michael’s fingers. "Oh my God," Jim whispered.

"Jim… Maria… I left her alone at my house," Michael told him.

"Let’s go." Jim and Michael hurried from the station.

* * *

Maria’s cell phone hit the pavement and she felt herself become dizzy. She closed her eyes and felt a wave of memories flood her brain. "Oh God," she whispered, remembering.

[i]Her purse got kicked over in Billy’s apartment and she reached for her belongings. "Damn!" she cried. "I always lose things this way." Billy kneeled down and helped her pick everything up. "Have you seen my red halter top?" Maria asked when they were done. "I think I left it here the other night."

Billy opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again quickly. He shook his head. "No, sorry darling."[i]

"You finally figured it out," The familiar voice echoed throughout the quiet night.

She turned around slowly, facing her ex-boyfriend. "You took Carly and framed me?" Maria asked, nervously.

Billy nodded. "You got it."

"Why?" she cried.

"You know why," Billy told her, taking a step towards her.

"Stay away." Maria backed up towards the door, sticking the key in it behind her back, so he wouldn’t see.

"I can’t. I came for you, Maria. I had to get your stupid boy toy out of here so I called him and told him something was wrong with his other whore."

"You called Michael?" Maria asked, her eyes widening. She twisted the key in the lock and heard it click. Yes, she thought.

"I had to get you alone. He’s always with you. I needed you to understand."

"Understand what?" Maria cried. "That you’re an insane freak?" Billy took another step toward her and she twisted the door handle.

"Stay away," she yelled. She knew now was her only chance. She opened the door and flew inside; slamming it shut before Billy even knew what happened. She locked it and leaned against it.

"Maria!" He pounded on the door. "Let me in!" he screamed.

"Go to hell!" she yelled.

Maria heard a shattering sound and saw glass from the window flying everywhere. She ran as fast as she could to the living room. It was pitch black and Maria couldn’t see a thing. "Damn you, Michael and not having any power!" she whispered, keeping her voice down. She knew that though she was at a disadvantage with no light, so was Billy. They were on equal footing. She hid behind the curtains of a window and stayed remarkably still, holding her breath.

"Maria…," Billy said. "I’m coming to get you." His sing song voice was driving her insane.

"It’s too late now," Carly’s voice whispered in her ear. "He’s got you."

Maria bit her lip, ignoring Carly’s annoying voice in her mind. She heard a click and mentally cursed. The flashlight. She had left it on the window seat and he found it. The little ray of light bounced around the living room as Billy’s voice still called for Maria. It flashed by the windows, and she felt it stop on her. She tensed up, and when it moved, she let her body relax a little.

The flashlight clicked off and Maria felt a sense of relief. Maybe he’d go into the bedroom and she could make a run for it. All of a sudden she felt the curtain wrap around her tightly and strong arms lift her off the ground.

"You tried," Billy said. "But your little game of hide and seek wasn’t good enough."

"Help!" Maria screamed. "HELP!!!!!"

"Shut up!" Billy slammed her against the wall and took the curtain off her. He held the knife up to her throat and she bit her bottom lip. "Shut up," he said, more calm this time.

"What do you want from me? Just leave me alone," Maria pleaded.

"I think you know what I want."

"I really don’t!

"Maria, you are so fucking stupid. Would you just think about it? REMEMBER!" Billy said, raising his voice.

Maria was losing her patience. "God damnit! I’m so fucking tired of everyone telling me to remember! REMEMBER WHAT?" she screamed.

"Your father!" Billy yelled.

Maria stared at Billy in shock. "My father is Jim Valenti, what do I need to remember about him?"

Billy laughed. "Jim Valenti is not your father."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Maria snapped angrily.

"Think about it Maria. You are a blonde in a family full of brunettes. You look absolutely nothing like Jim Valenti. Haven’t you ever wondered why that is?"

Maria swallowed hard. "No, you’re lying."

Billy pulled a newspaper article out and held it in front of Maria’s face, the flashlight shining on it. "Read it," he demanded.

As Maria read her face contorted in horror and fear. "No, this can’t be true," she cried.

"Keep reading," Billy instructed.

Maria did as she was told and when she reached the end she snapped her head up and stared at Billy. "You’re the little boy! You’re the little boy in my dream!" she exclaimed.

"That’s right. My father died when I was two. When my mother met your father she fell in love with him. They were supposed to get married that summer. We were supposed to be a family: Me, you, Mom, and Dad. Instead your bastard father killed my mother, the only thing I had and then killed himself. I was left with nothing and thrown into foster care.”

“She was in the bathroom putting on some Pear Glace lotion that we got her for Christmas from Bath and Body Works. We were so excited about it. She loved it. She would put it on you all the time and you would be so excited about being a big girl. Anyway, she was in there getting ready to go out for the evening and he shot her and then shot himself. You found him, I found her. I called 911 and they took you away from me. I saw you at the funeral, but never again… until that one fateful day at Las Cruces University. I had finally found you. You didn‘t remember me, but that was ok. I knew we‘d still be a family."

"Please… what my father did has nothing to do with me," Maria told him, tears springing to her eyes.

"Your father was the wealthiest man in New Mexico, Maria. When he died, all that money went to your mother and you. My mother’s death was never avenged because your father killed himself and left me with nothing. Then you just went off to live the perfect life with your perfect suburbanized family." Billy took a deep breath and took a knife from the table. "That should have been my life!" he cried, swinging around the knife. "I was supposed to have the perfect life with the perfect parents. Your father took that from me."

Tears were streaming down Maria’s cheeks. "I’m sorry," she cried. "I’m sorry that my father ruined your life, but please don’t take it out on me. I thought you loved me, you wanted to marry me. Remember?" she asked.

"I do love you!" Billy screamed, enraged. He pushed the knife to Maria’s throat, enough to cause her discomfort but not enough to break the skin. "You turned me down and then went off with that cheater. That boy that was fucking the whole town! You took him back!"

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry," she sobbed. "Please, just let me go."

Billy laughed. "Of course you’re sorry now. I’m holding a knife to your throat. Your sister begged for her life, too."

Maria asked, surprised. "You killed my sister?" Maria cried.

"Maybe… maybe not," Billy said with a smirk.

"Let her go!" Maria’s eyes brightened to see her father and Michael standing behind Billy. Her father holding a gun pointed at him.

Billy grabbed Maria and turned her towards them holding the knife, ready to cut her throat at any minute. "Don’t shoot, or she’ll die."

"Billy, just let her go," Jim instructed. "You don’t want to do this."

"I don’t?" Billy asked. "I’m pretty sure I do. Maria is supposed to be my family. Not yours!" he screamed.

"Maria…," Michael said.

Hot, salty, tears were streaming down Maria’s cheeks. "Michael!" she cried.

"Billy, I’ll give you whatever you want, just please… don’t hurt Maria."

"Put your gun down," Billy ordered.

"Ok…" Jim lowered the gun.

"All the way down, on the ground."

Jim kneeled down and set the gun down. He rose slowly, holding his hands in the air. "It’s on the ground. Now just let me have Maria."

"Kick the gun to me," Billy told them. Jim kicked the gun to Billy and as he leaned down to pick it up, he lowered the knife from Maria’s neck. She took that opportunity to kick him, hard in the shin. He growled in pain and stumbled a little. Maria tried to get the gun, but as she reached for it she felt a burning sensation in her side and she fell on her stomach.

"Maria!" Michael yelled, but it didn’t register in her mind. All that her senses could process was the pain. She reached for her side and warm sticky blood appeared on her hands.

"My dream," she whispered, remembering how she had been killed the same way in her dream. She pushed the thoughts away and realized she was lying on the gun. With every ounce of strength and adrenaline she had, she grabbed the gun from underneath her, ignoring the agonizing pain her body was going through, and pointed it at Billy. He stopped dead in his tracks. She sat up and scooted back towards her dad and Michael. Billy didn’t move.

"Maria, give me the gun," Jim told her.

Her hands were shaking from fear and tears were streaming down her cheeks. "You tried to kill me!" she yelled at Billy. "I loved you and trusted you. How could you do this to me?"

"Maria…" Jim reached down and took the gun from Maria’s shaking hands. Jim held the gun up to Billy and he dropped the knife. "It’s over, Billy," Jim said.

He walked towards the boy and Billy surrendered. "I’m sorry Maria…," he cried. "I just wanted us to be a family."

Michael kneeled down by Maria and she looked up at him weakly, all her strength from the previous moment having disappeared. "I love you," she whispered. He held her in his arms and stroked her hair. "You’re going to be ok," he told her, his own tears starting to fall.

Her breathing was shallow and forced. "I don’t know," she told him.

"Deputy, I need back up and an ambulance at the Guerin residence. I’ve got one down," he said into his walkie talkie after Billy was properly restrained. Jim knelt by Maria and Michael, smiling at Maria. "Hey kiddo," he said. "You’re gonna be alright. I’ve got an ambulance on the way."

"I love you, Daddy," Maria choked out.

Tears sprung to Jim’s eyes. "I love you, too, Maria."

Part 15

Michael sat by Maria’s hospital bed and stared at her as she slept peacefully. He had come so close to losing her again. If he would have been 10 minutes later… she might have been gone.

"Is she still asleep?" Michael turned towards the door and saw Jim standing there.

"Yeah," he told him. "Carly?" Michael asked.

Jim nodded. "She was where Billy said she’d be. That old house that Maria’s dad… well she was there."

"Is she…?" Michael couldn‘t even say the word, but he wasn‘t sure if she was dead or alive.

"She was airlifted to the hospital. She’s malnourished and pretty bruised up, but she’ll be ok," Jim said, a small smile on his lips.

Michael let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. "Thank God."

"I’ll be back. I’m going to check on Amy and Carly," Jim told Michael.

"Mmmm," Maria moaned. Michael turned back to her to see her looking at him with sleepy eyes.

"Hey baby." He ran his hand across her forehead, pushing away the stray hairs so he could see her face. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Not good," she replied. He could see that she was feeling pain from her stab wound. "Carly…," she whispered.

"She’s fine. They found her, she‘ll be ok."

"Good." Maria’s voice was very weak and strained. "My side hurts," she complained.

"They had to do surgery and you have a lot of stitches, Babe."

"Make it go away," she whined. "I don’t like it."

Michael kissed her gently on the cheek. "I wish I could, but I can’t."

"You’re useless." Michael had to laugh. Even in a hospital bed with a huge gash in the side of her abdomen, Maria was a sarcastic brat.

"I love you," Michael said, kissing her on the lips.

"I love you, too," she told him.

Michael grabbed her hands and sighed. "I was so scared. When I saw him holding that knife to your throat and then when he stabbed you. God Maria, I was so afraid I’d never get to hold you again, kiss you, or make love to you. You fell asleep in my arms and I thought I lost you."

"I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me." She smiled slightly.

"Thank God," Michael said. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."

* * *

"Hey kiddo," Jim said, sitting down next to Maria. She had been in the hospital for two days and was already stir-crazy and ready to go home. The doctors wanted to keep her for a few more days, just to make sure there were no complications with her surgery or the stitches.

"Hi," Maria said, looking away from the TV.

"You doing ok?" he asked.

She nodded. "I’m pretty sore and really tired, but I’ll survive."

"Your mother and I want to talk to you about umm… your father." Jim swallowed hard, searching Maria’s face for some kind of indication of what she was thinking.

"And eventually we will need to do that," Maria agreed. She reached for Jim’s hands and squeezed them. "But as far as I’m concerned… you’re my dad and I love you."

Jim let a few stray tears fall from his eyes. "I love you, too, Maria. I love you so much." He leaned in and gently hugged her. "You are my child as much as Kyle and Carly are."

"I know." Maria smiled. "Thank you," she said.

Jim looked confused. "For what?" he asked.

"For saving my life," she told him. "But more… for taking care of me and being my dad."

"I’ll always be your dad."

"Knock knock." They looked to the door to see Kyle, Amy, and Tess, wanting to see Maria.

"Hi, Momma," Maria said. Amy had been splitting her time between both of her daughters but it seemed that every time she went to see Maria, she was asleep.

"Oh, Maria…" Amy rushed to her daughter’s side and leaned down to hug her gently. "How are you? I came in here so many times and you were asleep and then…," she started.

"It’s ok!" Maria laughed, cutting her mom off. "I know, it’s fine."

"Hey, little sis!" Kyle said. "We were going to come sooner, but Michael wouldn’t let anyone near you. We finally sent him to work to give him something to do. He was just watching you sleep."

"That’s my Michael."

"Maria, I’m so glad you are ok!" Tess sat down next to her and handed her a teddy bear and some chocolate. "We got you these."

Maria laughed. "Thanks, Tess."

"Get better soon so you can be the maid of honor at Kyle's and my wedding!" Tess exclaimed.

"I wouldn’t miss that for anything." Maria grinned.

"Hey… What are all these people doing in here?" Michael exclaimed from the doorway.

"Michael… calm down. I’m feeling fine. Shouldn’t you be at work?" Maria asked, looking at the clock.

"I’m on my lunch break," Michael told her. "Besides… there’s someone here who wants to see you."

Michael moved away from the door and a short brunette with chocolate brown eyes stood in his place. She wore a hospital gown similar to Maria’s and strangely enough, they were strikingly similar in facial features. The big difference that set them apart in looks was their hair. Maria was blonde; this girl was a brunette. She had an IV attached to her arm, and as she walked slowly, she pulled it along with her.

"Carly!" Maria cried in excitement.

"Hey Sis, heard you went and got yourself stabbed." Carly moved slowly towards Maria, and Michael helped her.

"I heard you went and got yourself kidnapped." Maria shook her head. "Not good."

"Let’s get out of here and let them talk," Michael suggested after Carly sat down by Maria’s bed.

"Good idea." Amy kissed Maria’s forehead and then Carly’s. "I love you, girls."

"We love you too, Mom," Carly said. The visitors of the room left Carly and Maria alone.

"So how are you? Really?" Maria asked.

"I’m ok. Traumatized and bruised. I’ll be fine. What about you?"

"Very sore and traumatized as well. I thought he killed you," Maria admitted.

"I thought he was going to. That or I’d die from lack of water and food. When Dad and Kyle came and found me, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier."

"That’s how I felt when Michael and Dad found me. Billy had a knife to my throat and I thought it was over."

"So you and Michael…," Carly started.

Maria cut her off. "Maybe we should talk about you and Michael," Maria said, raising an eyebrow.

Carly bit her bottom lip. "You know about that huh?" she asked guiltily.

"Yeah," Maria replied.

"I’m sorry. We were like, so drunk, Maria. I don’t even remember why it happened or how it happened; I just know that afterwards we knew it was a mistake. I think he might have been so drunk that at first he thought it was you." Carly started to laugh. "Afterwards he was like damn you look so much like Maria, if you dyed your hair blonde we would all be screwed."

Maria couldn’t help but laugh. "I never noticed that before, but we do look a lot alike, which is strange since we have different biological fathers."

Carly stopped laughed and frowned. "Yeah, Billy told me all about that. I never knew. Mom and Dad never told me. Neither did Kyle."

"Yeah, they never told me, either."

The two sisters got quiet and Maria sighed. "I have to tell you something else," she finally said.

"What?" Carly asked.

"I saw you. I had dreams about you and when I was awake, I saw you. You would talk to me and tell me that Billy was coming for me."

"Wow…," Carly said. "That must have been really scary."

Maria nodded her head. "It was."

"I’m just glad it’s over." Carly ran a shaky hand through her brown locks. "And I’ll be happier when I can shower."

"Yeah, I won’t be showering for awhile. It’s sponge baths for me," Maria told Carly.

"Did I hear… sponge baths?" Michael poked his head into the room and smirked.

Maria rolled her eyes. "Michael, I swear…," she started.

"Ok." Carly slowly got up. "I don’t even wanna hear it. Ew, ew…," she said. She looked at Maria and smiled. "Really though, I’m gonna go back to my room and lie down, but I’ll see you later."

"Ok, bye Carly. Be careful," Maria said.

"Yes, Mom," Carly mocked.

"I’ll get Amy or Jim," Michael said. He left briefly and returned with Jim who helped Carly out of the room.

"What do you want?" she asked Michael sarcastically when he sat next to her on the bed.

"I just wanted to come tell you that I love you."

Maria smiled. "I love you, too." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "But, I’ve gotta get back to work. I’m working on a project right now."

"What?" Maria asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

"You’ll see." He kissed her again. "Now, you get some rest and I’ll be back after work.” She frowned. "What?" he asked.

"I don’t want you to leave," she whined.

Michael smiled. "I’ll see you at dinner time. I’ll bring you whatever you want to eat," he told her.

"Fine…," She pouted.

He kissed her one last time, letting it linger for a few seconds longer than the rest. "Love you."

"Love you, too," she called after him as he left. She turned back to the TV and engrossed herself in soap operas for the rest of the day.

Part 16

"This is ridiculous! I’m fine!" she whined as Michael pushed her wheelchair to the car. A short, young, nurse followed behind, not wanting to get into the middle of the lovers' spat.

"Maria, you were stabbed. I don’t think fine is the right word," Michael argued.

Maria stuck her tongue out at Michael and he rolled his eyes. "I should have just let your parents or Kyle deal with you."

"Excuse me?" she exclaimed. "Deal with me?"

Michael opened the car door and helped her in, ignoring her attitude. He gave the wheelchair to the nurse and thanked her. "You can be so difficult sometimes," Michael said, not looking at her as he got into the car. When she didn’t throw a bitchy comment back, he looked at her and saw her biting her bottom lip, trying not to cry. "What’s wrong?" he asked.

"The seatbelt snapped against my wound."

Michael undid the seatbelt and moved it away from her. He lifted up her shirt and examined the stitches. "It looks ok," he told her.

"Well it may look ok, but it hurts like a bitch," she snapped. "Sometimes you can just…"

Michael just blocked out her voice and captured her lips in a kiss.

"I love you," she said when they broke the kiss, her bad mood suddenly gone.

"I love you, too," he ran a hand through her hair. "Now let’s get you home."

* * *

"This is crap!" Carly whined from the recliner. "We can’t do anything. We’re like under house arrest."

Maria sat on the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV. There was nothing on. She laughed at her sister. "Well you got kidnapped and I got stabbed. I kind of see their point."

Carly shrugged. "I guess."

"Hey girls, how are you feeling?" Jim asked, as he and Amy entered the living room.

"I’m feeling great; can I go outside and jump on the tramp or shoot some hoops?" Carly asked with a grin.

"Hell no," Jim said sternly. "You can however go anywhere in the house that isn’t the living room. Your mother and I want to talk to Maria."

Carly stood up and moped. "Fine. I’ll be in my room." Carly made her way out of the room, and Jim and Amy sat down, facing Maria.

"How are you feeling today sweetheart?" Amy asked.

"I’m feeling ok," she told them.

"That’s good… are you ready to talk about what happened?"

Maria looked at her dad. "Yeah, I’m ready to know everything."

Her mother sighed. "Your father… your real father and I got divorced when you were two. Kyle’s mom died giving birth to him. I had always known Jim, and I married him when you were four and Carly was born a year later. Your father…"

"Mom, could you umm… not call him my father?" Maria asked, looking at Jim. "Can you just call him by his name?"

"Sure honey. Jeremy moved to Albuquerque and you would visit him on the weekends. When you were six, he got engaged to Billy’s Mom. We stayed on good terms and one day he called and asked if I thought that Marian, Billy’s Mom, would ever cheat on him. I told him I had no idea, barely knowing the woman, and he said he thought she was.

"He was so enraged with jealousy that he killed her and then killed himself. You found him, and Billy found his mother and called 911. At this time, I was going through the proceedings of adopting Kyle and we decided that Jim should adopt you as well, since Jeremy was dead. We wanted to be a family.

"After a few months, you started repressing memories. At first, when you started calling Jim, Dad, it was no big deal. We just figured it was because of the adoption, but later when I would ask you about Jeremy, Albuquerque, or anything pertaining to that nature, you wouldn’t reply. You would say, I don’t remember.

"You repressed every memory you had until a certain point in your life. We didn’t know what to do about it and the doctors said you would remember naturally. Well you never did. We were afraid to tell you, afraid that you would find out, without remembering, so we hid all evidence that Jim wasn’t your real father. The baby books, the wedding album, everything.

"I never meant to lie to you Maria, I wanted to protect you. I’m so sorry." Amy let a few stray tears roll down her cheeks.

"It’s ok, Mom. I understand," Maria said.

"I just… It was such a traumatic experience and I didn’t want you ever to have to relive it. I was so relieved that you forgot, because it meant you would be able to live a healthy, normal life. Most people don’t ever recover from an experience that traumatic."

"I just can’t believe that all of those things happened, and I couldn’t remember. I mean, I still don’t remember much, just what I saw in my dreams, but… wow."

"Yeah, I’m sorry that we lied, and kept it hidden for so long," Jim finally said.

Maria shook her head. "No Dad, don’t say that. I think that everything happens for a reason. If I would have known, Carly never would have been taken, I never would have come back here, and I wouldn’t be with Michael today. So… as sorry as I am that Carly was taken because of something my father did 17 years ago… I can’t say that I regret the turn of events. They brought Michael back to me. I’m just glad that everyone is ok."

"I’m just glad it’s over," Amy said, moving onto the couch, embracing Maria. "And I finally have my two girls back."

"I love you, Mom," Maria said, she then looked at Jim. "I love you, too, Dad."

Jim smiled. "Amy, let’s go check on Carly and let Maria rest," he suggested.

Amy nodded. "Let us know if you need anything. Rosa’s making lunch."

"Ok, thanks," Maria said, and watched her parents leave the room. She turned back to the TV and was startled to see a small girl sitting in the chair, swinging her legs. She was only about five or six and her dark brown hair kind of went everywhere. She wore a pink dress and pink shoes and just smiled at Maria. Who are you?" Maria whispered.

"I’m here to help you remember one last thing, and then you’ll have to remember the rest on your own." The little girl jumped off the chair and placed a hand on Maria’s forehead. "Are you ready?" she asked.

Maria nodded. "Yeah."

* * *

Maria had come home in early February to visit her family. Everyone else was away at school, so she spent most of her time with Carly. They were at the CrashDown, eating breakfast one Saturday morning when Maria noticed Courtney with some guy out front. She was acting extremely friendly with him, and Maria pointed it out to Carly.

"She’s probably cheating on Michael. What a whore," Carly bit out, always hating Courtney for what she had done to Maria.

"Probably," Maria said. She looked down at her plate, but something in the back of her mind told her to look up again. When she did, she saw Courtney and her companion locked in a passionate kiss. "Carly!" Maria cried.

Carly turned around and smirked. "I knew it. We should tell Michael," Carly told Maria.

Maria shook her head. "No, we shouldn’t. If she’s cheating on him, then too damn bad. I hate to say it, but he deserves it."

Carly shrugged. "Yeah, you’re right."

A few seconds later a gun was accidentally fired, and one of the CrashDown waitresses had been shot and almost killed. Due to the excitement, Maria’s vision of Courtney cheating on Michael was soon forgotten.

* * *

Maria smiled. "The baby isn’t Michael's."

Part 17

“Are you sure she should be going out tonight?” Amy asked Michael as he waited downstairs for Maria to finish getting ready. He was all dressed up in a nice suit and tie and he looked absolutely gorgeous.

“I think she’ll be ok,” Michael assured her. Amy had been a nervous wreck since Maria and Carly had been released from the hospital a week ago. She was so afraid that something would happen to them. Michael couldn’t blame her though; she had almost lost both of them.

“Mom…,” Carly said, walking into the kitchen. “Oh, hey Michael.” She nodded at him, and then turned back to Amy. “Can I go play basketball with Abby and Nicole?” Carly asked.

“You certainly can not!” Amy cried. “You just went through a traumatic experience! You just got out of the hospital!”

Carly rolled her eyes. “Mom, I got out a week ago and all the doctor said was to take it easy. I mean, I was only weak from not having any food or water.”

Amy shook her head. “No, no way.”

“Ugh!” Carly sighed in frustration. “Are you going to resemble a Nazi for the rest of my life? Or do you think that by 30 you might let me make my own decisions?”

“Maybe by 35,” Amy told her with a grin. “Now why don’t you just see if Abby and Nicole want to come here and watch a movie or something?”

“But Maria gets to go out and she was stabbed!” Carly exclaimed.

“Maria is going out with Michael and it’s for a special occasion! Besides, she isn’t going to be playing basketball or doing any other kind of strenuous physical activity.”

Carly snickered. “Right, because she and Michael never engage in any strenuous activity.”

“Carly Valenti, I suggest you just drop the subject right now before we bring up your and Michael’s night in the guesthouse. Which we still need to discuss by the way."

“MOM!” Carly cried, her face turning red. Michael looked down at the floor, and stared at his very interesting, black shoes.

“Could we just never bring up that night again … ever?” a small voice said, coming from the steps.

Michael looked up and gasped as he saw his little blonde pixie descending the stairs. Her hair was down and straightened just the way he liked it, and she wore a beautiful black dress. It was a halter-top with an uneven hem at the bottom and she looked stunning. “Wow,” was all Michael could say.

Maria laughed, kissing him on the cheek. “It’s good that I can still ‘wow’ you,” she told him.

“You’ll always ‘wow’ me,” he said, kissing her gently on the lips.

“Ok, ew, you guys are way too sappy for me. I’m going to see what Kyle is up to tonight. Maybe we can play basketball in the driveway.” Carly started off up the stairs, with Amy glaring at her.

“Oh no you don’t! No basketball do you hear me?” Amy called up the steps.

Carly waved her hand and continued walking and Amy rolled her eyes. “Teenagers,” she muttered.

Maria smiled at her mom. “Now don’t be out too late and don’t hurt yourself, ok? Call every hour and check in and don’t talk to strangers,” Amy told Maria.

“Mom, I’ll be fine,” Maria said, trying to reassure her mother.

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” Michael told Amy.

“Ok… well…,” Amy hesitated. “Have fun, I’ll see you guys later.”

Maria laughed. “Bye, Mom.”

Michael laced his fingers through Maria’s and they were off.

* * *

“Michael…,” Maria whined. “Where are we?”

“You’ll see,” Michael said, smirking. He took her hand and helped her out of the car, then led her over to a small blanket.

Maria gasped when she saw what he had done. There was a large picnic blanket, with candles and a picnic basket, and a folder. “Michael…” She leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips. “This is beautiful.”

“It gets better.” He led her over to the blanket so that she was standing on it, then took her hand, and got on one knee.

“Oh my God,” Maria said, putting her free hand over her mouth. “Oh my God.”

Michael pulled a box from his pocket. “Maria, we have been through so much together, we’ve been torn apart, and by some fate, brought back together. I know that I’ve screwed up with you time and time again, but I have always loved you, I always will love you.” He took the box and opened it up, showing her the ring.

“Michael Guerin, if that’s the ring that you gave to Courtney I swear to God…,” Maria said, trailing off.

“MARIA!” He exclaimed. “You’re ruining the moment!”

She looked at him guiltily. “Sorry, go ahead.”

Michael cleared his throat. “Anyway, as I was saying… I have always loved you. I bought this ring when we were in high school, and I’ve kept it, always hoping for the day that I could put it on your finger.” A few tears slid down Maria’s cheeks. “I wasn’t worthy of you then, but I hope that I am now. Maria Valenti, will you marry me?”

Maria dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him hard. “Is that a yes?” he asked, pulling away from her.

“Yes!” she said, laughing through her tears of happiness. “Of course, you moron!” She held out her hand and Michael slipped the ring on. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said. “There’s more.”

She smiled. “How could there be more?”

Michael reached for the folder and the two sat, side-by-side. He opened it up and placed it in front of her.

“This is our house,” he said. “I started designing it while you were in the hospital.”

“Wow…,” she said.

He looked around him. “This, where we are sitting right now, is our lot, where our home is going to be built.”

Maria leaned her head on his shoulder and took his hand in hers. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

“No,” he said, lifting her chin and looking into her eyes. “Thank you. I don’t deserve you, I don’t deserve this.”

She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. “You do. And we deserve this, happiness. It’s about time that we got some.”

The two leaned back, lying down on the blanket to look at the stars. “I’m so happy right now,” Michael told her. He picked up her hand and started playing with it, and the ring. “We are going to get married and have a lot of little babies and they are going to be a perfect blend of you and me and we are going to be the happiest couple in the whole world.”

Maria sighed and smiled in happiness. “We are… cute little Michael boy babies.” She giggled. “I can’t wait to start making them with you.”

He turned over and placed his body on top of hers, gently, not to hurt her. “Oh really?” he asked with a smirk.

She grinned and nodded. “Mmmm hmmmm.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.

“We shouldn’t Maria, you’re still hurt,” he said.

She nodded her head. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m still hurt, but… when I’m better…”

“You won’t be able to keep me off of you,” he said with a smirk.

“Thank God.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”



Michael rolled off of her and propped his head up so he could look at her. “So when do you want to have the wedding?” he asked.

“Well, it’s June now, how about December. Let’s have a Christmas wedding,” she exclaimed.

Michael laughed. “Whatever you want, babe, whatever you want.”

“I don’t care when we get married or where. As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter.”

“There’s still something we need to discuss.” He brushed away a few stray hairs that were lying on her cheek. “Courtney and I are having a baby. I mean, I have a responsibility towards her.”

Maria sat up quickly. “Oww.” She reached for her side. “That kind of hurt.”

“Are you ok?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yeah, I’m ok.” Michael lifted her shirt slightly and kissed her stitched up wound. She giggled. “Stop, I have to tell you something.”

“What?” he asked, sitting up, and looking into her lover’s eyes.

“I think you need to get a DNA test on the baby,” she told him.

Michael furrowed his eyebrow. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Carly and I saw Courtney kissing some guy at the CrashDown in February.”

Michael looked kind of pissed off. “And you are just telling me this… now?” he said, raising his voice.

“Well I forgot, I remembered a few days ago. I talked to Carly and she remembers it, too.”

Michael sighed in frustration. “Damnit. I should have known.”

“Michael…,” Maria said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Please don’t be mad now. This is our night. I just wanted you to know.”

His face softened with her words. “You’re right. This night is supposed to be about us.”

She smiled. “Great, let’s talk about the wedding.” He groaned. “What?” she asked pouting.

“I’ve got a better idea.” He gently laid her back down and she wrapped her arms around her neck, kissing him deeply. He placed his hand in her hair, running his fingers through her soft, blonde locks. She tugged on his shirt, letting her hands slip underneath to touch his warm flesh. “We can’t,” he said breathlessly. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I know… but I want to so bad.”

“No,” he said sternly. “Besides, the anticipation makes it that much better,” he said, kissing her neck.

“Michael… stop,” she said, moaning. “You’re such a tease.”

“I know, you love it.”

“That I do.” She gently pushed him off her and sat up, fixing her hair. “So what did you make us to eat?” she asked, remembering the food that had been forgotten.

“Oh!” Michael grabbed the picnic basket. “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,“ he said with a smile, pulling two out. “Peaches… cause I know you love them.”

“Hmm! My favorite,” she said with a delighted squeal.

“And… some Sierra Mist. Cause that’s all I had at the house.” He pulled out two cans and set them down.

She smiled. “It’s perfect. I love you.”

He reached back in the basket. “I brought the Scooby plates.”

“Yay!” She took one and laughed. “God, I act like I’m 5, and I’m 22.”

“It’s ok babe, I love you anyway.”

“You better,” she said with a mouthful of sandwich.

Once they were finished eating, she grabbed the folder and looked at the design Michael had come up with for their house. “It’s going to be big,” she said. “How did you afford this?” she asked. “I mean, I know you make a lot of money, but… this house is huge. Do we really need 7 bedrooms?”

“Yeah we do, I want a lot of kids. And we can afford this. You’ll be going to work soon, and I’ll be working. I make good money, and you will, too. Until we have our first child of course. Then you have to stay home with it.”

“Controlling aren’t we?” she asked, still smiling.

He took her hand in his. “Look Maria, I didn’t have the best care growing up, and I don’t want that for my kids.”

“I understand,” she said. “I also have my trust fund, it hasn’t been touched. Seriously, my father… Jeremy… well… he was LOADED. I mean… I have enough money that I never have to work.”

“Well is that what you want?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess we have a lot of decisions to make huh?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but we’ll make them together, cause I’m here for you. I’m never leaving you. I promise.”

“I trust you,” she said.

"Thank you. I won’t make you regret it.”

“I know you won’t.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Cause if you do… I’ll kick your ass,” she added after she broke the kiss.

He laughed. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she replied.

He lay down and patted the spot beside him. She accepted the invitation and rested her head on his outstretched arm, lying on her back.

He rolled to his side, knowing she couldn’t lie on her side because of her wound, and caressed her stomach, drawing little designs with his fingers.

She closed her eyes and Michael held her close, and the two fell asleep together, on the lot of their new home.

Part 18

“Michael, what are you doing here?” Courtney asked as she opened the door.

“Can I come in?” he asked coolly.

She looked taken aback. “Sure.” He walked into the house and sat down on the couch. “Is everything ok?” she asked.

”Um… no, not really,” he said.

“What’s going on?”

“Who’s the father of your baby?” he asked. That really got her attention.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” She snickered. “I thought you might already know that.”

Michael shook his head. “Maria and Carly said they saw you in February kissing some guy at the CrashDown. Now, is there a chance that the baby could be his?”

Courtney bit her bottom lip and nodded her head. “Yeah,” she whispered.

“So what you were just never going to tell me about this?” he snapped. She stayed quiet. “This was all just some plan to get me to marry you wasn’t it?” he asked.

She nodded. “We had been together forever and when I got pregnant, I didn’t care whose baby it was. I just wanted to be with you,” she cried. “I knew that you would never marry me unless you had a reason, because you were still in love with Maria.”

“Well when the baby is born, we’ll be getting a DNA test,” he told her. He stood up and started walking to the door.

“Michael, I’m sorry,” she said.

Michael turned around and looked her. “I’m not,” he said, and with that he left.

* * *

Maria, Tess, Liz, Isabel, and Carly sat in the guesthouse, all flipping through bridal magazines and giggling and having girl time. “I can’t believe that Alex proposed to you Isabel,” Maria exclaimed. “I mean, he’s so shy!”

Isabel laughed. “It was cute. I can’t believe that all four of us are getting married at the same time! It’s so freaky!”

“No kidding, who knew in high school that we’d all be reading bridal magazines planning our weddings,” Liz said.

Maria shrugged. “I thought we would,” she smiled.

“I always thought you and Michael would be the first,” Tess told her.

Maria laughed. “I thought it would be Max and Liz.” Maria grabbed Tess’s hand. “Oh Liz, you are so beautiful. Let‘s get married and have lots of little babies. I love you!” She lowered her voice, trying to imitate Max.

Tess then batted her eyelashes. “Oh Max, your eyes are so… brown and… soulful.”

The girls burst into laughter and Liz threw a pillow at Tess and Maria. “We aren’t like that!”

The girls laughed harder. “Oh my God, you guys so are!” Carly exclaimed.

Liz blushed. “Well, maybe a little.”

“What’s going on up here?” Michael asked, walking into a room full of giggling women.

He walked over to Maria and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey Babe,” he said.

“Hey,” she smiled.

“Hey Babe,” Tess mocked.

The girls burst into giggles again. Michael raised an eyebrow. “Ok, I’m lost. I’m going to get out of here. Too much estrogen for me. Bye ladies.”

“The boys are in the kitchen Babe, go play with them,” Maria called. He nodded and left.

“Michael’s really changed,” Isabel said, once the laughter died down. “I mean, he and Max have been best friends forever, and even with Max being the calm guy he is, Michael was always the wild one. Then when you two started dating, he just changed. Who knew Michael would be working with the most prestigious architecture company in New Mexico.”

Maria smiled. “He just needed a little kick in the ass to get motivated,” she giggled.

“And he sure got that with you!” Carly exclaimed. “God, I can remember times when you’d baby-sit me. I would hear you two fighting like cats and dogs and then the next minute you’d be making out on the counter. It was rather gross actually.” The girls laughed.

“That’s Michael and Maria,” Liz said. “Fighting one minute, having hot make up sex the next.”

“The thing that is so funny though, is that Michael gives off this mean, tough guy act, but one look from Maria and he is putty in her hands,” Carly said.

Maria smiled. “I just have a way with him.”

“And how did you get him to agree with you, Maria?” Tess asked.

Maria shrugged. “I offer him what I know he wants until he sees it my way.” A smirk formed on her lips.

“Oh my God!” Carly cried in disgust, while the rest of the girls just started laughing harder. Maria couldn’t help but laugh herself. It was nice to finally have things back to normal.

Part 19

5 months later

“No, no no!” Maria cried in protest. “I want my wedding outside!” She told her Mother, who was insisting they have it in a church.

“Maria, church weddings are customary. You need to get married in a church.”

“NO! This is my wedding and I’ve been waiting 22 years to have it and we’ll have it my way! Michael already agreed.” She said sternly.

“Fine.” Amy said, grabbing another magazine. “Now what about wedding dresses?”

Maria smiled. Now this was something they could have fun with. “We need to go try them on.”

“Maria, the wedding is in June. It’s November. I think that looking in magazines will be ok for now.”

“Fine.” Maria pouted. “I still don’t know why we had to wait a whole year to get married. I wanted to get married in December,”

“Because you wanted the biggest wedding Roswell had ever seen remember? That takes more than 6 months to plan.” Amy told her.

“Maybe we should just elope.” Maria said, opening a magazine.

“Don’t even joke.” Amy said with a glare.

Maria stuck her tongue out at her Mom and flipped through her magazine. Just as she started her cell phone rang. “Urg… who could that be.”

She grabbed the phone and checked the caller ID. She smiled.

“Michael?” Amy said with a grin.

Maria nodded. “Hello… What… Yeah… I’ll be there in like 15 minutes! Love you too. Bye!”

“Courtney’s having the baby.” Maria said, jumping out of her seat. Michael’s freaking out.”

“Well you better get over there!” Amy insisted.

“I know, I’ll call later. Bye.” Maria grabbed her purse and hurried to her car.

* * *

Michael paced back and forth outside of the delivery room. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and his face looked pensive. His forehead was scrunched up and his eyes stared at the ground. He looked so scared; Maria couldn’t help but feel bad for him.

“How’s it going in there?” Maria asked, touching him lightly on the shoulder. He jumped, startled at first, but then pulled her into a tight embrace. “I can’t breath.” Maria choked out.

“Sorry.” Michael let her go.

“What’s going on?” Maria asked, scared by Michael’s weird reaction to seeing her.

“It’s not going so good in there.” Michael told her. “There are… complications.”

“What kind of complications?” Maria asked. Michael collapsed in a chair and Maria sat next to him, grabbing his hand. “What’s wrong?”

“They don’t think Courtney’s gonna make it. She… they kicked me out… I don’t know what’s wrong.” Tears threatened to spill from his brown eyes any second, and Maria felt a sharp pain in her stomach as she thought about the fact that Courtney or the baby could die.

Maria looked towards the door as a tall man walked out of it. “Mr. Guerin?”

Michael and Maria stood up, Michael not letting go of Maria’s hand. “Is she ok? Is the baby ok?”

“The baby is fine… Miss Banks however… Well she wants to see you and uh… Maria Valenti.”

Maria bit her bottom lip and looked at Michael. “Why me?”

Michael led Maria into the room. Courtney was holding a small baby in her arms, and she wore a weak smile.

“Isn’t she beautiful.” Courtney whispered. “She looks just like you.” She said, gazing up at Michael.

“Can… can I hold her?” Michael asked. Courtney handed Michael the baby and he smiled.

Maria stood next to him, and touched it’s small hand. Maria feared that she would feel some sort of resentment towards the baby if it was Michael’s, like the baby would be a symbol of Michael’s betrayal, but all Maria could feel was joy and happiness for Michael and Courtney. The baby was not a symbol of betrayal at all. It was a symbol of love, no matter who it belonged to.

“Maria, please take care of my baby. Please treat her like she’s your own.”

“What are you talking about?” Maria asked, snapping her head up to look at Courtney.

“Please Maria, just promise me you will.”

Maria swallowed hard and nodded. “I promise.”

“Can I talk to Michael alone?” Courtney asked.

“Yeah.” Maria gently touched Michael’s arm. “I’ll be in the hall.”

“Ok.” He nodded, then kissed her on the forehead.

She walked into the hall and sat down on the little couch. Maybe Courtney really wasn’t going to make it.

* * *

A few days later Michael walked out of the hospital with the baby in one arm and his other tightly around Maria. He placed the baby girl in the backseat, strapping her into the car seat securely. Maria then took a seat in the back, just for safety.

Michael climbed into the front seat and started the car. He glanced into the rearview mirror and smiled as he watched Maria play with his daughter. She would be an amazing mother, he always knew that. And although this was sooner than either of them expected, he knew everything would work out.

Courtney’s funeral was the next day. Complications from childbirth the cause of death. Michael took it hard, but Maria was his strength, as he had been for her just months before. He knew that they could get through anything together; God had proven that many times.

Now as he lie in bed beside his wife, he dreamed about what a wonderful future they would have. His work was going great, and Maria loved just staying at home being a wife and a mother of one… and in a few months, a mother of two.

A loud crack of thunder shook Michael from his thoughts. He looked over at Maria who was reading a book and smiled.

“What are you smiling about?” She asked, catching his grin from the corner of her eye.

“I’m just thinking about how much I love you… how much I love our life.”

“I love you too… and I love our life too.” She said, leaning over and kissing him gently on the lips.

“Daddy? Mommy?” A blonde little girl poked her head in the room. “I’m scared.” She said, clutching a teddy bear to her chest.

“Come here.” Michael said. She ran to the bed and jumped up, into her Father’s arms.

Another crack of thunder sounded and she jumped, pulling the covers over her head.

Maria and Michael laughed. “Come out silly.” Maria said. “It’s just a storm.”

She peeked her head out. “It won’t hurt me?” She asked.

Michael shook his head. “No, not at all.

The little girl pulled the covers down slowly. “Are you sure?”

Maria giggled. “Come here.” She grabbed the little girl and held her tightly. “I promise nothing will hurt you while I’m around.”

“I love you Mommy.” She said.

Maria pushed the little girl’s hair from her face and smiled. “I love you too.”

“What about me?” Michael asked, faking a pout.

“I love you too Daddy!” The little girl exclaimed.

“I love you too. Now let’s go to sleep ok?”

“Ok.” She rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes and was asleep in no time.

* * *

“One day we’ll have to tell her about her Mom ya know.” Maria said to Michael, when she was sure that the little girl was asleep.

“I know.” Michael said. “But I’m not ready to ruin her life just yet. She’s only three.”

“I wasn’t saying today… I was just saying.” Maria added defensively.

“I know.” Michael reached across and squeezed her hand. “And we will… when she’s ready.”

“I just don’t want her to find out like I found out about my Dad.” Maria said quietly.

Michael gave her a sad look. “She won’t. I promise.”

“K.” Maria said.

“You ok?” He asked.

Maria nodded. “I just wonder if she’ll hate me when she finds out.”

“Do you hate Jim?”

Maria shook her head. “No I love him! He’s my Dad.”

“Well, you’re her Mom. She’ll understand. She loves you Maria. She always will.”

Maria nodded. “When did you become so smart?” She asked with a grin.

Michael shrugged. “I’ve always been this smart.”

“I love you.”

“And I love you.” Michael stroked her cheek. “I love you so much.”

Michael flipped off the light and rested his head on the pillow. “Goodnight Maria.”

As Maria curled up under the blankets she sighed happily. She finally had the life she dreamed of. Wonderful daughter, wonderful and loving husband, and another baby on the way. She thanked God every night for what she had been given, and made certain not to take advantage of it. She wanted her family to have everything, and she would do anything to make sure that they were all happy. She was complete now, and life was good. “Goodnight Michael.”

The End