414 Valentine's 1

Her right shoulder and arm are stiffly bandaged, so it's difficult to move and hold onto Max through the night. Sure, Max hugs her, but it's not the same. She likes to cling to him and there is no better support for her head than his firm pecs.

Due to her injury, they are also wearing nightwear, which is a change because they would normally sleep naked. Liz does not sleep in pajamas, but she is wearing Max's t-shirt which provides coverage like a baggy mini-dress.

Liz took a deep breath, and a sweet scent filled her lungs. She opened her eyes to see that she is in a bed covered with rose petals and her lips lifted into a smile.

She turned her head to the right, expecting to see Max, but she was greeted by a bouquet of red roses and a note that said: "Happy Valentine's, love"

Liz glanced through the room to see that Max was not in sight, and there was another note on the bedside table: "I will be with you in a few minutes, love."

Liz was happy to see the flowers because she didn't expect them.

She remembered that Max made some plans for Valentine's day, but that got canceled due to her injury and she thought it will be a day as usually. She should have known that Max would not let February 14 be just a regular day. He makes her feel special all the time, and Valentine's is bound to include flowers and probably extra hugs and kisses.

Liz never cared about flowers and notes, but with Max, she understood that it's not about the items, but about the intentions behind those gestures. And she knows that she didn't care before because those men who courted her were not important.

"You are awake?", Max asked as he made his way into the bedroom after closing the door behind him. "It's almost time for your meds, and breakfast is ready. Let me help you get ready…"

Liz stood up from the bed and leaned on Max. "Happy Valentine's, Max. Thank you for a wonderful morning surprise."

Max chuckled when he felt Liz rub her face on his chest. She was wearing his t-shirt and to him, she looked like a sexy-kitty, even with that bandaged shoulder and stiff right arm.

He wondered if she would like things he prepared for today. He planned a memorable Valentine's weekend, but due to her injury, he had to scale it down. However, seeing her reaction to just flowers in the bed, he knew that she will love it and they will have a fantastic day.

"You are welcome, love."

Max wanted to kiss her, but she turned her head to the side to avoid him.

"Let me brush first, and then I will kiss you properly."

Max kissed her forehead before letting her go. "I can't wait to have those proper kisses."

Max helped Liz dress up for the day and she saw that he is excited.

Max smiled mischievously and put one of his hands over her eyes. "Close your eyes and follow me…"

Liz felt his hand on her back, gently guiding her out of the bedroom. She was confident that he made breakfast and he probably made a nice arrangement on the dining table.

"Open your eyes…", Max's voice sounded next to Liz's ear.

"Oh…", a sound escaped her lips when she saw that the furniture in the living room is replaced by tall potted plants and a picnic blanket in the middle. There were a picnic basket and a cooler with beverages, and more roses all over the room.

"I thought that it will be inconvenient to go out for a picnic, so I decided to bring one inside.", Max explained.

"From where did the plants come?", Liz asked.

"They were delivered this morning. After this, we can keep them out on the terrace. With how much rain we get here, we won't need to worry about watering them.", Max also thought that they can get Olivia to take care of the plants, if necessary, but he will bring that up later. This day was about him and Liz and he didn't want to talk about anyone else.

Max gestured toward the picnic setup. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, Max. Thank you!"

Max helped Liz settle on the blanket and Liz noticed that Max put a comforter under the blanket for extra padding.

They spent the morning on the blanket, chatting with food, and then Max got a book and he read to Liz until she fell asleep with her head in his lap.

When Liz opened her eyes, it was close to noon, and instead of Max's legs, her head was supported by pillows.

Just like that morning, she didn't see Max, but there was a note.

Liz pushed herself up and took the note to read: "I love when you smile…" Liz smiled and flipped the note to see on the other side: "Just like that." A giggle escaped her lips. Max knows her too well.

The nearby flowerpot had a note that said: "Without you, I would be lost."

Liz noticed a note on the dining table, and another one on the counter in the kitchen, and she got up to see what they say.

Max walked out of the bedroom and saw Liz note-hunting.

"You are too sweet.", Liz said while gesturing toward the notes she found that were in her hand.

"I know.", Max said smugly. He stepped closer and kissed her on the lips. "I hope you know that I am this sweet only toward you."

Liz knew that. He had many women in his life before, but none of them got to see this caring Max who would do anything for the woman he loves. And it's not only that he loves her, but he is not shying from showing it to her and everyone else. He is amazing.

Max told Liz to keep on searching, as there are more notes for her to find.

Liz continued her note-hunt. Other than containing sweet messages, one note was a coupon that can be exchanged for a massage, and another one was worth an unlimited amount of kisses.

Liz was in the second bedroom when she heard music from the living room, and she dashed out to see Max sitting on the picnic blanket and strumming the guitar. Liz sat next to Max and stared at him with hearts in her eyes.

Liz wanted to hug him and kiss him and push him on the blanket and tear his clothes off, but every movement reminded her of her injury. Her mood fell at the thought that instead of making love in some romantic place, they are in the apartment, and Max is making sure she takes her painkillers on time. But she quickly dispelled those dark thoughts because what matters is that they are together and that the man she loves is going above and beyond to show her that she is loved. Not only for Valentine's, but every day.

A few songs later, Liz snuggled in Max's embrace.

Liz remembered her chat with Mia from the previous evening and thought that this is a great time to bring it up. "Max?"

"Hmm?"

"When do you plan to return to work?"

Max frowned at the thought of going to the Alpha group HQ and leaving her home. "I am working from here."

"You know what I mean. When will you start going to the office?"

"I don't want to leave you alone. And someone else being here is not the same.", Max said stubbornly, like several times before.

"Would it be OK if I join you?"

Max was surprised by this offer and he had to confirm: "At my office?"

"Yes. I can stay in your office and take naps when needed. I won't be in your way and…"

"That sounds great.", Max interrupted her.

He was happy that she would do that for him, but he was worried if she will be uncomfortable. After all, here is their place with a bathroom and a kitchen and she can walk around in his t-shirt, and in his office, she will need to dress up and she won't be able to act freely as if she is at home.

Liz beamed. "OK. Honestly, I don't know how that will work out, but I will go with you on Monday and we can take it from there."

"Sure."

Liz was glad that Max agreed. She already decided that she will spend most of the time in the side-suite so that Max knows she is there, but she does not disturb him with her presence.

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