415 Valentine's 2

The room was private, with a great view of Seattle's skyline, flowers, candles, light music, tasty food, non-alcoholic beverages, Max looking at Liz like she is the only woman in the world… it was perfect.

Max and Liz didn't sit across the table from each other, but side-by-side. It was easier for Max to feed Liz and to hold onto her whenever he could.

Liz told Max that he can drink his usual beverage (whiskey or wine), but he didn't mind giving her company in drinking juice.

Liz was touched. "You do so much for me."

Max put his hand over Liz's and their fingers interlaced. "For whom am I going to do things if not for the woman I love?"

Liz smiled at her sweet-talking boyfriend. His gentle gaze told her that it's not just sweet-talking and that he really means it.

The staff moved swiftly, swapping their plates between courses with minimal intrusion, and Liz compared this dinner with the first one when the staff ignored her like she was insignificant next to Max. Things have changed, and she wondered if Max had anything to do with it, or if it's a coincidence.

"Where were you last Valentine's?", Liz asked Max.

Max shrugged, indicating that he was not sure. "Probably at some party, wasting my time, and waiting for you to come into my life." He knew exactly where and with whom he was, but a little white lie was necessary in order for the mood not to be spoiled. "How about you?" Max wanted to switch the topic back to Liz because talking about his time before he met Liz can't be good.

Liz thought for a second. "Probably working. In the evening, I would have dinner with my dad either at the hospital or at home. Valentine's was one rare occasion when we would stay home and talk about my mom."

Max was not sure how to react to this. Isaac would spend this evening talking about his deceased wife, yet now he is with Foxy. "Are you OK that this year things are different?"

A gentle smile fell on Liz's lips. "Yes. My dad loved my mom a lot, and I thought he will stay single forever. I am glad that he found someone. Foxy is a good woman and my dad deserves to be happy. I don't think that my father loving Foxy is tarnishing the memory of my mother."

"How about you tell me about your mother?"

Liz refused. "Let's talk about her some other time. Tonight is about the two of us. My mom would prefer it that way."

"Alright."

Max invited Liz for a dance, and she was not sure how that would work because of her stiff arm, but Max insisted and broke her resistance.

They moved slowly and Liz leaned her head on his chest, inhaling his masculine scent that always made her dizzy.

Studying and work were Liz's escape from reality. First, because her mother was gone, and then because people and relationships were uncertain and scary, and she didn't want to feel the pain of losing someone again. Liz found comfort with books and studies, and later work, and she forgot how it is to trust someone with her heart.

Liz must admit that Max proved his sincerity, and she is aware of how she is the one holding their relationship back.

No matter how much she kept the distance between them, Max waited patiently until she was comfortable before he made the next step. He showed her that he can be gentle and considerate, and protective without intruding, and that she can rely on him… and she can't imagine her life without him.

Liz remembered that two weeks ago, in Las Vegas, Max brought up them going to the next level as a couple and he even mentioned marriage, yet she spoke about her work (again) only because Max's words made her nervous.

Liz exhaled a long breath and looked up at Max.

"Max?"

He smiled and looked at her lazily. "Hmm?"

"I am sorry that I am always stiff and slow to catch onto things."

Max lifted his eyebrows questionably, indicating that he is not sure what she is talking about.

Liz looked into his eyes and firmed her resolve. "I know that you love me, and I hope you know that I love you too. We are both grownups, with jobs and… I remember that in Las Vegas you mentioned moving onto the next level and…"

"Shh…", Max placed his index finger over her lips while shushing her, and he hoped that his expression didn't show how on the inside he was doing a victory dance. "We will talk about it after your speech at the conference of neurosurgeons."

Liz bit her lower lip nervously. "What if I don't get invited?"

"Are you doubting yourself?"

Liz thought how this is almost the same conversation they had in Las Vegas, but this time, their roles are reversed. "Well, no, but…"

"There are no buts, Liz, and there is no rush. Focus on recuperating and getting into that conference. Anything else can wait. I'm not going anywhere."

"Are you sure?"

"Elizabeth", he used her full name, indicating that he is serious. "You are the only one for me and waiting a few months is nothing because I am willing to spend my lifetime with you."

"Oh, Max…", Liz breathed as tears filled her eyes.

Her heart expanded with love because he did it again. Again, he put her first and she wanted to say that there is no need to wait for anything because she wants to spend her lifetime with him and they will figure out everything else as they go, but he covered her lips with his, and the two of them kissed while swaying slowly, following the beat of the soft music that filled the space.

Max's heart was soaring through the stratosphere, and higher into space. Liz is ready! But he is not. Max still didn't get that perfect ring and he does not want to make her feel that he is rushing this.

He decided to use the next few months to get Liz used to thinking of their future together, so that when she says 'yes', it comes without any speck of doubt.

They will figure out what works so that no one is uncomfortable, Isaac included, because Max knows that Isaac would be worried if Liz stays in Seattle, and that would impact Liz as well.

Max pressed Liz against him as their flavors mixed, and he knew that no other woman would fit into his arms like this, because Liz is made for him, and he is hers.

By the time they returned back to their table, three-layered chocolate fondue was waiting for them with neatly sliced fruits arranged in plates. They had strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapples, and there were pretzels and marshmallows as well.

"Allow me…", Max said with a singing voice while poking a perfect bite-sized strawberry on a long stick. He dipped the strawberry in the liquid chocolate and offered it to Liz to eat.

"Mmm…", Liz hummed happily while chewing.

She took a stick and looked at Max. "Which one do you want?"

Max grinned. "Pineapple."

Liz bit her lower lip and dipped a piece of pineapple in the chocolate before feeding Max with it. Since their vacation to Hawaii, pineapples are much more than just a fruit and it makes Liz have naughty thoughts.

After dinner, they got home and Max helped Liz take a bath and settle in the bed before he went to take a quick shower.

By the time he returned, Liz was sleeping.

Max scooted on the bed next to Liz and wrapped his arms around her. He knew that she fell asleep because of the medications that make her drowsy, and he didn't want to wake her up even though he was a bit disappointed that he will not get his evening kisses and cuddles. They would do much more, but he is afraid of agitating her injury.

He repeated to himself that they can talk and cuddle in the morning, and any other morning in the future. What matters is that they are together and that she is in his embrace.

Max can't shake off the guilt that she got shot, and he silently promised a million times that he will not allow her to be that reckless ever again. Not because of her, but because his heart can't handle seeing her in pain. If she died… he does not want to think about it, but the agony of dark possibilities lingers at the back of his mind and it's driving him crazy.

Max kissed Liz's temple and tightened his hold on her because only her proximity has the power to chase away dark thoughts and make him feel better.

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