Author: Susan
Email: susanandtad@cs.com
Category: CC/UC, begins Ma/Ma ends M/M with mentions of K/T and A/I, AU
Disclaimer: Don't own anything about Roswell. As usual, I would love to borrow Michael for awhile.
Summary: Michael was found by Valenti and later adopted by him. Isabel and Max were still adopted by the Evans. Tess was adopted by the Deluca's. Amy Deluca owns and runs the Crashdown (there is no Liz or the Parkers). Both Maria's father and Kyle's mother were killed in a car accident when they were 10. Jim and Amy had depended on each other for comfort for many years. They decide to get married. This is where the story begins.
P.S. By the way Michael and Maria can't stand each other.

Part 1: The Annoucement
"What!" Four teenagers shout at the same time. Jim and Amy just smile at their children.

"We are getting married."

The teens all look at each other and then back to their parents like they have lost their minds.

"Have you two been out in the sun to long again?" Maria questions.

Kyle and Tess both snicker at the question. Michael, on the other hand, gives Maria a dirty look. In response she sticks her tongue out at him.
Jim and Amy had talked it over for along time. The both loved each other very much and now was the time to finally bring their relationship out into the open. They had been involved for years but had decided to keep their relationship a secret from their children. Of course the children knew their parents were friends. Before the death of Brian Deluca and Michelle Valenti the two couples had been the best of friends. They had often done things together. It was on one of their weekly nights out that the accident occurred the killed Brian and Michelle. Jim and Amy had remained friends and were a constant support to each other. It wasn't until a few years ago that their relationship had changed. They had taken their families camping together as they do every year. Jim and Amy spent one night talking and drinking to much Jack Daniels by the campfire. In the end one thing had led to another and they had shared a remarkable evening together. They had kept the kids from finding them together and had decided it was best to keep it to themselves. They didn't want anyone to get hurt if things didn't work out between them. Now three years later nothing had changed and they wanted to spend their lives together. Both knew that this would come as a shock to their children but eventually they would accept the situation.

"I know you all are shocked by our announcement but we are completely serious about this." Jim tells the shocked teens.

"So how long have you two been together?" Michael asks.

Jim and Amy exchange a look. Jim knows the answer is going to bring a lot of outraged shouts.

"Three years."

As anticipated Tess, Kyle and Maria start shouting at the same time. Only Michael remains calm. Jim watches his son's reaction and sees the acceptance of the situation in his eyes. His feeling as always are well hidden. Of his two sons Michael is the hardest to read. Kyle is an open book, his feelings are easily deciphered but Michael has always been a mystery to him. He found Michael out by Pullman Ranch when he was six. He was scared and deeply traumatized. It had been to late to take him over to social services so he had bundled the boy up and brought him home. His wife had taken one look at the boy and decided he wasn't going anywhere. They named him Michael and were able to officially adopt him a year later. He had always been closer to Michelle. His first word, which hadn't been spoken until four months after he was found, was Mama. Jim has always felt that Michael was scared of him. Not of him personally but of what he represents. Michelle was just his mother but Jim is something else, he is the Sheriff of Roswell. Why this intimidates Michael he has yet to figure out. Jim has only ever seen Michael completely open with two people Michelle and Maria Deluca. Of course with Maria the feelings he shows is pure hatred and contempt but at least you know how he feels around her.

Right at this moment Michael is shaking his head in disgust at the very vocal and animated Maria Deluca. Kyle and Tess had quieted in their outburst but Maria was still going full blast.

"Shut up Blondie. They are getting married. End of story." Michael had finally heard enough of Hurricane Deluca's tirade.

Maria turned her attention from her mother to glare at Michael. She just stared at him for the longest time and then finally turned back to her mother.

"Fine. But we better be moving into a place that keeps him," pointing at Michael, "as far away from me as possible."

PART 2 - Moving In

Today was the big day, moving day. Jim and Amy had found the perfect house for their family. It had a Master bedroom on the first floor, 3 bedrooms on the second floor and a bedroom and full bath in the basement. It was decided that Michael would take the basement bedroom so that a full floor would separate him and Maria. The past two months, since the wedding announcement had been made, it was like living in a war zone whenever Michael and Maria were in the same room. Everyone agreed that this year was going to be VERY long year. All four teenagers were seniors at West Roswell High and would graduate this year and go off to college. But until then everyone was going to have to find someway to get along. Kyle, Tess and Maria didn't have a problem with each other at all. In fact, Kyle and Tess were excited about the new living arrangements. They had been dating for the last year and things were getting really serious between the two. A fact that hadn't gone unnoticed by their parents. They soon sat the two down and laid down the ground rules. Kyle and Tess's bedroom was separated by Maria's room and under no circumstance were they allowed in each other's room at any time. They could spend as much time as they wanted in Den or Family Room or even in Maria's or Michael's room but their bedrooms were prohibited. Jim and Amy weren't stupid enough to think that they could keep them away from each other but they wanted it known from the beginning that anything overly "serious" was not going to be condoned, at least not in their home.

The new house was a buzz with activity. Maria and Tess were busy helping to get their rooms together while Jim and Amy were supervising the movers with the furniture and boxes for the rest of the house. Michael and Kyle on the other hand were lazing about in the Den watching TV since they had already finished with their rooms. They didn't have to have everything just perfect like the girls did. Maria's boyfriend Max, who was also Michael's best friend, had joined them earlier when Maria kicked him out for getting in the way. Max's sister Isabel and her boyfriend Alex were hanging out with the girls upstairs.

"So where is Alex?" Michael asks Max.

"Evidently he wasn't in the way." Max said sarcastically.

Michael smiled at his best friend.

"What Max, Blondie finally getting on your nerves?"

"Shut up Michael. I am not talking to you about Maria. You know the deal."

Michael and Max had made a deal along time ago that they wouldn't discuss Maria. Max knew how much Michael disliked his girlfriend and he was also very aware of how she felt about Michael in return. Since he wanted to remain close to both of them he had to make boundaries so that he wasn't constantly in the middle of their never-ending battles. They still tried to turn him against one another though. Max wondered if that would ever end. Michael and he had been friends since 3rd grade and he and Maria had been "dating" since 5th grade. He loved them both but sometimes he wanted to strangle them with his bare hands. Now was one of those times. He was mad at Maria for kicking him out of her room while Alex got to stay. Isabel had Alex so well trained that he acted more like a girl sometimes then a guy but still he was Maria's boyfriend. Of course, Michael doesn't make it any better with his "I told you so" smirks. Michael had been trying to convince him that Maria was not the girl for him for the last two years. He had always given him a hard time about being "close" to Maria but the last couple of years he had been unmerciful. So much so that he had finally told Michael to layoff or else, which of course made Michaels' hatred of Maria even worse. Lately though, he had been feeling that Michael may be right. He loved Maria, besides Michael she was his best friend, but he wasn't so sure if he was really in love with her. For two people who have been together for so long their relationship had not gotten very intimate. They kissed and made out but they never go very far. Considering the fact that they were both normal hormone driven teenagers this was a major warning that something wasn't exactly right with their relationship. Of course nothing had ever been exactly normal with them from the beginning. The little issue of Max not being of this earth kind of stood out as one of those not "normal" factors. Maria had found out when they were 10 years old when Max healed her. Michael and her had been fighting, as usual, and she had fallen from a tree and broken her back. Michael Isabel and even Tess had tried to stop Max but he couldn't let her suffer and had healed Maria letting her in on their secret. Kyle and Alex had also been there that day. So for eight years the seven of them had been keeping a secret from everyone. The fact that their secret was out because of Maria was another reason why Michael disliked her so much. He blamed her for it all. It really wasn't Maria's fault. Michael is the one who had pushed her in the tree and it had been Max that decided to heal her but Michael will never see it any other way. Max felt responsible for Maria and he didn't want to hurt her. For the longest time he told himself that the reason he was holding back was he didn't know what could happen but that was null and void now with Tess and Kyle at "it" all the time. Even Alex and Isabel had moved on to the next step but Maria and him were still in limbo. It really was times like this that he wished he could talk to Michael but he knew he couldn't. Maria was definitely an off limit subject.

"So Evans, my new sister driving you as crazy as the rest of us today?" Kyle asks with a smile on his face.

"Not really. You know how she gets when she is in Hurricane Deluca mode." Michael smirks at Max's comment.

"Tell me about it. But you're the lucky one Max you get to go home. We have to live with her." Kyle says.

"Speak for yourself Kyle. We may be occupying the same house but I certainly don't have to live with her. There is a entire floor separating us."

This is a fact that pleases everyone in the room. Kyle is especially grateful that he will not have to hear Michael and Maria bicker over the shower or any other mundane fact like that. In fact his dad had put a TV in both the den in the basement and the family room on the first floor so that they wouldn't even have to fight over the TV. His dad and Amy really were trying to make things work out for them all. Kyle just hoped that they would survive this year without to many major battles. He really believed that his dad and Amy deserved all the happiness they could get. He was never upset that they were getting married. He was only upset that they had kept their relationship hidden for so long. He knew that his brother accepted it way before everyone else. Michael was the one who figured out that they must have been together for a long time. Maria had totally lost it when his dad had told them it had been three years. She continued ranting and raving at Amy and him for a good half an hour until Michael finally told her to shut up. Everyone in the room had held their breath anticipating the upcoming battle but it never occurred. For the first time since he had known her, which was practically his whole life, she had actually backed down from a fight with his brother. A fact that he found extremely interesting and one day he will have enough nerve to ask her about it. Of course, that wouldn't be anytime soon. Not with her in Hurricane Mode. Michael was actually the one to coin that phrase. He said that Maria had three modes: ditzy airhead blonde, annoying pain in the butt, and Hurricane. Kyle didn't exactly agree with his brother but the Hurricane mode was a pretty accurate description of her when she got overly hyper or pissed off.

"We are ordering Pizza what does every one want?" Jim yells down the stairs to the den.

"Jalapenos and pineapple." Max and Michael shout at the same time.

"God that is just gross. Dad the normal people would like Pepperoni and Mushroom."

"Ok boys. This is the only room that is set up so we will be eating down here tonight."

"Damn" Michael cursed and runs his hands through his unruly hair.

Kyle and Max looked at one another and groan. This was going to be one helluva long night.

Part 3 - Late Night Encounters

The Deluca's and Valenti's have been living together for two months and so far there haven't been any major blow ups. There were a few close calls concerning a certain someone drinking directly out of the orange juice container but surprisingly everyone came out ok. There was a minor blow up on their first night in the new house. They had a fight over the last slice of pizza. Both decided they wanted it. Michael gave in and let Maria have it after a 10-minute stare battle. Since then things are been relatively calm.

In the basement Michael is spending another restless night in his room. Every night for the last month he has had the same dream and then when he wakes he cant go back to sleep. Once awake his mind wont shut down. He thinks of things he doesn't want to think of. His dreams haunt him. He started having the dreams about two years ago. He doesn't know what triggered them but he wished he could stop them. Now the past month they have been more vivid and surreal and are occurring every night. Michael wishes he could just stop them. They were driving him crazy. During the day he was finding himself thinking about the dream he had the night before. It was getting harder and harder for him to separate his dream world with the real one. Especially considering he was living with the object of each and every single one of his dreams, Maria Deluca. It was absolutely crazy. He hated the girl. She had been a thorn in his side since day one. He has spent years waiting in fear for someone to come and take him away and it is all because of Maria Deluca. Max healed her, letting her in on their secret, and since that day she hasn't let him forget he is different then everyone else. She calls him Spaceboy, a constant reminder that he is not human. So why for the past two years does she haunt his dreams. The past month they have gotten so much more intense. He wakes up in a sweat with his heart racing a mile a minute and a desperate need for a cold shower. It just doesn't make any sense to him.

Upstairs Maria nearly jumps off the bed as she is awakened from a very disturbing dream.

"What the hell was that?" She had been having a very enjoyable dream about Heath Ledger and then all of sudden Heath disappears and is replaced by someone else. She wonders who he is but as the dream gets more and more intense all thoughts leave her. She is caught up in the feelings that this mystery guy is causing. She doesn't want it to end. His kisses and touch are making her mad with need. Then he lifts his head and looks her in the eyes and she finally recognizes the mystery man is, her biggest enemy, Michael Guerin. She awakens immediately. Maria shakes her head to clear the dream induced confusion. She has no idea where that came from. She hates him. He has done nothing but treat her with disgust and contempt from the first day they met. And it has gotten worse since she found out their secret. Maria knows that Michael blames her for the accident and Max healing her. And he reminds her daily that she doesn't belong with them, especially Max. Of course, lately she is in total agreement on the latter. Max and her were not meant to be. They had a talk last night about it and had decided it was time they change their relationship to just friendship. As a couple they just weren't working. What is more shocking is that in all the time she had been dating Max and all the times they had made out she had never felt the way she did in the dream with Michael. Thoughts like that just bring a bad taste to her mouth. Maria decides to get up and get something to drink. A nice glass of ice water is just what she needs to cool her down.

As Maria walks into the kitchen she rubs her eyes to make sure she is seeing clearly. The man of her "dreams" stands in front of her dressed only in his boxer shorts. She momentarily remembers some of the sensations she felt in her dream. She breaks out of her daze when she sees him take a drink from the OJ container.

"Glass"

Michael jumps in reaction to Maria's voice. He glances in her direction noticing that she is only wearing a tight baby tee and a pair of boxers, both of which hold nothing to the imagination.

"Bite me"

"Not even in your dreams Spaceboy."

Michael mumbles something that Maria can't hear.

"What was that?"

"I said you would be surprised." Michael smirks at Maria noticing her shocked expression.

Maria shakes her head not believing what he just said.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing much. Just that you would be surprised at what I dream about." Michael pulls out a glass from the cupboard and pours some Orange Juice in the glass. He offers it to a surprised Maria.

Maria shakes her head.

"I am obviously still dreaming."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I would swear you are flirting with me." Maria covers her mouth. She can't believe she actually said that to him.

"And if I am?" Michael walks towards Maria.

She backs away from him until she hits the counter and can't go any further. Michael doesn't know what actually he is doing. She had mentioned dreams and something just clicked in his head. He had to see if what he felt in his dreams was possible and there was only one way to find out.

"Michael, what are you doing?" Maria whispers to him as his face inches closer to her own.

"Just seeing if my dreams could be realty." Michael says as his lips lower to touch hers.

Maria puts her hand up to push him away but as soon as his lips touch hers that thought is gone. This kiss is like nothing she has ever felt before. Her dream had been intense but nothing prepared her for the electric shock that was now traveling throughout her body. Her blood was heating in her veins and the room, which had been cool, was now like a sauna. The hands that were going to push him away were now pulling him closer. She wanted to feel all of him against her and when he pulled her up against his chest she wrapped her legs around his waist. Michael effortlessly pulled her away from the counter, supporting her legs with his arms, and carried her over to the sofa, their lips never separating. Their hands, which had remained still, were now exploring as their kisses deepen and become more passionate, the intensity of their desire becoming more and more frantic. Suddenly Michael pulls away and moves to the far end of the couch. He tries to regain his breath. He runs his hands through his unruly hair and takes a deep breath.

Maria pulled herself into a ball on her side of the couch also trying to get her breathing under control. The wave of emotions she had been feeling just seconds before was taking a toll out on her. Since Michael had pulled away she hadn't dared to look at him but finally she had the nerve and looked at his face. For the first time she could see the raw emotions displayed clearly on his face and it nearly took her breath away to know that she was not alone in her confusion and frustration. Maria was about to say something to him when the kitchen light comes on.

"Geez, you guys almost gave me a heart-attack." Kyle says as he is holding his hand to his chest.

"Sorry Kyle. Just came to gets some water when I ran into him." Maria says as she gets up and walks (albeit unsteadily) into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. Her hands are noticeably shaking as she reaches for a glass.

Kyle looks at Maria and then at his brother. Something was obviously going on. He starts to smile but one glance at Michael and he thinks better of it. Michael does not look very happy with him right now.

"Ok, well I am going back to bed." Kyle exchanges looks with his brother and goes back upstairs.

Maria is leaning on the counter to support her shaking legs. She feels, rather then sees, Michael come up behind her. He turns her around. At first she thinks he is going to continue what they had started earlier but then she can tell he wants to talk about what happened. He opens and closes his mouth several times before he finally is able to breath her name.

"Maria."

Maria stops him from going any further.

"No Michael. I can't talk to you right now." She pulls out of his arms and runs back upstairs to her room where she throws herself on to her bed, the tears already starting to fall. For the second time tonight she can't help but say

"What the hell was that?"

Downstairs Michael beats his head against the freezer door several times before heading back down to his room.

"Well that didn't clear up anything." Michael says to himself.

Upstairs Kyle hears Maria run into her room. He can't wait to tell Alex about tonight. It was quite obvious what had been going on between Michael and Maria before he came downstairs. Kyle had bet Alex a week ago that something was going to happen between them soon. He knew that Michael wanted Maria (he saw the way he looked at her when he thought no was looking) and if tonight was any indication he was sure that Maria wanted him back. Alex didn't believe him so that is why he had made the bet. Well he had been right and tomorrow Alex was going to have to pay up. Tomorrow was going to be a good day.

Part 4 - The Morning After

Today was the annual Deluca/Valenti going back to school party. They usually have it at the Crashdown but since the Deluca's and Valenti's now have a nice big house with a pool they decide to have their party at the house. Jim and Amy have disappeared, as promised, so that the kids can have their party without the adults interrupting. Michael and Max are manning the grill while the girls are lounging in the pool. Alex and Kyle are sitting besides the pool watching their girlfriends.

"So you saw them doing what exactly?" Alex asks.

"Well I didn't see them "doing" anything but it sure looked like they had been. Both their lips were swollen and they looked like they were having trouble catching their breath. Plus when Maria went to get a glass from the cupboard her hands were shaking. They were doing something I tell you."

"Have you asked Michael about it?"

"Yeah right. He about shot me dead with one of his looks last night when I started smiling."

"Wonder what happened after you went upstairs?"

"Well knowing Maria like I do I am guessing she blew him off."

"You know Alex I just thought about something, What about Max?"

"Oh didn't you hear. They broke up."

"What!" Kyle shouts. The girls as well as Max and Michael look at Kyle for a second and then go back to their conversations.

"Yeah they broke up last night. It was a mutual thing. They decided they were better friends then as a couple."

"Well hallelujah, I never thought they would get a clue. We have all said that about them for years. Well doesn't that just make this whole thing a little more interesting."

"I would stay out of it Kyle. You know how your brother is. And we both know how Maria can get. I don't think you want to get in the middle of them."

"You do have a point there. I will just leave it to Tess. You know she will start to play matchmaker as soon as I tell her about last night."

Alex nods his head. He figures that may be a good plan. Tess is the only one that neither Michael nor Maria can stay mad at.

Over at the grill..

"So you broke up?" Michael asks.

"That is what I just said. And before you say anything Maria is still one of my best friends."

"I wasn't going to say a word Maxwell."

"Huh? Since when?"

"Let's just say I have seen Maria in a new light." He says as he glances in her direction in the pool. Michael can't stop thinking about last night. He didn't sleep a bit after he went back to his room. That kiss or should he say those kisses were amazing. He has never felt anything like that before. It was electric and he wants more of it. Now he has to find away to convince Maria the same.

Max stares at his best friend as he periodically glances at Maria in the pool. What the hell happened last night? Is his only thought. Yesterday they were bickering as usual but today he has noticed that they haven't said a word to each other and now Michael is eyeing Maria in her bikini. He will have to ask Kyle about this later. If anyone will know what is going on it will be him.

Maria sits on her lounger in the pool staring off into space. Maria keeps thinking about what happened last night. First the dream and then the major make out session in the kitchen. She wonders what would have happened if Kyle hadn't come in. Things were getting very intense and what is worse is she liked it, a lot. She has never felt anything like Michael's kisses. They were electric and she thinks she wants more. She has seen him look at her from the grill several times. Maria can only guess what he is thinking and feeling. This is totally new to her. For years Michael has been enemy #1 and now she is thinking about jumping his bones. It is all so crazy. What a difference a day can make. Yesterday she was Max Evan's girlfriend now today she is lusting after Michael Guerin.

Tess and Isabel have noticed Maria's far off look and figure it is just because of her and Max's breakup. Then they notice Michael glance in Maria's direction several times as well as the looks that Alex and Kyle are giving the two. They decide to find out what is going on.

"Ok give. What's going on with Michael and Maria?" Isabel asks.

"Kyle caught them making out last night." Alex says.

"What!" Isabel and Tess shout at the same time.

"Well I didn't actually catch them making out but by the look of things they had been."

"You have got to be joking. They hate each other." Isabel says.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I have noticed Michael looking at Maria a lot lately." Tess tells them.

"Tess's right. I have seen it to. And Maria has been giving Michael some looks today."

"Well this could be an interesting party." Isabel says as she sees Michael watching Maria get out of the pool and go into the house.

At the grill

Michael sees Maria get out of the pool and go into the house.

"Max take care of the grill I will be back in a second."

"Ok." Max says as he watches his friend follow Maria into the house. He looks over at his friends and sees that they have seen Michael follow Maria also. He thinks to himself that this is definitely going to be an interesting party.

Part 5- Afternoon Delight

As Maria walked into the house she hoped that she knew what she was doing. She headed to the basement, to Michael's room and waited for him; she knew he was following her. Last night had nagged her long enough. It was time to find out if it was just some strange one-time occurrence or if what she had felt last night was real. Maria was waiting on his bed when Michael walked in and shut the door behind him.

As Michael had followed Maria through the house and figured out her destination he had gotten more and more nervous. He could only imagine what was running through her head right now. When he walked into his bedroom and saw her waiting on his bed he thought his heart would leap through his chest it started beating so fast. He knew what she wanted. It was what he wanted. To find out if last night was real.

Michael walked over to the bed and sat down. He gently touched her face with his hand and leaned in so he could touch his lips to hers. As soon as their lips met the electricity they had felt last night began again. Maria fell back onto the bed pulling Michael with her. She wanted to feel all of him against her. The sensations were so overwhelming. They thought last night had been intense but it was nothing compared to today. Their need to be together was so great and powerful. Desire and passion vibrated through them like thunder during a storm. They yanked and pulled at their clothes. The need to be touching skin to skin was too great. Michael pulled away from Maria a bit and looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"More than I have ever been sure of anything." Maria breathlessly whispers.

Michael pulls her close again. Their hands explore each other's body; memorizing the feel of each place their hands travel. Their breathing becomes more erratic and their heartbeats race as they become bolder with their explorations. As they join together body and soul they both feel a sense of completion; like they have finally found where they belong.

Michael pulls Maria to his side pulling a blanket over them both.

"That was wow." Maria finally says.

"Yeah."

"Are you sorry?"

"No. But now what Michael?"

Michael looks down at the beautiful girl in his arms. He places a kiss on her forehead.

"I really don't know. But I don't think I want this feeling to ever go away."

Maria snuggles in closer to Michael's chest. "Me either."

Out by the pool.

"Well they have been inside there for awhile. You don't think that they are… you know?" Kyle finally breaks the silence. No one had said a word since Michael and Maria went inside. The food had been ready a while ago so everyone had started to eat.

"Nah, I'm sure their not." Alex says not sounding very convinced.

Inside the house

Maria and Michael had gotten dressed and were on their way back out to the pool. Maria stops Michael before he opens the door.

"Wait Michael. You know they are going to ask questions. What are we going to say?"

"We aren't going to say anything." Michael says as he opens the door and reaches for Maria's hand. She hesitates for a moment but then takes his hand.

"Oh My God. Hell has surely frozen over." Isabel says as she and the other's watch in shock as Maria Deluca and Michael Guerin, mortal enemies, walk hand in hand out of the house.

Part 6- The Secret

For two months Michael and Maria had been having a secret relationship. Their friends knew all about the two of them but they had been able to keep Jim and Amy completely in the dark. Michael and Maria both knew that their parents would flip. Having Tess and Kyle dating and living in the same house was one thing but for their other two children to be dating as well would just be too much. Michael was afraid that it would affect Jim and Amy's relationship and he didn't want this to happen. He knew that Jim was truly happy and very much in love with Amy and he didn't want anything to mess up his happiness. Maria on the other hand was afraid of her mother's reaction. See Kyle Amy could control but Michael was uncontrollable. Amy would be afraid for her daughter. So they kept their relationship a secret. I guess you could say like father, like son and like mother, like daughter.

"Hi honey. Where are the kids? "Jim comes in the house and kisses Amy on the cheek.

"They are in the den. They have been surprisingly quiet. Jim, have you noticed anything strange about Michael and Maria?"

"Not really. Other than they haven't really been fighting as much lately."

"And you don't find that strange. For years we have had to separate those two from each other. At times I was sure they were going to kill each other but now they almost seem to be getting along. It bothers me."

"Well if it makes you feel any better I will talk to Michael about it."

"Thanks honey." Amy smiles and kisses Jim.

Jim heads towards the stairs to go to the den. He is not looking forward to this conversation with Michael. He knew that evidentially Amy would question Michael and Maria's change of attitude. He saw it way before Amy did probably because he has spent years just watching Michael trying to figure him out. He saw the change in Michael even before he saw it in Maria. He observed Michael staring at Maria when he thought no one was watching. A look of confusion would be on his face as he seemed to be trying to figure her out. As always Michael was an open book when it came to Maria. Everything else he hid away but you could always tell what he was feeling and thinking around Maria. That was why he knew that his son was in love with his soon to be wife's daughter. He saw passion and desire at first, which he will admit bothered him a lot especially when he saw it on Maria's face also. Gradually it changed to love. He isn't even sure if his son knows yet that he is in love with Maria. Love is not something that comes easy to Michael. Jim believes that Michael loves his family and his friends but only to a point. Michael always seems to keep a wall built up so that he will not be too deeply connected to anyone. But lately Jim has seen that wall starting to crumble. Michael has let Maria in where no one else has been able to get to and for this Jim will forever be grateful to Maria. The Deluca women are truly spectacular and the Valenti men are sure lucky that they are in their lives. Now to just keep one particular Deluca woman from freaking out that both of her daughters are very "involved" with his sons is going to be one hell of a challenge.

Jim walks down the stairs. He pretends not to notice how closely his sons are sitting next to Maria and Tess or that they scrambled away from each other as soon as he gets closer to them.

"Hey kids. What you up to?"

"Not much dad. Just watching some TV." Kyle answers.

"Good. Michael do you think I could talk to you for a moment son?"

Michael looks up at his father and nods his head towards his room. He gets up and follows his father into his room and goes and sits on the bed.

"What's up?"

"Michael I need to talk to you about Maria."

"What about Maria?" Michael remains calm and his facial expression does not change a bit.

"Son, I know that you and Maria are 'involved'. I have known for quite awhile."

Michael nods his head at his father. He knew it would only be a matter of time before his father figured it out.

"How?"

"Michael you are my son. I see it on your face every time Maria is in the room. I know that you have very strong feeling for her."

"Does Amy know?"

"Not yet but she is getting suspicious and both of us know it isn't going to be pretty when she does find out."

Michael smiles at his father. Amy Deluca scares both of them especially when she gets upset and she is definitely going to be upset when she finds out about him and Maria. Michael's smile fades.

"I love her dad."

"I know son. The Deluca women are easy to love. Not exactly easy to live with but loving them isn't a problem at all. Don't worry we will work it out."

"Dad I don't want this to affect yours and Amy's relationship."

"Don't worry we will be fine. Michael, you and Maria are being careful right?"

"Dad!" Michael gives Jim a horrified look.

"I'm serious son. I am way to young to be a grandfather." Jim smiles at his son.

Michael rolls his eyes at Jim and gives him one of his legendary smirks.

"Alright Michael I trust that you are being responsible. After all you are a Valenti."

Jim walks out of the room and heads towards the stairs. He hesitates a moment and then turns around and looks at Michael.

"I'm going to have tell her so be prepared."

"I know Dad."

Tess, Maria and Kyle look at Michael and Jim trying to figure out what they are talking about.

Jim walks upstairs his shoulders slumping a bit anticipating the battle that is ahead of them all.

Michael looks at the others.

"Well our little love nest is about to get turned upside down."

"Oh my God no. Tell me he isn't going to tell her." Maria says.

"Ok I wont."

"$#%*" Tess and Kyle say at the same time.

"You can say that again." Michael says

The four of them sit in silence waiting for the explosion that is about to occur upstairs.

Part 7- The Wrath of Amy

"So what you are telling me is that not only is one of your sons sleeping with one of my daughters but your other son is now sleeping with my other daughter?" Amy asks in a calm voice.

"Basically. But Amy..." Jim starts to say but is cut off by his now irate wife.

"This is unacceptable. I will not have it do you here me Jim? This is getting out of control. Tess and Kyle were one thing but my baby girl and Michael is just to much. I mean they hated each other Jim. How did this happen?"

"I don't think that either one of them expected it Amy. I don't know if this makes you feel any better but Michael loves her and if I'm not mistaken Maria feels the same way. I know you are upset that they kept their relationship a secret from us but they just didn't want to upset anyone. Does this remind you of another secret relationship?"

"Oh don't try comparing us to them Jim. We are adults they are just children."

"No Amy they are not children. And I don't think that this relationship is anything to be taken lightly. Michael in particular is the type that once he gives his heart to someone it is theirs for life."

"Ok I will give you that one. But what do we do now. We can not let this go on in our home Jim. It just wouldn't be right."

Jim had been thinking about this very issue for quite awhile now. Once he suspected that Michael and Maria were involved he knew that it would come out eventually. He did not want his relationship with Amy to suffer and he did not want to break up this family, as unusual as it was. The only thing he could come up with was for them all to sit down and come up with some rules that everyone would be satisfied with.

"I have been thinking about this. If we instill some strict rules on them I really think everything will be ok. We have to trust them to act responsibly Amy. They are not children anymore."

"They may not be children Jim but they are still my little girls."

"I know honey and they always will be. You just have to let them grow up. Besides that they are loved by Valenti men so it isn't all bad."

Amy smiled at her husband. Yes being loved by a Valenti man wasn't bad at all. Michael and Kyle are both good boys. She loves them as much as if they were her own but she still didn't like the fact that they were "involved" were her babies. She is still having a hard time dealing with the fact that her little girls are growing up so fast. They would somehow come to an arrangement that they could all be happy with but first she was going to instill the fear of god into both those young men. Her little girls may be growing up but she was certainly not ready to become a grandma anytime soon.

Part 8- The Confrontation & Epilogue

Michael, Maria, Tess and Kyle sit quietly waiting for Amy to come barreling down the stairs to confront Michael and Maria about their relationship. They all know it is just a matter of time. They heard some yelling upstairs a bit earlier but things have been quiet for a while. The wait is starting to get to them.

"Ok what is taking so long?" Kyle asks.

"Maybe she killed him." Maria jokes.

"Not funny Maria." Michael says to his girlfriend.

"I know Michael I am just scared. What is going to happen to us now that they know."

"Everything will be fine Maria." He pulls Maria into his arms and places a kiss on her forehead.

Michael hopes he isn't lying to Maria. He really does hope everything will be fine. He does know that he isn't giving her up. Most people wait a lifetime to find what he and Maria share and he isn't going to let it slip away from him. He has finally found his home. No matter where he came from he belongs here with Maria. Amy is just going to have to understand that.

Maria hopes that Michael is right and that everything will be ok. It is hard to believe that six months ago she was dating Max and hating the ground that Michael Guerin walked on and now she doesn't think she could live without Michael in her life. He has become everything to her in such a short time. When she was a little girl she used to dream about finding Prince Charming and then Max saved her life and she thought she had found him. Michael on the other hand was more like Quasimodo but the most surprising thing of all is she has realized that she would rather be with him then all the Prince Charmings in the world. After their first "encounter" they agreed to just let things happen between them. They didn't force anything. Michael held her hand while their friends gawked at them and then they just went on like everything was normal. After a couple of hours they all stopped staring at them since it was apparent that neither one of them were going to comment on the change in their relationship. Since then they have tried not to show their feelings in public but when they are alone you can clearly see what is written on both of their faces. Maria loves Michael more than she thought possible and she knows that Michael feels the same way. They haven't actually said the words but they really aren't necessary. The connection they share is much more powerful than any words that could be spoken between the two.

They hear the door to the basement open and prepare themselves for what is to come.

Amy walks down the stairs calmly only momentarily shocked to see Maria being held closely by Michael. She takes a really good look at the couple sitting before her and understands what Jim was trying to tell her. Michael is holding onto Maria like he is afraid that Amy is about to try and take her away from him and it is most evident that he is not going to let her go. Her anger towards Michael diminishes quite a bit when she realizes that he really does love her daughter.

"Maria, Tess I want you both to go upstairs. I will talk to you both later."

"Mom" Maria tries to argue.

"Now Maria."

Maria looks at Michael and he nods his head. She kisses him on the cheek and follows Tess upstairs.

"Kyle, we have already had this talk once but I want to instill in your brain that I will not be a grandmother for a VERY long time. Do I make myself clear young man?"

"Yes Mam."

"Ok Kyle, go upstairs your dad wants to talk to you he is in the kitchen."

Kyle glances over to his brother and then goes upstairs as he was instructed. He is not about to argue with Amy Deluca when she is on the warpath.

Amy waits until Kyle has shut the basement door and then sits down in the chair across from Michael. She stares at him for a moment before she begins to speak.

"Ok Michael I guess we need to talk. You heard what I just said to Kyle. I want to make sure that you understand what I am trying to convey here. I will NOT become a grandmother in the near future and if you hurt my daughter in any way I will make you pay. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

"Good, now that we have that out of the way I want you to know that although I am understandably upset that you decided to keep your relationship a secret from me I am not entirely opposed to you and Maria seeing each other. As your father pointed out it is not necessarily a bad thing to be loved by a Valenti man."

Michael smiled at Amy's last comment. He would have to remember to thank his dad for trying to smooth things over with Amy.

"Now just because I am not opposed to this relationship doesn't mean that you are one of my favorite people right now. However, I do want you to know that I love you. No matter what happens with you and Maria you will always be part of my family."

"I love her, Amy."

"I know you do Michael. I saw that as soon as I walked in the room. Later we will all sit down and have a little talk about the new House Rules. Now come here and give me a hug."

Michael stood up and hugged Amy. He was glad that his Dad was marrying her. She was a good woman and a good mom to all of them.

"Ok let's go upstairs where I am sure they are all sitting by the door trying to hear us, your father included."

Michael smiled and followed Amy up the stairs. His family was definitely a strange bunch of people. He had to pause for a second. Six months ago he wouldn't have thought of them as a family but that was what they had become. They had come into this as the Deluca's and the Valenti's now they were simply Family and he was sure that someday they would all carry the Valenti name. Michael knew without a doubt that someday he would marry Maria and he was sure that Kyle had the same plans for Tess. When Michael stepped through the door and saw his family trying to act like they hadn't been eavesdropping he smiled and thought it was nice to finally have a place that he considered home.

Epilogue-

Ten years later

The group of people sitting in the waiting room were beginning to worry. It had been such a long time since the soon to be parents went into the delivery room. Amy Valenti was about to barge into the room if someone didn't come out soon with news. She was holding onto her husband's hand with an iron grip. Next to Amy sat Tess and Kyle with identical worried expressions on their faces. Kyle rubbed his wife's protruding stomach thinking that it wouldn't be long before it was their turn in that room. Across from them sat Alex and Isabel who were trying to keep their two-year old daughter occupied as they both frequently glanced at the closed delivery room doors. Next to them sat Liz Parker, a new member to their group. She was soon to become Mrs. Maxwell Evans. They had met in college and fell instantly in love. Max had finally found what he had been looking for. What had been missing in his relationship with Maria was instantly felt as soon as he first laid eyes of Liz.

The delivery room doors opened and Dr. Max Evans walked through them.

"I would like to introduce you all to James Maxwell Valenti" Max said as he stepped to the side revealing Michael carrying his son in his arms.

A loud sigh of relief came from all those present in the waiting room soon to be followed by equally loud "awe" when they had their first glimpse at baby Jaime. Michael went immediately to his parents.

"Mom, Dad this is your grandson Jaime."

Amy no sooner had time to register the fact that Michael had called her mom before Michael was placing little Jaime in her arms. He was absolutely beautiful. With Maria's blond hair and Michael's soulful brown eyes you could tell already that he was going to be a heart stealer. Of course he had already stole the hearts of all those present in the waiting room.

"Ok now that you have made me a Grandma I have decided it isn't so bad after all and I think I will be able to stand it if wish to continue doing so."

Michael smiled at Amy.

"Well Kyle and I will certainly see what we can do about that."

Everyone in the room laughed. They looked at the faces of their friends, their family in heart if not by blood, and knew what it was like to truly be happy. Nothing in this world or any other could beat this feeling that they were all feeling at this moment.

The End.

Hope you enjoyed! I know I originally said that Liz wouldn't be in this fic but I just couldn't stand to see Max all by himself.