Max stood when the train screeched to a halt inside the station. His parents had arrived in Chelsea the night before, but Zach and Lilli were flying in later along with Gilly and his girl. For one night, the Brownstone would be overcrowded. Max didn't mind, because he could sleep anywhere. It would be the opposite of his last visit when he shared the home with only an angry Olivia.

Livvy hadn't been angry the last time he saw her. The day she visited New Haven had been a surprise. Knowing she was in the building shifted his equilibrium. He felt a need to impress which wasn't wise for a surgeon. Throughout the day, he longed to catch glimpses of her in post-op, even when he caught her questioning a nurse about him. She failed since he kept his miniscule social life out of the hospital.

When he went to look in on Jayden, he had expected Livvy to be nearby. She had made an impression on the young mother. Max matched Cami's disappoint about Olivia leaving without saying goodbye. Through the years, he had given Olivia reasons to cry, but she hid her tears. Listening to her cry over the phone tugged at his heart. She left her heart wide open for others.

The early March air didn't bite as he walked from the station. If he had texted which train he was on, Olivia would have met him even if it meant delaying last-minute preparations for the party. She always did, but he had waited two weeks to see her, so he could wait a little longer.

As much as he hated the city, walking the streets of Chelsea caused his steps to quicken until he stopped in front of the familiar stoop. He smiled as he climbed to the door with his garment bag slung over his shoulder. Knocking first, he used his key. After kicking off his shoes, he followed voices into the kitchen.

"Max!" Lois's face lit up.

"Hi everyone." He smiled as his mother threw her arms around him. Her scent of his childhood wafted around him. After she let go, he greeted the others, including wishing his uncle a happy birthday.

"The others arrive later and Olivia's doing last-minute preparations for the party."

He chuckled. "I thought it was a surprise."

"Besides all of you visiting, your father blabbed."

Michael held up his hands. "Guilty."

Max shook his head. "Should I dump my things in the attic?"

Anita nodded. "Just like old times."

"Except Zach has a wife and Gilly..."

"The girls can have a slumber party with Olivia and the guys can sleep in the attic." Kurt sounded serious.

Anita laughed. "They aren't teens anymore."

Lois laughed. "We don't have to worry about Zach and Olivia anymore."

Anita shook her head. "I did my part by being a better mother than my own. I made sure she went on the pill."

Max shifted his feet. "Why are we talking about this? Zach has Lilli."

Kurt laughed. "The older we get the more we reminisce."

He shook his head as he moved out of the room. When he entered the front hall, the door opened and Olivia appeared. The sight of her always caught his breath.

"Hi! You made it!"

He nodded as she flung her arms around him much like his mother had, but her scent affected him differently. He held on an extra moment before letting go and stepping back. "What was that for? I saw you two weeks ago."

He never missed her until he saw her. Compartmentalizing his life was how he existed through the grueling years. It was the only way he knew to survive. At work there was no room for missing loved ones.

"Have you seen Cami again?"

He frowned. "No. I didn't see him for his followup. I looked into it. He healed nicely."

"He had a good doctor."

He shook his head. "Plenty of doctors in Manhattan could have done what I did." He took a step towards the stairs. "I was just bringing my things up."

"I feel foolish. I was being selfish when I should be glad they are off the streets." She climbed the stairs behind him.

"Don't apologize for caring."

She stopped on the second floor landing. "Was that a general comment or does it apply to you?"

Max felt the pain which reminded him he could never make her happy. Olivia needed to be someone's top priority, but his career would always be his. Sometimes loving wasn't enough. It sounded like a song lyric.

"Liv, are you all set for the party?"

She groaned and stamped her foot. "You are so infuriating."

Even her mini tantrums made him smile. He liked to have the power to set her off. She was beautiful when angry.

"I just asked a question. You plan amazing events. If you give up publishing, you could have a career as a wedding planner."

"I'll happily plan our wedding." She leaned into him. "It will happen."

"And I would hurt you. You would end up hating me and my mother and uncle would fall out. It would be awful."

"Are you this pessimistic when you walk in the operating room?"

They had reached the third floor. Once Max put his suit and bag down, she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands didn't stay at his side as they landed on her hips.

She brought her mouth an inch from his. "Tell me you don't love me."

Her lips brushed his before she pushed away. He wanted to reach out and pull her flush against him. He had loved her for years.

"What time do we need to be dressed?"

She pounded her fists on his chest. "I'll take your lack of answer to mean you do."

He grabbed her wrists. "Stop. Listen, I want to ask a favor. I need a plus one for a wedding."

Her face brightened. "Like a date?"

"Like a plus one."

He expected her to agree immediately, but she bit her pink lip and looked him in the eye. "I have some demands."

"Demands?" He chuckled. She was worse than the toughest surgeon during his residency.

"I'll only agree if it is a real date."

"What's a real date?" He had never dated as an adult.

"No mention of being cousins. We hold hands and dance like a real couple."

Everything she mentioned sounded nice, too nice. He nodded.

She smiled. "Okay then." Before he could step back, she pressed her lips onto his briefly. "And kisses. I want kisses."

He chuckled. "Lemon."

She ran her hand down his cheek. "My favorite taste. You need a shave."

He stood dazed as she stepped back and walked towards the stairs. "The girls are dressing in my room. So the men can dress up here. There are plenty of towels in the bathroom." She looked at her watch. "They've landed so they should be here soon."

It had been too long since he had seen Zach. "When was the last time I saw Gilly?"

Olivia frowned. "You worked through Thanksgiving and Christmas and Ian missed Zach's wedding."

"A long time."

"And now he's in love. If mister bachelor has settled down, you can too."

"He's not married." Max refused to fall for her argument.

"Fine. I don't need to marry you. Don't you get it, no one compares to you."

"You don't know me. I'm not the same kid who had diving contests with you."

"Because I would win." She laughed and fell on the sofa.

Max had a list of choices. He could shower and shave, but it was too early to dress. With his parents downstairs, he could visit. It had been months since he had seen them. Instead, he sat down next to Olivia and let her curl into him. As he ran his hand up and down her back. He asked her about work, the shelter, and the party. In truth, he enjoyed listening to her talk. There was a softness to her voice, she hid from the outside world. The office manager didn't scare young assistants with a sweet voice, nor did the volunteer talk to the various 'guests' at the shelter in the voice she saved for the people who she let see her vulnerable side.

"... We had fun with my mother tasting the food. I live with her, but rarely spend quality time with her."

"On the train in, I thought about how long we've been family. Longer than I've been working towards my end goal and that feels like forever."

"Seeing you in the hospital confirmed just how wonderful of a doctor you are. Kids love you and you were so gentle with the baby."

"It's important to care, especially for the scared parents."

Their conversation continued, and she asked about his job search. He shrugged, because it was hard to tell if he had made an impression with any of his visits. More than once he secretly drove to Boston on his days off. It was only a secret because he didn't have time to stop to see anyone.

"Hopefully, I'll get a surgery position even if not a pediatric one."

"But you've worked so hard."

"I know, but I'll find a place to save lives."

She tilted her chin and kissed his cheek. "I hope so."

He shut his eyes for a quick nod, but opened them when Olivia sat up. "They're here." She moved down the sofa.

He frowned, because she was always hiding their friendship. Zach appeared first. "Why are you two hiding?"

"We were just catching up." Max yawned.

"He was falling asleep." Olivia stood and hugged Zach.

Max tried to analyse the difference in her hug for his brother. Zach kissed her forehead. "My brother can sleep anywhere."

Zach stood to greet his brother. "Married life agrees with you."

Zach smiled. "Married life is amazing. Don't knock it."

Max put his hand up. "It works for you. I'm glad."

Ian appeared next carrying bags. Olivia said, "Ainsley's luggage can go in my room. It'll be our dressing room, but she can sleep with you. Lilli's too."

Zach frowned. "We packed together. Our things are co-mingled, because we're married."

Max put his hands up. "Don't shoot."

Ian patted his back. "He was aiming at me, not you."

"Good." Out of the corner of his eye, Olivia hugged Ian. "I'll go say hi to my new sister."

He found Lilli, and Ainsley surrounded in the kitchen. Neither looked distressed, but Lilli's face brightened when she saw him. "Superhero."

"He truly is. I've seen him work."

How did Olivia sneak up behind him? "Work?" His mother looked surprised.

"Not the actual surgery, but..."

He interrupted. "While you talk about me, I'll take these ladies upstairs."

Lilli shook her head. "I want to hear the story." Ainsley nodded.

He hated the attention, but stayed and listened to Olivia's version of the story. "I tried getting details from a nurse but she had closed lips."

"She doesn't know me. It's not the soap opera Lola was on."

Anita said, "Lola's coming tonight."

"I know one Dee has a date, does the other?"

Olivia nodded, and Max smiled. "Lilli, go get Zach. He and I need to go to the store."

Zach appeared. "What are we buying?"

"Marshmallows and..." Olivia punched his arm.

Zach smiled. "S'mores with graham crackers."

Olivia punched the second brother. Ian arrived just in time to see. "What did he do Liv?"

Zach said, "If he wears a brown suit."

Kurt mumbled. "He wore one yesterday."

The brothers laughed. Lilli explained to Ian about Graham. Max said, "Are you wearing the dress to the party?"

"I'm saving it for a special occasion."

Anita stepped up. "Boys, be nice to Graham. He's a nice man." She turned to her son. "Ian, it's nice to see you home."

"I missed you too, Mom. I'm just going to take Ainsley upstairs to get settled."

"Girls will dress in Livvy's room." Anita made a general announcement.

The three girls giggled and headed upstairs. Zach put his hand on Max's shoulder. "You know we can't bring groceries to Livvy's party."

Max smiled. "It was fun teasing her."

Ian laughed. "I'm nicer to her and I'm her brother."

Anita clapped her hands. "It's getting late. We should be getting dressed."

Kurt winked. "I think I'll just stay home."

The kitchen erupted in protests and laughing.

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