THIRTY THREE

She has planned everything. She has her family doctor in on it and her dad made sure everyone acts accordingly when Xander comes.

"Shut up," Liza spits. She hands over her phone to the nurse who claims are camera quality isn't the best. "Use my phone."

The nurse takes the phone from Liza's hands. "Take good pictures and don't let him see you," Liza instructs.

"The money we agreed upon?"

"I will pay you after a job well done." Liza gives a fake smile before she walks back to her seat.

She folds her arms together focusing on getting tears to come out before Xander comes. She should be able to put on quite a show.

~~~

"Hey babe," Cara says into the phone after picking up the call. "Are you already on your way home?"

Xander sighs closing his eyes as he says the following words, "Something came up."

Technically it's not a lie.

"Work?" Her cheerful voice turns to a flat one.

His heart skips a beat now that he has to lie, "Yeah, work."

He can't tell her that he is going to miss their date because he is attending to Liza's emergency. He doesn't know how she feels I'll react and he doesn't want to fight. He intends to get in, see what's going on, and get out.

"I will try to make it home early." He adds immediately.

"It's okay," Cara mutters. "Another time, plus I can barely breathe in this gown."

"Sounds hot."

"I'll send pictures. Now get back to work."

"I love you," Xander mutters.

"I love you too," Cara says hanging up.

"Sir, we are here," Marco calls out. They have arrived at the hospital a while ago, he was just waiting for Xander to end his call.

"Hmmm," Xander says looking outside, reminding himself of all Liza did for him while he was in a similar situation.

~~~

Xander walks into the reception where he sees Liza seated on a leather beach. He walks towards her direction, before he can get to her, she already notices his presence.

Liza stands up and walks up to him, teary-eyed and with tear-stained rosy cheeks. It looks like she has been crying for hours.

"Hey," Xander says awkwardly.

Liza puts her arms around him without warning. She places her head on his chest as she fake cries on his suit. Xander stands there in all weirdness, he places his hands on her back and rubs it. "It's okay." He mutters.

"Thank you for coming," She mutters against his chest.

Liza releases him. Xander nods before asking, "What are the doctors saying?"

"Nothing, no one is telling me anything."

"Let me try," Xander says walking to the nurse's corner.

Liza smiles as she watches him walk away. He came, he still cares.

~~~

"Where's everyone?"Xander breaks the silence that has been existing for 30 minutes now. Liza has been stealing glances at him and when he notices, she just smiles.

Xander on the other hand is brainstorming how he can leave without being an asshole. The minute he got in and she hugged him, he soon realizes he shouldn't be there. Plus he lied to Cara, which makes him uneasy.

"Everyone?" Liza raises her eyebrows in confusion.

"Your brothers,"

Liza replies, "They are out of town."

"Dianne?"

"We had a fight."

"You guys always fight. I doubt if you called her, she won't have left everything to come to check up on you."

Liza let out a low chuckle, "You place so much faith in my relationship with people." She faces him, "Or have you forgotten that I am a bitch?"

Xander nods with a small smile on his lips, "Yeah, you have your moments."

Liza lets out a low laugh, it becomes louder, making Xander raise his eyebrows wondering what's so funny.

"You have no idea how much I needed to laugh." She places her hand on his forearm. "You always make me laugh."

Xander looks down at her hand then back at her. He shifts uncomfortably hoping she will take the hint. She didn't, so he proceeds to take her hand and place it back to its rightful position which is anywhere from him.

"Mark? You could have called Mark."

Liza's lips press into a thin line trying not to show her annoyance with the mention of that name.

"Mark irrelevant." Liza simply says.

Xander shakes his head at Liza's disregard for Mark. He must have been relevant enough for her to ruin their relationship for him. "Well, you need someone you can always call during situations like this."

"Why can't that person be you?" Liza mutters tears welling up in her eyes. She thinks of holding his hand, feeling the rough marks of his palm but she doesn't want to push it.

Xander finds this rhetorical but he proceeds to give her an answer. "I have Cara and we are starting a family together. I can't show up when you need me anymore."

"Then why are you here?"

"This is going to be the last time," Xander mutters. At least he can clear his conscience and say he has been there for her at least once when she needed him.

Liza let out a little chuckle. She doesn't know why. It's almost as if she's mocking herself.

The doctor stops in front of them interrupting Liza's attempt to say something.

"Your Dad is stable. You cannot see him now, he needs some rest." He uses the exact words as practiced.

She gives him a tight-lipped smile, "Thank you."

The doctor nods at the pair and walks away.

Liza turns to Xander who's already on his feet. "You should get some rest. I am sure he's going to be fine, your dad he's a fighter."

Liza stands up, "Yeah, I hope."

"I got to go," Xander mutters.

If he leaves now, he can still make it for dinner.

"I didn't drive, I was too shaken up when I got the call. Can you take me home?" Liza asks picking up her bag.

Xander gives a tight smile, "Sure," He nods.

"I will meet you in the car, I have to talk to the doctor," Liza says

"Okay, we will be parked at the back of the hospital."

Liza watches Xander leave before she rushes to the nurse's corner. She grabs her phone from the amateur handling her phone like a grandma.

"You better have taken good pictures." She spits transferring her anger on the woman before her.

Liza scrolls through pictures and she can't help but smile. "We are so attractive together,"

"You guys are art." The nurse adds.

Liza looks over at her shoulders at the woman behind her, "We always look good doesn't mean you are a good photographer." Liza rolls her eyes.

She looks back at the picture then hugging and she smiles already imagining the headlines tomorrow.

"I will transfer your money when I get to the car," Liza says, putting her phone into her bag. She walks away.

~~~~

The car ride was silent, no one had anything to say.

Marco pulls up in front of Liza's penthouse, "We are here, Sir." Marco says turning off the car.

"About what you said earlier," Liza starts. "About finding someone?"

"Yeah,"

"Well, I can't because you are always going to be my someone."

Xander looks away in disappointment, "Well, that's unfortunate."

"I have always been there for you Alex, and I am going to be. I am your someone too."

"You are not. My someone is waiting for me at home."

Liza smiles hiding her anger too well. Something she didn't know that she had mastered until now, "Good night, Alexander." She says getting down from the car.

~~~

Jonathan welcomes Xander as he walks into the sitting room. "Where's everyone?" Xander asks giving his suit and briefcase to Jonathan.

"Xavier hasn't been home since morning as for Cara," Jonathan points at the dimly lit dining room where Cara is sitting.

"Hmm," He says loosening his tie as he walks into the dining. "Hey, babe." He says placing a peak on her cheeks.

Cara gives a forced smile which Xander doesn't notice as he is busy taking off his tie.

"How was the work you had to do?" Cara asks giving him a chance to say the truth.

"Stressful." Xander comments.

Cara scoffs, holding the table to support her as she stands up. She picks up her phone and opens the pictures that were sent to her 20 minutes ago. She shoves her phone in his direction.

Xander raises his eyebrows as he picks up her phone. Setting his eye on the picture, he begins to realize how badly he screwed up.

"I hope your "work" was worth it." Cara spits venomously as attempts to walk away.

He rushes over to hold her hand before, "Cara, wait to listen,"

"Don't. Touch. Me." Cara glares at him as she pushes his hand away. "You lied."

"I know. I should have told you but I didn't want us to argue or fight because ...

"Well, you are in luck. I am not going to fight or argue with you. I am going to bed and I don't want you anywhere near me." Cara says before she walks away.