Minor Editing Completed

Fang's POV

I stepped out into the warm sunlight, determined to ask Dr. Martinez TODAY. If I can't ask her own mother, how can I ask Max when the time comes?

I know some of you reading this are confused, so let me restart. Let's see here, 'I stepped out into the warm sunlight, determined to ask Dr. Martinez for her permission to marry Max, TODAY.' Does that clear things up a bit? Wait, did that even make sense? Oh whatever. Now you know that I'm going to ask Max, my Max, for her hand in marriage. I just have to ask her mom for permission. That's what you do, right? You ask the girl's parents for permission to marry their daughter. Oh why am I even asking you? You're not old enough to know. Or are you? There I go again, second guessing myself. I'm nervous about asking, that's all. Yes I, the fantabulous Fang, am nervous. I admit it. But wouldn't you be too? Asking the girl you love to marry you after knowing her for 18 years? That sentence makes sense, I think. But you know what? I need to put on my game face, march into that house, and ask Dr. Martinez! Yeah! But what if she denies me? Okay, okay, stop pushing, I'll go. Jeez, readers these days.

I just want to clear this up before anyone asks; we, the flock, live in an apartment complex down the street from Max's mom. We figured it'd be better that way, and it's not like we can't afford it. The best part was/is that we haven't been hunted down by Itex or the school since we defeated them 3 year back. So, score one for the mutant bird kids! And their mutant, talking, flying dog! Was that inappropriate? Okay, that's it, I driving myself crazy with these insane questions. And you know the only way to stop it? Face me fear, (for lack of a better word) and ask Dr. Martinez.

I landed in her front yard, silent as can be. I cautiously stepped onto their (Ella and Dr. M's) porch, taking my time, seeing how long it would take me to run back. But I stayed and rang their doorbell, surprising even myself at how determined I was. I waited, feeling worse and worse by the second. After what felt like ages, but was really only a matter of seconds, Ella opened the door. She invited me in, but before I entered, I held up a finger and um, puked over the side of the deck. I ran my sleeve across my mouth and stepped into the house. That's me, Mr. I'm not nervous enough to puke. But Ella was worried that I was sick, so she called her mom in immediately. I felt fine, other than the nerves, but Dr. M thought I looked paler than usual. She offered me a glass of orange juice, which I warily accepted, and asked me why I was there, feeling my forehead in the process. I cleared my throat, ready to ask, despite the queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Dr. Martinez, I'd like your permission to ask for Max's hand in marriage." I said, firmly, faltering towards the end. I sucked in my breath, waiting for a response of some sort. Dr. Martinez's lip quivered, her eyes watered, and before she thought about who was sitting next to her, she wrapped her arms around me, ignoring my tensed form.

"Of course!" She looked me in the eyes and added, "Anything to make Max happy." Her lip quivered again, and she began sobbing. Ella heard and jumped around the room, crying. I was uncomfortable, what with these two crying like no tomorrow. I love them; it's just that a mutant bird kid can only take so many tears.

"Well," I edged toward the door, "I was planning on asking her on Christmas, so do you think you can avoid telling her for a week?" I asked sheepishly, opening the door.

"Sure," Dr. Martinez answered, shooting a glance at Ella. "We wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. Bye now." She ushered me out the door. As I flew back to our apartment, I couldn't help but think Max was going to find out one way or another. Hmm…

Max's POV

Fang left half an hour ago to pick up some 'lady items' for me. It's not the first time he's gotten them for me. Besides, what else is a boyfriend for? Anyways, after 40 minutes passed, I got a call from mom.

"Hey mom," I ran a finger through my blond hair. "What's up?" Instead of a reply, I got a squeal, indicating that it was Ella. In the background, I heard mom yelling, 'We promised not to tell!' and 'If you breathe a word of this to her, I swear you won't see sunlight again until your 30!' With that, the phone dropped, and someone, (Ella) stomped up the stairs.

"Max," Mom answered after a minute.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked, using my no nonsense tone.

"Nothing," She answered quickly. Hmm. "Listen, I have to go talk to Ella. I love you, bye." She hung up. There was something they weren't telling me, and I was going to get to the bottom of it.

I was daydreaming about some of the many ways I could get them to talk, when Fang walked in, carrying a plastic bag that read 'Wal-Mart'.

"Took you long enough."

"They were out of stock at the Wal-Mart closest to us, so I had to fly across town. Your welcome." He added, walking out of the kitchen.

"Do you know why mom and Ella are acting so weird?" He was gone an awful long time.

"No… why?" He said it slowly, as if he was trying to find right words to say. Anyone else find that a little fishy?

"Ella called. Mom said that if she told me anything, she wouldn't see sunlight until she's 30." I said, leaning against the wall, my arms over my chest.

"That is weird. It's probably just about your Christmas gift though. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you." He smiled, kissed me on the cheek, and left, as if it was really that simple. I would have believed it was that simple, if I was gullible. But I'm not, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. One way or another. (Cue evil and clique maniacal laugh.)

Sorry if anyone's a little OOC. I thought it was good, but I want to know what you, the reader thought, so REVIEW! Flames are welcome, and thanks for your support!