FANG – POV
Today was the day. I will not chicken out asking her again! All I need to do is walk up and say "hey Dr M. I was wondering... you know that me and Max have been going out for four years right? I was wondering... Can I ask her to marry me?"
Then she would give me an answer.
"Hey Fang. You okay? You seem a little tense."
I turned around and saw Dr M looking at me with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Can I ask you something though? Like, in private?"
"Sure."
We walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Here goes nothing...
"Dr M? I was wondering..."
MAX – POV
It was my birthday tomorrow. I would be 19. YAY! Sorry, hyper moment... and it'll be my fourth birthday with my mom, half sister, Ella and being Fang's girlfriend! Yes, that's right... I'm counting the years. What? Don't give me that face!
Yeesh. Give me a break...
I yawned and stretched. "I'm gonna go to bed. Cya in the morning." I pecked everyone's cheek before headed up to my bathroom. I pulled my hair out of the plat Nudge had styled it into and brush it out. I cleaned my teeth and pulled on my pyjamas before climbing into mine and Fang's warm bed. Yes we do share a room so... get over it!
The next thing I knew the bed was shifting. I looked over to see Fang climbing in bed next to me.
"Hey."
"Max? I thought you were asleep? I didn't wake you did I?"
"Doesn't matter. Come here. I feel like a hug."
He chuckled but wrapped his arms around my waist none the less. "I love you. (A/N: I know Fang doesn't say that normally, but come on... he's gonna ask Max to marry him!)"
"Love you too."
Before I knew it I was being shaken awake by my mom. "Get up you two! Come on! It's your birthday Max! Fang! Up! Now!"
"FINE!" I shouted. I'm not really a morning person. Neither is Fang.
After both of us did or morning routines we made our way downstairs and into the living room only to be met with over excited faces screaming Happy Birthday!
"GUYS! Max is right here! We're not deaf!" Fang shouted over the noise.
My mom took my hand and dragged us both towards the sofa. The others sat on the floor. Mom sat by me.
"Open mine and Nudges!" Angel shoved huge parcel in my face.
"Okay!" I ripped open the wrapping paper to find four tops, and four pairs of skinny jeans and a pair of cream high heels. Fang took them of my lap and placed them on the floor next to the sofa.
"Mine and mom's are next." Ella handed me several small presents. The smallest was a sapphire hair clip that Nudge put in my hair as soon as she saw it.
"It was your grandmothers." Mom neatened up Nudge's placement.
I opened the next parcel. It contained a silver ring with Egyptian writing carved into it.
"It says 'I love you forever, my sister'" said Ella. A light blush crept across her face. I slipped it on my middle finger and got up to give her a hug. "Love you too, lil' sis'"
She beamed. Next were Iggy's and Gazzy's. They had made me a guide book on how to make bombs, and I quote 'the best book of bombs you'll ever get' their words, not mine. Total and Alkia's present was one of their litter. The only male one they had out of four puppies. He had a blue bow tied carefully around his neck. I named him Klutz, since he kept tripping over all the wrapping paper.
And last but not least was Fang's present. A note was taped onto the jewellery box. It said 'I'll give you your other present at the picnic. Love Fang xx'
I looked at Fang, confused. He just tapped the side of his nose twice. Damn him! Maybe I'll try the bambi eyes. Nah... Can't be bothered to be laughed at.
I slowly opened the jewellery box and saw a golden heart shaped locket with a ruby heart in one corner of the locket. It had the words 'Love you forever' engraved on it. I looked inside to see old and new photos. Ones from the E – shaped house and some more recent ones, some sneaky ones of me and him hugging, flying or kissing and the very last picture was taken the day after we escaped from the school. It had all of us – including Jeb – smiling and laughing at one another.
"Max?" Fang rubbed my arm. "Are you okay?"
I just realised that I had tears running down my face. I whipped them away quickly and nodded.
"Max? Can I see?" Angel was pulling on the locket's chain gently. I let her take it and show all the others.
"Come with me." I grabbed Fang's hand, took him outside and took off, whipping out my wings. He followed soon after me. We flew the short distance to the cave we found earlier this year. We came here whenever we wanted to be alone. We landed holding hands. As soon and we had both our wings tucked in I threw my arms around his neck and clung there for what felt like hours while I sobbed my heart out.
"What's brought this on Max?"
"Oh, Fang! I thought I had lost those pictures from the old house forever! We were so happy then. So care free! How did you find all those pictures?"
"Well, you know that the Erasers said that they had burnt down our house? They never did. I went back there a couple nights ago. It's perfectly fine. Yeah, everything had a layer of dust or two but still. Everything's right where we left it."
"Idiotic Ari..." I mumbled. I looked into Fang's dark eyes. Everyone else thought that they were walls, but to me they were like open doors to his heart. A few moments passed, then without warning a smile cracked over his face, then both of us were laughing so hard it was like the bowl of birdseed all over again.
"What're you laughing at?" angel's voice came from the cave opening. I stopped laughing and told her what happened. In the end she wasn't laughing as hard as me and Fang but laughing none the less.
"Come on. Dr M said that we're having a picnic in the meadow we found last week. Oh, and Max? I brought your locket." She held out her hand and slipped the necklace into my grasp.
"Here." Fang took the locket of me and put it on for me.
"Thanks." I pecked his cheek and watched it flush light pink. I giggled and rested my head on his shoulder.
We – as in Fang, Angel and I – found our way to the meadow by air. When we got there everyone was already there setting up the blanket and food and drink. I saw mom take out a CD player and put on my favourite song 'Leave out All the Rest' by Linkin Park. Angel grinned at me as we landed.
The food was delicious. We had mini sandwiches, salad, crisps, cheese and pineapple blocks and lots of other party food – like my mom's cookies! I was too full to pay any attention to anyone else but I did see my mom slip a box into Fang's hand. Huh? Must be his other present or something. I didn't really care. All I cared about was letting my food go down. Fang nodded at nudge and she changed the CD to a mix CD that had all classical stuff on it.
"Let's slow dance everyone!"
To my surprise no – one protested. Fang took my hand and pulled me up with him. We swayed slowly while I was looking at everyone else. Ella and Iggy were dancing, Nudge and Gazzy were twirling around and Angel had picked up Total and was spinning around with him. Alkia was with the puppies and my mom just watching us all.
Fang kissed my neck making me look at him in surprise.
I leaned my fore head against his.
"I need to say something." He paused to look at me as if to say 'may I go on?' I nodded.
"You know I love you right? I know I don't say it very much but I really do love you."
I could faintly hear Iggy and Nudge telling everyone something I couldn't quite catch.
"Anyway, oh, god." He saw that everyone was watching us intensely. He took both of my hands in his, holding my gaze he said "Max, you've stolen my heart. I was stupid not to realise it before. I'm sorry for that. You're the only one I can picture myself with, the only one I want to be with for the rest of my life. Whether that's of old age or my expiration date, I don't care which; I just want my last minutes to be spent with you."
By now tears were streaming down my face. Fang let go of my hands and pulled out the little box that I had saw my mom pass him earlier. He took a deep breath and lowered himself to one knee. My eyes widened as he looked back up to me and opened the box and said the five words I've been wanting to hear come out of his mouth for over a year.
"Will you marry me Max?"
I bit my lip hard to stop myself from bawling right there. "Yes. YES! Why ask? You never needed to ask! It would always be yes!"
I threw myself at him as soon as he straightened out and pressed my lips to his, he slipped the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit. Right now this was all that mattered to me. An army of Erasers, Flyboys anything that had tried to kill us before could've came and ripped us to pieces and I wouldn't have cared. I heard Total blowing his nose and broke off for air. More tears streamed down my face. I was surprised to see silent tears running down Fang's face too.
All of a sudden I could hear pounding footsteps running towards us and grabbing us in a huge hug. I looked over at Fang in all the rush of shouts of 'Congrats' and 'Well done dude' and 'We get to plan a wedding!' and laughed. He joined in with me.
Once everyone had calmed down my mom and Total came over. Total jumped up and Fang and licked his cheek but this time Fang didn't seem to care. My mom grabbed me in a big hug.
"My little girl's getting married!" she kissed my forehead. "Now look. I know you're both very mature, but don't bring me any grandchildren just yet okay? Wait for a bit."
I laughed and she joined in with me.
Her and Total swapped around so I could talk with Total.
FANG – POV
I saw Total and Dr M running towards us so I opened my arms for Total. He jumped up and licked my face but I didn't really care. After talking with him Dr M swapped over to me.
"My son – in – law – to – be!" I let her grab me into a hug. I could hear Total bawling into Max's top.
"Now then, look, you look after my baby okay? I trust you with her. Another thing. I've just told Max this. I know you're both mature and you'll probably be doing things on honeymoon that I do not want to hear about, but please, think about protection before you do anything, I'm sure that we both agree that we don't want Max pregnant at your age. Am I right?"
I nodded, my cheeks flushing.
"And plus, do I look older enough to be a grandmother? Don't answer that. Just keep this in your head though. Think before you do anything. Okay?"
I nodded again. My cheeks still tomato red. Dr M laughed then let go of my shoulders and walked back over to the others. I took Max's hand and walked over to the others ready to fall asleep with Max right beside me.
MAX – POV
When I woke up this morning, all of what happened yesterday came rushing back to me. I bolted up and stared at my engagement ring on my left hand. It had a sapphire in the middle and four clear diamonds each side. I didn't want to even think about how much it would of cost. My sudden movement had woken up Fang.
"Max? You alright?" he whipped away some tears that had fallen without me realising.
I nodded and looked at the clock. 7 Am. Way too early for us now that we're not on the run. Fang had slipped his arm under my knees and around my waist so he could lift me onto his lap.
"You sure? Bad dream or something?"
"No. Just happy that I didn't dream everything that happened yesterday." I beamed at him and buried my face in the crook of his neck. He laid his head onto of mine. We sat like that for a few minutes until we heard squealing and thumping coming from Nudge's and Angel's room. I rolled my eyes. Fang chuckled and lifted my head so his lips could meet with mine. My hands automatically knotted themselves in his black hair. What first started as a sweet kiss soon turned into a – the door swung open.
"Oh! Sorry! Don't let us disturb anything!" Nudge and Angel beamed sweetly at us.
Fang and I laughed and let them come in. They sat on the floor – their favourite spot to sit.
Then they got up again, grabbed my hand and made me jump around with them.
"WE GET TO PLAN A WEDDING!" they kept screaming. I looked at Fang in desperation. He shook his head and leant against the headboard smiling at me while the girls forced me to make a fool of myself. He laughed at my death glare. After about five minutes he finally gave in to my glare and made the girls calm down. By now it was half past seven.
Nudge pushed me down and back onto Fang's lap, and sat down cross-legged on the floor. Angel ran out the room and ran back with a notepad and pen.
"Now, then. We're having an engagement party. Dr. M says that she's off this Saturday. We're gonna book the Council Hall. Who do you want to come other then these: You, Fang, Me, Angel, Iggy, Dr. M, Gazzy, Ella, Alkia, Total, the puppies and Jeb?"
I sighed, thinking. "How 'bout JJ? I still have her address and phone number, mobile and home."
Angel added her name to the list. "What about Bridgit? Don't worry Max, she's married now."
I looked at Fang. He shrugged. Angel took that as a yes and wrote her name down.
"I still have her home number for some reason. Will you need it?" Fang looked at the girls.
"Yeah, probably."
"Great. Now I need to find the thing."
I laughed at Fang's expression. The one thing he hates is looking for stuff.
"Well, that's the party guests covered. You guys don't worry 'bout the food or music or anything, we've got that covered too. And you two need to sort out the wedding dates, maid of honour, best man, dresses, suits and all that stuff as well. So we'll be going shopping tomorrow or maybe today if you get that all done. So you guys better get everyone up. Ig's making breakfast now with Dr. M, so you need to wake up Total, Alkia, the puppies, and Gazzy."
That's the Nudge Channel for ya. The girls got up and left us to get ready for this busy day. I changed into jeans and a t-shirt, brushed my hair and teeth and clambered down the stairs to the smell of pancakes. Gazzy was already awake for once. Once in a life time that would happen. A few seconds after I had sat down at the table Fang came down stairs, his hair still slightly wet from his shower. He was the only one who took morning showers. I don't know why though.
After breakfast Jeb arrived.
"Happy Birthday for yesterday and congratulations!" he grabbed me in a hug even though he knew I was only just on father daughter terms with him.
"Fang! You look after her now. And no early grandchildren." Jeb placed his hands on Fang's shoulders and then gave him a hug. To my surprise Fang returned it. He was a bit tense though.
"Ah. Present. Be right back."
I sighed and pulled Fang into the living room. Jeb came back in lugging in a huge box.
"Oh, god." I put my head in my hands. Please, please don't be over the top. I heard Angel giggle. I looked at the box that was now in front of me. I glared at Jeb.
He chuckled. "Go on Hun. Open it."
I sighed, is there an award for the biggest sigh-er? Angel giggled again. I glared at Jeb again and ripped the wrapping paper off. There was a big cardboard box. I looked at Jeb confused.
"Open it."
I lifted the flaps and took out the two boxes that were in there. I ripped open their wrapping paper and found a laptop, and a 30 inch plasma T.V for mine and Fang's room. I glared at Jeb again but gave him a hug and said thanks anyway.
Jeb left at 10.
"Fang we need to sort out everything. You know what Nudge is like."
"Yeah, you're right."
After looking at the calendar we decided that we wanted the wedding to be in 8 weeks, April 14th, Ari's 8th birthday. We told Nudge and she made a note of it so she could remember.
"Who you gonna ask to be your Maid of Honour?" Fang looked at me.
"I don't know. I want Ella, JJ, Angel, Nudge and maybe mom to be bridesmaids anyway... probably Ella, yeah, I'll ask Ella. What about you? Who's gonna be your best man?"
"Iggy probably, Gazzy is too young, Jeb's giving you away so he's the only other option. So I'll ask him."
I nodded. "Let's go."
I ran down the stairs to find Ella half asleep on the sofa.
"Hey Max."
"Yo... Ella? Can I ask you something?"
She nodded and sat up.
"Will you be my Maid of Honour?"
She jumped up and squealed. "Yes! I would never say no!"
"Come with me to ask the other girls and mom to be bridesmaids?"
"Sure!"
FANG – POV
Max went running down the stairs to find Ella and the other girls and Dr. M. I knocked on Iggy's and Gazzy's door and opened it to find them both leaning over something that looked a lot like a bomb.
"Okay... Iggy? Can I talk to you?"
He got up. "Sure. God, what's with all the squealing today?"
And sure enough I could hear squealing and thumping coming from the kitchen. Iggy and I walked out into the hall.
"What do you want then?" he seemed eager to get back to his bomb or whatever he was making.
"Nothing much. Just wondering if you'd be my best man?"
"Oh... sure. Sorry, thought you were gonna annoy me about Ella again..."
"Oh yeah, ask her out for god sakes man! The way you look when you hear her speak... oh, my god!" I punched his shoulder lightly. He knew I was kidding around so he laughed and went back into his room.
MAX – POV
Fang came in the kitchen a couple minutes after everyone had calmed down.
"Fang! Have you asked Iggy to be Best man yet?" Nudge started to jump up and down. "It's time for shopping!"
"Nudge calm down! And yes I have asked him and he said yes! Okay?"
"Good boy. Now. Shopping. Jeb'll take you and Gazzy and Iggy shopping for suits and we'll go shopping for dresses. And shoes. And jewellery. An..."
I covered her mouth before she could say anything else. "Nudge! We get it!"
I walked over to the stairs and shouted "Iggy! Gazzy! Jeb is coming to take you guys and Fang shopping for wedding stuff. Me and the girls are going! See you later!"
I got a reply of 'okay' and 'sure'. Idiots. They better not be making another bomb... I rolled my eyes.
After trying on what felt like millions of dresses I finally found one that fit me perfectly, wings and all. The bridesmaid dresses were floor-length and blue. Ella's dress was a flowing, black, silk dress. I kept the jewellery simple just wearing the locket Fang had gotten me.
"Shoes now!" Nudge grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the wedding dresses compartment and leading me to the shoes aisle. She saw some high heels with diamonds on them and thrust them at me. I rolled my eyes but took them anyway.
Ella found some white high heels in her size and tried them on. Mom gave her a funny look but didn't say anything. "Nudge? How 'bout these?" she held up a pair of silver, glittery high heels to Nudge.
"Oh! They're perfect Dr. M!"
She and mom grabbed some that were in their size and tried them on.
"Max? Can you help me find some? I don't think I can walk in high heels." Angel pulled on my sleeve while I was practising walking in the high heels.
"Sure hunny. Let me just take these off."
"Okay."
I took of the high heels, handed them to Nudge and gave her the thumbs up so she knew to buy them. I slipped on my ballet flats and walked over to Angel.
In the end she picked a pair of golden ballet flats.
"Can we head home now? My feet are killing me." I asked after we paid for everything.
"Sure hunny." My mom squeezed my hand. "Just think. This time in eight weeks you'll be married!"
"I know..." and with that I drifted into my happy place.
IMPORTANT! IF YOU DONT READ THI LITTLE BIT THE PART THAT'S IN IGGY'S POV WONT MAKE SENSE! IGGY SOMEHOW GOT HIS SIGHT BACK AFTER SAVING THE WROLD WITH MAX AND THE OTHERS! OKAY?
FANG – POV
I heard the door slam and Dr. M's car drive away. I went upstairs to tell Iggy and Gazzy to get ready.
"Hey, guys, get ready Dr. M said that Jeb should be here soon." And as if on cue the door bell rang. I clambered down the stairs and opened the door.
"Hey Jeb."
"Hey Fang, you guys ready?"
"Almost. Come in. The others might take a while. I think they're hiding a new bomb."He chuckled remembering when they used to hide bombs from Max. He stepped inside and I ran upstairs to see what the others were up to. They were just closing their bedroom door when I had gotten to the top of the stairs. Together we clambered down the stairs and pulled on our trainers and windbreakers.
We made the ten minute drive it takes to get to the shopping centre. We had to get stuff for the wedding and the engagement party. Just great... one thing I hate more than looking for stuff is going on a long shopping trip. Ugh.
"Fang? HELLO! ANYBODY HOME?" Jeb was waving his hand in front of my face.
"Huh? What?" I wacked Jeb's hand away from my face.
"We need you to try this on." He shoved a black suit in my arms.
"Great..." I trudged over to the changing rooms.
It turned out that neither Jeb, Gazzy nor Iggy liked that one so they shoved another in my arms. This one they preferred but still shoved another suit on me. They all liked that one. Jeb went to pay for it while we went to the other wedding store to look at suits for Iggy, Gazzy and Jeb. They all got one that they liked and got the shoes and stuff to go with it and Jeb brought them.
Now we had to go get the stuff for the party tomorrow night. I asked Jeb if I should ring Max and see if they wanted to come shopping for the party stuff. He said yes and passed me his mobile since I left mine at home charging.
RING, RING, RING
"Hello?"
"Hey Max"
"Oh, hey Fang. Everything alright?"
"Yeah. Just wanted to know if you girls wanted to come shopping for the party stuff with me and the others."
"Er... just a sec. Nudge? Are you gonna want to make us shop for the party stuff now?"
"Yes. Why? What does Fang want? Nothings gone wrong has there?"
"No everything is alright. He just wants to know if we should meet up to do the party shopping."
"Oh, okay. Ask him where we should meet."
"Sure thing. Hey Fang? You still there?"
"Yeah."
"Fang and his famous one-word answers are back! Nudge wants to know where we should meet."
"Er... I'll ask Jeb."
I asked Jeb where we should meet the girls and Dr. M.
"He said to meet at the car park entrance since we both need to put our stuff in the cars."
"Kay. See you soon."
"Cya."
"Love you."
"You too." I hung up and gave Jeb his phone back.
Luckily we were quite near the car park. Jeb shoved the bags he was carrying to me and opened the boot of his car. We all shoved the bags into the boot and waited while Jeb locked his car again. We saw the girls doing the same and headed over to them.
"Max!"
Her head snapped towards me and she smiled. "Hey!"
She ran towards me and gave me a hug. "Thank god. Now I won't have to suffer by myself."
I laughed and kissed her head. "Come on." I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her over to the doors in time to miss a car coming at us. She rested her head on my shoulder, yawning.
I chuckled. "Nudge tired you out has she?"
Max brought her free arm and wacked my chest lightly. "Yes she has. And I wanna go home. But no! She just has to make this an all day shopping trip!"
I laughed and looked at Nudge. She rolled eyes.
"What? There's nothing else to do. Yeah, you guys would amuse yourselves by sucking face all day but the rest of us couldn't! Even though Iggy and Ella should be able to. Oh, my god. When in hell are they gonna get together? Oh! If they get married then we could plan their wedding too! Epp! So making plans already..."
After that I just tuned her out. Max rolled her eyes and yawned again.
"This better be worth it."
"So... did you get your dress?"
"Yep. And before you ask, no I won't tell you what it looks like."
"I'm sure you look beautiful in it. Did the girls get dresses?"
"Yeah, and I phoned JJ asking what her sizes are and whatnot so we could get her dress too. They're gonna look gorgeous in they're dresses."
"At least we've both had a successful day then."
"Yeah. Just think. In eight weeks time we'll be married!"
"Yeah, scary it only seems like yesterday I proposed."
"That's because it was yesterday you dumbass."
"I knew that."
"Max! Fang! In here!"
We turned around to look at Nudge pointing at New Look.