Max walked into the store he had seen from the window.
"Is Liesel here?"He asked, the hope clear in his eyes.
The man looked up, nodded once and motioned towards the back with his head
"She's in back" He said gruffly. The war may have ended, but the prejudice Germans had against Jewish people was not yet quenched. But Max took no notice as Liesel came to the front.
"Mr. Steiner I have the-" She stopped and stared at Max before the tears started welling up in her eyes "M-Max? Is that really you?"
Max let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Liesel had grown so much since the last time he'd seen her. They stood there for a moment and just stared at each other. Liesel laughed, the tears finally spilling over her cheeks and she launched herself into Max's arms. She had so much to tell him. He staggered a little, not yet gained back the physical strength he had lost in the camps.
"Max there was an accident and I can't believe your here an-" She rushed, only to be stopped by Max's finger on her lips. "My dear Liesel, I promised you I would always be here, Didn't I?" He smiled, he had never given up hope in seeing Liesel again, she was the only family he had left.
"Oh Max!" She cried, she hugged him tighter, afraid to let go in case he left her again. She couldn't stand the thought of losing someone else, let alone losing someone twice. Max quietly soothed her, smoothing her hair and rubbing her back. he quietly whispered into her hair
"I'm here, I'm here and I wont leave you again Liesel,I promise"
Later that night she told Max everything. About Papa leaving, about Rudy almost leaving to that school, about her reading in the bomb shelters, the late night bombing, the death of her parents, her kissing Rudy, her staying with Ilsa and the mayor, and her working for Alex Steiner, who was Rudy's father.
"I'm sorry Liesel, I'm so, so sorry." Max whispered.
"Max, you're all I have left... I was so worried when you were gone" Liesel whispered, more to herself then to Max.
"Liesel, my dear, You are the only family i have left. I thought about you and your family's kindness everyday, Thank you Liesel, I am forever in debt to you."
Liesel only smiled and pulled out Max's sketch book, The Stand Over Man and The Word Shaker. "Max you have done more then enough, really" She cradled the items to her chest tightly. "I only have one more request."
Max smirked and lifted and eyebrow. "And what would that be?"
"That you stay with me." She stated simply, looking into his eyes.
"I'll never leave you like that again, I swear." Max promised, taking Liesel into his arms and stroking her hair.
Death watched this all from the window. Being death, he didn't care to witness these moments that pull at your heart strings. But this was an exception. This was the Book Thief's ending as we know it. Her story will go on. But this is the moment which changed both herself's and Max's life's.