Merry Christmas (Eve)!
For those wondering why I have deleted BML: I began writing the story before I finished the TMI series and the plot of CoHF and my story ended up being unintentionally similar and I found that the storyline wasn't really going anymore. Major sozzles and kisses to the people who have followed that story and have supported me through it; thank you all so much and I promise to somehow make it up to you.
Peppermint
"Max, has it ever occurred to you that maybe not everyone here is as enamored with peppermint as you are?" Fang asked while examining a bottle of peppermint soap.
Max's blonde head bobbed side to side. "Nope," she said. "But it's December, so I'm allowed to relish in this candy-cane scented goodness."
Fang, who had put down the soap, held up a peppermint candle roughly the size of his head. "Don't you think this is a bit much?" he asked before sniffing the candle, making a face, and setting it down.
"I most certainly do not," Max snapped.
The apartment that the couple inhabited was covered in peppermint scented and flavored products, most notably the large red and white striped fireplace logs and the industrial sized containers full of peppermint extract. Max had lit numerous Bath and Body Works candles around the room, and to Fang it smelled like the inside of Santa's workshop.
Fang gave Max an amused look from where he was in the living room to where she was standing in the kitchen. "Hon," he said. "Even the elves would be like 'this is too much peppermint.'"
Max threw her hands up into the air. "I didn't hear you complaining last night about my peppermint lip gloss!"
Fang turned scarlet.
Cookies
"Now I think I just have to add two more teaspoons of sugar… or was it two tablespoons?"
Max scratched her nose absentmindedly, leaving a small line of flour on her nose. The kitchen was littered with baking supplies; flour, sugar, measuring cups, baking sheets, open and unopen frosting bags, eggs, milk, etc. She vigorously flipped through the recipe book, searching for the right instructions.
Just as Max had found directions that resembled the ones that Nudge had sent to her, the apartment door flew open and smacked the book out of her hand and onto the floor. Fang peeked his head over the groceries he was carrying and gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, babe." he said.
After helping her boyfriend set down the groceries, she gave him a tight hug and accepted his apology. "It's alright." she said.
Fang pecked her on the lips and was about to say something about the flour on her nose when he turned and saw the kitchen. "Max," he started. "What are you doing?"
"Baking cookies," she answered while picking up a metal bowl and began to whisk the substance in it. "I'm just having a little difficulty."
"Just a 'little' difficulty?" Fang asked as he peered down at the bowl, frowning at the mixture of flour, eggs, milk, and what appeared to be green food coloring.
Max turned up her nose and gave him a face full of artificial pride. "Yes," she snapped. The blonde lifted the whisk out of the bowl (which still had the gooey green substance stuck to it) and pointed it at the kitchen. "This is all just collateral damage. It'll only take a few minutes to clean up and it's not that big of a mess."
As if waiting for its cue, a large red clump of dough fell from the ceiling and onto the counter in front of Max with a large "thump."
Fang burst into a fit chuckles and clutched his sides at Max's attempt at edible festivity. He sidled up to his girlfriend and hugged her from behind. "Not that big of a mess?" he teased.
Max sighed and lowered the bowl. "I'm hopeless, aren't I?" she asked.
Fang laughed again and reached for one of the plastic bags he had carried in. "I guess it's good I bought the pre-made Pillsbury cookie batter then. That way you won't have to create yet another fire hazard."
"My hero."
Tree
The minute Fang heard Max's heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, he knew something was wrong. Her steps were followed by a series of loud bumps and the rustling of… branches?
He crossed the apartment and opened the door just as Max was finished lugging a giant pine tree in front of it. "Oh good," she said as soon as the door swung open. "You can help me get it on a stand."
"Max," Fang said in a stern voice. "What is that?"
Max turned around and patted the tree fondly. "It's a Christmas tree, Fang. Surely you've seen one before."
Fang rolled his eyes. "What is this Christmas tree doing at our apartment, Max? Our apartment that is way too small to even have a tree half the size of this one!"
The blonde shrugged and reached to dust off a few pine needles from her shirt. "I was driving past it and it looked so lonely in the lot by itself, and one thing led to another and before I knew it, he was strapped to my roof."
"He?" Fang asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Max said. "He looks like a Zander, or maybe a Stephen. What do you think?"
"I think you are absolutely insane for bringing this thing home," Fang said while running his hands through his hair. "Will he even fit through the door?"
"Um," Max mumbled. "Maybe?"
"No," Fang said. "No, no, no. We are not bringing this tree into our apartment. You have to take it back."
Max made the most tragic face she could muster. "But Fang," she whined. "Then they'll have no choice but to cut him up for timber and then he'll just be used in someone's fireplace."
Fang rolled his eyes. "Max, the tree doesn't have a conscious, or feelings."
Ignoring his words, Max continued to make puppy dog eyes at him. His resolve weakened visibly. "Well," he said. "Maybe we can keep him, but after Christmas day you have to get rid of him all by yourself."
Max cheered while Fang rubbed his hands over his face. What have I done?
Giving (and also Getting)
It was Christmas morning, and Max and Fang were wrapped up together in a blanket by the fireplace. The city beyond the walls of the apartment had fallen silent, swathing it's occupants in a comfortable quiet.
The presents under the tree were small and few, but the specialness of the holiday still coursed through their veins. They had agreed that they would do only small gifts for each other this year.
Most of the presents were from their parents and family, but a few were from their close friends Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel. Once Fang said it was okay, Max immediately ripped into her presents. Included in her haul was a pair of blue slippers, a bunch of gift cards, and a mixing machine (with a book filled with cooking tips). Max picked up the book and glared at Fang, who held his hands up defensively.
He took his time opening the gifts, carefully removing the wrapping from each present and putting the discarded wrapping in a pile. He got new black headphones, a headset for his gaming system, and a pair of pink boxers from Iggy. "Ha-ha," he deadpanned while holding them up for Max to see.
After fifteen minutes, all the gifts were unwrapped and opened. Max began to gather up the trash while Fang sat still, his face set to a contemplative look.
"Max," he said finally. "You forget one last present."
His girlfriend's eyes lit up at the thought go another present. She began to move aside the branches of their tree (who was most definitely a Stephen) to see if any presents were concealed in the green.
When she couldn't find any, she turned around to face Fang. "There's nothing there, you big fat li-"
In front of her knelt Fang on one knee, his arm extended in front of him. His hands were shaking a little as he opened the blue velvet box in his hand.
"Max," he started. "Christmas is supposed to be spent with people you love. I love you, and I know that I'll never stop loving you. I love your peppermint obsession and your bad baking skills and your terrible judgement. I love that you can love so freely and unconditionally even when I have a hard time loving at all. So, would you give me the greatest gift I could ever ask for and be my wife?"
While Fang was talking, the blonde began to tear up. When he finally paused, she let out a happy sob and took his hand.
"Yes."
Merry Christmas (Eve) everyone! Sozzles for the cheese ball ending, but I thought cheese ball was appropriate to a holiday such as Christmas. I hope everyone has a good holiday and stays safe!
See you next year!
-cw