(Cindy's P.O.V.) -6 months later, around Christmas Eve-

I was very conflicted about the rumors of the Grinch, and I was also angry at the gossip about Rose. I told my parents and my brothers that Rose didn't hurt me or anything. She just wanted to be friends, and that she was nice and pretty. My other friends at school asked me questions about the Grinch and Rose, but no matter what I said, there was always the Mayor who steered away the others from being near me or my family.

My father was wary about him, but not as angry at him like Rose's dad was. I knew I had to make my own investigation about the Grinch. He may have been grumpy when we met in Dad's post office backroom, and he seemed to be curious about me when I asked about Rose in concern. Sure, he said that Rose was fine and well enough, but that doesn't satisfy me enough.

I saw the brief exchange between the Mayor and the Grinch, then the look between Martha May Whovier, my next door neighbor, and the Grinch. I talked to the Mayor, and the Grinch's foster mothers, and their stories seemed to be different like the sun and the snow. I remembered that Rose said that she had parents, not just one in the Grinch, but I swear that Martha May must have been involved, being Rose's mother.

Mom said that Martha May used to be superficial before I was born, then there was this change, almost like Martha didn't care about shopping anymore or putting up Christmas Lights excessively. She was almost dangerous in refusing the Mayor's advances to woo her, whatever that means. And since that day I met Rose, there was this sad, tired, and frustrated presence about Martha.

I took a deep breath, knocked on Martha's door twice, and Martha opened it up, "Ah, hello, Cindy Lou. Can I help you?".

"Hello, Martha May. I really want to know how you know the Grinch, and Rose, please.". I requested firmly, and Martha widened her eyes, a glimpse of hope in them as if she saw something, and then smiled softly, "Come in, come in, it's real cold out there!". I smiled, coming in as Martha closed the door, and I made it to the living room where the fireplace was on full blast.

Sitting upon the couch end, I begin my dad's blabbacorder as Martha sat in a recliner, stroking the armrests softly as she's remembering something, then faced me, "Ask your questions, Cindy Lou.". I nodded, exhaled, "How was he like back in school?".

Martha smiled brightly, "Grinch was a kind yet mischievous boy. He was quite well at art, and he used to play 'House' with me. He seemed to tolerate Christmas at best, and that year, I was delighted for Christmas as usual, and Grinch, he was more excited than ever before at the mention of exchanging presents as I heard his foster mothers gossiping about the noise, and I presumed he was making something.",

"Then there was the next morning... I thought he was shy through I was confused of why he was hiding his face after he revealed his present for me. It was a beautiful, well-crafted tree-top angel. Everybody else laughed at him. He wanted to look better by shaving, and I didn't realize at the time that Augustus, the Mayor you know of, he told Grinch that he is ugly and other things including the fact that Grinch doesn't have a chance of being with me. Augustus was obsessed of me.",

"The truth is that I truly love Grinch. My crush grew over the years. Anyhow, Grinch was enraged, he destroyed the decorations. God, the muscles he had. It was the most horrible day ever, and I could barely bear it that day. The look he had given me before he left the school, I never thought he'd truly leave us.",

"Then he returned 7 years ago with the most wonderful thing ever, the gift of a baby. Rose was the salvation that saved Grinch and me, we hid her from Whoville all this time until the day you met her. I never thought that being called 'Mom' by her was the best memory I'd treasure with Rose, and there was Grinch. He truly mellowed out, and he became a wonderful father to Rose, but I couldn't destroy the bad memories fully, and he still hated Christmas for the mention of the gifts and noise.".

I blinked in surprise at her story. I sighed deeply, frowning as I realized that Rose's parents has been separated by distance and the secrets in Whoville, never fully officiating their relationship because of rumors and such. I wouldn't imagine myself in Rose's footsteps if that happened to my parents. It was one thing for they were both Whos, but for Grinch and Martha...Rose must be upset that her parents weren't married or loving each other in fear of Whoville finding out.

Then a idea came to me, and I grinned, realizing that Rose would've liked it too. "Martha, about the Whobilation, I have someone for the Holiday Cheermeister.". Martha's eyes widened at the comment, and then smiled as she realized the very same thing, chuckled warmly, "You are very brave, Cindy Lou. When you do, tell him that I miss him and Rose very much.".

I nodded as I turned off the blabbacorder, "I promise, Martha.". I got off the couch, heading to the door with Martha following behind, and before I turned the doorknob to open the door, I faced her. "I think there would be the best fantastic wedding ever if you and Mr. Grinch marry.". Martha gasped, exhaled as she held her chest heavily, her eyes glazed as she saw something like before.

Martha then narrowed her eyes lightly, "Too long of hiding my secrets! I must be braver than ever, but how?". I smiled encouragingly, "You do love the Grinch, don't you?". Martha breathed, "Very much so! Yes, once I see him, I must ask him after the Whobilation's done.". I grinned brightly, "Rose would be proud of you. I know it!".

Martha sighed softly with a smile, "She will. Hurry up, Cindy Lou. You cannot be late nor I!". I nodded, and turned to open up the door, and headed out, getting home as I heard Martha's door close after me. I just hope my family won't freak out too much once they hear, through I wonder if Mayor would have a fit about it.