Life with Max and Fang

Chapter 26

October

Where are you and I'm so sorry
I cannot sleep I cannot dream tonight
I need somebody and always
This sick strange darkness
Comes creeping on so haunting every time

"Fang, turn that crap off!" Max yelled from the bedroom. "I'm trying to sleep."

I looked at Chris. "Should I turn it off?"

Chris threw her block at me. "Ahh."

I glared at her. "I thought we agreed that you wouldn't throw things at me anymore?"

"Fang, if you do not turn that off-"

"Max, it's seven in the morning. This is what Chris and I do after breakfast. It is not my fault that you are off today."

"You do not do this on Sundays. I'm off then."

I sighed and shook my head. "Max, that's Sunday. Today is Thursday."

"So?"

"So, I have to go to work at five so I don't get to spend all day with her. We compensate with listening to music and playing with blocks." I had gotten her these really cool blocks for her birthday that had bells on the inside and are all these different shapes. They are so cool.

Max was quiet for a minute. "Well, can you at least turn it down?"

"No."

"God you're such a freaking baby."

"Bye guys." Nudge said, walking out of the bathroom.

"How are you getting to School?" I asked her, since Max normally drove her on Thursday.

"Walking."

"Really?"

"Really, God. Why don't you trust me?" She asked, walking to the door.

"I have no idea. Do you Chris?"

Nudge glared at me. "Whatever. Bye Max!"

"Would you all shut up? Damn!"

Nudge rolled her eyes, walking out of the apartment. I went back to building with Chris. I was almost finished with my tower when Chris knocked it over.

"Chris!"

She giggled. "Hawa."

I sighed and looked at the clock. It was seven thirty. "Okay, now it's time for TV."

I stood up and Chris reached out for me. I walked past her and over to the stereo. I turned it off and then sat on the couch. The baby crawled over to me and I sat her in my lap. I turned on the TV and put it on Blues Clues. (A/N Do they still have that on? I seriously have no idea.) Chris leaned against me, watching it I guess. I mean, I don't have it on so I can watch it! Once it was over, I put it on Scooby-Doo. Now that show, I will admit to watching…not that I ever solve the mystery first.

One hour later, Max walked out of the bedroom. "Fang, I'm hungry."

"So?"

"Make me food, duh." She sat down in the chair. "And I do not mean make me cereal."

I stood up and handed Chris to Max before going to the kitchen. Damn Max. She's learned to cook enough to make herself editable food but does that mean that she's actually going to cook? No. Why should she when she has me as a slave, I mean boyfriend. I made her an omelet.

"Here." I handed her the plate and then took Chris back from her. Chris saw that Max was eating and started wiggling in my arms as I sat back down on the couch. I kissed her head. "You already ate, Chris."

Chris looked up at me, eyes watering. I ignored her and went back to watching TV. She cried for a minute before stopping. I looked at the clock and saw that it was now 10:45.

"Okay Chris." I stood up, carrying her to the bedroom. "Time to get ready."

"Get ready for what?" Max asked.

"We are going to the store." I told her as I changed Chris. "Then we eat lunch, which today will be peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices. After that, we watch collage football while rolling her ball back and forth."

"You plan out your day together?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"I started a month again. That way I know what I need to get done." I carried Chris back into the living room. "Can you watch her while I shower? I'll be quick."

"Fine."

I took a very fast shower and hurried getting ready. I was walking out of the bathroom and saw Max standing there, holding Chris's hand as she walked her around the living room. Max and Nudge were obsessed with teaching her how to walk. Chris saw me and smiled.

"Fay-g."

Max's cell phone rang and, on instinct, she let go of Chris's hand to pull it out of her pocket. Chris almost fell but then kept walking. I stood there, watching her. She walked over to me. When she got to me, I cheered.

"Max! Did you see her?" I asked, my voice loud. Chris saw my excitement and yelled too. She fell back on her butt, clapping her hands. I picked her up. "Max! Be happy for her!"

Max stood stock-still as a single tear ran down her. She dropped her phone. "H-He's dead."

I sat Chris on the floor and went over to her. "Who Max?"

She hugged me, hard, burying her head in my chest. She started crying softly. I ran my hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her. What was wrong? Eventually she pulled away and looked at me with her tear-filled eyes.

"Iggy killed himself…and it's all my fault." She leaned back against me, crying harder now. I held her, not knowing what to do. Iggy is…dead?

"Max, sweetie, go lay down, okay?"

Max held onto me for another moment before letting go. "Fang, I have to-"

"Go lay down." I ordered and she let go of me. She went into the bedroom, still crying. I sighed, picking her phone up. "Hello?" No answer. Whoever she was talking to had hung up. I went over to Chris and picked her up.

"Fay-g." She giggled. I carried her over to her playpen and put her in it. She sat down, watching me as I pulled out my cell. I called Dr. Martinez.

"Fang, I guess that Max told you." She whispered.

"Y-Yeah. What happened?" I asked.

Dr. Martinez was silent for a moment. "He hung himself in the bathroom."

I closed my eyes. "I have to go. I should get Nudge from school right?"

"Yes. I'm going to wait to get Angel and Gazzy though."

"Um, I'll call you back later, okay?"

"Alright. Bye."

"Yeah, bye." I hung up and shook my head. This is so, so unreal. I picked Chris up and carried her into the bedroom. "Max, I'm going to go pick up Nudge, okay?"

She looked at me. "Fang, was she serious?"

"Yes."

Max laid her head back down on the pillow. "I killed him. I should have-"

"Stop it Max." I ordered. "You didn't do anything."

Max just buried her head in her pillow. "He's dead Fang! I-I can't do this. I don't want him to be dead. I love Iggy."

"I'm going to get Nudge. Take a nap." I put Chris in her crib and gave her a kiss on the head. She reach her arms up for me. She wanted to go with me. I shook my head. "You stay here Chris. I have to go get your Mommy."

"Shut up, damn!" Max yelled at me. "Your brother just died and you're talking to a baby? Are you really that fucked up?"

I ignored her and kissed Chris's head again. "Bye-bye Chris. Take a nap."

"You're just bastard! You're probably glad that he's-" Max cut herself off and started crying. I went over to her and forced her to lay down. I covered her over and kissed her head.

"I'll be back." I told her. "You just take a nap."

Max rolled over, her back to me. "Whatever."

I kissed the back of her head and walked out of the bedroom. I got my car keys and headed out the door. I went to the car and then to Nudge's school. I went inside.

"I need to pick up Nudge Ride." I said to the lady in the office.

She nodded. "You can sit down. The principal is almost done."

"Wait, what?"

"The principal is almost done." She repeated.

I sat down, confused. Why was she talking to the principal? Then I realized that if she did get in trouble, they would call Dr. Martinez. They probably did and she knew that I would just pick her up anyways.

"The principal would like the see you." The lady told me after a minute.

I stood up and went into the office. There was the man and woman I hated the most. Vice Principal Clarks and Principal Bowars. Oh God.

"I was not expecting…you." Principal Bowars stated. She was in her forties and had been stuck with me for three years of her life and it was hell.

"I just came to pick her up. I didn't know that she was in trouble."

Vice Principal Clarks sighed. He was also in his forties but was one of those guys that thought he looked good. He lies to himself so much. "Then why are you here?"

"There's been a death in the family." I said slowly. Nudge giggled. She thought I was lying. Oh God.

"Really? Who was it this time? Did Maximum fall down ten fleet of stairs again?" Principal Bowars asked sarcastically.

"Okay, that time I was lying." She was referring to my senior year and I needed to skip a few days of school to go out of town to see an awesome concert. So I called the school and told them that Max had fallen down the stairs and told Dr. M that it was spring break. Max and I stayed in a hotel those five days and damn, that was great drunk sex. Um, never mind. "But this time I'm serious."

"Who died?" The vice principal asked.

I cleared my throat. "I do not feel…comfortable say it in front of Nudge. She doesn't know yet. And it is a very personal family matter that...look, just tell me what she did and we can leave. We have things to take care of."

"She has been text messaging comments about other girls and got into a fight with one of the girls."

I looked at Nudge. "You win?"

"Yeah."

I nodded. "What is that? Three days suspension?"

"The rules have been changed since you left. Suspension and 50 dollar ticket."

I sighed. "Fine. Come on Nudge."

"We are not done here." Principal Clarks said quickly.

"Yeah we are." I walked out Nudge following. When we got to the car Nudge laughed.

"Who died?" She asked, still giggling.

"Nudge," I paused. She was 16. She can handle it. "Iggy's dead."

Nudge was quiet for a minute before laughing. "You almost sounded for real. So, how long am I grounded for?"

"Nudge, I'm serious. He hung himself."

Nudge was silent the rest of the way home. When we got to the apartment she went straight to her bedroom. I sighed, walking to my bedroom. Max was on the bed, just laying there. I looked in Chris's crib and saw her sitting there, staring up at me.

"Fay-g." She reached up for me.

I patted her head. "Hold on little girl."

I walked over to Max and stood in front of her. She didn't look up but did talk. "It's all my fault Fang."

I sighed and leaned down to kiss her head. "Max, I went and got Nudge." I decided to not bother her with Nudge getting in trouble at the moment.

"Fang, I don't care! Iggy's dead."

I walked over to Chris's crib and took her out. "I need to feed the baby since it's twelve. I'll be right back bitch."

Max just groaned and laid her head back down on the pillow. I sighed, taking the baby to the kitchen. I got some bread and cheese out and fed her. She likes cheese. Weird. I got an apple and cut it up and started to give her those too. She didn't finish. That's odd, normally Chris eats all her food. I wonder what wrong… I picked her up out of her highchair and carried her over to her playpen. I sat her down in it and handed her a toy. I smiled at her.

"I'll be back in a minute Chris." I told her, walking back into the bedroom. Max was laying there, watching the clock. "Max? You want to go into the living room?"

"No."

I picked her up. "I want you there."

"Fang, put me down." She said, no fight in her voice.

I carried her into the living room and sat her down on the couch. I turned on the TV, which happened to be on CNN.

"Today, one of the 'birdkids' has decided to take his life. He was found by the woman that had taken them in when they were teens. The family has made on comment on the death and-"

I turned off the TV as Max started to stand up. "Stay Max. I didn't know that they knew! Just lay here for awhile."

Max laid back down but didn't seem that happy about it. "Fang, why do I need to be in here? I need to talk to Angel and Gazzy and…Nudge! Come out here for a minute."

"No!" You could tell from her voice that she'd been crying. "I-I'm busy."

I sighed, looking at Max. "Just leave her alone for awhile."

Max rolled onto her side, facing the couch, her back to me. "Fang?"

"Yes?" Right now I really wanted to do whatever she want. My main goal was to make her feel better, no matter what I had to do.

"Where's my cell? I need to call Mom."

"Why?"

"Fang, just give me my phone!"

"Okay, here." I handed it to her before going over to Chris. She was chewing on one of her stuffed animals. I took it from her. "No Chris."

Her eyes started to water and she started screaming. "Ahhh!"

I tired to give it back ot her. "Here! Take it!"

She ignored me and kept screaming. Max glared at me. "What the hell did you do Fang?"

"I don't know!" I picked her up and started rocking her. Nothing. Finally she got the hiccups. That stopped her. She started giggling.

"Yes." Max said into the phone. "Did he leave a note?"

I shook my head. That bastard. I hate him more than ever. He's making Max upset and blaming herself for his boneheaded decision and that is inexcusable. Is that a word? I opened my mouth to ask Max but then I remember why I used that word. She doesn't have time for me right now. I pulled out my cell and called Georgia, my boss.

"Hello?"

"Someone died and I can't come in today. Can I take the day off?"

"Yeah, of course." She said. "Who died?"

"One of my…I don't know what he was. Brother I guess. But right now, I have stuff to take care of some stuff."

"Alright."

"Actually, can I go ahead and take the week off?"

She paused. "It'll count against your vacation days."

"So I can have it off?" I wasn't really worried about those. I never use them since I always go to work.

"Yes."

"Thanks."

"I hope that things get better for you." She said before hanging up. Now I had to deal with Max. She was still talking to her mom. I kissed the baby on her head before putting her back in her playpen.

"Fay-g!" She reached up for me.

"I have to go talk to your Mommy." I told her. "I know today sucks for you. I'll-"

"Shut up Fang!" Max yelled, hanging her phone up. "I am so tired of you talking to Chris like she's listening to you! She's freaking baby! You're such a fucking retard."

I closed my eyes, counting to ten. "Bitch, I know that you're upset but seriously, stop yelling at me. It's starting to annoy me."

"Go to hell! You can't tell me what to do!"

"And you think you can tell me?" I took a deep breath. "I get that him dying is hard for you but-"

"Just shut up!" She threw an empty soda can that happened to be on the coffee table at me. Though it did hit me in the head, that's not what hurt. She just threw something at me!

I shook my head. "Stop it Max. This isn't cute or funny."

"You think that me getting mad at you is ever cute? Wow you are fucked up."

I closed my eyes. "Max-"

"Just go away! I don't want you here. Take Chris and go somewhere. We don't need someone who's happy that-" Max cut herself off and laid back down.

She wants me to go? Fine! I picked up Chris and walked out the door.

Max's POV

"Hey." I whispered.

Nudge looked up from her phone. "Ella was texting me. I-"

"It's fine. I have to go to Mom's to…talk to Angel and Gazzy. They don't know yet. Do you want to go? You don't have to."

Nudge was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Yeah…I'll go."

I smiled at her. "Good. I need you."

Nudge looked at me. "For what?"

I shrugged. "We all just…need to stick together."

Nudge rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

I started to turn around and go back to the living room but something stopped me. I stood there a moment before looking Nudge in the eyes. "Are you okay?"

"What?"

"Are you okay?" I repeated. I wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean but something in my head was telling me to ask.

Nudge gave me a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

I sighed, walking into the room completely. I sat down on her bed next to her. "It's just…I don't feel okay. Fang doesn't seemed bother and now…you're the next oldest to talk to."

Nudge closed her eyes. "I feel…weird. I just…it's not real."

I shook my head. "Why?"

Nudge opened her eyes. "Why what?"

"Why did he do this?"

"Why not?"

I was shocked by what she said. "What do you mean, 'why not'?"

"I mean, Iggy has nothing."

"What are you talking about?!"

Nudge sighed. "Max, I'm not trying to be mean but…Iggy felt like you guys don't…I mean didn't care. Fang defiantly does, didn't, care. He lived with you Mom Max!"

I stood up. "Forget it Nudge."

"Max, I'm serious!" Nudge yelled, also standing.

"Nudge just forg-"

"No! You ignored him, hated him, and treated him worse than a dog." Nudge paused. "I'm not saying that what he did was…right but I understand it."

I held my breath. Breath, I silently reminded myself. I looked at my watch and saw that it was about to be two. "Look, the kids will be home at four. Be ready at 3:30."

Fang's POV

Girl, who taught you how to move like that?
at this pace you're at you're at you're going way too fast
I, I saw you from across the room
It's me vs. every guy
It's your choice, you choose

I've got friends in highly low places
it's been a long time it's been a long time
and maybe baby you can rise above the rest to meet me

Chris clapped her hands. I smiled and turned it down. "You happy Chris? Huh?"

"Fay-g!" She clapped again.

"You ready to go home?" I asked her, pulling into our parking lot. I had taken her on a ride. Where? Nowhere. We just drove around. It was now three and I figured that I needed to check on Max. I pulled into a parking space and got out. I got the best baby in the world out of the car and went up to the apartment. Max was laying on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

"Hey bitch." I whispered.

Max looked at me. "In thirty minutes I have to go tell Angel and Gasman that Iggy is dead. You're coming."

I nodded. "Are you okay?"

Max shrugged. "Where'd you go? You wouldn't answer you phone."

"I was driving." I told her, sitting down in the chair. Chris looked up at me, smiling. She wanted to play. I sighed, picking up her stuffed animal up off the floor. She, of course, started chewing on the tail. I let her, figuring that at this point, it didn't matter. "Chris was walking…by herself."

"Is that all you care about? That baby?" Max asked, her tone accusing.

I looked down at Chris. "No. But she's the only other thing to talk about."

"Go to hell Fang."

I just sat there. I wasn't going to fight with her about nothing. She's just upset. Chris yawned and leaned against me. "Fay-g."

I heard a laugh from behind us and turned to see Nudge, standing there, a half smile on her tear stained face. Max looked at her too.

"What?" Max asked, clearly pissed that Nudge was happy.

"Nothing. It's just that I just realized that Chris isn't saying Fang. She's saying fag."

Max looked at her and then me for a moment. "You guys are hopeless."

I smiled and kissed Chris's head.

Max's POV

"Angel gets home before him?" I asked Mom.

"Yes." She said, walking out of the room. I looked at Fang.

"Let's tell them separately." I said.

Fang shrugged and looked down at Chris. "Are you hungry? I am. Let's go get something after this. I want-"

"Shut up."

Fang looked over at me. "I'll be in the living room until she gets here."

"How about you go to hell instead?" I asked as Fang walked out of the room.

"Why are you acting like that to him?" Nudge asked me.

I sighed. "He's being a bastard. He acts like he doesn't even care that Iggy…"

"Yeah but Max, he's always acted like that with Chris." Nudge argued.

"Yeah and I'm tired of it."

"Whatever." Nudge took a sip of her…coffee? Is she drinking coffee? I rolled my eyes. My head hurts and Nudge drinking coffee isn't going to help it any.

"Hi Fang." I heard from the living room. Angel was home. "Why are you here?"

"In the kitchen." Fang mumbled, walking in here, now baby less. I guess he gave her to Mom.

"Why?" Angel asked, following him.

Fang looked at me. "We have something to tell you."

"Oh my god! You're having a baby!" Angel screamed.

I paused for a minute before slowly speaking. "No sweetie. This is something…bigger."

"What?"

I could tell that she was trying to get in my mind but I blocked her. I looked at Fang who stared back. I knew that I had to be the one to say it, even if I didn't want to be. I'm the leader and always will be.

"Angel…sometimes people make bad decisions."

"Are you guys breaking up again?"

I held my breath. "No honey. Iggy…died."

Angel stood still for a moment and the room was completely silent as the rest of us held our breaths. A few seconds later, Angel was able to find her voice.

"W-What?" She looked at the three of us, as if she was hoping that there was a smirk on our lips or amusement in our eyes, showing that we were just giving her an early Halloween prank. She found none.

"He…past away." Nudge mumbled, looking at me. I nodded. There's not reason for her to know that he killed himself…not now at least.

Angel's eyes started to water and I got up and hugged her. She cried against me and I looked at Fang for help. He wasn't looking at me though. He was looking towards the living room. A moment later, Gazzy stood in the doorway.

"Heard you got kicked out of school Nudge." He laughed a little before his eyes settled on his younger sister, crying. "What's wrong Ange?"

Before I could stop her, Angel said, "Iggy's dead!"

Gasman looked at me, waiting for a response. I raked my brain for one but Fang was actually the first to speak.

"He dead Gas." Fang whispered.

Gazzy bolted past us and out the door. I started to remove myself from Angel to go after him but one look at Fang and I knew that that wasn't what was needed. Fang shook his head.

"Just leave him alone." Fang mumbled, walking out of the room after ruffling Angel's hair.

Later that month

Fang's POV

"No." Max said into the phone as she walked into the apartment. "He says that he's not going."

I knew what she was talking about and couldn't help but sigh. Why does she think that I need to go to that bastards funeral? I looked down at Chris as Max walked into our bedroom.

"Today is the funeral so we've got the whole house to ourselves."

Chris giggled. "Fay-g."

I smiled at her. "You're the best baby ever. You know that?"

"Naaa." She put her hands over one of mine. I moved mine and put them over my eyes. We started playing peek-a-boo. Not a very entertaining game but Chris loves it.

"Fang, are you sure?" Max asked, walking out of the bedroom five minutes later. "Jenny said that she'd watch Chris."

"I'm not going." I looked at the clock. "You better hurry."

Max sighed. "Whatever Fang."

I sighed. We had had this conversation, or should I say fight, last night. It ended with Max telling me to get out of the apartment. And I did…until she fell asleep. I came back at three and she had fallen asleep on the couch. I like to tell myself that she was waiting up for me but we all know that she was just watching TV. Yet again I sighed.

"Max?" I asked as she put on her shoes.

"What?"

"Can Chris eat-"

"Fang, you know what she can eat and can't eat!"

"Yeah but-"

"Besides," Max continued, walking over to Nudge's bedroom door. "You know more about her than I do."

"Whatever." I mumbled.

"Nudge, come on." Normally, when Nudge was late, Max would yell. But now, her voice was soft and…comforting. I shook my head slightly. Chris saw it and shook her head a little too. She's so smart.

"Fay-g." She leaned against me, closing her eyes.

"Sleepy?" I whispered, looking at the clock. It was two in the afternoon. "We'll take a nap after they leave."

Max rolled her eyes at me. "Nudge we really need to go."

Nudge opened her bedroom door. "Fine. But I really think that you should come Fang."

"Who died and made you…" I just trailed off. Max shook her head.

"Come on Nudge. Fang can rot in hell for all I care."

I stayed silent. Max doesn't get my reason for not going…no one would get my reason for not going. They left, leaving me with Chris, the only one who gives a damn what I say anymore. And when she finally stops pooping on herself and won't need me to change her, she won't want me either. Wow. I'm going to die all alone…just like Iggy… I shook my head. Now I'm being stupid! I hope.

"Okay Chris." I turned off the TV. I shook my head again. It's weird but…never mind. I'm just feeling weird because Max is being a bitch. What else is new? "Nap time."

"Naah Taah." She mimicked.

I smiled. "Good job. Now you're walking and talking. Ha, I rhymed. We're both smart."

Chris smiled back. I stood up and went into the bedroom. I laid her down on the bed and laid next to her. As always, Chris would rather play than take a nap. Sure, when I'm watching the game, she wants to sleep in my lap and whine. But when I want to take a nap, she wants to play. God she's like a little Max. She stood up and bounced a little before falling back down. She clapped her hands.

"Silly, you're not supposed to fall!" I kiss her head. "Now, go to sleep."

Chris smiled. "Fay-g."

"Uncle Fang's going to take a nap." I closed my eyes, demonstrating to her. "See? Nappy."

"Nah wee."

"Chris, I love that you want to talk and all but come on. We're taking a nap." I laid her down and cover her over. "Night night."

"Nah!" She yelled at me.

I sighed. "Chris, please take a nap."

She stood up again. "Fay-g."

"No." I laid her back down. This time she just laid there. I smiled. "Good girl."

Chris reached out. "Ahh!"

"What?" Then I remember. "Chris, no. It's in the other room."

"Nahhah!"

I stood up and ran into the living room. I got her stuffed dog out of the playpen before going back into the bedroom. I laid down, giving it to her. She held it in one arm and laid on her back. I lay on my side next to her, watching her. She closed her eyes and was soon asleep. I moved around trying to get comfortable but couldn't. Great, she can sleep but I can't! I sighed, standing. I picked her up and laid her in her crib before going into the living room to watch TV. I turned it on some channel that had some show on about us. Yep, that's right. They had documentaries about us.

It happened right after Hawaii. They did all these stories on our lives and stuff. Iggy dying made them start to show them again. The biggest thing that sucks about Iggy dying is that the press is in our faces again. Max did some conference with them yesterday. It didn't go very well. She told the woman that was interviewing her that this was our lives and that they needed to stay out of it. If we could go fourteen years without them caring for us, they shouldn't wait till one dies to bring it up again. Then the new started talking about Nudge having Crystal. That pissed me off so bad. She's already 14 months! Just leave us alone.

A few hours later, Max and Nudge walked through the front door. Nudge went straight to her bedroom and Max went to ours. I sighed, standing. I went into the bedroom and saw Max changing out of her all black attire into one of my t-shirts and a pair of shorts.

"How did the funeral go?" I asked.

Max shook her head. "Fine I guess."

"You guess?" I asked hugging her. "What do you mean 'you guess'?"

Max shrugged. "Fang, let me go. I want to go to sleep."

I let her go. "Fine. I love you."

"Hmmm." She laid down. "Night."

"Night."

November

Fang's POV

"What'd the doctor say?" Max asked as we walked out to the car. I had refused to let her go in with me.

"I have a virus or something."

"Is that bad?"

"It's just a stomach thing."

"Is it contagious?"

"Yes." I paused as we got in the car. "He said that I needed to stay away from Chris."

Max sighed. "I'll send her and Nudge to Mom's."

"What? No! I'll just stay in the bedroom and not touch her."

"Fang, she'll just be over there until you get better."

"Yeah but-"

Max had already pulled out her cell and was calling Nudge. "Nudge, pack some clothes for you and Chris. No, I am not kicking you out. Fang's sick. Yes, yes." Max paused and looked me up and down. "I don't know! I guess. Yes. No. Just get some of her clothes. I'm going to call Mom." Max hung up and then called her Mom. "Hi Mom. Yes. I know. Um, Fang's sick. I already took him. Yes. He's got a virus or something. Chris and Nudge are going to need to stay with you for a while. Please? Mom, they are not that hard to handle. Just let Ig-" Max stopped and closed her eyes. "Take her to work with you. Alright, bye."

"You okay?" I asked her after a moment.

"Perfect."

"Oh. Good." I closed my eyes. I was so fucking tired that it wasn't even real. My stomach hurt too. Actually that's why Max made me go to the doctor in the first place. I had been throwing up and she got worried.

"How did you get sick anyways? Did he say?"

I moaned. "He doesn't know. It's nothing serious. Just a stomach thing."

Max looked over at me quickly. "Just take a nap, okay? Well be home soon."

I groaned in reply before doing exactly what she suggested. It seemed like only a second when I felt someone push my arm.

"Fang? Get up." She whispered.

I opened my eyes. "We're here?"

"Yeah." She got out of the car and I realized that I had no choice but to get out too. I walked to the apartment and immediately went to the bedroom to get Chris.

"Max! Where's Chris?"

Max walked up behind me. "Fang, I told them to leave, remember? It took us an hour to get home and Mom picked her and Chrisa up. Now go sit down in the chair and I'll fix you a bed on the couch so that you can watch TV"

I sighed defeated. She had made my best friend leave! But I was also slightly nauseous. I sat down quickly before I puked.

Max's POV

I sighed, looking at Fang. He was sleeping on the chair. I had just finished making him a bed on the couch but wasn't sure if I should wake him. I mean, he looks so peaceful. I did, however, wake him.

"Fang, get up. Go lay on the couch."

He groaned but did stand and move to the couch. He laid down quickly. "Max?"

"What?"

"I want the remote." He mumbled and I handed it to him.

"Anything else?"

"Soda." Fang ordered.

I sighed, going to go get him a coke. He took one sip before handing it back and going to sleep. I kissed his head before going into the bedroom. I laid down on the bed when my cell went off. I answered,

"Hey Jenny."

"Hi." She paused. "How's Fang?"

I sighed. "He's sick. The doctor said that he has a stomach virus. I sent the baby and Nudge to Mom's house."

"Aw, I bet Fang's upset that Chris is gone."

"Yeah." I agreed. "He's-"

"Max!" Fang yelled.

I sighed. "Hold on Jenny." I put the phone down. "What Fang?"

"Can you bring me my cell?"

"What? Why?"

"I want to call Chris."

I sighed. "Fang, she's not even two yet!"

"Yeah but Max-"

"Fang, go to sleep for another hour and then I'll let you call her. Deal?"

Fang was silent for a second. "Fine."

"Good. Now go back to bed." I picked back up the phone. "Sorry Jenny. What were we talking about?"

"I don't even remember." She said.

"Oh. Well, are you going to do it?"

"Do what?"

"You know what!"

She sighed. "I don't know. The ring looks so nice."

"Jenny, it's Rogers' brother! You marry him and there is no way that there is going to be a happy ending."

Yes, for those of you who aren't very good at connecting the dots, Jenny got a marriage proposal…from Ricky, Rogers' brother. Her and Roger have been broken up for a few months and during that time, Ricky proposed. Surprise!

"Yeah but he's so sweet and nice and cute and-"

"You're in your twenties, not in high school."

"So?"

"Stop acting like a kid! This is a bad situation."

"Max, you are the one that was always telling me to move on from Roger." Jenny pointed out.

"Yeah but not on to his brother!"

"Well you should have been more specific!"

I closed my eyes. "You know what? Marry him! You can just get a divorce the day after."

"I will!" She hung up. Damn. I sighed, standing. I went into the living room and saw that was wasn't there. I looked in the bathroom and saw him puking. I stood behind him until he finished. He went over to the sink and washed out his mouth.

"Fang? Go lay down on the bed. "

"But I want to watch-"

"Fang, just do it."

He sighed, headed to the bedroom. He laid down on the bed. "Stay."

"I am." I mumbled, laying next to him. I laid on my side, facing him. "You want me to rub your tummy?"

Fang nodded. "Yeah."

I was actually joking. I ran my hand slowly up his toned stomach, while Fang laid there, moaning. God he's such a baby! I threw up for a year straight! It's only been three days since this started. I made him go to the doctor after he was still complaining today.

"You tired Fang?" I asked, taking his shirt off so that I could quit pushing it up to rub his stomach.

"No."

"Are you thirsty?"

"No."

"Are you-"

"I want to call Chris."

I sighed. "Take another nap, okay?"

"Max, please?"

I leaned up and kissed him cheek. "Nope. Night Fang."

He moaned but did eventually go to sleep. I smiled and stood up.

Fang's POV

I woke up and she was gone. I sighed, sitting up. My stomach felt a little better but it still hurt. And I was thirsty.

"Max!"

It was silent. I got up and searched the apartment. She was gone! I found my cell and then called her.

"Hey baby." Her soft voice soothed me. "What's wrong?"

"You left." I whined, laying back down on the bed.

"I had to go to work. They were short handed."

"Well…my stomach hurts. I want you here."

Max sighed. "Fang, take a-"

"I don't want to sleep Max! I want you to come back." I smiled. "Or you could always have Chris come ba-"

"No. I'll be home in a few hours. Watch TV, play your games. Do something."

I moaned as my stomach started to hurt worse. "I come home when you're sick."

"I was dying Fang. And plus, it was your fault!"

I hung up, dejected. All I wanted was for her to be here! God, you'd think that I asked her to give up her life…oh yeah, already did that. Now what? I called Nudge.

"Hello?"

"Nudge, it's Fang."

"Oh, hey. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm bored."

"Aren't you sick?"

"Yeah. What's Chris doing?"

"Sleeping." Nudge told me. "Shouldn't you be doing that?"

"No. I'm not a baby Nudge."

"Duh. I thought that sick people slept a lot."

"No that's pregnant women!"

"No."

"Yes."

"I don't think so."

"I'll ask Max, even though I know that I'm right." I paused. "Are you going to be okay over there?"

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged and then remembered that she couldn't see it. "It's just that, you know, you don't really like it over there."

"Aw, you don't want me to be unhappy?" I could hear by the tone of her voice that she was mocking me.

"I am not."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not. You could die for all I care."

"Well I hope you die too!"

"Good." I hung up. Okay, now I'm bored again. I threw up again before taking a nap. It was hours later when I felt Max kiss my cheek. I opened my eyes and she was now getting into bed with me.

"How do you feel?" She asked.

I shrugged. "Don't know."

"When's the last time you threw up?"

"Before I went to sleep."

I could tell that Max was getting pissed off. "How long ago was that Fang?"

"I don't know."

Max rolled her eyes. "Do you need more medicine?"

"No."

"Are you thirsty?"

"No."

Max sighed. "What do you want me to do then Fang?"

"There is one thing that would make me feel better." I smiled to myself. I'm a genius.

"What?" She seemed like I could get her to do anything at the moment so why not use it to my advantage.

I reached down and unzipped my jeans. "Please?"

"God no."

"You've done it before."

"Like twice."

"Then do it again."

"Fang-"

"Please?"

Max's POV

Fang pulled his boxers back up but just kicked his jeans off. I grabbed my coke off the night stand and took a big drink. I guess that some people like the taste of that but ew. Fang was smiling.

"Thanks." He mumbled, closing his eyes. "Night."

"Night." I stood up as Fang went back to bed and went into the living room. I pulled out my cell and called Jenny,

"Hello."

"Hey, it's Max."

She sighed. "Sorry for blowing up at you earlier."

"It's cool." I forgave her.

"I told him no."

I was stunned. "Really?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Well…Roger proposed and I said yes to him instead!"

Wow. What do I say to that? Act happy? Or say that she made a dumb decision? Tell her the truth? Or lie?

"That's great?" It came out as a question. What? I don't know what she wants me to say!

"Yeah I know!" She exclaimed. "Do you want to be my maid of honor?"

"Do I have to wear a dress?"

"Yeah."

"Then no."

"Max."

"No."

"Please?"

Is it just me or is this a lot like the conversation I had with Fang? "No."

"But Max-"

"Jenny I do not wear dresses."

"Fine you can wear jeans. Will you be my maid of honor?"

"I don't know. What do I have to do?"

"You know how guys have a best man?"

"Yeah."

"Well that's what you are for me."

"So you're not just going to elope?"

"Hell no. I'm having the wedding of my dreams."

"With whose money?"

"We'll worry about that later."

"Hmmm." I shook my head. "So does your ring look good?"

"Yes! God I love Roger."

"I bet you do." I mumbled. "How long are you going to stay engaged?"

"About a year."

"Why?"

"It seems more classy."

I rolled my eyes.

My longest chapter ever! Sorry that it took so long. Got busy.