Hey everyone I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Sorry it's taken me so long to update but we had a short break. Anyway this is the Christmas chapter and then… well you'll just have to read.
Max POV Christmas Day
I heard shuffling and giggling that drifted through my dreams. I opened my eyes to see Ari and Ella only a few inches from my face.
"Ahhhhhhhhh."
How had they gotten up on the roof and wait, I was in the barn in the living room. Fang.
"Ari we told you to wake up Max, not scare her half to death."
"Sorry mom, sorry Max."
"It's okay Ari." I said while getting up off the couch. I kicked Fang, who was at the other end of the couch, awake. He groaned and got up.
"Merry Christmas Max. Get everyone up. Breakfast in about ten minutes in the house."
"Whatever Jeb."
I started looking around the barn for the flock. They had all moved at least once during the night. I finally gave up then just yelled breakfast as loud as I could. Within ten seconds my flock were waking up and heading for the house.
Last night was so amazing, that I had even relaxed a bit. Now I realize that my anxiety was back, but for some reason not as bad.
We all piled into the house and took up residence anywhere large enough for someone and a large plate of food. Mom, Jeb, Ella, Ari, Angel, and Tint were sitting around the table; Trent, Uno, Gazzy, and Sky were sitting in the hallway, while Ice and Charm were on top of the counter. Nudge, Star, Red, and Coal were on the furniture in the living room; Iggy, Raven, and Sasha were spread out on the floor; Cammie, Blade, Willow, and Eel were on top of some book shelves while Fang and I were on the window sills. So it was pretty much as cramped as anything.
Once we were all done eating Jeb went and got out a Bible. He told everyone to be quiet and he started to read about the birth of Jesus. All the while I was looking at my flock. The younger kids seemed to really enjoy and believe what Jeb read, but I was having doubts. Yet something just seemed right when Jeb read about the angels and the star.
When Jeb finished reading he looked at the Christmas tree.
"So is that what Christmas is all about?" I looked at Uno. He normally wouldn't ask stuff like that but when he did he really wanted to know.
"Yup Uno that's what started Christmas and that's still the reason we celebrate it. Now who wants to help me pass out presents?"
Angel, Tint, Ari, and Ella all got up and followed Jeb into a back room. They came out with stuffed all wrapped up and added it to the already large pile of gifts under the Christmas tree. They all started to hand out gifts and I couldn't help but notice how happy the flock looked. When they each got a present their faces lit up and they tore into it. Even Fang had a half smile on his face. Not much could make them this happy and I really couldn't remember the last time I had seen them all relax.
"WOW, thank you Mrs. Martinez, this is great."
I looked at Nudge. She was holding up a fleece blanket that had a picture of a Bald Eagle on it. The flock were each holding up their gifts while Ella, mom, Ari and Jeb smiled. Fang had on a new pair of black sunglasses, while Sasha was showing him a ring with a silver band with a small purple stone. Eel was playing with a new, small, digital camera, taking pictures of Willow holding up a T-Shirt with a willow tree on it. Raven was putting on a watch with a picture of a, you guessed it, raven. Blade was holding a pack of sharpies and three cans of spray paint, he was really good at drawing and Cammie was putting on a pair of stretchy camouflage gloves. Just to let you know, she for some reason likes wearing gloves.
I looked at Iggy who was sitting by Gazzy. They were grinning from ear to ear. Jeb wouldn't have gotten them…
"Iggy what's on the papers?"
Iggy looked up at me and his face went red.
"Nothing, just…"
"Show me Ig."
Iggy sighed.
"There plans for small bombs that are really easy to make. They were my present."
I would have to have a serious talk with the kid but I dropped the subject, partially because Angel had come up to me.
"What sweetie."
"Look what I got."
She pulled out a small snow globe with a manger scene in it.
"Pretty Angel."
Angel sat down next to Tint who was holding a stuffed animal dog. Next to them Uno was playing with a metal slinky and Sprinkle was trying to put on a necklace with a raindrop on it. Coal was showing off a belt he had put on that had flames on it. Red had gotten a sweet looking silver chain with a shark tooth on it while Star had on a mood ring. Ice was playing a small hand-held game while Charm was putting on an ankle bracelet that had a bunch of charms on it. Trent was tossing around a hackie sack and Gazzy was making funny noises into a tape recorder. Last Sky was admiring a new pillow that had clouds on it. Mom, Jeb, Ari, and Ella were hugging each other and opening their own presents.
"Oh wait there's another part to your guy's gifts. Where going to take you all shopping for some new cloths, hair cuts and all that stuff. You all even have new sweatshirts and backpacks still in the back room."
Everyone hoorayed for joy and even though I was feeling a little left out, I joined them. We all desperately needed new cloths and haircuts. I noticed Jeb whispering something to Ella and she went into the back room.
The thing was, I was already thinking ahead to when we would have to leave. All our gifts were small enough to take with us but soon we'd be on the run again fighting erasers and trying to stop Itex.
Ella came out of the room with a small present. She came over and handed it to me.
"Merry Christmas sis."
She hugged me and sat back down. Only then did I notice my flock were staring at me.
Open it Max.
I took off the wrapping paper to find a diary. It said "The Best…"on the cover and I opened it. Inside were empty pages and a few were already filled out. I looked at the ones already filled out. There was one titled The Best Flock, this had everyone's signatures on it. Another was titled The Best Family, and there were a few other ones. I looked at the last one, which said the best Maximum Ride. There were little blurbs from everyone.
"We all finished your gift once you fell asleep." Ari said while smiling. Since he was saved and deeraserfied, he was really a cute kid who could now live a normal life.
"Thanks guys I love it." And I really did.
"Now Max, everyone, Jeb and I have been talking and we want you all to stay for a while and take a break. You all need it and it will give Itex a chance to cool down." I looked at my mom. We did need a break but for how long. I noticed again, that the flock were looking at me. All the younger kids had longing in their eyes.
"How long are you talking here?"
"Well Max," Jeb said while pulling out a folder. "Probably for a while. We want you all to stay and attend the school Ella and Ari go to. Your education hasn't been well… you really haven't had any education and it will give you all a chance to do some discrete investigating on Itex."
Some of the longing had disappeared form everyone's eyes but they still wanted to stay. I gave Fang my what-do-you-think look and he gave me back his it's-your-call look. I really didn't want to go to school again but for some reason I knew it was needed.
"Alright we'll stay and go to the normal torture facility." Everyone laughed, but I hadn't been kidding. Last time I was at a school everything had went wrong and I was always jumpy and on high alert.
It won't be that bad Max. You'll go back after Christmas break and we'll figure stuff out from there.
Yeah I'm sending the flock back to school. But there's a reason. Please review and I'll update ASAP.
