*Chapter 15: A True Meaning of Christmas*
Three thousand feet up, the side of Mt. Crumpit, the Grinch rode with his load to the tip-top to dump it. The sun is coming up. Any minute now, the Whos will be awake to see nothing to give.
"Keep going, Max! We're gonna make it!" The Grinch as he is pushing the sleigh the to help his dog companion who is pulling the sleigh with all his might. The Grinch turned his head back to see the sun hitting Whoville, he smirked. "They'll be waking up now. And we will hear their cries. Boohoo, boohoo!"
The Whos walk out of their homes with confusion and fear. They have been robbed. Who would do such a thing? They all met at the plaza. The Lou Whos meet up with the May Whos. When Neil and Cassandra notice the lights and everything in town is gone, they were the only ones who still have their tree and presents. Even the food.
"What has happened?" Miss McGerkle asked in her red coat.
"Where are all the decorations?" One of the children asked.
"Everything is gone." Molly said. "Someone robbed us." Martha and Marco were shocked. Before one of them could say something, Augustus appeared in the plaza in his robe with anger.
"It was that Grinch!" He said. "That psychopathic Grinch! He did this!"
"But, why?" Lou asked.
"So that we will have nothing like he had before!" Augustus said. "I say we go up to that mountain and make him bring back those gifts! We will have our Christmas back!" Martha went up to him with a look.
"He didn't steal our Christmas!" She told him.
"Of course he didn't! He left your tree and presents behind!" One of the Whos said. "You're the only one who kept their-"
"No! You all got it all wrong!" Martha said to everyone. "What I mean is that he didn't steal our Christmas Spirit! Sure he may have stolen your things, but he will never steal our spirit of the holiday we love most." The Whos look at each other as Martha spoke to them. "Christmas is in here." Martha pointed where her heart is. "He can't take away our Christmas Spirit. It's not about the presents. It's about love."
"She is right." A voice said. Molly turned to see the Cat coming up with the Fish in a bowl. "Christmas is about family and friends gather together. We spent time together. The greatest gift of all is love in our hearts." Molly looked up at the Cat with a smile. She is glad he is still around.
"That's true." Lou spoke. "I'm glad the Grinch took all of our presents." Cindy looked up at her father with a smile. "At least I got a family to love. They mean more to me than anything in the world." He brought Betty and Cindy close to him to embrace. Augustus watched the Whos embrace together with their families and friends. He turned to Martha who is hugging her brother and parents. He couldn't believe it. How could this town let this happen? The Grinch can't just get away with this.
The Grinch is pushing the sleigh up on the very top of the mountain to dump the whole thing. Before he could push any further, he started to hear singing below.
"Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome Christmas come this way.
Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome Christmas, Christmas day."
"What is that? Max you hear that?" The Grinch turned to look down at Whoville with his dog. They did hear singing from Whoville. It doesn't sound sad at all. It sounds like glad. "They're singing?" The Grinch wondered. He took out his telescope to take a good look. The Whos hold hands and sing with smiles. "I don't understand, Max. I took away everything." He sees the Lou Whos, then Molly, the Cat and the Fish. "What the...? What is the Cat doing here? And why did he bring the fish?"
"Welcome, welcome fahoo ramus,
Welcome, welcome dahoo damus,
Christmas day is in our grasp,
So long as we have hands to clasp.
Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome Christmas bring your cheer.
Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome all Whos far and near."
He sees the May Whos singing along with the Whos. But, he didn't see Martha in the crowd. Is she upset about Christmas being gone? He left her tree and presents. Maybe she didn't want to come into town with the Whos. The Grinch couldn't think when the singing grew loud. He started to think to himself. Maybe Christmas didn't come from the store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.
"Maybe Christmas is about...love." The Grinch said to himself. He remembered what he heard from Martha at the house. She loves him. And she did try to show him what Christmas is really about. Love. Not about the presents or the feast. It's about love for others. "Love." The Grinch repeated.
"Welcome Christmas, fahoo ramus,
Welcome Christmas, dahoo damus,
Christmas day will always be,
Just so long as we have we.
Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome Christmas bring your light."
Suddenly, the Grinch felt his heart beat. It started to grow. In a very warm way. The Grinch smiled as he touched his chest where his heart is. He started to feel it. The love of Christmas. He looked down at Max who watched in concern.
"Max...oh, Max, I love you!" He picked up his dog and hug him. Max smiled and start to lick his master's face.
"Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome Christmas, Christmas day.
Welcome Christmas, fahoo ramus,
Welcome Christmas, dahoo damus,
Welcome Christmas while we stand,
Heart to heart and hand in hand."
"Grinch!" A voice called. The Grinch and Max froze and turn to see Martha climbing up the top of the mountain. She made it and look up to see the Grinch standing there with Max in his arms. A sleigh full of bags. "Grinch!" Martha said with a smile.
"Martha? What're you doing here?" The Grinch asked as he put Max down.
"I came to see you." Martha said. She walked up to him. "Grinchy, listen to me. I have something to tell you."
"And...I have something to tell you too." The Grinch held her hands. "Martha, I see it now. Christmas is about love. Not about the presents. Not about the trees. It's about love for those who care about you. And feel my heart, Martha." He brought one of Martha's hand over his chest. Martha felt his beating heart. "It grew, Martha."
"Grinch..."
"Fahoo fores dahoo dore-es,
Welcome welcome Christmas day,
Welcome, welcome Christmas day."
"And Martha, I'm so sorry about the party. I was an idiot. And I never meant to hurt you." The Grinch said. "Will you ever forgive me?"
"Grinchy, of course I forgive you." Martha said with a smile. "I come here to tell you-" She was cut off when she notice the sleigh moved a bit and it is heading towards the edge of the mountain. "Oh no! The sleigh!"
"Huh?" The Grinch turned around and see the sleigh moving towards the edge of the mountain. Max barked frantically. The Grinch rush towards the sleigh and grab it, trying to pull back. But it is too heavy.
"Grinch!" Martha gasped as she came over to him, but the edge of the mountain is about to collapse because of the weight.
"Martha, get back!" The Grinch cried out. But, Martha fell but land on the sleigh as the Grinch is holding on with all his might. Max is barking down at Martha with fear. Martha looked up to see the Grinch. "Martha! Hang on!" The Grinch said. "I got you!"
"Grinchy!" The Grinch tried his hardest to pull the sleigh up, but it is way to heavy. He had to think of something. Martha is in danger. She could fall along with the sleigh. "Grinch, I love you!" Martha cried out, holding on. The Grinch stared down at her. His heart is beating fast and hard. "I love you!" Martha repeated. The Grinch's heart started to grow even more. It grew 3 sizes. The Grinch started to pull the sleigh with his strength. Max watched as his master is letting out a roar as he is pulling the sleigh back up. Martha watched in awe.
He has grown stronger. He lifted the sleigh above his head, letting out a cry. Martha couldn't believe it. The love has given him strength.
"I've got you, Martha May!" The Grinch yelled.
"You did it!" Martha praised as she remains in the sleigh. Max barked happily and spin around. After the Grinch lowers the sleigh, he joined Martha and hug her. "You saved me and the presents!" Martha said.
"The presents! I have to give everything back!" The Grinch said, pulling away. Max got in position to lead the way. "To Whoville!"
Marco and Cindy are looking for Martha in the crowds. She is nowhere in sight. But they found the Cat in the Hat with a Fish. As they ask him where Martha could be, they all hear a horn from outside Whoville. The Whos turned to see a sleigh coming down the mountain. Molly squinted her eyes.
"Is that...?" She wondered.
"I believe the sleigh is coming our way." The Cat said with a smile. "Way to go, Martha."
The Grinch is on top of the sack, blowing the horn as Martha sat on the sleigh, holding the reins as Max is pulling it. As the sleigh came to a halt in the plaza, the Grinch slides down the sack and face the Whos. Martha came by his side.
"Uh, hello everybody." The Grinch spoke. "It was me. I stole Christmas."
"You have a lot of nerve showing up, Grinch!" Augustus said, walking up to him. "And Martha, stay away from him!" A police officer came up beside the mayor. "Officer, arrest this monster! I never want to see his face again!"
"No!" Martha said with a look, getting in front of the Grinch to protect him. Marco and Cindy joined in to help Martha. "And I have news for you, Mr. Augustus Who-vier! I am not going to marry you!" The Whos gasped. Martha got out a box with a ring inside back to Augustus. "I'm sorry. We are not meant to be."
"But...but...Martha!" Augustus stuttered.
"My heart belongs to someone else." Martha said, holding the Grinch with a smile. The Grinch blushed a bit. The Whos muttered to themselves. Cassandra smiled proudly as Neil is confused. The Cat and the Fish smiled. Augustus doesn't know what to say. "If you ever think about trying to take Grinchy away, I swear I will feed you to the wolves!"
"Whoa..." The Grinch chuckled. "Dark." Augustus isn't amused, but he knew he couldn't do anything. He told the officer there will be no charges and never arrest the Grinch for stealing. The Grinch walked up to the mayor with his hand out. "No hard feelings?" He asked. Augustus took his hand to shake. "Cheer up, dude. It's Christmas."
"Everyone, find your things! We still have all day to celebrate Christmas!" Lou said as he climbed up the sleigh. Bricklebaum climbed up to help him as the Whos gather around the sleigh. The Grinch and Martha walk away from the crowd with smiles on their faces. Marco was about to follow them, but Cindy held him back.
"Let them be alone." She said. "We'll ask questions later."
"...Yeah." Marco said. He smiled. "Things are gonna be okay." Max sat by the children with a smile. Cindy took off the helmet to pet his head. Max licked her face to make her giggle.
XX
The Grinch and Martha stood by the tunnel of the alleyway to be alone. They held hands as they look at each other. The Grinch kisses her hands, making her blush.
"Martha, you love me? Truly?" He asked.
"I do. I love you." Martha said, touching the side of his face. "You're the only one I truly love. Unlike Augustus."
"I thought I was the only one who was in love." The Grinch said with a loving smile. "Martha, I love you. I fell in love with you before we went on a date. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever met. You mean so much to me."
"Oh, Grinchy..." Martha said softly. She wanted to cry. Above them is a mistletoe. They both look up and see it. That wasn't there before, was it?
"We're...under a mistletoe." The Grinch said with a nervous chuckle. "I didn't even notice it." Martha giggled. They both look at each other. They lean in and started to kiss. The Grinch finally got his first kiss with the one he loves. Martha's lips were so soft and warm. They pulled away and smiled. "Wow..." The Grinch said. "That was...um..."
"Nice." Martha finished for him. The Grinch chuckled and start to kiss her again. Martha wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed.
Watching them was the Cat and the Fish. The Cat was the one who placed a mistletoe there with his magic trick. He's happy that the Grinch finally found what he is looking for. He got a present after all.
"I guess they won't be the only ones who will be together." The Fish said, looking up at the Cat. "Maybe you should talk to Molly tonight." The Cat didn't say anything. He knew he wanted to talk to Molly. He missed all the times with her. But right now, he is happy to see that the Grinch and Martha are together.