TITLE: This Christmas
WRITTEN BY: Drea Jackman
EMAIL: DreaJackman@Literati.co.uk
RATING: G
SUMMARY: Logan invites Max to experience a truly old-fashioned Christmas when he asks her
to spend Christmas with him at his family cabin. What will the season of good will have in store?
(Much festive M/L 'shippery fluff)
DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters involved. They belong to Cameron/Eglee
Producions :(
ARCHIVE: If I've said yes before I'll say it again, otherwise email me 'n' lemme know.
FEEDBACK: Don't make me beg, please? ...D'OH!
A/N: Well I gotta start out with a huge apology. My other fic was left over the holidays so I was
continuing some new stuff till I got back home to post this. I start back Uni tomorrow and now all
I have to do is gradually finish State of Mind and I'll be on a roll, lol. Hope this was worth the
wait. I know it's a while past Christmas now, but hopefully this'll still ring true. MERRY
CHRISTMAS!!!
___________________________________________________________
That evening dinner went by much the same as it had the night before. Granted there was still
the odd silence and this time they weren't of a more comfortable or companionable nature. Each
pause in the amiable conversation allowed them time to reflect on the thoughts and feelings their
festive kiss had sparked. Logan wasn't sure about how Max felt about it, but he was increasingly
worried that it had forced open flood gates he wouldn't be able to close.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Max finished helping Logan clear the table and went to sit by the
fire. As Logan wheeled up opposite he saw that Max was already preparing the small table with
the chessboard he'd brought for them. It sat at a lower level, Max sitting comfortably,
cross-legged on the floor in front of Logan as he propped the brakes on his chair and leaned
forward on his knees to play. Wine glasses caught the shimmering and flickering of the firelight
as they played game after game, whiling away the wee hours until later that night.
"Can't I open just one present early?" Max chided at him giving Logan her best begging face.
"Not until I win at least one game," he replied setting up again.
"Okay, play."
"I don't want you to let me win Max."
"But..."
"Play fair," he said in a mocking scold.
"If you insist," she sighed and sipped a little more from her wine glass, emptying the cool liquid
into her mouth where it caressed her throat with a warming glow on it's way down.
* * *
"Pay up," Max ordered triumphantly.
Logan looked at her trying to fein annoyance or something close to a bad mood for having lost
yet again to her transgenic tactical advances on the board. Eventually the warm glow of her
smile thawed out the act and he couldn't help but echo her smile as he nodded slowly.
"Okay, but you have to promise you won't get all closed off by the experience," he warned.
"Logan, we've spent days up here already. Believe it or not you have managed your duties as
Santa pretty well," she replied, her nimble fingers already stripping the chess pieces from the
board and packing them away systematically into the box.
Logan pushed the small table back out of their way and wheeled a little closer to the tree by the
opposite side of the fireplace. The fire in the hearth roared and licked at the opening to the
small chimney. Santa huh? Maybe instilling a true appreciation for just how worthwhile the
season could be had been done afterall. Now all he had to do was pray that she'd accept his
gift.
When Max moved to join him by the tree she noticed him deep in thought. Logan didn't have
time to be startled as he felt her small but powerful hands slide over his shoulders. Tensing
under her gentle but firm touch he craned his head around to see what she was doing.
"You're all tensed up," she said plainly.
"Guess it's all that stress from trying to beat you at chess," he sighed knowing it was a complete
lie, but hopefully one he'd eventually be forgiven for making.
"Hmm," Max's hum trailed off into thoughts of her own as she stared past Logan towards the fire
in front of them.
Logan drew in a sharp breath and held it for a few seconds more than he should as he felt Max's
hands slide up to the back of his neck, her fingertips just glancing his hairline. The action in
itself was enough to send waves of relaxation and excitement through him all in one. As her
hands began to gently rub and massage the taught muscles beneath the thin material of his
shirt, his head leaned forward slightly as his eyes focused in a haze on the flickering flames
before him.
The heat snaked out and washed over him, rinsing all the tensions of the day away in a single
breath as his eyes began to feel heavy against the glowing light. Max noted the deepening of
his breathing and realised that she too had began to relax in the pleasing contact the massage
had brought. Suddenly eager to feel more, her hands unconsciously slid up over his shoulders
toward the nape of his neck where her fingertips danced and played their melodious music. The
slow rhythm beat out all the tension and satisfied the craving she'd had to feel his warm skin
beneath her touch.
Max wasn't sure exactly when she'd completely surrendered. It felt like her body was five steps
ahead of her mind in whatever it was she was doing. She felt the soft texture of Logan's hair
between her fingers, his flesh against hers as her hands brushed neck again and again. The
solid mass of his back was surprisingly firm against the front of her thighs as her eyes drifted
open to find that she was standing almost flush against the back of the chair, one hand in his
hair while the other continued to rub at his tired shoulders. Only when the groan finally escaped
his lips did her eyes fly wide open and she finally managed to take a step back.
"Mmm," his whisper was gentle and soft.
Max was silent, unsure of how to explain or even if she really wanted to try. It had been so long
since she'd just given in around him. She was afraid that if she did, things like the slip that had
just happened would happen over and over, leading them down a path she wasn't entirely sure
she was ready to take. Pulling herself together a little more she squeezed his shoulders
reassuringly through his shirt.
"Better?" she tested, still wishing the awkwardness would just disappear.
"Mmm, much." he breathed, his body still humming from the amazing sensations passing through
him in waves.
"Good," she said sounding more like herself as she went to sit by him at the fire.
Stretching her hands out toward the flames she felt their slick heat warm her, as if she really
needed to be warmed like that when she'd had such a near miss with Logan. The warmth turned
to an all out burn as she felt gentle fingers brush her hair away from the nape of her neck. His
touch was almost timid, unsure of how she'd react. Max found herself questioning why he felt he
had to be so careful around her as he began to rub gently at her neck, massaging out the kinks
she'd managed to put there all by herself in attempting to comfort Logan.
Closing her eyes, feeling nothing but Logan's blissful touch, the fire's gentle warmth spread
through her. Again came the question in earnest. Why was Logan so hesitant in touching her?
Did she really give him the feeling he had to be so careful around her? Was that really what she
wanted from him? His hesitance and distance? As the low moan slipped over the full curve of
her lips his touch set her on fire. The answer came through plain and simple. She wanted more.
More than the friendship she never thought she'd be able to have in her life, more than a
hesitant touch afraid to get to close to her.
Logan was the most remarkable man she'd ever met. He was one of the last real honest men
left in their broken world. Not only had he accepted her for who and what she was, he'd taken it
in his stride and shown that he'd be there no matter what. The chair bugged him, or at least it
had to the extent of making him so unhappy he'd even thought of killing himself. It still hurt her
to feel that he hadn't been able to come to her to talk about it, that he'd had to go through that
kind if isolation and loss alone. Was that what her emotional distance promoted in their
relationship?
"Better?" Logan's hesitant mumble was uttered as a simple breath blown gently over her left ear.
Uncontrollably Max's body lurched slowly towards it's source, seeking the comfort his voice
always brought. Before she knew it she could feel the soft stubble of his beard tickling and
scraping at her cheek. It wasn't unpleasant, it wasn't erotic, it was just...the most blissful thing
she'd ever felt. The setting, the company, the comforting touch all in the spirit of something she
felt was bigger than them both. This Christmas thing wasn't such a bad thing afterall.
"Much," she breathed slowly, inhaling his scent as she drew breath again opening her eyes to
turn and face him.
Her cheeks were flushed and if she looked close enough she was sure she could see the same
faint blush tainting Logan's cheeks too. He smiled a little nervously and dropped his hands into
his lap and glanced up at the clock over the hearth behind Max. Sitting cross-legged before him
on the rug spread out by the crackling hearth Max looked at the tree, enjoying the scent of
evergreen and pine.
"It's late," he said solemnly.
"How late?"
"Few minutes to midnight," Logan finished looking at the tree with her.
"So seeing as we're awake anyway, think it'd be okay if we just opened our presents now?" she
tested, again the childlike mischief slipping into her voice as she teased him.
"Let me pour us another glass of wine and we won't have to," he said picking up the wine
glasses and handing them to her.
Pouring both of them another glass of wine he laid the bottle aside and took the glass she
offered him. Max glanced up over her shoulder just as the clock ticked down to midnight.
Turning back to Logan she shifted and sat on her knees before him in the chair, smiling at him in
anticipation as they both awaited the seconds to pass them by. Logan's eyes never left hers as
the bright smile began to tug at his lips, spreading on his face as Max felt herself smile in answer
to him. The clock struck midnight and Logan tipped his glass forward towards hers.
"Merry Christmas," he said, whisper-soft tones singing in her ears.
"Merry Christmas," she echoed, her voice deliberately soft and happier than she was sure she'd
ever been.
Clinking glasses they sipped in a toast that was to welcome their Christmas celebration fully and
bring them closer together than they'd ever been. Both of them could feel it and suddenly Logan
wasn't half as nervous about his gift. There was something different in her eyes now, it hadn't
been there a few minutes before, but it was enough to allow him a change of heart. Eyes Only
wasn't so wary anymore and it was the bravest he'd ever felt.
"So what are we waiting for?" he said, excitement plain in his voice as he sat his glass down on
the edge of the table behind them.
Max shot him a smile and crawled over the last three feet standing between her and their gifts
under the tree. The feline in her had been dying to know what was in hers. The fact that Logan
had gotten her a gift was an incredible feeling in itself, but as with many things, she wasn't
always sure what to expect with him. But, there was one familiar parcel beneath the green bows
and she picked it up and brought it back with the others to the fire. Sitting before Logan on the
rug she handed the familiar gift to him.
"Merry Christmas, " she repeated, the words still pleasing as they passed her lips and met her
own ears.
Logan smiled taking the parcel from her and he mocked childlike curiosity as he gently shook it
from side to side feining an attempt at guessing what it was.
"Hmm...not socks," he said as the solid bump resounded from the fairly large box.
"Guess you'll just hafta open it and see won't you."
Max's eyes watched his actions with wonder, taking in the experience this sharing of gifts was
really like between people that cared about each other. Suddenly she wasn't worried about the
sentimentality attached to her gift. Now it seemed strangely appropriate for the occasion,
especially considering what she was thinking of letting happen.
Sighing in mock annoyance Logan fumbled with the wrapping on the box before finally tearing it
and opening the box inside. As he lifted the lid the look of amazement that crossed his face was
priceless and Max was sure she'd never forget it as long as she lived. His eyes traced every
part of it before lifting it out of the box.
"Max," he gasped in reverence, unable to take his eyes off it.
The glowing firelight caught the silver frame and reflected in a thousand different directions at
once, the flurry of sparkling lights shimmering across his features as he examined the picture
within. A copy of a picture he hadn't even remembered being taken at that moment, his mind
was awash of the image itself. Logan sat in his chair, Max in his lap, an arm cast casually
around his neck as his own encircled her waist. Her head was tilted toward him, resting mere
millimeters above his, both smiling, eyes sparkling with utter contentment and possibly a little too
much wine.
"Original Cindy's party, thought it'd maybe look nice at your place," she said only now feeling a
little self conscious at the sentiment of her gift. It felt like she'd just stuck her heart on her sleeve
for him and the entire world to see.
"Max, it's beautiful," he finished, finally managing to tear his attention from the picture held in his
hands. Glancing between her and the gift he shook his head as if unable to find words to
describe how he really felt.
"It's...Max I love it. Thankyou." he said sincerely.
Max beamed not realising she'd invested so much feeling in whether he'd appreciate it or not.
Strangely she felt acceptance at his pleasure, her eyes remaining on his as she enjoyed basking
in his enjoyment.
"Your turn," he said leaning forward to pick up the present by his feet. Handing it to her he sat
back, gulping a little in his attempts to calm the butterflies he had. This was it, now or never.
Max tried to unconvincingly hide her excitement and got to work unwrapping it. With soldier-like
efficiency she finally discarded the decorative wrappings and became faced with a small, red
velvet box. Glancing up at Logan a little suddenly she didn't so much panic as hold her breath in
shock. Granted she'd been rethinking her feelings toward him, but jewellery like this was a little
more of a commitment. Still, it may not be as scary as she'd thought, probably nonsense she'd
made up in her instant of excitement.
Opening the box slowly she was almost afraid to look, the ramifications a ring might have had on
their pending relationship almost unthinkable. What she found wasn't so much scary as
beautiful and something she knew meant a great deal to him. His mother's locket, gold shining
and glimmering against the deep velvet background that surrounded it.
"Logan I can't accept this," she gasped, looking him in the eye suddenly. "It was your mother's.
She wanted you to have it, I can't possibly..."
"It's yours," Logan cut her off abruptly dismissing her uncertainty.
"But," she protested.
"It's something that means alot to me and I want you to have it."
Lifting it gingerly out of the small box she noticed something else catching her eye as it caught
the firelight behind her. Setting the locket aside she slipped her fingers in and managed to get a
grip of the small metal object within. Drawing her hand back into view she opened it to find a
small silver key, one that wasn't entirely unlike...
"What's this?" she asked intrigued.
"Probably the scariest thing I've ever done in my whole life," Logan replied, his face a mask of
uncertainty and fear. He had to wonder just what had happened to all that confidence and
bravery moments ago.
"Is this what I think it is?" she asked finally making her eyes meet his, locking with them as
everything else in the world around them fell away.
"What do you think it is?" His voice was soft and wary.
"I think," she began but was stopped by the sudden look that flew across Logan's features
momentarily as she registered his pained expression of rejection.
"Logan, what are you afraid of?" she asked frankly.
"Right now? Alot of things."
"Like what?" her questions pressed him, tired of dancing around what was going on in his head.
"Like trying to get too close, scaring you away just when everything's going so good. That kinda
scared," he answered honestly and looking defeated for doing so. His eyes fell, unable to meet
hers, the confidence he'd had minutes ago betraying him and leaving him to make his stance
alone.
"You think you're gonna scare me off? Logan I got news for you, you are NOT the most scary
thing I've ever had to deal with," she lied at least on one level. Emotionally she'd never had to
deal with anything like Logan before, he was uncharted territory, new and unknown. That
scared her true, but not as much as losing him.
Logan didn't reply, only lifted his head to lock eyes with her again, the reassurance he found
there unbelievable. Max held her hand up for his, palm facing him. Logan obliged, his palm
meeting hers, fingers tentatively slipping between hers as she entwined their fingers.
"What are you doing?" Logan asked in a distant whisper, his attention completely focused on
her actions and the fact that he hadn't been shot down already.
"Ask me," she said simply.
Logan looked at her warily before asking again. "Ask you what?"
"Whatever this was meant to ask for you," she said gesturing to the key in her free hand.
Logan drew in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before exhaling again slowly, letting
the oxygen wash over him and replenish fields of strength he didn't know he had.
"Max, I want you to move in with me," he stated rather than asked.
Max's grip tightened on his as if trying to be more reassuring in the face of what was almost
becoming a nervous breakdown.
"I mean, the guest room's all yours if this is all too fast. I don't wanna push..." he continued to
babble on missing her gesture completely as he made his last ditch attempt at confessing to her.
"Logan," she said suddenly, snapping his attention back from the runaway train it had been on.
After a brief pause she smiled sincerely and leaned towards him.
"Thankyou," she breathed against his lips right before she closed the distance on a very
shocked Logan.
Max's lips crossed his for the second time in that twelve hour period and this time he wasted no
time in reacting. Tugging on her hand he felt her stand and lean into him, her body weight
dropping gently into his lap as she kissed him over and over. Her tongue gently explored and
soothed as did his, her free hand slipping up to drape around his neck and hold him closer as
her other was still locked in a firm grip with his.
Finally, a few moments later she drew back to look him in the eye. Logan's face was a little
flushed, a look that mirrored hers as she panted very slightly against him. Eyes searched the
other's, hoping they'd conveyed all they had to, only too willing to state it again if needbe.
"I didn't wanna push you away, not ever," she said with the utmost sincerity.
"You didn't. Everything's just been so amazing...I didn't want to spoil it by pushing you too far,"
he replied, feeling a little silly now.
"You're the most amazing person I've ever met, Logan. I hope you know that."
"You're not so bad yourself," he said offering her a more relaxed smile and shifting in the chair to
hold her a little closer.
"I mean it. There's no one else I'd rather be with," Her elbow nudge him gently, almost playfully,
hoping he'd follow.
"When you say 'be with' you mean?" he tested, enjoying teasing her for a confession he was
sure would follow.
"I love you, happy?" she blurted as if she'd just given up their little game.
"Well, not if you're gonna put it like that," Logan's voice teased as he feined moodiness.
Max's only response was faking an exasperated sigh and leaning in abruptly to kiss him
passionately. Moments later, when she was satisfied she'd completely taken his breath away
she leaned back breaking the kiss, to rest her forehead on his, her eyes still partially closed.
"I love you," she repeated, this time the confession wasn't tainted by anything but pure honesty.
Logan smiled, his eyes still closed as he leaned his forehead to hers. Taking a deep breath he
raised his head, eyes searching for hers in the haze that had surrounded his senses. Leaning
forward to kiss the tip of her nose he whispered to her softly.
"You too."
Giggling a little Max curled up to get comfy in his lap as they both looked on to the roaring fire
and the tree glistening and twinkling before them. It really had been a season to remember, and
one neither of them was likely to forget in a hurry. Max had never had a Christmas like it, and it
meant more to her that Logan had been able to give it to her. His gifts never seemed to stop
and she was all too aware of how lucky she was. Snuggling up in his arms she rested her head
against his and closed her eyes to the cabin's warm inner glow.
"Logan?" she asked in a whisper barely audible.
"Hmm?"
"Merry Christmas." she breathed, a tired smile sweeping her features as she felt his arms
tighten around her.
Logan felt his eyes drift closed on a sigh as he felt Max's body snuggle up against him, his arms
encompassing her tenderly. Smiling a little to himself he kissed her forehead and returned to
their warm and contented embrace.
"Merry Christmas, Max."
WRITTEN BY: Drea Jackman
EMAIL: DreaJackman@Literati.co.uk
RATING: G
SUMMARY: Logan invites Max to experience a truly old-fashioned Christmas when he asks her
to spend Christmas with him at his family cabin. What will the season of good will have in store?
(Much festive M/L 'shippery fluff)
DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters involved. They belong to Cameron/Eglee
Producions :(
ARCHIVE: If I've said yes before I'll say it again, otherwise email me 'n' lemme know.
FEEDBACK: Don't make me beg, please? ...D'OH!
A/N: Well I gotta start out with a huge apology. My other fic was left over the holidays so I was
continuing some new stuff till I got back home to post this. I start back Uni tomorrow and now all
I have to do is gradually finish State of Mind and I'll be on a roll, lol. Hope this was worth the
wait. I know it's a while past Christmas now, but hopefully this'll still ring true. MERRY
CHRISTMAS!!!
___________________________________________________________
That evening dinner went by much the same as it had the night before. Granted there was still
the odd silence and this time they weren't of a more comfortable or companionable nature. Each
pause in the amiable conversation allowed them time to reflect on the thoughts and feelings their
festive kiss had sparked. Logan wasn't sure about how Max felt about it, but he was increasingly
worried that it had forced open flood gates he wouldn't be able to close.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Max finished helping Logan clear the table and went to sit by the
fire. As Logan wheeled up opposite he saw that Max was already preparing the small table with
the chessboard he'd brought for them. It sat at a lower level, Max sitting comfortably,
cross-legged on the floor in front of Logan as he propped the brakes on his chair and leaned
forward on his knees to play. Wine glasses caught the shimmering and flickering of the firelight
as they played game after game, whiling away the wee hours until later that night.
"Can't I open just one present early?" Max chided at him giving Logan her best begging face.
"Not until I win at least one game," he replied setting up again.
"Okay, play."
"I don't want you to let me win Max."
"But..."
"Play fair," he said in a mocking scold.
"If you insist," she sighed and sipped a little more from her wine glass, emptying the cool liquid
into her mouth where it caressed her throat with a warming glow on it's way down.
* * *
"Pay up," Max ordered triumphantly.
Logan looked at her trying to fein annoyance or something close to a bad mood for having lost
yet again to her transgenic tactical advances on the board. Eventually the warm glow of her
smile thawed out the act and he couldn't help but echo her smile as he nodded slowly.
"Okay, but you have to promise you won't get all closed off by the experience," he warned.
"Logan, we've spent days up here already. Believe it or not you have managed your duties as
Santa pretty well," she replied, her nimble fingers already stripping the chess pieces from the
board and packing them away systematically into the box.
Logan pushed the small table back out of their way and wheeled a little closer to the tree by the
opposite side of the fireplace. The fire in the hearth roared and licked at the opening to the
small chimney. Santa huh? Maybe instilling a true appreciation for just how worthwhile the
season could be had been done afterall. Now all he had to do was pray that she'd accept his
gift.
When Max moved to join him by the tree she noticed him deep in thought. Logan didn't have
time to be startled as he felt her small but powerful hands slide over his shoulders. Tensing
under her gentle but firm touch he craned his head around to see what she was doing.
"You're all tensed up," she said plainly.
"Guess it's all that stress from trying to beat you at chess," he sighed knowing it was a complete
lie, but hopefully one he'd eventually be forgiven for making.
"Hmm," Max's hum trailed off into thoughts of her own as she stared past Logan towards the fire
in front of them.
Logan drew in a sharp breath and held it for a few seconds more than he should as he felt Max's
hands slide up to the back of his neck, her fingertips just glancing his hairline. The action in
itself was enough to send waves of relaxation and excitement through him all in one. As her
hands began to gently rub and massage the taught muscles beneath the thin material of his
shirt, his head leaned forward slightly as his eyes focused in a haze on the flickering flames
before him.
The heat snaked out and washed over him, rinsing all the tensions of the day away in a single
breath as his eyes began to feel heavy against the glowing light. Max noted the deepening of
his breathing and realised that she too had began to relax in the pleasing contact the massage
had brought. Suddenly eager to feel more, her hands unconsciously slid up over his shoulders
toward the nape of his neck where her fingertips danced and played their melodious music. The
slow rhythm beat out all the tension and satisfied the craving she'd had to feel his warm skin
beneath her touch.
Max wasn't sure exactly when she'd completely surrendered. It felt like her body was five steps
ahead of her mind in whatever it was she was doing. She felt the soft texture of Logan's hair
between her fingers, his flesh against hers as her hands brushed neck again and again. The
solid mass of his back was surprisingly firm against the front of her thighs as her eyes drifted
open to find that she was standing almost flush against the back of the chair, one hand in his
hair while the other continued to rub at his tired shoulders. Only when the groan finally escaped
his lips did her eyes fly wide open and she finally managed to take a step back.
"Mmm," his whisper was gentle and soft.
Max was silent, unsure of how to explain or even if she really wanted to try. It had been so long
since she'd just given in around him. She was afraid that if she did, things like the slip that had
just happened would happen over and over, leading them down a path she wasn't entirely sure
she was ready to take. Pulling herself together a little more she squeezed his shoulders
reassuringly through his shirt.
"Better?" she tested, still wishing the awkwardness would just disappear.
"Mmm, much." he breathed, his body still humming from the amazing sensations passing through
him in waves.
"Good," she said sounding more like herself as she went to sit by him at the fire.
Stretching her hands out toward the flames she felt their slick heat warm her, as if she really
needed to be warmed like that when she'd had such a near miss with Logan. The warmth turned
to an all out burn as she felt gentle fingers brush her hair away from the nape of her neck. His
touch was almost timid, unsure of how she'd react. Max found herself questioning why he felt he
had to be so careful around her as he began to rub gently at her neck, massaging out the kinks
she'd managed to put there all by herself in attempting to comfort Logan.
Closing her eyes, feeling nothing but Logan's blissful touch, the fire's gentle warmth spread
through her. Again came the question in earnest. Why was Logan so hesitant in touching her?
Did she really give him the feeling he had to be so careful around her? Was that really what she
wanted from him? His hesitance and distance? As the low moan slipped over the full curve of
her lips his touch set her on fire. The answer came through plain and simple. She wanted more.
More than the friendship she never thought she'd be able to have in her life, more than a
hesitant touch afraid to get to close to her.
Logan was the most remarkable man she'd ever met. He was one of the last real honest men
left in their broken world. Not only had he accepted her for who and what she was, he'd taken it
in his stride and shown that he'd be there no matter what. The chair bugged him, or at least it
had to the extent of making him so unhappy he'd even thought of killing himself. It still hurt her
to feel that he hadn't been able to come to her to talk about it, that he'd had to go through that
kind if isolation and loss alone. Was that what her emotional distance promoted in their
relationship?
"Better?" Logan's hesitant mumble was uttered as a simple breath blown gently over her left ear.
Uncontrollably Max's body lurched slowly towards it's source, seeking the comfort his voice
always brought. Before she knew it she could feel the soft stubble of his beard tickling and
scraping at her cheek. It wasn't unpleasant, it wasn't erotic, it was just...the most blissful thing
she'd ever felt. The setting, the company, the comforting touch all in the spirit of something she
felt was bigger than them both. This Christmas thing wasn't such a bad thing afterall.
"Much," she breathed slowly, inhaling his scent as she drew breath again opening her eyes to
turn and face him.
Her cheeks were flushed and if she looked close enough she was sure she could see the same
faint blush tainting Logan's cheeks too. He smiled a little nervously and dropped his hands into
his lap and glanced up at the clock over the hearth behind Max. Sitting cross-legged before him
on the rug spread out by the crackling hearth Max looked at the tree, enjoying the scent of
evergreen and pine.
"It's late," he said solemnly.
"How late?"
"Few minutes to midnight," Logan finished looking at the tree with her.
"So seeing as we're awake anyway, think it'd be okay if we just opened our presents now?" she
tested, again the childlike mischief slipping into her voice as she teased him.
"Let me pour us another glass of wine and we won't have to," he said picking up the wine
glasses and handing them to her.
Pouring both of them another glass of wine he laid the bottle aside and took the glass she
offered him. Max glanced up over her shoulder just as the clock ticked down to midnight.
Turning back to Logan she shifted and sat on her knees before him in the chair, smiling at him in
anticipation as they both awaited the seconds to pass them by. Logan's eyes never left hers as
the bright smile began to tug at his lips, spreading on his face as Max felt herself smile in answer
to him. The clock struck midnight and Logan tipped his glass forward towards hers.
"Merry Christmas," he said, whisper-soft tones singing in her ears.
"Merry Christmas," she echoed, her voice deliberately soft and happier than she was sure she'd
ever been.
Clinking glasses they sipped in a toast that was to welcome their Christmas celebration fully and
bring them closer together than they'd ever been. Both of them could feel it and suddenly Logan
wasn't half as nervous about his gift. There was something different in her eyes now, it hadn't
been there a few minutes before, but it was enough to allow him a change of heart. Eyes Only
wasn't so wary anymore and it was the bravest he'd ever felt.
"So what are we waiting for?" he said, excitement plain in his voice as he sat his glass down on
the edge of the table behind them.
Max shot him a smile and crawled over the last three feet standing between her and their gifts
under the tree. The feline in her had been dying to know what was in hers. The fact that Logan
had gotten her a gift was an incredible feeling in itself, but as with many things, she wasn't
always sure what to expect with him. But, there was one familiar parcel beneath the green bows
and she picked it up and brought it back with the others to the fire. Sitting before Logan on the
rug she handed the familiar gift to him.
"Merry Christmas, " she repeated, the words still pleasing as they passed her lips and met her
own ears.
Logan smiled taking the parcel from her and he mocked childlike curiosity as he gently shook it
from side to side feining an attempt at guessing what it was.
"Hmm...not socks," he said as the solid bump resounded from the fairly large box.
"Guess you'll just hafta open it and see won't you."
Max's eyes watched his actions with wonder, taking in the experience this sharing of gifts was
really like between people that cared about each other. Suddenly she wasn't worried about the
sentimentality attached to her gift. Now it seemed strangely appropriate for the occasion,
especially considering what she was thinking of letting happen.
Sighing in mock annoyance Logan fumbled with the wrapping on the box before finally tearing it
and opening the box inside. As he lifted the lid the look of amazement that crossed his face was
priceless and Max was sure she'd never forget it as long as she lived. His eyes traced every
part of it before lifting it out of the box.
"Max," he gasped in reverence, unable to take his eyes off it.
The glowing firelight caught the silver frame and reflected in a thousand different directions at
once, the flurry of sparkling lights shimmering across his features as he examined the picture
within. A copy of a picture he hadn't even remembered being taken at that moment, his mind
was awash of the image itself. Logan sat in his chair, Max in his lap, an arm cast casually
around his neck as his own encircled her waist. Her head was tilted toward him, resting mere
millimeters above his, both smiling, eyes sparkling with utter contentment and possibly a little too
much wine.
"Original Cindy's party, thought it'd maybe look nice at your place," she said only now feeling a
little self conscious at the sentiment of her gift. It felt like she'd just stuck her heart on her sleeve
for him and the entire world to see.
"Max, it's beautiful," he finished, finally managing to tear his attention from the picture held in his
hands. Glancing between her and the gift he shook his head as if unable to find words to
describe how he really felt.
"It's...Max I love it. Thankyou." he said sincerely.
Max beamed not realising she'd invested so much feeling in whether he'd appreciate it or not.
Strangely she felt acceptance at his pleasure, her eyes remaining on his as she enjoyed basking
in his enjoyment.
"Your turn," he said leaning forward to pick up the present by his feet. Handing it to her he sat
back, gulping a little in his attempts to calm the butterflies he had. This was it, now or never.
Max tried to unconvincingly hide her excitement and got to work unwrapping it. With soldier-like
efficiency she finally discarded the decorative wrappings and became faced with a small, red
velvet box. Glancing up at Logan a little suddenly she didn't so much panic as hold her breath in
shock. Granted she'd been rethinking her feelings toward him, but jewellery like this was a little
more of a commitment. Still, it may not be as scary as she'd thought, probably nonsense she'd
made up in her instant of excitement.
Opening the box slowly she was almost afraid to look, the ramifications a ring might have had on
their pending relationship almost unthinkable. What she found wasn't so much scary as
beautiful and something she knew meant a great deal to him. His mother's locket, gold shining
and glimmering against the deep velvet background that surrounded it.
"Logan I can't accept this," she gasped, looking him in the eye suddenly. "It was your mother's.
She wanted you to have it, I can't possibly..."
"It's yours," Logan cut her off abruptly dismissing her uncertainty.
"But," she protested.
"It's something that means alot to me and I want you to have it."
Lifting it gingerly out of the small box she noticed something else catching her eye as it caught
the firelight behind her. Setting the locket aside she slipped her fingers in and managed to get a
grip of the small metal object within. Drawing her hand back into view she opened it to find a
small silver key, one that wasn't entirely unlike...
"What's this?" she asked intrigued.
"Probably the scariest thing I've ever done in my whole life," Logan replied, his face a mask of
uncertainty and fear. He had to wonder just what had happened to all that confidence and
bravery moments ago.
"Is this what I think it is?" she asked finally making her eyes meet his, locking with them as
everything else in the world around them fell away.
"What do you think it is?" His voice was soft and wary.
"I think," she began but was stopped by the sudden look that flew across Logan's features
momentarily as she registered his pained expression of rejection.
"Logan, what are you afraid of?" she asked frankly.
"Right now? Alot of things."
"Like what?" her questions pressed him, tired of dancing around what was going on in his head.
"Like trying to get too close, scaring you away just when everything's going so good. That kinda
scared," he answered honestly and looking defeated for doing so. His eyes fell, unable to meet
hers, the confidence he'd had minutes ago betraying him and leaving him to make his stance
alone.
"You think you're gonna scare me off? Logan I got news for you, you are NOT the most scary
thing I've ever had to deal with," she lied at least on one level. Emotionally she'd never had to
deal with anything like Logan before, he was uncharted territory, new and unknown. That
scared her true, but not as much as losing him.
Logan didn't reply, only lifted his head to lock eyes with her again, the reassurance he found
there unbelievable. Max held her hand up for his, palm facing him. Logan obliged, his palm
meeting hers, fingers tentatively slipping between hers as she entwined their fingers.
"What are you doing?" Logan asked in a distant whisper, his attention completely focused on
her actions and the fact that he hadn't been shot down already.
"Ask me," she said simply.
Logan looked at her warily before asking again. "Ask you what?"
"Whatever this was meant to ask for you," she said gesturing to the key in her free hand.
Logan drew in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before exhaling again slowly, letting
the oxygen wash over him and replenish fields of strength he didn't know he had.
"Max, I want you to move in with me," he stated rather than asked.
Max's grip tightened on his as if trying to be more reassuring in the face of what was almost
becoming a nervous breakdown.
"I mean, the guest room's all yours if this is all too fast. I don't wanna push..." he continued to
babble on missing her gesture completely as he made his last ditch attempt at confessing to her.
"Logan," she said suddenly, snapping his attention back from the runaway train it had been on.
After a brief pause she smiled sincerely and leaned towards him.
"Thankyou," she breathed against his lips right before she closed the distance on a very
shocked Logan.
Max's lips crossed his for the second time in that twelve hour period and this time he wasted no
time in reacting. Tugging on her hand he felt her stand and lean into him, her body weight
dropping gently into his lap as she kissed him over and over. Her tongue gently explored and
soothed as did his, her free hand slipping up to drape around his neck and hold him closer as
her other was still locked in a firm grip with his.
Finally, a few moments later she drew back to look him in the eye. Logan's face was a little
flushed, a look that mirrored hers as she panted very slightly against him. Eyes searched the
other's, hoping they'd conveyed all they had to, only too willing to state it again if needbe.
"I didn't wanna push you away, not ever," she said with the utmost sincerity.
"You didn't. Everything's just been so amazing...I didn't want to spoil it by pushing you too far,"
he replied, feeling a little silly now.
"You're the most amazing person I've ever met, Logan. I hope you know that."
"You're not so bad yourself," he said offering her a more relaxed smile and shifting in the chair to
hold her a little closer.
"I mean it. There's no one else I'd rather be with," Her elbow nudge him gently, almost playfully,
hoping he'd follow.
"When you say 'be with' you mean?" he tested, enjoying teasing her for a confession he was
sure would follow.
"I love you, happy?" she blurted as if she'd just given up their little game.
"Well, not if you're gonna put it like that," Logan's voice teased as he feined moodiness.
Max's only response was faking an exasperated sigh and leaning in abruptly to kiss him
passionately. Moments later, when she was satisfied she'd completely taken his breath away
she leaned back breaking the kiss, to rest her forehead on his, her eyes still partially closed.
"I love you," she repeated, this time the confession wasn't tainted by anything but pure honesty.
Logan smiled, his eyes still closed as he leaned his forehead to hers. Taking a deep breath he
raised his head, eyes searching for hers in the haze that had surrounded his senses. Leaning
forward to kiss the tip of her nose he whispered to her softly.
"You too."
Giggling a little Max curled up to get comfy in his lap as they both looked on to the roaring fire
and the tree glistening and twinkling before them. It really had been a season to remember, and
one neither of them was likely to forget in a hurry. Max had never had a Christmas like it, and it
meant more to her that Logan had been able to give it to her. His gifts never seemed to stop
and she was all too aware of how lucky she was. Snuggling up in his arms she rested her head
against his and closed her eyes to the cabin's warm inner glow.
"Logan?" she asked in a whisper barely audible.
"Hmm?"
"Merry Christmas." she breathed, a tired smile sweeping her features as she felt his arms
tighten around her.
Logan felt his eyes drift closed on a sigh as he felt Max's body snuggle up against him, his arms
encompassing her tenderly. Smiling a little to himself he kissed her forehead and returned to
their warm and contented embrace.
"Merry Christmas, Max."
