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Thanks everybody for reading it and thanks for the reviews!!!!! When I woke up this morning I had decided to remove the story but you really encouraged me to post more. So here it comes.
And another note for this chapter: Americans be aware: Divine service in Europe is very different from America. Held in very old churches, very serious and with a lot of ceremonies and things like that. Just in case you wonder.
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Chapter 4: Christmas Eve
A few minutes later they were on their way to church. Sarah and Steven started and Max and Logan followed. It was already crowded and they had to separate to get seats. Sarah and Steven found some on a bench at the side and Max right next to the aisle so she could sit down next to Logan. He smiled at her. Everything was so good. He loved his grandparents and this world was so whole and complete that you could simply forget that it wasn't everywhere. A little bit of guilt crept up his back but he pushed that feeling aside. The world would still be broken in the morning. And it'd also be next week. Next year, when they'd go back to Seattle.
Max had similar thoughts and wondered why Logan didn't stay here in Europe. His grandparents would like it. But he didn't seemed interested. And she thought of the Christmases she had had before. Even after having escaped from Manticore it had never been like this. The best ones had been the ones partying with Cindy. But until now she had never understood what the spirit of Christmas was supposed to be. Looking at Logan she knew.
He interrupted her thoughts when he asked, "I bet you can't guess what I'll give you for Christmas. And have you already chosen when to open it?"
She looked at him and smiled back, "I didn't expect you'd have a Christmas present for me, since I was supposed to be in Seattle right now!"
She again had this feeling to get lost in his eyes. It had been the right decision to come here and celebrate Christmas with the person she cared most for. She thought of all the times she had believed she had lost him. The day he had been shot, the day she was on the run and the next one, where he had been in hospital and especially the one where he had tried to kill himself. She wondered if these were things he'd meant when he had told her that on Christmas you speak about what had happened last year. Thinking of all those days her eyes got wet. She breathed deep not to start to cry. Why did this man mean so much to her? When she realized that Logan looked at her, she wept over her eyes and said, "Christmas sentimentality."
He was surprised but tried to ignore it. "Of course I have a present. I decided back home to buy it here, 'cause there are just much nicer things to get. Unfortunately I'll have to wrap it when we come back, but that's it."
The bells started to ring and the service started. When the priest handed candles to everyone and turned the lights off, Logan couldn't help and whispered, "Another brown-out?"
Max chuckled and said, "I never imagined there'd be so many Americans living here!"
Logan nodded, "Quite some, yes, but you just meet them in this church altogether in one room. Usually they all behave like Europeans and hide in the crowd."
The Christmas story was read, a lot of songs were sung and a wonderful preach was held that made Max and Logan even more sentimental because it was about friendship that was stronger than all differences. Max had this feeling that he was talking about them, best friends whatever was to come. Just as she was pushing that thought away she felt that somebody took her hand, pressed it gentle and pulled away again. Surprised she looked at Logan, but he simply smiled. This time she didn't try to escape his deep eyes and for a little moment they seemed to be the only persons in church.
When the Lord's prayer was about to come, Logan indicated Max to stand up like all others. For a moment she wondered if it'd be better to stay seated as Logan wouldn't be able to stand up, but she did as he told her. Logan wished he could do like her and sadness hit him, but he didn't show anything. Stuck in his wheelchair. Sometimes he hated it even more than usual. It didn't take long, though, to get back to the happy-sappy Christmas mood. The last blessing and they searched their way outside. There they found Logan's grandparents, wished everybody a merry Christmas and made their way back home.
Back in the apartment everybody vanished to fetch the presents. When they met in the living room, Steven had already lightened the candles on the Christmas tree. It was so nice. A dark tan with red and golden jewels. Everybody laid down his presents under the tree. One part for Steven, one for Sarah, one for Logan and one for Max.
"So who's going to unwrap the first gift?" asked Max and was introduced to the family tradition.
"The youngest is allowed to start." Sarah explained and Logan smiled,
"Then I guess it's on Max."
She nodded and looked at her presents. Christmas presents under a Christmas tree. She had three presents, one from everybody here. She put Logan's present aside and opened the one Sarah had given to her. It was a wonderful black pullover- made in Europe.
Sarah smiled, "Logan told me black was your favorite color. He didn't tell me your size though, but I hope it fits you."
"Looks as if. Thank you so much. I didn't expect to get anything more, as you already gave me the best present."
Sarah and Steven looked at each other and with a warm smile sent to Max said, "You're more than welcome!"
Logan was next and opened the present Steven had given him. It was quite a big parcel and while opening, his face showed an expression Max had never seen before. Logan looked at his grandfather and said very quietly, "When I was a kid you always gave me sport shoes for Christmas."
Steven nodded and he was obviously very touched, too. "I thought you would need those more. Ran across them in town."
Logan breathed deeply and said: "Thank you so much. I think the snow may come now."
Max still didn't know what was in the parcel - this had been such a scene of love that she was unsure to ask, but Sarah did it for her.
"So guys, are you going to tell us what's in there?" Logan nodded and totally unwrapped the present. It was a pair of all terrain wheels for his wheelchair.
Max sat silently and watched everybody. She had been with Logan to the wedding of his cousin and had learned how he was treated by his other relatives. They didn't know how to cope with someone in a wheelchair. Sometimes she wondered how that made Logan feel. When she had first met him, he hadn't made the impression that the wheelchair was more than another small obstacle to him, but now she knew him better and knew not only since the day that he tried to kill himself that he hated nothing more than being stuck in that chair. His grandparents seemed to know too, and to understand. Otherwise Steven could not have found this present for him. She had never thought about the winter, but snow would really play him bad. When she'd have to leave her motorbike in the garage he normally couldn't get out either. His grandfather had been not that ignorant and found the solution.
When Steven and Sarah had unwrapped their presents, too, dinner was about to begin and Max was proven that cooking was a family tradition. Sarah's goose was as good as anything she had had at Logan's before. After dinner Steven and Max did the cleaning up while Logan and Sarah went to the living room again.
In the kitchen Steven said, "For knowing Logan just for a year you're caring a lot for each other."
Max glanced at him, "We're not a couple or something."
"I know. But I still haven't figured out why not."
"We're just too different, that's all."
"You don't seem to be so different. Maybe you're just scared. When Logan first told me about you I thought it was maybe because of his wheelchair but now that I got to know you, I'm quite sure it's not."
"I don't mind if he's in the chair. I know that he hates it and that's why I hate it too, but it could never be a reason not to be together with him. But we're not like that. Our relationship is different. More complicated."
She handed Steven the last plate and he put it in the cupboard. When he looked at her, he was sure that it could only be a question of time. Just looking at Max made it clear. She loved Logan as much as he loved her. They just hadn't found out.
When they joined Logan and Sarah in the living room, Max was again captured in a world that wasn't hers. Steven started to say something about what had shocked him most during this last year. He talked about the death of a good friend and that he hoped that all his other friends would stay for a long time. He also talked about how happy he was that he was still healthy and happy to know that Sarah would always be by his side. She smiled when he said that he didn't have any great plans for next year except staying together with her. Max couldn't believe it. They had to be married for decades and still seemed to love each other more than anything.
Sarah went on, telling them about how happy she was that Logan was here again this year and not stayed in the US like the year before to work. Max smiled. Yeah, that was the Logan she knew. Working on Christmas. Sarah also reminded them of Logan's parents and how sad it still made her that they couldn't be here, but she kept herself up knowing that they would be happy, because they had left such a great man like Logan, still being nice and smart even after having had such a hard year. Her plan for the next year was to pay a visit to the US and meet all the old friends they had left behind when going back to Europe. Logan said something like "But you have to pay me a visit, too" and his grandparents laughed and said they'd do so.
When Logan watched Max he could see that she didn't know what to say so he continued. He said that Sarah had been right, the last year hadn't been easy for him, but the best thing that happened clearly was that he had met Max. He also said that the last year had proved who were his real friends and that he was happy he had them. His plans for the future had to be packed into a more harmless fashion than they really were. He told something about doing a good job and finding out about this one special criminal he was looking for and Max sure knew he was talking about Lydecker.
Now it was her turn and in this warm atmosphere she felt ready to tell a bit more than she normally would.
"My last year has been more interesting than anything before. Not only have I met Logan, I also found out about the family I didn't know I had. And I wanna say thank you for all this here, this is definitely the evening of the year I will remember best. I've never spent Christmas with a real family, one that's together because they love each other. I wish that my past Christmases would have been a little more like this here. My life has always been complicated and ruled by short time decisions so I don't have any plans for next year, except maybe just continue like I did."
Logan smiled at her and they both knew they'd continue their fight. Together. She thought she would be asked a lot of questions but Logan's grandparents were nice and just let her be alone with her thoughts.
They changed to small talk and it wasn't even midnight, when Steven and Sarah went to bed.
A/N: So tell me - just stupid? Or do you like it? Please review!!! R.
Thanks everybody for reading it and thanks for the reviews!!!!! When I woke up this morning I had decided to remove the story but you really encouraged me to post more. So here it comes.
And another note for this chapter: Americans be aware: Divine service in Europe is very different from America. Held in very old churches, very serious and with a lot of ceremonies and things like that. Just in case you wonder.
**************************
Chapter 4: Christmas Eve
A few minutes later they were on their way to church. Sarah and Steven started and Max and Logan followed. It was already crowded and they had to separate to get seats. Sarah and Steven found some on a bench at the side and Max right next to the aisle so she could sit down next to Logan. He smiled at her. Everything was so good. He loved his grandparents and this world was so whole and complete that you could simply forget that it wasn't everywhere. A little bit of guilt crept up his back but he pushed that feeling aside. The world would still be broken in the morning. And it'd also be next week. Next year, when they'd go back to Seattle.
Max had similar thoughts and wondered why Logan didn't stay here in Europe. His grandparents would like it. But he didn't seemed interested. And she thought of the Christmases she had had before. Even after having escaped from Manticore it had never been like this. The best ones had been the ones partying with Cindy. But until now she had never understood what the spirit of Christmas was supposed to be. Looking at Logan she knew.
He interrupted her thoughts when he asked, "I bet you can't guess what I'll give you for Christmas. And have you already chosen when to open it?"
She looked at him and smiled back, "I didn't expect you'd have a Christmas present for me, since I was supposed to be in Seattle right now!"
She again had this feeling to get lost in his eyes. It had been the right decision to come here and celebrate Christmas with the person she cared most for. She thought of all the times she had believed she had lost him. The day he had been shot, the day she was on the run and the next one, where he had been in hospital and especially the one where he had tried to kill himself. She wondered if these were things he'd meant when he had told her that on Christmas you speak about what had happened last year. Thinking of all those days her eyes got wet. She breathed deep not to start to cry. Why did this man mean so much to her? When she realized that Logan looked at her, she wept over her eyes and said, "Christmas sentimentality."
He was surprised but tried to ignore it. "Of course I have a present. I decided back home to buy it here, 'cause there are just much nicer things to get. Unfortunately I'll have to wrap it when we come back, but that's it."
The bells started to ring and the service started. When the priest handed candles to everyone and turned the lights off, Logan couldn't help and whispered, "Another brown-out?"
Max chuckled and said, "I never imagined there'd be so many Americans living here!"
Logan nodded, "Quite some, yes, but you just meet them in this church altogether in one room. Usually they all behave like Europeans and hide in the crowd."
The Christmas story was read, a lot of songs were sung and a wonderful preach was held that made Max and Logan even more sentimental because it was about friendship that was stronger than all differences. Max had this feeling that he was talking about them, best friends whatever was to come. Just as she was pushing that thought away she felt that somebody took her hand, pressed it gentle and pulled away again. Surprised she looked at Logan, but he simply smiled. This time she didn't try to escape his deep eyes and for a little moment they seemed to be the only persons in church.
When the Lord's prayer was about to come, Logan indicated Max to stand up like all others. For a moment she wondered if it'd be better to stay seated as Logan wouldn't be able to stand up, but she did as he told her. Logan wished he could do like her and sadness hit him, but he didn't show anything. Stuck in his wheelchair. Sometimes he hated it even more than usual. It didn't take long, though, to get back to the happy-sappy Christmas mood. The last blessing and they searched their way outside. There they found Logan's grandparents, wished everybody a merry Christmas and made their way back home.
Back in the apartment everybody vanished to fetch the presents. When they met in the living room, Steven had already lightened the candles on the Christmas tree. It was so nice. A dark tan with red and golden jewels. Everybody laid down his presents under the tree. One part for Steven, one for Sarah, one for Logan and one for Max.
"So who's going to unwrap the first gift?" asked Max and was introduced to the family tradition.
"The youngest is allowed to start." Sarah explained and Logan smiled,
"Then I guess it's on Max."
She nodded and looked at her presents. Christmas presents under a Christmas tree. She had three presents, one from everybody here. She put Logan's present aside and opened the one Sarah had given to her. It was a wonderful black pullover- made in Europe.
Sarah smiled, "Logan told me black was your favorite color. He didn't tell me your size though, but I hope it fits you."
"Looks as if. Thank you so much. I didn't expect to get anything more, as you already gave me the best present."
Sarah and Steven looked at each other and with a warm smile sent to Max said, "You're more than welcome!"
Logan was next and opened the present Steven had given him. It was quite a big parcel and while opening, his face showed an expression Max had never seen before. Logan looked at his grandfather and said very quietly, "When I was a kid you always gave me sport shoes for Christmas."
Steven nodded and he was obviously very touched, too. "I thought you would need those more. Ran across them in town."
Logan breathed deeply and said: "Thank you so much. I think the snow may come now."
Max still didn't know what was in the parcel - this had been such a scene of love that she was unsure to ask, but Sarah did it for her.
"So guys, are you going to tell us what's in there?" Logan nodded and totally unwrapped the present. It was a pair of all terrain wheels for his wheelchair.
Max sat silently and watched everybody. She had been with Logan to the wedding of his cousin and had learned how he was treated by his other relatives. They didn't know how to cope with someone in a wheelchair. Sometimes she wondered how that made Logan feel. When she had first met him, he hadn't made the impression that the wheelchair was more than another small obstacle to him, but now she knew him better and knew not only since the day that he tried to kill himself that he hated nothing more than being stuck in that chair. His grandparents seemed to know too, and to understand. Otherwise Steven could not have found this present for him. She had never thought about the winter, but snow would really play him bad. When she'd have to leave her motorbike in the garage he normally couldn't get out either. His grandfather had been not that ignorant and found the solution.
When Steven and Sarah had unwrapped their presents, too, dinner was about to begin and Max was proven that cooking was a family tradition. Sarah's goose was as good as anything she had had at Logan's before. After dinner Steven and Max did the cleaning up while Logan and Sarah went to the living room again.
In the kitchen Steven said, "For knowing Logan just for a year you're caring a lot for each other."
Max glanced at him, "We're not a couple or something."
"I know. But I still haven't figured out why not."
"We're just too different, that's all."
"You don't seem to be so different. Maybe you're just scared. When Logan first told me about you I thought it was maybe because of his wheelchair but now that I got to know you, I'm quite sure it's not."
"I don't mind if he's in the chair. I know that he hates it and that's why I hate it too, but it could never be a reason not to be together with him. But we're not like that. Our relationship is different. More complicated."
She handed Steven the last plate and he put it in the cupboard. When he looked at her, he was sure that it could only be a question of time. Just looking at Max made it clear. She loved Logan as much as he loved her. They just hadn't found out.
When they joined Logan and Sarah in the living room, Max was again captured in a world that wasn't hers. Steven started to say something about what had shocked him most during this last year. He talked about the death of a good friend and that he hoped that all his other friends would stay for a long time. He also talked about how happy he was that he was still healthy and happy to know that Sarah would always be by his side. She smiled when he said that he didn't have any great plans for next year except staying together with her. Max couldn't believe it. They had to be married for decades and still seemed to love each other more than anything.
Sarah went on, telling them about how happy she was that Logan was here again this year and not stayed in the US like the year before to work. Max smiled. Yeah, that was the Logan she knew. Working on Christmas. Sarah also reminded them of Logan's parents and how sad it still made her that they couldn't be here, but she kept herself up knowing that they would be happy, because they had left such a great man like Logan, still being nice and smart even after having had such a hard year. Her plan for the next year was to pay a visit to the US and meet all the old friends they had left behind when going back to Europe. Logan said something like "But you have to pay me a visit, too" and his grandparents laughed and said they'd do so.
When Logan watched Max he could see that she didn't know what to say so he continued. He said that Sarah had been right, the last year hadn't been easy for him, but the best thing that happened clearly was that he had met Max. He also said that the last year had proved who were his real friends and that he was happy he had them. His plans for the future had to be packed into a more harmless fashion than they really were. He told something about doing a good job and finding out about this one special criminal he was looking for and Max sure knew he was talking about Lydecker.
Now it was her turn and in this warm atmosphere she felt ready to tell a bit more than she normally would.
"My last year has been more interesting than anything before. Not only have I met Logan, I also found out about the family I didn't know I had. And I wanna say thank you for all this here, this is definitely the evening of the year I will remember best. I've never spent Christmas with a real family, one that's together because they love each other. I wish that my past Christmases would have been a little more like this here. My life has always been complicated and ruled by short time decisions so I don't have any plans for next year, except maybe just continue like I did."
Logan smiled at her and they both knew they'd continue their fight. Together. She thought she would be asked a lot of questions but Logan's grandparents were nice and just let her be alone with her thoughts.
They changed to small talk and it wasn't even midnight, when Steven and Sarah went to bed.
A/N: So tell me - just stupid? Or do you like it? Please review!!! R.