**************************
Okay, here's chapter 8. I need to get the storyline going, so it's a little less fluffy. But only a little.
Thanks everybody soooo much for reading and even more for your reviews. I never thought people would actually read this story but now there are crazy guys out there telling me to continue.
The lines are from Cam-Era's "Fried Salmon". I don't own that song either.
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Chapter 8: When Dreams ...
Max wasn't sleepy but she enjoyed just laying close to Logan and cuddling with him in his bed. Finally.
He hugged her tightly, even when he was already sleeping. As if he was afraid that she would just disappear. She smiled and one of the songs that were playing when they had been in the living room came to her mind.
"Watching over your sleep
As you lay by my side
Gently stroking your hair
Gives me reason enough
To stay wake all night..."
She wondered if Logan had chosen the CD on purpose but decided it wasn't important. But she could do it. She knew she could spend the whole night laying here to watch Logan sleep.
Still thinking about how good it felt to have been honest her looks stopped at Logan's chair in front of the bed. She had known it was hard for him and that he had been hiding to not let her know how he really felt about it, but she hadn't known about his insecurities. That he hadn't crossed the line of being "just friends" because he felt unworthy. Unworthy. Was that a good word for it? Logan was worth everything for her. He deserved the best in the world to make him happy. She still couldn't believe she was to be it, but Logan had proved to her that she was more important to him than his pride. After a couple of hours just thinking and being happy and feeling safe she finally slept. Again.
When she woke up in the morning, Logan was still asleep. Max stood up to go to the toilet and when she came back, sat down in Logan's wheelchair that was standing next to the bed. Watching him again she saw that he was waking up.
The moments he hated most in his life were the one's in the morning, when he wasn't sleeping anymore and not really awake. He had dreamt of Max, of being together with her on a ball. They had been dancing and Max had been the most beautiful woman there. His woman. But waking up he realized that he wouldn't dance with Max.
But when yesterday's talk came to his mind, he started to smile. Max. She was his. But where was she? The bed was empty. He slowly turned around and saw Max sitting in his chair. It felt weird to see her in a wheelchair. The person he loved most and the thing that stood for all he hated most in his life. But it couldn't be too difficult to separate them again. He was happy enough that Max was still there.
"Hey, beauty!" he smiled.
She smiled back, "Hey, sleepy. Good morning!"
"You too."
He reached out his hand and she took it and stood up, the chair slowly rolling backwards. Logan pulled her close and Max sat down on the bed again and leaned forward to kiss him.
He was full of emotions when he remembered what she had told him. That she loved him and didn't care if he could walk. He wondered what his grandparents would say if they knew he was in love with someone designed to be a soldier. But he knew his grandparents liked Max. The rest of his family didn't matter anyway. He did and he loved her.
Max laid down again, cuddling close to him and smiled when he laid his strong arms around her and asked, "Have you been up all night?"
She shook her head, "No. I slept again. Not as long as you, but I slept."
He was still a little insecure about what had happened yesterday. "Max?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want to take back anything that happened yesterday, now you slept over it?"
Max couldn't believe what she was hearing again. "Logan, you stupid guy. Didn't you listen to me yesterday? I don't want to take back anything. I'm so happy we finally crossed that border. I'd love to take back the time we wasted on this 'we are just friends' thing."
She kissed him and he grinned, "Just needed to hear that."
Max nodded and asked, "What about breakfast? I'm hungry."
Logan looked amused, "No chance. Looks as if somebody wanted to join me in this bed and kicked the wheelchair away." He grinned and she joined him.
"I like the idea. I could always push away your chair and simply let you stay in bed as long as I want you to."
Logan said, "But you'd miss my pancakes then. I just thought of getting up and make breakfast. My grandparents always have this continental breakfast with rolls and jam and stuff, but I know they love pancakes."
"Okay, I'm done. For pancakes I'd even help you to get out of bed."
He kissed her and made it even harder for her to get up, but she did and pulled the wheelchair back to the bed. After having pulled the brakes on she offered Logan her hand and helped him. Both knew he didn't need her help and for the first time since his accident he felt fine accepting it. They put on some sweaters and went to the kitchen together. Logan's grandparents seemed to be still in bed. Logan started baking some pancakes and Max covered the table. They were just ready when Sarah and Steven appeared.
"Good morning, Max! Hey Logan!"
"Hey granny! Grandpa! Sit down."
"That's a nice surprise. You should go to bed early more often." Sarah smiled but Logan ignored her. During breakfast Sarah got rid of her anger about Marie and their visit. Max and Logan shared some of those very special looks that were supposed to be hidden, but of course Sarah noticed.
When Max went jogging after breakfast and Logan helped her in the kitchen, she said, "You're not telling me that you still don't have 'that kind of relationship', do you?"
Logan blushed and shook his head, "No. We... well.. we clarified some things yesterday, thanks to grandpa. Seems we now have that kind of relationship."
"And you're obviously happy about it." she stated.
Logan nodded, "More than happy. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll send you a postcard from cloud number nine." He wheeled out then stopped and turned around, "Thank you for calling her, granny."
Sarah smiled, "It's been a pleasure."
When Max had started running there was again this feeling of having changed body with someone. What was happening? She had never been so happy, never felt so safe and never loved someone so much. She cared for a lot of people, for all her friends and especially Cindy and Kendra, but she had never loved someone like Logan. It seemed as if her life had finally turned into something that was too good for her. With a bride smile on her face she ran back and right under the shower.
Later she found Logan reading a book. He looked up when she came in. "Hey! Nice pullover."
"It's the one your granny gave me for Christmas."
"Granny got it. With us. Of course."
"Did she say anything commenting it?"
"Not really. I told her we clarified some things yesterday."
"Clarified, huh?"
"Yeah."
He smiled. "So, what are we going to do today?"
"Don't ask me. I'm a total stranger in this world. What would you do now, if I wouldn't have come?" Max wanted to know.
"No idea. Maybe go for a walk at the beach or something. Just stand on the bridge, look over the sea and think about my life."
"Sea sounds nice."
"We could start with a walk at the promenade. Is it okay if we take your car? My grandparents need theirs to meet some friends in the afternoon."
"Sure, no problem."
"Okay, let's go then." He left the room and she followed him.
When they left the apartment and Max closed the door behind Logan, Sarah and Steven looked through the window. "Do you think she's the right one for him?" asked Sarah.
Steven smiled. "Never met anyone better before and believe me - I'm the one who knew that Valerie wasn't right for him. But Max - they really love each other. I guess they have gone through a lot together even though they will maybe never tell us." He laid his arm around his wife.
Max sat down on the driver's seat and waited for Logan to sit down next to her, then he told her the way to the freeway. Instead of to the sea bridge they drove to a place where the promenade was right next to the beach, where no trees hid the view to the sea. After having parked the car they walked silently next to each other, each caught in his thoughts.
"I just can imagine how hard it must be for you to stay in Seattle if this is the alternative." Max said.
Logan continued wheeling when he said, "Staying in Seattle isn't hard. It's just getting back there what makes it so difficult. Getting reused to sector passes, hover drones and curfews. But I feel as if I can change something there. I would never leave Seattle if I don't have to."
"I wonder what people at home did on Christmas. What about Bling and Cindy?" Max asked.
Logan said, "Eat loads of chocolate. I left Bling a big box Granny sent me."
"Should we call them to tell what has happened?"
Logan grinned, "Happened? What happened?"
Max stopped and asked herself who had exchanged Logan. This guy here was so relaxed and funny, sometimes so unlike the Logan she knew from home. Would it all be over when they went back?
He noticed that Max was missing and turned to stop in front of her.
"You're an idiot!" she stated but he didn't seem interested. He took her hand instead, pressed it and pulled her to his lap.
She smiled this incredible smile of hers and laughed right into his face. "What's this supposed to be?"
He gently kissed her and asked, "What does it feel like?"
"Feels like I want to have more," she answered and kissed him back. He hugged her and together they sat staring over the sea, totally satisfied with their lives.
"This feels like the normal life I always wanted to have." said Max but Logan had another opinion, "Doesn't feel normal to me. This is one of the moments I will never forget."
"Me neither."
Right then Logan's cell phone rang. Max sighed, "This can't be true!"
Logan smiled and took a look at his phone. "It's Michael. The guy from the café. No work, Angel."
Max nodded when Logan answered the phone. "Hi Michael! ..Yeah thanks... sounds nice but I'm not so sure... no, but don't you think it will be crowded?... yeah... wait a minute" He covered the speaker with his palm and asked, "There's a New Year's Eve party at a hotel in the city. They are offering a fantastic dinner and dancing music. Michael asked if we would like to join them. We could sit at one table for dinner but I think there will be a lot of people and I don't know if you.." He didn't finish the sentence but Max knew what was to come. He wasn't sure if it was okay for her to show their relationship in public.
So Max took the phone and spoke into it, "Michael? This is Max. We'll come. Does Logan know when and where?....Okay, do so... See ya!"
She disconnected the line and handed Logan the phone: "Stop thinking so much."
They stayed at the sea for a couple of hours, even trying to actually walk at the beach. Max had been sure it would work fine for Logan, because it was cold, the sand was frozen and even covered with snow, but she hadn't considered that Logan was heavier than herself. It took them some time, but finally they were able to enjoy the beach. Logan couldn't stop smiling at Max. He'd never even thought of trying a walk at the beach but with Max's light mood, everything was easy. Why not just try it out. And it was good to have Max with him. If he'd get stuck in the sand she could simply carry him home.
When they came back to the apartment it was already late afternoon. They sat down in the living room, cuddling close on the couch and both reading a newspaper. Suddenly Max noticed an advertisement and said: "Look, Logan, they still have cinemas here! This one is showing old pre-pulse movies."
Looking at the ad Logan got an idea, "Max, what would you say if I'd ask you for a date?"
"A date?"
"Yeah, a good old traditional date. We could go to a nice and cheap restaurant and have dinner and afterwards we go to the movies. Like all teenagers do."
"Teenagers in Europe, maybe." Max stated but smiled. "But yes, I'd love to. When will we have to leave?" she asked and Logan looked at his watch.
"In about an hour? There's a restaurant next to the cinema. It will be crowded with students, but I guess you don't mind."
Max smile grew wider. "Only an hour? Logan, you're going to kill me. I have absolutely nothing to wear!" she said and Logan wasn't so sure if this was real or if she was just kidding. But Max stood up, kissed him on the forehead and disappeared with the words: "Pick me up in an hour."
He was actually having a date with her.
A/N: So please give me feedback. I need it to improve the plot, the characters and just everything. Please review, otherwise I will not know if anybody out there read so far and I simply need to know!! Your feedback is what makes me goon writing. Rajana@gmx.de
Okay, here's chapter 8. I need to get the storyline going, so it's a little less fluffy. But only a little.
Thanks everybody soooo much for reading and even more for your reviews. I never thought people would actually read this story but now there are crazy guys out there telling me to continue.
The lines are from Cam-Era's "Fried Salmon". I don't own that song either.
**************************
Chapter 8: When Dreams ...
Max wasn't sleepy but she enjoyed just laying close to Logan and cuddling with him in his bed. Finally.
He hugged her tightly, even when he was already sleeping. As if he was afraid that she would just disappear. She smiled and one of the songs that were playing when they had been in the living room came to her mind.
"Watching over your sleep
As you lay by my side
Gently stroking your hair
Gives me reason enough
To stay wake all night..."
She wondered if Logan had chosen the CD on purpose but decided it wasn't important. But she could do it. She knew she could spend the whole night laying here to watch Logan sleep.
Still thinking about how good it felt to have been honest her looks stopped at Logan's chair in front of the bed. She had known it was hard for him and that he had been hiding to not let her know how he really felt about it, but she hadn't known about his insecurities. That he hadn't crossed the line of being "just friends" because he felt unworthy. Unworthy. Was that a good word for it? Logan was worth everything for her. He deserved the best in the world to make him happy. She still couldn't believe she was to be it, but Logan had proved to her that she was more important to him than his pride. After a couple of hours just thinking and being happy and feeling safe she finally slept. Again.
When she woke up in the morning, Logan was still asleep. Max stood up to go to the toilet and when she came back, sat down in Logan's wheelchair that was standing next to the bed. Watching him again she saw that he was waking up.
The moments he hated most in his life were the one's in the morning, when he wasn't sleeping anymore and not really awake. He had dreamt of Max, of being together with her on a ball. They had been dancing and Max had been the most beautiful woman there. His woman. But waking up he realized that he wouldn't dance with Max.
But when yesterday's talk came to his mind, he started to smile. Max. She was his. But where was she? The bed was empty. He slowly turned around and saw Max sitting in his chair. It felt weird to see her in a wheelchair. The person he loved most and the thing that stood for all he hated most in his life. But it couldn't be too difficult to separate them again. He was happy enough that Max was still there.
"Hey, beauty!" he smiled.
She smiled back, "Hey, sleepy. Good morning!"
"You too."
He reached out his hand and she took it and stood up, the chair slowly rolling backwards. Logan pulled her close and Max sat down on the bed again and leaned forward to kiss him.
He was full of emotions when he remembered what she had told him. That she loved him and didn't care if he could walk. He wondered what his grandparents would say if they knew he was in love with someone designed to be a soldier. But he knew his grandparents liked Max. The rest of his family didn't matter anyway. He did and he loved her.
Max laid down again, cuddling close to him and smiled when he laid his strong arms around her and asked, "Have you been up all night?"
She shook her head, "No. I slept again. Not as long as you, but I slept."
He was still a little insecure about what had happened yesterday. "Max?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want to take back anything that happened yesterday, now you slept over it?"
Max couldn't believe what she was hearing again. "Logan, you stupid guy. Didn't you listen to me yesterday? I don't want to take back anything. I'm so happy we finally crossed that border. I'd love to take back the time we wasted on this 'we are just friends' thing."
She kissed him and he grinned, "Just needed to hear that."
Max nodded and asked, "What about breakfast? I'm hungry."
Logan looked amused, "No chance. Looks as if somebody wanted to join me in this bed and kicked the wheelchair away." He grinned and she joined him.
"I like the idea. I could always push away your chair and simply let you stay in bed as long as I want you to."
Logan said, "But you'd miss my pancakes then. I just thought of getting up and make breakfast. My grandparents always have this continental breakfast with rolls and jam and stuff, but I know they love pancakes."
"Okay, I'm done. For pancakes I'd even help you to get out of bed."
He kissed her and made it even harder for her to get up, but she did and pulled the wheelchair back to the bed. After having pulled the brakes on she offered Logan her hand and helped him. Both knew he didn't need her help and for the first time since his accident he felt fine accepting it. They put on some sweaters and went to the kitchen together. Logan's grandparents seemed to be still in bed. Logan started baking some pancakes and Max covered the table. They were just ready when Sarah and Steven appeared.
"Good morning, Max! Hey Logan!"
"Hey granny! Grandpa! Sit down."
"That's a nice surprise. You should go to bed early more often." Sarah smiled but Logan ignored her. During breakfast Sarah got rid of her anger about Marie and their visit. Max and Logan shared some of those very special looks that were supposed to be hidden, but of course Sarah noticed.
When Max went jogging after breakfast and Logan helped her in the kitchen, she said, "You're not telling me that you still don't have 'that kind of relationship', do you?"
Logan blushed and shook his head, "No. We... well.. we clarified some things yesterday, thanks to grandpa. Seems we now have that kind of relationship."
"And you're obviously happy about it." she stated.
Logan nodded, "More than happy. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll send you a postcard from cloud number nine." He wheeled out then stopped and turned around, "Thank you for calling her, granny."
Sarah smiled, "It's been a pleasure."
When Max had started running there was again this feeling of having changed body with someone. What was happening? She had never been so happy, never felt so safe and never loved someone so much. She cared for a lot of people, for all her friends and especially Cindy and Kendra, but she had never loved someone like Logan. It seemed as if her life had finally turned into something that was too good for her. With a bride smile on her face she ran back and right under the shower.
Later she found Logan reading a book. He looked up when she came in. "Hey! Nice pullover."
"It's the one your granny gave me for Christmas."
"Granny got it. With us. Of course."
"Did she say anything commenting it?"
"Not really. I told her we clarified some things yesterday."
"Clarified, huh?"
"Yeah."
He smiled. "So, what are we going to do today?"
"Don't ask me. I'm a total stranger in this world. What would you do now, if I wouldn't have come?" Max wanted to know.
"No idea. Maybe go for a walk at the beach or something. Just stand on the bridge, look over the sea and think about my life."
"Sea sounds nice."
"We could start with a walk at the promenade. Is it okay if we take your car? My grandparents need theirs to meet some friends in the afternoon."
"Sure, no problem."
"Okay, let's go then." He left the room and she followed him.
When they left the apartment and Max closed the door behind Logan, Sarah and Steven looked through the window. "Do you think she's the right one for him?" asked Sarah.
Steven smiled. "Never met anyone better before and believe me - I'm the one who knew that Valerie wasn't right for him. But Max - they really love each other. I guess they have gone through a lot together even though they will maybe never tell us." He laid his arm around his wife.
Max sat down on the driver's seat and waited for Logan to sit down next to her, then he told her the way to the freeway. Instead of to the sea bridge they drove to a place where the promenade was right next to the beach, where no trees hid the view to the sea. After having parked the car they walked silently next to each other, each caught in his thoughts.
"I just can imagine how hard it must be for you to stay in Seattle if this is the alternative." Max said.
Logan continued wheeling when he said, "Staying in Seattle isn't hard. It's just getting back there what makes it so difficult. Getting reused to sector passes, hover drones and curfews. But I feel as if I can change something there. I would never leave Seattle if I don't have to."
"I wonder what people at home did on Christmas. What about Bling and Cindy?" Max asked.
Logan said, "Eat loads of chocolate. I left Bling a big box Granny sent me."
"Should we call them to tell what has happened?"
Logan grinned, "Happened? What happened?"
Max stopped and asked herself who had exchanged Logan. This guy here was so relaxed and funny, sometimes so unlike the Logan she knew from home. Would it all be over when they went back?
He noticed that Max was missing and turned to stop in front of her.
"You're an idiot!" she stated but he didn't seem interested. He took her hand instead, pressed it and pulled her to his lap.
She smiled this incredible smile of hers and laughed right into his face. "What's this supposed to be?"
He gently kissed her and asked, "What does it feel like?"
"Feels like I want to have more," she answered and kissed him back. He hugged her and together they sat staring over the sea, totally satisfied with their lives.
"This feels like the normal life I always wanted to have." said Max but Logan had another opinion, "Doesn't feel normal to me. This is one of the moments I will never forget."
"Me neither."
Right then Logan's cell phone rang. Max sighed, "This can't be true!"
Logan smiled and took a look at his phone. "It's Michael. The guy from the café. No work, Angel."
Max nodded when Logan answered the phone. "Hi Michael! ..Yeah thanks... sounds nice but I'm not so sure... no, but don't you think it will be crowded?... yeah... wait a minute" He covered the speaker with his palm and asked, "There's a New Year's Eve party at a hotel in the city. They are offering a fantastic dinner and dancing music. Michael asked if we would like to join them. We could sit at one table for dinner but I think there will be a lot of people and I don't know if you.." He didn't finish the sentence but Max knew what was to come. He wasn't sure if it was okay for her to show their relationship in public.
So Max took the phone and spoke into it, "Michael? This is Max. We'll come. Does Logan know when and where?....Okay, do so... See ya!"
She disconnected the line and handed Logan the phone: "Stop thinking so much."
They stayed at the sea for a couple of hours, even trying to actually walk at the beach. Max had been sure it would work fine for Logan, because it was cold, the sand was frozen and even covered with snow, but she hadn't considered that Logan was heavier than herself. It took them some time, but finally they were able to enjoy the beach. Logan couldn't stop smiling at Max. He'd never even thought of trying a walk at the beach but with Max's light mood, everything was easy. Why not just try it out. And it was good to have Max with him. If he'd get stuck in the sand she could simply carry him home.
When they came back to the apartment it was already late afternoon. They sat down in the living room, cuddling close on the couch and both reading a newspaper. Suddenly Max noticed an advertisement and said: "Look, Logan, they still have cinemas here! This one is showing old pre-pulse movies."
Looking at the ad Logan got an idea, "Max, what would you say if I'd ask you for a date?"
"A date?"
"Yeah, a good old traditional date. We could go to a nice and cheap restaurant and have dinner and afterwards we go to the movies. Like all teenagers do."
"Teenagers in Europe, maybe." Max stated but smiled. "But yes, I'd love to. When will we have to leave?" she asked and Logan looked at his watch.
"In about an hour? There's a restaurant next to the cinema. It will be crowded with students, but I guess you don't mind."
Max smile grew wider. "Only an hour? Logan, you're going to kill me. I have absolutely nothing to wear!" she said and Logan wasn't so sure if this was real or if she was just kidding. But Max stood up, kissed him on the forehead and disappeared with the words: "Pick me up in an hour."
He was actually having a date with her.
A/N: So please give me feedback. I need it to improve the plot, the characters and just everything. Please review, otherwise I will not know if anybody out there read so far and I simply need to know!! Your feedback is what makes me goon writing. Rajana@gmx.de