A/N 1 This part wasn't supposed to be written but I wanted to give you all a present for Christmas. To redeem myself from Part 8, here's some M/L shippery stuff. LOL. Thanks for the reviews. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas : )
A/N 2 The words for Winter Wonderland is by Dick Smith, 1934.
**Part 9**
***
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listnin'
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells rings are you listnin'
***
Logan pulled over in front of a grand 20th century style mansion. With his engine still running, he looked over to the figure next to him then back to the steering wheel as he sighed deeply. He still had a chance to escape, all he had to do was reverse the car and head away from his current location.
"Logan, this is all your fault!" Max said condescendingly, with one eyebrow arched high up, a little annoyed that Logan was acting like 'he' was the only one suffering the mess he had gotten them both into.
Yes, Logan was quite aware that the whole situation was entirely his fault. Max had let it be known, loudly he might add, that he was to blame for their fate that night; a night to be spent eating cheese, drinking wine, singing Christmas Carols and pretending to be a couple in love in the company of Mrs. Moreno. "Thank you Max for pointing that out to me for the hundredth time" Logan said with a smug smile of feigned gratitude.
Max shrugged and straightened herself on the seat, either in pure concentration as a pre-requisite for the theatrical performance she was about to undertake or to brace herself when Logan sped out of the driveway at 180 km/hr. She was hoping it was the latter but she heard Logan turn off the engine, confirming that her Christmas day would be spent luring an old gentle woman into an elaborate lie. The irony of it all! She and Logan would both go to hell for lying on Christmas day, of all days! Good thing she believed in neither heaven nor hell, or else she'd be in big trouble.
Grabbing bags of presents from the passenger seat, Max mechanically stepped out of the car. She was exasperated that Logan was still sulking, a victim of his own stupidity. "Chill Logan! If you don't want to tell her the truth then stop brooding and put on your happy face. You look horrible."
Logan groaned. He could just tell Mrs. Moreno that he and Max were not a couple, that would make their already complex relationship simpler but he just couldn't. He would break the old lady's heart, and what fragile heart she had, prone to constant angina and attacks. Why, she was just in the hospital last week due to chest pains! Logan was sure to cut Mrs. Moreno's life shorter with his most disappointing news about the truth of his relationship with Max. Ringing the doorbell meekly, Logan sighed and gave himself up to whatever the night had in store for him.
Max - feeling sorry that she had to lie to Mrs. Moreno, feeling angry at herself for letting Logan drag her in his mess, but most of all feeling mad at Logan for acting like being with her was the worst thing in the world - followed Logan up the steps, wondering how on earth they could present themselves as two people in love when they were both pissed off at each other at that particular moment.
***
Sleighbells ring, are you listnin'?
In the lane snow is glistnin
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
"Max! Logan! Come in. Mom, the Cales are here!" Mia, Mrs. Moreno's oldest daughter, greeted the couple joyfully. She dragged Max inside to give her a huge hug, almost squeezing the life out of her. "Here, let me take these bags, you can hang your coats up in there." She said while motioning toward an oak coloured armoire set.
"Thanks." Max replied, hoping that the expression on her face conveyed appreciation instead of horrific fabrication. Brushing some snow off her coat and curly hair, she glared at Logan for the last time that evening. Whether she liked it or not, the time had come to act like the doting fiancée, and boy she intended to do a good job at it! Otherwise, she would put her drama professor in shame for not having taught her well!
"Yeah, thanks Mia." Logan echoed Max with a nervous laugh as he readjusted his glasses. Not only would they be lying to Mrs. Moreno, they would also be untruthful to her whole family. The glare Max shot him also made him want to crawl back into a burrow where he would be all safe and threat-free. Yup! That's it! He could no longer take the guilt that was eating away at his social conscience! The closer he got toward the family room where everyone was gathered, the more need Logan had to scream out that he and Max were not engaged. Slowly, one by one, smiling innocent faces appeared to him. Logan stopped walking and froze. No he couldn't go through with it, he would confess and get this whole thing over with!
That's when he felt Max's hand around his arm. So soft and tender, she led him to where the others had been waiting. Before they reached the main entrance, Max turned to him with all her beauty, a rare smile gracing her perfect features. She reached up to his hair, brushing off snow he didn't know was there. Then her fingers came down to his jaw, holding it as she tilted up to plant a kiss on his lips. Then with absolute grace she walked inside the festively decorated room. Candles were lighted in every corner, a Christmas tree towered by the fireplace and the smell of pine added to the warm feeling of the holidays.
Logan was stunned. He hadn't expected Max to transform so quickly, if at all. She bloomed into this charming lady who adored him dearly from her earlier self who couldn't stand the sight of him. He knew which version was her true self, so for one night he would set aside his conscience and enjoy the Max he had in his arms. The Max he thought he'd lost, the Max hiding in the usually fearless, feisty facade. And for the first time that evening, Logan's smile was real and well felt.
***
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
"Maxie! Junior! You're both here, I'm so pleased the two of you could come." Mrs. Moreno extended her arms as both Max and Logan leaned down to embrace her.
"Thank you for having us." Max answered sweetly, her hand reaching out to entwine with Logan's.
"Alright, Logan! You look stunning as always Maxie." Melvin, Mrs. Moreno's middle child, shook Logan's hand firmly and gave Max a peck on the cheek. "Good, you two are just in time for the carols. There you go." He handed Max and Logan the lyrics for the songs and continued doing so to the others in the room.
A tiny 9 year old grandchild donned in a red dress sat in front of the grand piano and started tuning it. As soon as she was ready and the two dozen people in the room were settled down, she started playing a long string of Christmas Carols.
Max was standing in front of Logan with his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close to him. He could feel her chuckle as she barely kept up with the songs. Max had been gifted with profound talents from her eloquent use of words to her believable dramatic skills but singing was obviously not one in which she was given even a slight blessing on. God, she was a horrible singer; either saying the word before or after it was supposed to be said, and always out of tune. But Logan had never heard a more heavenly sound in his life than Max's voice with a hint of laughter and pure joy. Logan couldn't help but smile, he rested his chin on her shoulder and tipped his head on the side to kiss Max on the cheek. She was grinning and singing at the same time, it was lovely. And without turning away from the lyrics she held with one hand, Max put a hand on top of the arm that was laying on her tummy. Her fingers stayed there, drawing lazy circles around Logan's wrist.
There was something about the air, or perhaps the house itself, that made Max and Logan feel perfectly at ease. It was like drawing them both out of their every day, sometimes hostile, context and placing them in a land of memories and dreams. A fantasy world where they could both pretend that everything was happy and nothing hurts. Like the whole world disappeared and was replaced with hazy images of childhood memories; of a little girl running around the Christmas tree with lacy ribbons as her tail, of a young man sweeping her up as he tickled her, of sounds of laughter from voices they longed to hear again, of candle lights on the table and turkey dinners made by a mother who no longer belonged to this earth. Hazy dreamlike mist settled around Max and Logan, spinning them both in a land where they wished they were always at. A mental state so pure and joyous; an innocent need to be loved, a natural need to bond, an instinctive need to accept one's other half.
***
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?"
We'll say, "No man!
But you can do the job when you're in town!"
***
"So, Maxie, I was expecting a wedding invitation and I never got one." Mrs. Moreno teased as she handed both Max and Logan a cup of tea.
This was it! Max drew a deep breath, "We haven't decided on a date yet." She said as she sipped her tea. "Things are getting very hectic at Biotech, so we figured we'd wait a little. A year or two wouldn't make much of a difference, besides we're enjoying being engaged." Max gave Logan the most wicked and charming smile. He was glad he was sitting down because he almost melted away. He couldn't understand why Max had that kind of effect on him. He liked being on his toes, to know what would happen next and have control over things. But Max disoriented his space, always throwing unexpected surprises and treats. Tonight's was most welcomed but others, like Zack's appearance, were not. Oh, Logan was happy when Zack went back to his lab in Wyoming. He just couldn't stand the guy. Logan wondered what Max saw in him, was it something he didn't have?
Mrs. Moreno nodded, "Well, at least you should be thinking about the gown and the venue. It's so hard to get a decent place booked these days. Richard's wedding took us almost a year and a half to plan."
Marie, Richard's bride, overheard the conversation and joined in. "What is this I hear about you two getting married!" She said addressing Logan.
"Yeah, Max and I are." Logan didn't know where the pride in his voice came form, but saying those words felt completely right.
"Congratulations! I'm surprised this wonderful news isn't all over the media yet. I'm sure my brother-in-law, Melvin, would love to do a story on you two." She declared as she scanned the whole room, looking for Melvin so she can personally suggest the idea to him. There was nothing more romantic than two childhood friends, separated for fifteen years, finding each other again and tying the knot. Ah, the idea made her want to weep.
Alarm bells went off in Logan's head! Considering the stunned reaction on Max's face, she too appeared to agree that media publicity of the 'engagement' would be more than what the two of them could live with. Max gave Logan a do-something look, so he said, "Let me find Melvin and discuss this with him."
"Great! I'll come with you." Marie offered.
"No!" Max almost shouted from her seat. Then calming herself down, she blatantly lied, "I mean, no, leave Logan to do that. I was hoping you can give me tips on how to choose a wedding gown. Yeah, right, you know, you probably have tons of magazines and stuff to show me."
Marie was happy to comply and could not offer enough magazines to Max. With stacks and piles of wedding books and pictures, the two young women occupied a corner in the family room as each rummaged through each design to find the perfect wedding gown for Max.
***
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we made
Walkin in a winter wonderland!
***
Logan found Melvin having wine by the fireplace. He joined him and initially made conversations about the latest news in the stock exchange. When everything was said about which portfolio gained more and which ones lost, Logan subtly brought up the topic of his supposedly upcoming nuptial with Max.
Logan cleared his throat then said, "Listen Melvin, Marie was saying that you would be willing to do a story on me and Max."
Melvin nodded as he swallowed his wine. "Yeah, off course man, anytime!"
"I was hoping you wouldn't. It's just that, Max likes to keep things private, you know." Logan then turned and indicated Max who was so engrossed in looking at fluffy white dresses that if he hadn't known better, he would have concluded that she was actually excited about picking out one.
"She's a beauty isn't she." Melvin observed. "I told you she'd be a knock out when she grew up."
"She exceeded my expectations, that's for sure." Logan was referring to late night images of Max in his dreams, of how she was slowly captivating his heart. And no matter how hard he tried to deny, she was etching her way in his soul and marking her place in his life. Not that she hadn't done so before because she had. The difference was, it was much deeper now and Logan was painfully aware of it. It wasn't just friendship anymore that they had. The two kisses they had shared were evidence that this pretend act was already something more, even if neither would admit to it. If Logan was honest to himself, he would acknowledge the fact that he 'wanted' them to share something more, though Logan was still afraid to define what it was.
Melvin eyed Logan and recognized the love that wasn't allowed yet to be seen, the love contained inside him, the love waiting to be returned. Max and Logan were performing very well for everybody's sake, but Melvin had interacted enough with people to know when they were lying. He didn't succeed as a journalist for being innocent and naïve. "You want it was true?"
At that second, Logan knew he was found out. He wasn't sure yet if he was ready for whatever answer he would give; but a question was asked and it needed an answer. Did he want it to be true? Yes, off course he wanted it to be true! How could he not? Would it ever be true? Off course not! How could it be? "It doesn't matter what I want."
Aware that Logan and Max had other issues beneath the surface, Melvin gave Logan the wisest advice he could think of. "Give her time, she's still healing."
Puzzled, Logan asked, "Healing from what?"
Melvin didn't know, but what he knew was that across the room there was an attractive young woman having fun, and she wasn't pretending to be even if she claimed that she was. That was the sad part. "When she's ready, she'll tell you."
"Tell me what?" Logan couldn't understand, Melvin was speaking in riddles.
Melvin smiled, "Merry Christmas Logan.", then he walked away.
***
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down!
***
Max saw Logan by the windows, staring out in the snowy landscape. "Hey! What are you looking at?"
Logan moved aside so Max could see as well. He then turned to her, searching for what Melvin had seen to clue him in as to what it was exactly that Max was healing from. There was nothing but a young lady with an aura of bliss. Logan let go of his search for the night and grinned, "Nothing, just Mrs. Moreno's grandkids making a snowman."
"Looks like fun!" Max was still in a happy mood courtesy of spending an hour dreaming about her perfect wedding, even if it was just pretend. "I saw you talking to Melvin, is everything taken care off?" Honestly though, she couldn't care less. She was enjoying planning the wedding, they might as well just have one!
"Um-mm, it's all cool! Whoa, look at that kid go!" Logan yelled as a small little boy sleighed down a makeshift toboggan hill, missing a tree by just a few inches. "Did you see him?"
"Yeah, I saw him." Max stepped closer to Logan, but only to see more of the outside view. "Kids are cute, especially if they're not crying or needed changing." Max laughed at her own joke! She swore, Mrs. Moreno had put something in her drinks to make her giggly. She was even genuinely pleased to have Logan's company, if one could believe that!
"Would you like a boy or a girl?" Logan asked, quite not sure of where the question came from.
Max pondered on the possibilities for a moment, convincing herself that Logan was asking a rhetorical question. It wasn't one that insinuated future children that the two of them would have. Though the answer to that insinuation, if there had been one, was a boy with blue eyes just like his. Then again, there was no insinuation so she replied, "Since I'm an only child, I think I'd like both. You're an only child too, don't you feel like you missed out on not having any siblings?"
Logan nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. Both would be nice."
Max wondered if Logan agreed with her that both a boy and a girl were nice to have in general or whether the two of them had just agreed to have both if they ever went through with the wedding. Deciding that Logan would never want to go through with it, and 'she' obviously wound never 'want' it either, it was then settled that Logan's statement was a general one.
"Look! A snow fight!" Both Max and Logan said in unison, mostly to escape the conversation that was starting to get loaded with future possibilities and promises.
***
When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
Though your nose gets a chillin'?
We'll frolic and play
The Eskimo way
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
Logan grabbed Max's hips and lifted her up, heading toward the door. As soon they were outside, he deposited Max behind him, saying, "I bet I can beat you, I always do!"
"No you do not!" Max protested, "Ok fine, but it was only because I was much smaller than you! Not anymore though!" She mocked as she picked up fresh snow from the ground and smudged it on Logan's face.
Clearing his face off, Logan grabbed himself a handful of snow and aimed his hit directly at Max. She dodged and he missed. Logan was quick on his feet though, he run after Max and pinned her down under him, burying them both in cold winter snow and warming themselves with the intimate physical contact they shared.
***
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listnin'
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells rings are you listnin'
***
A/N 2 The words for Winter Wonderland is by Dick Smith, 1934.
**Part 9**
***
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listnin'
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells rings are you listnin'
***
Logan pulled over in front of a grand 20th century style mansion. With his engine still running, he looked over to the figure next to him then back to the steering wheel as he sighed deeply. He still had a chance to escape, all he had to do was reverse the car and head away from his current location.
"Logan, this is all your fault!" Max said condescendingly, with one eyebrow arched high up, a little annoyed that Logan was acting like 'he' was the only one suffering the mess he had gotten them both into.
Yes, Logan was quite aware that the whole situation was entirely his fault. Max had let it be known, loudly he might add, that he was to blame for their fate that night; a night to be spent eating cheese, drinking wine, singing Christmas Carols and pretending to be a couple in love in the company of Mrs. Moreno. "Thank you Max for pointing that out to me for the hundredth time" Logan said with a smug smile of feigned gratitude.
Max shrugged and straightened herself on the seat, either in pure concentration as a pre-requisite for the theatrical performance she was about to undertake or to brace herself when Logan sped out of the driveway at 180 km/hr. She was hoping it was the latter but she heard Logan turn off the engine, confirming that her Christmas day would be spent luring an old gentle woman into an elaborate lie. The irony of it all! She and Logan would both go to hell for lying on Christmas day, of all days! Good thing she believed in neither heaven nor hell, or else she'd be in big trouble.
Grabbing bags of presents from the passenger seat, Max mechanically stepped out of the car. She was exasperated that Logan was still sulking, a victim of his own stupidity. "Chill Logan! If you don't want to tell her the truth then stop brooding and put on your happy face. You look horrible."
Logan groaned. He could just tell Mrs. Moreno that he and Max were not a couple, that would make their already complex relationship simpler but he just couldn't. He would break the old lady's heart, and what fragile heart she had, prone to constant angina and attacks. Why, she was just in the hospital last week due to chest pains! Logan was sure to cut Mrs. Moreno's life shorter with his most disappointing news about the truth of his relationship with Max. Ringing the doorbell meekly, Logan sighed and gave himself up to whatever the night had in store for him.
Max - feeling sorry that she had to lie to Mrs. Moreno, feeling angry at herself for letting Logan drag her in his mess, but most of all feeling mad at Logan for acting like being with her was the worst thing in the world - followed Logan up the steps, wondering how on earth they could present themselves as two people in love when they were both pissed off at each other at that particular moment.
***
Sleighbells ring, are you listnin'?
In the lane snow is glistnin
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
"Max! Logan! Come in. Mom, the Cales are here!" Mia, Mrs. Moreno's oldest daughter, greeted the couple joyfully. She dragged Max inside to give her a huge hug, almost squeezing the life out of her. "Here, let me take these bags, you can hang your coats up in there." She said while motioning toward an oak coloured armoire set.
"Thanks." Max replied, hoping that the expression on her face conveyed appreciation instead of horrific fabrication. Brushing some snow off her coat and curly hair, she glared at Logan for the last time that evening. Whether she liked it or not, the time had come to act like the doting fiancée, and boy she intended to do a good job at it! Otherwise, she would put her drama professor in shame for not having taught her well!
"Yeah, thanks Mia." Logan echoed Max with a nervous laugh as he readjusted his glasses. Not only would they be lying to Mrs. Moreno, they would also be untruthful to her whole family. The glare Max shot him also made him want to crawl back into a burrow where he would be all safe and threat-free. Yup! That's it! He could no longer take the guilt that was eating away at his social conscience! The closer he got toward the family room where everyone was gathered, the more need Logan had to scream out that he and Max were not engaged. Slowly, one by one, smiling innocent faces appeared to him. Logan stopped walking and froze. No he couldn't go through with it, he would confess and get this whole thing over with!
That's when he felt Max's hand around his arm. So soft and tender, she led him to where the others had been waiting. Before they reached the main entrance, Max turned to him with all her beauty, a rare smile gracing her perfect features. She reached up to his hair, brushing off snow he didn't know was there. Then her fingers came down to his jaw, holding it as she tilted up to plant a kiss on his lips. Then with absolute grace she walked inside the festively decorated room. Candles were lighted in every corner, a Christmas tree towered by the fireplace and the smell of pine added to the warm feeling of the holidays.
Logan was stunned. He hadn't expected Max to transform so quickly, if at all. She bloomed into this charming lady who adored him dearly from her earlier self who couldn't stand the sight of him. He knew which version was her true self, so for one night he would set aside his conscience and enjoy the Max he had in his arms. The Max he thought he'd lost, the Max hiding in the usually fearless, feisty facade. And for the first time that evening, Logan's smile was real and well felt.
***
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
"Maxie! Junior! You're both here, I'm so pleased the two of you could come." Mrs. Moreno extended her arms as both Max and Logan leaned down to embrace her.
"Thank you for having us." Max answered sweetly, her hand reaching out to entwine with Logan's.
"Alright, Logan! You look stunning as always Maxie." Melvin, Mrs. Moreno's middle child, shook Logan's hand firmly and gave Max a peck on the cheek. "Good, you two are just in time for the carols. There you go." He handed Max and Logan the lyrics for the songs and continued doing so to the others in the room.
A tiny 9 year old grandchild donned in a red dress sat in front of the grand piano and started tuning it. As soon as she was ready and the two dozen people in the room were settled down, she started playing a long string of Christmas Carols.
Max was standing in front of Logan with his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close to him. He could feel her chuckle as she barely kept up with the songs. Max had been gifted with profound talents from her eloquent use of words to her believable dramatic skills but singing was obviously not one in which she was given even a slight blessing on. God, she was a horrible singer; either saying the word before or after it was supposed to be said, and always out of tune. But Logan had never heard a more heavenly sound in his life than Max's voice with a hint of laughter and pure joy. Logan couldn't help but smile, he rested his chin on her shoulder and tipped his head on the side to kiss Max on the cheek. She was grinning and singing at the same time, it was lovely. And without turning away from the lyrics she held with one hand, Max put a hand on top of the arm that was laying on her tummy. Her fingers stayed there, drawing lazy circles around Logan's wrist.
There was something about the air, or perhaps the house itself, that made Max and Logan feel perfectly at ease. It was like drawing them both out of their every day, sometimes hostile, context and placing them in a land of memories and dreams. A fantasy world where they could both pretend that everything was happy and nothing hurts. Like the whole world disappeared and was replaced with hazy images of childhood memories; of a little girl running around the Christmas tree with lacy ribbons as her tail, of a young man sweeping her up as he tickled her, of sounds of laughter from voices they longed to hear again, of candle lights on the table and turkey dinners made by a mother who no longer belonged to this earth. Hazy dreamlike mist settled around Max and Logan, spinning them both in a land where they wished they were always at. A mental state so pure and joyous; an innocent need to be loved, a natural need to bond, an instinctive need to accept one's other half.
***
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?"
We'll say, "No man!
But you can do the job when you're in town!"
***
"So, Maxie, I was expecting a wedding invitation and I never got one." Mrs. Moreno teased as she handed both Max and Logan a cup of tea.
This was it! Max drew a deep breath, "We haven't decided on a date yet." She said as she sipped her tea. "Things are getting very hectic at Biotech, so we figured we'd wait a little. A year or two wouldn't make much of a difference, besides we're enjoying being engaged." Max gave Logan the most wicked and charming smile. He was glad he was sitting down because he almost melted away. He couldn't understand why Max had that kind of effect on him. He liked being on his toes, to know what would happen next and have control over things. But Max disoriented his space, always throwing unexpected surprises and treats. Tonight's was most welcomed but others, like Zack's appearance, were not. Oh, Logan was happy when Zack went back to his lab in Wyoming. He just couldn't stand the guy. Logan wondered what Max saw in him, was it something he didn't have?
Mrs. Moreno nodded, "Well, at least you should be thinking about the gown and the venue. It's so hard to get a decent place booked these days. Richard's wedding took us almost a year and a half to plan."
Marie, Richard's bride, overheard the conversation and joined in. "What is this I hear about you two getting married!" She said addressing Logan.
"Yeah, Max and I are." Logan didn't know where the pride in his voice came form, but saying those words felt completely right.
"Congratulations! I'm surprised this wonderful news isn't all over the media yet. I'm sure my brother-in-law, Melvin, would love to do a story on you two." She declared as she scanned the whole room, looking for Melvin so she can personally suggest the idea to him. There was nothing more romantic than two childhood friends, separated for fifteen years, finding each other again and tying the knot. Ah, the idea made her want to weep.
Alarm bells went off in Logan's head! Considering the stunned reaction on Max's face, she too appeared to agree that media publicity of the 'engagement' would be more than what the two of them could live with. Max gave Logan a do-something look, so he said, "Let me find Melvin and discuss this with him."
"Great! I'll come with you." Marie offered.
"No!" Max almost shouted from her seat. Then calming herself down, she blatantly lied, "I mean, no, leave Logan to do that. I was hoping you can give me tips on how to choose a wedding gown. Yeah, right, you know, you probably have tons of magazines and stuff to show me."
Marie was happy to comply and could not offer enough magazines to Max. With stacks and piles of wedding books and pictures, the two young women occupied a corner in the family room as each rummaged through each design to find the perfect wedding gown for Max.
***
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we made
Walkin in a winter wonderland!
***
Logan found Melvin having wine by the fireplace. He joined him and initially made conversations about the latest news in the stock exchange. When everything was said about which portfolio gained more and which ones lost, Logan subtly brought up the topic of his supposedly upcoming nuptial with Max.
Logan cleared his throat then said, "Listen Melvin, Marie was saying that you would be willing to do a story on me and Max."
Melvin nodded as he swallowed his wine. "Yeah, off course man, anytime!"
"I was hoping you wouldn't. It's just that, Max likes to keep things private, you know." Logan then turned and indicated Max who was so engrossed in looking at fluffy white dresses that if he hadn't known better, he would have concluded that she was actually excited about picking out one.
"She's a beauty isn't she." Melvin observed. "I told you she'd be a knock out when she grew up."
"She exceeded my expectations, that's for sure." Logan was referring to late night images of Max in his dreams, of how she was slowly captivating his heart. And no matter how hard he tried to deny, she was etching her way in his soul and marking her place in his life. Not that she hadn't done so before because she had. The difference was, it was much deeper now and Logan was painfully aware of it. It wasn't just friendship anymore that they had. The two kisses they had shared were evidence that this pretend act was already something more, even if neither would admit to it. If Logan was honest to himself, he would acknowledge the fact that he 'wanted' them to share something more, though Logan was still afraid to define what it was.
Melvin eyed Logan and recognized the love that wasn't allowed yet to be seen, the love contained inside him, the love waiting to be returned. Max and Logan were performing very well for everybody's sake, but Melvin had interacted enough with people to know when they were lying. He didn't succeed as a journalist for being innocent and naïve. "You want it was true?"
At that second, Logan knew he was found out. He wasn't sure yet if he was ready for whatever answer he would give; but a question was asked and it needed an answer. Did he want it to be true? Yes, off course he wanted it to be true! How could he not? Would it ever be true? Off course not! How could it be? "It doesn't matter what I want."
Aware that Logan and Max had other issues beneath the surface, Melvin gave Logan the wisest advice he could think of. "Give her time, she's still healing."
Puzzled, Logan asked, "Healing from what?"
Melvin didn't know, but what he knew was that across the room there was an attractive young woman having fun, and she wasn't pretending to be even if she claimed that she was. That was the sad part. "When she's ready, she'll tell you."
"Tell me what?" Logan couldn't understand, Melvin was speaking in riddles.
Melvin smiled, "Merry Christmas Logan.", then he walked away.
***
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down!
***
Max saw Logan by the windows, staring out in the snowy landscape. "Hey! What are you looking at?"
Logan moved aside so Max could see as well. He then turned to her, searching for what Melvin had seen to clue him in as to what it was exactly that Max was healing from. There was nothing but a young lady with an aura of bliss. Logan let go of his search for the night and grinned, "Nothing, just Mrs. Moreno's grandkids making a snowman."
"Looks like fun!" Max was still in a happy mood courtesy of spending an hour dreaming about her perfect wedding, even if it was just pretend. "I saw you talking to Melvin, is everything taken care off?" Honestly though, she couldn't care less. She was enjoying planning the wedding, they might as well just have one!
"Um-mm, it's all cool! Whoa, look at that kid go!" Logan yelled as a small little boy sleighed down a makeshift toboggan hill, missing a tree by just a few inches. "Did you see him?"
"Yeah, I saw him." Max stepped closer to Logan, but only to see more of the outside view. "Kids are cute, especially if they're not crying or needed changing." Max laughed at her own joke! She swore, Mrs. Moreno had put something in her drinks to make her giggly. She was even genuinely pleased to have Logan's company, if one could believe that!
"Would you like a boy or a girl?" Logan asked, quite not sure of where the question came from.
Max pondered on the possibilities for a moment, convincing herself that Logan was asking a rhetorical question. It wasn't one that insinuated future children that the two of them would have. Though the answer to that insinuation, if there had been one, was a boy with blue eyes just like his. Then again, there was no insinuation so she replied, "Since I'm an only child, I think I'd like both. You're an only child too, don't you feel like you missed out on not having any siblings?"
Logan nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. Both would be nice."
Max wondered if Logan agreed with her that both a boy and a girl were nice to have in general or whether the two of them had just agreed to have both if they ever went through with the wedding. Deciding that Logan would never want to go through with it, and 'she' obviously wound never 'want' it either, it was then settled that Logan's statement was a general one.
"Look! A snow fight!" Both Max and Logan said in unison, mostly to escape the conversation that was starting to get loaded with future possibilities and promises.
***
When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
Though your nose gets a chillin'?
We'll frolic and play
The Eskimo way
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
***
Logan grabbed Max's hips and lifted her up, heading toward the door. As soon they were outside, he deposited Max behind him, saying, "I bet I can beat you, I always do!"
"No you do not!" Max protested, "Ok fine, but it was only because I was much smaller than you! Not anymore though!" She mocked as she picked up fresh snow from the ground and smudged it on Logan's face.
Clearing his face off, Logan grabbed himself a handful of snow and aimed his hit directly at Max. She dodged and he missed. Logan was quick on his feet though, he run after Max and pinned her down under him, burying them both in cold winter snow and warming themselves with the intimate physical contact they shared.
***
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listnin'
(Walkin in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells rings are you listnin'
***