A/N: I'm sorry to disappoint some of you with the last chapter, but I'm glad most of you found it mature because that's what I was aiming for. But good or bad, I love getting feedback, thank you so much. I said Part 17 is the last installment but I couldn't wrap everything in the Epilogue so I decided to add another chapter. I hope none of you mind. Besides, I didn't put 'The End' yet, so I'm allowed one more, right? ; )
Recap: Manticore is a covert government facility. Lydecker has been secretly supplying EO with information about it. Logan wants Manticore exposed because it's doing genetic experiments on kids, but he needs the address to do that. Lydecker offered to give Logan the address if Max goes back to Greece. Otherwise, he will let the committee know that Logan is closing in on them, endangering his life. Lydecker works for The Chamber, not Manticore.
Warning: Run away now, sappiness ahead!
PROMISES
**Part 18**
Max entered her old room. Logan was talking on the phone, looking out the same view she had stared at for hours while daydreaming of him. The room's enormous size comforted her on good days and drowned her on bad ones. As always, the white walls and overhanging canopy around the bed looked pristine, the maids still kept everything clean despite her absence. Or maybe her uncle had told them to prepare for her return, confident that he had successfully blackmailed Logan.
Max still didn't understand why her uncle had to connive and be hurtful to get her back. She wouldn't have left in the first place if she was given more freedom and love. If he hadn't dictated how she lived her life, maybe she would still be working with him in the Chamber. Max used to excavate ancient burial sites for her uncle, sequencing mummy DNA to figure out its evolutionary history. It was top secret because Dr. Sandeman discovered a special sequence that didn't have junk DNA. He had run away with it several years ago.
Letting her fingers trail the embroidery on her pillow that spelled her name in graceful letters, Max remembered the number of tears that had spilled on it. Too many. Being in her room brought back plenty of memories, painful if interpreted from a child's point of view. But everything was different now. Being with Logan made everything not matter at all. A wise professor once told her class to make sure that there was something in their lives that made them want to tolerate this dreadful, crazy world. She never understood that advice until now. She had known heart aches. She had also known love. The real kind, the one that explained why men and women searched endlessly for that one right person. Max had always doubted it existed. But not anymore.
"Max?" Logan pushed down his phone's antenna, taking a sit beside her on the bed, his eyes showing concern. "How did it go?"
Shrugging, "My uncle is in his study now, he asked to be left alone. I was right. He didn't want to lose me like he lost her. He was just using everything else as an excuse."
Logan nodded in understanding, entwining his fingers with hers. "That was Sebastian on the phone, somebody e-mailed him the 411 on Manticore. Apparently, a man named Sandeman started it 5 years ago, doing experiments with infantry soldiers. He tracked the e-mail, it's from Wyoming. Do you know why someone from there will be helping us?"
Surprised, Max whispered, "Zack." With the crease on Logan's forehead, she explained. "I asked Zack to help us find the address. I think he's working for Manticore. Dr. Sandeman used to be my uncle's partner until he disappeared. I guess my uncle tracked him down and planted Zack as a spy to figure out what the doctor is up to. "
Realization dawned on Logan. "Oh, so your uncle wanted to destroy Manticore as some kind of a revenge and he was using EO to do it."
Max nodded. "While getting me back in the process. Kill two birds with one stone. Pretty clever, huh?"
With the sad glint in Max's eyes, Logan pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Well, it's all over now. Thanks to Zack, I've given Sebastian the green light to release Manticore's address to get that place shut down." Max tugged Logan down, both of them lying down, facing each other.
Resting her head against Logan's chest and feeling him against her entire body, "I can't believe Zack risked his cover to help us."
"He cares about you, Max." Logan held her closer, stroking her cheek with a thumb.
She heard the insinuation in his voice. Zack cared more for her than a friend or a brother. There was no insecurity though as Logan stated the fact. There was no need for that. They knew who the other belonged to. Looking up, Max rolled so she now lay on top of Logan. "I love you."
Logan had his arms around Max. Her honesty shook him. He sensed the depths of her feelings in the way she looked at him, its intensity emanating from her deep brown eyes. "I love you too." Logan didn't know how he could love someone this much. He never believed he was capable of such unselfishness. All he wanted was to make her happy despite any cost to himself. But the stars had finally shown them mercy, incurring no cost from either of them.
"Show me." Her words were almost a plea, asking him to feed her life as the exhaustion of the past week claimed her. She needed to be touched, and taken, and given, and loved. She needed to feel alive, only Logan's kiss could give her that. His whispers would sooth her restless heart.
Logan's mouth explored hers, tasting sweet cherries as he gently sucked her bottom lip. Max sighed with contentment, giving in to the pleasures of Logan's touch. Their clothes were taken off, one after the other in tender movements. With Max on her back and Logan on his side, he brushed stray hairs away from her lovely face. With knowledgeable fingers, he carefully traced the line of her arm, up to her shoulder and down to the sweet soft flesh of her breast. With his thumb, he reached for her lips, caressing it, knowing how delicious they tasted against his own. She shivered in response.
When he kissed her again, the fire that always ignited when they were together flared up. Touch me, please... He obliged. Right there... He knew, he knew exactly where she wanted him to go. Logan, I need you... There wasn't anything in the world he needed more than her. I love you... He loved her more. Baby, please... Not yet. Ah... Her body hummed against his. Gasp... Rugged breaths tickled his ear. So good... He wanted to give her more. Don't stop... Nothing could make him. Almost... He gentled his strokes. Please... Then quickened his pace. Harder... Holding her hips, he gave her what she needed. Just like that... She held on to him. Oh, God... She tightened around him. Logan, please... He wanted to prolong the pleasure, for her. Now... She shattered in his arms.
*** Back in Seattle ***
Max came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped securely above her chest, her hair dripping wet. She headed straight for the closet, slightly upset that she only had a few selection of clothing. She hadn't moved all her belongings at Logan's yet.
Logan saw the frown on Max's forehead. He walked over to her as he adjusted his tie, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. "What's the matter?" He looked at her through the mirror.
"I only have my work clothes here." She pouted. For weeks now, she only needed suits for business functions. The rest of her days were spent wearing almost nothing at all in Logan's arms. She couldn't go over Mrs. Moreno's house with Logan's robe, and his T-shirt that went just below her hips was not appropriate either. This was all his fault. "This is all your fault."
Logan chuckled, loving Max's spoiled child-like manner. He received an angry glare when she turned around. Being the thoughtful man that he was, Logan took Max's hand, kissing it with a mischievous light playing around his blue eyes.
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you up to, Logan Cale?"
He didn't answer but proceeded to take the towel off her. He dried her soft skin gently, planting a kiss on sensitive spots he knew too well. Max insincerely nudged him away, amused by his play. Drying her hair, "I got you a little something," he whispered.
Logan was always getting her little somethings, so this was not a surprise. Roses he placed on her tray for breakfasts in bed. Bracelets and necklaces, all hand made by the little girl selling them in his lobby, not worth anything more than the thread they were made of, meaning more to her than anything in the world. Max, however, had a feeling that this time, the little something was somewhat more special. "Oh, yeah?"
Grinning, "Yeah."
"Well, let's see it." She waited as he got the present from his hiding place. She made a mental note to have him out with the boys so she could search the penthouse for the inconspicuous space that eluded her. He returned with a coral white dress that flared at the bottom.
Logan kissed her opened mouth. "Do you like it?" He knew she did.
She smiled, nodding. "Very much." She twirled around after putting it on. Tying her hair back and putting some blush on, she knocked Logan's breath away.
Pulling her close, he kissed the tip of her nose. "You look beautiful."
With her gaze cast down, Max slightly blushed, still not used to hearing compliments given with no ulterior motive. She knew men found her attractive, but hearing it delivered with honesty and love was all very new. "Thank you." Taking Logan's hand, "Ready to go?"
"Wait, you're missing something else."
The playfulness Logan displayed earlier was gone now, Max could feel the sparks crackling around the room as he took a little box out of his pocket. With widened eyes that darted back and forth between Logan and the velvet box, Max had to remind herself to breath, even with the knowledge of this inevitable moment.
Logan had listed the million reasons why Max should marry him. Poetic declarations of love that rivaled those written by Shakespeare. A backdrop of stars in the night, falls cascading around them. A bridge with the sun setting behind them, their shadows making a silhouette that looked like a heart. But the moment didn't call for any of those. It only required a few simple words, "Will you been mine, forever?"
She was already his, from the very beginning. He didn't need to ask. But a simple answer required a simple response. "Yes."
The diamond sparkled as Logan slipped the ring on her finger, his eyes meeting hers. Both smiled. No words were needed, both would remember and mark this moment as one of the reasons they could claim to have a blessed life. They felt its rightness. The universe was right on schedule, as Logan's mother would say.
*** Dinner at Mrs. Moreno's ***
All of Mrs. Moreno's children sat around the glass-covered dining table, Logan and Max were on either side of her. Everyone noted the change in the manner in which Logan and Max addressed each other. There was more tenderness, more open display of sweeping glances, and more stolen touches and kisses when they thought no one was looking. It made you want to smile.
"Mmm. This is the best cheese cake I've ever had." Max stated, having the last morsel off her fork.
"They cater, Max." Mia offered, "Maybe you can hire them for the wedding."
"Good idea." Tilting her head towards Logan, "What do you think?"
Logan nodded, pleased, his mouth filled with the creamy dessert.
Preparing for weddings took a long time, no one ever questioned Max and Logan about their slow progress. No one guessed that they were just acting before. Even Melvin kept his mouth shut, confident that the two would work it out. When he opened the door earlier, he knew that his prediction was right. The beam on both Max and Logan's faces confirmed how happy and in love they were. No one who didn't know such honest joy could replicate it in pretend games.
"I have a present for you." Mrs. Moreno said, taking Max's hand and leading her to the balcony that overlooked the front yard. The rest dispersed, catching up on the latest news with each other's lives. Like every family, gathering each member at the same time was a rare, but pleasant, experience.
Logan's eyes followed Max as she stepped outside. Before disappearing from view, she sent him a smile from across the room, a teasing one that promised an even better party after leaving the current one.
"Logan's mother gave this to me, she kept it after you left." Mrs. Moreno started, not missing the exchange between Max and Logan, aware of its undertones. It made her heart and soul happy, though it pained at the same time because Logan's mother didn't live long enough to see her dreams come true.
Max took the white box, a ribbon wrapped around it. "Thank you."
"You know that she loved you like her own. This marriage between you and Logan would have meant the world to her." Mrs. Moreno kissed Max's forehead, "She had given me this box, 'wishful thinking', she said. But she was an optimist who believed everything will happen if meant to be, when the time is right."
Blinking back tears, "She was a very wise woman."
Mrs. Moreno patted Max's hand. "She knew the she won't be here when that time comes, but she wanted you to know that she believed that it will."
Max opened the box, a veil and a tiara rested inside. Logan's mother didn't forget, neither did she.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Max was running around the basketball court while Logan dribbled the ball. He occasionally took a shot, earning him an applause from his biggest fan. Max was wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, clashing with the tiara and veil above her head. She had just gone through the magic boxes in the attic, uncovering articles from Logan's parents' wedding.
When Logan's mom and Mrs. Moreno came back from shopping, Max immediately run towards them, excited to show off her recent discovery.
"Don't I look pretty?" She asked, giggling.
Picking her up in a big hug, Logan's mother said, playing along. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. So, who are you going to marry?"
Max stuck out her tongue. "Ewww....No one. I hate boys! They're yucky." Never in the history of humankind had a statement contained a more profound truth.
The two older women laughed.
Tripping over one of Max's toys, Logan landed on his butt. He swore, gripping his ankle. This kid would see the death of him. Eyeing Max with annoyance, he brushed her hand away when she came running, concerned. "Are you okay, Logan?"
Standing up, "Yeah, I'm fine." Max crouched down, inspecting his leg, as if she knew how to heal his pain. The extent of her knowledge extended to her experiences as a doctor using the stethoscope in her play set. Irritated, Logan snapped, "Max, move away. I have to get going." Logan's mother had asked him to delay a date with his girlfriend so he could baby-sit Max. He was not pleased.
Max sat on the floor, pouting, Logan had not been very nice to her today.
Going up to his mother, he held out his hand to receive his monetary compensation. "I'm out of here."
"No!" Max yelled, stomping her foot. "You said you'll play with me for the whole afternoon, Logan." Pointing up to the sky, the sun still up, "It's still the afternoon. Teach me how to play basketball, please?" She liked having Logan around, even if he doesn't like her too much. There weren't a lot of other kids to play with. Besides, none of them was like Logan. He was good at everything.
"Come on, Logan. Play with her for a little bit. Your ride won't be here for another half an hour." His mother cajoled, clearly favoring Max. Logan knew that, there was no way he could win his way out of this one.
"Fine." Making his way back to the court yard, he picked up the ball, shooting it in frustration.
Max, for her part, didn't really like playing basketball. So she resumed running around Logan, cheering when he successfully put the ball through the basket. Moments later, a woman in a red convertible stopped in front of the house, honking her horn.
Max gave her an evil glare when Logan barely said goodbye, obviously glad to see the newcomer. "One day, Logan Cale, I'll marry you. Then you'll never leave me." Smelling apple pie coming from the kitchen, Max followed the scent, informing Logan's mom of her decision as soon as she finished eating two slices of the delicious treat.
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
THE END
A/N Wow, you're still reading ; ) Thank you. The Epilogue will be up SOON.
Recap: Manticore is a covert government facility. Lydecker has been secretly supplying EO with information about it. Logan wants Manticore exposed because it's doing genetic experiments on kids, but he needs the address to do that. Lydecker offered to give Logan the address if Max goes back to Greece. Otherwise, he will let the committee know that Logan is closing in on them, endangering his life. Lydecker works for The Chamber, not Manticore.
Warning: Run away now, sappiness ahead!
PROMISES
**Part 18**
Max entered her old room. Logan was talking on the phone, looking out the same view she had stared at for hours while daydreaming of him. The room's enormous size comforted her on good days and drowned her on bad ones. As always, the white walls and overhanging canopy around the bed looked pristine, the maids still kept everything clean despite her absence. Or maybe her uncle had told them to prepare for her return, confident that he had successfully blackmailed Logan.
Max still didn't understand why her uncle had to connive and be hurtful to get her back. She wouldn't have left in the first place if she was given more freedom and love. If he hadn't dictated how she lived her life, maybe she would still be working with him in the Chamber. Max used to excavate ancient burial sites for her uncle, sequencing mummy DNA to figure out its evolutionary history. It was top secret because Dr. Sandeman discovered a special sequence that didn't have junk DNA. He had run away with it several years ago.
Letting her fingers trail the embroidery on her pillow that spelled her name in graceful letters, Max remembered the number of tears that had spilled on it. Too many. Being in her room brought back plenty of memories, painful if interpreted from a child's point of view. But everything was different now. Being with Logan made everything not matter at all. A wise professor once told her class to make sure that there was something in their lives that made them want to tolerate this dreadful, crazy world. She never understood that advice until now. She had known heart aches. She had also known love. The real kind, the one that explained why men and women searched endlessly for that one right person. Max had always doubted it existed. But not anymore.
"Max?" Logan pushed down his phone's antenna, taking a sit beside her on the bed, his eyes showing concern. "How did it go?"
Shrugging, "My uncle is in his study now, he asked to be left alone. I was right. He didn't want to lose me like he lost her. He was just using everything else as an excuse."
Logan nodded in understanding, entwining his fingers with hers. "That was Sebastian on the phone, somebody e-mailed him the 411 on Manticore. Apparently, a man named Sandeman started it 5 years ago, doing experiments with infantry soldiers. He tracked the e-mail, it's from Wyoming. Do you know why someone from there will be helping us?"
Surprised, Max whispered, "Zack." With the crease on Logan's forehead, she explained. "I asked Zack to help us find the address. I think he's working for Manticore. Dr. Sandeman used to be my uncle's partner until he disappeared. I guess my uncle tracked him down and planted Zack as a spy to figure out what the doctor is up to. "
Realization dawned on Logan. "Oh, so your uncle wanted to destroy Manticore as some kind of a revenge and he was using EO to do it."
Max nodded. "While getting me back in the process. Kill two birds with one stone. Pretty clever, huh?"
With the sad glint in Max's eyes, Logan pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Well, it's all over now. Thanks to Zack, I've given Sebastian the green light to release Manticore's address to get that place shut down." Max tugged Logan down, both of them lying down, facing each other.
Resting her head against Logan's chest and feeling him against her entire body, "I can't believe Zack risked his cover to help us."
"He cares about you, Max." Logan held her closer, stroking her cheek with a thumb.
She heard the insinuation in his voice. Zack cared more for her than a friend or a brother. There was no insecurity though as Logan stated the fact. There was no need for that. They knew who the other belonged to. Looking up, Max rolled so she now lay on top of Logan. "I love you."
Logan had his arms around Max. Her honesty shook him. He sensed the depths of her feelings in the way she looked at him, its intensity emanating from her deep brown eyes. "I love you too." Logan didn't know how he could love someone this much. He never believed he was capable of such unselfishness. All he wanted was to make her happy despite any cost to himself. But the stars had finally shown them mercy, incurring no cost from either of them.
"Show me." Her words were almost a plea, asking him to feed her life as the exhaustion of the past week claimed her. She needed to be touched, and taken, and given, and loved. She needed to feel alive, only Logan's kiss could give her that. His whispers would sooth her restless heart.
Logan's mouth explored hers, tasting sweet cherries as he gently sucked her bottom lip. Max sighed with contentment, giving in to the pleasures of Logan's touch. Their clothes were taken off, one after the other in tender movements. With Max on her back and Logan on his side, he brushed stray hairs away from her lovely face. With knowledgeable fingers, he carefully traced the line of her arm, up to her shoulder and down to the sweet soft flesh of her breast. With his thumb, he reached for her lips, caressing it, knowing how delicious they tasted against his own. She shivered in response.
When he kissed her again, the fire that always ignited when they were together flared up. Touch me, please... He obliged. Right there... He knew, he knew exactly where she wanted him to go. Logan, I need you... There wasn't anything in the world he needed more than her. I love you... He loved her more. Baby, please... Not yet. Ah... Her body hummed against his. Gasp... Rugged breaths tickled his ear. So good... He wanted to give her more. Don't stop... Nothing could make him. Almost... He gentled his strokes. Please... Then quickened his pace. Harder... Holding her hips, he gave her what she needed. Just like that... She held on to him. Oh, God... She tightened around him. Logan, please... He wanted to prolong the pleasure, for her. Now... She shattered in his arms.
*** Back in Seattle ***
Max came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped securely above her chest, her hair dripping wet. She headed straight for the closet, slightly upset that she only had a few selection of clothing. She hadn't moved all her belongings at Logan's yet.
Logan saw the frown on Max's forehead. He walked over to her as he adjusted his tie, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. "What's the matter?" He looked at her through the mirror.
"I only have my work clothes here." She pouted. For weeks now, she only needed suits for business functions. The rest of her days were spent wearing almost nothing at all in Logan's arms. She couldn't go over Mrs. Moreno's house with Logan's robe, and his T-shirt that went just below her hips was not appropriate either. This was all his fault. "This is all your fault."
Logan chuckled, loving Max's spoiled child-like manner. He received an angry glare when she turned around. Being the thoughtful man that he was, Logan took Max's hand, kissing it with a mischievous light playing around his blue eyes.
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you up to, Logan Cale?"
He didn't answer but proceeded to take the towel off her. He dried her soft skin gently, planting a kiss on sensitive spots he knew too well. Max insincerely nudged him away, amused by his play. Drying her hair, "I got you a little something," he whispered.
Logan was always getting her little somethings, so this was not a surprise. Roses he placed on her tray for breakfasts in bed. Bracelets and necklaces, all hand made by the little girl selling them in his lobby, not worth anything more than the thread they were made of, meaning more to her than anything in the world. Max, however, had a feeling that this time, the little something was somewhat more special. "Oh, yeah?"
Grinning, "Yeah."
"Well, let's see it." She waited as he got the present from his hiding place. She made a mental note to have him out with the boys so she could search the penthouse for the inconspicuous space that eluded her. He returned with a coral white dress that flared at the bottom.
Logan kissed her opened mouth. "Do you like it?" He knew she did.
She smiled, nodding. "Very much." She twirled around after putting it on. Tying her hair back and putting some blush on, she knocked Logan's breath away.
Pulling her close, he kissed the tip of her nose. "You look beautiful."
With her gaze cast down, Max slightly blushed, still not used to hearing compliments given with no ulterior motive. She knew men found her attractive, but hearing it delivered with honesty and love was all very new. "Thank you." Taking Logan's hand, "Ready to go?"
"Wait, you're missing something else."
The playfulness Logan displayed earlier was gone now, Max could feel the sparks crackling around the room as he took a little box out of his pocket. With widened eyes that darted back and forth between Logan and the velvet box, Max had to remind herself to breath, even with the knowledge of this inevitable moment.
Logan had listed the million reasons why Max should marry him. Poetic declarations of love that rivaled those written by Shakespeare. A backdrop of stars in the night, falls cascading around them. A bridge with the sun setting behind them, their shadows making a silhouette that looked like a heart. But the moment didn't call for any of those. It only required a few simple words, "Will you been mine, forever?"
She was already his, from the very beginning. He didn't need to ask. But a simple answer required a simple response. "Yes."
The diamond sparkled as Logan slipped the ring on her finger, his eyes meeting hers. Both smiled. No words were needed, both would remember and mark this moment as one of the reasons they could claim to have a blessed life. They felt its rightness. The universe was right on schedule, as Logan's mother would say.
*** Dinner at Mrs. Moreno's ***
All of Mrs. Moreno's children sat around the glass-covered dining table, Logan and Max were on either side of her. Everyone noted the change in the manner in which Logan and Max addressed each other. There was more tenderness, more open display of sweeping glances, and more stolen touches and kisses when they thought no one was looking. It made you want to smile.
"Mmm. This is the best cheese cake I've ever had." Max stated, having the last morsel off her fork.
"They cater, Max." Mia offered, "Maybe you can hire them for the wedding."
"Good idea." Tilting her head towards Logan, "What do you think?"
Logan nodded, pleased, his mouth filled with the creamy dessert.
Preparing for weddings took a long time, no one ever questioned Max and Logan about their slow progress. No one guessed that they were just acting before. Even Melvin kept his mouth shut, confident that the two would work it out. When he opened the door earlier, he knew that his prediction was right. The beam on both Max and Logan's faces confirmed how happy and in love they were. No one who didn't know such honest joy could replicate it in pretend games.
"I have a present for you." Mrs. Moreno said, taking Max's hand and leading her to the balcony that overlooked the front yard. The rest dispersed, catching up on the latest news with each other's lives. Like every family, gathering each member at the same time was a rare, but pleasant, experience.
Logan's eyes followed Max as she stepped outside. Before disappearing from view, she sent him a smile from across the room, a teasing one that promised an even better party after leaving the current one.
"Logan's mother gave this to me, she kept it after you left." Mrs. Moreno started, not missing the exchange between Max and Logan, aware of its undertones. It made her heart and soul happy, though it pained at the same time because Logan's mother didn't live long enough to see her dreams come true.
Max took the white box, a ribbon wrapped around it. "Thank you."
"You know that she loved you like her own. This marriage between you and Logan would have meant the world to her." Mrs. Moreno kissed Max's forehead, "She had given me this box, 'wishful thinking', she said. But she was an optimist who believed everything will happen if meant to be, when the time is right."
Blinking back tears, "She was a very wise woman."
Mrs. Moreno patted Max's hand. "She knew the she won't be here when that time comes, but she wanted you to know that she believed that it will."
Max opened the box, a veil and a tiara rested inside. Logan's mother didn't forget, neither did she.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Max was running around the basketball court while Logan dribbled the ball. He occasionally took a shot, earning him an applause from his biggest fan. Max was wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, clashing with the tiara and veil above her head. She had just gone through the magic boxes in the attic, uncovering articles from Logan's parents' wedding.
When Logan's mom and Mrs. Moreno came back from shopping, Max immediately run towards them, excited to show off her recent discovery.
"Don't I look pretty?" She asked, giggling.
Picking her up in a big hug, Logan's mother said, playing along. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. So, who are you going to marry?"
Max stuck out her tongue. "Ewww....No one. I hate boys! They're yucky." Never in the history of humankind had a statement contained a more profound truth.
The two older women laughed.
Tripping over one of Max's toys, Logan landed on his butt. He swore, gripping his ankle. This kid would see the death of him. Eyeing Max with annoyance, he brushed her hand away when she came running, concerned. "Are you okay, Logan?"
Standing up, "Yeah, I'm fine." Max crouched down, inspecting his leg, as if she knew how to heal his pain. The extent of her knowledge extended to her experiences as a doctor using the stethoscope in her play set. Irritated, Logan snapped, "Max, move away. I have to get going." Logan's mother had asked him to delay a date with his girlfriend so he could baby-sit Max. He was not pleased.
Max sat on the floor, pouting, Logan had not been very nice to her today.
Going up to his mother, he held out his hand to receive his monetary compensation. "I'm out of here."
"No!" Max yelled, stomping her foot. "You said you'll play with me for the whole afternoon, Logan." Pointing up to the sky, the sun still up, "It's still the afternoon. Teach me how to play basketball, please?" She liked having Logan around, even if he doesn't like her too much. There weren't a lot of other kids to play with. Besides, none of them was like Logan. He was good at everything.
"Come on, Logan. Play with her for a little bit. Your ride won't be here for another half an hour." His mother cajoled, clearly favoring Max. Logan knew that, there was no way he could win his way out of this one.
"Fine." Making his way back to the court yard, he picked up the ball, shooting it in frustration.
Max, for her part, didn't really like playing basketball. So she resumed running around Logan, cheering when he successfully put the ball through the basket. Moments later, a woman in a red convertible stopped in front of the house, honking her horn.
Max gave her an evil glare when Logan barely said goodbye, obviously glad to see the newcomer. "One day, Logan Cale, I'll marry you. Then you'll never leave me." Smelling apple pie coming from the kitchen, Max followed the scent, informing Logan's mom of her decision as soon as she finished eating two slices of the delicious treat.
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
THE END
A/N Wow, you're still reading ; ) Thank you. The Epilogue will be up SOON.