CHAPTER 2
"I love you Logan Cale, wheelchair or no wheelchair, it doesn't matter to me. You are perfect the way you are, with all your faults."
Logan stared at her, at a loss of words. Her eyes were full of passion and honesty, and suddenly he knew that she meant it, and it had taken him months to realize that.
"I love you too." He reached out a hand and Max accepted it. Then he pulled her close and took her head between his hands. "Oh my god, how much I lov you, I always did." With that he kissed her.
At first it was careful and reluctant, but Max did not back away, so his confidence grew and he finally let out all the feelings he had not dared to express.
"Wow. You are a kisser." Max smiled up at him. "So I guess we are noth ready for a cool bath now,huh?"
Max staggered to her feet and undressed her shirt and trousers in record time. Logan willingly followed her example.
"I hope it's not too hot." She helped Logan sit othe edge of the tub and stabilized him while he moved his unresponsive legs into the water, then as he slowly let himself glide into it.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah," Logan drew a deep breath. "It feels a little weird though." He grabbed Max's hand and didn't let go until she sat down on his thighs, stabilizing his lower half.
"Thank you, Max." She felt a kiss on her neck and turned around to face him.
"You're welcome. This is much more of a great vacation than the last one." With that she covered his mouth with her lips for a passionate kiss.
They stayed in the tub for a long time, enjoying the closeness and their new situation. It was Logan who spoke up first. "I guess you should better help me outta here. It's gonna be kinda awkward if my cousin and Emily find us like this, let alone explaining how I got here."
Max agreed with a sigh. "OK, wait, I'll get out first."
"Yeah, but don't let my hand go. This feels really weird." His legs flooded to the surface while he desperately fought to control his body.
"I got you. Carefully, take it slow." He was finally sitting on the edge, his legs still dangling in the water.
"Can you hold me for another sec, Max." He grabbed his legs and moved them on the floor one after another and eventually let out a sigh of relief.
Together they got dressed and Max carried Logan downstairs again and put him back into his chair.
"I hope for both of us there is a bathroom on the first floor at your grandparent's place."
"There is."
When Karen and Emily returned the couple was sitting on the couch, his head in her lap.
"Hi, did you have fun at the dentist?" Logan struggled to sit up and was grateful for Max's supporting hand on his back.
"He didn't hurt me." She grinned reliefed. "Are you going to play a game with me now?"
"Sure, but I have to warn you, Max can't lose." That earned him a fist in his back, but Emily smiled. "That's OK, we can let her win."
"Hey, I don't need your pity!!"
"Can we play right here or do I have to get up?"
As an answer Emily placed a box on the table in front og Logan. Max slid the table closer to the sofa when she saw that it was hard for Logan to reach it.
Two hours later Karen asked them to get ready, Max immediately noticed Logan stiffen again. She leaned over and gave hima soft kiss on the cheek. "It's just your grandparents, and I'm with you."
"Mark is stuck at work, he'll meet us over there as soon as possible."
Logan moved back into his chair in one fluid motion and then wheeled through the garden to the car.
Shortly after they parked the car in front of a big old house, behind a smaller red car.
"They are at home. We'll wait in the car until they calmed down again."
Logan watched absently as Max got his chair from the trunk. "I'd rather have you with me. Please."
"Logan, they love you. They are not like your father's family."
"I know, but still. Please."
"Ok, come on Emily."
They made their way towards the door, there was one stair leading to the entrance. Max didn't worry about it though, even without her strength she'd be able to get him up there- in his chair.
Karen and Emily waited a few steps behind them and Max just wanted to ring the bell Logan couldn't reach from his position and then join them. But Logan grabbed her arm when she passed him. "Stay with me." She nodded and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The door opened and an elderly woman stood in the doorframe, staring down at Logan. "Oh my god."
"Hi Grandma." Logan grinned at her and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He hadn't met her in such a long time and so much had changed.
"Peter!" She had pivoted slightly and yelled, then turned back to her grandson and closed the distance. "My god, Logan. I can't believe it. Why are you here?"
"There are a couple of parties I didn't want to miss."
Max had stepped back and watched the scene when a tall man appeared in the door. He was a lot older than Logan, but Max held her breath when she saw those ice-blue eyes shining. They were the spitting image of Logan's.
"My god, Logan!"
"Hey there Grandpa." Logan smiled up at the older and man and Max saw him relax. His grandparents didn't show any of the pity or hesitation he had to deal with with most people he met. Suddenly she was startled out of her reverie.
"And this is Max."
She extended a hand along with her most gorgeous smile to the other woman. "Hi, I'm the girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you, sorry, we've heard a lot about you, but he never told us you were like that."
"It's a pretty recent development."
"That's great, congratulations." Logan's grandfather shook her hand aswell. "I'm Peter."
"And I'm Anna, I totally forgot to introduce myself, sorry." She stepped back. "And now let's go inside, you owe us an explanation."
Peter noticed Logan looking up at Max, and then realized what the problem was. "Oh, I'm going to build a ramp right away."
"It's Ok, Max can help me for now." In a matter of seconds Logan was inside.
"Before you settle down, I'm going to show you your room. You are going to stay with us, won't you?"
"They have to." Karen had entered the house aswell. "We don't even have a bathroom downstairs."
"Don't worry, Karen." Logan knew she felt bad.
Anna interrupted them. "Anyway, this is your room, and the bathroom is right across the floor."
"Thank you." Max laid a hand on Logan's shoulder. "I'll get our bags."
"Wait, I'm going to help you." Peter hurried after her.
"Thank you, but I think I can handle it."
The elderly man didn't even listen. Instead he followed her to the car. When she'd opened the trunk he laid a hand on Max's arm. "It's great for Logan he found you." He sighed. "He had a hard time last year and it's good to know he is not alone."
"He is the best thing that ever happened to me." She smiled at Peter. "You needn't thank me for anything. I'm actually kinda selfish, he makes me happy."
Together they carried the suitcases inside, the joined the others in the living room.
"...well, and next Sunday we will celebrate Peter's 80th birthday. Most of the family who love further away stay all week."
"Tomorrow is your wedding anniversary, right?" Max sat down on Logan's lap.
"Yes, 60 years." Anna smiled proudly. "It's going to be a nice party with all our beloved ones." She gently smiled at Logan.
"What are we going to do this evening?" Peter now sat next to his wife. "It's the only chance to have Max and Logan to ourselves. Would you like to go out for dinner?"
"How about the Italian ristorante down the street?"
"Sounds good to me. Logan?"
"Fine by me, as long as it is accessible." Only Max could hear the sad and slightly bitter undertone.
"No problem, no stairs at all. Karen?"
"No, thanks, but you should have them to yourself."
"Come on, without you they wouldn't even be here."
"But Emily really needs to catch some sleep, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow." She had a look at her watch. "And Mark should be tired aswell."
"You're right, hon." A dark-haired, handsome guy entered the room. "Hi. I'm the bad husband who rather works than greets his guests."
"Hi." Logan shook his hand after Max was greeted with kisses on the cheeks. So far she couldn't understand why Logan ever worried.
++
It was still pretty early when the four returned home. Food had been delicious, the atmosphere outstanding and incredibly different to what Max knew from Seattle.
"I think I'll crash right away, jetlag."Logan nodded his agreement. "Yeah, me too."
"Good night you two, see you in the morning!" Anna kissed her grandson on the cheek. "I'm so happy you are here."
"Me too, good night."
Max sat down on the bed, there was a sofa prepared as bed aswell, but this one would be just fine for both of them. She watched Logan as he opened his bag. She still couldn't believe they'd crossed that line today.
"What's up?" She awoke from her reverie as Logan took her hand between his own.
"You are here, with me. And it just feels wonderful."
"Yeah, finally." Logan sat up straighter in his chair. "Max I don't know where this will lead us, or how fast, but I know it's the right way. I only can't say when I'll be ready to...you know."
Max nodded, understanding and unconditional support present in her deep brown eyes.
"Hell, I don't even know if I can."
"Logan, we've all the time we want. I won't ask you to do anything you're not ready for. I'm neither. And when we both are, we're doing it together. It's gonna be wonderful, whatever it may be like."
"Thank you, Max. I love you." He'd said those words for the second time and his angel didn't back away but held his gaze. "I love you too."
She sat down on his lap and embraced him, then touched his lips with hers. A few minutes later they got both ready for bed.
"The toothbrushes are in the little black bag over there." Logan grabbed it and put it in his lap, rolling over to the bathroom.
"This shower doesn't seem much better than Karen's. I'm afraid you have to bath with me again."
Max just grinned. She noticed that Logan was having trouble manouevering his chair in the small room, but she wouldn't mention that. "I was kinda hoping for that."
Max was already asleep, using Logan's muscular chest as pillow, when the doorbell rang. Logan stirred under her. "Shhh, we're not in Seattle, no thread." He held her tight. "My grandparents are still awake I think."
Just when Max had relaxed again, there was a knock on the door.
"Are you still awake?" Max sat up immediately. "Yeah."
"Listen,"Peter switched on the light, causing Logan to groan and shield his eyes. "Sorry, but there are some relatives who want to stay tonight." The way Peter said that made clear he didn't like it a little bit. "Problem is we don't have enough rooms. Would you mind if two girls sleep on the sofa?"
Logan shrugged. "No big deal."
"Thank you, I'm really sorry."
Moments later two teenage girls entered the room, at first they didn't even seem to notice the couple. So Max spoke up. "Hi, nice to meet you." She stood up and held out her hand. "I'm Max."
"Oh, hello. Yeah, well, I'm Vanessa."
"Valentina."
"Hi, Logan."
"You are the guy from America, right? Anna just said that."
"Yeah." Logan had propped himself up against the headboard.
"Could you help us with our suitcases?"
Max shrugged. "Where are they?"
"In the car."
"I'll be right back." Shooting Logan a questioning glance she got out of the room. When she returned with the bags she could hear one of the girls speak, in a language she didn't understand.
"Und er ist sich wohl zu gut."
She also saw Logan flinch, trying to hold his composure. Quickly she dropped the bags and slid over to him. Holding his hand she used her free hand to stroke his thighs. She stayed like that until the girls retreated to the bathroom.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Logan."
"She just said something stupid."
"What?!"
"That I apparently think I'm too good for helping them out."
"Logan, they are stupid kids who don't know you understand them." Max hugged him."Do they know anything about you?"
"No, I don't think so. I didn't even know they existed."
He grinned helplessly. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Max lay awake, stroking Logan's chest slowly, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath. She heard the girls coming back, but pretended to be asleep. Finally everything was quite around her and in Logan's embrace she fell asleep herself.
++
"Morning, sweety." Logan gave her a hug and a kiss.
"Morning, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." He propped himself up into a sitting position, fumbling for his glasses. The girls on the sofa were sound asleep.
"Let's get up, I've a feeling that they'll spend quite some time in the bathroom."
Max jumped out of the bed and pulled all clothes from Logan's chair. That was why the teenies hadn't noticed anything, they hadn't seen the chair.
Twenty minutes later Max and Logan entered the kitchen together, taking a bath had been delayed.
"Good morning." Anna was just setting the table. "I'm so sorry about it, but we didn't know they#d come and we couldn't just send them away."
"No problem." Logan put butter and jam in his lap and rolled over to the table. "But who are they?"
"They're from Germany. They are the grandchildren of Peter's brother, Peter's brother's wife is here aswell, and the parents of the twins." Anna handed Max some plates. "We haven't seen them in years."
Peter entered the kitchen "Absolutely no clue why they came here. Guess it'sa nice excuse for a vacation in London with free accomodation."
Logan wheeled himself over to the table when a small blond woman entered the kitchen.
"Good morning." She stopped dead. "Oh my god, what happened to you?" She stared at Logan.
Max stood in shock, not believing somebody could be that dumb, and not knowing how to help her boyfriend.
"Well, I like sitting in a wheelchair. It's comfortable, you should try." Logan's voice was cold and defensive.
"So you can walk?"
"Not really, was just kidding. I got shot."
The woman turned towards Anna. "Is he in pain?"
Max rolled her eyes and quickly stepped behind Logan, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. Now she understood why he'd been scared.
"Excuse-me, but those nice girls are your children?" Max smiled friendly, her voice a little too gentle and sweet.
"Yeah, they are. And we are very proud of them."
"I bet."
"So who's hungry?" Anna decided to end that conversation.
Nobody spoke until Vanessa and Valentina entered the room just as Logan got some more bread from the working desk. Max silently cursed the timing.
The girls just stared at Logan as he wheeled back to the table, trying to act as if nothing bothered him.
"Come on, please have a seat." Anna indicated chairs next to Max, but the girls sat down on the bench on the other side.
Logan had another sip of coffee, then excused himself. Right when he was leaving the kitchen an elderly woman wanted to enter. Logan had no chance to avoid her and they crashed into each other.
"'m sorry."
"It's ...oh my god. Are you alright? I didn't mean to hurt you." She tapped Logan's cheek. "Can I help you? Do you want to leave the room?"
"Apparently." Logan's voice was icy. He felt like he was part of a nightmare and would awake any moment, bathed in cold sweat.
"Wait, I can help you. Where do you want to go...Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that..."
Anna jumped up. " Phyllis, this is Logan, our grandson."
"Nice to meet you, I'm your aunt Phyllis." She bent down to catch him in a huge embrace, but darted back. "May I? Or does it hurt you?" Logan just stared at the woman.
"I'm sorry, but I really gotta...blaze." He pushed his wheels harder than Max had ever seen him do.
Phyllis sat down next to her. "Oh god, that poor kid."
"This is Max. Logan's..."
"...girlfriend." Max smiled icily. "Would you please excuse me?"
Anna threw her a worried glance which she answered with a shrug.
She found Logan in the room they had to share with the girls. Silently she approached him and knelt down in front of him. He looked at her with watery eyes. "I can't believe it. Have you seen that? They treated me as if my brain was blown out." He swallowed hard. "That's what I was afarid of, Max. But it was even worse than I ever imagined."
"I know."
++
Meanwhile, Peter asked his wife to follow him outside.
"Anna, we have to do something. Did you see what they have done to him?"
"I know. But they will stay, no matter what. We can't throw them out."
"So we have to get Max and Logan out of here." He suddenly had an idea. " There is more than one week between the parties, we just send them on holiday."
+++
I'm not sure if that was too pathetic or too much Logan stuff, but he is my favorite character as you might have guessed already:)
"I love you Logan Cale, wheelchair or no wheelchair, it doesn't matter to me. You are perfect the way you are, with all your faults."
Logan stared at her, at a loss of words. Her eyes were full of passion and honesty, and suddenly he knew that she meant it, and it had taken him months to realize that.
"I love you too." He reached out a hand and Max accepted it. Then he pulled her close and took her head between his hands. "Oh my god, how much I lov you, I always did." With that he kissed her.
At first it was careful and reluctant, but Max did not back away, so his confidence grew and he finally let out all the feelings he had not dared to express.
"Wow. You are a kisser." Max smiled up at him. "So I guess we are noth ready for a cool bath now,huh?"
Max staggered to her feet and undressed her shirt and trousers in record time. Logan willingly followed her example.
"I hope it's not too hot." She helped Logan sit othe edge of the tub and stabilized him while he moved his unresponsive legs into the water, then as he slowly let himself glide into it.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah," Logan drew a deep breath. "It feels a little weird though." He grabbed Max's hand and didn't let go until she sat down on his thighs, stabilizing his lower half.
"Thank you, Max." She felt a kiss on her neck and turned around to face him.
"You're welcome. This is much more of a great vacation than the last one." With that she covered his mouth with her lips for a passionate kiss.
They stayed in the tub for a long time, enjoying the closeness and their new situation. It was Logan who spoke up first. "I guess you should better help me outta here. It's gonna be kinda awkward if my cousin and Emily find us like this, let alone explaining how I got here."
Max agreed with a sigh. "OK, wait, I'll get out first."
"Yeah, but don't let my hand go. This feels really weird." His legs flooded to the surface while he desperately fought to control his body.
"I got you. Carefully, take it slow." He was finally sitting on the edge, his legs still dangling in the water.
"Can you hold me for another sec, Max." He grabbed his legs and moved them on the floor one after another and eventually let out a sigh of relief.
Together they got dressed and Max carried Logan downstairs again and put him back into his chair.
"I hope for both of us there is a bathroom on the first floor at your grandparent's place."
"There is."
When Karen and Emily returned the couple was sitting on the couch, his head in her lap.
"Hi, did you have fun at the dentist?" Logan struggled to sit up and was grateful for Max's supporting hand on his back.
"He didn't hurt me." She grinned reliefed. "Are you going to play a game with me now?"
"Sure, but I have to warn you, Max can't lose." That earned him a fist in his back, but Emily smiled. "That's OK, we can let her win."
"Hey, I don't need your pity!!"
"Can we play right here or do I have to get up?"
As an answer Emily placed a box on the table in front og Logan. Max slid the table closer to the sofa when she saw that it was hard for Logan to reach it.
Two hours later Karen asked them to get ready, Max immediately noticed Logan stiffen again. She leaned over and gave hima soft kiss on the cheek. "It's just your grandparents, and I'm with you."
"Mark is stuck at work, he'll meet us over there as soon as possible."
Logan moved back into his chair in one fluid motion and then wheeled through the garden to the car.
Shortly after they parked the car in front of a big old house, behind a smaller red car.
"They are at home. We'll wait in the car until they calmed down again."
Logan watched absently as Max got his chair from the trunk. "I'd rather have you with me. Please."
"Logan, they love you. They are not like your father's family."
"I know, but still. Please."
"Ok, come on Emily."
They made their way towards the door, there was one stair leading to the entrance. Max didn't worry about it though, even without her strength she'd be able to get him up there- in his chair.
Karen and Emily waited a few steps behind them and Max just wanted to ring the bell Logan couldn't reach from his position and then join them. But Logan grabbed her arm when she passed him. "Stay with me." She nodded and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The door opened and an elderly woman stood in the doorframe, staring down at Logan. "Oh my god."
"Hi Grandma." Logan grinned at her and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He hadn't met her in such a long time and so much had changed.
"Peter!" She had pivoted slightly and yelled, then turned back to her grandson and closed the distance. "My god, Logan. I can't believe it. Why are you here?"
"There are a couple of parties I didn't want to miss."
Max had stepped back and watched the scene when a tall man appeared in the door. He was a lot older than Logan, but Max held her breath when she saw those ice-blue eyes shining. They were the spitting image of Logan's.
"My god, Logan!"
"Hey there Grandpa." Logan smiled up at the older and man and Max saw him relax. His grandparents didn't show any of the pity or hesitation he had to deal with with most people he met. Suddenly she was startled out of her reverie.
"And this is Max."
She extended a hand along with her most gorgeous smile to the other woman. "Hi, I'm the girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you, sorry, we've heard a lot about you, but he never told us you were like that."
"It's a pretty recent development."
"That's great, congratulations." Logan's grandfather shook her hand aswell. "I'm Peter."
"And I'm Anna, I totally forgot to introduce myself, sorry." She stepped back. "And now let's go inside, you owe us an explanation."
Peter noticed Logan looking up at Max, and then realized what the problem was. "Oh, I'm going to build a ramp right away."
"It's Ok, Max can help me for now." In a matter of seconds Logan was inside.
"Before you settle down, I'm going to show you your room. You are going to stay with us, won't you?"
"They have to." Karen had entered the house aswell. "We don't even have a bathroom downstairs."
"Don't worry, Karen." Logan knew she felt bad.
Anna interrupted them. "Anyway, this is your room, and the bathroom is right across the floor."
"Thank you." Max laid a hand on Logan's shoulder. "I'll get our bags."
"Wait, I'm going to help you." Peter hurried after her.
"Thank you, but I think I can handle it."
The elderly man didn't even listen. Instead he followed her to the car. When she'd opened the trunk he laid a hand on Max's arm. "It's great for Logan he found you." He sighed. "He had a hard time last year and it's good to know he is not alone."
"He is the best thing that ever happened to me." She smiled at Peter. "You needn't thank me for anything. I'm actually kinda selfish, he makes me happy."
Together they carried the suitcases inside, the joined the others in the living room.
"...well, and next Sunday we will celebrate Peter's 80th birthday. Most of the family who love further away stay all week."
"Tomorrow is your wedding anniversary, right?" Max sat down on Logan's lap.
"Yes, 60 years." Anna smiled proudly. "It's going to be a nice party with all our beloved ones." She gently smiled at Logan.
"What are we going to do this evening?" Peter now sat next to his wife. "It's the only chance to have Max and Logan to ourselves. Would you like to go out for dinner?"
"How about the Italian ristorante down the street?"
"Sounds good to me. Logan?"
"Fine by me, as long as it is accessible." Only Max could hear the sad and slightly bitter undertone.
"No problem, no stairs at all. Karen?"
"No, thanks, but you should have them to yourself."
"Come on, without you they wouldn't even be here."
"But Emily really needs to catch some sleep, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow." She had a look at her watch. "And Mark should be tired aswell."
"You're right, hon." A dark-haired, handsome guy entered the room. "Hi. I'm the bad husband who rather works than greets his guests."
"Hi." Logan shook his hand after Max was greeted with kisses on the cheeks. So far she couldn't understand why Logan ever worried.
++
It was still pretty early when the four returned home. Food had been delicious, the atmosphere outstanding and incredibly different to what Max knew from Seattle.
"I think I'll crash right away, jetlag."Logan nodded his agreement. "Yeah, me too."
"Good night you two, see you in the morning!" Anna kissed her grandson on the cheek. "I'm so happy you are here."
"Me too, good night."
Max sat down on the bed, there was a sofa prepared as bed aswell, but this one would be just fine for both of them. She watched Logan as he opened his bag. She still couldn't believe they'd crossed that line today.
"What's up?" She awoke from her reverie as Logan took her hand between his own.
"You are here, with me. And it just feels wonderful."
"Yeah, finally." Logan sat up straighter in his chair. "Max I don't know where this will lead us, or how fast, but I know it's the right way. I only can't say when I'll be ready to...you know."
Max nodded, understanding and unconditional support present in her deep brown eyes.
"Hell, I don't even know if I can."
"Logan, we've all the time we want. I won't ask you to do anything you're not ready for. I'm neither. And when we both are, we're doing it together. It's gonna be wonderful, whatever it may be like."
"Thank you, Max. I love you." He'd said those words for the second time and his angel didn't back away but held his gaze. "I love you too."
She sat down on his lap and embraced him, then touched his lips with hers. A few minutes later they got both ready for bed.
"The toothbrushes are in the little black bag over there." Logan grabbed it and put it in his lap, rolling over to the bathroom.
"This shower doesn't seem much better than Karen's. I'm afraid you have to bath with me again."
Max just grinned. She noticed that Logan was having trouble manouevering his chair in the small room, but she wouldn't mention that. "I was kinda hoping for that."
Max was already asleep, using Logan's muscular chest as pillow, when the doorbell rang. Logan stirred under her. "Shhh, we're not in Seattle, no thread." He held her tight. "My grandparents are still awake I think."
Just when Max had relaxed again, there was a knock on the door.
"Are you still awake?" Max sat up immediately. "Yeah."
"Listen,"Peter switched on the light, causing Logan to groan and shield his eyes. "Sorry, but there are some relatives who want to stay tonight." The way Peter said that made clear he didn't like it a little bit. "Problem is we don't have enough rooms. Would you mind if two girls sleep on the sofa?"
Logan shrugged. "No big deal."
"Thank you, I'm really sorry."
Moments later two teenage girls entered the room, at first they didn't even seem to notice the couple. So Max spoke up. "Hi, nice to meet you." She stood up and held out her hand. "I'm Max."
"Oh, hello. Yeah, well, I'm Vanessa."
"Valentina."
"Hi, Logan."
"You are the guy from America, right? Anna just said that."
"Yeah." Logan had propped himself up against the headboard.
"Could you help us with our suitcases?"
Max shrugged. "Where are they?"
"In the car."
"I'll be right back." Shooting Logan a questioning glance she got out of the room. When she returned with the bags she could hear one of the girls speak, in a language she didn't understand.
"Und er ist sich wohl zu gut."
She also saw Logan flinch, trying to hold his composure. Quickly she dropped the bags and slid over to him. Holding his hand she used her free hand to stroke his thighs. She stayed like that until the girls retreated to the bathroom.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Logan."
"She just said something stupid."
"What?!"
"That I apparently think I'm too good for helping them out."
"Logan, they are stupid kids who don't know you understand them." Max hugged him."Do they know anything about you?"
"No, I don't think so. I didn't even know they existed."
He grinned helplessly. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Max lay awake, stroking Logan's chest slowly, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath. She heard the girls coming back, but pretended to be asleep. Finally everything was quite around her and in Logan's embrace she fell asleep herself.
++
"Morning, sweety." Logan gave her a hug and a kiss.
"Morning, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." He propped himself up into a sitting position, fumbling for his glasses. The girls on the sofa were sound asleep.
"Let's get up, I've a feeling that they'll spend quite some time in the bathroom."
Max jumped out of the bed and pulled all clothes from Logan's chair. That was why the teenies hadn't noticed anything, they hadn't seen the chair.
Twenty minutes later Max and Logan entered the kitchen together, taking a bath had been delayed.
"Good morning." Anna was just setting the table. "I'm so sorry about it, but we didn't know they#d come and we couldn't just send them away."
"No problem." Logan put butter and jam in his lap and rolled over to the table. "But who are they?"
"They're from Germany. They are the grandchildren of Peter's brother, Peter's brother's wife is here aswell, and the parents of the twins." Anna handed Max some plates. "We haven't seen them in years."
Peter entered the kitchen "Absolutely no clue why they came here. Guess it'sa nice excuse for a vacation in London with free accomodation."
Logan wheeled himself over to the table when a small blond woman entered the kitchen.
"Good morning." She stopped dead. "Oh my god, what happened to you?" She stared at Logan.
Max stood in shock, not believing somebody could be that dumb, and not knowing how to help her boyfriend.
"Well, I like sitting in a wheelchair. It's comfortable, you should try." Logan's voice was cold and defensive.
"So you can walk?"
"Not really, was just kidding. I got shot."
The woman turned towards Anna. "Is he in pain?"
Max rolled her eyes and quickly stepped behind Logan, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. Now she understood why he'd been scared.
"Excuse-me, but those nice girls are your children?" Max smiled friendly, her voice a little too gentle and sweet.
"Yeah, they are. And we are very proud of them."
"I bet."
"So who's hungry?" Anna decided to end that conversation.
Nobody spoke until Vanessa and Valentina entered the room just as Logan got some more bread from the working desk. Max silently cursed the timing.
The girls just stared at Logan as he wheeled back to the table, trying to act as if nothing bothered him.
"Come on, please have a seat." Anna indicated chairs next to Max, but the girls sat down on the bench on the other side.
Logan had another sip of coffee, then excused himself. Right when he was leaving the kitchen an elderly woman wanted to enter. Logan had no chance to avoid her and they crashed into each other.
"'m sorry."
"It's ...oh my god. Are you alright? I didn't mean to hurt you." She tapped Logan's cheek. "Can I help you? Do you want to leave the room?"
"Apparently." Logan's voice was icy. He felt like he was part of a nightmare and would awake any moment, bathed in cold sweat.
"Wait, I can help you. Where do you want to go...Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that..."
Anna jumped up. " Phyllis, this is Logan, our grandson."
"Nice to meet you, I'm your aunt Phyllis." She bent down to catch him in a huge embrace, but darted back. "May I? Or does it hurt you?" Logan just stared at the woman.
"I'm sorry, but I really gotta...blaze." He pushed his wheels harder than Max had ever seen him do.
Phyllis sat down next to her. "Oh god, that poor kid."
"This is Max. Logan's..."
"...girlfriend." Max smiled icily. "Would you please excuse me?"
Anna threw her a worried glance which she answered with a shrug.
She found Logan in the room they had to share with the girls. Silently she approached him and knelt down in front of him. He looked at her with watery eyes. "I can't believe it. Have you seen that? They treated me as if my brain was blown out." He swallowed hard. "That's what I was afarid of, Max. But it was even worse than I ever imagined."
"I know."
++
Meanwhile, Peter asked his wife to follow him outside.
"Anna, we have to do something. Did you see what they have done to him?"
"I know. But they will stay, no matter what. We can't throw them out."
"So we have to get Max and Logan out of here." He suddenly had an idea. " There is more than one week between the parties, we just send them on holiday."
+++
I'm not sure if that was too pathetic or too much Logan stuff, but he is my favorite character as you might have guessed already:)
