(A/N) Well, here's the last chapter of Follow the Star. Sorry it took so
long. My computer broke down and we had to hunt down a new one. Now I need
suggestions for what to call the third story in this little quartet.
Definitely something with the word Star in it. It will take place somewhere
in between books 45 and 49. I am currently reading book 42 and I haven't
skipped one yet. I'm almost to the end, Go me! Um...........yeah..........sure. Getting
back on track. The next story will definitely be a bit more light-hearted.
I want a little bit of happiness before I write the fourth Stella fic,
which is gonna be somewhat on the dark side. Be forewarned and keep your
eyes open for book three. Qwerty, thanks for reviewing again. Sharina,
thanks for reviewing again. Aryawinds, thanks for reviewing again.
Anonymous-cat, thanks for reviewing again. Tabatha, thanks for reviewing
again. g21lto, thanks for reviewing. Tigerlily-2250, thanks for reviewing.
No need to hunt me down. Ax is yours, is he? *grins evilly* We'll just have
to see about that, now won't we? D.H. L'Orange, thanks for all of those
reviews for both stories. And thanks for the tips. Yes, I am an X-men fan.
Love it. So yeah, not entirely original on my part. And here's the nice,
sappy, wrap-things-up chapter.
Follow the Star
Chapter 6: This I swear
Lately I've noticed that whenever I survive a near death experience I dream about the girl. In my life near death is very nearly the every day thing. So the dreams had been coming more often lately. Sometimes she was human. Other times she was an Andalite. Sometimes there was a boy with her. Her twin brother. I knew them both from dreams past. Arrow and Elfangor.
Normally the dreams took place on the Andalite home world. Some of them were on Earth. Tonight it was on the Andalite home world. It was a different dream than the one I had been having for the past few months.
This time I saw them in some sort of underground room. The only thing that held up the earthen roof were steel support beams attached to the dirt walls. In this dream the twins looked to be about ten years old. They were both human. Two new people were with them. A woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties, maybe a bit older. And a small child. This girl looked to be no more than five.
The room was a crude sort of bedroom. A rough, steel bed-frame was set very close to the ground. It was covered with a homemade pallet that I assumed was supposed to be a mattress. The little girl was tucked into this bed under a very thin blanket. The woman sat beside her. The girl was resting her head on the woman's lap. The twins stood before them.
Arrow had a mop of black hair that was very similar to my own. Only it was cut at the top of her shoulders, whereas my hair was waist long. And a streak of aquamarine stuck out from the rest of the black.
Elfangor looked a lot like Marco. Only his hair was closer to being blonde and his eyes were a deep, vibrant green.
"Mother, is it true what we've heard? Elfangor says he heard grandpa and grandma talking about father. They said that he was missing. That he might even be dead." Arrow said to the woman.
"No!" the woman replied fiercely, but then more calmly. "No, he's not dead. He's coming back."
"How do you know?"
"I know." The woman answered calmly as she hugged the little girl closer to her.
"But how do we know that you aren't lying to us again?"
"When have I ever lied to you two?"
"You didn't tell us that Seerow would be taken away until after it happened. Why did you let them take him?" Arrow asked furiously.
"Because I had no choice, Arrow. It was the only way to save him from Lirem."
"What about Elfangor and I? If Seerow was in danger what will happen to us? And what about Janisari?"
"They won't find us here."
"Are they going to kill us, mother?"
"Arrow don't talk like that. You'll scare your sister." The woman said sharply.
"Mother, do you even know where Seerow is?" Elfangor asked, suddenly piping up.
The woman hesitated for a minute before answering.
"No, I.......................he said it would be best if I didn't know where Seerow was being hidden."
"He? Who's he?" Elfangor asked.
"Ellimist." The woman whispered.
"Oh, come on! First you say that father might actually come back from the wars. Then you bring mythical creatures into it that don't even exist! I've heard enough!" Arrow shouted angrily. She stalked away towards one of the support beams. It turns out that it was a door. You wouldn't even have seen it if you didn't know what you were looking for.
"Arrow, come back!" the woman cried out.
But Arrow didn't listen. She was already gone. Elfangor stood there for a few minutes, looking like he was about to say something to the woman. But then he ran after his sister.
"Mommy, is it true that daddy isn't coming back?" The little girl asked the woman.
The woman took the child in her arms and hugged her fiercely.
"Of coarse not, Jani. He will come back."
"What about Seerow? I miss him."
"I don't know, Janisari. I really don't know."
The little girl called Janisari buried her face in the woman's shoulder and cried softly for awhile. When she finally lifted her head up again she spoke.
"It's good that they left. Seerow and Daddy. We didn't need them."
"Oh baby, don't say that." The woman said shakily. "You didn't mean it."
"They left, but I'll remember them."
The woman turned away from Janisari and looked to the empty air by her side. She had a distant look in her eyes. As if she was remembering something from the past.
"He used to stand there. Right beside me, watching over you, when he was home. I wish he was here now." She said as a single tear slid down her cheek.
Then she turned back to Janisari and began to tuck her into bed. As she worked she began to sing quietly.
It's turned so cold.
It's past your bedtime.
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night.
Come to me, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star
Appearing
Come to me and rest
Against my shoulder.
How fast the minutes fly away
And every minute colder.
Hurry near
Another day is dying.
Don't you hear,
The winter wind is crying.
There's a darkness
Which comes without a warning.
But I will sing you lullabies
And wake you in the morning.
By this time Janisari's eyes were beginning to close in sleep. She yawned one final time and before she drifted off she spoke again.
"I remember everyone who leaves."
With that she let her head drop to the pillow in sleep. The woman covered her mouth with her right hand to keep her sob from being heard. It was so shocking to hear such words from the mouth of a child.
* * *
When I woke up the first thing that I noticed was how cold it was. My breath rose above my head in a great, steaming cloud. The morning sun shone through the upper window of the barn. It had blown open during the night. For a few minutes I lay in my sleeping bag. Not wanting to remember, not wanting to think of the strain of the previous week. Just to lay there and let the winter sun warm my face.
But eventually I climbed out of the sleeping bag and walked to a spot where I could easily look out of the window and not fall off of the loft. The snow had stopped sometime during the night.
The fields were covered with a deep blanket of pure, white snow. As of yet it was unspoiled by tracks. Everyone loves to go out and play in the fresh, new snow. But I think that everyone hesitates before defiling such a pure blanket with their own marks. No one wants to be the first to spoil new snow.
Then I remembered. It was Christmas morning. I had a gift for Gwyn hidden away. This would be her second Christmas. It made me so sad that she couldn't enjoy a normal Christmas, a normal childhood. Opening presents under the tree with her brother and sister while their parents looked on. But she could never have that. Not now.
And it was my fault. How could the beauty of this Christmas morning be mixed with such sorrow?
I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't even hear it when Ax morphed. For a minute I didn't even feel him lock his arms around me.
"Shouldn't you put on some extra garments? It is very cold this morning."
Suddenly I snapped back to reality. I hadn't realized how cold I was until that moment. I allowed myself the luxury of shivering as I pulled away from him. I reached for my backpack and pulled out a sweater. That would work for now.
"This is Christmas morning if I am not mistaken. Is this correct, Stella?"
"Yeah, that's right." I sighed.
"Do you miss it?"
"Miss what?" I asked, puzzled.
"From what I have seen, this Christmas is a family celebration. Do you miss celebrating it with your family?"
"I guess. I miss Christmas with Claire, yes. But my parents................"
"What of them?"
"Don't get me wrong. I loved them both. I really did. I still do. And I know they loved me. Somewhere deep down inside................."
"What do you mean?"
This wasn't a subject that I liked to talk about. I had never mentioned it before. Not even to Ax. It was weak of me to get upset over such a thing. It happened to a lot of kids.
"I don't think my parents ever wanted a second kid. It was always Claire. I was just the shadow. They never said it to my face, but I knew. I was just an accident. They never really wanted me but they didn't have the heart to give me up either. After Claire died they just stopped caring. They dropped all pretense of ever having really wanted me. They loved me....................but they didn't want me. Do you understand that?" I turned my pleading gaze back to him.
"I think I might."
I turned away from him once more.
"That last year was the hardest. It was so tough at home. They almost ignored me. But...................I was in such a hurry that morning. I never got to say goodbye to my mom. Never got to apologize to my dad for all of the suspicion. I do miss them............of course I miss them.............but.................."
I was trembling now. My own pride wouldn't allow me to cry. My shoulders shook beneath the warmth of the sweater. Suddenly I felt his arms around me again.
"I'm sorry". he whispered in my ear.
"Don't be. It's over now." I whispered back just as softly.
"I know that I can't make up for all of that. But I have something for you that might help. Just shut your eyes for a moment, please." he said as he pulled away from me.
So I closed my eyes and listened to him talk.
"Prince Jake helped me find it. What do you think of it?" he asked.
At that moment I felt something small and cold drop into my palm. I opened my eyes and there, nestled in the palm of my hand, was a necklace. A small, silver locket strung on a slender, silver chain. When I looked closer I could see a star etched into the locket.
"Oh Ax. It's beautiful." I whispered. I didn't normally wear jewelry but this was a different case. Besides, it just "felt" right somehow as I undid the clasp and slid it around my neck. It was almost like I had been missing something when I felt the weight of the charm hanging between my breasts. It was familiar somehow.
"Merry Christmas, Stella"
"Thank you."
Now it was my turn.
"Ax, I know you would have preferred a box of cinnamon buns but it's not exactly easy to keep them warm out here. So I got you this."
I went to my backpack and pulled out a tiny box. I felt so cheap giving it as Christmas gift. It was only plastic. But I couldn't afford anything else.
I handed the box to Ax and he ripped it open. Inside rested a plastic ring strung on a silver chain. Just a plastic band painted so that it looked like it was made of gold.
"I'm sorry I couldn't afford anything better." I said as I hung my head.
"It's all right. Andalites don't wear jewelry but I shall make an exception."
I smiled shyly and helped him clasp the chain around his neck, happy that he didn't undertand the human custom of giving rings.
"Thank you, Stella." As he spoke he pulled me into his arms again.
Gwyn was still asleep. There would be plenty of time for presents later. But in the mean time................
I snaked my arms around his neck and let my head rest against his chest. He fitted his arms to the small of my back and buried his face in my hair. I felt that familiar charge run up my spine as his hands made contact with my skin.
It was in these rare moments that I just wanted to let go of everything. Forget about fighting the Yeerks and all of the missions. Who cared about Visser Three. Simply to lose myself in Ax's arms and forget my pain.
"Aw, it's a kodac moment." I suddenly heard Marco's teasing voice.
Instantly we pulled apart and saw the other Animorphs standing in the loft. Tobias was sitting in his perch in the rafters.
"Why do you always do that?" I asked Marco angrily.
"Somebody has to keep you two in line." he said with a smirk.
"Wipe that smirk off your face or I'll come over there and get rid of it for you." I hissed at him.
{ Woah, cat fat! } I heard Tobias's voice in my head.
"Well that hurts my feelings bird boy. Did Rachel tell you to say that?"
As he said this Rachel's eyes slid menacingly in his direction.
"I wouldn't go there if I were you, marco." Jake said.
"Yeah? Well if you were me then I'd be you and I'd still say it. Then Rachel wouldn't be able to make me pay for it. You can't stop me no matter who you are."
"Is that even possible?" Ax asked no one in particular.
"Shut up! I mean it! I will end you!" I said as I walked towards Marco with every intention of strangling him.
"End me? But then you'd spoil the surprise." he said.
"What?" I asked.
"Come on down and we'll show you." Jake said.
So we all climbed down the ladder and the four of them pushed Ax and I to the open barn door. We both looked out into the snow-covered landscape.
"I don't get it. What's the deal?" I asked them.
"I do not see anything either." Ax said.
"That's because you're looking in the wrong place." Cassie said with a slight grin.
Suddenly it hit me.
"Oh no." I whispered as my gaze drifted upwards. "Not here, not now. Not me, no way." I said when my eyes rested on the piece of mistletoe that had been fixed to the door frame above our heads.
"Oh yes. Right here, right now." Rachel said.
"Who actually bothers with that dumb tradition anyway." I said with a nervous laugh.
"{ We do. }" all five of them replied at the same time.
"Okay, who's after Ax and Stella? Rachel? Care to join me?"
"Keep dreaming Marco."
"Oh I will. Believe me, I will."
"I do not understand. What is the significance of this plant attached to the ceiling?" Ax asked me.
I only groaned in response.
"It's a Christmas tradition. If a guy and a girl get caught under the mistletoe, then they have to kiss." Cassie explained.
"Right in front of everyone." Marco added.
"I hate you Marco." I said as I turned back to face Ax.
"What is wrong, Stella? Would you rather not?"
"No, it's okay. We might as well get it over with. If we don't then we'll never hear the end of it." I said as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me closer to himself.
As our lips met I heard Marco wooping out loud. I hardly noticed. I was to intent on the kiss at hand. Once again, that wonderful, blissful void. Just Ax and myself. It felt like we stood there for hours, but it was really only a few brief moments.
When we finally pulled away from each other I heard all of the others laughing hysterically.
"All right you two, lets get moving. You're blocking traffic." Marco said.
"No, maybe we could just stand here under this................mistletoe." Ax said. A dreamy expression was on his face the whole time.
"Famous last words." I whispered coyly as I pulled him to me again.
* * *
Follow the Star
Chapter 6: This I swear
Lately I've noticed that whenever I survive a near death experience I dream about the girl. In my life near death is very nearly the every day thing. So the dreams had been coming more often lately. Sometimes she was human. Other times she was an Andalite. Sometimes there was a boy with her. Her twin brother. I knew them both from dreams past. Arrow and Elfangor.
Normally the dreams took place on the Andalite home world. Some of them were on Earth. Tonight it was on the Andalite home world. It was a different dream than the one I had been having for the past few months.
This time I saw them in some sort of underground room. The only thing that held up the earthen roof were steel support beams attached to the dirt walls. In this dream the twins looked to be about ten years old. They were both human. Two new people were with them. A woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties, maybe a bit older. And a small child. This girl looked to be no more than five.
The room was a crude sort of bedroom. A rough, steel bed-frame was set very close to the ground. It was covered with a homemade pallet that I assumed was supposed to be a mattress. The little girl was tucked into this bed under a very thin blanket. The woman sat beside her. The girl was resting her head on the woman's lap. The twins stood before them.
Arrow had a mop of black hair that was very similar to my own. Only it was cut at the top of her shoulders, whereas my hair was waist long. And a streak of aquamarine stuck out from the rest of the black.
Elfangor looked a lot like Marco. Only his hair was closer to being blonde and his eyes were a deep, vibrant green.
"Mother, is it true what we've heard? Elfangor says he heard grandpa and grandma talking about father. They said that he was missing. That he might even be dead." Arrow said to the woman.
"No!" the woman replied fiercely, but then more calmly. "No, he's not dead. He's coming back."
"How do you know?"
"I know." The woman answered calmly as she hugged the little girl closer to her.
"But how do we know that you aren't lying to us again?"
"When have I ever lied to you two?"
"You didn't tell us that Seerow would be taken away until after it happened. Why did you let them take him?" Arrow asked furiously.
"Because I had no choice, Arrow. It was the only way to save him from Lirem."
"What about Elfangor and I? If Seerow was in danger what will happen to us? And what about Janisari?"
"They won't find us here."
"Are they going to kill us, mother?"
"Arrow don't talk like that. You'll scare your sister." The woman said sharply.
"Mother, do you even know where Seerow is?" Elfangor asked, suddenly piping up.
The woman hesitated for a minute before answering.
"No, I.......................he said it would be best if I didn't know where Seerow was being hidden."
"He? Who's he?" Elfangor asked.
"Ellimist." The woman whispered.
"Oh, come on! First you say that father might actually come back from the wars. Then you bring mythical creatures into it that don't even exist! I've heard enough!" Arrow shouted angrily. She stalked away towards one of the support beams. It turns out that it was a door. You wouldn't even have seen it if you didn't know what you were looking for.
"Arrow, come back!" the woman cried out.
But Arrow didn't listen. She was already gone. Elfangor stood there for a few minutes, looking like he was about to say something to the woman. But then he ran after his sister.
"Mommy, is it true that daddy isn't coming back?" The little girl asked the woman.
The woman took the child in her arms and hugged her fiercely.
"Of coarse not, Jani. He will come back."
"What about Seerow? I miss him."
"I don't know, Janisari. I really don't know."
The little girl called Janisari buried her face in the woman's shoulder and cried softly for awhile. When she finally lifted her head up again she spoke.
"It's good that they left. Seerow and Daddy. We didn't need them."
"Oh baby, don't say that." The woman said shakily. "You didn't mean it."
"They left, but I'll remember them."
The woman turned away from Janisari and looked to the empty air by her side. She had a distant look in her eyes. As if she was remembering something from the past.
"He used to stand there. Right beside me, watching over you, when he was home. I wish he was here now." She said as a single tear slid down her cheek.
Then she turned back to Janisari and began to tuck her into bed. As she worked she began to sing quietly.
It's turned so cold.
It's past your bedtime.
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night.
Come to me, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star
Appearing
Come to me and rest
Against my shoulder.
How fast the minutes fly away
And every minute colder.
Hurry near
Another day is dying.
Don't you hear,
The winter wind is crying.
There's a darkness
Which comes without a warning.
But I will sing you lullabies
And wake you in the morning.
By this time Janisari's eyes were beginning to close in sleep. She yawned one final time and before she drifted off she spoke again.
"I remember everyone who leaves."
With that she let her head drop to the pillow in sleep. The woman covered her mouth with her right hand to keep her sob from being heard. It was so shocking to hear such words from the mouth of a child.
* * *
When I woke up the first thing that I noticed was how cold it was. My breath rose above my head in a great, steaming cloud. The morning sun shone through the upper window of the barn. It had blown open during the night. For a few minutes I lay in my sleeping bag. Not wanting to remember, not wanting to think of the strain of the previous week. Just to lay there and let the winter sun warm my face.
But eventually I climbed out of the sleeping bag and walked to a spot where I could easily look out of the window and not fall off of the loft. The snow had stopped sometime during the night.
The fields were covered with a deep blanket of pure, white snow. As of yet it was unspoiled by tracks. Everyone loves to go out and play in the fresh, new snow. But I think that everyone hesitates before defiling such a pure blanket with their own marks. No one wants to be the first to spoil new snow.
Then I remembered. It was Christmas morning. I had a gift for Gwyn hidden away. This would be her second Christmas. It made me so sad that she couldn't enjoy a normal Christmas, a normal childhood. Opening presents under the tree with her brother and sister while their parents looked on. But she could never have that. Not now.
And it was my fault. How could the beauty of this Christmas morning be mixed with such sorrow?
I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't even hear it when Ax morphed. For a minute I didn't even feel him lock his arms around me.
"Shouldn't you put on some extra garments? It is very cold this morning."
Suddenly I snapped back to reality. I hadn't realized how cold I was until that moment. I allowed myself the luxury of shivering as I pulled away from him. I reached for my backpack and pulled out a sweater. That would work for now.
"This is Christmas morning if I am not mistaken. Is this correct, Stella?"
"Yeah, that's right." I sighed.
"Do you miss it?"
"Miss what?" I asked, puzzled.
"From what I have seen, this Christmas is a family celebration. Do you miss celebrating it with your family?"
"I guess. I miss Christmas with Claire, yes. But my parents................"
"What of them?"
"Don't get me wrong. I loved them both. I really did. I still do. And I know they loved me. Somewhere deep down inside................."
"What do you mean?"
This wasn't a subject that I liked to talk about. I had never mentioned it before. Not even to Ax. It was weak of me to get upset over such a thing. It happened to a lot of kids.
"I don't think my parents ever wanted a second kid. It was always Claire. I was just the shadow. They never said it to my face, but I knew. I was just an accident. They never really wanted me but they didn't have the heart to give me up either. After Claire died they just stopped caring. They dropped all pretense of ever having really wanted me. They loved me....................but they didn't want me. Do you understand that?" I turned my pleading gaze back to him.
"I think I might."
I turned away from him once more.
"That last year was the hardest. It was so tough at home. They almost ignored me. But...................I was in such a hurry that morning. I never got to say goodbye to my mom. Never got to apologize to my dad for all of the suspicion. I do miss them............of course I miss them.............but.................."
I was trembling now. My own pride wouldn't allow me to cry. My shoulders shook beneath the warmth of the sweater. Suddenly I felt his arms around me again.
"I'm sorry". he whispered in my ear.
"Don't be. It's over now." I whispered back just as softly.
"I know that I can't make up for all of that. But I have something for you that might help. Just shut your eyes for a moment, please." he said as he pulled away from me.
So I closed my eyes and listened to him talk.
"Prince Jake helped me find it. What do you think of it?" he asked.
At that moment I felt something small and cold drop into my palm. I opened my eyes and there, nestled in the palm of my hand, was a necklace. A small, silver locket strung on a slender, silver chain. When I looked closer I could see a star etched into the locket.
"Oh Ax. It's beautiful." I whispered. I didn't normally wear jewelry but this was a different case. Besides, it just "felt" right somehow as I undid the clasp and slid it around my neck. It was almost like I had been missing something when I felt the weight of the charm hanging between my breasts. It was familiar somehow.
"Merry Christmas, Stella"
"Thank you."
Now it was my turn.
"Ax, I know you would have preferred a box of cinnamon buns but it's not exactly easy to keep them warm out here. So I got you this."
I went to my backpack and pulled out a tiny box. I felt so cheap giving it as Christmas gift. It was only plastic. But I couldn't afford anything else.
I handed the box to Ax and he ripped it open. Inside rested a plastic ring strung on a silver chain. Just a plastic band painted so that it looked like it was made of gold.
"I'm sorry I couldn't afford anything better." I said as I hung my head.
"It's all right. Andalites don't wear jewelry but I shall make an exception."
I smiled shyly and helped him clasp the chain around his neck, happy that he didn't undertand the human custom of giving rings.
"Thank you, Stella." As he spoke he pulled me into his arms again.
Gwyn was still asleep. There would be plenty of time for presents later. But in the mean time................
I snaked my arms around his neck and let my head rest against his chest. He fitted his arms to the small of my back and buried his face in my hair. I felt that familiar charge run up my spine as his hands made contact with my skin.
It was in these rare moments that I just wanted to let go of everything. Forget about fighting the Yeerks and all of the missions. Who cared about Visser Three. Simply to lose myself in Ax's arms and forget my pain.
"Aw, it's a kodac moment." I suddenly heard Marco's teasing voice.
Instantly we pulled apart and saw the other Animorphs standing in the loft. Tobias was sitting in his perch in the rafters.
"Why do you always do that?" I asked Marco angrily.
"Somebody has to keep you two in line." he said with a smirk.
"Wipe that smirk off your face or I'll come over there and get rid of it for you." I hissed at him.
{ Woah, cat fat! } I heard Tobias's voice in my head.
"Well that hurts my feelings bird boy. Did Rachel tell you to say that?"
As he said this Rachel's eyes slid menacingly in his direction.
"I wouldn't go there if I were you, marco." Jake said.
"Yeah? Well if you were me then I'd be you and I'd still say it. Then Rachel wouldn't be able to make me pay for it. You can't stop me no matter who you are."
"Is that even possible?" Ax asked no one in particular.
"Shut up! I mean it! I will end you!" I said as I walked towards Marco with every intention of strangling him.
"End me? But then you'd spoil the surprise." he said.
"What?" I asked.
"Come on down and we'll show you." Jake said.
So we all climbed down the ladder and the four of them pushed Ax and I to the open barn door. We both looked out into the snow-covered landscape.
"I don't get it. What's the deal?" I asked them.
"I do not see anything either." Ax said.
"That's because you're looking in the wrong place." Cassie said with a slight grin.
Suddenly it hit me.
"Oh no." I whispered as my gaze drifted upwards. "Not here, not now. Not me, no way." I said when my eyes rested on the piece of mistletoe that had been fixed to the door frame above our heads.
"Oh yes. Right here, right now." Rachel said.
"Who actually bothers with that dumb tradition anyway." I said with a nervous laugh.
"{ We do. }" all five of them replied at the same time.
"Okay, who's after Ax and Stella? Rachel? Care to join me?"
"Keep dreaming Marco."
"Oh I will. Believe me, I will."
"I do not understand. What is the significance of this plant attached to the ceiling?" Ax asked me.
I only groaned in response.
"It's a Christmas tradition. If a guy and a girl get caught under the mistletoe, then they have to kiss." Cassie explained.
"Right in front of everyone." Marco added.
"I hate you Marco." I said as I turned back to face Ax.
"What is wrong, Stella? Would you rather not?"
"No, it's okay. We might as well get it over with. If we don't then we'll never hear the end of it." I said as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me closer to himself.
As our lips met I heard Marco wooping out loud. I hardly noticed. I was to intent on the kiss at hand. Once again, that wonderful, blissful void. Just Ax and myself. It felt like we stood there for hours, but it was really only a few brief moments.
When we finally pulled away from each other I heard all of the others laughing hysterically.
"All right you two, lets get moving. You're blocking traffic." Marco said.
"No, maybe we could just stand here under this................mistletoe." Ax said. A dreamy expression was on his face the whole time.
"Famous last words." I whispered coyly as I pulled him to me again.
* * *
