CHAPTER EIGHT

"Hey," Logan said softly gazing down at Max. She looked like she belonged in his bed. Why not? She had already staked a claim on his heart, not to mention his soul. She had stolen that long ago.

"Hey back," Max whispered as she became more aware of her surroundings. This is nice, she thought. I'm safe and secure in Logan's bed. The only thing that could possibly be missing is that he's still sitting in the chair beside my bed. "Is this where I wake up and find I'm still at Manticore?"

Logan gently stroked her cheek, "No, that nightmare is over for both of us. I'm going to do everything in my power so that you never go back there again."

"How long have I been out?"

"About two days, you had us all scared." He explained brushing a strand of hair from her face. Seeing the questioning look in Max eyes he mischievously asked, "What is something you really want?"

Max pretended to think for a minute before replying, "You in this bed with me."

Logan's verbal capabilities suddenly left him, so that he could only stare at Max.

"Did I say that out loud?" Max questioned after a quiet minute.

"Yeah."

"Well, then why the hell aren't you listening?" Max teased, "I gave you a direct command soldier."

Just as Logan was about to answer, his bedroom door flew open startling the two of them. "I knew I heard voices in here," Syl said. "Hey little sister. Glad to see you finally decided to wake up."

"What's going on? Why are you still here?" Max asked looking from Logan to Syl and then back to Logan.

"Well, we couldn't just let Logan play superhero all by himself now could we?" Syl teased, and then glanced at Logan. "You didn't tell her yet?"

"She just woke up, Syl," Logan said looking up at her. Glancing back down, he saw Max still looking at him puzzled, "I figured I'd give you what you always wanted—a family reunion."

"Everyone?"

"All of us who could make it," Syl answered. Turning to Logan, "You get out of here, I have to make her beautiful."

"She already is," Logan replied gazing down at Max. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing up and walking out of the bedroom.

A few minutes later, Max walked out of the bedroom and saw who her family included. Herbal and Sketchy were standing in one corner drinking beer and looking completely ill at ease in Logan's upper class apartment. When they saw her, they raised their drinks in her direction. Normal was sitting on the couch looking very sullen—like a big kid who wasn't getting his way. Guess he's just pissed he doesn't get to yell at anyone. I gotta admit I actually missed his 'Bip, bip, bip people' routine. She was making her way over to Sketchy and Herbal to tell them hello, when a seven-month pregnant woman blocked her path.

Oh Jace, Max thought as she hugged her sister. When she pulled back, Jace could see the tears in Max's eyes, she knew what they were there for. "It's okay baby sister, it's not your fault. Victor was always headstrong; you didn't do this to him. And I can find peace knowing that he loved me."

"I'm so sorry, Jace." Max said tearing up again as she hugged her sister tighter, only to feel a slight kick in the abdomen. Grinning up at Jace in amazement, "You better tell little Max not to kick his or her namesake."

Running a hand over her stomach, Jace smiled. "It's a little girl, I found out before I came up here."

But before Max could reply she found herself swept up into a hug by Zack. "I thought emotion was a sign of weakness," she teased as he set her down.

"Yeah, well, we all have our moments of weakness don't we?" He asked grinning.

"Yeah we do. I'm so glad that you're okay."

"Better than okay, especially now that you're out of that place." Turning serious he looked across to the room and saw Logan watching them.

Max turned to see what Zack was staring at and saw Logan. Looking back up at Zack, "I love him, Zack."

"I know, and he loves you. He's a good man, Maxie. He'll take care of you better than anyone else could ever hope to."

"Thank you."

"Okay, you two break it up. Original Cindy wants to say hello to her homegurl." Hugging her, "I'm glad you're back, Boo."

"Me too."

"Drinks at Crash tonight?"

"I think I have some catching up to do with a certain someone first," Max replied searching the room for Logan.

"I think he stepped into that room over there," Original Cindy told Max pointing to Logan's bedroom.

"Thanks," Max said making her way across the room. Quietly she entered the bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Logan stared intently at the small velvet box. Lifting the lid he looked at the diamond ring that had been passed down through four generations of Cale women. I should have known Valerie and Daphne weren't the ones, I didn't even consider giving them this.

Logan hadn't said anything yet, he was looking at some sort of box he had retrieved from his drawer. "Something you want to share with the rest of the class, Mr. Cale?"

Spinning around startled, Logan smiled. "Maybe in a few minutes, right now I just want to share it with you. C'mere, I want to ask you a question."

Max walked shakily to where he stood. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts. He's gonna ask me something. Why am I scared? It's Logan, the man I love. He knows me better than anyone. So why am I trembling?

Logan took her hand and seated her on the bed before kneeling in front of her. When he looked up, he could see the tears in her eyes. "You have seen me at my worst. I manipulated you, made you cry, made you so angry that you just wanted to kick my sorry ass," Logan grinned.

"Logan…" Max began. Oh my God. He's going to ask me to marry him. Oh God.

"Shh, you can't talk yet." He teased, placing a finger over her lips. "You helped me see that I had a reason to go on, even when all I could see was an abyss. You called me on it when I hid behind Eyes Only. You have saved me a thousand times over. You are my touchstone. I love you, Max. And I don't mean just the pretty parts. I love your sarcasm, your sadness, your anger, I love all of you." Slipping the ring on her finger he continued, "I remember you once told me you were open to the idea of jewelry. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Max whispered as she launched herself into his arms knocking them both to the floor. "I love you, Logan Cale." Oh Logan, you'll never know how much I love you!

"Are you guys done, yet? I want to congratulate my boo," Original Cindy said from the doorway.

From their position on the floor, Max and Logan turned their heads to see everyone crowded into the doorway watching them.

"We're only just beginning," Max said looking at Original Cindy. Then just before her lips met Logan's she whispered them again, "We're only just beginning."