Chapter 16

Family


"Okay you know what, I've rethought this…You look too beautiful to go to some stuffy wedding, we should go out. Do something special." He said as approached the estate.

"You are such a wuss," she said shaking her head.

"You've met these people. Why would anyone in their right mind socialize with them?"

"Because they're the only family you have and you know that."

She laughed as Logan made puppy dog eyes at her, she hadn't even known he was able to do that. "We're still going, so turn in," she said as they approached the driveway.

He sighed.

-o-o-o-

Max walked with her arm tucked into Logan's, trying to ignore the occasional comments she saw being whispered as people noticed them. Logan had made sure to let his family know about the exo, he hadn't wanted dozens of people rushing him asking him if he was somehow miraculously cured. At least they were spared their direct comments that way.

"Hey Logan," Bennett came walking up to them, he turned to her, "Max right? We didn't really get a chance to talk at my wedding."

"Hey Bennett/Hi" they said at the same time.

"Where's Marianne?" Logan asked and as if on cue Bennett's wife appeared walking towards them in a pale blue dress.

"Honey," Bennett said wrapping an arm around his wife's waist, " Logan was just asking about you."

"Hello Logan, Max" she said with a smile.

Max clutched Logan's arm tighter, his family knew her name. He patted her hand with his free one to reassure her. "Hello Marianne, you're looking lovely."

"Thank you. Max that's just a gorgeous dress. You have wonderful taste; I still remember your dress from my wedding."

"Thank you," she politely replied with a smile, "Yours is beautiful too."

"Okay," Bennett said with a laugh, "Now that we're done with the pleasantries, did you hear anything about his bachelor's party?" he asked his cousin.

"I didn't go."

"Yea none of us did, they didn't invite our half because they had more than just strippers…" he whispered and they all leaned in closer.

-o-o-o-

" Logan they're calling for a family shot. I think that means you."

He made a face, "I don't think so."

She laughed, "I don't think you get any say in the matter."

"I hate those things."

"Umm your Aunt is giving you the evil eye. I think you're holding things up."

"God I hate these things," he said taking her hand.

"I'll wait over here so I'm not in the way," she said not moving.

He frowned looking down at her, "You're my family Max remember? If it's a family shot you belong there."

"But…"

"Not buts. Anyway this way I can position you to be blocking my boots," He laughed as he started to lead them over.

-o-o-o-

"I like Bennett and Marianne," Max said leaning back into the seat as the others crowded the dance floor to watch the first dance.

"Yea, she's nice isn't she," he said shifting his seat over so he could be closer to her.

"Your aunt also hasn't said anything about your shoes yet."

He laughed, "That's because you told Bennett to make sure she didn't"

"You heard that?" she asked with a smile

He nodded, "This is actually kind of nice," he said reflecting about the wedding.

"Maybe it was just old Uncle Jonas that made the parties such downers."

He frowned, "I hated being called Junior. My own father never called me that and I was his junior."

"You ever tell him that?"

"I did when I was younger, by the time I hit around 16; I just stopped caring what the man said or did."

Max made a face, who was he kidding?

"What?" he asked honestly.

"Nothing," she shook her head amused at his denial.

"Everyone else is joining in…You want to dance?"

"Hey," he said as he walked over to her sitting on the counter after just putting on music.

"Hey yourself. What?" she asked puzzled by what he wanted.

"Come dance with me," he said extending his hand.

She looked down at herself, she was barefoot in boxers and a tank, having already showered and changed for bed.

"You don't need the white dress."

She made a face, still confused by that, "Was that real?"

The confusion showed through on his face, "I guess so since we both remember it. So come on dance with me."

She smiled, hoped off, and went willingly into his arms. She wondered how funny they would look to someone watching them. He looked so put together in a pair of black slacks and a maroon shirt and she was there with her hair in a sloppy knot, a pair of his gray stripe boxers and a white ribbed tank. She had no shoes on so she was basically at his chest level. She placed her head against his chest and realized it was even better than the dream.

"Kinda happy just sitting here," she said leaning closer to him.

He lifted his arm and drew her in.

-o-o-o-

" Logan I hate to say this," Bennett began, dropping into Max's free seat, she was off in the bathroom with Marianne.

"Then don't," Logan suggested.

"Oh, but I must. I think your days of being the black sheep of the family are drawing to an close."

"I don't know about that. I still just write those little articles of mine."

"You still okay for money?" he asked realizing Logan was the only one now without a job besides from his mother.

"Yea, I had plenty tucked away. I get the remainder of my parents' estate in a few years anyway."

"Oh that's right. So back to you not being the black sheep anymore. You and Max look pretty serious."

Logan shook his head at his cousin, "Max is also barely more than a kid herself. My status as black sheep is sealed forever Ben."

Bennett looked at Max walking over to them, "How old is she?"

Logan laughed, "Young, legal though so don't worry too much."

-o-o-o-

"Okay how pissed is your family going to be that we ducked out of the wedding early?"

"My family is always happy to see me leave," he gave her a knowing look and then returned his attention to the road.

She laughed, "That's not true. Your cousin JJ seemed to be the only ass of the group. I'm thinking it might be the name."

"Yea," Logan shook his head and sighed, "He just stepped right into that role didn't he?"

"So why did Bennett keep looking at me weird? Did you tell him I was part cat?" she joked.

"Ha, no. I told him your age cemented my black sheep status after he accused me of being grownup." Logan glanced over at her, "You know we should have asked Lydecker when your birthday was. Did you ever pick one?"

"I did, it was somewhere in October I think."

He laughed, "You forgot the date you picked for your birthday."

Actually surprised herself, "Kinda shocking isn't it." She shook her head, "It was whenever we did that Herrero thing." She made a face when she realized what she said, "Hmm maybe a birthday around the time one of your friends was murdered isn't the best idea." She laughed, "I'll think about it again. And get back to you this time."

"You do that," he grinned.