I woke up sleepily. I was still entangled with Fang on the couch, my face nuzzled into his chest, his on my hair. He was already up, but he hadn't moved an inch, probably not to wake me up. Light streamed though the window.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Fang said, smiling. The way he smiled made me beam. He squeezed me once.
"Hello again," I laughed. I was fully awake now.
"Breakfast!" Mom called from the kitchen.
I looked up at Fang. I wanted to stay like this forever, I didn't want to move. Sighing, I picked my self up off the couch. He followed right behind me, grabbing my hand and walking close to my side.
We entered the kitchen.
Nudge, Angel, Iggy, Gazzy, Ella, and my mom all stared.
"Well, it's about time," Total said from Angel's arms. I heard agreeing mutters of "Finally" and "Ahhh!"
Fang led me over to an empty chair. Everyone was relaxed again. Nudge, Ella, and Angel were talking about shoes, Iggy and the Gasman were probably discussing their next bomb, and Mom was frying bacon. Mom's eyes were the only ones that hadn't left us. I understood why. I'd talk to her later.
Fang sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I'm sure I blushed. He rested his chin on my shoulder; his breath sent goose bumps down my body.
Throughout breakfast, everyone bombarded us with questions. We answered each with the truth that we wanted them to know. After we ate, Mom told everyone to go upstairs; she needed to talk to us.
Fang dragged me into the living room and plopped me down on the couch. He sat next to me, our legs touching and both his hands on mine. Mom came in and stood in front of us.
"Fang," she started, "how long have you loved my daughter?"
This was a weird question to start with, but Fang answered.
"All my life."
"Max?" She asked me.
"All my life," I told her, grinning at Fang. He grinned back. I rested my head on his shoulder, facing my mom.
"Well, it's about time you admitted it," Mom sighed.
"Dr. Martinez, I don't know why you're asking these questions, but I can assure you that I love Max. It's true that I couldn't admit it to her, much less let myself believe it. I knew in my heart that I did, though. And Max does, too," Fang said, glancing at me.
"Well then, Max, just be careful," she said, looking at me, too.
I nod, looking back up at Fang, seeing in his eyes his love for me, knowing that I don't have to be careful around him.
"Mom, I love you," I said, "And I love Fang. I trust him with my life. I know you tell me to be careful, but there's really no need. But if you don't trust Fang, if you don't trust him to take care of me, then I'll be careful, for you."
"Max, its not that I don't trust Fang, it's that I worry about you."
"There's no need! I'm safe with Fang!"
"Can I interrupt?" Fang said. "Dr. Martinez, Max is telling the truth. I would never hurt her. Anything that hurts Max hurts me. I hope that, even if you don't now, you come to trust me with your daughter."
"You win," Mom sighed, "Fang, I can see the devotion you have to Max in your eyes. Max, I trust Fang. You've beaten me."
Fang smiled at me and I laughed. He kissed me longer than he had last night. Like before, it sent a jolt through my body.
"Ahem!"
"Sorry," we said in unison, our foreheads touching, eyes closed.
"Okay, you lovebirds, but I have restrictions, you know."
"Mom!"
"Okay, okay! But you should know to have boundaries until your ready."
"MOM!"
Fang laughed.
"I would never. You know that," he said truthfully.