Sorry about the ridiculously long wait…hope this makes up for it!
Disclaimer- I don't own Hamtaro or any related material.
Stan's Your Ham!
Chapter 4- New Beginnings
Stan had walked a few paces into the clubhouse when he saw that all the girls' mouths were agape and Sandy had gone pale.
"Alright girls, I know I'm, like, awesome and everything…but you don't have to stare."
Sandy ignored Stan because she didn't know what to make of this. On one hand, she was mortified to see Maxwell appear in the doorway before she had the chance to hide the card, but on the other hand, she couldn't stop staring into his eyes. It was as if she felt a strange mix of terror and wonder. Just then, Bijou and Pashmina jumped into action, literally. The two hams leaped in front of Sandy in a last-second attempt to distract Maxwell.
"Oh, Maxwell! What a…um…pleasant surprise…" Bijou managed a weak smile.
"Hey you guys…what's going on here…? And what is that peculiar object that you are trying to hide, Sandy?"
She knew there was no point in trying to conceal it any longer. Besides, he knew now, so what was the sense in keeping his own gift from him? Somewhat reluctantly, while feeling a fiery warmth flood her face, she stepped in front of the two girls with the letter grasped in her paw.
"Hey Maxwell...I…wasn't, like, expecting you back so soon…"
Maxwell was quite confused himself in the midst of this situation. This kind of secrecy wasn't at all like Sandy. He hadn't realized until now, but she had actually been acting like this for the past few days now…why hadn't he noticed it before?
"Well, um, what do you have there, Sandy?"
Sandy really had no choice but to give him the letter now. However, she realized that she hadn't planned just how she was going to give him the letter, and since none of the other boys (except Stan) were around, the situation seemed perfect. A smile suddenly spread across her face, but she was still a little nervous.
"It's a…present for you…" Sandy squeaked. Her voice trailed off after a few words and Maxwell couldn't make out just what she had said. Stan let out a chuckle, and Sandy suddenly turned and glared at him. His smile quickly faded to a straight face.
"What is it?" Maxwell had grown quite curious, and he really wanted to know what was inside that envelope.
"It's…a present I made for you, Maxwell…happy birthday." She stared into his deep brown eyes again. This time, he stared right back into her bright emerald eyes. Sandy wished this would never end, just the two of them, transfixed, together. She couldn't even begin to explain how he had captured her heart, but she loved him. She handed him the letter, and he broke the stare by looking at it, seeing his name beautifully written in blue ink on the envelope. Maxwell blushed as red as Sandy.
Bijou and Pashmina softly cooed, "Awww…" Penelope chimed in with a quiet "ookwee."
I never expected this! It seems I've underestimated Sandy yet again… Maxwell thought as he held the letter and gently opened it. He pulled the scarlet card out of the envelope, and was taken aback by its beauty. On the front cover were the words "Happy Birthday!" written in bold blue marker. He opened the card and almost chuckled, not because he was mocking it, but because it was so cute. There was a simple "happy birthday Maxwell" written and underneath that, a drawing of him and sandy holding paws and smiling. But the one thing that excited Maxwell the most was that the card was signed Love, Sandy. And not only that, but she went as far as drawing a little heart next to her name. He struggled to look back at Sandy, but when he did, he saw that she was smiling that beautiful smile she always gave him. He tried as best he could to speak, but all he could manage was a hardly intelligible whisper.
"Sandy…thank you…this…means a lot to me." And then Maxwell did something that Sandy could've only dreamed about until now. He placed the card on the ground, walked up to Sandy, and embraced her. Sandy was a little bewildered by this, but then she hugged him back. This was all she ever wanted- just to be with Maxwell. Maxwell, although he had never told anyone, felt the same feelings for Sandy that she had for him. He just needed to find the right moment to tell her…
Wanting to take advantage of the romantic atmosphere, Stan moved right next to Pashmina and nudged her to get her attention. She looked at him, blushed and then he winked and flashed a cocky smile. Stan didn't know what it was…but there was something about Pashmina…he didn't feel the same way around her as he did the other girls. She's so, like…awesome…he thought while glancing at her. Pashmina turned once again, this time to meet Stan's gaze head-on. Pashmina's face practically lit up after seeing Stan. Oh my gosh…he's looking right at me…he's so cute… She managed a smile, and noticed that Stan was blushing too. Suddenly, Stan grabbed her paws, leaned in and quickly kissed her on the cheek. Pashmina giggled and held Stan's paws as she gazed deep into his emerald eyes.
"Oookweeeeee…" Penelope giggled and she made a kissing face at Pashmina.
"Stop it, Penelope!" Pashmina scolded her quietly, and then looked around to see if anyone noticed. Luckily, no one did. She let out an inaudible sigh of relief, just before Stan said…
"Hey gorgeous, where you been all my life?" Pashmina giggled at Stan's playful words. She knew he wasn't just flirting with her. He had to have feelings for her. She just knew it.
By this time, Stan, Pashmina and Penelope had drifted a fair distance away from the others. Bijou noticed this, and she went over to them, partially because she was curious, and partially because she wanted to give Sandy and Maxwell time alone.
Sandy and Maxwell stood facing each other as they held paws. Maxwell finally broke the silence.
"Sandy, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a while now…"
"Yes, Maxwell?" Sandy gazed deep into his eyes, and saw that he was getting a little anxious. Then again, she was getting a little tense herself.
"I…love you, Sandy…"
"Oh, Maxwell…that's, like, so totally cool…'cause I feel the same way about you…"
The two smiled at each other, and then kissed. After all this time, the two had finally become one, united in an undying love.
Back at the other corner of the clubhouse, Bijou walked up to Pashmina and nudged her. She was startled because she was still gazing at Stan.
"Ah! Oh, hey Bijou!" She giggled nervously, expecting her friend to interrogate her.
Stan decided to go see what his sister was up to. "See ya later, babe." He winked at her as he walked towards Maxwell and Sandy.
"Aww…" Pashmina cooed as she watched Stan walk away. Bijou suddenly appeared in her line of sight.
"So…what happened? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" Bijou almost jumped.
"Oh…nothing…except he kissed me!" She whispered into her friend's ear.
Bijou almost exploded with excitement. "Oh my gosh! Really?"
"Yup! He's so awesome…" Pashmina seemed to fall into a dreamlike state. Bijou smiled.
Sandy and Maxwell pulled away from their kiss just in time to see Stan approaching. He had seen the entire thing.
"So…when's the wedding?" Stan laughed at his own joke, and Maxwell and Sandy blushed. But she knew how to handle her brother. She shot a glare at him that could have burned through steel. He stopped laughing, but tried to retaliate.
"Aw, come on, sis! Nothing wrong with a little fun! Am I right?" he grabbed his maracas and shook them fervently. Sandy and Maxwell looked at each other and started laughing.
"I guess not, bro. Just be careful 'cause, like, you don't know who you're, like, messing with!" With that said, Sandy lunged at her brother and the two started wrestling.
"Hahaha…oh brother…" Maxwell sighed as Bijou, Pashmina and Penelope approached.
"What in the world are they doing?" Bijou questioned.
"I have no idea. Must be a sibling thing." Maxwell and the others laughed.
Today had turned out to be better than any of them could've imagined.
What do you think? Should I continue it? Let me know and review the story! =]