Minor Editing Completed
I'm back again, and I can't wait to post this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own rights to Maximum Ride, or ford trucks, but I do own Sadie and Fang's random friends. Basically all of the oc's are mine.
January 6th
"Ha! I remember that night-barely!" Keith Ryerson laughed. Fang's whole group of friends roared and cheered, chugging even more alcohol. Fang just shook his head, thoroughly disgusted at their lack of intelligence.
The 24 year old stood, dropping a wad of cash on the table. He made his way to the door, nodding a farewell to the bartender. Personally, Fang thought such a job was far too thankless.
"Nick!" Ryerson called, "Where're you goin'? You didn't touch your beer, and the entertainment just arrived!"
Fang sighed, watching Ryerson begin to degrade a girl unfortunate enough to catch his attention. Fang then slipped out of the bar, glad that his friends were distracted.
Though his shift ended hours ago, and knowing Max was probably worried, Fang sat numbly behind the wheel of his truck. Today, he decided, would be the day that he dropped the bomb. Today, Fang would tell his wife that he wanted a divorce.
"Nick, hold up!" Someone yelled. Stephen Hayward, the least annoying one of Fang's group, stood in view, wheezing from the short jog into the parking lot.
Soundlessly, the window of the Ford rolled down. Dark brown eyes glared into the night, and Hayward shivered.
"That's creepy, dude. Could you like, not glower at me?"
Fang shrugged. At least, he thought, Hayward wasn't as drunk as the others.
"I just wanted to say good luck tonight, breaking the news to your wife." Hayward said, holding out his hand.
"Thanks." Fang offered. He took the other male's hand, remembering why Hayward was his favorite. It was hard to find someone that understanding. Not even Max understood Fang the way Hayward seemed to.
Smirking, Fang finally shifted into reverse. Without a sound, the black truck pulled out of its space and disappeared down the road.
The trip home was anything but calm. Fang was plagued with so many thoughts and scenarios that he felt overwhelmed. How could he not think about it, though? His deepest and greatest fear had come true. He and Max had fallen out of love.
Fang had a few guesses as to how he and his wife grew apart. Their hectic work schedules and constant fighting were huge problems throughout their 9 years of marriage. He'd never admit this to Max, but Fang had never really intended on settling down so young in the first place.
After destroying Itex at almost 17, Max and her flock's lives slowed down. Each member agreedto finding a house at last and getting actual educations. The flock begged and pleaded, eventually breaking Max. She reluctantly allowed them to choose their own identities.
Around this same time, Max and Fang began to look at each other in a different light. Every day the two spent together seemed more memorable than the last, and eventually, the 17 year olds decided to go all the way. Their relationship had already taken such great leaps and bounds… what could going all the way hurt?
Then, the unimaginable happened. Max set her boyfriend down and announced her pregnancy. With her arms wound around the soon to be father, Max sobbed.
Fang was, admittedly, afraid of what would happen next. The two were 17; way too young to support a child.
Swallowing back his panic, Fang kissed the top of Max's head. As calmly as the teen could muster, he mumbled "Marry me," into her hair.
What else was he to do? Leave Max, vulnerable and as afraid as he was? Not even Fang could be that cold.
Marriage seemed like the perfect solution. Angel and Nudge went crazy with details, begging to plan it all out. Max's own mother respected the couple's decision to wed and demanded that she pay all of the expenses in full.
Max's last name changed from Ride to Cruise, per Fang's decision, and they thought everything would run pretty smoothly from that point on.
All of their thoughts changed, though, the day that their child was born prematurely. 4 hours after birth, their little boy perished.
Looking back made Fang's throat tighten. After that, Max was never really the same.
There were nights when Fang would catch his wife staring at nothing at all, tears running down her cheeks. Her husband, feeling helpless, could do nothing but wrap his arms around her as she cried.
Max's depression only worsened when Fang went off to college. He could see that she disapproved, but they never really mentioned it. One horrible fight and the subject was virtually off-limits.
Fang was far from surprised the day that Max announced her second pregnancy. Panic and fear resurfaced, but the couple was determined keep optimistic.
After Sadie was born, Max spiraled into an even deeper state of depression. Had Fang not insisted on staying with her, she probably wouldn't have made it.
Still, there was a huge amount of stress of Fang's shoulders then. With no income, rent to pay and a loan, he almost considered quitting college. It wasn't wise of him, wasting away in school when he could be providing for his family.
As soon as Max got back on her feet, she announced her employment in real-estate. Fang's load lightened. He could focus on schooling, instead of worrying about his home life. That, essentially, was where Fang realized he went wrong.
At first, Fang was devoted to helping out as much as he could, outside of school. He made it a priority to come home as soon as his shift ended. The 24 year old felt needed at home, more so than at his workplace.
Slowly, Max began to need Fang less. Her appearances in his life lessoned, as sad as it was, and he felt lonely much of the time.
During his 3rd and 4th years of internship, Fang found a few friends. Seeing as Max wasn't much company, Fang would often just have a beer with the guys at the bar. Harmless, at least in Fang's opinion.
Max, though, began to verbally question his faithfulness. As much as Fang longed for more time with his wife, he couldn't handle being accused of such vulgar things.
Their fighting and bickering got to the point where Fang dreaded going home and facing his wife. These days appeared more frequently... days such as today.
Fang sighed, deciding he was done hiding. The past was the past. He couldn't undo all that he had done.
Opening the door, Fang saw Max curled up on the couch, a book in her hands. Nonchalantly, he placed his keys on the table. The sound echoed off the walls of the silent house.
"Max," He breathed, catching her undivided attention, "I want a divorce."
Phew. Was that too OOC? Eek. I can't decide.
Maybe you can help me decide. REVIEW!
~Faxisthegreatest123~