A/N: Gomen nasai minna! I got caught up with the whole Christmas cheer that I forgot to type the Christmas chapter on Christmas! Honto ni gomen nasai!

Chapter 20

Fang POV

The only thing that was missing from my almost-perfect Christmas with Max was snow. Damn it! I was so hoping for a white Christmas this year, but my hoping was useless. I mean, we live in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA.

What was I thinking? Hoping for an impossible dream. When was the last time it snowed in California? NEVER. Ugh.

Yeah, well, that's what happens to me whenever I'm excited. Usually due to Max. I am such a lovesick idiot, aren't I? And I'm pretty proud of it.

What happened on Christmas Eve? Well, we celebrated Christmas in Larenston. (It just makes sense that we celebrate it there, since we already celebrated Thanksgiving in Dev. Doesn't it?)

After making out with Max in Dev's back garden, I left and went back to Larenston to do some last-minute decorating. I didn't really "help", more like "resist" Iggy's magnetic pull to all of the yummy-goodness he made. While Iggy's an amazing cook, he also have a hard time resisting everything he cooks. Because he knows he won't be able to stop and we'll end up with nothing to eat. He's pretty smart, after all.

Then, when it was time, Dev's SC came with lots and lots of presents. Iggy was so giddy in elation that all four of us (i.e. Sam, Dylan, Gazzy, me) smacked him on the back of head. That guy should really have a common sense for a present, instead of a stripper. (I will not go to that topic.)

My eyes were on Max. All night, they settled on Max. How could I not? She was wearing a long gray cardigan that reached to her knees with a long white ruffle blouse (not hers) underneath. Her long legs were covered with black lace tights. Nothing else. She was also wearing her black ankle boots. While the idea of Max's hair in curls sounded so appealing, her beautiful brown hair in waves flowing down her back was even sexier. Oh, yeah. Total turn on.

That night, all I was thinking about was how to approach her. Max is so easy to tease and it's fun to see her blush in embarrassment.

I got my chance when she turned her back to me and went to get a new glass of punch. I hid my clenched fists inside my front jean pockets and practically crept up behind her.

"Boo," I said softly through her right ear. She shivered in response and jumped. I would have been soaked to the bones if I didn't catch her glass in time.

I did put down my glass on the refreshments table and looked at her. I almost laughed and good thing I didn't. She tightly clutching her chest and breathing hard.

"What the hell was that for?" she asked, angrily and breathlessly. If you were there, you would see the steam coming out of her pretty little ears.

I shrugged. She closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. She even pinched the bridge of her nose and took several deep breaths. She pointed at me with her long index finger. She crooked the finger and I moved closer to her. She grabbed my tie and yanked me down.

We were nose to nose and the only thought running in my mind that moment was Kisskisskisskisskiss. Max whispered in my ear, "You don't ever do that to me. If you do that again, I will break your neck and bury you alive, beneath the very ground your standing on." She pulled away abruptly and smiled cheerfully. Looks can be deceiving. That very smile almost got me killed when we were seven.

She took her glass and walked away. I followed her out of the courtyard and in to the main hallway. Max sipped her punch slowly while her brown eyes roamed through every picture in the Rotunda.

"You know, your face is almost in every big frame. Why?" she asked me, without turning her back.

"Because I'm cool like that?" I smirked when she grinned. I pulled out my right hand and ruffled my dark hair. When I opened my eyes, Max was right there in front of me, looking up at me with her big brown eyes.

My face flushed and I turned away. Out in the corner of my left eye, I saw her smile. Damn. . . She tugged on my sleeve. "Can I open my 'nothing' now?"

I shook my head. "It's not yet Christmas, babe."

"Don't call me 'babe'."

Time to tease Max. "Right, honey."

"That too."

Turn the Tease-Max-until-she-squirms notch a bit higher. "Sure thing, sweetheart."

"Would you stop with the pet names?" YES! There's the squirming!

I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me. "You don't want to me call you anything?"

"No. . ." she murmured.

I smirked. "How about 'Emmy' then?"

"NO!" she exclaimed a little too fast. She pushed me away; she was going to turn away, but I clutched her wrist.

I wrapped my arms around her and dropped my head on her shoulder.

"To me - no matter what your name is - you'll always be my Maximum Ride." Through the thin fabric, I pressed my lips on the edge of her shoulder. With my chin, I brushed the hair hiding her pretty little neck. While smiling, I brushed my lips, tracing her slender neck. I kissed the little sensitive spot behind her ear and she groaned.

On her ear, I whispered, "Aishiteru yo, mi corazon."

"You know, I can't understand what you just said."

So like Max to ruin the moment.

Holding hands, Max and I walked to my dorm room. She said she wanted to see it, and I was thinking Why not?

I opened the door and ushered her in. I closed the door behind me and Max plopped down my bed.

"What time is it?" she asked. I glanced at my watch. It was already 11:47. I told her the time and she pulled out the envelope I gave her earlier.

She punched the air. "Yes! Just thirteen more minutes and I get to read whatever lovey-dovey poetic crap Fang wrote to me!"

I laughed and didn't take any offense. I laid down next to her on my bed. I pulled the curtains and we looked up at the sky. I crossed my right arm behind my head. Max hooked her right foot around my left ankle.

"Aren't you curious what my gift is to you?"

I looked down. Sure, I was curious. "You mean, your blushing isn't my gift?"

She playfully smacked my shoulder. "No. What time is it?"

"Eleven-fifty-nine in the evening."

"Seconds left?"

"Five. . ." I said and turned to my side.

"Four. . ." Her left hand ran through my hair.

"Three. . ." I caressed her soft cheek.

"Two. . ." We leaned closer to each other.

"One. . ." We met halfway and kissed, just as the bell signalled that it was midnight. As soon as the bell stopped ringing, we pulled away and smiled.

Max bit her lower lip. "I'm actually pretty nervous about your gift."

"Give. I'll read it."

So we sat Indian-style and faced each other. I cleared my throat and began reading. My gift really was Nothing:

Never in my whole life have I ever felt this way before.

Occasional longing and thinking trouble me so.

Two and two equal four - you and me forevermore.

'Hey' is what I say to your presence everyday,

I see your sweet smile, and it's enough to make my emotions fray.

Now I ask, do you feel the same way as I do for you? Because,

Great confessions take time to surface.

I kept my gaze at Max the whole time I read my gift. "So?" I asked her, after I finished.

Her answer was, "One word: less than three."

At first I was confused, then I realized what 'less than three' meant. It meant she loved my gift. "Where's mine?"

"Guess." There was a bit of the Devil inside her. I saw it in her eyes.

I tilted my head. "I don't have all night, Max. Can you just tell me?"

"I'd rather. . . show it to you. Close your eyes."

I shrugged and closed my eyes. I sensed Max come closer, before I felt her light caress on my cheek. Normally, I would have snapped my eyes open, but I didn't. I felt Max's lips kiss both my brows, both my closed eyes, the tip of my nose, both corners of my mouth, and finally possessed my lips.

I wanted to kiss her back, but she pulled away immediately. I opened my eyes, but Max closed them again with right hand.

Softly, slowly, she whispered on my right ear, "Mahal kita." I smiled, since I understood what she said.

Switching hands, she carefully murmured on my left ear, "Giliw ko."

I slowly took her hands and let her cup my face. "Mahal na mahal rin kita, sinta."

Her shoulders shook with laughter. "I don't know what that meant, but I'm guessing you just said you love me too."

"Did you ask that from Aya?"

"Yes and no. Google helped too. That's why you should also thank him."

"Whatever you say, my princess." I put my hands on her waist and pulled her down with me.

"I already said to stop with the pet names."

I nuzzled her neck, I went, "No, never."

"Can you tell me what you meant by Aishiteru yo, mi corazon?"

"I think you know, Max."

A/N: It's actually both Japanese and Spanish. Basically, it means: I love you, my heart. I realized this chapter is full of Fax. Hope you guys are fine with that. Also, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm also sorry to say that this Friday, this story and Just Another Year will end. :'( Don't worry! There would be new stories next year! RnR?