Ch 7
"Oh this is so exciting!" said Alyssa as she pushed a shopping cart through the store.
"Why are you so excited about my college education?" asked Max. "We're just getting some things for my dorm room. I don't see the excitement."
"The college experience is the best. You're meeting new people, learning new things, making news friends, and hopefully you'll have the time of your life dating. I know I did, and I met my husband," she smiled.
"You're so in love with him, aren't you?" smiled Max.
"I wouldn't have married him if I didn't Max, but I mean the way we got together wasn't the best idea. I slept with him the first time I met him."
"Are—are you serious?"
"Yeah we were drunk and when we got back to my dorm room we—
"I don't need to know what happened in detail Alyssa. I get the picture," said Max as she saw some items she needed and put them in the cart.
Alyssa smirked. "It so happens I saw an interesting picture when I walked into your room last night. You and McGinnis sleeping under the covers naked and wrapped up in each other. You know you were both smiling."
Max stopped in her tracks and turned to her sister. "I—it's not what it looks like. He came by, and it turns out he was attacked by a gang. He was left in the cold for a while, and he was shivering. I had to get him warm somehow."
"Mm hm," Alyssa smiled.
"We didn't have sex," Max whispered.
"So, how does he look naked?"
"Alyssa!" she exclaimed. "We didn't look at each other. We're both respectful in that way."
"He's a gentleman. That's very admirable in a partner."
"Would you give it a rest Alyssa. I don't know why you're pushing this so hard," said Max as she put a few more items in the cart.
"Well it's because I know you're in love with him Maxine. It's because I know that you're good for each other. I just want you to be happy Max."
Max sighed as she looked at her sister and smiled. "I'm glad you're staying in Gotham sis, I really am, but I need you to stay out of my love life."
"I'll do my best, but I can't promise anything."
"Where's mom and dad when you need them?" asked Max as she looked around the store. "I'm surprised they decided to come together without Macy and Allen.
"Alyssa, Maxine," said their mother who arrived with their father.
"Hey mom, dad," said Alyssa. "Well so far so good they're not arguing with each other," she whispered to Max.
"Lets just see how the day goes," said Max.
"Young ladies we heard that," said Allen.
Max smiled. "We're just glad you could be here."
"Yes this is a very important time for Max," said Alyssa.
"We're really proud of you honey," said Allen as he hugged Max.
"Oh my second baby is going to college," said Macy as she felt herself tear up.
"Mom really it's not a big deal," said Max.
"Not a big deal! It's a very big deal Maxine. You've worked so hard for this moment."
There's so much that Max wanted to say to her parents. She wants them to know all her pain and anger she suffered at their hands, but she couldn't because she knew she would breakdown in the middle of the store, causing a scene.
"Max," said Alyssa, "are you—?"
"Fine," Max smiled, "lets continue shopping."
College shopping was over and the family of four sat at the food court having a meal, and it was so surreal to Max. Looking at her parents and her sister, she knew she should be happy to see everyone together again but it only brought up bad memories.
"You know I'm glad we could all be together like this," said Alyssa, "and I've been meaning to ask something. Are you thinking about planting roots anytime soon? You know staying in Gotham."
Max looked from her food to her parents, wondering the same things as her sister. On the one hadn't she wouldn't be surprised if they said no but she wondered what would happened if they stayed. Either way she didn't know how to feel.
"As it so happens, Albert and I are staying in Gotham. We have this nice apartment in the city. My husband got a job at the university, and I've found work here as well," she smiled. "I know my job has kept me on the road in the past but now I'm ready to stay put."
"I'm staying as well,' said Allen. "Angela and I are leaving outside the city in a nice house. My wife's found a job in the city, and I'm working from home."
"That's great!" said Alyssa.
"Yeah great," said Max as she stood up. "I think I need some air," said Max as she walked away.
Alyssa saw her dad about to go after her. "No dad just give her a few minutes."
She felt overwhelmed as she walked away from her family, but she wondered if she could ever think about them that way. She knew they couldn't erase the hurt and anger by just deciding to stay in Gotham. She didn't want to think about it anymore as she saw the exit in her sites. Before she could leave, she heard her name.
"Max!" exclaimed Matt as he hugged her. She hugged back.
Max smiled. "Hey Matt," she said as Marry McGinnis smiled at her.
"Are you all right dear?" asked Mary.
"Oh yeah just needed some space from my family."
"So, what brings you two here?"
"We're meeting Terry here," said Mary. "He needs some things for school, but he had to do something for Mr. Wayne first."
"I don't know why I had to come," said Matt.
"To support your brother," said Mary.
"Oh yeah that," said Matt as Max smiled.
"So I'm guessing you've done all your college shopping?" asked Mary.
"Yep I'm all finished. Honestly I'm glad it's over with."
"Mom, Matt sorry I had to leave. Mr. Wayne—
"It's all right Terry. I understand," said Marry.
"Well I should go," said Max. "You have shopping to do and—
"Wait Max," Terry said as he took a hold of her wrist. "Can we hang out later?"
"See you later McGinnis," said Max as she made her way back to her family.
His simple touch had left her feeling nervous and excited. 'I need to get a hold of myself. It's just Terry. I'm not crossing that line,' she thought as she remembered their naked bodies pressed up against each other. She sighed. 'It never use to be this complicated.'
"Maxine," said Alyssa as she walked up to her.
"Can we leave now?" asked Max.
"All right I'm sure you've had enough excitement for one day seeing McGinnis."
"You know I really wish you would stop teasing me."
"Hey what are big sister's for?" she smiled.
"You know I'm really starting to regret wanting you to stick around," Max smiled as Alyssa laughed.
Max was packing her things for the university next week when she heard a tap on her window. Seeing Terry outside, she felt her heart flutter as he smiled at her. Shaking her head at the girly thoughts running through her head, she let him in.
"Packing early? Why am I not surprised ?" said Terry as he looked around the room.
"Well it doesn't hurt to be prepared," she said as she looked around her room. "My sister and Derek have their own place now and so do my parents now that they are staying in Gotham. This place will be empty for the most part."
"Change can be hard Max but if anyone can get through it, you can. You're the strongest person I know."
Before Max could get emotional, she changed the subject. "So, you wanted to hangout?" she asked, her back turned to him. When she felt his hand in hers, she realized he had turned her around to face him.
"I need you to know that I have very deep feelings for you Max. You've always been there for me when I needed you, and words can't express how grateful I am for everything you do."
"Terry."
"I know it's very selfish of me, but I don't want to end up like the old man. I don't want to turn myself off from the world because I'm Batman. I want to live, and I want to love you Max."
His hand was warm in hers, and Max could tell Terry was sincere about his feelings towards her. Her heart was racing so fast, and she felt so happy by his admission. She was also feeling her insecurities coming to the surface. "I—I don't know if I'm worth it Ter. With everything that's happened in my past, I—
"You're trying to scare me away Max, and it's not going to work."
"You could always see right through me McGinnis," she smiled sadly.
"I need to know something. Do you have any feelings for me at all?
Looking at him, she knew she couldn't lie. "I—I do Terry, but—
"That's all I needed to hear," said Terry as he caressed her face before kissing her softly on the lips.
Max thought she could hear fireworks when their lips connected and couldn't help but kiss him back, her arms resting around his neck while his rested on her hips. "Wh—whoa can you kiss McGinnis."
"You're not so bad yourself Gibson."
"I—I just can't believe this. I mean I never thought this would happen."
"Yeah me either but I feel good about this Max. I've never felt this strongly about another girl."
"You know I don't remember you being this charming, but I like it."
"Well," Terry smiled, "there's more where that came from," he said as the lips connected again.