Chapter Thirty-Eight:
Spinelli had spent days trying to come up with the perfect "Christmas-y" date to take Maxie on. He wasn't sure why he wanted so badly to do it, but once he'd gotten his heart set on it he had to find a way. He had to make it special. This was his fiance this would not just be their first Christmas together, but it would be the last one before they were married. It had to be perfect. He had spent every waking moment trying to figure out exactly what to do.
One night as he was trying to go to sleep his mind wandered back to his time with his grandmother. A single memory stuck out that night of his first Christmas with her. An old woman was trying to get a young boy bundled up for cold weather. She was most likely over-doing it, but with her grandson she had be careful. The child didn't speak. She would have no way of knowing if he was too cold. "I really think you're going to like this place Damien. Every year when I come to see Sharon she takes me down there. It's beautiful." she told the child, unsure herself if she was truly talking to him or just to fill the awkward silence. It didn't take very long before the car slowed down and the woman told her grandson to look out the window.
The boy let out a small gasp. Christmas lights. He'd seen them on TV, but they were much more beautiful in person ... and there were so many. He'd never even imagined anything like this. As they drove through the amazing display the child never once spoke. If he'd been able to before, he didn't think he would be now. He knew this was something he would remember forever and for once, it would be a good memory. After that, Spinelli knew exactly what he had to do. He'd spent the next several days putting his computer skills to use, looking for a place like that near Port Charles.
Spinelli could barely contain his excitement at the surprise he had planned for Maxie. He was fairly sure she knew something was up after he had almost burst into giggles when she had looked at him with that curiosity that he so loved in her eyes and said "Spinelli, why are we driving this far just to go out to eat?". So far he'd kept his secret though and he hoped the fact that they had actually gone to a very nice restaurant might mean that his surprise would still be one. At least poor Milo would get to enjoy that part too since he had been appointed their bodyguard for the day.
They pulled the car up until you could just see the beginnings of the lights and then they parked. Spinelli turned to his fiance and put his hands over her eyes. "It's a surprise. I will lead you to it. Come on!" he said when she gave an annoyed little huff at her sudden lack of sight. After a short little walk he removed his hands and she gasped, momentarily stunned silent. Spinelli understood the feeling, it was very close to the wonderful display from his childhood. Most people were driving through but he knew it would be best to walk, they could take their time and truly enjoy it.
As they slowly walked down the road they saw every imaginable kind of Christmas decoration. There were lights everywhere lights could go and every kind of "yard decoration" could be seen in all directions. There were snowmen, candy canes, reindeer, Santas, elves, nativity scenes, bright and colorful declarations of "Merry Christmas" and "Joy To The World", if you could imagine it, it was there along with some things most people wouldn't have imagined. It was everything Spinelli had planned for and it was quite obvious that Maxie loved it. When they finally got to the end where a group of children were petting live reindeer, Spinelli pulled Maxie into a small little not-fully-enclosed building where Christmas music was playing there were (not surprisingly at this point) more decorations. Before she could say anything, he kissed her. When they pulled away from each other he pointed up, showing her the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. She laughed and he smiled, "Merry Christmas, Maximista.".
Author's Note: This is the second Christmas chapter. I hope you guys like it! As always, reviews are love!