To the guest with the story ideas-the first one is kind of a story I already wrote called "A Price is Paid." In it Max sacrifices herself instead of Bae or Bay. The second sounds complicated but doable, though much more planning than what I put into this story. And at some point I probably will write some Pricefield and Marshfield and ChaseMarsh fiction.
To the guest asking about alternate Max and Christines... theoretically yes, though admittedly in my mind when I first came up with the concept I thought only the Prime iterations could travel between the multiverse... but I may be wrong about that.
Jim89, thanks for all the reviews!
I've also not decided on if there's going to be a big bad in this story, or if it'll just be more sweet/fluffy/realistic after this point.
Thanks for all the support on the story guys, I've really enjoyed writing it thus far. And don't read too much into how the wording at the end of the Chapter goes.
Happy Thanksgiving to the rest of my American readers in case I don't get another chapter out before then.
Monday morning brought the alarms of two cell phones going off at the same time. As Max started to stretch she had to be careful to not hit Victoria. She started to realize that she was a little colder than normal as she didn't sleep in her usual shorts/shirt combo. She snuggled up her bra and panty clad body against Victoria and smiled before looking over to the other bed and saw that Kate was already gone. This made Max frown.
After their talk about Christine and Kate asking many more questions about her existence or lack of existence in the timeline that Max knew, the rest of the night had been a bit more awkward. Once Victoria returned they went out for dinner as a group. That part was fine. When they got back to the hotel it was time for Max and Victoria to start exploring the feelings they were having.
Max cringed as she realized that her and Victoria had totally ignored that Kate was there. She reached for her phone and started texting.
Hey Kate, sorry about last night, I feel like such an asshole.
Victoria pulled Max in closer. Max wasn't sure if Victoria was really awake yet, so she did what came naturally to her, she gave Victoria a quick kiss on the lips.
"Is that all," Victoria said, her voice sounding happy. "I thought I taught you better than that last night."
Max grinned and cellphone still in hand wrapped her arms around Victoria. "You were an excellent teacher Miss Chase."
That's why Max felt bad. The rest of the night was a very long makeout session between the experienced Victoria and the inexperienced Max. Max had only two kisses before last night, both with Chloe. The short peck after being dared to kiss her, and of course the kiss as the storm raged toward the city. Another pang of guilt went through Max. "Victoria…" Her phone beeped.
Kate: It's okay Max, I'll be back real soon.
Max read the message and sighed. She started to separate herself from a now pouting Victoria and she rummaged through her suitcase for clothes to wear. "Kate will be back in a few minutes."
Victoria was still pouting, and her eyes shrewdly looked at Max. "What's wrong Max?"
Max finished putting on a pair of jeans and sat back down on the bed as she put on a shirt. "Last night was great Victoria."
"Why do I sense a but coming?"
A sigh escaped Max's lips. Before she could answer there was a knock on the door and Kate entered. Her hands were full and she wasn't alone.
"Look who I ran into down stairs," Kate exclaimed happily as she set down the tray with four coffee cups. Christine stood right behind her with a smile on her face as she surveyed the hotel room.
"Hello again Christine," Victoria greeted as she remained under covers trying to dress.
Both Max and Kate looked to Victoria. Victoria hadn't talked about her walk but apparently she met Christine during it, something that came as a surprise to Max at this moment.
"I guess I don't need to introduce you then," Max said.
"I shouldn't have come up, but Kate insisted, and how do you say no to bun-bun?"
"I know, right?" Max replied, smiling a little as she saw Kate blush over the unliked nickname.
"Hey," Kate said, "I never got to meet Christine and I didn't know Victoria had. Besides, I figured you two might want to say goodbye."
"See, she's just too sweet for words," Christine said as she grabbed one of the coffees. Taking a sip she added, "I forgot how decent coffee here actually is."
Max frowned again looking at Kate. "Yeah, and Victoria and I were jerks for ignoring her and just making out last night."
"Well Max," Kate said with a serious look on her face, "It was a bit uncomfortable, and it definitely was sinning." When Max stared Kate stuck her tongue out to indicate she was kidding. "I was a little bit upset about it but I feel much better."
"Let me guess, Christine," Victoria said as she pulled off the covers and was at least partially dressed.
"Guilty as charged," Max's doppelganger replied.
Max looked back at her phone as it beeped and frowned. "Ms. Grant will be here in five minutes."
The girls all frowned, they knew that Christine couldn't be here when that came.
"That's my cue to go, though before I do," she looked at Max, who knew exactly what to do. She grabbed her Polaroid camera and Christine pulled out a similar one. Getting real close and hugging, they both took selfies of the two of them together. They both did the distinctive-if-not-useful picture shaking thing and grinned.
They shared a long hug and Max simply said, "Thank you."
Christine squeezed harder at that and when they broke said, "We should get all four of us in a picture."
Victoria grabbed her camera and said, "I've got that." Once it was ready the four girls lined up, Victoria and Christine on the outsides, and Max next to Victoria and Kate. Once the digital camera took the picture Victoria checked it out and smiled at it.
Max wasn't sure how to respond to the idea of Christine leaving. She felt weird about her older counterpart, but she also wished she could spend so much more time with her. But before they knew it she was gone and Victoria was in the bathroom changing.
"It really is okay Max. I know this last week has been rather trying for you. And even though it did feel awkward, you seemed truly happy. I know with everything I've gone through the last few weeks any happy moments you can seize on are important."
Max rushed over and hugged Kate. "You are amazing Kate, don't ever let anyone think or let you feel otherwise."
Kate hugged back with a large grin on her face. She jumped a little when a third set of arms wrapped around her back and side as Victoria had joined the hug. "Agreed. If they do just sic me on them and I'll make sure they get their just desserts."
Another smile from Kate and she went to finish up her packing, knowing Ms. Grant would be here any moment.
"Max, what's up, we got interrupted earlier."
Kate for her part frowned. She knew what was coming and felt bad.
"Last night was amazing Victoria. You're an awesome kisser, especially considering how bad I have to have been." Max wasn't lying, Victoria knew just how to move around Max's mouth and how to explore her. She knew Victoria had never been with another girl, but man could she kiss.
Victoria shrugged and smiled, "You're a fast learner Caulfield."
Max blushed a little at that. "Well, I think we should slow down a little bit. I mean, just a week ago I was in love with Chloe and, and…"
Victoria put a finger over Max's lips to hush her. Max expected her to be sad, or frowning, or pouty, but she was smiling.
"I knew this point would come Max. This has to be the most confusing two weeks of your life. I REALLY like you Max, and I'm not going anywhere. Whatever speed, whenever you're ready I'm here."
Max melted at that. She never imagined that Victoria could be so sweet, so understanding. She stood on her toes and gave Victoria a quick kiss and smiled. "Thank you."
Ms. Grant was knocking on the door and it didn't take long before they were all packed up, checked out, and heading to the airport. Once they dumped off all but carry-ons, Max held hands with both Kate and Victoria as they walked through the airport.
On the plane Max took the window seat and was staring out. Victoria sat next to her and Kate across the aisle with Ms. Grant. Her left hand reached out to grab Victoria's as they took off and Max was content as she flew back to her Blackwell home, unsure of what life had in store for her.
By the way, this is the end story of the first episode of Moving Forward. Chapter 21 will kick off episode 2.