Hi! Well I got another review!

Yay, thanks to FanficannafcifnaF. So anyway, I thought chapter 2 was pretty good, and I was gonna get more reviews… but at least I know some people like and are reading it.

Sorry for any spelling mistakes, but I kinda rushed it cuz I wanted to get it on the website. So again, sorry, and like a said there is really a place called Daytona's, but I made up the part where I said there is a roof during winter, idk if that's true or not. And also idk if it's hot in New Hampshire during summer, but it will be in my story! :)

And sorry if Max and Fang don't seem like 2nd graders, it's just that I always pictured them tough, even since they were young.

So here is chapter 3, and I hope I don't sadden some reader's, cuz I know it's gonna sadden me writing it.

Well any way I hope you guys enjoy!

And again thanks to my reviewers! You guys are awesome!

Chapter 3 - Christmas Surprise

Just so you guys know this, my family and the Harding's practically live together.

We are always over at their house, or they are at our house. And don't even get me started when it comes to holidays. Ok fine I'll tell you guys, since I know you guys are begging to know.

For Christmas the Harding's come to our house, and spend the night until New Year's Day, just because our house is bigger and we have more guest rooms. For Easter and Thanksgiving, we always go to their house, because they have a bigger dinning table. The 4th of July is at our house cause us kids always go swimming, while the adults relax on our patio.

And for Halloween, well we obviously go trick-or-treating (duh). We always have a fun time, and Fang and I have a contest to see who can get the most candy (and yes we do count every piece of candy).

I love the holidays, spending time with my best friend, having fun, playing in the snow and most importantly…eating all the amazing food! And boy can I eat, my nickname is the "Garbage Disposal" and Fang too, we both eat like there will be no tomorrow.

If there are left overs, especially from Thanksgiving, you can bet it will be gone by the next morning, but don't ask me who ate it…

My mom makes the best turkey and pumpkin pie, and Lori makes the best ham, mashed potatoes, and cheddar biscuits. Yup, Thanksgiving it freakin awesome! So before my mouth continues watering even more, let's go back to where we left off.

The Day before Christmas Eve

"Oh my, Lori would you look at these?" I heard my mom yell from downstairs. Fang, Iggy, the twins and I were all upstairs in my room watching the movie 'Tangled'; it's my favorite movie ever!

"Great the Christmas pictures got here," I sighed to Fang. "We better go make sure they are ok to send out to the family." He responded, and I nodded my head in agreement. We got off the bed and opened my door, Fang rushing by me.

As I was going to follow him Iggy yelled at me, "Why is it only you too that are always in the picture, and not me?" he asked. "Well cause you wouldn't want to break the camera now, would you Iggy?" I responded smiling looking back at him, and then walking out the door.

"Ha, ha, ha very funny. Well since you and Fang do everything together, you guys are gonna become boyfriend and girlfriend one day."

I stopped at the top of the stairs and walked back to my room. I walked in facing Iggy smirking happily at me. "You are so dumb, that is never gonna happen." I spat.

"Sure it won't. Well mark my words Maximum, cause one day it will happen." He said. I didn't know what else to say, so I just slammed my door and walked down the steps into the kitchen.

Fang was already sitting at the table and had a picture in his hand. He looked up at me, shrugged his shoulders and handed me the picture. Well… they weren't that bad, I mean I would have preferred another picture, but I guess these will do.

I looked up at my mom, who was smiling like she just won the lottery, "Aren't they adorable?" she asked.

I looked at my dad for support, who was in the living room with Jeb. He just nodded his head and went back to watching TV. I looked back at my mom, put on a fake (but good smile) and nodded.

"I know right, I am going have them sent overnight, so everyone can get them either tomorrow or Christmas Day."

"Everyone is going to love them!" added Lori. My mom nodded her head, and I walked over to our cabinets and took out two mugs. I set them on the counter, looked over at Fang, and smiled.

He knew right away what it meant, walked over the refrigerator and brought out the milk. I went to the pantry, got out two packets and the bag of mini marshmallows. Hot Chocolate!

I poured the milk in both mugs while Fang opened the packets and put in the chocolaty powder. I then put both mugs in the microwave, shut the door, he pushed 2 minutes and 30 seconds and I pushed "start."

Hot chocolate was one of many things that we love.

My mom had walked out of the kitchen, and came back with a box of envelopes, and the package of the pictures. "So I guess Max and Fang have a job to do." My mom said. Oh oh…

"You two have to put and seal the envel…" she was interrupted by "Beep, beep." I quickly opened the microwave, gave Fang his mug and ran out of the kitchen, cause we both knew that we had to seal the envelopes.

"Wait Max, the marshmallows!" Fang hissed, I was already half way up the stairs. Shoot, I forgot about those, and there's no way I am not having my hot chocolate without marshmallows.

So we walked back silently into the kitchen, and found that the bag and our moms were gone. What the…?

That's when Fang pointed across to the living where our moms were sitting. I didn't know what he meant, so I looked back at him and shrugged my shoulders. He pointed again, but this time to the coffee table to the right of our Christmas tree, the bag of marshmallows!

I looked at it longingly because I knew that if we walked in there, they were going to make us do the envelopes. I motioned for Fang to come to where I was and I whispered to him,

"Ok, we have to get the bag, but they can't see us. So we are going to get behind the tree, and I am going to stick my hand through the tree and get the bag." He looked at me and nodded.

We ran noiselessly behind the tree, and I stuck my hand through, thinking my idea would work. But since I was only 8, and not thinking clearly, it didn't work.

We were both so focused on getting the dumb bag, we didn't notice that my mom had snuck through the other side of the kitchen and was now standing behind us.

"I got it Fang! I got!" I whispered excitedly. I pulled my hand back out with bag, and as we turned to make a run for it, but, we bumped into my mom. She looked down at us with both hands on her hips and a huge smirk on her face.

"Well, they fell for the trap Lori," she announced.

"I knew they would, they can't have their hot chocolate without marshmallows." Lori responded with a smile.

So ten minutes later Fang and I are in my basement, lying on the floor, licking envelopes. And our mugs of hot chocolate right next to us with the dumb little marshmallows melting.

I must have licked like 50 envelopes, and I had that awful taste of the glue in my mouth. "I can't even enjoy my chocolate anymore." I muttered.

"Well we still need like 100 more to go, and I also have that taste in my mouth too." Fang grumbled angrily. We continued to lick the envelopes for another 20 minutes when Fang cleared his throat.

"Max…"

"Hold on Fang, I'm on my last envelope." I licked my last envelope and placed it on top of my monster high pile, and then looked at him.

"I, um I have to tell you something…" he started, but something was wrong with his voice, and I can tell he was showing emotion, which is very unusual.

I frowned and tilted my head, "What is it?" I asked,

"Well, um I don't know how to tell but we are…" and he was interrupted by Iggy who opened the basement door and yelled down to us,

"Come on guys we are going outside to play in the snow, the twins are ready so you better hurry up!" I looked back at Fang,

"And what? What were you going to say?" he looked almost relieved that Iggy interrupted him,

"Nothing I was just gonna say that… we are going to have to buy a new bag of marshmallows cause there are hardly any more." I frowned at him, but he just picked up his pile of envelopes and started walking up the step.

I shook my head puzzled, but I also grabbed my pile and walked up with him. We handed my mom the piles and we put on our boots and jackets.

"Ok we'll be right back honey, Lori and I are going to the post office." My mom yelled to my dad from the front door.

"Ok we are going to take the kids to the park across the street." He yelled back.

I heard the door close and sat on the sofa, waiting for my dad to get changed. "Max, Max we are going to the park!" Angel yelled, running and sitting next to me. She had her bright pink jacket, purple gloves, and red snow beanie.

Her long blond curls were hanging just below her back and her bright blue eyes looking up at me. I secretly wished she could be my little sister, she was just so cute!

"I know, I am really excited too! We can make snow angels together." I told her, she smiled sweetly at me and then went to go find Gazzy. "You ready sweetheart?"

My dad asked, I smiled at him and went to open the front door. Jeb walked out first followed by Iggy, the twins and Fang. I knew what Fang was going to say to me was important cause he didn't even smile back as he walked by me.

Then I walked after him while my dad locked the door. We crossed the street to the park and right away Angel came and grabbed my hand. I knew what she wanted, so I layed down next to her, and started making a snow angel.

I got up, helped Angel, and then we both looked down at our masterpieces. "They're beautiful." Angel breathed; I looked at her and had the sudden urge to hug her.

So I picked her up and squeezed her tightly. Then I felt this hard, small object get thrown to my back.

I put down Angel and turned around, and there was Gazzy already behind a snow fort with another snowball ready to be fired. "Snowball Fight!" he screamed at the top of his lungs just before he launched the snowball at me.

Man that kid can throw for being only five. Luckily I ducked just in time, then I grabbed Angel by the hand and we ducked for cover under the slide. "Are you ready Angel?"

I looked at her and she smiled evilly, wow I didn't know such a sweet child could make a face like that. We made about twenty snowballs and fired them back at Gazzy.

I got him right in the face, which stunned him so he ducked under his fort. As I was laughing, I too got hit with a snowball square in the face. I wiped the cold ice from my face and saw Fang rolling around in snow, laughing his head off.

That's it, this is war!

By now Iggy was also part of it, but was to the right of where I was. I got the last snowball and threw it as hard as I could at Fang. It caught him on his left shoulder, and I smiled.

He got up and looked at me, and let me tell you, if looks could kill, I would have died right then and there. But too bad I didn't, cause then you guys would miss me.

So that started this huge war that lasted about forty-five minutes. I think poor Iggy got the worst of it though, cause we usually tend to gang up on the oldest kid. So that leaves poor, poor Iggy.

I almost felt bad for him. But let me tell you, getting back at your older brother for no good reason, is awesome!

So our dads finally called us back, and we crossed the street back to my house. Our moms were already back and they were sitting on the couch watching the "Ellen" show.

I turned the corner and looked at my mom, but I stopped short. She had this look on her face that didn't look of feel right. It looked like she was crying…?

But she looked at me and changed her expression, "Hey sweetie! How was it, did you guys have fun?" she sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Yeah, it was fun." I told her, I was still worried.

"Mommy mommy I get Max right on her back with a snowball!" shrilled Gazzy, running by me and into Lori's arms.

"Did you now? Well it sounded like another snowball fight to me!" she asked and looked at me. I nodded and smiled at her half-heartedly, then walked to my room.

I put my jacket away and sat on my bed. What's wrong with my mom? Did something happen between her and Lori?

But she sniffled, so maybe she's getting sick. I perked up at the idea, yeah, maybe she is getting sick. Yup, that's it, she is sick, she always get sick this time of year.

I felt a flood of relief go through me. Yes, that's it Max, she's sick. Ok I felt better, so I got off my bed and went back downstairs.

"Oh there you are Max." Lori said facing me. "We are going now, but we'll see you tomorrow for Christmas Eve okay?"

"Yeah ok, bye!" I gave her a hug, but she lingered, and the hug felt like I wouldn't be getting another one for a long time. She backed away and she looked at me with sad? eyes and she touched my check.

Then she turned around and hugged everyone else. Next was Angel and Gazzy, they both hugged me together, and I didn't want to let go. I finally did, and then was Fang, we usually never hug, it's always a goodbye, or see you tomorrow, but today, he hugged me.

I was so shocked, but after a couple seconds I hugged him back. Just before he let go he whispered "Goodbye" to me.

My heart fluttered and I looked him in the eyes. Why did this goodbye feel so different?

He turned around and followed his family out the door, and my dad closed it shut. "Ok, who's ready for dinner?" my mom asked trying to sound cheerful.

This was so weird but for the first time I wasn't hungry. "Um, my stomach hurts, I think I'm going to skip dinner."

Iggy looked at me like I was stupid, "Well I'm not, I'm starving!" he replied.

"Max, are you alright?" my dad asked. I nodded and walked up to my room. I took a nice hot shower, got in my p,j's and crawled under my warm covers.

I didn't notice I fell asleep, until I woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon. Jeez, did that smell good!

I slowly got out of bed and stumbled my way to the kitchen. My mother and father both had aprons on, and were flipping pancakes on the stove.

"Don't they look ridiculous?" asked Iggy from the counter. I laughed and sat next to him.

"There you are, fresh from the stove." My dad smiled at me as he put a plate with three pancakes and bacon in front of me. "Thanks."

I plowed my fork through the fluffy pancakes and shoved it in mouth. Man I was in heaven!

"I don't get how she eats like a pig, but still is that thin." Mumbled Iggy, I just smiled at him and continued to enjoy my breakfast. After I finished my breakfast, I grabbed my favorite purple blanket and sat on the couch.

After Iggy and I watched 'She's the Man' I asked, "So when are the Harding's coming?" I looked at my mom, and she gave me a look, that again, didn't feel right.

My heart sank and I looked at my dad who was suddenly interested in the ending credits of the movie. I even felt Iggy tense up at my side and heard him clear his throat.

"Well um, sweetie, they aren't coming this year…" responded my mom.

"What do you mean?" I was confused, we always spend Christmas together.

"Just give her the letter Valencia." My dad sounded serious. My mom got up and picked up a white envelope from behind my stocking above our fireplace.

She gave it to me, "Go to your room and read it." I looked from the envelope to her, grabbed it and walked up to my room. I sat on my bed, not knowing what to expect or whom it was from.

I opened it and out fell a letter, and two pictures. One picture was the one from the when we went to get our pictures for the Christmas cards, the one with Fang and I in angel wings, my favorite one.

The other one was of me sleeping on Fang's shoulder, and his head on top of mine. It was when we were coming home from Daytona Fun Park. So I guess I did hear the click of Lori's phone.

I titled my head and then started reading the letter:

To my Best Friend in the whole world, Max

I noticed right away it was Fang's writing.

I am really sorry I had to say goodbye like this. I didn't want to do it like this, but I wasn't allowed to tell you in person. I was really close to telling you yesterday in the basement, but I didn't know if I would be strong enough too.

My heart was pumping loud and fast.

There is no other way to say it, but we are moving. I don't mean like other city, I mean out of state, to Arizona. My dad got a new job there and he decided to take it. We all tried telling him no, but he thought it was best for all of us.

The first tear fell and made a wet circle on the letter.

So this is me telling you that you are and will be the best friend I will ever have. We had such good times together; I am going to miss you, a lot. I hope that you will miss me too, because I will never forget you.

I couldn't stop crying, I almost stopped reading right there, but I had to know what else he said.

I put these two pictures in there so you can always remember the good times we had. I wish I can stop all of this from happening, and walk into your house right now and enjoy Christmas Eve together, but right now I am on a plane to my new home. So again thanks for everything, and don't forget me, please.

Always, Fang

I could have died right then and there.

No Fang, no Lori, no Angel? But how could that be?

We were having the best time ever yesterday, how could they just be gone?

I heard a light knock on my door and my mom opened it slightly. I looked at her and cried like I had never cried before. She came in and sat me on her lap.

"Why, mom? How could they do that? No please tell me I'm dreaming!" I was practically screaming now.

"Sh, sh, there there. I'm so sorry Max, but you are not dreaming. They are really gone." I didn't believe her,

"No!" I yelled, "They are not gone, they are getting ready to come over right now." My mom just shook her head and looked down.

I clung to her like if she was the only chance I had to stay alive. "I'm so sorry Max, I wish I could do something, but there is nothing I can do."

I couldn't hold it any longer, I ran to my bathroom, and threw up. It was the worst feeling ever, like if someone was squeezing the life out of me. And that's actually what was happening, except it was Fang who was doing it.

I then walked back to my mom, "Is that why you were acting like that yesterday?" I asked her.

She looked at me with broken eyes, "Yes." she said weakly, "Lori only told me to yesterday, when we went to take the cards to the post office."

I burst out crying again, and ran into her arms. No Fang for Christmas this year. Or ever. What a Christmas surprise.

A/N ok guys there's chapter 3. I hope it came out good, and that I did Fang's letter ok.

I hope none of you hate me after this, but I promise I will fix it later on. It's all part of my plan.

So hope you guys enjoyed, and remember review! :)