Finale

 

 

The amusement park had been such a great idea or at least Max thought so. He had been so surprised upon waking up and discovering they were in the parking lot that he just had to tell and show 99 how much he loved her. Now that he was AT the park, all he wanted to do was make sure 99 was having a good time. After all, she had made sure he had enjoyed himself while at the museum; it was only fair he showed her the same courtesy she had shown him. With that decided, he tended to ask her after every event what she wanted to do next.

“Max,” she giggled. “We came so you could do something.”

“I know,” he said, ducking his head in embarrassment. What this woman did to him! “But I want to make sure you’re having fun and a good time. You are, aren’t you?”

“Oh Max, of course I am,” she stroked his cheek, watching as he closed his eyes and sighed in contentment. “I’m with you.”

He had been hooked after that. They had taken a ride on the Ferris wheel, sitting atop and looking at the bright lights of Washington. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” 99 asked, looking out among the lights and the way they sprinkled across the river.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. That had earned him a nice kiss; in fact, they hadn’t stopped till the ride did.

All in all, it was a good day. Even when he had spent nearly twenty dollars at that bottle throwing booth wasn’t too bad, especially on that last dollar when he had won 99 a decent sized teddy bear. He was still thinking about the way she had thanked him that he couldn’t wait to drive her home, if only to get more of the same in the form of a goodnight.

It wasn’t long before the couple found themselves in front of the apartment building where 99 lived. It was rather small, compared to the larger complex where Max resided. They were small and quaint, just perfect for the single gal on the go. Max hadn’t said anything, but he really hoped that 99 would want to live with him. After all, she knew where everything was, including all the secret gadgets he had installed over the years.

Besides, he didn’t really enjoy saying goodbye to her.

But that’s what the night had come to, with the two of them standing outside her door, kissing goodnight. “I had such a good time tonight,” she sighed.

“Me too,” he murmured, gazing at her. Dear God, did she know how gorgeous she was? “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“You can see me anytime, Love.”

Well, now he had to kiss her. She had called him ‘love’. He couldn’t remember anyone calling him that. And it was her and cute and sexy and everything he had ever thought about Agent 99. “It’s getting late,” she said, untangling herself from his embrace, but looking utterly sad about it. “Call me tomorrow?”

Max only nodded. It was the only way to stop him from pouncing on her.

“Goodnight.”

“Night.”

And then he was looking at a door. A door that had cut him off from his beautiful and beloved 99. He gave a dreamy sigh before turning and heading out. On the other side of that door was an equally dreamified 99. Max had really shown another side to himself, or rather the side she had always known he had. She hugged her teddy bear tightly. She had named it Max, even before he had handed it to her. She would definitely be keeping this little memento. She was just headed to her couch when a knock on the door stopped her. Confused as to who would be knocking at ten o’clock at night, she went over to it. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, 99,” replied the voice. “You know, Max.”

She smiled, opening the door and seeing her beloved standing there.

“I’m sorry to bother you, 99,” he stammered. God, he was adorable! “But…well, I forgot to tell you that I loved you, so I thought I would come back and tell you that.”

“Oh Max.”

Were there two words in the English language that sounded as good as those? Or rather at least when 99 said them. While he had hoped to kiss those lips once more before he left, he hadn’t expected her to do it for him. But the end justified the means, so…

“I love you, 99,” he said, breaking the kiss though reluctantly.

“I love you too, Max.”

“Okay,” he said, this time it was he untangling himself. “I’m really gonna go now.”

“Okay.”

He gave her hand a squeeze, almost not wanting to let go. “Goodnight. Again.”

She giggled. “Goodnight.”

He gave her a smile before walking backwards away from her. He wanted to remember her, so he could dream about her before he came over tomorrow. But why should he dream when he had the real thing waiting for him? He was so busy thinking about 99 while smiling goofily at her that he completely missed the small steps that lead up to her hallway, falling backwards down them.

He popped up of course, giving his fiancée a small wave before limping out to his car.

“Oh Max.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Max?”

The sound of his wife’s voice forced him to turn to her. He was back in the present, where he was a father of two and the husband to that beautiful brunette that had taken him to the museum.

“Everything all right?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

“Yeah,” he said, pulling her closer. “Everything’s great.” He dropped a kiss on her lips that lasted longer than either of them expected.

“Mmmm,” she purred. “What’s that for?”

“For everything,” he whispered. “For being you, for believing in me, marrying me, having my children…”

“What brought this on?”

Max shrugged. “Not sure,” he said. “But I couldn’t help but think of you while watching the kids. That daughter of yours is going to be getting a lot of attention in a few more years.”

“And I’ve noticed a large assortment of bats and lasers in the closet,” she kidded. “Planning early, Daddy?”

Max harrumphed. “I have to,” he defended. “If she’s anything like you, she’ll have scores of boys head over heels in love with her.”

“There’s a compliment in there somewhere.” She kissed him again. “I’d be more worried about your son, Mr. Smart. He’s becoming a dashing young man like his father. Who knows who HE’LL bring home.”

“Let’s keep the kids in the basement until they’re 30.” She hit his arm lightly. “No? Would you believe 45?”

“We’re not locking the twins in the basement.”

“Fine,” he replied. “Their rooms then. That way they have some form of entertainment.”

99 kissed his cheek. “No,” she stated. “Call the kids. Dinner’s ready.” She turned to walk back towards the kitchen, when Max stopped her, pulling her back into his arms.

“Have I told you how much I love you today?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

“Not since this morning.”

“Mmmm,” he moaned. “Maybe I need to show you.”

“I do enjoy my after dinner desert,” she giggled. Turning, she gave him another kiss that was only interrupted with Zachary’s call of “Eww!” and his subsequent pushing them aside.

“How am I supposed to eat now?” the boy groaned, heading off towards the kitchen.

“With your mouth, like you usually do,” came Max’s retort. “Upstairs.” The twins grumbled about having to wash up, despite the fact that they were both dirty and sweaty.

“You too, Max.”

“You just don’t want me to distract you like last time,” he quipped, chuckling when he felt her make a swipe at his behind with her hand. “I’m going, I’m going.”

As he climbed the stairs, Max was again taken back to his life as a bachelor. He had never thought he’d have someone to care for, let alone a family of his own. And then one day, he had met his future wife – though at the time he didn’t know it. He was glad for the life he led, even if he had to go break up the fight that started in the bathroom.

He was rather thankful for it. His life that is, not the fight that had broke out in the bathroom.