Journey to the past (Maxi, August)

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Her day with Drew had been wonderful. He was sweet and kind and it wasn't terribly awkward hanging out with him. He was a gentleman and she didn't feel uncomfortable with him after a while, and she soon grew accustomed to his affectionate behavior and stopped blushing every time he touched her towards the end of the day. She was grateful when he dropped her off at her sisters house for the perfect ending to a perfect day. Maureen hadn't really remembered anything yet, but some of the sights had definitely made her feel that weird deja vu feeling she got sometimes, like she had done it all before. She knew deep down it was her mind trying to remember though it was incapable of it. As soon as she got to her sisters house and Drew said his goodbyes, she had told Maxi all about it over a cup of hot chocolate.

Maureen loved Maxi's home instantly. It was warm and inviting and she felt very comfortable there. Further more it was decorated similarly to her own home. They definitely had similar tastes which she found to be very interesting indeed. Was it accidental? Or had Maureen really developed the way she had because of who she had once been? How much was nature and how much was nurture? She had no idea, and she didn't like questioning those things, but she did find it to be very comforting.

"You shouldn't have dropped him on me like that." Maureen scolded as they settled upstairs on her sisters bed, photo albums and picture frames sprawled out already for them to look through. Maureen set her mug down on the night stand, kicking her shoes off before climbing into the bed with her younger sister. "A text would have been appreciated." She narrowed her eyes playfully, tucking her legs beneath her as she reached for one of the picture frames that were sitting on the bed. Her heart stopped immediately.

There she was, staring up at herself. The picture had been taken not long before the accident, because Maureen had pictures of herself about that age back home in Friday Harbor, but in those pictures there wasn't a young redheaded Maxi beside her or a red haired woman and auburn haired man. It was the first time she'd seen her parents, her real parents. "That's them." She whispered, not having heard anything Maxi had said to her, lost in the photograph. They were all outdoors and smiling; a picture perfect family. Maureen didn't know how to feel; she wasn't sad really, or happy. Surprised mostly, and a little intrigued. "You look like her." She said softly, afraid to use the word mom, knowing the woman in the picture was her real mom, but not recognizing her as her mother. Not yet. "She's beautiful.. and he looks fun. Sweet..." She remarked almost absently. The wave of familiarity washed over her again, but it wasn't a real memory. Just that weird feeling like she'd seen it before but couldn't recall how or when. Like it was another life, another time, someone else.. and in many ways it was. "We all looked so happy. Where were we?" She asked finally pulling her eyes from the picture to stare up at Maxi.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Before Maureen and Drew even got there, Maxi had spent the day digging out old photo albums and other items that might jog Maureen’s memories. She had DVDs converted from VHS ready for viewing downstairs; videos of two little girls and their parents running around, opening presents, crying and fighting, and most of all laughing. Maxi loved to watch those old videos. She saved watching them during the day, though; she wanted to wait until her sister arrived and they could watch them together. When she did show up, Maxi was ready. Drew had tried to follow into the house, but Maxi barred his way, laughing. This was a sisters only evening! Of course, that wouldn’t stop August from coming in since he had a key now, but until he showed up it would be just the two of them. The two women bounced up the stairs once Maxi had given Maureen a tour of the house. She let her know that she was more than welcome to stay when she came to visit, but she didn’t have a guest room. Her couch was mighty comfy though and Maxi would be willing to trade her bed for the couch for a week if Maureen was coming to visit. They made hot chocolate in the kitchen while Maureen gushed about her day with Drew and Maxi felt like an evil genius. She knew they would have a good time!

When they finally headed up to her room, however, her sister let her know she wasn’t entirely okay with Maxi’s evil plans. “You shouldn’t have dropped him on me like that.” Maxi bit her lip to hide the smile spreading across her face. She placed her mug on the other nightstand before climbing onto the bed and moving a couple albums out of the way to do so. “Oh, Maureen, don’t be so sour! You had a good time and you can’t deny it,” Maxi teased with a big grin. “A text would have been appreciated.” Maxi laughed as Maureen narrowed her eyes, rolling her own flippantly. “If I had done that, you wouldn’t have gone,” she scolded back, smiling again. Her smile faded when she saw the almost terrified look on Maureen’s face as she picked up the picture frame that she usually had displayed on her bookcase in her office. Her sister went paler than usual and Maxi frowned worriedly. She hadn’t meant to scare Maureen.

“That’s them.” Maxi nodded, looking back to the picture. Those were the people that had created the lovely, almost identical creatures sitting on that bed. “Yeah, that’s Mom and Dad. It was a couple weeks before you all disappeared.” It had always been one of Maxi’s favorite photos of all of them because it was the closest she had to what each of them looked like the last time she’d seen them. Even with Maureen back, she missed those simpler times, and she missed her parents. “You look like her.” Maxi smiled, looking to her mother with her bright red hair pulled back and her deep blue eyes sparkling. “Yeah. And you look a lot like Daddy. Well, you look like both of them.” She smiled wider, glancing to her sister again. Her hair was redder than their father’s and her eyes were blue, but she had the same wide, friendly eyes set far apart and the bright smile that wrinkled her eyes. “She’s beautiful. And he looks fun…Sweet…” Maxi nodded, smiling wider. “Yeah, he was a lot of fun. They were both sweet.” “We all looked so happy. Where were we?” Maxi met her sister’s gaze, her smile warm. “We were in the Rockies. Right there we were by a river in Yellowstone Park and a stranger passing by was nice enough to snap this shot for Mom and Dad. Like I said, we used to do a lot of things outdoors. We all loved to go hiking and camping. That day we spent most of it winding through the harder trails and we almost got lost a couple times because Dad wasn’t reading the map right. Mom eventually took over the navigation by stealing the map from Dad. She made us all run away and Dad chased us laughing while we squealed and tried to keep up with Mom. That’s the way they were—like big kids. When he caught us, I remember he kissed Mom and you and I went, ‘Ewwww!’” Her voice was exaggerated and high, playfully cringing to mimic what they had done which made both of them laugh.

“Actually, I have a great picture that you took right when Dad caught Mom. Let me find it…” Maxi sifted through photo frames and albums, trying to find her favorite picture of her parents. Finally she found it and she moved closer for Maureen to see. “There it is!” Their mother’s face was scrunched up with laughter, her eyes sparkling as their father’s eyes watched her with his own big grin. His arms were wrapped tight around her full figure, obviously leaning her from the way their mother’s ponytail was swung out to the side. Maxi had always loved that picture. From the way her mother was laughing and smiling, her cheeks a little flushed and the way their father’s eyes were full of complete and utter adoration, it was obvious how much they loved each other. “I always wanted to find love like that. They were usually like that, though—all affection and sweet. I can’t remember them really fighting but once and they made up an hour later.” Maxi handed the picture to Maureen for her to admire while Maxi looked for the pale pink photo album she knew was baby pictures. When she had it in hand, she flipped it open to the first page where a squinting baby Maureen gazed up from their mother’s arms, looking quite upset about the whole birthing process. “And that’s you as a baby! That was right after you were born. Actually, this whole album is you until the last few pages. The pale yellow one is me and you mostly.” She set the book on the bed between them and let Maureen gush over herself as a baby. She really had been cute.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“We were in the Rockies. Right there we were by a river in Yellowstone Park and a stranger passing by was nice enough to snap this shot for Mom and Dad." It was hard to believe she had been to the Rockies. Maureen had always been so afraid to leave the safety of the Aberdeen's which meant she hadn't strayed far. Not that the Rockies were all that far, but it was certainly out of Maureen Comfort Range. She smiled slightly as Maxine recalled the story, feeling like she was listening to someone else's life. It was strange to think she had actually been there with them. "..That’s the way they were—like big kids. When he caught us, I remember he kissed Mom and you and I went, ‘Ewwww!’” Maxi's voice went high and Maureen laughed softly with her, her fingers gently moving over the glass. She willed her mind for a hint of a memory but nothing came. “Actually, I have a great picture that you took right when Dad caught Mom. Let me find it…” Maureen watched her sister root around for the picture and when she found it, she leaned closer to look.

Maureen couldn't remember seeing anyone so genuinely happy. She had come from a wonderful family and at that moment she thanked God that she had found a second one just as wonderful. She had been truly blessed despite having been taken from her true parents and sister. Her parents were beautiful, and it really was a shame she had lost them. They had both lost them. “I always wanted to find love like that. They were usually like that, though—all affection and sweet. I can’t remember them really fighting but once and they made up an hour later.” Maureen smiled and took the picture. She wondered if Maxi would let her bring some of them to a store to get copied. She would like to show her parents her real parents. She knew they were curious about this world she had rediscovered.

No sooner had Maureen taken the picture that Maxi pulled one of the albums closer. She peered over curiously, wondering what pictures were inside. She flipped the book open and a smile instantly spread over the girls pink lips. She knew immediately it was her staring back up at her. “And that’s you as a baby! That was right after you were born. Actually, this whole album is you until the last few pages. The pale yellow one is me and you mostly.” Maureen put the picture she was holding down and pulled the pink album into her lap, letting out a soft giggle. "I was very unimpressed with this whole birth thing." She teased gently, looking more at her mother and how pleased she was. Maureen was looking forward to being a parent, but seeing her mother becoming one, her real mother, was truly beautiful. Though she was smiling her eyes grew moist as she slowly flipped through the albums pages. Her mother holding her and her father. The proud parents showing off their daughter. "I was so dear!" She gushed with a little laugh, loving seeing the pictures.

As she flipped through the book she got bigger and bigger. It was gradual, but she loved watching herself grow this way. She had no idea what she looked like prior to twelve, or rather twenty one. She came to some pictures of a bunch of people Maureen had no idea who they were, gathering around and 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing at the tiny bundle. There was a picture of a small boy holding her, surrounded by a bunch of other children. He was smiling and she was looking up at the boy, almost mystified. "Is that Drew?" She asked, deciding it might be, or maybe one of Jamie's siblings. Or were the other children his siblings? She had no idea.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“I was very unimpressed with this whole birth thing.” Maxi laughed loudly at Maureen’s comment, looking down at the pictures of her parents showing off their beautiful baby girl. She really was a cute baby. “I was so dear!” Maxi grinned and nodded. “Mm-hm!” she agreed. She’d looked at the pictures a million times, but she would never get tired of seeing how her family had grown, how happy they were in the past. The bigger Maureen got in the photos, the more adorable she was with her big eyes and head of hair. There were pictures of her baptism and tons of group shots taken after Maureen had been christened in the Catholic Church. Maureen slowed when she came to pictures of the after baptism gathering where her parents’ friends had gathered and the Periwinkles too. Seeing Gertie holding baby Maureen had always been amusing to her. He looked so awkward doing it.

They came to a picture of Jamie’s family surrounding little Maureen and one of Jamie’s brothers Louis holding her while she looked up at him in awe. “Is that Drew?” Maxi snorted and gave her sister a sly smirk. “You’ve just got him on the brain, don’t you?” With a laugh, she ducked away from Maureen swatting at her, feeling like an evil little sister. “No, that’s Jamie’s older brother Louis. And if you turn the page…” She waited for Maureen to do so, and the top picture was one of Maureen surrounded by Jamie’s sisters. “That’s Mary, Catie, and Lizzy, Jamie’s sisters. Jamie and I were born the same year and his brother Charlie is a year older than you. Yeah, that’s the two of you there.” Maxi pointed to another picture on the page of the infant and the 14 month old Charlie looking at each other suspiciously while they were seated next to each other. “We didn’t know Drew until I was five and you were seven. He’s in later albums.” She gave her sister another sly smile before looking back to the book of pictures.

They flipped through it, watching Maureen get even bigger, their father holding her up in the air like she was flying while she smiled wide, their mother reading to her and making silly faces to get her to laugh. The more hair she got, the cuter she was with her little auburn pigtails sticking straight up and her big, sparingly toothed smile. They’d seen her butt naked in the bath and covered with birthday cake three times by the time they came to pictures of their mother, her belly big with baby, holding Maureen up with a shirt that said, “I’m the Big Sister!” Soon followed pictures of their mother holding another little bundle in a hospital gown, Maxi’s arms stretched up towards their mother as she howled unhappily. “And that’s me!” she announced happily. “It looks like I was less impressed by the birthing process than you were. That is not a happy face. And I’m so wrinkled I look like Yoda.” She giggled, looking at her sister with her nose crinkled. “Ugly I am!” she said in a voice that mimicked the little alien puppet from Star Wars making them both laugh.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“You’ve just got him on the brain, don’t you?” Maureen gasped at the comment and swatted playfully at her sister. "I don't!" She insisted, laughing. Maxi was definitely a brat! “No, that’s Jamie’s older brother Louis. And if you turn the page…That’s Mary, Catie, and Lizzy, Jamie’s sisters. Jamie and I were born the same year and his brother Charlie is a year older than you. Yeah, that’s the two of you there.” She looked through the pictures, smiling at the small children. There were loads of them! She wondered if she had been close to Charlie at all. She grinned at the picture of she and the other boy looked skeptically at the other. “We didn’t know Drew until I was five and you were seven. He’s in later albums.” Maureen caught the sly little smile and narrowed her eyes. Out of all the people from her old life, she only really knew Maxi, Drew and Jamie and she knew Jamie hadn't been born yet. How was she supposed to know? She stuck her tongue out and looked back at the album.

She slowly ticked through the pages, exploring her past and all the lovely people in it. She tried to remind herself she wouldn't remember these times anyway, but it was still sad to see her life go by and not knowing who most of the people in the pictures were. She was grateful for Maxi's narrations, though. It was difficult looking at her parents with her, and very strange. Her mother had been so beautiful, like a model! Their father, though handsome, was a little goofy and she wished more than anything she could meet them now and get to know them. She hoped they would have time to watch the videos that evening, eager to hear their voices.

Closer to the end of the book she could see her mother's belly swelling and then there were pictures in the hospital of baby Maxi, a young Maureen wearing a shirt proudly exclaiming she was a big sister. “And that’s me! It looks like I was less impressed by the birthing process than you were. That is not a happy face. And I’m so wrinkled I look like Yoda.” She giggled at her sister. "We're all wrinkly at first." She insisted as her sister did her Yoda impression causing her to laugh harder and shake her head. "No, you were beautiful." There was something soft and sincere about her words as she admired the infant in the pictures. She had become a big sister that day, and a few days ago she had done it all over again. She got to meet her sister for the first time twice. How many people could do that? Maureen bit her lip and flipped the page, but had to put the book down as she wrapped her arms around Maxi and hugged her from the side, sighing. "I always wanted a sister." She said softly, "And it's so wonderful to know that I really have one." She pecked Maxi's cheek and pulled away, bringing the book back into her lap to look through it once more. "Oh! look at us in out Easter bonnets!" She giggled seeing how cute they were. "You looked so miserable, poor thing!" She gushed at the unhappy dolled up baby cradled in her big sisters lap who was looking awkwardly at the camera.

She never noticed the man standing at the doorway peering in at them.

[AUGUST WITT]

August hated meetings. Snow was informing the Gargoyle's of their plan, or the beginning phases of their plans, which meant he needed to be in attendance. Maxine had been so kind as to fill him in on the details already, so it wasn't exactly new to him. There was a part of him that still felt slightly guilty for using her so roughly in the garage the other evening, though he had more than made up for it with his kind treatment later that night and the evening following, but Maxine hadn't thought much of it then and as soon as she got her big news he knew she wouldn't be thinking of it any more at all.

Maxine's sister had come back from the dead. When she told him Maureen was alive he had originally thought maybe she'd lost her mind seeing as she had told him she was dead, but she hadn't ever said she was, only that she was assumed to be. Her whole family had been missing at sea, and their boat had washed ashore, but none of the McManus crew had been found. He listened patiently as she gushed about her sister that evening and the one following. At first it was interesting but he couldn't deny growing tired of hearing all about Maureen. He was happy for Maxine, but August was a selfish man and cared more about himself than anyone else, even Maxine. He listened to her out of kindness, but there was a part of him that was bored and simply wanted to shut her up with various parts of his body.

He had hoped that he would get that opportunity this evening, which was part of the reason behind the the little turquoise box in his hand. He had gone to Tiffany's and asked the saleswoman to find the most beautiful set of sapphire jewelry they carried and the girl delivered, bringing a stunning necklace and set of matching earrings for him to view. He had her wrap it immediately and he slid the box into his coat pocket intent on giving it to Maxine that evening after his meeting. It was the first time he had bought her a gift like this and he was eager for her thank you. He had resisted the urge to step into Frederick's of Hollywood and stock her drawer, deciding that might be more fun for them to do together. Then she wouldn't be able to complain when he stole her panties anymore.

August parked his car outside of Maxine's home and used her key to let himself in. He felt as though he didn't need to knock seeing as Maxine was his which in itself allowed him permission to come and go into her home as he pleased. She had the same rights with his home, though he knew he would be upset if she came without his knowing. August wasn't keen on surprises.

He didn't see her downstairs and then heard giggling from up in her bedroom. He immediately grew suspicious and angry, wondering who she would dare bring into her room! He went up the stairs quietly, box in hand, and moved down the small familiar hallway until he was at her door, looking through the crack from the shadows of the dark hallway. The anger slipped away as he looked at Maxine and the nearly identical girl on the bed with her. She was beautiful to say the least, which wasn't all the surprising considering how gorgeous Maxine was. Her hair was darker and there was something very youthful about the young lady and he couldn't help but be attracted to her. She was off limits, of course, but there were plenty of things August could think of that he'd like to do with her. Maybe both of them.

He pushed the door open further, letting the light from the bedroom spill onto his stony face. "I didn't expect you to have company this evening." He said softly watching Maxine's sister jump and gasp at the intrusion. His stormy eyes locked with the strangers familiar sapphire ones and he gave her a hard look. She looked anxious staring back at him and there was a part of him that was satisfied with this. He suddenly realized the box in his hand and moved it to his back, not wanting Maureen to see it.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“No, you were beautiful.” Maxi grinned at Maureen, smiling at her. “I’m glad you think so,” she replied with teasing sarcasm. She looked back to the book with a soft chuckle, turning the page as Maureen unknowingly watched her. It surprised her to feel Maureen’s arms around her and she brought a hand up to rest on her sister’s arm. “I always wanted a sister. And it’s so wonderful to know that I really have one.” Maxi smiled wider and then giggled as Maureen kissed her cheek. When her sister removed her arms and pulled the book near again, Maxi leaned in and kissed her cheek too before looking back down at the pictures. She was so happy to have her sister back! “Oh! Look at us in our Easter bonnets!” Maxi grinned at the two of them seated next to each other, Maureen looking bewildered and Maxi’s bottom lip poked out, her eyes big and teary as if threatening to start screaming at any moment, her tiny fists balled tightly. “You looked miserable poor thing!” Maxi laughed, shaking her head at her miniature self. “I swear, I get happier,” she promised, turning the page to see the collection of photos there. She didn’t see August push open the door.

“I didn’t expect you to have company this evening.” While August’s voice made her jump, it wasn’t as bad as Maureen and she recognized whose voice it was almost instantly. When she looked up at August, he was looking at Maureen and Maxi looked between the two of them. Her heart did skip at seeing her boyfriend, though, and she smiled wide climbing off the bed. “August!” she exclaimed, not even noticing that he was hiding something behind his back. She rushed over to him excitedly, her smile bright and sweet. “Stop being creepy, come in here.” Her voice was half a giggle and the other half playful teasing. Did he need to stand in her doorway like Dracula? When she reached him, she took hold of his arm gently and urged him to come over the threshold and into the room that could be as much his as it was hers. As soon as he was in a better light, she turned back to smile brightly at her sister. She was finally going to introduce them!

“Maureen, this is my partner, August.” Saying boyfriend would make August uncomfortable, but partner worked just as well. She turned her eyes back up to the man awkwardly standing beside her, still smiling wide. “August, this is Maureen.” With as much as she had talking about Maureen over the last few days, there was no need to introduce her as “my sister.” Besides, the resemblance was obvious and uncanny. “We were just looking at old photos.” While she was looking up at him, she realized he was holding something behind his back. Her brow furrowed curiously and she cocked her head to get more of a look at it. “What’s that?” she asked, looking back up at him with an interested smile.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Maureen looked through the pictures, and sure enough Maxi got a little happier later on. She just needed to learn to smile, it seemed! "I love this.." She said softly under her breath, another small little laugh sliding through her upturned lips. “I didn’t expect you to have company this evening.” The voice startled her and she gasped, looking up wide eyed at the man in the doorway. He was staring at her and she thought as though her heart might stop. Who was that? Why was he here?

“August!” Maxi exclaimed climbing off the bed. Maureen held his eyes warily, immediately intimidated by his presence. She knew it was her sisters boyfriend, but that didn't ease her any, not with the way he was watching her.. “Stop being creepy, come in here.” Maxi was tugging him inside and once in the light she could see why her sister was attracted to him. He was very handsome even if he had a scowl on his face. She suddenly felt like she was the one intruding.

“Maureen, this is my partner, August.” Partner? She watched the way August turned to look at Maxine, his lips pursing slightly. Did he not like that term? She didn't know how to feel about this guy yet.. “August, this is Maureen.” Maureen tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears even though most of it was up in a ponytail and then gave an awkwardly shy wave. "Nice to meet you." She offered softly. "Likewise." He grumbled back, making her feel he wasn't pleased to make her acquaintance at all.

“We were just looking at old photos.” August peered down at the books and then Maureen again, making her stomach churn. How was her sister so lighthearted and giggly around this man? "Were you now?" He asked and she thought she sounded almost condescending. She scowled a little wanting to hide under the covers. “What’s that?” Maureen looked to see what Maxi was looking at. August had something behind his back and she looked between the couple. August was scowling again, first at Maxi and then at her, making her stomach drop. She felt terribly unwanted suddenly, and it turned out, she was. "Would you mind giving us a moment Maureen?" He asked and she blushed at the way he addressed her. She shook her head, unsure if he wanted her to leave or if he was going to take Maxi. He answered her unspoken question by taking her sister's hand and pulling her from the room.

The air seemed a little more breathable with him gone.

[AUGUST WITT]

August didn't like being called creepy or Maxine's "partner". His lips were pursed tightly together as he observed the woman on the bed. He'd never had to share her with family before, and he wasn't entirely sure how to feel about it. He held no ill will towards Maureen, but he wasn't entirely fond of her presence either. He had been expecting a nice evening with Maxine, one where he would be doted on for bringing such lovely gifts, but that had been ruined by the other girls presence. It was difficult not to be a little bitter. In many ways August was still very much an spoiled child.

"Nice to meet you." The girls said meekly and he was turned off by how shy she was. Maxine was so bold in comparison, he expected this woman to be the same, but she practically wilted under his gaze. "Likewise." He grumbled back, and he practically saw her shrink away. “We were just looking at old photos.” August peered down at the books and then Maureen again "Were you now?" He asked trying to sound interested but failing miserably. He wanted to care, for Maxine's sake, but he had a difficult time of it. He was trying, though. “What’s that?” August turned back to Maxine, almost forgetting the box in his hand. His brows lowered, not wanting to give it to her now. Not because he didn't want her to have a present, but because he didn't want to give it to her in front of an audience. "Would you mind giving us a moment Maureen?" He asked the other girl who blushed and shook her head. "Come." He grumbled as he took Maxine's hand and pulled her from the room, shutting the door behind them.

August led the woman downstairs, wanting a bit of privacy from the woman upstairs looking through pictures. Once by the couch he stopped, pulling the box out for her. "I wanted you to have something from me." He told her softly, his tone still a little gruff as if this was an embarrassing gesture. "Just a small token to know I think of you." Inside the box was a thin platinum chain which held two diamonds and a sapphire in the center. It also held matching sapphire earrings. He waited for her to open it before adding softly, "To match your eyes."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

The interaction between August and Maureen put Maxi off. August was cold, as usual, but he wasn’t really mean. Maxi could tell it was more that he didn’t know how to react, but she also knew that Maureen wasn’t going to be able to read his actions nearly as well as she could. She knew it might come off to her sister as August didn’t like her and from the look on Maureen’s face, she wasn’t digging this at all. But Maxi was also focused on whatever it was that August was hiding. “Would you mind giving us a moment Maureen?” He was being polite, but his scowl made her frown a little. Of course Maureen shook her head, but Maxi didn’t like how afraid she seemed of August. She didn’t want her sister to be afraid of her boyfriend! Resolved to talk about with him when they were alone, she glanced back at Maureen when August took her hand, saying simply, “Come.” He closed the door to her room behind him, and she followed quietly as he led her downstairs, still wondering what he was hiding. Had he gotten her a present? She assumed it must be underwear or something if he was being so secretive about it.

When they were by the couch, he stopped and turned to look at her. She was getting ready to tell him to try and be nicer to his sister, warmer at least, but he spoke first. “I wanted you to have something from me.” His soft tone was a little embarrassed and she couldn’t help but smile curiously at it. Why would he be embarrassed? “Just a small token to know I think of you.” She looked at what he held out to her. It was a turquoise box that said Tiffany’s on it and it made her stomach clench excitedly. Tiffany’s? Really? She glanced up at him before she carefully opened the box and gasped at the stunning necklace and set of matching earrings inside. Sapphires and diamonds…They were beautiful and for a long moment she just stared at them with big eyes. How much did he put down for this “small token?” “To match your eyes.” The soft comment made her look up and she almost cried. She was so touched by this incredibly sweet gesture. No one had ever gotten her something so beautiful simply to tell her they were thinking of her. She looked back down at the gift, sparkling and lovely, and she didn’t think any gift could ever top this one. “August…they’re beautiful.” Her voice was soft and full of awe and she gazed at the jewelry for a moment longer before she placed the box gently on the back of the couch. She stepped to him and took his chiseled jaw in her hands.

“Thank you so much.” Her smile was bright, her voice gentle, and she pulled his face down to guide him into a kiss. It didn’t take long for the kiss to become passionate, one arm tight around his shoulders while the other swept through his hair affectionately. When he pulled her closer, she smiled against his lips, her arm squeezing gently. She pulled back only a little, her nose brushing along his as her lips stayed close. “It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever been given. I love it, August.” One of these days she would get up enough courage to tell him she loved him without caring whether it bothered him or not. For now, she could say she loved the necklace and let her love for him remain implied. She kissed him again briefly before she pulled away and pulled her hair over one shoulder, gently taking the necklace out of the box and handing it to August. “Will you help me put it on?” she asked, biting her lip with a smile. She wasn’t used to wearing such nice things.

[AUGUST WITT]

August watched Maxine closely as she took the back and opened it. Her gasp made his heart swell and he suddenly felt proud for having chosen something she would like. He could see how much she loved the gift, how touched she was by it which only pleased him further. He liked her reaction, and he knew now that he would want to see it again and again. “August…they’re beautiful.” They were beautiful, but nearly so much as the woman they were intended for. He licked his lips, his eyes scorching as he gazed at her.

She placed the box down and took his face gently in her hands and he couldn't help but lean gently into her soft fingers. August loved feeling her touch. “Thank you so much.” His lips twitched slightly with a hidden smile. "You're very welcome." He all but whispered as she leaned in to him, her lips grazing his. Her arms slid up over his shoulders and he brought his hands down to her hips and then slowly wrapped them around her small frame and pulled her into him as their kiss deepened. August was constantly surprised at how much he craved this sort of affection from her and he wondered if he would ever grow tired of it.

She pulled away and he let out a soft, content sigh searching her eyes as her nose brushed past his. “It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever been given. I love it, August.” He leaned in and kissed her again briefly. "I'm pleased you like it." He offered softly, genuinely meaning it. He watched as she pulled away, taking the box in her hands once more and pulling the necklace out and offering it to him. “Will you help me put it on?” she asked and then bit her lip, concealing a smile. He took the thin chain from her, her neck already exposed to him. He moved to stand behind her, draping the necklace over her neck. "Lift your hair." He commanded softly and waited for her to comply before clasping the hook shut. He moved to push her hand away from her hair gently and watched as it spilled over her shoulder once more, still exposing part of her neck. He leaned in, pressing his lips to the soft skin, his fingers coming to her long red hair and wrapping his fingers around it. He pulled her head to the side with her hair and exposed more of her neck to him, kissing and sucking over the tender flesh. "I had hoped to give these to you alone." He told her softly, his hand releasing her hair, both of his hands then trailing to her front, wrapping low over her body as he pulled Maxine into him. "That way I might receive a proper thank you." There was a hint of teasing in his tone letting her know he didn't get her those trinkets only to get laid. He certainly didn't need to purchase fine jewelry for that. "I expect you to have a clear schedule tomorrow evening. I'd like to see you in only that necklace and earrings.."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

August took the necklace from her and Maxi smiled more, turning her body somewhat so he could more easily get behind her. “Lift your hair.” She did as she was told and picked her mass of long red hair off her neck and shoulders enough for him to drape the necklace over her neck. Once he’d clasped it, he pushed her hand away lightly and she let her hair tumble back over her shoulder and back. When he leaned in and kissed her neck, her eyes slid shut and she let out a soft sound between a giggle and a sigh. Her heart raced lightly as she felt his fingers weaving into her hair, pulling her head further to the side. She whimpered as he kissed and sucked harder on the skin, making her lean back against him slightly. Oh, what she would do if her sister weren’t right upstairs. Maxi had long since accepted the fact that she would always want August, no matter what. There was just something so irresistible about the handsome, charming and yet cold man at her back. And when he gave her such heartfelt presents…how could she ignore how he made her feel?

“I had hoped to give these to you alone.” The hand in her hair moved with his other hand low on her belly, pulling her into him and making her smile more as she leaned her head gently against his. “That way I might receive a proper thank you.” Maxi giggled at August’s teasing tone, knowing that, of course, he hadn’t bought her the necklace and earrings just to get her thank you. That was just an added bonus. She didn’t know if she would be able to do that tonight, though… “I expect you to have a clear schedule tomorrow evening. I’d like to see you in only that necklace and earrings.” Again she giggled, turning in his arms now and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes, Mr. Witt.” Her reply was teasing and sultry and she grinned brighter as they both leaned in for another kiss. Inevitably their kisses always ended up hot and hungry, and that’s exactly where it was going now. No, damn it! Her sister was right upstairs waiting for her. For once, she was going to have to resist August’s charms. With a soft whimper, she willed herself to pull back from his lips, sighing softly.

“I’m never going to take this necklace off.” Her voice was just above a whisper as she gazed up at him again, smiling bright. “But my clothes will come off another time. Right now, I should probably get back to Maureen.” The look on his face made her bite back a grin. “I know you don’t like to share me.” She giggled softly at her tease and kissed him gently and briefly one more time, her hands moving to hold onto his arms instead of around his shoulders. Her head cocked to the side slightly as she gave him a sweet smile. “You’re more than welcome to stay and look at old pictures and movies with Maureen and I. You don’t have to though.” She wasn’t sure he would be interested in that at all, but she figured she could offer. Honestly, she didn’t mind if he stayed or not; it was his prerogative.

[AUGUST WITT]

He didn't let go as she spun in his arms to face him, her arms coming up around his neck once more. “Yes, Mr. Witt.” His lip quirked up at the edge and his face moved closer. "Good girl." He breathed before their lips met in their needy dance once more. His tongue was relentless against hers, in the hopes of maybe winning her over then and there, but his efforts were fruitless. She pushed away leaving him hungry for more and he let out a soft growl of objection.

“I’m never going to take this necklace off.” Her voice was just above a whisper as she gazed up at him again, smiling. August gave a sad, sour look obviously upset at her physical rejection, though he was pleased she enjoyed the gift. “But my clothes will come off another time. Right now, I should probably get back to Maureen.” He glowered at her, not wanting to share her with the girl upstairs, but knowing he had to. “I know you don’t like to share me. You’re more than welcome to stay and look at old pictures and movies with Maureen and I. You don’t have to though.” Looking at old movies and pictures of Maureen as a child didn't interest him all that much. August wasn't a sentimental man. He knew Maxine was and he knew she would probably enjoy seeing young photographs of August, not that there were many, but he didn't share that interest with her.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'll pass this evening." He said in a low rumble. August stepped away just a little, reaching up and gripping her chin firmly. "Tomorrow.. I will not share." He leaned in and pecked her lips before pulling back. "I'm pleased you like my presents. Perhaps I'll consider the gesture again sometime." He was trying to hide a smirk and then cocked his head towards her stairs. Go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow evening."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass this evening.” Maxi had been sure that August would pass, so she wasn’t upset about it. Instead, she nodded with her sweet smile to let him know she was perfectly okay with that, even despite his tone. He was so sour sometimes. When he stepped back, she released his arms and continued to smile up at him as his hand came up to grip her chin firmly. As if she would look away from that beautiful face… “Tomorrow…I will not share.” She giggled softly, closing her eyes as he pecked her gently. There was nothing she liked more than August’s kisses. “I’m pleased you like my presents. Perhaps I’ll consider the gesture again sometime.” A bright smile broke out across her face, shaking her head a little. He didn’t have to buy her things to please her, they both knew that. Still, it was so nice to get a thoughtful gift from him. Even flowers would be well loved and cherished while they lasted. Hell, just a single flower would do if it made him think of her.

He nodded towards her stairs, but she continued to watch him. “Go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” She gave a small nod, reaching into the box again and gently pulling out the earrings. Carefully she slid them into her ears and fastened them, wanting him to see that she loved them just as much as the necklace before he left. It only took a few seconds and when she was done, she put her arms up around his shoulders again. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss him again briefly before she stood firm on the ground once more, releasing his shoulders. “Bye baby.” Her smile was sweet and apologetic as she waved over her shoulder and walked back to the stairs. Finally she made her way back up them away from her disappointed lover and back up to her room where her sister was waiting. Once inside the room she gave an excited little squeal and moved back to the bed, hopping up on it.

“Look what August got for me!” she announced, pushing her hair back so Maureen could see the necklace and the matching earrings. “I don’t even know why! He just said they reminded him of my eyes. Isn’t that sweet?” She could tell Maureen wasn’t as thrilled by August as she was and she settled down a little. “I know you’re probably thinking that he’s cold and maybe not my match, but I promise he’s different around other people than he is around me. He’s a lot sweeter with me.” Her eyes turned back to the album Maureen was working on, mostly filled with pictures of the two of them when they were still awfully young. Maxi was just a toddler in the photos and Maureen looked to be about five. “Did you find anything else interesting?” she inquired sweetly, hoping Maureen wasn’t too put off by their interruption.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Maureen didn't bother to stop browsing when Maxi had left. She wasn't crazy about her boyfriend, but it wasn't her place to say anything. She hardly knew her sister or the man she loved, so who was she to complain about him? Maybe they were a good match. Maxi seemed head over heals for him and Maureen couldn't help but wonder why. He was so brusque, but he was also very handsome. She tried not to think about it as she flipped through the albums pages, trying to remember something.

It was about a quarter of the way through the second album that something tugged at the back of her mind. There were pictures of her, Maxi and a brunette girl, one of Jamie's sisters she thought, playing with a dog. There was something so deeply familiar about it and she couldn't put her finger on it until the word came to her mind, or rather a name. The dog's name was Bambi. She didn't know what made her think of that and she had no idea if it were true or not, but every time she looked at the dog the word slipped through her mind and it exhilarated her. Was it a memory? Maybe she was thinking of a movie or another dog she'd met in Friday Harbor with the name, but she couldn't be sure. Excited she kept the page marked with her hand as she continued to flip through and look at the many unfamiliar faces staring back up at her.

Suddenly the door was being opened and Maureen looked up, smiling a little at her sister as she came back in. “Look what August got for me!” She gushed, plopping on the bed and showing her a gorgeous necklace with matching earrings. They were stunning! “I don’t even know why! He just said they reminded him of my eyes. Isn’t that sweet?” She pushed a smile on her face and nodded. "It is!" She said hoping to sound excited for her sister. She must not have been very convincing because Maxi looked a little put off by her not so very enthusiastic response.

“I know you’re probably thinking that he’s cold and maybe not my match, but I promise he’s different around other people than he is around me. He’s a lot sweeter with me.” She smiled and nodded. "I'm sure he is." She said softly. "He must be to have gotten you such a lovely gift." And though Maureen didn't know how to feel about August, she certainly wouldn't challenge what her sister said. August probably was different when it was just the two of them, or at least she severely hoped so. “Did you find anything else interesting?” Maureen looked down at the album and then smiled looking back excitedly at Maxi and turning back to the pictures with the dog. "I know this is probably some weird long shot, and I have no idea why I thought of it.. but is this dogs name Bambi?" She asked, biting her lip and hoping it was. She knew there was a very strong possibility that it wasn't. There had been many dogs in her life, and somewhere, sometime one of them had been named Bambi. Was it before her accident? Maybe. Was it this dog? Maureen was was eager to know.