Chapter 30: Family Life

Riley giggles and dances around the room, throwing tassels up in the air.
Maryanne smiles as she watches the young girl. She is untangling some string lights as Max is resituating the evergreen in their large living room, making sure it isn’t tilting. He is wearing a tight t-shirt that hugs his muscles, his body rippling with the effort of his task. He grunts as he almost loses his grip on the tree.
Maryanne presses her lips together briefly to hold back a laugh. Frustration builds in her chest as the lights only become more tangled. She sighs and drops her hands, “Remember, you agreed, we’re on a budget.” She rubs her arm that has only just recently healed from Caroline’s attack. She has faint pink scars zipping across her flesh. They are only noticeable when the light catches them at the right moment.
“Yes, yes, I know,” Max sighs, standing back. He cocks his head to the side to eye his work. Satisfied, he pivots toward Maryanne and grabs the lights from her grasp, untangling them with ease. “I haven’t exceeded the amount. Even though it was very difficult not to.” His brow shoots up for a split second. Maryanne almost doesn’t catch it.
Maryanne avoids the urge to roll her eyes. She reaches across the couch and grabs her cup of hot cocoa, “Thanks, I know it took a lot of effort.”
Max pauses, looking back at her as he senses the sarcasm dripping in her words. “Are you mocking me?”
“Me, never.” Maryanne raises one hand to her chest, pretending to be offended by his accusation. Laughter catches in her chest.
Riley ignores their conversation, happy playing in her own little world. Geneva scurries by, passing the doorway, but she does not acknowledge them as she goes about cleaning the house.
Max’s brow raises as he eyes Maryanne suspiciously, “Oh really?”
She only nods, bringing her cup to her mouth, careful not to get the whipped cream all over. Max has other plans, though, as he reaches for his own cup, digging his finger into the white topping and quickly running it across Maryanne’s cheek.
“Hey,” she squeaks in a huff. “What was that for?” She uses the back of her hand and wipes her face clean.
A deep, rumbling chuckle rolls through Max, “You know what, don’t act innocent.”
“Riley, look at what he did.” Maryanne pretends to cry, gaining the little girl’s attention.
“Bad,” she screeches, frowning up at Max. She places her hands on her hips and glares.
Maryanne is unable to hide her fit of laughter. As she reels back real tears springing up, she chuckles, “See, she even thinks so.”
Max puffs out his lower lip in a pout, “Riley, she deserved it.”
“Take that.” Maryanne returns the favor by coating her own finger with the whipped cream and entangling it in Max’s facial hair.
He leans back in surprise, but once he registers what has happened, his lips curl with a smirk, “Oh okay. I see how it’s going to be.”
Maryanne’s eyes widen and she jumps up from the couch, rushing across the room. “Ah, Riley, help,” she squeals trying to avoid Max as he chases her.
Riley’s little legs scurry as she follows after them, her hands flailing as she tries to reach Max. “Leave her alone.” When she nears the man, she grabs onto his pant leg, making an effort to pull him to a stop.
Max pivots around in a flurry, his hand covered in the whipped topping, an excited grin splitting his lips apart. “Riley do you want some too?”
“Eek,” the little girl shrieks and spins, trying to run away.
They move about the room, Riley and Maryanne escaping Max’s attacks. He slows down when chasing Riley, pretending that she is faster than him. With Maryanne, though, he works harder, catching her in the arm and cheek once more.
“Maxwell,” Maryanne warns slowly backing up, her hand in the air to try and hold him at bay. Her chest heaves with exhaustion and she quickly glances around trying to find an exit.
Max cocks his head, “Mary. You’ll have to be quicker than that.” He bends his knees, ready to pounce.
“You’re making a mess,” she heaves unable to control her laughter.
Whipped cream coats parts of the hardwood floor, but Max only shrugs, barely glancing at what he has created.
“You started it,” he states simply, grinning.
“Max, you’re acting like a child.” Maryanne makes sure that he sees her roll her eyes in response.
Riley falls against the couch, catching her breath. Her ponytail has begun to fall out, wisps of her short hair clinging to her forehead.
Max’s laugh reverberates through Maryanne, “What’s new.”
She dashes to the side, making an effort to catch him off guard. Max lunges for her, though, catching her on the other arm. They all fall into a fit of laughter, almost cuddling on the couch. Riley’s smile is so big that Maryanne can’t help but grin right back.
They lay like this for a while, just listening to each other’s breathing.
Maryanne sighs, staring at the fireplace, “I should go finish wrapping my presents.”
Max nods, “Oh yeah, I have to pick up mine from town.”
She shifts around so that she can look up at him, “You haven’t gotten them all yet?”
Riley slips off from the couch, grabbing the tassel once more.
“I ordered everything, but they took a while to come in.”
Maryanne nods, looking away before he can make eye contact with her. “Ah, okay.”
Max pushes himself into a seated position, “Are you going to be alright here with Riley until I can get back?”
“Really?” Maryanne’s mood shifts, her brow furrowing. Is he being serious?
Max rushes through his words, realization hitting him, “You know what I mean. It’s just a question.”
Maryanne only nods, standing and turning away from him, “Yeah, okay. Yes, we will be fine.”
Max scratches the back of his neck as he stands and grabs his jacket, “Okay, good. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
Without even looking back at him, Maryanne moves to Riley’s side and grabs some tassel, twirling it around the little girl. “Okay, sounds good.”
A few minutes after Max has left, Maryanne questions the child, “Riley, do you want to go play upstairs?”
Riley’s eyes light up, “Yes!”
Maryanne smiles down at her, raising her eyebrows in a challenge, “Race you to the stairs.”