Swirling Tide

The holidays part 5

Victoria

Max and I had spent the previous day doing nothing but being close and laying around in bed. I wanted to get out and do something. Since Maxs family lived relatively close to Seattle, I planned to take her out to the mall and get her anything she wanted. I crawl out of the bed trying not to disturb the sleeping brunette next to me. I tiptoe my way over to the bathroom and slowly close the creaky old door. I strip down and shower off the smell of the day prior with what of the small number of toiletries I brought with me. Hopping out I grab a towel and my toothbrush and I just use Maxs toothpaste. Coming out of the bathroom I see her still in bed so I dress and then move her some.

Hey. Sleeping beauty. Get up. I say as I begin to shake her more. I get soft whines and her rolling over onto her chest. Hey no. Im taking you out on a shopping spree today. I say laughing a little and I get her up by rolling her off the bed.

Ow! she says laughing and whining at the same time. Fine whatever. She says and gets up, showers, brushed her teeth and comes out to find that I had set out some clothes for her. It was a simple long-sleeved black shirt, a pair of dark grey skinny jeans and a purple coat to go over it all. Oh, thanks, Vic. She says and I smile as she gets into it all. I take her hand and we rush down the stairs saying bye to her family as we get out the door. I hope in the drivers seat and I drive off with her sitting to my side putting the radio on. It takes only takes an hour for us to get to the mall and we get out heading inside hand in hand.

Ok, dear where to first? I ask as we stand in front of a map laying out the mall in its entirety. I was thinking somewhere a little more expensive than your normal fair of JCP and Macys. I look down at her as she reaches up and points.

Hot Topic. Ive seen what kind of stuff they have and I want some of their nerdy shirts. She says and I nod as we start walking. We pass lots of stores that I normally shop in even passing by a photography store.

Ill meet you there Max, I say and I head in there as she keeps going sheepishly but, on a mission, to fulfill her nerdy needs. I find a classic Polaroid in there; I get it along with enough film to last her a few months. I get it all in my bag leaving some of the films in the bag so I dont look suspicious. I meet Max in Hot Topic already seeing her with three or four shirts picked out. Hey there Maxine, I say and put my arm around her shoulder. I see that you already found some things you like, I say and she nods. After a couple more shirts and a beanie, I take it all and pay for everything. Next up I take her to H&M, get her again whatever she wants. Finally, after lunch and just walking around I take her to a Gucci store.

Vic no. Youve spent so much on me already. She says but I protest and head in dragging her behind me anyways. Im not an expensive clothing kind of girl. She says again trying to protest but I keep coaxing her into it bringing her further back in the store.

Fine. How about one hoodie? I ask looking her and with an eye roll and a whine she accepts. I get her a red hoodie and I take her out and we sit on a bench. I then let her take me to places where I can get her family presents. After we get everything we head back to the car. I get us home and I hide everything in her closet except the camera and film which I take downstairs and wrap before she knows. I come back to her room find Max laying in bed with the new hoodie on staring at her phone. what are you looking at dear? I ask laying next to her.

Oh, nothing. She says and I look at her phone seeing message after message from Warren. I grab her phone and block him on everything.

Do not unblock him. OK? I ask looking at her sternly. I hug her tightly and sigh softly. Please dear, we dont need him bothering us anymore, I say and she nods hugging me back. We go down after an hour and eat dinner. We tell them about Warren and they all just nod and promise to look out for him. I take Max upstairs and we lay down together. Max well be ok. Well all be ok. We wont have another Jefferson. I say and kiss her softly before I put on Netflix on my laptop letting Max pick something. For the rest of the night until we pass out I lay there calming her down from the messages.