The Grinch's Monster [COMPLETE]

"We're Sorry"

I didn't try that hard to stop Cindy from driving, we're all pretty drunk on Christmas joy, why stop now?

"This is so not gonna end well!" I shout as Grinch snow-skiing behind the sleigh. "Stop complaining, you'll ruin the mood!" He shouts back, I laugh before facing forward, grabbing the wheel from Cindy momentarily to yank us into a turn. When I let go, she's smiling at me all proud and excited. "You know," she says, "I think you'd be a great mom." I laugh, half nervous, half still high on holiday cheer. "One step at a time Cindy." I don't need to touch them to know my ears are pink. It's right around then when Grinch slammed onto the "dashboard" claiming it was his turn to drive. When he sat down, I wrapped my arms around his neck in his and kissed his cheek, I don't take the time to see his reaction.

"Best! Christmas! EVER!!!" I shout as we slide into town unable to stop and with Martha and Cindy's mom trailing behind us. The full danger we're in doesn't hit me until after Lou's stopped the sleigh, then I fall back onto the seat laughing faintly as I rake my hair from my eyes.

"I did it! I'm the Grinch that stole Christmas!" Grinch says the officer as I carefully dismount on shaky legs. "And I'm-" I practically fall into his side, both hands on his shoulder. "We're sorry." He does a dramatic show of his wrists while I casually raise mine, palms inward.

"Aren't you gonna cuff me?" He asks. "Put me in a chokehold? Blind me with pepper spray?!" Despite the semi-serious situation, I snicker under my breath.

"You heard them, officer," says the mayor, "they admitted it." He leans in and rather loudly whispers. "I'd go with the pepper spray." And I find myself growling alongside Grinch when he looks at us.

"Yes I heard them alright," I suck in a nervous breath, "they said they were sorry." I sag with relief before sticking my tongue out at the mayor's gaping jaw and my shocked step-family.

"Merry Christmas August May Who!" The shout has everyone looking to the top of the sleigh, and me wondering how Martha got up there so fast. "I'm afraid I do have something for you!" She slides back down with a scream that makes me smile. Mental note: Consider her as a soul sister.

"Your ring back, sorry. But my heart belongs to...someone else."

My world goes silent.

I can't move, the blood in my veins goes ice cold and I look to the snow beneath my shoes. Inching a half step back, my hands shake and I bite my lower lip. I'm vaguely aware of Cindy urgently whispering my name, and a familiar stinging in eyes that suggests tears are on their way, before I turn and get ready to run-

When a hand grabs my wrist. And for a second, I can't believe it's the furry one that I've grown so used to in such a short time.

"Well, thank you Martha," his voice slowly rises to greet me as my world begins to unfreeze, "but..." I turn around (it almost feels like slow motion) to see him looking at me with a look I only dreamed a Who would give me.

"But my heart already belongs to a very special Firecracker."

I laugh and kinda sob before throwing myself in his arms and hugging him as if my life depends on it. The cheers sound so distant, especially when I pull back and our eyes meet for an instant, a smile on my lips and a warm, fuzzy feeling fluttering in me that makes me feel like I'm walking on air.

I kiss him, and he kisses back, it seems to last forever before we part and embrace anew. Over his shoulder, I see Martha and I make a decision.

I let go of Grinch and walk up to her, I can almost feel everyone holding their breath. I take a deep breath, let it out, and hold out a hand.

"I hope...we can be friends." And that no one notices my voice waver. I have a brief of fresh air before she crushes me into her bosom and an embrace that smells heavily (but not unpleasantly) of peppermint with a dash of vanilla.

"Oh, you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that!" She holds me out by the shoulders and I meet her gaze with eyes so wide I suspect you can see the whites all around.

"You...want to be my friend?" She laughs. "Of course." She taps the tip of my nose with her finger before tapping the side of hers twice. "Us girls have to stick together." I smile before unconsciously tapping the side of my nose. "Yeah, I guess we do."

Mental note: She will be the best sister EVER!

~

After everything was given back to everyone, we all found ourselves crowding into Grinch's cave, and after a few minutes of decorating and rearranging, a table was set up and we all sat down for the feast. And Grinch, of all the Whos, got the carve the roast beast and I was there beside him a lovely lilac cocktail dress that Martha had given me as Christmas/Sisters present. Already I had made a friend and gained a lover, two things I once thought I didn't deserve.

"Quite a day you've had haven't you?" Asks Cindy, I laugh faintly as we overlook the party from a high point in the cave. "Yeah. It's been...interesting to say the least." Cindy took my hand and leaned against my side. We were both thinking the same thing, something (rather, someone) was missing.

"Wilma!" My head snaps up and I slide back down to the party, catching Cindy when she came after. "Wilma!" It takes me a second to locate Cindy's dad. "Yes, Lou?" Then I notice his wife talking to someone, her back is facing me, but I know exactly who she is.

"Wilma honey," says Cindy's mom, "there's someone who wants to talk to you." The figure stiffens only for a second, before turning around.

Her clothes are covered in dust, her dark brown hair could use a good brushing, and her face is dark with soot, but her smile shines through it all and I can't help returning it, tears coming to both our eyes.

"My little WOW." I gasp out a sobbing laugh.

"Mom!"

I start running, but it doesn't take long for me to be back in her arms. All it takes is one hug, and all the years of loneliness fade into the background, and I feel like a great light is shining within me.

"What's all the hullabaloo?" I raise my head as Grinch comes through the crowd. He and mom both kinda stop when their eyes meet. I smile and don't bother wiping away my tears as I take her by the arm and gesture to Grinch.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend the Grinch." She pauses only for a breath before sticking out her hand with a broad smile, he takes it cautiously and she pumps his arm up and down. "Glad to meet ya!" He raises an impressed brow and looks at me while pointing at her with his free hand. "I like her." I just laugh, taking a second to scan my surroundings and sigh softly.

"Best Christmas ever."