A/N: Okay, sorry to everyone that likes this, but this is the last chapter, no doubt about it. It’s too rough around here for me to juggle real life and all these fics, so this is the one that will be getting discontinued. Don’t yell or throw a fit, because I’m not changing my mind.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or anything else you may recognize.

Claimer: I do own this.

Chapter 7 – Thanksgiving

The time seemed to simply fly by for the new family. Jeb made sure his “children” had as much fun as possible.

But when Thanksgiving came around, the fun was put up and switched with chores, chores, chores!

Fang, Iggy, and Max were put in charge of heavy duty cleaning, while the younger three just had to clean themselves up.

“I don’t know why we have to do all this cleaning! No one’s coming over,” Iggy mumbled.

“Got that right, man. This is torture!” Fang mumbled as he scrubbed the crayon marks off the wall.

“Oh, shush, you sissies. It’ll be worth it for all that yummy looking food, right?” The boys agreed readily.

Max squatted down to clean up a stain on the bottom of the wall and bumped into Fang’s leg. Blushing, she went back to work, a previous scene playing in her mind.

“Hey, guys! Let’s see who can swing the highest! I betcha I can!” Fang wagered.

“Nuh uh! It’s all Iggy!”

“No! I’ll win. Girls rule and boys drool.”

Determination set on their ten year old faces, their legs began pumping. Higher and higher they swang.

Max kept going, flipping over the bar and falling out of her swing. She tried hard to control the tears welling up in her eyes. She was Maximum Ride. She didn’t cry. And even if she did, it wasn’t in front of boys like Fang. Even if Fang was kinda cute. Wait, no! Especially not since he’s cute!

“MAX!” Fang jumped off his swing in mid-air and rushed to her aid.

“Where does it hurt, Max? Are you okay? That looks like it hurt real bad.”

She sniffled. “Yeah, it did. And it’s my knee. And my arm. It didn’t get cut, but I think it’ll bruise.”

“Here. I heard somewhere that when you kiss it, it makes you feel better.” The dark child leaned down and placed his lips on Max’s knee, then her arm.

“Uh, um... Thanks, Fang. Can you not mention this to the others?”

“But, Fang? I think I hurt my lips, too. Can you make them feel better?”

He nodded, turning pink. Their lips touched for only a few seconds, but that’s all it took for the fuses to ignite and the fireworks to explode.

From the look on Fang’s face, he still remembered the incident as well.

“Kids! Dinner’s ready! Get in here or I’ll eat it all!” Jeb called out. Six bird kids ran from all edges of the house in to the kitchen, scrambling to get to their chairs and fill their plates.

Just as Nudge was about to bite into her turkey, Jeb held up his hand to stop her. “We have to give thanks first. That’s what the holiday is all about, after all. Why don’t you start, Nudge, and we’ll go around the table from there.”

True to herself, Nudge rambled on for quite a bit. “I’m thankful for this house, and for Jeb getting us out of the School, and for Max for being so nice and tucking me in, and for Fang being so funny, and for Iggy cooking, and for Gazzy being so cool, and for Angel being so darn cute, and for this food, and for my toys, and for…everything,” she ended with a smile, showing the gap where she recently lost a tooth.

All heads turned to Angel. “I’m happy that I have a family now.” She grinned over to Max.

“Well, I’m thankful that we’re here now and we’re all healthy and happy,” Max continued the chain of thanks.

“I’m thankful for Cheetos!” Gazzy exclaimed, earning a round of laughter from the others.

“I’m thankful for bombs. Your turn, Fang.” Iggy quickly passed the buck.

What should he say? Fang panicked for a few seconds. He was thankful for everything they had already said. The only thing he could add was that he was so thankful for Max.

“Fang?”

“Uh, right… Well, I’m thankful for Max and her…” he trailed off, deciding against saying what he wanted to.

Max looked at her friend expectantly. “My what?”

“Your face!” Fang said. He grabbed his plate and milk and ran to his room before he could embarrass himself further.

Max was left at the table, stunned. Was it some sort of hint? Did it mean he thought she was pretty? Or is he just a confusing boy?

Yeah, it was that last one, she thought as she dug into her dinner. I wish boys had cooties, she thought with a mental sigh.

A/N: If I write any new chapters for my own enjoyment, I will post it. But don’t hold your breath.

I really am sorry, but I can’t deal with the stress plus three fics.

Suggestions are welcome, reviews are love.