After everyone had returned home except for Leo and Matthew, who stayed with Max...
Max:
"I want you to come with me."
Leo:
"To where?"
Max:
"I'm planning a surprise for Maria's birthday... and I'm going to confess my love for her again."
After a few hours, everything was ready.
Max:
"Now, I'll go to her house."
He went to her house, and Julia opened the door — she had grown to hate Max after Alonso's death, which had deeply affected Maria.
Julia:
"What do you want?"
Max:
"Maria."
Julia:
"She's not going out today."
Max:
"Why? We agreed to meet! Is she okay?"
Julia:
"She's fine."
Julie (from inside):
"Who is it, Julia? Oh, Max! How are you?"
Max:
"I'm fine. Where's Maria? We planned to go out today. And please, don't tell her about my surprise."
Julie:
"Of course! She's going out with you anyway, how could we tell her? But what's the occasion?"
Max:
"You forgot? You once told me her birthday was coming up... and I want to confess my love again."
Julie:
"Oh right, how could I forget? Her birthday!"
Maria:
"Why are you whispering?"
They turned to look at her, completely stunned by how beautiful she looked — so much so, Max couldn't speak.
Max (stammering):
"I-I told them we're going out... didn't you tell them?"
Maria:
"I did, but maybe they forgot."
Max:
"R-right... let's go."
Maria:
"Let's go. I won't be late, Julie, I promise."
Julie:
"You can be late today."
Maria:
"Why today, specifically?"
Julie:
"No more questions! You're gonna be late!"
Maria laughed and said:
"Alright, alright. Let's go, Max."
⸻
At the car, Max opened the door for her. She looked like a princess — no, a real princess. As he drove, he looked at her and asked:
Max:
"Did your mom crave honey when she was pregnant with you?"
Maria (blushing):
"Why?"
Max:
"Because you look as sweet and beautiful as honey."
Maria laughed, blushing:
"Stop it."
Max laughed:
"We're here."
Maria:
"So soon?"
Max:
"Julie said you ask too many questions."
Maria (laughing):
"Okay okay."
He helped her out, covered her eyes with a ribbon, held her hand and led her into a small house — though small, it was stunningly beautiful.
He removed the ribbon and told her to open her eyes — she was amazed by the sight. Then he blindfolded her again and led her to the backyard, which wasn't fully green, more like a sandy garden.
There was a big screen that read: "Happy Birthday Babe" — the place was filled with romance.
Maria:
"What is this? Are you crazy?"
Max:
"Everything for my princess."
Maria:
"My birthday! I forgot! Who told you?"
Max:
"Of course, Julie."
Maria started crying — happy tears — but Max thought something was wrong.
Max:
"Why are you crying?"
Maria:
"Because I'm so happy."
Max:
"Your makeup will be ruined if you keep crying."
Maria:
"I know, I know."
Max:
"Come, sit here."
He brought her a drink — not alcoholic — and said:
Max:
"Time to cut the cake!"
Maria, like a child, was excited to cut the cake. She playfully put some on Max's nose and laughed.
Max:
"What did you do?!"
He chased her with some cake of his own and ended up pressing it onto her nose.
Maria:
"No! My makeup!"
They both fell laughing into the sand.
Maria (pouting):
"See? You ruined my makeup... and my outfit."
Max:
"Come, I'll fix it."
But instead of fixing it, he made it worse — he had more cake hidden in his hand.
Maria:
"Max!!"
He laughed so hard, she grabbed sand and tossed it into his hair.
Maria:
"That's my revenge!"
Max:
"How long are we staying on the ground? Let's go change."
Maria:
"I don't know... but I feel so comfortable here."
Max:
"Come, let's sit by the screen. There's something I want to show you."
He sat her down and went to get a remote. When he returned, he changed the words on the screen to:
"I love you, Mrs. Maria Max John"
Maria:
"Mrs. Maria Max John?!"
She turned to find him on one knee.
Max:
"Will you marry me? Let's be together, always... until death do us part."
Maria (interrupting):
"I'll slap you if you talk about death again!"
Max:
"Sorry! So... your answer?"
Maria (tearfully smiling):
"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"
They hugged and he slipped the ring onto her finger.
Max:
"My love."
Maria:
"Hmm?"
Max:
"Are you asleep?"
Maria:
"No."
Max:
"Let's go in and change."
⸻
She took a shower and changed.
Then Max called her loudly.
Maria:
"Why are you yelling like that? You scared me!"
Max (laughing):
"What if... you shave my beard?"
He was only wearing a towel around his waist, and she blushed.
Max:
"I'll be your husband soon... and you're blushing?"
Maria:
"Stop it!"
He sat on a chair, and she straddled him, focused on shaving his beard. He just watched her, admiring her concentration.
After a while, she finished and tried to get up, but he pulled her closer. Their breaths mingled — she got shy, pushed him gently, and left.
Maria (leaving):
"Your clothes are here."
He changed then he played a romantic song and they danced together.
After an hour...
Max:
"Let's go outside and watch a movie."
Maria (mischievously):
"Or maybe..."
Max:
"Maybe what?"
Maria:
"Come with me."
He thought she was going to kiss him, but she pushed him into the sea — and he dragged her in with him!
Maria:
"Max!!!"
Max:
"Why did you do that?"
Maria:
"For fun!"
They swam until dawn, then got tired and went inside.
Max:
"I'm exhausted... how are we getting home?"
Maria:
"I don't want to wake Julia and Julie... they're definitely asleep."
Max:
"Then let's sleep here."
Maria:
"Good idea. I want to tell you something."
Max:
"Anything."
Maria:
"Today is the happiest day of my life. I haven't felt this way since I lost my family. Thank you for being in my life."
Max:
"I'll make sure you're always happy. I'll be everything for you."
Maria:
"I love you."
Max:
"I love you too."
They cuddled and fell asleep.
⸻
In the morning, loud knocking woke them up. The door opened — it was Leo, Matthew, Julie, and Julia.
Max:
"Let me sleep... Dad?"
Leo:
"Dad?! It's me, Leo, idiot!"
Max:
"Leave me alone..."
Julie:
"Maria!"
Maria:
"Mmm..."
They opened their eyes, saw each other, and were shocked.
Maria:
"What happened? How are you all here? How am I here?"
Max:
"You forgot? We were tired and stayed here."
Maria:
"Oh, right."
Max:
"And how did you come in without knocking?!"
Leo & Matthew:
"Sorry."
Julia:
"Let's go home."
Maria:
"Wait — before we go, I have something to say."
Julie:
"What is it?"
Maria:
"Max proposed... and I said yes."
Julie:
"Really?!"
Maria:
"Yes! Look at this ring!"
Julie:
"Not as beautiful as you."
Maria:
"Aww!"
Julie:
"Congrats, I'm so happy for you both!"
Max & Maria:
"Thank you!"
Julia also congratulated them — coldly — but no one cared about her tone.
Matthew:
"Aren't you going to say something?"
Max:
"Me or you?"
Leo & Matthew (together):
"Our friend is getting married... WOOOO!!!"
Max:
"Idiots."
Leo & Matthew:
"Congratulations!!!"
Max & Maria:
"Thanks!"
Max:
"You're leaving?"
Maria:
"Yes."
Max:
"I'll miss you... I'll come visit."
Maria:
"I'll be waiting."
Just as he was about to kiss her...
Matthew:
"We're still here, you know!"
Maria blushed and everyone laughed.
-
To be continued...
-
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