Chapter 33: Intimacy Abundant

Maryanne is curled up in a heap of blankets, watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is where Max finds her after laying Riley down for bed. She pretends as though she does not see him entering the theatre room. The movie has just begun and Maryanne listens to his steps descending the aisle almost in time with the opening song.

"Isn't this a Halloween movie?" Max begins to chuckle, lightening the air. He stands near her, his arms folded as he watches the moving pictures.

"It's the perfect movie for Christmas too." She attempts a smile only glancing at Max for a moment. When his gaze turns back toward her, though, she quickly averts her eyes back to the screen.

He moves to sit next to Maryanne, watching the movie silently.

After a while he says, "I want to apologize for earlier. You were right. I should have taken into consideration your feelings. I knew you wouldn't like me spending so much. I was only thinking about your safety. Ideally, I want to have a bodyguard assigned t