(A surprise is waiting at the end of the chapter)

Lindsey's POV

It's finally Christmas time! It's my favorite time of year because I love the joy and cheerfulness that is spread throughout this time of year. Our house was completely decorated for the season and our house looked great.

"I'm so excited for Christmas." I smiled at my brother.

"I know. I wonder what Santa is going to bring us" Daniel asked me and I giggled.

"Daniel, I know Dad was the one who brought us our presents."

He scoffed. "Way to ruin the spirit."

It was currently 9:00 pm and I clapped my hands. "Christmas is tomorrow, so I'm gonna head to bed.

My brother chuckled and kissed my head. "Night kiddo."

"Night weirdo!" I twinkled and headed upstairs. I walked down the hallway and into my bedroom and got into my bed.

I checked my phone and saw I got a text from Phoebe. She asked me if I wanted to spend the night and I replied saying yes.

I quickly packed the essentials I needed and informed my brother of my plans. He agreed and I headed out towards the Thunderman's house.

----

Third Person POV

-One Year Ago-

Max's Dream

Lindsey and her brother Daniel were sitting by the Christmas tree. Lindsey was only thirteen at the time and was wearing her purple glasses.

Lindsey sat there with her head down sulking. Daniel was comforting his little sister and trying to cheer her up.

Two figures popped up in front of the two siblings but they were invisible to them. One of them was Max and the other was The Spirit of Christmas Past.

"Would you stop-" Max paused when he noticed a familiar girl on the couch but slightly smaller. "That's Lindsey. Why'd you bring me here?"

"Just watch." The Spirit told him and let the scene unfold before their eyes.

Lindsey let out a huge sigh and Daniel rubbed her back gently.

"Cheer up, kiddo." Daniel grinned at Lindsey who wasn't phased.

"Why is she so sad?" Max asked and the Spirit gave him a smug look.

"Oh, are you concerned for her?"

Max scoffed but deep down he was really concerned for her. "No."

"I can't." Lindsey sniffed. "Dad's not here with us."

Max felt his heart shatter at the sight but managed to keep a straight face the whole time.

"Linds, you know dad would be here if he could," Daniel told her but she shook her head.

"Than why isn't he?" She asked, feeling tears roll down her face.

"You know why," Daniel replied and she stood up. Lindsey wiped her eyes with her sleeve and for a few seconds made eyes contact with Max. Of course, she couldn't see Max but he could see her. Max's mouth fell open a little and his eyes darkened at the sight of the heartbroken girl.

"Lindsey's father couldn't make it to Christmas that year and it really hurt her." The Spirit informed Max and right then Lindsey walked right through their bodies and into her bedroom.

"I don't think I've ever seen her cry," Max stated and the Spirit shrugged.

"When it comes to her father, she gets emotional."

Daniel sighed and leaned back on the couch.

"There is only so much Daniel can do to cheer her up and sometimes it's not enough." The Spirit continued to explain but Max was lost in thought.

He felt a strange feeling in his chest when he saw Lindsey crying. He hated seeing her upset but he quickly shook that feeling off.

"I need to wake myself up." Max shook his head and started to slap himself lightly.

"Hey! I'm not done with you!" The Spirit exclaimed.

"Can't hear ya! Too busy waking myself up!" Max ignored her and continued his actions.

"Stop that! Stop waking yourself up!" Spirit exclaimed and Max woke up.

----

-One Year Later in Max's Dream-

Max and the Future Spirit had seen what happened if Max ruined Christmas. They have seen his whole family so far and all that's left was Lindsey.

"I was saving the best for last." Future Spirit told Max and lifted her arm. "Hold on."

Max touched her arm and they teleported to a small building in Hiddenvile.

Max gasped, rubbing his arm. "Woah, what is this place?"

"This is where Lindsey lives now." Future Spirit explained. "Lindsey tried her best to keep the Christmas spirit alive but everything came crashing down."

"Lindsey!" A voice echoed and the door slammed open. Lindsey jumped up from her spot in the living room and breathed out.

"Yes, Mrs. Higgins?" Lindsey squeaked inna soft voice.

"Who is that?" Max asked as he saw a middle aged woman walk into the house. She had blonde hair and had tons of makeup on her face.

"Lindsey's foster mother," Spirit informed Max who was shocked.

"Foster?" Max repeated and the Spirit nodded.

"Yes. When your family became evil Lindsey tried to convince them to stay good but they defeated her and took her powers away." Spirit began and Max was deep in thought. He caused this to happen was all he could think about.

"Did you clean the house?" Mrs. Higgins asked Lindsey, who nodded.

"Yes. Mrs. Higgins."

Mrs. Higgins roamed the apartment building and then froze.

"Well, looks like you forgot a spot." Mrs. Higgins pointed to the spiderweb that hung loosely off the ceiling. Lindsey cringed and shut her eyes closed.

"She doesn't seem like a good foster mother." Max pointed out.

"That's because she isn't. Your parents killed Daniel and Lindsey was sent to foster care and she is forced to be Mrs. Higgins slave." Spirit explained and Max felt his heart sink.

He couldn't stand to see Lindsey hurting. He wanted to protect her but he knew he couldn't.

"I-I'm so-sorry." Lindsey stuttered out with fear. "I thought I got that spot."

Mrs. Higgins scoffed and approached Lindsey. Lindsey stepped back holding her arms to her chest.

"Obviously, you didn't" Higgins sneered in Lindsey's face. Max's face scrunched up with anger.

"Why so angry Max?" Spirit asked him, noticing his sudden mood change.

"Lindsey doesn't deserve this." Max scolded, gesturing to the scene in front of them. "Why is she treated like this?"

"You did this to her," Spirit said Max became befuddled.

"No, I didn't mean to hurt Lindsey." Max cried out, staring at Lindsey. "I have to fix this."

"Clean it up!" Higgins ordered Lindsey, shoving her onto the couch. "If I see one more dirty spot the wooden stick is coming out."

Higgins left the apartment and Lindsey sat on the couch. Max stared at Lindsey and he was completely heartbroken at the sight.

Lindsey felt her throat get tight and she began to cry.

"No..." Max breathed out. "I have to fix this!"

"It's too late!" The Spirit told him. "Goodbye, Max Thunderman."

The Spirit vanished and Max cried out.

"No, no, no! It can't be! Take me back!"

Lindsey lifted her head and wiped her now red eyes.

"I can't believe I fell for Max Thunderman. I regret meeting him." Lindsey held her arms close and continued to silently cry.

Max froze in his spot and blinked a few times.

"She liked me back?" Max felt joy enter his body but it wasn't enough to conquer the sadness he felt.

Max groaned. "Please, I wanna change this!"

That's when Max woke up.

----

Lindsey's POV

The next morning I woke up and I giggled to myself. It's Christmas!

Phoebe had just woken up and she smiled at me.

"Christmas!" We both said and headed downstairs. We met with Barb, Hank, Billy, and Nora and saw Max at the bottom of the stairs.

I felt like my eyes were deceiving me because Max was wearing an elf costume.

"Get up, you sleepy heads! It's Christmas!" Max cheered and we followed him down into the living room.

We were all confused by Max. Phoebe told me Max hated Christmas and now I see this.

"Why is Max dressed like that?" Hank asked us, bewildered.

"I don't know," Phoebe replied as we slowly went over to the couch.

"Merry Christmas, my beautiful family!" Max rang the bells he was holding and was smiling from ear to ear.

"Why is Max acting like that?" Barb asked with the same type of confusion as her husband.

"I still don't know." I replied this time, giving the teenage boy a weird look.

"Guess who made figgy pudding?" Max asked us and picked up a figgy pudding. He dipped his figgy and sucked the frosting off his finger. "Mmmm."

We all sat down on the couch and we were officially weirded out by Max.

"Okay. Everybody lock arms and don't let go no matter what." Phoebe told us and us six linked arms with one another.

"What are you guys waiting for? Let's open our gifts." Max suggested and handed us each our own present.

I saw Max give me a soft smile when he gave me mine.

We all opened our presents and I gasped when I saw mine.

It was a beautiful necklace with an Opal in the center of it. I looked at the others and they all seemed pleased with their gifts.

"A new video game! I know what I'll be doing for the next 14 to 16 hours!" Billy smiled, hugging his game to his chest.

I giggled and stared at my necklace. Opal is my favorite gem but how did Max know?

Max came over and handed Nora her present. "Nora. This one is from me."

Nora took the gift and she opened it. Her face fell when she looked inside.

"Hey! What gives?" Nora complained and I rubbed her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Nora?" I asked her.

"There's nothing inside that's what." Nora told us and I gaped at Max.

Barb rose to her feet. "Max Octavius Thunderman! How could you?!"

"Oh wait, there is something." Nora cut in and reached inside.

"Nevermind." Barb sat down and Nora pulled out a note. She opened the note and read it aloud.

"Look outside, love Max?" Nora was confused and we all turned out heads. My eyes widened when I saw snow was falling from the sky.

We all were shocked and Billy immediately ran towards the door.

"A white Christmas? I knew it would happen!" Nora exclaimed smiling. "This is the best Christmas ever!" She followed Billy outside.

"Max, how did you do this?" Barb asked her eldest son.

"Hello? Super genius." Max chuckled. "I built a machine to freeze the world's water supply, but today it makes snow for Nora."

Nora appeared again and hugged her big brother.

"I love you Max." Nora smiled and he hugged her back. "Can we go outside and chuck snowballs at the neighbors?"

"Wouldn't be much of a Thunderman Christmas if we didn't." Max replied and the rest of the family hurried outside. I stayed behind and picked up my necklace.

"Max." I called and he turned to me. The rest of the family left to play in the snow.

"Why the sudden change?" I bluntly asked.

"So bad being good once a year doesn't mean Nora has to eat dumpter mints." Max responded and I gave him a strange look.

"What are you talking about?" I asked him.

"Like you don't know, Lindsey!" He countered in a strange voice.

I rolled my eyes but let out a small chuckle.

"So, do you like your necklace?" Max asked me, stepping closer to me.

I nodded. "It's beautiful."

"Here, let me help you." Max offered, gently taking the necklace from my hands. I felt my cheeks heat up at his offer and I moved my hair out of the way. I saw Max's hands appear in front of my face and the necklace made contact with my skin. Moments later Max appeared from behind me.

"There." Max grinned.

"Thank you." I smiled and I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him close. I could tell he was taken back but he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist.

"Ahem." We heard someone clear their throat and we turned to find Colosso sitting on the couch. "Look up."

Max and I pulled away to arms length and our eyes wandered up. We saw a mistle toe hanging above our heads and my cheeks became red again.

Oh.

"Come on now." Colosso encouraged us and Max and I locked eyes.

His cheeks were red like mine and he nervous. I swallowed and felt speecless. Not the way I wanted to have my first kiss but at least the guy is attractive

"Lindsey, I will only-"

I don't know what came over me but I cut him off by cupping his cheeks gently and connecting our lips. I had to make him lean down a little to get a better angle. Max kissed back seconds later and his arms tightening around my waist, like they were afaird to lose me.

We kissed for a good ten seconds before we both pulled away. Max and I were rendered speechless and couldn't talk.

"Well, that was quite the kiss." Colosso commented and I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up, Colosso." Max said before he captured my lips again. I was the shocked one this time but kissed back.

I never thought I would kiss a guy in an elf costume but I don't mind it one bit right now.

Max pulled away and I couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"I hope that wasn't weird for you." Max stated and I chuckled.

"Not one bit." I replied, making me smile.

After that, Max and I headed outside to play with his family.

It's official, I have a crush on Max Thunderman.