"Grinch?" She approached him gently. The feast was over, the Whos all gone, and the two were left alone in his home. Alone for the first time since she had boldly, and quite madly, confessed her love to him.

He turned and had an inquisitive look on his face. She came to him, placing a hand on his arm and giggled before removing his ridiculous Santa hat. His mouth opened, then shut, then opened again.

"I… I don't-" he shook his head, eyes still dazed with amazement as they met hers. "I don't know what to say."

Love burst from her heart in a capacity she couldn't restrain. She smiled against the sudden tears pricking in her eyes and turned him to face her fully before wrapping her arms around him, holding him as close as possible.

"You don't have to say anything." She said, voice trembling slightly with emotion. His arms enfolded her and she felt him place his chin atop her head. She pulled away and placed a hand on his cheek, his eyes softened.

"I want to show you something." She whispered. He looked confuse but nodded, showing his willingness. She let her hand go down to his arm, taking it in hers and began leading him away.

When they reached her home, after the Grinch waved and smiled and spoke with the Whos on the way and, of course, giving Cindy Lou a quick kiss and squeeze, she lead him inside. She wondered why she suddenly felt so nervous. She brought him to the large sitting room and took a breath before placing him in front of the large Christmas tree. He gave her a confused look and she took another breath before inclining her head to the top. He followed her direction, eyebrows still furrowed, when he saw it and froze.

There, on the top of her tree as it had been every year, was his angel topper. It was in rough shape, she not having been able to find all the smashed pieces and the glue job was getting old. But it was still, undoubtedly, the one he had made for her so many years ago. Her heart was thumping unevenly in her chest and he was still frozen, eyes locked on the humble thing. She nervously played with her fingers and began to speak shakily,

"I'm not at all very handy, sadly. And I couldn't quite find all the pieces, but I…" She stuttered to a stop. Without turning to her, she heard his voice come no more than a whisper,

"You… kept this?" She nodded slowly and once again fought back tears.

"It was all I had to," she coughed a little, "well, to remember you by and I loved it so very much." She watched as he slowly turned to her and had to gape when she saw the tears in his green eyes.

"You did?" Tears began to flow from her eyes and she raised a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle a sob. She ran at him and he reached for her. They held each other tightly, stumbling back a few steps.

"Of course!" She cried into his chest. "I've missed you much." She was beginning to sound incoherent, but she didn't care. And neither did he.

"I love you, Martha," her eyes flew open as his arms tightened. He'd never said it before. "I have always loved you." She pulled back to see his face and he smiled gently, releasing her to wipe away her tears with his thumbs. She stretched up on her toes and pressed her forehead to his. She laughed softly through her tears.

"I love you, too." Then, he tilted his head and kissed her softly. Her fingers wove themselves in his hair, holding is face gently to hers, kissing him back.

"Awwww!" They jumped apart as a squeal came to their ears. Cindy Lou stood in the doorway with Max and the Grinch sputtered angrily,

"Cindy!" The little girl giggled and ran away, max at her heels. Martha only laughed.