Something about Madison’s demeanor told me she had shared more with Natalie than she had with me. Whatever itwas, she respected Madison’s privacy, and that made me love her even more.
Madison looked at us both and said, “Goodnight.”
“I’ll be up soon,” I told her, and she gave me a small, tired smile before climbing the stairs to her room.
“I’m going to head out,” Natalie said quietly, glancing at me. “I’ll see you both soon.”
I walked her to the door and then out to her car. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the sea.
When we reached her car, I opened the door for her. A strand of hair fell in front of her face as she turned, and without thinking, I tucked it behind her ear. My fingers lingered for a moment.
“I don’t know what happened between you two,” I said softly. “If you want to keep it between you, I respect that. But can I just say… you’re amazing.”
She hesitated, then replied, “She’s hurting right now. Sometimes when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, you grab onto the wrong things, hoping they’ll steady you. But they never do.”
Her words carried more weight than the moment required, and I had a sudden flash of insight. Natalie’s dad had remarried. She’d hinted before that he’d pulled away after that. She didn’t talk about her parents much, only mentioning Meredith as her family. This was why she’d been so scared of stepping into this role with Madison because she understood it too well.
“You’re such a good dad,” she added, breaking through my thoughts. “Don’t let her forget that.”
I took her hands in mine, squeezing them lightly. “I love you,” I said, the words falling naturally.
Her hazel eyes softened as she smiled, her hand brushing my cheek. “I love you too.”
Leaning in, I kissed her, a slow, lingering kiss that seemed to erase the chaos of the night.
“Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe,” I said, stepping back reluctantly.
She chuckled lightly, giving me that smile I’d come to rely on. “Okay. Goodnight, Will.”
I watched her drive away, the red glow of her taillights disappearing into the night.
Back inside, I headed upstairs to change. Madison’s shower was still running as I walked past her room, but when I came back, her door was open, and she wasn’t there. The faint light leading downstairs gave her away.
I found her in the kitchen, sitting at the island with a bowl of ice cream.
“Can I join you?” I asked, grabbing a spoon from the drawer.
She smirked, the same expression she’d been making since she was two years old. “Sure.”
I sat across from her, letting the silence stretch comfortably for a moment before speaking. “What do you say you and I have an evening to ourselves soon? I will see if your mom will let you stay with me on one of her nights. Anything you want. If you don’t mind hanging with your old dad, that is.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I mean, you’re not that old. A lot of my friends think you’re hot, which is so gross.”
I laughed. “Where am I taking you?”
She grinned. “How about California Adventure? We haven’t done Guardians of the Galaxy in forever.”
“It’s a date,” I said. “And you know what? I’ll even let you miss first period so you can sleep in. I’m feeling generous since you called me ‘not that old.’”
We both laughed, the sound filling the quiet house in a way that made it feel warmer.
Her expression softened as she licked her spoon. “Dad…I’m sorry if I made things hard for you and Natalie. She’s not bad. Actually, she’s… good. Way better than that big-boob, blonde you brought around for a bit. She was desperate.”
“Okay, that was a rebound. Not my best judgment,” I admitted, chuckling.
Madison smiled. “I can tell you really care about Natalie.”
I nodded, meeting her gaze. “I do. But that doesn’t take away my love for you or your siblings. You guys are my number one. Always. You’re my girl, Maddie. My firstborn. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
