After The Dust Settles

Madison's 18th Birthday Flashback... Breakfast

"Happy Birthday, My Sweet Pea." said Madison's father said as he stood up from the top end of the dining table after he spotted her first when she entered the family dining room and approached Madison who had just walked in for breakfast, and quickly gave her a hug and patted her back with his hand.

He cupped one side of her cheek with his palm, with a look on his face that she couldn't describe, she thought, half of love and half of something she couldn't put her finger on, before he turned around to sit back in his seat. "Thanks Daddy" she whispered silently and took her seat opposite her mother and sister, sat in between her brothers, Luke and Charlie.

"Happy Birthday, Little Sis" Luke and Charlie both said at the same time cheerily, with big smiles on their faces. It must be a twin thing, they often finish each other's sentences. They leaned in and gave Madison a gentle shoulder bump. Both of them were nearly 6ft, like their father with his matching dark brown hair and with their mother's blue eyes. Madison smiled brightly and opened her mouth to say something to her brothers, but Ellie cut in, looking more like a double, younger version of their mother, Caroline, today. Only Ellie's hair was a shade lighter blonde due to the highlights, and it reached half way back her back in soft curly waves.

"Madi, Happy Birthday, Mummy has arranged a special meal for you at our family's favorite restaurant. Did you invite Thomas to join us?" "I hope you haven't forgotten that I booked it to accommodate twenty people only, Madison?" Caroline, Madison's mother, said flatly. "No I didn't forget Mother. I only managed to invite Danielle and Thomas. My other friends have plans that they can't sadly drop to come, but I haven't got an update from Thomas about if he can come because of the important project he is on."

Danielle was Madison's best friend from Summer Camp where they met as bunk bed buddies in their shared cabin five years ago. A fellow college student artist, with her colorful funky hairstyles and trendy outfits, always full of passion, life and overflowing with wit and sarcasm and wit, despite Danielle's 5ft 5in, pale-skinned, brown-eyed, curvy statue.

"Well it's a good thing that I have gone ahead and invited some of our family then, although I got a call from Grandpa and Grandma Holts early this morning that they sadly cannot attend your celebrations, they are still on their cruise, but they send their well-wishes." Caroline stated before sipping on her cup of tea. "Thank you, Mother, for everything, it's a shame they couldn't make it, but I'm glad that they are both enjoying the cruise" replied Madison.

Madison's father, James', phone began ringing. "Excuse me, one moment". He stood up and quickly walked out of the room while answering his phone, "Hello? Ah, yes Good Morning Mr..." The door closed behind him, cutting off the rest of his phone conversation.