Chapter 13

On the plane headed for California, Madison hoped for a smooth flight. If they arrived on time she could meet up with Lance and tell him the drama she went home to find. Shawna was still red faced and crying, begging to die. They both wanted to avoid the conversation they were bound to have.

“Are you mad at me?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“No.”

“At least tell me what you think about all this.”

“I’m thrilled.”

“Oh shut up Madison!”

“What the hell do you want me to say Shawna? This is ridiculous.”

“You let me come with you, that must mean you don’t hate me.”

“Let’s get cleared up, you are here because our parents can’t handle you.”

“Are you going to be like this all summer?” she asked watering up again.

“Shawn all I can say right now is that I’m shocked, I’m disappointed and I’m trying to deal with all of this. You are my sister and I love you, but I’m not very happy with you right now. I’m sure it will pass, but for right now just try to keep up and stay out of my way.”

“Maybe this is the wrong time to say it… but Madison, I want you to know I never meant for it to get this outta hand.” Madison looked over at her and saw the tears streaming down her face.

“Thanks,” Madison said softly as she handed her some more Kleenex.

Gwen was waiting for them at the gate. She had a cell phone for Shawna, just as Madison requested. “This phone will be your life line this summer. Do not lose it! I have Madison’s and my numbers on speed dial. Here are all the program books on it, if you wanna change rings and all. Gwen gave instructions as she handed it all over.

“Thank you,” Shawna took the bundle and slipped it into her purse as they made their way down the terminal. Gwen caught up with Madison and took her roller bag to help out. “Madison speaking of lifelines, Lance and the guys are across the parking lot in the bay waiting for their flight. We have a shuttle all to ourselves so we can ride over there if ya like.” Madison stopped for the first time since they had landed and gave Gwen a hug. It was unexpected and needed. She really was a great friend and assistant. “Umm… ok.” Gwen patted her on the back and let out a nervous giggle. “We’re parked over here.”

Ridding out to the bay was going to be the highlight of the day. Madison had become attached to Lance. They had just spent a three months together and being away from him and out of the loop for as little as two days was hard to deal with. The large hangers were spread out for what seemed to be miles. When the shuttle picked the third driveway they smoothly entered in the huge building. The driver released the doors Gwen went out first. Steve greeted the girls and directed them to the office. The bay was a huge garage for the planes. The guys would be taking a private flight to Chicago to visit a children’s hospital. Gwen directed Madison and then spoke where only she could hear. “I kinda told Lance what was going on, he was freaking out and stuff I had to tell him something.” She pleaded a little when she thought that Madison would be mad.

“It’s cool, that just saves me the trouble.” Madison spoke back in a low voice.

When they got to the door Charlie was on post and greeted the girls. “They are in a meeting right now can you guys give’em five?” He put his hand up and then pointed to a chair and a stool that looked out of place.

“Sure,” Madison winked at him as she turned and told Shawna to sit down. She kneeled down to tie her sneaker and looked up at Gwen. The big warehouse like space was too tempting to act a scene. “G, betcha can’t do a cart wheel anymore.” Gwen looked down at her and then in the hanger. “Your on.” She took her phone out of her pocket and handed it to Shawn. Stretching out her arms then her legs she pulled at her jeans and tucked her t-shirt down in the front. With a running start she traveled about five feet and then flipped into a cartwheel sticking the landing. “Yeah! That’s how you do it Gee.” Charlie spoke up watching the challenge. Madison laughed and clapped softly giving her a high five when she came back to the group.

“Good job.”

“Ok Madison Avenue, your turn.” Gwen pointed to the bay.

“I got this.” Madison laughed and walked over to the opening. She leaned her head from side to side the crack her neck and shook out the flight from Texas. She ran three feet flew in the air hit the ground with one hand and then hit her feet with force. She bowed when Steve joined them clapping, not knowing what was going on. Walking back over the group she laughed as Gwen pouted.

“That was pretty.” Gwen admitted.

“Thank you, I would like to thank my coach, my family, and my country.”

“Shut up!” Gwen put her in a headlock and messed up her hair, as they horse played.

Some time had passed when Madison’s phone rang and got everyone’s attention. It had been close to twenty minutes since they had got there, but that was just the way things were sometimes. “Hello? Hey sweetie. Less than ten feet, no come outside.” With that the office door swung open and Lance darted out. He saw Madison and hung up his phone as he approached her. The other guys were now wondering out and greeting Gwen and Shawna. Lance didn’t notice, he missed her so much. He was happy when she jumped in his arms. He lifted her off the ground so her face would be even with his. His eyes were glazed and she wrapped her legs around him when she started to spin her around in his arms. When he got dizzy she eased down to the floor and held him to her small body until the world caught up with them. She touched his face and he opened his eyes.

“Hey baby girl.” Lance greeted her with a soft kiss. She leaned her head back and then closer to him.

“Hum, give me one more I had a rough day.” Madison held on to his arm for another that he gave with no argument. He took her into the office and they sat down on a couch. From the door Madison could hear Gwen introduced Shawna to the guys. She had met JC and Chris, Justin and Joey were new faces to her. “So you are spending the summer with Maddy?” Justin asked.

“Yeah, everyone thinks it should help me get focused.” He nodded back as JC started talking to her. Lance’s attention was back on Madison. He pulled her into his lap so they could talk.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, I just have to deal with it.”

“Hey if you need anything… Even if it’s just to talk, I’m here.”

“I know and I hope you know I love you, so much.” Madison let her feeling pour out a little. He took her right hand and kissed her promise ring and put her hand on his face.

“I missed you so much and I love you.” She rested her head on top of his holding onto his shoulders. He ran his hands up her sides slowly lifting his head he wanted a kiss. She moved her hands to the base of his neck running two fingers into his collar and leaned in softly kissing him as he rubbed her back. The smooth material of her silk tank was hidden where only he could find it under her denim jacket. Slow and soft their bodies formed to one another. His mouth was strong and hot on her face, her lips were swollen suckling against his. The sweetness of the time melted them. The embrace lasted longer than they had expected it to and was only stopped by the sound of the walkie-talkie getting closer. She opened her eyes when she could feel Steve standing over them.

“I hate it but we have to go.” He announced and went out the door. Madison fell back on to the couch and scooted out of Lance’s lap. He squeezed her knee.

“Damn it girl.”

“What?” She said sitting up on pulling at her clothes and getting ready to standing up.

“Nothing, just… kissing you like that.” He whispered to her. “Then seeing up on your back…” He was nuzzling her neck and making her blush with his words. She pushed him away when she saw Gwen headed their way.

“Stop,” she whispered as her voice cracked and she made eye contact with him. He had her hand in his, pulling her to him.

“You like it.” He smirked and bit his lip at her, he knew that drove her crazy. She was already putty, but that was his own little overkill.

“Will you stop, Gwen is coming.” She whispered back to him trying to pull her arm free.

“She can watch,” he said in a low voice deep in her ear, making her shake.

“Madison, we have to go.” Gwen stuck her head in the door not knowing. Madison jumped up from the seat and ran out of the room. Another second and the flight would have been delayed.

“Is she ok?” Gwen questioned Lance. He wiped his mouth and grinned and evil smile. Rubbing his legs for a minute he stood up making it to the door.

“She will be, after a cold shower.”

“What?” Gwen laughed.

“Had to give my baby something to remember me by.” He slid on his jacket and waved his hands as if he were telling her after you.

The plane was ready to be boarded and the guys were working on making it up the stairs. Lance was the last as he stepped into the sun from out of the shade of the bay. Madison handed his laptop to him when he crossed in front of her. “That conversation is not over.” He took the bag with one hand and hugged her with the other arm.

“Bet your ass it’s not.” She shot a fiery look through his sunglasses. He smiled and kissed her quick and hard on the mouth, then on her right hand. “I love you, I’m going to call you tonight.”

“I love you too, be safe.”

“Always…” He nodded his head and then waved to Gwen and Shawna. He made it about halfway up when he turned with Joey and Chris to wave goodbye. With that they were in and the door was sealed. Madison watched until the plane was safely in the air. It was tradition anytime she put someone on a plane. Leaving the shuttle there the girls piled into an expedition and went to the hotel.

They had ventured out for dinner and returned to their rooms. Madison was almost settled in for the night when she went through the connecting door to Shawna’s room. She was in tears again talking on the telephone. Fear shot over her face when she saw Madison in front of her. Madison realized what was going on and was outraged. “Is that Brett?!” Madison yelled loudly before snatching the phone away from her. Shawna jumped up after it, but wasn’t quick enough. “Brett! You shit stay away from my Shawn or I swear I will…”

“Well hello to you to Madison! What was that your gonna do?”

“I will kick your ass!”

“Ooh sounds like someone is jealous.”

“You wish prick!”

“Damn that makes not one, but two Davis girls I’ve deflowered now. How dose that make you pop-star boyfriend feel Maddy?”

“Fuck off and leave him out of this! You are so stupid. I was too strong for you so you preyed on my little sister, you sick fuck! Do you parents know? Do they know who she is? Do they know how old she is? Do they know you took advantage of her?!”

“Advantage hell, she fell over with her legs in the air just like you. As far as my parents go Madison don’t you dare play that card I swear I will kill you this time!”

“Brett you better watch your back because when I find you I’m going to tear your ass outta the frame! Do you hear me?!?… Hello?! Hello…Damn it.” Madison said as she slammed down the phone.

"Shawn, don’t call him again! Because when you do your on the first plane back to Dallas!" Madison spoke harshly and turned to walk out of the room.

“Why did you ask him about his parents?”

“What?”

“Did he tell them about me?”

“No Shawn so whatever fantasy you have planned out in your head about a happy ending with Brett Carrington should really be reconsidered.

“Madison you wrong,” Shawna didn’t want to hear what her sister was saying about the man she loved.

“Shawn use you head!”

“No Madison, he said he loved me and that he was going to fix everything. We are going to tell his parents together, that’s why they don’t know.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Shawn.” Madison turned again to leave the room. She felt Shawna’s firm grip on her arm.

“Right?”

“What? Right what?”

“He is going to take care of it…” Shawna let go of her and sat on the bed crying.

“Yeah he will fix it!” Her tone was hard as she undid her jeans and pulled her shirt up to her bra walking over to the bed. “Want to see some of his best work Shawna! Look!” She turned her back to her. The area looked clear, but Shawna took closer look and saw the faint scars that went down Madison’s side to her hip. “He was going to fix my problem of picking the best art school. When he put me through a glass table, it took forty-nine stitches to close it up.” She dropped her shirt and pulled at her jeans. “Why do you think I was in New York? Studying abroad, work base learning? No! I was being sewn up, because of that bastard. The doctor fixed the scars the best he could, but I still see them, I still feel them.”

“You guys are right… I’m throwing my life away. He was never going to tell them. He was just going to leave me!” Shawna started freaking out.

“Shawn, chill out…”

“Chill out, I’m making the biggest decision of my life and you want me to chill out.”

Madison went to the door shaking her head and told her goodnight. “You aren’t even going to make sure I’m ok? Shawna questioned her sister from deep in her room. I could use some help right now ya know.”

“You’re so selfish! Try to get some sleep, we have a busy day tomorrow.”

“The hell with you Madison!” Shawna shouted upset not to be taking seriously. Madison’s anger grew as she turned on her heel to rip into her sister.

“Shawna you put yourself here, not me! This is how you wanted to prove you’re grown, so deal with it. Welcome to the club, your not a kid anymore and I’m not going to baby you.”

The next morning

“Damn baby,” the voice poured through the phone.

“What? Am I suppose to treat her like a angel or something?”

“No, all I meant was it sounds like a big mess.” Lance tried to explain himself to her after hearing about the night before.

“Ugh, I don’t know, I keep thinking I made a mistake by letting her come out here. I don’t know what to say or not. I’m not her mother so I can’t really discipline her. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Things will get better, I promise… You’re helping your parents out and Shawna too. Just remember she needs your love and a little guidance couldn’t hurt.” His words made her smile as she let his voice distract her thoughts.

“Thank you sweetie, I miss you.”

“I miss you too Maddy, and you’re welcome. Oh yeah…”

“What?”

“Justin, he said he wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

“Hello?”

“What’s up Bud-die?”

“Girl, why did you just leave us like that?”

“Man that is a long story.”

“Is that why Shawn is spending the summer with you?”

“Yeah”

“Well you can tell me all about it and we’ll burn up all of Lance’s minutes.”

“Hey!” Lance swatted at him for the phone. Justin took off in the bunk hall and hid in his bed.

“What are y’all doing?” Madison asked hearing the noise in the background.

“Playing… don’t you miss life on the road?”

“Sure I do, but if I don’t get some work done I will be too broke to travel all the time.”

“You could be a gold digga like all his other girlfriends were. They always take advantage of the nice ones.”

“No thanks.” She laughed at the offer.

“Well as soon as you get done you’d better come back… Oh shit gotta go!” Justin spoke quickly and she heard the phone drop.

“Maddy?” Lance asked.

“Yeah I’m still here.”

“What were we saying now?”

“Umm… bye.”

“Nope that wasn’t it. Try again.”

“I have to go they are ready for me to start working.”

“Your wrong again… goodness Ms. Davis, what are we going to do with you?”

“Umm… I love you.”

“Yes, finally you got it right… I love you too.”

“I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Bye Sweetheart.”

“Bye”

Chapter 14

One month later Madison took a step back after talking to Rick about the set. She scanned the room to find Shawna, surprisingly she saw her working diligently. She wasn’t just tagging along anymore she was doing work most interns would be doing. Madison wasn’t sure what had brought the change, but she relished it. They had spent about four days with the guys in Orlando and when they got back to work Shawna was a different person.

“Hey, how is it going on your end?” Gwen asked her.

“Pretty good I guess… I’m still sane which is a step up right?”

“Yeah boss, big improvement there.” She laughed.

“Has Shawna said anything to you lately?”

“Like how?”

“Umm I’m not sure, she just seems a little different.”

“I think she is getting focused.”

“G, please… Just because she isn’t wondering around helpless anymore doesn’t mean she is focused.”

“Nah man. When y’all went to Florida she talked to Chris, he really made her think about some stuff. I think maybe she understands the big picture now.”

“Only time will tell.”

**********************

After the shoot Madison took Shawna to dinner so they could talk. The mood was light, but not relaxed. The only thing they had really talked about was the schedule. Shawna needed time and her own space. Madison decided to ease into it. “I have seen the work you have been doing… it’s not bad.”

“Really? I’m just trying to help out.” She sounded upbeat.

“Yes, well your doing a good job.”

“Good enough to work on your crew?”

“Well, you’re still a work in progress, but since I’m in charge I guess I could pull a few strings.”

“Would you be willing to do that for me?”

“Sure, after you graduate next year. Maybe we could hire a tutor so you could get some college classes under your belt.”

“Sounds about right.” Shawna played with a tomato on her plate.

“Of course, it’s going to be a lot of hard work. Of all people you know that I don’t take school matters lightly.”

“Yeah I understand that, I’m ready for it. I can do it Sis, I mean it.”

“So… do I need to interview Nannies as well or is Brett going to watch the baby? We are only gone about 200 days a year, but I’m sure he won’t mind.” Madison was ridged to test how much Shawna had changed.

“About that… I’ve been talking to some people.” She paused and put her hands in her lap and took a deep breath. “I talked to Chris and he gave me the number to a counselor. I talked to her and then I called Brett. His parents found out, he swears it was you that told them…”

“How did they take it?” Madison spoke softly.

“They wanted to right the wrong. They wanted us to get married and keep the baby. Then they found out who I was… Madison Davis’ little sister.” The words slowed Shawna down and her eyes watered up but she pushed them back so not to cry.

“I’m sorry Shawna, please know that I didn’t tell them anything.”

“Ugh… I know it wasn’t you Maddy. I did, well someone did. Chris is really good with impersonations.” She scoffed to remember that night. “I needed to know where he was coming from… Now I know.” She finished her sentence and sipped her water to swallow the lump in her throat.

“Shawn what are you going to do?”

“Oh yeah, the rest of the story. After talking to Brett I knew… I’m not ready for a baby. In wouldn’t know where to begin. So I called the doctor, he gave me a referral. I’m going to abort it.”

“You sound like you have made you decision.”

“Yes, I have. I believe this is for the best. I think it was the hardest… choice I have ever had to make.” She dropped her eyes then looked around and landing on her. “Madison I need you to do something for me.”

“What?” Madison looked up from the table and saw Shawna with tears falling from her eyes.

“Will you come with me? I can’t do this alone.”

“Ok…” Madison whispered.

*******************

Gwen cleared a week off for Madison to be with her sister. She would never forget that day, Shawna wouldn’t either. When they arrived at the clinic Shawna was in a mournful sob. The small brick building was in the corner of the lot. It was the only contrast against the cold muggy morning. Protesters swarmed in front of the door. Gwen and Shelby cleared a small path, as Madison held tight to Shawna. The signs were waving and they were shouting in rage. Pushing and pulling the protesters called them murders and devil worshipers. They made threats against the women as they passed. A security guard that worked there opened the door for them and brought them in out of the crowd. Once inside the paperwork was done and the procedure was paid for.

Madison walked Shawna to her room and tried to keep her calm. “Everything will be fine,” Madison spoke softly as she kissed Shawna's forehead. The young girls eyes were almost swollen shut from crying. Her hair was thick and dull in color and her face was very pale. The nurse came in with her chart.

“Davis?” she looked at the file and then Shawna’s wristband. When everything was confirmed the lady looked up at Madison. “Are you guys twins?” Shawna let out a nervous laugh.

“No, I’m older than her.” Madison pinched Shawna for laughing. The nurse laughed. “My daughter hates it when people ask us if we are sisters.”  The girls tried to smile and think of anything other than what was going on.

“I have to go.” Madison said as they started prepping the room.

“It’s ok big sister, she is in good hands.” Madison smiled and got up from the side of the bed. “I love you,” she mouthed the words to Shawna before she left the room. When she made it out to the hall she leaned up against the wall and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and said a prayer for her sister.

She joined Shelby and Gwen in the waiting room. She sat down next to her mother and put her head in her lap. She remembered having the same feeling of terror when Shawna had her tonsils taken out. Her little sister was somewhere she couldn’t be. Somewhere that Madison couldn’t protect her. Shelby rubbed her back and tapped her foot in anticipation for the doctor to appear.

After her third cup of coffee the receptionist who appeared to be on break approached her. “Hey Hun.”

“Hi” Madison tried to smile, perhaps she knew something about Shawna.

“Say are that photographer, the one Lance Bass threw that party for? You know up in the Big Apple.”

“Well, yeah… I guess I am.”

“Oh my goodness! I read all about that in the papers.”

“Really?” This conversation had taken a strange turn and Madison wasn’t quite sure how to react to her.

“Oh yeah I love my papers, love my celebrities too.”

“Margi! Get back on the phones.” A voice yelled out ending the meeting. “Excuse me dear.” The lady left. Madison was relieved, she wasn’t the famous one that was his end of the deal.

About an hour later they took Shawna home to recuperate. Madison finally fell asleep around two am.

****************

When she woke up the next day, she checked in on Shawna before heading downstairs. Dale was making lunch with Shelby. Tia passed her on her way to answer the door. Madison sat down at the island counter and let out one last yawn. Tia returned with a frantic Gwen. A newspaper hit the table with a thud. Madison’s eyes skimmed the enquirer, star, and other gossip tabloids. “Tell me I’m still sleeping!”

“Madison this is real and it is all over the place.”

“I’ll bet it was that nosey old receptionist. She said she was into all this shit.”

“We released a statement at eight this morning.”

“Good, maybe that will slow it down. I wonder if Lance has seen this yet.”

With a few hours difference Lance was waking up to breakfast in L.A. There was a knock at the door that pulled him from the bed for good. Morning C.” Lance mumbled as he let JC in.

“We need to talk man,” JC stated as he took a seat at the table. He took a seat and rubbed his face to wipe the night away.

“What’s up?” Lance asked still unaware of the drama that was brewing.

“You haven’t seen the papers yet have you?”

“Man, I haven’t even seen myself yet.”

“Ok well we have a slight problem.” With his words he handed Lance the papers.

 “Bye Bye Bye to Bass Baby.”

Madison Davis girlfriend of Lance Bass of Nsync aborts her baby! Yesterday Davis underwent an abortion in a small Texas clinic. Rumors say the baby may not have been his. Bass had no comment on the incident. Inside sources say the couple is having troubles. They were spotted at a nightclub in New York and arguing in the hotel parking lot.

“Holy shit are they for real?” the article stunned Lance.

“Yeah, I’m afraid so.”

“That wasn’t Madison, it was Shawn! Everyone knew she was pregnant how can they say all this? That parking lot thing happened, I don’t even know how long ago!”

“Man we all know the truth, but this is already done. Gwen’s people called for a retraction on the story. Johnny wants you to do the same.”

“Johnny has seen this?”

“Yeah,” JC nodded.

“Well let’s go! Do whatever we have to do to get this straight.” With Lance’s final statement there was a knock on the door. JC answered it while Lance gathered his head and clothes that he would need for the day. His body had taken over, his mind was a hundred miles away. The motions of walking around were on autopilot. Johnny came into the room with a few papers in his hand.

“Lance you ok?” He asked.

“How could I be ok?”

“Well get a shower and pack, you are going to New York. I snagged you a spot on TRL.

“Ok that sounds good, wait I have to call Madison.”

“She is on her way to New York so you better hustle.”

Chapter 15

“Welcome back to TRL. Today we have a major news brief and a few special guests to speak with us. Here is Suchin Pak with the news.”

“Thank you Carson, A lot of us woke up to some disturbing headlines this morning. Bass baby aborted, was the jest of the stories floating around. You may remember the extreme surprise birthday party Lance from Nsync threw for his world famous photographer girlfriend Madison Davis last October. Since then the couple has been in a monogamous relationship, which has gone unquestioned, until now. Lance and Madison are here today to set the record straight.”

“Please welcome Lance Bass and Madison Davis to the show.” Carson Daly introduced them to the stage. Lance walked out proudly with Madison by his side. After greeting the crowd, Carson and Suchin the conversation began.

“Well Lance welcome back to your home away from home.”

“Thanks Carson,” Lance brought the microphone up to his mouth and then dropped it again.

“And may I say,” Suchin popped in. “Madison you look great for someone who just had surgery.” They laughed at her sarcasm.

“Since you brought it up,” Madison started. She looked over at Lance and then spoke directly to the camera. “For the record, I did not have an abortion yesterday.” The camera pulled back for a group shot. Then Lance spoke to the group.

“She is not pregnant and she didn’t abort my child, these are rumors!” With a little laugh the mood lightened. That is until Suchin started investigating again.

“Madison if it wasn’t you like you said then can you explain this.” Suchin handed her some pictures and the receipt that showed Shelby’s debit card had been used to pay for Shawna’s surgery. Lance saw what it was from over her shoulder and Carson peered over at the same time trying not to be obvious. The first picture was of Shawna in the clinic bed in recovery. The second one was taken of Madison walking Shawna to the car when they left. Both had been taken with a camera phone. Madison was furious and Lance could tell.  

“I can almost guarantee where you got this stuff. This is a picture of my sister and me. My seventeen year-old sister. She has been traveling with me for the last two months. She needed some time to figure out what she wanted to do. When she came to this decision she asked me if I would go with her, and supporting her I went. Which explains why I’m in the picture. I couldn’t abandon my little sister like that, She is at home resting now, where I should be.” Lance knew Madison was pissed and he put his arms around her waist. Carson took his cue from Lance and stepped in between her and Suchin.

“Well that settles it folks. We all wish your sister a quick recovery, Madison since this is your first time to TRL we would love for you to intro the next video.”

“Sure.” Madison smiled from behind Lance’s grasp. When they broke to the video Madison sincerely thanked Carson and threw the pictures at Suchin’s feet gave her a dirty look and walked off stage.

While they were waiting for the elevator, Suchin came down the hall. “Madison I’m really sorry. I was just doing my job.”

“Really it’s ok.”

“No, it was wrong of me to show those pictures and all…”

“Su what makes me so mad is that you knew it wasn’t me and you showed them anyways. Just to get one over on Shawna.” Madison turned away from her and pushed the button on the wall again.

“What are you talking about Maddy? She doesn’t even know Shawn.” Lance stated confused. Suchin dropped her eyes from the group then back up to Madison.

“Yes she does.” Madison stated. “She and Brett are going out. Have been for the last year. Although Mr. Carrington is not as faithful as she’d like. Shawna got pregnant when they were having one of there many fights. Now she wants to get all up in my face.” Suchin had her hand on her hip as she finished the story and rolled her eyes.

“Madison, I am all up in your face.” She toed off with her.

“Oh really,” Madison said as she took a step in her direction.

“Madison let’s go.” Lance said when the elevator door opened. She didn’t move a muscle, she and Suchin were toe to toe. As interesting as that catfight would have been Lance picked Madison up from behind and carried her in the elevator. Suchin deserved a good one, but she was still a member of the international press. She put her foot in the door so it wouldn’t close.

“Maddy you have no idea what you just started.”

“And you have no idea who you are dealing with.”

“Steve!” Lance urged his bodyguard to take action. “Get her back before I let Madison whip her ass.” Suchin moved her foot when the man came toward her and the door  closed.

*****************

Lance delivered Madison to her door safely and decided to stay the night. They introduced Steve to the family and he was particularly taken with Tia. After dinner and helping Shawna to bed they went to Madison’s side of the house. It was four large rooms in the back of the estate cut off by a hallway to the attic stair. They lay talking about the day’s events. Shawna and the choice she made. The mistake that Madison wished she could have saved her sister from. “I feel like it’s my fault.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Like I let Brett into her world, I let that monster get her.”

“No, she would have found him on her own. Everything happens for a reason.”

“On the other hand I’m so angry that she wanted to get one over on me and she went to him.

She was just going to stab me in the back like that.”

“Your success can’t be easy for her. She wants to be like you, she just doesn’t know how to get to where you are. It was stupid, and I don’t agree with what she did. But Maddy she couldn’t take care of a baby. She is a baby.”

“She is immature and I wish she would just enjoy her childhood while she still has it, instead of trying to keep up with me. I’m grown.”

“Ok Miss Grown, what would you have done in that same scenario?”

“What have Brett’s child?”

“Well his, mine? A child either way.” Lance mumbled low and rolled her over so he could see her face when she answered. She looked at him and then the ceiling, her mouth curled a little as she spoke.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for kids. I’m barely home, I’m not married what kind of life is that for a baby. As far as Brett goes, I wouldn’t raise a fish with him.” She turned more to him and snuggled into his chest.

“What about with me?”

“Huh?” Madison pulled her head up and looked at him.

“Would you have kids with me.”

“No contest, the question is would you have kids with me. Would I make a good mother to your children?”

“No contest…” He kissed her mouth and she slipped her arm around his neck. He started kissing her shoulders pushing her on her back.

“Why are we talking about this?” He stopped and propped himself up so he could talk to her.

“Because of Shawn, don’t make it something that it’s not.”

“What do you mean?” She heard the tone change in his voice.

“You and I both know, we are not at the point where we could have a kid.” he said.

“Oh yeah, this was just “What if…” right?”

“Right. God Maddy I love you.”

“I love you too.” They kissed and held each other for a moment.

“I want you to come with me when I leave tomorrow.”

“Oh really,” she cracked when she thought he was joking.

“Yeah and I want you to stay with me.”

“Lance…”

“We have a break in about a month. I want you to move in with me. It’s so crowded here, and a little bird told me you were looking to move out soon.”

“Would that bird be named Gwen?”

“Well… yeah, but come on you love Orlando and think about all the time we could spend together.”

“Lance…” she stopped and the dim moonlight that came through the window danced in his eyes. The feeling of pure pleasure poured from her body as she answered yes. They made love in her bed one last time.

When the morning came she packed some stuff and let the roller bag hit the ground with a thud. “Enough for a month?” Lance asked her.

“Yeah, well I hope so.”

“No worries, if you run out we could always go shopping like we did for you birthday.” She grinned at his coyness and pulled on his shirt for a kiss. Carrying her bags down the hallway they stopped to check in on Shawna one last time.

“Hey girl, I have come to say goodbye.”

“Thanks Maddy, good morning Lance.”

“Hey Shawn, how ya feeling?”

“Okay…” she answered him and he realized how much they really did look alike.

“Shawn, you have company.” Shelby called through the open door. Shawna sat up and Madison turned to see her friend. A pink Mohawk blurred by Lance as Shawna screamed.

“Kelly!”

“Shawn! Are you ok? How do you feel?” the girls screamed and hugged each other excitedly. After Kelly sat down beside her she realized that she hadn’t spoken to Madison.

“Maddy girl, I’m sorry. I was just so worried about Shawn…”

“It’s fine Kel, how have you been?”

“Awful, just awful.” She joked and looked over at Lance.

“Oh yeah Maddy, I saw you on the telly yesterday.”

“Really, was it terrible or what?” Madison smiled. Kelly kept her gaze on Lance who was now a little unsure of her stare.

“Not at all, were you going to knock the bloody hell out of Suchin or what?” She finished her statement and looked back at Madison. Now more interested in the fight than in Lance.

“It was a little tense.” Madison admitted.

“Well damn.” Kelly laughed and started talk to Shawna.

“Your sister has gone pop, she has a Nstink boy.” Shawna laughed at Kelly and looked up at Lance who rolled his eyes and laughed.

“Maddy,” Kelly spoke again.

“Yeah Kel?” Madison answered her trying not to laugh.

“He is just too cute,” she giggled again.” Daddy would love that. Tell me pop boy where can I find others like yourself.” She said directly to Lance.