-Author's POV-

Day turned into night, a beautiful soft honey light glows in the love filled mansion. Madison puts everything behind her; she disregards her iPhone, leaving it abandoned in her bedroom. She really wanted to make the most out of this Christmas, her first Christmas full of laughter and joy.

She giggles, "It's not my turn – it's yours Mum."

"Like hell it is," Kimberley scoffs, "What do you take me for, eh?" The blonde pulls a face, only resulting to her daughter's giggles to grow.

"It is your turn, Kimberley." Adam backs up his niece, "Go on—"

"I said I don't want to play." Kimberley stubbornly remains in her seat, now a giggling Cheryl joins in with the rest of her family.

"Ah Kim don't be such a bore—"

"Charades is a game for fools, I'll just have my wine – would you stop that!" She huffs, pushing a hysterical Cheryl away from her. "It's not even funny." She rolls her eyes, unsure what all the fuss was about.

"Mummy pwease—"

"Oh don't you go playing that card." The Mother warns the teen, waving her finger back and forth.

Truth be told, there was nothing funnier than watching Kimberley make a fool out of herself, they all knew how terrible she was with this game.

"Okay fine." The teen sighs, sadly. "Don't play." She shrugs, "Uncle Adam, why don't you go?"

"Alright fine!" Kimberley abruptly stands, "But if one of youse laughs or giggles I swear I'm kicking you all out." She warns, "Hold my glass, babe." Cheryl gladly takes the wine glass from her wife, ready to hold back her laughter.

Kimberley clears her throat, "You ready?" She nods her head to Madison, who was holding the timer.

"Mhm." The teen bites her lower lip, she too forcing the giggles into place.

Kimberley takes the top card: Rocket

"How the fcuk am I meant to explain this?!" She screeches, glad the children were all in bed – apart from Madison. "Don't you dare!" Kimberley points a finger at her wife.

"Just bloody try!" Joan grows impatient, "Get on with it!"

Kimberley groans, "Okay, so it can—"

"You can't talk!" They all say in unison, obviously Kimberley hasn't learned for the millionth time.

"Fine!" She huffs, putting her hands out into wings and looking straight up.

"A bird!" Cheryl quickly guesses.

Kimberley shakes her head.

"A Plane?" Adams face twists, trying to figure out what the hell his sister was doing.

"Almost—"

"You can't talk Mum!" Madison hisses, "Play fairly."

"Shut up or you're grounded forever."

Madison rolls her eyes, suppressing a smirk.

Kimberley continues to make a complete mug out of herself; failing over and over again.

"Okay your time is up!"

"A ROCKET!" Kimberley shouts, "It was a fcuking rocket you idiots!"

"You were the one shaking your ass – how the hell is that a bloody rocket?!" Cheryl screeches.

"It.. It was turning on." Kimberley pouts, walking back over to her seat as everyone laughs loudly. "Shut up." She breathes, snatching her wine glass back and wishing the sofa would just swallow her right up.

"Baby you did great." Cheryl sniggers.

Kimberley scowls, moving her mouth closer to the Geordie's ear. "One more comment and you'll be in the bloody dog house."

Cheryl chokes on her laugh, biting her lower lip.

The laughs settle down, but Cheryl being Cheryl could never let anything go. She finds herself laughing and giggling at random, remembering her wife making a right fool out of herself.

"Are you done?" Kimberley hisses, keeping her voice low in hopes nobody overhears them.

"I," Cheryl giggles. "I think I just fell even more in love with you, just now." She giggles once more.

Kimberley smiles, her own heart beat skipping to the sight of her adorable wife.

"C'mere." She pulls her in, fingers stroking along the Geordie's upper arm. "You're too cute for your own good, you know." She laughs, lightly. Kimberley takes in the moment, her daughter standing in the center of the living room, waving her arms around, giggling and laughing as she attempts to get her team another point. The Tweedy and Walsh family closer than ever, her mother, Diane and Mother-In-Law Joan sharing secrets and giggling like teenagers.

Her sisters and siblings-in-law sprawled on the same large sofa, laughing at their niece, Madison.

"I'm so happy." Kimberley whispers to Cheryl, both taking in the moment. "This year is perfect, this year will never top any other year.." She places a kiss to the side of Cheryl's face, right below her ear. "Happy Christmas my love, I love you."

------

It was late, too late for Madison to be awake. She couldn't seem to catch up with sleep, her heart and soul was far too awake to give into the fairies begging her to dream, dream into tomorrow.

But she couldn't sleep.

Just one look. She'd tell herself.

One look won't hurt anyone.

It didn't take much persuasion for her to climb out of bed and tiptoe her way down the grand staircase. She internally squeals to the sight of the mountain of presents, settled under both Christmas trees sat opposite of each other.

She strides to the first towering tree, arms folded, walking around the wrapped presents until her name is spotted on the first tag catching her green eyes.

She looks around, the dim lights and lit decorations give her just enough light.

Her lower lip is clasped between her teeth as she shakes the present, trying to get a hint of what might be kept inside.

Little did Madison know, Cheryl was lent against the bottom of the grand staircase, the trees sit in the central area, between each side of the luxurious staircase.

As Madison goes to open up her present, the Geordie clears her throat, resulting to the gift flying in the air and landing straight on the marbled ground.

Cheryl suppresses her giggle, "What are you doing?"

"Me?" Madison breathes, "Me?" She gulps.

"Oh sorry," Cheryl shakes her head, "Move a bit?" She waves her hand.

"Why?"

"So I can pretend to talk to the person behind you – of course I'm talking to you. Come here." The mother beckons over the teen, who has been evidently caught.

"What?" Madison breathes, "I wasn't going to open it." She lies.

"Swear on me life—"

"I'm not doing that—"

"Then you're lying—"

"I'm not—"

"Then swear—"

"I swear.. on.. stuff." Madison giggles, "Okay, fine." She sighs, confessing. "There's so many, I'm sure nobody would have noticed." She huffs.

Cheryl smirks, "Go on."

"What?"

"Go pick one."

"Is.. Is this a test?" Madison asks, too afraid, needing to make sure.

"No," Cheryl giggles. "Go on." She encourages her daughter.

"Can I pick two—"

"Don't push it." The Geordie and teen walk back to the Christmas trees, Cheryl standing beside her daughter as Madison picks up the present she dropped.

"I wonder what it is." Madison giggles, shaking it once more. "Let's go into the kitchen." She takes the lead, a smiling Cheryl following her trail.

"Are you going to tell?" Madison asks, sitting down on the barstool, unsure whether to tear the wrapping right off.

"No," Cheryl giggles, finding her daughter incredibly adorable. "Just do it quickly." They speak in a hushed manor, not wanting anyone to wakeup from their voices.

"Okay okay." Madison reads the tag, "This one is from Auntie Amy— Can I pick another one?"

Cheryl laughs, "Why?"

"Because I want to pick something Mum and you bought me – and I'm sure it's probably something lame."

"That's not nice, Maddy."  Cheryl attempts at being serious, but the smirk on her lips gave it all away.

"It's probably a picture frame of her and I or something – can I just open something you and Mum got me?" She pouts, instantly getting the Geordie to cave.

"Fine – but hurry your little arse up." Cheryl huffs, watching her daughter quickly dart out of the kitchen to retrieve another present and quickly return.

"This ones a good one, I can feel it." Madison returns, her smile wider than ever.

"Who's this one from?" Cheryl asks, already knowing. She takes a seat beside her daughter, wrapping her silk robe tightly around her slim waist as she takes in the sight of her daughters sparkling green eyes.

"It says," Madison licks the corners of her lips, "From Mammy," She smiles at the Geordie, "That's you." She leans over and places a kiss to her mother's cheek. "Thank you."

"You still haven't opened it, sweets." Cheryl giggles, her heart melting at the sweetness Madison was currently giving.

The teen gives it another shake, "It's not making any noise though." She pouts, carefully peeling the perfectly put together white wrapping paper.

Cheryl absorbs this moment, her eyes never averting from her daughter.

"A book?" Madison takes out of the large hardcover from the box, placing it atop of the kitchen granite top.

"No just a book." Cheryl smirks, "Take a look." She encourages her daughter.

"Wood?" Madison giggles, not trying to be rude. She flips through the selection of various colored wood, glass, windows and paint. "I don't get it."

"It's.. It's so you can pick what you want for your green house."

The kitchen falls silent and for a minute Cheryl believed her daughter hated the present, until a tear trickled down Madison's cheek.

"Why the tears, baby?" She shuffles closer to the teen, pulling her straight into a cuddle.

"Because," Madison sniffs, wrapping her arms around her mother's slim waist.

"Because why?" Cheryl breathes, placing kisses atop of the teen's head.

"You still remember." Madison sniffs, "You remember when I first told you, you listen."

Cheryl smiles, softly. "Of course I listen." She takes in a deep breath, "I'll always listen, you're me little baby girl."

Madison remains in her mother's arms for a few more minutes, needing to indulge in this moment. It was still all very fresh to her, the affection and constant love her parents constantly gave her.

She couldn't imagine her life without them now.

"Go on," Cheryl unravels the cuddle. "Tell us how you want it to look." She smiles, dimples mirroring Madison's.

The teen giggles, "This is weird."

"Why?" They share a soft giggle.

"Because, I've never really talked to anyone about it—"

"Well I'm not just anyone, am I?" Cheryl smiles, reaching over and placing a fallen strand behind her daughter's ear. "I want to hear all about it."

Madison grows bashful, blushing. "White." She begins, "I want white wood, authentic wood, not that cheap plastic lookin' wood—"

"You got it."

Madison continues, "Windows. You need plenty of windows for a green house, the great thing about green houses is you can plant flowers all year.. Even in the harshest of storms."

"Really?" Cheryl asks, surprised. She loved the knowledge her daughter held, always learning something new, always delving into worlds she's never been to.

"Yeah," The teen nods, "The main source for plants is the sun, right?"

"Mhm."

"Green houses are super hot inside, the sun keeps them alive but we also have to keep them hydrated. So it's more of a partnership." She giggles.

"We, eh?" Cheryl smiles, unable to do anything else, smile and smile. Madison awakened her smile, the moment she returned back into her life.

"Yeah," Madison's eyes avert, shyly. "We."

Time began to roll through, soon finding themselves moved to the front room, talking for hours and hours, with Madison's endless imagination. Cheryl has never loved another human so much; the teen was apart of her, the same blood cursing through her veins. They were connected, as one.

Soon enough, Madison's words settled as she began to fall asleep in her mother's arms. She never let the book go, not even in her deepest of sleep.

Cheryl cautiously releases their tight embrace, standing to her feet and relieving the book from Madison's arms. She takes her daughter into her own arms, hoisting her right up.

Madison groans, waking from her sudden sleep.

"Why are you taking me up?" She mumbles, holding on nonetheless.

"Because you fell asleep, sweets." Cheryl speaks softly, carefully climbing the stairs.

"Can I sleep next to you?" The teen asks, unexpectedly growing clingy to her Mam.

"Yes." Cheryl smiles, wanting nothing else. She swiftly opens her bedroom door, gently helping her daughter back to her own two feet. "Don't wake your – Madison." The Geordie hisses, her daughter never listening.

Madison giggles, climbing into bed and unintentionally waking up Kimberley – well more towards intentionally.

"Hmm." The blonde squints, finding her daughter smiling right at her. "Creep." She groans, wrapping her arms around Madison and pulling her in for a cuddle.

"I was surprised you weren't naked." The teen giggles.

Cheryl tuts, climbing in as well and cuddling into her daughter's back.

"Me too," Kimberley yawns, "You're lucky it's bloody freezing in this room, otherwise I'd be kicking you right out – why are you even up at," She tilts her head back, squinting at the clock. "Five in the bloody morning?"

"I couldn't sleep." Madison hums, snuggling further.

"She had the bad case of sticky fingers." Cheryl giggles, snitching.

"You said you wouldn't say anything—"

"I tell Kimba everything," Cheryl smiles, leaning over and giving her wife a kiss, sandwiching their daughter right in the middle.

"Erm – ok – that's enough." Madison huffs, pushing her Mam back, "God." She huffs once more.

"Well?" Kimberley speaks into the darkness.

"Well what?" Madison hums, eyes fluttering shut to the sound of her mother's mellow heartbeat.

"Did you like what you saw?"

"Mhm." The smile reappears to the teen's lips, "Very much."

"Good."

"Happy Christmas," Cheryl whispers, holding onto her family a little tighter.

------

Chaos.

Christmas morning was always so calm, so quiet and hushed for Madison. But things were much more different this year, this year wrapping paper was left messily on the ground; screams and laughter were bursting throughout the mansion.

This year, this year was different.

This year she witnessed her younger cousins, aunties, grandparents and parents tear away at the wrapping paper, indulging in sweets at the earliest hours of the morning, this year her heart fills with endless love, her heart has grown a million sizes bigger. She suppresses her tears, unsure why she was getting so emotional.

Happiness.

That's exactly what she was feeling.

"I have one last present for you," Kimberley stands beside her daughter, "But we can open it later." She smiles, wrapping a loving arm around the teen and pulling her right into her side.

"What is it?" She asks, looking up. "You've already got me so much." She giggles, bashfully. The Tweedy-Walsh couple had showered their daughter with endless presents, from the simplest of gifts to the most extravagant ones. She couldn't think of anything else they could possibly give her, it was far too much; they were far too loving.

"It's something."

Madison giggles, "Like what? Can I have a hint?"

Cheryl walks back into the living room, stepping over kids and crumpled wrapping paper. She walks right over to her wife and daughter, sandwiching Madison right between them.

"Good morning?" She asks, referring to the presents.

"Yes." Madison smiles, her hand mindlessly going to the diamond bracelet Cheryl had gifted her, matching her parents own diamond bracelets. "Thank you." She smiles, giving her Mam a quick cuddle.

"Did.. Did you have anything in mind that you didn't get? I can always go out and get it for you after—"

"Mam," Madison giggles, "I got more than enough. I got everything I wanted and more." Kimberley pouts cutely to her adorable daughter.

"You trying to win me over all over again?" She whispers, tickling her daughter.

"Mummy s-stop!" She squirms away, climbing right onto Cheryl's lap. "I told you!" She says breathlessly, hanging onto her Mam. "No tickling!" She grits."

"Boring." The blonde rolls her eyes, shuffling closer to her wife and wrapping an arm around her girls. They fall into a comfortable silence, taking in the sight of their family. It was a good year; it was definitely the best year they ever had. This holiday was different; this holiday was better.

The day was occupied with meals and laughter, children talking about their favorite presents and how next year they were going to ask for something better.

Madison never spoke; she just smiled, capturing endless memories into her mind. It was everything she ever wanted and dreamt of.

~~~~~~ 

Twelve-year-old Madison bursts out of her bedroom, banging the doorknob against the wall as she zooms her way down the stairs.

"IT'S CHRISTMAS!" She shouts, squealing. "EVERYONE WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" She rushes back up the stairs, bolting her parent's bedroom opened, startling the mother and father out of their sleep. "IT'S CHRIS—"

"Madison." Clara hisses at the teen, "It's seven in the morning." She grits, "Have you lost your mind??"

"But it's Chris—"

"Go back to your bedroom, we will be opening presents at nine."

Madison's excitement instantly diminishes. "Okay, I'm sorry."

~~~~~~~

"What'cha thinking about?" Cheryl gives her daughter a playful nudge to the shoulder.

Madison returns to reality, her smile reappearing. "Just, how happy I am."

Cheryl's eyes water to her daughter's words, "Really?" She asks in disbelief.

"Really."