Author's POV

Madison awoke early that following morning; the nightmares were back. She remained still, clinging to her Mam, whom she had yet to let go of all through the night. Kimberley's body molds to her back, both her Mother's sandwiching her in... she didn't mind it, surprisingly. She was never used to being held this way, it had only been a few months since she moved in with Cheryl and Kimberley, and yet, it felt like this home was all she knew.

She wanted to lay like this forever.

The couple's bedroom was cozy, settling calmness within her.

The alarm clock blares, startling her.

Waking both Cheryl and Kimberley.

"Ah crap," Kimberley groans, rolling over and turning the harsh noise off.

"Why do you have your alarm on?" Cheryl yawns, pulling Madison in closer, placing a kiss atop of her head. "Morning sweets."

"Morning," Madison croaks her voice to life, faking she'd just woke too.

"I have to be in the bakery," Kimberley answers her wife's question, sitting up in bed and tying her hair into a quick ponytail.

"Why?" Cheryl asks, saddened, being selfish for Kimberley once again.

"I haven't been in a while, I can't keep communicating with them through pictures and texts, plus," Kimberley stands to her feet. "We have an order for a very royal family." She winks, smug.

"Actually?"

"Yep, actually." She smiles widely, "Prince George's fourth birthday is tomorrow."

Madison smirks, "I'm proud of you Mum." Sleepy eyes.

Kimberley walks around the bed, smothering her daughter with kisses.

Madison giggles wildly, "Get off!"

"MWAH!" Kimberley smacks her lips one last time, "And you get a kiss as well," She smirks, grabbing a hold of her wife's face and kissing her deeply. "Mmm."

"Okay that's enough," Madison huffs, trying to push them apart.

"Mwah." Kimberley fusses her lips with Cheryl's and unwillingly pulls apart, "What are you two going to do today?" She asks, heading into the ensuite and getting ready for her busy day.

"Hillary called us last week actually, she said she wants us to get back to work." Cheryl pouts, looking at her daughter. "It's just a meeting you can come with us, I have a few photoshoots scheduled soon."

"I thought you didn't want to work anymore?" Madison asks, the past of Clara and Connor working excessively was always her insecurity.

"It's not technically work," Cheryl pouts, "What's with the face?"

"What face?" Madison laughs, faking her real emotions.

"Don't worry," Cheryl reassures her, catching on to her daughters' insecurities. "We won't be out too long."

"I don't care—"

"That's a lie." The Geordie smirks, pulling her daughter in tight. "Plus, you'll like these meetings."

------

Madison's POV

Mam was right when she said meetings. Agh. That's all we've been doing since this morning, meeting after meeting.

Mam introduced me to a group of girls she was going to mentor and make into pop-stars. I was glad Mam was following her dreams, she wanted to manage and find talent without the pressure of X Factor. She was going to have her own label, and she was going to be the boss of it all.

"Did you like them?" Mam asks, wrapping her arm around me, finally catching a break.

"Yeah, I think they were just being nice to me because you're my Mam though." I shrug.

"That's not true," She pouts, "You're a lovely girl, any one of those girls would wish to be your friend, I'll tell you that."

I giggle, she has to say that, she's my Mam.

"Their group name is a bit weird, why don't you work at thinking of a new one?" I suggest.

"You don't like it?"

"No," I shake my head. "I feel like it's not catching to ear. It's not the first album I'd go for... If you get what I mean, like." I smile, mirroring Mam's wide smile.

"I'll have them over this week and we can work together on a new name. What do you think?"

"Really?" I ask, completely taken back. Somewhere in the back of my mind I figured she'd completely turn down my opinion.

"Yes." She giggles, "Now come on, let's grab a bite to eat before the next meeting comes rolling through."

--------

Author's POV

It was a long day for Madison, but in a sense, she didn't mind it. She loved seeing her Mam in action, taking control and telling everyone in the room how everything was going to go. Every now and then Cheryl would look at her daughter and give her a wink, it was sweet and filled with affection.

Madison smiled and blushed. She didn't like the attention on her, men and women all interested in Cheryl Tweedy-Walsh's daughter. They were jealous of their relationship, the closeness of it.

The teen puts her focus on the iPhone in hand, she'd let Finlay's text sit in her unread messages for a short while now, afraid to see what he had to say. She was also surprised he still had the slightest bit of interest in her.

Finlay: Hey      

She gulps, hesitating before replying.

Madison: Hey

It was seconds until he replied.

Finlay: Just checking in... I didn't want to pester you. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you.

She smiles, always having a soft spot for him. She wished things would have been different, their last encounter left them in awkward tension.

Madison: You're not being a pest. I'm glad to see you remember me.

Madison sets her phone down, putting her focus back on her Mam, smiling.

"I'm going to have a studio building built not too far from me house," She tells her team, "I have good faith in you all." Cheryl gives them the dimpled smile, "Tes, I want you to oversee location opportunities. I want it as close to me house as possible, heck, if it comes down to it we'll build it on our property." They all chuckle, "I've got enough property to build a new city."

Madison rolls her eyes.

Show off.

"That's it for tonight guys," Cheryl claps, concluding the meeting. "I'll be in touch with you all."

And just like that, they all scurry out, expressing a few words of encouragement to Cheryl along the way.

Leaving Cheryl and Madison alone.

"I'm excited." She confesses to her daughter, squealing. "I've always wanted to do this." The Geordie dances in her spot, shuffling over to her Madison. "Let's go out and celebrate—"

"Mam I can't drink."

Cheryl gasps, "Shut up. I wasn't going to take you clubbing for Christ sake." She whacks the teen on the arm, "Grab your coat, come on."

They walk out of the building together.

"So does this mean you'll have your own record label like Dad?" Madison asks.

"Well," Cheryl clears her throat, "Yeah I guess."

"It'll be kinda awkward don't you think? You'll be each other's competition now—"

"I don't have competition." Cheryl winks, opening the car door for her daughter to climb in.

Madison giggles, "You're so cocky."

"That's how it should be," Cheryl turns on the Bentley to life, "Always believe in yourself, sweets." She tells her softly, "Don't ever think your dreams will never amount because someone else likes the same thing as you do, or they're planning to accomplish their dreams the way you are. There's always going to be someone out there who likes the same things you like, who will accomplish their dreams, who will be so far ahead with their dreams and you will still be taking your first step. You have to start somewhere, and starting with a negative outlook won't help you grow."

Madison remains silent, the words settling deeply.

"You hear us?" Cheryl gets her daughters' attention back.

"Yeah." Madison croaks her voice to life, smiling. "So where are we going?" She asks, excited.

"No clue," Cheryl shrugs, driving aimlessly. "What's something you've always wanted to do?"

Madison takes a long think, "I know I might sound snobby but I've honestly done everything I've always wanted to do." She says, slightly lying. She knew there was more than just lavish living and over the top dinner parties Clara and Connor would host.

Cheryl sighs.

"What?"

"Just figured you'd have a list of things on your wish list," She sighs once more.

"Does that make you sad?"

"Slightly... I guess," Cheryl gives her best smile. "Doesn't matter though."

"Why doesn't it matter?"

"Well, of course it matters."

"You're confusing me." Madison laughs lightly, not keeping up with her mother.

"You're a girl. You should understand girl talk."

"Apparently not."

Cheryl giggles, "You know at times when you're upset—"

"When?"

"No I'm giving an example, you lemon." Cheryl giggles once more, finding her daughter too adorable right now.

Madison nods.

"Someone might ask you if you're okay and you'll lie and say you're fine when actually you're not?"

"That's girl talk?" Madison giggles.

"Yeah... I mean, it is."

"Okay so you're upset I don't have a wishlist...?"

"Kinda."

"Not kinda, but actually?"

Cheryl laughs, "Yeah."

"Mam I like adventure, you know that. I don't like to be trapped... If that makes sense. I always felt like I was always doing and saying the wrong things when I was staying with Mum and Dad, but now with you and Mum... I feel more at ease. I don't process and overthink the way I used to."

Cheryl smiles, "You're happy with us?"

"Yeah... Even if we don't get along at times."

"We can't all be perfect I guess." Cheryl winks, "When the weather gets nicer we'll go on more adventures I promise you that."

"You don't have to—"

Cheryl sighs, stopping Madison mid-sentence.

They remain silent, letting the sun set into tomorrow with their drive to nowhere in particular.

"Why do you hate me?" The Teen asks, joking.

Cheryl takes a more serious turn, unknowing that her daughter was being playful.

"Of course I don't, why would you think I hate you?"

"I—"

"I'm sorry that I give off the impression that you've upset us—"

"Mam I'm joking." Madison giggles, "Will you relax?"

Cheryl huffs, "Stop bullying us, I'm being serious right now." She pouts, only earning her another giggle from the Teen.

"Where are we going?"

"None of your business." The Geordie puts her nose into the air as she stops at a red light.

"Seriously..."

"I figured we could have some tea and desserts at Harrods."

"That sounds nice," Madison smiles, relaxing into her seat. "Wish Mum could have joined."

"You really love your Mum, huh?" Cheryl smirks, unable to pretend she was jealous. She loved their relationship, and glad they both got along so well.

"Well, yeah. I love you too." They share a smile. "I didn't thank you for all my Christmas presents, by the way." Madison smiles further.

"There's still one more I didn't give you," Cheryl winks. Driving to their destination with urgency this time.

"What is it?"

"You'll find out soon."

"Tell meeeeee!" The Teen whines, wanting her Mother to spill.

"Here we are." Cheryl ignores her, parking the car in front of valet and hopping out. "Come along." She puts her hand out, waiting for her daughter to take it. They walk into Harrods together, Madison wrapping her arms around her Mother's arm.

Instantly she notices everyone lock their eyes at her Mother and herself.

She hated it.

"Can we have a booth?" Cheryl tells the host, "The furthest one, please. Thank you." They wait for a few short seconds before they're shown to their seat, furthest one as the Pop-Star has requested.

"A server will be with your shortly, can I get you anything in the meantime?"

"No we'll wait." Madison says, cutting her mother off just before she goes to speak.

Cheryl smiles, waiting for the hostess to leave before speaking to her daughter again.

"Don't be rude now."

"I don't understand why they have to lick your arse every time we're out." The Teen huffs, shuffling away from her Mother. They sit side-by-side in a beautiful teal booth, the velour fabric distracting Madison as she mindless glides the palm of her hand along it.

"No, come back here." Cheryl takes hold of her daughter's waist and pulls her back into her side, "We have had a lovely day, let's not ruin it because your Mam is getting special attention."

"It's gross—"

"We always get better food, so I don't know why you're complaining about filling your tummy with good food."

Madison goes to say something, but silences herself as the server comes over to them.

"Hello, welcome to Harrods. I'm Jake, I'll be your server for the day." He smiles.

Too expressive Madison mentally thought.

"Hi Jake," Cheryl smiles back, "Can you get us a few cakes and little desserts." She looks at Madison, "Do you want something to eat?"

Madison shrugs, pulling her phone out.

The Geordie looks back up at the server, "She's a little grumpy." Cheryl pouts, earning her a chuckle from Jake.

"I'm sure ice cream will make her a little happier." He suggests.

Madison rolls her eyes, but never looks up.

"We'll have some of that as well, and a pot of tea please."

"Will that be all?"

"And a glass of champagne for us," Cheryl smiles. "Thank you."

Jake smiles, nods his head and walks away.

"Don't be rude." Cheryl tells her daughter off, "And give us that." She snatches the phone away from the Teen, scowling. "I understand you don't like the extra attention, but this is how our life is. You gotta start accepting it."

Madison remains silent.

"Come on now," Cheryl speaks a little softer this time, "If you don't talk to us then you're picking up the check this time around."

"I don't have money on me—"

"That's a lie."

Madison smirks, "How did you know?"

"I know everything." Cheryl pokes her tongue out.

"Sorry." Madison grumpily apologizes, putting her head against the Geordies arm.

Cheryl smiles, wrapping her arm around the Teen, pulling her in closer.

She places a kiss atop of Madison's head, inhaling and placing another kiss. "You're cute when you get like this." She softly says, squeezing her tight.

"Like what?" Madison mumbles.

"Like you actually love us—"

Madison abruptly pulls away, "I do love you – it's not funny." She frowns with a pout, looking even more adorable.

Cheryl squeezes her daughter's cheeks, pulling her in for kisses.

"Stop!"

Cheryl gives her one last kiss, just in time for their order.

"Here we are," Jake wheels it over, placing their order gently down onto the table. "Is there anything else I can get for you?" He asks, smiling.

"No." Madison blurts.

Cheryl smiles, "No that's all, thank you."

He walks away, Cheryl serves her daughter a nice hot cup of tea, smirk still on her lips. "Extra milk?" She asks, earning her a nod.

Madison reaches for a macaroon first, eating and sipping her tea. "How are you going to drink that," She nods at the champagne glass, "And drink tea at the same time?"

"I'll drink me bubbly first and then have me tea, how's that macaroon tasting?"

"Good." Madison smiles, licking her lips from the chocolate goodness. "Are you going to tell me what you got for me?"

"Why are you so antsy all the time—"

"Because it's a present. Who isn't antsy over presents??"

"True." Cheryl giggles, soon tuts. "Fine." She sets her glass down, and rummages through her purse, pulling out a velour navy case.

"You got me jewelry?" Madison grins, widely.

"Go on." The Geordie sets it in front of her daughter, Madison didn't waste a second to open it.

She remains silent, taking in the beautiful piece. Diamond stars and moon crescents placed so perfectly along the necklace lining.

She was stunned.

"Mam." Madison croaks, not realizing she was crying. "It's beautiful."

The Geordie smiles, "I had it custom made," She wipes her daughters tears dry, "No crying."

"I'm happy crying."

Cheryl pulls her in for a hug, holding her own tears back. "I love you, sweets."

"I love you too. Mammy."