Author's POV

She never did take off that necklace, unknowing to her how much Cheryl had spent on that luxury piece of jewelry. It gleamed with the sun and the moon, it always seemed to sparkle even when she was in a gloom. She felt wanted and loved, her parents were unlike any kind of dream a story would write about two parents caring for their child.

Nothing could be better than this, she'd thought.

Here she was with her parents and a few family members sitting at the beach of Barbados, coconut in hand, sipping the chilled drink. She hasn't stopped smiling. She didn't want to ever stop.

"Did you put—"

Madison cuts her Mam off midsentence, "Sunblock. Yes, Mother." She says, still wearing that sparkling smile.

Her necklace still resting around her neck with no intent of ever taking it off.

Cheryl pokes her tongue out, reclining back into the white cushioned sun lounge. "Ah," She sighs. "Nothing like a bit of sun and sand—"

"And your hot wife with a sun kissed tan." Kimberley cuts in, squeezing herself in beside Cheryl. "Are you having a good time Maddo?"

"How could I not?" Madison sits up, placing the large coconut between her thighs, she looks over to her parents, sunglasses sitting at the tip of her nose. "This is probably the best holiday I've ever gone on—"

"It's only been three days love."

"More than enough." The Teen giggles, "Look how happy Nonna is." She nods at the older woman, running with her cousins along the sea shore.

Cheryl keeps her focus on her daughter, she's never seen Madison's aura so vibrant. "What did you want to do later?" She asks.

"I wanted to rent out a jet ski, maybe do some water activities."

"You can't go on there alone." Kimberley tells her, "You and I will—"

"Both of youse aren't going on that deathly thing—"

"But—"

"But nothin'. I said no. End of." Cheryl settles back.

Kimberley and Madison mouth words to each other, planning a day of jet skiing without the Geordie's knowledge.

"Madison want to go get a drink?" Kimberley asks, not sure how to go about this.

"Yeah!"

"Get us one with youse." Cheryl murmurs, flipping onto her stomach and getting her tan on.

Madison giggles as she catches up to her Mum, Kimberley taking the Teen's hand instantly. They laugh along the way, making memories with each other.

"She's going to kill us!" Madison giggles, squeezing her Mum's hand tighter, her excitement bubbling over.

"She won't if she doesn't find out – plus, just because she's scared of jet skiing doesn't mean we can't do it." Kimberley winks, slowing their pace down as they near the shack for renting.

"Hello!" the man says with an accent. "How can I help you?"

"Can we rent out a jet ski? Or do we have to go elsewhere?" Kimberley asks, placing her sunglasses over her head.

"You've come to the right spot, I'll just need ya to fill out this sheet. Have ya got an id with ya?" He asks, Kimberley quickly doing as he's told and giving him all the information he needed.

She wanted to see Madison happy, and she was doing exactly that.

"Just bring it back before sunset and you won't be charged extra." He shows them to the black jet ski, looking like a million dollars on water.

"Can I drive?" Madison squeals.

"Wait until I've got it further into the water then you can do as you please." Kimberley tells her daughter, putting the life-jacket around her and doing the same for herself. The Mother soon helps her daughter on before hopping on herself.

"HAVE FUN AND BE CAREFUL!" The man waves them off.

Kimberley powers the sucker to life and gently drives out into the deep.

"Faster Mummy! Faster!" Madison giggles, holding on tighter. Her hair flying through the wind, her heart jumping in excitement. She could feel the happiness practically oozing out of her.

This. This is happiness. She'd thought all while riding along with her Mother, the sun beaming down on them.

Kimberley slows down; the jet ski resting in the middle of the sea. "Come climb over here."

"What if I tip it over?" Madison gulps, shakily standing on her two feet.

"Don't be scared, come on." Kimberley grabs a hold of her daughters hands, helping her sit between her legs. "You okay?" She asks, feeling her daughter physically shaking.

"Sorry It just started rocking and I got scared."

Kimberley smiles, giving Madison a kiss to the cheek. "You're okay, I won't let anything bad happen to you." It was a perfect day, the ocean seemed endless, the sun seemed stronger than ever. This holiday was one to remember. "Okay babe. Bring it to life now, just turn the key."

Madison does as she's told, roaring this black ski to life.

"Okay this one is – WOW! SLOW DOWN!" Kimberley takes instant control, soon laughing. "You tryin' to kill us?!"

"I didn't even touch it that hard!"

"Well you bloody did! Be careful for Christ sake!"

"Alright. Fcuk." The Teen huffs, "Let me try again, I'll be better."

Kimberley releases her hands, letting Madison take control again, this time it was a much more smoother ride. She rides slowly before picking up the speed of the engine, gliding that bad boy against the water, doing exactly as her Mother had done.

"Woooooo!" Kimberley whoops, hanging on tightly. "Go faster!" She shouts, Madison laughing and doing as her Mother had requested, zooming along the waves of the Caribbean, the jet ski jumping with each wave, flying through like a bullet.

At this point they're soaked with water, Madison doing turns and tricks as she built the confidence.

"Madison!" Kimberley squeals, ready to fall right off.

Madison being Madison found it hilarious to throw her mother into the water, so, she did just that.

Kimberley went flying straight into the water."You little!"

The teen puts the ski in standby, laughing hysterically at her mother.

"I'm going to kill you!" Kimberley paddles in the water, moving her now wet hair away from her face.

"HAHAHA!" Madison laughs hysterically, soon, accidentally pressing down on the acceleration button, and now she too flew right off the ski, the jet ski soon floating in the middle of the water, away from them.

Kimberley howls, soon stops once seeing her daughter screaming in panic.

"Mum!!" Madison shouts, flapping her arms around wildly.

Kimberley quickly swims over to her daughter, grabbing a tight hold of her. "Maddy stop that!" She calms the teen in the water, "What's the matter??"

"We-We have to get out!" She panics again, screaming and speaking mindlessly about sharks in the water.

The Mother refrains herself from chuckling, just discovering her daughter's phobia. "Alright babe, you're fine. Come on, the jet ski is only a short swim." She takes control, holding her daughters hand, the life jacket giving them support to stay afloat.

Madison remains silent, holding on tight.

"Up you get," Kimberley assists her daughter, giving her a boost onto the water vehicle, she too climbing right on.

"Do you want to ride back—"

"No." Madison shakes her head, slipping behind her Mother and wrapping her arms firmly around.

Kimberley smirks, driving back smoothly.

No speed what so ever.

"Why didn't you tell me you were afraid of big bodies of water—"

"I'm not."

"You do realize they wouldn't allow us to be in this part of the water if there were sharks—"

"They don't know where they migrate to." Madison sniffs, "It's not funny either."

Kimberley gasps, "I wasn't laughing—"

"I can hear it in your voice." The Teen pouts, "I don't like you."

Kimberley chuckles, "That's a lie. I'll get you ice cream once we are back on land, come on babe, don't let this ruin your fun." She blindly reaches down, stroking her daughters exposed thigh.

Madison closes her eyes all through the ride back, sniffling every so often.

"Back so soon?" The worker raises his hands in the air, chuckling.

"That was more than enough time for us." Kimberley chuckles along, slowing down the Jet ski and floating it to dock.

"Come on babe," Kimberley climbs off, putting her hand out and supporting her daughter up to the docks. Soon helping her remove the life jacket.

"Thank you." Kimberley thanks the man, wrapping her arm around Madison as they walk back to the family fun awaiting at the beach.

"You okay?" The Mother asks, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I promise." Madison smiles, eyes blood shot from the salt water.

"So I'm guessing that's a no to scuba diving?" Kimberley chuckles at her daughters' facial expression change. They return to where they'd left Cheryl, now fast asleep and looking like a tomato.

This brings a smile to Madison's face.

"Mam," The Teen giggles, forgetting her earlier troubles. She crouches down beside the fast-asleep Geordie, hair dripping wet. "Mammy."

"Mmm?"

"You're burnt." Madison giggles.

"Where's me drink?"

------

The sun had set; the Tweedy and Walsh family were enjoying a tasteful meal. Laughter and drinks were being passed around the table, good food and great conversations. Holiday's always did give every single person a refresh button on life.

Madison remembers a time going on holiday with her Mum and Dad, along with Christopher. It wasn't like this, she'd remembered. There wasn't much laughter, it was always far too quiet for a family holiday.

She was thankful for the life she had.

She was thankful for every single person on this table tonight.

"And then Mrs. Kimberley over here threw me over the bloody fence I tell ya! She scrapped my knee! The scar is still there!!" Adam yelps, a glass of scotch in hand. He howls in laughter, along with everyone else. "Don't think your Mum is all innocent now Maddy." He gives his niece a wink.

"Trust. I know she's not." Madison says, rolling her eyes.

This gets everyone laughing.

She turns over to her Mam, smiling. "Drinking looks fun. Can I have some?"

Cheryl scowls, "I'm going to pretend you never said that." She tuts, sipping her drink.

Madison huffs, finishing the rest of her meal.

"How long has it been since Maddo moved in with you both?" Amy asks.

"It's only been five months." Cheryl replies.

"It feels like she's been here from the start," She states, smiling wildly at her niece.

Madison blushes. "Thanks. It does feel a lot longer than five tho."

Kimberley wraps an arm around her daughter, giving her a kiss to the side of her head. Madison soon excuses herself, wanting to go for a walk.

She needed to take in life for a short moment. She leans against the railing, keeping her safe from falling over into the crashing waters below. The winds are strong tonight, her hair flows effortlessly.

Life seemed perfect in this very moment. All the bad had slipped away, her mind was at ease for once, she wasn't thinking about anyone but the stars, the moon and her heart that beats in a slow, rhythmic beat.Her Hand unknowingly placed atop of the necklace, a soft smile to her lips.

Life was perfect.