-Author's POV-

Nighttime was Kimberley's haven, a moment in time where the world remained soundless and she was the wanderer escaping her darkest memories. She gets herself comfortable in the living space, opening every curtain and allowing the moonlight to be her company for the night.

Past and present project her line of vision.

She sighs. Relaxing into the sofa, eyes fixating to the moonlight seeping through the floor length windows.

Her life was a never-ending rollercoaster, and now with Madison here, she finally jumped off this heart dropping, stomach-churning ride. She came to a realization, that yes, Madison was the key desperately needing to set her past free.

~~~~~~~

Kimberley and Cheryl scream in unison, both unable to contain such excitement.

"We're having a baby!" The blonde dances around, jumping up and down a few times.

"Don't do that!" Cheryl is quick to stop her from springing off the ground once again.

"Why?" Pouts Kimberley.

"You're pregnant, so.. No jumping around or any of that stuff."

"Oh.. Right. Pregnancy means I'm handicap now—"

"Don't be so dramatic—"

"You—"

"You—"

"You."

It goes silent for a single second; their eyes meet with a smile curling to their lips.

"WE'RE HAVING A BABY!"

~~~~~~~

She remembers happiness during that moment in her life, the laughs and giggles. Chatter about their future  and how her wife couldn't seem to wipe away her dimpled grin. But somewhere, in the moment of happiness, she recalls catching a gleam of guilt in the Geordie's eyes.

Guilt always returning to Madison.

~~~~~~

"What's the matter with you?" Kimberley frowns, not liking her wife's attitude towards her.

"Nothing!"

"Why do you always feel the need to shout?" The blonde rolls her eyes, stroking her tiny bump. "All I asked—"

"I don't understand your rush to buy baby clothes and baby furniture—"

"I just want to prepare everything so we don't have to run around with our heads cut off days before I give bloody birth!"

"It's only been three months! We start baby shopping five months after knowing what we're bloody having." Cheryl huffs, throwing herself down into the armchair.

"Alright. Fine. You're making this pregnancy a chore."

"Whatever."

"Brat."

~~~~~~~

Kimberley sighs softly, letting every memory go into the night.

~~~~~~~

"It's bad news," The doctor looks sadly into the tearful blue-greys. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

~~~~~~~

"Baby?" Cheryl peeps, finding her wife sitting in the front room with the lights completely off. "What are you doing in here?" She asks, never getting Kimberley to turn around and meet her worried browns.

"Baby?" The Geordie tries again, this time walking over to her. "Why did you put the armchair here?" She asks, finally placing her hand to the tense shoulders.

"Hm? What?" Kimberley jumps in her seat, looking up and meeting a confused Cheryl.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine." Kimberley laughs lightly, "Why do you ask?"

Cheryl frowns, moving her wife's hands off her lap, and settling herself down into her embrace. "What's the matter?" She asks, stroking the blonde's warm cheek.

"Nothing, why do you ask?" Kimberley wears a smile, "What are you doing up right now—"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" Cheryl raises an eyebrow, "I knew you weren't sleeping next to us, and I knew you wouldn't be sleeping tonight. Don't think I don't know you."

"Didn't say you never knew me," The blonde laughs lightly, "You wouldn't marry a stranger, would you?"

Cheryl pulls a face. "Talk to us."

"Isn't that what we're doing right now..."

"You're a pain." Cheryl huffs, settling her head against the blonde's chest.

"You know what I'm like around this time of night," Kimberley confesses. "My mind never seems to shut up." She laughs lightly, hoping to bring humor into this darkened ambiance.

"Anything on your mind, baby?" Cheryl looks up, stroking her wife's cheek delicately.

"I.. agh." She sighs, "Madison opening up tonight reopened some old wounds, but not in a bad way.. I'm finding myself letting everything go. Makes a change. Don't you think?"

Cheryl smiles sadly, "It's almost as if our brains are linked," The Geordie laughs lightly, "Why do you think I'm up right now?"

"What were you thinking?"

"I couldn't help but remember guilt, but I was happy during your pregnancy baby, don't get us wrong." She takes a deep breath, "But.. All I could think about was Madison, and how I should never have given her up.. You know?"

"Yeah," Kimberley nods, "I understand... I understand now." They share a soft smile. "I love you, you know?"

Cheryl giggles, "Good. Because I love you too."

They sigh in unison, both taking comfort in each other's warmth.

"I was also thinking about something else," Cheryl takes a deep breath. "I want.. I want to take the next step in our little family.." She trails off, unknowing to her of Kimberley's heart currently doing somersaults and unrehearsed backflips.

"Shut up!" She gasps, pushing Cheryl back slightly. "Shut up I don't believe you!"

Cheryl giggles, loudly.

"Don't bullsh*t me Cheryl – oh my god. I've been waiting for this day to come!"

"Yeah?" Cheryl bites her lower lip, her eyes drowning in happy tears.

"Are you sure?"

"Very much so."

"When—"

"I want us to focus on Madison right now. Maybe after her birthday in July, then we'll work from there. She's practically still a baby with our affection; she needs it all the time. We'll know when the time is right," Cheryl smiles at her wife. "Just know.. I'm ready."

-------

Madison rushes around her large bedroom, throwing on whatever she could, hair tied up in a messy bun with natural makeup enhancing her beauty. Kimberley had agreed that morning to give her apologies' to Robert, and even had her daughter invite the boys she'd seemed to be building a friendship with around for lunch.

"Madison!" Kimberley shouts from the stairs, instantly getting the teen to bolt out of her bedroom.

"Yeah?!"

"How in the bloody hell do those boys know our gate code!?" Kimberley shouts from the bottom, looking fiercely up to her cheeky daughter.

"See the thing is," Madison smirks, slowly taking her steps down the stairs. "I kinda.. Kinda maybe sorta... gave it to them?" She shrugs, a twisted expression only getting Kimberley to suppress her smirk.

"Do you want a spanking?" The mother raises an eyebrow.

"Leave her alone, Kimba!" Cheryl shouts from the kitchen.

"Yeah." Madison pokes her tongue out, "Leave her alone." She quickly darts away from her mother, just in time to open the door for the teenage boys waiting outside the grand door.

"Hey guys!" Madison smiles, hugging Robert, Travis, and Brian. Noticing for the first time each boy holding a gift bag. "Youse can't be serious." Madison rolls her eyes.

"Look," Travis looks past her right shoulder, noticing Kimberley stood in his line of vision. "Your Mum looks like she's about to kill us, I think it was a good idea not to come empty handed."

Madison looks back, "Mum!" She huffs, "Come in you guys." She rolls her eyes, pushing the boys right in.

"Hello Mrs. Tweedy-Walsh," Brian boldly walks over to the unimpressed blonde, "It's nice to meet you, Madison has said plenty about you—"

"Oh? What's she said?"

"Nothing." Madison groans.

"Are you lying.. I didn't get your name?"

Brian clears his throat, "Erm... I'm... I'm Brian." He smiles, his confidence slowly diminishing.

"Nice to meet you – what have you got there?" She looks down at the black gift bag.

"Stop bullying them," Cheryl emerges from the kitchen, still dressed in her cute blush apron. "Hello boys," She smiles warmly at them, getting their tensed auras to relax.

"I'm—"

"Cheryl. We know," Travis smiles, never taking his eyes off the beautiful Geordie.

"Someone's done his studying." Kimberley laughs lightly, wrapping an arm around her wife's slim waist and pulling the Geordie in closer.

"No we've met before—"

"Oh yes. When Madison had her little arm accident—"

"It was not a little accident, Mum!" The teen interrupts, not liking the fact she wasn't getting much attention. "I broke—"

"Sprained." Cheryl corrects her.

"Whatever." She huffs, "This is Robert," Madison looks at Kimberley with a knowing look.

"Hello, Mrs. Tweedy-Walsh." He smiles, hoping to give his best grin.

"Can I speak to you for a minute?" She asks, receiving a nod in return.

Madison watches her mother and friend walk to the nearest empty room.

"So, I hope you boys like steak." Cheryl gets their attention back, leading them into the kitchen where she was preparing the heavy lunch.

"We would have been just fine with sandwiches, Mrs.—"

"Call us Cheryl." The Geordie interrupts Travis; "I know boys don't get full off a sandwich or two."

"Very true."

Brian and Madison's eyes meet, rolling them in unison.

"I hope you like some chocolate covered strawberries." Brian cuts in, setting the bag down onto the granite top.

"Oh, that's very nice of you." Cheryl smiles, warmly. "There was no need to trouble yourselves with anything—"

"It was the least we could do—" Madison cuts Travis off.

"Stop being such an arse licker Trav."

"Am not!"

"You're practically drooling – she's married and also my Mam."

Travis's cheeks burn up in flames. "Whatever." He grumbles, looking away from the cheeky teen.

Brian smirks, giving Madison a discreet high-five.

"Behave." Cheryl mouths to her daughter, a wink lets her daughter know she was being playful.

Kimberley and Robert walk into the kitchen, both wearing smiles.

Madison internally sighs with relief.

"You didn't kill him?" She boldly asks.

"Was about to." Kimberley smirks, walking over to her wife. "What's the Mrs. doing?" She murmurs, wrapping her arms around the Geordie's waist, placing a few kisses against the warmth of her silk smooth neck.

"Kimba." Cheryl giggles.

"Oh my god." Madison groans, "Come on you lot." She pushes the gawking boys out of the kitchen, forcing their eyes away from her parents currently feeling up on each other.

"You said you would behave." Cheryl giggles once more, "What's gotten into you—"

"What?" Kimberley gasps, stepping back and standing beside her wife. "Can't I feel up the love of my life?" She winks.

"Stop being so damn cheesy," Cheryl rolls her eyes. "And would you help us with the bloody meal!"

Madison plops herself down, the teenage boys soon mirroring her actions.

"So.. What's it like anyways?" Travis asks, sitting beside her.

"What is that exactly?"

"You know.. Having Cheryl as your Mum?" He asks, getting agreeing nods.

"Well," Madison sits up. "She's bossy, talks too much, practically suffocates you with hugs and kisses—"

"Oh I'd like that." Brian wiggles his eyebrows.

"Maybe I should make girlfriends, instead of bloody horny teenage boys—"

"I'm not horny!" Robert cuts in.

"I beg to differ," Travis snorts. "This one over here always has a hard on—"

"Fcuk off!"

"Says the one that was wanking off." Travis shoots back.

Madison sits there in a fit of giggles, loving the connection they all had. A comfort slowly settling between them, allowing every wall to be broken.

"Anyways!" Brian finally speaks.

"What is it?" She asks, giggling.

"Kimberley would have to be first choice," He licks his lips. "She looks like the type to strap me down to the bed and ride me for hours—"

"Shut up!" She growls, "That's disgusting." She adds, fuming.

"It's a joke," Travis tries to calm her down.

"You're this close to being kicked out – fcuking cunt." She shoots up from her seat, "Now. Excuse me." She takes in a deep breath, composing herself and retuning to the kitchen.

"Boys are fcuking stupid." She rants, "Why do they all have the same fcuking mindset? All they can think about is their damn d*cks." She grits, hopping onto the stool.

"What happened?" Kimberley asks, stilling her hands from marinating the steaks.

"Nothing."

"Don't start with that." The blonde raises an eyebrow, "Go on."

Madison takes a deep breath, "Am I really not that likable that girls can't be my friend? I'm a nice person. I don't understand why every time I'm around other girls all they want to do is bully me and call me high maintenance." She rambles.

Cheryl smiles softly, "Baby, those girls are jealous. You wouldn't want to be friends with those type of girls anyways—"

"Well I've got teenage boys in there and all they want to fcuking talk about is how they want to have sex with youse." She frowns.

"That's disgusting." Kimberley snorts, "Could you imagine the size of their—"

Cheryl rolls her eyes and cuts her wife off, "Baby, that's what boys are like." She shrugs, resuming chopping the vegetables.

"The only girlfriend I have is Rita." Madison sighs.

"Excuse you." Kimberley scoffs, "What about your Mam and I?"

The teen shrugs, "It's different.. You are.. My parents. Not really friends."

"Parents are your best friends." Cheryl argues.

"Erm... Well.. I guess.. I mean." She finishes with another shrug.

"Anyways." Kimberley sighs "Why don't you go inside and setup the table?"

"Fine." Madison hops off the stool and drags herself back to the front room.

"Rita my fcuking arse," Cheryl grits. "What has she done for her to be such a good friend? We've been there for her through every curve ball." She scoffs, "A fuckng friend."

Kimberley suppresses a smirk, "Don't get yourself worked up, baby." She gives her a playful nudge. "Let's get these cooked up."

-------

Madison rolls her eyes, regretting ever inviting these obnoxious teenage boys over. She wanted to make friends, friends that she could trust of course. The boys seemed trustworthy.. But she couldn't stand their horrible behavior.

She rolls her eyes once more, "Are you guys done?" She huffs, playing with the food left in her plate.

Kimberley smirks, noticing her daughter's uncomfortable body language for the first time.

"What do you boys do for fun? Other than chew like cows?"

And finally, this gets a cheeky smirk to form to Madison's cheeks.

"Kimberley." Cheryl whispers, quietly enough for the blonde to only hear.

"What?" Kimberley shrugs, "I'm just wondering.."

"Kimberley—"

Kimberley cuts Travis off, "That's Mrs. Tweedy-Walsh to you."

"Oh.. I just thought—"

"You thought what?" Kimberley raises an eyebrow.

"Cheryl told us it would be alright to call her—"

"Mrs. Tweedy-Walsh?"

"Okay that is enough." Cheryl places her hand down to her wife's thigh, giving it a squeeze, "How's your meal?" She quickly changes the subject.

The boys mumble in unison, all stuffing their mouths with the delicious food.

Madison releases a sigh, meeting her parent's eyes.

"What?" She mouths.

Kimberley raises her knife, drawing an X into the air.

Madison rolls her eyes, focusing her attention back to her cold food. She was jealous in a sense. Little Madison wanted all the attention on her, from nobody but her parents. So there she sat, sulking in her seat, not eating a single bite of the meal her parents had thoughtfully put together.

"Who's ready for some dessert?" Cheryl asks, standing up and collecting her empty place.

"We'll have some." Travis smiles, wiping his ketchup stained mouth.

"Alright," Cheryl's eyes avert over to Madison, "Maddy, come help us." She says, not asking. "Come on." The Geordie walks ahead, followed by a huffing Madison.

"What's the matter with you?" Cheryl asks, her daughter, "You're the one that was all excited having your friends over—"

"Mum's the one that wanted them over—"

"Oh? So you didn't?" Cheryl raises an eyebrow, "Come here," She beckons the teen over.

"What?"

"Come here I said."

Madison huffs, doing as her mother requested.

"Talk to us, what's the matter with you? You've changed moods quickly." The mother lovingly cradles her daughter's head, stroking her cheeks ever so gently.

"I just.. I'm fine." Madison averts her big green eyes.

"Madison..."

"Fine," The teen huffs, taking her mothers hands off her face. "I don't like the fact yous haven't spoken to me once tonight—"

"What are you—"

"Don't even try and disagree," The teen huffs, taking a step back. "Just.. Get the desserts together—"

"You're not going anywhere," Cheryl hisses, needing to keep her voice down. "Get over here." She takes a hold of the teens arm, forcing her into place.

"What?"

"What'd I tell you about keeping everything in?" She reminds her.

"Right now isn't the time, Mam." Madison whispers, "We.. We can talk later."

"Are you lyin' to us?"

"No.. No I.. I promise." She smiles, hoping Cheryl would let it go.

"Alright.. But, we're talking later. Understood?" The Geordie raises an eyebrow, "I want you to be honest with us."

"Yeah.. Yeah I will, agh, Mam, okay." She was never used to it, and she's unsure when she'll ever get used to the feeling of wanting to be understood.

The Geordie allows her daughter to walk out of the kitchen, not bothering to stop her this time. Cheryl understood her daughter more than the teen would ever allow herself to accept. She knew she was broken; piece-by-piece she was fixing her. She knew it would take time, she could see her daughter being a brighter and happier teen.. But you can't fix a broken soul in one day.

Kimberley takes notice of her daughter's gloomy aura, Madison would always devoured the red velvet cake, even going for seconds. She too decides to remain silent, deciding to have a heart-to-heart with the teen later.

"Tonight was great!" Robert comments, pulling over his coat. "Thank you."

"Yeah! Thanks a lot!" Travis and Brian add in, both nodding in unison.

"You're welcome," Cheryl smiles. "Drive safe tonight." The Tweedy-Walsh couple watch the boys get in their cars and drive out of their securely gated home.

"I'm going to go speak to Madison—"

"I wanted to speak to her too." Kimberley cuts her wife off.

"Well, no harm in both of us talking to her." They follow the path once made by Madison, leading them to her bedroom.

"I don't understand why she feels the need to lock the damn door—"

"Kimba," Cheryl sighs softly. "We're going to speak to her delicately."

"Well, yeah, that's what I was doing—"

"Baby—"

"Alright, alright." The blonde sighs, "I'll knock."

Cheryl smiles, stepping aside and allowing her wife to take the lead.

Kimberley knocks a few gentle times, waiting for response.

"Yeah?" Madison sits up in bed.

"Can we come in?" Kimberley asks, her tone changing to a soft whisper.

"Sure." The teen sighs, walking over to the door and unlocking for her parents to enter.

"Why didn't you see your friends off?" Cheryl asks, following Madison back to her large bed.

"I already told them bye?" The teen shrugs, "I didn't realize I needed to kiss them goodbye while I was at it?"

"We didn't say that." Both Kimberley and Cheryl sit either side of their daughter, sandwiching her right between them. "You promised to talk to us."

"Yeah.. You..." Madison's eyes avert to Kimberley's, giving her a quick cheeky smile.

"I wanted to talk to you too." The blonde furrows her eyebrows together.

"About?"

"Is there something bothering you?" Kimberley asks, shuffling closer. She wanted to allow Madison to know that she was there for her, and not just for jokes and giggles.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Maddo—"

"Mum—"

"Sweets, you said you were going to be honest with us."

Madiosn sighs softly, giving in.

"I just.. I don't know.. Why is it hard for me to make girlfriends? Boys are annoying." She confesses, "I know it sounds childish.. But every time I try to make friends with a girl, I'm either attacked for what I have.. Or being called a snob because of my looks." She sniffs, mentally cursing herself for getting emotional.

"Hey, I'm sure that's not true—"

Madison cuts her Mum off, "You don't know that. Yous wont understand, you say you want to be there for me but you wont actually understand."

"And who said we don't understand?" Cheryl furrows her eyebrows, gently taking a hold of the teens quivering chin and forcing their eyes to meet. "What makes you say we've not been there – what makes you think we still aren't being isolated because we're two women who are in love? What makes you think that till this day I'm still talked about because I'm supposedly a successful woman who happens to be attractive?" Cheryl takes a deep breath. "We know and we understand."

"You have to trust us," Kimberley strokes the teens thigh, "You have to let us in. If you think we don't understand and push it aside, it'll only bottle up and you will soon turn angry at us.. We are here for you. We understand and we are not going anywhere."

It was the sincerity in their voices that broke down every barrier, every wall surrounding her. She falls into her parent's arms, sobbing her little heart away.

She needed it.

She finally healed to their words.

She's finally whole.