Elijah's POV:

It's been a while since I woke up this cheerful and it was all thanks to Madison. She was all I could dream of at night and the first thing to come to my mind when I woke up. I liked having her part of my life like this, it was better than having nothing at all from her.

I gave myself one last look making sure I was set and headed downstairs where everyone was gathered.

"Would you look at that, my baby sister finally decided to join us" I ruffled Julie's hair, my usual way of greeting her.

She threw a dirty look my way - a result I always got for my action "I had exams"

I took a seat on the dining table right next to her.

"Since when do sleepovers mean studying? It might have passed on mom but not on me"

"No need for the overprotective brother act. We have a study group and we usually finish late, that's why I stay over" she rolled her eyes at me and I smiled in return.

The fresh cinnamon rolls looked inviting so I started with them.

"So how is high school treating you, I mean I know it's your first year but it's enough to say for the rest?"

She shrugged, a good shrug.

"I'm still with my same friends so that's an advantage for me, and studying is going well so I could overall say it's all going very good"

"I'm very happy for you Julie baby, you're going to make one hell of a doctor"

We both grinned at each other.

Mom and dad joined us from the kitchen and finally so did Noah.

The bickering started just as everyone took their seats and it reminded me of when we were younger.

When dad doesn't have to go to the company early and we'd all be around the table eating peacefully, then one piece of pancake would be left and all the peace leaves right through the window.

Dad always joins the fight and he always wins - using the parent card - but then feels bad for us and shares it with us.

I'm not much of an adult right now, but I really miss these days. The days when my biggest worry was mom finding out what trouble I did and then grounding me from hanging out with my friends.

I finished the last of my coffee and got up, giving Julie and mom a quick kiss, then finally turned to dad.

"Dad don't forget that I'll be passing by the company today"

"How could I when you're bringing a guest with you" he wiggled his eyebrows at me and everyone else started asking 'who' over and over again.

I ignored them, letting dad deal with what he started, and headed to college.

Dad obviously was overreacting, it wasn't like I was introducing a girl to my family as my girlfriend.

I was only taking Madison to talk to dad and see the environment of business as part of my tutoring. But I've never asked my dad any kind of favor that included a girl, hence the overreaction.

The weather met my mood as I exited the car and walked toward the campus. It was a combination of chilly and sunny which was perfect enough for me.

I paused through my steps and took a deep breath, smiling at the sky. I probably looked crazy to everyone, and sounded even crazier in my head, but I couldn't care less today. I had my whole day planned out and it included Madison.

Lecture after lecture my day went by slowly, each minute of it spent thinking of one thing after the other, all which mainly revolved around Madison.

I was about to kiss the ground when the last class finished, and immediately went around the campus looking for Madison. I've already asked her about her schedule for the day, telling her that we have some tutoring to do, and thankfully for me she finished the same time I did. Nothing went wrong so far and I was on cloud nine for that.

When I finally found her, she was sitting on a bench along with Mason, and by the looks of it, it seemed more of an argument than just a conversation.

"Hey" I greeted "I'm gonna go give Max a call until you finish"

"No, no, I need you to back me up on this. Unless you agree with him?" she narrowed her eyes at me.

"What did Mason do this time?" I looked back and forth between the two of them.

Mason gave me his famous pleading eyes that he uses on me - which works every single time - and mouthed 'help me'.

Madison caught him and smacked the back of his head and I couldn't help but laugh at them. They were like two bickering children.

"This guy over here" she poked him roughly while pointing at him "Hurt the one girl he shouldn't and is this close to losing her"

Her thumb and forefinger were almost pressed together that I couldn't see the space between them.

She sighed at him and her tone changed, becoming gentler.

"Look I know you're probably afraid of the new feelings that are starting to surface, but believe me, if you don't act upon them, someone is going to snatch her right from under your nose"

I nodded in agreement.

"What do I do?" Mason whispered to her and I could see the fear of losing his girl in his eyes.

"For starters, no more going from one girl after the other because this is the thing that hurts most, and then pursue her, but slowly and carefully. You don't want her to be suspicious and think you're only after her for one night, because that's what she thinks. Just trust your heart and you'll be alright"

Mason went for a hug when she was done and I swear I could see a tear in the corner of his eye.

I was in awe of this whole thing. Madison seemed to shine more in my eyes after this and I couldn't think anything but highly of her.

The desire to have her in my forever furthered and I could start seeing myself falling head over heels for her one day. Maybe even sooner than I could think of.

Madison confirmed one last time that everything will be okay and said goodbye, each of us heading their way.

By this time, Max was definitely waiting outside so there was no need to call him.

Madison got into the car first and I followed, apologizing for making him wait this long. I was usually a punctual person, so this was my first.

"That was really nice of you what you did back there" I spoke after the car started moving.

"I could see it in their eyes, they liked each other but were too afraid to make a move, so I just gave each of them a little push"

"You know, you'd do wonders at matchmaking"

She laughed.

"It just feels good to make other people happy, especially when it comes to their love life"

I hummed.

She made everybody's love life better, but what about hers? I guess she's not interested in falling in love.

Why is this bumming me out though? Is it because I'm interested in love and she's not, or is it because of the new admiration that's starting to grow for her. Maybe even it's starting to become something stronger than admiration and I'm scared it's going to be one sided.

So the question is, is she worth it?

A part of me immediately said yes but the other part, the one that was looking at the facts, said think it through.

She tore my mind into two, that's certain, something no one did to me before and that's all I knew right now.

By the time I gave up on trying to weigh the options, we arrived to dad's company.

His secretary, Linda, was waiting for us in the reception area. She greeted us warmly, something this sweet old lady never missed doing, and guided us to dad's office. Of course I knew this company by heart, sometimes I'd come to learn a couple of things whenever I have time, but I was sure dad sent Linda for formalities since I had a new guest with me.

Linda gave us each a kiss to the cheek, saying goodbye, and left us by the door to the office. Dad was pacing around when we walked in, it has always been his way of releasing frustration ever since I could remember.

It was when he finished his call when he saw us and his eyes went back and forth between me and Madison. I bet he wasn't expecting this.

"Madison, what a pleasant surprise!" Dad started after letting go of the shocked expression.

"It's a surprise for me and you, still is actually, since someone here won't tell me anything"

Dad laughed lightly and I couldn't help but smile as well. She looked too cute for her own good right now.

"Since we finished the studying part, I thought maybe I could show you around the company and let you ask questions. I've always thought experience is the best way to learn from" I finally told her.

"I have to agree with him on this one" dad nodded "So how are you doing Madison, and how is your father?"

"I'm good and so is he, maybe just a little bit too busy though"

"That man never rests" dad sighed, looking worried.

"As if you do" I muttered.

He playfully glared at me and I wiggled my eyebrows at him in response.

Uncle Nick and dad met in college and became close ever since them. After graduation, they both worked together in the Williams Enterprise just as if they were partners. A couple of years ago, Uncle Nick decided to focus more on his side business and make it grow.

Of course it bummed dad, but he never went against his decision and supported him instead. They still meet together every while, but not as much as when they worked together. I'm sure he misses him right now and that's why he's asking these questions, I can even see it in his eyes.

He changed the subject after that and sat on the couch along with Madison. She asked the questions while dad replied with stories from his experience. It went on back and forth like that for about an hour.

They seemed to be enjoying their time together, dad was passionate about his work while Madison was interested in knowing more, and it made me happy seeing them bond like this.

They both got hungry when they were done so dad ordered some food for the three of us and Madison excused herself for a while to wander around the company.

"Take a seat, you have some explaining to do"

He went back to his seat and I took Madison's place.

"What explaining? I didn't do anything wrong" I played dumb.

"Oh cut the lying, I saw the look on your face the whole time Madison and I were talking. You like her"

"I don't like her" my voice came out all squeaky and loud.

Dad narrowed his eyes at me, and then sighed.

"I've never seen you this worried and caring about another girl other than your sister. Your eyes say they would do anything to protect her, just like Julie, but at the same time, they give her a look no one gets but a lover"

I remained quiet, I never noticed myself doing such thing.

"I know this must be hard for you, new feelings are rushing and at the same time, you're worried it might be one-sided, but aside from all of the fear, I know these feelings are the reason every morning you wake up with a bright smile on your face"

I nodded lightly.

"You know, if I'd given up on your mother the second time I met her, none of us would be here now and I'd probably be the most miserable man on earth, regretting my choices and wishing I could change them. I don't want you see this side of the equation, even if the chances are low. Confess your feelings to her. Don't let the fear make you lose what could be your happiness in the future"
..................................