ＢＬＯＯＤＹ ＣＩＴＹ [ 𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘮 ]

• | Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ Ｔｗｏ | •

- Ｔｗｏ: Ａ Ｓｉｎｇｌｅ Ｓｍｉｌｅ -

~~~

Robert Elliot strutted into the Art Gallery with Angela on his arm and Madeleine and his son, Jaxon walked in behind them. Robert was a handsome gentleman, and well respected. He carried himself with confidence. Robert has dark brown hair, slicked back neatly, and hazel blue eyes. Golden brown around the pupil and blue surrounding that. His son Jaxon was twelve and growing to look much more like his father, with his defined features and dark hair but he had his mothers brown eyes.

"I don't understand why we have to go to this thing." Jaxon complains to his sister.

"Because mother and father love appreciating art and I have a talent for it as well. Just because it's your not cup of tea doesn't mean it's not ours." Maddy tells him. He sighs and looks around. Maddy digs around in her clutch. "But, I did see a hot dog stand outside if you wanna take an hour to yourself. I'll cover for you." Then she hands him a twenty.

"Really?" He asks.

"It's not like mom or dad will notice. Just take Damien along with you." She says.

He takes the money and grips it tight when he feels a pocket knife wrapped up in it. "Your the best."

"I expect you to give me my knife back and don't ever tell me I'm annoying again."

"But you are." Jaxon grins walking away.

Maddy scoffs and walks up to her parents. Robert looks down at her. "Where is your brother?"

"Off to find the bathroom or another kid his age. I don't really care." She answers.

Robert rolls his eyes and walks over to a sculpture. Angela walks further into the gallery with Maddy. "You shouldn't give your brother outs like that."

Maddy gives her mom a side look. "You know he doesn't like this stuff. Besides this will be the closest thing he gets to sneaking out ever." She looks up the painting of a woman. Her face and the tops of her chest are the only things visible. Her eyes are closed and her hair flowing out around her head. The whole painting consisted of different shades of red.

"You have a good eye." The mother, daughter pair turn and see the head of the art gallery.

"Barbara Kean, it's a pleasure to meet you. Congragulations on your success." Angela shakes Barbara's hand.

"Thank you so much, it's appreciated."

"I hear your engaged to the man on the police force Jim Gordon."

Barbara nods excitedly. "Yes, we're very excited."

"Is he always such a hard ass?" Maddy asks whispring. Barbara giggles a little but Angela pinches her daughter's bare arm.

"Madeleine, that is very rude."

"Oh no, it's perfectly fine." Barbara calms herself. "To answer your question he's only like that when he's working or hangry." The ladies giggle quietly. "I would ask but I hear your related to Carmine Falcone, yes?"

Angela nods. "Yes, he is my father's brother. Maddy and Jaxon's granduncle."

"So what has been your favorite piece so far." Barbara asks.

"I think this one really captiured our eyes, we both have the fairly same taste." Angela answers, gesturing to the red woman behind them. "In fact Maddy has a few worthy sharing pieces as well. Her arts teacher at school just adores Maddy's work, she's told us many times."

"That's a lie. None of them are very art gallery worthy." Maddy blushes.

"Nonsense, you'll have to show me some time." Barbara gestures for a waiter with champange to one closer. She slides one of her cards off of the tray. "Here's my card if you ever feel confident enough to show me."

"Thank you." Maddy nods and puts her card in her wallet.

"How old are you Maddy?"

"I'm seventeen, but I'll be turning eighteen this summer in July and starting college at a private institute."

"In Gotham?" Barbara asks.

"Yes, maybe you've heard of it? St. Ignatius."

Her eyes widen. "That is amazing Madeleine."

"Robert and I are very proud of her." She smiles at Maddy. "So, tell us Barbara, what is your favorite piece?" Angela asks.

"I especially love this sculpture in our west wing of the gallery. It represents the Harmona Convergence. It's very beautiful, let me show you."

Madeleine obsevers the rest of the room and makes eye contact with a red haired boy with glasses. He's dressed casually in a sweater vest, a white button up, dress pants, and nice shoes. They smile at each other a little before Maddy stalks after her mother.

~~~

The next night Carmine Falcone came over to the Elliot Estate for dinner. Maddy is the one to greet her granduncle.

"Hi Uncle Carmine." She smiles and hugs him once he gets inside.

"Hello my dear, how are you? Feeing well I hope?" Carmine asks as they walk towards the dining room.

"Very, I'm super on edge about starting college this year but it's nothing I can't handle, I'm sure."

"That's my girl." He pats her cheek.

"How have you been uncle, how is Natalia?"

"Oh, I've really been quite stressed with the Arkham project and all. Natalia is fine however she is a little shaken."

"What happened?" Maddy asks concerned.

"A mugging, we haven't found the culpret yet either but I'm sure we will."

"I know you will. You can find anyone when you put your mind to it uncle." They smile at each other and Robert steps out of the kitchen.

"Carmine, it's wonderful to see you again." Robert and him shake hands.

"The pleasure is mine. I see you've been treating my grandniece well. I cannot wait too see Angela."

"Well you won't have to wait much longer she should be ready soon as should Jaxon. Tell me how are Mario and Sophia?" The two men step away to talk business for awhile.

Madeleine smiles at the two and leaves too check on Jaxon. She walks up the steps and towards his room. She knocks.

"Jaxon, Uncle Carmine is here and dinner will be ready soon." The door swings open and he's dressed in the same style of casual as the red head she saw yesterday. "You ready?"

"Yeah, is mom down there too?"

"By now, probably."

"Okay, let's go."