Fated Series. Book #2
"Be possessive of me, own me, keep me, because if you do then nothing and no one else can." - Maddox.
My name is Maddox Vallero, and I'm dead.
Well, that's not quite true. I'm alive in the breathing, walking, talking sense-but...
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Maddox
Christmas morning came and left, leaving us with stories to tell. For me, it was more than that. I made new memories; ones I kept. The fire department visiting us being one of them, oh, and Ash losing his voice. Granted, it was totally his fault because he wouldn't shut up, but truthfully, I think he was just excited to be surrounded by his family again. He missed us, I think. We missed him too, Lily most of all. Being apart leaves a space that's hard to fill, but I think that gap is wider for my sister. More defined. And our chaos has always been intoxicating for that delicate self identity that lays buried under layers of mistrust. We represent a form of escape to each other. It's natural, because our entire lives we've understood that no one will hold us down like those in this room. It becomes exhausting when you're apart too long. Keeping your true identity buried becomes tiring, but in each other's presence, we felt safe to unburden ourselves. Even Sophia was drawn to it. At first, I could tell it was strange to her, but towards the middle of the afternoon I had lost her in the midst of my family's messes, or as they like to call them, 'traditions'. Sometime during the evening, I noticed Sophia had left my side while I teased Lina about her fluffy jacket. The girl was always cold now. For a bit, I thought Sophia would return, but when she didn't, I went searching.
In Ash's room, I found Lily and Aster cheering on Sophia to win in a simulated formula one race. Her opponent was Ash... so, I'm not sure why she went in full confidence thinking she'll win. But I stayed in the doorway for a couple seconds, admiring the sight of her trying. How much the woman bloomed with all the support. How well defined in every aspect she was. The fire she possessed. I stayed rooted in place, amazed by the new spirit my girlfriend was starting to radiate.
The warmth in my heart made me realize how happy I was.
I was happy seeing her so carefree, enjoying herself. The last half a month has been stressful on both of us. I had finally moved jobs and was settling into the CTO position, which has me realizing the amount of work that's been procrastinated on, or just skipped over. No wonder our IT department's been lacking. But I love my new job, and that's a start. While I left, Sophia agreed to stay behind and help Mateo find a fit candidate. Until they find one, Sophias substituting temporarily. And from what I hear she's been doing a profoundly great job. I wonder if she's figured out that Mateo doesn't plan to give the job to anyone else. Most of all, I miss having the most beautiful assistant in the world. We see each other so much less now. It's a real mood killer. So, I make it a point to have lunch with her every day, no matter what's going on, I drop everything at twelve thirty and head up to my girlfriend's office.
In the middle of figuring out our new lives, I'm also suing the New York PD for the illegal arrest. There are times I wish I hadn't done it, only because by doing this, I'm stirring up Sophia's emotions towards her mother. My case includes her, and the harm she brought. The restraining order I have, I want it permanent. But I could only do so much without Sophia, without her voice. One night, after a long and stretched out court session, I was cuddled with Jax on the couch after his hockey practice, when Sophia came out from her bedroom, dropping a folder on the coffee table. "I want to help." She stated. "I want her rights stripped. Maddox, I don't want that dreadful woman anywhere near our son. Anywhere near our family. She doesn't deserve my empathy. But I deserve the freedom I'll get by doing this."
