Beyond: Beyond the Lights

Chapter 25

JAMES

The moment Madi's lips touched mine, everything else in the world faded. It was just us, standing there, breathless, with this overwhelming rush of emotions that I hadn't felt in a long time. The few weeks after that kiss were a whirlwind—a blend of nervous energy, excitement, and moments of pure bliss. But as each day passed, one thing became clear: I couldn't let this slip through my fingers. I had to make her mine, officially.

After the game, after Madi had met Maria, things just seemed to click. Maria loved her, which was a relief because my daughter's opinion is the only one that really matters. Madi's presence was so natural around us; she blended into my life seamlessly. Every time I saw her with Maria, playing or just chatting, it felt right. Like this was how things were supposed to be.

We spent a lot of time together—mostly casual, but each moment was laced with a tension that was new and thrilling. Whether we were watching movies, grabbing coffee, or walking through campus, there was always this undercurrent, a promise of something more.

I remember one night, after spending the evening with Madi and Maria, I texted Kian about it. He's been my sounding board through all of this, and I needed to know if I was crazy for thinking this could be something serious.

Jamie: Man, I think I'm falling for her. I mean, really falling. And Maria? She's already attached.

Kian: I've seen the way you look at her, dude. It's different. You've got that 'I'm in deep' look. But is it a bad thing? Madi's awesome.

Jamie: It's not bad, just... new. You know me. I don't do relationships, not after Carolime. But with Madi? It feels different.

Kian: Well, if it feels right, don't mess it up. Just be honest with her. And with yourself.

Kian was right. I couldn't mess this up. I needed to talk to Madi, to see where she stood

The next week, I found myself thinking about how to bring it up. I knew I had to ask her to be my girlfriend, to make this real. I wanted her to know I was serious, that I wasn't just messing around. But every time I tried to bring it up, the words got caught in my throat. I didn't want to scare her off.

One night, while we were walking through the park with Maria, who was running ahead of us, I finally gathered the courage. The night was warm, and the stars were out, making everything feel just a little more magical.

"Madi," I started, trying to keep my voice steady, "I've been thinking a lot about us."

She turned to me, her eyes curious. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I... I want this, Madi. I want us to be more than just... whatever this is. I want you to be my girlfriend."

She smiled, that soft, sweet smile that makes my heart race every time. "I was wondering when you were going to ask."

Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but laugh. "So that's a yes?"

She leaned in and kissed me, her hand slipping into mine. "That's a yes."

Maria, noticing we had stopped, came running back to us. "Daddy, are we going home now?"

Madi bent down to Maria's level, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "How about we go get some ice cream first? What do you say?"

Maria's face lit up, and I felt this warmth spread through me, a warmth I hadn't felt in years. This was my family—Madi, Maria, and me.

As the weeks went by, Madi and I settled into this new rhythm. We spent more time together, and she was at the apartment almost every other night. Watching her with Maria was something I never got tired of. Maria adored her, and honestly, so did I.

One evening, after putting Maria to bed, Madi and I sat on the couch, the TV on in the background. I had my arm around her, and she was snuggled into my side. It was one of those quiet moments that said everything without needing words.

"Jamie," she said softly, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest, "I love being here with you. With both of you."

I kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair. "We love having you here. You fit, Madi. More than I ever thought someone could."

She looked up at me, and for a moment, I thought she was going to say something more, something big, but instead, she just smiled and leaned in for a kiss. I didn't push it; I knew we'd get there when the time was right.