Trial And Error

Chapter Sixty-Four

Madison's POV

Madison huddled on the front porch couch, the evening breeze carrying memories instead of comfort. This very spot was where she confessed to her parents her feelings for Kian. Where they had made out the first day they kissed. Now it cradled her through what felt like an ending, or at least the threat of one.

She'd grabbed her guitar on the way out, hoping the familiar weight would anchor her, but it sat untouched beside her. Her fingers, usually so eager to find melody in chaos, remained still in her lap. Music had always been her refuge, her way of processing life's complexities. But how do you compose a song about watching someone you love walk back into their nightmares?

The screen door's soft creak announced Kian's presence, but Madison didn't look up. She traced the worn edges of her guitar pick, a nervous habit she'd developed over years of performing. Behind her, Kian's footsteps hesitated, and Madison could picture her Marine's stance - shoulders squared against uncertainty, hands probably fidgeting at her sides like they always did when emotions ran high.

"Your coffee's getting cold," Kian said softly, and the mundane concern in her voice nearly broke Madison. Of course Kian would remember she'd left her mug behind, would think to bring it out. It was these small acts of care that made the bigger sacrifices harder to bear.

"Two weeks prep, one month boots on ground," Kian continued after a moment, settling carefully on the opposite end of the couch. The physical distance between them felt wrong, but Madison wasn't sure she could handle being closer right now. "Bennett says that's a maximum timeline."

Madison let out a bitter laugh. "Because military timelines always go according to plan?" She finally looked up, meeting Kian's gaze.

The words hung heavy in the air, charged with the weight of memories they'd only recently started discussing. The mission brief hadn't done much to quell Madison's worries, if anything they made them worse. There wasn't much meat in it anyways, just small details and time lines.

"I was thinking," Kian said slowly, deliberately changing course, "maybe we could go to Chicago next week. See my parents before..." She trailed off, leaving the obvious unsaid. "Mom's been asking about you anyway. Says she misses her future daughter-in-law's piano playing."

Madison's breath caught at the casual mention of 'future daughter-in-law.' They'd danced around the topic of marriage, dropped hints in quiet moments, but never quite named it. Now it hung in the air between them, another reminder of all they stood to lose.

"Your mom's going to be furious," Madison murmured, finally setting the guitar pick down.

"Yeah." Kian shifted closer, the space between them shrinking but still cautious. "But she deserves to hear it from me in person. And..." She hesitated, running a hand through her short hair - another nervous tell Madison had learned to read. "I need her to see that I'm stronger now. That I'm not the same broken person they brought home last time."

"You were never broken," Madison corrected sharply, the words automatic and fierce. "Hurt, yes. Healing, absolutely. But never broken."

"See? That right there - that's why I need you both with me on this. You know, she the one who wanted me to tell you what happened to me over there? That first day when she invited you over for dinner. Obviously, I didn't listen to her but maybe I should've."

"That's exactly what terrifies me most, you know? I see exactly how capable you are, how determined. And I know nothing I say will stop you from going."

"It's going to be hard, Mads," Kian breathed out, tension visible in the set of her shoulders. "My dad... he's going to get under my skin with his silence, those disappointed looks he thinks I don't notice. And you're right about Mom being mad." She hesitated, fingers twisting in her lap. "So please—"