Raising Madison (The third book in the 'The girl in the attic trilogy')

(25) Raising Madison

Raising Madison

Chapter 25

Preston’s POV

I felt so nervous I thought I was going to pass out. I had made up my mind and decided to go visit Brooklyn for a change. I’ve only been to her house once before and if I was going to this I had to do it right. I was taking Madie with too, figuring that her parents had to meet her.  I had no idea how the day was going to play out but I was hoping for the best.

We were going to have lunch with her parents, a barbeque of sorts and then swim. It sounded like fun but my insides were twisting with nerves.

I arrived at their house a few minutes later and had to tell myself to calm down. Madie seemed happy though, not having a care in the world. Brooklyn opened the front door before I got there and Madie ran to her and jumped into her arms, giving her a hug. It was really cute and it made me happy to see her this happy.

“Hi,” I said when I reached the door.

“Hi, come in,” Brooklyn replied, stepping inside and then closing the door behind her.

“My parents are out back, do you want to say hi? She asked, looking a bit unsure.

“Yeah,” I answered thinking about the fact that it is the first time that I’m actually making an effort to meet a girl’s parents, it was scary.

Luckily for me they were really nice and made me feel at home. They were good with Madie too, which was a huge plus.

I helped Brooklyn’s dad with the barbequed and then after we ate Madie wanted to swim. I was terrified at the idea but she had to learn at some point so I put on her bathing suit and made sure that the tubes I bought her were fitted properly around her arms and waist.

“I’m quickly going to change,” Brooklyn said and disappeared into the house. I gulped at her words and what they meant. She was going to change, meaning she was going to put a swimsuit on. Brooklyn is gorgeous and the though both excited and scared me.

“You won’t hurt her, will you?” I heard somebody ask from behind me and turned around to be faced with her dad. I considered his words and answered honestly.

“Never,” I said, meaning it.

“Good and I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what happened to this little ones mother?” he asked, looking down at Madie who was trying to get her tube off.

I should have expected him to ask that but I didn’t and it shocked me a bit. Talking about Katie still hurts.

“She… she passed away,” I replied, half stuttering.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, looking a bit stunned, he probably expected that I knocked up a girl I didn’t love and wound up having to look after the kid. That’s what most people think because of my age.

“It’s ok,” I replied and at that moment Brooklyn returned and I couldn’t help but stare. She had on a little black bikini and she looked like a supermodel or something. She walked towards us and I had to tear my eyes away. Brooklyn’s dad chuckled and made his way back over to her mom who was sitting on the deck.

“I’ll watch her, why don’t you go change?” she asked, bending down to pick Madie up.

“Uhm... yeah, ok,” I stuttered and hurried away.

I took my time in the bathroom, trying to calm myself down, why didn’t she wear a wrap or something? Because she doesn’t need to, with a body like that she doesn’t have anything to hide. I answered myself.

I splashed my face with water and took a deep breath before going back outside.   Brooklyn was sitting on the side of the pool with Madie next to her, their feet dangling in the water. I smiled at the sight and decided to join them. I walked over to them and sat down next to Madie.

“Swim Daddy, swim!” she yelled out excitedly as she kicked the water.

“Ok, let’s swim,” I agreed and slipped into the water, it was cold and felt great against my body. I went under completely and resurfaced in a few seconds, to find both Madie and Brooklyn watching me.

“Come on, it’s fun,” I said to Madie, holding my arms out to her.

She looked at the water and Brooklyn and then literally jumped into my arms, causing me to laugh.