Once upon a time

Chapter 10: My Brave Little Warrior

Madison had a small smile on her face, her blue eyes were sparking with amusement. Her cheeks are still slightly flushed the ice rink and her lips were slightly parted. I'm so tempted to kiss her plump lips as she bits her bottom lip. Madison's small hand engulfed in my calloused one. She looks at me like I'm not really here.

I give her hand a light squeeze, to reassure her. I was so happy that she broken down her walls for me. I know she's scared that I will let her down like everyone else. I will not let her down. She glances down at our jointed hands, shyly and offers me a breathtaking smile. I can't help but lean in to kiss her lips.

As I pull away, I see her cheeks turning slightly pink and her blue eyes wide. I grin sheepishly and say, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself." She looks at me with those blue innocent eyes and I get lost in them. I knew that we've only known each other for a very short time. But this was right, it felt right.

People might laugh and mock me, saying that the love at first sight isn't real. But even if it isn't, I was already head over heels and a fool for her. The way she bit her lip to keep her expression straight. The way her hair curled around her face. The way she laughed, a sound of tinkling bells. The way she looked at me, looking at me as Alec, not Prince Alec.

She was so good, she didn't deserve anything of her mother's hurtful words. She was like an angel, pure and strong. But it killed me to see such sadness in her eyes. A sadness that is too great that I cannot take away. Her salty tears that streak down her face. Her quiet sobs that she desperately tries to hold in. The wobbly smile she uses to cover up her pain.

I couldn't be her knight in shining armour, I couldn't save her from the pain. I couldn't make her forget her pain or sadness. I can only be there to hold her tightly. To shield her from the cruel harsh world for only a moment. To remind her that she is extraordinary. To love her the way she exactly is.

"Hello? Alec?" her musical voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Madison and she gives me a playful pout. I laughed at her adorable expression. "Pardon?" I replied, with a smile. She shakes her head, a smile curling on her lips. "I said that we should go pick May up." she repeats, looking amused.

"Let us go!" I exclaimed, starting to skip. She laughs and the sound that I adore. We walk pass the trees, I see children playing and laughing. It is strange that no one knows of my status here. Back home, I couldn't play with other kids because the other children were scared of me. They stayed away and played amongst each other.

I watch Madison turn towards little children with their mothers. She watches the mothers glancing at her children with such affection. She looks at them with such a sad wistful look. I know that she is blaming herself, that she ruined her relationship with her mother. "Hey, Madison! Look at me." I said, softly. She turns to me, her blue eyes looking lost.

I cup her face with my free hand, still holding her hand. "You are not to blame. You are not worthless. You are better than you think. You deserve the world, sweetheart." I said, earnestly. She leaned her face into my hand and closed her eyes. "Thank you." she says after a moment of silence. She gives me a smile of hope that warms my heart up.

I lean in and claim her lips, again. As I pull away, she kisses me back. I smile against her lips, pleased at her kiss. She blushes as I give her a grin as we pull away. "Don't say anything." she says, the tips of her ears turning red. I chuckled, making her more flustered.

" MADDY! ALEC! Stop eating each other's faces!" yelled May, running towards us. She has a big grin on her face and it is utterly contagious. "May!" Madison smiles and gives my hand a squeeze. I laugh as I watch May scold Madison for 'eating my face.' "But I like it when she eats my face!" I protested, with a grin. Madison gasps and whacks my arm.

May starts to laugh and I join in. Madison watches us and shakes her head at us, her cheeks red from embarrassment. We head home, joking and laughing. Madison is silent and watches the two of us. I offer her a grin and our eyes meet. She gives me a small smile, her pink lips turning slightly upwards and her eyes bright with amusement.

After eating dinner and putting May to bed, Madison went to bed. I was lying on the couch, thinking about what happened today and replaying her kiss in my mind. Then I hear a voice, "Alec?" I whip my head around to see Madison standing by the door, nervously. "What's wrong?" I asked, getting off the couch and walking towards her.

She blushed furiously and looked at her feet. "I . . . um . . . I couldn't sleep." she whispers in a tiny voice that has my ears straining to hear her. "Is this your way of offering me a small place on the bed beside you?" I asked, a smile taking over my face. "Yes." she says, she looks at me hopefully.

"I gratefully accept!" I replied, taking her hand and we go into her room. We get into her covers and Madison soon falls asleep, her cheek against my chest. I looked at her, a content smile is playing on her lips. I smiled, tightening my arms around her waist. I fall asleep beside my little brave warrior.