Madison and The Monsters

11. The fourth vase

 "Uncle Thomas!" Madison shouted happily. It was quite a lovely surprise to find her loving uncle in the kitchen. She was so excited she forgot about the earlier events. A limping Andrew hurried up when he heard her shout. Thomas immediately hugged his niece and nephew.

"It's been months haven't it?" Thomas brushed his fingers through his long, chestnut brown hair. His dark brown eyes were showing a questioning expression. If he was looking for an accurate answer it would be two months and six days. Despite trying to spend a lot of time with them living far away seemed to make it difficult. They'd be seeing him more soon. He was moving to their town in a couple weeks, right now he was just taking a load of boxes.

"Are Lila and Riley here?" Andrew asked. Their cousins always joined their uncle. Madison too was wonder where the girls were.

"Right here," Lila called from the living room. The siblings quickly went to see their cousins. Lila was still taller than Andrew at a year older, despite Andrew's growing height. Sixteen seemed old to twelve year old Madison. Madison was older than eleven year old Riley though.

"Hi Maddi, hi Andrew," Riley smiled at her cousins. She didn't look particularly related, her hair was black and her eyes a light shade of grey. Her sister did look related to her though. Both girls had black hair; Lila had eyes that matched her dad's.

"So how have you guys been?" I asked.

"Great, excited to move to town," Lila grinned.

"We're excited too," Andrew nodded.

"So how long are you staying this time?" I questioned.

"Just the night, then we're heading back to pack some more," Riley shrugged.

"We'll have to make the most of it then. Movie, junk food, and games galore," Andrew stated.

"Let's pick a movie already so we can watch it with junk food right after dinner," Lila suggested.

After looking through the movies they picked out The Never ending story, Star Wars, Labyrinth, and some of the Batman movies. A final vote had Batman the Dark Knight as the winner. The four were so excited they hardly chewed their dinner, which was a lovely bean salad.

Dinner was basically quiet as the kids were so excited to watch the movie. The grownups would occasionally try to start talking, it never worked. Once the kids had cleared their plates the four were sitting in the living room with bowls of chips and cans of pop. None of the four were the sort to talk during a movie so it was mostly silent.

As soon as it ended the room got really loud. There was shouting, screaming, and a lot of laughter. Pillows were thrown and one vase was broken. The kids cleaned up the glass carefully, no more injuries were needed. You'd think someone would learn, it was however the fourth vase broken. Once the glass was cleaned up Andrew and Madison were called out of the room.

"You two have explaining to do," Claire stared at her children.

"What?" Andrew asked.

"Andrew you're limping," Claire looked him in the eye.

"Just fell in track," he shrugged.

"I swear-" Madison cut her off.

"He loves to run," Madison looked at her with a serious expression. Well she did owe him. They tried to avoid owing each other for too long.

"I know," Claire stated.

"Well if that's all," Andrew and Madison turn to leave.

"Madison you stay," Claire spoke quickly.

Andrew gave Madison a supporting smile before leaving. He was doing the logical thing even if it frustrated her. There wouldn't have been anything he could have really done.

"Madison where did that cut come from?" she brushed her hand against Madison's cheek, she pulled away.

Madison walked back to the living room with answering. Her mum wouldn't fall for the branch story especially if Mr. Jackson didn't. It was obvious telling the truth was an all-around bad idea. She had not a single idea so she just walked.

"Madison get back here right now!" Claire shouted at her daughter. Madison didn't stop. Her mum didn't follow, it didn't seem like she'd get any more information. Claire would have to talk to Dr. Fox about this.

As Madison entered the living room there was an awkward silence. Her cousins weren't that comfortable with Madison and her mum's less than satisfactory relationship. Andrew smiled at her to comfort her. Madison had never walked away from her mum before. It was almost empowering.

"Why so serious?" Lila did an awesome Joker impression to break the tension.

"Let's watch another movie," Riley suggested.

"How about The Legend of The North Wind," Lila offered her thoughts.

"That wasn't part of the vote," Riley questioned her sister.

"I just noticed it now," Lila explained.

"Sure, I like it," Madison nodded.

"Everyone good with it?" Andrew asked.

Four yes's filled the room. With a movie playing the silence was less awkward. Madison didn't like not being on good terms with her mum but she'd never done anything else. The two had never gotten on too well.

Their eye colour was about the only thing they had in common, not a good conversation topic. Madison likely had more in common with Noir than her mum. Neither liked crowded places, not something they discussed though. At least her mum never tried to kill her, there's a positive. Her mum also wasn't constantly tormenting her. Compared to Noir her mum was, um, alright.

Sorry for the chapter being short. I've just been busy with school and stuff. No Stella Rose for this chapter. I don't think I'll continue her story. I'll keep what there is but I want this to be a one book series. The next chapters may also be short, just a warning. I may write another chapter in a few days. I've got a lot planning for my not Wattpad books as well as planning for possible future books on Wattpad. Well I have to go eat dinner, so I am leaving you.