MAD

~ Chapter 25 ~

It was only a few days later that Maddeline was let go from the hospital and by everyone's request (and by request is meant her mother screamed into the phone until her throat was sore), she would be staying with the boys.

While Joel was not a big supporter of the ordeal, he knew she was not in a good position to be alone yet. Zach, on the other hand, could not be more overjoyed with the arrangements. 

One of the first things Maddeline had asked the boys, was for them to go to her apartment and get Larkin, so the dog wouldn't be alone.

By the time she finally crossed the door of the house, they had arranged a small feast, with all of her favourite foods, sweets, and movies.

With a beaming smile, she hugged each and every one of the boys, thanking them for the surprise and for having taken care of her "baby"; Joel was the only one that, along with the hug, got a kiss on the lips, much to Zach's distaste.

A loud bark accompanied by a jumping ball of fur made Maddeline turn all of her attention to the very excited animal that kept jumping at her legs.

"I missed you so much," she said, as she kneeled and kissed him repeatedly, receiving her own fair share of licks from Larkin.

"It looks like he missed you," Joel commented, with a small laugh.

"Of course he missed her, he's her baby," Nate said firmly. "Now, come, we need to put some good, home-made food in you. Your mom's orders!" He pulled Maddeline up and to the table.

After they were sitting, they noticed Zach's absence, along with Larkin's, only to find Larkin giving the same kind of love he had just given her to Zach. When the love fest was finally finished, Zach went to his place on the table, right across from Maddeline.

"I see you and Larkin have quite the close relationship," Joel said as they were pilling food on the plates. 

Zach smirked at that, looking around the table as the other boys laughed subtly.

"Well, you see, Link and I... have something in common, and it's not only the great hair." Zach shrugged.

"I'm sorry, but who's Link?" Joel was confused.

At that, Maddeline had a small smile playing on her lips, for she knew exactly what Zach was doing and she couldn't help but find it kind of adorable.

"What do you mean, who's Link?" Zach arched an eyebrow, looking thoroughly amused. "Link is the dog!" 

"I thought the dog's name was Larkin..." Joel looked at Maddeline, who was finding it hard to contain her laughter at the situation.

"It is," she confirmed softly.

"But, he just called him Link!" Joel pointed at Zach, getting irritated.

"Link also is the dog's name." 

"I'm getting confused. What's the dog's name?!" He asked after a minute or so of laughter.

Since none of them could bring themselves to stop laughing, Zach took the responsibility of doing so, as seriously as he possibly could, given the situation.

"The dog's name is Link Larkin, you see?"

"No, I had no idea," Joel grumbled. "And who the fuck is Link Larkin anyway?"

"Oh, this is going to be good," Michael said between wheezes.

Joel kept looking around at the group of friends that kept laughing, and found that Maddeline was blushing.