Madison touched underneath her eyes and tapped on the puffiness that was there. She had not slept well last night, plagued by nightmares. She hated death. In truth, she only knew one person who had died, her father. Even though in her head she could understand that Grayson’s death was not the same, her heart still ached. His death was bringing about memories for her. Memories she didn’t want remembered.
Madison blinked and looked down at her ring, spinning it on her finger. She sighed and turned back to the mirror, fluffing up her hair. Today they were having everyone over to announce their engagement. Madison wasn’t exactly in the festive spirit but she knew she couldn’t keep it hidden from Callie or her Grans. So they had decided the morning they were leaving Big Bear that they would host a dinner and have everyone come over so that they could spill it all at once. She blew out a breath and walked out to the dining room where Andrew was setting the table. She smirked as he held the forks and knives in his hand. His brow arched in confusion.
“Fork goes on the left, knife on the right,” she said, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
“I can never remember that.”
“I know, it’s hard. My mom once told me that the best way to remember it was that there are four letters in fork and four letters in left and there are five letters in knife and five letters in right.”
He smirked. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“Well, she does give good advice on occasion.”
Andrew smiled and handed Madison some utensils. They finished setting the table together. They had extended their already large table to accommodate their friends and family. Ten place settings equipped with wine glasses. They had a beautiful bouquet centerpiece and space set aside on each side of it to place the platters of food.
“Everything’s perfect.”
“It is,” he said, leaning down and kissing her.
As they kissed, she slipped off her engagement ring and placed it in his hand. He stopped kissing her immediately and looked at her, stunned.
“I don’t have pockets. Hold this for me until we make the announcement.”
He smiled. “Okay.” He breathed in deeply and gently caressed her cheek. “Feeling you place that in my hand made my heart sink.”
She laughed and pulled him close to her. “Helios, you are stuck with me forever.”
“Forever sounds good to me.”
He kissed her again until they heard the first knock on the door. “Can you get the door while I check the food?”
“Of course.”
Madison watched him walk away, and, with a heavy heart, she entered the kitchen. The food was done and warming in the oven. All she needed to do was put it on the serving platters. Madison merely needed a moment to gather herself before everyone arrived. As she rested her hands on the counter, she took several deep breaths. She had to keep reminding herself that this was a celebratory get together. She needed to stop thinking about death and focus on life. She heard her Grans, as well as Olivia and Aaron enter the living room. She blew out a loud breath and then turned towards the door.
“Hey everyone,” Madison said approaching them.
She kissed her Grans, as well as Olivia. Grans could sense something was off but didn’t know what. Callie, Jayden, and little Ellie arrived moments later. Callie saw her friend’s face and immediately handed Ellie to Jayden as she reached out for Madison. Madison held on to her tightly, wanting Callie to make her feel good. Callie always knew when something was wrong, especially when it came to the people she loved. Jayden walked over to Andrew with Ellie in his arms and Olivia immediately took her from him, cooing at the bubbly little girl.
“How is she?” Jayden asked motioning his head towards Madison.
“She’s better now.”
“What happened? What’s wrong with my Maddie?” Gran asked, clearly upset.
“We found out yesterday morning that her old boss, Grayson, passed away,” Andrew answered and then glanced at Madison who was still hugging Callie. “She barely slept last night. She kept having nightmares. I didn’t ask her what they were about but,” he turned to Grans. “I think they were about her dad’s funeral.”
Grans nodded and watched her granddaughter. She was about to approach her when she saw the Bennett’s step up the walkway. Madison looked up and saw Liam and Elias approaching. They did not look their normal happy selves, especially Liam. When they got to Callie and Madison, Liam offered Madison a small smile. She immediately let go of Callie and went up to him, hugging him tightly. Liam sighed as he returned her embrace. He brought his eyes up, meeting Andrew’s watchful gaze. Elias passed them and tapped her back gently as he entered the house. He approached his son and granddaughter, smiling down at her. He then glanced at Andrew, who was watching Madison and Liam.
“It’s hard, isn’t it?”
“What?” Andrew replied.
“Watching someone you love in pain.” Andrew nodded as Elias watched Liam and Madison as well. “Liam was devastated. They were friends for a very long time. Did you know he introduced Natalie to Grayson?”
Andrew shook his head and watched as Liam leaned down to talk to Madison, wondering what they were talking about and hoping that Liam could say something to make her feel better. He wasn’t used to seeing her so distraught.
“I should have been there. I didn’t know.”
“Madison, it’s okay.”
“It’s not.”
“It is,” Liam insisted, looking intensely at her.
“Will you tell me everything that happened out there,” Madison asked wiping under her eyes.
“Yes, but not tonight, okay?” Madison nodded and took a deep breath.
Liam directed Madison into the house, his eyes saddened again, as Elias smiled at him. In truth, he was worried about Liam. It had been a long time since he’d seen Liam so upset about anything. The last time was after the incident in Texas. His eyes shifted slightly and he saw Madison’s distraught face. Andrew reached his hand out to her which she took without hesitation. She wrapped her hand around his waist and did her best to smile at everyone.
“We’re just waiting on Connor,” she finally said.
“I’m here, I’m here. You can start now,” Connor said cheerily from the door. “Did you guys have a good time in Big Bear and Ireland? Holy shit it’s been so horrible without you guys around. What the heck was I supposed to do with myself? Good thing I got the new Call of Duty for Christmas. I ended up playing it all night every night. I mastered that sucker. So do we start work tomorrow or what?”
Suddenly Madison laughed and approached Connor. She gave him a big hug. Connor looked over his shoulder at Andrew in a panic. Madison had never hugged him before. She liked to tease him but never had she done this. His arms went up, afraid to touch her as he searched Andrew’s face to see if he was upset with him. Andrew smiled reassuringly as Madison pulled away. She touched his cheek tenderly and then turned to everyone. She motioned to the table.
“Have a seat everyone. Dinner is ready.”
People started meandering towards the dining room as Madison went into the kitchen to prepare the dinner platters. Olivia walked in the kitchen and started helping her as well while Jayden and Callie set up the portable crib. Madison and Olivia set the platters on the table as Callie came up and grabbed the two baskets of rolls. On each side of the centerpiece now sat two platters of food, one with meat and one with vegetables as well as a basket of rolls. Everyone took their seat smiling. The food looked and smelled wonderful.
“Grans, could you say the prayer?” Madison asked.
As Grans began praying, Madison held onto Andrew’s hand and sighed. She was very thankful to have all these people at the table tonight. It meant a great deal to know that every one of them loved her and Andrew and wanted them happy. She felt Andrew squeeze her hand and realized that Grans was done and that people were observing her with caution. Get it together, Madison! She scolded herself.
Conn
or whistled. “Dang, do you guys eat like this every night?”
Andrew laughed as he opened the bottle of wine and began pouring it in everyone’s glasses. He glanced at Madison and smiled before turning back to Connor. “No, this is a special occasion so we wanted to do it up for everyone.”
“What’s the occasion?” Olivia asked curious.
Andrew and Madison looked at each other again and laughed. They realized in all their planning today that they hadn’t talked about how they were going to tell everyone. He tilted his head just slightly, not sure what Madison wanted to do. She finally nodded, figuring they might as well do it now and get it over with. He grinned and finished serving the wine, setting the bottle on the table. As he put his arm around her waist, they both turned to their friends and family.
“We wanted to celebrate the fact that I asked Madison to marry me.”
“And I said yes.”
Callie screamed, startling poor Ellie. Callie kissed her chubby cheeks. “I’m sorry, baby girl,” she said and ran around the table, hugging Madison and Andrew simultaneously. “Let me see it?”
“What?” Madison asked mischievously.
“Don’t you dare, I know you have a ring.” She picked up Madison’s left hand. “Where is it?”
Andrew snickered and pulled it out of his pocket, slipping it back on Madison’s finger. Callie screamed again, but this time Jayden was prepared and covered Ellie’s ears. Soon everyone stood and started clapping before coming around so they could shake Andrew’s hand and hug Madison. Grans held onto Madison for a long time.
“I’m so happy for you two.”
“Thank you, Grans.”
Olivia came around the table crying. When she reached Andrew, she punched his arm. He furrowed his brows in confusion.
“What’d you do that for?” Andrew asked, stunned.
“How could you keep that from me?” she said wiping her eyes.
“Aaron said that...” he didn’t get a chance to finish his thought as she whipped her head around to Aaron.
“You knew?” she questioned.
Aaron laughed and grabbed her cheeks, kissing her lips softly. “Surprise?”
“Oh you two are in so much trouble,” she eyed the two of them but now Andrew realized she wasn’t really upset with them.
“Madison, it’s absolutely beautiful,” Olivia said, daintily holding Madison’s hand up.
“Andrew designed it,” Madison stated proudly.
“You did?” Olivia asked, turning to Andrew and once again the tears were flowing.
He nodded as she hugged him tightly. “I’m so happy for you, both of you.”
Andrew held onto her and then kissed her cheek before Aaron hugged him. “I’m proud of you. You did it!”
Andrew nodded as Aaron and Olivia walked back around. Elias and Liam both came up, hugging them and giving them well wishes and then Connor approached. He was still new to things like this and wasn’t sure exactly what he should do but he shook Andrew’s and Madison’s hands and then scuttled back to sit down next to Madison’s Grandmother, hoping it would be time to eat soon. Jayden was the last to walk up to them, having handed Ellie to Callie. He looked down at the ring, so Madison brought her hand up so he could see it closely. He smiled and shook his head before raising a brow at Andrew. He turned back to Madison and smiled.
“It’s beautiful, Madison. It’s very much you guys.” Jayden glanced at Andrew before leaning over to him. “Way to set the bar out of the hemisphere for us mere mortal folks.” He chuckled before adding in a whisper, “Callie will be unbearable now.”
“Well, I guess you better pop the question too.” Andrew grinned.
Jayden laughed and nodded as he walked back to Callie, giving her a quick kiss.
“Everyone eat, I don’t want it to get cold,” Madison announced to everyone.
“Madison, I mean, this looks great,” Connor said as he began piling food on his plate, “but, ummm, what exactly is it? If these are pork chops then this was a tiny pig.”
Grans grinned and Madison laughed again. She was so glad that they had invited Connor. In actuality, Connor had been a welcome addition to their circle of friends. He was sweet and a bit chaotic but fiercely loyal to them all. After they had visited with the Bennett’s due to the fiasco with Senator Bowers, he seemed to become extremely protective of Andrew, Jayden, the shop, and pretty much everything. He started talking about adding extra security measures and that Madison and Callie should be guarded at all times, volunteering his services. He finally settled down about a month ago when he realized that the senator had indeed backed off. Thanks to Papa Bad Ass, as he started calling Elias, much to Jayden’s chagrin.
“Connor, these are lamb cutlets with mint, and these are golden potatoes served with roasted asparagus spears. And for dessert, we will have Blackberry-Pinot Noir Sorbet.”
“I don’t know what the heck you just said but it sounds good and smells amazing.”
“Dig in, Connor. You’ll like it,” Andrew said.
Aaron tapped his wine glass. “Before we get started, I’d like to raise a toast, if you all don’t mind.”
Everyone picked up their glasses as he began. Connor looked at his plate and let out a soft sigh.
“Andrew, you are the son I never had and I am honored to have you in my life,” Aaron began while looking at Andrew. He then turned to Madison. “The day you entered our lives was a gift from heaven. There are no riches that could compensate for the hope you have given my son.” Madison nodded and tried to hold back her tears. Aaron raised his glass to the table. “To Andrew and Madison. May their days always be filled with love.”
Everyone clinked classes and began eating. Soon, lively conversation ensued as Andrew and Madison regaled their family and friends with tales about Big Bear. They talked about Madison’s escapades on the slopes, her near death experience, at least from Andrew’s perspective, and then the proposal. The conversation then shifted to Ireland. The Bennett’s made sure not to discuss why their trip was shortened. Elias certainly didn’t want to open that particular memory. Getting the call from Natalie had been horrific.
“Well, it was boring as hell here,” Connor said sadly.
“I guess maybe you should call Jewel and apologize. Then it wouldn’t have been so boring,” Callie offered, taking a bite of food.
“I didn’t even do anything. She’s the one...” he stopped talking when he saw that both Andrew and Jayden were shaking their heads.
“Well, if you hadn’t...” Callie started but was stopped by Jayden’s hand on her thigh.
“Young man,” Grans interjected, causing a surprised Connor to turn her way. “Boys make the mistake of thinking they must be right. A man knows that sometimes being right isn’t right. Do you understand?”
“Um, sort of, I think.”
“Well, until you figure that out, you will find yourself alone.”
Madison smirked. She loved her Grans more and more every day. Unfortunately, Connor really didn’t understand what she was saying, but he thought it was what Jayden and Andrew had been talking about since he informed them that Jewel broke up with him. They had told him over and over to just apologize and that she would explain what he needed to do to make it right. He probably would. Seeing Jayden and Andrew paired up and in love made him miss her even more than he already did.
By the time dessert was served, everyone was laughing and joking and giving Connor all kinds of advice on the best way to grovel. Madison loved it. She needed the levity of it all to ease her troubled mind away from the sadness she felt about Grayson’s passing. After everyone departed, she felt better about everything.
“That was really nice,” she said, walking into the bedroom where Andrew already was.
“It was a lot of fun.”
“Especially ambushing poor Connor.”
He laughed as he threw the covers over and Madison slid in next to him. He nestled his body against her back and draped his leg over hers. She
grabbed his hand and held it in hers, savoring the feel of him pressed so closely to her. He was hers, and nothing or no one would ever take him away from her. Of this, she was certain.
9 Secrets Revealed
The next several days at work had been difficult for Madison. She and Liam had sat down and discussed Grayson. They talked extensively about the funeral and how things transpired in New York. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Grayson’s death was intentional. She knew it was illogical of her, but the thought that he had been murdered kept creeping back into her mind. She stared at her computer screen, her finger hovering over the keys. She carefully drew her lip into her mouth as she sat up and typed in the following phrase.
Senator Marcus Martine and Grayson Turner
No specific articles connecting the two aside from the links to Turner and Crawford, which she expected. He was a client, after all. There were several independent articles on each of them though. She bit down harder on her lip as she began sifting through the articles about the senator. It appeared that Senator Martine had risen up the ranks over the last several years. After an hour of reading, Madison’s head was swimming in useless information. She leaned back in her chair and frowned.
“What were you looking for Grayson?” Madison thought aloud and then remembered something Senator Bowers said to her the night of the Halloween party.
“I’m sure it must be quite the change working for such a small and insignificant firm considering the type of accounts that were under your care in New York.”
Madison sat up straight again, breathing in deeply. Why would he say that? She thought worriedly. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck come to attention. Something was going on, but she wasn’t sure what it was. She wanted to find out. No, she needed to find out. She carefully typed in another phrase but was almost afraid to hit enter. Steadying her resolve, she hit the key determinedly.
Senator Marcus Martine and Senator James Bowers
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 9
