Chapter 21: Moving Forward

While all this happened, Madeline was lying still in that bed, her eyes closed, breathing slowly and calmly, with everyone waiting for her to open her eyes and smile at them, saying that she was alright.

But unknown to all of them, her mind was wide awake, and experiencing something rather unusual. She was in a place of unimaginable whiteness; everything around her was white. However, the place where she was could not be described as being a room, a corridor, or any kind of closed space. In fact, it was no place it all… wherever she was it looked more like an empty void than anything else. Still, she could not see very well, because of a strange mist, which made things look even whiter than they were.

"Where am I?" –she thought to herself, moving her head left and right, looking for something or someone she knew. It was hard for her to believe that she was there alone, not knowing where she was or how she got there. She tried to remember how she got there on the first place, but it was like she did not even remember what had happened to her. –"… I can't remember… well, at least I know that my name is… my name is… what is my name?!"

Panicking for not knowing how she ended up on that place or who she was, Maddie began to feel scared. Still, even not knowing who she was, she felt that if she walked in front, she might find the answers to her questions.

As she walked, she felt a chilly breeze in the air. It was only then noticed she was wearing a white long dress and she was barefooted. Then, she saw something on the floor. She kneeled in order to pick it up… it was a photo. It was a photo of hers, where she was laughing, right next to another girl. In the photo, they seemed to be having fun; otherwise they would not be laughing.

The blonde felt like she knew the other girl, but did not now from where. Maddie instinctively thought that this girl was her friend or someone who cared for her.

"I wish I could remember who you are… you sure are quite pretty." –she said, as she ran the tips of her fingers over the photo. –"Maybe you're my sister, or my cousin… or my friend… Well, whoever you are, I wish I could remember your name." –she thought to herself, sighing.

"Maddie… Maddie... Maddie…" –a voice called.

Looking around to see who had talked, she did not see anyone. And the name that it had been called… Maddie… why did that name seemed so familiar to her.

"Maddie… Maddie… Maddie…" –the unknown voice called once again, and once more, it seemed there was no one in sight who could have said it.

"Am I hearing things? And if not, who is this Maddie?" –Maddie asked herself, still looking for the person who shouted.

Then, the blonde saw someone on the horizon. She could not see who it was because of the fog, but it was clear that whoever it was it was coming her way. A few seconds later, the figure stood now closer to Maddie and she was able to see it. It was an elderly woman. She had white skin, emerald-green eyes, grey hair worn in a bun, and she also had a lovely smile. She was dressed in a white dress just like Maddie, and she was also barefoot. Looking at her, Maddie felt like she knew her, but just like before, she could not tell from where.

"Maddie… there you are, dearie. I was getting a little worried I wouldn't be able to find you." –the elderly woman told her.

Not seeing anyone else, she immediately assumed she was talking with her.

"Me? You're talking to me? Is that my name?"

"What are you talking about, dearie? Don't tell me you don't know your own name?" –the elderly woman asked her, a little confused with what was going on.

"No, I don't. I'm sorry to say this, mam, but I don't know my name, or where I am, or who are you." –Maddie answered her.

"Oh, that bump on your head must have been really nasty in order for you to lose your own memories inside yourself." –she told her.

"Excuse me?!"

"Just give me your hand and close your eyes, dearie, and in a minute it will all make sense, believe me."

Doing what the old woman told her, Maddie gently grabbed her hand and then closed her eyes. What happened next could be described like some kind of energy boost going through Maddie's body. Instantly, she remembered about everything, who was she, what had happened to her, who was the girl on the photo she had found, but most importantly, she remembered who the elderly lady who was with her was.

"Grandma Katherine!" –she immediately exclaimed, putting her arms around her. Even though she was her great-grandmother, Maddie had always called her grandma, maybe because she felt that great-grandmother was such a long word.

"Guess you got your memory back."

"Y-Yeah, I remember now… but where am I, and why are you here?" –Maddie asked her, still confused about what was going on. –"Don't get this the wrong way, I'm happy to see you, but… you're dead. Does this mean I'm dead too?" –she began to panic again.

"Maddie, Maddie, Maddie… so many questions. Sweetie, take a deep breath and calm down. I'll explain everything to you, but first you need to calm down… come, let us walk."

Following Grandma Katherine, Maddie began to take deep breaths, as she tried to keep up with her.

"Well, might as well start explaining you everything. You said that I'm dead; and well, I must be really dead if you say so… as for you, no sweetie, you're not dead… not yet at least." –Grandma Katherine told her.

"But you still haven't told me where we are… and if you're dead, and I'm not, then that means we're in…"

"Purgatory? Is that what you were going to answer?" –the old woman asked the blonde, to which she waved her head in confirmation. –You remember your catechism very well, but you're wrong… in fact, you're very wrong. Purgatory is where all souls of those who have not yet ascend to Heaven stay for a certain period of time, and this isn't Purgatory, Maddie. This is the Limbo, but not the one you know from the Bible…"

"Now you made me even more confused…" –Maddie sighed, not understanding what her great-grandmother was telling her.

"To summarize it, this Limbo is the path between Life and the Afterlife. Pretty much like Purgatory, but while Purgatory is for those who are dead, this one here is for those who aren't yet dead… and before you ask me, what I'm doing here, because by your face you're clearly wanting to know that, I'm here because when you're dead, you manage to cross between these realms."

"Then, that means I'm still alive…" –Maddie said, finally understanding. –"But, if I'm here, how can I be alive?"

"This isn't the real you; the real you is lying in a hospital bed right now in a coma." –she told her.

"Hospital?! Coma?! Was my accident really that bad? The last thing I remember is bumping my head really hard on the asphalt, and then feeling really sleepy…"

"I'm afraid it was, sweetie. You're fighting for your life right now on the hospital."

"Then, why can't I just wake up? I mean, now I know I have to wake up."

"Waking up from a coma isn't something you can do before you meditate on that. You can't just snap your fingers and you're awake, dearie… that's why I'm here. I'm here to guide you to the one who will meditate on the matter, and decide your fate."

"My fate, grandma?" –Maddie asked her, confused.

"Yes, your fate, my dear. If you will either go back to the world of the living, or if you will move forward and accompany me, of course."

"You mean, going with you and… die? Is that it?!" –Maddie asked her shocked, to which her great-grandmother signalled her with her head. –"But don't I get to say anything about that matter? Isn't there a way I can just skip this and wake up?"

"I'm afraid not, but everything will be explained right next." –she said, as they finally stopped. They had come to what looked like a lake, but the water did not look like water, it looked more like fresh milk.

Clapping her hands twice, the water soon became as clear as crystal, but it was still a little blurry, making it impossible to see its bottom. Then, strange images appeared on the lake's bed, slowly rising onto the surface. Maddie tried to see what they were, but when she hoped that these things would come out of the water, they stopped, a few inches from the surface, and since the water stayed blurry, whatever those things were, the only thing she saw was a mash of colours. And finally, a huge figure came out of the water. Unlike the rest it was pitch black, and it looked like a living marble statue. Its grand golden-yellow eyes looked like the eyes of a demon, but its face looked like the face of an angel. Maddie tried to see if this figure was either a man or woman, but she could not. Looking at it, you would say that it was mix of both. Right next to it were two grey stone lions, one with green eyes and the other with red eyes.

"Now… allow me to introduce you. Maddie, this is Aker, the Guardian and Gatekeeper of the Underworld, and before you ask me what an Egyptian God is doing here, I'm afraid I can't answer that, because I don't know it either. What you need to know is that Aker is the one who will take things from this point on, and I'm not allowed to intervene. Aker will decide if you are really worthy to go back, or if you will accompany me. So, good luck and a word of advice; don't make him angry."

Gulping dryly, Maddie looked at the enormous figure that was standing in front of her and tried not to look like she was afraid. Raising his right hand, Aker said with a booming voice.

"I'm here to decide which way you will take. I was given this assignment, so from this point on, you must not interrupt me while I speak. Only speak when I ask you something." –Aker told Maddie with a serious tone. –"Do you have anything to say before we start?"

"Huh… yeah, I do. Can we skip this part and just let me go? I have to go back to my friends, to my family and to London, who are waiting for me…" –Maddie told Aker, hoping the Guardian and Gatekeeper of the Underworld was in a mood for jokes.

"Do you? Well, let me answer that for you… NO! I'm here to see if you are really worthy to go back." –he told her with his booming voice. –"And in order to do that, you must answer truthfully my questions. My first question regards the girl you love; do you really believe she is who you think she is?"

"I… I don't understand what you're asking me…"

"What I'm asking you is if she's worthy of the love you have for her, and vice-versa?"

"Of course she is!" –Maddie answered promptly, a little outraged with that kind of question. –"And I'm also worthy of her love."

"If that's so, then why did she do things that most people would condemn? Isn't it true that she treated you like a servant in the past? Isn't it true that she used to see your friendship as a way for her own benefit? And isn't it true that she used to call you names and make fun out of you? Not to mention of course, that sometimes you were also mean to her. What kind of a person tells you that she loves you, and then does that?"

The things Aker had said were true. Still, Maddie knew that Aker was probably just playing games with her mind. He most likely wanted to confuse her in order for her to give the wrong answer.

"It's not like that…"

"Answer, yes or no?"

"Yes, but that's all in the past, mister Guardian, sir." –Maddie answered, fear being evident in her voice.

"Are you sure?" –Aker asked her rhetorically. –"Let me show you what I'm talking about."

Clapping his hands, both lions raised their left paw and splashed them against the water. Immediately they did this, what looked like a crystal rectangle came out of it, and on it was an image… an image of the past. An image of something that had happen… a memory. Maddie immediately remembered the scene, and she knew what it was about to show them. It had been the time when London and herself got stuck on London's huge wardrobe and to help pass the time, the heiress showed the blonde her brand new mirror, which talked back and told the person who was looking at it what it thought about his or her style.

"Girl, did your wardrobe burned down? Because if it didn't, then that uniform of yours is probably the ugliest thing I've ever seen!" –the mirror told her.

"These are my work clothes! London! Tell this stupid mirror of yours to take back what he said!"

"I'm afraid I can't. He only tells you what it sees, and it has been programmed to always tell the truth. It's not its fault you look absolutely ugly on that uniform, or on any other clothes that you buy." –London told her without caring about Maddie's feelings. –"In fact, if it wasn't for me giving you some of my fantabulous clothes, you would always look like a beggar."

Back then, Maddie felt so humiliated and so angry with London that she did not talk with her for almost a week. Still, she placed a stone over the matter, and completely forgot about it, because London was her friend.

"Do you think a true friend… someone who really cares about you, would say something like that?" –Aker asked Maddie, but before she could answer, he clapped his hands once again, and the crystal rectangle disappeared, as another came out of the water, showing a different memory. The memory she was about to be shown had happened a couple of years ago, on the first semester she started to work on the Tipton. The hotel had organized a beauty pageant contest, where Cody entered in order to meet a girl he saw, and Maddie had been told by Moseby to help out London on anything she needed. The blonde did not want because London was always bragging about her having won a few beauty pageant contests when she was a little girl, and kept throwing at Maddie that the blonde had never won one of those contests because she was not pretty enough.

"Admit it, Maddie, you never won a beauty pageant contest because you're not beautiful enough to win one, unlike me, who won Little Miss Beauty Pageant three years on a row… Yay me!" –London exclaimed her catchphrase.

"Maybe it's because I never cared about that kind of competitions where they judge a girl for such shallow things." –she told her, clearly upset with London.

"You never cared about those contests because you always knew that you did not stand a chance against girls who were far more beautiful than you." –she giggled, leaving the blonde so mad she could melt an iceberg by just looking at it.

London kept saying those things to her for nearly five days, and Maddie had a hard time trying to find ways to calm herself down, in order not to slap London for all the nasty things she told her.

"She treated you like garbage, and you still forgave her? Because she was your friend? Do you still think she was your friend, when she treated you and talked to you like that?"

Seeing all those scenes made Maddie start thinking if London was really her friend, or if she had pretended to be her friend, so she had someone she could mock about and make fun. But she immediately put all those absurd thoughts aside. Sure, London could sometimes get on her nerves and she had treated her like garbage, but even best friends argue and yell at each other, and say bad things about one another. Maddie had forgiven her, and London had done the same.

"Yes, she was my friend, and she still is my friend, mister Aker. I admit that it wasn't easy to bear up with her sometimes, and that she said awful things about me, but she repent it herself, and did the impossible to apologize to me, and I did forgiver her. Plus, I also did things which I'm not proud of, but I also learned that it was wrong for me to do them. And if you let me, I can prove to you that our love and friendship is true."

"Very well, prove that I'm wrong. Think about a time where that happened, and then clap your hands." –Aker told Maddie. On his face, you could see just how delightful he was, while watching this.

Thinking hard, quickly a memory showed up on her mind. Clapping her hands, a new crystal rectangle appeared and began to display a loving scene between Maddie and London. It had been the time when Maddie developed an allergic reaction to London's brand new line of beauty products. In order to make it up to her, she took Maddie to a spa, where they spent the whole weekend relaxing, while London kept apologizing to her. The scene showed the girls relaxing on a Zen garden. Maddie's hair was still cotton-candy pink, and her face was still a little swollen on the cheeks, but you could see that she was clearly a lot better.

"I'm sorry, Maddie, I'm really sorry. I should have never asked you to test them." –London told her, clearly ashamed about all that, and blaming herself on what happened to her best friend.

"That's okay, London, these things happen… I mean, who'd ever thought that those things would only cause allergy to humans and not guinea pigs?" –Maddie told her, trying to giggle, but could not because of her allergy.

"Still, I think I'll never forgive myself for doing this to you… Maddie, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, just let me know." –London told her, being serious about it.

"Well, there's this dress I saw the other day…"

"I'll buy you the whole store if you want to!" –London exclaimed.

"Thanks, but that's not necessary… buy me that dress I'm talking about and take me with your on your next trip to Rome to go shopping for new clothes, and we can call it even." –Maddie told her, taking a little advantage of her friend, but knowing that London would not mind.

"It's a deal, Maddie." –London told her, as she gave Maddie a big hug.

When the scene stopped, Maddie almost cried, but kept her tears to herself. She did not want to show just how fragile she was feeling right then. Still, Aker did not seem impressed by what he had seen.

Right next to her, her great-grandmother wanted to say something in order to appease Aker, but she knew she could not speak. It was up to the blonde to convince Aker to give her the chance to go back to the world of the living.

"Still not satisfied? Well, then let me think about something else." –Maddie told him, as she started thinking about another time where London showed just how kind and caring she really is.

The next memory was special, because it had been one of those things that only best friends do to each other, when they are both feeling like dirt. Maddie had just ended her relationship with her boyfriend, and London got another F- in Biology, not to mention a day's suspension because she thought that the teacher had been rude to her and she told him to piss off. Maddie was in her bedroom crying and cursing Lance for breaking up with her, when she heard someone knocking at the door. When the door opened, she saw London smiling at her, carrying what looked like a basket in her hands.

"Can I come in?" –she asked Maddie, as the blonde waved her head. –"I heard you and Lance broke up, so I decided to see if I could cheer you up."

"T-Thanks, London." –Maddie said, as she got up from the bed and wiped her tears. –"I heard you had a pretty lousy day."

"Yeah, well, a day's suspension is nothing compared to what happened to you, sweetie. Why did he dump you in the first place?" –London asked her with a sweet and caring voice.

"I don't know… probably saw a prettier girl than me and decided that I wasn't good enough for him. But I don't want to talk about it anymore… as far as I'm concerned, he's dead to me." –Maddie gritted her teeth, letting out her breath.

"Well, if he thinks that you're not good enough for him, then he's an absolute asshole. You're very pretty… I mean, not as pretty as I am, but you're still a very pretty girl." –London told her, trying to cheer her up, though she was doing a poor job at it: But Maddie knew she was giving her best. Smiling at her, she hugged the heiress and tried not to think about her ex-boyfriend. Looking at the basket, she had to ask: -"What's in the basket?"

"Oh, I brought you something sweet… given what happened to you, I figured you need something to cheer you up." –London answered her, as she grabbed the basket and unveiled what was inside it. Inside the basket were a bunch of delicious dark and white chocolate muffins. Maddie knew that those had been exclusively made for London, because Chef Paolo only did them for her. –"Chef Paolo sends his regards." –London smiled at her.

"You told him to make these for me? Thanks London…" –Maddie told London, as shed a tear of happiness, the very first one on that day. –"… but I can't eat this all by myself. Will you join me?" –the blonde asked the heiress, to which the heiress replied with a beautiful smile.

It had been a beautiful memory, but the expression on Aker's face made Maddie reconsider that it had not been convincing enough, so she began to think even harder on an even stronger memory.

As the image on the crystal rectangle changed again, Maddie thought to herself that this was probably one of the strongest and dearest memories she had of London. It was the memory of the night when she got to know the real London, and all thanks to the blonde herself, who helped the Asian-beauty showing her true self.

"I… I… I want to apologize. When you came back this afternoon your shopping spree, I was feeling so blue about everything in my life, that I… that I cursed the fact that you have everything you want, and I don't…" Maddie stammered out, Hearing that admission aloud made her feel disgusted about herself, and about the things she said, but she pushed on with what she had to say "… and… and I shouldn't feel such jealousy and anger about someone who's my best friend that I love like a sister, or perhaps even more than a sister. I'm sorry!" A single tear of shame rolled down her face, as she turned her head away, not wanting to see London's expression.

London was quiet for a moment than said, carefully, "Oh Maddie! It's alright. I forgive you. Look, it's perfectly normal to feel that way. I've seen this reaction from middle class and poor people towards the rich all the time, it's only natural. But I have a confession to make to you."

Maddie looked up in surprise. London smiled reassuringly at her. "You see…I envy you."

"What? How could you envy me? You've got everything."

London's eyes grew sad. "Not everything. You have a family that cares about you and you have many friends."

"But so do you." Maddie blurted. "What about Zack and Cody, or Moseby? Did you forget about them?"

"No, I haven't. Those two are like little brothers to me. But apart from them, Moseby, who's one of the most caring persons I've ever known, and maybe a couple of more people, you are my only true friend. The rest are acquaintances who care for no one but themselves. If something serious should happen to me, they wouldn't come running to me; but you would." She reached over and clasped Maddie's hands in her own.

"Sure, I may have all the clothes I desire or dream about, all the money in the world to spend on anything I want and travel wherever in the world I want, but it has no meaning when you're doing it alone. Believe me when I say, I would trade all that for a chance to live as you do and have a family like yours, even for just for a day," she said sincerely. "I don't think you realize just how little I see of my parents. We spend no quality time together, mostly because they can't stand being both in the same room, and because they're always busy travelling around the world, I'm so alone, except for you. All the money in the world can't take the place of loneliness."

The rest of the scene was just like the blonde remembered it; London breaking into tears and then Maddie joining her. It had been such a heart-warming moment, and Maddie would never forget about it, as long as she lived. Still unknown to Maddie, London had already made peace with her mother, who revealed herself to be more than she looked, just like her daughter.

"See? London is so much more than what you showed me. Sure, in the past she used to say things that would hurt me, but just like everyone else, she has learned that she can't say certain things to other people without risking hurt them." –Maddie defended London. –"And just so you know, nothing you show me is going to make me change my mind about her. I would gladly die for her, and she would do the same, make no mistake to think about it otherwise."

"I see… well, maybe when it comes to her you are absolutely certain about how you feel about her, but what about your parents? I know that your father was always a very open-minded mans, but I've been watching what has been going on, and I know your mother is completely against it."

Clapping his hands a third time, another crystal rectangle came out of the water, showing them a memory which was quite familiar to Maddie; the fight she had with her mother just before being hit by the car.

"MIRANDA! Please, this is your daughter you're talking about!"

"SHE IS NO DAUGHTER OF MINE! A daughter of mine would have never humiliated or this family's name by doing what she did, Irving!"

"Have you even heard yourself talking?! She's your daughter, whether you like it or not, you have to stop treating her like dirt, just because you can't or won't understand what she's going through right now!"

"AND HAVE YOU HEARD YOURSELF TALKING, IRVING?! YOU'RE DEFENDING THIS WHORE WHO DEFILED OUR FAMILY'S NAME ON NATIONAL TV! I won't be able to go back in public after all this!" –Miranda shouted at her husband. Her stubbornness was getting the best of her.

"I DEFILED OUR FAMILY'S NAME?! I DEFILED OUT FAMILY'S NAME?! How can you say that?!"

"HOW CAN I SAY THAT?! I watched what you and the other filthy whore said on national TV, and I can say that I never felt more disgusted and ashamed to have you as part of this family!" –Miranda yelled at Maddie, this time not even referring to her as her daughter.

"DISGUSTED?! ASHAMED?! I'm the one who should feel disgusted and ashamed of having you for my mother, for saying all those nasty and horrible things! Why can't your tiny, insignificant, misanthropic, racist, homophobic and retrograde brain understand that I am what I am, and there's nothing you can do to change me! Do you really believe that I chose to love another girl?! No, I didn't; it just happened! And for your information, even with her flaws, she's a much better person than you'll ever be!"

"Oh, so that's it, huh?! You're going to start to slap me in the face because I'm telling you the truth! You're going to fucking slap me until I stop being a lesbian and become straight is that it?! WELL GUESS WHAT, IT'S NOT GOING TO FUCKING HAPPEN!" –Maddie yelled at her mother, not caring about the kind of language she was using.

"You watch how you talk in this bloody house, young lady!"

"Look who's talking!" –Maddie back talked, looking her mother as if she was a malevolent and poisonous insect.

"I'm warning you! If you don't stop talking like that…"

"Or what, you'll slap me again?! Is that what you're going to do to me?! If that's what you're planning to do, go right ahead! It will only prove what I already knew… that you care more about what other people think about me or you, than you care your own daughter's feelings!"

"GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS HOUSE!" –Miranda bellowed, not even realizing the kind of language she was now using. –"GET OUT, BEFORE I…"

"FINE! YOU WANT ME OUT OF THIS HOUSE, THAT'S FINE BY ME! But remember one thing, once I exit through that door, you'll never see me again!" –Maddie yelled on top of her lungs.

"Maddie, Miranda, please stop this… this is no way for us to deal with all of this. Let's go down there into the living room and talk about this…" –Irving told them with an appeasing voice, trying to sooth things between mother and daughter.

"No dad, I'm sorry but I can't go on like this! I'm sorry you, Liam and Gennie had to witness this… but I'm not coming back. I'll be sure to find a way for us to keep talking. As for you mom, I HATE YOU! YOU HEARD ME? I HATE YOU, AND I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL FOREVER AND EVER!"

When it finally stopped, Maddie sighed heavily, relieved that it was over. She could not stand hearing her mother's insults and provocations. Every word Miranda told her felt like an arrow puncturing her. But now that she was calmer and her blood was not boiling with anger, she understood why her mother had been behaving like that. Just like Maddie, she was confused and afraid. She was afraid she was losing her daughter to something she did not understand, and Maddie had only made things even worse when she began to treat her the same way her mother did to her.

"What do you have to say, Madeline? Do you still want to go back? Because by going back you'll have to face your mother and hear from her that you are no longer her daughter?"

Aker had a point… if she decided to go back she would have to face her mother, and from that point on, she would have two options. One, she would return to her house and likely be forbidden from ever seeing London again, or two, she would get out of her house and go live with London, and then, she would never speak to her mother ever again. Truth be told, she wished there was a third option. And then it hit her, there really was a third option. Aker was telling her what would become if he decided to let her go back to the world of the living, and if he was telling her what would happen, that meant he was going to send her back… she just had to play along.

"So, he's trying to see just how much I want to go home. Well then, let's tag along and play his game…" –Maddie thought to herself, smiling inwardly.

"Yes, I want to go back, because if I don't, I'll never be able to see my beautiful girlfriend or my fantastic friends, who will always be there for me… but above all, I want to go back to tell my mom that I understand why she is acting like this, and tell her that I'll always be her daughter, but that she can't force me to choose between my soul mate and my family, because I love them both very much." –Maddie told him

"Then it's settled… since you have learned your lesson, you are to go back. My decision is final." –Aker said, as he clapped his hands and began to sink back into the water. As he went down, both lions roared.

When Aker finally disappeared, Maddie's great-grandmother sighed in relief, as she gave her a hug. It was clear that she was happy for Maddie, but the blonde herself still did not understand the last words Aker told her; about her having learned her lesson.

"Oh, I'm so glad that Aker decided to let you go back, Maddie." –Grandma Katherine told her. –"I just knew that would happen."

"Thanks, grandma… but I didn't understand what he said about me learning a lesson. What did he meant?" –Maddie asked her, quite confused.

"What Aker meant is that you learned your lesson. You finally saw that your mother stubbornness and yours too, was making it impossible for any of you to reach an understanding." –Grandma Katherine explained to Maddie. –"Now, with that on your mind, it's time for you to go back. I just know you will find the perfect way to make your mother see that what she's been doing is stupid, and that she should be grateful for having such a caring and loving daughter."

"Oh, I get it now. And you're right, I really did… Still, I wish I could stay a little bit more with you. There's so much I want to ask you." –Maddie told her, feeling really sad for not being able to stay with her for a little longer.

"I also wished we could have a little more time, sweetie, but you need to go. Your mother, as well as your father and your brother and sister are waiting for you, and let's not forget your friends and your girlfriend. A sweet and beautiful girl like you is very fortunate to have you as her soul mate, and you shouldn't make her wait for you."

"You're right, and I wish you could meet her… by the way, I lent her the ring you gave me, because she has proven to be worthy of it, just like me." –Maddie declared.

"I'm sure she has, and I want you to give her a big kiss for me."

"I'll make sure she get it, grandma. Tell me, will I ever see you again?" –Maddie asked her.

"Of course you will, silly. I'll be waiting for you and for the rest of the family in Heaven, for when the time comes. But remember, I don't want to see you again in the next 80 years, sweetie. God knows we'll have all the time in the world when we're dead." –Grandma Katherine giggled. –"So, make sure you live your life to the fullest and never repent yourself of your choices, Madeline."

"I promise, Grandma Katherine… still, before we say goodbye I have a question. Is any of this real, or is it just happening inside my head?!"

"Of course is happening inside your head. But just because it's all happening inside your head, does it make it less real?" –Grandma Katherine told her, as she gave her another warm smile.

As she finished this sentence, she began to disappear, as well as everything else around Maddie. Then, a light engulfed her, blinding her. The next thing that happened was even more surreal than what had happened to her. She began to hear a beep. This beep increased in strength and sound. Then, she began to feel something… she began to feel her body. Every last bit of her ached with pain; she felt like she had been run over by a truck. And then, it hit her… she had been hit by a car. That's why she felt like that. And if she felt like, it could only mean one thing… She had waked up from her coma and that she was still in the hospital! She just wanted to jump out of bed and yell out of happiness, but it was hopeless. Her body was absolutely depleted of any kind of strength. She did not even had the strength to move her fingertips. The blonde tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as if they were made out of lead.

Filling her lungs as much as she could, she smelled something more than the usual stench of hospital rooms… she smelled the fragrant aroma of expensive perfume and vanilla and cinnamon shampoo; the same kind London wore. Trying to talk she began to murmur, in hopes that if it was really London that was there that she would hear her.

"…on… on… ondon…" –she mumbled as hard as she could.

Right next to her, London was sound asleep. Still, for some unknown reason, she suddenly woke up and began to hear Maddie's mumbling. At first, she thought she was still dreaming, but then she heard it again and again.

The heiress, who was still asleep, quickly looked around and tried to hear where that strange sound was coming from. Closing her eyes, she opened her hears and paid attention to all the sounds that surrounded her. One by one, she identified all then sounds, until she isolated the one she wanted. Having located the direction from where this one was coming she followed it. In a matter of seconds, she was looking at Maddie and asked herself if it was really her making that sound. The answer came seconds later, when Maddie whispered something.

"…ondon… ondon…" –Maddie mumbled with a weak voice.

Blinking her eyes, she pinched herself in order to be sure that she was not dreaming. It really was her. It was Maddie who was making that sound. She was calling London's name.

"Maddie?!" –London exclaimed, realizing that Maddie had come out of the coma.