Madeline

Chapter Fourteen - You Feel It Too

Miranda

After a few minutes of just plain therapeutic laughter, we had moved from the kitchen and into the living room so we could sit down. I wasn't sure about the rest of them, but with work, laughing so hard, and what Matt and I had just finished doing before coming back out here, I was near comatose. I let my body slump into the couch and into Matt's side after he sat down next to me.

"So when do we move you in, roomie?" Lizzie asked me excitedly, Madeline sitting in her lap. "How much notice do you have to give your landlord and we'll need to switch your phone and everything."

"Lizzie, slow down. Miranda is a big girl now. I think she can handle everything." Matt jumped in at the first breath and stopped his rambling sister. I smiled and started laughing at the two of them, getting that much more excited with the idea of living with them. I knew that most people seemed reluctant to give up their freedom once they got it, but the truth was I hadn't liked any of it. It was just too quiet and lonely. It was also a large part of the reason I was at Gordo's so often with his mother, she was a person to talk to and be around, well that and Gabriel was one hell of a cook.

"Well, I was hoping to get it all taken care of as soon as possible. How does the beginning of next month sound to you guys?" Lizzie looked a little disappointed that I didn't say I'd have everything moved over tomorrow. "Of course, once I get everything moved over here I'd probably have to end up being here before then."

"In that case, Matt and Gordo can get your stuff moved over here this week. It's not like they are doing anything all day anyway." I had to laugh at the faces the two guys tossed Lizzie. "Well, you don't. Matt hasn't started back to school yet and I haven't actually seen you do any work Gordo."

"Excuse me, but what do you think I was doing today? I don't make a habit of driving twenty minutes just for lunch. Besides, next week I'll be making up for all this down time, you can bet on that." Gordo sounded defensive and hurt, but his face held only a smile as he made faces at Madeline. "Plus, Matt's going to be busy next week too. He has some recording to do."

"All the songs are already done." Matt looked confused, a very cute look on him I decided, before Gordo explained.

"Yeah, but John called while you and Miranda were in your bedroom and thought an acoustic version of the last song would fit better with the overall feel of the movie and the rest of the music, plus he wants to add an orchestral arrangement to it."

"Oh, wow. . .really? That's just. . .wow!" I squeezed the stunned boy next to me and kissed his cheek excitedly. It was great to see him getting such an amazing chance and to see him getting so excited over it.

"Hey, didn't you sing the very last song Matt?" He nodded yes to his sister and I hugged him even tighter.

"The rest of the guys made me put it on there, I didn't even want to. I didn't think it was very good." We all sat in a comfortable silence, each thinking their own world of thoughts. I was proud of him and I could tell Lizzie was just as happy for her brother as I was.

Eventually the silence was broken by a single question from Lizzie that changed the entire atmosphere of the room with Matt's reaction. "Didn't you write that one about mom and dad?" I felt him tense up in my arms and raise my arms with his chest as he took a few deep breathes. I was ready for him to explode like he usually did when this subject was broached, but was relieved when he just relaxed back into my arms. "I'm sorry Matt, I didn't mean to ruin the moment, I just. . .you'd think after so many years I'd be able to catch myself before bringing them up with you."

"No, Lizzie. It's okay. I need to get over it." He paused and took a few more calming breathes. "Yes I did write it for them, well all of us really, right before they kicked you out and I never talked to them again. I rewrote some of it afterwards though when we were living in the apartment and going to school."

"Which one is it? I don't remember you playing me a song you sang." I asked as the thought occurred to me that he hadn't said anything that night he'd played the demo for me at my apartment.

"I didn't. I wasn't in the mood to deal with everything it would bring up, sorry." His head had turned into my shoulder as he spoke, muffling the last few words into his t-shirt that I had thrown on before coming out of his room.

"Don't be, I understand. But do you think you could play it for me now?" I wasn't sure why I'd asked, but at that moment there was nothing else I wanted to hear more than him singing. I wanted to be able to share the feelings the song would bring up for him, to make it okay.

"Actually, I only had the one copy that I gave to John today. Paul's sending the rest down this week, so I guess you'll have to wait until they get here."

"Or. . .you could bring out your guitar and sing it for us. I haven't heard you playing since we moved back here anyway and I've missed it."

"Yeah, that's sounds like a great idea!" I agreed with Lizzie a little too eagerly, pulling a smile from all three of them and getting Madeline as excited as me just with the tone in my voice.

"Well, I guess I need to work up an acoustic version of it anyway." Matt reluctantly pulled away from me and stood up. "I can't promise this will be any good, so don't expect much." I rolled my eyes at his back as he left the room and smiled for him when he returned carrying a guitar case. I had been trying to get him to play for me since I'd found out he could. I had always had this weakness for guitarists that I couldn't explain, but the most I'd gotten him to do was play some CD for me.

He pulled out what I assumed was an acoustic guitar, though I really had no idea what the difference would be from any other guitar. I had never really cared much beyond the guitarists to actually learn about what they were playing when I thought one was cute. He hit the chords once and then began turning the silver knobs, playing what he called the tuning song. Eventually he looked sideways at me and smiled nervously. "You sure you want me to do this? It might change your mind about moving in with me and I wouldn't blame you."

"Just play it!" I slapped his arm playfully and acted exasperated.

"Well, here goes nothing."