As the big 'D' on the gates ahead came into view, Maddie inconspicuously took a deep breath to settle her nerves. What could go wrong at this dinner? Apart from another argument beginning between her family and the Davidson's. Shifting the casserole dish on her lap she rested her head against the window as they drove up the drive, looking out across the paddocks at the grazing cattle and horses.

This had been home.

It was hard seeing another family living in their home.

Harder too, knowing that it was her fault why they had to leave in the first palace.

Or had it been?

While she had been recuperating from her and Colton's little miss-adventure during the week she'd had plenty of time on her hands to do some thorough and deep thinking. If she remembered correctly, she had thought she'd heard someone outside the tack room the night before the race. Was it just a coincidence that Chopper came down sick or that the billet (the shorter leather strap that the cinch was connected to) had given out?

After giving it some careful consideration she had come to the conclusion that neither of them were just unfortunate coincidences.

The Davidson's had to have cheated.

The question that remained was how to prove it.

And why.

Why would they have cheated?

Of course they knew that cheating wasn't beneath them, even her Grandmother had cautioned her to be careful during the race, but for them to have actually gone ahead and cheated... The thought of it angered her.

She could have been killed during that race.

Not that she had told anyone that, of course.

Her family had enough already to deal with without adding on the extra burden of guilt knowing she had almost died trying to hold onto their home.

The truck was brought to a stop, Maddie jolted from her pondering as her grandparents climbed out of the vehicle. Liam's car came to a stop beside theirs, her two siblings getting out as Bonham organized her chair for her. Abeline came to collect the casserole she had been holding, Bonham giving Maddie a hand to get into her chair.

'I um... I want to go see Chopper before we head in.' She said softly as Bonham placed her in her chair. 'That okay?'

'Just don't go takin too long.'

Maddie nodded. 'I won't.'

She left, heading down to the pasture where she could see Chopper grazing in the distance. At her soft whistle the gelding raised his head then slowly began to walk over to her, Maddie smiling as he stopped at the fence. 'Hey boy... How you doing, hey?' He sniffed at her softly, reaching over the fence to inspect her wheelchair. 'Hey...'

Bonham took a seat on the chair overlooking the ranch, observing Maddie and the horse nearby. After a short time, Abeline joined him, still carrying something she'd cooked up to contribute to the dinner. 'What the hell are we doing here, bringing biscuits and making nice?'

'I didn't bring biscuits.' Abeline replied as she sat down on the seat beside her husband, placing the container she had been carrying down on her lap. 'I did bring squash casserole, collards and my berry crumble.'

'Hmph.'

'Well, there needs to be something edible on that table.'

He chuckled at that.

'Everything all right?' Liam questioned as he came over to join them. 'We don't want to go in without you.' His father sighed at that and he looked down at him. 'Hey, this is for a good cause. I mean, we could put things to rest. Might be we don't even have to stay for dessert.'

Bonham looked up at his son. 'But your mama made crumble.'

'We could eat it at home.'

'Which home?'

'The rightful one.' Abeline answered her husband's question as she stood. 'Come on, let's get this over with. The sooner we get in there the sooner we'll get this over.'

Bonham sighed, standing after a moment. 'Come on Maddie.' He called, his granddaughter looking over. 'Time to head in.'

'I'll come see you again later, okay?' Maddie told Chopper, giving him one last pat. 'Might even bring a little something for you.' The gelding stayed at the fence for a moment as she wheeled herself away then returned to grazing, Maddie joining her family as they headed up the sidewalk to the house.

'Hey, there y'all are.' Gale greeted as she opened the back door into the kitchen for them. 'You find us okay?'

'Yeah, we were-' August started, being quickly interrupted by his grandmother.

'She's kidding, August.' Abeline said bluntly.

'Oh, and you brought things.' Gale remarked, seeing the container of food resting on Maddie's lap as the girl wheeled herself in through the door. 'You shouldn't have. Um, Geri is, uh, whipping up salad. Yeah, family recipe.'

'For salad?' Bonham questioned, not even trying to hide the disdain he had for the woman in his voice as he spoke.

Liam held up the wine bottles he was carrying, interrupting them before they could get started. 'So, I-'

'Oh. That was really thoughtful Liam.' Denise replied as they both went into the dining room to put the wine on the table. 'Thank you.'

'I-I didn't know whether or not to pick white or red, but it felt like the situation called for wine.'

'Where's Cordell?' Gale questioned, Liam placing the bottles down on the table. 'Protesting?'

'Uh, no. He's at work. But he'll be here soon. Uh-' He looked around, Denise bringing over a vase of flowers to place on the table. 'Where's Dan?'

'I sent him out to get ice but he'll be back.' Denise replied then headed out to go find another vase. 'Hi sweetie.' She remarked to Maddie on her way past.

'Hi.' Maddie replied nervously, wheeling herself over to where Colton was standing in the corner. 'Hey...'

Colton smiled. 'Hey.'

'Okay. Are you two sure this was a good idea?' August asked, he and Stella joining them.

'Well, we can't all be scared to be in the same place the rest of our lives.' Colton replied to his question.

'Agreed. But I mean, look, you and Stella get to go off to college and escape. Maddie and I have to stay back and deal with these guys. So just... let me take the lead on this.'

'There's no leading.' Maddie told him softly. 'We just want to sit down at a nice meal to show everyone that it's possible. It's gonna be great.'

August didn't seem convinced but decided to let it drop as their grandfather walked past. 'Hey, Gramps...'

Maddie took a deep breath as her brother headed off with Bonham, looking up at Colton and Stella with apprehension. 'I just... I hope this is gonna turn out okay.'

Stella placed her hand on Maddie's shoulder. 'It's gonna go just fine.'

'You sound a lot more confident about that than I feel.'

She smiled at that. 'I'm gonna go see if Mawline needs any help, okay?'

Maddie nodded, her sister leaving too and then it was just her and Colton standing there. Silence followed for a moment as she watched Gale begin to set the table then she turned to her boyfriend again. 'Do you have any sage? I feel like maybe we should burn some sage.'

'Sage?' He questioned. 'No. I know where we can find some hemlock.' They both chuckled at that and as he looked down at her he noticed her wringing her hands together anxiously. Gently he placed a hand on hers and she stopped, looking back up at him. 'You're gonna be fine. Everything's going to turn out great.'

She smiled nervously. 'I hope so.'

'Hey.' Geri greeted as she walked by. 'Maddie, you're looking pretty this evening. New dress?'

'Stella let me borrow it for the occasion.'

'I see. Well, it suits you.' She continued on into the kitchen where Abeline was taking the lids off a couple of containers. 'Hey. I was just coming in to fill this up.' She commented, holding up a water jug.

'With strychnine?' Abeline questioned teasingly.

Geri chucked anxiously. 'Is this gonna be okay? I really want it to be okay.'

'I know.' She replied, giving her a hug. 'And uh- I-I'm gonna be good.' She promised as she let her go.

'Look at all this food. Geez.'

Abeline nodded. 'Well, I was feeling generous.'

'Yeah, looks like it.' Geri looked back over to where Maddie sat with Colton. 'How-how's Maddie doing?'

'She-she's getting by.'

'That's good.' She turned back to Abeline. 'I uh, I better get this filled then.'

Maddie wheeled herself into the kitchen, placing the container she had been carrying on her lap up on the bench. 'Need me to help with anything?'

'No, no, I think we're good.' Gale said before Abeline could reply to her. 'You just go off and enjoy some time with Colton before we begin. Dinner won't be long.'

Maddie nodded, heading back to where Colton stood. 'You nervous?'

'About what my family might say? Yeah...'

With a sympathetic smile she slipped her hand into his, Colton looking down at her with a smile of his own. 'After everything we've already been through, I think we can survive dinner with our families.'

Colton chuckled at that. 'I hope so.'

'Y'all,' Gale started a short time later, placing the last dish down on the table. 'dinner's ready.'

Taking a deep breath, Maddie followed Colton into the dinning room where everyone was gathering, Colton taking out a chair at the end of the table to make space for her. 'Thanks.'

'Your welcome.'

Bonham went to take his seat at the head of the table where he'd used to sit but Gale had her hand on the chair too. Neither of them said a word as they looked at each other, a silent battle of wills being observed by the rest of them standing around the table.

It was this scene that Dan walked in upon, two bags of ice in hand. 'Uh... We sitting?' He questioned, breaking the silence.

Gale nodded. 'Please.'

Bonham let go of the chair, moving to an empty one beside his son as the rest of them sat down. Maddie let out a breath she had been holding in as the dinner started, quietly taking a couple things here and there from the dishes to place on her plate. The rest of her family and the Davidson's served themselves up too, Liam and Dan passing around the wine. 'Could you pass the water, please?' Maddie questioned softly to Stella, seated next to her. Stella nodded, placing her fork down for a moment to hand her the jug. 'Thanks.'

Small talk was had around the table for a time, Maddie glancing up every now and then nervously. So far... So good. She thought as she took another sip of her water. Now, if only it could stay like this... Might have half a fighting chance of making it out alive.

'Well-' Gale exclaimed a short time later, raising her glass. Abeline, having finished her first glass of wine, reached for the wine bottle as she continued. 'I-I'd like to make a toast to... New beginnings and... family. To us.'

Well... That was awkward. Maddie thought, placing her glass of water back on the table as the small talk continued around the table. The look between Gale and Denise didn't go unobserved by her either though no one else at the table saw it, too involved in watching August with his card tricks. Maddie chuckled as August made the card that Geri picked 'disappear' (and by disappearing, had pretended to look at something and then tossed the card over his shoulder while they were all distracted) joining along in applauding his effort along with the rest of them.

Bonham returned to cutting up his share of the roast, eyeing the piece of tough meat for a moment. The roast was overcooked by a mile, certainly not as good as one Abby would have cooked.

'Mmm, the spice is really good.' Liam said after a moment, trying to start up conversation again.
'Is this dry rub?'

'Uh, a little mixture I whipped up.' Dan replied. 'Happy to share it with you.'

Silence again.

'Oh, this is great.' August exclaimed, glass of water in hand. 'Look at you two. This is nice. Right, Gramps?'

'You quite alright, son?' Bonham questioned, giving his grandson a look that clearly said for him to be quiet.

'You know what? I forgot the mint in the salad.' Geri said as she pushed her chair back and stood. 'I'm gonna go cut some. I'll be right back.'

'Oh,' Gale nodded. 'all right.'

Abeline turned to her. 'I thought you took out the garden beds, Gale.'

'Oh, I did. But that mint just ran wild all over, didn't it?'

'Now, why the hell did you take out that garden, anyway?' Bonham questioned as Geri left, placing down his silverware 'It makes no sense- all those mature plants.'

Oh boy... Here we go... Maddie thought upon hearing the tone that her grandfather had used.

'And don't forget Maddie's rosebush.' He continued. 'I told you what it meant to her.'

'Uh, well, just better light, Bonham.' Gale replied. 'You know, just, those trees cast such a shadow and the rosebush well... It just wasn't to my taste.'

'Yeah, well, I suppose you'll be taking those trees out next. So...' He stood. 'Excuse me a moment.'

Bonham left, Colton taking a look around the table as Gale let out a sigh.

'Well...This is nice.'

Yeah... Maddie placed her hand on Colton's, the two of them sharing a look as Liam struck up conversation with Dan again. Real nice...

Bonham was seated at the piano, pressing down a key here and there as the front door opened, looking up to see his son sneaking in. Cordell didn't notice that he was there, looking instead towards the dining room as he went to hang his hat on the hat rack. 'Supposed to knock, son.' He commented as Cordell placed his hat down on the table where the hat rack used to be. 'We don't live here.'

'Dad. Hey, yeah, uh, what-what are you-what are you, what are you doing in here?'

'I figured I'd better leave the table before I flip it.' Boham replied as Cordell joined him.

'Okay, uh...' The door opened again, Geri walking in. 'Hey, Ger.'

'Cordi. Hey.' She greeted, closing the door behind herself before walking over to them, looking down at Bonham. 'You going back in?'

'Geraldine...' Bonham sighed. 'You know you'll always have a place with us, but...'

'Yeah?'

'Blood doesn't have to equal loyalty.'

'This... From the man who honors family over everything.' Geri pointed out. 'You, of all people, should understand my place in all of this.'

'Yes, Geri, he understands.' Cordell said to her then turned back to his father. 'Daddy, Geri just wants everything right. Well that-that's all any of us want.' He looked to Geri. 'Yes?'

'Yes.' She agreed with a nod.

'Of course.' Bonham replied. 'Of course.'

Bonham left the room a moment later, heading back into the dining room and Cordell and Geri turned to each other. 'Wow.' Geri remarked.

'Yeah, wow.'

They both shared a look then sighed.

'Uh, how is, uh... Everything?' Cordell questioned.

'No bloodshed.' She replied.

'Okay, yeah.'

'There's... there's that.'

'Let's just-' She motioned towards the dining room.

Cordell nodded. 'Yeah, of course.'

'Okay, wait,' Liam was speaking as they walked into the dining room. 'so can we just walk me through the beginning, the morning of the race? Okay, so Denise was supposed to race originally?'

'She wasn't supposed to.' Gale said, Denise speaking over her.

'No, no, I said that I would if it came down to it.' Denise corrected.

'She wanted to.' Gale continued.

'But it did come down to it, so...' Liam prompted.

'Oh, Cordell's here.' Gale interrupted as Cordell walked in with Geri, taking the empty seat next to Maddie. 'Thanks for joining.'

'Oh, hi, son.' Abeline remarked before turning to Liam, her third glass of wine in hand. 'No, she was busy. Remember? Arresting Augie.'

'No, no, no, it wasn't an arrest.' August pointed out. 'Besides, that was the day before the race even happened, so it's-'

'That's correct.' Liam interjected. 'Thank you, August, very helpful.'

'Yes, so helpful.' Stella replied sarcastically.

Yeah... Maddie agreed, starting to feel even more anxious and uncomfortable as the conversation continued.

'So, you were late to the race because...?' Liam questioned, getting things back on track.'

Denise let out a long sigh. 'I was at work, doing my job.'

'Right, right.' Abeline nodded in agreement. 'Now, your father, Liam, that was an arrest.'

'Is it really necessary to go back over all of this?' Dan asked.

'Yeah, it-it's all just part of a process Dan.' Liam replied. 'I mean, it's part of closure, right?'

Closure... Yeah, right. Maddie had a feeling that there was more to it then just that, returning to picking away at her meal as her uncle kept speaking.

'I mean, we go back through the steps, we acknowledge what happened. I mean, we discussed this. You agreed to this, right?'

Denise turned to her husband. 'Wait, you discussed this?'

'Yes.' Dan replied, trying to keep his voice low. 'Liam and I tried to find some kind of closure.'

'Closure? Coming from the man who's been dodging divorce papers for months.'

'Mom!' Colton exclaimed.

'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' She apologized.

'Wow...' Dan said as he lent back in his chair.

'Oh my god... I mean, I know you want to keep your place in the farmhouse.'

'Well-' He looked at his wife. 'I didn't know I was in danger of losing it.'

'Hey, Mawline-' Stella spoke up, hoping to change the subject of conversation seeing how uncomfortable Maddie looked. 'Is that your crumble in the oven? Because it smells so good.'

'And so does everything else at this table.' Colton agreed, giving Maddie's hand a light squeeze. 'Right Mads?'

Maddie nodded, hoping no one would notice just how bad her anxiety was becoming. 'Mmhmm.'

Bonham obviously didn't catch onto the hint of changing the subject as he looked over at Denise. 'Why in the hell I ever decided to help you rebuild that barn, I will never know.'

'Oh, oh, what, you finally started to rebuild the barn that Cordell burned down?' Gale questioned.

'You know, finish it yourself. Fool me once-'

'Can we-can we just-' Liam interrupted, trying to get the conversation under control before it got totally out of hand. 'Can we just circle back to the morning of the race, 'cause I have a quick question.'

'Oh my god! Liam, what is your obsession?' Denise was almost shouting at him. 'What? You think I cut the saddle? Is that what you're trying to say?'

Maddie began biting at her thumb cuticle while absentmindedly bouncing her leg beneath the table.

'Wow. I actually didn't say that, Denise. I didn't say that. But since we're on the topic why don't you just walk me through exactly...'

He was abruptly cut off by Gale slamming her glass down on the table loudly, Maddie jumping at the sound.

'We won.' Gale replied angrily. 'Okay and you're still trying to drag us through the mud. You just can't stand that we're here, huh? Then you tried to, tried to buy us off with-what was it Dan? Twenty acres?'

'Forty acres.' He replied, fiddling with his glass.

Denise looked at her husband. 'What are you talking about?'

'Yes. Liam and I tried to find a solution, and he offered me forty ac... He offered us forty acres.'

'Wow. Well, I did not know that.'

'Well, it didn't happen.' Cordell spoke up. 'Right? Didn't happen. I mean, all deals were off once you took in my son.'

'Wow... Everybody, wow...' Denise paused for a moment. 'What else don't I know?'

'Is there anything that you guys want to share with the table?' Liam asked.

'Okay, what? You think forty acres is a deal?' Gale questioned.

'You know-' Bonham started. 'We were trying to help you out.'

'You know what, Bonham Walker? You had your chance. You had the chance to give up a sliver of land but you didn't. Because your pride wouldn't let you.' Gale continued her dig at him. 'So don't blame me for the situation you got your family into.'

'Yeah, well, that sliver of land happened to be...'

Maddie's anxiety had reached close to breaking point as everything faded out into a shouting match, the teen staring off into the distance past Gale as she tried to take herself back from the point of a panic attack. It was too much, too much... Warmth rushed over her as her heart began to race, her hands becoming tingly as she started to become lightheaded. The noise, the arguing, everything, it was beginning to overwhelm her. Clenching her hands into fists she tried to keep her breathing regular but could feel she was starting to lose control.

'Okay, okay!' August yelled above the commotion, the rest of them stopping their argument for the moment. 'Are we seriously doing this right now? Look, this was supposed to be a celebration, wasn't it? Right? That Maddie, Colton and I didn't all die last week? That our families were finally working together for once?'

'He's right.' Denise agreed after a pause. 'You want me to lead you through the events of that morning? Fine. I got up, I went to work. I arrested your father. And I was wrong. I am adult enough to admit that. But it is a shame that you cannot give us a moment of peace.' Throwing down her napkin as she stood, Denise stormed out of the dining room.

As silence fell, Cordell exchanged a look with Geri sitting beside him then turned and took a glance around the table. His parents, brother and Gale had returned to eating what was left on their plates, Dan helping himself to another glass of wine. Stella and August both looked as uncomfortable as he felt and when he turned to Maddie, the teen was breathing heavily as she stared into the distance, bouncing her knees anxiously while she wrung her hands together. Not wishing to make a scene he stood then knelt down beside her, placing his hand on her knee. 'Need some air?' Maddie didn't seem to notice him as her breath came in shorter gasps, the girl beginning to shake as tears started pooling in her eyes.

'Maddie?' Colton questioned with concern, drawing the attention of the others at the table to them. 'Maddie, are you okay?'

'She's having a panic attack Colton. Maddie. Maddie. Look at me honey.' He prompted her firmly but gently, attempting to get her to focus on him instead. 'Look at me.'

Through the panic induced fog of thoughts racing through her mind Maddie heard her father's voice. As she tried to gain control of herself, a soft sob escaped her lips when she went to reply. The uncontrollable urge to throw up washed over her as the room began to spin, more sobs escaping her as she tried to catch her breath. 'D-Dad... Dad... H-help me.'

'It's okay, you're okay sweetheart.' He stood, moving her chair back from the table and gently took the shaking girl in his arms. 'I'm gonna take you outside.' He told her softly as Colton rose too, concern written in his expression. 'Get the door Colt.'

Colton nodded, hurrying ahead to open the back door for him. Cordell carried her out, Colton hovering close by as Cordell took a seat on the nearby rocking chair, holding Maddie on his lap.

'Maddie, Maddie, stay with me.' Cordell told her as the teen began to hyperventilate, struggling to breath. 'Do-do you remember your exercises? One thing-one thing you can see.' He gently encouraged. 'What's one thing you can see?'

'C-c-chair.'

'Good, good. One thing you can smell.'

'F-flowers.'

'That's it. That's a girl. One thing you can hear.'

'Y-your h-heart-heartbeat.'

Cordell smiled a little at that, pressing a kiss to her head. 'Focus on that, just focus on that baby girl. You're okay. You're okay.'

Maddie managed to nod, slowly starting to feel like she was finally coming out the other side of her attack.

Colton came over slowly, kneeling down beside them. 'What can I do?' He asked Cordell softly, hoping there was something he could do to help.

'Headphones, if-if you have any. Listening to music helps.'

'Right, I'll see what I can find.'

Colton left, Maddie slowly beginning to calm down as Cordell kept going over her grounding and breathing exercises with her. Her heart began to slow again, the feeling of exhaustion that accompanied a panic attack setting in shortly after. 'I-I'm sorry...' She said when she could finally speak again. 'I-I was trying... not to... get like this. It-it was just too-too much.'

'I know...' Cordell whispered softly. 'I'm sorry darlin. Things... Things just got out of hand.'

'Uncle-uncle Liam didn't help.'

No, no he did not. He agreed with her mentally.

Maddie took a deep, shuddering breath as she wiped her cheeks. 'God... I feel like an idiot. They-they all saw that.' She was embarrassed, super embarrassed that the Davidson's had got to witness her having a meltdown. 'I-I'm sorry.'

'Baby girl, baby girl. It's okay. It's okay. These things happen.' He gently wiped away a tear she had missed, looking around as the door opened again.

'Here.' Colton knelt down, handing the pair of headphones he had brought with him to Maddie. 'Where's your phone?'

Maddie took her phone from her pocket, not looking at him as she handed him the phone and took the headphones from him.

'Thanks Colt.'

Colton nodded, setting up the Bluetooth connection for the headphones. 'Will you be okay now Maddie?'

She nodded, still not looking at him.

'Here.' He helped her put the headphones on then placed her phone back onto her lap. 'I got your favorite playlist on to play.'

Hearing that, she managed a small smile as Taylor Swift's This Is Me Trying began to play. 'I-I'm sorry you had to see this.' She apologized softly as she snuggled into her father's hold, letting herself be carried away by her music.

Colton gently placed his hand on hers. 'Maddie, look at me.'

After a moment, she finally looked up at him.

'It's okay.' He told her sincerely. 'You can't scare me off that easily. I'm here for the long haul.'

Despite how she was feeling and the situation, she still couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her at what he said.

'Besides, what kind of person would I be if I wasn't here for you in your worst times? We were stuck on a mountain for hours, I think I can manage being here for you.'

She smiled a little. 'Well... At least you know what you're in for now with me.'

'Is there anything I can do?'

Maddie shook her head. 'I-I just need some time.'

'Alright. I'll give you some space.' He looked at Cordell as he stood, Maddie closing her eyes as she listened to her music. 'I-I'll be inside.'

Cordell nodded.

'She-she'll be alright, won't she?' Colton asked after a moment, looking down at her nestled in her father's arms.

'She'll be alright. She just needs time to calm down. She'll be alright.'

'Alright. I-I'll be inside if you need me.'

Colton left, Cordell looking out at the setting sun in the distance, sinking down below the horizon. He had been right in what he had said to Liam about collateral damage. It had been his kids and Geri most hurt by this entire feud.

Had it been worth it?

They weren't even close to finding out the truth about what had happened.

And it was his kids and Geri paying the price.

The rest of the dinner was a disaster after Cordell took Maddie out, the rest of them finishing their meal off in relative silence and one by one, left the table. Liam was the first to make his exit, taking Stella and August with him and leaving the rest of the family to head home when they were ready. After he had left with the kids, Bonham had gone out to check on Cordell and Maddie then went to go wait in the truck for Abeline who was in the kitchen washing up her dishes.

Dinner with the Davidson's had certainly turned out to be quite the event...

'I was gonna call someone to fix that.' Gale remarked as she walked into the kitchen, having seen Abeline having some difficulty closing the drawer in the island bench that held the tea towels.

'No need.' Abeline replied simply, turning to the drying rack. 'You know,' She started as she began to wipe one of her containers she had washed to take him. 'It doesn't matter what you take. How much you take. It doesn't mean you know what you have. Or that you can take care of it.'

'That is subtle, Abeline.' Gale couldn't help but point out snarkily.

She scoffed softly at that. 'You didn't move that garden because of the trees. You didn't pull up Maddie's rosebush because you didn't like it. You didn't want to be reminded of another thing you couldn't win.' She paused, turning to Gale. 'You know, you can-you can take all you want, Gale. But you can't build anything, can you? You can't let something thrive that isn't yours.' Hearing someone walking into the kitchen she stopped, glancing over for a moment as Geri came in with a bowl to wash then turned back to Gale. 'You've got it all now. How sad that it's not enough.' Picking up the rest of her containers she left the kitchen, passing Geri on her way out.

Gale let out a sigh as she watched her leave, Geri coming to bring the bowls to the sink. 'Well, I-I'm sorry you had to hear that. I'll tell you what's sad is how things ended up for her. For all those Walkers.'

'You know,' Geri started, placing the dishes into the sink. 'I honestly can't stand to talk about it for another minute.'

'You know what? Let's just, let's just focus on the good, huh? Right?' Gale said as she walked over to her daughter, gently placing her hands on her arms. 'I mean, like, here we are together. You know, I-I always knew we'd be together again. I just knew it.'

Geri was caught off guard for a moment by what she had said, taking a second to think it over before she responded. 'How...?'

'Well, you know, just-just in this life or-or the next. That's all. Okay? That's all.' Geri nodded after a moment. 'Well, I better get started on the dishes. They're not gonna wash themselves, are they?'

Geri lingered for a moment looking at her mother as Gale began washing the dishes then stepped out of the back door, taking a deep breath.

Hearing someone joining him on the porch, Cordell looked over to see who it was. 'Hey, Ger.'

'Hey.'

'How you holding up?' He questioned softly as Geri took a seat in the rocking chair beside him. 'You, uh... You all right?'

'Yeah. No, I just, uh... I just had a moment with Gale inside. It was really strange.'

Cordell's phone began to ring, waking the sleeping teenager. 'Sorry, sorry Maddie.' He pulled it out from his pocket, looking over at Geri as he saw the caller id. 'Just-just one sec. It's James. Can I...?'

'Take it.'

'Sure?'

'Yeah.'

'All right.' He quickly answered, bringing the phone up to his ear. 'Cap, hi.'

'Hey, Fenton's dead.' Larry didn't mess around, telling Cordell exactly what he needed to know as he made his way down to his truck. 'He took himself out.'

'Where's Miles?'

'With Cassie and Trey at the safe house. I'm headed there now. Look, I hate to ask but-'

Cordell nodded as he interrupted what he was about to say. 'I'm on my way Cap.'

'Dad... What's up?' Maddie asked softly, removing Colton's headphones as her father hung up his phone.

'I uh, I gotta-gotta go. Work.' He looked at Geri then motioned at his daughter. 'Would you mind taking her home?'

'Of course not. Go. I've got it handled.'

'Thanks.' He stood, placing Maddie back down in the wooden rocking chair. 'Sorry sweetheart.' He apologized as he pressed a kiss to her head. 'Duty calls.'

'It's okay. Go.' She replied as she tried to smile to show him she was okay and held out her arms to give him a hug. 'Be careful.'

'Always.'

Maddie sighed softly as Cordell jogged to his truck and watched as he left then turned to Geri. 'I-I'm ready to go home. Can-can you tell Colton I want to say goodbye?'

'Sure. I'll go get your things.'

Geri headed back inside and Maddie placed the headphones on once again, listening to the remainder of the song that had been playing. Everything felt like an effort after that panic attack. She felt so exhausted she couldn't even think about what had just happened. Future me problems... She finally decided as the final notes of one of her favorite songs from Fearless Soul faded away. She would deal with it all in the morning.

As a hand was placed on her knee she looked up, Colton crouched down in front of her. 'Hey...' She said softly as she removed the headphones and handed them back to him. 'Thanks... For this.'

'No worries. You okay now?'

'No. But I will be.' She replied softly. 'I'm sorry. Uncle Liam was the one who suggested this whole thing and I railroaded you into it-'

'No, no, Maddie. It's okay.' Colton interrupted her gently. 'Don't worry about it.'

After a moment, Maddie nodded.

'I'll come see you in the morning, okay?'

'Alright.'

'Alright.'

'Get some sleep.' He told her softly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Maddie smiled a little. 'I'll try.'

Colton turned to Geri, offering his aunt a hug. 'Safe drive home.'

'Thanks. I'll talk to you later.'

With a nod, Colton headed back into the house.

Geri turned back to Maddie, wheeling the girl's chair over closer to her. 'Need a hand?'

'No, no, I got it.' She replied, transferring herself from rocking to wheelchair. They started down the sidewalk to her car, Maddie taking a glance back at the house as Geri opened the door for her. 'What a night...' She remarked softly.

'Yeah...' Geri replied in agreement as she helped the teen get into the car. Closing the door once Maddie was in she set about folding up the chair and placed it in the boot then hopped in, Maddie already starting to doze off again as they started down the drive.

It had been one hell of a night.

And Geri had one hell of a lot to think about.