I'm back! I have blisters and sore muscles, but I'm back! And I have something for you guys until I can get a request done. This one shot is something I wrote a while ago but never really finished, so I edited it a bit and now it's ready! ...I think...

Song: Good Company

Madeline looked out of the window at the rain soaked street below her two story house. Umbrella weaved their way past each other on the sidewalks and the wheels on passing cars splashed up sheets of water. The clouds hung low in the sky and a far off rumble sent faint vibrations through the air. Madeline brushed some of her wavy blonde hair out of her face and looked at the sketchbook in her hand. She wanted to draw a picture of the street but even though at eleven she was consider somewhat of a prodigy by her art tutor, she couldn't yet capture the hustle and bustle below.

With a tiny sigh she walked away from her window and sat on her bed, wrinkling the red bedspread slightly. She carelessly tossed aside her sketchbook and hugged one of her stuffed animals, a polar bear, close to her chest. Most children would be disappointed at the weather because it meant they couldn't play outside with her friends, but it didn't matter to Madeline. Due to her homeschooling and her shy, retiring nature, she didn't have any friends her age. "Well, except for you Mr. Kumajiro," she whispered to the bear. Her father had bought the bear a couple hours after she'd been born and she'd loved it all of her life. He was the perfect companion for tea parties, walks and reading aloud to. He was also good at cuddling at bedtime and had been Madeline's guardian when the monsters under her bed and in her closet made an appearance in her imagination. After her mother died, he'd also turned into her main shoulder to cry on.

Madeline's violet eyes filled with tears as she remembered her sweet, kind mother. François Bonnefoy-Kirkland had always cared for and cherished her "fille chérie" and now she was gone.

"Madeline! I'm going out to the store. Would you care to come with me?" Madeline flinched slightly as her father's voice rang through the house. She quickly wiped her tears away on Mr. Kumajiro's worn coat.

"Oui papa!" she answered, running out of the room and stepping lightly down the stairs. She quickly smoothed out her red and white dress before turning the corner into the hallway.

Arthur Kirkland was a proper Englishman with a shock of blonde hair and piercing green eyes that always seemed to know when you were lying. He was shrugging on his overcoat and grabbing a black umbrella from the stand. Madeline's heart sank a bit when she saw the black shirt and dress pants. After two years her father was still in mourning. He turned to look at her and smiled softly. Madeline smiled back and grabbed her own jacket. Once they were both ready Arthur opened the door, quickly opening the umbrella and stepping out onto the porch so Madeline didn't get wet. She grabbed his proffered hand and they walked in silence among the crowd.

They were almost to the store when she saw it. A cardboard box was scooted under an overhang and the words ADOPT A KITTEN had been written on the side of the box in black marker. Madeline let go of Arthur's hand and ran towards the box. "Madeline wait!" she heard her father shout but she didn't stop until she'd reached the box. Looking inside, she thought it was empty but a loud meow drew her attention to the far corner. A big Maine Coon kitten with a black ruff and glasses shaped markings around its eyes peered back at her. She smiled and held out a hand to it, her smile growing as it eagerly rubbed its head against her hand and purred. She gently picked it up and cradled it in her arms. The kitten squeaked happily and burrowed its face into her warm coat.

Arthur finally caught up to her. "Madeline, what were you thinking? Running off like that! I never would have expected–" He cut off abruptly when she turned, revealing the kitten.

"Papa, can we keep him, s'il vous plait?" she pleaded giving her best puppy dog eyes. The kitten also looked at him cocking his head to one side in an adorable "huh?" expression. Madeline wanted this kitten soooo badly, a real pet of her very own! Someone else to play with and take care of; and this kitten needed her! She couldn't leave it out in the street!

Arthur closed his eyes and scratched the back of his head, pretending to think about it. The sight of his daughter holding the cute kitten was too precious to resist, not that he was going to let her know that of course. "Will you take care of him?" he asked. Madeline nodded, her curls bobbing. "…Very well, you may keep him. Come on, let's go home, the store can wait for a bit." A bright smile lit Madeline's whole face and she hopped up and down in excitement. Arthur couldn't fight the grin forming on the corners of his mouth as he watched her rub her cheek against the kitten's.

The walk back home was a blur to Madeline and she didn't snap out of it until they were safely inside. "I imagine that poor thing's hungry," Arthur called over his shoulder as he walked into the kitchen. Madeline blanched slightly, her father was a horrible cook. They'd had to hire a cook/housekeeper after mama had died…but she was gone at the moment. She didn't want him to accidentally poison her kitten with his scones! Luckily, he came back with a bowl of milk and laid it down on the ground. The kitten practically leaped out of her arms and began lapping up the stuff like he hadn't eaten in days. "What should we call him?" Arthur asked quietly. Madeline thought about it, looking at the kitten.

"I like Alfred," she finally said.

Arthur tapped a finger on the kitten's head, "All right, I hereby dub thee Alfred." Madeline giggled and Alfred looked up and mewed in agreement. Arthur glanced up at the hall clock, "Oh, it's time for your piano practice Madeline. Don't worry, Alfred will be right here waiting," he added noticing the worried look on her face. Madeline sighed and walked towards the sitting room where the piano was. She sat down on the bench and opened her practice book. A tugging on her dress made her look down. Alfred jumped into her lap and rubbed against her belly. She giggled and held him up to her face where he began attacking her with his tongue.

"Okay Alfred, okay! I have to practice now." She placed him on the top of the piano and played the first stanza of her song. After a while she began singing along as well.

You and me together we'll be
Forever you'll see
We'll always be good company
You and me
Yes, together, we two

Alfred squeaked happily and tapped some of the keys with his paws. Madeline giggled again and continued,

Together, that's you
Forever with me
We'll always be good company
You and me
Yes, together we'll be.

Alfred began dancing around the top of the piano, chasing his tail and tripping over his owns paws in the process. A full grown laugh bubbled out between Madeline's lips and she couldn't stop herself from reaching up and pulling Alfred into her lap. She already loved her goofy, cheerful kitten so much!

Just outside the sitting room, leaning against the door, Arthur was silently crying and drinking in his daughter's laughter like it was water. It had been so long since he'd heard her laugh like this, and even longer since he'd heard her sing out loud. When François had gotten sick, Madeline had closed into herself even more than she usually did, like a Morning Glory hiding from the sun. A knock on the door made him jump and he hastily wiped away his tears and rushed to the door. He opened it and stepped aside to allow their housekeeper, Carmen, inside. "Hello Carmen, I hope your husband is feeling better."

Carmen tucked a few hairs that had gotten out of her bun behind her ear. "Si, Lovino's much better. Thank you so much for letting me come in late to take care of him."

Arthur nodded brusquely, "Of course, an illness is nothing to be trifled with."

Carmen waved him off when he tried to help her take off her coat. "Oh it's nothing! Just a bad cold."

That's what we thought too, Arthur bit his lip but didn't speak. Another laugh from the sitting room caught Carmen's attention. "Is that Madeline?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Yes! Yes it is. We found a kitten and already she's…happier," Arthur trailed off, not quite sure what to say. Carmen just nodded and smiled.

"Well, it looks like she's in good company then."

Just some FACE fluff with Spamano on the side (Actually, I wasn't planning on including the Spamano, but then I remembered Epic and Jywy and thought I'd add it just for them).

Please Review!