Welcome back! Thank you so much for reading. Sorry that last chapter was short and boring, but. Oh well!

Brokendreamsx- I know! I wish I could update more, but now I'm back in school after Christmas break, and I forget! Hopefully I can update more. Another reason why I wait a bit to update, is so I can see what you guys say on the review, and edit some things. I wrote a couple chapters before I "published" it, but after some of you guys' advice or comments, I go back and write more chapters in between others and then fix the ones. So I'm really enjoying hearing what you guys say, so I try to incorporate that stuff. Anywho, your reading is appreciated! Xoxo

Read on!

XXX

Kate walked around the small grade three class, then stepped out. Across the school lot, she saw Maddie sitting down, reading a book. My, she looks so familiar. Too familiar. She walked towards the young girl. "Maddie."

"Oh Kate, hi! What's up?" She placed her small homemade bookmark inside the book, and looked at Kate.

"Oh nothing, I'm just wanted to sit with you for a few minutes." Maddie scooted over and Kate took a seat. A few seconds passed, Kate really didn't know what to say. They both just sat an enjoyed the cool breeze, because they didn't come often. Finally, Kate spoke. "Maddie. I have a question. Do you- Do you remember your childhood?"

Shit! My childhood? Make something up. "Of course. I don't remember my mother that well, I just remember Jen and Eric."

"Well, then why don't you call them 'mom and dad'?" Kate got on her interrogation face. Katherine Grey means justice.

"Because they didn't want me to. They aren't my real parents, so I just call them by their real name." Maddie replied.

"Do you know what your parents look like, or maybe their names?" Kate pushed on.

"Um.. I don't know their names. But I've seen a picture. My dad has gray eyes and a kind of copper colored hair color. And my mother has brown hair, like me. But that's all I know." Maddie went ahead and described her real parents.

"Where were you born?"

Uhh… "Texas." Maddie replied.

"So you lived in America? For how long?" Kate asked.

"Umm. Until I was about six. Then we moved to Germany for Eric's business."

"Hmm. So you were three months old when you were adopted? Does Jen have your birth certificate?" Kate's brain went nonstop, her mouth blurting out any question that comes in her mind.

Maddie looked down at her watch. If she stayed any longer, she would've told Kate everything. "Kate, I have to get going. I'll see you soon, okay?" She stood, grabbed her book and made her way home.

Kate sighed and stood. She still felt very uneasy. She looks so much like Christian- no. Stop. Maddie has to be telling the truth. Don't they say you have a look-alike half way around the world? Well, here is Madeline Grey's twin, I suppose.

XXX

Weeks passed, and Gift got better. But things were changing around her. The American missionaries were returning home for a couple of months. As Maddie was walking to another class, Kate pulled her aside.

"Maddie. Can I talk to you?" Kate called her over.

Another interrogation? Oh great. "Sure! What can I do for you?"

"Elliot, Gift and I are leaving. The doctor said Gift was lucky, but she wouldn't be the next time she gets Malaria. We are going back to the US. I'm sorry, honey."

Tears flooded her eyes. "When are you leaving?" More people, leaving.

"Tomorrow. I'm sorry." Kate pulled her into a tight hug. Maddie had a weird connection with Kate. Something about her screamed: home. She is just a nice person, that's all.

"I'll go with you guys to the airport, drop you off." Maddie kissed her cheek and returned home. "Jennifer?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" Jennifer saw the tears on Maddie's face. "Oh no, baby, what's wrong?"

"Kate and Elliot are leaving tomorrow. And so is Gift."

Jennifer kissed her forehead. "I'm so sorry. Why don't you head to bed?"

Maddie nodded. She closed her door to her room. Kate and Elliot are going to America. . . America. Oh My God! An idea popped into her head. She stumbled to her dresser and pulled out the contact information. Then she ripped out three pages from her notebook and started writing the most heartfelt letter she had ever written, and it wasn't to Pierre. She wrote one, then trashed it. She wrote another, and trashed it as well. Finally, she wrote one and kept it. She put it into an envelope and carefully wrote down the information. She kissed it and laid it down on her desk. She would take it with her the next day.

XXX

Kate pulled Elliot close. "Tomorrow, we'll go home, and we'll see our family."

"I'm glad. And our Gift is coming with us. But I'll miss those kids. Today was hard."

"It was. And Maddie was so sad. . . Elliot, does she look familiar to you?"

Elliot gazed at his wife. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Her blue eyes like Ana. . . And she looks so much like Christian to me. . . And her name is Maddie, too. No, I must be wishful thinking. Jennifer said they brought her home when she was three months. I asked her about it, but she had the same story as Jen and Eric. I don't know, I feel bad for Christian and Ana, and-"

Elliot kissed her lips mid-sentence then caressed Kate's cheek. "You are so sweet. But, you must be wishful thinking."

"I just wish this never happened to them. I wish she was found. Even a body, so they can have some closure."

"Me too."

Kate sighed. "Well, tomorrow, we'll go back home, with our new daughter, and raise her in America."

"I'm very excited to do that, my love." Elliot kissed her forehead and they went to bed.

XXX

The next morning, Nick, Maddie, Gift, Elliot and Kate traveled to the airport. They said their goodbyes.

Maddie hugged Elliot. "Goodbye, sweet girl. Stay safe. And you better not get Malaria again."

Maddie chuckled. "I'll try. Safe travels. And visit soon!"

Elliot kissed her hair. He looked over her like his own. Some kind of protectiveness for her, something he couldn't shake off if he tried.

Maddie moved over to hug Kate. "Bye, Kate."

" I love you, sweetheart. Stay safe. Email me! Laters, Baby!" Tears swelled in Kate's eyes.

Maddie smiled. "Safe travels."

Then the hardest part: saying goodbye to Gift. "Oh, Gift!" She sobbed."America is a wonderful place, from what I can remember. You'll have a bright future!"

"Thank you, Madeline. I will write you, my friend. God bless. And I hope to see you again." Tears fell down Gift's face as well, and Maddie wiped her tears and giggled. My first friend in Zambia is leaving, but for the better.

The small family waved once more, and entered the building. The letter was burning a hole in her pocket. She ran forward. I have to do it.

"Kate! Wait!" Kate turned and Maddie handed her a letter. "I need you to mail this for me back in the states. I have the information, I think, unless it's changed. Please, send it for me." Maddie handed over the letter, clutching the opposite end for life.

"Of course, baby." She kissed her forehead. "Okay we really have to go." The three sprinted to check in. "Goodbye!"

Relief flooded through Maddie. Maybe they'll get it. Maybe they'll even reply.

Maddie smiled at the possibilities and went home. When she returned, she put away her old school papers, back in her secret drawer and went to bed.

XXX

Kate and Elliot settled into their seat. Gift sat on Kate's left, and Elliot on her right. Gift clutched Kate's arm. "Oh, Gift, sweetie, don't worry. It will be just fine. Go to sleep, I know you're exhausted." Gift gave a shy smile and drifted into a sleep in matter of minutes. Kate pulled out the letter Maddie had given to her. She had to look. She opened the letter, and after reading the first few lines, she gasped. Elliot looked up.

"What is it, babe?" Elliot asked.

"She knew."

"What?"

"Maddie. She knew that she is Madeline Grey."

XXX

So, I hope that was a little longer. I really do try to give you guys at least 1,000 characters, but that last chapter was so short, but the one before was longer than my essay for English! I hope you enjoyed it! Please keep reviewing. Your input influences what happens later on. Thanks again! xoxo