I am so sorry. I'm ashamed of myself. I should've updated sooner, but I wasn't sure of what I wanted to write. I'm not sure if I like this chapter. I have seriously had a softball tournament every weekend for 3WEEKS! (Including this weekend). I'm exhausted! But, I've been thinking about you guys this week, and how to approach this chapter, and this was the best whip-up-in-an-hour one I got! Enjoy! xx

Lovereads- oh what's happening next isn't even the really bad part! aThe BAD part involves Christian and Ana. But be patient, I still have more to write before I DESTROY EVERYTHING! Mwauhahahah! Lolz

Fizzbomb50- awe? My Talent? You are too kind. Your reading is appreciated, my friend. xxx

- Ding, Ding, we have a winner.

Chissa28- You are so sweet. XXXX

Mandie- hmmm… We'll see what I want to do, but thanks for the idea! I love getting feedback and suggestions from you guys! xx

XXX

Tuesday night.

Madeline paced the floor, debating on what to do. She didn't want to lie to her parents, but she didn't know if she would be able to see Pierre if she asked. During lunch, Maddie stared at the window distracted.

"Madeline, honey, is everything all right?" Ana put down her fork and crossed her fingers, looking at her daughter.

"Hmm? Oh yes." Maddie said quickly then rubbed her eyes. "Okay, no. I'm sorry. I have a friend who was going to meet me tonight. We grew up together in France and we kept in touch after I moved. And he is in town. I wanted to see if I could meet up with him, you know, before we fly back home. I'm asking for permission." Maddie turned her head down, almost feeling ashamed of asking something of her parents.

Christian sighed. "It's a boy?"

Ana looked sternly at her husband. Don't push it, fifty.

Maddie blushed. "Yes."

"Well, don't think you're off the hook of your over-protective father. I will treat you the same as Phoebe. I must meet him."

Maddie smiled kindly at her dad. She was glad he was being protective, but she wasn't sure how long she would be able to stand it. She had been caged up her whole life, and she hopes that her dad won't put her in a new cage just as she's learning to fly. She wants some freedom. But now was not the time for that. "Okay. That's fine."

"Okay. Tell him to come early and we can all go out for dinner." Ana smiled.

"Alright, sounds great. Thank you. He'll be excited to meet you. He knew about you before I did."

Christian frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Pierre was always suspicious about Jen and Eric, and I asked him to look up a picture of you guys, and he fit the puzzle together. He saw the resemblance, and read about how you guys lost me. But I moved before he got the chance to fully let me believe that."

Ana smiled. "I like him already."

XXX

Maddie had finished her hair when she heard a doorbell. Her heart fluttered. She remembered her phone call earlier today.

"Hi Maddie. How are you?" Pierre asked, longing in his voice.

"I'm fine. I have good news. You need to come by a little early, my parents want to meet you!"

"Really? Well okay, I'm actually already in town, but I'll be up there. What time?"

"Five." Maddie smiled and looked at her watch. It was two o' clock. Three hours!

"Five it is. See you soon."

"Later." She hung up.

But he was here now! Maddie stepped out of her room and saw a familiar French face in the doorway. She thought her face would split in two from her smile. She ran up to Pierre and jumped in his arms, him giving her a huge hug.

"mon amour" he whispered in her ear, for only them to hear. Then he set her down and they both turned to see her parents, awkwardly waiting to meet Pierre.

Maddie blushed. "Mom, Dad, this is Pierre. Pierre, meet Christian and Ana Grey: my parents."

Pierre smiled shyly and shook their hands, kissing Ana's in a way of respect.

"It's very nice to meet you, Pierre. Please, let's go to dinner."

They traveled a small distance to a small restaurant in a limo, which Maddie couldn't stop freaking out about. They sat at a private table for four, Ana and Christian on one side, Maddie and Pierre on the other.

"So, Pierre, how long did you and Maddie know each other?" Ana asked, while Christian was strangely quiet and tense.

"Well, Madeline lived there for about five years, but we didn't meet until she was fourteen, so about three years now." He turned and smiled at her. His hands were under the table, and he tenderly reached out and touched her right hand that was also underneath the table. He took her hand and entwined his finger with hers, stroking the back of her hand in a loving way. As if remembering a sour thought, he pulled it away quickly. Maddie took a quick glance towards him trying to read his features, but he gave away nothing.

The night continued with small talk, mostly coming from Ana.

"So you knew that we were her parents?"

"Well, I saw the resemblance between you two and Madeline, and I had always felt something was strange with Jen and Eric. So I put the pieces together when she asked me to print a picture for her. And she also told me about how you were her real parents and Jen and Eric," he made the air quote gesture, "adopted her. So I read more about Monsieur Grey's organization about the missing child program and I just knew. I'm very glad you found her."

Ana smiled sweetly at her daughter, "We are too. Right Christian?"

Christian was interrogating Pierre and his body language. No one will fucking hurt my little girl. Or take her away. I just got her back. His thought was interrupted by Ana's squeezing his leg, warning him. He cleared his throat, knowing he was caught. "Yes, we are." He looked over at Ana who gave him a behave look.

The bill was paid, and the group headed back to the hotel. They all came upstairs and Pierre got his bag.

"I thought you were going to stay until Wednesday afternoon?" Maddie suddenly felt her throat closing. She didn't want to say goodbye.

"Grand-père called. My grandmother is sick, and I must return. I'm sorry."

Maddie smiled sadly, "It's okay. Mom, Dad, can I walk him out?"

Christian frowned but Ana piped in before he said anything. "Of course, sweetheart. Pierre, it was wonderful to meet you. Safe travels." She nudged Christian's arm.

"Yes, it was very nice to meet you." Christian said halfheartedly. Ana looked at him sternly. Then he reached into his wallet and pulled out 600 Euros. "Here, get yourself a plane ticket for the ride home."

"Oh no sir, I couldn't." Pierre blushed.

Ana smiled, "Oh we insist."

Pierre nodded a thanks and went out the door with Madeline trailing behind. They both got in the elevator, Maddie's parents waving from the outside. As soon as the door was shut, Pierre pulled Maddie up to his lips, in a feverish, frantic kiss. Her lips burned against his, yearning for him. She held his face close and heard a loud thump, Pierre dropping his bag. Pierre pushed her up against the wall, His hands trailing over her whole body. Maddie pressed herself into his hands, begging for his tender touch. Then, suddenly, Pierre pulled away.

"No. No, no." He put his fore arm over his mouth, trying to calm his swollen, hungry lips. The doors opened, and he flew outside, wanting to feel the cool wind on his lips, to sop the burning from the kiss.

Confused, Maddie kept pace with him, then pulled his arm back when they reached outside. "What's wrong Pierre?" She tried not to let him see how hurt she was.

"I can't, Maddie. This can't happen." He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated.

"I love you, Pierre. We can try. . ."

"No! I don't want you." She flinched and he closed his eyes. "That's not what I meant. I meant that our worlds aren't for each other anymore. We have new lives. You're going back to America with your real parents, and I'm going back to France to. . ." He didn't finish.

"So you just think that you can kiss me then say it's not going to work? Something is pulling us together, our worlds will work."

"No, Madeline. They won't." He took a moment and stared at her face. "God, I love you, but this is it. I know. I think we need to move on, okay?" He set his hands on her shoulder. "Go home, and take everything in. Don't bring in this shitty baggage from your past. I'll always be there for you, and you for me. But we need to be just friends, okay?"

Tears started falling now, but Maddie nodded. And what he said made her love him even more. He was letting her free, out of a cage from her past. He was doing this because he loved her. Pierre reached out and wiped a tear. He pulled her into a tight hug, then suddenly whispered, "I'm enrolling into the army when I get back."

Maddie pulled away, "What? What about your art?"

He shook his head. "There isn't enough money for stability. My grandparents are close to losing the inn they own." He rubbed his eyes.

Maddie became sad again, and hugged him tighter. "Please be safe, okay?"

Pierre pulled away and kissed her forehead. "Of course." Pierre motioned for a cab, then he picked up his luggage in one hand, holding Maddie's in the other. Maddie looked down on her ring finger and saw the small cheap ring that Pierre had gotten for her for her fifteenth birthday (along with the cake). She placed it in his hand.

Pierre looked at the small token and smiled. The cab pulled up. Maddie had more tears. "Have a safe flight," she said. Pierre leaned in and planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

"It's not goodbye. It's 'see you later'." Pierre said when he sat down in the seat.

Maddie smiled. "Laters, babe." The cab drove away into the distance, carrying her heart and all the love she'd ever known.

Riding up to the suite in the elevator, Maddie frowned. I totally would've fucked him in here. I was so close. She shook away the thought and entered the grey family's apartment.

"Hi sweetie. Are you okay?" Ana came up and hugged her daughter. Christian stood behind her, arms crossed, as if waiting for an excuse to go find Pierre and teach him a lesson for making his daughter cry.

"I'm fine. Just sad to see a friend go." Maddie smiled to herself. Friend. That word somehow didn't fit with Pierre before, and surely didn't fit right now, but maybe in time. . .

"Okay, well go wash up and start packing. Tomorrow, we head home!" Maddie giggled at her mother's excitement, and went into her bedroom for a calming bath.

XXX

Thanks for reading. Maddie has picked up on the trending saying "Laters, babe." But thanks for reading! Have a great rest of the week!