Thank you for the birthday wishes! I had a splendid birthday! I got my room re-decorated, a surprise, AND a tea set! As an aspiring actress, I hope to live in London one day, and I know how those Brits love their tea. So I shall be enjoying that on stressful days!

Karen. Kaz- oh you know CG, always on the move. But wait a little bit longer!

Chissa28- muah! Thank you, love! XX

Mandie- Thank you! I won't feel 16 till I get my license, but I have a feeling its going to be a good year! Um… Ava. Yes, my dear Ava… Am I a horrible author to say I forgot about her? I shall edit now!

XXX

A pull was felt on her arm, and before she knew it, her father was escorting her into this surprise party just for her. Maddie put on a fake smile for the people around, but she really didn't know any of them. Flashes were coming from everywhere, and all she could do was stare, bewildered.

"I hope the surprise isn't too much." Christian murmured in her ear.

"No… Not at all." Maddie said, and there was a slight hint of sarcasm in her words.

Just breathe. You were born into this family, no matter what happened in the past. Act like it. Her subconscious sneered.

Christian escorted his daughter to the stage. The crowd cheered louder, and Madeline had a slight blush. Christian came up to the microphone, and everyone quieted down. Christian gave a small smile. "Eight years ago, my family was whole. I had my son, teddy, and my two beautiful daughters Phoebe and Madeline. Madeline was such a light in our family, making us laugh with her spunk and energy. And she was very talented, sharing the ability to play the piano with her father, and going beyond that, being able to sing. But, one day, our light was taken away. And for eight years, my family grieved. My wonderful wife, my dear Ana, had to suffer every day without her daughter. And I became very guilty." He took a moment to pause, getting choked up. "But we never lost faith. We created an organization to help other people with these kinds of situations. And now, our light has returned. She returned as a young woman, not the toddler we waved goodbye to one last time, unaware of what would happen later that day. And all the regret I had of the past, and doubts, vanished. Because now she is home." Christian grabbed his daughters' hand. "And this party is celebrating her return. And it is also a huge thank you to all of you, our friends, who supported us over these dark years. Thank you for your faith." As soon as Christian turned away from the crowd, Madeline jumped in his arms. He hugged her tightly.

"I love you daddy." She whispered.

"I love you too." Christian kissed her hair.

Madeline pulled away and wiped a few stray tears and went to the microphone. "Um, thank you all for coming tonight. I am truly excited to be home. Thank you." She smiled and waved to the crowd, then exited off stage. The band began to play, and everyone took their seats for the dinner. Maddie approached her family's table. Her grandparents, Grace and Carrick embraced her, as well as Kate and Elliot. Then, hurdling through the crowd came Mia Grey. She pulled Maddie into her arms and gave her the biggest hug, that Maddie thought she would suffocate.

"I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up at the airport. I was in New York for Fashion Week. I am so glad you're home." Mia held on like it was the only thing she could do.

Maddie awkwardly patted her back. "Thank you, Aunt Mia."

"We WILL go shopping, okay?' Mia pinched her cheek and skipped off.

Christian came behind Maddie. "Oh, Mia. Always energetic."

"Dad, what happened to Scott?" Confused to where Mia's husband was.

Christian became solemn. "Scott died in a car accident about four years ago."

"Oh. Sorry." Christian gave her a half smile.

Another familiar face came and greeted Maddie. "Hey Ava."

Ava was on the brim of tears. "Hey little cousin. Welcome home! You know Gift, right?" The small African girl stood behind her new sister.

"Of course. It's a long story, but we knew each other in Zambia." Maddie gave Gift a small wave.

Carrick stood and tapped his champagne glass. Ava smiled. "We'll talk later." She winked, and dragged Gift to their spots.

Carrick smiled. "A toast. To our beautiful granddaughter. Welcome home."

Multiple 'cheers' were heard, then they all took their seats and began their meal. Maddie felt that her table etiquette was lost forever. But she kept quiet and ate her three-course meal. She looked around the table at her loving family. Phoebe sat next to Grace, wearing a emerald green ball gown with full, bright red lips. Her mother wore a cream dress with small sparkles on it, her hair scooped to one side, and beautiful sapphire earrings. Teddy looked dashing in his tuxedo sitting next to his fiancée, Emilie. She was wearing a rose colored dress, and her long blonde hair was in an elegant fish-tail braid. Emilie looked up and smiled at Maddie, then gave her a wink.

After dinner, Grace came over the microphone and told everyone it was time to dance. And it wasn't hipster frolicking, or prom-grinding dancing, it was elegant-like-Cinderella dancing. Maddie stood back, multiple people coming up either introducing themselves or crying uncontrollably and throwing their arms around her. And she didn't know any of them. Except a few. She remembered a family, the Carter's. Apparently, they were close family friends to the Grey's. Madeline recognized the family. Lisa, the mother, David, the father, Autumn and Aubrey, the two twin sisters, and their younger brother, Zac. Maddie embraced them all, slightly remembering all the kids playing board games while the parents talked in the living room. Zac had grown to be 6 '1, towering over the 5' 4 Madeline. He had dark, almost black hair, with beautiful green eyes. His teeth were perfectly white and he was very muscular. Zac leaned down and kissed Maddie on the cheek.

"Welcome back." He smiled.

Maddie nodded and smiled back at him, blushing. Jeeze, he's hot.

After the little conversations, Maddie was pulled into a waiting list for men to dance with her. She danced with five men, older men who were friends of the family. She even danced with her father's therapist, Dr. Flynn.

"I remember when I first met your mother and danced with her. This is how I meet the women in Christian's life." The British doctor chuckled.

Maddie smiled. "No dance for Teddy?"

"I think that would be frowned upon." Flynn smiled once more. The dance was over, but Dr. Flynn grabbed her shoulders. "How are you feeling?"

Oh yeah, he's a therapist. "I'm amazing. I'm feeling very happy." Maddie gave him a fake grin. She didn't know how she felt. Of course, she was happy to be home, but her brain couldn't process all of these harsh memories. Something in her mind was missing. Her brain blocked something.

"Madeline, what you went through was strange to process. I feel it best if you would start coming to sessions with me." Flynn had put his doctor face on.

"Thank you, but I'm fine. Really. I'm not crazy. Thank you for the dance, Dr. Flynn." Maddie quickly turned away and walked off, a smile stuck on her face, but her eyes full of what looked like worry. She took a drink of her water and took a deep breath. She felt a light tap on her shoulder.

Teddy was standing, smiling at his sister. "Would you mind having a dance with your big brother?"

Maddie grinned. "Of course, Teddy-Bear."

Teddy laughed and pulled his sister out on the dance floor. "I haven't heard that in a while." They danced in silence for a while, then teddy spoke. "How are you doing? Being back home?" His eyes shone with concern.

"yes. I'm so happy to be back. Really, I'm fine." The song ended, and Maddie gave her big brother a hug. "Thanks, Teddy."

Teddy smiled and kissed her cheek. Maddie watched his eyes search the room to find his beloved. Maddie was kind of sad that she missed out watching Teddy fall in love. "You really love her, don't you?" Teddy nodded, still staring at Emilie. Maddie laughed. "Well, I approve. She's a lovely girl." Teddy grinned down at his sister, both sharing the Christian Grey breathtaking smile. Maddie elbowed him. "Go get her." Teddy squeezed her shoulder, and went to his loving fiancée. Maddie smiled and turned around to see a tall young man staring down at her. Zac offered his hand towards her, "may I have this dance?"

Maddie blushed and nodded. They glided across the floor, swaying to the soft song playing in the background. "I'm glad you're a great dancer. I can't dance a lick."

Zac smiled down at her. "You're doing pretty well, actually. I mean, you do have me." He gave her a panty-dropping wink. Holy shit, she thought.

"Well thanks. I think." She giggled.

"So, how does it feel being home?" He asked.

"Great. It's awesome seeing everyone. I wasn't expecting all these people to be here, for me."

"We all missed you, even if we didn't know you. I know I missed playing vet with you, my assistant."

Maddie beamed back at him. "I forgot about that! How's the business going, doctor?"

"Pretty slow, considering my only staff member took an eight year leave of absence."

"I sincerely apologize, boss." Maddie and Zac held each other's gaze for a second, then realized that the song was over and pulled away. "Thank you for the dance, Zac. It's good to see you."

"My pleasure." Zac winked at her, then turned around. Maddie sighed. All these hot guys. I look like a whore. . . Oh well!

After another hour of dancing, including a dance with her father, Maddie and the Grey's returned home, thanking everyone for coming, and promising to stay in touch.

After she stripped out of her ball gown and put sweats on, she went downstairs to tell her parents goodnight.

"Honey, are you all right?" Ana asked, stroking her daughter's cheek.

"I'm fine mom. I promise. Just a little over-whelmed, nothing a good night's sleep could rid of." She kissed both of her parents' cheeks and went upstairs. The night-terrors didn't stay away that night, and Madeline once again, woke with a start. It was three am. She rubbed her tears off her face. She turned on her lamp and looked at her reflection. Suddenly she burst into tears. "I'm not crazy. I'm fine. I don't need help." Flynn's words echoed in her mind. Madeline, what you went through was strange to process. I feel it best if you would start coming to sessions with me. She told herself she didn't need his help, but her wall of strength was tumbling down.

XXX

The air was chilly, and it wasn't any warmer in the facility. The girl wrapped her shawl around her tightly, nervous. She opened the door to the little room to talk to inmates. On the other side of the thin paned window was Eric, looking awfully pail and sickly. The girl picked up the phone. "Hello, brother." She said, letting her blonde hair cover her eyes to hide from him.

Eric sighed sadly. "Hello Emilie."

XXX

CLIFFHANGER! Emilie, Teddy's fiancé, is eric's sister! I seriously just made that up… Haha! Anywho, I HAVE TO WORK ON MY DRIVERS ED. I WANT TO DRIVE LEGALLY. Motivation needs to happen in my mind. Toodles, readers! xxx