Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
It wasn't a decision he made lightly.
When the war ended and Gale's life was in shambles he hadn't any idea what he was going to do with himself. He felt as though something was missing from his life, that a part of him had been stolen in everything that he had done. He was a murderer, a killer, and wanted more than anything to forget all of the mistakes that he had made. He tried drinking, which only brought on hallucinations. And then he tried therapy, which only brought on nightmares.
"This could help you heal," Hazelle had told him, sliding the application in his direction.
The ROLF Program. Reconstruction of Loving Families. So many children had lost their parents in the war, too many children had been orphaned to put them all in homes. The ROLF program was created so people could adopt children into their lives, raise them as their own, give them a home that cared and loved them like their parents did.
"This isn't a temporary fix, Ma," Gale responded. "If I do this, the kid they give me is with me forever."
But Hazelle knew that. She wouldn't have given him the papers if she didn't know everything about ROLF. But when night came and the nightmares swooped in and he felt cold and alone, he realized that was what he missed. Children. His siblings, mainly, but they were all growing at a steady pace back in District 12 which was a place he couldn't bear to go. He missed what it felt like to hold a child in his arms, the sound of a child's laugh.
When his father had died and Gale was drowning in responsibilities, it was his siblings that helped him heal. It was children that loved him that helped him heal.
He decided that if anything, ROLF wouldn't hurt. He might not even make it past the application stage, as the program was heavily screened for crazies and psychopaths. Gale could consider himself a psychopath.
A few weeks after he sent in his application he received a phone call.
"Mr. Hawthorne, we are incredibly grateful for your willingness to help the lost and broken children of Panem. We've done some research into your background and find you a wonderful fit, though through your therapist we've learned you may not always have the right mindset to be handling children. We don't wish to deny you into the ROLF program, but we do suggest if you are to accept that you have a temporary aid while you adjust to the changes of having a child in your home."
A temporary aid. He read about them while he was applying, someone from the program that comes and makes sure the kid isn't marching into hell. If it doesn't work out with Gale the child would be taken by the person and transferred somewhere else.
"I'll accept that offer," he told them.
The temporary aid would live with him for a maximum of one year, so not only did he need a room for the child he would need a room for this stranger that would be observing him for a few days at a time. Only some nights would the stranger live with him, three out of seven days of the week, and then they would report back to the program their findings. Not only would the aid help support the child's transition progress, they would make sure Gale is a suitable human being for the kid.
He received the child's file in the mail the next day.
The girl he would be bringing into his home, the daughter, was a little girl from District 9. Her mother had died during childbirth and her father during a struggle to bring back food for her during a harder time in the war when food was scarce. She'd been living in a home of other children just like her.
The file had a photo of her and she was absolutely precious. She had olive skin likes Gale's but it was lighter. Her blue-black hair was dark and short and poofed up around her, only held out of her face with a yellow barrette. Her almond shaped eyes were dark brown. She had a toothy smile that made Gale feel warm inside. Her name was Jade, she was three years old.
He spent days running to the store to get everything he needed, and nights he stayed up late reading books about children and their development. Sure he had practically raised Posy but that was different, she was his younger sister. This girl, Jade, would be like a daughter to him. She had been matched to him through a series of tests making them compatible, and thus far the success rate for ROLF was through the roof so he couldn't argue it. And honestly, he was excited to meet her.
The day she arrived he was nervous beyond belief. His hands were sweating, he kept doubting this decision. But he waited outside of his apartment building for the car that pulled up to drop her off. When the car pulled up he felt his heart in pounding against his ribcage, and finally when the door opened and she crawled out he wanted to melt into the concrete.
Jade was so small and clearly nervous, but the sight of her made him feel a sense of love that he had gone so long without. A woman climbed out after her to guide her to Gale but his eyes were glued to Jade. He crouched down to meet her and she smiled a little bit.
"You're real tall," she told him quietly.
"You're real little," he answered back.
Jade blinked at him once, twice, and then her smile stretched into a grin. "I get to live with you?" she asked. Gale nodded. "You'll keep me safe?" He nodded again. "Okay." She stepped forward and her outstretched her little arms, and Gale felt like a new man when he pulled her against him in a hug.
Gale looked up at the woman who had followed. "My name is Penny," she told him as Jade released her tiny hug. "I'm not your temp but she'll be here tomorrow." Gale shook her hand regardless and thanked her for bringing Jade and for everything she's done. Penny smiled and asked to see the home, and then Gale had a few papers to sign before Jade was officially in his care.
After Penny approved the safety and security of the home she allowed Gale to sign some papers while Jade explored. He had filled the living room with developmentally appropriate toys and she was having a blast playing with them all. Penny stayed for dinner and to make sure Gale wouldn't snap but she stayed mostly silent as Gale interacted with Jade.
Jade's soft voice was so sweet and Gale couldn't stop smiling. For a three year old she knew plenty of words and loved to talk, she wasn't afraid of new places or people and wanted to know everything about everything. She asked questions to Gale. What do I call you? Where is my room? Are the toys all mine? He responded with enthusiasm and asked her questions of her own. Her favorite shape, her favorite place to be, if she liked ice cream, etc.
When dinner was over Penny left them, and Jade was officially in Gale's care.
They played on the living room floor for a bit before she started to get sleepy, and then Gale showed her to her bedroom. Again Jade was overwhelmed with all of the new things. She picked out her own pajamas with Gale's help and then a book from the bookshelf.
"You like stories?" Gale asked her as she nuzzled under the blankets. She nodded her head. "Me too." He sat on the edge of the bed and read to her, a story about a frog that was trying to find its way home. She was asleep in minutes. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and tucked her in tighter, leaving a nightlight on and the door cracked as he left.
He woke up early in the morning. Excitement, mostly, that he would have a full day with Jade. She woke up early too, sprinting into his bedroom and propelling herself onto his bed. "Gale," she said, deciding that she couldn't call him dad yet. "Do you have food here?"
"Yes I do," he laughed. He climbed out of bed and scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the kitchen. They rifled through the cabinets until they found mix for pancakes. She had never had pancakes before, she told him, so they went right to work. Jade helped crack the eggs, and just as they were beginning to stir it all together there was a knock on the door. "Keep stirring," he told her, and she nodded vehemently. Gale raced to the door and pulled it open and froze.
"Mr. Hawthorne," the girl on the other side said. "I'm your temp."
His jaw dropped slightly. "Madge," he croaked.
Madge Undersee. Madge fucking Undersee was his temp? He knew she made it out of District 12 and 13 but hadn't any idea where she went after that, and honestly he didn't care much. They never spoke in 13, hardly spoke in 12. She was too good for him in 12 and too broken for anyone in 13. And here she was at his door.
She forced a polite smile. "Gale," she responded. She looked good. She had regained color to her skin and her hair was starting to grow out, grow longer. "I know this is a shock," she said to him. "But I don't pick my assignments. They chose me as your temporary aid because we're both from District 12, and because they knew I would be honest in my reports." He blinked at her, completely overwhelmed, and opened his door for her to walk in. "Thank you."
Gale shut the door behind her but still felt his chest constricting. Jade was his chance at a fresh start and Madge was a reminder of everything he had and lost.
"I want someone else," he said. She looked at him over his shoulder. "I don't want you here."
"That's not a request you get to make," she told him. Madge stepped in his direction. "I'm not here to interfere with your life, Gale. I'm working with ROLF to fix mine, and fix others. I'm sorry that you don't like me but I promise to keep to myself as often as possible." She lifted her shoulders slightly too. "Jade is my best interest at this point," she told him. "Her safety and comfort is all I'm concerned about. Not yours."
He sucked in a sharp breath. He could call it all off now. Have Jade sent back with Madge. But Jade strolled out of the kitchen in the last moment holding the bowl Gale had given to mix. "All done!" she cheered. And Gale knew that wasn't an option.
Madge's job was not to interact with the two whatsoever unless Jade or Gale initiated it first. It was a lonely job but she'd been working with ROLF for a few months and this was her third assignment. She knew how it worked, and these kids happy and healthy was all that mattered to her.
She became an orphan when the bombs went off in District 12, the least she could do was make sure these poor kids didn't end up as alone as she was. They deserved people who loved and cared for them.
Her first assignment was an elderly couple in District 4 that wanted to bring in a child. They passed with flying colors, and after three visits they were deemed a success. Little Yarley still sent Madge pictures that he drew. Her second assignment was an immediate failure. It was a crotchety old woman who only applied for ROLF because she thought she would receive checks from the government. Madge took Bethe away from that home immediately and she was then transferred to a couple in 7.
Now Jade was her assignment.
When they told Madge who she was going to be observing she was shocked that Gale Hawthorne had applied for ROLF. She knew he would pass, even if it took a little longer than usual. He was excellent with children, but because of the war she knew there were some struggling points in his life. She had argued that her with the Hawthorne's wouldn't be in the best interest but the leader of ROLF insisted, and Madge had no choice.
Jade was an angel. She helped Gale make pancakes while Madge sat in the kitchen and started filling out forms. Jade didn't seem to mind that there was another stranger there. She was a feisty child that didn't mind strangers around. Thank God she wasn't shy, Madge wasn't sure if Gale could handle a shy child. All of the Hawthorne's had been boisterous from start to present. Jade seemed to be no exception, even though she wasn't legally a Hawthorne yet. Madge had no doubt she would be soon.
Finally as they sat down to eat Jade took a seat by Madge. "Who are you?" Jade asked.
"My name is Madge," she responded. "I'll be here a few days a week."
Jade pursed her lips. "Like a babysitter?"
"Kind of."
"But Gale's here," she told her, looking at the man sitting in the seat beside her. "He will watch me. Last night he gave me a bed and a light and he read to me a story and he has a whole bunch of toys for me too."
"That sounds great, Jade," Madge smiled. Gale sucked his teeth and cut up pieces of Jade's pancake for her.
"It is," she nodded, completely forgetting Madge's reasoning for being here. "The bed was so comfy I really like the warm blankets!"
It was an odd situation, having Madge be there but not really invested. Gale could tell by the way that she sat on the couch that she was willing to jump down onto the ground and play with them, but as promised she kept to herself unless Jade spoke to her. Gale tried his damned hardest to keep Jade distracted and away from her, and it worked most of the day besides a few moments here and there. Madge took plenty of notes.
By the time night rolled around and Gale took Jade to bed Madge was exhausted. She let him handle bath time and bedtime and stayed on the couch yawning. He came out after reading Jade a story and stood a few yards from her.
"Is it always this awkward?" he asked.
Surprisingly, she smiled. "No. Most people talk to me when I'm around." He let out a deep breath and the corners of her mouth turned down slightly. "You could tell her I'm a cousin, or something. Family friend."
"Cousin," Gale echoed. He hated referring to anyone as his cousin these days. "Friend."
"We could've been friends," she said. He tilted his head as he looked at her. "If you didn't hate me so much."
"I don't hate you."
"You did. Because my dad had money and I lived in a big house." His frown mimicked hers. "Well now he's dead and all my money's gone and I live in an apartment the size of one of the janitor closets in 13." His frown deepened. "Sorry. That was rude."
"Yeah." Madge scratched at her forehead. "Your bedroom's down the hall across from the bathroom," he said. "Don't expect me to do your laundry."
She dipped her head and reached off to the side to grab her suitcase. When she looked back up he had already started walking away. "Gale," she called. He paused. "You're great with her. I won't be here more than two, three months."
"The sooner you're gone the better," he murmured. He left her sitting on the couch in silence.
He didn't make her job any easier by speaking with her. Jade was her only way to communicate with people because Gale was absolutely not having it that Madge Undersee was living in his house evaluating how he would take care of this child. After the first few days and Madge was gone Gale felt like he could breathe again, like he could be himself with Jade again.
The little girl was the biggest blessing. Her smile made Gale smile and she was loving and accepting from the start. Every few nights or so she would climb into bed with him and curl into his side, falling fast asleep. They would play during the day and go out into the district and see all the sights and meet new people. When it was just he and Jade he felt free.
But then Madge returned and he felt like he was suffocating again.
The first day went smoothly, but the second day Jade had a nightmare.
She woke screaming and Gale rushed into her room as quickly as he could, sprinting through his apartment to her. "I want my daddy," she cried, and he rocked her and soothed her quietly.
"It's okay," he whispered, stroking her hair. "It's okay. I'm here." She sniffled and buried her little face into his chest. Gale hadn't even realized Madge in the doorway. "I lost my dad too," Gale told Jade quietly. "It was a long time ago. I know it hurts." Jade continued to sniffle, nodding against him. "It's okay to hurt. But remember that he loved you, okay?" Again Jade nodded as he rocked her. "I'm going to be your family now," he whispered.
She was asleep in minutes but Gale couldn't bear to put her down just yet. He continued rocking her until her hiccupping stopped, and then he laid her back in bed and kissed her forehead sweetly.
He met Madge in the hall, worry was written on her face. "Is she okay?"
"Fine," he murmured. "Nightmare." Madge gnawed on her bottom lip as he pushed past her to go back to his room. "Doesn't happen often. Maybe two, three times since she's been here." Madge nodded and smiled slightly at him. "Go back to bed, Undersee, I can handle my daughter."
Her eyes lit up at his words and a smile graced her face. "Yeah," she whispered. "You can."
Gale stopped and their eyes met for a brief moment. The silence between them wasn't heavy this time, it was steady. He swallowed thickly and bid her a goodnight before returning back to his bedroom. Once he laid in bed he couldn't fall asleep.
During Jade's afternoon nap Madge asked him questions. "How often does she get a bath? Is she getting a full range of fruits and vegetables in her diet? What's her favorite book? Does she wet the bed?" He answered all of them without anger or malice, but finally one struck a nerve in him. "Have you looked into daycares or early education opportunities?"
"She's three years old," Gale growled. Madge looked up at him from her notepad. He swallowed back his temper. "Should I be?"
"It's just a question, Gale." He shifted uncomfortably on the couch. "This isn't a test," she added after a moment of silence. "You don't pass or fail depending on your answer to these questions. They're just for our records."
"She'll be educated when the time comes," Gale said. Madge jotted that down but he still felt uneasy. "I thought the whole point of this program was to put the children in homes that take care of them."
"It is," Madge nodded. "But you've taken a leave of absence from your work since you got Jade and though it's not a bad thing, you're going to have to join the work force again sometime. Putting a child in a daycare isn't against the law. It's good for their social skills, helps them meet other kids their age, and allows you to return to doing something other than building block towers all day." Gale dropped his head into his hands and rubbed at his face. "Personally I love you dedicated you are to Jade, but your life has to go on too, Gale."
Unfortunately he still worked in a weapons department. Ever since Jade arrived he hadn't been having nightmares, hadn't thought about the war once. Returning to his job would bring those memories, those awful feelings back to the surface. He'd made his mistakes and paid for them with the lives of innocent children, innocent people. Not even Jade would be able to help if he started drowning in those thoughts again.
"I'll call," he finally said. "Make some arrangements. Look into it." Madge delve into her briefcase and pulled out a few pamphlets, passing them over to him. "What're these?"
"I, um," she blushed. "On my days off I look into resources in the surrounding area. There are a few childcare centers that would be good. If that's the route you wanted to take."
Gale studied the papers and nodded slowly. "What else have you looked into?"
Madge hesitated but eventually reached back into her bag and pulled out more pamphlets. There were local education centers, gyms where Gale could go and work out that had children centers for Jade to play at, local parks he hadn't known about, organic food markets, the list was endless.
"It's a lot," she said. "I know. But there're always options for so many different things. I've always liked having options."
Gale looked up at her and nodded again. "Thank you," he told her. "I really… I really appreciate this."
"Of course," she bowed her head. "I'm just… doing my job."
Madge left the following day, but when she returned he started talking to her more often. Gale had taken Jade around to all of the childcare centers and let her decide which one she liked the most. It was the most expensive one but reading reviews and looking into it, it was the best there was to offer. And once Jade was all registered in her classroom, mostly just a day full of play, Gale went back to work.
He hated it. He absolutely hated it and went straight to his boss to ask for a transfer. He'd even do a desk job if it didn't put him in the sight of weapons.
When Madge returned Gale was struggling with his memories and self-resentment. Jade could still get him to smile but sleeping was difficult. One afternoon when Madge was over and Jade laid down for a nap, Gale decided to do the same.
He woke a few hours later, disoriented, to sounds and laughter coming from the kitchen. When he entered he found Jade on Madge's hip, helping stir a pot of noodles on the oven, giggling at something.
"Do we add the cheese now?" Jade asked.
"Not yet," Madge told her. "First we wait until the timer goes off. Then we drain the water with the strainer."
"Strainer," Jade repeated, nodding as though she wouldn't forget. "Then the cheese?"
"Then the cheese," Madge nodded. Gale cleared his throat and both girls looked over to find him in the doorway. Madge's face ran pale, "Gale."
"Daddy!" Jade cheered. She had started calling him that a few days ago and it always managed to make him feel better. "Miss Madge is helping with lunch today!"
"I can see that," he murmured. He strode into the kitchen and Jade dropped the spoon, allowing Madge to pick it up. "Why didn't you wake me?" he growled. Jade extended her arms to him and Gale scooped her up. "She is my daughter. You do not need to take care of her. That's my job."
"She's helping with lunch," Jade said again. Gale turned to look at her and sighed slightly. "She told me you looked like you needed to sleep so we made lunch to surprise you." Her lips turned down slightly. "Are you not surprised?"
"Of course I'm surprised," Gale told her, pressing a quick kiss to Jade's nose. Her smile returned at once. "I just wish I could have helped."
"We can set the table!" Jade cheered. Madge finished off the pasta and Jade eventually returned to help. "Your momma used to make these for you?" Jade asked.
"She did," Madge nodded. "She called them cheesy noodles."
"Does she still make them for you?"
Madge sucked in a sharp breath and shook her head. "No. Not anymore." Once the pasta was ready Madge dished out a serving to all of them and Jade ate happily. There was still a bitterness festering in Gale's chest and he couldn't bring himself to look in Madge's direction. She was here to evaluate how good of a parent he could be and she took over his fatherly duties. Once they were all done eating Jade scampered into the living room and Gale hung back to clean up. "Don't be mad at me," Madge said, still sitting in her seat. He cleared the table in silence. "You looked like you needed some rest."
"You don't get to decide that," he snapped. "You don't get to act like she's yours, like you're passing on family traditions by making what your family used to make with her. She's not yours." Madge's eyes held his. "You aren't her mother. You aren't anything to her other than a woman who sits and observes to make sure she's happy. And when your time here is done, you will never see her again." Madge's lips parted slightly. "Is that clear?"
Madge blinked a few times and finally looked away. Pushing herself from her seat she nodded, "Crystal."
He had a hard time falling asleep that night. After a few hours of tossing and turning he sat up and pushed himself out of bed, going toward his balcony to get some fresh air. He stopped when he noticed someone was already out there, but then realized why it was he couldn't sleep and followed Madge outside. She turned her head when the sliding glass door opened but then returned her gaze to the view when she saw him.
"What are you doing out here?" Gale asked.
"I went through a war too, Gale," she told him. Nightmares. Of course she had them. Everyone did these days. He sighed before sinking into a chair beside her. Clearly he couldn't sleep either.
They both sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the hustle and bustle of District 2 below them. Finally he broke the quiet. "I should apologize." Madge said nothing. "For a lot of things." She sighed too and squeezed her eyes shut. Madge pushed herself from her chair but Gale stopped her. "Just, wait a second okay?"
"Gale—"
"I'm sorry about your parents," he started. "I'm sorry for how I treated you in 12. In 13." She took another deep breath and turned her head away from him. "Obviously this isn't making up for what I did, how I behaved, but I know that you never deserved it. My anger was misplaced."
"Well thank you for your apology," she murmured.
"I'm not done." Madge sighed again and shook her head slightly. She didn't want to deal with this. She didn't want a pity party. "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. Jade, she's all I've got now, and—"
"That's not true," Madge said. Her voice was cold like the breeze that fluttered around them. "You have your entire family back in 12. You have a well-paying job, a nice apartment. You have friends, endless friends. People that respect you. People that care about you." Her voice gave out a little at the end. "And you were right. I shouldn't have done what I did with Jade. She's yours, not mine." Madge stood abruptly and the intensity of her actions startled him. "I'm here to observe, not interfere. I shouldn't make assumptions about your life or tell you how to live it."
"Madge—"
"My next visit is my last," she said. Her voice shook as she spoke to him. "And then I'm gone like you wanted me. You don't have to worry about that anymore."
She left him on the porch without another word.
Madge left the next day, her cycle for the week being up, but Gale couldn't shake the uneasiness inside of him. He hadn't meant to be so harsh on her. It came out all wrong. Jade was just special to him. She had brought a light back into his life that he thought he'd never see again. And seeing her with Madge, it made him feel a way he never expected to feel.
Madge cared about Jade, maybe like her own daughter. And Jade, she cared about Madge too. Some days she would ask Gale if Miss Madge would be arriving sooner or later, or if she could go see Miss Madge, or if Miss Madge could go with them to the zoo. And it made Gale feel a certain way, a way he couldn't exactly describe.
When the time rolled around for Madge's final visitation he decided he should be the one to tell Jade. He stooped down to her and very carefully explained that this would be the last time Miss Madge would be coming around.
"But why?" Jade asked. Her eyes were wide and scared. "Why… why?"
"She has other little kids she has to make sure are happy and safe," he told her.
She sniffled, her little eyes filling with tears. "But doesn't she like me?" Jade whispered.
"Of course she does," Gale nodded. He couldn't tell her that Jade was only a job to her. It wasn't even fully true. He knew deep inside that Madge loved Jade in some way. "But she's not… your mom," he tried.
Jade's chin quivered. "But you're not my dad either," she cried. "She could be my mom too. We could all be happy again together."
"Oh, sweetheart," Gale sighed, pulling her into his arms and holding her close.
When Madge arrived that afternoon Jade flung herself at her, begging her to stay forever. Gale stood awkwardly in the background as Madge scooped her into her arms. "I would love to stay," Madge whispered. "But I have to work in a faraway place. Or else I would stay."
"How far?" Jade asked through her crocodile tears.
"So far," Madge said, "that you have to take a train." She brushed Jade's hair from her face and wiped her tears gently. "Maybe I can come back and visit." Gale wondered if she meant it or if she was lying to save Jade's heart. "You can always write to me."
The day was hard. Jade refused to leave Madge's side and they played with all of the toys together. At nighttime she asked Gale if Madge could read a story to her and he agreed. Once Jade fell asleep Madge returned to the living room with a sigh. Gale was waiting for her on the couch.
"They usually," Madge rubbed the bridge of her nose. "They don't get that attached, usually."
"It's okay." Gale pushed himself to stand. "They really sending you somewhere else?"
"No, actually," Madge said, diverting her eyes to the ground. "My next assignment is also here in 2. But she didn't need to know that."
"No, I guess not." He moved until he was in front of her and Madge eventually lifted her eyes to him. "Madge—"
"I'm should get some sleep," she started, but he reached out and grabbed her arm. "Gale," she shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows together. "I don't need your pity. Your apologies. It's okay." She looked up at him finally and he knew that he had made a mistake in how he treated her, in her eyes he saw her soul. She was broken, too. She was lonely and lost and loved Jade so much. "Jade and you, you two deserve so much happiness, and she's finally going to get it and you, too, and—" he leaned in and her words cut off. His lips pressed gently to hers and she gasped into his mouth. "Gale," she whispered.
Her hands reached up to cup his cheeks, his slid around her waist and pulled her closer. Finally he pulled away and pressed his forehead to hers. "What if I asked you to stay?" he murmured.
She shook her head. "You don't want that."
"I do," he said. "I want you to stay." Still, Madge shook her head. "The way you look at Jade, that's what I want in my life. The way you care for her." Again, another shake. "I've been awful to you, I know I have, but that isn't the first mistake I've ever made. I want to make it right with you."
"Because of how I treat her?" she asked. Madge's eyebrows furrowed as her thumbs stroked his cheeks. "That's not right, Gale, that's not a reason you should want me to stay." But that's what he liked about her. The sweetness and sincerity to everything she had even after all she'd been through. The genuine care she had for Jade, for people, even after surviving a war. Jade helped save Gale, but Madge could too. "I can't stay anyone, I have a new assignment."
Gale kissed her again and she sighed, pressing herself onto her toes. "Please," he whispered.
"This is," another kiss, "unpro—fessional," she managed to get out between their lips.
He chuckled and tugged her closer. "I've known you since I was a kid. I couldn't care less." But Madge tilted her head to the side and he sighed. How could he put this into words for her? "We don't have to rush," he said. "But I want you around, Madge. I want to know you." Her hands slid from his cheeks and fisted on his shirt. "And not because Jade would miss you, but because I…" Gale sighed and finally released his hold on her, allowing Madge to take a step away. "I'm trying to do things right," he said. "Not only for Jade, but for me."
"Who's to say I'm right?"
"Who's to say you're not?" Gale echoed. "All I know is I see you, and the way you are with her, and it makes me feel something I haven't in a while. It's why I freaked out. It scared me." He pulled his hand through his hair and huffed. "The war," he started again, "it damaged me. And I'm trying to heal. And I want you to be part of that process."
Madge looked toward the ground. "I'm not 100% either, Gale."
"You don't have to be." He grabbed her hands in his. "Just think about it. Okay? We can give it a chance." He stepped toward her and pressed his lips to her cheek. "Sleep on it," he murmured, leaving her alone in the living room.
The papers were signed the next day, Jade officially joining Gale's care and being signed off as his daughter once and for all. To celebrate they all went out for ice cream, including Madge. Gale kept looking to her for an answer to his plea but all of her attention was focused on Jade, another reason he knew she needed to stay. Madge didn't care for his daughter because it was her job, she just cared.
That night they put Jade to bed together and it felt so right that Gale was going to explode. Once she was asleep and Gale was about to head to his bedroom Madge grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward her.
"Alright, Hawthorne," she murmured, pulling him down as she spoke. "We can give it a try."
The next morning she woke up in his bed and snuck out before Jade woke up, but the bed was warm in her absence and not the kind that made his heart ache, but the kind that promised a future. She left the following day to a very sad Jade, but Gale knew it wouldn't be for long.