Sofia The First - Life of the Cast - Chapter 6
After watching her husband's car leave the hospital parking lot, she turns towards the entrance of the building and walked into the waiting area, where she spots Katie sitting close the door that separated the patients and families.
"Ready Katie?" She asked.
Katie nods her expression betraying nothing, but her eyes showed how nervous and scared she was.
"Yes, how did Mr. Harry take the news about Maddie?" she asked.
Maria frowns sadly, "He isn't trilled and I can tell something is bothering him, but when I pressed him, he quickly came up with excuse and hung up."
Just then Katie got a ding from her phone, curious she unlocks her phone and after reading what was on the screen the color drains from her face.
At seeing her eldest's reaction, she asked, "What is it?"
Without a word she hands her mother the phone pressing play, it was random new channel, with the captions on the bottom of the screen saying.
"Child Actor, Madeline Jones! Really ill or fake?"
"Disney rising child star Madeline Jones accused of faking illness, our sources say that the young star was pressured by her peers-"
Maria quickly clicks off the phone handing it back, to a still silent Katie, her anger boiling underneath the surface, as they make their way towards the reception desk.
"Maria Jones and Kathrine Jones, here to see Madeline Jones." She states calmly.
The young man at the desk smiles and after a quick look on his computer he nods and quickly hands them name tags, before wishing them a good day.
As mother and daughter walked down the hall towards the children's ward, they were quickly stopped by Dr. Daniels.
"Mrs. Jones, Madeline is-" She tries to say but was cut off by worried mom.
Alarmed Maria asked "Doctor is my Madeline alright?"
The woman nods, "Yes she is stable, sorry to alarm you, but she is currently eating lunch in the children's ward lunch room, because of her extreme weight loss, we started off light, basically soup and bread, nothing too heavy as it would upset her system, when she goes home a a few weeks, I would like you start off with light foods to see how she handles it, then slowly work your way back to a normal eating pattern."
Katie just tunes out the adults as she quickly spots the room that read, "Children's Café" with years of experience of slipping away from her parents notice, she quickly makes her way into the room, where she see array of children of various ages wearing pajamas or hospital gowns eating or playing games together, a quick scan of the room she was able to spot her sister sitting at a table, happily munching on what looked like some bread that she was dipping into what appeared to be a bowl of soup.
But as Katie got closer she saw that the young girl was eating apple slices and dipping them in a small bowl of peanut butter.
"I am sure that the doctor told Mom that you were only suppose to eating light foods." Katie states slightly sternly as Madeline turns with a guilty smile on her face.
"Traded it." Madeline said her mouth still full of food, much to Katie disgust.
"Eeww, don't eat with your mouth full that is gross." Katie complained dramatically, making Madeline giggle before swallowing and pushing the food aside.
"You must be my big sister, Katherine aka Katie, Dad told me about you and even showed me a picture of you." Madeline states calmly, no real recognition in her eyes.
Katies nods and sits across from Madeline and reaches into her back pocket, pulling out a deck of cards.
"Wanna play "Go Fish"? she asked.
Madeline nods and soon they were engrossed in the game, even had a few other children join in.
For the next few weeks with help from her doctors and support from her family and friends, Madeline was on the way to recovery and soon enough was stable enough to go home, but unfortunately she still had amnesia, while she got bit and pieces of random memories at times, they just didn't make any sense to her, which a cause of much frustration and outburst of tears, so the doctors and therapists suggest having her write or draw her feelings out in order for it not burden her so much.
When Madeline woke up that morning she was both excited, but also extremely nervous as well, she was finally getting out of the hospital and going home with her parents and Katie, thankfully they had brought some pictures of their house and some of their family and friends so that they way she would know who was who.
Getting up she quickly used the bathroom and got dressed, just as her door opens to reveal Katie and her parents.
"Hey! Mads, ready to go?" Katie asked reaching out to take her hand
Madeline nods with a smile on her face as she took the older girl's hand, while her parents grabbed the small purple backpack, after a short wheelchair ride, the family of four were soon outside the hospital doors and in the car, on the way home.
When Harry was notified that Madeline was out of the hospital and home with her family, he was relieved, but also concerned because from the sounds of things, the young girl was still struggling with her memory and it was causing her to random fits of anxiety, tantrums or sadness that it was almost impossible for her parents or sister to console her.
Sighing heavily, he looks through his piles of paperwork not really taking anything in as his mind was otherwise occupied, but a knock to his door shook him out of it as he said.
"Come in."
The door opens to reveal Conner, the man was wearing a simple button down light pink shirt with acid washed jeans, his hair fully black without the dyed gray bangs.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Conner asked.
Harry nods, gestures for the man to take a seat, "Yes, I was wondering since you have some knowledge in child rearing, if you knew of any Caregivers/Nannies that would be willing to help with Madeline and give her parents a much needed break."
Not many knew that Conner Kol was actually guardian to the young girl that played his niece on the show or that he was a licensed foster parent, he kept that part of his life very private for a good reason as most assume that he was a bachelor, but he was in fact happily married to his partner of 20 years who was also a foster parent as well, they are just extremely private.'
"I think I know of one, her name is Kimberly Kol, she was a nanny for about 20 years now, she was a children's nurse for about 10 years before deciding to become a nanny, she has recently just got done with the last family she served, she is also my older half sister, I will give her a call and see if she is interested and also I would suggest telling the Jones about this idea, before I give them her number."
Harry nods and thanks the other man profusely.
After the other man left Harry quickly rang up the Jones and told them about his offer of a Caregiver/Nanny for Madeline, they were unsure at first, but decided that they would try it out and thanked the man before hanging up, just as Louise came in.
"Hey Harry, I just got off the phone with the owner of that castle you had been eyeing for both interior and exterior, but we will have to set up "Sofia's" room on the sound stage, aside from all that the only time we will to go to the location is after the kids are done with school or lessons, have you heard anything from the lawyer about that poor excuse of a human?" she grimaces at the mention of the woman who was the cause of Madeline's condition.
Harry sighs, "She was charged with abuse of a minor, but because Madeline doesn't remember anything about it, it will be likely that she will walk free."
Everyone within hearing range could hear Louise loud, "WHAT!" along with a few selective and colorful choices of words that would make a sailor blush.
After a long and stressful day, the family finally got ready for bed, everyone was sleeping peacefully all except for the house's youngest.
Madeline whimpers as sweat starting to pool down her face and body, the images of raised voices, cruel mocking and pain overwhelmed her.
Madeline had just been dropped off by her Mom and was now sitting in a large warehouse made to a classroom surround by other girls that she knew were actors like her, she even spots her friend, Juliet.
"Juliet! Come sit by me." Madeline said waving her friend over in her direction.
Juliet smiles widely, coming over and sits down beside her younger friend.
Everyone was talking quietly among themselves, when the door to the classroom burst open, causing everyone to go silent in both curiosity and fear.
A tall woman with a stern disposition came in, a scowl seem to be a permanent fixture on her face as she said coldly.
"Welcome to "Royal Etiquette and Rules." my name is Ms. Claire, I am here to teach you how to behave like actual royalty through the ages, I will not tolerate failure or childish misbehavior, consequences will be sever, now let's get started."
Madeline watched helpless as she watched herself get scolded and insulted by the teacher, which at first caused the other students to pity her, but once Ms. Claire got through to them, they started to join in on her torment, only Juliet never took part in it and even tried to protect Madeline from the worse of it, but wasn't always successful, especially since Madeline had an hour of extra private lessons after everyone left.
"Sit like a royal Madeline, they do not squirm or slouch!"
"No, no, princess don't eat sweets or any junk food! You will get fat and no one wants a fat princess!"
"Madeline! Princesses don't run or jump or sweat at all."
When Madeline was standing on the makeshift staircase, she decided to slide down the banister, but once she got to the bottom, Ms. Claire grabbed her roughly and said.
"Princesses don't slide on banisters, I want you walk up and down those stairs like a proper princess until you can't, plus you are starting to look a little chubby, lazy girl."
Then after that they had dance lessons and etiquette lessons
Mr. Henry: One two three. One two- (Madeline accidentally steps on his foot) Oof!
Madeline said Pardon, Mr Henry.
Mr. Henry said Madeline, I am supposed to lead.
Madeline said Why?
Mr. Henry said Do not ask foolish questions. (Madeline steps on his foot again) Ow!
Lunch time was simple affair as the kids ate their food while the two "teachers" were off in what was suppose to pass for a office, complaining about Madeline mostly.
Was asking foolish questions and claiming how English food is the finest food on earth." Henry exclaims.
Ms. Claire just smirks and said "Do not worry, I will nip that in the bud later after everyone is gone."
Later back in class
Mr. Henry said "And so it is good manners to always agree with a gentleman."
Madeline disagreed saying "That is ridiculous."
Mr. Henry said "Madeline, a Princess or Lady of Royalty does not express her opinion unless she is asked for it."
he then turns to look at the rest of the group, "Young ladies repeat after me "I'm sure I don't know a thing about it sir tell me what you think"
"Being a princess is so boring!" Madeline states frustrated.
Ms. Claire scowls at the young girl and said "It is not supposed to be fun!"
"Then what is the point of this dumb class" Madeline grumbles.
Then after the lesson came the pillow fight, which was suppose to be a sort way for the girls to have fun and relax.
Playtime and so began a pillow fight
Davina said take that Sarah'
Sarah giggle Davina stop it
Victoria said you are horrid. Cassandra
Cassandra, giggled "Victoria, stop it!"
Emma and Juliet Joined the rest and soon the room was a mess of feathers and deflated pillows.
Meanwhile Sarah had Madeline cornered and was insulting her.
Sarah said you have no breeding and no manner of a Princesses at all as she hit Madeline with a Pillow
Madeline said Sarah you are horrible! you sing off key you are the suppose to breath through your nose while you sing. mine Mom taught when was three year old how sing without slipping up."
Ms. Claire said Sarah and Madeline what is going on ?
"She attacked me Ms. Claire for no reason." Sarah said with fake tears streaming down her face.
Madeline said "That isn't true"
Ms. Claire said no more arguments from you you have broken quite enough rules once more and you shall be in serious trouble Madeline!
Madeline said "Yes Ms. Claire"
"Now! Nap Time Girls!" the woman said.
Some of the older girls looked puzzled but soon followed the younger ones and soon every one was asleep.
All except for Madeline who was being dragged away from everyone, unaware of the horrors she would be facing soon after.
Madeline had tears streaming down her face as she was forced to relive the worst 2 weeks of her young life, especially the second week as Ms. Claire had decided to use physical means to keep her in line, then she would be threaten into silence and had to lie to everyone about her bruises or marks, secretly putting on her mother's make up in order hide her exhaustion and any visible bruises from everyone and even started to wear lairs of clothes to hide her now extremely skinny frame , but she got sloppy and collapsed.
Tears continued streamed down her face as the shame and guilt of the memories played like a broken record on loop, she tried to block them out, but it was overwhelming as she tried run from it only to trip and fall into what seemed like an endless abyss, her screams growing faint.
Blood curing screams resound around the house, waking up everyone as they raced towards Madeline's room.
Jerry was the first one to get there and burst through the door and flicks the light on, he quickly goes over to his distraught and terrified little girl, embracing her as she cried, her mother and sister were running their hands on her back to help both comfort and sooth her.
After a while she pulled away, fresh tear tracks on her face, her eyes red as she looks at everyone in the room and looks down in shame.
"I am sorry I woke you up." She said which broke everyone's heart.
Jerry simply grabs her chin and tips in his direction so that their eyes could meet as he said firmly.
"Never ever apologize for waking us up or having a nightmare, we are all here to help you."
"You know if you tells us what the dream was about, it might make you feel better." Katie piped in.
Unsure, but willing to try, Madeline recounts as much of the "dream" as she could, unaware that they went pale with anger, but they hide well as to not scare her.
After she was done, she let out a jaw cracking yawn.
"Feeling better, sweetie?" Maria asked softly.
Madeline nodded and snuggles into Jerry's arms further, before falling asleep, not want to disturb her, they all decided to sleep pile onto the bed, even Ginny came in and slept with them.
Soon she was dreaming again, only this time she was standing in front of a mirror.
Staring at her reflection she was startled when it wicked and gave her a mischievous smile and stepped out of the mirror, startling Madeline a bit as she was soon face to face with her "Twin"
"W-who are you?" Madeline asked worried.
The other girl smiles and said, "I am you or rather to be more specific, I am the holder of your memories."
Madeline looks at her surprised, which quickly turned to annoyance as she states. "Seriously I have been walking around with no idea of who or where I am, where did you go?!"
The other Madeline looks sheepish and explains, "You have to understand that your body and mind were under a lot of stress and pain, when you collapsed, I retreated to protect us, sorry about not showing up sooner and also sorry about slipping those awful memories, that was an accident, but I am here now."
"Great now how to do I get my memories back?" Madeline asked.
"Close your eyes and I will do the rest, but when you wake up, you will remember everything once more."
Madeline sighs and said, "Just don't that again please."
The other nods and said "I promise, now close your eyes."
Wary Madeline closes her eyes and suddenly she saw a blinding light, before she suddenly woke up with a jolt, looking around she saw that she was surrounded by her family on her bed, smiling she went back to sleep, happy to finally be home and whole once more.