Page 95 of Rising Star

“I’ll check on that delicious breakfast of yours, girls,” she announced, pulling away from me to get up.

“Can I ask something to Maddie?” Mikaella’s tone had turned serious. Since the day she’d come onboard with the idea of Madison and I dating, a permanent smile had taken root on her face. My little girl had never been happier.

The four of us were joined at the hips.

I had everything I wanted in life. For now.

Mikaella fidgeted with the hem of her blue nightgown. Gone was the black. Now she dressed in colors all the time. I only had Madison to thank for this change. She brought sunshine into our stormy days and planted seeds of love into our hearts.

“What is it?” Madison asked, lifting my daughter on her lap and wrapping her arms around her. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?” Mikaella nodded, her golden irises sparkling. Her eyes drifted to me.

“Whatever it is, sweet pea, you can tell us. We love you both so much. It’s okay,” I said, trying to encourage her to speak up.

“Huh, can I call you Mama too?” My girl’s eyes rounded, and a pink hue covered her cheeks.

I was sure my heart grew butterfly wings.

I tried to talk, but words got stuck in my throat. My vision blurred, and when I cocked my head, Madison had tears shining in her eyes, and she blinked, trying to stop the flow from streaming down her cheeks.

“I already call her Mama,” Justine said. “I always call her Mama.”

“I know, baby,” I said, trying to keep my composure.

Madison fastened her grip around my eldest daughter. “Mika, is this what you want?”

“Yes.”

“Mama is fine with me. In my heart, you are my little girl, no matter what. And I love you.”

Mikaella rose to her knees and looped her arms around her neck. “I’m sure I love you more.”

Right there, time stopped.

How could I ask for anything else in life?

They hugged, and Justine and I joined in, our family bubble filled with so much love and respect for one another. It was rare, unique, and exclusively ours.

“Ready to go back home next week?” I asked once we all stopped crying and took our place around the kitchen table, ready to enjoy our—whatever. It looked like cereals after all.

Both girls shook their heads.

Mikaella tugged at my sleeve. “Do we have to go home? Vacations are the best. I love it here.”

“I want to stay on the bus. I like the bus,” Justine said, pouting.

“I think we should go on a real vacation. All of us.”

“Like a princess castle vacation?” my baby girl asked, her eyes big as saucers.

“No, more like a beach vacation. What do you think?”

“I love the beach,” Mikaella exclaimed.

“Me too,” Justine echoed.

“Me three,” Madison added.

I let out a loud chuckle. “Me four,” a voice said from behind. We all turned to stare at Riley as he took a seat beside us. “So, what are we having here, guys? Cereals? Hmm, that looks yummy.” The girls snickered as my friend fixed himself a bowl. “About this vacation, can I come too?”