UPDATE: 3/4/2020

A/N: Finally, I can start editing this story! After I finish it, the current awaiting chapter should be, for the most part, finished and published. Again, I am so sorry for the long hiatus. That was not planned at all. Unfortunately, life gets in the way. A lot.

The months of December and January were hard for Madison Klein. It was hard for any Easy Company member that went through the wintry hell of Belgium and later France, but this story isn't about Easy Company. This story is about Madison E. Klein, former medic of the 101st Airborne Division, and how she handled coming back to civilian life after spending the last four years away from home, training for and eventually going to war against the Germans, the former home of her paternal family long before she was born.

Did Madison ever regret signing up? No. Her journey taught her how to endure and survive in the worst scenarios. She made friends that were now her family in all ways but blood. The people she served with were, quite honestly, the best group of men she ever knew. They were loyal to one another, and Madison would do absolutely anything for them. They would do anything for her in return, too. They were her family and in a way, also raised her during her latter teenaged years. Sure, she was technically still a teenager, not yet twenty, but she was no longer a child. She was no longer the little girl that her family and friends knew. The girl they knew before the war was not yet sure of herself, somewhat naive and insecure, and wanted to do the right thing. When she returned, she was all but a ghost, a shell of the girl they once knew. It was sad.

Matthew, Sr. and Marlene Klein, Madison's parents, are heartbroken. Months ago, their eldest son and child, Matthew, Jr., was killed in the Pacific. His body was ever sent home. All they had were his medals and a photo of him in his uniform. After three months of being notified of their son's death, and a month after the Second World War was officially over, their firstborn daughter came home. Oh, how they were so happy. The happiness didn't last too long, however, when they realized how much misery their daughter was going through.

Madison was a trooper in every word. She jumped out of airplanes and survived a war. She suffered through her pain with no complaints. She was stubborn and refused help of any sort (or at least tried to). In her opinion, she didn't need it and she sure as hell didn't want it. It was her own burden to bear, not anyone else's. Her family thought otherwise. She has had both night terrors and hallucinations. She broke down very easily. She would smoke and drink, and overall not take care of herself properly. She was sick and needed help. The final straw was when she had a very severe panic attack when it started snowing, out of all the things. Snowing.

Matthew, Sr. and Marlene decided that enough was enough. If Madison couldn't recoup at home, then she could try to somewhere else. They decided, with the agreement of Matthew, Sr.'s brother and his wife, that Madison would stay with them for the time being down in the south. At first, Madison was angry about it. She felt like her parents didn't want her around anymore, and it felt as if someone stabbed her heart with a bayonet. (Market Garden. MIA. Bull. Strangled. Dead German.) It had really hurt her for a while. After talking to her twin sister, Morgan, Madison realized that maybe the change in scenery would be good. It didn't mean that she had to like it, but she would do it. She would do it for her family. She knew that she needed to get better, but it was just so hard.

So, a few weeks after the decision was made, the small family of five packed up and travelled down to Mobile, Alabama. This is where Madison's story begins. This is where her new life begins.

The Klein family all endured a long car ride down to Mobile, where her father's brother and family lived. Surprisingly, Madison slept most of the way without any trouble for the most part. Morgan couldn't help but feel betrayed at this, as Mikey bothered her for most of the trip. (She was happy that her sister was getting a good rest for once, so she couldn't be too mad.)

It was a few days before Christmas Eve when the family of five pulled into the driveway of the southern Klein family. As the family began to either wake up grouchy (see also: Madison) and pile out of the car, Matthew, Sr.'s brother walked out of his beautiful home, which was an American Foursquare. There was just something with Kleins and that type of architecture that they liked.

"Hey, how is everyone?" Madison could hear her uncle's voice as she climbed out of the car, stretching her limbs in the process. Good old Uncle Jack. His birth name was Johann, but people would call him Jack, and he preferred it to be that way. Madison thought of it to be ironic that even if her uncle preferred an "American name", he was still greeting them in German.

"We made it good. We are well." Madison could hear her father reply as she reached back into the car to grab her jacket and shoes. "And you?"

"We are good. Thank you." Jack nodded, before lowering his voice so only his brother could hear.

"How is Maddie?" Jack wondered, as he watched her pop open the car trunk and began to take out luggage. He could see that she was a hard worker. It was a Klein trait, but he couldn't help but wonder how much of the military was still in her.

"Not good," Matthew replied in English, a look of worry on his face. "Marlene took her to the doctor not too long ago. She has War Combat Exhaustion. Every night, I hear her panic. It's heartbreaking to see her go through this alone, Johann. Pop can connect with her, but very little. I just don't know how to help her."

Jack sighed, watching the girl who he would be looking after for only God knew how long. He couldn't exactly see her too well from where he stood, but he could tell wiped out she looked.

"She is not alone in this, Matt. She has our support and I know many of the boys down here are going through the same thing she is," Jack said. "She'll have plenty of support here. I know it will help."

Matthew said nothing, as he gripped onto the railing of the front porch. He was also watching his daughter, who no doubt felt their eyes trained on her, but she never looked up to stare at them. Matthew, Sr. couldn't help but have a wry grin twitch on his face. She was ignoring them.

Madison felt the eyes of her father and uncle trained on her, but she refused to look up as she noticed her family's slack and began to take out their luggage...which was mostly hers, but that was not the point.

Madison barely remembered Mobile, and she was sure her sister was in the same boat. There was also no doubt that Mikey had no memories of the place at all. The last time the Kleins came down to Mobile, the twins were about thirteen, Mikey was five, and Matt was seventeen. All Madison could really remember was the heat of Alabama, and how her uncle loved to tease her. She hated it.

Matthew, Sr. had decided that the family needed a road trip, so they had driven roughly fourteen hours down to their destination. Fourteen whole hours! Madison would have rather much prefer the train, but she really had no say in the matter. She didn't like the car ride, especially since whenever she slept, which would not be for very long, she would wake up in a silent frenzy, for she didn't want to worry her family. It was awful. She felt bad every time, but she couldn't do anything about it.

As Madison unloaded the car, she noticed that her father was talking to his brother. She couldn't hear them too well, but judging by the occasional glance they threw at her she knew they were talking about her. Madison couldn't help but huff about the thought. Always gossiping, they were.

"Do you require help, miss?"

Madison almost jumped in her shoes as she heard the deep tone of Mr. Jamison, the butler to her uncle's family. She looked up at him, taking in his aging face. He was probably in his later sixties if Madison had to guess.

"No, no thank you," Madison responded as she closed the trunk. "I can carry my things, and apparently the rest of my family's as well."

Mr. Jamison chuckled as he picked up two of the suitcases; Mikey's, and their mother and father's.

"It is in the job description, Miss Klein," Mr. Jamison reminded her. He hummed as he noticed that Morgan's suitcase wasn't there. "Your sister took her's in." Madison shrugged.

"I like doing things. It distracts me," she explained as they reached to her father and uncle. Madison couldn't help but wonder where the rest of their family went off to.

"Halo, Corey, how have you been?" Matt, Sr. asked as he took his son's suitcase out of the man's hand and handed it to his youngest. He must have just appeared, because Madison couldn't remember seeing him moments before. She watched as her younger brother ran off with his little suitcase.

"I have been well, thank you," Mr. Jamison nodded. "Your daughter here was just telling me how she likes to carry her own weight. It must be because of her military career, no?"

"Something like that," Matthew agreed. "Maddie, why don't you take your things inside?"

"Just put it up in Amelia's room, is it alright if you and Morgan bunk in together?" Jack asked.

"Ja, don't worry. I'm used to sharing my quarters with others," Madison shrugged off her uncle's concern (why he had it she wasn't really sure, the twins would always bunk with each other and their cousin when they came down). She slightly bowed her head in a silent farewell and entered the house, up the stairs and into her eldest cousin's room. Amelia was in her later twenties and married. She was out of the house, so this wouldn't be a problem. Mikey probably had to bunk in with her younger brother, though. Madison couldn't help but shrug of the thought. It wasn't her problem.

Deciding to unpack later, she went back downstairs to try to find anyone else. As she did she bumped into someone. Both her and the mysterious person let out gasps as they bounced back. Madison's heartbeat became steady again when she realized who it was.

"Amara?"

The young woman kept silent for a moment, trying to figure out who Madison was. It always took people a moment to try to figure out which twin was who.

"...Madison?" Amara guessed. Madison grinned, before nodding in confirmation.

"Yeah, that's me," Madison confirmed, as she looked over Amara. Amara was a tall woman for her age. Madison assumed that Amara inherited her height from her father, Mr. Jamison. Her eyes were a warm shade of brown, and Madison had to deflect the thought of Skip Muck coming to her mind. She was having a lot of trouble keeping the thoughts of her deceased comrades out of her mind, lately; specifically, those who died in Belg-

"Miss Klein? Are you well?"

Madison blinked twice before realizing that Amara was still in front of her. She looked concerned. Then Madison realized that Amara had called her Miss Klein.

"Amara, you don't have to use any formalities on me. It's just Madison, okay?" Madison assured her.

Amara looked hesitant, but she remembered how when she was down here, Madison would hang around her, to the dismay of some. She never did prefer much company to any other person in Mobile that wasn't family. Madison was quite the shy girl around others that she didn't know.

"Alright," Amara gave in. "I'm used to referring people by their surname, is all."

"I know. If you want, you can call me sergeant. I was one, after all," Madison offered jokingly.

Amara scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I don't think so. I think I'll just call you by your name."

Madison shrugged, putting her hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, just thought I'd help."

Amara grinned. "I know."

Madison noticed that Amara had a basket in her arms. She must have a strong grip, but then again, they did not bump into each other very hard. "What's that?"

Amara glanced down at the basket in her arms, before looking back towards Madison.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just have to change your aunt's mother's sheets. She vomited up her lunch right before you arrived, I'm putting new sheets on right now."

Madison couldn't help but cringe. Cleaning up vomit was one of the worst things.

"Are you taking care of Eleonora?"

Amara nodded. "Yes, bless her soul. She's getting old and frail. She's starting to forget things too, so don't be too discouraged if she doesn't remember who you are."

Madison opened her mouth to respond but the sound of her mother's voice filling the house cut her off.

"Madison! Where are you?"

Madison's eyes fluttered briefly as she took a deep breath.

"I should be going. I'll see you later, Amara," Madison gave a short wave of goodbye as she got out of Amara's way and continued going down the steps, as Amara went up.

"Goodbye, Madison," was all Amara said before they went on to their individual tasks.

Madison didn't have to do much more walking until she found her mother, sister, her aunt and her mother sitting down in the sitting area of the house. Her aunt spotted her first.

"Maddie!" Sarah Klein sprung up from her seat to greet her niece. She gave the young girl a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Aunt Sarah," Madison answered as her aunt pulled away. "How are you?"

"I am fine as well. Now come sit! Would you like some tea?"

"No thank you," Madison denied as her aunt led her to sit down next to Eleonora. "Do you have coffee by any chance?"

"Yes, how would you like it?"

"Black is fine," Madison said. Sarah grimaced, but it was barely noticeable.

"Just black?" Sarah asked.

"Just black," Madison nodded in confirmation.

"Alright, I'll be right back," Sarah turned to go to the kitchen. She couldn't believe that Madison took nothing with her coffee. There was nothing wrong with that, of course. Sarah wasn't one to drink plain coffee, and she remembered that Madison used to love to put a lot of cream in her own drink. Sarah couldn't help but wonder about how much Madison had changed. She did not bring it up when she returned, however, for if Madison wanted to tell, then she would.

All the reacquainting talk was boring for Madison.

There was nothing wrong with it, of course. It's always nice to reconnect with family, especially if you're going to be living under their roof for a couple of months. The problem was that Madison really could not jump into the conversation at all. It was mainly because her father and uncle wouldn't stop jabbering, and because Madison wasn't really wanting to talk. The latter was her own fault, she'll admit, but she couldn't help it if she didn't want to share her feelings, okay?

After a while, Madison decided that she was done sitting there, restless, and bored. She quietly slipped away from the room and went upstairs to the bedroom where she and her sister were staying. When she opened the door, she found Mikey sitting on the ground near the bed, his head bent over his curled up knees. He must be upset. Madison didn't like that.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Mikey's head shot up. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Mama said you weren't allowed to curse," Mikey said in a low tone, turning his head away from her. Madison rolled her eyes.

"I don't care. Hell isn't even that bad of a word, anyway," she said. "Why are you in here?"

Mikey shrugged. "I don't know."

Madison couldn't help but frown in concern. She had never really seen Mikey like this. Slowly, she walked towards him before sliding down on the floor next to him. Her legs fell into a criss-cross motion.

"What do you mean that you don't know? What's wrong?" Madison asked, looking at him softly but intensely. Mikey shrugged again.

"Mikey, I can't help you if you don't talk to me. I'm not a mind reader, you know."

Mikey stayed silent. Then he sighed.

"Do you have to stay here?"

Madison could only stare at his tiny frame of a body. He was rather small for a boy his age. He was almost of average height, but he wasn't quite there. He was skinny too; so skinny that many thought he was a sickly kid. He wasn't, he just had the luck of coming from a small family. Their Oma always told them that their father was the same way, and so was Matt, now that Madison thought about it. She could barely remember, but she was sure Mikey looked a lot like their older brother at the age of ten.

"I don't want you to stay here," Mikey said. "Mama will be really sad again, like how she found out about Matt."

Madison swallowed thickly at the mention of Matt.

"Mikey, are you afraid that I'm going to be like Matt? Never coming home?" Madison asked softly, as it felt like the words were sticking to her throat. Mikey thought about it before nodding. Madison leaned in and wrapped her arms around her younger brother tightly. "Oh, Mikey. I never thought about it, did anybody ask how you were after that?"

"Not really. A lot of people told me they were sorry, and Morgy and I would talk, but that was it. I didn't want to make mama or pop sad by talking about him. I know it makes you sad, too, so I didn't say anything about him when you came home."

Hearing her brother's confession made Madison's heart shatter. He was sacrificing his own healing heart to help her and her parents. That wasn't right, he deserved to talk about Matt if he wanted or needed too. He couldn't put himself on the line like that. He was a child. She didn't let go of her brother as she began to talk.

"I'm sorry, Mikey. You know that mama and papa would want you to talk to them? They wouldn't want you to feel so sad, either," she explained. She pulled away, but forced her brother to look at her. "Maybe after you all leave, you can try to talk to them? I promise, I won't go away like Matt did, but I really do think that it's best if I stayed with Uncle Jack and Aunt Sarah for a little while. It'll be okay. You can write to me, you can even call me! It won't be like when I was in Europe. Okay?"

In those few sentences, Madison had found that she was okay with staying down in Mobile for a while. She felt bad that her little brother was down about it, though.

"Besides, we have a few more days together. We're going to celebrate Christmas and New Year's! I wonder what Santa brought us this year, huh?"

"Santa's not real," Mikey told her. Madison held a look of shock on her face.

"What do you mean? Of course, Santa is real!"

"Did he bring you any presents?" Mikey asked her. She knew what he meant: did the jolly old man give her presents during her Christmases with the Airborne. In a way, he did. Madison couldn't help but think about "jolly old saint Luz" for a moment. She smiled.

"Ja, he did. Although, I'm sure I didn't get quite as much as you. We were both very busy people."

"What did you get?"

Madison thought about it for a moment.

"Friends, chocolate, and cigarettes."

Mikey scrunched up his nose.

"Those aren't gifts, they're needs. And mama doesn't like it when you smoke," he said.

"They are too, gifts!" Madison declared. "And I know mama doesn't like it when I smoke, but it is a need of mine. I'll admit it's an addiction."

The events in Belgium brought a new definition to Christmas, New Year's, and winter in general. Those few months were the roughest for Easy, and it had stuck with all of them once they returned home.

On Christmas Eve, Madison couldn't sleep. That was nothing new, of course, but she was on high alert and couldn't even close her eyes to even try to get some rest.

Madison decided to occupy herself downstairs in the kitchen, brewing herself some coffee, spiked with alcohol. It made her loosen up and forget about what was currently eating her up. It sometimes worked. However, as she sat at the kitchen island, her hand holding her cup as she zoned out, she realized that nothing could help her escape her past.

God damn it.

Belgium was the worst of the worst. They had no supplies and no winter gear. They had so many wounded and so many killed. It was so cold; freezing temperatures and the snow never stopped. Snow, caked with soil and arterially and blood and gu-

The thoughts were overwhelming. It was so overwhelming and so frustrating, because she couldn't stop it, no matter how hard she tried. She heard the shellings and rifles going off; the screams of desperate men as they tried to hold it together, dying or not. She saw blood. There was bright red blood in the snow, her friends were hurt and dying and it was all on her han-

SMASH.

The sound of glass breaking took Madison out of her trance. She tensed up, paranoid of the noise. Was someone in the house? Looking around, she saw nor heard any movement. Then she looked down and realized the cause of the sound. Her coffee mug was on the ground, shattered in pieces. She could barely register the liquid content on the ground and then her gaze redirected down towards her abdomen. Some of her coffee were on her pajama pants. It wasn't hot enough to burn, but she could still feel it seep through the fabric.

"Shit," Madison swore, as she got up from her seat. Just as she hopped off her seat, the kitchen light turned on. She froze.

Oh, fuck. I've been caught, she thought, not wanting to face whoever had entered the room. What if it was burglar? A killer? Oh, God damn her, how the fuck was she supposed to defend herself? With broken glass shards? Was there a way out? She could-

"Miss Klein? Are you alright?"

Madison took a deep breath, sighing in relief. It was just Mr. Jamison.

"Oh, thank God," she muttered to herself before turning towards the butler. She offered him a cheesy grin. "Mr. Jamison, hi."

"It seems to appear that we have a night owl in the household. Trouble sleeping?" Mr. Jamison inquired.

Madison gave a nervous laugh as she glanced down to the mess she made.

"Oh, you have no idea."

Mr. Jamison raised an eyebrow. "Did you have an accident, Madison?"

"I...uh, broke a coffee mug," Madison explained in a rather awkward and sheepish manner. "Help?"

Mr. Jamison gave a tight lipped smile and said, "That's what I'm here for, Madison."

"How did you know it was me?" Madison wondered as Mr. Jamison came to her side. Together, the two bent down and began to pick up the shards of broken glass.

"I could always tell you two girls apart, identical or not," Mr. Jamison explained, not bothering to look at Madison as they focused on the mess. "You also have that scar in your eyebrow."

"Not that many people notice that, I'm impre-owie!"

Mr. Jamison looked up as Madison retracted back from the mess. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Madison hissed, as her right hand clamped onto her left. "It's just a...cut."

Madison got quiet as she studied her small wound. It was a cut and blood was seeping out. She paused and only stared at it. It was just a cut. Just a cut...

"Madison? Maddie? Miss Madison? Miss Klein?"

Madison looked up into the worried eyes of Mr. Jamison.

"I told you not to call me that," Madison said quietly.

"I'm sorry, miss, but you appeared to be in a different plane. Are you alright?"

Madison blinked, before glancing back at her hand and looking back up to Mr. Jamison.

"Yeah, I'm fine. No stitches are needed if that's what you're asking," Madison answered. She rose from her crouched position. "I'm just going to clean this..."

Madison didn't give Mr. Jamison time to answer her as she moved to the sink and turning the faucet. She rinsed her blood hand and wrist under the hot water, her mind still muddled. Oh, how she wished she could just sleep and not be bothered by her PTSD. She couldn't help but wonder if she was cursed. She probably was. She most definitely was.

Christmas morning came. Mr. Jamison had sent Madison back to bed, and she was curled up in the blankets for the rest of the night. She ended up taking about three catnaps, so that had to count for something in sleep, right? Oh, how she truly missed sleeping. It used to be one of her favorite past times in the world but sadly, the war ruined it.

Fucking war.

Madison was perfectly comfortable in the cocoon she made from her blankets, until Mikey bursted into the room at almost seven in the morning, shouting for his sisters to get up.

"Wake up! Wake up! Santa came! Santa came!"

Madison smiled sleepily at the little comment about Santa Claus. The night before Mikey was worried that the old man would miss them because they were in Alabama for Christmas, not Ohio. Her parents weren't exactly sure how to tell him about either A) Santa was not real or B) Santa was not going to miss them. Madison had saved the evening by reminding him that she wasn't even in the same country for two years and yet Santa had still dropped presents off for her. Marlene had sighed in relief, knowing that Mikey idolized his big sister and would probably believe in anything that she told him. Matthew was impressed that his son still believed in the myth, even with his doubts.

Madison suddenly tensed up, as she knew something was about to happen. On instinct, she rolled out of bed and hit the floor. It was a soft landing, since Amelia's bedroom had carpet. She could hear the groans of disappointment coming from Mikey as he landed on the mattress she was just on, as well as the grunts of Morgan. He must have landed on her.

"Michael," Morgan growled out. Morgan was not a morning person.

Mikey pouted. "Maddie! That's no fair, I wanted to surprise you!"

"Not a good idea," Madison warned him, as she slowly crawled out from her bundle of sheets. She sat on the floor, legs crossed, yawning. "What do you want?"

"No one in the house is up yet, and I know that you don't sleep. Are you a vampire?"

"No," Madison debunked. "If I was a vampire, I don't think I would look tired and be yawning. What do you think?"

Mikey thought about it.

"You could be an actress!"

"I don't think so."

"Can you two shut up?" Morgan asked, as she pulled her pillow over her head, trying to block out her brother and sister. Madison couldn't help but grin.

"Oh, come on, Morgy. It's Christmas! It's time to play around and open presents and shit, right?"

There was silence.

"Right?" Madison repeated. A flash of panic went through her. Shit. "Isn't that what we do? Because I don't think you-"

"That's it. I'm up, I'm up," Morgan finally gave in, forcing herself to sit up in bed. She glared at her brother and sister. "Is this good enough for you?"

"You look beautiful, Morgy," Madison grinned, baring her teeth. Morgan didn't like that look, even though a small flash of content passed through her. Madison didn't smile very often, and never like this, too. She didn't say anything about it, not wanting to ruin the mood. "Now what do we do?"

"We go wake up mama and pop!" Mikey declared. "Let's go!"

Before either of his sisters could say anything, Mikey rolled off the bed and dashed right out of the room. Madison couldn't help but smile as she watched her brother so energized and full of life. For a moment, she felt like she was her old self. Madison eyes flickered to Morgan, who caught her gaze.

"Should we go follow him?"

"Probably."

It was twenty minutes later and the entire Klein clan finally gathered around the Christmas tree, with a very hyper Mikey and Jacob, Jack and Sarah's son who was twenty-two and got along with Mikey well, bouncing in their spots. Most of the adults, including the twins, were still not quite up, but were all happy to be in the room.

Matthew decided that he would hand out the presents. It would be the kids who went first. After they were given their presents, they would all open their gifts one at a time. Mikey received toys, which was never a surprise. He also received nice clothes, which he would probably get dirtied up seconds after wearing them, but it was always nice to get clothes even if he didn't care for it. The twins also received a lot of clothes. Madison noticed that much of her ne consisted of high waist pants, dress shirts, and outfits that basically yelled: young adult woman.

"Why do I have so many...nice things?" Madison tried to word it what would be deemed as "right", but as always, she failed. Her parents knew what she meant, though.

"You're going to start working for Uncle Johann," Matthew said. "After the holidays."

Madison blinked owlishly at him.

"Oh," was all Madison said, before she turned back to open another present of her's. She picked it up, feeling the weight. It could be considered heavy. She unwrapped it and upon seeing the title, her mouth opened wide. It was The Popular Medical Encyclopedia. It had a red cloth cover, the title in black with a caduceus in a gold oval on the center of the cover. Madison flipped the book over to examine it.

"I know how much you like to study medicine, so I saved up all my earnings and bought the latest edition for you."

Madison's mouth was still open. She closed it then opened it again, trying to find the words. Morgan had bought her the latest edition of the study on modern medicine. She didn't know how to feel or what to say.

"It's fine," Madison finally said at last, choking up. "I...this is wonderful. Thank you, Morgan. This is really...oh my God. I don't know why I'm like this."

Morgan leaned over to hug her sister. "It's okay. I'm just glad you really enjoy it. Now, what did you get me?"

Madison couldn't help but laugh as her sister changed the subject so quickly. She handed her sister the present she had saved for a little while now. She was impressed that she had successfully hidden away from her sister, who was an expert seeker.

Morgan had a feeling what it was, and when she opened it she squealed. It was a new handbag! Her current one was very worn out. Very worn out.

"Oh, I've been wanting a new one so bad! Thank you! Thank you so much! Oh, danke!"

"Open up the bag," Madison nodded her head towards it.

Morgan did as she was told. Her eyes widened enough that you would think they would have rolled out of her sockets.

"Oh my God, where did you get all of this?" Morgan paused, as she looked over the jewelry and riches. "Did you steal this?"

Madison couldn't help but sputter. She didn't steal anything. Her friends did!

"No," Madison scoffed, denying the accusation. "But I won't tell you where I got it from."

Morgan groaned. "No fair!"

"Where did you get this book from?" Madison asked, popping her hand on the book.

"I won't tell you where I got it from," Morgan echoed her sister's words.

"See? That's fair."

Morgan gave her sister a narrowed look. For a moment, Madison thought she was looking at their mother. She offered a mischievous grin.

"Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!"

Morgan hit her in the arm. Madison hit her sister back.

It was going to be a good year.