A Christmas Wish

By Destiny's Vision

Chapter 1: A Mother's Love

Madison worked around in her room, packing certain things into her suitcase. She was once again spending the night with her best friend Sakura. But, this was no ordinary sleepover. It was now Christmas Eve, and the Avalons had invited Madison to spend both Christmas Eve and Day with them. Of course, it didn't even take a moment for Madison and her mother to accept the invitation. Besides, Madison and Sakura were such good friends, and to deny an invitation like this would be cruel to both of them.

Now, as Madison though about the friendship, she stopped moving. " Best friends." she thought out loud. " That's what they think we are. That's what she thinks we are. God, why can't I tell her how I feel?" Then, Madison shook her head in dismay. " Then again," she continued. " That's obvious. If I told her, she would probably hate me. She'd never even speak to me again. And then, when everyone else found out, they'd all hate me too, especially my mother. God, she'd be so ashamed that I was her daughter. I'd be alienated from my entire family, let alone society."

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on her room's door. " Come in." Madison said. Then, the door opened to reveal her mother. " Hello dear." Her mother greeted. Madison smiled. " Hello Mother." Madison answered. Her mother then walked in to the room. " Preparing to go to Sakura's house?" she asked. " Yes." Madison answered. " I'll be leaving soon." " Well," her mother said. " I was planning on going out for some late Christmas shopping. So, is their anything you'd like me to get you while I'm out?" Madison smiled. She knew her mother was joking with her. She knew that all of the presents she could ever want, and then some, were bought at least two weeks ago. Her mother always did this, so she was never caught in the true Christmas rush. " No Mother." Madison answered. " I'm sure everything I could ever want has already been bought." " Oh, come now, Madison." Her mother joked. " I can't get everything you want. Come on, don't you have a Christmas wish you would like granted? One that even I don't know about?"

Madison nearly laughed, knowing her mother was still joking, but she suddenly stopped. In her mind, she knew of such a wish; a wish that she had been thinking about earlier. This thought brought a sad look to her face, telling her mother that something was wrong. She then looked away, trying to hide her sadness.

" Madison," her mother asked. " Is something wrong?" There was no answer. The mother then placed her hand on Madison's shoulder, making her turn her head to face her mother. " Madison," her mother asked. " Please, tell me what has made you so sad."

" It's… it's just what you said." Madison answered. " But, I was only joking." Her mother said. " And yet," Madison said, " There is a wish I have; a wish I so dearly want granted. But, I don't believe you can grant it." " Now Madison," her mother argued.

" I'm sure it's nothing our family can't afford." " Mother," Madison said, frustrated. " It's not that kind of wish! It's not the kind of thing you can wrap, or hold in your hand. It's something much more. It's… it's the love of someone."

" Oh." Her mother said, surprised. " That is a big wish. And, I can see from the way you act that this is not just a crush." " Oh no!" Madison exclaimed. " I assure you mother, this is no crush. I mean, every time I'm around… this person, I feel entirely different. I'm totally happy, no matter how I felt before. And, I feel as if I have no problems in my life. It's… it's like I'm in my own personal heaven." " I see." The mother said. " But, I don't understand why such happiness could make you so sad."

" Mother," Madison said. " The reason this makes me sad is that if anyone knew I felt this way towards this person, I would be alienated from everyone I know, and would basically be a freak of society." " No Madison," her mother said. " That can't be true. I mean, what could be so bad about loving this boy?" Madison then starred into her mother's eyes. Her own eyes now released tears, telling her mother that the problem had been mentioned. Immediately, her mother realized what was wrong. " Oh dear God." Her mother said nervously. " It's… a girl, isn't it?" " Yes." Madison answered. " Yes, it is." For a moment, there was an awkward silence. Then, the mother spoke. " How long-" she began. " Ever since I met her." Madison interrupted. " At first, I tried to convince myself it was wrong, and I couldn't really be having such feelings. But, I eventually gave up, mainly because I realized I couldn't fight the love I was feeling." " Madison," her mother asked. " Why didn't you tell me?"

At that, Madison glared up at her mother with frustrated eyes. " Why did I not tell you?" she asked. " You know why. It's because I knew you'd feel the way you feel now." " What do you mean?" the mother asked. " You know what I mean." Madison said, in a sad, frustrated voice. " Our family has always been known for being Readington's best; the one's who were always proper, and never did anything wrong. And now, you just found out that I have feelings that contradict what our family is known for. I'm sure that I have put shame to this family, at least in your eyes. Why, I bet you're ashamed that I'm your daughter."

" Madison!" her mother exclaimed. " Don't say such a thing!" Madison looked at her mother, confused. " What do you mean?" she asked. " My dear Madison." Her mother said tenderly. " Please, sit down." And so, the two sat down on Madison's bed, as her mother put her arm around Madison's shoulder.

" Madison," her mother asked. " How could you possibly think that I would be ashamed that you are my daughter?" " I can because it has to be true." Madison answered. " Mother, I have contradicted one of your strongest beliefs. How could you not be ashamed of me?" " Madison," her mother said. " Do you really not know me that well? Madison, if you wish for the truth, I do not agree with the ways of homosexuality, especially Yuri, being it includes my own gender. But even at that, Madison, I could never be ashamed of you. You are my daughter, let alone the pride of our family. I have taught you everything I know, and you have shown it all. I may not agree with this, but that doesn't mean I'll be ashamed of you. Besides, it is obvious that this is not fully wrong." " How so?" Madison asked, as the tears began to stop coming.

" Why, isn't it obvious?" her mother asked. " Madison, what you feel is not caused by some sick fad, or peer pressure. It was caused by the ways of true love. You have already shown me that you love this girl, and I'm not about to not allow you to have this love, even if I don't agree with it."

Madison starred at her mother, and then gave a short smile. But, it soon formed into a frown once more. " That is nice to hear," Madison said. " But…" " That's not what you truly want." Her mother finished. " Yes." Madison said. " There is still the love that I am sure this girl can't give me." " Well," her mother said. " I will not ask who this girl is. You can tell me that when you think the time is right. But, in my opinion, if this person is as good of a friend as she sounds, I don't believe this kind of confession could ruin your friendship." " What do you mean?" Madison asked.

" Well," her mother continued. " I believe if your friendship is strong, even if you tell her how you feel, I'm sure your friendship would change a bit, but not totally end, even if she rejects you. But, if you tell her, and she does accept you, you will have found the most precious thing in this world. You will have found true love."

Madison looked into her mother's eyes, and made a big smile. She then wrapped her arms around her mother, and laid her head on her shoulder. " Thank you," Madison said, letting her eyes release more tears. " Thank you, Mother." " Your welcome, my dear Madison." Her mother said, gently rubbing her back. " I am always her for you; here to help you through the most difficult thing in life. And no matter what happens, I will always love you."

" And I'll always love you, Mother," Madison said. " No matter what."

The two stayed in the hug for a few more moments. Then, Madison let go of the hug, and slowly stood up. " Well," the mother said. " You better finish getting ready, Sakura will be waiting." Madison nodded in agreement. She then closed her suitcase, and put on her coat. " Madison" her mother said, as she slipped on some mittens. " Just so you know, what you have just told me will stay a secret. The only person I will tell this to is your father. And trust me, he will have the same opinion." Madison smiled at that. Then she made her way to the room door. " And Madison," the mother said, stopping her. She then turned her head to see her mother. " Yes?" she asked. " If you do tell her," her mother said. " I'm sure Sakura will feel the same way." Madison's eyes widened, surprised to hear that her mother knew exactly how she felt. But then, she only smiled. She then walked out of the house.