Madison - Selene's Gem

Selene's POV

I cannot deny how blessed I have been these passing years. Raising and watching how this little girl has grown in both physical and heart form. 

Seeing how candidly she gives her love to everything she touches, makes my heart beats seem full and proud. 

This is how things were meant to be. 

Looking out the window, watching her play with all the little furry critters running around and chasing all the birds and butterflies, brings warmth and hope to my heart. She is growing into such a precious person, but it also has a lingering base note of sadness. Her innocence, so pure and untouched. I can only do my best and hold onto hope. Yes, she is my hope. 

"Madison, my angel! Time to come inside for dinner." I called to her. 

Just as she freezes to a butterfly landing on her finger. Her eyes widening with excitement. Making me chuckle at how she even managed to stop breathing so as to not scare away a newly made little friend. 

"Seween! Seween! Did you see dat! It wanded on my fingew!" She beams at me running in through the trunk door to our home. 

I bend down to scoop her up into my arms, echoing her giggles. 

"I did! She was beautiful, just like you, Maddy." I coo at her, ending it with tickles and kisses to her rosey cheek. 

I place her down at the table to eat and watch her rearrange her fork and spoon around her plate playfully, multiple times. The sadness starts to take a grip of my heart and soul. I know that time is coming. I will have to leave her, soon. Too soon. Me, no longer a mother figure but a guiding protector. Will she be able to understand? Not likely, not until she is older. I turn my back to her as a lone tear glides down my cheek. Thinking of what is still to come. Clenching my jaw... She is my hope. My one hand tightening around the pot I'm holding. My only hope. 

I wipe my eyes with my free hand before Madison notices and turn to her with the food in my hands. 

"Maddy, it's going to be your birthday in a few days." I stop and take the seat beside her, to dish her food. "What would you like to do?" 

Her face distorts into all sorts of comical confusion, which has me giggling at her. It takes a few minutes before what I've just said sinks in and her turquoise eyes light up. 

"Ooooo, can we have a picnic in da cweawing by da wake?" She asks with utter excitement. Making her bounce up and down in her chair. "Den we can feed da baby deews and da wabbits and all da baby biwds!" She adds as if her heart is not big enough for just her. 

"Absolutely!" Was my response. "You know my angel, that all your friends will always be with you and they will never forget your kindness." I can't help but add. I needed her to know that she will never be alone. Even after I'm gone.

Everything I've taught her, hopefully sinking in with repetition. 

I lay her down after she falls asleep in my arms after dinner. I wrap her up, snug, into the blankets and take a seat on a rocking chair that I had set next to her bed. I watch her and think of all the possibilities in front of her. She will need to be strong, no matter what path she takes. It seems so unfair looking at her beautiful face. The anticipation of what's to come. I too will need to be strong. 

Her birthday seems to have come too soon for me but took too long for her as it always did. Her excitement only increased by the day from when I mentioned it a few days ago. 

We had packed a basket full of delectable goodies for both us and all the other animals Madison planned on feeding while we were out at the lake. I couldn't help but sadly smile. 

Madison ran around in circles chasing all the flying creatures, all the way down to our picnic spot and was laughing wholeheartedly. 

I spread out a blanket for us and set out our picnic. Then, I just sat and soaked in what my soul saw as pure bliss, running around on 2 legs. My smile slowly slipping from my face. 

It was time. 

Time she knew she was special.

Time she knew that I would have to leave. 

Time she knew that this perfect little world I had encapsulated her in was about to end... 

For today was that day. 

I was about to be crushed. Not knowing if I was ready for my sister, Fate, to take over just yet. She's too young. Too young. 

My heart starts racing while watching her. A tear fell. A noticed one... 

"Seween.... Why you cwying? Did I do somfing wong?" She takes me into her tiny arms and I can no longer hold it in. It started burning me from the inside. So much pain. She's too young, I mentally acknowledge. 

"Maddy, my angel!" I pull her slowly away from me. She looks hurt and she doesn't even know the reason, other than I'm hurting. "Never forget everything I've taught you and told you. You are my angel and you are very special. If anything.... Never forget that." 

"Seween? Don't cwy, pweez, I wove you Seween." Is all she can say before her tears come flooding out. 

"I love you too Maddy. I always will." I place a soft finger over her heart as I begin to hear the footsteps. I tap my finger over her heart, "I will always be right here for you my angel. Always!" I say as the footsteps break into our picnic clearing…