Rising From The Ashes

Chapter 11

*October 2011*

Marshall and Madelyn had been together for almost four months. Ashley and Nate were throwing Marshall a party for his birthday. He wasn't looking forward to it, but he wanted his girls to meet Madelyn prior to the party. He knew that they would all be there together.

"Hey babe," he said, as he sat on her couch.

"Yeah?" she was in the kitchen, cooking them dinner.

"How would you feel about meeting the girls tomorrow at my place?"

She was quiet for a moment. He got up and walked into the kitchen. She looked back at him.

"Yeah that sounds good," she said.

"Ok."

She was nervous about it. He was nervous about the girls reaction because he hadn't introduced anyone to them in a while that he was actually dating, but he really liked Madelyn. She was incredible and made things so simple for him. She was easy going even though he could see how damaged she was from her past.

The next evening they were sitting at the house waiting for the girls to arrive. Madelyn's nerves were on edge. She had never met someone's children before. He kissed her on the cheek.

"They should be here soon," he said.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"You ready for that?"

"As ready as I can be."

"They're gonna love you. I know it. You are too amazing for them not to."

The front door opened and they could hear the girls entering the house. Madelyn froze in her seat. Marshall stood from his and pulled her up. He took her hand and led her to the foyer. The girls all had big grins on their faces.

"Hey dad," Hailie said.

"Hey baby, how was the trip here?" he asked.

"Not too bad."

"Girls, this is my girlfriend, Madelyn Jaycobs. Babe, these are my girls, Alaina, Hailie, and Whitney."

"It's nice to meet you all," Madelyn smiled softly.

"So you're the girl putting that smile on my dad's face?" Hailie asked.

"I guess you could say that."

"Good, I'm glad to know that someone is here to take care of this old guy."

Marshall made a face at his daughter. Hailie laughed and hugged her father. They moved to the dining room to eat. Madelyn had cooked their dinner that night.

"This is incredible. Madelyn, you made this?" Alaina asked.

"I did," Madelyn replied.

"Unc, don't let her go. You would starve."

Marshall chuckled. He watched Madelyn's interactions with his girls and it brought on the realization that Madelyn was very young still. She was closer to the girls in age than she was to him and that made him a bit uneasy momentarily. She looked over at him and smiled which made the thoughts disappear. She just made it easy for him.