Chapter 25: Home
Keith turned to one of the servants and asked them to bring something to him. At the same time, he invited all of them into the living room to sit. Maddison entered the house nervously with Elias by her side.
He held onto her hand the entire time, a gentle reminder that he was there to support her. Maddison sat down on the sofa. She felt like a complete stranger in the mansion yet the place felt vaguely familiar.
"Here you go, sir," the servant returned with what Keith had asked for.
Comparing both lockets, they were identical! Maddison could not believe her eyes. This man was her father!
Keith was getting emotional. He had long given up hope years ago of ever finding his daughter. But here she was, alive and well.
"But this doesn't prove anything. She could have gotten the locket from elsewhere," Margaret reasoned.
Maddison quietly curled her hand into a fist. Although there were still many uncertainties, it was clear that her father's current wife did not like her very much. She doubted it was just because she was being protective.
This time, Elias spoke up in support of Maddison, "I'm quite certain Maddison is Uncle Keith's daughter. All that's left to be done is a DNA test."
"I don't need any DNA test to prove that she's my daughter. I can see Nessie is her," Keith said calmly.
Maddison was all the more certain now. There were few who knew about the note that was left with her when she was dropped off at the orphanage. The note was signed off by her mother, and the name she had left there was 'Nessie'.
"But dear, take a DNA test, just to be safe," Margaret suggested as she held onto her husband's hand.
Maddison looked down at her hands. Elias sensed the shift in her emotions instantly. He placed his hand on hers.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Elias whispered to her as he leaned in close.
She smiled, grateful for his support.
"I think a DNA test is a great idea. That way we'll know for certain," Maddison added.
"I have a company that conducts DNA testing, I'll send someone to come and collect the samples. We can have the results in 24 hours," Elias suggested.
Just as Keith and Maddison were about to agree to it, Margaret spoke up.
"I don't mean to offend you, Elias, but I think it would be best if we went with a place Keith and I trusted. You're too close to this matter as it is…"
It was clear to everyone what Margaret was getting at. Her words upset Keith who gave her a glare. But Margaret pretended to be innocent of what other meaning she could have about what she said.
Finally, the young woman who was with them spoke up, "Daddy, mum is right. We've been burnt before. I think it's better to play it safe. We can go with the lab Uncle Danny runs."
"To be fair to everyone, how about we go with a credible company that does not have any ties with any of us?" Maddison suggested calmly with a smile.
While she didn't like what Margaret and her daughter were insinuating, Maddison wanted the situation to be resolved as smoothly as possible.
"I think that's a great idea," Elias added in support.
"I think that's fair, let's do it that way," Keith concluded.
No one dared to say anything else on the matter. The nervous tension in the living room made the entire situation uncomfortable, to say the least.
"Maddy," Realizing he had called his daughter by the pet name he and his late wife had given her, Keith quickly corrected himself, "Sorry, Maddison, could you follow me upstairs for a moment? There's something I would like to show you."
Hearing her father call her 'Maddy' felt nostalgic. It warmed her heart. She got up on her feet and followed her father upstairs. She looked to Elias who showed his support with a gentle smile.
Walking up the stairs, Maddison took note of the decor. It didn't bring back any fond memories of her childhood. She had hoped if she saw her old home, it would jog her memory.
Keith noticed her looking and admiring the decor. Somehow her father knew just what she was thinking about.
"A lot has changed since Margaret and I got married. She wanted to redecorate so I pretty much gave her free rein to do as she pleased," He explained while watching Maddison's expression.
She was disappointed to hear that.
"But…," He added as they stopped in front of a closed door, "There's one room I gave strict instructions never to touch."
Keith opened the door to reveal a room that looked like it was stuck in time. The walls were covered in a floral print wallpaper while the room was decorated with stuffed animals and hand-drawn colored pictures.
Upon entering, Maddison felt something she had been searching for. She felt like she belonged. She walked over to the study desk, as a picture frame caught her attention. It showed a picture of a happy family of three.
She didn't recognize herself at first, but she recognized her father, Keith, when he was younger.
"It this…" She could not bring herself to finish her question as tears began to well up in her eyes.
Her father took a step closer, nodding.
"Yes, that is Nessie, your mother. We took that picture on your first-ever trip to the theme park. You were so happy," Keith explained with a smile.
That wasn't the only photo frame on the desk. There was another, one that looked oddly familiar.
[I've seen that photograph before. But where…] Maddison pondered to herself as she picked it up in her hands.
She asked her father if she could keep the photos, to which he agreed to it without hesitation. Keith motioned to sit down on the bed next to him. She did as he asked. It was a little awkward between father and daughter.
After all, it has been many years since they last met.
"I know everything is very overwhelming for you right now, but I just wanted you to know there will always be a place for you here in this house," Keith said as he placed his hand on Maddison's shoulder.
"I might have remarried after your mother's death but you will always be my Maddy. My daughter," he continued with pride.
"Thank you… I don't really know what to say," Maddison replied shyly.
"You don't have to say anything. But there is something I would like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Would you like to move back home?"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone