Chapter 20

"Morning, baby."

Madison opened her eyes to find herself looking into deep pools of chocolate brown. "Morning." Her voice was still a bit raspy from last night's tears. She was exhausted but also felt a heavy burden beginning to lift from her heart.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Better." She managed a smile. "Thank you."

"Good." Richie kissed her and sat up on the bed. "Why don't you go start the shower and I'll order us some coffee and breakfast."

She was standing under the hot spray letting the steam and the heat work on her tense muscles when she heard the shower door open. "Mind if I join you?"

She was in his arms the second he stepped in. When he lathered up her hair with the fragrant shampoo and started massaging, she sighed. "Feels like I'm in heaven." And when his hands caressed down her delicate body, she knew she was. Their lovemaking this morning was tender and unhurried, unlike the night before. When he had carried her back to the bed and she had asked him to make love to her, her need and hunger was almost palpable. She seemed to be trying to drown her helpless despair and painful memories and his heart ached for her. "Shhh, easy baby." He had wanted to heal her, to let her see that it was alright to move on but he knew that only she could do that. He could only be there for her, to support her and he felt powerless knowing that he could not protect her from the pain.

The waiter rolled their breakfast cart into the dining area and bidding them a 'good day', left them to enjoy the fresh fruits, breads and coffee. Richie had also ordered a platter of crisp bacon and scrambled eggs. He picked up one strip and devoured the savory meat while ignoring Madison's disapproving glares. "What?" he grinned, "I need my cholesterol fix." Madison shrugged and followed suit, picking up another before she even finished the first. "Hey, bacon pirate!" Richie sprang up and grabbed her from behind, trying to wrestle the bacon from her hand. "No! Mine!" Madison was laughing and squealing as she tried to protect her bacon.

A knock on the door ended the food fight and Richie opened it to let Jon in. "You're looking better this morning, hon." Jon was glad to see that Madison's spirits had lifted. She walked over and hugged him. "Thank you for being so understanding.....I'm so sorry about..." "Uh uh, I told you, don't be."

"She's not good at following directions, you know." Richie came up and hugged her to him. When Madison pouted up at him, he leaned in and kissed her.

Jon cleared his throat. "Oookay....Just wanted make sure you knew today's itinerary. We leave for the airport at 5 and if everything goes according to schedule, we should be able to check in at the hotel by 9 tonight. You two have anything planned for today?"

Richie waggled his eyebrows which earned him an eye roll from Jon and a jab in the stomach from Madison. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Where are we going next?" Madison hadn't really looked at her schedule.

"Scotland, you'll love it there."

She sucked in a breath, "Scotland? That's where Rosslyn Chapel is."

"I know." Jon smiled at her, "And I've arranged for someone to take us there tomorrow."

She ran up to Jon hugging him tightly, leaving Richie to wonder if he should actually start reading the book, instead of just looking at the pictures.

"Wait a minute. Did you just say 'us' ?"

"Of course. I want to see Rosslyn for myself. Do you have a problem with that, Sambora?"

Before he could reply, Madison smiled at Jon. "Thank you. I think it would be a great help to have an extra set of eyes."



Jon left them to make some calls and Madison turned to find Richie curled up on the couch with the book. "What are you doing? I thought we were going out to see more places before we leave."

"I just want to make sure that I know what to be looking for when 'we' get to Rosslyn." He sounded like a child on the verge of a temper tantrum. Madison gaped at him for a moment before she burst out laughing. "What is wrong with you?" Richie pouted at her question making her laugh even more.

"That does it."

Richie wrestled her to the couch, but before he could do anything, Madison reached up and kissed him soundly. "Now," she asked breathlessly, "can we go?"

Shaking his head, he pulled her up, "Don't you want to go back to your room and change before we leave?"

"Oh, yeah," she grinned at him sheepishly, "I think Joanie and the girls are out shopping by now. It should be safe to go."

"Will you stop worrying about Joanie?"

Madison couldn't. Something about the way Joanna was trying to keep them apart unnerved her. She understood that her cousin was just trying to look out for her, but she was a grown woman now, not the gullible girl she once was. Right?



Walking into her room, Madison rummaged through her suitcase for some change of clothes while Richie helped her pack her things for the flight out.

"Geez, Maddie, we missed you last night." Madison jumped and turned to find Kris standing in the doorway. Taking in Madison's still damp hair and noting that she was wearing last night's clothes, she gave her a knowing smile. "But it doesn't look like you missed us very much."

Madison blushed a deep red and Richie just grinned like the Cheshire Cat. The one who ate Tweety Bird.

Noticing Madison looking around, she assured her, "Patti and Joanie went shopping while I stayed back to enjoy my hangover." When Madison smiled gratefully at her, she winked, "don't worry, I've played football with my brothers growing up. I'll run interference for you."

"So, where are you two headed off to?"

*****

Deciding that there must be something that she overlooked, she found herself back at Temple Church, again. Walking through the round nave, she studied the inscriptions on the walls, the human head gargoyles and even the scroll designs that Lindsey had pointed out. Nothing really reminded her of the pendant and as she led Richie around the ancient walls and the effigies, she once again became mesmerized by the sense of history surrounding them.

"Just think, Richie. There's almost a thousand years of history within these walls. Can you imagine if those gargoyles could talk? God, I can just see the knights discussing the Crusade."

She reached out a hand to touch the walls. "These are the very same walls that they probably touched, the very same floors that they walked on." She stopped in front of one of the effigies; William Marshall, First Earl of Pembroke. He was missing his left foot, a result of WWII.

"Don't you wonder if these were originally tombs?" She looked around the nave once more. "It's like we've been transported back in time. This place is just so.....so....what's the word?"

"Creepy?" Richie offered.

When Madison glared at him, he tried to weasel out by grinning at her. "Awww, come on, honey. I'm just kidding. I know how you feel about this."

"Let's go, you big baby."

When they exited the church, Madison was sure that she saw someone watching them, but when she stopped to get a better look, he or she was gone.