King of Hearts (House of Cards Series 2) [Student/teacher]

Aces Spades and Diamond

"Now you listen to me. I AM NOT GOING TO LET YOU PUSH ME AWAY. I am not going to let Joao and his dogs take me from you like they did Abuela. I am going to stand by your side until everyone gets it through their thick heads that I am your girl and that means that when they mess with you, they mess with ME." Maddison was huffing a little by the end of her tirade, so it caught her completely by surprise when West collapsed to the ground, trying to suppress his tears and silent sobbing. She knelt down close in front of him and hugged her lover's head to her chest. He didn't manage to say anything back to her, but his arms wrapped around her waist and he pressed against her, clinging to the stability she offered him. And this had been the easy part.

After the worse of his weeping passed, Maddison and West climbed back to their feet, this time leaning on each other for support. Neither one mentioned the fact that they'd come close to losing each other again just then, instead stepping out into the hallway to see the three James sisters waiting. The moment they saw Maddison with West, Ophelia nodded in approval, Honey squealed in delight and Candace just smirked, it seemed the James women approved of Maddison sticking around.

It seemed having control issues with cars ran in the family, as West drove his Hummer with Maddison, Candace drove Honey and Ophelia and Mr. James drove himself and his wife. This family looked so dysfunctional from the outside, but Maddison could feel the togetherness that held the family together. Even though West had been the bastard offspring from an affair, and his Abuela had never been close to the rest of the James', but they were still here to support West as if she had been their grandmother too.

There were news vans outside the cemetary where his Abuela was being buried, held at bay by the gates and a subtle police presence. They were vultures and Maddison wanted to scream at them to go away. They were just sniffing after the blood feud hidden in the story and they'd do anything for ratings. It was disgusting. Cleared through the gates, they parked in a line with other cars. It surprised Maddison to see so many people come out for West's Abuela. Though as she started to recognize more and more people, she realized that most of the turn out was in support of West. He's never known how much his classmates looked up to him before the Gala, and even knowing how popular he was, it surprised the Cubano and made him grip the steering wheel tightly for a moment until he regained his composure.

Stepping out of the Hummer, Maddison walked to his side and held his hand, looking over the crowd of people staring at them. Malcolm and Alice stood together, earning many incredulous looks. She had her engagement ring on and held his hand and tightly as Maddison gripped West's. Looking to their left, Maddison saw Romeo copying their stance with her sister Siobhan and Mad felt tears drip down her cheeks as she saw her own parents standing just passed them, come out to support their daughter's boyfriend. There was a lot of shoulder grabbing, back pats and teary hugs but very little in the way of speaking. It was almost as if in their shared grief, words weren't necessary.

The funeral was simple but touching. 'la had basically been cremated in the fire, so they gathered at the headstone that was her only marker. West had her urn buried directly under it so that she was embraced by the land of her new home. And finally West turned to face all the people that had truly come out for him as much as for his Abuela. "My Abuela..." he cleared his throat, having to turn off his emotions entirely if he wanted to get through this without embarassing himself.

"My Abuela was a good woman with the heart of a warrior. She was murdered by a coward and eunich, someone more lowly than the worms that crawl in the mud." Maddison felt her eyebrows raise, not understanding how he would choose this moment to call Joao out. Until she saw West glaring passed the crowd of people. Following his line of sight, she spotted a small cluster of men standing maybe ten yards away. Joao, Lance and the rest of the dogs. Joao had a smug grin on his face, confidant that West wouldn't do anything with the crowds and the media all watching. Then the words West was saying sunk in and the smile was wiped off his face because everyone standing with him knew it to be true.

"It's my fault 'la was murdered. I got into gang life young and let it take me along for the ride. She was always trying to help me stay alive, always at my side when I needed her. Until the day I let her down and she died for it." West's tone had lost all emotion and Maddison briefly wondered if he were about to lose it and go after Joao. She'd learned to associate this tone of voice with violence. "The worst part is that I am out of the gang life and yet it still came back to bite me in the ass. I wish there was a way my Abuela could know that I love her and am so proud of who she was and who she helped me to become." West stopped speaking and Maddison tore her eyes off his face to see that Joao and his dogs were no longer alone. Standing in front of them were Malcolm and Alice. Mad wished she could hear what they were saying, but instead she stayed next to West, hand gripped tightly in his. Though she did get to enjoy the sight of Alice full on decking Joao in the face and making the murderer crumple to the ground, clutching his face.

Alice walked up to West and Maddison, weaving through the departing crowds expertly until she stood alone with them. Maddison noted briefly that pregnancy suited the young woman, she glowed despite the depressing days events. "You're not alone. You never will be." Alice stated plainly to West and Maddison, putting her hand on top of their entertwined ones. "We will find a way to bring him to justice. You have Reaper and I to guarantee it."

West gave his adopted sister a weak smile, tears once more brimming in his eyes but he held them off. "Thanks squaw." his voice was rough and Maddison let go of his hand so Alice could hug him tightly. Maddison had a momentary premontion that the four of them together would reap some vengeance that would guarantee that Joao and his dogs ran away with their tails between their legs. She'd make sure of it.