If Only..(Part 1 And Part 2 Included)(Under Edit)

Chapter 44 - The Infinite Universe

I ushered her into my car, as she sat in the passenger seat frozen.

I hopped near the wheels, and turned towards her.

Jackson: You Okay?

She did look back at me, just nodded her head.

I turned back at the wheels, and started the ignition.

As the car was out on the street, when she muttered.

Madeline: I am sorry!

Jackson: Why are you sorry?

Madeline: I...I ruined your plan. Shit, I feel bad. I'm...sorry! I was overthinking. I shouldn't have.

There was a restlessness, that showed.

Jackson: Hey, it's fine. Good thing, no harm done. Everything is normal.

Madeline supported her elbow on the window and supported her forehead on her palm, closing her eyes.

Madeline: You don't understand.

Jackson: Maddie! Did they do something to you? Why did you feel threatened? Above that, to an extend, where you pulled out a gun.

Madeline: They did not tell me anything. Where I was going, why I was going. Nothing.

Jackson: That's how it was supposed to be.

Madeline: He said, it would be worth it, he said it's a surprise, he asked me to blindfold myself.

Jackson: It was a surprise, Mi Amor.....(realization dawning over him) did it......trigger.....?

Madeline(in a lower voice): Surprises don't fit well with me, Rex. The last time I heard this word, was when....(trying to keep composure in her voice)he killed my mom.

The last line, hit me like a rock. I shot my eyes up at her. I caught her looking at me.
I turned my gaze back on the road and reached for her hand, that was loosely placed over her thighs, tangled my fingers, into hers. It was stone cold. Even though, she pulled up a ferocious expression, in front of them, but her hands told a different story. She was scared. Deep down, there was a panic forming up, in her, that let her do things, solely to protect herself.

Jackson: Are you fine, now?

She softly smiled at me, and gave an assuring nod.

Madeline: Thank you, for understanding.

Jackson: I am sorry! I should have known. Shit, I wanted to make it special. I should have done it better.

Madeline(in a playful tone): The efforts are cute, though.

The sudden change in tone, distracted me from the road, as she shot a smirk at me.

Jackson(chuckles): Madeline, me and my efforts are no where near cute.

Madeline(continuing in a playful voice): Nope, you are not. You are more then cute.

Jackson(playfully warning): Maddie! Stop! This time I am really going to get pissed off.

Madeline(converting her voice thinner, commenting in a higher pitch): Aww! My cute Munchkin!

Jackson: Madeline! Don't push me, or you are going to get it bad.

Madeline: Really? What do you have in mind?

Jackson: Trust me, you don't want to know about that?

She did not reply to that, I could see her from the corner of my eyes, pressing her lips, trying hard not to laugh. I could feel her rest her elbow on my seat and now she started brushing her fingers delicately through the skin at the back of my ear, rolling it down to my neck, as it sent electric shocks through my nerves. It started getting harder and harder for me to concentrate on the road.