*Crash Into Me: Dave Matthews Band*

7:32 p.m.

After the day at the beach with Kai, I found myself staring at the surrounding island from my bedroom window. The night sky was covered in a darkening purple hue with streaks of orange and red. Thunderclouds could now be seen even closer to the shore. That made me nervous. It had been a little over an hour since I had dropped Kai back home. My room still smelled of the beach and all its comforts. Oz scratched at his ears, shaking out loose grains of sand.

"Max, dinners on the table," Frank called from the kitchen. I pulled my earbuds from my head and jumped to my feet. Oz followed with a shake of his fur.

"I'm starving," I said as I slid up to the table. Oz paced back and forth by his dog dish until I slipped him some food off of my plate. Frank shook his head in disapproval.

"You know it took me over a year to break him of that habit," he huffed. I smiled before shoving the night's dinner into my mouth. Frank just leaned back in his chair.

"It's good to have you home son," he said giving up. "So how did today go? Did Kai calm down finally?"

"I think so. I feel bad for putting him through this situation. It seems like all I do is hurt everyone around me lately," I sulked. Frank just looked up at me with a smile.

"Not everyone," he made me feel at ease even though I didn't totally believe him.

We spent the beginning of the evening catching up on the day's events. As we both finished up our dinner a knock came from the front door. Before I could get up from the table to answer it, Frank called out from his seat. His voice cracked as he did.

"Come on in."

"Uncle Frank?" I looked worried. The door swung open quickly and to my surprise, Kai stumbled in.

"Hey Uncle," he said kindly. He scratched the top of his hair nervously and adjusted the purple and black bag that was slung around his shoulder.

"Kai?" I asked as his eyes met mine.

"Glad you made it!" Frank said standing up from the table. I began to do the same when my eyes focused on Madison cooing from the car seat in his arms.

"Hey there lil' bug!" Frank shouted and scooped her up from the seat. He kissed her on top of her head, which was wrapped in two balled up ponytails. The little bundles popped from both sides of her head. I watched paralyzed, as Frank safely squeezed my daughter in his arms. He had obviously done this many times in her 6 months on the planet.

"You miss your uncle?" he asked full of joy. Madi cooed and reached for his cheeks with her chubby little fingers. When her hands met his skin his smile grew twice its size and his cheeks flushed bright red.

"Ahh, that's my favorite thing in the whole world!" Frank said with a curious look on his face. His eyes spoke to me as he said the words. I didn't understand at the moment but I would later in the night.

"Well, it looks like she's content," Kai interrupted shyly. "I'll be back for her later."

"You don't have to go Kai," I said nervously. I didn't know if I offered because of guilt or because I was scared to be with Madison alone.

"Yes, please stay. There's plenty of food for all of us," Frank added. Kai shuffled nervously with Madison's diaper bag under his arms before relinquishing it to the couch. His eyes watched Madi for a second then found me standing quiet and unsure.

"NahaI think it would be best," he nodded and then reached out his hand for me to shake. I did so and watched his expression change from sad to happy and back to melancholy.

"Are you sure?" I asked one last time. He nodded it was okay, but I could tell it was hurting him more than he was letting on. He turned to leave, and just before he reached the front door I stopped him.

"Thanks brother."

"Mahalo," he smiled, and stole one last glance at Madison before heading to his car. As he started it up and drove away I noticed he hadn't replaced the broken headlight from the other night. My back tightened just thinking about it. I shut the front door and turned back to my uncle who was holding Madi directly in front of me. My hands popped with heat at the surprising sight.

"Go on son. Don't be shy. She's missed you."

"What?" I felt my heart start to race.

"Trust me," he winked. "You'll understand."

"Okay," I said in a whisper. Slowly I took her from his cradled embrace and placed her across my arm like I was holding a football. Sweat filled my hands as she squirmed slightly while I found my confidence. She quickly settled into my arms and began mumbling as if she were about to say something. Her eyes smiled up at me and my heart exploded. I couldn't stop smiling as we finally and formally met.

"Nice to meet you Madison Lee."

"Ooooooooeeeeee!" she squealed and reached out her hands for my face. Her fingers wiggled as she tried to reach my cheeks. I looked at my uncle Frank for reassurance and he nodded it would be just fine. I leaned my head down closer for her to reach, and when she finally did, the world came alive. I wasn't ready for our first touch.

Her left hand tickled my bangs for a moment before it found my cheek, and her right hand slid softly over my chin to my bottom lip. My face filled with warm heat. A warm and familiar heat. As my body reacted to her touch it heated up accordingly. She felt it too, and became very still holding onto me. The heat pulsed through us as if we were one. An extension of each other's aura. The heat pulsed and I could hear her heart. Not just the beating but also the blood as it flowed, and the strength it had.

"SeeaI told you so!" Frank smiled and sat down to watch us from the couch. He looked a little winded but extremely happy. He coughed slightly but it sounded better than before. Waves of heat kept pulsing between the two of us. The dull ache in my back started to fade and my eyes filled with hope.

"Unclea" I started to say.

"She'saummaspecial," he winked.

"This means she'sa"

"Definitely a Valentine!" He burst out laughing. I sat down slowly next to Frank, being careful not to let Madi's touch escape me. My daughter shared my gift.

"What do I do now?" I asked bluntly. Frank laughed even harder and his wet cough grew worse as he did. I hated that sound.

"Do what you do best Max," he said wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

"And what is that?"

"Love her." He smiled and headed for the kitchen. He poured us both something to drink and walked back to the living room. His words rattled me something awful. The sight of my sister falling away from me flashed inside my mind for a quick second. I only seemed to hurt the ones I loved. Before I could relish in that sobering thought, I caught a flash of Madison's brand new eyes and my fear fell away.

"Has she started any fires yet?" I asked, taking a sip of the cold ice water. He laughed again and shook his head.

"Not exactly."

"What does that mean?" I snapped. Madi kept one hand on my arm as she closely watched how I moved. Her chubby little fingers pulsed with heat.

"Just talk to Samantha. Madison's birthday was quite illuminating," he smiled and scooped her from my arms, placing a fresh bottle in her little lips. She seemed to not want it at first but when she realized that I wasn't far from her sight she began to eat and eat well. Just like my sister used to.

I quickly felt the same pull toward her that I had with Asia. My fires didn't seem to like it when Asia was away from their protection, and now my daughter shared that bond. That surprised me.

"Her birthday?" I said under my breath. Why was he being so cryptic? Before I could stress about it anymore, the rain started to fall against the window and Madi clapped her hands together as it did. I looked at Frank and he just shrugged his shoulders as Madi ate.

We ignored the light storm outside and enjoyed my daughter the rest of the night together as a normal family would. I spent most of it falling in love with her repeatedly. The way her nose scrunched as she giggled. The curl of her thick, dark, brown hair at the sides of her cheeks. Her big, round, green eyes that seemed to hypnotize me so easily. She had an unnatural calmness that made her seem older than she was. She was just over six months old but acted like she was a full year. As the evening progressed, I changed her diaper for the first time. I fed her for the first time. I laughed with her for the first time, and I fell completely in love with her for the first time.

I thought the rest of the night would be just as fantastic but I was wrongaas usual. A knock at the door startled us as we were dancing to one of my uncle's favorite records. Frank quickly shuffled toward the front door as I spun with Madi in my arms, lost in her smile.

"Asia!" Frank called out. Lightning flashed from the doorway and thunder rumbled low and long.

"Come in, come in my dear! How are you?" Frank said more excited than I expected.

"Max?" Asia asked from over Frank's shoulder. Her smell hit us quickly and Madi even seemed drawn to it. Her eyes squinted together as she tried to figure out where the smell was coming from.

"Asia," I said stunned. How I'd missed her sweet floral scent. I turned toward her with Madi in my arms and the thunder grew thick and monstrous. The whole house rattled under its weight.

"Maxa" she said again, but much more seriously. The rain fell harder.

"Come in," Frank insisted and tugged her inside the door by her tense arm. She was stiff in her jeans and black tank top as she fought his advances. Her feet froze in place when her eyes met Madi's. Almost like when Asia and I first saw each other. They stared at each other for a long time and the storm rolled heavy outside the house. The lights flickered off and on as I stepped closer to her.

"Asia, I'd like you to meet someone," I said softly. She shook her head no for a moment and let me step closer to her. As I stood next to her, the full scent of cherry blossoms filled my head. Madi squealed with delight and dropped her little toy flower. It lit up with different colors as it hit the floor. This startled Asia and she quickly reached down and picked up her toy. She slowly reached over and placed the toy in her hands. Just before she pulled away, Madi grabbed her index finger and wrapped her tiny fingers tightly around her cool knuckle. Asia stood still. The storm began to calm outside. The stars twinkled through the dark purple thunderclouds. Frank looked around wide-eyed.

"Why are you here Asia?" I asked. Her eyes found my bare neck and squinted together tightly.

"Where's your necklace Max?" she accused angrier.

"Ohaumain my rooma" I was spinning with confusion on how to handle this situation.

"I came back for you." Thunder rolled, agitated. Asia tried to pull her hand away again but Madi wouldn't give it up at first. She scrunched up her round face in determination to hold onto Asia's cool, slender finger. Asia watched Madi's eyes closely. I could feel it in the air when she put one and one together. The pain washed over her face as she noticed Sam's calling card; those green eyes. I felt horrible.

"I guess I'm too late," she huffed and pulled her hand back to her body. Madi's face furrowed a little.

"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" I asked, hoping. The storm broke free at that moment and the windows rattled violently. Asia searched my face for a brief second before looking back at Madi. Frank quickly took her from my grasp as the storm grew louder and more ferocious. Lightning lit the whole sky and with a quick snap, the power shut off. Not just the house, but the whole block.

"Uh oha" Frank teased.

"Goodbye Max," Asia called out as she made her way through the door. I chased after her, being careful not to run down Madi and Frank as I did. My hand caught hers just before she reached her truck. She tried to pull away from me but I insisted on not letting her go.

"Asia don't leaveanot yet."

"How long have you known?"

"I just found out a few days ago." I paused nervously. She shifted her weight away from me and the wind changed direction when she did.

"Her name is Madison and she isamine." I swallowed a huge lump in my throat.

"And hers!" she accused.

"Yes."

"This changes everything!" she yelled as the rain covered us. I could taste her anger towards me and it made me feel weak. I let go of her and gave up this battle.

"I know," I said full of guilt. She climbed into her truck and slammed the door. I wanted to stop her but I didn't know what to say. The tires peeled out in the mud and she drove off into the storming night. I walked back in the house, my clothes drenched and dripping. It was obvious that I was upset. My uncle shot me a worried look as he tossed me a dry towel. He had already started lighting candles.

"I see she's still veryaummapassionate," Frank laughed with a hint of a cough. I shrugged my shoulders in a submissive manner and ran the towel through my hair. When I was done I tossed the towel along the edge of the couch. Madi began to cry from Frank's arms.

"I think the storm is making her nervous." He tightened his loving grasp on her and shrugged his shoulders softly. I watched them both, frozen by my guilt. "I kinda like the rain myself," he giggled with a deep breath and another cough. I sighed and looked out the living room window, past the dark and empty road.

"Me too."

Uninvited - 17.

*Building A Mystery: Sarah McLachlan*

10:30 p.m.

My head was throbbing. It had been an awfully long night and my emotional tank was running on empty. On the drive over to Sam's it became clear that not only had Asia knocked out the power on my block but the entire island. I was going to have a hard time settling her temper. I pulled into Sam's driveway and she had already placed a couple candle lanterns on the porch. As my fingers turned the keys to the truck to off, I found my eyes falling back to my daughter. The moonlight washed over her little cheeks as her eyes focused on the light filling the inside of the truck. She was so beautiful.

"Well, I suppose this is your stop," I teased lightly. She smiled up at me from her booster seat and fought a big yawn. Sam waited at the front door of her apartment with a nervous wave and small white candle in her hand. I hopped from my uncle's truck and slid around to the passenger side and pulled Madi from the seat. She yawned than giggled softly.

"Thanks for bringing her back so soon," Sam spoke softly, watching us closely as we walked up to her. Sam smiled from the doorway in her faded jeans and loose sweater. It slid over her freckled shoulder exposing her neckline.

"No problem." I smiled and watched her face closely.

"I just worry on nights like tonight," she said, and nodded to the surrounding blackout. I softly placed Madi in her arms. Sam's arms slid around her as she handed me the half burnt candle at the same time.

"It looks like most of the island is dark," I added sheepishly. I thought she didn't need the specifics of the power outage, but deep down I think she had already figured it out.

"Would you like to come in?" she asked after kissing little Madi's head and smelling her sweet baby smell. I took a step back placing my free hand in the back pocket of my jeans. As much as I wanted to, I knew I had to play things safe. At least out of respect for my best friend Kai.

"I probably should get back to Uncle Frank and Oz. He's my little hero but he's still scared of the dark." The thunder rumbled in the distance and a slight gust of wind flared up and blew out the candle flame. Sam looked at me, quietly knowing that I was making an excuse.

"Max, I won't bite," she smiled. Her glistening green eyes said different though. I swallowed nervously, running my hand along my neck.

"I better not," I folded. She stepped back with Madi in her arms and walked into her apartment.

"Are you sure?" she asked over her shoulder. Her eyes locked onto mine and my palms filled with moisture. Quickly I ran my hand from my neck and through my hair, messing it up in the process. Her smile doubled in size.

"I guess I should stay long enough to see that the power comes back on," I badly joked, knowing Asia's tantrum would have the power off for the rest of the night, easily.

"Good," she almost whispered. Was she flirting with me or was I just hoping again. There was so much to be said. So much to ask her about. Too much to catch up on.

As I walked in I realized that Madison was already asleep in her arms and beginning to snore away. I could feel a small laugh bubbling up my throat as her little snorts grew louder. Sam winked at me just before I tripped over something in the front living room. I found I had fallen over a giant suitcase.

"Oops." I shrugged embarrassed.

"Sorry about that. That's Kai's."

"Kai's?"

"Shhha" she smiled playfully while holding our daughter. I felt my face flush with heat as they both disappeared down a dark hallway. Sam quietly took Madi to her room and crib, tucking her in with a tight kiss. As I waited impatiently, I could not take my eyes off the suitcase I had tripped over. Was Kai going somewhere? A trip maybe? He never said a thing. Slowly I looked around their apartment with my hand ablaze in a small fire. It trickled along my fingers and made it easy to see that things looked out of place, scattered. Almost as if they hadn't unpacked yet. No, that wasn't quite right. The room looked like it was in the first stages of someone moving.

"She must have had a great night," Sam startled me from behind. I turned so fast that the flame around my left hand trailed me like a ribbon. Her eyes watched with wide-eyed anticipation.