"I just wanted to stop by to visit you before Briar and Xavier whisked me away," Madeline said with a chuckle as she walked in Emilio's room.
"Hope you've been having a lovely birthday, dear," Emilio wished, happiness evident in his eyes.
Madeline smiled faintly, wishing she would also be able to spend her birthday with her very own father.
Emilio walked over to her, handing her a wrapped package.
"What's this?"
He pursed his lips, "I don't know either, I found it at my doorstep beside breakfast."
"Who's it from then?"
"Cornelia," Emilio answered.
"Ah," Madeline said, staring at the gift.
"If only I would have been able to leave this room, then I would've picked you out a present as well," Emilio said, staring guiltily at his daughter.
"It's alright," Madeline said, smiling reassuringly at her father.
