Here comes the stars tumbling around me.

Madeline ‘Maddie’ Renee Wilson

Twenty-eight years old.

Her mother left when she was eight, so Maddie was raised by only her father.

She’s the oldest of three siblings, and due to her dad having to work full-time, Maddie was usually the one that had to do most of the cooking for the family. Not to mention baking for school bake sales and class parties. 

This meant Maddie grew up quickly, as she’d taken on almost a parental role for her brother and sister.

Is nurturing and independent for these reasons.

Relationships are a no-go for her romantically. After seeing her dad left for another man and crushed, she’s afraid to let it happen to her, so she keeps love prospects at a safe distance.

Eventually, baking became a passion for Maddie. She enjoys cooking too, but pastries are her preference. 

It took a few years after high school and lots of saving up by waiting tables, but Maddie made her way through culinary school where she studied baking.

Someday she’d love to have a business of her own, but for now she’s content as the assistant pastry chef at a local bakery. She still gets to put her own spin on things from time-to-time, and has some special projects on the side. 

Now that they’re grown, Maddie and her siblings have a more normal relationship. They’re close, but can take care of themselves. That said, she’s still a little overprotective of them.

In desperate need of some fun and freedom after all the caretaking, Maddie went a little wild the last couple of years. However, sewing her wild oats got old and she’s trying to just adult and focus on the future.

She volunteers at the animal shelter when she has time, and is hoping sometime soon to adopt a pet or two.

Bonded over rock music and oldies with her dad growing up. Has been an Elvis Presley fan pretty much since birth.

CONNECTIONS:

Luke - Maddie’s neighbor across the hall. The two had an awkward run-in a while back when both ended up sharing an elevator after separate walk-of-shame situations. There was a definite connection there, but relationships are already messy; let alone with someone you share a building with. She’s been actively trying to avoid him since.

Kenji - Close friend for years. He and Maddie have recently decided to try and set up their parents Parent Trap style.

Chloe - Best gal pal and go-to ride or die. Maddie would do absolutely everything for this girl. Chloe may be the professional cheerleader, but Maddie aims to be her friend’s biggest cheerleader.

Kenji opened the door to reveal Maddie and her tray of sweets. He smiled. The party wasn’t quite in full swing just yet but hopefully it wouldn’t be too long. He was real happy to have today off and be able to share this moment with family and friends. It was one of those rare days he didn’t mind being in charge of the barbecue for example. It was all around good mood and cheerfulness and he enjoyed that. Taking the trays from her, he walked back inside and set them down on a table. “You know all too well things can’t get started without you, you party animal”, he teased.

He pushed his sunglasses back on his head to look at her. His shoulders were pink from standing in the sun and he was already a couple of drinks ahead but nothing dramatic. “You know the drill. Drinks are outside, food’s everywhere and just make yourself at home. By the way, is your dad going to join us?”

.

Maddie’s grin grew wider as she locked eyes with her bestie. It was rare that he had a holiday off, even a national one. After all, fires didn’t stop just because of them. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of the busiest days of the year. “I know, I know. But rest assured I am here, so everyone can get down and go buck wild.” She laughed at the awkwardness of her words. Maddie knew how to have fun, but she wasn’t the wildest of the bunch either. Bright eyes flickered around the apartment, already buzzing with mostly familiar faces. And a few new ones. “No, he had plans with the guys already. Thought he might be a little too old for this crowd. His words. Although it would have been the perfect set-up moment with your mom,” she pouted upon realization. “Is she coming?”

Hands now free, Maddie put down her bag under the sink cabinet, knowing no one but Kenji would know where to look. “There’s sunscreen and aloe vera in there if you need it,” she snickered as she glanced at his already reddening shoulders. “And thanks. Have you had a break from the grill? You need to enjoy your own party, you know?” Spotting an ice chest, she reached in to snatch up two beers-- one for each of them. Handing one to him, Maddie clinked her can playfully against his. “Not that I’m a grand grill-master or anything, but you know, if you need a break to mingle.”

Ever since their first awkward meeting and Maddie’s gut telling her to steer clear of her best friend’s heartthrob of a roommate, she had tried her best to. Not exactly an easy feet right across the hall. Yet, she wasn’t about to let her desperation (or urges) keep her from celebrating the evening with friends. Knocking on Kenji and Luke’s door with her foot, since her arms were slugging around trays of mini pies, cookies and cupcakes, Maddie called out. “Don’t start the party without me, losers!”

Chloe grinned as Maddie looked over her work, giving an excited nod. “It’s us! We’re on our way to a Christmas market.” She’d always wanted to go to the Christmas markets in Vienna and Cologne. Maybe next year she and Maddie could make a trip to one. “I’d add scarves but I don’t want to ruin our faces.” Chloe wasn’t sure she could control her piping bag so close to the other blobs of icing. 

“We would have so much fun!” Chloe balled her fists and shook them in excitement, but then sighed and shook her head. “Stupid tickets being impossible to get.” She swirled her hot chocolate and blew on it before sipping, frowning when all the half melted marshmallows swam to the other side. “That would be pretty magical! What era of Elvis would you prefer he come back as?” She asked. She wasn’t super knowledgeable about it, though she had caught a few movies with Maddie and knew the most famous hits. “You’re not! Oh my god. What are you going to do? Keep getting them to hang out?” 

“I love them so much! Is it weird that I want to frame them or something? Seriously, too cute to eat. And you know one of these days we’re going to make that happen! We’ll put that and Taylor on the bucket list for sure.” Maddie had tried her best to snag Swiftie tickets for Chloe’s Christmas present, but so far hadn’t much luck. She had other plans as well of course, but it was something she really, really wanted to make happen. Maybe there would be a Christmas miracle. “That’s okay! You know we’re always going a mile a minute. I have a hunch we’d be too wired at the Christmas market to need to stay warm anyway.”

Gauging another sip as the cocoa had cooled a little, Maddie mulled over the question. She gave it serious thought, but still hadn’t totally settled on an era. “Such a hard question! I mean, 50′s Elvis was so dreamy, and then I could snag him before he was taken,” Maddie mused with a giggle. “But in the 60′s he was the hunk of all the movies and had some of his best hits and performances. Early 70′s, jumpsuit and all, I’d take too. But let’s go with 60′s Elvis, I guess. When he was in his real prime.” Maddie knew his movies had been cheesy fun, and felt blessed that Maddie sat through some of them with her. “Which Taylor era is your favorite?” She challenged in return. “We’re still working on a plan, but I figure with Christmas and New Year’s, maybe we can make some kind of magical kiss happen or something, you know?”

December was, without a doubt, Luke’s favorite month of the year. Or specifically, the couple of months through the holiday season from Halloween on through right to Christmas and New Year’s. It never surprised him that this also seemed to coincide with a busy time at the fire station. Somehow the area of the country without snow still managed to be a disaster waiting to happen this time of the year, and Luke had been pulling some longer than normal shifts and was definitely feeling it today. Just a little more sluggish than usual and with reflexes slightly slower, which is why on his way out of the apartment and to the corner store he couldn’t avoid bumping into somebody at the last second coming his way with arms loaded down with wrapping paper and Christmas supplies. His own attention had been on his phone when the collision happened, and thankfully as he juggled it and managed to save the device from hitting the ground his eyes came to rest upon bluish-green eyes and an angelic face wearing the most sheepishly embarrassed expression staring back at him. Maddie Wilson was before him, managing to yelp out a few words of explanation.

Madeline Wilson, Kenji’s hottie of a best friend… at least one of his best friends. The blonde across the hall who’d seen Luke at some real low points, including the first time either had laid eyes on the other. And since that point they’d of course been civil with one another, friendly enough especially when Kenji was around, but that sure wasn’t enough to stop him from realizing this major cutie was there in the same building, same floor… and it was pretty obvious she wanted as little to do with him as possible. Since this was obviously unplanned though, Luke offered a smile as he tried not to linger too much on a stare, and then knelt down to start picking up some of the rolls of wrapping paper for her. “I’d be shocked if you weren’t trying to be,” he responded. You idiot, thinking to himself. She’s going to take that as an insult, not a compliment. “I mean, I know how much you like to tackle.” Just stop talking. Luke gathered up the rolls on the floor and stood back up. “How about I give you a couple extra hands getting home?” Sigh.

It seemed like no matter how out of the way Maddie would go to avoid Luke, their paths always crossed in the least expected of times. She figured with the shifts that the holidays brought along (something she was aware of mostly because of Kenji) that he wasn’t around much. It wasn’t that she had anything against her hunky neighbor-- far from it. It was more that she was scared. Not so much of him, but the flutters he made her feel. Something that she easily ignored with past flings and crushes, because she didn’t want to put her heart out there just for someone to dissect. She tried to keep things fun and flirty and fast; with zero commitment. She couldn’t help but wonder sometimes what she was missing out on, but after seeing how devastated her dad had been after her mom left, Maddie wasn’t brave enough to try. She’d save her bravery for work; after all, that passion made her happy... enough.

Of course the instant he smiled at her, Maddie could feel her defenses wavering. A quiet, uncertain scoff parted her lips as she shook her head with uncertainty. The quirk of a small smile hinted that she wasn’t annoyed though. “I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing,” Maddie admitted, her light eyes lingering on his for a beat before she broke the gaze to start gathering the rest of her things. Accidentally her fingers brushed along the back of his palm in the process, making her cheeks flush pink. The color of the deepened at the ‘tackling’ comment, as Maddie too rose to her feet. He’d probably just been remarking about her ambitiousness again, but her mind went other places it shouldn’t. “Oh? You think you know me that well?” Her eyebrow arched, it challenging, but playful. Luke in her apartment was dangerous territory, but he was being kind. Also, she’d proven she couldn’t carry it all by herself. “Sure. I mean, if you don’t mind. So long as I’m not keeping you from anything?” Maddie began her way up the stairs, well aware of the view he was probably getting, but tried not to overthink it. “I um, have some fresh cookies and cupcakes, if you’ll consider that payment,” she offered as she unlocked the door, leaving it open behind her to allow him to decide if he wanted to follow her in or stay in the hall.

“Probably the latter”, he snickered, more than happy to share the blame. But they both knew he was very much capable of stuffing his face with the cookies Maddie gifted his mom before buying some to replace them. Not those though. Not when it served their plan so well. “Maddie!”, he gasped dramatically with one hand resting on his chest for better effect. Even he wouldn’t have thought about the mistletoe. It was subtle and romantic. It was perfect! Not to mention he loved that particular Christmas tradition despite the fact that he never got to experience it. “You cheeky little devil! You’re a genius!”

He grinned to himself as he set the plates down in a counter. Not only he got to eat the best cookies but the thought of doing something nice for his mother made him happy. “Nah I’m on my own. Come on, make yourself at home, we need to plot a little more because as brilliant as your idea is, a lot needs to happen before you become my step sister”. Kenji was excited at the thought. Although this whole plan was pure theory, he’d always wanted siblings and would love for them to be part of the same family. “Cookies?”

”I’m not sure if you’re right, or just trying to make me believe it, but I’ll play along,” Maddie chirped with laughter. No matter how many cookies and other creations she baked daily, she could never get sick of eating them. Her grin grew at Kenji’s approval, thrilled that he liked her mistletoe cookie idea. “Right? Every now and then I use my evil for good. Although while you’re talking about planning, I feel like we need to slip some real mistletoe in when they’re around. Because you’re right. One platter of cookies is not going to do the trick.” 

Another laugh trickled from the blonde at his offer of a cookie; Maddie was already hyped up on enough sugar, and their parental planning was a whole new high. “Thank you, but I’m good. Just save those for you and your roomie.” She always liked to pretend she’d forgotten Luke’s name-- as if he was the furthest thought for her mind. Hopefully Kenji bought into it, or she might never live it down. “Well, we may be here for a while then. How about I order a pizza? I’ll buy.” Slipping her phone out of her pocket, Maddie plopped down onto one of the counter stools. “Sooo, did you have any ideas, or are we starting with a blank slate?”

Kenji opened the door to reveal Maddie with two platters of what looked like delicious cookies. It had to be his favorite sight in the world. “It’s a good thing I exercise at work”, he smirked as a way to greet her. Then he took both plates from her and invited her in. “Merry Christmas to you too! I know that’s probably going to sound dirty but the bigger the better!” Shooting one look at the plate in his right hand, he noticed that she card was signed from Maddie and his dad. He smirked and turned to her. Their plan to get their parents together was in full swing was still in early stages but Christmas would indeed be a perfect occasion to shift into high gear.

“I wouldn’t dare!”, he gasped, playfully feigning shock “I mean… I could eat them all and buy cookies to replace my mom’s without anybody, especially you nothing, but I won’t. Not when your dad’s name’s on the card”. His mother had been single since his dad passed away years ago and insisted that she was fine but now that Kenji had moved out, he figured she felt alone and above, she deserved to be happy again.

Maddie always made cookie platters for her friends and family come Christmas, but she made sure that Kenji’s was stocked extra high with his favorites. “Thank you! You know, if I didn’t know you I would totally think that, but that is exactly what I was thinking!” She gave his shoulder a little squeeze and laughed at his playful retort. “Um, yes - yes you would! I’m pretty sure I had to make a last minute emergency on one Christmas because you did just that,” Maddie pointed jovially. “Unless I’m remembering wrong. Which, actually, maybe we both gorged ourselves with them. That seems more accurate.”

Her mother’s betrayal left Maddie a skeptic when it came to love, but her dad and Kenji’s mom both deserved another chance at it. She felt they would be really cute together, and if one of her besties became her step-brother, that would be super cool too. “I think your mom would know the difference by now. But I guess that was a wise move for me to put his name on there too, right? I mean, I don’t think it’s too much. I also may have decorated a special mistletoe cookie in there just for her.” Maddie peeked in, curious if her assumption had been right that Luke had already left. She didn’t exactly want to barge in if he was there. “So, what are you up to? Guys’ night in?”

Chloe’s usual role when it came to cookies was taste tester, but the times where she and Maddie baked together were extra special. Especially when they were Christmas themed. Her friend’s looked as perfect as ever, but Chloe didn’t mind her childish looking ones. Dots for eyes and a smile, zig zags denoting feet and hands. Before baking Chloe had smushed two together at the hands, so when they baked they were holding hands. It was cute, and she was decorating them as her and Mads with yellow icing for each of their hair.

“Big question.” Chloe pursed her lips as she thought. She was probably supposed to say something like end world hunger, but instead, “Taylor Swift tickets.” She laughed and shrugged her shoulders, grabbing some marshmallows and dropping them into the hot chocolate, but popping one into her mouth as well. “Is that magical enough? I feel like I need some Santa magic to get those.” Chloe brought her mug to her chest, holding it close as it warmed her through. “What about you?”

Although Chloe didn’t have the years of practice that Maddie did when it came to decorating, her cookies were adorable. She had every bit of faith that if she wanted to perfect it someday, she could. Having fun was the most important thing though; except if the baked goods were for a client. Cozying up at her place for the holidays and baking with her bestie was about as good as it got. Any place with Chloe, she knew she was in for fun. “Oh my gosh, those are so cute!” Maddie squealed as she noticed two of the cookies holding hands. “Is that us? Because I totally see it.”

Taking Chloe’s lead, Maddie also dropped some marshmallows into her mug before lifting it to her lips for a tentative taste. She’d taken the tiniest sip because it was still very hot. Maddie didn’t have much patience when it came to sweets, so she was always burning her tongue from scalding coffee or tea, or cookies. Carefully, she blew on the drink as she hummed approvingly at Chloe’s answer. “Great choice! You know I’d go with! And yeah, we definitely need a miracle to get ahold of some of those.” Maddie wasn’t even sure what she wanted. “Oof,” she thought aloud. “I honestly don’t know. To bring Elvis back from the dead? I mean, we did say magical,” she teased. “I really just want my dad to be happy. Kenji and I are trying to play matchmaker with our parents.” Just because Maddie was jaded about love didn’t mean her father didn’t deserve a second chance.

Maddie had been swamped pretty much the entire month of December, between her work at the bakery and then side arrangements for cookies and other pastries that others had requested. She loved staying so busy, especially when it was doing something she loved so much. However, between all the baking and decorating, wrapping presents had taken a backseat. At this point, most of them wouldn’t be done until Christmas Eve. Her stash of wrapping paper and the like had been whittled down to almost nothing, so after dropping off an order of macarons to a client, she stopped by the store to grab what she needed. Luckily it hadn’t been picked over too much, but carrying the plethora of bags, bows, and rolls of paper hadn’t proven to be an easy task all at once. It didn’t help that her parking spot had been about as far away from the apartment building as possible.

By the time she battled the stairs to her floor her face was a little flushed, breath a bit shallow, and she could barely see over the tall rolls of wrapping paper. Maddie took her steps carefully but still managed to collide into another building dweller, sending all her supplies tumbling from her hands. “I’m so sorry!” Maddie gushed, her cheeks darkening once she saw the baby blue eyes of just who she had ran into. Literally. The dreamboat she always tried to avoid. “I think I was a little too ambitious,” she modestly squeaked. 

The month of December had flown by in a flash. It was hard to believe that in a couple of weeks they would be embarking on a new year. Maddie tended to get lost in the frenzy of Christmas, so keeping her days straight hadn’t been easy. Things were starting to settle finally though, and she still had a couple of cookie trays left to deliver. One to Kenji, as well as one for his mother. Both were piled high with her best cookies and pastries-- and lots of edible glitter. She had addressed Kenji’s to Luke as well because they were neighbors, and it would be a bit rude not to include him. Even if she tried to avoid him as much as possible. Not out of dislike, but rather, the opposite. She had to keep distance from her awkwardness somehow.

Speaking of, usually Maddie would have insisted Kenji come pick up the tray, but she was certainly she’d heard Luke head out the door shortly before, so she could avoid a run-in. The card on Kenji’s mom’s tray was signed with both Maddie’s name, as well as her father’s. She and Kenji had been plotting for a while now to try and nudge them together. They both deserved love. What was the worst that could happen? Clad in her flour and sugar laden apron, Maddie knocked on the door to his apartment, a bright grin on her lips as the door swung open and there was her bestie. “Merry Christmas!” She greeted vibrantly, holding out both platters. “They’re even bigger this year. But make sure that your mom gets hers. You better not eat both of them.”