I wiggle the tinkle bell on the end of the elf cap then allow it to touch Madison’s cheek. Her eyes squeeze tight, her nose wrinkles, and her lips purse.

“Stop,” she gripes. “Make it stop!”

“I would, but Cameron is counting on you. You promised her, so you need to get up,” I remind her, safely out of arms’ reach.

“Fine,” she spits, sitting up with the. “What the…”

Her eyes look to me. They struggle to focus then process the sight of her ...