Madison’s World Redux: Season Two: Episode Sixty Nine

Madison's World Redux Season 2 Episode 69

Morning crept in softly, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the thin curtains and casting pale golden stripes across the room. Greg stirred awake, the cool air of dawn brushing against his skin. He had forgotten how early McKenzie rose for her tennis training—the discipline that drove her to the gym before the world was fully awake. The distant sound of a shower running and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee hinted at the household beginning to stir.

A few moments later, McKenzie’s face appeared above him, framed by tousled strands of damp hair that clung lightly to her cheeks. Her eyes held a mixture of apology and reluctance, the subtle creases at their corners betraying her inner conflict.

“Sorry, Dad,” she whispered, keeping her voice low in the quiet morning. “I have to get ready. I’ll take you back to Madison’s. I promise I’ll let you stay over with me whenever I can.” Her breath was warm, carrying the faint scent of mint toothpaste.

As she carefully scooped him up, cradling his small form in her hands, Greg felt a pang of apprehension. The world swayed gently with each of her steps as she carried him down the dim hallway. He appreciated McKenzie’s efforts to spend time with him, but the thought of leaving Cindy behind to deal with Madison alone unsettled him deeply.

He gazed up at McKenzie, her profile etched against the soft glow of morning light. The tension between her and Cindy weighed heavily on his mind. In the past, their disagreements would have dissipated quickly, smoothed over by shared laughter or a heartfelt conversation. But now, the dynamics had shifted. McKenzie no longer seemed inclined to take the high road with her mother. Cindy’s transformation into a Little had altered the balance, placing the burden of reconciliation squarely on her diminished shoulders.

Greg wondered if McKenzie saw her mother primarily as a Little now, the familial bonds overshadowed by the new reality. Despite acknowledging Cindy as her mother, McKenzie seemed unable—or perhaps unwilling—to let go of past grievances. The more strained their relationship became, the more Greg sensed McKenzie pulling him closer, almost as if she were trying to fill a void or perhaps widen the gap between Cindy and herself. He couldn’t tell if it was an unconscious attempt to hurt Cindy or simply a way to strengthen their own bond in these uncertain times. Maybe it was a bit of both.

As they neared Madison’s room, Greg noticed the hesitation in McKenzie’s eyes. A flicker of indecision crossed her face, and he realized she didn’t want to take him back. Part of her was contemplating keeping him with her, leaving him safe in her own habitat until she returned from school. If she chose to do so, he would be powerless to object. The thought sent a chill through him—a stark reminder of how little control he had over his own fate now. He no longer possessed the strength, authority, or even the physical presence to influence such decisions.

“Be good today, Dad,” McKenzie said softly, pausing outside Madison’s closed door. She looked down at him, her expression a mix of affection and concern. “I love you. You’ll always be my Little, but you have to listen to Madison. She’s your Guardian too. So please, try to make it work.”

Her words were sincere, yet they carried an underlying plea. He nodded, offering a small smile to reassure her. “I’ll do my best,” he replied quietly.

With a gentle push, McKenzie opened the door to Madison’s room. The space was tinged with soft pink hues, and the air was thick with the subtle scent of lavender. Madison lay sprawled across her bed, her chest rising and falling in the deep rhythm of sleep. The curtains were still drawn, casting the room in a muted twilight.

McKenzie stepped lightly across the carpet, each footfall silent. She lifted the lid of the habitat carefully, her movements deliberate to avoid making any noise. Inside, Cindy stirred at the sudden influx of light and movement. Her eyes fluttered open, and upon seeing McKenzie, a spark of delight ignited in her gaze. Half-asleep, she raised a tiny hand, waving eagerly at her daughter—a hopeful gesture reaching across the chasm that had grown between them.

“Hi, Mom,” McKenzie whispered kindly, her voice barely audible. She pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence as she glanced toward Madison’s sleeping form. Everyone in the house knew how irritable Madison could be if woken prematurely; disturbing her rest was an invitation for trouble.

Cindy’s face lit up at the greeting, her smile radiant despite the early hour. She sat up, smoothing down her disheveled hair in a subconscious attempt to appear more presentable. The subtle lines of fatigue around her eyes spoke of restless nights, but for a moment, hope shone through.

McKenzie gently set Greg down on the plush pink carpet beside the habitat. The soft fibers cushioned his feet, a stark contrast to the hard surfaces he was accustomed to. He looked up at his wife, sharing a silent exchange of reassurance.

McKenzie hesitated, her gaze lingering on her mother. The familiar features were now framed in a diminutive form, a physical manifestation of how much had changed. While she made an effort to be cordial—for her father’s sake—the emotional distance was palpable. The layers of past disagreements and unresolved tensions weighed heavily upon her. Seeing her mother as a Little complicated their relationship in ways she hadn’t fully processed.

“Take care, both of you,” she whispered, a hint of reluctance in her tone. She straightened up, casting one final look at her parents before quietly exiting the room, the door closing softly behind her.

As the latch clicked into place, a delicate silence settled over the room. The only sounds were Madison’s steady breathing and the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the hallway. Greg turned to Cindy, noting the flicker of sadness that had replaced the brief joy in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently, stepping closer.

Cindy nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “It’s just… I thought maybe today would be different,” she murmured. “I hoped we could talk, really talk.”

Greg reached out, his fingers brushing hers. “She’ll come around,” he assured her. “These things take time.”

She offered a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I know. It’s just hard seeing her struggle to even look at me.”

He sighed softly, understanding her pain all too well. “She’s grappling with a lot of emotions. We all are.”

Cindy glanced toward Madison, still peacefully asleep. “And Madison… I worry about her too. She’s taken on so much responsibility.”

“She’s strong,” Greg replied. “But we need to be there for her, even if it’s not in the way we’re used to.”

Cindy squeezed his hand gently. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For being here.”

“Always,” he said, his eyes conveying the depth of his commitment.

Cindy sat perched on the edge of the tiny sofa within the habitat, her fingers nervously tracing the worn fabric. The muted light filtered through the transparent walls, casting soft shadows that danced across the minimal furnishings. She watched as Greg settled in across from her, his expression a blend of fatigue and cautious optimism. The air between them was thick with unspoken questions, the weight of their shared experiences pressing heavily upon them.

“How was it with McKenzie?” Cindy asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “Where did you stay?”

Greg glanced at her, noting the subtle tension in her posture—the slight furrow of her brow, the way her gaze flickered between him and the floor. “Oh, well,” he began, choosing his words carefully, “McKenzie built a small habitat. She converted that old pet cage into a Little habitat with the help of some of her friends.”

He paused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the details. “It turned out pretty well, actually. It’s smaller than this habitat, but it’s cozy. It even has a bathroom. The living room and bedroom are kind of together, like a studio apartment, but it’s fully furnished.”

As he spoke, Cindy’s expression shifted subtly. The initial curiosity in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a shadow of discontent. The corners of her mouth tightened ever so slightly, and she folded her hands in her lap, her fingers interlacing tightly.

Greg noticed the change, a hint of apprehension creeping into his voice. “She really put a lot of effort into it,” he added softly.

Cindy looked away, her gaze fixing on a spot somewhere beyond the confines of the habitat. “I thought you were going over there to try to smooth things over,” she said, her tone edged with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. “I thought you were supposed to be helping me.”

He felt a pang of guilt stab at his chest. “I was,” he replied earnestly. “I did talk to her about you.”

Cindy turned back to him, her eyes searching his face. “But it sounds like you were living the life of Little luxury while I toiled away under Madison,” she said, a hint of bitterness creeping into her words. “It’s not your fault, I know, but… it’s just so unfair.”

Greg sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t ask for any of it,” he said quietly. “What was I supposed to do? Refuse her kindness? Burn down the bridge to McKenzie? I was trying to keep the peace.”

She shook her head, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I just feel like you’re not seeing how hard it is for me,” she murmured. “You’re being treated well, and I’m… not.”

He reached out, his hand hovering uncertainly before resting gently on hers. “I understand,” he said softly. “Believe me, I do. But I did talk to her about you. She’s still upset. She feels you didn’t listen to her feelings and opinions enough. She thinks your change of heart is because you’re a Little now, and not genuine.”

Cindy’s eyes flashed with a mix of anger and hurt. “Well, of course it’s because I’m in this… this rodent body,” she snapped, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself. She glanced nervously toward the door, mindful of Madison’s proximity. Lowering her voice, she continued, “We shouldn’t be Littles. We’re not Little people. So yes, being forced to live as one has made me reevaluate things I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

“That’s exactly why it’s harder for her,” Greg explained gently. “She feels it’s hypocritical. She doesn’t believe you think you were wrong in your beliefs—just that you don’t like those beliefs being applied to you. It’s been harder than I thought to get her to forgive you.”

Cindy pulled her hand away, crossing her arms defensively. “Greg, she has to understand we’re her parents,” she insisted. “I didn’t realize how hard Littles have it. I didn’t think they were as close to people as they are. If I could go back, I would approach some of my methods differently. I realize that now. Littles should have more freedom than I thought. I see where I may have been… overboard.”

He nodded slowly, empathy evident in his eyes. “I think it’s going to have to come from you,” he said. “Anytime I bring you up, it’s a pretty sore subject. I’ll keep trying where I can, but maybe she needs to hear it from you directly.”

She exhaled sharply, frustration etched across her face. “We’re in this together,” she muttered, more to herself than to him. “It shouldn’t be this hard.”

Greg hesitated, sensing the widening rift between them. “You and McKenzie didn’t get to this place overnight,” he offered gently. “It’s not going to be fixed overnight either.”

Cindy glanced up, her eyes meeting his. There was a vulnerability there, a silent plea for understanding. Before she could respond, Greg added, “So… how did it go with Madison?” His attempt to steer the conversation to safer ground was evident.

She sighed, the tension easing slightly from her shoulders. “Oh, well, we have this Little tablet now, as you can see,” she said, gesturing toward the sleek device resting on a nearby table. “And she added one of her old phones for us. The tablet is restricted, and she can monitor everything. The password is ‘MadisonIsGreat69,'” she added, shaking her head in exasperation.

Greg raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Well, I guess it’s not unexpected she’d monitor and restrict it,” he remarked.

Cindy shot him a weary look. “You don’t understand,” she said, her tone edged with irritation. “It’s not something we can use to entertain ourselves. We’re expected to use it for work. We now do her homework, and then she checks it over before submitting it. We also do anyone else’s homework she wants. There’s a folder where she drops in assignments for us to complete.”

“What?” Greg exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. “She expects us to do her homework?”

“Yes,” Cindy confirmed, her frustration palpable. “And anything other than compliance on this topic will get us into a ‘corrective action’ at best. She even mentioned she could give us to Ms. Harrington for a few days to ‘work with us’ if we don’t appreciate what she’s doing for us.”

Greg frowned, confusion mingling with concern. “Well, Emma always seemed like a sweet girl,” he began tentatively. “Very nice, very proper, but—”

“No, you don’t understand,” Cindy interrupted, her voice firm. “And don’t call her Emma. It’s Ms. Harrington now. I’m not sure when our collars will be updated, but she made it very clear. The Ms. Harrington you knew is how she is around other people. Around Littles, she is different. We need to treat her with respect.”

Greg blinked, taken aback by the intensity in her tone. “I… I had no idea,” he admitted softly.

She looked away, her gaze distant. “Neither did I,” she murmured. “But we’re learning quickly.”

A heavy silence settled between them, the weight of their predicament pressing down like a tangible force. The faint hum of the ventilation system filled the void, a constant reminder of their confined existence.

Greg reached out once more, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm. “We’ll get through this,” he said softly. “Together.”

Cindy turned to face him, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of fear, determination, and weary resignation. “I hope so,” she whispered. “But it’s getting harder to see the way forward.”

He offered a reassuring smile. “One step at a time,” he replied. “We’ll figure it out.”

She nodded slowly, drawing a deep breath. “You’re right,” she conceded. “We have to keep trying.”

The distant sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, a subtle reminder that their conversation might soon be interrupted. They shared a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

“Let’s focus on what we can control,” Greg suggested. “We’ll tackle the assignments, stay out of trouble, and look for opportunities to reach out to McKenzie.”

Cindy managed a small smile. “Agreed,” she said. “And maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a way to make them see us for who we really are.”

He squeezed her hand gently. “We’re still their parents,” he affirmed. “Nothing can change that.”

She held onto his words, letting them bolster her spirits. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For being my rock.”

“Always,” he replied softly.

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C M
C M
13 days ago

1) a lot of emotions going in this chapter. Kenzie seemed to be genuine in her brief interaction around Cindy, though idk if that was more for Greg than Cindy.

2) Cindy still not understanding her new life is understandable, but she will need to accept it at somepoint. Maybe it’ll make things easier.

3) I do think she has every right to be bitter about how she’s being treated worse than Greg. It’s her own doing, but Greg’s not going to see as much of this stuff as Cindy is, especially if Kenzie is taking him from Madison every chance she gets. What’s really going to be interesting is when they get into the community, as Cindy would be higher in the hierarchy than Greg, but greg is Tina’s assistant, so he might be on even ground as Cindy.

4) Glad Cindy is keeping Greg in the loop with everything he missed. The homework part I think is reasonable reaction since they’re both her parents. They still want her to succeed on her own merits. what sucks is that they have to do the others’ homework, too. Also good on Cindy for making sure Greg knows to not call her Emma and to change her views on her immediately. Honestly, that’s probably the best way forward for learning how to adapt. Treating all of Madison’s friend and their friends and family as brand new people they’ve never met. It’s pretty harsh, but Cindy’s teachings are pretty wide spread it seems so expecting the worst is probably the easier option

J - Vader
J - Vader
13 days ago

Good god I love Greg and Cindy relationship! Also I’m back baby sorry for the late response it’s been busy lately especially around this time of year lol anyway this chapter give me hope for everyone in the family and god I can’t wait for the Cindy and McKenzie make up I so drained from the tension that it physically hurts lol but Cindy needs her redemption arc finish first.

Greg being a giga chad of a dad and husband is beyond good and has full heartedly has my respect and the kind of dad any guy would aspire to be.

Cindy seeing some aspect of her wrong doing is a good sign at least she still stubborn but she’s at least trying to work through this. I just want her to be happy which I know is wrong to say due to her past wrong doing but I don’t know she feels relatable in some degree being our beliefs in something can make us do and think things that are wrong or just making mistake that hurt those close to us and it shows how human she is that she looks back at her past self and in some levels although she doesn’t want to admit it out loud fully she was wrong and want to do right by her family. So hoping for the best.

Also fuck Emma I’m sorry she just screams missed up and has red flag all over keep her away from Greg and Cindy because fuck that.

Overall great work.

Prediction time baby!!!

1) Cindy talks to McKenzie about how bad she missed up with her relationship with her and talks about how it was similar with her mother and how she swore she be different but see that she just did the same thing. McKenzie being surprised by this unknown fact about her mother and grandmother and see that it may be a generational problem for daughters and mothers but both Cindy and McKenzie want to end with them.

2) Madison takes Cindy to the store to grab supplies and ask for advice about food she used to get for Madison and McKenzie. Silent as Cindy has a tears running down her face as Mads tries to calm her down and ask why she is crying. But Cindy just is happy to be needed and valued still as a mother for Mads in a small but impactful way and Mads tries to avoid being overly emotional but pets and quickly kisses her little mother as they go on buying groceries.

Things that would be funny and interesting to see

1) we meet a little that similar to Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation who despite his small size he’s deadpan personality and adherence to many stereotypically masculine traits but deep down can be a softy guy I just think that would be cool to see.

DAVID
Reply to  J - Vader
13 days ago

I would love to see that heart felt physical and emotional interaction also

Nodqfan
13 days ago

Hopefully, Cindy and Kenzie can be able to reconcile and bring the family somewhat closer together.

Dlege
Dlege
13 days ago

Another amazing chapter steeped in layers!

1. McKenzie telling greg he needs to try with Madison shows that she knows she can’t shut Madison out even if she doesn’t agree with her as Madison has to come to the conclusion by herself or through a friend

2. McKenzie still calling her mom “mom” and not hey little shows that she does still her as her mom but it’s steeped in echoes of the past of what they’ve been through

3. Greg and Cindy were well over due this chat about Cindy but I felt it needed to be more firey on Greg’s part like “how could you treat McKenzie like that”

4. Greg is amazing! He just came back into the frying pan but is comforting Cindy and telling her they’ll get through it together

5. At the end of the day they are still their parents and Greg has Mackenzie on his side and maybe in season 3 Madison will also be on his side and maybe just maybe Madison and McKenzie will build a relationship with Cindy

6. Madison when she wakes up and sees both littles “hey littles welcome to hell” 🤣 ah no I’m joking, I really like Madison as she reminds me of my niece! Would kill you and bratty but heart of gold

This is our last full week of madisons world! I’m living for season 3

Lethal Ledgend
13 days ago

1) “the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee hinted at the household beginning to stir” will he get some Little coffee or is that smell just for the Biggles?

2) “Sorry, Dad, I have to get ready. I’ll take you back to Madison’s” Taking him to Madison is something to apologise for.

3) “thought of leaving Cindy behind to deal with Madison alone unsettled him deeply.” he’s a good husband, even though he’d know any issues Cindy’s having are mostly her own fault 

4) “McKenzie no longer seemed inclined to take the high road with her mother. Cindy’s transformation into a Little had altered the balance, placing the burden of reconciliation squarely on her diminished shoulders” being the bigger person remains on the smaller person’s responsibility.

5.1) “Greg wondered if McKenzie saw her mother primarily as a Little now” that would be a real concern given the change in behaviour.
5.2) “Greg sensed McKenzie pulling him closer, almost as if she were trying to fill a void or perhaps widen the gap between Cindy and herself” both logical guesses, I’m guessing the former.

6) “Part of her was contemplating keeping him with her, leaving him safe in her own habitat until she returned from school” She could do that, but I could see Madison just going into McKenzie’s room and taking him out anyway, mentally writing it off as McKenzir just not having time.

7) “I love you. You’ll always be my Little, but you have to listen to Madison. She’s your Guardian too. So please, try to make it work.” McKenzie seems to have a better understanding of “joint guardianship” than Madison.

8.1) “upon seeing McKenzie, a spark of delight ignited in her gaze” that’s adorable, I love it when parents are excited to see their kids.
8.2) “Half-asleep, she raised a tiny hand, waving eagerly at her daughter—a hopeful gesture reaching across the chasm that had grown between them” still cute, but also desparate.

9) “Take care, both of you,” there’s a little bit of hope there, in the fact she said ‘both’.

10) “It’s just… I thought maybe today would be different, I hoped we could talk, really talk.” that day is months, possibly a year away.

11) “She offered a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes” many smiles don’t seem to go the distance in this story.

12) “She’s grappling with a lot of emotions. We all are.” Greg still trying to make peace.

13) “And Madison… I worry about her too. She’s taken on so much responsibility.” it’s good to see Cindy still cares despite everything Madison’s done to her. (though they’re Cindy’s teachings so I wouldn’t be forgiving if Cindy held a grudge.

14) “Thank you,” she whispered. “For being here.” he had no say in the matter.

15) “How was it with McKenzie?” Cindy asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “Where did you stay?” she’s not gonna like the truth, that McKenzie set him up a bachelor pad, he should probably down play it.

16) “I thought you were going over there to try to smooth things over,” she says that like he left by choice.

17) “But it sounds like you were living the life of Little luxury while I toiled away under Madison, It’s not your fault, I know, but… it’s just so unfair.” not really, Cindy’s living the life she taught Madison Littles should have whereas Greg is living the life he defended McKenzie thinking Littles should live.

18) “I just feel like you’re not seeing how hard it is for me, You’re being treated well, and I’m… not.” and who set that up?

19.1) “Well, of course it’s because I’m in this… this rodent body,” calling it a “rodent body” doesn’t help her seem genuine.
19.2) “We shouldn’t be Littles. We’re not Little people. So yes, being forced to live as one has made me reevaluate things I wouldn’t have otherwise.” and neither does that, I guess the best test would be to grow her back and see if she changes… not that that’s possible.

20) “She glanced nervously toward the door, mindful of Madison’s proximity. Lowering her voice, she continued” she’s in a sound proof cage, she couldn’t be heard if she spoke loud enough to trigger the collar.

21) “She doesn’t believe you think you were wrong in your beliefs—just that you don’t like those beliefs being applied to you” andshe’s not wrong.

22) “I didn’t realize how hard Littles have it. I didn’t think they were as close to people as they are. If I could go back, I would approach some of my methods differently. I realize that now.” I suppose that kind of matches my point from 19.2.

23) “How was it with McKenzie?” ” – “So… how did it go with Madison?” How long until they realise they can say their daughter’s names out loud without the collars activating? (I just noticed that they’re both doing it, not just Greg who’s had his’s settings altered.) 

24) “The password is ‘MadisonIsGreat69,’” she added, shaking her head in exasperation” What’s wrong? That’s a great password.

25) “It’s not something we can use to entertain ourselves. We’re expected to use it for work. We now do her homework” what’s this ‘we’ I’m pretty sure that’s a Cindy Job, like cleaning the sinks.

26) “And anything other than compliance on this topic will get us into a ‘corrective action’ at best” anything other than compliance on most topics will get you ‘corrective actions’.

27) “She even mentioned she could give us to Ms. Harrington for a few days to ‘work with us’ if we don’t appreciate what she’s doing for us.” now that one was definitely just Cindy, no way McKenzie would allow Greg to be taken.

28) “Well, Emma always seemed like a sweet girl,” to Biggles she was.

29) “And don’t call her Emma. It’s Ms. Harrington now. I’m not sure when our collars will be updated” I’m not sure they’re currently active, as mentioned in 23.

30) “I… I had no idea,” it’s funny how someone’s truest nature doesn’t come out until they hold power over another.

31)  “One step at a time, We’ll figure it out.” their relationship in the face of this is still so damn sweet.

32) “Let’s focus on what we can control… We’ll tackle the assignments, stay out of trouble, and look for opportunities to reach out to McKenzie.” I love that they’re making plans, and that they’re more realistic ones.

33) “Thank you, For being my rock.”  “Always,” Awww.

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