Janie parks her car by the curb of the Seaside Health Clinic.

"Alright Melanie, let's go. I'm taking you back to Cooper and Charlotte." Janie coaxed

"What...What if they send me away?" Melanie asked scared and almost in tears "I don't want to lose the best family I've had since mama and papa."

Janie sighed softly. She knew by 'mama' and 'papa' that Melanie was referring to her first foster family. Janie gave a shrug, "I don't know, kid, but I'll advocate for you. You're not a bad kid. I know that and you know that, so we have to make sure Charlotte and Cooper know that. Okay?"

Melanie gave a nod, "Okay."

Melanie's heart was pounding in her chest as she stepped out of the car. Every step closer she took to the clinic made her heart pound more and more.

Janie opened the door and let Melanie walk in first, then she entered after the girl.

"Hey girly." The front desk concierge, Dell greeted

Melanie smiled, "Hey Dell."

"You're out of school early." Dell commented "Would you like me to get Cooper and Charlotte?"

Melanie stared nervously.

"That would be helpful. Thank you." Janie replied after a brief moment of silence. "I'm Janie Stout. Melanie's social worker."

Dell nodded and then tried calling Charlotte on the hospital landline. She didn't answer and the call went to voicemail. Dell hung up the call and then pushed the button to call Cooper.

After a few moments Cooper answered, "Hey Dell, how can I help you?"

"Um I have Melanie standing in front of me with her social worker." Dell stated

"Um okay I'll be right there." Cooper replied. He was a little nervous and scared. Why was the social worker there? Was Melanie going to be taken away from him and Charlotte? What would he tell Mason?

A few moments later, Cooper arrived in the lobby to where Melanie is waiting with her social worker Janie.

"Cooper, I'm so sorry." Melanie apologized "Please don't send me away! Please!"

"Whoa! Whoa! Mel, I'm not sending you away." Cooper assured

Melanie furrowed her eyebrows, "You're not?"

Cooper shook his head, "No, of course not. Why would I?"

"I...I don't know." Melanie replied as she shrugged her shoulders

"No matter what you do or say, there's nothing that will make me or Charlotte send you away?" Cooper explained "Got it?"

Melanie nodded, "O...Okay Cooper."

Cooper hugged Melanie and then looked at Janie, "Thank you for bringing Mel here."

"You're welcome." Janie replied. She filled Cooper in on what the school had told her about how Melanie behaved before turning around and leaving.

Cooper nodded and then looked at Melanie, "Charlotte and I will talk to you tonight about your behavior at school."

Melanie sighed softly, "Okay." She knew she was going to be in trouble. She also still didn't really believe that Cooper and Charlotte wouldn't send her away.

"And to reassure you of our love for you." Cooper added "Charlotte and I will never send you away. I promise."

Melanie smiled softly and gave a nod, "Okay."

That night after dinner when Charlotte and Cooper are sitting down in the living room with Melanie to talk to her.

"Mel, you do understand that your behavior at school was unacceptable and that there will have to be consequences?" Charlotte asked the teen

Melanie nodded, "Yeah. It means I go away, right?"

Charlotte shook her head, "No, it means you're grounded."

"Grounded?" Melanie questioned as she furrowed her eyebrows

"Yes, it means that you won't bee allowed to do certain things." Cooper explained "For a week the only places you are allowed to go are school and home. We won't take your phone away this time, because this is new to you and you are still learning to trust us, but next time we will take your phone. Understand?"

Melanie gave a nod, "Yeah. I understand." She took a breath, "So I'm not leaving?"

"No, never." Charlotte assured the girl as she hugged her "They'll have to pry you from my cold dead hands before I let them take my sweet girl."

Melanie smiled softly, "Thanks...mom." She returned the hug

"Of course. I love you, honey." Charlotte replied

"I...I love you too." Melanie replied


Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.

What would you like to see happen next?

Sorry for the long delay and sorry it's a little short. Life has just been so busy with college and all the homework. I'll try my best to get a new chapter out soon.