They were eating dinner. Phil had made a simple meal of grilled lemon chicken, and baked potatoes. Daisy had made the side salad. Daisy looked at Phil and spoke to him, "You told my teachers what happened to me?"

It was more curiosity than accusation. Phil nodded. "I did. A quick synopsis just so they were all on the same page. Plus that way they would know the truth instead of listening to the rumors."

"Rumors are all over the place. One girl came up to me in gym class and asked if I was the love child of you and a prostitute and if you just found out I existed."

Melinda rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"

Daisy grinned. "Yeah. That's actually popular. So is the one that Phil got a teenager pregnant while in the Air Force, that she died, and that China sent me back here."

Phil shook his head. "Yeah I heard that one just yesterday. Apparently, I sleep around, have a bunch of illegitimate kids around the world, and I am a womanizing cad.

Melinda burst into laughter. Then she sobered. "So basically, in all these scenarios, I am a prostitute, or I am dead?"

Daisy laughed. "Yep. Or you gave me away because I was a burden."

"Well that's rude."

"It's only because they all know I exist, since I teach there. But apparently, I have a very shady background Mel." Phil grinned.

"Seriously though. Why don't they just ask."

"It's more fun to make shit up Melinda. Like with me too. Not many people saw what really happened in the lunch period on Friday. But they still act like they know what happened. Like one rumor is I have epilepsy. Another is that I'm a total drug addict and I even sell drugs now."

Phil shook his head. "It's ridiculous is what it is."

"Oh yeah. And another one is supposedly I was dating Grant Ward, but Phil didn't like it and paid Roy to beat him up."

"Oh I heard I paid Grant to ask you out cause I didn't like that you were dating Roy and Roy lost it and not only beat up Ward, but hit you too."

Daisy frowned. "I didn't hear that one yet. People suck."

Melinda nodded her head in agreement. "So Daisy, no need to do homework since you're off from school till next Wednesday. How about we watch a movie?"

"Where are we at in our Star Wars watch?"

"Return of the Jedi." Phil said. "But count me out. I have to get started on some of the food for tomorrow. And prep the turkey so I can put it in right when I get up tomorrow."

"Oh yeah. Tomorrow's the big dinner. I can help you Phil."

"So can I."

Phil side eyed Melinda while Daisy giggled. Melinda glared at both.

"I can do dishes and cut things Phil. I'm good with a knife."

"So I don't have to look up the local fire department number and put them on speed dial, then?" Daisy said cheekily.

"Smartass. Just for that, you two can do the dishes. I'm going for a run." She got up and went to her room to change.

Daisy shrugged. "At least she didn't invite me along to run. Last time she made me run almost two miles."

Phil shook his head at her but too late. Melinda stuck her head back in the kitchen. "Never mind. Phil you can do the dishes. Daisy, you should come with me on my run. It's part of my training you into shape for taekwondo. Today we can go three miles. If you're up for it."

"Crap."

"Come on. Shake a leg if you're coming." Melinda jogged back to her room.

Phil shrugged and gave her a defeated look. Daisy got down off the stool and moped back to her room.

It was actually not bad. Running. Daisy knew Melinda had slowed her pace so she could keep up. She never had imagined how quickly her life had changed. She was actually enjoying physical activities, she loved Tai Chi and way it calmed her. She couldn't wait to learn more martial arts. She had really liked ice skating. So who knew there were sporty things out there she could be okay at, maybe even good. Heck even in gym class she wasn't altogether terrible this year. She could actually hit the volleyball on occasion and could even serve it over the net. Maybe she had inherited Melinda's agility and zen vibe after all. She just needed more practice with it.

She looked over at Melinda and smiled. "This isn't so bad. It has to be at a mile already, yeah? How far have we gone?"

"About half a mile."

Daisy stopped. "No way. You're kidding right?"

Melinda stopped a few feet beyond her. "Keep moving or you'll tighten up." She turned and started running. Daisy followed suit, taking a few minutes to catch up"

"Hey, I'm dying here. Maybe we should turn around."

Melinda ignored her, slowing back down to Daisy's pace.

"Hey come on. I can't do this." She stopped again and Melinda stopped as well.

"You can talk while we run."

"No. I didn't even want to do this. You made me."

Melinda stopped and looked at Daisy. "You ran farther the last two weeks Daisy. You can turn around and go back to the house if you want. You could have said no."

"You said I had to."

"Daisy. I didn't say that."

"You might as well have. You basically said you wouldn't train me anymore if I didn't run and get in shape."

"Hey. Stretch out your legs so they don't cramp up while we talk, okay. I'm sorry if that's how you took that. I was mostly kidding. I thought you were too. I'd never make you do something you don't want to do."

Daisy looked at the ground while stretching. "I just – I don't want – I don't know why I said that. I don't want you to stop teaching me stuff. But I'll never be – I'll never be you."

"Good. You shouldn't. You should be you. If you don't want to run, you say so. If you don't want to take taekwondo lessons, you say so. If you don't want to do Tai Chi, tell me. If you don't like something, if you don't want to do something, you have every right to say so. We won't make you do anything you don't want to do Daisy. Well you have to go to school. It's the law. So yeah we have to make you do that. We'll head back now. Come on."

"No. Let's go more. I can do more. I was just being a whiner. Don't give up on me okay?"

"Daisy. I won't ever give up on you. I don't ever want you to do something you don't like just to please me."

"It's funny. I was just thinking how I don't mind running. Cause it makes me feel strong. Like I've accomplished something good. Like with Tai Chi. And self – defense. You make me feel like I'm actually good at those things. Or could be someday, anyway. I don't know what made me get angry. Maybe cause I'm practically dying and you're barely breaking a sweat? I actually like the physicality. I'm doing things I never imagined I could do. I feel better than ever. I don't know why I started whining."

"Um – cause you're a teenager? Just a guess."

"That's pretty dumb of me than." She gave Melinda a wry smile. "I don't want to be a nuisance to you. I know you could run twice as fast and go like ten times as far."

"And if I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have asked you to come along. I know your limits Daisy. You haven't even come close yet. Especially now. The last few times we've run, you've gone two miles each time. Trouble is you don't yet know your own limitations. And you like to take the easy way out."

"Old habits are hard to break I guess."

"You are far more capable of things then you give yourself credit for Daisy."

"It's hard to see myself the way you see me."

"Then I'll just have to keep reminding you. Come on. Let's head home and we can do some taekwondo. I'll teach you how to get out of someone's grasp and give him a black eye for his trouble."

"Wow. That's very specific."

"Is it?" Melinda stretched her legs for a bit with Daisy doing the same and then they headed back the way they had come.

Later that night, Phil was still cooking and prepping food but had taken a break and was sitting in the dining room with Melinda having a cup of coffee. Melinda and Daisy had trained for about an hour when they got back to the house.

"So what other critters do you think live back there? Besides raccoons?" Daisy had her face placed against the kitchen patio window. She had the floodlights switched on and was peering intently into the wooded area just beyond the grass.

"Normal ones, I guess. I don't know. Squirrels, all kinds of birds, Possums, rabbits?" Phil answered.

"Rats, mice, snakes."

Daisy turned quickly to gaze at Melinda. "Are you serious."

Melinda laughed. "Yes. Pests. We may even have a stray coyote or two in the area."

"Might even see some deer from time to time. Like the old place." Phil added.

"We lived in the woods?"

Melinda laughed. "Not the woods. We lived in a small town near the Air Force Base. Shiloh. The house was in a residential area but much like this house, had some woods and open spaces around it. Had a lot of deer and a few foxes around as well as all the smaller furry friends."

"Wait. Foxes and coyotes? In the back yard?"

"From time to time sure. I'd guess they'll also be around here with all the rabbits and mice and rats to eat."

"Bleh. You think we will have mice? In the house?"

"You're squeamish Daisy?"

"Well yeah. Who likes mice and rats? Seriously if I see a mouse I'm screaming and jumping on something."

"Bats are what freak me out." Phil added as he walked over to join Daisy at the window. I can handle mice. It's when the rodents have wings that I don't like."

"Bats aren't rodents Phil." Melinda rolled her eyes.

"Did anyone tell them that? Cause they sure look like flying rodents to me."

"There's bats too?" Daisy looked back at Melinda with huge eyes.

"Seriously you two? Of course, there are bats. And mice, and rats, and snakes and all kinds of small and large furry critters. Out there. Not in here. And if any get in here, I'll keep you safe. Both of you." She smirked at Phil.

"I don't know Phil. Maybe we should get a dog. To protect us from all those pests." Daisy looked over at him. She nodded at him. "A dog could keep me safe too."

"No dog."

Daisy looked at Phil who shrugged his shoulders and gave her a knowing look, practically telling her that her fight to get a dog would be with Melinda and not him. She turned and walked over to the table and sat down next to Melinda.

"A dog would be great company when you guys aren't around."

"No dog."

"Dogs are protective and cute and they love you unconditionally."

"I'm protective and cute and I love you unconditionally." Melinda said without lifting her head away from the papers she was working on.

Phil snorted at Melinda's retort. He looked at Daisy and tapped under his eyes. She shrugged and mouthed the word 'cry'. He nodded his head and widened his eyes for effect. Daisy nodded.

She put her hand over Melinda's. "Please." She widened her own eyes and gave Melinda a puppy dog stare.

Melinda looked up and sighed then shook her head. "Too messy. And we're too busy. It's not fair to the dog to have it stay locked up in the house all the time. A puppy needs to trained and to be housebroken and needs to go out a lot. You're in school all day, Phil and I both work. Phil coaches basketball, has to prepare for his classes. You have homework, counseling, and soon Taekwondo classes. We have family counseling every other week. My parents will want to spend time with you."

Daisy made one last try. "But I've never had a pet before." She made her lip quiver.

Melinda looked over at her. She sighed. "Daisy not now. Maybe later on when things are more settled."

"Cats are less work. And a cat would at least keep mice away." Phil was far more sympathetic to Daisy.

"Oh a kitten would be good. What about a kitten Melinda?" She paused and then tried a new tactic. "A kitten would teach me responsibility. And you don't have to walk cats and they use litterboxes."

Melinda glared at Phil and then looked back at Daisy. "What if you're allergic. You would get all attached and then have to give it up. Again, not fair to the animal."

"I don't think I'm allergic. I could go to a shelter and hold one and see."

"That's a reasonable idea." Phil added.

"You hold a kitten and you'll want to bring it home." Melinda was no fool.

"Yeah. But not if I'm really allergic. We could see. Please. Just a tiny little kitten who has no home. All alone like I used to be." Daisy gave her another puppy dog eyes look this time with a pout as well.

"I'm not cleaning out the litter box. The thing will stay in its bed in the living room not in the bedrooms. Keep it off the furniture. Nor will I feed or water it. You will keep it from scratching up everything."

"Seriously." Daisy's grin exploded on her face. "You mean it?"

"We can go this weekend. After Thanksgiving."

Daisy got up and bent down and hugged Melinda. "Thank you." She walked over to Phil and hugged him as well.

Melinda rolled her eyes at Phil as she got up to leave the room. "I'm going to watch The Princess Bride. It's a Thanksgiving tradition. You want to watch with me Daisy?"

"A tradition? I thought you didn't like love stories?

"I like good love stories. And this one is good"

"Sure. I'll make the popcorn."

"I'll find the movie and get it set up. Phil, you about done here for the night?"

"Yup. I'll be there after I clean up the kitchen a little."

Daisy laid in bed awake. She was going to get a kitten. She grinned. Melinda really was a pushover. In all the good ways. And tomorrow was her first big family dinner. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Lian and William were coming over and so were Bobbi and Hunter. Her whole family would be here. Phil was making a bunch of food and so was Lian. Melinda was picking her parents up at seven in the morning so Lian could help Phil with dinner. She turned over to her other side and tried to fall asleep. But her conversation earlier with Melinda was on her mind now. She didn't know what had changed so quickly while she was running. Everything was fine and then it wasn't. She knew this thing that had happened with that jerk Ward was just festering under the surface. She really hadn't addressed it or the panic attack she'd had at school.

Nor did she talk about the even worse PTSD induced attack she had last night. Melinda had not pressed her about it at all. She knew that she had sort of said some things that Bobbi heard. She'd slept a good while last night after Bobbi got her into her room, and later in Melinda's room. Melinda had skipped Tai Chi earlier this morning and had not woken her until after seven in the morning. Then she'd gotten ready, eaten a quick breakfast and headed off to school with Phil. They really hadn't been a whole lot of time to think about it even. Till now. Now it had come back to the surface, refusing to let Daisy push it back to its hidden corner in her mind. She'd been trying to fall asleep for a while and even the thoughts of tomorrow's dinner and getting a kitten couldn't shut out the lingering horrors in her memories.

It was one of the worst foster placements she'd ever been put into. There were three other kids there. Kerrie, who was a year younger than her and two younger girls, twins who were only nine. Daisy was barely thirteen, at least going by what she thought her birthday was. They lived in a townhouse in an old section of the city of Joliet. The house had three bedrooms. Daisy shared hers with Kerrie. At first, the place was okay. The woman drank far too much but wasn't a mean drunk. But she expected the foster kids to do all the housework, and laundry. It was one of those the fosters that fostered kids for the money and slave labor they could get from the kids. There was adequate food, if not the best kind, at least they were not starving there. The woman's husband worked in construction and sometimes was away for the whole week at a site.

The first two months there were no issues. When the man was home on the weekends, or the odd weekday, Daisy took to staying away as much as possible. She hung out at the local library, working on computers and trying to figure out coding. She woke up early on Saturdays and Sundays and did all her chores, all the laundry, and fed the younger kids. The man would usually sleep till noon and she or Kerrie would have his lunch ready for him. Then she'd leave and go to work at a Chinese diner, doing dishes. She worked only three hours Saturdays and four hours on Sunday, and sometimes a couple hours on Fridays after school. She had happened upon the job by chance seeing an ad in the library. The foster mother was fine with her having a job as long as she gave her half the money she earned and kept up with her chores. The restaurant paid her under the table, eight bucks an hour. It was pretty hard work. After work she'd go hang out at the library till it closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays she would go to the movies, pay for one ticket and just hang there moving from theater to theater.

She didn't know why, but the man had set off warnings from the moment she had met him. His leering at her when she'd bring him his lunch or his many beers further warned her to never be alone with him. She'd gone through that two years before and had learned to see the warning signs, something no kid should have to learn. She'd learned it the hard way, until she had simply run away from the bastard two years prior after smashing him over the head with a bottle. She'd told her social worker why she had run, but it just got swept under the rug, she was labeled hard to place, a delinquent and a chronic runaway and she learned that keeping her mouth shut would be less trouble for her.

She opened her eyes and sat up, swinging her legs over the bed and got up. She stretched and picked up her phone checking the time seeing it was twelve-thirty. It had been almost eleven when the movie had ended, and they had all gone to bed. She looked at her door and wondered if Melinda would get mad if she crawled into her bed again. She certainly didn't want to wear out her welcome. She was fairly certain that Melinda never bargained on having her fifteen-year old kid share her bed when Daisy had come back into her life. Besides that, being a bit weird and all, she didn't want to have it become a nightly thing. She'd already spent a couple nights there just this past week.

Maybe a glass of milk or something would help her sleep. She got up and as quietly as she could she made her way into the kitchen using her phone as a light to guide her. But there was already a light on in the kitchen. Maybe Phil forgot to turn it off? She rounded the corner and entered through the open door.

Melinda turned her head hearing Daisy's steps. "Hey. What are you doing up?"

"I thought I'd get a glass of milk. Help me to fall asleep." She noted the glass of alcohol in front of Melinda. "Unless you think that would work better?" She pointed to Melinda's glass with a smirk.

"Funny. I thought you didn't like to drink?"

"I don't. Saw too many people become slobbering wastoids from that stuff. How come you can't sleep?"

Melinda shrugged. Daisy poured herself a glass of milk and sat down on the stool next to Melinda. She gazed over at Melinda noticing the bottle also within arms-length.

"Nightmares." Melinda finally answered. "You?"

"Just couldn't fall asleep. Mind keeps going places I don't want it to."

Melinda stared at the drink she had yet to touch. She got up and poured it down the drain, getting another glass and pouring herself some milk. She put the bottle of scotch away and then sat back down.

"You know it's okay if you have a drink or two."

"Not for the reason I want it now."

"Oh." Daisy took a drink form her glass. "So you use it to forget. To sleep." It was a statement not a question.

Melinda answered anyway. "Yes. I used to." She looked at Daisy." A lot."

"I'm sorry. It must suck to think that's the only way to block stuff out. Jiaying used pills. Cal used alcohol and pills. This one foster guy – he didn't drink until after dinner but then he drank himself into oblivion. Every single night."

"I've been trying to avoid it. So far, since you came into our lives, I've been able to. I had a couple drinks with Phil but those were not – not ..."

"Not to forget. Not to become numb with I get it. So do you get sad drunk or angry drunk?"

"Neither. I drink enough to sleep. Without nightmares. Usually takes two or three. On a bad night it takes four. A really bad night and it takes over half the bottle."

"So you want to talk about your nightmare?"

"You want to talk about why you can't sleep?"

"I asked you first."

"I don't talk about myself very well."

"You mean stuff you don't want anyone to know. Cause you talk to me about yourself a lot."

"That's different. I do it to help you."

"Wow. So what's wrong with helping yourself?"

"Can't help if you don't think you deserve to be helped."

"Ah. Some sort of penance. You continue to suffer cause you think you deserve it."

Melinda scoffed. "Since when did you become an expert?"

"Hey I listen to all the shrinks. I've seen a bunch, you know. Anytime you can't forgive things you've done you feel you deserve whatever penance comes your way. Am I right? And that could be many things. Nightmares. Not being able to sleep. Bad things that happen to you. You feel like it's a good thing to feel so bad cause somehow, someway you deserve it."

"Jemma tell you that?"

"Nah. The nuns. They used to say that what bad things happen to you, you deserve it. You caused it and if you weren't so bad – people wouldn't do bad things to you."

"I'm sorry Daisy. They are assholes for saying that to a kid."

"Yah I figured that out eventually. Didn't stop me from feeling guilty about living when my parents – well when Cal and Jiaying died in a car accident. I dreamt about that for a while after. I'd wake up screaming. The nuns would be mad that I woke some of the other kids." She paused and took another drink of milk. "That's the first time I saw a shrink. He said I had survivor's guilt."

"Daisy."

"It's okay. I mean now it is. Jemma says that I repressed a lot of memories about them because of that guilt. She said I wanted to remember them as perfect and pushed aside a lot of the things that weren't so perfect. Like Cal's heavy drinking and Jiaying popping pills." Daisy paused and then tapped her fingers nervously on the counter. "You don't have a real problem with it, do you?"

Melinda sighed and then grasped Daisy's hand in her own. "I used to drink to fill the void Daisy. After Phil and I split. After I met Andrew, not so much. I felt hopeful again. Like maybe there was a chance to be happy. I never got sloppy drunk. I never hurt anyone while drinking. I won't even drink at all anymore if it bothers you." She paused, trying to say the right words so Daisy would understand. "I lost myself for a while after they took you. I lost myself more seven years ago. I had to do something that went against everything I stood for. Everything I was. The alcohol let me sleep. You know something though? Ever since you popped back into my life, I haven't needed to drink like I used to."

"Okay. And wow on all this honesty, yeah? I mean I know even just saying that with no details was really difficult. See, you can talk about yourself. At least to me. You've been honest with me about everything so far. I really, really appreciate that. else. But you don't have to stop drinking like completely. You're an adult."

"How about I just take a break for a while. I sat here for over an hour, trying to talk myself out of it anyway. Should have just come to you instead in the first place."

"Well there's this cool lady who told me that beating punching bags or working out can help relieve stress. She also said that breathing and focusing can calm you down. She even mentioned that talking things through can be therapeutic. I think that lady's pretty smart."

"I guess it's good to know that you are actually listening to me. You're pretty smart yourself kid. Come on. It's really late. I have to get up early tomorrow." She took both the glasses and put them near the sink and then took Daisy's hand and led her out of the kitchen.

At Melinda's room Daisy stopped." You know it might help you to sleep if I'm there with you, yeah?"

Melinda smiled. "Without a doubt."

Daisy helped Phil and Lian in the kitchen until the parade came on. Then she joined Melinda and William in the living room. Daisy sat on the sofa with Melinda, while William was sitting in the lounge chair.

"Those crepes Phil made for breakfast were awesome." She slid in next to Melinda, who wrapped her arm around her and pulled her in for a hug.

"You done helping?"

"Yeah. There's not a lot of room in the kitchen."

William laughed. "Are they still picking at each other?"

Daisy grinned. "Yeah a little. I wanted to see the parade anyway." She turned to Melinda. "When are Bobbi and Hunter getting here?"

"Around noon, I think."

"Phil said that we weren't eating till around two."

"Yes. We stuff ourselves silly for an hour, sit around and watch football, nod off in a food induced coma. Maybe take an actual nap, to be woken by people yelling about the football game. Then we get up and go munch on leftovers and desserts, pop in a movie, nod off again, until we all lay here snoring." William said dryly.

Melinda snorted. "That about covers it Dad."

"Your daughter is letting me get a kitten," Daisy suddenly announced.

William nodded. "She told us on the drive over this morning."

"I wanted a puppy, but she said no to that." Daisy pouted.

"Oh no. I'm not getting in the middle of that conversation. Melinda does like cats though."

"I do not."

"Oh sure honey. Remember that time you climbed the tree to save the Hanson's cat?"

Daisy sat back on the couch, crossed her arms and gazed with humor at Melinda. She looked over at William. "Did she save it?"

"Turns out the cat didn't need saving as it came down all on its own. After Melinda fell out of the tree and broke her arm."

Melinda sighed. "That cat pushed me out of the tree Dad."

Daisy giggled. "The cat pushed you out of the tree. Was it a big cat?' Daisy's amusement grew.

"Yes. It was. And I was very small. I was only eight. Stupid cat."

"Well Mellie. You are then one who chased it up there in the first place."

"I was not. All the neighborhood kids were playing. Kenny chased it up the tree with his water pistols. I felt sorry for the beast and tried to get it down before Mrs. Hanson saw. Ungrateful mongrel scratched me as I grabbed it, made me lose my footing and I fell."

Daisy tried to suppress her laughter. She pressed her lips together and her eyes were bright and wide.

"It's not funny. I broke my arm. Had to wear a cast for six weeks. In the summer. I couldn't swim or do much of anything."

Daisy sobered a bit. "Sorry. Broken bones suck. I had a bunch. Although sometimes it got me out of chores at St. Agnes."

Melinda slung her arm around Daisy and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry."

Daisy smiled. "Hey it's not your fault." Daisy cuddled into Melinda and sighed happily. "I'm just glad you agreed to a kitten. Let's hope this one doesn't push you around."

Melinda couldn't hold back the laugh, but she also wasn't going to let it go. She reached under Daisy's ribcage and tickled her. The screech was loud and then Daisy dissolved into giggles trying to bat Melinda's arms away. After a few moments of unmercifully tickling the girl. Melinda backed off and allowed her to catch her breath.

"How'd you even know I was ticklish? There?"

"I'm a spy Daisy. It's my job to pay attention to detail. But if you must know, you gave it away several times while I was correcting your stance in Tai Chi."

William had an amused look on his face as he watched the shenanigans. Daisy was good for his daughter. Her whole demeanor had changed since Daisy had re-entered his daughter's life. She was more fun, happier, and more open then he had seen her in years. She also looked healthier and in much better shape, more muscle and not as thin. Her eyes flashed warmth. And the girl was far less shy and hesitant. So Melinda was helping her too. She was especially more comfortable around Phil than she'd been even just a few short weeks ago. But with Melinda it was a bond that appeared to be growing even stronger. He watched as the two decided to race each other to use the restroom. Melinda lost, but he was positive she had purposefully done so.

Bobbi and Hunter had arrived, and they were watching a football game on Tv while talking to Melinda. Daisy and William were in the dining room, They, were playing chess. Based on Daisy's groans, William was winning. Melinda got bored rather quickly with the football game, so she wondered into the kitchen to grab some water. She stopped short at the sight that greeted her. There were bowls lined up on the counter, pots and pans on the stove, and more dishes filled with food across the entire kitchen table. Phil turned from the stove and smiled at her.

"You want to set the table Mel. Everything will ready in about twenty minutes. Right Lian?"

"Right."

"Um you two do realize there are only seven of us to eat all this?"

"Leftovers. We all have to eat this entire weekend too." Lian answered. "What's your dad up to?"

"He's playing a game of chess with Daisy."

"Bobbi and Hunter watching football already?" Phil inquired.

"Yes. Is there something I can do here?"

Lian smirked and Phil shook his head. He answered her. "Nope. Just set the table. Pour the water. You want wine? You could get that too."

"I'm good with just water Phil. You want wine?"

"Sure. Bobbi will. Lian?"

"Both William and I will take a glass with the meal."

"Okay. Hunter would rather have a beer, right?"

"Right."

Melinda moved to the fridge and got the water jug out. She opened the door and took it to the dining room. She set the water on the server and then started rummaging for the good dishes she knew Phil had put in the china closet.

"Checkmate. Sorry Daisy, I win this one."

"Yeah once you took my queen and my rook I was a dead duck." She looked at Melinda. "Whatcha doing?"

"Setting the table. Hey can you grab the tablecloth downstairs? I washed it last night and hung it on the line that Phil put up across the ceiling to dry."

"Sure." Daisy ran downstairs to do what Melinda asked while William put the game away and headed back to the living room. Daisy came running back up with the item and she and Melinda put it on the table. Then both set the table, all ready for a feast.

Soon it was time to eat. The table and server were filled up with scrumptious looking food. Daisy filled her plate twice and ate a little of everything. The conversation was lively and stuck mostly to generic subjects like sports, jobs, and current events. After everyone stuffed themselves, Bobbi insisted she and Hunter do the dishes. Phil and Lian had kept up with cleaning up after themselves and the dishes and pots and pans they used while they worked. But there was still a substantial amount to be rinsed and placed in the dishwasher as well as some to be scrubbed. Melinda, William and Daisy helped clear the table while Lian and Phil placed leftovers in various containers and stacked them in the fridge. After mostly everything was cleaned up, they moved to the living room. Soon after Bobbi and Hunter also came into the room and everyone watched football for a little while. Well more like gathered would be the proper term since some were not actually watching the game, Melinda sat on the couch reading, Daisy put her head on Melinda's shoulder and dozed on and off, and Lian took a nap. The other four were actually watching the game, only talking during commercials.

Soon though Melinda grew tired and she put down her book, closed her eyes and dozed as well. Both Melinda and Daisy eventually fell asleep. Phil looked over at them and grabbed a blanket and put it over them. After about an hour, Daisy woke up, seeing Melinda's eyes closed she merely cuddled closer to her. She knew Melinda had gotten up early to pick up her parents and they'd both been up late last night with their issues. Daisy fell back to sleep, still feeling full but very content.

It was family game time. The football game had ended, those who were sleeping slowly woke up, and Bobbi had suggested they play games. First up was a new game she'd picked up called Pub Trivia. Unsurprisingly Melinda won. Next, they played Clue which Bobbi won. Hunter wanted to play something he could win, so Melinda suggested poker. Phil had rolls of quarters stashed away and everyone bought some, well he gave Daisy hers, and they played five-card draw. Daisy informed everyone that had no clue how to play, so they played a few practice hands first. Once they started playing, Phil was the first player out. He lost two rolls of quarters, most of them to Melinda. Next out was Bobbi, followed by Lian. William had chosen not to play, he merely sat at the table watching The three left were Melinda, Daisy and Hunter. Daisy lost the next two rounds of play, but then made a killing beating Hunter on the next four rounds, putting him out of the game.

"Bloody hell, I can't even beat a kid at poker."

"Well, Melinda was helping her. In a casino they would have thrown her out if they caught her," William said casually.

"What? How?" Hunter nearly shouted.

"Well she knows you are the more experienced player. So she's folding a lot and wining just enough better hands to beat you or Daisy here and there making sure she has money yet to play with, but not making a killing on any one pot. She knows that in the end, she'll have less trouble beating Daisy then you. So she's bluffing you out, and folding when she knows Daisy can likely beat you. She's been doing it all game. She put out Bobbi and Lian that way. Phil's just naturally bad at poker so she didn't have to worry about him."

Daisy looked incredulously at William and then at Melinda who had not changed her facial expression all game. "Seriously?"

"That's cheating, ain't it?" Hunter's face was indignant. "Bobs that's cheating right?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I couldn't read her at all. Hell of a poker face."

"Some people say I have a good poker face. I don't know what William means. I usually can win at poker." Phil chimed in.

"No Phil. You have many tells Phil. Your eyes dart around too much, and you do other things that give away what kind of hand you have. You have absolutely no poker face." Melinda added.

"What? You could not tell what I was thinking at all."

"Phil. She's right. There's a reason you lost all your money first. You can't bluff to save your life." Bobbi chimed in. "You should never like play poker for real anywhere."

"So Melinda thinks I'm an easy mark, huh?"

"The way you used the term 'mark', Daisy is interesting." Bobbi poked her arm.

Melinda side glared Daisy. "Are you setting me up?"

"You had to teach me how to play. Setting you up how?"

Melinda looked over at Bobbi. "It'd be a sweet con if she is playing me."

"Yeah. Definitely would not have seen that coming."

"You guys are like weird. Always suspicious of everything. Probably cause you're in law enforcement." Daisy smiled at both.

"Let's just finish the game Daisy. Your deal." Melinda passed her the deck of cards.

"I can't believe she won."

"Beginners luck I guess." Daisy smiled as she pulled in the rolls of quarters and loose change.

Melinda just continued to glare at her daughter. William was chuckling. Lian shook her head and got up to make tea. Bobbi grinned at Daisy while Hunter stared in wonder.

"How could you tell I was bluffing every time? No one can tell. I never lose." Melinda was nearly pouting.

Daisy shrugged her shoulders. "I can tell."

"You scammed us." Hunter was less than happy. "You knew how to play."

Phil leaned over. "I think you have about ninety bucks there."

"It's closer to a hundred I'd say." William grinned at her. "I knew I could never beat Mellie. But who knew that poker face and card talent ran in the family."

Daisy grinned back. She looked over at Melinda. "You're not mad are you Melinda?"

"Nope. I'm quite impressed actually. But you do know not to hustle people for real. They won't see it the same way."

"I know. I can give the money back. I mostly just wanted to see if I could beat everyone."

"You won it fair and square." Melinda smirked at her. "Even if it was a hustle – it was a good hustle and we all fell for it" .

"Well that's questionable." Hunter frowned.

"Oh please. You thought Daisy was an easy mark. Pretty sure you thought I would be as well. I sure hope you don't bet too much of your hard-earned money at poker games Hunter. You have almost as many tells as Phil does."

"Just be glad we were only playing for quarters." Bobbi added.

"Well I learned a lesson," Lian said as she entered the room holding a tray with mugs, "and it is that if I go to Atlantic City or Vegas – to take along one or both of these two card sharks. Tea dear? She asked Daisy.

Daisy nodded and Lian placed a mug in front of her and another in front of Melinda. "Now Phil, I think it's leftover time."

"It is." William agreed. "I could eat a turkey sandwich and another bun. Maybe a bit more of that mac n cheese."

"I'll get some paper plates and a few if the containers out. Feel free everyone to take whatever you want." Phil got up and headed into the kitchen.

"Come on Hunter, let's help Phil and then get a plateful of food" Bobbi and Hunter followed Phil.

They ate leftovers and more desserts, taking them into the living room while they watched 'The Wizard of Oz" and talked more. After the movie, William and Lian left, taking many leftovers with them. Daisy convinced everyone else to play Cards Against Humanity, a game Bobbi had brought along, and even Melinda was a bit shocked at the innuendo involved in the game. After that Bobbi and Hunter left, as well also taking many containers of leftovers with them, and Phil went back into the kitchen to finish cleaning up and to put dishes away. Melinda and Daisy joined him, and with the three working they got everything decent looking by midnight.

Daisy came out of the bathroom and saw Melinda's bedroom door was open. She looked in and saw Melinda already sitting on the bed, apparently waiting for her.

"Hey." Daisy paused in the doorway.

"You staying in here tonight or your room?"

"Ah I don't know. It's late and you were up so early, and it's been a busy day. You probably just want to get a good night of rest."

"Well you're welcome here but if you're not staying could you close the door?"

"Yeah." Daisy stood in the doorway hesitating. "You really aren't mad about the poker thing?"

"Of course not. But you aren't going to do that with strangers again right?"

Daisy looked at her slippers. "How come you think I did it before?"

"Daisy. Just don't do it anymore. You don't have to. You don't have to hustle anyone or do anything even close to illegal ever again. Okay?"

"Okay." She scuffled her slippers on the floor. "We can sleep in tomorrow, can't we?"

"That's what I was planning on doing."

"Cool. Well good night then."

"Goodnight."

"Do you think Hunter is really mad at me?"

"No. He's just a little embarrassed. He'll get over it."

"Yeah." She stayed standing leaning into the door frame. "Everything was really good. What was your favorite food?"

Melinda laid down and pulled the covers over her. "Daisy come to bed. I'm really beat."

Daisy closed the door and walked over getting into the bed next to Melinda. Melinda reached to the nightstand and shut of the light.

Melinda wrapped her arms around Daisy. "I like the crepes this morning the best. No one I know makes them as good as Phil does."

"Lian's duck was good. And Phil's turkey. And the beef wellington. And the dumplings and buns and mac n cheese, and everything. I probably gained five pounds."

"Me too. Well there are plenty of leftovers to eat for the weekend."

"Melinda."

"Huh?" Melinda yawned.

"Thanks. I've never had much to be thankful for before. Now – now I have so much."

Melinda kissed her on her forehead. "Thank you for finding us."

"I asked William how to say something in Chinese."

"You did?"

"Yeah I practiced the pronunciation for a while. I just wanted to learn how to say something. To you. It seems like maybe it's the right time." Daisy glanced over at Melinda, able to now see her face since her eyes had adjusted to the darkness. "Wǒ ài nǐ māmā."

Melinda felt the tears pool in her eyes as her heart melted. She tightened her hold on Daisy. "Wǒ yě ài nǐ. Xièxiè Daisy. Wǒ nàme ài nǐ. Nǐ shì wǒ shēngmìng zhòng zuì hǎo de dōngxī."

"Yeah so I have no clue what you said." But she cuddled closer to Melinda tightening her grip.

"I love you too. Thank you, Daisy. I love you so much. You're the best thing in my life."

"You really speak fluent Chinese then?"

"Just Mandarin. My Cantonese is not very good. I love you Daisy. You need to know I never stopped loving you."

"I know." She laid quiet for a few moments. "We should sleep yeah?"

"Yeah. Goodnight. Tián mèng xiǎo rén."

"Okay what did that mean?"

"Sweet dreams little one."

"Little one?"

"Goodnight. Daisy."

"How do you say goodnight?"

"Wǎn'ān."

"Wǎn'ān."

"We'll work more on your pronunciation later."

"'Kay." Daisy snuggled into Melinda's side and closed her eyes.