Skye sat on the floor watching Melinda teach a class of mostly older women. She'd been coloring for bit but had grown bored rather quickly in the office by herself. Akela was also teaching in one of the rooms and trip was in the other. She had wondered over to the gym area first, talking with Tess, but Tess had gotten very busy and she tired of watching the people use the exercise equipment. Her mom had said she was not allowed to use it without supervision, so she had pouted a little too.

So she had wondered back to the dojo area and was now frowning at Melinda showing her how unhappy she was. Melinda of course had noticed her. She motioned for Skye to come up to the front with her. Skye looked around and shook her head, but Melinda called her up.

"Hey Skye come on up here." Now all the class was looking at her. She got up and trudged up to the front, her frown deeper.

"This is my daughter, Skye." Melinda introduced her. "She's off from school today so I brought her along with me to work. She's going to help me show you all a few Tai Chi forms to stretch out those muscles as we end today. "Come on Skye, first position though five, okay?"

Skye nodded and she did the forms alongside Melinda as the class tried to follow along. Afterward after Melinda dismissed her class, she took Skye's hand and walked her back to the office.

"Hey I have a little time, maybe a half hour or so before my next class arrives. What do you want to do?"

Skye hung her head. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Cause I've been a little brat today."

"Hey, I know you don't want to be here. And you miss Bobbi and you friends. A few glares doesn't make you a brat. They just mean your unhappy. Sometimes it's okay to be sad or not our best. That doesn't mean I won't love you or that I'll be mad at you. Okay?"

Skye gave her small smile. "You're really nice. I'll try not to be so glary."

"Thank you, Skye. Now what do you want to do?"

They ended up playing Uno and then Melinda left to teach her next class, while Skye started coloring.

Akela entered the office looking over at Skye. "I see you like that color book, huh?"

Skye nodded. "It's my favorite. Thank you."

"No problem kiddo. Wait till you see all I got you for Christmas."

Skye grinned. "What'd you get me?"

"Oh no. That's not happening. And don't you try using your ninja tricks on me young lady. No puppy dog eyes, no cute smiles, no cute pouting lips, no begging. I'm not gonna fall for it."

Skye laughed. "Auntie Maria says my cuteness is a gift."

"Well of course it is. I'm just immune to it. So I saw you doing Tai Chi. You're very good."

"Mommy's a good teacher."

"Yes, she is. Hey, I have some free time. You want to play a game or something?"

"Could you tell me some stories. About Mama and you and stuff. Bobbi said you'd have good ones."

Akela laughed. "Oh that I do. Let's see now – did you ever hear the one about how your mom got stuck in the bay for five hours?"

Skye shook her head and was captivated for the next hour.

Melinda heard the giggling long before she got near the office. She smiled. More than likely Akela was telling Skye some of her stories she loved to embellish. She'd done the same with Bobbi on the few occasions that Bobbi had to spend the day at work with her. She walked in just as she heard Akela speak.

"And that's how your mom and dad ended up getting called to Fury's office to get yelled at."

"Oh and which time was this?" Melinda said as she walked into the office.

Skye giggled. "When Mr. Fury's room was toilet papered and you put cellophane on the door."

Melinda raised her eyebrows at Skye. "It was some of my best work."

Akela laughed. "He didn't forgive you tell you saved his life. For the third time."

"Mommy, don't you miss it? All the adventures?"

"It was a lifetime ago. And sure, there were adventures, but it was also dangerous. So yeah, no I don't really miss it. Working here is much less dangerous and way cooler."

"Yeah. I could work here someday Mama."

Melinda smiled. "Sure you could. Someday maybe you'll take over for me and own the place."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"Well nowhere for a while. A long while. But someday I'll want to retire. And someone else will have to run this place. Akela here will have to retire too."

"Hey I'm younger than you boss lady."

Skye laughed. "Mama were you really in the bay for five hours?"

Melinda glared at Akela shaking her head, and then walked over to her desk opening a drawer. "Skye's it's time to figure out what you want for lunch." She reached for the deli menu and handed it to Skye. "You want to help her out please, Akela, I need to go check on Tess and the other side?"

"Sure thing boss lady. You're in charge." She smirked at Melinda.

"You watch it or I'll fire you."

"Oh please, who'd do all your dreaded paperwork, fill in for you on vacation, and spar with you when your mamabear instincts need to beat someone up?"

"Trip?'

"Oh he's afraid of you now. He's never going to spar with you again when you go Mamabear."

"Carol?"

"She's too busy with her studies and she's only here part time."

"Wanda."

"Wanda is head over heels in love with Scott. She's not doing any more here than she has to."

"Pietro will do it. He's always looking for more classes and hours. Especially since Darcy left."

"Yeah to teach. He's not going to do any paperwork."

Melinda looked at Akela. She sighed deeply. "Okay. You can stay."

Skye grinned at the banter knowing full well that they were just teasing each other. She was getting pretty good at that – knowing that people who love each other can tease each other and she found it pretty cool now. Especially when Bobbi and Melinda did it."

Melinda left the room. Skye opened the menu and then spoke. "You remind me of how Mommy is with Bobbi. How they tease each other but in a fun good way."

"Bobbi's pretty great alright."

"She's the best." Skye frowned. "I miss her."

"Oh where'd she go?"

"With Audrey." She spat out with disdain.

"Oh you miss her a lot huh? Well Audrey is her birth mother. I guess if Bobbi is okay with trying to salvage a relationship with her, we should probably all support that, don't you think?"

"I don't like Audrey. She tried to take my Bobbi away."

"Yeah I'm not real fond of her either. But – it's not about us. It's about what Bobbi wants and needs. We should support her. Not Audrey but I mean Bobbi. It's probably tough for her to start over and try to give Audrey a second chance."

"I still don't like it one bit."

"That's okay. I'm sure Bobbi will be back soon enough. School starts up again soon, doesn't it?"

"Wednesday."

"Oh are you coming here with Lin tomorrow too?"

"Nope. Meema and Poppy will be back tonight. I'm staying home with them."

"Oh that's good."

"Maybe."

"Oh Lian and William are lovely people. You'll be fine."

"I guess. I'll probably just play and stuff by myself."

"Well you can always ask them to do stuff with you. They probably are a little scared too Skye, since they don't know you very well yet, and they won't want to overstep."

Skye thought about that and then grinned. So they're in the same boat as me?"

"Yeah. That's exactly right. You're a smart kid Skye. Very smart. Now what are you hungry for. I'm supposed to be helping you pick out your lunch. Boss lady said so." She grinned at Skye.

After lunch, Melinda sat in her office, doing paperwork while Skye colored next to her. Skye soon got bored with coloring and pulled out a book to read. After about a half hour of reading, Skye put the book down and sighed loudly. Melinda looked over at her and smiled.

"Bored?"

Skye nodded.

"Well you brought some toys and haven't played with them yet."

Skye shrugged.

"Well I have another class to teach in a few minutes. How about you watch a movie on my laptop?" She got her laptop and moved it in front of Skye.

"Can I play games instead? On your computer?"

"Oh I'm not sure I want you downloading anything on my laptop."

"I won't. There's a couple sites we use at school. They're learning games. One's pretty cool. It lets you code."

"Really? Show me."

Skye's fingers flew quickly over the keyboard as she found the website. Melinda looked over her shoulder and watched as a website popped up called 'Hour of Code'. She watched as Skye maneuvered the keyboard to bring up a page on Minecraft coding.

"Huh."

"See Mommy. It's for learning but it's fun too. Miss Foster says I have a flair for this. She said I was the most advanced of anyone in the class. That's a good thing, right?"

"It is a very good thing. As long as you stay in this program you can use the computer."

"Oh there's another one, I can show you. See." She typed more and brought up a site that was similar. "See this one lets you draw and stuff more than the other one. Can I go on both?"

"Sure. Both is fine. But nothing else, unless Akela or I see it first. Okay?"

"Okay." Skye turned her attention back to the computer.

"I'm going to go get ready for my class."

Skye waved at her, but her attention was totally focused on the screen.

Melinda taught two more classes and worked a little bit on paperwork. At four o'clock she told Skye to pack up her stuff to leave. On the way home she stopped at McDonald's for Skye, to give her a little reward for enduring the day and snapping out of her bad mood. She, herself, just got a milkshake and planned on eating leftovers with Phil.

When they got home, Skye ate her Happy Meal and then Melinda gave her phone to her so she could call Bobbi. She talked with Bobbi for a good half hour, and then went to the bonus room to play with her dolls and watch cartoons. Pretty soon, Phil came home, and he and Melinda ate dinner. The evening went by quickly as Melinda still had work to do and Phil went upstairs to keep Skye company. Phil read a story to Skye before she fell asleep and all three went to bed a little earlier than usual. It had been a busy and tiring weekend. Her parents arrived back to the house long after they had all fallen asleep.

The next morning came, and Skye was hugging Melinda goodbye. Phil had already left, having an early class that started at eight o'clock. Skye clung to Melinda as Melinda held her.

"Okay baby. I have to go. And you're getting heavy." Which was true enough since Skye was eating regularly, she had put on more weight the last few months and that was good, unless she was clinging to you while you held your computer bag, purse and winter coat and were trying to leave to get to work on time. "Skye come on. Get down now, please."

"I don't want you to go."

"I know. But you also know I have to. I have classes to teach and other work to do. And you get to spend the day with Meema and Poppy."

"What if they get mad at me?"

Melinda put Skye down and set her purse and computer bag on the floor and bent down to Skye's level. "They won't. They are looking forward to getting to know you better and spending the day with you."

"They are?"

"Yes." Melinda put her hand under Skye's chin, and then stroked her cheek. "Everything will be fine. I promise. My mom has plans and I think you'll really have fun today."

"Okay."

"Okay. Now I'm going to be late if I don't leave now. Hey, I'll be home a little early, cause it's Tuesday, my early day. Okay?"

Skye nodded.

Melinda gave her one last hug and kissed her cheek. "Just have fun and follow the house rules. I love you Skye."

"I love you too Mommy."

Melinda stood up, grabbed her things and walked out the door to her car. Skye stood at the door a moment and then turned around and went back to the kitchen where Lian and William were sitting drinking tea. She wondered in the room and Lian looked over at her.

"Melinda left?"

Skye nodded.

"So what do you want to do Skye?"

William noticed her hesitancy and awkwardness. "How about that card game you like to play. Uno is it? I'll play while Meema finishes up the dishes."

"Really. You know how to play Uno?"

"Of course we do. We'd play with Bobbi all the time when we'd visit. You two play a hand and I'll join in when I finish here."

Skye smiled. "I'll get it." She ran upstairs to the bonus room and grabbed not only Uno but also a couple other games and ran back downstairs.

An hour later, William picked up a box while Skye put away Uno. "What's this one?"

"Battleship. But it's just for two people."

"Oh that's fine. You two play. I'm going to start our laundry from our trip." Lian got up.

"I remember this one now. Melinda used to play this."

"She did?"

"Yes. Catch me up on the rules and it should come back to me."

They played two games and then Lian joined them again. She watched as Skye put the game away, then spoke. "Skye I'm going to cook. Do you want to help me?"

"You want me to help?"

"Yes. I'll show you how to make a few Chinese dishes."

"Really? Sure, I'd like that a lot."

"Well that's my cue to leave the room. I think a good nap is in order."

Skye laughed.

"Let me know when the food is ready though. I am getting hungry."

"I'll come get you Poppy."

He smiled and left the room. Lian spoke saying, "come xiǎo jiāhuo."

Skye looked curiously at her. "What's that mean?"

"Little one."

Skye smiled and got up following Lian to the kitchen counter.

A few hours later, Skye ran to wake William. They had made fried rice and steamed buns. She couldn't wait to try them. William held her hand as she led him back to the kitchen. They sat down and Skye filled her plate.

"Ooo...yum." She said while chewing a bite of a bun.

"They good huh?" Lian grinned at her.

Skye nodded enthusiastically.

"You a good little helper. You will make a good cook like Philip."

"Not like Mama." Skye giggled. "Except for her sesame chicken and rice cakes."

"That's cause I made her do lots of practice with them. So she not starve." Lian laughed loudly.

Skye laughed with her.

"You want to take a walk with us after lunch Skye. Show us the neighborhood."

"But you've seen it before, haven't you? Bobbi says you've been here lots of times."

"Yes but have not seen it with our newest granddaughter yet."

After they finished eating and Lian did the dishes with Skye's help, they all bundled up and took a walk around the neighborhood. They ended up at the park not quite a mile away, and Lian and William sat on the bench while Skye played on the jungle gym and slides for a few minutes. When she went on the swing, William got up and pushed her so she could go higher. She giggled and laughed, all the while urging William to push her even higher.

On the way back home, Skye walked between them holding each of their hands.

After they got back home, Skye convinced them both to watch the movie 'Frozen' with her. Lian made a batch of popcorn. Skye made them sit next to her on the couch and as the movie progressed, she kept a running dialogue of her favorite parts and explanations of why she loved the movie so much. After the movie ended, William and Skye played a game of chess and William taught her some strategies how to play and how to bluff in the game. They were just finishing up their second game when Lian came into the bonus room carrying a box. She set it down on the table.

"What's that Meema?"

"Mahjong."

Skye started pulling the tiles out of the box. "How do you play?"

"Ah I teach you. Teach you basics. Easy to learn basics with two players. Mostly play with four though. William will help you learn, you play together. Then later I'll play you. Maybe sometime we can get your mama to play and you will get better."

"Is this a Chinese game?"

"It started in China, yes. It is played all over the world now."

"Is it fun?"

Lian raised her eyebrows. "You try, you see."

They spent the next couple hours playing Mahjong. They were still playing when Melinda got home from work and walked upstairs to see where everyone was. She walked into the bonus room and grinned. Skye and her parents were playing Mahjong and playing it very enthusiastically too it seemed.

"How you know to do that. This girl has gift of strategy Lian. Soon she even beat you." William spoke.

"It's mostly luck." Melinda spoke signifying her presence.

"Hi Mommy. I beat Poppy. Again." She waved but then she went back to concentrating on the game.

Melinda looked over at her mother. "You're teaching her Mahjong already?"

"You're never too young to learn Mahjong. It is the same age I taught you. Come sit. After this game, you will play."

"Yes, Mama. Please." Skye gave Melinda her puppy dog eyes.

"I can't. Phil has a faculty meeting he forgot about and I need to start dinner."

"No need. I already made dinner when I made lunch. It just needs to be heated in the oven half hour before we eat. Come. Sit."

Melinda shrugged and sat down. "So what are we having for dinner?"

"Vermicelli rolls, dumplings and egg drop soup. Skye helped me make it."

Skye grinned. "Meema says I need to learn to cook so there's more than one person here that can."

"Haha. Very funny. But that sounds delicious."

"We had fried rice and buns for lunch. I helped make them too."

"Wow. So what else did you do baby?"

"We watched Frozen, played games, went for a walk. Poppy pushed me on the swing at the playground."

Melinda smiled. "Sounds like you had a very busy day. And a lot of fun."

"Lots and lots of fun. Too bad we can't do it again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow you return to school."

"Yuk."

They are laughed. Melinda reached over and patted Skye on the head. "You do want to see your friends though. And Bobbi will come home tomorrow night."

Skye smiled. "I do miss them. And I miss her. Can I call her again?"

"Later. Tonight, before bedtime. She called me when I was driving home from work and said you should call her around eight-thirty."

"Okay."

"Don't forget tomorrow you also have your holiday program practice after school too."

"Oh yeah. Come on Mommy, it's your turn."

They played the game until Phil got home and then they ate dinner. Skye got her school backpack ready, took a shower, called Bobbi and then asked Poppy to read her a bedtime story. He was a bit surprised but read a chapter of The Borrowers third book in the series. Skye loved them and ever since Melinda had read the first book, she had asked for the rest of them as her go to nighttime story when she asked for one.

The next morning was rather rushed, with Skye now needing to go to school and another early class for Phil, this one at nine o'clock. Melinda dropped Skye off at school and then drove to work. Her first class did not start till ten, so she had the most time. Unexpectantly, waiting for her at her office, was Maria. Well at least she thought Maria was there to see her.

Melinda walked into the office seeing Maria sitting in her chair, deep in conversation with Akela.

"Hey. What brings you here so early in the morning?"

Akela snickered but then turned back to her computer.

"What? Do I have to have a reason to see my best friend and her assistant?"

"Um, Lin is MY best friend. Oh and I'm Skye's godmother. Skye confirmed the other day." Akela frowned.

Melinda sighed heavily. "You two are both my best friends. And you can both be Skye's godmothers. And for Pete's sake don't spoil her too much at Christmas. I have a feeling my parents bought out the toy store by their house. And you already know Phil and I have been buying things and stashing them away. One gift each is sufficient."

They both looked at her with impassive, emotionless faces.

"Cripes you already got her a bunch of stuff, didn't you? Both of you are impossible." She threw her arms up in the air in exasperation. She went to leave to go to set up for her first class, but nearly ran into Carol. "Sorry," Melinda apologized.

"Oh no, it's fine. I saw you coming this way."

"You're not teaching this morning, are you?"

"No I was just picking up my paycheck. I am teaching at noon though. Akela added a new class."

"Yeah, that's right. Um – that new police academy class, right?"

"Yeah. I'm a little nervous"

"You'll be fine. No classes today?"

"No. I have Wednesday and Friday mornings off. My eleven o'clock was changed to online cause there are only six of us. A bunch dropped out."

"Oh what class?"

"Astrophysics."

Akela handed a envelop to Maria. "Here pass that to Carol. Oh and have fun. Carol the next one should go direct deposit now that we have your bank and tax info."

"We will." Maria got up and walked over to hand the envelope to Carol.

"Thanks." Carol said as she took it. She looked over at Akela. "Sounds good. Thanks." She looked back at Maria. "I just need to cash this and then we can grab brunch somewhere?"

Maria nodded and smiled as she followed Carol out.

Melinda watched and then turned back to Akela who had gone back to work. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Them. Those two. Did Maria come here to go on a date with Carol?"

"I guess. You know Maria switch hits."

"And Carol?"

"Currently unattached. They may have hit it off really well at your Thanksgiving Dinner. You know the one you didn't attend."

"That was fast."

"Sometimes it works that way"

"You're good with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be. Maria's not my type. But Carol sure is her type. It's like they were attached at the hip at your place."

"I don't want her to get hurt."

"She's a big girl Lin. She's happy. I mean it's only been a week, but they already do that eye sex thing you and Phil do."

"We don't do – really? That fast."

"When did you know you loved Phil?"

"Okay. Point taken. I have to teach my class. Oh and later I need to talk to you about something."

Akela raised her eyebrows at her.

"It's something good. I just want your input."

"Copy that boss lady."

Later on, Melinda sighed as she sat down and got out her lunch. Phil had packed it for her. She was tired. She placed her food in front of her and smiled. Phil had made her a salad just how she liked it with romaine, spinach, broccoli, red peppers, mandarin oranges, hard-boiled egg, grilled chicken, cheese and a few strawberries. He had put some of his homemade strawberry vinaigrette dressing on the side in a container. Along with the salad he had placed two slices of the homemade Italian bread he'd picked up yesterday. She smiled.

Akela came into the office. "I see Phil packed your lunch."

Melinda smiled. "What do you have?"

"Carol's bringing me a BLT when she gets back to teach her noon class. What did you want to talk to me about?"

"St. Agnes. Listening to Skye talk about her past there and the lack of Christmas and holiday things she did. And not getting presents and not having anyone care. I'm dropping a few things off today after work, toys and games and such that we cleaned out. But they deserve more than that and not just at Christmas. So I thought I'd do something about it. Izzy, Sharon and I talked about it while we in New York."

"What'd you have in mind?"

"Well for starters I thought we could put a collection box and sign at both entrances. Collect for new toys and games and other things they need. I know Sharon said backpacks and suitcases are needed cause a lot of time the kids go to foster homes carrying their things in garbage bags."

"Is that what Skye did?"

"Yeah. She had a small backpack but – yeah. And a lot of her clothes were oversized and not in very good shape. She had freaking holes in her sneakers."

"Okay, I'm starting a list. Sneakers, Backpacks. Small suitcases."

"Socks, under garments. Coats. Sweatshirts. Pajamas. Bathrobes. Slippers."

"Jeans and sweatpants. Shirts. T-shirts."

"Boots. Gloves. Hats. Scarves."

"What about personal bath products?" Akela stopped typing and looked up.

"Pretty sure they get soap and toothbrushes and shampoo. Skye said the shampoo smells bad and hurt her eyes when she was younger."

"Okay. Mild baby shampoo. Nice mild shampoo. And mild soap that smells good. And hell – add in toothpaste and toothbrushes, hair conditioner and other hair care products."

"Hair ties, and bands. Combs and brushes." Melinda continued to eat while thinking.

"What about school supplies?"

"Yeah add those. And arts and crafts stuff too."

"Okay. Done."

They both looked up as there was a knock on the door. Carol was standing in the entrance. "Here's your BLT Akela."

"Oh thanks. Can you set it over here?"

"Sure." She walked into the room and set it next to Akela. "I added some fries. Maria said to."

"Oh thanks. What do I owe you?"

"Oh nothing, Maria paid the bill. She said you can pick up the tab next time."

"Thanks."

"You guys look busy. And preoccupied."

"We're brainstorming. We are making a list of things the St. Agnes kids need for Christmas."

"And want. We're going to put collection bins by the entrances."

"Oh that sounds like a great idea. Maybe we could ask the neighbor shops over on Mason street to do that too? That little diner we were just at and the stores around it. There's a bookstore, a gaming store, and a nail place and a coffee shop too. You'd hit a lot of different kinds of people."

Melinda looked at Akela and they both smiled. "I like the way you think." Akela said to her. Then she looked at Melinda. "I like the way she thinks."

Carol laughed. "I can do that. If you want. I – I can go to those places and ask – I know someone who works in the coffee shop, and I'm kind of a regular at the gaming store. I mean once you have it all planned and ready."

"Sit. The folding chair over there. You have a few minutes before your class gets here." Akela ordered.

Carol sat down and the three brainstormed and the list grew longer."

Melinda was singing along to Elton John as she drove from St Agnes to the school to pick up Skye. After dropping the stuff off at St. Agnes, she'd asked to talk to Sister Margaret, the one Sharon had recommended. They had discussed the plan to set up a clothing, toy and supplies collection and the meeting had gone really well. Sister Margaret was one who obviously cared about the kids and she was completely onboard with the idea that Carol, Melinda and Akela had come up with.

The idea was to have people 'adopt' a St Agnes child over the holiday. To provide at least one clothing item, one toy or game and one personal item for a child they would 'adopt'. The kids would make a list with several items that they wanted or needed, and the family or person would purchase it. They also would share a letter and even have the option to continue the relationship after the holidays passed. They would also have regular donation bins set up for people who wanted to help but be less personal. Sister Margaret said that they could stop by over the weekend to get the lists.

Melinda was still smiling when she walked into the school to get Skye. She went to the office and was told they were still practicing, and she could wait for her daughter in the auditorium. Melinda started walking down the hall and then looked back at the entranceway and office. Ah, maybe they'd set up donation bins here, she thought. Teachers and staff at a school liked kids, right? She made a mental note to talk to Jane about it. She walked into the auditorium and saw several other parents already sitting and waiting. She spotted Alisha and joined her.

Alisha smiled. "They're almost done," she whispered.

Melinda watched as the practice wrapped up with the last song and then the music teacher and one of the middle school English teachers who was helping with the drama parts, sat the kids down and talked to them for a few minutes. The kids were then handed a paper and those with parents in the room were allowed to leave. Skye happily took Melinda's hand waving bye to Lincoln and chattered about the practice while they walked out to the SUV. Melinda listened and talked to Skye about the upcoming show as they drove home.

Phil had gotten home right before Bobbi got dropped off. She'd called him, telling him she'd be there soon, and he'd stopped for pizzas on the way home at her request. Skye was helping set the table when Bobbi came into the kitchen. She knelt down and Skye ran to her and jumped into her arms.

"Hey you, munchkin."

Skye mumbled into her shoulder, "I missed you," and squeezed tighter. Bobbi laughed Squeezing back. "I see you got the pizza, dad. Thanks."

"Not a problem."

"Hey kiddo, how was your day back to school?"

"Great. We had our holiday show practice after school."

"Where's mom? And Poppy and Meema?"

"Right here." Melinda smiled walking over to them with Lian and William right behind her.

Bobbi got up as Melinda got to her and warmly returned the hug Melinda offered.

"We missed you," Melinda said.

"Glad your back home Bobbi." Lian said warmly.

Bobbi gave her and William a smile and wave. "Glad to be home. I mean I had fun and all, but..."

"There's no place like home." William finished for her.

The rest of the week flew by, as the kids went to school and activities and Melinda and Phil went to work. Lian and William were taking care of the laundry, and cleaning as well as making dinner, and that gave Melinda and Phil some breathing room while they taxied the kids to here and there.

Wednesday evening Skye had her Martial Arts lesson, with Jemma joining her and Bobbi had basketball practice. On Thursday, Skye had another after school holiday program practice and her session with Alisha, while Bobbi had a basketball game. Lian and William drove her there, Phil drove from the college and Melinda and Skye made it just in time for the start. Friday was a bit calmer with just a basketball game for Bobbi.

"Bobbi plays basketball very good, doesn't she Mama?"

"She does." Melinda replied as she combed the tangles gently out of Skye's hair and dried it with the blow dryer. They were sitting on Melinda's bed, Melinda cross legged behind Skye.

"I'm glad they won tonight. She was pretty sad last night after they lost."

"Yes, she was. But you can't always win every game."

"I know. We lost a couple of them in soccer." She tried to twist around to look at Melinda, but Melinda gently pushed her back, still drying and combing her hair. "Do you know when I can play soccer again?"

"Mike had said indoor soccer would start up around the second week of January."

"That's very far away. What if I forget how to play?"

"You won't. It's muscle memory. Like we do in Tai Chi and class."

"I liked learning how to fall."

"Well, it's important. A good way to avoid injury especially when you get more advanced and we start sparring."

"I never knew there were good and bad way to fall. That would have helped a lot when I got pushed down the stairs that time."

Melinda's breath caught and she stopped combing. Her world seemed to stand still. Someone had pushed her little girl down the stairs. Skye looked back at Melinda wondering why she stopped combing and realized what she had said.

"It's okay Mommy. They can't hurt me anymore. Dr. Alisha says it's okay to talk about the stuff that happened, and I don't need to hide it anymore. Cause you and dad won't get mad or anything."

"No. No they can't." Melinda had regained her voice. "They can't and neither will anyone else ever hurt you again."

"I know. Cause you'd kick their ass." She grinned. "And pretty soon I'll be able to kick their ass too."

Melinda grinned. She knew she should reprimand Skye for her word choice. But the little face grinning at her made that impossible. Besides she figured she'd heard that phrase from her dear friend Akela, and figured she'd yell at her instead. "You will soon be able to kick someone's butt, if they try to hurt you." She emphasized the word 'butt' to give Skye the message.

"Yeah. Kick their butt." Skye raised her eyebrows at Melinda, widening her eyes almost comically, while her grin grew larger.

Melinda laughed and put the comb and hair dryer down and pulled Skye into her lap. "You're lucky you're so damn cute. I mean – shit I didn't want – I – damnit – just – um – just..."

"Great Lin. You trying to teach her all the swear words or just a select few?" Phil stood in the doorway with an amused look on his face.

Skye was giggling in Melinda's arms.

Melinda whispered in her ear. "You need to just pretend you never heard any of those words from me, okay?"

Skye nodded vigorously. "I will Mommy. I promise."

"Good girl. Come on let's get you to bed." She pulled Skye with her as she got up.

"Daddy?"

Phil's face glowed with happiness at the name. "Yes sweetie."

"Would you read to me tonight?"

"Sure. What do you want me to read?"

"A Christmassy story, please."

"I can do that. Let me go find one while Lin settles you in okay?"

"Okay."

He left in search of a Christmassy book and Melinda carried Skye to her own bedroom.

Melinda hugged Skye and kissed her tucking her in as Phil entered the room.

"I found a couple good ones." Phil held up the books. "We have Polar Express, The Snowy Day, or Eloise At Christmastime."

"All of them please."

Melinda laughed. Then turned to Phil. "You're the one who brought three back."

Melinda waved goodnight to Skye and left the room.

Phil looked at Skye. "Two. Okay? We can read the other one another night. Pick two."

Skye thought for a moment and then pointed to the first two he had mentioned. "Those two please."

Phil nodded and sat on the bed and opened the fist book. He showed her the page and then started reading, "One winter morning Peter woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen..."

Melinda made her way to Bobbi's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Hey, just checking to see how everything's going."

"Fine. At least for me. I heard you've been teaching Skye how to swear." She smirked.

Melinda sighed loudly. "I did no such thing." She walked further into the room. She rolled her eyes as Bobbi laughed at her. Then she laughed too. "It's like my brain stopped filtering."

"She'll be fine. I was."

"What?"

"Oh please.' She turned her head and gave Melinda a look. "It's not like you never slipped up when I was her age. It didn't happen often but I'm no worse for it. Skye'll be fine too.

"Yeah. So you good, really? We didn't have much time to talk since your time with Audrey. How'd that go?"

"Surprisingly well. She really listened to me. And – well I did the same. She's lonely I think."

"You amaze me, more and more every day. You have great insight into people."

"I learned from the best."

Melinda smiled and sat down on Bobbi's bed next to her. "I love you," She put her arm around Bobbi and pulled her close.

The next morning had the family setting off on an adventure. They went to find the perfect Christmas tree. At least that's what Phil said while Bobbi giggled, and Melinda rolled her eyes.

After driving for almost a half hour, Bobbi leaned over to whisper to Skye. "This place is so cool."

"I thought it was just a tree place?"

"Oh no. Dad found it about ten years ago. He says it's the only place with perfect trees."

"Even though there are fifteen other places to get trees along the way." Melinda leaned back and said. "But no, we have to drive an hour to get the 'perfect' tree. Sometimes I think I'm being punked by Clark Griswold."

Bobbi laughed. Skye asked, "Who's that?"

"He's a character in a movie. A Christmas movie. We can watch it some..."

"NO!" Melinda shook her head at Bobbi.

"Oh um – yeah. Nevermind."

"But I want to watch it now." Skye pouted.

"When you're older. It's not a kid's movie. Well watch plenty of other Christmas movies. Better Christmas movies."

"Yeah." Bobbi agreed. Trying to change the subject she said, "Skye this place is not just to get a tree though. They have this huge train layout outside with a whole miniature town. And a couple little stores with lots of holiday stuff. It's great. We usually spend a couple hours here."

They finally arrived and Phil parked the car. Before getting out, he spoke to them. "Okay first we pick out the tree and tag it before the big crowds get here and all the good ones are taken. Then we can do the other stuff. The girls nodded.

Melinda rolled her eyes. Although he was right about it getting crowded as the day went on. Which is why they had arrived a little after nine o'clock right after they opened. It was still pretty full, with cars entering the lot at a steady clip. Skye slipped her hand into Melinda's looking a bit wary. Melinda closed her hand around Skye's and gave her an encouraging smile. "Another thing to cross off your list, right Skye? And they have the best hot chocolate here."

Skye perked up at that and gave Melinda a small smile but still grasped her hand tightly. Their little family made their way to the tree lot.