Melinda was in the same conference room where she had learned that her daughter was still alive, had been found and was in a hospital room less than a hundred feet from her. She was sitting on a chair sipping tea that Officer Rodriguez had brought her. The officer had stayed with her after they had allowed both she and Phil to view their daughter from afar in the waiting room. Elena, who had insisted Melinda call her that, was reading something from her computer, which Melinda assumed was for her work. They were waiting for a psychiatrist, the psychiatrist that Dr. Simmons insisted she should talk to. Melinda had fought her on it and then after Phil had talked to her, she had agreed. He had told her that it might help them be able to see Skye sooner, and that was all it took for her to agree.
Melinda sat still, playing back in her mind the images of the girl they had watched. She was beautiful. Perfect. She looked like her Skye. Melinda knew it was her daughter. She didn't need any more blood tests to prove that but had conceded to one anyway. She knew she was still somewhat in shock. Her training for the Air Force and FBI made that very clear. Even so, she was surprised at how clear headed she was at the moment. Phil seemed to be taking the news rather well, but she knew that both of them could conceal a lot, with their training they'd both had over the years. She smiled as an image of Skye sassing Officer Morse played in her head. The girl was about 5'4" just slightly taller than she herself was in stocking feet. She had brown hair, but it was obviously dyed and various shades of brown and a few blond strands poked out as well. Her eyes were dark brown, and her smile was the same one she remembered on her baby.
A knock on the door brought Melinda out of her musings as Elena got up to answer the door. A woman entered and introduced herself.
"Hello. I'm Doctor Sharon Carter. Dr. Simmons rang me and asked me to stop by and see someone, Melinda May?"
"I'm Melinda May."
Dr. Carter walked over to her and held out her hand. Melinda took it and both women sat down.
"I'm going to go grab a cup of coffee. I'll be outside the door then if you need anything," Elena said.
Melinda nodded to her.
"Dr. Simmons said she had your permission to talk about what was going on and she brought me up to speed on everything. Tell me Miss May, how are you feeling about all this?"
"Call me Melinda please. Right now, I'm surprisingly calm. Which is in a way kind of scary."
"I can assume you have not been calm through this whole thing then?"
"No. Hardly. I fainted earlier. I never have done that before. I threatened to beat up everyone wo stood in my way of seeing my daughter. I have done that before. I seem to fluctuate between pure panic and pure calm."
"Well why do you think you're calm right now Melinda?"
"I got to see my daughter. From a distance. She looks healthy and she's alive. For a very long time, I couldn't believe that."
"Sure. That's to be expected. She was very young when she was taken. It's been over thirteen years. I would assume you continued on with your life, putting her in the past and living in the present."
"That depends on who you ask."
"How so?"
"My marriage fell apart after Skye was gone. Neither of us could move on and neither of us was willing to. I suppose, looking back, a part of me blamed Phil. But I think more than that, I blamed myself even more. If I had refused the mission, or even left active duty, or resigned from the Air Force, I could have been home with her and maybe it wouldn't have happened."
"Ah the old what if game. Never is helpful. You do know that?"
"Well, at least the guilt was something to cling to."
"Till it engulfs you and pushes everyone away."
Melinda's silence was answer enough.
"It's actually a very normal response when people go through a tragic event. Loss of a child is especially difficult. But I'm sure you received the help you needed at the time."
Melinda nodded. "The Air Force was very accommodating to both of us. They also provided counseling."
"Tell me Melinda, have you moved on from that tragedy?"
"I'd like to think I have, but my mother and others would probably disagree."
"Have you remained in the Air Force?"
"No. After I was divorced, I moved. I asked for a transfer to Dover Air Force Base. I piloted cargo planes for a time. Then I applied for discharge and a friend recruited me to join the FBI. I spent twenty weeks at Quantico and then worked out of Washington DC."
"And now you are here in Chicago?"
"Yes. I work in administration for the FBI Chicago office."
"Good. I'm sure they can provide you with counseling should you want it. Dr. Simmons really just wanted me to check and see if you need someone to talk to about the upcoming meeting with your daughter. She is of course unable to prep you since she is helping your daughter with the news. Is there anything you'd like to talk about? Any questions about how to proceed?"
Melinda paused and then shook her head. "Jemma pretty much summed up that we need to let Skye...um...Daisy make...to let her lead the way. We are to defer to her for initiating physical contact, and subjects to talk about. Let her set the boundaries."
"Good. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"
"No. I think I understand what my expectations should be."
"Okay then. I do highly recommend you make an appointment with a counselor or psychiatrist of your choice in the next few days."
"Of course. I will. Thank you, Dr. Carter."
Both women stood up and Melinda walked to the door with her. The doctor left and Elena came back into the room.
"Can I get you anything else, Melinda?"
"No, I'm good. Thanks. I need to use the restroom though." She walked to the restroom door, opened it and moved to the sink. She got a paper towel and furiously dabbed at the tears that started rolling down her cheeks. All the past reminders had brought up so many painful memories. The memories she had long ago thought she had buried.
Phil sat in the cafeteria sipping on his coffee as Don and Jane sat with him. He had called Don and asked him to come and sit with him, and Jane had driven over after school finished as well. It was after four, as Phil checked his watch again, noticing that his sister and Dr. Simmons had been talking for nearly an hour with Skye...Daisy, he'd have to remember that. Call her Daisy not Skye, he repeated a few times in his head like a mantra.
Jane noticed his concentration and spoke to him, "what are you thinking about Phil?"
"Call her Daisy, not Skye. I have to remember that. To her, Daisy is the only name she remembers."
"I just can't believe she is the same girl who stole your money from your bank account."
"She's got to have skill to have done that on her own. Wonder where she learned how to hack like that?" Don sounded impressed.
"Wherever it was, it was probably someone trying to take advantage of her. She's only fifteen for crying out loud." Phil's annoyance peeked through.
"Yeah but just saying she has to have some raw talent there. Hell, half my students at college can't string together a simple code for a game."
"Well don't sound so impressed Don, what she did was illegal. I'm sure you don't want your students doing anything illegal." His wife chastised his enthusiasm.
"No. But I'm talking about the coding skills she has to have, and the ability to bypass all those firewalls and encryptions. People with those kinds of skills can make a lot of money working to discover all the flaws in security systems companies set up."
"I'm far more worried about how she lived and who she lived with while growing up in the system." Phil shook his head. "We see some of that horror as teachers."
"Yes, we do, Phil, but that doesn't mean every place she was at was horrible. When did the police say her parents, I mean her fake parents, died?"
"Nine. She's been in the system ever since then. Group homes, foster homes. Bobbi said she even did a stint in juvenile hall."
"Well once she knows she has you, I'm sure things will be different. How's your ex-wife holding up?"
"I'm not sure. She was pretty calm when I left her to come down here to meet you guys. But I don't really know her anymore, don't know how to - I used to able to read her - used to be able - I -I don't know. I know she couldn't take her eyes off Sk..Daisy when we were allowed to watch her in the waiting room. Of course, I had a hard time not staring too."
"Well what did Bobbi say would happen? After you meet her? "
"You mean if we meet her. She can say no."
"She'll meet you Phil. I'm gonna guess she'll be curious to see you." Don patted him on the shoulder. "Once she meets you, she'll realize how great a guy you are and want to continue to see you."
"I hope so. Bobbi said she will have to go to court, possibly today yet, or by tomorrow morning. She is still in police custody and Bobbi said once they go before a judge and move her case to family court, the judge will order her placed somewhere until the court date."
"You mean like a foster home?"
"Yeah or a group home. Maybe a group detention home."
"Well I'm sure you'll be allowed to see her considering the circumstances."
"I don't know. I don't know how this all works. I do know I'm dropping all charges. Bobbi said Victoria is working hard on her case."
"Vic took her as a client?"
"Yeah, Bobbi asked her to."
"Well it's good she's on her side. And yours. She's damn good."
"I know Don. I'm far more worried about her future. I want to get custody."
"How will your ex feel about that?"
"Oh I mean custody with Melinda. Together. She's her mother."
"Well a judge might not want to do that, put her in a joint custody situation. Might feel more stability is required for someone like her."
"Maybe. Mel and I will do whatever we need to do to make sure we don't lose her again, and she remains a part of our lives. Now that she's found her way back to us."
"Well anything that Don and I can do to help, just ask. We're here for you."
"Thanks. I appreciate it." Phil looked over as he saw Hunter enter the cafeteria. Hunter walked over to their table.
"Hey Phil. Hi Don. Jane." He nodded to them. "Phil, Dr. Simmons sent me to get you. Daisy wants to meet you and your ex. Dr. Simmons is telling Melinda now and she wants you to join them now."
Phil got up. "Where?"
"The same room you were in before."
"Phil. We'll be out in the waiting room if you need us for anything. Anything at all."
"Thanks guys." Phil practically sprinted out the door, his stress level relieved at least temporarily.
Phil walked in the room, noticing that just Melinda and Dr. Simmons were present. He walked over to Melinda and smiled. "Good news huh."
She nodded. "Jemma wants to talk to us first." She sat down and motioned for Phil to sit next to her.
"Okay I just want to restate few things. Ground rules so to speak. Don't touch Daisy unless she says it is okay. Don't rush her, don't crowd her. And don't try to hug her. She doesn't know either of you at all. You need to refer to her by the name Daisy, as Skye is not the name she has heard of till today. Don't press her to remember her life when she was with you. She was only one and half and most likely remembers nothing. She might have faded glimpses of memories but probably nothing that makes any sense to her. Don't make any promises to her. Don't tell her everything will be fine, or promise her material items, or that she will live with you. Nothing like that. She still has to face court, and nothing has been decided yet. You can tell her you will stick by her if she wants you too. Don't focus on a past she can't remember or on her mistakes."
"What can we talk to her about?" Phil was getting annoyed with all the don'ts.
"You can talk about what she leads you into to talk about. Answer questions if she asks as honestly as you can. Don't sugarcoat anything but only tell what you know, not what you want it to be. She was interested in the fact that you both were in the Air Force. She is angry at Cal and Jiaying Johnson, but don't bad mouth them. They are still her parents in her eyes and raised her. She had no idea or hint of an idea that they weren't until an hour or so ago."
"How is she though. Her emotions? Is she okay?" Melinda interjected. "I don't want for her to be hurt or stressed or..."
"Surprisingly, she's rolled with it quite well. But there could be a delayed reaction of anger and denial coming. I'm not saying it will, I'm just saying it could happen. But in talking with Daisy, I got the feeling she is used to upheaval and being overwhelmed. She seems to have a good rapport with Bobbi, so I think it's best if Bobbi and I stay in the room. In fact, that's what Daisy wants. She's a bit nervous about how you see her. Based on things she has said – I believe she wants you to like her. Now also keep in mind, Daisy is used to being on her own a lot. She swears. She is a bit rough around the edges. She's done things that are questionable and wrong, to many even immoral. But she comes across as genuinely a good person just caught up in some bad things."
Jemma paused to let the information sink in. "Do you have any questions?"
"Did you tell her we have seen her already? In the waiting room? She's bound to recognize us."
"Of course she will Mel. You stared at her for over a half hour."
"So did you."
"But I wasn't nearly as obvious as you. She probably thought we were stalkers."
"Yeah she knows. Bobbi told her. And yes she mentioned the word stalker to Bobbi, I believe."
"See I told you."
"Oh shush Phillip."
Jemma smiled. "She will be joining us as soon as I give Bobbi the go ahead. So are you ready?"
Melinda looked at Phil and they both nodded at Jemma. Phil took Melinda's hand and she squeezed it.
Bobbi walked next to Daisy as they walked down the hallway. She pointed to a door and then paused outside. "They are both in here. Jemma is also in the room and I'll come in with you."
Daisy nodded. "This is weird right? I mean it's not just me? Anyone would be weirded out a little, wouldn't they?"
"Oh Daisy, this is definitely weird. High up on the weird list indeed. But it's also more than that. Those two in there, they thought they would never see their daughter again. They weren't even sure if she was alive or not. I don't know if you can but please try to see it from their viewpoint. They have been on a roller coaster of emotions today, just like you have been. For them, this is a miracle."
Daisy paused and held back. "I don't think I can live up to the expectations of being a miracle."
"Hey. No one expects you to live up to anything. Just be who you are. They are just over the moon to be able to know you are alive, safe and that they can see you and talk with you. One step at a time. Okay?"
"What if they don't like who I am? What if they don't want to see me again."
Bobbi walked closer to the girl. "Hey. Don't so this okay. Just be real. Hell I like you, and I liked you before I even knew you were my niece."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. You just need to give them a chance. Believe me they just want you back in their lives."
"They do?"
"Of course they do. They aren't going to just see you once and leave Daisy. I know it's hard for you to see it, but you are their daughter. Their flesh and blood."
"Lots of parents abandon their kids. That blood thing doesn't matter all the time."
"Look, it's okay to be nervous. But how about we just take this first step. Just think about this one thing, yeah? Walk in there and just talk to them. Then see what happens next."
"Yeah? Is that what you think I should do? Just talk about the Cubs or something?"
"No Daisy. Talk about you. Ask them about them. Ask questions. There are no set rules here.
Daisy nodded vigorously. "Okay." She clenched and unclenched her fists.
Bobbi watched her and then let out a short laugh.
"What?"
"Melinda does that."
"Does what?"
Bobbi reached over and took her hands. "This. Making fists like that."
"So you do know her?"
"No. Not really. I just know a little about her. I met her a little over a week ago at a party. At my house. She was visiting my neighbor with her mother. My husband invited them to join us, and Phil was late, as usual, and when he saw her, he dropped his dish of Mac n Cheese. It was terrible. You know, his Mac n Cheese is to die for, anyway He hadn't seen her for a very long time. And he was really surprised to see her at my house of all places, it was a very weird thing, but of course not as weird as this is for you, and for them, but still. Weird."
Daisy was staring as Bobbi rambled on. "You do that a lot huh?"
"Do what a lot."
"Talk very fast and go on and on."
Bobbi sighed. "Yeah I do that."
"Well could you not. I'm nervous enough and I don't need you making me more so. Geez, help a kid out, will ya?"
"How about you just go in now. I can see you're stalling. It's never going to be a perfect time"
Daisy nodded, moved past Bobbi and flung open the door, walked in and said, "what up". The two people sitting on the couch looked over at her, stood quickly, turning to face her. Daisy froze as she stared at the man with a dopey grin on his face, and the woman whose eyes seemed to bore into her very soul. The woman's lips turned upward into a smile, as her dark eyes flashed warmth. The man's grin grew larger, as he gave her a small wave. Neither said anything and Daisy was also at a loss for words.
The three stared at each other for a few moments before Jemma broke the silence. "Perhaps everyone would like to sit down?"
Phil ignored Jemma as did the other two. Phil heard a slight gasp from Melinda as she gripped his hand tighter. He couldn't stop grinning at the girl and figured he ought to say something, so he opened his mouth, but no words came out, instead he felt his smile growing bigger. He stared at the girl, taking in everything about her.
Melinda couldn't take her eyes off the girl. Just like before but this time the girl was also staring back at them. And she knew who they were now. Melinda took in her appearance yet again, noting the ragged looking jeans, done that way purposefully, the oversized light blue hoodie and the expensive looking sneakers. She stared at the girl's face; her mouth, her nose, her eyes, her everything.
Daisy's gaze was drawn first to the woman who was intently studying her. She really was very beautiful and looked much younger than the man standing next to her. The man who still had a dopey grin on his face, with twinkling eyes, who looked like he was going to say something but instead turned his dopey grin into a huge smile. She'd stolen twelve thousand dollars from this guy, and he was grinning from ear to ear looking like he'd just gotten the best present on Christmas morning.
She felt Bobbi nudge her and she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "So how about those Cubs?"
Bobbi snorted, and then coughed to cover her amusement.
Phil answered, "you like baseball?"
Daisy shook her head. "No. Not really." She gave a short laugh. "I really don't know anything about it. I mean just that there's this ball and people throw it and try to hit it with bats, and they make a lot of money, right?"
"I don't like baseball either." Melinda May spoke up and walked over to stand in front of Daisy. "Hi. I'm Melinda. I- I- I'm glad you – you - that you decided to meet us. Thank you." She held out her hand.
Daisy stared at her for a few seconds and then reached for her hand and shook it heartily. "I'm Daisy." Melinda held onto her hand a bit longer than most people when greeting another. "So, yeah. How are you?" as she pulled her hand away as Melinda finally let it go.
"I just might throw up." Melinda deadpanned. "How about you?"
Daisy laughed loudly.
Phil chuckled. "Nice visual Mel."
"I do my best"
Phil finally made it over to stand next to Daisy and offered her his hand as well. She took it and then the awkward silence appeared again.
Bobbi watched the three, with Daisy now showing an obvious discomfort and decided to speak up. "Phil, Daisy is a big fan of Mac n Cheese. We just had some and I was telling her how good yours is."
"Actually, she said it's to die for."
"Maybe I can make you some soon?"
"Sure. I never turn down food. So you cook a lot?"
"I do. I really enjoy it now. At first it was born from necessity."
Daisy tilted her head in question at his remark.
"Oh that's Phil's way of being funny. Cause I hate to cook."
"You don't hate to cook Mel. You're just really bad at it."
"Of course, I'm bad at it cause I hate it."
"Seriously Daisy, anyone who knows Melinda, knows to not let her near a kitchen."
Daisy watched the woman's reaction which was to roll her eyes and form a very slight upturn of her lips. He was teasing her, and she appeared to like it. "I guess that's good information to remember."
"It could save your life."
"Oh Phillip. Now that's an exaggeration."
"How many fires did I have to put out."
Daisy watched the two bantering back and forth and caught Bobbi's eye. Bobbi just shrugged her shoulders.
Jemma decided to once again invite them all to sit down. "Perhaps you should all sit, get comfortable, and continue talking."
Taking the hint finally, Phil took Melinda's arm and maneuvered her back to the sofa and Daisy followed and sat in the chair across from them. Jemma was seated in another chair and Bobbi sat on the arm of the sofa next to Phil.
Phil spoke first. "Would it be okay if Melinda and I asked you some questions, Daisy?"
"I guess. What do you want to know?"
Melinda added, "Of course you can ask us questions too. About anything."
Daisy nodded. "Okay. I have one I've been wondering about. Do you have any other kids?"
Both Melinda and Phil shook their heads.
"Oh."
"I have Bobbi. You already know her. And her husband Hunter of course. They are the only family I have. Besides you of course."
Daisy looked at Melinda.
"My mother and father. They live in Pennsylvania. And my best friend Maria who is like a sister to me."
"My parents didn't have any family here. At least none I know about. It's why I was put in the system, I guess. Wait. So your parents would be my – my um- my grandparents. Right?"
"Right."
"As soon as I tell them, I am sure they will be getting on a plane to come here."
"Really? You think they'd want to see me?"
Melinda nodded. "Of course they will. If you want to see them."
"You have any pictures?" Of them I mean?"
"I do." Melinda opened her purse and dug around for her wallet. She pulled it out and flipped thru her wallet pulling out a picture. She showed it to Daisy.
Daisy looked at the picture curiously. The man in the picture was smiling but the woman was not."
"William and Lian. They're divorced."
"Oh. So this is an old picture?"
"No. It was taken just last year during the holidays. They live together."
"They're divorced but together?"
"It's complicated. Once in a while my dad will come stay with me when he needs a break from her. Which happens a couple times a year."
Phil snorted.
Daisy held the picture in her hand and looked at it again. "She looks stern."
"She is. But here is a pic of her holding you when you were born." Melinda handed her another picture.
"Oh. She looks different. Softer." Daisy paused. "That's me?"
"It is. You were absolutely perfect."
Melinda dug around more and pulled out two more pictures. She handed Daisy one. "This one was taken right after you were born."
Daisy took it and stared for a very long time. "I was kind of wrinkly. And red."
"You screamed bloody murder for about twenty minutes after you were born. Phil snapped the picture when you finally stopped yelling."
Daisy bit her bottom lip and gazed at the picture for a long time. She finally looked up and grinned at Melinda. "Guess I made quite the entrance, huh?"
"Indeed. This one is of all of us at the base on your first birthday. Maria took it before we all left to go to the park. It was your favorite place." She slipped the picture over the other one.
Daisy stared at the portrait of the baby with her parents. Melinda and Phil looked so happy, and they both had on their uniforms and both had huge smiles on their faces.
"You carry these with you? All the time?"
"Yeah. I have a few more. She passed Daisy the other four pictures.
Daisy took her time looking at them. The room was quiet. Phil touched Melinda's shoulder and squeezed, as she gave him a slight smile.
Daisy sighed and put the pictures on a pile and picked them up handing them back to Melinda.
She waved her hand. "You can keep them, Daisy. If you want to."
Daisy swallowed hard and nodded. After a few seconds, she spoke her voice clearly shaky. "You don't mind?"
"I have copies at home. I'll – I can – just get those to keep with me."
The enormity of what Melinda said hit everyone.
Daisy appeared to be struggling with her emotions. She picked up the pictures and stared at the top one. "Thank you." Her voice was barely audible. She looked closer at the picture. "Oh on this one you can see the heart." Daisy picked up the picture and looked at Melinda and Phil excitedly. "Look." She dropped the pictures next to her and rolled up the sleeve of her hoodie. She turned her arm to show them the birthmark. Then she slid off the chair and sat on the table between her and the occupants of the sofa. She stuck out her arm.
Melinda reached for her arm and then stopped and looked at Daisy. Daisy nodded and Melinda gently traced her fingers over the heart shaped birthmark. She withdrew her hand and gave Daisy a small smile. Daisy rewarded her with a large grin. She then reached over and took hold of Melinda's hand, weaving her fingers through the woman's fingers. She looked over at Phil and gave him a smile, nodding her head. He touched her arm also tracing over the heart on her arm. Melinda was near tears, as was Phil.
Daisy looked at both and shook her head. "This is really so weird, right? I mean what a day huh?"
Melinda snorted and Phil chuckled. Bobbi joined them as Jemma watched the little family take their first steps toward finding their way back to each other.
.
