Daisy woke from a sound sleep from Melinda gently tapping her shoulder. "Hey it's time for Tai Chi. If you want. Or you can sleep in."
Daisy blinked rapidly at Melinda, slightly confused as to where she was. Then it came to her that she was at Melinda's apartment in her bedroom. "Didn't hear the alarm."
"I woke up before it went off. I usually do. I just set it mostly out of habit in case."
Daisy slowly sat up and shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "I'm good. I think I slept pretty good. Thanks."
"Try that anytime you find it hard to fall asleep. Come on. We'll do Tai Chi out in the living room. I already cleared a spot for us."
Daisy got up and first made her way to the bathroom and then joined Melinda in the living room. She started stretching following along with Melinda through the session. They both took showers and got ready, Melinda making them a breakfast of bagels and fruit and then they left.
Melinda dropped Daisy at the school, lingering just long enough to see her walk in the building with another girl – a redhead who seemed glad to see Daisy. She smiled as she pulled away and headed to Grace's house to pick up her parents.
Melinda spent the day with her parents, first talking at Grace's as her mother insisted that she eat breakfast with them, in spite of her protests that she had already eaten. They lingered a while, talking, and decided that yes, they would sublet Melinda's apartment. They went with her to get groceries and then they made the arrangements with the apartment manager about subletting.
Daisy made good on her promise to visit with Phil before her first class, and then she headed to class. Lunch found her sitting with her new friends. She'd packed leftover dumplings and buns and after heating them in the microwave the school provided for students, she sat back down at the table to eat.
"What's that." Clint nudged her arm, sitting next to her on her left.
"Dumplings and buns. My – um – my grandmother and I made them yesterday."
Nat peered at them with interest. "You made them?"
"Yeah. Well she mostly made them. But I did help. It was fun."
"That's a lot of dumplings Daisy." Roy said.
"Yeah. She gave me the leftovers. I brought extra to share. You want one?"
He nodded eagerly. She smiled and handed one to him. "Anyone else?"
Everyone took a dumpling or half a bun from her.
"So not only does Mr. C cook but so does your grandmother. And these are fantastic by the way." Carol grinned at her. "So your mom, can she cook too? Or does she just leave notes?"
Daisy laughed. "She made me a bagel for breakfast. Well two actually. She burnt the first one in the toaster."
Everyone laughed. "So that's a no then." Trip smirked.
"Yeah pretty much. It's kind a running joke in the family. Apparently, she burns things. A lot."
"Apparently? You don't know? Sounds like you mean you just found this out? Are you adopted or something?" Clint raised his eyebrows at her.
"Or something. It's a really long story."
"Well then, tell the cliffnotes." Sara added. "It's what most of us are used to anyway. "
Daisy stuffed a piece of a dumpling in her mouth. She figured eventually everyone in the school would know everything. These guys had been nice to her. Why not give the actual version herself before all the rumors and half-truths started floating around the school. "Short version then."
Everyone looked at her curiously.
She took a deep breath and spoke rapidly. "I was kidnapped when I was eighteen months old. The people I thought were my parents died in a car accident when I was nine. I lived in foster homes and group homes after that. I ran away from a foster home that sucked and ended up here in Chicago. I learned to hack into computers early and I kind of hacked into Phil's bank account and they caught me. Bobbi who is Phil's sister is also a cop and she put two and two together and figured out I was Phil's kid. My – Melinda and him divorced a while ago, but now we are all gonna live together in this new house they just bought. Because of all the circumstances and stuff, the court kinda dropped all charges, and I just have to stay out of trouble and stuff. I just met Phil and Melinda a couple weeks ago, we've been living at Bobbi's place, till last night when I moved in with Melinda and once the house is ready, we will move there. I just met my grandparents over the weekend and now I have parents. grandparents, an aunt and an uncle. Like a month ago I had no one. Life's weird huh?"
Everyone as looking at Daisy with their mouths open. No one was eating and the silence was palpable. Daisy was looking at her remaining dumplings in her bowl.
Trip was the first to respond. "Damn girl."
Nat had nothing. No snarky comment, no metaphors, absolutely nothing. She just stared at the girl. Carol blinked at her a few times, and then looked at Sara who was simply shaking her head.
Miles and Roy both stared at their lunches completely stunned with no idea what to say. Mike tried to say something, but then thought better of it and stayed quiet.
It was Clint, sitting next to Daisy, who spoke up. "Is that real or just your way to tell us to mind our own business?"
Nat sitting on Clint's other side, elbowed him in the ribs. "Does that sound like she made it up?"
"I dunno. I mean it's a pretty wild story." He looked at Daisy who was still staring at her remaining dumplings and would not look at anyone. "Whoa. It's real isn't it? So was your face like on one of those Amber alerts?"
"Clint just shut up." Nat nudged him harder.
"Well to be honest Daisy the rumor mill is already running rampant. Word got around pretty quickly that you're Mr. C.'s daughter and since you kind of just appeared out of the blue – well as you can expect, lots of theories out there." Trip finally regained his composure and voice."
Daisy looked up at him and nodded.
"But damn girl, I'm sorry. You – um – you must be going through it huh? Just know, I'm a damn good listener – if you need an ear. And – I think that we'd all agree – I mean we don't know you all that well yet, but we've got your back. Right guys?"
Carol nodded immediately, and Sara placed her hand on Daisy's shoulder. Roy gave her a slight smile, and Mike flashed her a big grin.
Miles spoke up, "Yeah. More importantly though, if you aren't gonna eat those last two dumplings, can I have um?"
Daisy laughed and handed them over to him much to Roy's dismay.
"Thanks." Daisy said quietly. "Most people would run, yeah?"
Nat grinned. "Well we aren't most people."
Trip laughed. "Amen to that."
Carol asked Daisy, "So your mom, the one who wrote the note and who can't cook, you just met her?"
Daisy grinned broadly. "Yeah. She's amazing. She's got this like loner vibe thing, you know, but she's like all like protective and stuff. She wants to beat up every person who's ever hurt me and that's – well it's – no one's ever seen me as worth that before."
"Your mom wants to beat everyone up? What kind of mom wants to beat everyone up?"
"The kind that lost their kid and just got her back. You're a dumbass Clint." Roy frowned at him. The rest of the table grinned cause Roy hardly talked so when he did it meant he had something important to say.
"Well most parents would want to protect their kids. But she really said she wants to beat them up?" Sara asked.
"Yeah. She could too. She has like five black belts in different Martial Arts, she was in the Air Force, and now she works for the FBI. She's like a super ninja spy."
"Remind me not to ask you out girl." Trip quipped.
Daisy laughed. "Melinda's actually pretty cool about that. Phil though, I'm guessing he's the one to be concerned about. Oh and he also knows martial arts according to Melinda."
"Really? Mr. C knows karate?" Miles asked.
"I think she said Jujitsu actually."
"Dang, Mr. C's full of surprises." Trip added.
Just then the bell rang, which meant they had a little less than ten minutes to get to their lockers and use the restrooms if they needed to before the next class.
"Well I guess we'll have to pick your brain next lunch then." Nat spoke up as the kids started packing up their stuff and getting up.
Daisy looked at her with a look of near panic. "Oh hey I don't know..."
"Hey I was just kidding. You don't have to tell us anything. I mean if you want to share more that's cool, but no one here is going to overstep. Right guys?" Nat gave Clint a poignant look and another jab to his ribs.
A chorus of yeses and uhhuhs came from everyone, as they started moving out flowing into the thong of kids leaving the cafeteria. Nat moved to Daisy's side.
"Hey I mean it. It's your call. You tell any of us to back off if we get too noisy, okay?"
Daisy nodded. "Thanks. It's all really new. Still processing you know?"
"We understand Daisy." Carol said as she joined them on Daisy's left. "Come on I'll walk with you to class again. Nat's going in the other direction."
Nat nodded. "Music class. See you both later."
"Thanks guys." Nat turned left in the hallway while Daisy and Carol headed to the right toward the stairs. "Wait. Did she say music?"
"Yep. Music and dance. Her things. She's really good at both too. You said that your mom was in the Air Force?"
"Yeah. Phil too."
"I'd love to meet her. Talk about it. That's what I want to do."
"You want to join the Air Force after graduation?"
"I want to get in the Air Force Academy."
"Whoa. Melinda said that is really hard to do. They only pick like ten percent of applicants."
"Yeah I know. I'm gonna be one of those ten percent."
After her last class Daisy started to walk to Phil's classroom. Nat caught up with her and they walked together.
"You doing okay Loner?" Nat said as she came alongside Daisy.
Daisy gave her as small smile. "Yeah. Thanks. Pretty sure just by you being here – that loner name is getting old."
"Sure. Hey what you told us was pretty brave. And what you've gone through, well it beats all our stories. And believe me some of them are pretty tragic."
Daisy stopped walking. "Tragic?"
"Yeah. But everyone will tell you their own story sometime. It's not my place to tell them."
"What about yours?"
"Definitely tragic. At least it starts out that way."
"And?"
"Well short version is, I'm Russian. I was brought over here and adopted by this couple who wanted a kid. I was five. I was living in an orphanage. I was not he lovable and cute five- year old they wanted." She shrugged. "I was abused as a young child before getting to the orphanage. Honestly, I only remember a few things about that, but I have the scars to prove it. The agency that did the adoption neglected to tell the adoptive parents. I had a lot of issues. Failure to form emotional bonds, I was aggressive, had temper tantrums, was angry all the time. It's in all the reports. So the family gave me back to the agency, and they put me in a group home. Tried a foster home but they sent me back real fast."
"You're an orphan?"
"Not anymore. My mom adopted me. She was doing a story about kids like me back around nine years ago or so. She met me and well, we formed a bond. She let me be who I was and didn't try to change me. She adopted me a year later. I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a decent home now. A good home. I still have a few bonding issues, and trust issues, but I'm not that angry anymore."
"I seem to be angry almost all the time these days."
"You're good at hiding it."
"Yeah."
"Are you angry with your parents?"
"Yeah. Oh not Phil and Melinda. The ones who took me or bought me or whatever. They lied to me my whole life. Every single thing was a lie. And I'm mad for what I missed out on for so long."
"They treated you bad, huh? The ones you thought were your real parents?"
"Not really. My da- um Cal – he was okay. But he worked long hours at his office. He was a doctor. Jiaying, his wife was nice and stuff when I was little, but she changed. She barely interacted with me after I started school. I seemed to only annoy her. She took a lot of meds too. For depression and anxiety. They both drank a lot too. I guess their real kid died and so that's why they got me. No one's sure if he kidnapped me or if they bought me on the black market. If he kidnapped me, he's also a murderer. My babysitter and her boyfriend were murdered by whoever took me."
"Whoa. I'm sorry. That's really fucked up."
Daisy nodded. "I think, I think I hate them. I can't think about it without getting really angry. If they weren't already dead, I'd want to kill them." She shook her head then she started walking again. "But I need to get to Phil's room. It's almost time to leave. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Take care."
Daisy turned into Phil's classroom doorway, trying to shake the bad emotions. "Hey."
Phil turned at her greeting and smiled. "Hey yourself. How was your day?"
"Good. How was yours?"
"Good. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
She nodded.
Phil ended up making meatloaf, mashed potatoes and broccoli with cheese. Melinda contributed a salad. Phil had not made dessert, but Melinda had purchased containers of different ice cream flavors. Daisy chose French vanilla and poured fudge and caramel toppings over it. Phil had rocky road flavor and Melinda had a dish of raspberry sherbet.
After dinner, Daisy did homework. Phil helped her when she needed help, and Melinda did the dishes. After finishing the dishes, Melinda helped Daisy with her Spanish work, while Phil graded some papers.
After Daisy had enough schoolwork, Melinda made her a cup of tea, and currently they were just sitting at the small table.
"I told my friends that I sit with at lunch all about me and you guys."
Melinda turned to look at Daisy, with a surprised look on her face. Phil also looked at her curiously.
She continued. "It came up. I gave them the short version. They were cool about it."
"Good. I'm glad you were okay with sharing." Melinda patted her arm.
"Yeah that's good." Phil nodded. "Who all are you sitting with anyway?"
"Natasha. Clint Barton. Miles Morales. Roy – ah I forget his last name. Trip. Mike Peterson. Sara Lance. Carol. Carol – uh – Danvers."
"Harper. Roy Harper."
"That's it. You said you already know Nat." She looked at Phil.
"I do. I know them all actually. I have Sara and Miles in class this year. Had the rest last year, except for Trip. But I had him on my basketball team a couple years back."
"Yeah. He said that. Pretty eclectic group, huh?"
"They are. They are also all good kids."
"They all like you too, Phil. In fact, I haven't come across anyone who doesn't like you."
"I'm likable."
Melinda smiled.
Daisy grinned. "It's great cause I get points for you just being my dad."
Daisy seemed to miss the momentary pause and faces of the two adults. Phil recovered quickly. "Glad I could help out your navigating through high school society."
"Yeah. Oh and that note in my lunch last week?" Daisy looked Melinda poignantly. "That was a bit embarrassing. Although Carol thought it was sweet."
Melinda shrugged. "Not gonna apologize for worrying. Or caring."
Phil spoke up. "What note?"
"She put a note in that huge lunch you packed. By the way, I scored many brownie points by sharing especially with Roy and Miles."
"I told you it was too much Phil."
"Nah. It's fine. They're all impressed you can cook and bake Phil."
"So that's what that comment meant. Mike Peterson walked by me in the hall this morning and said he really, really liked chocolate chip muffins."
Daisy laughed loudly. She then looked at Melinda. "No worries. I told them about you too and everyone thinks it would great to have such an overprotective mom."
Daisy grinned at both of them and got up. "So spy movie? Cause I could use a few laughs with Melinda's over the top commentary."
Melinda was quiet, still contemplating that Daisy had referred to them as mom and dad, indirectly yes, but still.
Phil grinned back at Daisy. "I'm sure Mel has a spy movie none of us have seen laying around here somewhere.
Melinda and Daisy were sitting on the couch while Phil had taken the lounge chair. Melinda had picked the latest Mission Impossible movie to watch. Daisy was again very entertained by Melinda's scoffing at the spy shenanigans in the movie. She sat on the couch eating red licorice and kettle popcorn. She grew tired as the movie progressed and toward the end had shuffled her body to be right up against Melinda and had her head leaning onto Melinda's shoulder. It was then that Melinda simply stopped her commentary and sat still watching the movie with a smile on her face. She refrained from wrapping her arm around Daisy because she didn't want to ruin the moment, but it took everything in her to not do it. Phil looked over and grinned at her several times.
The movie ended and as the credits rolled, Daisy moved away from Melinda and got up to take the movie our of the DVD player. Melinda immediately missed the contact. Phil also got up and moved to the kitchen to get his briefcase. Melinda watched as he gathered his things and put his coat on and headed to the door to put his shoes on.
"So hey, I guess you're leaving." Daisy looked over at him as she started picking up the bowls and glasses.
"I'll get the rest Daisy," Melinda said as she stood and gathered the rest of the dishes and bags of food from the coffee table.
"Yeah, it's pretty late. It's almost nine-thirty."
"Yeah. Almost bedtime. Gotta get up at the crack of dawn you know." Daisy's tone was sassy.
"So Mel, I'll bring Daisy home tomorrow around the same time. I was going to make chicken parmesan with pasta."
"Works for me."
"How about you Daisy. You like chicken parm?"
"That's the tomato sauce one, right?"
"It is."
"Yeah I like it. But Phil you don't have to ask that all the time. I'm really not fussy. I'll eat most anything."
"Okay. Just making sure. You definitely don't have any allergies?"
"Nope. Not that I know about anyway. Really, I eat anything. Heck I'm happy with a bowl of cereal for dinner."
"Well you won't have to have that with us. If you want, you can take a meatloaf sandwich to school tomorrow for lunch. Melinda bought all kinds of veggies and fruit too. And I had a couple blueberry muffins that I made last night. They're in the container on the counter. She has lots of granola bars, and snacks here now too."
"Okay. Sounds good. Thanks Phil."
"Okay. Good night then."
"Good night. You want me to stop by before class tomorrow? "
"Only if you want to."
"I will." She smiled. "See you in the morning."
Okay. Goodnight Melinda."
"Night Phil. Sleep well."
Melinda had dropped Daisy off at school and this time not only did the redhead meet and greet her but so did three others, a girl and two guys. Melinda smiled as the four talked animatedly while walking into the school building. The other girl, who was blond, looked back at her a few times.
Melinda walked off the elevator and headed to her office. People she was acquainted with had greeted her warmly and she wondered just how much they knew about her and Daisy and Phil. She walked into the shared office and noticed Fitz sitting at her desk. She grinned. "Hey I think I need that back."
Fitz nearly jumped since he was focused on the computer screen in front of him. "Melinda!" He jumped up and hugged her. She was a bit surprised but gave him a small smile after wrapping her arms around him in a quick embrace and then pulling back.
"It's great to see you. So are you back? For good?"
"Yeah. I'm back. But I'm not going to be working such long hours anymore. I've got more important things to do."
He grinned. "I take it things are going well with Daisy?"
"Yes. They are. She's moved in with me at my apartment until our house is ready."
"You bought a house?"
"We bought a house. Phil and I. To all live in. And no Phil and I are not together. I can see your wheels turning. We just both want to be with Daisy and want her to be settled in one place. Besides the downstairs is almost its own apartment and Phil is staying there while Daisy and I are upstairs."
"Wow. You're changing things up quickly."
"I bought a car. Well actually an SUV."
"You bought an actual vehicle. I didn't even know you could drive."
"I can drive well," she said indignantly. "It's red."
"Of course it is. I'd like to see it sometime."
"You can see it this weekend. Come help us paint our house. Pizza and beer. Jemma can come too."
He laughed. "How much beer?"
"However much you want."
"I'll check with Jemma. But yeah. Probably. I don't think we have any plans. It could be fun. Who else is gonna be there?"
"So far, Phil, me and Daisy. Bobbi and Hunter. Maybe Mack and Elena. I think Phil is asking his friend Jane and her husband. Maybe my parents."
"Okay. It actually sounds like it could be fun."
"There's a treehouse out back. Lots of land. It's really nice. I'll text you the address if you and Jemma can make it."
"Sounds good. But really – how are you?"
"I'm okay. Day by day, right?"
"So the girl, she's okay?
"Yeah. I think so. I mean she's a real trooper. Plows through everything and has more fortitude then me "
"She seemed like a definite wise ass."
"Yeah. That she is. I think it's why she is pushing through this so well. She's got a healthy sense of humor. She's also very empathetic. But yeah, as she puts it – also pretty messed up."
Fitz grinned. "Sounds an awful lot like you, yeah?"
Melinda pondered his words. After a few seconds she responded. "Yeah. Somewhat. Difference is she doesn't internalize things like I do. At least not as deeply. She's been pretty open with me and a little less so with Phil. I don't know Fitz – it's like we read each other. Does that make sense? I mean to connect that quickly, or am I just projecting here?"
"She's looking to belong. All teenagers want that. Jemma told me the whole story. Well not your counseling sessions or anything. But just the basics. How Daisy was kidnapped, some of what her life has been like. That she came out of all that relatively normal is a miracle. That she is trying to fit in shows she has a lot of good in her, yeah? Jemma says she's real smart, but also kind and compassionate. Also said she felt guilty about taking Jems wallet."
"She felt desperate. Boxed in. More scared than anything else."
"That's what Jemma said. So she has a conscience. And cares about others. With all that going for her, and her amazing hacking skills, imagine what good she could do with your guidance. With your love."
"She could make a real difference in the world."
"Tell me. Isn't that what parents want for their kids more than anything? Besides being happy?"
"When is all comes down to it, yes. To be safe and happy, and to find a life that they want."
"Well good parents want that. That's you. And Jemma says Phil is the same. You'll do fine Melinda. Look how well you parent me. Least I never go hungry."
"Thanks Fitz. Your pretty good at pep talks."
"Yeah well, you pick up on the psychobabble when you live with a psychiatrist."
Melinda moved to him and engulfed him in a hug. "You're a good guy Leopold Fitz. I hope Jemma knows that."
"Yeah she does. I mean it's pretty obvious."
Melinda pulled from the hug and laughed. Then she patted his head. "I brought meatloaf and potatoes for lunch, with blueberry muffins. Enough for two."
"Bless you."
Melinda was at her apartment when she heard the door open and the animated voices of Phil and Daisy. Daisy took her shoes off and dropped her backpack on the floor and made her way to the kitchen. She grinned at Melinda. "Phil thinks the Lord of the Rings movies are superior to Star Wars."
Melinda gasped and gave Phil a dirty look. Then she turned to Daisy. "He's wrong."
Phil who had just taken off his shoes walked to them carrying his briefcase. "That's not what I said Daisy. That's not what I said Melinda."
"Well what did you say exactly."
"I simply said that the characters of the Lord of the Rings movies overall were better than the characters of Star Wars as a whole. Their chemistry and development."
Daisy shook her head. "Well that's just stupid."
"Opinions are not stupid Daisy."
"Well yours is Phil. Star Wars wins every time. That's all."
"Melinda. You like Lord of the Rings movies."
"Okay. I do. But I love Star Wars."
Daisy grinned and high fived Melinda. "I don't think you're gonna win this one Phil. Two against one."
He laughed. "Come on. You said you wanted to learn how to make Chicken Parmesan. We need to get started, cause I'm hungry."
"Well on that we can agree. I'm hungry too."
"You seem to always be hungry Daisy." Melinda teased.
"I can't help it I have a high metabolism. Plus, gotta admit, been eating pretty damn good since meeting you too. I could get used to it. So what's first Phil?"
"First we shoe Melinda out of the kitchen. We don't want to have to use the fire extinguisher tonight."
"Haha. You're so funny Phillip."
"You can make the salad later."
"I already did smartie pants. It's in the fridge. I'm going for a run. Be back in about forty minutes."
"Have fun. Stay safe."
Melinda rolled her eyes at his last remark. Then she winked at Daisy. She moved to the door and put on her sneakers.
Daisy waved bye to her, and then turned to Phil. "So what do you want me to do?"
They ate dinner over a recap conversation of everyone's day. Then Daisy dug right into her schoolwork, with Phil overseeing her for the first hour. Then he left, because he had class prep to do and felt it would be easier in his apartment since Melinda's place had limited space. Melinda once again did the dishes, telling Daisy, who wanted to help, that catching up on her schoolwork was first priority. After Phil left, Melinda helped her with Spanish. Daisy needed to read as well, a new book for English class, so Melinda grabbed a book too, and both sat quietly in the living room reading their respective books. They went to bed shortly after ten, and Daisy fell to sleep immediately. It was Melinda who tossed and turned this night, fighting demons in her dreams. Fortunately, Daisy was a heavy sleeper once she was out, and as Melinda laid in the dark, trying to stop her racing heart and calm her mind, she was grateful she hadn't woken the girl. She laid there for almost two hours unable, actually unwilling, to go back to sleep, till her body told her it was time to get up. It would not be the first night she only had a few hours of sleep, and it wouldn't be the last.
The next morning after doing Tai Chi together and getting ready for the day, Melinda packed Daisy's lunch; a couple PB&J sandwiches, chips, doritos, a banana and an apple, along with some oreos, and a couple pudding snacks.
Daisy checked the bag. "So you and Phil. You both think I'm a two-hundred pound football player?"
"Well you might get hungry during the day, or after school."
"You're picking me up after school, remember? We have to go to see Dr. Simmons. Phil has basketball practice."
"I know. You might get hungry before we get a chance to get dinner."
"What's for dinner then? Phil's not coming over. He has practice and then said he has to grade a bunch of research papers."
"Yeah. I thought we'd pick up Chinese takeout."
"Seriously?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Oh no. I'd love it. But I am going to gain a ton of weight if I keep eating this way"
"I thought you said you had a fast metabolism. Anyway, no worries. We'll work it off. Was planning to start teaching you some basic self defense tonight. That is if you still want to learn."
Daisy nodded and grinned. "Oh yeah. I still want to."
"Okay. Come on. I need to get you to school."
After school Melinda picked up Daisy and drove her to Jemma's for her individual counseling session. Afterward, Daisy was silent till they picked up the take-out order.
"Dr. Simmons said she and her boyfriend, that computer tech guy you work with are helping to paint this weekend?"
Melinda put the bag of food in the back on the seat, and then got in the driver's seat. "Yeah. Is that alright? She won't be doing psycho-analyzing while painting."
"No that's fine. I just wondered if you need more help. I thought I could ask some of my friends at school. Would that be okay?"
"Don't want to be the only teen there huh?"
"Yeah. I mean if you have enough help, I don't have to. I mean I'm not even sure any of them would come."
"Sure, you can ask. The more the merrier. As long as they have their parents' permission. And none of them sneak any beer."
"Yeah. I'm sure they wouldn't dare. You'll threaten them, right? That stare?"
"Yep. And the adults are smarter than some teens think."
"Oh I know. Plus there'll be a bunch of cops there right? I mean Bobbi and Hunter are coming, aren't they?"
"Yes. And Mack and Elena. Izzy might show. Jemma and Fitz. Jane and Don – that's Ms. Foster and her husband."
"Okay. Hey Melinda?"
Melinda turned to look at her.
"You don't have to worry about me drinking or hanging with kids that drink. I saw what it does to people. That's probably the least thing you need to worry about with me. That and drugs. I've seen the crazy side of that too."
Melinda nodded. "Good to know." She tired to prevent her mind from picturing what Daisy went through with people who abused drugs and alcohol but failed. She started the SUV and the rest of the quiet drive, plotted once again how to beat up every jerk who had ever hurt her daughter.
After eating, Daisy did her homework. Then she and Melinda changed into work out clothes, and Melinda led her through stretching, and some basic self defense moves. They worked for almost two hours and Daisy was surprised at how quickly the time passed.
"You did good. we'll keep this up a couple times a week if you want."
Daisy grinned. "Yeah I would like that. It was fun. I can't believe how late it is."
"Yeah, no TV tonight for me. I'm going to grab a quick shower."
"Yeah me too. After you're done. I'm gonna call Phil and say goodnight."
"He'd like that." Melinda smiled at her and then walked to the bathroom.
Thursday night found Melinda saying goodbye to her parents. They had decided to fly back to Pittsburg to their home and get things settled there planning to fly back out before Thanksgiving to move into Melinda's apartment. If everything went according to plan the house would be ready the weekend before Thanksgiving and Melinda, Phil and Daisy would be moved in that weekend. Phil was going to cook Thanksgiving dinner at the new house.
Daisy gave small hugs to both Lian and William and was a bit teary eyed. After they left, Sharon Carter had come over to do her first checkup on the new little family. It was just a preliminary checkup and she said everything passed and everyone looked good.
That day at lunch, Daisy had mentioned the painting party to everyone and was overwhelmed with the response. Nat, Clint, Trip, Carol, Sara and Roy all agreed to help. Miles had to work and was disappointed he couldn't help Saturday, but he said he'd try for Sunday if they still needed help. He gave Daisy his cell number and told her to call him. Mike was also disappointed he couldn't help but he was going out of town to visit his aunt with his family. Trip said he couldn't get there till after lunch cause he had basketball practice in the morning but he would be there. Daisy had given out the address of the new house and both she and Sara were surprised and happy to find Sara lived down the street. In fact, turned out that Carol and Trip only lived a mile or so away as well.
Friday night Melinda found herself at a huge furniture store at the mall with Daisy. Phil would be joining them after his basketball practice. Currently they were in the bedroom section.
Melinda's patience had worn thin, and she wished that Phil would get here soon. Daisy was not being helpful or forthcoming about what kind of bedroom furniture she wanted, not even the size of the bed. When they'd walked in Melinda had attempted to get answers from Daisy, but after over thirty minutes of hearing, 'I don't really care', and 'whatever is fine', and 'you can just pick something', and 'yeah that one is okay, it'll be fine', Melinda had given up and gone on to pick out a new bedroom suite for herself. Daisy had simply moped around and finally had sat down on a chair waiting for Melinda to get done.
So now Melinda was done, and she had once again asked Daisy what size bed she would prefer, and Daisy had just shrugged. Yeah it was now a full-blown headache. Melinda rubbed her temples again. "Look. Please at least pick a bed size and style, okay? Twin or full? You want a bookcase headboard? Just a simple headboard or no headboard? Firm mattress or soft? Or somewhere in between? Color"? Light or dark wood? Do you like a small regular type desk, or you want one of those larger corner double desks? Or something else? They have just about every style here?"
"It really doesn't matter. Whatever you want to get."
"Of course it matters Daisy." Melinda nearly shouted. She then lowered her voice. "It's your bed. Your desk. Your bedroom. Please stop this. Just tell me what you want. Please."
"I don't want to. Why can't you just pick something so we can get out of here."
"Why can't you just pick out what you want Daisy. Honestly, this whole thing is silly. Why are you making this so much harder than it needs to be? It's your room."
"Till it's not."
"What?"
"Nothing." Daisy stared at her red hightop sneakers and clenched her fists. She felt her eyes watering and fought back the tears.
Melinda looked around the store, which was rather empty, and sighed. This was not about furniture. She sat down on the bed she was standing next to. "Sit." It wasn't a request. Still Daisy did not move. "Please Daisy. Sit here." Melinda patted the bed next to her.
"You're awfully mad."
"No. I'm frustrated. I thought we were beyond this"
"Can't we just go. Please. You can tell Phil to pick something out for me. I'm good with anything. Really. It'll be better than most places."
"We'll just come back. We want you to pick what you want Daisy. Make the room, your room. Put your signature on it, so to speak."
"But – but what if you don't want me to stay? What if I do something really bad? Like fail school. Or get pregnant. What if I'm not good enough?"
"Oh Daisy."
"I mean look at you. You're so beautiful and you have a good job, and that new car, and you're smart and funny and badass. People respect you."
Melinda swallowed hard and clenched her teeth. The insecurity and fear radiated off Daisy. She knew that Daisy had abandonment issues. And they seemed to come out at the most random times. Except maybe this wasn't random. Daisy had been exceptionally quiet yesterday after her session with Jemma. She'd also talked to Sharon Carter in Melinda's bedroom alone last night. Another reminder of what Daisy needed to do to stay on probation. And her parents had left last night, and Phil was not around as much since they'd moved to her apartment. Change. And no matter how much Daisy claimed change didn't bother her, change was coming at her full throttle, and the new house was just one of those changes.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Daisy's reaction was comical. She looked up at Melinda with her mouth open and a perplexed look on her face. "Did- did you – did you just quote Ferris Bueller?"
"Did I?"
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No. I'm just trying to understand. You do know my parents will be back? In only a couple weeks. Phil will be around more once we move into the house. I'm not going anywhere. No matter how much you try to push me away. I don't know what you're thinking but I can guess. You're afraid you're getting too close. That somehow it can't be real, cause it hasn't been before. You're afraid I will leave or make you leave. I need you to know this one thing. No matter what Dais, no matter how many times you yell at me, or if you have a zillion panic attacks, or you get pregnant, or you get bad grades, or talk back, or decide to become a garbage collector or marry a loser, or do any number of stupid things that teens do – I will be here. I'm never not going to be here for you. I'm your mother, Daisy. I know you're still on that path to figuring that out, but it doesn't change how I see you, doesn't change who you are to me. I will always be your mother Daisy. I always have been your mother."
"I don't want to disappoint you." Daisy whispered. She paused and Melinda saw a few tears on her face. "I think that you're maybe the very best thing that's ever happened to me. I can't – I can't lose you. And I lose everyone eventually." Daisy spoke softly with her head down.
Melinda got up and slowly moved to Daisy. She took her hand and guided her back down on the bed. She put her arm around Daisy's shoulder and pulled her into her. Daisy laid her head onto Melinda's shoulder and grasped her other hand lacing her fingers in Melinda's and squeezing. They stayed that way until both heard Phil's voice calling out to them. Daisy hastily wiped at her face with her sleeve brushing off any trace of tears and stood up. Phil walked over to them.
"Everything okay?"
Daisy nodded while Melinda got up and spoke, "we were just sitting here waiting for you."
Phil smiled. "So you decide yet?"
"I did. I picked out everything I need for my bedroom. Daisy was about to do the same, weren't you?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. Okay. So Daisy, what were you thinking you'd like?"
"I guess I need a bed." She deadpanned.
Phil laughed. "Yeah and what specifically were you thinking?"
Daisy shrugged her shoulders. But then she spoke. "I think those bunks over there are cool."
"Over there? The double bottom mattress with a twin mattress on top?"
"Yeah. But if it's too expensive just a twin will be fine."
"It's not too expensive. What do you think, the lighter wood or darker?
"I like the light grey on the sample one. I think it would look pretty good with the rug and paint colors I picked out."
"Oh yeah. Good choice. What do you think Mel?"
"I like it."
"Okay so you will need a dresser, a nightstand, a desk, and a chest of drawers, oh and a bookshelf. Oh, and we can get one of those flat screen wall mount TV's for your room." He looked at Daisy who appeared to be overwhelmed. "I mean that would save space, right Mel?"
"We can talk about that later. Let's order the bedroom set first. And didn't you say we needed other furniture. I'm leaving most of mine in my apartment for my parents to use, and you need some for downstairs and upstairs. Plus you wanted a fridge for downstairs, right?"
"Yeah. I can use my microwave downstairs, so we need a microwave upstairs. And living room furniture and dining room set. We can use my table and chairs in the kitchen, I can put my couch and lounge chair in the basement. Are you leaving everything at your place for your parents including the TV?"
"I am. I'm leaving all the furniture there actually. I already ordered my bedroom set. And I think maybe we need a guest bed and minimal furniture for the spare room. So uh why don't you pick that out, and Daisy and I will go shop for bedding and curtains for her room? I need to get those for mine too. You can add Daisy's bed set and that one to my order. Then how about we get out of here and grab a sandwich or something at a diner? We can pick out the rest of the furniture later."
"Okay. So something pretty simple for the guest room, maybe a queen bed?"
"Sounds perfect. I know you'll pick out something nice. Come on Daisy. We'll be over at the Bed and Bath store Phil."
Phil watched them leave. He wasn't dumb. He knew something was up with Daisy. He only hoped Melinda would share with him later. Patience Phil, he told himself. He needed to remember what Melinda said, slow steps and patience.
They stopped at a small diner on the way home. They sat in a booth in the bustling, loud atmosphere. Melinda and Daisy ordered milkshakes and burgers while Phil had pie and coffee. The conversation was light and focused on painting the house and Melinda's return to work. Eventually the conversation moved to Daisy as Phil asked about her friends that were coming to help paint.
"Nat, Clint, Roy, Sara, and Carol are going to come over at around nine. Trip has basketball practice in the morning and said his mom would drop him off after that. Carol said she lives only a mile away and is biking over. Clint has his license and a car so he's bringing everyone else."
"Sounds like we might get the majority of it done tomorrow with all the help." Phil smiled at Daisy. "I'm glad your friends are going to be there."
"They do expect pizza, Lots of pizza, And snacks and drinks."
"Yeah not a problem. So will the adults. Hunter will need a pizza just for himself. Come to think of it, Bobbi's friend Mack might need two."
"Yeah he's big."
Melinda looked at Daisy. "You okay with him being there? I mean last time he..."
"It's fine. That was just cause ...well you know. It's fine." Daisy took a large swallow of her milkshake
"Okay. So tomorrow me and Hunter are going to get there around seven and start taping the windowsills and such. We'll start upstairs with the bedrooms and move out to the rest of the upstairs. Then we'll go to the basement. I'll be in charge of the paint and pouring and brushes and all that, if that's okay?"
"Fine with me Phil. Just give me a brush or roller and tell me what room to paint." Melinda smiled at him. You do all the coordinating. It's what you do."
"So Daisy, how are your classes going?"
The rest of the conversation centered on her classes and then they headed out to go home.
Melinda awoke startled from her peaceful dream and a sound sleep. Someone was screaming. Daisy. Daisy was screaming. She flipped the light on and looked at Daisy who was crying out and tossing and turning, wrapped in her blankets and sheets. Melinda quickly got off her bed and knelt down on the floor next to Daisy. She was no longer screaming but her face was contorted with distress and she continued to toss and turn on the bed. Melinda was unsure about waking her pausing for a moment to see if she would calm down on her own and go back to a fitful sleep.
After a few seconds though, Daisy cried out again and Melinda decided to wake her. She put her hand firmly on Daisy's shoulder and spoke evenly in a calm voice while shaking her. "Daisy. Wake up."
Daisy's eyes flew open. She looked around in panic. Melinda spoke again still applying slight pressure to Daisy's shoulder. "It's okay. You're okay. Just a dream." Melinda should have seen it coming. Daisy's eyes were still wild and panicked. Next thing Melinda knew Daisy had punched her in her cheek just below her eye and was fixing to do it again when Melinda grabbed her wrist, holding tightly but not enough to hurt the girl. "Stop Daisy! It's me! Wake up!" Melinda let go of Daisy's shoulder and grabbed her other wrist.
Daisy finally focused on Melinda and stopped struggling. "I'm okay. Let go."
Melinda immediately released her and backed away a couple feet. Daisy's breath was coming in gasps and Melinda saw she was sweating badly with her hair sticking to her forehead and the sheets looked pretty soaked. She lowered her voice and spoke. "Deep breath Daisy. In and out. Try to slow your heart rate. You're okay. Just a bad dream. It's over and you're safe.
After a few minutes Daisy's breathing was back to normal. She stayed quiet for a few moments and then she quietly spoke. "I'm sorry."
Melinda shook her head. Daisy was going to apologize again for something that was not her fault. She had no control over where her mind went while she was sleeping. But calling her on it now was probably not the right call. "It's okay. You want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps to talk about it."
Daisy shook her head. "I don't remember most of it now. Just that I was terrified and fighting something. Or someone." She looked at Melinda and her eyes widened dramatically seeing the red mark under Melinda's eye and how it was starting to turn black and blue. She swallowed heavily and tears started falling again "I did that. Oh god I'm sorry."
Melinda moved closer, "hey it's okay. It's nothing. Really, I barely felt it." It was a small white lie, but right now she didn't care. It was her own fault for being too close and not seeing it coming. She should have seen it. And she didn't want Daisy having a meltdown over her idiocy. "Look it's fine."
"You should put ice on it or something, shouldn't you? I blindsided you didn't I? I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry."
"Hey I know you didn't mean to hit me Dais. I should have seen you were still in the throes of the nightmare. I should have been more careful. I'm fine. Hey. Look at me. "It's okay."
Daisy looked at her, holding her gaze for a moment before throwing herself into Melinda's arms Melinda held her tightly, rocking her back and forth, hoping whatever terror her daughter still felt and whatever images that were still in her mind would go away.
After a while. Daisy pulled from Melinda. I have to go to the bathroom."
"Okay. Hey take something to change into. You're sweaty and your clothes are damp. Maybe wash a little especially your face. I'll change the sheets on your bed."
Daisy nodded dutifully and rummaged in her drawer for another pair of pajamas. Melinda quickly changed the sheets and got a new blanket and made the bed. She put the old bedclothes in the wash basket out in the laundry room and went to the kitchen for a couple bottles of water. She returned and a moment later Daisy came back into the room.
"It's like three in the morning."
Melinda nodded and handed Daisy a water bottle. "You should drink some of this."
Daisy sat on Melinda's bed and took a few sips and then sighed. "I should have said something. I have pretty violent dreams, nightmares, I guess. I told you I have bad dreams sometimes, but I didn't mention the screaming, and thrashing about. Or that it can take a few seconds for me to wake up and snap out of it. I'm sorry."
"Okay." Melinda sat down next to her and sipped her own water bottle for a few moments.
"I was really hoping I wouldn't have any. Anyway, I should have said something."
"Yeah you should have. But it's okay. Now I know."
Daisy took a large swallow of water and then turned to Melinda. "I'm sorry I hit you. I didn't mean to."
"I know. Like I said, I should have been more alert. Not woken you like that so near. But now, now I know what happens and better how to deal with it."
Daisy nodded. "Do you ever have them that bad?"
"Sometimes. But I don't sleep as deep as you do. At least not anymore. I am pretty self-aware when I wake up. But I've had a few real bad ones and know I woke up screaming. But not for a very long time."
"I dreamt about something that happened to me. Two years ago. Something Jemma and I were talking about at our session. I guess it was on my mind."
"Okay. You want to talk to me about it?"
"I do. But I can't."
"Okay. When you can, I'll be here, okay?"
"Okay."
"Hey let's get some sleep. We can sleep in a little, but we want to get to the house before nine. And we need to eat breakfast. I figured we could stop at McDonalds or something on the way."
Daisy got up and put her water bottle on the nightstand next to Melinda's. She walked over to the other side where the trundle mattress was. "I'm scared to go back to sleep."
Melinda nodded. "I know. But you need to try to sleep. I'll be right here."
"How do you go back to sleep when you have a nightmare?"
Melinda wanted to lie. She wanted to ease Daisy's anxiety and stress. She wanted to assure her that going back to sleep was what she did and that thinking good thoughts and breathing deeply worked for her. But she also wanted Daisy to trust her. And when Daisy, well when Skye, had been born, she had promised herself that she would never lie about important things to her kid. That she would never sugarcoat things in the world, and that she would always be honest. And now looking at her daughter, whose face wanted hope, she couldn't give her that. And that was painful. "I don't."
Daisy locked her gaze on Melinda's face and then slowly nodded.
"But that's me Daisy Those are my demons. You can be different." Melinda took a deep breath. "I can tell you this. When Andrew would hold me, sometimes I could fall back to sleep. Sometimes the sleep was peaceful."
"You loved him?"
"I did. He was a good man. He was always there for me. Until I pushed him away."
"Like you did with Phil?"
"Like we did with each other. Unfortunately, we were both too deep in our own pain to help each other get over theirs. I was easier to leave. It was easier to push each other away. Don't make it easier Daisy. It's hard to fight. But I know you can. Don't repeat my mistakes."
"How?"
"I don't know. But maybe you start by letting me help you. Come over here."
Daisy only hesitated for a moment before she moved to stand in front of Melinda.
"I know all of this is very hard. Trust is something earned. But I want you to know that I will never hurt you Daisy. I will always try my best to make your life easier. Even if it means pushing you to do the hard things. Do you understand?"
Daisy nodded. "I do trust you. I don't understand why. I don't know why it's so easy for me to believe that you won't hurt me. I never – no one ever – I truly do believe that."
"How about this? I will stay awake. You sleep. If I see any sign of distress from a nightmare, I'll wake you."
"But you need to sleep too."
"You'd be surprised how little sleep I can get by on Daisy. Just for tonight. See if you can drift off knowing I will be here. I can always take a nap tomorrow if I need one. Let me do this for you." She paused and then patted her bed. "Here. Crawl in my bed and I will sit here next to you keeping watch."
Daisy nodded her face emotional with gratitude "There's that fate thing again. Correcting itself I guess." She sat on the bed and pulled the covers over herself, turning to watch as Melinda sat down against the headboard on the other side of the bed. She closed her eyes as Melinda slowly stroked her head. The last thing she remembered was hearing a soft voice singing in Chinese.
