Hello Lovies! Here is an update of The Nanny! I know I will have a least 1 to 2 more chapters of this story.
An small announcent for Neighbors! There are only 2 to 3 chapters left of Neighbors, but I am going to update the last chapter the exact same day I publish the SEQUAL!
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you so much! I hope you like this update and I hope it gives you all the BAL feels!
InKagLove22: I hope this update fills all of your needs for this story!
shortanamx: Don't be scared I know some of my content can be a little graphic, but I always have happy endings!
brimason0201:Thank you! I love the bond a mixed family shows one another, and I love how family is not always blood! I can't wait to read what you think of this update.
Creator of Magic: Thank you so much! I am so glad that you liked it, and that it gave you all the feels! I have to say that this is a mooshy chapter, but one I was excited to write! Please let me know what you think! I always love reading your reviews!
CountryGirl27: Thank you for letting me know! I changed it as soon as you reviewed! I hope you like this update!
Guest: Thnak you!
ENJOY!
It had been a month since Harry took Melody, and the trial date was coming close. It was a summer afternoon, and Mal was sitting at Jane's cafe with both of the kids. She was getting really stressed about the trial. She knew with Adam being her lawyer, and because of everything that happened Harry was going to be going to prison, but it still stressed her out. Harry was out on bail right now, making her even more nervous incase he was going to do something stupid again. She was also thinking about the move she, Ben, and the kids were going to be doing. After everything that happened Ben and Mal had a long talk, and both decided that moving would be a good idea. Not far away, but maybe into the suburbs that was a twenty minute drive away. They had been looking at houses, and they found some that they really liked, and the best part was that the kids wouldn't have to move school.
The kids were drawing in their notebooks, and whenever Mal asked to see what they were drawing they would tell her that it wasn't ready. She thought that they were acting suspicious, but how suspicious could a 6-year-old and 7-year-old be? About an hour later, Mal said she was going to run to the bathroom and for them to wait for her in that spot. When she came out of the bathroom, she saw that Jackson and Melody weren't sitting at the table they were at.
"Melody! Jackson!" she yelled, before she started to panic.
The cafe wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. She started to scurry around, trying to find her kids, and not noticing all of the people looking at her. Jane was behind the counter working. She started to rush over when she heard a giggle. She snapped her head in the direction of where the giggle came from, and she saw Jackson's and Melody's feet hiding under a table outside. She walked over, kneeled down, and moved the table cloth to see them laughing under the table.
"What are you two doing?" she asked as they crawled out from under the table. "You both scared me!"
"I'm sorry, mommy," Melody said. "It's just a game," she said, making Mal give her a confused look.
"What?"
"A game," Jackson said.
"What game?"
Jackson turned to grab his notebook off the table, and turned to the first page before showing Mal.
Instructions:
1. This is a game of our first…
Mal looked at the paper so confused. She didn't know what was going on. She looked all around to see if she knew anyone other than Melody, Jackson, and Jane, but she didn't know anyone around. She looked back at her kids before looking back at the paper.
2. To find me… you will need to collect various cards throughout the day that will lead you closer to my location.
3. Each card will be inscribed with two to three numbers and letters that will unveil a secret message when you collect all of the cards.
4. It is very important that you collect ALL of the cards before finding me… or else you will be disqualified.
5. If you have any questions… Too bad.
6. Things that you will need; your car, your phone, your wallet, and THE KIDS.
7. Your first clue is right in front of you… or technically in your daughter's hands.
Mal looked back at Melody and saw she had a blue envelope in her hand. She didn't know what Ben was doing, but she was surprised to see that the kids were in on it. She took the envelope out of her daughter's hand and opened it.
Well, I'm glad that the kids managed to keep the letter from you, but I am hoping more that they have not told you what the big surprise is. And NO you cannot ask them. Anyway, go to the place where we had our second kiss, because I'm not having you travel to Disney World. ;)
Mal shook her head and laughed. Ben was sending her on a scavenger hunt. She took both of the kids' hands, as they made their way out of the cafe, but before they walked out Jane called her name.
"Good luck, Mal!" she said, making Mal turn around to see Jane smiling at her.
Mal gave Jane a bright smile before walking out of the cafe and down the street. Ben and Mal had had their second kiss at the park, a week after Jackson's birthday. They were sitting underneath a tree with Jackson and Melody running around them. Mal was laying on the ground with her eyes closed, and Ben gave her a small kiss, making her smile. Mal and the kids made their way to the park to see Lonnie sitting on a park bench reading a book.
"Auntie Lonnie!" Jackson and Melody yelled before they ran to her.
Lonnie turned to see both kids running in her direction, making her put her book down, and scoop both of them up in a hug. When she let go, she saw Mal smiling at her.
"Hey," Lonnie said as she stood up straight.
"Hey, Lonnie," Mal said. "How have you been?"
"I'm great! Just trying to handle Jay all of the time," she said, making Mal laugh. "But, I bet you are here for this," she said as she held out a coral envelope.
She looked at the note before looking back at Lonnie, and asking what was going on.
"If I told you, Ben would kill me," she said as she leaned down to give the kids a hug. "I'll see you guys later," she said before she ran off, leaving Mal and the kids next to the park bench.
"Do you know what is going on?" Mal asked as she pointed to the kids.
"Yes," they both said at the same time.
"And neither of you are going to tell me?"
"No," they said as they shook their heads, making Mal laugh and open the envelope.
Great! You found Lonnie! Now go to the place where I first, publicly, told a girl you were my girlfriend so she would leave us (me) alone.
Mal had to fight the urge to laugh out loud. She remembered that day, and it made her laugh so much. She and Ben were at the farmers market. Mal is not the jealous type at all, and it made her laugh when she and Ben were at the farmers market and a blonde girl was being very persistent with Ben. They were grabbing a couple of things before going to pick up the kids from Haden's and when Mal turned around and saw Ben talking with a girl who was twirling her hair. Ben looked like he was shaking his head and telling the girl sorry, but she kept on pushing her luck. Mal had moved a little closer to hear what was being said, and she was right. The blonde was telling him that they would have so much fun together, and that they should go out. Ben was being even more persistent. He was telling her no and that he had a girlfriend. Mal pretended to look at the organic produce in front of her, trying to hide her laughter. The girl told Ben that she didn't see his girlfriend, only for Ben to turn his head and scan for Mal. he shook his head when he saw her standing not that far away listening. He walked over, spun her around, and kissed her deeply, dipping her in the process.
"DUDE!" Melody yelled as she let go of Mal's hand and ran toward the dog.
Mal watched as Melody crouched down in front of Dude, and saw Carlos standing close. She walked over to him with Jackson's hand still in hers, and Melody was on the floor being kissed by Dude.
"Hey, C," Mal said as she gave him a hug.
"Hey, Mal. Hey, Jackson," he said, making Jackson give Carlos a hug.
"What's going on?" Mal asked as Jackson went to play with Dude and Melody.
"What do you mean?" he asked with a smile on his face.
Mal groaned, making Carlos laugh. "You're not going to tell me either, huh?"
"Nope," he said as he gave her a black envelope. "Good luck," he said before he walked over and started to play with Dude and the kids.
Mal opened the envelope to read the note.
No one is going to tell you where I am, so I would stop trying to get the information out. This may not be a first for us, but it is technically a first… go to the place where my best friend tried to embrace me when you brought me my papers from home.
Mal shook her head and laughed again, before knowing exactly where to go. She walked over to the kids and Carlos and told them that they had to go.
"We'll see you later, Mally," Carlos said as he picked up Dude and smiled at his friend.
"Bye, Uncle Carlos," Melody exclaimed as she started to wave frantically.
Carlos waved at them before walking away, and disappearing into the crowd.
"Okay," Mal said. "This note said that we have to go to Ben's office."
"Okay," Jackson said as he helped Melody up and they took Mal's hands.
They weren't that far from his office, and when they got there, Jay sprinted over to them and scooped melody and Jackson in his arms. Melody absolutely adored Jay, Ben and Mal would even go as far to say that she had a tiny crush on him. When Ben told Jay about it, he started to call Melody his little girlfriend, and it always made Melody giggle and blush.
"I won't keep you waiting," he said as he pulled a red envelope out of his coat pocket.
I hope Jay didn't tease you too much, or give you hell. Only two more to go... Go to the place where we had our first date.
Mal was getting too excited. She quickly put the envelope into her bag, and held her hands out for the kids. After saying goodbye to Jay, they walked out of the office, and back to the apartment. They hurried up the elevator, and to the parking garage. She buckled the kids up in her car before pulling out of her parking spot, and driving to the little karaoke bar. Mal parked right outside of the bar which, luckily for her, was a small little restaurant during the day that played live music. She walked in with both Meloy and Jackson and saw Doug on the stage.
"Doug?" she asked in confusion.
As if he had heard her, he looked up and smiled. She walked over to the stage, making Doug place his guitar down on its stand before hopping off the stage, and giving Mal the green envelope. Mal gave Doug a hug and a kiss on the cheek, before ripping open the envelope.
I know this is going to make you back track, but go to the place where we spent our first night together. I can't wait until you find me.
Mal and the kids said bye to Doug before getting back into the car. Mal drove all the way back to the apartment, hoping that the last envelope would be on their bed.
"Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom," Melody said as he turned the corner to where their apartment was.
"Me too," Jackson said.
"Okay," Mal said. "We're almost home. I need to get the last envelope, and when we get there you can go to the bathroom."
"Okay," they said simultaneously.
Mal drove fast, but more so now Melody didn't have an accident in her car, because she started to squirm more in the car. When she parked Melody practically jumped out of the car and ran toward the elevator. She started to bounce up and down, trying to hold it in. Mal and Jackson quickly jogged over to where she was and Mal put the code in. When they reached the apartment Melody ran to the bathroom, Jackson ran to Mal and Ben's bathroom, and Mal followed Jackson into the room. When she walked in she saw a purple envelope sitting on their bed. She picked it up and smiled, knowing that this was going to be the last envelope.
Hey, babe! I'm glad that you got all of the envelopes. Now if you will please follow the coordinates that are on the front of the envelopes, you'll find me. Can't wait to see you. I love you!
Mal took the rest of the envelopes out of her bag and laid them on the bed, in the order she had received them. She saw that they were coordinates and she had to now figure out where Ben was leading her and the kids.
"Mommy," Melody said as she walked into her and Ben's room. "I'm done."
"Me too," Jackson said as he walked out of Ben and Mal's bathroom.
"Okay," she said as she grabbed the envelopes and placed them back into her purse. "I just need to put these coordinates into my phone and then we are going to find Ben," she said as she started to put the information into her phone.
"YAY!" both the kids said as they started to jump up and down, making Mal laugh.
When she was done putting the information into her phone, she was confused because the coordinates were in the suburbs, about 20 minutes away.
"Okay," she said as she stood up. "It says we're going to need to get back into the car."
"Let's go!" Jackson said as he grabbed Mal's hand and started to pull her out of the apartment.
Mal laughed at the kids' excitement. Jackson continued to pull her, while Melody was pushing her mom toward the elevator. Once they were in the car and buckled up, Mal pulled back out of her parking spot and drove in the directions that her phone was telling her to go in. She kept driving, and whenever she looked in the mirror to look at the kids they were bouncing in their seats. When the directions stopped, Mal found herself in front of a beautiful white house. Before she could turn the car off, Jackson and Melody unbuckled themselves, got out of the car, and ran toward the house.
"Jackson! Melody!" Mal yelled as she got out of the car and followed her kids into the house.
The house was empty, but it was beautiful. The floors were vinyl, the walls were a light gray color, and the trimmings were white. She had never seen such a beautiful house. She heard a giggle coming from up the staircase, making her snap her head in the direction of where it was coming from.
"Jackson. Melody," she said as she went toward the giggle.
She walked up the stairs and saw that there were about 7 doors. She called for the kids again, but they didn't answer. She turned her head and saw that one of the doors was open, and walked toward the door. The door was cracked and when she opened it further she saw a single red rose lying on the floor with a golden envelope lying on top of it. She walked over and picked both up, with her back to the door.
So, I kinda lied. There was one more envelope, but you found it! I bet you're wondering where I am about now, and you don't have to worry, because I'm close. I never told you exactly how much you mean to me, but I want you to know that you mean more to me than you know. So, why don't you turn around so I can tell you myself.
Mal turned around to see Ben standing in the doorway, smiling at her. She smiled at him before sighing.
"What is with all of this?" she asked. "Why are we here?" she asked as she held her hands out to the room.
Ben took a couple of steps in her direction, before taking her hand into his. She looked at him in confusion, before he kissed her knuckles.
"I know we haven't known each other for a long time. Actually, I met you a year ago today," he said, making Mal realize that today was the same day Ben had hired her to be Jackson's nanny. "But what I do know is that I want to spend forever with you, Mallory Drakos," he said as he stood back and kneeled down onto one knee. She looked at him in shock, not knowing if this was real or not. "Here and in this house, I want to be there by your side in your moments of joy and in your moments of sorrow. I want to watch our kids grow up together, and I say our kids, because I think of Melody as my daughter," he said, making Mal's eyes start to water. "I want to share in your laughter, I want to be the hands that wipe your tears. I want to be your everything just as you are my everything. There's no other person I'm willing to share my life with. You have captured my heart and I am your willing prisoner," he told her, making her sniffle a laugh. "Let's make it official," he said as he took a small black velvet box out of his pickey and opened it. Sitting inside was an intricate vintage inspired design that runs all the way around a 14k white gold band with oval white diamonds set within the features of the band. Mal looked at the ring and covered her mouth in shock. It was so beautiful. She looked back at Ben and saw him smiling at her. "Will you marry me?" he asked.
She knew she loved Ben, and she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, and their kids. She nodded her head, making Ben smile brightly at her.
"Yes," she said.
Ben pushed himself off of his knee. He took the ring out of the box, and placed it on Mal's finger, before kissing her deeply. Mal grabbed the side of his face, deepening their kiss, making him grab her waist so that they didn't fall. When they pulled apart, they smiled at each other.
"I love you so much," Ben said as he leaned his head onto hers.
"I love you too," she said.
"I have something else for you," he said as he took her hand into his.
"More?" she asked in shock. "What more could you give me?" she asked as he pulled her out of the room and back to where she and the kids had entered.
Instead of walking out of the front door, Ben had led her to the back of the house, and when Ben opened the back door to the backyard, Mal was greeted by their friends and family yelling 'surprise'. They were all there. Belle, Adam, Haden, Evie, Doug, Jay, Carlos, Lonnie, Jane, and their kids. Melody was in Adam's arms and Jackson was on Haden's shoulders. Belle was first to run to Ben and Mal as they made their way down the patio steps.
"I finally have a daughter!" She said as she hugged Mal tightly. "I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Belle," Mal said as she returned the hug.
"Mommy!" Melody yelled as she squirmed out of Adam's arms to run to Mal.
Mal bent down to scoop her daughter into her arms. Melody wrapped her arms around Mal's neck, hugging her mother tightly. Mal felt a pair of arms around her legs, making her look down to see Jackson hugging her legs.
"You two," she said as she knelt down to look at both of them. "You guys knew about this?" She asked.
"Yes!" They said excitedly.
"Do you know what this means?" Ben asked as he knelt down to look at the kids too.
"You and mommy are getting married!" Melody yelled, making Ben and Mal laugh.
"Yes we are," Ben said. "Are you excited?"
"Yes!"
"Do you want to know something else?" He asked.
"What?" They both asked as they leaned in.
"This is going to be our home," he told them as he pointed to the house.
"Really?" They asked.
"Yeah," Ben said with a nod. "So go pick out your rooms. We're going to be moving here in a couple of weeks."
Melody and Jackson ran back into the house, excited to be moving into a new place.
"Can I congratulate my daughter?" Haden asked as he walked up to Ben and Mal.
Mal looked up and her dad before shedding a tear. He was so happy that Mal had found someone who truly loved her like he did. Mal wrapped her arms around her dad's neck making him hold her close.
"I'm so happy for you, Mally," he said to her.
"Thank you, daddy," she said before she kissed him on the cheek.
When they pulled apart he smiled down at her. All of his dreams for her were coming true. She was having the future he had always wanted for her. A loving husband and kids.
"Congratulations, M!" Evie exclaimed as she hugged Mal from behind.
"Thank you, E," she said as she hugged her best friend.
"Don't you just love the ring?" She asked as she held her best friend's hand up to examine it. "I about died when he showed me!"
"And I almost went deaf," Ben said as he wrapped an arm around Mal.
"No you didn't," Evie said as she gave him a small scowl.
"Evie, dogs could hear you from miles away," he said, making everyone laugh.
"Don't yell at my maid of honor," Mal said, making Evie yell so loud that everyone covered their ears.
"You were saying?" Ben asked, making Evie turn red.
"Shut up," she said, making him laugh.
After having a wonderful evening celebrating their engagement with their friends and family, Ben and Mal took their kids back to the apartment to get ready for bed.
"Mommy?" Melody called as Mal sat on the side of her bed to tuck her in. "Since you and Benny are getting married. Is he going to be my new dad? And is Jackson going to be my brother?" she asked, making Mal think about how confusing this might be for her.
"Well, Benny will be your step-dad and Jackson will be your step-brother," she said as she started to stroke Melody's hair. "Why do you ask?"
"I want Benny to be my dad," she said as she started to play with her blankets.
Mal was shocked. She didn't know what to say, or if Melody knew what she was saying. She had called Ben dad or daddy a handful of times and Jackson called her mom a couple of times, but it wasn't an everytime thing.
"You want Ben to be your dad?" Mal asked, making Melody nod her head. "Do you know what that would mean?" she asked.
"I know, mommy," she said as she sat up. "I saw it in a movie. The Robinson's movie. Lewis lived in a house with kids because he didn't have a mommy or a daddy, and the lady was trying to find a family for him to live with. I think it was called abopson," Melody said, making Mal laugh. "In the end of the movie Lewis was abopted by a lady who liked coffee and a man with his head on backwards," she said. "I want Benny to abopt me."
"You want Benny to adopt you?" she asked again as she scooted up the bed, letting Melody curl into her side.
"Yeah," Melody said as she laid her head on her mom's chest. "That's what I want for my birthday," she said, before she yawned.
Mal smiled. She knew Ben loved Melody, and that he would do anything for her. Melody's birthday was in a week, and she didn't mind the idea, but she also wanted Melody to be the one to ask him.
"I love you, mommy," Melody said as she wrapped her arm around Mal's torso.
"I love you too, baby," Mal said as she started to hum.
Stay awake don't rest your head
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake don't close your eyes
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake don't nod and dream
Stay awake don't nod and dream
Mal looked down to see melody fast asleep, and she couldn't help but smile at her beautiful daughter. The next couple of days were going to be hell for Mal and her family, but she knew things were going to get better. She slowly moved Melody so that she would not wake her and left the room. She closed the door, and heard Ben talking with Jackson in his room, but she could make out what they were saying. She walked into the room she shared with Ben and got ready for bed, because little did she know that Ben and Jackson were having a similar conversation.
Ben, Mal and the rest of their friends and family were walking up the steps of the courthouse for the second time that year, and they were hoping that it would be the last. They had gotten there early, so that they did not run into Harry on the way in. Ben and Mal were walking hand in hand, Belle, Adam, and Haden were following behind them, Jackson was holding Evie and Doug's hand, Jay was holding Melody in his arms with Lonnie by his side, and Carlos and Jane were walking behind Jay and Lonnie. Once in the court house, they were escorted into the courtroom that they were going to be in for a while. Adam and Mal took their seats in front of the judge's podium, and everyone else sat in the seats behind them. Haden, Belle, and Evie sat in the first three chairs so that when Harry walked in, he wouldn't start anything with Ben or Jay. Jackson sat in between Doug and Ben, and Melody sat between Ben and Jay, with Lonnie and Jane sitting in the last two seats of the row. The jury was already seated and they were just waiting for Harry and the judge.
"Hey," Adam said as he placed a hand on Mal's. "We got this," he said, reassuring her. "With everything we have and everything that your dad has on record, there is no way he is not going to prison."
Mal gave him a quick nod, before feeling a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Ben giving her a reassuring smile. She gave him one in return before taking a deep breath. A couple of minutes later, Harry walked in with his attorney, and when he saw Melody his eyes widened.
"Melody, baby," he said as he took a couple of steps in her direction. "I am so sorry," he pleaded. Melody climbed into Ben's lap, and buried her face into his shoulder, trying to hide from Harry. "Daddy is so…"
"Mr. Hook!" the judge said, gaining Harry's attention and making her entrance. "Take your seat now!"
Harry quickly took his seat before he was told something else.
"Now," the judge said as she walked up to her stand. "Here we are again," she said as she looked at the people in the room. "But this time we are here because Mr. Hook is being prosecuted for kidnapping," she said as she looked over at Harry. "Mr. Hook, how do you plead?"
"Not guilty," he said as he stood up from his seat.
"Okay, let us begin," she said. "Miss Drakos, what happened on the day of the event?" she asked as she turned her attention to Mal.
Mal stood from her seat, straightened out her skirt before answering her question.
"It was just over a month ago, when Harry took Melody from her dance class," she said. "I was having lunch with my friend, Evilyn White. Ben was in a meeting, and Belle Anderson was going to be picking her up from dance. When she had gotten there, the young girl at the front desk said that Ben had picked her up, but that wasn't true because, like I said, Ben was in a meeting all day," she said.
"Okay," she said with a nod. "What happened after that?"
"Belle had called me and she was frantic. She told me that Harry took Melody, and I went ballistic. I was crying and I didn't know what to do."
"Just like any mother would if she didn't know where her child is," the judge said.
"Yes," Mal agreed. "I called my dad to help…"
"Why?"
"He was the only person I thought would be able to help," she said.
"Okay," she said. "Mr. Hook," she called, turning her attention back to Harry. "What happened?"
"I went to pick Melody up from dance," he said. "I wanted to spend time with her, and I knew Mal would not let me have that, so I decided to take matters into my own hands."
"You have no legal right or claim to that little girl," the judge said as she pointed to Melody. "You have to ask her parent for permission."
"I am her parent," he said.
"By blood technically, but by law and birth records, you are not," the judge said. "Can I call Melody Drakos to the stand?" the judge asked as she looked at Mal.
Mal nodded her head, before turning to look at Melody. "Can you go up to the stand so that they can ask you questions?" she asked.
"Can Benny come with me?" she asked.
"Of course," Ben said as he picked Melody up and walked with her to the questioning booth.
"Do you see what I did there, Mr. Hook?" the judge asked. "I asked her for her mother's permission."
Melody and Ben were quickly sworn in before Adam walked up to the stand.
"Hello, princess," he said as he smiled down at Melody.
"Hi, papa," she said.
"Can you please tell me what happened on the day Harry took you from dance class?"
"Um… Miss Linda came into the room, and told me that Benny was there to pick me up," she said. "When I went outside, I called for Benny, but Harry was outside."
"What happened next?"
"I told him that I wasn't allowed to talk to strangers, but he told me he wasn't before he picked me up and took me to his car."
"Did you try to get away?" he asked, letting Melody nod her head.
"Yes," she said. "I tried to get away, but he held me tight, and pushed my face into his shoulder," she said.
"How tight was he holding you?"
"Very tight," she said. "I couldn't move."
"What happened after that?" he asked.
"He put me in his car, and took me to his house," she said as she pushed herself back into Ben's hold.
"Did he hit you, Melody?"
"Yes," Melody said. "He was yelling at me, and I yelled at him back. I told him that I wanted to go home, and that I wanted my mom and dad. He yelled at me, and said that he was my dad, and I yelled back saying no. He hit me in my face after that, and I screamed. Benny and Uncle Jay broke the door down after that."
"Thank you, Melody," Adam said before he turned to pick up a file from the table. "I have photo evidence to prove that what Melody is saying is true," Adam said as he handed the pictures of Melody's bruised cheek to the judge.
"You put your hands on this sweet baby girl?" the judge said as she looked at the pictures.
"No!" Harry said, making Melody jump. "I did not hit my daughter."
"Yes you did!" Melody yelled back, making everyone in the courtroom eyes widen. "You're a liar and I hate you! I hate you!" she yelled as she turned into Ben and started to cry.
"Okay," the judge said. "Let's not ask Melody any more questions."
Ben nodded his head, before getting up and carrying Melody back to their seats. She clung to Ben tightly, not wanting to let go.
"Johnathan, You can start your questioning," the judge said.
"Can I have Haden Drakos approach the stand?"
Haden stood up and walked over to the stand. He was quickly sworn in and Harry's attorney walked up to the stand.
"Can you please state your name, job, and title?"
Haden huffed. "My name is Special agent Haden Drakos. I work for the FBI as an undercover agent, but I specialize in missing people." Ben and everyone else who didn't know what Haden did for a living was shocked.
"And how did you find Melody?"
"I didn't actually," he said. "Ben did."
"How?"
"While I was having my enforcement team scour the city, Ben had tracked Melody's apple tag to Harry's apartment."
"Why didn't you find her, Agent?"
"The idea isn't WHO finds her, it's just about finding her and bringing her home!" Haden said in an aggravated tone. "So, what kind of question is that? Do you really think it matters who finds her? Not that she gets home safe and sound? This line of questioning has absolutely nothing to do with what this trial is about! You call yourself a lawyer?" he asked as he started to turn red. "You suck at your fucking job…"
"Mr. Drakos," the judge said in a warning tone. "Take your seat."
Haden stood up before walking over to his seat next to Belle. To be honest the judge didn't even know why they were there. With all of the evidence that was presented, Harry was going to be found guilty by the jury. Adam looked at his phone and smiled before looking at the judge.
"Your honor," Adam said as he stood up. "I have one more witness."
"Proceed."
Adam walked past the seats everyone was sitting in, and to the courtroom entrance. He opened the door, to walk Miss Linda into the courtroom.
"Miss Linda!" Melody said as she waved at the young woman.
She gave Melody a smile and wave before walking to the stand. She was sworn in and Adam walked up to the stand.
"Who picked up Melody from dance that day?" she asked.
"That man right over there," she said as he pointed to Harry.
"And who did he say he was?"
"He said his name was Benjamin Anderson," she said. "I told him I thought Belle Anderson was supposed to be picking Melody up, but he said that he had gotten out of his meeting early and decided to pick her up himself."
"Did anything seem off?"
"Not at the time," she said. "He told me to tell Melody that he would wait outside for her because he needed to make a call," she said. "After, Belle Anderson came into the studio, and said she was going to be picking up Melody, I got a little scared."
"Understandable," Adam said. "What happened next?" He asked.
"I remembered that Melody had left her bag, and I gave it to Mrs. Anderson, and then I asked her what color her son's eyes were."
"Why?"
"I noticed how blue Mr. Hook's were," she said. "I wanted to hear that they were blue, because I was scared that something terrible happened to Melody. And when she said that they were hazel green, I froze and told her that the man that picked her up had blue eyes," Miss Linda added. "After I told her she called Miss Drakos and left."
"Thank you," Adam said as he smiled down at Miss Linda. "I have no further questions."
Harry leaned in close to his lawyer, whispering into his ear. Harry's lawyer looked at him with wide eyes before clearing his throat.
"My client would like to change his plea," Harry's lawyer said as he stood from his seat.
"Is that so?" The judge asked as she looked at Harry. "How do you plead?"
"Guilty," he said.
"Very well," she said. "If there are no other further witnesses or questioning, I will have the jury deliberated."
"No need, your honor," One of the jurors said as he stood up. "We have the verdict."
"Very well."
"We the jury find the defendant guilty of first degree kidnapping," he said.
Harry hung his head. He knew he fucked up, and he knew he wasn't going to get away with it.
"I hereby sentence you to 10 years in prison with the option of parole," the huddle said.
"Ten years for taking my daughter for a couple of hours?" Harry asked as he stood from his seat.
"Mr. Hook," the judge said as she took her glasses off to look at him. "You are not her parent. You illegally took this child from her dance class, telling Miss Linda that you were Benjamin, which you are not and forcefully taking her without her mother's knowledge."
"What was I supposed to do?" He asked. "There was no way she would have let me see her. And this trial was rigged! You were in their favor from the beginning!"
"I was not in anyone's favor," she said. "I simply stated facts. Need I remind you that I did not find you guilty. The jury did, Mr. Hook," she said calmly. "And you were the one to admit that you had taken Melody without permission, before she was even questioned. Not to mention that you even physically harmed her in the process when she told you that she wanted to go home," she added, making Harry glare at her. "But since you think that I am playing favorites, why don't I double your sentence to twenty years?"
Harry looked at the judge in shock. He was going to be going to prison for twenty years.
"Bailiff," the judge called. "Please escort Mr. Hook to his holding cell."
The bailiff went over to Harry and placed him in handcuffs. As he walked Harry to the side door of the courtroom, he turned and saw the ring on Mal's finger.
"Congratulations, Mal," he said, making Mal look up at him. "But I want you to know that you will always be like your mother."
Mal stared at him in shock after the words came out of his mouth. Haden stood from his chair, making it fall back, and glared at Harry before he was taken away by the bailiff. Once Harry was out of the courtroom, Haden walked over to Mal and hugged her.
"You are not your mother," he said into her hair. "Do you understand me? You are nothing like her."
Mal nodded into her dad's shoulder, before pulling away and smiling up at him. She knew Harry said it to bother her, and she knew she was an amazing mother.
"Hey," Ben said as he walked up to her with Melody in his arms and Jackson was standing next to him.
"Hi," she said as she picked up Jackson and placed him on her hip.
"Ready to go home?" He asked as he laced his free hand with hers.
"Absolutely," she said as she and Ben walked out of the courtroom with their kids, and their friends and family following behind them.
Three days after the trial, Mal was in the kitchen with Melody and Jackson, making breakfast for Melody's birthday. They had slowly started to pack their belongings into boxes, but they needed to get more.
"Mommy?" Melody called as she started to eat her birthday breakfast. "Are we having my party here?" she asked.
"We can if you want," she said. "But we were going to have it at the new house. That's why Benny left early," she said. "He went to get a few things ready and to wait for some of our new furniture to get there."
"Okay, we can have it there," she said. "I was just wondering. My friends can still come, right?" She asked.
"Of course," Mal said. "Cassie and Tommy are both going over to the new house so that you and Jackson can have fun."
"Yay!" They said as they started to bounce in their seats.
After breakfast, Mal and the kids got ready for the day, before picking up Melody's birthday cake. They drove to the house and saw that Ben had put up balloons outside in the trees, and on the mailbox.
"Those are my favorite colors!" Melody exclaimed when she saw the baby blue and gold balloons.
"I know," Mal said with a laugh before she put the car in park. "Come on," she said. "Let's see what came in today."
The three of them walked into the house and saw that there was now a dining table, a big jigsaw couch, a coffee table, and Ben was putting up the giant flat screen.
"Hey," Mal said, making Ben turn around to see his fiancé standing behind him.
"Hey," he said as he put his drill down and gave her a kiss on her lips.
He looked down and saw Melody and Jackson smiling up at him.
"What do you guys think?" He asked as he moved for them to see the giant TV on the wall.
"It's big," Melody said as she walked up to the TV.
Ben walked up behind her, scooped her up in his arms, and started to smother her cheek in kisses.
"Happy birthday, baby girl," he said, making her laugh. "Are you ready for your party?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Cassie and Tommy are coming."
"I know," he said as he threw her in the air, making her land on the couch.
"Me next!" Jackson said as he held his hands up to his dad.
Ben laughed before picking up Jackson and throwing him on the couch. It's kids laughed, making Ben and Mal laugh too. Ben looked at Mal, making her look up at him sceptically. Before she could react, Ben swooped her off her feet, spun around, and threw them onto the couch, making her land on his lap. The family of four laughed, before there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Mal said as she got up and walked to the door.
She opened the door, and found her best friend and Doug standing on the other side.
"Where is my birthday girl?" Evie said excitedly as she rushed in, placing a bunch of the presents on the floor.
"Auntie Evie!" Melody yelled as she ran into Evie's arms.
"I thought I told her not to go overboard," Mal said as she helped Doug with the rest of the presents.
"This is not even half of what she was going to buy," he said, making Mal shake her head and laugh.
"Okay," Mal said as she clapped her hands. "Time for presents."
Melody looked at her mom with a little bit of worry in her eyes. She had a present for Ben, but was nervous to give it to him. Mal sat on one of Ben's legs while Melody opened her presents. She had received so many presents, that she didn't know what to do with all of them. She got a couple of barbies, movies, books from Belle, and a very nice drawing kit from Ben and Mal. Evie had made her so many outfits, and a bunch of Barbie accessories to go with the giant Barbie dream house that Haden and Adam got for her, but she wanted one thing and she didn't know how she was going to feel if she didn't get it. As Mal, Evie, and Belle we're picking up all of the wrapping paper and tissue paper that was scattered all over the backyard, Melody walked up to Ben with a handmade card behind her back.
"Hello, birthday princess," Ben said as he put his tools down from building her Barbie dream house. "Are you enjoying your party?" he asked as he looked at the other kids playing.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "I just wanted to give you something," she told him as she held out the card for him.
Ben looked at her funny, before taking the card out of her hands, and noticed that she was a little nervous. "Isn't this your birthday party?" he asked with a small smile on his face and trung to make her laugh.
Melody nodded her head, but still looked at Ben with a nervous look on her face. He opened the card and read it to himself before snapping his head up to look at Melody. He couldn't believe what he had read. Melody looked down at the ground, not meeting Ben's eyes, as if she was afraid he would say no. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. He hoisted Melody up, threw her into the air, before he caught her and spun her around. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the duo, but Mal was watching from the beginning.
"Yes," he said as he held her close to him.
Melody gasped before she looked at him with wide eyes. "Really?" she asked.
"What?" Adam asked as he walked over to Ben and Melody.
Ben held on to Melody tightly while giving his dad the card Melody gave him.
Dear Benny,
I love you very much. I love you like a daddy, and I want to be your daughter.
Will you adopt me and be my daddy for real?
Love, Melody
Adam looked at his son and smiled as he held Melody in his arms.
"What?" Haden and Belle asked as they peered over Adam's shoulder to read the card.
"Oh my god!" Belle exclaimed as she covered her mouth in shock and tears started to stream down her face.
"What's going on?" Evie asked as Ben and Mal's friends walked over to where Mal was.
"Melody asked Ben to adopt her," Mal said as she smiled, not taking her eyes off of Ben and Melody.
"Dad is going to adopt Melody?" Jackson asked as he walked up to Mal.
"Yeah," Jay said as he picked up Jackson. "Are you excited to have a sister?"
Ben looked over at Mal who was standing over in the kitchen with their friends, and she couldn't help the smile that grew on her face. More tears fell from his eyes, after Mal nodded her head, making him rush over to her as he still held on to Melody. He sat Melody on the counter, before grabbing Mal's face and kissing her deely.
"Really?" he asked as he held her face in his hands.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "Melody asked me about it after we got engaged," she told him. "She said that was what she wanted for her birthday."
Ben turned to Melody, making the little girl blush.
"You wanted to ask me to be your dad for your birthday?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said as she started to kick her legs back and forth. "I always think of you as my daddy, but I want you to be him forever."
"I will love you until my last breath," he said as he picked her back up into his arms and kissed her cheek. "I love you, your mommy, and Jackson more than I love anything in this world. You may not be my daughter by blood, but I will always, from now and forever, be your dad."
"I love you, daddy," Melody said as she wrapped her arms around Ben's neck.
Jackson ran up to Ben and tugged on his shirt, making Ben look down at him. He knelt down to let Jackson whisper in his ear, and Ben smiled when he looked back at his son.
"How about later?" Ben asked. "When everything is cleaned."
Jackson nodded his head eagerly before looking up at Mal and smiling. Ben placed Melody on the floor, and then Jackson gave her a big hug.
"Come on, little sis," Jackson said as he pulled Melody back to their friends.
"Thank you," Ben said as he wrapped his arms around Mal. "You have given me everything I have ever wanted and more."
"And you gave me everything I have ever hoped for," she said as she gave him a long kiss on the lips.
After their friends were gone, and Cassie and Tommy's parents picked them up, Ben, Mal, the kids and their parents were sitting in the living room, while the kids were in Melody's room.
"So, when is the big day?" Belle asked eagerly.
"We only got engaged last week," Ben said. "You expect us to have a…"
"Next month," Mal said, cutting Ben off and making him laugh. "I told Ben to not tease you, but I guess he doesn't listen much."
"I thought it would be funny," he said as he pulled Mal into his chest.
"It's not funny to tease your mother about your wedding, Benjamin," Belle said as she smacked her son's leg.
"MALLY!" Jackson yelled, making Mal bolt out of her seat.
She ran upstairs to Melody's room and saw Jackson wasn't in there.
"Jackson?!" Mal called.
"I'm in here!" He called from his room.
Everyone ran up the stairs and followed Mal to Jackson's room and when she opened the door she saw Jackson standing by the wall with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. She was so confused until she looked at the wall and saw the writing. 'Will you be my mommy?' was written in green paint on the wall. She stared at it in shock, not knowing that this was going to happen.
"What?" She asked as she stated at the wall.
"Will you be my mommy?" He asked as he took a couple of steps toward her. "Will you adopt me?"
Mal looked at Jackson before nodding her head and crying. She didn't know that this was going to happen today, or at all for the matter. She knew Jackson loved her, but she didn't know that he loved her as much as she loved him. He ran the rest of the way to her, before wrapping his arms around her torso.
"It looks like both of them had the same idea," Ben said, making Mal look up at him.
"You knew about this?" She asked, letting him nod his head.
"I did come to set things up and wait for the furniture to get here, but I also came to paint that on the wall," he said.
Melody ran into the room and jumped on Ben's back, making him laugh.
"So, Benny is going to be my daddy and mommy is going to be Jackson's mommy too?" Melody asked as Ben pulled her into his lap.
"Yes," Ben said. "As long as you guys don't mind sharing us with each other?"
"No!"they said as they tackled Ben and Mal to the floor, making them laugh.
The family of four were so happy with the way things were going. Ben and Mal were getting married in a month. Mal was going to be adopting Jackson and Ben was going to adopt Melody. They were happy and they were officially going to be a family. What more could they ever ask for?
That's it for now! Neighbors is the next update!
Until next time my lovies! xoxo GM
