A/N: Hey, enjoy and review!
Jack's POV
A million thoughts were running through my mind as I opened the door. What I encountered on the other side was not one of them. "DELIA!"
"JACK!" We both were speaking at the same time. "What are you doing here?" Then a voice spoke up from behind me.
"What's going on?" Bitsy asked as she walked out from behind me. Delia burst out in silent tears. "How do you know each other?"
"That's another story. How about we go somewhere more comfortable?" I heard myself asking. I don't know what came over me, but I was compelled to ask.
We finally settled into the café at the Phoenix Mall. I was continually confusing myself. I didn't know why I choose the mall, but I followed my instincts. After our orders were taken, we began to talk.
"So Bitsy..." Delia began.
"How'd you know my name?"
"That was the name I gave you. I just assumed you were named that still." Delia was looking a little sheepish.
"I found her in a blanket with the name on it," I said. "I figured that was her name."
"Oh," whispered Bitsy, a little embarrassed. I took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. I saw sadness and happiness cross over Delia's face. "How do you know each other?" Bitsy asked, repeating her earlier question.
"We went to school together before the virus," I said. Delia was bursting to ask questions, but didn't know how to get them out. Bitsy surprised me when she spoke.
"Ummm, can I go see Cloe? I promised that I would help her with something."
"Uh, Delia?"
"Uh, I guess," and off Bitsy went.
Bitsy's POV
I sat there and watched as my father stared at Delia. I still don't think I could call her mother. Anyways, there was this tension between them, and I knew I needed to get out of there. They seemed to need time to just talk. That's why I made up some stupid excuse and ran.
Delia's POV
I didn't know why Jack left the decision to me. I wanted to know my daughter more, but for some reason, I couldn't talk in front of her. Did Jack feel the same way? Was I just a bad mother?
After I watched her turn the corner, I turned back to Jack. "I never knew that you were a Mallrat." It was the only place I could start.
"Yeah, but I spent so much time at different places, I sometime didn't feel like part of the crowd." He gave a little half smile.
"Where were you?"
"Well, I was taken by the Chosen and put to work. Then the Technos took me and put me to more work." I couldn't help but shudder at his causal tone. I hated the Technos and blamed them for all my problems. Had they left me alone, then I would have been able to raise my daughter; I would have been fall in love; I would have had my friends. Jack must have seen me shudder, because he said, "I'm sorry. I've grown very blunt."
"That's okay. I'm just confused, worried and happy. Do you know what I mean?" At his nod, I continued. "I left Bitsy with my best friend. How did you get a hold of her?"
"I just found her behind a dumpster. I probably wouldn't have noticed her had she not little out this little sound at the exact moment I walked by. It looked as if she was left there, so I took her in. Trudy and Amber helped me raise her while we lived at the mall, and afterwards, I took it upon myself to raise her. She's become my daughter."
"I'm so lost. I don't know what to do, what to say."
"Neither do I." We share a little smile and settled into a comfortable silence. Soon it came time to end it. "Well, I guess I'll go get Bitsy's things. I'm sure you want to head home."
"Yeah..." I heard myself saying. Before he could leave, I grabbed his arm. "I set out today to take my daughter back and never let that man see her again. I don't want to do that anymore." I let go of him and headed to my car. Jack left to get Bitsy.
What I had told him was true. I wanted my daughter back, but how could I take her away from a boy that use to me my best friend? I guess I would have to just let things happen naturally.
A/N: So...whatcha think. Please leave a review!