Author's Note: Hey guys! So here is chapter 26! I would just like to let you all know that there will be one more chapter after this and then you won't hear from me for a little while. I'm starting school and I also have an internship to do, so I won't be posting very much in the near future. Don't worry, though! I will not give up on this or my other story! I'm just going to be busy for the next few months. Honestly, I wasn't sure I was even going to get this up. I've literally been working all weekend for my internship and part time. I will try to get back to these stories as soon as I can. Thank you all for your support so far, it means a lot!
Disclaimer: *Heavy sigh*
"You still need to talk to Melody." Jane whispered in Lisbon's ear as she rinsed the chicken they were going to cook for dinner. It was Wednesday, Jane and Lisbon had given themselves a half day at work to be able to come home and spend a little time with Melody before they made a nice dinner.
"I know." Lisbon rolled her eyes. Melody was upstairs in her room doing homework.
"Have you decided what to suggest that you two do together?"
Lisbon shrugged and put the rinsed chicken on the plate next to the sink.
"Go talk to her now." Jane bumped her hip gently with his. "Now is a perfect time."
"She's busy with her homework."
"Nothing like a little bonding for her to get excited and keep her enthusiastic about her tasks." Jane pointed out.
"I was going to talk to her before she went to bed."
"Go now."
"Patrick."
"Teresa." Jane handed her the hand towel and made a shooing motion with his hands.
Lisbon rolled her eyes as she dried her hands and sent Jane a look over her shoulder as she left the kitchen. She headed up the stairs and knocked lightly on Melody's bedroom door.
"Yeah?" Melody called from inside her room. "Come in."
Lisbon opened the door and stepped inside slightly. "Hey." She smiled.
"Hi." Melody had turned in her desk chair to look at Lisbon,giving her a small smile.
Closing the door behind her, Lisbon made her way over to Melody. "How's the homework going?"
"Slowly." Melody rolled her eyes and looking back at her homework. "They know I'm going to forget all this stuff after the tests right? Honestly."
"Do you need any help with anything? I'm not great at math, but I can try and help."
"Nah." Melody shrugged. "Ellie was helping me out. I'm almost done math."
"I'm glad to hear that." Lisbon pulled over a small chair and sat down next to Melody. "So, I was thinking..."
Melody looked back at her aunt. "Yeah?"
"I thought maybe you and I could spend some more time together. We haven't done that in a while."
Melody smiled. "I'd like that."
Lisbon's heart fluttered unexpectedly. "Good. I would, too. I know we haven't spent much time together lately. I'm sorry." She reached out and touched Melody's arm, giving it a little squeeze.
"It's okay." Melody placed her hand over Lisbon's. "I understand."
"I know you do. But you just let me know if you ever want to have time for just the two of us. I'll always make time for you." Lisbon got up and kissed Melody's head as she went to leave.
"You know..." Melody's voice stopped her and she turned to see her niece looking at her. "You don't have to be extra nice to me just because Josh was a douchebag."
"That's not what this is about, Melody." Lisbon shook her head.
"Then what is it?"
"This is about you and I spending time with each other. It's about us just being able to have fun and be together. That's important, Melody. You're important." Lisbon reached out and tucked some hair behind Melody's ear. "I don't want either of us to look back and wish we'd spent more time together. I don't want you to look back and think that I might not have wanted to spend time with you."
Melody sighed and got up, hugging Lisbon tightly. "I know you love me, you know. No one's ever been nicer to me than you have."
Lisbon hugged Melody back. "That's not true. Your father and Patrick spoil the hell out of you."
Melody smiled into her aunt's shoulder. "I know. I like it."
"Of course you do." Lisbon chuckled, rubbing Melody's back.
"I still love you, too, though. You're practically my mom."
"Well then I'm not sure how I got that lucky." Lisbon kissed Melody's head.
Melody pulled away to look at her aunt, smiling. "So, what are we going to do? When are we going to?"
"Well...I was thinking that maybe you and I could...go to the mall. That really nice big one that opened up a few months ago. We could go shopping."
Melody's face lit up. "Really?"
"Yeah." Lisbon's heart swelled in her chest.
"Can I get some of my own makeup?"
"Maybe I can get you some."
"I won't have to use yours for gymnastics anymore. Will you teach me how to put it on?"
"Sure."
Melody beamed. "I can't wait! When are we going to go?"
"How about Saturday?"
"No, I have gymnastics, remember?"
"Right. Uh...everything closes early on Sundays. Okay, Friday."
"I have school on Friday."
"I'll tell them you won't be going."
"Really?"
"Really."
"You're going to let me miss school to go shopping?"
"You still have to get all your homework done."
"But you're going to let me miss school to go shopping?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"You still have to get all your work done, remember. But you're grades are good, so maybe you can take one day."
Melody hugged Lisbon tighter and nuzzled her face into her aunt's shoulder. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. It's chicken and salad for dinner, by the way."
"That's what we had for dinner the night you came to visit for Christmas."
"What?"
"Christmas. When you came to visit."
"Melody...you were three when I went to visit you all for Christmas after you were born."
"So?"
"That's some kind of memory you have."
"You really think that I wouldn't remember meeting you for the first time?" Melody lifted her head to look at her aunt.
"Yes. You were three."
"I'll have you know that I remember that entire visit very well."
"Annie doesn't even remember things from when she was three."
"I'm smarter than Annabeth." Melody frowned.
"You're 11 years younger than her." Lisbon chuckled.
"And? I'm still smarter."
"I'm not going to get in the middle of that argument."
Melody smiled. "Because we both know I am."
Lisbon shook her head, smiling. "How do you remember that far back?" Lisbon tried to change the subject. "What's your trick?"
"No trick." Melody shrugged. "It was just a big moment for me."
"A big moment." Lisbon repeated.
"Yeah."
"How so?"
Melody gave her aunt a disbelieving look. "You're seriously asking me that?"
"Yes."
"It's not every day that I meet the woman that I was named after."
"You were that excited to meet me?"
"Yeah! You couldn't tell?"
"Well, I could tell. I just wasn't sure why."
Melody looked her aunt right in the eye, a sincere expression on her face. "Because you're my hero. That's why."
Lisbon opened her mouth, but was unable to find the right words to respond to Melody's statement.
"You...I..." Melody stammered on, unsure how to interpret Lisbon's silence. "You know my mom. She was never around. Made it clear that she really didn't want to be." She took a shaky breath and shrugged, continuing in a tone barely above a whisper. "I just wanted a woman to look up to like every other girl had. And I...I thought maybe that should be you because I was named after you and stuff. I really wanted to make a good impression. I tried really hard. I remember it really well."
"Melody." Lisbon breathed, tucking some hair behind Melody's ear. "You didn't have to try. I love you anyway."
Melody wiped at a tear that escaped her eye. "I didn't want to wear my regular pyjamas. I thought they weren't nice enough. I almost threw a tantrum, but Dad let me wear the nicer ones. I was colouring in Uncle Tommy's living room when you showed up. I know this doesn't matter really-"
"It matters." Lisbon assured her, kissing her forehead. "What hapeened when I got there?"
"I, uh..." Melody cleared her throat. "Uncle Tommy told Annabeth and I to stay in the living room til they got your stuff out of the way, but I really wanted to see you so I didn't wait that long. I thought that the longer I waited, the less you would want to talk to me. So that's why I ran into the middle of them sorting out your bags."
"You were wearing your white, green and red pyjamas." Lisbon recalled.
Melody nodded. "They were nicer than my regular ones."
Lisbon grinned. "I bought you those pyjamas."
Melody looked surprised. "You did?"
"Didn't your dad tell you?"
"I don't remember if he did."
"Hm. Well, I did buy them for you. The year before, I figured that you'd grow into them."
"I guess I did."
"They were very cute on you."
"Thanks."
"Anyway..." Lisbon prompted.
"Anyway, I ran out to you and I didn't know what to say to you once I was there. I thought I'd tell you something funny, but I got up to you and I didn't know what to say so I only said hi and I didn't know what to expect from you, but you smiled at me and you knew my name and I don't think I've ever been more starstruck in my life then I was that second."
Lisbon pulled Melody tighter to her, placing Melody's head on her shoulder. "I had no idea."
Melody hugged her tighter as well. "I was surprised when you actually picked me up after that. I didn't want to let you go. I thought the longer I could hold on, the more you'd like me. I know now that, that was stupid and I probably just got annoying, but that was my toddler logic."
"You weren't annoying. I thought it was endearing. I was flattered and I was happy to hold onto you."
"Really? You don't have to make me feel better about it-"
"Yes. I was happy to hold you if you wanted to be held. It was the same for Annabeth."
"But I was cuter." Melody joked.
"Melody!"
Melody gave a small laugh and they lapsed into silence. "That was the first Christmas I'd ever been to a church."
"I know. You asked me all about what church would be like."
"I don't remember that part."
"You did."
"I was excited."
"I could tell. I don't think I'd ever seen a more eager three year old in church. You refused to sit anywhere but my lap and you had to have your dad next to us because you had to hold his hand, too."
"I was a diva, I guess."
"Not really. There were just some things that you really wanted."
"Remember when you had to stay with me at Uncle Tommy's and we were baking the chicken for dinner and you taught me that Spice Girls song?"
"I remember." Lisbon smiled.
"You danced with me in the kitchen. Then Annabeth came home and we had to let her join us?"
"The pair of you fight way too much."
"We fight lovingly. That's how we are. We function dysfunctionally and that's how we work. I don't want it any other way."
Lisbon sighed heavily. "But is five minutes of peace with you two too much to ask?"
"Probably."
"You two are too much." Lisbon smiled and shook her head. "Okay. I've got to go help Patrick with dinner. You finish your homework, alright?" Lisbon kissed Melody's cheek.
"Yeah." Melody stepped back slightly.
"If you need me, I'll be right downstairs."
"I know." Melody nodded.
Lisbon kissed the end of Melody's nose quickly. "Good. I'll call you down when it's ready." She left before Melody could protest, shutting the door gently behind her.
Jane glanced over his shoulder when her heard Lisbon entre the kitchen again. "So, what's the plan for you two?"
"We're going to go to the new mall that opened up in Friday." Lisbon told him.
"Friday? Melody has school."
"I'll make an exception this time."
"How'd Melody talk you into that?"
"She didn't. I thought that maybe it was needed."
"Hm." Jane replied thoughtfully. "What happened? You were up there for a while. Another heart to heart, I take it?"
Lisbon rolled her eyes.
"That's a yes." Jane grinned at her and then leaned forward to kiss her lips tenderly. "I'm glad. You two need it."
"Are we going to cook dinner or are you going to question my maternal skills all night?" Lisbon huffed, not wanting to discuss her conversation with Melody just yet.
"I have the pasta on the stove. Can you get the seasoning for the chicken ready with me."
"I can."
Jane gave Lisbon another kiss as she went to the spice cabinet.
-Mentalist-
Melody was practically bouncing with excitement as she and Lisbon headed out to the car Friday morning. Lisbon wasn't sure that she'd ever seen Melody so excited so early in the morning. They'd said good bye to Jane and headed off.
Lisbon turned on the radio as she got on the highway.
"Wait." Melody said, opening the glove compartment. "I have a better idea!" She pulled out a CD holder and opened it, flipping through it quickly. "Ah-ha!" Melody carefully pulled out the CD she had been looking for and put it in the CD drive, quickly selecting the track number she wanted.
Ooooohhh, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want...
"Melody. Where on Earth did you get this CD? Mine is on the bookshelf at home."
"I found it when I went to the mall with Ellie. I bought it because I wanted to have my own copy. It was on sale and everything!"
Lisbon laughed.
"If you want my future! Forget my past!" Melody belted out, very off key and wiggling in her seat.
"If you wanna get with me, better make it fast!" Lisbon joined her, laughing.
They continued their little performance for the entire trip to the mall.
"We should definitely start a band." Melody said as Lisbon pulled into a parking spot.
"We'd sell out every venue." Lisbon joked as she cut the engine and they both got out.
Melody took Lisbon's hand as they both entered the mall.
"How about we start with that store?" Lisbon gestured to a store off to the right that had a colourful sign and nicely dressed mannequins.
"Looks cool." Melody nodded and they both headed through the crowd of bustling people to the store.
"How about this one?" Melody pulled a bright blue shirt off the rack and held it in front of herself as she turned to show Lisbon.
"Is it your size?"
"Uh..." Melody looked for the tag. "No. I need a medium."
Lisbon helped Melody find a medium and they continued to peruse the store. After Melody had five items, they headed to the change rooms.
"What do you think?" Melody stepped out of the change room to show her aunt the first shirt and to look in the mirror.
"What do you think is more important." Lisbon told her.
Melody looked at her reflection, tilting her head. "Looked better on the hanger. The frills on it make me look lumpy."
"Lumpy?" Lisbon raised a brow.
"Yeah. They don't sit right when the shirt is on. I look lumpy."
"You're not lumpy. But try on the next thing. Maybe you'll like that."
Melody retreated back into the dressing room to continue trying on the clothes she'd chosen.
The last item Melody tried on was a dress she had thought looked nice. She stepped out of the dressing room and struck a silly pose. "Am I cute yet?" She asked, jokingly.
"You are always cute." Lisbon responded. "But that dress looks great on you."
"Yeah?" Melody asked, stepping so that she could see herself in the mirror. A smile lit up her face. "Wow. It looks really good."
"Navy blue looks nice on you. I like it."
"I do, too."
"We'll get it, then."
"Which shirt should I put back, then?"
"Neither."
"But you said only two..."
"Sssshhhhh." Lisbon winked.
"Thank you." Melody hurried back into the dressing room.
-Mentalist-
By the end of the day, the pair had quite a few bags to tote around the mall.
"What's that place?" Melody asked, spotting a fancy restaurant tucked into one of the corners of the mall.
"Seems like a restaurant to me. A fancy one at that."
"Some day, I'll go there to eat. And I'll be super dressed up."
"How about today?"
"But we're not dressed up. And it's probably really expensive..."
"We can see Maybe we'll just get something small."
"But we're not dressed up."
"We've got some new dresses and shoes to try out." Lisbon held up the few bags she was carrying.
"And you'll help me with my makeup?"
"Sure." Lisbon nodded.
They both headed to the bathroom to change and get ready. Lisbon helped Melody decide what to wear and they both quickly changed.
"Black or green eyeliner?" Melody asked, holding up both objects.
"Why don't you try green." Lisbon suggested. "I've only got black, so you can do something different today. Besides, that dress is blue. Green and blue are nice together, I think."
"Okay." Melody smiled, opening the green eyeliner and carefully applying it.
"Remember, as close to your eyelashes as possible." Lisbon reminded her.
"Yeah." Melody responded, only half paying attention. She needed help from Lisbon to get the wings of her eyeliner right.
"There you go." Lisbon said, finishing the ends of Melody's eyeliner. "Now you're ready for your lipstick." Lisbon put the cap back on the eyeliner and placed it on the counter in front of the mirror that they had rested their stuff on. She'd already completed her eyeliner while Melody was doing hers.
Melody searched through her bag and pulled out the tinted lip balm Lisbon had bought her. Lisbon hadn't wanted to get her a full lipstick quite yet. She applied it as carefully as she could, wiping gently at any unevenness.
Lisbon smiled at her after applying her own lip balm. "I think we're ready." She winked.
"Mhm!" Melody nodded enthusiastically.
They gathered their things to quickly put them in the trunk of Lisbon's car before heading back inside to the restaurant they had seen.
"Table for two." Lisbon told the hostess at the little counter.
"Okay." The hostess smiled at her before looking down and jotting something down on the seating arrangement map before grabbing two menus and leading them to their table. "Your waiter will be Aaron, he'll be with you in a moment." She informed them before letting them know the specials of the day.
Melody and Lisbon thanked her and she headed off.
"What are you in the mood for?" Lisbon asked, opening her menu.
"I want pasta."
"I think that's the first time I've asked you that and gotten something other than 'pizza' as a response." Lisbon's lips quirked into a smile.
Melody grinned. "Guess you got lucky today."
"I hope to be lucky more often, then." Lisbon joked.
"Hello, ladies." A nicely dressed waiter in his forties stopped next to their table. "I'm Aaron and I'll be your server. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
Lisbon nodded at Melody to go first.
"Uh...can I just have some grape juice and some water?"
"Of course." Aaron wrote it down on a little black note pad with a sleek pen. "And for you, ma'am?"
"Uh, just some water, please." Lisbon smiled.
"Okay. And would you like a little longer with the menus?"
"Please." Lisbon nodded.
"Of course." Aaron closed his note pad and walked away.
-Mentalist-
"I'm stuffed." Melody leaned back in the booth. "That was some good pasta."
"It was." Lisbon agreed, leaning back in her own seat. "My salmon was tasty."
"How is everything?" Aaron asked, appearing a few minutes later.
"Good." Lisbon responded. "If we could just get the bill."
"Of course." Aaron nodded. "And, if you don't mind me saying, it's nice to see a mother and daughter spending time together."
Melody opened her mouth to correct him, but Lisbon spoke first. "Thank you." She didn't want to embarrass the poor man.
He smiled. "I have a daughter a little bit older and it's always lovely to spend time with her."
"They're a gift." Lisbon nodded and smiled at Melody, who blushed.
"I'll be right back with your bill."
"Thank you." Melody said quietly once Aaron was out of earshot.
"No thanks needed." Lisbon grinned back.
It didn't take long for Aaron to return with their bill and Lisbon quickly paid it.
"Have a nice evening, you two." Aaron waved.
"We will. You have a nice one as well." Lisbon replied as she and Melody left. "He gave me a discount." Lisbon told Melody once they were in the car again.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Not a big one, because I'm sure he'd get in trouble, but he took a little off."
"That was nice of him." Melody said.
"Yes. A nice ending to a great day."
"Definitely!"
They listened to the radio on the way back.
"You two look nice." Jane commented as they entered the house and put their bags down to take off their shoes.
"Thank you!" Melody beamed. "You like my eyeliner?"
"It looks great." Jane complimented. "Really brings out the green in your eyes."
"Thanks." Melody smiled so widely her face might have broken in two.
"Would you like me to help you take your things upstairs?" Lisbon offered.
"Nah, I got it." Melody said, grabbing her bags and heading upstairs.
"Looks like you two had a good day." Jane stepped closer to Lisbon once Melody was out of sight.
"Yeah, it was very nice." Lisbon leaned up to give Jane a little kiss on the lips.
"And you even got all dressed up. I don't remember that dress this morning." Jane cast an appreciative look downward at Lisbon's outfit.
Lisbon smacked his chest lightly, blushing and smiling. "Down. I told you we were going shopping. What did you expect?"
Jane laughed. "I don't know. I thought you were going to return in the same outfit, but I'm really not complaining." Jane wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled Lisbon in for a deep kiss.
"You better not be." Lisbon panted after they broke apart.
Author's Note: So, that's it for now! Thanks for reading I'll probably have the next chapter up next weekend and that'll be it for a little while. Please leave a review and be patient guys!