Chapter 6

That night, Jim could hardly sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept picturing all the fun things he and his daughter were going to do, and the nervous bile filling in his throat.

"Jim..." Sarah began, "You seem alot happier now. Did something happen between you and the girl who broke your heart?"

Jim paused. How could he explain it to his mother without angering her? Finally, he decided to be honest. He was 20, and he was trying his best.

"Mom?" He began. "I know you're going to be angry at me for this, but..."

Sarah looked up at Jim skeptically.

"When I was dating Ariel, the girl from the inn, we had sex." he admitted.

Sarah gasped, a look of horror on his face. "YOU WERE ONLY FIFTEEN!" She screamed.

"It gets better." Jim sarcastically replied.

His mother's face paled as she slowly pieced everything together.

"Her name is Melody." Jim continued.

"Oh, Jim..." Sarah groaned. "I'm too young to be a grandmother..."

"You were also a teen when you had me." Jim pointed out.

Sarah exhaled through her nose. "I know..."

"Look, Mom." Jim began, taking her hands. "I've done some pretty stupid things in the past. I won't lie, however, I'm not going to make the same mistake my father did. I'm going to be there for my daughter every chance I get."

Sarah smiled. "I know. I'm so proud of you."

Jim smiled and hoisted his bag over his shoulder. "In fact, today, Melody and I are having father daughter time."

"Ok, then when you're finished, before you send her home, come by here. I'd love to meet my granddaughter."

Jim smiled and nodded. "Well, wish me luck. I still have a chance to get my father of the year award."

"Is he here yet, Mommy?" Melody asked.

"Not yet, sweetie." Ariel laughed. "He's not due for a few more minutes."

Ariel had Melody changed into a lovely pink and white dress and Melody's hair was loose, but tied back with a pink hairbow. "Oh, honey." Ariel began, kissing her daughter. "You look so beautiful."

At that, Morph popped out. "May Morph come too?" Melody asked.

Ariel shrugged. "That's for your father to decide. Now, be polite, don't hassle your dad too much, and when he says no, understand he means no. Understand?"

Melody nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be a good girl for Daddy."

At that, there was a knock on the door.

"Daddy!" Melody cried out, opening the door.

"Hi sweetheart." Jim replied.

Melody ran to give him a hug. "Can Morph join us today?" She asked.

"I don't see why not." Jim replied, hoisting up his daughter. "Wow, you look beautiful today. Are you ready for a day of fun with me?" He asked.

Melody nodded as Jim pulled her onto his shoulders and headed out.

"Bye Mommy!" Melody called.

Ariel watched as her daughter and her ex headed out, then Ariel closed the door. She always knew leaving Jim was a bad idea, but she had no choice. She slowly sank to the floor as a tear spilled from her eye. She never stopped loving him... but she knew things were too broken to go back to how they were.

"Daddy! What are we going to do today?" Melody asked, tugging on Jim's hair in an attempt to stable herself.

"Well, I thought we could go for a walk, maybe a bit of solar cruising, ice cream, and to finish it off, meeting your grandmother." Jim replied.

"Grandmother?" Melody asked in surprise. "But Grandma is dead."

Jim paused. "Only one. Your other grandmother is very much alive and is dying to meet you."

Melody gasped. "I always wondered what having a grandmother would be like... I'm so excited!"

Jim laughed, then placed her on the ground and took her hand. He still wasn't used to being a father, but feeling the child's small fingers wrap around his, he knew he must have been doing something right.

"Is there anything YOU would like to do?" He asked.

Melody glanced up at Jim's ear. "Well..."

"No, you're not getting your ears pierced. Your mother would have my hide for a new handbag."

Melody pouted. The two of them headed down the path, catching up. Melody listened with wide eyes as Jim told her his stories at the academy, and finding Treasure Planet. Finally, they reached a hill.

"Daddy?" Melody asked. "Shouldn't we head back?"

"No way. This is the best part." He hoisted Melody on his shoulders again and pulled out his solar cruiser.

"Hold on tight, Mel." He began. He hopped on the solar cruiser, and Melody clung to him like he was life support. "I won't go too crazy," he continued, "But we can still have fun."

With that, he took off, Melody screaming, clung to him.

"WOO-HOO!" Jim screamed, as they flew off. "Isn't this great, Mel?" he asked.

Melody whimpered in response, so Jim slowed down the cruiser, until it was at a good pace, still keeping them airborne.

After a bit, they stopped cruising.

"Next up, Ice cream!" Jim cheered.

Melody shook her head. "Can I meet Grandma instead?" She asked.

Jim nodded. "Ok." The two of them slowly made their way to Benbrow inn, Melody wobbling a bit.

"Mom." Jim called, as they came in, "Someone here to see you."

Sarah came running in. "Hello... hello... oh my goodness..." She began, looking down at Melody. "This is my granddaughter? She's beautiful!"

Melody blushed and hid behind Jim.

"Go on." Jim replied.

"Cute girls like you need chocolate chip cookies." Sarah added.

At that, Melody came out from behind her father and followed Sarah into the kitchen. Jim watched as his daughter vanished, then quickly ran to the square. He bought something, then headed back.

"So, it's been you and your mother this whole time?"

"Yes. And Grandpa too." Melody added, cramming more cookies in her mouth.

"I see. Well, your mother did a good job at raising you." Sarah replied.

Melody nodded.

"Hi guys." Jim said, coming inside. "Sorry for the interruption.

"Where were you?" Sarah asked.

"I had to get something." Jim explained.

"Have you met Morph?" Melody added, as the pink goo popped out.

"Ah, so that's where you went." Sarah laughed.

The three of them spent most of the day laughing and talking, and Sarah made a nice lunch for Melody. Finally, Melody had to go home.

"Don't be a stranger, sweetheart." Sarah said, hugging and kissing her granddaughter. "You come visit me anytime."

Melody nodded. "I will."

Then, father and daughter headed back home.

"This is the best day ever!" Melody squealed. "Thank you Daddy!"

Once they reached Melody's house, Jim held out a bag.

"I bought this for you, honey." He began. Reaching in, he pulled out sticker earrings.

"Oh, Daddy..." Melody gasped. "They're beautiful!" They were tiny, red starfish.

"Here, I'll put them on." Jim replied.

He unstuck one and gently placed it on Melody's ear. Once Melody was wearing the earrings, Jim kissed her cheek.

"I love you, Mel." He said.

"I love you too, Daddy."

At that, the door opened.

"Ariel..." Jim began.

"Mommy!" Melody exclaimed. "Look what Daddy got me!"

As Melody showed off her earrings, Jim turned around and headed home.