Maka lay in her bed staring up at the ceiling, tomorrow was the day that Spirit would make his decision on where to place baby Melody. She was sure she would lose her. Her heart was breaking, over the last several days, Maka had begun to take many pictures of the infant with her and even several of herself holding melody with Soul beside her, Tsubaki had been kind enough to help.

The past two months had been difficult with the feedings and being up all night at times, but she would do it all again for her sister in a heart beat." She gazed at the empty crib and tears filled her eyes. Melody was currently with Spirit and would be returned later. The young Miester could hear her weapon in his room with his music playing, the same soft song that had given the baby her name. Maka could no longer stand to be alone, she stood up from her bed and made her way to Soul's door.

"Hey Soul?" She sobbed as she knocked.

"Come on in Maka." The reply came.

Maka entered and found Soul sitting on the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing important, just thinking."

"Could I come and think with you?" Soul's heart ached for Maka, she loved her sister, what Spirit had viewed as a mistake, had become Maka's greatest treasure and dare Soul admit that he too loved the child?

"Come here." He said outstretching his arms to her. She walked over and sat next to him letting him hold her.

"We don't know what's going to happen, he may let you have her, there's no use getting all upset over something that may not happen."

"She should be with me, Papa doesn't even want her, why should he care that she's with me, I love her and I'm willing to take care of her. When I'm able to find a good job to support her-"

"Thing are going to work out Maka, you'll see. Let's just enjoy the company when everyone gets here and spend as much time with Melody as we can when Spirit brings her back."

"Soul?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want her to go." Maka sobbbed.

"I know. You knew this was possible, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with but-" A knock at the door forced Maka to quickly dry her tears.

"Want me to go?" Soul offered sympathetically.

"Yeah." Soul stood up and walked to the door moments later, Maka heard Tsubaki and Black Star enter, soon Kid, Patty and Liz arrived. She could hear Soul inviting them all in and to sit down, that she would be out soon. Then only soft chatter. She didn't want to face them. She was losing her sister, she knew it.

"Maka?" She was surprised by the voice. Crona stood in the doorway looking at her nervously.

"Crona, I didn't know you were coming."

"Was I wrong to come, I know I did some bad things and-"

"No, that's not what I mean, I just didn't think you'd come. You stayed away for a while."

"Yes, I didn't know how to deal with the things I've done, are we still friends?"

"Of course." Maka tried to smile.

"It's okay Maka, Soul told us what happened, about your sister, Melody is a pretty name." Maka nodded.

"Is there something I can do to help?"

"No, but thanks for offering."

"Please don't cry Maka. I'm sure she's going to be fine. I know you love her because-you're that Lind of person. You could raise her to be good and you and Soul could be really great with her, I think he likes her too. He seems a little sad."

"Yeah, I know he likes her, he just didn't want to get attached the way I did."

"Are you coming out?"

"I don't know Crona."

"Well then do you mind if I stay here with you?"

"I'd like that, as long as you don't mind me crying." Crona sat down.

"I don't mind at all. Everyone gets sad sometimes. It's okay."

An hour passed and though it was meant to take their minds off of the situation, it did little to ease the pain for both Maka and Soul, the conversation was becoming strained and followed by silence that seemed to go on forever.

Another knock at the door caused Maka to jump up startling Crona.

"What's wrong Maka?"

"Nothing's wrong, Melody's back. Do you want to meet her?"

"O-okay, but I don't know how to deal with babies."

"It's alright, I'll help you. " Crona followed her into the living room where she found Spirit handing the baby to Soul.

"Hey little one, Maka missed you today, let's go see her." He looked to Spirit.

"Got a minute?"

"Yeah, I guess." Soul gave Melody to Maka and left with Spirit.

"We should take a walk." Soul said and didn't leave room for objections as he began to walk away, Spirit sighed and followed.

"Look Spirit, you don't like me, I'm cool with that, o couldn't care less, I'm not exactly fond of you either to be honest. I'm getting that out there to let you know that we don't need to like each other. What's important is those girls back at the apartment. As their father, let's face it, you're not Father of the year-"

"What do you-"

"But, I will give you credit, you love you daughters, and so do I. Obviously both in different ways." Soul said as he noticed the look on Spirit's face.

"That being said, and I know how you feel about it but, Spirit, how much do they have to suffer for things that you do, you may not realize it at the time, but you hurt Maka more than once, would you can't take Melody from her. You've already won the Jackass of the century award, there's no need to keep trying."

"Don't you think I know that, I'm the worst father in the history of fathers. Don't you think It's going to hurt me too?"

"It's not about you,this is about two sisters that love each other and one happens to be a baby that you were going to give to strangers. I'm a kid, I shouldn't be talking to you about this stuff. I have more sense then you. You wanted to find the best place for Melody, it doesn't get better than this." Soul held out a picture of Maka smiling with Melody in her arms, the little girl held her sister's finger and stared into her eyes contentedly.

"She's loved, she'll have everything she needs." Soul promised.

"Maka can't do it alone." Spirit said.

"She doesn't have to. Why the hell do you think I'm out here with you, you and I both know I'm not going anywhere. You didn't want her, give her to us, we do. Don't do this to them, for once, be a father and do something for your girls, isn't that what upsets you, not being able to do something for Maka, now you can. I know you have a lot of thinking to do tonight, so I'm going to head back. Keep the picture tonight, I want you to remember how happy they are when you're deciding. We'll see you tomorrow morning." Soul said and he walked back to the apartment. Spirit stood rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on the picture. His heart ached, Soul was right, he thought, he did have a lot of thinking to do.