Blessed with a curse. (Ben Mason/Connor Jessup.) Falling Skies

Chapter 16- Tree of something

After that conversation with Hal, I felt better. I honestly thought that something like that would not get better, He was different from everyone else, he knew the dangers of everything. He knew the dangers of falling in love with Maggie, he knew the dangers of letting Cochiese in the 2nd Mass and he still did it. He understands how everything works. Watching Hal fight reminded me of how Liam fought. When you watch them everything slows down, like the only person in the world is that one person that's shooting at skitters, that one person's laughing at people's jokes and running along with everyone else fighting for the human race to get back to normal. In that moment of looking at that person that's all you can see. Nobody else.

"Need any help moving those boxes?" I asked Matt, he shook his head; he smiled and carried on moving boxes with either food or weapons.

"Come on, you walk with me." I walked away with Weaver; he tried to calm my nerves by smiling at me.

"Words going round that you're Pope's daughter, is that correct?" It was only a matter of time.

"Yes sir, but that doesn't mean that I am anything like my father. I grew up without him and I will continue on the path that my mother herself set out for me, No matter how much I love that I know my real father, I still know what he did and I will never forgive him, Not only did he put me in hospital, but tried to kill Tom Mason more than once." I explained to him.

"I understand that but what you have to understand is that people know that Pope is your father. They will treat you different. Most likely children will be scared of you. Now that is because of your father's reputation, not yours. So tonight we are holding a meeting, you are welcome like always. But if you wish to speak, that is on your own back." He smiled and walked away.

People scared of me? He's got to be joking right? Just because Pope's my dad doesn't mean anything. He's himself and I was raised up without him, my mum raised me up on her own.

I went back to my room to see Ben sat on the bed. I sat next to him. He's been like this for a while. Distant. Lonely. Quiet.

"Ben, you need to eat or at least talk. Please" He sighed.

"I could've saved him, Leigh, I could've saved the one person that gave you life and that gave you a reason in the morning. I was so close. I ran and he fell. If I was quicker, he would still be here. He wouldn't have had to die like that." A tear fell down his cheek.

"Ben, It's not your fault. As much as I miss him, I'm glad he's not in pain. He's not at danger of dying every day. He's at peace now, he's not suffering every day. He gave me life and a reason but so do you and Matt. Hal and Maggie, your dad and Anne, Lexi, Dan and Nat also give me hope and a reason. As much as Liam showed me wrong from right, I've learnt more being with the Mason family than I have anywhere else. You guys have a family bond that I never had. I never had a real dad and a loving family. You do and your family welcomed me in. I've never felt at home like I do here. You no matter what make sure I'm happy and that I'm well. You were the one that made me stay in a hospital bed for 3 weeks. Please don't blame yourself. His journey wasn't as long as ours will be. We're 17/18. He was 21. He lived his life. Please don't hate yourself." He looked at me and nodded.

"Why are you always the one that calms me down?" He laid his head down on my legs. I chuckled.

"I could say the same thing to you."

~ 3 hours later~

"Hayley, Ben. Wake up" I opened my eyes and was caught by Hal, I looked at Ben, he was still asleep. I shook him and moved so he could get up.

"Meeting time" We all walked to the stage thingy, Tom was stood on the stage giving his speech about being strong no matter what and keeping the peace. Trying to overcome the bad times but remembering the good.

"I believe Hayley would like to say something?" He looked at me and nodded, I walked to the stage and looked trying to find my dad's eyes.

"So recently a lot of you might know that Dan's father left us. That is because he threatened my real dad. My dad is Pope. Now I've heard that people are scared of me. I would just like to let you know that I am nothing like my father, My dad is his own man, I was raised up by my mum and my mum alone, Liam was the only father I needed, he taught me right from wrong. He was the one that pushed me in ballet. I did not have Pope as a dad. Let me tell you now. He will have no impact on the way I fight. I live and who I hang around with. Pope is my dad yes. Has he always been my dad? No. I am my own person; I'm not someone who will listen to a man that put me in hospital. Do not define me on my father's mistakes. You do not know me. Do not judge me." I looked at everybody, shocked expressions on their face. "I would also like to mention my brother, he was a strong person, he knew everyone and people loved him. Which is why I want to build a tree. For the lost ones. In which you can write something down and put it on the tree. I would just like to say Liam loved everyone, he'd want you to keep fighting" Everyone clapped. I walked down from the stage and was met by my dad.

"Do not define me? You sound like your mum." He chuckled. "She was strong as well. I admire your courage to stand up like that. Well done." He patted my shoulder and walked off.

What?

Everyone came over and agreed with my tree idea, it was nice to be welcomed into a group such as this one. Everyone had problems but we all seemed to fix them together and we had so many past problems that we all sorted out together. That's what the 2nd Mass is all about. We help like one big family. Because we are a big family. We had tiffs with each other but if something happened we forgot and eventually it seemed like nothing happened between them both.

"Beautiful night huh?" Ben rubbed my lower back.

"Guess so, stars are brighter than before. Makes the twinkle in your eyes stand out"

"Mhm, look I'm gonna be here. Whenever you need to talk I'll be here, no matter what. You are my life. Who could ask for more?" He kissed my cheek and rested his head on my shoulder.

Who could ask for more?

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