Those Amber Eyes

Chapter 32 - "Your Own God-Daughter..."

POV: Melanie

What have I done? My children hate me. I deserve it. I never should have gotten between them. I thought it was a phase, I never dreamed Scarlett would still love her after all these years. Seeing them together, to see my daughter smile like that again after so long. I need to talk to my daughter, I need to apologize to all of them.

I decided to call Scarlett, not sure if she would even answer.

S- <sniffling> Hello

M- Scarlett what's wrong?

S- What the hell do you want?!?

M- Tell me what's wrong sweetie

S- Not that it's any of your fucking business, but Ash and I had a horrible fight, and she is gone.

M- What happened baby?

S- None of your Goddamn business, now leave me the fuck alone.

M- Scarlett...

She hung up on me. Can't say I don't deserve it. I got myself together and called Hunter, much of the same conversation with him, but I did learn that Scarlett was with Ash's parents. I decided to drive out there, I needed to make sure my daughter was okay.

I was surprised when the gate opened and I was allowed onto the property. I parked my car, getting out slowly. I saw my old friend Sophia on the porch, observing me.

"To what do we owe the pleasure, Melanie."

"I need to make sure my baby is OK."

"She's fine. She's resting right now. Come on in, let's have a cup of coffee and chat."

I followed Sophia into her kitchen. We spent many evenings when the kids were growing up sitting around the table talking. I sat down, and took the cup from her.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Why are you here Melanie?"

"I...I had called Scarlett earlier to talk, to apologize, and she was upset and hung up on me, not that I blame her."

"Why did you call her?"

I sighed, looking at my old friend. "I've tried to reach out to her ever since that weekend, but she won't answer my calls or texts. None of my children will respond to me. The only reason I know she is here is because Hunter let it slip."

"He didn't let it slip, I told him to tell you. He's here, or was. I sent Hunter, Lauren and the girls back to Lauren's house."

"Where are Scarlett and Rose?"

"Scarlett is asleep in Ashlyn's room, Rosie is with Uncle Hunter and Aunt Lauren."

"And Robert?"

"Resting."

"Sophia, I'm sorry. For the things I said, the way I behaved. I'm sorry."

"What did you say to my daughter that day when she came to see Scarlett?"

I sighed, remembering that day vividly. "Sophia, I..."

"Dammit Melanie, what the hell did you say to my daughter, and don't feed me that bullshit about not knowing she was intersex. You knew, you were there the day she was born, and don't feed me any bullshit about not knowing about her and Scarlett. Anybody with eyes KNEW Scarlett had been in love with Ash since they were young. You saw Scarlett the day we dropped Ashlyn off for deployment. You KNEW she was heartbroken."

"I told Ashlyn if she didn't stop communicating with Scarlett I would have her arrested for Statutory rape." I replied, looking down at the cup in my hands. When she didn't say anything I looked up to see Sophia with tears in her eyes, and a hurt look on her face.