Her Name Was Meloni

...and i love you

I woke up in warm arms and the sound of talking and the sound of the tv playing.

"I think she did ok." Said what sounded like...Kyle, I think.

"She did. But I thought the whole point of this was for her and her mother to make up or something." Said Mike.

"Nah. For Meloni, it was for her to confront her mom about the shit she put them through. For her mother it was to make up." Said, what I believed was, Tim.

A loud snort filled my ears it was closer than the others. "Yeah. Which was so pretentious on her part. You haven't seen your kid in forever, and as soon as you hear she all better, then you feel like being a mother. The fact that she really thought it would be that easy, actually amazes me." That was definitely Becks.

"I wouldn't have showed up. Loni's a better person than me." Said Mike.

I shifted in the arms that held me, which I now knew was Tates. I was sleeping cuddled up in his lap while my head was in his neck. I could feel a smile spread on my lips. "Say that again. I want to record it and save it for later."

"For fuck sake." Mike cursed. He jumped a little at the sound of my voice. My smile broadened

Small chuckles filled the room. I could feel Tates chuckle throughout my whole body. His arms tightened around me and he kissed the top of my head.

"Oh look. The big bad wolf got scared." Tim said in a mocking voice. Tim was on the floor by me and Tates legs. His head laid on top of Tates knee as he laughed.

"Oh look at that. Your balls dropped. Might want to pick those up sweet cheeks." Said Kyle. He was also sitting on the floor in the dead center of everything. Probably to annoy everyone and block the tv.

Mike just flicked them off and turned back to the tv with a huff. Mike sat at the other end of the couch sulking and I couldn't help the smile that stayed on my lips.

"Look here. Sleeping beauty is up." Said Becks who was sitting next to us with on my hands in hers. At that moment I realized we were all in my house, sitting on the sectional in the living room. She ignored all of there antics and just watched me.

"You feeling ok?"she asked. I nodded. I felt a lot better. But I won't lie, in this moment I wanted my dad.

"Is my dad here?" I asked. My voice came out as a croak and I could feel Tim shift.

"I'll get you some water." Tim said. Before I could even say anything, he was up and headed toward the kitchen. I sat up. I was gonna call after him but Tate pulled me back against him and just shook his head no.

"Take the water." He said. His voice was soft but stern, leaving no room for discussion. I relaxed against him and did waited for Tim to come back with water.

"Your dad is still out. It hasn't been that long since we've gotten back. I think it's only been an hour." Said Becks.

Tim was back with the water, and handed it to me. I sat up a little and grabbed for it. Once I grabbed it, I tried so hard to keep my hand steady but it was shaking. Tate grabbed it from me softly and brought the cups to my lips. I smiled at them gratefully, but I could feel the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.

He pulled the cup away and wiped under my lip. "Better?" He asked. I nodded.

"Did you want me to call your dad?" He asked.

I should probably say no. I should be able to deal with these emotions like an adult but the little girl that was abandoned by her mother wants the father that was always there to hold her right now. And honestly, I agree.

So I nodded.

"Ok. How about I make you something to eat, while I'm doing that I'll call your dad? And while I'm doing that, Becks and Tim can take you upstairs and get you cleaned up and ready for bed?" I nodded.

"Good girl." He said. He stood up with me in his arms and set me on my feet. He cupped my face in his hands and stared into my eyes. I could tell he was looking for something, but he didn't give off whether or not he found it. He just leaned down and kissed my lips softly.

I knew I was freaking everyone out a little, but I was emotionally and physically drained and I just didn't have it in me fake it. But I kissed him back with everything I could muster, though it wasn't a lot.

He pulled away and laid his forehead on mine. I closed my eyes and we stayed like that for a minute. Before he pulled away, he kissed my head. Then he turned me around and gently pushed me into Becca's and Tim's arms.

Becca and Tim lead me up stares. They talked but I didn't necessarily add much to the conversation. I tried here and there but there were points where I would just disconnect. Before I knew it I was in my PJs laying in my bed. I don't know when they left but at some point Tate and I were alone in my room with a place filled with chips and sandwich.

"Hey, my little owl. You dad is on his way home now. So he shouldn't be that long. But before he comes can you do me a favor?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Can you finish this plate for me?" He asked.

"Ok." Was all I said and I began to eat til the food was gone. He caressed my hair and head and gave me a small smile.

"That's my girl. I'm gonna leave soon. I'll call you in the morning. I won't leave till your dad get here, but when he get here I probably won't get to say goodbye, cause you probably be sleep again, since today was so exhausting." He leaned over and gave me another quick kiss.

His hand cupped my cheek again. "I'm gonna tell you this now. And again when you get better. I'm not mad. You don't have to be embarrassed. You don't have to explain yourself. I understand and I love you." He kissed me again. And searched my eyes again, but once more I could tell what he was looking for.

He smiled again. "Lay down. If you need anything, call. But your dad should be here by then." He kissed my head , turned off the lights and made his way out of the room. And I let the words he said to me lull me to sleep.

I'm gonna tell you this now.

And again when you get better.

I'm not mad.

You don't have to be embarrassed.

You don't have to explain yourself.

I understand

and I love you.