Lost (Book Five of the Melody Series)

Christmas Day

Melody's POV

I opened my eyes, blink a couple times. It took a little time before I recognized my surroundings. I was in my bedroom on Thorn.

Explosion...Liliana...we destroyed her...Sebastian...concussion...I had a concussion...I had a virus...

I propped myself on my elbows, shaking my hair out of my face. Something at the end of my bed caught my eye. I frowned and threw off my covers, stood up. I swayed groggily as I made my way to the end of my bed. There were presents.

Presents... it was almost Christmas before...isn't it still? How long was I asleep? How long were we in Liliana?

I had a hard time thinking. I was still groggy. I pushed my hair out of my face and looked down. I was wearing a simple off-white pair of pajamas. I ignored this and sat down by the presents. I pulled a box to me and read the tag. This was from Grandma Piper. I ripped off the wrapper and found a sweater. Figured. She made everyone a sweater for Christmas-even Dad, though I'm almost positive he's thrown each one into the fireplace.

I put it aside and opened all my other presents. Chocolate from Jasmine and co. (meaning Kendall and Graham.) A necklace with a crimson stone dangling from it from Nathaniel. Finally, I got to Dad's present.

There were actually two boxes. I opened the longer one first, gasping at the beautiful porcelain doll that lay in the box. Before I had to become a Healer, I had dragged Dad to an intergalactic Antique shop (complete with old Earth artifacts, a dried Zygon tongue-though who would want that, I don't know-and I'm pretty sure there was an old Dalek laser) and I was drawn to the old dolls. He must've remembered that. Of course, he must've also 'borrowed' money off of Jasmine to get it. But I didn't really care about that.

She was lovely. I ran my fingers over her elegant black curls, realizing Dad must've picked out the one that had looked the most like me. She wore a satin lilac coloured Victorian-styled dress. I sat her to the side and opened the other present.

A folded piece of paper fell out. I picked it up and unfolded it.

Merry Christmas. Sorry I didn't get you anything last year. Hope you have a use for this. Love, Dad

In the wrapping paper was a leather-bound book. I opened it, examining the blank, yellowing pages. I stood up and hugged the notebook to my chest. I pushed open my bedroom door and peered out.

No one was out there, but I heard voices downstairs. I slowly stepped into the hallway, the ancient floorboards creaking under my feet. I crept down the stairs and peeked into the parlor. No one. They must've been in the kitchen or the dining room.

I pushed open the oak doors leading into the dining room, and everyone looked up. Dad pushed back his chair and crossed the room to sweep me into a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you're awake!"

I nodded and pulled back. "How...how long was I asleep?"

"Three days," Jasmine said quietly. "Your father was getting really worried."

I gently elbowed Dad in a teasing way. "Did you stay on Thorn for three days? How'd you manage that without getting bored?"

He shrugged. "I got your presents-I had to borrow money off of Alex-and I took Clara home."

"The rest of the time he watched you in hopes you'd wake up," Alex said.

"Of course," I rolled my eyes. "But thank you, Dad. They're beautiful."

"Knew you'd like it," he said.

"Did anything happen while I was out?" I asked, looking at the family. Almost the whole gang was there, with all my siblings and Aunt Sabrina-Grandma Piper's only biological sister and my only aunt-and, of course, Grandma Piper, in the flesh. I noted her spot and how far away Dad's abandoned plate was.

"We can fill you in once breakfast is over," Jasmine said. "Sit down, have some food. You must be starving."

"To say the least," I muttered, sitting down in the chair next to her.

Once everyone finished eating, Melissa had told me what had happened. "We heard the TARDIS, and realized you were back," she said. "I rushed out there, and the Doctor was carrying you out and told me that you were affected the most with the disease. But none of us were sure how much of the antidote we should give you-"

"-or Clara or I," Dad added.

"So we gave the three of you a decent dose of it," Melissa continued. "I think it was a bit too much for you and the Doctor, because the two of you spent a little time with your heads in toilets."

"That wasn't fun," Dad muttered.

"We gave you medication for your concussion and then put you in your bedroom," Jasmine said. "We kept our fingers crossed that it worked...and it did. You're here."

I nodded. It had been a close call.

The Doctor's POV

They insisted on having Melody stay for a couple more days, until they were positive she could travel. Finally, they gave her the OK to go with me.

I helped her put her stuff in her bedroom. She had changed it from its stupid frog theme. The walls were a dark grey and she had filled it with a bunch of Victorian-styled furniture. In the center of the room sat a four-poster bed with a gauzy canopy. The walls were covered in creepy images and a large mirror sat above the dresser. An ornate chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling. Melody gently put the doll on a chair in the corner of the room.

Once we finished putting her stuff away, we returned to the console room. Once there, I asked her, "Where do you want to go?"

"Ella," she said. "It's been forever, and I think she misses us."

You excited for Christmas? I am! I know for a fact it won't be a white Christmas-it's suppose to be 72 on Christmas eve. In an area that tends to get snow in NOVEMBER.

I bet you guys are happy that I've updated twice in one afternoon. Me, I'm glad I've got this story updated. Now if I could get over this writer's block for Whisper and get that done...

Eh, you don't want to here about my problems. I hope you have a merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate. See ya!