Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Thirteen

Three months. It had been three months since Misako's passing. It had been a rough few months for all. Haden and Natalie were seventeen now. The younger children were mostly all fourteen except for Connor who was twelve. Amy was a happy three month old that was full of energy. Stephanie and Winston had given birth to a baby boy, Arthur Zane Garmadon. Natalie had gotten over her heartbreak over Robert and her attitude was improving by the day. Clouse's eyesight had not returned. Melody was just as angry and bitter at Wu then when she first came back. Wu had decided that if he could break down her walls once then he would do it again.

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"I said, 'I don't want to talk about anything to do with my past!'," Melody yelled slamming her fist on the table.

"You have to let go of your anger sometime!" Wu shot back. "I don't know why you're so angry! I should be the one that is angry! You STOLE my son from me!"

"I was going what was best for him! You LEFT!"

"To save Ninjago and in the meantime protect my family!" Wu shouted. The fact that Wu was actually yelling was surprising in and of itself. He had never yelled when having these discussion with Melody. This was the first time and it seemed to be having an effect on Melody.

"You left me!" She shouted.

"I was coming back!" Wu shouted in frustration.

"How could I know that!?" She yelled.

"You could've trusted me!"

"I never measured up to Misako! How could I trust someone who only saw me as a go to?!" Melody said finally breaking down into tears. She had not cried a single tear in all of their arguments. Maybe Wu was finally getting somewhere.

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

"You loved her!" She shouted.

"At one time, yes!" He shot back.

"So when she chose Garmadon, I was nothing but a go-to!" Melody yelled. Her voice cracked with emotion.

"By Ninjago," Wu said in shock. "Is that what you thought?"

"Yes!" Melody placed her face in her hands and began to sob.

Wu looked at her in stunned silence. How could she have thought that? He had made it very clear that he loved Melody dearly. He had chosen a standard for himself. That standard was that he would never divorce. His vows were 'until death do us part.' Hadn't she been told that?

"Melody," Wu said finally. "Oh my dear Melody!"

She looked at him. Tears streamed from her eyes. "Isn't it true?"

"No! I loved you so much! Why would you ever think that?"

"Because I wasn't worth it," she sobbed.

She put her face in her hands again. Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her. She started to pull away but something inside her snapped. She gave up. She gave up being angry. She went limp and sobbed into Wu's chest as he held her tightly.

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"Lloyd?" There was no answer. "Lloyd? Lloyd!"

"Ah! What! What is it!" Lloyd shot out of his chair.

"It's almost three in the morning," Aira said worriedly. "Why are you sleeping at the kitchen table?"

"I was researching something," he said rubbing his eyes.

"You've been doing this almost every night for three months! It's a wonder you haven't gotten sick yet!" Aira said. Her face was etched with worry.

"I don't get sick often," Lloyd said standing up. He stretched. He hadn't realized how stiff he has gotten sleeping there till he tried to stand.

"I miss you," Aira said with a frown.

"What do you mean?" He asked looking at her with surprise.

"I just want you to hold me and make me feel safe," she said shakily. "You haven't been there."

"What are you talking about?!" Lloyd asked in shock. "I'm still here!"

"I meant as my husband," she said shaking her head. "You've been distant lately. I wish you would talk to me again."

Lloyd looked at her in shock. He hadn't been trying to distance himself. They just had had a lot going on. He was also shocked because he had never fallen so far as to not be there for his family.

"Lloyd? Why aren't you saying anything?" Aira asked.

"I-I wasn't trying to distance myself," he said sadly. "I'm so sorry, Aira."

"I know it wasn't on purpose, Lloyd," Aira said sadly. "And I'm sorry that I said what I did so flippantly."

"You didn't really," Lloyd shook his head. "Relationships are about communication-as we figured out early on-and you just communicated. There is nothing wrong with that."

"I just-" Aira started and then shook her head. "Ever since my mom died, you've always-without fail-been there for me. But ever since your mom died, I've tried to be there for you and feel inadequate."

"Aira," Lloyd said shaking his head. "I wouldn't have made it through that without you. I don't know what your talking about."

"I don't know either," she sighed. "Maybe I'll just go back to bed."

Aira turned to go but Lloyd took her hand. She stopped and turned. He pulled her close and held her. She relaxed into his arms.

"I'm sorry," Lloyd whispered into her ear. "I love you."

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A shadow flickered across the doorway of Riley's cell. Danielle was sleeping against the wall as best she could. Riley looked up carefully.

"Someone is up late," a voice said from the doorway.

"I could say the same thing," Riley retorted.

"You know," the figure swaggered into the room. "I think your rather attractive and I could really use you right now."

"What the-?" He started.

"Come now," she said. "I haven't felt the touch of a man in too long."

"You sure ain't getting my touch," he said in a deceptively calm voice.

"Just a kiss?" The voice giggled. "I could always make you give me one."

"I don't think so-" Riley was cut off by the woman placing a kiss forcefully on his mouth.

"Hmm," she mused pulling back. "Maybe we can take if farther later. That enough for now."

"Seriously?" Riley shouted. "With my wife sleeping right there?"

"Oh get over it," the woman said leaving the cell.

I'm baaaaaAAAaaaack! :) did ya miss me? I missed you! -LL_18