Amelia

Chapter 22

Melissa stood their shocked at how blunt Kimmy had been. She hadn't even know Amelia had any other family, other than her biological father.

"I'm sorry. You're what?" Melissa questions, even though she heard Kimmy loud and clear.

"I'm here to gain full custody of Amelia," Kimmy repeats, sounding almost annoyed.

"I'm sorry, that's not going to happen," Melissa says, placing her hand on her hip.

"Well, if you like to ta-" Kimmy was cut off by the sound of another person walking into the room. Amelia walks up behind her mother, curious to whom was at the door. As soon as she sees, her eyes go wide.

"Amelia, look how you've grown. Come give your Aunt Kimmy a hug," Kimmy says, opening her arms. Amelia never moves from her spot. She stays, looking at her father's younger sister, hoping she'll leave and never come back. Melissa watches her daughter, noticing how stiff Amelia seemed.

"Sweetheart. How about you go back upstairs and play with your sister?" Melissa suggests, hoping Amelia will take the offer. She does and runs up the steps. Melissa turns back to Kimmy to see her smirking.

"Amelia has a sister?" Kimmy asks, raising an eyebrow. It takes every ounce in Melissa not to roll her eyes.

"Yes, she does," Melissa says, crossing her arms across her chest. Kimmy clears her throats before speaking.

"Just like I was trying to say, we can take this to court if you'd like," Kimmy says, biting her lip slightly. Just looking at Kimmy sent a shiver down Melissa's spine. Anyone related to Amelia's father is bound to be evil, except Amelia of course.

"I guess I'll be seeing you in court," Melissa says before slamming the door in Kimmy's face. Melissa looks out the window, making sure Kimmy leaves. Once she does, she makes her way up to her daughters' room. Before she can make it, Amelia comes running out of her room.

"Please don't let her take me away Mommy!" Amelia begs. Just the tone of her voice breaks Melissa's heart into a billion pieces. Melissa picks up the sobbing toddler, holding her close to her.

"I won't ever let her take you away baby girl," Melissa says, rubbing Amelia's back.

...

Melissa takes a deep breath, peering down at the text she had just received.

Due to court orders, until the decision is final, Amelia Larson-Benoist may not be within your residence in order to maintain an anti-bias decision.

Kimmy had sent her the court dates. They were to go in next week to decide who gains full custody of Amelia. She had contacted her mother to see if she was willing to have Amelia stay with her. Melissa was still upset even though her mother agreed. After all, her mother lived in Colorado. 

She closed her phone before walking up the stairs to her daughter's room. She knock gently before turning the knob. She pushes the door open and looks at the little girl sprawled across her floor, coloring.

"Amy, can I talk to you?" Melissa asks, walking closer to the young girl. Amelia looks up at her mother, nodding. She drops the crayon and climbs on her bed next to her mother.

"You know I love you very much, right?" Melissa asks, fearing the worst. Amelia nods, becoming concerned as to why Melissa would ask that.

"Well, the court, the people who decide who you'll be living with, decided you can't stay with me for awhile." Melissa explains. Amelia's face drops.

"But-but you said you wouldn't leave me." These simple words shattered Melissa's heart.

"Honey, I would never leave you," Melissa says pulling Amelia into a hug.

"Then where am I going?" Amelia asks, her bright blue eyes seeming twice as large as she look at her mother.

"I was thinking you could go and live with Grandma for awhile," Melissa says, smiling ever so slightly at Amelia. "How does that sound?" Melissa was actually scared at what her daughter might say.

"Alright," Amelia says, trying not to sound upset. For all she knew, this could be the last time she sees her mother.