Amelia

Chapter 23

Melissa zips up Amelia's coat before kissing her on the cheek. She stands up, grabbing Amelia's hand before walking out the door. There, Melissa's mom is waiting patiently knowing how hard this is for her daughter. They walk up to her car before Melissa helps Amelia into her car seat.

"Don't let me go." Amelia begs, her voice shaking. It takes every ounce of strength in her body for Melissa to not just burst out in tears. She had cried all night, Chris barely even being able to comfort her.

"I'm so so sorry baby." Melissa says. "I'll do everything in my power to bring you home." Melissa promises. She didn't really know who she was trying to convince, herself or Amelia.

"Bye sweetheart." Melissa says, giving her daughter one last hug. They hug lasts longer than normal but Melissa hoped to never let go. It was her mother that had told her it was enough. She could barely unravel her arms from her daughter before her mother closes Amelia's door. Melissa couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears spilled from her eyes as her mom got into the car. She waved to the car while Julie drives out the driveway.

As soon as they're out of sight, Melissa falls to the ground. She begins bawling, wishing she never had to go through this. Chris rushed over to her, wrapping her shaking body in his arms. He didn't care about how cold it was outside, all he wanted was to help Melissa.

...

"Where's Amy?" Leah asks, grabbing a blue crayon before scribbling on her piece of paper.

"She's staying with grandma for a few days." Chris replies.

"Why?" Leah asks. Chris sighed before answering.

"Do you know what a custody battle is?" Chris asks, glancing down at Leah.

"Yeah. My mom and dad had one." Leah admits, keeping her voice down. She hadn't told anyone about that, she never felt the need to.

"Well, that's what's happening with Amelia. Though, it's not her mom and dad that are fighting. It's Mommy and Amelia's aunt." Chris says, explaining it as best as he could. Leah nodded, not quite understanding but she didn't want to have Chris explain himself again.

"Is that why Mommy is really sad?" Leah asks. She of course noticed her mother's strange behavior. How she haven't smiled nor laughed that entire day and how she stayed locked up in her room.

"Yeah." Chris simply answers. He knew Melissa missed Amelia and that she could barely get herself out of bed, but he could only hope she would get out of bed and actually talk to and interact with Leah.

Leah went back to coloring her pictures when Chris decided to go and check on Melissa. He slowly walks through the dark hallway and stands outside their shared bedroom. He slowly turns the knob and steps inside. All the lights are turned off except the ones in their bathroom. Chris can hear Melissa's quiet cries. He quickly runs towards her, stopping to look at the sight in front of him.

"Chris," Melissa says. Her eyes are bloodshot and there's blood everywhere on the ground.

A/N: Welp, what's happening here? Comment what you think!