The Fourth Catch

Chapter 11: Plans Underway

Melanie had woken up a little earlier than usual. Beth for some reason had chosen to wake up early and couldn't get back to sleep. Anthony was home for a few days. As the trial was adjourned since one of the witnesses needed to be tracked down. So Anthony was able to be home to help. She knew that Anthony was wanting to try to get in as much time with Beth before the trial would continue on. But Melanie had chosen to allow him to get some rest. As she had heard Beth, Melanie quietly crawled out of bed and made her way into the nursery.

After she had gotten Beth ready for the day, she made her way into the living room. Letting Beth play as usual. Melanie sat down behind Beth, leaning her back against the couch, watching as Beth was playing with her favorite doll toy. Melanie laid on her stomach after a while, laying next to Beth as she sat playing with the doll. Beth looked over as she saw movement. Smiling as she saw her mother laying down by her. Bethany set the doll down before slowly crawling over to Melanie and laying next to her. Curled up against Melanie's stomach.

Melanie smiled letting an arm wrap around her daughter as she curled up next to her. She could see that Beth was tired yet since she wasn't used to getting up at six am. "You should've gotten some more sleep." She said gently poking Beth's nose. Beth giggled a little shaking her head. "Na na na!" She mumbled, letting her mother know she disagreed. Melanie chuckled. "You say no but your eyes say otherwise." She whispered watching as Beth began to wipe her eyes.

Melanie watched as Beth stayed curled up next to her. Feeling Beth's head rest against her chest. "I've missed you while we were away." Mel said quietly as she glanced at Beth laying there watching her. Beth closed her eyes as Mel leaned forward, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Mamama." Beth mumbled. Melanie smiled pointing at herself. "Mom.." Then she turned her finger around so she was pointing at Beth. "Beth.." She said. Seeing if she could get Beth to try and copy what she said. "Be.." She repeated. Melanie smiled. Unaware that Anthony had been standing in the hallway entrance watching them the last few minutes. His back leaned against the wall, a small smile across his face as he watched.

"You are going to turn out to be a really smart baby." Melanie stated. "Of course she is.. She has you for a mother." Anthony said. Melanie turned slightly as she heard Anthony speak. Smiling a little. "Well, you are quite smart yourself you know." She gave Anthony a wink. As Beth heard Anthony's voice, she looked up with an excited expression pointing at his direction. "Da." Melanie chuckled watching Beth's expression. Watching at how excited she was whenever Anthony showed up.

"Go get him." She whispered. Teasing Anthony slightly. Anthony smirked a bit leaning forward just a bit. His arms crossed across his chest. "You're not going to get me are you?" He teased. Beth smiled up at him making a few happy gurgling noises. As if she was trying to tell him something. Melanie smirked before slowly sitting up. Pointing towards Anthony. "Go get him." She repeated saying in a teasing tone more towards Anthony. Beth giggled before she slowly started crawling towards Anthony.

Anthony gasped. As he saw Beth making her way towards him. Staying in his spot. "You can't get me." He teased shuffling his feet a little to pretend like he was going to try and run from her. Beth giggled watching his actions. As she reached closer to her dad. Anthony teased only slightly, shuffling his feet back again. Beth had just reached her hand out to touch her dad's foot when Anthony stepped back. Beth suddenly looked up at him with a confused look before starting to whine. When she realized she didn't quite catch him. Anthony chuckled a little before taking a few steps closer to her again so he could reach over and pick her up. Melanie smirked as she watched the two of them interact. She had enjoyed Anthony being home the last few days. But unfortunately the trial was only adjourned. They still had one more witness to testify. The witness had seen everything that happened. But since they were scared due to threats already coming through. They were being difficult to find. As they didn't want to be part of it. They didn't want to be brought in to trial. So they were being quite good at keeping hidden.