Saved By Carli

XXIX

Sage's POV

Mal and I are in an Uber on the way to meet her family and to say I'm nervous is the understatement of the year. Mal notices this so she kisses my hand that was intertwined with hers. Pretty quickly we arrive at the restaurant and we go inside and Mal sees her family so she goes and hugs them while I stand back and wait for her to talk.

"Sage this is my mom Karen, my dad Horace, and my sister Brianna. Everyone this is Sage." Mal says smiling.

"Hi. It's nice to meet everyone." I say and shake everyones hands except for Brianna because she hugged me. We then sat down and started talking about stuff.

"So Sage tell us about your parents." Mrs. Pugh says.

"You have actually met my Mom before." I say and Mal's parent look at each other, look at Mal, then look at me very confused."My Mom is Carli Lloyd." Their eyes widen for a second then they look at Mal.

"She's not lying. Sage was adopted back in September when we were in Denver."

They nod their head and we talk about more light hearted stuff until we ordered and Mr. Pugh speaks. "So, Sage what are your intentions with my daughter?"

"Daddy" Mal groans.

"It's okay Mal. I would do it too. As for my intentions with your daughter I promise to love her everyday. I promise to make sure she feels like the special girl she is whenever we are together. I promise to treat her with the respect she deserves. I promise to always be there for her, because she is a very important person in my life and has been there for me during some very rough time. Since I've known her she has been a light in my life and she makes me extremely happy. I will never hurt her. Your daughter means the world to me." I say and grab Mal's hand and subconsciously intertwine our hands.

After that little grilling the conversation went fine until right before we were about to leave Mr. Pugh asked a question I wish he didn't. "So Sage are you doing online school to finish High school."

"I'm actually a sophomore in college."

"At 17?" Her dad says. I just nod. "I mean no disrespect, but how?"

I look at Mal, who quickly intertwines our hands to try and stop the ensuing panic attack, not knowing what to tell her family and she gets the hint. Mal shakes her head at her dad telling him to drop it and she notices my breathing getting heavier so she speaks up. "Will you excuse us?" Her family nod and Mal leads me to the restroom. Once inside the restroom Mal locks the door and then pulls me into a hug . "It's okay Sage. I got you. Everything will be okay. Just breath babe just breath."

"Why can't I be normal Mal?"

She grabs my head with her hand to make me look at her. "Sage there is nothing wrong with you. Okay? What you went through was pretty traumatic. I seriously don't care that this happens Sage. I'll always be by your side. I just wish I could make it stop."

"When I'm around you they don't happen as often." I say and she smiles and then quickly, but passionately kisses me.

"Well then it looks like you're stuck with me."

"Well its a good thing I love you." I say and her eyes widen for a second then she smiles.

"I love you too."

A small make out session happened after that, but was interrupted by someone needing to use the bathroom. Oops. Once we got back to the table Mal's family looked worried and seemed to want to talk about what just happened, but Mal mouths no to them and shakes her head and they get the message. Apparently the bill was paid while we were in the restroom so we left and got into the Pugh's car since they offered to drive us back to the hotel. On the drive back I could feel the stares from the front seat so I just rest my head on Mal's shoulder trying to keep it together.

"They think I'm a weirdo don't they? I whisper to Mal.

"No they don't they're just worried."

"They probably don't think I'm good enough for you."

"Why would they think that?"

"I can't even explain to them why I'm in college at the age of 17. What happens when you're not with me and I have an attack and I take away your focus from playing or from you spending time with your family?"

"I don't fault you for not being able to explain that. Hell I don't know many people who could. And we will cross that bridge when we come to it okay?" I nod and she kisses my head.

I know what everyone is thinking. Just go to therapy and you can better cope with all you've been through. I would, but I don't believe that therapy would work. Nobody can understand what I've been through. Nobody can understand the pain and suffering I have dealt with. Nobody can help me. And you may not believe me, but the panic attacks happen less often since Mom adopted me.

Once we got to the hotel Mal and I headed to our rooms and mine was first to come to so she waited with me while I knocked on the door because I forgot my key. As soon as Mom opens the door I hug her tightly and start to silently cry into her which no doubt worries her. Christen, who was with Mom in the room, quietly, but quickly left the room with Mal knowing Mom and I needed to be alone for a little bit.

After she and Mal had left Mom moves us to the bed where I lay my head on her chest. "Sage what's wrong? What happened?"

"Mal's parents asked about school and they were surprised that I'm in college, due to my age, and they asked how and I couldn't tell them and I had an attack in the bathroom with Mal present so she calmed me down and I really just want to be normal Mom."

"Okay. Alright. Shh. Its okay Sage." Mom really doesn't know what to say and I really don't what her to say anything I just want her to hold me.

After awhile I've calmed down and Mom starts talking. "Other than that how did meeting her parents go."

"It was good. They didn't realize I was your daughter. Oh...Her dad gave me the whole what are your intentions with my daughter speech."

"Thats good."

"How was your night with Christen?"

"It was good. We just ate dinner and then chilled in the room."

"Thats g-" I start to say but am interrupted by a knock on the door. Mom and I both look confused.

"I got it." I tell Mom and answer the door only to be greeted by Christen and a distraught looking Mal who jumps in to my arms.

"Hello to you to Mal." I say while adjusting my grip on her so she doesn't fall. I then move out of the way and Christen goes and sits with Mom.

Mal hops down and cups my face." Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine now."

"I'm sorry my parents asked those questions."

"It's okay Mal. Wanna go lay down?" She nods and we go and lay on the bed Mom and I haven't used. Mal and I talk for an hour before I get tired and inadvertently fall asleep only to slightly wake up when I needed to change then crawl back into bed with Mom.