The Fourth Catch

Chapter 39: Consequences of Actions

At the knock of the door, Victoria wandered over, opening it. Surprised when Melanie stood in front of her. This made Victoria nervous. Melanie rarely left Anthony's side, in fear that something would happen while being away. Victoria's heart began pounding fast. If Melanie was here. That meant their worst fear happened. She took a deep breath, almost not wanting to ask the question. But knew it needed asking. "Melanie? What happened?" She asked. Melanie could hear Vic's voice crack from nervousness and concern.

Mel shook her head. "Everything is fine. I.. I thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of the hospital. Come and check up on my daughter. Angela is keeping an eye on things. She will call me.." Victoria let out a sigh of relief. It had caught her off guard seeing Mel show up there. As Mel had no intentions of leaving Anthony's side until he woke up. That is if he woke up. Victoria noticed Melanie let the last sentence linger. She didn't need to finish it. They already knew what it could mean if Angela called. Victoria smiled stepping aside so her friend could come in.

"We were just about to head for the park. Beth hasn't gotten out of the hotel much. We tried getting her out a few times, but she doesn't want to. She's rather worried she will miss the call of her dad waking up if she leaves anywhere. Because she wants to make sure she sees him right when he awakes. Beth mentioned a few times it's been pinky promised that she could see Anthony right away." Melanie bit her lip. Beth already sounded eerily a lot like her. And she didn't want that happening with her daughter. Melanie stepped inside as Victoria stepped aside, so she could come in. "But Levi finally managed to win her over. By mentioning about going out and getting some ice cream after the park." Melanie laughed a little. "Ice cream always does the trick. It's a very good bribing method." Hearing this made Mel concerned. For usually, you didn't have to bribe Beth about going to the park. It was one of her favorite places.. Usually the case was, you had to bribe Beth to get her out of the park..

"I.. Would love to come with." She said after it had been silent a moment. "I haven't spent as much time with my daughter like I should, since it all began. Been too focused on Anthony. Making sure he gets the care he needs. I've been neglecting my own daughter. And that shouldn't be happening. I feel horrible about it.."

Victoria let her hand rest on Mel's shoulder. Looking her straight in the eyes. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Bethany understands the urgency of what is going on.. She knows you are not abandoning her, and you're doing as much as you can. She does miss you of course. And is quite concerned for both you and Anthony. But you can be sure that Beth doesn't think you're abandoning her. And don't think for a moment.. That she doesn't think you don't love her... Because you can't take up a lot of her time right now. Beth knows as soon as Anthony wakes up. Things will return back to normal." Melanie gave her friend a small smile. She was about to say something when the bathroom door opened. And Beth walked out. She had been in there getting ready.

"Mommy!" Beth squeaked out. Mel looked over hearing her daughter's voice. It had only been the night before that she called Beth and visited. As was their nightly routine since coming here. To check up on her. But talking on the phone wasn't the same as actually getting to see her daughter. And it had only been about three days since Mel's seen Beth. But it felt like a lot longer. Melanie smiled as she saw Beth come rushing towards her. She leaned forward sweeping Beth up into her arms as she came nearer. Melanie's heart raced as she had her daughter back in her arms. It had been a few days since Melanie had gotten to give Beth a hug. Since Vic and Levi came to get Beth from the hospital. A few days too long if you asked Mel. And now that Beth was in her arms, things seemed right again. Or as right as they could be, all things considering.

"Hey there little one." She whispered. Saying the words she used when Beth was newborn, and first began getting attached to her. Mel smiled at the memory. Along with because of the fact she had Beth back. Mel still felt it strange there had been a time she didn't even want Beth. She hated the last few days not being able to see her at all, and missed her very much when Beth wasn't around. Her daughter being back in her arms felt natural now. And Mel felt empty when Beth wasn't there.