He Saved Me

Chp 25

Mia's POV
I finished my homework as fast as I could. I was so excited about finally being able to see all the different things at Neverland. Ever since I got here, I've been looking at the rides from the windows inside the house. I would picture myself at the highest point of the ferris wheel, looking down at all the beauty. Maybe Daddy will take us to the zoo too. After I completed my homework I went to Blanket's room to see if he was done yet.
     "I have one more math problem to do," Blanket said. "Why don't you go find Daddy and see if he's ready to go? I should be done by then."
     "Ok but hurry up. I wanna see the zoo too," I responded excitedly. I exited his room to look for Daddy. I called out his name several times but there was no respond. This house is so big, it's impossible to find anyone in here. Then I noticed the door to his room was slightly open. I went inside and found the first floor portion empty. So I went up thinking that he might be taking a nap. I went into the second floor portion, only to find Daddy... crying.
     "Da-Daddy?" I called out. He looked up with watery red eyes. His face was tear stained and in pain. "Why are you crying?" I asked concerned.
     "Nothing baby," he sniffled. He wiped his tears and motioned for me to go sit next to him. I got into bed and immediately held him. I placed one hand on the back of his head, and my lips against his forehead. Exactly the way he does. He chuckled at my imitation of his comforting, and gave me a big kiss on the cheek. "You're becoming quite the caretaker. I feel so much better now," he grinned.
     "Why were you crying? Did someone say something to you?" I asked.
     "No babygirl, I was just a little upset. But I'm better now I promise," he said reassuringly. As much as Daddy tried convincing me that everything was ok, something seemed off about him. He's been upset all day. I don't know what's going on. Maybe it's something to do with Paris from last night?
     "Daddy, where's Paris?" I asked curiously.
     "She's working. Are you done with your homework?" he said while quickly changing the topic. He did it again. Whenever I ask about Paris, he tries to divert my attention to something else. And it worked each time.
     "Yeah! Can we go outside now?" I said super excited.
     "Calm down sweetheart. Bring me your homework so I can check it over," Daddy said gently. I groaned but did what I was told, not wanting to upset Daddy even more. After working on several corrections, Blanket and I were finally heading out to our backyard. Daddy followed slowly behind with his umbrella. It sucks that he's so sensitive to the sun. I wish he could run around freely with us. Maybe when the sun starts to go down he can.
     To say that I was awestruck would be an understatement. I felt like I was in Disneyland, but better. Although I've never been to Disney, I imagine Neverland is so much better. We went on all the rides except the roller coaster. I wasn't tall enough for it. We even had an epic water balloon fight. We also visited the zoo and fed all the animals. Granted I was scared of most of them, but I admired from afar as Daddy and Blanket fed them.
     We were about to go to the arcade when one of the staff members came and whispered something in Daddy's ears. He furrowed his brows and let out a sigh. "I have to take an important phone call ok? I'll be right back. You two can go ahead," he said. As much as I wanted to play games, I didn't wanna leave Daddy out of any of the fun. I refused to let go of his hand. "It's ok babygirl. Go with Blanket. I'll join you soon," he encouraged.

Michael's POV
     In the midst of all this stress over Paris, I completely forgot about Mia's therapy session. I never got the chance to discuss the session with Emily last night. She called right now to talk about it over the phone, but I feel guilty. I'm the parent, I should've been the one to call. I reprimanded myself in my head, as I made my way into my office.
     "Hello?" I answered.
     "Hi Michael, it's Emily. I was hoping we could discuss Mia's session right now," she replied.
     "Yes of course. My apologies for not calling sooner. I got caught up with the kids," I replied apologetically.
     "No worries. I understand. I have two of my own. It can get pretty hectic sometimes," she laughed. "So I wanted to start off by saying that Mia is a very intelligent and compassionate little girl. Even after all the pain she's been through, she stands strong. She's a fighter Michael."
     My heart warmed up. I knew my little girl was a fighter since the day I met her. I giggled and thanked her for her kind words. I'm glad someone else recognized Mia's greatness, aside from my family and I.
     "I do however, have a few concerns. But nothing to worry about. They can easily be worked through," Emily replied.
     "What kind of concerns?" I asked worried.
     "Well, Mia has a very low self esteem. When I asked her to write down things she likes about herself, she couldn't come up with anything. I pushed and pushed but she couldn't think of anything," she said.
     "Is it the abuse?" I asked choked up. Of course it was the abuse. I wish Mia could see how wonderful she is, inside and out. In just a matter of a few weeks, she has made a place for herself in all of our hearts.
     "Precisely so. Her mother has done quite a number on her. Which is why, coming to one of your concerns, Mia feels uncomfortable around Grace in my opinion. Her nanny is the only maternal figure in her life now. And she genuinely loves her, she said it herself. But when it comes to bathing and changing her bandages, Mia feels extremely vulnerable. And she doesn't like Grace seeing or touching her in those moments. It makes her just as uncomfortable as her mother used to make her feel," Emily informed.
     I was kind of in shock. I didn't realize how deep this was. "What would you recommend I do?" I asked concerned.
     "Well, I'd advise you to maybe take Grace's place during Mia's baths and bandage changing. She's the most comfortable with you. I know it's going to be difficult to be there every single night, considering your career obligations. But try at least for a few days," she said.
     "Yeah but um- it's just that..." I began.
     "I know she's at an age where you should start giving her privacy. But she still has a little time to go, plus this won't last forever. Try letting her do it all on her own, while you supervise from a distance. That way her health nor her privacy, are in question," she reassured.
     "Yeah sounds good," I said.
     "And as far as the bedwetting goes, Mia's been having nightmares at night. Usually stemming from her abuse, or the fear of maybe being sent back to her biological parents. And by sleeping with someone she trusts, she feels safe" she informed.
     "I would never let that happen Emily. You have to know that. I love Mia just as much as my biological children. I would never ever let anyone take her away from me," I said with a broken heart. 
     "I know Michael. I can tell. And trust me, Mia loves you very dearly. She kept saying that you saved her. She is very attached to you, and that's understandable considering her situation. I wouldn't be surprised if she soon becomes clingy to you. Just have some patience with her. In her mind, you're all she has. And for now just let her sleep with you at night. Poor thing deserves to feel some sense of safety and comfort, especially after everything she's been through," Emily said sympathetically.
     "You're right. I'm glad you were able to speak to her. You helped answer a lot of questions in my mind regarding Mia. I appreciate your help, I truly do," I said.
     "It's my pleasure Michael. And just remember that all these concerns are only temporary. I will continue working with her, and obviously with some help from you and the rest of the family, she will be doing just fine," she replied. "Did you have any other questions for me?"
     "Um y-yeah actually I did. But it's not about Mia," I said apprehensively.
     "Well I'd be happy to help. What is it?" she asked.
     "Well actually, it's about my older daughter, Paris. I'm sure our little battle didn't go unnoticed last night," I said as Emily giggled. "Um so, I have a doubt... well no actually I'm pretty sure that Paris has a drug problem. This is my first time finding out. And um my question is, how do I confront her about it?" I asked with a strain in my voice.
     "Wow that's heavy Michael. Well, has she been exhibiting any signs of addiction? Any track marks on her arms? Or a constant state of haze or confusion? Any weird behaviors?" she asked.
     "I mean I found a bunch of different drugs hidden in her room. Including a used needle. She's covered in tattoos so her track marks won't be visible. As far as any weird behavior goes... I mean, Paris has always been my wild child. I just take everything she does as a sign of her goofiness," I said. "And what worries me is that I have my two younger ones at home. I don't want Mia or Blanket to find any sort of drugs at home."
     "I understand Michael. Maybe she needs an intervention. She needs to know that she is loved no matter what. But this type of behavior can't continue. And if things don't seem to change, I'd say the next step would be rehab," she suggested.
     My heart dropped at the sound of all of this. With my own painful past of addictions, I know how hard this can be. I know what toll it takes on you. I just want my little girl to be ok. I stifled my tears, and thanked Emily for all her help and said our goodbyes. I had to go back to the kids, before they get upset about me not spending time with them like I promised. I wiped the few tears that managed to come out of my eyes, and walked back towards the arcade.