He Saved Me

Chp 33

Michael's POV
It was now around 2am. Once all the kids fell asleep, I decided to go to the studio downstairs and put some finishing touches on my album. The deadline to send it in is next week. But me being the perfectionist that I am, I have to make sure everything is just right. The pressure was definitely high. The record company wants me to go on tour too but I just don't think I have it in me anymore.
The gruesome hours rehearsing and traveling, sounds like complete agony to me. I've been performing since the age of 5, and it's finally catching up to my body. Plus, with 4 boisterous and high-strung children, I can't even consider touring at this point. I don't mind doing performances. I can put all my time and energy into one performance. But to do this every other night? Can't be me anymore.
The record label was not happy at first, but I don't care to tell you the truth. Either meet my demands or I won't make another album. I have enough cash flow from my royalties I receive, along with various different business investments, to last my children's children a lifetime. They know it and I know it. I don't necessarily need this album. THEY need it. So they finally agreed to leave me alone with this tour bullshit.
After this album is released, I'm thinking about going on vacation. The children will be on spring break by then, it's perfect timing. I also want to travel with Mia. I want to be able to show and teach her about a world, beyond the books she reads or information she learns with her tutor. There's so much out there, and I have the ability to show it to her. So why not? I was looking up some places in Europe and Africa, when I noticed how late it was.
I closed my laptop and exited my office. I tiredly walked to my room, feeling sleep take over my body. I did my nightly routine before getting into bed. My body immediately felt relaxed. Although I felt highly uncomfortable, since Mia pretty much took over the whole bed. I didn't want to wake her up at this ungodly hour. I squeezed myself into the little space she left for me and closed my eyes.
All of a sudden, I felt Mia shifting in bed aggressively. I heard her whimpering and turned around. I see tears falling out of her eyes as she slept through another nightmare. I wrapped my arms around her. "It's ok babygirl, I'm here," I whispered. I placed kisses on her forehead, trying to calm her down. Eventually, all this tossing and turning woke her up. Great. Another sleepless night.
Mia woke up sweating and crying. "Daddy," she called out while sobbing. I forced myself to sit up and pulled her into my lap.
"Sh sh sh, it's ok mama I'm right here. It was just a bad dream," I whispered as I rocked her back and forth. She was mumbling something, while still half asleep. I couldn't quite catch it at first until I heard her repeat it several times.
"She's gonna kill me," she mumbled while crying.
"Who sweetheart?" I asked.
"My mom!" she cried as she threw herself around my neck. I could feel her tears on my neck. I ran my fingers through her curls, trying to calm her down.
"No she won't baby. No one can hurt you. I'm here," I said trying to console her. Slowly, her sobs turned into snores. My heart ached for her. I felt so bad that she was experiencing nightmares like this about her mother. No child should have to endure what she did. I continued to hold her in my arms, hoping she could feel the abundance of my love through the hug.
     I really wanted to know what went down that night between her and her mother. But I was scared to push her over the edge again. I know I should wait till she's ready to talk about it, but it's killing me. Maybe I should talk to Emily when she comes in for tomorrow's session. I want to get to the bottom of this, once and for all.

Mia's POV
     Last night was pretty bad. The nightmares just keep getting worse. I can tell Daddy worries for me, but I just can't bring myself to say anything. I simply can't. I can't even form words to describe or explain that night. I was so scared and upset. And a part of me blames myself. If I had just been obedient that night, she wouldn't have hit me so bad. But then again, I wouldn't have Daddy now either.
     I'm in my room, waiting for Emily to show up for today's session. She's cool I guess. She's really pretty and nice. But sometimes she asks me questions I don't like. I usually just ignore them and stay quiet, or simply change the topic. She's been catching on to my tricks recently. She somehow finds a way to work around the same question over and over.
     "Mia!!! Come down here please," Daddy yelled interrupting my thoughts. I went downstairs to find Emily talking to him. They were whispering about something serious, I could tell by Daddy's face. He cut their conversation short when he noticed me at the end of the staircase. "Time for your session sweetheart," he said smiling. I rolled my eyes internally. Now I have to sit here and talk about my feelings for the next hour. Ugh!
     Emily greeted me and asked me how my week was. We did our small talk as she pulled out paper and colored pencils from her bag. As she was preparing our activity, I noticed Daddy hovering over me. I looked at him confused. Normally he doesn't stay for my sessions. He claims to want to give me my privacy. But today he changed his mind? He eventually caught me staring at him. "What?" he chuckled.
     "Daddy why are you still here?" I asked. Before Daddy could answer, Emily chimed in.
     "Mia, I think for today's session we should let Daddy join. It'll be fun," she said trying to persuade me. I didn't really like that idea. I can't bring myself to talk about certain things with Daddy around. I don't want to hurt his feelings...