He Saved Me

Chp 72

Mia's POV
Today is my birthday! This was the first birthday I celebrated with my new family. I haven't referred to them as "new", in a very long time. I don't really think about my old family much. But for some reason, today I thought about them a lot. It's been exactly a year since I met Daddy. And it's also been exactly a year since I last saw my old family. It's not that I miss them or want to go back to them. It's just... I pray that my old dad and brother are safe and healthy.
Daddy taught me how to pray. He taught me how to have conversations with God. I don't know if God's always listening to me, but Daddy says to talk to him anyway. So every night before bed, when I'm done praying for Daddy, and my brothers and sister... I say a quick prayer for my old dad and brother. I just want them to be safe and healthy. Unfortunately, they still have to deal with my old mom. I never told Daddy though, I don't want him to get mad.
All these thoughts raced through my head as I pushed around a piece of cake with my fork. The sun was slowly starting to set now. Everyone was still enjoying the party. But I still felt sad for some reason. Like I didn't deserve any of this. I was enjoying myself at first. But when I look around at all the people that showed up for me, I feel I don't belong here.
"Hey! Why are you sitting here alone?" Blanket asked from behind me. Startled by the interruption in my thoughts, I tried not to make any eye contact with him. I simply shrugged, as I continued to push the cake around. "Why do you look so sad?" he asked concerned.
"I'm just tired," I replied as I forced a smile. I didn't want to voice any of the things that went through my head.
"Uh huh," Blanket said not convinced. "Come, let's go on the rides. You'll feel better." He gently pulled me up by my hand, and I followed without resisting. We went towards the Wave Swinger and stopped right in front of it. I slowly pulled my hand out of Blanket's. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"I've never been on this one," I replied.
"What? You've been living here all this time, but never been on this ride?" Blanket asked surprised. It's true, I tend to avoid all the rides that make me go up high. I'm scared of heights.
"Daddy said I can't go on that one," I lied. I didn't want to tell him I'm scared. This was my only other option.
"Why would he say that?" he chuckled. Ok, this clearly wasn't working. I decided to not answer him. I continued to look down, and play with the dirt with my sparkly shoes. "Mia, you sure you're ok? You're not acting like yourself," Blanket said softly. I was honestly in just a terrible mood, I didn't want to be out here anymore. My sadness quickly turned to anger. I stomped my foot and pulled my hand out of Blanket's.
"Leave me alone!" I shouted. It wasn't too loud. But loud enough for people around us to hear me. Blanket looked kind of shocked and clueless.
"Ok... ok. I'm sorry bug, how about we go find Dad," Blanket suggested. Finally, something logical was said. I needed Daddy's company. I nodded my head yes, and then followed him to find Daddy. After searching for about 5 minutes, we found him sitting on the patio area. He was talking to Grandma and Auntie LaToya. He looked very serious. Maybe something was wrong. But then as soon as he saw Blanket and I walking towards him, his face lit up with a smile.
Blanket reached him before I did, which made it easier for him to whisper something to Daddy before I was in earshot. "What's wrong Grumpy?" Daddy asked as he gently pinched my cheek. That was his nickname for me whenever I'm in a bad mood.
"I'm not grumpy," I said in a low tone.
"I think someone's a little tired," Daddy said as I pouted. "Why don't you and I go inside for a bit? I'll find you something more comfortable to wear. And then we can come back out," he ordered rather than suggested. I followed him inside the house. "Do you wanna wipe all that off your face mama?" he asked. I knew he was referring to the makeup. Normally I'd fight him on it, just so I can keep the makeup on my face longer. But today, I was done. Exhausted. I simply nodded my head, as he gave me a makeup wipe.
     After changing into sweatpants and Paris's oversized t-shirt, I shuffled into Daddy's room. He was looking intently at some file. My footsteps made him look up, bringing him to a fit of giggles. "That fits you like a dress, you sure you want to wear that out to your party?" he chuckled. He was referring to Paris's t-shirt, which came down to my knees.
     "I'm done with the party anyway," I mumbled as I played with my fingers. I heard Daddy take a deep breath, as he put aside the file. He sat down on his bed, and patted right next to him. I went over and nuzzled into his arms, without any hesitation. We stayed silent for a bit. It was a comforting silence.
     "Do you want to tell me what's wrong baby?" Daddy asked gently. I shrugged. I didn't know what was wrong. I was fine at first. But then I thought about my old family, and everything went downhill from there. "Why do you look so sad? Did someone say something to upset you?" he asked concerned.
     "No I just... I can't... well...ughh! I don't know!" I grunted in frustration.
     "Use your words Mia. Take your time, I'm here to listen," he replied. But that was the issue. I couldn't put it into words.
     "I don't want you to be mad at me," I mumbled.
"Why would I be mad at you? Did you do something bad?" he questioned. I continued to bury my face in his chest, not wanting to answer. However, I was quickly pulled out of my sanctuary when Daddy pulled me away from his chest. He looked at my face, almost as if he was trying to read it. "Spit it out girl," he pushed.
"I-I... sometimes I think about them," I mumbled.
"About who?" he replied.
"You know... them," I emphasized.
"Little girl, I'm not playing games anymore. Tell me what's going on," Daddy said irritated. I took a deep breath before I opened my mouth to explain
"Sometimes, only sometimes, I think about my old family," I stated cautiously.

Michael's POV
Well shit, that just makes me feel 100x worse. It's like God is giving me signs today. My little girl is gonna be taken away from me. "Are you mad at me?" Mia whispered. I looked at her little face, and felt so scared. Scared that I might wake up one day, and not be able to see it again. They want her back. They're gonna take her back. She misses them too. I can feel it. I let out a sigh.
"I'm not mad baby," I said gently as I ran my fingers through her curls. "It's okay to miss them. You don't have to hide it from me," I choked out. Was I doing something wrong? Why was she still missing them? Am I wrong for even getting upset? Am I wrong for lying to her?
"I don't want you to think that I don't love you. I love you lots, even more than Prince," Mia claimed. This made me smile.
"I know you love me. And I love you more. Of course you're going to miss your old family. They were there since the day you were born. I just hope that even while you miss them, you are safe and happy with me," I said. The last part was really more of a question than anything else. I needed her reassurance more than she knew.