He Saved Me

Chp 73

Michael's POV
"I said no lipstick!" I yelled across the room. Mia gave me a foul look, and reached for a napkin to wipe it off her mouth. This morning has been impossible to say the least. We're both due in court to handle the situation with her biological parents. Anxious would be an understatement at this point.
"You said we had to look our best for court," she said emphasized.
"Looking your best doesn't include wearing makeup young lady," I responded. And you know what else is making this difficult morning feel even more fucking impossible? My sweet little girl who formed an amazing attitude ever since she turned 11. We're only a little over a week in and she's already giving me a preview of what the teenage years will be like. Now don't get me wrong, I've raised 3 teenagers into functioning adults. But my luck with my girls is definitely different than with my boys.
Mia's been acting up from the second she woke up today. She purposely ate her breakfast in slow motion, after I asked her to hurry up several times. She disrespected Grace, after she kindly helped her get ready this morning. And now this. "Well how come you get to wear makeup?" she scoffed accusingly. Well shit. I looked at the time, and figured I don't have the time or the energy to explain my medical history to my 11 year old.
"How about you stop talking back to me little girl?" I said while raising my brows. I know it's not fair to not answer her questions. Especially when it seems so unfair to her. But I'm way too stressed out right now to discuss my vitiligo with her. "Now hurry up, we have to start heading out," I said as I ushered her to the front door.
     "Ugh how about you get that stick out of your ass," Mia said as she rolled her eyes and walked away. My head turned so quick, I swear I have whiplash. I grabbed her upper arm and turned her towards me.
     "What the hell did you just say to me?" I yelled. I'm nervous as it is, and dealing with Mia is about to send me through the fucking roof. As she's about to open her mouth again, I decide to speak up. I don't particularly want to be tempted to beat her ass before we go into court to reevaluate my custody. "Honestly, I don't even have the time to list the million reasons you shouldn't be speaking to your elders like that right now. You will get your ass into the car without another word. You will be on your utmost best behavior from the second you step out these doors. Am I understood?" I asked. Silence.
     I swiftly turned her around, and landed a hard smack on her bottom. Her arm still in my grip, I turned her back around to face me. "AM. I. UNDERSTOOD?" I yelled. Mia's eyes were now brimming with large tears, as she tried hard not to let them fall.
     "Yes," she quietly mumbled.
     "I can't hear you!" I responded.
     "Yessss," she whined louder. I tightened my grip on her arm.
     "Yes what?" I asked
     "Yes Dad," she said coldly. Ouch, no "Daddy". I don't even blame her honestly. I've been an ass all week. I'm so stressed out, I haven't been a good father. I've really just let Grace take care of the house, which is not like me at all. I have a nanny, always did for all my kids. But I've never let her take on all my parental responsibilities. Not even during my trial back in the day. But the thought of losing my baby has left me acting like a whole new person. A person me, nor my kids, like very much.

Mia's POV
     Daddy has been so annoying all morning! He's been yelling at me ever since he woke up today. He complained I was eating my breakfast too slow. Then he didn't want to do my hair, so I had to ask Grace for help. And all her dense head can come up with is a headband. Daddy usually does pretty braids or ponytails. Something more creative than a freaking headband. Then he got mad that I yelled at Grace. He also had a problem with my choice in clothing. I didn't want to wear a dress. What's wrong with wearing sweats? I'm comfortable in them! But no, Dad said we have to look our best for court.
     I hate that we're even going to court. I kind of know what it's for but I don't exactly know all the details. All I know is that I might see my old family today. And some lady is going to ask me questions about Daddy. I know it's not a lot, but I still don't want to go. My stomach hurts and I feel icky! I hate everything right now! I remained quiet in the car. My stomach is killing me and Daddy looks too mad to hold a conversation right now.
     1 1/2 hour into the car ride, I started to feel sick. We still had a long way to go apparently. "Daddy, I'm hungryyy," I complained.
"We can get something to eat after court sweetheart. You can pick today," he said looking up from his stack of files, with a smile.
"But I'm hungry now!" I semi yelled. Daddy glared at me for a few seconds, his smile now completely gone.
"Mia... cut it out please," he sighed without taking his eyes off the paperwork this time. He won't even pay attention to me. At that moment, all I knew was that I was angry and frustrated. I don't what came over me. With tears striking down my face, I knocked over the stack of files in his hands. "MIA!!!" he shouted in rage. Shit.