Chapter 7
Skye woke up next morning and found herself snuggled against Bobbi. The older girl was facing Skye and was holding her protectively. Natasha was behind Bobbi, laying on her back. The last thing Skye remembered was sliding down the bed while still talking to the others. She remembered telling Bobbi and Natasha about the investigation on Saint Agnes - Phil had made it clear that it was Skye’s story to tell. She also remembered Bobbi and Natasha assuring her that she never had to leave. Could they be right?
Skye slowly pulled herself away from Bobbi and got up from the bed. It was already half past six. She was late to wake up today but it was weekend. Phil and Melinda were never bothered if they woke up late, unless they had schools. Leo had woken up at eleven one day and no one had been angry, although, Phil had checked on him to ensure that Leo wasn’t sick.
Remembering Bobbi’s need of knowing where everyone was, Skye found a post-it on the desk and wrote a note for Bobbi. She looked around the room, wondering what would be the best place to stick it, and then decided it to stick to Bobbi’s forehead. No way she would miss it now.
Skye brushed her teeth and went downstairs, not bothering to change her clothes. She was hungry. This was another thing that was different here. No one cared if you stayed in your nightwear all day and there was never any fixed time for eating. Phil and Melinda liked having meals as a family but it was okay to eat later. It was also okay to ask for snacks in between meals.
“Good morning, angel eyes,” Phil called as soon as Skye walked into the dining area. He was sitting with Melinda at the table, sipping what Skye assumed was coffee. Phil loved his coffee while Melinda preferred tea.
“Good morning, Phil. Good morning, Melinda.”
Melinda wished her back, patting the seat next to her. Skye slid in. Phil stepped into the kitchen and brought some chocolate milk for Skye. Skye thanked him. “Others still asleep?” Melinda asked.
“Bobbi and Natasha were when I left Bobbi’s room,” Skye told her. “And Leo’s door was also closed.” She drank her chocolate milk and looked back at Phil, who was moving around in the kitchen. “What are you making, Phil?”
“Chocolate chip pancakes,” Phil answered, with a grin.
Skye’s mouth watered. Phil was a brilliant cook and whatever he made was delicious. His pancakes were awesome and adding chocolate to them would make them better. “Can I help?” she asked. Melinda was in the room, which meant Skye wasn’t much worried. She saw Phil look at her in surprise before nodding in excitement. Skye finished the milk and took the glass to the kitchen. She quickly washed it while Phil pulled out the ingredients.
“Okay Skye. Here’s what we are gonna do,” Phil said. He handed her a bowl. He made her add some floor into it and then sugar, baking powder and salt and asked her whisk them. He took another bowl for himself and added eggs, butter and vanilla. Both of them whisked their mixtures, before Phil combined them and started mixing them together. “We don’t want to overmix it or they won’t be fluffy,” Phil explained, adding chocolate chips to the batter. Skye heard a click and noticed that Melinda had clicked their photo. Skye grinned at her.
Phil taught her how to pour the batter and how to flip the pancakes. Skye ended up spoiling a few but Phil didn’t mind. “No one gets it right in the first try. And you are already doing much better than Melinda.” Skye laughed at that as Melinda glared at them.
“This smells so awesome,” Bobbi said, entering the room. She noticed Skye with Phil and narrowed her eyes. “That was not funny.” Skye giggled.
“What wasn’t funny?” Melinda asked. She sounded amused. Bobbi explained about the post-it note. “I disagree,” Melinda said. “It was funny.”
Bobbi glared at them. Skye carried the syrup and chocolate milk for Bobbi to the table while Phil brought the pancakes and the plates. Skye sat next to Melinda and Bobbi sat opposite her. Phil sat next to Bobbi, in front of Melinda. Skye scooped two pancakes on her plate and started eating. Her diet had improved so much since she got here.
“Oh by the way,” Bobbi said between bites, “we need to go shopping today. We need to get Skye a bike. And then we have to teach her how to ride.”
Skye focused on her plate. She wanted to learn but she didn’t want them to get angry with her. Some part of her mind reminded her that Phil and Melinda had never been angry in the two weeks she had been here. “We’ll leave at about ten?” Melinda asked. Skye looked up at her foster mom who was smiling at her.
“I’ll stay back with whoever is still asleep,” Phil said, with a grin. Skye grinned back at him. After the breakfast was over, they went to the family room and settled down. Phil pulled out UNO cards and they spent the morning playing it. Phil lost most of the games - “you are all cheating” - and Melinda won the most - “you are using your secret ninja skills”.
When Skye went back to her room, Natasha and Leo were still asleep. She pulled out a blue jeans and a red top from the dresser and quickly took a shower. She was ready to leave five minutes before ten. “What are some other things you want to learn, Skye?” Melinda asked as they waited for Bobbi.
“I don’t know,” Skye whispered. She had never really thought about this stuff. What else could she learn? “Skating maybe?”
“I can teach you ice skating,” Melinda said. “Swimming?”
“I can float,” Skye told her, feeling proud. She had learned it without anyone’s help.
Melinda nodded. Bobbi came running down the stairs and soon they were in the car, driving to the mall. Picking a bike was not very difficult. Skye chose a blue one and then Bobbi found a helmet and elbow and knee guards to go with it. Skye was feeling a little overwhelmed by the time they left the mall. Why were Phil and Melinda spending money on her? She had so many new clothes, a new school bag too and now a bike. Did they really mean that they wanted her to stay forever?
Melinda parked the car near a park. Phil, Natasha and Leo were already there with three bikes. Skye’s bike was added to the bunch and they entered the park. Phil had decided to teach Skye how to ride, while Bobbi would ride next to her. He adjusted her seat and made her check the breaks. “Remember, if you feel like the bike is tipping onto one side, use your foot to stop it,” Phil instructed. “And don’t worry I will be right behind you.” He held the bike from behind as Skye started paddling slowly. The bike wobbled a little and Skye gripped the handlebars tightly. She could do it. She focused on the track ahead. Bobbi was riding beside her, almost as slowly. “Pedal Skye, come on,” Phil said encouragingly from behind her. Skye paddled a little faster. She was doing it. She was riding a bike. Natasha and Leo were there too, alongside her. Skye laughed with the freedom that came with two wheels on an open path. The trees blurred past her, and her laughter mingled with the wind. When Skye finally stopped, she turned to look at Phil. To her surprise, he was not holding her bike anymore.
“I did it,” Skye beamed.
“You did it,” Phil said. He was looking at her with pride and it made Skye’s eyes burned with tears. No one had ever looked at her like that.
Bobbi sighed deeply as she settled into the chair beside Hunter and pulled out her lunch bag. She loved her Dad but she did not share his love for history. She was tired as hell. At least it was Thursday today, which meant she would be home sooner. The bed sounded so good right now. Things had been so good at home. Natasha was feeling better about Clint’s relationship with Laura. Skye had been home for almost a month now and Bobbi absolutely loved her. She knew others did too. Leo and Skye shared a love for computers. Skye had even managed to outscore Leo in computers. Her Dad had stuck her test with a magnet on the fridge, along with Bobbi’s biology test, Natasha’s history test and Leo’s math test.
Skye had asked Bobbi for help with science. Bobbi had begun working with her - one hour on Saturdays and Sundays. Skye was a diligent worker though she did have trouble focusing on things that didn’t interest her. Skye had also told Bobbi and Natasha about the Saint Agnes investigation. Bobbi had been infuriated and had questioned her parents on the matter. They had assured that appropriate actions would be taken.
Bobbi noticed and smacked Hunter’s hand when he tried to take her sandwich. “What the hell, Bob? I am hungry,” he complained loudly.
“So am I. Eat your own food,” Bobbi said with a glare, Mack and Elena chuckled at Hunter’s face. “God! I just wanna go home and sleep.”
“I hear you,” Mack said. “What’s going on with Mr. C by the way? He has way too much energy since the last two weeks.”
Bobbi smiled. Mack wasn’t wrong. Her Dad had been keeping his distance from Skye, trying not to make her uncomfortable. It had taken almost two weeks and while Skye had shown interest in history, there had been absolutely nothing else. “He had his moment with Skye about two weeks back,” Bobbi explained to her friends. “She offered to help him in the kitchen and then he taught her how to ride a bike.”
“Ah! The special firsts,” Hunter snorted. Bobbi chuckled. Her Dad was a person who found joy in the smallest of things. Bobbi had read a comic book with him, Natasha had talked to him in English, Skye had helped him in the kitchen. All of that was special enough to make him grin with joy.
They talked a little more until the end of their lunch break. It was time for their elective class. Criminal justice. Bobbi hurried towards the class with Hunter. Things had been going quite well these days. Bobbi liked spending time with Hunter - alright, she did have a crush on him. She liked having deep conversations with Mack and running around with Elena.
“You know I really like you,” Hunter said, as they settled down in their seats. Bobbi blushed. “A lot actually.” He was whispering, trying not to draw attention to themselves. It was working.
“I care about you too,” Bobbi whispered back, willing her cheeks to return to their normal color.
“Good. So, Barbara Morse Coulson, would you please go to the movies with me this Saturday?” he asked with a grin. “I should tell you that Mum has already offered to drop and pick us.”
Bobbi chuckled. “I will talk to Mom and Dad but yes, I would love to go to the movies with you. I should tell you that Dad is not going to be happy about it and he and Mom are probably gonna give you the shovel talk.” Hunter laughed.
Bobbi’s mood stayed joyful all day. She and Hunter had decided not to say anything to their friends now but Bobbi was bursting to tell someone. Which is why as soon as she got into her Mom’s car, she all but screamed, “Hunter asked me on a date.” There were cheers from her siblings and Bobbi saw a small smile on her Mom’s face. “This Saturday afternoon to the movies. Izzy will drive us.”
“It’s fine with me, although I am sure your Dad’s gonna have something to say about it. Maybe we can invite Izzy and Vic to our place for lunch. Should keep him calm.”
“Mom, I really like him,” Bobbi said with a pout.
“I know baby girl,” her Mom said. “Your Dad isn’t going to stop you. He is just not comfortable with the idea of his little princess growing up.”
“He is gonna give Hunter the shovel talk, isn’t he?” Natasha asked. Their mother nodded gleefully. “And you aren’t?”
“Of course, I am. He wants to go out with my baby, he better know what will happen if he hurts her. But I am going to do it once. Phil’s going to give him the stink eye every time.”
That became very clear when Bobbi told her Dad about the date. His first objection was that she was too young. Then he complained that he had not been given enough time to get comfortable with the idea. Skye had cheekily asked him how much time would be enough. Natasha had asked if the time would be in years or decades. “You people are mean,” her Dad had complained.
“Are you excited for your date?” Skye asked Bobbi as they cleared the table after dinner. Bobbi nodded. “What movie are you guys gonna watch?”
“Elemental,” Bobbi answered. She was looking forward to it, to all of it - the movie and the time with Hunter.
Out of a sudden, there was a crash from the kitchen. Skye must have dropped a plate. Bobbi rushed to ensure she hadn’t injured herself. Skye was staring at the broken pieces in horror. “Hey Skye, let’s move away from them,” Bobbi said, putting her hand on Skye’s arm to guide her. Skye jumped and walked back towards the cabinet, tripping over her feet and sinking onto the floor.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to. I am so sorry. Please. I am sorry…”
Oh shit! Bobbi rushed to Skye’s side, calling for her mother. “Hey Skye! It’s okay. Everything’s okay. You are safe.” Her words seemed to be having no effect on Skye, who was shrinking into herself. She was curled on the floor, her knees pressed into her chest. She was apologizing to someone and Bobbi had no idea how to help her.
Her Mom arrived like a savior. She pulled Bobbi into her arms and whispered reassurances before pushing her towards her father. Her Dad held her in his arms. Leo was standing behind him looking scared. Natasha was holding him. Bobbi extended her arm and Leo crashed into her. Bobbi looked over at the kitchen. Her Mom was kneeling beside Skye and was probably saying something. Bobbi had no idea if Skye was actually listening to her. Her Dad pulled her with him to the family room.
“I don’t know what happened,” Bobbi said, once they were inside the room. Leo nestled into Dad’s side while Natasha sat on the bean bag. “I tried helping her Dad,” Bobbi ranted, “I tried telling her everything was fine and that she was safe.”
“She wasn’t Bobbi,” her Dad whispered sadly. “Wherever she is right now, she isn’t safe there. She wasn’t safe there.” She hadn’t been safe. Bobbi had forgotten than the world had bad people too. People like the ones who had hurt Natasha. People like Leo’s father. People who had hurt Skye.
“So,” Leo asked, pulling away and looking at their Dad, “we can’t help her?”
Bobbi sat next to her Dad, waiting for his answer. He looked like he was confused whether to answer them or not. He released a deep sigh and muttered something about wanting to keep them safe. He held Bobbi’s hand, rubbing his thumb on the back of her palm in a soothing motion. “First thing you need to do is remember to stay calm. No sudden movements, no touching her without her permission.”
Bobbi shook her head. She had moved suddenly and she had touched Skye. “I messed up.”
“No Bobbi, no,” her Dad whispered. “You didn’t know.”
“Feels like I should have.”
Her Dad looked really sad when he whispered, “I know. I know.”
He hugged her and Bobbi felt some of her anxiety fading away. Natasha walked up to her and settled on her other side. “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered. Bobbi held her and broke down. She felt guilty, like she should have done something. Her family held her as she cried - rubbing her back, whispering reassurances. By the time Bobbi could stop crying, her Mom was there. They all descended on her, asking about her. She pulled them into her arms, kissed their foreheads and reassured them.
“Skye’s asked me to stay with her. You three will be fine with Phil?” Bobbi nodded, along with Natasha and Leo. “Good.” She picked up her phone from the table and gave their Dad a hug. They held each other for a minute but Bobbi could see the tension drain out of them. They kissed each other lightly on the lips and then her Mom hurried out of the room. Bobbi could hear her run up the stairs. Skye would be okay, she told herself. She had got their Mom with her.