Night Changes

Skye was safe. Someone was holding her and that someone was warm and comfy. The arms wrapped around her felt just right. Where was she? And how did she end up here? She had been in the kitchen with Bobbi, talking about Bobbi’s date with Hunter and then - then she had dropped the plate. She remembered it now. She had dropped the plate and suddenly she was seven and Mr. Anderson was there, screaming at her, pulling out his belt. Skye shivered and the arms tightened around her. She opened her eyes slowly and found herself snuggled by Melinda’s side.

Melinda. She had been there last night. She had been there, reminding Skye where she was, breathing with her, asking her to name things around her. Skye had asked her to stay, practically begged her to stay. And she had stayed. Why?

“Hey! Come back to me, baby girl.”

Skye moved a little to look at Melinda. She was smiling gently, her fingers were combing through Skye’s hairs. It felt so good. It felt like nothing would ever be wrong. “I am sorry,” Skye whispered.

“You don’t have to be sorry for anything, tián xīn,” Melinda whispered. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I broke the plate. And then -” Skye didn’t know how to describe what had happened after that. “I am sorry I made you stay here.”

“Skye, bǎo bǎo look at me.” Skye looked at Melinda. “I am glad you asked me to stay. I am glad you trusted me enough. Thank you for that.”

“No one stayed before,” Skye whispered. Melinda’s hands tightened around her and Skye scooted further, hot tears escaping her eyes. She wanted to cry and scream and hit something. She wanted to stop feeling so many things. She wanted it to stop hurting. She let out a small scream and the arms around her tightened further. Melinda wasn’t saying anything but one of her hands was slowly and gently rubbing Skye’s back.

When Skye woke up again, sun had risen up and there was a lot of light in the room. Melinda was no longer lying next to her but sitting, with her laptop on her lap. Skye wasn’t sure what the time was but she instinctively knew that she was late for school. Why hadn’t Melinda woken her up? And why wasn’t she getting ready for her training institute? She sat up slowly; she was still tired.

“Good morning,” Melinda said, setting aside her laptop. “How are you doing?” She reached over to Skye’s forehead but paused for permission. Skye nodded. “No fever. Anything else?”

“Tired,” Skye said, her voice raspy. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” Skye noticed Melinda had showered and changed. She couldn’t hear any other sounds from the house though. Was everyone gone?

“You were tired, honey. I thought you needed the rest.”
“Aren’t you gonna go for work?”

“Not today. You and I get to stay at home and order something for lunch. Why don’t you take a shower and I will order something for us?” Melinda ruffled Skye’s hairs and got up from the bed. She pointed at Skye’s desk. “Everyone left you some notes.” Saying that she walked out of the room.

Skye got up from her bed and stretched her limbs. She was confused. Melinda had stayed with her. Melinda wasn’t angry with her. Everyone had left her notes. She reached over and picked them.

Hey Angel eyes,
Hope you are feeling well.
Lots of love,
Phil.

Hey little sis,
I am sorry I couldn’t help you. Hope you are doing better.
Love you!
Bobbi (your fav sis).

Hey сестра,
Keep your head high.
Love,
Natasha.

Hey Skye,
Will miss you at school. Feel good.
Love you,
Leo.

Skye wiped her eyes. Why? Why were they all so good? Why were they not upset with her? She had caused so much trouble last night. Why was no one angry? Why did they say that they loved her? How could they love her? She was the problem child; the child with the devil inside her. Right? They weren't supposed to like her. Why then? She screamed loudly. WHY?

Suddenly Melinda was there, holding her, shushing her, kissing her forehead, reassuring her. She was there and Skye didn't care about the reasons. She was there, holding Skye like no one had ever held her before. Skye cried. How many times had she already cried today? But it didn't matter. None of it mattered. Melinda held her as if she was something precious.

“Why?” Skye asked. “Why aren’t you guys angry? At Saint Agnes, everyone would always get angry. They told me I was always overreacting, that I was a problem, that I had the devil inside me. Why are you guys so good to me?”

“Skye, hey! Baby, listen to me,” Melinda said. She put a hand under Skye’s chin and lifted her head. “They were wrong. What happened last night - that wasn’t your fault. No matter what anyone says. That was not overreacting. You couldn’t help it, Skye. And I am so sorry that something scared you so much. And you are not a problem or a devil or whatever they said. You are my baby - my precious baby. And I love you. I love you so much.”

Skye looked at her in shock. “You love me?” she asked. Why would Melinda love her?

“So much,” Melinda said.

Skye threw her hands around Melinda, almost climbing into her laps. They were sitting on the floor beside her bed. Melinda pulled her into her arms and held her, rocking both of them. She pulled back after a while and gently wiped Skye’s face. “Shower, then brunch. I have already ordered some Chinese food.” Skye sniffled. Melinda pressed a kiss on her forehead and helped her get up. “You’ll be okay?” Skye nodded. She picked up the notes and put them in her drawer, where all the other notes were. Pulling out a change of clothes, she followed Melinda out of the room.

The warm shower, like Melinda had suggested, had been therapeutic. It had done wonders to Skye’s aching muscles. She had changed into shorts and a t-shirt. It was eleven now. Wow! She didn’t think she had ever slept for so long before. She went downstairs. It felt so good to be able to cry. Melinda hadn’t told her to just deal with it, nor had she been angry with Skye’s emotions. She had just been there.

When Skye walked into the family room, Melinda was setting up the food. The tv was on and Tom & Jerry was playing on it. Skye grinned; her favorite cartoon and the food smelled delicious. “This is Kung Pao Chicken,” Melinda said. She put some of it on a plate for Skye and served with rice. There were also some spring rolls. “You want fork? Spoon? Chopsticks?”

“Will you teach me how to use chopsticks?” Skye asked, feeling brave. Melinda loved her. She wouldn’t mind. Right?

Melinda didn’t mind. She handed Skye a pair of chopsticks and  served a plate for herself. She exaggerated her motions, showing Skye how to use the chopsticks. Skye tried a few times but the food kept slipping. “May I?” Melinda asked. Skye nodded. Melinda placed her hand over Skye’s and it fit so perfectly - like a piece of the puzzle. She helped Skye pick up the food - gently and firmly - and fed her. Skye grinned and then tried herself. She managed to do it this time.

They ate in silence, watching the cartoon on the television. The house was quiet, like it never had been. Skye wondered how the others were doing. Bobbi’s note made it sound like she felt guilty for not helping Skye. “Melinda?”

“Yes baby.”

Skye blushed at the endearment. Melinda’s voice was full of so much love that Skye could feel its warmth spread over her body. “How did you know what to do yesterday?”

Melinda put her plate on the coffee table and turned so she was facing Skye. “I learned these things during my job with the FBI.” That was so cool. But that also meant that Skye wasn’t the only one who experienced such things. “I also re-learned them when I went to see a therapist.”

“You went to one of those?” Skye asked, surprised by the fact. Natasha had told her about Dr. Morgan, and Bobbi had said that they had all been to her.

“I did,” Melinda confessed. “I didn’t want to. It felt stupid to talk to someone about my nightmares. But Phil insisted.”

“What do you see in your nightmares?” Skye asked without really thinking about it. She bit her tongue. “I am sorry. You don’t have to tell me.”

“I know,” Melinda said, reaching and gently taking Skye’s hand in hers. “I see that someone is taking you people away from me. Or sometimes about some old mission I did for FBI.” Skye scooted closer to Melinda, who immediately held her. Warm and safe. “Skye, tián xīn, I know you don’t want to go to a therapist but it can help.”

Skye tensed up. She had seen one of those doctors before, about two-three years ago. Her school had insisted. The doctor had listened to her and then told her that she was making up false stories. He had also told the nuns. That had resulted in a thorough scolding from Sister Margaret. Everyone at Saint Agnes had teased her, calling her crazy. Skye didn’t want to see another doctor, even if Melinda thought it would help. She didn’t want Ward to find out. He already ridiculed her about being a foster kid. All of this came tumbling out in front of Melinda.

“Skye, if someone is bullying you at school, then we need to report it. Okay?” Skye wanted to but no one ever believed her. “I believe you. So does Phil. And I assure you, your teachers would too. And about the doctor. No one outside the family and Miss Dsouza has to know that you are seeing one. And whatever you share with the doctor will be confidential. She won’t tell anyone, and if she has to file a complaint - like we did with Saint Agnes - she will tell you first. She will talk to Phil and I about how we can help you but she wouldn’t tell us anything that you tell her. And if you don’t like her, we will find someone else.”

Skye couldn’t believe her ears. Melinda listened to her. She believed her. She was telling her that others would believe her too. She wanted to help her. She loved her. Skye scooted further into her arms and whispered a soft ‘okay’. Melinda pressed a small kiss on her forehead and held her. Warm and safe.

They got up at about two and cleaned their plates. After changing into jeans, Skye got into the car as Melinda drove them to the school to pick the others. Leo was waiting outside and hurriedly got into the car, asking Skye too many questions about her well-being. He told her all the stuff that had been covered in the classes and also promised to help with math. Bobbi was already helping with science. “I also got your French work from Piper,” he told her. Skye groaned. She was starting to find French a little difficult.

“I can help you if you want,” Melinda offered, from the front seat.
“You speak French too? Tasha said you spoke Russian and I know you speak Chinese.”
“I speak all of those and also Spanish, Italian, German and some Japanese.”
“That is so cool.”

They arrived at the high school. Bobbi and Natasha were waiting outside and to Skye’s surprise, so was Phil. He didn’t have his bag with him though. Skye realized he was only there to make sure she was fine. Skye assured him of that, and also hugged Bobbi and Natasha. Bobbi felt really guilty for not being able to help her. Skye didn’t like her guilt but she loved how all of them wanted to help her. She loved how Bobbi held her hand and Leo told tales about the day. She loved how Natasha was just there. She loved the gentle, reassuring smile on Melinda’s face. She could get used to this.

Exhausted didn’t even begin to explain what Phil was feeling. His family was hurting. Skye, who was always bursting with energy, had taken an early night. Bobbi and Natasha had been worried all day and he was sure Leo had been too. Bobbi felt guilty too and no matter how many times Phil told her that she did nothing wrong, it didn’t help. Phil understood her guilt well. How many times had he been unable to help Melinda? How many times did he have to take a step back because Natasha and Skye would feel more comfortable with Melinda? It was not easy. He stayed behind, he tried not to overwhelm them but it was not easy. They were his kids and he needed to keep them safe. His love language was hugs and cuddles but he couldn’t do that. He knew the girls had nothing against him but that didn’t make it better. He wished there was something he could do to assure them.

“Skye agreed to talk to Dr. Morgan,” Melinda told him, joining him on the bed. Phil stretched his arm out and she snuggled against it. “That Ward boy has been bullying her. I will be talking to her teacher on Monday.”

“You had good chat with her, huh?” Phil couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous.

“She is hurting so much, Phil. She has got so much anger within her and no outlet.” Melinda shared with him, everything Skye had told her. Phil’s heart broke for the girl. What were those people doing? They were supposed to protect her. They should have protected her. How could so many people fail her? Phil swore to never be added to that list.

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Phil asked. Bobbi was going on a date with Hunter. Phil scoffed. Hunter might be a decent boy but no one would ever be good enough for his daughter.

“Skye is looking forward to meeting Izzy and Vic,” Melinda told him. “I am making pecking duck and mandarin pancakes. You can handle dessert.”

“Already done,” Phil said. He and Leo had made coffee and chocolate custard pots. Leo was not overly fond of cooking but he liked making desserts. That boy had a big sweet tooth.

Melinda slid down the bed, pulling Phil with him. “Natasha and Skye have promised to help me with cooking. I am looking forward to it.” Phil smiled, pressing his lips to her shoulder, feeling her slip into sleep. He had enjoyed his own cooking sessions with Skye. She was a good helper, just needed someone nearby - still afraid of being alone with Phil.

Phil loved his family. His beautiful wife who had been by his side through everything. They had met at the job and were made partners. Several missions together - several victories and several losses - and somewhere between the celebration and mourning, they had fallen in love. They had married about twenty years ago - a small ceremony with their parents and closest friends.

About five years after their wedding, Phil and Melinda had gone a mission in Texas. A terrorist group had taken hostages in a secluded warehouse. Phil and Melinda had led their team into the warehouse. The building had been rigged with explosives. Phil had led a part of the team to take down the explosives, while Melinda had led the assault to free the hostages. She had saved so many lives that day, earning the title of the Cavalry. But she mourned the two lives she couldn’t save.

A ten year old girl, Katya, had been among the hostages. She had been scared and brave, managing to escape her captors. Melinda had tried to reach her, even taking a bullet to her calf but Katya had been caught in the cross-fire. She had been shot accidentally and despite everything Melinda did to save her, Katya had succumbed to her injuries in Melinda's arms.

The second life had been their unborn child’s. They had both stepped into the mission unaware of Melinda’s pregnancy. She had taken a lot of hits, losing their baby in the process. Melinda had been heartbroken. She had seen it as a failure, being unable to protect Katya and their baby.  She had left the field after that, taking on desk duty, and completely given up on the idea of becoming a mother.

About eight years ago, Izzy and Vic - Isabelle Hartley and Victoria Hand - had adopted a child, introducing them to the idea of being foster parents. Melinda had been skeptical at first, second guessing herself but her therapist had helped. And then Phil had been injured on a mission. He was still surprised he survived. They had dropped the idea for some time, focusing on their own mental health and also retiring from FBI, having completed their twenty years. Melinda had set up a gym and martial arts training center. Phil had gotten his own teacher’s certification and taken up the job at the high school, thus setting the tone for their new life.

And what a beautiful life it was. He had four remarkable kids - smart and resilient - and he loved them so much. Bobbi, his brave daughter, never shying away from anything. Natasha, the quiet one, as fiery as the color of her hairs. Leo, his little monkey, full of knowledge and compassion. And Skye, snarky and sweet, never giving up even when she had every reason too.

His family