The day had come where I could leave the hospital. Delsin pushed my wheel chair and my dad carried all my flowers and cards. “Dad, why do you have to turn your self in?” I asked as Delsin loaded me into the car. “Because I can’t put you through anymore moving. You were right; you have a life as well. I think you should stay here where you can continue to have it.” He said, crawling into the seat behind me. “Delsin, you take care of my girl but you still have to come get my permission to marry her.” He smirked. The blood rushed to my face. Delsin noticed and laughed as he grabbed my hand. We dropped my father off at the police station. Delsin helped me out of the car and to my father’s side. I wrapped my arms around his neck when I got there and held on to him. “I love you” I said into his chest. “I love you to Mia. Don’t let anything or anyone tell you otherwise.” He said kissing the top of my head. “You will always be my little girl” He said. Delsin grabbed my waist and pulled me back to his side. “I’ll miss you” I yelled after him. He blew me a kiss then opened the door and walked in.

I had no idea if that would be the last time I would see him as a free man or if I would be able to see him afterwards. I buried my face into Delsin’s chest, crying again. I had lost the one man who had been with me forever. I hobbled with Delsin’s help to the car again. “It’s going to be ok Mia” He said holding my hand in the car. I reached up to wipe away the tears that had failed to pass my make-up. I nodded and stared out my window. I wondered what my mother was thinking. Maybe she was thinking I was completely absurd to let him back in my life or maybe she was proud of us for putting the past aside and loving each other again. “I know, I just, its just I haven’t been able to have a normal relationship with him until now and now my only family left was in jail and I have nothing anymore. No where to go, and I have no money.” I complained. “Well, I can fix one of those things; you can come live with me. I know it’s weird since we’ve only known each other-well I’ve actually known you longer so its kind of unfair but still, please do.” Delsin offered. “Are you sure, I mean, I think I have an aunt in New York somewhere and I could go live with her, I don’t want to be a burden on your family.” I said unsure of my answer. “No, I don’t think I would like New York or being away from my family” he joked. I glared at him out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t realize he cared that much about me. “Well, I guess as long as it’s ok with your family” I gave in to my better judgment. He smiled to himself as we drove back to his house, or I guess our house.

He turned to me when we were close to his house. “What are you going to do if he is sentenced the death penalty?” He asked. My head snapped to meet his glare. My eyes were wide and my breath became shallow. “What! “ I gasped. “I-I mean, you didn’t really expect it would just be several years in the slammer and he would be back to you” He said slowly, as if testing my knowledge. “I-I-I, yes” The tears pricked back into my eyes. I turned my eyes back to the road. “Sora, I’m sorry” He said grabbing for my hand, but I moved out of his way. He turned his attention back to the road. I swatted at a few tears that fell down my cheeks. They couldn’t, they wouldn’t! I needed my father. I wonder if they take pity on single fathers. Probably not when their daughters are sixteen and able to live with their boyfriends. We didn’t have to mention that part. “Delsin, what will I do if he is sentenced to-to” I couldn’t bring myself to say it. “Well, that would be for CPS to decide, since you are unfortunately under 18 and not legally an adult.” Hs sighed, realizing that I would have to leave him. “But, that’s so not fair” I grumbled dipping into my seat “I know, It’s totally unfair” He said grabbing my hand.

“How can they just do that?” I asked after a few minutes of silence. “Do what?” He asked. “Take people away from people they love just because they are under 18 or they commit a crime” I continued. “Well it’s just a matter of laws.” He said trying to figure out what I meant. “I mean, in your dads case, Well remember when you would go on time out for doing something you weren’t supposed to do?” He was acting as if I was five. “Yes I remember but what does this have to do with killing my father?” I said impatiently. “Well, it’s the same concept only he kills someone, they kill him. An eye for an eye right?” He said satisfied. “No, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” I pointed out. “True but not unless you have a glass eye.” He joked. “Nothing can replace a human life” I choked. “Sora, I’m sorry” He said as he pulled into the driveway.

“Mom, dad, we’re home” He said wheeling me into the entryway. I looked around, stunned by the house. I had been here once before, but this time the house was filled with “welcome back Sora” signs. “Welcome back” He said in my ear “Oh my goodness, I thought you didn’t leave my side?” I said jokingly. My mood had lightened up a bit. “Ya, well, you were really out of it, mumbling something in gibberish” He smiled. He held his arms out, “May I?” He said. I realized he needed to lift me up the stairs. “Oh, sure” I said trying to help him anyway I could, “No, sit, stay, good” He commanded. He twisted his arms underneath me and I one smooth motion, he was cradling me against his chest. “See, no harm done” He laughed as he easily walked me up the stairs. My arms were wrapped around his neck, clinging for dear life. “Delsin, if you drop me, I swear, I will pummel you with my good leg” I threatened. “Oh, dang” He said moving his arms from underneath me for a split second, letting me fall for a moment. “DELSIN!” I screamed as I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the bottom. He was laughing at me “Geez, sometimes you are way too dramatic.” He laughed as he continued to walk with me up the stairs. “Well you asked for it” I said rolling my still close eyes. “Here we are” He said setting me on the bed and propping me up against the pillows. “Need anything?” He asked. “How am I going to get to school?” I asked. School started on Monday, also known as tomorrow and I was defiantly not ready to go. “Don’t worry, I will have you all ready” He reassured me with a sly grin. “Uh oh, what are you doing now?” I laughed. “You’ll see” He said leaving me alone. Oh no, what was he going to do? McEnna walked in right after he left. “Hey sweetie, how are you?” She asked in a motherly tone as if I had been Westin.  She sat at the foot of my bed. “I’m fine, Thanks for asking though” I said, I couldn’t help feeling something, like protected or safe or, well, something. “Delsin seems to have taken a liking to you.” She said, glancing over her shoulder. “Ya, I can tell”

“No, like you are the first girl he has actually talked more about than his car, or his grades.” She sounded like a teen girl gossiping about Delsin and me. “Ha, well that’s a good thing, I guess” I laughed. “Sora, I think he’s cheating on you with a girl named Mia”

“No, that’s what I go by”

“Oh, Phwew I was worrying, sometimes he talked about Sora, others it was Mia” I had to laugh. “Ya, I prefer Mia” I said controlling my laughter. “Well Mia, if you need anything, anything at all, come to us” She said with a motherly smile. “Will do Mrs.McMan” I said, “Please, Like you I have a nickname, its mom. I know you don’t have a mom; Delsin told us, please call me mom” She said getting up. “Ok, mom” I hesitated at that word; I didn’t know how to say it. So, when you have a mom you say it so many times that you don’t even think about it. This was the first time in years that I was able to say it. I had to savor it. She smiled and left me alone. Several other people walked by my door with out acknowledging my presence. “Hey, Mia. I have a surprise for you” Delsin called as he walked up the stairs. What did he do now?