| Michael arrived at the apartment at five o’clock to pick up Cassie. She was sitting waiting for her father in her best outfit. She had had a bath and was squeaky clean. He rang the doorbell and Cassie ran to the door eagerly and opened it jumping into her father’s arms. “Hey baby,” he said hugging her tight. “Hello daddy,” Cassie said hugging him back. “Where are we going?” “Well we’re going to go get some Pizza and then go to the cinema and we can see whatever you like.” “Cool,” Cassie said beaming at him. She then scrambled to get loose and ran to her room to get her shoes and coat. Maria made her way over to him and could see that his face had quickly changed from loving to furious. “I can’t believe you told Isabel that!” he said in a low voice to her. “It’s true though,” she snarled. “Why do you think I left?” “I never slept with her,” he snarled back. “I was trying to find out who she was. And as I’m sure Isabel has told you she was a …” “…. a Skin. I know. It doesn’t change what I saw.” “What did you see? You saw her come out from having a shower Maria. You didn’t catch me in bed with her!” “I know what I know.” “Which is bulsh!t Maria. I didn’t do anything with her! And even if I had, it still gave you no right to keep my child from me!” Maria sighed in exasperation. “I didn’t keep her from you. I just didn’t want out involved. I was too cross at you, I still am. You hurt me Michael. Can’t you see that?” “But I didn’t do anything!” He slammed his hand into the wall in frustration making a slight dent. “You hurt me too Maria. You just left. No note, nothing. What was I meant to think? And you’ve kept my daughter from me. That hurts too Maria. You’re not the only one whose been hurt. And for what? Something I didn’t even do.” His voice had risen to dangerous levels and unknown to them both a six year old was standing in her doorway watching the scene with tears in her eyes. She didn’t understand why everyone was so cross. Michael continued with his rant. “I saw a lawyer today, I thought you’d like to know. He reckons I’ve got a good case.” Maria froze and her eyes welled up. “You can’t take her from me,” she said starting to cry. “She’s all I’ve got. I love her more than you can imagine.” “Well now you know what it feels like!” Michael snarled. Tears started to fall down Maria’s face and Michael looked away and was shocked to see Cassie standing in the door looking upset. He hadn’t realised she was there. “Daddy?” she asked confused. “Mommy?” Maria wiped her face. “Sweetheart,” she said with a watery smile the tears still falling. “I didn’t realise you were there. I’m sorry you had to hear us.” Cassie walked over and hugged her mother tight who was knelt down. “Don’t cry mommy, everything will be okay.” Maria pulled back and smiled. “You have a lovely time, and I’ll see you later.” Michael suddenly lifted her up and walked out of the apartment. When he was gone Maria burst into tears as it seemed like her worst fears were starting to come true. She walked over to the phone and picked it up dialling the number she had been given by Isabel earlier. “Hello,” a voice said, answering the phone. “Alex,” Maria sobbed. “Maria,” Alex said his voice changing to worried immediately. “What’s happened? Isabel told me all about it. I’m so sorry Ria.” “We, we got into a fight,” Maria said with a sob. “Then he said he’d seen a lawyer and he’s said Michael has a good chance of getting custody.” Maria started to cry and Alex made soothing noises over the phone as best he could. “Alex, what if he takes her away from me. I don’t know what I’d do. I love her so much. She means everything to me.” “Look Maria,” Alex said. “We’re coming to get you now, okay. Pack up some of your stuff and Cassie’s and we’ll be around as soon as we can.” “Okay,” Maria said attempting to stop crying. “Okay, bye Maria.” Twenty minutes later the doorbell went and Maria made her way over to the door to see Isabel and Alex standing there. Alex enveloped her in a hug as Isabel stroked her hair. They sat down on the sofa as Maria explained to them how he’d just left with her and that she was starting to wonder if he’d bring her back. She started to cry again and Isabel hugged her tight rocking her back and forth as she stroked her hair. Alex made his way into Maria’s room where he saw three small bags and a box, which contained what little there was of Cassie’s toys. He picked up two of the suitcases and made his way down to the car. “Okay, let’s go,” Isabel said when Alex came back up. She helped Maria up and wrapped her arm around her. Maria was feeling exhausted from all her crying and just wanted to get away from the horrible place. An hour later they had unpacked the car and were sitting down for a take-away dinner of Chinese food. Isabel had whilst Maria and Alex were out getting the food, sent a text to Michael telling him where to drop Cassie off. “So, what have you guys been up to?” Maria asked them. “Well we got married 6 months ago,” Isabel said beaming over at Alex who smiled back. “Alex is an excellent computer technician and I’ve got a career in fashion, modelling and designing.” “Well done guys,” Maria said smiling happily at them. “I’m really happy for you guys.” “So tell us about Cassie,” Alex said. “I’m very curious.” Maria’s face lit up. “Well she’s beautiful. She’s a perfect mix of Michael and me. Here’s a photo,” she said reaching into her pocket and handing it to him. “She’s beautiful,” Alex said handing the photo back to her. “She’s a wonderful kid. She’s got a really great personality. She’s so chatty. And asks so many questions. She’s head of her class in school. I don’t know if it’s an alien thing or something but she’s so smart. She catches onto things really quickly.” “Has she got powers?” Isabel asked. “Yea. It was weird. I didn’t really have to explain it to her. She was about 4 years old when they first showed. I was cutting up the vegetables for dinner and I cut my finger. She walked over and she placed her hand over my finger. Her hand glowed and it sorta tingled. And that was pretty much it. When I asked her about it she just said, I understand. It comes from daddy. We never really talked about it. She knows not to use her powers and I’ve never had to tell her off for it.” Isabel raised her eyebrows. “Quite a kid.” Maria nodded. “She is. Oh, wait until you get to know her properly. She’s just wonderful. And she’ll love being around people like her. I think that’s a part of the reason she bonded with Michael so easily. She knew he was like her.” Isabel leaned over and gave her a hug. “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure it is.” “Thanx Isabel. You’ve no idea how much it means to me how you guys are being.” Alex smiled and grabbed her hand. “You’ve gotta understand the reason I didn’t keep contact was because I didn’t want Cassie to become a problem.” “We know,” Alex said squeezing her hand. “But we’re here now and we’ll make sure everything is okay.” “Why don’t you go get some sleep?” Isabel suggested. “We’ll wait up for Cassie.” “Are you sure?” “Yea, she knows me anyway and if there’s any problems I’ll come and get you.” “Okay.” Maria wandered off in the direction that Isabel had shown her earlier was to be her room. *** Maria woke up and glancing over at the clock saw that it was only 11 o’clock. Why had she woken up so early? “You can’t say that to her!” she heard a voice shout. It sounded like Isabel’s. She tiptoed quietly out and was surprised to see Alex holding Cassie whilst Isabel ripped into Michael. She walked out of her hiding place and asked, “What’s going on here?” Isabel turned startled to see her. “I’m sorry Maria, did we wake you?” “It doesn’t matter,” she said with a shake of her head. “Why’s Cassie still up?” “Michael’s only just brought her,” Alex said in a quiet voice. “Oh,” she said in realisation. She walked over to the group. She looked up to Michael and said, “Don’t you think we should talk?” He glared at her and turned to leave. She reached out and grabbed his arm. She was surprised when she received a flash. *FLASHBACK* “I love you Maria,” Michael murmured as he hovered above her naked. She arched up into him and managed to moan out, “I love you too Michael.” He gently eased into her coming up against her barrier. She nodded her head and said, “I want it to be you. No-one else could do this. No-one else.” He pulled back and kissing her fiercely broke through the barrier. Tears came to her eyes at the pain. He stopped, waiting for her to adjust to him. When she nodded and moved her hips slightly he continued. Their breathing increased, becoming quicker and heavier as their emotions started to ascend. *END OF FLASHBACK* Maria and Michael both gasped as they came back and stared at each other, remembering. “Michael,” Maria murmured. “I-I gotta go,” Michael said and run out of the door before Maria could stop him. TBC |
| Part 5 |
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