Melody
"Momma!"
Giovanni ran straight to hug me as I stepped in.
"Sweetheart," I hugged my son and brushed my fingers through his locks.
"Where were you, Momma?" He queried.
He looked sad as he asked me where I had gone to. I have never seen emotion of any kind on Giovanni's face but right now, despondency was visible on his face.
"I went for a run," I replied truthfully.
I have never lied to my kids and I do not intend to start now.
"A run? In the forest?" He asked again.
I know that Giovanni is a smart kid and whatever I'd say to him must be well thought about. Especially since I didn't want to lie to him.
"Yes son. I needed to clear my head."
"Oh," He replied and his furrowed brow was released. "So, do you have a clear head now?"
Give it to Giovanni to never relent until he's gotten the answer to his questions.
"Yes, dear. My mind is all sorted now." I replied.
"I'm glad you're okay, Momma," he hugged me.
Guess I frightened him, but how did he get to know that I was gone?
At this moment, Dorian came to me. He hugged me and inhaled my hair, and his hand caressed my back.
"I'm sorry, Mel. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Dorian didn't care that there were others around. He just went on with his apology. And as much as I wanted to be mad at him, I couldn't be.
I just couldn't stay mad at Dorian.
"It's okay." I hugged him back and he sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Mel. Thank you so much." He kissed me.
"Get a room," Malcom scoffed, reminding me of his presence in the room.
Why were they all gathered here? I wondered.
Were they planning to go look for me? What happened?
"How are you feeling?" Malcolm asked, his eyes showed immense worry.
He was worried about me. My mind warmed up at the thought. However, fear sets in immediately. Malcolm cares so much for me now. Will he still do so if he finds out about my identity?
"I feel good." I lied
I was conflicted and sad.
I want to be selfish and keep the truth from Malcolm because I don't want to lose him. The love and affection my brothers have shown is the most genuine thing in my life and I don't want to lose that but I just can't bring myself to say it.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," Malcolm's words stunned me.
Find out this way.
What is he talking about?
"Listen Mel."
He took me to the big chair in Dorian's study. He made me sit and he squatted in front of me, making me feel like a child that is about to get scolded.
"Whatever Dorian told you is true, and...."
"Huh?" I gasped.
What does he mean by whatever Dorian told me is true? Did he somehow find out about what Dorian told me?
"Believe it, Mel. It's true and I've known this truth for a long time."
My head banged like it was struck by an invisible rod.
Did he already know about it? Since a very long time? How? Why didn't he say anything?
I looked at everyone in the room and blinked repeatedly, pinching myself at the same time to be sure that I just heard that, and that it was not my imagination.
"But...."
"Malfoy and I love you regardless of how you came to this world," Malcolm added as he squeezed my hand.
Malfoy knows too?
My knees felt weak and I could hardly remain seated.
If Malcolm and Malfoy know then Mother knows too. Gosh, what am I thinking? She must have known from the beginning. Yet she loved me.
My birth was supposed to ruin their marriage but she stayed with her husband and loved me regardless. She never made me feel like she didn't give birth to me. Not once did I feel that way.
How do I face her now?
"Mother loves you the most, Mel. You know it." Malcolm spoke as if he could read my mind.
I know it and now that I know my identity it hurts more.
How can she love her husband's illegitimate child?
"Your identity means nothing. You are still our sister. My mother's daughter, okay?"
I couldn't help my tears at Malcom's words. I placed my head on his chest and he pampered me like a child.
How did I get so lucky?
"How did I get so lucky to have you as my brother?"
Malcolm chuckled and rubbed my hair. The same way I do to Giovanni.
"Because you're Melody. The goddess' favourite."
I smiled as Malcolm's hands messed with my hair as he stepped away. "Now stop being a baby. You are a mother of two."
I laughed at his comment and my heart somehow felt lighter.
"I'm glad you're okay, Mel."
Derek.
His statement announced his presence as well and I had to look at him.
"Why have you come here exactly?"
I wanted to hear him state his reasons for being here and what better opportunity do I need.
"I'm here for you and my pups," Derek stated honestly.
He didn't dillydally. He just went straight to the point. He has always been like that.
"You're here for us?" I frowned. "Why?"
I pretended as if I hadn't learnt his reasons from Malcolm.
"I want you back in my life, Mel. I want to spend my life with you."
Derek has always been straightforward in his approach and this time was no less. He came to me with the speed of light and Malcolm gave way to him but this brought Dorian to his feet, highly alerted.
I can't have them both fighting when Giovanni is here.
"I want to be a part of my children's life. I want to be there for them."
He sounded so pitiful that I would have doubted it was him if he wasn't standing in front of me. I let out a heavy sigh and took his hand.
"I agree."