Melody POV.
I woke up with Demi's arms still wrapped tightly around me.
Naturally I snuggled further into her, just wanting comfort.
I looked up at her and saw her smiling down at me. I hope she doesn't mind me cuddling her.
"Good morning sweetie"
"Morning demi. How long have you been awake?"
"Not long, I woke up to Wilmer and Millie laughing, I'm surprised you slept through it. I think he was tickling her for about twenty minutes" she replied
"Oh. I must have just been really tired"
"You had a rough night sweetheart. How are you feeling?"
All the memories of the night before came flooding back and I was suddenly feeling really self-conscious remembering that Demi had once again seen my vulnerable side.
"Do you wanna talk about what happened melody?"
"No I'm fine" I said bluntly
"Are you sure, you seemed pretty shaken up?"
"It was just a nightmare. It's fine" I said again. That wasn't a complete lie, I did have another nightmare it was also just a combination of true flashbacks that will haunt me forever.
"How about we get up, have some breakfast then plan what to do today?" She suggested.
My heart sank at the thought of eating but I knew I'd have to eat in front of her at some point, I'd just have to get really good at hiding the purging part.
"Ok" I finally answered
"Come on then sweetheart, up we get"
She pulled the covers back and climbed out of bed, she held her hand out for me and led me downstairs.
We reached the living room and I looked up at Demi who was stood silently smiling as she watched Wilmer interacting with Millie.
He was catching up on watching sports whilst giving Millie a bottle at the same time. She was still small enough to be completely laying on his chest. He had one arm holding her body while the other held the bottle. He was talking to her about the rules of football, I don't think she was paying attention but she seemed to just like the sound of her dad's voice.
I can't really remember my real dad. He left my mom when I was four. I don't blame him for leaving, I'd have left her too if I could have.
I'm not gonna lie, I would have liked a dad, someone there to protect me and stop me getting hurt. Someone to sit and watch sports with me. Millie was a very lucky girl to have Demi and Wilmer as parents.
When Wilmer noticed us stood there he got up off the sofa with Millie and walked over to Demi to give her a good morning hug and kiss.
I stood there awkwardly looking at the floor while the three of them shared a family moment.
Demi took Millie from Wilmer and carried her through to the kitchen.
"Hey there melody" Wilmer smiled
"H-hi" I stuttered
"Come on let's go eat"
I followed him into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Demi had just about managed to get Millie to sit in her high chair.
"Wilmer have you fed Millie?"
"She's had half a bottle of milk" he answered
"So you let her fill up on milk before we had the chance to get proper food in her. Nice going daddy" she said sarcastically
"I'd have fed her but I wanted to wait for you, she still seems a little sick"
"Nice excuse" she smirked, setting down a bowl of oatmeal in front of Millie.
She placed, fruit, cereal and toast down on the table and told me to help myself to what I wanted.
She joined us at the table and sipped her coffee whilst spoon feeding Millie.
"Come on melody, eat up. We've go a long day today" she prompted.
I looked at all the food and eventually decided an apple would be the healthiest option. She have me a worried glance but shook it off when I took the first bite.
"What's the plan for today dem?" Wilmer asked her as he poured another cup off coffee.
"Well I was thinking you could go down to the police station and explain our situation and I could take the girls shopping seeing as melody doesn't have anything here"
"Oh so you get the fun part?"
"You can always come and carry the bags" she winked
"No it's fine, I'll go to the police" he said holding his hands up.
"Wait! Why do you have to go to the police!" I suddenly said in a wave of panic.
"Melody calm down sweetheart, you're not going to get in trouble but Wilmer and I might if we don't inform them that you're in our care" demi explained
"So you don't have to tell them about my mom and stepdad?"
They exchanged a knowing glance before Wilmer spoke
"We kind of have no choice, they may think we have kidnapped you. And what they did was wrong sweetheart"
"Will I have to talk to them?"
"Probably sweetie but you'll be ok. All you have to do is tell the truth" demi replied
I didn't trust my voice so I simply nodded.
Due to the serious conversation happening over breakfast Demi was distracted so wasn't concentrating when I stood up and discarded the half eaten apple in the bin.
Demi took Millie to get ready. And Wilmer went for a shower. I showered in the bathroom in my room and changed into my spare outfit. It's not worth describing it's nothing special.
I was just finishing off brushing my hair when a knock came at my door. I told whoever it was to come in so in came Wilmer. I naturally tensed up at being alone in a room with a man.
"Melody, can we talk?"
I nodded and despite my nerves forced a smile.
"Come here sweetheart"
He perched on the end of the bed and patted the space next to him. I sat down and nervously waited for what was going to happen.
"Is there anything you want to tell me about your mom and stepdad before I go to the police?"
Inside I was screaming at myself to tell him everything that happened and about the mysterious letter but I couldn't get anything out.
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing happened
I couldn't.
"Melody it's ok, you can trust me"
"I've got nothing to tell you"
"Would you feel more comfortable talking to Demi?"
"There's nothing to say" I said again
"Ok well I'm just warning you, social services and the police will want to speak with you."
"Will I have to do it on my own?"
"Not if you don't want to" he reassured me.
"Ok thank you Wilmer"
I gave him a genuine smile this time.
"Do I get a hug?" He pouted like a little girl which caused me to start laughing.
I nodded and let him wrap his arms around me. It felt different to being in Demi's arms but I still got that sense of security from him.
"WILMER!" We heard demi shout
He let go of me and jokingly rolled his eyes
"Let's go see what the princess wants" he laughed, taking my hand and bringing me with him.
"Yes my dearest" he said sarcastically when we reached Demi.
"Where's Millie's pushchair?"
"In the back of my car. I'll go get it and put it in yours"
He pecked her lips before going out of the house.
"You ready to go sweetheart?" Demi smiled
"Yeah but Demi, you really don't have to get me anything"
"Melody, you deserve treating and that's exactly what I intend to do. No arguments you young lady are getting a whole new wardrobe today"
I couldn't stop myself from walking up to her and hugging her. She kissed the top of my head before I pulled away.
"Thank you Demi"
"Anything for my big girl"
Great even Demi thought I was fat. It's going to be so embarrassing when she sees the size of the clothes she has to buy me.
Millie put up a bit of a fight when Demi pulled her away from her toys.
"No mommy" she whined
"Baby, we're going shopping. You can play later" she reasoned as she put a few bottles in Millie's baby bag.
"Come on girls let's get going"
She placed Millie on her hip and picked up her bag. We said goodbye to Wilmer and Demi let me ride upfront in the car next to her.
It felt really natural being with Demi. She just asked me about films and music and what clothes I liked. I told her she'd probably have to pick them out for me as I'm not used to shopping. She happily agreed as she said she loves shopping.
When we arrived and got out the car Millie was refusing to go in the pushchair. She wanted to walk and hold my hand. I got such a warm feeling when she put her little toddler hand in mine. I was so happy she finally trusted me.
"Millie, you're going in the pushchair when you get tired" Demi firmly told her.
We walked around and I was too busy smiling at Millie to notice all the clothes Demi was piling onto of the pushchair.
"Right misses, I think these should fit you. Let's go try them on"
Great.
Clearly not everything Demi picked out for me was long sleeved.
She picked up shorts, skirts, dresses.
They were all really cute but would look horrible on me.
I followed her to the dressing rooms and she said she'd wait outside the door. Before I went in she fastened Millie in the pushchair and passed her a bottle. I think she was hoping she'd go down for a nap.
I looked at the label on the first dress. Age 8.
Not bad considering I'm 11 but I'd rather be smaller.
I changed into the dress and it fit. I suppose it would look really nice if it wasn't for all the bruises and scars that covered my body.
I took it off and stared at myself in the mirror. I was stood there in my underwear and training bra, looking myself up and down in disgust.
I opened my legs a little and you could still visibly see marks and dark purple bruises on the top of my thighs.
God they were painful.
I don't even want to think about what my private area looks like right now.
I was snapped from my thoughts when Demi knocked on the door to try and get my attention.
"Melody sweetie, I just saw this. It's really cute try it on for me"
She threw something over the top of the door. I looked and it was a tiny pink patterned bikini.
Well here goes nothing.
I put it on and just stared. I really was nothing, I can't believe Demi even decided to speak to me on that plane, never mind invite me to live with her.
I lightly traced over my cuts an bruises, wincing in pain as some were still sore.
"Melody, is everything ok?" Demi asked through the door
"Y-yeah" my voice cracked
I hadn't even realised I'd started crying until I spoke. Brilliant, now she knows something's wrong.
I don't know how to get out of this.
"Darling are you ok. Can I come in?"
No
No
No
Please don't come in.
"I'm f-fine D-demi"
"No you're not, sweetheart I'm gonna unlock the door now ok"
I heard her unlock the door from the outside and my natural instincts made me retreat into the corner. My arms wrapped around my body, trying to cover as much of me as possible.
"Oh melody"
Demi's voice was soft and gentle when she saw me.
She walked forward and pulled my arms away from my body despite my crying protests.
She looked me up and down and her eyes filled with this.
"Sweetheart who did this"
Think quick melody. Don't tell her the truth. They will find you and get you.
"Some kids at school"
A/n
Ok so how do you want Demi to find out how melody really got battered and bruised!???