michael.

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I will always not like being roughly awoken by chaotic shaking. A nice tap on the shoulder, a whisper in the ear, maybe even a blowjob would all suffice as acceptable, Michael-approved ways of waking me up. Jude however, wasn't into light tapping or whispering and I'd most definitely pass having him blow me till my eyes fluttered open.

"What time is it?" I groaned, my voice cracking as my eyes tried to adjust to the sunlight pouring into my bunk.

"8:30," Jude answered.

"It's so early," I groggily commented. "I thought sound check wasn't until 3PM."

"It's isn't, but there seems to be a change of plans," Jude informed me.

"What?" I asked suspiciously, almost not wanting to know what these new plans were.

"Social service reps will be coming today," he announced and my once tired eyes widened with shock.

"The hell? Already? When are they going to be here?"

"Any minute now. So I suggest you get up, get dressed and try to tidy up this place as much as you can. What the hell happened in here anyway? It looks like a tornado blew through," he observed. I hadn't had a chance to clean up after last night's monkey-seeking rampage.

"Nothing," I groaned, hopping out of my bed to grab some clean clothes. After splashing my face with cold water and brushing my teeth, I changed my clothes into something more appropriate. I wanted to look like a suitable father but seeing that I only had band shirts and skinny jeans with holes at the knees, I opted for articles of clothing without rips or holes.

I didn't want to mess this up. This was the first visitation without my mum and I didn't want to let her down; mostly, I didn't want to let Melody down. Despite the fact that she hates me and after last night she really hates me, Melody was so accustomed to the people around her. I couldn't let her be stripped of the boys, Jude, Gail and my mum who seemed to have adopted the little diva as their own.

I scrambled to clean up the bus, stuffing things into cupboards and boxes instead of where they normally belonged. Had I really made this big of a mess last night?

"Hey, Mikey what's going on?" Calum had his groggy self peeking out of his bunk, bed hair adorning the top of his head.

"Social services are coming," I told him, running up the bus into the back room to throw some of Melody's toys into the bin. "And I'm trying to tidy this place up," I ran back down the bus to the kitchen area to pop two slices of super healthy, whole wheat, organic bread into the toaster.

"Do you need help?" Calum asked, finally out of his bunk and sitting in the seat opposite of me. I turned around to the tired looking bass player. I really didn't want to bother him anymore.

"It okay. I'm just gonna make breakfast for Melody and then wake her up," I explained. "You can go back to bed. I got this."

"You don't have to do it alone you know," Calum declared, approaching the small fridge to grab one of Melody's 100% juice boxes and the jar of strawberry preserves. He handed them to me and added, "we're here for you."

"I know," I took the cold jar of toast embellishments out of Calum's hand with a smile. "But you guys do so much for me already. I think I can handle waking up my own daughter."

"Make breakfast," Calum smiled as I slathered the thick, sugar-free, organic jam on the toast. "I'll get Melody."

Before I can object, Calum had already turned around and walked away. I smiled to myself, realizing how amazing my friends were and no matter how many times I act like an asshole towards them, they seemed to bounce back into my life with open arms. Just as I placed the plate of food and juice onto the table, Calum approached with a sleepy Melody resting on his hip.

"Good morning sweetheart," I smiled earnestly, hoping that she had forgotten all about last night's events. "Come eat breakfast with me."

Calum sat Melody down on the chair while I sat opposite of her. She looked down at the food before looking at Calum with a pout. She wasn't happy and she obviously hadn't forgotten about last night. Calum crouched down beside her and pushed the plate closer towards her.

"It's okay, eat your breakfast. Your daddy made it for you," he mentioned. Melody continued to stay silent, sitting stationary in the chair with her hands in her lap. Calum looked up at me with a hurt and apologetic expression, "not really sure what to do, man."

"It's okay, thanks for trying," I sighed, slouching in my seat. I snatched the package of Poptarts on the table and opened up the silver wrapping. I took a bite of the sugary pastry, looking at Melody who still sat unmoving. Just then, the bus door opened with Jude walking up the steps and a pristine looking woman following behind.

"Michael," Jude began and gestured for the woman behind him, "this is Paula Stewart from social services, she'll be conducting the checkup today."

I dropped the Poptarts in my hands back onto the table and stood up. I wiped the crumbs away by swiping my hands on my pants, and brandished out my arm. Miss Paula Stewart shook my hand and I looked at the polished woman before me, who had the power to take children away from families.

"Hello Mr. Clifford," her voice was stern and had an authoritarian vibe laced with each step she took. The social service reps that I'd met in the past were homely, kind, and understanding. This lady however, was straight out of the devil's nightmare.

"I'll be getting out of your way so you can proceed with the check up," Jude waved, giving me an assuring smile before walking out of the bus.

"So, um, this is the bus," duh, Michael.

"How has Melody been doing in your care without the assistance of your mother? According to the notes from the last check up," Paula opened up the dark blue folder in her hands, glancing at whatever important paperwork was inside before lifting her gaze back to me,"social services were very impressed with the care that had been provided for Melody."

"My mum's great," I pipped up, my voice shaky as I suddenly felt subservient in the presence of Miss Paula Stewart.

"I'm sure she is, but I'll have you know that some representatives don't pay attention to the details as they should be; they aren't as thorough as I am," she spoke, and I felt my back heat up from nervousness. "First thing, can you tell me what a day is like with you and Melody?"

"Um, well, depending on our schedule, we'll wake up and do radio interviews, appearances or meetings and then sound check. Then we just chill out until show time," I explained to her. Paula didn't move a face muscle, as she stared at me with unamused eyes. I needed to soften her up. So I continued, "but no matter what we do in the mornings, I always make sure Melody has a breakfast packed with nutrients."

Paula raised a brow, leaning over to catch a glimpse of the little diva who was still seated behind me. I turned around, hoping that she had taken a bite of her toast or even drank some of her juice but to my dismay, none of that occurred. Instead, she was happily eating the open package of strawberry Poptarts.

"Toaster pastries aren't really an ideal choice for nutrition Mr. Clifford, but to each his own," Paula commented, giving me a snarky grin before looking down at her notepad to jot down who knows what.

"Can you show me around your..." Paula paused, her eyes trailing the bus. It wasn't a total mess, but I'm pretty sure there shouldn't be a shoe on top of the microwave. "Living quarters," she finished.

"Okay. So we're in the main part where we eat. And if you follow me through here," I led Paula to the bunks, "this is where we sleep."

"Oh hey there miss," a voice groggily greeted Paula and when I looked up, Ashton's head was bobbing out from his bunk. Paula just stared at the hazel-eyed boy; no reaction whatsoever. She simply turned her head back to me.

"Where does Melody sleep?" Paula asked.

"In this bunk here," I said, crouching down next to the pink-infested bunk. Paula looked at it, scribbling down more notes into her pad of paper. I subtly stood on the tip of my toes, trying to take a peek at the words Paula was writing down.

"Would you like to see the rest of the bus?" I asked her, moving towards the very back.

"That would be helpful, yes,"

I nodded, leading Paula into the back room. I spotted that damn stuffed monkey that I bought for Melody last night lying face down on the center of the floor. I kneeled down, picking up the stuffed toy and placed it on the couch.

"And what is this room for?" Paula questioned.

"This is where we like to sit and play games; it's mainly Melody's play room. All her toys are here," I pointed to a section in the room where dolls and dress up accessories overflowed a small, plastic container. "We play her movies to watch on the DVD player. And um we--"

"What's your relationship like with Melody, now that your mother is no longer assisting in providing care for her," Paula interjected. She glared daggers into my soul, as if she already knew the answer and was waiting for some elaborate lie to escape my lips.

"It's good. We're all good. The lads love to play with Melody and I try to provide her with everything she needs. I'm always cautious of what she eats and I always have her inhaler and--"

"That's all Mr. Clifford," Paula interrupted, holding her hand up for me to cease my babbling. "I'd like a few minutes to speak with Melody alone, please."

"Um, wh-what? This never happened before. Melody didn't have to speak to any of the representatives in prior visits,"

"Like I mentioned before, the other reps aren't as thorough as I am. Please retrieve Melody and bring her to me,"

My body stiffened from anxiety but was able to give Paula a small nod. I turned away from her with my chin to my chest, sauntering back to the kitchen area where Melody was. She was no longer nibbling on the Poptarts and instead eating the toast I had made for her.

"Sweetheart," I breathed, kneeling down on one knee to meet her eye to eye. I tucked Melody's hair behind her ears and swallowed the ever growing lump in my throat, "that lady wants to talk to you for a few minutes. You can finish your breakfast afterwards, okay? Come on."

I stood up, holding my hand out towards Melody and hoping she'd cooperate with me. It was as if this little 3-year-old could sense my anxiety because without a single bit of sass, she took my hand and leaped off of the seat. Hand in hand, I walked Melody to the back room, where Paula sat on one of the couches.

"Hello Melody," Paula smiled and patted the empty spot next to her. Melody looked up at me, as if asking for approval. I nodded my head and softly pushed her towards Paula. As Melody made her way towards the woman, I backed away and closed the back room door using the touch keypad off to the side.

"Dammit," I cursed under my breath, kicking at the side of the bunks.

"Hey, what's going on?" The curtain on Calum's bunk swiftly opened and he climbed out.

"Yea, who's that lady?" Luke opened the curtain on his bunk, wide awake and full of curiosity.

"Where'd Melody go?" Ashton questioned.

"Guys they're taking her away," I muttered, biting my bottom lip.

"Why would you say that?" Luke asked.

"I don't knew," my voice cracked. "I'm a terrible dad and I'm pretty sure dumb Paula Stewart knows that. I bet she sees this place as an unfit home for a child and I bet Melody is back there telling her how I suck and how I called her a mistake and--"

"Hey Michael, calm down," Ashton cooed. "Take a deep breath. I highly doubt Melody is talking shit about you. Try to think positively."

I looked at my best friend with a frown. It was easy for him to say; Ashton was a walking cluster of sunshine daisies. Thinking positively came naturally to him and I just didn't have that same power. I was almost certain that today was my last day of being with Melody.

"I need a juice box," I grumbled and stomped away from the boys. I grabbed one of Melody's organic juice boxes from the fridge and plopped down on one of the table's seats. I stuck the straw through the thin, white film, accessing the fruity juice.

The boys all filtered into the same area as I, prepping their morning teas and Vegemite toasties. The sound of classic rock emitted from the iPhone dock and although not a single word was uttered from the lads, they knew all that I needed to be comforted was the soothing sounds of Queen, Bon Jovi and Nirvana.

After what seemed like hours, Melody and Paula walked out of the back room and into the kitchen area. Melody was clutching onto the stuffed monkey I bought her as she slid back onto her seat and took a big bite of her leftover toast. I glanced at Paula, we all did, as we waited for the horrible news.

"That will be all Mr. Clifford," she began and her seemingly harmless start was enough to make me shit my pants. "Thank you for your time. We will see you in a few weeks."

And just like that, Miss Paula Stewart shot me a simple smile before trekking towards the bus doors.

"Wait!" I called out, prompting Paula to turn around. "That's all? Everything went well?"

"Yes Mr. Clifford it did. Melody seems to be enjoying her time with you and as far as I can see, you've taken great lengths to make sure she's well looked after," Paula commended. "Have a good day boys."

She smiled one last time, breaking the cold-hearted spell that was casted upon her and walked out of the bus doors.

"Dude! You did it! You passed the first checkup without your mum!" Luke whooped with a huge grin. I exhaled, a huge weight being lifted off of my balls and I wanted to dance with joy. I looked over at Melody, who finished her toast and was sipping on her juice.

"I guess we did okay," I breathed. Then without expectation, Melody placed her juice back down onto the table. She slipped out of her seat and rounded to table to where I sat. She stood there, looking up at me with her brown eyes as she held out her arms towards me. I knew that movement-- she wanted to be picked up. Which oddly confused me because she only did that maneuver for the boys, Jude, Gail and everyone else for that matter. I guessed Melody could see the puzzlement etched on my face because she confirmed what she wanted.

"Up," her tiny voice rang in my ears. So I did, I picked up Melody and as soon as she was close enough, she wrapped her little arms around my neck. I held her close to me, feeling her teeny heart pump into overdrive. I looked up at the boys with confusion but they smiled in response. Then something happened that I didn't think I'd ever witness. Melody buried her face into the crook of my neck and whispered straight to me,

"Sorry daddy."

//

Aww yay! Happy update! Michael passed the first checkup with social services and Melody has finally come around! Now get ready for a shitload of Michael/Melody feels!

I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I liked writing this one a lot. Please don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE with all your friends! Thank you all so freaking much for a the support! Love you guys! <33