"I-I can't, Lu. Not now- not with everything going on." Melissa responded rather quickly, only causing herself to tear up more. "I-I can't… he's got… he's got so much going on. I'm just another problem he'd have to deal with… I can't. M-my mom is around all the time now, anyways… i-it's not like I-I can talk to him in private…"
"You're not just a problem, Mel. You're his daughter and he loves you, okay? He cares about you a lot. If anything, I'm the problem. I'm not even related to you guys and now you have to deal with all of my shit."
"B-but my mom…" Melissa whispered weakly, dropping her head onto her knees. She couldn't do it anymore, her shoulders shaking as she started crying harder. "S-she's always… always there. I-I can't."
"Then text him or something. Ask him to meet him somewhere alone. Hell, go out for ice cream with him for something. There's gotta be some way to get him alone. You could even talk to him if you bring him here next time."
Melissa kept her face hidden, still shaking as tears ran down her face. She was keeping quiet as she listened to him, still hugging herself tightly. "B-but… what if he doesn't care? W-what if he's too busy, and he… he…"
"He will care, Mel. Your dad is a great guy. If he cared so much about me when I'm not even related to you, then he'll care about you."
Melissa sighed weakly, lifting her head. Tears were still streaming down her red, blotchy face as she did so. "B-but how can you be sure? What if he just pretends?"
"Melissa… your father is so much better than mine ever was or will be. He actually loves you because you're his daughter and you're wonderful. You don't have to do anything to deserve his love."
"Y-you're sure?" Melissa kept her arms around herself, sniffling still. "I-I don't want to be wrong… I don't want to get in his way…"
"I'm sure. What do you think I've been learning at therapy?" Lucas laughed weakly. "I wasn't doing anything wrong by having problems and neither are you. Your dad should love you unconditionally, and even though mine doesn't, yours does."
Melissa smiled weakly through her tears, and nodded a little. "Right… I'm sorry I freaked out on you there. I just… bad week, I guess." She sighed weakly as she rubbed the remaining tears off her face.
"Don't worry about it, Mel. I may not be the best person to help you, but I'll try my best if you ever need me, okay? I really do think you should talk to somebody, though."
"I know… I know…" Melissa whispered weakly, slowly starting to revert back to normal. She still sniffled, her breathing hitched from her sudden outburst in tears. "I'll talk to someone. I promise you."
"Thanks, Mel. I really want you to be able to feel better too." Lucas smiled weakly and brushed Melissa's tears away again.
Melissa gave a soft smile, leaning forward into his hand. "You sure I can't stay?" She asked softly, studying him with glossed over eyes.
"I'm sure, Mel… I love you very much, but I doubt they'll let me change things around just because I want to spend more time with my girlfriend."
Melissa sighed softly, placing a couple of sparse kisses all over the back of his hand. "Fine… but I'm coming back as soon as possible. As long as I'm not bugging you."
"Come back all you want, Mel. I get real lonely here without you." Lucas kissed Melissa softly. "I'm happy to see you whenever you have the time to spare."
Melissa smiled, coming around the table and leaning on the edge. "You really mean that?" She asked softly, starting to play with his hair silently.
"I really do mean it, Mel. I love seeing you." Lucas leaned into Melissa's hand with a gentle smile. "Feel free to come by whenever."
"I'll do that, then." Melissa whispered, leaning down and gently kissing his lips a couple of times. "I honestly miss you so much."
"I miss you so much too, Mel." Lucas gently returned the kisses with a soft hum. "I wanna see you happy."
"Then I need you to come home… when you're better, that is." Melissa leaned her forehead against his, occasionally pressing a kiss to his lips.
"I'll try my best to get better soon, Mel. You'll try and do the same, right?" Lucas asked in a soft voice.
Melissa nodded a little, holding onto his face in her hands. "Of course, love… I'll do what I can…"
Lucas smiled gently and kissed Melissa again. "Alright. Then you should probably head out to ask about Cody, right?"
"Mmm… but you're more fun to be around…" Melissa mumbled, softly kissing on his lips. She lingered for a minute before slowly pulling away. "But I guess I should…"
"I know, Mel. I'm sure I'm riveting. Our time is up, though…" Lucas sighed, reluctantly letting go of Melissa's hand.
Melissa poured softly, kissing his forehead one last time. “Alright… I love you- so much.” She whispered as she started to pull back.
"Love you too, Mel. I'll see you soon, okay? As soon as you can come in." Lucas smiled weakly as he looked up at her.