Read Chapter 7 HERE
Melanie sits in the church- still, silent- staring before her. People exiting out behind her.
Oliver walks down the aisle as he nods and shakes hands with family members and friends who pass him.
He sits beside her, taking her hand, her diamond ring sparkling, he lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it.
“Sweet heart, what can I do?” he says looking at her.
Melanie sits staring straight ahead. After a long moment she speaks.
“I keep waiting for all of this to vanish, like a dream. Just poof gone. This is a dream. It has to be, right? Because if it isn’t, this is one hell of a cruel life lesson. What’s the point? Do we not love each other enough? Did we not deserve a child?”
“Melanie, of course that’s not true. It just happened. We can’t explain why.”
“Well someone should be able to. I can’t, you can’t, the doctors can’t, and now what- God can’t? I just want to wake up. I need to wake up,” she says her tears exploding from her eyes, her body shaking.
Oliver’s eyes pool over along with her as he pulls her into his arms.
His grip on her tighter now more than ever, as the smell of incense burn, candles flicker, and white and blue flowers dress the room. A sign off to the side reads- In Loving Memory of baby boy Cody King.
Present Day…
Melanie sits in a brightly lit room, gently rocking in her chair.
“Hey babe…so someone is a little cranky, I think she wants her mommy,” Oliver says walking into the room holding a perfect little pink bundle.
Melanie smiles brightly as she stands up.
“Hand her over, pops” she says stretching her arms out.
Oliver smiles.
“Pay up first,” he says leaning in, Melanie smiles, placing a kiss on his lips before taking the baby.
“Hello, my sweet angel, are you driving daddy crazy, yes you are.” She says in her best baby voice.
Oliver smiles up at her.
“Stay there, don’t move,” he says running out of the room.
Melanie laughs as Oliver runs back in with his camera, he starts snapping away.
“Babe, look up at me.”
Melanie looks up and smiles.
“Molly, baby, hi sweet heart, look at daddy,” he says holding a stuffed animal near the camera to try and catch her attention.
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Oliver sits in front of the fireplace, sleeping-his feet up.
Melanie emerges from the nursery, the exhaustion on her face evident.
She sees Oliver and smiles, crawling up next to him as he wakes up.
“She down yet?”
“It was a fight, but yes, finally out like a light.”
“Ah good,” he says wrapping his arm around her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep, pretty sure I came in here for something and then well-,” (he laughs)
“That’s ok, you had her for a while, we’re a team, and it was my turn to tag in. You’re allowed to sneak off for a bit.”
“Really? Can I get that in writing?” he says looking over at her.
“Don’t get too used to it,” She says in her sassy tone bumping into him with her shoulder.
Oliver smirks.
“You know as hard as having a new born may be, and as tired as I am, I am happier than ever, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Melanie looks at him and smiles, “Me too.” She leans up and kisses him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my rock, for loving me as much as you do even though I drive you crazy, and for never giving up on me. I don’t know how you stayed so strong.”
“No biggy,” He smirks shrugging his shoulders.
“I’m serious, I don’t know who I would be or where I would be, had you not dragged me back into life. How did you get through it all? I could barely breathe- let alone be without you and that last part was my own fault.”
“You did what you needed to do to get through it. And I did what I had to do.”
Melanie looks up at him with concern in her eyes.
“Like what?”
“Well, besides pining over you for years…(he laughs, as she rolls her eyes) I went to therapy- a lot of it.”
“You never told me that.”
“I knew you had tried it, and it wasn’t working for you. I figured you didn’t need me preaching about it. But it really did get me through, it made me understand things and see things in a better light.”
“I don’t think I gave it much of a chance. Besides the real thing I needed was you all along. I was just too scared to admit.”
“I knew you would come to me when you were ready. That’s why I never pushed it.”
“You’re amazing,” she says sighing in disbelief.
“Hey, I promised you forever a long time ago, and I don’t break my promises.” Oliver looks up into her eyes, (he pauses) “Marry me?” he whispers.
“Really? You wanna try that again?”
“You sound surprised?” he says with a smirk.
“I guess I just feel like we have some things to resolve before taking that step.”
“Like what?” he says confused.
“Well, for starters I hope you know how much I love you, and I’m sorry for ever making you feel like your feelings didn’t matter…”
“Oh baby, stop it, its ok…”
“No it’s not. Just let me say this…please…it’s been a long time coming, and I cannot become your wife unless we talk about this.”
“Ok well then, hurry up already,” he says with a smile.
“I was selfish. I let my pain overshadow yours and that was not my intention but I let it go on far longer than I should have. I allowed myself to put up walls that created a wedge between us during a time when we needed each other most. I was scared, and broken and I ran and continued running. I didn’t blame you, I blamed myself. And because of that I couldn’t see you, I was stubborn and overly determined to stay in isolation and independence. I want you to know how much I truly regret leaving you and us and how if I could take it all back I would. You have been so amazing and patient with me, just loving me through all this, even after all this time. And I will never be able to repay you for that, I know. I just hope that you know how much I appreciate you and your love and how I know this is the chance of a lifetime getting to be with you and our beautiful baby girl. I love you so much. And I’m so sorry.”
Oliver looks at her, “You know you’re wrong about something- there may be one thing you can do to repay me…”
“I’m all ears.” Melanie says, her eyes fixated on Oliver’s.
“Marry me?” he repeats.
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
“Even though there’s nothing to forgive, I know you, and you won’t stop until I say yes, so yes, I forgive you. Now will you marry me already?” he says his lips inching towards hers.
“You don’t think it’d be like adding fuel to the fire, we’re already so exhausted. Adding wedding planning to the list…”
“I think it’s only right, we’ve got our baby girl, got a beautiful new house, the only thing missing is- the little idea of you finally becoming my wife.” (He kisses her)
“Are you sure you’re ready to deal with me every single day for the rest of your life?” she says looking up at him.
“Do you just not wanna marry me?” he says laughing.
“Stop it, I would marry you right now, in these sweat pants and this old Penn State t-shirt that has your daughter’s spit up all over it, if it meant that I could be your wife.”
“So then what’s stopping us?”
“I don’t know, nothing really. I just- I don’t wanna miss a thing with Molly, these are her first few weeks on earth, everything is just so new, and-”
“You’re a good mom, you know that right?”
Melanie shrugs.
“I try.”
“You don’t have to try, it’s just in your nature. Molly’s lucky to have you.”
“Hmmm,” she smiles, nuzzling into his neck “I needed to hear that.”
Oliver smiles.
“You know we make one hell of team, but she’s already obsessed with you, I can already tell,” Melanie says her eyes rolling.
“What, how?”
“You’re the only one she laughs and smiles for.”
“Are you jealous?”
“A little bit,” she says looking up at him with a grin. “Although I have to admit watching you with her, makes my heart burst, it’s everything.”
Oliver cups her face, and kisses her, laying her back into the pillows on the couch.
“Oliver, Baby… I smell like formula, let me shower first,” Melanie says.
“Mm mm,” he says shaking his head no-continuing to kiss her.
“Ollie,” she says laughing as he kisses her neck.
“You in my old college t-shirt…yea it works for me, (he says his eyebrows raise as he smirks, Melanie laughs) You could be wearing rags and I wouldn’t care.”
“Oh well that’s good, because this begs some resemblance to rags that’s for sure.”
He laughs.
“It’s ok you won’t be wearing it for long.” He says lifting the t-shirt up over her head, tossing it to the side, as she laughs, she wraps her legs and arms around him as he kisses her.
“Marry me?” he whispers again.
“When? And Where?” she says smiling up at him.
He smirks going in for another kiss as he reaches over into the draw of the end table.
He opens a familiar little red velvet box and Melanie’s heart beat quickens.
“I think it’s time this ring is home, where it’s always belonged, don’t you think?”
Melanie nods quickly, tears falling down her cheeks.
Oliver smiles as he takes her hand, and slides the ring on her finger.
“Oh god, you still make my heart race, feel,” she says laughing as she takes his hand and places it on her chest.
“That makes two of us, ” he says placing her free hand over his heart. (Cupping her face, he kisses her passionately, as they slide back into laying on the couch.)
“That ring looks sexy on you.”
Melanie smiles as she kisses him.
“So do you,” she whispers against his lips.
Oliver smirks as he deepens the kiss.
*The conclusion of Welcome Home COMING SOON!
*I do not take credit for images used in my edits or otherwise.*
-<3-
Michelle Leigh Writes 