This series first premiered on MLW June of 2017. And there are currently 13 Chapters posted. But I haven’t updated since January of 2018. So it’s been quite a while. LONGEST HIATUS EVER! I just recently gathered my notes on this project, and re-read all the chapters. I am working on Chapter 14 and Liam and Aria’s loves story will continue soon, I PROMISE! This is my priority project!
Summary: Liam Whitmore is a wealthy business executive who goes through the motions of working in his corporate world day after lousy day, making deals and kicking ass at it. However he often feels uninspired, and unable to do what he really loves. Until one day he meets a younger woman named Aria Lenz, struggling to become a dancer. Her simplistic yet driven nature strikes up a spark of inspiration in him, and he makes it his mission to get to know her. Little does he know, it’ll be the hardest “transaction” he’s ever had to make. They’re worlds apart- will he finally get through to her, or will his fire fizzle?
Crazy Stalker Love– MLW Short Story Series- COMING SOON!
This was a story I thought of during the fall of 2018 and it is partially written and saved on my computer but needs some serious love. I did announce it on the blog, that this was coming. I think it will be featured on MLW after “Move” wraps. It needs to be finished and put into Chapters.
Summary: Henley Hendrix is a badass who doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do. She has always had an intense and complicated history with her ex boyfriend Hunter Stone. Some may even go as far to say, that his love for her has always exceeded any normal standard. They have a painful past that she just can’t seem to get over, but she also can’t seem to let him go either. While selfishly hanging onto their intimacy, in the mist of her on again/off again relationship with Hunter, Henley starts seeing a new, dark, mysterious Mr. Perfect. But everything isn’t always as it seems to be. *There are a bunch of other interesting characters that get thrown along for the ride too.
NaNoWriMo Project loosely Titled “Afire Love”
Summary: Sadie Sullivan has always been a romantic at heart. But she always plays it safe. Err on the side of caution, is practically her motto. After all, you can’t fail, if you don’t take any risks right? But what happens when a handsome acquaintance challenges her to face her biggest fear of all…falling in love?
On my instagram, I gave daily NaNo updates, and I shared some Sneak Peeks of my book on there throughout the month of November 2018. I also gave a hint that my two characters face a similar struggle these two characters faced in General Hospital.
Dante & Lulu (GH) They faced quite a number of struggles so which one do you think I am referring to?
This book needs to be finished, edited ALOT, and formatted. But I past my 50,000 NaNo word count! So that’s a plus!
Television Pilot
I have been writing scenes for this show since I was in high school, which for a time frame, has been over a decade. I have notebooks, and loose papers, and saved documents all over the place. I started to work on the pilot episode back when I said I would, but the world I’ve created in my mind has become so big, that I can literllay see seasons of stories unfolding. So to narrow down the lives of these characters to the very beginning, has just proven to be quite hard. Last Update.
I will not give away much on this. This is a big one. But I will give you a sneak peek of a mock poster I made with my #dreamcast. I totally know all these pictures are old. This is just who I imagine my characters to look like. 🙂 [Sorry the title is a secret for now! Have to keep some secrets!]
Tori Kelly, Bruno Mars, Kris Allen, Demi Lovato, Katelyn Pippy, Joshua Jackson
Special Self Publishing Project– not going to give away the title but let’s just say I’ve been writing it for the past 6 years and probably long before that too. I will just give you a little tiny hint- Faceless Man.
As you can see I have quite a few projects on my mind. They tangle up and I just don’t know where to start. And then I get another new idea and start writing that, and then I stop and get distracted and thrown off track of writing anything all together. It’s definitely overwhelming. But my goal is to finish all of these projects by the end of this year. I need to learn to finish what I start. I need to get my stories out of my mind and onto paper and into the world. It’s the only way these characters are going to leave me alone. 😉
Wish me luck and a bit of magic!
To my fellow writers out there,
how do you start what you finish/deal with balancing multiple projects?
*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*
I’m a Romantic. Complete and total romantic. And when it comes to things I treasure, television is a passion for me. I love a good love story. The typical story of boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl and then boy does something stupid and boy loses girl. And how does boy get girl back? By giving the big speech. Full of raw emotional. where he just lays it all on the line, heart in hand. And hopes for the best. Sometimes the roles are reversed and it’s the girl who has to give the speech…just as effective! And sometimes the big speech isn’t always warranted by a mistake or need to apologize, but just to reaffirm their love to their partner. Either way, the big speech is always my favorite.
Here a few of my Favorite Big Emotional Speeches…
(in no particular order…and there are plenty more where they came from.)
Seth & Summer [The OC]
“You’re undeniable.”
Dante & Lulu [General Hospital]
“I love you, your the sole owner of my heart….Forget hard, I’m trying to make it damn near impossible for you to give up on us.”
Patrick & Robin [GH]
“The fact is I’ve loved you for a long time…I don’t even know when it started…”
Lucky & Elizabeth [GH]
“Everything I am is in love with you…”
“To describe how you look would only cheapen a reality. I couldn’t breathe.”
Nathan & Haley [One Tree Hill]
“I could love you forever.”
Jess & Rory [Gilmore Girls]
“Come with me. I’m ready for this, you can count on me now.”
Ross & Rachel [FRIENDS]
“It’s always been you, Rach.”
Caleb & Hanna [Pretty Little Liars]
“You won’t admit that we’re meant to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Mark & Lexie [Grey’s Anatomy]
“I’m saying you could have a husband.” #BasicallyAProposal
“I love you….oh god that just came flying out of my face…”
Jack & Elizabeth [When Calls The Heart]
“I don’t know if it’s fair to ask you to wait for me.”
What beautiful, beautiful words. They just hit you right in the feels. I love each of these scenes. I love how they display such true love. And I love how you can feel it radiating from your television screen. And that my friends, is why I swoon over love and television relationship arcs.
*I do not take credit for any of the videos used.*
So I know that my posts have been kind of out of sync with the usual schedule, but I’ve been a bit frazzled lately. There’s a lot going on and I tend to get overwhelmed fairly easily. You ever just need to take a beat and check yourself? As someone who deals with anxiety often, I noticed I have to do that, in order to keep my sanity and keep up with everything that I have to do. Because of the bustle that surrounds my world lately, the blog inspiration has been lacking. I struggle when this happens, because I hate posting just to post.
But with that being said I thought maybe it’d be cool to give you a little blog update. I have some fun posts in mind, it’s just a matter of getting my shit together and writing them.
I HAVE NO TIME! I’M TIRED! I’M STRESSED! I WANT TO SLEEP FOR A YEAR!
Rant over. 😉
Coming your way we have the Welcome Home “Soundtrack” and Author’s Commentary. If you haven’t read Welcome Home you can start it from the beginning HERE.
Also I am attempting to dive into a new short story series….I’m still working on the title (I have a bunch of variations that I can’t decide on) but here’s a quick little sneak peek at the summary-
Liam Whitmore is a wealthy business executive who goes through the motions of working in his corporate world day after lousy day, making deals and kicking ass at it. However he often feels uninspired, and unable to do what he really loves. Until one day he meets a younger woman named Aria Lenz, struggling to become a dancer. Her simplistic yet driven nature strikes up a spark of inspiration in him, and he makes it his mission to get to know her. Little does he know, it’ll be the hardest “transaction” he’s ever had to make. They’re worlds apart- will he finally get through to her, or will his fire fizzle?
There- it’s out in the universe. So I have no choice, now I HAVE to get writing. Haha.
“Presenting the new Mr. & Mrs. Oliver King!” Dave announces as Oliver and Melanie walk out through the back door of Melanie’s childhood home and into the backyard draped in a silk white tent, candles and white roses everywhere. Slow graceful music being played by a harpist. Smiles shining on the faces of the bride and groom. Family and friends stand as they cheer loudly.
“Wooo, it’s about damn time!” Cassie screams as everyone laughs along.
Oliver and Melanie make their way over to the center of the yard, where a wooden dance floor lay, as their song begins to play.
It’s all over
And it’s only beginning
We’re beginning to finally see one another
We grow stronger We grow stronger for breaking
We grow stronger for breaking apart together
Lover, find me underneath the covers
We will stay here until we discover
All that we have to give to each other Til forever
How you move me How you move me to love you
I keep choosing to love you again every morning
Lover, find me underneath the covers
We will stay here until we discover
All that we have to give to each other Til forever….
Grace and Charlie watch smiling on as Grace holds Molly, who watches her parents with a bright smile.
Melanie looks up at Oliver.
“What?” he says.
“Nothing.” She says smiling.
He gives her a glare.
“Wow, that really is annoying, my apologies Mrs. King,” he smirks.
Melanie’s lips curl into a big smile.
“Mrs. King. I really love the sound of that.”
“Not as much as I do.”
“Did we really do it? Did we really just get married? Finally!” she says excitement beaming through.
“Hey better late than never, right?” he says smiling as he kisses her.
“Thank you for waiting for me, I know it wasn’t easy.”
“You’re my forever. Plain and simple. There was no way I was letting you go.” He says swaying them to their song as she places a kiss on his lips.
Oliver reaches into his jacket pocket as he holds out a small digital camera to snap a picture as his lips meet his wife’s.
Melanie lets out a small laugh against his lips as she notices.
“Hey, once a photographer, always a photographer,” he says with a chuckle.
“By the way did I mention how perfect you look,” he whispers to her.
“Maybe once or twice,” she says smiling, “You look very handsome yourself,” she pulls him by the collar into yet another kiss as glasses clink for them to do so.
Melanie stands up at a podium, her eyes fall down to the pages before her. She begins to read aloud-
She runs. She’s a runner. Fierce. Independent. Stubborn. The weight of heart shattering tragedy had now taken the life out of her…out of her will to move forward.
It was a day like any other. She was 5 months pregnant, engaged to the man she loved and settling into a quaint little apartment in the place she called home- Philadelphia.
Everything seemed to be falling into place. She was happier than she ever thought she could be.
She walked into the doctor’s office, the man she loved by her side.
Making plans for years to come.
Pure joy radiating through her.
And then just like that, life changed forever.
She had lost her baby boy.
Lost.
Like a misplaced set of keys.
One minute there. The next not.
And in that moment she didn’t feel the same.
She didn’t know what to do.
Where to go.
She was broken, and no amount of love or support could fix her.
She needed time.
Time to grieve, time to be angry and place blame.
Time to heal.
So she ran.
The decision to leave was something she never intended.
One day it just got to be too much.
The familiarity too much to take, the signs, the symbols.
Blue. Baby blue. Everywhere.
Home was tainted.
The home she loved her whole life, was now something she dreaded.
The man she loved with all her heart was now the face of a tragic heartbreak.
She packed her bags, and left a note in a sealed envelope.
“I’m sorry. I’ll love you forever.” It read. Her engagement ring set upon the paper.
Thought was not calculated.
Reason and logic unheard of.
Her heart was fighting just to beat.
Melanie smiles simply as she closes the book.
“Thank you,” she says walking off the stage.
Everyone claps, as women can be seen wiping tears from their eyes.
Billy runs up to the podium, hugging her tightly he steps up to the microphone.
“That was the first passage from our newest budding author Melanie King’s first novel, entitled “Operation Forever,” a story about a heart wrenching tragedy that somehow turned into a ray of hope. A journey through her metaphorical operation on her once damaged heart where she finally realized that her forever, her home was in front of her all along and in the eyes of the man she loved. Melanie will be happy to meet you in the back in a few minutes to sign some copies for any of those wanting to join her. Thank you for coming,” he says smiling as everyone claps.
Melanie stands in the back nook of the book store, breathing a sigh of relief, tears springing slightly.
“Mommy!” she hears, turning she smiles as Molly rushes in, she bends down scooping her into her arms.
“Hello love bug!” she says kissing her cheek.
Oliver stands there looking on, a smile in place.
“Hey, I’m proud of you.”
Melanie looks up at him, “Me too,” she smiles.
“You okay?” he says coming in and reaching for her.
“Yea. I’ve got my family.” She says smiling.
Oliver leans in and kisses her softly.
“You know, it’s difficult to read and to relive but I’m better because of it. I had so much bottled up for years and that stopped me from going after what I really wanted and who.(she says smiling up at him, as he places a peck on her lips.) Writing this book, was kind of like me getting my freedom back a little.”
“Good for you babe, I think it was something you really needed to do. I’m glad you did it.”
She smiles.
“It means the world to me that you and Molly are here with me, I love you so much.” She says kissing him again.
“Ew!” Molly says looking on as she giggles.
Oliver and Melanie look at her and laugh.
“You think that’s funny,” Oliver says as he starts to tickle Molly, whose giggle erupts into a laughing fit, Melanie holding her as she joins in on the tickle fight.
Billy knocks on the door.
“Ms. Molly, do you need me to save you?”
Molly giggles, “Yes.”
Billy smiles and walks in.
“Oh Mrs. King, your fans await you. I’m already hearing some buzz. Women are saying how much they can relate and how it’s as if you’re speaking from their hearts too.”
“That’s incredible.” Melanie says.
Melanie smiles as she gives Molly a big kiss and hands her to Oliver, and then leans in to give Oliver a kiss on the lips.
“Good luck, (he kiss her) I love you. We’ll be right here waiting for you.”
“I love you so much,” she kisses him once more before walking towards the door.
“Love you mommy!” Molly screams.
“I love you, love bug.” She smiles as she blows her a kiss and walks into the crowd that awaits her.
Later that night…
Oliver sits in his office, at his desk as he edits photos.
Melanie peeks her head in, wearing a sweet little night gown, “Hey babe you coming to bed?”
Oliver looks over his shoulder, his eyebrows raise “Well hell, don’t you look sexy.”
Melanie crosses her arms, looking off to the side as she huffs his compliment away.
“I’m sorry, have you not seen yourself?” he says walking over to her, his hands finding her waist.
“It makes me happy how you can still be this attracted to me even after all these years, this body has had a baby, you know. It’s never going to look the same.”
“Same or not, you are still the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on,” he places a kiss on her lips.
“I try,” she smiles rolling her eyes dramatically, a smile on her lips.
“Baby you don’t have to try,” he smirks tightening his grip on her waist.
“Well in that case, do you think you can do your sexy wife a favor and actually come to bed at a decent time tonight? ”
“Yeah that can be arranged. I’ll be in, in just a bit, just trying to decide on some photos, come here look at these with me,” he says taking her hand and walking her over to his desk.
Melanie smiles as Oliver sits and scoots out his chair to allow her to sit on his lap, her arm draping over his shoulders.
Oliver starts clicking through photos.
“This one is my favorite, it’s everything I love in one picture, my whole world right there,” he says as it lands on a picture of Melanie and Molly.
Melanie looks at it, she smiles brightly, her eyes tearing up, “Aw. I love that one. I love you,” she says cupping his face and kissing him.
“We made a cute kid, huh?” he says looking up at her.
“Yes we did. She’s perfect.”
“That’s because she looks like you.” He says smiling up at her.
“She looks like both of us.” Melanie says kissing his cheek.
“She is perfect though, look at how happy she is,” he says pointing to a smiling Molly.
“She is. We’re doing ok, I guess, huh?” Melanie says looking down at him.
“I think we’re doing great. I think moving home to Philly was the right call. We’re still close enough to the city but we both are pretty much able to work from home.”
“I agree. We’ve made quite a life for ourselves.”
“That we have,” he says kissing her bare shoulder. “Besides when Mommy and Daddy need some sexy time, it’s nice to have the grandparents nearby to babysit, ” he says placing a kiss on her lips.
“Speaking of…sexy time…when are we going to make another one of these beautiful babies? Doctor gave me the all clear.” Melanie says her eyes shifting to meet her husband’s.
“Oh.” Oliver says smiling, his eyebrows raising, as his hands fasten around her waist.
Melanie starts to get up off his lap, as she moves his hands off her.
“See now where are you going?” he says turning in his chair.
“Follow me and find out.” She says a playful smile on her lips.
Oliver smirks as he stands and follows.
Melanie stops at the doorway, turning back she says, “On second thought, I’m kinda tired, rain check? Good night!” She runs from the room.
“Get over here girl,” he says rushing into the hall and sweeping her up in his arms, “You can’t walk away from me after saying a thing like that.”
A giggle and a shriek escape her as she wraps her arms around his neck accepting his kiss.
Nearby on the walls of their hallway you can see pictures of their life together.
Slideshow below displays all the gallery photos in the KING home. 😀
Happy. Content. Full. Living.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Melanie and Oliver fall onto their bed as a copy of Melanie’s book lay on their bed side table, next to it a pamphlet that reads-
COMING SOON! The New York Art Exhibit Presents- Oliver King’s “Home” Collection.
A photo of him and the girls on the cover.
“Shhh we’re gonna wake Molly,” Melanie giggles.
“It’s ok, I plan on keeping your lips right here,” he says kissing her deeply as he removes her silk robe tossing it to the side. “I love you so much,” he whispers against her expectant lips.
She pulls away and looks up at him.
“I love you too, you’re my home, that’s never going to change. No matter what life throws our way, I know we’ll be able to handle it, together.”
Oliver smiles at her lovingly.
“Don’t you forget it….So let’s make another baby, huh?” He says smirking.
“Yes please,” She says laughing as she reaches for him.
Melanie and Oliver continue kissing into the night.
Hello, I’ve been waiting for you
I didn’t know if you’d recognize my voice
Cause I’ve been whispering your name again and again
I‘ve been imagining this day and I’ll never be the same
Welcome home Welcome home
It’s so good to see your face
Welcome home
-The End-
*I do not take credit for any images, gifs, videos,
music used in my edits or otherwise.*
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed!
Stay Tuned for my Welcome Home “Soundtrack” & My Author’s Commentary!
Melanie steps out on her front porch, wrapping her long knit sweater tighter around her, as she folds her arms over her chest. She looks out into the town she’s always known.
Kids running around playing tag, couples riding bikes, a family throwing around a football. The freshly fallen leaves kicking up in the commotion and the wind.
Smiling to herself, Melanie walks over to her porch swing. She sits and begins to rock gently.
Stopping after a short time her eye catches something, she stands and walks to the end of the porch, placing her hand on the railing. Her fingers run over an imprint-Oliver and Melanie 4 Ever.
She smiles as she sees his face flash in her mind.
“What are you doing?” he asks as she carves the first few words.
“Nothing,” she says with a sly smirk and glances over at him before resuming the task at hand.
“You’re parents are going to kill you.”
“It’ll be for a good cause.”
Oliver peers over her shoulder and wraps his arms around her.
“Forever huh?”
Turning in his arms, she faces him, smiling.
“What, you have a problem with that?” Melanie says is her sassy tone.
“Not one.” He says smiling as he inches his lips toward her before planting a kiss on hers.
“I love you,” he says whispering, his eyes staring into hers.
“I love you too,” she says leaning up to kiss him.
They part ways and share a small nervous laugh.
“I was really nervous to say that.” He says looking down.
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I mean don’t get me wrong I wanted to say it, I’ve been dying to say it. It just never felt like the right time. I wanted it to be perfect. I know I’m such a dork.” He says laughing at himself.
“You’re not a dork. You’re perfect,” she kisses him with a sweet peck.
“I just -sometimes I worry I’m too much for you.”
“What? Ollie?” she says cupping his face in her hands. “That’s crazy!”
“No. I just mean that like- I know I can come on kinda strong. (he pauses trying to search for the words to explain) You mean a lot to me. I’ve never felt like this before, I don’t always know what I’m doing.”
“Everything you’re saying I’m feeling that too.”
“Really?”
“Yea, this is all new to me too. But I love you and I want to see where that takes us.”
He smiles at her brightly as he pulls her into a kiss.
“I am so happy to hear you say that. I love you,” he kisses her.
Melanie smiles up at him, her eyes beaming with love and hope.
Melanie is brought back to reality as she hears a scuffle of feet.
“Knock, knock.”
Melanie looks up hearing the familiar voice.
Her childhood friend stands at the top of the porch steps, knocking on the wooden panel.
“Cassie!” Melanie says smiling brightly as she rushes to her, embracing her in a hug.
Melanie’s tears cannot be held in anymore, as they spill from her eyes.
“Hey, hey what’s wrong?” Cassie says concerned for her friend.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to keep it together, but I guess all of the nostalgia, it’s just…” She says wiping her eyes.
“Too much?”
“Yea. I mean sometimes I am so happy to be home to see you and my family. But then I get this anxiety. I feel like I’m drowning in everything that happened and in my regrets of how I handled it all.”
“Mm, that’s understandable. What you went through was traumatic.”
“I know but it’s been years, I feel like I should be rounding some corner.”
“You can’t be mad at what you feel. Or how long you feel it. There is no set way in how to deal with this situation. And there isn’t any right or wrong way either.”
“Really because I think if you asked anyone if my leaving was the right or wrong choice, they’d say wrong.”
“You know I love you, and I will forever be here to support you, but even I will admit, I couldn’t believe it. But at the same time, you did what was right for you. And god help Oliver, he understands.”
“Present tense?”
“Yea it is. He still understands why you did what you did.”
“So you’ve spoken to him, recently?”
“Come on Mel, that’s no secret. You know I’m with Dave, and Oliver is Dave’s best friend,” she says shrugging awkwardly. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m not picking sides, I don’t think there are sides.”
“I know. You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m being such a child.”
“Let’s talk a walk, yea?” Cassie says talking her by the hand and pulling her toward the steps.
“Yea, I think I could use some fresh air, to clear my head.”
“Yea it’ll do you some good.”
Cassie and Melanie set off to walk through town.
As they pass house after house, the cool breeze chilling the air, Melanie looks around taking it in.
Memories floating throughout the air.
Silence setting in. Deafening.
“Hey? If you wanna talk, I’m here.”
Melanie looks over at Cassie with a simple smile.
“I know, you always are, 5 years couldn’t shake it, thank you.”
“Coffee? for old times’ sake,” Cassie says smiling, and pointing to their favorite coffee shop- Mrs. Bean.
“Duh?” she smiles as they walk into the shop.
“I’ve got it…hazelnut latte right? (Melanie nods with a smile), why don’t you grab a table?”
“Ok I’m on it.” She says turning and walking toward a table.
She sits and takes her coat off, settling in.
Melanie looks around and smiles feeling the warmth of the heat and the smell of coffee beans and baked treats.
The bell above the store door chimes and in walks Dave, Melanie looks up and smiles faintly as the lines of their vision meet. Immediately, Melanie’s stomach drops when Oliver soon follows behind him.
Dave stops short and Oliver looks at him questioningly, until he sees Melanie sitting there before him, he too stops dead in his tracks.
Cassie turns around with the coffees in her hands to find a sight to behold. Her jaw drops and instinctively she wants to jump in, but gives it a beat.
Oliver’s eyes lock on Melanie, unsure of what to do, he stands there, hands in his pockets. Wanting to say so much. Melanie bites her lower lip and looks down, her hands clasping at each other- trying to feel grounded, to be present, to feel some sense of control. Anxiety creeping in, taking over.
Cassie comes over.
“Hey guys, babe.” She says kissing Dave on the cheek. “Why don’t you and I take a walk, give these two some time to catch up?”
Dave looks between the two star crossed lovers, a glimmer of intensity in Oliver’s eyes and a fear like no other in Melanie’s.
Cassie exchanges a look with Melanie as she hands her the latte, a look of reassurance.
Melanie takes a sharp breath in.
“I guess we’ll see you guys later. Good to see you Mel. We’ll have to catch up.”
Melanie nods, “You too, and absolutely- I’d like that,” she says smiling faintly.
Oliver stares on. Unable to take his eyes off her.
“See ya bro,” Dave says patting Oliver on the shoulder as he takes Cassie’s hand and walks them out of the coffee shop, the bell chiming startles Melanie.
“May I?” Oliver says gesturing to the chair across from her.
Melanie nods yes.
“So…what’s it been Mel…5 years since we’ve actually had a full conversation?” he says his voice holding a light joking tone, his smile sweet, his eyes flickering with a familiar spark.
“Sounds about right, give or take a few.” Melanie says looking down at her coffee, avoiding his eyes.
“It’s good to see you Mel, You look amazing.”
“Thank you. You too. I like the beard.” She says trying to smile.
“Thanks, I figured winter’s coming. Why not, right? So how are things, how’s New York?”
“It’s good. Busy. Very fast paced. I’m grateful for the distraction.”
“I hear that,” he says knowingly. “So Cassie mentioned you’re working with a new publishing company?”
“Yea.”
“How’s that going? You write that book of yours yet?” he says smiling.
“Not quite. I’m more in charge of seeking out new writers these days and getting their work published.”
“What? Why? You’ve always wanted to get your own book published, what happened?”
“What do you think happened?” she says looking up at him.
Melanie looks away, her eyes welling up.
“Melanie…hey, I’m sorry- I…I was just trying to…”
“I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” she says getting up grabbing her coat, she rushes out.
Oliver starts to get up to follow, and then stops himself. Sitting back down, he runs a hand through his hair in frustration with the distance that has wedged itself between the two of them. He stares looking after her.
Hey guys, it’s that time again…I’ve been toying around with this first bit of a new short story series for a while. I like how it’s shaping up. This new story series will probably send us into the new year, and long after. #AlwaysRambling. I hope you will join in and read along!
Meet Melanie…
Melanie stares at her reflection in an airport bathroom. Her crystal blue eyes stare back at her.
She fluffs her hair and reaches into her purse for her lip gloss, as she applies some of her favorite very berry with just a hint of pink, and is instantly hit with a feeling of déjà vu.
Time freezes and she thinks of him. As she often does.
There she stands in front of her vanity applying her lipstick as she feels him watching her from the doorway of their bedroom.
Turning with a smile, she says, “What are you looking at?”
He smirks, “Everything,” he says casually leaning against the wooden door molding.
“Yea? And…do you like what you see?” she says showing off her outfit.
He smiles and walks over to her, taking her hand he spins her around, as his eyes glance over her full ensemble.
“You. Look. Sexy as hell,” he smiles pulling her to him and kissing her.
She smiles against his lips as she cups his face, her diamond ring sparkling as it sits on her left hand.
Melanie is brought back to reality as a stranger sets off the hand dryer nearby.
She shakes off the memory as she looks at her now empty ring finger.
She looks at herself in the mirror once more.
You can do this, she thinks to herself.
Melanie wipes a tear from her eye, as her cell phone begins to ring.
Grabbing her plaid suitcase and purse, she strolls into the airport lobby, answering her phone.
“Hey mom.”
“Sweetheart! Did you land yet?”
“Yes. Just now actually, I am just about to head out and grab a cab.”
“Oh honey I’m so sorry we couldn’t meet you, there’s just so much prep to do, we have the whole family coming early tomorrow morning.”
“Mom it’s really ok. I understand. It’s no big deal. I will see you soon.”
“Ok honey! Oh I am so excited to see you!”
“Me too. Love you, see you in a bit,” Melanie says with a smile.
“Love you, bye.”
Melanie hangs up and heads toward the exit. Stepping toward the end of the curb, she raises her hand to hail a cab. The fall chill nipping at her nose.
“Thank you,” Melanie says to her cab driver as he unloads her suitcase for her.
She looks up at her childhood home, and instantly her heart is full.
She smiles at the festive decorations of hay stacks, pumpkins, scarecrows and twinkling lanterns that line the pathway to the door which is dressed in a sunflower wreath. Orange, yellow, red and green flood her eyes as she blinks to feel more grounded.
It’s been a while.
She reaches for the door knob, the cold gold feeling strange yet familiar at the same time. And turning it, she peers in. Her nostrils instantly flooded with her mom’s famous sweet potato pie and cranberry stuffing.
“Hello?”She says wheeling her suitcase in as her low heeled booties click and clack over the hard cherry wood floor.
She hears some clinking and banging in the kitchen and then is met by her mother’s streaks and open arms.
“Melanie!!!! Oh my word. You look fantastic,” she says hugging her daughter tightly.
“Hey Mom,” she says smiling.
“Is that my Mel belle that just walked in?” her dad says walking in the front door in his work clothes and rushing to hug her too.
Melanie smiles as she hugs her parents.
“It’s good to be home,” she says finally feeling an inner peace.
“Mom can I help you with anything?” she asks as she settles in on a chair at the island across from where her mother works on mixing up some cornbread batter.
“You could get started on the sticky buns?” she says with a smile.
Melanie smiles back with wide eyes.
“Sure,” she says standing and heading to the fridge.
“You remember how to make them?” her mom says peering over the edges of her red rimmed eyeglasses.
“You put them in the oven, let them rise, add some honey and brown sugar and then get to starting on the glaze.”
“And…” her mom says with a questioning smile.
“Add a little extra cinnamon for a lot of extra love, How could I ever forget?” she says as her mom smiles at her.
Melanie sits in front of the fireplace. Her eyes glazing over as she watches the flames flicker away.
An image flashes in her mind of him. Them. On that very same couch. He leans over.
“So…are we actually alone in this big old house?”
“I think so,” she says looking over at him her eyes smiling with a sparkle.
He smirks, and leans over to her, kissing her. As he leans into her, the kisses intensify as he switches them to a laying down position, him above her gazing down into her eyes.
“Promise me something?” he says tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Anything,” She says gazing back her hands wrapped around his waist.
“Promise you’ll never leave me.”
“Never,” she says reaching up and cupping his neck, pulling him into a kiss.
“Good, because I don’t think I can handle that.”
She smiles, her heart bursting as they kiss into the night, their clothes disguarded piece by piece.
Melanie looks around her living room, it’s emptier now.
She shifts uncomfortably in her seat.
She sighs, her heart heavy.
You can do this, she thinks.
Her eyes begin to well up.
“Honey?”
Melanie looks up to find her mother looking at her with concern.
“Melanie, what’s wrong? Or do I even have to ask?”
Melanie smiles simply as she brushes a single tear off her cheek with her cream colored oversized sweater sleeve.
“If we’re going to do this…I’m going to need a little liquid courage.”
“I have some Thanksgiving Day punch, shall we sneak a little in tonight?”
“So…have you seen him?” Melanie asks looking over the brim of her glass as she throws back a giant gulp of Thanksgiving Day punch.
“I have,” her mother says carefully, calmly.
“How is he?” Melanie inquires caught between wanting to know and not wanting to know but having to ask anyway no matter what the truth may be.
“He seems good.”
“Good. I’m glad. I want him to be good.”
“He asked about you.”
Melanie sighs looking away.
“Did you tell him I was coming home for the holidays?”
“Did you want me to?”
“No. I mean I don’t know. Town like ours, I’m sure I’m bound to run into him anyway so…”
“He knows. He guessed.”
“Ah,” she says her eyebrows raising.
“He always had a way of knowing you better than anybody…”
“Except you.” She says smiling at her mom.
“Well yes, mother knows best.” She smiles.
“I know I see him every few years. You’d think it’d get easier. But it hasn’t, it just gets harder. I don’t know what to say, or what to do. He deserves so much better than I could ever give him.”
“Honey, I don’t think there is any resentment there. Not anymore. Time does heal.”
“Not all wounds.”
“Maybe not yours. But he seems very much ok. Moved on even.”
Melanie ponders, her eyes watering, and her mind racing as she looks back at the fire, the flames crackling and glistening in the night. She takes another sip of her punch as she stares off into space.
Her mother watching on with a sad heart.
**********************
Who’s this mystery man, that lurks through Melanie’s thoughts?
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Michelle Leigh Writes 