“Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds. Send Sarah my love.” Wes nodded as Graham turned on his heels and made a dash in the direction of the bar.
“What do you think that was about?” Melody asked Wes. He smiled, shrugging his shoulders as he took another sip.
“Guess there was somewhere he needed to be.”
“I guess so.”
As the evening wore on, friends came and went from their little table in the back and Mel’s eyes began to droop from exhaustion.
“How about we get out of here, buttercup?”
“That sounds perfect. My dino jammies are calling my name.” She giggled as she looked over at Wes.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure those will be staying in the drawer tonight.” Mel pouted. “But I have something better to cover you with,” he said.
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“Me.”
The air in the room was still, the first rays of the morning crept into the bedroom through an open curtain and Wes took in the comfortable silence.
He looked down at Melody’s sleeping form sprawled over him, her hand fisted against his chest, seeking more points of contact.
Wes pressed a kiss to her temple and sighed contently.
Overwhelmed with the love and joy that filled their house with waffles and spontaneous princess dance parties.
Peace grew from the forgotten movie on mute while they kissed and whispered like children sneaking past bedtime.
They added bits of each other, building a life together.
But it was in her arms he found home.
Wes pressed his lips against her skin, knowing he committed every part of her to his memory. His breathing was soft against her neck. Feather-light kisses warmed her skin. “The most beautiful thief.”
“Daddy?”
“Stole my heart when I wasn’t lookin’.”
“Oh.” Mel ran her fingers along his jaw. “I’d say I was sorry…”
“Good girls don’t lie.”
“No, they don’t.” She moved her hand to his chest, between Sarah’s name and his heart. “I love you. You knocked me down when I least expected it. Rescued and cared for me more than anyone ever has before.” Her eyes welled. “I promise to keep it safe as you do mine and I want to go through all the battles with you.”
“I’ve wrecked every relationship I ever had until you.”
“Wes, I’m saying yes. As crazy and unconventional as someone might think. Wes…I think you could be.”
“Be what, Mel?”
“More than I ever imagined. Every birthday candle, every silly falling star I wished to find someone who would love me for me.” The blush ran from her hairline past her neck, but she continued. “You don’t look down on me for the things I say, or how I say it. Or tease me that I love getting on the floor and coloring with the kids. You don’t think the bad singing dance parties should be canceled.”
Melody swallowed the lump in her throat and set on singing her truth. “Your encouragement makes me feel invincible. Anything is possible with you.” She kissed him deeply, lacing her fingers in his hair. She pressed her breasts against his chest, moaning as his warm palms ran up her back.
He kept her close, the kiss deepening as the need for the other grew. Her hands dug into the muscles of his upper arms.
Melody pulled back, gasping for a sip of air, and meeting his eyes. “I wished for you every wish,” she swore. The universe knew she never needed a prince. Wes–her Daddy–was everything she wanted and more.
“I never dreamed I would find someone like you, Melody Marie. I never thought I’d be worthy of it.”
“You are.”
“I’ll prove it every day if you’ll let me.”
??
One night. Two blue lines.
