Page 36 of Where You Are

“Oh my God,” Melanie sighs, closing her eyes.

“Yeah. She worked hard though, staying clean through her pregnancy. I helped, and our mom and stepdad came back for a while too. She overcame it, with flying colors I might add, and stayed clean. And then a couple of years later, another winner came along…”

Melanie nods, closing her eyes before letting out a breath.

“What happened?” she asks, her eyes turning the lightest shade of green I’ve ever seen them.

“She slipped, and unfortunately, got sucked in. One of the silver linings was that she was only with him for a couple of weeks and took pills with him on only four occasions during that time. But the last of those, he got physical. The cops were called, and they took Luna.

“I was able to get her from CPS the next morning,” I hurry to reassure her when she gasps.

“Oh my God, she must’ve been so scared.” Melanie’s face pulls together and her eyes get misty. I can tell her heart is going out to Luna, hurting for her, and it makes my own heart soar.

“The court ordered her to enter a rehab program and submit to random drug tests thereafter if she wanted Luna back.”

“And Luna got to stay with you. That was another silver lining,” Melanie states with a trembling voice, not needing clarification but I nod anyway.

“After we jumped through a few hoops, Luna was cleared to stay with me while Kasey got better.”

“Thank God,” Melanie lets out another sigh as she rubs her hands on her jeans. I can tell this story has shaken her up, which shows me how much she feels for people.

“It was a blessing, that’s for sure. And Kasey has been remarkable the last five years. She’s only slipped one time since, and she recovered quickly before any ramifications could come from it.”

“She sure as hell has,” she agrees. “I can tell how strong she is and how much she must love her little girl. She’s a badass in my book.” I feel my face relax into an easy smile at that. “And so are you,” she adds. “Fighting for your family and taking care of them like that.”

I shrug, shaking my head.

“To me, it’s just what a decent person does.”

“But there’s so few of those in the world Matt,” she reasons as she scooches over to wrap her arms around me, and I’m overcome with the love and security that floods through my entire body from her embrace as my arms come around her, hugging her back. “And I’m so glad I found one of them,” she adds quietly right next to my ear.

“I found one of them too you know,” I whisper back, and release a heavy sigh of contentment. As we spend the next little while just holding each other on my bed, I know I’m not falling anymore. I’m completely and madly in love with her.

Chapter Nineteen

Melanie

The weeks pass by so quickly,it feels like the color of the sky and the trees are changing before my very eyes. Sunset comes sooner, and the temperature changes so gradually, yet so noticeably.

And life right now, is amazing. I’ve settled into a routine with my work and am finally replenishing my funds. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to move out of the pool house and find my own place, or… maybe… live with Matt?

I’ve enjoyed every minute with him, and each day that passes I think about our future more and more. He’s wonderful to me, considering me in every move he makes. We laugh, cuddle, make love, and laugh some more. Whatever is needed in the moment is what he gives, and all he ever seems to want in return is for me to be close.

I really feel like I might be ready to call this what it is: a serious, loving relationship - and let everyone know about it.

Matt and I have given considerable time to what we have between us, and I think we both know it’s the real deal. I for sure do, and by now, I know it’s worth giving it a shot out in the open, making those we love a part of it.

I think seriously about it as I make my way to his house for a cozy movie night that will likely bleed into tomorrow, and possibly the next day. The closer I get to his place, the better I feel about the whole thing.

“There she is,” Matt greets me sweetly at his door when I arrive. He pulls me inside and plants a light peck on my lips. “Whatcha got there?” he asks, nodding his head at the paper tote bag in my hand.

“These are the oil pastels I was telling Luna about,” I tell him, holding the bag up. “I bought some for her along with the cardstock paper they work best on. Next time I see her, I’ll show her how they work. She’s going to have aballwith them,” I regale, my eyes widening with the excitement I have at the idea.

He shakes his head in wonder down at me.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” he asks rhetorically as he reaches up to sweep his thumb across my cheek bone. I give a self-deprecating shrug and an eye roll.

“I was in my favorite art store, and after getting her excited about them, of course I had to get them. I’m just going to go put them in her room okay?”

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