Page 76 of Melody

Their friends were a bit shocked—as was his family—but they’d grown to love Melody as much as he had.

And now, Christmas Day, the two of them were leaving the house to visit his family for the holiday, and he knew it would be much better than last Christmas. Pedro and Adrian had already left. Pedro and Maria would be spending the day with his grandma and Adrian and Claire were going to his mother’s place. Wolf and Hayley weren’t even in Charlotte. They were spending the week in Breckenridge and had promised to visit her family in La Junta sometime in January. According to Hayley, they would be there for a day, “in and out,” because she didn’t know that she’d be able to tolerate much more than that.

The entire band would be celebrating the new year together and Kyle looked forward to it. After all, they were truly his family, just as much as his flesh and blood. And he had a lot of news to share with them.

As Kyle turned the key in the door, Melody asked, “Do we have everything?”

“Yeah, I think so. The presents are in the trunk and…just the relish tray, right?”

“Yep.”

“It’s in the back seat.”

“Maybe I should carry it on my lap.”

Kyle wrapped an arm around her as they walked to the car. “Up to you, Tink. I can hand it to you if you want.”

Soon, they were driving the few blocks to his mother’s house, the relish tray in Melody’s lap. The day was sunny and extra bright as the light reflected off the fresh snow on tree branches and lawns. It was still cold, though, and Kyle had felt bad that he hadn’t warmed up the car before they’d left for Melody’s sake. But she didn’t complain. She rarely did.

Because of the way she’d been feeling lately, Kyle wouldn’t have blamed her.

When they pulled up to the house, Cassie actually came outside. Since she was finishing up her degree and dating a fellow student—a girl with the same major—and had consequently come out to the family, she was happier.

The way she almost ran to the car with a huge grin on her face said it all.

“Hey, guys! Can I carry anything for you?”

Kyle was holding the door for Melody and took the relish tray from her. “Here. You can take this.”

“Thank you!” Melody said as Cassie headed toward the house. Kyle held out his hand, wanting to make sure she was steady until her feet were on the sidewalk where the snow had been shoveled. “I’m okay, baby. I won’t break.”

Arching an eyebrow, he said, “Yeah, I know.” Once he’d shut the passenger door, he said, “Do you want to carry the bag and I’ll get the box?”

“Sure.”

They’d probably overdone the gifts this year, but they’d been feeling happy and generous. The band members had never exchanged presents before, but Kyle—at Melody’s urging—had liked the idea, and they’d gotten something for everyone. Andtwo days ago, they’d delivered a gift to her best friend Marin in Pueblo.

When they entered his mother’s house, Cassie greeted them again at the door, this time hugging them both. “Are you guys gonna stay all day? Lila’s coming over later and I want you to meet her.”

Kyle glanced at Melody to gauge her thoughts—and, when he got a go ahead, he said, “Why not?”

“Yay! We can watch Christmas movies or play games after we eat.”

“Sounds good.” They made their way into the living room and he and Melody placed gifts under the tree. Not only was Kyle amazed at how his family had bothered to really decorate this year, but he also noticed that the place was tidier—a little less cluttered. While that might have been partly due to Cassie, he also knew it was a reflection of his mother’s state of mind.

She was healing.

Soon, they were seated at the dining room table, enjoying the meal his mother and sister had prepared. Every dish burst with flavor and freshness; each bite tasted homemade and filled with comfort. Kyle couldn’t remember the last time he’d really enjoyed sitting at this table and sharing food with his family. It was about time.

Before starting dessert, he said, “Melody and I have some news for you.”

“What’s that?” his mom asked.

“Do you want to tell them, babe?”

Melody said, “Yeah, sure.” She looked around the table, her eyes filled with hope and love. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at Kyle again as if to give herself strength. Then she looked at Cassie before settling her focus on his mother. “Kyle and I are expecting.”

The pause seemed to last for hours. “A baby?”

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