Forever and Always (32 page)

“Hey baby, hope you are having fun with Katie, just wanted to say I love you, S x”

She quickly typed in a response.

“Hey yourself, everything is ok, just wish it was tomorrow already, love you two. Mel x”

She quickly shoved her phone back in to her pocket when she heard Katie returning to the room.

“Tada” Katie said as she bounced back into the room holding the most beautiful dress Melanie had ever seen in her life. It was candy apple red, knee length sheer satin. It was strapless with a love heart neckline and tight fitting and it was simply stunning.

“Wow” Melanie said because there were no other words for this beautiful dress. “Katie that is fabulous.”

“Do you really think so” Katie asked delighted with her friend’s reaction.

“Katie it is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen” Melanie gushed. “I am so jealous”.

“I am glad you feel that way” Katie said with a huge grin.
“Because it’s yours”.

“It’s what” Melanie gasped.

“It’s for you” Katie replied.
“For tonight”.

“Oh my god” Melanie said, her hand flying to her mouth. She was really and truly overwhelmed. She could feel the tears pooling in her eyes. “Katie I adore it, I really do but I can’t accept that. It is far too much”.

“Don’t be so ridiculous” Katie said and rolled her eyes. “You are like my sister. I love you and I am so happy for you. You have been through so much and I am just so happy that you finally found your mister right. I want tonight to be the best night of your life. Well at least until your wedding night and then that is up to Simon to rock your world”.

Melanie felt her heart drop into her stomach. She knew Katie was never going to understand and was probably never going to forgive her. She knew Katie loved Simon and equally couldn’t bear to even hear Sam’s name mentioned.

“I love you too Katie” Melanie said flinging her arms around her friend. “Please don’t ever forget that”. She couldn’t hold her tears back.

“Hey silly” Katie said holding her friend at arm’s length. “Don’t start with the water works or you will set me off too”.

After they had their coffee Katie gathered everything she need for their night out and the headed back to Melanie’s apartment.

As soon she opened her apartment she was greeted by the most beautiful arrangement of blood red, long stem roses she had ever seen sitting on her coffee table.

“Oh my god” Katie said when she saw them. “Simon has to be the sweetest man I have ever met”.

Melanie smiled but she knew they weren’t from Simon, they were from Sam. Simon didn’t do the hearts and flowers thing. He thought flowers were nothing but an extravagant waste of money.

She picked up the little envelope that was propped against the vase of flowers and slid the card out and read the words and her heart swelled with love.

To my beautiful girl, have a great night, our future is just beginning, no more running

Love you forever and Always. S xx

“What’s no more running about” Katie asked as she read the card over Melanie’s shoulder.

“Oh it’s just a private joke” she lied. She placed the card back down next to the vase.

“You wanna jump in the shower while I sort my hair out?” Katie asked seemingly happy with Melanie’s explanation of the comment on the card. “That way I can do your hair when you are done”.

Two hours later Melanie stood in front of her full length mirror and looked at herself in amazement. She was buffed, polished, curled and tanned all courtesy of Katie. Now she was standing there in the fabulous dress Katie had brought her home from New York and she barely recognised herself.

She turned from side to side admiring her dress then she looked from it down to her 5” black peep toe Jimmy Choo’s shoes Simon had bought her for her birthday the year before. She only wore them on very special occasions. She looked amazing even if she said so herself.

She could hear the buzzer on her intercom telling her that the rest of her friends were starting to arrive. Her Mom and Grace were coming too as well as six of the girls she worked with. Simon had no sisters and his Mom said it wasn’t really her thing so she wasn’t coming, Melanie was relived at this. And of course there would be Lucy and Katie. As she walked from the bedroom she could hear the buzz from the living room where all her friends had gathered and the popping of champagne followed by a big cheer.

“Wow” Lucy exclaimed being the first to turn around and spot Melanie standing by the door. “You look amazing, I
am loving
the dress”.

“Katie bought me it in New York” Melanie said as she gave them a twirl. Followed by a course of wows and stunning.

Her Mom walked over and hugged her tightly. Then she picked up two glasses
of champagne and handed one to
Melanie and turned back to the rest of the assembled girls “I would like to make a toast. I would just like to say I can’t believe my baby is going to be a married woman in a weeks’ time. I am so proud of you Mel. You have been through more than anyone should but you never let it hold you back. You truly inspire me”.

Melanie smiled but she could feel her stomach lurch as she thought about what her Mom would say when she realised what she had done. Her eyes found Lucy and Lucy gave her an encouraging smile.

Sarah held her glass up and with tears glistening in her eyes she said “To Melanie”.

“To Melanie” the rest of the group echoed. Melanie excused herself saying she
need
to go get her bag from her bedroom. She needed a moment to herself to collect her thoughts.

She flopped down on her bed and breathed deeply. Suddenly her phone beeped. She picked it up and smiled instantly when she saw Sam’s name. She pressed open and read the message.

“Come out
side”

She typed out her replied.

“Give me two minutes”

She quickly got up of the bed and returned to the others in out in the living area who were all laughing at a story Katie was telling them about New York.

“I’ve left something in my car” she announced as she grabbed her keys. “I’ll be back in two minutes”.

She quickly let herself out of her apartment and hurried down the hallway to the lift.

When she stepped out of the front door she was surprised to be grabbed from behind and pulled down the side of the building.

“Sweet Jesus” Sam exclaims as his eyes raked up and down her body. “Melanie
are
you trying to kill me. You look breathtaking and incredible hot.
Too hot in fact.
I don’t think I like the thought of you out with the girls wearing this. You will have every guy in the place falling over
themselves
”. Before Melanie could reply Sam pulled her to him and sealed her mouth with his kissing her deeply. Her heart raced as desire shot through her body. She could feel his arousal pressed hard against her hip and the feeling was truly amazing. She loved that she could have this much power over him.

“I want to bring you back to my place and peel that amazing dress off you and lose myself deep inside you right now” he sighed when he finally released her mouth from his.

“That sounds so tempting” Melanie whispers as she runs her tongue along his stubbly jaw line.

“I have something for you” he says a he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and handed it to her.

Melanie holds it in her hand and stares at it then at Sam.

“I know you already agreed to marry me, but you can’t wear your ring until tomorrow” he explained. “But I wanted you to have something to wear tonight, just so you remember”.

Melanie opened the box slowly a reveal a solitary diamond on a white gold chain. It was stunning.

“Sam it’s beautiful” she said honestly touch by his words and his gift. He took it from her and removed it from the box and turned her around and pulled it around her neck and fastened it and kissed her softly on the back of her neck.

“Not as beautiful are you Melanie” he said breathlessly. “Can I meet you later?”

“I would love nothing more” she said as she turned back to face him and she pressed herself against him firmly as she kissed him hard on the lips, then reluctantly she pulled back “I should go back up before someone comes looking for me. I will text you were we have ended up and I will meet you there”.

“Ok” he smiled and kissed her softly. “Don’t have too much fun”. She watched as he walked up the street and waited for him to turn back and wave. When he did she blew him a kiss and turned and opened the front door of the apartment and ran smack into Katie.

“There you are” she exclaimed when she saw Melanie. Then her eyes landed on the necklace. “Wow, that’s new. It’s beautiful. I didn’t notice it earlier”.

“This is what I was getting from the car” Melanie lied. “Simon bought it for me for tonight”.

“You are so lucky to have him” Katie said as she and Melanie stepped into the lift. “He really is a keeper”.

Melanie reached for the diamond and smiled as she thought of Sam.

“Yes he really is”.

After they all had dinner at their favourite Chinese restaurant, which Alex had insisted on paying for, they headed to the pub and Sarah ordered more champagne for everyone. Melanie slipped into a seat next to Lucy.

“You having fun Mel” she shouted over the music as she accepted a glass of champagne from Sarah.

“Yeah I am” Melanie replied honestly. She was surprised how much fun she was having.

“Are you all set for tomorrow” Lucy asked leaning in close to Melanie so only she could hear. Lucy was the only one other than Alex who knew what their plans were. She was just as surprised by Alex’s reaction and also by his 2 conditions as Melanie and Sam were. But she was glad she got to spend one last night out with her friend. She was going to miss her so much when she went to the States. But she had promised Melanie she would keep in touch and promised that
her
, James and Calum would visit for the summer holidays the following year.

“I am” Melanie replied. She truly was. She was sad to leave her family and her friends and she was worried about the trouble she was leaving her Dad to clean up. But she had no doubts or reservations about leaving with Sam. He was all she had ever wanted. All she had ever dreamed of even when she was afraid to have any hopes or dreams. “I love him Lucy”.

“I really don’t doubt that in the slightest” Lucy replied and smiled. “I am happy you get to finally have your happy ever after. I love you Mel. I am just going to miss you so much”

Melanie suddenly felt emotional and she quickly wrapped arms around Lucy.

“Hey what’s all this” Katie said as she slipped into the seat on the other side of Melanie. “She is just getting married she isn’t moving to the other side of the world”.

Melanie laughed nervously and shot a quick glance at Lucy who just smiled. Thankfully Katie missed the exchange between her two friends.

“Listen Mel they are playing our song” Katie exclaimed as the sound system filled with the Rihanna‘s We found love. Katie grabbed Melanie’s hand and she in turn grabbed Lucy’s and they headed for the dance floor. The rest of the girls except Sarah and Grace followed them to the dance floor, the two women insisting they were waiting for something at little more their style.

  Melanie was pushed into the middle and all her friends started dancing around her. Katie disappear for a moment but when she return she draped a kiss the bride sash over Melanie’s head then hung a pair of L plates around her neck and finally she placed a plastic tiara with a veil attached on top of Melanie’s head.

When she was finished decorating Melanie was a huge cheer from everyone on the dance floor. Melanie began to Dance her legs off as Rihanna’s song ended and the voice of the DJ came over the loud speakers wishing Melanie at the best on her big day and dedicated the next song to her. It was Melanie’s favourite song Justin Timberlake’s
Bringing
sexy back.

Melanie pointed at Lucy and smiled knowing she was responsible for the song choice. Melanie threw herself into the music and gave it all her best moves. The dance floor was packed. A few guys joined them on the danced floor. One guy grabbed Melanie’s hand and started spinning her all around the dance floor. Melanie laughed so hard she could barely breathe as they moved. She shook her butt and hips and gave it all she had.  After two more songs they all headed back to the table for another round of drinks. Lucy said it was her round and when the waitress came back with their drinks Katie ordered a round of baby Guinness’s.

“1,2,3” Katie shouted and the entire group knocked back their baby Guinness’s and slammed their glasses down on the table.

“UGGHH” Lucy cried with a shudder. “Why do I let you make me drink this stuff”
.

“Because it’s fun” Melanie laughed as she gestured to the waitress for another round.

Melanie quickly pulled out her phone sent Sam a message and told him where they were and that she couldn’t wait for him to peel her dress off her. She giggled as she pressed send. The three glasses of champagne and the two glasses of wine at dinner and another from Lucy’s round followed by a couple of baby Guinness’s were hitting her and hitting her fast. Her head was spinning but she was enjoying herself. She couldn’t believe she had actually let herself relax as much as she had.