{Melon}
~Mel & Val~
“Thank-you for choosing Continental Airlines and enjoy your stay in New Jersey.” the flight attendants repeated over and over again to each departing passenger. Val and Mel approached the attendants and they started to whisper. “It’s the 2nd one, the 1st one is the other guys girl.” Pamela, the head flight attendant, told the others. They said their rehearsed greeting to the girls. “Thank-you, you enjoy your day.” Melly smiled and stepped off. “Yeah, good day.” Val smiled as she began to step off. “Oh, ma’am, Jersey isn’t a good spot to practice your profession,” another attendant giggled, “but I hear 42nd street is.” “What? I’m sorry. I dunno what you are referring to.” Val said confused. “And I thought you’d never have to work again since you married a Backstreet Boy.” yet another flight attendant chimed in. “Yea, do you have your boot in the bag?” Pamela laughed. “Excuse me?!” Val said still extremely puzzled. Melly knew what they were doing and decided to jump in. “Ok, I’ve had enough! It’s totally not true, so how about you 3 just leave her the hell alone and go make sure the 2, dry peanuts you throw at us are okay!” Melly said as she grabbed Val’s arm, “C’mon, let’s go.” “What’s not true?!” Val questioned Melly as they walked up the gate. Melly just ignored her. “Melly! Answer me!” Val yelled grabbing her arm. “All right,” Melly said as she pulled out the article from her bag, “read this.” Val read over the article and gasped, “OMG, that’s why the said 42nd street!” “Yea and I knew what they were getting at, so I had to jump in.” “Thanks..this is crazy.” Val stared at it as they looked for Mel’s father. “Is it?” Mel looked at her friend. “What?! Of course it’s not true!” I was just a bartender and you know that!” Val snapped. “I was just checking, they said they had a source.” Melly said. “A source? Lemme see you that was.” Val said as she opened the article again, “Son of a bitch! It’s Ethan, look Melly!” “What the hell did he do this for?” Melly wondered as she saw Ethan’s name. “I dunno, but who cares. We all know it’s not true. I better call Brian when we get to your house.” Val sighed as someone called out Melly’s name. “Melissa!” Mel’s dad yelled. “Daddy!” Melly said running to him and began to cry, “Tell me this all isn’t happening?!” “I wish it wasn’t princess.” her father said hugging her, “What? No Nick?” “Nah, just me.” Val smiled. “Hello Valerie.” Mel’s father said hugging her. “I’m so sorry about everything,” Val began, “If there is anything I can do, just lemme know.” “That means a lot, Thank-you.” Mel’s dad smiled, “So where are those two boys from the street you’re both in love with?” “Back in LA. They couldn’t get time off from the tour just yet.” Melly explained as the got to the car. “Yea, but they will be here Saturday for two days.” Val said excitedly. “Ah good.” her father said as the exited Newark Airport. “Ok, enough changing the subject Dad, how is mom?” Melly asked. “ No change really. There is still swelling in the brain, so she is still in a coma.” her dad explained softly. “I wanna see her now.” Melly said. “Sweetie, you should relax and..” Melly stopped him, “No, it’s 8:30 am..they have visiting hours now let’s go.” “Ok, I’ll take the next exit.” Dave, Mel’s Dad, sighed. “Good, I’m gonna call Nick on the way there.” Melly said dialing her cell phone. “Good idea, I’m gonna call Brian too.” Val said getting her cell out.
~Melly’s call to Nick~
::ring,ring::
“Melly!” Nick answered the phone. “Yeah, it’s me.” she chuckled, “How are you?” “Ah, just miserable without you but how is your family?” he asked. “Well I just met up with my Dad and he is taking us to the hospital now to see mom she’s still in a coma.” Melly said lowly, “And they are working on the funeral arrangements for my Grandma.” “Be strong baby and you know, if you need me to come sooner instead of Saturday, I’ll be there. I love you, Powder Puff.” Nick told her. “Thank-you babe, I love you.” Melly smiled. “At least I got you to smile.” Nick laughed. “How’d you know I was smiling?” Melly smiled even more. “Because I have super human powers.” Nick laughed harder. “Ahuh, sure you do.” Melly shook her head. “God, you dunno how good it is to hear your voice.” “Nicky, I’ve only been gone for 6 hours.” She chuckled. “Six hours, six minutes, six seconds it’s all too long to be away from you.” Nick told his love. “Aww, I know but time apart makes the heart grow fonder.” Melly said back. “It’s true, I love you even more today.” Nick said as he blew a kiss in the phone. ::MWAH:: “I caught it and put it on my lips.” Melly said as she closed her eyes thinking of him until her Dad tapped her. “We’re here.” he whispered to Melly. “Hun, we’re here, so I have go no cell phones allowed on in hospital.” Melly said as a tear fall from her eye. “Wipe that tear and go let your mom know how much you love her.” Nick said trying to stay strong for Melissa, “Call when you get back home give my love to the family, love you.” “I will, love you too bye.” Melly said as she hung up the cell and got out the car.
~Val’s call to Brian~
::ring,ring::
“Hello?” Brian picked up the phone. “Hey monkey, it’s me.” Val giggled. “Valerie.” Brian’s voice picked up. “Yea, who else would it be?” Valerie laughed. “My mistress.” Brian laughed. “Yea, uhuh, wait until I see you on Saturday.” Val laughed. “Where will you be? On the corner?” Brian was now laughing so hard. “Yup, my hooker boots on & everything.” Val giggled, “So I take it you read the story?” “Yes,” Brian said getting calm, “this morning. I couldn’t believe it.” “Well I was the last to know. The flight attendants were teasing me and Melly finally filled me in.” Val sighed. “Sorry honey, but don’t stress it. People will forget all about by tomorrow.” Brian assured her. “Yea, but sweetie, it’s not true. I swear.” Val got serious. “You didn’t even have to say that. I know all about you’re past and besides I’d love you anyway.” Brian said. “Thanks, I love you too.” Val said back. “So, how are things there?” Brian asked. “Well, we are on the way from the airport to the hospital right now.” Val continued, “Mel’s mom is still the same and the arrangements are being made for her Grandma’s funeral.” “I still don’t believe this happened, Bette is such a great person and Grandma made the best cookies!” Brian said trying to lighten things up. “I know but it did and we gotta be there for them.” Val half-smiled. “Do you and Melly make up?” Brian asked the million-dollar question. “No, and I dunno if we are I tried on the plane and she just didn’t seem interested.” Val said lowly. “Give it some time. When Nick & I get there, ya’ll be best friends I guarantee it!” Brian said loudly as Dave got Valerie’s attention. “Sorry, but we’re here.” “Thanks, Bri I gotta go, we’re here.” Val told him. “Oh ok, help Melly and give my best to everyone, especially Bette.” Brian said sincerely. “I will, call you later, I love you.” Val said as she hung up and got out of the car.
~Inside the hospital~
Melissa, Dave, and Valerie entered the hospital and proceeded to the front desk.
The three got their passes and headed to the elevators. On the elevator, Valerie noticed Melissa shaking and she knew what she needed to do. “It’s going to be ok.” Val said as she grabbed Melly’s hand. And to her surprise, Melly didn’t pull away. “Thank-you.” Melly simply said as she squeezed her hand and didn’t let go. The elevator stopped and the three proceeded to Bette’s ICU room. “Just talk to her. Even though she won’t respond, she hears you.” the nurse told a sobbing Melissa. “Ma..Mom, it’s me Melissa. I’m here now.” Melly sobbed out as she grabbed her mom’s hand. “I’m here too honey.” Dave said, “And Valerie came with Melissa.” “Hi, Mrs. Stanford. I know you are gonna get through this because you are so strong.” Val began to sob. The three stayed with Melissa’s mom for 3 hours. She still remained the same in a coma. “Sweetheart, we better get you home to relax.” Dave said to his daughter. “No, I wanna stay here with mom.” Melly said grasping on to her mom’s hand. “Melly, I know this tough for you but it’s best if you get some rest. Also, you’re aunt and cousin are here to see your mom and only 3 people are allowed in here.” Valerie said slowly removing Mel’s hand from her mom’s, “They will call us with the slightest change in her condition.” “Okay,” Melly said wiping her tears, “I love you, mom. You can’t leave me now.” she said as she kissed her mom and walked out of the room. Valerie and Dave followed her and they proceeded to the Stanford home.
~Nick and Brian~
“Yo Rok I just heard from Melly, the girls are okay.” Nick yelled barging into Brian’s room. “Yea, I just got a call from Val myself.” Brian smiled. “And as much as Melly tried to hide it from me, she’s a mess and so I am leaving tomorrow to surprise her.” Nick stated. “What? Nick we settled everything to go Saturday.” Brian said. “Uhuh, and now I’m unsettling it.” Nick said calmly. “Look, I know you love her, but you just can skip out!” Brian yelled. “Relax. For starters, we have no show tomorrow only radio appearances, so it’s no big deal, the others will understand and..” Nick continued with a smirk, “you’re gonna be skipping out with me.” “How did I know that was coming?” Brian laughed. “C’mon, we can have 3 days with them, instead of just 2 and you can finally spend a night with your wife.” Nick said persuading Brian. “All right, deal. But how do you suppose we sneak out of here tomorrow?” “Well the radio interviews start at 8am, so we gotta be gone by 6am before Kevin’s wake-up call.” Nick stated. “You have this all planned out, don’t you?” “Yes, our flight leaves at 7am so we’re leaving here at 5:30am.” Nick smiled. “How’d you know I was gonna go long with it?” Brian asked. “Puhlease, you wanna get going on that honeymoon.” Nick laughed as Brian threw a pillow at him. “Tomorrow morning it is.” Brian said as both boys high fived.
~At the Stanford House~
“How’s my lil’ doggie Pebbles?!” Melly talked like a baby to her puppy. “Missa!” Jessica, Melissa’s youngest sister, came running into the room. “Hey shorty, how you doing?” Melly said as they hugged. “I’m doing all right, I miss Grandma and mom though.” Jess said as she frowned. “Yea, I know. But don’t you worry, Grandma is in a happy place and Mom, she’s going to be fine and back here before you know it!” Melly smiled trying to raise Jessica’s spirits as she was dying inside. “She’s right, Jessy.” Val smiled, “And besides you’re favorite shopping partner is here!” “Hey Val, “ Jess said as she hugged her, “There is a sale at the mall.” “Well, we will have to check it out.” Val smiled knowing she was keeping Jess’s little mind occupied. “I thought I heard that beautiful voice.” A guy said becoming into the room. “Matt?” Melly said shocked. “Yes, in the flesh. How are you sweetie?” Matt, Melly’s ex-boyfriend, said as he hugged her. “I’m ok, but what are you doing here?” “I came as soon as I heard it’s horrible. I’m sorry.” Matt said rubbing her back. “Thanks.” Melly said pulling away from him, “I have to go call my fiancé, I’ll talk to you later.” “Hello Valerie.” Matt smiled over at her. “I didn’t like you then, I don’t like you now.” Val smiled back as her and Jessy followed Melly out of the room.
“Ethan? Hey, it’s me Matt.” Matt whispered into his phone. “Man, why you whispering? Speak up!” Ethan yelled. “Man, I can’t Melly, Val, and the rest of the family is in the other room.” Matt told him. “So, they arrived already?” “Yes, they’ve been at the hospital, just got here but listen to me.” Matt sternly said, “You’ve failed at every other part of my plan. You brought Val & that Brian guy into it and I had to kill her Grandma and almost her mom to get her here so you better get the last part right.” “Jas and I know what to do, stop Nick from getting to Jersey on Saturday.” Ethan said. “Yes, and if Brian gets the way, you know what you must do. I might just have to get rid of Valerie too.” Matt smirked. “We understand...it’s all ready to go.” Ethan assured Matt. “Good, it better be, because I will have Melissa all to myself once again.” Matt said as he hung up his phone, put on smile, and proceeded to act like Mr. Innocent once again.
~End of CHAPTER 46~
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Chapter 47