Chapter 53

His return to the flat a few days later was cause for huge celebration in Mel’s eyes, she spent all day sat on a chair by the window, waiting for the people carrier to arrive and deposit her man back safe and sound. When the moment eventually arrived she threw open the door and ran to meet him, his face lit up and he dropped all of his bags on the pavement.

“I’ve missed you,” she squealed at him, jumping straight into his arms and holding on to him tightly.

“Me too,” he echoed, and reaching down to her planted a soft kiss on her lips. She smiled with joy, it was always so special when he kissed her first.

“I’ve missed that too,” she admitted, prompting him to bend down and give her another one.

“How’s junior?” he asked.

“Great,” she replied enthusiastically.

He hauled his bags threw the door and they both slumped down on the sofa.

“I was so worried when you told me the doctor’s news,”

She gave him a reassuring smile and handed him some internet printouts. She had spent a few hours the night before, looking up the condition and learning the main facts. He read a few lines and then put his arms round her and brought her into towards him, hugging her tightly right up against him.

“Was it a good trip?” she asked.

“Usual,” he said simply, “Promo, promo and more promo.”

“Boring?”

He grunted a response and lifted up her top so he could see her naked stomach.

“It’s amazing,” he said in wonderment.

“I know,” she confirmed, looking down at her flat stomach.

“I never knew it was possible.”

“It’s very rare,” she explained, “but everything is normal and fine.”

He stroked his fingers over her stomach, gently tracing it with his finger tips and then bending down to run his lips over it.

“Has it kicked yet?” he asked.

“Once,” she replied quickly.

“And I missed it,” he said sadly, “I’m going to be one of those awful fathers who miss everything in their child’s life cos they are too busy with their careers.”

“Don’t be daft”

“It’s true,” he replied, pulling her top back down to cover her stomach and pacing up and down.

“It’ll work out Chris,” she soothed, grabbing hold of him and attempting to calm him down.

“I should leave the band,” he said firmly.

“NO!”

“I should,” he said, sounding like he had made up his mind, “as soon as the baby is due I’ll leave.”

“But you love that band,” Mel urged.

“But I love the baby more,” he replied, “and I couldn’t bear it if I was a bad father.”

“You can’t give it up,” she said, taking his hand and stroking it gently.

“I need to.”

“Let me run you a bath,” she said changing the subject, “you must be tired.”

He nodded, grateful for the attention and they walked up the stairs.

“I am going to leave a1 you know” he said as they made their way into the bathroom. Mel turned away from him, busying herself with the bubble bath and water so she didn’t have to answer him.

“I’ll leave you to it,” she finally said, turning to leave.

“Stay”

She spun round in shock, “pardon?”

“Can you stay with me, so we can talk?”

She smiled at him, it was great when he wanted to talk, she needed to know what was going on in his head. She turned to the mirror to play with her hair while he took his clothes off and lowered himself into the bath and then sitting down on the floor next to him she waited for him to talk.

“Will you support me if I leave the band?”

“If it’s what you want,” she said simply.

“Yes”

She shrugged her shoulders, “then I’ll support you.”

His face lit up in a smile, the first real one that he had shown her since he got back from his trip. She looked at him, he had a truly beautiful smile, it always set her insides alight.

She dipped her hand into the water of the bath and began swirling it around absentmindedly.

“What you been up to while I’ve been away then?” he asked

“Nothing much, was quite dull without you.”

“It wasn’t the same without you around either.” He confessed.

“You really did miss me?”

“Course I did” he replied.

“It’s just that sometimes I can’t be sure.”

She grabbed the sponge and began squeezing the bubbles over his chest and rubbing it over his skin gently.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure how you feel about me.”

“I really like you Mel,” he said simply.

“But what’s going on?” she asked, “I mean, what are we doing?”

“Taking things slow and seeing what happens.”

“I know, but sometimes it just feels too slow,” she confessed, “I feel insecure and uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, grabbing hold of her hand and linking his fingers through hers.

“You know how I feel about you don’t you?” she asked.

He looked right at her and his smile faded into a serious expression.

“I love you Christian,” she said right to him.

“I know you do sweetie,” he replied, rubbing his fingers along her hand, “I’ve known for some time.”

“But you don’t feel the same?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, “I love you as the mother of my child, but I’m not sure if it’s the same as what you feel for me.”

She had started to cry now, she couldn’t help it, she was pouring her heart out to the love of her life, and he was just leaving her cold. He was making soothing little noises and rubbing her hand, but nothing could stop the torrent of tears that had begun to cascade down her face.

“I’m not saying I’ll never love you Mel,” he said gently, “I’m sure it’ll happen.”

“You want it to happen?”

“Of course I do, you’re gorgeous and sweet and the girl of my dreams, of course I want to fall in love with you.”

She smiled at him and taking her hand away from his rubbed the tears away from her eyes.

“You’ve put bubbles all over your face now,” he said affectionately and reaching out brushed the suds away.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” she asked.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” he said quietly.

“I don’t want us to do anything,” she urged, “I just want to sleep next to you.”

He stopped and thought for a moment. Would it really be possible for this gorgeous girl to lie next to him in bed without his hormones getting the better of him? For once could he put something ahead of sex and let Mel sleep close by his side for no reason other than the fact that he wanted to be close to her.

“OK,” he finally said.