Chapter 59

Melody woke up in his arms the next morning, his grip not as tight anymore as his muscles were relaxed while sleeping. She couldn’t see the clock, it was on the night stand behind her, she tried to turn around without waking him but realized she did when his grip tightened around her again.
“Can’t you take the day off?” He said, he didn’t want to let her go.
“I start work in 30 minutes, I can’t ask now.”
“You can’t? But I can.” He turned around to reach the phone on his nightstand. “What’s the number.”
“Jon, you can’t do this, I have to work.”
“Number.” He asked again, Melody told him the number and he made the phone call.

The silence on the other end of the phone line made Melody hope nobody would pick up but it was a hotel, someone would pick up.
Finally Jon spoke. “Hi, I’m Jon, Melody Walker’s boyfriend. I was wondering if you really need her today because I had some things planned for her and forgot to phone to ask if she could have the day off.” He explained to the phone. An attentive looked appeared on his face as he listened to an answer, nodded and finally agreed to something. He put the phone back and laid down, he put his arms around Melody tightly again.
“Well?” She asked when he didn’t tell her anything.
“You’re staying right here with me. Your boss said you haven’t taken a day off in months.”
Melody relaxed in his arms again. She hadn’t expected her boss would, neither had she expected she’d feel this happy not to go to work.



An hour later his phone started ringing. He had fallen asleep again and tried to reach the phone again. He grumbled a good morning and listened what the caller was saying, Melody could see he didn’t agree when he looked at her but he didn’t want to disappoint either end agreed in the end.
“My parents are coming over tomorrow.” He said as he put the phone down again.
Melody sat up in the bed and leaned against the headboard, Jon sat back down next to her, he glanced over at the clock. “Dawn is coming over today too.” He started to remember everything he had planned for today.
“Who’s Dawn?” Melody asked confused, trying to remember if he had mentioned someone named Dawn before.
“My wardrobe lady.” He said, giving her a confused look. “I thought you met her.” Melody shook her head. “Oh, I thought you did. She buys my stage clothes and makes my dressing room cosy. She got some new clothes for the concerts in May so she’s coming over to show them.”
“Oh I get to see a fashion show?” Melody asked excited.
Jon smiled and nodded. He wasn’t particularly looking forward to it but was glad she’d be watching.



They reluctantly got up and Jon started breakfast while Melody waited for it.
“Why are your parents coming over?” She asked, remembering what he had said.
“It was my mum’s birthday on Tuesday and they want to come over to see the kids too.”
“Oh”
“It’s up to you, if you want to stay or not. You can still meet them later; I haven’t met your family either.” He said.
“I’ve met your brothers, sort of. I’d like to meet your parents. Tuesday is Faith’s birthday and all my family will be coming over too.” Melody explained, making a hint for him to come over. She did want to meet his parents, she didn’t have a problem with it, and she’d meet them eventually anyway.
Jon finished the eggs and gave Melody a plate. “All your family? That’s going to be very busy.” He said.
“Well, my parents, my brother Daniel and my littlest sister Samantha.” She explained to him. That would be busy enough at her house. It wasn’t like her house was that small but another 8 people would make it crowded in the living room, she was glad she had the downstairs den where they kids would end up anyway.
“What about your other brother and sister?” He asked a bit confused. He had a good relationship with his family and thought she might not have that with her family.
“Dean lives in Iceland, I haven’t seen him since he came to Samantha’s wedding which was 7 years ago.” She explained to him.
“Wow, that’s a really long time. Do you miss him?” Jon asked, he remembered his cup of coffee next to the pan he made the eggs in and got up to get it.

“Yeah,” she said when he sat back down, “but I see him on Facebook and we talk a bit, then we tried Skype but you know, everyone is busy and doesn’t have time.” She shrugged. “Plus the 5 hours time difference, it’s difficult.” She added to it. She did miss him but it had been 7 years, she had been so glad when she found him on Facebook and got to talk to him. Through pictures and webcam was the only way she had seen her two nephews grow up.
Jon nodded, he was glad his family was close by. “What about your sister? Don’t you talk to her?”
Melody shook her head, losing her appetite; she started picking at her eggs. She knew what he would ask next.
“Why not?” He noticed Melody’s mood had changed and wondered what had gone so bad between them. “What happened?”
Melody put her fork down and took a breath. “She died.” She whispered.
A shiver went over his spine, he hadn’t expected that.
Melody didn’t look up from her plate and kept staring at her eggs
“I’m sorry sweetheart.” He reached to hold her hands. “What happened?”
She didn’t turn her hands around to hold his but let his hands covers hers, she didn’t say anything.

Jon felt bad he had brought it up and got up from his chair to hug her. “Come, we’ll just go sit down in the living room. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He pulled her up from her chair and walked with her to the living room, somehow hoping another room would make it better.

Chapter 60