Chapter 62 : More Explanations

Mel awakes to an empty bed, stretching she is sore but in all the right places. Markus, true to his word, woke her up several times during the night and to be honest, she woke him up once as well. She picks up her phone and is shocked; it is after ten! Shit; she is still in Markus’s room. Finding yesterday's clothes in his hamper, she pulls them on and rushes out of the bedroom.

As she rounds the corner to the living room, her heart gives a little tug. Markus is asleep on the couch with Lucas on his chest and Buddy is at his feet. Markus has his two hands on Lucas’s back, holding him in place, and Lucas has one little hand on Markus’s cheek, the other grasping his shirt. Mel decides all is fine and goes to shower and dress.

When she comes back out of her room 20 minutes later, both are stirring. Markus kisses Lucas’s head, then senses her presence and looks up. “You’re up?” He asks, voice still heavy from sleep.

“Finally. I can’t believe I slept that late.” Mel responds. At the sound of her voice, Lucas is wiggling to get off Markus and at his mom. Mel goes over and scoops him up. “Good Morning my boy,” Mel says as she kisses Lucas all over his face.

“Don’t I get any of those?” Markus asked, standing right in front of her. Mel looks at Lucas and bites her lip. Markus doesn’t wait for her response, but leans over and kisses her soundly.

“Kisses” Lucas says as he slaps his hands on their cheeks.

“Yes, you get kisses too,” Markus says as he kisses Lucas, then blows a big raspberry on his belly, making him laugh. “How about we get your mama some food, eh?” He asks Lucas, who climbs back into his father’s arms.

Markus and Mel are cleaning up after breakfast, as Lucas plays with Buddy on the floor nearby. That dog is a blessing, Mel doesn’t know how she entertained the boy before he had the dog. Markus’s voice takes her out of her daydreaming.

“You kind of mentioned some problems with Lou’s parents and Lucas. Would you tell me about them?” Markus asks her.

Mel lets out a sigh, “It’s a long story, let’s make some coffee and go into the living room.” Ten minutes later, they are sitting on the couch and Mel starts her story. She tells Markus how Lou's parents blamed her selfishness for his death. Their anger and resentment only grew when they found out she was pregnant. They were insisting Lucas’s father was Lou. Even trying to get custody of him when he was born.

“But, they have no claim to him,” Markus protests. “You said you and Lou were never even intimate. Did they not know this?”

“Oh, they knew. Both of our parents knew and supported what we were doing.” Mel puts her cup on the coffee table and pulls her knees up to her chin, like she is creating a barrier around her. Markus doesn’t like it one bit. He puts down his cup as well and pulls her over closer to him.

Mel continues, “it devastated them when Lou died. It was just so senseless. He survived two heart attacks, several surgeries, and a heart transplant, just to be killed in a car accident. They needed someone to blame, I was an easy target.” Mel stops to wipe the tears from her face and Markus kisses her temple, pulling her even closer. “When they found out I was pregnant, I was like they were in a fantasy world. This was their way to still hold on to him, you know?”

“Yah, I can get that. I wouldn’t have understood six months ago, but after having Lucas in my life for such a short time, I can’t imagine losing him. So, what happened next?” Markus asks.

“When I was six months pregnant, they tried to force me to have a paternity test, but luckily the courts wouldn’t allow it. They said it was not worth the risk, that it could wait until after the birth.” Melissa lets out a heavy sigh. Markus pulls her into his lap.

“I didn’t have an easy pregnancy. There was so much going on. So much on my mind. The guilt over Lou’s death, the worry over losing Lucas.” Mel admits.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I really wish I could have been.” Markus tells her.

“Hey, that is totally on me. So many times I wanted to reach out to you. My mother, God, I don’t know how I could have made it through without her, she was a big advocate for me contacting you.”

“I love her already!” Markus says, trying to lighten the mood.

Mel laughs weakly, “I think the feeling is mutual. Anyway, I was in a deep depression for the last few months of my pregnancy. I had to rely on my parents a lot. I never would have done anything to hurt my baby, our baby, but if I am going to be honest, I wasn’t the healthiest then. Mom would force me to eat and get cleaned up. Dad would force me to go outside and garden with him, just to get some fresh air in me.”

“Was he healthy? When he was born?” Markus asks anxiously.

“Oh yes. Almost eight pounds and healthy lungs, that’s for sure. My doctor monitored him religiously and assured us he was developing properly and healthy. She warned me about Postpartum Depression, that in my state of mind it was most likely a given. But when I heard his cry, and they put him in my arms, it was like flipping a switch. I was a different person.” Mel reaches out and touches Markus’s face. “It was like looking at you again. I knew I had to get better so I could get back to you.”

With that declaration, Markus kisses her deep and thoroughly. “What took you so long?”

“Oh, Markus. I couldn’t drag you into that mess. I thought once Lucas was born and the paternity test showed Lou wasn’t his father, it would be over.” Mel laughs bitterly. “But things just got worse. They then tried to prove that I wasn’t a fit mother! I couldn’t believe it. These two people who were like second parents all of my life were doing everything to take my baby away from me.”

Markus pulls her tighter. “God Mel, I can’t believe you had to go through that. I really wish I could have been there to help you.”

Mel puts her fingers over his lips. “Stop. You had no say in the matter. That’s all on me. You are here now. That is all that matters. It’s all over now. The courts took a while to get around to the case, but once they looked at it, they threw it out. But until they decided, I could not leave the province with Lucas. By that time, I couldn’t just call you up or reach out by social media. I felt I owed it to you to explain things in person.”

“When was it over?” Markus asks, expecting it to have been many months ago.

“July,” Mel responds. “Actually, the decision came down, and I was told I was free of all conditions the same week the job here was advertised. As nervous as I was to track you down, the fact that there was a job opening in your department, that I was qualified for, was a sign. When I was contacted for an interview, I packed everything up and Mom, Lucas, and I all came down. I was staying until I got up the courage to tell you, whether I had the job or not.”

“Well,” Markus says, as he turns her around to straddle his lap, facing him. “I think things work out pretty damn well.” He threads his hands through her hair and rests his forehead against hers. “What do you think?” He asks.

“Couldn’t be better,” Mel responds. Markus pulls her mouth down to his and as they express their needs through a kiss, Mel realizes she is right. Things couldn’t be better.