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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2012 19:30:35 GMT -5
Chapter 53
Victor smiles as he walks into his gift filled living room, observing his wife who looks as if she is decorating for a party.
“Are we having another shower?” He raises an eyebrow as he makes his way to the bar.
“Yes,” Maggie chuckles, “We are at least picking up where we left off. My girls have a lot of gifts to open.”
“Looks that way,” Victor looks around, “I think they might have multiplied.”
“They did, yes,” She laughs, “We have been getting deliveries all morning. I think everyone that Melanie works with at the hospital has sent something and all of those over there are from Melissa and Sarah.”
Victor’s eyes widen as he observes the large mound of wrapped boxes in the corner of the room, “We’re going to have to allocate a separate room just for little Sophia’s toys.”
“Well, I'm pretty sure we have enough rooms to spare,” Maggie smiles coyly as she enlists Victor’s help in hanging the Welcome Home banner on the mantle. “Have you spoken to Philip at all about living arrangements?”
“I mentioned it to him, yes,” Victor nods, “He’s willing to do whatever is necessary to help Melanie.”
Maggie meets Victor’s eyes, “Your son is a good man.”
“He is. He cherishes his relationship with Melanie. He doesn’t want anything to change what they have.”
“I know that we’ve said it before, but despite everything that has happened and is still going on now… I’m so glad that Melanie and Philip are getting along and have a good relationship now.”
“I know,” Victor nods, “I think it’s good for both of them, but especially Philip. Melanie is good for him.”
“I think so too,” Maggie smiles, they both turn as Parker bounces into the living room with a gift bag and construction paper card in his hand, a smiling Philip following close behind.
“Gramma Maggie, look! I maked Melnee a card!” Parker smiled brightly as he hands it to her.
“Oh!” She raises her eyebrows, kneeling to his level, “It’s beautiful…” She observes the two stick figures, she points to the tall girl with long hair, “Is this Melanie?”
Parker nods, fervently, “Yep! And dats Sophie!” He points to a little round thing with two stick arms coming out of the side.
“Oh,” Maggie stifles her chuckle, “That’s perfect, Parker!” She hugs him closing, kissing him on the head.
“Parker wanted to make sure that he made his own card for them… signing mine wasn’t good enough.” Philip chuckles.
“Well, I know Melanie will love it,” She points to the table, “Can you put your gift and card on the table there?”
“Sure!” Parker nods, bouncing away as Maggie stands up.
“He is so excited to see Melanie. He misses her…” Philip smiles.
“I know,” Maggie observes Parker who has moved on to his toys, she looks back to Philip, “I hope he handles the baby okay and isn’t too jealous…”
“Me too,” Philip raises his eyebrows, “He’s going to have to get used to sharing you and Melanie.”
“Our Parker has his very special place in all of our hearts… I’m sure his time won’t be compromised too much.”
“I can't help but hope he and Sophie will be the best of friends some day… kind of like me and Melanie, you know?”
Maggie nods, smiling before they all turn when they hear the front door open. Soon Daniel appears in the doorway, carrying the baby seat, with Melanie and Carly walking behind him.
“Precious cargo!” Daniel smiles as he makes his way into the room, setting the baby seat sideways on the sofa.
“Hi everybody,” Melanie smiles as Maggie hugs her tightly.
“Welcome home, sweetie!”
Carly smiles as she walks past them and sets the bags down on the floor. Melanie laughs at the banner, “Welcome home Melanie and Sophia.” And all of the decorations.
“Thank you, You didn't have to do all of this!” She smiles as Maggie guides her into the room. She meets eyes with Philip who is standing behind the sofa with a soft smile, “Hey, you.”
“Welcome home, Melanie.” Philip flashes her a dimpled grin.
“Thank you very much!” Melanie smiles as she takes a seat on the sofa next to the baby-seat where Sophia begins to open her eyes and squirm slightly. Everyone watches as Parker approaches both of them with a cautious demeanor.
“Melnee?” He tilts his head, his voice small.
“Hi there, Parker!” Melanie turns bright eyed, she opens her arms for a hug, which he carefully obliges. Looking intently at the baby as Melanie holds him close to her side.
He looks up at her curiously, “Dat Sophie?” He points.
“Yes,” She nods, “It is…”
He turns back, “Hi, Sophie!” He flashes a small wave causing everyone to chuckle.
“You want to see her better? Here…” She leans over, unbuckling the baby and lifting her out, positioning her in the crook of her arm, “See? Sophia, this is Parker.” Melanie smiles as Parker studies her carefully, looking up at Melanie curiously.
“What she do?” He tilts his head.
“She doesn’t do very much right now, Parker.” Maggie chuckles, “But it won’t be long before she can play with you. She is a tiny baby, so she is growing very fast and she has to sleep a lot.”
“All da time?” Parker turns to Maggie.
“Not all of the time,” Melanie smiles, “Every day she grows and changes and can stay awake longer and longer.”
“I like her,” He smiles, placing a hand on the blanket that swaddles her, “Sophie, you pretty.”
“Aww…” Melanie smiles, “Parker, you are so sweet.” She leans over and kisses his cheek. He smiles.
“Are you tired, honey?” Carly asks as she moves closer to the sofa.
“Not really,” She shakes her head.
“Good,” Daniel’s eyes widen as he looks around the room, “Because it looks like the two of you have a lot of gifts to open.”
Everyone laughs as they look around the gift cluttered room.
“Parker made you a special card… and we got Sophie a little present, too.” Philip smiles as he hands Melanie the gift bag and Parker hands her the card.
“Aww!” Melanie smiles, “You boys are too sweet… Look at this card!” She marvels over Parker’s card and begins to open the gift with her free hand. She sighs adoringly when she pulls out a tiny baseball cap... followed by a pink and white baseball uniform with the number one on the back, "This is so cute!"
"We gonna teach Sophie tah pway ball!" Parker smiles brightly.
"You are?" Melanie smiles excitedly, looking up to meet eyes with Philip, "Thank you... this is adorable. I can't wait for Sophie to learn baseball from her uncle Philip." She watches as Philip nods silently, the smile never leaving his lips.
"And me! Pawker!" Parker points to himself as Melanie and the group laugh.
"Yes, of course. She will probably learn the most from you , huh?"
Parker nods happily before they are suddenly interrupted by the doorbell.
“Oh, Sophie! Are you getting visitors already?” Melanie looks down at the baby wide eyed as Henderson appears in the doorway.
“Miss. Jonas… there is a man here with a delivery for you.”
Victor looks at him curiously, “Can’t he just bring it in?”
“He says it needs to be delivered privately to Miss. Jonas.”
“Oh,” Melanie grows puzzled, “Okay, Henderson. No problem.” She rises from her seat and approaches Carly, handing Sophie to her.
“Oh, come here, precious.” Carly takes the baby and watches curiously as Melanie heads into the foyer.
A tall man stands in the door, a phony smile on his face and envelope in his hand, “Miss Melanie Jonas?”
“Yes?” She approaches cautiously, and utterly confused.
He holds out a clipboard, “A certified letter for you, mam, sign here please.”
Melanie signs on the line and takes the envelope as it is handed to her.
“Have a good day, mam.” The man nods.
“Yeah,” She looks at him perplexed, “Thanks.” Melanie watches as he turns and leaves. She closes the door then turns to head back into the living room, looking the thick envelope all over.
“What was that about?” Daniel looks to his daughter, curiously, as she re-enters the room.
“Huh?” Melanie looks up and shrugs, “I don’t know… certified letter.” She opens the envelope and unfolds the papers.
Maggie watches as Melanie’s face pales, “What is it, honey?”
“It’s a subpoena…” She studies the paper intently.
Daniel furrows his brow “A subpoena? For what?”
“To appear in Family Court.” Melanie looks up, her eyes wide with disbelief, “It’s Chad. He’s suing me… for full custody.”
THE END... (To Be Continued…)
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