Until Here

by Cristin Cooper

  When he didn’t run away screaming yesterday after spending the day helping her grandparents pack, she was feeling pretty good about him, but when he showed up early that morning ready for another day together, she fell a little harder. Especially after knowing he had to play golf with her grandparents.

  “We could go back to my grandparents and swim. They have plans with friends so they most likely won’t be home until after we leave for movie night at your parents’.”

  “Perfect.”

  Her chest tightened with affection. Everything about being with him was perfect.

  She had no idea how perfect the idea was until she saw him shirtless wearing low riding swim trunks. It was made even more perfect when she had her body wrapped around his as they made out in the pool. Perfect. Perfect Perfect.

  An hour before his parents’ party, he left to change his clothes giving her some time to get ready and call her sister.

  “You will not believe who Preston is.” She said the moment Marla answered the phone.

  Melanie could hear the sound of typing on a keyboard in the background and figured she caught Marla in the middle of something but she had to tell someone. “Who?” Marla asked sounding distracted.

  “Ton!”

  “Ton?” she asked. “Wait!” The typing stopped and Melanie knew she had her sister’s attention. “The annoying chubby kid from when we were younger?”

  Laughing, Melanie said, “Yes! Except he is not annoying or chubby. Quite the contrary. He’s…” So many things she couldn’t pick one. “Smart, funny, kind and gorgeous. Definitely not chubby anymore.”

  “Wow. That is crazy. What are the chances?”

  “Right? Gran say’s it’s destiny.”

  “Well if Gran says it is…”

  “It must be true,” they said at the same time with humor in their voices.

  “So, how’s his back stabbing sister?”

  For the next half hour, she gave her sister a play by play of everything that happened since they last talked.

  “I need to finish getting dressed but I’ll call you later.”

  “Yes you will,” her sister stated in a serious tone.

  “I’m so glad you could make it.” Mary, Preston’s mother, gave her a quick hug after they were introduced. The kitchen was hectic with adults preparing food and kids running in and out of the house. Melanie was impressed how calm Mary was with all the chaos.

  Before she could volunteer to help, Preston took her hand and pulled her into the backyard where his father was manning the barbeque with rows of hotdogs. He wore a ‘Kiss the cook’ apron and a chef’s hat while helping kids load their plate with food.

  “Hey, Dad, I’d like you to meet Melanie. Melanie, this is my father, George.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you.” He placed an arm around her and squeezed her to his side with so much affection that he reminded her of her own father. Surprised by the connection, she quickly wiped away a tear before anyone could see. She had never felt this way with Steve’s family. They had always kept a clear distance from her like they knew their son would never stay with her.

  She thought about how George used the word finally. It was strange since she and Preston had only met or re-met a few days ago, but she felt the same way. It felt like she had always known Preston and knew about his family.

  “You, too,” she managed to say through the lump in her throat.

  “We’ll be starting the movie in a few minutes, or at least once we get all these kids settled with food and drinks.” He looked over her shoulder to Preston. “Mom, set out a chaise lounge for you and Melanie. You’ll have to share.” With a slight laugh he said, “I didn’t think it would be a hardship,” then winked at them.

  “It’s not,” Preston said as he guided Melanie away from his father. Her affection for his parents grew knowing they were okay with how quickly things had progressed with her and Preston. She wasn’t so sure her dad would’ve been okay with it and she knew her mother was worried. A few minutes after getting off the phone with Marla today, her mother called. Melanie cursed her sister for having a big mouth and tried to ease her mother’s concerns. She was just being…her mother. She had seen first-hand what happened after Steve cheated on her. But Preston was different and even after reassuring her mother of it, she still sounded unsure and warned her to protect her heart.

  After being shushed three times for repeating the lines of the movie along with the characters, she and Preston were forced to sit in the very back. Not that they minded. They made use of the privacy by making out.

  By the time the movie was over, Preston had to stay seated in the chair for a few extra minutes until…things calmed down. The way they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other, she knew they were going to have to have a conversation about sex and she wasn’t looking forward to it.

  She wasn’t a prude by any means but she had never been someone who jumped into a bed with a guy even if the guy was Preston.

  She was attracted to him, which was clear by the way she could never keep her eyes off of him and sometimes her hands. She also wanted to move things to the next level but having sex with someone meant she was to the point of giving them not just her body but also her heart.

  With Preston, it would’ve meant she had to be prepared to have her heart shredded in twenty-seven days when she went back home. She wasn’t sure she could survive that.

  Standing up, she gave him one more kiss. “I’m going to go help your mom.”

  He took her hand and pulled her down until she fell on top of him. “Wait. Wait. Wait.” Each ‘wait’ was said slower and deeper until she felt it between her thighs. His fingers dug into her hips as he gave her a kiss that made her stomach clench. Her decision to wait to have sex was going to be hard. In more ways than one.

  “Preston, people are going to see.”

  “Well, I wasn’t trying to hide that I like you.” He winked as she pushed off of him and stood on shaky legs.

  “I just met your parents, I don’t want them to think badly of me.”

  He pointed over to the sliding glass door leading into the house. When she saw what he was pointing at her jaw dropped and she bit back a laugh. Turning back to him, she said, “Alright, so they’re okay with public displays of affection.” Like really okay. His dad was squeezing his mother’s butt while giving her a kiss on the lips.

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he said, as she snickered at him and left him alone to deal with his…condition.

  The guests had cleared out fairly quickly leaving her alone with Mary. They chatted away like they were old friends. After spending more than one evening in uncomfortable silence with Steve’s mother, she was nervous to be alone with Mary, but her fears were quickly wiped away.

  As they cleaned the kitchen, Preston and George cleaned up outside coming in and out every few minutes bringing in food or dirty dishes. Every time Preston’s father turned around, Mary would look at his backside the way Melanie looked at Preston’s. Like father like son.

  “I think we’re done out there,” George announced. Preston came behind Melanie carefully pushing her out of the way so he could finish loading the dishwasher for her. “Watching you do dishes is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” she said wrapping her arms around him from behind and planting a kiss on his neck.

  He held her hand to his chest and smiled over his shoulder at her. “If you think that’s sexy, you should see me do laundry.” She laughed into his back and gave him another quick kiss.

  When she turned she kept a hand on his back not wanting to let go of him yet. When she looked up, she realized George and Mary were watching them with matching grins. She blushed, but wouldn’t regret showing Preston her affection. In another hour she would only have twenty-six days with him. She was determined to make every minute of every day count.

  Chapter Thirteen

  May 15th

  Preston

  “You heading out early?” his father asked
as he stood in the doorway of Preston’s office.

  He looked up from his computer and grinned. “Yeah. I’m meeting Melanie at the softball field to watch Arthur’s game.” This was the second week in a row. Last week, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Arthur was by far the oldest on the team but the one who took it the most serious. He was as intimidating on the field as he was when he questioned Preston about his intentions with Melanie.

  “Well, have a good evening and when you see Melanie, tell her hello for us and let her know we need a rematch.” He loved how much his parents adored Melanie. After meeting her, his parents had mentioned how nice it was that she was so openly affectionate with him. He loved that about her, too.

  “Dad, you and Mom lost fair and square. I can’t help it if Melanie had beginner’s luck.” Last Sunday after the evening church service that he had offered to go to with Melanie, they had dinner with his parents and played card games into the night. His father was known for being a good card player, but every game he played against her, he lost. Big time.

  “She claimed she had never played before, but I think you’re dating a card shark.” He chuckled. “Plus, we had a good time with her and we’d like to get to know her better.”

  “I’ll talk to her,” Preston said distractedly. He looked down at his watch and swore under his breath. He had been so caught up with work, he lost track of time. “I’m going to be late. Again.”

  “She should know now instead of later that you’re a workaholic.” Preston ignored his father’s comment and packed up his things saying goodnight to him as he jogged down the hall toward the exit.

  He had, in fact, told Melanie last Sunday before he came back to work that he loved his job and often worked until someone reminded him it was time to go home.

  Preston assumed after spending all day with her for nine days straight, he would be watching the clock on Monday. And though he had thought about her all day, he still managed to get distracted and left late. He called her up before he left and asked if he could pick her up. She didn’t seem to mind. They spent the evening making dinner and just hanging out while listening to music until nearly midnight when he walked her home.

  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday she had stopped by the office with a homemade lunch. “Because I miss you and just had to see you” she had said. During lunch she would tell him about the treasures she discovered while packing and he would tell her about the project he was working on. He found he loved the domesticity of it. Once they cleaned up from lunch, she said, “Tonight.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. He would pick her up and they would make dinner then spend the evening together until he walked her home late at night.

  Just thinking about it ending in twenty-two days left a heavy weight in his stomach. Being with her had become too easy and now he wasn’t sure if he could stand not having her to come home to.

  Instead of going home to change out of his suit, he took off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his button up as he walked toward the softball field. He spotted Melanie right away sitting next to her grandmother who wore a fluorescent pink visor and a t-shirt that read, ‘Property of the third baseman’.

  As he neared them, he noticed Melanie didn’t seem to be paying attention to the game. She was staring off toward the field though there was nothing to see and her signature smile was missing.

  “How are two of my favorite ladies doing?” Carol’s smile brightened when he leaned down and kissed her cheek, but it seemed to take a few seconds for Melanie to notice he was there.

  “Oh, hey.” She gave him a smile and leaned in to give him a sweet kiss when he took a seat next to her, but she just seemed…off. She was here but wasn’t. After sitting in silence for several minutes, he took her hand and asked her to go for a walk.

  “What about…” she waved her hand toward the softball field.

  “Just for a few minutes. I need to stretch my legs,” he lied. He was growing increasingly worried about her. It wasn’t the silence that bothered him but the type of silence. They had spent plenty of time not speaking, but it was the combination of silence and her lack of response to the game.

  He took her hand and helped her down from the bleachers. When they were out of earshot of other spectators, he stopped her and made her face him. “What’s going on?”

  She narrowed her eyes and said, “What do you mean? Nothing’s going on.” He could hear the irritation in her voice and yet she still wouldn’t admit there was something wrong.

  He had to pull his eyes away from her to calm his breathing. She had never acted this way and flashes of Bridget popped in his head. One minute he thought everything was perfect and the next he was watching her walk out the door. It became difficult to swallow when he imagined Melanie doing the same. It would be so much worse.

  As if the universe was in cahoots with his anxiety, he heard a little girl’s voice yell, “Preston!”

  His head shot up and he looked over to where he saw a little girl with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes run toward him. He drew in a breath and slowly released it as he said, “Katie.” Melanie stiffened next to him as she looked at the beautiful little girl then to him with questioning eyes.

  Katie grinned ear to ear when she said, “Hi, Preston. I haven’t seen you in a long time.” His stomach tensed as he looked down at the little girl who was no longer so little. Her comment was completely innocent with no trace of blaming but it hurt just the same. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t have cut himself off from her.

  Bridget jogged up behind her with a nervous smile. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he breathed out. So much had changed in the almost two years since they broke up, he expected her to look different but she looked exactly the same. Pretty, understated with her curly brown hair that Katie inherited, and warm brown eyes.

  Bridget fidgeted with her purse as she looked at him then down to his hand that was still holding Melanie’s. Before he could make introductions, Bridget put her hand out and said, “Hi, I’m Bridget.”

  Melanie let go of his hand long enough to shake hers and said, “Hi. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Melanie. I’m…” she looked at him and hesitated.

  He smiled at her and announced, “She’s my girlfriend.” He could feel the tension leave Melanie as she leaned into him and he put his arm around her. Bridget’s eyes shined and her smile grew. He would have felt the same way seeing her happy with someone else. Seeing her again was nice and proof that he no longer held feelings for her beyond friendship.

  “Katie, you’ve grown.” His eyes went big when Katie straightened her back to show him how big she had gotten. “And I love your glasses. They make you look really smart and cute.”

  Just at that moment her glasses slid down her nose making her huff with annoyance. “I know, but they don’t like to stay up.” Bridget rolled her eyes and smiled at her daughter.

  Melanie was quiet next to him but held a smile as she watched their interaction.

  Bridget startled when Katie jumped up and down screaming, “Billy, we’re over here.”

  “Katie, you don’t have to scream,” Bridget reprimanded. Katie ignored her as she took off running toward Billy, jumping into his arms. “My Billy.” She placed a loud smacking kiss on his cheek.

  “My Sweets,” he said affectionately.

  Preston expected to feel some resentment seeing Billy with Bridget and Katie, but instead he felt relief that he was still watching over of them. What did surprise him was the lack of physical contact between Billy and Bridget. He thought for sure Billy was the reason they had broken up, but they looked like friends instead of lovers. Though the way Bridget looked at Billy, he knew the feelings were still there…at least on Bridget’s side.

  “Wow, it’s good to see you, Preston. How are you?” Billy gave him a hearty handshake. It was obvious Billy was just as surprised to see him, as he was to see Billy. He noticed the concerned look Billy gave Bridget but she returned it with a soft smile.

  “I’m g
ood, and you?” His arm tightened around Melanie needing her support at such a strange moment.

  “Good.”

  Bridget pointed to Melanie, “This is Preston’s girlfriend, Melanie. Melanie this is Billy Hall, my boss, and good friend.”

  Billy swung Katie over his shoulder with Katie laughing gleefully. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry to meet and run but we’re going to be late if we don’t get going.”

  Bridget chuckled as she gave a small hand wave. “It was nice seeing you and meeting you, Melanie.”

  “It was nice meeting you,” Billy said followed by Katie who repeated, “It was nice meeting you,” ending with a squeal when Billy tickled her.

  Bridget began to follow behind Billy and Katie then quickly stopped and turned back giving him a one-arm hug. She whispered in his ear, “It’s good seeing you so happy. You deserve it.”

  He felt the sincerity and her relief that he was okay as he watched her jog after the loves of her life.

  He pulled Melanie into a tight hug feeling so much emotion, he didn’t know what to do with it. He felt relieved that seeing Bridget wasn’t as painful as he expected and that he had no lingering feelings for her, sadness that he wasn’t going to see Katie grow up and his growing worry that he was going to lose Melanie before she was really his.

  When he pulled back, she stood stiffly looking off to the side while biting her lip. He watched as she drew in a deep breath then looked him in the eyes. “Can we go to your place? I want to be alone with you.” He drew in the first deep breath since he sat next to her on the bleachers. She still wanted to be with him.

  He didn’t answer, he just took her by the hand and walked her to his car. He opened the door for her then told her he would be right back. He jogged back to the bleachers where Carol sat rooting on her husband who was rounding first base.

  “I’m taking Melanie to my place. Don’t expect her home tonight.” Even though she hadn’t ever slept over, he hoped he could get her to stay the night.