Doing Things Right

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

Kevin couldn't remember the last time he felt so nauseous. He'd been scrimping and saving and planning for months, and everything finally fell into place. Tonight he was going to do it.. he was going to ask Melanie officially to be his wife. Sure. he'd asked already and technically they were engaged, but he'd felt like a loser since asking her because there was no ring on her fingers. Kelsey didn't think that mattered. She'd gone on and on about how the whole diamond industry was a crock of shit and any girl who cared about a ring wasn't worth his time anyway. Kevin thought that sounded hypocritical of her since she'd never had those views before going down to California, but it didn't matter because Melanie wasn't the kind of girl to care about that sort of thing. She'd happily accepted his proposal without a ring. It was he who had wanted that reminder tucked on her finger for the world to see, for him to see. He needed to feel like he could provide for her, and with his luck recently he felt like maybe, just maybe, he could.

When Melanie had become pregnant it had lit a fire under Kevin's read end. He knew the work he did wasn't going to cut it if he was to care for a baby and a girlfriend, and he couldn't expect her to be the bread winner all the time. So he'd begun his job hunt, and though they lost the baby, he didn't give up sending out resumes now and then, and landing a few interviews. He'd kept most of this secret from Melanie, planning on letting it be a surprise if he found something good. He just didn't want to get her hopes up if it took a long time, and he didn't want to feel like a loser with her asking how interviews went. He'd never been very good at interviews, being a little quiet and never knowing what to say, but at his last interview they must have seen something good in Kevin. It took a couple of weeks to hear back from the company, but when he did he nearly passed out. He'd been offered the job of Assistant Construction Manager and they were going to start him at $42,000 a year. That was more than twice what he'd ever made before, and this was the job he was sure he was under qualified for, but somehow he'd aced the interview. He'd been on cloud nine, and though he wanted to tell Melanie that night, he knew it would be better to make a night of it, besides he had some shopping to do beforehand.

That morning Kevin had pretended to go off to work, but in reality he was picking up the final piece to his plan. When he got home he prepared; cleaning the apartment and getting himself ready before calling in for Italian food from a local place. He'd wanted to cook, but he also wanted it to be special and romantic and Kevin knew that he just couldn't pull it off with his talents in the kitchen. He kept the food warm in the oven, dessert already in the fridge ready for later. Now he just needed to wait. He paced around the apartment, double checking everything; the ring, the food, himself.. he went over in his mind what he would say to her, practicing out loud. That is until he heard the familiar footsteps approaching the door. His heart practically seized.

Kevin gulped as the door opened. Not only was Kevin home, but he wasn't filthy, something not typical for a Friday. Truth was Thursday had been his last day, his new job beginning on Monday morning. He was dressed in a nice button down shirt, slate gray slacks resting on his narrow hips. The apartment was dimly lit, warm and fragrant from the candles he'd burned, and a hint of rose spread through the kitchen from where the dozen roses sat on the table. "Hey, baby." He greeted with a nervous smile, meeting her at the door and leaning down to peck her lips lightly. "Umm.. I thought we would have a date night tonight. Surprise!" He sounded anxious, though he tried not to be. "I have food in the oven." He offered, pulling her further into their home. "Don't worry, I didn't make it. It's from Giovanni's, so it'll be good." He promised, wondering if she could hear his herat hammering.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

Melanie was healing well from the loss of her baby, her new nephew not serving as the painful reminder of what she had lost like she thought he would. River was seven months old and the cutest baby she’d ever encountered. He loved to smile and laugh and his cooing warmed her heart to the very core. Brandon’s features were strong in her nephew’s face and she often wondered if her brother had been this cute as a baby. From baby pictures, they looked a lot alike, but how similar were their personalities? She and Jo spent a lot of time together on the weekends these days, bonding over River and wedding plans. Melanie was going to be maid of honor and apparently her opinion was very valued, which she was flattered by. She would often cuddle her Punkin Chunkin while Jo ran ideas by her. It was the kind of thing she needed to help her heal. No one helped her more than her ever-attentive fiancé, though.

Even as Kevin looked hard for a better job, he made sure to spend plenty of time with Melanie in their time off. She helped him as she could, sending him links to positions when she had a few minutes to glance at job postings at work or in her time off. He’d had several interviews, she knew that from the way he’d walk out in the morning in a fresh suit, but he never told her how the interviews went. Not that it bothered her—she understood Kevin would tell her when he felt confident something would work out. She also wasn’t sure how his saving for a ring was going, but she didn’t care. In her heart they were already engaged and the ring was just a formality that would come later. She had even started to consider her own loose wedding plans, keeping it to herself to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on Kevin. He would feel like she was hinting at something and she didn’t want to be obnoxious. Overall, it was a pretty happy existence and soon she was comfortable with her new normalcy. They could try for a baby later, when they were better prepared for it.

As Melanie trudged to her and Kevin’s apartment, she was glad she no longer had to work Saturdays. They rescheduled her so that she worked a full day on Friday and on Wednesday. It took away her ability to help Brandon on his boat once a week like she was used to, but her brother’s business was doing well. He didn’t need her help anymore, though she tried to work at least one Saturday a month. It was odd not being a part of the family business, but tomorrow was not one of her days on the boat. She and Kevin didn’t have any plans and she figured they could just relax in the apartment. Twisting the key in the lock, she was surprised when she opened the door and found Kevin standing there in the dim light of their very fragrant apartment. He was clean and put together, wearing nice clothes and a nervous smile on his face. Her own smile grew as she admired how very handsome he looked. “Hey, baby.” “Hey, you,” she responded softly and playfully, closing her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her. She was going to ask what all of this ambiance was about, but he beat her to the punch. "Umm…I thought we would have a date night tonight. Surprise!" She grinned and glanced behind him into the apartment, slipping her coat off her shoulders. Date night, huh? She loved it! "I have food in the oven." Her eyebrows rose as she looked up at Kevin with a playfully impressed look. He’d cooked? "Don't worry, I didn't make it. It's from Giovanni's, so it'll be good." She laughed, hanging her coat up on the hanger stuck to the wall for her things, right next to his coat. Her purse went down on the small side table set up by the door before she turned around and reached her arms up around Kevin’s broad shoulders. “I’m sure it would have been delicious if you’d made it, too. Or that’s what I would tell you, at least.” She grinned with her tease, giggling as he leaned in to kiss her again. It was a sweet kiss, one that made her heart skip before he pulled away. Her hand slid down to his chest, patting it gently. “Let me go get changed really quick.” She needed to get out of her scrubs and she felt very undressed compared to Kevin.

She looked into the kitchen as passed, her smile wide across her cheeks when she saw and smelled the roses on the table and the candles burning cheerfully. It was all so inviting and it made her cheeks flush to know how much trouble Kevin had gone to in order to make everything perfect. He really did treat her like the most treasured girl in the world. She left the door to their bedroom cracked as she changed in case he said anything. Since he was dressed in a button-down and slacks, Melanie decided to go with a pretty, canary yellow dress[/u] that complimented her skin tone. She’d stumbled across it on Peanut Street when she went shopping with Jo a few weekends ago and couldn’t wait until spring to wear it. Now she had the chance! She slipped it on, leaving her hair up in the ponytail she always kept it in at work, and approved herself in the mirror. When she came out, Kevin was serving the food and she smiled wide. “You really outdid yourself! Where did all these candles come from?” It wasn’t often she could go on such a nice date completely barefoot! The air was warm and cozy and the smells filling her apartment made her feel completely at ease. And the best part was her handsome man ready to treat her like a princess.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

“I’m sure it would have been delicious if you’d made it, too. Or that’s what I would tell you, at least.” She said with a grin, wrapping her arms around his neck. He smiled his wide, dimply smile and nodded. "I know you would, which is why I ordered in. I thought it was wrong to make a liar out of you." He teased back before letting their lips meet in a sweet, brisk kiss, Melanie giggling through it. Her hand slid down to his chest, patting it gently. “Let me go get changed really quick.” He gave a little nod and pulled away from her, watching her walk down the hall. He took a deep breath and let it slip out, his stomach in excited knots. He turned and looked over to the pantry, glad he moved her present in there not long before she got home. Last thing he needed was for her to stumble across it before he was ready for her to. Hopefully he could wait until after he ate to give it to her!

Kevin pulled the food out of the oven, clams in white wine sauce over linguini, and a loaf of garlic bread wrapped in tin foil. Slowly he peeled away the tin, exposing the bread inside, and carefully placed it on one of Melanie's pretty serving dishes. Next he scooped the pasta into a serving bowl before bringing it to the table to serve out onto the dishes. When he got to the table he caught sight of Melanie, taking a double look as she strolled out in a pretty yellow dress he hadn't seen her in yet. A smile slowly curved up his lips as he took in her beauty. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't feel like the luckiest man in the world for having someone like Mel. Beautiful, kind, supportive and so patient and understanding. She was more than any man deserved.

“You really outdid yourself! Where did all these candles come from?” He blushed and rolled his shoulders. "Kelsey left them when she moved out." It was a little lie. Jo had given them to him when she found out that he was going to propose for real, his future brother in law having one of the biggest mouths on the planet, but he didn't want Melanie to suspect anything by saying he'd borrowed them from Jo who she knew he wasn't crazy about. Kevin was terrified that one of them would tell Melanie and ruin the surprise, but she didn't seem suspect. Besides, he hadn't dared to tell them how he planned to do it just in case. In the end it worked out since Jo helped pick out the ring, something she said he was incapable of doing properly, and though he hated to admit it, she was right. He never would have picked the ring he had without Jo's assistance. It was affordable and pretty, classy and very Melanie. He knew she would like it.

"Here, sit." He was quick to move to her chair, pulling it out for her and waiting for her to take her seat. Kevin slowly pushed the chair in under her before moving to the serving bowl and starting to scoop some of the pasta and clams onto her plate. "So how was your day?" He asked politely, wanting her to chat for a while so he could try and keep his focus and not pop too soon. He served himself as she talked, opening the wine and pouring them each a glass before taking a sip. The food was amazing, as always, and he was glad he chose to get that instead of trying to actually cook. That would have quickly become a nightmare. He ate slowly, his stomach twisting too much to feel all that hungry, his gaze intent on Melanie as she talked about the children she'd cared for at the hospital that day. They had gotten through part of their meal by the time she asked about his day, inquiring why he was home so early. He was thrown off by the question, not having thought of a good answer. He decided now was as good a time as any to spill his good news.

"I didn't have to work today." He explained slowly, sliding his fork down on his plate and wiping his hands on his mouth with his napkin. "Yesterday was my last day there. I gave my two weeks notice two weeks ago because on Monday I'm starting a new job." The look on her face made him swell with pride and he couldn't hold back his smile any longer. "You're looking at the new Assistant Construction Manager for B.P. Construction Incorporated." Kevin beamed. "I got a real job, baby.. with benefits and a 401K and a salary more than twice what I make now."

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

Kevin looked embarrassed at Melanie’s question and she bit her lip to keep from grinning too much. “Kelsey left them when she moved out.” Had she? Melanie had never seen them before and she was pretty sure she knew their apartment like the back of her hand. Maybe they were stored in one of the cabinets she couldn’t reach. She nodded and smiled wide. “I like it! Very mood setting.” She grinned and Kevin quickly moved to her chair, pulling it out with a polite, “Here, sit.” Melanie playfully sauntered over and stood before the chair. “Thank you!” she chirped, smiling up at Kevin as he pushed in her seat under her. He moved over to the serving bowl and began to scoop some clams and pasta onto her plate. It smelled delicious and her mouth watered. She was so hungry! “So how was your day?” She turned her eyes up to his before smiling, shrugging. “It was good!” Kevin served himself and poured their wine as Melanie told the stories of the day—how five year old Suzie now had four boyfriends and was threatening to dump one of them because he said she was bald. She swore that was an insult, not just a way to describe someone with no hair. Melanie had tried to explain it but the little fireball was unmoved. Suzie was an inspiration, never losing her spirit in her fight with leukemia, but she could be a handful. Then she told how two of the older boys, one who had just undergone a heart transplant and the other who was a cancer patient, had a wheelchair race down the hallway. Other kids cheered them on as did the nurses and a few doctors. It was a high point of her Friday to see the happiness on their faces after the struggle she’d seen them battle. She popped food in her mouth as she talked, chewing and swallowing before she continued her conversation, which gave Kevin the opportunity to interject here and there. After a time she became more curious about his day and her brow furrowed gently, looking across the table quizzically.

“So what brought you home early enough to put this together? Did you ask for the time off?” It was unlike him to do something like that, always working hard for his money, so she was touched at the thought that he might make that sacrifice. “I didn’t have to work today.” Melanie’s brow furrowed more. Didn’t have to work? Did…did that mean he was fired? She stopped chewing the food in her mouth for a second, waiting for bad news. He looked so serious as he laid down his fork and wiped his mouth. Melanie swallowed her food, though it went down slowly. "Yesterday was my last day there. I gave my two weeks notice two weeks ago because on Monday I'm starting a new job." Just like that, her mood flipped around and a big smile stretched her face as her jaw fell open and her dark eyes widened in surprise. “Really?!” she squealed, putting her own silverware down. He grinned back at her and she beamed at the pride in his face. "You're looking at the new Assistant Construction Manager for B.P. Construction Incorporated." She gasped again, her hands going to her mouth excitedly. A manager position! "I got a real job, baby…with benefits and a 401K and a salary more than twice what I make now." She pushed herself out of her chair, scampering over to Kevin with excited little bouncing steps. “Kevin, that’s wonderful!” she cried out in a breathy voice. Without hesitation, she sat in his lap, her legs hanging off the right side of his body as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “I’m so proud of you!” He hugged her back with just as much enthusiasm, drawing her smile wider across her lips. “I knew you could do it!” she exclaimed, her chin resting on his shoulder as she squeezed him a little longer.

When she pulled back, she kept her arms around his shoulders, looking into his face with bright eyes. “An assistant manager! You didn’t even tell me you’d applied for something like that!” Not that it really surprised her he wouldn’t tell her, but she was a little surprised he’d gone for something so ambitious. She was so ecstatic for him! “How much did they offer you?” It might have been a rude question to some people, but she felt comfortable asking Kevin. They didn’t have any secrets from each other, anyway. When he told her, she beamed wider. “That’s great! You’re finally getting what you deserve! I’m so happy for you!” Her lips finally leaned in and planted a sweet, smiling kiss on his mouth. She pulled back, but she didn’t stay away for long as she leaned in and pecked him once, twice more before hanging back and grinning wide.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

Kevin had been pleased with himself, but not so much until he saw the way Melanie looked at him. He'd seen her happy before, but to see the unmistakable amount of pride in her own eyes pleased him to no end. He'd never had a reason to be proud of himself, having always felt like a failure, and having no family but his sister, he rarely got complimented on a job well done. Melanie had bounded out of her seat, practically skipping the four feet over to him on the other side of the little table they were eating at. “Kevin, that’s wonderful!” she cried out climbing easily into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m so proud of you!” His heart swelled and his cheeks flushed as he held her tight, so glad to finally be able to tell her. He felt the harness below her dress, only adding to his love for her. She was so special on so many levels. “I knew you could do it!” she exclaimed, squeezing him so tight that he had to laugh a little. "Thank you." It was soft and bordering on serious, not just thanking her for being proud, but for having so much faith in him when he couldn't find faith in himself.

Finally Melanie pulled back a little, her arms still wrapped around his shoulders, her eyes bright with happiness. “An assistant manager! You didn’t even tell me you’d applied for something like that!” He blushed and rolled his shoulders. "I didn't want to get your hopes up, or mine. I didn't think I even had a shot in hell." He admitted. He was under qualified for the position with his lack of schooling, but the years of hands on experience made up for a lot of that, plus the positions he'd held in the past with smaller companies. “How much did they offer you?” To some it might have been a rude question, but Kevin didn't see it that way. With them being engaged, personal questions like that were to be asked, and he was proud of the answer. "They're starting me at forty two grand, but if things work out I might make more by the end of the year." He confessed with a blush, pleased with the way her eyes widened slightly. This was a big deal for him, for them. It meant they could buy a home and have a nice wedding, not necessarily in that order. It meant job security, and so much more. “That’s great! You’re finally getting what you deserve! I’m so happy for you!” For the first time in their relationship he agreed that he did deserve it. With how hard he'd always worked, he did deserve this break, this chance to shine and he knew now that he'd been given the opportunity he would excel. Her lips pressed against his and he wondered how long he could put off his surprise for her.

Kevin smiled wide at Melanie as she pulled away, her lips coming back to plant a few more small pecks on his lips causing him to laugh out loud at her silliness, finally grabbing her face by the cheeks and holding her head steady as he offered a longer, more affectionate kiss. "You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell you." He admitted, biting his lower lip, his stomach flipping excitedly. "I wanted to make it special, though.. and that meant doing a few things first." His body tensed a little in his anxiety at the curious way she looked at him. "I, uhh.. got you something." He knew it might give it away, but it was okay if it did. He picked Melanie up as he stood, turning and placing her down on his chair. He turned and made his way over to the pantry pulling out pink hat box with a black ribbon around it. The top came off without it having to be untied and he carefully brought it over to where Melanie was sitting, kneeling down in front of her. "I know how hard things have been for you since we lost the baby, and I feel bad for the stress I put you through when I found out. We would have made it work.. you would have been an awesome mom. You will be an awesome mom, hopefully soon. But until then.." He placed the box on Melanie's lap and slipped the lid off. Inside was a fluffy calico kitten curled up fast asleep. "I know it's not a baby, but I thought until we could try again.." He licked his lips watching Melanie gush over the adorable little cat. The day after he'd been hired he'd gone to the shelter to pick one out and had been lucky enough to snag one of these little ones from a litter that had just been put up for adoption, having just come out of foster care. "You can name her.." He offered, gulping and feeling anxious again as Melanie obviously felt the stone attached to the kitten's collar. As she pulled the collar around and saw the yellow sapphire ring Kevin reached for her hand.

"I promised a ring, and I know it took me a while to make good on that promise. I love you, Mel. Every day I wake up feeling like the luckiest man in the world because you're there beside me. You make my world brighter, and because of you I feel happy and content all the time. All my success is because of you. You've believed in me when no one else would, and you stood by my side and helped me see my own worth. I would be honored to be yours forever, and I swear I'll work hard to make you proud. I want everything with you.. a house, children, grandchildren.. I want everything, even the bad stuff. So.. what do you think? Want to start wedding planning?" He smiled, knowing she'd already said yes to his proposal, a lump in his throat as tears pooled unshed in his eyes.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

Kevin grabbed Melanie’s face and pulled her in for a final sweet kiss, making her smile against his mouth. “You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell you.” Melanie smiled wider, giggling a little. "I wanted to make it special, though…and that meant doing a few things first." Her eyebrows knit gently, giving Kevin a curious look. What had he done to prepare for telling her about his new job? And why was he so tense? "I, uhh…got you something." Her heart throbbed and adrenaline shot through her as her eyes widened, before she shook her head and waved off such foolishness. He wouldn’t have a ring already. Kevin picked Melanie up and turned so that he placed her in his chair gently. She grinned up at him as he moved away, feeling so special. He moved to the pantry and pulled out a pretty pink box with a black bow. She gave a soft gasp as he produced it, smiling wide as he set it on her lap and kneeled down before her. "I know how hard things have been for you since we lost the baby, and I feel bad for the stress I put you through when I found out. We would have made it work…you would have been an awesome mom. You will be an awesome mom, hopefully soon. But until then…" Tears were already swimming in her eyes at his sweet apology and faith in her, but her eyes followed his hands to the lid of the box. When he opened the box, Melanie gasped at the tiny ball of fur hidden within. "I know it's not a baby, but I thought until we could try again…” Melanie grinned and reached into the box, practically melting at the feel of the silky fur beneath her fingers. The kitten stretched and gave a soft mew. “Oh, it’s so precious!” she gushed, moving the box so she could rest the kitten on her skirt. Her fingers began to massage the furry treasure, finding the spots the little furball would lean into. One was near a collar and the heard a gentle tinkling as two metal surfaces clicked. "You can name her…” But it felt like she already had a name! Melanie gently spun the nametag, bringing it to where she could see it. Her eyes widened and her fingertips came to her lips in shock.

Glittering around her kitten’s neck was a beautiful diamond ring with a large yellow jewel in the center. She lowered her hands from her face and examined the ring with her fingers, eyes already filling with tears. Kevin took her left hand and she bit her lip to keep it from trembling. "I promised a ring, and I know it took me a while to make good on that promise. I love you, Mel. Every day I wake up feeling like the luckiest man in the world because you're there beside me. You make my world brighter, and because of you I feel happy and content all the time. All my success is because of you. You've believed in me when no one else would, and you stood by my side and helped me see my own worth. I would be honored to be yours forever, and I swear I'll work hard to make you proud. I want everything with you…a house, children, grandchildren…I want everything, even the bad stuff. So…what do you think? Want to start wedding planning?" Her face was scrunched up with her touched and ecstatic tears. They were streaming down her face even as she smiled from ear to ear, and placed her kitten on the table somewhat hurriedly. “I’ve already started!” she announced in a voice somewhat strangled with excitement. Then she laughed and cupped his face in her hands, her lips colliding with his passionately. Her fingers then buried into his hair keeping him as close as possible and she kissed him to her heart’s content. When she pulled away, she grinned and looked into his face excitedly. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I want to be your wife!” she chirped, before kissing him again with a soft whimper. After giving him a long, adoring kiss, she pulled away to let Kevin take hold of the kitten’s collar and finagle the ring off. She brought her fingertips to her lips again, watching with bright eyes as Kevin freed her ring. Once he had it in his fingers, she let her hand fall and he took hold of it gently. The ring slipped on perfectly and Melanie stared at it in disbelief for a long moment. She was engaged. She was going to marry Kevin.

Giggling, she threw her arms around Kevin’s shoulders and pulled him in for a thrilled kiss. It was deep and loving, her legs wrapping around his hips to pull him closer against her, but more in a playful way than a sexual one. “I’m going to be Mrs. Whitfield…” she breathed against his lips, grinning wide at the look he gave her. He kissed her again and she returned it full force, wrapping her arms tighter around his shoulders. Her hands pushed through his hair to force it back from his face and she pulled back from his lips to look deep into his eyes. “I love you.”

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

Kevin's heart swelled with pride at the reaction he got from Melanie, whose face was scrunched and pink from her happy tears. She looked adorable and he'd never felt like a more accomplished human being. For years he'd tried to be a better person for his sister, to give her everything they'd missed out on as children, but she had held him back and was reluctant to help. He was glad he was able to overcome a lot of his failures for Melanie. He was glad that he could actually provide for them. “I’ve already started!” she gushed in her teary excitement, pushing a laugh from Kevin. He should have know she had done some planning, especially since her brother's fiance was planning her wedding already. Her hands grabbed his face, pulling him in for a sweet kiss which he returned, pleased with how pleased she was. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I want to be your wife!” she chirped, before kissing him again with a soft whimper. She lingered for a long moment before pulling away and giving him one of the most satisfied smiled he'd ever received from her. He pulled away only to grab the kitten, which was looking confused on the table, sniffing around his plate, and maneuvering the ring free from her collar. Once free he took her hand as she offered it, his eyes on the ring as he slipped it into place before giving her a little smirk. He watched the way she looked at her hand, the joy in her eyes as she let it sink in. This made it real for both of them, not some sad promise that was made when she was pregnant so their child wouldn't be a bastard. This was official, and he could see it in the way she looked down at her hand. He'd made her happy.

When she had her fill of looking at her hand, Melanie threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed him again, her legs wrapping around his body to get as close as possible. He had to laugh, holding her close as he got to his feet, his hands resting under her ass to keep her around him. “I’m going to be Mrs. Whitfield…” she breathed against his lips, and he returned her look giving one long nod. He kissed her again, not sure he would ever get tired of that mouth of hers. It was, by far, the happiest day of his life. Melanie ran her fingers through his hair and gazed into his eyes and he wished he could freeze that moment. He wished he had a parent to tell this all to. Kelsey was happy for him, but she didn't completely get it, wrapped up in her own world. Plus, he knew his sister felt replaced on some level. It was still strange coming home without her there, even if it was sort of a good strange. Still, he missed his other half, especially now that things were actually going well for him. Maybe he could convince her to come back to Oregon..

“I love you.” Kevin sat her on the table, her legs still around him, their bodies pinned together. He slipped his hands to her cheeks again and leaned in to kiss her sweetly. It was a slow adoring kiss, their faces nuzzling affectionately together. "I love you." He whispered in return, resting his head against hers. The sound of slurping made his brows furrow playfully as he looked over to see their family's newest addition helping herself to the sauce on the bottom of Kevin's plate. "No, no, kitten.." He laughed, reaching out and grabbing the little fur ball, bringing her between them so they could snuggle her together. "Now two very important decisions need to be made." He scratched the kitchens head before looking back up into Melanie's face, only inches away. "One, this little girls needs a name. Two, we need to pick a wedding date."

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

Kevin set Melanie on the table and she was too swept up in his kisses to care. His hands slid to her cheeks while her legs held his hips close and her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders. The kiss he delivered was slow and tender, his face nuzzling into hers sweetly. She returned his nuzzling as she could through her kisses, leaning in as he pulled away. “I love you.” His forehead rested against hers and she pushed her forehead gently into his. Her fingers slipped through his hair slowly as she adored nuzzling him. This was by far the happiest day of her life. She and Kevin were really getting married. There was a rock on her finger to show the world that she belonged to no one else but him—it made her so happy she could fly. It was a soft slurping sound nearby that finally pulled her from her thoughts. Kevin heard it too and she turned to look shortly after he did. Their newest addition to the family was enjoying the sauce at the bottom of Kevin’s plate, making Melanie coo a soft, “Awww!” “No, no kitten…” He laughed and reached out to pull the kitten towards them. Melanie giggled and scratched the baby cat’s soft little head, grinning as she leaned into her touch. “Now two very important decisions need to be made.” Melanie turned her eyes up to Kevin’s with playful curiosity, their fingers bumping into each other as they both tickled the kitten’s ears. “One, this little girl needs a name. Two, we need to pick a wedding date.” A wedding date…She was planning a wedding! She grinned and dipped a finger into the top of his button-down shirt, tugging him gently into another sweet kiss but avoiding crushing their new kitten. When she pulled away, she smiled up at Kevin before turning her smile down to the little furball in his arms.

“Hmmm…what should we call you?” she asked the kitten, scratching her beneath her tiny chin. Her fuzzy face leaned forward, pressing into her finger as her green eyes slipped closed. She was just too cute! Melanie giggled a little again and leaned in to plant a kiss on the soft head. The kitten seemed startled and moved back away from her finger, looking up at Melanie as she moved back away from the kitten too. Melanie pursed her lips and the calico ball of cute leaned in and sniffed at the puckered lips his new owner offered, her tiny nose tickling lightly as she tapped it against Melanie’s mouth. When Melanie did pull her face back, the kitten brushed her face against Melanie’s still extended fingers, her whole body vibrating with her purring. “I think we should call her…hmmmm…” She ran over the names she had thought of for pets in the past. They were mostly cute little names, but some were just too common for pet names. Melanie scooped the baby into her hands, lifting her up so she could face to face with the fuzz ball. The kitten mewed pathetically, her little paws pressing into Melanie’s hands nervously since she didn’t know to trust her owner yet. “How about…Kiki?” She brought the kitten closer to her face, smiling sweetly. “You want to be called Kiki?” she asked in a slightly higher voice than normal. The kitten mewed again, her paw reached out and tentatively pressing against Melanie’s nose for more support before she went back to gripping at her hand. Melanie giggled and kissed the side of her little face. “I’ll take that as a yes. Welcome home, Kiki!” Kiki gave another mew as Melanie lowered her to her shoulder. The kitten seemed much happier there and took a look around, her green eyes fixing on Kevin’s fingers as they came up to scratch at her again. It wasn’t a baby of their own, but it was something they could dote on and Melanie was over the moon about everything she’d received tonight.

Her dark eyes looked up to Kevin again as she smiled wide. “As for a wedding date, what about mid to late October? It shouldn’t be too hard to plan something for then. It wouldn’t be a big wedding. What do you think?” She bit her lip, genuinely wanting to hear his opinion. By October she could be Mrs. Melanie Whitfield…it made butterflies on acid batter around her stomach just to think of it. She was so excited! The love of her life wanted to live the rest of their lives together! Well…the rest of his life. In all likelihood, Melanie would outlive Kevin. The thought terrified her, but she didn’t want to consider it right now. She was far too happy.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

Melanie's smile was infectious and he found himself returning it as her finger hooked into the collar of his shirt, pulling him close enough to kiss without crushing their newest addition in the process. It was a brief kiss and when she pulled away he could see the look of pure joy in her eyes. He wanted to always make her so happy. “Hmmm…what should we call you?” Melanie asked the kitten, scratching her beneath her tiny chin. She considered it for a long time, Kevin's fingers coming up to scratch the little ball of fur, their dinner briefly forgotten as they adored the adorable cat. He had to admit she was pretty cute. He'd have liked a puppy, but with their schedules, and the size of the apartment, he knew it wouldn't be fair. The kitten was better for them now. Dogs could come later. “I think we should call her…hmmmm… How about…Kiki?” She brought the kitten closer to her face, smiling in a way that made Kevin love her just a little bit more. “You want to be called Kiki?” she asked in a babyish voice that the kitten seemed to like, mewing her approval back. Kevin smiled, not sure where she came up with the name, but deciding it was cute. He did say she could name her, after all. “I’ll take that as a yes. Welcome home, Kiki!” Kevin smiled at the way Kiki acted in the position Melanie was holding her in, ruffling the fur on her head as he added his own welcome. "Welcome, Kiki. Be prepared to get spoiled." He teased knowing Melanie would probably spoil the hell out of her pseudo daughter.

“As for a wedding date, what about mid to late October? It shouldn’t be too hard to plan something for then. It wouldn’t be a big wedding. What do you think?” October? That gave them eight months. Was that enough time? It seemed like a long time but he knew very well that it wasn't. He gulped, it all making his stomach twist again. This was definitely happening! He slowly nodded, his nods gradually getting faster as he agreed to the idea and let it sink in. "I think mid to late October sounds perfect." He said gently, smiling. He slid a hand through his hair and gave a soft breathy laugh. "I can't believe we're actually doing this.." He admitted, his grin widening as hers did too. Kevin leaned in again, kissing Melanie hard. Just as he was getting into it he felt a swipe at his face as Kiki swatted at a clump of long brown hair that had fallen into his face. He pulled away with a laugh and grabbed the kitten from Mel's shoulder, holding her up to his face. "Oh, you're going to be trouble, aren't you." He wrinkled his nose at the cat who swatted at his hair again, her soft paw gliding over his nose. He hugged the animal close to his chest, looking into his fiance's dark eyes. By the end of the year they would be married!

"Let's finish dinner before it gets cold." He suggested, pulling away from Melanie and sticking Kiki back in the hat box she'd been in, pushing it next to Melanie's seat. He took his own seat and grabbed his glass of wine, holding it up to toast with Melanie. "To us, our wedding, and our new hairball." He said with a wide smile, their glasses clanking before he took a deep sip. He dug in again, taking a bit of the pasta before breathing deep. "You know, with the extra income we could maybe think about looking at a house." He offered a little anxiously. He wasn't one to want to spend money, mostly because he never had it, but with their combined incomes things had been easier, and now with the pay increase, owning a home would be within their reach. "I mean, the lease is up this summer, so we have about four months, but why not look for something more permanent if we're going to get married anyway? Then we could really think about the whole baby thing. There wouldn't be a question about where we could put it, it would have its own room."

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

Kevin was quiet for a long moment, looking a little nervous at Melanie’s suggestion of October. She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down and she wondered if she’d suggested something too soon. But then he nodded, slowly at first and then more quickly. “I think mid October sounds perfect.” Melanie’s smile stretched from ear to ear, watching Kevin give a breathy laugh and rake his fingers through his shaggy brown hair. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this…” She giggled softly, hardly able to believe it herself. They were getting married! Her and Kevin! Kevin leaned in and pressed his lips hard into hers, a kiss that Melanie returned wholeheartedly. She loved Kevin. In all of the life she had seen, she hadn’t loved anyone so completely as she loved Kevin. There was a time when she thought she had and for years she had thought Paolo would be the only man she ever loved. Then Kevin fell into her life and showed her what true love was. He adored her and she adored him in return. As these thoughts flashed through her mind, she suddenly felt something soft brushing against her cheek. When she looked, she found it was Kiki’s little arm reaching out to swat at a stray piece of Kevin’s long hair. Melanie giggled as Kevin scooped the kitten from her shoulder, holding her up to his handsome face. “Oh, you’re going to be trouble, aren’t you…?” She laughed as Kiki swatted again at Kevin’s nose, finding the way he wrinkled his nose at her adorable. He curled her into his chest and Melanie tickled her head lovingly. Melanie looked up into Kevin’s eyes and smiled so happily, tears glittering in her own eyes. By the end of the year, she would be starting a new family with Kevin and Kiki. It was a dream come true.

“Let’s finish dinner before it gets cold.” Melanie nodded decisively, scooting off the table and fixing the skirt that had bunched up beneath her on the table. Kevin set their new charge back in the hatbox, sliding the present closer to her seat. Smiling wide, Melanie leaned in and planted a little kiss on the tiny, mottled head. They took their seats once more and when Kevin reached for his glass, Melanie did the same. She raised it with an amused smile, gazing across the table at her fiancé. “To us, our wedding, and our new hairball.” Melanie laughed as she clinked her glass against Kevin’s, taking a long sip from her wine to make sure the toast would stick. Without further ado, she dug into her dinner and savored every bite. This was a meal she would never forget! "You know, with the extra income we could maybe think about looking at a house." Her big eyes widened excitedly, slurping up the rest of her pasta and touched her lips as she chewed, a smile tugging at her lips. A house? A house all their own? It was feasible with their combined incomes. "I mean, the lease is up this summer, so we have about four months, but why not look for something more permanent if we're going to get married anyway? Then we could really think about the whole baby thing. There wouldn't be a question about where we could put it, it would have its own room." She forced herself to swallow before grinning from ear to ear. A home for them and a family. It had been hard to lose their first baby, but just thinking about the wedding and owning a home gave her such hope for the future. It convinced her even more that it really just hadn’t been the right time for them to become parents all those months ago—not when everything was just coming together now. Some things really were meant to be…”That sounds like a great idea.” Her face was practically glowing as she gazed across the table at Kevin.

She dug into her pasta again, lifting her hand up to admire the beautiful ring once more. Diamonds and a yellow sapphire in a classic ring…it was so perfect. Her eyes lit on Kevin once more, suddenly curious how he came by such a gorgeous ring. “Kevin, it’s such a perfect ring. Did you pick it out yourself?” He confessed that alas he had help and from an unexpected place for him—Jo. To think he’d gone to her future sister-in-law who he had a very complicated relationship with just so he could get Melanie the right ring! Her eyes widened slightly at the news and then she grinned. “Really? She helped? That’s so sweet of her! And so sweet of you to ask for her help.” With a wide, warm smile, she reached across the table and squeezed his hand affectionately. She couldn’t imagine loving him more—thank God she would have a whole lifetime to prove herself wrong. Then a thought occurred to her. “Wait…does Brandon know? Did you ask for my hand?” Just the thought of Kevin going to Brandon for permission to marry her warmed Melanie to the very core. She knew Brandon would certainly appreciate the old-fashioned gesture.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

Kevin wasn't sure he could ever tire of seeing her smile. He'd spent so long worrying about ruining things, and now he was seeing that it didn't have to be that way, and the more she smiled with happiness the more he was convinced that he was meant to be with her. That he could make this work, that he could be the man she deserved, because Kevin wholeheartedly believed Melanie deserved the best. He could be the best if he worked hard enough for her. ”That sounds like a great idea.” She began eating again and he watched as she admired her left ring finger, the sparkly ring glittering in the dim candle light. “Kevin, it’s such a perfect ring. Did you pick it out yourself?” Kevin felt his cheeks heat slightly. He hadn't, of course, picked it out completely himself. Jo had, and he was embarrassed about this, but he knew it was better to be honest with her, which meant admitting he'd gotten help from one of his least favorite people.

"Actually, I asked Jo to help me." He said a little bashfully. "I didn't want to pick something you wouldn't like." He admitted, but she seemed more touched than amused that he would get help from Jo. “Really? She helped? That’s so sweet of her! And so sweet of you to ask for her help.” He didn't add the part where he had to force himself to talk to her. he shrugged it off not really wanting to talk about having to work with Jo on ring shopping. That had been a nightmare in and of itself. Melanie took his hand and squeezed it and somehow it made all the quality-Jo-time seem almost worth it. Almost.. Her eyes suddenly widened as a thought occurred to her and he cocked his brows in question. “Wait…does Brandon know? Did you ask for my hand?” His lips tightened a little and then he bit the inside of his lip shyly. She would ask something like that.

"I didn't exactly ask for your hand.." He offered, sipping some water. "I mean, we were sort of engaged already, so asking to marry you would be sort of weird now, but I did tell him. Actually, he's the one that said I should talk to Jo about the ring. As soon as I did she sort of exploded.." He shrugged his shoulders. "Brandon was okay with it, though. He was happy for us." Brandon and him were doing better these days. He was still a little wary of his future brother-in-law, but for the most part they hit it off. He was a good guy, and Brandon seemed to trust him which Kevin appreciated. "Also.. the candles are Jo's. Sorry I lied, I didn't want to give anything away." He knew she wouldn't be upset, not now with everything that had happened, but he liked being honest with her. No need to lie.

A soft thud sounded and Kevin looked under the table. The hatbox had tipped over and Kiki was now bravely stepping onto the carper, curious about her new surroundings. "Troubles loose." He teased with a grin, sitting back up. "I have some supplies for her. A litter box and food.. I thought you would want to pick some of the stuff like a bowl and bed out yourself so I didn't go crazy." He confessed, smiling a little. "We can go out tomorrow if you like.. or you can with Jo. They actually don't know about the kitten." He was proud of the last part, letting her have something that she could gush about to Brandon and Jo. "So if you wanted to call your brother tonight you could and have some actual news." He teased with a grin.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

“I didn’t exactly ask for your hand…” Melanie cocked her head to the side gently, giving Kevin a curious look. “I mean, we were sort of engaged already, so asking to marry you would be sort of weird now, but I did tell him.” Sure, they may have already been engaged, but she hadn’t really mentioned that to Brandon. He might have guessed they were planning to get married, and maybe she had hinted at it, but she hadn’t outright told him. “Actually, he’s the one that said I should talk to Jo about the ring. As soon as I did she sort of exploded…” Kevin shrugged his shoulders and Melanie giggled at the thought of Jo’s reaction. “Brandon was okay with it, though. He was happy for us.” At that Melanie smiled warmly, knowing Kevin was telling the truth. Brandon would be happy for them. Sad at the prospect of Melanie really starting her own life apart from him, but happy that she was so happy. “Also…the candles are Jo’s. Sorry I lied, I didn’t want to give anything away.” At that she grinned, letting out a soft laugh. “That’s okay. I understand.” She really was so happy that Kevin had asked for Jo’s help. Since they were all going to be family soon, she wanted her fiancé and her brother’s fiancée to get along. They were far from friends still, but it was at least a tiny step in the right direction.

A soft thud tore Melanie’s attention away from her fiancé, her body leaning so she could look under the table for the source of the sound. There was the hatbox spilled on the floor and tiny Kiki sniffed suspiciously at the carpet, pawing cautiously forward. “Trouble’s loose.” Melanie giggled, watching her new kitten for a few seconds longer before sitting up again and looking at Kevin. “I have some supplies for her. A litter box and food…I thought you would want to pick some of the stuff like a bowl and a bed out yourself so I didn’t go crazy.” She grinned from ear to ear at the thought of spoiling her baby rotten, happy Kevin had considered her feelings on the subject of shopping for the kitten. “We can go out tomorrow if you like…or you can go with Jo. They actually don’t know about the kitten. So if you wanted to call you brother tonight you could and have some actual news.” Kevin seemed proud about leaving at least part of his proposal a surprise and she bit her lip at how cute that was. She just wanted to shower him with kisses again. “Kiki’s ours, so you should be there to help me pick out her accessories. We should get her a collar too, just in case she escapes. But if you want Jo to come along, I’m sure she’d be happy to.” From the look on Kevin’s face she could tell he wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of shopping for their cat with Jo, not after he’d already had her help picking out a ring. It made Melanie laugh since she’d suggested Jo’s presence half out of teasing, and she let it drop. “But I’m sure she’ll want to come by and see her soon. And Brandon will want to see the ring. Maybe we should invite them over for brunch with the baby on Sunday. Would you be okay with that?” She knew Kevin wasn’t thrilled about group meals with Brandon and Jo, but he smiled and agreed with a pleased look on his face. Maybe their proposal would be the catalyst for mending bridges with her brother and his fiancée. Plus, she knew he enjoyed seeing River. He was good with babies even with all of his anxiety about being a dad. “And maybe tomorrow night we can go out to dinner with Kit if he’s up for it. Your best friend should be able to celebrate with us too.” Her smile widened at how pleased Kevin looked with the suggestion. Kit may have been a drunk, but he was a good guy all in all and Melanie liked him. With how much Kevin was trying to care about her loved ones, it was only right that Melanie put forth the effort too. Luckily for her, it didn’t take as much effort with Kit as it did for Kevin with Jo and Brandon.

Melanie took another bite of her meal, trying to finish it off so she could play with her new kitten that was now finding her way towards the kitchen. The way she walked sideways and held her tiny tail so high made Melanie smile without knowing it. She was so cute! Strange that a person who was half bird could melt over a cat. When she looked up at Kevin again, she saw him glancing down at the little kitten too with his own amused smile. She adored how sweet and nurturing he was. He’d nurtured his sister, his best friend, and his fiancée; now a kitten. He would make such a wonderful father. And she would be his children’s mother…nothing had made her feel so content before. “Maybe Kelsey should come for a visit soon. I’d love her opinion on the wedding plans. Plus she has to come dress shopping anyway if she’s going to be my maid of honor.” The surprise on Kevin’s face drew her smile wider across her lips. She’d considered it over the last several weeks, whether to make Jo or Kelsey her maid or matron of honor and decided Kevin and Kit would be far happier if Kelsey was the maid of honor. Kit would obviously be Kevin’s best man and Melanie didn’t want to stress Jo, her brother, or Kit out by having Kit escort Jo down the aisle when the ceremony was complete. It just made things that much smoother and everyone would be relieved if not happy. “Do you think Kelsey would agree to be my maid of honor?” She hoped the answer would be yes. Maybe this could be a fresh start for her a Kelsey too. Kevin wasn’t the only one who had to mend bridges.