A Second Chance

[Poganin]

Daniel

Left alone Daniel leaned on the cart heavily and pushed it slowly from time to time towards the register. He sighed from time to time trying not to let the annoyance of long waiting get to him too much. Looking around his shoulder to see whether Mel was coming back with whatever she had gone to pick up Dan spotted Karen pushing her own cart in the direction of the same queue he was waiting in. Inwardly he cringed and quickly turned back to push his cart forward a bit.

This was a disaster. Mel would surely stumble into her on her way back. Danny bit his lip and hoped there would be no storm, feeling a little apprehensive and afraid for Melissa and what might happen between the two of them.

 

[Guest]

Mel was too busy trying to get back to Danny that she hadn't even noticed Karen until the woman stepped right in front of her with a little smirk on her face. Mel jerked to a halt and wanted to groan. Karen!! All she needed.

"Hello Mel!" She greeted her in a sugar sweet voice dripping with malice. "That is a lovely look for you." She said, pointing to the nice bruise that was spread across Mel's pretty face and slightly swollen lip.

Mel bit back the thoughts that rushed forward. "Well thank you Karen, so sweet of you to think so." She retorted, irritated by the stupid blond.

"Mmmm...so is Danny with you today?"

Mel smiled then and pointed to Danny with the packet of condoms in her hand. "Yeah...right there."

Karen's eyes were instantly drawn to her hand and she didn't even bother to turn to look at Daniel. Mel felt a sudden thrill and rush of power. Karen stared a moment, blinket and turned her nose up. "Mmm...I see you two have made some plans?" She said in her usual snotty way.

"It seems so Karen..."

"Are you sleeping your way through the family?" Karen sneered, almost baring white teeth and twisting her face into an ugly look.

Mel chuckled and began to walk away, "You think what you will...but at least I'm not sleeping my way through the town!" She called over her shoulder and returned to Danny's side.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan was relieved when Mel finally joined him and thanks to the beeping of cash registers and the general noise of the supermarket he didn't hear what the women said between each other and was glad for it. The way Melissa threw her stuff into the cart was none too gentle but it seemed to have relieved her tension a bit. His sneaking an arm around her waist and drawing her close for a quick kiss did the rest to help her relax. He unloaded their shopping from the cart and patiently waited for the woman to run it on a scanner and sum up. She gave him a weird look when she was sliding a packet of condoms he didn't remember putting inside but he just shrugged it off, Mel probably reasonably took it when she had been off for a moment. He was kinda embarrassed about not thinking about this himself.

Then there was packing their things to bags and taking them to the parking lot to pack it all inside the car. As he was closing the trunk something caught his eye.

"Say, Mel... Isn't that Lance's car?" he pointed to a silvery mercedes parked some 50 yards away.

 

[Guest]

Having moved around to the side of the car, Mel leaned into her open door and looked on to where Danny was pointing. "I think so...it's not uncommon to bump into each other though...it's a fairly small town." She remarked and smiled softly at Daniel. "Come on...lets go home before I decide to murder miss high and mighty."

She rolled her eyes dramatically and slipped into the car. Daniel seemed to hesitate, still looking on to Lance's car. Finally he slid in as Mel slipped on her seatbelt and got comfortable. "That was exhausting...I think I need some more meds and a nap."

Daniel chuckled and leaned over to kiss her another brief kiss, making sure not to press on her injured lip. Which was both frustrating and sweet. She smiled and sidled down, closing her eyes as he pulled out of the parking lot and began driving them home.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He was driving worriedly, unsure if it was just a coincidence that Lance was there or if he was following them, pursuing some wicked agenda of his. Mel tried cheering hism up but without reaction from him she only put a hand on his arm and squeezed him reassuringly which coaxed him into smiling at her. They were back quickly and the task of carrying the shopping inside the house commenced. When Mel was putting it all into the fridge and cupboards Dan took the car into the garage and opened the hood to take a look at the engine and other parts, he knew a little bit about various vehicles but not enough to recognise if it had been tampered with. Resigned he closed the hood to see Melissa looking at him.

"What's wrong, Danny?" she asked with serious face.

"Nothing," he lied with a smile, he didn't want to make her worry. "I thought I heard some rattling on our way back and wanted to check it but I can't see anything. Come on, let's eat something!" he said and embraced her with his arm without touching her with his dirty hand.

 

[Guest]

Mel hugged him back and then let go, letting him walk over to the kitchen sink and wash off the dirt from his hands. "Well, it's probably due for a tune up...perhaps we should take it to the shop in the week? See if they can look it over?" She suggested and watched as he nodded.

Going to the fridge, she took out some bread and an assortment of topings...turkey, ham, cheese and all the extra fixings. "How about big sandwiches all around...that way I'm sure to have room for your pie later." She teased and giggled as he grabbed her hips and nuzzled her neck gently. "Besides...I think I deserve it...I didn't bitch slap Karen in the store...you should be proud."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Yes, you were a real good girl, Mel. You deserve a big piece... of pie," he added after a meaningful pause. "Come on, let's have something light and then I'll proceed with the task promised," Daniel said merrily but still the cloud of Lance hovered somewhere at the back of his mind.

They sat in the kitchen and ate a small meal consisting of various sandwiches. They chatted about some small things and he had to try hard to cover his anxiety and smile while watching Mel at the same time. As he was looking at her he noticed some things he had never before acknowledged, the small gestures of her fingers as she was brushing stray strands of her hair away from her face, hos her eyes shone when she was smiling brightly, how she moved her head when she was speaking or tilted it to the side when he was talking to her. His heart was stopping with awe of the beauty that she was radiating. It was really reassuring to be finally able to see her the way she really was and not the screen that he had erected in his mind when she had been Michael's wife.

It seemed to him like she was a completely different person now that she had weathered the tough ordeal but in truth it was him who was looking at her differently, without the artificial prejudices. Daniel sighed feeling a bit better and winked and chuckled when her bread crumbled and she tried hard not to let the pieces fal to the floor and keep hold of the sandwich at the same time.

"Phew, that hit the right spot," he muttered contentedly sipping some juice and rubbing his belly. "Now to the serious task..."

 

[Guest]

She laughed softly at Daniel's teasing and enjoyed their time spent chatting and eating together. Such a simple little task she had missed doing. To be relaxed, to laugh and have fun together. She really didn't want to think about Lance or the possibilities that Michael could have been murder...worse enough, by his own brother. She just wanted to enjoy the here and now and her time with Daniel, even if it was to be short lived.

Done with their lunches, Mel helped Daniel clear off the kitchen table and take out the ingredients for the apple pie. "You want me to help? I promise not to steal your secrets...it would be no fun if I couldn't beg for you to bake from time to time." She teased, giving him a wink and then laughed when he pointed a spoon at her and threatened and swat her bottom.

"Come on Danny...you look cute in my apron." She teased some more and let out a squeel and giggle when he made a lunge at her. Grabbing her arms, he pulled her close and gave her a breathless kiss, then tickled her a little before letting go.

"That's what bad girls get for messing with me." He growled, but his eyes sparckled with laughter.

She stood grinning, dipping her fingers in some flour and flicking it at him playfully, "Is that all?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Uh... I guess... Never met one actually," Dan replied mocking confusion and ushered her out of the kitchen. "Go and have a nap or something. I'll bring you some juice in a moment and pills if you need them. I'l be done faster without you peeking over my shoulder giving advice."

He saw her settle in the living room and returned to the kitchen to prepare them some drinks, taking one to Mel, and got down to making the pie, humming to himself like a busy housewife. Quite soon the kitchen began looking like a battlefield with dirty dishes lying around, flour and dough specking the floor and tables and most handles dirty. Daniel too looked as if he had just left a mill, not only his apron but clothes as well stained with flour. He paid no mind to it though, knowing full well that before the pie was done and ready to serve he would have more than enough time to clean everything up.

From time to time he peeked at Mel and saw her read, listen to music, watch TV and finally saw her settle for a nap covered by a blanket. He smiled to himself and put the pie into the oven. Sighing he began bringing order to the soiled kitchen and as he progressed a smile began playing on his lips.

 

[Guest]

Mel was content to rest while Daniel puttered around in the kitchen. She restrained herself from going and checking on him, busying herself with books, music and tv until she was finally tired enough to close her eyes and rest.

Turning to her side, facing the couch, she snuggled down into the plush pillows and a soft throw over her body and drifted off without problems. Between cleaning and baking, a good two hours passed when she felt the weight of Daniel's body sink into the couch and a tender hand brush the side of her cheek.

Smiling, she yawned and stretch, giving him a sweet sleepy look. "Hey...tell me your heavenly pie is finished."

He chuckled down at her and nodded. "Mmmmm...good...I was dreaming about it too." She teased and drew him down for a kiss, soft and simple, feeling too relaxed to let the rush of passion take hold just yet.

Easing her up, Daniel pampered her sweetly with pie and soda. Sated and full, she cuddled on the couch, watching a variety of silly shows, talking softly about this and that, still trying to get a feel for each other. Before they knew it, it was night already, the house flying by without a care.

Mel turned, wiggling close and throwing a leg over his hip to keep herself from falling off the edge of the sofa. "They say time flies when you're having fun...I think I believe it."

He chuckled, letting her trace the lines of his face and teasingly nipping at her finger tips as she passed over his lips. "Mmmm...So...I think I'm about ready for bed...How about you?" She murmured softly...