{Melon}
~Still at the house~
“I can’t believe this… Matt is dead.” Melly said as Nick and Brian made it back home. “Me either, I mean, he changed for the worst but we were all friends for so long.” Val said as the boys entered. “Hey ladies, you ok?” Brian said as he went to Val and Nick to Mel. “I dunno.” Melly said as she walked to the deck door, “I just want something good to happen.” “I promise something will very soon.” Nick said as he hugged her from behind. “Nick is making plans to marry Melly tomorrow.” Brian whispered to Val. “Tomorrow!” she yelled making Melly look at her. “What is tomorrow?” Melly asked. “Oh, nothing, nothing at all.” Val looked at Nick, who was relieved Val didn’t spill his surprise. “Sorry to break this up but we should all get down to the station now. “Steven said. “Yeah, let’s get this over with.” Brian said as the four headed with Steven to the station.
~At the Station~
“Ok, we’ll make this as pain free as we can for all of you.” Steven said as everyone arrived at the police station. “Let’s do that.” Nick said holding on to a now crying Melly. “Everyone needs to split up and talk to a detective.” Steven said, “Melly, since you know me, you can talk to me.” “Okay, but can Nick come with us, please?” Melissa sobbed. “Yeah, I guess so. I can just interview you both.” Steven agreed. “And you two come with me.” another detective said to Bri and Val. “See you guys later…it’ll be ok.” Val smiled at Melly and Nick.
~Nick, Melly and Steven~
“Allright guys, here we go.” Steven said pushing the record button on his recorder. “Melissa, please state your full name for the record.” “Melissa Anne Stanford.” “Now, Melissa, you have had contact with Matthew Stewart before, correct? “Yes.” Melly whispered. “How so?” Please tell us from way back to recent events.” Steven questioned. “Allright, Matt and I met back in grade school, dated for all four years of high school, and we’re thinking of marriage before I broke it off. He didn’t like that and went alittle psycho. I then moved away, met a great guy Nick and hadn’t heard from him until I came home for the death of my grandma and mom’s accident.” “You and Matt were quite serious. But did you ever think he’d hurt you or your family?” Steven asked. “Well, uhmm…” Melly paused. “What is it baby?” Nick said. “He killed my cat once and tried to ah, hit me once.” Melly said. “He did what?! Oh man!” Nick said getting all upset. “Don’t worry hun, it was a long time ago and he is gone now.” Melly said to Nick. “Well, since you spoke Nick, please state your full name for the record.” Steven requested. “Nickolas Gene Carter.” Nick responded. “You both knew Ethan Dwiggins and Jason Richards, did you guys ever think they were connected to Matt Stewart?” Steven asked. “I knew Ethan was an asshole!” Nick said as Steven shook his head for no cursing, “Sorry. I never did but I didn’t know Matt like she did.” “I thought at times that Ethan reminded me of Matt but not enough to connect him to them.” Melly sighed, “Maybe I should have…then my grandma would be alive, my mom would be ok, and Nick and I would have been married.” “Don’t beat yourself up baby.” Nick pulled her chair closer, “Things happen for a reason, we’ll be together…tonight!” “Tonight?!” Melly questioned. “Yes, I was planning it all for tomorrow but we’ll get a priest, get Val and Brian, and go to your mom’s hospital room…tonight!” Nick smiled. “I’d like that but what about your family?” Melly smiled back. “I called them yesterday about tomorrow’s plans and they were getting in tonight…I’ll call their hotel and tell them the new plans.” Nick excitedly said. “This is finally happening.” Melly leaned over and kissed him. These three wrapped up their interview and at the same time, Brian and Valerie did too.
~In the car~
“Thank God we don’t have to go to court and worry about this again.” Val said as Brian drove the four home to Melly’s. “You’re so right on sweetie.” Brian said, “I don’t think any of us would have lasted too much longer.” “Melly and I are getting married!” Nick just blurted out. “We know Nick.” Val began to laugh. “No, no…not tomorrow…tonight!” Nick said. “What?!” Val yelled. “You heard him.” Melly smiled, “at the hospital with mom.” “Why the change in plans?” Brian asked. “Because after that emotional interview and now that this is over, Melly and I deserve to be happy and we want to be married.” Nick stated. “Aww, too sweet!” Val smiled back at the two as they arrived home.
~At the house~
“You! You killed him!” Matt’s mom screamed as Melly got out of the car. Brian and Nick were clueless as to who she was but Mel and Val knew. “Save it, Mrs. Stewart.” Val screamed, “Look at he did to her family, to her, and to all of us!” “Why couldn’t you just love him? All he wanted was you to love him!” Matt’s mom screamed. “I’m sorry.” Melly cried again. “Don’t apologize to that bitch Melly!” Val flipped again, “Remember what Matt put us through!” “Val, she’s just mourning the lost of her son, she will realize what he did soon enough.” Melly tried to stay calm. “I don’t appreciate you talking to her like that even if you are mourning Matt.” Nick stepped in, “So, please leave this property.” Matt’s mom just left as Melissa’s dad pulled into the driveway.
“Melissa!” he called out to her. “Daddy, what’s wrong?” Melly and the gang ran over to the car. “She’s awake!” he yelled out to them, “Get in, let’s go!” Melly and Nick went with Melissa’s family and Brian and Val went in Mel’s car to the hospital.
~At the Hospital~
“Mom!” Melissa hugged her mom tightly. “My oldest baby is home.” Bette smiled. “Yes, momma…I’m here and so it Nick, Val and Brian.” Melissa smiled back. “Is she going to be ok?” Melissa asked the doctor. “Yes, miss…she’ll make a full complete recovery. Waking up was the first step in the right direction.” The doctor concluded. “Great! Thank-you for everything.” Melly said hugging the doctor, then Nick and then her Dad. “What he gets a hug first now? I’m not the number man in your life anymore.” Dave, Melly’s Dad, joked around to get everyone to laugh. “You two didn’t go get married on me, did ya?” Bette asked. “No, not yet…as a matter of fact….we were hoping to here, tonight.” Nick said glancing at Dave and Bette. “What a great idea!” Bette said as her face lit up. “Yes, welcome to the family son.” Dave shook Nick’s hand. “Thank-you sir.” Nick said smiling, “But if you excuse me, I have to go find a priest and call my family to get down here.” “Hurry back!” Melly said kissing his cheek and Nick left.
“Why don’t I go get some flowers in the gift shop that you can use as your bouquet Melly.” Brian said. “Good idea hun and Melly and I can run down to the ladies room to freshen her up a bit.” Val smiled. “Thank-you both.” Melly said excitedly, “I’ll be back Mom and Dad.” “Oh Dad, you will walk me down the aisle, right?” Melly asked her father. “Of course but its more like walking you in the door.” He chuckled. “And Jessie and Jenna, you can be 2 bridesmaids, along with Nick’s 3 sisters, ok?” Melly said as she was leaving. “Cool!” her sisters exclaimed. “See ya in abit.” Val said as they left.
Time passed by…Nick was able to get the priest, from the hospital chapel, to agree to perform the ceremony, his family arrived at the hospital, Brian got the flowers and Nick and Melly were ready to go. There is going to wedding, finally.
“Are we ready here folks?” the priest said as everyone in the Carter/Stanford immediate families crowded in Bette’s hospital room. “Yes, we are.” Nick and Melly said at the same time. The girls and Mr. Stanford headed outside in the hall as Nick, Brian, Mr. Carter and Aaron stood up on the side of the room. Jane took a seat next to Bette’s bed. Aaron began to hum a soft tune that the girls began to march in on. First, Melissa’s sister Jessie, followed by Nick’s sister Angel, his sister Leslie, then Melissa’s sister Jenna, Nick’s sister BJ and finally, the maid of honor, Valerie. It was time for the bride. Aaron quickly changed his tune to the wedding march, “dum, dum, dumm.” With that, Mr. Stanford and Melissa entered the room. The moms were already crying and so were the nurses crowding at the doorway. Nick and Melly were both smiling from ear to ear. Mr. Stanford kissed Melissa, shook Nick’s hand, and gave her to Nick. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.” the priest began the condensed ceremony. “Melissa Stanford, do you take Nickolas Carter to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer to death due you part?” “I do.” Melissa started to cry. And Nickolas Carter, do you take Melissa Stanford to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer to death due you part?” “You betcha I do.” Nick wiped Melly’s tear and she smiled. “I love you.” He mouthed to her. “I love you too.” She mouthed back. “By the power vested in me…” the priest said as Nick leaned in to kiss Melly, “Oh, not yet son.” He said as everyone laughed. “Sorry.” Nick said. “…in the state of New Jesey, I now pronouce you…” the priest continued only to be stopped but Nick about to kiss Melly. “Someone hold this boy back.” The priest chuckled. “Hurry, hurry!” Nick jumped. “I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You…” the priest finally said and Nick kissed Melly. “….you may continue to kiss your bride.” The priest joined the family and hospital staff in a chuckle. When Nick and Melly broke their kiss they both were crying. “You’re my wife.” Nick looked down at her. “And you’re my husband.” Melly smiled up at him. “Thank-you God!” Nick said as he picked her up and spun her in the air. Everyone clapped and their moms, please there was mini flood in the room between those two crying. And Val did her fair share of crying as well and as she clunged to her husband Brian. Finally, a happy ending.
~END OF CHAPTER 50~
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Epilogue
