Chocolate

Tuesdays with Melody

Smiling is a small gesture, normally overlooked, but also extremely taken for granted, especially when one is incapable of even forcing one. Melody couldn't remember what it was like to smile until she found a new feeling of excitement. She felt renewed and like there was something more for her than late night fights and wallowing in self pity and whiskey.

Divorce is a huge gesture, never overlooked and always seen as traumatic and heartbreaking. Except when it brings you a feeling of excitement and hope for a better future.

Both actions were what pulled Melody out of sleep that Tuesday morning. Gabriel was beside her with a grin, which she wasn't sure if it was from their unexpected and probably soon to be regretted hook up the night before or for the same reason a smile was on her face as well. Freedom and being able to be Melody Harkin and Gabriel Kinsey. No more Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey. Melody Harkin and Gabriel Kinsey.

Gabriel rolled over, feeling satisfied. He hasn't had sex with his wife in close to a year and half and spontaneity rushed through them late the night before. She kissed him and for once he kissed her back. She said "we're still getting divorced," and he said "absolutely," before slamming himself into her.

However, she was in the dark about how after walking out of Charlotte's Chocolate just minutes before he came home, Serena ran out, saying, "can this break hold on for ten minutes?" and he of course succumbed to her strawberry lips and their tryst was in the back of his shimmering white Elantra.

He felt like he was having two affairs. Both rendezvouses were steamy and fortuitous and he loved every sexy second of it.

He looked in his wife's shining brown eyes and saw something he recognized in the bar that night and in their cozy apartment in New York with his daughter growing in her stomach. He didn't want to do anything to sabotage that sparkle in her eyes, so he would keep Serena hidden until his divorce wrapped up.

"Gabe," she spoke softly.

"Mel," he retorted with a soft smile.

"What are we gonna do?"

He didn't say anything for a while. She broke the silence.

"Can we wait a little. To do this divorce thing? Can we wait until I have a job and find a house and I need to tell the kids. We can have split custody and I can take them. But I'll need a job. Can we wait until I find a job?" she panicked a little when the reality came to her, but he reassured her.

"Sure. I can help you find a job and enough money for a house and I can always support for a while," he cooed.

"Lets start with a babysitter. I need to get out of the house," she chortled lowly.

"I can find a babysitter," Gabriel added, wanting to please his wife and himself. Serena would be delighted, too, he hoped, because she would be a great babysitter. Friends with Noelle, she could use the money and time off from the unnecessary late night shifts and when the kids drifted to sleep and Melody was out, he could have his sweet way with her.