A Second Chance

[Poganin]

Daniel

By the end of their first week of co-habitation Daniel felt very much welcome and at home in Melissa's house. She made it real easy for him to feel comfortable and didn't ask any questions about his run-in with Lance. Dan tried not to mention any delicate topics either as he remembered well his slip with Casablanca.

The week progressed slowly on work in the yard and lazy evenings they spent on resting, watching movies or just reading in silence, getting accustomed to each other's company.

The garden itself began to look more and more orderly and by the time they were finished it had regained its former neat arrangements. Daniel was satisfied with his work and aching all over from working in different positions. He felt pain in muscles he never even suspected he had.

And then the Sunday morning came...

 

[Guest]

On Sunday morning, Mel sat on the edge of her bed...it was early and Daniel was probably out running. She sat there for the longest time and stared at her Bible, which she hadn't looked at it or noticed it sitting by her bed, on her night stand. The last time she'd gotten close to church was Michael's funeral and now she wondered if she could return. It had to be another step. To find peace and not blame God or herself anymore for anything that had happened.

Finally making up her mind, she showered and styled her hair, put on some fresh makeup and then slipped into a long navy blue dress. It was simple, but slipped over her body nicely, hugging curves gently and swaying around her ankles. It took her a minute to find her low heeled pumps to match, but once she did, Mel smiled at her reflection. She was looking a bit more like her old self again.

Stepping out of her room, she walked out, Bible in hand and met Daniel just as he was walking in. He seemed to stop dead in his tracks and give her a slightly shocked look. She smiled and held up her book, "I was going to go to church this morning. Want to come?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He was out running his morning routine as usual, now extending it slightly so that he could circle the local baseball diamond and then leisurely picking his way back home. The morning was a bit chilly but the sun was shining bright and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The day was promising to be sunny and warm but not overly hot. A great day for a trip out or simply hanging out. He decided to make such an offer to Melissa once she was up.

When he was walking the corridor back to his room he noticed Mel, positively shining on as she was leaving her own room, dressed in a fitting blue dress, with a subtle make-up and generally very elegant and attractive. He was trying hard not to gape -- she looked so different to her casual clothes. He felt a little intimidated and shy as he saw a change to her old self today.

"I was going to go to church this morning. Want to come?" she asked, smiling at him.

"Uh, yeah, sure..." he muttered, not really knowing what to say. "I'll be a moment."

Danny entered his room and took a quick shower and shaved. He didn't really have any elegant clothes with him so he deicded to put on a pair of jeans he rarely ever wore, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket. The jeans were a little tight but he managed to slip into them and make himself comfortable somehow. He applied a little cologne on his cheeks and neck and left his room to join Mel.

 

[Guest]

Mel happily waited for Daniel, liking the fact that he was going to join her. It would give her strength to have someone there with her. When he returned, she stood and smiled, looking him over. "Nice...you look good." She complimented him, watching him blush and rub his neck awkwardly.

When he passed her to open the door, she also added, "Smell good too." In truth, his cologne and over all appearance was making her stomach do funny little dips and flips. Her pulse was already racing and they hadn't ever been intimate, kissed or touched in any romantic fashion.

Slipping out the door, she flicked hair over her shoulder and began walking down the steps and to the car. "Do you want to drive or do you want to me to?" She asked him, dangling her keys out for him to see...

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel was positively shocked by the change in Mel's appearance in personality. Somewhere there she had changed back to be the old Mel he had known to be Michael's wife... And he missed to moment of that change. She looked, moved, behaved and talked differently than she had over the week. And Dan liked what he was seeing. The gesture as she threw her hair over her shoulder was charming and enchanting and the whisps of perfume he smelled were entrancing.

"You're not so bad yourself," he said playfully with a wink and locked the door behind them.

"Do you want to drive or do you want to me to?" she asked, rattling the keys in her slender fingers.

"Yes, I'll drive. I'd hate for this dress to get wrinkled. It's the one you always wore for Christmas, isn't it?" he asked taking the keys from her and beeping the car doors unlocked.

Danny helped Melissa inside and trotted around the car to sit in the driver's seat. He started the engine and carefully drove to get the feel of pedals and steering wheel. After a minute or two he relaxed and drove as if he had actually been born in this car.

"Damn, it'll rain for sure," he mumbled.

"Oh hush, it'll be a beautiful day. You'll see. Besides, how can you know?" she asked, unsuspecting.

"I forgot my morning smoke!" he joked and earned a playful punch in the shoulder.

 

[Guest]

"Yes, I'll drive. I'd hate for this dress to get wrinkled. It's the one you always wore for Christmas, isn't it?"

Mel found herself surprised that Daniel actually remembered such a detail...Michael surely always forgot little things like that. It made her smile, lifting her mood even more and she was already in good spirits. "Yes...it is. I'm surprised you remembered." She replied and let him help her into the car. So Daniel was also a gentleman. So why didn't he have a girlfriend? She wondered. He had looks, charm and seemed to be a real sweetheart once you got passed all the shyness.

Maybe she could help him find someone...she thought to herself. Even if the thought gave her a surprise pang of jealousy. She shook her head, gazing out the window after playfully punching him in the arm.

It wasn't long before the two arrived at Mel and Michael's church. People had already begun gathering in the yard, chatting as usual when they spotted them. Several people stopped and stared. Mel found herself becoming nervous, forcing on a polite smile and waving a bit. "Oh Lord...Daniel...maybe I'm not ready for this part...all the questions..."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel spotted Melissa's nervousness as he parked the car near the church. She sat there stiff, glancing at the people in the churchyard, slight confusion on her face. He was a little confused too, he was sure that their appearance here together would give rise to countless gossips. All the more since hardly anyone knew him to be her deceased husband's brother. Any way he tried to rationalise it he was hitting a was of a bad solution. Dan opened the passenger door and helped Mel out.

"Oh Lord... Daniel... maybe I'm not ready for this part... all the questions..." she said to him silently, she seemed a little scared too.

Hidden from the prying eyes with the still open car door he squeezed her hand.

"It'll be fine. It would come to this sooner or later. Besides, you're never ready when the time comes. And the questions? You needn't answer them." He smiled. "Shall we?"

 

[Guest]

Mel took a deep breath and nodded, welcoming the small gesture of support that Daniel did by squeezing her hand. She smiled softly up at him and let him guide her to the crowd of questioning eyes and smiles.

The first to approach as usual was her preacher, a stocky jovial fellow with a loud laugh and friendly eyes. Grasping her hands, he pulled her into a welcoming hug, "Mel, God bless you! We have missed you."

Mel smiled kindly and returned the hug, then pulled away. "Thank you Grant. It's nice to be back." She motioned to Daniel, "This is my brother in law, Daniel. He has been in town helping me...you have him to thank." She said and watched with amusement as Grant pulled Daniel into an equal hug, but with added forced and a hard pat on the back.

Daniel looked slightly stunned, but handled it well. She smothered a laugh and nervously watched as people began to gather around them, offering hugs, hand shakes and welcoming them back. Daniel was introduced to everyone and Mel could start hearing the faint buzz of gossip, but shut it out. She wasn't here for them, but for herself....

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel was slightly startled when the short, barrel-chested preacher grabbed him in a powerful bearhug and slapped his back a few times. As much as Mel had made it easy on him at home he was still a little bit apprehensive of such meetings where both of them would appear together. Revered Grant however greeted him as one of his own flock of parishoners which helped Danny relax a little. When the people gathered around, introduced themselves, shook his hand, slapped his back or shoulder, invited to BBQ or frisbee contest he began to feel uneasy again. On the one hand their offers and words were sincere but on the other they seemed forced as if they were all suspicious about him and his motives. Melissa looked a little confused and unsure as well so with a relieved sigh he welcomed the priest's call to gather inside.

With Mel at his side he entered and they took their places. The interior was cool and bright unlike in some old chrches where each corner was dark and the Devils himself hung from the dark ceiling spitting on the heads of parishoners. Daniel offered his prayers to Michael so that he has patience in Heaven and wait for the rest of them a little bit longer. He tried to ignore occasional looks from the people and was doing quite a good job of it. He hoped that a line of good neighbours wouldn't start forming at Melissa's house to try and snoop out the situation that was between the two of them.

The preacher himself carried the mass out lightly but with enough humour added to the seriousness so as not to make it a boring ritual. By the time the service had ended Daniel was in high spirits and quite optimistic.

 

[Guest]

Mel sat happily next to Daniel, her nerves settling as the service began. She let herself forget about the people around her apart from Daniel and concentrated on the preacher's words until it was all over. Again, everyone stood and gathered around to chit chat. One such woman, a pretty blond whom Mel had known fairly well named Karen came around and hugged Mel. She smiled so charmingly at Daniel, paying Mel no real mind, seemingly smitten by Daniel. "Why hello...you must be Michael's brother. Welcome to our little church." She said, sweetness dripping from each word that Mel wanted to gag.

She caught herself wondering why on earth she was so jealous. It was rather unlike her...but the way Karen put her hand on Daniel's arm, completely ignoring Mel and batting her blue eyes up at him was making her feel sick.

With a slight frown, she ignored the blond and decided instead to go and visit with a few women before leaving. "I'll be right back Daniel...I want to ask a few ladies some questions about baking for the church again...Karen will keep you company, I'm sure." She added, a bit tartly, but didn't wait for a responce before leaving...

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel was a little panicked when Melissa decided to leave him alone with this Karen who hung at his arm and asked him a torrent of crazy questions like "how is Mel's living room arranged?" or "where did you get such a gorgeous tan?" and "where do they sell such handsome men?" and also "can I borrow you to do my garden later? "(which sounded to him more like "can I borrow you to do me in the garden later?" but wasn't sure). He tried answering each of those ridiculous questions but she interrupted him with next, still clinging to his arm and even shamelessly pressing he breast into his arm making him suddenly feel awfully tight in his trousers.

Luckily a group of three men approached them and asked Daniel if he played baseball. Dan liked sports but always preferred football. They seemed satisfied with the answer and proposed that he joined them and their kids on Wednesday for a friendly game dads against sons. He became quite involved in the discussion of local sports possibilities and didn't even notice when Karen left, pouting and muttering to herself. The guys seemed quite friendly and interested in Daniel's appearance and invited him and Melissa to various local parties and events and soon he found himself chatting away with them, relaxed and generally feeling good.

With such a nice Sunday the whole coming week looked somehow brighter.

 

[Guest]

Mel eyed Daniel and Karen from the corner of her eye as she spoke with some older church ladies. They were generally the ones to speak with when it came to baking for events. Most were retired and had little to do other than visit family and putter around the house. So Mel was happy to lend a hand and socialize with them from time to time.

She caught herself almost sighing with Karen left, looking all pouty and annoyed that Daniel hadn't taken her up on whatever offer she had up her skirt. One darling old woman put her hand on Mel's arm, noticing her distraction and smiled kindly. "He is handsome, isn't he, Mel?"

Mel blushed and sputtered a second, much to the joy of the older women who smiled knowingly and chuckled. "Come now Mel...we don't expect you to live alone for the rest of your life now, do we girls? Michael was a fine man...but you are far too pretty and sweet of a girl to go on without a man."

Suddenly she felt like high tailing it out of the church as she tried to hide her obvious embarrassement. "Um...thank you ladies...but I don't think I'm ready for romance just yet. Now...call me please if you need me. I'd love to help out any way I can. It'll be good for me."

With that, Mel made her exit and went to fetch Daniel.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel became quite engrossed in the light chat with the local men. He was glad to make a few contacts although their straighforwardness was a little intimidating and the way they tended to pat him and wave their hands around was a bit annoying. He was becoming tired with their enthusiastic friendliness and luckily Mel came over to save him. A light tapping on his shoulder turned his attention from one of the men's boasting about his son's pitching abilities. Danny looked over his shoulder and smiled to Melissa.

"I'm going to kidnap him from you guys, I hope you don't mind," she said, pulling on his sleeve. "Let's go."

Dan said his goodbyes and fell into step next to her.

"Thanks for saving me. A moment more and I was going to put George in a chokehold and make him stop talking about his prodigy kids. Guess what! They invited me to play football on Wednesday... and the Morgans are throwing a BBQ on Friday... Um, what do we do now?"

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled as they got into the car, fastening her seatbelt. "That's great...I guess a little socializing won't hurt anyone. But you're right...George has been like that for some time now. It does tend to give people a headache."

Comfortable, she smiled at him, "Everyone seems to like you...that's great. Although I think you hurt Karen's feelings." She smothered a laugh and bit her lip, trying not to grin.

He raised on dark brow, "Really? I didn't notice."

She giggled then and smoothed her skirt into place. "How about we go out to lunch?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Yeah, lunch would be great!" Dan said feeling a tremendous suction in his stomach. After all he hadn't had breakfast today as Mel swiped him for the church right after his morning jog.

He started the engine and moved into the road. He watched Melissa out of the corner of his eye from time to time. She looked bright, relaxed and happy and he was very glad to see her like this. She looked great too.

"Um, where do we go actually?" he asked, unsure where to go.

"There's a nice cafe near the house, just a few blocks down the street."

"Oh okay, I know which one you mean. I bought drinks and smokes there the other day. Oh damn! I forgot to smoke again! Remind me to have one or it'll surely rain in the afternoon," he joked but only half-seriously. He felt the need to have a smoke but concentrated on the road instead and soon they were getting off and walking in to a small, quaint cafe.

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled over at Daniel as they walked to the cafe, but stopped him just short of entering. "It's non-smoking in there. Why don't you have a smoke out here before we go inside?" She suggested kindly.

He gave her a grateful smile and nodded, taking out his pack of cigarettes and lighting one up. She stood away from the smoke, wrapping her arms around her middle and watching as cars passed by.

"I'd say that church went fairly well. Better than I thought it would have. I volunteered to cook for some fund raising events that they sometimes throw. That should keep me fairly busy when they come around."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He was grateful that Mel offered to wait a while for him to finally have his cigarette and Danny delighted in the experience, tasting the smoke as some good wine. The threat of rain had finally been done away with.

"I'd say that church went fairly well. Better than I thought it would have. I volunteered to cook for some fund raising events that they sometimes throw. That should keep me fairly busy when they come around."

Daniel took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew the smoke up. He nodded thoughtfully.

"If you need my help with any of those, don't hesitate to tell me. Now that the yard is finished I don't want to be lazing around the house all the time."

He looked at Melissa, sqiunting his eyes a bit against the sun and once again was shocked with the change that had happened in her.

"You know what?" he asked killing the cigarette on a trash bin.

"What?"

"You look really great," Daniel said quickly and blushed at his boldness. He didn't know what came over him but he just felt he had to say this to her.

 

[Guest]

Mel looked slightly shocked, feeling herself blush and then smiling beautifully, "Thank you Daniel...I have you to thank." She said simple and wound her arm around his, which she could tell surprised him as they entered the cafe.

A teenage girl came over, smiling at them both and looking Danny over. Mel was fairly sure Daniel never noticed women checking him out or if he did, he didn't make it known.

"Two?" the girl asked and they both nodded. "Right this way."

She led them to a back corner table for two. It was cozy, but still had a big window to look through and admire the flower garden that was carefully planted all around the cafe.

Mel sat, surprised when Danny scooted her seat in for her and then sat down. So she smiled at him again and picked up her menu. Glancing over the top of it every now and then before selecting her lunch.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

With his face buried in the menu to cover his blush and embarrassment Daniel noticed that Melissa was glancing at him occasionally from over the booklet in her hands. Finally they ordered their lunch and the smiling girl who greeted them at the entrance brought their meals. They ate in silence although when Dan wanted to say something once or twice Mel seemed so engrossed in eating that he discarded the idea of interrupting her. Their meals were simple but prepared on order and from fresh ingredients. He started wondering if there wasn't a storm brewing after all. This Sunday seemed way too good to be true.

With their lunch finished both ordered coffee and Daniel leaned more comfortably in his chair glancing at Melissa who was observing the garden, her face shining and a faint smile playing on her lips. Dan sighed in admiration -- she looked so carefree, natural and beautiful.

"What is it, Daniel? You seem sad," she broke his reverie with a question.

"Wha... oh, no, it's nothing. I was just admiring... the garden," he said in spite of himself and smiled shyly. "What do we do now? Somehow I don't feel like going back home yet..."

 

[Guest]

She sat back and smiled, feeling full and content. "I don't know...I'm not really dressed for any physical activities...um...how about a movie?" She suggested, taking a sip of her soda, draining the inch that was left at the bottom. "There are several new movies out from what I caught in the paper this morning."

He seemed content with the idea and nodded at her suggestion. "I'll leave it up to you to pick though." She added with a smile, "I really have no preference...I just can't see myself doing that much in this dress."

She laughed softly and made a grab for the bill, but he didn't miss a beat. In the end, his hand landed on her own. She froze, the warmth of his hand spreading up her arm as she stared back at him, a blush coloring her cheeks.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan stiffened as his hand suddenly landed on Melissa's, the situation suddenly awkward but not really unpleasant. Her skin was soft, smooth and delicate and her palm small under his own. He couldn't help noticing the colour rising in her cheeks and knew he was blushing as well. Damn, it felt like a first date or something, with the shock of the first physical contact. Instinctively Daniel wound his fingers around Mel's hand and held it a moment longer than it was necessary to raise it and take the bill with his other hand. He smiled shyly and let go of her, somehow still feeling her touch on his skin.

"Uh-uh, I invited you so it's on me," he said, trying to cover his embarrassment and hoping she wouldn't recall it was her who proposed lunch and going into this cafe. He took some money and put it on the bill leaving a small tip for the nice girl. "Shall we?"

 

[Guest]

Mel nodded, her hand still tingly and warm and stomach quivering. She hadn't felt like that in a long while...even with Michael, those feelings had mostly past after their marriage. He always teased her that they acted like an old married couple even though their marriage was fairly new.

Daniel stood and motioned for her to go ahead in front. So she did, feeling mildly self conscious that she wasn't standing next to him or behind him, but leading the way out where he helped her in the car before running around to his side.

Again his cologne filled her nostrils and she couldn't help but inhail deeply, enjoying the fresh scent. She always had a weak spot for a good smelling man. She smiled at him and buckled herself up. "Do you know the way?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

As they were leaving the cafe Daniel let Mel go first and even though he didn't mean it his gaze slid up and down her body. He was enchanted by the way she was moving her legs, how her hips swayed gently to the rhythm of her steps. He shook his head and opened the door for her, trying not to stare at her. Ever since this morning he had been seeing her in new light constantly and he definitely liked what he was seeing... even though he felt a pang of guilt about this.

As they got into the car he couldn't help noticing how the safety belt pressed into her bosom, making the material of her dress cling to her breasts. Blushing he turned and opened the window.

"Do you know the way?" Melissa asked with a charming, natural smile.

"Um, yeah, it's just next to the motel I think... or somewhere around there," he responded and soon they were on their way to the movies. "Erm, about earlier..." he began a little self-consciously. "I didn't do it on purpose... it just kinda happened you know."

 

[Guest]

Mel was a bit confused at Daniel's apology and then having realized what he was talking about, she smiled and blushed, looking out the window as he drove. "No problem...it's not as though you grabbed my boob or something." She said teasingly, trying to make a joke out of the situation and lesson the awkward feeling they both were sharing now.

She giggled, touching her hot cheek and crossing her legs. The effect pushed her dress up, leaving a view of her from the middle of her legs down...nothing too racy, but it was still bare flesh.

Crossing her arms, she slanted him a smile, hoping that he thought perhaps her blush was a little brighter than usual and not that she was feeling a little shy and embarrassed.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"No problem...it's not as though you grabbed my boob or something," Melissa responded to Dan's apology and he almost gagged at the thought of his hand cupping her breast. He had to clear his head immediately and stop thinking about it or he would cause an accident. However the idea wedhed itself in the corner of his mind and stayed there.

"N-n-no, it's not," he stammered trying to keep his eyes on the road but as Melissa shifted her position, revealing a bit more of leg and pressing her breasts up with her arms crossed below them, he had a hard time deciding which was more important. With all willpower he could muster he tore his eyes away from her and concentrated on the road.

Suddenly he became very conscious of her presence in the car, the scent of her perfume and shampoo, her femininity. Daniel sighed, fighting the thoughts that suddenly began crowding in his head. Once again he felt guilty because he felt this way about her but just knew no other way. He couldn't deny that he liked her and over this last week got to know her better than over the past years when she had been Mike's wife.

It was getting harder and harder on him.