�Nothing is wrong honey. I just wanted to make sure you, Jules, and Jonathon made it there safely.� Melissa�s mom replied.
�Yeah, we made it here just fine. Jules and Jonathon already had a water fight!� Melissa stated as she walked away from the party, so she could hear her mother.
�I bet Jules won, uh?�
�Yeah, Jonathon had to change his clothes!� They both laughed at the image of a drenched Jonathon. �Mom, are you sure everything is okay with you and dad?�
�Yes, honey, everything is fine. What�s with all the noise?� She asked hearing the music in the background.
�The gang is throwing Jules, Jonathon, and me a welcoming party.� Melissa turned and looked at her friends.
�Well, I won�t keep you any longer; go have fun with your friends. You deserve it. I�ll call you later, bye honey.�
�Bye mom.� Melissa closed her phone and stared out at the ocean.
�Mel, is everything okay with your mom?� Nick asked enclosing her in his arms.
�I think so��
�But?�
Melissa turned to face him. �I have this feeling that there�s something she isn�t telling me!�
�What did she say?�
�She wanted to make sure Jonathon, Jules, and I made it here safely.�
�Sounds like your mom to me. Besides, your mom would tell you if something was wrong.�
�You�re right; I guess I�m worrying over nothing. I just need to relax and get my mind off of it.� She placed her arms around his neck. �Do you have any way of doing that, Mr. Carter?� Nick smiled at her and then kissed her lips. �Hmm�that�s a good start.� She stated then kissed him.
�They are so cute together!� Leighanne said to the girls.
�Yeah they are. I�m so glad they found each other.� Kristin replied.
Julie grabbed her camera and took a picture of Nick and Melissa by the ocean. She smiled at the girls and responded, �This way they won�t ever forget how lucky they are!�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After some time, Brian pulled Nick aside to talk to him. �Is everything okay with Mel?�
�Yeah, B everything�s fine. Her mother called to make sure she arrived alright.� Nick responded.
�How�s her dad doing?�
�Better, he�s back to work. Mel said he is taking it easy, not pushing himself.�
�Good, for a minute I thought maybe something was wrong with her dad.�
�Mel got worried too, but I convinced her not to agonize over it.�
�Well, Leigh and I have to go and pick up Baylee. If Mel needs anything, don�t hesitate to call me!�
�Thanks B. You have grown to be protective of Mel.�
�I can�t help it; she�s like a little sister to me. Plus she loves you and has made you happy, so she has my praise.� He stated patting his shoulder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
�Mel, we have to go and get Baylee. It was great to see you again.� Brian replied hugging her.
�You too and next time bring Baylee. I love to see that cute little boy.�
�He takes after his father!� Brian grinned at her, causing Melissa to laugh. Leighanne and Melissa hugged. �Now if Nick gives you any trouble, call me!�
�Don�t worry Brian, I have him under control!� Melissa stated looking at Nick.
�Yes, she does!� Leighanne smirked. They said their goodbyes and left.
�We should get going too!� Kevin said as he and Kristin stood up. �I�m glad you are here Mel, now I don�t have to worry about Nick behaving himself.� Everyone laughed at Kevin�s comment. They hugged everyone goodbye and then headed home.
Howie and Alyssa started to pick up the mess from the party. �Nick and I will pick up, you two take it easy.� Melissa stated.
�Thanks Mel.� Alyssa said as she, Jeni, Howie, and AJ left.
�Do you want us to help?� Julie asked standing up.
�No, I bet you two are tired. Go in and get some rest!�
�Night!� Julie and Jonathon said as they entered the house.
�Okay, why did you do that? Now we have to pick all of this up!� Nick replied.
�Come here Carter!� Nick stood and walked over to her. �Do you hear that?�
�Hear what, I don�t hear anything!�
�Exactly! We are alone!� She smiled seductively to him. Nick embraced her and kissed her.
�I like the way you think!� He stated before he kissed her passionately.
