Author's Note:Hello again! As per request I have started this sequel to Before Summer's End. I would like to thank everyone who read my first work and reviewed it. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Also I am going to go ahead and warn you readers that this first chapter is a bit sensual or so a friend of mine who read it said (you know who you are). So if you are not into sensual things do not worry because this story will not be like that all the time but if you do then I guess you'll enjoy it. But anyway here is my sequel!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's (partially).
Being Mrs. Finch
Chapter 1
There was something about waking up to a heartbeat in her ear and the moving of her body due to breathing of her husband that Melanie loved the morning after her nuptials. She liked the tickling of his minimal chest hair against her fingertips, the feel of his bare skin against her bare skin, and the memories of the events of the night that left her sore but satisfied.
Melanie raised her head to look at the sleeping face of her husband. His raven hair was messy from her fingers running through it all night. He was lightly snoring which she did not mind. Even in his sleep his handsome face seemed serious. She giggled to herself before stretching her neck so she could kiss his scruffy, serious face. His snoring stopped for it seemed that the kiss on the cheek woke him.
"Good morning, Atticus," She looked up at him. He blinked a few times before putting on his glasses. Seeing Melanie in his arms wrapped in nothing but blankets and his arm making him realize she was not some dreamt up fantasy.
"Good morning, Melanie," He smiled. There was an awkwardness as they realized just how naked they were and what they had done in the night. They were both crimson which was understandable for this couple newly stripped of their virginities.
"Last night…" Atticus began but stopped not wanting to embarrass her or himself by bringing it up this morning. He cast his eyes from hers.
"Was amazing," She finished almost breathless at the memories and snuggled even closer to him. Pride swelled in Atticus's chest as a sly grinned spread on his face. Melanie would have giggled had she seen his smirk but was too busy nuzzling his ribs hoping to hide her still red face. He stroked her hair gently before placing a kiss on top of her chestnut hair. Melanie lifted her face so her lips could replace her hair. Atticus would have willingly consummated their marriage once more that morning but there was a rumpling in his stomach that only food could satisfy. Melanie also heard the rumble and did not resist her laughter. She quickly rolled herself out of the bed covering herself with a blanket. She managed to get into a dressing robe as Atticus found his trousers and a shirt to cover his nakedness.
Dressed in only her robe, Melanie departed before her husband down the stairs towards the kitchen. Once inside, Melanie had a terrible revelation; she did not know how to cook. She looked at the pots, pans and food with no idea what to do. How terrible was it that she did not know one of the most important things for a wife to know? How would Atticus feel once he found out his wife could not cook?
Why did I have to spend my girlhood climbing trees, playing with boys and reading books when I should have learned how to cook? Melanie mentally groaned. However, her mental distress was only worsened when she heard the sound of the kitchen door shut. She turned expecting Atticus to be waiting for her and breakfast.
"Ellie!" Melanie exclaimed seeing her former black nurse entering the house. She embraced Ellie.
"Miss Melanie," Ellie was surprised to see Melanie and that Melanie was just randomly hugging her.
"Oh, Ellie, it is terrible," Melanie moaned and rested her head against the tall woman's shoulder. Ellie separated herself from Melanie and looked at her with pity and concern.
"Are you alright? Was it too painful? You'll adapt to it," Ellie tried to comfort Melanie who stared wide eyed at the woman who practically raised her.
"No," Melanie began laughing, "That was not terrible at all. Oh, Ellie, you are so sweet."
"Then what is terrible?" Ellie felt slightly embarrassed. Melanie's smile fell as she turned to look at the stove.
"We need breakfast but I cannot cook…at all," Melanie informed Ellie sadly. It was Ellie's turn to laugh.
"Oh, Miss Melanie, that is why I am here. I am going to cook for you two."
"You are? Oh, bless you, Ellie! Bless you!" Melanie hugged Ellie once again then was shooed from the kitchen to be with her husband.
Atticus was just coming down the stairs when Melanie was about to go up to see him. She was amazed by how quickly he could get dressed and so orderly. Even his wild hair had been combed and his face shaved. Her curls were still in disarray and she just had on her dressing robe. She felt entirely underdressed before him.
"I'm going to go get dressed," Melanie informed him and rushed past him. Once in the room she slipped into a tea green dress and brushed her curls so they her smooth but bouncy. Melanie made sure everything else about her looked just as proper as her husband before returning downstairs to see Atticus sitting at the table where Ellie had just placed the well cooked food. She took a seat beside her spouse as they began to eat. They glanced at each other not sure of what to say. An on looker might think the two were strangers who find each other attractive but too shy to act on the attraction. The meal was finished in silence.
Standing up from the table, Melanie grabbed Atticus's hand. She looked up to him as he looked down to her. A blush crept on her face for what she was about to say.
"Mr. Finch, since we have satisfied our stomachs may we…" She looked away embarrassed, "finish what we started earlier?"
Atticus was taken aback by his wife's request but he had desired the same thing. He swept her off her feet with a smile.
"Of course, Mrs. Finch," He kissed her as he began carrying her up the stairs. Ellie watched the couple from the kitchen and only smiled to herself before turning back into the kitchen to make some food to travel with the new wife that could not cook.
Melanie was left breathless from the midmorning activities. She looked over to Atticus who was grinning. She pulled herself to him in a hug and kissed him again.
"So when are we leaving for Maycomb, Mr. Finch?" She inquired grinning.
"As soon as you can get packed and dressed if you like, Mrs. Finch," He replied.
"Then let's hop to it! I cannot wait to go home!" She rolled from him excitedly and exited the bed. He watched as she dressed herself eagerly and finished packing her bags she had begun before their wedding. He began dressing himself once again and knew he was already completely packed.
"I'm going to go ahead and put my bags in the car. Let me know when you are finished," He came behind his wife and kissed her neck.
"Alright!" She continued busying herself with her packing.
Atticus did just as he said for he was the kind of man to do as he said. Coming back into the house Ellie came to him with packages of her food.
"What is all this?" He asked.
"Oh, just some food I made so ya'll could …enjoy each other more instead of worrying about cooking."
Atticus gladly accepted the food and took it to the car. Melanie came bouncing down the stairs with her luggage to see Ellie.
"I guess we are leaving, Ellie. Thank you so much for everything," Melanie hugged the taller woman.
"It was no problem, Mrs. Finch."
"Oh, I love that name! I want to swoon every time I hear it! Now, I will be sure to write to you and father and Cousin Jem. Speaking of them, where are they?"
"Well, you know your father already left for New York for work. You know he doesn't like 'good-byes'. And one of Jem's patients went into labor this morning."
"Is that so?" Melanie was a bit disappointed but the reentrance of Atticus made her forget her sadness.
"Let me take these," Atticus took his bride's bags and headed out again. Ellie and Melanie followed behind talking amongst themselves.
"Good bye, Ellie," Melanie hugged her once more then got into the car. Atticus thanked the woman too then they were gone. Ellie watched the Finch-mobile speed away on the dirt road towards their future home. She still could not believe her little Miss Melanie had gotten married and to such a mature man. She chuckled and reentered the quiet house.
When the Finches made it to Maycomb it seemed like everyone just happened to be in the area. Atticus unloaded their luggage and food as Melanie stood outside the car. None of the men or women dared to go speak to her for to them she was still that mysterious woman from Montgomery who went to church with Negroes, was friends with the trashy Ewells and had seduced the honorable Mr. Finch. Some of them even had the gall to believe it was her who had set fire to her deceased Aunt Daisy Brooke's house in June.
Atticus came back for his wife with a smile on his face. Melanie looked from the people to her husband with a smirk. She pulled him down into a kiss shocking the onlookers for that was just a bit too bold for the townspeople. Atticus did not seem to mind but swept her up again and carried her into his house as was tradition. Once inside he carried her up to his room where he had laid many nights wishing for her.
"I love you, so much," She whispered into his ear.
"I love you too," He kissed her again and laid her on the bed. Her hands went into his hair as his went elsewhere. Melanie was not one to keep her moans quiet but rather let them out loudly. Those outside the house could even hear. With reddened face and scandalized feelings all left the area where the newlywed Finches lived.
Author's Note:I hoped you enjoyed this first chapter! Please keep reading and review!