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Summary: Adam never meant to fall in love again, specially with Melanie Hammond. Four years later Adam is sure Melanie is the only one for him. See what the former rangers have been up to since the no longer an active ranger….
"Never Thought We'd Fall In Love,"
Chapter 1 "First Day In Angel Grove"
Adam Park was sitting in Bulk and Skull's Juice Bar, formally Ernie's Juice Bar. He was sitting with friends he hadn't seen in four years some five years. His childhood best friends Rocky and Aisha were eating lunch with him. He was trying not to think about his girlfriend in San Diego.
"What's wrong with you? Your out of it," asked Rocky.
"Nothing important," said Adam.
"I think it is," said Aisha.
"Worried about moving?" asked Rocky.
"Not really but sort of," said Adam.
"That makes no sense," said Aisha.
"Money wise, I am. Otherwise no," said Adam.
"Come work at the martial arts studio Jason and I started. We need another partner anyways," said Rocky.
"That sounds great," said Adam as his cell phone rang.
"Hello," said Adam.
"Hey," said a female voice.
Adam got up and went over to the juice bar itself.
"How is everything?" asked Adam.
"It's alright. I just left the burial. Ben and I should be arriving at one thirty to two," said the female voice.
"Melanie, be careful. The roads get busy there around this time," said Adam.
"Adam, don't worry. I'll be fine," said Melanie.
"How's Ben?" asked Adam.
"Alright. He is being Ben. It doesn't help Chloe was just admitted to a mental hospital. Her mom dying sent her over the edge," said Melanie.
"I didn't see that coming," said Adam.
"My Aunt Harmony always had issues with her kids. Sean drank a lot as a freshman in high school but his mom saved him. Chloe has been into drugs since she was a eighth grader. Ben was the only normal one, the was just because he spent very little time with his siblings," said Melanie.
"How did you even survive in that household?" asked Adam.
"When I came there I don't think I could have been any lower. It took a hard life to make me grow up," said Melanie "I don't regret moving in with my aunt at all,".
"I'll see you later," said Adam "I'm eating lunch with friends,".
"Alright. You know we don't have to be a secret. Ashley already knows, she promised not to say anything until we are ready," said Melanie.
Adam hung up and walked back to the table to finish his soda.
"Who was that?" asked Aisha.
"A friend," said Adam.
"Adam has a girlfriend," said Rocky sticking out his tongue.
"Stop acting like a five year old," said Aisha.
"I do if you must now," said Adam.
"Do we know her?" asked Aisha.
"Rocky does," said Adam.
"Your dating her now! How did that happen?" asked Rocky.
"By accident. We went to the same collage, we always ran into each other," said Adam.
"What did Ashley say when she found out?" asked Rocky.
"No idea. I wasn't there," said Adam.
"Does she know our secret?" asked Aisha.
"Yes. I couldn't lie to her and neither could Ashley. See my girlfriend is Ashley's cousin," said Adam.
"Tanya's replacement's cousin. Of all people," said Aisha "you have the a very complex love life,".
"Is she coming to live with you?" asked Rocky.
"Yes and her sixteen year old cousin. His mom just died and his oldest sister is in a mental hospital," said Adam.
"It's not like your going to have a little kid asking a million questions," said Aisha.
"Or interrupting anything," said Rocky smirking.
"We got pretty close one time," said Adam.
"Really?" said Aisha.
"Yes but it was her older cousin who walked in on us making out and let's say my girlfriend was a bit undressed," said Adam blushing.
"When will she be coming?" asked Aisha.
"She be at my house at one thirty to two," said Adam.
"How about we meet for Thai tonight?' asked Aisha.
"Thai Thursdays, Taco Tuesdays, yum," said Rocky.
"Rocko, still always thinking about food," laughed Adam.
"He eats me out of home and garden," said Aisha.
"Are you two dating?" asked Adam.
"Yeah. We tried to let you know but your hard to find," said Rocky.
"It's one twenty five, I need to head home," said Adam.
Rocky and Aisha shared the same smile and eye contact. The both knew that Adam really loved his girl.
Adam got out of his jeep as his girlfriend's navy 2001 Ford Focus Sedan pulled in. A girl with golden blond hair stepped out of the car.
"Melanie, you look amazing," said Adam hugging his girlfriend.
"I've missed you so much," said Melanie.
Adam kissed Melanie softly on the lips. They both had forgotten about the sixteen year old, Ben.
"Hey! I'm right here! I don't need to see my cousin being making out with her boyfriend," said Ben brushing his light brown hair out of his face.
Melanie turned bright red as did Adam.
"Did you finish unpacking?" asked Melanie.
"Yes," said Adam.
"Where is my room?" asked Ben.
"Second room on the right side of the hallway when you go up the stairs," said Adam.
Ben took his box of things and left.
"That was embarrassing," said Melanie.
"He is a bit ungrateful at the moment," said Adam.
"Adam, give him time," said Melanie.
"He was like this before. This will be a very long two years. He shouldn't talk to either of us like that, for any reason," said Adam.
Ocean blue eyes meet brown eyes in a look of concern. The both were wondering if one brown eyed sixteen year old boy be the cause of them breaking up. This was quite a serious subject for both of them.
"What can I do?" asked Melanie clearly upset.
"I don't know. I just know he will not talk to me nor you like that," said Adam.
Melanie was shocked and frightened by this side of Adam. She had never felt like this before. She couldn't live without him but this is something she had never experienced before.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh. But still," said Adam.
Tears formed in Melanie's ocean blue eyes. Adam's heart broke into a million tiny pieces. What have a done?, thought Adam.
"Please don't cry," said Adam hugging Melanie.
Melanie glared at Adam.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," said Adam running a hand threw Melanie's hair.
"For crying out loud! At least be all snuggly in the house!" yelled Ben.
Adam's jaw clenched. Adam could have sworn he saw steam coming out of Melanie's ears. He couldn't believe what was happening.
"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" yelled Melanie.
"I'm so scared," said Ben rolling his eyes.
"You should be! You're in big trouble!" yelled Melanie.
"What are you going to do? Lock me in my room, I can just escape from the window or pick the lock," said Ben.
"Don't talk to her like that. She could have just left you in San Diego to be murdered on the streets," said Adam firmly.
Adam and Melanie stalked into the house. Never once had Melanie yelled for any reason as long as Adam had know her. Adam wasn't sure what to think.
"What do we do about him? He's so intelligent," whispered Melanie.
"I have a friend who can knock some sense into him. We might have to drop him off at a martial arts studio. You know the one I was hoping to work at," said Adam.
"Alright, I'm almost temped to give him a good slap," said Melanie.
"Remind me not to get you mad," said Adam.
Melanie rolled his eyes.
Adam dialed Rocky on his cell phone.
"Hey, Rocky," said Adam.
"Yes," said Rocky.
"How good are you with ungrateful rude teenagers?" asked Adam.
"Uh, I don't know," said Rocky "that's Jason's department,".
"Melanie and I are about ready to slap her cousin a good one," said Adam.
"Here is Jason," said Rocky.
"Hey Adam. How have you been?" asked Jason.
"Pretty good. I've heard your doing good Jason," said Adam.
"So what is the issue?" asked Jason.
"My girlfriend's ungrateful rude little cousin, whom is living with us. He is sixteen, just lost his mother and his dad is a big mystery," said Adam.
"This sounds fun," said Jason.
"My girlfriend is temped to slap him at the moment," said Adam.
"Drop him off at the Dojo and I'll try to knock some sense into him," said Jason.
"Where is it?" asked Adam.
"A block from the Juice Bar," said Jason.
"Alright," said Adam hanging up.
"Come on, we're going somewhere and your coming with," said Adam.
"No!" yelled Ben.
Melanie went upstairs and dragged Ben out by his ear. Adam couldn't help not to chuckle by how Melanie had turn from the gentle mother into the strict mother.
"Don't say a word," said Melanie.
Ben shut his mouth. He looked rather frightened. Melanie kept tabbing her fingernails on the dashboard of the jeep.
Adam drove around until be passed Bulk and Skull's Juice Bar and then saw a sign saying Angel Grove Martial Arts Studio. Adam pulled into the parking lot and parked.
"Can I breath?" asked Ben once they had entered the studio.
Melanie slapped the back of his head. Adam cringed by the sound.
"I warned you," said Melanie.
"Ouch, damn. Since when can you hit," said Ben.
"Thanks your brother for teaching me martial arts four and half years ago," said Melanie.
"Adam," said a guy with brown hair.
"Hey, Jason," said Adam playfully shaking Jason's hand.
"This is my girlfriend, Melanie. And her little cousin, Ben," said Adam.
"Nice to meet you," said Jason shaking Melanie's hand.
Melanie just smiled. Adam knew why but said nothing. He took Melanie's hand and lent down to say something into her ear.
"Your fine. Just breath, they'll like you. Just be yourself," whispered Adam.
Melanie gave a small smile. Ben rolled his eyes. Melanie slapped the back of his head again. Jason and Adam couldn't hold back their chuckles and then couldn't stop.
"Talk to him before I kill him," said Melanie.
"Adam, I think you found someone who can counteract your shyness," said Jason.
"Oh shut up," said Adam rolling his eyes.
"Fallow me," said Jason.
Ben didn't dare challenge Jason. That had Melanie hopeful that it might work. Adam was still worried about this whole situation with Ben.
"Adam, we meet again," said Rocky.
"What a lovely surprise," said Aisha.
"Rocky, Aisha, this is Melanie," said Adam.
"Haven't we meet before?" asked Melanie.
"Yes, at a collage party," said Rocky.
"I hope you weren't drinking," said Aisha towards Rocky.
Rocky said nothing. Adam just shook his head. Melanie rolled her eyes at Adam.
"Almost everyone drinks in collage, Aisha. You did when we were at the same collage. Well, everyone but Melanie here, who refused every drink," said Rocky.
"I don't drink," said Melanie "I take that back, I don't drink at collage parties".
"I've never seen you drink," said Adam.
"By the time I meet you I stopped drinking," said Melanie.
"We can talk about this later," said Adam.
"Oh joy," said Melanie.
"Sorry, I brought that up," said Rocky.
"So Adam told me, that you are Ashley's cousin," said Aisha.
"I spent nine and a half years living with her," said Melanie.
"Was she always so cheerful?" asked Aisha out of curiosity
"Yes. It was very annoying in my preteen to early teen years. We fought a lot," said Melanie.
"She speaks so positively about you," said Aisha.
"We sorted things out when I turned seventeen. I grew up and she learned to forgive. It was just a conflict in style of life," said Melanie.
"I don't think the boys want to here our girl chats, so how about we go out somewhere," said Aisha.
"Alright," said Melanie.
Adam smiled. He was unbelievably happy that Aisha and Melanie got along. He had no idea about the others though, it will be a interesting couple of months.
"Thank you," mouthed Adam.
Aisha gave Adam a wink. Aisha always tried to get know Adam's girlfriends, so Melanie was no different.
"So, you two meet in collage," said Aisha as she got into her car.
"Yeah," said Melanie getting into Aisha's car.
"So you know all about his past career," said Aisha.
"I didn't until we were dating for six months. I had feeling he was since I knew my cousin was a ranger. He told me he was friend of my cousin the first time we meet," said Melanie.
"So why did you and Ashley fight, if you don't mind me asking?" asked Aisha.
"She was preppy, popular, and boy crazed. I was quite, a few close friends, and not interested in dating guys," said Melanie.
"Who is older?" asked Aisha.
"I am. I'm a year older," said Melanie.
"So what happened that made you two make up?" asked Aisha.
Melanie couldn't help not to smirk. She found it sweet how Aisha wanted to know everything about her. She wondered if…she shut her mind down at that thought.
"I went to live with my other aunt in San Diego. My best friend was murdered and I couldn't sleep, not in the city she was murdered in. Everything reminded me of her," said Melanie "That must have been awful," said Aisha horrified.
"Try watching it happen and being helpless," said Melanie.
"I have to ask. Did you drink after that?" asked Aisha.
"Big time. My older cousin, Sean, saved me. He was a heavy drinker until I came around. He felt guilty for me drinking since he took me to parties where people drank. We both stopped after two months of me drinking, it was driving him insane to see me drinking," said Melanie.
"You made it back after that. I hear of so many people having a relapses and never getting out of the addiction," said Aisha.
"It's hard but it can happen. I used martial arts as my weapon of choice to fight it. I became obsessed with it. I went to a martial arts studio everyday after school from January to June and everyday for hours during the summer," said Melanie.
"Did you go to public school? You seem like you have a better education than pubic schools," said Aisha.
"I did from preschool to half of my junior year. I went to a special school like place after that. My couch had me go into this special program at the studio. I did all of the required classes and martial arts combined," said Melanie.
"Did you have different martial art courses?" asked Aisha.
"Yeah. There was a course for all of the main martial arts and some others I never knew what they were. I just did Kung Fu," said Melanie.
"Here, it's a nice little strip mall," said Aisha parking her car.
"Let's see what is here," said Melanie.
After killing a hour, Melanie and Aisha were getting tired of the strip mall. Melanie did buy a little frog statue for Adam, Aisha's suggestion. Aisha bought a ape statue for Rocky. Aisha explained the who ninja spirits thing to Melanie, whom was confused but didn't ask anything.
"I had a great time," said Melanie getting out of Aisha's car.
"Even with me asking a million questions?" asked Aisha.
"That's what made it interesting," said Melanie.
"Adam will love the statue," said Aisha.
"I hope so," said Melanie as she put the bag in the jeep.
Aisha and Melanie walked into the studio laughing about how ridiculous some of the questions Aisha asked.
"So how was it?" asked Rocky.
"Interesting," said Melanie.
"Very," laughed Aisha.
"I see you two are very happy," said Adam.
"Great timing. He won't be a problem anymore," said Jason "you can drop him off her anytime you want,".
"Thank you," said Melanie.
"No problem," said Jason.
Ben didn't say a word he just went into the jeep. Everyone looked at each other confused. Melanie raised a eyebrow.
"Just put the fear of material arts in him. I used the act I knew Adam was a good fighter to frighten him," said Jason.
"Your evil," said Rocky.
"It was the only way," said Jason.
"Whatever it takes," said Adam.
"He was rather interested in everything," said Jason.
"He isn't stupid just doesn't have the right way of discipline," said Melanie.
"From what you told me, your aunt was rarely home. She didn't even seem to care where anyone was. Long as they weren't bothering her, she didn't care. I mean she didn't even notice when you and your older cousin transferred schools," said Aisha.
"It teaches reasonability," said Melanie.
"When are we getting together for dinner?" asked Rocky.
"How about five," said Adam.
"Sounds good," said Aisha.
"Did you call Angel Grove High let?" asked Jason.
"I took care of it," said Adam "it helps when you were a good student in high school,".
"Hey, Jason, come and join us," said Rocky.
"Yeah, more the merrier," said Aisha.
"I would but I promised Kim I would do something with her tonight," said Jason.
"How about this to make this shorter. Bring Kim and invite Trini and Zack," said Aisha.
"Are you alright with all the people?" asked Adam.
"I'm fine. I'm not a turtle," said Melanie.
"We better go," said Adam.
A few hours later Adam and Melanie were getting ready to go out to eat. Ben wanted to stay home, he wasn't comfortable with a lot of people he didn't know.
"Ben, you can order pizza if you want," said Adam.
Ben's was down in the living room in a blink of a eye when he heard the word pizza. Adam blinked a few times.
"Adam, just give him the phone," said Melanie.
Adam gave Ben the house phone and gave him twenty five bucks.
"Come on," said Adam.
"I'm coming," said Melanie grapping her purse.
"Here, I forgot about this," said Melanie handing Adam a bag.
Adam opened and smiled. Melanie blushed slightly.
"Aisha told you about my animal spirit," said Adam.
"She tried to explain it. I pretended to understand it," said Melanie.
"Maybe I'll tell you some stories about all of that sometime," said Adam.
"Tease," said Melanie.
Adam chuckled. He was hoping Melanie would be like this through the whole thing, this is the Melanie he loves.
"Ready?" asked Adam as he parked the jeep next to Aisha's car.
"Yes, silly. Long as they don't bite," said Melanie.
"Oh come on," said Adam.
Melanie laughed as she fallowed Adam in.
"There you two are," said Aisha.
"Somebody decided to take their time," said Adam.
"I didn't take as long as you," said Melanie rolling her eyes.
"Where's Ben?" asked Rocky.
"Home, ordering pizza," said Adam "does he like pizza."
"He's never been able to get pizza before. Only at friends and such," said Melanie.
"Can we trust him to really order it?" asked Adam.
"He might be a pain in a ass but he won't steal," said Melanie.
"So what did you degree in?" asked Aisha.
"Jason, Kim, Zack, and Trini aren't here let," said Adam.
"Nope," said Rocky "it takes them a bit to get here,".
"I majored in early childcare development," said Melanie.
"That sounds boring," said Rocky.
Melanie rolled her eyes.
"Where are you working?" asked Aisha.
"Angel Grove Daycare, it's down the street from the high school. I came down before we moved to find where it was," said Melanie.
"What took so long?" asked Rocky as the other for people.
"We got lost," said a dark skinned guy.
"Kim, couldn't find her earring," said Jason.
"Melanie this is Kimberly, Trini and Zackary," said Adam.
"Call me Kim. Your Adam's new girlfriend, right?" asked Kim.
"That I am," said Melanie.
"Did you by chance live in San Diego?" asked Trini.
"I did since I was sixteen," said Melanie.
"Did you go to the San Diego Martial Arts Studio?" asked Trini.
"I did," said Melanie.
"I think we meet before. I was there after I came come from a Peace Conference. You came in with your cousin, as your couch told me," said Trini.
"I might have met you," said Melanie.
"So how has it been since the Peace Conference?" asked Adam.
"Great, I don't think it could be much better. Zack has his dance studio. I'm a school psychologist," said Trini.
"So how did you two meet?" asked Zack.
"I was checking in on her of a friend. We found out we were in the same collage and we kept running into each other everyday. So we started to meet places and soon we were dating," said Adam. "She already knows," said Aisha.
"Really, why?" asked Zack.
"Ashley, Tanya's replacement, is her cousin. She somehow figured it out and knew if Adam knew her he might have been too," said Aisha.
"Do you know Melanie's entire life story?" asked Adam smirking.
"Almost all of it," said Aisha.
"Why do you think we were laughing earlier," said Melanie.
"So what do you do for a living?" asked Kim.
"I'm working a daycare," said Melanie.
"Can we order food now?" asked Rocky.
"Yes," said Aisha.
Melanie blended right in with the girls with no problems. Adam was coughing up with his friends. Everyone was having a good time even though the food wasn't the great.
Adam looked over at Melanie. Why does she look so amazing in anything, thought Adam. Melanie glanced over at Adam to see he was staring. Their eyes locked and Adam blushed. Adam quickly looked away.
"He likes you a lot," said Aisha.
"I know," said Melanie.
"You do know about his ex-girlfriend?" asked Kim.
"Yes. I know she moved to Nashville to start her music career and Adam wanted to stay here. He told me he couldn't stop wondering if she was cheating or not. So they broke up to keep their friendship," said Melanie.
"She was my replacement. It's hard to explain," said Aisha.
"So how did you find out about Ashley?" asked Kim.
"I was getting frustrated with her because she wouldn't tell me where she was and why she wouldn't do anything with me. We had just fixed our messed up relationship and I thought she was pushing me away. So she ended up telling me she was up in space saving the world and all," said Melanie.
"What about Adam?" asked Trini.
"I told him I knew about Ashley and he told me," said Melanie.
"He's staring again," whispered Kim.
"I can tell," said Melanie.
"Have you two ever done it?" asked Aisha.
Trini chocked on her water. Kim tried to keep a straight face. Melanie turned bright red and then started to laugh.
"No," said Melanie getting hold of herself.
"Just wondering," said Aisha.
"Of all the things to ask in a restaurant," said Kim.
Adam looked at his watch. He couldn't believe it was nine and the restaurant was closing in ten minutes. He was hopeful that Ben hadn't burnt down the house or had the cops called on him by now.
"Melanie, we better get going," said Adam.
"Alright," said Melanie.
Melanie was shivering in the cool evening air. Adam took his jacket off and gave it to Melanie at a stop and go light.
"You didn't have to," said Melanie.
"I don't want my favorite girl to get sick," said Adam.
Melanie put on the jacket.
"I like here better. I can actually see the stars. Being able to breath the air is a bonus," said Melanie.
"I never noticed until now," said Adam.
Several minutes had passed any nether Adam or Melanie had said anything.
"Don't forget your statue," said Melanie handing Adam the frog statue.
"I won't," said Adam taking the statue.
Melanie careful slipped her shoes off before going into the house. Adam smiled, she remembered. Melanie handed Adam his jacked as she crept slowly upstairs to check on Ben. Adam headed into the kitchen to see if Ben had really ordered the pizza.
Melanie saw Ben sprawled out on the bed with his radio on low. He was storing loudly. He smacked himself and then rolled over. Melanie held back a laugh and turned off his radio.
Adam had put away his packet and shoes by the time Melanie got into their bedroom.
"I'm going to use the bathroom," said Adam.
"You don't have to tell me that," said Melanie.
Adam went into the master bathroom. Melanie put her shoes away. She changed into a long T-shirt and short shorts. Adam came out of the bathroom in his black tank top and boxers.
"Quite starring," said Melanie in a playful way.
"But your so beautiful," said Adam kissing Melanie on the lips.
"We better get some sleep," said Melanie.
Adam didn't complain as he got into bed. Melanie was a bit restless thinking about what Aisha had asked. How does he control himself? I know he wants to but I know he won't ask. Why am I even thinking about this, thought Melanie.
"Are you alright," said Adam touching Melanie's shoulder.
"Yeah, just go lost in my thoughts," said Melanie turning to face Adam.
"Okay," said Adam kissing Melanie's forehead.
Melanie feel asleep in Adam's chest. He watched her sleep for a little bit then fell asleep too.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review. Let me know if I missed any grammar mistakes. I can't catch everything.