Disclaimer: I don't own the Host.
A/N: My newest story :) I'm co-authoring it with Sophiebeth07 - go check her out!
Melanie's P.O.V: (Flashback)
The day I got engaged:
That morning:
I stood out on the balcony of my boyfriend's plush apartment, taking in the busy scene of New York City. I took in a deep breath, inhaling all the fumes of the city that never slept. I was up pretty early for once, seven thirty to be precise. I wasn't always an early riser but ever since I had started this relationship I had pretty much been up at six o' clock every morning. Why? Because Kyle happened to be a personal trainer who insisted that I work out and go for a early morning jog daily. Today was one of those nice, relaxing days that Kyle slept in and I wasn't obliged to do five laps around the local park (which is no easy feat). Well... today would be tiring later on because today happened to be Kyle's favourite holiday, St. Patrick's Day.
You see the O' Shea family were originally from Ireland, the Emerald Isle, so St. Patrick's day was a big deal for them, and as usual I was dragged into the celebrations. At least I was prepared this year, last year I wasn't so lucky... Trust me, they take St. Patrick's day way too seriously.
"Hey babe," Kyle snuck up behind me, sneaking his arms around my waist.
"Holy shit Kyle, you gave me a heart attack." I said, putting a hand over my racing heart.
"Is that a new top?" He asked fingering the light, green material of my t-shirt.
"Yup, do you like it? I brought it especially for the parade today." I gave a small smile at the thought of seeing Wanda's first St. Patrick's parade with Ian - she was going to be so overwhelmed and dreading the next year.
"Like it? I love it. It's so... sexy." He put his head in the crook of my neck.
"Can't wait for this afternoon... when are we going to your parents house?" I asked, trying to wriggle free of his grasp.
"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, tickling me profusely.
"Stop it," I giggled. "Stop it!" I was now crying with laughter - against my will. "Stop it, o-or you'll n-never get any..." I couldn't continue, I was laughing just too much.
"Never get any what Mel?" He asked, joining in with my laughter, but not stopping the tickle torture.
"N-no b-b-breakfast." I was struggling to breath now and beginning to get the hiccups.
"Okay, okay, you've got me. I'll stop in exchange for breakfast." Kyle bargained.
"Really you should be making me breakfast." I hiccupped grumblingly.
"Really? You'd say that after last time?" He raised an eyebrow. I remembered back to last time... he had nearly burnt my kitchen down - never again.
"Hey, this time it is your own apartment that would be burning down." I grinned.
"True, which is the exact reason that I don't cook here very often." He retorted cheekily. I just rolled my eyes and walked into the kitchen while Kyle went to get dressed, in nothing less than green, orange and white with shamrocks... over enthusiastic much...
Just before the St. Patrick's Parade / at Mr. and Mrs. O' Shea's house:
"Hey Wanda!" I shouted enthusiastically, grabbing her by the shoulders and embracing her in a tight hug.
"Hey! Where's my hello hug?" Ian shouted over at me, laughing.
"What made you think that your getting one?" I asked walking over to him, Wanda behind me.
"Because I am Ian O' Shea." He replied casually.
"I don't know, Wanda might get a little jealous." Wanda's cheeks flared up at that comment. I laughed at her reaction to the memory. A few months ago, Ian had been hugging me, only Wanda didn't know that. I had been all dressed up, and I had dyed my hair black, obviously it wasn't permanent, it really didn't suit me. Anyways, it had ended up with me having a black eye and Wanda nearly being arrested. She was always apologizing to me for it, but I just thought that it was hilarious. Wanda was my best friend, and I had been rather proud at her courage and her punch.
I took Wanda's hand, and ignoring Ian's complaints about me not giving him a hug, and led her into the house where Mr. and Mrs. O' Shea were getting ready for the St. Patrick's Parade.
"Hey Sean, hey Moira!" I called over to Kyle's parents.
"Hi Mel!" Moira called back. "Wanda, are you excited for your first ever St. Patrick's day parade with the O' Shea family?"
"Umm... as long as I don't have to wear one of those." Wanda answered, pointed to Sean's big green clown afro that he had probably picked up in the dollar shop down the street.
"Hahaha," Sean laughed. "No problem, Ian bagged the last one."
"Aww, I wanted one." I mock pouted. "I'm going to have to bargain with Ian now - and that never ends up good."
"Please do," Wanda sighed. "Why people feel the need to wear giant green wigs is beyond me." She giggled. "Though they do look funny."
"Hey ladies!" Kyle called over. "Are you coming or what?" I turned around to face my boyfriend who was now wearing an orange afro wig...
At the parade:
"I refuse to be seen kissing a man in a giant orange afro." I told Kyle seriously. "It looks ridiculous. I wouldn't mind if it was green, but orange? Seriously?"
"Aww but Mel..." He began to protest but I cut him off.
"No buts Kyle O' Shea, it's me or the wig." I gave him the ultimate decision.
"..." Kyle hummed thoughtfully. "How about I just take the wig off whenever I want to kiss you?"
"That's how much you mean to him Mel," Wanda stuck her head through the middle of the front seats from the back. "He tries to compromise with you about a wig." She giggled as Ian pulled her back into his lap.
"You do realise that you two are supposed to wearing seatbelts right?" I called back at them crossly. "If Kyle decides to break, then you two are out the window."
"That's why Ian's holding me extra tight!" Wanda sang.
"Oh my God Ian!" I cried, twisting back to face him. "How much sugar did you give her!"
"I didn't give her any!" He denied.
"I stocked up on it before I left home," Wanda admitted. "I was scared that the parade would be awful and I don't want to get drunk, because I hate hangovers this much." She held out her hands wide.
"You do realise that when you come off this sugar high that you will feel just as bad, if not worse, than if you had drank all night long." I pointed out.
"No." Wanda answered. "You lie." I just shook my head, this was going to be a long day.
. . .
The parade was full, just like last year. And there was hardly any breathing space. I was crammed up against a crowd of people, and could not see anything. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't small - I was 5'6 but the people in front of me were much taller and they weren't moving anytime soon.
I looked around for Wanda and saw her waving above the ground on Ian's shoulders. Of course he would give her a piggy back - she was only 5'0. I waved back at her as she grinned and tugged at Ian's green wig, gigging as little pieces of green fluff came off in her fingers. In all honesty, Wanda was like a little child - especially since her shyness had been replaced with hyperness from the sugar.
"Hey Seanie!" I heard Wanda squeal as she passed Ian's dad. "What's the cram?" She roared giggling, I just pitied Ian.
"It's craic Wanda, craic..." Ian shook his head, jiggling Wanda around.
"Oh right," she laughed at her mistake as only hyper Wanda would do, rather than blush like the normal Wanda. "What's the craic Seanie?" She called again.
Ian's body shook with laughter, so much so that he doubled over, sending Wanda flying to the ground.
"Wanda!" I screeched, pushing through the people to get to her. "What were you thinking O' Shea!" I screamed. "Wanda, are you okay?" I asked, helping Ian haul her up from the ground. She just started to giggle.
"That was fun, again! Again!"
. . .
"Mel..." Wanda called. "Mel..." She tried again. "Mel..." She kept calling me in all different tones and voices until I couldn't listen to her anymore and turned around.
"Yes Wanda?" I asked.
"You can't see the parade from there." She stated.
"I know." I replied.
"You should see the parade. It's fun." She beamed at me.
"Wanda," I answered. "How am I going to see the parade?" I rolled my eyes at her, she wasn't intentionally rubbing it in my face.
"Ian can give you a piggy back!" She called out enthusiastically.
"Err, Wanda, I hate to point it out, but Ian is giving you a piggy back." I bit back a smile. There was no way that I was letting her drink when we went to the pub after the parade was finished.
"I've had my turn, now it's your turn!" She squealed, clapping her hands.
"No it's okay, I'll just ask Kyle to give me a piggy back." I looked around. "Wait, where is Kyle?"
"No idea Mel, I guess I'll just have to suffice for now." Ian laughed, putting Wanda down to the ground as she wrestled the afro off his head and placed it on her blonde curls.
I climbed onto his back awkwardly. I could see why Wanda wanted me to see, it was such a nice view.
"How did you O' Shea's manage to reach 6 foot?" I asked. "Vegetables or the stretching machine?"
"Shh..." Ian hushed me. "Look." I did as I was told, looking up at the parade. And there was Kyle. On the top of the shamrock float. With a microphone. What the hell was he at?
"Melanie Stryder!" He called out. "I was just kind of wondering, if... you'd marry me?"
...what?