3 Months Later

Mellie moved into her dorm and was preparing for classes. Her mother made quite the spectacle when she had to leave her only child and go back to North Carolina. Maeve made sure that Mellie was put in a single room she'd brought in her interior designer to decorate her dorm so that she would not miss home. Mellie was somewhat embarrassed by her mother's antics, but she knew that her mom meant well.

Mellie settled into college life and was enjoying her classes and she'd even met a few friends. Her mother called her everyday and she really did miss North Carolina, especially now that it was starting to get cold. She had just returned to her dorm from a study group and grabbed her mail. She was absentmindedly looking through it when an envelope caught her eye. She opened it and was stunned to be reading a letter from Fitzgerald Grant.

Dear Mellie,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and happy spirits. I know that the last we talked I indicated that I thought it best we not pursue anything, but I have recently found myself in a quandary. I enjoyed the time we spent together albeit brief and now I find myself thinking of you often. I find that I miss you. I realize that I want to know you better and I hope that you would like to get to know me better. I know that you are only 17 and are not interested in anything serious or long term, but I do hope that we may write each other and maybe I can call you every now and then. And possibly when I am back stateside we can grab lunch and catch up. If this is not something you are interested in I do understand.

Sincerely,

Petty Officer Second Class Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III

Mellie immediately went to her desk and pulled out stationary. She was excited that he had written her. No she wasn't ready to be anyone's wife, but she did think that he was a nice guy. Once away from his over bearing father, Fitz was kind, sensitive and thoughtful.

Dear Fitzgerald,

I am glad to hear from you and I hope that my letter finds you in good health and happy spirits. I am getting used to college life and really enjoying myself. I have met many new friends and I'm not as home sick as I thought I would be. I have thought of you often, wondering if you were keeping safe. I enjoyed the brief time that we were able to spend together over the Summer and I would like to meet again once you are back stateside. I am not ready for anything serious, but we can be friends. I have some studying to do before I turn in so I will not make this too long. If you would like to call me sometime my dorm number is 203-555-1212.

All my best,

Melody

Mellie and Fitz continued to correspond back and forth in letters and he would occasionally call her when he could. She hated to admit it, but she was getting very attached to him and was excited when he told her that he would be home in February for a leave and could come and visit her for a few days. Mellie didn't tell her mom that she'd been talking to Fitz. She knew her mother didn't like him and she didn't want to hear her mouth about it.

She was never one to want to rush through Christmas, but knowing that Fitz was coming in February she could hardly contain herself. Mellie made sure to have all her work done before the end of the week. She cleared her schedule in anticipation of his arrival. She'd never felt this way about a guy before and part of her was afraid especially since he was so much older.

Mellie was sitting in her dorm when she got a call that she had a visitor downstairs. She checked herself in the mirror one more time before practically running downstairs to the lobby. Her breath caught when she saw him. He was a little bulkier than the last time she'd seen him, his hair was cut shorter, but the curls still remained. His skin held a slight tan probably from his time in California. She walked up to him and they hugged briefly, exchanging pleasantries. The passerbys were giving her weird looks.

Fitz and Mellie headed up to her dorm. In the back of her mind she knew that her mother would not approve of her bringing him up to her room so she took him to the student lounge instead. Fitz smiled she was always the southern belle. They chatted for a bit and then decided to grab dinner.

Fitz and Mellie spent the weekend together. He was staying at a nearby hotel. He would walk over to her dorm and they would spend time together. He still hadn't seen the inside of her room. He was walking her back to her door after having dinner together.

"Can I see your room?" Mellie was uneasy about that, but one look into his beautiful blue eyes and she agreed.

"Sure." Mellie opened her dorm room door and they stepped inside. Fitz's eyebrow raised.

"This is not the type of room I remember having. How did you get a single as a freshman?"

"My mom." Fitz nodded he didn't need to know anything else. Maeve Sinclair was tenacious when it came to her little Melody. Fitz and Mellie settled on her couch and watched a little tv. He had his arms around her shoulder. He rubbed his hands through her hair and Mellie tensed up.

"You are so beautiful Mellie" He said leaning closer to her, his lips skimmed her ear. She tried to remain focused on the tv. His right hand came around and settled on her stomach, she jumped slightly. He smiled. "You ok?"

"Yes" She said looking at him. He bent and captured her mouth. Her eyes remained open she was stunned. She pushed him away. "Fitz we should stop." He hung his head.

"I'm sorry Mellie. I probably should get going." She nodded. He stood up and gave her a light hug before leaving. Mellie couldn't help but to smile that was her first kiss.

3 Months Letter

Mellie thought of Fitz often, but she didn't let it interfere with her school work. She was making straight A's and had joined a number of clubs and societies. She kept herself busy in between times when she would see Fitz. Mellie was gearing up for finals and to go home for the Summer. She was so excited to see her parents and her old high school friends. She was also hopeful that she would see Fitz, but that would also require her to tell her mom that she was dating Fitz.

Mellie finished her finals and her mom had sent movers to come clean out her dorm. She would be moving into an off campus apartment at the beginning of her Sophomore year. Mellie arrived home and was immediately greeted by her parents.

Her mother doted on her daughter. She took her shopping and they had a mother daughter spa day. Her dad had gone into the office for the day. When they returned home Mellie knew it was as good as any time to tell her mom about Fitz.

"Mommy can I talk to you?" He mother looked at her skeptically.

"It must be something I'm not going to like since you called me mommy. Sit baby girl." Mellie sat next to her mom on the couch.

"Mom I've been dating Fitz."

"When have you seen him to be dating?" Mellie took a deep breath.

"He's come to visit me at school." Her mother looked at her shocked.

"Melody Annabelle Sinclair how could you have been hiding that from me!" Her mother was angry.

"I like him mom and I knew you wouldn't like it." Maeve took a deep breath. She didn't want to be angry with her baby.

"I want you to be careful Melody. He's a man and you are a little girl."

"Mom I'm eighteen."

"Oh eighteen I guess that makes you an expert on life?"

"No mommy I just like him."

"Of course you do. He's a handsome young man, I just don't know about that family baby girl." Her mother sighed.

"He's been a complete gentleman." Her mother knew what she was saying and that made Maeve feel a tad bit better. Maeve kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Your dad will be probably happy to hear that you are dating the son of a senator. He cares about silly things like that."