Author's Note:Hi! I updated and rather soon! I hope you enjoy! :D

Chapter 12 – Coming to Montgomery

Silence was dominant in the Finch car as Atticus was driving Melanie to Montgomery. His carob chip eyes were focused on the road while her blue eyes flickered from the road to Atticus and back repeatedly. She had a foxlike grin on her face and Atticus was oblivious to it or so it seemed.

"What are you grinning about, Miss Melanie?" He asked catching the said girl off guard.

"I just had a happy thought is all, Mr. Atticus," She replied coyly.

"And what would that be, Miss Melanie?" He questioned her a bit flirtatiously which was new for the couple. Atticus was even surprised by his nature.

"Oh, just a silly thought about silly things with a silly man," She replied hoping he would be able to catch on that it was of him she spoke and of their kiss. She wanted to tell him she knew about the kiss and thought she had made it abundantly obvious on their little trip to Dr. Reynolds's office after the kiss. Apparently, Atticus did not catch on very quickly when it came to things such as this.

"Oh," was all that was said by Atticus who has lost his flirty vibe making Melanie want to laugh for she knew he must be jealous.

"Yes, I can't help but think about this silly man. I often see him in my dreams and he is always doing the silliest things."

"Oh, he is just a dream man, eh?" Atticus regained some confidence.

"Yes, of course for I don't know any man as bold as he except maybe my cousin Jem but still this man was very bold. I had dreamed about him the other night. In fact I think it was the night after our little dinner party after the fire, Mr. Atticus. Oh, yes, and in this dream the silly man came to me. In my dream I was sleeping and all of a sudden he kissed me!" At the last sentence Atticus entered a coughing fit.

"Are you alright, Mr. Atticus?" Melanie asked knowing she had caught him. He calmed himself and assured her that he was fine.

"I guess talking about kissing is a bit shocking and unladylike. I am sorry to have caused you such discomfort if my comment did so. But I guess I just can't help but smile when I think of it. I think it is very romantic like he was trying to awaken me with a gentle kiss just like in that fairy tale," She stated dreamily. Atticus felt a sort wave of relief rush over him when he heard this. Had he been romantic and not sinister with his kiss? By this statement she thought it romantic. Yes, he had been romantic and not wicked in his actions. He smiled slightly. He had an urge to pull off the road and kiss her like the world was ending at any moment and this would be his last chance. Melanie would not have minded in all honesty but no signs of passion were displayed. They rode in some more silence before they finally drove up to the home where Melanie had been raised. Ellie stood on the porch.

"Ellie!" Melanie exclaimed jumping out of the car and running towards the woman who practically raised her. They wrapped their arms about each other in a tight embrace.

"It's been so long, Ellie," Melanie rested her head on the other woman's large bosom.

"Yes, it has, Miss Melanie," she replied holding the girl tightly then they separated. Ellie looked over her former charge's head to see Atticus unloading Melanie's luggage.

"Who is that, Miss Melanie?" Ellie asked quietly hoping not to be heard and thought to be rude by the man.

"That is Mr. Atticus Finch. I wrote to you about him," Melanie replied in hushed tones.

"He is much older than I thought," Ellie commented.

"He is only thirty five and he is very nice so be polite," Melanie defended her driver but shocked Ellie. Never in her life had Melanie told Ellie to be polite for Ellie was always polite. Ellie knew just this and the letters that this man must have some high standing in Melanie's heart.

"Mr. Atticus this is Ellie. Ellie this Mr. Atticus Finch," Melanie introduced the two when Atticus came up to the two ladies. They exchanged friendly greetings. Ellie offered to take Melanie's luggage but Atticus refused to let her do so.

"Well, you two better come inside now. Mr. Jeremy, Mr. Cornelius, and Mr. Jem are inside waiting," Ellie said then led the couple into the large house. Melanie's suitcase was taken by a male servant as Atticus and Melanie were shown to the parlor where two men stood talking while one sat on the sofa.

The two older men looked very similar except one was in his sixties while the other was in his forties. They both had brilliant blue eyes just like Melanie and had gray hair, whiskers and dressed in expensive clothes. The man in his sixties was smoking a cigar while the other man was drinking some brandy.

The youngest of the trio was Mr. Jeremy "Jem" Graham who was in his twenties. He had the same eyes as Melanie and the men. His hair was dark and curly. He had a boyishly handsome face, charming smile and an aura of charisma.

"Mel-Lou!" Jem jumped up and captured Melanie his arms. He swung her about and placed about a twenty kisses all over her face. A pain of jealousy hit Atticus. He wanted to rip Melanie from this man's hold but restrained himself. After exchanging some happy pleasantries with Jem, Melanie separated herself from her cousin and proceeded to kiss her father and uncle.

"Welcome home, Melanie Louise. Who is this young man you have brought with you?" the man in his sixties or more commonly known as Jeremy Graham asked looking to Atticus.

"Oh, father, uncle and Jem, this is Mr. Atticus Finch. He is a dear friend of mine and has brought me to Montgomery. Mr. Atticus, this is my father Mr. Jeremy Graham, my uncle Mr. Cornelius Graham and my cousin Jem Graham," Melanie introduced them all to each other. Handshakes and greetings were exchanged. Mr. J. Graham expressed his gratitude to Atticus for driving Melanie and Atticus declared it was no problem. It was not long till the older Graham pulled Atticus into another to talk leaving Jem and Melanie alone. Melanie sat down with Jem on the sofa. Jem made Melanie tell him of her time in Maycomb. He was glad to learn of Melanie's meeting Chris

"Oh, you'll never guess who lives in Maycomb, Jem!"

"Who?"

"Violet Jean!" the name made Jem freeze with a sparkle in his eye and a smile growing on his face.

"You mean my Jean?" He inquired giddy.

"Yes, she lives in Maycomb."

"How is she? Is she married or still single?" He got right down to his heart's fatal question. Melanie had always known of her cousin's love for the stuttering girl but knew she had to tell him the truth.

"Actually, she is happily married with five children and one more on the way," Melanie said slowly. Jem's face fell and the sparkle left his eye. Melanie wanted to comfort him but what was she to do? Before Melanie could move Jem lifted his face with a smile.

"I am glad she is happy. Now, enough about Jean; tell me of your relationship with Mr. Finch," He quickly changed the subject and grinned slyly to his cousin. Melanie began blushing.

"What is it you want to know?" She looked away from her cousin.

"Is he a good kisser?" Jem asked jokingly hoping to make Melanie blush more which he succeeded in doing but not for the reason he thought. Jem laughed but his laugh slowed as he could read that a kiss had taken place on Melanie's embarrassed face.

"He kissed you!" Jem stood up in surprise.

"Be quiet, Jem!" Melanie pulled him back onto the couch, "He did but he doesn't know I know."

"What do you mean he doesn't know you know? It takes two people to kiss," Jem was a bit confused.

"Well, he thought I was sleeping when he kissed me but I really wasn't," Melanie explained. Jem gave her a look which made her inform him of practically everything leading up to the kiss and the events since then. Jem stared at her grinning.

"You're in love with that old man, aren't you?" Jem winked at her.

"What? No! Of course not!" Melanie felt embarrassed and wanted to save herself from embarrassment.

"Oh, come on, Mel Lou. You are!" Jem laughed at her.

"No, I am not! I don't love him at all!" She stood in a passion only to see her father, uncle and Atticus enter the room. Melanie sat down red faced and Jem stopped his laughing.

"Jem, Mr. Finch is going to be staying with us. Why don't you go help him get his bags from his car?" Jem's father encouraged and so Jem and Atticus exited the house together. Jem eyed Atticus and vice versa as they walked outside. Jem was grinning for he knew everything while Atticus was just jealous of Jem's ability show his feelings physically to Melanie.

"So, Mr. Finch, are you in love with my cousin?" Jem came right out and asked Atticus who saw that Jem was as bold as Melanie had suggested in the car. The flabbergasted Atticus did not know how to respond.

"Uh…." was all that escaped Atticus's mouth. Jem laughed and patted him on the back knowing the response was as good as saying yes.

"Well, you better hurry up and marry her before my uncle kills over," Jem laughed and grabbed Atticus's bag and headed towards the house leaving Atticus stationary beside his car. Had his feelings been so obvious? Did Melanie know of his feelings?

"Come on, Mr. Finch!" Jem called from the porch and Atticus followed.