Chapter 46
The next day, Freddie managed to meet up with Melanie after they were both done with work. Marissa had the day off and occupied Alex with baking cookies after her homework was done allowing him a little free time on the way home.
As expected, they met up at the coffee shop where they shared so many other moments. "Hey Mels. Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a bear over on 23rd street."
"No worries, Freddie." She smiled. "I ordered for you." She pointed to a cup sitting next to hers.
"Thanks." He smiled and sat down. "So, how was the weekend with Alex?"
She was immediately taken aback. "Are you just making conversation or did you really ask me here to debrief me on the first full weekend with our daughter."
"Whoa. Relax, Melanie. I already heard all about it from Alex. She was thrilled by the way. She'd been wanting to see that movie for weeks and she loves the stuffed aardvark you got her."
Mel cooled her aggression and nodded. "Sorry. It's just, I know you still don't completely trust me with her. So what was it you wanted to meet about?"
He knew this was true but he was trying to not let it show. "I, um, well . . . I think you should know Sam and I, sort of, like, um, we decided . . . We uh . . . I w-wanted to tell you we started to s-see each other." He stuttered and waited for the blow up."
"And" She asked with widened eyes.
"No and. That's it. I just thought I owed it to you to tell you face to face, not hearing it from Carly or having Alex tell you she saw us kissing or something." He announced with a little more confidence all the while wondering why she was being so calm.
"OK." She nodded and took a sip of her flavored coffee, choosing to look at the cup and not him.
"So, you're OK with this?" He asked. "Really?"
She put down her cup and shook her head without looking up. "No. Not really, Freddie. But who am I to stop you? We're divorced, I have no claim on you or your fidelity. And I sure as hell can't stop my sister. Never could, never will."
"Then why did you say OK?"
"I didn't mean I was OK with it, just OK that you told me." She now looked disappointed at him.
He sighed. "Please tell me you're not going to be all passive aggressive or bitchy about this or anything. Especially with Sam. The simple fact of the matter is . . . "
"The simple fact of the matter is, you couldn't wait to get rid of me so you could start to see her. I know you two went out the night after we signed the papers. Yolanda from work told me the next day. She thought it was me and got all up in my face at work about it because I acted like I didn't know her. She took a picture and confronted me with it and there you both were, big as life. And you guys were looking pretty date-y."
He tried to recall the night.
"I had to find pictures of me and Sam together to prove that I have a twin and it wasn't me."
"Hey wait, I remember that gal. She walked over and acted like she knew Sam. Granted Sam was dressed up and had her hair pulled up so I can see how the woman got confused but she started talking like she knew her and even after Sam told her she wasn't you, she acted like Sam was lying to her or something. I guess that's when she pulled out her phone and took a selfie with us."
Melanie smirked and shook her head.
"We thought she was just some leftover Seddie fan from years ago and ignored her. Well, I did, Sam was ready to kick her butt."
"It sure took you long enough to tell me if you've been going out since then. That wasn't just last week."
He drew in a deep breath. "We waited to tell you until we were sure. To be honest, Sam and I spent the weekend at that fancy getaway resort over in Olympia. And before you say anything, it wasn't like we planned it. It supposed to be a weekend getaway with Sam and Carly. Carly couldn't go at the last minute because of Spencer's art exhibit so I went along."
"OMG! So you two aren't just dating, you spent the weekend at some resort together. I guess you're all physical now, too." Melanie huffed.
Freddie had no choice but to be honest. "Yes, Mels. Your sister and I are sleeping together. And yes we've been dating for a while and it was time to take it to that level. If you're pissed at us for it, too bad." He stated and threw a five dollar bill on the table to cover his coffee and the tip before standing. "Are you calling Alex tonight? Make sure you call after 7."
Suddenly the blonde felt ashamed. "Freddie, wait." She reached and grabbed his arm.
He stopped and barely turned to face her.
"I'm sorry, Fredward." She said quietly. "I should be happy for you, not nasty. Congrats, you finally got what you've wanted all along." There was something sad in her voice.
"It's OK, Mel. You're forgiven. Just do me a favor and don't go confronting Sam about this, please." He asked. "She's been hard enough on herself about it and for goodness sake, make sure Pam doesn't go calling her up and getting all ornery either."
"You think I can control what my mom does?" Melanie asked with a bit of a chuckle. "How long have you known her?"
"I think you can tell her you're alright about it and then she won't go getting all snippy with your sister." He acknowledged. "Please, Mel. As a favor to me. And Alex."
Mel simply shrugged. "I'll try, Freddie."
The two parted on good terms with a friendly hug and Freddie hurried home to his mom and daughter. Melanie, on the other hand, gave him a few minutes to get ahead of her and made a beeline for Sam's apartment. She might have agreed not to be bitchy, but she definitely needed to talk to Sam.
As soon as her sister opened the door, Mel marched in and made her presence known. "So, when were you going to tell me that you're shagging Freddie again? Oh, hi Carly." She acknowledged the other young woman's presence in the apartment.
Carly waved a hello from the kitchen where she was working on their dinner and stayed out of the way. This had the potential to get real ugly, real fast and she had no idea how she would ever stop two Pucketts if they decided to go at it. Maybe a fire extinguisher.
"Guessing you talked to Frederelli, then?" Sam asked nonchalantly and closed the door.
Melanie simply crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Sam. She wasn't being bitchy but she was hurt.
"It's not like we've been knocking boots for months. In fact, it was just Saturday the first time we did it. What's the big deal, you're divorced, it's not like you have any claim to him."
Mel continued to stare Sam down, almost like she didn't believe her.
"So, Freddie simply up and told you, huh?" Sam asked, slightly put off that she was being confronted in such a manner for something she enjoyed so much. "Well, it's true. And so is the part about the weekend being the first time. Hell, it was the first I've seen more than him shirtless in years."
"He didn't have to tell me, but he did. I could tell something was up when you came by last evening. You had that look and the way you acted around him, it was obvious something had happened."
"Really?" Sam looked ashamed, more for the fact that she did such a poor job of hiding it than anything.
"Honestly Sammy, I don't care about that part. I just wish you'd told me to begin with. It would have been nice to hear it from you first. We agreed to be a little more forthcoming with each other."
"So I was supposed to call you up or send a text or some chiz, 'oh hey Mel just wanted to let you know I got boned by your ex-husband'. Sorry but that's not happening."
"Whatever." Mel just rolled her eyes. "I seriously think we all need to sit down and discuss how this is going to effect Alexandra. Because it is."
"Well duh." Sam cracked. "You have a doctorate in stating the obvious, don't you?"
"Sam!" Mel snapped. "This isn't funny, dammit. What if this is too much for her? None of us want to see her hurt or confused."
"OK, OK, sorry." Sam begged. "You're right. She has to be our priority. I don't know what Fredstumps has planned but he always thinks of something. Maybe we could all 3 sit down with her and sort of talk about it, see how she feels and answer any questions she might have."
"How about this weekend. Maybe we can all get together and order pizza or something?" Carly asked from her spot across the room.
Seeing the looks she was getting from both twins, she quickly recanted. "Oh, uh, is this a family type of thing that best friends aren't invited to?"
"No, not that. It might be easier if it's just us. You know, less distraction." Melanie suggested. "Maybe afterward we can all spend some time together."
Carly smiled and nodded at the idea and left the girls to their plans. "Good idea."
It was decided that Friday evening would present the perfect opportunity.
Freddie had the Puckett sisters both over to the apartment and he had ordered food just before Melanie arrived.
"Come on in, Mels." He called through the door, knowing who it was.
Alex ran toward her mom for a hug. "Mommy!"
Before she could shut the door, Sam came around the corner from the elevator.
"Aunt Sam!" Alex also grabbed her aunt and pulled her inside.
"Hey, Kiddo." Sam picked her up slightly and playfully shook her around, eliciting a happy squeal from the child.
"I just ordered pizza." Freddie told them. "They said 45 minutes. I guess they're really busy tonight."
"There'd better be wings, Fredhead." Sam threatened.
"Yes, Sam. Two buckets." He smirked.
Alex pulled her aunt down to whisper in her ear. "I made sure he ordered meat lovers pizza."
Sam ruffled the girl's hair in appreciation and sat on the couch.
Freddie began, sitting down beside Sam and pulling the child onto his knee. "So, before our pizza gets here there's something Mommy, Aunt Sam and I wanted to talk with you about. OK, princess?"
"And then we'd all like for you to tell us how you feel about it." Melanie added, from the nearest chair.
The little girl shrugged and produced a grin. "Are we all going to Dingo Land?"
Freddie looked confused as Sam smirked. "Um, no baby girl. We're not going to Dingo Land." He said.
"You probably don't know this but your daddy and I used to date when we were younger." Sam told her.
"Oh, like before you married mommy?" The girl turned to her dad and asked.
"Yes, long before. Like, back when we were in high school." Sam added.
"Long before I even met Mommy." Freddie added.
"Well, technically, we did meet before you and Sam went out but you really didn't think I was real." Melanie chimed in. "It was the summer of tenth grade I believe."
"Getting off track here, Mels." Sam grumbled through clenched teeth and glared at her twin.
"We've decided to do that again." Freddie told her. "So, sometimes Aunt Sam might sit close or hold hands. And she might be around even more than she already is."
"Cool. I sit next to my friends and sometimes we hold hands. Miss Clarke makes us hold hands when we go outside for recess and have to cross the street. We have to hold our partner's hand before we cross. And we both look for cars and stay in the crosswalk."
"Well, this is a different kind of holding hands. This is more of a boyfriend and girlfriend holding hands than playground partners." Sam smirked. "It's just that we've been friends for a while and we really like each other, so we're going to be more than friends. Do you know what that means?"
"So you guys will be kissing and stuff?" The kid said with a sneer. "Kissing is kind of gross."
"Um, yeah. There might be kissing." Sam replied, with a nod. "And it's only gross if your daddy has bad breath. And maybe on occasion we'll use a special name for each other."
"You already do that with Daddy." The girl said. "What does nub mean anyway?"
"Oh, God!" Freddie groaned. "Why did you ever start calling me that?"
"You know, I don't even remember. I just know you've been a nub ever since we met." Sam shrugged.
After a few more questions and explanations, it was soon time for their food to arrive and the four enjoyed their meal together. After that, Melanie decided to return to Pam's place and since it was not her weekend with the child, she left alone.
By the little girl's bedtime, Sam was anxious to talk to Freddie to see how he felt her niece reacted.
The two flopped down on the sofa, glad their task was behind them. With any luck, Melanie would tell Pam and they would be completely out of the closet with their relationship.
"I think she took it pretty well." Sam started the conversation, after grabbing the TV remote from Freddie's hand and beginning to search.
"Alex or Mel?" He questioned with a smirk.
"Psh, you realize I could care less what my sister thinks. I meant your little girl. I think she understands pretty good for a seven year old."
"I thought you and Melanie were doing better."
"Better doesn't mean I'm going to make myself miserable for her, Fredlumps."
"So, you're saying us NOT seeing each other would make you miserable?" He asked with a smirk.
"You know, you're really pushing it lately. I think you need a good old fashion wedgie just to keep you humble." She replied with a smirk of her own.
"Would you settle for some kissing?" He asked and pulled her close.
As the two kissed, their passion grew. Hands wandered and both were starting to feel that if they were alone in the apartment, they'd already be halfway undressed. Sam had pushed him back into the arm of the sofa and had systematically mounted his lap, grinding herself into his body. He pulled her face down to his level and his lips attached to her neck in an attempt to dive her crazy.
They had no idea that they were being approached by a second grader who was coming out the hallway to ask for a drink. Soon, she made a sound that announced her presence and startled both the adults. They jumped apart like they were caught planning a bank robbery.
Sam was the first to compose herself enough to talk. "Hey. Whacha need kiddo?"
"Daddy, you forgot my water bottle again."
Unfortunately, Freddie was in no position to stand and go to the kitchen. "Oh, um, sorry baby." He made no attempt to get up. The kid looked confused, he normally jumped at her command.
"Uh, Sam. Could you maybe grab a bottle of water for Alex, please?"
"Your legs aren't broke." Sam cracked before noticing where he was discreetly trying to point. "But, I guess I'm closer the kitchen."
