The sun was rising high in the sky, bathing the grassy lawn in rays of light. A white washed veranda shined in the sunlight, making it look brighter. The lawn was freshly cut and the perfect shade of bright green. White and baby blue lawn furniture lined the patio. The chairs were wicker with a white finish and light blue cotton cushions. A total of about five round tables were scattered throughout the veranda, each sat five to six people. Servants set the tables and prepared trays of finger foods.
Melody stood in the door way of the opened French doors. She wore a bright cobalt dress with short lace sleeves and a skirt that ended just above the knee paired with white and blue kitten heels. Her blonde curls were up in a messy bun. A pearl necklace graced her neck and she played with the silver bands on her left hand. A few loose curls framed her face.
Dick came up behind her, hanging up his phone. He stood next to her, pushing a curl behind her ear. "You look beautiful, darling."
"Mmhm," she hummed.
The doorbell echoed through the house. Pierce came up to them to inform Dick that the guests had arrived. People dressed in bright pastels entered to the large backyard. Pierce stood next to Melody and handed her a mimosa. She sighed and drank half of it in one gulp.
"Trying to make it through?" Pierce asked before talking a sip of his drink.
"Like I always do, Pierce." She watched all the people talk and mangle with each other. Dick was going about greeting people and trying to seem extra excited about a garden party brunch. "Is this really what rich people do with their lives?" She thought aloud.
"You're asking the wrong choir, sister."
She and Pierce laughed together and drank. Then she escaped into her thoughts. She couldn't stop thinking about Wade and all that had happened that night a few weeks ago. To some people, it wasn't an ideal date, but to her it was perfect. Melody got a few texts from him, nothing too serious. Last she heard, Deadpool had gotten another contract in New York. That was about a week ago. She wasn't expecting a serious relationship but a few texts or even a call wouldn't hurt every now and again.
"Mel!" an excited voice rang through the air.
'Oh no' Melody thought as she turned to the inside of the house. A woman came rushing up to her with her arms spread wide. The woman had pale skin and long dark hair that had been straightened with a flat iron. She had beauty marks on her cheek and upper lip that were dark compared to her skin. Her perfectly white smile shined bright against her shade of dark lipstick. She wore a white cotton sundress and heeled sandals along with two baby bags.
Carol Johnson-Cawford. Dick's sister.
"Good luck," Pierce said walking away. "You're gonna need it."
Melody shot him a look before putting on a fake smile and greeting her sister-in-law. "Carol!" She exclaimed as positively as she could.
Carol squeezed her into a tight hug. Melody freed herself, trying to hide the fact she was gasping for air. "Oh, it's so nice to see ya again, Mel," Carol chirped in a high pitched voice. "We haven't seen ya since the wedding."
"We?"
"The boys and I. Oh, boys. Come up her and say hello to ya Aunt Melody."
Two boys came out from behind Carol. The oldest was named James. He had light brown hair, green eyes, and a freckled face. He wasn't more than fourteen years old. His brother's name was Michael. Michael had dirty blonde hair with hazel eyes and a pale face. He was about nine or ten. The both of them wore the same outfit. A navy blue child's sports jacket with light blue collared shirts and short navy blue pants with brown loafers. They looked down at the floor as they stood by their mother.
"Hello, Aunt Melody," they said together in a monotone voice.
"Really? That's how ya say hello to ya family. Go up and hug ya Aunt." Carol pushed the boys closer to Melody. She knelt down and the two boys gave her an awkward hug.
"Upstairs, second door on the right. Game room. Go. Go. Go," Melody whispered to them. Their faces lit up instantly and they ran toward the staircase shouting, "Thanks, Aunt Mel," as they climbed the steps.
"No running in the house, boys," Dick called after them as he entered the room. "Nice to see you again, Carol."
Carol hugged Dick and she kissed his cheek. Dick returned to his place by Melody and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. He kissed her temple gently. "How's my sister treating you, Mel? Not boring you to death, I hope."
"Haha, Dicky. Very funny."
He glared at Carol for the nickname. "So, where's George? You leave him all alone, again?"
"He's on a goodwill or hospitality business trip for a few weeks. Oh, he wanted to be here, though."
"I'm sure he's having more fun there," Melody thought aloud. Dick laughed nervously and squeezed her shoulder tight. Carol didn't notice, she was texting someone on her phone. Melody hissed through her teeth. They shot looks at each other.
"Dick," Carol interrupted their stare down. "You two should introduce me to some of these people. I haven't seen them in years."
"Melody should stay here," Dick said not breaking eye contact with Melody. "No need to embarrass herself more."
Her lips were perched as she watched the siblings leave. Her face was hot and her eyes were watering. Her anger was taking over her. She breathed deeply, controlling herself. She calmed herself down when she heard the phone ring. It rang only once then Pierce answered it. She finished her drink as she made her way to the kitchen. Pierce had the phone in his hand.
"It's for you," he said with a smirk. Melody looked at him confused but took the phone from him. Pierce left the kitchen, his smile still on his face.
"Hello?" Melody asked putting the phone up to her ear. She heard gun shots in the background. Then a familiar voice rang happily through the other line.
"Hiya, beautiful. How are you on this gorgeous Sunday?"
"Wade?"
"Odd answer. But I have to accept myself as a correct answer because I'm awesome."
"How the hell did you get this number?"
"Um…" he dragged out his answer.
Melody sighed. "Never mind. I probably don't want to know."
"Probably not."
More gunshots were heard. Wade cursed and told her not to hang up. Melody put her hand over the phone to try to muffle the sound. Servants came in and out of the kitchen but didn't acknowledge her.
"Babe? You still there?" Wade asked as if this was a normal phone call.
"Um, yeah. I'm still here," Melody said returning her attention back to the phone.
"Oh good. I have something to ask you."
Her heart beat with nervous anticipation.
"Do you want a snow globe or t-shirt?" He asked casually.
"Are you kidding me?"
"… Fridge magnate?"
"No, no, no. You are not pulling that shit, Wade. You don't just leave for three weeks, without calling or texting, to shoot some bullshit hit squad in New York. Then suddenly call to ask what souvenir I want, in the middle of a goddamn fire fight, I might add."
"Yeah. I might've started a gang war."
"I guess I'll take a sweatshirt, then. I'm small, but I'll accept a medium depending on the amount of fluffiness."
Wade chuckled through the phone. "There's my girl."
She smiled to herself. "When are you coming back?"
"Tonight. I want to see you, Mel."
Her breath caught in her throat. She quickly looked over her shoulder. "I can't, Wade."
"Mel, please-"
"Wade, I can't just leave whenever. There's a reputation here I need to uphold. It's complicated. I can't explain it right now."
"When can you?" Wade asked a slightly sad tone in his voice.
Melody bit her lip. Her foot tapped against the tile floor.
"Mel?" Wade chimed again. His voice sounded desperate.
"I'm thinking… How about Wednesday?"
"Anything to see you again."
She couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. 'You need to give it to him.'
"Wade?" She couldn't stop herself in time.
"Mel?"
"I….um… never mind. It was nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Seriously. It was nothing. Don't worry about it."
"….Okay. I guess I'll see you Wednesday?"
"Yeah. Wednesday."
"Goodbye, Songbird."
Melody said a quick 'goodbye' before quickly hanging up. She put the phone on the counter and hung her head. She buried her face in her hands. She sighed deeply. Melody didn't notice another person enter the room.
"Something wrong?"
Melody cringed at the sound of Dick's voice. Her back straightened but she didn't face him. "No. Nothing," she spat.
His eyes narrowed at her. "Who was on the phone?"
She turned to face him finally. They glared at each other. "No one important to you, Dick." She pushed past him roughly. He grabbed her arm as she passed. Dick's grip on her arm was tight and caused her upper arm to turn white. He roughly pulled her back to face him.
"What makes you think I'm done with you?"
He had anger in his eyes. Melody could sense that he was getting angrier by the second. She perched her lips and remained quiet. She dropped her eyes, not looking Dick in the face. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Just remember what happens when you disrespect me, Melody." Dick pushed her away from him. She landed against the kitchen counter. She caught herself on the marble. Gasping, she glared at Dick as he kissed her forehead and walked out.
"Prick," She said quietly you herself. Melody's arm was bruised above the elbow. She hissed through her teeth, rubbing the sore muscles. The area was turning dark red and purple. "Pierce?" She called into the next room.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
She took a breath, thinking about what she was about to do. "Get Stark on the phone for me, please."
"I can't believe I'm doing this."
"I can't either, kid. All these years of secrets and you've been just playing house with the infamous Richard Johnson. I'm honestly kind of impressed."
Melody rubbed her temple trying to suppress a headache. She had made a decision to invite Tony to a café Wednesday morning. She wore a light pink sheer blouse with a hot pink tank top under it and light washed faded jeans. Her hair was clipped half up in loose curls of gold. She sat back in the metal cushioned garden table chair, her arms crossed over her chest.
Tony sat across from her. He wore a rock band t-shirt with ripped jeans. His eyes were covered by sunglasses but the smug look was clearly seen on his face. "Melody Johnson-Russo. Nice to know after years of work together. How's killing people for a living treating you?"
"It bought my summer home in the Hamptons. Oh, no. That was my husband. Don't make me regret doing this."
Tony gave a surrendering look. "To what do I owe the pleaser?"
"I'm calling in a solid 'you owe me'."
He looked at here questionably.
"I need another shifting ring. Men's sized. It doesn't matter what color. I just need it as soon as possible."
Tony rubbed his chin and pondered. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her from across the table. "Alright, kid. I'll see what I can do."
"No questions asked?"
"Not unless you want me to."
"Do I ever?" Melody asked sarcastically.
Tony paused. "Not recently."
"Exactly." She got up from the table. "As soon as possible, Tony." She placed a pair of white, square rimmed sunglasses over her eyes, shielding them from the Californian sunlight. Tony toasted with his cup of coffee as a goodbye and she turned to walk down the block.
A black Mercedes was parked on the corner. Melody opened the front passenger door and entered in a huff. Pierce sat in the driver's seat. He casually read the newspaper and folded it when Melody closed the door. "How did it go?" he asked as he threw the paper in the backseat.
"Fine," she said, pushing the sunglasses to the top of her head.
"Do I want to ask why you wanted to meet Tony?"
Melody looked at him with blank eyes but a stern face. "Just drive."
Pierce chuckled, not finding her intimidating in the slightest. He pulled away from the curb. Melody stared out the window at the passing buildings. She was supposed to see Wade this afternoon. She wasn't sure how she was going to face him. Her arm was still bruised from Sunday, though it started to heal, turning blue and yellow. She was afraid he would see it and she'll have to come up with an explanation.
Melody met him outside some old apartments. Most of them were just warehouses that people used for cheap housing. Pierce wasn't with her, but she took the car. She wore the same thing from her morning with Tony. Her sheer pink blouse was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Her hot pink tank top hung low, exposing her tanned cleavage. Her light jeans hugged her curves.
She leaned against the hood, constantly checking her phone. '2:45,' she thought to herself. 'Any minute now. If he even does show up, he's not leaving me much time.' Melody's foot bounced with nervous anticipation and she bit her lip. She groaned and rubbed the back of her neck.
"You shouldn't stress so much, baby. It doesn't look good on you."
She looked at him casually; her arms crossed under her chest. "And what would look good on me, Wilson?"
Wade smiled at her, moving closer to her. "Well, me, for instance." He winked at her as she rolled her eyes but a smile lingered on her lips. "And nice outfit. Very nice for a casual Wednesday," Wade said as he scanned her up and down.
"Ha. Ha, Wade. You're so hilarious," she mocked sarcastically.
His eyes drifted toward the bruised skin on her arm. A look of concern spread across his face. He got closer to her and reached out to grab her arm gently. Melody subtly moved her arm away from him and hid the healing mark with her hand.
"Mel?" Wade asked with concern in his voice.
"It's nothing, Wade. Really."
"Do you even believe that, Melody?"
She didn't meet his eyes. Her hand dropped exposing the injury on her arm. Wade gently took hold of her and rolled the sheer material further up her arm. The bruise was large and shaped like a gripped hand of a man. He ran his thumb over the tender flesh. Melody flinched slightly and hissed through her teeth. She pulled away and repositioned her sleeve back into place.
"See. It's nothing," Melody said, her confidence wavering.
"What happened, Melody? I want the truth." Wade's voice was demanding. Melody tried to think of a quick lie. Ideas ran through her mind until the words crawled from her lips. Before she could stop herself she said, "A contract got a little too rough. I told you, it's nothing."
A questioning look still remained on his long face but he didn't say anything about it. Instead, a nervous smile played on his face. "I think it would be easier to hide that in a fluffy sweater rather than a sheer blouse."
Melody smiled as Wade pulled out a hooded, light blue sweatshirt with the words "Coxsackie New York" on the front and an arrow pointing toward the crotch. She laughed at the concept. Wade delicately started to remove her sheer pink blouse from her shoulders. She froze, not stopping him from his actions. He gripped the sheer fabric in one hand and started to pull the light weight hoody over her head.
The sweatshirt reached down to her knees and shallowed her arms. Melody's cheeks flushed with a pink color. She wouldn't look at him directly, but she knew he had a smile on his face. "You didn't have to get me anything, Wade."
Wade lifted her chin to look her in the face. Her sapphire gems stared into his hazel orbs. He missed the way her eyes looked at him. He wished they looked at him like that every day. 'I really want to kiss her right now.'
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart."
She bit her lip and chuckled deeply. "But it was still nice of you." A smile spread across her lips. "I have something for you two."
Wade raised his eyebrow and remained calm on the outside. But inside, he was as energized as a child on Christmas morning. 'Please be a blowjob. Please be a blowjob. Please be a blowjob.' His pulse increased rapidly with anticipation as he waited for her to tell him what she had for him. But what she had to say would make his heart stop and drop heavily from his chest into his stomach.
"Do you want to look normal again?"