The long line at the post office was moving exceptionally slow. Mel checked her watch again as she looked through the envelopes in her hand, mentally checking off each bill. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She still had to go by the mall and pick up a few things plus a gift for Chris. She really didn't understand why they had to exchange housewarming gifts and really that wasn't what it was. It was more of a cheer him up gift or a guilt present. Whatever you wanted to call it, she still needed to go pick it up. And Chris needed some new slacks so she figured she could take care of it all at once and relieve some of the stress off her husband.

Chris stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked into the bedroom and once again sat down on the edge of the bed. Never in his life had he felt so defeated and he knew in reality that if he would just get out of his own head he would see things differently. But for now his thoughts ran rampant and they were taking a toll on him, mentally and emotionally. Not one to hide from the world, Chris now found himself looking forward to this party or more so the excuse it gave him to drink excessively and not to think about things too much. It was after all a celebration, so why should he wait to start celebrating. He removed his towel and dried the remaining water from his body. Quickly he pulled on a pair of track pants, a muscle shirt and headed downstairs.

"Hey Molly." Chris greeted with his usual cheer.

"Hi Chris, feeling any better?"

He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer. "Yeah, actually I am. Is Mel back yet?"

Molly shook her head. "Not yet. I got a text message from her a few minutes ago and she was still in the post office. She wanted me to make sure you got something to eat. So what will it be?"

"Nothing. I'm good. We ate a huge breakfast then Mel insisted on Chili Cheese Fries and Onion Rings for lunch. I don't know why I let her talk me into eating that stuff." He made a face and turned up his beer and drank most of it in a few sips. "I guess I have to ask, what's the plan for tonight?"

Molly smiled and picked a grape off the platter in front of her. "Well, Dave is working the grill much to the protest of Eddie and Booker so that should be fun. It covers entertainment and food. Autumn and Jericho are out getting the liquor and I'm going to set up the bar area in a few. Good thing I got you guys another blender. And I guess that's about it. Oh, Rey offered to DJ so that should be interesting."

Chris finished off his beer and propped an arm on the bar. "Do you think I have anything to worry about?"

"Nope. We have it all covered. Unless you want to help Dave on the grill. I know how you guys get when it comes to territory." Molly chuckled.

Chris smiled. "Brock. Do you think Mel still loves him?"

Molly's face turned from happy to somber right before his eyes. He got up to retrieve another beer from the fridge and she waited until he had taken his seat before she responded to his question. Inwardly she prayed that she would say the right thing, that being the truth of course. "Chris, you know as well as I do that Mel is completely and madly in love with you. I've never seen her so in love and I've been her best friend for most of her life. You were there when Brock left her, as was I. There is no way she would take him back no matter what. You have her heart and that's all that matters. So no, you have nothing to worry about. Have you asked her this?"

Chris looked toward the floor almost embarrassed that he had asked the question. "Yeah. I know all this, but I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else, you know?"

Molly nodded. "I understand."

Chris stood up and grabbed his beer. "I'm going to go fire up the grill. Send Dave on out when he gets here."

"Will do."

Happy to finally be out of the post office, Mel popped into the Starbucks next door and grabbed an iced coffee. While she waited in yet another line, she checked her voice mail. Nothing unexpected. Autumn couldn't find Jericho. He wasn't's answering his phone nor was he at his hotel. And she was at a liquor store. Jericho was running late, his phone battery was dead and he was calling from a pay phone to say he would stop at the first liquor store he came to, for Autumn not to worry about liquor. Shannon needed directions and Booker wanted to know yet again why we didn't eat pork. The last message was from Molly telling her that Chris had asked if she thought Mel was still in love with Brock but not to worry she set him straight and he was out back with Dave. Mel paid for her coffee and shoved her phone back into her purse. Why would Chris question Molly about her feelings for Brock? Hadn't they squared that away? "Apparently not." She mumbled to herself and walked out.

By the time she arrived at the mall she found herself stewing in anger. If Chris was that bothered about Brock why not come to her instead of her friend? Suddenly she was in no hurry to get home.