Chapter 13
A few days later...
Melanie's POV
I kept up my appointments with Taylor, after the last mission and it's been going well.
Today I was taking a big step, I waited in my driveway for Lee to pick me up, we were doing better too; I told him about me meeting Taylor and letting him go with me sometimes.
He pulled up on his bike and cut the engine before taking off his helmet.
"Hey, you ready for this?"he greeted me as he held out a helmet.
"Yeah, as much as I can be and you'll be with me."I replied taking it.
He smiled as I got on behind him and we headed off, I held tight around his waist once we were out of the city and he cranked the throttle.
All too soon we arrived at our destination, I swallowed nervously under my helmet but kept calm as I removed it.
Lee stayed with the bike leaning against it as I got off and walked forward to the grave under the shade of the tree.
"Hey Nicole, it's Melanie. I'm sorry for what happened to you, if it was possible I'd have taken your place a hundred times over. I know you're doing better now and I no longer blame myself for what happened, I have forgiven myself,and I hope you can forgive me as well. Goodbye Nikki."I said softly and tears slipped down my face.
Lee came up quietly and took me in his arms as I let the last of my tears fall.
"It'll be ok, you'll be alright."he said gently kissing the top of my head and rubbing my back.
"Thanks."I said and pulled back rubbing my eyes and cheeks.
"I'm yours for the day as for our last bet, whatever you want to do, we do."he mused.
"Well I could do with some shopping."I admitted actually thinking about it, he grimaced.
"You wouldn't."he said.
"I could, you lost the bet because of your own cockyness."I said smiling.
"You're right."he admitted waiting for me to decide.
"Let's head home, we'll need some gear before we head out again."I said slipping my helmet.
"Gear?"he repeated, "For what?"he demanded.
"Swimming, we're going to the beach for the day."I replied, as he put his helmet on.
He smiled, "You're the best."
The sun was high and hot when we arrived at the beach a little while later, we laid out our towels and put down the cooler and an umbrella to give us shade.
I took off my t-shirt and shorts revealing my blue bikini, I picked up the sunscreen only to have Lee take it out of my hand.
"Let me."he said and rubbed it on my skin, it felt nice, massage like.
I did his back for him, and looked to the water.
"Wanna race?"I asked, he grinned.
I counted us off and we raced across the hot sand, entering the nice cool water about the same time.
Lee's POV
The water felt great, I had figured Mel would choose something much worse than this, but I wasn't about to complain.
Water washed over my head followed by Melanie's giggling, I turned around and splashed her laughed and swam off, I went after her, she stopped a short while after and I splashed her.
"Lee!"she exclaimed pointing towards the shore, I followed the direction and saw the team standing on the beach. We went ashore, puzzled by why they had come here.
"What's going on?"I asked looking to Barney.
"We wanted to join you."he replied.
"But how did you find us?"Mel asked looking between the guys.
Toll spoke up, "I followed you guys, once I saw you stop here, I went to get the others."
Melanie glared at him, and so did I; we didn't like being followed.
"We don't spend much time together relaxing."he said in defense.
"True, lets hit the waves!"Mel said happily heading back into the water, I chased her as the guys set up their stuff on the beach.
Overall it was a fun day, aside from Mel and Barney burying me in sand while I layed in the sun to dry off.
Melanie had a lot of fun; laughing and smiling all day especially after she tipped the inner tube that Toll was floating on and stole it for herself.
He got her back later by pouring the ice water from the cooler on to her while she was sun bathing, man did she ever scream!
We went back to my place for the night, relaxing in the living room with the fireplace while Barney and Hale grilled burgers and hotdogs for dinner.
Melanie held up her bottle in a toast, "Thanks for a great day guys, cheers!"she said happily.
"Cheers!"we echoed shortly afterwards, all smiling along with her.
I was glad she was finally back to her old self, we were happy together and life was good.
This was more of a fun chapter, than anything. Hope you guys like it all the same, let me know.