Forever and Always by Beverley Hollowed Page A

putting down the knife and looking up at her. “I love my Mom and Dad very much. They were good parents really. It’s just I would have given anything to have a Mom like some of my friends. You know Mom’s that were there every day when you came home from school. I didn’t really like the new housekeeper, but in all fairness I was never going to like anyone who was replacing Alice. So I just lashed out constantly and I turned into a nightmare when I was a teenager although you already know some of that”.
    Melanie just nodded knowing to what he was referring to.
    “That’s why when I have kids I want to be one of those parents who does everything with their kids. You know coach their little league team or their soccer team. I want my kids to feel like they are the most important thing in the world to me because they will be. Well them; and of course my wife”.
    “I have no doubt you will be a great Dad Sam” Melanie replied and she couldn’t help but think of Alex. He was a great dad too. He was always there for her and Sarah. She knew how much he loved her. Well she thought she knew.
    “Would you like me to teach you how to make my world famous Lasagne?” he asked raising his eyebrows as he asked the question.
    “Yes” she replied and jumped down of the kitchen stool she was sitting on and quickly moved around the kitchen island. “I would like that very much”.
    He patiently took her through every step as she nervously followed his instructions. And she began to relax and enjoy herself. Who knew cooking could be so much fun. They sat and drank wine as they waited for the lasagne to cook.  Melanie only sipped hers, she had never really drank before she had started hanging out with Sam, not that they drank a great deal but it was still something she was getting used to.
    “You know my Dad isn’t such a bad guy” Melanie said suddenly even surprising herself as she had no idea where it came from. She thought that maybe the wine was going to her head a little.
    “I am sure he is a really nice guy” Sam replied and nodded.
    “He used to be like my best friend” Melanie continued sadly. “I was like the stereo typical Daddy girl. My Dad was my hero. I know that most girls think that about their Dad’s but he really was. I think that’s why I was so hurt by what happened”.
    “I can understand that” Sam replied and sipped his wine.
    “He was the one person I thought would never hurt me” she sighed. “I trusted him unconditionally and he took my deepest fear and crushed me with it. And he has no idea what he has done”.
    “I honestly believe he never meant to hurt you Melanie” Sam replied. “It is very obvious to me just how much he loves you. It has been weeks and he hasn’t stopped trying for even one day to make things right between you both. And it has to be hard for him so far away from you. But you asked him for time and he is giving you that. I really think you should forgive him”.
    “That’s the problem Sam” she said and took a deep breath. “I already forgave him...I just can’t forget. What does that say about me?”
    Before he could answer the timer beeped to say their lasagne was ready. Sam carefully removed it from the oven and placed it down on the wooden chopping board. He pulled out two plates and served two large slices of the lasagne and then placed the salad he had made next to it. They both picked up their plates and the wine and walked into the living room. They both sat down on the big rug and tucked into their dinner.
    “Wow” Melanie exclaimed. “This is really good. Definitely world famous and possible world class”.
    “I am a man of many hidden talents Melanie O’Leary” Sam replied with a mischievous grin. “And this is just the beginning”.
     
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    Maggie called on a Friday afternoon to say Mark was being released from hospital and he would be coming to stay with them at the beach house the next day. Mark woke up two days