Baby Melody

Melody sat on the edge of Tara’s bed, phone pressed to her ear, heart beating just a little faster than usual.

She hadn’t spoken to her mother properly since everything fell apart. Since Snowbrook Valley stopped feeling like home and started feeling like a wound she didn’t know how to touch without bleeding.

The phone rang once, twice and then she heard her mother's voice.

“Melody?”

Her mother’s voice came through, warm and familiar, wrapped in that gentle tone that had soothed scraped knees and broken hearts all her life.

“Mama,” Melody breathed, smiling before she even realized she was. “Hi.”

“Oh thank God,” her mother said, relief clear in her voice. “I was just thinking about you. How are you, my love? Are you eating well? Are you warm? New York is cold this time of year.”

Melody laughed softly. “I’m fine, Mama. I promise. I’m warm, I’m eating… and I’m okay.”

There was a pause. The kind that meant her mother was listening beyond the words.

“You sound… better,” her mother said carefully. “Different. In a good way.”

Melody swallowed. “I feel different.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” Melody said quickly. Then steadied herself. “Actually… I called because I wanted to tell you something.”

Her mother hummed softly. “I’m listening.”

Melody took a breath. “I’m going to pay for the pastry shop to reopen.”

Silence.

“What?” her mother asked.

“I want to cover the costs,” Melody said, her voice steady now. “The rent arrears. The equipment. Everything we lost when I had to leave.”

Another pause. This one heavier.

“Melody,” her mother said slowly, “do you have that kind of money?”

“Yes.”

The word surprised even Melody with how easily it came out. Her mother’s voice sharpened with concern. “Where did you get that kind of money?”

Melody closed her eyes. She’d known this question was coming. “I got a job,” she said carefully. “A contract job. They paid me upfront.”

“A contract?” her mother repeated. “What kind of job pays upfront like that?”

“It’s… different,” Melody said gently. “But it’s legal. And safe. And I’m okay.”

Her mother sighed. “I’m not asking to pry, Melody. I just worry.”

“I know,” Melody said softly. “I promise you, I’m fine.”

Her mother was quiet for a moment, then said, “Do you really want to reopen the shop here?”

The question landed heavier than Melody expected.

“I don’t know,” Melody admitted. “It feels like unfinished business, I've worked so hard and watched it grow to the way it is. It feels not right to just abandon it like that.”

“You don't have to feel that way, the shop is prove that you can do just about anything if you put your heart to it. I still think it's a good idea that we sell it and send the money back to you, so you can use it and start up something for yourself over there,” her mother said gently.

Melody swallowed.

“Have you thought about starting something small in New York instead?” her mother continued. “It’s a bigger city. More people. More opportunities. You’ve already taken such a big step.”

Melody leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. Her mum was right. She needed a fresh start especially after everything that happened.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” she admitted. “But… that might actually make sense.”

“You don’t have to come back here to prove anything,” her mother said. “You don’t owe Snowbrook Valley your dreams.”

That settled something in Melody’s chest.

“Maybe I’ll start small,” she said. “Just… something that’s mine.”

Her mother smiled through the phone. Melody could hear it. “I like that idea,” she said. “Very much.”

Then her tone shifted.

“Oh,” her mother added, almost casually. “I have some good news for you.”

Melody straightened. “What is it?”

“Cynthia gave birth this morning.”

Melody gasped. “Oh my God, really?”

“A baby girl,” her mother said proudly.

“Oh my God,” Melody laughed, tears already stinging her eyes. “Is she okay? Is Cynthia okay?”

“They’re both doing beautifully. Jamie hasn’t stopped smiling since she arrived, I've been there but I just got home.”

Melody pressed her hand to her mouth. “That’s amazing. I wish I could be there.”

Her mother chuckled. “There’s more.”

Melody sniffed. “More?”

“Yes,” her mother said. “Do you know what they named her?”

Melody’s heart skipped. “What?”

“Melody.”

Time stopped.

“They… they named her Melody?” she whispered.

“Yes,” her mother said warmly. “Cynthia said you were always there for her. Through everything. She wanted her daughter to carry your name.”

Tears spilled freely now.

“Oh my God,” Melody sobbed, laughing and crying at the same time. “That’s… that’s the best thing I’ve heard in months.”

Her mother’s voice softened. “She’d love a call from you. When you’re ready.”

“I’ll call her,” Melody said immediately. “I promise. Tell her I love her. Please.”

“I will,” her mother said. “And Melody?”

“Yes, Mama?”

“Take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

They hung up, and Melody sat there for a long moment, phone in her lap, heart full in a way she hadn’t felt in a very long time. She made a mental note to call Cynthia on video call when she gets back from the bank.

…………

Later that afternoon, Melody slid into the driver’s seat of Tara’s old Mustang Beetle, smiling as she turned the key.

“You’re a beast, but you’re mine for the day,” she murmured affectionately.

She headed straight to the bank.

The check felt unreal in her hand heavy, official, life-altering. When the teller’s eyes widened slightly at the amount, Melody felt a strange mix of disbelief and grounding.

This was real.

Her life was moving.

After the bank, she drove to the mall, grabbing groceries first. Simple things. Bread. Milk. Fruit. Things that felt domestic and safe.

She was pushing the cart down an aisle when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Her heart jumped.

She turned sharply and froze. It was Blake from last night.

“Blake,” she said, surprised.

He smiled easily. “We meet again.”

She laughed softly. “Seems like it.”

“Are you here with Logan?” he asked casually.

“No,” Melody said. “Just errands.”

“Impressive,” Blake said, clearly amused. “I woke up with the feeling that today was going to be a great day. I was right after all.”

She smiled. “I'm happy you're having a great day.”

He hesitated, then said, “Care to grab a bite? Just something quick. I have almost two hours before I fly out for a meeting.”

Melody shook her head gently. “Not today. But maybe another time.”

“Is that a promise?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

He handed her his card. “I’ll hold you to it. Don't hesitate to call me anytime.”

Moments later, as she approached the counter, the cashier smiled. “You’re all set, ma'am.” She said.

Melody blinked. “I haven’t paid yet.”

“The gentleman who just left covered it.”

Melody stared at the receipt, stunned. He paid a little extra, just to make sure he covered everything she was picking.

Outside, groceries in hand, she laughed softly to herself. That was so thoughtful of Blake.