" She giggled slightly as her cheeks flushed red. Then smiled as she pushed an arrant tussle of hair behind her ear. "Really?" she asked in a whisper.... "Yeah sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you." I said."It's not that it's just that most guys here don't give me eye contact if you know what I mean." she said sticking out her chest. "Well I can see why, they are quite lovely." She let loose a loud chuckle then quickly composed herself. "It was umm...very nice to meet you citizen." she said. She was carrying two large shopping bags and looking down at them.When I opened the door, she looked up. I was staring into big brown eyes and a warm, wide, white-toothed smile."Melody?" Merry Christmas, Tommy," she said."Come in."She stepped across the threshold directly into me, raised her head, and gently kissed me on the lips, which blew my socks off. She set one of the packages down by the Christmas tree and carried the other into the kitchen. I hobbled after her."Have a seat. Christmas. You have continued to love me when I gave you nothing in return. You have been patient while I have been stringing you along. After the girls were born we began to drift apart. We were so caught up in their lives and our lives with them that we drifted. It was neither of our faults, but while you tried to fix it and reforge a connection, I simply didn't have the desire or the energy to make that kind of effort and I simply let us fall deeper into that rut. A little over 2 years ago I was home. " Social events and engagements. Huh—I've never heard it called that before," muttered Abby."Now, Jane, do we have a deal?"Jane fixed me with those big brown eyes. "We most certainly do." Good. Now, unless you two ladies have already eaten, may I take you to dinner?" Now hold on, Mr Pervert," Abby interjected. "I'm not part of this deal; I'm just here for Jane's protection." I appreciate that, Abby, I really do, and that's why I'd like you to come. Call it a thank you, for looking after our.