Stubborn

Chapter Twenty Four

The ride back to her house was less than comfortable. Melanie didn't want to be in the same space as Jermaine, but she couldn't let him know or think that she was suspicious of his lies. "When do you get Chanel back?" Mel asked as she began looking for something to eat before they got to her house. She officially wasn't in the mood to cook right now, and since it was only around lunch time, she'd grab something quick for right now.

Seeing a Piccadilly Cafeteria, Melanie thought that would be good for them to sit and dine for a little quick outing. She knew that it was crucial to still remain cordial with Jermaine. She could see him shrug his shoulders out of the corner of her eye, "More than likely later today, I haven't called her yet."

Mel nodded slowly before pulling into the parking lot. She didn't get why Jermaine was allowing his daughter to be with someone that he was accusing of abusing her, but that wasn't Melanie child. As long as her son was safe, she was perfectly fine. "Did you talk to her about it?" Mel asked curiously as she unbuckled herself and began getting out, with Jermaine doing the same.

"Nah. I don't want her to know yet, until we figure out the truth, yenno?"

Melanie nodded as she waited for him to get their son from his car seat. They, as a family, walked inside of the cafeteria. Jermaine stood behind her with their son in his arms. "What you want to eat?" Mel asked Julian as she looked at him.

"Cheeekinnn!" He exclaimed loudly showing his small baby teeth and cheeks. The woman fixing his plate laughed. "I'll have baked chicken, macaroni, and corn. He'll have a smothered pork chop with carrot souffle and mashed potatoes with gravy." Melanie didn't think twice when it came to ordering for Jermaine. She'd been with him so long that it simply came naturally. She smiled and walked their food over to a table after paying for it. Jermaine sat Julian in a child's booster seat

"You better eat that," Melanie commented to Julian as she watched him pick up one of his chicken tenders and holding it up to Melanie.

"So, what you gonna do about your career?" Jermaine asked her. It was a question that Melanie didn't really think about. She knew that she couldn't be this singer and continue working in her field. But, eventually, she'd have to make the choice and figure out which one was a better choice for her.

"I don't know, yet. The process of completing an album takes time. And it takes more time for me because I have more to juggle. Like most people simply record the album. I have to work another job, take care of my son, and then record an album," Melanie told him with a slight shrug to her shoulders before going to eat her food.

The two communicated as if there wasn't a thing wrong with their relationship. "Full?" Jermaine asked Julian as they watched the two year old rub his stomach. Mel giggled at the sight of him acting like he just ate an entire buffet of food.

They left the place and drove back to Melanie's house. Surprisingly, she was enjoying the time that she was spending with them. She knew that it was important for Julian to know that both of his parents could sit in a room together and simply have fun with him. Pulling into the driveway, Julian asked her if they could watch Despicable Me. It was actually one of Mel's favorite's movies. She loved little Agnes and couldn't wait until she had a daughter of her own.

"Daddy too?" He asked as Jermaine carried him in the house.

"Whatever you want," Melanie replied as she threw her keys down on the kitchen cabinet. She went into her bedroom and began getting into something more comfortable. "Can you change him into some pajamas or something?" Mel asked Jermaine from her bedroom.

Mel left her own bedroom in a pair of leggings and a tee shirt. To her, that was as comfortable as she was going to get until she decided to take herself a bubble bath. She could hear Julian and Jermaine in his room talking, and Mel decided not to interfere. Instead, she went to the kitchen and began making them a bowl of popcorn. She saw Jermaine's phone ringing and saw Ashley's name pop up on the screen.