Melody of The Moon: Chapter One - The Date

Exhaling deeply Melissa McCall shook her head, she felt as giddy as a high school girl on her first date. Putting the last touches to her hair the doorbell rang...again, "Scott for the love of God, please!" She called out to her son who was starring at the door vacantly, "Aren't you going to invite him in?" She shifted back to the bathroom and splashed a little more make-up onto her face. Being as perfect as she could get she then began her frantic search for her purse, "Just a second, sorry!" Melissa's heart hit her stomach as the sour memories or her ex-husband, Matthew, waiting on her. He always had a crude demeanor about him and was drunk every night, but she was the only one who had ever paid the price for his mistakes.

'I'm late, Matt is going to kill me!' Melissa thought as she looked down at the mess she was in.
'Crack!'
Melissa's head smashed the kitchen counter, trying to regain her focus as she toppled onto the floor she looked up and saw a monster...her husband. Melissa new better then to stand there and take the hit but what else could she do? Blood trickled from her mouth and nose, her hands and feet trembled as she glared at the worst mistake in her life. He screamed in her ear and backhanded her. Melissa, dazed and confused, saw her four year old son standing in the hallway watching his mother get beaten. Tears raced down her face, not from the excruciating pain but from the pain of seeing her own son watching her being treated like a dog but worse yet she knew he was next.

All those memories left as soon as they came, she walked up to the doorway and Peter flashed her his friendly smile which melted away all her fears. Apologizing once again, Peter and Melissa locked arms. His gentleman like behavior and sweet persona put a smile on her face.

"Mom!" Scott cried out quite frantically.

"Yes sweetheart?" She starred at her son caringly but slightly annoyed.

Mumbling forlornly, Scott met her gaze, "Have a good time."

Feeling quite touched by his protective instincts, Melissa simply nodded with a twinkle in her eyes.

Peter escorted her to his car, opened the door and closed it gently but just as she settled in he was already buckled up and read to go. Peter was quick, agile and very graceful for his age which slightly startled Melissa.

Butterflies twirled and danced in her stomach as the night began, Peter shifted the car into drive as they steered into the night.

Hypnotized by his charm, every time he looked at her she felt like she was floating which in the end left her glowing. Peter seemed as if he was from a whole other planet, a different dimension even. She had never met anyone like him, and more likely never again.

Snapping her from her thoughts, Melissa watched quietly as the exit for the restaurant passed. From her experience men hated being corrected, frantically she began trying to think of ways to tell Peter.

"Everything alright?" His soothing voice startled her.

"Yes," Melissa bit her lip, "Except I think we maybe missed out turn for the restaurant."

"Well I'll pull over and maybe you can map it on your phone," He simply nodded and pulled the car over.

Melissa went straight to work, as she began pressing buttons she felt Peter's eyes starring down at her. Looking up she met his sadistic gaze, she could see his desire for her as if he hungered for her, growing slightly embarrassed a giggle escaped Melissa's lips, "What?"

"I was just noticing you have the most perfect skin, it's flawless."

A storm of mixed emotions tore through her body and soul, "That's a new one on me," Melissa welcomed compliments but nothing more.

Peter didn't seem deterred, "Do you mind?" He caressed her he face softly.

His touch was magnetizing, her heart seem to lurch forward as a dead part of her woke up and had never felt so alive. Slowly both leaned in but Melissa's phone dropper from her nerveless fingers.

"Oh sorry," Melissa tore away from their entanglement and bent down to pick up her phone along with her common sense. She seemingly failed to notice the glow of the moon revealing red crimson eyes and barring fangs protruding from Peter's lips. Sitting back up with a smile, "Everything okay?" She shifted uneasily.

Peter's eyes were fixed on the road, "Perfect, just perfect," He said seeming slightly amused by her question, "Best time I've had in at least six years."

Feeling more assured about not only herself but Peter as well, she settled down and they were off.

Approaching the restaurant, Peter escorted Melissa inside. Reservations, fine dining and a candle lit dinner laid ahead for them.

As they sat down Peter's eyes locked onto the flame, as it flickered and danced his bright blue eyes stared vacantly at the fire.

'Whoosh!'

Melissa blew it out.

Peter looked up at her, his eyes were filled with fear, "I..." He stuttered.

"I'm so sorry," She whispered and placed her hand on his, "Are you okay?" Melissa's voice came out like honey, she knew full well what had happened to Peter, she knew all about the house fire and how he was the only survivor but he had payed a deadly price to live.

Rubbing his face and shaking his head Peter sighed, "I was your patient for six years, I'm not wounded anymore so you can stop looking at me as if I am."

Melissa was slightly shocked but knew he was right.

Peter's personality shifted and he was quickly back to his charismatic self, "Shall we order?" He picked up the menu with a smirk.

Melissa smiled, "Of course."

"What can I get you for drink?" The Waiter approached, looking down at the candle he pulled out a lighter.

"No!" Melissa shook her head with a forced smile, "It's okay."

The snooty waiter looked half offended and the other half very unamused, "Again, what can I get you both for a drink?"

"A couple of glasses of your finest wine," Peter smiled.

The waiter nodded and left.

Melissa looked at the delicious choices and then the horrifying prices, "Wow," She mumbled.

"Something wrong?" Peter's keen ears picked up the slightest whisper.

"No, not at all," Melissa shook her head.

The Waiter approached once again and passed them their drinks, "Now what can I get you?" He pulled out a pen and paper.

"I'll have the filet mignon," Peter nodded.

"A salad please," Melissa smiled.

Peter looked at her unimpressed, "What do you really want?"

Melissa bit her lip, "The steak marinade then."

The waiter nodded and left.

An awkward silence followed as both stared at one another quietly.

"How long have you been a nurse?" Peter finally spoke up.

"Mm, about ten years," Melissa smiled.

Peter looked impressed, "Do you enjoy it?"

"Very much so, what's better then saving lives?"

"Good question," Peter laughed.

"So what do you do for a living?"

Peter shrugged, "Investments."

Melissa smirked, "Sounds...interesting?"

"Hardly," Peter scoffed.

"Do you have any family in Beacon Hills?"

"My nephew," Peter responded in a cold tone, "And you?"

"Just Scott."

"He seems to have the man of the house routine down pat," Peter chuckled.

"Oh yes," Melissa nodded, "It's a long story."

"And a longer night lays ahead of us," Peter gestured, "You need not hide anything from me Melissa."

"Me and Scott's father, Matthew, were high school sweethearts. We got into a little um trouble and hastily got married," Melissa shrugged, "It didn't last."

Peter looked at her compassionately, even with out words his silence asked for the full story.

Melissa quickly found herself telling him the whole story, she could have sworn his eyes flashed red when she mentioned the abuse but figured it was just the lighting, she didn't realize how much she craved a listening ear. Peter's poker face was unreadable, she couldn't tell if he cared, if he was bored or if he had something to say. Melissa stopped talking.

"And?" Peter urged her to continue.

"I'm just rambling," Melissa poked at her dinner fearing she said to much.

"Melissa McCall I am determined to know everything about you, I can be very relentless," He caressed her face, "My life as well hasn't been exactly peachy," Peter let out a heavy sigh, "For the longest time I felt not only my family was burnt in that fire but it burnt away my humanity. For six years, lying in that coma I could only think of revenge on the people who destroyed my life and even my own death, but now I think I may have found a reason to live for," He placed his hand on her's.

Melissa's cheeks became bright red and she was no more then speechless.

Peter picked up her chin, "Melissa, you are a gem among women, a goddess," There eyes locked as there souls met in a single most perfect embrace, "You deserve the very best."

Once again she had no words, Peter was beyond charming, incredibly handsome and the most amazing man she's met. All those lonely nights she had spent by herself melted away as she wished every night could be like this one. Everytime he touched her she got this feeling, her heart was beating so fast, she wanted it to last. Melissa didn't realize it yet but she needed him by her side.

Leaning in ever so slightly their eyes locked, their souls embraced, both of their hearts buzzed like electricity. Peter's rough chapped lips met Melissa's plump rosy red ones. The kiss was pure with passion, time and space seem to stop just to stare at the perfect match. The moon laced them in it's silvery light as they held one another. Both slowly pulled away from the other, but neither regretted it.

As the evening came to a close, Peter and Melissa stood at her door.

"I wish this night never ended," Melissa whispered.

Peter simply smiled, "It only gives us an excuse to get together again soon, very soon."

Melissa lips brushed against Peter's cheek, "Good night."

"Good night Melissa, take care of yourself."

Scott opened the door, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest, "Mom! Are you okay?"

"Never better Scott," Melissa placed her hand on his cheek.

Scott glared at Peter, "Can we talk...privately?"

"Sure," Peter shrugged off Scott's nasty looks.

Once out of Melissa's hearing range Scott's interrogation began.

"If I find one hair out of he head missing-" Scott scowled.

Peter interrupted, "If I intended to hurt your mother I would not have returned her."

Scott froze.

"Your mother is a fine woman, your lucky to have her."

Scott just stared, "I don't know what type of game your playing but-"

Peter interrupted Scott again, "I'm just a man who spent six long years in a coma and I'm trying to get back into the world again, good bye Scott," Peter got into his car, "Nice chat, maybe we can do this again sometime," He stated with a prick of humor in his voice and drove off with that, leaving a love sick Melissa and a extremely confused Scott.