*Mel had been going everywhere that she possibly could with Mark lately, never wanting him to leave her sight....She dreaded going to classes because that meant leaving him. Since it was now Saturday afternoon, Melanie had braved going outside with him. Even though she was afraid of being out there without protection, he needed some sunlight and fresh air, so she was braving it....

They were sitting together in the shade of a tree, rolling a bright blue ball back and forth to each other. Mark was being silly and purposefully rolling the ball very far away from Mel or standing up and kicking it so Mel had to pull out her wand and get it back. He was absolutely ticked whenever he would catch the ball, both because he got it and because he was thinking of what he should do to be a little prankster this time. Melanie didn't care what she had to do for him or how difficult he was right now, she just wanted him to stay with her and never ever go away again. As long as he was there and he was happy, she was, too.


~Mel

It wasn't unusual for her to wander the grounds on a sunny day. And since Jer had said she wasn't needed to help out she couldn't see why not. So after donning her flip flops and favorite red sun dress she headed out into the nice weather. Happy for a warm summer for once. It hadn't taken her long for her to choose to remove her shoes and walk through the grass bare foot, twirling occasionally enjoying the feeling of warmth.

As she was enjoying her wandering of the grounds she noticed a blue ball being pushed consistently out of the shade of the tree, only to be recalled later by someone else. With curious eyes she watched the pattern a little more until she had been subconsciously moving towards the game. So close now that the ball stopped inches form her feet, wit a small smile she bent down and tapped the ball backwards into the shade following its path towards the two figures she could see.

Upon closer inspection she recognised one instantly as Mel and the other as her son. Still smiling she stood slightly on the edge of the shade though still in the sun. Her face friendly and her tone soft as she spoke.

"Good Afternoon Melanie, are you enjoying your day" The question was clearly posed as a 'how are you' question without being as imposing. "Oh and of course, hello little one" she smiled brightly at Mel's son waving her hand a little at him, still not quite recalling his name but not wanting to be rude.

*Melanie's first instinct was to be scared when she heard a voice near her, although, when she realized that it was Fawne, she couldn't help but smile; Fawne was someone she could-and did- trust.

Mark, on the other hand, was completely indifferent. The ball had rolled over to him, and since his mommy wasn't paying attention, he started hitting it with his palm as if it would do something...but he really just liked the noise a lot. *

Melanie:"Hi, Fawne!' *she greeted her happily*'I'm having a lot of fun today, actually. How about you, Mark? Are you having fun?' *she asked him, just to see what sort of response he would have. Mark giggled joyously and held the ball up in the air, like someone would hold a trophy after winning a sporting event.*

Mark:"Ball!" *he exclaimed happily, not really answering the question.

Melanie smiled and laughed at her little baby. It was almost like he was trying to be cute.*



~Mel

She kenlt down on the floor as Mel spoke, still sat in the sun rather than the shade of the tree. Not that it would make her skin any darker; she never tanned. As she kenlt she emptied her hand of carrying her shoes by placing them amongst the grass next to her, obviously not bothered about being bare foot.

She smiled as she watched Mel speak to Mark, she didn't want to intrude on the family moment but she found it very sweet. She also found it incredibly cute when Mark held the ball in the air, he was such a sweet child. Mel was obvisouly bringing him up well.

"I am delighted you are enjoying the sunshine and Mark too...you seemed distracted in astrology class, i was rather worried." She wasn't being prying but she was attmepting to give Mel the chance to talk if she ever wanted it/

*Melanie's smile quickly faded. She looked down at the ground, embarrassed by the fact that she was too weak to just forget about what had happened. Mark, on the other hand, realizing that his mommy was taking a break from playing, stood up and started teetering around, carrying the ball with him. He looked around at all of the other people who were outside and all of the birdies and butterflies that flew by. *

Melanie:"Oh, well...I was distracted, actually. Um...it's good to know you were thinking of me." *she added kindly at the end, lifting her head only to quickly fake a smile.*



~Mel

She watched mark with her eyes but it was obvious she was paying attention to Mel. With a small quick movement she dropped from kneeling on the back of her legs to being sat on the floor legs curled under self and dress fanning out. The half smile on her face never altered as she tried to figure out the best way to show Mel she wanted to help without being intrusive. Her voice was softer and more far away than usual like her mind was somewhere else.

"I am always thinking of my friends...Melanie i would rather like to believe you know i am here if you ever require help. I understand your family were being wonderful in your time of...distraction. Nevertheless my offer stands..." her smile was soft but genuine now and her gaze had returned back to Mel, trying to convey that she would always have Fawne's help if she needed it.