Page 27 of Only in Our Dream (Moonflower Cove #15)

Cameron

V alentine’s Day had never meant much to Cameron over the years.

She always got small gifts for her kids to mark the occasion, but that was as far as she went.

Cameron didn’t understand the need for paper hearts to adorn every inch of the hospital for what seemed like weeks leading up to the date.

After all, she’d told herself it was just a holiday made up by capitalism anyway. It didn’t matter.

But that was all before she started dating Melanie.

With their first Valentine’s Day arriving less than two months into their official relationship, Cameron had no idea what she was supposed to do. Should they make reservations at some fancy restaurant? Should Cameron get a huge bouquet for Melanie? Or maybe chocolates? Or both? She had no clue.

However, since Jonah and Dylan both had plans, that had given Cameron the idea to do a quiet dinner at home with Melanie.

Her cooking skills were nothing fancy, but she knew Melanie loved anything Italian.

And Cameron knew how to make a damn good pasta bake with vodka sauce that everyone who tried it raved about.

Even Melanie had mentioned each time she had it over the years that Cameron should bottle the family recipe.

The only bottle Cameron was concerned with now was the bottle of wine on the counter she was eager to enjoy.

She’d picked it up on her way home from dropping Dylan off at Mason’s house.

Since Isla and Vera had plans for the evening, Mason had offered to take the kids for them all for the evening.

Mason had movies and pizza waiting on them, so Cameron knew Dylan would have a great night.

Jonah had plans with his girlfriend, Eva, but he’d been vague as to what those plans were.

He’d asked her earlier how long he was allowed to stay out, but Cameron had remained firm that he had to be home by eleven.

Even though it would mean she’d need to cut her date with Melanie off by then, it was also a school night for Jonah.

On his way home, Jonah was to pick up Dylan so she could get to bed as well.

If he ever left, that was.

After getting home from school, he had immediately disappeared into his room with barely a word to Cameron. It was unusual behavior for Jonah, but Cameron had chalked it up to him being a teenage boy. She’d assumed he was getting ready for his date, so Cameron hadn’t bothered him.

But Cameron knew her kids.

It was odd that Jonah wasn’t in the kitchen with her as she prepared the pasta dish.

He was usually always trying to snack around whatever she was eating or pepper her with a hundred questions about Melanie.

Cameron loved how close the two of them were, which made her son’s absence the last few hours even more noticeable.

Putting the pasta dish into the oven, Cameron headed upstairs. She walked down the small hallway to Jonah’s room and was surprised to find the door cracked open. Cameron tapped her fingers on the door, but didn’t open it fully yet.

“Jonah?”

“I’m okay.”

Her son’s voice indicated otherwise. Cameron opened the door and looked at Jonah. His eyes were red, and it was obvious he’d been crying. She felt a pang of guilt that she hadn’t checked on him sooner.

Dammit it, Cam. Way to be a great mom.

Going to Jonah, she sat beside him on the bed and pulled him close. She cradled his head as he buried his face in her chest.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Eva broke up with me.”

“What? When?”

“After school,” Jonah sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I thought things were good between us but she apparently didn’t think so.”

Cameron’s heart broke for her baby boy. He had one of the biggest hearts of any teenage boy that Cameron had ever met. Any girl would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend.

Stupid Eva, Cameron scoffed to herself.

Jonah and Eva had been dating since the start of the school year. While Cameron didn’t expect it to last forever, she’d hoped Eva wouldn’t break her baby’s heart. And on Valentine’s Day, nonetheless.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I got home. I just didn’t want to bring down the mood of today.”

“Oh, honey,” she kissed his forehead, “you can always talk to me about anything, always. You know that.”

“I know, Mom.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t check on you sooner, honey.”

“It’s okay.” Jonah smiled at her with red eyes. “You were busy getting ready for your date with Mel.”

Cameron shook her head. “That’s not an excuse. You’re my kid and you come first. You hear me?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

“Your dinner smells good.”

“That’s how I knew something was wrong. You weren’t downstairs begging me for a bite.” Cameron playfully bumped the shoulder against Jonah’s, making him smile. “I’m going to call Mel and cancel tonight.”

“Mom, no,” Jonah shook his head adamantly. “No. You’re not canceling your first Valentine’s Day with Aunt Mel because Eva dumped me. That’s not fair to you.”

“Then it’s settled. You’ll have dinner with me and Mel.”

Jonah looked at her quizzingly. “You want a Valentine’s dinner with your girlfriend and your son?”

“All I heard was dinner with two of my favorite people.” Cameron winked at him. “Mel won’t mind; we both know that. She loves you too, kid.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Downstairs, the doorbell rang. Cameron patted Jonah’s knee. “Why don’t you go wash your face and come downstairs when you’re ready, okay? I’ll let Mel know what’s going on.”

“And if she doesn’t want me to join…”

“Then I’ll kick her ass to the curb.”

Winking at Jonah, Cameron headed out of the room and down the stairs. She took a moment to compose herself and prepare what she was going to say to Melanie before she opened the door. Cameron ran a hand over the blush pink dress she’d chosen for the evening and reached for the door handle.

Melanie looked stunning on the other side of the door.

She had her hair down, which was a rare sight in and of itself.

But it was the outfit that had Cameron’s full attention.

The black pants fit Melanie as perfectly as a glove, as did the red V-neck top she’d paired with them.

A silver necklace hung just above her cleavage, which made Cameron inadvertently lick her lips.

“Hi,” Cameron dreamily said as she stepped out of the house and closed the door behind her. Melanie pulled her into a hug as she kissed her.

“Hi yourself. Everything okay?” Melanie looked into her eyes, studying them for the answer to her question.

“Yeah, I’m okay. But we hit a little snag tonight.”

Melanie’s eyes instantly looked worried.

“Everything’s okay, I promise. But Eva broke up with Jonah today.”

“What!” Her frustrated anger matched how Cameron felt about the situation. “That bitch.”

“My thoughts exactly. Although I feel like we shouldn’t think that about a sixteen-year-old.”

Melanie chuckled. “Probably not. But how do you fumble Jonah? He’s like the most perfect boyfriend material.”

“Again, my thoughts exactly. But I did grow him from a seed so I may be biased.”

“A seed?” Melanie rolled her eyes. “An egg, sure, but a seed?”

“That’s why you’re the baby nurse and I’m not.” Kissing her again, Cameron felt Melanie wrap her arms around her as she held her close.

“So, Jonah’s joining us for dinner, right?”

If Cameron was butter, she would have melted right there.

The love and care Melanie had for her kids was more than Cameron ever could have asked from anyone.

And Melanie did it without being asked. Ever since Cameron was pregnant with them, a part of her kids seemed to also belong to Melanie.

It was poetic to look back at how everything had happened for a reason.

“He wasn’t sure it would be okay, but I told him it was.”

“Absolutely.” Stepping past Cameron, Melanie opened the front door. “Is he in his room?”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Jonah!” Melanie called out as her voice echoed through the house. “Get your butt down here so we can eat!” She turned her attention to Cameron. “It smells great, by the way, babe.”

“Thanks, it’s the pasta bake you love.”

“With the vodka sauce?”

“Of course. I know what my woman likes.”

“Yeah, you do.” They quickly kissed again, only to be interrupted with Jonah sarcastically groaning.

“Geez, don’t call me down to dinner then start making out.”

Jonah dramatically rolled his eyes as he tried to be cool.

But the facade crumbled when Melanie held out her arms to him.

He went to her and let her hold him as Cameron’s heart melted and she fell more in love with Melanie than she was five minutes ago.

She couldn’t hear what Melanie was whispering to him, but whatever it was made Jonah laugh. And for that, Cameron was thankful.

The three of them ate dinner at the dining room table, complete with the two candles that Cameron had set out earlier.

They chatted about Jonah’s hockey practice and his plans for the summer.

By the end of the dinner, Jonah seemed back to his happy, goofy self.

He helped them clean up the dishes before they all crashed in the living room.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go upstairs so you can be alone?” He looked at both of them as he stood between them and the TV.

“Shut up and sit down.” Cameron tossed a pillow at him only for him to catch it and immediately throw it back to her. “Maybe you need to take up baseball.”

“And have to play ball outside? No, thank you.”

Melanie snorted a laugh, nearly choking on her wine. “My god, he is your son.”

“Duh,” Jonah and Cameron responded in unison, making Melanie laugh.

They let Jonah pick what to watch, and he chose to watch Friends .

He and Cameron had been watching the series together for Jonah’s first time, and she was glad he chose something lighthearted and not a horror movie as he often would.

Even if that meant he would wind up in Cameron’s bed because he couldn’t sleep after watching it.

Melanie curled up under a blanket as Cameron lay her head on her lap.

The feeling of Melanie’s soft hands running through her hair was one of the most comforting things Cameron had ever felt.

She remembered Melanie did the same thing when Cameron had been in labor with both Jonah and Dylan.

And when she had the flu and stomach bug at the same time, and Melanie took care of her for a week straight.

She’d even done it after Cameron’s father had died and she was borderline inconsolable.

Damn, this woman has always known exactly what I needed.

The trio laughed through several episodes together before Cameron’s phone buzzed. She took it off the coffee table and read Dylan’s message.

“Dylan wants to come home,” she looked up at Melanie.

“Then let’s go get her.” Hoping up from the couch, Melanie held out her hands to Cameron. She helped her up before turning toward Jonah. “Come on, kiddo, you’re coming with us.”

“She’s just at Mason’s,” Cameron clarified.

“I know. But I have an idea. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

“Come on, Mom. Trust Mama Mel.”

The new nickname caught both of their attentions as they turned to Jonah. He shrugged as if it was no big deal and walked to the front door to put his shoes on. But the name kept swirling around in Cameron’s ears.

“I didn’t tell him to call you that.”

“I know.” Melanie’s smile was as wide as ever. “But I kinda love it.”

“Me, too.”

They piled into Melanie’s car as they jammed out to Taylor Swift on the way to Mason’s house.

Dylan was confused when they all rolled up together, but she was thrilled to see Melanie, which made Cameron’s heart happy.

And when Melanie pulled into Any Given Sundae, Cameron felt her kids’ love for their Aunt Mel grow even more.

Or Mama Mel.

Cameron let the word ricochet around her mind as they ordered their ice cream and found a table by the window.

Jonah sat next to Cameron while Dylan sat by Melanie, allowing Cameron to be able to watch Melanie interact with the kids.

Even after seeing it for sixteen years, Cameron noticed how it felt so much different now.

Yes, it was different because she and Melanie were dating.

But it was also more than that.

And Cameron knew she was crazy for even thinking that they felt like a family of four already.

Cameron couldn’t help it, though. Seeing the love for Jonah and Dylan in Melanie’s eyes and seeing it reflected back from her children made Cameron realize how perfect she and Melanie were for each other.

She wanted to kick herself for not realizing that sooner, but Cameron knew that what the four of them shared now was only possible because of their history.

Across the table, Melanie caught Cameron’s eye.

Jonah and Dylan were chatting about something, but Cameron could only focus on Melanie.

She looked so content and happy sitting in her fancy clothes eating ice cream with the kids.

It didn’t matter to her that their Valentine’s Day plans got ruined and they didn’t get to spend the night alone.

Instead, Melanie looked more in love than Cameron ever remembered seeing before.

As Cameron finished her ice cream, one thought kept vying for top billing in her head. Melanie was really going to be her kids’ Mama Mel one day.