"Mels, Mels!" Benedict watched Melody slid onto the floor, via the door. "Hey..." He tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, wiping away her tears. "What happened...? Are you okay?" Melody sniffs as she pushes away Benedict's hand, wiping away the tears herself. She picks herself up, with the help of Benedict. 

"I'm... fine... Now!" Melody straightens her dress and gives Benedict a smile to put him at ease. "I am going to go and meet your parents..." Melody strolled into the living room to see Wanda and Timothy. Benedict knew that she was a terrible liar and he wanted to know what had happened in her room with her fiancee. 

"Oh, dear Mels!" Wanda cried out as she gave Melody a tight hug, which expressed how much she had missed. "How are you dear?" Melody grabbed a wine bottle, gradually filling up everyone glasses, before returning to Wanda. 

"I... am just fine! I have to say, Merry Christmas! One word which I haven't touched upon tonight..." She smiled at Benedict who had been leaning on the door in order to keep an eye on Melody. Her smile disappeared almost immediately when Alex had popped up behind him, making his way over to Melody. 

"Ahh, the famous Wanda and Timothy. A pleasure to meet you." Alex shook Timothy's hand and gave Wanda a light peck on her cheek. "I am Alex Adams, Melody's fiancee." Wanda and Timothy both glanced at Benedict, who had a hint of sadness in his eyes. He tensed his cheekbones and walked up to Melody clutching her hand firmly. Melody looked at Benedict, who turned to face his parents. Alex frowned, not amused by his action. 

"Well Mother, there is a little one growing here." Benedict lightly tapped her baby bump, Melody admiring his taps. 

"Oh, how lovely. I wish you all the best Melody dear. So lovely for you to start a family here in London!" Alex reached his arm over Melody's shoulder, until she pushed it off and began talking again to Wanda. 

"I... am going to go and get the dinner. Why don't you and go and make your way to the table and see you in a moment." 

"May I come and help sweet?" Alex asked, hoping she would say yes. 

"No. I have Ben to help. You tell Mum and Lauren to sit in the dining room." Melody strutted off, dragging Benedict into the kitchen. She let go of his hand and lent onto the counter, breathing heavily. Alex then urged everyone to go into the dining room, ready for a Christmas dinner. 

"Well Mels... that was fun..." Benedict heard her panting and paced over to Melody. "Hey, hey... What's wrong?" He began to rub her back. 

"I... I just feel a bit... sick... and... it's probably the baby." 

"Yes... Mels, maybe this wasn't such a good idea... I should put everything down, you go and-"

"No!" Melody shouted, feeling her forehead. "I'm sorry... I..." She walked over to the oven, opened it and wafted away the steam. "Yes... that's perfect..." She reached over for her oven gloves, realising that Benedict had them on. 

"Here, let me."  Benedict gave Melody a warm simper as he took out the rather heavy tray which had a cooked chicken on it. "Whoa. That is a heavy bird right there!" Benedict chuckled as he grabbed to spoons, so that he could lift the chicken onto a plate big enough. "There you go. Do you... want me to take it in?" Melody cringed. 

"Would you?" 

"Of course Mels. I wouldn't really say no to you." Melody snickered as Benedict made his way into the dining room, everyone in the room gazing at the chicken. 

"Oooh, that is a great chicken. Smells delicious." 

"Yes, a little rub prepared by me and Mels. It's to die for!" The whole room burst into laughter and began to tuck into the chicken, Benedict running back into the kitchen to pick up the sides. 

"Here! Here are the potatoes and the veges are mixed up in there." 

"Okay. Mels?"

"Yes." 

"They love it!" Melody and Benedict smile broadly at each other, before rushing inside. 

"Here you go, the chefs of the table! Tuck in Mels and Benedict." Melody paused before sitting down. She noticed that her seat was next to Alex. 

"Hey, Mels. I will be right next to you." Benedict whispered. She took a deep breath and placed herself next to her fiancee, Benedict sitting next to her. Benedict began to fill up her plate, Alex attempting to, but failing. He had always got into it first. 

"So, Melody dear, I hear you have a little cake shop. Called Something Special. Amelia have you see it?" Amelia sighed, swallowing her bite of chicken. 

"No, I haven't actually. Is it good?" 

"Oh yes Mrs Fellows, it's a great cake shop. Brought a cake from there the other day!" Benedict said, giving a slight smile to Melody. Amelia put down her fork and gave out a frustrated sigh.

"Benedict, how many times dear, it's Amelia!" Alex tried to be included in the conversation. 

"Amelia, would you like some more?" Amelia frowned at Alex. 

"Alex. Please, you cannot call me Amelia, you may call me Mrs Fellows." Benedict snorted, Melody giggling with him like they were two babies sitting at the table. Lauren watched them act like small children and she began to giggle too. 

Melody's house - around 4pm 

"That was a lovely dinner Melody, thank you ever so much. Benedict dear, we must get going! Thank you for having us and keep an eye on that little one. Oh, Amelia..." Wanda strolled over to Melody's mother as Benedict made his way to Melody to say his goodbyes. 

"Ah, Mels. This was great. I hope to see you soon." Melody pushed her hair behind her ear, a mark quickly being noticed on her cheek by Benedict. "Mels? What happened to your cheek-"

"Benedict, nice to meet you. You had better get going." Alex stood next to Melody to avoid any more questions being answered. "Your mother and father will be waiting outside." He gave Benedict a frown as he left. 

"Mels. Oh, have fun. You know where I am. Call me dear." Amelia wrapped her arms around Melody, before leaving the house. Lauren hugged her big sister and also left with her mother. 

"Oh..." Melody strolled into the living room and eased herself onto the sofa. Alex walked over to her parking himself next to her. She quickly got up and slowly shuffled her way to her bedroom. "I have to go to the cake shop tomorrow. I need my sleep..." 

"Okay..." Alex bit his lip, knowing that what he did was hurtful, but effective.