Danielle and Melanie Meet for the First Time

It's about 5:30am and Rod returns to the bedroom with Jacob in his arms.

"Hey little man.  Come to mommy."  (Danielle) 

"Now what is all that fuss about?  Did you have a bad dream?"  (Danielle)

Danielle feels Jacob's forehead to make sure he isn't running a fever.  She surmises that physically he appears to be okay.  Rod is deep in thought and decides to discuss his thoughts with Danielle.

"Honey, I'm not sure you meeting with Melanie alone is such a good idea."  (Rod)

"We are both grown intelligent women.  You really shouldn't worry so much."  (Danielle)

"Maybe I should come with you."  (Rod)

"No. You seem to bring out the worst in that woman.  I would like a chance to have a decent conversation with her and I'm not sure that's possible if you are there."  (Danielle)

Rod complies and warns Danielle to be careful.  Now almost 6am, they decide to get a little more rest before the alarm goes off at 6:45.

Danielle has no trouble falling right to sleep.  Rod, on the other hand, lays there wide awake.

 Later that day in Melanie's office....

 Melanie converses with her assistant, Grace.

"I need you to reschedule that appointment with Mr. Wiggins.  I need to do a little more research before we meet.  I also put a meeting on the schedule today with a Danielle.  I forgot to tell you about it.  She should be arriving in about an hour."  (Melanie)

"Okay.  I will take care of Mr. Wiggins and I will send Ms. Danielle in when she arrives."  (Grace)

Melanie gets back to work and before she knows it, an hour has passed and Danielle is standing in her office.

"Melanie?"  (Danielle)

"Yes, that's me.  You must be Danielle.  Have a seat."  (Melanie)

"I was wondering what my replacement would look like.  I must admit, I am a little surprised.  Rod was never keen on light-skinned women."  (Melanie)

Danielle is a little taken aback at Melanie's bluntness.  She tries not to overreact to the comments.

"I guess he wanted to try something new.  (long pause)  Thanks for meeting with me.  I thought it would be good for us to  meet each other, for the sake of Nicole."  (Danielle)

"That's interesting.  I'm surprised my darling ex-husband allowed you to come alone.  He usually likes to be front and center controlling things."  (Melanie)

"I thought it would be best is we met alone.  He wanted to be here, but I thought the meeting would go smoother without him.  And for the record, Rod doesn't control me.  I am pretty good at making my own decisions."  (Danielle)

"Well let me caution you about making your own decisions with him.  Strong, independent women, who 'make their own decisions' may find themselves put out to pasture before they know it. "  (Melanie)

"Look, I'm not here to talk about Rod.  I really just wanted to meet so we can get on friendly terms.  I really think that is best for Nicole, since she will be the one most affected by all of this."  (Danielle)

"I appreciate you being so concerned about my daughter's well-being, but I can assure you she will be just fine.  She has a mother who loves her and who is more than capable of providing her everything she needs.  I've been raising her for ten years now, and haven't needed anyone else's help."  (Melanie) 

"So the next time you want to come in and offer your advice on what is best for my daughter, don't."  (Melanie)

"I'm sorry if I offended you.  That was not my intent."  (Danielle)

"Look Melanie, I came here with good intentions, but apparently you just aren't ready for this.  When you are ready, give me a call.  In the meantime, I will continue to love Nicole and make her feel very welcome in our home."  (Danielle) 

"One more thing... the next time you say something mean and hurtful to either of my children, be ready to deal with me."  (Danielle)

"I think it's time for you to leave."  (Melanie)

"I think you are right."  (Danielle)

Danielle turns to leave and Melanie sinks back onto the desk.

"Damn.  That didn't go so well." 

Epilogue

Lawdy, lawdy, lawdy.  Now you guys know I was really trying to get them on the high road.  I was NOT going to have any more drama surrounding these two.  I'm telling you, Melanie had other plans.  I couldn't get her to say any of the things I wanted her to say.  Somehow I will have to get these two communicating with each other.  I don't have a clue how I am going to make that happen.  I may just have to wait for Melanie to come around.  

The Ladies Reunite for some Girl Talk

Danielle and her friends have not seen each other since the wedding.  Danielle has put out a call to try to get all the ladies together for a drink.  

They decide to meet at this new local spot downtown.  It has a nice outdoor patio perfect for sitting and shooting the breeze.  Lisa and Sunni are the first to arrive. 

They chit chat a little before the other ladies arrive.

Antoinette and Danielle arrive at the same time.

They greet the other ladies then proceed to take their seats.

"We should probably secure a couple of seats from the other table if she isn't going to use them."  (Toni)

"Oh, that's India.  I need to say hello anyway."  (Danielle)

"India, how are you?" (Danielle)

"Well hello!  I haven't seen you since the wedding.  How was everything?"  (India)

Danielle gives her the politically correct response about how great everything was.

"Do you mind if I steal a couple of chairs?"  (Danielle)

"No, go right ahead.  I'm eating alone today."  (India)

Danielle takes two chairs and heads back to her table.

"Okay, now where's the waitress?  I need a drink!"  (Danielle)

"Oh, that doesn't sound good."  (Toni)

The waitress seems to be a little preoccupied with the bartender.

Toni, Lisa, and Sunni engage in conversation.  Danielle is a little perturbed about the waitress.

"Sunni, I hear business is really picking up in the real estate market."  (Toni)

"That is an understatement.  People are flocking here from all over.  My condo sales are through the roof."  (Sunni)

Leslie and Vanessa have finally arrived.

"Hello, hello.  The sexy people have arrived."  (Leslie)

Danielle gets up to give her maid of honor a hug.  She hasn't seen or spoken to her since the wedding.

"So good to see you, girl."  (Leslie)

Leslie grabs a seat and says hello to the other ladies, while Danielle says hello to Vanessa.  Of course everyone is happy to see Vanessa out and about. 

"Boy it is good to see you.  How are you feeling, hon?" (Danielle)

"So much better.  I'm still a little weak, but I had to get out of that bed."  (Vanessa)

"Hello ladies.  Sunni and Antoinette, I haven't seen you guys since the wedding.  You guys look wonderful." (Leslie)

Vanessa and Danielle take their seats, and Vanessa gets bombarded with questions.

"Okay woman, how are you feeling?  Are you sure you should be out here? "  (Lisa)

"I'm doing fine.  I just had a sinus infection that would not go away.  Truth be told, I probably shouldn't be out here, but I had to get out of the house.  I'll probably get a frantic phone call when Keith realizes I've slipped out."  (Vanessa)

"Well you take it easy and know we are here if you need us."  (Sunni)

"I know.  I think just being out with you ladies will help me get better even quicker."  (Vanessa)

"Ladies, are you ready to order, now?"  (Waitress)

"More than ready."  (Danielle)

The ladies put in their drink orders.  The waitress returns pretty quickly with the drinks.

"Alright woman, spill the beans."   (Leslie)

"What are you talking about?  What beans?"  (Danielle)

"What the hell happened at your reception?"  (Leslie)

"Oh goodness, I almost forgot about that fiasco."  (Danielle)

Danielle proceeds to tell the story about Freeman.  Antoinette chimes in occasionally to fill in parts of the story.

"Now that's trifling.  Why would you mess up someone's wedding like that?"  (Lisa)

"You poor thing.  I would have been livid."  (Sunni)

"Well I wasn't thrilled about it, but I had to support my husband.  Can you imagine not knowing where your dad was for all that time?  I couldn't be selfish at a time like that.  He's just too good to me."  (Danielle)

"Unfortunately, that is not all the drama we have had to deal with since the wedding."  (Danielle)

She takes a sip of her drink then proceeds to fill the ladies in on the Melanie drama.  Even though she is taking the high road on this one, it feels good to be able to vent to her girls about this.  

"Please tell me Melanie didn't do that?"  (Toni)

"I almost forgot that she was your sister-in-law."  (Danielle)

"Yes, but I have never condoned her bad behavior.  I swear, sometimes she just goes overboard."  (Toni)

"Wait a minute.  Maybe I didn't hear you right.  She said what to Julian?!"  (Leslie)

"You know I was ready to go over there and strangle her with my bare hands."  (Danielle)

"Girl, we can still go find her now!"  (Lisa)

"No.  I have since decided to try something a little different.  I don't want to be her enemy.  For the sake of all the children involved, I am going to try to handle this in a civil manner."  (Danielle)

"Well if that doesn't work, and she needs a beat down, call me."  (Leslie)

"Leslie, you have been watching too many of those Real Housewives shows.  Nobody is going to be beating anyone down.  I don't want to be bailing you out of jail.  Let's remember, she is an attorney.  I'm sure she'd be quick to file charges against you."  (Danielle)

The ladies continue their girl talk.  Shooting the breeze can be freeing.  Danielle is happy to get together with the ladies.   They have formed such a special bond over the past year.