Taking her son home she found everyone patiently awaiting their return. Having called a doctor ahead, he examined Zach concluding that he had a sprained wrist.
That night both mother and child did not sleep as memories of her abuse resurfaced as she blamed herself for not protecting her child whilst Zach was tormented by the night's events.

Lincoln came to check up on them to find both of them wide awake afraid to fall asleep watching cartoons.
"You should be resting," he said sitting beside her.
"We can't sleep," she whispered.
"Mommy can uncle Linc sleep with us?" Zach whispered.
Looking towards him, she saw him struggling with a reply before he said, "Sure thing buddy."

Standing up he removed his shirt leaving him in his track bottoms as he slept between them, securing them in each of his arms.
"This reminds me of the orphanage," she whispered seeing Zach slowly drifting off to sleep.
"Get some rest love," he said watching her slowly drift off to sleep remembering the days he had to hold her in his arms till she slept after a nightmare.
However, sleep did not come easily for him as he thought of how he had put the people he loved in harm's way.

The following morning she woke up to be greeted by Lincoln's parents and sister. Greeting them politely she apologized for the ruined dinner but they brushed her apologies off.
"Do you know where Lincoln is?"
"He is in the gym blowing off some steam. Give him some time to cool off he woke up angry today," Charles stated.

Walking into the gym she found him arguing with his brother.
"You are going to hurt yourself," Ethan stated as Lincoln lifted the weights ignoring him.
"I said leave me alone!" He growled making his brother step back afraid.
"Lincoln that's enough!" She shouted angry with his behaviour. "Ethan go have your breakfast," she dismissed him walking towards Lincoln who had stopped what he was doing.

"What are you achieving by all this," she said waving to his tired body. "I know you are angry but please darling, don't punish yourself over my mistakes," she said softly.
"It's my fault I should have protected him better," he said letting out a tired breath. "I am supposed to protect you both from any harm, look at what happened when I let my guard down."
"Lincoln Shields, blame yourself one more time and you will find out that even grown men can be disciplined by any means necessary. Now enough of this nonsense," she said handing him a towel. "You are a grown man, act like one for goodness sake," she scolded him.

Standing up he looked down at her wiping his face with the towel.
"You can wipe that scowl off your face, you look like a child who just got a scolding," she laughed.
"Well I sort of did," he growled making her laugh harder.
Draping his sweaty arm around her shoulders she shouted, "Eeew I don't want your sweaty arms on me," making him laugh out loud, surprising everyone as his mother smiled warmly at them.

"You are something else," Rebecca whispered into her ear as she sat beside her.
"I never thought I would see the day, my son would be following the commands of a little lady," Charles said pouring some coffee into his wife's cup and handing it over to her.
"Yeah he is whipped," Ethan added.
"I think it's cute," Megan said making Ethan roll his eyes.
Lincoln cleared his throat glaring at each of them only for everyone to burst into laughter.

Pouring some coffee into a cup, he took a sip before he handed it over to her saying, "Careful it's still hot."
"Aren't you going to pour a cup for me too dear brother," Ethan teased.
"Pour your own cup," he growled out making Ethan snigger.
"Ouch what was that for," Ethan asked his little sister who seemed to have kicked him from his reaction.

"I'm going to see if Zach is up. He needed the rest after last night," she murmured taking a sip of her coffee.
"I'll be up in a few minutes," he said softly kissing her forehead.
Excusing herself she left to go see to her son.

Falling asleep beside him once she settled on the bed. Lincoln came in covering them both up and kissing each of them he left to get some work done after showering.

----

"Call your mother once in a while son, just to make sure I am alive you know," Rebecca said.
"I will mom. I've just been busy," Linc said running a hand through his hair.
"Yes very busy," she said eyeing Mel with a smile.
"Please make sure he checks in, he always gets carried away with his work," she told Mel.
"Oh don't worry he will call you. I will make sure of it," she said as Linc gave her a squeeze looking down at her.
"Bye sis, I will see you around," Ethan said before handing her a package. "Enjoy the Ethan Shields movie collection, I must say he is one talented actor."
"Thanks, Ethan I will get started on these soon, then see if this Ethan Shields guy is truly a good actor as you say," she said seeing them off.
"Oh Mel we are throwing both of you an engagement party next weekend," Rebecca said as Mel's jaw fell in surprise.
"But..."
"See you next week mom," Linc cut her off waving his parents off.

--------

One week later

"Come on let's go find you a dress," he said pushing her out of the house with Zach in his arms.

Taking them to a local boutique he called the manager over.
"What colour do you want sweetheart?"
"Hmm let's go for my favourite," she said as he held her hand.
"I want the best selection of evening gowns you have here. Green in colour," he stated as the manager told his sales assistant to get the dresses.

Displaying the dresses before them Linc waited for her to select a few to try on. After a few no's from both boys she stepped out in a dress that silenced the manager who was deep in conversation about who knows what with Lincoln. Waiting for Linc to turn around she held her breath awaiting his approval.
The only word he whispered out was, beautiful, as he made his way towards her.
"You look like a princess mommy," Zach said with a shy smile as Linc told the manager they would be getting the dress.
"Thank you, sweetie," she said turning around revealing her bare back she heard his breath hitch as she walked back into the changing room.
Once she was done he took her hand pulling her back to his side as the dress was packed away.
"Wait, I need two sets of bow ties, cummerbunds and pocket squares in this colour," he said pointing at her dress as their tuxedos were handed over to them.
"How did you get Zach's size?" She asked.
"I sent over his measurements last week," he said in a cool manner as her mouth formed an 'o'.

Holding up the bow ties to the dress he approved of the colour as they were packed away safely.

Pulling up at a salon they entered the establishment finding no customer in sight.
"Mr Shields, everything is ready as you instructed," the head hairdresser said with a cheerful smile.
"Perfect. I will be back in two hours," Linc's said handing over her dress and another bag to her.
"Right this way mam," she said as the boys left her in the hands of the strangers.

Three hours later she stood transformed. She had been given a full body massage followed by a full makeover as the team fussed over her. Opening the bag she felt her face heat up seeing black lingerie and other feminine things she would need.
"Your husband is already here mam," one of the young ladies said with a blush.
"Oh my already," she said looking up to find that it was already six o'clock.

A pair of silver heels and a silver clutch bag were brought in after she was assisted into her dress.
Leaving the changing room she found Lincoln laughing with Zach as they waited for her.
"We can go now," Mel said softly grabbing their attention.
"Mommy!" Zach cried out running towards her in his little tux.
"You look very handsome baby," she cooed taking his hand.
"Mommy looks pretty," he beamed looking at Linc who looked stunned as they walked towards him.
"Tu es très belle," he whispered kissing her hand.

"Merci," she replied with a shy smile. "You aren't the only one who knows a bit of French," she said. "You boys look very smart," she said once they were settled in the car.
They thanked her as they drove drive off heading to the Shields' home.
"Are we late?" Mel asked noticing the numerous cars parked outside.
"I do believe so, but it's our party so do not worry. After all, we have to make an entrance," he said smiling at her.
Zach was wide awake looking out in excitement.

"Something is missing," he said pulling out a diamond-studded locket that had a picture of all three of them.
"Thank you," she whispered admiring the picture once he had helped fasten it.

Helping her out of the car they walked towards the doors with Zach in his arm with Mel at his side gripping his arm tightly. When they walked in every head turned to see the striking new arrivals as Rebecca made her way towards them.
"Mother," he greeted kissing both her cheeks. "I wasn't expecting this many people to attend," he said warmly as Rebecca laughed brushing his comment aside.
"Mel you look stunning," she gushed. Oh my goodness who is this handsome little prince," she gushed making Zach smile shyly.

"You look ravishing my dear," Charles said kissing her cheek.
"You know if Linc disappoints you, I am always available Mel," Ethan said in greeting, earning him a glare from Linc as they all burst into laughter.
"Hello to you too Ethan," Mel said hugging him before Linc wrapped his arm around her.

"Oh please Lincoln let the poor girl enjoy her party, you go greet our cousins. I will take care of her," Megan said pulling Mel out of his hold.
"Come on Zach, let's see if you can help me do some fishing," Ethan said taking Zach out of Linc's arms as Rebecca gave him a warning glare. "I mean help me find a friend of mine," he said with a mischievous smile.

"I must say, you look breathtaking, half the man in here cannot take their eyes off you," Meg whispered as they headed to the bar.
"Thank you Meg, but I do believe the other half has their eyes on you," she said as they both giggled.
Grabbing flutes of wine they looked around the hall laughing over some of the outrageous outfits some of the women were wearing.
"Be careful of that bunch over there, those are our dear cousins," Meg said pointing towards a small group of men and women.
"Such a fine gene pool. No wonder some of the guests can't take their eyes off them," Mel said making sure her glass never lowered.

"I hope the temperatures don't drop because that poor girl is in for a cold night," Mel whispered as they looked over at a girl who was wearing a rather skimpy little thing, she thought was a dress.
Turning her head she found a pair of green eyes looking at her. Lincoln seemed to not even be following the discussion in front of him as he looked at her.
"He hasn't taken his eyes off you since you separated," Megan said.
"He's just being overprotective," she said smiling at him as he turned away.
"If that's what you call it," Megan mumbled as a handsome man came and asked her for a dance.

Looking around she found Zach talking to a group of ladies as Ethan held him in his arms. He had the ladies wrapped around his finger, as they gushed over his story.
"Care to dance?" Mel heard a deep voice say from behind her.
Turning around she found Linc looking at her with a charming smile. Without a word, she slipped her hand into his as he pulled her towards the dance floor.
Swaying to the slow music she let out a long sigh.
"Tired already love?"
"No, not really," she murmured listening to his heartbeat.
He fell silent as they danced the night away. He introduced her to a few close business associates. Megan had already introduced her to the close family members who were present.
They found Zach asleep in Ethan's arms as he flirted shamelessly with the lady who seemed to not be moved by his charms.

Saying their farewells they headed back home.