Epilogue

Melanie finishes changing the infant and picks him up. "Time for a nap Joey." She says as she heads up toward the villa. She flashes her father a smile as he blows them a kiss.

She weaves her way up to the house, passing by a bickering Ben and Mama Raeni.

"You said to put it on the grill!" Protests Ben.

"Ya, after it 'eat up buoy! No sizzle no flavah." She retorts. "And now it too 'ot, look at all dis smoke!"

Melanie heads through the house and up the stairs to the nursery, singing her son the Barney song along the way. "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Don't you know he loves us too."

Holding Joey in her arms she looks down on the deck and beach area from the nursery window. They all look to be having such a good time. They are all so happy. Melanie shakes her head sadly, only she knew the suffering that was really happening just under the surface. Poor Daddy. Poor Laney. Poor Joey.

Joey coos in her arms. She looks down and gives him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"We're so lucky to have such a good Daddy, he looks after everyone so well doesn't he? Not like old Daddy. The others are so selfish, they never worry about what Daddy needs." She rocks the infant back and forth as she watches the people outside. Her eyes settle on Natali. "So selfish. If she could have seen us in the gym that magical morning. If she saw him when he saved me from Louis. She'd know the truth like I do." A pained expression crosses Melanie's face. "Poor Daddy...only I know what he really needs. Soon Joey, soon. Sometimes we just have to keep secrets for a while, it's good to have secrets."

The baby gurgles and lets out a big yawn. She cuddles the infant in her arms, feeling the warmth and weight and movement of her precious little treasure. Real undeniable living proof of her Dad's true feelings.

Melanie steps over to the crib and carefully lays him inside. Tucking him in with a fluffy blue blanket. On the outside Melanie is calm and happy, on the inside her shrewd Calabrese mind was devising and calculating.

"Don't worry Joey. I'll make it all right. Mama promises." She strokes his tiny velvety head as he drifts off to sleep.

Staring out the window, eyes focused on her father, and stroking Joey's head she sings softly and slowly. "I love you...you love me...we're a happy family..."