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Stubborn Love- A Modern/AU Walking Dead Story	By : ImagineLayla131 Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 2907 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NOR HAVE ANY AFFILIATIONS WITH TWD FRANCHISE NO MONEY/PROFIT IS BEING MADE!

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Hi everybody! THE GOVERNOR IS FINALLY HERE!
Rudy is from the comics and I forgot to mention that Davy and Dee from previous chapters are also from TWD universe. I would have updated sooner but I've been sick. Please check out their stories, because they are freaking awesome! Please follow my new Instagram rocknrollprincess131fanfiction!
Chapter Thirty Four: Daddy's Little Misfit
Mr. Chow's, The Grove, Hollywood, Thursday, December 11th, 7:40 pm.
GARETH
"Alright, your hair is in place, no wrinkles in your suit. Let me just fix your tie." Melody straightened out my tie for what was probably the umpteenth time since I picked her up. She looked gorgeous but was a complete wreck and could not sit still, you'd think we were going to meet Obama or something.
We were at the swanky Mr. Chow's, which was Melody's favorite Chinese restaurant. As we got to the front door, I put my hands on her shoulders and stopped her so our eyes could meet. "Melody, relax. I'm fine, you look great, everything is going to work out."
"I know, it's just that with the exception of Ben, you're the third boyfriend my father has ever met. He didn't think too highly of Randall. What if he doesn't like you? That would upset me."
The thought had crossed my mind, but I didn't want to upset her further. I was going into this with confidence instead of a chip on my shoulder, I had to. Not trying to brag, but what isn't there to like?
"Only time will tell, because he's not the one I'm dating, he's not the one I'm in love with, and he most certainly is not the one I'm going to strip naked and do naughty things when we get home."
She bit her lip over that last sentence and smiled, which helped me relax a little.
"I know, I know. If he doesn't like you, it further proves my point that he's a prick. All you need to know is that I love you, my mom and her side of the family adore you, and if he doesn't, it's his issue." Melody gave me a quick peck on the lips before grabbing my hand and leading the way inside. I could tell she was still nervous, but when she saw her dad in a booth at the top of the stairs after we checked our coats, her demeanor changed as he stood up to greet her.
"Hi, Daddy!"
"Hi, pumpkin."
Melody let go of my hand and gave him a big hug. The Governor appeared happy to see his oldest daughter, exchanging a kiss with a big smile on his face. I could tell that it had been a while since they had seen each other, because they were hugging for such a long time. Perhaps the time apart will prove to have had done some good. A woman sitting next to him in the booth with shoulder length dark hair, minimalistic makeup, and a green wraparound dress stood up and extended her hand out to me.
"Hi, I'm Lilly Caul-Blake. It's nice to meet you."
"Hi, you too." I smiled, shaking her hand.
Phillip and Melody separated from the hug, looking over at us.
"Oh, sorry. Daddy, Lilly," She giggled as she grabbed my hand and smiled up at me. "I'd like you to meet somebody very special to me. This is my boyfriend, Gareth Mandel."
The Governor stuck his hand out with a smile on his face that seemed sincere enough. "Gareth, we finally meet." Even though I thought Melody looked a lot like Charlotte, I could also see where she looked like her father around the eyes and smile.
"It's an honor, sir."
"Please, call me Phillip, but I appreciate the manners."
As we sat down, Melody's smile disappeared. "This table is only for four, shouldn't it be for six? Dad, where are the girls?"
"They're with Eliza and Louis."
"Why? You knew I wanted to see them. I haven't seen them all year!"
"They were busy. You'll see them for Christmas Eve, if you decide to show up this year."
"But, Daddy-"
"Melody." Phillip gave her a stern look, which made her heavily sigh as well as stop talking, but I could tell that she hadn't wanted to drop the topic so abruptly.
Lilly cleared her throat. "We just really wanted to meet Gareth and figured it would be less overwhelming this way. It would be boring for them with only adults."
"I see the point. Besides, sweetheart, they probably won't understand what's going on when your dad starts to drill me. Am I right, Governator?" I chuckled, wrapping my arm around Melody, snapping my fingers and pointing at him with my free hand. My attempt at humor turned to embarrassment when all I got in return from Phillip and Lilly were blank, unamused stares.
"So, Gareth, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself? It's important that I know everything there is about the young man romancing my little girl."
Lilly elbowed him with a smirk. "Phillip, she's not so little anymore."
"In a few hours, I'll be 21!"
"Ah, how could I forget? Rudy!" He snapped his fingers, raising his hand up and motioning the waiter over before turning back to Melody. "What are you drinking, hun?"
"Uh, are you sure? I don't think they'll serve me yet."
"Oh, Melody, there you go again with the fear and excuses. I'm California Governor, they'll make an exception. Now, what are you drinking?"
With a heavy sigh, she shook off the dread. "Cosmopolitan. I finally know what it feels like to be Carrie Bradshaw!" Melody giggled, which made me smile, but Phillip was once again unamused.
"No, it's too strong. She'll have a green apple martini, I'll have a bitters and tonics. What about you, Lilly, Gareth?"
"Chateau Margaux, please."
I suddenly felt pressured on what to order. "Uh, I'll just have an iced tea, thanks. I don't like to drink when I drive."
Phillip nodded. "Responsible, I like that. That's ok, son, order a cold one. By the time we leave, it will be out of your system." He smiled, which eased the tension some.
"Alright. I'll have a Stella Artois."
After we gave our food orders, it was back to the interrogation. "So, Gareth, you were saying?"
"Well, I'm originally from San Francisco, graduated from Academy of Art last year and started working for Woodbury not too long after that."
He nodded, sipping his bitters and tonics. "Ahh, yes. Rick has told me all about your triumphs in the business. I must say, they're quite impressive. Even we couldn't get Disney and I have twice the experience as you do."
"Thanks, I like to think my success is attributed from more than luck and moxie, though. Rick really is a fantastic mentor. You left Woodbury in excellent hands, sir."
"Such an accomplished young man like yourself probably has women left and right throwing themselves at you. I'm curious, what is it that you want with my daughter? If you're trying to take over Woodbury, you're barking up the wrong tree. With your drive and charm, I bet you'll be running the place when Rick and Shane retire. Melody has zero ownership. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. She'd probably drive it into the ground."
I happened to know that this wasn't true. It had slipped out in conversation one day that if anything were to ever happen to either Rick or Shane that Melody would take over Woodbury and later on bring Carl in when he was an adult.
"Well, Melody's very intelligent and creative, "running it into the ground" might be exaggerating a little. Have you seen her makeup work or read her stories? With all due respect, sir, at twenty years old I think she's perfectly capable of figuring out what she wants."
"Phillip or Governor, I insist. I haven't seen her work, but I've known my daughter for twenty-one years. I've only known you for twenty one minutes, so I really have no idea what you're all about."
"I can tell you with the utmost confidence that you have nothing to worry about with me." I grabbed Melody's hand and smiled before facing Phillip again, my heart pounding what felt like a hundred beats per second. "I love your daughter dearly, she'd never want for anything with me. I'm going to marry her someday."
"See, that's the problem right there, Gareth. You want to take care of her, give her a happily ever after fairytale ending, but that's not how the real world works, son. Melody can't stand on her own two feet, she doesn't know how to take care of herself. She's always looking for an easy way out and thinks she can get by on nepotism, she wouldn't know the definition of a hard day's work if it knocked her on her ass."
MELODY
"You'll have to excuse my father, he lives by the Gordon Gekko policy of "Greed is good"." I nervously laughed, shooting my dad a glare. This was a terrible idea, WHY had I agreed to this?! As per usual, he was being a condescending asshole and I was mortified.
"I do understand what it's like, Phillip. I have a daughter myself."
The minute the words came out of Gareth's mouth I wanted to cringe. In all my fretting, I had never discussed with him NOT to bring up Autumn Montana, but shouldn't he have known better already?
My dad and Lilly looked at each other before he shot Gareth a bemused smirk.
"You have a daughter?" She asked.
He nodded. "Yes, I do. Her name is Autumn Montana and she's three years old. When she starts dating in what I hope is after college, I'll probably be interrogating her suitors just like you are with me, but in a more subtle way."
"She's absolutely adorable, Daddy. Autumn Montana is a very sweet and smart little girl, I love her just as much as I love Gareth."
"Melody, you are nowhere near ready to be a mother, stepmother, any kind of mother. Not right now. You couldn't even make an engagement last longer than six months."
"Has it occurred to you that it takes two to tango? Our breakup was totally mutual. I am sick of you blaming me for this." Ever since Ben and I called off our engagement, you'd think that I started DEFCON 1 or something, he was that infuriated with me. As far as Allan and Donna went, I have no idea because I haven't spoken to them in quite some time.
"That's not what Donna said. She said that you broke the poor boy's heart."
"She's a liar. Did she tell you how Ben couldn't get it up? Maybe she didn't, I wouldn't be bragging about my son's premature ejaculation problem, either. Sheesh, all the Viagra, Cialis and naked chicks in the world couldn't get him hard. Maybe he's gay."
"Melody Jasmine! How could you say such a thing?"
I stifled a laugh, knowing I probably shouldn't have gone this route, but I didn't care and I was becoming agitated. "I'm sorry, it's the truth, and you're the reason to blame for a lot of my issues."
Dad threw his hand up in disgust, a sarcastic smile on his face. "There you go again, blaming everybody else and not taking any responsibility."
"And there you go again being in denial. Our relationship is one of the most tumultuous I've ever had. Don't you think I'd be a lot happier had you not left me and Mom or if you were a little more accepting? Do you think I'm happy that I barely get to see my little sisters? For twelve years you had your brand new family and completely left me out! I guess I just really want to know why I wasn't good enough for you? I mean, I have practically turned myself into a three ring circus show and you still ignore me." My eyes were threatening to tear up, but I couldn't let him see me cry. Crying was a sign of weakness in his mind, and I was not about to let him emerge victorious.
"Melody, don't try to pull some bull crap on me and act like we both don't know what exactly you put in your college admissions essay. How else do you think you got into four Ivy League schools?"
I shook my head. "That's not true, I made honors my senior year and did well at Moorpark. Besides, it's not like I said something everybody didn't already know, that you could care less about me. I don't need this from you, Daddy. It's my birthday dinner, and not only are you embarrassing me enough in front of my boyfriend, you're also making yourself look like an arrogant jerk."
I happened to glance over at Lilly, who couldn't even look me in the eye. She was ashamed, ashamed because she knew she should speak up but was afraid of how my father would react, and she has to be subservient in order to secure her meal ticket, right?
"Phillip, she's right. Why don't we change the topic and enjoy our food?"
Dad completely ignored her and kept talking to me. "I'm really at my wit's end here, I've tried everything. Tony looked right at you at the seminar-
I groaned, gripping my hair. "Jesus, do we have to bring that up again?! Daddy, please!"
"He looked right at you and it didn't change a damn thing! Look at you, your life is a mess! You threw away a perfectly good engagement to run off with this one over here," He nodded over at Gareth, who I looked at in complete mortification. "Mr. Single Dad. You've yet to decide what you want to do with your life, and I don't think the people you're surrounded by are much of an influence, either. What's this I'm hearing from Abraham and Eugene that you're hanging out with Rosita Espinoza? Do you have a selective memory and not remember what she did? Why can't you be more like your sisters, Melody? Penny is already taking SAT Prep, Meghan has been considered for early acceptance into Julliard, the youngest of her class, and what's big sister's claim to fame besides mooching off of me? Oh, right, you draw on people's faces. How could I forget?"
"I know what she did and she's not entirely to blame. Your good friend Martinez is, also, or are you the one with the selective memory? Rosita has been a good friend to me despite all that, she actually cares unlike some people, i.e. my own blood. You're making me out to be much bigger of a failure than I am and don't be so ignorant. Makeup is so much more than drawing on faces, it's about creating a character, an identity completely different from one's own self."
Lilly cleared her throat. "Melody, what your father is trying to say- and I don't necessarily agree with this- is that he's not proud of you because you have yet to accomplish anything. Honestly, I'm not even sure if the seminar worked, either. It was obviously a distressing time, but you chose to concentrate on only that boy."
I was on the verge of explosion, this dinner was a big mistake, because all my dad saw was how I wasn't what he tried to force upon me, and it was obvious Lilly was going to side with him no matter what he said.
"Hmm, maybe because I was traumatized, can you blame me? I'm not the same person I was when Aiden died. Yeah, his name is Aiden, not "that boy". I was in a really dark period following his murder and losing the house and all our money, I was really angry at you and Mom for a very long time. There were times I'd lie awake at night thinking of all the ways I could kill myself, but I knew I couldn't because it wasn't how my story was meant to end. As far as not accomplishing anything, you're wrong and I'm not dead, there's still time. I've pulled my head out of my ass and undergone a drastic metamorphosis. I started doing more makeup work so I could make my own money, I've been applying for schools, you haven't even noticed that I've lost almost thirty pounds, and for once in my life I'm in a stable relationship with a man. I am my own person, not who you tried to make me, Dad. I'm sorry that I'll always stand out, but I'm your daughter and you need to accept me for who I am. I know you had your heart set on me ending up with Ben, but it's not going to happen and whatever you say about Gareth, you're saying about me, too."
I grabbed Gareth's hand before glaring down my father, unafraid of his words and refusing to let them hurt me any longer. Everything I said was true, I had changed for the better and was pursuing my future, I wasn't hiding behind the shadows and away from the world.
Dad then diverted his attention to Gareth. "Tell me something, Gareth. Would you walk on burning hot coals to overcome your fears?"
It seemed that my profound declaration went right over my father's head. I could tell Gareth was caught a little off-guard and perhaps he was nervous, I just hoped this wouldn't get any worse.
GARETH
This dinner was becoming more intense by the minute, much more than I had originally anticipated. Apparently I was wrong for thinking that time could mend the wounds, it had only pent things up further.
"Well, no, I wouldn't, but I respect anybody's decision to do it. Melody and I went sky-diving and bungee jumping a couple months ago, along with hiking Spahn Ranch, a.k.a. "Manson Ranch". I think that definitely ranks up there with conquering fears. May I interject though, Phillip?"
He hesitated before nodding. "Go ahead."
I cleared my throat, trying to brush off the increasing nerves. This was the first time I had dealt with somebody as intimidating as Phillip, no wonder he is our current governor, he's very tenacious. "I know that I'm probably not the most ideal candidate to date your daughter. I don't come from a wealthy or powerful family, my dad left when I was child, I have two lesbian mothers and a daughter out of wedlock, play video games on a headset and read comic books, not to mention a brother who says whatever perverted thing pops up into his head and a sister who worships Wes Craven, but who you're with right now is the real me. I like to think that I'm sincere and loyal with everything I do, whether it's being a hard worker, good father, or great boyfriend, I put everything into it. I can tell you that at the beginning of the year, I wasn't in a very positive place. Some things happened that kind of threw me in a devastating loop, but once I met Melody, everything changed. We've both come such a long way these past few months. I can sit here and say without a doubt that I think your daughter is a real gem, she's one of the most loving and generous people I've ever met. Some days, I can't believe my luck that such a beautiful girl like Melody would even give a nerd like me the time of day." I gripped Melody's hand. She was my girl and I would always take a stand for her.
"Happy Happy Birthday, from all us to you, happy happy birthday, we hope your wish come true! Hey!"
The waiter and two other waitresses set down a single slice of chocolate cake with a lit birthday candle in front of Melody, who had burst into a fit of laughter, her face bright red.
"Thank you, Governor, come again." Rudy bowed before setting the check down on the table and walking off. Phillip reached to grab for it, but I was quicker.
"Here, let me get this one." I said, reaching for my wallet.
"No, allow me."
"I insist." I smiled, putting my Black American Express card in the folder, I could tell he and Lilly were impressed. Once my student loans were paid off and my credit was at a great score, the first thing I did was apply for the card, which had been something I always wanted, and quite frankly I felt that I earned it. "You can owe me one for the wedding. Melody said something about Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano, the Province of Rome. It's where Martin Scorsese and Isabella Rosellini got married. Better save up those tax dollars, Governor."
Phillip and Lilly stared dumbfounded at us as I joined Melody in the laughter. It was so great that she was laughing when she was so sad only moments before.
"Well, you've certainly proved your worth, haven't you, Gareth?"
I nodded in agreement. "Yes. Yes, I have."
TEN MINUTES LATER
"Bye, guys, I'll see you on Christmas Eve!" Melody waved good-bye as I pulled away from the valet and out of The Grove before looking back over at me. "So what did you think?"
I heavily exhaled, finally feeling like I could relax. "I can speak freely, right?"
"Of course."
"Your father is something else, that's all I can say. I swear, the whole time he talked I kept hearing this eerie music in my head."
She laughed, resting her head on my shoulder. "See? I told you he was a jackass. You're lucky that you don't have a father."
"As much as you're not going to like what I'm about to say, I can tell Phillip cares about you, he just has a very odd and selfish way of showing it. Maybe one day things will change, I hope so."
Unfortunately, the ball was now in Phillip's court, so who knew if their relationship would ever improve? He's very stubborn and narrow-minded, it was certainly going to be a challenge. Although, by the end of dinner he had finally loosened up some, he even invited us the Red Cross Ball in mid-January.
"I don't know, I don't even know if any of what I said resonated with him. My dad is so damn adamant about things being his way and nobody else's. I mean, when he put you down about being a single dad, that was so dumb! What's so funny about being a single parent? He's just an arrogant prick, Gare. I'm sorry you had to deal with that."
"Hey, what are you apologizing for?" I squeezed her shoulder. "In an odd way, I actually think he liked me. At least he knows I'm not some loser mooching off of you. He's not the one I'm dating, you are, and it was wonderful how you stood up for yourself back there. I'm really proud of you, babe. I think I know exactly what will cheer you up." I smiled to myself, knowing exactly what I was going to do…
Three And A Half Hours Later
MELODY
"Mmm AHHH! Oh, my gosh!" I threw my head back against the pillows, panting heavily, gripping the sheets as my whole body quaked with lust and wanton over this unbelievable rush.
Gareth popped his head out from underneath the sheets and crawled up, smiling down on me.
"How are you feeling now?"
I knew my face was flushed staring up at him, my brain was in an erotic fog, too tongue-tied to even form a sentence.
"Wow, I can't even talk. Two hours?! Gareth, you're so amazing, in more ways than one." After gabbing with Rick and Lori over the evening, Gareth and I retreated to the bedroom. He was right, I was definitely more relaxed now.
He smirked before placing a kiss on my cheek and laying down, pulling me against his chest. "What can I say? You're too delicious to pass up. I'm glad you're feeling better though."
Gareth glanced over at my alarm clock. "It's midnight. Happy birthday, pretty girl."
"Thanks." I was hoping that he didn't hear the crack in my voice when I replied, but he had.
"Melody, what's wrong?"
I couldn't look at him as my tears flowed, having tried so hard not to cry. "Nothing, forget about it."
"Hey." He rolled me over so our eyes could meet. "Don't say nothing or to forget about it, it's obviously something if you're crying. Come on, tell me."
I took a shaky breath, knowing I could tell him anything, even when I thought I couldn't tell a soul. "My dad really does favor my sisters. He's not like that with them, the way he is with me. All the abuse and fights, they'll never have to grow up with him the way that I did, they're unscathed while I'm covered in battle scars." Sometimes I really was jealous of Penny and Meghan, how they were granted the luck of not knowing what it was like when Phillip Blake got truly angry, the fits he would throw that would escalate to things imaginably worse. Why was it so different with my mom and me? We didn't do anything wrong and he took it out on us, yet he treats them with actual respect and love. It didn't matter who I am or what I was, I don't think my dad would ever love me flaws and all.
"Melody." Gareth cupped my cheek, cradling me in his arms. "You really are stronger because of it, and who knows what he's like with them? All you have to know is that you will never, ever go through anything like that again. I promise." He kissed my tears away before his lips found mine, his hands removing whatever clothing we had left on as he proceeded to make love to me.
As I held onto him, I believed his words. Who knows what the future held with my dad, all I knew was that I didn't have to worry about dealing with the inane antics of dating, because I had found my beloved in Gareth and I was finally home. He was my home, he is my home.
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Stubborn Love- A Modern/AU Walking Dead Story