While Ben hadn't forgiven her, his comforting gesture had to be a step in that direction. Melody knew there was little chance he would ever fully forgive her for tearing away his freedoms (just as she would never have truly moved past her father's riddance of her). Still, to be wrapped in his arms however temporarily was a lifeline she would cling to indefinitely. It was a shining beacon of light on an otherwise perilous sea.

She remained stiff against him for all of ten seconds before the already leaking dam fully burst. Tears formed rivers as they poured from her eyes. There was still much to settle and the likelihood that anything was changed was virtually nonexistent, but at least for this moment they weren't at such odds with one another. For a moment, Melody's mind wasn't racing with the possibility of a pregnancy and how to share such news with him. For a moment, she hadn't betrayed him in one of the worst ways possible. For a moment...for a moment, she felt loved.

Then, as quickly as it began the moment ended. Reality came rushing back like a cruel wave of truth. "Thank you." Melody mumbled uncomfortably as she wiped at her face. Returning to the card game now was distinctly unappealing. "Do you mind if we call it for tonight?" She asked, though before he could give a response Melody was rising from the table to excuse herself.