When Love and Passion Collide

by Alean

September 25, 1995

The noise level was nearly deafening every time a big star stepped on the red carpet that night. Frances Coppola endured it, never the less, as he studied each actor that went by. "Excuse me Mr. Coppola. But your wife is concerned about you," His secretary said.

He waved his hand. "Tell her I'm busy." He didn't notice the dismayed look she gave him before she walked away.

An hour later…he was still at it. Muttering to himself. He looked at his watch. He would have to give up this stupid idea pretty soon.

Frances Ford Coppola jumped when a girl standing beside him screeched. "Look there's Melanie Griffith!" She said to her friend. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Taking an interest in this, Frances acted as if her question were directed to him. "Hum..." he thought. Melanie stopped and talked to anyone who showed interest in her. And there were a lot of them, he noted. He liked the way people reacted to her and the way she interacted with them. She was proud, and professional. More importantly, she looked stunningly sexy in that red dress. Perfect!

With that decided, now all he needed was the Perfect mate. A guy who women really went for. Someone who… Hmm...His eyes shifted. The girl next to him was looking at him. He smiled at her sheepishly. Geez was this girl perceptive or what? Well okay, young lady, he thought...you showed me Melanie, now you show me Mr. Right.

Fifteen minutes later, poor Melanie still stood in the same spot. She was going to miss the award show at this rate. Another car pulled up and Frances saw five people got out. He didn't recognize any of them. He didn't think much of it, until his pawn beside him screeched again.

"Oh my God, Kristin, do you know who that is?" She said pointing at a handsome man in the group.

"No but he sure is dreamy," Her friend said.

"That's the guy that played in that Spanish movie. Oh…what was it? Oh yeah… Tie Me Up Tie Me Down."

"Oh my God, Oh my God! That is him!"

She tapped at her head repeatedly. "Oh… what was him name? I should know it."

Coppola frowned at her. Come on missy, what is it?

Suddenly she blurted out. "Banderas. Antonio Banderas!"

She said it so loudly that Antonio heard her and he looked at her stunned. "Me?" he said.

"Oh yes, yes." She bounced up and down. "Can we have your autograph please?"

"Sure," he said.

Coppola backed up then. The young man probably wouldn't recognize him but he didn't want to take any chances. Next thing he knew a swarm of females came out of nowhere and gathered around this Banderas fellow. Good God, you'd think Elvis had just entered the room.

Melanie Griffith was just on the other side of the carpet and apparently the commotion got her attention because she turned to see what all the fuss was about. She was holding a fan's signature book and the blond girl tapped Melanie to get her attention back. Melanie seemed embarrassed and went back to work. Frances had seen sparks of attraction in many actor's eyes before but what he saw just now from Melanie was a major. Delighted, the famous director snapped his fingers, and went off to appease his wife.

***

Eight months and one romantic Coppola movie later…

Antonio Banderas sat in the dimly lit room thinking. He and Melanie had really hit off. In fact, when they said goodbye the look on Melanie's face had clearly said this is not over. And he had to agree on that point. But she was married and so was he. As he thought about this dilemma, his phone rang. He sighed pushing back his hair, and decided not to answer it. Too many times he hoped it would be Melanie, and it never was. He didn't think he could handle that disappointment right now. After the fifth annoying ring, the call was transferred to his voice mail, and he frowned. Not answering his phone was a dumb thing to do, considering it was probably his wife and now she'd have the whole of Spain searching for him. He should just get up, go home, and stop brooding like this. He didn't know why he decided to come to this hellhole and hide out anyway.

Antonio tossed his phone on the coffee table; he'd call his wife Nicky later. He didn't want to go home. Heck, she was probably glad he was gone. He had grown so far apart from her. An actor's life was just not good for marriage. Certainly not for his anyway. But Melanie and her husband were both actors. At least they had that in common. Sure, it was rumored that Melanie and Don Johnson did not get along well. But he couldn't bring himself to interfere with that.

Antonio sat up and swore in Spanish, he didn't like thinking about Don Johnson…damn him and damn his stupid morals too.

Well crap, he owed it to Nicky not to make her worry. So he snatched up his phone, flipped it open, dialed his voice mail, and got the surprise of his life! His world shifted the minute he heard Melanie's voice.

"Hi Antonio, this is Melanie. God, it seems like forever since I saw you. I was hoping to talk to you. Actually, I was hoping we could get together. Well when you get this message, give me a call. My number is 213-233-3948. Bye."

Antonio pressed the nine key to replay the message. He was grinning from ear to ear as he quickly jotted down the number and dialed it.

One ring and he heard that same sexy voice say. "Hello?"

"Melanie, Hi!"

"Antonio! I'm so glad you called. How are you?"

"Um…I'm okay." Well he was now anyway.

"Hey, I heard you're doing a commercial for Remington soon."

"Yeah, I am coming to LA in two weeks."

"That's what I heard. I was hopping we could get together with you and Nicky.

"Sure but Nicky is not coming."

"Oh…Things still aren't going well I take it."

"She finds better things to do," he told her.

"I'm sorry to hear that. But I'd still like us to get together."

Antonio chuckled. "I would like that too…"

"Great. I wish I could talk to you longer but my mom just called a minute ago and asked me to meet her for lunch. But it was good to hear your voice, Antonio. I've really missed your cute accent. Give me a call when you're in town, ok?"

More than anything, he wanted to say…he missed her too. But he didn't. "I will," he said.

"I'll see you soon then. Bye bye…"

"Bye-bye…" He hung-up and then muttered, "Not soon enough, Beautiful Melanie."

He couldn't believe she called him; he sat there in stunned silence for a long time. Smiling. He wondered if she knew he was thinking about her. His mind replayed the whole conversation. Then he screwed up his face, when he remembered she was married. And he realized…this get together would go nowhere. What the hell was he thinking?

What was he thinking? He was thinking he couldn't get out of Spain fast enough. He was thinking he couldn't get close to Melanie fast enough - that's what he was thinking. He hopped to his feet, grabbed his hat and sunglasses, and headed for home. He was going to America!

*** Two days later Antonio Banderas was in LA…camped out a mere two miles from Melanie Griffith Johnson.

He checked into his hotel at noon and for the past two hours - he'd been pacing around the room. He wasn't supposed to be here for another week and a half. Would that matter? Christ, he didn't want to fuck this up. He needed to get a grip. Finally, he called her at three o'clock.

"Hola, Melanie."

"Antonio, hi! Hold on a minute and let me pull over."

At first, he wasn't sure what she said but then he heard traffic in the background. And he knew Melanie wasn't the best driver in the world.

"Get the hell out of the way, you idiot!" she said.

And he panicked. "Take your time…Melanie don't rush!... I - I - I - I mean… don't crash."

"Oh people in LA drive like idiots, Antonio…Ok what's up?" she said.

"Are you stopped now…?"

"Yeah its okay, I didn't crash."

Antonio sat down then, "um…I was thinking…I will be busy when I had planned to come here - I mean there - I mean to LA." Christ, he was blowing it, he thought as he paused. Damn, he hadn't planned on what to say, and in his hesitation, Melanie reacted to what he said.

"Oooooh…" she groaned disappointedly, thinking he was blowing her off.

"No - no, I am here now. I came early. And...emm, I have nothing to do."

"Oh…This is so exciting, Antonio." She came back. "Can we get together tomorrow night?"

Tomorrow night? Tonight would be better, no preferably right now, he thought, but he tried hard to make himself sound happy. "Sure, what time?"

"Is seven o'clock okay?"

He didn't try hard enough…Antonio's disappointment slipped out when he said. "Seven sure ok…yeah um, manana."

"Ohhh… I'm sorry Antonio, I'd make it sooner but I have kids and I have to see to them first. I'll have the sitter stay all night."

All night? He smiled at that. "No - no that's okay. Tomorrow is okay."

"What do you want to do?" she asked.

"Doesn't matter to me. What do you want to do?"

"We could go to dinner. And decide the rest later," she offered.

"Okay. Maybe… we could go dancing…?" Now why in the hell did he say that?

"Dancing that would be fun. You remember where Mecca is?"

"Yes…By the beach."

"Let's meet there."

"Okay at seven o'clock…I'll be there," he said.

Antonio fell back in his seat after they hung-up. Dancing…man that was a dangerous suggestion. The only reason he said it was he wanted a reason to touch her again. He should have just told her he wanted to see her alone. "Stupido," he muttered. Don Johnson would likely kill him before the night was over. He wished Nicky were here to stop him from doing something foolish.

Nicky…ahh hell! He had dashed out of there like a wild man, when what he really needed to do was sit down and talk to her. Well, now was a good a time as any he decided.

*** Looking out the kitchen window, Nicky jumped when a handsome man popped up out of the bushes. He laughed and waved at her and she waved back. He was such a nut she thought as she went back to washing the dishes. A few minutes later, the phone rang. She dried her hands on a towel and moved closer to the phone, in-between the recorders greeting she heard a familiar voice say, "It's me."

A half a second later Nicky picked up. "Antonio? Is everything okay? I wasn't expecting you to call so soon."

"I wish you were here…" he said, then groaned.

"Oh, Antonio..." she shot back. "You do not! Why did you really call?"

"I know about Jose."

"Oh…" was all she said at first. "I thought you might. I just a…I just…"

"It's ok Nicky. I know I haven't been much of a husband to you lately." He got a lump in his throat then. He used to be very in love with Nicky. There was a time when he would have torn Jose apart. But lately…well now he was grateful for Jose's distraction.

"Antonio listen to me…I love you…I will always love you…if you want me, I'm here. But all that matters to me is that you're happy…really. If that doesn't include me…well, you told me this could happen. I'm okay. But I'm worried about you…are you okay?"

Was he okay? Was he happy? "I don't know Nicky…," he moaned.

"Have you seen her yet?"

Instantly he wanted to deny what she was implying. But he didn't. "She's married, Nicky."

Geez…the man had no idea how handsome and alluring he was. "I doubt if that will be a problem, Antonio," Nicky laughed. When he said nothing, she sighed. "Listen…I talked to Joe earlier. Joe Dashin, your old school pal. I'm sure you still have his number. He knows you're out there. Why don't you call him? He'll cheer you up. You call me in a few days, okay?"

"I will. Take care, Nicky. Bye."

She was right, Joe would cheer him up. So he called him.

Boy the smog here was the worst, and the traffic was ridiculous. Everywhere you look there were people talking on their cell phones. Antonio looked at the paper in his hand again. Well at least Joe's instructions were great, he got there without any problems.

When his friend opened his door, he sucked in his breath, "Holy crap, you are gloomy." Waving him in, Joe chuckled. "Melanie Griffith really got to you, eh?"

"Nicky told you that?"

"We talked to her for a long time, Antonio." Joe said.

Antonio sat down on the sofa and Joe sat in a chair across from him. "Well, just wait until you see the movie."

"Ultimate Passion…yeah… must be an appropriate name for it. When is it coming out?"

"Maybe…six months."

"Pretty hot, I take it."

"Yeah, a scorcher, if the editors don't fuck it up."

"No doubt it will explain a lot." Joe said then went on in a more cheerful tone. "So… you'll be seeing Melanie Griffith tomorrow night, then?"

Antonio's arm flopped open and he grumbled. "Yeah her and Don Johnson."

The frown that came on Joe's face was instantaneous. "Wait a minute…" he said. "You don't have that quite right. Do you?"

At this point Joe's guest had gone off in his own thoughts and wasn't listening. "Lo siento. Que?" Antonio's eyebrows knit together. "I mean sorry… what?"

"I'm pretty sure Don is out of town. All this month, in fact."

The Spanish actor frowned. "No, she said he would…," he started to say then abruptly stopped. Now that he thought about it, Melanie never actually said Don would be there.

Seeing his friend's confusion, Joe jumped to his feet and said over his shoulder. "I can find out easily enough. I happen to be good friends with Don's manager." Flipping through his list of numbers, he pressed two keys on his phone.

"You have this guys' phone number?" Antonio said.

Holding up his hand, Joe nodded. "Hey, Nancy it's Joseph, is Martin in? Oh, when do you expect him back? I see...would you have him call me at home when he comes in? Yeah thanks, Nancy…bye."

Suddenly, Melanie Griffith's on screen lover got up and turned toward the window. Next thing he knew Joe was handing him a drink. "Ohh, gracias…Joseph?" he questioned.

"Oh that...Nancy likes calling me Joseph. Everyone else still calls me Joe."

Antonio nodded then glanced away. Joe rested his hand on his friends shoulder then. "Relax man…Martin just went to the store. Nancy told me he should be back in ten minutes."

That wasn't the problem however. "Joe," he said focusing on his drink, "we have been friends since we were children, we both know you have a phenomenal memory." With that, Antonio downed his drink it in one gulp.

"'Nother drink?" Joe offered.

"Please." Antonio handed him his glass.

A couple minutes later, the phone rang. "That's Martin." Joe dashed back to the bar to answer it. "Hello? Hey, Martin my man. I got a question for you. A buddy of mine says he saw Don Johnson at Mecca tonight. I told him he was mistaken but he insisted. He even bet me a hundred bucks he was right. Looks like you're the one to decide the winner. Uh huh…he is…" Joe gave Antonio an enthusiastic thumbs up. "That's what I thought, yeah all month I remember…well, thanks for settling the debate. I'm off to collect."

Antonio couldn't have wiped the smile from his face even if he had tried. So he didn't try.

Seems his friend couldn't wipe the grin from his face either, Joe laughed. "My guess is Melanie Griffith is feeling pretty much the same way you are." And judging by the look on his friend's face that was pretty hot…he thought to himself. Chuckling he said. "Now that you're feeling better, how about we head down to Grasies and do some serious celebrating."

"Grasies?"

"Yeah, it's like a sports bar… they have every game you can imagine."

"Bueno," Antonio said.

"I'll go get my jacket…and a…I need to make one quick call before we go," Joe muttered.

"To Nicky..." Antonio figured. It wasn't a question.

"That's right…I promised her I'd call if I heard from you."

"She has boyfriend," Antonio said without much concern.

"I know…" Joe said as he left the room.

Antonio stared off into nowhere. Why hadn't Melanie told him her husband wouldn't be there? He didn't know, but one thing was for certain. "You're playing with fire Melanie Griffith Johnson." He thought to himself.

Feeling frightfully happy, Antonio Banderas didn't get back to his room until three in the morning. He flopped down on the bed and slept like the dead for a good eight hours. When he woke up, he tracked down the famous Sandy Matters and spent a good eight hours with her. When he got back, he looked and smelled like the remarkably handsome man he was. He glanced at his watch. Thirty minutes to go. He went for a walk around the building.

***

The minute he saw her he knew he was doomed. He was half way across the parking lot on his way to the restaurant when he heard her call his name. "Antonio."

He spun around on the toe of one foot and there she was in the distance. ALONE! He went to her instantly. "Melanie." He said hugging her. As he did, his palm slid down her arm. He took her hand and stepped back.

"God, I missed you Antonio."

"Where is your husband?" he asked.

She looked off then. "He isn't coming. I never meant for him to come. Are you mad at me?"

He swung her arm and waited for her to look at him. "M..a..d? No, I'm not mad." he said.

"I'm sorry I was afraid if I told you that you wouldn't come."

He gave her a dubious look... Then proceeded to say something very explicit in Spanish.

Her eyes grew and by the time he finished she was gapping. "God…What did you just say?"

He winked at her and said. "I tell you this later…eh?"

"God Antonio, the way you look at me. You make me want you. It feels so real. Am I wrong?"

"No - You aren't wrong. I am very happy you called." With that, he reached up and slid his hand into her hair. Then he rubbed the back of her neck with his thumb.

An "Oh God..." slipped from her lips.

"Yes Melanie...oh God," he echoed back pulling her toward him.

Suddenly she remembered they were standing in the parking lot. "Wait, not here!" She panicked.

He looked at her for a moment more then let go. He pulled something out of his pocket then and handed it to her. "Room 24 if you want me for real, Melanie. Or we can go to dinner as planned."

He had said this with enough heat to melt the polar ice caps and poor Melanie had to shake herself. She wasn't the slightest bit hungry now. She looked at the card in her hand. "The Strata hotel?" Her arm flopped down to her side. "You knew Don wasn't going to be here."

No, he shook his head. "I found out late last night by accident."

"But you were hoping this would happen?"

"Most definitely," he said.

She gave him a flirtatious smile then. And on that note, she turned in a ¾ circle and looked over her shoulder at him. Her beautiful eyes took him in from head to toe. "You are shockingly handsome tonight , Antonio Banderas. Room 24 - right now!" She laughed.

Jesus, that provocative giggle of hers was a powerful lure, he thought. "Bueno." He said. "I just need a couple of minutes."

Melanie got in her car and backed out, and he didn't move; he stood there watching her intently. She smiled and waved as she went by.

When she went out of view, he flew into the flower shop next door, then he dashed to his rented car. He partially skidded into the hotel parking lot. He shoved the flowers under his jacket and got out. He hopped up the curb and trotted to the door. She was watching him…he could feel it. But he didn't dare look around and be seen with her, so he went straight to his room. He went in, closed the door, and stood there with his hand on the doorknob, flowers clutched in the other.

A soft knock came only moments later. He didn't have to bother putting on his best smile since it was already plastered on his face.

He stood behind the door as he slowly opened it. He leaned over, peered around it, and winked at her. Then stepped back so she could enter. He closed the door and they just stood there looking at each other for a long moment, then he held out the pretty flowers.

Half laughing, she watched the pink petals vibrate madly as the flowers went from his hand, to hers. "God, look at us…we are both shaking! " she said.

"Never have I wanted anyone the way I want you!" Antonio was not laughing, nor was he smiling, he was deadly serious.

"God, Antonio…ever since I met you, I have wanted to know your passion. This - passion…that always burns so bright in you."

"Melanie," he whispered moving toward her.

He took the flowers from her and set them on the entry table beside him. He took her purse from her shoulder and dropped it on the floor. His open palm brushed unsteadily along the side of her face. Then he kissed her with something far more then passion. God the man could kiss, he tasted wonderful, and it felt so good in his arms.

He must have been thinking the same thing she was, he was breathing hard as they pulled apart a little bit. "Would I sound too theatrical if I said...never let me go?" Melanie moaned.

"No…not at all, because I won't…not ever." He whispered hotly against her lips.

More than two hours later…Antonio gave in, he was going over the edge, he was on top of her, moving inside her, looking in her eyes…chanting her name. "Melanie, Melan -…hoo! O santo dios! MELANIE!" He hissed then he shuddered, and collapsed. He wrapped his arms around her and said something sexy. Then he buried his face in her neck and whimpered cutely. "Stay here, don't go…Melanie."

"No, I won't go…Antonio." she whispered in his ear.

And at long last, he laughed. "Oh sweet senorita. Sweet, sweet Melanie."

He leaned up and kissed her and they both laughed. "I can not laugh and kiss at the same time." With that, he flopped back down. He hugged her to him and within a few minutes, they were both asleep.

It was no more than an hour later when the most beautiful Spanish man in the world woke. His eyelashes fluttered open and he focused on her. God she was beautiful…he could just lay here and look at her, forever. And that's what she saw when she stirred a half an hour later. "Hola." He said smiling at her.

"Hola," she giggled back.

He kissed her nose, he kissed her cheek, then her mouth. "More…Yes?"

"Oh, God...yes more Antonio." She shuddered with the thought of it.

Sometime later…Melanie was groaning as she fought to keep her head from banging against the headboard. He stopped just long enough to drag her back down to the middle of the bed. When she was near the wall again, she groaned aloud. "You feel so good." And she twisted her body up off the mattress in such an enticing way that it nearly blew his head off. She was driving him crazy. Antonio took a deep breath, rose up on his knees and pinned her back to the wall. He held her there, cradled in his arms, his muscles straining to hold her weight as he pushed into her more and more. "God, you too!" He said in a surge of breath.

Before long, he flopped over backwards, keeping her on top of him, he panted. "Show me, Melanie," as he tried to catch his breath beneath her. But…holy crap, she was good at this, she could move in ways he didn't think possible; if he thought he was going to get a break he was seriously mistaken. She had him moaning in no time and he couldn't take it, he was losing it fast, so he twisted and got on top of her. And when he did, he stopped and growled in her ear. Then in a low voice, he repeated what he had said to her in Spanish in the parking lot. Twice, slowly…and the gut wrenching deep tones held…and stuck like glue. Then one more time he hissed it quickly through his clinched teeth, as he moved faster inside her and she sucked in her breath, and he shouted, "GOD YES!" And she screamed, and her sound was driving him insane. He grabbed her, kissed her quickly, and screamed back at her.

"Oh…Oh…Oh…" He groaned collapsing with exhaustion. He twisted to his side taking her with him. He held her there as he fought to catch his breath. He held her and kissed her, half moaning. Hardly believing what had just happened. Oh sweet Jesus, she had passed out; thirty seconds later so did he.

At six in the morning, they were doing it again. Albeit a little more slowly this time, but never the less doing it. "Melanie I don't ever want to live without you." He murmured. And his words sunk deep, penetrating her right where they were joined and she moaned with it. She was still moaning when her phone rang.

"Oh-no. Oh God stop. Antonio, let me go, something has happened..." She was panicking, and it was so hard to pull away from him, and it took awhile, but the instant it began to sink in, he let go of her. Still not really understanding, her dismayed lover flinched like he was in pain when she broke free of him. "Que?" He asked, and she came back in an anguished tone. "Oh God something has happened!" She was digging frantically in her purse. "Antonio something has happened!" When his foggy brain finally cleared, he jumped from the bed and stood beside her. Her terror seeping into him big time.

"Jenny, it's me, what's wrong? Oh my God …Oh my God…I'll be right there!"

Not saying a word, Antonio moved quickly helping her find her clothes and get them on. Neither of them noticing that he was stark naked. She was nearly hysterical and he figured the best thing he could do right now was just be strong for her, so he didn't ask what happened. He didn't think he could take it. It was obviously bad. Tears were running down her face and he couldn't hold back his own as she ran to the door and threw it open. She stopped and turned. "Antonio, I'm so sorry." And her shoulders drooped at sight of him in tears.

His heart was breaking. "Me, too…Go…" He waved at her. Then she was gone. He went to the window and watched her come out the front entrance below. All he could think was she would get herself killed. He started to shout, "Slow down, Melanie!" but she would not hear him. He pressed his fist to his lips. It had all but killed him. He wished he could have gone with her, he wanted to help. But he didn't dare be seen with her. It would be far too obvious that they were much more then just friends. He looked at the flowers on the table and sadly thought, whatever happened probably wouldn't have happened if he had only left her alone.

He switched on the local news. If anything bad happened to anyone close to Melanie Griffith, the news would travel fast. He stayed right there hoping to hear nothing. But it came at noon. Melanie Griffith's son had fallen in a freak accident. He was in very serious condition.

He was in his room a week later waiting for Joe to call and fill him in on the kids' condition. He flipped through the news channels as he waited. His phone rang at noon finally.

"Hello?"

"Hey Antonio, sorry I'm late."

Joe's tone was lighthearted. "You have good news?" Antonio asked.

"Yes I do... Well I have good and bad news really. The good news is Melanie's kid is going to be OK. The doctors say it's going to take some time but he should make a full recovery."

Antonio's head fell back. "Ah bless you…Santa Maria," he murmured. "This is good news, thank you for telling me, Joe. But what's the bad news?"

His friend was quiet for a moment. "I really don't want to tell you this, my friend. Maybe it's not true. But rumor has it that the accident had brought Melanie and Don closer together. I'm sorry."

There was another long silence again then he said. "Well…it is as it should be. She should be with the father of her two children." And it was then he realized he loved her. It only mattered that she was happy and her world was OK. They both got what they wanted and now it was truly over.

So when the commercial shoot was done, Antonio packed up and went back to Spain. Back to Nicky.

*** One month later…

"I'm home," he said to his wife when he came in the front door. She seemed distracted as normal. He knew she hated it when he went off alone.

"Hi... um, your phone rang a lot today."

She was right, Melanie had called several times. Great. He sat down and braced himself to talk to her again. He needed to be OK with this. Yeah right, like that was ever going to happen. Well he needed her to think he was OK with this.

Her phone rang and rang. Great,now he'd have to leave a message. "Phone tag." He muttered sourly.

"Hello?"

Christ, it was Don Johnson!

And when there was no responds to his greeting, Don gritted testily. "If this is you, Banderas…don't fucking hang up…or she'll have a shit fit."

"This is Antonio," he said.

"I thought so," Don grumbled then shouted. "MELANIE! IT'S LOVER BOY!"

And that so-called lover boy's sight widened. "You know?"

"I know. And you had better talk to her or she'll have my ass."

Two seconds later Melanie was on the phone. "Oh Antonio I'm so sorry. Martin just told me he was relaying information about Bobby to his friend Joe."

"He wasn't suppose to tell you. I didn't want Don to find out," he grumbled.

"I am glad he found out, Antonio... and it was so sweet of you to ask. Bobby took his first steps today all by himself."

"Oh, this is good news. I'm so glad he is okay."

No sooner had he said this then he heard a little girl in the distance say…"Mommy, daddy come quick, he's walking again."

Melanie blurted. "Oh dear, I have to go, Antonio, I'm sorry."

"It's OK Melanie." He hoped she didn't notice his voice was shaking just then. This was likely the last time he'd ever talk to her.

As she hung-up, he heard Don yell. "WAIT MELANIE …DAMN IT, DON'T HANG UP! TELL HIM…" But she hung up.

Tell him what? Antonio wondered. He waited all evening for a call back, but it never came. Not until many days later.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Everything is fine except I miss you, Antonio."

Well whatever Don was talking about must not be important he thought. And it was time for him to do the right thing. "This is for the best Melanie. Your kids need their mom and dad you know. Promise me you try."

Later that night, Nicky said, "That was very hard for you, I can tell." And she hugged him.

*** Nearly two months had passed since he last saw her; and Antonio was wondering if he'd ever get over Melanie Griffith. He had been hiding away in his hellhole again. He just wanted to be alone; he didn't take his phone with him or anything. That wasn't very nice…so he went home to apologize to Nicky.

"Nicky, sweetie." He said when he walked in the door.

She popped out of the kitchen looking all flushed and said worriedly. "Don Johnson called a couple of times. He seems very angry. He left his private number. I think you better call him."

Now why in the world would Don want to talk to him? He'd left Melanie alone. He wasn't trying to take her away from Don and the kids. Maybe something had happened.

When he looked up, Nicky was holding the phone out to him. "It's ringing," she said.

He grabbed it and held it to his ear. "Hola, Don? Que pasa? I-I-I-I mean…what's wrong?"

"Well, you're a damned hard fellow to get a hold of," Don grouched.

"I was emm…gone for few days."

"Yeah, so your wifie told me. Hey look pal…we have a situation here."

"Situation? What situation?"

"My wife is pregnant!" There was a long silence. "It's not mine, pal," Don added, and his rival on the other end, suddenly felt dizzy.

Antonio sat down on the kitchen chair, and pushed his hair from his face. "You're sure?"

"She hasn't let me touch her in over eight months. So that must make it yours. Hell, I lost her the day she set her eyes on your sorry ass," he added.

Antonio felt awful. "No wonder you are grouchy."

"Aw hell…don't worry about me. I'm not exactly on the national unwanted list. But I can't compete with you. Anyway, the reason I called is Melanie thinks you - ah hell I don't know what she thinks."

"What should I do?"

"I don't know but you better get out here and cheer her up, so I don't have to come and kick your ass, pal. Good Luck…" With that, Don hung up.

Nicky was standing tensely behind him. "What's wrong Antonio? What happened?" she asked.

"Melanie is pregnant."

Her eyes grew. "Yours?" she gulped.

He nodded.

His wife looked like she had seen a ghost. She backed out of the kitchen, and ran out the front door.

He glanced over his shoulder and spat . "Fuck, Nicky, I'm sorry." A couple seconds later, he was wiping away tears with the butt of his hand. Well, that clinched it, his marriage was over. He got up and sighed. "Jose is better for you, sweetheart."

That was not the only shocking news Antonio got that day because an hour later Coppola's office called and asked him to do another movie.

***

Melanie walked in the door of her dry cleaners with an arm full of cloths. "Ms. Griffith…why the long face?" The Chinese man asked.

"Oh it's nothing, Ching."

"You want me to clean those clothes for you?"

"Oh, yeah please yes, sorry."

"Not to worry, Ms. Griffith. Ching do good job."

A few minutes later, she stuffed the claim check in her purse slinked out the door. She didn't notice the man watching her.

"Melanie."

She spun around. "Antonio!" And her blue eyes lit up.

And there he stood, the father of her unborn child, looking as handsome as ever. His soft brown hair was to his chin now, and it made him look so damn sexy.

"Is this an accident?" she asked.

He shook his head no. "Jenny told me you would be here."

He had been to her house!

"Room 24, is sure lonely without you," he told her.

"Go there and it won't be anymore," she said, and there was just a hint of worry in her normally confident tone.

Good, he thought.

The minute she walked in the room, she held up her hand. "Antonio, wait." She placed her palm on his chest, and stammered. "I…I…I…" Then she stopped and looked closer at him. "Shit, you already know."

He lifted her hand and kissed it. "I know about our baby…" he whispered.

He didn't say…'I know you are pregnant,' he didn't say…'I know about the baby.' No, in great Antonio Banderas fashion, he had said…'our baby'. And she wondered how anyone could not love this man.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

Melanie pulled away and crossed the room to the window on the other side. "The last time I talked to you, you broke up with me, Antonio. I wanted to tell you then. But I wanted more, you know? I should have told you I wasn't taking the pill and I was afraid you would think I tricked you. But I swear I never meant for this to happen. And on top of all that, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have your baby. Are you mad at me?"

"No, I'm not mad," he said and she jumped when she realized he stood right behind her. "I didn't do anything to prevent this either, Melanie. And maybe…and maybe in my heart, I wanted it."

"Did you really want this?" she asked.

He smiled and pulled her to him. "I want you. And the most beautiful girl in the world is having my baby…WOW!" He hugged her tight as he went on. "Coppola called me a few days ago Melanie; he wants me to star in his next movie with Tara Semperan. We start in two weeks. I'm going to Russia for four months."

Melanie tried to appear unaffected. "That's wonderful, Antonio."

"It's a romance, Melanie."

"What are you saying?"

"I don't know what I'm saying. This is all going so fast. All I know is, I want is to be with you. I'm in love with you Melanie Griffith Johnson."

Gloriously happy, Melanie's sight sparkled. "And I'm in love with you, Antonio Banderas. Hopelessly so."

And the two famous actors were inseparable for the next two weeks before he left. And for now managed to keep the affair from the media. Most of their time was spent in room 24 having head banging, heart pounding sex. They may have a whole boatload of obstacles to face, but damn the sex was a killer…

***

Antonio had only been in Russia for a little over a week when she called him and told him. "I filed for a divorce today."

"I feel terrible,Melanie. Your family must hate me. I'm a home wrecker of the worse kind."

"Don is just a big cheat Antonio. Besides what's that make me? What about Nicky?"

"She has a boyfriend, Melanie. She was seeing him long before I met you. She needs a stay at home kind of husband."

"Oh," she said.

"Listen, I'm trying to get a few days off sometime soon. Would you come? I'll pay for it."

"I'd love to come, Antonio."

There was a long silence, then…"So would I." He echoed with great seriousness, and she blushed hotly at his meaning.

Three long weeks later, he stood at the airport, impatiently waiting for her flight to come in. God, he was a mess. All the staging crews screw-ups prevented Coppola from allowing the Spanish actor the time off he wanted. He didn't say anything, but the director was damn glad Mrs. Griffith showed up to take care of his way too hot and bothered actor. Between thinking about Melanie and faking sex with Tara Semperan Antonio Banderas was…well he was sweating when she got there. When he saw her he glanced at her and grumbled, "I'll smile later I promise, come on."

A short while later Antonio pushed himself into modestly pregnant Melanie and came instantly and they both burst out laughing.

September 25, 1996

The next day…Antonio had to be on the set first thing in the morning. He told Melanie he would be taking her out to dinner at a very nice place. And taking him at his word, she looked like a million bucks when he came to fetch her. He felt like the luckiest man on the planet, he kept smiling at her the whole way to the restaurant. "Dinner won't take too awfully long, will it?" She asked blushing and the best he could do was groan.

Dinner didn't pass fast enough for either of them. Antonio was grateful when their host moved discretely into view and nodded.

Pushing his chair back, Antonio stood up and said to Melanie, "Come here." He took her hand and led her into the bar. The room was all decorated with pink and red streamers and hearts and there wasn't a single person there, except them. He swung her around in front of him and sat her down on a bench then got down on one knee in front of her. Melanie's hands went straight to her face and she started to cry.

"Don't cry, Melanie."

Melanie waved her hand and choked… "Please don't play attention to it."

He sighed and took her hand. "As you know, Nicky filed for divorce four months ago, it will be final in a couple weeks. She dumped me and for good reason. I'm a hard one to tie down. I can't promise to be there for you forever. And I am mortified that I am responsible for breaking up two marriages. But I am hopelessly in love with you. And I love the fact that you are having our baby. I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife more then I can believe. Knowing all this…Melanie…will you marry me when your divorce is final?"

"Oh Yes! Yes!" She cried throwing her arms around him and they were both smiling and laughing. He stood up and pulled her to her feet, and then he nodded to a man standing in the doorway. Two seconds later music started to play and her ridiculously good looking…far too sexy sounding…heart throbbingly passionate future husband Antonio Banderas, started to sing to her in Spanish.

And the rest is "how do you say?" history…still being written.