it was seven thirty when Melinda finally came down for breakfast. She looked tired and frazzled, two things she had become acquainted with during this time of year. Yes, indeed it was almost christmas, which meant more shopping and more customers... something she did enjoy doing... was shopping but, when it came to her store, she sometimes wished people would buy new things and be done with it.
Melinda solemnly stepped in the door. She felt a breeze go buy her and realized it was her energetic five year old, probably on some sort of sugar high. She knew that if Jim was home it was probably his fault. Although she loved him dearly, he was kind of a push over when it comes to, well... anything. I walked in the door praying that i could just relax and blow off some steam.
I had recently found out that I am expecting again... not to say that I'm not excited. This one just came as a little bit of a shock to us... I've kinda been working so hard that I really haven't had the time to breathe never mind shopping for the soon to be new member of our family. It doesn't matter because tomorrow I have another doctors appointment and I hope she doesn't comment on the fact that i've been stressed out of my mind and working way to hard... Especially since it is currently holiday shopping season.
"Hey Mel!, how was your day?" Jim pored me a cup of tea as I sat down at the kitchen.
"Well... long people seem to realize that it is only two days until christmas so... of course where do they go to to get a last minute christmas present... the antiques store.."
"I know honey... but don't worry It will die down... after this weekend it will all be over.
"I wish... but theres still two weeks until Christmas which means, a week and a half before I can finally relax.
Jim moved behind Melinda and started massaging her shoulders.
Mel tilted her head back and shut her eyes. "I love you...mmmmm thank you for the back rub I needed it"
Jim smiled at his loving wife and continued to rub her back.
"I know you've been stressed so..." Jim started massaging her back with his elbows.
"So how was your day with Aiden? I see you fed him sugar..." Mel uttered sounding a little tense.
"Well, it was interesting, we went to get him a new pair of skates, his old ones are too small for him. I wanted to get that out of the way before his tournament in a few weeks. Then we swung by the hospital to pick up some patient notes before Aid went to practise and I went to work for an hour. When I picked him up Ben's mum had invited him over, so at around three dropped Aid there and that is where he had all the sugar. Jane took Ben and him to the candy store for good behaviour while she was on a business call."
Mel inhaled sharply and exhaled letting the stress and gratifying events of the day leave with her exhale.
"Wow... you really are tired...aren't you?"
Melinda was soon asleep on the couch before Jim had the chance to give her any food. Instead of waking his wife who would be very angry at him for waking her from her slumber, Jim lifted her up and brought her too their room.
The next week Mel came down stairs feeling a little less run down then she had the prior few days she had come home. Today was her day off and the first official day of her holiday. Today was also doctor appointment day, she knew that the doctor would comment at how stressed she was and how it was important for her to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout her pregnancy...
Jim was in the kitchen getting breakfast for Aiden and talking on the phone with the hospital when Melinda made her appearance. Jim got off the phone as Melinda was pouring Aiden a glass of milk.
"Hey!" Jim gave his wife a deep meaningful good morning kiss.
Aiden gave his parents a disgusted look and stuck his tongue out.
"morning" mel mumbled into Jim's chest. They embraced then broke apart to get their days started.
After breakfast which is Melinda's case was a glass of water, morning sickness prevented her from eating much and this morning was especially difficult for her.
Aiden had gone outside to build a snow fort with his friends, while Melinda took the opportunity to wrap some of his gifts and hide them in the crawl space.
"Hey Mel waht times your appointment today?" Jim came out from the kitchen.
"It's at three why?" Melinda was busy wrapping an oddly shaped race car set, Jim had bought for Aiden.
"I gotta make sure i can take my car in to get fixed and make it to your appointment" Jim was speaking to his wife from the kitchen.
"Jim it's just routine you really don't have to come..." Mel didn't really want to go she was tired and wasn't looking forward to getting a lecture from her doctor and then Jim.
"If you are trying to get me skip seeing my child in a sonogram you are sadly mistaken" Jim was being sarcastic and trying to lighten the mood for his poor exhausted wife.
At three jim and Melinda had dropped their son off at Mel's mother's house and were on their way to the doctors. Jim was worried because Mel had been quiet almost the entire way there. He was concerned because this behaviour was so unlike her, she didn't even talk about the nasty ghost she was trying to chase out of her life.
When they had arrived at their destination, before walking out of the car Jim asked her a question.
"Mel is there something you aren't telling me? you've been really distant lately and i'm getting worried about you..." Jim was genuinely concerned about his wife's behaviour, not just in the car, but her excessive working, her dodging of questions and her refusal to speak about ghosts makes him worry that maybe something is going with her.
"Mel whatever it is we can deal with it together, we're a team and i'd like to be able to speak to you without you avoiding my questions... Whatever you have to say I promise i will help you if i can I love just please talk to me babe you have no idea what you mean to me... I hate seeing you so distant... please talk to me" Jim was almost tears when he finished his little speech.
Mel looked into the sea blue eyes of her beautiful and loving husband. she quickly looked away and started to stare out the window of the car. She knew that she would have to tell... she knew how important is was for him to know... the only thing she was scared of was the reaction she was going to get from him... how was he gonna take the news... she couldn't think about it to herself let alone say it out loud to Jim. But, she knew that if it had happened to him she would be the first person to know and she would be there for him no matter what.
Jim stared at her for a long time before Melinda had the courage to look at him again and this time, tears were streaming down her face. Jim notice the effect his thoughts had on his wife and quickly unbuckled to comfort his wife.
"Mel i'm sorry i was being idiot i'm so sorry here come here" Jim pulled her into a comforting hug.
Although this seemed to help comfort Jim it did nothing for her. A few seconds of silence went by were they both said nothing.
Melinda took a sharp breathe in and exhaled. she slowly looked up at Jim, who gave her a questioning look.
" Jim, there's something I never told you..."