Shadows, Shinies and Ghosts, Oh My!
AN: Alright my lovelies, this is the sequel to Baby Makes Four. This will be multi-chaptered so hang in there, there is lots to be unfolded. Note: "A few months" means she is 5 months pregnant here, as that is when you can tell the sexes of the babies. If anyone has a preference on genders or names, please review to tell me. I'm not set on anything yet.
A few months have passed since Melinda and Jim told Aiden about the baby on the way. In that time the happy couple has learned that they will be having babies plural, twins to be exact. Although they were excited, Melinda was also worried about caring for two newborns on top of her five year old, not to mention all the ghosts that are constantly asking for her help. Jim was trying to ease her mind about everything at the moment. "Mel, Aiden is a very understanding kid, you know you always have my help no matter what, plus we have amazing friends that would do anything for us. Everything will be just fine. You relax, I'm going to run you a nice warm bubble bath while I occupy the little man, okay?"
"I can't argue with that. I love you Jim." Melinda places a kiss on her husbands lips and smiles because this is her life.
"Mom?" Aiden asks after quietly entering the room.
"Yes baby?" Melinda questions her son.
"Can I have a 'I have a ghost' snuggle?" Aiden asks softly.
"Sure you can baby." Melinda ensures him happily before her young son curls into her side.
Fifteen minutes later Jim descends the staircase and the first thing he sees is his son cuddling with his gorgeous wife. He almost doesn't want to disturb them, but Melinda's bath will get cold if he waits much longer.
"Hey baby." Jim greets Mel with a kiss to her forehead and then turns to face his son.
"Hey Aid, do you want to play Forza with me?" Jim asks his son animatedly. Aiden's little eyes go wide, him and his dad barely get to play his X Box together because of his hospital shifts so this is a big treat.
"OKAY!" Aiden agrees quickly. "I love you Mama." He adds with a kiss to her cheek before leaving the room hastily. Jim chuckles and when he looks down at his wife's face he sees her fond smile and her eyes are glued to the spot their son was just standing.
"You okay honey?" The young husband enquires with concern.
"Huh?" She asks distractedly. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I just love that boy to death." Melinda confesses. Jim smiles.
"Are you ready for your bubble bath gorgeous?" His ice blue eyes twinkle with joy. "Because it's ready for you and I'm pretty sure Aiden is chomping at the bit to play with me." Jim teases his wife playfully. Melinda giggles at his comment.
"I'm more than ready." She plants a fleeting kiss to Jim's handsome lips. "Go entertain our boy. I'll help you put him to bed when I'm done." Melinda promises before heading to the bathroom on the second floor of their house.
Melinda arrives at the bathroom door and pushes it open slowly. What she sees when her brown doe eyes roam the room takes the breath from her lungs. There's a path of red rose petals from the doorway to the jacuzzi tub, white rose petals sitting in the water and vanilla and lavender candles are lit throughout the small space. Her eyes water as she realizes for the thousandth time since she's married Jim why she loves this man. As she slips her clothes free body into the warm, welcoming water she lets the thought that she just fell in love with him all over again fill her head. Melinda leans back, closes her eyes and does exactly what she was told to: relax.
An hour later, the well rested mother pulls herself out of the now cool bath water to get dressed in her pyjamas. She drains the tub and tidies the bathroom before venturing to her son's bedroom.
"Ha. Take that daddy." She hears Aiden boast as he laps his father on the track. Melinda smiles widely at the scene before her, they're having so much fun.
"Alright boys, time for bed." She announces her presence.
"Awe, do I have to?" Jim whines in jest.
"Yeah mom, do I have to?" Aiden mimics his father. Melinda laughs at her boys, they are so silly sometimes.
"Okay, one more race, then it's off to bed Aid." She compromises.
"Sweet! I love you Mama." The young boy runs over to give his mother a hug and then heads back to his bean bag to play his game. When the game is over, the winner gets tucked under his covers.
"Do you want a story tonight buddy?" Jim guesses.
"No thanks daddy. I'll just tell one to the shinies instead." The five year old grins. Melinda smiles softly.
"Okay bud. Goodnight." Jim responds.
"We love you." Aiden's parents murmur as his little eyes droop closed.
"I love you too." The youngster mumbles before he's out like a light.
Melinda and Jim are both crawling into bed in their own room when Melinda sighs.
"What's wrong babe?" Jim wonders with concern in his eyes.
"What do you want?" She whispers, secretly afraid of his answer.
"I just want healthy kids Mel. Boy or girl, gifted or not. All that matters is they're half me and more importantly, half you. They will be happy, intelligent, playful, and beautiful human beings just like their Mama." Jim whispers his explanation. "I love you Mel, get some sleep" He adds before kissing her forehead and wrapping his strong arms around her waist.
"I love you too Jim." Melinda murmurs back before she closes her eyes to get lost in her dreams.
AN2: I was thinking I would do a time jump to skip the pregnancy craziness. My question is would you like to see the kids being born as the start of the jump? Do you want to see them a little older? Please leave a review to give me your opinions.