Chapter 1 – Good-Byes
Melinda woke up the next chilly morning next to her husband, Jim Clancy. She sighed contently and smiled. Jim woke up and rubbed his eyes groggily.
"Hey." He muttered sleepily.
"'Morning sleepyhead," Melinda teased. Jim rolled his eyes.
"Ready for that trip into New York today?" Jim asked, yawning. Melinda nodded.
"Yep. I'm all set!"
"I'm not," Jim groaned. Melinda laughed.
"I'll help you pack," she said jumping out of bed. "Delia said that a romantic weekend in New York is just what we need."
"Do you agree?" Jim mumbled, rolling over.
"Yeah! A change of scenery would be nice. And I think Aiden will like hanging with his Uncle Eli for the weekend!"
Jim chuckled.
"New York, here we come!"
"Have you got everything, Aiden?" Melinda asked anxiously.
"Yes, Mommy."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mommy."
Melinda nodded fretfully. Jim put a hand on Melinda's shoulder, and opened the door to the Banks' house.
"It's just the first time we're leaving him. We'll be back in two days," Jim whispered comfortingly.
"Hey, Aiden!" Delia cried, walking into the front hall. "Are you ready to watch some movies with Ned and Eli all weekend?"
Aiden smiled. Delia was going to working at the antique store, and Ned and Eli would look after Aiden at the Banks' house.
"Yay!!" Aiden yelped, dropping his bags and running into the living room.
"Thanks for this, Delia," Jim said, picking up the bags and distributing them to the spare room where Aiden would be sleeping.
"You'll make sure nothing happens to him, Delia?" Melinda asked nervously.
"What? You don't trust me?! Of course I'll make sure he's safe," Delia assured her.
"Okay," Melinda said, smiling weakly.
"Now you two better catch that train into New York!" Delia said as Jim came back into the hall.
"Aiden, come say good-bye!" Jim called. Aiden came sprinting, and hugged Melinda and Jim.
"Good-bye, Mommy, good-bye Daddy," he said before running back into the living room. Jim laughed at Aiden's enthusiasm.
"Be a good boy, Aiden!" Melinda called.
"Bye, Mel! Bye, Jimmy!" Eli from the living room.
"Bye, Jim! Bye, Melinda!" Ned shouted.
"What are they doing in there?" Melinda asked Delia. Delia rolled her eyes.
'Video games."
"Oh."
"Well have fun, you two!" Delia said, opening the door for them.
"Good-bye, everyone!"
"Bye!" they called as they left the Banks' house to the train station, and boarded their train.
