Hey guys, this is a new story by yours truly. Kind've an interesting twist so I hope you all enjoy and if it turns out to be successful, I'll be sure to update so REVIEW!!

The Things We Leave Behind

Chapter 1

"Oh you are stinky!" Melinda Gordon exclaimed as she played with her nearly 3 month old daughter, Leah. Leah giggled as her mother bounced her on her knee. Melinda smiled at the sound of her daughter's adorable laughter. It made her happy to see her little one so happy.

"There are my two favourite girls," Jim Clancy said walking into the living room where both Melinda and Leah were. He smiled and kissed Melinda, then took Leah from her. Leah flashed her parents a smile then snuggled into her father's arms.

"Awwww," Melinda said as she snapped a shot of the two snuggling together. She swore she'd already gone through three memory cards FULL of pictures of Leah. She was definitely not going to be camera shy when she got older. Jim smiled then sighed as he heard the familiar ring of the doorbell. Melinda then retrieved Leah from her husband. "You get the door and I'll change this little one. She probably needs a feeding too."

"Alright," he said, leaning in and kissing the two of them as they headed up the stairs into the nursery. Jim walked towards the door, a smile still plastered upon his face. He turned the knob and opened the door, his head still facing the stairs as he watched the two enter the nursery. He smiled then turned back to see who was at the door. His eyes widened. Never in a million years had he expected this.

A woman; fair-skinned, long, dark hair, large, hazel eyes. She had a slender body figure and was undeniably beautiful but Jim's mind wasn't focused on her body or appearance at all. No, he was still stunned at the fact she was standing at his doorstep.

"Jimbo, it's been a long time hasn't it?" the woman said. Jim just nodded, unable to say anything. "Oh come on Jimbo, don't be so stiff. You do remember me, don't you?" Jim's mouth curved into a scowl.

"Of course. How could I not?" The woman smiled egoistically.

"I knew you'd remember me. I'm kinda hard to forget and not just 'cause of the sex." Jim smiled sarcastically.

"Right. Anyway, what are you doing here? And how the hell did you find me?"



"Yeah, finding you. That was rather difficult. I swear I searched every single major town in the country; you always said you wanted to live in a big city."

"People change."

"Yeah, but unfortunately that doesn't change the things they did." He sighed.

"Listen, Tracy, what'd you want?"

"It's not really what I want, rather what someone else-"

"What's going on? I...heard voices," Melinda said coming down the stairs, baby Leah still in her arms. She smiled at Tracy. "Who's this?" she asked, her question directed at Jim. Jim let out a nervous breath.

"Mel, this is Tracy, an old friend from college." Melinda smiled and held out her free hand.

"Hi, I'm Melinda, Jim's wife." Tracy nodded and smiled back. "Well, why don't you come inside? I'll make some coffee for everyone, besides; it's quite chilly out there this morning." Tracy smiled warmly.

"That would be wonderful, although, I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Right, well in that case I guess you'd better be-" Jim started.

"Jim," Melinda said in a hushed voice so Tracy wouldn't hear. She then turned back to Tracy "Nonsense, c'mon in." Tracy smiled and followed Melinda into the living room where Leah's toys were sprawled across the room. "Please excuse the mess; we weren't planning on having company."

"Oh it's fine. I remember when my daughter was that small," she said admiring the baby. Melinda smiled.

"Oh I almost forgot, this is Leah," she said putting Leah in her swing chair.

"She's adorable. How old?"

"Nearly 3 months." Tracy nodded and watched as Leah began to play with a small toy that was hanging from the swing chair. Meanwhile, Jim was busy starting the coffee, making sure to hear every word of the conversation. He couldn't let her blow his cover just like that. Melinda turned back to Tracy. "So how old is yours?"

"She's just about 10."

"That's great. Is there anything I should watch out for?" Tracy chuckled.



"Just, make sure you don't miss a second. They grow up too fast as it is." Melinda smiled.

"I'll remember that." Just then, Jim walked in with three cups of steaming coffee.

"Thanks," Tracy replied, taking a mug from Jim. Jim flashed her sarcastic smile then sat down next to Melinda.

"So," Melinda said, taking a sip of her coffee, "you two are old college friends?" Both Jim and Tracy nodded.

"Yup, just friends," Jim replied making sure that 'friends' was well enforced. All three then sipped their coffee. "Well you should probably get going then. I'm sure you have things to do and we definitely have things to do sooooo," Jim said, breaking the silence. Tracy smiled and got up.

"Right. I probably should go and let you guys enjoy the rest of your afternoon," she said, heading for the door. Jim got up and made his way over to the door as well. He wanted to get her out of there as soon as possible. Tracy was just about to head out the door when she stopped and turned to face both Melinda and Jim. "Actually, I did come here for something and it would probably be rather stupid of me to leave without having had said it..." Jim looked at her strangely.

"Okaaaaaay," he said, waiting for her to say something.

"Um, actually, Jim, why don't you walk me out? It's kinda private," she said, addressing Melinda. "It's nothing personal, I mean I really like you and you seem like a great person, it's just, I think I'd like to keep it between Jim and me." Melinda nodded.

"It's okay. I totally understand. I think this little one needs to be put down for a nap anyway." Tracy smiled.

"Thanks, it was really nice meeting you."

"You too," she replied, carrying a sleepy Leah up the stairs and squeezing Jim's hand on her way up. Jim took a deep breath then closed the door behind him...