A/N: Thanks everyone for the warm reception of my story. I'm really happy to see you all enjoying it. I'm very glad you're all leaving me such positive reviews. Here's a longer chap for ya! Enjoy!
After a long while of lovemaking, Melinda and Jim wrapped themselves in robes and snuggled up close to each other.
"Do you think we did it, Jim?" Melinda asked. "Do you think I'm pregnant?"
Jim chuckled and kissed her. "Well. It's a little early to tell, Mel," he said. "We won't know for at least a few days, maybe a week, but I hope so."
"Jim?"
"Yes, baby?"
"Do you want this baby as much as I do?"
"Yes, Mel, of course I do."
She smiled. "I'm glad to hear it."
"Mel, anything that makes you happy sends me over the moon. You know that. If it's a baby you want, then a baby you shall have. I'd love a baby girl, too." He smiled, kissing her again, "What would you like to name her?"
"Me?" Mel asked, confused.
"Yeah, we named Aiden after my dad. I thought you'd like to choose a name for our daughter."
Melinda giggled as he kissed her neck. "Well, when I do get pregnant, I thought we'd name her Andrea Faith." She smiled a sad smile. To this day, she still missed one of her best friends, Andrea Marino, who had died when a plane crashed into her car as she was driving to check on her brother, Mitch, who she had suspected was on the plane. Melinda looked over at Jim, sudden tears brimming in her eyes.
He kissed her cheek. "Andrea would love that," he said, trying to comfort her. "So would my mom."
The thought that her friend would be pleased to have a namesake seemed to, for a moment, numb the stab of grief she felt over her death. She snuggled a little closer to Jim, and they laid there in comfortable silence for awhile, falling asleep in each others' arms.
A few weeks later, Melinda was feeling very nauseous, and soon, she found she was throwing up regularly. Knowing what this might mean, she took a pregnancy test in the restroom of the store. It came out positive, and she was so excited that she let out a yell.
Delia came rushing in. "Melinda? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned. "I heard you yell."
Melinda giggled. "I'm sorry, Delia. It's just that... I'm pregnant!" she answered, ecstatic.
Delia laughed, hugging her. "Oh, Melinda, I'm so happy for you," she said. "Does Jim know?"
She shook her head. "I just found out myself. I'll tell him when he gets back from work later tonight."
"Do you know how you're gonna tell him?"
"I have a plan, yes," she said.
"Well, get outta here," Delia said with a laugh. "Go make it happen,"
"What about the store?"
"I'll take care of it."
Mel patted her shoulder. "Thanks, Delia. I owe you one."
"No, you don't, Mel, go on."
Melinda smiled, rushing out of the store. When she got home, she made Jim's favorite dinner, lit candles, and set a romantic table for two. She had also bought an antique baby rattle, which she had gift wrapped herself. When Jim got home, he could smell the scents that signaled his favorite meal.
"Mel?" he called.
"Go sit, Honey," she called back from the kitchen, "Dinner's almost ready."
Jim sat at the table. "What's all this, babe?"
Melinda smiled to herself, placing the box with the rattle in the pocket of her apron and went to join him as she carried dinner for them.
"Wow, Mel, this looks great," he said. "what's the occasion?"
Mel pulled the box out of her pocket. "I have some good news, and I thought this might tell it.'
He took the box and opened it. "Mel, does this mean what I think it does?"
"Yes, Jim," she said smiling. "I'm pregnant."
He smiled, kissing her. "Honey, I couldn't be happier,"
"Me either, Jim," she said wrapping her arms around him.
