Sorry, I should've updated a couple days ago…
Melinda pulled in the driveway and quickly threw the car into park. She couldn't wait to get inside and see what Jim had planned. Her heart skipped a beat and the butterflies started fluttering around in her stomach the second she opened the door.
There were red and white rose pedals creating three separate trails, leading to the living room, kitchen, and up the stairs. The fire was going and various candles flicked everywhere she looked.
"Jim?" She called closing the door behind her.
When she didn't get a response she placed her purse and coat on the seat in the foyer and headed to the kitchen. She could smell something amazing cooking and hoped she'd find him in there. Melinda found only an empty room with an already opened bottle of wine sitting on the counter. Jim had snuck up behind her, he slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulder handing her a glass of wine, and kissed her cheek softly.
"Welcome home, honey." He whispered in her ear.
Melinda's heart began beating rapidly. She took the wine glass from him and turned to see him. "This is so amazing, Jim." The tears had already begun to escape.
"I'm glad you like it." Jim kissed her again and led her into the kitchen. He was just about finished with dinner and wanted her to sit with him while he finished. Jim listened to her tell him about the ghost and that she wouldn't cross over and how frustrated she was. She didn't understand what the ghost could help her with. Jim laughed to himself and reached for a bowl above the fridge when he felt a sharp pain shoot through his shoulder. He knew better then to reach with his right arm after it had just been dislocated. Melinda noticed and was there by him in an instant.
"Are you okay?" She asked worried.
"Fine, I'm fine. I just shouldn't have done that yet." He tried to reach with his left hand but Melinda stopped him.
"Can I see?" She asked lifting his shirt gently.
He could tell by her tone she wanted to do more then just see. "Mel, dinner is almost ready." He whispered against her cheek.
She removed his shirt and kissed the top of his shoulder. "Looks like a shoulder." She smiled.
"It's a little swollen but you shouldn't see anything."
Melinda stood on her toes and kissed his neck softly. "But you can move it okay?" She asked kissing his chest next.
"Yes, but, Mel…" He couldn't think for a moment. She'd moved her hands around his waist slowly trickling as her fingers danced around; that always drove him nuts.
Melinda reached up to kiss his lips when she noticed the ghost standing in the corner, startling her, she jumped back a little. "What are you doing here? I'm busy."
"It's your turn to see." Amanda smiled.
"See what?"
"I take it we have company?"
Melinda looked up at Jim innocently and nodded before turning back to the ghost. "You have to leave. I told you what tonight was."
"I'm not leaving until you see." Amanda said pointing to Melinda. She felt Jim almost collapse in her arms. She wasn't as strong as he was and they both almost fell. "What? Are you okay?" She asked him concerned.
"Yeah, I just got a sharp pain in my shoulder all of a sudden." Jim was trying to rub the pain out.
"Stop it!" Melinda yelled at the ghost. "You said you weren't going to do this."
"I don't want to, but I really want to cross over and I can't until I help you."
"I don't need your help."
"Yes, you do." Amanda said and then disappeared.
"She's gone." Melinda said turning back to Jim. He'd moved just right and something caught her attention but before she could think or react Jim was kissing her neck. "I thought you were hungry." She said as a smile stretched across her face and leaned into his kiss.
"I am. I was…" Jim smiled and then kissed her. He placed several small kisses on her lips before pulling away slowly to see her eyes.
"I think I'll take a shower before dinner. Call me when it's done." Melinda said heading out of the room. She continued to watch him over her shoulder.
"That's a little mean don't you think? You get me all warmed up and then just like that you leave." He said smiling at her.
"I never said you couldn't come with me." She said running out of the room and up the stairs.
Jim flipped the stove off and ran after her. Melinda stopped suddenly when she reached the top of the stairs. She placed both hands on her chest as more tears started to fall. Jim had placed more rose pedals in a trail leading to their room and the bathroom, once again candles were the only thing lighting the way. He'd reached the top of the stairs just moments after she did. He quickly slid his arms around her waist and spun her around to face him. Taking her face in his hands he kissed her with a soft passionate kiss trying to tell her with just the kiss how much she meant to him. Melinda suddenly became very nervous and week, the butterflies started fluttering again, and just when she thought she needed air Jim suddenly pulled away. She reminded herself to breathe. When she looked at Jim who'd been staring at her for awhile she became worried.
"Jim? Are you okay?"
He nodded.
"What was that for? You haven't kissed me like that in…I don't even know how long."
Melinda was still a little shaken up by the kiss. She started to feel dizzy but before she could say anything else Jim was carrying her to the bed. Melinda noticed the rose pedals on the bed and a dozen red and white roses on her nightstand. Jim gently placed her on the bed and removed her shoes before he joined her. He kissed her lips softly a few times before moving across her cheek and down her neck.
"Jim…" Her voice was only a whisper "You're scaring me."
He pulled away to look at her. "Why?"
"You're kissing me like you haven't kissed me in a long time and…"
"Mel, I'm kissing you like I always do." He said softly on her cheek.
Tears filled her eyes again. She was growing tired of her emotions being this far out of control. Melinda knew he hadn't kissed her like that in a long time and she couldn't figure out why he was saying he had. She tried to remember the last time she felt like this but started feeling guilty. She'd always loved his kisses, they were always soft and full of passion and love, but something was different. Suddenly the ghost appeared again.
"YOU HAVE TO SEE!" Amanda yelled.
Melinda shot up in bed pushing Jim off her slightly. He followed her gaze but saw nothing.
"Is she back?" Jim asked already knowing the answer.
"I'm not leaving this time until you listen to me." Amanda said calmly this time. "He loves you so much but you're lost and you can't see what is right in front of you."
"What are you talking about?" Melinda asked. She'd become dizzy again and now was confused more then ever.
