A/N: Here it is, that last chapter. Enjoy!
A few months had gone by and things were getting back to normal. Well, as close to normal as things could get when everything was different. Finding a new host had been surprisingly easy and now I was the proud inhabitant of Sails Many Rivers, nicknamed Sam. She was about average height and with long black hair and her smile had very deep dimples, so smiling came easily. The best part was Sam was better capable of handling everyday tasks. It was nice to feel like I could contribute again. I didn't like the idea of skipping hosts but there was no way I could help hold another human hostage.
Crystal was fitting in quite nicely. She had bonded with Mel since they had something very important in common. They had both shared their body with me, although Crystal had been less aware of it than Mel. It had been a relief to know that she felt no claim over Jodi. I had worried that she would feel some mothering instinct, but she wasn't mature enough for that. In her head she was still the same twelve year old that had been a host for Pet, so she was more like a big sister than a mother. That was fine with me. She did appear to have a small crush on Ian but it seemed to be innocent enough, she was twelve years old after all.
Jodi was gorgeous. She was the best baby anyone could ask for. She rarely cried and would let anyone hold her. She giggled constantly and that sound was music to my ears.
We were at dinner one night and Jared and Mel were fawning over Jodi as usual. Jared had made a doll for her out of old shirts and Mel was playing peek-a-boo. It was hard not to call them adorable. This scene brought to mind something the Healer had told me in passing. Suddenly it clicked and I couldn't keep it to myself. Mel had a right to know. I stood up from the table and turned to her.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" I asked hoping she wouldn't ask why until we got out of the room. She followed me out into the main room which was thankfully empty. I turned to face her and her expression was expectant.
"Mel, I have something to tell you. It's something the Healer told me when I went to visit him. I'm not quite sure how to say this." I paused to gather my thoughts. Was there an easy way to say this? I didn't think so. May as well get it over with quickly. "He told me that when a host rebels against a soul, it does so by using its own systems against it. Without meaning to a host can be fighting back and give itself a heart attack. Another, far more common side effect is using hormones against itself. The host sends the body impulses that the soul cannot feel or understand. The stress is just too much for the body to handle. And you had a lot of stress when I was with you. I'm sorry Mel, but the Healer said there's more than a 50 chance that you're sterile."
"Wow," she breathed. "That's terrible." She took a deep breath in and let it out with a smile. That was a strange reaction. I'd expected her to be shocked. "I guess it's a good thing I didn't find that out when you did," she continued. "Otherwise I might not be pregnant now." She looked at me with a devilish grin. I looked at her, not really sure I had heard her right. Mel, pregnant? I wasn't sure why, but I might have been happier for her than I had been for myself.
"Really?" I asked, already excited.
"Well, Jodi's going to need someone to play with. She'll outgrow Ian in less than a year." She laughed and suddenly her gaze was a mile away, no doubt imagining her own child.
"Mel, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you." I pulled her into a hug. A friend for Jodi. I had never imagined something so wonderful.
Later that week Mel and Jared had decided that is was time to go public with their announcement. Jared gathered everyone in the game room for a meeting after dinner. People were concerned that there was a problem so everyone was a little tense, except for me. But people used were to me look serene lately no matter the circumstances, obviously making up for my mood swings while pregnant. I was holding Jodi in my arms asleep. She was so beautiful. It was hard to believe there was ever a time in my life when I had felt happy before she was born.
Before the meeting started Kyle came over and sat next to me. He looked at Jodi then asked, "Do you think she could come back?" I knew he was talking about his Jodi, and I had been anticipating this question, although I still wasn't sure how to answer it.
"I think it's possible. But it wouldn't be fair to Sunny to make her to do that." I looked at him, hoping to press my point home. "And don't ask her to do it, because you know she can't say no to you. If it is ever to happen she has to suggest it herself. She knows this is a possibility. Wait for her to come to you."
"I know you're right," he said with a sigh. He had been resigned to the fact that Jodi would never be back, and now suddenly there was a chance. He would be crazy not to ask that question but he knew the answer. It may not have been what he wanted to here but he understood that an action like that would have repercussions. He stood and walked away to contemplate his situation. Ian took his seat next to me as Jared stood and called the group to order. Everyone quieted, fearing the worst.
"I called this meeting tonight because there's something I thought everyone should know. This may come as a shock to some of you but Mel and I have been thinking about this for a long time. Longer than some of you might think." He looked over at me and winked. Had Mel been holding out on me? "So we just wanted to let you know that there's going to be another little addition to our group. Mel's pregnant."
The room was silent for a second as people let it all sink in. All the sudden the room exploded with voices congratulating them. Jamie was so excited I thought he was going to explode.
"You mean I get to be an uncle again? And for real this time? That is so cool!" He was bouncing off the walls. There would be no sleep for him tonight.
Amid all the hugs and congratulations, Kyle moved to the center of the group and said, "Now hold on a second. I think we should talk about this here."
Jared eyed him furiously. "And why is that Kyle?"
"I just want you to think about it. Your genes combined? That kid's gonna have a lot of rage." And with that Kyle and Jared both burst out laughing and Kyle pulled him into a bear hug. "Congratulations, man."
Eventually the group dissipated and people began choosing sides for the soccer game we had been planning for after the meeting. Crystal offered to hold Jodi while I played. I was looking forward to really being able to run again. Mel and Jared were having a heated disagreement about whether or not she would be allowed to play. It looked like Mel was wearing him down when suddenly we heard a big crash from outside. I looked up at Ian and smiled.
"Guess we'll be spending the night in here," he said.
"You know that's my favorite." And it all ended with a thunderstorm.
A/N: So that was it. I hope you liked it. Unfortunately I share the same fatal flaw as Stephenie Meyer. I just can't leave a character unhappy no matter how ridiculous the circumstances (i.e. Jacob imprinting on Renesmee), so everyone gets a happy ending. Thanks to everyone who read this and keep an eye out for my next fic for Good Will Hunting. The intro is up and I should start posting chapters some time in the next week. Thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed. You guys rock!
P.S. I'm pretty sad to be finishing this. There are a lot of potential sequels for this story. If you have any suggestions or requests let me know. I'm not sure I can leave this story alone.