Here's the next chapter.

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Meanwhile- Rick's POV

I heard Melinda scream, my heart skipped a beat and I began to panic, then I heard her yell. I got up faster than I ever did, but at that moment in time it didn't seem fast enough. I dashed to the stairs and ran up them two at a time.

'What happened? Is she OK?' were the first thoughts I had after that scream. When I reached the doorway to her bedroom the first thing I noticed was her on the floor, the second thing I noticed was Jim on the bed. "Are…you…OK?" I asked her breathless.

She gave me a nod, "Yeah, I didn't mean to scare you."I could tell through her voice that she was sorry that she had scared me. Not necessarily screaming and yelling at Jim, 'but at least she's Ok.' I thought.

I took a seat beside her on the floor and pulled her into my arms. "What happened?" I asked her, but I had a feeling I already knew, Jim was ready to cross. I waited for a while until it seemed like I wasn't going to get an answer from her I knew I would have to get one from Jim.

I sighed, this was not the way I wanted to tell Melinda I could see and hear spirits, but I had no other choice, she wasn't going to tell me.

I turned my head towards Jim, "You're crossing over, aren't you." I said.

"Yeah, I didn't want to upset her though. I mean I knew it would upset her bad but," He said, stopping to shake his head, "Not this bad. Maybe I should stay."

I shook my head, this wasn't good. If he didn't go now, it would be even harder for him to leave later. "The longer you wait, the harder it will be to leave. The light will disappear, and when you can see it again you will be attached and not want to go."

I could feel Melinda tighten in my arms, 'she's realized that I can do the same thing she can.'

"I know, but if she doesn't want me to go I should stay, watch over her. And, I don't want to hurt her. I promised her I would stay." Jim said.

"Yeah, you promised her you would stay as long as she needed you." I said, "I'll take care of her for you."

Jim nodded, he had known it was going to be hard to go, to leave her, but top leave he needed her to let him go. "Melinda, the way you are around Rick, I'm know you will be fine." Jim said, and then smiled, "Just looking at you two right now confirms it." He said, then turned away from us, and started walking toward a corner, where the light was for him.

"Jim," She said, stopping him, "I love you."

That was all he needed to be able to go, "I love you too. I will wait for you on the other side, just…don't come too soon. You have your life ahead of you." Jim said, "Plus, you have to keep Rick in line."

Melinda nodded, she understood what he meant. "I will, I'll live my life for both of us." she said, he nodded, smiling, turned and walked into the light, disappearing.

"Rick?" She said, a few minutes later.

"Yeah?" I said, looking down at her.

"Will it get any better?" She asked, "Missing him."

I gave her the most honest answer I could, "Not really, but you will be able to handle it easier." She gave a nod, she understood what I meant.

We sat there for another 15 minutes, when I felt Melinda starting to doze off in my arms. "Come on, you should probably get in bed before you fall asleep on the floor and I have to pick you up." I told her.

Her reply came a few seconds later, "OK." She seemed reluctant for some reason. I let go of her as we stood up and I headed toward the door.

I looked back at her when I was exiting the door, she hadn't moved from her spot. "Melinda, are you all right?" I asked, and re-entered the room.

She shook her head. Barely noticeable, but I noticed. She was reluctant to ask for anything.

"You need anything?" I asked her.

She didn't answer for a little while; I began to wonder if she would give an answer, until she said, "Rick?" then paused, "would you stay with me tonight?"

I gave a little smile, "Sure, you just had to ask." I said.

Meanwhile- Melinda's POV

I began to doze off in Rick's arms. I hadn't wanted to get up; I had wanted to stay in his arms the rest of the night. I felt comfort, love in his arms, but I knew he was right. 'Wouldn't want him getting hurt picking me up off the floor.' I thought to myself as a joke.

Once we stood up I stayed rooted in spot. I was reluctant to ask for him to stay. I was afraid he would think my request childish, refuse to stay, laugh, or any of the other horrifying scenarios that were playing in my head.

When it seemed like he wasn't going to leave till he heard what I wanted I decided the worst it would do is push him away. If he really cared about me he wouldn't laugh or leave. I never expected him to agree. Then I saw that smile of his, the one that made butterflies in my stomach. I never admitted it before, and if Jim was still alive I still wouldn't, but I loved Rick.

I loved him as much as Jim, maybe even more, but in a totally different way. How had I denied that I loved him, it was so obvious. I don't know when it happened, but I was glad for it, at least I wasn't alone not that Jim was really gone.

There is the chapter I hope you enjoyed, please leave a review before you go!