Disclaimer: I do not own any of the music, products or movies mentioned in this fic and as much as I wish I did.........I don't own GhostWhisperer or any of its characters, I do however, own those characters and storylines which appear in this fanfic, but not in the show. No copyright infringement intended!
I really do apologise for my absence from fanfiction, my near enough new laptops' hard drive got fried =( I have lost most of my exam work and term papers because I was too stupid to put them on a USB, I also lost all of my fanfiction work including Shattered (thank god it was finished), Handle With Care, and the beginnings of a few others. I'm really sorry but it's going to take a while for me to get back to quick updates as I'm no longer just finishing stuff off- I'm starting from scratch. I did try posting this message before from a university library that's always open but FF was on the blocked sites. I will work as hard as I can so that I can keep up. Please be patient, I'm really sorry and I'm totally bummed out but as soon as I got my new laptop I started writing again, (and yes, everything I've done so far is on a USB!) Lol x Warning...Some bad language and angsty stuff in this chapter! Please read and Review xx Lolly xx
Melinda stayed locked in Jim's arms for a few more minutes before heading downstairs to find Olivia, as she walked down the stairs she sighed- when she was admitted to the hospital after the attack she had been prescribed various drugs for her malnutrition and all of the problems that came with it. Melinda had put up so much resistance to the drugs that the workers at the children's home had made her swallow them while they watched, the few times that she was left alone she would flush the pills down the toilet and lie to cover up. Melinda knew that not taking the drugs would slow down her recovery but she had her reasons. These drugs had been put on repeat prescription and Melinda was made to collect them from the hospital every two weeks, but in the week before she left and her time with Olivia and Chris so far, Melinda had not taken any of her meds. She knew that it would make her ill and she knew that it should scare her but the masochist in her actually rejoiced at the fact that she may find her escape, when she was being held by her attackers they forced various pills down her throat to keep her from fighting back, they gave her a small dose of sleeping pills every few hours so that she would stay awake through the torture but would be too weak to fight back.
Melinda found Olivia typing away on her laptop at the kitchen table "hey" she said quietly, Olivia's head snapped up and she smiled "hello sweetheart, how are you?" she asked, Melinda smiled "I'm good thanks, I've never had such a long nap", "yes it seems our Jim makes a very comfortable pillow" she said with a knowing smile which made Melinda blush. "Um, before we start could I uh...get something...to eat?" Melinda mumbled. Olivia's face lit up and she jumped out of her seat and rushed to the fridge "of course! You're hungry! Do you want some toast? Or how about some pancakes? We have lots of syrup and it would only take a few minutes, I could make you a sandwich or you could get something from the fridge-"she stopped her excited rambling when Melinda held a hand up. "Could we maybe make some pancakes...like, together?" Melinda asked, Olivia smiled "I'd like that" she said.
That was how Melinda's session went that day, Olivia asked questions and Melinda answered while they made enough pancakes to feed an army, experimenting with food colouring along the way. Olivia was still slightly apprehensive about pursuing serious issues with Melinda but decided that it was the right time. Melinda smiled back at Olivia as she headed up the stairs to Jim's room, knocking on the door she held a plate of multicoloured pancakes with syrup dripping down the sides. Jim opened the door and smiled "for me?" Melinda nodded "for you" she said quietly.
Fifteen Minutes later the two of them were pulling their shoes on and heading downstairs both still laughing at Jim's now blue tongue. "I think it suits you" Melinda said before bursting into a fit of giggles. "You're leaving?" Olivia asked as they neared the bottom, "Yep, Do you want anything brought in?" Jim asked and Olivia shook her head. "Like I said, if you're not here by 11 then I expect a message letting me know where you are okay, now go have fun" she said shooing them out the front door. Jim pressed a button on his keys and the doors to his Jag rose smoothly, they settled into their seats and in less than half an hour they were parked in Grandview town centre, as they walked to the bowling alley Jim took Melinda's hand in his and held it all the way. They left at quarter passed six and picked up some soup at a small restaurant before driving to the outside theatre and settling down under a blanket to watch the movie.
As the title rolled Jim plucked up the courage to ask Melinda to sit with him, she happily complied and snuggled down into his strong arms, she rested her head on his chest and he rested his head on hers. Every now and then throughout the movie Jim would look at their reflection in the mirror and watch with intrigue as Melinda's expressions changed. He smiled when she did, brushed his lips against the back of her neck when she sighed wistfully and his brow furrowed when she cried at the end. "I love that movie so much Jim, thank you" she said with a small sniffle as the end credits rolled "it made you cry" Jim said somewhat confusedly, Melinda turned in his arms and kissed the crook of his neck "I still love it" she whispered, "I'm glad" Jim said with a smile. They drove back in a comfortable silenced and pulled into the garage at 10:58, "cutting it pretty close Clancy" Melinda said with a nod towards the dashboard clock, Jim gave her a lopsided grin and leaned over to kiss her passionately "I like to live on the edge" he said huskily. They climbed out of the car and Jim chased Melinda up the driveway, they made it through the door just before the hour hit and were greeted by a very worried looking Christopher, "Right on time kids! Go get ready for bed and then Melinda could you please come back down so we can discuss a few things, I'll see you in a few" he said. Melinda shot Jim a worried look and he took her hand and led her up the stairs, Melinda's mind had entered panic-mode –what if they don't want me anymore? What if they're going to tell me to leave? - She thought frantically.
Jim followed her into her room and sat her down on the bed "Melinda, calm down, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about okay, just relax" he said soothingly, she nodded distantly and bit her lip, silently she went through her usual shower and dress routine-washing her hair and not bothering to dry it, she changed into a tight fitting black tank top and matching long yoga pants. When she emerged from her bathroom Jim was sitting on her bed in gray boxer shorts and a black t-shirt. "I'm gonna go see what Christopher wants, would you like to sleep in here tonight? I..I-I mean, you don't have to...it's just that I kinda like sleeping with you-I mean, not sleeping with you...you know-" Melinda rambled nervously, Jim chuckled "I'll be here when you get back" he said with a smile, Melinda smiled back at him and headed downstairs.
"Hey honey! How was it?" Olivia asked as soon as she reached the lounge doorway, "amazing, Jim's so sweet...he's smart and funny and...Oh, he kept like-actually weird conversation to have with you, sorry I didn't think" Melinda said embarrassedly, "I don't mind at all honestly, I'm glad to hear that the two of you are happy. Now there are just a few things we need to organize and then you can go get some sleep okay" she said, Melinda nodded nervously and bit her lip when Christopher walked in carrying a folder full of papers and something in a grocery bag. "Don't look so worried sweetheart" Chris said with a comforting smile, he sat next to Melinda on the couch leaving enough space that she wouldn't feel threatened but still keeping her closely between himself and Olivia. "So, school starts next week, as you know Jim and Holly are homeschooled and Mitch and Alexis are starting at Rockland, it's absolutely up to you, whichever you prefer it's fine with us. May I suggest something?" Chris asked politely, Melinda nodded "You could always try school for a little while and if you don't like it then you have the choice of home tutoring, that way at least you'll know that you tried" he said. "Okay" Melinda said in a small voice, Christopher always made her slightly nervous although through no fault of his own, "we have some things for you to sign" he handed her a few forms and she skimmed over them before signing her name, the school was called 'Austin James High School', it was a very prestigious private school and Melinda could only imagine how much money it had taken to get her in mid-semester. "Thank you" Melinda said gratefully, Christopher smiled, "you'll have an interview the Wednesday after next and then you can enrol the Monday after that. Now the next thing, just stop me if there's anything that you don't understand" he said flipping through the papers in his folder. He pulled out another form and read from it
-"Social Worker Lisa James acted as representative on behalf of 16 year old Melinda Gordon, party of the second part, and met with Christopher Jenner (paternal guardian) and his wife Olivia Jenner (maternal guardian) at their home in Grandview, NY. Guardianship and residency arrangements were made subsequent to this meeting, upon spending her first (working) week with the Jenner family, must sign attached form 2159 (an agreement to accept the terms of permanent guardianship). Should the concerned party refuse to sign said form due to disagreement of these terms she will be removed from the care of the Jenners', pronounced a 'ward of the state (California)' and placed back in the care of Olive Crest Home & Services for abused and orphaned children until the age of 18years when she will be legally emancipated. Should sign form 2159 she will legally obtain Mr and Mrs Jenner as permanent guardians until the age of 18 years when she will have the option to be emancipated from them. The attached form is to be sent back to the original mailing address..." Christopher trailed off as the rest was just an address and a disclaimer. "Do you understand what this means?" he asked, Melinda nodded, "If sign this I stay here with you guys as my parents and if I don't then I end up back in Olive Crest, look...I want to stay here I really do..." Melinda looked down and wrung her hands "But, are you sure that's what you guys want?" she asked, Olivia smiled and reached over to still Melinda's hands with one of her own, with the other she reached out for the papers and placed them on Melinda's lap, "we want you Melinda, we want you to be ours" she said sincerely, Melinda's eyes followed the finger that Olivia was pointing at the paper, her heart swelled and her eyes prickled with tears of joy as she saw that Olivia and Christopher had already signed their names in acceptance of all terms and conditions...they really did want her.
I'll update again as soon as I can xx Promise...scouts honor! xx Luv you guys...please review!!! Xx Lolly xX