(Chapter 14. Sorry I know the last chapter wasn't exactly how everyone planned it. Josh is just a pretty messed up kid. Love him but he is. I hope all of you hugged at least one person this week *glares* hehe anyways I'm happy to say I'm a bit better, just a lot of coughing and sniffles :) umm okay so now i will get on with the story. This is a lot of Jared Melanie fluffyness. Sorry I don't think Stephenie has released that she will publish the sequel to The Host but she did at least have an idea for it.)
"Melanie, I want you to know I won't hurt him. He deserves someone much better than me. I know how lucky I am to have him here with me, knowing that he wants to love me the way I love him." Melanie looked at Haley for a moment. Nothing really took her by surprise these days. Her face didn't show much. She gave Haley a smile. A small reassuring smile.
"Haley... I know you'll be good for him. You have just been through so much yourself. This'll be an adventure for both of you" Melanie smiled. Haley grinned back.
"Hays, you should come talk to him."
Haley turned to look at Josh. She nodded.
"Thank you Melanie." Haley responded, before sprinting off after Josh.
Jared came from behind Melanie, tucking his arm around her waist. "That was very generous of you." He whispered. Melanie rolled her eyes, lightly nudging her elbow into his rock hard stomach.
"You wanted me to."
"Yes, because this is already going to be difficult for both of them." Jared laughed. It was a beautiful sound, it sent chill through Melanie's body to hear. She had missed that sound more than anything. It soothed all her fears instantly. He kissed her head
"Mel, Jared!" Wanda called.
"Hey." Ian called, right behind her. He wrapped one of his hands in Wanda's. Wanda looked up at him. She looked back at Jared and Melanie.
"What...?" Wanda asked. Melanie smiled.
"It's nothing."
"So how are Haley and Jamie?"
"Fine." Melanie said, smiling.
"Good." Wanda returned her smile. Ian squeezed her hand reassuringly.
-T-H-E--H-O-S-T-
"Where are you taking me?" Haley's voice changed back to it's harsh edge.
"You're quite rude to someone whose taken you in and is doing you yet another favor." Josh growled. Haley looked up at him. He was so tall.
"You sound like you don't deserve it." Haley spat, smiling.
"I would guard my mouth if I were you." Josh whispered to her.
"Or what?" She shot, too annoyed to sound anything less than pissed out of her mind.
"Or what you do owe me will be pretty bad for you and 'only love' of yours." Josh slammed Haley's body against the wall.
"What's... going on?" Haley let her head fall against the wall as she heard the familiar voice.
"Jamie." Haley kneed Josh in the stomach.
"Touch me again Joshua." Haley spat.
"You owe me Hays." Josh reminded.
"Josh, are you trying to make me unhappy?" Haley asked.
"No, Haley... I just... I've missed you."
Haley sighed, "And you think this is the way to solve that?"
-T-H-E--H-O-S-T-
Jared held Melanie close to his body, kissing any part of her he could find. Her hair, her nose, her forehead. She sighed laying her head back into his chest. She pressed a kiss into his neck, loving the warmth that he radiated. He rubbed her back in reassurance.
"When will we be married Jared?" Melanie questioned.
Jared let a small smile light his face, "Looking forward to belonging to me?" He whispered to her. His voice forced chills down her spine.
"I already do Jared." Melanie whispered back.
Jared turned Melanie so she was facing him and kissed her.
Heat. That's what Melanie felt. Jared was so warm, always warm. Melanie traced her hand down his arm. Her opposite hand in his hair.
His lips turned into a smile as he gently pulled her away, tipping her face up.
"Listen to me. I know you think it's silly." Melanie smiled.
"I don't see where our laws demand something like that, and besides that there aren't many preachers running around here."
"You're right but all the same, it's still in human society. I've waited to get you back, and now here you are, free to me alone." Melanie ran her hand across Jared's face, tracing his features lightly, memorizing the feel of his tan skin under her hand.
"You're right." Melanie sighed, letting her forehead rest on his shoulder. She kissed his neck, her lips lingering there. Jared gently stroked her hair. Melanie leaned up to kiss him again,
-T-H-E--H-O-S-T-
"Haley, meet Carter Montgumery." Josh introduced.
Carter had rough hands, like sand paper. He shook her hand firmly. Haley smiled at him. He was a kind looking man, his hair greying through the brown.
"Pleasure to meet you in person Haley. I hear you need me for a wedding?" Carter asked. He seemed confused by the request by the deep look in his icy blue eyes. He looked like he was about forty. "Hopefully it isn't yours." Carter smiled. Haley grinned back shaking her head.
"No, not me just yet." From the corner of her eyes she watched Josh stiffen. She ignored it.
"I'd be happy to. I'm happy to see the world hasn't completely lost its humanity, we haven't all become savages."
-T-H-E--H-O-S-T--
Haley lightly knocked on the door. Melanie opened it.
"Melanie... This is Carter, he's agreed to marry you and Jared."
Melanie stared for a moment. She looked back at the aging man.
"Really?" Melanie asked. Haley broke a smile, nodding.
Jared came behind her, taking her hand.
"We accept. Thank you." Jared smiled, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Whenever you're ready." Carter said.
Melanie smiled as Jared tasted the question on his tongue.
"Like... right now?"