hey guys thanks so much for the reviews :) i think you have to know that something really sad is gonna happen to my family and i don't think i'll be able to write after that so since the following chap is already writen and the one after half- writen i'll be able to post new chap for the next couple of weeks but after that i can't say when the new ones will come. i apologize and hope i'll feel better soon so you won't have to wait too long...
but for now i hope you'll enjoy this chap. thanks for reading and please review
Chapter 25
It was a while after 2.30pm when the weather finally started to calm down, so Mel and Jim were about to go back at their cabin.
-Oh, wait Jim! Could we call Delia again? She should be back at the store now... Mel said trying to hide her worry.
-Sure, that way you will stop worry, Jim replied with a wink.
-I'm not ... , ok fine, I'm worried. I'm sorry I can't help it.
-Hey, I already told you, you don't have to be sorry. Come on let's go call her, Jim said understanding.
He kissed her sweetly on the cheek, and they went at the phone. Melinda quickly dialed the store number. After a few seconds the rings stopped.
-Same as it never was? Mel heard Delia said.
Mel sighted in relief.
-Hey Delia, it's Melinda.
-Hey Mel! How are you?, Delia answered clearly happy to hear her friend.
-I'm fine, we both are. Everything is ok here, we've been very lucky... till this morning.
-What happened?, Delia asked worried.
-There's a big thunderstorm, and of course we were outside when it started, Mel said laughing a bit. But we can't complain everything else was and is wonderful.
-Ok, I hope you enjoy finally taking some time off, Delia teased.
-Yeah, and I thank you so much for agreeing to take care of the store, Mel said grateful.
-Don't need to thank me. I'm glad Jim decided to take you away, you haven't had holidays in months. I hope you thanked him though, Delia said laughing.
-Oh yeah, I did, Mel said. I still can't believe he did this.
Mel looked at Jim, who, feeling that the discussion might take a while, was a bit further sat down on a table, faking to look at some leaflets, but Melinda had noticed he kept looking at her.
-Strangely I wasn't surprised at all when he called to tell me about it, Delia stated.
-Yeah, I guess I should have gotten used to it by now, but he keeps surprising me, Mel said smiling at Jim, who was looking at her again. Ok enough about me. What about you? Mel asked.
-I'm very good. The store is doing fine, I couldn't take any break before 1pm, seems like every tourists wants to buy a last thing before leaving. But I'm not going to complain either, right?, Delia said joking.
-No, of course, but if you ever want to close up to take some time off, don't hesitate, alright?, Mel said seriously.
-Yeah, don't worry. Did you guys talked about it?, Delia asked.
-I'm sorry?, Mel asked confused.
-Jim told me exactly the same thing that's all, Delia explained.
Mel smiled.
-Oh, by the way, where did you go for lunch?, Mel asked.
-How do you know I went somewhere, Delia asked surprised.
-I tried to call you earlier and you weren't answering either here nor on your cell.
-Oh ok. Well at first I had planned to eat here but I went at Village Java to get a coffee and I ran into Tim who was on a break between two shifts, and he proposed me to have lunch at Lento's with him, Delia explained. I'm sorry I didn't hear my cell and I haven't checked it since I came back.
-It's ok, I'm just glad it wasn't something else. How did the lunch went?
-Fine, oh I'm sorry Mel can you hold on a second, Delia suddenly said.
-Sure.
Mel waited as she heard her friend helping a costumer. Jim started to find time long, and as he noticed Mel wasn't talking anymore he got up and reached her.
-Is everything ok?, he whispered.
-Yeah, she's with a costumer, Mel explained.
Jim nodded 'ok'.
-And you were totally right about lunch, Mel whispered.
-Ah..., Jim only said but his 'I told you so' tone said it all.
They smiled at each other sweetly.
Suddenly Mel took Jim by the arm and made him come closer to the phone, making him listen, as she just heard a big noise through the phone.
-Rick? What are you doing here?, they heard Delia say sounding very surprised.
-Do you have any news about Melinda?, Rick asked almost yelling.
-Yes, I do, but calm down, what's wrong?
-I had to go to the hospital this morning 'cause I had jammed my hand in a jar and- what?
Delia tried to hold it but she didn't resist and started to laugh, imagining him hanging around with a jar around his hand. Rick couldn't know it but both Mel and Jim couldn't stop laughing either.
-Alright laugh as long as want but what I learned there isn't that funny, Rick said seriously.
-I'm sorry, Delia apologized. Go on.
-While I was waiting I heard a doc and a nurse talking and one said: 'I hope Melinda's is feeling better by now' and the other replied 'I'm sure they're taking a good care of her, plus Jim is with her'. I found it very weird so I asked them if they were talking about our Melinda and Jim and after asking me who I was, they told me that Mel had been admitted in an hospital two days ago, Rick finished.
He had talked with his usual excited voice but since he was also worried it had been very hard to follow for the three of them, but they still managed to catch what he had said.
While Delia stood silent for a moment, Mel and Jim looked at each other concerned.
-Gosh, they whispered almost at the same time, slow enough so only they heard.
-Mel, is this true?, Delia asked truly worried.
-It's her on the phone?, Mel heard Rick scream.
-Yes, it is, Mel answered as Delia answered the same to Rick.
-Sweetie what's wrong?, Delia asked.
-Nothing, I'm fine I swear Delia. Jim is here he can tell you. I was just really tired and slightly dehydrated 'cause of the sickness, but I only stayed there over the night, Mel said, telling as much truth as she could -for now-.
-Ok, but then why didn't you tell me?
-Us, why didn't she tell us?, Rick corrected. So what's wrong, he asked since he couldn't hear what Mel just said.
-She's fine, she was very tired and a bit dehydrated after being sick but she's out of the hospital and feeling better now, Delia repeated him.
-I'm sorry we didn't tell you but we knew you would freak for nothing, and really, it was nothing, I hope you're not mad, Mel apologized.
She was afraid Delia would be upset that she didn't tell her.
-No, it's ok don't worry. And you're probably right I would have freak for no reason.
-I guess you just care too much for each other, Jim said jokingly.
-Jim? Hi. Why do you say that?, Delia asked.
-Hey. Nothing... well it's just that Mel was all worried earlier because she couldn't have you on the phone, and turns out it was nothing either, Jim explained.
-Ok, Delia said laughing. Just tell me if anything else happens.
-I promise, Mel said. Can you say sorry to Rick too? Oh, and can you ask him something for me?, Mel added seeing Jim making weird stuff with his hands.
She heard Delia apologizing for her and Rick saying it was ok.
-What do you want to ask him? Delia asked.
-How... how did he managed to get his hand stuck on a jar?, Mel managed to ask while she started laughing with Jim again.
It was loud enough for Rick to hear so Delia didn't even had to ask him.
-They want to know how I ended up with a jar on my hand I guess, he figured.
Delia nodded, she, had managed to stay serious so far.
-It's stupid... but I guess you're not surprised by this, Rick said cool enough to make fun of himself. I wanted to eat peanuts and there was only a few leaving in the jar and well... unlike any good college professor would have; instead of making the last peanuts falling out by turning the jar upside down, I decided I would get them by myself. And you'll figure the rest... I managed to get in but never to get out. At first I wanted to break it to freed my hand but since it was glass, I thought that with my luck and my way of doing things it would be wiser to go to the hospital.
Since Delia was in front of him, she tried very hard to contain herself, and managed to only smile at this, but the two on the other side of the phone didn't had to be so polite and so they were laughing very hard.
-Is he ok now?, Mel asked when they finally managed to calm down.
-Melinda asks if you're ok now, Delia repeated.
-Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking, Rick replied appreciating.
-Ok, guys I'm sorry but we have to go, there is someone here who needs the phone, Mel said seeing a woman apparently waiting.
-Oh, that's right you didn't take your cells. Ok, then have fun you two! Don't go back until you are both fully rested and that all your 'ghosts' stories are resolved, Delia said muttering the 'ghosts' since there were still a few customers that hadn't left the store, afraid, when Rick arrived.
-Bye Delia, thanks for everything again. Say bye to Rick for us.
-Bye guys, Jim said.
After hanging up, Mel and Jim took the direction of their cabin holding each other's hand. At one moment Mel started to laugh for no apparent reason. Jim looked at her with an interrogating look that Mel noticed quickly.
-I'm sorry, she started still laughing, It's just... I can't believe Payne! I wonder how he manages to put himself in situations like this and still be a successful college professor. Gosh, when I think he wanted to go on a sabbatical in the jungle I'm kind of relieved he didn't, I'm sure he would have found a way to make a boa fall for him or something as gross, Mel said giggling.
Jim laughed and shook his head at Melinda's crazy thoughts.
They arrived at their cabin a few minutes later. Mel went to put their still wet clothes out of the bag to let them dry in the bathroom. When she came back Jim was sat on the couch, so Mel went by the couch too and sat down on his knees.
-Have I told you how happy I am to be here with you? Mel said putting her arm around him.
-I think you did, yeah. But only a dozen of times..., Jim replied smiling.
He made Mel come closer to him by wrapping her in his arms. Mel had now her head resting in his neck.
-How do you feel?, Jim asked.
-Great, said Mel honestly.
-You're not tired or anything?, Jim insisted.
-No, Jim, Mel said firmly.
Jim nodded happily, he started to let his hand run on Mel's back. When he started getting under her shirt and kissing her Mel understood.
-Oh, I get it. What you wanted to know was if I wasn't 'too' tired, right?, she asked teasing him.
-Well, yeah... But I don't want to push you if you're tired or else..., Jim said.
-Don't worry I'm not too tired or else, Mel said starting to kiss him.
After a few minutes spent on the couch, Jim got up and picked up Mel, carrying her as if she was a kid. They kept kissing passionately till Jim carefully put Mel on the bed, he then kissed her stomach sweetly before kissing her lips again. They hugged and kissed each other, becoming closer and closer.
...
They had both fallen asleep after enjoying this intense moment together. Since they were sleeping in each other's arms when Mel woke up and turned, still half-asleep, they both woke up.
They looked at each other quietly for a moment.
-You're getting up?, Jim whispered after a while.
-No, I think I'm going to stay here a little, Mel whispered back.
-Ok. I'm going to go outside but I won't be far, ok?, Jim said with a slow voice.
-Sure, Mel answered softly. Jim?
-Yeah?, he said turning back towards her.
-I love you.
-I love you too, Mel.
Jim leaned over to kiss her softly before getting up. He started to search for his underwear and his pants, and when he finally found them, he left the bedroom after a last smile to Mel.
Jim went outside to take a walk. When he came back, half an hour later, the living room was empty, he figured Mel was still in bed, so he walked towards the bedroom and get his head through the doorway. He saw Mel, still lying in bed, but she was awake so Jim walked in the room and sat down on the bed.
-Are you ok?, he asked softly, a bit worried.
-Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just... tired I guess, Mel answered slowly.
-Oh, ok. Hm... You think it's because of... you know?, Jim asked awkwardly.
-Maybe, Mel answered honestly. But I think it's more probable to be 'cause of the entire day. It's been a long day, and as you said I need to rest.
-I'm sorry, Jim said.
-For what? Mel said laughing. Come on Jim it's not your fault!
Mel sat up in the bed, keeping the sheets close to her chest since she hadn't put on her clothes back yet, and she was feeling a bit cold. Jim saw she was trembling slightly from cold, so he handed her her shirt that was on the pillow and helped her put it on.
-Thanks, Mel said smiling.
Jim smiled back.
-Are you hungry?, he asked since it was already late.
-I am but... I don't want to go outside, I don't feel like getting up yet, Mel explained.
-Ok, then just stay right here and rest, Jim told her.
-Wait! Where are you going?, Mel asked.
-You'll see, Jim said. I'll be right back.
And Jim left after quickly kissing Mel on the cheek.
When he came back he was happy to see Mel lied down on the couch, wrapped in the blanket.
-Hey, you got up. That's good, Jim said smiling.
He closed the door behind him, quickly kissed Mel and went in the kitchen
-Yeah, well I had to get up to go to the bathroom and once I was up I thought it would be the same to go back to bed or come here... So... where were you? Mel asked curious.
Mel saw him taking plates and settling things.
-At the restaurant's kitchens.
Jim said while he came in the living room, holding a tray. He put it down on the little table in front of Melinda. On it there were meals for both of them.
-I think they're going to ban us after all we ask them, but I went at the kitchens, explained quickly and they agreed to let me take tonight's diner back here, Jim explained.
-You're too good! Thank you so much, sweetie.
Mel took Jim's head in her hands and put her forehead against his.
-Well I also remembered I had a phone call to make so...
-A phone call? To whom? Mel asked curiously.
-Violet, Jim replied. When I signed the papers for your release she made me promise to call her to keep her updated.
-She's so nice, Mel said smiling. How did it go?
-Good, we couldn't talk a lot, apparently it was even busier than when we were there.
They then started to eat, Mel didn't ate that much but Jim knew she was doing her best and he had seen her drinking and grabbing snacks a few times during the day and she had eaten correctly at lunch, so he wasn't too worried.
It wasn't that late when they finished diner but they went to bed right after cleaning the dishes, since Mel started to feel a little bit dizzy.
The next morning they woke up pretty early. Mel was feeling very good and it only took her a few minutes to get up and get ready. After having breakfast, Jim was really happy to hear Mel say she wanted to go out.
They took the fall direction. They spent a while walking along the water, enjoying a sunny and warm morning.
They were taking the way back to their cabin, holding hands, when they saw a woman walking towards them, holding a little girl by the hand. She reached Mel and Jim and looked at Mel intensely.
-Hi, we don't know each other but, I think you already know my son...