A/N: I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at first, but I figured out how to turn this theme into something that would work for me :)

Ages:

Jim - 43
Melinda - 39
Katie - 14
Aaron - 10
Mackenzie - 4

Enjoy xx Mariah


Melinda was sitting there on the couch with Mackenzie when Katie and Aaron entered the house from off the bus. For some reason whenever Jim was away for too long, you could see it on the kids. On how quiet they could get. Even though he had been working in the medical field with the hours since before they were born, dealing with him being gone five days of the week was still hard. She hated these stupid annual medical conventions he had to go to.

Katie immediately went upstairs after removing her shoes, while Aaron came around to show his mother something.

"Mama, look at my science project." Aaron beamed. "I got accepted into the district wide science fair! I'm the only fifth grader."

Melinda looked up from her book and smiled. "That's fantastic Aaron! I'm so proud of you." She cupped his cheek. "Have you called your father? He did help you get the idea and get the materials..."

"I'll call him," Aaron said excitedly. "Wait? Will dad be home tonight?"

"No, he's still at the conference for another two days." she sighed. "He said he'd call me when he had a break."

"Okay," Aaron tucked out of the room and ran up the stairs, and she settled back with Mackenzie.

They were watching some cartoon about counting when she checked the tv last, but now it was some show where all the characters sang random songs about washing their hands. Melinda scooped her daughter up into her arms and kissed her cheek. Mackenzie's eyes barely moved from the tv, but she glanced at her mother.

"Hello to you to missy," she giggled and kissed her cheek again, turning the tv off. "Let's go for a walk. We'll even go see if your brother and sister want to go."

"Can we stop and get ice cream?" Mackenzie whispered, squeezing her mother's cheeks.

She tapped Mackenzie's nose and laughed, winking before getting up and placing her on her feet. Mackenzie was on the move in five seconds, running up the stairs for her siblings while Melinda grabbed her wallet and slipped on comfortable shoes.

"What's going on Mom?" Katie sighed, one earbud out and notebook in hand.

"We're taking a walk," she said, almost seeing her turn on her heel before she said the next part. "To the ice cream parlor."

"I guess I could come with," Katie smiled and took the other earbud out, tucking the headphones into her sweatshirt pocket. "Is dad coming home tonight?"

"No, you know he's still gone for two days." she sighed, wrapping her arm around her oldest once she was near. "What's up bug?"

"Same old thing. Dad's off working and it's just hard." Katie shrugged. "And boyfriend drama."

"Boyfriend drama? Like what?" She asked.

"Henry is pushing for something that I don't want to give to anyone right now," Katie muttered. "But it's not a big deal. I can handle it."

"Hey, do you wanna talk?" She asked, reaching out to grab her daughter's hand. "There a pint of ice cream at the ice cream parlor with our names on it."

"Yeah," Katie cracked a smile and locked her arm in hers as Mackenzie and Aaron came running downstairs. "That sounds perfect." She pressed her head against her mother, smiling as Aaron opened the door. "Thanks mom. How are you doing with dad being gone?"

Melinda looked at her daughter as they walked down the steps of the front porch and sighed, rubbing her chin and letting Mackenzie and Aaron have a bit of space between them. "Do you really want to know?" She asked, smiling at her daughter.

"I'm going to be fifteen this year mom," Katie smiled. "I'm more than adult enough."

"Alright," she laughed. "It's just, there are these moments where I wish I could roll over at night and feel him next to me, or know that he's just in the other room."

Katie nudged her mom's side, "He's always with you, mom. I have a part of him inside of me because he is my father. Also, Aaron looks like he is a mini dad!" Melinda smiled a little, but shrugged as they walked closer. "And you and I both know the second he comes home he'll be home for the weekend and you'll spend all the time in the world with him."

"Okay, that's enough adult talk for now. Once you're twenty, maybe my feeling will change," she laughed. "But let's talk about you and why you've been so grumpy lately." Melinda moved her hand and placed it on top of Katie's, "I know how hard it can be hard to date in high school," she paused. "Not that I dated in high school, but being in a stressful environment like high school and growing up and changing as much as you have in the past year, it can be hard. Relationships will always be hard at one point or another."

"Mom," Katie sighed. "He wants to have sex, but I'm not ready for that, not with him. We aren't going to even make it to sophomore year, let alone that far into intimacy."

"Do you want me to tell you my opinion?" She replied, looking over at her daughter.

"Not really," Katie smiled. "I'd rather wait until I'm twenty, maybe then you'll be ready."

"Oh I see," she laughed. "As long as I'm in the loop, I will gladly be in the dark a little."

"Thanks mom," Katie said.

"Anytime eldest child of mine," she replied. "How was school today?"

"I had two tests and a pop quiz in Spanish." Katie sighed. "It was productive. I'm thinking about running for a spot on the student council."

"Really?" Melinda was impressed. Katie had never talked about being interested in student politics. "That sounds fun. What position?"

"I've been thinking about running for vice president, but as a freshman? It would be a rare occurrence for me to even get on the ballot." Katie smiled and nodded. "But I'm going to look into it."

"Knowing you, you always achieve what you put your mind to." She explained, smiling at her. "Never stop believing in yourself baby."

Melinda glanced at the younger two of her bunch, who were safely playing around with each other a few steps away. Mackenzie had started to creep closer, her legs obviously tired. Aaron was tossing the baseball up into the air that he'd brought along.

"Katie?" Mackenzie whined. "Will you carry me? I'll give you my cone once I finish the scoop on top."

Katie loved better than even the ice cream in the end.

"Deal," Katie ran ahead and scooped Mackenzie up and onto her shoulders.

when her phone started to ring.

"Hey you," she smiled, pressing the phone to her ear. "How was your latest conference?"

"Boring," Jim sighed. "I hate these things. Even if I'm getting recognition for the work I've been doing back home."

"The kids miss you a lot," she replied.

"What about you?" He asked.

"I always miss you, even when you're just across the square." She smiled. "Are you back at the hotel?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "I just walked in. A king bed is nothing special without you... I wish you could've come."

"Me too," she replied. "But five days away from the kids? I could do that with Katie and Aaron, but Mackenzie doesn't need both of us to leave."

"I know," he muttered. "You look beautiful today."

"How do you even know what I am wearing?" She laughed.

"You're wearing my favorite pair of jeans and that sheer black top with a black tank top." Jim's voice was husky and serious. "And, ooh, are you wearing a new bra?"

"Maybe," she grinned. "It's white, full lace."

"I can't wait to see it in person once we get back home from the ice cream parlor," Jim chuckled.

"What? I thought you'd-" She was beyond confused. "Katie!"

"Turn around Melinda," she did as he told her and Katie stopped the kids, seeing her father hop out of his truck. "I've been driving for hours. Once my conference got moved up to today, I left right after."

She ran to him and the moment their eyes locked he leaned down and kissed her.

When they parted she smiled, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come home." He whispered, moving the tank top slightly to get a peek at her new bra. "The kids are approaching, but I am going to ravish you when we get home. I've missed you the past three days. So much Melinda."

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his body, "I missed you."

He gently kissed her forehead, "I missed you too." He move away to scoop up both Aaron and Mackenzie into a double hug.

"Daddy!" Mackenzie cheered. "You're home for forever?"

"Well yes, but I do still have to work, but not for a whole two days!" He kissed her cheek and squeezed her tight. "I missed you little fish."

"Yay! I love you daddy." Mackenzie giggled and hugged her dad back. "Can we drive to get ice cream?"

"I second that," Katie said, leaning against the truck next to her mom. "Driving will be so much faster than another ten minute trek with Mack on my shoulders."

"Nice to see you too, daughter." Jim smiled and held his arms open as Mackenzie ran to Melinda, who helped her into the truck. "I missed you too."

"I missed you too daddy," Katie grinned and hugged her father, letting him pick her up like he used to when she was just a small as Mackenzie. "How'd the conference go?"

"Great, the usual." Jim replied, pulling Aaron close as they walk to the truck. "What about you bud? How's your science project go?"

"I got into the district science fair, just like you said." Aaron beamed.

"That's fantastic Aaron!" He hugged him tightly. "I told you that you could do it, and look at where you got. I bet you might even win the whole thing."

"That would be awesome," Aaron chuckled. "Thank you for all the help. I wouldn't have gotten in without you."

"Yes, you would've." He grinned. "You're so smart Aaron, you just needed to find your sweet spot. Luckily, it's science and sports like me which means I can help."

"Thanks dad," Aaron nodded and ran off to the truck.

Melinda met him with a kiss and ran her fingers through his hair. He felt Melinda's arms roam over his back as she pulled herself closer to him. Their faces were inches apart. Jim kissed her forehead and they walked back to the truck.

"You're a great father," she smiled. "Even with being away every so often."

"Melinda-" He muttered.

"I know you think that because you work so much that you aren't a great father..." She replied, kissing his cheek. "But you are an amazing father. You are such a better parent then me and we work together a great parents. Never think you're not the best Jim because you are. Did you see the smile you put on our son's face?"

Jim grinned and hugged his wife tightly. "I love you," he whispered in her ear. "Let's go get ice cream."


Melinda entered the room last and shut the door behind her, locking it before pulling her shirt off.

"Asleep, all of them. Well, except Katie, but she isn't going to get in the way." She muttered. "I need to shower. I feel like I'm covered in ice cream after trying to clean Mackenzie up."

"Shower all you want, but I'm joining you." Jim said, slipping out of bed and shedding all of his clothes before he stepped inside the bathroom and she grinned at him, pulling her tank top over her head. He grabbed her by her hips and kissed her, moving to push her against the wall. He grasped her bra strap, pulling on it slowly as he kissed her collarbone. "I love this new bra."

She pressed herself into him, feeling his hands trace over his stomach and running up her stomach, over her back to unclasp her bra and throw it to the floor. Hooking her leg around his hip and pulling him close, she brought his mouth to hers, kissing him.

He hooked his fingers in two of the belt loops of her jeans to shimmy them off her figure. Her panties came with and kissed each of her thighs as he brought the jeans to her ankles. She kicked them off and made her way over to the shower, holding her hand out to Jim.

They'd redone the bathroom last year with part of Jim's yearly bonus and had made their dream bathroom. A separate shower and relaxing jacuzzi tub with his and her sinks. They had to shrink the size of their fourth bedroom, but Aaron didn't mind. Especially not when Jim bought him a new baseball glove and bat.

Once they're both inside the shower, he immediately pressed a soapy luffa against her back, squeezing the suds onto her back, watching them drip over her skin. She felt Jim's hands slide smoothly around her waist, holding her for a moment, kissing her neck. His body was flush against hers, his erection trapped between them. His hands wandered, teasingly at first, but deliberately a moment later. He took each breast in hand, massaging them before clasping her nipples between his fingers and rolling them in a circular motion.

He stopped before she can speak, his hands moving south over her stomach. She tensed in anticipation, gasping loudly when he finally reached his destination. The pressure of his fingertips between her legs felt impossibly good, and she clamped her free hand over his as her way of telling him that.

He increased in speed when she dug her fingernails into his wrist. His voice sounded so distant when he asked her how it felt, and she could only moan in response. He pulled away, and she barely stopped a whimper from escaping her lips. Her disappointment quickly turned to surprise and then to anticipation when she felt him gather up her hair in one hand and swing it over one shoulder. The first kiss that he placed on the base of her neck sent a shiver down her spine.

And then his mouth followed that trail, placing soft but insistent kisses and luscious licks along her backbone, and it took nearly all of her energy just to stay upright. When he got to the small of her back, she felt him grip her hips for balance as he dropped to his knees. She gasped when he bit her ass cheek, moans when he moved to the other side to repeat the same action. But it's the feel of his nose nudging between her legs that made her cry out.

He stilled, and she knew the silent question that's being asked of her. She answered by spreading her feet, giving him better access. He didn't hesitate, and she cried out again when he pushed the curled tip of his tongue inside her. When he pulled out, she became dimly aware of him speaking, but only managed to make out the words taste and long above the sound of the running water. He resumed his original position, pressed up against her back, one hand reaching up to twist a nipple between his fingertips. Her head fell back to rest on his shoulder, back arched, and she's faintly aware of his whispered words in her ear as he brought her to breaking point. She cried out as he took her over the edge, the sound echoing around the shower.

His mouth met her neck as she gasped, her throat jumping against his lips as she came. He held onto her tightly, surrounding her, until her breathing slows. When she felt strong enough to straighten and lean back into him, the presence of his erection hits her like a wave. Her body stilled as he held her up, holding her body up.

"I'm gonna need," she breathed and smiled back at him. "Another minute."

"Anything you need," he chuckled, kissing her neck, against her back.

"Or two," she whispered.

He was a cocky bastard when he won, and she loved it. She turned her head to kiss his throat, moving to his jaw and turning to face him. His hands moved to her ass, and she kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she regained her breathing. He cupped her ass and they pressed against the cool tile. Using the leverage, he scooped her her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding against him. He pinned her to the wall with his hips as he reached down to adjust and quickly lined himself up. His eyes met hers and she smiled at him, leaning in to kiss him and only barely kissing him before kissing his stubble. He entered her, closing his eyes as he felt the familiar pressure closing around him.

"Hey," he gasped, smiling at her. "I love you and this damn bathroom."

"Me too," she laughed and rested her head back on the tile. "I missed you."

It took him a moment to establish a rhythm due to the new position, but Melinda soon started to move with him and eased his movements with her own. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his shoulders and her back was arched in an elegant bow, forcing her breasts to rub deliciously against his chest as he thrusted into her again and again.

She grasped his hair and her lips moved from his to his cheek where her head fell back in ecstasy. He chuckled as she whispered demands in his ears, her nails digging into his skin.

"You feel so good…" She said, her words turning into a moan when he caught one of her nipples between his lips and ran his tongue along the puckered flesh. "God damnit Jim... I've wanted you for three days and you're here... you're here."

"I'm here," he responded a moment later. "I'm close, Mel…"

"I'm not there yet. Almost." She muttered, dropping her head to his shoulder and kissing his neck softly. "You can let go."

He shook his head and kissed her. He'd never let himself go before her. Never. He brought her to the floor of the shower, changing his angle and thrusting deeper and deeper into her. She arched into him, yelping into him. He smugly marked her collarbone as she eagerly laughed beneath him, kissing his neck right back.

"Jim!" She cried out, and neither bothered to care about how loud she was, because the sound of his name coming out of her mouth made him almost come right then and there. Her moans made him groan and with each scream and each thrust, they both got closer to their release.

She began to shudder under him, one hand slapped the wet shower tile, while the other grasped onto his hair, pulling almost to the point of pain.

"J…Jimm! Jim, fuck, oh my god Jim, Fuck!" she chanted before her body completely seized up as a long whimper escaped her. Her thighs tightened, before releasing all together, falling open limply. "And here I almost thought you were starting to lose your touch..."

She whispered into his ear and he shuddered in response to her words, a long moan leaving his lips as he enjoyed his release just as she did. He moaned his appreciation into her hair before thrusting into her one last time. His head fell to her shoulder, where he toned his breathing down enough to reach up and shut the shower off. He pushed off her and they laid there on the wet floor in blissful silence.

She glanced over at him and kissed his shoulder, getting up.

"You coming with me, doctor hotshot?" She smirked back at him over her shoulder. "I'm thinking... it's my turn to give you a little fun. After i make a trip downstairs..."

"What do you have planned Gordon?" He said, sitting up.

"Ooh.. the maiden name." She giggled, winking at him. "I'm sensing you want to know what I'm gonna do, but I'm not gonna tell you."

He's still breathing hard when he stands and follows her, catching the towel she threw at him.

"Hey," he smiled, grasping her hand and pulling him to her, kissing her deeply.

She melted into him, wrapping her arm around his neck and moaning into his lips. She laughed and pushed him onto the bed. "I'm still not telling you," she giggled and shook her head. "Nice try Clancy. Hang in there while I check on the kiddos and run downstairs." She grabbed her robe on the back of the door and tied it around her waist.