Author's Note: Wow! It has been a long time! Sorry for the wait. Please forgive me. Life has been a whirlwind over here. But I have finally updated! Please enjoy! Also let me know what you think! ;)

Chapter 29

Years had passed in Maycomb and with the years went many whom Melanie loved. First, was her father. Old Jeremy Graham had a stroke leaving his business to his brother but a handsome inheritance for Melanie and little Jem once he was old enough. Second, was the shocking death of Jonquil Reynolds. While walking home from visiting her father's home a local dog that had been infected with rabies bit Jonquil. Try as he might to treat his wife, Dr. Reynolds was unable to save her. Third, Violet-Jean lost her life giving life to her last child. Despite offering to help out, Bob refused to let Melanie or anyone near his children.

Melanie could have fallen into depression but the growing Jem needed her. She focused solely on her darling son who only got cuter and healthier with each passing day. Nothing in the world could compare to the love Melanie had for her son. Well, except for maybe the love she had for Atticus.

Recently, Atticus had become rather distant as work piled up. Sometimes Melanie felt rather lonely but she had Calpurnia and Jem and sometimes Chris. But Chris worked hard as well and Calpurnia had a life of her own and could not always be with Melanie. Jem was not exactly the best one to keep a conversation since he was a child. She also learned not to vent too much to her boy after Jem started to call his father "Atticus" instead of father since he only heard Melanie refer to Atticus by his proper name. Atticus did not mind being called by his first name by the boy. Almost everyone called him Atticus. Why not his son?

Sometimes Melanie felt incomplete and bored. Most of her friends and family were dead, her husband was busy as were he still living friends, and her son who adored her and her him seemed to lack the interactions one should have with other children. There were only so many things a boy could do with his mother and she knew there would come a time when he would not want his mother to be his only friend and companion. There were some children in Maycomb but they all lived in other parts of town and not many of the young mothers seemed too fond Melanie. It was not because Melanie was mean or snobbish to them. No, it was because she happened to insult the pastor's wife when Melanie expressed her distaste for the pastoral wife's cake.

"It's a tad too sweet for me," was the simple phrase. It was as if she had slapped the woman and screamed "Hail Satan!" The pastor's wife could not stand for any critiques and thus declared to all the women that Melanie Finch was rude and lacked manners. The women of the town were stupid enough to believe her. So Melanie lacked female friends and the possibility of letting Jem make friends his own age.

Melanie knew the solution to these problems but she knew Atticus would not like her idea. Chris would not either. But Melanie knew the best way for Jem to make a friend was for her to make him one…in her womb. Another baby was what Melanie wanted! Atticus always went out of his way to prevent her from having another bundle of joy that she even stopped suggesting a child. It had been a very, very long time since she brought up having another child. But Jem needed a sibling. He needed one and Melanie was going to get him a brother or sister one way or another.

"Atticus," Melanie cooed her lover's name one night as they her in bed together. He was half asleep but grunted his acknowledgement.

"Atticus, I've been thinking a lot lately…"

"That's good," He mumbled.

"Yes. Well, while I was thinking that it's about time we try again."

"Try what again?" He sighed.

"You know…having another little bird in the nest," she slipped her hand into his shirt and rubbed his chest. He woke up then and put his glasses back on to look at her.

"Melanie, no," He shook his head and pulled her hand away from his chest.

"But Jem needs to interact with other children," She moved her hand to his thigh. He removed her hand again.

"Then he should be with the normal children around here," He countered.

"The other mothers don't like me and so won't let us over. Besides siblings are good for teaching children how to be responsible, how to share and to give a sense of family ties. I know if I didn't have my cousins raised beside me like siblings I wouldn't be who I am. Neither would you, Atticus," Melanie argued without getting heated.

"You're not healthy enough to have another child, Melanie," Atticus sat up.

"I haven't had any problems in the past two years. I'll be fine, Atticus," She sat up beside him.

"No. We're not having another child. That's that," Atticus decided. Melanie scowled.

"Fine. Until you agree to have another baby with me, I am moving out!" Melanie declared and began packing a suitcase.

"What?" Atticus watched her rather stunned,

"You heard me. Until you tell me that you want to have another baby, you're not getting any of this!" She gestured to her body, "And you can take care of Jem all by yourself!"

"Melanie," He called her name almost in the manner her father used to when she was in trouble.

"Do not 'Melanie' me! I'm leaving!" And with that Melanie left the room with suitcase and hand not caring to change out of her nightgown.

"Melanie!" Atticus jumped out of bed and followed her but she moved swiftly.

"Don't try to stop me, Atticus!" She yelled and slammed the door behind her.

"Melanie!" He opened the door and called after again. She began to run. He made into the street and called for her again. At this point the neighbors' lights began to turn on as all were hearing the calling for Melanie.

"Who's out there?" and "What's going on?" were the question hollered out so Atticus went back into his house sighing and groaning over the situation as Melanie walked down the streets of town unashamed. But then the question came to her mind: where was she going to stay?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Lights came on and the door opened,

"Miss Melanie! What are you doing here?" Calpurnia asked.

"I've left Atticus."

"What?" Calpurnia's eyes went big with the news.

"I've left him and I need a place to stay. You're my only friend that isn't a man, Cal. May I please stay with you?" Melanie asked.

"Miss Melanie, I think you need to go back to Mr. Atticus. I'm sure what he did is nothing to leave him over."

"Calpurnia, if I go back now he will never change his mind and I will be miserable. Please, let me stay here," Melanie begged.

"Alright, but you need to tell me what happened," Calpurnia welcomed her new house guest in and after helping her settle on the couch, Melanie told Calpurnia everything.

"Oh, Miss Melanie, I think you're being too hard on him. He's just worried about you."

"I know, Calpurnia but I really want another baby. I am healthy enough. I know I could do it. I at least deserve a chance to try. Besides to die giving life to my child would be a way I would not mind dying. I love Atticus and Jem and I don't want to leave them for anything but there is just something deep in me that knows I need to have another baby even if my life depends on it. Calpurnia I haven't felt this sure about anything since I married Atticus. Maybe even since I became a believer and you know I don't joke about God."

"Then maybe you do need to have this baby."

"But I know Atticus doesn't feel this way. And no matter what I can say I know he'll disagree. This is the only way I can get him to consider."

"I don't think this is the best way but I will help you out, Miss Melanie. You may stay here as long as you need."

"Thank you," Melanie hugged Calpurnia gratefully.