Mel wakes the following morning to the smell of coffee and pancakes, and Jack swearing under his breath, spatula in hand.
"Good morning," she tells him as she walks over to him, giving him a kiss as she surveys the kitchen. "You're making pancakes?"
"Well, you already had the mix, and you were still sleeping, so I thought I'd give it a try," he explains. "Good morning, fiancé," he smiles at her as she holds out her hand, admiring the ring in the light of day.
"I like the sound of that," she smiles at him, pouring herself a cup of coffee as he finishes up the last of the pancakes. They eat breakfast together, Mel enjoying a big stack of pancakes before helping herself to more. She's laughing at something Jack says, and she doesn't notice that one of the pancakes isn't fully cooked inside, and suddenly a wave of nausea overtakes her. She drops her fork, running to the bathroom, her hand over her mouth.
"Mel?" Jack calls, worried. "Are you ok? I'm so sorry. I'm not the best cook!"
"It's ok," Mel says, sitting on the floor. "It might not even be the pancakes, I get exposed to all kinds of germs every day, remember? They really were delicious!"
After a few minutes, her queasiness passes, and she washes up and gets ready for her day. She works the entire day, busy now that Doc has cut back on his hours. Jack calls her at lunch time to see how she's feeling. "I'm doing ok," she tells him, "I'm probably just fighting something off, that's all." She had seen a few patients with a stomach virus this week.
News of their engagement spreads around the town, and more than one person comes into the clinic just to see the ring. Everyone seems genuinely happy for them, and by the time Mel returns home that evening, she is feeling great.
A few days later, she wakes up in the middle of the night, freezing. She shivers, snuggling up to Jack's body heat, but it doesn't help. She gets out of bed and heads to the bathroom, looking for a thermometer. The thermometer beeps, and she checks it, but her temperature is normal. She puts on a sweatshirt, wraps herself in the extra quilt she keeps at the foot of the bed, and curls up next to Jack.
An hour later, she wakes up, covered in sweat, as if she had a fever and it had broken while she slept. "What is going on?" she thinks as she walks back into the bathroom to splash water on her face.
"Mel?" Jack asks, realizing she isn't beside him in bed anymore. "Are you ok?"
"It's the strangest thing," she explains, "I woke up freezing about an hour ago, and now I feel like I'm on fire, but I don't have a temperature."
"Maybe you should talk to Doc tomorrow," Jack suggests, feeling her forehead. "You haven't been feeling well lately, and you've been tired."
"Ok," Mel agrees, climbing back into bed.
By the next morning she feels completely fine again, and it isn't until a few days later that she has another disturbing new symptom, a few sharp pains in her lower abdomen. She finally decides to confide in Doc, who sends her to a colleague of his up in Clear River. When she tells Jack about her appointment, he insists on going with her.
"Jack," she says as they drive, "I'm really ok. I'm sure it's just a virus or something."
When she arrives at the doctor's office, they take her back alone and draw blood and take a urine sample before having her change into a gown and wait for the doctor. Jack is allowed back with her then and he holds her hand while they take her blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. The doctor enters a little while later, clipboard in hand.
"Hi, Melinda," she says, "I'm Dr. Hewson."
"Call me Mel," Mel tells her, "It's nice to meet you. This is my fiancé, Jack."
"So, I hear you haven't been feeling well lately?" Dr. Hewson says.
"Yeah," Mel answers, "I've been tired, my temperature seems to be fluctuating but I haven't had a fever, and I had some abdominal pain this morning."
"I see," Dr. Hewson replies, smiling. "Doc tells me you're a nurse practitioner and midwife, and a good one at that, so I'm surprised you haven't figured out your own diagnosis, Mel."
"What do you mean?" Mel asks, looking between the doctor and Jack, confused.
The doctor takes a breath, "You're pregnant."
"What?" Mel gasps, her jaw dropping, "That is impossible!"
"Not according to your blood and urine samples, it isn't," the doctor replies. "Now we can do an ultrasound to confirm if you want, to see how far along you are. What's the date of your last period?"
"I don't know," Mel admits. "They haven't been regular for a while now. And I've been under so much stress. I just figured I hadn't had one because…oh my God!"
"Mel?" Jack asks, studying her.
"This can't be! I was told I couldn't conceive. I've been through IVF. My last doctor said I couldn't have children!" Tears begin streaming down her face.
"Let me get the ultrasound machine, and I'll give you two a minute," Dr. Hewson says, leaving the room.
Mel sits there in shock for a few minutes, running her hands over her abdomen unconsciously while she thinks. "I'm such an idiot, Jack. I'm so sorry. We didn't use anything! I never thought in a million years that this could happen…"
"What are you sorry about?" he asks. She looks up at him, questioning. "I've never been happier in my life. The woman I love, the woman I'm going to marry, is having my baby. Mel! This is amazing!" He cradles her face in his hands, kissing her, wiping her tears away. "Aren't you happy?"
Before she can answer, the doctor returns with the ultrasound machine. Mel lifts up her shirt and Dr. Hewson begins moving the probe across her stomach. "Right there," the doctor says proudly, pointing to a tiny blob on the screen. Mel gasps. "I'd say you're about eleven weeks along. Congratulations." She hits print and hands them a picture of the baby. "Mel, everything looks perfect."
"I know," Mel says, staring at the blurry image, in absolute awe.
"Hold on, listen," the doctor says, and the sound of a heartbeat fills the room. Mel begins to cry, squeezing Jack's hand tightly. "Good, nice and strong," she tells them.
"I can't believe this," Mel says, as the doctor leaves so that she can get dressed. "Jack, what if something happens to the baby? I don't know if I can do this!"
"Shh," he holds her, "You heard what the doctor said, everything looks perfect. It's going to be ok."
"I don't understand," she says again. "Mark and I tried everything, fertility treatments, hormones, IVF, nothing worked."
"Well," he grins, "We certainly gave nature plenty of opportunities for success, plus all this mountain air."
She laughs, throwing her arms around his neck. "You sure you're happy about this?"
"I've never been happier. Not everyone gets everything they've ever wanted all at once," he answers, kissing her softly.
"I can't wait to tell Joey!" Mel exclaims, finally allowing herself to feel happy about the news.
The doctor returns to give Mel a prescription for prenatal vitamins. "Dr. Hewson?" Mel asks hesitantly. "I had a baby before. Through IVF. She was stillborn. Placental abruption."
"I'm so sorry, Mel," Dr. Hewson says, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
"Do you think I'm higher risk because of that? I want to be happy, this is a dream come true. But…" she trails off.
"But you're afraid that the same thing will happen again?" the doctor fills in for her, and Mel nods. "Listen, I know you're nervous, all new moms are, but I do believe that things happen for a reason. Just like some couples are more biologically compatible to conceive than others, I've seen many women like you who thought they were barren go on to have big families. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that in about seven months from now I'm handing you your beautiful new baby, ok?"
"Ok," Mel says, "Thank you doctor." With a final nod, the doctor leaves. Mel turns to Jack. "This is unbelievable. Oh Jack! I'm so happy! A baby!"
"Our baby," he says, pulling her into a tight hug.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
They decide to keep the news of the pregnancy to themselves until Mel is in her second trimester and step up the pace for the wedding planning. "I don't want to get married looking like a whale," Mel jokes.
When Mel is thirteen weeks along, she calls her sister.
"How's engaged life going?" Joey asks. "Did you guys set a date yet?"
"We did actually," Mel says, "Oh, and I want to meet you somewhere to go dress shopping, ok? But Joey, are you sitting down right now?"
"Why?" Joey asks warily. "Mel, what is it?"
"You're going to be an aunt," Mel says.
"You're pregnant? Oh my God, Mel!" Joey exclaims.
"I know," Mel replies. "I'm thirteen weeks. Can you believe it?"
"How's Jack?" Joey asks.
"Oh, he's over the moon about it. Joey, he's amazing. At first, I was nervous because I saw how he reacted when he thought he was going to a father with Charmaine, but he's so happy. And he's been taking such good care of me."
"And everything is good? You and the baby are healthy?" Joey asks.
"Yes," Mel replies. "I know, I was just as stunned as you are when we found out. But I've seen it myself, women who think they can't conceive and then suddenly I'm delivering their healthy baby. This is what I've always wanted, Joey."
"I know," Joey replies. "I'm so happy for you, sis."
"Thanks," Mel responds. "Now let's talk wedding plans, I don't have much time!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Mel can't stop smiling as she walks into the clinic that morning. Doc is sitting at the desk and he looks up when she enters. "Looks like we have a pretty light day today," he tells her.
"That's good," Hope replies, emerging from the kitchen holding two cups of coffee. She hands one to Doc and extends the other to Mel, who politely waves it away.
"So now that I have the two of you here, there's something I'd like to ask you," Mel tells them. "As you know, Jack and I are engaged, and we want you to be part of the wedding. My parents are both gone, and you've become like family to me. I was wondering if you both would like to walk me down the aisle."
"We'd be honored," Hope replies.
Doc doesn't respond at first, his eyes looking a bit misty as he turns to Mel. "Nothing would make me happier," he says quietly.
"So, have you set a date?" Hope asks.
"Yes, next month on the fifteenth," Mel answers.
"Wow, so soon? What's the rush?" Hope questions.
"Um, well," Mel says, her hand moving over her abdomen, "We wanted to do it before I start showing."
"You're pregnant!" Hope exclaims. She launches herself at Mel, hugging her, "I'm so happy for you! Oh Mel!"
Doc looks at Mel, "You let me know if you need anything," he tells her. "Anything at all. We are here for you, and Jack too of course."
"I know, thank you," she says, hugging them both.
Mel smiles, thinking about the upcoming wedding. She already asked Joey to be her matron-of-honor, and Preacher will be Jack's best man.
"What about your old friends from L.A.?" Joey asks when they are making the guest list, "Do you want to invite them?"
"No," she replies. "None of them have stayed in touch. I don't think they knew what to say anymore after I lost the baby and Mark. I don't really blame them."
They want to have the wedding in Virgin River, of course, and Lilly offers up her farm for a venue. The other residents all come together to offer lodging in addition to Joellen's place. Mel travels back to L.A. to buy and get fitted for a wedding dress, choosing to go a much simpler route for her second wedding. The weeks pass by in a blur of wedding planning, invitations, flowers, and talking over the menu for the reception with Preacher. Even though planning her first wedding was stressful, Mel finds herself enjoying every minute of it this time around.
Jack's marine buddies return a few days before the big day for his bachelor party. "I knew it the first time I saw you look at Mel," Mike tells him the night before the big day. "You had stars in your eyes, my friend."
"He has ever since she first came to town," Preacher replies. "You should have seen him the night they met, practically falling all over himself just to talk to her."
Jack laughs, "Well, can you blame me?"
"No," all the men say in unison, and Jack glares at them.
"Hey now," he scolds them, "That's my soon-to-be-wife you're talking about."
"Wife!" Mike laughs, "Mrs. Jack Sheridan. Who would have thought! We never thought you'd settle down. And now you're getting married with a baby on the way."
He's right, and Jack knows it. But despite everything, nothing has ever felt more right to him than marrying Mel. Just thinking about her has his heart pounding. He can't wait to marry her. His phone buzzes with an incoming text. It is from an unknown number.
Congrats, man. Mel is great. I'm happy for you. -Brady
Jack immediately dials the number, but gets a message that it has been disconnected. No one has heard from Brady since he fled from law enforcement the night of the bust. He's soon distracted yet again by his buddies and friends from town, and he can't stop smiling, all thoughts of Brady slipping away.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Mel sits in a room full of women from town and her sister, drinking wine and talking about the wedding the next day. This is her bachelorette party, far different from the one she had when she was going to marry Mark.
"That Jack," Muriel says, "I tell you, he's an absolute doll. And those dimples! If only he were a bit younger," she sighs.
"A bit? Try thirty years!" Hope interjects, and they all laugh as Muriel scowls.
"Jack is sure one of a kind," Connie adds, "He's been our most eligible bachelor for years. You know when he first came here, the women practically lined up. I mean, those eyes alone will get you, am I right?" All of the women nod in agreement. "But he never settled down with anyone. And it wasn't due to lack of trying, either."
"You mean on the women's part," Hope jests, and again, laughter.
"So, how'd you do it?" Muriel asks Mel.
"Do what?" Mel questions.
"Finally get him to settle down?" Muriel clarifies.
Mel smiles, "I didn't do anything. When I moved here love was the absolute last thing I was looking for. I just wanted a fresh start. But from the moment we met, I knew Jack was something special." There's a resounding sigh of agreement. "We just felt…drawn to each other somehow."
"Like magnets," Hope interrupts. "You should have seen them. Jack gravitated towards her from the beginning. He insisted that Mel stay in Virgin River, he even renovated the old cabin for her. He was always making himself available to drive her places, bring her coffee, just show up wherever she was. It was the sweetest thing."
"I know," Joey interjects, "I noticed it when I first met Jack. I could tell by the way he looked at my sister that there was something there. And when I saw him, I knew what my sister had been going on about."
"Oh please," Mel says, smacking her sister on the arm, "I did not 'go on' about him."
"Um, yes you did!" Joey replies, and the women all laugh. "Every phone call his name would come up. 'Jack and I did this' or 'Jack said that'. It was precious!"
Mel rolls her eyes and shakes her head, just as Hope and Connie point at a table full of gifts. "Come on Mel, we know you didn't want a shower, but we all wanted to get you a little something."
She opens the gifts one by one, most of which are cute maternity outfits that she will be able to wear later. The last one is a big gift bag with a tag that says it is from everyone there. Mel opens it to reveal several silk nightgowns with matching lingerie sets. She lifts each delicate one up to show everyone, and they all ooh and ahh collectively.
"Jack won't be able to keep his hands off you when he sees you in those," Connie says.
"He already can't!" Joey laughs, and again the women giggle.
"So, tell me," Muriel says, sitting down beside Mel. "There's something the women of Virgin River have been dying to know. How is he?"
Laughter ensues once more, and Mel turns scarlet. "I am not discussing this with all of you!" she exclaims.
"Oh, come on, Mel!" a few of them shout.
Mel covers her face in her hands, clearly embarrassed. "Alright, alright," she begins. "I have no complaints. I mean, none." She didn't tell them that Jack ignited a passion in her that she didn't even knew existed before she met him. She didn't mention that just thinking about him made her long for him. She didn't say that every touch was electric, every kiss passionate. No, that was just for her and Jack.
She couldn't wait to marry him tomorrow.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Stop fidgeting!" Joey scolds as Mel shifts anxiously in her chair the next morning. "I'm going to burn you if you don't stay still!" Joey releases the curl of Mel's hair from the curling iron, sighing in frustration.
"I'm sorry!" Mel says, "Is it really sappy if I say I can't wait to see Jack? I miss him."
"You've only been apart for one night!" Joey exclaims, laughing. "No, it isn't sappy. I think it's really sweet. Have I told you how happy I am for you, sis? No one deserves this more than you."
Mel looks at herself in the mirror as Joey pins her veil into the half up do that she knows Jack will love, as he's always finding a way to touch her hair. "I feel a little guilty," she admits.
"Why?" Joey asks. "Because of Mark?"
"Yeah," Mel says, looking down at her lap. "It's just so different with Jack. I can't even explain it."
"Loving Jack the way you do doesn't diminish what you had with Mark. You loved him. You don't need to feel like you're betraying his memory. He'd want you to be happy," Joey says.
"I know," Mel replies.
"Sometimes I think that what you have with Jack is so deep and so intense because of all that you've been through. You don't take anything for granted. You both understand how precious life is, and how it can change in the blink of an eye. And so, you love with your whole hearts, no holding back," Joey explains.
"I never thought of it that way," Mel answers. "Thanks."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Jack waits nervously at the makeshift altar, which is essentially an archway decorated with flowers and tulle. The reverend waits behind them, and Preacher at his side. And although he knows every inch of Mel, has memorized every freckle, every curve, nothing could have prepared him to see the way she looks in this moment.
Mel rounds the farmhouse and walks into the field, Hope and Doc holding each of her arms. Her golden hair is shining in the sunlight, and her skin is glowing. She locks eyes with him as she walks up the aisle, and the crowd fades away, until it is only them.
As soon as Mel sees Jack, her entire body relaxes. He is looking incredible in a black suit and tie, smiling radiantly as she approaches, and she feels that familiar spark as they join hands and face the reverend, her stomach erupting in butterflies. The reverend begins the ceremony, but Mel and Jack can only focus on each other, his words barely registering.
"And now, Mel and Jack would like to recite their own vows," the reverend says.
Jack takes a breath, "Mel," he begins, "I knew it from the first moment that I saw you that I would love you always. You are the most beautiful and amazing person I have ever met. You are my heart, and I promise to be by your side for the rest of my days. I love you with everything that I am."
Mel's eyes fill with tears as she squeezes his hands and says, "Jack, you saved me. I felt connected to you from that first moment we met. And even though falling in love with you was the last thing I expected, you have made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. I love you more than I can even put into words. If any two people are meant to be in this world, it's us."
They exchange rings and say, "I do" and the reverend turns to the crowd and says "With the power vested in me, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
With that, Jack kisses Mel passionately while the crowd erupts into cheers and eventually catcalls when the newly married couple continues kissing. They finally break apart, Jack leaning his forehead against Mel's. "I love you," he whispers.
"I love you," she replies, giving him another quick peck on the lips before taking him by the hand and walking together down the aisle.
"So, Mrs. Sheridan," Jack says once they are away from the crowd. "You're stunning, by the way. Have I mentioned that? I'm the luckiest man in the world."
"Look at you in that suit!" Mel replies, "Muriel is practically drooling over you. Tonight, husband, you're all mine."
"I love the sound of that," Jack smiles, kissing her again.