Autumn gift

Weeks have passed. Everything was calm. There had been no news of Calvin's camp for a long time. Mike says they've probably moved after the accident. But for safety's sake, cops from LA checked the area weekly.

Mel and Jack were like teenagers. Happy, playful and loved each other so much. They spent a lot of time together. Especially loved the cold winter nights. Hugging, cooking, reading and making love... It was a perfect time.

They were preparing for Thanksgiving in the last weeks of November. Jack decided to invite his whole family to Virgin River. His parents, her four sisters, and more importantly ... Joey and her family.

Mel was very happy... the whole family and her new family spend the holiday together. They haven't told the news yet: they were already married. She officially became a family member. Which Mel was especially happy about. A family that loves her... And a husband like Jack... it was the like a dream. A sexy dream. Jack booked all the rooms of the Fitches long before so the family have a place to stay. 5 rooms. And Jack's parents will get his flat at the bar. They loved Jack's apartment. Pleasant and comfortable.

THANKSGIVING

Mel beautifully decorated the bar the beginning of the week. Orange flowers, red berries... Jack transformed the tables into a large one in the middle of the bar. They were closed that day.

Joey's family went to Eureka by plane and to Virgin River by car. The others all chose to travel by car. First station was the Fitches. Mel and Jack have been waiting for them there. Plenty of people. Exactly: 20 people arrived.

Everyone hugged each other. The new married ones were shining. It was a pleasure to look at them. Mel introduced Joey and her family to everyone.

AT JACK'S

The table was fabulous. Lots of delicacies, food and drink.

+ Wow! This is amazing! – said Joey. Look at that kids! – and pointed at the table.

Jack's mother was having a chit-chat with his son face to face. They laughed a lot… Memories…

+ Joey is so kind! She really loves Mel doesn't she? – said Emily.

+ Yeah! She is her family. Always support and protect Mel.

+ Mel's parents? – asked softly.

+ Uhmm. They have died… her mother…. she had a cancer, when they were just children… - he sighed and became sad. And their father about 10 years ago….

+ So, Mel was raised by Joey? – touched his hand.

+ You can say that… this is the reason… you know… an unbroken bond.

AFTER THE MEAL

Jack stood up, and started to speak:

+ And now, beautiful ladies and less beautiful gents… - everybody started to laugh. Time has come for the traditional game…

+ Oh no… It's not fair. You win always… - said Brie teasingly.

+ It's not my fault…I'm simply perfect. – and he combed his hair back with his hands.

Mel turned to Emily.

+ What's going on?

+ Archer competition.

OUTSIDE

Targets were already set up. The bows were ready.

+ How to play? In teams? – asked Mel.

+ Teams… - said Jack… Okay then… Who wants to play? Hands up!

Brie, Jeannie, Donna. Mary stayed with children. Eric, Tom and Aaron.

Joey, Bill, Martin and Jack's parents formed the audience.

+ Wanna try it? – Jack asked Mel.

+ Uhmm. I don't know… - hesitated. Okay! I'm in. – and she winked at Joey.

Joey started to chuckle and smiled at Mel.

+ Because you are the hosts, you will be the team leaders. – suggested Sam, pointed at Mel and Jack.

+ Soo… we pick members? – asked Mel.

+ Aham. – said Emily.

+ You go first! – Jack smiled at her.

Mel didn't know the ability of the others. But knew her own. Although it was a secret.

+ Hmm. Okay…. Brie….Tom…. Jeannie…..Aaron…..

+ Ughf… I got the better ones… - and giggled…

+ I am not so sure! – noticed Joey.

A big target. Colored circles. A little red in the middle. It gives the highest point.

Jack stood up and shot with the bow. Boundary line.

+ He is the best in the family! – sad Emily with a kind smile on her face.

Mel stood behind the line. Took the bow in her hand. It was heavy. She was holding it strange.

Farce... - Joey thought.

+ May I help you? - asked Jack and went toward to her.

+ Yeah! Thanks.

Joey snorted and giggled.

Jack took the woman's arm and pulled it into the correct position.

+ Good girl! – he said.

Mel hesitated and lowered the bow. She took out the arrow, lifted it up to her mouth, and tore a piece of feather out of it with teeth. She tensed her muscles. Raised the bow, curved her back, and aimed. Right to the center. Jack froze… His jaw was dropped. His eyes were wide open.

+ He was the best! – said teasingly and grinned.

Everyone was surprised except Joey. Loud laugh.

+ I want to be on Mel's team. – shouted Donna.

+ Me too! Me too! – said Eric.

Jack was still frozen…

+ Who are you? – he demanded.

+ I've been doing this since I was 6… so, 27 years of experience… and you? How many years of experience do you have? – asked cocky.

Not surprisingly, Mel's team won. Jack couldn't catch them in points. It was funny and amazing at the same time.

BACK TO THE BAR

+ Who wants pie? – asked Jack.

Everyone.

+ Hey, Honey! Can you help me with the pies?

+ Sure! – she smiled.

Mel set the pie on the table with slow movements.

+ I think we can greet new family members people. – noticed Mary and pointed at Mel with her head.

All eyes were on Mel. She was blushing. Jack came out of the kitchen with two other pies…

Mel was still silent. Her face was red.

What? Don't like the pie? Do you want something else?

Yes! A gem like what this Beauty wears on her finger. – said Jeannie humorously.

+ Uhmmm. Yeah… be my wife and you got… - and began to scratch the back of his neck.

Sam spat out the water…

+ Wife? – he asked. You mean… you have already…

+ Uhmm. Yeah…. – he was blushing too.

+ Shame on you! – said Joey. I didn't receive an invitation….

Mel was happy. Joey supported the marriage. She thought Joey would feel it an early step. But she didn't.

+ Soo.. We can say that: Jack really WAS the best archer in the family. Just was… - chuckled Emily and hugged Mel. Everyone did. Especially Joey…

AT NIGHT

Jack and Mel were in the cabin.

It was warm and there was a delicate scent in the air. Hot apple juice with cinnamon. The man took with a mug to his love, who was sitting on the couch. Under the blanket she was like a puppeted caterpillar. The man smiled at this.

+ Here you go, Honey.

+ Oooohhh! Thaaank youuu! Smells so gooood! – and she pulled it to herself. Hmmm. It's so warm. I love it!

Jack took the woman's leg in his lap. He placed his arms on the back of the couch and his head into the palms. Begun to stare at her. There was passion in his eyes, and a smile on his face. He loved watching his wife. She's so cuddly, so beautiful, she's like a fairy. His fairy. His wife. He sleeps next to her every day and wakes up too. He didn't demand more than that.

+ What? – she asked smiley.

+ Nothing. I just love watching you… - said silky. Did you know in this position, with this (pointed at the blanket) you're like a caterpillar?

+ Then I hope, you like caterpillars!... because this is my Winter form… - and started to drink her juice.

+ I love caterpillars… but this one… more than anything… - pulled her hand close and kissed it…

Jack was massaging Mel's feet and they were chatting.

+ Sooo… What was the holiday like?

+ Simply great. I enjoyed sooooooooo much.. I have never had a holiday like this before. So many people ... did you count them? 20 guests ... I felt like I had a family ...

+ Because you do! You had so far!

+ I don't mean Joey now. I love Her! I really do... she's my best friend! - except you, of course... - smiled. But this has been missing. What I felt today.

+ I didn't think of it either. Virgin River... We're a family! - and cared her cheek…

…

+ Now! Tell me about archery. Why haven't you mentioned it yet?

+ You never asked… - laughed.

+ I didn't want to drag your pride through the mud. - chortled.

Jack suddenly pinched the woman's side gently and carefully. It was like tickling ... and he finally started tickling her.

+ You know what? – asked Jack and wiggled his eyebrows.

+ What? – asked archly.

+ I know something I'm unbeatable about...

+ Is that so? – she snorted. What is it?

+ Get you to the top. – and winked at her so sensually.

+ I don't know ... maybe you should give a presentation or something. – she bit her lower lip.

+ You can bet I will. I am going to… Immediately.

Jack got the woman up, headed toward to the bed and carried her over his shoulder.

NEXT MORNING

+ Good morning sunshine! – said Jack.

+ Oh come on! You are way much lovely! Stop it! – she laughed… Good morning handsome!

+ Am I the lovely one, huh? – snorted…

Jack pulled her closer and put his head next to Mel's neck.

+ Can I ask you something?

+ Yeah… but I don't have more energy for another round… - she said tiredly.

+ That's okay… - he smiled and kissed her head… but I wanted to ask something else…

+ Go on! But I'm half asleep…. – and closed her eyes back.

+ When are you telling me you're with child? – asked happily.

She turned back right away. Mel looked at Jack angrily.

+ What about being with a child? This is not funny. If you think I'm fat, then say it. Not this...

Jack turned pale. His eyes widened and he frowned.

+ You don't know? – asked in surprise.

+ Know about what? – still angry.

+ Mel! – grabbed her hand… You are pregnant.

+ How is it possible that you didn't know it before? You're a midwife…

+ I'm not pregnant! I am sterile. I have told you that… - and turned her face off Jack.

+ You've been eating more lately. No offence, I love it! You haven't had your period in about 2 months... If you don't have any other illness, it's pretty weird under other circumstances. Your breasts have grown. You may not notice this, but I do. I touch them all the time. - laughed. It's color also changed. Especially your nipples ... Don't you look in the mirror? - he raised an eyebrow.

She froze. Would that be true?...

Jack touched Mel's face. It was soft but cold.

+ I can't… I can't… believe… I need to go to the clinic… we have.. we have… tests…

+ Hey! Stop for a minute! It's okay. Calm down! It'll be fine! Take a deep breath…. and out… Good girl… Now come here. – and he laid her down onto his chest…

+ I need to… go…
+ I'll go with you.

AT THE CLINIC

Mel took out 5 tests. They both sat down in the office ...

+ Look at me! Hey! Look at me! – he said forceful. If it's true... stay calm. Everything will be fine. I love you... Don't think about bad things. We are lucky and we have to be happy about it.

She nodded.

+ So? – asked Jack.

+ You look them…

The man checked all tests. All positive.

+ Positive.

+ Which one? – she asked.

+ Everyone.

She was shocked…. then Doc came in.

+ Good morning fellas! – he said. Oh. Did I mess up something? – and looked at the tests.

Mel raised her head up and looked at the man…

+ I need a Pregnancy Test. Blood one.

+ All right. You are very experienced. Do it yourself...

+ I can't.

+ Why?

+ Because I need it.

+ Ahaaa.

AFTER A WHILE

+ Congratulations. It's positive. – Doc was happy for them

Jack's face lit up. But she just sat in silence…

+ Something wrong?

The husband put his hand on his wife's shoulder and squeezed it.

+ There's nothing wrong ... just ... you know ...

+ I had a stillborn baby once... and doctors said I couldn't give birth anymore... – said Mel with tears in her eyes.

The doc touched the woman's hand.

+ Mel? Do you believe in miracles?

She looked into his eyes in silence.

+ Yes.

+ Then I think we can call this a miracle. Agree Jack?

+ Yes. - tears sprang to his eyes too…

+ I leave you two alone. – and Doc left the office.

Jack squatted in front of the woman. He wiped her face with the palm of his hand.

+ Listen to me please... Don't be afraid. The past is the past. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you... neither of you. Maybe you're not happy about this?

+ It's not ... of course I'm happy. If you knew how much ... I'm just ... scared ...

+ + Everything will be fine.

+ How do you know?

+ Because... I will pray every day for your health from this day on. I will pray until the day our child gets married and even after that. Did I answer well?

She nodded and hugged him.

+ You trust me? – he asked.

+ More than anybody. I'll trust you with my life…

+ Good! So. Just be a happy pregnant mother, and leave the rest to me…

+ Are you going to grant my every wish?

+ Absolutely. - smoothed her hair behind her ears…

He kissed her forehead then said:

+ Do you know what's best about it all ... except that in the end you get the prize?

+ What? - he asked.

+ Pregnant women are very horny all the time... and due to you want to fulfill all my wishes… -winked at him.

+ Hey Doc. Can Mel get the day off?

+ Of course! Celebrate! Bring me a cake too ... - he replied.

Jack took his wife by the hand and they didn't stop until bed.