A/N: Look at that! Reviews!! LOL! Thank you one and all. Next chapter I'll deal w/what's coming next - (or maybe that's who) just wanted to move the story along a bit here. Thank you Triplets!! Oh and Livvie712 - that's so nice to hear. Glad you're enjoying the story. Re: C&L - I guess it just takes a lot of time to figure out what I want to happen with them and that's what's hard. But as I said - you'll have some more soon! Until 41!! xox - G

Chapter Forty

"How many more boxes?" Jack asked as he struggled up the stairs for what seemed like the millionth time.

"Just two. " Melissa gave him a grin. "This is really sweet of you Jack. I promise - I'll buy you dinner later."

As she watched him she couldn't help but smile wider. Jack had been such a sweetheart. They'd spent the bulk of the last two days together and it was amazing. Every moment she was with him, she found out something else she liked about him. The past few days, just standing next to him was beginning to make her heart beat faster. She wondered just exactly what was happening here.

"Don't worry about it." He replied as he laid the box down carefully giving her a wink. "But I do think I need to sit for a minute."

"Oh…" She looked around and panicked a bit. "OK. Umm. Here." She picked up a pile of clothes off her couch. "Do you want something to drink? I think I have juice or water."

"Water's great." Jack said with a sigh as he sank down, smiling as he watched her dash into the kitchen. She was such a bundle of energy - she nearly bounced when she walked.

"Here you go." She said with a shy little smile as she curled up on the couch close to him. She leaned her head on her hand and wondered. How did this even happen? A few weeks ago - this really cute guy was being rude to her and now - he was helping her move into her new apartment. All she knew for sure right now is that he made her smile. That was more than anyone had done for her in months. "Alison is so sweet - she practically stocked the fridge for me."

It took a second for Jack to reply. Every time she got close to him he a scent clouded his senses. Something she was wearing smelled amazing. It was flowery and just a bit spicy. It was driving him crazy. Ali's great." Jack said as he sipped his water. "She's a little pushy - but she's great." He'd protested some, but Alison was right. Melissa was really cool. He wondered just where this was going.

"Pushy?" Melissa looked at him - a bit shocked. That would be the very last word she'd use to describe Alison. "How do you figure?"

Jack couldn't believe she even had to ask. He laughed as he answered her. "You know - pushy. I mean c'mon. She's been shoving you at me for weeks."

"Shoving me at you?" Melissa's eyes lit with anger. Suddenly it all made sense. Picking up take out, lunch at the restaurant he owned. She finally figured it out. She glared at him. "Are you saying in such an oh so sweet way that she was trying to set us up?"

What did he do? Jack thought as he looked at her. "Yeah. Umm, Melissa. I didn't…"

She stood up and cut him off sharply. "Thanks for your help Jack. I think I can handle the rest."

"Melissa…." Jack couldn't believe how bad he'd blown this. First, the fact that Alison was meddling bothered him, but after he got to know her - it was tough to get his mind off Melissa. She had such an incredible smile and was really funny and sweet. And those eyes just killed him. These past few days, helping her with the gym and helping her move - he was happier than he'd been in a very long time.

She shook back her curls and crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't make me shove you out the door Jack. I'm asking you to leave nicely."

"Melissa…." Jack stood and tried to explain. "I'm sorry. I didn't…"

Jack had lit her temper and it was about to flare. Her eyes darkened a dangerous shade of green. "I didn't realize spending time with me was something you'd have to be pushed to do. " Jack was almost scared. He felt horrible and all he wanted to do was make her feel better. "It's really kinda sad, Jack. You can be so sweet and then all of the sudden - the truth comes out. Obviously you have some real issues. You were so rude to me when we first met - and then you had me fooled the next time when you became across as cute and charming. Now - I finally see the real you. You're a total jerk."

Jack finally stood and tried one last time. "I'm sorry. Melissa - you have to know I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

She had been angry and now she was unbelievably sad. She was more convinced then ever. True love - it seemed - would never, ever find her. It was always the same. "No - I think I heard you right. And I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I even tried this again. It's the same pattern over and over. I should know better by now."

Jack didn't speak. It seemed he should keep his mouth shut.

"Just go - Jack." She said as she held the door open for him.

"I - " He gave it one more shot.

"Go." She said softly, willing herself not to cry.

Kicking himself for being so stupid, he finally did what she asked.

*******************

Cam looked at his watched. Rafe had called a little bit ago to say they were on their way home. He looked over at his wife and smiled. She was sound asleep. Kate wasn't. She was sitting in her seat, squealing and gurgling softly - almost like she was talking to herself.

"Wake up - Abby." Cam nudged her. "Kate's still awake. We can't be found slacking when they get home."

"I know." She yawned as she moved to sit up. "Cam, oh my God - what would we have done if she was really fussy? She was incredibly good for the most part and I'm completely exhausted." She looked over at Katrina and smiled. "Alison's amazing. How does she do it?"

Cam pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her hair. "Maybe it's different when it's your own baby. I have no idea - but you're absolutely right. She's amazing."

"So. After a weekend with an infant, are you still sure you're ready for this?" Abby asked him with a grin.

"I'm ready." He said quietly.

Abby began to laugh. "That didn't sound very convincing."

He turned to her and kissed her quickly. "No. Abby - I am. I'm ready."

"You know what? I'm not so sure I am." Abby admitted with a sigh.

Cam let out a breath he'd been holding. "Really?"

Abby nodded. "If it happens - I wouldn't mind, but Cam. I've been thinking. I'm just about to start my business. Maybe we should wait - just a little bit. We have some time."

"You better not tell your sister that her kid made you change your mind." Cameron said with a chuckle.

Abby shook her head at him, wanting him to understand. "It hasn't changed at all, Cam. I still really want to have kids."

He grabbed her hand and linked his fingers with hers. "And we will. I just have one question. Does that mean we can't try anymore. Don't we need practice?"

Abby burst into laughter as she pulled him to her, kissing him softly. "Of course we can. You know what they say. Practice makes perfect."

********************

"Did you have to buy out the store?" Rafe said as he struggled with the packages he was putting in the car.

"Rafe. Someone I know said a little bit ago that he wanted something different for his daughter to wear to bed."

"Correct. Refresh my memory though. Did I say she'd need 8 of the same nightgown?"

"Do you want to do the laundry?" Alison laughed at the look that sentence put on his face. "Is that a no?"

"Yes. It's a no." He said as he shut the trunk and pulled her into his arms.

She squealed with laughter as he leaned down to kiss her. She sighed as he pulled away. "I know you hate shopping but some of these stores were great. It's such a shame. I can't manage the stroller in stores like these because they're so small. Plus - I needed a thank you gift for Abby and Cam. Aren't they perfect though? All pretty and pink? Pink - Rafe. And the embroidery on them is so gorgeous, all those little stars and hearts? Oh and the one that said "Princess", was too cute to pass up." She pulled him close and kissed him again. "That is what you call her, you know."

She got so excited about the simplest things. It was part of what he loved so much about her. "I know." Rafe said as he ran a hand over her hair. "Ready to go now?"

"Am I ever - but first." She pulled his lips back to hers again, kissing him deeply. "Thank you." She whispered as she pulled away. "You're the best husband in the whole, wide world - you know that?"

"Can I get that in writing?" He said with a laugh as he touched his forehead to hers.

"Sure." She said with a grin as she walked over to her side of the car. "As soon as we get home."

*****************

Melissa unpacked another box, still feeling sad and completely confused. What exactly had happened?

She unwrapped her dishes and stacked them beside her, her mind racing all the while. Maybe she overreacted. She tended to do that.

Had Rafe or Alison asked Jack to help her move in? She didn't think so. Now that she remembered - she had asked him herself. He didn't have to say yes - but he did. And he'd practically spent two whole days with her. He wouldn't have if he hadn't wanted to. Would he?

She looked around the room and sighed. She was sure that after what she'd said it would be too late anyway. After the way she'd treated him - he probably wouldn't want to speak to her again.

***************

"You need to let me stop the car before you get out of it." Rafe warned her.

"I know. Just hurry up." Alison replied, her hand already on the buckle of the seat belt.

He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park. Alison was out of the car and up to the front of the house in an instant.

"I'll get the bags, don't worry." Rafe called out to her.

She didn't even hear him, she was already inside.

"Abby!" She called out.

"Hi Ali!" Abby replied, coming out of the kitchen carrying Kate. "Did you have a nice time?"

"We did. It was wonderful." Alison said with a smile as Abby handed Katrina over. As soon as she had her in her arms her smile grew brighter. "Oh. There she is. There's my girl."

Alison continued fussing over Kate, chatting a mile a minute. Cam walked downstairs and said hello - but she didn't even hear him.

Rafe came in the door with his arms full of luggage, grunting as he set the bags on the ground near the stairs.

"Guess the honeymoon's over huh?" Cam said with a laugh.

"Guess so." Rafe replied, laughing back. He turned his gaze to Alison and said softly. "It's OK though. Look at her. She's so happy."

Cam knew how he felt when he saw Abby look the same way. "That's the whole point isn't it?"

"Yeah." Rafe agreed. "There's nothing better than that."