A/N: Hey guys! Woo-hoo. I'm on break and I've been posting just about a chapter per day. I think I'll end this at Ch 41, since I'm going to do the mini-series. Ch 42 will begin the second spin-off. That will probably be 20 chapters, as well. Then I'm going to work on the Mini-Series. HOWEVER, I have a bunch of fanfics I haven't updated since January that I need to finish, or at least get ahead on, before I begin posting anything new, so you might need to wait awhile on it.
I'm so extremely truly sorry I can't do individual thank you's again. But I only have, like, 5 more minutes then I have to get off and it takes about that long to re-read and post this.
So right on to Ch 39! Please enjoy and please review!
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It was dark inside. Melinda held her arms out in front of her to prevent from crashing into anything as she tried to make her way down the steps. At the bottom, she felt strong hand on her shoulders, stopping her.
"Hit the switch," Wyatt said.
The lights were turned on . . . and Melinda gasped.
The club was decorated in white, baby blue, baby pink, and baby purple colored decorations. Streamers, balloons, and confetti hung everywhere. The stage lights were on and flashing across the stage where Daniel Bedingfield stood.
Scott stood on the dance floor. He smiled at Melinda as Daniel Beddingfield began to sing:
"If you're not the one
Then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one
Then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine
Then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine
Would I have the strength to stand at all
I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with"
Melinda's knees trembled as she made her way to Scott on the dance floor. Shock had washed through her whole body and she could barely get her legs to move.
Scott held his hands out to take Melinda in his arms. Daniel Bedingfield continued singing:
"I don't want to run away
But I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If I don't need you
Then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you
Then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me
Then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me
Then why do I dream of you as my wife?"
At that last line, Scott, holding Melinda's hand, got down on one knee and stared up at her. A startled "oh!" escaped Melinda's lips and tears sparkled in her eyes.
"Melinda, I love you so much and I know we've been through a lot – more than a lot. We've managed to get through things that are completely impossible – things that would have broken a normal couple. I know we had our shaky moments and we almost ended things a few times, but we didn't. We have a beautiful little girl that we love and I can't imagine life without the two of you in it," Scott began.
In the background, Daniel Bedingfield was still singing:
"I don't know why you're so far away
But I know that this much is true
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I pray in you're the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life
I don't want to run away but I can't take it
I don't understand
If I'm not made for you
Then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?"
Scott smiled as he pulled an open, black velvet box out of his pocket and held it up. A diamond engagement ring sparkled from within it.
"Melinda Halliwell, will you marry me?"
The tears in Melinda's eyes escaped, gliding like liquefied crystals down her face. She smiled and nodded. She was in such shock, she could barely manage to utter the word "yes," but she finally did.
Scott smiled and took the ring from its velvet box. Melinda held out her left hand and Scott slid the ring on her ring finger. He stood and embraced her.
"Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong
That it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart
And pray for the strength to stand today
Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
And know my heart is by your side
I don't want to run away but I can't take it
I don't understand
If I'm not made for you
Then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I could stay in your arms"
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The next day, Melinda awoke in her bed. A smile filled her face and for a moment, she wondered if she had dreamed the whole thing. Then she heard Scott snoring lightly beside her and glanced the black velvet box with the engagement ring on her night table and she knew it wasn't a dream; she and Scott were engaged.
She tried not to wake him up as she reached over to her night table and picked up the velvet box. She opened it, pulled the ring out, and put the box back, then put the ring on. She leaned back on her pillows and smiled as she admired the sparkling diamond.
"You have your whole life to stare at that."
Melinda jumped and looked over at Scott, then laughed. "I thought I had dreamed it all. I just wanted to make sure it was real."
In her crib, Charlotte cried.
"That real enough for you?" Scott asked.
Melinda gently smacked his arm, trying hard not to laugh. "Just for that, you can go see what she needs."
Scott sighed and grumbled, feigning annoyance. He got out of bed and went to his daughter's crib, picking her up and rocking her in his arms.
"What's a matter, sweetie?" Scott cooed, smiling at her as he held the tiny infant close.
Charlotte hiccupped, staring at him with green eyes that almost mirrored Melinda's.
"She likes you," Melinda commented.
"Yeah-" Scott began, but was cut off by Melinda saying, "Can't imagine why."
"Hey! Don't trash talk me in front of Charlotte. She'll think her daddy is a wimp," Scott protested.
"Better she learn the truth at an early age," Melinda quipped.
Scott narrowed his eyes. "You're a dead woman," he joked.
"Not if I use my powers are you," she replied, winking as she stood and made her way into the bathroom.
Scott chuckled, shaking his head. He rocked Charlotte for a few more minutes, then out her back down in the crib and followed after Melinda.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
"Hey, guys," Wyatt said, sipping his coffee at the table.
Melinda and Scott, showered and dressed, entered the kitchen. Melinda was holding a still-sleepy Charlotte in her arms.
"Hey guys," Melinda greeted.
Chris poured himself some fresh coffee, then sat down. "Sleep well?" he asked, smirking into his coffee.
Melinda narrowed her eyes. "None of your business."
"Man, that's just wrong," Wyatt remarked, shaking his head. "And gross, Chris."
Chris shrugged. "I was only kidding," he grumbled.
Melinda sat Charlotte in her high chair, then went to the fridge and got out some of the baby food. She grabbed a spoon, then sat next to the high chair to feed Charlotte. Scott got two cups of coffee and sat beside his fiancé.
"So, what is everyone doing today?" Melinda asked as she fed Charlotte the first spoonful.
"Kat and I are going to go to the movies," Wyatt replied.
"Sam and I are going to the mall," Chris answered.
"I feel like a boring, old married couple already," Melinda joked. "Scott and I are staying here, watching Charlotte, and-"
"We don't need to know anymore, trust me," Chris said, putting his coffee cup in the sink.
"That's not what I was going to say," Melinda argued.
Wyatt stood. "Sure you weren't."
Melinda opened her mouth to argue when the doorbell rang.
"That's for us. See you guys later," Wyatt said. He and Chris waved good-bye and left.
"Now," Scott said, "We have the house all to ourselves."
Melinda smiled.