The warm breeze blew through the windows and brushed the loose strands of hair across Rick's face. He slowly awoke and got up. As he got ready for his day he thought about things he needed to do. He needed to go to the post office and see if his books and artifacts had arrived yet as he sent them over a week before he booked his own flight home. He needed to go to the university and get his classes set up for the next fall semester which was in two months and the most important thing of all he needed to go to town. He needed to go to town and meet up with her. He sighed and nodded to himself.
"Well Payne, no time better than the present." He mumbled to himself as he made his way out of his house.
Melinda walked up to the doors of Same As It Never Was Antiques and unlocked the door. She unlocked the door and walked inside. She disabled the alarm and walked towards the back. She was putting her purse down when she felt the air in the room cool slightly. She frowned and looked around.
"Hello? Is someone there?" She called out. She looked around slowly walking around. She searched for someone or something.
"I can help you." She called out. She looked around and still no one came to her. She sighed as the air went back to normal and the little bell rang on her door. She looked at the door to see Delia walking in with coffee and a white paper bag.
"Good morning!" She said happily. Melinda smiled brightly.
"Good morning!" She said. The two women walked to the counter and Delia handed her a cup.
"Thank you!" She said. Melinda took an appreciative sip of the brown liquid and smiled.
"You seem to be in a chipper mood this morning!" Delia said. Melinda smiled and shrugged.
"I just feel like today will be a great day!" She answered honestly. Delia smiled.
"Hopefully that entales lots of money and hopefully that jewelry box being sold!" She said with a cheshire grin. Melinda giggled at her friend.
"Let's hope so!" She said. The bell rung and entered the first customer of the day.
It was noon by the time he made it into town. He looked around saw that almost nothing had changed. Sure a new restaurant popped up and a few new stores but other than that, it looked the same. He slowly passed the town square statue and stopped. Rick stood on the other side of the street. There it was. Open with people coming and going. He felt nerves run through his body and a shiver go up his spine. He was about to see her. He wondered how much did she change? Did her smile still reach her eyes when she was excited? Did she miss him? Rick shook off his nerves and nodded to himself agreeing that it was time. He crossed the street quickly and looked at the door. He took a deep breath before opening the door. He walked into Same As It Never Was Antiques and smiled as he heard the little bell ring. The store had the same layout with different antiques. It still smelt of old books, wood, and somehow Melinda's perfume. It amazed him how little things change in a year. He saw Delia at the counter but Melinda was nowhere insight. She must be in the basement. Delia looked up and her eyes grew wide.
"Professor Payne? Is that you?" She questioned. He grinned at her.
"It's me! It's good to see you Delia." He said. Delia walked to him and gave him a quick hug. She looked at him.
"When did you get back?" She asked. He looked at his watch.
"Well I landed in Seattle at midnight and got home at about four so it was quite the trip to say the least." He said. Delia nodded and she noticed how he was searching. She smiled. Rick hadn't changed whatsoever.
"Does Melinda know your home?" She asked. He grinned shyly and scratched his ear. Delia smiled softly.
"You came here to surprise her, didn't you." She said rather a statement than a question. He chuckled.
"You always could read me Delia.You know where I can find her?" He asked. Delia nodded and turned towards the back.
"Melinda! There's a customer here for you!" She said loudly. She turned to Rick and spoke.
"She's missed you. This will make her day." She said as she walked towards a display to busy herself. Rick felt his heart grow erratic as he heard her footsteps climb the stairs.
"Who is it?" She asked. Her voice was sweet music to his ears. When she appeared , he couldn't help the smile that graced his face. He was truly happy to see her.
"Hi." He said softly. He heard her gasp and she looked up at him. He smiled wider as he saw that she hadn't changed a bit. He saw her faulter with her words momentarily before she blinked and smiled.
"Rick?" She said in disbelief. He chuckled and opened his arms.
"The one and only!" He said. Melinda removed herself from the counter and he started walking towards her.
"Miss me?" He asked. Melinda stopped and stared at him. He was the exact same before he left. Hair was a little ruffled from the wind from outside but everything was still the same. His smile made her heart skip a beat and his blue eyes were just as kind and witty as the day she met him. She poked him in his chest and he looked at her confused.
"Uh what was that for?" He asked. Melinda looked up at him.
"It's actually you! You're really here!" She said. Rick laughed.
"You know there are other ways to greet old friends! Like a big, squeezy, chesty hug!" He said.
"Oh get over here you!" Melinda laughed and pulled him into a hug. He held her close and rested his face into her brown curly locks. Her hair smelt like flowers, spices, and her store. Melinda smiled as she held her dear friend. He smelt like his usual colonge and a fresh shower. She really missed their hugs. Most importantly she missed him and he had finally come back home to her, safe and sound like he promised.They pulled away she smiled widely.
"I can't believe it! You're really here! How was your trip? When did get back?" She started to ask. Rick chuckled.
"Pump the breaks lady! How about we answer each other questions over lunch?" He offered. Melinda nodded. Melinda went into the back and grabbed her purse while Rick waited patiently. She hurried up to him and he gestured her to the door. They walked out and Rick looked at her.
"Where do you wanna go?" He asked. Melinda thought for a moment and the grinned excitedly.
"How about our usual spot?" She asked. Rick smiled.
"Sounds good to me! Shall we?" He said and asked. The two walked to the cafe and Rick pulled her chair out. Melinda sat down and Rick took the seat across from her. The waiter came up and took their drink orders and Melinda looked at Rick.
"I can't believe it. You're really home." Melinda said. Rick smirked.
"Believe it lady! I'm here and I am here to stay!" Rick said with a sarcastic smile. Melinda smiled excitedly.
"Tell me about your trip! I want to hear all about it!" She said. Rick shifted in his chair and sighed.
"Well Melinda, I learned many things! Like winter is the dumbest season to exist, the 'fresh mountain air' is not a real thing, I hate the cold, yaks aren't cute or cuddly! Showers are very limited, central heating is an amazing invention and I had some questionable food made by an older woman who smelt funny and when I say 'funny' I mean really bad." He said. Melinda giggled and shook her head in endearment. Same old Rick. Cynical, crass, and sarcastic.
"Did anything good happen on this trip?" She asked sarcastically. Rick grinned.
"Yes! I learned many things about Tibetan folklore, legends, local ghosts along with history and culture! But," Rick started but paused. Melinda looked at him confused.
"But?" She prompted him to go on.
"But their ghost aren't as great or as interesting as ours here right at home." He said with a smirk. Melinda smiled. Just as Rick was about to speak their waiter appeared.
"Are we ready to order?" He asked. Melinda looked at Rick who finally opened his menu.
"Um could you just give us a quick minute?" Melinda asked. The waiter nodded and walked away. The two looked over the menu and Melinda made up her mind. Rick was looking at the menu and she finally got a better look at him then from the store. His hair was a little bit longer then he usually wore it. He was slightly leaner than before he left but he had more muscle. She noted how his t-shirt sleeves cuffed his arms giving them definition and his chest was broader. Then she looked up at his face. He had a few defining lines around his eyes but that didn't change the kindness or witty charm they had when they first met. His smile was still kind yet charming when they first met.
Rick looked up from his menu to see Melinda staring at him. He smirked and waved his hand in front of her.
"Earth to Melinda!" He said. She blinked and shook her head. Rick smiled as she blushed and cleared her throat.
"Sorry!" She mumbled. Rick put his menu down and leaned forward.
"You ok?" He asked. Melinda smiled and brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Y-yeah. Sorry. It's just...I really missed you." She admitted. Rick looked at her and smiled softly. He reached over and grabbed her hands. Melinda looked at them and smiled at the comfort.
"I missed you too." He said. Melinda met his eyes and Rick felt his heart have the same fluttery feeling he had just a year ago. Her warm brown eyes were just as sweet and beautiful as the day he met her. He looked at her. She didn't change much. She still had that beautiful sun-kissed glow to her skin and her brown hair was just was wavy and soft as before. Her smile was shy yet still as lovely as ever. The black sundress she wore complimented her figure beautifully. Rick felt the same stirring feeling in his stomach whenever she was around. He squeezed her hands and the waiter appeared once again. The two looked up and pulled their hands away. They ordered their food and Rick settled into his chair with a sigh. He grinned at Melinda who looked at him happily.
"So, since we talked about me let's talk about you! Tell me what's happened since I left! "Rick said happily. Melinda smiled.
"Well, Delia hasn't changed much except she has been more open to listen to me about ghosts. Ned is finishing school and heading to Rockland University for college and Eli has gotten better with ghosts and hauntings! But other than that, no natural disasters, no ghost out to kill me, Gabriel hasn't appeared and life is as normal as it can be." Melinda said with a smile. Rick noticed that the smile didn't reach her eyes like it normally did. He also noticed a sadness in the smile. Like something took away her ture happiness for a while.
"You're not telling me something." He said. Rick watched her swallow thickly.
He also took notice of her fiddling with her wedding ring. That's when he realized she failed to mention Jim. He frowned and thought for a moment. Then it hit him.
"Something happened after I left." He said. He watched her frown and look at her lap. The tears formed in her eyes and she sighed.
"Something did happen." She said. She met his eyes and Rick knew instantly. He knew that look in her eyes because he had the same one after Kate died.
"No." He said softly. Melinda nodded and he moved over to the chair next to her.
"What happened?" He asked. Melinda inhaled a shaky breath before nodding. She then proceeded to explain to Rick about the accident. She told him about Jim being shot and dying in the hospital. She also told Rick about how briefly he hopped into Sam's body but it broke down and how he eventually went into the light. Rick took in all this information and couldn't get over it. Jim Clancy, husband to Melinda and friend to him was gone. He frowned and met her eyes.
"How have you been doing?" He asked. Melinda frowned sadly.
"Most days are better than others. It's really hard when I'm having a bad day." She admitted.
"I'm so sorry Melinda. That shouldn't of happened to you. Jim shouldn't have been taken away from you like that. Neither of you deserved that." He said taking her hand and squeezing it gently. Melinda smiled sadly and she looked at him.
"Thank you." She said weakly. Rick gave her half a sympathetic smile and she felt her heart lighten. Usually she'd be upset for the rest of the day with Jim's name being mentioned but with Rick here with her, she felt better.
"You know," She started. Rick looked at her curiously.
"I think things are going to start being easier now that your home." She said. Rick grinned.
"Melinda, I promise I'm going to be here for you always. I'm not going anywhere." He promised her. She gave him a small smile and he saw the playfulness return to her eyes.
"You're not going to leave me again for snowy mountains or hot jungles?" She teased. He grinned and squeezed her hand.
"Not anytime soon." He reassured her. They smiled at one another and their food appeared. Lunch continued on a much happier note and the two friends continued their conversation. Melinda talked about recent hauntings and Rick told her more about Tibet and Nepal. Jokes and old stories of their adventures came up and the bill came. They exchanged new information like phone numbers and emails. Rick grabbed the bill and Melinda left the tip. The two started walking back to the store and Melinda smiled at him.
"So what are you going to do now?" She asked. Rick thought about and nodded.
"Well I got my classes done for registration for next semester. My books and artifacts should be delivered sometime soon today so I'll be unpacking my stuff at home." He said.
"I can ask Delia and we could both help you unpack!" She offered.
"I don't want to take up everyone's evening. Besides it's not that much for the house." Rick said. Melinda smiled.
"Fine! Then I will come by after I close shop and help you. We can catch up more and maybe get the horrible Chinese food you and I somehow end up ordering late at night." She said. Rick chuckled and shook his head. The two stopped outside of the store and Melinda looked at Rick.
"You're really serious about this aren't you." He said with a sarcastic smirk.
"Yes I am and it will be a great time!" She said poking him in the chest. Rick chuckled.
"Alright. I'll leave the door open." He said putting his hands up. Melinda smiled at him and sighed. Rick looked at her.
"I'm really glad you're home Rick." She said. He smiled.
"Me too." He said softly. Melinda pulled him into another hug and Rick smiled into her shoulder. Melinda gave him a squeeze and Rick smiled wider. The two pulled away and Rick grinned at her.
"See you later tonight." He said. Melinda smiled.
"See you then!" She said.
"Bye Melinda." Rick said as he squeezed her shoulder and started to walked away. Melinda felt her heart flutter at the touch.
"Welcome home Rick." She said softly.