Past and Future
Mike spent the last 1 week in Virgin River. "Reunion of friends." But it wasn't at all. Observation. Calvin's camp is too dangerous. They can't let it work anymore. Spencer and his family have been under protection ever since. Nearly four months have passed since the shot. They haven't heard of the camp members since that night. And Doc refused to go there too. It was a sing. They are no longer "friends". Not tolerated around the village. Calvin must have realized they wouldn't get in touch with each other further. That was the patter… Jack didn't even mind stopping it all. No! He worried about his loved ones. For his love. For his rural family.
AT THE BAR
+ Hey Jack! – said Mike.
+ Hi! Any news of Brady?
+ Unfortunately, no. And I don't think we're the only ones looking for him.
+ You mean, Calvin? – asked Jack.
+ Yeah. I got a tip... somebody saw a guy like him near the border.
+ It is relatively close, but also far. – said Jack.
+ I think he'll try to message you. If so, notify me immediately. We can't be sure it's not a trap.
+ Okay.
They continued the conversation a little bit more.
+ I must go back to LA. I'll be back in two weeks. Hold on to the front until then. Oh, and Jack! I would carry a gun in your place…
+ I've been doing it for four months. - and he winked.
AT THE CABIN
+ How was your day? – asked Mel.
+ Nothing worth mentioning. – said Jack.
Jack decided to make dinner for the woman.
+ What are you doing? – she asked teasingly and smiled.
+ The best Lasagna… I mean, a copy of that… - laughed and began scratching his chin. You know! Mom makes the best Lasagna in California… And I think you are tired of steak by now.
She just smiled and nodded.
+ I love your steak ... But to be honest... after that night, I don't want it anymore…
+ Sure! I get it. Luckily, this isn't your opinion about making love. - He turned back, pulled her closer, and smiled flirtatiously at her.
+ For that matter... - And the man cut her word with a kiss. And again. And again.
The week have passed as usual. Mel worked at the clinic or visited her patients at their home. Jack was at the bar. There were relatively many tourists currently. It was the end of October. Hiking, fishing, hunting. Jack liked this period. More money came in. He had an extra release in the recent past. Mel had a short day. Doc, Hope and she went to the bar for a snack. There was hardly any free space. They sat in the back box.
+ Where did all this people come? – asked Mel with surprise on her face.
+ It's almost November. They came from bigger cities… You know for fishing, hunting and maybe hiking. This is a calm place to do these hobbies… - said Doc.
+ Very strange. Virgin River is crowded. I thought this would never happen. - she chuckled.
+ Don't get used to it Darling! It's only for this period. – said Hope, with a hopeful face.
+ Don't you like it? – asked Mel.
+ No! Not at all. I love the village as it is. With few loud people… she dawdled.
Jack run to them. Kissed the top of her head and said hello.
+ What can I bring to the ladies… and Doc of course? – giggled.
+ Thanks boy! – Doc laughed. Among such beautiful women, it's no wonder you don't notice me.
Jack agreed.
+ I'll bring the orders immediately.
Mel looked after her love. Something was different. She really wanted him. So much. She could smell him from afar. Masculine. What kind of perfume? What's this scent? - she thought. She wants to feel the man on herself. His body, his face, his lips and tongue. For just a hug. Or lie next to him. To be together.
+ What's wrong with her? - Doc whispered.
+ Nothing. She's in love.
+ Ah ... no. She's been in love for half a year. Something isn't right…
Silence…
+ Hmmm? Said something? – asked Mel.
+ No Darling… just some wife-husband chat. – and smiled at Doc.
And he did it back.
…
The closing was near. Everyone went home.
+ Go for a walk? – asked Jack.
+ Yeah! Sure!... Just can you give me a sweater?
She picked up the sweater under her jacket. It was warm and soft. Full of Jack's scent. She loved it…
+ Have I mentioned I love men's clothes on you? – and licked his lips.
+ Men's clothes? – asked with a naughty smile on her face.
+ No! I mean MY clothes. Only my clothes… err… No one else! Never… Forget the other men…
Mel didn't forget Mark... but she was in love with someone else now. It was hard to admit to herself, but she loved Jack differently. With deeper emotions.
+ Can we go? – stroked her chin.
And she nodded.
+ Where are we going?
+ I will show you something. - and flashed his white dentures at her.
The river bank. The night was wonderful. Mel looked up at the sky.
+ I love this picture.
+ Me too! he said while staring at her.
It wasn't dark. The moonlight covered everything. Mel sat on a stump then Jack behind her. Surrounded his woman. (A/N: For better mood - watch?v=X3IA6pIVank)
+ Are you cold? – asked Jack and hugged her.
+ Now? No!... I like this position! - and she laughed.
+ What?
+ Nothing. Nothing… and she put her face close to his.
They were taking deep breaths. The air was cold... but the whole was pleasant... and Jack started humming…
He stopped abruptly.
+ Continue. Please. I love this song… - and began to stroke the man's arm.
Jack leaned close to her ear and continued the song. The whole scene was romantic. Stirring. Passionate. Looking at the forest. The sky. The river.
LATER ( watch?v=fcmFH5OvdtA - Read a little slowly)
+ It's getting to colder... Come. - and he held out his hand to the woman.
The slope was full of mud. Total slippery. Mel went forward. She slipped.
+ Okay. I caught you. I'll hold you. - he said while he was holding his palms on her butt.
+ Heh… thanks! – she snorted.
+ Go! Go!
+ I'm doing… I'm trying… - said with strain.
+ Find a rock.!... No! Don't take that twig….
Cracking…
The twig broke. Mel fell and they both started to slip into the mud. Jack was lying on his back and Mel on his belly.
+ Sorry?! – she said with a soft smile.
+ I told not to! - and Jack slapped his hands into the mud with a slack movement…
He sighed and inhaled the scent of her hair. She looked into his eyes. Jack narrowed his eyes. Then raised his left eyebrow…. Suddenly he grabbed a handful of mud and smeared her hair with it.
+ Whaaaaaaat the…? – shouted Mel.
+ Oh, you want more? – asked with a waggish smile. And gave another one.
+ All right! You better run! – and sighed.
Lot of laughs! Like snowball fight, just with dirt…
Mel started to run. Wanted to escape from Jack. But the man was faster and more experienced. After all, she was fighting a real Marine. He cut her off on the other side. He seized her by the waist and pulled her to the ground… Under himself. Jack slowly touched the woman's face with his dirty hands. Then he started stroking it. Finally, he gently covered her lips with his own. It was hot. Fiery. Tasteful. Minty…
They lay on the ground like this for ten minutes. Five minutes was the kiss. For the rest of the time, they were looking into each other's eyes and listening their heartbeats…
Went back to the bar. Went to the laundry room.
+ Take off your clothes. I'll put them in the wash. – said Jack.
+ You take them off… - and stood before the man.
Jack hesitated. Then grabbed her waist and put the woman on the top of the washing machine. She put her leg around the Jack's buttocks and pulled him close.
They started kissing with great fervor…
The man took off her boots. Her pants. Her sweater...his sweater. She suddenly opened the man's shirt. Didn't care about the buttons. Teared it up. Everything was dirty. They were too. But didn't care… Carpe diem!
She stopped kissing.
+ I think we should take a shower first.
+ Hmmm gjjjeat idea! - replied during returning to kiss. His mouth was halfway on her mouth.
Jack took the woman in his lap. Mel hung on him like a child. And they headed for the bathroom…
IN JACK'S ROOM
+ What took you so long?
+ You have a lot of hair too ... but I have more ... ... she said. Although her hair was still wet here and there.
Jack was lying on the bed. He was wearing a black T-shirt and a plaid pajama pants as usual.
+ Come!
+ What are we gonna do? – asked Mel.
+ I will read love poems to you. - he said with the utmost seriousness.
+ Who are you?... Who acts like this today?
Her hair collapsed on her breast. It was rich and soft. Jack loved to caress and inhale its scent.
+ You're not even romantic. – she snorted.
+ I am ROMANTIC… with the perfect person. - and smoothed her hair behind her ears. Come!.
Jack spread his legs, and she lay with her back to his chest. And she started to look at his feet. It was hairy. Relatively white. Long and big, covered with some veins.
He read Byron, Keats, Wordsworth, Shelley ... the biggest ones.
…
The last one was different…
+ It's beautiful... - she sighed. I've never heard of it.
+ Because it's not very well known. New.
+ What's the title?
+ "In her eyes."
+ Who wrote it?
+ Me... for you.
She turned back. Didn't move. She was looking at his face. He was serious. No joke. Pure truth…
+ You wrote it for me? - tears welled in her eyes.
He took her hand.
+ Yes!
Pulled her closer.
+ Mel! I know we went through a lot. You. Me… - sighed. I don't know what the future holds… But I know, I want you to be a part of my future and I want to be a part of yours. I've never thought I would feel this way for someone... never felt this for anybody in my life. Never felt love before! But then you walked in ... and I knew it. I said to myself: she is the woman I need, the woman I want.
Tears flew down on her face. Jack wiped them off with slowly actions… He reached under the pillow. It was a jewelry box. Blue leather box and a white letter on it. S.
+ I'm not going to kneel. I want to look into your eyes. We are equal! Partners in life... and others... - and winked at her. We complete each other. I want you to feel this way… I will always be with you… So… Melinda Monroe! Will you do me the greatest honor, and will you marry me?...
She hesitated… and closed her eyes.
+ Jack!
Oh no… she doesn't feel this way… - he thought…
+ I was a different person a few months ago. I thought I would never be happy again... I came here to leave my past behind. But I didn't expect what had been awaiting me here… Now I am sure that fate brought me here ... I was tormented. I thought if I didn't let you get close to me, I would protect my heart. But that was a mistake. One of my biggest mistakes…
His eyes began to tear as well.
+ Let me tell you that I need to tell… I thought I had found true love. And I've done twice. I thought I couldn't feel this way for another man anymore. But it didn't happen like that. I haven't dared to admit to myself for months that... I haven't felt this yet ... I loved my husband. So much!. Please believe this for me... But! What I feel about you ... is more. You brought me back to life. I love the moments I spent with you. All of them. I love you more than words can show…
Jack placed his forehead against Mel's. Their noses touched.
+ Can I consider this to be "yes"?
+ Oh… yes! – she cried and laughed at the same time.
Jack opened the box. It was a wonderful ring in it. An emerald shaped sapphire in the middle, and small diamonds in the four corners. White gold. Thin. Elegant.
+ It's… it's…
+ It has a meaning… sapphire in the middle means your family, your mother and your past. Diamonds mean me and you, and your future. The latter needs the former. Without it, there is no base for build…
Her whole face was in tears.
+ It's perfect. – sighed and started to sob… Where did you find such a miracle?
+ I constructed it for you. I designed it. It's unique just like you. – replied with a smile.
Then he pulled the ring on her finger.