SORRY for the long wait, you guys. But, here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Ghost Whisperer, but if I did, the show would definitely not be over.
"Are you kidding me? I'm the most confused person in the whole world. And that is not exaggerating." Melinda said into the phone.
"Melinda, you are blowing things way out of proportion." Andrea replied. "It's all on you. You need to figure out what you want. Now, personally, I think Sam is a crazy lunatic who should be locked up in the loony house. And Jim is this great guy who you've known for a long time. You two always had this weird relationship but the girls and I could always tell you guys would end up together."
"Really? That's good to know." Melinda smiled. "Hey, how about I throw a party this weekend and everyone can get to know Jim a little better. You know, since we're all cool now, I won't stop you guys from talking."
"Sounds fun. But, you know I'm only there for the drinks, right?" Andrea laughed.
"Of course that's what you want." Melinda laughed, too. "I'll talk to you later."
"Bye." Andrea said.
"Bye." Melinda hung up.
Just then, Jim walked in the door to his apartment. Melinda got up from the couch and greeted her boyfriend.
"Hey." she kissed him lightly.
"Hi." he smiled.
"How's Dan?" Melinda asked.
Jim had went to visit his brother. The two were close and loved to hang out all the time. Melinda and Dan got along very well, even before she and Jim were together. He used to joke around and pretend Melinda was his girlfriend. Melinda loved Dan.
"He's great." they walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch. "But, he can tire out a guy."
Melinda chuckled at his comment. She kissed him on the cheek.
"I made lunch if you're hungry." she said.
"Ooh, food." Jim smiled.
Melinda smiled and went to grab him a plate of food. She came back into the living room and sat down, handing him the plate.
"So, I was thinking," Melinda started as Jim's mouth was full of his club sandwich.
"Oh, that's not a good sign." he joked, when his mouth was almost empty.
"Hey!" she slapped his arm. "Seriously. I was thinking that I should throw a party. I'll invite all my close friends so they can get to know you. You can invite whoever you want, if you want to come."
"Well, I don't think I have much choice in the matter, so okay. I'll bring Dan. That's about the only person I would bring to meet your crazy friends." Jim joked again.
"Okay, you know what?" Melinda took his plate away from him. "You're being mean, so no food for you."
She started to get up when Jim pulled her back down onto his lap. She gripped the plate, trying not to let it fall.
"I'm sorry, Mel." he cooed.
"No, you're just saying that to get your food." she smiled.
"Okay, maybe you're right. But, that's only because I'm starving and I can't think straight on an empty stomach." Jim reasoned.
"Fine. Have you're food." she gave him the plate and walked away with a smile.
Jim finished eating and the couple were cuddling on the couch, watching a movie.
"Hey, Jim." Melinda looked up at him.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"I love you." she said sincerely.
Jim looked down at her. He knew what she meant by that. He leaned down and kissed her passionately.
"I love you, too." he mumbled against her lips.
He picked her up in his arms and carefully took her to his bedroom.
_o_
It was the night of the party, and Melinda was throwing it at her condo. She made sure everything was in order; the food, the drinks, the apartment was neat and tidy. Jim had been there practically all day helping her out with the preparations.
The clock struck 8:00pm and the guests started arriving. They immediately started mingling.
"So," Jim walked up behind Melinda. "Looks like Dan is getting real chummy with your friend there."
"Yeah, Vanessa seems to like him, too." she chuckled as they watched Dan and Vanessa laughing and talking across the room.
"Are all your friends together?" Jim asked looking around.
"Yes." Melinda began pointing out everybody. "Shawn and Andrea are engaged, Kyle and Melissa are married, Matt and Sarah are engaged, and you know Tim and Delia are engaged, Will and Holly are dating, and Bobby and Hayden are dating."
Jim had been longtime buddies with Tim, Will, and Bobby. They went to college together and never lost touch with each other. Everybody stayed in Grandview in order to stay friends. When they would throw parties, Jim and Melinda were there at the same time, but never talked to each other. Now, everyone was on good terms.
"What were you guys a part of? A matchmaking service?" Jim joked.
"No, this is how we came together." Melinda chuckled. "I've been friends with Andrea since forever, met Vanessa and Delia in elementary school, and we met the other girls later on. The guys joined the group when they started dating them."
"I see." he nodded. "And what about you? What did you do when they were all paired up?"
"Well, since Vanessa and I were the only ones without a guy, we usually just stuck with each other and talked. We also made fun of all the couples." she laughed.
"Mm-hmm." he nodded in understanding.
Later on that night, Melinda was standing in a group with Delia, Tim, Vanessa, and Dan. Dan was telling stories about Jim, and Melinda couldn't stop laughing.
"…so, he stood up from the table, and walked over to the girl. From what I could see, he whispered something in her ear that she did not like. You should have seen her face!" Dan laughed so hard, he almost cried. "And then the next thing I knew, she slaps him across the face and walks away."
Melinda's mouth opened in shock with a smile still on her face. She busted out into laughter.
"Oh my god! When was this?" she asked, through her laughter.
"It was in college. Jim's ego was bruised for about a month before he got back in the game." Dan answered.
"Hey, what are we talking about?" Jim asked, walking up to the group.
"Oh, nothing." Melinda smiled.
He looked at her with an accusing look. She started laughing, as well as everybody else.
"What?" he asked.
"So, what kind of dirty stuff are you into, Jim? The kind that gets you slapped across the face?" Tim asked with a smirk.
"You told them!" Jim exclaimed at his brother.
"It was too funny not to! And Delia asked." Dan smiled.
"Delia! I'm gonna get you. You just wait." Jim smiled at her.
"Melinda, you better get your man." Delia started hiding behind Tim.
Melinda just laughed. The party started coming to a close a little after midnight. Jim and Melinda saw everyone off and started cleaning up.
"How did you like everybody?" Melinda asked, picking up empty dishes and stuff around the living room.
"They were all really nice and funny. I like them a lot." Jim answered from the kitchen.
"Good. I couldn't have you feuding with any of my friends." she said.
"Well, I don't know. Delia's gonna be looking out for me now." he joked.
"Hmm, scare her straight, baby." she laughed.
Jim walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.
"Maybe I will." he smiled, then kissed her.
"Alright, mister. We can clean up tomorrow. Right now, I'm going to bed. Will you be joining me?" Melinda asked, sweetly.
"Of course I will. Just let me take out this trash." Jim went to get the two, full trash bags and took them outside to the dumpster.
"Well, well. If it isn't Jim Clancy." a voice called behind him.
"What the hell are you doing here? I thought I made myself clear." Jim turned around to glare at him.
"Did you? I didn't get the memo. How's Melinda?" he asked.
Jim tensed up when he heard Melinda's name come out of this bastard's mouth.
"Leave her alone! How many times do I have to fucking tell you that?" Jim clenched his jaw.
"Oh come on, Jim. Don't be like that." the guy smiled. "You know what I want. Why don't you just give it to me without there being complications?"
"Like hell will I ever give you MY company, or Melinda. You'll never get either, so get the fuck over it and stay away from us." Jim walked back into the building and up to Melinda's condo.
She was already in bed, waiting for him. He got ready for bed and crawled in next to her. He immediately wrapped her in his arms and she quickly snuggled down into him.
"I love you, Mel." he whispered.
"I love you, too." she replied in the same tone, and the two eventually fell asleep.
_o_
The next morning, Jim woke up to a bright light shining on his face. He felt around in the bed, but didn't find what he was looking for. He jumped up, searching the room for a sign of Melinda.
"Mel?" he called out.
No answer came.
"Melinda!" Jim got up and walked into the living room.
He didn't see her anywhere. Panic started twisting in his stomach. He went back into the bedroom and grabbed his cell phone.
"Hello?" came a voice.
"Hey, where are you?" Jim asked.
"I went to the grocery store." Melinda answered.
"Oh, okay. Good." he sighed.
"What's wrong?" she could hear the worry in his voice.
"Uh, nothing. Nothing. I was just woke up and you weren't here." he chuckled nervously.
"Jim, I'm okay. Don't worry so much." she said.
"I'm not worried." he said.
"Right. I'll be home soon." Melinda said.
"Alright. I love you." he smiled.
"I love you, too." she said, then hung up.
Jim had gotten ready for the day and was currently pacing back and forth in the living room, waiting for Melinda to come home. Suddenly, he heard the key turn in the lock, and the door open.
"Jim?" Melinda walked in carrying grocery bags.
Jim took all the bags and set them on the coffee table in the living room. Out of the blue, he pulled Melinda against him and kissed her intensely. She was shocked, but kissed him back as he pressed her up against the wall.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, breathlessly once they pulled away.
"I just…I don't know." he kissed her again. "I'm glad you're home. I thought something might have happened to you."
"What could happen to me? The only thing that would hurt me was Sam. And he's gone." Melinda said in confusion.
Jim looked down to the ground. Melinda raised her eyebrows.
"Isn't he?" she asked.
"Well," he started.
"Jim!" she worried.
"I ran into him last night while I was taking the trash." he answered.
"You what!" Melinda slightly shouted. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you." he let her go and started pacing the living room again.
"What did he want?" she asked.
"What else?" Jim replied. "The company. And you."
"Jim, he's really starting to scare me." Melinda hugged herself.
He saw her do this and pulled her into his arms.
"Don't be scared, Mel. I'll deal with him. I'll fix this." Jim tried to soothe her.
"Please don't get hurt." she mumbled into his chest.
"I promise." Jim kissed her head and held her tighter. "I promise."
Well, there's chapter 8. Tell me what you think. I hope this story has you guys interested. I know you're all waiting for a big scene with Sam. Don't worry, it's coming up. This story is coming to a close soon, which is kind of sad, but I still have my other stories to work on. Keep reviewing. Thanks guys.