AN: I'm super glad that my creative juices are still flowing. I'm going to try my hardest to get some more stories updated by Friday, but no promises :) Also, I've been nominated for a Profiler's Choice Award for Best Crossover! And I don't mean to sound desperate by any means but it would mean the world to me if you would vote for my story New Beginnings. It's my baby and I'm happy that people are thinking it's good enough for an award such as this one. Just look up Profilers Choice Awards 2015 here on fanfic and you should be able to find the forum. The ballot goes out on the 17th of this month.
Enjoy the new chapter! xx Mariah
The next morning, she slides her hand over the still-warm spot next to her, and is disappointed to find it empty, though logically she knows that Ned left for his patrol at six this morning after another slow and passionate creep toward total bliss.
He'll be home soon, it's his day off. He only signed up for patrol because he likes having a few hours to himself.
She slides out of bed, wincing slightly at her sore muscles, which burn with a good sort of pain that only comes from a night spent with her husband. She quickly checks the time to see the time is only nine in the morning.
She has nothing planned. Her last summer course had let out the day before.
With joy, she pulls her robe on and strides toward the window and opens it, letting in a warm July breeze.
"What a perfect day for a dress and some cute heels," she says, smiling and getting up to go search through her wardrobe.
Twenty minutes later, she stands in front of her full length mirror, adjusting her white knee length dress. She blows out a breath as she adjusts her hair, making sure the pins are holding her dark hair back securely.
She feels a pair of arms wrap around her waist and smiles when she feels Ned's kiss being pressed at the junction of her shoulder and neck. She closes her eyes with a smile on her face, leaning into the embrace. She opens them to find Ned's head resting on her shoulder.
"What do you have planned?" He asks.
It was his day off, she remembered. He only took early morning patrols if he didn't work later on that day.
"I'm kind of hungry," she says. "I was gonna go make myself something and go to the store. My mom always needs a helping hand."
"Did you tell her yet?" His hands were sliding from her waist to her rear, giving it light squeeze.
She shook her head and he grinned at her, picking her up and bringing her to the bed. She stopped him from kissing her neck, pushing him onto her back.
"Ned..." She breathes, the smile on her face replaced with a much more serious expression as her index finger lightly traces the lines of his lips. "I want... to know your body."
"You've known my body for two years now," answers Ned, he chuckled moments after.
"I know. I just… I want to know your body like you know my body," she says, slowly moving back down his chest. "I want to know your body better than I know my own."
"Then proceed with whatever you have planned," he grinned, feeling her lips connect with his nipple.
He was gonna be a goner because of this one. He just knew it.
After a long, two hour anatomy lesson with Katie, Ned finds himself strolling down Main Street toward her mother's shop. His arm looped around his wife, he kissed her cheek and she leaned further into him, kissing his shoulder.
It is definitely a beautiful July day. The sun shining, flowers blooming, a cloudless bright blue sky and the sound of children playing in the square. These are the days that make them both fall in love with Grandview.
Also, no ghosts. Which is a great thing because even though Katie loves her gift and love that she has this beautiful power inside her, she is not her mother.
She did not like non-living people ruining her day with visions and headaches. She didn't mind solving puzzles every once and a while, but when she was on a date with Ned? She liked to be left alone. Or when she'd take a test in high school or college, it was nice to have a quiet environment, but she wasn't always given that luxury.
Katie is so lost in thought that she isn't looking where she is going and she promptly ran into someone holding a steaming cup of coffee.
"Oh my god! I am so sorry," the man says as the brown liquid spills all over her dress, not only burning her slightly, but ruining her dress.
She cursed, feeling Ned dab the hot liquid off her arms and dress with the napkin he still had shoved in his pocket from their burritos they got from the taco truck that parks near the hospital for those in need of a quick bite.
"Don't be. I wasn't looking where I was going," she sighs and holds in the scream she wished she would've let out for when she gets inside her mom's shop which is two feet away.
"Well at least let me pay for the dry cleaning," he says pulling out his wallet. "You are wearing white after all."
"No. I can't accept your money..." She mutters softly.
"I insist," he says, handing her a twenty. "I know how terrible it can be to not get a stain out at home in time." She laughed then, knowing the struggle too and took the bill from his hand. "I feel like I've seen you around town before… are you on the news or something?"
"My mother owns the antique shop right there and I've lived here my whole life so there's a possibility you've seen me before," she states rather quickly. It wasn't like she was lying. Grandview is a small town, you definitely see familiar faces everywhere once you get used to the town. "Thank you for the money."
She tucked herself near Ned, taking his hand in hers as he begins to walk away. She'd wanted to keep going too, but the man had continued talking.
"Well I never forget beautiful faces," he says.
"Are you flirting with me?" She ran a hand through her hair, hoping he'd see her ring and the face that she was tightly holding another man's hand.
"I would love to take you out to dinner sometime," he took out a card with his number on it and she shut him down before he handed it to her.
"Married," she says showing her ring and squeezing Ned's arm. "To this guy."
"Well I feel totally stupid now..." He sighs, backing away as Ned glances over at him. "I'm gonna go this way."
"And I'm gonna go this way," she laughs. "Nice to meet you...?"
"Mason," he says, holding out a hand.
"Katherine... Katie... Whatever suits you," she says, shaking his hand.
"You're a smart ass. I like it," he smiles.
"That's what I tells her," Ned butts in, pointing to the shop. "We should be going…"
She let Ned pull her away then, laughing as they walked into her mother's shop together.
"What happened to you?" Melinda asks, seeing the pair both laughing, yet Katie was covered in what looked like coffee. She gave a woman her bag and recept. "Have a great day! Come back soon."
"Some guy spilt coffee on me and kind of ruined my day, but then he was hitting on me and it was really weird." She explains and walks toward the back room, leaving Ned with her mother. He'd gone over, hugging her. "You don't happen to have anything I could change into. Do you?"
"I might... I'd have to look around though." Melinda says standing up from her chair. "Delia? Ned and Katie are here."
"Yes? Oh hi Katie," Delia says coming in from the back room, her grin growing even wider when she saw her son. She hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. "How are you?"
"Good," Ned grins, pointing to Katie. "She's the one having the bad day."
"Your dress! What happened?" Delia gasps.
"Long story," she sighs and places her unscathed purse on the counter. "Watch this for me?"
"Can you watch the register so I can help Katie find something new to wear?" Melinda asks.
"Of course! I'll watch both and chat with Ned," Delia says, walking toward the register. "I'd hug you Katie but you're covered in..."
"Coffee, yeah.." she sighs and walks toward the backroom. "Worst day ever..."
My mother quickly follows her back and closes the double doors.
"How was your day before the coffee spill?" Melinda asks as she walks toward a few racks of clothes that have yet to have been put out for sale.
"Good," she says, trying to reach for the zipper at the back, but failed. "I found myself enjoying my first full day off with Ned. Can you unzip me?"
"Let's get you out of this and I'll bring it down to the cleaners," Melinda says unzipping the back of her dress as soon as she asks. "Now you undress and I'll find you something cute."
"Okay," she sighs and shimmies out of the dress. "Do you want me to put this on a hanger?"
"Yes," Melinda calls out from the other side of the room. "Black or blue?"
"What shade of blue?" She asks and carefully hangs up the dress and zips the back up again.
"A pale sky blue," Melinda says, pushing a few things around on the racks.
"Will it go with my shoes?" She asks, looking at herself in a mirror and fixing her hair.
"Black it is," Melinda laughs and walks back out into sight.
"Oh my! This is to die for..." She gasps and quickly grabs the dress.
"I thought you'd like it. I've been holding a few dresses back here for you and this was the one I thought you'd like the most once I saw your shoes." Melinda explains. "Which I love... where did you get them?"
"Hannah got them for me last Christmas," she says unzipping the back. "Some sale on Black Friday in the city."
"Well I'll have to go stop by and see her and that new baby of hers," Melinda says leaning against the table. "Now try it on."
"Jace is definitely a cutie. He looks like Hannah," she says slipping it on. "Zip me?"
"Of course. Hold your hair," Melinda says as Jim walks through the double doors. "When are you and Ned thinking of buckling down?"
"We haven't even started talking about that mom. We got married four days ago," she laughs. "Hi daddy."
The dress tightens against her form when zipped.
"Hey princess. Is your mother bugging you about giving us a grandkid already?" He laughs and walks toward the pair. "It's good to see you."
"She is!" She laughs and gives him a hug. "It's good to see you too."
She smiles toward him as she steps toward the mirror. Her parents hug and kiss and she smiles softly, just like young lovers.
She slowly smoothes out the dress and smiles. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect.
It is a sleeveless form fitting little black dress, that ends mid-thigh. The top half is made entirely of black lace that went down diagonally from her left shoulder to just above her right breast. The skirt is a fitted leather material and a leather belt around the waist.
"It's always good to see you," she says kissing her father's cheek and then smoothes out her dress evenly before looking over her shoulder. "How much mom?"
"Really Katie? What's the point of having an antique dealer with an eye for hot fashion as a mother if you want to pay full price?" Melinda explains. "Think of it as a wedding present that fits you like a glove."
"You think so?" She says looking in the mirror and twirling around slowly.
"Yes. Now go find Ned, he's got to be bored of conversation with Delia by now." Melinda jokes looking at Jim.
"Thank you," she says, hugging her. "See you guys at family dinner tomorrow?"
"See you," they say as she turns and leaves the twenty dollars on the desk before walking out. Ned is nowhere to be found. "Hey Delia, where's Ned?"
Dalia gave a woman her receipt and a coupon before turning to see her daughter in-law. "He was just here. I helped out a customer and he disappeared. Why don't you look gorgeous!"
"Thank you," she blushes. "My mom had this for me in the back."
"Your mother has quite the eye," Delia says walking toward her. "Now can I get that hug?"
"Of course," she says opening her arms and hugging the older woman.
"I just want to thank you for marrying my son. I was worried he might not find the one... but then he finally saw that you were right here the entire time," Delia says squeezing her tightly.
"Well I'm lucky to have him," she says, smiling as a couple walks through the door. "Well that's creepy."
"What is?" Delia asks.
"See that man that just walked in?" She explains quietly as Delia nods. "Well he's the guy who spilled coffee on me... he was flirting with me and now he walks in here with some woman."
"Well why isn't that sleazy..." Delia replies softly as Katie grabs her purse from the floor. "I moved your bag when a woman brought this big item up. I meant to put it back up there."
"Don't worry about it. It's just an old bag," she laughs.
"What are we whispering about?" Ned says, popping his head in by my shoulder as he wraps his arms around my waist.
"Nothing," she whispers back. "Where'd you go?"
"Phone call," he says, sliding his phone in his jeans pocket. "I clearly see your mom found you something to wear…" he looked her up and down, biting his lip and then meeting her eyes with a lustful glance. "It's fucki-" His eyes fulltered to his mom and then back to Katie a moment later "Super cute."
"You two are super cute. Hi honey," Delia says, hugging her son. "You look dapper today."
"I always dress nicely for this one," he says gesturing toward Katie. "Now what happened to your other dress? Aren't we bringing it to the dry cleaners?"
"My mom's gonna bring it for me," she says, subtly flicking her eyes over to the man who'd spilt the coffee. "What do you think of that?"
"I had a feeling he was sleazier than I thought," he shrugs, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. His next sentence is whispered in her ear. "You look delectable in this dress."
"Why thank you kind sir," she laughs at him, kissing his lips then as Mason and his female companion came to the counter. The phone ran just then, taking Delia away and Katie steps forward, entering her store number into the till to unlock it and ringing up the items with ease. "Anything else?" She turns around to grab a bag for the items along with some bubble wrap for the ceramic mug the woman has gotten, feel eyes burning up and down her backside, turning to see Mason's eyes drag up and over her. "Your total is 35 dollars even."
"Oh it's you," Mason grins as the woman pays cash. "Glad to see you found something new. It's even better than the last."
Ned isn't going to lose his cool over this.
Up until now, most guys had had the sense to not flirt with Katie in front of him. It would take an unmitigated amount of gall to flirt with a woman right in front of her husband.
Except for today.
Today it has been twice. By the same man.
"That dress suits you," Mason says. It is the way he says it that piqued his attention.
"This thing? Oh, my mom had it in the back." Katie answers offhandedly, just wanting to end the conversation. Ned catches the sound of rustling papers, seeing that she isn't even paying attention as she wraps the mug.
"Is your mom as pretty as you are?" Mason asks.
Smooth, thinks Ned wryly, shifting on his feet, careful not to make any noise.
There is a pause, after which Katie laughed and then hands the bag to the woman, "Uh, probably more than me. I put a coupon in there for your next purchase."
His next words cut her off before she could hand the woman her receipt. "Your family must have great genes." There is another pause, the sound of footsteps, paper tearing, more rustling. "You know, if you'd have been single, I might have given you some trouble," comes from the man's voice, lower now than before.
He watches him lean into her to say this and the image pushes him into action. He steps forward, clearly startling the man.
"Lucky for her she's not single. So I guess you'll have to trouble someone else," Ned answers, taking the receipt from Katie and handing it to him. "Don't forget your receipt and come back soon."
It is just as he imagined — Katie scowling at the man, who is already closer to her than he needed to be. Judging from her reaction, Ned thinks he might have actually saved the dude from a verbal beating.
"I'll have to come by again," Mason backsteps and gives the receipt the woman. "See you around Katie."
Ned almost feels sorry for his embarrassment, but he really didn't. Wisely, Mason opts to say nothing more as he leaves.
Ned puts his arm around Katie's shoulder, kissing her head as they hear Melinda chuckle as she and Jim watched from the doorway of the back office.
"I thought I was going to have to kill that dude." He mutters, crossing his arms across his chest.
She twists her face. "Why?"
"I can't stand the competition," he answers.
She shakes her head, then presses her lips against his, giving him a lingering kiss. "You don't have any any competition, not here or anywhere else. Okay?" She hears her mother snicker again and looks back. "What?"
"You're just so cute," Melinda smiles. "Makes me miss when your father used to be so jealous."
"I was never jealous," Jim butted in. "Not as much as your mother could get."
"He's a liar. We got kicked out of several clubs because of him when we were first dating in the city," Melinda rolls her eyes. "It got annoying."
Katie laughs as her parents bicker, and Jim eventually kisses her silent, giving Katie the change to sneak off, dragging Ned out of the shop. They lock arms as they walk down the street, laughing at everything that had just happened.
"Beautiful day," he says, looking over at her.
"Indeed," she replies. "I think we should order take-out from Lento's and eat somewhere outside. I'm still kind of hungry."
"I knew you'd say that," he laughs.
"Lento's is that way." She says matter-of-factly.
"I know, but you act like I don't know your order by heart," he says stopping her as he unlocks his truck and pulls out a basket. "I may have done this when I disappeared instead of being on the phone."
"What would my order be then, Mr. Banks?" She asks as he relocks both his truck and their arms.
They begin to walk across the street to the square.
"Well, my wife usually orders a chef salad with ranch and Italian dressing on the side and a bowl of chicken wild rice soup." He explains as they walk toward a clear spot in the grass.
"Well aren't you intelligent today," she blushes.
"I'm always smart thank you very much," he says, pulling out a blanket from the basket and laying it out for them to sit on. "My lady..."
"Why thank you," she says sitting down and smiling up at him. "This is really sweet Ned that you put this together..."
"Anything for you," he says, sitting down across from her and pulling out boxes.
"I love you," she replies.
"I love you, too," he says, reaching across and kissing her before placing her box in her lap. "And this dress... I can't wait to take it off you when we get home."
"You're disgusting," she laughs and pushes him away.
"Katie?" He asks.
"Yeah?" She asks, looking up at him.
He plucks a purple wildflower from the grass and places it in her hair.
"Purple really suits you," he says, smiling at her.
She grins widely at him and then motions for him to come closer to her.
"What?" He laughs.
"You're the sweetest," she replies and kisses him deeply. "I don't know how I got you..."
Katie and Ned stroll down the white halls of the fourth floor searching for room 416.
"Do you think they'll be up for visitors?" Katie asked as she looked over the numbers on the doors.
412.
"It's Hannah, Katie. She'll be happy to see you." Ned says looking over at her.
414.
"We should still knock," she replies.
416.
"Stop being weird," he chuckles and knocks on the door lightly.
"Come in!" Brandon calls out.
"Told you," he whispers and opens the door.
"Told you she didn't forget about you," Brandon says kissing the top of Hannah's head.
"You thought I forgot about you?" She asks and runs over to her best friend. "I'd never..."
"Well you didn't stop by yesterday and you said you would." Hannah sighs.
"I did? Crap..." She replies and sits down on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry... but how are you doing?"
"Sore, but I go home tomorrow now that this little one is finally over six pounds," Hannah explains. "I'm excited to show him his nursery and finally put those decorations you helped me put up be put into use."
"How is my nephew doin?" She coos and looks down at the two day old baby. "Can I hold him?"
"Of course," Hannah says carefully placing the newborn into her arms. "Your parents dropped by earlier. Your mom went all gaga over Jace and brought me over a sweet little basket filled with munchies and stuff for him that she had from Aaron."
"Well that was sweet of her... you know my mother and babies," she laughs and smiles down at the small child in her arms. "Come here Ned... look at this cute little guy."
He comes up behind her and touches the little guys cheek.
"He's a gem you two.. you did good," Ned says smiling.
"Thank you," they both say and kiss each other.
"Marriage really suits you two," Brandon says.
"Yeah! You both have this glow that is irresistibly cute." Hannah giggles. "Were we like that?"
"You were... you were in your little newlywed bubble," Ned explains. "I see it know that we're married."
"And don't forget, if you ever need a sitter or just need some time alone... don't hesitate to call one of us. You know we're both pretty comfortable with kids and love them to death," she says passing him into Ned's arms. "Wow. You actually know how to hold a baby properly. Congrats."
"Did you really think my mom wouldn't have taught me that?" He laughs and Jace stirs a little. "Oops... sorry little man."
"I'm impressed," she coos smiling at her husband then kissing his cheek. "Look like we'll be all set when we finally procreate down the road."
"I knew that was apart of the deal when I married you... yes." He says excitedly.
"God, you're such a dork," she says walking away from him and over to Hannah. "I love you Han."
"I love you to Katie," Hannah says squeezing her. "But as much as I love seeing you two fawn over him... I need to feed him."
"Boo," she whines and takes the baby from Ned's arms. "And as much as I'd love to watch you breastfeed... we really need to get home and you know clean the house up."
"You're a terrible liar," Hannah laughs and reaches for her son. "Now get out of here before I take my gown off."
"Stop by our house on your way home?" She asks as she takes Ned's hand in hers.
"Actually your mom also invited us to family dinner," Hannah says resituating herself as Brandon holds onto Jace. "And you know me... I never pass up an offer of food especially from your house."
"I should've known," she chuckles. "Well I'll see you at family dinner tomorrow then."
"See you," Hannah says smiling.
"Bye Brandon," they both say. "Love you both to death.. bye bye Jace. Auntie Katie and Uncle Ned love you..."
They close the door and then kiss each other lovingly.
"Want to stop by your dad's office?" He asks as they walk toward the elevator.
Out of the corner of her eye, Katie notices that there was a white figure pacing around in the hallway yelling and no one seems to have noticed her, but her.
"Do you see something?" He asks and presses the down button. "Katie..."
"Hmm?" She asks.
"You remind me way too much of your mother when you zone out like that," he replies.
"Shut up," she grins at him, flustered.
"Well? Did you see something?" He asks.
"A woman and she was screaming but now she's gone." She looks around, double checking that she is in fact gone. "I think."
"Did she see you?" He asks.
"I don't think so," she replies. "Why?"
"Well, let's hope not because I want to ravish you when we get home..." He says as the elevators ding and open.
"Oh yeah?" She laughs as the few people inside file out and they walk in. "Who said we weren't actually cleaning the house?"
"Me." he chuckles as the doors close. "Look... we're all alone."
He slowly slides her dress up a bit higher.
"Ned... stop it," she laughs.
"Come on babe. No one can see," he whispers in her ear and kisses her neck.
"Actually there are cameras in here Ned," comes a voice from the elevator intercom. "Hi princess."
"Hi daddy," she giggles and straightens out her skirt. "Good going Ned. I tried to stop you."
"Hey Jim," he gulps and slumps against the wall slightly.
"Hello Ned. And next time you think of screwing my daughter in an elevator... make sure it's not in my hospital." Jim says with a chuckle as the doors open at the main floor. "Have a good day you two."
"Yes sir," he replies as we walk out of the elevator.
"You too daddy! You're an idiot Ne-" she says shaking her head as the ghost pops in front of her and she stops dead in her tracks.
The ghost was maybe in her early twenties to late teens, long blonde hair, blue eyes and a gown drenched in blood now.
"Can you see me?" The ghost asks as Ned continues to walk, pulling her along.
"Yes, I can see you," she whispers.
"See what- oh." He sighs.
"What's your name?" She asks softly.
"Amber," the ghost replies and looks around. "Where's my baby? Did they take him?"
"Do you remember your last name Amber?" She asks in a hushed tone while looking at Ned. "Who's baby?"
"I think it was Britton... and I have to find my baby," the ghost replies and disappears.
"So much for a night free," she sighs. "I have to figure this out before she thinks Hannah took her son."
"Want some help?" He asks. "I noticed somewhere that ghostbusting keeps a marriage strong."
"My parents are proof of that," she laughs. "And I'd love some help. But first, we need to stop by my parent's house and talk to my mother and see if she knows anything about Amber."
"As long as tonight ends with us doing something that doesn't involve me being naked with you," he whispers in her ear as the front doors slide open.
"You're gonna get it for that," she whispers back as he slowly slides his hand up her skirt and slaps his hand away. "Ned!"
"What?" He laughs. "Just admiring the goods..."
Nothin' but bliss for these two.