A/N: I always love to do introduce a character and then time jump next with even more new characters lol. I swear. I put the ages of everyone I mentioned just so yall could know haha xx Mariah

Ages:

Jim - 59
Melinda - 55
Ned - 33
Katie - 30
Scott - 26
Aaron - 25
Mackenzie - 20
Lana - 13
Emma - 9
Asher - 4
Leo - 1

Melinda remembered when Jim used to wake up before dawn to work at the firehouse on the weekends. He didn't do this as often anymore. Not since they started their family and he became a doctor, that is.

There were the days when he would have early surgeries or pull all-nighters and be home in the wee hours of the morning, but not anymore. Nearing retirement he wanted to take it easy and enjoy his last few years doing rounds, and if he was lucky he might be able to make it another decade before he had to take his final bow at the hospital.

She knew that he was dreading that day, as much as they planned for the future when their kids would all be grown, and she could admit she wasn't looking forward to when she inevitably passed her store onto someone. Though she wasn't sure of who just yet.

But now, they enjoyed their mornings together. Jim hardly ever went into work before ten most days, but on the weekends if he didn't have something scheduled, he was just on-call. It left him free to wake up and help her with the kids.

She liked their time together, it was different from when they had first started their family. Although they did still have little ones, they weren't as little anymore and the grown ones almost all had families of their own.

But today was a Saturday, the start of the weekend and it was Melinda's turn to make breakfast for the family because Jim had surgery scheduled for eleven and was taking a shower. She had just finished cooking the bacon and eggs when he came up behind her.

His arms wrapped around her waist and he kissed her neck. "Mmm, that smells delicious sweetheart," he said as she turned around to face him. His hair was still wet and he was wearing nothing but a blue towel around his waist.

"Jim, put some clothes on, the kids will be coming down any minute!" She reprimanded him, smiling as she kissed him. "Plus Aaron will be over soon to drop Leo off."

"I will in just a second. I have to go grab my pants from the dryer," he assured her as he stole a piece of toast from one of the plates that she had set up. "I wish I wouldn't have slept through the first alarm and had time with you this morning."

"Me too, but later." She teased him. "I'll try to sneak over to the hospital after your surgery for a late lunch."

"I like that idea," he grinned as she pulled him closer, mindlessly grabbing him by the towel, which quickly became unraveled before her eyes. "Melinda!" He hissed in panic as he tried to retrieve his towel before anyone came down and saw him naked.

But no one had seen him except for her. So without thinking, she pulled him closer and kissed him, tossing the towel aside. And to think she was only planning to kiss him one more time.

"Ow, Mel, don't pull on me so hard," he laughed as he cried out from between their lips.

"Sorry," she said quickly, even though she wasn't. She didn't release him, and he moaned-whether from pleasure or pain, it was hard to say.

"Oh, fuck," he grunted as she stroked him and she darted her tongue inside his mouth.

"Oh, fuck!" another voice cried out behind them. She instantly released Jim as he bent down to retrieve his towel and they both turned around to see who it was. Her heart dropped.

It was their grandson Asher, who Katie was holding, and just then Ned came inside, shaking snow off his head.

"Hey, guys what's- well damn." Ned chuckled, stepping up behind Katie with a grin. "What did I miss?"

Jim tightened the towel around his waist nervously. "What did you just say, grandson?" He asked sternly.

Katie frowned at him and walked into the kitchen. "Go put some clothes on dad," their daughter muttered. "We don't say those words baby. Even if papa said them."

"You say them sometimes too, mommy!" Asher pointed out as Mackenzie descended the stairs. "Auntie Mack!"

The middle Clancy child looked between her abashed parents and chuckled, but Asher was blissfully unaware of what had just gone on. Maybe they should keep it that way. "Oh, dad's naked. Pretty typical Saturday, hey bud," Mackenzie chuckled and swung the little boy over into her arms. "So what's for breakfast?"

"Well, mommy is an adult and you are not," Katie said and pinched his nose, then turned to Melinda as Jim snuck downstairs to the laundry room. "Can you watch Ash for us for a bit?"

"We'd appreciate it," Ned added, his hand on Katie's shoulder.

Melinda smiled, knowingly. "Usually I'd say yes but your brother is bringing Leo by later so I'll have my hands a bit full with him along with Lana and Emma too," she said and walked over to the sink, washing her hands. "Hey, Ned, how's that partner of yours at work doing… isn't his name Scott? Maybe he could watch him."

"He's doing real good. Almost a full year on the force so he's no longer a rookie and I think he'd be happy to hear me say that," Ned said with a laugh. "Plus Ash likes him, right bud? I would've asked but he's on patrol today. He's trying to get in all the hours he needs to make detective."

"Scotty is the best," Asher giggled and took a piece of bacon.

Mackenzie blushed, any mention of him since they'd met would get that reaction out of her. "I can watch Ash. I was planning to go to the movies but I'm sure we can find something to do," the twenty-year-old said, wanting to change the subject.

"You should ask grandma before taking something Asher," Katie said softly but she winked at her grandson and gave him another one. "But thanks, Mack. We appreciate it. I owe you one."

"I can always make more," she laughed and grabbed a plate, serving a bit of egg to him too and giving him a fork. "You want some eggs too bud?"

Asher nodded and set the bacon on the plate, taking a bite of the eggs as Mackenzie made herself a plate too. "Well Ned and I better get going," Katie sighed, rubbing her son's back before kissing his head. "We have some errands to do."

Melinda snickered, knowing her daughter too well. Errands. What a crock of shit. "Well you have fun with all those errands you two," she said, making another plate as Lana came down next, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "See you later."

"We will. We're going grocery shopping," she laughed and turned to Ned, kissing him before they turned to leave.

"Don't go!" Asher said, grabbing hold of Katie before she got far, pulling her into a tight hug from the stool.

"Oh, honey. Mommy and daddy have to go grocery shopping and you hate the store. It just takes so long, remember?" Katie whispered, hugging him tightly. Asher's hair had just begun to lighten last year from a dark mop to a sandier blond, much like his father. "I know you'll miss me, but with grandma and Mack, and then Uncle Aaron is bringing baby Leo over so you will have lots of fun. I promise."

"You promise?" The little boy sniffled, pushing further into her arms.

Katie wiped his wet eyes as Ned came over and kissed his head. "We'll be back real soon bud. Don't worry." He said.

Asher hugged her one more time. "I promise. We'll be back in a little bit," Katie said as they turned to leave, but then came to hug her goodbye.

Melinda couldn't help but smile and then turned to her daughter's ear, whispering, "You have a nice time with Ned after you go grocery shopping."

"I will. We're trying to give you more grandkids," Katie teased and then winked, squeezing her arm as they parted, her arm winding around the outside of Ned's leather jacket. "What should you make for dinner tonight?"

Their family was so large, expanded, and she loved everyone in it.