A/N: Last part of this arc... and as you can see below Rick and Melinda don't leave things on the greatest of terms, but eventually I will bring him back into play) Enjoy xx Mariah

Jim - 45
Payne - 43
Melinda - 41
Katie - 16
Aaron - 12
Mackenzie - 6

Jim drove home quickly, taking sharp turns and speeding down the street. He just wanted to get home, and he wanted to break something. He was just so mad at Melinda. How could she still be so reckless when they had three children to think about?

He clenched his fist around the steering wheel as he drove, foot firmly on the gas pedal as he sped down Main Street.

"Dad?" Katie's voice caught his attention as he let off the gas to slow down to make a stop at a stoplight in front of him, then putting his foot on the brake. "Can you not drive so fast? It's making me dizzy."

He sighed and gave her a small smile. "Sorry, Katie. I just want to get us home," he apologized as he reached across to grab hold of her hand, squeezing it lightly. "And bug?"

"Yeah, dad?" She turned her head to look at him, putting her phone upside down on her leg.

"I really am sorry for what I said in your mother's shop," he said softly, squeezing her hand before letting go as he put his hand back on the wheel. He started to drive as the light turned green. "You should never be sorry for taking risks with your gift and trying to help people like your mother does. I should've never made you feel like that. I am just worried for you and I want you to be safe, honey."

"I know. I should've never gone down there by myself, dad." She sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I really and... I didn't mean to cause all this stuff with mom."

"That's not your fault either, Katie." He said as he turned onto their street.

"Are you and mom going to get a divorce?" Katie asked quietly, her voice softly now as she was careful to ask. He pulled into their driveway and she unbuckled as he parked. "I've never you guys fighting like this before, daddy."

He unbuckled and leaned back in his seat. It felt like a truck had hit him. He would never even consider that over something trivial as this. He would never consider it ever, really. Jim was silent for a while and then turned to look at his daughter. She looked so much like Melinda it made him smile again, especially when he could see Katie was trying to read him as her mother would.

"No, bug. Never." He tried to soothe her worries and watched her eyes clear and eyebrows raise from where they were knitted together. "We won't get divorced. Don't ever worry about that." He leaned across the center console and hugged her. "Your mom and I will talk and work things out like we always do."

"I wasn't that worried. I've just never seen you two that mad at each other." She whispered into his shoulder, hugging him tightly. "And especially about me. I really am sorry."

"Stop apologizing, Katie. You have nothing left to be sorry about okay? I'm sorry that your mother and I fought in front of you like that. We've always tried to keep our problems away from you guys." He sighed turned his head to kiss her cheek. "But don't worry, Katie, we'll work it out like we always have."

"Okay. I'll make sure to wear my earbuds to bed tonight then," she chuckled and pulled back.

He chuckled and rolled his eyes at her. When Katie moved to open the car door and slowly started to move out, being careful of her twisted ankle, Jim moved out quickly and let Katie leaned on him for support as they slowly made their way toward the front door of the house.

"So I was thinking of making mac and cheese for dinner," he said as he put his keys in the door.

"Homemade?" She asked, intrigued.

"Always. You know me," he said, winking as he opened the door. "Do you need help upstairs?"

"Yeah, probably." She sighed and hopped inside the door with his support. "I'm gonna be out of dance for so long. This sucks."

"You should shower and rest. That's in your best interest, along with elevating your foot. I'll wrap it later, after your done with your shower. We'll keep this under control, okay?" He reassured her, moving to pick her up and bring her upstairs. "You'll be fine in a couple of weeks."

"School will be done by then, dad. I'm going to have to sit out of all the assemblies for the end of the year. It's going to suck," she sighed as he climbed the stairs. "I can't believe that I was so stupid."

"Don't worry about that now, Katie. You aren't stupid. Just relax and rest," he said and set her down inside her room carefully before leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you downstairs for dinner in an hour, okay? Just let me know if you need any help."

He closed her bedroom door behind him and went back downstairs. He immediately set out to make dinner, putting water on the stove as he pulled out noodles, milk, and butter. Then he pulled out three different kinds of cheese; cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan for on top when it was done.

When Melinda came home, it wasn't long after he and Katie had, maybe twenty minutes and he'd poured the noodles in and was about to take them off. He rolled up his sleeves and moved to pour the noodles into a strainer as he heard the door open.

He put the noodles back into the pot as he turned around and watched her take off her coat. He noticed she glanced up at the stairs as the shower turned off, alerting her that Katie was up there. He could already tell she was itching to talk to her, but he wanted to talk to her before the kids came off the bus in half an hour from the after school program at five.

Before she had the chance to sneak upstairs he caught her attention. "Melinda," He called out as he stirred the noodles and poured the milk and butter in.

There was no avoiding this, but he loved their kids and her too much to fight anymore. He just wanted to talk.

Jim was standing there still wearing his dress shirt and slacks from the meeting at the hospital when Melinda came into the house. She could see that his tie was hung over the back of the stool by the kitchen island as she took off her coat. And as she heard the shower turn off, she was going to go upstairs to talk to Katie and check on her, but Jim called out to her.

"Melinda," he said as he looked up from what he was doing. "Come here, please."

Jim had rolled up his sleeves and her eyes roamed over his strong forearms as he poured milk and butter in the pot as it simmered on the stove. He'd begun to make the mac and cheese from scratch without getting anything on his white shirt.

She swallowed. Melinda had no idea what she wanted to stay to him, but she could remember coming home to her husband so many times to see him cooking in his dress clothes. He never made a mess. She just wanted to talk to him without fighting. Without yelling and hurting each more than they already had.

She wanted him to hold her in his arms because now that it was all over and Katie was safe and upstairs in her room, Melinda was tired and terrified about everything. Jim was right. Katie could have died down there, and Melinda with her. She would've left him, Aaron and Mackenzie all alone.

She remembered the last time, and she shuddered at the memory, wrapping her arms around herself. Jim walked over and pulled her into his arms, holding onto her tightly. And Melinda cried.

"I wouldn't have been as terrified as I was if it was you and not Rick, Melinda. I will always make time for something like this. Screw the board meetings," he said and then kissed the top of her head. "Keeping our family safe is more important."

"Are you sure you still don't wish you had a wife who could only see ghosts in the movies?" She asked quietly, glancing up at him.

"Not for a second, Melinda. I think it would be boring without a little action every once and awhile." He joked, smiling at him. "Do you remember when I told you right here in this kitchen when we first got married that I wanted a whole slew of baby ghostbusters?"

She laughed, nodding. She remembered it all. She remembered how good the sex had been after that conversation too. "That was before today, Jim." She sighed and wiped away her tears. "Do you still feel the same way?"

"And nothing has changed Melinda, I love you more than I did that day. I love that Katie isn't scared to take risks because of how much you've taught her." He told her, smiling so brightly at her that it warmer her entire being. "I love that you have taught all of our children to be brave and the same things your grandmother showed you. I take so much pride in it because I couldn't have done that, Melinda, but you did. And that's why I fall more in love with you every day."

She hugged him tightly, kissing his neck and holding him so close. "I love you more every single day, Jim. I never take us for granted."

"Me either, but that doesn't mean I wasn't terrified today. Why couldn't you call me?" He asked.

"Jim, I'm sorry that I held things about Katie today back from you. I shouldn't have done that. I know you don't need to be protected and that you'll always be there for me." She said and pulled her head back to look up at him. "I just feel like sometimes I make everything so complicated with my gift. I'm always running around with Katie after spirits, and I was leaving you out of the loop. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to, especially today. I just wanted to get to her."

He nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm not mad, Mel. I get it. Just call me next time." He said, sighing. "This also doesn't mean I'm not sorry because I am sorry for what I said earlier in the shop. I know you can take care of yourself. I just wish you didn't feel like you had to do it alone all the time."

"Thank you," she whispered as she leaned up on her tiptoes to him, her head tilted slightly.

He closed the distance between them and met her lips in a soft kiss. Jim raised his hands from her waist to cup her cheeks. Her skin was warm beneath his fingers and he felt her release a contented sigh. The kiss was long, full of want and longing and passion that was long overdue. Melinda's lips were soft, and she tasted like candy. He could have kissed her for hours as their tongues met and he picked her up to place her on the counter. But then he remembered dinner, and they heard the sound of the bus pulling up outside as they broke away.

"I love you," he said, winking at her.

"And I love you," she said, her face was flushed and filled with joy, love, and the promise of something more later as she leaned in kiss his neck and she slid off the counter.

Jim only prayed the same things were evident on his, but he knew she could tell but the look she gave him in return as she slipped away from his grasp. The front door opened as Melinda stepped out to get Aaron and Mack off the bus and Jim ran his hand through his hair before going over to check on the noodles and stirring them. Dinner was going to be the longest meal in the world.

After tucking Mackenzie in and reading her two books, Melinda went into Aaron's room and shut his lamp off as she pulled his blanket over him. The twelve-year-old was asleep from a good meal, some family time, and playing basketball at the after school program. Then she went across the hall into Katie's room just in time to see Jim put the finishing touches on the wrap around her ankle with an ice pack.

She smiled at the two as they hugged and she passed Jim on his way out. "Is your ankle feeling any better, bug?" She asked as she came to sit beside Katie and heard the door close behind her husband.

"A little," Katie shrugged. "But I don't feel any better about how today went. I've seen weird things before, but down there… I was so scared I was never gonna find my way out."

"Look, I'm sorry. I know how awful this is." She moved closer and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. "I've had to go down there to get information too, and sometimes it's the only way."

"But why should I keep helping them if they try to scare me? Or even hurt me?" Katie said, getting frustrated. "Millie got me lost down there, and my ankle is all messed up and for what? So I could know she was scared to come out to her parents?"

"Look," she whispered, wiping her daughter's falling tears away. "I know that this is not fair. Most kids don't have to think about death until their much older, but you and me? And your brother and sister, our lives are different."

Katie nodded, sniffling as she wiped the last of her tears away. "I know that."

"And if you want a reason to help Millie, one is because she will never leave you alone if you don't. But the real reason is because you can, baby. That's why we have this gift. It is so we can help people," she said and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Okay," Katie whispered. "You're right."

"Now get some sleep. Today was long and you need it, babe. I love you," she said, pulling her blanket up and going to turn out her side lamp.

"Do you think I could spare another half an hour to read?" Katie asked, holding the book she had in her lap. "I need to finish this for school."

"Do you really? There's only two weeks left," she crossed her arms.

"No, but I really want to read a little more into it. It's good." Katie shrugged and pulled out her headphones. "I'll put these in. Don't worry. I can't hear anything, that's why I got them."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she laughed and walked toward the hallway. "I want you to try and be asleep before witching hour, young lady."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you. I know the rules," Katie said, smiling at her mom as she put her headphones in. "Tell dad I love him."

"I will. Goodnight, Katie." She said, chuckling as she pulled the door closed and met her husband in the hallway as he came out Mackenzie's room from saying goodnight to her. "Hey, you."

"Hi," Jim smiled and came across the hallway to pull her into another hug. "You ready for bed?"

"Mmhmm," she hummed lightly into his neck as she wound her arms around his waist. "Let's go."

They quickly walked into their room together and Melinda made her way into the room, slipping under the covers as she watched Jim walk away from the door after locking it. He was still fully dressed in his work slacks and white shirt from the board meeting earlier and she licked her lips as she watched his hands move to undo his belt. He walked slowly over to where she lay and began stripping off his clothes before setting the pants aside.

When Jim was naked, he bent over her in bed and Melinda leaned up, sealing her lips to his as her arms wound around his body, pulling him down against her. Even after all their time together, she never got tired of the feeling of him against her. It anchored her, tethering her to the here and now where she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he loved her for who she was inside.

Jim slid his fingers through her hair, as he deepened the kiss, slanting his lips over hers, again and again. His other hand slid between her legs, teasing against the soft curls at the apex of her thighs. She sighed into his mouth, her hand curling around the back of his neck. His lips left hers and kissed a path down to where her shoulder joined her neck, lingering on the leaping pulse point as his hand tangled in her hand moved to slip the straps of her nightgown off both of her shoulders.

Her breath hitched as he moved further down her body and took the nightgown with him, sucking one taut nipple into the dense heat of his mouth. Jim released her skin and grinned up at her as he came face to face with her.

"Hello again," she laughed, running her nails lightly up his arms.

"Hi," he said with a grin as he held her in his arms, both of his large hands clasped protectively on her back now.

They begin to graze lightly over the exposed skin, his fingertips tracing up her sides, then dangerously close to her nipple as his mouth claimed one. Another electric volt courses through her, causing her to moan. The way it felt when he took it in his mouth still felt better than anything, even after all these years. She felt him, hard, against her and she lifted her hips up to grind against him, teasing.

He grinned against her mouth and swore under his breath. "I want you," he told her. "Are you ready?"

She brought her arms up and wrapped them tightly around his neck, bringing him closer for a fierce kiss. Now she could feel his whole body responding against hers, pulling him down towards her.

He entered her slowly; pushing into her as their gazes locked, foreheads pressed together, breath mingling. The slow burn that had been building the entire time he'd been painting her grew into a conflagration that exploded out from her center, burned along her nerves, licking fire and need in its wake.

Her nails dug lightly into his back as he moved achingly slow, rolling his hips against hers in an endless wave that had her gasping and panting his name, back arched, hips rising to meet his.

His hands framed her face, bringing her back flush to the rug, lips slanting over hers, mimicking the movements of their lower bodies. She had never felt closer to him than when they were locked together like this, striving towards ecstasy, knowing just where to touch, or kiss to bring them both to the heights of pleasure.

After over twenty years together, it was natural to them. The wave of pleasure he'd built swamped her, washing over her again and again, thighs quivering, and the tips of her fingers tingling. The euphoria was too much, and she cried out into his neck as he followed her moments later, her name ghosting from his lips as he buried them in her hair.

The last thing she remembered was her husband pulling her against his body before she succumbed to exhaustion and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

Melinda looked at Jim, sleeping next to her in the morning light peeking through the curtains over the windows. His face was so calm and peaceful and handsome. As she watched him, she gazed over everything about him: those long dark eyelashes, his pouty, pink lips, the hard line of his jaw, and the slight stubble that covered it.

So she couldn't help herself when she leaned forward and kissed him, pressing her lips softly against his. As she pulled back, she saw his eyes flutter open, the sleepy haze fading away as he woke up. Through slitted eyelids he gazed at her and offered her a lopsided grin.

"Hey, beautiful," he whispered, his voice soft and raspy as his hand came up to cup her cheek.

"Hi," she returned, feeling her cheeks heat. It's a strange mix of excitement and nerves and love and anticipation that overtook her. "I don't think the kids are up yet."

His arms moved around her waist and he pulled her to him more firmly. She rested her head against his chest, feeling it rumble with laughter as he spooned against her, his morning arousal pressing into the curve of her behind.

"Mmm, good," he whispered, his lips near her ear, "I meant to thank you...for last night."

Her stomach does a flip and she smiled against his arm that came across her chest as he cupped her breast.

"Mmm, Jim...I love you." She hummed, and before the smile can fully form on his face he's leaning down to kiss her.

He's soft and gentle, turning her face and just tasting her. He broke away and rested his forehead against hers and their heavy breathing mixed in the space between their lips. He kissed her again, this time with a little more heat behind it as he rolled above her. His tongue pushed, prodded, and stroked her own and they just taste each other, in absolutely no rush.

"I love you too," he murmured when his lips finally break away from her mouth and started to taste the skin of her neck, licking and sucking at the sensitive flesh. "God, Melinda...I don't know what I would've done without you all those years ago. I am forever grateful to be married to a woman like you."

"You saved me too," she insisted, pulling at his head to reconnect his lips with her own. "If I didn't have this, if I didn't have us, I think I would have let all the pain and ghosts destroy me." She hoped he could gather from her words the depth of what she felt for him, what she's trying to say.

He pulled away reluctantly and looked down at her with a sad, bu happy sigh, running his thumb over her swollen bottom lip before kissing again. She couldn't help but blush a little as she remembered that she was completely naked in bed with the man she loved. She would never take that for granted.

"I think we have a little time," she whispered as she broke their kiss. "Before the kids are awake... don't you think?"

His mouth quickly latched onto her nipple as his hand came up to fondle her other breast. She quietly gasped and arched her back, encouraging his actions. He traced and flicked his tongue around the puckered flesh until she was circling her hips, searching for his touch.

She reached down and grasped him in her hand, pumping him up and down as she felt him grow harder than he had been before. "Jim, please..." she begged and he doesn't need any further encouragement. "We don't know how much time we have..."

He moved inside her after that and they moaned in unison, her nails sinking into his back as she pulled him back down to seal their lips together. She bit her lip at the perfect sensation of being filled by her husband, and let her legs fall down to the side.

He held his weight up with his strong arms and started rhythmically pounding into her, hard and deep thrusts that made her whole body move a bit and caused her breasts to bounce. She closed her eyes and let her hands wander down to his behind, squeezing it and using it to try and pull him into her even deeper. Her head thrashed from side to side as his pace started to pick up and the pleasure started to build between them.

His hand dropped between her legs and with a few quick, hard circles of his thumb, Melinda came beneath him, crying out as the ecstasy consumed her. Jim thrust into her at a frantic pace until he too came undone as he moaned in satisfaction. He collapsed against her, pushing the air from her lungs but she just held him against her, not wanting to let him go yet, even as they hear the footsteps of their kids as they woke up.

"I love you," she whispered and kissed his lips.

"I love you too," he smiled, cupping her cheek. "Hungry for some pancakes, eggs, and bacon?"

"Mmm, that sounds perfect." She said softly.

"Good because that's what I promised Mackenzie," he chuckled and moved out of bed.