Watching grown men run around pulling each other down over and over was no fun when one was on edge throughout the game praying the one she cared for would not get hurt.

"What's a beautiful thing like you doing out here all alone," came the voice of Mr Rodriguez.
"I came to support my soon-to-be husband," she murmured tilting her head up to look at the man before her.
"And who is the lucky fella if I may ask?"
She stood up cheering as Lincoln scored a try winning the game for his team. Looking around the team she noticed most of the men where from work.
"That's him," she said pointing at Lincoln who was running towards them. Reaching for her she squealed jumping away from him. "Don't you even dare touch me with all that mud," she said pointing out his muddied state as a few men chuckled, passing by them.
"Let's see how long you can go without my touch," he murmured turning to face Rafael.

"Rodriguez," Linc said in a clipped tone.
"It seems you won once again," Rafael said with disgust.
"Hmm, maybe if you played for once, your team would do better."
"Can't afford to get mud in my fingernails," he said before giving Mel a charming smile. "Until we meet again darling," he smirked as Linc took a step towards him.
Mel held him back by his shirt making him relax before telling her he was going to change.

-----

My muscles are killing me," Linc cried out as he got into the car.
"Well, I know something that can help. A nice ice bath," she said with a smile.
"Are you trying to kill me, woman," he said appalled.
"What? Never." She asked with a mischievous smile.

His phone rang interrupting them.
"Hello Chris," Linc said putting the phone on loudspeaker.
"Hello, Mr Shields. Is the gala still on for today?"
"Wait didn't my assistant inform you?"
"No I was not informed of any cancellations," Chris said in agitation.
"Well I'm sorry for the inconvenience," he said.
"No problem at all sir," he grumbled furiously.
"Give my greetings to Gwen, I hope you are taking extra care of her," Linc said in a cheeky tone as Mel tried to hold back her laughter.
From the way he replied they could tell he was tired and beyond pissed off.

Getting home he found a bathtub of ice.
"Mel!" He called out.
"Enjoy!" She called out in response her laughter music in his ears.

An hour later she found him in his office.
"You know you really should relax and stop working too much. I can see grey hair already," she said going behind his chair as she started massaging his shoulders feeling him relax.
"If this is what you mean by relaxing, then no problem. Plus I don't have any grey hair," he said closing his eyes.

He fell asleep on the chair. Calling in reinforcements she handed Zach some eyeliner to practice his artistic skills on Linc's face as she painted his nails red. Applying some dark red lipstick they quickly ran out of the office as he started stirring awake.

Lincoln walked into the kitchen looking for juice only to have Andre bursting into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" He growled stopping the man from laughing any further.
Zach and Mel walked in with serious expressions only to start laughing uncontrollably.
Turning towards the stainless steel pan he saw their artwork and then noticed the nail polish.
"You two are going to pay for this," he said running after them before scooping them both into his arms and taking them to his room.

Now for your punishment.
"We are sorry uncle Linc," Zach pouted giving his sad puppy dog eyes look.
"That's not going to work today buddy," he said moving closer to them before he started tickling them.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked as tears rolled down their cheeks.
"Ye...ss please!" They breathed out.

"You will have to remove this," he said pointing to his face and fingernails.
"Okay," they both cried out as he was about to start his assault on them once more.
"Good."
"But I must say red does suit you," Mel said with a smile.
"And you look so pretty," Zach chipped in with a grin.
"Oh really," he said tickling them once more.

"Can I join in on the fun," Ethan asked standing at the entrance only to get pillows thrown at him. "Pillow fight!" He shouted as Megan grabbed a pillow whacking him.
By the time they were exhausted, Lincoln couldn't recognize his room any more.
Feathers were lying everywhere.

As they were all about to leave Mel yelled out, "Hold it," making everyone stop in their tracks.
With arms crossed over her chest, she said, "Who do you think is going to clean this mess up?"
Ethan looked towards Linc expecting him to say something.
"Umm we are," Linc said.
"Thought as much," she breathed out leaving to get a trash bag and brooms.

"Smile for the camera," Megan said taking a picture of her brothers sweeping.
Both men stopped sweeping looking at their sister. Slowly advancing towards her Ethan said, "Delete that picture or I will tell mom about that time you...."
He didn't get to finish his sentence as Megan's hand clamped it shut.
"You could have just asked nicely," she said blushing.
Finishing up with the sweeping the boys left to watch a movie whilst the girls relaxed by the poolside enjoying the sunset.

"So she is making you sweep, what's next?"
"You looked pretty useful holding a broom back there," Linc scoffed drinking his iced tea.
"You should see yourself when she is around. Man, you are whipped. I bet you would even kiss the ground she walks on."
"Why don't you just shut up and enjoy the movie, before I make you," Lincoln growled.
"Someone is getting angry..." Ethan said with a laugh.

"Who's getting angry?" Mel asked joining them.
"No one," Linc quickly responded making Mel look at him in question before settling down beside him.
"Why didn't you tell us you were watching the Avengers," Megan squealed.
"Thor is just...one fine specimen," Mel sighed.
"Let's not forget Iron Man, oh my gosh," Megan said fanning her face.
"Black Widow is the bomb," Ethan said with a sly grin.
"I think you all just ruined the movie for me," Linc said getting up.
"Come on Linc. We won't say anything else," Mel pouted.

"Promise?" He asked.
"Pinky swear," she said holding out her little finger as he took it with his own sealing their agreement.
This brought back old memories of days when she would make him make a pinky promise to not leave her until she was sound asleep. The bond they had created only allowed for her to sleep soundly in his arms.
"Yep you are whipped," Ethan sniggered.
Taking his glass of iced tea to sip, he handed it to her to drink.

------

"I have to leave now," Megan said after the movie ended. "I have a big day tomorrow preparing the runway, my models are demanding little vixens," she laughed.
"Don't forget to send us the invites."
"You guys don't need invitations, your seats are always available so no need to worry. See you tomorrow sis."
"Bye, sis!"
"Hmm, so you are now on sister terms?"
"Well ye,s we are."
"Where is Zach?"
"Sleeping in my room. Don't worry," he said taking her hand. "Now that we have started to frustrate your ex why don't we turn up the heat?"
"Hmmm, I like that idea very much. I'll just need to get his schedule for the week."
"And how will you do that?"
"Oh, I have my ways. All I need is a computer."

Leading her into his office he stood behind her chair as she worked her magic. He realized why Global Tech was a success as she opened up Chris's work calendar.
"Hmmm Hawaii is very lovely this time of the year," Linc murmured. "But who plans a meeting there?"
"I've never been," she said as Linc looked at her appalled.
"Well, it's a good thing we have a trip in three weeks, thanks to Mr Watson."
"I really should thank him. Let's have lunch at the Pacific tomorrow," she murmured seeing Chris had a meeting there.
"No problem at all. I will have Walter fetch Zach from school and bring him over."
"Splendid," she purred shutting down the laptop.

-----

Sitting in a private booth next to the one Chris had reserved Linc and Mel settled down enjoying their meal awaiting his arrival.
"You know you didn't have to reserve the whole floor," Mel mumbled as she sipped her water.
"For what I have in mind, you wouldn't want such a large audience," he said huskily giving her goosebumps.
Hearing a waiter direct Chris and his guest to his booth, Linc pulled Mel onto his lap before she could say anything.
"Just play along sweetheart," he murmured pulling her lips down to his.

Making her moan he deepened the kiss as their breathing became laboured. She ran her fingers through his hair pulling his head back.
"Lincoln," she moaned as he ravished her with his lips.
Looking at her swollen lips he whispered, "I bet you Chris's client is having one heck of a time hearing you moan like that," making her giggle in embarrassment before claiming her lips as he heard the chair scrape back as someone got up.

---------

Leaving his client Chris walked over to the next booth to find a couple making out.
"Excuse me," he said clearing his throat at the awkward situation.
Mel turned to look at him as he stood in shock heat flooding her face.
"Oh, Mr Watson. What are you doing here? I hope we didn't disturb you." She asked innocently.
"Well, I have a meeting. I am in a meeting in the booth next to yours but your...your...um....noise levels were kind of disturbing us," he stated looking everywhere else but at them shuffling his feet.
"Baby, I thought you said we had the floor to ourselves," she pouted turning to Linc.
"I thought so too love, I guess we will just have to make sure rules are followed next time."
"I guess so," she smiled giving him a peck.

"Chris please join us," Linc said waving over a waiter to bring two chairs and informing another to call the gentlemen in the next booth.
"It's alright Mr Shields we will just leave you two alone," Chris mumbled.
"I must insist," Linc said with a deadly glare that made Chris take his seat without a question.

"Cameron Price is that you," Mel squealed getting up from Linc's lap to wrap her arms around Cameron.
"Melinda! It's been ages," he said kissing her cheeks.
"You haven't changed one bit," she gushed.

"You two know each other?" Chris asked baffled.
"Yes, I last saw this nerd four, five years ago if I am not mistaken," Cameron stated.
"Who's the nerd, you were the programming guru in our class."
"Still modest and humble and lovely. Your fiancé is a very lucky man," he said noticing the ring and looking at Linc.
"Not lucky, but blessed," he said pulling Mel onto his lap once more as he kissed her cheek.

Linc signalled for a waiter.
"Baby please order for me," she whispered excusing herself leaving all the men at the table.
"Chris before I forget my gala has been pushed back for a month or so hence you will have enough time to make sure that your program is running smoothly," Linc stated.
"Thank you for the update, Mr Shields. That is more than enough time to perfect it," Chris murmured sipping his glass of water as Linc went on to grill him on the expected outcome of the project before giving all his attention to Cameron.

Mel returned a few minutes later seeing Chris sitting rather uncomfortably as Linc and Cameron discussed Global Tech.
"Ah so that's why you were meeting with Mr Price," Linc said with a smile. "Smart move Chris," Linc said pulling her chair closer to his.

Leaning towards her ear he whispered, "Shall we make him envious of what he is missing out on?"
With a sly smile, she licked her lips taking a sip from his wine glass, glad to find it was grape juice as always.
Cameron excused himself leaving them alone.