"We need to take care of a certain pest," Mel stated handing him some work documents to sign.
"Hmmm, I agree with you sweetheart. Please get me a list of all the Global Tech investors."
"What are you going to do?"
"Buy their shares," he said smiling as he saw her jaw drop.

"Lincoln that is absurd," she stated.
"When it comes to hurting the one who hurt you nothing is absurd," he said pulling her towards him as she handed him some more files that needed his signature.
"Ken I need you to get hold of some people," Linc said over the phone.

An hour later Ken called him informing him he had obtained all the controlling shares.
"Thank you, Ken," he said smiling at Mel informing her that everything was going according to plan.
Hearing screams of laughter they both went out back to find the boys running around with water guns. Linc joined in as they attacked Ethan soaking him quickly as Linc used a bigger gun.
"You boys enjoy yourselves I am going to sleep," Mel said.
"Why is everything alright?" He asked concerned.
"Yes, I'm just tired," she said with a small smile.

Two hours later she was woken up by giggles.
"Sshhh boys. We shouldn't make noise," Linc whispered.
"I know where the candy is daddy," Zach whispered in a not-so-hush tone.

"You boys will never know where I hid the candy," Mel said with a laugh.
All of them jumped up in surprise expecting her to still be asleep.
"Please mommy one only," Zach begged.
Walking into their closet she returned with two candy bars and sat on the bed.
"You know the fee," she said as Zach and Will jumped onto the bed giving her sloppy kisses on both cheeks before they ran out of the room.
"What about me?" Linc pouted making Mel laugh.
"I'll see what I can do," she said heading to the bathroom.

A few minutes later Lincoln heard his name being called out.
"What's wrong?" He asked seeing her poking her head out the door.
Embarrassed she quickly rambled, "Canyougobuymesomepads?"
"I beg your pardon," Linc asked confused.
"Can you go buy me some pads? I forgot to get some."
"No problem," he said with a smile turning to leave.

-----

Walking into the store Linc's face flushed as he asked the old sales lady where he could find the brand Mel wanted.
"Sire, might I recommend you also get some chocolates and junk food? Those items seem to lift my wife's mood at such times," he said softly.
Filling up a basket with junk food he paid for the purchases.
"When is she coming back from her holiday?" Linc asked Walter as they headed back home.
"In two weeks. The children are enjoying their time at the farm so she extended the visit before they return," Walter said with a look of unadulterated love and adoration.
"Say hello to them. The next holiday you will also join them," Linc said with a small smile.
"Thank you sire."
Walter had refused to go with his family stating that he wanted to stay and make sure Mel was safe with her plan of revenging her husband. Only he knew of this plan. Ever since the night they found her beaten up in the alley he always kept an eye on her knowing how much her boss loved the woman. He was quite pleased with the changes he was seeing in his employer all because of the little lady.

"Mel!" Lincoln called out once he entered their room.
She was lying on the bed curled up into a ball.
"What is wrong?" He said placing a hand on her forehead.
"I'm fine Linc just minor cramps," she said clutching her stomach
"Why didn't you tell me? We could have gone to a doctor," he said worriedly.
"That's why I sent you to the store," she chuckled as he had a puzzled expression. "I knew you would fuss over me like a mother hen."
"But..."
"I'll be fine. I just took some painkillers," she said placing a finger on his lips stopping any further protests.

"Do you need anything?"
"Just some warm water for my hot water bottle," she said rubbing her lower back.
About to use the intercom he changed his mind and went downstairs himself with the hot water bottle. Entering the kitchen a few of the staff members were surprised to see their boss standing over the kettle as he waited for the water to heat up. Normally he would instruct one of them to do so. A few minutes later he returned to their room and threw a soft blanket over her giving her the bottle.
"You don't have to stay with me, darling. I will be fine," she said clutching the bottle to her stomach. "I'll come down for dinner," she said with a weak smile.

Linc was not convinced knowing what his sister had to go through during such times. An hour later he brought her a fresh bottle finding her fast asleep.

-----

"Do you boys want pizza?" Mel asked finding them watching cartoons with Ethan.
"I see we have an extra child," Linc said when Ethan didn't answer, too engrossed in the movie as he threw a cushion towards him.
"What? You are disturbing us," Ethan said throwing back the pillow as Mel laughed at his childishness.

"I guess we are having pizza then," Mel sighed.
Picking up his phone he dialled a number.
"Hey Roman, please send over the usual," he said in a clipped tone before placing his phone back on the table.
She noticed his wallpaper was of her sleeping before his screensaver appeared showing a picture of her and Zach smiling as he kissed her cheek.

"When did you take these?" She murmured taking his phone.
"A long time ago," he said calling Walter.
"Hmmm I like them," she said admiring the pictures.
"Tell the kitchen not to prepare dinner. Just the refreshments for everyone," he said as they sat back to watch the television.

The doorbell rang a few minutes later as Roman entered with two other boys carrying boxes of their pizza. Handing him a few hundred dollar bills he saw them off. Telling Walter to distribute the boxes amongst the staff he carried their boxes into the living room as a maid came in with a trolley bearing juice, cutlery and serviettes.
The boys jumped up in excitement attacking the first box once Lincoln had put them down.
"Hold it! Go wash your hands," Mel said pointing towards the kitchen.
"Come on boys," Linc said scooping them up in each of his arms as Ethan followed behind at a leisurely pace.

They came back and Linc carefully placed a slice for each of them on a plate as they dug in excitedly.
"Here you go sweetheart," he said handing her a plate.
She scrunched her nose at the smell of cheese, getting up on her feet running to the closest bathroom. Linc followed close behind worried about her.
Rubbing soothing circles as she emptied her stomach he asked, "What's the matter love?"
"It's nothing, I think I'm coming down with a bug," she muttered flushing the toilet as he helped her stand.
"I'll get the doctor," he said pulling out his phone.
"No, I'm okay darling. I think I just need to rest," she said as she brushed her teeth.

"But you need to eat something," he growled becoming angry at her stubbornness to be seen by a doctor.
She was the first one to leave the bathroom returning to the living only to find the boys engrossed in the movie and only Ethan worried. Thankful that the boys had not noticed the previous event.
"Are you alright Mel?" Ethan asked with a frown.
"Yes, I'm alright. Just tired I guess, it's been a long day," she said with a weak smile.
"Shall I fix you something to eat besides junk food?" Linc asked her.

Shaking her head no, she sat down on the chair releasing a sigh.
"I think you should be in bed if you need to rest. I don't want you waking up with a painful neck or any pain for that matter," Linc murmured looking closely at her.
"Sure thing boss," Mel chuckled getting up. "Goodnight boys," she said to the children as they turned away from the TV getting up to give her good night kisses.
Slowly walking away from the room the room started spinning around.
"Lincoln," she whispered feeling his arms around her as he scooped her up into his arms.

"I told you we needed a doctor Melinda," he shouted angrily stomping up the stairs to their room.
"I am fine Linc," she murmured.
"Fine! Do you call this fine?" He growled his features softening when he saw the tears well up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to worry you."
"It is my right as your husband to worry about you. I want to take care of your worries, now look at us," he said laying her on the bed.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I will call you if I need you, go take care of the kids."
Reluctantly he left the room going to see to the boys' needs, knowing it would be chaos if Ethan was in charge of them.