"Who should be locked up Mel?" Lincoln asked calmly.
She looked straight into his eyes before saying the last words he
wished to hear.
"My father," she said clutching his shirt her body trembling out of fear.
He lifted her up into his arms, informing Walter to call for the doctor as they left for the manor and to pay the cafe owners for any inconveniences caused as they had cleared out the cafe before Lincoln had arrived.

Drifting to sleep, in his arms whilst they headed home she woke up with a start. He knew the reason behind her restlessness as he calmed her down.

"She seems to be fine. Whatever is wrong with her seems to be an inner battle of her conscience. Try to eliminate whatever is unsettling her. It is not good for her or the baby," the doctor informed Linc.
"Thank you doctor," Lincoln said showing the doctor out of the room.
Checking in on Mel he found her asleep and left her to check up on Zack who was having his lunch talking with Andre just as Ethan arrived.
"Uncle Ethan!" He screamed running towards his uncle.
"What's up little man? Did you save any lunch for me?"
He laughed as Zach nodded his head enthusiastically.
"I left some broccoli for you," he said with a disgusted look as he looked at the veges.
This made Linc laugh seeing the pained look on his brothers' face. He was never a fan of the vegetable.

Walter came into the kitchen and whispered something into Lincoln's ear. Judging from his change in demure Ethan knew something was wrong. Linc left the room abruptly, leaving his son and brother behind.
"Why don't you finish up your food? I am going to talk with your dad. Be back real soon," he told Zach placing him back in his chair.

"How is that man out? He should be in prison for life," Lincoln growled into the receiver.
Whatever the person at the other end said made him very angry as he threw the phone towards the wall making it fall into pieces. Looking up he found his brother looking at him worried.
"What has happened? Where is Mel?" He asked as Lincoln sank into his chair.
Looking at his brother he told him what had happened. As soon as he finished he heard a terrifying scream come from upstairs. Jumping to his feet he ran up towards their room. Barging into the room he found Mel fighting in her sleep as she became tangled in the blanket.

"Mel," he called out to her as he went towards her.
Using his body to pin her down he called out, "Melinda!"
This made her become still, opening her eyes tears instantly welled up. She was trembling beyond control as he gathered her into his arms. Ethan left the room informing everyone that everything was alright.

"Mel, talk to me. What happened in this dream?"
"It....it wasn't a dream Linc, but a memory," she said staring at nothing in particular.
He held her tighter telling her that nothing would happen to her, feeling her relax.

Sitting in silence she spoke first.
"He came into my room and dragged me out from under the bed. Mommy was yelling at him to stop beating me, but he didn't. That's whe....when I saw the knife in her hands. She threatened to kill him, but he only laughed at her before slapping her. He slapped her so hard she fell to the ground as blood ran down her lip. The knife cluttered to the ground and he picked it up. "It is you who will die today." Those where his exact words. He...he...he...," she couldn't finish as she remember the day her father killed her mother.

"He will not get anywhere near you. This I promise you Mel," Linc said softly kissing her forehead. "Let go of all your fears and let me handle that burden. Do you want to get away? We can leave if that will make you feel better," he said.
She shook her head no as she fell asleep in his arms. Zach came into the room a while later and crawled into bed. He knew something was wrong with his mother and stayed by her side whilst she slept.

The following day Mel and Lincoln left for the doctor's office for her check-up. Receiving a prescription for vitamins they headed for the pharmacy.
"It won't take too long, I will be back in a few minutes. Answer your phone and get some work done," she said with a warm smile as his phone persistently rang with him ignoring it.
"Walter go with her," Linc said with a smile filled with love.

"How much will the medication be?" She asked the cashier.
"Mam, I will pay," Walter said handing over a credit card.
A little boy brought over a small note handing it over to her.

"I'm going to be a grandfather"

She looked around the store searching for him but only found the little boy running towards his mother.
"Hie, who gave you this?" She asked the little boy.
"An old man. He said you were his daughter and he needed some help delivering a message," the boys' mom replied.
"Do you know where he is?"
"He left a few minutes ago," she said as Walter told his men to look for her father.

Lincoln walked into the store walking straight up to her. She gave him the note which he crumbled into his fist, clearly angry.
"I am tired of his games." Pulling out his phone he growled into the phone as they left the pharmacy, "I need results in the next five minutes or start looking for work elsewhere and you know you will never get another job," he said ending the call.
Surprisingly Mel was cool and collected and this worried him.
"Are you alright love?"
"I am not Linc. I am tired of being afraid of him. He has no control over my life and I will not let him."
He squeezed her hand reassuring her that she was not alone.

A few minutes later he picked up his phone and listened to whoever was at the other end.
"It seems Chris arranged for the release of your father," he said in a cool manner. "We cannot do much since he has not harmed you physically."

"Why would Chris do this to me," she said looking outside.
The buildings were a blur as they passed them heading back home. Lincoln was busy on his phone most likely attending to urgent work matters.

Getting out of the car Linc pulled her towards another vehicle. With Zach strapped in the back, he pulled out of the garage. Heading out of the city their entourage of bodyguards turned around heading back to the city.
"No bodyguards?"
"None I can take care of us," Linc answered taking her hand.

She didn't have to ask where they were going, as long as she had the people she loved close, she was content.
Pulling up to a small motel he retrieved a travel bag out of the back whilst Mel helped Zach out of his seat.
"Are we staying over here?" Mel asked him looking at the shady surroundings.
"No, just need us to change," he said leading them to the reception.

"How can I help you folks?" The manager asked.
"We need to rent a room for an hour," Linc said in a clipped tone.
"That will be $200."
Though they knew it was a rip-off, Linc just threw the bills towards the man. Pulling Mel in front of him from the man's leering gaze they left in search of their room. Locking the door behind them he opened the bag removing some clothing.

Stripping off his shirt he left the room to change in the bathroom whilst Mel dressed Zach in his clothes a white t-shirt, blue denim jeans and timberland boots. Placing his clothes back in the bag she looked up to find Linc walking back into the room still shirtless. His blue jeans hugging his legs perfectly looked too good on him. She knew he did this on purpose nonetheless who was she to complain with such a great view. He also had his own timberland boots and looking in the bag she found her own pair.
"Take a picture love, it lasts longer," he murmured into her ear placing her clothes in her arms. "Go change, we need to leave soon," he said kissing her forehead as he finished packing up their clothes.
Quickly changing into her own clothing which consisted of blue skinny jeans, timberland boots and a white t-shirt she found Linc and Zach ready to depart. Getting back into the car they continued their journey to a destination only Linc knew.

"I'm hungry mommy," Zach said.
Linc pulled the car over along the road and hopped out to fetch a something from the back. He came back with cool juice bottles in his hands and sandwiches and different snacks.
"Hmmm you wouldn't happen to have tea back there would you?" Mel asked playfully as he handed her some snacks.
He turned around with a smirk and handed her the flask of her favourite tea as she looked at him surprised.
"Always the Boy Scout aren't we," she murmured with a smile opening Zach's juice for him.
"Always love," he said with a wink. "You okay back there buddy?"
Zach only managed to nod his head yes as he wolfed down his sandwich, making them both laugh.

"Anything else you need love," he asked.
"Your lips," she whispered.
Giving her a sweet kiss he pulled back as she said. "Hmmm, I will tell you if something else comes up," she said with a mischievous smile.
Pulling back onto the road Mel made sure he had something to eat, feeding him as he drove.

Driving along a narrow winding road they passed a gate with a warning sign against any trespassers. Slowing down a two storey house came into view as they arrived just as the sun was beginning to set. Once Linc stopped the car she saw Ethan, Dominic and Megan walking out of the house with wide smiles on their faces.
"Welcome to Craftwood manor," Linc said with a smile.

"Finally brother, I was beginning to get worried," Meg said hugging Mel first then her brother.
Spotting a ring on Meg's finger Melinda squealed pulling Meg away from the man.
"Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Mel said with joy.
"Well it was a surprise. He popped the question in front of my parents of all places," Meg said sending Dominic a glare as he shifted in his position whilst the others laughed.
"Congratulations!" Mel said hugging the life out of both Meg and Dominic.
"Looks like you are the only one left Ethan," Linc said trying to hold in his laughter.

"Come on Zach, let us normal people go and see which room is yours," Ethan said taking Zach's hand.
"So which room is ours? I need to get some rest," Mel stated leaning onto his arm.
Showing her to their room he left once she was asleep.
"Is everything prepared?" He asked Dominic.