"Wake up mommy, it's time for supper," Zach said tugging Mel's arm.
"Okay baby. You go on. I will be down in a minute," she said as he ran out of the room.

She found Meg sitting on the counter whilst the men prepared their meal.
"I hope your medical aid is up to date Meg. Tonight we might really need it, since the boys prepared our meal," Mel whispered into Meg's ear making her giggle.
She felt an arm around her waist as Linc pulled her closer to his chest whispering into her ear, "If I remember correctly, last time you were begging for my food and so much more."
"Oh come on guys, seriously," Ethan yelled throwing a towel at them as Mel blushed.

Sitting at the dinner table, Zach said grace before they dug inn enjoying the superb meal.
"Whoa Mel slow down on the food," Ethan said as Mel helped herself to some more mashed potatoes.
"Didn't mom tell him," Mel asked Linc.
"Tell me what?"
"We are pregnant. Well technically she is pregnant," Linc said as Ethan's eyes widened in surprise at the same time with pure joy.
"I'm going to be an uncle again. The baby should be a girl, then I will be a total chick magnate at the grocery store," Ethan grinned before realizing what he had just said.
"I said it before. There is no way he would too keen on babysitting Zach if he wasn't up to something," Meg said.

"Congratulations you two," Ethan said sincerely with a loving smile.
"Thank you Ethan," Mel said as Linc took her hand.
"Finish up love, we need to discuss a few things before everyone turns in."

------

After they had cleared away the dishes everyone settled in the living room. Everyone except for Zach who was already fast asleep in his room.
"Thank you all for coming here on such short notice. We have a problem," Lincoln said as he went to explain what was going on with Mel's father.
Dominic was the first to speak. "Mel have you ever used a firearm?"
She shook her head no.

"Now I understand why you asked me to bring my equipment," he said looking at Linc.
"I need all of your help in toughening her up," Linc said earnestly.
"Hey I am tough," she said punching him in his shoulder as he winced in mock pain.
"Indeed you are. But..."
"Save it. You just said the right statement nothing more to be said," she cut him off making everyone laugh.

"Okay so you guys are teaching me some self-defence."
"Hmmm, just the basics. Right boys?" Meg asked.
"Yes," they chorused.
"Each morning we will start with firearms, which is after your morning session with Meg," Dominic said. "She is brutal when it comes to physical fitness, so be warned."
"I'll take it easy on her since she is carrying my niece," Meg said with a warm smile.
"Then I will teach you how to make a grown man fall to his knees using weak spots and a few punches here and there," Ethan said.
"Oh I don't think I need training in that area," she said eyeing Linc whose eyes became a shade darker.
"We will see dear sister," Ethan said hiding a smirk.
"Then lastly I will be in charge of more defensive training and well as knife play."
"Knives?"
"Let's just say I want you to be prepared for anything."
"And where did you learn this?"
"That's a secret, I might just have to kill you," he said with a laugh as she rolled her eyes at him.
"I'm going to bed. See you bright and early tomorrow," she said getting up. "Or whatever time this little one decides we have had enough rest," she yawned making everyone laugh.

----

"Where are you going?" Mel asked panicking as Linc headed towards the door.
"To bed," he simply stated.
"What where. So you want me to sleep alone in this big bed," she pouted.
"We both know we won't be sleeping much if I join you. I need you to be strong for tomorrow's sessions."
"But we will sleep. You can't leave me alone," she said her lower lip trembling.
"Ah, don't cry love," he said climbing into bed and wrapping his arms around her.
"But you wanted to leave me," she mumbled as he wiped away a tear.
"I will never leave you."
"I'm sorry Linc."
"For what?"
"Crying, I just can't seem to control my emotions."
"There is nothing to be sorry about love," he said kissing away her tears. "Now get some rest," he said.

One month later

"Are you sure you are pregnant girl because, this past month you have outdone yourself," Meg said.
"Very funny Meg," Mel said rubbing her belly.
At three months she was clearly showing. She had surprised all of them by how fast she grasped the concepts, her punches became much swifter and more powerful. Never missing a target under Dominic's wing. Her fitness levels had increased from where she normally was. Lincoln was now afraid of her knife skills, though he held back on teaching her deadlier techniques in her condition.

------

Heading back to the city they were greeted by their entourage at the city limits. Sliding to the back of the car, Walter took over driving them back home. Arriving home Linc found a package in his office.
"Who sent this?"
"We are not sure sir, but there are no traces of explosives. The scans show it to be some type of doll," Walter answered nervously.
"What is wrong darling," Mel asked walking into his office.
"I think your father sent a gift."

Slowly opening the box she gasped in shock. Inside was a small baby doll which was stained with what seemed to be blood with multiple stabs.
"Mel," Linc whispered trying to pry the box out of her hands.
"Walter prepare a car," she said walking out of the office with Linc fast on her heels. "We need to get Zach out of here now," she said with him nodding his head in understanding. "Then we are going on a little trip to see my ex-husband.

Helping her pack up Zach's clothes, Linc called his parents' house.
"Ethan I need you all to pack up, you know what just get everyone to the airport," he growled leaving no room for a response.
They arrived at the airport to find Dominic also present with his family.
"Is everything set," Mel asked Dominic confusing everyone even more.
"Yes, they will be safe in my villa. No one can penetrate my walls."
"Thank you for this," she whispered giving him a hug turning to do the same to everyone else.

"Dominic will explain everything to you on your way," Linc stated trying to clear up the fog.
"Take care of yourselves," Rebecca said.
"We will mother," Linc said.
The plane took off leaving Mel and Linc alone.

-----

"Well. Well, well, today's my lucky day. Two visitors at once," Chris said.
"Shut up and listen. The reason you are still alive is because of me," Mel said with such venom Chris looked at her strangely. "Why did you have my father set free? You know what I went through because of him. How could you stoop so low?" She asked sincerely.

"Stoop so low? Me? You are the one who caused all the problems by running to his arms as soon as I left you. I wanted to take you back but no, you just couldn't resist his money could you?"

"You pushed me away remember?" She said tilting her head with a smile. "Besides how could I leave all of this," she said indicating Linc, "for a nonentity," she said looking at him. "Anyway I just came to inform you that I received your surprise. Now what type of person would I be if I didn't reciprocate such a gesture? I hope you enjoy the one I have in stored for you," she said turning her head to wave at one of the biggest baddest prisoners, Big Mo. Everyone even the security guards were afraid of Big Mo.

"How do you know him?" Chris asked with beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead.

"Oh Mo, he was a friend in high school. Promised to take care of his family while he serves time for attempted murder. He knows some people who have no problem taking care of my problems since they have nothing better to do in here than to solve inside problems. Get the picture?" She stated as he swallowed hard. Standing up she walked over to Big Mo giving him a hug and introducing him to Linc as Chris watched on.

From the prison they separated with him going to the office and her going back home to rest. She knew her father was close, as the car weaved through the chaotic traffic. Once she reached home she went straight to bed too tired to do much after the earlier confrontation.

A few hours later she woke up to realize that it was already dark outside.
"Linc, are you still at the office?"
"Yes sweetheart, I'll be home soon."
"Alright, take care of yourself," she murmured walking towards the door.
"Mel is everything alright?"
"Yes, I believe so. Why do you ask?" She said stopping from opening the door.

"Cameras four and five are down, I just got an alert.
Just then the lights went out leaving her in darkness.
"Linc, the lights just went out," she whispered.
"It's okay the generator should kick in at any moment."
"Take care of yourself darling. Let me go in search for Andre."

Walking into the kitchen she found a guard unconscious and Andre tied and up and gagged sitting on the floor. Running towards him she untied his hands as his eyes widened staring behind her.
"Who did this?" She whispered.
"I did," said a cold voice that made her turn rising to her feet. "How are you my sweet?"