The doctor left soon afterwards leaving everyone ecstatic.

"When are we going home?" Mel asked him as they lay in bed later that evening.
"In two days' time," he answered her caressing her belly.
"Good because there are something's we need to discuss in our own house," she said in husky voice grazing his arms with her fingers.
"Hmm is that so," he whispered. "Sleep now sweetheart. Tomorrow we are meeting Dominic's family and then we need to pack for the journey back home."
"Goodnight darling."
"See you in my dreams love," he murmured.

Zach woke them up the following morning climbing onto the bed and giving them each kissed only for Linc to start tickling him.
"If you boys want to play just leave me in peace," Mel groaned slowly getting out of bed leaving them.

Breakfast was a lively event with everyone piling their plates with food from the buffet table.
"If anyone of you says anything about my plate, they are in for it," Mel said when she saw everyone staring at her plate.
Only the sound of forks connecting with plates could be heard as she settled down into her chair.
"So what time are your folks coming," Ethan asked Dominic breaking the silence.
"Umm in an hours' time," he said softly.
"If I had known Mel could silence everyone up during breakfast I would have married her a long time ago," Linc sniggered.
"Yeah more like knocked her up," Ethan mumbled shoving pancakes into his mouth.
Mel burst into a fit of laughter before calling one of the maids in who had her phone.

"Did you get it all?"
"Yes mam," she answered shyly.
"Thank you very much Kira," she said looking at the video. "You should have seen your faces when I threatened you all. Especially you Ethan she said laughing until tears started running down her cheeks, did you seriously think I would finish all of this," she said placing pancakes onto Linc's plate.
He had been in on the prank all the while dishing himself minute amounts of food.

"Delete that video Mel, or else," Ethan said grabbing the bottle of whipped cream.
"Now now children, let act civilized," Charles said leaning back into his chair.
"That's not going to work dear, I am leaving before it gets nasty," Rebecca said eyeing the syrup Mel had in her hands.

"Or what?" Mel said defiantly.
"Listen Dominic just send me the bill," Linc murmured.
"The bill for what?" Both Ethan and Mel asked turning towards him.
"Oh nothing," Linc said stepping away from the table.
Meg whispered something into her finances ear, as he became pale. With a pleading look he stood up and made his way towards Linc looking as though he wanted to say something very important. Tilting the jar of honey over his head, Linc stood with his mouth wide open whilst Dominic slowly stepped away from him. Wiping the sugar away with a napkin he saw Mel laughing at him so hard, she didn't not see him move towards her and he wiped his hands off on her dress making Ethan laugh historically. The next thing Ethan felts on his face was maple syrup and beans coming from none other than mother and son. This ensued a food fight as eggs flew randomly aimed at anyone.

Someone clearing their throat stopped them from their actions as Linc's parents and Dominic's parents stood by the door.
"Mom, dad you are early," Dominic said wiping his hands with a napkin.
"Your mother was just too excited to see her new daughter."
"Actually we came here fifteen minutes ago," his mother said.
"Why don't you all get cleaned up," Charles said.

Everyone left the dining area heading to their respective rooms.
"Oh no you don't," Mel stopped Linc as he followed her into the bathroom. "You are going to get your son cleaned up first. After all you started the food fight."
"Wait, what? I started the fight?" He said staring at the now shut door.
Scratching his head in confusion he left their room.

Linc found everyone in the living room talking animatedly, another couple was present and they learnt that it was Dominic's older brother and wife. Looking outside he saw Zach playing with their three year old daughter which explained the noise levels. All the women were mostly excited about their wedding, which made him wonder if he should have asked Mel to marry her instead of a surprised wedding. Had she loved or even enjoyed their ceremony or had it all been a charade for her family.

"Darling are you feeling alright?" She asked him placing her palm over his forehead.
"I'm fine sweetheart, just thinking."
"About....?"
"Come with me," he said taking her hand.

Once in their room he asked her, "Mel did you like the wedding, I mean our wedding. Did you like it," he asked nervously.
A smile formed on her lips as she watched him shuffle on his feet. He never was a bundle of nerves like this, always calm and collected no matter the situation. Stepping towards him she surprised him by laying her head on his chest still smiling, remembering that night. He placed his hands around her finding comfort in the simple act.
"No I didn't like it," she said as he stiffened. "I loved it. It was more that I imagined," she murmured feeling him relax once more. "Is that why you were so glum downstairs?" She asked looking up at him.
He just looked down at her loving her smile as she questioned him.

Enjoying the rest of the day they went to bed early after a tiresome day.

------

"Linc we need to pack!" Mel said waking up with a start the following morning.
Lincoln chuckled at this. "Good morning to you too love," he said kissing her cheek.
"Sorry," she said shyly. "Good morning."
"Our bags are already packed, and already on their way to the airport. I took the liberty of leaving the clothes you purchased assuming you would want to wear one of the pieces," he said pulling off his shirt whilst heading towards the bathroom.
"Thank you," she murmured going back to sleep just to enjoy the last few minutes.

------

"Your drink ma'am," the stewardess smiled handing Mel her drink.
"Thank you," she said.
She caught Linc looking at her over the rim of her glass. Giving him a wink she smiled when he released a light chuckle. Closing his laptop he leaned back in his seat and just looked at her.

"Penny for your thoughts Mr Shields?"
"A penny would not suffice what I am thinking about," he smirked.
"Oh really, there are other ways I could weasel the information out of you," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
"I was just picturing you in a few months, glowing with our babies inside you."
She felt her face heat up as he got up to sit beside her.
"We will see," she said knowing his patience was going to be tested between the night cravings, mood swings, let's not forget the tears.

------

Arriving at the new house Mel was beyond surprised.
"When did you... Why did you..."
"Well I didn't want my wife stressing herself with memories from the old house. Plus we need more room for the babies."
"Wife huh? And just how many children do you plan on having?"
"As many as you want to give me," he said leaning closer to her.
She just laughed at his statement, turning around to go into the house. Andre was already in the kitchen shouting out orders to his staff. His parents had used their own jet deciding to go for a weekend getaway in Hawaii.

A few weeks later

"Sweetheart your phone is ringing," Linc said looking up for his laptop.
Mel had been deeply engrossed in her paper work shutting the world out. Picking up her phone without looking at the caller identity she frowned hearing who was on the other end of the line.
"What do you want Chris?"
"Well I just called to let you know that I am out of prison."

At the mention of his name Linc was at her side as she put the call on loudspeaker.
"Well good for you. Enjoy the time because very soon you will be behind bars for good," she told him.
"Who me? Not going to happen any time soon dear."
"You forget you are not dealing with her alone but also me," Linc growled.
"Keep dreaming. See you really soon," he said hanging up as they heard his laughter.
Over the next hour Lincoln was on his phone demanding answers from his lawyers. Apparently his parents had him released. It seemed they had connections of their own.

In anger he sent everything on his desk flying onto the ground once he hung up. Throwing his cell phone against a wall it shattered into pieces. Ken stormed into the office to see what was going on only to see Mel looking at her husband worried.
"Leave us," Mel said as she stood watching Linc let out his anger. "Oh Ken have the desk equipment replaced," she said before he closed the door.

Breathing heavily Linc paced up and down the office as Mel stood silently arms crossed over her chest at a distance not wanting to get in his way. She left him to release all his frustration on the office furniture before she saw the signs of defeat. Slowly walking up to him she wrapped her arms around his waist laying her head on his chest as she waited for his heart beat to go back to normal. They stood like this for some time.
"We will take care of him, this time together," she said softly.
He let out a long sigh in response.
"I really liked that picture frame," she mumbled looking at the ruined frame.
Linc let out a soft chuckle. "I'll get another one that doesn't easily break."

"Whoa was there an earthquake or something?" Ethan said barging into the office against Ken's protests.
"Something like that," Mel teased looking at Linc.
"Anyway, there are some people claiming to be Zach's grandparents downstairs. The lady is causing chaos down there."
As soon as the words left his mouth Ethan felt terrified by what he saw. A deadly expression marked Mels' features as they walked out of the office.
Following them closely he knew trouble had just entered the building.

"You little gold-digger you had my son arrested!" Nancy Watson shrieked as she slapped Mel surprising everyone into silence.