Shelter Mountain (Virgin River #2)(77)

She grabbed his face in her hands and stopped him. “John,” she said. “I want it, too. Everything. All of you. I’ve never been this happy.”

He smiled. “More where that came from,” he said. “Forever, if you want.”

Mel was so excited about Christmas in Sacramento, she could barely contain herself. All of Jack’s sisters and their families would be around both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but the bonus was that Mel’s sister, Joey, husband Bill and the three kids were flying in. There was plenty of room at Sam Sheridan’s house for them—Jack’s sisters all having their own homes in town. Mel and Joey, being the only family they had, had been generously and affectionately drawn into the Sheridan clan. This was only Mel’s third visit to Jack’s family, and she already felt as though she was going home.

She had left the Hummer for Doc’s use, in the event he had to get someone to a hospital. The back of Jack’s truck was loaded with gifts, many of which they bought when they stopped over in Redding to spend the night and finish shopping. And to enjoy the comforts of a hotel room, which did not have paper-thin walls or one of the Marines across the hall.

Though they didn’t consider the money wasted by any means, it was not a night of wild passion as it might have been a few months earlier. Mel was now seven months pregnant, a little baby girl literally romping inside of her. Sex was lovely, but way more tame than it had been at the time they conceived this little genius. Instead of crying out Jack’s name with passion in the aftermath of her orgasm she said, “Ugh.”

“You know, if I weren’t an incredibly secure man, that might really bother me,” Jack said.

“I’m sorry, darling. My back hurts, my boobs hurt, and I think I’m carrying a marching band, not your baby girl.”

“I guess that kind of eliminates the potential for lots more sex tonight.”

“It’s starting to eliminate the potential for lots more sex before spring,” she informed him.

She lay on her back, her belly sticking up like a mountain on top of her little frame, and Jack couldn’t keep his hands off of it. While there was a time he couldn’t keep his hands off the rest of her—and she had no doubt they would be there again before long—right now it was the antics of his baby within her that occupied him thoroughly. He would let go a loud bellow when her entire abdomen shifted, caving in on one side and protruding enormously on the other. And he especially liked when it appeared a foot was sliding in a large lump up one side. She could actually doze while he occupied himself with her pregnancy. It brought to her mind what he was going to look like rolling a ball on the floor with their baby girl, bouncing her on his knee, twirling her around over his head.

“We should think about naming your new playmate,” she said.

“I have a suggestion,” he said. “Emma.”

“I like Emma,” she said. “Old girlfriend?”

“Mother. My mother,” he said.

“Aw, that’s sweet. I think your mother would be happy you’re finally serious.”

“Mel? Are you nervous about—you know—giving birth?”

“Not at all. You know why, big fella? Because I’m meeting John Stone at Valley Hospital, and if everything goes to hell, I’m having a big fat epidural. Afterward, I’m having a rare steak and a tall beer.”

“Mel,” he said, running a hand down her hair onto her shoulder. “I want you to have the epidural.”

“Jack—are you nervous?”

“Oh, baby, nervous doesn’t touch it. You’re my whole world. I don’t think watching you hurt is something I can do. But I gotta be there, you know?”

She smiled and shook her head. “You know how you always said I should trust you? Well, now it’s time for you to trust me. I know what I’m doing, Jack.”

“Yeah. Well, that makes one of us.”

When they were getting ready to leave the next morning to complete the trip to Sacramento, Mel was drying her hair in the hotel bathroom, which was large and had plenty of mirrors. In their little cabin in the woods there was just that one mirror at eye level. Jack was mesmerized by the sight of her, na**d in front of those mirrors. He hadn’t really seen her like that. He’d seen her naked, of course, but lying down or standing almost a foot shorter than he as they showered. Now he bent, looked at her profile and said, “My God, Melinda. You’re huge.”

She threw him a look that suggested a different choice of words.

“I mean, you look awesome, Mel. Look at that!”

“Shut up, Jack,” she said.

When they got to Sam Sheridan’s house, Mel preceded Jack up the walk toward the front door while Jack began toting luggage and gifts. “Mel,” he called, causing her to turn around to see him smiling brightly. “You’re starting to waddle,” he said proudly.

“Uh!” she exclaimed, tossing her hair as she turned abruptly away from him.

Although Christmas Eve wasn’t until the following day, all of Jack’s sisters and at most of the husbands if not all the kids were there to meet them. Mel’s sister and family had arrived ahead of them, so it was, as usual, a teeming throng. When they got inside, the women rushed to her, embracing, examining her growth, exclaiming, “Oh, my God, you’re huge!” To which Mel giggled happily, proudly letting everyone rub their hands over her belly. Joey screeched, “You’re waddling like a duck!” and they all crumbled into hysterical laughter, including Mel.