12 comments/ 11539 views/ 2 favorites The Path to Love Ch. 01-02 By: AshiraDatya This story takes place about two months after the end of Awakening of Love CHAPTER ONE Melinda waited nervously for Mark to meet her. She tucked a strand of her raven colored hair behind her ear, her midnight eyes darting around anxiously as the surf crashed on the shore. "Mel?" Mark called, walking towards her. Melinda stood up and turned towards him. "Hello Mark," Melinda said softly as Mark came to a stop in front of her. Mark stared at Melinda in surprise. "Were you ever going to tell me?" Mark asked gently. Melinda sighed. "I wanted to, but I was afraid that if we were together, then your lawyer and the judge might think that you were more suitable than Ashira and Jake to raise Serenity, and I know you love her, but ..." Mark's lips closed over hers. "You aren't mad?" Melinda asked, a little surprised by his reaction. "I'm upset you're just now telling me you're carrying my child, but I understand and appreciate your loyalty to Ashira and to Jake," Mark told her. He looked at Melinda carefully, drinking her in, as if she were about to disappear again. "How far along are you?" Mark wanted to know. "Seven months," Melinda murmured. Mark shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Melinda said haltingly. "Don't worry about it," Mark assured her. He took her hand and they walked down the beach. "Hey, look at you!" Sunshine teased as Mark and Melinda walked into the backyard of the beach house. Melinda laughed. "Look at me? Look at you, mom of two!" Melinda said with a grin. Sunshine laughed and looked down at the little boy in her arms. "Trevor must be over the moon, two boys," Mark said, giving Sunshine a gentle hug. "He's thrilled," Sunshine agreed as they heard a playful roar and giggles. The three of them turned and grinned when they saw Jake chasing Dylan, Allyson and Serenity around the yard, roaring like a lion. "Uncle Mark!" Serenity exclaimed, running over to them. "Hey Serenity," Melinda said, lifting the young girl in her arms. "You get prettier and prettier every time I see you," Mark said, running his fingers through Serenity's blond hair. "Hey guys," Ashira said, walking over to them. Mark grinned and shook his head. "You seem like you're always pregnant," Mark teased. Ashira laughed. Mark shifted uncomfortably as Jake walked over to them and gave Melinda a hug. "Jake, Shira, I wanted to apologize again for trying to take Serenity from you," Mark said softly, hoping Serenity would not hear him. "Mark, I'm still pissed as hell about it, but it isn't like I don't understand why you tried," Jake told him with a small smile. Melinda let a squirming Serenity down and they laughed as she ran off, chasing her brother and sister. "How are you feeling?" Ashira asked Melinda. "Not too bad, just tired," Melinda answered. Ashira nodded. "That's pretty normal though, trust me," Ashira said with a laugh. They walked to the back yard where Trevor was manning the grill. "Oh God, he'll set the place on fire," Jake joked, breaking away from the group and hurrying to the grill. "Hey Mel, can you come with me for a second?" Mark asked. Melinda nodded and followed Mark into the house and into the safe room. "Mark, what's going on?" Melinda asked nervously. She gasped as Mark dipped to one knee and pulled a ring box out of his pocket. "Melinda, you've changed my life for the better. I thought I had no chance at finding a girl I could spend my life with after what I did to Ashira. I love you so much. Will you marry me?" Mark asked, feeling a bead of sweat trail down the back of his neck. He resisted the urge to wipe at it. "Mark, I ..." Melinda stopped talking and shook her head a little to clear her thoughts. "I'm asking because you mean the world to me," Mark said softly, his eyes seemed to glisten like diamonds; full of tears of anticipation. Mark started to panic when Melinda still hesitated. "I love you Mel," he murmured, standing up when tears started to stream down Melinda's face. "Mel?" Mark asked uncertainly. CHAPTER TWO Everyone looked up as Mark dragged Melinda to the back yard, a beaming grin on his face. "Jake, is the Justice of the Peace ready?"Mark asked. Sunshine and Ashira looked at each other and grinned. "What?" Melinda asked in surprise. "I thought we could get married here, with our family with us," Mark said. "You planned this?" Melinda asked incredulously. Mark nodded. "Are you okay with it?" Mark asked. Melinda nodded and gave Mark a hug. After the ceremony, Ashira and Sunshine brought out the sides to go with the rib eye steaks Jake was cooking. When they finished dinner, tears came to both Melinda's and Mark's eyes when Trevor carried in a beautiful wedding cake. "It isn't as nice as the one you made for our wedding, and it isn't home made, but it should be edible," Trevor joked. Melinda gave him a hug. "It's wonderful, thank you," she said softly as Mark started making slices into the cake. Before the night was over, Mark surprised Melinda even further by taking her to the San Diego airport. In the parking lot, he handed Melinda a set of headphones. "These will prevent you from hearing anything outside, and this will prevent you from seeing anything," Mark told her with a grin. "I want this to be a surprise," Mark added seeing the look on Melina's face. Melinda stuck her tongue out at Mark, but complied. Mark led Melinda into the terminal and waited for the flight attendance to announce the boarding call. When the plane had taken off, Mark pulled of the headphones and eye mask. "It's a good thing I love you," Melinda grumbled. Mark laughed as a flight attendant came over and asked if everything was okay. "Everything is fine ma'am, we're newly weds and I wanted to surprise my wife for our honeymoon," Mark answered. The flight attendant smiled and walked away. When the plane landed, Melinda looked at Mark in surprise. "We went to LA?" she asked, her face showing her irritation. Mark laughed. "No, we're going somewhere else, but we can't get there from the San Diego airport and I didn't want to drive to LA," Mark told Melinda. -14 hours later- "Mark, where the hell are we and when can I take the damn headphones and eye mask off?" Melinda asked, in irritation. Mark had made her keep them on for the last half an hour, and had somehow told the attendants that he was taking her on a surprise honeymoon and nobody on the flight near them would tell her where they were going. Mark laughed and pulled of the headphones. "Take off the eye mask Mel," he said softly. Melinda pulled the mask off and gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Yes Mel, we're at the Ritz Madrid," Mark told her with a grin. Melinda squealed and threw her arms around Mark who chuckled and held her close. "Do you like your surprise?" Mark asked. Melinda nodded and sighed in contentment as he lowered his lips to hers. "How did you arrange all this and what would you have done if I said no?" Melinda wanted to know. Mark grinned. "Then Ashira and Jake would be on a second honeymoon," he answered. Melinda laughed as her stomach rumbled. "I think it's time to go get some food," Mark said gently. Melinda nodded and allowed Mark to lead her into the hotel, a bellhop bringing in their luggage. When they got up to the room, Melinda was in tears as she saw the beautiful honeymoon suite. "Why the tears?" Mark asked, wiping a stray tear off of her cheek. "I'm just so happy," Melinda sniffled with a laugh. Mark looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. "Just blame it on the hormones," she added. Mark chuckled and gave her a tight hug. "Stop that crying; let's go get some dinner then come get some sleep. We're here for a week and a half so there is plenty of time to sight see," Mark said. Melinda nodded and after Mark grabbed his card key off the night stand and led Melinda out the door and down to the restaurant. "What do you want for breakfast?" Mark asked as he surveyed the menu in front of him. "It all sounds so good. I can't decide," Melinda answered, licking her lips at the delicious sounding descriptions of the dishes. "Shira warned me that breakfasts were light in Spain, but I never expected them to be this light," Mark commented. Melinda laughed. "Wait till you get to lunch before la siesta," she teased as the waiter walked up to their table. "Habla Espanol?" the waiter asked. "Pequeno, Ingles es mejor que," Melinda answered, relying on her high school Spanish, and the dictionary she had consuluted moments ago. "What can I get for you this morning?" the waiter asked them, posed to take their orders. "Torrijas, y cafe con leche y de azúcar," Melinda answered, in near perfect Spanish. The waiter beamed at her. "I'll just have some toast, with raspberry jam if you have it. I'd like a cup of coffee and a large glass of orange juice," Mark answered. "Orange juice sounds good," Melinda agreed, adding it to her order. "Bueno. I'll be back with your cafe and jugo de narajas in a few moments," the waiter promised, before walking away. "So now where?" Mark asked as they paid their tab and left the restaurant. "Let's go to a museum, there are lots of them around here," Melinda commented. Mark nodded and hailed a cab. "Take us to any museum," Mark said to the driver. The driver nodded and drove them to the Museo Del Prado. Mark and Melinda walked around slowly, taking in the sights. By the time lunch time came around, they were both starving and found a little bistro type restaurant not far from the museum. This time, Melinda ordered some roasted chicken and fried potatoes with a large glass of water and Mark ordered the fish of the day and a salad with a coke. "My God! The food in this country is amazing!" Mark exclaimed. Melinda nodded. "They have some amazing chefs," she agreed. When they finsihed their lunch, they went on a walk through the city, marveling at the buildings and the landscape of the city. Mark gazed at Melinda about an hour into their train ride to Seville. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was even as she napped. Mark yawned as the train sped by the country side. Their honeymoon was almost over and they were finishing their last two days in Seville. Melinda wanted to see the nature reserves and to see where Don Quixote was set; Mark wanted to do anything that Melinda wanted to; this was for her and he was happy just making her happy. -2 weeks later- "How was Spain?" Ashira asked as Melinda walked into the tanning salon. She grinned. "Amazing. We had a blast," Melinda answered, tucking her purse into her locker in the employee room. "I'm glad. You and Mark are so cute together. I'm glad it's working out for you," Ashira said as Jake walked into the office, an annoyed look on his face. "What's wrong?" Ashira asked. "I thought you said you were going to take it easy," Jake growled. "I'm sitting here going over paperwork and orders, how is that not taking it easy?" Ashira asked. "What's wrong?" Melinda asked. "Ashira's blood pressure is a little higher than the doctors want to see," Jake answered. "Jake, I'm fine. I'm sitting down, I wasn't under any stress until you walked in. Will you stop being such a worry wart?" Ashira said, shaking her head in annoyance. Melinda looked at her friends in concern and Jake sighed. "Just call me before you take on any customer complaints," Jake said before leaving the office. "Are you sure you're okay?" Melinda asked, closing the door. "I'm fine. My blood pressure was high when I was pregnant with Serenity and that turned out fine," Ashira said. Melinda laughed. "Yeah, but you nearly died," she reminded her friend. Ashira shrugged. "I didn't," Ashira pointed out. Melinda laughed and dug something out of her suit case. "This is for you, I thought of you the moment I saw it," Melinda told her friend, handing her the package. Ashira opened it and gave Melinda a huge grin. "I know how much you like to cook, so I thought you'd enjoy it," she added. "I love it, thanks! I'll cook with it tonight," Ashira promised, setting the decorated bottle of olive oil in her desk drawer next to her purse. "I know it's your first day back, but Sunny's come down with the flu, so if you could relieve her and tell her to go home, that'd be great. She's in wing b," Ashira added, making a note of something on an ordering sheet. Melinda nodded, clocked in and headed towards the second, more recent wing of the salon. "Aunt Mel, where's mommy and daddy?" Serenity asked a few days later, as she and Melinda baked some cookies. "Your mom had a doctor's appointment to make sure your new brother or sister is okay. I'm sure they'll be back soon," Melinda answered as she placed the cookie sheet into the oven. "How's everything going in here?" Mark asked, coming into the kitchen for a glass of water. "Ashira and Jake aren't here yet," Melinda murmured. Mark sighed as the phone rang. He grabbed the receiver. Mark frowned as he listened to the caller. "Mark, what is it?" Melinda asked. Serenity looked at Mark, a frightened look on her face. Mark hung up the phone and gave Serenity a reassuring smile. "Don't worry sweetie, that was your daddy. They're okay," Mark said, ruffling Serenity's hair. "Why don't you go get a book and I'll read to you," he added. Serenity brightened and ran from the room. "Mark, you're keeping something back," Melinda accused. Mark nodded. "Ashira's blood pressure is very high, Jake said it was 160 over 120 and the doctor wants Ashira in the hospital until she delivers. Sunny will be taking over mangerial duties at the salon and since you're ready to pop any second now, you'll need to hire some part time help," Mark said softly, looking up as Serenity ran back into the kitchen. "What book did you get?" Mark asked. Serenity held up a copy of the Velveteen Rabbit and Mark grinned. "Good choice kiddo, your mom always loved this story too. Go get Ally and Dylan and meet me in the living room. You're staying here tonight," Mark said, watching Serenity run out of the kitchen again. When the cookies came out of the oven, Melinda helped Serenity spread colored icing over the partially cooled sugar cookies. Mark walked into the kitchen just as they finished frosting the last star cookie, a frightened look on his face. "What's wrong?" Melinda asked softly, putting two cookies onto a small plate. She poured a glass of milk and led Serenity to the kitchen table. "Stay here sweetie, uncle Mark and I need to have a little talk," she added. They walked into the hall. "Mark, what's wrong?" Melinda asked again. "They just took Ashira into emergency surgery. Her blood pressure spiked again, and they're worried about the baby," Mark said softly. Melinda's eyes widened. "But its too soon, the baby would never survive," she whispered. Mark nodded, his eyes pained. "I know, but if they don't take the baby, Ashira won't survive," he murmured. Melinda opened her eyes to see Jake sitting next to her bed, his head in his hands. "Jake, what are you doing here and where's Mark?" Melinda asked. "Mark went down to get a bite to eat, and I wanted to say hello to the new mom," Jake said with a small smile. Melinda smiled back. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Not too bad, considering," Melinda answered. "How are you?" she asked. Jake's smile faded. "Honestly, without Trevor and Sunny, I don't know what I'd do," Jake admitted. Melinda nodded and sighed, closing her tear filled eyes as the events of the past 48 hours flooded her. flashback Mark walked into the bedroom, a look of shock on his face. Melinda looked up from her book when he closed the door. "What happened?" Melinda asked. "There were complications with the surgery," Mark began. "The baby didn't make it, like we thought, did he?" Melinda asked. "No, he didn't. And neither did Ashira," Mark said hesitantly. "What!?" Melinda exclaimed. "She started hemorrhaging and they couldn't stop it," Mark answered. Melinda's eyes widened and her eyes filled with tears. "How's Jake?" Melinda asked. Mark shook his head with a sigh. "He's a wreck. Trevor is going to get him from the hospital and taking him back to his and Sunny's apartment," Mark answered. Melinda nodded. "He shouldn't be alone tonight," she agreed. -3 days later- They all stood around a simple wooden box as Ashira was lowered into the ground. Sunshine's return from the dead was a rare event, and since life hardly ever unfolds like a soap opera, everyone over the age of 10 knew for sure that Ashira wasn't going to come back. Just as they turned to leave, Melinda's water had broken, scaring the shit out of Mark. Jake smiled for the first time in days and calmly informed his friend that this was the moment he had been waiting for. It may take hours, but he would finally meet his son or daughter. End flashback "What did you name him?" Jake asked. "David," Melinda answered. Jake smiled. "He's beautiful Mel," Jake said, giving his friend a kiss on the cheek. "Keep him safe," he added before leaving the hospital room.