True Love Never Goes Away Ch. 02-04

"Just trying to make up for what happened," he told her.

Melanie shook her head. "That wasn't your fault," she reminded him, sinking onto the bed and reaching for the bag. Jason put the bag on the floor, just out of reach. "Jace, I have a ton of studying to do," Melanie complained. Jason smiled. "Just wait, for a minute," Jason said, lifting himself onto the bed. "I love you Mel," Jason murmured, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Melanie's ear.

Melanie smiled and leaned into Jason contently. "I love you too," Melanie said.

"Mel, I have to ask you something," Jason said suddenly.

Melanie pulled away and looked at Jason in concern. "You aren't having second thoughts about being with me, are you?" Melanie asked. Jason shook his head. "No, far from it," Jason assured her. Melanie looked confused and Jason smiled. "Close your eyes," he murmured. Melanie closed her eyes with a sigh. "Keep them closed until I say," Jason added. He waited a moment and then Melanie felt Jason take her hand and slide something onto it. "Go ahead and open them," Jason said. Melanie opened her eyes and glanced at her hand and gasped.

"Oh my God, Jason, is this what I think it is?" Melanie asked.

Jason smiled lovingly at Melanie. "I want to marry you Mel, I want to make a life with you and the baby," Jason murmured, pulling Melanie closer. "Melanie Marie, will you marry me?" Jason asked softly.

Melanie threw her arms around Jason's neck. "Yes, oh God, yes," Melanie cried into Jason's shoulder.

"Don't cry," Jason pleaded.

Melanie hiccuped and giggled. "Sorry, hormones again," Melanie murmured. Jason laughed and kissed Melanie.

"I love you so much," Jason said softly, trailing kisses down Melanie's neck. Melanie moaned and gently pulled away.

"I love you too Jace, and as much as I want to make love with you, we can't. We're too close and sex can help bring on labor," Melanie whispered.

Jason groaned and reluctantly pulled away. "Kill joy," he muttered, teasingly. Melanie offered a half smile. "I can wait. I love you so much," Jason said softly, kissing Melanie again.

"I love you too," Melanie replied. Jason pulled Melanie down onto the bed in a horizontal position. "Forget studying," Jason murmured. "I have better things in mind," Jason added, giving Marie another kiss. The book slid to the floor, forgotten. When Jason woke up the next morning, Melanie was already gone. Jason looked at the clock and was surprised that it was almost noon. There was a note next to the phone and Jason picked it up and opened it.

"Jason,

I didn't want to wake you; you looked like you had a hard day at PT yesterday. Good luck at your doctor's appointment this afternoon and I'll see you when I get out of exams. I love you.

Mel

Jason lifted himself into the wheel chair and wheeled into the bathroom. "Mom?" Jason called, wheeling into the main house. Carol stepped out of the den. "Good morning sweetie, sleep well?" Carol asked. Jason nodded.

"Is there anything left from breakfast? I'm starving?" Jason wanted to know. Carol smiled. "Your dad brought back bagels this morning when he came back from taking Melanie, would you like me to toast you one?" Carol replied.

Jason shook his head. "I can do it, I'm not a baby. Did Mel say when her last exam was?" Jason answered.

Carol nodded and looked at her watch. "Julie is supposed to be bringing her back around 2:30," Carol answered. "Hurry up, or you'll be late for your doctor's appointment," she added. As 2:30 came and went and Melanie still wasn't back, Jason began to grow impatient and worried. "I'm sure one of her exams went long," Carol said, trying to keep Jason calm.

"She would have called. Something's not right," Jason told his mother. Carol sighed and took a sip of tea as the doorbell chimed. Jason sped off like a bullet towards the door. "Julie, finally," Jason said, opening the door and seeing his friend. "Wait, where's Mel?" Jason asked, looking back at his mother who walked up behind him.

Julie started to answer but shook her head. "She's fine Jace, but you guys need to come with me," Julie answered.

"Not until you tell me what's going on," Jason said.

Julie sighed. "Stop being a hard headed ass and just come with me," Julie grumbled, turning around and heading to her car. Julie waited for Carol and Jason to get into their car before she pulled out of the driveway.

Jason's anxiety grew when Julie pulled into the hospital. "I knew something was wrong," he told his mother.

Carol patted Jason on the hand as she parked. "Think positive," Carol suggested. Julie waited patiently for Carol to get Jason's chair out of the trunk and for Jason to shift himself into it.

"Julie, what the hell is going on?" Jason demanded to know.

Julie smiled. "You'll see," Julie replied. Jason grabbed Julie's arm as she started to walk away.

"I thought you said Mel was fine," Jason

growled.

Julie smiled again. "She is, come with me, you'll see," Julie said, walking away, leaving Jason and Carol no choice but to follow her. "Julie, what the hell is going on?" Jason asked, his voice harsh as Julie came to a stop by a hospital room.

Julie opened the door. "See for yourself," she told him.

Jason wheeled past Julie, his heart racing. "Mel?" Jason asked nervously as he wheeled himself over to the bed. Melanie's eyes fluttered open and when she saw Jason, she smiled. "What happened? Are you okay?" Jason wanted to know.

Melanie nodded and reached for Jason's hand. "I'm fine, a little tired maybe, but I'm fine. And as for what happened, well, I had a baby," Melanie answered.

Jason's eyes grew wide. "Why didn't you call me? I wanted to be here," Jason wanted to know. Melanie stretched and winced. "There really wasn't time," Melanie told him.

Carol looked around the room and saw the bassinet on the other side of Melanie's bed. "Jason," Carol murmured, pointing as the baby began to fuss. "May I?" Carol asked Melanie who nodded. Carol lifted the tiny baby out of the bassinet and cradled it in her arms. "A girl?" Carol asked Melanie who smiled and nodded.

"Almost eight pounds, and she's twenty three inches long," Melanie said.

Carol smiled. "Jason was almost nine so I hear you. How long were you in labor for?" Carol asked.

Melanie thought for a moment. "Well, my water broke in the middle of a final exam, and that was around 11:30, and she was born at 2:45," Melanie answered.

Carol looked at the baby who was staring intently. "She's beautiful Melanie," Carol told her, placing the baby in Jason's arms. The baby started fussing again, not happy about the transition but after a moment, calmed back down, despite the look of terror on Jason's face. "What do I do?" he asked nervously.

Melanie hid a smile and Carol laughed. "Exactly what you're doing," Carol answered, glancing at Melanie. "How are you feeling?" Carol asked, concerned at how pale she looked.

Melanie hesitated before answering. "Honestly, I feel like death warmed over. They told me there wasn't time for an epidural or any other pain medications," Melanie answered. Carol winced in sympathy. Melanie reached onto the tray next to her bed and handed Carol a piece of paper. "What's this?" Carol asked.

Melanie looked at Jason before answering. "The paternity test I had them run. Jason keeps combs in my back pack in case we're out somewhere and his hair gets out of control, I had them run a strand of the hair against the DNA from the umbilical cord," Melanie answered.

Jason shifted in his chair. "I know you still don't believe me completely, so I wanted to give you physical proof," Melanie added. Carol looked at the piece of paper and smiled in relief when she saw the words 100 percent match.

"I'm sorry I doubted you, but he's my son," Carol said quietly.

Melanie nodded. "I'm still hurt that you thought I was crazy enough to do something like cheat on Jason, but, I guess I can sort of understand," Melanie murmured.

Jason looked down at the baby, over to Melanie and back at the baby again. "Mel, I," Jason's voice failed him and his eyes filled with tears. Carol smiled. "I'm going to go call your dad, and we'll come back later. You two spend some time with that precious little girl," Carol said softly. She gave her son a hug and a kiss and then gave Melanie a hug. "I'm sorry I doubted you, please forgive me for being a bitch," Carol murmured in Melanie's ear.

Melanie nodded and watched as Carol kissed the baby on the top of her head before walking out of the room. "Now what?" Jason asked as the baby started crying.

Melanie reached for her and Jason carefully passed her over. "She's probably hungry," Melanie answered, pulling an arm out of one sleeve of her gown, uncovering one of her breasts. The baby latched on and began sucking greedily. Jason scooted from his chair to the side of the bed and watched in awe. Melanie shifted uncomfortably in the bed.

"You okay?" Jason asked.

Melanie nodded. "I'm just a little sore," Melanie told him.

Jason ran a finger down the baby's face then reached for Melanie's hand. "I love you Mel," Jason murmured.

Melanie smiled and took Jason's hand. "I love you too," Melanie told him, staring at the tiny baby in her arms.

"I can't believe that we did this," Jason murmured.

"I can't either," Melanie agreed.