True Love Never Goes Away Ch. 14-15

Paul brightened for a minute. "Geography," Paul answered.

Melanie smiled. "And what will you do if Leigh is pregnant?" Melanie wanted to know. Paul sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I don't know," Paul admitted. "I know I'm not ready for kids; I don't even know if I want them," Paul said.

Jason chuckled. "I remember that feeling," Jason said dryly. Melanie shot Jason a dirty look. "What? I was scared to death," Jason reminded Melanie.

Melanie nodded. "So was I," she retorted. Melanie looked at her watch. "I'm going to go check on Leigh," Melanie said softly, standing up and walking into her bathroom. "Leigh?" Melanie asked gently, crouching down in front of her sister who was sitting on the floor, her face covering her hands. "What's wrong sweetie?" Melanie asked. Leigh looked up at Melanie and handed her the test.

"They both came back positive," Leigh whispered. Melanie sighed and gave her sister a hug. "It will be okay," Melanie promised, holding Leigh as she cried. When Leigh's crying had subsided Melanie stood up and handed Leigh a cup of water. "Paul's here," Melanie told Leigh. Leigh looked up at her sister and stood up.

"I should go tell him," Leigh said. Melanie nodded. "Why don't you go into your room and I'll send Paul in there. You don't need an audience," Melanie suggested. Leigh nodded and headed for her bedroom.

Melanie walked into the living room. "Paul, Leigh's waiting in her room for you," Melanie said. Paul stood up and headed for Leigh's room and Melanie sat down in the rocker with a sigh. "It was positive, wasn't it?" Jason asked softly. Melanie nodded and sighed. "At least she doesn't have to go through this alone," Melanie said. Jason nodded.

Paul knocked hesitantly on Leigh's door before opening it. Leigh was sitting on her bed and her face was red from crying. "Leigh?" Paul asked softly. Leigh looked up as Paul sat on the bed in front of her. "You're pregnant, aren't you?" Paul murmured. Leigh nodded and a fresh batch of tears began. Paul gave Leigh a hug. "It'll be okay," Paul promised, holding Leigh until she stopped crying.

"I can't have an abortion again Paul. I just can't," Leigh told him.

Paul sighed. "I wasn't going to ask you to," Paul said. Leigh looked at Paul in surprise. "I know you regretted having the abortion and I also know that's why you stopped seeing me and I'm sorry I gave you that ultimatum," Paul said. Leigh sighed shakily. "I'm scared," she murmured.

Paul gave Leigh another hug. "So am I, but we'll do this together," Paul said. They sat on the bed quietly for what seemed like eternity before going out to the living room. Melanie searched her sister's face and was relieved to see that Leigh looked calmer. "I can make an appointment with my doctor for you as confirmation," Melanie said softly. Leigh nodded. Melanie stood up and grabbed the phone as she went. "I'll go into the bedroom to make the appointment, Jason, can you make some lunch for everyone? There should be some leftover pasta salad in the fridge," Melanie said. Jason nodded and headed to the kitchen. "Paul, why don't you come help," Jason suggested in a tone that let Paul know that it was not a question, but a demand. Paul nodded, squeezed Leigh's hand and followed Jason into the kitchen.

Julie gave Leigh a hug. "Go get some fresh air," she advised. Leigh nodded and went out to the back patio. "What are you planning to do?" Jason asked Paul. Paul shrugged. "I know I'm not going to leave Leigh to do this alone," Paul said.

Jason flinched. "I didn't leave Mel, and even if I did, this isn't about me and Mel, this is about you and Leigh," Jason growled. Paul nodded. "You hurt Leigh so bad last time, and I won't let you hurt her again," Jason added.

Paul sighed and nodded again. "I don't want to hurt her," Paul said.

"Good, because if you do, I'll personally see to it that your name is as good as mud," Jason threatened.

"That's enough Jace," Melanie said from the doorway. Paul turned around and his look of relief turned to a look of dread. "You don't have to worry about Jason, and you don't have to worry about me. You have to worry about my father," Melanie told Paul who gulped as Julie and Leigh walked into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Leigh asked, feeling the tension in the air.

"Nothing," Jason assured his sister in law. "Lunch is almost ready," he added.

Melanie gave her sister a reassuring smile. "I got you an appointment for two-thirty," she said. "Do you want me to go with you?" Melanie asked. Leigh nodded. "What about Paul?" Melanie inquired. Leigh nodded again.

"If he wants to go," Leigh said softly.

Paul swallowed nervously. "I'd like to go," Paul managed to say. Melanie gave Paul a sympathetic look as she set the table. They ate lunch in silence and before long; Melanie, Paul and Leigh were driving to the doctor's office.

"Mel, I'm scared," Leigh admitted as they got out of the car.

Melanie gave her sister a gentle hug. "It's okay Leigh. There's nothing wrong with being scared. I was terrified," Melanie said, giving her sister a reassuring smile. Leigh signed in then went to sit down with Paul and Melanie. Paul looked around at all of the pregnant women and paled. Melanie giggled. "Paul, take a deep breath and relax," she advised. Melanie turned to her sister. "Which one of us do you want to go back with you?" Melanie asked.

Leigh looked momentarily panicked. "Can't both of you go in?" Leigh wanted to know.

Melanie shook her head. "There really isn't room," Melanie answered. Paul looked around the waiting room again. "Take Paul in with you. If he plans on being involved, Paul should experience this too," Melanie told Leigh. When Leigh's name was called, she and Paul stood up and followed the nurse back to an examining room. When they walked back into the waiting room a half hour later, Leigh no longer looked as panicked and Paul looked slightly more at ease. "Well?" Melanie asked.

"I'm definitely pregnant," Leigh told her sister.

Melanie gave her sister a gentle hug. "Are you okay with that?" Melanie asked. Leigh nodded. "They did some kind of internal ultrasound," Leigh said.

Melanie smiled. "I hated the vaginal ultrasound, but you got to see the baby," Melanie murmured. Leigh nodded. Melanie looked at Paul. "Paul, how are you doing?" Melanie asked.

Paul shook his head. "I'm in shock," Paul admitted. Melanie laughed as they all got back in the car. "How far along are you?" Melanie asked. Leigh looked down at the piece of paper she'd been given. "Ten weeks," Leigh answered. Melanie nodded. "You need to tell dad," Melanie said softly. Leigh nodded and sighed. "I can invite him over for dinner tonight and you can tell him there," Melanie offered. Leigh nodded. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "Paul, I assume you're going to stay for dinner," Melanie said, glancing at him. Paul's face had gone white and Melanie suppressed a grin.

"Your dad scares me," Paul admitted. "But yes, I'll be there," he added. Melanie laughed and pulled into the parking lot of Whole Foods. "I'll go get food, why don't you guys get out and walk around and talk," Melanie suggested. Leigh and Paul wandered in the opposite direction of the grocery store and while Melanie was grabbing a shopping cart, she pushed her Bluetooth ear piece onto her ear and dialed her father's number.

"Hello Melanie," Jack answered.

"Hi daddy, I was just calling to see if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight," Melanie said. Jack glanced at the work on his desk. "Sure Mel, what time?" Jack said, leaning back in his chair. Melanie glanced at her watch. "How does six sound?" Melanie asked.

"Sounds good to me," Jack said. "Have you heard from your sister?" Jack wanted to know.

Melanie hesitated. "Yeah, she's coming to dinner tonight, and she's fine," Melanie answered. Jack thanked Melanie and hung up the phone. Melanie grabbed enough chicken breasts, baking potatoes and broccoli to feed a small army before checking out and heading to the car. Leigh and Paul were waiting for her. "Dad's coming," Melanie said, unlocking the car and popping the trunk. Paul helped Melanie load in the groceries. "Thanks," Melanie said before returning the cart to the corral.

"How far along are you?" Paul asked curiously.

"Twenty-nine weeks," Melanie answered. "A little over seven months," she added before carefully putting on her seat belt and turning the car on. "Where did you guys go?" Melanie asked, coming to a stop at a red light. Melanie rubbed the small of her back before turning on the seat warmer. "Mel, are you okay?" Leigh asked.

Melanie nodded. "Just a back spasm," Melanie answered. Melanie smiled reassuringly over at her sister. "Don't worry Leigh, I'm not going to go into labor any time soon," she teased. Leigh laughed and glanced back at Paul.

"We just went window shopping," Leigh said after Melanie repeated her question. Melanie nodded and as the spasm subsided, turned off the seat warmer. Melanie honked the horn as she pulled into the driveway and Jason appeared in the doorway.

"Good lord, what'd you do, buy out the store?" Jason asked as he and Paul unloaded the back. Melanie shook her head. "Dad's coming over for dinner," Melanie said.

"So it wasn't a false positive?" Jason asked. Melanie shook her head. "I hope he doesn't hurt her again," Jason said as he carried the last bag into the kitchen. Melanie sighed. "I hope not too," she agreed.

Melanie noticed Paul standing a few feet away. "Leigh and I are going to go for a drive so we can talk before your dad gets here," Paul told Melanie.

Melanie nodded and offered Paul a reassuring smile. "Dinner's at six, I'd recommended getting here as close to on time as possible," Melanie said. Paul nodded and gently led Leigh to the car.

Jason shook his head. "How are you feeling?" Jason asked, feeling the baby kick.

Melanie rubbed her back. "I'm exhausted," Melanie admitted. "The kids have been wearing me out, I'm really glad your parents took them for the week," she added. At over four years of age, Marine was proving to be quite a handful and the twins at nearly two were a challenge all on their own.

Jason sighed and pulled Melanie to him. "I think we should do something to prevent having more kids, at least for a little while," Jason suggested. Melanie sighed and leaned into Jason's embrace.

"I love our kids Jace," Melanie said.

Jason turned Melanie to face him. "I know you do, and so do I, but we're going to have number four here, and I don't know how much more we can handle right now. Lets at least wait a few years before we try for another one," Jason murmured. Melanie sighed but nodded. "I know, you're right, we probably should wait a bit," Melanie agreed.

Jason gave Melanie a gentle kiss. "Why don't you go lie down or hang out with Julie while I go work on the baby's room," Jason suggested. Melanie smiled and headed off to find Julie. The closer to six it got, the more nervous Melanie became. Finally, at ten minutes to six, Leigh and Paul walked back into the house. "You guys have been gone for hours, where were you?" Melanie asked.

Leigh smiled. "You'll find out when dad does," Leigh promised. Melanie growled and turned back to the roasted potatoes she was working on.

Julie let Jack in who glowered when he saw Paul. "What is he doing here?" Jack wanted to know. Melanie sighed. "He was invited dad, so please, be nice," Melanie said. Paul gave Melanie a look of thanks and squeezed Leigh's hand.

"Let's go see if Jason needs any help," Paul suggested, leading Leigh out of the kitchen. "She really shouldn't be seeing him again after what he did to her," Jack said.

Melanie sighed. "Dad, that was almost three years ago," Melanie reminded her father. "They aren't kids anymore," she added.

Jack put the daisies he had brought into a vase. "I just don't want to see you kids hurt," Jack said.

Melanie smiled. "Dad, you can't protect us from everything, you have to let us learn as we go," Melanie reminded him.

Jack chuckled. "I'll remind you that you said that when Mari starts dating," Jack teased. Melanie shook her head and put the finishing touches on the roasted potatoes and carried the platter out to the dining room as Paul and Leigh carried in plates of chicken. "Dad, can you grab the broccoli?" Melanie asked. Melanie gasped and grabbed the table.

"Are you okay?" Paul asked.

Melanie took a deep breath and nodded. "I think I just lost a kidney," she joked, rubbing her abdomen. Jason came up behind Melanie and rubbed her back gently. "Only two months to go," he reminded Melanie. Melanie rolled her eyes. "Only," she muttered, sitting down.

"Where are my grandkids?" Jack asked, setting the bowl of broccoli on the table and sitting down. "With my parents for the week," Jason answered. Everyone sat down and began piling food onto their plates. Melanie caught Leigh's eye and gave her a reassuring smile.

"So Leigh, where have you been hiding yourself all week young lady?" Jack asked. Leigh sighed. "I was on a trip with Paul," Leigh answered. Jack looked at his daughter sharply and Melanie exchanged confused glances with Jason. "Paul and I went with a few of our friends to Vegas. We left on Sunday and we just got back this afternoon," Leigh added.

"Las Vegas," Jack said slowly. Leigh nodded.

"Did you see any good shows?" Julie asked politely.

Paul grinned and Leigh blushed.

"No, not exactly," Leigh answered. Melanie and Jason exchanged knowing grins and hid their laughter behind their hands.

"What exactly did you do?" Jack asked, his eyes narrowing. Melanie took a sip of water to keep from choking on her broccoli as Leigh handed Jack a piece of paper.

Melanie gasped, catching a glimpse at her sister's hand. "This is a marriage license," Jack said. He looked at Leigh and at Paul. "You got married last Sunday?" Jack asked.

Leigh nodded and Melanie couldn't hide her surprise. "We didn't say anything because we were afraid you'd try to stop it," Leigh said.

"You're damn right I'd try to stop it," Jack told Leigh who sighed. "He made you have an abortion!" Jack reminded his daughter.

Leigh sighed again. "That was my decision, and Paul's ultimatum had very little to do with that decision," Leigh said. The look on her father's face frightened Leigh.

"I love Leigh, Mr. Thorne, and I'm not going to hurt her again," Paul told Jack.

Jack shook his head. "I refuse to accept this. You're still my daughter Leigh, and I want you to get this marriage annulled," Jack told Leigh. Leigh looked at Paul before shaking her head. "I can't, and even if I could, I wouldn't," Leigh said. Jack stared at his daughter. "What do you mean you can't?" Jack asked.

"I love Paul dad, and I won't be treated like a little girl anymore," Leigh said.

Jack shook his head. "There's the "I won't" explanation, but where's the explanation for "I can't?" Jack wanted to know. Leigh stared at her father, not blinking. "Why can't the marriage be annulled?" Jack asked again, his voice low and even.

Melanie could see her father fighting for composure. "They love each other, shouldn't that be enough?" Melanie asked, standing up and putting a hand on her father's arm.

"Leigh Ashley," Jack said in a warning tone. Leigh sighed. "I'm pregnant dad," Leigh answered finally. Melanie sank back into her chair and looked at her sister worriedly; she had never seen her father this angry before. Jason squeezed Melanie's hand as Jack jumped out of his chair.

"What do you mean you're pregnant?" Jack asked, his eyes narrowing. Melanie swallowed and put a hand on her father's arm again. He shrugged it off. "I'm twenty-one years old dad, I'm not a child anymore," Leigh said softly.

Paul squeezed Leigh's hand. "I told you if you touched my daughter again I would kill you," Jack reminded Paul.

Leigh looked at her father in surprise. "So that's why Paul backed off for awhile," Leigh said.

Paul nodded and sighed. "I'm sorry Leigh," Paul said softly.

Leigh looked at her father angrily. "I can't believe you!" Leigh exclaimed. "I love Paul! Dad, how could you do this to me?" Leigh yelled. Jason finally stood up. "This is not going to do Leigh or Melanie any good," Jason told Jack. Jack stared Jason down but Jason refused to blink and Jack looked away. "I want you to leave Jack. Until you can get your head on straight and discuss this rationally like an adult, you are not welcome anywhere near Leigh or Melanie," Jason said. Jack stared at Jason again.

"And who's going to stop me? You?" Jack asked. Jason nodded. "You're just going to hurt them if you can't act like an adult," Jason said. Jack grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the house and into his car and drove away. Jason looked first at Melanie and then at Leigh. "Are you guys okay?" Jason asked. Melanie and Leigh nodded. Leigh pushed her plate away. "I've lost my appetite though," Leigh said.

Melanie sighed. "You need to eat Leigh, at least a little bit," Melanie reminded her. Leigh nodded and everyone quietly resumed eating their dinner. "You guys can stay here for a few days, unless you have a place of your own," Jason said after a few moments of uncomfortable silence. Leigh gave Jason a grateful smile. "Thank you. You guys have done so much for me," Leigh said softly.

Jason stood up and gave Leigh a gentle hug. "You're family Leigh," Jason murmured, sitting back down. After dinner, Jason and Paul cleaned up while Leigh, Melanie and Julie settled in the den to watch a movie. "So we have Dirty Dancing, Footloose or Rent," Julie said, setting the three movies in the center of the table and grabbing her soda.

Melanie and Leigh looked at each other and grinned. "Dirty Dancing," they said together, giggling. The three of them sat in a semi circle with a giant bowl of popcorn and sodas and watched the movie.

When Jason and Paul finished cleaning up, they both looked into the den and shook their heads. "C'mon, we'll go talk outside, and get away from the estrogen fest," Jason said. Paul laughed and followed Jason outside. "Why didn't you tell us you guys were married?" Jason asked, pulling two bottles of beer out of the outside refrigerator and handing one to Paul.

Paul shrugged. "Leigh wanted to keep that a surprise, I don't think she expected the reaction to be this bad," Paul answered.

Jason took a long swallow of beer. "Mel and I are happy for you both, as long as this is really what you both want," Jason said. Paul nodded. "I've grown up a lot over the past few years, and I realize I was an idiot," Paul admitted.

Jason nodded. "That you were, but I don't blame you for being scared. When Mel told me she was pregnant, I freaked out. I told her that I needed some time to think and that I'd call her and left her sitting in a damn park by the lake," Jason said, shaking his head.

"What happened? I mean, you're here, so it couldn't have been that bad," Paul wanted to know.

Jason sighed. "The next day, I got a call from my aunt. My cousin was Chemistry major at a school a few hours south of town and one of his experiments went very wrong and blew up in his face. I was the only one he'd let come and help him," Jason began. "I spent nearly a month there until he regained his eye sight. On my way home, I was in a serious car accident and in a coma. My parents never told Melanie and she thought I had walked out on her. My grandparents finally came and got her when the doctors wanted to take me off of life support, and Melanie being there is what got me out of my coma," Jason said.

Paul whistled and took a swig of his beer. "That sucks man, really sucks," Paul commented.

Jason nodded. "When Marine was born, Mel was living in an efficiency apartment that was the size of the dining room with a tiny bathroom; it had a shower stall and a toilet. Her kitchen was a sink, a counter top, a two burner stove and two little cupboards," Jason said shaking his head. "I don't know how she could stand living there, but the rent was only three hundred bucks a month so she made it work," he added.