Part 6 - Conclusion
By Enginerd
Chapter 19 - Rise and Shine
As the rays of the morning sun spilled into the car, JJ woke. He stretched and yawned, blinking his eyes open. Realizing he was not in a bed but in the back seat of a car, he quickly sat up and curiously peeked out the window, finding the familiar camp.
He opened the door and hopped out. Seeing Janice at the center of camp stacking tinder in the circle of stones, he smiled.
"Janice!" He called out happily and rushed towards her.
"You going to close that door, Sport?" Janice said with a raised eyebrow, glancing at the car.
He sighed heavily, rolled his eyes, and rushed back to the car, shut the door, turned around and rushed back to the archaeologist.
"Hi!" he said brightly, though a little winded.
"Hi," Janice said with a smile and continued to put the small sticks in a pile.
Melinda entered the camp with freshly filled canteens. She smiled at her son, who was happily hovering around Janice. She couldn't blame him.
"Need any help?" JJ asked eagerly, looking at the wood.
Firmly convinced JJ and fire were not a good mix, Melinda quickly blurted "Uh, JJ? Maybe there's something else you could. . . ."
"Mama, I've already made a fire with Janice," JJ said indignantly. "Tell her, Janice," he said, staring expectantly at the archaeologist.
"Yep. He made a fire with me," Janice said, glancing up at the tall woman uneasily, never suspecting that might be a problem.
"Without matches," he added proudly, surprising Mel.
Janice looked at the boy apologetically. "Sorry, Sport, maybe you could . . ."
"Help Janice with the fire," Melinda finished softly, pushing her glasses up.
"Ok!" JJ said happily, sat down and started to take his shoe off.
Janice looked at Mel questioningly, provoking a confident nod and warm smile from the tall woman. Janice couldn't help but smile back.
As they continued to smile at each other, JJ stood with a shoe string now in hand. Looking between the preoccupied adults, he sighed. "Well??"
"Has anyone told you, you're impatient?" Janice asked.
"Uh, yes," JJ said uneasily as the twins emerged from their tent, stretching and yawning.
"Muló, what's for breakfast?" Daniel called out. "Yeah," Paul yawned. "I'm starving."
"That, my boys, is a very good question," Janice said with a smile. "Which I am sure you are quite capable of answering for all of us."
"Ugh," they groaned, giving Mel an idea.
"Janice, why don't we go to the Plebeian café?" Melinda whispered, glancing curiously at her son, who sighed impatiently with a shoestring in one hand and shoe in the other.
"I don't have that much money," Janice said softly with a cringe, wishing she did. She'd love to treat the boys more often.
"My treat," Mel offered.
"Mel," Janice countered wearily, but stopped. Suddenly, the old argument over money, constantly battled so many years ago, seemed stupid. "All right," she suddenly relented, surprising the linguist.
"Good," Mel said with a pleased smile.
"I wonder if you'll say that after you see them eat," Janice said with a grin as she stood.
"Hey, does that mean you won't need the fire?" JJ looked between his shoe string and Janice.
"Sorry, sport. Not this time."
"You did that on purpose!" JJ blurted, glaring at his mother.
"JJ," Janice warned then sagely added "Blessed is the man who expects
nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."
"But I'm a kid!" JJ declared and sulked as he hobbled to the car, with his shoestring and shoe.
Janice grimaced, her sage words not exactly having the intended effect.
"And you wondered if I really knew what I was getting myself into," Melinda said, struggling not to grin. She was unsuccessful.
With a raised eyebrow, Janice looked up to the Southerner, who suddenly announced "We're going to breakfast!"
The twins looked at each other with surprise then grinned.
As they walked to the car, Melinda pulled out the keys from her pocket and silently offered them to Janice, who took them with a smile and walked around to the driver's side.
The boys quickly looked at each other then raced to open the car door for the Southern lady.
"I'll get it."
"No, I'll get it."
"I'll GET it!"
JJ sat in the back seat, shaking his head as he diligently restrung his shoe. Janice started to say something but looked at Mel, who gently shook her head no.
Janice smirked and got in the car.
"No, I'll get it!"
"Move!"
"You move!"
"You know, we'll miss breakfast at this rate," Melinda calmly interrupted them. They stopped arguing, looked up at the polite smile, and stepped back from the door.
Mel nodded and opened the door herself.
"Aunt Christine!" JJ blurted happily as he entered the bustling café and rushed up to join her.
"Why good morning, JJ," Christine said with a grin as he hopped up into a chair next to her.
"Did you sleep in the hospital all night?" He asked, looking over at Lee, who winked at him as he served a customer across the room.
"No, JJ," Christine said then looked up to find Mel and the boys finally come into the café.
"So where did you . . ." JJ asked.
"Mel!" Christine waved her friend over to the table.
"Good morning, Christine," Mel said. "Sleep well?" she asked and narrowed her eyes at Lee, who smiled weakly then quickly scribbled in his pad, taking an order from another customer.
"Funny you should ask. When we woke up in the waiting area, we were surprised to find everyone had gone," Christine said.
"It looked like you were in good hands. Mind if we join you?" Mel asked.
"Please do," Christine said. "I noticed you didn't return to the hotel last night."
"No, we stayed at the camp," Mel responded and looked at the twins. "Would you boys mind pulling that table over here?" Mel asked. "We'll need a bit more elbow-room for the six of us."
"Sure, Dr. Pappas," Paul said and left with his brother on their mission.
"Where's Janice?" Christine asked, looking curiously behind her friend.
"She's parking the car," Mel answered. Eyeing the boys' handiwork, she smiled at the twins. "Perfect, thank you," Mel said warmly as she sat down, making the boys smile.
JJ handed Daniel and Paul menus as they sat down. "The baklava is really good," JJ advised helpfully.
"JJ, you are not having baklava for breakfast," Mel said softly but firmly, making the boys smirk and JJ frown.
"So, did you two . . . catch up?" Christine asked with an innocent smile and sipped her coffee.
"We had a very enlightening discussion."
Christine blinked at her friend, waiting for more details.
Mel smiled politely. Christine frowned.
"Janice!" JJ boomed happily, spotting the archaeologist by the door and waving her over to the table.
"JJ, honey, please don't shout. You don't want to disturb the other customers, do you?" Mel said softly in his ear. He cringed and said "No, Mama."
"Amazing how crowded Athens is this time of morning," Janice said as she joined them at the table. "Even the florist's," she added, pulling a rose from the pocket inside her leather jacket and presenting it to Mel, whose face bloomed with a smile.
"Thank you," Mel said softly, accepting the gift, and indulged in its wonderful fragrance.
Janice leaned over to the Southerner's ear. "Well, you wouldn't take the firewood," she whispered.
Mel chuckled.
Yep. A VERY enlightening discussion, Christine concluded with a pleased grin.
"What's the flower for?" JJ asked.
"Well, you know about the birds and the . . . ?" Daniel started to share his worldly knowledge with the young boy but felt a firm hand squeeze his shoulder.
"Daniel, I'll handle this one, OK?" Janice asked as Mel grinned, very interested in her response.
"Uh . . . sure," Daniel said with a shrug.
Janice sat down, eyeing the boy. "Well, JJ, you see, it's like this," she started, glancing up to find a table full of eyes staring at her.
After rolling her eyes, Janice continued. "I love your mother. And when people love each other, they like to show each other. Roses are one way. Since I also know your mother really loves roses, it's an appropriate gift, don't you think?"
"Yeah," JJ said with a nod and small shrug. "Are you having baklava for breakfast?"
After breakfast, which did not consist of baklava, despite JJ's persistence, they went to the hospital.
Janice paced in the waiting area as Mel and the boys sat and watched.
"Visiting hours are when?" Janice once again asked Mel as she passed by.
"Nine AM," Mel repeated patiently.
"And what time is it now?" Janice asked Mel on the return trip.
"Nine twenty-two," Mel said with a sigh, looking at her watch.
"And HOW many minutes have we be made to WAIT here, when we should be in there VISITING by their very own GODDA......?"
"Janice," Melinda interjected sharply, glancing discreetly at JJ, who eagerly answered "Twenty-two!"
Janice's jaw clenched as her eyes dropped guiltily. "Sorry."
"It'll be ok, Muló," Daniel offered.
"He's right, you know," Mel added.
"You'll see," Paul agreed.
"Yeah," JJ chimed in.
Janice quietly looked at the four faces of encouragement, amazed at how her life had changed in such a short time. Only a few hours ago, she was adrift in despair and cursing God. Now, she was anchored by the incredible gift of love from this amazing woman and these wonderful boys. And she was even thanking God. Who would have thought?
They all looked a bit concerned as her silence continued. A slight grin appeared on Janice's face.
"Well, I guess I should listen to my family and just sit down and shut up," Janice said bluntly and sat next to the Southerner, who smiled warmly as she took her hand.
Only thirty-eight minutes past the start of visiting hours, the front desk nurse
finally returned and Janice and the boys went to visit Ivan.
"Dr. Pappas," Greta said stiffly, startling Melinda from a fashion magazine.
"Oh . . . Dr. Snider," Melinda said as she closed the magazine on her lap. She noted the German, eyeing the magazine with a raised eyebrow. Greta wouldn't suffer from a few fashion tips herself, Melinda considered, eyeing the doctor's drab clothing.
"Hi, Dr. Snider," JJ greeted the doctor with a smile she easily returned.
"Hello, JJ," Greta responded and glanced around the waiting area curiously.
"Uh, Janice and the boys are visiting with Ivan," Mel offered, pushing her glasses up and pointing to the double doors.
Greta nodded. "Good. Ivan is doing well, but it helps the recovery to have friends and family around."
Mel nodded as an awkward silence fell between them.
"So, are you staying on with the hospital?" Melinda asked with a pleasant smile.
"Yes. I have accepted a position here. It seems the war has caused a large deficit of experienced surgeons. They were desperate."
"Nonsense. You are an asset and they were smart enough to recognize that," Mel said firmly.
Greta's eyebrows rose with surprise. "Thank you," she said softly before the awkward silence returned.
Surprising the Southerner, Greta suddenly sat down next to her.
"And what of you? How are you Muló?" Ivan asked weakly.
Janice was going to nag him about always asking irrelevant questions but instead, she just smiled and glanced at the boys. "Happy."
He smiled. "So, you found your answers?"
"Most of them," she said with a thoughtful nod. "The boys will be staying with me."
Ivan grinned at the not-so-surprising announcement.
"And when are you going back to America with her?" Ivan asked, startling Janice.
"Aren't you assuming a bit, Ivan?" She asked and looked at her watch. "It hasn't even been twenty-four hours. . . ."
The boys snickered, but abruptly stopped when they felt the archaeologist's glare.
Chapter 20 - Bitter Sweet
A young Greek couple leisurely strolled along the Athens street, hand-in-hand, enjoying the moonlight and calm evening. Hearing laughter erupting through the silent night, the pair slowed to a stop in front of its source, the Plebeian Café. They curiously peeked inside the large window, then noted a sign hanging in the door. It said "closed," though a jovial group remained inside, long after dinner was over.
Janice watched as the couple resumed their moonlight stroll, then returned her gaze to the table, where her old and new family sat, indulging in talk and good cheer before the morning came and sad goodbyes were exchanged. But for now, they concentrated on enjoying their last few hours - together.
Janice sat at one end of the table, sipping her beer as she quietly gazed over the faces of the people who had stood by her, despite everything. Though eager to start her life with Mel and the boys back in the States, her heart was heavy. She knew saying goodbye to the hard life she had known for the past four years and the people who helped her through it would be difficult. As odd as it was, they were still a family.
Listening to the happy chatter, Janice smiled at Ivan's deep chuckle as Christine and Lee enthusiastically announced their plan to take the Columbia culinary society by storm with a new restaurant. They hadn't officially settled on a name yet, but it looked like Lee's suggestion, "the Spot," would be the one.
The tall man glanced at Janice as he politely declined Christine and Lee's invitation to come to the States and join in their business venture, just as he had declined Janice's invitation to come to America when he was still in the hospital.
Ivan was going to continue his life as his father and grandfather before him, had - traveling around Europe. That was his destiny, he told his immortal friend. Just as it was her destiny to return to the States with Mel and the boys, he had said with conviction.
The tall man smiled warmly at the archaeologist, who nodded and grinned back at her friend. When he returned his attention to Christine, Janice's grin slowly faded.
Destiny or not, she would miss him, Janice thought with a pang in her heart as she sipped her beer.
At least she didn't have to say goodbye to Lee or the boys, she thought, watching the twins listen to the animated young Southerner as he explained how they would really like South Carolina, except in August, when it was really humid and hot.
JJ glanced at Janice's plate of uneaten baklava, then to Janice curiously. Janice looked at the twins, who shook their heads with amusement. Sliding her plate towards the young boy, she saw a big smile appear as he picked up his fork and dove into the treat.
"The Spot" will do quite well if it serves pancakes and baklava, Janice concluded.
Hearing her name then a burst of laughter from Greta and Mel, Janice nonchalantly glanced over to them. Mel had been practically ignoring her all evening. Well, at least it seemed that way to Janice, who watched her partner's profile as she continued to chat with Greta.
The friendship the two tall women had forged was, well, odd, Janice thought with narrowing eyes. Mel even took Greta shopping for clothes, Janice considered with amazement as she sipped her beer. She was as surprised that Mel would want to go shopping with Greta as she was that Greta would actually agree to go shopping. Though, Greta really did look good in that brown outfit Mel had encouraged her to buy, Janice considered with an appreciative eye.
Feeling blue eyes on her, Janice glanced at Mel and quickly smiled. Apparently satisfied, the Southerner continued her recounting of Janice's first meeting with Mel's brother, Brian, and grandmother.
Janice's eyebrows furrowed as she realized the tall women seemed to have developed another common interest besides clothes. A great amusement of the archaeologist's embarrassing experiences.
Janice sighed as she pulled out a cigar and stood.
"Can we come?" Daniel asked. "Can we?" JJ added. Paul looked up at her. They smiled when she nodded.
So much for some time alone to mope, Janice thought. When Mel looked up curiously, Janice held her cigar up. Seeing the disapproving grimace, Janice rolled her eyes and went outside with the boys.
Janice puffed on her stogie as she and the boys sat at a small table, outside the café. They sat in contented silence as they gazed at the quiet street, until JJ spoke up.
"Why do you smoke cigars?" JJ asked eyeing her cigar. "It smells kinda bad," he added with a scrunched up face that looked like a miniature version of Mel's, Janice thought.
"And some people think it tastes bad too," Janice offered with a grin and took another, long puff.
"Then why smoke them?" JJ asked.
"I happen to enjoy them."
"I've never seen a woman smoke a cigar before," JJ informed her, making the boys chuckle.
"So, you don't think I should smoke a cigar?" Janice asked and puffed again, looking up at the star-filled sky.
"Well, it isn't usual," JJ said with a shrug.
"No, I guess not. Does that bother you? The fact that I don't do things the usual way?" Janice asked.
JJ looked at her uneasily, concerned he might have made her mad.
"Just speak your mind, JJ," Janice said softly.
"Yeah, JJ. Muló gets mad if you don't," Daniel offered and Paul nodded.
"Oh. I, I really don't like the smoke," JJ said uneasily. Janice smiled. Yep, Mel's boy, she thought.
"Well, if you sit near me when I smoke, you should be sure to always sit upwind of me," Janice said, watching the breeze blowing the smoke away from him. "Like you are now."
"OK," he said, then suddenly blurted with concern "You're not going to smoke in the house, are you?"
"No, JJ. Your mother and I have already discussed that. In fact, she has made it crystal clear that I will not be smoking in the house. OK?"
"Oh good," JJ said with great relief.
"Anything else on your mind?" Janice asked, puffing away.
"Well," JJ said, sitting up a little straighter. "Yes."
Janice nodded and waited.
"When we get back home, Mama says you'll be living with us," JJ said.
"Well, that was the plan," Janice said then saw JJ's furrowed brow. "You don't like that plan?" Janice asked with concern.
"Uh . . . no."
Janice cringed and looked at the twins, who also looked uncomfortable.
"Oh. You don't care for the idea of a bigger family?"
"Not really."
"Oh," Janice said, at a loss. Mel had told her he was happy they were going back to live with them.
"Is it because Muló loves your Mama?" Daniel asked bluntly, getting an annoyed glare from Janice.
"Noooo," JJ said with irritation. Janice exhaled with relief, glad that was not the problem.
"So what don't you like about the plan, JJ?" Paul asked.
"Well, you two are older than I am," JJ said uneasily to the twins.
"There's not much we can do about that, Sport," Janice said softly.
"I know thaaat," JJ responded with exasperation. "But there are five of us now, and only three bedrooms. I had my own room before," JJ said, finally getting to the heart of the matter.
"Oh," Janice said with understanding, and started to respond but Melinda spoke up, startling Janice and the boys.
"You won't lose your room, JJ" Mel said, joining them. JJ smiled with relief.
"How does she do that?" Paul quietly asked Janice as they politely stood.
"I don't know," Janice muttered softly.
"Why didn't you say something about your room before?" Mel softly asked JJ as she sat down with them.
"You were so happy and I . . . ," JJ said softly and shrugged, not finishing his sentence.
"Oh, JJ," Mel exhaled as her heart melted and kissed him on his head. "Janice is right. You should speak your mind, especially if something bothers you."
Daniel grinned. "So, if JJ keeps his room, does that mean we'll share a room with you, Muló?" Daniel offered. His amused grin quickly disappeared when Mel and Janice glared at him.
After they said goodnight to Greta and Ivan, Mel, Janice, and the boys walked back to the hotel with Christine and Lee strolling well behind them, arm-in-arm, talking and laughing softly.
Mel glanced back at the two, then at Janice with a grin as she squeezed her hand.
"So do you think they are really serious?" Janice asked quietly, discreetly peeking over her shoulder at them.
"I do believe Christine will soon be saying goodbye to her single days."
"An end of an era," Janice said with wonder.
"Janice, be nice."
"I'm just saying . . ." Janice said then sighed heavily. Sometimes it was best to admit defeat and move on.
Janice focused on the boys walking and talking in front of them a moment, then glanced up at her partner with amazement.
"So far so good," Janice said softly, squeezing the Southerner's hand.
"Everything will be fine, Janice," Melinda said warmly.
"If you say so," Janice said skeptically.
"I do."
"Well, OK then!" Janice said with feigned relief.
"You worry too much," Mel said softly.
"Probably. Did you finally get through to Victoria?" Janice asked, causing Mel to cringe.
"I spoke with her but I didn't get through to her. She thought I had . . . lost my grip on reality," Melinda finished crisply. "So I had Christine speak with her. Thankfully, she was able to explain everything and told me Grandmother was no longer worried about my sanity," Mel said with irritation.
"Well, just because I'm alive doesn't mean your . . ." Janice responded with amusement and stopped when she saw the annoyed Southerner look at her with a dangerously high brow. "So, I guess it was fortunate Christine could explain things," Janice wisely said instead.
Mel was a bit sensitive to jokes about her sanity now, especially after her Grandmother declared this trip had been a big mistake, going on and on about how it had only served to stir up distressing memories, which gave poor Melinda no choice but to delude herself with a desperate and fanciful story about her long-dead partner becoming immortal, then spending years in a concentration camp then roaming around Europe for four more years with a group of survivors consisting of a Giant Gypsy, aspiring chef, and twin boys, not to mention an ex-Nazi doctor thrown in, looking for the stones of passage to the Temple of Truth which she had actually found . . . with the help of JJ, who just happened to adore Janice. It was all quite understandable, Victoria had said sympathetically.
"Though, I could have always talked to her," Janice said with a smirk. "And we'll be home soon."
Mel sighed heavily. "I wish it wasn't necessary to have someone else explain things to her," Mel said tightly, a bit hurt.
"Sweetheart, it is an unbelievable story."
"You'd believe me, wouldn't you?" Mel asked with concern.
Janice thought a moment. "After a hell of a lot of questions, yeah, I would."
Mel sighed. "But after a lot of questions, she didn't."
"But I'm your partner, your soulmate, not your Grandmother."
"And for that, I am extremely thankful."
Janice chuckled. "Victoria was just concerned, Mel. And she has always been protective of you, whether you wanted it or not," Janice reminded the Southerner.
"I know. And before you came to South Carolina, I would have expected her not to believe me. But we had come so far. We had gotten to know each other and we actually became friends. I guess I had thought I earned the benefit of doubt," Mel relayed sadly. "I guess I was wrong."
"Perhaps this was an unfair test, Mel," Janice said softly with a shrug. Mel looked over at her thoughtfully, then nodded reluctantly with a sigh.
"I can't believe you of all people are defending Grandmother," Mel said with a smirk.
"Yeah. And pretty soon, I'll need to be defending myself. I bet she's really thrilled I'm coming back," Janice said with a grimace.
"She is not your enemy, Janice."
"If you say so."
"I do."
It was 5:05 p.m. and Victoria Pappas paced back and forth at the Columbia train station as William, Robert, and Ruby silently watched. The tense older woman glanced between her diamond-studded watch and station clock once again. For once, she was grateful the 505 ran late.
"He's here!" Victoria announced with relief, spotting a black sedan drive up and park at the end of the platform.
"Victoria, do you really think it was such a good idea to ask him here?" William asked, causing Ruby and Robert to glance at each other uneasily.
"William, I don't know what to expect. I want to make sure we are prepared for whatever. . . ." Victoria said, but stopped as a distinguished looking man, carrying a medical bag, approached them. "Dr. Brewster! I am so glad you could make it," Victoria blurted with relief as she quickly greeted the man and vigorously shook his hand.
"Well, you sounded very concerned about your Granddaughter," he said sympathetically.
"She has been under a lot of stress ever since her partner Janice died, raising her son alone, getting her doctorate, then working all the time," Victoria blurted with concern. "And just when I thought she had finally begun to live her life, she starts talking this, this nonsense," Victoria said with frustration, blinking back tears.
William cringed. "Dr. Brewster, don't you think it will be a bit overwhelming for Melinda, having a psychiatrist meeting her at the train station?" William interjected softly.
Ruby and Robert glanced at each other uncomfortably.
"Frankly, after what Victoria has told me, I am much more concerned about her mental state once she faces her family and realizes she has been deluding herself about her partner."
"Do you think she could actually get . . . violent?" Victoria finished in a nervous whisper.
"I hope it doesn't come to that but I'm prepared . . ." The doctor said, patting his medical bag.
"She's not going to like this," William muttered, shaking his head.
"William, you've heard what she's been saying. You can't possibly think she is all right," Victoria said, making him cringe. He didn't know what to think, but his wife obviously did.
"I am just grateful that Christine is with her. She has been worried sick about her too, you know," Victoria informed her husband, who sighed.
"Mama! Wake up! Wake up! We're here!!" JJ said with excitement as the train finally rolled into the Columbia station, thirty minutes late.
Mel blinked as she took a deep breath. She smiled, feeling the archaeologist stir beside her.
Paul and Daniel looked out the window. "Columbia, huh?" Paul asked. "They said it's the Capitol of the State," Daniel said with a shrug.
When the train came to a stop and the doors opened, JJ jumped up from his seat and poked his head outside the window. "I see Nanna and Poppop!" He called back and bolted to the exit.
"JJ!" Melinda said with irritation, unable to stop her impatient son from
disembarking. Janice chuckled as they stood.
Victoria smiled as JJ emerged from the train and skipped the last step as he jumped onto the platform. "Nanna! Poppop!" He shouted happily and rushed towards them.
"JJ!" Victoria said warmly, kneeling down to give him a big hug.
"Did you miss me?" JJ asked.
"Of course we did!" Victoria said as she watched him barrel into William.
"Welcome home, JJ," William said and chuckled at his enthusiastic hug.
"I missed you, too," JJ said.
William eyed him a moment, noticing something was different, then smiled approvingly.
"JJ, what happened to your blanket?" William asked, pleased at its absence.
"A monster ate it," JJ exhaled with irritation, still annoyed that monster did that.
William's smile faded as he looked up at Victoria with concern.
"Dear lord, not him too," Victoria said gravely and looked at the doctor for help.
The doctor plastered on a smile as he knelt down.
"Hi JJ, I'm Dr. Brewster."
"Hi," JJ said hesitantly to the stranger, looking up at his grandparents then Ruby and Robert, who all nodded with encouragement.
"I'm very interested in hearing about this monster of yours," Dr. Brewster said with a smile.
"It wasn't my monster," JJ clarified bluntly, rolling his eyes.
"There she is," Ruby said uneasily, gently touching Victoria's arm as she pointed to the train.
Melinda finally emerged from the train, followed by Christine and Lee. They stopped on the platform at the bottom of the train steps, waiting for the boys and Janice and noticed the group surrounding JJ.
"Why do they look like a lynch mob?" Lee asked curiously, making Christine laugh uneasily.
Mel looked at the concerned faces of her family, then eyed Christine. "Christine?"
"Hmm?"
"You really didn't explain anything, did you?"
"I did too!" Christine countered. "Uh, they know about Lee," she explained with a cringe.
Melinda sighed heavily as she watched her family hesitantly approach. She noticed an unfamiliar face in the group, though she quickly spotted his medical bag with a raised brow.
After glaring at her grandmother, she looked up to the top of the train steps and called out "Janice?"
Her family winced as they looked at each other with concern. "Oh Mel," the distraught grandmother gasped tearfully as her hand shot up to her mouth.
"She's coming," Paul said as he stepped down the stairs, followed by Daniel.
Victoria's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she watched the twins emerge from the train and join them.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Paul and Daniel. You remember me telling you about them . . . don't you Grandmother??" Melinda asked with a tight smile, gently placing her hand on the boys' shoulders.
"Paul, Daniel, this is my grandfather, Colonel William Pappas, US Army, retired." William blinked as Mel began her introductions. "My Grandmother, Mrs. Victoria Pappas." Victoria's eyes darted back and forth between the twins. "And our oldest and dearest friends, Robert and Ruby Thomas, who also happen to be my grandparents' driver and housekeeper. .But I'm afraid I don't know that gentleman," Melinda said, eyeing the doctor then her Grandmother with a polite smile.
"This is Dr. Brewster, Melinda," Victoria said uncomfortably, still staring at the twins in confusion.
"I see," Melinda said. "You brought him here to . . . ?"
"Help," Dr. Brewster offered with a smile, holding out a hand, which Melinda inspected with a raised brow. Dr. Brewster cleared his throat and retracted his hand.
"You need help, Mel?" Janice asked, descending the train steps and adjusting her fedora.
"Apparently. Nice of you to finally join us."
Janice looked at the sea of stunned faces and gaping mouths, then looked at Melinda. "So Christine didn't . . . ?"
Mel shook her head no and sighed.
Janice glared at Christine, who scratched the back of her head and shrugged. "They know about Lee," she said weakly.
William, who was first to remember how to walk, quickly took three large steps before scooping the startled archaeologist into a big bear hug.
"Dear God, you're alive," William whispered with emotion.
"Surprise?" She said with a weak chuckle, awkwardly hugging the older man back and finding it difficult to breath.
Paul and Daniel glanced at each other with amused smiles.
As soon at the Colonel released her, Robert stepped up and tightly hugged her before she could catch her breath.
"Welcome home, Miss Janice," Robert blurted with a crack in his voice. "We all missed you somethin' fierce," he added as he stepped aside, clearing his throat as Ruby stepped up and hugged her firmly.
"Seems Miss Melinda forgot something the last time she came home," Ruby said with a sniff as she stepped back and wiped her eyes.
"It was out of our hands, Ruby," Janice said awkwardly, glancing at Mel's family then Mel.
"Not this time," Melinda offered with a smile of joy, taking the archaeologist's hand in hers.
When the Colonel stood before the twins, they shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.
"So, you're Janice's boys?" William asked gruffly.
"Uh, yes, sir," they said uneasily, glancing at each other.
"Welcome to the family," he said with a grin and hugged each one.
Victoria continued to stare numbly at the short-haired woman, who stood by her beaming granddaughter.
The confused Dr. Brewster, glanced at the Pappas Matriarch with concern. "Victoria? Is this the woman you thought dead?"
Victoria nodded weakly, staring at the uncomfortable archaeologist.
"Perhaps we should sit down and rest a spell in the car," he said softly, gently touching her arm.
Casting an annoyed glare at the doctor, she yanked her arm back. "Obviously, I was . . . mistaken," Victoria said curtly then turned to Janice, ignoring the smile of satisfaction on her granddaughter's face at the rare admission.
"You're late," the Southern Matriarch announced crisply, surprising the archaeologist, but not her granddaughter, who shook her head and chuckled silently.
"Uh, yeah," Janice said, scratching the back of her head as she glanced uncomfortably at the confused Dr. Brewster, who sighed and looked at his watch.
Victoria stepped uneasily towards Janice and looked between the smaller woman and her smiling granddaughter.
Surprising the archaeologist, Victoria gently cupped her face with amazement before pulling her into an embrace. "Welcome home, Janice," Victoria whispered emotionally.
Ending the embrace, Victoria stood erect and glanced at her granddaughter. "I told you this trip would be good for you," she said with a polite smile and turned to walk to the car.
Robert drove the new family of five back to the barn with a big smile and listened as JJ, who sat in his mother's lap, chattered enthusiastically to the twins about the different sights they passed.
"The nerve of that woman!" Melinda growled softly, glancing at Janice, who chuckled.
"I thought you said she wasn't the enemy," Janice said with amusement.
"I've changed my mind," Mel grumbled.
"Oh!" Janice said suddenly, startling Mel, and reached inside her leather jacket.
Producing a mangled rose from her jacket pocket, Janice stared at it with a frown.
"I didn't anticipate all that hugging, sorry," Janice said with a cringe before handing it to Mel, who chuckled.
"Why Janice, didn't you know? I happen to adore pressed flowers," Mel said with a grin. Janice smiled and shook her head.
"Oh! Oh! And there's the Krispy Kreme!" JJ eagerly announced to the twins.
Epilogue
"Ok guys, settle down and get some sleep," Janice said as she stood at the twin's bedroom door. "We've got lots to do tomorrow."
"I don't think I can sleep," Daniel admitted with a heavy sigh.
"Hey, we could move that dresser over there to divide the room better," Paul said with enthusiasm, getting a nod of agreement from his brother, as they jumped out of bed.
"What?!? Wait a minute. You two get back in bed, now. You are not going to rearrange furniture at," Janice paused to check her watch. "Midnight! Sleep or pretend to sleep, I don't care. Just be quiet!"
"Yes, Muló," they said with sighs and returned to their twin beds.
"These are really nice beds," Daniel said with a yawn, pulling up his covers.
"Yeah," Paul said climbing into his bed. "Isn't Ruby a really good cook?" Paul added with a yawn.
"Yeah," Daniel said, fluffing his pillow and sinking his head in it contentedly. "I'm still stuffed."
"Just wait till you try Mel's cooking," Janice said with amusement then noticed the boys' eyes finally shut. "Good night, guys," she said softly and turned off the light.
"Good night, Muló."
As Janice passed JJ's room, she peeked in, finding Mel still sitting on the side of JJ's bed.
"What are we having for breakfast tomorrow?" JJ asked.
"Hmmm," Mel said thoughtfully, scratching her chin.
"Janice!" JJ said with a smile, sitting up.
"Hey, Sport," Janice said, leaning against the doorframe.
"What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" JJ asked. Mel looked at Janice and rolled her eyes.
"Do you always decide the night before?" Janice asked.
"Not always, but I like to know. So, what do you want?" He asked tenaciously.
"Whatever your mother wants," Janice said, getting grimace from JJ and a grin from Mel.
"But she doesn't know," JJ complained. Janice smirked, highly doubting that.
"I don't suppose you have something in mind?" Janice asked with amusement.
"Well, I really like pancakes," he said with a smile, which faded when he saw her eye him with a satisfied grin.
"You did not know that!" He countered.
"Actually, I did."
JJ groaned and flopped back on his bed.
"Goodnight, JJ," Mel said with a chuckle and kissed him on the forehead. "We'll discuss breakfast in the morning with Daniel and Paul, all right?"
"OK," JJ said with a defeated sigh. "Night Mama," JJ said. "Good night, Janice," he added.
"Good night, JJ," Janice said warmly, watching the tall woman get up and join her at the door.
After turning out the light, Mel silently took Janice's hand with a smile.
They entered their bedroom and started to get ready for bed. Janice sat in a chair and took her boots off with a sigh of relief as Mel went to the bathroom, shaking her head.
"This is all so . . ." Mel called out, then exhaled with amazement, at a loss for words.
"I know," Janice said with a chuckle and took off her two pairs of socks and wiggled her toes. "You've hardly changed the barn," Janice mentioned as she took her clothes off.
Quickly rinsing out a mouthful of tooth paste, Mel responded "I didn't want to tamper with perfection."
Janice nodded with a grin as she buttoned up her over-sized night shirt. "What do you say we tamper with it now and add a few new bedrooms? We should probably have a place for guests, if they want to risk visiting. And, I'd kind of like each of the boys to have their own space."
"Sounds like a wonderful idea, Janice," Mel said with a smile as she changed places with Janice in the bathroom, falling into their old nighttime routine.
"I've got many of them, Dr. Pappas," Janice announced and started to brush her teeth, curiously glancing around their bathroom which, like the rest of the barn, looked basically the same.
"I should hope so, Dr. Covington," Melinda said slipping into her long, silk nightgown. "But don't worry, I won't expect you to come up with all of the wonderful ideas," she said as she brushed her hair with a grin.
"I actually have a few wonderful ideas of my own," Mel added as she climbed into bed and reclined seductively on an elbow, facing the bathroom. She nervously smoothed out her nightgown and carefully draped her raven hair over her shoulder, the way Janice loved it.
"I'm relieved. Coming up with wonderful ideas all the time can be a lot of work, stressful even. But we do know the name of a shrink now," Janice offered with a chuckle.
Mel rolled her eyes. "I will never forgive her," Melinda declared.
"Come on, you already have. Besides she admitted she was wrong. That ought to be worth something," Janice said, drying her face with a hand towel.
Mel sighed with irritation and plopped on her back, staring at the bedroom ceiling with an arm tucked beneath her head.
"Well, I'm never going to forget," Mel countered.
"You're a hard woman, Dr. . . ." Janice emerged from the bathroom with a smile that faded when she saw Mel in a very flattering silk gown, reclining invitingly on the bed.
"Pappas," Janice finished weakly.
Encouraged by the response, Mel slowly rolled to her side, propping herself onto an elbow. "You know, Dr. Covington, at one time, you said I was soft," Mel said with a sigh, feigning disappointment as she lazily traced her long fingers over the bed.
"I thought you'd be . . . tired," Janice said, blinking at the beautiful woman in silk.
Mel slowly shook her head no. "Even after all that traveling and excitement with my family, I'm wide awake," she said softly. "Funny, isn't it?"
"Perhaps that nap on the train helped," Janice offered as she approached the bed.
"Perhaps," Mel responded softly as she slowly combed her fingers through her raven main. "Are you tired, Janice?"
"Hmm?" Janice asked, finding herself standing next to the bed, entranced by the Southerner.
Melinda smiled. "You know, it's all right if you're too tired, Janice," she offered sincerely. "I'll be happy just holding you in our bed, in our home," she said softly, holding out her hand with a warm smile.
Janice took her hand and gently kissed it before climbing into the bed and Melinda's arms. She sank contentedly into the Southerner's warm embrace as both women sighed happily.
"And, hypothetically, Dr. Pappas, what if I'm not tired?"
A smile appeared and broadened on Mel's face as she slowly woke. The vivid memories of the passionate evening she shared with Janice flooded her still sleepy thoughts. The sheets brushed over her bare flesh as she lazily rolled over and reached out to pull the archaeologist back to her - where she belonged.
When her hand fell onto the empty mattress beside her, her eyes immediately opened. Now wide awake, she quickly sat up and scanned the empty room with concern.
"Janice," she called out uneasily, getting no answer. "Janice?" she called again as she got out of bed and spotted her silk gown in the corner of the room. She distinctly recalled Janice skillfully relieving her of that article of clothing and tossing it across the room . . . didn't she? Melinda's heart began to pound with panic. No, it wasn't just a dream, Mel told herself. It wasn't!
Taking a nervous breath, Melinda quickly donned her robe and glasses, and left the bedroom. As she started down the stairs, she heard a loud crash from the kitchen.
"Ugh oh," the pajama-clad boy said, looking at the pieces of bowl and pancake batter splashed around his bare feet. JJ started to move but Janice stopped him.
"Hold on, Sport," Janice said, grabbing his arm. "Don't move," she added, eyeing the broken pieces.
The sound of Janice's wonderful voice caused a wave of relief to wash over the Southerner, who stopped her descent and sought the wall for support as tears rimmed her eyes.
JJ nodded with a heavy sigh.
"I hope Dr. Pappas wasn't too attached to the bowl," Daniel said to JJ, who glanced down at the floor with a frown as Janice carefully collected the pieces.
"Maybe we could glue it?" Paul suggested, making JJ smile.
"Yeah! Mama glues china all the time," JJ offered.
Mel rolled her eyes.
"The pieces look big enough. We could give it a shot. Paul, could you get the sponge and help clean up the batter?" Janice asked as she took the pieces to the sink and washed them.
After a calming breath and adjusting her robe, Mel descended the steps to join her family.
"Can I move, now?" JJ asked.
"Wait until the batter is cleaned up. You don't want to track it around," Janice said.
JJ sighed impatiently as Paul started to wipe up the mess.
"JJ, where's the glue?" Janice asked as she carefully placed the pieces on the table.
"In the drawer by the phone," he said, pointing down the hall.
"Daniel, could you get the . . ." Janice said, interrupted by a bottle of glue that suddenly appeared in front of her, supported in the palm of rather familiar hand.
"Oh. Uh, hi, Mel," Janice looked up into amused blue eyes with an uneasy smile. "I guess you are wondering what we're doing."
"Attempting to make breakfast?" Mel guessed, glancing at the kitchen table, already set with plates and utensils.
"Uh, yeah. And I think it's important to remind you - it's the thought that counts," Janice said with a cringe, quickly glancing at the pancake batter on the floor and the pieces of bowl on the table.
Mel smiled and shook her head.
As the batter was being cleaned up by the boys, the archeologist handed the last piece to the focused Southerner, who expertly glued the bowl together.
"Yet another one of your many skills," Janice offered softly, eyeing the bowl then the tall woman with amusement.
"Floor's clean!" JJ announced happily, finally able to move from his spot.
"It does come in handy around here," Mel admitted, glancing at her son, who went to the refrigerator to get some juice.
"As do your other skills, Dr. Pappas," Janice said with a grin.
"I'm glad they are appreciated, Dr. Covington."
"Oh they certainly are," Janice responded with a smile as Mel slowly leaned
over to steal a morning kiss from the archaeologist. A kiss which was interrupted by a
shattering bottle and a juice-drenched JJ blurting "Damnit!"
And life goes on . . .