The Chosen One

Recovery

----Melinda

Following the stabbing and the loss of my baby, I was depressed.  I was recovering at the house and I wasn't talking to anyone.  I blamed myself for the attack and the loss of my baby.

Doc came by daily to check in.  "Mel, you need to get up and move around, it will make you feel better."  I didn't respond.  "I'll be by tomorrow."  He said.

----Alex

Doc walked out of the bedroom.  I was helping Riley and Rachel eat breakfast.  Liam was cleaning up.  "How is she doc?"  I asked.

"It's been six weeks.  Physically she's fine.  She's healed, but she needs to get out of bed."  He said.

"I know how to get her out."  Liam said.

"No."  I said.

"She won't be by herself.  She won't be defenseless.  We can go with her.  The kids will stay with the Captain, Carly, and Jack."  Liam said.

"It's not a bad idea."  Doc said.

"I'll go ask her."  I said.  Liam took over helping the kids eat.  I knocked on the bedroom door and went in.

----Melinda

I looked at Alex when he came in.  "Hey, do you want to get out from behind these walls?"

"What?"  I asked.

"We need to go for a supply run.  Liam, me, and you."  He said.  "Come on.  It'll be a nice change.  The kids will be with Carly, the captain, and Jack.  They'll be safe."

"Can I think about it?"  I asked.

"Sure.  Let me know."  He said kissing my cheek.  "I love you."

"I love you."  I said.

"I've got a few things to take care of."  He said, he slid his hand from mine as he walked out.

----Alex

I was checking things off on the clipboard as I finished inventory.  "Well, I'll be damned."  I heard Doc say.  I looked up and saw Melinda walking over from the house.  Liam jogged over seeing Melinda.

"She's alive."  Liam said.  "Are we going?"  She nodded.  "Awesome."  He grabbed her in a hug lifting her off her feet.  He put her down and I saw a smile.

She hasn't smiled in six weeks.

----Melinda

I took Rachel and Riley over to the captain's house.  Carly looked up seeing me.  "Hey, you going with the guys?"

"Yeah."  I said.

"Good.  Don't worry.  Rachel and Riley will be fine."

"I know.  Thank you."  I said.  I hugged and kissed my kids.  I gave Carly a hug.

"See you in a couple of days."  She said.

"See you."  I said.

We left an hour later, I was sitting in Alex's lap while Liam drove.  "You okay?"  Alex asked.

"I'm fine.  Better than I have been in a while."  I said.

"Good."  Alex said.

"I can sit in the middle."  I said.

"Nope."  Alex said making me smile.

"I've missed that smile."  Liam said.

"Me too."  Alex said kissing my cheek.

At our first stop, I was gathering medical supplies from the shelves.  Liam appeared behind me.  He dropped a three boxes of condoms into the tub at my feet.  "Liam!"  I said.

"What?  I'm bad at practicing safe sex.  I always forget a condom."  He said making me roll my eyes.  He kissed my cheek.

"That's not enough."  Alex said dropping more in the tub.

"Alex!"

"Safety first."  He said.  I tried not to laugh but failed.

"You guys are nothing but trouble."  I said.

"Yeah, but you love us."  Liam said.

We made camp at small dollar store before it got too dark.  I was laying down on the floor, my head resting on a folded pillow.

----Alex

I caught Melinda touching the scar from the stabbing with her hands.  I knew she was coping and it was hard on her.  Her mental recovery was just beginning.