"How you doing?" Aj asked Amanda taking her hand in his. She was in a
hospital bed and the doctors had told them that she and the baby would be
fine but they should stay overnight.
"I'm fine," Amanda said. Aj took a deep
breath.
"How come you didn't tell me you were pregnant?" Aj asked. Amanda
sighed.
"Aj, I wanted to but I was scared. I was scared you would chicken out
and leave me because you were having a child. I was scared because I knew
your player days weren't over. You aren't ready to settle down and be a man
yet," Amanda told him.
"After what I saw today I think I am ready to be a
man. Amanda, I watched you bring our baby boy into the world. Together you
and I created that child. I know know that you are the one I want to spend
the rest of my life with. Aj pulled a ring out of his pocket. My mom gave me
this years ago after dad left. It was very special to her. She told me not to
make the same mistake my father did and when I found the right woman I
couldn't back out and that I would spend the rest of my life with her. After
my dad left I had always been scared of commitment. Just being commited to
one person for the rest of my life but I've realized I can't play around
anymore and I want to spend the rest of my life with you so Amanda Latona,
will you marry me?" Aj asked. He looked at Amanda's tear streaked face and
slipped the ring onto her finger. She nodded.
"Yes Aj. I'll marry you. You
don't know how long I've waited for you to say everything you just said. T o
grow up but I'm glad you're ready," Amanda told him. Aj hugged her and he had
tears in his eyes.
"What should we name our child?" Aj asked. Amanda smiled.
"How about Alexander James?" She asked.
"I've always liked that name," Aj
said.
"Alexander it is then," Amanda told him.
Liz wiped away her tears. She
was sitting in the waiting room waiting for news from Aj. She couldn't
believe Aj just had a kid. It was so unreal. Liz knew she was out of the
picture, that Amanda was the one for him. She felt an arm wrap around her and
saw Aj at her side.
"Liz, I want to thank you for what you did. If it wasn't
for you Amanda could be dead right now," Aj said
. "I did what I had to do,"
Liz said. Aj sighed.
"Liz, I really am sorry about everything. I'm sorry I
didn't tell you about Amanda. I was just scared." Liz nodded.
"I understand."
Aj took a deep breath.
"I love her. I'm gonna marry her. I'm sorry Liz. I
should have told you sooner," Aj said.
"Aj, I want you to be happy. I forgive
you but please do one thing." "Anything," Aj said.
"Treat Amanda wella nd
don't hurt her. You're good for her. Keep it that way," Liz told him. Aj gave
her a hug.
"I'l do that."
An hour later Aj wandered through the hospital deep
in thought. He past the nursery where all the newborn babies were and saw
baby Alex. Aj smiled.
"I'll be a good father for you and never leave you," He
promised. Then Aj prayed to God to take care of his family and to help him to
be the man he had to be, the man his father never was. After he prayed he
went back to see Amanda. He wanted to be with the woman he loved.