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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Book Three: Where You Are

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Chapter 1

A Year Later

Tina was on her lunch break while her nephews were at school and he niece was at the daycare. She wondered how Mary was doing. She hadn’t heard from her in what seems like an eternity and missed her very much and decided to give her a call and see how things were.

“Hello,” Mary answered.

“Hey Mary, how are you?” Tina asked.

“I am doing good. I wish you would of moved down here with the kids you guys would love it,” Mary exclaimed. “How are you doing?”

“A little tired but good.” Tina replied.

“Who is it honey,” Nick asked walking up behind Mary wrapping his arms around her pulling her close to him.

“Its Tina,” Mary replied leaning up to give him a soft kiss. “So how are Ben, Trevor and Little Sarah doing?”

“They are doing good. The boys started school last month and Sarah is just talking up a storm.” Tina responded.

“Hey ask her why she hasn’t called AJ?” Nick said softly.

“Nick wants to know why you haven’t called AJ?” Mary asked curiously.

“Well, truthfully I never really planned on calling him. Plus I am so busy between working and taking care of the kids I don’t really have much time to waste on a guy who is probably going to find someone else within the a couple of months.” Tina explained.

“I know your busy but still you could make time to call him. I think he really likes you and would like to help you and take care of you.” Mary replied.

“I don’t want anyone to take care of me Mary I just want my life back,” Tina argued.

“Tina why do you always push guys that really truly care about you away,” Mary asked. “You have to get over your stupid little reason of not wanting to fall in love. You aren’t going to be able to take care of those kids yourself. You need someone to help you,” Mary explained.

“Ok my lunch break is over. I will call you later. Take care,” Tina replied hanging up before Mary had the chance to say bye.

“What did she say?” Nick asked.

“She doesn’t want anything to do with AJ,” Mary explained, “its is just like her to be so stubborn.”

“Well maybe we can do something about it.” Nick suggested, “We can just go visit her and ask AJ if he wants to tag along and talk some sense into that stubborn head of hers.”

“That’s a great idea,” Mary smiled, “what would I do with out you,” kissing him softly.

“I don’t want to think about my life without you,” Nick replied picking her up and carried her to the bedroom. “I Love you so much you know that,” kissing her passionately as he laid her gently on the bed.

“I know you do,” Mary whispered running her hands through his hair, “and I love you too baby.”

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Chapter 2

*Written By Mary*

Nick woke up to see Mary lying next to him. Got up, then look at the clock, it read 6:52. Nick was starving so he looked up and called up Pizza hut. After he called Pizza Hut he then called AJ

"Yo," AJ said.

"Hey man what's up?" Nick said as he sat down waiting for his pizza

"Not much man just chilling' writing some songs," AJ said.

"I need you to do something for me," Nick said thinking AJ would not go with Mary and him back to Kansas see Tina.

"Mary wants us to go see Tina, and she would like you to go as well," Nick said hoping AJ would say Yes.

There was a long pause before AJ asked, "Why?"

"Mary feels that if Tina sees you, that it would make her feel better. She is having a hard time caring for her sisters three kids."

"Nick I don’t know, what if she doesn’t want me there?  She never bothered to call me, not even once. Why would I go and see some one who doesn’t want to see me?" Nick was about to say something as Mary walked down the steps, and saw Nick on the phone.

Mary sat down next to Nick as the door bell rang, Nick handed her the phone and mouth AJ.

"AJ?" Mary said.

"Yes your good for nothing Boyfriend is trying to get me to go with you guys to go see Tina," AJ said acting as if he was angry.

"AJ, I think it would be good for the two of you, to see each other and just like seeing Nick is good for me. He is good for a lot of things, I could name a few if you would like me too," Mary said laughing.

"No, I don’t want to know about your sex life," AJ replied.

"So are you going to go with us?" Mary asked.

"What would you do if I said no?" AJ asked.

"If you say no I will call you and leave you messages about mine and Nick's sex life and tell you how he is so good at…" Mary did have a chance to say what she was going to say next.

"Fine I will go," AJ said.

"Good I will call you and tell you when our  flight leave," Mary said as she looked over at Nick, eating pizza.

"Ok thanks so much AJ," Mary said.

"Welcome I will talk to you later," He said.

"Bye" Mary said.

Mary looked at Nick, who continued to eat his pizza spilling some on his chest. Nick grabbed a napkin, but was stopped by Mary.

"No I think I have a better way of cleaning you up," she replied as Nick grinned at her evilly.

Nick knew he was in love, but wanted AJ to feel the same love he and Mary shared.


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Chapter 3

*Written By Mary*

AJ started packing for his flight. He wondered what he was doing going to see Tina. However, he always had strong feelings for her, and he also wanted what nick and Mary had. AJ grabbed the phone to see what time Nick was coming to pick him up.

"Yo” Nick said as he yawned.  

"Nick man it is like 2:00 in the afternoon, you should be up," AJ said.  

"J, man Mary and I were tired after some fun, I can go into details if you would like me to…” Nick said laughing.  

"Man I don’t want to know about your sex life, I am sure you love it but keep it to your self."  

Nick was laughing again as Mary enter their bedroom pack and ready to go. Nick handed her the phone and said it was AJ on the phone  

"Hey J," Mary said as she was getting ready to go.  

"Hey babe, what time are you all coming over to get me?" AJ asked.  

"About an hour our flight leaves at 6:00. I want to get there early," Mary said yawning.  

"Ok that is fine, are you sure I should go because if not I can always…” AJ said.

Mary started in "AJ, Tina needs you and you need her, but she is stubborn to realize it."  

"Ok I will see ya in a few minutes."  

"Bye AJ."  

Mary went to look for Nick he was in the living room playing with the pugs. She wondered if they would ever get married but she didn’t want to let Nick know she was thinking about that. Nick looked at Mary, and then said.  

"You know, I don’t know what I did to deserve you in my life," Nick said.

"I do, you are just you and you love me. You are doing a great job at both of those things. I love you so much," Mary said as a tear streamed.  

"Why are you crying?" Nick asked as he sat beside her.  

"I don’t understand why someone like you would want a girl like me. Look at me, you are so perfect, and you love me so much I just don’t understand."  

"Baby girl, you are so important to me and well I have been thinking about something and don’t freak on me ok?" Nick said nervously.  
"You not going to break up with me are you?" Mary asked wondering what was going to happen next.  

"No, I have been thinking a lot about our future.  Mary I loved you ever since the day we got stuck in that tornado together. You get more beautiful everyday,” Nick said as he got down on one knee “Mary I love you so much and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" Nick asked scared to death of her response.

Mary cried and finally said, "Yes I will marry you."  

Nick and Mary stood up, Nick kissed her softly," I love you so much."  

Mary look up and said, "I love you more."  

"Well I meant to do it in front of Tina and J, but I thought this better. Baby, I hate to tell you this but I think we need to go and get AJ, you want to tell him or let him see the ring?"  Nick asked.  

"I want to tell him,” Mary said.  

Nick and Mary got in to the truck and drove to get J. Once they were at the house, AJ got into the back and Mary started, "AJ we have something to tell you."  

"Nick are you going to be a dad?" AJ asked very seriously.  

"NO, AJ he is not going to be a dad. He is going to be my husband."  

"Oh that is cool...DID YOU JUST SAY HUSBAND?" AJ screamed.

"YES, he asked and I said yes."  

"Wow, I am so happy for you two! Maybe Tina and I can figure something during this trip," AJ said sadly.

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Chapter 4

“Hey Autumn did you have a good day?” Tina asked her roommate after she walked into the door.

“Yeah it was pretty good,” Autumn replied tossing her stuff quickly into her room. “When do you have to leave for work?”

“Within the next fifteen minutes,” Tina explained.

“Ok, why don’t you finish getting ready and I will take care of them,” Autumn replied.

“Ok thank you so much. You’re the best Autumn,” Tina smiled giving Autumn a brief hug before heading up to her room to finish getting ready. Emerging from her room once she was ready, “Ok I am heading off. You three better be good for Autumn and I love you guys,” Tina said giving each of them a hug before leaving.

----

“Oh my god, I can’t believe we are here,” AJ said while picking up his luggage.

“I know it has been a while,” Nick said walking though the airport wrapping one arm around Mary pulling their suitcase with the other.

“Car rentals are this way guys,” Mary said leading the way to the car rental booth.

They rented a Durango loaded their luggage and headed off to Tina’s apartment on the other side of town. Once there they knocked on the door of Tina’s apartment.

“Hello,” Autumn answered.

“Um we are looking for Tina Mendoza,” Mary asked.

“Oh yeah, well she isn’t here right now. She is at work,” Autumn explained.

“Um ok, do you just so happen to know where she works?” Mary asked.

“Yes she works just down the street at the high school,” Autumn responded.

“Ok thank you,” Mary said before leaving.

“So was she there?” AJ asked once Mary got back into the Durango.

“No she is working, like always,” Mary explained, “but we are going to be paying her a visit.”

----

“Ok is everyone ready to try what we just taught you,” Tina said.

Everyone shook their heads yeah and paired up with their partners. Tina’s attention was brought to the gym door opening.

“Oh my god what the hell are they doing here?” Tina whispered softly to herself.

“What’s wrong babe,” Miguel asked walking up behind her.

“We have some visitors, why don’t you take over for a second, I am going to go talk to them,” Tina said swiftly smacking his ass before walking towards Mary, Nick and AJ. “Um hey, what brings you back to Kansas.”

“Nice to see you too,” Mary replied. “I thought it was time for us to come and visit you.”

“Well it would have been nice if you would of let me know so I could take a day or two off work. How long are you guys staying?” Tina asked not even acknowledging AJ.

“Until you decided to move down to Florida and give AJ a chance,” Mary sniped.

“I should of known,” Tina sneered rolling her eyes, “listen why don’t you guys go back to my apartment and I will meet up with y‘all when I am finished here.”

“Ok. That’s fair enough,” Mary said walking back towards the door.

“Wait I have something to say before we leave,” AJ piped. “What is your problem? Why won’t you let me take care of you? Not all guys are assholes and are going to hurt you. How do you know we aren’t going to work if you haven’t even given it a shot.” AJ said fighting back his anger.

“Come here,” Tina said pulling him into a hug, “we can talk about this later ok. Right now I really need to get back to work. I will be home in about an hour and a half.”

“Ok I will see you later,” AJ replied giving her one last hug before leaving.

“What was that all about?” Miguel asked once Tina had joined him again.

“Just some old friends,” Tina replied.

“You never told me you knew AJ and Nick from the Backstreet Boys,” Miguel whispered softly into her ear.

“I know. It’s a long story I will tell you more about it later,” Tina said.

“Ok,” Miguel said turning their attention back to their students, “with lots of hard work and practice you guys will be able to dance like this,” he said catching Tina off guard twirling her in his arms.

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Chapter 5

“Ok class keep practicing and we will see you next week,” Tina said an hour and a half later. “Have a good week,” as the students began to leave.

“So spill, how do you know Nick and AJ from the Backstreet boys?” Miguel asked crossing his arms in front of his chest, once everyone had left.

“Well you remember the tornado’s that hit Wichita last year,” Tina started while gathering her stuff.

“Yeah.”

“Well that was when the guys just happened to be here in town doing a show,” Tina explained, “They were staying at the same hotel Mary and I worked at, at the time. We were the girls that were trapped with them in the rubble of what used to be the hotel,” she finished.

“Oh wow, that was you and your friend, I would of never guess,” Miguel replied.

“Yeah, Mary and Nick had gotten together and she moved with him back down to Florida. AJ tried to get me to be with him but I told him no,” she explained tossing her duffle bag over her shoulder.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t see the point in getting hurt in the end,” Tina replied.

“Well you never know it might actually work out for the two of you, and you might actually be happy,” Miguel replied.

“Yeah I guess you are right,” Tina replied waiting for him to finish getting his stuff together.

“Or you know you could always give us a chance,” Miguel said gently wrapping his arms around her.

“Miguel you know I love you but I don’t love you that way. I am sorry dude,” Tina said as she turned around to face him.

“Yeah I know,” Miguel replied unhappily flinging his bag over his shoulder and leaning down to pick up the CD player. “You ready?” he asked

“Yeah,” Tina said giving him a comforting hug.

“Ok lets go,” Miguel replied putting an arm around her has they walked towards the door and turned the lights off on the way out.

“See you next week,” Tina said giving him one last brief hug before parting ways.

“Yeah see ya.”

Tina went to the store to get some more cereal then headed home to deal with AJ, Mary and Nick. Tina quietly entered hoping everyone would be asleep. She noticed no one in the living area and continued to quietly walk into the kitchen to put of the cereal when she heard a voice behind her.

“I was wondering when you were going to get here,” AJ said quietly startling her.

“Oh damn, AJ you startled me. Yeah sorry I stayed after and talked to Miguel and then had to run to the store,” Tina explained.

“Is Miguel?” AJ began to ask.

“No, we are just friends,” Tina replied. “Where are Mary and Nick?”

“They are sleeping in the spare room,” AJ replied.

“Oh ok,” Tina replied reaching in the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Sure, I’ll take a soda,” AJ replied.

“Here you go,” she said handing him a can of pop, “lets go up to my room so we can talk.” she said taking his hand to lead him up to her room. Tina shut the door quietly behind them.

“You have no idea how much I have missed you this past year. I practically waited by the phone for you to call. My heart broke when you never did,” AJ explained.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to between jobs and taking care of my niece and nephews,” she replied closing the gap between them.

“You still…” AJ started before he was silenced when Tina placed two fingertips on his lips.

“I know I could of and I should of. I am sorry AJ.” Tina replied noticing the hurt in his eyes, “I am not ready to give it a go yet, I still have to sort through a few things, but I am considering it.”

“Well I am willing and able to wait until you change your mind,” AJ replied with a gleam of hope in his eyes.

“I know.” Tina smiled “So what do you think of my family and my roommate?” she asked immediately changing the subject.

“They are great. That roommate of yours is going to cause problems between Mary and Nick I can tell you that right now,” AJ replied.

“Why do you say that?” Tina asked curiously as she plopped down on her bed patting the bed motioning for AJ to sit next to her.

“Well lets just say Nick’s eye has been wandering more than ever,” AJ explained.

“Oh really,” Tina replied turning her attention to the unexpected knock on the door.

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Chapter 6

“I want Auntie Tina,” a little voice cried.

“It’s ok Sarah we are going to see Aunt Tina now,” Autumn comforted her knocking on Tina‘s bedroom door once again. “Hey T, are you in there?” she asked.

“Yeah I am, you can come in,” she replied.

“Oh am I interrupting something?” Autumn asked opening the door to see Tina and AJ sitting on her bed.

“No your aren’t come on in?” Tina responded seeing a sleepy Sarah not fair behind, “Awe, hi sweetie,” Tina said in a baby voice.

“Auntie Tina, mes can’fh sleep,” Sarah cried holding her arms up for Tina to pick her up.

“Sorry she wouldn’t go back to sleep and wanted to see you,” Autumn explained.

“Its ok, thanks so much for bringing her too me,” Tina said holding Sarah close in her comforting arms. “You know we were just talking about you,” Tina smiled slyly.

“Really about what?” Autumn replied sitting down on the bed ready to listen.

“Well its about Nick,” Tina continued to smile slyly as she walked over to shut her door again.

“Really.”

“Yeah apparently from what Mr. McLean here says is that he is digging on you,” Tina explained quietly while walking back and forth to get Sarah to go back to sleep.

“Well what about his fiancée Mary or whatever her name is?” Autumn asked.

“Fiancée what?” Tina said shocked.

“Um, yeah Mary and Nick are engaged,” AJ confirmed.

“Whoa,” Tina said shocked sitting back down between AJ and Autumn.

“Well thanks for telling me. I hate to cut this conversation but I need to get headed back to bed now. I have to go to work early tomorrow morning,” Autumn replied. “We can talk more about it tomorrow.”

“All right, night gurlie,” Tina replied giving Autumn a hug before she left the room. “Well we better get some sleep too. You are welcome to sleep in here if you want to. We can continued our chat tomorrow over lunch or something.” Tina smiled standing up to pull her blankets up and gently lay Sarah down in the middle.

“Alright sound like a plan to me,” AJ replied stripping down to his wife beater and boxers and climbed into Tina’s bed.

“I’ll be right back could you keep an eye on her?” Tina asked, “I am just going to go change in the bathroom.”

“Yeah sure.” AJ replied.

AJ watched her every move from digging through her drawer to dig a pair of pajamas out, which consisted of a long t-shirt and short shorts, to when she exited the room. Once she left he looked down at Tina’s niece Sarah who was sleeping peacefully next to him.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” Tina asked startling AJ.

“Yeah she is,” AJ replied, “She looks a little like you.”

“No, she looks nothing like me, she looks exactly like her mother,” Tina said climbing gently into bed trying to wake her.

“Well either way she is beautiful,” AJ commented reaching up to move a piece of hair out of Tina’s face.

“Yes she is,” Tina replied as a tear rolled down her cheek.

AJ leaned over to kiss Tina on the lips softly. Tina didn’t fight the kiss but instead returned the soft sensual kiss.

“Night,” Tina smiled.

“Goodnight,” AJ said before they both dozed off into a deep slumber.

----

The next couple of days pass by quickly. Tina still undecided about if she truly wants to be with AJ or not. Also two days filled of arguing and bickering between Nick and Mary as they argued over Nick’s wandering eye.

“Sounds like things aren’t getting any better between the two of them,” Tina said to AJ watching Nick and Mary argue from the kitchen as she prepared a late dinner for everyone.

“Yeah sometimes I wonder if it is ever going to end,” AJ commented helping Tina with the salad, as they continued to watch when Mary suddenly stormed out of the apartment.

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Chapter 7

“Whoa, why did Mary just run out of here crying?” Autumn asked just getting home from work.

“Nick and Mary, just got into a fight,” Tina explained, “Nick, AJ, Will you two finish making dinner and take care of the kids for a bit? Autumn, Mary, and I are going to have a girl talk,” Tina asked as AJ and Nick nodded slightly agreeing to do so.

Tina grabbed Autumns wrist and ran outside to catch up with Mary who was about ready to take off in the Durango.

“Going somewhere?” Tina asked opening the back door to hop in. I believe we should have a talk,” Tina stated sternly, “All of us,” she implied moving over for Autumn to get in.

“Ok fine,” Mary replied angrily as she sped off down the street.

“Shit Mary, maybe one of us should drive,” Tina suggested strongly seeing that they were getting ready to run a red light.

“Talk,” Mary replied, “You hate me, and Nick is more into her than he is into me. So why shouldn’t I just drive us over a bridge right now?”

“Whoa no Mary,” Tina said calmingly “I am a little angry that you left me here, but you were just going with your heart. I could have moved down there if I wanted too so I have no right to be angry with you and I am sorry. I still love you girlie.”

“And I am sorry about Nick,” Autumn replied, “I can see how much he means to you and I wouldn’t try to take him away from you. He is yours, not mine. He loves you. You’re the one with the ring on your finger.”

“You don’t hate me Tina,” Mary smiled feeling like a complete idiot. “ And Thanks Autumn that is comforting to know that. I am sorry for to both of you for acting like such a maniac.”

“It’s ok girl we still love you,” Tina smiled looking up to see an oncoming car in their lane. “Oh my god,” she screamed right before impact.

The paramedics arrived to the scene mere moments later. Prying the drivers from the wreckage loading each one of them into an ambulance and sent off to Wesley.

Tina was vast in her unconsciousness feeling someone something still caressing her lifeless body hearing a familiar voice telling her to wake up.

“Melody,” Tina cried hearing her deceased sister’s voice.

“Don’t worry sweetie you are going to be fine,” Melody comforted, “I must go, It is time for one of your friends to come home. We will take care of her, be strong little sis, I love you and will always be watching over you and my children. Thank you for taking such good care of them.”

“I love you sis,” Tina continued to cry.

“Let me leave you with these words, Let him Love You,” Melody said as her voice began to fade into the darkness.

Tina immediately woke up from her unconscious state just moments later.

“What’s happening where am I?” she cried wanting answers.

“You are at the hospital,” The nurse said trying to calm her. “You were just in a fatal car crash.”

“Oh no,” Tina began to cry knowing one of her two best friends had died.

“You need to rest, your family members are being contacted as we speak,” the nurse comforted.

----

There was suddenly a knock at the door.

“Hello,” Nick answered seeing the two uniformed police officers standing in the doorway.

“Yes officers what could we do for you?” Nick asked inviting them in just as AJ walked in carrying Sarah.

“What’s going on Nick?” AJ asked.

“I am sorry to inform you but there has been a terrible accident involved both residents and a Mary Caldwell,” One of the officers said.

“Oh my god. Are they ok?” Nick asked nervously his heart in his throat.

AJ stood nervously behind Nick hoping that the girls were ok.

“Yes and no, one of the women was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital we need one of you to go down to the hospital to identify the body.”

“Nick you go, I will meet up with you there as soon as I can,” AJ stated getting the directions to the hospital from one of the police officers then immediately went to go wake Benjamin and Trevor. “Boys wake up, you have to get dressed your aunt Tina and Autumn were in a car accident and we need to go to the hospital,” AJ said turning on their bedroom lights.

“No, WHAT?” Ben said hopping up out of bed to throw his dirty jeans on and tennis shoes. “Go ahead and get Sarah ready I will get Trevor up.”

AJ went to make Sarah a diaper bag and put some clean clothes on while Ben woke Trevor up and watched him hurrying to get ready.

The ride down to the hospital seem like it was forever. The corridors seemed to just get longer as Nick drew closer to the morgue afraid to see who‘s cold lifeless body was going to be revealed. Nick had finally reached the morgue taking one last deep breath before entering.

“Is this a relative or friend?” the Doctors asked.

“This is him,” One of the police officers answered.

Nick walked closer to the body as the doctor lifted the white sheet to reveal the bruised lifeless body on the cold metal table.

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Chapter 8

“No,” Nick cried falling to his knees unable to believe that the love of his life the woman he was going to marry and start a family with lay lifeless before him on the cold morgue table before him, “No Mary, my beautiful bride to be.”

The officer nodded to the doctor to cover the body.

“We are truly sorry sir,” one of officers stated.

“Come on lets go see if your other friend is here yet?” the other officer suggested.

Nick got up and followed the officers out to the main entrance to find AJ walking in carrying a sleeping Sarah and Ben and Trevor not far behind. The police officers watched Nick for a few moments before proceeding out of the hospital doors.

“Nick?” AJ said noticing that Nick was crying.

“Its her AJ, my baby is gone,” he continued to sob.

“Oh no,” AJ said giving Nick a light hug, “I am sorry man.” trying to stay strong and hold back tears of his own.

“I can’t believe she’s gone,” Nick said walking over to sit down in the nearby waiting room placing his head in his hands continuing to grieve over the death of the love of his life.

“None of us can man,” AJ replied walking over to sit by him and to continue comforting him while Ben and Trevor stood impatiently by the desk wanting to see their aunt.

“Its all my fault,” Nick continued blaming himself, “I shouldn’t of let my eyes wander.”

“Yeah you shouldn’t have been checking out Tina’s roommate, but the accident wasn’t your fault.” AJ explained.

“Yes it is. It we hadn’t have gotten into that fight she would still be alive and Tina and Autumn wouldn’t be here in the hospital.” Nick stated wanting to commit suicide.

“Ah man, like I said before its not your fault,” AJ replied, “Your not the one who driving on the wrong side of the road. You aren’t the one who was driving under the influence.”

“I know but I still could of done things differently,” Nick said knowing AJ was right. “Are Autumn and Tina alright?” he asked almost forgetting about them.

“I don’t know. We haven’t gone in to see them yet,” AJ replied. “We don’t even know what rooms they are in yet.”

“Oh well let’s go see them. They are probably wondering where the hell we are.” Nick said feeling Mary’s comforting presence with him.

“Are you sure man?” AJ asked.

“Yeah.” Nick said walking with AJ back over to the front desk.

“Yes we would like to know what room Tina Mendoza and Autumn Box are in?” AJ asked as the nurse wrote the two room numbers down.

“Ok take these two elevators up to the 6th floor and take a left their rooms are next to each other at the end of that hallway,” The secretary explained.

“Ok thank you,” AJ said and began to walk towards the elevators.

The guys stepped on to the elevator once it opened and were walking down the long hallway just moments later. Nick stepped into Autumn’s room where she still lay unconscious in her hospital bed. Nick quietly took her hand and sat by her bedside waiting. AJ walked into Tina’s room still holding sleeping Sarah with Ben and Trevor not far behind.

Autumn woke early the next morning with Nick by her side. Tina was released the next day. Autumn was released a couple of days so she could attend Mary‘s funeral. Mary was laid to rest next to her father at the Resthaven Cemetery.  After the funeral Nick approached AJ crying still unable to believe that the women he loved was gone.

“J man, I think I am going to go back home,” Nick said quietly as he watching Mary’s coffin being lowered into its final resting place.

“Are you sure?” AJ replied.

“Yeah, I just need some time alone,” Nick explained.

“Awe Nick, Please don’t leave,” Tina replied overhearing him talking to AJ, “I know what you are going through, I have lost so many people that I love and care about. I swear if it wasn’t for Sarah, Ben, Trevor and AJ I probably would of committed suicide by now,” she finished briefly glancing over at AJ.

“Ok I will stick around for a couple more days,” Nick agreed.

“Thank you Nick,” Tina replied giving him a brief hug before turning to face AJ, “We need to talk.”

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Chapter 9

“What did you want to talk to me about?” AJ asked stepping away from the others.

“About us,” Tina replied taking his hands into hers to place them on her hips, “I want to give us a chance.”

“You do!” AJ said unable to believe what he was hearing.

“Yeah,” Tina smiled gazing deep into his big brown eyes. “And when our lease is up we are going to move down to Florida to be closer to you.”

“You have no idea how long I have waited for you to say that,” AJ stated leaning over to give Tina a long passionate kiss.

“I love you AJ,” Tina whispered softly into his ear.

“I love you too,” AJ replied just holding her close. “You know, you and the kids can just live with me,” he suggested.

“I know that, but I don’t want the kids and I to be a burden on you and Autumn she‘s moving down there too,” Tina explained.

“You wouldn’t be,” AJ replied cupping her face, “I want to be with you every moment I possibly can and Autumn can move in too.”

“Ok how about we stay with you until we find a place. Its not that I don’t want to be with you every second of the day but this is all new to me and I want to take it slow,” Tina explained noticing Nick, Autumn and the kids waiting on them by the vehicles, “We better catch up with everyone else,” motioning over towards them.

“Oh ok,” AJ replied continuing their conversation on the way back to her car, “I understand and am willing to do anything you want.”

“Thank you for understanding,” she replied kissing him softly.

“Ok love birds we better get going,” Autumn said walking over to the drivers side door.

“Sorry were coming,” Tina replied walking towards her car.

 “Do you want to ride with me back to the apartment?” she asked Nick.

“Yeah sure,” Nick replied climbing into her car.

“We’ll meet up with you guys back at the apartment,” Autumn said out her window before taking off.

“How are you holding up?” Autumn asked.

“I’ll be ok, its just so hard to believe that she is gone,” Nick replied.

“I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t really get a chance to know her but she seemed like a great person,” Autumn stated.

“Yeah she was,” Nick replied, “she was a wonderful person.”

“Its about time,” Ben said handing Sarah to Tina.

“I am sorry Ben,” She said before quickly putting Sarah in her car seat. “Ok boys get in.”

Everyone got in and headed back to the apartment where they met back up with Nick and Autumn.

The guys stuck around for another three months when the lease was up on the apartment. During that time Nick and Autumn started to become closer and inseparable. Nick still loved Mary but knew he had to move on and felt Autumn could possibly be the person he should move on with when he was ready.

Tina and AJ were still taking things one step at a time not wanting to rush into a serious relationship for the kids sake even though they both knew deep down that they were destined for one another.

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