The ride home was silent, and they walked in the front door, trying to avoid any contact with eachother.
"I'll get a blanket and sleep on the couch." AJ mumbled.
Sighing, Danielle nodded, refusing to let herself say what was on her mind.
She went into their bedroom, and while she changed into a pair of baggy grey sweatpants, and a pink tank top, on one side of the room, AJ pulled his clothes off so he was wearing only boxers, then grabbed a pillow and the blanket folded at the foot of the bed, then left the room.
After a moment of hesitation, Danielle bit her bottom lip, and followed him out into the living room.
"AJ, wait."
He looked up as he unfolded the blanket, and laid it out on the couch. "What?"
She pressed her hand up against her forehead, as if trying to figure out what to say. "We. . .I. . . you. . .God dammit, AJ, we can't keep doing this anymore. We need to talk about what's happening between us."
AJ dropped the pillow. "Well," he said hoarsely. "What do you want me to say? What do you want me to do?"
Danielle's hands fell against her sides with a loud clap. "I don't know. . .I just want us to stop arguing. I want things the way they used to be."
"Do you really think that's possible? After everything?"
Danielle didn't reply.
"I mean. . . come on. I have spent the past year screwing things up with you multiple times over stupid, petty little things, then trying to find my way back to your heart. But, I can't do it anymore. We're getting no where in this relationship. I love you, Danielle, and I always will, but, we can't keep pretending we can make this work." AJ said.
"Your right," she said softly. "God, your right. I just hope that maybe someday we can make it work. I mean, I've never, never loved anyone as much as I love you. But, your right. We're both at different places mentally in our lives. And we can't keep pretending."
AJ nodded. "This is best for both of us."
"So. . . " she looked around. "This is it?"
"I guess so. I'll pack my stuff first thing in the morning."
"Yeah. All right. Good night."
"Sweet dreams."
Danielle turned and began walking to her room, then suddenly whirled around and walked back.
"AJ?" she asked, leaning against the door frame.
He refused to look up as he climbed under the blanket. "Yeah?"
"Just one more thing," she whispered, walking over to him, and kneeling down next to the couch. "You never had to find your back back to my heart. You were always there. And you always will be. Always."
AJ finally looked up with tears in his eyes. "Thank you."
She ran her hand over his face. "It's the truth. I love you, Alex."
"I love you, too."
Danielle gave AJ one last soft kiss, then walked silently to her room, crawling into bed, and crying herself to sleep.