~the next week at AJ's house~~
AJ helped bring in Gwen's bags as she starred in awe at his huge house. They stood in the interior and soon, four little puppies ran in and started barking. AJ picked up the littlest one.
"Gwen, these are my babies," he said, "Bear, Vegas, Panda and Jack Daniels," he said, pointing to the littlest puppy. She giggled and pet them.
"Alright McLean, show me your crib," she said, mocking him from before. He pinched her sides and showed her around his house.
"When I came home for the first time 3 weeks ago, I had to put up all our pictures," he said, pointing to all the various pictures of them. He took her upstairs and into the master bed room. It was very AJ. He had a huge walk-in closet that was filled with tons of shoes scattered all over the place and tons of cowboy hats.
"Baby, I wanna know who is living here with you," Gwen said. AJ gave her a strange look and she finished with, "because your house is spotless and you are a SLOB!!"
He gasped and pretended to be offended. She shrieked and ran out of the room. He was right behind her and pined her down to the floor and started tickling her.
"STOP!!" she cried, trying to catch her breath from laughing so hard but he kept tickling her. "ALEXANDER!!" He stopped and they realized he was laying on top of her. He smiled devishly and kissed her. She jumped up and grabbed his arm.
"Show me the rest, you big dork," she said. He laughed and they walked downstairs to the 'Frank Sinatra room' which had a big pool table surrounded by various pictures of Frank Sinatra.
"You have a pool table?!" she exclaimed.
"You play??" he asked, hoping the answer was a yes. She got an idea and smiled innocently.
"I've played once or twice," she lied. AJ got his own idea and smiled evilly to himself.
"How about we play a little game?" he asked. She smiled, knowing exactly what he was doing.
"Sure," she played along.
"And place a little...wager," he said.
"No way! You aren't getting my money!" she cried out.
"Not money...strip pool," he suggested. She looked at him and knew she could trust him. Besides, this was going to be a quick game. She nodded.
"Sure," she agreed. AJ was shocked she said yes. He was a little worried though. He knew things would get hot and it was going to be hard to calm down. "But will you break? I'm a bad breaker," she said. He lined up the balls and aimed his cue stick. He hit it and heard various clicks. A stripe ball went in and AJ lined up his other shot. He missed and Gwen got ready.
"So, am I stripes?" she asked, playing dumb.
"No babe, solids," AJ said, not knowing her plan. "This is too easy," he thought as she took off her shoes since he'd got two in. She aimed her stick and shot a solid directly in. Soon, AJ was just down to his pants and he even had three shirts on. She shot in the eight ball and AJ stood there with his jaw on the floor. She had gotten every single one of her solids in while AJ's still layed on the table. He never even got a chance to hit. He started to unzip his pants and she laughed.
"Keep 'em on," she said.
"You little cheat!" AJ said, grabbing her waist. She yelped and laughed. "You said you only played once or twice!"
"Yeah, more like once or twice a DAY," Gwen said. "My grandparents used to own a billiard and my grandpa said he'd retire the day I'd beat him at a game of pool. When I was 17, I finally won and he retired the next day," she said. He stood in shock.
"Damn girl, we are soul mates," he said, since billiards was his favorite game. "No one has ever beaten me."
"Well, looks like you met your match," she said. He leaned in and kissed her. He lifted her up on the table and was on top of her while they made out. She ran her nails along his bare back as they kissed. AJ realized what he was doing and pulled away.
"Wow...I'm sorry," he said, trying to catch his breath. She put her finger on his lips.
"Shh...it takes two to kiss," she said. And they kissed again. He jumped off the pool table and helped her down. AJ really respected Gwen and he needed to prove himself. Just as he put his shirt on, the doorbell rang. AJ and Gwen walked hand in hand to the door and AJ checked the peep hole. He swung the door open and a tall pretty Asian girl stood there. AJ let go of Gwen's hand.
"Illianna!" AJ cried as he hug her.
"Wassup J!" she said. AJ put his arm around Gwen's waist.
"Illie, this is my girlfriend Gwen. Gwen, this is my neighbor, Illianna. She takes care of my mail and dogs while I'm gone," he explained. Gwen smiled.
"Hey!" she said, shaking Illianna's hand.
"Hey! J's told me a lot about you," she said. Illianna handed AJ a heavy plastic bag. "Here's your mail AJ." AJ took the bag and started sorting through the fan letters and bills.
"If AJ is ever off on the other side of the world and you're staying here, call me and we can hang out sometime," Illianna said to Gwen as AJ started reading fan mail.
"That sounds great. I don't know anyone around here except for the other guys and their girlfriends...and of course this nut," Gwen said about AJ. Illianna laughed.
"No problem. My number is on AJ's fridge so call me up or come on over. Oh yeah! AJ, Anthony and I had to chase off a dozen fans on Christmas morning," Illianna said about her fiancee.
"Really?!" AJ said, looking up from his mail.
"They all left presents," Illie said.
"Well, where are they?!" AJ said. He loved getting presents.
"Well...Anthony said something about not knowing if one of them could be a bomb, so he made them take back the presents," Illianna laughed.
"Remind me to kick Tony's ass next time I see him," AJ grumbled. The girls laughed.
"I gotta jet guys, we're going over to Tony's sister's house for dinner," Illie said.
"Thanks Illie," AJ said.
"No prob. Bye guys!" she said as she let herself out. AJ walked up to Gwen and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"Do you have a pool?" Gwen asked.
"Do I?! Come on baby!" AJ said, grabbing her hand and running off to the indoor pool.
~new years eve~
"Hun, have you seen my black heels?" Gwen cried out from upstairs. They were getting ready for the big party they were throwing and Gwen was getting ready while AJ was setting up the food.
"Yeah, I think I tossed them in my closet," AJ answered. Gwen walked into his closet and sure enough found them. She was practically living with him and she didn't hate the idea. She put the finishing touches on her outfit and ran into AJ as she walked downstairs.
"Wow baby..." he whistled as he saw her in a black halter top dress that hung above her knees. Her hair was swept up and she had on burgundy lipstick. "You aren't supposed to be attracting the attention of all the guys, just me!" AJ whined. She laughed and kissed his nose.
"Go get ready," she said, as she walked downstairs. She started setting up the beverages when the doorbell rang. She rushed to the door and opened it to Illianna and Anthony.
"Hey guys! Happy New Years!" Gwen greeted.
"Hey!!" Illie said, coming in and giving Gwen a bottle of Champaign. She hugged Gwen and Anthony kissed her cheek.
"We thought we'd come early and help ya," Anthony said.
"Yeah, I bet AJ isn't even ready yet," Illie said, looking upstairs.
"Shut it Illie!!" AJ screamed from his room. The three laughed and walked into the kitchen.
"Is this your first party you and AJ are hosting?" Illianna asked. Gwen nodded. "You are gonna have so much fun," Illie continued. "This house will soon be packed."
AJ appeared in the kitchen. He was wearing black leather pants, black cowboy boots, a black tank top covered by a black leather jacket. Gwen and AJ looked perfect together.
"Aww...look at you two," Illie gushed.
"Yeah, ya'll look like you're married," Anthony said, mocking Illie in a girl voice. Gwen and AJ smiled and he kissed her neck. Soon, people started arriving and the house was quickly packed. Music was blaring and Gwen loved mingling with everyone. She was talking to Leighanne when Kristin approached them.
"Hey ladies!" she said, hugging each girl. "Gwen, you and AJ sure know how to throw a party," Kristin said.
"Thanks," Gwen said.
"So, are you all moved in yet?" Kristin asked, assuming she was living with AJ.
"Uh..actually no. I'm not living with him," Gwen said, kind of embarrassed.
"Oh..?" Kristin said, surprised.
"Come on girls, let's go find our men," Leighanne said, quickly changing the subject.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, the guys were playing pool in AJ's entertainment room. It was Nick and Howie versus AJ and Brian. Kevin watched and talked with members of their band. The girls came into the room and AJ saw Gwen.
"Here she is!" he called out. Gwen laughed and AJ pushed Brian over. "Bri, you're fired. Gwennie will win this game for us," AJ said, handing her Brian's pool stick. She laughed.
"He's been waiting for you all night. They're kickin our butts," Brian said. Gwen gasped.
"My AJ is loosing?!" she teased. AJ rolled his eyes.
"Well ever since Nick copied me and got a pool table, he's been playing non stop since he has no life," AJ said. The whole room cracked up.
"Whatever you sore loser," Nick said. Part of what AJ said was true since Nick had recently broke up with his girlfriend. Gwen noticed he was the only BSB who didn't have a girlfriend/wife. Gwen and AJ quickly finished the game and laughed as Howie's and Nick's jaws hit the floor.
"See guys, I told ya she's good," AJ said, nibbling at her neck. It was reaching mid-night so everyone moved to the big living room. The whole house was packed and everyone was getting their Champaign ready. Gwen and AJ both had only one glass ready to drink at mid-night. It was 11:58 and AJ called everyone in.
"Hey! Everyone get in here!!" he cried as Kevin turned off the music. Dick Clark was on TV counting down.
"FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO....ONE!!" everyone screamed. Champaign corks flew off and everyone cheered. AJ swooped Gwen in for a long kiss. When they separated, he whispered in her ear.
"I love you Gwendal Marie."
"I love you Alexander James," she whispered back, smiling. AJ wrapped his arms around Gwen and kissed her neck. Gwen looked over at Nick who was starring out the back porch by the indoor pool. He didn't get a kiss at midnight and looked miserable.
"Honey, is Nick okay?" Gwen asked.
"Hmm?" AJ asked, still kissing her.
"Never mind," Gwen said thinking it was no use talking to AJ over the loud music.
