By the time AJ finished singing, tears were streaming down Gwen's face. AJ gently stood up and walked to her. He took the palm of his hand to her face and wiped her tears away with his thumb.
"How did you get..." she started.
"The continental is faster. It's non-stop to Orlando," he said. Gwen sniffled as she looked at the floor and back up to him.
"How did you learn to play the piano?" she asked.
"I had to do something while you're away," AJ said. Through her tear stained face, a smile grew upon her lips.
"It was beautiful," she said, barely above a whisper. He put his index finger against her lips.
"Gwen, every morning when I wake up and see you next to me, I ask myself how I got so lucky. Everyday I ask 'why did she pick me?' I love you and I'm so sorry I messed up. Please forgive me," AJ said, searching her eyes.
"Alex.." Gwen said but AJ cut her off.
"AJ. You were right. When we met, I told you to call me AJ. But I'm not AJ without my Gwen," he said. A single tear fell down her face.
"I love you," Gwen said. AJ cupped her face in his hand and kissed her lips. They wrapped their arms around each other and their bodies swayed together. As they danced in their living room without any music, AJ looked at his wife. It was at that moment he knew they were going to make it. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Because we belong together," Gwen whispered, out of no where.
"Hmm?" AJ asked.
"We belong together, that's why I picked you," Gwen said. AJ smiled and their lips met.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howie drove around getting frustrated. He couldn't find Regan. He suddenly came to realize where she was and made a sharp right turn. He sped to her house and parked in her driveway. He rang the doorbell but when no one answered, he let himself in.
"Regan?" he called out. He could hear sniffling coming from the bathroom and he walked in to the room to see Regan sobbing on the floor. He rushed to her side and sat her up.
"Howie? What are you doing here?" she asked. He hugged her and held her tight.
"Shh...everything is going to be okay," he said.
"He came back. He wants Savannah," Regan sobbed. "I can't let him have her. She's all I have."
"You have me," Howie said, holding her out in front of him. He looked around her house to see a big pile of boxes. "What's going on?" he asked, afraid of the answer.
"Savannah and I are leaving," she sobbed.
"What?!" he asked. "Regan, no, you can't leave."
"Howie, it's not safe for her to be here where he can get her. I have to get out of here and I'm taking her with me," she said.
"Regan, you can't run from him. He'll find you. Let me take care of you," Howie pleaded. "I love you and I love Savannah." Regan started to sob more.
"No! I can't handle your lifestyle, Howie! That is how he found us. Savannah and I are leaving," Regan said. Regan stood up and walked out of the bathroom. Howie got up and followed her.
"Regan, please don't do this. Let me adopt Savannah and take care of you," Howie said. Regan stopped and looked over at him. His heart leaped, thinking he had a chance. Regan shook her head.
"No, it's too risky," she said. She grabbed her car keys and her purse.
"Regan, please! For once, think of yourself! I love you," Howie begged.
"Howie, I can't afford to think about myself. I have to go pick up Savannah," Regan said. Howie sighed. He knew how stubborn she was and his heart started to break.
"Where are you going to move to?" he asked, quietly.
"Away from here," Regan snapped.
"When?"
"As soon as possible."
They stood in silence. Regan loved Howie but had to put her feelings aside for Savannah. Howie finally broke the silence.
"Please, call me," Howie said. "I need to know you'll be okay."
"Okay," Regan said, quietly.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ashleigh held on to her chest as she looked at her watch for the hundredth time. It was time. She looked at the stick that sat on the bathroom sink. She closed her eyes and held the plastic stick up to her. She opened her eyes and caught her breath. Negative. It was negative. She let out a sigh of relief and sat back against the wall. She slid down to the floor and hugged her knees. She wasn't pregnant.
~~~~~~~
