2 Years Later
"Leigh, this is brilliant," Illianna said, as she stuffed her face with cake.
"I know," Kristin agreed, "A girls night out while the guys are gone is perfect."
"And not to mention a baby shower," Gwen smiled over at Leighanne, who was five months pregnant.
"Well, I know that I wouldn't want to spend the night with other than you guys," Leighanne said.
"Awww.." Ashleigh mocked, gushing. Leighanne gave her a playful shove.
"Don't get all mushy on us now. You're wedding shower is coming up soon," Leighanne said, as the huge ring on Ashleigh's left hand twinkled in the light. The five girls all sat around in Leighanne and Brian's living room as a pile of food sat in the middle of them. The Boys were on a promotional run in LA for their new album, who none of them heard yet.
"So have you guys heard their new album yet?" Illianna asked.
"No! I'm so mad! I keep bugging AJ to let me hear it but he keeps it locked in a safe. So I told him no sex until I hear it," Gwen said, bursting out in laughter with everyone else.
"Kevin keeps his under his pillow and he sleeps like an animal on top of it," Kristin said. "What's the big deal? We're gonna hear it sooner or later."
"Well, Anthony tried to get one from the office, and all the copies are on top secret," Illianna said. Anthony had become the VP of the Firm so whenever the Boys were somewhere, Anthony usually went with them. The girls chatted about the new album a little more as they ate.
"Hey, has anyone heard from Regan lately?" Ashleigh asked.
"Yes, I talked to her the other day," Kristin said. "They're doing good and Savannah is starting kindergarten next week."
"Kindergarten...damn," Gwen said.
"Has she talked to Howie?" Ashleigh asked.
"No. I think after the first couple months when she left, he just gave up. It wasn't fair to him. He was giving and giving and getting nothing in return," Kristin said.
"I agree. But he still loves her," Leighanne said.
"So does she," Gwen said. The girls ate more as they talked. The Boys new single was called "Let Me Love You" and it was already a huge hit all over the world. Howie wrote it and even though everyone knew, he still wouldn't admit it was about Regan. Regan and Savannah had moved to a little city in West Virginia right after the last fight they had.
As the girls chatted, Gwen took a look at her best friends. She was incredibly happy for Leighanne. Ever since her miscarriage two year back, she had desperately wanted another try. Brian was ecstatic. He was going to be a great father. Gwen looked at Illie who, other than Ashleigh, was she probably the closest too. Illie's career of a school teacher was going great while Anthony worked long hours at the Firm. She glanced at Kristin who still looked as happy and as in love with Kevin ever since the day they got married. Gwen really looked up to her. And as she came around to Ashleigh, she had to force back the tears. Her little sister was engaged and growing up. She reached up and hugged her sister out of nowhere.
"Where'd that come from?" Ashleigh asked.
"I dunno," Gwen smiled.
~~the next day~~
Gwen unlocked the door to their house and walked in. She set her keys down and threw her bag to the floor. She was greeted by their dogs as she walked over to their answering machine. She let the messages play as she walked around the kitchen. AJ called twice and her mom called. She grabbed their cordless and hopped down on their plush couch while her fingers dialed the familiar numbers.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sexy," Gwen said.
"Baby," AJ greeted, as a huge smile grew on his face even though she couldn't see it.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"We're actually at the airport," he said.
"You haven't left yet?" she asked.
"No...we're at the airport in Orlando..." AJ said. Gwen gasped.
"You're home?" she cried in excitement.
"Yep...I'll be there in a few," he said.
"Can't wait," she said.
"Love you," AJ said as he clicked off and hopped in his car that was waiting for him. Gwen walked though their house and ended up in AJ's studio. She picked up her all time favorite CD and put it in the player as she sat in AJ's chair. She closed her eyes and brought back the sweet memories.
"I want you to hear something," AJ said. It was about a month after AJ's breakdown and they were rebuilding their trust with each other.
"What?" Gwen questioned as her eyebrow wrinkled with a questioning look.
"Come here," AJ whispered. He put in a CD into his stereo and pressed play. The beautiful sounds of AJ's singing filled the air as Gwen listened to the song.
"It's called ‘Drowning.’ I wrote it for you," AJ said, grabbing his wife by her waist and pulling her close to him. Gwen listened to the words of the song that went directly into her heart.
every time I breathe, I take you in
and my heart beats again
baby I'm drowning
keep drowning in your love
cuz every time I try to rise above
I'm swept away by love
baby I keep drowning in your love
"Oh AJ," Gwen breathed above a whisper, "It's beautiful."
"I'm sorry I was being a jackass. I love you and I always will," AJ said. Gwen was silenced by AJ's lips brushing against hers. The words of the song brought tears to Gwen's eyes as she held onto AJ.
I'm drowning in your love....
Gwen kept her eyes closed as she listened to her all time favorite song. She caught herself listening to it whenever AJ wasn't home because it somehow brought him to her in a way no body could describe. AJ stood in the doorway looking at the peaceful look on his loves face. He walked over to her and bent down to her ear and started singing along. Gwen's eyes suddenly burst open and she was soon in AJ's arms being swung around. She covered him in kisses.
"I love you," she said, out of nowhere.
"The feeling is agreed," AJ smiled sexily.
"Take me with you next time," Gwen demanded.
"You got it," AJ breathed into her ear as they went upstairs.
~~~~~~~~
