Chapter 70
~Christmas Day~
It was around noon and Toni had gotten up a few hours earlier and got dressed to go out. Kristen still wasn't up so she went into her room and began shaking her to get her up. "Get away," Kristen mumbled as she pulled the blanket over her head.
"No, you have to get up. We have to go buy some clothes for the party tonight."
"No place is open on Christmas," Kristen said still under the blanket.
"That is where you are wrong. I read in the paper that Suki's is going to be open for a couple of hours due to something about not celebrating Christmas and if you don't hurry up and get ready it'll be closed before we even get there."
"I have plenty of nice clothes to wear tonight. And besides I don't have the money for anything new."
"Already got you covered. Nick gave me his credit card to buy ourselves something nice. Besides, AJ doesn't know you're back yet so he'll be surprised to see you tonight," Toni said. Kristen pulled the blanket off of her head and glared at Toni. She got up and went into the kitchen to make herself a cappuchino like usual but when she opened the cabinet door she noticed that all the cappuchino mixes were gone.
"What happened to all of my cappuchino?" Kristen asked when Toni walked into the kitchen.
"I got rid of them," Toni said simply.
"What the hell do you mean you got rid of them!"
"I mean I got rid of them. It's not good for the baby so you might as well start breaking your obsession with those drinks."
"I don't make you break your obsession with surge! You don't see me pouring all the surge down the drain now do you?" Kristen yelled completely over reacting.
"First of all I'm not pregnant. Second even if I were I doubt that surge is harmful. Might make the baby a little hyper active when it's born but no harm."
"I can't believe you got rid of my cappuchino!" Kristen screamed slamming the cabinet door. She charged into the bathroom slamming the door shut and a few minutes later Toni heard the shower water running.
"Those hormones must be kicking in already," Toni said sarcastically to herself. About a half hour later Kristen came out of the bathroom wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a messy pony tail and she had no make-up on. "Boy don't you look attractive," Toni said sarcastically.
"Hey, if I feel like shit I might as well look like it too," Kristen said with an additude. "Now I thought you wanted to go to Suki's."
"Fine, let's go. And if you still feel like shit tonight you better not look or act like it," Toni said as they walked out the door. They arrived at Suki's about an hour before it closed. Kristen and Toni were looking through all the clothes and Toni had her arms full of clothes to try on. Toni looked over at Kristen who had nothing in her arms and looked like she was getting frusterated trying to find something. "Dude what is your problem? By now you would have already picked something out," Toni said.
"Well look at all this stuff Toni. No matter what I get I'll be to fat to fit in it in a couple of months."
"Will you stop with your bitching all the time? You're not fat now and you won't be after you have the baby so just get a damn outfit." Kristen glared at her then grabbed an outfit off the rack and went into the dressing room to try it on. Toni found an outfit similar to the one Kristen was trying on that she really liked. She went to pay for it before Kristen got out of the dressing room and had a fit that their outfits looked alike. "Are you going to get it?" Toni asked when Kristen came out of the dressing room.
"Yeah, I guess," she said handing the outfit to Toni so she could pay for it with Nick's credit card. When they got back to the apartment they had about three hours before they had to leave so Kristen went and jumped in the shower again since she took longer to get ready. Toni was watching TV when there was a knock on the door. She went and answered it and Nick walked into the apartment and Toni could tell he was in a pissed off mood.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked sitting down next to Nick on the couch where he sat.
"Nothing besides the fact that my parents and AJ are driving me insane."
"I'm guessing your mom is making you help set up for the party but why is AJ driving you insane?"
"Because he kept calling me five million times wanting to know where Kristen was at and why she wasn't back and it's Christmas and all this shit. I finally turned off my cell phone and he came over to my parents house and decided to volunteer to help out so he could ask me a million fucking questions about where Kristen is."
"Why would he automatically think you knew where he was?"
"Because she's best friend's with you and he assumes you tell me everything now since I knew about Kristen being pregnant before he did. I swear, this Christmas is really starting to suck."
"I'm sorry Mr. Scrooge," Toni said sarcastically as she leaned over and gave Nick a quick kiss on the lips.
"Well, you know it could become better," Nick said as he pulled Toni into his lap and began kissing her. Kristen came out of the bathroom with her bathrobe on and her hair up in a towel when she passed by the couch.
"What the hell happened to rule number one?" she asked with an attitude.
"Sorry," Toni said getting off Nick's lap.
"Cheer up a little Kristen. You don't seem to happy," Nick said.
"Well maybe if your girlfriend didn't throw away all my cappuchion mix I could have had one this morning and I would be in a better mood."
"Don't ask," Toni said when Nick gave her a weird look. "You need to go home now Nick, me and Kristen need to get ready," Toni said walking Nick to the door.
"Alright see you in a few hours," Nick said giving Toni a kiss and then leaving. "Get in the bathroom," Toni said shoving Kristen.
"Why?"
"Because I'm doing your make-up and hair because I'm afraid that you'll leave here looking like you did this morning. And do not have an attitude tonight and don't give AJ any shit or break up with him or anything like that. It's Christmas so don't ruin it," Toni lectured.
"Yes mother," Kristen said sarcastically.
"And don't be a smart ass either." Toni finished doing Kristen's make-up and hair. She straightened her hair and put it parted down the middle then twisted it up in the back and holding it in place with a claw clip. She then curled the hair sticking out of the top of the clip and made little ringlets of curls going around the top of the clip and small curls coming down her sides with her bangs curled. Toni hopped in the shower while Kristen went to her room and painted her finger nails red. When they were dry she put on the outfit she bought at Suki's earlier. It was a red tube top that had really thin straps added on it and the top of the tube top right above her chest looked like it was folded over and it was a red velvet and the shirt showed very little of her stomach. She put on the short black skirt she bought and the long sleeved sheer black jacket over it that reached to her ankles. She put on black nylons and her two inch black platform heels. She went over to her jewelry box and put on her gold and ruby earrings and necklace. She went to close her jewelry box when she looked at her hand with the ring AJ had given her. Without hesitating she slipped the ring off of her finger and placed it inside her jewlery box. About an hour later Toni came into Kristen's room ready to go. Kristen took one look at her and was pissed. She put her hair up in a twist with curls coming out and she was wearing the almost same exact outfit she had on. The only differences were Toni's shirt was green, her skirt was long, and the sheer jacket had short sleeves and she was wearing regular platform shoes. They were dressed almost exactly alike.
"Please tell me you're not wearing that," Kristen said.
"Yes I am. What's wrong with it? I think I look good in it."
"It's the same outfit I'm wearing!" Kristen yelled at her.
"So, it has it's differences."
"You look like me!!" Kristen yelled at her again.
"Listen no one is going to care. Besides, AJ and Nick will like it now let's go. We're already running late and it takes twenty minutes to get to his parent's house."
"I changed my mind. I'm not going," Kristen said sitting down on her bed.
"Like hell you aren't! You need to stop acting so stubborn and cheer up cause you are going to that party!" Toni yelled at her.
"What's the point?"
"AJ's going to be there! That is what the point is! You haven't seen him in a month and he doesn't even know you're back in town! Now you're going to that party!" Toni yelled grabbing Kristen's arm and pulling her up off the bed. While Kristen and Toni argued about Kristen going to the party, at the Carter household AJ was still driving Nick insane.
"Nick it's Christmas why isn't Kristen here and why hasn't she called me to tell me where she is and why she couldn't be with me on Christmas?" AJ asked following Nick outside.
"You know what AJ just shut up! Your driving me crazy!" Nick yelled at him.
"I have a right to know this stuff! I'm sure she's talked to Toni and Toni's talked to you now where the hell is she!"
"Fine! You know what AJ Kristen got back the other night okay! She didn't tell anyone she was coming back! Any other questions!"
"Yeah if she's here why the hell ain't she here?" AJ asked implying to her being at the party.
"I don't know! Probably for the same damn reason Toni isn't here! But she will be here so chill out!" Nick yelled when Brian passed by them. Nick grabbed his shoulders and shoved him in front of AJ.
"You talk to him before I kill him please," Nick said walking into the house.
"You know I don't want to be here," Kristen said to Toni as they walked up to the Carter household.
"And you know that I don't care don't you," Toni said as she knocked on the door. A few seconds later the door opened and they were greeted by Jane.
"Hi Toni, it's good to see you again," she said giving Toni a hug. "You two look beautiful tonight. I don't know where Nick and AJ are. Last I saw they were outside so come in and have fun and maybe we can talk later."
"Thanks Jane," Toni said as she grabbed Kristen's arm and began leading her outside.
"Where are we going?" Kristen asked.
"Outside to talk with AJ and Nick."
"Can't we just stay inside," Kristen whinned protesting.
"I am so sure Kristen," Toni said as she stopped walking and turned to face Kristen. You can't avoid him," Toni said as Nick came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"You look beautiful," he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"You don't look too bad yourself," Toni said as she checked Nick out in his suit and tie. "Do you know where AJ's at?"
"Yeah I left him outside a few minutes ago. He's probably still out there."
"Great you talk with Kristen and I'm going to go get him," Toni said as she walked through the back doors and on to the porch. She found AJ sitting on a chair not talking to anyone so she went and sat down next to him. "Hey how's it going?" she asked.
"Toni when did you get here is Kristen with you?" he asked jumping up out of his chair.
"Gees AJ calm down. Yes she's with me," Toni said as she grabbed AJ's arm since he was about to run into the house to find Kristen. "AJ please don't say anything to her. Just act like you don't know anything. She would never forgive me."
"I promise I won't say anything," AJ said then turned to walk into the house. He stopped and walked back to Toni and pulled a small box out of the pocket of his suit jacket. "I want to show you what I got Kristen for Christmas," he said opening the box.
"Whoa," Toni said as she saw a gold ring with a heart shaped diamond on it. "That is nice, probably expensive too."
"You think she'll like it?"
"She definately will," Toni said as she stared at the ring. "But this is an engagement ring isn't it?" Toni asked as AJ nodded his head.
"Do you think she'll say yes?"
"AJ I need to ask you something about this and I want an honest answer to it."
"What is it?"
"Do you want to marry Kristen because you love her or because she's going to have your baby and you feel obligated to?" Toni asked as AJ took a couple of seconds to answer.
"Toni, I love Kristen more than I have ever loved any other girl. If she's going to have my son or daughter I want to be there for her and make a family with her."
"But if she wasn't pregnant you probably wouldn't ask her until later on in the relationship now would you?" Toni asked handing the ring back to AJ.
"I have to ask her sometime and I want to tonight Toni," AJ said putting the ring back in his pocket.
"Alright, good luck," Toni said giving him a hug. "She's inside talking with Nick," she said taking his arm as they walked into the house. They made their way through all the people there and approached Nick and Kristen. Nick then grabbed Toni's hand as they walked back outside. AJ wrapped his arms around Kristen's waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I've missed you so much," he said as he met his lips with Kristen's. He was glad to find that she kissed him back. "How come you didn't tell me you came home?" AJ asked when they separated.
"I wanted to surprise you," Kristen lied as she forced a smile. AJ could tell that Kristen's eyes were beginning to get all glossy like she was about to cry.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I guess I just missed you more than I thought," she said honestly as she hugged AJ. AJ pulled Kristen closer to him and held her tighter. Kristen pulled away from AJ after a couple of seconds and began wiping her eyes free from tears. "I'm sorry, I'm acting like such a baby. I just didn't realize before how much I love you."
"I love you too," AJ said happily as he kissed Kristen again. While they were kissing Brian and Angela came up to them tapping AJ on the shoulder so they would separate.
"If you guys are going to be making out there are plenty of people who don't want to see it so get a room or something," Brian said jokingly.
"Yeah yeah we will later," AJ said.
"When did you get back in town?" Angela asked giving Kristen a hug.
"Day before yesterday."
"You should have called me and we could have done something yesterday."
"Yeah, well, my life has been kind of hectic for the past month."
"How so?" Angela asked when Toni came over and interuppted them before Kristen could answer.
"I need to talk to you for a minute," Toni said pulling Kristen away from everyone. "Have you told AJ yet?"
"No, I told you before, I'm not going to tell him. I'm just going to break up with him and then everything will be okay."
"No it won't be Kristen. I know you don't want to break up with him or else you wouldn't have been out there all over AJ crying saying how much you love him. You can't break up with him. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"How many times do I have to tell you that it's not your decision to make," Kristen said walking away. She walked passed AJ and he saw that she was upset about something so he stopped her.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine, why does everyone always ask me that?" she asked with an attitude then walked outside. For the next couple of hours Kristen only wanted to go home. She was just getting more and more depressed about AJ and not being able to be with her family. She would dance with AJ but she wouldn't allow herself to get close to him like she did earlier because she knew she had to break up with him. She really wouldn't talk to anyone and AJ was starting to get worried about her and the fact that he might lose her. Kristen was out on the back porch leaning against the railing watching the ocean water when Angela came outside and went up to her.
"Hey, why are you being so quiet tonight?" she asked.
"Just not in the mood for talking I guess," Kristen responded.
"Well the guys are getting ready to sing their Christmas song so you might want to come in now," she said and her and Kristen went into the house and found everyone in the family room. Kevin was sitting down in front of the piano getting ready to play while AJ, Brian, Nick, and Howie were standing around the piano. When AJ saw Kristen and Angela enter he nodded at Kevin as if too say that they could start singing now. Kevin began playing while Nick started with the introduction:
Nick: oooooooooohhhhhh ohhhhhh
Brian: There is something special
About this time of year
The Christmas feeling's every where
Nick: I just got home
To join you
I've been away too long
But now I'm back to share my love
AJ: Friends are reunited
One big family
Filled with love to last through out the year
All: Christmas time
Time to share our love
Come and join
The tidings to the world
Christmas time
The best time of the year
Yes it's Christmas time
Nick: You and me together
A sleigh ride in the park
Loving kiss straight from the heart
Brian: Snow flakes falling gently
The smell of chestnuts in the air
And Christmas lights they gleam across the sky
All: (same chorus sung before)
Before AJ sang his second solo part he looked Kristen dead in the eyes and sang as if only for her. When he finished with his solo he smiled at her and mouthed "I love you" to her. Kristen just looked at him for a second or two before she turned her eyes away from him.
AJ: Do you remember
Everything felt so right
When I held you close to me oh yeah
Brian: Do you remember
Those cold Christmas nights
When we saw the world in harmony
All: Christmas time
Time to share our love
Come and join
The tidings to the world
Christmas time
The best time of the year
Yes it's Christmas time
It's Christmas time
For all the boys and girls
Christmas Time
Time to share our love
Christmas Time
Come and join the tidings to the world
When they finished singing Kristen turned to walk out of the family room and Howie followed her and stopped her in the entry way to the family room. "I haven't been able to speak to you all night but since I caught up with you underneath the misletoe do I get a kiss from you?" Howie asked with a smile. Kristen looked up and saw the misletoe handing in the entry way then got closer to Howie and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks," he said giving Kristen a hug.
"You don't look to happy. It's Christmas you're supposed to be cheerful."
"I'm just not in the cheerful mood this year," Kristen said as she looked across the room. Howie followed her gaze and noticed that she was staring at AJ.
"Something happen between you and AJ?" he asked.
"I guess you could say that."
"Well, it'll work out I promise. Whatever it is you won't lose him because I highly doubt AJ would ever let you go. Listen, we'll talk later," Howie said giving Kristen a kiss on the cheek and walking away when he saw AJ coming towards them.
"Hey, I want you to sing a song with me please," AJ said.
"AJ, I'm really not in the mood to sing," Kristen said.
"Come on, please," AJ begged grabbing onto Kristen's left hand to lead her back towards the piano that Kevin was at waiting to play again. AJ didn't feel the ring on her finger that he had given her and when he glanced at her hand he noticed that she wasn't wearing it.
"AJ I don't want to."
"That's fine," AJ said letting go of her hand and walking away. Toni went up to him when she saw the hurt look on his face.
"Did you ask her to marry you yet?" she asked.
"She's not wearing the ring," AJ said softly looking down.
"The engagement ring?" Toni asked completely confused.
"No, the promise ring I gave her on Thanksgiving. She's not wearing it. She took it off. She really is going to break up with me isn't she?" AJ asked looking Toni in the eyes. Toni could see the pain in his eyes over the thought of losing Kristen. Toni slowly nodded her head yes.
"I've tried everything to try and talk some sense into her AJ but she won't listen to me. You need to go talk to her before she comes to talk to you because it probably won't be good. I don't care what you have to say to her just don't let her break up with you," Toni said as AJ nodded his head in agreement. "Good luck with her," she said giving AJ a hug and walking away. AJ walked back towards Kristen and stood close to her as he whispered in her ear.
"I think we need to talk," he said. Kristen looked at him and nodded her head. "Let's go take a walk on the beach," AJ said leading her outside. Kristen took her shoes off and carried them as they walked along the beach.
"What did you want to talk about?" Kristen asked.
"Us. Earlier you were so happy to see me but for the last couple of hours you just seem to be trying to keep your distance from me. Why?"
"This past month has just been really hectic for me."
"It's been so hectic that you decided to take off the promise ring I gave you?" AJ asked and Kristen remained silent for about a minute. She decided that she would have to end it with AJ sooner or later and now seemed like the right time.
"AJ, I took it off because it's.......it's over between us," Kristen said not looking in his eyes.
"I don't understand. Why?"
"Because we don't mesh well together any more," Kristen lied.
"Because we don't mesh well together or because of the fact that you're pregnant with my child?" AJ asked.
"What?" Kristen asked as she stopped walking and turned to face AJ.
"I know that you think I'll leave you but I won't I....."
"Toni told you," Kristen said interuppting him as her eyes began to water.
"She had to Kristen. I know you think I would break up with you but I wouldn't. I love you more than anything and I....."
"She told you," Kristen said interuppting him again.
"Please Kristen you need to understand why she told me," AJ said as he went to wrap his arms around her.
"Don't touch me!" Kristen yelled backing away. She took off running back to the house ignoring AJ who was yelling at her to come back. Kristen ran into the house through the back door in tears and began looking for Toni and was getting weird looks by some of the people there. She went into the family room where she saw Toni sitting on a couch next to Nick. "You bitch!" Kristen yelled at her throwing her shoe at her and fortunately missing. Everyone in the room turned and was staring at Kristen.
"What?" Toni asked standing up.
"You told AJ! You telling Nick wasn't enough so you had to tell AJ too! Why couldn't you just keep your damn big mouth shut! It's none of his business!" Kristen yelled and by this time everyone in the house was in the family room trying to figure out what was going on.
"It is his business Kristen! You were making stupid decisions about this!" Toni yelled back at her. AJ made his way back to the house and was standing in the entry way to the family room next to his mom listening to Kristen and Toni argued. He wanted to say something but knew it was better if he didn't.
"My decisions are my decisions! If I want to break up with AJ I sure as hell will!"
"That's my point! You don't want to break up with him! You're just afraid he'll leave you! You have no reason to break up with him!"
"I have every damn reason in the world to!"
"You carrying his child is not a reason!" Toni screamed. AJ's mom looked at him weird and everyone began mumbling stuff to each other.
"Whoa!!! She's pregnant!!!" Brian yelled.
"Shut up!" Angela yelled at him as she hit him in the arm.
"Well, I guess the whole world knows now. I'm out of here where are your keys?" Kristen asked Toni since they took her car.
"I'm not giving them to you. You're hysterical and you'll get in an accident."
"Give me the fucking keys!" Kristen yelled shoving Toni and knocking her over.
"Forget it!"
"Fine!" Kristen yelled. She saw Nick's car keys laying on the table so she grabbed them and began to walk away. When she tried to walk through the entry way to the family room AJ grabbed her arms and wouldn't let go of her. "Let go of me!" she yelled at him as she tried to struggle free from his firm grip.
"No, you're not going to drive and kill yourself in the process." Kristen tried to get loose of his grip once more and failed. She brought her knee up and kicked AJ in the crotch causing him to lose his grip and fall to his knees. "Ah fuck!" he screamed as Kristen ran out. Howie made his way through the crowd and ran after Kristen. He reached her as soon as she got in the car and put the keys in the ignition. He opened the car door and pulled the keys out of the ignition before Kristen could drive off.
"Howie please give me back my keys."
"No, now get out of the car."
"No, I don't want to be here so please give me the keys so I can get out of here."
"Fine, you want to be that way," Howie said reaching into the car and picking Kristen up and carrying her over to his car.
"What the hell are you doing!" Kristen yelled at him.
"You're being stubborn," Howie said putting her in the passenger seat of his car. "You need to cool down and going back to your place won't exactly be a place to calm down when Toni gets there. You'll stay the night at my place," Howie said getting in the driver's seat and driving away.
Meanwhile back in the house the party was slowly falling apart. AJ was getting a lecture from his mom about how he should have more responsibility than getting a girl pregnant before marriage. Nick was freaking out about Kristen taking off with his car since he didn't know it was still in the driveway. Toni was crying about how she betrayed Kristen's trust and probably lost her friendship and Kevin was trying to calm her down. Brian was still freaking out about the fact that Kristen was pregnant and Angela was yelling at him about it. People were slowly beginning to leave with all of the yelling going on. After almost everyone was gone Brian and Angela decided they would leave too. When they went outside and saw that Nick's car was still there Angela went back in the house to tell Nick. "Nick," Angela said to get his attention.
"What?" he asked with an attitude.
"You don't need to be all crabby with me. Howie must have driven him and Kristen some where with his car cause your's is still in the drive way."
"My car is here!" Nick yelled as he ran out of the house. Angela followed him outside and saw him standing next to his car kissing it.
"Since your car is here why don't you go talk to Toni and cheer her up instead of Kevin having too," Angela said passing him and getting into Brian's car. Nick went back into the house and went into the family room and grabbed Toni's hand and helped her up.
"Come on, let's get out of here. Good luck Bone," Nick said to AJ as he walked by him.
"You two leaving?" Jane asked coming up to them.
"Yeah, my car is still here so we're heading out," Nick said giving his mom a hug.
"Sorry about ruining Christmas and everything," Toni said.
"You didn't ruin it. This huge mess is really no one's fault. I'll see you two later," Jane said giving Toni a hug. Nick drove Toni home and walked her inside. Toni started to worry when she went in Kristen's room and saw that she wasn't there.
"Don't worry about her Toni," Nick said wrapping his arms around her. "Howie's with her so she's okay."
"Whatever," Toni said leaving Nick's embrace. She went into her room followed by Nick and she changed into a t-shirt and boxers and crawled into bed. Nick got undressed so that he was just in his boxers and crawled into bed next to Toni wrapping his arms around her.
"I told you she's okay so what are you so worried about?" Nick asked.
"I hate having my friends mad at me Nick, especially Kristen. We've always been there for each other and the one time she really needs me I hurt her by betraying her trust."
"She'll forgive you when she realizes that you telling AJ was for the best," Nick said reasurringly.
"I hope so," Toni said softly as she pulled herself closer to Nick and fell asleep.
Chapter 71
