“AJ!” Krista called from the bottom of the stairs. “Are you almost ready? We need to be there in half an hour.”
AJ came bounding down the stairs. “I’m coming. Jesus. You’d think we were meeting the Pope or something.”
“You’d think we were meeting the Pope or something,” Krista mocked. “Get your ass in gear.”
“Yes sir!” AJ saluted her. They locked up the house and made their way into AJ’s Ford Expedition to drive to the Marriott and meet Krista’s parents. They arrived at the Orlando Marriot about twenty five minutes later. Krista walked quickly into the lobby with AJ following slowly behind her. “Mom! Dad!” She called as she spotted her parents sitting in the corner of the lobby.
“Krista, darling,” her mom said, smiling. “How are you, honey?”
Krista gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Fine. Just fine.” She turned to her father. “Hi daddy.”
He hugged his youngest daughter, tightly. “Hi sweetheart. You look gorgeous.”
“Let me look at you,” Mrs. Wilson said, scrunching up her nose. “Krista, have you put some weight on?”
Her father slapped her arm. “Katherine?!” he scolded. “Stop that. She looks beautiful.”
Krista blushed, nervously. “Must be all of that European food.”
“Now where’s that boyfriend of yours?” Katherine asked. “I thought that he was joining us this evening.”
“He’s right here,” Krista answered, turning around. “Mom, dad, this is AJ McLean. AJ, my parents, Katherine and Robert Wilson.” Krista wanted to laugh at the expression on her mother’s face. She looked as if she was about to spontaneously combust but she quickly covered and plastered a fake smile on her face.
“Nice to meet you,” AJ said politely as he shook both of their hands.
“You too,” Robert answered, a genuine smile on his face.
“Come on,” Krista said, pulling on AJ’s hand. “Let’s eat. I’m starved.” Her parents followed with Katherine glaring at AJ’s back the entire time.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
“Brooke! Someone’s here to see you!” Becca called from downstairs. Brooke grabbed her purse and ran downstairs, expecting to see Kevin standing in the foyer. Instead, she was unpleasantly surprised to find Alex standing there with a smug smile on his face.
“Don’t I even get a hello, Brookee?” he asked, sarcastically.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she hissed, pulling him into the den and closing the doors.
“I missed you,” he answered, innocently. “I told you the last time that we still had some unfinished business. You didn’t think that I was just going to forget about that, did you?”
Brooke sighed. “What do you want from me?” He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. Brooke looked it over. “I don’t have this kind of money, Alex.”
He trailed a finger down her bare arm. “Oh come on. You’ve got a job now.”
“I’m a dancer, Alex,” She laughed, bitterly. “Not an actress. Not a model. I don’t make nearly that kind of money.”
“You’re dating a member of the most successful group in the world,” he stated, pointing out the obvious. “I’m sure you could hit him up for a few bucks.”
“And tell him what?!” she exclaimed.
Alex grinned, evilly. “That, my dear, is up to you. Just make sure that I have this money by the time you go back on the road or I’ll make sure lover-boy knows exactly where you came from.”
“Fine,” Brooke’s eyes stung with tears. “Please just go. I’ll get you your fucking money.”
He leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips. “Bye bye, Brook-ee.” Then, he turned on his heel and walked out of the den and out of the house.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
AJ looked around the table as everyone ate their food in silence. He could tell that Katherine did not approve of him one bit just by the way that she looked at him. AJ was also aware of the fact that Krista’s father was genuinely a nice guy. Not stuck up at all, unlike her mother. But he also followed his wife like a lost little puppy dog, agreeing with her on just about everything, no matter how different he actually felt. He then glanced over at Katherine again and noticed her staring at Krista devouring her dinner. Suddenly, her eyes widened in realization as it all came together: the gained weight, the way she was eating, etc. Her head slowly began to turn towards AJ and he quickly looked back down at his food, realizing that, at that moment, he wanted to be anywhere else but sitting at that table.
“Krista, honey,” her mother began, after clearing her throat. “Is there anything that you would like to share with your father and I?”
AJ shifted in his seat, uncomfortably, as Krista threw a nervous glance in his direction. “Well, actually, there is a little something I need for you to know,” Krista told them.
“What is it?” Robert asked, concerned.
“Um, well, I guess there’s no easy way to say this but, um, I’m pregnant.”
Katherine looked like she was about to explode. She glared at AJ. “And I suppose that you had a little something to do with this.” AJ remained silent, glancing at Krista for help. He now completely understood why she was so scared to tell them in the first place. “Well we’re just going to have to take care of this now, won’t we? Before it gets out of control.”
Krista’s eyes widened in horror. “I hope to God that you’re not suggesting what I think you are. I am NOT having an abortion. No way in hell. It’s already past the first trimester. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”
Katherine laughed. “Well, surely you don’t think that you can do this by yourself. Do you really think that he’ll be around to help you raise this baby?”
“Excuse me?” AJ asked, surprised.
“Mother, what the hell are you talking about?” Krista demanded.
“Krista, he’s probably got children all over the world.” Katherine accused.
“Katherine?!” her husband exclaimed.
“Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.” AJ interrupted. “I happen to love your daughter very much. I do not have any girlfriends or children anywhere in this world except sitting right here next to me.” He grabbed Krista’s hand. “There’s no way in hell that I would ever leave her or this baby.”
“Well, you needn’t worry about that,” Katherine told him. “Krista, I expect you to be accompanying your father and I back to Greenwich next weekend. Then we’ll decide how we’re going to handle this situation.”
Krista looked over at her father. “She’s kidding, right daddy? Tell me she isn’t being serious.”
“I am completely serious,” Katherine answered for him.
Krista threw her napkin down on the table and stood up, angrily. “There’s no way in hell that I’m going back there, mother. My life is in Florida now. If you don’t like it then I suggest you learn to deal with it because this is the way things are going to be.” She grabbed AJ’s hand, pulling him up with her.
“Krista, if you walk out of here, don’t expect your father and I to support you or accept this baby as part of our family,” her mother warned.
“Fine, mother,” Krista glared at her. “If that’s the way you want it.” She turned to her father and her face softened. “I’m sorry daddy.” She pulled AJ towards the entrance to the restaurant and walked out.