"Hey stranger," she said. "You're looking well. Feeling better?"
AJ stared at her, expressionless, then shook his head.
"What are you doing here, Karina?"
"I just wanted to check on you. I was worried about you," she said, pushing her way past him and into his house.
"Well, I'm fine. In fact, I'm busy. I have company right now, so you'll have to excuse me."
"Oh, come on, AJ. You can spare a few minutes for little ol' me, can't you?" she said, laughing. He didn't respond. He continued to stare at her, a slightly irritated look on his face.
She walked over and put her arms around his neck, then started to kiss him. He reached for her wrists and grabbed them tightly, then unwrapped her arms from his body. As he pushed her back, he saw anger in her eyes.
"You know," she hissed, "you can't just fuck me then toss me aside like a used rubber, you cheating son of a bitch."
AJ continued to hold her wrists as he looked directly into her eyes. Suddenly, he realized exactly who had vandalized his car, and it infuriated him that she would be so bold as to show up at his house after she did it.
"Karina, get the fuck out of my house. Don't ever come back. Stay away from me. Stay away from Mikayla. Stay away from my friends. If you don't, I swear to God you will regret it." His voice was a low, angry growl. "And if you ever touch me again, I will break your fucking hands."
He pushed her roughly out the front door and locked it behind her. His heart was racing, and he felt a sudden craving for a drink to calm his nerves. It was just overwhelming. Thank God Mikayla had cleaned all of the liquor out of his house before he returned, or he probably would have done it. He walked back out onto the patio and sat down in a lounge chair beside Kevin.
"What's wrong, man," Kevin asked, concerned. AJ looked pale and he was breathing so fast. He was having a panic attack.
"Bad scene back there. Just talk to me, Kev. I just need you to talk to me," AJ said, sounding really rattled.
"Ok, what do you want me to talk about?" Kevin asked, leaning forward and placing his hand on AJ's shoulder.
"I don't care!" AJ yelled. "Just TALK, Kevin. I just need to concentrate on something besides... Damn it!"
"Ok, Ok. Just calm down. We'll get through this." Kevin said. He began to tell AJ about a song he had written a few weeks earlier, and he sang a little of it. After several minutes, AJ's breathing became slower and more regular, and he started to calm down. Kevin started to relax a little, too. It was really frightening to see AJ like this, but he knew it was part of his recovery. The counselors had talked to them all about what to do when AJ had a crisis. Apparently, it was working.
****************************************
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Mikayla and AJ sat in a warm bubble bath, surrounded by candles. Mikayla sat between AJ's legs, resting her back against his chest. They talked and laughed, basically just enjoying each other's company.
"You know," AJ said, wrapping his arms around her, "you know all this stuff about me, and I don't know everything about you."
"What do you want to know?" she asked, crossing her arms over his. She loved the secure feeling of being in his arms.
"Oh, I don't know... what's your least favorite food?" he asked, laughing.
"Marshmallows," she answered without hesitation.
"Marshmallows?" he repeated. "That's weird. What's wrong with marshmallows?"
"They're gross. Spongy food is gross. Any spongy food. Angel food cake. ICK. Mushrooms. UGH Oh, and any crunchy or raw vegetables. Nasty!"
"Ok," AJ said, "What are the three best rock songs ever recorded? Just your opinion."
"Hmm... That's a tough one. 1. Rock & Roll by Zeppelin. 2. Crazy Train by Ozzy 3. Foolin' by Def Leppard," she answered, smiling. AJ laughed loudly at that one.
"Ok, let's see... how old were you when you lost your virginity?" he asked, still snickering a little.
"I was 16. Maybe 17. What about you?"
"I was 16," he answered. "I was a late bloomer, I guess. So what was his name?"
"His name was Brandon. Why?"
"I don't know. I just want to know everything about you," he said, kissing her head.
"You know, there are some things better left to the imagination," she said quietly.
"Why do you say that? I love everything about you, Kayla. I can't imagine anything that I wouldn't want to know about you."
I can, she thought. AJ took her mind off of the unpleasant thoughts that were going thru her head when he lightly ran his hands down her chest, pausing for a moment to rub his fingertips over her nipples. They quickly became erect and she felt the familiar tingle between her legs. She had missed his touch so much, and it was so wonderful to have him home... and back to his old self. He kissed her up her shoulder, as she let her head fall to one side. His lips grazed her neck on their way up to her ear. His hot breath, along with the sensation of his soft lips on her skin, instantly aroused her. He began to whisper things into her ear... how beautiful she was... how much he missed her... how much he wanted her... and how much he loved her. She closed her eyes and smiled, allowing him to feel every inch of her body. She knew it was something he needed to do. She rolled over and faced him, looking right into his eyes. He had a faint smile on his face, and his eyes were filled with love for her. She traced her finger over his lips, then down the side of his face. She kissed his lips tenderly as his hands went to her shoulders.
"Alex, I love you so much," she whispered. "Don't ever leave me again. I don't think I could stand it."
"Baby, I will never, ever leave you again. You're stuck with me. Til death do us part," he laughed.
Mikayla felt her heart leap when those words escaped his lips. She would be so glad when Lori arrived the next day. She would feel much better about AJ's safety with Lori keeping an eye on him... even if he wouldn't know she was doing it.
AJ stood up in the tub, his body covered with bubbles. Mikayla laughed as she ran her hands down his legs... the legs he was so self-conscious about... wiping the bubbles away. He held his hand out to her, and helped her up. He scooped her up into his arms and put her down on the countertop. The cold marble was a shock after such a warm bath, and Mikayla's breath caught in her throat for a moment. AJ smirked at her and raised his eyebrow as he sank to his knees and buried his face between her legs. She gasped and threw her head back. It had been so long... She missed this so much. As his tongue plunged in and out of her body, she could feel her ardor rising, and she was powerless to control it. She grasped the back of his head, and an explosive orgasm followed almost immediately. AJ looked up at her and laughed.
"Already?" he said, giggling and standing up.
"Sorry," she replied, blushing. "It's just been so long since you... uh.."
He kissed her lips forcefully, as he grasped her hips and pulled her body to him. He thrust his hardness into her in one stroke. As he began his rhythm, Mikayla rested her back against the mirror. AJ watched himself moving in and out of her. His thrusts were hard and rough, and Mikayla cried out. It was as if he had to prove to himself that he was really alive. As he reached his own climax, he put his arms around her and pulled her in close.
"Mikayla, I love you so much, baby. God, I love you. I don't think I could live without you," he whispered hoarsely, then exploded inside her body. He rested his head on her shoulder, breathing heavily. Mikayla smiled as she cradled his head. A few minutes later, AJ looked up at her and smiled.
"So when do you want to get married, baby?" he asked.
"Soon. Very, very soon," she answered, laughing.
***************************************
As they lay sleeping, Mikayla was awakened by something. She couldn't exactly remember what it was, but something startled her out of a deep sleep. She looked over and saw AJ still sound asleep beside her. Peaceful. Beautiful. She smiled and kissed his forehead. But something inside of her let her know that something was very wrong. She got out of bed and put on her robe. She walked downstairs and had a look around. Everything looked ok. She walked up to Lyric's nursery to check on her. When she leaned over the crib, she felt her heart drop. The baby was gone! She ran into the nanny's room, trying to keep herself calm. Surely Lyric just woke up and the nanny was feeding her or something. When she walked in, the lights were off. The nanny was asleep.
"Yolanda, wake up," Mikayla said, shaking her roughly. The nanny sat up and turned on the light.
"Yes ma'am. What's wrong?"
"Where is the baby?" Mikayla yelled, feeling panic seize her body.
"What do you mean where is the baby? She's in her crib, Miss," Yolanda said, confused.
"Oh God!" Mikayla moaned, running back into the baby's room. She looked under the crib, in the closet, behind the dresser. Everywhere she could imagine. The baby was nowhere to be found.
By that time, AJ had been awakened by the commotion and he came to the nursery.
"Kayla, what's wrong?" he asked, feeling his heart begin to pound as he saw the panic in her eyes.
"AJ the baby's gone!" she screamed, running to him.
"Oh my God," he said, the color draining from his face. He sat down on the floor and ran his fingers through his hair. "Oh my God, oh my God."
Mikayla ran to the phone and called the police, then went back to the nursery. She sat on the floor beside AJ and they both began to weep.