AJ returned to the house and saw that the other guys were gone. He was dreading this moment. This could be the moment that he lost Mikayla and Lyric forever, and he didn't know how he could handle another loss in his life. Especially one of this magnitude. He knew that if Howie ended up being Lyric's father, he would do the right thing. Nick probably would, too. Kevin... he wasn't sure about Kevin... Kev had a wife who most likely wouldn't be very understanding. As he entered the house, everything was quiet. He walked to the nursery first, where he found Mikayla sitting on the floor with Lyric cradled in her arms. He sat down beside her and propped his chin on her shoulder as he looked down at the sleeping baby.

"So?" he asked quietly. "What's the verdict?"

Mikayla turned to him and kissed his nose, then smiled.

"What was that for?" he said, laughing. Mikayla just shook her head and smiled.

"Well, who is it?" he asked, getting serious again. Mikayla reached over and picked up a piece of paper off the floor and handed it to him. It was the birth certificate application. He took it from her, but didn't really want to read it.

"Look at it, AJ," she said, smiling. He looked down and began to read.

NAME OF CHILD: Lyric McLean

He looked back up at Mikayla, confused. He read on.

NAME OF FATHER: Alexander James McLean

He felt tears begin to well up in his eyes as he looked at Mikayla again.

"But.." he started to say, but couldn't finish.

"Kevin... He wants you to be her daddy," Mikayla said, placing her hand on his cheek. "He filled this paperwork out himself. He knows he can't be a father to her, and he knows you will. Nobody knows but us. Nick and Howie weren't there when we read Kevin's results, so they'll never know for sure."

AJ took the baby from Mikayla. He got up and walked around for a few minutes, watching her sleep. He laid her gently in her crib and went back to Mikayla. He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his.

"Mikayla, I love you," he said. "I've loved you from the first time I saw you. I've never felt like this about anyone in my life. It's like you know my soul or something. I can't imagine living my life without you. And now we have this incredible little baby. I feel like I have something to come home to now. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Mikayla smiled, but wasn't really sure exactly what he was getting at.

"Mikayla, if you'll marry me, I'll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy."

Mikayla was stunned. This was totally unexpected. She sat there for a minute, unable to answer him.

"If you say no, I'll understand. I know there's no way you could ever love me like I love you..." he began, but she silenced him with a finger over his lips.

"AJ, I'd be honored to marry you. You're the sweetest, most wonderful man I've ever met. And I do love you. Very much," she said, softly.

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her very tight. He then helped her to her feet and picked her up in his arms. He carried her into their bedroom and laid her on the bed. He pulled off his shirt and stared at her for a few seconds. She raised her eyebrow at him. She looked at the top button of his pants, then looked back up into his eyes, smilng slyly. He got the hint, and removed his pants. As he stood in front of her, completely naked, she smiled. She loved this view. He climbed onto the bed with her and slowly removed her clothes.

"Is it ok if we do this?" he asked, lowering his head to kiss her exposed breasts. She took a deep breath. It has been so long since she had been touched like that.

"It's fine, but be very careful. I mean be careful like you're being-with-a-virgin careful, because this could be painful," she said, running her fingers through his hair. AJ looked up and smiled an evil smile.

"A virgin? I don't think I've ever met one of those," he said, smirking at her.

"Smartass," she said, laughing. "One thing though, AJ. When we get married, I'm keeping my last name. Mikayla McLean sounds kinda weird."

He laughed and kissed her. "Whatever you want, baby."

AJ gently lowered his body onto hers, and slowly entered her. She let out a gasp as he entered her fully.

"Are you ok?" he asked, beginning a slow rhythm. She nodded her head.

As they made love, she thought of her future. With AJ and their baby. And for once in her life, she was truly at peace.

THE END...... OR IS IT????

The story doesn't end here, my lovelies. There's something else in store for the Boys... and her name is KARINA...

Karina: Pleasure Part 2