~*~ Back Where I Belong ~*~
Standing in the shadows, he watched his best friend talking to his wife, holding her hand, doing all the things he should be doing. He knew, or at least he thought he knew, they didn’t want him there. She had shut him out, refusing to answer his calls, refusing to see him, refusing every attempt he made to apologize. She’d even had legal separation papers drawn up but he knew her. He knew all he had to do was talk to her, look into her eyes, and he’d win. He knew she was hurt and angry and afraid to be hurt again. And he knew he was the only one to blame. One night’s indiscretion brought on by his addictions had cost him the love of his life and his best friend.
Turning to leave, AJ felt a hand on his arm and he looked up to see Kevin stopping him. "Where are you going?"
"To get a drink. I don’t know why the hell I came back. She’s made it clear it’s over."
Kevin got in AJ’s face. "That’s your wife in there and YOUR baby struggling to hang on until the RIGHT time to make his or her entrance."
"That’s right! She is MY wife but SHE served me with legal separation papers or did you forget that little tidbit? That’s one step away from a divorce and a CLEAR statement she does NOT want me around. I don’t need a team of counselors to tell me that. Now let go of me! The right man is with her to take care of her. God knows he’s wanted to since he met her!"
"You idiot! Are you so fucking deep in the bottle to realize she’s in love with you….she’s ALWAYS been in love with you?"
"A hell of a way to show me…legal separation papers. I’m out of here!"
AJ pulled his arm out of Kevin’s grip and stormed out.
Howie had seen the two arguing and was now standing by Kevin. "Where’s he going?"
"To get drunk," said Kevin angrily. Turning to look through the door at Andi, his mood softened. "How is she?"
"She’s asking for AJ. I was coming out here to find him."
"Shit," mumbled Kevin. Then an idea struck him. "Howie, call AJ’s cell and let Andi talk to him. Maybe hearing HER voice will make him realize he’s wrong."
"I hope you’re right," shrugged Howie heading back inside with Andi.
As Howie sat beside her, Andi asked weakly, "Was he here?"
"Hang on, baby," whispered Howie as he pushed the speed dial for AJ’s number. As it rang, he held the phone for Andi to talk.
"What the hell do you want, Dorough?" growled AJ.
Weakly, barely loud enough for him to hear, "Alex?"
AJ stopped in his tracks, his heart in his throat. "Andi?"
"I need you, Alex. I’m scared."
His tears were immediate. "Hang on, beautiful. I’ll be there in a minute."
"Alex."
"Yeah, baby?"
"I love you."
With the back of his arm, he wiped his tears. "I love you more. I’m on my way back to where I belong."
Closing his phone, AJ flipped his cigarette away and rushed back into the hospital. He tried not to run but he couldn’t contain his excitement. She needed HIM…no one else. Reaching her door, he slid to a stop and peered in, suddenly scared.
Kevin stepped behind him putting his hand on AJ’s shoulder. "Go on in. There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore."
AJ looked over his shoulder. "What if she loses the baby?"
"She’s not going to but if something happens, you two will face it together, AJ. She’s scared and she needs you."
Slowly, AJ moved into the room and Howie looked up. Smiling, he said, "There’s someone here to see you."
Andi turned her head slightly to see AJ standing at the foot of her bed, unshaven and wearing his dark glasses. Giving him a weak smile, she whispered, "Nuh uh, I love you the most."
Howie moved away making it possible for AJ to take his place. AJ sat down and took Andi’s hand in his. Placing a feather kiss on her hand, he held it there for several minutes.
"Andi, I’m so sorry I hurt you."
"Alex, I need to tell you something."
Andi’s voice was barely an audible whisper so AJ had to lean close to her to hear her. "Whatever it is, it can wait. You need to rest, baby, and I just want to hold your hand."
"No, Alex, it can’t wait." Andi pulled her hand from his and took his glasses off to see his eyes. "You’ve been drinking?"
"No, I haven’t slept in two days. Baby, what’s so important it can’t wait?"
"That night, after you left Howie’s…Howie and I…we…" Tears were streaming down Andi’s cheeks.
"Shh, it’s okay, Andrea. I already know," whispered AJ leaning to her kissing her tears. "It’s over now and you have nothing to be sorry about."
AJ brushed her hair back touching the bruises and cuts on the left side of her face. He became keenly aware of all the monitors that she was hooked to but there was one in particular that caught his attention. There was a belt around her belly with wires leading to a monitor that had a tiny heart flashing with a number beside it.
A doctor walked in and AJ asked pointing at the machine, "Doc, what is that monitor?"
"A fetal heart monitor. Those numbers are the baby’s heartbeat. I’m Dr. Ross," said the young man extending his hand.
AJ stood to shake the doctor’s hand as he said, "AJ McLean, Andi’s husband. Is the baby okay?"
"The baby is fine and we’ve stopped the contractions."
"How long will she be in here?"
"We’re going to move her to her own room soon and I’d like to monitor her for a couple days."
"Can I stay with her?"
"I wouldn’t dream of keeping you from her."
"What’s her due date?"
"Hasn’t changed."
AJ blushed and tucked his head. "I’m sorry, Dr. Ross, but Andi and I have been separated ever since she found out she was pregnant. I don’t know the due date."
Looking at Andi’s chart, Dr. Ross said, "September 16th. I’ll be back later to check on Andi. Make sure she rests."
Looking down at his wife as she seemingly slept. "No problem, Doc."
The room emptied of hospital personnel leaving the couple alone and AJ took his place beside Andi again. Taking her hand in both of his, he kissed it and watched her. His heart felt like it was going to explode with love. He had hurt her so bad but in the end, she had forgiven him.
Leaning to her, AJ placed a tender kiss on her lips. "You deserve so much better."
Andi’s eyes opened. "How do I get any better than you?"
"How can you say that after what I did and said to you."
"The same way you can forgive me for sleeping with Howie….because I love you Alex. You said it’s over…"
"Not quite. I have one more thing I need to do…to be a better husband and friend and a good father."
"What more could you do?"
"As soon as I’m sure you’re okay and this little one too," he placed his hand on her belly, "I’m gonna check myself into rehab, get a handle on my drinking. It almost cost me the most precious thing in my life and I’m not going to take that chance again."
Andi sighed with relief and closed her eyes.
"You sleep now, baby. We’ll talk when you’re stronger," whispered AJ as he kissed her lips. He watched as she drifted off to sleep and he looked up to the heaven. "Thank you God for keeping her safe."
In the door, Howie and Kevin looked on knowing the worst was over.
