~*~ Coming Home ~*~
She smiled as the sign for Tucson City Limits flashed. She was almost ‘home’…home being his arms. The time had gone by so slowly even though they’d talked every chance they got. He’d made her laugh when he told her about how the fans had found him and how they’d harassed the staff until he’d had to be moved to a more secluded facility. He’d made her cry when he told her how much he missed her and how much he was looking forward to being a father. And with every phone call, he had made her feel extremely loved.
A soft hand touched her knee and she looked beside her.
"Not much longer."
"He doesn’t know, does he?"
"No, he just thinks I’m flying in to meet him and we’re flying out to LA to meet the others. What about you? He’s not going to try calling you?"
"If he does, I’ll still get it. I had our calls forwarded to my cell."
"Smart." Howie gave her a wink as her cell phone rang.
"Speaking of my wonderful husband," laughed Andi as she looked at the caller ID. "Hey, sweetheart."
"Hey, Beautiful! What are you doing?"
Looking at Howie, she said, "Headed across town."
Concern clear in his voice, "You aren’t driving, are you?"
"No, baby. I have a driver."
"What about a bodyguard? I don’t want anything to happen to you and the baby."
Andi smiled, "I’m playing it safe, Alex…no chances. So what are you doing?"
"Talking to my beautiful wife while I pack."
"When’s Howie suppose to be there?"
"He’s late but that’s nothing new. He’s probably making time with a stewardess. Baby, I miss you. Did you try talking to the doctor one more time to get him to let you fly?"
"Alex, it’s not safe for me. The pressure isn’t good for the baby or me. I miss you too."
"I promise, as soon as I can, I’ll fly home to see you."
"I know, Alex, and I’m looking forward to being in your arms again but you’ve got a job to do." Andi saw the facility and she said, "Baby, I’m so proud of you."
"I couldn’t have done it without you."
"Yeah, you could have. Alex, I’ve gotta go. I love you."
"I love you more. Look, I have an exit session to attend as soon as Howie gets here. I’ll call you again when we’re out of here."
"Okay. See you soon, baby."
Andi broke the connection and Howie asked, "What was he doing?"
"Packing. Do I look okay?"
"You look fine, Andi."
Rubbing her stomach, "I’m getting fat!"
Howie laughed, "You’re beautiful and AJ’s gonna think so too."
Andi relaxed and leaned against Howie. "Thank you."
The bus came to a stop and Howie asked, "Are you ready?"
Andi nodded her head and Howie took her hand helping her up. Security met them at the door and shielded them from the photographers and fans waiting as they headed through the main gates of the facility. Andi heard the questions being shouted, questions about AJ and how he was doing. She hung on to Howie as they made their way inside.
"Wait here. I’ll go get him," instructed Howie.
"Are you sure? I mean…"
"Would you calm down. This is your husband, not a blind date," teased Howie pushing her hair back.
"You’re right. It’s just…"
"I understand. Hang tight. Your wait is almost over." Howie gave her a kiss on the forehead before taking off.
Andi watched as Howie headed down the hall towards AJ’s room. When he disappeared around the corner, she turned to look out the window and wait for AJ. The thirty days he’d been in rehab had been far harder than the five months but she knew it was worth it. In every phone call, she’d heard the change. His voice was stronger, like when they’d first met. His insecurities seemed to have disappeared too and he talked happily about THEIR future and insisted she was having a little girl.
When he saw her, his breath caught in his throat. From behind, there was no way to tell that she was eight months pregnant. He hair glistened as the sun shone on it and it hung down her back…her bare back. He could tell she was wearing a kerchief-type top and a pair of white pants that clung to her body. He could also tell she was wearing a necklace, probably the one with her rings on it since her arm was now in a brace. He ached to have her in his arms.
"Andi."
So deep in her own thoughts, Andi was startled to hear her name being called. Turning around her eyes met his and her heart stopped. There were no dark glasses covering the pools of brown that always cast a spell over her. He’d gained weight but it looked good on him and his smile was radiant.
Tears erupted as she whispered, "Alex."
She moved quickly into his arms showering him with kisses, their tears mixing together. Their lips met in a hungry passion as they held on to each other.
The kiss lasted close to two minutes. Howie timed them before interrupting by clearing his throat. "There’s plenty of time for that on the bus."
The couple broke their kiss but continued to hold on to each other, lost in each other.
"Sorry, ‘D’," blushed Andi.
"Don’t be. It’s good to see this but AJ, you need to get to your exit session. We need to get on the road to get to LA on time."
"Headed that way. Andi, come with me?"
"Try and stop me," she whispered as she put her hand on his stomach.
"I’m gonna get your stuff on the bus."
"Bus?" questioned AJ looking at Howie.
"Yeah, the bus. Andi couldn’t fly so we brought your bus," explained Howie.
Looking down at her in his arms, AJ asked, "What about the baby?"
"He’s fine. Mama is gonna join us when my due date gets closer but if something happens before she joins us, I’ll just go to the emergency room wherever we are on the tour."
"Your mom? Why’s she joining us…not that I mind?"
"I told you, baby. Mama’s a midwife and she’s gonna deliver the baby. I brought several tapes on natural childbirth for you to watch with me. We’re gonna have to practice."
"How do you practice giving birth?"
"Breathing exercises. You’re gonna be my coach to get me through the labor without drugs."
"Coach?"
"Yeah, help me breathe correctly, encourage me, hold my hand, cut the baby’s cord. The whole works."
"You mean…as in when you actually have the baby?"
Andi laughed at the panicked look in his eyes. "Alex, it’ll be okay. All you really have to do is hold my hand. Mama will do the rest."
"Shouldn’t you be in a hospital? What if something goes wrong? And the baby…it’s gonna come out where I…it’s WAY bigger than me. How am I EVER to…"
Howie was holding his sides trying very hard not to laugh.
AJ looked at him. "This is NOT funny, Dorough. This is serious shit." Putting his hand on Andi’s belly, "This little girl is gonna come out where I….and…"
AJ’s panic only served to send Howie into hysterical laughter, tears coursing down his cheeks.
"You just don’t get it, man. You wait! Your day is coming and I’m gonna sit back and laugh my ass off at YOU when it’s the woman YOU love." Seeing Andi was amused too, he said, "What are YOU laughing at?"
"Nothing. I just think it’s cute you’re so scared but you have no problem creating the baby."
"Who said I was scared?" shot AJ defensively only causing Howie to laugh harder.
Andi shook his head. "Come on, McLean! We’ll talk later about this."
As the couple headed down a different hall, Howie could hear AJ’s protests to being scared and Andi laughing. It felt good to see them like this and he smiled as he went to get AJ’s things together.
Just before reaching the doctor’s office, AJ asked, "Aren’t you scared about having the baby?"
"A little," shrugged Andi rubbing his sides with her hands. "But I’ll have you with me."
AJ melted seeing the look of complete trust Andi had in her eyes. Pulling her closer, he kissed her. "Of course you’ll have me, every step of the way. I’m never leaving your side again."
Pushing the door open, the couple stepped into a room full of people ready to send him out into his world, the world that had brought him here. They were ready to arm him to do battle against the demons he would face but for him, the only thing he needed was standing beside him, his wife.
"Alex, would you like to introduce your guest?" asked a man who was clearly the group leader.
"Sure. This beautiful lady is my wife, Andrea."
Pointing out the key people, AJ introduced them all to Andi. It was quite obvious to everyone exactly how he felt and as the couple took their seats, AJ held her close, his arm around her shoulder and her hand in his. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The session began and lasted for almost an hour. Andi listened quietly and watched AJ. He had shared so much with these people and they had helped him so much.
Dr. Morris watched Andi. "Andrea, you’ve been extremely quiet throughout the session. How are you feeling?"
Andi looked up at AJ and he said, "Go ahead, baby. It’s okay."
"I have a lot of feelings right now," said Andi softly squeezing AJ’s hand.
"Let’s talk about them."
"Why?"
"Because whether you like it or not, Alex’s alcoholism affected you in a big way. It’s what drove you away from him last February. It drove you into the arms of his best friend. And it almost cost you your baby. You must have some pretty strong unresolved feelings about all that."
Andi’s temper flared. How dare this man who barely knew her say these things to her? "Of course I have strong feelings about it but I forgave Alex for what happened. This whole thing isn’t about MY feelings…it’s suppose to be about Alex and helping him deal with HIS feelings."
"But your feelings affect him. Alex can’t get better until you get past all this."
"I’ve forgiven Alex."
"Have you? I’ve watched you for the last hour quietly holding his hand, watching him, watching the groups. Your eyes show hurt, jealousy."
AJ looked down at her. "Baby, is Dr. Morris right?"
"Sorta," admitted Andi embarrassed that this stranger could read her so easily. Looking at Dr. Morris, she said, "Yeah, I’m hurt and a little jealous. I’m his wife and I should have been the one to help him but instead, he had to come here with a bunch of strangers. Sure, it’s done him a world of good and I have the man I married back but it still gets to me."
AJ squeezed her hand. "Andi, you DID help me. You gave me the strength…"
"No, Alex. You had that strength," said Andi with tears in her eyes.
Dr. Morris softened and said, "Andi’s right. You had that strength all along.
She just gave you the tough love that you needed to realize that. Andi, being
supportive of Alex despite the hurt and pain he caused you was just as important
as his strength. Your physical presence would NOT have been conducive to his
recovery. He craves attention and you would have fed his cravings only
substituting one addiction for another."
Andi smiled, "Yeah, I do understand that now."
"Any other feelings?"
"Pride," smiled Andi looking into AJ’s eyes. "I’m extremely proud of my husband for the changes he’s made in his life."
The doctor smiled and ended the session with well wishes and congratulations for the couple. The others in the room followed suit before filing out of the room.
Standing alone, facing each other, Andi said, "We need to get going, Alex. Howie and I promised Kevin we’d be in LA tonight. Are you ready?"
"More than ready. I have something I need to do once we’re out of here."
"Oh?" Andi tilted her head curiously.
AJ brushed her cheek. "Yeah, I have six months of lovin’ to make up to my wife…if that’s okay."
"It’s MORE than okay, Alex."
"It won’t hurt the baby?" he asked putting his hands on her belly.
Standing on her toes, she placed a sweet kiss on his lips. "It’s perfectly safe, baby. Let’s go home."
