~*~ Holding On ~*~
The old saying ‘Time flies when you’re having fun’ was never truer for Andi and AJ. The two weeks they had together before AJ left for Sweden typified their relationship…a whirlwind. He took her to parties, out to eat, and they just hung out at his house. They spent every spare second together getting to know each other better and falling deeper in love.
Lying in bed, Andi stared at the picture beside her bed of him. She could hear his voice in her mind so clearly…Go home and get some sleep. We might as well get use to not sleeping together now. God, how was she going to manage? She had tossed and turned the entire night and didn’t get a wink of sleep. Looking at the clock for the tenth time in less than ten minutes, she finally gave up. She got up, showered, dressed, and went out to get something to drink. Then she made her way out onto the front porch to wait for her grandfather so they could watch the sun come up together.
As she sipped her juice, a car pulled up in front of the house and he got out. She wasn’t surprised to see him as he strolled up to the front porch.
"I figured you’d be up. Did you get any sleep?"
Andi pouted, "No! I told you it wasn’t a smart idea to be apart last night."
"I know. We’ll be together tonight," promised AJ as he sat beside her. "Spend the day with me?"
"I thought you had to be in the studio."
"I told them to fuck off. Today’s my last day with you before we leave and I’m NOT gonna spend it with THEM. Cut classes and be with me."
Andi couldn’t resist his eyes. They were her undoing and he could get anything he wanted by simply giving her the sad puppy dog routine. "I’d love to spend the day with you. What are we gonna do?"
"Well, I thought we’d start with a drive out to the coast to watch the sunrise. Howie told me about this really beautiful spot that’s private and it’s not too far from his place. Then, he’s invited us to his place for breakfast."
"Sounds nice. Let me go get my stuff."
"Get your bathing suit and a change of clothes."
Andi looked at him curiously. "It’s warm but not THAT warm."
"We’re going back to the house."
"Then why can’t I just go without?"
"Because beautiful," said AJ leaning against her. "The guys are coming over too after lunch."
"Oh…but I thought we were gonna be alone."
"Most of the day. Hurry up so we can watch the sun come up."
Andi gave him a quick kiss and hurried inside to gather her things. She left her grandfather a note before rejoining AJ. He took her bag in one hand and her hand in the other. Together, they headed to his car.
Before getting in, Andi looked up at him. "Alex…"
He saw the sadness in her eyes and stopped her by pressing his lips to hers and his tongue plundered her mouth into submission. His fingers wound their way through her hair pulling her closer as hers clung to him for support.
Breaking apart, AJ whispered, "What were you gonna say?"
"I don’t remember."
"Let’s go then. The sunrise won’t wait for us."
AJ raced down the highway towards the beach. Silence dominated the ride, neither one wanting to dare try conversation. They held hands though and touched, not wanting to be apart.
Reaching the beach, AJ parked, grabbed a blanket, and the two walked arm in arm a spot that was secluded. Just like the first time, AJ spread the blanket for them and they got comfortable.
As the sun brightened the morning sky, Andi finally broke the silence. "Alex, what’s going on with the private detective?"
"Nothing so far but he has a few leads."
Andi grew quiet again. She was starting to get worried. It was one thing to have AJ leaving knowing she’d see him when he came back but the idea of NOT being able to see him was starting to look like a reality. As that one thought circled her thoughts, her body began to tremble as fear started to take over.
AJ felt it and hugged her close. "Don’t baby, please," he begged, his face buried in her neck. "Don’t let it ruin our day. This isn’t the end. I will be back for you."
Meekly, she apologized, "I’m sorry."
"Don’t be. I know what you’re feeling because I’ve had to fight like hell not to feel the same thing. Last night, I barely slept wondering if this was all a waste of time, if hiring Gerad was pointless."
"NO! Our time was NOT a waste, Alex! If this doesn’t work, then we’ve still got three weeks of beautiful memories and when I see you singing in a video or in concert, I’ll know that I in your heart, you’re singing to me."
"Most definitely," smiled AJ as he caressed her arms. As he held her, AJ thought about what he had planned. Reaching into his pocket with one hand, he pulled out a ring and took her hand in his. Slowly, he slid a beautiful diamond ring onto her finger. "Andrea, I know that day at the Briarpatch…you said my promise sounded like a marriage proposal and you said you accepted but I have to do this right."
At his urging, Andi turned to look at him, to see his eyes. His eyes were a deep brown, browner than she’d ever seen them before and she felt herself melting.
"Andrea, I love you beyond reason and I can’t go another day without you in my life. Will you marry me?"
There was no doubt, no hesitation for her. Andi whispered, "Yes!"
AJ wanted to scream it from the rooftops that Andi had said ‘yes’ but instead, he grabbed her in a fierce bear hug. Laying her back and covering her, he said excitedly, "Oh my god! You said ‘yes’!"
Andi laughed, "You nut! Did you REALLY think I’d say anything else?"
"Not really! You can’t resist me!"
"You are so full of it, McLean!" laughed Andi. "I CAN resist you….I just choose NOT to."
"I know something you can’t resist," growled AJ as he rubbed against her.
"Feels more like YOU can’t resist ME!" giggled Andi.
"So what are we gonna do about it?"
Pushing him off her, Andi grinned impishly, "Take a cold shower!"
AJ laughed as Andi tried to get away from him but he was fast enough to catch her and pull her back. "Take a cold shower, huh?"
"Or not!" laughed Andi as she traced his beard and mustache.
"How about I make love to my fiancée?"
"Mmm, sounds like a plan." Then giggling, "Fiancée! That sounds so good."
"How does Mrs. Andrea McLean sound?"
"Even better!"
AJ loved seeing her like this, her eyes danced and her face glowed with excitement. Caressing her cheeks, he said, "Two weeks, baby, and it’ll be real."
The excitement disappeared and was replaced with anxiety and confusion. "Two weeks?"
"I’m flying home on the 20th and on the 21st, like you and your mom planned, we’ll get married."
"But…"
"NO! No ‘buts’. I want you to do me a favor."
"You know I’ll do anything for you."
"I want you to put Seth out of your thoughts. You are NOT marrying him. I want you to look forward to OUR wedding with me standing at the altar as you walk down the aisle. Everything you and your mom planned, it was for us. I’m gonna be the one saying ‘I do’ and Howie, Kevin, Brian, and Nick will sing for US!"
Tears slid down her cheeks. "I want that so bad, Alex."
"You’ll have it, baby," he whispered kissing her tears away. "After we’re married, I’m taking you away on a honeymoon, wherever you want to go. We’ll stay in our room the whole time making love, calling for room service, never getting dressed."
"We can go anywhere?"
"Anywhere you want, baby. Just name the place."
"How about a deserted, tropical island where we can go naked anywhere and lay on the beach making love as the surf washes over us?"
"Is it what you want?"
"Yes."
"When we get to Howie’s, I’ll call a travel agent and set it up."
"But what if…"
"Don’t! Hold on to this, baby. This is our future…our destiny."
