~*~ The Wait Begins ~*~
Life on the road…it was so typical of their relationship, insane schedule and crazy hours, a whirlwind of chaos, but AJ and Andi didn’t seem to care. They were together and very much in love. They delighted the fans showing up when least expected and disappointed the press by not giving them any information about their separation. They maintained that they were and always had been very much in love and were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.
San Bernardino and Andi was two weeks past her due date. She was deliriously happy but miserable too. She felt like she’d been pregnant forever and hadn’t seen her ankles even longer. Forget about a good night’s sleep. She couldn’t get comfortable no matter what she tried. AJ did his best to make her feel better and she loved him that much more for his efforts, but when he failed, she’d just sit down and cry.
That morning, Andi woke early thanks to the baby doing a tap dance on her bladder. Struggling to get up, she found herself trapped. She was tangled in AJ’s embrace.
"Alex, let me get up," pleaded Andi.
Pulling her closer, AJ mumbled, "Don’t go, ‘Kitten’."
"’Poopy’, I’ve gotta go to the bathroom."
Reluctantly, AJ let her go and she struggled to get up. Sensing her frustration, AJ gave her a gentle push then rolled to watch her make her way to the bathroom. What he witnessed set off warning bells in his head. Something just wasn’t right. She was moving slower, holding her back, and waddling.
Pushing the covers off, he got and stumbled after her. In the doorway, he watched her. "Andi, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing. I just had to go to the bathroom. Go back to bed."
"Nah, you were walking funny…like you were in pain."
"I just had to go to the bathroom, Alex. I’m fine." Andi tried to convince him nothing was wrong but she knew he wasn’t buying it. She didn’t want to worry him since they had a show that night.
AJ wasn’t convinced but he decided to leave her alone. Going by the bed, he grabbed his watch, checked the time, and decided not to go back to bed. Instead, he headed out into the common area of the suite he was sharing with his mother-in-law and Howie.
To his relief, Belinda was up, sipping a cup of coffee, and reading the newspaper.
"Good morning," he greeted giving Belinda a kiss on the cheek.
"You’re up early. I expected you to sleep until at least noon. Is everything okay?"
"I’m not sure. Andi got up to go to the bathroom and she was walking funny.
She says she’s okay…"
"But you don’t believe her? Alex, she is two weeks past her due date. I’m sure
she’s just fine."
"I guess you’re right."
"Would you like me to talk to her?"
"Would you? I mean, she doesn’t keep things from me….unless she doesn’t want me to worry…but…"
"But she’s not going to tell you now. You’ve got a show to do with six more nights before the end of the tour. Doesn’t she have a doctor’s appointment today?"
AJ frowned. "Yeah, and I can’t go with her. I’ve got sound checks."
"I’ll go with her. It’ll give me a good chance to talk to her. How about some
breakfast?"
Hearing their bedroom door open, AJ turned to see Andi making her way to him. He opened his arms to her and she gratefully stepped into his embrace resting her head on his bare chest.
"Andi, I just offered Alex some breakfast. What about you?"
"I’m not hungry, Mama."
Belinda and AJ exchanged concerned looks and AJ said as he rubbed her back, "You need to eat something."
"I’ll eat later."
Before anyone could say any more, Howie stumbled sleepily into the common area. "Morning," he grumbled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Anybody ordered breakfast?"
Taking this opportunity because she knew how stubborn Andi could be, Belinda said, "I’ll order breakfast for all of us. While we’re waiting, Andi, why don’t you and Alex get ready for your day?"
Andi started to argue but AJ stopped her. "Come on. I’ll help you wash your back."
Belinda smiled. "There you go, sweetheart. A nice, hot shower with your husband will do wonders and if it leads to sex, MAYBE that baby will come sooner. You know, if you two had sex more often, it would have BEEN here by now."
"MOM!" screeched Andi as Howie and AJ howled with laughter.
Smirking, Belinda said, "You KNOW I’m right. I’ve told you plenty of times."
"Yeah, but you don’t have to announce it in front of Howie."
"Howie’s a big boy and I’m SURE he’s heard all this before with his sisters."
"Besides," smiled Andi smugly as she hugged AJ’s arms to her, "Our sex life is JUST fine!"
"What’s wrong, Andi?" teased Howie. "It’s not like I don’t know already."
"Aggg!" groaned Andi turning into AJ’s chest as her face turned red.
AJ was still laughing as he held Andi. "My wife DOES get embarrassed."
Andi balled her fist and hit AJ in the chest, "Ewwww, you are SOOO mean to me."
"Come on, beautiful! Let me make it up to you."
AJ pulled Andi with him to their room closing the door behind them with his foot.
In the common area, Howie took a seat with Belinda as she called room service. When she was done, she refilled her coffee and looked at Howie.
"My daughter is going to have that baby tonight."
"What makes you say that?"
"The way she’s walking."
"I’ll let management know."
"Will they let Alex off the stage if she goes into labor during the show?"
"I don’t know but I DO know that if AJ finds out, he WILL leave the show."
In the bedroom, Andi went straight to the bed and lay down on her side trying hard not to let go of the tears that were trying to break free. She was in pain and she didn’t want to worry AJ.
AJ watched her and decided that she needed him even though she wasn’t saying it. Quietly, he went to her and lay down behind her spooning with her and putting his hand on her stomach as he placed light kisses on her shoulder. Whispering, he urged, "Andi, please, talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong. I know something’s not right but I can’t help you if you don’t tell me."
That was all it took to break the damn of tears and her body began to shake as she sobbed. "I hurt so bad, like someone is trying to break me in half."
"Why didn’t you just tell me that, baby?"
"I didn’t want you to worry. You’ve got a job to do."
AJ propped himself up on his elbow and turned her chin so that she looked at him. "Andi, YOU and this baby are my FIRST priority. Do we need to go to the emergency room NOW?"
Andi took his hand, "You’ve got sound checks."
"Not until this afternoon and I’ll tell you what…if you go into labor, I’m NOT going on that stage and leaving you alone. I promised to stay with you for this and THAT is what I’m gonna do."
"You’d really tick the other guys’ and management off for me?"
AJ laughed, "I don’t think the other guys would mind and to hell with management. Come on baby. We need to get ready if I’m gonna take you in to the doctor now. I would like for you to eat something before we go."
Andi grinned as she pulled AJ closer. "How ‘bout we make love first?"
"But you just said you’re in pain?" questioned AJ.
"Uh huh but you have the right medicine to make me feel better," purred Andi as she ran her finger down his chest.
Knowing it would be a while before they could make love after the baby was born, AJ was NOT about to turn down this opportunity. Laying her back into the pillows, AJ leaned in to kiss her as his hand ran under her nightshirt. He could make love to her blind. He knew every curve, every dimple, every sensitive spot of her body and he hit them all as he made love to his wife, loving the way she reacted to him.
