Part 55
The six week mark came and AJ had made a complete recovery. He was ready to move on, get back to work, so with Stormy by his side, he did just that. He began working on new material for an album; making guest appearances for his JNN Foundation; and just being seen at a wide variety of functions.
Everywhere they went; the couple was met by the press and questioned about their relationship. They both made it clear they were very much in love. When asked about marriage, they would say it was a possibility they might consider in the future but for now, they were enjoying being together. Not once, publicly or privately, was Stormy’s proposal ever mentioned. They had an understanding. Stormy had given him what he wanted and now it was up to him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As he neared his mark of one year sober, AJ was asked to appear on the Oprah show to share his story of his addictions and recovery. He talked it over with Stormy and Jordan before deciding that he needed to do this.
The day of the taping, Stormy sat in his dressing room waiting for AJ while he was off doing something…what that something was, he wouldn’t tell her which only served to make her more curious. As she waited, there was a knock at the door and then a head poked in.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
Stormy’s eyes lit up. “Howie! Are the others with you?”
“Everyone made it, including Nick! We’re waiting in the green room. Alex doesn’t know, does he?”
“No, and you’d better get out of here before he comes back and sees you. When he goes out, I’ll join you.”
Howie must have just missed AJ because not more than a minute after he left, AJ popped in. “I arranged for you to have a seat in the audience.”
“I was gonna watch from the green room with your mom, Alex.”
Giving her the ‘pout’ that he knew she couldn’t resist, he said, “But baby, I want you where I can see you.”
Stormy laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight. “How am I supposed to resist that pout?”
“You aren’t.”
“Promise not to embarrass me?”
“No!” smirked AJ as his eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Oh, you….” She frowned but he stopped her with a kiss.
“Sit in the audience,” he whispered his lips just inches from hers.
Her body was pressed against his and his magic was working on her as usual. There was no way she could say ‘no’. “Okay, I’ll sit in the audience but we need to let your mother know.”
Smiling happily, AJ said, “You can’t resist me.”
“No, I can’t and you didn’t play fair either,” scolded Stormy.
“I seem to recall a certain beautiful lady not playing fair when I was on the phone some time back. Her comment was ‘All’s fair in love and war’.”
Stormy laughed, “Using my words against me!”
“I play to win, baby. Now, have you ever been in a TV studio before?”
“Nope.”
“Come on. Let me show you around one of my playgrounds.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The show began and everything ran smoothly. AJ held everyone’s attention with his story, just like he did with his music. Stormy had heard all this before, all the details of his overdose and other events, but it didn’t lessen the ache in her heart and when the other four guys surprised AJ, she felt his joy too.
“We surprised you today, AJ,” started Oprah. “But you have a surprise of your own for someone here?”
“Yeah, I do and I’m really glad the guys are here for this,” answered AJ as he took his hat off and reached behind the couch. Pulling out a rose, AJ got up and moved to where Stormy was sitting still wearing his mic so that everyone would be able to hear what was said. The cameras followed him too to capture it on tape.
Music began to play as AJ made his way to her; their song, I Swear. Stormy’s heart stopped when she realized what AJ was doing but it couldn’t stop her tears.
Getting down on one knee in front of her, AJ took her hand in his as he handed her the rose. “Danielle, there’s nothing I can say that I haven’t already said before. You have given me so much since we’ve been together…your trust, you acceptance, your love, and your support. You put my needs first when I was in the hospital and with my rehab, putting your needs on the back burner and your dreams on hold. Every chance you got, you gave me what I asked for…a sign that you wanted more. It’s my turn now…to give back to you.” Reaching in his pocket, AJ pulled out a ring and slid it on her finger. Singing along with the song, “I’ll give you every thing I can, I’ll build your dreams with these two hands we'll hang some memories on the wall and when (and when) just the two of us are there you won't have to ask if I still care 'cause as the time changes the page my love won't ever age at all. Stormy, will you marry me?”
AJ held his breath along with the rest of the people in the studio as they all waited for Stormy’s answer. She stared at the ring on her finger and her hand in his. Looking up into his deep brown eyes, her tears erupted and she began to nod her head, unable to form words.
“Yes? You’re saying ‘yes’?” questioned AJ hopefully.
“Yes! I will marry you,” she whispered.
AJ stood quickly pulling her up into his arms as everyone around them cheered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All he’d ever wanted since that first stormy night was a sign that she loved him. Now they had a lifetime to build their dreams.
