*~*Chapter 37*~*
Erica softly closed the nursery door and went back to AJ,who was lying
with the sheet wrapped around his naked body.She slid out of her robe and
crawled in next to him.He immediately folded her into his arms.
"She OK now?," he asked,nuzzling his nose into her neck.
She nodded."Yeah.She just needed to be changed.And she has a small gas
problem,but nothing a little medicine won't cure." She turned and ran her
fingers through his hair,then kissed him.
He pulled her down on top of him,and she rested her head on his chest.She
let out a happy sigh.
"What'cha thinking about?," he asked,as he kissed the top of her head.
She gazed down at him."The wonderful time we had on the cruise,and how I
wish it could've lasted forever.The Bahamas were so beautiful AJ." She kissed
him."In case I haven't already,I want to say thanks.I'll always remember it."
He ran his hand up and down her bare arm."No need to thank me.Me and the
guys just thought you gals needed some fun."
She rolled off of him and stared up at the ceiling."Oh AJ.I enjoyed
myself immensely,but being away from Taylor was pure torture.I was so happy
to see her again," she told him.
He leaned on his elbow and looked down at her."I was happy to see her
again too," he admitted.He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
She pulled him down on top of her."I never thought I could have so much
love for such a little life,but I was wrong.Taylor has become such an
incredibly important part of both of our lives."
He nodded."She's my little girl already.I can't imagine life without
her." He kissed the tip of her nose."Just like I can't imagine life without
you."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to hers,and
they shared a deep,passionate kiss.
A few minutes later they began their lovemaking again,proving to each
other just how strong their love for each other was.
*~38~*
Kelly was unpacking from the trip,and her mind kept wondering back to the
great time she'd had.She still couldn't believe that Kevin had surprised her
with a cruise.She had grown to love him more than she ever thought she
could~sometimes she thought of the future and Kevin was a part of it.They had
been together almost seven months,and she had never felt this way about
anyone in her entire life.
She turned on the radio and began to sing along with the music.Suddenly,a
pair of arms snaked their way around her waist,and she spun around and came
face~to~face with Kevin.He grinned at her.
"Are you glad to be home?," he asked as she wrapped her arms around his
neck.
She nodded."Yes and no.I had alot of fun on the crusie," she told him.She
reached down to hook her thumbs into the backs of his jean pockets,when she
felt something in one of the pockets.She looked up at him."What's that?," she
asked.
He pulled the box out of his pocket and handed it to her."Just a little
something I thought you might like," he told her.
She opened the box,and a second later gasped.Inside was an engagement
ring.Her heart began to pound in her chest as he took the ring out of the
box,got down on one knee,and took her trembling hand in his own.He looked up
at her.
"Kelly,will you marry me?," he asked,as he slid the ring onto her finger.
Tears were falling down her cheeks,but she managed to choke out,"
Yes,Kevin.I'll marry you."She flew into his arms,and he began to kiss her.
She pulled away and gazed up at him."I can't wait to spend the rest of my
life with you," she said."You make me so incredibly happy."
He grinned at her."You make me happy too,Kelly," he said,as he leaned
over and kissed her again.
*~39~*
Brian and Karen were just returning to her apartment after a walk.They
entered her apartment,and froze when they saw David sitting on the couch.
She gripped Brian's hand."David,what are you doing here?I thought I made
it perfectly clear that I never wanted to see you again," she said.
He stood up and walked over to her,and dangled a key in front of her
face."If you never wanted to see me again,maybe you should've taken this
away, doll," he muttered,and Karen could tell by the way he was talking that
he was drunk.
She grabbed the key from his hand."Get out David," she replied firmly,but
he didn't move,but instead looked over at Brian.
"Who's this?Your new boyfriend?Is this who you've been shacked up with
the last two weeks?," he threw at her.Before she could say anything,he
grabbed her roughly by the arm and yanked her toward him.
Brian shoved him as hard as he could."Het your hands off her!," he
shouted,causing David to go flying to the floor,and Karen was pushed to the
side.She stepped away from them,her hand flying to her mouth.
David jumped back up and was about to lunge at Brian,but then thought
better of it.He sneered.
"You aren't worth fighting over Karen.Go ahead and ruin your life with
this loser," he remarked,and walked toward the door.He turned back and looked
at them,mainly Brian."Enjoy her man.She's only using you for one thing,and we
both know what that is." And with that,he turned and left.
Karen ran over and threw her arms around Brian."I'm so glad you were here
with me.I don't even want to think about what he might have done if you
hadn't been," she replied.
He took a deep breath."Go pack your stuff.You're moving in with me.I
don't want you here by yourself in case he comes back," he told her.
She nodded,and he helped her pack some stuff.Then they left and went back
to his place.
*~40~*
Blane looked around,trying to spot Amy in the restaurant.Amy had called
her that morning and asked if she'd like to meet her for lunch.Blane had been
surprised at first~after all,Amy and her had only met a couple of times.They
weren't really on the level of being friends.She was Nick's friend,not hers.
Amy waved her over to a booth,and Blane went over and slid in across from
her.
"I'm so glad you could come.I've been wanting to get together so we could
get to know each other,but things have been so crazy lately," Amy told her.
Blane nodded her agreement."I know what you mean," she said.
They ordered their food then,and began to talk about the cruise and how
much fun they'd both had.When they had eaten and paid,they hung out for
awhile more.
Right before Blane left to head back home,Amy smiled at her."I'm so glad
you're OK with what happened between me and Nick that night you and him had
that huge fight.I was half expecting you to tear me apart because of it."
Blane gave her a confused look."What are you talking about Amy?What
happened between you and Nick?," she asked.
Amy's hand flew to her mouth."Oh God.I thought you knew.He said you two
were always honest with each other,so I just assumed...," she stated.
Blane crossed her arms over her chest."You still haven't answered my
question Amy.What happened between you and Nick?," she demanded.
Amy took a deep breath."That night you and him had that huge fight,right
before you got married,I dropped by and we started talking.Before long,we
were kissing.I think we were both upset,because I had just broken up with my
boyfriend,and he was upset because of the fight.Anyways,one thing led to
another,and we started telling each other how we really felt,and we went to
the bedroom...," she began,but Blane cut her off.
"I don't want to hear anymore!You slept with him?!," she accused.
Amy held up her hand."We almost did,but he stopped,saying he loved you
and you were the one he wanted to be with," she told her.
Blane was boiling with anger.Nick had lied to her~he'd been lying to her
their entire marriage.She felt so betrayed.She glared at Amy.
"Thanks so much for being honest Amy.Now I know the real reason why you
wanted to be friends with me~so you could move in on my territory.Well,you're
sadly mistaken!," she yelled at her,and turned and walked away.She was so mad
she couldn't see straight.
Amy stared after her,a satisfied smirk on her face.Her plan had gone
exactly as she'd wanted it to....
*~41~*
Blane slammed the door of the beach house.Nick looked up from the couch
where he was watching TV.
"You lying son~of~a~bitch bastard!," she screamed at him,her eyes
flashing angrily.
He stood up and walked over to her."Whoa,Blane.What's the matter?," he
asked,startled by her outburst.He reached out to place a hand on her
shoulder,but she yanked away.
"Don't you dare touch me Nick!Amy just told me everything that happened
between you two that night we had that huge argument.How could you have lied
to me?!," she yelled,tears streaming down her cheeks.
Nick went pale.He slowly sighed.He had known Amy was up to something,but
he never in a million years would have guessed that she'd tell Blane about
what had happened between them.
He reached out to her,and started to say something,but she held up her
hand."Is it true Nick?Do you and Amy have feelings for each other?"
He shook his head."I don't know what came over us that night Blane.We
were both hurting and went to each other for comfort.We tried to stop
ourselves but couldn't.We came so close Blane.But I stopped,telling her you
were the only girl I loved,and that I couldn't make the mistake of going too
far," he explained to her.
Blane snorted."So you thought that by telling her that,and if I ever
found out,that I wouldn't be mad at you?Is that what you thought?," she
screamed at him.
Nick didn't say anything;he stood staring down at the floor.
Blane took a deep breath."Out whole marriage has been a total lie Nick!We
promised to always be honest with each other~you were always the one telling
me how important honesty was.Then you go and keep this from me.How could you
Nick?," she threw at him.
They were both silent before she spoke again."All the times we made
love,telling each other how much we loved each other,was that a lie
too?Huh?Or were you thinking of her the whole time?Damnit,Nick!ANSWER ME!"
Without warning,he spun on her and pushed her so hard she went flying
into the wall.He was instantly sorry.She sat glaring up at him.
"You bastard!," she seethed,slowly standing up.
He was crying by then."Blane,I'm so sorry.For everything," he replied,his
voice shaking.
She glared at him."It's a little too late for that,don't you think?," she
snapped at him.She pulled off her wedding ring and threw it at him."Go to
hell Nickolas Gene Carter!We're through!," she exclaimed,and ran from the
room sobbing.
42
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