~*Chapter 80*~
A WEEK LATER...Kevin and Kelly were married in a private ceremony,and
afterwards everyone went back to Brian's place to celebrate.
Brian and Karen had finally decided on a wedding date;they would get
married on their one~year anniversary of meeting each other,which was 5
months away.They announced this to everyone at the reception.
Howie and Kari were getting married the following month.She was now
eight months pregnant and couldn't wait to have the baby~she looked and felt
like the Goodyear Blimp.Howie was always quick to reassure her how beautiful
she was when she complained.
Erica and AJ hadn't spoken since their fight at her mother's house the
week before.He missed her like crazy.He hoped they could work things out
soon.He would do anything it took to get her back.
Nick and Amy's relationship had only grown stronger since they had
gotten back together.Nick now realized how much he loved her and cared for
her.He felt as if he was finally able to move on with his life,and since
losing Blane,Amy was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
At the reception,they all sat together.All except Erica,who sat with
Taylor at a separate table.AJ kept looking over at her,trying to get her
attention,but so far wasn't having any luck.
Brian noticed and said,"Don't worry.She'll come to her senses soon."
AJ took a sip of his drink."I hope so,because I miss her.More than you
can imagine," he replied.
They continued to talk,and about a half hour later,he couldn't take it
anymore.He had to talk to Erica and get this straightened out once and for
all.He stood up and walked over to where she was sitting with her mom,and
stood next to her until she finally looked up.
She gave him a half smile."Hi," she said.
He took her hand and gently squeezed it."Can we go inside and talk?,"
he asked.
She nodded,and after AJ had given Taylor a kiss,they walked
inside.Once they were in the den with the door closed,they both turned to
each other at the same time.
"AJ," she said,at the same time he said," Erica."
They both laughed.Finally he replied," You first."
Erica took a deep breath."I just wanted to say how sorry I am for the
way I've been acting the past month.I guess after what happened,I got
scared,and that's why I pushed you away." She wrapped her arms around him,and
he kissed the top of her head.
"Oh baby.It's OK;I can understand how you must have felt." HE gazed
down into her eyes."I'm partly to blame too.I shouldn't have reacted the way
I did when you told me you didn't want to have any more kids.It's OK if you
feel that way.Taylor is good enough for me," he told her.
She was quiet before saying," I've been doing alot of thinking,AJ,and
I changed my mind about that." She gazed up at him."I want to have more
children with you.I want Taylor to have brothers and sisters.I grew up an
only child,and it was very lonesome.I don't want Taylor to grow up like that."
He smiled at her,then leaned down and they began to kiss.Their love
for each other showed in the passion of the kiss,and when they pulled
apart,Erica smiled at him.
"What would you say if we left and went back to the house and made up
for lost time? My mom can watch Taylor," she remarked.
AJ leaned over and gently began to kiss her neck."I say let's go," he
breathed,and she giggled.
"I knew you'd say that," she said,and took his hand.
~*Chapter 81*~
Amy sighed as she and Nick entered the beach house several hours later.
"That was fun," she replied,and stepped out of her high~heeled shoes
and walked over and threw herself on the couch.
Nick threw himself down next to her."Yeah,it was," he replied,and
removed his tie and leaned his head on the back of the couch.
She squeezed his hand and looked over at him."Today reminded you of
you and Blane's wedding,didn't it?," she asked gently.
Nick nodded,running his fingers through his hair."Yeah,it did.It's at
times like this that I miss her the most.But I try not to think about
it,because I'm with you now and you make me happy."
She brushed her lips against his."It's OK to think about her Nick.I
won't get upset," she told him.
He nodded."I know.It's just I'm finally ready to move on with my
life,and I want to make you happy," he said.
She ran her finger across his cheek."You DO make me happy,Nick.Just
being with you makes me happy." She moved her hand down to his lap and began
to rub his upper thigh.She gave him a sly smile."And I can tell right now
that I'm making you VERY happy."
He blushed,then a second later let out a low moan as she continued to
stroke him.Without hesitation,he reached down and slid his hand underneath
her skirt and placed his hand on the front of her black panties.He grinned at
her."Someone else is happy too," he remarked,and leaned over and began to
kiss her.
She fell back on the couch as their kissing grew more intense.She
removed his shirt and pants,and then he slid off her skirt and blouse.She
moaned as he began to travel kisses up and down her throat.
He hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties and slowly
slid them off.A moment later,after removing his boxers,he reached down and
opened up her legs,then slid inside of her.
She gripped his shoulders as he began his lovemaking to her,moving in
and out of her with ease.She cried out his name and thredded her fingers
through his hair,as he whispered over and over in her ear how much he loved
her.
After awhile,they both came,and he pulled out of her and they changed
positions.She leaned down and began a trail of kisses that started at his
neck and worked down to his stomach.He moaned his approval.
After several hours of taking turns pleasuring each other,they fell
asleep in each other's arms.
~*Chapter 82*~
Howie and Kari were laying in bed talking.
"Kelly looked absolutely beautiful today," Kari remarked.
Howie agreed."Yeah,she did.And next month it will be your turn to look
even more beautiful than she did."
She looked over at him and smiled."Oh Howie.I'll look like a beached
whale in my dress," she tossed at him.She was about to say more when she
suddenly gasped at clutched at her stomach.Her face scrunched up in pain.
Howie sat bolt upright."Kari,what's wrong?," he asked.
She exhaled a deep breath and looked up at him."I think I just had a
contraction," she told him,trying to keep herself calm.
He jumped up from the bed."Oh God.This is it," he exclaimed.He turned
to run for the closet to grab a suitcase,and in the process tripped and fell
over the endtable.
Kari laughed."Howie,calm down.We have time still," she remarked.
He stood up and sat down next to her on the bed."Are you sure this is
it?," he asked her.
She nodded."Yeah,I think it is," she answered.
He began to pack a suitcase for her as she layed on the bed.About five
minutes later,she felt her water break,and the contractions became
stronger.She gripped the sheets and cried out in pain.
"I can't believe this is happening already.I'm not due for another
three weeks," she replied.
He helped her up and they headed outside to his
car."Well,dear,obviously our little bundle of joy has other plans," he
remarked.
~*Chapter 83*~
Around 2am,AJ awoke and found Erica's side of the bed empty.He sat
up,pulled on his boxers,and walked out to the kitchen,where he found her
drinking a glass of milk.
She smiled at him."Hey.I couldn't sleep.I didn't mean to wake you,"
she said.
He leaned over and kissed her."It's OK," he told her.He wrapped her in
his arms,and she leaned her head against his chest.It felt so good to be back
in his arms again.
She gazed up at him."It's really nice to be home again," she whispered.
He leaned down and brushed his lips gently against hers."And it's nice
to HAVE you home.You can't begin to imagine how much I missed you," he told
her.
She smiled up at him."Oh yes I can," she said,and giggled.When they
had left the wedding reception,they had come back to the house and made love
for hours on end.They hadn't been able to get enough of each other.
AJ blushed."OK,maybe you can," he admitted.
They were about to kiss again when the phone rang.They both
groaned,and AJ reached over and picked up the phone,while Erica began to
gently nibble on his neck.
A moment later he hung up."That was D.Kari went into labor a few hours
ago,and they're expecting the baby any time now," he told her.
She smiled."That's great.How's Kari doing?," she asked.
He brushed a stray piece of hair out of her eye."He said she's doing
very well.Handling the pain like a pro."
Erica nodded.Then she reached up and pulled his face down to hers,and
they began to kiss.
A moment later,he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the
bedroom,where they made love once again.
~*Chapter 84*~
"You're almost there,Kari.Give me one big push and you'll be done,"
the doctor announced.
Kari squeezed Howie's hand,as he wiped her forehead off with a wet
washcloth.
"I love you so much Howie," she whispered,tired from several hours of pushing.
He gently kissed her."And I love you.Now let's bring our baby into the
world," he told her.
She nodded,and after taking a deep breath,began to push as hard as she
could.A scream ripped from her throat,and she felt the baby sliding out of
her.She had a death grip on Howie's hand,but he didn't seem to mind as he
coaxed her along.
A moment later,a loud cry filled the room,and Kari fell back against
the stack of pillows behind her.
The doctor looked up at them and smiled."Congratulations.It's a boy!,"
he told them.
Howie felt tears spring to his eyes."I have a son," he whispered,and
leaned down and kissed Kari on the lips.Several times."I love you."
She squeezed his hand,and a few minutes later the nurse handed her the
baby.Tears streamed down her face as she looked the baby over.
"He's got your nose and eyes," Howie observed,and she laughed.
She looked up at him,and they kissed."What are we going to name him?,"
she asked.
After a moment's thought,he replied," What about Connor Dwayne
Dorough?"
She turned the name over in her head."I like Connor Anthony Dorough
better," she told him.
They agreed on the name,then sat admiring their son for awhile before
he was taken to the nursery.
Chapters 85-92
IGTAB Index
|