Putting away the last bit of laundry, Destiny went to answer the ringing doorbell. She was quite taken aback by the sight that greeted her. Standing there, a suitcase in each hand, her cheeks streaked from the tears she had obviously been crying, stood Faith. She didn't say anything, simply broke down in tears.
"Oh, sweetie," Destiny said, walking towards her. "What's wrong? What's going on? Come in here," she directed, a comforting arm around her shoulder.
Once inside, she quickly grabbed some tissue and joined Faith on the large couch.
"Now, tell me what's wrong," she said softly.
Wiping away the tears, Faith asked, "Do you think I could stay here with you for a while?"
"Of course you can, silly," she smiled, trying to lighten the somber mood. "Did Howie kick you out?" she asked, a wave of anger taking over.
"No," came the barely audible answer. "I left on my own."
"Were you two arguing? Did he do something to you? Hit you?"
"No. Of course not. You know him better than that. I just packed my things and left. We weren't arguing. He didn't even know I was leaving until I put the suitcases in the car."
Destiny looked at her, searching for anything that would make sense
"Ok. You're gonna have to help me here," she said. "What exactly happened? If you weren't arguing and he didn't do anything to you, didn't kick you out, tell me exactly why you left. Do you not love him anymore?"
"Oh, I will always love him. You know that. You know he is my world, my rock, my one and only. I love him more than anything. THAT is why I left.... why I HAD to leave."
Still lost, Des continued watching Faith, waiting for the rest of the story. There had to be more. This just didn't make sense, wasn't like Faith at all, she thought.
"Howie is one of the most talented people I know. So bright, so gifted. He has known so much success, yet I feel his best it yet to come. He has such a bright future ahead of him, so much to offer. I could never stand in the way of his dreams, or hold him back from his goals," Faith finished, a single tear spilling down her cheek at the realization of what she'd done.
"What do you mean, hold him back?" Destiny asked. "From what I've seen you've done nothing but support and encourage him in every way that you possibly can. Did he say you were holding him back?"
"No," she shook her head. "He didn't say anything."
Destiny was more confused than ever. "Ok. There's something you aren't telling me, isn't there?"
Faith nodded her head, and took a deep breath.
"You know me too well," she smiled. "Ok. You can not breathe one word of what I'm about to tell you to anyone. I haven't told anyone else.... not even Howie.... nor am I ready to tell anyone just yet."
"Come on, Faith. You know I won't say anything," she assured her.
"The reason I left, the reason I felt I'd be holding him back, standing in his way, is that it isn't just me who'd be standing there in front of him anymore.... I'm pregnant."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AJ paced back and forth across his vast living room. After going over and over and over it in his mind, and several sleepless nights, he knew exactly what he had to do. He had to end things with Serena and do everything in his power to win Destiny's heart.... before it was too late, though he knew that could prove difficult. Even though he was sure he could feel something from her when they were around each other, just as he was sure she wasn't happy with Nick, she seemed to be in denial about all of it. He had to find a way to make her see the light, just as she had done for him. He thought back over the numerous conversations they'd had when he'd turned to her for advice on his relationship with Serena. She'd told him over and over how special he was, how he deserved so much more, how any woman should consider herself lucky to have him. How could he have not seen it? How could he have overlooked the importance of her words? The true meaning behind them?
He was staring out the glass doors, across the pool when he heard Serena come in. Turning to face her, he watched as she set the overflowing bags on the couch. Shopping.... again, he thought with a frown.
"What's wrong?" she asked, obviously noticing his displeasure.
"Serena, we need to talk," he said, slowly walking towards her.
Her face suddenly became very pale, and she took a seat on the couch beside her packages.
Coming to sit across the coffee table from her, AJ spoke again.
"We both know our relationship hasn't been right lately. Strained, to say the least."
"I...I th....I thought we worked that out," she stuttered, clearly aware of what he was about to say.
"How do you get that?" he asked. "We never talk. All we do is argue. I'm miserable, Serena. I can't do this anymore. I think we should call the whole thing off."
"Oh, do you?" she snapped. "So, that's it? You just snap your fingers and it's over? Is that the way you think it works? Without so much as a word from me? Without asking me how I feel or what I think?"
"Don't make this any harder than it already is," he said. "You had to see this coming. You have known for some time now that I haven't been happy. I've made that clear. And, you still continued being your usual bitch self. You didn't even try to make things better."
"Oh.... I see. So, this is all MY fault now?" she said, her voice growing louder with each word.
"No. I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to," she hissed.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I really am. I didn't want to hurt you, but I think we would both be better off with someone else."
"I'm sure you do," she shouted. "That's what this is all about, anyway. You have the hots for that little tramp Destiny, and you shove me to the back burner. ME!! The one who has been here for you. The one who has stood by you through some pretty damn bad times! And THIS is how you repay me?"
Her tone and her words began to anger him. As hard as he tried to stay calm, she always seemed to know exactly how to get him riled up.
"Look," he yelled, standing up. "I've made up my mind. There is no use talking about it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over. That's it. Ok? Do you understand? Nothing else needs to be said."
As he started to walk off, she shot another biting remark at him
"Let me tell you something, Mr. McLean. Just because YOU have made up your mind, doesn't make a damn to me. I have made up my mind, too. And, what I've decided is that we are going to stay together, and you are going to straighten up and start showing me the attention I deserve. I don't give a damn if you have to close your eyes and pretend I'm that whore who occupies your mind or what. But, you'd better do something, because I'm not going anywhere!"
AJ couldn't help but laugh to himself. She really was that desperate.... not for him or his love.... but for what he could give her.... the lifestyle he provided for her.
"You have until the end of the week to get all your things out," he said softly, making his way upstairs, leaving her to brew in her own anger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come on. Answer it," Nick said, holding his cell phone against his head, driving down the interstate.
"Hello?" came Destiny's voice.
"Hey, sweetie," he said. "What you doing?"
"Um.... I'm a little busy right now, Nick. I'm talking to Faith."
"Oh... uh, is something wrong?"
"No. We can talk later," she said, not wanting to let Nick in on the problem.
"That's cool," he said. "Listen, I needed to tell you something real quick. I've done a lot of thinking lately, and I've finally come to some conclusions. I know that I haven't been the best boyfriend in the world. I know that I've neglected you and took you for granted. And I want you to know that I am so sorry about that. I truly am, Des. I wish I could go back and change that. But, I can't. All I can do is promise to make your future happier than your past. That brings me to your surprise this weekend. I think it's time our relationship changed. It's time for me to step up and be a man and finally do the right thing with you."
"Nick, don't....," she started, but was interrupted.
"Let me finish, Des," he said. "Just meet me Saturday evening at 7 at my house, and dress up. I'm inviting some of our friends, and it will be a little formal. I want this to be perfect."
"Nick.... what are you doing?" she asked.
"Just say you'll be there," he said.
Hesitating a moment, she finally answered. "Ok. I'll be there. 7 o'clock."
"Great!" he said. "See you then. Bye, sweetie."
After hanging up, Destiny's mind ran rampant with thoughts of what he could be planning. When the reality of it hit her, she felt like she'd be sick. Oh no! she thought. He can't. He can't do this. I can't let him. I.... I don't.... I don't love him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After their 'discussion', AJ went up to his room, lying across his bed thinking about what his next step should be. Now that he was free to pursue the woman he so desperately wanted, so desperately needed, he was suddenly scared to death. What if I screw up? he thought. What if I make a fool out of myself? What if she doesn't feel the way I think she does?
The ringing telephone jarred him from his thoughts. Shaking his head clear, or trying to but thoughts of her still lingered, he sat up and reached for the phone.
"Uh... hello?" he answered.
"J! Man I'm glad you're there. I've been meaning to call you. How are things with Serena going? You two still together? Or did you ever find enough balls to kick her ass to the curb?"
"Mission completed just a few minutes ago," he said.
"I really am sorry to hear that," Nick said, trying his best to fake sadness.
"Don't be," AJ laughed. "I'm not!"
"Good! That brings me to my next question. I'm hosting a little get together of sorts this Saturday and we'd like for you to come."
"We? We who?"
"Destiny and I."
"Cool," he said. "Sure, I'll be there."
"Great, man. Oh, and J? Try to spiff up a little for this one, ok?"
"Ok, but why? What kind of get together is this?"
"Let's just say there will be something important revealed," he answered in his best sneaky voice.
AJ could feel his heart sinking as he realized what this was.
"Oh," he said softly. "So.... um.... you're finally gonna do it? She's the one, then? You're gonna take that next step with her?"
"Yeah," he said. "I am definitely taking the next step. So, you'll be there?"
"Wouldn't miss it," he said, his big brown eyes filling up with tears.
He'd heard Nick say goodbye, but couldn't respond. He simply laid the phone down on the bed and sat there, his heart shattered, his soul hurting. "What am I gonna do?" he cried aloud, falling back on the bed, his hands coming to cover his now tear streaked face. I waited too long, and now look what's happened. Hating himself for taking so long to end things with Serena, he felt he would certainly be sick.
Wait a minute! he thought. If he's planning to do it this weekend, then that means he hasn't done it YET!! I still have time! He had to come up with a way to stop this, but how? Or should he just stand back and allow Destiny to try to find the love she'd once had with Nick? What if she WANTED Nick to propose? Should he take the chance on ruining her chance at happiness with him? So many questions, so little time.