A NEW DAY by Michelle T © 2000 FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT Michelle finished blow drying her hair and added a touch more eye liner before tightening the sash of her short black satin robe and pulling open the bathroom door. Her eyes grew large in surprise when she saw him leaning against the closed bedroom door, with a single red rose held loosely in his hand. He smiled tentatively at her as he slowly closed the distance between them. "Howie?" she whispered overcome with emotion. -- He's here! Oh god, he's so beautiful.-- ******************** AJ swung his car into the parking garage and removed his sunglasses automatically, while searching for a vacant spot. He found one near the elevators and smoothly slid the vehicle into place. Once in the elevator he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the shiny gold plating of the doors. He adjusted his backwards cap and slid his glasses back on, while inhaling the fragrant scent of the dozen tulips in his hand. -- Please don't let her turn me away. -- Upon reaching the tenth floor, the doors slid quietly apart and he took a deep breath before exiting and walking to her apartment. He unlocked the door and quietly entered. The room was dim, the blinds still closed. He looked around cautiously and headed to the bedroom door. "Babe? You in here?" he asked quietly. Hearing no response he entered the room briskly and peered around while removing his glasses once again, catching sight of her sitting at the end of the bed. "Patti? What's wrong, baby? You're still in bed?" He sat next to her and caught her hands in his. They were cold. She looked up at him then, shimmering tears glazing her blue eyes. "AJ? I. . . I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." She eased off the bed and headed towards the bathroom once again. "I'll be right out." Her tone was hushed and subdued. He laid the bouquet of tulips on the bed and followed her; concern covering his face. "Babe, is this because of what I did yesterday?" He touched her shoulder and felt the clamminess through her thin shirt. "Patti? Are you sick?" He turned her towards him and looked at her pale features. She shrugged her thin shoulders slightly and looked up to his eyes. His beautiful brown eyes, flanked by his long black lashes caught her breath. -- How can I do this to him? -- "AJ, I'm sorry, but I've decided we need to move on. . . I can't see you anymore." Her voice was soft, on the verge of breaking. "NO! Patti, please! I explained everything to you this morning. We're getting through this. Howie has forgiven me for my actions. Michelle did too. . . I thought you understood this?" The agony on his face caused her heart strings to tighten. "AJ, it's not about last night, it's about me. I. . . I can't tie you down. You have too much ahead of you. You are an extremely talented man and you'll become even more famous as time goes on. I can't hold you back." The confusion on his face made her sigh, "AJ, I'm pregnant!" ********************** His eyes locked with hers as he stood before her, holding the flower out to her. She looked at it longingly and slowly reached for it. Her fingers graced his ever so lightly, but the shiver that ran through her took her breath away. Her eyes flew back to his begging him to say something. "I didn't run off last night because I hated you. I ran because I loved you so much and I couldn't watch you in such pain anymore. I'm sorry I didn't let you tell me everything you wanted to in the beginning. If I had, I could have spared you so much pain and guilt." He sank to his knees before her and gently grasped her left hand, "I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, Michelle. I don't want to ever love anyone but you. I don't want to live my life without you in it." The tears were streaming down her face as she listened to him incredulously. "Marry me!" She released a sob, the rose falling from her hand as she sank down before him, pulling his hand up to her lips. "Oh, Howie. . . I love you so much!" She threw her arms around his shoulders and clung to him desperately. He gathered her in his arms, running his hands through her hair and over her back. "Is that a yes?" he asked holding his breath. "Yessssssss!" she replied laughing and crying at the same time. ********************** AJ stared incredulously at Patti and then pulled her against his chest. "God, Patti, are you sure?" She nodded her head and sniffled. "I'm sorry." AJ wrapped her firmly in his arms and groaned hoarsely. "Oh, Baby, don't be sorry! I love you!" Patti pulled her head away from his chest to look into his eyes. He looked down at her and brought his hands up to cup her face, lightly rubbing his thumbs beneath her eyes. "I know we haven't been together all that long, but I do love you! I want this child. I want to love you and our baby forever! Please Patti! Say you'll let me stay, promise me I can have you for all eternity!" She released a small sob and pulled his head down towards hers. "AJ, oh god, I never expected this! I love you too, but I never expected you to want me or a baby. You're still so young and have so much ahead of you. I don't want to stand in your way of making all your dreams come true." "I've been an incredibly lucky man, all my dreams have come true so far!" he replied hoarsely as he brought his lips down onto hers. She gasped and pushed her mouth against his passionately, reeling from the force of his kiss. She raised her hands to his chest and clung to his shirt as she plunged her tongue into his hot mouth. "Oh, Baby!" she moaned moving her hands to his waist. He responded by wrapping her tight in his arms and leading her over to the bed. He sank onto it and spread his legs, pulling her between them and grasping her hands. "I love you." He looked up into her smoldering blue eyes, and softly began singing to her: Wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you Shall I stay would it be a sin If I can't help falling in love with you Like a river flows surely to the sea Darling so it goes some things are meant to be Take my hand, take my whole life too for I can't help falling in love with you for I can't help falling in love with you for I can't help falling in love with you (Can't Help Falling in Love - (words & music by George Weiss - Hugo Peretti - Luigi Creatore)