A NEW DAY 
by Michelle T
© 2000
FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com

CHAPTER FORTY-F0UR

AJ, Howie and Michelle drove to the cemetery in companionable silence.  AJ 
parked and drew in a deep breath before walking somberly over to Deanna's 
grave.  Michelle and Howie hung back, allowing him to have his private time 
with her first.

"Howie?" she spoke softly, "I hope this wasn't a dumb idea."

"It's a good idea.  He never even went to her funeral, so he needs this."  
They watched AJ slowly sink to his knees and lovingly pass his hand over the 
gravestone.

"Deanna? It's me, AJ.  I'm sorry I haven't been here before now.  I just 
couldn't. . . I wish you were standing here beside me.  You were my best 
friend and I miss you so much.  I'm still mad at you, though!" he gently 
plucked a few stray weeds from the grass. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you 
that night, or even before.  I wish you'd had let me know that you were so 
sad.  I'd have done anything to help you, you know?  Damn, I wish I had seen 
the signs, but you always were a good actress." He glanced behind him briefly 
to see Michelle and Howie leaning against the car.  "I've got a new friend 
now.  Her name is Michelle and she's helped me deal with your death a lot.  
More than I care to admit even.  I've been a jackass lately and I came here 
to say goodbye to you.  I need to move on with my life.  I'm going to be a 
father next year and I need to be free from you to move on.  I'll never 
forget you.  I'll never stop loving you. . . "  The tears slid slowly down 
his face as he stared at her headstone.

Howie came over to him and helped him up, "You okay, Bone?" 

AJ nodded his head and continued to stare at Deanna's headstone.  "I don't 
know, D.  This is so hard."

Howie embraced him lightly, "I know it is, man.  You needed to do this 
though.  You can't go on and make a new life with Patti and the baby if you 
don't let go."

AJ nodded again and slapped Howie on the back, "Thanks, D."  They walked 
slowly back to the car.  Michelle pushed herself away from the car as they 
neared.

"AJ? You feel any better?" she asked grabbing his hand and bringing it up to 
her lips.  He smiled and removed his sunglasses.

"Thanks, babe, thanks for the push."  He hugged her quickly and pulled the 
passenger door open, "Now, get in.  I don't want to be the one responsible 
for making the bride and groom late for their own wedding!"

Howie and Michelle laughed nervously looking at each other.  "I don't believe 
we're going to do this, Howie."

Howie smiled broadly and winked at her as he pushed her into the car and slid 
in next to her.  "Let's go!"

They swung back to Michelle's house and picked up Patti and their clothes. 

It was 6:15 by the time they pulled into the driveway of AJ and Howie's 
house.  There were already several cars lining the street.  "Who's all these 
people?" asked Michelle in surprise.

AJ chuckled and helped Patti from the car.  "Well, that's Carey's and that's 
Howie's folks.  Then there's Kevin's, Nick's, Brian's, Telly's.  Hey, that's 
my mom's car.  I didn't expect her to make it.  Wait 'til she finds out she's 
gonna be a grandma." He laughed merrily as he pulled Patti towards the door.

Michelle and Howie hung back at the car.  "D? Did you actually talk to your 
parents today?"

He pulled their bags from the trunk nodding his head, "I did.  I spoke to 
Mama D first thing this morning and told her I couldn't wait any longer and 
was planning to get married today.  Of course, she was speechless, so I did 
all the talking.  After twenty minutes of rambling on and on, she finally 
told me to shut up and that she gave us her blessing.  She loves you and 
Kimmie you know.."  His face just glowed from happiness.  She gazed at him 
with love spilling out of every pore of her body.

"Oh Howie!  I do so love you!" she kissed him gently and they proceeded to 
the front door.  
  
As soon as they entered, they were quickly surrounded.  Kimberly wrangled her 
way through all the bodies and hugged her mother fiercely.

"Hey, Mom!  I'm really happy for you."  Michelle shut her eyes tight to 
prevent any further tears from flowing as she hugged her daughter back twice 
as fiercely.

"Thank you, Sweetie.  That means so much to me!"  Michelle pulled back and 
looked Kimberly up and down.  "Wow, you look great!  Where'd the dress come 
from?" Kimberly was wearing an ankle length dark blue Chinese silk.  "It is 
so gorgeous!"

Kimberly twirled slowly before her mother, laughing, "Telly and Lauren bought 
it for me.  I think it's cool.  I like it!"

Howie whistled lowly at her and she threw herself into his arms!  "Hey Howie! 
Or should I say, Father?" she giggled at him as he kissed her cheek.

His eyes grew large in surprise, "Baby, you can call me anything you'd like." 
 He pulled her off to the side and spoke quietly to her, "Kim, I'd be honored 
if you'd think of me as your new dad.  I already love you as my own 
daughter."  He hugged her to him. 

She looked up at him with a flurry of emotions.  "Howie, I was kidding about 
calling you Father, but maybe I'll call you Dad some day, just not right 
away, ok?"  He nodded, "I love you already like a dad, but when I say that 
word, I think of my real dad and. . . " she stopped herself from saying 
anything about Kevin.  She may be only eleven, but she knew when to hold 
back, sometimes.

"I know, Sweetie, I don't want you ever to forget your real dad, okay?  But 
you have to promise to call Mama D, Grandma, or she'll just about die!"  

Kimberly laughed out loud and replied, "I've been calling her that for the 
last twenty minutes!  She's loving it!"

"Good girl!" he turned back towards the crowd gathered in the front hall, 
"Hey everybody, let's move this inside where we have more room."  He caught 
his mother's eye and smiled sweetly at her, "Hey, Mama, you look beautiful!"  
His mother embraced him and kissed his cheek, before hugging Michelle tightly.

"Howard, I expect a complete set of whatever photographs that are taken 
today, as I've forgotten my camera in all this rush!" she laughed heartily 
and kissed him again, "Congratulations, son.  You made an excellent choice!"  
Howie beamed proudly at his mama and turned to his father who'd just come up 
to his side.

Michelle moved from person to person, extending her gratitude to everyone for 
making such wonderful wedding plans for her.  When she reached Nick, he 
stooped down and hugged her quickly.

"Shelly? I have a favor to ask?" she laughed up at him and brushed his blonde 
hair out of his eyes.

"Anything for you, Nick!" 

"Well, since, you're moving in here and all, I was wondering if I could take 
over your townhouse.  Ya know, I'm kinda sick of being tossed between this 
house and Kevin and Brian's.  I need a local place of my own!"  Michelle 
nodded her head vigorously at him.

"Excellent idea, Nick!  Of course you can have it, but you better get the 
landlord's permission first.  You know how picky they are about their 
tenants." She said teasingly while looking at Howie.  Howie caught her look 
and moved over to them.

"You talking about me?" he asked sliding his arm around her waist.  

"Well, Mr. Landlord, Nicholas Carter, here, would like to take over my lease 
of your townhouse!" she smirked at him playfully.

"Is that a fact?  Well, Mr. Carter," he said turning to Nick, "I can 
certainly take your application, however, as today is my wedding day, I 
shan't be reviewing any applicants today.  Perhaps, you could call the office 
tomorrow?"  He burst out laughing as Nick punched him in the arm and shook 
his head.

"What the hell, D?  Don't jerk me around, can I have it or not?" Nick laughed 
down at him.

"Damn, Nick, you're no fun.  Of course you can have it, you dork.  Just don't 
make me sorry by having too many loud parties and all!"