A NEW DAY by Michelle T © 2000 FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE AJ moved through the living room to the kitchen and quietly advanced on his mother. "Hey, Ma! Glad you could make it! I didn't think you'd be able to get back from New York!" he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She turned to him and smiled, "Would I miss one of my son's wedding days? You're looking good, despite that nice bruise you're sporting on your cheek." She said tenderly touching his face. He winced slightly, "Yeah, well, long story. I'm fine." He pulled her over to the table and sat her down, "We just came from the cemetery. I made my peace with Deanna." He said quietly. She locked her fingers with his, "I'm sorry, Honey! Nick told me what happened last night. . ." AJ's head shot up and he looked at her in surprise, "Nick, what?" "Don't freak out, AJ. I am your mother and I need to know what goes on with my wild son when I'm not around. Nick didn't just come out and blab everything. Believe me, it took a lot of questions to get the full story out of him." "I don't understand?" AJ said looking at her curiously. "When did you have time to talk to Nick?" "Sweetie, I've been here for hours," she laughed, "You don't think Nick and Brian cleaned this house and did all these decorations by themselves, do you?" He shook his head and smiled slightly, before looking pensively again. "How much did he tell you?" "Baby, I know everything and I don't want you to feel embarrassed or anything. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you either. I guess we've all been saying that lately, eh? But, most importantly, are you okay?" Denise looked at her son pensively, her heart bursting with love for her precious son. He nodded and looked her in the eye, "I can't believe the last twenty-four hours. So much has gone on. I'm beat, but I'm feeling sort of peaceful for the first time in a long time." She nodded at him. "Howie and Michelle have been so incredibly understanding too. It amazes me!" "You've got some wonderful friends." "I know it and. . " he looked down at their joined hands, "Ma, I've got something else to tell you." Denise looked at him tenderly, "Tell me, Baby." "Patti is having my child," he looked up in time to see her startled expression, "I'm really happy about it, Mom. I really am." Denise was rendered speechless for several moments, "Oh, AJ, don't you think it's a little soon? You've only been with her a little more than three months." AJ looked her straight in the eye, "I know, but, I love her and I want this baby. I really do." Denise thought quietly, being able to sense AJ's need for something new in his life. A new life, to replace the one he'd lost last year. She looked back at him and decided to keep her thoughts to herself. "AJ, I may be your mother, but I'm not your keeper. If this is what you want, then I'll stand behind you, and Patti. She's a lovely girl." She smiled sweetly at him and noticed the sparkle come back into his eyes. "Thanks, Ma," he leaned over and hugged her tightly, "I love you. You've always been there for me and I really appreciate your acceptance of this too." Denise nodded her head and wiped a single tear from the corner of her eye. "Well, let's go find your lovely lady and let me congratulate her personally." ************************ After a half hour of mingling, Kevin came over to Michelle and Howie. "Hey, you guys, better start getting ready. You've got a little more than an hour before the Justice of the Peace will be here." Michelle and Howie looked quickly at each other and burst out laughing. "Oh god, I'm getting really nervous!" said Michelle clutching her stomach. "Hey, don't start that or you'll make me get nervous," Howie said pulling her hands away from herself and kissing them. Michelle took a deep breath and nodded her head. "Kevin? Can I talk to you?" she asked looking up at him inquiringly. He breath caught in his throat, he nodded and guided her towards the den down the hall. "How you doing? Did you have a nice day?" he asked with a sly grin. She shot him a dirty look before laughing. "I had a nice day, Kevin, and you?" she led him over to the sofa after closing the door. He laughed and shrugged his shoulders, "Well, considering I've been running my ass off all day organizing your wedding and not even getting ten minutes alone with my woman, I guess I'm having a nice day!" She laughed back at him, "You're just jealous!" "Jealous? Who, me? Now, why would I be jealous?" he asked raising his eyebrows, his heart suddenly beating faster. -- No, I'm not jealous, am I? Stop it, Kevin! --. "Don't play dumb with me, Train. You know damn well, I've spent most of my day on my back!" she laughed heartily and fell back against the sofa at his expression. "Oh, so you do kiss and tell. I knew it! Women are actually worse than men, you know." "Please! Who's idea was all the flower petals all over the place and the candles?" "What? Not me, that was Howie I assure you! I just arranged them!" He said tickling her sides. "Stop! Oh man, Kevin, this is all so unreal." The laughter died down and she looked at him seriously. "Do you think this is the right thing to do? I mean, Howie is just too good. Not only does he forgive and forget, but he spends all night thinking about our relationship and then deciding and ensuring we get married immediately. To be honest, I'm a little afraid." Kevin watched her quietly, thoughtfully. -- She deserves Howie's love, they are so right for each other.-- "It has been an incredible weekend. Do you really and truly love him?" "Of course I do, how can you even ask that question?" she looked at him with surprise. "Then, stop worrying about everything and make him happy. Marry him and make him the happiest man on earth! I've known him a long time, Michelle, and if he's gone to this extreme, then you know he really wants it. He doesn't do many things impulsively, you know." Michelle listened to him carefully, playing with the rings on his fingers. She looked back up into his bright green eyes and studied his face. She smiled slightly at him before leaning over and kissing his lips softly. "Thank you, Kevin. If you agree to all this, then I know it's the right thing to do. I value your opinion, you know?" he nodded his head and hugged her quickly. "But, I have one more question for you?" He looked surprised, "Anything!" "Will you give me away?" she asked shyly. He smiled broadly and squeezed her tighter. "I'll walk you down the aisle if you like, but I'll never give you away."