True Love
By: Regina
"Ahh", I screamed as A.J. threw me into the pool. The guys and me had thrown together a big pool party for his 21st b-day. It was 12 noon and everyone had been at my house for an hour. I wanted this to be special because this, also, signified A.J.'s 2-year anniversary and me. Everyone was there; Nick, Brian, Kevin, Howie , and their girlfriend's Sonya, Leighanne, Colleen, and Shayla.
"Oh my God, this is cold." I had just come back from getting the sandwiches and had completely dried off.
"Don't worry, he's coming in, too," Nick said as he pushed him into the pool.
"Hey," A.J. said splashing Nick.
"Yo, watch my sandwich!"
"Ok," Sonya said as she grabbed his sandwich, pushing him into the pool.
After that, everyone just decided to jump in. We played volleyball, shark, and chicken.
"Hey, let's do it like this. Amber you get on A.J.'s shoulders, Sonya on Nick's, Leighanne on Brian's, Colleen on Kevin's, and Shayla on mine," Howie said.
"Alright, you guys ready," I called out. We were all gonna fight each other at once because of the uneven amount of couples.
"Go," Kevin said.
"Ah," we all screamed as we grabbed each other's hands and tried to drag each other down.
In the end, Kevin and Colleen won. It was close though.
Afterwards, the guys decided to play a game of basketball.
"*whistle*", Colleen whistled as sweat dripped down Kevin's bare chest.
We watched them play one on one on one on one on one. A.J. looked so sexy in his tank top as it stuck to hiss gorgeous physique. They played for a good hour and in the end all, but Nick, was topless.
Of course, Brian won, but it was a very close game. He only won by five points from Nick.
"Good game, Frack," Brian said to Nick giving him a noogie.
" Yeah, you're only saying that cause you won."
"Aw, don't be sore, Nick," A.J. called as he came over and grabbed me from the behind.
"Eww, get off of me. You're all sweaty."
"You know you like it," he said as he started kissing me.
"Stop," I said laughing even though I loved every minute of it.
It was starting to get late and everyone had something else to do, so, the party ended at 5 p.m. A.J. stayed though.
"Bye," we called from the porch as Brian, Leighanne, Howie, Shayla, Kevin, Colleen, Nick, and Sonya all going to their respective cars.
"So," A.J. said turning around to face me," What do you wanna do?"
"First, I want to take a shower. And you should, too," I answered as I went in the house.
"Together," he called in after me.
"No." I said. I loved teasing him. It got him so worked up.
"Alright, I see how you wanna be," he called after me, as he walked in the house and closed the front door.
I went upstairs to find my sleeveless purple satin night gown and, then, hopped in the shower. The warm water felt good on my body.
I ran the water through my shoulder length dark brown hair before lathering my body
* * * * * * *
Knock! Knock!
The knock brought me out of my trance. I decided to get out. I must have been in there for a while. I grabbed the towel and dried my hair and body off. Then, I wrapped it around me.
"What," I called as I went to open the bathroom door.
"You've been in there an hour," A.J. said as I opened the door.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Well, anyway I took a shower downstairs."
"Oh, sorry. The water felt so good."
"It must have been for you to lose track of time like that," he replied putting his arm around my waist.
"I gotta go get dressed," I said as I walked into my room down the hall. I put my nightgown and matching boxers and lotioned up. Then, I slipped into my slippers.
As I walked down the stairs I smelled something cooking. I walked into the kitchen to see AJ standing over the stove cooking steak, pasta, and string beans. He must have been cooking while I was in the shower.
"Aww, honey, this is sweet" I said as I walked over and gave him a tender kiss on the lips.
"It's almost finished," he said turning around.
I sat down at the already set table. I knew something was up, but I decided to play along anyway.
When he finished cooking, he fixed my plate and poured champagne in our glasses. As he sat down, I could tell he was about to say something, but the phone rung, three times.
"I guess I should get that," I said as I got up to get the phone off of the kitchen wall.
"Hello?"
"Oh, hey. Why?..now? ok," I said as I reluctantly hung up the phone.
"What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
"I guess I have to get dressed after all. That was my mom and she needs me to baby-sit Amber. The baby-sitter got sick at the last minute and mom already made plans. You come or she can come over here."
Amber was my two-year-old sister and she loved spending time with AJ. I knew he had put a lot of effort into diner and I didn't want to abandon him.
"Sure," he answered, "She can come over here," he finished. Even though he tried his best to hide his disappointment, I could tell by his facial expression. We had been together way past the point of me being able to read him.
"I'll be right back," I said as I got my coat out of the closet, "Don't clear the table. Ok?"
"I won't," he said as he grabbed me and gave me a tender kiss.
It only took me a half an hour to go there and back. When I walked in the house, A.J. was lying on the couch with the TV on, knocked out.
"Hey, he's sleep," Amber said as I put here down.
"Shh," I said. He looked so sweet and adorable. He must have been really tired to have fallen asleep so fast. The days events really took there toll. I turned the TV off, being careful not to wake him.
I took Amber in the kitchen to feed her. I was hungry myself. I fed her from my plate because I knew she couldn't eat that big of a portion. Plus, A.J. had only fixed enough for the two of us.
Once I wrapped his plate up, I took Amber upstairs to get ready for bed. I put her pajamas on and placed her in the guestroom down the hall after giving her a bath.
"Leave the door open, Gina," Amber called as I kissed her on the forehead.
"Ok, honey."
"A.J.," I said, shaking him, "Baby, wake up. Come upstairs," I said as I helped him up, "It's 11:00."
"Oh, I'm sorry, baby. I can't. I have to go pack, remember? We have to go to New York to lay down a few tracks for the new album."
"Yeah, I forgot," I said sounding a little disappointed as I sat on the edge of the couch.
"Come on, don't be like that," he said as he grabbed me by the waist, "I'll call you as soon as I get there. Ok?"
"Sure," I said smiling as I walked him to the door.
"Love you," he said as he gave me a kiss on the lips.
"Love you too," I said as I waved goodbye.
I would miss him a lot even though they would only be gone for a week. Their plane would leave at 1 am and they should arrive in New York by 6.
I decided to go to sleep. I was really tired given the day's events. I put my nightgown back on and slipped into covers.
* * * * * * * *
RING! RING! RING!
"Man," I said I fumbled for the phone. I had been having a good sleep.
"Hello?"
"Regina?" Brian's voice sounded from the other side of the line.
"Yeah, what's up?" I asked as I sat up sleepily.
"It's A.J.," he said sniffling.
"What?! What happened?!"
"There was.. an accident," he said slowly.
"What happened?!" I asked.
"A.J. got in a car accident. It was a drunk driver early this morning. We're at the West Bridge Hospital right now. He's still alive. We don't know if he will make it."
I looked over at the clock, it was three . It seemed like I had slept longer than that. A.J. only lived an hour away. Brian didn't know what he was talking about, A.J. would be all right.
I slipped into some close quickly and went and got Amber.
"Honey, get up. We have to go somewhere," I said picking her up.
"What's wrong?" she asked, wiping the sleep out of her eyes.
"Nothing. Let's just go."
I ran downstairs with my sister on my hip. I didn't even bother to grab my purse or coat for that matter. I hoped in the car and sped down the street. The hospital was an hour away.
"Excuse me," I said to the nurse at the desk as I rushed in the electric doors.
"Regina," I turned around to see Nick. It was obvious he had been crying.
"Where is he?" I asked as I ran over to Nick, forgetting the nurse.
"This way."
I followed Nick into the elevator that took us to the third floor. We walked in and I automatically saw Brian, Kev, Howie, and Denise sitting in the waiting room. It was so obvious that they had all
been crying. I began to feel tears swell up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away.
"Regina," Kevin said walking up to give me a hug.
"Where is he?" I asked backing away. I was determined to stay strong. Everything would be all right.
"Over here," Brian said getting up.
"Here, hold her," I said, handing a sleeping Amber to him.
I opened the door slowly, I didn't know what to expect.
"Oh my God," I whispered as I walked over to the bed. He was hooked up to all sorts of machines. His arm was broke and his head wrapped in a bandage. The site was so frightening and yet all I could concentrate on was the steady beeping of the heart monitor.
"A.J., baby, I'm here," I said taking his hand in mine. He looked so peaceful, as if he were sleep," Can you here me, baby?"
I knew he wouldn't answer. "Baby, I'm so sorry," I whispered, like I spoke to loud I would
disturb his sleep. A tear began to fall don my cheek. I didn't bother to wipe it this time. I touched the side of his soft face, so beautiful. I leaned over to give him a kiss on the lips.
BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!
"Oh my God! Someone come quickly!" I said as I backed away from the bed. I was in pure shock. Doctors and nurses suddenly flew in, knocking me out of my trance.
"Get her out of here!" one of them yelled as he attended A.J.
"No I'm staying!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you have to leave so can help him," a nurse said softly to me as she walked me towards the door. She closed it behind me.
"What happened?" Denise asked, stepping forward. I was speechless I didn't know what to say. It was all my fault! I shouldn't have let him go so late, so quickly after he woke up. As soon as I turned may back to the door, the doctor came out.
I could tell by the look on his face something went wrong.
"I'm sorry, but he didn't make it."
"Oh my God, no," I whispered. "NO!" I feel to the ground with my hand covering my mouth.
Brian rushed over to comfort me, but nothing could.
"It's alright," he said as he held me.
"What am I going top tell Amber?" I asked crying. She looked so adorable lying on the chair sleep. I didn't know how to break it to her.
"Umm, excuse me." Another doctor had come out of the room. We all turned to face him. "We found this in his pants pocket."
I slowly got up and walked over to him. It was a small black velvet box. I took it from him.
"Here," Kevin said after the doctor left," You don't want to open that right now."
"Why not?" I asked wiping the tears from my face I opened it anyway. It was a beautiful diamond engagement ring with purple jewels on the band. I read the inscription aloud.
"To Baby Girl. I love you always and forever. Your man."
"I'm sorry. He had planned to propose to you tonight," Kevin said.
"That's what the dinner was about?" I asked as a tear began to gradually roll down my cheek.
"Yeah," he answered looking down.
"I ruined it. My mom wanted me to watch Amber," I said looking into his eyes. I put it on. It fit perfectly.
"No you didn't," he said looking up now.
"Don't lie," I said getting a little louder, "It was my fault. Baby-sitting, letting him leave when he was so tired."
"No it wasn't," he said stepping closer.
"Yes, it was!"
"Come here," he whispered as tears began to roll down both our cheeks at a steady pace.
"Yes, it was," I whispered as I buried my face in his chest.
"Gina?," Amber asked as she sat up, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Nick said as he picked her up.
"Why is she crying?"
"I'll tell you later," he said.
"Ok," she said softly as she laid her head on his shoulder.
I looked over at Denise as Howie comforted her. What would I tell her? I was the reason her only child was dead. How could I face her and Amber both? A.J. was my true love, my one and only. It all overwhelmed me.
I fainted into Kevin's arms.
Email: panda_angelaj@hotmail.com
