Part 50
"Ye…" started Nick thinking AJ had said ‘yes’ but was cut short with Howie’s elbow to his ribs.
Everyone was shocked by AJ’s answer but no one was more shocked than Stormy. ‘No’ rang in her head as all normal processes ceased to function. She stared at AJ, her whole body frozen. She had been positive he’d say ‘yes’, so sure that she’d asked him in front of all his friends.
Kevin seemed to be the first one to recover from the shock. "We’ll clear out so you two can talk," he offered softly.
"No, there’s no need. I want you all to hear what I have to say," answered AJ not taking his eyes off Stormy. He continued to hold on to her hands, afraid she’d take off and he knew he’d never be able to catch her. Tenderly, he started, "Baby, I’m sorry for embarrassing you."
Her tears began slowly, one drop at a time, falling onto their joined hands, until there was a steady river that no dam could stop.
With Stormy’s tears, others began to shed their own silent tears. Everyone had been so sure of the answer. Were they ALL wrong?
AJ reached up to wipe Stormy’s face. "I know you’re trying to figure this all out," he started softly. "It’s not about us as a couple or your inexperience. This is all about me. I love you more than I know how to tell you or show you."
Stormy wept, "You’ve already shown me by risking your life for me."
"And I would do it again in a New York minute. I have made so many mistakes in my life….the partying, the drinking and drugs, the women. You are the most perfect thing in my life and I don’t want to screw that up. Our future is together, as a couple…married. It’s just gonna take time. One of the things about the program is that you aren’t supposed to make a life altering decision in the first year. The first time around, I proposed to Sarah and we started making all the plans. I even moved out there with her and I fell back into my old habits. I don’t want that to happen again. I don’t want to do it to myself or to you. We’re already living together which is a major change and I want to marry you and I know this all sounds so selfish on my part."
Stormy put a finger over his lips to stop him. "It’s NOT selfish, Alex," she whispered. "In the long run, you ARE thinking about us and I love you that much more for it. I shouldn’t have asked…not in…"
"You didn’t know, baby. I never gave you any clue that I’d say anything other than ‘yes’. Hell, even Nick thought I’d said ‘yes’." Gathering her in his arms, AJ hugged her close, burying his face in her hair. He stroked her back as he felt her tears on his skin. "I do love you, ‘Stormy’."
"You will keep the ring, won’t you?" panicked Stormy as she pulled back. "I mean, I want you to keep it."
"Of course I’ll keep it." Looking at the ring on his hand, he smiled, "It’s really cool."
The room of people finally felt like they could breathe again. They hadn’t been wrong and the couple was very much in love. Small talk began between the small groups as Denise began to insist that everyone eat.
Feeling drained, Stormy leaned against AJ, his arms wrapped around her holding her close but she was a mess. Her eyes were puffy and red and her makeup was streaked down her cheeks but she didn’t want to leave his side. She felt safe and warm right where she was.
Kevin and Dee joined the couple and saw that she needed to clean up. Dee asked, "Stormy, could you show me the bathroom?"
Stormy looked up at AJ who said, "Go on, baby. Get yourself together. I’m not going anywhere."
Dee took Stormy’s hand and the two ladies headed upstairs together while Kevin took a seat on the coffee table facing AJ.
"I’m really proud of you, Alex. That took a lot of courage and strength."
"Thanks, Kev. I meant it too. I don’t want to screw this up with her. She’s so….."
"Remarkable. Did she ever tell you about that first night I took her home?"
"She said she stayed at your place because she didn’t have her keys. Why? Did something happen?"
Kevin smiled, "I hit on her…to see what she would do."
AJ’s smile faded. "What exactly did you do?"
Kevin explained that night to AJ and ended by saying, "I had to be sure, Alex. You’d risked your life for her and I didn’t want to see you get hurt."
"You couldn’t trust her word that she wasn’t like the others…..or my choice?"
Kevin bowed his head, ashamed that AJ was right. Remorsefully, he said, "You’re right…I should have trusted you but…."
"But he was looking out for you," finished Stormy as she rejoined the two men. "It’s over, Alex, and Kevin realizes that he was wrong. Just let it go."
AJ leaned against Stormy. "Woman, you are too good to be true. How in the hell did I get you?"
"Just lucky."
"Damned lucky, I’d say," smirked Kevin. "Alex, you let her go and I swear, I’m gonna kill you myself and just get it over with."
All three laughed and were quickly joined by several of the others wanting to get to know Stormy better and to talk to AJ. The party lasted for the rest of the evening with Stormy staying close to AJ the whole time wanting to make sure he was okay. Despite the shock of AJ turning down Stormy’s proposal, things were still good. The love the couple felt for each other filled the room and included their friends.
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