Part 37
Drinks, candlelight, soft music. Everything was just as he’d imagined...perfect. Now all that he needed to complete the picture was Chelsea. Tonight was the first time since they’d met that they’d be able to just be together as a couple...semi-alone. He didn’t mind that they’d brought Annie home with them. After all, she was part of the package he’d fallen in love with.
Hearing the clicking of her crutches, AJ turned to see her making her way towards him and he felt like he’d been struck by lightening. She’d changed into the gown he’d given her and had her hair down. The light behind her made her look heavenly.
"Is Annie all tucked in?"
"She’s in seventh heaven," smiled Chelsea as she stopped in front of AJ. "It’s finally hit her that her daddy is a Backstreet Boy and her mother’s boyfriend is too."
"Every little girl’s dream," laughed AJ.
"Uh huh, and I have a big girl’s dream."
"What’s that?"
"Being the girlfriend of a Backstreet Boy," she blushed, but she didn’t look away.
AJ reached out to touch her cheek as he asked, "What about your dreams?"
"They’re finally coming true," she replied as she leaned into his hand. "Are you sure you want me living with you...and Annie?"
"I’m positive. I told you. I don’t want to have to drive somewhere when the urge to kiss you hits," he answered as he touched his lips to hers. Slipping a hand around her waist, he pulled her closer. "And I want to be able to make love to you whenever the urge strikes too."
Thank goodness she had the crutches supporting her and his arm because he’d just made her weak in the knees. AJ’s eyes smoldered with desire and his touch caused her to flush. A whimper was all she could manage.
AJ smiled. "Let’s sit down. You look tired."
The couple sat on the wicker love seat and AJ insisted she put her legs across him so she could prop her ankle up. Once they were settled, AJ handed her the sparkling cider and watched her take a sip.
"You look a lot more relaxed than earlier."
"I am. We probably shouldn’t have stayed for dinner."
AJ took a sip of his drink as he caressed her foot. "I guess Dianne wasn’t as cool with all this as Kevin thought."
"I can’t say I blame her." Chelsea took another sip as she watched him. "Do you ever worry about me going back to Kevin?"
"At first, I was a little worried."
"What changed your mind?"
"Your phone call."
"My phone call?"
"The night you had the wreck. You had Kevin’s number and you could have called him, but you didn’t...you called me. And that night...in the ER...the way your eyes lit up when I told you to open them and you saw me...that just cinched it for me." AJ set his glass down and reached for her hand. "I never believed in love at first sight until that day in Virginia. You blew me away, and then I looked into your eyes. Kevin described your eyes as being blue as the sea. That day, it was like the sea washing over me, pulling me to you."
"Drowning in my love?" teased Chelsea.
AJ laughed giving her hand a squeeze. "Yeah, I was...still am. Chelsea, I’m no good at relationships, but I want us to work...and with the CD getting ready to be released and the tour..."
“Alex, I’ve only had two relationships...Kevin and you, so I’m not good at this either. I know it’s going to be hard with you being on the road, but we can make this work. I don’t mind you being out on tour...that’s your job...just promise me you’ll call...A LOT!"
"I want you to go with me, Chelsea. I want to come off the stage to see you waiting for me."
"How can I go with you? I’m going to have to go for physical therapy."
AJ paused, thinking. He knew this was going to be a problem, but there had to be a way around it. Looking at her, he said, "I’ll pay for a physical therapist to come along with us. There’s always a gym at the hotels where we stay, or the venues...or I can get it added to our contract with the venues to have whatever you need."
"Alex..." Chelsea started to protest, but he stopped her with a finger on her lips.
"I know a girl...her name is Michelle...she’s really cool...a fan...and she’s a physical therapist. She helped me some."
"I don’t know, Alex. What about Annie? And the fans?"
"Let Annie come with us so she can spend some time with Kevin, and don’t worry about the fans...they’re going to love you."
"I need to think about it, Alex."
"Beautiful, please...I really want you with me," pleaded AJ. He started to continue but the phone rang and he said, "I’ll be back."
Chelsea watched AJ go back inside and listened as he talked. She could tell it was one of the guys by the way he was laughing, and then his voice dropped. She couldn’t hear exactly what he was saying, but she could tell the conversation was about her.
Her mind began to wander as she waited for him to return. She thought about his request to join him on tour. She wanted to...desperately, but was it the place for Annie? It would give her daughter more time with her father and her more time with AJ...time to get to know him in his setting.
"That was Nick," announced AJ as he returned.
Startled, she looked up. "Huh?"
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you."
AJ started to take his place, but Chelsea stopped him. "Sit behind me and hold me...please."
Chelsea sat up and AJ took his place behind her, wrapping his arms around her. As she rested her head against his shoulder, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I was just thinking. Who was on the phone?"
"Nick...he’s gonna come by tomorrow night for dinner." Running his fingers lightly across her bare arm, "What were you thinking about, Beautiful?"
"You." Gazing out at the night sky, she pointed. "Look, a shooting star. Close your eyes and make a wish."
"What kind of wish?"
"Whatever your heart desires most," answered Chelsea looking up at him.
"You’re what my heart desires most."
"Then make your wish," she prompted softly.
Closing his eyes, AJ said, "I wish that I could make love to you."
Reaching up, Chelsea placed a light kiss and whispered against his lips, "Take me to bed, Baby."
"Are you sure you’re up for this?"
Placing her hands on the sides of his face, she smiled. "You’re wish is my command, Alex, tonight and for always."
Gathering her in his arms, Alex stood and headed to their room.
