Part 42
Kevin arrived around four that afternoon with Annie and as Chelsea helped Annie with her homework, AJ pulled him out of the room.
“What’s up, ‘J’?”
“I need your advice. You know Chelsea fairly well?’
“I guess so. What’s going on?”
“This morning…when she was coming out of the anesthesia, she was talking and she said ‘Let’s get married’ but when she was fully awake, she didn’t remember it. She thought she was dreaming.”
“Okay.”
“Should I ask her about it or let it go?”
Kevin smiled, “What do you want to do?”
“I want to marry her, Kevin. I want her in my life forever. She’s…..she’s…..”
“She’s a remarkable lady, always has been, and if you let her get away, you’re a damned fool but I also think you need to slow down. Ever since you two got together, she’s had to depend on you because of the wreck. Give her a chance to get up and doing for herself…let her feel like she’s not dependent on you for everything.”
“So….should I even ask her?”
“That’s up to you, bro. Why don’t you just bring up the idea of marriage and see how she reacts. I know she’s head over heels for you. She never looked at me the way she does you.”
The door opened and Annie stepped out. Taking AJ by the hand, she said, “Mama wants to know if everything is okay.”
Kneeling down, AJ said, “You tell your mom everything is perfect,” and he touched her nose with his finger. “Tell her we’ll be back in a minute.”
“Okay.”
As soon as the door closed, AJ looked at Kevin. “Cover for me. I wanna go get something for her.”
“She likes roses and stuffed animals.”
“Already knew that! Back in a few.”
Kevin watched AJ disappear down the hall before going back inside with Chelsea and Annie. He smiled watching the two as they finished Annie’s homework. She really was a remarkable woman and she’d done an excellent job raising Annie. He was so grateful that she wanted him to be a part of their lives now too.
“Where’s Alex?”
“Smoke break,” lied Kevin. “He’ll be back in a few minutes.”
As Annie worked, Chelsea asked, “What were you two talking about?”
“Nothing major. Just giving you some time to help Annie without us to distract you.”
“You’re a lousy liar, Kevin,” smirked Chelsea.
Laughing, he said, “Okay, he was asking me for advice.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Not at all.”
“Mama, I’m done.”
“Okay. Daddy, give her some money and let her go get a snack.”
Kevin pulled out some change, handed it to Annie, and asked, “You remember where we saw the machines?”
“Yes sir.”
“Be careful and come straight back.”
Annie skipped off to get her snack.
“Kevin, what were you talking to Alex about?” questioned Chelsea.
“Nothing you need to worry about, I promise. Now, how do you feel?”
“My ankle hurts but I’ll be okay. I’m just glad it’s over.” Chelsea looked at her fingers for what seemed like forever before she finally said, “Kevin, I had a really …. Well, I had a dream this morning.”
“About what?”
“I asked Alex to marry me while we were out on tour.”
“Sounds like a nice dream,” smirked Kevin. “Hope he said ‘yes’ in your dream.”
“You skunk….you know he did.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Should I tell him about it?”
“That’s up to you, Chels.”
“You’re no help.”
“Okay, do you WANT it to happen?”
“I….I guess so. I don’t know.”
“I don’t see any problem in telling him about the dream but as for making it come true, I think you’re rushing things. Wait until you’re up and moving and not dependent on him for everything.”
“I’m not dependent on him for everything. I COULD have stayed in Virginia with my mom and we would have still been together.”
“True. Look, you asked for my advice and my advice is – follow your heart. If AJ makes you happy and you want to marry him, then tell him. I can’t make this decision for you but I will listen if you need to talk.”
“Thanks, Kevin,” replied Chelsea as Annie came bouncing back into the room.
The three spent time together as a family talking and sharing Annie’s day. She prattled on and on about the new friends she had made, the activities they had done, and the teachers. She was extremely happy and Chelsea was relieved that things had gotten off to a good start for her at school.
