Part 47
A tiny finger on his back tracing the dragon tattoo reached through his dreams and AJ tried to wake up.
“Papa J,” whispered the tiny voice.
“Ummm.”
“I’m hungry!”
“Uh huh!”
“Is there any cereal in the kitchen?”
“Mmmmm.”
Taking that as a ‘yes’, Annie eased off the bed and out of the room and AJ dozed off again pulling Chelsea a little tighter.
Minutes later, Annie returned, only this time, she wasn’t nearly as quiet or gentle when she jumped on the bed followed by ‘Bo’. And this time, she woke Chelsea too.
“Geez Annie! WHAT are you doing?” grumbled Chelsea as ‘Bo’ started to lick her. “Get the DOG OUT OF HERE!”
AJ managed to push ‘Bo’ off the bed as Annie whined, “I’m HUNGRY!”
“FINE, but you …..”
“Hang on, Chelsea,” interrupted AJ. “She did try to wake me a few minutes ago without waking you so don’t fuss at her. Annie, take ‘Bo’ and go get dressed. Watch TV until I’m ready.”
“Yes sir,” replied Annie obediently and scooted out of the room.
“Are you okay, ‘Beautiful’?”
“Yeah,” sighed Chelsea closing her eyes and laying back into AJ’s arms. “I was just hoping to sleep a little longer.”
“You can go back to sleep. I’ll take Annie to get some breakfast and I can bring something back to you.”
“You don’t have to take her out for every meal.”
“Until I can go shopping, I do. There’s nothing here to eat. Do you want to go or stay here?”
“Why don’t you spend some time with Annie?”
“You sure?”
Taking his hand, she placed a kiss in the palm. “Positive. I’m gonna go back to sleep until you bring me my breakfast….in bed!”
“With a rose!” smiled AJ. “I just might have to drop Annie off with Kevin so I can come back and wake you.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Want company while I’m gone?”
“You mean ‘Bo’? No thanks!! I’ll make do with my dreams about you and your pillow.”
Nuzzling her neck, he said, “Maybe I can make one of those dreams come true.”
“You already have, Alex, you already have. You’d better get going before Annie gives up and comes back to get you.”
“I’ll do some shopping this afternoon but you need to help me make a list of things you like,” said AJ as he got up.
Chelsea rolled onto her back to watch AJ dress. “I want to go with you.”
“Baby, how are you gonna manage on crutches?”
“I’ll be fine, Alex. Besides, most stores have carts for handicapped people. I can use that so I don’t have to walk.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said AJ as he leaned over to kiss her. “We won’t be long.”
“I’ll be fine, Alex. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Call me if you need me.”
“I’ll be fine,” repeated Chelsea but she wasn’t angry. She was happy that AJ was being so protective. It had been a long time since she’d felt this safe.
AJ pulled a T-shirt over his head, slipped on his flip-flops, and started to leave.
“Whoa! Where are you going mister?”
“To take Annie to breakfast.”
“Uh…excuse me…what about kissing me good-bye?” pouted Chelsea.
Laughing, AJ went back and sat down beside Chelsea on the bed. Brushing her cheek, he gave her a kiss. “Better?”
“Uh huh!”
“Be back before you miss me.”
Chelsea watched AJ leave and rolled over to go back to sleep.
