Part 53
She fingered the pendant as she watched Annie with the others. They were all out on the balcony overlooking the beach taking pictures. The time alone gave her a chance to take a breath. Life had been a whirlwind but the one constant had been her desire to give Annie the best.
“You still wearing your necklace?”
Chelsea looked up as Kevin took a seat beside her. “Yes, I’m still wearing it. I promised you I’d never take it off.”
“Chelsea, I BROKE my promise to you. Why would you KEEP your promise?”
Chelsea tucked her head and said softly, “I knew how hard it was for you. I always knew you loved me and what it would have been like if I’d told you the truth.”
“You’re too good to me,” whispered Kevin as he pushed her hair behind her ear and tilted her chin up so she was looking at him again. He gave her a soft smile and was about to give her a kiss when Annie’s laughter caught their attention. Both looked over to see AJ razing Annie’s cheek. “What does AJ say about you still wearing the necklace?”
“He understands what it means to me. Why? Has he said something to you?”
“No, he hasn’t and I’m sure he’s being honest with you when he says it doesn’t bother him.”
“But?”
Kevin took her hand in his. “Baby, I know how deeply loyal you are…wearing my necklace all these years is proof…but you’re sending mixed signals by continuing to wear it. I want you to be happy and AJ definitely makes you happy. Give him your complete commitment. Take the necklace off.”
Chelsea had tears in her eyes. “It’s so….final.”
“Baby, we’ll always be connected, as long as we have Annie and I’ll always be there for you. All you have to do is call.”
“I know,” she replied playing with Kevin’s fingers. “Will you take it off for me?”
“Why don’t you get AJ to do it?”
“Thank you, ‘Boo’,” and Chelsea gave him a kiss.
At the same time, AJ sat down on the other side of Chelsea and when she leaned back, he put his hands on her sides. “What are you two over here plotting?”
Chelsea leaned even further back into AJ’s arms and turned her head to give him a kiss.
“No plotting,” said Kevin. “I was just giving her some advice. I’m going to gather my mom and Dee and head home. Do you need me to help with the bill?”
“Nah, my treat. We’ll take Annie to school Monday morning.”
“Kevin, thank you for everything.”
“Any time, baby. We’ll see you later.”
When Kevin was gone, AJ asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just a little tired.”
“Are you ready to go home?”
“Yeah, and we need to talk when we’re alone.”
AJ raised his eyebrows. “Good or bad?”
“VERY good,” purred Chelsea as she reached back to run her hand across his bare cheek. “God, I’m going to have to get use to you not having a beard or mustache.”
AJ laughed, “I’ll grow it back….just for you.”
Giving a contented sigh, “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Not since this afternoon.”
“How about I show you when we get home?”
“Sounds sweet,” answered AJ as he kissed her ear. Then, pushing Chelsea up, he called, “’Pumpkin’, its time to go.”
The little girl, holding her grandmother’s hand, chirped happily, “Okie dokie, ‘Papa J’!”
The foursome made their way out to the car and as AJ drove them home, they talked happily about dinner.
