Part 71
“Are you going to talk to Chelsea’s dad?” asked Howie after Marcus left.
“Haven’t decided,” mumbled Kevin.
“Weren’t you just making…..”
“No! I was talking to Marcus about security.”
“Kevin, you promised AJ you’d fix this…or at least try. What is the hold-up?”
Kevin stood and faced Howie. “Why am I going to fix Chelsea’s relationship when she’s right back in the same spot when her father kicked out?”
“Okay, first we don’t know that Chelsea IS pregnant…at least AJ doesn’t and even if she is, it’s NOT the same. You walked out on her before she could tell you about the baby. Alex isn’t going to do that. You made a promise, now you need to keep your word, Kevin. It’s NOT your place to judge them.”
Kevin knew Howie was right so he remained silent.
“I think there’s more to this, isn’t there?”
Kevin looked to where Chelsea and Michelle were talking happily with Nick. “What else could it be?”
“From the way you look at her, you’re still in love with her and it’s hurting you to see her with AJ.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it? Why are you so angry that she could be pregnant?”
Kevin sat down and put his head in his hands. “Okay! Yes, I am still in love with her. Howie, I never stopped being in love with her and now…having her here, with us, and having Annie here….”
Howie sat down beside his friend. “You need to work this out. It’s not fair to yourself or to Dianne…and it’s going to cause problems if you’re going to be jealous of Alex.”
“I know,” whispered Kevin as he looked up at Chelsea again as AJ joined her putting his arms around her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
AJ kissed her on the cheek and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Nothing major.”
“I see Kevin is watching you.”
Chelsea looked over. “I didn’t notice but I do need to go ask him something.”
“Okay. I’ll be in my dressing room.”
Chelsea turned her head enough to give him a kiss and then went to talk to Kevin.
“Hey, Howie,” greeted Chelsea giving him a hug.
“How do you feel?”
“Better, thanks! Kevin, can I talk to you…about the wedding?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll leave you two to talk.”
As soon as Howie was gone, Kevin took Chelsea’s hand. “What do you want to talk about, Chels?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Fire away.”
“Alex and I have been planning the wedding but I have one detail I’m not sure how to handle.”
“What’s that?”
Chelsea looked down at his hand holding hers. “Kevin, would you….as Annie’s father….give me away?”
Kevin was touched by the shyness in which she’d asked. Tenderly, he lifted her chin to look at him. “I’d be honored, Chelsea.”
Sighing with relief, she gave him a hug and said, “Thank you!”
He couldn’t help it. Holding her tight, his mind raced to the past, seven years…to when he had had her love; when he’d been able to make love to her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, that he wanted her back but he knew he never could tell her.
“Why me, Chels?” he asked as he let go of her slightly. “It should be your father.”
“Did you hit your head or something? Daddy will NEVER agree to do that for me.”
“Tell me….do you want your dad and brothers at your wedding?”
“Of course I do but it’s not going to happen.”
Kevin took her face in his hands. “Close your eyes and make a wish.”
“You didn’t see a shooting star!”
“What difference does that make?”
“That’s the only time we ever did that.”
“Doesn’t matter. Just do it.”
“Kevin, you can’t pull that one off.”
“Have I ever let you down when you’ve made a wish?”
“No.”
“Then close your eyes and make a wish.”
Chelsea did as he asked and said, “I wish my father would forgive me and be at my wedding.”
Kevin leaned to her and placed a feathery kiss on her forehead. “You will have your wish.”
Chelsea looked up into the emerald depths and a soft smile spread. She knew by simply looking into his eyes that he would find a way to give her her wish. “Thank you, ‘Boo’.”
“Chels…” Movement down the hall caught his attention and he turned to see AJ. “AJ’s waiting for you.”
Chelsea gave him a hug before rejoining AJ.
