"I'm so addicted to the loving that you're feeding to me / can't do without it / this feeling's got me weak in the knees / body's in withdrawal every time you take it away / can't you hear me callin' / beggin' you to come out and play / so baby come to me, show me who you ar'-- AAAH!"  Jayme jumped as someone grabbed her from behind, spun her around and smothered her lips with his.  Refusing to return the kiss until he was punished for scaring her so badly, she pushed his shoulders away and began smacking him with her hairbrush.
 
    "Ow!" AJ cried, reaching for his right shoulder as soon as she'd finished hitting him.  Immediately she began pummelling the other shoulder with her fists.  "Ok, ok!  Uncle!  Mercy!  Whatever the hell that keyword is that'll get you to stop clubbing me!"  AJ put a wounded look on his face and pouted.  Jayme finally stopped hitting him and dropped the brush that she'd been using earlier as her microphone.  She pushed her face into his and whispered in a menacing tone, "Don't ever scare me like that again!"
 
    AJ responded by pecking her quickly on the lips, then moving toward the door.  Turning to look at her, he inquired "I was wondering if you'd like to spend today with me, seeing as it's my last day here and all."
 
    She looked thoughtful for a second, as if she really had to think about spending the entire day with him.  "Of course, I'd love to.  Just let me get a couple of things done first, and I'll be ready to roll."
 
    He gave her a Cheshire-cat smile and nodded.  Walking out of the room, she heard him singing the same song she'd been singing earlier in a high-pitched imitation of her.  Jayme shook her head at him and smiled to herself, happy to have someone to call her own at last.
 

 
    "Mornin' Beautiful."
 
    I noticed Nick's eyes flutter as they struggled to open.  He looked so cute first thing in the morning, with his hair all tousled and his face twisted up in a yawn.  He gave a big stretch and reached out to gather me in his arms.  "So, what's the plan for today?"
 
    I lay my head on his shoulder and thought for a while, then responded, "I think we should drive out to Minneapolis to the Mall Of America and shop ‘till we drop."
 
    "Sounds good to me.  Let me take my shower first before we hit the road.  How about you order breakfast for us and I'll be done by the time it gets here?"
 
    "Sure sweetie."  I kissed him lightly and crawled out of bed.  He whistled at me as I crossed the room, and in reply I gave my behind a little shake just to tease him.  I heard him chuckling as he closed the door to the bathroom and started the shower.
 
    After ordering breakfast over the phone, I sat in front of my suitcase.  What to wear, what to wear.  Hmm.  I looked outside and noticed there wasn't a cloud in the sky, yet it seemed a bit breezy.  The sun was shining brightly, perfect weather for a sun dress.  I pulled my favourite one out of my suitcase, a knee length dress, with baby blue material and royal blue flowers scattered over it.  I pulled it on, zipped it up and adjusted the spaghetti straps on my shoulders.  As I finished getting dressed, something hit me: I was actually married now.  I had someone to love me, hold me, and be with me for the rest of my life.  I stared out the window of our motel room at all the trees and flowers.  Everything seemed twice as beautiful now.
 
    Nick had finished his shower, and I heard him coming up behind me.  He slid his arms around my shoulders and whispered in my ear, "Where do you go when you think I'm not watching?"
 
    I leaned my head back against his bare chest and closed my eyes, taking in his scent.  Speaking so softly that he had to put his ear closer to my mouth, I answered him.  "I go to a place where it's just you and me forever.  Nothing ever goes wrong, we have no worries, and we're happy all the time.  Kind of the way things are now."
 
    I could feel his cheeks lift as his face adopted a bright smile.  The smile vanished as he kissed my shoulders, up my neck, and across my cheek.  He turned me to face him and closed his eyes as he lightly tasted my lips, letting the kiss take on a life of it's own.
 
    At that moment, the only thought in my head was, ‘If this could go on forever, I'd be in paradise.'
 
 

    ***One Month Later***

 
    "If I asked the stars what we had, mmmm, they'd show forever..."
 
    "You're way off key."
 
    Nick looked up from the piano and gave Kevin a ‘you-soooo-don't-have-any-idea-what- you're-talking-about' look.
 
    Kevin laughed.  "Alright hotshot, then do it again and listen to the third measure, fourth note.  The note should be an F, not an E flat."
 
    "No way.  It says right here," Nick pointed to the note on the sheet of music, "it's an F--" he glanced at the key signature, "Um, E flat."
 
    Kevin grinned and came to stand beside Nick.  "Want me to play while you sing?"
 
    Nick's face became beet red and his eyes shifted to his feet.  "Yeah, that'd be good."
 
    A loud bang came from upstairs, followed by a crash and someone yelling an obscenity.  Nick and Kevin looked at each other.
 
    "I'll be right back." said Nick.  He trotted up the stairs, leaving Kevin chuckling behind him.
 
    I twisted around once I heard Nick on the steps, and looked at his laughing eyes as he watched me trying to pick up the pieces of broken glass.  I'd dropped a casserole dish in my attempt to get a container from the top shelf of our cupboard, but unfortunately I'd found out the hard way that I was too short and should have used a chair.
 
    "Let me help you with that."  He bent down to pick up the last of the pieces as I stood up to brush away the stray strands of hair that had fallen on my face.  I clenched my fists in frustration.
 
    "This is the fourth time this week that I've broken something.  Why am I such a klutz lately?"
 
    Nick dumped the glass into the garbage and gathered me into his arms.  "You just need to slow down is all.  Stop trying to get things done at lightening speed.  Kevin will understand if lunch isn't ready by twelve o'clock sharp."
 
    "You know, women tend to be very clumsy when they're pregnant."  Kevin conquered the last step on the flight of stairs and grinned triumphantly at us.
 
    Shocked, I dropped the dust pan I'd been holding and stared wide eyed at Nick.  Just by looking at him, I could tell he'd been thinking the same thing I had: we still hadn't found out whether I was pregnant or not.  Suddenly, all of the old anxieties crept up on me again.  I grabbed the nearest chair and sat down, burying my face in my hands.  We had to find out.  Today.  I couldn't take the worrying for a minute longer.
 
    "Um, Kevin, could you ah, excuse us for a minute?  I need Nick's help in the next room."  I gestured to the family room and looked pointedly at Nick.
 
    "Sure, I'll be in the studio."  Kevin turned and made his way back down the stairs.
 
    "Come in here" I hissed, and he followed me into the next room.
 
    "You're thinking about the baby aren't you?"
 
    "We have to find out Nick.  We have to know for sure."
 
    He sighed and ran his hand up and down my bare arm.  "I'll find out where the nearest clinic is and we'll go this afternoon.  Okay?  Does that make you feel better?"
 
    "A bit.  I'll feel better once we get some answers."
 
    "I know you will baby."  I nudged him and he caught his mistake.  "Sorry, bad choice of words."  He laughed.
 
    I smiled back at him and nestled myself in his strong arms.
 
 

Chapter Thirty-Four
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