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» CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT «

It had been a couple weeks and AJ was finally feeling good enough to be released from the hospital. He healed much quicker than normal because of all the love and support he had gotten from everyone. He had to miss a couple of Backstreet Boy appearances, but the fans understood.

He had gotten so many cards and gifts from fans that he could hardly believe it. AJ had all the stuffed animals passed out to all the sick children at the hospital. Jessica took all the rest of the cards and gifts back at home.

So AJ checked out of the hospital, and was wheeled outside in a wheelchair by Jessica. His limo was waiting outside to take him home. There were a few fans outside of the hospital and AJ tried to sign autographs, but didn't feel up to it.

There were even a few girls who looked at Jessica and said, "Get away from my man, you little slut."

Jessica just ignored them because she knew when the engagement was announced they'd have to get over it.

They got in the limo, and were finally on their way home! AJ leaned over and kissed Jessica with a passion. It felt like forever since he'd last kissed her.

"Thanks for being there for me, Jess. I needed you." he murmured, rubbing her shoulder. Jessica smiled.

"No thank you needed. I had to have you back, AJ. You're what I live for!" she flashed her engagement ring in his face. "And once you slip the wedding band around my finger, I'll never leave your side. I love you, AJ."

AJ wrapped his arms around her waist. "I love you more--and tonight I'll show you." he whispered.

"There's no other place I'd rather be." Jessica whispered back.

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Lauren was at Nick's house, sitting on the couch watching TV while Nick got them something to drink. She was really just thinking. The past two weeks had been incredible for Lauren. Spending time with Nick again--it was just like they'd never broken up at all.

Lauren decided that she and Nick should throw away their plastic rings...after all, they wanted to forget all about the break-up. The day after they threw them away, Nick surprised Lauren with 2 real promise rings. A promise to each other. Nick promised that he would never do anything to hurt Lauren again. Lauren promised to always wear hers, no matter what. It was a definite symbol of their love.

Her thoughts turned to her birthday. It was the very next day...she wondered what Nick had gotten her. He had a tendency to shower her with gifts. She really didn't want anything though. Just being with Nick, she had everything she needed.

"I'm back! Did you miss me?" Nick exclaimed, handing her a drink and sitting down next to her.

"Of course I missed you." she said, playing with his unruly blonde hair.

"Did you know AJ's coming home today?" Nick informed.

"Really? That's great! So that's where Jessica is. She's got him something special planned, I'm sure." Lauren thought aloud.

"Yep. Speaking of special plans, Lauren, I've got some for your birthday coming up!" Nick grinned mischievously.

Lauren smiled. "Oh really? Well don't get too carried away like last time..." she said half-jokingly.

Nick pointed to his promise ring. "I won't. I love you too much to screw it up again." he smiled.

Lauren felt weak in the knees. His smile still did that to her after all this time. She knew she couldn't live without Nick.

"Nick?" she asked.

"Yes?" Nick smiled.

"Can I kiss you right now?" she giggled.

"Not if I kiss you first!" he laughed, and they met halfway.

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Nick was so unbelievably happy he felt like he was floating on air. The past couple of weeks reminded him how much he loved and had missed Lauren. She just made everything so right. He could care less what anybody thought.

He knew Lauren was the girl he was going to marry. When Mandy gave him back his engagement ring, he knew there was only one thing to do with it. He had to put it on Lauren's finger. What better day to propose than Lauren's birthday? This time his surprise would go perfectly.

He'd grown up a lot since his mistake a couple of months ago. And if he'd learned anything from that horrible experience, it was that he couldn't live without Lauren. He wanted more than anything to be with her...to show her how much he loved her. Her birthday was the next day, and Nick couldn't wait.

"Baby, it's the way you make me, kinda get me go crazy, never wanna stop..." Nick whispered in Lauren's ear.

Lauren smiled, making her beautiful green eyes light up. Nick felt weak in the knees. She was so beautiful, inside and out. He couldn't believe she still made him feel that way. That's true love.

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Jessica had missed AJ so much, which made the way he made love to her so unbelievable.

"AJ....down boy!" Jessica joked. AJ moved beside her.

"Every night I was in the hospital, I dreamed of you and how much I wanted to make love to you." he informed.

"I dreamed of you too, AJ. I'm so glad that you're okay. I couldn't handle it if you'd been killed...I don't even want to think about it!" she buried her face in his neck. He rubbed her back gently.

"Don't worry about it, Jess. I'm here now, and that's what matters." he tilted her face up to his and kissed her lips reassuringly.

"So...you know what sweetheart? We should set a date for the wedding. The sooner, the better." AJ reminded.

"How about we have an outdoor wedding near the end of this month? It will be beautiful, I know it." Jessica sighed dreamily.

"Whatever you want, baby. I was born to make you happy." AJ began to kiss her neck.

"Well you're definitely doing your job!"

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A J was suddenly feeling a lot better. Just two weeks ago, they didn't know if he would pull through, yet there he was, making passionate love to his fiancee.

AJ thought about the engagement. He wanted to get married very soon. He couldn't stand it that they hadn't made that commitment yet. Commitment. AJ used to not even know the meaning. Now it was all he thought about.

AJ's mind wandered to Lauren and Nick. Nick mentioned very top secretly that he planned to propose on her birthday. AJ just knew they were going to have a great life together. AJ glanced over adoringly at Jessica.

"Same goes for us." he smiled.

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¤ Chapter 29 ¤
REMEMBER to send feedback to the author, Lauren