The words hung in the air between them.
“mine?” Her voice was small as she stared at him.
“yeah?” His voice seemed just as small in the large room.
“Are you okay?”
AJ looked at her. Reaching out, he pulled her legs down and gently pushed them apart. Kneeling on the floor in front her, he leaned close.
“Are you happy about this?” He captured her eyes, his own eyes intent.
Meredith nodded slowly. “Yes. I am.”
He sighed. “Me, too.”
Taking her face into his hands, he brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. “I love you.”
Sniffling, she leaned into his touch. “I love you, too.”
Nick moved to the doorway and stared at his friends. When AJ had run through the house in a panic, he had gotten worried. Seeing them together, he wondered what was going on.
“Guys?”
They slowly turned to him, smiling gently. AJ cleared his throat before he spoke. “Yeah, Nick?”
“Everything okay?” The young man looked back and forth between them.
“Yeah, Munchkin. Everything’s fine.” Meredith nodded.
“I think we’re going to head on home. We’ll catch you tomorrow, okay?” Nick smiled briefly.
“See you tomorrow, Nick.” AJ waved as the young man left.
When they heard the front door close, both of them heaved a sigh of relief. He climbed into the chair with her, pulling her into his arms. Holding her close, he breathed in her scent and closed his eyes. They sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, for over an hour.
“I need to call my mom.” He whispered against her hair.
“I need to call my parents.” She sighed.
“Three-way?” He leaned back and looked at her.
“Yeah.” Meredith got up and gathered two phones then placed the call to Denise.
“Hey, Denise, it’s Meredith. Can you hold on for a minute, we’ve got to patch in another call?”
She clicked the flash button and dialed her parents. “Hey, Mom. Hold on a sec, okay?”
With another click of the button, they were all on the line. “Everyone here?”
[I’m here.] Denise’s voice was loud and clear.
[Hi, Denise.]
[Hi, Cecilia. How are you and Michael?]
[Wonderful. You should come and visit. I’ll take you down to the Riviera.]
[I’ll plan on that.]
[Hello, Denise. Hello, AJ and Meredith.]
[Hi, Michael.]
“Hi, Michael.”
“Hi, Dad.”
AJ and Meredith looked at each other as their mothers chatted.
“We really need to talk to you for a minute.” AJ sat down on the sofa and held onto Meredith’s hand.
[Of course, Alex. What’s going on?]
He looked at her for a moment, and she took a deep breath. She held out three fingers and slowly folded them down on at a time. When none were left, they both spoke at the same time.
“We’re pregnant.”
Complete silence was their answer.
“Mom?”
“Mom?”
“Dad?”
[I don’t know what to say.] Denise sounded far away, as if she were holding the phone away from her ear in surprise.
“Say you’re happy for me.” AJ wrapped an arm around Meredith’s shoulder.
[I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandmother.] Now Denise sounded like she was going to cry.
“You’ll be the best looking grandmother around.” He smiled into the phone.
“Hey.” Meredith poked him.
“Okay, the best looking grandmother on this side of the Atlantic.” He amended his statement with a chuckle.
[That’s better, Alex.] Cecilia’s voice was amused. [I’m so happy for you, Meredith. I know that you wanted children. I can’t wait for a little one to spoil.]
“Thanks, Mom. I’m overjoyed beyond belief.” She nestled into AJ’s embrace, resting her head against his shoulder.
“Dad?”
[I’m happy for you, pumpkin; for both of you. I love you.]
“Thank you, Dad.” Meredith sniffled.
“Thanks, Michael.” AJ held her tight, playing with her fingers as they continued to talk to their parents.
After an hour, they hung up and sank back into the sofa cushions. Closing their eyes, they relaxed for a few minutes.
“I’ve got to tell Reeny-beanie.”
“I need to tell the guys.”
Meredith sat up. “We could just invite them over for dinner tonight. Do it in one fell swoop.”
AJ sat up, too, nodding at the thought. “I’ll call everyone.”
He asked everyone to dinner, and the invitation was quickly accepted. Meredith set out some chicken to thaw for stir-fry and wandered around the kitchen looking slightly lost. AJ grabbed her and pulled her close, sitting her down in a chair.
“It’s gonna be okay, love.” He pressed small kisses all over her face before kneeling on the floor in front of her.
Gently, he raised her shirt and laid his hand on her belly, stroking her skin with his thumb. Smiling, he pressed a kiss above her belly button.
“Baby love.”
Meredith ran her fingers through the dark curls, the sensation of him speaking against her skin making her shiver.
“Baby love.”
***Backstreet Boys****
People started arriving around six, with Brian and Serenity showing up first. Serenity stepped into the kitchen to help gather things and found Meredith standing in the middle of the room looking lost.
“Merry?”
The older woman turned and smiled. “Hi, Serenity.”
“Everything okay? You looked a little lost.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just trying to remember where I last saw the serving platter.” She began to look in cabinets, and the young woman joined her.
Nick and Allyson and Howie and Lumien showed up next, greeting everyone. They walked into the kitchen to find Meredith and Serenity dancing to a song on the radio. The foursome laughed, capturing the attention of the other two, who just chuckled.
Irene and Kevin finally made it to the house, popping into the kitchen to say hello. Meredith shooed everyone into the living room, and AJ took drink orders. When he passed out the glasses, he made his way back to the front of the living room and stood next to Meredith. She looked at him; he looked at her and shrugged.
“Um, can we have your attention, please?” She smiled at the group that turned to face her.
Eight pairs of eyes turned to look at them, and AJ swallowed as he held on to Meredith’s hand. He had no idea how anyone would react, and the thought scared him a little bit. The reassuring squeeze from Meredith prompted him to release the breath he was holding.
“We have an announcement to make.”
“I told you. They’re getting married!” Nick laughed as he turned to Brian and high-fived him. The others broke into laughter, chattering excitedly.
“Interesting, but no.” AJ pressed his lips together in a tight smile.
His statement slowly registered, and the smiles died away. Taking a breath, Meredith looked at her sister.
“We’re going to have a baby.”
Dead silence filled the room. The eight people sitting down looked everywhere but at Meredith and AJ, who remained standing at the front of the room.
“Talk about a tough crowd.” AJ leaned closed to Meredith, the whisper of his words brushing her ear.
“Tell me about it.” She looked at him, kissing him quickly for moral support.
When she looked back at the group, Irene was heading towards her. Stopping in front of her sister, she slowly reached out and touched the other woman’s belly.
“When?”
“August 23 is the due date.” Meredith’s hand settled over Irene’s pressing it close.
A couple of tears slipped from her eyes as she gathered Meredith close in a hug then pulled AJ into it. “I’m so happy for you guys. A baby. Wow!”
Kevin was behind her, adding his congratulations to the hug as he wrapped his arms around everyone. When the tears stopped, the couple moved aside and let Howie and Lumien approach.
“You know, if the baby comes a day early, it will have a great birthday.” Howie grinned as he kissed Meredith’s cheek and wrapped both of his friends in a hug.
Lumien smacked his arm before she hugged Meredith and AJ. “Congratulations. I’m very happy for both of you. You’re gonna be great parents.”
Brian and Serenity stepped up next, and he stared at his friends for a few moments.
AJ just looked at the other man. “What?”
“I’m trying to imagine leather diapers and little baby tattoos.” He grinned as the soon-to-be parents laughed.
Serenity kissed AJ and Meredith when she hugged them. “You are so blessed.”
“I know.” Meredith smiled back. She turned to face Nick, who was standing on the outside of the circle.
He looked at her belly, tilting his head in contemplation. Allyson stepped forward and hugged them, adding her congratulations to the mix. Meredith thanked her and looked back at Nick.
“Munchkin?”
He looked up at her, then smiled. “So I get another little brother or sister.”
She opened her arms, and he pulled her into a gentle hug. “Yeah, you do. Gotta keep those big brother skills up to date, you know.”
Nick kissed her head before letting her go back to AJ. “I’m pretty good with a diaper and a bottle.”
“Then consider yourself number one babysitter.” AJ chuckled as he looked at his friend.
“Congratulations, man. You are so very lucky.” Nick shook the other man’s hand then pulled him into a hug.
“Group hug!” Brian pulled Serenity over and joined the hug as everyone got involved.
The timer in the kitchen dinged, signaling that dinner was finished. The group headed into the kitchen to gather dishes and dinner then walked into the dining room. When they were seated, Brian looked around and held out his hands for everyone to join him in grace.
“Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the joy of today; for family, for friends, for love. We are especially thankful for the gift you’re giving Meredith and AJ, and we ask you to bless them with strength, grace, wisdom, and an infinite measure of love. We also thank you for this food that you have provided to nourish us. Amen.”
“Amen” echoed around the table as they dug into the meal and talked about all the things that needed to be done in the months leading up to the baby’s birth.
***Backstreet Boys****
AJ sat up in bed, gasping softly as he pressed a hand to his chest. Meredith stirred, and he brushed his fingers across her back until she settled back into sleep. Climbing from the warm cocoon of blankets on their bed, he pulled on a robe and headed downstairs. He wandered into the kitchen and poured a glass of milk before sitting down at the table and staring into the backyard.
Moonlight danced across the water in the pool, the fountain rippling the water as it showered into the air before falling to the surface. He was afraid. Now that the excitement and wonder of Meredith’s announcement had worn off, he was afraid he was going to screw up his child. The infrequent presence of his father left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he desperately wanted to avoid that type of relationship with his kid.
Barely thinking about it, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.
[Hello?] The voice was soft.
“Mom?” He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair.
[Alex? What’s wrong?] Denise’s voice was more alert.
AJ was silent for a moment before he opened his mouth. What came out surprised him. “Am I going to be like him?”
His mother sighed before she spoke. [No, Alex, you won’t be like Bob. You are not the same, and you will be a wonderful father. I know this child will be blessed to have you as a dad and Meredith as a mom.]
Just hearing her words made him sigh in relief. “Thanks, Mom. I’m sorry I woke you.”
She chuckled. [I imagine this will only be the first of many times you’ll do that. Go back to Meredith and get some sleep. I love you.]
“Love you, too. Night.” He clicked off the phone and finished off his milk. He rose and put the glass in the sink before returning to the bedroom.
When AJ stopped in the doorway, the breath caught in his throat as he watched Meredith. She was stretched on her side, her face towards the window where moonlight streamed through the window and lit her face. Her hand was resting against her belly, and he bit his lip as he walked slowly towards the bed. Shedding the robe, he climbed beneath the covers and spooned up behind her, wrapping his arm across her and letting his hand settle over hers.
“mmm, okay?” She pressed against him.
“I’m fine.” He pressed a kiss against her shoulder and slowly stroked her hand.
I can do this. I will do this. I’m not gonna screw it up. His last thoughts before he slept were of a dark-haired little girl with bright blue eyes smiling up at him.
****Backstreet Boys****
Serena Altschul smiled into the camera. “From Backstreet Boy to Backstreet Dad? Sources in the Backstreet camp report that AJ McLean and girlfriend, Meredith Davenport, are expecting. The baby is reportedly due in August, although official confirmation has not been given. MTV will provide further information as it is released.”
Web sites all over the Internet began the awesome task of investigating the rumor and trying to determine its legitimacy. Irene tracked the information on her lists, sending the amusing articles to Meredith and deleting the vicious e-mails from her inbox. Although tempted to blast the authors, she refrained from doing so.
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Stories By Gabrielle