CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Today was the day. CHRISTMAS. The day the whole world has an excuse to scream and go crazy. The day parents found excuses to visit their children. The day AJ found an excuse to skip my dinner.

"You can't stop by and visit your girlfriend on Christmas, AJ?" I was almost at the point of begging. "Please." I moved from my side of the couch, over closer to him and put my hands together, pleading.

"I'm so sorry baby, but I can't make it." He grabbed hold of my hand. "See, they've got us on a tight schedule here, and they're putting us to work on some live Christmas special in Tacoma. I won't be back until tomorrow morning, late." He seemed genuinely sorry that he couldn't make it, but it still upset me that I had put so much preparation into it, for nothing.

"Summer, you understand right?" he asked, wanting the reassurance I usually offered. "Yeah babe. I do. I'm just a little disappointed, thats all," I said honestly. I really wanted him here.

"Believe me, I'm disappointed too. There is nothing in this world that I'd rather do on Christmas than spend it with you. You know, laying by the fireplace, cuddlin' by the tree." He smiled at me, and moved closer. He wrapped his arms around me, gently. "Instead, I'm stuck with 4 guys in the freezing cold, singing my butt off." He pointed out tactfully as he kissed my forehead.

"I totally understand babe. I just wanted our first Christmas together to be special, you know?" I started getting all gushy but luckily, AJ thrived on gushy. He knew how to make a girl melt.

"I have an idea. It won't be the same, I'm warning you, but it might be a little better than before." I nodded. "Well I'm not going to tell you silly! It's a surprise!" He laughed. "Don't worry. It's not like any of my other surprises."

"Thank God. You had me worried," I joked sarcastically. He laughed, and shook his head. We shared a comfortable moment of silence, as our laughs trailed off.

"Well baby, I've gotta get my stuff together. My flight leaves in," he said as he checked his watch, "3 hours. I'll come over before I leave." He leaned over the table, and kissed the top of my head. "I'll see you later baby girl."

"Bye babe."

"Vic, how could this happen?" I said, disgusted. "I planned out everything meticulously, and now, its all to waste."

"Don't worry! Just save whatever you bought, and all your plans for either your next anniversary, or Valentines Day," Vic suggested thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I was just really excited about it all, I guess," I said, tapping my foot on the floor. "I'll be fine."

"That's the spirit! So when does he leave?"

"9 tonight. That’s already in 2 hours," I added solemnly, while fiddling with the tablecloth on my kitchen table.

"Don't worry Summie, you can still surprise him with your gift." She nodded, as if agreeing with herself. "He's gonna love it!" she comforted.

"Thanks Vic. I hope so, I spent enough time getting it ready!" I laughed, for the first time in a few hours. I glanced over at the clock. 6:57. AJ would be here soon, and leave even sooner. "Vic, I'm gonna go and get ready." I sighed as I got up out of my chair at the kitchen table. "I want AJ's last holiday vision of me to be a good one." Vic shook her head playfully, and said her goodbyes, leaving quietly. "God, am I always this melodramatic?" I said aloud to myself, as I made my way to my vanity mirror in my room.

I sat down in the vanity chair, and opened the drawer to get my makeup bag. I wanted to look extra special tonight, so I paid extra special attention to each small detail. I curled each lash meticulously, and applied all eyeshadow as if my eyes were canvas' of some great masterpiece.

As I applied my mascara, I remembered the gift. I had gone to great lengths for this gift, and I hoped he loved it. Vic assured me that he would, but sometimes that’s not enough. I guess we'll find out.

"Baby?" AJ said, opening the front door. "I'm here." He set his stuff down on the table, and searched the apartment, uselessly. "Where are you Summer?" he said in a sing song voice. "If I have to go and find you, I'm gonna tickle you rotten!" He laughed at his empty threat.

"Hey sexy!" I said, emerging from my hiding spot. "I didn't hear you come in." I kissed his lips, sweetly.

"Sure. You're just afraid of the tickler," he said, pointing to his index finger.

"Uh huh. That's it." I smiled sarcastically, and then sighed. "You're so cute sometimes, you know that?" I drew him closer to me, and leaned my head upon his chest. I was going to miss him tremendously, even if for only a day or two.

"Aww, baby.." he said soothingly, sensing my emotions. "You're pretty damn cute yourself." He rubbed my back softly, and we shared a moment of sweet silence, in appreciation of each others presences. He pulled me away, and looked into my eyes.

"You want to see what I got you for Christmas?" he asked, the excitement in his eyes apparent.

"Mhmm..." I murmured to myself. "How about we wait just a little while longer?" I suggested. I wanted to postpone his departure as much as possible. By leaving the gift exchange for last, I could do that.

"Sure baby. Whatever you want." He kissed my forehead, and took hold of my hand. He escorted me into the living room, and laid down next to the raging fire going on in the fireplace. He motioned with his hand for me to lay down and join him and I did, happily.

"So what are you going to do for 2 whole days without me?" he said, playfully arrogant. The flames were dancing across his face, brightly illuminating his eyes.

"I was thinking something along the lines of suicide," I joked. "I mean, the nights alone are enough to drive me crazy." He turned to face me, and I continued. "Two days? Forget about it!" I laughed nervously.

"The nights are lonely, huh?" He smiled to himself, and inched in closer. His face was about 2 inches away from mine, making me kinda nervous, but very happy all at once. "Well maybe we can do something about that," he said as he leaned in to kiss me. The kiss was soft, yet strongly passionate, gentle, yet roughly sensuous. He pulled back, and I felt his eyes baring into me. I kept mine closed for a little longer, embracing the moment. When I opened them, I was greeted by his warm gaze.

"Well, as for the other 2 nights, you'll have to figure it out for yourself." He smiled coyly, and lightly brushed a lone strand of hair back behind my ears.

"I'm sure I'll manage," I sighed. He motioned for me to come closer, and I did. He wrapped his arms around me and rocked me gently to sleep.

RING

The ring startled AJ awake, as he fumbled around his pants pockets for the cell phone. "Hello?" AJ grunted sleepily into the mouthpiece of the phone.

"Bone! Where are ya man?" Nick shouted emphatically. "We're all waitin’ on you."

"Sh*t! I'm right there," he said as he collected himself. "I must have fallen asleep," he added with a yawn.

"Ahh, and where's Summer?" Nick asked suspiciously. He loved antagonizing his fellow bandmates, and he knew just what to do to get to them.

"Uh, right here. We fell asleep by the fire," he said, softer than before.

Nick just laughed. "Get down here Bone. We need ya."

"Sure thing Nicky," he said, as he hung up the phone. He rubbed his eyes, and scanned the room for all of his belongings. He carefully eased Summer onto his pillow, as he got up gently to gather his things. He grabbed his suitcase, toiletries bag, and backpack and put them by the front door, and then searched the rest of the house quickly for any of his belongings.

When he was content that he had remembered everything, he crept quietly over to where Summer lie by the fire. "Bye baby. I'll miss you. " He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. "I love you." With those parting words, he grabbed his luggage, and left.

"I love you too baby," Summer said, smiling inside and out.

Chapter 15

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