Chapter 14: ...Until it�s gone
As AJ awoke, the smell of eggs filled the air. As he opened his eyes he thought he was dreaming. Did he really smell eggs? Or was it just wishful thinking? As he sat up in bed he realized he had actually slept the whole night through. This was something he hadn't done in 4 weeks. He felt re-energized and refreshed as he stretched. The mourning mountain air chilled his face as he sat up in bed. Serenity was no longer lying next to him in bed as he looked to his side. He took in another deep breath as once again the smell of eggs filled his nose. He left his bed and started for the door. When he opened it he saw Serenity in the kitchen washing dishes. On the small table over from her he saw a plate of eggs, toast, and oranges. AJ walked closer, looking at the food and then at the dark haired women as she hummed. As her humming got louder it turned into singing. Her gentle smooth voice shocked him. Her voice was one of the most beautiful things he had ever heard. As she washed dishes, her voice made her even more appealing to him as she stood their wearing his sweater, jacket, and her own socks.
�Wow.� AJ blurted as he looked at her. She jumped quickly and turned around. �Oh, I didn�t know you were there. Gees you scared me.� She said as she turned to face him. �Good morning.� She added as she turned to continue her work. �I didn�t know you could sing like that. Wow, you�re really good. What was that song? It�s really pretty.� He asked her. �Well, I didn�t know you were standing their. It�s something I just made up.� She said drying the pan she was holding. �What is all this? Where did you get the food?� He asked her as he looked toward the table and walked closer to her.
�I found it. Can you believe that? This morning I went to the back and found a fridge. There were a couple of eggs inside and bread. There was even strawberry jam. I looked under the sink and found some vegetable oil and I decided to make breakfast. The oranges were in there too, there were a bunch of them. The people that own this place must have either left and forgotten the food here or on their way back soon. I found the paper plates and forks in one of the drawers too.� She said putting the pan she was holding back in one of the cabinets. AJ grabbed her as she stood back up, putting his arms around her waist. �I haven�t seen a real homemade breakfast in a long time, you are heaven sent.� He said as he looked at her and then at the food. �Well, you know you can actually eat it too. If you wait too long it will get cold.� She said smiling and pulling away from him to wipe the counter off.
He took a seat at the little table and took a drink of the water that was in the paper cup that sat next to the plate of food. �You�re not going to eat?� He asked her. �I already ate while you were sleeping. You were sleeping so well I didn�t want to disturb you.� She told him. �Well, I haven�t been getting much sleep lately actually. Last night was the first night I actually slept with out waking up in the middle of the night. Sometimes I can�t go to sleep at all. I haven�t slept for eleven hours since I was like 9 or something.� The ruff voiced man told her as he stuffed food into his mouth. She came over to the table as she finished her cleaning.
�So tell me, how do you like it?� The brown eyed girl asked as she sat next to him. �It�s good, really good.� He said not lying this time as he shook his head. �You know what�s even better though?� He asked as he grabbed her hand. Just then they were startled to hear the sound of a phone ringing. They both turned to look at each other in surprise. �A phone!� They both exclaimed looking at each other. �Find it!� Serenity yelled. They both searched as they followed the sound of the phone through the cabin. AJ opened a linen closet as he pulled the towels and sheets out. He worked his way down to the bottom level of the closest as the phone continued ringing loudly. As he pulled another long towel out he saw the phone. �Hello?�He answered it. �Um, no. I don�t read very much AJ said as he hung up the phone. �Who was it?� She asked him. �I don�t know, some company trying to sell newspapers. I can�t believe we found a phone!� He exclaimed. �Who was the dumb person that decided to hook it up in a closet?� She said looking strangely at it. �Don�t know, but now we can call your dad.�
�And finally get back home.� Serenity finished.
�You call, I�m going to get dressed.� She said starting toward the bathroom. As she disappeared down the hall a sorrowful feeling fell over AJ. He knew what was to happen now. As soon as he called, they would be taken back to there lives and nothing they did or said in the cabin would mean anything. It would be like nothing ever happened. And the next day, he would be married and she would be taken back to Florida after her brother�s wedding. He slowly picked the phone back up and dialed Barry�s cell phone number. �Hello? An anxious voice answered at the other end. �Hello Barry?� AJ said unsure. �AJ? Oh, thank God. Where are you? Is Serenity okay? I�m at home now, we went out looking for you all day.� Barry said talking quickly. �Were both fine. We got lost and found a cabin to stay in last night.� AJ explained.
Barry told him to stay put and that he would be sending someone out to get them. He said he would meet them when they made it to the airlines. They both got dressed and waited for the car to come. �AJ, I just wanted to say after this...I hope we can still be friends.� Serenity said as she sat in the chair across from him. �Oh course. We can keep in touch through e-mail and phone calls and stuff.� He said shaking his head. �I had a pretty good time here. I don�t think I'll ever forget it.� The young women said as her ponytail swung side to side as she looked around the room. �About last night...� AJ started to say but she interrupted. �I know, and it�s okay, you don�t have to worry. Nothing you told me will leave the cabin. Nothing we did will either. That whole thing was a huge mistake, and I�m sorry it took place. You don�t have to worry about any of that. Believe me, I will never bring it up. It never even happened.� She told him.
They then heard the sound of a car�s horn. �That�s them.� She announced. �Yeah.�He said starting for the door. When they made it to the small lunch pad Barry was waiting there to greet them. He took Serenity in a warm embrace and held her there for a while before getting back on the plane. He also thanked AJ for keeping her safe. When AJ made it home Jessica was there to greet him. �I was worried sick about you.� She said as she swung her arms around him almost automatically. �Are you okay? Barry called me this morning and told me everything. I�m just so glad your back. I want nothing more then to be Mrs. Alexander McLean tomorrow. Don�t ever scare me like that again, okay.� She said kissing him. The kiss was a long sloppy one. She then pulled back and squeezed him again. �Now that your back we can go over some of these wedding plans.� She told him rushing to the table to garb a huge thick book that lay on it. �I know you said I can have whatever I want and I've finished most of the planning. But I figured we could maybe pick out our wedding cake together.� The blond haired women said as she opened the book.
�Look at this one. Isn't it nice? It�s white and silver on the outside but inside it�s chocolate. I thought that looked pretty good but then I saw this one.� She said flipping the page. �It�s white on the outside but when you cut into it, the inside is red. I figured that would be great because the colors of our wedding can be red and white. What do you think?� She asked him smiling. �Umm, yeah that sounds good. Whichever, I know either one will be great. It doesn�t matter anyway because what ever one we pick the wedding will be perfect.� He said making himself smile. �Yeah. Oh AJ, I am totally and completely in love with you. And I promise you, I'll be a good wife. I'll be just what you need. I can�t believe were getting married.� She squealed as she kissed him on the cheek.
The rest of the day was filled with wedding planning. Jessica picked out her dress and AJ�s suite. They also made plans for the cake and reservations for a honeymoon in Paris. Even though Jessica�s favorite place was Australia she knew AJ liked Europe and she figured that could be her gift to him. She had also started making plans to change the look of the house. She wanted to completely remodel it. She was going to nock down walls, add things and redo things. She said once she finished, it would be perfect. AJ lagged around the whole day. Even though he had finally gotten his energy back something was still missing in his life. He had all the energy and alertness in the world and still he felt like he could barely move.