For a brief moment, Dawn savored the way AJ’s lips felt on hers. She suddenly pulled away from him. She couldn't believe he did that to her, kissed her in front of anyone. She picked up her purse and walked out the door, letting it slam behind her. AJ followed close behind her.
"I'm not letting you walk away from me again".
"You don't have a choice!" Dawn yelled at him.
He grabbed her arm as she stopped and spun around.
"Will you leave me the hell alone?!" She yelled at him.
"No, I won't,” he replied as she yanked her arm away from him. "I just want you to talk to me", he said, moving closer to her.
"I don't know what's going on between us, but whatever it is, I hate it. I want to help you, I want to be in your life.." his voice trailed off.
Dawn started to get upset. She didn't need this right now, it was bad enough that she had Anthony putting guilt trips on her, she didn't need AJ doing it, too.
"I just wish you would both stop!” She said as she started to sob.
AJ put his arms around her, trying to comfort her.
"Both who? Stop what?" He asked, confused.
"I don't want to get into it right now,” Dawn said, wiping away her tears.
"Please talk to me. No matter what else happens between us, I'm still your friend and I'm always here for you, you can tell me anything."
Dawn looked up at him.
"It sure doesn't feel that way".
Her words cut right through him. As he stood there looking at her, he saw the look on her face and the tears in her eyes that he knew he caused. It was at that exact moment that he realized how much of an asshole he had been. Kevin was right, before he and Dawn became lovers, they were close friends and right now, Dawn needed a friend. She didn't need some opinionated jerk pressuring her and telling her what she should do. She needed someone to listen and give her a shoulder to cry on, even if that meant putting his own feelings aside. As much as it would hurt, it's what he had to do.
"I'm so sorry,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry for being such a selfish ass".
Dawn laughed.
"You've been anything but selfish. An ass, maybe, but definitely not selfish".
"I wanted to call you so many times in the last three weeks. I wanted to see how you were, if you were okay, if you needed anything. The more time that went by, though, I got more and more angry. A little at you for pushing me away, but more at myself for letting myself fall in love with you so quickly and deeply," AJ rambled.
"Quickly?" Dawn asked, shocked. "Six years isn't exactly what I consider quick,” she teased.
"You know what I mean, butthead,” he joked.
There was a comforting silence as Dawn laid her head on his shoulder.
"Things are just so complicated now, Alex".
"I know, and I promise not to pressure you about anything anymore or pass judgement on your decisions. The only thing I need to say one last time, and I don't ever want you to forget it, is that I love you with all my heart, and no matter what happens, that will never change".
Dawn choked back tears, she hoped it wasn't the last time she heard him say that.
"Why don't we go in and finish rehearsal, then afterwards you can come back to my place or something and we can continue this conversation,” he suggested.
Dawn hugged him tightly.
"You're so wonderful,” she whispered in his ear.
"You can thank my mom for that,” he joked as they turned and started back towards the building.
"Speaking of your mother, she called me the other day."
"Yeah? What did she say?" AJ inquired.
"It was girl talk. If I told you, I'd have to kill you,” she joked. "We talked for a long time, though. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed talking to her. I do wanna go see her soon".
"We can go today, if you want. I have to stop there anyway and pick up some stuff".
"Sounds good. She offered to help me move, too".
"When are you moving?" AJ asked.
"This weekend, are you free?"
"It costs most people,” he joked. “But for you I’m free”, he said as he winked at her.
After rehearsal, Dawn and AJ got into AJ's car and headed towards his mother's house.
When they arrived, Denise came running out the front door towards them. She ran over to Dawn and gave her a big hug.
"Look at you"! She exclaimed. "I can't believe how wonderful you look!"
"Thanks, too bad I don't feel so wonderful,” Dawn made a face.
"Um, hello? Remember me, your son?" AJ cut in.
Denise went over and hugged and kissed her son.
"Awww, my baby,” she cooed as they all laughed.
They went into the house and Denise offered the couple something to drink as they sat down in the kitchen. She looked at Dawn and AJ sitting next to each other.
"I always thought you two would make a cute couple,” she said, much to their surprise.
"Gee Mom, tell us how you really feel,” AJ said, looking over at Dawn.
Surprisingly, as much as Denise's comment came out of nowhere, it didn't really bother Dawn that she said it. She wished it was so easy.
Denise always made her feel like part of the family. One thing that she loved so much about Denise was that she let AJ express himself the way he wanted, even at a very early age. About to become a single parent herself, she admired the fact that Denise was able to instill good morals in her son, even though she couldn't always be with him. AJ had such a good relationship with his mother and she hoped that she would be able to duplicate that with her own child. The look on her face must have shown that she was deep in thought because AJ waved his hand in front of her.
"Hello?" He teased.
"Shut up,” Dawn said, playfully punching him.
"So, how are you feeling?" Denise asked her.
"Well, under the circumstances, okay I guess,” she answered. "It's so weird, though".
"Just wait until that baby starts doing aerobics in there and keeping you up all night,” she said, patting Dawn's stomach.
AJ looked over at Dawn with a sparkle in his eye. Even though she wasn't showing yet, there was something different about her. Maybe it was just the way he saw her now. Just the thought that there was a baby there completely amazed him.
"Do you know your due date yet?" Denise asked.
"No, I have a doctor's appointment next week. They’ll tell me then.
AJ fought the urge to ask who was going to the doctor's with her. He was afraid of her answer.
They sat and talked about everything from the baby to Dawn moving to the Backstreet Boys new album upcoming promotional tour. AJ was glad Dawn wasn't mad at him for telling his mother about her pregnancy. She knew how close he was with his mother, he told her everything.
They got ready to leave and Denise made them take some food she had made. They figured they would just eat at AJ's house. They still had a lot of talking to do and for once, it would be quiet. Just the two of them, AJ couldn't wait. There were so many things he had to say to Dawn. So many things he wanted to get out, he hoped Dawn was as open with him.
AJ opened the car door for Dawn, then placed their things in the backseat. He was about to get in the car when he realized that she hadn't gotten in yet. He glanced over and saw her bent over outside the car clutching her abdomen. He got out and ran over to her.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He questioned as he put his arm around her.
"Something's wrong, Alex,” she began to cry. "Something's wrong with the baby".
"Oh my god,” he said under his breath, he sat her down in the car and tried to remain calm, but the truth was, he had no idea what to do. Denise had seen what was happening and she ran outside.
"What's wrong?" She asked, panicking.
"I don't know, something's wrong. We need to get her to the hospital NOW,” AJ replied.
"I'll call 911, you're probably better off having an ambulance come instead of you driving her there. Just stay here with her,” she said as she ran in the house.
"I'm so scared,” Dawn sobbed, looking to AJ for comfort.
"Everything will be fine, I promise,” he said as he stroked her hair and held her in his arms.
He wanted to make everything better, but he knew as soon as the words were out of his mouth that he just made her a promise that he may not be able to keep.

Chapter 31
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