Arianna went running down the hallway as she headed towards Dawn’s room.
"Get her!" D yelled to Nick. "I don’t want her to interrupt Dawn and J. It’s actually been quiet in there and he’s been in there for awhile. That’s gotta be a good sign."
"Yeah, you’re right," Nick said as they both ran after the little girl.
As Nick reached for her, she slipped put of his grasp and turned the doorknob to Dawn’s room then ran inside.
"Damn it," D said as they both followed Arianna inside.
They both froze when they saw Dawn and AJ cuddled together on the bed, just starting to stir.
"Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!"
The little girl screamed as she jumped on the bed. AJ opened his eyes and looked up at his daughter who looked like she was about to jump on them.
"Arianna, sweetheart, be careful," he pulled her to a sitting position. "Remember what I told you about Mommy."
"I’m really sorry, we tried to catch her before she ran in here," D apologized.
AJ looked over at her and smiled.
"That’s okay. We need to get up anyway."
Dawn opened her eyes and looked over at them.
"Mommy’s up!" Arianna squealed.
"Hi honey," she smiled as she stroked her daughter’s hair.
She looked up at AJ and smiled. She was so happy to be in his arms again.
"Hey Angel," he whispered quietly as he reached over and brought his hand to her face.
They stared into each other’s eyes as he gently caressed her cheek, oblivious to the fact that there were other people in the room. D cleared her throat, trying to get their attention. They both looked over at her.
"Sorry," Dawn said, blushing as she started to get up.
"It’s okay, " D said smiling, looking at them, waiting for someone to tell her what was going on.
"Well, I see everything is okay in here, we’ll be going," Nick said as he ushered D out of the room.
Dawn and AJ laughed as the door closed behind them. AJ turned to Dawn and smiled. Arianna lay down between them.
"I hungry," she stated.
"So am I," AJ offered, then gave Dawn a seductive look.
Dawn rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"I’m gonna hold you to that statement, mister,"
"I hope so."
"Why don’t we go out and get something to eat?" Dawn suggested. "I’m sure D and Nick would like some time alone."
"Angel, I really want a little bit of peace and quiet. You know we won’t get any if we go out in public," AJ whined.
"Well, why don’t we go to your Mom’s? I’m sure she’d be happy to know that things are getting back to normal."
"Yay! Let’s see Gwamma!" Arianna clapped her hands.
"Speaking of getting back to normal, when are you gonna move back home?" AJ asked as he turned on his side and looked at her.
Dawn looked into his hopeful eyes, not wanting to say what she felt she had to.
"Alex, I don’t want you to get upset, but I want to take this slow."
"You don’t want to come home?" He asked, surprised.
"Of course I want to come home, baby. I just don’t want to jump right into this. Things can’t just go right back to the way they were before."
"Why not?" He asked sadly.
She reached over and gently caressed his cheek.
"Because a lot has happened between us. We have so many things we have to work through and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us."
He looked into her eyes wishing he could convince her to come home. The house was too big and too empty without her and Arianna there. Not to mention, the recent massacre on his hair left him with not much else to do but start piercing things. He knew she was right though. If they tried to just go back to the way things were before, it wouldn’t work out. He didn’t want that to happen. He wasn’t going to lose her again, he wouldn’t let that happen. He didn’t know if he could take something like that again.
"You’re not mad, are you?"
"No," he sighed, "I understand and you’re right. I just want you back home. I miss you so much."
"I miss you, too," she smiled.
"I miss you, too!" Arianna chimed in.
They all laughed as AJ started tickling her. The little girl collapsed on the bed in a fit of giggles. Finally, Dawn started to get up from the bed.
"I better get out of here, you guys are getting a little rough."
"Ruf?" Arianna asked, "I not a doggie!"
"You’re goofy," Dawn laughed as she headed towards the door. "Just like your Daddy."
"Are you just like your Daddy?" AJ asked looking at his daughter.
"Ummm, yep!" She answered as AJ tickled her again.
Dawn laughed as she walked down the hallway. It was nice to have her family back together. The past few weeks were the most miserable weeks she’s ever lived. She never saw Arianna, or AJ for that matter, as happy as they were when they were together. They definitely had a special bond.
She walked into the living room and saw D and Nick sitting on the couch, watching television. When D saw her she almost shot out of her seat in anticipation. Nick laughed at her.
"Well? Are you gonna tell me what’s going on or what??"
Dawn laughed.
"Whatever do you mean?" She asked her innocently.
"Come on, spill your guts girl. Are you and J back together or what??!"
Dawn laughed again.
"Yeah, we’re going to work on it."
"Yay!" She exclaimed as she hugged Dawn. "I’m so happy for you two! See, we told you things would be okay!"
"Well, we have a lot to work on, but we’re gonna give it a shot."
"Of course you are, you guys belong together. I don’t care what happens or what anyone says."
"I want to take it slowly, though. Do you mind me staying here for a little while still? I don’t want to move back home just yet."
"You can stay here as long as you need, there’s no rush. I have plenty of room"
"Thanks," she hugged D, then Nick. "And we’re gonna head over to Denise’s house and give you two some time alone."
D and Nick looked at each other then looked back at Dawn.
"How long?" They both asked at the same time.
Dawn laughed.
"I don’t know. We’ll stay at Denise’s for awhile, then stop at the house and pick some of Alex’s stuff, he’s gonna stay here tonight since we have to go to the doctor’s tomorrow…"
"So, how long???" D cut her off.
Dawn looked at her and chuckled.
"Geez! Umm, we’ll be gone at least until about nine or ten o’clock. That gives you two plenty of time to fuck like rabbits for awhile."
"Good, okay, now get out," D jokingly pushed her towards the door.
"Can I get my family and put my shoes on first??" She laughed.
D sighed.
"Alright, but make it quick."
Dawn laughed and headed back towards the bedroom. As she got there, the door opened and AJ walked out with Arianna, all ready to go.
"All wedy, Mommy!"
"It’s a good thing," she looked at AJ. "We’re being kicked out," she chuckled.
"Huh?"
"Nick and D are a little, umm, wanting some time alone, if you know what I mean."
"Oh," AJ chuckled. "Those two are worse than us!"
They both stopped and looked at each other.
"Nah," they both said at the same time then laughed.
"Let me just get my shoes on, then we can leave."
She walked into the bedroom and sat down at the edge of the bed to put her shoes on.
"I’m gonna go put your wheelchair in the car. I’ll be right back," he kissed her on the cheek and Arianna followed her father out the door.
After Dawn, AJ and Arianna left, D stood up and sat in Nick’s lap, straddling his hips .
"What are you doing?" He teased.
She leaned in and gave him a passionate kiss as she slowly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. He ran his fingers through her hair and pulled her closer.
"You better make sure you can finish what you start," he gasped as he felt her hand slowly stroking him.
"Oh, you have no idea," she said, giving him an evil smile.
The next day at the doctor’s office, Dawn and AJ sat down with the doctor to go over how things had been going.
"So, how are you feeling?" Doctor Matthews asked Dawn, sitting down at his desk and opening her folder.
"I’m feeling okay."
"I bet you were surprised to find out you’re having another baby," he smiled.
"You have no idea, I thought I couldn’t have anymore. We’re so happy!" She looked over and smiled at AJ.
"Sometimes things are just meant to be," Dr. Matthews smiled. "Are you keeping the stress level to a minimum?"
Dawn laughed to herself….if he only knew.
"I’m trying to."
He nodded and then gave her a sideways glance.
"Are you staying off your feet like you’re supposed to?"
"Yes, I am," she groaned. "I hate that damned wheelchair."
"I’m sure you do," he chuckled.
"You have to do this for your own good. You’ve been through a lot of trauma and you need to stay off your feet. You can walk around but make sure it’s only for a short period of time, like going to the kitchen or using the bathroom. Make sure you go right back to bed or sit down and…"
Dawn held up her hand to stop him.
"I know, I know," she laughed. "This is nothing new to me. Remember, I was on bed rest with Arianna."
"How is that beautiful little girl of yours?"
"Opinionated, independent, stubborn….." AJ listed.
"Just like her Mommy, I see," the doctor chuckled.
"Hey, it’s not all my fault, believe me!" Dawn joked, looking over at AJ. "She gets quite a bit from her Daddy!"
They all laughed as Dr. Matthews looked down at his file.
"Since this is your second child we already have all of your medical history, unless there’s anything you need to add to it. Mr. McLean gave us all his information earlier. Now I just need to know when your last menstrual cycle was."
Dawn thought hard for a minute. For the life of her she couldn’t remember. Things had been so crazy while she was on tour, she didn’t think much about it when she missed her period.
"I honestly can’t remember the last time I had one. Everything was so crazy, I was under so much stress……" she thought for a minute. "I’m pretty sure it was early July."
"Okay then," he smiled. "We’ll be able to tell more when we do the sonogram. Let’s get you into the examining room so we can see how this baby is coming along."
Dawn and AJ followed the doctor into the room where he took her weight and told her to lay down on the table while he went to get the sonogram equipment. She lay down on the table and AJ pulled his chair up to the side. He held her hand as they waited for the doctor to come back.
"Take your time Doc," AJ said impatiently, rolling his eyes.
"Are we a little anxious, baby?" Dawn laughed at him.
"Oh no, not at all. It isn’t every day that I get to see my child for the first time."
Dawn smiled at him.
"I’m so glad you’re here with me," she told him, squeezing his hand.
"I’m glad I’m here to," he smiled back and kissed her tenderly.
The door opened and the doctor and a nurse came in wheeling the sonogram equipment and something that resembled a small television screen. Dawn and AJ smiled at each other in anticipation. They couldn’t wait to see the baby and to find out if everything was okay. They prayed that it was. After everything was set up Doctor Matthews turned to them and smiled.
"Are we ready?"
They both nodded and he lifted her shirt to expose her abdomen. He poured the jelly on her skin and she gasped at the coldness. AJ looked at her concerned but she told him it was just cold. His eyes grew wide when he saw an image pop up on the screen.
"Is that it?" He asked, squinting at the screen.
"Is that our baby?"
"Yes it is," the doctor chuckled.
"Where?" He asked as everyone laughed.
The doctor pointed a small object in the center of the screen.
"It’s right here. If you look very closely you can see the tiny heart beating. Dawn looks to be only two months along so the baby is very, very small. We usually don’t do the sonogram until about four months, but in certain situations, especially ones as special as this one, we wanted to make sure everything was okay."
AJ looked at Dawn and then up at the doctor.
"Is he okay?"
"Everything looks good," he smiled.
Dawn and AJ let out a sigh of relief.
"Are you sure? I mean, how can you tell when he’s so small??"
"Alex, you keep saying ‘he’. We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet."
"I know but I have a feeling it’s going to be a boy. I hope it’s a boy. I mean, I wouldn’t mind having another daughter it’s just that a son would be amazing. I could play ball with him, shave his head, wrestle with him….It could be a girl, though…that would be okay, too!" He insisted.
Dawn laughed. It was so cute how he was babbling on and on about having a son and how excited he was.
"As long as this baby is healthy I don’t care what it turns out to be, though," he stated, looking at the screen again.
He was amazed at the site of his child on the screen, even though hr couldn't make out much of anything but the heartbeat. He was with Dawn when she had her last sonogram with Arianna, but this was different. This was his flesh and blood.
Of course he loved Arianna just like she were his own, and as far as he was concerned, she was. There was just something different about this experience. This baby was a part of him, he helped create this baby…..he and Dawn……created a baby out of love….their love. The love that kept them together through all the hell they had been through. All the obstacles and roadblocks, all the people trying to come between them, they had somehow made it through it all, and here they were, seeing their child on the screen for the first time. A child they were told they would never have….
"Alex? Are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"You’re crying," Dawn said, gently wiping the tears from his cheeks.
He smiled at her a little embarrassed. He hadn’t realized he was crying. He was so overcome with emotion.
"I’m just so happy that everything’s okay," he looked over at her. "I love you so much."
"I love you too baby," she sighed, kissing him.
Doctor Matthews printed out a picture of the baby and cleaned the jelly off of Dawn’s stomach. He led them into his office and they sat down. He made some notes in her file and took out a chart to determine the due date.
"Okay, it looks as though you are about two months along. We’ll know more as your pregnancy goes on, though. If the information you provided is correct, you would have gotten pregnant in late July. Your due date would be………around the end of April, beginning of May."
Dawn ans AJ looked at each other and smiled.
"Okay. Unless you have any other questions, I think we’re done for today. I’ll see you again in three weeks. I want to keep a close eye on you just to make sure everything is still going smoothly. Just stay off your feet and relax. Try to keep the stress level at a minimum too," he stressed.
"I’ll do my best doctor," she promised, getting up to leave.
"Thank you," AJ said, extending his hand to the doctor.
Doctor Matthews smiled and shook it.
"You’re welcome, son."
"I’ll make sure she does what she’s told."
"I’m sure you will," he chuckled. "Now, both of you, go home and get some rest."
"Yes Doctor," Dawn laughed.
Once out in the hallway, AJ turned to Dawn and quickly pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Neither one of them said anything, they both knew what it was all about. They were both too overcome with relief and happiness to say anything though. Finally, they pulled apart.
"What’s was that for?" She asked, looking him in the eye as she caressed his cheek.
He looked like he might cry again.
"I just love you," he said quietly.
He gently placed his hand on her stomach.
"And I love our baby."
Dawn smiled at him then tenderly kissed him on the lips.
"We love you, too."