Chapter 52

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary when they got home. Marcella was still there and so was Robby. She hadn't tried to leave the country with him.

AJ asked if there had been any problems because they hadn't heard anything since leaving the house. Marcella reported that Robby had his bottle just a short

time before they got home and was already asleep.

Daria still couldn't help but feel that the other woman was up to something, but there was no evidence of it anywhere in the house. They thanked her again for the night out and saw her to the door.

When she was gone, Daria went to the kitchen to set up the coffee maker for the next morning while AJ let Dammit out for her nightly business. After a slow sweet lovemaking session they fell asleep snuggled in each others arms.

AJ was in the middle of dinner preparations the next evening when the doorbell rang. He wasn't expecting anyone so was wondering who it could be as he crossed the living room. When he saw Marcella, his first thought after wondering why she hadn't called first was, if he could stretch dinner to include a third person. Inviting her in he asked, "Marcella, why didn't you call first? We might have been going out."

"I was out shopping and just thought I would drop by. If you hadn't been home I would have just gone back to the hotel."

"I see, well I was just making dinner, you're welcome to stay if you like. Robby just went down for a nap so won't be up for a while."

"Thank you, Alberto. I would like that, but mostly I'd like a cup of regular strength coffee, if it's not too much trouble?"

"I'll put a pot on, why don't you have a seat?"

"Thank you," she replied with a smile as she sat down on the couch. However, as soon as he was out of the room, she was on her feet and putting her plan into action. Over the last few days she'd learned Daria's work schedule and knew she was due home any minute. That was why she had arrived just when she did.

Heading into the bedroom AJ shared with 'that woman' Marcella quickly undressed. Hearing Daria come in just as she finished wrapping the towel around her head, she stepped into the living room, clutching another towel around her body. At that same moment AJ came out of the kitchen with a tray of coffee.

The three of them stood there silently staring at each other for a frozen moment in time before Marcella spoke. Looking at Daria sympathetically, she said, "I am sorry you found out this way…Alberto told me this was your late night at work."

AJ exclaimed, "I did NOT!"

At the same time Daria assured Marcella, "AJ knows my schedule as well as I do and wouldn't make a mistake like that!"

Responding to Daria and ignoring AJ's denial, she replied, "Then maybe he wanted you to find us like this so he would not have to be the one to call off the wedding."

AJ had put the coffee tray down and was about to blast his ex-wife for what was happening, when Daria held up her hand silently requesting that he allow her to handle this. "Marcella, if you really knew AJ, you would know that his honor would never allow this scenario! Plus, after what Meredith did to him, he would never inflict that hurt on another."

"Then how do you explain this?!" Marcella demanded indicating the towels wrapped around her.

Daria boldly walked over to the other woman and as she yanked the towel off of Marcella's head said, "I would suggest that if you want this to be believed in the future, you at least get your hair wet! Now, I want you out of our home and preferably out of the country! If you wish to continue to see Robby we will have formal visitation rights and times set up for you, but until then you are only allowed to see your grandson when I am present!"

"Ah ha, you see! You do not trust Alberto alone with me!" she crowed triumphantly.

"No, I only wish to keep AJ from harming you over this incident! Now get dressed and leave!"

Marcella harrumphed and spun on her heal heading into the bedroom after throwing a glare at both of them.

AJ smiled at Daria and took her into his arms. "You are an amazing woman!"

"You're not mad at me for throwing her out?" she questioned a bit tentatively.

"Not at all! As you said, if left alone with her, I might do her harm after this stunt!"

"I love you, AJ Chegwidden!"

"And I love you, my dear!" he might have said more, but Marcella came out of the bedroom then. Without a word to them she stomped to the door and left.

"Daria, it came to mind that I never asked you what you'd like for a wedding gift. After this you deserve something VERY special!"

Taking his dear sweet face in her hands, Daria tenderly replied, "My love, don't you know that you and Robby are the most precious gifts I could ever wish for? I don't need anything else!"

Emotion shimmered in his eyes as he told her, "You are my precious gift too, darling!"

THE END