Chapter 49
AJ sat straight up, "Are you telling me you are pregnant, Kat?"
Kat was surprised at his pleased and excited look. "You would be happy if I were?"
"Yes, as long as you are, Darling," he had asked Rick what the sign for 'darling' was since 'Darlin'' was his favorite term of endearment.
"I'd love to have your child, AJ, but right now the child I'm talking about is the one Toni is carrying. She is pregnant with Mark's baby, and she's not sure how he will handle it."
"They are so young!"
"Yes, and I told her that if she didn't feel that they were ready to raise a child I would be willing to do so. I had no idea that you would…were…. going to ask…"
Amused by her floundering even in sign language, AJ smiled and told her, "I'd be happy to help you raise any child that comes into our lives."
"I'm just concerned that if we're still here," she paused as the realization finally hit the that the fourteen of them might spend the rest of their lives on the island, "That when her time comes…"
AJ sighed, he had always known this would happen someday, "It won't be the first baby I've delivered. The last one was even named after me."
"Good! Then I won't worry anymore," at that they snuggled down to sleep.
Friday July 04, 2003
"AJ and I would like you all to know that we have made a commitment to each other, and if we were home we would be getting married. So we would like to have a hand-fasting here with all of you."
Smiles broke out on all faces, except for Brenda. All of the rest of the girls gathered around Kat to congratulate and hug her. The boys slapped AJ on the back and flashed him the thumbs-up sign.
Noticing that Brenda was holding back from the group of well-wishers, AJ went over to talk to her, "Brenda, is something wrong?"
She looked at him with hurt in her eyes and turned and walked away. Following her, AJ put a hand on her arm to stop her and turn her to face him. "What is bothering you, Brenda?"
Brenda turned an angry glare on him and signed, "How can you marry HER? When I love you so!"
Stunned, AJ just stood there a moment, this had never happened to him before, and he was not quite sure how best to handle the situation. He slowly started to sign, "Brenda, you are a very sweet, young girl, but I love Kat. You don't want an old man like me."
"Yes, I do!" she exclaimed and threw herself into his arms.
AJ caught her because he didn't want her to fall to the ground. Brenda took this as encouragement and pulled his head down into a kiss. She tried to insinuate her tongue between his lips, attempting to gain access to his mouth, but AJ had no trouble resisting. This was a child in his arms, and he needed to stop her-if possible, without hurting her feelings too much. Breaking away, AJ held her at arms length, "Okay, Brenda, if you love me so much, tell me what it is about me that you love?"
Looking confused at his question, Brenda did not answer right away. He smiled gently at her. "Tell me why you love me," he encouraged.
When there was still no answer he signed, "I love Kat because she is kind and caring, her smile lights up her face. She has been through some very rough times, but has come through it with her gentle spirit intact. Her concern for each of you kids tells me what a wonderful mother she will be, and she has a wonderful sense of humor. Those are the things I love about her. Now can you tell me what you love about me? Or is what you feel, just a desire to be loved by someone, anyone? Brenda, there will be someone for you! You're a special young lady, and someday you'll be a fine woman. Everyone wants to be loved, but you need to find the right one for you, not throw yourself at any man that is nearby."
Brenda broke down into tears and that point and threw herself into AJ's arms. This time he didn't mind that she was there, and he held her, comforting her, until she stopped crying.
To be continued…..
