Chapter 21

Whth a timid grin Amica told him, "Thank you for the shirt AJ. I just wanted to say good night before going to bed."

Slowly approaching her AJ asked, "May I kiss you good night, my dear?"

"Oh yes! I'd like that very much," she told him.

Gently lifting her chin he bent down until their lips met in a tender kiss. Amica sighed with pleasure and wrapped both arms around his neck stepping in closer to him and encouraged him to deepen the kiss. AJ was happy to do so and his arms went around her pulling her even closer.

Their bodies pressed close toghther and the kisses heated up AJ was having a hard time keeping other reactions in check. Drawing in a deep breath he took a small step back and said, "I'm sorry Amica, I let myself get carried away."

"It's alright AJ, I didn't mind at all."

"I don't want to rush you Amica but I find it so hard to hold back. I'm falling in love with you and I know it's too soon to be saying that after all you've been through, but I wanted to be honest with you."

"Oh AJ! It's not too soon. I've fallen in love with you too. You were the one that brought me out of a coma! You are so sweet and wonderful. How could I not fall in love with you?"

"Really? I thought I would be too soon for you to return my feelings and I didn't want to push you into something you weren't ready for."

Placing the palm of her hand on his cheek Amica gave him a sweet smile and said, "Although I am very tired tonight I am ready for a life with you if that is what you want for us."

"It is Amica, I want nothing more than for you to be my wife one day very soon."

"As soon as you wish my love! But you are right that tonight might be too soon for anything more than kisses."

"You're right I think we both need a good nights sleep. We can talk more about this in the morning." AJ gave her one last kiss and then walked her to her bedroom door where he said good night and left for his own room.

Amica climbed into the bed in the guest room, hugging one of the pillows to her she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

On the other hand, down the hall AJ was not able to get to sleep. He tossed and turned trying to convince himself that he needed to take things slowly with Amica. He needed to give her time to be truly sure of her feelings. His hope was that even after giving her time she would still feel the same way about him.

Finally, knowing that sleep wasn't going to come anytime soon he decided to go for a long walk with Dammit. He hadn't been able to take his normal runs since the accident but he knew some time in the fresh air should make it easier to sleep when he got back.

Quietly letting Dammit out of the laundry room he waited for the dog to realize that Amica wasn't coming with them before they could leave the house. After an hour out in the fresh air AJ felt that he was ready to return home and get some sleep.

Amica woke early and dressed in her second sweat suit then hurried into the kitchen to get breakfast started. She wanted to surprise AJ by having a meal ready for him when he got up. Remembering that he told her he liked his coffee stronger then most did so she added another scoop of grounds to the pot hoping that would be strong enough for the man she loved.

While she cooked Amica made a mental list of all the calls she needed to make that day. First to her Commanding Officer to tell him she was back among the living and to find out what the next step would be in her career. Then she needed to call her old landlord to see if maybe he had kept any of her things in stoage for her.

To be continued…