Chapter 4

He went to talk to his mother the next morning.

"Mom, can I talk to you about something?" He said sitting down at the kitchen table.

"Sure, Andy. What's wrong honey?" She put her hand on his

"It's Kaleigh Mom. I don't know what to do. The last time I saw her she was a teenage girl. Now she's a woman and every time I think of her I want to be with her. I know her mom, she's my friend, has been for years. So why am I just now feeling like this?"

"Andy, how many teenage boys do you know who would let a 10 year old girl tag along with them? None, that's how many. I think you have had feelings for her for a long time and just never realized it. She is one of the sweetest girls I know. I can't think of anyone better for you. She loves you for you, with all your faults and all your virtues. Any woman you meet now you are always wondering if they really want you for you. With Kaleigh you know. She was there before all the fame and money and she loved you then, she still does. Don't rush into anything, just take it easy and be honest with her ok? I think you already know the answer to your question."

He smiled "Thanks mom! You're right as always!" He hugged her.

"I gotta go. I told Kaleigh I'd pick her up at 12:00!"

She was sitting on the front step when he pulled up. He got out and leaned on the car. She walked toward him with a little smile on her face.

"Hi Andrew." She only called him Andrew when she was upset.

"Hi Kaleigh, I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"It's ok, but if you plan on biting my head off every time you get the feeling you want to be more than friends with me, this won't work out very well."

They went to the park and played basketball and had lunch. They sat under a shade tree and watched the little kids play.

"Remember when you and Mike used to bring me here? You would push me so high in the swing I thought I could touch heaven!"

"Funny you always screamed like a girl when I did that!"

She hit him on the arm

"I was a girl!" She proceeded to tickle him until he was breathless and had tears in his eyes.

"Stop, I give!" Her face was inches away from his. He put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her down to meet his lips. Fire exploded in her brain as he kissed her softly and gently. She had waited a very long time for that moment. She returned the kiss with more intensity and passion than he had ever experienced.

She pulled away from him

"And now I am a woman, with everything that implies. Andrew I have wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I still remember every detail of that day. What you were wearing, what I was wearing, the song on the radio, the flowers blooming in the yard, what time it was, everything. I'm not going to play coy and pretend things I don't feel. Or that I don't feel things I do. I love you Andrew James Martin, I always have and I always will." Without giving him a chance to say anything she grabbed his hand and pulled him up. "Push me on the swing AJ, Pleeeaaasssee"

He laughed as they raced towards the swings. He started out pushing her very gently and then went higher and higher until she screamed.

"Just like a girl!" He was laughing so hard he couldn't push anymore.

"You are a rat!" She yelled as she jumped out of the swing she punched him and took off running. He easily caught up with her and picked her up and swung her around until they were both dizzy.

They feel to the ground laughing. Kaleigh noticed a group of teenage girls watching them, "We have an audience" she said "Let's go back to my house, I'll make us dinner."

"Sounds great" they picked up their things and headed back to his car.

When they got there Kaleigh said, "You better call your Mom and let her know."

He went to use the phone and she went to the kitchen to start dinner.

He came in.

"Kaleigh, I want to talk to you about what you said earlier." He said as he hopped up on the counter.

"What was that, AJ?"

"You know, about how you feel..."

"What that I love you?"

"Yeah. That."

"Kaleigh you have had 10 years to get used to that, I've had all of a few hours. I am not going to lie to you and tell you I'm in love with you, I do care about you, you know that, and I think it could get to be more. I just don't want to say something I don't mean and end up hurting you in the end."

It was a good thing she had her back to him so he couldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's ok, I understand. I'm glad you don't plan on lying to me." Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! When would she ever learn to keep her big mouth shut? She shouldn't have told him she loved him this soon, she should have waited. She grabbed an onion so she could pretend that was what was making her cry, not the pain of his words.

They ate dinner and watched a movie.

"Kaleigh, when are you going to tell me where that tattoo is?"

"You'll have to find it for yourself."

"Is that a challenge?" He smiled as he ran his hand over her stomach. The air was electric.

She kissed him, her tongue searching his mouth.

"Do you want it to be?"

"Kaleigh, I want you. I know I shouldn't but I do."

"AJ, I want you. I have waited forever for this."

They kissed as his hands explored her body. They made love and they were both in heaven.

As they lay in each other's arms afterwards he ran his hands across her stomach his eyes searching her body. There it was. He leaned down to inspect the small tattoo directly below her navel. His heart stopped when he saw the "AJ" inside the heart.

He held her even tighter and whispered her name as they drifted off to sleep.