Chapter Fifteen

Bright sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of AJ's bedroom window. Miranda had awakened snuggled in his arms. "Miranda," he whispered as his eyes popped open.

"Good morning," she said as she stared into AJ's blue eyes.

"Good morning," AJ whispered softly as he looked at Miranda in adoration. He brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. "How do you feel?"

Color tinged Miranda's cheeks. She couldn't explain what exactly she was feeling as it was a rush of intense emotions. The thought of what they had shared last night was strong in her mind. All she could do was nod slightly and pray that she wasn't turning too bright red.

"How does a shower sound?" he asked.

"Good," she said softly.

He sat up in bed and reached for Miranda's hand. "Will you join me?" he suggested.

"I'd love a shower with you, AJ."

"I was hoping you'd say that," he said with a little grin.

Both of them were stark naked as he lead her away toward the bathroom. As AJ started the water, Miranda was feeling a little embarrassed and shy. "AJ, I- I need to get to the hospital soon. Gabrielle needs me."

"It will just be a quickie."

Their eyes met. "The shower or..."

"Both," he said as his smirk came back again.

"Alright," Miranda said with a little shrug.

Once inside the steamy confines of the shower, AJ began to gently wash Miranda with a warm, wet washcloth. Miranda sucked in her breath, realizing that AJ was swift to become aroused. His lips settled on hers as she too was swept away by passion.

AJ tried to hold off at first, but Miranda only tugged him closer. "Make love to me," she whispered against his lips.

"That would be my pleasure," AJ stated as he felt Miranda's breasts pressed up against the solid wall of his chest.

AJ and Miranda ended up making love a second time in the shower. Miranda was still reeling from the sensations as she got dressed in AJ's bedroom. AJ emerged from the bathroom wrapped in only a towel, his hair yet damp from their shower. "I love you, Miranda," he said as he crossed the floor and stared into her eyes.

Miranda fastened the last button of her top. "I love you, too, Ace," she replied. "I'll call you later."

She picked up her backpack and she was gone. AJ's heart was in his throat as he watched her go.

Not even a second later, AJ's dad walked in, finding AJ in nothing but a towel and the bed in shambles. A small stain of bright red crimson was evident upon the sheets - vivid proof of Miranda's virginity. Taking it all in and knowing that he had just witnessed Miranda leaving his son's bedroom, JR surmised what had just happened.

"AJ, did you just have sex with your girlfriend?" JR questioned his son.

"Dad, uhhh... we don't have time to talk about this..." AJ said. "I need to get dressed and join Miranda at the hospital. She needs me. Her sister..."

"AJ!" JR protested, but AJ practically kicked JR out of his room. He had decided he would get dressed quickly and join Miranda at the hospital to be with Gabrielle. He was sure that Miranda would need him during such a difficult time.

After quickly getting dressed, he rushed outside before Miranda left. "Hold up," said AJ. "I am going with you."

XxOxoo

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Gabrielle had just awakened from a gruesome nightmare about the rape she had endured. "What is it, honey? What's wrong?" Reese asked as she stroking her daughter's hair. Reese and Bianca had stayed by Gabrielle's side all night long, so they could be there if Gabrielle should need them.

"There was a woman... driving the van... and she was laughing - laughing," said Gabrielle as tears slid from her eyes. "Her laugh was so hideous."

Bianca's heart ached when she heard Gabrielle's words. Who was this terrible woman who had driven the van while Gabrielle was being violated by her rapists? What kind of a person could do something so vile?

Gabrielle clutched Reese's hand so tightly - as if it were her only lifeline. As she was sobbing, she recounted every detail of her sexual assault to her mothers. Minutes later, the police arrived and Gabrielle had to tell her story all over again. As the police officers jotted down all the crucial details and questioned Gabrielle, both Reese and Bianca cried tears of sadness for their teenage daughter.

"I want to go home," Gabrielle sobbed after the police had left her hospital room.

Just then someone knocked on Gabrielle's door. It was Zach. There was pain in his eyes as he approached Gabrielle lying in the hospital bed. She looked so small and fragile.

Zach said to Reese and Bianca, "Could I have a few moments with Gabrielle?"

"Of course you can, Zach," said Bianca as she reached for her wife's hand. "Come on, Reese. Let's give Gabrielle and Zach a little time to talk."

"We'll be right outside, honey," Reese said to Gabrielle as she gave her daughter's hand one last squeeze.

After Reese and Bianca's exit, Zach took a seat in the chair that Bianca had just occupied. "I am so sorry about... about what happened to you," Zach spoke with sadness.

"I heard you saved me last night..." said Gabrielle. "...when you gave me your blood."

"Anyone could have done that."

"Not just anyone."

Their gazes held. "My moms never kept the truth from me," said Gabrielle. "They told me how you donated, so that they could have a child. I am a part of you."

Unbidden tears reflected in Zach's expressive eyes. "That you are," he said softly. "And the baby Reese is carrying is a part of me, too. I donated again, because your moms wanted another child to love."

"You did?" Gabrielle asked with surprise.

"Yes, and I would do it all over again... if they asked it of me. That is... if it were okay with your Aunt Kendall," Zach said with a chuckle.

Cautiously, Zach reached out and took Gabrielle's hand. "Gabrielle, I just wanted you to know how precious you are to me."

"Uncle Zach," she said as she lay her head on his big strong shoulder. Her hot tears wet his shirt.

"I love you, precious girl," he said as he did everything in his power to comfort her.

XxOxoo

Reese and Bianca entered the waiting room as they wanted to give Zach some quality time with Gabrielle. They didn't even have a chance to sit down before Miranda strode into the room with AJ.

"How's Gabrielle?" Miranda asked.

"She had a rough night. Zach's in there with her right now," Bianca explained.

"I have to tell you something... " Miranda said to her mothers. "...and I am going to tell you before you hear it from anyone else. AJ and I had sex last night... and his dad caught us this morning...right after we had a shower... together."

Bianca's mouth dropped open in shock. "What?!" Reese gasped, looking at Miranda and then at AJ. "I thought you two were just BEST FRIENDS!"