Chapter 48

AJ and Krista worked together in silence, cleaning up the mess left behind. "Krista, is there anything I can do for you and the twins?" he asked watching her slow down to almost a crawl. He was so worried about her, he wanted to insist she lay down, but knew better.

"I just need to take a hot bath with some of my oils, it helps to relieve the pain. But I like spending time with you, Albert, so I can wait until you have to leave. Would you like some more tea?" she asked with a strained smile.

"If you're in pain, I can go now, Krista, or I can sit in the living room while you take a bath. Will that make you feel uncomfortable?" AJ offered. He wanted to do anything he could to help her relieve the terrible pain she must be in. "The choice is yours, Krista. I promise, on my code of honor, not to come in and bother you."

"Oh, Albert! If I weren't in this condition I would want you to bother me!" she said and then blushed at what she had just admitted to him. Quickly turning away, hoping that he wouldn't understand what she meant, she busied herself making more tea.

"Yes, Darlin', I'd want that too, but this isn't what I would call a normal situation for us, and I don't want my heart broken anymore than can be helped. If only...but then life is full of those, isn't it."

"I'm sorry, Albert, I didn't think about that. I wouldn't want you to be hurt." Tears fell into her tea mug; she was glad that her back was to him so he wouldn't know she was crying. God how stupid she was! He was such a good man and she was just wanting to have a good roll in the hay with someone as sexy as him!

"Krista, I would give anything to be able to make love to you," he said walking up behind her and pulling her back against him. "If only you would take the chance and live. Think of the life we could have together. You, me, and our beautiful twins. Please, Darlin', at least talk to Krystal for our sake."

"Oh Albert! Why would you want me? I'm a basket case, throwing your life into turmoil!"

"Krista, I think I'm falling in love with you. No let me rephrase that, I have fallen in love with you. I want you to live and share my life along with our children," he whispered softly in her ear as he held her gently. Leaning down he kissed her tenderly to let her know he meant every word he said. "Give our love a chance, please I beg you, Darlin'."

"Oh, Albert, please don't love me! I won't see you hurt like that!" she pulled away and walked to the other side of the room with her arms wrapped around herself.

"I'm afraid it's too late to ask me that, Krista. I happen to love the mother of my children and want them all to live and live with me," he followed her and wrapping his arms around her kissed the nape of her neck. "Call me old fashioned, or sappy, but I can't help the way I feel and it's not going to disappear because you want it to, sweetheart."

"Oh god, why did I have to meet you now!" she exclaimed turning in his arms and placing a hand on his dear sweet face. "Why couldn't I have met you years ago! When we had time!"

"We have time, Krista, if only you will take it. Do you love me?" he asked catching his finger in her long beautiful hair. "Tell me the truth, I'll know if you lie."

"I only met you today, Albert...how could I love you so fast?" she avoided answering.

"The heart knows no time or bounds, my love, so if you don't love me, I'll try to understand," he replied sadly, turning to leave. "I'll leave you to your bath, since I know you're in pain. I know you want to be alone and not have people around you, loving you and trying to change your mind. So I'll see you tomorrow night."

To be continued…