Chapter 74

"Krystal, don't fret darling! I have a great stereo system here at the house with outdoor speakers for parties. We can find the songs on CD's and that will work. As for rings, why don't we all go ring shopping one evening this week? I am sure that AJ wants to get one for Krista too!" Tom offered with a calming smile.

"I have to go shopping for a wedding dress and cake topper then we need stuff for punch. You have to get the drinks and I'll need to get mints and nuts. When do we go to look for our rings?" she asked finishing off this glass of wine. "Course tell eevrone to ring on food," her words were beginning to slur because of too much wine.

"Darling, I think you have had enough wine," Tom told her gently taking her glass and putting it out of reach. "Here have some bread to soak it up and I'll put on some coffee."

"Darlin, I'll need to get you an engagement ring, do you know what size you wear? Do you want the standard diamond or had you rather have something else?" AJ asked putting his arm around Krista.

"Yea, we an hav a doble weding, Kris?" said Krystal with a silly grin on her face.

Krista had been about to answer AJ when her sister made her comment. "Krystal, I told you that Albert and I were going to wait to be married!"

Suddenly Krystal burst out crying. She sat there and sobbed like her heart had been broken.

Tom went down on one knee next to her taking her in his arms, "Darling, what is it? What's wrong?"

"No to weding!" she sobbed. "Ris says no."

"Krystal, she told you they wanted to wait. Please don't cry, darling!" Tom held her.

"Krista, I agree with Krystal I really don't want to wait either. Please say yes to a double wedding." AJ looked at her waiting for her answer hoping with all his heart it would be yes.

Krista jumped to her feet, "I told you my reasons, Albert! Please take me home now!"

"No Ris!" sobbed Krystal. "Lease."

"If that is what you truly want then I will, but see what your doing to your sister? Yes, she's drunk, but your inhibitions come out when you're too drunk to keep up your guard," AJ said getting up.

"I'm sorry, Krys, we can talk more about this when you are sober enough to understand. Right now, I just need to go home. Thank you for a nice dinner, Tom."

"No Ris, no leve. fraid Ris. Daddy, Ris," Krystal sobbed reaching for Krista.

Krista hugged her sister. "Dad is gone, he can't hurt you. Tom, please take care of her for me?" she looked up at him with tears in her eyes; she just had to get away.

Tom nodded his understanding, and held Krystal tighter.

"Ris left," Krystal sobbed looking at Tom. "No leve Ris."

"Darling, she was tired and needed to go home and rest. You understand that she does not feel well right?" he said as he took her into the kitchen with him so he could make some strong black coffee for her.

Out in AJ's Escalade, Krista tried not to let herself cry. She needed to wait until she could be alone before she broke down. She needed to be strong in front of Albert! He would expect it just like her father had expected her not to cry!

"Come here Darlin and let it go. There's no use holding it inside when you'll feel better after a good cry," AJ said reaching for Krista to hold in his arm. "I'm sorry for pushing the wedding, but both Krystal and I wanted it so badly and I guess we were wrong. Now come here and cry on my shoulder."

"I'm fine, Albert. Could we please just go?" she asked quietly. He was testing her! To see if she would cry when he told her not to and then he would punish her for it!

To be continued…