Chapter 91

"I needed to hear him say that you wouldn't hurt me. Daddy used to hit me while he was telling me he loved me. I just needed to hear it from someone other than you. I'm sorry, Albert. Please forgive me!" she pleaded.

"I told you I'd never hurt you, Krista. I promised I never would, that I would always protect you. What did Tom say that convinced you?" AJ asked with a wounded look on his face.

Krista looked at Tom and worried that she shouldn't tell AJ what his friend had said. "He said that he knew you as well as he knew himself and that you would never hurt me."

"I also made her a promise that I hope I never have to keep, buddy," Tom added.

"But that is NOT what convinced me that you wouldn't hurt me! I swear!" Krista rushed to assure AJ.

"As long as you love me and plan on marrying me on Saturday, I don't care what he said or what he
promised. Tom, buddy, thanks for helping convince this beautiful woman to marry me," he nodded looking at Tom while holding Krista. "He's the best friend I ever had, Darlin'. Don't know what I'd ever do without him."

"I know, and he loves you too, dufus!" she said as she snuggled into his arms. Glad that he didn't ask what Tom had promised her.

"We're getting married Saturday!" shouted Krystal throwing herself in Tom's arms. "We're all getting married Saturday!"

"I just hope the preacher doesn't goof and marry us to the wrong guy!" Krista said as she hugged AJ.

"Don't worry, little Darlin', I'll make sure I leave with the right bride. I intend to keep a tight hold on you throughout the ceremony, and if he goofs I'll be sure to let him know," laughed AJ giving Krista a quick buzz on the cheek.

"Don't worry, Kris, as long as I've waited for Tom, no minister is going to tie me to the wrong man," she looked at Tom with the promise of so much more in her eyes.

"You do know that since we are so alike and that now that even our rings are alike we could try out the other's hubby and see which we like better...well, once the beasties are born!" Krista giggled, patting her tummy.

"Ummmm, I think that I would still know the difference!" Tom declared.

"I know I would recognize Krista's kisses anywhere," declared AJ.

"You know it's a shame we can't blindfold them and see if they can back up their bold words," laughed Krystal leaning into Tom wrapping his arms around her.

"Oooooh, I think we should! Put up or shut up guys!" Krista declared.

"We need to have a bet on this, because I know that I'll know Krystal's touch in a heartbeat!" Tom told them.

"NO TOUCHING! Just kisses, nothing else because with this tummy it is a dead give-away!"

"Yes, get blindfolds and tie their hands behind their back," giggled Krystal. "They're not allowed to lean forward to press against us either."

"Hold it just a minute! I don't remember agreeing to such an experiment," AJ said looking at Tom. "Did I just hear you agree so you could get a chance to kiss my Krista?"

"I think we can trust them to keep their eyes closed and their hands behind their backs!"

"You bet I did, buddy! Geesh you're a suspicious devil, AJ!" Tom laughed.

"Look at those two. Do you really trust them not to cheat to win?" giggled Krystal glancing at Tom and AJ. "They want to win as badly as we do, better listen to me."

"They better not or they can spend their wedding nights with each other instead of us!"

"NO WAY! Chegwidden snores!" Tom shouted.

"ME! Have you heard what you sound like sleeping Boone? A baby elephant roaring, that's what you sound like, so don't complain about my little snoring," AJ yelled.

"Krys, I think that these two have been lovers!" Krista was giggling so hard that she had to hold her tummy for fear the babies would come tumbling out!

To be continued…