CHAPTER 63:
Over the next few days, John had his entire house to himself. It was now April 19th and Nikki was scheduled to return home later on that night from California. Despite this, he spent most of his time off doing as much research as possible on AJ and Roman. He had become even more curious about the engagement then he had realized and while his research was taking place, he had a flashback to the night he came over to AJ's house.
"Are you sure that you want this?" asked John. "Shut up" said AJ as she pulled him in for another kiss.
The flashback suddenly ended when John heard his doorbell ring. "Who is it? He asked?" "It's me don't you remember that it's your almost sister in-law?" said Brie. "Oh Brie, hey it's you" said John as he opened the door. "What brings you over here?" "John you're very funny you know that?" she said. "Don't you remember that you called me over here last night because you wanted my approval of the dress you brought Nikki?"
"Oh yes, that" said John. "Sorry I forgot". "Hey what's this?" asked Brie as she saw what was on John's laptop screen. "So you're an AJ Lee stalker now or something?" "No, no of course not" said John. "John I was just kidding" said Brie. "But no seriously why are you looking up articles on AJ?" John sighed. He had two choices to make: lie or tell the truth.
"Well you know Nicole" he lied. "She wants to know why AJ left the company so suddenly". Brie gave a disgusted sigh as she took a seat on the barstool. "Ok now this has got to stop already" she said. "This little tiff between her and AJ has been going on for almost 2 years already and enough is enough already". "I agree" said John. "By the way what time her flight gets here?" asked Brie. "6pm" said John.
"I just can't believe that she would wanna know AJ's business like that" said Brie. "I mean I always knew that Nicole was a snooper but my God this is crazy." "Well I do have to admit I am just a little bit curious too" said John. He finally becoming truthful. "But why?" asked Brie. "What business is it to you that the girl is taking off a little time for a few weeks?" "She did take off mighty quick" said John. "Could I uh maybe get you something?"
"Yeah a glass of water" said Brie. "So what? Maybe she just wanted a vacation I mean the girl hasn't had a real one since November 2010". "Damn and I thought that I was a hard worker" said John as he handed Brie the glass. "Thank you" said Brie. "Look John I can promise you one thing that AJ's just probably taking a little vacation". John nodded. "Ok" said Brie as she finished her glass. "Let's go see this dress".
With that, the two went upstairs to see what John had brought for Nikki.
Meanwhile, AJ and Roman were taking a road trip to Pensacola to meet up with Roman's mother to get Bullet back. "How you're doing?" asked Roman. AJ finished up her soft drink she had brought from Wendy's. "Pretty good" she said. "It's just totally amazing that everything that has happened to me is in this book".
She was reading her brand new copy of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" while enjoying her meal. "It's just crazy that I'm craving all of these things, things that I really shouldn't even be having but yes otherwise things" she continued. Roman smiled. "Yeah, I never thought I'd ever see you eating a burger and fries" he said.
"Divas can eat out" said AJ. "Just like once a year". "You're such a jokester" said Roman. "Well…I do try" said AJ as she placed the enter cup into the cup holder. "How much longer do we have until we're there?" "Actually we're right around the corner" said Roman as he had reached a stoplight. "She's basically like 5 minutes away".
Roman continued driving until he pulled up into the driveway of a light green bungalow-styled house. After turning off the car, the two exited. "Wow your mom lives modestly" said AJ. "Yeah, she and my dad" said Roman as he opened the trunk. "We're gonna be here for a while". The two rolled their belongings up to the front porch and AJ rung the bell and a few moments later, Roman's father Sika answered the door.
"Hey there bud!" he said as he gave a huge hug to his son. "I haven't seen you around here in a minute". "Yeah well dad work does call" said Roman with a smile. "And who's this young lady?" asked Sika. "I'm April" said AJ as she shook his hand. "Ah Leati, you didn't tell me that you were bringing company over" said Sika. "I would have had something prepared". "It's ok dad" said Roman. "Can we come in?" "Of course son" said Sika. "Here lemme help you with your bags".
The trio entered inside to find Roman's mother Patricia sitting in a lazy-chair knitting. "Hi sweetheart!" she said happily as Roman walked up to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "How are you guys doing?" "Great" said Roman as AJ came up to Patricia. "Hello Mrs. Anoa'i" she said as she gave her hug. "Please sit down" said Patricia. "We haven't seen in each other in a while". "So where's um Bullet?" asked AJ. "He's down at the pet store getting washed up" said Patrice. "In fact we're getting ready to go pick him up in 30 minutes".
"So mom, how are you?" asked Roman. "Oh sweetheart I'm fine" said Patrice. "But I actually have a question for you two". "Yes?" asked Roman. "Not that I don't mind seeing your lovely faces as your my son and she is your girlfriend, but is everything alright?" asked Patricia. "Yes mom, everything is alright" said Roman. Patricia paused before resuming. "She's pregnant isn't she Leati?" she said.
"Um…" AJ trailed off. Patricia looked up at AJ. "Well aren't you?" she asked. "And if I remember correctly, you two are married because of it?" "Your mom is so good" said AJ. "Yes dear I am" said Patricia. "And trust me when you become a mom and been around as long as I have, you'll pretty much know". Sika came from the back after putting up their luggage to join the rest in the living room.
"So what did I miss honey?" as he sat down next to Patricia. "Oh just that your son is now married because he has a baby on the way" she said. "Mom you sound upset" said Roman. Patricia took a sigh as she began to tear up. "Leati I love you to pieces" she said. "I just don't understand why you felt that you couldn't come to us and tell us. We could help you". "Mom I'm not 16 anymore" said Roman. "I'm going to be 29 next month and 30 years-old next year. I just came here to tell you".
Patricia looked back at AJ who was still quiet. She sighed as she resumed. "I get why you would marry her, but you still should have told us. We are your parents and we could have been there for you and for that yes I do admit Leati that I am disappointed". "I'm sorry mom" said Roman. "I know you are" said Patricia as she turned to her husband. "Well what do you suppose we do about this?"
"Well our son is a young man" said Sika. "I can see that the two are clearly happy and I do believe that they did the right thing by marrying her as it is our belief that in this situation he did what was best". Patricia sighed. "I'm sorry too Mrs. Anoa'i" said AJ. Patricia sighed again. "Although I think that you should have waited for marriage and at least tell us that you were going to do this so that we can be there, I'd have to agree with my husband" she said. "That you two did what was best and for that you do have my blessing".
AJ and Roman breathed in a huge sigh of relief after his mother made this statement. "Thank you so much mom" said Roman. "April?" asked Patricia. "Yes Mrs. Anoa'i?" said AJ. "You take care of my son now, you hear?" said Patricia. "Of course I will" said AJ. "Good" said Patricia. "And ah you can also call me Patricia or mom now if you like". AJ grew a smile. "Thank you, I will" she said. Patricia and Sika got up to hug the couple. "Ah our first grandchild" said Sika. "When are you due?" "December 7th" said AJ. "Oh my goodness that's so far away" said Patricia. "You made it feel as if though you were further along". "Well I'm about 7 weeks" said AJ. "And my stomach is still flat".
"Do you have pictures?" asked Patricia. "Of course" said Roman as he reached into AJ's purse to pull out the ultrasound photo. "Aww look at it" said Sika. "That little dot is our grandchild". "I hope so" AJ thought. "When was this taken?" asked Patricia. "2 weeks ago" said AJ. "I have another appointment on the 26th". "Can we please come?" asked Sika. AJ looked at Roman. "Sure…" she said as Patricia gave her another hug.
"Now I have something to look forward to in December besides the holidays now" said Patricia. "I hope so" thought AJ. "I really do".