CHAPTER 68:

A few more weeks had passed and Nikki was still on her 2 month suspension and AJ and Roman had begun their counseling as they were planning on moving back in together at the end of the month. They have decided not to tell their parents and Nikki hasn't spoken to John and she remained in California focusing on her realtor career. It was now noontime on May 29th.

AJ and Roman sat in their counselor Joanna Miller's office in the middle of their 3rd session. "So tell me you two" said Dr. Miller. "How have things been going for you?"

"Well Leati and I haven't been living together for the past 4 weeks" said AJ. "And were thinking about…moving back in together soon". "How soon?" asked Dr. Miller. "The 31rst" said AJ. "And what about you Joe?" asked Dr. Miller. "How do you feel about this?" "Like I've always said from day one is that I'm gonna be here for AJ and the baby even if it's not mine" said Roman. Dr. Miller continued taking down notes as the couple finished.

"And do the two of you think that this is best?" she asked. "Well April and I didn't talk for a few days after the fact, but I think we're ready" said Roman. "I still love her and my love for her hasn't changed despite the fact what was done to me I'm willing to work things out no matter what". Dr. Miller continued on with her notes. "And you April? Do you feel that you are ready?" "Yes Dr. Miller" said AJ. "I think I am".

"And how is your pregnancy going along lately?" asked Dr. Miller. "Well the baby is fine" said AJ. "I'm about 13 weeks and so far everything's going on good". "That's good" said Dr. Miller. "I know that I have had some concerns in the beginning that stress might be a worrying factor into your personal health". AJ half smiled. "Thank you" she said. "So I know we have been meeting 3 times a week for the past 3 weeks for…2 hours" said Dr. Miller. "Any thoughts on our time together so far?"

"I just would like to say that even though I will never forget what happened in our relationship that I am willing to forgive" said Roman. "That's good" said Dr. Miller. "I see great positive growth and progress from our sessions." Roman nodded as Dr. Miller continued. "It is in my professional opinion is that I do see that you see that there is some hope left for you guys". "Dr. Miller?" asked AJ. "Yes April?" asked Dr. Miller. "I feel like every day is a building block, to our new foundation and this time it will be much stronger and even better than before" said AJ.

"Absolutely" said Dr. Miller. The session continued for another 15 minutes when Dr. Miller finally closed her notebook. "How soon would you like to come back?" she asked. "Well my schedule I going to be crazy since I have that payback match" said Roman. "But how about on the 5th, same time?" "April are you ok with that?" asked Dr. Miller. "Yes Dr. Miller I am" said AJ. "Good" said Dr. Miller. "I'll make the session for 4hrs to cover for the lost time.

"Thank you doctor" said Roman. "Thank you doctor" said AJ as the shook hands and left. The two made it down the hallway where AJ stopped to sit down at the water cooler. "Hey do you want any?" asked Roman. "No I'm good" said AJ. Roman took a cup of water before sitting down next to AJ. "You're not ready for us to move back in together are you?" he asked. "To be honest I'm scared to death" AJ said tearfully. "Why?" asked Roman. "What if we're going about this too fast?" asked AJ. "I know how I feel about you and how you feel about me" said Roman. "And everything I've ever said in there was the God honest truth". AJ sighed as Roman continued. "I want this to work" he said. "And I want it to work too" said AJ.

Roman began to wipe away some of AJ's tears. "Come on I'll walk you to your car" he said. With that the two got up and left.

Meanwhile, Nikki was at a gym angrily punching a boxing bag when John approached her. "Can we talk?" he asked. Nikki continued to furiously punch the bag when John stood in front of her. "Look I know that you may not ever wanna see me or talk to me again but I think you should please just hear me out" he said. Nikki abruptly stopped. "I should listen to you?" she said angrily. "Why in the hell should I listen to you!? Because of you I got suspended from my job for 2 months!"

"I'm sorry Nicole" said John. "You're sorry!?" shouted Nikki. "I loved you with all my heart John and this is what you do to me!? To us!?" "I dunno what to say" said John. "Then say nothing!" Nikki shouted. "I'm just lucky enough that Stephanie didn't fire my ass and that she was able to keep this event out of public knowledge". Nikki resumed punching the bag even more angrily when John stopped it again.

"Just go away!" she shouted. "Just go away and leave me be!" "Not until we talk about this" said John. "John I don't wanna talk about anything with you" said Nikki. "I just wanna take advantage of the gym time that I have in here, given Stephanie allowed me to come in back in here". "If you hate me so damn much then why are you still wearing the ring I gave you?" asked John. Nikki paused as she looked over and saw that the ring was on top of her belongings.

"Just go to hell" she said tearfully as she hastily picked up her belongings and left the gym.