CHAPTER 79:

The next afternoon, AJ and Roman were on route to Union City as they took a road trip through the country. "So are you excited?" asked Roman. "Not exactly" said AJ as she rubbed her stomach. "Are you ok there baby?" asked Roman. "Yeah it's just that I feel so tired" said AJ. "Even with 9 hours of sleep and I couldn't even do yoga today before we left." "Really?" asked Roman. "Yeah I got extremely nauseous again and I threw up" said AJ. "But you are alright-right?" asked Roman.

"Yes Leati I am" said AJ as she reclined her seat a little. "So what do you think momma Mendez and poppa Mendez are going to say?" said Roman. "Oh the usual "you threw away your life April"-that kind of stuff" said AJ. "You know baby you're gonna be 28 come March" said Roman. "They have got to learn to let you go sometime." "I know but I was the crown jewel of the family" said AJ. "They love my siblings so don't get me wrong or anything it's just that I was their-"

"Their favorite?" said Roman as he interrupted her. "Hope" said AJ as she reached into her purse to pull out her iPhone. "Ooh someone's taking a selfie" teased Roman. "Yep I am" said AJ as she snapped a photo. "For my Instagram followers and the title will be "road trip with the hubby" with that little kiss mark and a red heart." "Cute" said Roman. "I'm just thankful that it's only a 4.5 hour drive" said AJ. "Yeah because the drive back home to Tampa is a hella lot longer" said Roman. "Yeah try about 18 hours long" said AJ. "And it's only because I'm in my third trimester."

"So after we come home, no more long distance traveling right?" asked Roman. "Nope" said AJ. "Remember I promised Dr. Hernandez that I'd rest from my 8th month on". Roman continued driving until he had finally reached AJ's parent's house in Union City. He pulled up in front of a white and light blue multiple family home. "This is it" said AJ as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Home sweet home, well at least from ages 15 to 21". The two exited the car and Roman went into the trunk of their new 2014 silver Kia Optima Hybrid to retrieve their luggage. AJ made her way through the paint chipped gates and up a flight of 3 steps to ring the doorbell.

"Um baby are you sure you don't wanna park it in the lot next door?" said AJ. "Nah we're here. It can stay there until morning" said Roman. AJ gave Roman a certain look which caused him to change his answer. "It can stay until we get settled" he said. After finishing his sentenced, AJ's sister Erica answered the door. "April!" she called out with a huge smile. "Oh my goodness look at you!" The two briefly exchanged hugs as Roman followed behind them. "Dinner is ready for everyone to eat" said Erica. "Ah you must be Leati" "How have you been?" asked Roman. "I'm great" said Erica as AJ's parents and older brother Robert joined.

"You must be Joe" said Mrs. Mendez with a blank look. "Yes ma'am I am" said Roman. "What are you Dr. Seuss or something?" asked Mr. Mendez. "Was that a sarcastic remark?" asked AJ. "No, you know dad" said Robert. "Hi I'm Robert. It's so nice to finally meet you Joe". "Same here" said Roman as the two shook hands. "You can stay in the basement" said Mrs. Mendez. "Ok…" said Roman as he picked up the bags. "Here lemme help you with those" said Robert. "Are you sure man?" asked Roman. "Absolutely" said Robert as he began taking the bags downstairs for him. "Please come into the dining room, dinner's ready" said Erica. The family walked into the other room where they all took a seat.

"Hmm that smells delicious in here" said Roman. "What did you guys make?" "Authentic Puerto Rican food" said Erica as she began serving their meal. "Something you won't find just anywhere". Erica continued to serve the meal which turned out to be a chicken with rice dish with a variety of mixed vegetables alongside a breaded grilled fish on a side of squash. AJ at that point leaned over to whisper in Roman's ears "please don't mind my sister's cooking. She's been trying out new dishes for the past several years." Roman nodded as she finished.

"So son…" said Mr. Mendez as Robert came back upstairs to finally join them. "What is the nature of your business marrying my daughter?" he asked. "Well I-I love her sir" said Roman as Erica placed out the desert which was a sweet potato flan. "Yeah-yeah I've heard it all before" said Mr. Mendez. "Boys always liking my daughters but after taking their hearts, they end up breaking them." "Well I would never do that to April" said Roman. "I love her and so is the baby that she's carrying."

"Yeah well you better love them both" said Mr. Mendez. "Or else." "Mom, dad can't you guys be just a little more appreciative?" said AJ. "How can we sweetheart when we know that you're just throwing your life away?" said Mrs. Mendez. AJ stood up. "I'm not throwing away my life!" she yelled. "I love Leati and there's nothing any of you can do to stop it! I am 27 years-old with a successful career! I'm not a child anymore!" "You're acting like one by the way you're talking to us" said Mr. Mendez. "I mean did the two of you just get married just because you got yourself pregnant?" AJ had finally had enough. "You know what that's it!" AJ shouted. "I'm done! I don't need you talking to me or my husband like we're shit! She left the table causing Roman to get up and follow right behind her.

"AJ wait!" he said. "What is it Leati?" asked AJ. "Please, just come back to the dinner table and eat ok?" said Roman. "No Leati, I'm leaving" said AJ as she continued to make her way downstairs. Roman sighed as he was left standing at the foot of the staircase.

Sometime later, Roman had returned back downstairs into the basement to find AJ laying down across her bed watching the late night news. "Hey there baby" said Roman as he sat across her bed. "I saved you a plate." "Thanks" AJ said emotionlessly. Roman sat the plate down on their nightstand. "Come on baby, you need to eat" he said. "I haven't seen you eat anything in 6 hours." AJ sat up. "Do you know what it's like to have your parents hate the guy you love?" she said.

"No actually I don't" said Roman. AJ sighed. "Ever since Jay and I broke up, my father just hates anyone who is a guy that comes around me so I was forced to keep any other relationship I had afterwards a secret and I'm just so sick of them being so disrespectful and that's why I pray every single day that this baby that I'm carrying is yours otherwise I'd have to lie to them every day for the rest of my life". "I am so sorry April" said Roman. "So am I" said AJ. "I'm a responsible 27-year-old with a million dollar career and that still isn't enough for them." Roman paused for a moment before speaking. "By the way, I think your parents and I are gonna be just fine" he said. "How so?" asked AJ. "Because when I asked for seconds they gladly handed them to me" said Roman. This had caused AJ to laugh. "That…that doesn't mean anything" she said. "All that means is that they're just suppressing whatever anger they have inside of them. That's all."

"What a crazy day you know that?" said Roman. "Yeah" said AJ. "And we'll be here for the next 4 days". "Ah yes 4 days of fun" said Roman. "At least I get to have you paint my belly as a pumpkin" said AJ. Roman smiled. "Yeah I do" he said. The two became quiet for a while before Roman broke their silence. "You ever had sex in your room before?" he asked. "You're so silly" said AJ. "You were my first remember?" "Yeah and last" said Roman as he leaned in to kiss AJ. As the two broke apart from their kiss, AJ spoke. "Whoa" she said. "We haven't did this in a long time". "Yeah" said Roman. "It's been almost 6 months". "Yeah but…I don't want to wait anymore" said AJ. "I'm tired of waiting." "So am I" said Roman as he resumed their kissing. AJ laid back down but her back was slowly starting to hurt.

"Ouch!" she said. "I forgot that the baby is like laying a full grown watermelon on my back. "I'm sorry" said Roman as he sat up. "We don't have to do this." AJ smiled. "Yeah we can" said AJ. "We just have to have me laying on pillows that's all." Roman and AJ to begin to quickly rearrange the bed so that Roman can get back on top of AJ once again. He leaned into kissing her again. "Leati?" said AJ through their kisses. "Yeah?" asked Roman as he began to remove AJ's panties. "I love you" she said. "I love you too April" said Roman as he took off his shirt.

"God I really hope that the door is locked" said AJ. "Of course it is" said Roman. "I locked it." "You're good" said AJ. "I know I am" said Roman as AJ tried to remove Roman's pants. "I keep forgetting that it's getting a little hard to reach around this big belly of mine" she said. "It's quite funny actually" said Roman as he removed the rest of his clothes. AJ sat up as Roman removed her dress, and then her bra. "You're so beautiful" he said as he began to kiss her breast.

"Leati…." said AJ. Roman didn't stop until he began to feel AJ's heart racing so he allowed her to lay back down. He began to kiss her swollen stomach. "You have hair there" he teased. "Yes I know that" said AJ. "The baby did that to you?" asked Roman. "Yeah" said AJ. "Enough talking" said Roman as he readjusted himself. AJ watched as Roman gently eased himself up to her which caused her to gasp. "Shh remember that this isn't our house" said Roman. "We can't get too loud". "I know, it's just that it's been so long" said AJ. "I know" said Roman as he slowly slid inside of her. He held himself in place for a while so that AJ could get used to the feeling of him being there. AJ wrapped her arms around Roman as he began to thrust.

Sounds of pleasure filled the room and despite their very best to remain quiet, the couple realized that they couldn't. "Damn girl you feel so good" said Roman. "I….know" said AJ. Roman continued his movements until they became faster and faster. He watched AJ's reactions for a while before shifting his eyes onto her stomach. He wondered how the baby was doing in there as he was still a little somewhat worried if what they were doing was doing to them. AJ moaned his name again as sweat began to pour off of their bodies. She held on tighter as their panting and moaning continued. AJ stared into Roman's eyes and tried to see his facial expression but it soon became blurry. She gently ran her hands down his back, wondering what was going through his mind. Roman's pace quickened even more until both had finally reached their climax, each forgetting any attempt to muffle the sound. Roman removed himself from AJ as he laid down beside her.

"We're gonna be in so much trouble" he said. "I don't care" said AJ as she pulled Roman in for another kiss. She wrapped her leg around him as he brushed up aside her. "Stop…" said AJ. "It's too sensitive?" asked Roman. "Yeah baby it is" said AJ. "Ok" said Roman as he kissed her forehead. "I'm tired" said AJ. "I know" said Roman. "But I think its best you eat first before you do sleep". The two held each other for a while as they continued to look into the other's eyes. They never thought that they would ever be able to become intimate again after the whole affair. Roman picked up AJ's right hand and began playing with it.

"What's this for?" she asked. "You know…I almost forgot how you felt" Roman said. "And that's not a very good thing." "I know" said AJ. "I…I almost forgot how you feel too." Roman kissed her hand. "Well I'm going to make sure that never happens again." AJ smiled again. "How did I get so lucky?" she asked. "I mean, sure I don't know who's baby this is, but still I feel very lucky." "I wonder the same thing too" said Roman. "And speaking of the baby…are you sure that this didn't hurt them?" AJ chuckled. "Of course it didn't hurt them silly. They're very well…padded in there so he or she is quite secured in there." "Ok just as long as they're good and you're good then…I'm good" said Roman. The two burst into laughter.

"We're…laughing again" said AJ. "And I like that." "Me too" said Roman. AJ nodded as she sat up, causing Roman to notice just how much her breast have grown due to her pregnancy. "What are you staring at?" asked AJ as she began to put on a sweater. "You" said Roman. She smiled. "At least you're being honest with me" she said. "Oh and don't get so used to them being at this size. They're probably going to most likely shrink back down to normal after a while". She fluffed her hair as she slowly got out of the bed. "Where are you going now?" asked Roman.

"To get some more food and to reheat this plate" said AJ. "I'm like crazy starving". "I'll get it for you" said Roman as he got up out of the bed. "But baby… you're naked" said AJ. "Yeah but I'll but on a robe" said Roman. "Just you rest. Besides you look really exhausted." "Yeah well sex does that too you especially if you're almost 8 months pregnant" said AJ. Roman nodded as he quickly put on his robe and headed up the stairs. He entered into the kitchen and saw Erica doing the dishes. "Oh hi Joe" she said sweetly. "You came for thirds?" "No actually" Roman chuckled. "I've gotta watch my waistline. I've got a live show in Jacksonville on Monday. I just came to get AJ another plate."

"You know I love that you're with my sister" said Erica. "I feel that there's something special about you. I've never seen April so happy like…ever. She has a shine in her eyes you know? Like every time she looks at you? And the way she defended you to our parents tonight? I could have never done something like that". "Why thank you?" said Roman. "There's more in the fridge" said Erica. "In the blue and green bins. Tell her to take as much as she wants and you too. I've made enough for days." "Now why can't your parents be as nice to me as you and your brother?" asked Roman.

"Because" said Erica as she finished drying the last dish. "We didn't take their baby away-you did". "Oh" Roman said quietly. "But don't worry, they'll love you and take you in one day as their very own" said Erica. "I promise you that." "Thank you I appreciate that" said Roman. "Oh and Joe?" said Erica. "Yes?" said Roman. "You might wanna keep the volume down in the basement you know when you two are…." said Erica. "Oh. Yeah right" Roman said as he blushed. "I'm sorry." Erica nodded as she walked out of the kitchen, leaving Roman with hope. Perhaps her parents won't hate him forever after all.