PART TWENTY-NINE

"AJ, look at that," Melody exclaimed and pointed to a set of china displayed in a window. "Isn't that beautiful?"

"You're asking me?" I questioned and scrunched up my nose. "I have no idea."

"Come on," she chuckled and linked her arm in mine. "If you won't help me pick out a Christmas present for Leigh, then what's the point of you coming along?"

"I just don't like being away from you," I said and kissed her forehead. "So wherever you go, I go."

"The clingy type, eh?" she asked and grinned widely. "Oh well, I guess I'll have to live with it."

"You bet you do," I chuckled and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "So, wanna buy that china or what? It's cold out here."

"I'm thinking," she said and bit her lower lip in frustration. "Oh well, let's just keep looking."

I let out a small sigh, but smiled at her when she looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "Aww, you know I'm just kidding," I chuckled.

"Right you are," she said disbelieving, but smiled anyway.

Honestly, Christmas shopping had never been something I enjoyed. Especially since I got famous. But with Melody, everything seemed to be less boring or time-consuming. Walking with her on the main street, just chatting and having fun had become a thing I valued a lot in our relationship. We were able to talk like no one else I'd ever known. At least when we weren't ... doing other stuff, you know?

I had to say, as much as I enjoyed staying up late with a cup of coffee and just talk, there were other activities I also found quite stimulating. But then again, sex wasn't really that important. For the first time in my life I was able to honestly say that I didn't need to base my entire relationship on how great a woman was in bed. I'd fallen in love with Melody before I even got the chance to judge her in that way.

"So where are we staying tonight?" she asked as she wrapped her arm around my waist. "Your place or mine?"

"I don't care," I shrugged. "You decide."

"Mine then," she grinned and looked up at me. "Yours is so impersonal."

"Yeah well, when I'm away as much as I am, I can't exactly have it all that cozy," I remarked. "Besides, I like your place better as well. It's much more like a home."

"I'm assuming that's a compliment?"

"It is."

"Well, thank you then."

"Anytime."

"So did you finish buying presents yet?" she asked as we stopped to sit down on a bench. I rubbed my hands together to keep them warm as I shook my head.

"AJ, Christmas is less than a week away."

"I shop better under pressure," I grinned. She chuckled and shook her head at me.

"Fine, just don't come to me when you're all stressed out on the 23rd."

"I've never really been stressed about that stuff," I said and looked back at her again. "But since we're on the subject anyway..."

She looked at me with a questioning expression.

"Would you like to come spend Christmas with me and the guys?" I asked hesitantly. "We always spend the 24th together and we'd all like you to come. Well, me especially."

"Wow," she said quietly and smiled softly. "You'd really want me to join you?"

"You sound like it's the biggest surprise in the world," I smiled as I wrapped my arm around her and she snuggled closer against me. "Christmas wouldn't be the same without you, Melody," I said softly as I kissed the top of her head. "Please say you'll come."

"I ... well," she hesitated and sniffled a little from the cold. "I'm honored, AJ. Of course I wanna come."

A wave of relief rushed through me as I smiled. "I'm glad," I smiled softly. She lifted her head and I brushed my hand over her cheek as I took in her radiating beauty all over again. It never ceased to amaze how she was always able to take my breath away, even with a flushed face and no makeup adorning her. "I love you," I said quietly and tilted my head a little, never taking my eyes off of her. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"You never have to find out," she smiled softly and leaned closer till her lips met mine. I cupped her face in my hands and closed my eyes to let the feeling overtake all my senses like always. I could never seem to get enough of her. The way she looked, the way she talked and sang. The way she laughed and tasted. Everything about her was the most precious thing in the world to me and I could never let it go.

She pulled slightly away and smiled so sweetly my legs grew weak within an instant. "I love it when you pour your heart out in public like that," she chuckled and kissed me again.

"I bet you do," I smiled.

"I never knew how sensitive you can be."

"I'm not really," I shrugged. "Just honest. I don't want you to think that you don't mean anything to me."

"I would never think that," she shook her head. "But I don't mind you reminding me every once in a while."

I chuckled softly. "All right, I'll keep that in mind."

Suddenly, I felt small raindrops landing on my head. We both looked up to see the sky was clouded and the rain was beginning to fall rather heavily.

"Wow, this came on fast," I exclaimed as the rain suddenly shot down on us like small thunderbolts and everyone around us ran as fast as they could for shelter.

"I know," Melody laughed as she stood up. "Don't you love it?"

I looked at her surprised as she twirled around herself and looked up at the sky. "What are you doing?" I asked and frowned.

"I love the rain," she smiled. "I don't know why people always make such a fuss. A little water won't hurt them. And look how beautiful it is. It's how everything keeps on growing."

All of a sudden, she looked down with a mischievous smile and pulled me up next to her. "Dance with me," she said dramatically and grinned.

I was already completely drenched from top to bottom and looked at her like she was insane. "What?"

"Come on, AJ," she chuckled. "Don't tell me you've never danced in the rain before."

"Well ... the thought has never really crossed my mind," I said hesitantly as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Well, there's a first time for everything," she smiled as she laced her arms around my neck. "You do the leading, I'll take care of the music."

She began humming a tune I had never heard before and I couldn't help but laugh as I finally agreed and took the lead. She grinned up at me and for once I didn't care who looked at me like I was insane.

"See, this isn't so bad, is it?" she asked.

"No, it's nice actually," I said softly.

"I know," she smiled and looked up into the sky again. "It's like a thousand kisses coming down on your body."

I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. "Well, that can be quickly arranged."

A smug grin formed on her face. "Don't tempt me, McLean, or I'm gonna drag you to my apartment quicker than your feet can carry you."

I chuckled and leaned her forehead against mine. "Happy one month and a week anniversary," I said quietly and kissed her again.

She smiled at me, leaving tingles in my stomach once again. "Happy one month and a week anniversary," she repeated and ran a hand through my wet hair. "And an early Merry Christmas."

*Melody*

When we finally made it to my apartment, sadly with no Christmas presents, we were completely soaked, yet in an excellent mood.

"I'll go find us some towels," I said as I locked the door and open we stepped inside. "You know where everything is."

"Sure," I heard him say behind me before I disappeared into the bathroom to grab some towels. When I got back, he sat on the music stool, looking at the piano with a distant expression. I threw the towel after him, making him snap out of his trance.

"You're quite the hostess," he remarked with a grin as he began drying his hair. I sat down next to him and shrugged with a grin.

"I'm not a maid," I remarked smiling. To be honest, the experiences with Fletcher had made me a little careful as to who I did favors for. In the end, Fletcher had automatically counted on the fact that I brought him everything on a silver plate and I didn't want that to happen with AJ and me for anything. Not that I believed the two of the were even alike, I couldn't help but be careful.

AJ gently ran his fingers over the black and white keys and sighed softly. "I love the piano," he said softly. "It's probably my favorite instrument of them all."

"Mine too," I smiled and looked at him. "Do you play?"

He nodded silently. "Not a lot though," he remarked and looked at me as he smiled vaguely. "Will you teach me?"

"Any day," I chuckled as I began drying my hair. It was quickly done though, and I threw the towel carelessly to the floor. I looked up at him again as he was lost in a world of his own.

His features were so extraordinary. I could never get enough of tracing my fingers over his strong jaw and small goatee as I ran my hand through his thick hair. But his eyes were what captured me the most. They seemed to tell me his entire life story when the room was silent and his lips remained closed. I could tell whatever he was feeling just by gazing into the beautiful amber and it always seemed impossible to look away.

With a small smile, I turned my body to the side so I faced him and laced my arms together around his neck. He looked at me surprised, but turned his body as well. I leaned closer till our heads were nearly inches apart and softly began singing.

"Have I told you lately that I love you..."

I kissed his forehead and continued.

"Have I told you there's no one else above you..."

I moved down and kissed his jaw ever so softly.

"Fill my heart with gladness..."

My journey continued as I kissed the tip of his nose.

"Take away all my sadness..."

My final destination was his mouth and I lingered at his lips as a small smile played on mine. I pulled slightly away and grinned.

"Ease my troubles, that's what you do."

He chuckled softly and wrapped his arms securely around my waist. "What was that for?" he asked softly.

I played with the back of his hair as I looked into his eyes, trying to make him understand the intensity of what he made me feel. "Just for being the most amazing guy I've ever known," I said quietly. "You make me feel beautiful, AJ. No one's ever been able to do that, and no one else but you ever will. You make me feel wanted and appreciated and that means more to me than words could ever express. What can I ever do to thank you?"

The smile on his lips faded as his look turned serious. "I ... I just want you to be happy," he whispered quietly as his eyes darkened. "That's all."

"But I am," I said and kissed him again with all I had in me to try and prove my point. "AJ, I'm walking on clouds. Just being with you makes my whole day brighter. Don't you know that by now?"

He took my hand and directed it to his lips as he gently kissed it. "I'm glad," he said. "I just wanna try to make you as happy as you make me. Although I don't think that's even possible."

"I beg to differ," I smiled softly. "And just in case I haven't told you lately ... I love you."

He chuckled and pulled me closer to him again. "I love you too," he said quietly just before his lips covered mine. My grip around his neck tightened as I did everything I could do make him come closer. I wanted him as near to me as he could possibly be.

Being loved is a strange emotion. It lifts you up on cloud number nine where you can see nothing but the person that means the world to you and all of a sudden, you know exactly what that person is thinking just by looking at him. You know his fears and worries. His joys and sorrows. And you wanna be a part of it all. You wanna laugh with him when everything is great. You even wanna cry with him when things seem hopeless. Because no matter what, you're connected by a strong bond. A bond of an emotion so strong that it cannot be broken by anything.

_____________________________

Chapter 28 » Chapter 30