An Illicit Gentleman II

                                                       Epilogue

            AJ and Eve were on their way to Howie’s place.  It had been a couple of weeks since they had busted Sarah at the house.  She wasn’t released on bond and is now waiting for her arraignment.  AJ looked over at his wife and he smiled.  The last couple of weeks he had seen an amazing change in her.  Maybe it was because they caught Sarah and Eve knew this was all behind her now and she could move on.  AJ then looked in his review mirror.  Or perhaps it was the little girl sitting in the car seat behind him.  Maybe even a combo of both, he wasn’t sure, he was just glad things were getting better.

            He pulled into Howie’s driveway and shut the car off; he looked over at Eve and signed.  “Want me to get the bags and you grab her?” He signed and she nodded.

            This was the first time they had shared her with anyone, each time before they would drive down to San Diego and do something special with her down there.  With Sarah being arrested it kind of brought back the Paparazzi frenzy and right now they wanted to keep things private.  But today was a special day, the guys were having a big party with Family before they headed out on the road. Well more like the air since they were all flying to Japan the next day.

            AJ tested the door and found it was unlocked; he walked into the house and set down Anabelle’s bag.  He looked back and saw his wife putting the little girl down and taking her hand.  “Hello?!” He shouted into the house and a few seconds later someone shouted back.  AJ motioned for Eve to follow him and the couple headed towards the back patio.

“Jizzle!” Nick shouted with his arms raised.

“Hey man.” Howie said with a smile as he greeted AJ.

“Hope you don’t mind we brought a guest.” AJ told him and Howie looked at him confused.  Just then Eve walked out with Anabelle and everyone stared at the little girl.

“She’s so cute Alex.” Leigh B squealed a little as she walked over to Eve and Anabelle.  AJ watched as Eve walked Anabelle over to Kristin who was squealing just as much as Leigh B was.

“So” Kevin said as he walked up beside AJ.  “That’s Anabelle.”

“Yep” AJ nodded.

“Black hair and blue eyes.” Kevin noted and AJ looked up at him.

“Yep.” He replied with a smile.  Kevin returned the smile as he patted AJ on the back and walked with him over to the ladies.

“Who wants to go swimming?” AJ signed as he knelt in front of Anabelle.  The little girl smiled and signed. “Me” and then clapped her hands.  Eve and AJ laughed as he picked her up and walked into Howie’s house.  Grabbing her bag AJ walked into an empty room, set her down on the bed and quickly changed into his swim trunks.

As he fixed the straps to Anabelle’s bathing suit there was a knock on the door and AJ quickly turned around but he quickly looked back when he saw who it was.  “What do you want?” He asked.

“I wanted to tell you Leigh and I talked to Detective Ozwith we told her everything Sarah had told us in the phone calls.” Brian said.

“That’s nice.” AJ replied as he picked up Anabelle.  AJ walked past Brian and out of the room.

“Look man.” Brian said grabbing AJ’s arm and AJ turned around looking at Brian’s hand and then at the man himself.  “I’m sorry ok, I was lied too.”

“Not that simple Rok, yes you were lied to but you believed those lies, you had the choice to believe someone you knew for ten years or someone you knew for a couple of years, you chose the ladder and now must deal with the consequences.” AJ told him.  “Not to mention all the times you continued to degrade her, you hurt her and there for you hurt me too.”

“Now if you don’t mind this little one would like to go swimming.” AJ said and then walked down the hallway.  He knew Brian probably hated himself right now and he knew Brian was truly sorry but it wasn’t something he could just forgive and forget.  Someday he knew he would forgive Brian for his part whether intentional or not in what happened with Sarah and Mats but he didn’t think he would be able to forget just how mean Brian had become towards Eve.

Either way his life was starting to fall into place, instead of falling apart.  He was married to an amazing woman who loved him no matter what he did, now it looked like they were going to start a family of their own and as he looked at the little girl in his arms AJ knew his life was finally going down the right road.