Love in New York [Under Construction].

XLI.

December 23

"Another cold, snowy day in New York City, and surrounding areas. The temperatures are hanging in the low 20's, grab the heavy jackets, and scarfs today, you're going to need them."

I sat up in the bed, and pulled the covers from around me. Christmas carols played softly on the tv. Outside, it was still snowing. I sniffled my slightly stuffy nose. The apartment was quiet; Adam was probably gone. I got up took a quick shower, and plopped down on the couch. I wrapped my cardigan tighter around me, and flicked through channels. There was nothing to do, no school, no Lyra, and no good weather. 

I saw a box on the floor, it was the first box I had packed up when I had began my plan to move. Inside, were old pictures. The first picture on top,  was my father, me and my brothers. On the back of the picture were written the names: Terrence Bernard Williams with Jerod Christian, Michael Charles Williams and  Aaliyah Rae Williams.... Bernard.. As I was laying on the couch thinking, there was a knock at the door. 

No one really came to visit me.

I looked through the peep hole.

James stood there, bundled up, in his hand was a large plastic bag, which held a box and other contents. I hadn't seen him since the summer. I took a breath, and opened the door. "Aaliyah-" "What do you want?" His eyes widened as they went to my stomach, I cleared my throat. "Can I come in?" I moved aside. He sat the box down, and looked at the ground at his feet. I went and sat on the couch, and he followed sitting on the love-seat across from me. "You still look beautiful" he complimented. 

"Thanks." 

We sat in silence for a few minutes. Out of the blue, he spoke up. "I really want to say I'm sorry..I know it was a few months ago, but I wanted to apologize." "I accept your apology, is that it?" He moved over to me, sitting on the edge of the couch. "Aaliyah...I never stopped loving you" he murmured. His breath was warm against my lips, but before we could make contact, I pushed him away. James chuckled. "There's never going to be an 'us' again, is there?" "I'm in love Adam. You know that.." "I should have just treated you right from the beginning. But if I could go back in time, and treat you right, would we have a future together? Would you love me back?" I looked into his eyes to see tears. 

Sighing, I replied. "I like to think we would have." 

"Adam, better not waste the opportunity like me..you're an amazing woman, Aaliyah." "Thank you, you'll find your perfect girl someday."

"Oh, your cousin, Star, told me that you were having twins, so I just picked up a few things, some onesies, bottles, pacifiers, just to start you out. It was the least I could do." "Thank you." With that, he stood up. "I better get going, I have a meeting to catch." I stood up also. "A meeting, what for?" "Its an NFL program that help young athletes manage their money." "You're really going up in the world, huh?" He listened to me talk.  "You really didn't need someone like me to bring you down. This wasn't really where I imagined myself in my early 20's." My voice cracked, and I blinked away tears in my eyes. "Don't cry" he whispered, giving me a hug. I let out a few tears in his shoulder. 

"Things don't always turn out the way we plan the, but that doesn't mean you can't bounce back. You're a smart girl." Pulling away, I nodded. "Thank you James." Adam came into the room with Rico, stopping when he saw James, and I.

"Did he do something to you?" "No, he was just apologizing for the incident." James adjusted his scarf. "Sorry again" he added, "Congrats in advance to you both. You'll both be great parents." With that he walked out the door. Adam lifted the bag up.  "He brought this?" I nodded. "Yeah, well I still don't want him around.." he mumbled. I changed the subject. 

"Hey Rico, I thought you were going out of town?" 

He shook his head, and went into the kitchen. "Nah, aye can I have some Pizza Rolls?" Adam gave me a apologetic look for his mooching friend. "Sure." "I'll pick up some more later" Adam whispered, as he looked at the tv screen. My mind went back to the names. "Adam?" "Mhmm?" "How do you like the name 'Alfonzo Bernard'." He kept his eyes on the tv. "Where'd you get Bernard?" I paused, which is when he looked over at me. "It was my dad's middle name.." He watched me as I continued to talk. "I  miss him." He put his arm around me. "He's watching over you, he's gonna be proud you named our son after him." "Now we just have to find a middle name for our daughter." 

"What about Aina? Your mom's name. Gloria has to have an 'A' somewhere in her name" I laughed, and he began to wipe my tears away. "Aaliyah, Adam, Alfonzo, Gloria. That's true, she's kinda left out. Hopefully she doesn't hold that against us." Rico came into the room with the Pizza Rolls on a paper plate. "Now I'm hungry" I whined. Rico swallowed down a mouthful of the Pizza Rolls, before talking. "Isn't your church having some Christmas celebration today?" Adam shrugged. "I haven't been to church in the longest."

"Well, let's at least go by to check, that's free food!" Rico exclaimed.