“Come on baby, pick up the phone,” A.J. whispered anxiously.
The phone rang a few more times before Elise got to it. “Hello?”
“I miss you,” A.J. sighed relieved.
“Alex!” Elise ran to the bedroom. “Oh Alex… you should see me. I’m swelling up like a balloon. I miss you so much. I even get jealous when I see kids kissing in school.”
“That bad huh?” A.J. loved her voice. He hadn’t been able to call for two weeks and was going through with drawl.
“I’m already counting the days until I can be in your arms again,” she said dreamily.
“Hello? Anybody home?” Jess called walking in the front door.
“Shh… she’s on the phone. It’s A.J.” Aaron whispered and winked at Jess.
“’Lise, baby, it’s torture not seeing you. I thought I would die not talking to you for like one night… it’s been so hard.” She listened to his breathing. She could almost feel it, heavy and warm on her neck.
“Why do I have to wait so long?” she buried her face in his pillow, “even you pillow is loosing it’s scent… can’t you just come home early? We could get away for a few hours. I just want to feel your arms around me, and I want to kiss you.”
“God knows I want to come home baby. Both Kev and I have been trying to figure something out. I want to just cuddle with you. I miss that so much. We never have time to cuddle anymore.”
“I’m so sorry,” she could feel her throat drying up, “I’m so very sorry,” tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“’Lise are you crying?”
“I’m not trying to. Alex please come home,” she whispered.
“I’m so sorry baby, I have to go. I send my love to both my girls. Don’t forget me while I’m gone.”
“I won’t, I promise. I love you,” she was sobbing.
“I love you too ‘Lise… with all my heart. I’ll be home soon,” and with that he hung up.
“Alex, I didn’t want you to go. Baby, please come home,” she buried her head in his pillow and put the phone down on the bedside table.
“Shorty, are you ok? Do you need something?” Jess walked in the door.
“Jess…” she turned to the girl and wiped her eyes. “I miss him so much Jess. He’s the reason I’m alive today. I don’t know if I can make it much longer without him.”
“I know you can make it. You should just rest and take it easy.”
“Well, I guess I’ll take a nap. You and Aaron can practice your lines for a while. You’re Emily and he’s George,” she pulled the covers up around her and was half asleep before Jess even closed the door.
“Mr. Morgan, I’ll have to go home and get the money to pay you for this. It’ll only take me a minute,” Elise woke up and went downstairs to find Aaron and Jess practicing the second act.
“What’s that? George Gibbs do you mean to tell me…” Elise said the stage managers line.
Aaron smiled but stayed in character continuing his lines. When they got to the stage managers big speech Elise just smiled.
“I’ve got a question,” Jess said.
“What is it?”
“Well… for the wedding scene…” she blushed slightly, “will the kiss be fake or real?”
“Real for the show and dress rehearsals.”
“Ok,” Aaron and Jess both said in unison half smiling.