Too Late
Story by Daisy

~~*Chapter Eight*~~

          “I do.” Nick repeated. AJ’s head whirled in Nick’s direction. Had he just heard right?

          “I’m sorry,” Nick whispered to Autumn. “But I can’t let you do this.” AJ leaned forward and strained his ears so he could hear what was being said. Evidently the priest was leaning forward too because soon his microphone was picking up what was being said. AJ stood rigidly and listened.

          “Autumn, you know I love you. I honestly do. And I know that you love me. But I can’t let you marry me. I know now that I’m not the one for you. I see now where your heart truly belongs. I saw it all while we were dating but I wanted to deny it. And we moved so fast!” Nick slid his hand over Autumn’s cheek. “I know you want this too.”

          AJ watched, amazed, as she smiled and nodded back, her eyes filling over with tears that spilled out silently down her soft cheeks. Nick brought her face to his for one last kiss.

          “Go to the one you truly love.” He whispered to her, smiling. Autumn hugged him, staring into his eyes for a long moment. AJ’s heart began to pound as she stood back to look at the astounded crowd. Her eyes roamed them, noticing just how large this group was, and her body began to tremble with fear. Nick grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. She turned to him and smiled faintly, her face flushing.

          Time stopped for AJ. It seemed like forever while Autumn chose who she truly loved. He prayed it was him. He could feel his collar begin to dampen from his nervous perspiration.

          Autumn turned, slowly, in his direction. Her eyes locked with his and told him the world. She did love him. She did want to be with him. She walked towards him, each step painstakingly slow. The last few steps, AJ reached for her hands and pulled her to him. AJ stared at her in wonder.

          “I never knew I loved you until it was too late,” she whispered, her mouth painfully close to his. His lips ached to touch hers, but knew that this was not the time nor place to do so. Autumn realized this and grabbed his hand, pulling him behind her as she ran down the aisle, through the church, and into her dressing room, locking the door behind her.

          AJ was filled with the longing to hold her, kiss her, to prove once and for all that she really did love him. He held her close to his body and bent his lips slowly towards hers.

          “Wait,” she whispered, putting a slim finger on his lips. AJ kissed it, desperate to kiss any part of her. “I want to talk to you first.” Her mouth had not gotten any further from his but instead, came even closer than before, allowing AJ to feel every breath that she took.

          “I never knew I loved you,” she shook her head. “Not until it was too late. Way too late.”

          “I didn’t either.” He whispered, leaning his head against hers.

          “When.” She breathed the word and AJ could feel her breath inside his mouth.

          “When you started dating Nick.” He closed his eyes. “You?”

          “When I showed you my ring.” They both laughed, remembering how he had reacted. “I’ve always loved you. I just never knew to what depth.”

          “You have?” She moved away from him and sat down in a chair.

          She nodded. “Remember how I said that Nick was perfect in every way except one?” AJ nodded. “Well, I always wanted a guy to be exactly like you. And at that moment I realized that I not only wanted him to be exactly like you, I wanted him to be you.” She reached her hand out to him and he took it. “Remember our two week anniversary? And how we were gonna celebrate?” AJ nodded. He definitely remembered that. “We never did. I saw the look in your eyes when I told you. I knew then that I was beginning to fall in love with you, but I didn’t let myself. I left early that night, making some excuse to get home. I just couldn’t hurt you.”

          AJ knelt down in front of her. He was just about the same height as her even though she was sitting in a chair. He took her hands in his.

          “Autumn, kiss me.” And she did.

Epilogue
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