//------------------------------// // Chapter 5. Shopping. Dancing. Hospital // Story: Welcome To Apple Paradise // by Phantom Writer //------------------------------// Chapter 5. Shopping. Dancing. Hospital <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Noon was slowly coming and Aj was sweating like crazy My stepmother came walking over to me "Matt, Can we talk will quick?" "Yeah" I looked at Aj "I'll be right back" I followed her into the kitchen "Matt, I know you don't have much spending money" She said "I want you to know i'll pay for Aj" "You don't have too, I got plenty of money for her to shop with" I said "She's dreading of going with you all" "Why? We won't hurt her" "She's not the shopping kind of girl" I said "She the girl who rather look like a guy and work then look all pretty" "I promise that i'll take good care of her, I won't make her too girly" She started smiling "I really like what she does with her hair! She looks beautiful without makeup" I smiled "I'll talk with her, If she doesn't change her mind i'll have to come with you all" "Let me go speak with her!" She said taking off "Well this isn't going to end well" I said heading back into the living room, I saw my step mom talking with her, I could see Aj wasn't too happy with me I let the two talk and i notice she really opened up with her, I soon seen them laughing After the two stopped talking, Aj came walking up to me "I'm going to go with your step mom shopping" I pulled out my wallet and handed her a credit card "Take this, If you find something you like get it" "Thanks" She said taking the card and putting into her back pocket "I'll try not to spend to much" "Don't worry about the price, I can pay for it" "I'll see you later" She gave me a kiss on the cheek and made her way up stairs to get her coat After they left i made my way into the kitchen and found my apples I got what i needed to make myself about nine apple pie's. I started work on my pies "Need any help?" I looked to see my dad standing in the doorway "Yeah, You can help me cut apples" I said slicing the apples He walked over and started helping "Are we going to peel them?" "No, Aj showed me a great way to make apple pies taste like a slice of heaven" I said looking at how he cut the apples "How do you make these pies taste like a slice of haven?" He asked "When making apple pies, Check each apple and make sure they're ready to be pick, Then you slice the apples up, Now if the apples aren't handled right it will taste nasty" I said placing the slice apples into a pan "I see you're wearing Aj's hat" He said looking at the hat "Yeah, She didn't want to lose it so she wanted me to hold onto it" I said with a smile as i sliced the apples "She reminds me of your mother" He said looking at me "Your mother was a farmer, She worked with animals and grew corn" "She was a farmer? I thought she was lawyer?" "Your mother was a lawyer, She didn't want to be a farmer like her father but unlike my father and myself he allowed her to leave, He knew he would one day find someone who would take care of his farm like he wanted and he did, He found oil and became a rich man" Dad said with a laugh I laughed with him "So grandpa was a farmer" I said looking at him "Weird how i became a farmer" "Yeah, You took after your mother" He said slicing the last apple "Alright, Now that we have our apples are cut up" I walked over to a bag i had with the apples and pulled out some secret ingredients "I can't tell you what these are but i can tell you these are what Aj put's in her pies and they are what makes them taste like a slice of heaven" I put Aj's secrets ingredients into the pie's then started baking them "How long till they are done?" "I give them about half an hour or more" I said picking up my mess, My dad helped me, Which is strange since he always had the maids clean, I then made me a pot of yummy coffee <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Applejack watched as all the girls walked around the mall looking at dresses for tonight, She made her way over to one of the racks of clothes and looked at the shirts "Need any help?" Ask Star "Um... I'm just lookin" She said "Well if you need help don't be shy, I'll give you a hand if you need one" Star said with a smile She went to walk away when Aj stopped her "Maybe you can help me... I want to look... Pretty for tonight" Star smiled "Oh i'll make you look better than pretty! I'll make you look beautiful!" She grabbed her hand and dragged her off deep into the mall <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Night slowly came as i got ready for tonight, My mother told me i needed to dress in a tux, Glad i remember to back my tux I haven't seen Aj since they got back from the mall, In fact, I haven't seen any of them since that had gotten back, Only one i saw as my stepmom, Other then that i haven't seen them I looked myself in the mirror and made sure my bow tie was straight. After i was down with my tie i made my way outside, I saw the rest of my male family waiting outside, They were all waiting on there girls to come out I managed to get me a drink and waited for the girls to show up. I heard the door open and saw each one of the girls walking out in their dresses, The i saw her... Aj came walking out in a stunning black dress, Her hair was still the same, She was wearing golden ear rings. My jaw dropped as i saw her looking around for me, I was in shock. I watched as she walked towards me "Snap out of it Matt! Act cool" "How do ah look?" She asked me with a smile, I could see she was blushing "You look beautiful" I said smiling back at her "Ya don't look so bad ya self" She said looking me over "The hat is a nice touch" I was happy she liked me wearing her hat, I could see the rings around her neck "I'm glad you think so!" I heard music start to play "Care for a dance?" I asked "I would love ta dance" I took her hand as we slowed danced into the night I held her close as we began to dance I got a funny feeling The moment that your lips touched mine Something shot right through me My heart skipped a beat in time I felt her get closer to me as i looked into her beautiful emerald eyes There's a different feel about you tonight It's got me thinkin' lots of crazy things I even think I saw a flash of light It felt like electricity This moment was amazing You shouldn't kiss me like this Unless you mean it like that Cause I'll just close my eyes And I won't know where I'm at We'll get lost on this dance floor Spinnin' around And around And around And around I gave Aj another spin as i smiled, I took a quick look around and notice a lot of my family member's watching us They're all watchin' us now They think we're falling in love They'd never believe we're just friends When you kiss me like this I think you mean it like that If you do baby kiss me again I held her close to me as we danced, I couldn't believe i was dancing this close to her Everybody swears we make the perfect pair But dancing is as far as it goes Girl you've never moved me quite The way you moved me tonight I just wanted you to know I just wanted you to know I felt her forehead touch mine as we slow danced, I looked deep into her eyes and smiled You shouldn't kiss me like this Unless you mean it like that Cause I'll just close my eyes And I won't know where I'm at And We'll get lost on this dancefloor Spinnin' around And around And around And around I could feel her breath on my lips as she moved her lips touching mine again They're all watchin' us now They think we're falling in love They'd never believe we're just friends When you kiss me like this I think you mean it like that If you do baby kiss me again Kiss me again I kissed her back as the song ended "You really look beautiful tonight" I said looking into her eyes "Ya just sayin' that ta make me feel better" She said with a blush "No, I really mean it, Your always beautiful, Everytime i see you i can't believe how beautiful you are" I said I could see she was happy with what i had said "Ah think ya handsome, And if ah might dare say even sexy when i see you working without ya shirt on" She said with a blush I let out a chuckle "So you think i'm sexy?" Her blush deepened "Y-Yeah" She slowly turned her head trying to hide her blush This gave me a chance to whisper in her ear "I think you're sexy too" I lifted my head back as she looked at me, She was redder then any apple on the far, I leaned in giving her a light kiss, I could feel her go into shock as she slowly kissed me back What felt like hours was only a few minutes, She pulled away from me, I looked back at her with a stupid grin on my face "Aj, Will you do me the honor and go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?" She gave me a light kiss on the lips "Ah would love ta go out with you tomorrow night" Tonight was one of the best nights i have ever had in my whole life, Until there was a faint awe then a BAM My father collapsed i rushed over to him, He was on the ground, He was barely breathing, My mother called 911 and soon they took him to the hospital, Mary and Star sat in their chairs, Both of them just got done panicking, I was sitting in my chair, Aj was next to me sound asleep, Her head resting on my shoulder "What time is it?" Mary asked I looked down at my watch "It's midnight" She looked at Star who was sound asleep in her chair "When are they going to come get us!?" Mary said tick off "Mary, Be calm" I said "The doctor's are doing what they do best, We just let them take care of dad" "You know how i hate to wait!" I rolled my eyes "Mary, Dad will be fine" "How do you know! Are you reading his mind right now!?" "Why yes i am, And he said sit and be quiet" I said with a stern voice "Dad wouldn't want you freaking out, Now read a magazine, Or watch something on t.v" I swear sometimes, She's like a child She sat back in her chair with a huff, I closed my eyes trying to get some sleep I could hear Mary and Star walking to someone, I couldn't tell who but it had to be one of the doctor's I opened my eyes to see them talking to a doctor "My father doesn't have cancer, You must have gotten something messed up" Mary said This is where i cut in "Dad has brain cancer" I said stretching in my seat They both looked at me with shocked looks "WHAT?! HOW DO YOU KNOW!?" "He told me yesterday, He was going to tell you two soon" I said getting up Mary glared at me while Star looked back at the doctor "Can you fix it?" "He's already too far, All we can do is ease his pain" The Doctor said looking at her "He's requested to speak a...." He flipped the page on his clipboard "Aj? Is she with you?" I looked to see Aj sitting there awake "H-He want's to see me?" "Yes" He said, Aj stood and followed the Doctor to my dad's room Mary and Star looked at me both looked angry "And why didn't you tell us about his cancer?" Mary asked "He didn't want me to tell you, He said he was going to tell you both" I said sitting back down "I didn't think he would go into some kind of shock" They hounded me on why i should have told them, I sat back in my chair wondering what my dad wanted with Aj <><><><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><> Aj stepped into the room and saw Matt's dad in bed, He had a few wires hooked up to him "Aj" He said with a smile "I'm glad you came" She took a seat next to the bed "I'm kinda surprised you asked for me instead of your wife" He smiled "I needed to speak with you first, It's about Matt" "What about Matt" "First i need to know something" He said, His smile fading "Do you love my son?" Aj started to blush "Ah... Ah... Yes i love him" She said looking him in the eyes "I'm glad to hear" He said his smile returning "He loves you, I can see it in his eyes" He said slowly sitting up "If he didn't love you, He wouldn't have given you his mother's rings" Aj looked at the rings hanging around her neck "I wanted to give Star those rings but Matt said he wanted them, So i kept one and he kept the other, He said he would only give those rings away, Only to one that has his heart" He took a deep breath "I may have been hard on my son, I don't deserve his forgiveness, But i am happy i got to see my son again before i leave this world, And i'm glad he found true love in this world" He looked down at his hands "I ask, That as my dying wish, Don't let him give up is dream in running that apple farm, Don't ever let him give it up" "Ya have my word, I'll make sure he sticks to his dream" Aj said with a proud smile He then "Thank you, Aj" He said laying back down " Oh, can you come close please?" She did as she was told as he whispered something into her ear She nodded "Alright" He smiled "Do you think you can get my wife for me?" "Sure, I'll go get her for ya" She stood and made her way out the door <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> I read through a magazine when i heard Aj's voice, I lowered the paper to see her talking with Star "He wants to see you" She said "Thank you" Star got up and made her way to my father, Aj sat down next to me and smiled "What's with the smile?" "Nothin' Just happy is all" "How can you be happy! My father is in a hospital bed! He's fighting for his life!" Mary said angry "Lay off her Mary, Dad must have given her some good news" I said angry Mary crossed her arms as she looked away from us "What did i miss while i was gone?" Aj asked "Mary is mad at me for keeping dad's cancer a secret" I said looking at her "Star is a little mad at me but i only kept it from them because he wanted to tell them when he was ready" I felt her place a hand on mine "You didn't tell me you forgave your dad" She said in a whisper so Mary couldn't hear "I.. I did what i thought was right, He's my father, I can't hate him for what he thought was best for me" I said with a smile "I'm glad, I wouldn't want you two still fighting" She said with a smile I heard Star come back "Matt, Your father wants to see you" Mary looked at me, Her eyes angry still "Why don't you go see him first Mary" She stood without saying a word and went down the hall Star sat down, She looked like she was about to cry.. Again. I got up and sat next to her "Why didn't he tell me about this?" She asked looking at me "I thought he trusted me?" "He trusts you, He just didn't want you panicking, He wanted to see that smile of yours" I said "He trusted you, Never forget that" I said with a smile She smiled back at me and gave me a hug "I'm glad i have you in my life Matt" She said as she pulled away and smiled at me "I hope we still stay in touch" "Your my mother, Why wouldn't i stay in touch with you" I said with a grin Mary came running back in, She looked out of breath, I could hear nurses and a doctor rushing down the hall "Dad went into another shock!' Mary said crying I rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Three day's it took my father to fully recover, We brought him home and we continued the family reunion We had to wheel my father every where, But it was worth it My dad took a bite of his apple pie as we talked to my uncle Mike "I'm telling you Sam, If you would just invest in my company, You'll be a very rich man" My uncle said to my father "I'm already a rich man! Why would i need more money?" He asked "So this kid can have money to spend on his young girlfriend" He said looking towards me "We're happy with what we got" I said rolling my eyes "Have you tried my apple pies?" "Yes, And they are very good" He said "I'm just looking out for you kiddo" "I can take care of myself you know" I said taking another bite of my pie I heard Aj voice "Ah got ya some water" She said with a smile "Star wants ya ta keep drinking water" He took the cup "Thanks Aj, Tell Star to stop worrying about me" "She has every right to worry, You were dehydrated and you went into shock, She's just making sure you don't get resent to the hospital" I said as Aj went into the house "This is my fiftieth cup of water, And it's only one a clock" He said "He has a point you know, She's just making sure you don't get sent back to the hospital" My uncle said taking a sip of his water "I think she's going overboard" He said taking a sip of his water "She's just doesn't want a repeat of last time" I said He just rolled his eyes "She's still over reacting" "So, When do you plan on taking Aj out?" My dad asked me "What do you mean?" "I heard you ask Aj out on a date, But after my little episode, You were too busy helping Star and Mary out that you haven't had any time to take her out on a date" "I've got a plan, I'm going to cook her dinner, I was thinking i would use the pool house for our date" "Pool house is all yours" My dad said "Whatever you need to make your guy's night's wonderful just ask and i'll get whatever you need" "I do have a few things i'll need" I said pulling out a small list "I'm going to make sure i don't mess this up" To Be Continued