The Best Surprise

It was the ninth of August and Kevin told me he would pick me up at 6:30 for supper. He seemed extra excited and happy to see me but I didn't think anything of it. We drove over to our beach and he asked if I wanted to go for a walk. Which sounded like fun to me.

As we were walking along I found a bottle. I picked it up and dumped it out into my hand. A ring and a small piece of paper fell out. I opened it and it read:

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

It seemed like it took five minutes to read those four words. Kevin took the ring and knelt down in the sand. I told him "Yes!" and he slid the ring on my finger. I still remember the smooth feel of the band as it first felt on my hand.

"Chloe, I love you so much!"

"Oh Kevin, I love you too." The rest of the evening is a blur. I was so happy and we spent the night laughing and kissing and planning. I fell asleep that night dreaming of wedding dresses.

But the happiness of our engagement was interrupted by an unexpected event.

An Unexpected Change

It was September and I had just started college in Orlando. But one night, Kevin and I were watching a movie and all of a sudden everything started to go black. The next thing I can remember is waking up in the hospital. They had to tell me where I was of course. Kevin looked really upset and a few hours after I had woken up my parents came into the room, which made me even more worried. Finally, the doctor came to talk with me. He looked really serious and his words took a long time to sink in. He told me that I had a type of bone marrow cancer. CANCER my brain shot at me! I remember Kevin holding my hand and hearing my mom crying softly in the background. I managed to ask the doctor what I would do. He told me about a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, and some other things I didn't understand. It took a few days to figure out what to do.

We learned that my younger sister, Lucy, had the same bone marrow type as me. So we planned to do the transplant as soon as possible. I don't remember a lot about the next month. The boys released a new album in October but Kevin spent more time with me then anything. He was so great and supportive and was with me through everything. But I was beginning to wonder if marrying him was right or if I'd even live that long. Of course, I didn't share any of these thoughts with him.

I stopped taking classes and had the bone marrow transplant. The doctors seemed really pleased with my progress. I stayed about a month and a half after that just to be safe but finally two weeks before Thanksgiving they let me go home. We had already decided that I would stay in Orlando but move into Kevin's house so I wouldn't be alone.

I had my own room with all my medical stuff in it and easy access to everything. It was awful at first to feel so helpless but everything was getting better. I still had good and bad days but Kevin helped me through it all. One night I got up to get some water and Kevin was in the kitchen.

"What are you doing sweetheart?" I asked. He looked up at me and I could see he had been crying. "Kevin, what's wrong?" I made my way over to him and sat down.

"I was just thinking about my dad and how much I miss him." Then looking at me he said, "And how much I don't want to lose you."

"Kevin, I'm not going anywhere. And I won't give up, so you can't either, okay? Cause I need you." I told him as the tears started rolling down my cheeks.

My family spent Thanksgiving with us at his place and that it was good to see them and have them see what my life in Orlando is like. I stayed with Kevin through the middle of December but the closer we got to Christmas the more I knew I needed to go back to Minnesota. I just didn't feel like I was healing and even though I fought myself over and over, I knew that I had to call the Wedding off. Even if it hurt him (and me) now, it was going to be the best in the big picture.

The Hardest Decision of All

"Kevin?" I said knocking on his door.

"Yea, Chloe come on in. Did you come up the stairs all by yourself?"

"Yes, but I'm fine, really."

"Okay, well just come and sit down," he said. "Did you need something?"

"We need to talk."

"About?"

"Kevin come and sit by me," I said and he sat down. "I am going back to Minnesota."

"What?" he said looking at me, "Why?"

"Because I'm not getting better and Kevin," I paused not wanting to start crying, "Kevin, I can't marry you."

"No Chloe, please sweetheart, don't say that," Kevin said taking my hand. "I love you and we will make it work. You will get better you just need time is all."

"Kevin, don't make this harder than it already is, please. This is just how it has to be," I said as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Oh, Kevin I'm so sorry," I whispered walking out of the room.

I had already talked to my parents and doctors. They had given me the okay to fly back with my mom. She arrived the next day and helped me finish packing. Kevin knew the flight left at 3, so he came back from work at 1:30. My mom was waiting in the car. Kevin looked so miserable, like the way I felt emotionally, not even noticing the ache in my limbs.

"Kevin, thank you for everything."

"Yea, take care of yourself, okay?"

"You too," and he gave me a quick hug before helping me to the car.

The whole way home my heart felt sick. Knowing that he would go into his room and see the ring and note. And picturing his face, made me want to cry. But I knew there was no other way.

Changes

Everything was different at home. In the six months I'd been gone everyone had changed, or maybe it was me who had changed. I settled in fine and even though physically I was doing okay, I couldn't stop crying. Sometimes I would just cry and cry and then wake up crying.

Christmas was hard. Kevin sent me a cute little pair of socks and some other things and even though I had sent him a gift too, it was just sweet of him. The next two months were also hard. But I finally got into a routine of exercise' and medicine and sleep and life went on.

One day, I had been upstairs putting some things away but as I was walking down the steps, I got really dizzy and fell. I remember hearing some people talking once in a while but mostly I was too weak to hear anything or try to open my eyes. Finally though I began to feel strong enough to try and see. There were a lot of people in the room when I opened my eyes. My parents, Anna and Aaron, my brother and sisters, and Kevin. It took a while for me to understand what my mom was saying but I finally understood. I had been in a sort of coma for three days and the doctors didn't know why yet. Dr. Smitt, who I had met once before at a check-up, came to talk with me. Said they were running some tests and wanted to do more.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Chloe?"

"I just have a question," I said when we were alone.

"What?"

"Why is Kevin here?"

"He kept trying to call you and then got really worried that something was wrong. So your father talked to him and he came right away. Because we weren't sure if you were gonna wake up or not, sweetie." She said giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"Hey you! How are you doing?" Kevin asked when we were alone.

"Okay."

"When I heard you were unconscious I just had to come and see you."

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "It means so much to know you care."

"Chloe, I do care so much. I want you to get better," he paused as if thinking about what else to say. "Do you have any idea what might have caused this?"

"Actually I was thinking about that. I think I might have taken too much red medicine or not enough yellow because it seems like they got mixed up. But I don't know?

"Maybe we should have the doctors check on that?"

"Yea," I said.

"I'll talk to them," Kevin said going to get the doctor.

It took almost two days for the results of the tests. I was so worried because Dr. Smitt had been really honest with me, and told me that his guess was the cancer was reoccurring. Amazingly, the strongest person in the room was Kevin.

He told me not to expect anything because it was always the least expected thing. One time when he was out in the hall on the phone, where he thought I couldn't hear him, he told Brian:

~~~ I can't come back yet…No Chloe needs me here…So because we aren't engaged anymore means I ~~~ don't love her?…Rok, please understand…Do it without me…I promise we'll record as soon as I am ~~~ back…Soon, I just need to know she's okay…We get the test results in a couple of days…You were ~~~ there when my dad died it happened so quick, we didn't think we were going to lose him then…But we ~~~ did, I just can't let that happen again…I love you too, bye.

It almost killed me just hearing him talk like that and knowing how much he was hurting too.

Results

"Chloe, no matter what the doctor says, I'll help you get through it okay, and so will the rest of your family." Kevin said stepping to the back of the room. Anna came and sat next too me as the doctor came in.

"Chloe, I have the results," he said his voice not revealing anything.

"There is good news and bad news. We will start with the good news, okay?"

"Okay," I could barely squeak out.

"The cancer is," he paused, "in remission." The tears started rolling down my face and as I turned to give Anna a hug, I could see Kevin in the back crying too. I could see him mouthing a silent prayer to God too. Then I remembered the Doctor had said there was bad news too. "Smitt what's the other news?"

"The problem you have been having with your foot?

"Yea?"

"When you fell you cracked bones and tissue in your foot and you aren't going to be able to walk on it anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"You are going to have to wear a brace and we may have to amputate if the infection or muscle deterioration spreads at all."

"Okay, I can handle that. Thank you," I said as he got up and left the room. The next few hours were filled with tears and hugs. My mom just couldn't stop crying and was as happy as me. Finally everyone left so I could rest and I realized that Kevin hadn't been there at all. A nurse came into to check on me and then asked if I minded having one more visitor. I said no and Kevin came in.

"There you are," I said.

"Sorry, I just needed some time to think is all," he replied.

"Come and sit with me," I said sitting up and turning in bed so I could face him. He sat down and after a minute or so he turned to look at me. Tears started running down his defined cheeks, his deep green eyes revealing all the hurt and pain and joy he was feeling.

"Oh Kevin, stop please," I whispered brushing his tears away as my own started to fall.

"Chloe, how can I stop? I've tried being mad and over happy. I've tried to hate you but I always end up loving you even more," he said looking at the wall behind me. Then his eyes locked with mine and he asked me, "Can you look me in the eyes, Chloe, and tell me you don't love me?" Everything I had hidden and forced away came rushing back to me and I started shaking because I was crying so hard. Kevin moved from the chair by my bed to sit next to me and held me. He kissed my hair and kept brushing the tears from my face, just letting me cry.

I'm not sure how long it took me to calm down but eventually I was able to talk with him. I turned in his arms to face him and said, "Kevin I love you more than anything else in this world but…" he stopped me and said, "No buts this time, Chloe, I am not going to let you leave me again. These past couple months all I could think about was what you said about time and your cancer and how we couldn't make it work. But Chloe, I would rather be married to you for the last week of your life, then never. I love you so much, please, marry me." I couldn't think of anything to say. He was right and he loved me and my heart was full of love for him. How could I say no to the only man I had ever loved?

"Kevin, to marry you is the only think I want. So yes, I will marry you!" And the ring I had been so proud to wear before was slipped on my finger once again as I kissed my fiancé.

To tell you everything was perfect would be a lie. I still had to regain my strength again, which was a slow process. My foot was amputated and learning to deal with that and walk with a prosthesis was one of the hardest things I've done. But having Kevin by my side made each step worth it. I moved back to Orlando in the middle of May. Almost 6 months after I had left. However, the pain of recovering and healing never out weighed the joy and hope and love I felt each day now. We announced our engagement that August when yet another, awesome Backstreet Boys album came out. (And yes, two of the songs were secretly written and dedicated for me.) I was able to go out in public again in September walking 100% like normal.

After we announced our engagement, it seemed the press wanted to talk to me as much as Kevin. Kevin didn't want me to say "hi" to the media every time so often I just walked on by with him. But one time after a press conference I heard someone shout out, "What's it like to be marrying a Backstreet Boy?" And I knew I had to answer that question. I was quoted as saying, "Yes, I am engaged to a Backstreet Boy. Kevin loves his work and fans and making music, and as far as I know the guys are not going to 'break up' anytime soon. But I don't love him because he is part of a world famous band or because of the many awards he has received both for solo and group work. I love his heart and soul. His faith, passion, strength, incredible talent, and the hope he has given me. These are the things that tell me marrying Kevin Richardson is the only thing I want. So in answer to your question, it is the most wonderful thing in the world for me to be marrying a Backstreet Boy."

The Wedding

When I moved to Orlando in May, Kevin was busy with business things. But on the anniversary of our "first" engagement date he had me meet him in the studio at his house. I still can't believe it ~~~

~~~ "Hi Chloe, come in here please."

~~~ "What is it?" I asked after he handed me some music. He was sitting at his piano.

~~~ "Just follow along," he said.

~~~ "Okay," Kevin started playing the song, and I could see that it was a duet.

The song was gorgeous and ~~~ when he stopped playing I asked him what it was for.

~~~ "I had always dreamed of writing a song for my wife and I too sing as a duet. But of course she'd have ~~~ to be able to sing, and since my future wife can sing," he said smiling at me, "I wrote this song for us. ~~~ You said you didn't know what to do about vows well what if we do short traditional vows and then ~~~ sing this song to each other?"

~~~ "Oh, Kevin, that is the best idea I've ever heard. Thank you." We learned the song, and it was ~~~ incredible to be singing just us. The song is about promises, and trust, and helping each other through ~~~ all the hard times.

As I stepped out of the limo and looked at the front of the church all I could think about was Kevin. Not the hundreds of people inside, whether I looked right, if all the plans were finished, only Kevin. My mind kept wandering to the part of the ceremony where we would do our duet. Just us and our forever promises to each other. Everyone was already in their places and finally it was my turn to walk down the isle. My dad took my arm and we slowly made our way to the front of the church.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the pastor asked.

"I do," my father said giving me a kiss on the cheek. The rest of the ceremony, our song, the vows, and the kiss went by so quickly. As we walked out of the church hand in hand I couldn't believe I was finally married to this man I love so much.

"We're finally married," Kevin whispered to me from the back of the car that was taking us to the reception.

"I know, and I am already loving it," I whispered back giving me a kiss. We talked and laughed the whole way there, just starting out new life together totally in love.

The reception and dance were so much fun. Great food, wonderful people, awesome music, and my incredible HUSBAND!

"I'd like to make a toast," Kevin said standing up at our table. "I'd like to toast to my wife and the new life we are beginning together. These last 2 and a half years, Chloe, have been the most wonderful years of my life. And I know that the next years will be even better, I love you sweetheart!" I smiled up and him and told him I loved him too. Then everyone started hitting there glasses with their knives so I got to kiss my husband again.

Happily Ever After

I have been in remission from my cancer for almost 4 years now and Kevin and I have been married for 3 wonderful years. We have a little girl named Rachael, who is 13 months old and Kevin is a great father. In about 8 months another baby will be added to our family. Kevin and I are so happy. We are still very much in love and it seems most of his fans have either accepted our marriage or are happy for us. Kevin and I still go to our beach spot where we became "boyfriend and girlfriend" and where we got engaged. He is still the romantic he was when I met him that first New Years' Eve and even more of the best friend and man I need and want to spend the rest of my life with. Who would've thought that I, Chloe McKinney Richardson, would marry a Backstreet Boy?

This story is dedicated to my "Backstreet Posse". Each character represents one of my friends and although it is totally fictional (and I would love it to be real) I have enjoyed writing it and would like them to know it is for them. I would like to thank Anita McGurk for hosting my story~you are awesome sweetie thanks! And to the Backstreet Boys I would just like to say thank you because you have made a big influence in my life, your music has gotten me through some of the hardest things in my life.