A NEW DAY by Michelle T © 2000 FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Telly and Lauren returned to the living room and passed out drinks before taking seats next to each other on a couch. Kevin looked from Nick to Brian and indicated to Nick to break the news to Kimberly. Nick turned to Kim, who was seated between him and Brian, and ruffled her hair. "Kim, we're gathered here today. . . " Brian reached over and punched him lightly on the shoulder, causing Nick to laugh uproariously. "NICK!" Kevin looked at him with fierce eyes, "If you can't do it, then I will." Nick composed himself and shook his head, "Don't worry, Kev, I'm in control." He faced Kimberly again and looked into her confused eyes. "Kim, Howie is asking your mom to marry him this morning and if she says yes, then we are having a wedding tonight!" he beamed at her briefly before noticing her eyes. She looked at him incredulously and then shook her head. "NO! You're a liar, Nick! I don't believe you!" she jumped up and walked quickly towards the hall. Kevin caught her as she passed his chair. "Let me go! I'm not listening to this crap. Let me go!" Her outburst totally surprised everyone. Nick jumped up and watched her wide eyed struggling to remove Kevin's hand from her arm. Telly and Lauren glanced at each other quickly and saw the mutual concern. Brian stared open-mouthed at Kimberly. "Kim! What's wrong with you? I don't understand. . . " Kevin pulled her down onto the seat next to him and hugged her shaking body, "Oh, baby, it's okay. Why are you so upset?" He looked up at everyone and was glad to see he wasn't the only confused one. "We thought you loved Howie. He loves your mom so much and will make her very happy." Kimberly covered her ears with her hands, "NO! Don't talk to me about this!" she yelled before bursting into tears. Kevin pulled her closer and stroked her light brown hair. "Please. . . tell me what's wrong." She didn't respond so Nick came forward and knelt down before her. "Kim? Please tell us." he asked gently pulling her hands away from her head. She looked up at him and saw his eyes glistening with tears. "If she marries him . . . then he'll be like my new father and. . . when she divorces him. . . I'll lose him, like I lost my real. . . dad." she gasped rapidly trying to get the words out. *************************** Howie placed his finger against her lips and looked deeply at her, "Nothing matters except you and me. I realized last night that no matter what our differences may be, whether its religion, politics, morals, ethics or whatever, I love you for who you are as a whole person. We may not believe in all the same things, but that doesn't stop us from loving each other, does it?" she shook her head slowly, "We just continue to love and respect each other and compromise like we have for the last six months and we'll be fine." *************************** "Ok, I'm serious this time. Let's go!" shouted AJ from the front door tossing his keys from one hand to the other. "God, you are so impatient!" said Patti as she exited the bedroom with a dress bag and a shoulder bag. "The least you could do is carry a pregnant woman's bags!!" AJ eyed her thoughtfully. "Holy Shit! I'm going to be a father! This is totally unreal!" He laughed then and grabbed her things. "Come on, the best man and the maid of honor have lots to do." They coasted along the highway, arguing over the radio station. Patti wanted rap crap and AJ wanted classic rock. They compromised by sliding in a homemade CD containing both. **************************** "Oh, Kimmie, no! I swear that won't happen. Howie and your mom are so much in love. She won't divorce him just because she's already been divorced once. It doesn't work that way." Nick watched Kimberly's terrified face, "You can't think like that about your mom. She had her reasons for divorcing your dad and it's not her fault he died. I've told you that before, remember?" Everyone looked up at Nick shocked. "Nick," hissed Kevin, "What are you talking about?" Kimberly cast her eyes down to the floor and leaned heavily against Kevin while Nick quietly spoke, "Kim confided in me before, how she sometimes thinks it was her mother's fault that her father died, that perhaps if she had stayed married to him, he would have quit drinking and they would have all lived happily ever after." Kevin felt his heart lurch for the young girl, "Oh Kim, I'm sorry, we didn't know that's how you felt.." She pulled away from him and stood up quickly, "It's not. . . well, not all the time, just sometimes. I know deep inside it's not her fault, but sometimes I can't help thinking that way." She sniffled and walked quickly down the hall to the back door. ************************ Michelle gazed upon him with wonderment. "Howie, I understand what you're saying. But, what about your family? Your mother will be so disappointed. . . " "Michelle, please, listen to me. I want it to be today! Just us, Kimberly, the guys and a few others. We can always have a second ceremony with everyone else!" he hugged her to him tightly, "Please. . . I'm begging you. . ." "Oh Howie," she ached deeply for him. --How can I say no to him? He's been so forgiving. How can he be this good? How can he love me this much? -- She pulled away and kissed him lightly, "Are you sure?" she asked quietly. He nodded. She nodded her acceptance. "YES!!" he pulled her up quickly and danced her around the room, laughing and crying. She laughed and cried along with him. Howie ran over to the phone and dialed quickly, "She said yes! We're on!"