A NEW DAY 
by Michelle T
© 2000
FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Everyone looked at each other, at a loss for words.

"Oh no! Nick, why didn't you tell us she was feeling like this?" Kevin asked 
him while standing slowly, rubbing a hand through his hair.

Nick tore his eyes away from the hall and looked at them with frightened 
eyes.  "Kev, it was only once that we talked about it.  A few months ago.  
Damn it, I thought she was over it!" he watched Brian get up and walk down 
the hall, "Brian?"  Nick ran over to join him.  

They found Kim sitting outside with her back to the house, cradling Telly's 
Australian shepard, Greta.

"Kimmie?" Brian asked softly while sitting down next to her, "You okay?"

She nodded her head, but when he turned her face to his, he saw the tears 
streaming down her pink cheeks.  He pulled her into his arms.

"Don't cry, Sweetie.  You'll make me cry," he rubbed her arm and patted her 
back.

Nick sat on the other side of her and scratched the dog behind it's ear.  
"Kimberly, don't you want your mom to be happy?"

She shrugged her shoulders and sighed, "Yeah, I do, but. . ."

"But, what?" 

She looked up at Nick with confused eyes, "Ok, I get it that it wasn't her 
fault my dad died, but I do still miss him, you know?  And, I know she's 
Howie's girlfriend, but, I sort of thought Kevin would end up being the one, 
you know? I just don't get it."  She lovingly stroked Greta and then sighed 
into Brian's chest.

Nick and Brian looked up quickly at each other, seeing the unanswered 
questions in each other's eyes.

"I do love Howie too.  I really do, I'm just confused and overwhelmed and. . 
.  I'm sure she'll be very happy," Kim said quietly after several moments.

Kimberly drew in a deep breath and looked up into Nick's eyes.  "Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"You ready to let me kick your butt in Mario Cart?" she smiled quickly before 
lowering her eyes to her hands.  He laughed slightly and said yeah.

"Kim, does this mean you're okay with the wedding?" asked Kevin moving from 
the doorframe towards her and kneeling before her.  His thoughts about what 
she said about him being the one spiraling furiously around inside his head.  
"Cause, you have to be truthful and tell us now.  If you can't accept it, 
then it's very important we know now.  Understand?"

Kim nodded. "I'm fine.  At first I was just totally shocked.  Most people 
don't get engaged and married in the same day, you know.  Besides, I know 
Howie makes my mother really happy.  And I do love him, just never expected a 
Backstreet Boy to become my step-father," she answered looking at him shyly 
and thoughtfully. 

He continued to gaze at her while she spoke, how he'd love to be her father, 
what it would be like to have Michelle in that way.  No, she was his best 
friend, Howie was one of his best friends, they belonged together.  He had 
Telly anyway, he loved Telly.  He could still be a father figure to the young 
girl even if she was going to become Howie's step-daughter, couldn't he?  He 
loved her like a daughter, hell, Brian did too he was sure.  He lightly ran 
his hand along her cheek, before giving her an encouraging smile and pulling 
her to her feet.
  
Everyone started talking at once, expressing their relief and finalizing the 
plans.  Nick and Kim played a few video games while Lauren and Telly ran to 
the mall for last minute wedding attire.  Brian and Kevin went back to AJ and 
Howie's house to meet the caterer and make a few last minute arrangements.

**********************

A couple of hours later, AJ and Patti pulled into Michelle's empty driveway.  
Michelle walked to the window curiously.  "D? Where's your car? And AJ and 
Patti are here."

Howie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled 
her neck.  "Mmm, I love your perfume."

Michelle giggled as his lips sucked on her ear.  "Howie!  Stop, they're 
coming in."

"Ooooh, they're too early.  I drove over with AJ this morning.  Come on, 
let's go downstairs."

Michelle hesitated, "I'm scared, D.  How do I face her?"  

He sympathized with her and spoke quietly,  "She doesn't know about you and 
AJ.  I mean she knows most of what when on last night, but we decided not to 
tell her absolutely everything." He turned her face towards him, "She doesn't 
know that you slept together."

Michelle nodded, "It's my duty to tell her.  But how can I?  I lost her for 
so many years because I wasn't truthful.  Now, if I am truthful, I'll lose 
her again."  She sighed deeply and sat on the edge of the bed.  "Oh, Howie, I 
don't know what to do..."

Howie knelt down before her.  "Please, Babe, don't. . . "

"No, Howie!  I have to tell her!  Oh god, I can't lose her again."  She 
grasped his hands between hers.

"Hey!  Can I come in?"  Michelle and Howie both turned to the door quickly, 
"I need to talk to you both," said AJ walking towards them.

"Where's Patti?" Howie asked as he got to his feet.

"She's in the bathroom.  I need to tell you something, Michelle, and I hope 
it will change your mind."

Michelle walked towards him and held her arms open, "AJ?"

He stepped into her embrace and hugged her tightly, "You okay, Babe?"

She nodded and kissed him on the cheek.  "I'm okay.  You?"

"Yeah, I'm okay.  I really need to talk to you though."

Howie walked towards him and asked, "Bone? What's wrong?"

AJ released Michelle and turned towards the windows while running his hands 
through his hair, "Patti's pregnant."

Michelle gasped in surprise and looked at Howie who was watching AJ carefully.

"And what's going to happen with that?" Howie asked placing a hand on his 
shoulder.

AJ turned back to them with tears glistening in his eyes, "We're having a 
baby!" he smiled broadly at them.

Michelle released her breath and closed her eyes.  "AJ? You want this baby?  
You want to stay with Patti? For real?"

He nodded before realizing her eyes were closed.  He walked towards her and 
touched her hand.  "Yes, I certainly do.  I love her, Michelle.  I even want 
to marry her, but she said not now.  That's okay, I'll wait."

Michelle looked back up at him with concern, "So, you're asking me not to 
tell her about us?"

He nodded with pleading eyes.  "I can't jeopardize my relationship with her. 
Not now. Telling her will do that.  Please, for me?  I know I don't deserve 
to ask any favors from you, but please.  Just this one time."

Howie walked towards the door, "I'll go check on her."

Michelle watched him leave and then turned back to AJ.  She pulled him over 
to the side of the bed and sat down with him.

"AJ, I want you to know that I harbor no hard feelings about yesterday.  
Please believe me.  You are one of my very best friends, I love you and I'll 
always be here for you, no matter what."  She dropped her eyes down to their 
clasped hands, "I won't tell her if that's what you want. . ."

He released a small cry before hugging her fiercely.  "Thank you!"

"On one condition," she said into his shoulder.

He pulled back and looked at her hesitantly.

"We go to Deanna's grave and you say goodbye, properly.  Today.   Before your 
best friend marries me," She smiled at him, "okay?"

His eyes closed and he drew in a deep breath, "I don't know. . ."

"Please, AJ.  You need to do this for your own sake, for Patti's sake and the 
child's, for me?" she asked softly.

He pulled her left hand up to his lips and kissed it lightly, "Okay."