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

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

As soon as Brian, Telly and Kevin entered the house Kimberly ran over to them 
and pulled on Kevin's arm.  "Come on!  They're ready!"  

Kevin looked down into her shining eyes and smiled sadly.  -- If she can 
adjust to this, then so must  I. -- He straightened his shoulders, gave Telly 
a quick peck on the check, affectionately slapped Brian on the shoulder and 
pulled Kimberly towards the hall.

"Ok, Squirt, this is it.  You're okay, right?"

"Yes, Kevin.  I'm fine, now go up there and get my mother."  She hugged him 
quickly and turned back into the studio with a huge smile.  Nick tenderly 
slung his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the chairs the caterers 
had set up.  Kevin headed towards the staircase, his heart heavy, his head 
down slightly, his hands clenching and unclenching unconsciously.  

"Hey Kev, damn, this is so exciting," AJ sprang down the last few steps to 
stand directly before him.  His dark hair freshly dyed with purple tips in 
honor of his friend, his beautiful brown eyes shining with new found life, 
his black suit sculpted to his lean frame.  Kevin stared at him in wonder, in 
happiness, in relief.  

"Bone, you look good.  I can't tell you how happy I am to see you looking so 
full of life again!" The smile on Kevin's face was finally genuine.  

"Well, I've decided to try D's philosophy on life and treat each day as a new 
day, full of promises, hope and happiness and take it from there.  Come on, 
D!  Move your ass!"  AJ bounded back up the stairs and pulled Howie away from 
Michelle's door just in time.  "No way, Dude, I told you already, you ain't 
seeing her yet!"  Howie smiled guiltily at him and allowed his friend to lead 
him down the stairs, the stairs which would lead him down to his new life, to 
be shared with the one woman he loved like no other.

Kevin hugged him firmly when he reached him, "Howie, what can I say? . . . 
Keep her happy."  He winced sharply at the pang in his heart.  "Good luck, 
man!"

"Thanks, buddy!" replied Howie with a huge smile on his face. "You know I 
intend to!"

Howie and AJ took off and Kevin turned slowly and sat of the stairs.  -- Ok, 
Kevin, you can do this.  You're just over-reacting.  Michelle loves Howie, 
not you.  You love Telly.  Telly is wonderful, bright, beautiful, she's the 
one for you.  Get your act together, man! --

"Hey you!  Waiting for me?" he turned his body to the right and saw her 
slowly descending the stairs.  Her golden hair swept up with small tendrils 
escaping around her face, her body sheathed in the beautiful designer gown, 
her smile incredibly bright.  He watched her descend and smiled as he stood, 
holding his hand out to her.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.  She blushed slightly and from her 
position on the bottom step, threw her arms around his neck and hugged him 
fiercely.

"Thank you." She kissed his cheek before pulling away.  "You look incredibly 
handsome as always!" she said with a laugh, "Oh Kevin, you can't possibly 
imagine how happy I am right now!"

He couldn't help it, his eyes betrayed him and pooled up, "Michelle, I. . . " 
 he drew in a deep breath and held her hands firmly between his, "I. . . need 
to tell you something."  She looked at him, really looked at him and noticed 
something in his eyes.  Something different, something sad, something unsure, 
something unsaid.

"Babe, what's wrong?"  

Before he could utter a single word Patti flew down the stairs, all 
apologies.  "God, sorry, to keep you waiting.  I just had to go one more 
time.  This is really gonna suck, you know.  Going to the bathroom every 
freaking fifteen minutes." She stopped aside her sister, panting slightly, 
and looked at her with a silly smile, "This what you had to endure?"

Michelle looked at her like she had two heads, then burst into laughter, "You 
are nuts!  And, yes, but wait, it gets even worse!"  Her infectious laughter 
even had Kevin chuckling.  He released Michelle's hands and offered one to 
Patti as she stepped down the last stair.

"Patti, you look fabulous and congratulations!" He bent down and hugged her 
affectionately.

"Thanks, Kev.  Well, we ready to do this?" she looked back and forth between 
the two and grabbed their hands and led them down the hallway.  Just before 
the door leading into the studio she released them and smoothed down her 
dress as she walked in slightly and waited.

Michelle turned to Kevin quickly, "I'm sorry, Kevin.  What did you want to 
say?"

He stared into the studio and was transfixed by the scene before him; so 
filled with gaiety, laughter, excitement.  The room beautifully decorated 
with massive amounts of colorful spring flowers provided the perfect setting 
to compliment the atmosphere .  Atop of the shiny black lacquered grand piano 
sat a lavish three layer cake, waiting to be sliced and consumed.  The sofas 
had been removed temporarily, only to be replaced by rented white wooden 
folding chairs and in those chairs were their friends and family.  Every one 
of them showing nothing less than happiness.  Brian and Lauren cuddled 
together with their heads just touching, talking animatedly about their own 
forthcoming wedding no doubt, while a young, overwhelmed Kimberly was being 
fawned over by both Karolyn and Mama D.   Ever so gracious was Telly with her 
arm linked comfortably through Howie's dad's, smiling sincerely at his 
unknown words.  Nick, looking so mature in his black suit, laughing merrily, 
and hugging Denise while his good friend Carey chuckled along with her and 
the Justice of the Peace.  Shaking Howie's brother's hand was Dr. Jack 
Towers, looking slightly tired, but nodding vigorously at John's enthusiasm.  

Kevin drew his eyes back to Howie, whom he had seen first but avoided taking 
in the sight of him until now.  Howie was standing by the piano talking to AJ 
and Pollyanna, while bobbing around slightly in anticipation.  His facial 
features spoke loudly, spilling his obvious mirth for all to see.  

Patti turned slightly and looked over her shoulder at him, "Kevin, ready?"

Kevin met her eyes and shook his head just the tiniest bit.  "Yes. . . "

"Kev?" Michelle watched him and squeezed his hand in hopes for a response to 
her question.

He looked down upon her and smiled for her benefit.  "The big question is, 
are you ready?"  He entwined his fingers through her own, "I just wanted to 
say that I'm happy that you are happy.  I'm sure Howie will be the perfect 
husband for you and I believe you deserve no less."  He bent down and kissed 
her cheek, kissed away his chance of stopping this wedding and hurting three 
people he loved dearly.

"Oh, Kevin, thank you.  You always say exactly what I need to hear, but 
truthfully, you look more nervous than I do!" she gave a short laugh, "Are 
you ready?"

He nodded and drew her into the entrance and caught Howie's eye.  He nodded 
to him and hoped his smile conveyed what he wanted it to convey.  -- I've 
never seen him more happy.  They do belong together.  I could never stand in 
their way. --