Chapter Eighteen
Kevin was still in a foul mood the next morning. Great, he thought, now I have to go to a hospital and sing for all these sick little kids and pretend everything's fine. Sighing, he left his room to join the others in the hall. For once, Brian was actually out there ahead of him. His surprise actually jolted him into talking.
"Steph, whatever spell you cast on B-Rok here, it's working!" he laughed. Nick, AJ, Howie, and Stephanie laughed with him as Brian turned bright red.
"Hmmm…" Stephanie said to distract the guys, "I'm glad to know magical powers is one of my many talents!"
"Actually, if that's what you would call it, then I'm glad my girlfriend's a witch!" Brian grinned as he dropped a kiss on Stephanie's lips. Laughing, the group and their bodyguards made their way down the hall.
Outside the lobby, screaming fans were held off as the Boys ran for the van that would take them to Pittsburgh Memorial for their concert at 2 o'clock. Meanwhile, Randi sat in the rec. room on the pediatrics floor helping the girls, whose ages ranged from 3 to 18, make Christmas cards and gifts for their favorite BSB. The little girls had begged Randi to stay and watch the performance later. She had told them she would, but Randi was really planning to sneak away right before the concert. And so she happily helped glue sequins, lace, holly and other things onto various "gifts". Someday, I'll be doing this with my daughter, Randi thought and smiled. Just then the baby kicked.
"Hey, Caroline, want to feel the baby kick?" she asked the 6-year-old leukemia patient who she was helping to make an tree ornament for Nick.
"Okay" the solemn little girl said, looking up from her angel at Randi with the biggest blue eyes Randi had ever seen on a little girl.
Randi took the little girls hands and placed them on her belly. Caroline giggled as she felt the baby kick. "He's strong!" she squealed.
"She's strong" Randi gently corrected. Caroline just gave Randi a joyful smile that reminded Randi that it really was Christmas.
Just then Ashleigh stuck her head in the room. "Hey, guys, I have a surprise for you!"
"What? A surprise? Where?" the girls chorused.
"Quiet down, girls or I won't tell you" Ashleigh shouted over the girl's voices. As soon as they quieted, she started talking again. "As you all know, the Backstreet Boys have been so gracious as to agree to give a concert for us this afternoon. Even better though, is that they arrived early just to talk to you guys!"
Ashleigh had to shout the last part to be heard over the girl's excited chatter, giggles and screams. Randi sat in her chair, numb. Shit, I've got to get out of here now! she thought. Randi struggled to get up from her seat on the floor. She finally just grabbed the edge of the chair from behind her and pushed herself up. She walked across the room and peeked out the open door. She could hear voices coming from the nurse's station to her right. Randi quietly slipped out of room into the hall on her right. She looked quickly behind her to see if anyone had seen her and promptly ran into someone