(Author's Note: Sorry guys...I know the Billboards were like last year, but just use your imagination. An in case you forgot, the Billboards was the awards show when they won like everything and Nick showed up just in the nick of time with a funky hairstyle going on! Ohh ya, and sorry i haven't written in forever, but Midterms were really occupying my free time to write!) Ok, basically, i want to just give you a little summary of what's been going on the last two weeks..ya know, like how each relationship is developing, because i'm feeling that i have to start moving a bit faster with the chapters. So, here's a basic overview of how things have been going down. Back to the story.)
***Michelle and Brian***
Michelle and Brian walked hand and hand Central Park. It had become their special, private place to come and sit and just be together. Sometimes Michelle would bring her journal so she could work on her newest story (she had told her boss that the Brian Littrell story was off, and it was an invasion of his privacy, so she wasn't doing it. Her boss seemed to be ok with that, or so Mich thought.). While she was busy scribbling in her pad Brian would jot down a song idea or write a letter to his folks or even just stare at Mich work, watch her eyes light up as she thought of the perfect headline to her story. It had became their weekly Saturday morning routine, they would find "their" bench and make a morning of it.
But the work didn't always get done, because Brian would always feel the need to pleasantly distract her with his kisses, passionate or playful, but always distracting. And Michelle would always find just the right spot along his neck that sent thrills up and down his spine. If she touched, and caressed him there, it was no turning back. An instant distraction and the two would end up snuggling on their bench, never wanting the morning light to fade.
Their kisses became more regular, and their time spent apart became less and less. They were becoming inseparable, where Mich was B-rok was not far behind. And they both wanted it that way. Brian was falling for her fast, a new experience for him because usually love took a long time to find him. But now he was beginning to think that this was true love, and it knew no time limits. Michelle had already fallen. The second she looked into his eyes, there was no denying it. She could never lie to this man, a man she loved with her whole heart and soul.
***Nick and Melanie***
Nick was working overtime on his little Billboard surprise for Mel. She didn't know it yet, but he planned to make it up to her. Melanie hiding her disappointment for the time being was content enough with Nick. Afterall, everytime she began to get just the slightest bit annoyed, he could sense that (probably b/c he's beginning to get to know her better with everyday that goes by) and would erase all the bad feelings with a single kiss, delicate or forceful, but always loving and forgiving. The two had their fights, the normal stuff, like which movie to rent, where to go to dinner, but she always seemed to end up in his arms, surrendering to his kisses. Those kisses, they seemed to have a power over her, but then again it was his love that drove those powerful kisses. So it was Melanie's conclusion that his love had grabbed a hold of her and refused to let go. In all honesty, she couldn't say she minded it.
Nick, well he enjoyed her, loved to be with her. He loved the fact that she knew she could turn to him for comfort, for a hug, for anything she needed...he was her man, and she let him know it with her smile, her touch, her love, something Liz never did for him. He winced at the remembrance of even thinking about Liz's anniversary...he had Mel now and that was all he ever needed. He could tell Mel was a little upset with him, but he made sure to give her extra kisses and make her know that he loved HER. And even through his moods, and her moods, she was always there...no matter what. He loved that, hoping showering her with his love could repay her for that. And the look in her brown eyes told him that she truly loved him, and that was all he needed.
***Kevin and Becca***
These few weeks were the hardest on Kev and Becca. They had to face reality, understand what was really happening. Before all this mess, Kevin really wasn't set on a family at this point in time. Of course he wanted one, but right now getting married, without the kids was more of a priority. But lately, all he could think about was having a son or daughter of his own, a small life to protect and nurture and share with Beccca. But he knew that couldn't be, and he promised Bec it would be okay, it simply had to be.
Becca was a complete wreck the entire few weeks. She took time off from work, claiming illness after illness, not wanting to share her news with anyone, partly embarressed, partly feeling that never sharing it wouldn't make it real. She cried, and Kevin comforted, that had become the routine, and she depended on him. But, ohh, so did he. She never knew it, but he sobbed as well. Each night he would hold her in his arms, caress her, but protect her, all while shedding the tears himself. It was a time to grieve, and time that he could release the anger that welled inside him. So, always he needed her.
Her took her to her favorite places...the walkways of the Botanical Gardens..."their" coffee shop where they had spent hours upon hours reading to each other. They watched their favorite movies...Grease, Dirty Dancing, but the pregnancy issues that didn't phase her all that much before, now disturbed her. He hoped he was helping her. He hated to see her suffer, but he was hurting as well. All they had was each other and that would have to be enough.
Kevin proposed an idea to Becca. One they really hadn't considered since the news. He wanted her to tour with them next time around. At first Bec didn't take to the idea, feeling she would only be a burden to him. But after comforting words, a few convincing kisses and a little sexy dance of persuasion in his boxers, Kevin made her believe the best thing was for her to be with him. That they would heal each other. And besides, being on the road was rough enough, without worrying to make sure she was ok. Now he could take care of her, support her and prove to her that he wanted to remain with only her.
***Aj and Anna***
As usual, these two can't keep their hands off each other. Love was flourishing in their relationship. Aj trusted Anna like he trusted no other girl before her. He trusted her with his life, his heart, his whole body. She was the one he turned to when his father upset him, she was the one he made love to. God, he loved her. He looked at her, her Spanish eyes hot with passion, her dark lashes long and flirtatious, her legs long and silky. Every ounce of him loved her.
Anna was often distracted...AJ..he distracted her. His lips, sweet and pouty, his voice, raspy and soulful, his hair...well changing as often as he kissed her (ok not that often but you catch my drift)...he enveloped her with everything he had. She breathed for him, longed for him. Only one thought haunted her...he was leaving.
AJ laid awake everynight after Anna had fallen asleep. He thought of the day they would be forced to say goodbye. In less than a week, he would have to leave for a new tour. Sure, the other guys got to bring their girls...like Nick and Kevin, well in all honesty Aj could understand those two...Mel was taken along as financial consultant, and although he didn't know the details (no one did) he was pretty sure Becca was going through a tough time and needed Kevin. So he rationalized it in his head...ok so not all of them can bring their love...Brian has to leave Michelle, and Howie has to leave Sel...but he wasn't sure what was going on with those two either. But, gosh...he couldn't leave her...it was out of his comprehension...how would he sleep without her next to him? And then their was the matter of all those lonely nights without her to....nevermind.
***Howie and Selena***
Howie didn't know what to do, he longed for Sel, but he just couldn't forgive her. She had betrayed him and that was not something Howie could forget easily. But he was going on tour, and he hated to leave this way..to leave angry. But, seeing Selena kiss Eric was a sight he couldn't erase. The scene played over and over..it was times like these that he wished his life where a movie and all he had to do was hit 'stop' and 'rewind' to turn back time and make it right. He spent most of his free time, which wasn't much because the band and the fans kept him busy, wandering the city srteets..searching for a sign.
That's when he saw her...Liz...on the curb waiting for a cab. He approached her, persuaded her to sit in a coffee shop and talk. He needed the scoop on Sel, and what a better way to get it...her best friend. Now normally, Liz would have kept her mouth shut, but she felt partly responsible for their breakup. And when she saw the hurt in Howie's Latin eyes, there was no holding back. She told him everything...how much Sel missed him, needed him...wanted him back. His heart melted and Howie knew what he had to do.