Christmas morning dawned sunny and bright, the sun bouncing happily off of the snow. Kevin was the first one up, and he went downstairs to start the coffee brewing. He noticed that Chris was still asleep on the couch, even though it was almost nine o’clock. Usually she would have already been up, but lately her health was slowly going downhill, and she was sleeping constantly. Even though Chris hadn’t called or returned any of his messages, he had had this feeling that something wasn’t right. And then last night Jackie had told him that the doctor in Orlando hadn’t done anything for her, and it made him furious. Part of it was the doctor’s fault, but the majority of it was Chris’ own stubbornness. He couldn’t help but think that Chris had just made up the quack-doctor story to get herself out of being questioned.

Kevin poured himself a cup and stood in the doorway of the living room, looking at the tree in thought. For a fraction of a second, his gaze shifted from the tree to the couch, and he did a double-take. Something about the way Chris was laying so still made him go over to see. Setting down his cup of coffee, he gently shook her.

"Chris," he said softly. "Wake up! It’s Christmas!" Kevin noticed that her face looked ashen and he shook a little harder. "Come on! Wake up!" He reached out and took her pulse on her wrist, which was limp and lifeless. There was a pulse, but it was weak. "Oh, no!"

Kevin ran upstairs to get Brian, kicking in the bedroom door. Brian shot up and looked around in confusion, his heart racing. "What is it?" he asked Kevin. At the look on Kevin’s face, Brian knew he didn’t need an answer, and he threw on his sneakers and followed Kevin back downstairs. They passed AJ, who was standing in his doorway, looking half-asleep, and Howie, who just opened his door as they ran by. He made eye contact with AJ, and the two of them rushed after Kevin and Brian.

"What’s the matter?" Brian asked, going over to Chris and checking her pulse.

"She’s breathing, but her pulse is really weak. Look at her color, Bri. I have never seen a person gray before," Kevin said. "We gotta get her to the hospital."

"I’ll say. Okay, I’ll go start the car, and you get her ready. Bundle her up. Who knows how long she’s been like this," he said as he ran for the garage. AJ and Howie waited until Brian had passed before approaching Kevin, putting on their coats on the way.

"Oh, my God," Howie said. AJ whistled softly, his heart suddenly pounding.

"For crying out loud, don’t just stand there! Help me!" Kevin was wrapping the blanket tightly around Chris. Howie reached over and picked her up. He was just in his sweatpants and a T-shirt, but took Chris out to the car when Brian sped it to the front door. He and Kevin climbed in, AJ close behind. Then Brian stepped on the gas and floored it to the hospital.

Chris was semi-conscious as they drove, having opened her eyes once or twice, but not long enough to see anything. AJ felt helpless, knowing that this girl with whom he had had a relationship was probably dying and there was nothing he could do. He watched her in Howie’s arms hardly breathing, her color changing by the minute.

When they got to the Emergency Room, the staff took over immediately. AJ felt like he was watching a movie. As one of the nurses, whom Brian had called on his cell phone on the ride to the hospital, asked about Chris’ medical history, AJ found himself in front of the window, looking into the room where EMT’s tried to help her. He didn’t even feel Kevin’s hand on his shoulder guiding him to the chairs in the waiting area. He didn’t know he was sitting beside Brian who was on his phone again, calling the house and leaving messages.

Kevin and Howie waited outside the door until one of the doctors came out.

"Hello. I’m Doctor Morgan. Are you two with the young lady?"

"Is she okay?" Kevin asked.

"Now she is," Dr. Morgan said. "It’s a good thing you brought her in when you did."

"What’s the matter?" Howie asked, not sure he wanted to know.

"Nothing’s wrong that we can’t fix," she replied. "I just wanted to tell you that she’s awake and a little weak, but she’ll be okay. We ran a few tests and it wasn’t as bad as we thought. It’s just a bad combination of pneumonia and the flu."

"Oh, thank God," Kevin said, leaning back against the wall in relief.

"I thought you’d be pleased. Yes, her vitals are good, and her fever’s not as high. You can take her home today." She reached into her front pocket and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen and began scribbling. "I’m going to write out a prescription for some antibiotics that we’re going to start her on here, which will greatly improve her condition. Take it with you and get it filled," she said as she ripped off the top sheet and handed it to Howie. "She’ll be better in no time. Plenty of bed rest, liquids, et cetera. And make sure she takes her pills."

"Thank you so much," Howie said.

"You’re welcome," Dr. Morgan said. "One of the nurses will be out with Chris shortly. Have a Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Kevin called to her back as she walked down the hall. He looked at Howie, whose relieved expression mirrored his own. "Well, let’s go tell the guys."

AJ and Brian looked up from their places on the plastic chairs in the waiting room as Kevin and Howie walked in. At the looks on their faces, Brian sighed.

"She’s okay?"

"Yep," Kevin said. "She has pneumonia and the flu. But they’re going to give her some medicine, and then we can take her home."

"Pneumonia and the flu?" AJ said, amazed.

"Unfortunately. I just hope that none of us gets it."

"Which one?" Brian asked.

"Either or," Kevin shrugged. "Brian, do you want to go pull the car around? Other than that, there’s nothing we can do until they’re ready to let her go."

"Sure thing," Brian said, putting his coat on and heading for the parking lot.

"So which one of us is going to carry the sickie to the car?" AJ joked.

"No one, you retards. I can walk myself," a hoarse voice said from behind. AJ, Kevin, and Howie turned around to see Chris hanging on to the arm of a nurse who was walking her out. Kevin went over to take her arm and thanked the nurse.

"How’re you feeling?"
"I have the strength of ten Chrises, plus two," she joked weakly, paraphrasing How the Grinch Stole Christmas. "But I think that I lost about eleven and a half of them on the way down the hall."

The three guys laughed. "Brian’s bringing the car around," Howie said. "By the time we get outside, he’ll probably be waiting."

"Very funny," Chris said, walking slowly. She was glistening from the fever and felt like just laying down on the floor and going to sleep. Before they got to the door, AJ stopped them.

"You’re not taking her outside in this weather without a coat, are you? She’s sick. Here," he said, taking off his coat and handing it to Chris. "Put this on."

Chris took it and Kevin helped her put it on. It smelled like AJ’s cologne, and the scent made her want to burst into tears. Chris didn’t know whether she was overly emotional because she was sick or if it were something else. She struggled with the zipper for a few seconds, and looked up sadly. "I can’t get it."

"It’s tricky. Let me get it." He came over and knelt down in front of her and played with the zipper. Once it caught, AJ pulled it up a bit, then let Chris zip the coat the rest of the way. He stood up and backed away, trying to avoid looking at her dark eyes.

"Thank you," she said.

"You’re welcome."

"Okay, are we ready now?" Kevin asked. Everyone nodded. "Then let’s go."

"How is she?" Emily asked as she hugged Brian in the foyer, welcoming him back.

"She’s sick," he replied. "But she’ll be okay. Just gave us a little scare." He held her close. "Thank God nothing is wrong with you."

"Not physically. Mentally perhaps."

"You’re a nut."

"I know." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then pulled away and led him to the living room. "Now let’s open our presents! We’ve been waiting forever!"

The two of them joined the rest of the Backstreet crew, plus Jackie and Harold, in the living room. Chris was lying down on the couch after having changed into a set of flannel pajamas, Jackie and Harold sitting in their recliners across the room. Kevin, Nick, Howie, and AJ were sitting in various spots on the floor, and Brian and Emily walked over them to one which was unoccupied.

"Okay, you guys. Since you left without a word, I’m not sure I want to give you your presents," Nick was saying from his spot by the Christmas tree.

"Come on, Nick!" Chris said. "If you’re not giving them their presents, then how about giving me mine? I didn’t know what was going on, and I’m sure I would have told you where I was going."

Nick shook his head. "Like it or not, you were involved. You don’t get any either."

"So what are you going to do with them?" Jackie asked, a smiling tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I’m going to keep them, of course," Nick said plainly.

"Does that mean you’re going to wear my new black lace nightgown?" Emily teased.

"Ugh! No!" he cried. "That’s disgusting!"

"We all got black lace nightgowns, Nick," Chris said. "Guess you gotta give ‘em to us."

"All right," Nick said, clearly grossed out, tossing some packages around the room to the respectful new owner. "Here you go."

There was a sudden increase in volume as wrapping paper began to rustle and the family joked around. Smiles and teasing were abundant and Chris thought she wasn’t as tired as she had been. I guess I just needed the socialization. She took the lid off the present in her lap and pulled out a beautiful light blue sweater.

"Ooh! I love it!" she said, holding it up so she could see it better. "Thanks, Em!"

"You’re welcome, Chris," Emily replied. "I hope it fits. I thought it was your color."

"I’m sure it will."

AJ was sitting beside Nick across from the couch, watching Chris, a long rectangular box in his hand. After pondering it for a few moments, he finally just stood up and walked over to Chris. She watched him get up, and as he got closer, her pulse quickened. Act cool. Don’t let him see how he’s affecting you, she thought, tucking her legs underneath her so AJ could sit.

"Merry Christmas, Chris," AJ said, sitting down beside her.

"Merry Christmas, AJ."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. I think it’s the medicine."

"Are you sure it’s not just because I’m sitting here?"

"I can guarantee it’s not because you’re sitting here." Chris said, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Ouch! That hurt." AJ looked down at the box in his hand. "Look," he said, raising his eyes to see her watching him. "I got you this a few months ago when we were in Europe. I thought of you the minute I saw it." He handed it to her.

"Oh, thank you! You didn’t have to."

"Well, I felt like it. I know we’re probably not on the best of terms, but I wanted you to have it anyway." AJ stopped to watch her open it.

Chris took the ribbon off the package and slowly unwrapped the box. The name of a well-known jewelry store in Europe was printed on the lid. AJ watched as her face softened and she lifted the lid and gasped. Inside was a very expensive silver heart locket, with a real diamond on the top right of the pendant.

"It’s beautiful," she whispered, holding the box up to see it sparkle in the light. Chris put it back down on her lap, leaned over impulsively and gave AJ a hug. He wrapped his arms around her tightly as if he couldn’t let go, and noticed that Chris was holding on the same way. "Thank you." As she spoke, her voice cracked and her shoulders started to shake.

"You’re welcome, Chris," AJ replied. He let her pull back, and he looked deep into the eyes he loved, then shifted his gaze. "Here, let me help you put it on."

Chris sat up and turned her back to AJ, lifting her hair, and exposing her slender neck. AJ took the necklace out of the box, unclasped it, and lifted it over her head, closing the clasp. "Okay."

She dropped her hair and looked down at the necklace. "It’s beautiful," she said again. "Thank you." Chris turned back around to face him.

"Chris, I--"

"AJ, I--" Chris said at the same time. They laughed. "I’m sorry. Go ahead."

"No, you go."

"Please?"

"I think we should go somewhere private. Can you walk?"

"Probably. Help me up." Chris pushed the blanket off her and slowly stood. "I’ll be right back," she announced.

"Okay, Chris," Jackie said. Emily looked up with a question in her eyes, and Chris shrugged. Emily nodded and mouthed, Go get ‘im.

With AJ right beside her, Chris left the living room and slowly climbed the stairs to her room, a packet of tissues in her robe pocket. She opened the door, went in, and sat down lengthwise on the bed. It was cold in the room, her joints were killing her, and she tried to cover herself up so she wouldn’t get a chill. AJ closed the door behind them to drown out the noise from below. Snow was falling lightly outside the window, the sky gray, and the air cold.

"Little chilly up here, huh?" he said.

"Just a bit."

"Mind if I sit?"

Chris scooted over and patted the empty space beside her, but AJ didn’t sit. Instead, he paced around the room. "Chris, I know I’ve screwed up big time. And I know that I couldn’t possibly even begin to imagine what it felt like for you to hear what I said. I’m not going to try to make excuses, but sometimes it’s what you have to do in this business. And it came out before I had a chance to stop it. I didn’t try to correct it. I don’t know why. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. And saying it was the one thing that I regret the most."

When Chris made to answer, AJ held up a hand to silence her and went on. "I don’t care if you say you never want to speak to me again, or if you never want to give it another try. But I’m the sorriest I’ve ever been. I know I should have told you what might happen beforehand, but I didn’t. You had no idea, and it was my fault." He stopped pacing and went back to the bed, kneeling on the floor beside it, and placing his elbows on the mattress. Chris watched him with a cloudy look in her eyes. "You’re all I can think about. You’re constantly running through my head. And all I wanted to do was jump on the next plane home and hold you and tell you how sorry I was. I love you, Chris."

The clouds lifted from her face, and Chris looked more aware than she had in weeks. Noticing that he was going to say something else, she kept her mouth shut, even though it took all her power not to blurt out her feelings and jump on him, never to let him go.

"I love you, Chris," AJ repeated, looking up to see her reaction. She lay down on the bed so that they were face to face. "I’ve always loved you. We’ve been together for over six months, for the most part. And I know that I’ve been a real jerk. I may not be able to change that completely, but I can try. Chris, when you were passed out and we sped you to the hospital, I was so afraid you were going to die and I would never have the chance to tell you I was sorry. I care more about your life than I do about mine. You’re what makes my life worth living."

Tears welled up in Chris’ eyes and began to run down her face. AJ reached into his pocket and pulled out another box, a small velvet one with a silver ribbon on top. "Chris," AJ said, "I know I’ve said that I’m too young to get tied down, and you’re definitely too young to make this big decision. I wouldn’t want you to, until you’re at least of legal drinking age." Chris laughed through her tears and AJ smiled. "But I love you. And love doesn’t need us to be perfect, but it does require us to forgive. As I ask you for forgiveness, I also want to tell you--"

At that point, the bedroom door opened, and Kevin, Howie, Nick, Brian, and Emily came in. AJ and Chris looked up, surprised.

"Go on," Emily said. "Pretend we’re not here."

"What did you want to tell me?" Chris asked, a smile slowly appearing on her face.

"Ready?" AJ asked the other four Backstreet Boys. At their nod, AJ stood up and began to sing, and the rest joined in, singing one of their newest songs.

"I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, I will love you till death do us part. I promise you, as a lover and a friend, I will love you like I’ll never love again, with everything I am." They sang the entire song, and by the time they finished, Chris was crying so hard that she couldn’t speak when AJ finally asked her.

"Chris, we don’t have to do this right away. But if you can hold out two more years, I know I can, too. You’re the only I want to spend the rest of my life with and I want the whole world to know. I’ll do anything for you, I’ll never break your heart, and I’ll love you as long as you love me." He knelt down again and opened the box. The diamond ring sparkled and Chris sat up on the bed. "Christine Richardson, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Even though I’m a flirt and sometimes a jerk. But you keep my head on straight. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I don’t want to lose it again. So what do you say?"

"Shut up, you idiot!" Chris said through her tears. "Of course I’ll marry you!"

"Woo-hoo!" AJ whooped. He slid the ring onto her finger, and stood up as Chris got onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. He went to kiss her, but she turned her head.

"Germs," she said.

"Bring ‘em on," he replied. He kissed her on the lips, to the applause of their audience. When they broke apart, AJ wiped the tears off her face and looked deep into her eyes. "Merry Christmas."