Kevin sighed and glanced up the stairs towards Taylor's bedroom where she had holed herself up at. Nick walked from the kitchen, "Is she coming down?"
Kevin shrugged and sighed again, "I don't know..Guess I outta go up there.."
"Yeah..I'll get Nicky and Chris fed."
"Cool..," Kevin said before starting up the stairs.
He knocked on the bedroom door, then tried the door, it was locked. "What?," Taylor's muffled voice came through the door.
"You want something to eat?"
She unlocked the door and swung it open, "I guess.."
They walked downstairs together and into the kitchen. Nick stood in front of the two highchairs attempting to feed both the boys, at the same time. And for the first time in 4 days, Taylor smiled.
"Nick? What are you doing to my children??"
He looked over his shoulder, "Trying to feed them! Isn't it supposed to stay in their mouths??"
"Yeah..here, give them spoons and let them go at it..thats what I do..they can actually get some of the food in their mouths.."
"Okay..good..then I'm eating now.."
They sat down around the table with dinner and ate in silence. Nick looked across at Taylor, "Are we going to the hospital after dinner?"
She shrugged, "I don't know..Brian's there..so is Denise..do we have a point in going? He hasn't moved in 4 days.."
"He could.."
"I know Nick..," She said in a tone that meant for them to drop it.
Kevin and Nick exchanged a look. She was giving up.
Nick looked at Taylor who was putting the twins to sleep. Kevin had left to go to the hospital for a little while. Taylor didn't feel like going, so she stayed behind with Nick. She laid Nicholas into the crib and then changed Chris into his pajama's and rocked him to sleep. Within ten minutes, he was out like a light, and she put him down as well. Nick stood in the doorway, watching. "Taylor?"
"Yeah Nick?"
"Why are you giving up on AJ?"
"I'm not giving up."
"Yes you are.."
She closed the twins' door and looked up at Nick. "Why should I not give up? He's in the hospital dying Nick.."
"No he's not..he hasn't gotten any worse!"
"And he hasn't gotten better."
"Don't you love him?!," Nick exclaimed as she started down the stairs.
She turned around and glared at him, "If I have to tell you, then you don't deserve to know Nick. Of course I love him! Its kills me to walk in that hospital and see him laying there, not moving, not opening his eyes! It kills me to look at those two little boys up there, knowing their father may not come back!!"
"You have to believe that he'll be alright Taylor! If you stop believing, he won't come out of it! You haven't seen him in two days!"
"Nick..just leave me alone.."
"No! Why won't you go see him?!"
"Because!! I'm scared! I absolutely hate hospitals! I hate seeing someone I love in there..I don't like going in there knowing some people don't come back out.."
"Taylor..AJ needs you..Dr. Radcliff said that AJ can hear what you're saying. He needs you there..he needs your help!"
She put her head in her hands, "But its so hard! Nick, what if he dies????"
"He won't! Or I'll die and go kill him again!"
"Nick.."
"Taylor..go see AJ.."
"But the-"
"The boys will be fine."
She sighed, "Why do you have to be right?"
Nick smiled wryly, "I'm not a true blonde like some people think."
She stood up off the couch and walked over to him, "I know you're smart Nick."
"Why thank you."
She smiled, "Thank you for knocking sense into me..I'll be back later.," She said kissing his forehead and walking towards the garage.
Taylor parked the expedition and got out and walked towards the entrance to the hospital. She spotted Brian standing out front with his hands in his pockets. "Hey..," He said.
"Hey..how'd you know I was coming?"
"Nick called.."
"Ohh..how is he?"
"The same. Where have you been?," He asked hugging her.
She shrugged, "Home..I just..I just couldn't Bri."
He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked inside, "I understand..but he needs you Taylor. He's going to wake up, I can feel it..he just needs your help.."
"And your guys'.."
"That too.."
They got into the elevator and rode up to the ICU. "Is Denise still here?"
He shook his head, "She left about a half hour ago to go home and get some sleep..Kev's up with him now.."
She nodded, "Oh..okay.."
They walked down the hall, past the nurse's station, and finally, to AJ's room. Brian pushed the door open and let Taylor walk in, "I'm going down to the cafeteria.."
She nodded, "Thanks B."
He smiled and let the door close. Taylor stepped in and saw Kevin sitting in a chair, dozing. "Kev??," She whispered.
He jerked up, "Hey..I thought you didn't want to come??"
She smiled a little, "Some blonde guy convinced me I was being stupid.."
"Nick, huh? And you expect your kids to be normal when you get back home?"
She smiled again, "They were never normal to begin with, look who's their father."
Kevin laughed, "Thats true. He is the one with blue hair.."
"Yep..and purple, blonde, blonde tips, brown, pink, braids, and whatever else.."
"Yeah..well, I think I'll go track down Brian...you want something from the cafeteria?"
"Maybe a cup of coffee and a muffin or something?"
"Sure thing."
"Thanks Kev."
He nodded, "I'll be back later."
She waited till Kevin had left the room. She pulled the chair up next to AJ's bed and surveyed him. He had the color back in his face, so that was a good sign. His eyes were no longer taped closed and she kept expecting him to open them any minute. She took his good hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Hey AJ..Its me..I haven't been in awhile..guess you noticed, huh? I'm really sorry..you know how I get about hospitals. I hate them with a passion. But..Nick convinced me to come. He is so mature..and so strong-headed for someone so young and in his position. Thats what amazes me about you guys..you all are so humble. And you love your fans, family, and friends like no other. I'm really talking nonsense, aren't I? I always do when I'm nervous. God, I wish you'd wake up..just open your eyes and tell me you're ready to go home. I look at the boys and I just want to cry sometimes. What if you don't come home AJ?? What will I do? What will they do? What will the guys do? There's no Backstreet Boys without you..we all know that..umm..your doctor said you can hear me..so I'm hoping you're hearing me..Wake up..please..I can't live without you..no matter how corny that sounds.."
Taylor sighed and closed her eyes. She was worn out. She hadn't gotten alot of sleep in the past week anyways. Her head jerked up when she felt a movement from the bed. AJ held his arm up and then dropped it again. "Holy shit!," She muttered getting up out of the chair.
AJ groaned and turned his head. "AJ??"
Kevin opened the door and brought in Taylor's coffee and muffin in. He set them down, "Hey Taylor they--"
"Kevin! Come here, quick!"
He walked over and saw AJ turn his head again. "Tell me you saw that!," Taylor said.
"I see it, shit, I'm gonna go get the doctor!"
Taylor took his good hand again and gently massaged it. "You like that still, huh AJ? Open your eyes now, I just saw you move, so did Kev..come on AJ.."
AJ groaned again and shifted in the bed. Taylor kept massaging his hand and it seemed to calm him. "Its okay AJ..I'm right here..I'm not leaving anymore.."
Kevin, Brian, and Dr. Radcliff walked in just then. Dr. Radcliff went on the other side of the bed to check the monitors and all the other stuff. "He sure is waking up..his vitals are looking alot better.."
"So he's waking up?? For real??"
Dr. Radcliff nodded, "Yeah..it may take awhile for him to completely come out of it..maybe not, You can't tell really. I'm not increasing the amount of his pain medication..let him feel the pain for a little while, just till he wakes up."
"So..he's going to be okay?"
"All indications point to yes.," He said nodding.
Taylor and the guys smiled. "Thanks doctor."
He nodded and left. The guys hugged Taylor, then Brian went to go call Denise and the guys. Taylor sat down again and waited. Kevin took the other chair and they began the long wait.
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