AJ looked across the Orlando Arena and at all the empty seats that would be filled with more than 30,000 people that night. 'Whoa..when'd we get this far?,' He thought smiling a little.
He watched as Taylor and Denise tried to catch up with the twins who were running wild along with Kevin's daughter Alycia. Denise held Madison close to her as she scolded Nicholas for running off again. Taylor caught up to Chris and grabbed his arm before he could take a detour through the seats again. "Backstage, now young man.," She said sternly.
Chris looked mad but stalked off towards the backstage area. She took Madison from Denise as she sent Nicky backstage also. "Okay guys, let's rehearse!," Fatima said walking onto the stage.
Taylor carried Madison backstage and watched as the two boys stomped into the dressing rooms. "In those chairs, fifteen minutes.," Taylor said pointing.
"But mooommm!," Both boys whined.
"No buts, get in there or it'll be twenty."
They relunctatly sat in the chairs, not talking or looking at one another. Taylor sat down on the couch and held Madison as she squirmed in her arms. Denise came in a second later with Marie and Alycia in tow. "Alycia, sit down for awhile."
"But moommmyyy.."
"No, sit down. Quiet time."
"Okay.."
Taylor looked over at Marie as she sat down, "You too, huh?"
"Yes..those three together is a nightmare.."
"I know.."
"Hey you two, pizza's here, I'll sit with the munchkins.," Denise said.
"Okay..boys, what kind do you all want?"
"Pepperoni!"
"Yea, pepperoni!"
"Okay..Alycia?"
"Cheese!!"
"Okay."
Denise took Madison from Taylor and Marie walked out to get some food. "I can't believe this place sold out in 15 minutes..," Marie said.
"I know..I can't believe they're all getting on that stage tonight, they're all going to be acting like they haven't been gone for almost a year now, and I can't believe they're ALL going to be dancing like THAT."
She laughed as they loaded up plates with food, "I know..I can't wait to watch though..you can feel the excitement."
Taylor nodded, "Yeah.."
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head, "Nothing..just thinking."
"About?"
"Nothing really..come on and let's feed the kids."
"Okay..are you sure you're okay?"
Taylor nodded again, "Yeah..I'm fine..don't worry."
"Okay.."
"AJ! Put me down!," Taylor laughed as AJ swung her around.
"I can't help it..in ten minutes we're gonna be on that stage again!"
"I know..the excitement is going from you to me now..okay??"
"Yep!"
She laughed and then got serious, "You go out there and show Orlando that you all haven't gotten all old and soft..okay?"
"You got it..what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing.."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive.."
He saw right through her act but let it go, "If you're sure.."
"I am."
"I don't want you to be feeling bad or feel left out.."
"I don't..not at all.."
"Okay..Madison asleep?"
"Yep."
"Boys in their seats?"
"Uh huh, with Jane, Jayde, Nick's mom and dad and Aaron, and with Denise."
"Okay..you gonna be out there?"
"Yeah..I'll be out there soon.."
"Five minutes!," Someone yelled.
AJ looked towards the stage, "I can't believe we're back.."
"I can..," She said smiling.
"I love you."
"Love you too.," She said kissing him.
"Ugh..do I really have to go out there?"
"Yes!"
"Okay..I'll see you after the show!"
"Okay..go!"
He nodded, kissed her once more, and then went to go join the guys, and dancers.
"Damn..a guy can't even go to the bathroom without someone yelling at him..," Nick said as he walked out of the dressing room.
"Hey Nicky.."
"Hey..how come you're not out in the audience?"
"I will be.."
"Okay.."
"Good luck out there Nick.," Taylor said reaching up to hug him.
"Thanks..whats wrong?"
"Nothing..promise me, one thing?"
"Okay..what?"
"Take care of AJ and the boys and Madison for me? I mean, if anything..were to happen.."
"Okay..Taylor..what's going on?"
"Nick, come on!"
He turned his head, "One minute!"
"Taylor..whats going on?"
"Nothing..okay?"
"Taylor.."
"Nick! NOW!"
"HOLD ON!"
"Taylor.."
"Nick..you'd better go.."
"But-"
"Nick! GO!"
"Okay..I don't know whats going on with you Taylor..but I'm not sure I like it..in fact, I know I don't. Don't hurt AJ..and don't hurt those three kids of yours..they need you Taylor.."
Taylor watched as Nick jogged over to the guys. Right before they went on stage, he shot a look back at her. She smiled slightly at him before the lights went out and the music started. Taylor took a deep breath and walked into the dressing room. She looked down at the little baby girl that was sleeping so peacefully in her carrier. The noise wouldn't wake her, she could sleep through a hurricane. Taylor smiled down at her before kissing her gently. "God, I'm gonna miss seeing you grow up..seeing you play with your brothers. I'm so glad you have a father like AJ..he'll take care of you little one."
She grabbed the backpack setting on the couch and slung it over her shoulders. She walked out of the dressing room, shutting the door quietly behind her and walked towards a backdoor.
"TAYLOR!," She heard AJ's voice behind her.
It took everything inside of her not to turn around. She kept going and reached the door. "TAYLOR!!"
Her hand paused on the doorknob. 'What the hell are you doing?! You're leaving the man who loves you and everything you've wanted!,' A voice screamed in her head.
'Go! He'll come for you!,' Another voice warned.
"TAYLOR! NO!! COME BACK!!"
Taylor turned around and watched as AJ ran to her. "Where are you going?!"
She looked down at the ground, "I have to leave.."
"What?! Nick said something was up.."
She glanced behind AJ and saw Nick and the other guys standing there watching them. "AJ.. he's going to get me.."
"Who??"
"Mark.."
"Huh? Wasn't he-"
"In jail? He got out awhile ago..he kept sending me letters..threatening me..I'm..supposed to meet him.."
"And you were going to go?!"
"He threatened you and Madison and Nicky and Chris. He's not going to hurt you all like he hurt me!!"
"I'm not letting you go back to him!"
"I don't want him to hurt you all.."
AJ wrapped his arms around her, "I'm not letting you leave..not back to him..Marcus, Q, call the police."
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