Prologue

Sadie watched as her boyfriend packed her last suitcase into the car. Nick turned around with the saddest puppy face she'd ever seen. He was being such a baby, "Oh, Nicky… Stop pouting." She tugged on his lower lip with her fingers, "It's not that bad."

"You're leaving," Nick mumbled, wrapping his arms around her waist and touching his forehead to hers. He wanted her to go, but he didn't. He sighed.

"Nick… It's only a few months and then we'll get to see each other… You're still planning on coming to visit, right?" she kissed his lips softly.

He moaned lightly and licked his lips when the kiss broke. "Of course," he smiled softly, "Let's get you to the airport before I decide to take you upstairs and not let you leave."

Sadie smiled up at him, "Okay…"

Nick opened her door for her and helped her in before closing it. He walked around to his door, and got in. He was quiet. He didn't know what to say. They pulled up to a red light and he looked over at her.

Sadie noticed how distant he got, but didn't want to upset him by bringing it to attention. Noticing that he was looking at her, she asked a simple question, "Nick… What are you thinking?"

He took her hand in his. "About how proud I am of you," he responded as he started driving again.

Sadie grinned widely, "I love you, you know that?"

Nick nodded, "I know." He smiled as he parked his truck, "I love you too." He shut it off, "You ready?"

"I don't know… Am I?" she whispered, her nervousness obvious. This would be the first time she'd face the world alone. No Mommy… No Daddy… No Nick. Just Sadie. She took a deep breath, "And you couldn't fly out there with me why?"

"Because we have to be in the studio to record. Baby, you'll be fine. You'll do fine. I know you will, okay?" he asked, leaning over and hugging her, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

She pulled away, "But what if… What if my roommate's mean? Or… What if I fail my classes…?"

"Sadie!" Nick sighed, "We've been through this. If it's not your bag… If you hate it… If you change your mind… then leave. There's no way you'll fail your classes! Have a little faith in yourself, okay?"

Sadie grunted. She had one last hope. With one comment, she might get Nick to at least go with her to get settled. She crossed her arms, "You know… They ARE co-ed dorms… and I don't know who I'm rooming with. It could be a guy, Nicky… What if he hits on me? What should I do?"

"Call me and I'll come beat his ass," Nick said with a serious look to his face.

She huffed lightly. "Come WITH me and I won't have to call you! Nicky… please… They'll understand… I need you there with me. I'm scared to go alone," she stared up at him with intensity. Her eyes begged and she whispered, "Please?"

"Sadie, you know I can't do that," Nick said softly while running his fingers down her cheek, "as much as I would like to. You have to be strong. You have to get this on your own. It will be so much sweeter when you do. And I know you can. I love you and I have faith in you."

She looked down feeling tears sting her eyes, "I know… I understand."

"Let's go," Nick said, opening his door. Nick knew that if he sat there and looked at her for one moment, he would have driven back to the house. He couldn't do that to her. He walked around and opened her door.

Sadie got out not saying anything, just watching Nick take the two biggest of her three bags and handing the other to her. She walked quickly into the airport, standing in line to drop off her luggage.

Nick checked all her bags and loaded it. He then took her hand and led her to her terminal.

"Flight number 789 to New York City will be boarding in fifteen minutes," the voice boomed.

"That's you…" Nick whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Sadie just nodded, "Yeah."

"I'm a phone call away," Nick whispered.

"No," she spat, "Your voice is a phone call away… You're on the other side on the country."

"Hey now," Nick said, running a hand through her hair. "I'm a phone call to an airport and a short flight away. If you need me, I'll be there. Just call. You know that. But I can't let you not go and I can't go with you. I love you, and that's why, as much as it kills me, you have to do this alone," Nick stated, feeling the tears sting his eyes.

Sadie sniffled, "I didn't mean to make you cry, Nicky… I'm sorry I'm being so icky."

He smiled. "I would have cried anyway," he chuckled, kissing her forehead.

That comment threw her off the edge. She felt the water in her eyes spill over, "I'm gonna miss you so much… I can't believe I didn't… I didn't… think it was gonna be this big a deal."

Nick pulled her closer to him and held her. "It's not a big deal. I'll be up to visit you soon enough, and I'll call you so much you'll be sick of me," Nick forced a smile. He kissed her cheeks, then her chin, then her sweet lips.

Sadie kissed him back with force as her arms went around his neck. Her tongue searched for his own and she whimpered knowing she couldn't kiss him like this for three months. She couldn’t kiss him at all for three months.

"Flight 789 to New York City is now boarding at Gate 4," the voice boomed again.

Nick broke the kiss, but left his lips close to hers, "I love you."

"I love you too," she ignored the warning and kissed him again, deeply. She only pulled away upon hearing catcalls coming from behind them.

Nick sighed and kissed her lips quickly. "You better go," he whispered.

She shook her head, "No… don't want to."

"Sadie Marie Pierce," Nick warned, “You have to go,” then smiled, “Make me proud some more.”

"Last call for Flight 789 to New York City."

Sadie stared into his eyes and swallowed. In one motion, she detached herself from his body and walked toward the terminal. She didn't look back once until she already handed her ticket to the flight attendant. Waving, she blew him a kiss and mouthed, 'Olive Juice.'

He forced a smile when she turned to him and choked back the sobs at her words. 'Elephant Shoes,' he replied.

Sadie smiled and before she could think about turning back, walked onto the plane. Taking her seat, she couldn't hold back tears. "Damn it…" she cursed.

There was no reason to be this upset. They weren't breaking up… She was just going to be gone for a little while. He'd visit and she'd visit. But she wouldn't see him for three months. God, she wanted him there with her, holding her hand.

***

Nick sighed as she walked away, knowing that was it for three months. He walked up to the window and watched her plane. He kissed his hand and placed it on the cool glass, saying a silent prayer that the flight would be safe. He hated flying and was so nervous about her going alone.

He sighed and kept his hand on the glass as the plane lifted off the ground, and he kept his eyes on it until he couldn’t see it anymore.

***

AJ lay in bed, exhausted. It had been their first day back in the studio, and the guys had loved every minute of it. It felt like old times again. Nick had seemed a little down though, since Sadie had left for college this morning. But the guys tried their hardest to keep his mind off it.

"Julia!" AJ called. "You okay, Baby?" She'd been in the bathroom for a while.

Julia's hand shook as she stared at the object, "Oh… no. No, no, no, no…" She heard AJ's muffled voice through the think door. "Yeah… Yeah, I'm alright," her shaking voice responded, "Shit…"

"You sure?" AJ asked standing and walking to the door. He knocked softly.

"Yes!" she yelled sharply, hoping she'd locked the door. She hadn't.

"Can I come in?" he asked not wanting to invade her privacy, she was probably on her period. He knew she was due.

She didn't react, just simply stared, "But we were so careful…"

AJ was starting to worry. "I'm coming in," he opened the door slowly.

"Alex, DON'T!" she protested, but it was too late. Julia looked at him like a dear struck by headlights, test still in hand.

AJ just stared at her. He took in everything he saw, his mouth slightly open. "Wha... is… is" he stuttered.

"Nothing," she hid it behind her back, slowly taking steps to throw it away.

"That's not nothing," he said as he turned and walked back to their bedroom. He sat on their bed and waited for his wife to come and talk to him.

Julia closed her eyes and came out of the bathroom. She glanced at him and then away. She knew he wouldn't be pleased, but hadn't thought he'd react like this. Her lip trembled, "I… I’m sorry, Alex."

"What did the test say?" he asked softly.

"It's positive," Julia walked to the chair farthest away from him, "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…"

AJ let the news sink in. He was going to be a daddy. His wife, the love of his life was going to make him a daddy. "Why are you sorry? Do you not want kids?" he asked, suddenly worried that maybe she didn't.

She looked up at him in shock, "No… I want kids… I thought you'd be angry with me…"

“Why would I be angry?” he asked.

"Because… you… in the bathroom, you looked so upset. And you're… recording right now, Alex! Your new album is due out next year!" she exclaimed.

“Yeah, your point?” he asked standing and walking toward her, “Baby, you, and… my family,” he stalled as he placed a hand on her stomach, “will always come first.”

Julia smiled, "Promise?"

“Always and forever,” AJ promised.

She brushed his lips with hers, "Good… I love you. And Alex…?"

“Hmm…?” he asked with a smile on his lips.

Julia grinned and bit her lip. She leaned in and whispered, "We're gonna have a baby."

Just hearing her say those words made his heart jump into his throat. He lifted her from the chair and spun her around the room. He laid her down in bed, “I love you, Mrs. McLean.”

"I love you too," she kissed him, "I love you… and I love this baby. We're gonna love this baby, right AJ? We're gonna be good parents, right?"

“The best!” AJ smiled, “Mom.”

"Daddy…" she teased, "At one time, you told me the one thing that grossed you out more than anything in the world was when your girl called you daddy. Can this be an exception?"

“Yes…” he snickered, “Are you scared?”

"No…" she ran a hand down his back, "Not at all… I know you'll be there. You won't let anything happen to the baby ever. We'll be great, Alex. And I'm not even afraid of labor… Because if I feel pain, I break your hand," she sneered.

“I think you’re going to be heavily sedated,” AJ chuckled. He broke into song, “Having my baby! What a wonderful way to say you love me!”

Julia covered her ears, "NO! Dear God, NO! What do I have you do to get you to shut up, Alex McLean?"

“Kiss me!” he said before starting up again.

She giggled before pressing her lips to the still singing AJ. She pulled away, "Alex?"

He moaned lightly, “Jule?”

"Make love to me?" she asked innocently.

“You sure we can?” he asked timidly.

"Yes," she sighed happily, "We can… This I know."

He smiled and pulled her to him, rolling over so he was slightly on top of her. He kissed her lightly, and that night they made love like it was their first time.