Chapter 83

Dee was sleeping peacefully when Kevin came in and kissed her gently on the neck.  “Good morning, honey.  And how is the most beautiful woman in the world doing?” he asked sweetly.

She rolled over and looked into his beautiful green eyes and replied, “With you here, I am wonderful.” Then she sat up and kissed him passionately.

“Well, my dear, today, we are going to do something we haven’t had a chance to do yet.  You just need your bikini, and your shades.” Kevin said seductively.

“Oh??  Where are we going?” she asked curiously.

“Well, how about Water Mania Water Park?”  Kevin said with a smile.

“Are you serious??!  I haven’t been there since I was younger.  This will be so much fun.” she said with excitement.

“Well, I thought I would show off my skills with the Screamer!” Kevin bragged proudly.

“What, so the whole world can see your trucks up around your neck?!” Dee giggled.

Kevin shot her an evil look and then burst out laughing.  “Is THAT what you want to see?  Because I can make that happen.” he said with a grin.

Dee laughed and then went to the dresser to pull out her bikini. Kevin watched her curiously as she secretly pulled out a new bikini, one that he hadn’t seen just yet.  She went to take a shower and then get ready.  Kevin stood at the bathroom door pleading to come in, yet Dee would just tell him, “Kevin hon, you need to wait your turn.”

After about forty-five minutes of showering, blow drying, and then carefully adjusting her bikini for just the right effect, she walked out of the bathroom.  Kevin stood there, shocked to the core.  Dee could have sworn that his eyes about popped out of his head and his jaw fall to the floor.

“What’s the matter Kevin, haven’t you ever seen a woman in a bikini?” she asked curiously.

“Umm, ahhh…yeah…but never anyone who looked at great…as you.” he stuttered.

Dee stood there in a neon purple bikini, with a very revealing triangle shaped cup top, and a thong bottom.  Her fiery red hair flowed gently over her body as it fell to her waist.  The purple highlights in it added the right effect to make Kevin squirm.  Her body was a golden tan color and her eyes sparkled as she stared into his eyes.  Kevin couldn’t help but stare back.  His heart was racing as he looked her up and down several times.

“Kevin, babe, could you help me put suntan oil on my back?” she asked with a sly grin.

“Honey, why do you put that stuff on?  It surely doesn’t protect you.  You are going to fry out there like a potato chip.” he said as he looked at her.  “You don’t need that stuff…honest, you look beautiful just the way you are.”

“Babe, don’t you know how I GOT this tan??  If you want to look at a body like this, then you need to put that suntan oil on me.” she said sternly and then smiled.

Kevin pondered the thought and then decided there was no way to win this fight.  He carefully applied a small amount to her back, and then made his way into the bathroom to get ready.

*** *** ***

“Nickolas, I will be leaving in a little while to take Katie Lynne to Dee’s house.  I have something that I need to do at about 2:00.  It is a surprise for you and Katie Lynne, and I will be gone for about three hours this afternoon.  Are you and Brian going to do something?” I asked.

“Umm, well, since you won’t be here, maybe I will give Brian a call and see if he wants to shoot some hoops or something with me.  Leighanne and Kat were going out, so, he won’t be busy either.” Nick answered back.

“Great!  Well, I am going to call Dee to see if it is okay to take her over in a little while.  I still need to prepare a few more things for your surprise, so, I will take off early and get this thing done with.  It has been nagging at me for over a month.” I said.

“What in the world are you planning on doing?” he asked, now very curious.

“Umm, that I can’t tell you.  You will just have to wait until it’s done.” I answered.

He looked at me, now definitely confused.  Nick wasn’t sure if he should press the issue, or drop it until I was ready to tell him more.  Finally, after a few minutes of just watching me pick up sheets of paper and a few tapes, he said, “Well hon, whatever it is, I hope you have fun.  I can’t wait to see what it is, so, hurry and get it done.”

With that, I walked into the kitchen to call Dee.  I let it ring about 5 times and was about to hang up.

“Hello!” a voice answered out of breath.

“Dee??  I am sorry to bother you, but it’s Heather.  I was wondering if I could bring Katie Lynne over in a little bit?” I asked politely.

“Oh no!!  I completely forgot!  Kevin…!!”  Dee yelled into the phone.

After a brief argument, she came back on the line.  “Umm, Heather, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Kevin had made plans I didn’t know about.  I won’t be able to watch her today.  Please don’t be mad.” she said, worried.

“Oh!! And where are you and Kevin going, may I ask?” I asked, mischievously.

“Umm, we are going to Water Mania for the day.  And girl, if you saw Kevin in those sexy swim trunks, you would understand too!” she said with a giggle.

I couldn’t help but laugh.  “Dee, that is fine.  I will ask one of the guys or Leighanne or someone to watch Katie.  It won’t be too long, so, I am sure someone can help out.  You just go and have a great time together.  It is about time you two had some time alone!!  Have fun and girl, call me with ALL the details!” I said as I hung up.

I called around, and asked Leighanne or Kat, but the two of them already had plans.  I realized that Brian and Nick would be hanging out, and since I wanted to give Nick some free time, I didn’t want to push Katie on them.  I then called Howie, but to my dismay, he was going with his sister, Pollyanna, to look at some new songs for her upcoming albums.  Finally, out of despair, I called AJ.

“Umm, AJ, I have a huge favor to ask you.  You can so no if you want to, and I won’t be upset.  I mean, it really is a big favor and I hate to take up your time, and well, I mean, I don’t want to be in the way or anything, and well…” I was saying when he interrupted me.

“Heather, for God’s sake, what in the world is the favor?” he blurted out.

“Umm, would you mind keeping an eye on Katie Lynne for a couple of hours this afternoon?” I asked nervously.

“Would I??  Oh yeah!  That would be great!  I would love to.” He said happily.

“Now AJ, no tattoos or punk hair colors.  She is ONLY a month and a half old.  AND, you can’t take her out.  You have to come here or I will bring her to your place.  BUT, no other girls, no bars, no loud music, no porn movies, no dirty magazines, no nothing.  Just Tarzan or the Little Mermaid for you and her.” I rambled on.

“Heather, you act like I have never been around a baby or something.” AJ stated.

“Well, have you?” I asked.

“Umm, well, not officially, but I have seen daddies taking care of them in movies and on television.  I am sure if can’t be THAT hard.  I promise to stay here at my house and I will just keep an eye on her.  No visitors or anything.  I swear.” AJ insisted.

“Fine, I will bring her over in about half an hour.  Is that okay?” I asked.

“Sounds good.  See you then.” he answered and then hung up.

I thought to myself, “Dear God, what have I just done?”

Nick was in the living room with Katie Lynne when I walked in.  “Umm, Nick, hon.  I have something to tell you.  Dee isn’t able to watch Katie Lynne, so, I asked everyone else, and they were busy, all except for AJ.  I am taking Katie to his house in a few minutes.  Okay?” I asked nervously.

“Heather!  Are you nuts??!!  Our daughter will come back with a red mohawk and ten tattoos!  No!!” Nick pleaded.

“Nick, you are busy, and I need to go run this errand, and well, Katie can’t come.  And, I needed a baby sitter.  So, AJ was my last resort.” I begged.

“Fine, but if Katie Lynne comes back with anything changed on her, except for her diaper, I will kill AJ.” he said sternly.

“I will be right behind you.” I replied.

*** *** ***

“Kevin, let’s put our stuff in the locker so we can go to the wave pool.  I want a good spot and I hate to wait in lines.” Dee said as they entered the park.

“Sounds good to me.  Let’s just hope that no one recognizes us.” he said nervously.

“Well, Mr. Richardson, you will just have to be careful.  Act nonchalant and no one will have any clue.” she replied.

“Ms. Winchell, you have no idea how easily I am spotted, but, oh well, we are here to have fun, and not worry about the rest of life.” he said as they walked arm in arm to the wave pool.

*** *** ***

“And you promise to feed her and change her?” I asked AJ.

“Yes, I will feed her, change her, hold her, rock her to sleep, and sing to her.  I promise your daughter will come back to you in one piece.” he answered seriously.

“Alexander, if anything happens to her, Nick will have your head on a platter, so please, be careful.  I have Nick’s cell phone, so call me if there is any problems.  Nick is with Brian, so you know how to get ahold of them.” I said as I kissed Katie Lynne on the forehead and walked out the door.

“Wave bye bye to Mommy, Katie Lynne.” AJ said as he waved Katie’s tiny arm at me.

“You be good Katie, take good care of AJ for us!!” I laughed as I got in the truck and drove off.

*** *** ***

“Thanks so much for coming Tommy and Mindi.  This means the world to me.  Here are the songs I have in mind.  We only have one hour to use the room, so, we better hurry.  Are you all familiar with the songs?” I asked.

Tommy and Mindi looked over the list and smiled.  “Heather, these are all great songs, and we are familiar.  Anytime you want to start, we can begin.” Tommy said.

The gentleman in the booth said he was ready to record when we were and gave us the signal to start.   Tommy and Mindi picked up their music for “Love Remains” by Collin Raye.

The quickly played through it one time and then asked if I was ready.

“Well, guys, I am as ready as I am going to be.” I said nervously and then took a sip of my water.  “Let’s do this.”

Tommy and Mindi started the intro, and then I sang.

I sang as tears streamed down Mindi’s cheeks.  “Oh Heather, that was beautiful.  Why didn’t you tell us you could sing like that?” she asked.

“Yeah, you have on hell of a voice.” Tommy remarked.

“Umm, thanks guys, but this is strictly for Nick and Katie Lynne.  I am too afraid to sing anything to anyone else.  But, thanks for the compliments.” I said as I picked up the next song.  “Now, this one is a very special one.  I particularly like Casper, and well, if my memory serves me right, there was a line from the movie I asked Nick, and it was only minutes later when he proposed to me.” I said with tears in my eyes.

Before we finished the hour session, I had recorded one other song for Nick and Katie Lynne.  It was one that I knew they would both like, for it was one that Nick once pointed out as a pretty song.  It was just the message I wanted to give them, and I thought it was appropriate.  Tommy and Mindi just looked at me with tears in their eyes, and realized that this was the way things were to be.  I thanked them both for helping me, and then we thanked the studio crew for assisting me.

They told me I could pick up the cd the following week, and then the three of us left.

*** *** ***

“Kevin, I can’t believe that you rode the Screamer 15 times!!!   And, may I add, you lost your trunks 15 times!” Dee laughed.

“Yeah, laugh it up…go ahead…it’s okay.  But, see if you get any tonight when we get home!” Kevin remarked and started to walk away, trying not to grin.

“Kevin, baby, I was only teasing you!!  Honest!  I swear!!” Dee pleaded.

“Well, you will just have to apologize for it tonight and see if I accept your apology.” he said sarcastically and then went to get their stuff from the locker.

On the way home, Kevin stopped by the beach, and the two of them enjoyed an evening picnic watching the sunset.  It was the most romantic thing they had done in months, and it certainly was an evening they would never forget.

*** *** ***

“AJ…I’m here.” I said as I walked into his house.  I didn’t hear him or Katie and started to assume the worst.  It wasn’t until I came into his bedroom that I saw him sound asleep on the bed, with Katie Lynne stretched out on his tummy.  The stereo in his room was playing children’s lullabies and the two of them were sound asleep.

I stood there for a moment, taking in the site I was seeing.  It was adorable, like those Kodac moments everyone always talks about.
 

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