Chapter 10
 

“Alright!  When will you be here?” Brian asked excitedly.

“Not for a while.  There are a few things I must do here before I can come home.  I still want to be in the group, if the others will allow it.  But, I just need about a few weeks.  If you have to start the tour without me, then go ahead.  Have management make up some story about me being sick or something,…I don’t know…you figure it out.  But I just need a few weeks.”

“I will talk to the others.  But Nick, why can’t you tell me where you are?” Brian questioned.

“Because, I know that even though you would keep the secret from the others, you would try to come here and convince me to come back sooner.  And, although I miss you all and love you all so much, I just need this little time to myself.  Trust me, when I get back…things will be a whole lot different.” Nick said and then wished his friend well.

Brian reluctantly hung up the phone, realizing that he didn’t know when the next time he would hear from Nick.   “Leighanne, I need to call the guys.” he said and then ran to the bedroom.

*** *** ***

“Nick, do you mind that I have a guest coming over?” Grandma asked.

“Not at all, just as long as it isn’t one of the boys or a fan.” he said with a grin.

“No, not a fan and not one of the boys,…but certainly someone who has wanted to meet you for a long time.” she said reluctantly.

Nick was not to thrilled with that.  He knew that if one person knew where he was…it would get out and that would be the end of his private life, what little one he had.  “Grandma, I told you, I didn’t want to meet anyone.  Can’t you understand I just want to be left alone?  Not to be rude…but damn, my life is shitty already, and now I have to put up with someone else trying to convince me what is right.” he said as he stormed off.

“Well, that went well.” she said as she looked over at Grandpa.

*** *** ***

The doorbell rang and Lexi, Kathy’s dog, ran to the door with excitement.  Nick stood there, holding Katie, who was now anxious to meet someone new. Nick had terrible thoughts running through his head.  He had no idea what to expect, and certainly, no idea who this person was.  Was it a guy, a girl, a silent fan who just claimed to know something.  He had no clue and what he certainly, didn’t know, was that the person who was about to walk into the house would change his life forever.

“Oh Elizabeth, it is so wonderful to see you.  It has been a long time.” Grandma said as she hugged her.

“Too long, Mrs. Schofill, way too long.  How have you been?” she asked Grandma and Grandpa.

Nick stood staring at the woman standing in the kitchen.   His eyes were confused.  ‘Elizabeth’ he thought to himself.

“And Nick, it is wonderful to finally meet you.” she said as she turned to Katie, “And you , little lady, must be Kathryn Lynne.  What a beautiful name.  It certainly fits you, you look just like your mother.” she finished.

“Excuse me, but I don’t have any idea of who you are, yet you know all about me.” Nick said harshly, then turning to Grandma, “You promised you wouldn’t let a fan come over.” With that, he stormed off into the living room, with Katie.

“Please excuse him Elizabeth, he is really under a lot of stress right now.  He is so confused, and alone, or so he thinks.” Grandma apologized.

“Hey, it’s really no bother.  With losing Heather and then being bombarded with the press for the past 9 months, it’s no wonder he hasn’t gone off the deep end.” she replied.

With that, she made her way into the living room.  “Excuse me, Nickolas, as I am sure Heather called you, let me start over.” she said extending her hand out.

Nick just stared, unsure of how to respond.  “Fine, whatever, but if you ask me for an autograph, then you have to leave.” he said with a smirk.

“No, I won’t ask for anything, but your apology.” she said, her eyes burning with intensity.

“For what?!  I haven’t done a thing.” he retorted.

“For one, being rude to Mr. and Mrs. Schofill, they are wonderful people, and two, for being rude to me.  You haven’t given me a chance to say who I am, and what I am doing here.  All you have done is snap at me, and jump to conclusions.  And, that may I add, is the act of a childish and spoiled brat.  You certainly don’t act like a father or a cherished husband.” Elizabeth said calmly but strongly.

Nick was suddenly taken back by her little speech, and actuallly felt bad.  “Look, Ms…”

“My name is Elizabeth Sanborn.” she finished for him.

“Well, Ms, Sanborn, you don’t know…wait, did you say your name was Sanborn?  Liz Sanborn?” he stopped mid-sentence.

“Yes, that is me.” she said with a smile.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry.  I just didn’t realize.” he said as he turned his face away.

Grandma and Grandpa stood in the doorway, watching Nick as he turned red.  “Well, Nick, you see, I told you it would be okay.” Grandma said.

Nick just gazed at the woman sitting in front of him.

“Nick, I was Heather’s best friend for a very long time.   Unfortunately, I went to Europe for a while to do work in a production of Starlight Express, and we kinda lost track.  When I returned, I had some mail from her that said she was about to marry this guy.  Well, the next thing I know…she is in the hospital, after almost drowning.  I had no idea what was happening, and what went wrong, but when I came to see her, she didn’t want me there.”

“I remember the day I pulled her out of the water.  The look in her eyes as she woke up to me sitting there next to her.” Nick’s voice trailed off.

“Yes, you had just left when I arrived.  She told me what happened, and was feeling bad for kicking you out.  However, we ended up fighting when she told me what happened.  I couldn’t believe that she had aborted a child, against her fiance’s wishes, and then called off the wedding.  It was nothing like the way I knew her to be.  It was all wrong, and when I tried to talk to her about it, she got angry and threw me out.  That was the last time I talked to her, until just before she died.” Liz said sadly.

“You talked to her?” Nick questioned.

“Yeah, she looked me up in New York, I was working at CATS, and she found me.  She called to tell me that she was so sorry for pushing her away, and then told me she wouldn’t be around much longer.  When I found out that she was so sick with cancer, I wanted to take away her pain so badly.  But sadly, I couldn’t.  The only thing that made her feel better was that I found out that she had found you again, and then ended up marrying you.  When I saw on television that you two had a child, I was so happy for her, but was afraid to call.” she said, with tears streaming down her face.

Nick was shocked.  He had heard Heather talk about Liz, but would suddenly get sad and then drop the subject.  “Well, Elizabeth, not to sound rude, but why are you here?”

“Because, she told me just before she died, that she wanted you to know all the things she couldn’t tell you.  She only had you in her life for a short time, not nearly long enough to tell you all the things she had done, and by no means, long enough to let you get to know her.  That takes an entire lifetime.” she replied.

“And, now, you are here to tell me all these silly stories.” Nick looked at her surprised.

“Yeah, those and all the things that your lovely wife had accomplished in her short time.  She was never one to make a big deal about her accomplishments, and I am almost positive that she never told you about her childhood.” Liz said, but almost questioned.

“You know, come to think of it, I never found out about her life before I rescued her, all except about Scott and what happened with that.  Oh, yeah, and that her father died several years ago.  Other than that…all I knew about her was what I had seen.  But, I loved her with all of my heart.”  he answered.

“And Nick, you have no idea who much she loved you back.  You truly were the answers to all her prayers.  She had a rough childhood, and well, she never thought that someone would love her or want to be with here, until you came along.  You were everything she ever wanted, even if she never told you that.” Liz said trying to hold back the tears.

Nick and Liz sat there for a while, just talking.  Never had Nick felt that someone actually understood what he felt.  Despite the fact that Nick had only met Liz a few hours before, he felt as though he had known her all his life.  Liz was the connection to Heather that Nick needed.  He missed Heather, more than words or emotions could say, but with Liz here, he felt like she hadn’t ever left.

***  ***  ***

“Guys, he called.” Brian said with shock still evident in his voice.

“Are you serious??!!” Howie stammered.

“Where is he!” AJ blurted out.

“I don’t know.  He called earlier, to let us know he was okay, and that he wants to come home.  But, he still needs some time…to figure out a few more things.  However, he wants back in the group.  Will you all let him back in?” Brian asked, afraid of the answer.

“Hell yes, we aren’t the Backstreet Boys unless everyone is here.” AJ said.

“I certainly don’t mind…I actually miss that little rat.  I couldn’t be mad at him for just being scared and feeling alone.  Considering we hadn’t done much to help him, I never blamed him for leaving.  I’m just glad that he’ll be back soon.” Howie answered, sounding genuine.

“Good, then when he calls back, I will tell him what you all said.” Brian smiled and then the three of them went out to shoot some hoops.

*** *** ***

“You know what Kevin?” Dee asked sweetly.

“What my love?”

“I am so glad that things are just the two of us.  In a way, I miss Nick and Heather, but things happen in life, and we just have to accept them.  Maybe now that Nick is gone, things won’t be so much on edge.  We can all just concentrate on each of y’alls careers.  I love Nick, and Heather was my best friend, but for a long time, it was all about them, and everyone dwelled on their existence.” she whispered.

Kevin knew she was right, but felt bad.  Nick had been his friend for almost 10 years, and there was very little that could change that.  Although, Kevin was very angry at Nick for running away from his job and the group, he still felt some sort of loss in his life.  But now, he was a husband, and that was the most important thing in his life.

Dee loved Kevin with all her heart, and knew that the two of them would be happy together forever.  They spent the final night of their honeymoon intertwined with each other, creating such a blissful high that they thought they would never come down off of.

“I love you Kevin Richardson.” her voice trailed off.

“And I love you Denise Richardson.” he said as he lightly kissed her on the lips.
 

Back to Previous Chapter          Back To Chapter Index         On To Next Chapter