Chapter 11

It had been two weeks and still no word from Nick.  Dee and Kevin had finally returned from their honeymoon, both googly eyed as ever, and well, all exercised and exhausted.  After all the wild nights, it was any wonder that either of them could walk.  Kevin and Dee always seemed to find a spare moment to make eyes at each other or blow little kisses.

AJ and Brianna were in their usual state of mind…fighting.  It was usually over the simplest thing, but, nevertheless, it always was an argument.   Normally, it was over something like what to eat, what AJ was going to wear, the smart-aleck remarks that he made, or simply the fact that he didn’t give her a good morning kiss.

Howie and Kat had become much closer, closer than most ever thought they would.  Kat was a sweet girl, but didn’t like Howie’s nights on the town.  They were often found in a little heated discussion, yet Kat always won.  Howie would just cower in the corner while the others would tease and tell him he was “whipped.”

Brian and Leighanne were always found being as sweet as sweet could be.  It was one of those matches that were made in heaven, and well, it probably was.  Brian always believed that Leighanne was an angel, sent down to be with him.  And, well, Leighanne always tried to live up to that.  However, Leighanne hadn’t bee feeling too good lately, yet, she didn’t know why.

As for Nick, that guy, he was just nothing but a walking zombie.  Liz had spent every moment trying to tell him and Katie all about Heather.  There were many late nights, some spent crying, some spent laughing, but in the end, Nick was learning things about his beloved wife that he never knew.

However, as most people would point out, time was short, and there was a tour to work on.

*** *** ***

“Fatima, I don’t know.  He called me two weeks ago and said that he would be home soon.  I don’t have any clue to where he is.” Brian said exasperated.

“Well, we leave for the tour in just under three weeks, and there is nothing we can do, except move on without him.” she sighed.

They all looked at each other.  AJ, Howie and Brian were always saying silent prayers that Nick would be back, but Kevin, he was secretly glad that Nick wasn’t around.

“Look, if Nick is going to be so childish to just leave and not tell us what is going on, then we should just move on and forget about him.  I don’t want MY career ruined because of a 21 year old widower that can’t keep his life in check.” Kevin blurted out, soon feeling guilty for doing so.

The three others, as well as Fatima, looked at him with disgust.   “Fine Kevin, go ahead and talk about him behind his back.  I am sure that if you were faced with some of the things that he has, then you would probably want to have your friends show some compassion.” Brian said, angry that his cousin would say such a thing.

“Well, for one, I am sick of hearing about Nick.  He is a big baby, and considering two of us are now married and have a family to start thinking about, I don’t think we need to jeopardize our careers.” Kevin retorted.

Everyone glanced around and just scoffed.  What was happening to the group?  Was it actually starting to fall apart, or was this just another bump in the road for them?

*** *** ***

“Look, Elizabeth, I know that you have a life and that you have so many things you want to do, but I have just one more favor to ask of you.” Nick said shyly.

The two of them had become peas in a pod, and were always together.  Nick loved her sense of humor and her ability to find happiness in everything she did, but most importantly, he loved her friendship.  Liz was attracted to Nick.  She loved the way he held Katie, she loved how he handled life in general, but, he also loved the way he cherished the littlest things.

“Sure, what is it Nick.  You know if it is in my power, I will do it.” Liz smiled.

“Yeah, I know, but this is a huge favor and something that would probably change your life.” he said.

With that, she looked at him with confusion.  “Nick, look, if you are about to tell me that you love me and ask me to marry you, I am so sorry, but I can’t.” she said, turning red.

“Well, umm…” Nick stammered.  “Although I love you very much Liz, and treasure this friendship we have, I am not really sure that I will ever be ready to be romantically involved with someone.  I am sorry.”

“Oh good, then, I am pretty sure that I can fulfill any request you have now.” she said with a laugh.

“Well, like I said, it is a big favor, and if you say no, I will totally understand.” he said, taking his sweet time getting to the point.

“Okay, enough already…just ask.” she laughed.

“Well, I was hoping that you would come home with me…and live with me.  Katie needs you, and well, so do I.” he said, looking nervous.

“You mean, like come and stay with you like a nanny?” she looked at him funny.

“No, no, not like a nanny, but rather a very special friend, who can be there for the both of us.  You are alone, and well, me and Katie are alone.  So, I thought that we could be roommates or something, and you could help me.”

Liz didn’t know what to say.  She was totally shocked by the request.  “Nick, I don’t know.  I mean, I have this great job in a local theatre, and to be honest, don’t you think it would awkward to have me living with you?”

“Hey, it’s totally okay.  I knew that this was something that was too much to ask.” he said kissing her sweetly on the cheek.  “I never meant to put you in an awkward position.”

“Nick, be honest with me.  Do you just need me to help clean the house or watch Katie, or is it really something more?” she asked.

Nick pondered the idea for a moment, and then searched his heart for the answer.  “Liz, I love you, as a trusted and true friend.  I trust you with all my deepest secrets and my child.  I need you in my life, to be there for me, to be a companion to me.  I know I can’t offer you my whole hearted love, or marriage or anything like that, but just know that I am asking something that means the world to me.   Please, say you will do this for me?  You can have anything you want or need.” he said softly.

Liz tried to hold back the tears.  She was searching for an answer, one that she had hoped would come easily.  She didn’t want to take Heather’s place, nor did she want to let either of them down.  Heather had asked her to help Nick.  Was this what she had in mind?  Liz closed her eyes and cleared her mind.  It would all depend on what her heart told her.

After several moments, she finally answered.

“Nick, you don’t have to offer me anything.  Heather wouldn’t have wanted this to happen any other way.  I know in my heart that you love me, like family.  I love you very much too, but, I know that there will never be anything more than just friendship.  However, I know that there is nothing more that I would rather do than to come home with you and be in yours and Katie’s life.” she said as she hugged him.  “Thank you for that.”

Nick smiled, and hugged her tightly back.  Then, in a moment of happiness, he kissed her lightly on the forehead.  “No wonder why Heather liked you so much.” he whispered.

*** *** ***

“Look, it’s final, if he isn’t here by tomorrow…then, he is done with and we move on.  Is that understood?” Kevin demanded.

“Fine, fine, let’s just get to work y’all.  We haven’t got much time.” Fatima clapped her hands.

The four guys jumped up and started working on the new routines, oblivious to everything going on around them.

Leighanne, Brianna, and Kat sat in corner of the room laughing and chatting about everything.  Dee was at work, looking over some new orders for celebrities.  Life was moving on just like it should have been, just minus one person.

*** *** ***

During lunch, Brian and Leighanne had decided to go off alone.  Brian just needed to talk, and to be honest, was sick of hearing about Nick and everything wrong in his life.

“Leighanne, do you really think that I am being too optimistic?  I mean, everyone else is giving up on him, but I believed him, and he said he was coming back.” he said quietly.

“Look, Brian, when Nick returns, he will appreciate your friendship and your ability to stick by him.  Just keep your faith.  Things will work out.” she said and then leaned in to kiss him.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and she jumped up to run for the nearest restroom.  Brian was worried and followed her.  After several minutes of waiting outside, Brian was about ready to walk in.  However, Leighanne finally emerged to a worried looking husband.

“Leigh honey, are you okay?” he asked.

“Umm, Brian, I don’t know.  I don’t feel so good.” she said weakly.

Brian told her to lay down on one of the couches at the dance studio.  They were only going to be in rehearsals for another couple of hours, and then they would go home.  Once she was settled, Brian reluctantly went back into the main dance hall to resume his rehearsals.

As he walked in the door, the others looked at him.  “Brian you are late.  Where were you?” Kevin asked.  “You weren’t off trying to find the blondie were you?  Cuz, man, I told you, Nick is a jerk for what he did, and he isn’t worth your time.”

“No, and for your information Mr. stick-up-your-ass, I was late because Leighanne got sick.” he said as he brushed past Kevin.

AJ and Howie stared at the two of them.  “B-rok, what’s wrong with Leighanne?” Howie asked.

“I don’t know, she just kind got sick and threw up.  And then she said she felt weak.  I have her laying down on one of the couches outside.” he answered.

“Hey, man, if you have to take her home, it’s okay.  We can go through the stuff and tell you about it tonight.” AJ offered.

“She said she would be okay, and is resting.  If she gets worse, then I will go.  You know Leighanne, she doesn’t like to make a big thing of it.” Brian said as Fatima walked back in the room.

“Okay, guys…let’s get the show on the road.” she clapped her hands.  “Okay, dance routine for ‘When the Dawn Comes’.  Let’s go, let’s go, we only have three weeks.”

The four guys worked the rest of the afternoon, while Leighanne rested comfortably.  It was dusk before anyone found they’re way home, all exhausted, sore and hungry.

*** *** ***

“Well, Grandma, we are off.  Thank you for letting me stay with you all for a while.  Liz and I will be at my house, so long as it hasn’t been sold.  And as soon as we get there, we will give you a call.  You have my cell number, so call if you need anything.  Grandpa and Kathy, thanks for being there and being so kind also.  You all mean so much to me…and I promise, Katie and I will keep in touch all the time and come to visit as often as we can.” Nick said as he hugged each of them tightly.

Katie would just smile as say, “bye bye, Gamma and Gampa.”  Liz helped strap Katie into her car seat in the back, and then she hugged everyone.

“Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Schofill.  I could never thank you enough for calling me and telling me to come.” she said with a smile and then jumped in.

“Well, this is it, I am going home…to rebuild my life.  Are you sure you are ready for this Liz?” he said softly.

“Nick, I would miss this for the world.  Let’s get going, we have a very long drive ahead of us.” she said.

The Durango pulled out of the driveway, and was soon speeding down Interstate 95 towards Florida, back to the life that Nick once knew.
 

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