Chapter 14

The guys had the entire night for fun.  They didn’t have their first performance until the following night, so, Leighanne invited them all to dinner at a local steakhouse.   Tons of brisket, potatoes, coleslaw, ranch beans, and dinner rolls were brought out, and the gang ate like they hadn’t eaten before.

“Okay, I think you all know why Brian and I invited you here.” she started.

“Yeah…we do, but why go to all the trouble?” Kevin asked.

“Because, as I know that one other person in this room would understand, this is a very special moment in our lives.  It is a blessing for us, and we wanted to be able to share it with you all.” she continued.

“I’m gonna be a daddy!!!” Brian cheered to everyone.

The entire room erupted into laughter and congratulations for the couple.  It was so wonderful to know that everyone was so happy and back to the normal routine.  Nick was finally moving on with his life, while new lives were just beginning.

*** *** ***

Back at the hotel…

“Liz, I will be on the couch if you need me.  You and Katie can take the bed if you want.” Nick said with a smile.

“No, you need the bed, you are the one who has to put on a show tomorrow, and you are going to get a good night’s sleep.” she insisted.

“No…I will NOT let you sleep on the couch.  I never let Heather do that, okay, unless she was mad at me, which, I can’t seem to recall, but…” he rambled on as Liz grabbed the blanket off the bed and jumped on the couch.

“Haha!  I beat you to it!” she giggled.

“Oh no you don’t, you rat!” he said as he picked her up easily and tossed her on the bed.

“Nickolas…I am not going to argue with you.” she said, “But, if you want me to give you the little present I promised you, then you need to let me sleep on the couch.” she laughed.

“Hey!  You DO owe me that gift.  You promised me earlier this morning that you would give it to me on the road, but you still haven’t.  What’s the deal???” he begged.

“Do I get the couch?” she insisted.

“Yes, fine, the couch, I don’t care.” he said, frustrated.

“Fine…here you are.” she said, pulling out a small package and card.
Nick was delighted with the gift.  He never expected her to give him anything.  In fact, he was the one that owed her for everything, and here she was, giving him more stuff.   He carefully opened the exquisite paper and ribbon that adorned the box, and set it aside.  Then he opened the box, and inside was something that shocked him.

*** *** ***

“So, my love, when do you think we could start working on a little family of our own?” Kevin said softly as he and Dee lay in bed for the evening.

“I thought we already did.” she joked.

Kevin shot her a look, and then laughed.  “Well, I think we should be working on it more…cuz, damn, Nick has a kid, Brian is about to, and well…I am feeling left out.” Kevin pouted.

Dee couldn’t help but laugh.  Children meant everything to the both of them, but they didn’t think that it would be so soon to even consider it.  However, tonight was no different than any other since their wedding night.  The two spent the night in each others arms, wrapped up in a kind of emotion that only the purest of hearts could feel.

*** *** ***

“AJ, what are you so nervous about?” Brianna asked as they sat on the couch watching the evening news.

“Oh nothing…I guess I am just anxious to get up on stage tomorrow.  And, with all the fans having NOT seen us in almost a year…I think all the anxiety is building up.” he lied.

“Oh…well, look, maybe I can give ya a backrub or something to ease the tension.” she offered.

“That would be great babe.  How about tomorrow we go see a movie or something.  This town has to have something we could go do before we have to be at the arena.” he offered.

“That sounds wonderful.  Just time alone to ourselves.” she said and then turned off the lights, allowing only the glow from the television fill the room.

*** *** ***

“Oh my God.  Liz, this…this…umm…this is just too much.” he said, shocked.

Liz looked at him with sad eyes.  “You don’t like it?”

“It’s not that…how much did you spend on this thing?  I don’t deserve something like that from you.” he said shyly as he held a gorgeous scrimshaw pendant on the 14 karat gold necklace.  The pendant had an engraving on it of a lighthouse in Rhode Island, where the two of them met.

“Nick, I most certainly WON’T tell you how much I paid for it, and yes, you do deserve that.  You have taken me into this family as if I was here all along.  You treat me with some much kindness and love, and this was my way of repaying you for that.” she said, blushing.

“But Liz, this gift is much more than just a simple thanks.  I know you must have put your heart into finding just the perfect thing, and for that…you at least deserve something in return.” he said as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.

Their eyes closed, and for just a moment…they were in a world of they’re own, yet their hearts in complete turmoil. Nick pulled back, sighed and then apologized.

“Elizabeth, I am so sorry.  I didn’t mean that.” he said as he got up and walked away.   He set the pendant down on the table and then walked out onto the balcony.

Liz was shocked and confused.  She knew that he didn’t mean to kiss her, but was caught up in the moment.  She got up, tears falling from her eyes, and moved out onto the balcony next to him.

“Nick, I am so sorry…I put you in a very awkward position.  I don’t know how to take it back.  I never meant to hurt you.” she said as looked at him.

“Liz, please listen to me.  It’s not that I don’t care.  It’s just that I can’t…” he said as a lone tear streaked down his cheek.  “because of…”

“I know…because of Heather.  You just betrayed her…and well, now you feel bad.” she said sadly and then went back inside.

Nick sat on the balcony, his face buried in his hands, and his body shaking.  Liz called down to the front desk, and asked for an alternate room for the evening.   She offered to take Katie Lynne for the night, and let Nick have some space and time to himself.

He spent the entire night on the balcony, never once get any sleep.  His mind raced and he sat there talking to himself.

“Man, what have I done now?  I can’t give Liz anything…not even my heart.  What is wrong with me?  She obviously loves me…but I just can’t let go of Heather.   Heather was everything…and no one can ever replace that.  Liz has so much love in her heart…but, knowing that she was Heather’s best friend makes it even more confusing.  I am NOT allowed to love Liz…I will never love anyone again…not the way I loved Heather.” he said, and then just stared at the skyline of the city.
 
 

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