Chapter 19

Over two months had passed since the “kiss” and everyone was still at a loss with the relationship.  Katie sure had a way of making life difficult.  She spent the better part of each day chasing down the two of them, and insisting that they hold hands.  No one really understood the situation, much less Liz or Nick.  They were in love with each other, but the arrangement was none other than weird.

“Nick, hon, what time do you have to be at the arena tonight?” Liz asked as she put Katie into a pink jumper.

“We have to be there for rehearsals at 4:30, we have meet and greets most likely before that…for the VIP guests, and then we have a break for dinner, why?”

“Because, I was going to take Katie to the zoo.  She hasn’t had that opportunity, and well, since we are here for a day or so, then I thought I could take her.” she answered with a smile.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?  I mean, won’t you get noticed?”  Nick asked, his voice telling nothing but concern.

“Nick, very few people know me that well, and Katie, she looks like any other beautiful and cute 1 year old blonde baby.  I think that she needs to get out rather than be stuck backstage all day.  You all have rehearsals, and probably meet and greets, and well, I just need to get out today.  Please?” Liz begged.

“Fine, fine…whatever makes you happy sweetie.  Just take the cell phone in case of any emergency.  Is anyone else going with you?” he asked.

“Well, if Leighanne was feeling up to it, I was going to invite her and Kat.  Dee went out to eat and then go site seeing with Kevin.  Brianna wanted to go shopping with AJ and Howie…what are you planning to do?”  she questioned, realizing that she was leaving Nick behind.

“Since you seem to want to abandon me, then I guess me and Brok will shoot some hoops today.  Is that okay with you?” he asked sarcastically.

“Nick, I didn’t mean it that way.” she said as she turned away from him.

Nick walked up behind her and kissed her softly on the neck and then sweetly on the cheek.  “I know you wouldn’t really do that, Liz…just have a good time.  I am sure we could all use a little free time today.” he said with a smile and then handed her some money for the zoo.

“Hon, I don’t need the money…” she said softly.

“Silly, that’s for me!  I want you to bring back souvenirs!  Did you really think I was gonna pay YOUR way???!!!” he said with a grin and then laughed.

“Oh, funny…ha ha.” Liz snickered and then kissed him softly.

“Go and have fun!” he said as he pushed her towards the front room of the suite to grab Katie, who had run off to the entertainment room.

*** *** ***

“Leighanne, I really don’t want you out by yourself.  You are pregnant honey, and I don’t want you far from me.  I am worried.” Brian pouted.

“Honey, listen.  Pregnant women do stuff all the time.  I think this will give me a little time to just relax and have some fun.  And, it will get me outta your hair for the day.” she smiled.

“Leighanne, I just don’t want you to get hurt.” Brian insisted.

“Honey, come on, I am not a porcelain doll.  I will be fine.  Honest.” she said and then kissed him.

Brian always loved Leighanne’s kisses.  They were so passionate and tender.  She never seized to amaze him with her kindness and sweetness.  She was everything he wanted in life, and for once, he was completely and totally happy.  Nothing in this world could take that away from him.

“Okay, but just promise you’ll take the cell phone and call me often?” he questioned and pouted.

“Baby, I will call you when we get there, I will call you when we walk in the gate, I will call you when I get something to drink, I will call you when I go to the bathroom…” she laughed.

“Okay, Okay!  I get the point!” he laughed.  “Now, get going…I am sure that Katie and Liz are ready to go!”

*** *** ***

After a short ride in a plain old taxi cab, to keep from getting noticed, Leighanne, Liz, Kat and Katie all raced towards the front entrance to the zoo.   Katie was at awe with all the sites and sounds.  Although she had the opportunity to see so many things in such a short time, the luxury of ‘normal’ stuff was few and far between.   While most children enjoyed the zoo and the circus, and various other normal children’s attractions, she didn’t have those opportunities.  Going out with her family was something she treasured and loved, yet, it was a luxury for her.

Leighanne, now almost four months pregnant called Brian to let him and Nick know that they were okay.  “Baby, yeah, uh huh, we’re cool.  Yes, I am taking it easy, yes…fine, if you don’t believe me, then ask Liz.”  she argued playfully with Brian.  “Yeah, we are trying to figure out which animal best suits you hon.” and with that she hung up, laughing.

“Hey, ladies, why don’t we go over to the orangutans.  They are usually fun to watch.  I need to get off my feet anyway.” Leighanne offered.

“Sounds great…as a matter of fact, I brought my camera!  Let’s pick one out that matches each of the guys!” Kat replied, giggling mischievously.

After twenty minutes of arguing on the orangutans, they soon found the ones that matched the guys so perfectly.

“Look at the eyebrows on THAT one!  That is Kevin right there!” Kat teased as she took a candid picture of the poor creature.  It had this odd continuous eyebrow looking tuft of hair across its brow.  Not only did it completely fit Kevin to a ‘t’, even its personality seemed the same.  It sat there, very serious watching over the entire clan.

“Oh my God!  That is AJ over there!  Check that one out!” Liz pointed at the crazy looking animal.  The silly creature had this wild bunch of hair on its head that was reminiscent of AJ’s outrageous looks.  And just like AJ, it had a fascination with hats.  As the zoo keeper came into the holding, it dropped its hat near the smaller orangutan, and soon found that he would never get it back.  The small animal picked it up, promptly stuck it on its head, and then paraded around the others proudly.

The girls next spotted two orangutans that sat side by side, beating on each other.  One of them was considerably larger than the other and would take the fruit away from the smaller one, run around the holding pen, and then toss it at the other one.  The smaller one quickly caught it, and then threw it at the large bowl that held their supply of water.  “My goodness!  That is Nick and Brian!  Get a picture of those two!” Leighanne sputtered as she held her tummy and laughed uncontrollably.
“And there’s Howie!” Kat screamed as she laughed at the site in front of her.  The silly animal sat apart from the others, systematically running his fingers through his hair and carefully placing each piece.  Then he picked up a burlap blanket in the holding pen and held it up for inspection.  As soon as he found it ‘fit’ for the show, he wrapped it around him and then winked at the girls.

All four of them giggled uncontrollably as the orangutans watched them curiously.  Little did the poor creatures realize that they were making a spectacle of themselves and making others laugh so hard.

Leighanne slowly stopped laughing, holding her stomach in pain.  “I think I laughed too much!  I have to go to the bathroom.  I be right back.” she said with a smile.

Kat, Liz, and Katie went off to get something to drink while Leighanne went off in the other direction.  The day was probably the most fun they had had in a long time.  With the crazy schedules and the ungodly hours put on the entire group, the girls had little time to just relax and be normal.  They each took this day to just have fun and act silly.

“So Kat, do you think you and Howie will ever get married?” Liz asked with a smile.

“I don’t know, but I sure hope so.  I just think that he wants to wait a little while, ya know, until the craziness of their careers calms down a bit.  But I sure do love him with all of my heart.” she said with a sweet smile.   “And what about you?  What really IS going on between you and Nick?”

Liz sat there thinking about it while she bounced Katie on her lap.  “Well, we love each other, but I don’t think he will ever be completely over Heather.  So, I don’t see us getting married or anything.  What I think will happen is that we will just be life long partners.  He needs me, I need him.  And most importantly, Katie needs us.” she said softly.

“Daddie and Liz…wuv each uver.” Katie giggled.

“Oh hush Katie!  You’re embarrassing me.” Liz giggled as Katie made ‘kissie’ faces.

“Hey, I wonder what happened to Leighanne.  Hasn’t she been gone a long time?” Kat asked nervously.

“Naw, it’s probably just a line.  I saw the line for the bathroom stretched out earlier when we passed it.  If she isn’t back in a few minutes, then we will go find her.” Liz said.

“Yeah, either she had to wait in line, or she and that crazy orangutan have eloped and moved to Paris!” Kat laughed.

The three of them almost fell over on the ground from the fits of laughter.  Everyone around them stood there watching in amazement as the three caused so much commotion.  Even one teenage girl recognized Liz and Kat and ran over to see what was going on.

“Oh My God!  You’re the Backstreet Babes!!” she screeched.

“The what??!!” Kat laughed.

“You’re Howie’s girlfriend, and aren’t you Nick’s babe?” she asked curiously.

Kat and Liz looked at each other and laughed.  “Yeah, we are.  Why?” Liz asked.

“Because you ladies are so cool…getting to date the hottest guys on the planet!  Oh my God!  Could I get y’alls autographs?  Please!?” the teenager asked.

“Sure, umm, here ya go…” Kat said as she handed the girl a zoo ticket with all their names on it.  “Do you have a camera?” she asked.

“Yeah!  Cool!” she girl replied as Liz, Kat, and Katie stood up for a picture with the girl.  “This is the best day of my life!  Thanks!” the girl yelled as she sped off towards her family.

Suddenly there was a commotion coming from down the way.  Liz and Kat watched as two security guards and zoo medical personnel ran passed the crowd.  Liz and Kat grew nervous. They scooped up Katie and ran after the guards to see what the problem was.  When they got there, they saw a blonde woman laying on the ground, bleeding profusely.

“Call 911 and get an ambulance here now!” one the security guards yelled.  “And get these people back!”

Kat and Liz stood there in shock.  Leighanne was laying on the ground, unconscious.  Her shorts were covered in blood and she looked pale.  No one knew what was going on.  Liz ran to her side in a panic, pushing her way through the crowd.

“Hurry!  She’s pregnant!  Don’t let her die!” Liz cried.

Kat and Katie were crying.  They didn’t know what was happening, except that Leighanne was in trouble.  Kat immediately grabbed her cell phone from her purse and dialed the only number she knew.

“Howie!  Oh God, you have to find Brian.  Hurry!  It’s Leighanne!” she panicked as she hung up the phone.

*** *** ***

“What the hell is going on?”  AJ asked as he watched Howie dial the numbers on his cell phone.

“I don’t know…Kat said that it was Leighanne, and that I had to find Brian right away.” he said in shock.

Brian’s cell phone rang but no answer.  “Where the hell is he?  He always answers his phone!” Howie panicked.

“I think I know where they are.” Brianna said quickly.  “I saw them carrying a ball earlier this morning before we left.  Let’s go!” she said as she pulled them behind her.

*** *** ***

“That’s not fair!  You cheated!” Nick whimpered in defeat.

“Hey, nothing’s fair when you play ball with me Frack!  You know that!” Brian laughed as they walked over to their gym bags.

Brian soon dug in his bag to check his phone.  When he looked at it, he realized he had missed a call.  “Silly babe, she called me again.” he smiled and then listened to the message.

“Help me…please.” he heard a whisper in the phone.  His face grew pale as he listened to the message.  Suddenly he dropped the phone and nearly passed out on the ground.

“Frick, you alright bud?” Nick questioned as he saw his best friend fall to the concrete.

Suddenly, AJ, Howie and Brianna arrived at the court and ran to them.  “Brian, you have to come with us.  Something is wrong with Leighanne!” they said as they grabbed the guys stuff.

*** *** ***

“She’s very weak and has lost a lot of blood.  Let’s get an IV in her and get some fluids going.  We aren’t far from Cedar Sinai Hospital.  Let’s get her there.” the paramedic said as they pushed the gurney into the ambulance.

Liz, Kat and Katie followed in a police car behind the ambulance, which sped quickly toward the hospital.   Kat picked up her cell phone again and dialed Howie’s number.

“Meet us as Cedar Sinai Hospital.  We are about five minutes from there.  Meet us at the emergency room.” she cried and then hung up.

As soon as they arrived, Leighanne was rushed into a trauma room, while the others were left to stand and wait.
 

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