Chapter 34

“Hiya sweetie…how are you holding up?”  Nick asked as he hugged Kat gently.

“Better, now that I have let it all out.” She replied as she gazed at Howie.

Nick looked at the two of them, knowing how much they must be hurting from the bad news, yet, admired the way they seemed to glow in each other’s presence.  He was touched by how much they were in love, something that he wasn’t sure he would truly ever have in his life again.

“Nick, I want to thank you for being there for us.   It seems like yesterday when you were coming to me asking me for advice on a girl and making me show you how to shave.  And, now, you are all grown up, and now it’s me asking for advice.” Howie laughed.

Kat giggled.  “You had to ask Howie how to shave??!” she asked in amazement.  “What, your whole 2 hairs on your chin!!???”

“Hey now, little lady!  I’ll have you know, those two little hairs drove the women crazy!!” Nicked rebutted.

Liz, Katie, Leighanne, Brian, Kevin and Dee all came to Howie’s room and announced that they were going to the swimming pool downstairs.

“Security arranged for a block of time for us to lounge at the pool.  Since it usually closes at 10 pm, management decided it would be okay to close it early and let us have it for a few hours.” Brian said with a smile.

“Yeah, but we have to be kinda quiet…we don’t want to disturb the other guests.” Kevin ordered.

“Yeah, yeah, honey, we will be okay.  Don’t worry…it’s about time we get to have a little privacy and get some fun in at the same time.” Dee laughed as Kevin tried to take control of the whole situation.

“Where’s AJ?” Howie inquired about his friend.

“He said he was going out for the evening.  Don’t know where he was going though, but, I am sure we will hear all about it tonight.” Kevin stated.

Howie, Kat, and Nick smiled at the others.  “We’ll be down in about 20 minutes, go ahead, and we will meet ya.” Nick said as everyone smiled at head down the hallway to the elevator.   “Oh, and keep an eye on Katie for me!”

“I got Little Bits, Nicky, don’t worry!” Brian hollered as he chased after her in the hallway.

Nick, Howie and Kat stood around for a few minutes, waiting for the others to leave, when Nick excused himself.   “Give me just a minute you two.  I got something I wanna show you.” He said as he ran down the hall to his room.

After a few minutes, he returned with a newspaper.  “Guys, I want to show you this.  I got this when we were in Australia for the promotional tour.  I know it is way too soon for this, but I just thought I would show you.” He said, hopeful.

Kat and Howie read the article that was plastered across the front page of one of Sydney’s newspapers.  After a few minutes, there were tears in their eyes, and you could see the little lights turning on in their heads.  When Howie held up the newspaper, the front page read:

                Local orphanage to close its doors.

“A local orphanage, that is currently the home to over 30 young children, will be closing their doors at the beginning of summer.  The spokesperson for the home commented that funding has decreased and they are unable to care for the children that currently await someone to adopt them.  Some of the children will be relocated to other orphanages in Sydney, however, several children are in danger of being moved to Perth or Melbourne.  Those couples who are interested in adoption should contact their local social services office to inquire about any of the children who are living in the home.”

Nick watched as the two of them pointed to a little girl that was in the picture on the front page.  It was a sweet looking 3 year old, with bright blue eyes, and dark hair.   She looked like the happiest child on earth with a smile that could light up all of Syndey.   Although, behind the smile and the sweet face, you could see loneliness and sadness in her eyes.  Here was this little child, who had no one in the world, making the best of a very bad situation.

Nick knew right away who they were pointing at.  “Nick, why did you bring this back with you?” Howie inquired, not sure of how Nick thought to save the paper.

“Well, I saw it when we were in the airport, and my heart just sank.  I saw her little face and she looked so sweet.  She reminded me of Katie, and from that moment on, I just couldn’t throw the paper away.  I was gonna talk to Leighanne and Brian about adopting, after the miscarriage they had, but, now things don’t seem to be needin’ fixin’ on their end.” Nick said, stunned that he just let out their secret.

Howie and Kat looked at each other, knowing full well what Nick had just done.  “What do you mean, don’t need fixing, Nick?” Kat asked cautiously.

“Nothing, nothing…they are just trying for another child, that’s all.” Nick tried to hide the truth.

“Oh no, that’s not what you meant.  You know something blondie.  Now spill!” Howie threatened.

“Okay, okay, but DON’T tell Brian or Leighanne that you know…and you better act surprised when they tell everyone else.  Leighanne is pregnant, about three months now.  But, she was afraid to tell everyone, because of what happened last time.  She wanted to keep it quiet till they knew everything would be okay.” Nick looked at them with pleading eyes.

“Don’t worry Nick.  Your secret is safe with us.  But, this is gonna be great!  Three Backstreet babies!!!” Howie laughed.

“Three?  What, is Leighanne pregnant with twins or something??” Nick asked, dumbfounded.

Kat and Howie both turned and swatted him on the head.   “No you dope!  We’re gonna adopt that little girl in Sydney!” Howie said with a renewed spirit in his voice.

Nick gazed at them and then smiled.  “I knew saving that article was a good thing.  But, you can’t call her ‘little girl’.  She has a name you know.” He said with authority.

“Yeah, and what is it?” Howie asked sarcastically.

“Her name is Kirstie.” He replied proudly.

“And how, pray tell, do you know that?” Howie asked.

“Look, us Backstreet Boys have connections…remember?” Nick reminded them.

Howie and Kat laughed.  For the first time in a long time, the three were completely happy.  Kat told Howie that they needed to get started right away on contacting the international adoption agency.

***

Within a few minutes, the three of them were heading down to the pool, to join the others.  On the way down, they heard sirens coming down the street, and hotel personnel running down the walkway towards the pool.  When they arrived, there was a scene that brought horror to their eyes.

Leighanne was crying, Brian was soaking wet, and running around in a panic, Kevin was ordering people around,  Dee was on the phone calling 911, curious onlookers were crowding the scene, security was pushing everyone back, and Nick couldn’t tell where Katie and Liz where in the commotion.

Nick, Howie, and Kat ran towards to crowd yelling.  “What the hell happened here??!”

“Step back sir!” one of the hotel managers yelled.

“Where is my daughter?!  Where is Liz??!” Nick yelled as Howie and Kat tried to push through the crowd.

As Nick pushed through, he saw Liz kneeling down next to the tiny body of his daughter.  “Katie!  Oh God, what has happened to her!!!”  Nick panicked at the sight of his little girl lying on the pool deck, her little lips blue and her skin ashen in color.

Within seconds, the ambulance had arrived and the crew started working on her.  Minutes later, the ambulance was speeding away, with Nick and Katie…who they were struggling to revive…
 

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