Chapter 39

“So, what’s up?  I know you didn’t drag us over here to just eat.” Howie said as Kat nudged him in the ribs.

“Nope, nope, we thought we would have ya over here to just stare at us, cuz we all KNOW that Brian and I are the most beautiful of us all.” Leighanne teased.  “Yes, you dope…we wanted to tell you all something.  But first, Howie, had did the meeting go today?”

“Oh my gosh, she is soooo beautiful.  The agency said that everything was fine and that we would be seeing her in about a week.  They are getting her ready to fly out.  I can’t wait!” Howie said happily.

Everyone looked at Howie and Kat.  “I can’t believe you two are going to have a baby.  I mean, well, you know what I mean.  I just think it’s great!” Nick smiled.  He was excited that someone else would have children.

“Yeah…and Kirstie is just a little older than Katie, so they should get along really well.” Kat stated.

“Katie, did you hear that?  You are going to meet your new cousin next week?” Nick said as he held Katie.

“Nick, had that youngin’ over to me.  I haven’t held Katie in a while.  I am feeling SOOO deprived.” Brian laughed as Katie jumped into his lap.

“Unkie Bwian!” Katie cheered bouncing up and down on Brian’s lap.

“Little Bits!”  Brian cheered back as he hugged his little niece tightly.  “I love you!”

Nick smiled, he was so happy that Brian would have a child soon too.  And now, he was wondering if that was the whole reason the group had been invited over for dinner.  “So, Leighanne, why are we here?” Nick asked casually.

Leighanne looked at him, with a smile.  Nick knew what the secret was…but no one else did.  “Well, we just had some news to tell you all.  You know that things have been rough for all of us lately.  But, it seems as if someone has been watching out for us.” She started.

Howie and Kat sat holding hands.   Dee and Kevin turned and smiled sweetly at each other.  Nick watched as Brian bounced Katie, and AJ and Sakari sat there, just watching everyone.  It was one of the first times everyone had just sat around, enjoying each others presence in a long time.  Normally there was something going on, a radio interview, a television spot, or just rehearsal after rehearsal for a show.

“And, well, I think that all of us have been blessed at some point.  Look at Howie and Kat…they will have a sweet little child to raise in just a few days.  Someone to hold, care for, and love for all of life…and in about 5 months, so will Brian and I.” She said with a huge grin on her face.

No one had caught the last statement, at least not at first.  Dee and Kat looked at each other and a huge grin appeared on their faces.   “Are you telling us that there will be a THIRD Backstreet baby soon?” they asked at the same time.

“Yup, and the way I see it…this group is gonna be busy chasing after a bunch of rugrats.” She laughed.

“We’ll just change our name from Backstreet Boys to Backstreet Zoo at this rate!” Kat laughed.

Howie, Kevin, AJ and Nick all jumped up, excited for their brother.  “Congratulations bro!  We knew you had it in ya!” AJ blurted out, more than just one meaning in his statement.

“Dude!  That is great!  I can’t wait to have another little baby to have to chase after.  You and Howie will have your work cut out for ya.  I hear that raising children is a little tough.” Nick joked.

“Shut up, Nick!” everyone laughed as they threw stuff at him.

“Hey, I just thought I would warn ya.  You have to remember…they LOVE to wake you up in the middle of the night…they always have to pee, and they don’t mind blurting out the most embarrassing things about you at the most inopportune times!  Just thought you all should know that.” Nick stated with a smile.

“Umm, Nick…remember, we were all around when Katie was born…and if I recall, we all had a hand in her diaper changing.  You Carters sure can be stinky people!” Kevin laughed.

Nick turned red, but knew that Kev was only joking.  “Yeah bro…and I hope that your cousin’s baby will be twice as worse.  That way, when he gets tired of changing the diapers…he can hand the job off to you!” Nick retorted.

“Oh, and Kevin…speaking of children…when are you and Dee gonna have some of your own?” AJ asked.

“Well, we don’t know yet…but we sure have been trying.  So who knows…we may all end up with children within the next year.” Kevin announced.

“All except for me.  I prefer the uncle thing.  I love kids as long as I can give them back.” AJ laughed.  “I think I will just adopt one that is 18 with a college fund…ship them off to college…and then live my life again.”

“Yeah, you say that now…but when it’s your turn, you will be the one singing Disney songs with your child.  He or she will have you wrapped around their little bitty pinky finger.” Nick said as he took Katie from Brian.

Everyone else got up to hug each other.  It was about time everyone had something good in their lives.  At that moment…the world felt right.  They had no idea where they were heading, but they knew that wherever it was, it would include all of them.

“So guys, now that we are all gonna have families…what happens next?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know, but as soon as we figure it out, we will make sure it is the right decision for everyone.” Kevin said.

“Yeah, because I don’t know about you, but our lives have changed so much this past two years, and I don’t know what I want anymore.  Except that I don’t want to miss out on Katie growing up.” Nick said honestly.

“I know exactly what you mean.  I am beginning to wonder if it’s time to move on with our lives, and do the things we have wanted for so long.” Kevin said.

“Wait, are you all suggesting that the Backstreet Boys come to an end?” AJ asked nervously.

“I don’t know what I mean AJ, but whatever it is…we’ll figure it out later.  Let’s just enjoy the rest of the evening.” Nick said.

Everyone looked at AJ, and he returned the look.  He didn’t want them to break up, but he knew in his heart that everyone was tired.  He knew that they had been on a very long journey and that it was time to take a break.  He didn’t want them to quit, but he did want some off time.  So, it would just be a matter of time before they knew for sure what they wanted.

And until then, they would just have fun.  Hell, they were the Backstreet Boys…the group that everyone in the world loved.
 

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