“Come on, we gotta hurry…they’ll be here any minute!” Leighanne hollered from the front room.

“Get in your places!” Dee laughed as everyone tried to hide around the house.

Today was a momentous day for them all.  Howie and Kat were finally getting to bring Kirstie home.  It was amazing how easily all the planning went for them, and how quickly things to fall into place.  Kirstie was already adored by the whole gang, at least from what they knew of her.  Howie and Kat felt like their dreams were all finally coming true.

“They’re here!  HURRY!” Kevin shouted as everyone ducked into place.

Howie and Kat walked up to the house, knowing FULL well that the guys were planning something.  They didn’t want to spoil the surprise, so when they walked in with Kirstie, they acted like they knew nothing.

“Gosh, it’s kinda dark in here, isn’t it honey?  I thought you left a light on in the front room.” Kat said, trying not to laugh.

“I did…the one on top of the buffet cabinet should have been on.” Howie said suspicously.

Suddenly the lights were on and there were bunches of people yelling “Surprise” at the top of their lungs.  Kat and Howie burst into laughter as Nick chased Katie around the living room.  All Katie could do was keep yelling “surprise” over and over again.

“And to think, that is what we have to look forward to.” Kat laughed.

“Momma…I’m good…I promise!” Kirstie smiled.

Howie and Kat just looked at Kirstie, totally stunned.  “Of course you are honey.  Now, come on, you finally get to meet all your aunties and uncles.  And, your cousin.” Howie smiled from ear to ear.

“I have a cousin too!” Kirstie smiled and giggled.

“Yuppers, sweetie.  I would like you to meet Kathryn Lynne.  This is your uncle Nick’s little girl.” Kat said as Nick brought Katie over.

“Hi!” Kirstie said, squirming out of Howie’s arms.  Kirstie took an immediate liking to Katie and the two of them had already started running around the house with each other.

Nick, AJ, Brian and Kevin gathered around Howie to welcome him home.  “You look so happy dude.” Nick said.

“Now I know why you always seemed to smile at the littlest things Nicky.  I am so glad that we were able to adopt Kirstie…it’s like God meant it to be.” Howie smiled back.

“So, did you guys get everything you needed for her?” Kevin asked thoughtfully.

“Actually, we are having to go shopping for her tomorrow.  Kat and I haven’t been able to get a bed for her, or a dresser or anything.  Things have been so busy for us and Kirstie was able to be with us so quickly.” Howie sighed.  “Looks like I could use some help tomorrow.  You guys up for shopping?”

“Not really…considering we have been doing that for the past two days.” AJ muttered.

“Oh, I see.” Howie said.

“Dude, come with us.  We want to show you something.” Brian said, making sure to smack AJ as he walked by.

Howie obediently followed his brothers down the hallway.  “We figured you planned on using this room for Kirstie…so, close your eyes.” AJ said as they got ready to open the door.

“Okay, are you ready for this?” Brian laughed.

The guys opened the door and Howie opened his eyes.  He was so shocked by the site, that he let out a huge gasp.  “Oh My God!” he yelled in surprise.

Kat, Leighanne, and Dee were down the hallway and heard Howie.  They went running to find out what was wrong.  It wasn’t until they came around the corner that Leigh and Dee knew what it was all about.

“Kat, hurry…you have to see this!” Howie gasped again.

Kat eyes about bulged out of her head as she stepped into the room.  Everyone had bought a bed, dressers, stuffed animals, pictures, wallpaper, etc, and decorated the room.  The theme was Walt Disney, with every character you could imagine.  The room looked so magical with everything.

“You guys did all this for us?” Kat cried softly.

“We just couldn’t let you come home with a new daughter and not give you a present.  Since we couldn’t hold a shower for you Kat, we thought we would take care of Kirtie’s room.” Nick replied, smiling as Katie and Kirstie came running down the hallway.

“Kirstie honey, come see your room!” Howie said.

Kirstie ran into the room and cheered when she saw all the neat stuff.  “It looks like Disneyland!”

“Well, it looks like Kirstie loves it!” Dee smiled brightly.

Howie and Kat were in shock by the kind gesture their friends had made.  They were finally a family, even though Kat and Howie still had a wedding to plan for.  However, deep in the back of Howie’s mind, he wondered it he had everything he really wanted in life.

Nick watched Howie as Kirstie and Katie ran around the room, pulling all the stuffed animals out and playing with them.  Nick could see the look of contentment in Howie’s face, yet, there was something else there, but he couldn’t figure it out.

“Well, guys, we only have a few days of this…and back to the tour.” Howie sighed.

“Oh yeah!  We got that performance at Rockefeller Center for the Today Show.  And then, about 2 more months of touring?” Nick said, trying to sound cheerful.

Brian and Kevin looked at each other.  They knew that Nick and Howie were feeling apprehensive about returning to the road.  They both had little girls to take care of, and Brian was expecting a child in a few months.  Kevin and Dee had been trying to have children, without much luck, and AJ…he was just…AJ.

“Yup…two more months, Nicky…and then some real time off.” Howie smiled softly, as he picked up Kirstie.

“Come on Daddy!  Can Katie stay here with us tonight?” Kirstie asked Howie with a giggle.

“Honey, I think uncle Nicky would like his little girl to stay with him.  But, I am sure that she will be able to stay another time.” Kat said softly.

“Ok, but promise she will get to stay sometime?” Kirstie asked, sweetly.

“Yup…really soon.  I promise.” Nick said, looking at Kirstie.

“Thank you unkie Nick!” Kirstie said, blowing a kiss at Nick as everyone in the room giggled.
 
 

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