Chapter 45

The album had been released, and to everyone’s surprise, it did remarkably well for a greatest hits album.  It was currently at number seven on the Billboard charts, and seemed to be holding on.  However, the Boys really weren’t interested in the numbers.  All they were concerned about was their vacations.

Each of them had gone separate ways once they got home.  Nick and Katie took a trip around the Keys for a week.  Nick wanted as much time to spend with Katie as he could get.  It was going to be very hard to explain to a two and a half year old that mommy had died.  Katie never really knew her mom, except through letters, and pictures, and stories.  She never got to see who was so special in Nick’s life.  She remembered Liz…considering they had just seen her a few weeks before.

Katie had a great time watching Liz skate in a show called Starlight Express.  She played the role of Buffy, the Buffet car of the train.  It was a hard play to understand, even for Nick.  However, all Katie was worried about was watching Liz.  After the show, Liz had taken Katie and Nick out to eat, and they spent the evening hanging out.  But, that was all there was.  Nick and Katie had soon left and were on their way back to their normal lives.  Well, as normal as they could be.

But, now that Katie and Nick were alone, Nick had the very unfortunate duty of talking to Katie.

“Katie honey, remember when you were at the big studio, where all the people were?” Nick asked cautiously.

“Yeah, daddy.  You were there with Mr. Carson, and Uncle Brian, and Uncle Kevin, and…” she said with a smile.

“Yes honey.  Do you remember how sad you were that day?  You were crying.” Nick said softly.

“Oh yeah…I was sad, cuz I wanted mommy.” Katie said, thinking hard about that day.

Nick couldn’t believe how smart his little girl was.  For such a little girl, she had a remarkable memory and knew so much.  “Yeah.  Well, Katie.  Remember when I told you that mommy couldn’t come back anymore?  Do you know what that means?”

“Uncle Brian told me one time that mommy had gone to heaven to be with angels.” Katie said with a smile.

Nick had tears in his eyes as his daughter spoke.  “Yes, sweetie.  Brian was right.  You see, mommy was really sick before you were born.  And, she didn’t want anything bad to happen to you, so, she couldn’t take all the medicines and stuff she needed.  So, mommy got more sick.  And after you were born, it was too late to make her all better.  She tried really hard to get better for me and you.  But, God wanted her to be with him, so he made her go to sleep forever.” Nick said, wiping away the tears that seemed to flow so easily from his eyes.

Katie watched her father.  “Daddy…mommy died, huh?”

Nick looked at his little girl, stunned.  “Yes, honey.”

“She was like Tarzan’s mommy and daddy.  They died, and Tarzan was left alone with the monkeys.” Katie said proudly.

“Gorillas baby…gorillas.” Nick corrected her.

“That’s right.  Tarzan was all alone, and the mommy gorilla came to get him, and took care of him.” Katie replied.

“Yes.”

“And then Tarzan wasn’t alone anymore.  He had lots of family.  Just like me.  But, I wasn’t all sad and alone, cuz you were still here.  Mommy went to heaven, and I got to stay with you, and Uncle Brian, and Uncle Howie, and Uncle Kevin, and Uncle AJ.  And then Auntie Kat and Auntie Dee and Auntie Leighanne help take care of me.  Like all the gorillas did for Tarzan.” Katie smiled again.

Nick quickly grabbed his daughter and hugged her tightly.  “Katie, you are right.  You are not alone.  And, mommy…she is right here, in your heart.  Just like the song says.  And we have each other…forever.” Nick cried softly.

“Daddy, don’t be sad.  I love you daddy.  Please don’t cry.” Katie said, clutching her father tightly.

“I love you too honey…I love you too.”
 

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