Chapter 46

“Hey Nick, how did it go with Katie?” Brian asked as he held the receiver to his ear.

“You wouldn’t believe it…she had an easier time than me.” Nick said.

“Sometimes I wonder about Little Bits.  She is smarter than we all think.” Brian chuckled.  “So, things are okay?”

“Yeah, she knows that Heather went to heaven.  But, I think the next thing I will do is to take her to see Heather.  Katie has been to the cemetery, but I don’t think she ever understood it.” Nick replied.

“Well, the guys are gonna be at the studio this afternoon to finish up a track.  You wanna meet us there?” Brian offered.

“Sure, I will be there in a few hours.  Just need to take care of a few things, and then we’ll be there.  See ya in a bit dude.” Nick smiled.

“See ya…” Brian said and then hung up.  He finally felt like things were getting to be more normal.

Brian had been busy keeping after Leighanne.  She was approaching her sixth month and well, the tension was rising.  Brian was so afraid of losing the baby, the he insisted that he be with Leigh at all times.  But, it was beginning to drive her nuts.  She wanted to have a bit more freedom, but Brian wouldn’t budge.

“Leigh, are you ready?” he called down the hallway to their bedroom.

“Just a minute honey.  I am trying to get my shoes on.” She mumbled, as she struggled to bend over to reach her feet.

Brian had walked down the hallway and stood at the door.  “Baby, let me help you.” He said with a laugh.

“WHAT!  I’m pregnant…not invalid!” she shouted.

“Honey…honey.  I didn’t say that.  It’s just that the baby is really growing now, and it’s getting harder for you to do those thing comfortably.” Brian said soothingly.  Leigh’s hormones had been raging, and she was very sensitive to things.

“Heather never needed help.” She grumbled.

“Leighanne, look at me.  We have to stop with that.  It’s bad enough Nick always mentions her.  She is gone honey.” Brian said, looking sad.  “And yes, Heather needed a lot more help than any of us could imagine.  She was so sick, but tried to hide it.  I watched her die, just like all of you did.  And there was nothing we could do.  So, please, let me help you.” Brian said softly.

Leighanne sat there, and watched as Brian helped tie her shoelaces.   “Thank you baby.” She whispered.

“You’re welcome.  Now, let’s go beautiful.  I have a song to sing.” Brian smiled as he took her hand and they left the house.

*** ***

Nick and Katie had been sitting on the grass in the warm sun.  “You can talk to her sweetie.  She can hear you.” Nick said.

“Can I talk to her by myself?” Katie asked softly.

“Of course.  Daddy will just be over near the car.  Stay here and call for me when you are done.  Okay?” he replied.

“Okie daddy.” She said as Nick walked off towards the car.  Once she could see he wasn’t close enough to hear, she poured her heart out.

“Mommy, daddy says you can hear me.  I hope you can hear me, cuz I am sad.  Daddy is really sad.  He cries a lot.  Daddy says he is okay, but I think he is lying to me.  Everyone thinks I am little baby.  I am almost 3, mommy!  I’m not a baby anymore.  Well, Uncle Brian calls me Little Bits, but that’s okay.” Katie giggled.

The wind blew softly and ruffled her hair gently.  “But mommy, I am scared.  I heard Daddy telling Uncle Howie that he doesn’t want to be a Back..um…Backsweet Boys anymore.  I think that is he told me he is.  But anyway, mommy…he doesn’t want to sing anymore.  But…he has to mommy.  I love Daddy to sing.  He sounds like a angel.  Uncle Brian says angels are pretty Mommy.  Do you see angels?  Uncle Brian says you live with them.  Are they nice to you?” Katie said thoughfully.

“I want to see angels too, but Daddy says it will be a long time til I get to see angels.  But anyway Mommy…can you tell Daddy I want him to sing?  Please?  Help make Daddy happy again.  Please Mommy…I don’t want Daddy to cry anymore.” She said, standing up and brushing the grass off her overalls.  “I love you Mommy…and I wish you were here with me and Daddy.  But, don’t worry…there are lots of nice gorillas taking care of me.  And I have a cousin now!  I almost forgot!  I get to see Kirstie today!  Yippie!  I gotta go now Mommy…Daddy is waiting for me!  Love you!  Bye bye!” she waved as she ran off towards Nick and the car.

*** ***

Kevin and Dee were at the studio talking to a few management guys who had shown up.  When Howie and AJ showed up, they noticed them talking.  Kevin and Dee finished up and walked over to greet the guys.

“What’s up dude?”  AJ asked curiously as Dee hugged him.

“Not much, just had to tell management about a few things.” Kevin grinned.  It had been a long time since they had seen Kevin so happy.

“Okay…spill.  What cockeyed plan did you come up with now?  We know that look Kevin.” Howie laughed.

Kevin looked appalled.  “Cockeyed plan?  I have no idea what you are talking about.  It was a personal matter.  It doesn’t concern you.” Kevin said, acting put out by their presence.

“Well, excuse us, Mr. I’m-Better-Than-You.  All you had to do was tell us to fuck off.” AJ said, stomping off.

Dee stood there and started laughing.  Howie looked at her like she was crazy.  “Did I miss something here?” he asked, rubbing his forehead.

“Yes, actually you did.  But, don’t worry, it will all be discussed when Brian and Nick get here.” Dee smiled.

Kevin ran after AJ.  “Dude, I was teasing you.  Honest.  We just had some news to tell ya, I was kidding.  Don’t take it personal.” Kevin said, putting his hand on AJ’s shoulder.

“Boy, will you warn me when you are joking?  You are too damn serious, I swear!” AJ said, breaking out in laughter.

“Yeah, I’ll have to remember that.” Kevin smiled and they walked into the recording room.

Brian soon arrived with Leighanne and they caught up with the others.  Everyone greeted each other and the ladies moved off to one of the couches.

“Hey D, where’s Kat and Kirstie?” Brian asked.

“She took Kirstie grocery shopping and to Toys ‘R Us.  Hopefully they won’t come home with the store.” Howie laughed.

Dee and Leighanne were chatting like normal.  Everyone was so much like a family, they knew everything that was going on.  “So, how’s the baby?” Dee smiled.

“Doing well.  Brian though it paranoid.  He thinks something is gonna go wrong again.  I can’t get him to understand that I am healthy.” Leigh said.

Dee looked her thoughfully.  “He really loves you Leigh.  That is why he is worried.  Brian wants so bad to keep us from all being sick or hurt.  After all the has happened to this family, he can’t bear to lose someone else.

“Yes, I know.  So, how have you been?  I haven’t seen ya in a couple of weeks.” Leigh asked Dee.

“Doing just fine.  Got some news to tell ya, but other than that, not much.” Dee smiled and then excused herself.

Leighanne got up and followed.  Dee had gone over to ask where Nick was.

“He wanted to take Kathryn to the cemetery.  He had to finally explain to her what it meant to die.” Brian said softly.

Everyone looked at each other.  “Why weren’t we there for him?” Howie asked.

“He wanted to do it alone.  But, she said she took it very well.  She actually had an idea about it.  That little girl is really bright.  I feel sorry for Nick.” Brian smiled.

“WHY?” Kevin asked.

“Because, that little girl really keeps him on his toes.”

Nick and Katie soon walked in and found everyone laughing.  “So, what are you all carrying on about?” he said he held onto Katie.

“Just that your little girl is really smart.” Howie said innocently.

“Yeah, you probably think she keeps me on my toes, huh?” he asked, with no clue.

Everyone turned and looked at each other and then busted out laughing.

“That is exactly what we were thinking!” Brian as he wiped a tear outta his eye, from laughing so hard.

Nick just laughed and then put Katie down to play.  “So, what’s going on?” he asked as everyone started to mingle again.

“Well, Kevin and I wanted to talk to you all, if that’s okay.” Dee smiled.

Everyone gathered around and waited patiently for them to begin.

“So, umm, how can I put this?” Kevin asked thoughtfully.

“Just tell them honey.” Dee nudged him.

“Okay..okay.  Dee and I found out a week ago, that she is three months pregnant.” Kevin said, breathless.

Leighanne looked at Dee and started to scream.  “Oh my God..no way!  This is SOOO exciting!” she cheered, trying to jump up and down, but soon realizing it wasn’t going to work.

They guys all clapped Kevin on the back in congratulations.  “Good Lord, it’s gonna be a zoo around here!  Two babies on the way…and two little girls who think they own us!” AJ laughed.

“Make it three babies on the way…” Dee grinned.

“What?” Nick asked, looking dumbfounded.  “Who else is pregnant?  AJ…have you been hiding something from us?” he laughed.

“No you dumbass!” AJ retorted, smacking Nick on the head.

“No, Dee is having twins!  The first sonogram showed a second baby.  They are both so tiny they can’t really make much out, but the doctor definitely felt that there were two of them.” Kevin smiled, his cheeks turning red.

“Well…I think a congratulations are definitely in order!” AJ said, running around the room and hugging everyone.

The group laughed and smiled, something that seemed more foreign to them as of late.  But, they enjoyed the good news from everyone, and went about their business for the day.  There would be plenty of time to actually talk about plans in the coming weeks, but today, it was all fun.
 

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