Chapter 20
Tyler spent the rest of the afternoon with Fatima and the other dancers learning the new steps. Kevin sat in the first row watching Tyler and marveling at how quickly she picked up on them. He was also remembering the first time he ever saw Tyler dance. It had been in a production of 'Grease' for Disney and Tyler had played 'Sandy'. He'd fallen in love with her the moment he saw her. He had been dating Kristen then but he knew deep down that Tyler was the one he'd end up spending the rest of his life with. He regretted that he'd taken so long to tell her how he felt.
During the sound check, the guys cut up and clowned around. Tyler knew they were up to something by the way they were acting and was completely convinced by the time they got to the three songs that Kevin had arranged to do for Tyler. They were whispering amongst themselves and kept looking back at Tyler.
During a break, Kevin came over to Tyler and put his arms around her. She asked, "What are you up to?"
Kevin grinned that devilish grin that made his eyes twinkle as he said, "What makes you think I'm up to something?"
"Because I know you five better than anyone on this stage and I KNOW when you are up to something. Is Nick going to do something to me to embarrass me tonight?"
"Don't you worry about what we're up to! You just shake that beautiful bootie for me."
Nick heard Kevin and said, "Hey, Tyler! You're officially a member of the 'Ghetto Bootie’ club now!!"
"I don't think so!" said Kevin. "The only one she's going to show it off to is ME!!'
After the sound check, Tyler and Fatima stayed on stage to run through the numbers again. Tyler wanted to be sure that she knew what she was doing for the show. As they wrapped up, Fatima asked, "So, when are you going to take me up on the offer of joining the dancers?"
"Kevin and I need to talk more about it. There's so much to consider, mainly the baby."
"Baby? Are you pregnant and is Kevin the father?"
"I wish Kevin was the father but no, Joey is. It's a really long story."
"I want to hear it ALL soon. Are you staying with us?"
"At least for the next week. We'll get together and talk."
The two walked together backstage to where dinner was being served. Tyler noticed that Brian and Sonja were missing but before she could locate Kevin, AJ and Nick came rushing to her. They practically knocked Fatima down in their rush.
"Whoa! Would you two slow down?" said Fatima trying to get out of their way.
"Come on, Tyler! You need to sit down and rest," said AJ.
"Yeah! Here, let me carry you," said Nick as he scooped Tyler up in his arms.
Tyler was laughing along with everyone else. She asked, "Why the special treatment?"
"You're pregnant!" said Nick.
Tyler looked at Kevin helplessly as Nick carried her to her chair. He set her down while AJ went to fix her plate.
Kevin gave Tyler a kiss and asked, "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine, 'Boo'! Please, don't you start too!"
Kevin laughed, "You might as well get use to it, baby. We're all going to be looking out for you."
AJ came over with her plate and set it in front of her. I got a little of everything for you."
"Thanks, 'Bone'! I'm starving!"
As Tyler ate her dinner, she listened to the talk around the table. Despite the breakups, AJ, Howie, and Nick were all in good moods and fairly attentive to her needs. Whenever her glass was empty or nearly empty, one of them would refill it for her. They also would got her seconds and dessert.
When dinner was over, Linda gathered the guys together except for Brian along with Tyler. She gave Tyler a hug and told her how glad she was to see her. Then she broke the news. "I've done some reorganizing of the tour in light of Tyler's pregnancy. I know Kevin and Howie will want to be with her. So here it is. You'll be in Central and South America in March and April and then back in the States after that. We won't go to Europe until next fall and I've put more time between shows to allow for the travel to and from Orlando for doctor's appointments. There will be a brief break at the end of July in case Tyler goes into labor so we can all be there with her."
"Thanks Linda," said Tyler. "Also, they've located Lou and arrested him. Tyler, you'll have to be there to testify."
"When's the trial?" asked Kevin.
"It hasn't been set yet but Christine has the schedule and will do her best to make sure it's set so we can ALL be there to support Tyler."
Tears welled up in Tyler's eyes as she said, "Thank you, Linda. Everyone has been so sweet and so supportive."
Kevin was standing behind Tyler with his arms around her. He said, "Baby, we all love you very much and we're going to stick by you no matter what."
"Besides," said Linda. "You've been around since the VERY beginning and you're as much a part of this group as I am."
Howie suggested, "Tyler, we should tell everyone what's going on. We could get them together now."
"That's fine, 'D', but I don't want to be the one telling it," said Tyler.
"We'll handle that," said Kevin.
Linda said, "I'll gather everyone now and we can get it over with before we do the show."
Linda went to gather the entire crew from bus drivers to dancers to roadies. She wanted to make sure everyone knew the situation with Tyler so they too could help protect her as well as kill any rumors that might be flying around.
When everyone was together, Howie and Kevin told the whole story from beginning to end. Everyone was extremely relieved to have Tyler back with the group and expressed their support.
When they were done, the guys headed to their buses to start getting ready for the show. Tyler went with Kevin after getting her costume from Fatima. They had a couple hours before the show so Tyler went to Kevin's bed to lay down.
Kevin sat beside her and brushed her hair back. "How do you feel?"
"Like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm glad we told the whole crew."
"It'll make it easier to look out for you and they can put an end to the rumors. Ty, have you thought about when you want to get married?"
"Yes, but you haven't asked me yet," said Tyler with an impish grin.
Kevin grinned, "Before the baby or after?"
"Before so we can have a honeymoon."
"It's going to have to be on the road with me. You heard our schedule."
"I don't care. I just want to be with you."
Kevin leaned over and kissed Tyler, "I'm so glad this is over."
"Me too, 'Boo'! What do you think will happen to Lou?"
"If we're lucky, they'll throw him UNDER the jail."
Tyler ran her hand along Kevin's arm. "'Boo', do you have to get ready now or can you hold me for a little while?"
"I really need to be getting ready, baby. We're doing an interview before the show."
"Okay. I can wait. Besides, I get to dance with you and be in your arms IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!! I can finally tell the world that I love you."
Kevin laughed, "There are going to be some mighty disappointed girls out there."
"I don't care!"
"The true you comes out!" teased Kevin.
"Not really! If the dances weren't choreographed, I'd say you should get a fan on stage with you."
"That's my baby, always thinking of someone else."
"Go get ready before I decide to hold you hostage."
Kevin kissed her again and went to get ready. Tyler cleared her head of everything and thought about all the steps she's learned today. She loved to dance and the thought of being on stage with Kevin made it even better.
When Kevin was ready, he came back to where Tyler was. She appeared to be asleep and Kevin didn't REALLY want to wake her but he knew she had to get ready for the show too. He stood watching her for several minutes until he was interrupted by Nick getting on the bus.
"Hey, Kev! They're waiting on us!"
"Be there in a few minutes. I need to wake Tyler."
Without opening her eyes, Tyler said, "I'm not asleep."
Nick said, "How can you sleep when you're getting ready to go out in front of THOUSANDS of people?"
"Because I love doing it. Besides, I really wasn't asleep, just going through the show in my head."
"Are you coming to the interview?" asked Nick.
"No. I've got to get ready too!"
Kevin gave Tyler a kiss and headed out with Nick. Before he got off the bus, Kevin looked back at Tyler. She was unaware of him watching her as she got up and brushed her hair out. He thought to himself, "God, Tyler! I love you so much," and he patted the pocket that he had the ring in.
Nick looked back at Kevin, "Are you coming?"
Nick's voice brought Kevin out of his 'trance' and he said, "Yeah! I'm coming."
As they walked through the backstage area, Nick asked, "Have you got the ring?"
"Right here in my pocket!"
