Chapter 21
As Tyler was getting ready, Sonja joined her on the bus. She was extremely excited and couldn't wait to tell Tyler her news.
"Tyler! You were right!"
"About what?"
Sonja held out her hand to show Tyler the diamond ring that she was wearing. "Brian proposed to me tonight over dinner!"
Tyler hugged Sonja, "That is SO WONDERFUL!! I noticed you two weren't at dinner."
"After the sound check, Brian took me to a nearby mall and we went to look at rings. They even sized my finger and Brian managed to buy the ring without me knowing about it!! Then he took me to dinner at this really romantic French restaurant where he asked me! Ty, he was so sweet and he was SO NERVOUS!"
"I am so happy for you! I knew Bri was going to ask you but I wasn't sure when!"
"I just wish that Kryss, Lex, and Fiona were here with us!!"
"Me too!"
While Tyler finished getting ready she and Sonja talked about what they both wanted for weddings. They compared ideas and despite being best friends, they both wanted two different weddings. Sonja wanted a big, traditional wedding with all the frills and Tyler wanted something small and simple.
As the two made their way through the backstage area, they spotted Fiona, Lex, and Kryss. Sonja practically bounced to them showing off her ring. The three were happy for Sonja but when they saw Tyler, they lost their happy looks.
Tyler saw their reaction and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," said Kryss. "What are you doing with that costume?"
"Connie is sick and Fatima asked me to fill in for her."
Kryss said, "That figures."
"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Tyler defensively.
"The rest of us know the dances and were there when they came up with them. Why didn't she ask one of us to do it?"
"I guess because you weren't around," said Tyler angrily. "You know, you were the ones who left the group. And what's with that anyway...breaking up with the guys?"
"None of your business, Tyler," said Lex.
"I think it is my business since Howie is my cousin and AJ and Nick are my best friends."
"What does Kevin think about that?" asked Kryss sarcastically.
"What do you mean?"
"AJ and Nick both shower the attention on you like you were their girlfriend. Doesn't Kevin mind?" asked Lex.
"No, he doesn't mind. Why should he? We've all been friends for a while now! Why are you three mad with me anyway? I haven't done anything to you."
Kryss took a deep breath and said, "Tyler, you're the reason we broke up with the guys."
"Me?"
"Yeah. The guys have three things that they put first and foremost; their careers which includes their fans, their families, and YOU! For the last four months, all we've heard was, 'I hope Tyler's okay', 'We need to make sure Tyler's okay', 'Have you talked to Tyler lately?', and 'Have you seen Tyler lately?' and quite frankly, WE'RE SICK OF it," said Kryss. "We can deal with their careers and the families coming first but it sucks being THEIR girlfriends and YOU being the most important girl in their life."
"You know, I am Howie's family!"
"Believe me, if you weren't, there would be a four-way scramble for you!" said Kryss.
"That's not true! Look, I can't help the fact that I've known AJ ever since we were in grade school or that I've watched Nick grow up! You knew that when you got involved with them and you knew that we were ALL close! And believe me, I didn't ask for the LAST four months to happen..."
Before any of the girls could go any further, Linda interrupted them. "What are you five doing? There are people, media and fans, that can hear you arguing!"
Tyler looked at Linda and said, "I'm sorry, Linda."
"Why don't you take this somewhere else?" suggested Linda.
"There's no need," said Kryss.
The guys had heard the argument too and Kevin went to Tyler putting his arms around her. Nick, AJ, and Howie pulled Kryss, Fiona, and Lex into the green room to talk and Kevin led Tyler to the room where they'd eaten dinner. Brian and Sonja were shocked by the exchange and went to find a quiet area to wait.
In the green room, Howie said, "What the hell were you doing going off at Tyler?"
"There you go again, putting Tyler first before us!" yelled Kryss.
"SHE'S PREGNANT FOR GOD'S SAKE!", said AJ.
"SO WHAT! Women have been getting pregnant for years and surviving quite fine. Besides, she's got Kevin to bow to her every needs!" said Lex angrily.
Kryss was in tears now and Howie went to her. He took her in his arms and said, "Kryss, I never meant to make you feel like you weren't important to me. It's just that Tyler is more of my sister than my cousin and after losing Caroline, I just can't stand to see ANY of my family suffering."
"I'm ashamed for feeling this way. I mean, Tyler did introduce us and she is my best friend."
"It's okay, Kryss," said Howie as he wiped her tears. "You do mean the world to me and I'm sorry for making you feel this way."
"It's okay, Howie. I really should have been honest with you about how I was feeling," said Kryss. Then looking at Fiona and Lex, she said "We ALL should have been honest about how we felt."
AJ said, "Look, what Howie said the other night at the Grammies, he WAS speaking for all of us. You are the most important people in our lives but Tyler has really been through a lot and she is our best friend too."
Nick said, "Yeah! Besides, it would be too gross to think of doing anything with Tyler. She's like my sister."
AJ said, "I wouldn't go that far, Kaos, but Tyler loves Kevin and always has. Lex, you're my woman, the only woman for me."
The three guys looked at the girls and they all chorused, "I'm sorry."
Fiona, Lex, and Kryss looked at each other and then at the guys. They each went into their respective boyfriend's arms and kissed.
Howie asked, "Are we okay?"
"Yeah! We're fine, Howie!" smiled Kryss through the tears.
Meanwhile, when they were alone, Kevin asked, "Baby, are you okay?"
"No! What did I do to deserve all that?"
"Honey, you didn't do anything. It's just that the last four months have been really stressful on EVERYONE and now that it's over, the frustrations and emotions are coming out."
"I hope they can get over them. I don't want to be the reason Howie, Nick, and AJ lose their girlfriends."
"Don't worry, things will work out." Kevin put his hand under Tyler's chin and lifted her face to his. Their lips touched in a tender kiss as Tyler ran her hand through Kevin's hair.
Tyler pulled back and looked into Kevin's eyes. His eyes melted her and she said, "God, I love you."
Linda and Fatima came in and Linda said, "It's time to go on."
Kevin gave Tyler a kiss and said, "I'll see you on stage, baby."
Tyler left with Fatima and Kevin followed Linda to the green room where the other guys were waiting. They heard the introductions being made and then they were led out to the stage by their bodyguards.
The show went really well and Tyler was amazed at the level of energy in the arena. She was always amazed by the intensity with which the guys performed no matter how many times she saw them perform.
For Kevin, having Tyler on stage was amazing. He had to try hard not to watch her the whole time but he found himself always going back to her.
The concert was near the end when Howie said, "We're going to slow things down a bit now."
The next song the guys did was 'How Did I Fall In Love With You' and Kevin played the piano for Howie. Tyler watched and remembered the day Kevin had sung it to her at the theater. It had only been a little over two weeks but it seemed like forever. It was all she could do to keep from crying.
When the song was over, Kevin moved to where Tyler was and began singing to her 'Nobody But You'. Tyler couldn't hold back the tears this time and as he sang, Kevin wiped the tears away. Tyler was oblivious to the fans but they were going wild. They loved it all!
On the final song, Kevin was still close to Tyler and had his eyes locked on Tyler's. Despite the fact that Kevin wasn't singing the main vocals, Tyler still felt like he was singing to her.
At the end of the song, Kevin moved to Tyler and got down on his knee as he pulled the ring from his pocket. He took her hand in his and a hush fell over the crowd. It was SO quiet in the arena that had you would have sworn Kevin and Tyler were the only two there.
Kevin placed the ring on Tyler's finger and asked, "Tyler, will you marry me?"
It seemed like the entire arena was holding their breathe, waiting for Tyler's answer. It was only seconds between Kevin's asking and Tyler's answer but Kevin felt like it was forever.
With tears in her eyes, Tyler managed to nod her head and say, "Yes, I will!"
Kevin stood up and took Tyler in his arms as the whole arena erupted it cheers for the couple. The guys and the dancers all gathered around to congratulate the couple.
After Kevin and Tyler had moved apart but not letting go of each other's hands, the guys sang 'This I Promise You' for them. Tyler was in tears and couldn't concentrate on what she was doing. Kevin never moved away from her for the rest of the show.
The concert was over and the dancers left the stage first as the guys shook hands and signed autographs. Tyler was waiting for Kevin as he came through the door and practically jumped into his arms.
Everyone could hear the fans yelling and screaming for an encore and Tyler said, "Go on! I'll wait right here."
Kevin's hand slid out of hers as he went back on stage with the others. The crowd began screaming Tyler's name and Linda said, "Go on! It's you they want!"
Tyler followed 'Bull' on stage where a sound tech put a head mic on her. Tyler said, "Thank you! Your support means SO much to me."
Brian said, "Why don't you sing with us, Tyler?"
Howie said, "I think she and Kevin need to do a duet!"
The fans yelled their approval and Kevin asked, "What do you want to do, baby?"
Tyler grinned. "How about 'Take My Breath Away'? It's from Kevin's favorite movie," said Tyler to the crowd.
The fans yelled their approval and the band started playing the song. Kevin and Tyler sang together and the fans were wild.
Afterwards, Tyler thanked everyone again and left the stage so that the guys could do another song. They ended up doing several more songs before leaving the stage. Kevin grabbed Tyler in his arms and picked her up carrying her to his bus.
