Chapter 47
Back at the hotel, everyone headed to their rooms. As Tyler and Kevin started into their room, Nick stopped them.
"Tyler, can I talk to you?"
Kevin looked at him, "I told you, you’re not putting Tyler in the middle of this."
"I’m not trying to put Tyler in the middle. I just need to talk to her."
Tyler said softly, "It’s okay, Kev. Go on and get ready. I won’t be long."
Kevin gave her a kiss and watched Tyler go with Nick to his room. Then he went inside to start getting ready. He first checked on the gifts he’d bought for Tyler then he went to get his shower.
In Nick’s room, Tyler sat on the bed while Nick plopped down in the chair next to the bed.
"Tyler, how do you know when you’ve found the right one?"
"WOW! I don’t know, Nick."
"How did you know Kevin was it? I mean, you never hesitated when Kevin asked you to marry him."
"Well, we were friends first. Even when Kevin was with Kristen, he and I could talk about ANYTHING….the comfortable feeling of just being together and not having to worry about making conversation. The feeling you have when that person looks at you or says your name or touches you. The knowing you can’t live another day without them in your life."
"When did you know that Kevin was it?"
"I don’t know. I guess I’ve known I wanted to give us a chance ever since he and Kristen broke up. The point that I knew for sure was when I told Kevin that I was pregnant with Joey’s baby and he told me he didn’t care. He sang ‘As Long As You Love Me’. And then he went with me to the first doctor’s appointment and held my hand. You couldn’t have pried him away from me if you had tried," said Tyler as she remembered how wonderful Kevin had been. She looked at Nick and said, "You’re scared of a commitment. I see it every time you do something like this. I think you truly love Fiona but your fear of commitment scares the hell out of you."
"You said that knowing you can’t live without that person in your life is one way of knowing. Earlier, when Fiona walked out the door, I felt like my heart was being ripped out."
"Then what’s the problem, Nick?"
"You’re right. I’m scared of a commitment. I’ve never had a normal life. I’ve been with the group ever since I was thirteen and I’m NEVER sure that a person likes me because of me or because I’m a Backstreet Boy."
"Nick, your life will never be normal as long as the group is together. As for liking you for you...how can you doubt Fiona’s love? And what about me? You know I love you for you."
"Yeah, but you’ve been with us ever since the beginning."
"Yeah, but when I introduced you to Fiona, she’d never heard of the Backstreet Boys. You were just this really cute, blonde headed boy who bounced through the room. Nick, making a commitment is scary and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Fiona loves YOU and if you decide that she’s the one, then you HAVE to stop thinking with your dick."
Nick laughed, "You don’t pull any punches, do you?"
"No, I don’t," laughed Tyler. "Look, I have to go and get ready. If you need to talk some more, just let me know."
"Thanks, Ty. Before you go, are you okay?"
"Why wouldn’t I be?"
"Because of Kristen."
"Kevin told me about her and we’ve got it under control. I’ll tell you this though, I’m not always going to be around to keep Kevin from killing you when you make him mad."
Nick laughed, "He’s all hot air. He won’t hurt me."
"You keep thinking that and Kevin’s going to end up kicking your butt." Tyler stood up and hugged Nick. "Thank you for the cake. It was really sweet."
"You know, we’d all do whatever we could for you."
"Thanks, Nicky."
Tyler was the only one other than Fiona who could call him ‘Nicky’ and get away with it. He looked at her and said, "Kev’s a lucky man."
"I’m the lucky one. ALL of you have been such wonderful friends. Think about what you’re going to do and I’ll talk to you later."
Nick gave Tyler a kiss on the cheek and said, "Have fun tonight."
Tyler headed back to her room and when she closed the door, she could hear Kevin blow-drying his hair. She stood in the room where she could see him clearly. He has just a towel around his waist as he stood in front of the mirror fixing his hair. Tyler loved watching Kevin. Every move of his lean, muscular body made her want him.
Kevin looked up to see Tyler watching him. He put the hair dryer down and turned to her smiling. He took her in his arms and asked, "What were you doing?"
"Watching you."
Kevin pulled her tighter and they kissed, tongues searching out the other desperately, hungry for more. As they kissed, Tyler ran her fingers lightly over Kevin’s back to the small of his back. Kevin moaned as they continued to kiss and Tyler could feel him becoming hard.
Kevin pulled back but let his forehead rest against Tyler’s. "Baby, I want you."
Breathlessly, Tyler said, "Not now, ‘Boo’. Tonight, after the walk on the beach."
"Whatever you want, baby. Today is yours," said Kevin as he brushed her hair back. "Go get your shower."
Tyler kissed him lightly on the cheek and as she started to pull away, she grabbed his towel leaving him standing there naked.
Kevin laughed, "I’ll remember that, baby."
"I certainly hope so," said Tyler as she closed the door behind her.
Kevin laughed and finished getting ready. He had decided to wear his black suit with a royal blue silk shirt and his black boots. He knew Tyler loved it and he wanted to make tonight special for her.
When Tyler was done with her shower, she came out with a towel around her. She looked around for him and spotted him on the balcony. She pulled on the bathrobe and went out to the balcony. As she joined him, she put her arms around his waist from behind and Kevin put his hands on hers. He turned slightly and gave her a kiss.
"What ‘cha doin’, ‘Boo’?"
"Thinking about you, the baby, our life."
"What about all three of them?"
"How much I love you; how much I wish this baby were mine; and how much our
life has changed in the last month and how different it is from what I EVER
imagined it would be like."
Kevin turned around and put his hand on the side of Tyler’s face. She put her hand on his and said softly, "Our life isn’t exactly what I pictured either. Do you regret any of it?"
Kevin smiled tenderly, "Baby, I only have one regret."
"What’s that?"
"The night AJ and Howie sabotaged your car and I took you home, I started to kiss you..."
"And Joey pulled up. I regret that night too."
"It doesn’t matter now, baby. We’re together and that’s what counts. Now go get dressed before I change my mind and have my way with you."
Tyler stood on her toes to kiss Kevin and went to get dressed. She looked at the few dresses she’d gotten off the bus. One of them was the dress she’d worn to the Grammies. It was royal blue and matched Kevin’s shirt so she decided to wear it. After she was dressed, Tyler went to fix her hair and make-up. Finally, she pulled on her shoes. She looked at herself in the mirror and then went to find Kevin.
Kevin was still out on the balcony but he was sitting down now writing something. Tyler leaned over and put her arms around his neck. She kissed him on the neck and asked, "What are you working on?"
"A song...for you."
"Can I see it?"
"Not yet. I want to put it to music first."
Tyler had always respected Kevin’s wishes when it came to his music. She knew that as soon as Kevin had it perfect, he’d let her hear it. It was the perfectionist in Kevin that made him want to wait and Tyler didn’t mind. She loved that about him.
"When do you think you’ll finish it, ‘Boo’?"
"Maybe on the way to Mexico," said Kevin as he put the pen down. He put his hands on hers and asked, "Are you ready, baby?"
Tyler backed up so Kevin could stand up, "Yeah, and hungry too."
Kevin had to laugh, "You look like a little girl on Christmas morning opening her presents."
"That’s how I feel."
"Let’s go then, baby."
Kevin took Tyler’s hand and they started to leave. Kevin stopped at the door to pick up a bag that he’d set there.
"What’s that?"
"Clothes for us to change into after dinner," said Kevin. "And your birthday presents."
Carlos was waiting outside the door to go with them and the three headed downstairs to the waiting limo. There were a lot of fans hanging around to catch a glimpse of the guys and Kevin waved to them.
At the restaurant, Kevin and Tyler were seated at a cozy table in front of a fireplace and before the host left, he served them each a glass of wine.
Kevin reached across the table to take Tyler’s hand in his. "Baby, Happy Birthday."
"Thank you," said Tyler. Then she looked around the restaurant and back at Kevin. "This is all so romantic. I love it, Kevin. The fire reminds me of the first time we made love."
Kevin leaned to kiss her, "Ummm....I remember that night. You were so scared."
"No, I wasn’t!" laughed Tyler. "I just didn’t want to disappoint you."
"Never!" said Kevin as he reached into his coat pocket. He pulled out a box and handed it to Tyler. "Here’s one of your birthday presents."
Tyler took the box and opened it eagerly. It was a choker of pearls and Tyler held it up to look at them. She couldn’t say anything but her eyes were wide with surprise, which told Kevin the story.
Kevin took the box from Tyler and got up as he took the pearls in his hands. He put them on her and then sat back down. "When I saw the picture of your dress, I thought they’d be perfect for you to wear with it."
"They’re gorgeous," said Tyler almost whispering as she put her hand on them. "I’ve never had something like this. Kevin, this had to be expensive. You shouldn’t have."
Kevin smiled, "I don’t care how much they cost. I want to give you the world, baby, and they don’t compare in beauty to the lady wearing them."
"’Boo’, you’re all I want," said Tyler as she put her hand on his face.
There was soft music playing and Kevin stood up taking Tyler’s hand helping her up too. They danced together, their bodies pressed together and their eyes locked on each other. The love that flowed between them was immeasurable and so intense.
An elderly couple sitting off to the side saw Kevin and Tyler and smiled at each other as they remembered the day they had been that young.
After the dance, Kevin and Tyler sat down and the waitress came to take their order. Kevin ordered for both of them and then the waitress left. Alone, the two leaned to each other, head to head, talking and laughing. It was obvious to the older couple watching them that they were in love.
Over dessert, Kevin gave Tyler an envelope that he had inside his jacket. "Open it, baby."
Tyler opened it to find a legal document inside. She pulled it out and jokingly asked, "What’s this, a pre-nup?"
"No, read it."
Tyler opened it up and began to read. She looked up at Kevin in disbelief. "Kevin?"
"Tyler, I’ve told you how I feel. As soon as the baby is born, Chris is going to fill in the name and file the papers. Joey may have been the one to get you pregnant but in my heart, I’m the father of this baby."
Tears rolled down Tyler’s cheeks but she couldn’t say anything. Kevin reached over and wiped them away.
Softly, Kevin asked, "Baby, are you okay?"
Tyler nodded her head, "Yeah, you just surprised me."
"We’ve talked about it. Now...well, as soon as the baby is born, it’ll be official. In fact, as soon as the guys know the name, one of them will call Chris to let her know."
Tyler leaned over to Kevin and hugged him as she said, "Thank you, Kevin."
Kevin kissed her tenderly, "You’re welcome, baby."
As they were sitting there waiting for the check, Tyler whispered, "Kevin, have you noticed that elderly couple watching us?"
"Yeah, I noticed. Why?"
"I just thought it was a little weird."
Kevin laughed, "Well at least they aren’t staring at us because they’ve seen you in the tabloids."
Tyler sneered at him. "Oh, you’ll get it for that, Richardson!"
"Come on, baby. Let’s get out of here," said Kevin as the waitress handed him the check.
Kevin and Tyler got up and headed to the door to pay the bill. The elderly couple stopped them and the man said, "Son, excuse me. My wife and I couldn’t help watching the two of you tonight. You reminded us so much of ourselves at your age. Are you celebrating your anniversary?"
Kevin smiled and said, "No sir. We were celebrating my fiancé’s birthday. We’re not married....yet."
"You two are so in love. Treasure that," said the woman.
"Every time I look into his eyes," said Tyler as she looked up at Kevin.
"Mind if I ask, when are you getting married?" asked the older man.
Kevin said, "Next month."
"Our best wishes," said the woman.
"How long have you been married?" asked Tyler.
"Sixty years today," said the man. "Sixty wonderful years."
"That’s amazing," said Tyler.
"You know how I did it, son?" asked the old man.
Kevin smiled, "No, how?"
"By telling her just how much she meant to me every single day that went by. They say never go to bed angry. Well, never go to bed without telling her some new way that you love her."
"Thank you. I’ll make sure I do that. Happy Anniversary," said Kevin.
"And best wishes to you on your wedding," said the elderly couple.
Kevin and Tyler said their good-byes and headed out to pay their bill. When they got to where the host was, Kevin pulled out his wallet to pay the bill. He handed him the money for their bill and then he gave him an extra hundred.
"That elderly couple over there," said Kevin pointing in the direction of the couple. "This is for their dinner. Tell them ‘Thank you’ from the couple they spoke to."
The host looked at Kevin in amazement and Tyler just smiled at Kevin’s generosity.
Outside in the fading sunlight, Tyler said, "That was really sweet, ‘Boo’. Do you think we’ll make it sixty years?"
Kevin stopped and pulled Tyler back to him. He put his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her passionately. Then he whispered, "Definitely, baby!"
