+Intent60-61+When Clive found out what was going on he called a meeting. “This is absolutely unacceptable! You two, fighting over this girl, and now, you friggen idiot, you break her nose, a week before the video shoot, and bruise up Nick as well.” Clive said to AJ. He sat keeping his stare away from everyone. After he had hit Win, AJ had left the party without taking Tiffany and disappeared for two days. Edith and Denise had called around for two days frantic with worry when he finally showed up two days later, very shaken up, ragged and dirty. After that he locked himself in his room and did not emerge until Clive called him and told him to come to the meeting before he was kicked off the tour. They would have to leave for Virginia in one day. They had four concert nights in a row at four different venues. The US tour was quickly coming to a close and the concerts that had been rescheduled had not left much leeway for anything. They had two months left before the tour was over, and they still had the video shoot to do. They got off November first, and were expected back on tour December twenty first, the first concert being the day after Christmas. They would meet in France. So now the schedule had to be tight, things could not be rescheduled, let alone cancelled or pushed back. Four days had been scheduled in between shows to film the video, everything was planned to the very hour on the days. All Clive could do was switch the guys’ days off closer to the end of the month with the video shooting days to give Win’s nose time to heal. The next day, at noon, the bus arrived at Howie and Nick’s duplex to pick them and Win up. They were already packed and they got on the bus ready for the trip. When the bus got to AJ’s house he was waiting outside, Latecia clinging to him and crying. “I’ll be home soon sweetie, don’t cry baby.” AJ said painfully as Latecia cried into his shoulder. “Look, I talked to your mommy and you’re gonna come see me for a whole week on tour.” AJ replied holding his little girl up and looking into her teary eyes. “You promise?” she asked wiping some of her tears away. “From the bottom of my heart baby girl.” AJ replied looking at her. “Pinky swear?” she asked sniffling. AJ held out his pinky and she locked her finger with his. “I pinky swear on it.” He smiled at her. “I love you daddy!” Latecia said flinging her arms around her neck. AJ closed his eyes when he heard her call him daddy, and he felt a few tears building in his eyes as well as he hugged her. Edith came up and pulled Latecia away. AJ stood up and looked at Edith holding his daughter. “You need anything at all, you call me, okay?” AJ asked. Edith nodded. “And you baby girl, you call me, any time, day or night.” AJ said touching Latecia. She nodded her head, still crying silent tears. “Well, I guess that’s it.” AJ said looking at his daughter, wishing he could take her with him now. “Here,” Edith said holding out a photo album to AJ, “I’ve been adding to it since she was born, for you.” AJ flipped open the first page and saw him holding Latecia when she was just two months old. He smiled. “Thank you so much Edith. For everything, especially for Latecia.” “It’s nothing AJ, really. Go on, Denise will be in Pennsylvania with Latecia next month. You’re going to be late.” AJ gave them both a hug, and Latecia a final kiss before climbing on the bus and not looking back as it pulled away. AJ waked directly past Win, Nick, and Kevin sitting at the kitchen table and climbed into his bunk. He shoved his bag at the foot of his bed, pressed himself as far as he could into the corner and felt his heart tearing in half as his sobs ripped from his chest, muffled by the pillow. Later that night, well after midnight, Win emerged from her bunk to get a drink and saw AJ at the table looking through a photo album, it was the first time he’d come out of his bunk since he arrived. “Mind if I join you?” she asked. He looked up and her and said, “If you want to.” Grabbing her drink Win sat down opposite of him. Her nose was still bandaged and looked much worse than it was. “Win, I am so sorry.” He said without looking at her. “I know.” Win replied. “No, I mean it. I was wrong to hit Nick, I was wrong to hit you. And there is no excuse for any of it, or for kissing Edith either. Win I know you won’t take me back, and I know I deserve it. I just want you to know that I realize what I did was wrong. And from the bottom of my heart, I hope you know that I will always love you and always appreciate what you did for me.” AJ kept his stare away from Win, his hands in his lap. “Thank you AJ.” Win replied. “Of all the bad things that came out of this, you still brought something good into my life. Even though you didn’t want kids, you gave me one, you gave me Latecia. I can never thank you enough for that.” AJ said finally looking up at her. “She always was your daughter, you always treated her like she was your daughter, and now, you got your wish, she is your daughter.” Win replied smiling. “Yeah, she is, just look at that,” AJ said turning the album to show her a picture of AJ holding Latecia on his shoulders, she was holding her hands over his eyes, but he was laughing as was she. “You two are adorable together, the perfect couple.” Win replied. “I think you are right. I think I’ve had enough relationships for a while, I think I’m just going to focus on Latecia for a while.” AJ replied turning the album back to him. “That could be a good idea, if I could believe it,” Win replied with a smile. AJ looked up her and shook his head. “I’ve been so awful to you. How can you sit here with me, so calm and, and caring?” he asked. “AJ you are not an evil person. You are not a bad person either. I know that, I’ve loved you, I still love you, and I part of me always will, no matter what. You just reacted bad, that’s all, we’re all guilty of that sometimes.” Win replied. “You continue to amaze me Winifred. After everything that I’ve done to you, after all that’s happened to you, you just give back, love, and understanding, no matter what.” AJ said sitting back and looking at her. Win just shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him. “Oh come here,” he said getting up and pulling her out of the booth to hug her tightly. “Thank you, for everything.” He said squeezing her tight. “No problem.” He let her go and sat down at the album again. “I got to tell you something AJ.” “What’s that?” he asked carefully. “I lied about something too. Remember the night that you and the guys went out to that comedy club, and I stayed home sick?” Win asked. “Yeah, what about it,” he said looking at her skeptically. “That Freddie Louis girl you liked so much, you’re looking at her.” A smile crept across AJ’s face as his shook his head. “I should have known. Just do me one favor Win,” AJ said grabbing her hand. “What’s that?” “If it doesn’t work out between you and Nick, and not saying that it won’t, just stay away from Howie.” Win laughed heartily and nodded her head. “I promise AJ, I really promise.” Part III Chapter 61 “First and foremost. You two are married, so you know better. And Brianna and Tessa do not think for one second, that I wanted to do this with them. To me, a married man is attractive as a slug, no offense guys.” Win said laughing. “None taken, you withered up old hag you.” Kevin replied coolly, his arm around Tessa. “Good, keep that in mind.” Win said laughing along with Brianna and Tessa. “Next, to all of you guys, keep your eyes on my face, and your hands off the merchandise. Hands are regulated to the back, shoulders and arms. I feel any grabby hands, it’ll be a good whack in the sunshine pack, if you catch my drift.” Win said. “Read you loud and clear Win!” Howie said raising a hand. “Next, keep your tongue to yourself, it is supposed to look like a makeout session, not be one.” She said allowing this last rule sink in. “All right, now that we got all the ground rules, lets do this video!” Win said and a cheer went up from all the guys. The video went perfectly. Win kept everyone in stitches the entire time and although there were many awkward moments, Win just used it to keep everyone laughing. Things between Win and AJ were now fine. The day after they were back on the tour, AJ sought out to Nick and apologized to him. He gave Win and Nick his blessing to have a long and happy relationship. When Denise arrived with Latecia AJ was overjoyed to see her. He spent the next ten days with Latecia by his side, every minute of the day, he had her near him. When he absolutely could not be with her, Win agreed to watch her, which was not for long because AJ always rushed back to her. Denise stuck around for a few days, visiting with AJ and her newfound granddaughter. During her three-day visit she spoke to Win about what happened. “I’m so sorry that all this happened Winifred.” She said with sad eyes. “It’s not your fault. Denise, we just were not meant to be together.” Win replied “I just wish, you could have been a part of our family.” She replied frowning. “Who says I’m not already a part of your family? Just because I’m not dating AJ anymore, doesn’t mean I’m going to stop visiting you. Denise, I love you like you are my own mother, you are part of my family now.” Denise smiled and cried at the same time. “And you are the daughter I never had. I love you too Winifred.” While they were in Pennsylvania, Win visited some of her friends. She also decided to go back to her church and see some of her friends there. The Saturday before they were to leave, Win announced to the entire crew, “Tomorrow I am going back to the church I sang in while I lived here. Everyone here is invited to attend, no matter if you are Christian, or Jewish, or Catholic or whatever, I invite all of you to come listen to my choir sing.” On that Sunday, a greater part of the crew showed up at the church. The guys had gathered in a pew up front with Win and spent the morning listening to a lively sermon. “And now, I would like to invite our house choir, to come up here and perform.” The minister said after he finished his sermon. After the large group of people assembled he spoke again. “And now, I’d like to invite, a long time friend of ours, who has sang with us, since she was fourteen. The one and only, Miss Winifred.” Win looked around surprised but Howie and Kevin pushed her up from the pew as the parishioners burst into applause and shouting. “This girl right here ladies and gentlemen, has the voice of an angel,” there was a chorus of “Amen” ringing across the church, “She takes the word of God and makes it into the soul of God!” Another chorus of “Amen” rose from the crowd with enthusiasm. The minister threw his arm around her and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time to get to my favorite part of praising the lord, through song. Let’s show this young lady here some love! So that she will help us raise up his name!” Win blushed and nodded. “Please tell us what song you would like to sing.” The minister asked. “Um, Worthy to be Praised.” Win replied awkwardly. “Worthy to be Praised, and yes indeed, he is worthy to be praised. Miss Winifred, if you would kindly ascend to the choir.” Win climbed up the few steps to stand among her old friends, clad in Scarlet choir robes. They all patted her on the shoulder and sent their greetings. “Ladies and gentlemen, let us begin!” the minister roared and Win began singing. She finished to a tumultuous applause. Before the minister could speak again he handed her the microphone. “To everyone here, my old friends, of the Belltown Baptist Church, my new friends and family from the Backstreet tour, thank you so much for being here. You all have been such influences in my life, that I don’t want you to walk away without knowing it. I wanted to be back here today, because today, is an especially important day for me. Today marks four years from the last time I ever used drugs. On this day four years ago, a good friend of mine from this choir standing behind me, a one Miss Rina Coster, found me shooting up with heroin in the bathroom of this church before I came to practice. And instead of accusing me, she offered me help, and so did the entire choir. I spent five days in the basement of this church, waiting for the drugs to leave my system. And to these people here, and everyone here in this church, I am standing before you, a changed woman. I do not miscount my blessings, I have been so lucky and just so incredibly blessed with my friends, and my friends who I now count as my family. So in honor of this day, I’d like to sing one of my favorite songs, Sing my Song by Christina Aguilera, and you may laugh, but I don’t think that I could express myself better than this song does, so to everyone, this is my way of saying thank you.” The music started and Win began singing. She looked around at everyone in the audience. And as she sang she walked down the steps and around the room, shaking hands with people. When she got to her long note, she held it out so long that the audience was standing and applauding as she finished the song. She stood in front of the choir and bowed, saying simply, “Thank you.” Before they knew it, the tour was over and they were on their separate ways for the Thanksgiving Break. In the airport, everyone waited around for their planes to take off. Howie was on his way to Reno to pick up his girlfriend and then go to Spain, where his entire family was congregating to spend the holidays. Kevin and Tessa were going home to Kentucky, just as Brian would be once he picked up Brianna and baby Winifred. AJ was spending Thanksgiving with Latecia and his family in Maryland. Nick was going to his parents in California, and Win was going with him. Howie was the first to leave, and then Brian, and Kevin and Tessa. Finally only Win, AJ and Nick were left waiting for their planes. “So this is it, till next month.” AJ said looking at them. “Yeah, I can’t believe it’s over already, it seems like it started just last week.” Win replied. “It sure has been a ride.” Nick said with a laugh. “I know. But it’s great to be doing it again. I forgot that it was fun, most of the time,” AJ said rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it has been good.” Nick replied. “You kiss this girl yet?” AJ asked. Nick opened his eyes wide in surprise. “Nope, he’s too shy.” Win replied giving him the eye. Nick turned pink. “Flight 117 to Miami leaving at gate forty five and Flight 68 to Los Angeles at gate 47 are now boarding.” “Well, that’s us. Guess it’s time to say goodbye.” Win said looking up at the announcement. “Yeah, but we’ll be back soon enough.” AJ said with a smile. “Oh, I am gonna miss you though!” Win said throwing her arms around him. “Me too. I love you so much!” AJ said squeezing her tight. “You take care of that little girl of yours now, and you tell Denise, and the rest of your family I love them okay?” Win asked as they parted. “I will.” AJ replied. “Hey, slugger, I’ll see you in a month.” Nick said grabbing AJ’s hand and doing their handshake. AJ pulled him in for a hug, “Aw, what the hell.” “I’m gonna miss you too man,” AJ said as they let go, but he held onto Nick’s arm and pulled him close to whisper in his ear. “You hurt her and I’ll kill you, understood?” “You got it man.” Nick said smiling, patting AJ on the chest. “Good,” AJ replied smiling. “Oh hang on!” Win said fumbling with her bag for a camera. “Here, could you take our picture!” Win said to a lady passing by. She agreed and they squished together. “On to Europe!” They shouted and before the picture clicked, AJ and Nick both leaned in, threw their arms around Win and kissed her, one on each cheek. They parted, waving until they could no longer see each other, waiting for their next adventure together.
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