| Prologue It's been a year since Tara came back to be with Nick. The guys have just finished their tour and have gone home to relax for a while before starting a new album. Nick and Tara have bought a house close to Brian and Leighanne. Brian and Tara still share a bond that neither of them can really explain, it's just there. And so begins a new chapter to their lives........ Chapter 1 Nick walked into the kitchen where Tara was preparing some of the food for tonight's cook out. "Hey, do you need any help?" he asked as he hugged her from behind. Tara stopped what she was doing and turned around and gently kissed him, "No, but if you don't leave me alone I'll never get finished," she said with a laugh. Nick took a step back and put his hands up, "Sorry angel," he said with a smile. Tara put her hand on her hip, "Nick, you know I don't like you to call me that." "I know, but you are you know. At least to me," he said. Tara smiled at him and went back to her work. The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Nick said, "It's probably Brian and Leighanne, they're always early." Nick ran to the door and opened it to find Brian and Leighanne standing there with food in tow. "Hey guys, come on in," Nick said. "Where do we put this stuff?" Brian asked. "Here in the kitchen," Nick said as he led the way. "Man Nick, you guys sure have done wonders to this house," Leighanne commented. "Thanks, but Tara did most of it," Nick answered. "Like I said, wonders," Leighanne reiterated. They made their way into the kitchen, and Tara turned around to greet them. "Hey guys, I'm glad you could come," Tara said as she hugged them. "We wouldn't miss it," Leighanne said with a smile. "Yeah, say free food and we're there," Brian said laughing. "Can I help with anything?" Leighanne asked. "Sure, just jump right in," Tara said. "Well Bri, looks like we're in charge of the grill," Nick said leading Brian out onto the patio where the grill was set up. "Nick, have you ever grilled before?" Brian asked a little skeptical. "Umm, no not really," Nick answered. "OK then, I'm in charge of the grill," Brian said laughing. "Man, you guys never let me do anything," Nick said sounding hurt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that night everyone was sitting in the living room recovering from eating way to much. Kevin and Kristin had arrived just in time to eat, which was the norm for them. They were all telling stories and laughing when Brian stood up. "Guys, I have something that I wanna tell ya," he said. Everyone looked around, wondering what he was gonna say. "I've been talking with the guys at the label, and while we have this time off, I'm gonna work on a solo album," Brian said. "Bri, that's great," Nick said. "Yeah cuz, sounds great. What kinda music you gonna do?" Kevin asked. "I'm going to do a gospel album," Brian answered smiling. Leighanne was looking at the floor. Tara walked over and whispered in her ear, "You OK?" "I'm fine," Leighanne said, but Tara could tell that Brian's announcement had taken her by surprise. "Well on this happy occasion, who wants dessert?" Tara asked. Everyone raised their hands. "I'll help," Leighanne said as she got up and followed Tara into the kitchen. When they reached the kitchen Tara shut the door to give them some privacy. "You weren't expecting him to say that were you?" Tara asked. "No, I wasn't. I mean I should be happy for him, but I'm not. I'm kinda upset. I was looking forward to having this time with him, you know, no business to interfere, just us. And now its not gonna happen," Leighanne said, on the verge of tears. "Lee, hasn't Brian always wanted to do this?" Tara asked. "Yeah, for as long as I've known him, he's always wanted to make this kind of album," Leighanne said. "Leighanne, I know this wasn't what you expected, but try to make the best of it, for Brian's sake, if not your own. He's finally fulfilling a lifelong dream, be happy for that," Tara said. Leighanne thought for a few minutes, "Yeah, I guess your right. I just wasn't expecting it." "Well you know that old saying, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade," Tara said with a smile. Leighanne laughed a little as they headed to the living room with everyone's plates. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick and Tara were in the kitchen putting all the dirty plates in the dishwasher. Everyone had left not to long ago and neither of them were sleepy so they decided to clean up a bit before going to bed. "I had a lot of fun tonight, we need to do that more often," Nick said. "Yeah," Tara said not really listening to him. "Tara?" Nick asked. "Yeah," Tara said again. "OK, what's got you in another world all of a sudden?" Nick asked. Tara leaned against the counter and looked at Nick, "I'm just wondering." "About what?" Nick asked. "I'm not sure really. Leighanne's reaction to Brian's solo album was a little outta character for her," Tara said. "What do you mean? She wasn't happy about it?" Nick asked. "No, not really. I mean I understand her reaction, with you guys being on the road so long, and for him to come home and within a week say that he's gonna work on a solo project. I understand that she was disappointed about loosing time with him, but there was something else," Tara said. "Like what?" Nick asked. "I don't know, that's what I can't put my finger on," Tara said. Nick walked over to her and embraced her, "You know this sixth sense you have really freaks me out sometimes," he said with a smile. Tara laughed, "Yeah, I know. I just can't turn it off." "I'm not asking you to turn it off, just put it on hold for a while," Nick said. Tara looked at him confused. "You ready to go to bed?" he asked with a smile. Tara smiled back at him and shook her head yes. Nick took her hand and together they went upstairs. Chapter 2 |