| Chapter 28 Howie and Kira stepped out into the hall, on their way to get their marriage license. Angel trotted up to them, whining. "Hey girl, what are you doing out here?" Howie asked. Angel whined more intensely at him, bouncing from one front foot to the other. Howie looked at Kira. She shrugged her shoulders, "I dunno." Howie walked over to Brian's door and knocked. Lyn answered the door, "Hey Howie." "Hey, when did you get here?" he asked. "Yesterday, what's up?" she asked. "Angel," Howie said pointing at her, "She was out here in the hall, and she's whining like crazy." Lyn opened the door wider, letting the wolf into the room, Howie and Kira following. Angel ran up to Nick, jumping and whining. "OK, OK, hang on," Nick said, looking around for his shoes. "What does she want?" Kira asked. "She's gotta pee," Tara said, smiling at her, "And she's not happy that we didn't let her back in last night." "Hey, we were already in bed," Nick said, teasing. "Yeah, yeah," Brian said, waving his hand. Angel barked louder than any of them had ever heard her. "Come on," Nick said, walking out the door with her and to the elevators. "What was that last bark about?" Howie asked. "Um, these are her words�"Nick, if you don't take me out right now, I'm gonna pee on your shoes!" Tara said laughing. Everyone cracked up. Who knew a wolf could be so animated? "So, you guys heading off?" Brian asked. "Yeah, down to get the license, then to the chapel," Kira answered. "Well, we'll see ya there then," Brian said, noticing the glow in Howie's face. "Yeah, see ya later," Howie said, taking Kira's hand and walking out the door. After they were safely down the hall, Brian looked at Tara and Lyn. "Ten bucks he passes out at the alter," he said. "Brian! That's not nice," Tara said. "Yeah, but I'm not sure I'd take the bet though. He looked like he was about to right here," Lyn said, smiling. "Yeah he did," Tara admitted. The three proceeded to get ready. After a few minutes, Nick returned with Angel. "Man, I tell ya, we could fire all the body guards and just take Angel here with us," Nick said, "The entire lobby was full of fans, but one look at her, and they cleared a path." Angel barked. "No sweetie, it's just that most people have never seen a wolf, and are intimidated by you," Tara said, patting her on the head. "What'd she think?" Lyn asked. "She thought they didn't like her," Nick said. "How could someone not like you?" Brian asked, kneeling down and petting her, "You are the most likable wolf I've ever met." Tara laughed, "And just how many other wolves have you met?" Brian smiled, "Good point." "Guys, aren't we gonna be late if we don't get going?" Lyn asked. "Yeah," Brian said, grabbing his jacket off the couch. Angel padded to the door, waiting on them. "Oh, I'm not sure you can go," Tara said. Angel whined at her. "She did?" Nick asked. Another whine. "OK, if Kira told you to come, then who are we to argue?" Tara said, opening the door and walking out into the hall. They were met in the hall by Kevin and Kristin, and Gary, Leighanne, and the baby, A.J. and Sarah were just coming out of their room. "Well, looks like the whole gang," Kevin said. "Yup, just hope the driver finds the chapel OK," Kristin said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie and Kira stood in line waiting their turn. Howie was amazed at just how many people were here already. "I had no idea this many people got married in one day," he said to Kira. "Yeah, well it is Vegas," she said. "Next!" the clerk said. Howie and Kira walked up, giving her the information, and paying for the license. After a few moments, the clerk handed them the license, "After you get married, you need to bring these back and have them recorded." "OK, thanks," Howie said, taking the paper from her hand. The clerk looked at him, "Calm down honey, you look like you're about to pass out." Howie blushed, "Naw, just happy." The clerk smiled, "Well, good luck then." "Thank you," Kira said, as they left the office. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The limos turned into a parking lot. "Looks like we're here," A.J. said, peering out the window. "Oh my God, this is beautiful," Sarah said. "How did Kira ever find this place?" Leighanne asked. "I dunno, but it's perfect for them," Sarah said. The chapel looked like an old Spanish mission. The architecture was astounding. The limos stopped, and everyone piled out, staring at the building. "This is awesome," Kevin said. "Yeah, I wish I had my drawing pad," Nick said, "This would be perfect to draw at sunset." Lyn squeezed Nick's hand, looking up at him. He smiled at her, as they walked into the building. They were met at the door by an older gentleman, "Morning. You are with the Dorough Party?" "Yes," Brian answered for everyone. "Right this way," the man gestured, leading them all into the auditorium. "This is so gorgeous," Lyn said, looking at the room. "Thank you, we try to stay true to the old Spanish theme," the man said. "Are Kira and Howie here?" Kristin asked. "Yes mame. Miss Kira asked that a Miss Kristin and the wolf come back as soon as you got here," the man said. "Oh, OK," Kristin said, following the man, with Angel on her heals. Everyone found a seat. "Wonder what that's all about?" A.J. asked. "I don't know, Angel said Kira told her to come, but that's all," Nick said. "Well I guess we'll find out pretty soon," Brian said, seeing the minister take the podium. Everyone quieted down a bit when the music started to play. The minister gestured for them all to stand, and they did. Looking back behind them as Kristin headed down the isle, Angel padding down beside her. "Aww, is that a pillow in her mouth?" Leighanne asked. As Angel trotted by, everyone could see she was carrying the ring pillow in her mouth. "Oh how cute," Sarah said. Kristin and Angel made it to the front, just as Howie came out from the back. He was dressed in a black tux, and looking nervous as hell. Kevin got up and went and stood next to him. "Man, take a breath and calm down. This is the woman you love," Kevin whispered to him. Howie smiled, taking several deep breaths. Just then Kira appeared at the back of the room, and Howie's mouth dropped open. She was wearing an off white gown. It was in a Spanish style, off the shoulder and fringes everywhere. She looked stunning. Kevin gently placed his hand on Howie's back to steady him as she approached. Nick watched as Kira got to the alter and the minister started the ceremony. He was happy for Howie, for him and Kira finally getting to do this. After all, they've waited forever, they deserved this happiness. But Nick also felt some sense of sadness. It wasn't that he was sad because that just left him and A.J. as the groups only single guys. It was more for the fact that it wasn't him. He looked over at Lyn. He loved her so much, he knew he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. But still he couldn't bring himself to ask her. He had wanted to for as long as he could remember, but then this or that happened, and it was never the right time. When the right time finally came, he just couldn't ask. It was like the words were foreign to him, something kept holding him back, and he never could figure out just exactly what it was. He knew he couldn't ask her now, not with his trials going on, and his failure a few nights ago. He sighed, looking back up just as the minister was taking the ring pillow from Angel. Nick watched as Howie and Kira placed the rings on each others fingers. The look on both their faces was pure happiness and love. Nick smiled at the sight. Lyn squeezed his hand, and he looked over. She smiled at him, the same look in her eyes, as in Howie and Kira's. He smiled at her, hoping his eyes didn't reveal the pain he felt inside. As much as he loved to see Howie finally get his dream come true, it pained him to see it. He wanted it to be him, and knew it couldn't be. At least not anytime soon. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister said. Howie grinned from ear to ear, leaning over and softly kissing Kira. He pulled away, and she reached up, grabbing him by the side of the head and pulling him down for a more passionate kiss. Much to the hoots and hollers of everyone in the audience. When they broke the kiss, the minister gestured to a door in the side of the room, "If everyone will go through there, lunch will be served." "Oh cool, we get to eat to?" A.J. said, hopping up. Howie and Kira both laughed at him, as they all filed into the dinning area. There were three tables set up with formal dinning ware. Everyone found a seat, and waited as the waiters brought out the first course. "Oh you're kidding? A five course meal? This is great," Kevin said. Everyone laughed, and talked. The meal was wonderful and the atmosphere was superb. Finally the wedding cake was brought out. Howie and Kira got up and did the traditional cutting of the cake and feeding it to each other. Kira threatened to smear cake all over Howie's face, but in the end was nice, and didn't. The waiters passed out cake, and again everyone ate. It was now late in the afternoon, and everyone was already tired. Howie and Kira were getting ready to leave. They wouldn't tell anyone where they were going, just saying that they wouldn't be back at the hotel that night, and they would see everyone at the show tomorrow. They were saying good bye when Nick walked up, congratulating them. He shook Howie's hand and reached over to hug Kira, having not let go of Howie yet. As soon as he touched Kira, he gasped, instantly seeing parts of their future. Howie was squirming under Nick's grip on his hand, "Um Tara, little help here?" Tara walked over looking at Nick. He was in another world, not aware of what was going on around him. She reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder, "Nick?" He turned his head, looking at her, blinking a few times. He quickly let go of Howie, "Sorry man." "It's OK," Howie said, rubbing his hand. "What did you see?" Tara asked. Nick smiled, looking at the newly married couple, "Their future." "Really? Like what?" Kira asked, intrigued. "I'm not sure I should tell," Nick said, looking over at Tara. She closed her eyes for a moment then looked up at him, "Go ahead." Everyone gathered closer, wanting to hear. "Well you're gonna have three kids, all girls," Nick said. "Really?" Kira asked, obviously happy. "Yeah, and D, this is really later on, but you start your own production company, and make like mega bucks," Nick said. "Cool," Howie said. Nick looked at them both, not sure about this last part. He really shouldn't be the one to tell them this. "Tell them," Tara said, smiling. "Tell us what? What else did you see?" Howie asked. "Um, well. You know I said you were gonna have three girls?" Nick said. "Yeah?" they both said. "Well, number one's already on the way," Nick said. Kira's mouth dropped open, "You're kidding?" Nick shook his head, "Nope I'm not. You're pregnant." Kira turned to Howie, completely extatic. "Oh baby, did you hear?" she asked, seeing the shocked look on Howie's face. He didn't say anything. "Howie?" Kira said, reaching over to touch his cheek. "I'm having a baby?" Howie asked. Everyone laughed, "Well, actually I'm having the baby," Kira said. "We're having a baby," Howie whispered, then passed out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat on the couch in the hotel room. They had been back for a while now, everyone resting from the days events. He smiled, still seeing the look on Howie's face when he passed out. He and Tara had revived him rather quickly, and when he and Kira had left, Howie was smiling ear to ear. Nick thought about how it had taken him by surprise. He had no control over what had happened, it just took him. He hated that. Not for what he saw, but that he couldn't do it at will, or even control it when it happened. He just had to ride it out, and he hated that feeling. Tara sat down next to him, seeing his far away look. "Pinny for your thoughts?" she asked. Nick looked at her, "Just thinking bout what happened at the wedding." "Tell me," Tara prompted. "Just that it took me by surprise, that I couldn't control it," he said. Tara put her hand on his knee, "Nick, the time will come when you can. It's not far now, you just gotta hang on a little while longer." He sighed, "I know. I haven't felt them today, do you think they gave up?" She stared at him, "I'm not sure. I thought that they would have come back by now too, but I just don't know." Nick stared over at Angel who was sleeping in one of the chairs. "I hope it ends soon," he said. Tara squeezed his knee, "I hope it does to." Chapter 29 |