Shea:

 

            It was a couple weeks later when I got the first of several surprises. Brian, Kevin, Lauryn, and I were just sitting down to a quiet evening meal. Tristan slept soundly in his playpen in the living room. “Well, should I tell them or do you want to?” Lauryn asked Kevin with sparkling eyes.

            “Go ahead,” Kevin replied, taking a bite of his lemon pepper chicken.

            “Tell us what?” I inquired.

            “Kevin and I are moving in together,” Lauryn stated.

            “You already live together here,” Brian said.

            “No. We’ve decided to get a place of our own,” Lauryn clarified. “Kevin sold his mansion in Florida and he’s taking up permanent residence here.”

            “Congratulations!” I squealed. I knew it was only a matter of time before Kevin and Lauryn would decide to make it official and get married. “When you moving?” I asked.

            “Next week. We found a walk-up about a mile from here. It’s beautiful. Track lighting. Hard wood floors. Balcony. Beautiful,” Kevin answered.

            “Really? You’re moving so soon?” I questioned in shock.

            “Yeah. Sorry, Shea. But it’s either move in next week or lose it entirely,” Lauryn explained.

            “Well, it’s a good thing you took it. It sounds wonderful,” I stated.

            “And if you need any help moving, don’t hesitate to ask,” Brian added.

            “Thanks, man. We were hoping you’d say that,” Kevin said with a smile as he punched Brian’s arm playfully.

 

Brian:

 

            I had just drifted off to sleep on the hide-a-bed when I heard Tristan cry in Shea’s room. I listened to Shea stumble around her room groggily for a few seconds before getting up to offer my help. I knocked on her door lightly before opening it a crack and poking my head in. “Shea, can I come in?” I asked quietly.

            “Of course, Brian,” came her answer.

            I walked in and my eyes fell on a sight of beautiful perfection. Shea sat propped up in her bed, Tristan suckling her breast. The pale moonlight fell in on Shea’s golden skin through the open curtain, illuminating her and her son in a mellow light. I gingerly sat at the foot of her bed. “I thought I’d come in a see if you needed any help, but I guess I really can’t do anything about two am feedings,” I chuckled. Shea giggled softly and Tristan stirred, a small cry erupting from his mouth. I tried to peek at Tristan without looking like a perv, but I failed to see Tristan’s adorable face.

            “Come up here if you want, Brian,” Shea said, patting the spot next to her. I crawled up to the top of the bed and peered down into the perfect picture of innocence. Tristan’s lips were wrapped around Shea’s nipple, supplying himself with the nourishment her breast contained. His tiny hand rested on the curve of Shea’s perfect breast, and Shea stroked his arm ever so softly. She smiled down at him, proud of her accomplishment. The glow of motherhood surrounded her.

            “Have you thought about what you’re going to do when Lauryn moves out?” I asked, gently rubbing Tristan’s back.

            “Well,” Shea sighed, “I’ll either move some place else, increase my hours at work, or take out an ad for a new roommate,” she answered.

            “Don’t do any of that,” I stated.

            She gazed at me with a look of confusion and curiosity. “What else am I supposed to do?” she questioned.

            I hadn’t planned on it, but I had grown fond of both Tristan and Shea and I just couldn’t see them living somewhere else or with someone else, so I offered myself. “I’ll move in. Help with the rent. Take care of Tristan. It would be an honor,” I declared.

            Shea smiled her award-winning smile. “Brian! That would be wonderful! I really didn’t want to do any of things I suggested.”
            I scooted closer to Shea and we both stared down into the now sleeping but still suckling face of Tristan. “You have to promise me that if you feel trapped or burnt out, you’ll tell me,” Shea said, looking into my eyes. Her blue eyes penetrated deep into mine.

            “I promise, Shea, but I don’t think that will ever happen,” I agreed. She pressed her lips to mine.

            “There. That seals the deal,” she stated.

            We continued to watch Tristan nurse from Shea’s breast, but my mind thought about Shea, not Tristan. I found myself growing attracted to her. Her laugh. Her smile. Her perfect display of motherhood. And even though I still held feelings for Lauryn in my heart, every day I felt that they were being replaced by feelings for Shea. What was I going to do about this situation? I couldn’t pursue Shea when I knew she still held strong feelings of love for Nick even though she denied it. You could see it in her eyes when she caught a glimpse of him on TV or listened to his music. She’d stroke Tristan’s head and whisper, “That’s your daddy,” whenever she played Nick’s CD. It was impossible for me to try and step in now, especially with Tristan a constant reminder of the love Nick and Shea had once shared.

 

Nick:

 

            “CUT!” the director yelled. It was only the second week of production of Deep Deception and we were already running behind schedule. Last minute casting changes, conflicts between director and producer, and the fact that Reagan hadn’t shown up yet put everything in a whirl. “Take a break! I don’t want to see anyone for at least an hour!” the director yelled as he stalked out of the studio. The set crew cleared away some props while my costar Morgan Frost and I walked back to our trailers.

            “That man is a nightmare!” Morgan screamed. “If I had known that Philip Anderson would be such an ass, I never would have taken on this damn role!”

            “I could be in the studio working on my next album instead of busting my ass off for a director who never seems satisfied,” I remarked.

            “Well, Nick, check ya later,” Morgan said as she opened the door to her trailer. Morgan played my sister in the movie and we had been trying to do the scene where I beg her not to tell Victoria about our father. Victoria. Reagan. The same person. But unfortunately, I had never met either of them because of Reagan’s absence. As it had been for the last two weeks, nothing seemed to please Anderson. He picked our scenes apart, ragging on both Morgan and I as well as our other costars and storming out of the studio for reasons only he himself knew.

            Suddenly, my trailer door burst open. “Anderson, get off my back. You said to take a break,” I snapped.

            “Oh, I’m sorry,” a melodious voice apologized. “I thought this was my trailer.”

            I turned around. There she was. Our missing star. Reagan. “No, I’m sorry. I thought you were the director,” I explained. “You must be the elusive Reagan Adams. Star extraordinaire,” I said, rising to my feet and approaching the gorgeous blond at my door. I extended my hand, which Reagan took in a feminine grip.

            “You must be Nick Carter. Former Backstreet Boy, now solo artist,” she replied with a smile, shaking my hand.

            “Well, Nick. I should go try and find my own trailer instead of invading yours,” Reagan stated. “I’ll see you on set and if you need anything, I’ll be around,” she added.

            “Later, Reagan,” I said as I watched her descend my trailer steps and saunter away in pursuit of her own.

            She was even more dazzling in person than she was on the screen. The waves of golden locks cascaded down her back to her waist. Her blue eyes seemed more vibrant and full of life. She had the perfectly shaped lips of a goddess with a small, almost unnoticeable, cleft in her chin. And her hands were petite, feminine, and soft. I felt a stirring in my loins. A stirring of wanton lust for the eye-catching and eye-pleasing Reagan Adams.  I returned to my script to practice the scenes in my head so I could actually make it through one scene without Anderson yelling at me, but my thoughts drifted right back to the ravishing beauty that had just graced my door step.

 

Shea:

 

            “There. That’s the last of it, Pooka,” Brian puffed as he set a large cardboard box filled with dishes on the kitchen counter.

            “Thanks, B-Rok,” Lauryn said, opening the box and removing the paper-covered contents. I walked around the walk-up, my heels clicking loudly on the beautifully polished hard wood floor that covered every room. “So, what do you think, Shea?” Lauryn asked as she put her dishes away into the oak cupboards.

            “It’s wonderful, Lauryn. Perfect for you and Kevin,” I replied. It was wonderful and perfect. I meant it. There were two large bedrooms with wooden floors, walk-in closets, and gauzy, lace curtains that allowed plenty of light to filter in. The master bedroom had an electric fireplace mounted in one wall and a remote-controlled entertainment complex on another. The spacious bathroom had a separate shower and bath with a Spanish tile floor. And the balcony provided a wonderful view of upper Manhattan and over looked the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

            Brian helped Lauryn put a few things away while I continued to tour the beautiful walk-up. I heard Tristan cooing, but didn’t see him sitting in his carrier on the sofa. I walked out onto the balcony. There he was, taking in the breath-taking view from Kevin’s secure arms. I stood at Kevin’s side and stroked my son’s head affectionately. “I still don’t see how Nick can deny this beautiful child is his,” Kevin said quietly as he looked into Tristan’s tiny face.

            “It doesn’t matter, Kevin. He’s got the three of you Boys. That’s all he needs. He know he’s loved,” I stated.

            Kevin’s eyes met mine. “Why don’t you just have the court order Nick to take a paternity test?” Kevin inquired. He displayed obvious frustration towards Nick’s negligence.

            “That would just cause more problems than it’s worth. If I ever want Nick to be a part of Tristan’s life, I have to let him come around,” I explained.

            Kevin sighed. “Well, he’d better come around soon or he’s going to miss so much.”

 

Kevin:

 

            “This is going to be perfect, “ I sighed with a smile as I lit the last candle. Lauryn and I had been back together for almost a month, but we hadn’t been together intimately. I wanted nothing more that to make love with the woman I had sacrificed so much for, but I knew she blamed herself for losing the baby. I suspected that somewhere deep down inside, she thought I loved her less because of it. Tonight, however, I would prove her wrong. I loved her more now than I had before.

            I set the champagne in the ice bucket and placed the bucket amongst the candles. Then I waited. Waited for Lauryn to return home from theatrical practice. I pushed “PLAY” on the stereo and the soft, romantic ballad flowed out into the room. I dimmed the lights, loosened my tie, and stepped out onto the balcony to wait for Lauryn.

 

Lauryn:

 

            I stuck my key in the lock and opened the door, sighing loudly as I dropped my bag to the floor. I paused when I heard the romantic harmonies of Boys II Men spewing forth from the stereo and gazed around the room. When my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I saw Kevin standing in the doorframe of the balcony. His tie hung loosely around his neck. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His shaggy hair brushed across his forehead, shading his eyes slightly.

            I never took my eyes off him as he sauntered across the room and took my hand in his, kissing the knuckles lightly with his thin, soft lips. His thumb tenderly caressed my cheek as he held the side of my face in his palm. His eyes penetrated deep into my core expressing the love he hand for me.

            But I couldn’t. Not after what I’d done. He leaned forward to plant a loving kiss on my trembling lips, but I jerked away. I started to walk away, but Kevin grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him.

            The tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision. “You can’t keep shoving me away, Lauryn. Avoiding me won’t bring the baby back,” he said calmly, staring into my glistening eyes.

            “I’m sorry, Kev,” I whimpered. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. I pulled my arm away and walked toward the bedroom. I opened the door and a hundred flickering candles greeted me, surrounding the bed and resting on every available flat spot. My chin quivered at the sight before me, and the tears slowly crept down my cheeks. I felt Kevin’s arms wrap themselves around my waist and his chin rest in the crook of my neck.

            “It’s not your fault, Lauryn,” he whispered, kissing my neck.

            “Yes, it is,” I sniffled.

            He turned me to face him once again and wiped a few tears from my cheeks. “Why do you think that?” he asked, gripping my upper arms gently. “You could not have known anything would happen.”

            The tears began to pour like rain from my eyes, making rivers of regret and sadness down my cheeks. Kevin pulled me close to his chest and stroked my hair as I sobbed into his shirt. “I don’t blame you, Lauryn. That’s all that should matter. Don’t blame yourself,” he said in hushed tones. He kissed away my tears, his lips gently grazing my flushed skin.

            I could feel the love radiate through my body from his heart and it put my heart at ease. His lips brushed mine lightly, almost with insecurity. I pushed the thoughts of anger and betrayal on his part from my mine and let my body take over and express my feelings of infinite love for the man I adored.

            We made love in the soft flickering of the slow-burning candles, our bodies casting shadows overhead. Afterward, he held me in his arms, tight and secure, knowing that I’d be safe forever.