| Chapter Twenty-Four |
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This chapter contains
original lyrics by me. The song is a duet sung by Nick and Lauryn. Lauryn’s
parts will be italicized and Nick’s will be bold. When they sing together, both
formats will occur. Thanks for reading!!
Nick: My eyes fluttered open to the
intense winter sunlight pouring in through frost-covered windows. My hand
tingled, obviously asleep, from the pressure of Lauryn’s sleeping head on my
arm. Her hand rested on my chest, her palm silky against my bare skin. Small
puffs of warm air brushed my shoulder with each quiet, slumbering breath that
passed through her lips. Lauryn’s body paralleled mine. Her head on my
shoulder, her hand on my chest, and her leg draped across my hips, her knee
against my groin and her calf laying between my thighs. I tried to crawl out of bed without
waking her, but unconsciously, Lauryn pulled me closer to her. I sighed,
smiling. She reminded me of Reagan. How Reagan acted when I had to rise earlier
than she did. I had no other choice but to wake her. I couldn’t spend all day
in bed with Kevin’s girlfriend. “Lauryn,” I whispered, rubbing her
exposed arm with my free hand. She moaned softly, but her eyes remained tightly
closed. “Lauryn,” I whispered again, my mouth hovering over her ear. Her eyes fluttered open for half a
second before returning to the sealed position. “Morning, sweetheart,” she
murmured, a gentle smile forming on her lips. She stretched out beside me like
a cat, her arms over her head and her toes pointed downward. She caressed my
cheek with the back of her hand, her eyes still closed to the world around her.
“Did you sleep well?” she inquired, her eyes finally opening to see my face. “Yes,” I answered. “However, you
need to get off me before I wet your bed.” She rolled over, snuggling back
under the blankets. “Thanks, doll,” I said, kissing her forehead in
appreciation. I scuttled to the bathroom, sighing loudly as I relieved the
pressure deep in my abdomen. “Do you work today?” I called from the bathroom as
I washed my hands. I heard Lauryn slide out of bed, her
bare feet quiet on the hardwood. I turned around, the towel in my hands, to see
her leaning against the door frame in her shorts and tank top, her firm arms
crossed under her bust. “No. Not today. The show took the day off. Too many
sickies,” she replied. “However, I’m going to the studio to record another
track. Wanna come?” she inquired. I shrugged my shoulders. “Why not?
I’d like to see you in action. You were phenomenal as Christine,” I answered
with high praise. A gentle smile creased her features.
“Thank you, Nicky,” she murmured, casting her eyes downward in mild
embarrassment at my compliment. “So, when do we go? Do I have time
to shit, shower, and shave?” I questioned, returning the towel to the sparkling
silver rack. A hearty laugh escaped Lauryn’s
lips. “You know, Nick. We may even have time for coffee,” she giggled. “I’ll go
start it brewing,” she stated, still giggling, as she removed herself from the
doorway and headed for the kitchen. I crossed the hall to the guest room
where I straightened the slightly rumpled bed clothes before gathering my
shower gear and entering the bathroom. The water cascaded down my naked body in
sheets as I stood under the spray of hot water. It felt good to be here. To
have Lauryn back in my life. Why couldn’t the others be so forgiving? I turned off the water and toweled
myself off, spreading some gel through the golden hair that nearly brushed my
shoulders. Unpacking my bags into the dressers, I found some clothes and set
them aside. The smell of fresh brewed coffee seeped under the door and I closed
my eyes to the comforting smell. It felt so good to be here. Lauryn: “Coffee’s ready, Nick,” I said,
knocking on the closed guest room door gently. “Be right there,” his muffled answer
came. I could hear drawers being open and shut so I figured he was in the
process of unpacking the rest of his things. I returned to the kitchen and poured
two steaming mugs of hazelnut-flavored java before taking a seat at the round
oak table to wait for him. I was deeply engrossed in an interesting newspaper
editorial when he stepped in the kitchen area. “So, what time’s the recording
session?” he asked, taking a seat across from me. I jumped at the sound of his voice
although he spoke softly. “Eleven,” I replied, folding the paper and setting it
aside. He lifted his wrist to check his
watch. “Nine thirty,” he stated. I watched him sip his steaming coffee, taking
the silence to look him over again. He didn’t look nearly as awful as I thought
he did yesterday. Perhaps he just needed to clean up. Nick still looked thin in the waist
and face, but his blue eyes sparkled. His golden hair was longer than I
remembered, shaggy around his ears. And he looked handsome in his khaki pants
and olive-colored sweater. I blushed slightly, a light chuckle
leaving my throat, as I repressed an impure image of Nick. “What’s so funny?”
Nick inquired, pushing the longish strands of blond hair behind his ear. “Nothing,” I answered, hiding my
smirk behind my oversized mug. “Mmm-hmm,” Nick muttered. Then all
was quiet between us as Nick thumbed through the sublet section of the
classifieds. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about this,” he stated, taking my left
in his and fingering the impressive rock that adorned my finger. “You and Kevin
engaged?” I smiled brightly. “Yeah. Christmas
Eve,” I said in return. “Congratulations,” Nick said
happily. “Kevin is a lucky man.” “You have to be there, Nicky. I can’t
imagine getting married if you weren’t,” I asserted. He didn’t answer right away, but
finally murmured, “I’ll try.” “Well, you finish with the paper.
I’ll go get ready. See you in a few,” I announced, rising from my chair and
leaving the kitchen. Kevin: “So, what do you think, D?” I asked
Howie of the petite, dark-haired woman singing in the sound proof before us. “Krystal is incredible, Kevin.
Hevin-D would be lucky to sign her. Lucky to have two such great talents as its
first artists,” Howie answered, his fudge-colored eyes never leaving the pane
of glass separating Krystal Harris from Howie and me. She had the voice of an angel. But
not only that. Her talents extended to the piano, drums, flute...practically
any instrument she could get her small hands on. Plus, she wrote. Lyrics and
melodies. All at the age of 19. “Krystal, that was excellent. D and
I have to talk to Mook, but aside from that, it’s pretty much a done deal,” I
stated, holding down the intercom button. “Welcome aboard Hevin-D.” She let out
a silent whoop of joy, her smile radiating across her face. “I’m going to call Lauryn. Can you
wrap things up with Mook?” I asked, my attention fixed on Howie. “Absolutely,” Howie replied. I rose
to my feet and headed for the studio door, but Howie’s gentle voice caused me
to pause. “You are so pussy whipped.” “Fuck you, man,” I replied with a
laugh as I opened the studio door, fishing my cell phone out of my blazer
pocket. I stopped outside the door and
leaned against the wall. The phone rang and rang, but she never picked up. “Hi.
Kevin and I are busy. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we
possibly can,” the machine answered. “Hey, darlin’. Just calling to see
how things are with you and let you know you have a label mate. She’s
fantastic. Not as great as you. But then again, I could be biased. I’ll call
you later. Love you.” I closed the phone and stuffed it back into my pocket.
‘Guess I won’t have to miss the final wrap-up,’ I thought to myself as I
reentered the studio. Howie and Krystal sat close to each other and conversed
quietly, but with the way Krystal was blushing, I didn’t think they were
discussing music. “Let’s wrap this up,” I said loudly.
Howie jumped and flushed crimson. “Then we can go back to New York and start
recording,” I added, smiling at Howie’s reaction. Yep. Definitely not
discussing music. Shea: Trying to support a baby carrier and
two bags is not the easiest task. Especially when fumbling with keys and a lock
that sometimes sticks. After a few minutes of struggle, and after I’d finally
set the bags down at my feet, the door swung open and AJ stood before me. “Took
you long enough!” I laughed as he reached out the door to grab the two duffle
bags. “Glad to see you too, Shea,” AJ
chuckled back, placing a warm kiss on my cheek and feather-light one on
Tristan’s forehead. “He been asleep long?” “No. Just since we left the airport.
You know how he gets the second he’s strapped into the car,” I replied, walking
across the living room to the bedroom to lay Tristan in his crib. “Randolph
call?” AJ shook his head. “You nervous
about beginning production tomorrow? You know, seeing Nick and everything?” he
asked quietly, scratching the back of his head. I sauntered over to him and wrapped
my arms around his waist, laying my cheek on his chest. “I think the question
is are you nervous about me beginning production tomorrow. You know, with
Nick.” His hands tenderly caressed my back as we stood there holding each
other. “You don’t have to worry, J. I’m not going to run off with Nick. Him and
I are finished,” I assured him, looking up into his puppy dog eyes. “He is Tristan’s father. And I know
that you want him to be an active part of your son’s life,” AJ whispered. I placed my finger on his lips. “It’s
not going to happen, sweetheart. If Nick wants to take the initiative and be in
Tristan’s life, then I’m not going to stop him. But,” I stated firmly, staring
AJ in the eye, blue piercing brown, “I’m not going after him. I’m with you. I
love you, Alex.” “That’s what I needed to hear.” He
squeezed me tightly and grazed his lips across mine before pulling away. “What was that?” I inquired, raising
my eyebrow. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him deeply. Passionately.
“That’s better.” I smiled and ducked under his arm to go to the living room. “I talked to Brian,” AJ said as he
followed me. “He’s really sorry, Shea. And I believe him. That’s not a Brian
thing to do. He wasn’t thinking straight.” I spun around. “AJ, you didn’t see
the look on his face. I didn’t think he could look so cruel and spiteful. It
sent chills down my spine.” “No, Alex. I can’t forgive him. Not
yet. I don’t even want to talk to him. He said it with such force and
determination that somewhere deep inside I think it’s possible for him to
follow through on his threat. I know it’s not a common Brian action, but a lot
of things have changed in the last year and a half. The Backstreet Boys, the
group that I thought would be around for years, broke up. I have son whom nobody
wants to claim as his. Nick isn’t speaking to anyone. And it took over a year
for you to finally talk to us again. The only thing that isn’t fucked up right
now is Kevin and Lauryn. She was in a coma, lost her baby, and the one person
who could make it all better. But even that has rectified itself. She’s with
the man that she loved all along. She’s happily engaged. And just waiting until
the day when she has a child who will be loved and accepted by its father with
no questions asked.” I bit my lips to keep from crying. “The worst part of it
all though is, everything is my fault.” The tears broke through and I could
feel them creating hot rivers down my cheeks. AJ engulfed me in his arms.
“Don’t say that, honey. This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. If I hadn’t come on
to you in Spain all those months ago, if I hadn’t followed you to the studio,
then none of this would have happened. You’d still be with Nick, raising that
beautiful boy sleeping in the other room. The group would still be together.
Everyone would be happy.” He paused as he continued to sway back and forth to
comfort me. “And in case you don’t remember, Lauryn’s baby was Kevin’s. Not
Brian’s. Their life isn’t as perfect as you would like to believe. Everyone had
a part in the way the last couple years have been. Everyone, with the exception
of Howie, fucked up some way, some how. Quit putting all the blame on
yourself.” He pulled away and cupped my face in
his hands, wiping away the tears that streaked my face. “Tristan may not be
mine biologically, but I love him as if he were. Kevin loves him. Howie loves
him. And Brian loves him. He has more ‘fathers’ than he’s going to know what to
do with. He isn’t unwanted. And he is undoubtedly loved,” AJ said softly before
brushing my lips with his. “Try to forgive Brian. It wouldn’t be fair to
Tristan to take away the man that has been there for him since the day he was
born because of something said without thinking. Brian loves you Shea. And I
don’t blame him for that.” “Brian doesn’t love me, AJ. He loves
Tristan. And the only reason he thinks he loves me is because I am Tristan’s
mother.” Nick: “Nicky!” Dennis cried as Lauryn and
I walked into the studio. “Where the hell have you been hiding? It’s been
ages.” “I’ve been around. Working,” I
replied. “Yeah. Heard your album’s doing
really good. And the movie comes out in May?” Guy said, stepping up to me and
hugging me. “Yep. Should be good. And I’m in the
studio again. Working on my sophomore album.” “Should we get started?” Dennis
asked Lauryn, kissing her cheek in greeting. Lauryn nodded and stepped into the
booth. Dennis and Guy took the seats in
front of the mixing board and played back the music that the band had recorded
earlier. Dennis and Guy agreed to assist Lauryn in the mixing and editing
process while Kevin and Howie were out of town so they were the only two band
members at that particular session. Lauryn’s voice filled the system and I took
the vacant seat next to Dennis, mesmerized by the sad, haunting tone that
surrounded them. The
boundaries are broken. The line
has been crossed. We could
end this right now. Nothing
would be lost. But I
can’t help the way I feel Each time
you look at me. The
twinkle in your eye reflects Love only
I can see. But how
did this happen? How did it
begin? When we
started out as friends. That you
want this too. ‘Cause
someway, somehow… I’ve
fallen hard for you. “That
was great, Lauryn!” Guy gushed, cutting the song out momentarily. “Have Kevin
and Howie given anymore thought to who is going to sing opposite you?” he
asked. “I don’t know. But they’d better
decide soon. I want this song on my album,” Lauryn answered. Dennis and Guy both turned toward me
at the exact same moment. “Nick?” I looked back and forth between the
two men’s faces. “What?” I asked, suddenly nervous and defensive. Guy jerked his head toward the
studio where Lauryn waited patiently for the session to continue. “Wanna take a
crack at it?” “Laur, do you want Nick to try it
just so you know what it will sound like?” Dennis asked through the intercom. Lauryn nodded emphatically and Guy
thrust a copy of the score in my hands. I sighed and
rose to my feet, entering the studio through the adjoining door. Lauryn fixed
me with a pair of ear phones and placed a filter in front of the mic before me.
“Thanks, Nicky,” Lauryn said, squeezing my hand gently. “Okay, guys. Again from the top,”
Dennis said through the intercom just before the flowing melody filled the
studio. The
boundaries are broken. The line
has been crossed. We could
end this right now. Nothing
would be lost. But I
can’t help the way I feel Each time
you look at me. The
twinkle in your eye reflects Love only
I can see. But how
did this happen? How did it
begin? When we
started out as friends. That you
want this too. ‘Cause
someway, somehow… I’ve fallen
hard for you. I can see
it in your face. It
brightens up your smile. This
didn’t happen overnight. It must
have took a while. Why didn’t
I realize it before? Can’t you
see it baby? But how
did this happen? How did it
begin? When we
started out as friends. That you
want this too. ‘Cause
someway, somehow… I’ve
fallen hard for you. No more
living in the shadows. No more
hiding from the truth. No more
denying what we’re feeling. Together
we can make this work. Friends
first forever. Now lovers
‘til the end. But how
did this happen? How did
it begin? When we
started out as friends. That
you want this too. ‘Cause
someway, somehow… I’ve
fallen hard for you. Tell me
this is real. That you
want this too. ‘Cause
someway, somehow… I’ve
fallen hard for you. “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have a winner!” Guy
announced when the song closed. “That was perfect! I can’t imagine another
voice on this track with you, Lauryn. Nick is it.” “Is that all you wanted to do today,
Laur?” Dennis asked. Lauryn nodded. “Okay then. That’s a wrap. Guy and I are
going to finish this up.” Lauryn took my hand in hers and we
left Dennis and Guy to finish the editing and mixing of what was sure to be a
number one song. Lauryn: “So, is that why you wanted me to
come to the studio with you today?” Nick asked me as we rode in a stale
cigarette-smelling cab back to the walkup. I blushed. “Well, not the only
reason. But I did want you to sing on that track with me. Your voice is so pure
and rich. And we blend well together. I didn’t know how else to get you to do
it. I figured Guy and Dennis might be able to persuade you. But if you don’t
like it, then I can--” Nick’s hand cut of my rambling. “You could have just asked,” Nick
stated, his eyes smiling. I blushed again. “Well, that would
have been to damn easy!” I laughed. Nick chuckled with me before his face fell solmen
again. “Kevin’s not going to like it,
Lauryn. He won’t let you release it.” “It’s my damn album! I can’t put
what I want on it!” I snapped back. “He’s your label. Your manager. He
can, and will, tell you what you can and cannot put on it,” Nick retorted. “He won’t, Nick. He knows how
important it is to me to have my own imput,” I assured him. “We’ll see,” Nick replied. I pushed the strands of long blond
hair behind his ear. “Don’t worry about it, Nicky.’ *Original
lyrics by Sarah---copyright c. 2001* |