“So, what was the deal with you and Reggie?” Joe asked, curling up in the sleeping bag he had laid out across Katie ad Peyton’s apartment floor.
“We were engaged at one point. Thing was, he had one heck of a temper and didn’t quite know how to deal with it.” Katie said, curling up closer to Kevin on one of the couches.
“Which was really funny because he could not stand it that Robbie didn’t deal with his own temper at all.” Peyton added.
“So, I finally broke it off with him and helped out with an album release party for this big boy band and fell in love.” Katie finished up.
“And Robbie is your ex, right?” Nick asked, looking at Peyton from his sleeping bag on the floor.
“Robbie and Reggie were the best of friends. They were always together and having parties.” Peyton said.
“So, why didn’t we run into Robbie at the party?” Joe asked.
“He is actually in jail, for assault. He took his temper out on me and had started in on Katie when Kevin came with the cops.” Peyton said.
“Katie had called saying that Peyton was dealing with Robbie and that if I was back in town, she would love my help.” Kevin said, wrapping an arm tighter around Katie. “So, on my way out, I called the cops.”
“And that was why you went out on tour. You were part of the reason Reggie’s best friend was in jail. Reggie would never hurt Peyton because she was the victim, but he would hurt you.” Elisabeth said, things starting to connect in her head.
“The paper I was working for at that time suggested it, do the whole ‘Almost Famous’ travel with the band idea.” Katie said. “Plus, Kevin and I had started dating at that point.”
“Do you guys ever worry about what would happen if Reggie ever did try something? Or when Robbie gets out?” Elisabeth asked. “I mean, you’re probably lucky that you only got that bruise tonight.”
Peyton and Katie exchanged a look as Katie ran a finger over the mark on her arm. “We’ll figure it out when it comes time for that.” Peyton finally said. “As for now, we are just living and enjoying life.”
“Speaking of enjoying things, what movie got chosen to watch?” Nick asked, getting comfortable in his sleeping bag.
Peyton stretched out in the recliner, making sure that she wasn’t blocking Joe’s view from the floor. Elisabeth got comfy on the other couch, every once and awhile looking at Nick who was on the floor by the couch. Kevin pulled the quilt off the back of the couch and used it to cover up him and Katie as she started the DVD.
‘A long time ago’ flashed across the screen. “You have got to be kidding me.” Peyton said, tossing a pillow at her roommate.
“My house originally, my movie!” Katie said, as the group chuckled.
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“Did you know that Katie was drinking again?” Elisabeth asked Peyton as they pulled into the parking lot in front of their store.
“No. I had thought that she quit back before she and Kevin started dating. I mean, once she had broken up with Reggie, she had no reason to be drinking.” Peyton said.
“And based on the look on Kevin’s face when he saw the bottle, he had no clue she was drinking either.” Elisabeth said. “And that Grey Goose didn’t look like she had just popped it open recently. She’s been drinking for a bit.”
They both stepped out of Peyton’s red Dodge Ram truck and Peyton locked the doors. “I just hope she deals with whatever is making her drink again. Things will not be pretty if she doesn’t.” Peyton replied.
The door to the store was ajar, causing Elisabeth and Peyton to exchange a look. “Katie?” Peyton called into the store.
When they received no answer, Elisabeth grabbed her phone. “I’m calling the cops.”
“I’m gonna see if I can find Katie.” Peyton said, digging her phone out of her purse and dialing Katie’s cell.
“Cops are on their way here.” Elisabeth said once she hung up her phone. She watched Peyton talk and then hand up hers.
“I’m not getting an answer on her cell or at the house. I did manage to get Kevin on his, and he’s on his way here with Joe and Nick.” Peyton said, tossing her cell phone back into her purse.
They both kept looking back at the store. “I’m scared to go in. What if someone is still in there?” Elisabeth said.
Peyton stepped closer to the door. “Hello? If you’re still in there, I’m coming in and I have a baseball bat!” She yelled.
Kevin’s Jeep came screeching into the parking lot, as Nick and Joe didn’t even wait for the Jeep to be parked before they hopped out. “Still no answer from Katie?” Joe asked, watching both girls shake their heads.
“She has apparently dropped Bella off at the sitter’s, but mentioned having to run by the house before she came to the store.” Kevin said, walking over as he hung up his cell phone.
“I’ll go ahead and try the house again.” Elisabeth said, as she quickly dialed the number.
A cop car pulled up to the front of the store. “What seems to be the problem here?” A cop asked as he stepped out of the driver’s side of the car.
“Someone broke into our store.” Peyton said, pointing at the open door.
“Have any of you been inside yet?” The cop asked, as the three guys shook their head. Elisabeth quickly hung up her cell phone with a disgusted sigh. “No, none of us have.” Elisabeth said.
The cop motioned for the other one in the car to join him, as the group followed the two cops inside. “Looks like you guys have been ransacked.” The buddy said, as they all took a look around at the mess.
“You should make a list of everything that was stolen, and turn it in. If they stole a certain amount of money, it turns into a felony.” The first spoke up.
“Katie keeps a running list of our entire inventory in her office.” Elisabeth said, walking over to the three hidden doors on a back wall.
She stopped when she saw two of the three doors. “I don’t think we were robbed.” Elisabeth said, as Peyton came over to Elisabeth’s side.
“We have to get a hold of Katie, and quickly!” Peyton said, stepping closer to the doors.
She wasn’t worried about ‘Hello baby doll’ being spray painted on her door. It didn’t frighten her. Not as much as ‘What goes around comes around bitch’ sprayed on Katie’s door in Reggie’s handwriting.
Kevin grabbed his cell phone out of his dress pants pockets once he took a look at the door. He kept trying Katie’s cell phone, praying she’d pick up. “Is something wrong ma’am?” The buddy cop asked.
“Our friend is in deadly trouble.” Elisabeth replied.
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Kevin pulled up to the house and stopped behind Katie’s Pontiac Grand Prix. A thousand things started flying around in his head all at once. He was having problems figuring out where one thought ended and another one began. “Please God, let her be okay. Let everything be okay.” He said softly, closing his eyes tight.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to Joe sitting next to him, lending support. “She’s okay.” Joe said. “Nothing is going to happen to her.”
Kevin felt himself smile a little as Nick leaned forward to his two older brothers. “She’s not going to leave you and Isabella anytime soon.” Nick added.
The cops walked over to the Jeep, with Peyton and Elisabeth behind them. The Jonas brothers stepped out of the Jeep and came over to the group. “We would like to enter the house first.” One cop said, motioning to the group of at least six cops. Kevin nodded, handing the lead cop his keys.
The house was as trashed as the store. Couch cushions were thrown around the living room, pillows ripped open, vases of flowers were spilt down the hallways, and pictures had been knocked over and broken. Any picture of Kevin and Katie together had been thrown across the room and the frame itself had been shattered.
“You’re supposed to feel safe in your own home.” Peyton said, bending down and picking up a recent picture of Kevin, Katie and Isabella. Peyton looked at the smile on her best friend’s face and felt a few tears in her eyes. Elisabeth wrapped her arms around Peyton, as they both looked at their missing friend.
“There’s no sign on the intruder or intruders. If someone was here, they’ve left.” One cop said, as five faces fell with the news.
“The hunter green Pontiac Grand Prix in the driveway belongs to your family?” Another cop asked.
“Yes, it’s my wife’s car.” Kevin said, fiddling with his necklace. The silver chain around his neck felt heavy and the spot where Katie’s purity ring lay on his chest felt like it was on fire. ‘Of all the days to decide to make sure I wore the chain,’ Kevin though, pulling the ring off and slipping it as far as it would go by his wedding ring.
“Kevin!” Nick called from the nursery.
They found Nick kneeling by Katie’s silver chain. It lay on the floor and had been unclasped. Kevin’s purity ring didn’t appear to be anywhere in the room, causing everyone to start to talk. “That’s a good sign, right?” Nick asked.
“She wouldn’t lose that chain, no matter what, right?” Peyton added.
Kevin opened his mouth to say something in response but stopped. “Shh!” He said, looking around the room. He stepped outside the doorway but then stepped back in. His eyes landed on Isabella’s closet.
“A little bit longer and I’ll be fine.” Kevin whispered, walking over and opening up the closet door.
Katie sat huddled in the corner with her eyes squeezed shut. She had Kevin’s ring slip over her finger, right next to her wedding set. “So I wait till kingdom come. All the highs and lows are done. A little bit longer and I’ll be fine.” She sang softly to herself. When the song was over in her head, she started over. “Got the news today. Doctor said I had to stay.”
“Oh my god.” Kevin said, causing Katie’s eyes to fly open.
She jumped up and wrapped her arms around him, her body shaking with a mixture of all the fear she had dealt with and the tears she had kept inside. “I was so scared. I was so scared I’d never see you again.” She whispered, as Kevin pulled her close to him.
“I swore to protect you and love you until death do us part. I plan to stick with that promise.” Kevin said, his own tears starting to slip out. He cried like he had cried only two times in his whole life. Once was when Isabella had been placed in his arms for the first time and he was able to see his daughter. The only other time had been almost two years ago…..
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Murmurs went throughout the crowd. No one had expected this. There had been so many plans already made. A beautiful hall and church had been reserved, there had been so many decorations ordered, and that beautiful dress she had bought. So many things that were tossed aside with a simple note that had read ‘Meet us down at the beach. Meet at the church at 3:30 and followed the marked balloons to the destination.’
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of man and our Heavenly Father to unite Kate Lynn May Walsh and Paul Kevin Jonas II in holy matrimony.” Paul Jonas said.
The weather was beautiful; they had lucked out on that aspect. The crisp ocean breeze kept everyone cool as it softly filtered through all of the wedding party’s hair.
Elisabeth and Peyton were sharing the joint role of maids of honor. They wore matching tea length forest green satin halter dresses. There was a white satin ribbon that tied at their midsection and there was a white eyelet trim that peeked out from underneath the skirt. They had gone barefoot for the beach and had white flip flops for the reception.
Both girls had left their hair down and it had been curled into soft waves that fell over their shoulders. They had wreaths of white lilacs in their hair that had various shades of green ribbons flowing down with the waves. They both carried a bouquet of white lilies and white irises. A white and forest green ribbon had been tied around the stems to keep the bouquets together.
Katie’s little sister Madalynn was playing the flower girl was playing the flower girl, wearing a matching wreath in her own light brown hair. Madalynn wore a plain white spaghetti strapped sundress that had an eyelet trim at the bottom of the dress that matched Elisabeth and Peyton’s dress. Maddy was also barefoot.
Joe and Nick were dressed in white button-up shirts, khaki dress pants, forest green ties and were barefoot. Pinned to the shirt’s pockets were irises that had been dyed a dark green. Joe kept brushing his flat ironed hair out of his eyes due to the breeze, while Nick kept leaving his curls alone.
Frankie was a matching outfit, carrying the rings. They had found him a plain white pillow that they added forest green ribbons to tie the rings on with.
Kevin had also dressed like the guys, barefoot and iris on his pocket. The new addition, however, was Katie’s silver purity ring on a silver chain around his neck.
Joe, Kevin and Nick had walked to the decorated arch with their father when ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls had started playing. The girls walked down the aisle to the same song that faded into ‘Canon In D Minor’ while Frankie and Maddy had walked.
When ‘Hello, Beautiful’ had started playing, Paul had motioned for everyone to stand.
Katie had a smile on her face and already had tears starting to form in her eyes. She wore a white halter dress made out of eyelet fabric that ended at her knees in the front but flared out a little in the back. Right under her bust line was a forest green ribbon that tied into a bow and hung down. She wore a wreath in her hair, just like the girls and had stuck an extra lily behind her left ear. On a silver chain, she wore Kevin’s purity ring.
Paul spoke of love and unending love while Kevin and Katie stared at each other, holding hands. They both had smiles on their faces, listening to him talk about their love and what marriage meant.
“Do you, Paul Kevin Jonas II, take Kate Lynn as your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, to cherish her, and to protect her until in death do you part?” Paul asked.
Kevin reached out and wiped away a few tears that had started to fall from Katie’s eyes. “I do.” He said.
“And do you, Kate Lynn May Walsh, take Kevin as your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, to cherish him and to protect him until in death do you part?” Paul asked.
Katie sniffled a little and wiped at her eyes. “I do.” She said.
Joe and Peyton walked over to Frankie and he helped them untie the rings. They then brought them back over and placed them on the Bible that Paul held. He spoke a little about what rings symbolized before turning to Kevin. Kevin picked up Katie ring, allowed her to hand off her bouquet to Elisabeth and then he held her hand in his, ready to slip her wedding ring on.
“Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.” Paul said, as Kevin repeated it while slipping the ring on Katie’s finger. Katie then reached up and wiped away a few tears from Kevin’s eyes, smiling at him. She turned and picked up his ring, taking his hand in hers. “Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.” Paul said, as Katie repeated and slid the ring on Kevin’s finger.
“You two have pledged your love and your lives before God and before man. What God has placed together today, let no man tear apart.” Paul said. “And it is with my greatest pleasure that I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss you wife, my son.” He said, as Kevin smiled before kissing Katie.