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Blessed - Sequel #1 It was a frantic Kristy and Kevin Richardson that rushed into the hospital on that late December night. Thankfully, before panic set in, they were met by Pollyanna Dorough in the corridor . "Where is she?" "How is she?" The couple asked simultaneously. "She�s with the doctor right now. Howard�s there too." "We would have been here sooner, but we needed to repack Ashtyn�s travel bag," Kevin said referring to the Richardson�s 10-month-old daughter, who calmly watched the fuss around her from her father�s arms. Pollyanna smiled. "Perfectly excusable. How is she?" She asked ushering them into the waiting room with the others. It was Kristy�s turn to smile. "There is only one way to describe her." She smoothed the little girl�s dark hair with her hand before readjusting said travel bag on her shoulder. "Daddy�s little princess." "Spoiling your daughter, Kev?" Brian Littrell teased his cousin. "Like you aren�t just as bad with Jacob." The younger cousin glanced toward his wife, Leighanne who cradled their 15-month-old son in her arms. "That�s my boy!" Down the hall in a hospital room, Howie Dorough held tightly to his wife�s hand as he watched the doctor take her vital signs. It was obvious that she was in pain and he felt it as if it were his own. "It�s okay, Cher. Just remember I love you, okay, B?" His fingers massaging the top of her hand with gentle strokes. Her eyes communicated her thanks. He smiled warmly gazing into their hazel depths. Slowly � almost like a movie flashback, he found himself reminiscing.Howie shut off his cellphone with a quick click of a button. According to his mother, the wedding plans were coming together. He hated that he couldn�t be there to help with organizing the ceremony, but, as usual, Backstreet duty called. Pollyanna, Paula, Kristy and Cheryl were doing a lot of the work with a bit of help from Amanda Latona, Leighanne Wallace-Littrell and Howie�s other sister Angie Haring. They had decided against using a wedding coordinator wanting to keep things simple and understated instead of complicated and extravagant. Paula had already enlisted help from some of the ladies at church for the more traditional Puerto Rican food � empandas and the like � to go with the usual catered light lunch for the reception. She had even searched the city for the perfect bride doll for the head table. It was Cheryl�s insistence not to ignore the customs of her Latina mother-in-law, a gesture that made Howie love and respect her even more. The reception itself would take place at the upscale club Howie had recently bought before the newly wed couple headed off to the honeymoon destination, an all-inclusive romantic resort on St. Lucia. Father Miguel was slated to preside over the ceremony with the minister from the Methodist church as second in command. The color scheme was set. Floral arrangements were ordered. The bridesmaids and Pollyanna, who would act as maid of honor because Cheryl�s sister declined due to the distance, had been fitted for their dresses. After much deliberation by Howie and Cheryl, the scriptures and music had been chosen. As the date approached, Howie spent time on the phone assuring his fianc�e that the ceremony and reception would be perfect. He knew about the fears she had concerning her divorced parents and he prayed every night that they did nothing to make the day even slightly uncomfortable. What he should have been more concerned with was his travel schedule. Howie � and the other Backstreet Boys, his attendants � were half an hour late for the rehearsal thanks to fog delays in Toronto. When they finally arrived at the church, he found a very frazzled Cheryl being comforted by his mother as well as her own. The couple embraced and Howie could feel Cheryl�s tears soak into his button down silk shirt. "Maybe it�s a sign that we shouldn�t be doing this," she whispered. Although knowing that it was just the stress talking, Howie felt his heart break. "No," he shook his head firmly. He withdrew from her arms slightly and stared her in the eye. "If what you want is a sign of things to come, let me give you one." His lips met hers in a kiss that, at first, burned with passion then radiated with love. Someone cleared his throat and the couple pulled away. "We haven�t gotten to that part yet," said Father Miguel with a smile.Howie took a deep breath and closed his eyes briefly as he heard Antonio Vivaldi�s "Spring" begin. This had been so much easier the night before. Now, it felt so surreal, yet so real. He was in love with a wonderful woman. Today she would become his wife. His dream would come alive. When he reopened his eyes, he watched Leighanne, Amanda, Kristy and Cheryl�s sister Chris process toward him with Pollyanna at the rear. No one could deny how stunning the women looked in the floor-length, spaghetti-strap dresses in lavender silk. Each carried a bouquet of white and purple lilacs. Pollyanna gave her brother a wink and smile as she passed him. He smiled back and turned his attention to the back of the church courtyard. Howie felt his heart swell at the image that met his brown eyes. He had never seen Cheryl look so beautiful. She wore a traditional gown � a white satin sleeveless bodice with a full skirt, chiffon over satin. Her only jewelry was the alexandrite necklace he�d given her in Wisconsin a few years prior. Rather than a veil, she had a length of chiffon wrapped delicately around her shoulders and a brimmed white summer hat atop her red curls. Upon closer inspection, he recognized the lone purple applique on it as the butterfly symbol adopted by the Caroline Dorough-Cochrane Lupus Memorial Foundation. Howie had been surprised when his brother and best man John had attached a similar-styled pin to the lapel of his tuxedo in lieu of a boutonni�re earlier that morning. "It�s our way to remember Caroline," John explained. "She would be so proud you." "But�" "It was Cheryl and Polly�s idea. They said it would make her spirit feel more welcome." Howie refocused his attention just as his soon-to-be father-in-law said, "Her mother and I do," and replaced his own freckled hand with Howie�s darker one. It was the moment his soul became whole."With this ring, I thee wed," Cheryl repeated softly as she slipped the wedding band onto Howie�s left hand. It had been a beautiful ceremony. They had proclaimed their love for one another. Nick, Kevin, A.J. and Brian had sung what Howie and Cheryl considered their song � Lionel Richie�s "Truly". The congregation had joined voices in "Hymn of Promise." Now all that needed to be said was� "Before I pronounce these two lovely young people man and wife," Father Miguel began, "I need to full fill a request." Request? Howie thought. What request? Dammit � oops, sorry, God � I wanna kiss my wife. This wasn�t in the rehearsal last night. Out of the corner of his eye, Howie saw Polly approach the piano. "Howard, Cheryl found this song a long time ago and over the past few months while we planned, she made me listen to it constantly. She told me the lyrics spoke of your relationship and how deep her feelings for you truly ran. As a gift to you both, I�d like to dedicate it to you today."When I think how life used to be It was Paula that rushed out of the ward many hours later to find a waiting room full of relatives and friends. Everyone stood as though she were the judge walking into a courtroom. Their faces all pleaded with her for any news. "It�s a girl!" she proclaimed happily. The room exploded with excitement and a round of hugs. "Six pounds, Seven ounces."Cheryl awoke to find Howie in the chair next to her bed with the newest member of their family bundled in the stereotypical pink blanket. He was running his index finger over the pink skin on the baby�s forearm and singing a soft lullaby. And you, you'll be blessed Sequel(#2): Wish Upon A Star: Kevin and Kristy |