Everything Your Heart Desires by Cheryl ([email protected]) and Kristy ([email protected]) Chapter 35 Kristy spent the rest of the day feeling miserable. She was still kind of mad at Kevin for the way he blew off her encounter with that awful woman. Part of her knew he was right � jealous fans came with the territory. But that didn�t mean it didn�t bother her! And it certainly didn�t mean it shouldn�t bother him. Look at how Brian reacted when she�d told them what that woman had said about her and Leighanne. The least Kevin could do was get upset too. But then, why would he get mad at a fan over his �friend?� Kristy�s heart felt like it was torn in two every time she thought about it. They were supposed to be beyond that, right? This wasn�t the early years of their careers when they had to deny being in relationships. Everyone knew about Leighanne and Amanda... granted not everyone was happy about it, but at least their boyfriends claimed them. In her heart, she knew Kevin loved her. It was the last thing she heard at night... whether he whispered it in her ear as they were falling asleep or said it over the phone. It was the first thing she thought of when she woke... whether lying next to him or thinking about her dreams of him. It was in every action, every little gesture they did for each other. He�d said it in front of their friends... he�d even said it in front of his mom! She wouldn�t let herself doubt his love for her. She couldn�t. *~*~*~*~* When Cheryl and Howie returned to the hotel, Brian stopped them in the lobby. "D, I need to borrow Sparky for a little while. We�re going to knock some sense into my cousin. Meet me at Kevin�s room in ten minutes." Cheryl obeyed without question, especially after seeing how distraught Kristy still was. She left Howie, A.J. and Nick to entertain her as she joined Brian. "Kevin," he called through the door. "We need to talk." A very introspective Kevin Richardson opened the door, but his look turned to one of surprise when he saw Cheryl there as well. "What the hell is she doing here?" "My best friend has been down the hall crying since this morning all because of you," Cheryl accused, her finger poking his chest. "That�s what the hell I�m doing here." "Sit, Kevin," Brian instructed. Kevin wasn�t about to argue � at least not until he could collect his thoughts and defend himself properly. "What we want to know is what you�re planning to do to make it up to her?" "What? I did nothing wrong. She�s just overreacting." He felt no need to justify himself to them. "Someone calls your girlfriend a slut and you don�t feel the need to do anything about it?" Cheryl was outraged. "Sure, it made me angry," Kevin replied much too calmly � almost as if shrugging off the comment. "But really, it�s like I said � it comes with the territory. Kris needs to learn that." Brian could hardly believe what his cousin was saying. No matter how many times fans lobbed insults toward Leighanne he would find himself seething inside and try to be sensitive to her. From Kevin�s words it seemed as if he didn�t care, although Brian and Cheryl both knew that was far from the truth. It was that infamous Richardson stubbornness that wouldn't allow him to admit guilt. The love for Kristy was still in his heart. "What are you, crazy? The woman loves you with every ounce of her being and this is how you defend her honor? Christ, Kev, I didn�t think you were so dense." Cheryl tried to calm Brian and began a new approach. "Kevin." She knelt before him staring relentlessly into his green eyes. Searching for the remorse underneath that defense he�d built. "I don�t think this was about the fan�s comment � I don�t think it ever was. Well, maybe in the beginning, but I really believe the reason why this has dragged on is because of YOU, your comment. "You can blame that other woman as much as you want. Kristy doesn�t want to feel that type of hatred from anyone, but that came from a total stranger. She has probably long forgotten it. "What hurts more is to know that someone you love as much as she does you is willing � even subconsciously � to deny what they feel. Kris thought you were beyond that. By dismissing her as just a friend, you betrayed her. You might not think so, but it�s true, Kevin. You betrayed your relationship and you betrayed her love." Kevin�s head hung low as his gaze dropped to the floor. When he met Cheryl�s eyes again, tears shone in his eyes. "I never meant to hurt her," he whispered almost inaudibly. "I never wanted to be the reason for her tears." Cheryl embraced him. "I know, Sweetie." She caught Brian�s gaze over Kevin�s shoulder. "I want the world to know how much I love her." "I know," the redhead continued to comfort him. "Now you just need to figure out how to make it up to her." Cheryl dragged Kevin over to the table in the corner of the suite and Brian joined them as the elder Kentucky cousin laid out the plan for his apology. Half an hour later, Kevin hung up the phone for what seemed to be the tenth time that afternoon. "Okay, Jeff promised that the Firm would complete their part of the bargain. The rest of it should be ready to go at the venue." He smiled slyly. "I thought of something else too� something special." "What?" Cheryl asked. "Uh-uh, you�ll have to wait until the concert tonight." "Okay, I�ll trust you on this one." She stood. "Now it�s my turn to talk to Kristy." "Do whatever you have to do, Cher. She has to be at the venue tonight." "She�s as stubborn as you are, but I�ll do my best not to let you down, Kev. I probably won�t see you before the concert, so good luck to you both." She gave Brian a hug then turned to give Kevin one as well. "That goes double for you." *~*~*~*~* Kevin paced backstage, waiting for Kristy to get there. The rest of the guys gave him lots of space, knowing his emotions were running high. Brian was also pacing on the other side of the room, wondering if Cheryl would actually be able to get Kristy to come to the venue. Brian shook his head and bit back a smile as he recalled Kristy�s conversation with his and Kevin�s family the night of the dress rehearsal. They�d been discussing their heritage and backgrounds. German and Irish � good Lord, what a combination! How could she NOT be stubborn? He was actually fairly surprised they hadn�t seen her temper flare before this, with that ancestry. Kevin glanced at his watch for probably the hundredth time, then froze mid-step as Kristy walked into the room. Kevin�s heart was pounding in his chest � she looked so beautiful. She wore the ubiquitous �little black dress� � the soft flowing material draping perfectly on her body, yet leaving something to the imagination... and Kevin�s imagination was working overtime. Her golden blond hair was slightly curled with the front sections held in place with sparkly clips. She looked at him from across the room and smiled slightly. Kevin saw the hope in her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief � not realizing until then that he�d been holding his breath since she�d walked in. He crossed the room to her and stood before her, unsure of his voice. �You came.� Kristy only nodded � she knew if she tried to talk right now she�d fail. �Can we talk?� Kristy nodded again and followed him to a private room backstage. Kristy struggled to maintain her composure as they entered the small candlelit room. Soft music was playing from the boom-box in the corner and small bunches of tulips were everywhere she looked. She looked up at Kevin and could feel the tears stinging her eyes. Kevin lifted his hand to her face and gently brushed away the first tear as it started to fall down her cheek. �I am so sorry.� Those simple words made Kristy cry even harder. Kevin swallowed the lump in his throat as Kristy�s shoulders shook with her tears and he pulled her to him. This time she went willingly and buried her face in the crook of his neck, crying tears of pain, relief, joy and love. He stroked her silky hair and caressed her back, while his own tears trailed down his face. He pulled back slightly to look down at her. �I know I was a complete dumbass today.� Kristy smiled slightly at what had become their group�s favorite derogatory comment. �Just because the fans often say mean things about you girls, doesn�t mean we should tolerate it. This was your first encounter with a hostile fan and I was totally insensitive.� Kristy looked him straight in the eye, her hazel eyes twinkling slightly. �Yes. You were.� Kevin laughed. �Glad we agree. I�m sure you�ll also agree I was an idiot of the highest degree with that �friend� comment. I honestly thought I said �girlfriend.� You know I love you, and I want the world to know it too.� Kristy raised her eyebrows. �And how are you going to do that, Richardson?� Kevin smiled at her use of his last name � that was a good sign. �Well, it�s a multi-phase plan. Phase One was this afternoon.� Kristy�s eyebrows quirked again. �Tomorrow morning radio shows, TV shows, and about a million websites are going have entertainment news clips with me talking about what an amazing year it�s been for myself and the Backstreet Boys... We survived the rough year we had last year, the release of Millennium has been more successful than we ever dreamed, the European tour was great, the U.S. tour looks to be even better, and � most importantly � I�m in love.� Kristy�s eyes widened. Guess he wasn�t going to hide their relationship after all. �Dare I ask what Phase Two is?� Kevin grinned and kissed her on the tip of her nose. �You can ask, but I�m afraid you�ll just have to wait and see.� Kristy draped her arms around his neck and smiled into his beautiful green eyes. �Could I persuade you to give me a hint?� Kevin smirked. �You could try.� Kristy leaned in and kissed him lightly, letting her lips barely brush his. Kevin struggled to stay passive as Kristy deepened the kiss slightly, her soft lips pressed against his. Kevin moaned softly as Kristy ran the tip of her tongue along his bottom lip, then slipped it into his warm, waiting mouth. Kevin took control of the kiss as he pulled her closer to him and slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss once again. As they breathlessly broke apart, Kevin saw the twinkle in her passion-filled eyes. �Okay, I�ll give you a hint.� He chuckled at the look of victory on her pretty face... even though he was the real winner in their relationship. �Phase Two will happen sometime tonight � during the show.� *~*~*~*~* The concert was more than half over as Kristy sent Cheryl an anxious smile. She�d filled her in on the high points � Kevin apologized... she forgave him... candles, tulips and lots of kisses were involved. Cheryl had known about Phase One, but Kevin was keeping Phase Two a surprise. Kristy grabbed Cheryl�s hand as the center of the stage rose with Kevin and the white baby grand piano in the middle of it. This was her favorite part of the concert � she loved to listen to Kevin play. �Ladies and gentlemen,� Kevin started. �Thank you all for coming tonight.� �This is new,� Kristy said to Cheryl as she watched Kevin stand from the piano and walk down one of the runways. �You all are in for a bit of a treat tonight. Before we get to �Back To Your Heart�...� Kevin paused as a cheer went through the venue. �I have a new song I�d like to share with you.� Kristy glanced at Cheryl who was smiling in anticipation. �This song is very special to me � almost as special as the person who wrote the words to it. Kristy... will you come up here?� Kristy looked at Cheryl in surprise, then giggled as she saw Q standing just in front of them. He led her to the stairs and she climbed them, taking Kevin�s hand as she reached the top. He then led her up the walkway back to the piano and had her sit beside him as he began to play a beautiful melody. As Kevin�s deep, smooth voice began to sing, Kristy�s eyes widened in surprise as she realized what words were coming from his mouth. She�d shared her lyrics to �Once Upon a Time� with him, but these weren�t them. He�d written a song for �Wherever You Are.� Kristy couldn�t stop the tears of happiness and love that fell softly on her cheeks. �We�ve been given this gift from high above. We know that it�s rare... this one perfect love. Side by side, or distances far... Remember my heart is wherever you are.� Kristy felt the meaning in the words Kevin sang as intensely as she had when she wrote them. She could tell from the look in his eyes and the emotion in his voice that Kevin did too. As the song ended the crowd erupted into applause. �Boston... this is the talented songwriter who wrote those amazing words. She also happens to be the love of my life. This is my GIRLFRIEND...� Kristy smiled as he emphasized that word. �Kristy.� And in front of thousands of fans, Kevin Richardson did the unthinkable. He pulled her to him for a long, slow kiss. Next: Chapter 36 -FanFics -Home