|
Wish Upon A Star Chapter 2 Kristy repositioned Ashtyn�s pink sunglasses on the little girl�s face, having just finished applying some sunscreen on her fair skin. She�d no sooner finished readying her daughter when Amanda swept the toddler from her stroller and rejoined her husband of a few months, A.J. McLean. The honorary aunt and uncle also had possession of Olivia Dorough � Cheryl and Howie�s fifteen month-old daughter � as the small group waited for the few stragglers. Soon they were joined by Leighanne, Brian, and Jacob � the blonde, blue-eyed miniature version of Brian running to Amanda and A.J. so he say "hi" to his cousin. It had been a little over a month since the Boys� publicity tour and all of the wives were happy to have their husbands around for their monthly "BSG" get together. The girls had long been meeting like this � though nights on the town had evolved into dinners and gossip sessions and now family outings. The women were a wonderful support system for each other � providing advice and insight on life as a Backstreet Boys� girlfriend� or now, wife. Kristy didn�t know what she would have done without Leighanne and Amanda�s words of wisdom during some parts of her and Kevin�s courtship. Sharing your man with millions of women had certainly taken some adjustment, and Kristy would admit she�d struggled with the thought at times when they were first dating. By now, all the women had come to terms with life as a significant other to public figures, but had stayed close friends � sharing a bond few could relate to. Kristy, Cheryl, and Leighanne were enjoying their temporary childless-state as they watched A.J. act as a living jungle gym for Ashtyn and Jacob while Amanda held Olivia. The three women were soon enveloped in a bear-hug from behind, causing them all to giggle and affectionately greet the last arrival. "Hey, Smarty," Cheryl welcomed a newly-single Nick as she hugged him one-on-one. "Sparky," the youngest member of the Boys said with a smile. "Leigh." He finished hugging his best friend�s wife before turning to Kristy. "Spunky! Hey, babe." Kristy found herself being picked off the ground in a giant hug. "Thanks for including me � even though I�m without a �BSG� for the moment." Kristy smiled warmly at the young man. "A temporary set-back, I�m sure." She and all the women wanted to see Nick happy � and with someone who was right for him� something that hadn�t happened yet. Nick greeted his bandmates with full Disney spirit. "Jokey," Nick exchanged a secret handshake with Brian, using the names Cheryl and Kristy had given to all the Boys with their Mouse Ears. "Hi, Crazy. Amanda." Nick waved at A.J. and his wife. "Sweetie," Nick said with a stifled giggle as he nodded to Howie. Kristy smiled in anticipation as he turned to her husband. "Hello, Sexy!" The Boys all gave Kevin a bad time about her nickname for him, which was exacerbated when Kevin was named People Magazine�s "Sexiest Pop Star" of 1999. Kristy giggled as Kevin rolled his bright green eyes and shook his head in exacerbation. "I�m never going to get rid of that name, am I?" he said with chuckle as Kristy put her arm around his waist. Kristy kissed him leisurely. "Not a chance� Sexy," she said with a seductive smile. With everyone present, the parents finished their preparations for a day out with children. Cheryl tied a small bonnet over her daughter�s brown curly hair while Howie held her, shielding the little one�s head from the late-summer sun. "So gang, are we ready?" She glanced around at the adults and children congregated at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. "Nine adults to three children� I�d say that was about the right ratio." Nick scooped up Ashtyn, setting her on top of his shoulders while Kevin stuffed miscellaneous supplies into the deluxe stroller. Brian was likewise packing Jacob�s stroller while Leighanne was attempting to refasten her squirming son�s sandal. Kristy giggled as she looked around at the group. Gone were the days of roller coasters and water rides. Now the main focus of the day was Fantasyland. Kevin kissed his wife�s cheek as they watched Nick head down Main Street U.S.A. towards the castle with their daughter�s dark head resting on top of his blonde one. "He makes a pretty good babysitter," Kevin said with a chuckle. Kristy nodded as she passed off the stroller to her husband. "You do realize, of course, that he�ll be using our daughter to pick up women." Just then, an attractive young woman started fussing over Ashtyn and flirting with Nick. While still amazingly popular, the Boys could go out in public a little more easily than they had when they were all single men. The friends lined up at Small World, and Brian and Nick sent A.J. a mischievous look. "Don�t even think about it," A.J. said, referring to the two�s rendition of the ride�s song when Howie and Kevin had first introduced Cheryl and Kristy to the other guys. "Lil Princess," Nick started, talking to the little girl now in her mom�s arms. "Uncle Nicky and Cousin Brian have a song to teach you and Jacob." Kristy and Kevin joined the other�s laughter as A.J. groaned dramatically. Their amusement grew as Ashtyn began her own � granted, somewhat convoluted � version of "Small World". "You�ve got to be kidding me!" A.J. said with a shake of his head. "Did you expect any less? This IS Kristy�s daughter we�re talking about," Cheryl giggled. As the group emerged from the ride, everyone was singing along � even A.J. � drawing amused looks from the other park guests. They paused so Olivia, Jacob, and Ashtyn could get their pictures taken with a few Disney characters while they got their autograph books signed� the Boys also posing and signing books for other kids � and adults. Kevin smiled as Kristy led Ashtyn to meet Snow White. He snapped a picture of his "Lil Princess" with the bigger one while Nick looked on. "Man, I never realized how much Ash looks like Snow White before." Kevin chuckled as his wife and daughter made their way back to them. "Don�t let Kris hear you say that." Snow White was Kristy�s least favorite princess. She often said that the first Disney princess wasn�t a very good role model for young girls today. "Don�t let Kristy hear you say what?" the woman in question asked as she approached the two men. "Nick was noticing the resemblance between Ash and Snow White," Kevin said with a smirk as Kristy turned narrowed eyes on the younger man. "Yeah, but my daughter is going to be a modern-day princess. None of this �I will cook for you and I will clean for you�," Kristy imitated in a high, soft voice. "And taking care of seven dirty little old men? I don�t think so! It�s bad enough she�s gonna grow up around you five perverts," Kristy teased, laughing as Nick stuck his tongue out at her. "Look who�s talking� Horny and Horny Two," Nick threw back with a wicked smile, referring to another nickname the group had come up with for Kristy and Kevin while they were dating. "I�m sure Ashtyn will be able to hold her own," Kevin chuckled, looking adoringly at his �spunky� wife. "And I doubt she�ll grow up thinking it�s a woman�s sole job to cook and clean after a man� after all, that�s what housekeepers are for, right Kris?" The group next hit the Teacups, with Leighanne opting to bypass that one and snap pictures from the side. She gave Brian a final reminder to take it easy with Jacob, rolling her eyes as the two-and-a-half year old grabbed on to the spinning wheel with glee. Ashtyn rode on Kristy�s lab while Kevin controlled their cup�s movement. Despite the fact that he barely added any additional spin to the ride�s mild turning, Kevin watched with alarm as his wife�s face paled and she ran from the ride to the nearest bathroom as soon as the ride came to a stop. Concerned, he sent Leighanne and Cheryl in to check on her. Kristy was blotting her face with a wet paper towel, one hand supporting her as she leaned on the counter. "Kris? Sweetie, are you okay?" Kristy composed herself and forced a smile. "Yeah, I�m fine. Guess I�m getting too old for the Teacups." Cheryl sent Leighanne a worried look, knowing their friend could normally handle any ride � in fact, the wilder the better. The women emerged to find the rest of their friends all waiting quietly outside. "I�m fine, guys," Kristy said with dismissive wave of her hands as she rejoined Kevin. "I�m fine," she repeated to her husband, trying to relieve the concerned look on his face. "Probably just dehydrated or something," she added as she grabbed a water bottle from Ashtyn�s well-stocked stroller. Kevin wasn�t convinced. Kristy had been getting tired more easily lately and a few times over the last few weeks had turned a little green with certain smells or foods. They waited in line for Pinochio's ride and Kevin wrapped his arms around Kristy while she leaned back against him, secretly grateful for his stability. She watched Nick playing with Ashtyn and Jacob, and sighed as Kevin kissed the top of her head. "Angel, I want you to make a doctor�s appointment as soon as we get home." He turned her in his arms, his eyes holding her gaze. "I�m worried about you." "Kev, I�m sure it�s nothing. Most of the time I feel fine� it just comes in waves." She smiled up at him and kissed him softly, hoping to distract him from the current conversation. She turned back in his arms, leaning against him again as they moved forward in line. Kevin saw Leighanne watching them, a questioning look on her face. They locked eyes and Leighanne quirked an eyebrow. Kevin�s eyes followed Leighanne�s hand as it went to her slightly protruding stomach and his eyes widened. He waited until they were seated in their car and could talk without anyone else listening. Nick had taken Ashtyn and was earning major bonus points with the tot as he sang along to "When You Wish Upon a Star". "Kris�" Kevin paused, searching for the right words. "Are you late?" Kristy began to glance at her watch, before she realized what he meant. "Kevin! What kind of question is that?" Kevin didn�t answer her as he watched her face turn from surprised to thoughtful back to surprised. "Oh my God! Do you think?" Kevin placed his hand tenderly on her flat stomach and rubbed it gently. "I hope so."Kristy paced the kitchen, waiting for the phone to ring. She�d had her doctor�s appointment that morning and was supposed to hear the results of her tests any minute. Kevin sat back and smiled, watching her anxious movements � himself a picture of tranquillity. There was no doubt in his mind about what the tests would show� he was going to be a daddy again. The phone rang and Kristy grabbed it immediately. "Hello? Yes, this is Mrs. Richardson." Kristy caught Kevin�s eye and smiled nervously. She listened quietly for a few moments, her eyes sparkling with happiness and unshed tears. "Thank you." She hung up the phone and smiled at Kevin who�d crossed the room to her side. "It�s official� we�re pregnant."Next: Chapter 3 |