Chapter 31

     Amanda put the last of her things in her suitcase and knocked on the bathroom door. "AJ are you almost done? We need to get going."
     AJ opened the bathroom door. "Okay I'm ready. Let's go," he said as he grabbed his bags and walked out of the room. They got halfway down the hallway when Nick came out of his room. "Yo wuz up Nicky!" AJ joked.
     Nick narrowed his eyes down at AJ. "Don't call me that."
     "Aww come on you know you love it."
     "No not really," Nick said as he walked into the elevator.
     AJ and Amanda followed him. "What's with you man?"
     Nick just stared at AJ from across the elevator. The bell dinged when they had reached the lobby floor. They were greeted by a small group of teenage girls.
     "Look it's AJ and Nick!" shouted one girl.
     All the girls screamed and crowded around the elevator. AJ grinned and held up his hand. 
     "AJ can I have your autograph?" A girl asked.
     "Well, if anyone wants an autograph you need to back up and let us out of the elevator."
     The girls made a small path for them to get out as AJ waved his arms around. He grinned and looked over at Nick. "I feel like Moses. Now that's power," he said as he got out of the elevator.
     "I'll see you on the bus," Amanda said as she made her way through the fans.  
     She glanced over at Nick who was signing autographs with a fake smile. She shook   her head and walked out to the bus. Inside waited Rachel, Nikki, and Sarah.  
     "Hey guys," she said as she took a seat. "What's up with Nick? He looks miserable."
     "He and Kristin got into this huge fight last night. She took off to Orlando."
     "That would explain why she's not here. Any idea what the fight was about?"
     Rachel shook her head. "Kristin didn't tell me and Nick won't talk to Brian. I don't know what's going on."
     "It must've been pretty bad. The poor guy looks like a little whipped puppy."
     Suddenly a burst of screams came from outside. "That must be the boys," 
     Amanda said as she got up and looked out the window. Kevin eased his way through the crowd with Howie close behind. They arrived onto the bus safely. A louder burst of screams came as Brian came out. He was trapped in the middle of a group of girls. They were pulling him from every direction.  A bodyguard came and directed him out of the crowd with Nick following behind. Brian and Nick got onto the bus with their hair all messed up and their clothes wrinkled. Amanda looked around and counted all the guys.
     "Howie...Nick...Brian...Kevin...wait a minute....where's AJ?"
     Howie's eyes grew wide and looked out the window. "Holy cow! He's still in that mass of girls out there!"
     Everyone waited inside the bus for AJ to get in. The crowd of girls were wilder by the minute. They were now surrounding the bus and banging on the side of it. Amanda looked over at Kevin. His face was white and filled with worry. The police had finally came and pried the girls away from the bus and out popped AJ from the middle of the crowd. The fans screamed louder and louder and AJ smiled at them. When he had finally reached the bus he stood in the doorway and blew kisses at the fans. Kevin grabbed AJ by the shoulders and pulled him into the bus. AJ stood inside the bus and bounced around.
     "Whoo! That was awesome!"
     "What were you doing out there without a bodyguard? You could have been seriously hurt!" Kevin shouted.
     "Whoa, chill out man. I'm okay. Everything's fine. No one got hurt."
     "No, but if you don't stop pulling stunts like that one of these days you're gonna get hurt."
     "Hey Kev, just chill. I was just having a little fun. No harm done."
     "God why can't you be a little more responsible?"
     "What!?!" AJ exclaimed, offended.
     Howie stood in between Kevin and AJ. "Hey guys! No one got hurt so just cool down."
     Kevin nodded. "You're right Howie. Sorry about the AJ."
     "No problem," AJ said as he patted Kevin on the shoulder.
     "I think we're all a little tense with the end of the tour coming. We only have a few more shows. So everybody needs to chill," Amanda said.
     Everyone agreed and split off to do their own things as the bus began to roll down the street. Amanda curled up on the end of the couch and started reading the book she had bought the night before. She was almost finished with the first chapter when Brian and Rachel came in. 
     "You don't mind if we play a little N64 do you?" Brian asked.
     "No, not at all. Play your hearts out."
     "I get the blue controller," Rachel said as she grabbed the blue controller.
     "But I want the blue controller. You got it last time."
     "Too bad," Rachel said with a grin.
     Brian gave in and let her use the controller. 
     Amanda laughed and shook her head. "You guys fight about the silliest things."
     "It's what we do best," Brian said.
     Amanda smiled and stood up. "You guys have fun," she said then walked toward the front of the bus. Everyone was sleeping except for Nick who was sitting in one of the seats staring out the window. Amanda took a seat next to him. 
     "Why are you sitting over here all by yourself?" Nick looked over at Amanda with tears in his eyes. "You okay?"
     Nick shook his head. "I lost her," he said in almost a whisper. "I totally screwed up the best thing that has ever happened to me because I was stupid."
     "Do you wanna tell me what happened? If not that's okay, but I think you'd feel better if you talked to someone about it."
     Nick nodded. "I was really stressed out and tired from being on tour for so long and I totally took it out on Kristin. The things about her that usually never bother me at all suddenly annoyed me. And I just exploded."
     "What did you say to her?"
     "I told her I was sick of her telling me what to do all the time. Course that's when she got really upset and left. That's when I lost her," he said with his voice cracking.
     "Oh Nick," Amanda said gently and hugged him. "Have you tried to get ahold of her since she left?"
     "Yeah, she's not answering the phone. I don't know what to do. I love her so much and I hate myself for doing this to her."
     "Don't worry she'll come around. You just have to be patient. But until then you can't beat yourself up over this. It's not healthy."
     "You're right," Nick said. "Thanks Amanda. I actually feel a little bit better."
     "Good."
     "I think I'm going to get some sleep. I didn't sleep a wink last night," he said with a yawn.
     "You do that," Amanda said with a smile. Nick squeezed past Amanda and headed to his bunk. Amanda opened up her book again and started reading. An hour had passed by when she shut the book and looked around. It now seemed as if she was the only one awake. Just then AJ sleepily crawled out of his bunk and made his way over to Amanda.
     "It's about time you woke up," Amanda teased. "Sleep well?" she asked then kissed him on the cheek.
     "So so," AJ said between yawns.
     Amanda smiled and laid her head on AJ's shoulder. "I can't wait to get home. I miss my apartment."
     "I miss my bed....but I like yours better."
     Amanda snickered and smacked him playfully on his stomach. "Behave."
     "What I'm not doing anything," AJ said innocently.
     "Need I remind you that my bed is what got me where I am right now," she said with a smirk.
     "And I don't regret a minute of it," AJ said then kissed her.

Chapter 32

     Brian helped Rachel take her luggage up to her apartment. "Is it just me or did you come back with more clothes than you came with?"
     "Yes, but you're the one who handed me your credit card."
     "True.....remind me again why I let you have it?"
     "Because you love me," Rachel said with a grin.
     "That I do," he replied and kissed her.
     "Ooh I like that," she said then kissed him back.
     They were in middle of a make out session when Kristin opened the door. 
     "Oh god get a fucking room," she said in a huffy tone.
     Rachel jumped and quickly turned around. "Kris! Hi! I didn't know you were home."
     "Yeah I am. Did you just get here?"
     "Yeah, Brian was just helping me get my stuff up here."
     "I can see that."
     "Rach I gotta go. I gotta go meet Ni...someone," Brian said, trying to be cautious around Kristin.
     "Okay."
     "I'll call you later," he said then kissed her on the cheek.
     "Bye sweetie," Rachel said then drug her suitcases inside and took them to her room. "I'm gonna have a major load of laundry. I can see that already," Rachel said as she pulled out her clothes from the suitcases.
     "Need some help?" Kristin asked.
     "No, I'm fine. But you can talk to me while I'm doing this."
     "Okay," Kristin said as she sat down on Rachel's bed. "How are things between you and Brian?"
     "Perfect," Rachel said with a smile.
     "Oh," Kristin said sadly.
     "Aww hon I didn't mean to upset you I'm sorry."
     "No, it's okay. You didn't do it on purpose."
     "I know but I still feel bad."
     "It's okay don't worry about it," Kristin replied. Just then the phone rang. Kristin glanced over at the caller ID. "Oh god," she groaned and rolled her eyes.
     "Aren't you going to answer it?"
     "No, it's Nick. I don't wanna talk to him."
     "Kris, you just can't let it ring all day," Rachel said as she marched over to the phone. "Hello? Hey Nick what's up? Nope I'm sorry she's not here right now. Yeah I'll tell her you called. Okay see you later. Bye," she said then hung up the phone.
     "Thanks," Kristin mumbled.
     "Kris, you're gonna have to talk to him."
     "I don't want to though. He hurt me, Rach. He really hurt me."
     "Yes, and he knows that. Let me ask you one thing...do you miss him?"
     Kristin sniffled. "Yes."
     "Do you love him?"
     "With all my heart."
     "Then talk to him. A strong relationship needs communication. Nothing's changed for you and Nick. He still loves you as much as he always has. So he lost his temper one night. It happens. But he can't apologize unless you talk to him."
     "You're right," Kristin said with a sigh.
     "So what do I do now?"
     Rachel picked up the phone and handed it to Kristin. "Call him."


Chapter 33

     Nikki was in the kitchen washing dishes the night after the Orlando concert. When she finished she found Howie laying down on the couch with his eyes closed. She smiled and kneeled down in front of him. Nikki lightly kissed him on the cheek. Howie opened his eyes and looked up at Nikki.
     "Honey if you're tired why don't you go on home?"
     "I don't wanna go home. I wanna stay here with you."
     Nikki snickered. "Howie you're falling asleep. I think you should go home and rest up for tomorrow's show."
     "Can't I stay here?"
     "If you want. It doesn't matter to me, but if you stay here you're going to sleep. You're tired."
     "I love it when you're bossy."
     Nikki hid her grin and grabbed Howie's hand. "Come on. Time for bed."
     Howie followed Nikki into her bedroom. He took off his shirt and pants while Nikki changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She slid into bed with Howie and settled herself into his arms. Howie kissed her on the top of her head.
     "This is nice," he said.
     Nikki smiled and turned around, facing him. "Howie we've been sleeping in the same bed together for months. How is this any different?"
     "It's different because this is more like home. We're not in some strange hotel room."
     "True," Nikki said as she laid her head on his chest.
     Howie played with a few strands of her silky brown hair and sighed. "Man, I gotta get up early in the morning since I'm staying here."
     "Why?"
     "Because I don't have any clothes here. I'll have to leave here in the morning and go home to get showered and changed."
     "Why don't you just leave some clothes here so you won't have to do that anymore," Nikki said.
     Howie smiled. "I have a better idea."
     "What's that?"
     "I've been thinking about this a while. What do you think about us living together?"
     "You mean like us living together in the same place?"
     "Yeah, what do you think?"
     "Well, we practically do that anyway don't we?"
     "Yeah but I think we should make this official. Go to the next level of our relationship. I think we're ready."
     "Won't you miss living with your family?"
     "Yeah a little but it's not like I'm moving to another country. I can still see them. Besides I think my mom would like to see me get out on my own."
     Nikki thought a moment and smiled. "If you're ready to do this, so am I."
     Howie smiled and kissed her. "I'm ready. I'll start bringing my stuff in tomorrow night."
     "Okay," Nikki said with a yawn. "Baby I'm tired. I've gotta get up and take my finals in the morning."
     "Okay, good night sweetie," Howie said.
     Nikki sat up and kissed him. "Night," she said then turned off the lamp.


Chapter 34


     Sarah was in the kitchen cleaning sweeping the floor when Kevin came in looking exhausted from his long day of performing.
     "Hey, baby," Sarah said as she set the broom aside and kissed Kevin.
     "Hey," he said with a smile. "How are you two?" Kevin asked, referring to Sarah and the baby.
     "I'm fine, just really tired. I spent the day cleaning the house. I had to do something to keep my mind off morning sickness," she said as she put her hand on her stomach.
     Kevin wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "I'm gonna head on to bed. You wanna come?"
     Sarah nodded. "Sleep sounds gandood," she said as she followed him to his room.
     The two laid in bed together and fell asleep almost immediately. Two hours later Sarah woke up to find Kevin gone. Feeling her stomach spasm she got up and went into the kitchen. She grabbed a package of crackers and a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down at the kitchen table. Sarah had just finished her third cracker when she heard a door creak. Curious to what it was she grabbed her crackers and water and went down the hall. The light was on in her bedroom so she opened the door. To her surprise she found Kevin sitting on her bed looking around the room.
     "What are you doing?" Sarah asked.
     Kevin jumped and looked over at her. "Sarah, what are you doing up, honey?"
     "Nausea," she said as she sat down on the bed next to him.
     Kevin kissed her on the cheek and rubbed his hand on her back. "Anything I can do?"
     Sarah shook her head. "Just hold me." Kevin smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing up?"
     "I was thinking about the baby."
     "What about it?"
     "Just stuff we have to get before it gets here. I was thinking maybe we should turn your room into a nursery and we share my room. What do you think?"
     "Actually that's not a bad idea. We'll have to take turns feeding the baby in the middle of the night."
     "I know...I can't wait," Kevin said excitedly. 
     "We should go shopping together when you're done with your shows. You know to get things for the baby."
     "Like start decorating the room and stuff?"
     "Yeah, I mean we have a little over seven months to prepare everything."
     "Don't you think we should wait to find out the sex of the baby before we start doing the room?"
     "Not if we pick something appropriate for both boys and girls."
     "Okay...but no clowns."
     Sarah laughed. "Okay no clowns. So which do you want more? A boy or a girl?"
     "Doesn't matter to me. I'll be happy either way."
     Sarah smiled and kissed him. "Me too. I don't know why but I have this weird craving for Tai food."
     Kevin laughed. "Well, we don't have a Tai place nearby but there is a Chinese place just down the street. Wanna go there?"
     "Yeah sounds good let's go," Sarah said as she got up.
     "All right," Kevin said then left the house with Sarah.


Chapter 35

     "No, not this," Kristin said out loud as she went through her closet. 
     "Maybe this one," she said as she pulled out a blue button shirt. 
     She quickly put it on and looked herself in the mirror. 
     "No, this will never work." 
     Kristin took off the shirt and tried on a purple stretch sweater. "Oh god this is so last season. Where did I get this? Ugh I need to go shopping. Ooh I found it!" She put on a red checkered shirt and glanced into the mirror. "Ewww no way! He'll think I'm a lumber jack." She let out a flustered sigh. "Okay forget the clothes let's try my hair," she mumbled as she brushed out her hair. 
     She was putting her hair up in a clip when she heard someone knock on her door. "It's open," Kristin said.  The door opened and Rachel came into the room. 
     "What are you doing? I heard you dropping things."
     "I'm trying to get ready to go over to Nick's."
     Rachel smiled in excitement. "You called him?"
     "Yeah, we talked it out. He apologized, I accepted, and now he wants me to come over to his place."
     "So everything's cool between you two?"
     "Yeah," Kristin said with a smile.
     "Yay I'm so happy!" Rachel exclaimed as she hugged Kristin. "Need any help getting ready?"
     "Yeah I need something to wear," Kristin said as she grabbed her curling iron and started curling her ends.
     "Hmmm," Rachel said as she looked through Kristin's closet. "How about this?" she asked as she help up a pale pink Tommy cardigan.
     "Oh yeah I forgot I had that. You think my white Tommy shorts would look good with that?"
     "Definitely."
     "Great," Kristin said as she got up and pulled the shorts out of her dresser. "I need shoes."
     "You can never go wrong with Doc Martins," Rachel commented.
     "Perfect," she said as she put on the outfit. Kristin checked herself out in the mirror. "I look good," she said with a laugh.
     Rachel grinned and looked at her watch. "I gotta get going. Brian and I are gonna spend some time together. If I'm not home by midnight. Don't wait up for me," she said a smirk.
     "What makes you think I'm gonna be home by then?"
     Rachel laughed. "Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."
     "All right don't do anything I wouldn't do."
     "That doesn't leave me much does it?" Rachel joked.
     Kristin laughed. "Go see your man." 
     "All right all right I'm going," Rachel said then left.
     Kristin finished up her make up and sprayed on a little of Happy perfume. She gave herself one last glance in the mirror and headed out the door. Kristin got into her tropical green mustang convertible and drove to Nick's house. She practically ran to the door when she got there. Kristin rang the doorbell and patiently waited for Nick to answer it. When he opened the door Kristin suddenly grew shy.
     "Hi," she said softly.
     "Hey," Nick replied, avoiding her eyes. "Come on in."
     Kristin stepped inside and set her purse down the table by the door. She followed Nick to the couch but didn't sit down. Nick sat down and looked over at her.
     "You can sit down you know. I won't bite."
     "Oh....yeah....right," Kristin said with a nervous smile and sat down.
     There was an awkward silence. Finally Nick spoke. "Man this was a lot easier on the phone."
     "Yeah," Kristin agreed.
     "Look baby I'm sorry. I know there's no excuse for what I did, but all I can say is that I'm sorry."
     "I'm sorry too," she said.
     "For what? You didn't do anything."
     "Yes, I did. I was the one who was too smothering. I didn't give you enough space."
     Nick sighed and scooted over closer to Kristin. "Kris, you did nothing wrong. I'm the one to blame for all of this. I'm the one who screwed up not you. I let my stress take over me and I took it out on you. I love you and I don't want to hurt you."
     "Do you really mean that?" Kristin asked, looking into his eyes.
     Nick looked at her and gave her a genuine smile. "Yes...I do."
     "I love you too," Kristin said as she wrapped her arms around Nick then kissed him.
     Nick glazed his thumb over her bottom lip. "Oh god how I've missed your kisses."
     "I've missed yours too. Lets never fight again okay?"
     "Never," Nick said with a smile and kissed her.


Chapter 36

     AJ knocked on the door to Amanda's apartment on his first day off from tour. He waited a minute, but she didn't answer the door. He knew she was home since her car was sitting in the parking lot. AJ fished out the spare key she had given him and unlocked the door. He peeked his head inside. 
     "Amanda?" he said as she stepped inside. "Baby are you home?" 
     AJ shut the door and walked down the hall to her room. The door was shut so he quietly opened the door to find Amanda under the covers fast asleep. He smiled and quietly walked over to the bed and laid down next to her. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and gently brushed his hand across her cheek. Amanda fluttered her eyelashes and looked at AJ.
     "Oh man what time is it?" she asked in between yawns.
     "It's almost two thirty. What are you doing sleeping so late? You feeling all right?" AJ asked, concerned.
     "Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep last night. Between the baby kicking and not finding a comfortable position to sleep in I couldn't get to sleep. What are you doing here?"
     "Do I need a reason to see my girl?" he asked.
     Amanda smiled. "No, usually you call though."
     "I did, you never answered so I came on over."
     "I see," Amanda said as she sat up and cuddled up to AJ.
     "Actually I came over to talk to you about something."
     "What?"
     "Well, with the baby coming and all I was thinking maybe you should move in with me. You know so we both can take care of the baby together. Plus it's more room than this one bedroom apartment. Where were you planning on putting the baby?"
     "Oh wow I never thought about that. You're right it can't stay in my room forever. When do you think I should move in?"
     "Whenever you're ready. You've got a little over a month. I just don't like the idea of you being alone in this apartment being so close to going into labor."
     Amanda nodded in agreement. "You're right. I'll move in with you sometime this week. You think we can get some of the guys help me get my stuff moved? I can't lift anything heavy."
     "Yeah, I'm sure we can get someone to help us."
     "So, are we going to share a room or what?"
     "That's where my surprise comes in. Get dressed I wanna show you something."
     "All right I'll be ready in a few minutes," Amanda said as she got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. AJ waited patiently as she got ready. 
     A few minutes later she came out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go.
     "All right lets go," Amanda said as she headed toward the door.
     "You're gonna love this surprise," AJ said as they got into his car.
     "How do you know for sure I will?"
     AJ smiled and backed out of the driveway. "Trust me you will."
     "If you say so."
     When they arrived at the house AJ dragged Amanda up the stairs and stopped at a door in the hallway.
     "Okay close your eyes."
     Amanda snickered and closed her eyes. "All right they're closed," she said.
     AJ slowly led her into the room and smiled. "Okay open your eyes."
     Amanda opened her eyes and was astonished by what she saw. AJ had turned the room into a nursery. The whole room was covered in pink and teedy bears. 
     "Oh my gosh! AJ it's wonderful. When did you do this?"
     "While we were on tour. I had everything set up I found out you were pregnant."
     Amanda smiled and looked around the room once more. "You did a good job, but I have on question."
     "What's that?"
     "The room's pink, but what if the baby's a boy? Then what are we going to do?"
     "It won't be a boy."
     "And just how do you know that?"
     "Just a hunch," AJ said with a smile.
     "AJ that's not funny. How can you be so confident?"
     "Just trust me."
     Amanda eyed AJ with suspicion. "Whatever, I'm too tired to argue with you about this."
     AJ grinned and wrapped his arms around Amanda. "Do you like it?"
     "I love it. I can't wait to have this baby."
     "Neither can I," he replied. "It's going to be the best day of my life."
     "Mine too," Amanda said then kissed him.
     AJ kissed her back. "So you wanna move in tomorrow?"
     Amanda laughed. "Someone's anxious."
     "That's right," he said with a smile.
     "We'll see. Come on lets go get something to eat. I'm starved."
     "Okay," AJ said as the two headed out the door."


Chapter 37

     Rachel and Brian were curled up on the couch watching TV with the lights turned down low. Brian leaned over and laid his head on Rachel's lap. Rachel smiled and played with the curls at the back of his head.
     "Tired?" she asked.
     "Very," Brian replied with a yawn.
     "Well you just got done with a very long tour. I can't imagine why you would be tired." Brian chuckled at her remark. Rachel grinned and rubbed her hand on his arm as she went back to watching TV. She flipped through the channels and sighed. "There's nothing on TV. You wanna watch a movie?" 
     There was no answer from Brian. "Brian?" she said as she glanced down at him. "Earth to Brian. Are you in there?" Rachel said as she playfully tapped him on the head.
     Brian sat up and looked over Rachel. "Sorry, I was thinking about something."
     "What were you thinking about?" she asked as she wrapped his arms around her and rested her head on his chest.
     "Well, I was just thinking since we're going to my parents' house for the holidays, I thought we could go down to your hometown in Springfield to see your mom. What do yuo think?"
     Rachel sat up and stared at Brian. "No, absolutely not."
     "Why not? You haven't seen your mom since you moved here. In fact, I don't think you ever called her while you were on tour with me. Don't you miss her?"
     "Of course I miss her, but that's not the point. You don't know my mom they way I do. Trust me, things are better this way."
     "Oh come on how bad can it be?"
     "Bad," Rachel said in an angered tone.
     "Give me one good reason why you don't want to see your mom."
     "Beacause I don't want to! Brian I thought you said you'd never make me do anything I didn't want to do?"
     "I did, but I think should mend whatever problems you have with you mom. I just want to see you happy."
     "I'm happy with the way things are. I can't mend things with my mom. Believe me I've tried. She just doesn't care. She's selfish, conceited, and a complete utter bitch and I don't want to see her."
     "Rachel! How can you say that about your own mother?"
     "Look, I didn't come from a sweet and fun loving family like you have okay? Things were a little bit different for me. I had to fight to get where I am today. Now can we just drop this please?"
     "No, I want to know why you have so much hatred for your mother." Rachel wiped the tears from off her face. "Brian, I really don't want to talk about this. I don't want to see her and I'd appreciate it if you'd not bring her up again."
     Brian stared at Rachel with lost eyes. "I just wish you'd talk to me. 
     That's all I want. We don't have to see her, but at least talk to me about it."
     Rachel sighed and covered her hands over her face. "I'm not ready," she said, close to tears.
     Brian scooted next to her and hugged her tight. "When you're ready will you tell me?"
     Rachel sat up and looked at Brian straight faced. "Maybe," she said as she stood up.
     "Where are you going?"
     "Home, I'm really tired."
     "You're not gonna stay here tonight?"
     Rachel shook her head. "I just need to be alone, clear my mind."
     "Okay," Brian said gently. "I'll walk you to your car," he said as she stood up and followed Rachel outside. They stood next to her car and Brian hugged her close. "I'll call you tomorrow okay?"
     "Okay," she said with a quivering voice.
     Brian wiped the tears from off her face and kissed her. "Good night."
     "Night," Rachel said as she got in her car.
     "Be careful baby."
     "I will," she replied then drove home.