That crisis averted, Kathy and Nick were up bright and early, ready to climb aboard the bus that was waiting at the front door in the morning. Kathy sleepily handed Nick a suitcase and his cane, then grabbed a couple cases herself. "I'll take those Mrs. Carter." She looked up at the friendly, familar voice. "Bob! I didn't know you were going to be here this morning!" She dropped the suitcases and hugged her father in law. "I'm your driver, ma'am." He tipped an imaginary hat and smiled. "Dad used to drive the big rigs, right dad?" Nick came up behind Kathy and put his arm around her waist. "That's right." Bob agreed. "Jane is going back on the road with Aaron and Leslie, so I thought this might be a good way to spend some time with you guys." "That's wonderful." Kathy hugged him again. "I'm looking forward to it. But Nick, you know what this means." "What?" he asked, confused. "No bus sex." she teased. "Oh man!"

The tour progressed pretty much as expected. Nick performed so well most nights, and was getting better as the shows went on. There were a few incidents. Nick would fall or bump into someone. Once he climbed the drum riser and fell backwards, but managed to stay on his feet. His singing and passion for performing were beyond anything Kathy had expected. He amazed her every night. The fans were beginning to figure out that Kathy was closer to him than just as a nurse, so Nick revealed the news in a press conference that he was the third Backstreet Boy to be married. "Y'all didn't think it would be me, did you?" he teased. One small girl stepped up to the mic and asked if any of the wives would be having babies. All heads turned to Nick. He smiled at the silence, knowing they expected him to answer again. "I guess I didn't tell you everything." he laughed. "Kathy is pregnant and we are gonna have a Christmas baby." The audience cheered and Nick blushed. "Thanks everybody. We're pretty happy."

One afternoon, about mid way through the tour and on a rare day off, Nick convinced Kathy to spend the afternoon shopping. "We need to get stuff for the baby, and I think you need some new clothes." he teased. Kathy looked over her outfit. It was true. Lately nothing seemed to fit comfortably and she was happiest in Nick's sweatshirts and pants. She wasn't showing much, but her shape was definately changing. "You think some maternity gear is in order?" she asked ruefully. "I think something a little bigger anyway. I want my sweats back!" They told security where they wanted to go and arranged a time for the car.

"Oh Nick! This is so beautiful!" She took his hand and let him run his fingers across the carved headboard of the oak crib. "It's gorgeous!" She described the natural wood colour and told him how nice it looked covered in white and green blankets and spreads. "It sounds nice." Nick agreed. "Should we get it?" Kathy flipped over the price tag. "Oh." her voice registered her disappointment. "It's so expensive. Let's look some more." Nick felt for her shoulder. "Do you like it?" "Yes." she admitted. "But..." "But nothing. If you like it, it's ours." "Nick I don't want you to think..." Nick took her hand and held it firmly. "Kathy. You haven't asked me for one damn thing since we've known each other. I want to buy things for you, for our baby. I love you and I want to spoil you. Please let me." Kathy wiped away the few tears that were trickling down her cheeks. "Now you're crying right? Please don't cry." Nick hugged her to his chest. "C'mon, let's pay for it and go check out some sexy mommy stuff."

Later that night they climbed back onto the bus exhausted from their day of shopping. Nick's father offered to unload all their purchases for them so that they could relax. "Oh my God Nick, we bought so much stuff!" Kathy exclaimed as bag after bag was tossed up to them. "But we got almost all of the baby's things!" Nick reminded her. "The crib, change table, dresser, clothes, diapers..." "And that's just the beginning." Kathy smiled. She leaned back against him. "It's nice to have it almost all done though. Just go home and set stuff up." Nick put his arms around her and rubbed her stomach. "How are you feeling?" Kathy yawned. "I'm just tired. That happens though, the baby saps all of my strength. But I feel really good otherwise." "Good." He nuzzled his head into her shoulder and kissed her tenderly. "I love you."

"Last day of the tour! We get to go home tomorrow! Woohoo!" Nick hollered backstage. "And rest for a week and then go right back out again." Kevin pointed out. "Must you spoil all my fun, Kev?" Nick asked, plaintively. "Is that your goal in life?" "No, I just don't want you to forget that we aren't done yet. You get home with Kathy and you'll forget everything." Kathy had flown home a couple of days earlier for some doctors appointments. Nick had made her promise that she wouldn't have an ultrasound without him present. "I will not." Nick pouted. Kevin laughed and pushed Nick toward the stage. "Let's get it over with buddy! The sooner we get on stage, the sooner we get to go home!"