�Kev�s finally getting married,� Brian said, as he and his Boys stood at Alexander�s place for Kevin�s bachelor party. �After 34 years.� The fours guys eyed him closely, but said nothing.
�I�ve been waiting for the right woman,� Kevin said eyeing them closely in return and they all raised an eyebrow simultaneously.
�Do you love her?� Nickolas asked.
�Do you love Sunshine?� Kevin asked in return.
�More than anyone will ever know,� Nickolas replied. �She�s my life.�
�You got your answer,� Kevin stated.
�Don�t start,� Nickolas said.
�Chill, guys,� Alexander said handing Nickolas a beer. �It�s a party. The last one Kevin will attend as a single�correction, unwedded man.�
�Enjoy your last hours of freedom,� Howard said and Nickolas just looked at him.
�I�m glad I'm getting married,� Kevin stated. �I�m going to marry a wonderful woman tomorrow and I love Venus.�
�That�s the booze talking!� someone yelled and everyone laughed.
�I didn�t have a touch of alcohol,� Kevin replied. �I have to be sober for tomorrow.�
�Marriage is fun,� Brian said and without thinking added, �if you marry the one you truly love and want to be with.� Nickolas nodded in agreement as Howard walked away. �Something I said?� Nickolas grinned, as the other two shook their heads in disgust.
�You just stated a fact, Rok,� Nickolas replied. �Marry, because you�re in love and not for the nookie.�
�I�m glad you agree, Frack,� Brian said. �If D can�t handle the truth then that�s his problem.�
�Exactly.�
�D�s been very quiet tonight,� Alexander pointed out.
�Because I�m here. He�s still ticked, because I figured out the truth. We haven�t talked since his wedding and you guys want me to reconsider my decision about dropping out. Even if I did change my mind it would never work out. Howie ruined it when he said our friendship was over. I won�t be able to be in a group with someone I can�t stand being around.�
�What does Sunn think?� Kevin questioned.
�She understands my decisions. She said she ain�t staying with me, because of my celebrity. It�s because she loves me.� He took a drink of his beer. �Even if I don�t continue to make it in the music biz, and I hope I do, I can do acting or go to college like I wanted to.�
�Whatever you choose to do,� Brian started, �I wish nothing but luck for you.�
�Thanks.�
�You�re really serious about this aren�t ya,� Alexander said.
�Yeah; perhaps by the time ya have to go back to the studio things will be fine between Howie and me.�
�Hopefully.�
�Just one more wedding,� Brian stated.
�And I can�t wait,� Nickolas said smiling. �I�m counting the days until I take that walk down the aisle with my Sweets.� He continued smiling.
�You�re really happy about getting married,� Alexander said. �I don�t think I was as happy as you are.�
�I just can�t wait to make Sunnie the new Mrs. Carter. If we had it my way we�d be married already, but Sunnie�s making us wait.�
�Poor you. At least she didn�t make you wait to have sex, that�d be the killer.�
�We haven�t had sex for a few months and it doesn�t bother me. And do you always think about sex?� Alexander just looked at him and smiled. �Forget I asked.� They laughed. �I love Sunnie and obey her wishes.�
�And spoil her,� Brian added.
�She ain�t spoiled. Where do you guys get that?�
�Let us think,� Kevin said. �Everything she wants you get it for her no matter what.�
�Yo, Kev, quit your lying.�
�I ain�t lying, Nickolas. And everyone in this room will agree with me.�
�Whatever. Why does it matter anyway?�
�Its fun picking on you Little Nicky,� Alexander snickered.
�I told you before not to call me that. Don�t get me started.�
�I won�t so calm down. We won�t ruin Kev�s wedding like you ruined D�s.�
�I didn�t ruin D�s. He brought that on himself. He didn�t need to deck me like he did. I was angry; he started on me so I decided to point out the truth.�
�We understand, Nickolas,� Kevin said. �Don�t worry about it.�
�I just wish people would stop mentioning it. Sunnie and I don�t even talk about it. We�re the happiest when Jo and D�s names aren�t mentioned.�
�We won�t mention it again,� Brian said. �Ya got our word.� The others agreed.
�Thank you. I�ll appreciate it very much if you don�t mention it in front of yours truly.�
�Someone get him a shot of whiskey,� Alexander said. �Please! This boy needs to calm down.�
�I don�t need whiskey. I�m perfectly calm.�
�Ya act it. Is that bottle empty?�
�Yeah; why?�
�Have another.� Alexander took the empty bottle from Nickolas and gave him a full one. �Drink up young man.�
�I already had three. I have to drive home yet.�
�At least you�re thinking sensible,� Kevin said.
�Don�t start.� Nickolas took the bottle from Alexander and walked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�In a few hours, Venus,� Danielle said as everyone was at Josephine�s having a bachelorette party for Venus. Everyone was hanging out in the parlor, besides Sunshine; who was sitting alone in the kitchen.
�Were you guys nervous?� Venus asked. �I�m like really nervous right now.�
�Once ya get up front and say your vows,� Josephine started, �the rest is a cinch.�
�Oh yeah,� Destiny agreed. �But just remind yourself you�re marrying the man you love and want to be with. You do love Kevin right?�
�Definitely,� Venus said. �If I didn�t I wouldn�t be with him right now and getting married tomorrow.�
�Ok, calm down,� Destiny said.
�I�m just so nervous. What if something bad happens or I get cold feet? Kevin will feel like an idiot then.�
�Nothing�s going to happen,� Danielle said. �Everything�s going to go as planned. In the next fourteen hours you�ll be Mrs. Kevin Richardson.�
�I can�t wait. But honestly I never though I�d end up marrying a celebrity�a Backstreet Boy at that.�
�We all ended up with a BSB,� Destiny said. �But I love Alex the moment I saw him so many years ago.�
�Good for you,� Josephine said.
�Don�t you love Howie?� Danielle wanted to know and Josephine just looked at her. �It�s a simple question with a simple answer.�
�I do love Howie,� Josephine said after about a minute. �I married him didn�t I?� She walked away, as Danielle shook her head.
�I can�t believe her,� Danielle said out loud.
�Why?� Destiny asked.
�She�s in love with Nickolas remember.�
�Duh,� Venus said.
�I try to forget,� Destiny said. �I should call Denise and see how the twins are. If you�ll excuse me.� She walked away.
�Stupid marriage,� Danielle said.
�Who?� Venus asked.
�Jo and D.�
�I agree. They don�t even love each other.�
�It�s just completely stupid. Where�s Sunn?�
�The last I saw her she was walking to the kitchen. She looked really pale.�
�Then let�s go check on her and make sure she�s all right.� Danielle pushed Venus out of the parlor and to the kitchen. They walked into the kitchen and saw Sunshine sitting at the table with her head in her arms. They walked over and Sunshine said, �Sunnie Jo.� She didn�t answer and Danielle leaned down to her ear. �Sunnie Jo.� Sunshine lifted her head and looked at them. �Damn you look��
�Like shit,� Sunshine finished. �I feel like shit. I feel like throwing up and my back is killing me.�
�You might�� Venus began.
�I�m not pregnant,� Sunshine interrupted getting up and moaning.
�Maybe you should go home and get some rest,� Venus suggested. �I want you better by tomorrow.�
�I was thinking about doing that,� Sunshine said.
�Then go,� Danielle said. �You stayed long enough so go home.�
�I am,� Sunshine said. �I�ll see ya guys tomorrow. Bye.�
�Bye,� Venus and Danielle said and Sunshine left the kitchen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nickolas unlocked the condo door and turned the knob. He pushed the door open and shook his head. He walked inside and closed the door, locking all three locks. He knew Sunshine was home and shook his head, as he wondered why she would leave the door unlocked. He told her over and over to lock each lock when she�s at the condo alone. She never listened to him though and it irritated him. He didn�t love her any less though, only more, and admired her for not letting a man run her life like most girls do.
He walked to the kitchen, got some water, and walked back to the bedroom. He opened the door and saw the moonlight shining through the window. He saw Sunshine lying on the bed sleeping and walked over. As he undressed, he looked as Sunshine coughed and turned away from him. He finished undressing and quietly got in bed beside her. He got extra close to her and put his arms around her. He felt Sunshine�s hands caress his arms and he kissed her neck.
�What time is it?� Sunshine asked through a yawn.
�After two,� Nickolas replied kissing her neck again.
�Did you just get back?� She looked at him.
�Yeah; we were at Alex�s for Kevin�s party.�
�You smell like beer. Were you drinking?�
�I just had a couple. I�m not drunk so don�t worry.� Sunshine only grinned and turned away from him. He started kissing her neck again and asked, �Sweets, are you in a good mood?� He started moving his hand down. �I�m in a really good mood. I mean a really good mood.�
�Nicky, its 2:30 in the morning and you�re asking if I�m in a good mood.�
�Well are you?� He started moving her shirt strap and kissed her bare shoulder. �I�m so excited.�
�I can tell.�
�I�m glad you can tell.� She left him kiss her until he started moving his hand down her shorts.
She pushed his hand away saying, �Nicky, don�t.� Nickolas put her on her back and got on top of her. �I said no.� He kissed her.
�I want you, Sunnie.� He continued kissing her, but Sunshine pushed him away.
�Nickolas, I said no.� He went to kiss her again, but she pushed him off her and slowly got up.
�Sunnie, come on, Sweets. We haven�t had sex since the wedding.�
�So what. I�m not in the mood.� She grabbed a pillow. �Take care of yourself and goodnight, because I�m sleeping on the couch.� She left the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind her. Nickolas just laid there a couple minutes and wondered what just happened. He turned on the lamp and got out of bed. He walked out of the bedroom and heard Sunshine cough. He started walking to the parlor as Sunshine continued coughing. He stopped at the kitchen and got a glass of water. From the corner of his eye he saw the parlor light come on. He walked from the kitchen to the parlor and saw Sunshine sit up. She wasn�t coughing, but just moaning and he walked over to her. �Oh!� Nickolas sat beside her.
�Here, Sweets, drink this.� He handed her the glass. She only pushed it away and laid back. Nickolas put the glass on the coffee table and looked at Sunshine. She started coughing again and Nickolas made her sit up. �Get it out, Sweets.� Sunshine just continued coughing and Nickolas rubbed her back. When she was done she laid back down and Nickolas pushed the hair from her face. �What�s wrong?�
�Everything; my head hurts, my back hurts, I feel like throwing up�just everything and I�m not in the mood to make love.� She opened her eyes. �I�m in a wedding tomorrow and I�m sick as a dog.�
�Did you take any medicine?�
�Yeah.�
�When did you come home?�
�A little after eleven. I took some medicine when I got home and went straight to bed.�
�Then go back to bed.� She only looked at him and he got the glass off the coffee table. �Drink this then we�ll go to bed.� She sat up.
�I just want you to hold me.�
�Then drink this water.� Sunshine looked at him and took the glass of water. She drank half the water and put the glass on the table then looked at Nickolas. �Come here.� She got on his lap and put his arms around her.
�You�re really warm.�
�Are you cold?�
�A little.� Nickolas held her tighter and she closed her eyes. �Having your arms around me feels really good and�� She didn�t finish.
�And what?� She didn�t answer. �Sweets.� No answer. �Sunnie.� Still no answer. Nickolas looked at her face and noticed she was sleeping. He just smiled and kissed her forehead. He slowly got up after turning off the lamp and keeping Sunshine in his arms. He walked back to the bedroom and put Sunshine to bed.
CHAPTER 16 CHAPTER 18
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