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Chapter Four

“You have got to be kidding me,” I said incredulously.

“What? You don’t like them?”

I should have known when I had told Nick that he could choose our costumes for the rehearsal party that he was going to pick something completely off the wall.

I was right.

He had gone with a “his and hers” theme. His costume was a chef’s outfit; I had a feeling he’d look like a hot version of Curtis Stone once he put it on. My costume on the other hand was a huge oven.

“Bun in the oven and I’m the chef…get it?” Nick said hopefully.

“I’m supposed to wear a huge foam oven all night?”

“Well, it was either this or the plug and socket costume set. Since there’s going to be children present, I didn’t think my plug being by your socket all night would be appropriate. Don’t you like it?” He smiled charmingly.

I touched the costume. I could already see Leighanne dressed as an angel in my mind; Rochelle a sexy devil. Then there’d be me…the oven.

Even though it wouldn’t have been my top choice, I couldn’t help but give Nick an A for effort. I smiled. “It’s a cute idea. I’m sure once the baby’s born and I’m back under zeppelin balloon weight that I’ll think it’s adorable.”

Nick grinned. “If you’re lucky maybe tonight I’ll show you some tricks with my rolling pin.”

I laughed. “I think I got a preview last night.”

With some assistance from Nick, a half hour later we were showered and dressed. I had to admit that once I got the oven (which was surprisingly comfortable) on, that I did look kinda cute.

“I’m going to be squeezing your doors all night,” Nick teased. I jabbed him in the stomach. I had also been correct on my other assumption; he did look like Curtis Stone (only ten times hotter). If he adopted an Australian accent, I think I would have skipped the rehearsal all together.

The actual wedding rehearsal took place at one of the most beautiful churches I had ever been in. I’m sure the minister wondered what he had gotten himself into; the wedding party was the weirdest sight I had ever seen. Rochelle was dressed as a very sexy Alice in Wonderland; AJ was the Mad Hatter. Surprisingly, my vision of Leighanne as a sexy angel was dead wrong. Brian, Leigh, and Baylee were all dressed as puppy dogs. Baylee looked absolutely adorable with long soft brown ears and the tip of his nose painted black. Leigh gave Halle Berry a run for her money; she was dressed as Catwoman. Howie was dressed as Batman; James was dressed in a penguin suit.

Then there was Kevin and Kristin. Kristin was dressed as a medieval princess; Kevin was dressed as Buzz Lightyear. Little Mason was dressed as Woody. Even though Mason had Kristin’s blonde hair, he had received most of Kevin’s facial features. He stuck like glue to Kevin whereas Kristin kept a sizeable distance.

“You two look adorable,” Leighanne said as Nick and I walked in. All heads swiveled in our direction. Nick waved his rolling pin, I smiled.

The girls came over to check out my costume. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Brian take Nick’s rolling pin. Nick grabbed it back and I could tell he was about to do something with it that wasn’t church appropriate.

“Nickolas Gene Carter!” I called out in a loud whisper. He paused mid-stroke, looked at me guiltily, then put it behind his back.

The minister cleared his throat. “Shall we get started?”

Things went fairly quickly (and smoothly) at the church, even though we had to run through the ceremony twice. The first time ended abruptly when the wagon carrying James was tipped over by Baylee who was being followed idolatrously by Mason. Unable to make his way around Mason, Baylee had decided to jump over him. Needless to say, the wagon wasn’t made to go airborne. Ten minutes of wailing and lots of alligator tears later, James clung to the sides nervously as Baylee once again walked down the aisle and the flower girl (dressed like a princess) trailed behind, sprinkling rose petals and smiling regally. Even though we were all dressed ridiculously, I still got teary eyed as Rochelle’s dad (dressed as the Cheshire Cat) walked her down the aisle towards AJ, who had on a huge top hat and a wig of crazy red hair, ala Johnny Depp. Leighanne nudged the side of my oven gently and handed me a tissue; I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one that got choked up at a rehearsal, no matter how weird. We both dabbed our eyes. Nick and Brian looked over and shook their heads in unison.

When the minister got to the part about anyone objecting, I noticed out of the corner of my eye Kevin and Kristin share a look. Their attitude was such a far cry from when they helped out for the Masquerade music video that they seemed like two completely different people. As I had correctly assumed the night before, it wasn’t just the alcohol making their tempers flare.

After the rehearsal, everyone piled into their respective cars to head to dinner. AJ had rented out Del Frisco’s Prime Steakhouse. Nick inhaled deeply as we walked in to the large banquet room.

“That steak smells amazing.”

I nodded in agreement. Nick pulled out a chair for me; I went to sit down and realized that sitting in an oven costume was easier said than done. After a few minutes, Nick yanked the oven over my head. I was wearing a long black t-shirt and black stretch pants underneath that were a little too tight. Nick playfully pinched my behind; I swatted his hand and sank down into the chair.

AJ and Rochelle sat at the head of the table, their heads touched as they whispered to each other. I noticed Brian deliberately shifted Baylee down so that he was sitting next to Kevin. Even though Kristin sat on Kevin’s other side, she constantly looked away from him.

We didn’t have to wait long before the wait staff began to bring out the food. Brian and Nick practically lunged at their plates.

“Men and their meat,” Leighanne said. I laughed.

Little conversations sprung up around the table as salad, steak, lobster, potatoes, and more were shared. Someone asked AJ where they were honeymooning (Aruba), someone else asked Howie how old James was (17 months), and finally Kristin turned to Nick and I.

“I meant to ask…do you know what you’re having yet?”

Nick paused, a bottle of A1 sauce in hand. “We’re pretty sure it’s a baby.”

I laughed and smiled warmly at her. “No, we find out next week whether it’s a boy or girl.”

“What do you want it to be?” Denise asked.

Nick and I shared a look.

“A boy,” I said.

“A girl,” he said.

Brian had been sipping from his glass of champagne. He choked, practically spraying Nick and I in the process. Leighanne hit him on the back.

“You want a girl?” Brian asked incredulously.

“You want to break the streak?” Howie said.

Nick grinned. “I like to be different.”

“You don’t have to have a girl to be different,” Brian said. Leighanne turned to him.

“You say it like having a girl is a bad thing,” she said. Brian looked at her surprised.

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Brian explained. “It’s just…we’re three for five.”

“My money’s on a boy,” AJ said.

“Have you thought of any names?” Rochelle asked.

I shook my head. “No, we’ve been so busy we haven’t even cracked open the baby name books. Once we know if it’s a boy or girl that will make it easier.”

“I just know we’re not going to do something off the wall,” Nick added.

“No Zuma?” AJ asked.

Nick laughed. “No Zuma.”

At that moment dessert was brought out and conversation once again ceased. Even though the steak was good; this was the part of the meal I had been looking forward to. Large pieces of chocolate chip cheesecake were laid out in front of us. I grabbed my fork and dug in. I heard Nick moan in appreciation.

“That’s going to go straight to your ass, Nick,” AJ snickered. Nick glared over at him.

“I’m splurging today. It’s a special occasion,” Nick explained.

“What’s your excuse the rest of the time?”

Nick made a face. AJ laughed.

After a few more minutes of silky cheesecake bliss, I heard a tap on the side of a champagne glass. Howie stood up, smiling around the table at everyone.

“I’d like to make a toast,” he said. “AJ’s been like a brother to me. I’ve seen him grow up; I’ve witnessed his highs and his lows. I can honestly say I’ve never seen AJ this happy before. Rochelle, I wish you all the best. You’re going to need a lot of patience to keep this boy in line.”

Everyone laughed. Howie lifted his glass high in the air.

“In all seriousness, I want to wish AJ and Rochelle many happy years of marriage. It may not always be easy, but it’s well worth the journey.”

Nick’s hand covered mine. With a soft smile, I tapped his water goblet with my own.

“Cheers.”

Denise stood up next. Her speech was reminiscent of days growing up.

“I never knew you’d find someone that was so much like you, Ro. From the tattoos to the wild spirit, I can’t picture you with anyone else.”

Once again everyone clinked glasses. As Denise sat down, I saw Kristin quietly excuse herself. Brian leaned over and whispered something to Kevin. Kevin lowered his head. I saw his eyes glance over at Mason. I had grown up thinking of Kevin as the strong father of the group, always in control. The Kevin that sat across from us was anything but. He seemed almost…broken.

As I mulled over that realization, I heard yet another clink of glass. AJ had stood up, surveying the group.

“I just want to thank all of you for sharing in this special time for Rochelle and me. Every single one of you is like family, whether we’re related by blood or not, it doesn’t matter. Guys,” he nodded in the direction of Howie, Brian, Kevin, and Nick. “You guys are the brothers I always wanted…and needed. You picked me up when I was down and you never gave up on me. Hopefully I can be as good a husband as my three role models,” AJ said, smiling at Howie, Kevin, and Brian. “I love you all, and I especially love this amazing lady sitting beside me.” He leaned down and kissed Rochelle softly as everyone else cheered the happy couple. Kevin got up and excused himself. Brian waited a few moments then followed. I caught Leighanne’s eye; she shrugged helplessly.

After speeches by AJ’s mom and Rochelle’s dad, a DJ began to crank out music. We stood up as the wait staff pushed tables against the walls. Nick helped me back into my oven costume. Even though I couldn’t help but worry about Kevin and Kristin, I smiled when I heard the first few notes of 1, 2, 3, 4 by the Plain White T’s.

“I’m going to take that smile as my chance to get you out on the dance floor,” Nick said. He tugged the sides of my costume.

“You know I feel like I’m one of the Fruit of the Loom guys in this thing,” I complained as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m the apple.”

Nick’s forehead came to rest on mine. He kissed me gently. “I love apples.”

Howie and Leigh danced by us; Leigh’s head rested on Howie’s shoulder. They were the picture of contentment. With a sigh I closed my eyes, losing myself in the music.

“So when are we going to do this?” Nick asked. I opened my eyes and let them lock on Nick’s own beautiful blues.

“Do what?”

He smiled. “Get hitched.”

I laughed. “Hitched?”

He grew serious, his voice turned gentle. “When are we getting married, Livvy?”

I traced the muscles in his neck with my fingertips. “After the baby’s born.”

One of his hands slipped from my side, when it reemerged it held his cellphone. He flipped to a 2011 calendar and held it up.

“Pick a date, any date.”

I shook my head. “Nick, it’s not that simple.”

“Why can’t it be? We’ve had enough hard times. Let’s make this simple.”

I laughed. Sometimes his pure randomness made absolute sense. I squinted at the screen. I kept coming back to one date.

“Saturday, August 6,” I said.

Nick looked surprised; I daresay he didn’t expect to get a date out of me. “Really?”

I smiled and nodded. “Really.”

“Well let me make sure I schedule that weekend off,” he teased.

As the song ended, he jumped up on a chair.

“Clear your calendars people! The Carter wedding’s going to be August 6th!”

Howie let out a loud whistle. AJ grinned.

“The last one bites the dust!”

Nick grinned. “Yeah Jizzle. Maybe by that time you and Rochelle will have a little one…then the last one will bite the dust.”

AJ looked panicked at the idea. Rochelle laughed.

“That would be a honeymoon baby,” Howie said. AJ gave him the finger.

“I’m just trying to help you out!”

As everyone started to tease AJ about starting a family, Nick and I wandered over to Leighanne. She congratulated us, but I could tell her attention was elsewhere. I followed her gaze. She was watching Brian and Kevin. They must have snuck back in when Nick and I were dancing.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. She sighed and shook her head no.

“Kristin filed for divorce last week. They agreed to get through the wedding for AJ and Rochelle’s sake. Kev’s a wreck. He didn’t even see it coming.”

I looked around for Kristin; I didn’t see her. Mason was on the dance floor with Baylee.

“What happened?” Nick asked, frowning.

“I don’t know everything; I don’t think Kev even knows everything. He told Brian that Kristin was getting frustrated in Kentucky. She wants to be back in LA so she’s closer to acting opportunities. But, she didn't want him to go with her.” Leighanne lowered her voice even more. “It makes me kind of mad. Kristin asked Kev to leave the group four years ago. She told him that she didn’t want a baby if he was touring all the time. Kev really wanted to start a family; seeing Brian with Baylee was like torture. So they had Mason and Kev’s been such a hands-on stay at home dad. And now…”

We watched as Mason ran across the room, throwing himself around Kevin’s leg. With the gentlest movement I had ever seen, Kevin scooped him up and hugged him tightly. I saw his eyes close tightly as he held his boy.

My heart broke for him.