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Chapter Eight

“Brian, do you have an ace?” Kevin asked with a yawn as he looked down at his string of cards that he held in both hands. He had three aces so far, needing the fourth to make a set.

Brian looked up at his cousin with a smirk then glanced back down at his own cards. After a moment, he looked over the tops of them with just his eyes, “Go fish, couz.” he laughed when the older man cursed under his breath, picking up yet another card.

It was a guys night out and they’d decided to do something that most men did when they got together. Play card games. Unfortunately, once Nick had gotten involved, the playful boy had wanted to play ‘Go Fish’. It seemed that he was having the best time, laughing at everybody because for one, he was winning and two, he was enjoying the others getting frustrated with not having their way. It seemed that some of them were having fun, despite the grumpier of the remaining four Boys.

“For fucking Christ sake,” AJ muttered as he found that he was going to have to pull another card from the deck in the middle of the table, “Can’t we play something more mature and sophisticated. This is such a fucking babies game.”

“You’re just sour because you’re losing,” Brian laughed at his Latino friend, actually enjoying himself more than he’d thought that he would.

“No, I’m sour because I’m sick of playing games meant for ages three to ten because somebody doesn’t have the god damned attention span to play anything else.”

He looked over at Nick with a glare, who immediately got the hint. He hung his head low and stuck out his lip in a hurt pout. He felt somewhat bad for lashing out at the blonde, but couldn’t help his outburst. He and Jaime had made plans for that night, but her friends had drug her away for a baby shower for Stephanie. He figured that he could understand that or at least try to. After all, the girl was due in just a couple of months. It was just that he’d planned out a very special evening for her. Nothing that couldn’t be done another day easily, mind you. He’d just been excited. And then to make things even more against him, he’d been drug to Howie’s house for a card game. He had thought that maybe it would be fun to have just a guys night. That was, until the game started.

“Let’s just finish this game and then we can play solitaire or poker or something.” Howie suggested before a full blown argument broke out.

The others agreed, and AJ quietly apologized to Nick. He wasn’t paying attention though, his mind already wandering off to something else. For a few moments, they just played the game, no real conversation going on other than what was crucial and necessary for playing the game. When somebody spoke, the words being completely irrelevant, it took the others by surprise. It was a good change though.

“I’ve been meaning to ask everybody...” Kevin’s voice piped up, “I know that we just finished up a tour...but when would you like to start for a new tour? Recording...everything.”

Everybody looked up at Kevin, wondering if they’d heard him right. After all, this was the man who’d refused to tour for so long because he’d been paralyzed and didn’t want to swallow his pride. It seemed that he was thinking differently now though. The question was, why?

‘Are you sure you’re up to that?” Brian asked cautiously, “I mean...I figured we’d wait until you were walking again.”

“The doctor seems to think that my chances of that aren’t too great...and I love performing and singing too much to give it up. I guess I can live like this...and go on like I normally would.”

He saw a few looks of relief cross his friends faces. He admitted that he was relieved too that he was actually willing to look past his disability and get on with life as best he could. After all, he couldn’t exactly cower away for the rest of his life, afraid to take chances and give up something that he loved. That would just be stupid.

“Since we did just end...I say take some time off...maybe six months or so. Then maybe....depending on how things are going in our lives, start playing around with new music and sounds...writing lyrics in the meantime. Just kind of lay back and take it as it comes.” AJ replied.

“Agreed.” Nick piped up

‘Sounds good to me.” Kevin smiled. He’d been slightly nervous to bring up about getting back in to business with new material and everything. It had turned out great though. Everybody was on the same page in thoughts, which was an amazing thing to have. Kevin honestly couldn’t believe how well he and the guys had grown together and how well they connected. And to think that when they’d been thrust together in to the group, most of them had been pretty much strangers to one another with nearly a ten year gap between youngest and oldest.

“So what has everybody else been up to?” Howie asked, interested in how his best friends lives had been going. He already knew Kevin’s status from his latest doctors appointment, which was pretty much his life the past few weeks.Since they’d all become involved in relationships, having children and other factors of life, none of them had really gotten together much. He realized that their closeness wasn’t faltering, but none of them had really taken the time to stay involved and stay tuned in to what was happening in one another’s lives.

“Jaime and I have set a wedding date,” AJ informed them as he looked up from his cards, “September seventeenth. Ya’ll better fucking be there.” he warned with a joking smile as he pointed at his four best friends.

The others laughed good-naturedly. It was already known without saying that they would all be there, no questions asked. After all, AJ was like a brother to them. Chances were, they’d all be his best men, because Lord knew that AJ couldn’t pick just one. He loved them all equally, no questions asked. That’s just how it was, and had been for the past twelve and a half years. Nothing was going to change that.

“I’m kind of on speaking terms with Willa again...” Nick mentioned, deciding to share his latest news.

It was pretty sad that the news of Willa was the most exciting thing that he had to tell his friends. And the looks that they were giving him told him that it had been a mistake to bring up. Each man was staring at him as if he had lost his mind completely. Not just half way, or a little bit more...but full out lost his mind. He ducked his head low, suddenly humiliated with the fact. He already knew what his friends were going to say to him without asking. The vindictive, selfish woman had used him and left him high and dry.

“You’re joking, right?” Kevin asked the blonde, and when he shook his head, Kevin got a look of disgust on his face, ‘Nick...what are you thinking?” he didn’t wait for a response, “You aren’t. She screwed you over and now that Steph is gone...because you were hanging out with the woman...you’re going back to her. What...you think things will be different?”

‘We’re just friends.” Nick explained, “She called...and asked how things were. We met and talked...had a good time. It won’t hurt to be friends.” his features darkened, “Besides...it isn’t like Stephanie is coming back to me anyways.”

‘She sure as hell isn’t if she catches wind that you’re hanging out with the woman that destroyed your relationship in the first place,” AJ pointed out, “She’s being nice because she wants something...can’t you see that?”

Nick just scowled, looking at his friends in disbelief. He knew that their reactions wouldn’t be exactly enthusiastic, but they were pretty much saying that he was moronic. He was not expecting that.

“She’s sincere this time...” Nick stated his opinion, “I believe that...no bad intentions.”

‘Right,” Kevin replied, “And we’re going to decide to turn in to a country music group,”

Nick rolled his eyes at this, “Just tell me if you have a damned three,” he teased, just trying to get on with the game.

Kevin handed Nick the card he was looking for without a fight before saying with warning, “You’re going to get burned again, Nick. And when you do...we won’t be able to save you.”

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“I’m so happy that you’re gaining some confidence,” Anna smiled at Kevin as they made their way in to a restaurant, “A few months ago, you wouldn’t be caught dead outside of the safety of your home.”

Kevin laughed as they waited at the host stand to be seated. This was true. Months ago, all he wanted to do was hide away from human contact and wallow in self pity. That phase was past him though, as he’d realized just how much of life he was missing out on by doing that. Since he’d decided to free himself from his home and take chances, going out and living like he would if he were still walking, he’d been a lot happier and more upbeat. His therapist saw it, his friends saw it, his family saw it...but more importantly, Anna saw it. She’d supported him so much throughout all of this, never once threatening to leave or give up on him. He felt that he owed it to her in return to show her that she wasn’t believing in a depressed, lost cause.

“Getting out on the road and touring kind of helped with that,” Kevin joked with a smile, reaching up to take Anna’s hand in his, “Being forced to go out on stage in front of thousands of people. Can’t exactly tour and sing if you’re hiding.”

Anna smirked at Kevin being a smartass, but loved that side of him. Just something about it was incredibly sexy, beings he was usually so serious and reserved the majority of the time. Anna had really never taken the time to think about it until then, but she and Kevin really were a strange couple. She was carefree, blunt and had a blonde streak that had been lasting for several years and still going. In a lot of ways, she was like Nick. Kevin, on the other hand...well, to stay that they were opposites would be a safe bet. Somehow though, they’d made a relationship work and it was a strong one. They were perfect for one another, despite their vast differences. The saying that ‘opposites attract’ was definitely true in this case.

Only seconds later, a hostess came up to them, leading the couple to a table near the front, feeling it would be easier for Kevin. As they got positioned behind the small table for two, Anna couldn’t help but stare across at Kevin as he got comfortable, smiling. He was so handsome and perfect to her in every single little way. There was nothing that she could think of that would make her feelings for him stronger or any trait that could make him even more ideal. He was her everything.

Taking a look around, Anna noticed how sweet and quiet the setting was. There was definitely a romantic feeling in the air. The place was dimly lit in an elegant type setting. The scent of warm brown sugar filled the air from the candles placed haphazardly around the place. It wasn’t strong, but just light enough to give the place an amazing smell. It was definitely a sweet gesture and like no place Anna had ever been before. What they were celebrating, Anna honestly wasn’t sure. It didn’t really matter. All that she cared for was that her Kevin was happy and healthy, getting better by the day.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Kevin said softly with a smile, “Absolutely breathtaking.”

Anna giggled nervously as she gazed in to his eyes, really not knowing how to respond to the complement. Before Kevin, nobody had ever really complemented her. Once in awhile, a guy had told her she looked pretty, but five minutes later, they’d been trying to get in to her pants. That had resulted in them squealing like a little girl when she’d kneed them hard in the balls. The one night stand thing or a relationship based on sex was not something she’d been in to. Maybe that was why none of her relationships had worked out before this...

“Are you okay, Anna?”

“Oh, yes...I’m fine.” Anna smiled convincingly, “You’re just too sweet to me, is all.”

Kevin was about to reply when a family walked by, a child no more than five years old running along behind them. He stopped though, staring at Kevin in intense curiosity for a moment before his small voice came out loudly and strong, pointing right at Kevin without any desecration at all, whatsoever.

“Mommy!” he exclaimed, “Why is the man in that wheelchair?”

The mother of the child stopped, grabbing at her child’s hand as she pulled him along, bending down to whisper something shrilly in his ear, but even as she did so, she too stared at Kevin. It was obvious where the kid got his rude ways, which had caused Kevin’s bright smile and sparkling eyes to turn sullen. It was apparent that the crude comments had struck some sort of sensitive nerve within Kevin. Something that had been tucked away securely as come self-assured confidence had come in to play. Now, it seemed a little of that was slipping away from Kevin by the helpless look in his eyes. Anna was desperate to convince him otherwise though, searching her brain for something soothing to say.

“He’s just a kid, baby. Don’t even pay attention to that.” she finally spoke, reaching across the table to grab his hand and rub them in soothing comfort..

“But it isn’t just him...I see the way people have been looking at me all night. Children just don’t have the common sense to know not to speak it...or maybe they have the bravery to say out loud what adults don’t have the guts to.”

Anna sighed sadly. She really wanted to walk up to the kid, wrap her hand around his neck, and shake him good. She truly wasn’t in to child abuse, but when it came to Kevin, she found that she got extremely protective. It was in her natural instinct. Especially since the smallest thing brought out the heavier side of Kevin’s insecurity. She could see it in his emerald eyes at that moment and could only imagine what kind of negative thoughts were running through his head. Chances were, they were things that weren’t even close to being true. Bringing her boyfriends hands up to her mouth, Anna kissed them gently.

“You are amazing, Kevin. They only act rudely because they don’t know how to act. They don’t know you like I do. Please believe me. You’re the best.”

Kevin couldn’t help but smile at Anna’s reassurance, knowing that she was speaking from her heart. That was the problem though. It seemed that only she could see what was still deep within him. Something that had never left him, even in spite of the accident. Everybody else just saw him as damaged goods, and his ego deflated a little bit more as another kid walked by giving him a peculiar stare, causing Kevin to want to furrow back in to the shell that had taken so long to break.

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“Go to mama,” AJ cooed happily in to Lauren’s ear as Jaime waited at the bottom of a slide in the local park for their nine month old daughter to come down to her, “Go to mama, LaurLaur.”

Lauren whimpered as she clung to her daddies neck, looking down the small slide in fear, the height looking like a mountain to her, when in reality, the slide was only five feet long. It was the perfect size for a child as young as Lauren. AJ looked over to the taller, steeper slide. He wondered what her reaction would be if they took her over there. He found himself smiling as he kissed Lauren’s cheek adoringly.

“It’ll be fun, baby girl.” he promised, “I’ll show you.”

He took Lauren in his arms, climbing up the slide himself as he placed her in his lap, holding her securely in place with one arm. Jaime just stepped back, an amused smile on her face as she watched her fiancé and daughter come down the slide together, laughing at how ridiculous the man looked on the tiny slide. Her heart warmed over though when she heard Lauren laughing in delight. AJ stood up, hugging Lauren in his arms, the image picture perfect. She suddenly wished she had a camera to capture the moment, but reminded herself that her daughter wasn’t even a year old and there would be plenty of opportunities for pictures.

Walking over to AJ and Lauren, Jaime reached out for the infant, and AJ handed her in to her mothers arms. The little girls bright eyes glowed with happiness, her sweet coo ringing out. To bystanders, it would be safe to assume that the family was happy and perfect. That was definitely the truth too. Behind closed walls, nothing was different.

“Dada.” Lauren cooed, pointing a chubby little hand towards the slide, reaching her arms out towards it.

AJ and Jaime both laughed at her sudden change in interest for the playground. It was just like a typical infant to have no interest in something at all and then seconds later, that was all their attention span was on. Lauren was on exception as she started to pout when she found that she was getting no closer to the slide.

“So, what do you think of being a father, Alex,” Jaime asked, finding it adorable how their daughter was such a daddies girl. She handed her back in to AJ’s arms, knowing that it was where she wanted to be, “Is it what you thought?”

‘Better,” AJ said without hesitation and with complete honesty, “I can’t imagine anything ever feeling more rewarding...” his voice trailed off for a moment before he asked, “What do you think of being a mommy?”

Jaime didn’t answer right away. She just watched AJ and Lauren with a smile on her face. True, at the age of twenty-one years of age, Jaime would have never thought she’d be a mother and about to be married. In fact, she’d expected to be half way through a four year degree in collegel, guys and children the absolute last thing on her mind. She’d expected to still live at home, or either that crammed in to a living environment, sharing an apartment with six people with only two bedrooms. Her life had definitely taken an unexpected turn, but the way she saw it, it had all been for the better.

“I love being a mommy,” she replied finally when she saw AJ’s chocolate eyes staring at her as they waited for an answer, “And I love you. I somewhat miss us being able to spend alone time though. I honestly don’t think we’ve been alone since you proposed...” her voice trailed off, hoping that AJ wouldn’t get the wrong idea about her own proposal, or hint rather, “Don’t get me wrong...I love the life we’ve made. It’s just, we haven’t had a chance for any...personal bonding...if you know what I mean.”

AJ chuckled, “Last time we did real personal bonding, it landed you pregnant,” AJ joked, wrapping a free arm around Jaime’s waist as he pulled her in to him, kissing her on the cheek, “I know what you mean though.,” he thought for a moment before saying, ‘What do you think of us going away...renting a cabin somewhere, and having some of the guys watch Lauren...or the girls. She’ll be in safe hands and we can get away for a couple of days.”

Jaime’s eyes lit up, the sound of it incredible romantic. She felt shivers going up and down her spine as AJ ran his fingers through her brown hair, having to refrain from the temptation to jump him right there. Then a sudden thought struck her mind as her eyes widening in fear. She turned her head to AJ ready to question.

“You aren’t going to have Nick watch her, are you?”

This caused AJ to laugh, “Nick does really well with children,” he reminded her, “After all...he’s a big kid himself. With Kevin there to supervise the both of them, everything should be fine,” before Jaime had the chance to intervene with his plan, AJ added, “True, Kevin can’t walk...but he’s the most responsible person I know. With Lauren, he will make sure that everything runs smoothly.”

“I guess that could work...” Jaime stated, letting the decision sink in. A small smile formed on her lips, “We’re going on a weekend getaway...I can’t wait!”

“Damn, woman. If you’re this excited about going two hours away for a day and a half, I cant wait to see your enthusiasm for our honeymoon.”

Jaime slapped AJ’s arm playfully for his smart-ass comment. The truth was though, AJ was absolutely right. She couldn’t wait for the honeymoon...or what she would see of it, as she had a sneaking suspicion that they wouldn’t see much more than their hotel room, and it wouldn’t be because of a short visit either.

“So it’s settled then,” AJ smiled, “What do you say to two weeks from now?”

‘Sounds perfect,” Jaime agreed. She started to say something more, but Lauren interrupted them with a loud wail as she continued to struggled to get out of AJ’s arms to go in the direction of the slide, “But I think for you, you better give our little princess her fun time before she throws a tantrum.

“I think you’re right,” he stated, seeing a few tears starting to shimmer through the girls eyes, “C’mon Laur...lets go slide.”

Immediately, the bright little girl perked up with a happy grin on her face that she was getting her way, causing both to just laugh at her. Being a parent was definitely a challenging thing, but also rewarding. Neither could imagine anything they’d want more, unable to wait and see what the future had in store for all three of them.

Sorry for the delay in update! The holidays have made things hectic here...but all is running smoothly again now. If you've been reading this, please let me know what you think! I can promise you that in the next chapter, a lot of drama begins...and I do mean a LOT. I realize that up til now, things have been somewhat slow...but this is the last chapter like that. Bear with me...just leading up to the big BANG! lol *evil laugh* Again, please let me know what you think and I will update soon!