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“Well, holy shit..” It was the only phrase Brian could think as he breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that car
as well as the people inside. Although, from here, he really couldn’t indicate who was inside the Durango,
he knew it had to be someone who would rescue he and Jenn. Just as he was about to dash for the SUV,
Brian’s head suddenly started spinning and he was afraid that he would have another reaction to the drugs
leaving his body.

“Brian?” That voice. It belonged to Nick. Brian fought a little bit harder and, finally, he could see the world
around him again. And Nick coming towards him, full speed.

“Oh my God…NICK!!” He couldn’t contain himself. Brian was just so relieved to hear that voice. He was so
happy to feel those arms wrapping around him. His heart broke as he heard sniffles coming from Nick and
soon, he was reciprocating the action.

“I think there’s someone you might wanna see…” Nick let go and backed away.

That’s when Brian saw the other person that occupied the vehicle. She was standing just beyond the door,
her brown hair blowing and her head tilted to the side as it did when she was full of emotion.

“Sara..” Brian whispered under his breath, catching the breath in his throat.

They didn’t move. They didn’t say anything. They just stood there, as if they were paralyzed by the many
words that they couldn’t spit out.

“Go..” Nick nudged Brian in the back gently. How come he had come towards his best friend so easily, but
not his wife?

Inside Brian’s head, he was watching that beautiful girl across from him but suddenly, it would flashback to
his hands around her neck, her beautiful brown eyes dying underneath her eyelids. His thin body trembled a
little as she took a step forward. Soon, she was close enough that she could touch him. And she did just that,
those gentle fingers slowly caressed his unshaven chin.

Suddenly, those horrible images were gone and all he could see before him was a shining pair of tearful
eyes, so full of emotion that he was sure were the same reflecting in his.

“I love you.” It was the first words Sara had said yet it held so much more than just three words. No one
would ever understand except her husband. Even through all the trauma and pain he had been through,
those touches still made his heart jump. It was almost like falling in love all over.


As new tears began to fall, the middle Backstreet Boy held his wife so close, he was sure she couldn’t
breathe. But he didn’t know how to let go. Something was different about her body though, something Brian
couldn’t quite place.

“Oh my goodness, Sar…” He stopped and leaned his head back, looking at her. “Are you..”

“Uh huh.” She mumbled, almost forgetting about the life growing inside of her. The life she wasn’t sure was
his. So, she tried to drop it, running her fingers through his shaggy hair. “I missed you so much..”

He didn’t have anything to say, Brian could only lock his lips with her in what was their most passionate kiss
since their wedding day. When his nose moved to nuzzle the hand that had found it’s comfortable spot in his
hair, he noticed the bandage that had a spot or two or blood bleeding through.

Sara noticed where his eyes had traveled and she quickly drew away her hand, placing it in his. But his
blue eyes searched hers for an answer. “I..I..don’t..”

“Shh. Don’t worry.” He only put a finger on her lips and smiled to reassure her. But it wasn’t a full smile. It
wouldn’t be genuine until Jenn was safe too.

Turning back to Nick, Brian found the young man staring down at the road, arms crossed.

“C’mon Nick. We’ve gotta go save Jenn.” He announced quietly, patting his best friend’s back.

“She’s still…still…” Nick looked up as he spoke.

“Yes Nick, but we have to go now. I don’t know how long she can stay.” Brian had begun to have second
thoughts on his way out, almost turned around, but Jenn trusted him to find help and, for once, he hadn’t
failed her.

“Alright..”

“I’ve got to go my love. We’ve gotta save Jenn, okay?” Brian took Sara’s hands into his and kissed them
tenderly, wishing he didn’t have to go. Jenn should’ve come with him. He must’ve been insane, leaving her
there. “Call the police. And STAY HERE! I don’t want you getting hurt.”

He didn’t want to say goodbye. He hated those words. So, with one last hug, he nodded to Nick and they
were off.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirens were heard in the distance. Brian was leading the way to the house and they made it their quickly.
Brian had made Sara stay in the car. Even though he wanted to keep her in his sight forever, he didn’t want
her to see what he had lived in for the past four months.

Brian stopped at the front door to catch his breath. “She should be in here. Take the hallway to your left and
follow it down till you see her. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Thanks man.” Nick said placing a hand on his shoulder, then making his way into the house.

Remember that blue crystal sky, the sun reflected in your eyes. You kissed me unexpectedly. The moment I
just can’t forget, we filled the air with promises and sealed them up so tenderly. But life never asks you what
you want, it’s just gonna have its way.
And sometimes it doesn’t give like it takes.

As Nick made his way through the hallway he couldn’t believe that this was the place that had held his best
friend and his wife for so long. He soon came across two small rooms side by side and enclosed in bars. He
walked into one of the rooms and picked up a picture frame. He is shocked when he discovers that it is a
picture of himself, Jenn, and Nicole on their wedding day. He slowly ran his fingers across Jen’s face, then
put the frame down.

“She’s not here?” Brian said, his voice tinged with worry.

Brian began to think of where she could be, but his thoughts were interrupted by a heart wrenching sob
coming from the other room. Nick began running towards where the sound had come from. He pushed past
Brian as he did so.

When he reached the opening, he could barely believe his eyes. The room was in shambles, every thing
was overturned as if a struggle had ensued. But there, in the center of all the chaos, curled into a ball on the
floor with her back to him. She was just laying there, sobbing.

If I never see your face, if wings take you away from me. And tomorrow never happens, baby. If the world
comes tumbling down and crumbles all around us. Fate turns cruel, you’re on your knees. So desperate for
one truth. Know that I have loved you

Nick made his way over to her. He knelt down behind her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!” Jenn yelled in a voice Nick had never heard come from her.
Nick recoiled his hand for a second, then reached down and brushed her face with the back of his hand.
“Sweetie, it’s me, Nicky.”

Jenn’s glazed eyes slowly made their way to meet his eyes. “I must be dreaming.” She said with a dreamy
smile.

“It’s really me, I’m here to take you home.” As he said this he turned her onto her back.
His eyes got really big as he noticed her protruding stomach. It seemed larger than it should have due to her
being so frail. “Oh my god…you’re…you’re…”

Jenn slowly licked her lips, “I was going to tell you that night.” She paused. “I can’t believe you’re really
here.” She reached up and placed her hand on his face.

“Yes, I’m here, and I’m gonna get you outta here.” He gave her a long kiss on the lips then helped her to
stand up. Jenn wobbled for a second, but leaned against Nick for extra balance. “Let’s go home sweetie.”

“Not so fast!”

Jenn and Nick looked towards the entrance, horrified to see Rick standing there with a gun aimed at them.
Nick was not about to lose everything after coming so far. So he stood there, not phased by the gun.

“Step away from her, and just leave if you know what’s good for you.” Rick said as he still kept the gun
trained on them.

“I’m not going anywhere without my wife!” Nick said through clenched teeth.

“Well then, that must mean that you’re going straight to hell with her. I can make arrangements for that!”
Rick pulled the hammer back on this gun and reached for the trigger.
***

Sara couldn’t wait in the car any longer. She quickly made her way out of the car and through the woods.
As she approached the house she almost turned back around, but decided to continue inside.

Upon opening the door she heard what sounded like Nick yelling at someone. She continued on in the
direction of the voice. Once she reached the cells she was able to clearly make out what Nick was saying.

“I’m not going anywhere without my wife!” Sara heard from Nick. After glancing at the cells she quickly
began to make her way down the hallway once more.

Suddenly a gun shot rang throughout the entire house. Sara stopped abruptly to try and figure out what
direction the shot had come from. Then a shrill scream from Jenn followed by, “Brian, NO!” This caused
Sara’s world to come crashing to a sudden halt.

Don’t think I’ll write another letter, or watch another pink sunset without thinking about you. I take a walk
along the blue seaside, how will I sleep at night. How will I wipe the tears from your eyes.

It had all happened so fast. As soon as Rick had put his finger on that trigger, Nick had brought himself and
Jenn down to the ground. Nick looked up at his attacker only to see him struggling with another man. Nick
saw the gun lying only a few feet away. Rick quickly got the upper hand and began pummeling the man
helplessly.

When Jenn realized who the other man was she let out a scream. “Brian, NO!” The man that had helped
keep her and her unborn child alive was being viciously attacked.

Without a second thought, Nick ran to his friends aid. He shoved Rick off of an unconscious Brian and began
an attack of his own. Dealing blow after blow to the man that had done this to them felt good. After all the
months of anguish and fear, he was finally getting his relief.

A shrill cry from his wife abruptly stopped his next blow. With his fist still raised in the air, his attention went
to the direction of the scream. “I swear to god, if you hit him one more time I’ll give your wife a nice big
shot of potocin!” Kara said as she had one arm wrapped around Jenn’s neck, and the other holding the
syringe that was piercing Jenn’s skin.

Nick quickly searched his mind for what potocin was.

“Can’t remember what potocin does Nicky?” Kara said tauntingly. “It puts women into
labor my dear boy.”

Nick’s heart dropped at that statement. “Alright, I’ll stop.” Nick dropped his arm and got off of Rick.

Kara smiled at this, and before Nick even had the chance to realize what was going on, Kara had injected
the potocin into Jenn. Jenn had tears running down her face and she was trying to pull Kara’s arm away
from her neck. “Don’t ever believe a psycho woman holding a syringe.” She pushed Jenn to the side.

Nick jumped up to go after her, but soon hit the ground as Rick grabbed his ankle. Both Kara and Rick let out
an evil laugh as Nick coughed violently trying to regain his breath.

Suddenly the tables turned, “Don’t hurt them!” came from a feminine voice. Kara and Rick were now the
ones with the gun pointed at them.

If I never see your face, if wings take you away from me. And tomorrow never happens, baby. If the world
comes tumbling down and crumbles all around us. Fate turns cruel, you’re on your knees. So desperate for
one truth. Know that I have loved you.

Sara stood there, her face full of determination. She had seen the gun just lying there and she knew what
she had to do.

“You don’t have the gall to shoot at us.” Kara said.

Kara began to slowly move towards Sara.

"Stop, don't come any closer to me." Sara said shakily. The gun was shaking slightly.

"I'm not afraid of you, I am you." Kara said still getting closer.

"You are NOT me!" Sara yelled out.

"But, I am." At this Kara quickened her pace and was about to pounce on Sara.

Sara didn't even have to think twice about the next decision she made. Just as Kara was jumping on top of
her, she pulled the trigger.

Everything was completely silent for the next 30 seconds. Kara was laid out on the ground, blood coming
from her shoulder. As Rick made his way to Kara's side, Nick made his way to Jenn's side. When Rick
realized that Kara was still alive he quickly looked over at Sara with an evil look in his eyes. "You BITCH!"
He quickly jumped up and started stalking his way over to Sara.

Sara was still too stunned over the fact that she had actually pulled the trigger that she never saw Rick
coming at her till it was too late. He shoved her down to the ground and took the gun from her grasp. He
decided that she wasn't much of a threat and turned his attention to the one person he did want.

Once Nick was at Jenn's side he could see the fear in her eyes. "Jenn, it's gonna be okay.”

“Nick..” She had to smile a little that he was here with her now. The smile was soon contorted by pain that
came from inside. “Damn… this baby’s not going to wait long.”

“Yes, our baby, sweet one.” Rick knelt down on the other side of Jenn, reaching across and hitting Nick with
the pistol in his hand, the younger man fell back against the wall.

“No dammit! I’m not scared of you anymore, Rick! I’m gonna get out of this…” Jenn winced and then stared
at the mad man. “You’re not gonna stop me this time.”




Nick, acting as though he was in pain, took a few moments to take in his surroundings. It seemed as though
Kara had passed out from pain but what concerned him were his friends. Sara was barely moving after Rick
had jumped on her and Brian still hadn’t come to.

He wasn’t going to let the same thing happen to his wife. Reaching around I his back pocket, Nick pulled out
the knife he had been carrying with him since this whole thing had begun. Only now did he remember it.

Sara opened her eyes and found that she was only a few feet away from her husband. Her heart sank into
her stomach, finding that those blue eyes were still hidden from her view.

“Brian?” She whispered, dragging herself over to him, as quietly as possible. God, he was so cold. She took
off her jacket and put it on him, crying when she realized he was just as small as her now.

“Stop it Kara! Just leave me the hell alone!” He had started to jerk and the tone of his voice, it was so harsh
it scared Sara almost.

“Bri, no. It’s me. It’s your Sara..” Her words were filled with tears now and her head pounded, but she
couldn’t give up now.

“Sara?” His eyes squinted as he struggled to ignore the buzzing in his ears. So blurry. And dizzy. And..
“Sara…” He breathed shakily. “I feel…weird. My chest feels…strange..”

“Damn it! No..no no no…” The brunette screamed in a whisper as she held his hands and searched
desperately for something to help all of them.

And then she heard it. Two male voices from the other side of the room and one female ….screaming.

Nick had indeed found his knife and was successful in stabbing Rick. But Rick wasn’t going down that easy
and he had shot Nick in response. Right in the stomach.

Jenn gained enough strength from adrenaline and quickly got to her feet, running straight to her husband.
“Nick.. Oh God ..Nick.. You can’t do this!!” She doubled over in pain again.

The youngest boy turned his head slightly and grinned a bit at his wife. “I got him Jenn.” He licked his lips
and held her hand. “Run sweetheart. Take Sara and Brian and…run.”

“But, you…”

“I’ll get out. I’ll catch up. I just need a minute. You’ve been here long enough.”
“But…”

“JENN! Go, baby. I need you to go…” He spoke weakly, kissing her lips that were so close to his now.

Tears slid slowly down her face as she moved his blond hair out of his face and tenderly kissed his sweaty
forehead. “Okay.” She gave in, having faith that he wasn’t going to leave her. He would make it out. He was
just that strong.

Looking up, her brown eyes met Sara’s. “You ready to go?” Jenn spoke quietly.

“We have to, I suppose.” Sara then realized she had no other choice than to carry Brian. He wasn’t really
with them and the things he had said, they scared her shitless. She couldn’t lose him.

The three made it out of the wretched house and Sara looked at Jenn for the first time really. A sympathetic
look washed her face and she bit her lip.

“He’s gonna make it, Jenn. Since when does a Carter give up so easy?”

“I hope you’re right.” The younger girl forced a smile but her heart hurt too much to talk anymore. Though,
she was thankful the pain in her lower stomach had resided a bit.

~*~

About halfway to the road, policemen and paramedics found the trio. Jenn, almost collapsing from pain and
dehydration, Brian, still not too conscious, and Sara, shaking from head to toe, holding on to her husband. It
was certainly a sight.

So, here they were, all three of them refusing to leave until they saw that Nick was okay. Sara and Brian
knew they couldn’t leave Jenn here alone, not now when they had come so far with all four of them.

Brian, who had waken up a few minutes after being hooked up to an IV in the back of the ambulance, was
holding on tightly to his wife’s hand as he was transferred to a smaller ambulance. It was decided that Jenn
and Nick would both be put on stretchers in the same vehicle and rushed to the hospital as soon as they
could be together.

Jenn was standing on the very side of the road, her hair blowing in wisps around her face, staring out
towards the wooded field. Her mind was turning into a big blur and she hoped she could keep conscious
long enough to hold Nick in her arms. Of course, she wasn’t going to tell anyone how she felt. She may be
losing it, but she wasn’t stupid.

That’s when they all saw it. Sara, Brian, and Jenn all held their breath as they saw the stirring in the grass.
‘Please God, please let it be Nick..’
They all let out a sigh as the police officer appeared out of the woods, followed by four other police with
Rick and Kara in custody. Jenn could only close her eyes and swallow as she heard one of the men say that
Nick was no where in that house, only his blood. That dreadful house. Kara and Rick must’ve done
something with him before they were caught. It was the first time that Jenn had ever tasted hope being lost.

So this was how it was all going to end. In one year, Jenn had lost her baby boy, her memory, and the only
love she had ever known. Just because he wanted to save her. Everything had happened because they had
loved each other. Numbing tears slid down her drawn face as Jenn became the first Carter to ever give up
on someone. Not Nick. Nick had been strong and courageous and forever, he would be her hero. Her
endless love.

Brian’s weak gray eyes bled tears as well. One of his best friends, his little brother was gone. Who would he
play games with on days off now? Who would sit and quietly make fun of Kevin with him during boring
interviews? Most of all, who would raise his family and who would ever take the place of the irreplaceable
Nick Carter?

No one. Absolutely nobody.

Sara seemed to be reading Brian’s thoughts as she squeezed his hand a little tighter and her eyes splashed
onto his fingers, no doubt she had been thinking along the lines of the same thoughts. Nick was the one who
had understood her these past few months. They had leaned on each other and gave each other hope and
strength to carry on their search for their loved ones. When everyone was turning their backs, they had each
other. Sara moved her free hand to wipe her eyes and she took sight of the bandage, still wrapped tightly
around her wrist. He had cared for her. Nick Carter had saved her life.

“Jenn? Guys?” A hoarse whisper carried to Jenn’s ears and everyone took notice as she stepped further into
the woods.

A figure emerged from the darkness, massive amounts of blood staining his white t-shirt.
It was moving strangely, dragging itself. Could it be…

“Nick!” Jenn exclaimed, her eyes alive like never before and all the pain inside disappearing for those
moments. Her exclamation confirming what everyone wanted to believe, everyone watched as the two
lovers were reunited in a bond that would never be broken.

Overwhelmed with a feeling of togetherness again, Sara leaned down and kissed Brian just as Nick was
kissing Jenn. Nothing could hurt them now. Now, they were all together, safe in each other’s arms.

But it only gets the best it can be before everything falls on you. Indeed…

Because no one knew about that gun and no one had imagined it would go off.

***

Brian was fighting a tough battle at the moment. He was suffering from some drug that they had given him
some time during their capture. It seemed to be affecting him mentally more than anything. The worst
though was when they had shot the second of those shots. The bullet had been heading straight at him, and
he never saw it coming. The bullet had hit him right in his back. He was in surgery for hours after they were
brought in. They had almost lost him many times in those first hours, but he was a fighter.

For the first time in four days Lori saw movement coming from Jenn's bed. Quickly looking at AJ and Nicole
and seeing that they had not moved, she proceeded to make her way to Jenn's side.

Now Lori let her thoughts drift to her friends in the room next door. Sara seemed mostly to be suffering from
shock. Luckily for her she had not been shot in those last final moments, but what had happened to Brian
had seemed to effect her most. Sara had regained consciousness the day after the event, but had not
spoken a word. She spent most of her day just watching Brian, not wanting to take her eyes off of him.

When they had brought Jenn in they were told that she had been given a dose of a drug that induces labor.
Luckily they got her to the hospital on time, and were able to stop it. Jenn had surgery the day after they
were brought in to fix the bullet wound, and is now just trying to recover from the lack of nutrition.
Surprisingly, the baby wasn't suffering from any lasting effects, just a little under gestational weight. They
estimate her pregnancy at about approximately 30 weeks.

The first bullet had been aimed for Jenn. Luckily for her though, the aim was high and it tore right through
her shoulder.

Unfortunately it kept on going, and entered Nicks chest, puncturing his lung.

Neither of them has regained consciousness. The doctors also told them that Nick had been shot in the
stomach during an altercation before the police had arrived, which had caused his liver to be badly
damaged.

Which now leads us as to why Kevin is now lying in a hospital bed himself. When they were told that Nick
wouldn't be able to live without a liver transplant, everyone stepped up. Luckily Kevin was a perfect match.

Two days ago Kevin underwent the operation to have a portion of his liver removed to be placed into Nick,
he didn't even have to think twice about it.

The hiss of the respirator that was helping Nick to breath upset Lori more than anything. Brian and Sara, and
Nick and Jenn had finally been reunited only for it to be taken away just as fast. What she had heard from
what the police had told Kevin was that somehow those Rick and Kara people had each gotten a hold of a
gun. Just before they were put into the squad cars, they quickly brandished the weapons and shot at their
unsuspecting victims.

As Lori and AJ sat vigil in Jenn and Nicks hospital room, they almost couldn't believe it. It had been four
days, four long days, that they have all been in the hospital. They had placed Jenn and Nick in a room
together and the same with Sara and Brian, due to security reasons. Nicole was silently sleeping on AJ's
shoulder, as he also slept, but sleep wouldn't come to Lori. The sight of her best friend had shocked her to
her soul. First of all she was so thin, but at the same time very pregnant. Nobody had known of this
pregnancy so it was a surprise for everyone. Lori also was ready to kill the police officers that where on the
scene that night. She could hardly believe that they didn't even fully search the assholes that had did this to
them.

Lori was shaken out of her daydream as Jenn began to stir a little more than usual.

“C’mon Jenn..” The blonde girl whispered, taking her best friend’s hand and holding it tightly, willing her to
come to.

By this time, AJ had sleepily opened his brown eyes and watched the scene from behind his girlfriend’s
shoulder. He felt himself involuntarily squeezing Nicole tighter. The little girl was now 9 months old, toddling
around and babbling away. Like Nick, AJ thought with an inward grin.

But that grin soon disappeared as his eyes landed back on Jenn. When she opened those eyes, it would be
the first time she had seen her little girl since she was 3 months old.

Hugging Nicole to his chest, he threw his glance sideways towards the door to avoid looking at the figure in
the other bed. That wasn’t the Nick Carter that AJ McLean knew, and it certainly wasn’t one he wanted to
remember forever. Although he had gained a bit more color since the liver transplant, AJ didn’t like the fact
that Nick was being so still. He wasn’t even that still when he slept. That’s when his thoughts drifted to his
‘brother’ in the next room. AJ felt bad for not going to see him but twice but, damn, that was really hard. Out
of all of them, Brian had looked the worst to him. So thin and tattered, quiet and pale. He wanted to kill
those people. Those people that had upset all of their lives.

Changed them forever. For the worse.

“Nick? Lori?” Jenn’s eyelids struggled to open and her voice was weaker than usual.

“Hey girl..” Lori pushed fallen hair out of Jenn’s face and handed her a cup of water as AJ pushed the nurse
button. “Here, take this.”
“We’ve missed you Jenn.” AJ put in.

But Jenn wasn’t paying any attention to AJ as he spoke. She was interested in the little body that’s head
rested on his shoulder, big blue eyes now open with a finger stuck in her mouth.

“Aje.. Is that.. It’s..” Tears welled up in Jenn’s eyes as realization sat in. “My daughter. She’s gotten so big..”
She bit her lip and flashed back to nights when she and Nick would lay in their bed, a tiny Nicole curled up
between them.

A nurse came in, followed by a doctor. The usual questions were asked and her vitals were taken. Lori and
AJ both smiled as the doctor announced that Jenn seemed to be just fine, but, while they were still pouring
nutrients into her unborn baby, she would have to stay hospitalized. Jenn, too, seemed happy to know that
her baby was okay but her mind wasn’t completely there yet and her two guests thanked God that she hadn’
t asked about Nick, Brian, or Sara yet.

“Um, AJ,” Jenn paused and licked her lips a bit after the doctor left. “Can I…uh, hold her?”

“Are you feeling up to it?” Lori asked, worried Jenn might still be weak and not know of it.

“Yes Kevin!” Jenn cracked a smile that reassured Lori that she was going to be okay. At least, for right now.

“Yah…Kev!” AJ smirked at Lori as he passed Nicole to Jenn. He then laughed, and ducked as his girlfriend
swatted at his head.

“Hi Nikki…” The brunette whispered, “Remember me?” It brought tears to Jenn’s eyes when Nicole smiled
at her, eyes filled with laughter.

“I think she does.” The tattooed man commented, wrapping his arms around Lori’s waist.

They all continued in a light chatter as Jenn talked to Nicole and they all talked to each other, no one
mentioning the whole situation they were in. Or anyone else involved. AJ had managed to pull the curtain
around Nick’s bed just before Jenn woke up fully.

She knew something was wrong with him though. Or he would’ve been here.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was an hour later before a tall dark man appeared in the doorway.

“Kev? What’re you doing here?” AJ inquired, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees.

“Did you REALLY think I was staying in a hospital bed while y’all were all down here?” Kevin hobbled over
to a chair, keeping in mind the doctor had warned him to take it easy.

“What? What happened, Kev?” Jenn’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He wasn’t there that night…. Was
he?

“Um..” Kevin pursed his lips, wishing he had realized that Jenn was awake before he said anything. “Have y’
all, uh, told her anything?” He asked, digging his hands into his pockets.

Both Lori and AJ shook their heads negatively. Kevin sighed and walked over to Jenn’s bed, offering a smile
of comfort and saying a little hello to Nicole.

“What, Kev?” She asked, wanting him to just spit it out.

“Everything’s okay Jenn. Now, it is.” He paused and grabbed her hand. “I’m glad you’re awake. You’ve
been out of it for almost a week now. I…I was in the hospital because, well, when Nick was shot…” He
paused again, tears rising in his throat now. “They told us he couldn’t live if there was no one to give him a
portion of their liver. We all volunteered and, well, mine happened to match.”

“Oh God…” Jenn stroked Nicole’s back to keep her mind off of what kind of shape her husband was in. But
the words involuntarily left her mouth. “How.. How is he?”

Everyone in the room looked at each other, wondering what to tell her, wondering if they should pull back
that curtain to reveal that Nick had been there all along.

“Jenn..” Lori stood up and walked to the opposite side of Jenn’s bed. “He’s.. he’s behind this curtain. He
hasn’t been awake yet but, he does look better today…”

“Let me see him.”

“Jenn, are you sure you’re ready?” Kevin asked, concerned.

“No, Kev.” She looked him straight the eye, stronger than she had ever felt in the past months. “But he
needs me. He needs us all.”

With that, Lori pulled back the curtain and both AJ and Kevin turned their heads away, wishing they had
Jenn’s strength.

“Hi sweetheart…” Jenn’s head rested against her pillow, staring at her love, broken down and dependant
on monitors. “I love you.”

Everyone jumped as Nick’s heart monitor beeped at a faster pace than it had been. Then, it happened.

There wasn’t a sparkle, but those blue eyes were revealed for the first time in a while. They were tired and
grey, but they were holding on.

Kevin was just about to go over to him when Howie walked through the door.

“Kev?” Howie asked, timidly, not noticing that Jenn or Nick had opened their eyes. He seemed intent of
asking Kevin something.

“Yah, D?”

“Can I, uh, see you for a second?”

Kevin shot a baffled look towards his younger friend and then followed him out into the hallway. “What
gives, Howie?”

Howie looked down , folding his arms over his chest. When he looked back up, Kevin could tell that his
heavy brown eyes were filling with tears.

“What Howie?!” Kevin was becoming impatient and a little nervous.

“Kev, the doctor has something to tell Sara. He told me he didn’t think she could handle it by herself and
well, since you’re Brian’s cousin…” The Latino closed his eyes for a moment.

“Spit it out.” His heart raced a mile a minute.

“He wants to pull the plug, Kev.”

***

As Kevin walked out of the door AJ and Lori wondered what was up with Howie. They would have followed
Kevin out that door if Jenn and Nick hadn't just woken up.

Jenn gave out a sob as she saw him struggling to turn his head in her direction. When their eyes met it was
like out of a movie, they only saw each other. “Oh Nicky….” She had tears streaming down her face.

Nick still felt really out of it, but what he saw before him helped bring him closer to reality. Their on that
bed, was his wife and their daughter. His vision was blocked by his tattooed friend approaching his bed.
The look of pure joy on AJ’s face almost brought tears to his eyes. Suddenly Nick felt like his throat was on
fire, and he began to fight off his ventilator

AJ saw Nick beginning to struggle and went into a panic himself. “N…N…Nick man, its okay, just let it
breathe for you!” AJ practically screamed at him. Nick was trying to sit up so AJ tried to hold him down by
the shoulders.

Seeing this threw both Lori and Jenn into a panic as well. “Nick, oh god, what’s wrong with him??!!” Jenn
asked trying to see what was going on. The sudden outburst from her caused Nicole to begin crying. Lori
quickly reached down to pick Nicole up to help soothe her.

Nick was slowly beginning to calm down. He was confused and hurting at the same time, he almost wanted
to succumb back into the darkness. He quickly shook that idea out of his head. He really didn’t remember
what had put him in this hospital bed. The last thing he could remember was getting that awful phone call
from his wife. As much as he tried to bring something back, it didn’t come.

AJ got worried when Nick just got this spaced out look in his eyes. At that he decided it was time to call the
doctor in, so he pushed the call button.

A doctor was in within 10 minutes and assessed the situation. He let everyone know that this was a normal
thing that happens when people wake up and are being helped to breath. Jenn was demanding that they
take the tube out since she felt it wasn’t really helping him. The doctor let her know that it was not an
option since he had just had that operation. Jenn still was not happy with that, but she couldn’t do anything
about it.

Once the doctor left the room Jenn decided that she was going to Nicks side. “AJ, would you help me up?”
She asked.

“You need to stay laying down Jenn, doctor’s orders.” AJ said as he approached her bed.

“Well you can either help me, or watch me do it on my own. Either way, I’m going to my husband’s side.”
Jenn stated stubbornly. She just stared AJ in the eyes till he finally exhaled and came to her side.

“Not for long alright, we just got you back. I’m personally gonna make sure you stay with us for a long
time.” AJ said as he began to help her up.

Within two minutes Jenn was at Nick’s side and AJ helped her to sit down in a chair. She grabbed his hand
and he looked at her. “Oh Nicky…” Nick reached up and brushed the hair out of her face. He then turned
her hand palm up and began to write something with his fingertip. Tears filled her eyes as he made the
letter I, followed by a heart, then the letter U. “I love you too baby, I missed you so much.” She let out a
sob. “I thought of you everyday when Brian and I were there.”

Nick had a few tears in his eyes, he still was struggling to remember what had happened. When Jenn
mentioned Brian it made Nick wonder what had happened to him. So he spelled out the letters B R I on her
hand, hoping that she would be able to tell him something that might trigger his memory.

“Bri?? You wanna know what happened to him?” Jenn asked, realizing herself that she didn’t even know.
Nick just blinked his eyes once, as the doctor had told him to do for yes. Jenn turned to face Lori and AJ,
“He wants to know how Brian is, and so do I. Do you guys know?”

Lori and AJ exchanged glances, “Um, we don’t know too much about his condition. But if you want me to I
can find out.” Lori said as she passed Nicole back to AJ.

“Could you please, I just have to know.” Jenn said as she turned back around to face her husband. His
gaze had now traveled to her belly and some flashes of what had happened came to him. She noticed
where his gaze was, “I was gonna tell you that night that we were taken.” Tears filled her eyes as she
continued. “I thought I had killed you, I…I was so lost.” Jenn continued to share some of the experiences
her and Brian had gone through. AJ just stood there, also listening, barely able to believe what her and
Brian had gone through.


Lori walked listlessly out into the bright white hallway. She wasn’t sure if she should’ve left AJ alone with
Nick, Jenn, and Nicole but she quickly resolved that he could take care of things if he had to. She had begun
to wonder about Brian as well. She hadn’t seen Sara since yesterday and even then, she hadn’t said much.
Just smiled the same tired smile and searched the rooms with clouded eyes. Lori thought that maybe the
news of Jenn and Nick would cheer her up a bit.

Pushing open the door to the Littrell room, Lori was surprised to be met with the sound of silence.

And the consistent sounds of life breathing machines. It was almost numbing now, nobody paid attention to
them until it drove them crazy.

Then, there was that unfamiliar frail body, lying helplessly amidst everything, seeming to small for the
settings surrounding him. No way it could be their Brian.


But it was.

The blonde girl approached the bed for the first time in a couple of days. Taking his left hand in her own,
she smiled. Brian had never taken off his wedding band.

“Keep fighting this, Rok.” Lori bit her bottom lip. “We need you back here. Sara needs you. Your baby.. your
family..”

She stopped. This was all too much. They hadn’t expected this out of Brian. When they had all arrived at the
hospital, Nick was in the worst condition. At least, that’s what they were told. On second thought though,
Brian hadn’t been in perfect health since he was five years old, but he was strong and no one ever thought
he would be the one not to make it.

But here they were, Jenn and Nick both awake and coherent, for the most part, and Brian, not showing any
signs of waking up.

Lori stopped just before she reached the door. It was particularly strange that Brian had been left alone. If
not Sara, Kevin or Howie would’ve been here. They never would’ve left him alone. That’s when her mind
reverted to the sound of urgency in Howie’s voice when he came to get Kevin close to a half hour before.

Where had they gone? Maybe she should stay there…

That’s when she heard Kevin’s voice coming down the hallway.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Kevin.. we.. we can’t..” Sara breathed in a panic. She felt his arm wrap around her. She was almost
positive it was the only thing holding her up.

“We’ll figure this out together, okay?” Kevin wiped his own tears away and tried to be strong. It was so
damn hard this time though. “Do you, uh, wanna go see Nick and Jenn…or…” He searched for places to go.

“It.. it doesn’t matter.” Sara shrugged and Kevin’s face changed to a worried expression.

“Sar.. you’re looking kind of pale. Why don’t we go into the private waiting room.” He took her hand and
led her in the right direction. It was obvious no one was going to fight.

How could this happen? His cousin, always so positive and willing to do anything for anyone, how could he
be taken from the world? He couldn’t imagine never hearing that laugh again, never seeing those blue
eyes…

Kevin couldn’t imagine looking at Nick or Sara without Brian.

After Howie had come to get him, Kevin had followed the doctor to his office with Sara beside him. Inside,
he would’ve never guessed what Dr. Anderson would reveal to them.

Brian wasn’t making progress. He was gradually getting worse. Even if he did wake up, he would most likely
not be the same. Brain damage, they thought, seeing as the bullet hit him in a portion of his spinal cord.

And now, they wanted to pull the plug. There was no use in waiting, the doctor had said, it was only the
machines keeping him alive. Neither Kevin nor Sara had said anything. Nobody had ever given up on Brian
Littrell. How could they?

“He didn’t even see it coming, Kev. I couldn’t get to him…” Sara mumbled from where she sat beside him
on the couch. Her lips began to quiver as her hand gently caressed her growing stomach that was beginning
to show. “This isn’t supposed to happen..”

Kevin stared at her with piercing green eyes. She was right, it wasn’t supposed to be happening. Not to any
of them. They were the Backstreet Boys. They were supposed to be invincible. Just like the superheroes Nick
had created them to be a few years back. They had laughed then but, deep inside, he supposed they all
believed they did have some kind of power. That nothing would ever happen..

His green eyes creased with tears as he reached for his cousin’s wife and brought her close until she was
almost in his lap. They cried together. Cried for each other. Cried for Brian. Cried for all them and for what
would never be the same again.

“Guys…what…what’s going on?” Lori stood in the doorway, almost scared to ask. As soon as the two people
looked up at her, she knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

~*~*~*~*~

AJ watched as Jenn slept more peacefully than she ever had in the past few days. He knew that wouldn’t
last long. They were told that both Jenn and Brian, when they had regained consciousness, would have
horrible nightmares and flashbacks of the past few months but, with necessary help and time, things would
get better.

But they would never be the same.

Never the same. AJ seemed to contemplate the concept. How could things never be the same? Did that
mean Jenn wouldn’t laugh the same laugh that made Nick’s face glow like he had never seen before? Did
that mean Brian wouldn’t dance around anymore just to cheer everyone up? Did that mean there was no
more frick and frack? Would Jenn and Brian even want to go out anymore?

He hated change. He hated that they couldn’t wake up from this damn nightmare that had cursed their lives
the past few months. He began to rock Nicole back and forth a little faster, nerves setting in. He couldn’t take
this. Thank God he still had Lori. She wasn’t going to leave, he was going to make sure of it. He smiled,
thinking of the day he would place that diamond ring on her finger.

The man watched as Nick stirred a bit in his bed and revealed his blue eyes once again.

“Hey buddy.” AJ grinned, not bothering to get up since he had placed his rocking chair between Nick and
Jenn.

Nick managed a smile in response.

“So, I talked with the doctor and he said we could probably get that tube out a little later. But, ya have to be
good.” He waited for Nick’s eyes to blink. “That means no hot nurses, dude.”

Nick raised his eyebrows then rolled his eyes. He hastily grabbed for AJ’s hand and spelled.

“Yeah, I know you’re a dad, but there are some hotties here Kaos.”

The blonde knew his friend was kidding with him but it was good to know people weren’t acting different
around him. At least AJ wasn’t. Kevin.. he was almost sure he would get on his nerves pretty quick…
Kevin. Last time Nick had seen him, Howie came for him. Come to think of it, Howie had been there for a
couple of minutes too. He seemed upset, not talking that much to anyone. Where did Lori go? Where was
Brian? And what the hell had happened? His head hurt too much to think.

“Hey, chill out bud.” AJ butted into his thoughts. Nick looked over to see his heart monitor quickening it’s
pace and he willed it to slowly return to normal.

Nick was about to get up enough energy to spell more things to his friend when Lori walked in the door.

“We need to talk.” She simply said to AJ.

AJ seemed to sense something was going on and he stood up from his place in the chair. Nick felt so
useless, and left out. He decided to use the energy built up in his hand to turn his head and watch his
sleeping angel, hoping she, at least, was okay. He smiled and wondered what she was dreaming of. Him, he
hoped. Soon, he was asleep as well, dreaming of her. And only her.

But the peace wouldn’t be kept for long.

***

Sara quickly made her way into the hospital, careful of the reporters. Luckily for her today, there didn’t
seem to be many. She ignored all attempts of them asking her questions, and was soon safely inside. Once
inside the elevator she leaned back against the wall and took a deep breath.

The doors soon opened for her floor and she hesitated on which way to go. If she went to her left she would
be headed to Brian’s room. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to see him yet this morning. So instead she
headed into the direction of Jenn and Nicks room. She didn’t think she had actually paid them a visit since
they had come here. She knew it was wrong, but she was so worried about Brian. She was sure they
understood.

Sara wanted to talk to Jenn about what had happened to them. She wanted to know what had happened to
her husband, in what could possibly have been his last months here on earth. But she didn’t want to think
that way right now, right now she needed some reassurance.

“Sara,” Nick said softly seeing her walk into the room. Kevin, Jenn, and Howie also acknowledged her.

“Hi guys,” Sara said meekly.

“What brings you in here?” Howie asked. “Well, I mean, you’re usually in Brian’s room most of the time.”

“I decided that I should come visit these two for a while today.” Sara said as she found a seat next to Jenn’
s bed. “I’m glad you two are awake.” They all talked quietly for the next couple of minutes, just mindless
chatter. Then AJ, Lori, and Nicole walked into the room.

Sara was the first to notice the gleaming stone that was placed upon Lori’s finger. “Oh…my…god! I must
have stepped into the twilight zone or something, this can’t be for real.”

The smile that came across Lori’s face confirmed that this was indeed for real. Congratulations quickly went
around the room. For a while everyone felt like it was a normal day, and they were all hanging out at one
of their houses. When the doctor came strolling in the room everyone was quickly brought back to reality.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting something, but I’m here to check up on Nickolas and Jennifer.” The doctor said as
he made his way to Nick’s bedside. The doctor went through the normal motions and then proceeded to
Jenn’s bedside. The others waited patiently for what the doctor had to say about both of them. “Well it
seems that you two are progressing quite well. What do you two say about me getting an ultra sound
machine in here a little bit later today, and we can get a look at that baby.”

Jenn and Nick both smiled over this, “That would be great.” Nick responded.

Jenn was more than happy, she had wanted to see this baby for so long now. She desperately wanted to
know what the sex was, she already had names picked out. The doctor soon excused himself, which left
everyone alone again.

Sara made her way back up to Jenn’s side and took a seat, “Jenn, I want to ask you something.” She said
hesitantly.

“Sure Sara, anything.” Jenn replied looking into her eyes.

Sara hesitated then began, “I, I really need to know what Brian’s last few months were like. I wanna know
everything.”

Jenn looked at her and bit her bottom lip, “Sara, I….I really don’t know if I can right now. But I can tell you
this.” Jenn started. “He was strong, very strong. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here right now. He’s still
strong, he’s gonna make it Sara. I just know it.” Jenn was tightly holding Sara’s hand as she said this.

As if on cue, Brian’s Dr. came in, “Mrs. Littrell, Mr. Richardson….I’m sorry but its time.”

Suddenly Sara felt selfish, she had come to this room instead of spending the time with Brian. She just
wasn’t ready for this, she didn’t want to. She looked around at everyone, they all looked like they were
ready to cry. She heard Nick and Jenn both arguing with Kevin that they were going to be in that room
whether he liked it or not. She saw Howie staring at the wall with a lost look in his eyes. She saw Lori and
AJ, Lori embracing Nicole, and AJ holding onto Loris waist as she leaned into him. At that moment Sara
knew that she wasn’t the only one not ready for this. They were all in for a rough ride.


~*~

One by one, they filed into the room. The group had never been so quiet together. AJ and Lori were still
holding on to one another as Kevin held Sara’s hand. Following them were Nick and Jenn, in wheelchairs,
Howie helping push them.

Everyone gathered around the bed of their friend, but as far away as they could be. That man lying there
couldn’t be Brian. There had to be some horrible mistake.

“You can all have some alone time with him. I’ll be back in a few.” Dr. Anderson spoke softly, sensing the
sadness and disbelief that loomed in the air. Sadly, he walked out, glad to escape.

Seven pairs of wandering eyes watched each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. Lori finally
took the initiative and pulled her fiancé’s hand towards the bed. There was some resistance at first, but after
a reassuring squeeze, AJ gave in.
“Hey Bri…” Lori spoke softly. Suddenly the confidence she usually possessed flew out of her body and a
new feeling set in. A feeling she didn’t often feel. Fear.

“Hello Rok. It’s Bone and Lori, long time, no see, huh buddy?” He had to be strong. “Guess what? I’ve
begun to try that commitment thing you talked to me about. Lori and I…we’re gonna get married. You put
the idea in my head, Rok, so you’re gonna have to stick around to see it.” AJ sniffed a bit, never being one
to reveal anyone emotion.

Lori’s tears, however, were flowing freely in streams down her cheeks. It had always been Brian pushing
him to tie the knot. Somehow, he just knew. It had been Brian that told Lori that she was the one for AJ.
The one and only. She supposed that had always stayed in the back of her mind.

“Yah, Brian. I’m not marrying this freak without you here. I’m blaming you every time we start arguing..”
She forced a sad smile and grabbed Brian’s hand. “Don’t give up on us now.”

Neither of them could say anymore and the rest of their friends knew it. With his hands dug into his pockets,
Howie approached the bed.

“Hey man.” He spoke softly in a voice that wasn’t his own. “What’re you trying to pull on us, huh? Just
because you have so many questions for God doesn’t mean we want you to ask right now.”

Upon listening to his friend’s remark, AJ smiled. It was an ongoing inside joke during tour. One of the boys
would be pissed off or frustrated and yell, ‘Why God!?’ in frustration. Brian had once replied nonchalantly, ‘I’
ll be sure and ask him later’. So, it was now ritual, to ask Brian to ask God things, because he was, in the
words of AJ, ‘the key to all Backstreet Boys getting into Heaven.’

“Seriously, Brian, this isn’t funny. What would we do without you? You’re not the kind of guy to just up and
leave your family. Don’t do it. Pull through, Rok. You’ve got you most important audience right now… and
you were never one to disappoint.”

Howie backed away now, just as AJ and Lori had, reality hitting much too quickly for comfort. The thought of
the Backstreet Boys with Brian made him nauseas. Hell, the thought of the world without Brian scared him.
He was one of the better people living here.

“I…I’d like to go next.” A fragile and tired looking Nick broke the tense silence of the room. It seemed as
though he had reverted back to the years of young teenage innocence that he had abandoned in what
seemed like ages ago.

Cautiously, he wheeled himself up to his best friend’s bed.

“Bri…Frick, thank you. Thank you for helping me grow and helping to me to find that special kind of love
staring me right in the face. Thank you for helping me to understand Kevin and his assy moods sometimes.”
Kevin grinned a bit at that one. “Thank you for helping to laugh when times were the worst and never
letting things get to me.” The blonde stopped for a moment, swearing he had seen a smile play on the ends
of Brian’s lips. He passed it off as wishful thinking and continued.

“Most of all,” He took hold of his friend’s hand, “Thank you Brian, for taking care of my family. For taking
care of me. I swear…I…I promise, I’m going to take the best care of Sara and your kid but, Brian, if you can
hear me, please don’t make me. They deserve so much more than what I can give them. They deserve you.”
He swallowed the tears in his throat. “How could Sara or I or Jenn or anyone of us explain what an
incredible person you are. You’re finally gonna have that ‘little you’ you’ve been talking about for ages. You
can’t just let it down, Brian. You taught me that a long time ago.”

Slowly, Nick moved his arm to reach into his robe pocket. The friends watched as he pulled out the two
infamous black stocking hats. Tears spilled out of Nick’s blue eyes as he pulled the ‘Frick’ hat down on Brian’
s head and then leaned back to adjust his own. “I’m sorry ,Bri, if I ever let you down. I take it all back, just,
come back safe, okay? I swear I’ll let you beat me in every basketball game…and…anything you want…”
He was near sobs now.

Jenn wheeled herself over beside him, lifting his chin to wipe away his tears and kissing his lips, the tears
on their cheeks mixing together. She looked up for Howie to wheel Nick back away from the bed, thinking it
would be best for him to be away for a bit.

The brunette stared at Brian for a while, not sure what to say or think. This couldn’t be the end. There were
still so many things that he had wanted to do, to see. They had discussed them all on those nights when they
were left alone with nothing but each other. How could she go on doing these things and not feel guilty that
Brian hadn’t gotten to do the same? He had to be only sleeping, lying just as peacefully as he had the past
few months when she had watched him sleep. She was the weak one, not him.

“Brian, we…we’re having a boy. Not just Nick and I, you’re involved now too. Maybe not biologically but,
God, Brian, you’re supposed to play such a big role in this boy’s life. You have loved and protected this baby
as your own; you can’t let it go now. Sara and I are supposed to be sitting on the porch a year from now,
laughing at you two trying to teach it to play basketball…or ride a bicycle. You’re not supposed to do this
Brian!” She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. “I don’t believe these damn doctors. They don’
t know YOU! Prove them wrong, like you always have.” Taking his hand in hers, she placed it atop her
stomach only to have the baby respond with a kick or two. She smiled. “Feel that, Bri? He already likes you.
How can you take that away from him? Heroes don’t die, Brian.”

All had fallen silent for a few minutes. It was up to Kevin and Sara to finish their goodbyes. How, though?
Everything had been said, yet, nothing at all. No one could ever put into words what Brian had meant to
them. In that moment, it seemed like everyone in the room appreciated each other a little bit more, and all
made a mental note to express that love more often.

As Jenn wheeled back towards Nick, who leaned his head weakly onto her shoulder, Kevin squeezed Sara’s
hand and then let go. His turn.

Gently, he lifted Brian’s hand into his own and sat down, not trusting his wobbling legs beneath him. His
piercing green eyes studied his young cousin for a few moments, flashbacking to that five year old face
begging for his help. All too suddenly, a pang of guilt shot through him.

“Hey Brian, its Kevin, your cousin.” How do you say goodbye to someone you never thought you would have
to let go of? “I’m sure you’re sick of everyone thinking you’re leaving us, so, I won’t take too long. Um, it’s
been a while since I told you…I, uh, I love ya, Bri. I can’t…I can’t help but think that this is all of my fault.”
His deep voice was raspy with deep sadness and all eyes focused on him as he took responsibility for all of
this.

“Kev…” Howie tried to stop Kevin from blaming himself.

“It’s true Howie. If I had never called Brian,10 years ago, he would be happily teaching a high school class
or being a youth minister, safe in Kentucky with everything he wanted. Singing was his passion…and
now…” Kevin’s eyes shut tight and his face crumpled. Regaining composure quickly, he squeezed Brian’s
hand tighter. “I’m sorry, Bri. I’m sorry I let you go. I’m sorry for letting you down. I…I…We need you back
Brian. This isn’t supposed to happen. I’m….so…sorry…” He laid his head down on the two hands joined
together and the strongest Backstreet Boy became the weakest.

Kevin shrugged off Howie’s hand from his shoulder and his wandering green eyes found the only remnant of
Brian he could help now. Standing slowly, everyone watched him intently as he walked towards the
brunette by the door who had stood, stone-faced the whole time, much to the surprise of everyone. “I’m
sorry Sara.”

At these words, she realized it was all real and her husband’s cousin was standing in front of her, confirming
to her that she was going to lose her only true love. The only man who had never left her. The man who had
taught her to love. The man who gave her the world was taking it from her. Pushing herself out of Kevin’s
embrace, Sara’s eyes glazed over with determination. Determination to be strong. To be as strong as she
knew Brian could be.

“Aight,duck. I’m the last one.” She took his hand, wrapping his fingers around hers and kissing each one.
“There’s nothing to say anymore, but, if you’re gonna come back…” Sara lost it and tears came full force. “If
you’re gonna come back, do it now ‘cos…”She shook her head and swallowed. “I can’t…don’t want to live
without you. I don’t love you like I used to, Brian Littrell, I love you more. I love US! Dammit, Brian, you can’t
take that away. I’m not gonna let you go, I…I still have so much to give you…”

Thank God that Kevin had been standing right behind her as she turned around and collapsed into him.
Together, the two cried harder than ever imaginable. They cried for Brian. They cried for his unborn child.
They cried for each other and what would never be the same again.

Everyone in the room was so overcome with emotion that no one really noticed when Dr. Anderson pulled
the plug.

But everyone sure took notice of the loud, dead drone of the heart monitor that took a few beats slowly…

..And everyone noticed when Brian Littrell took a breath on his own.