It was the most important day of his life. The church was crowded, more than he could have imagined. It was a day which he would marry the love of his life. He waited in the front of the church waiting for that sacred music. Then he saw her coming. Slowly, he watched as a bright smile crossed over her face. Her eyes were shining brightly. Everyone turned around and watched as she came down the aisle. She stood beside him. The preacher began the ceremony as they looked into each other’s eyes. He looked around him and was proud of the sight. All of his friends were surrounding him. There couldn’t have been a happier moment.

“This is the time that the bride and groom can say their written vows.”

---

Makes you wonder who it is doesn’t it? Well just wait and see because here comes chapter 2!

Howie looked into the deep brown eyes of his Maria. She looked so beautiful in her lace gown. “Don’t say a word. By the touch of my hand, I’d hope that you would feel the way that I will always please you and take care of you. There is no other but you.”

Howie looked directly beside him. There AJ stood with a single tear rolling down his face. “Don’t ever doubt your trust in me, baby. I’ll give you my heart so honestly. Deep in my soul, I’ll never change. This I promise you forever.”

They both looked onward to Nick as he stared deeply into the eyes of his darling wife to be. “ Nothing or no one could tear us apart. You’ll always be there deep down in my heart. No matter what happens you can count on my love.”

The three guys looked between themselves. This was the happiest moment of their lives. It was yet far from over.

“ From this moment I have been blessed. I live only for YOUR happiness. For your love I’d give my last and final breath, my life, my soul. You make all my dreams come true. Now and from this moment on.”

Brian had a sweet smile on his face as he said his vow. He had been saving this since he was a child. He wrote them when he was 12 and it seemed just right at the time.

“ In my world before you, I lived outside my emotions and I didn’t know where I was going. That day that I found you, you opened my life to a new pair of dice. This world has been torn by change; still with all my heart till my dying day I will cherish you. For the rest of my life you don’t have to even think twice, baby.” Kevin’s eyes misted slightly over as he looked at Alison.

Alison didn’t know what to think. She thought she couldn’t say her vows because Kevin’s were so sweet. She cleared her voice and began “ All I am and all I’ll be. Everything in this world All that I ever need is in your eyes shining at me. Your hand brushes mine and thousand sensations seduce me because..” she smiled at the thought that they’re vows were related. “I do...cherish you from the depths of my soul it’s beyond my control.”

Tiffany was starting to softly cry and she could tell that all Brian wanted to do was wipe away all her tears. “ I just swear that I’ll always be there. I’d give anything and everything. I will always care.” She sniffled just a little bit and caught her breath “ Through weakness and strengh. Happiness and sorrow. For better for worse: I will love you with every beat of my heart.”

Crystal couldn’t think of any other vow better than the little song that he mother sang to her as a child. “There were bells on the hill but I never heard them ringing. I never heard them ringing till there was you. There was birds in the sky but I never saw them winging. No I never saw them the winging till there was you. And there was music and there were wonderful roses. They tell me in sweet meadows of dawn and dew. There was love all around but I never heard it singing….Nick...till there was you.”

“ It feels like fire, deep in my heart. Every single moment that we spend apart it drew me closer to you. I need you around for every day to start. There is something about you that takes a piece of my life. Everything I want and I’m looking for is right before my very eyes. I need your love in my life. I wanna spend all my time with you.” Sabrina felt so much joy in her heart as AJ took her hands in his.

“I was tired of waiting. Every night was praying that everyday would be the day that I would find you. I grew so impatient. How long would it take to know you were out there somewhere? Somewhere waiting, wondering just like me. I’ve been waiting all my life to love you. All this time I’ve been dreaming of only dreaming of you.”

They all seemed relieved to get that portion out of the way. “Repeat after me. I, your name,”

“I, Paster McArthur.” All of the boys said this and realized their silly mistake.

They had become serious as they slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers.

“ I now prenounce you all Husband and Wife. You may kiss your brides.”

Everyone was in great cheer. They walked out to their own separate limos to the same great hall. And they lived happily ever after. Or do they?

He sat staring out from their ocean front property. The sun was rising brightly. The scene around him was beautiful. He felt warmth fill him. Ever since the wedding day, he was happy to have joined the lives of eight other people. Besides they were all friends, well in a way. The five girls had been friends since they were in middle school. Each person in the couple was like their spouse. Could there be any faults in these relationships? Yes was his answer. Lately he and his wife had been having difficulty in beginning a family. Something just wasn’t working out.

“Darling?” he called for his wife. “Are we really going today?”

“Yes Nicholas. Today is the beginning of our lives.”

“I thought that was the wedding day!”

“Hmm... I thought the honeymoon.”

“Oh..I see see see!" He laughed scooping Crystal into his arms.

“This will be the best day of my life...um...after the honeymoon.” They both laughed as they went out to the car. Now that he was almost 25, they decided to adopt. It appeared that they both had an imbalance causing them not to have children.

“What are we gonna name her?”

“Her?! Girl, I want a boy!”

“But I want a girl!” Crystal pouted, her blue eyes shining brightly.

“Oh I guess we’ll just have to get both.” said Nick with a big grin.

“Oh Nicky!”

They pulled into the adoption agency. Holding hands, they walked in and had met with the counselor. “Take your time. They will come to you.” They walked into a room where children were playing. Nick stood amazed when he felt a tug on his leg. There was a little blonde boy who looked just like him at his age.

“Excuse me, Mister. Can you help me?”

“Sure buddy.”

“See that girl over there?” The little boy pointed over to the corner where a little brunette with curly hair sat, playing with a doll.

“Yes”

“Can you take her?”

“Why? Is she that pesty?”

“NICK!”

“Sorry”

“No. She’s been here for a long time. In her sleep, I can hear her calling for her family” said the little boy.

“Hum...we’ll see little buddy. What’s your name?”

“James.”

Crystal walked over to the little girl. What amazed her is this is what she looked like when she was a child. How she had hated curls.

“What’s your name?” The girl asked with shining green eyes.

“Crystal. How about you?”

“My name is Kacie.”

“I’ll be right back," she replied making her way back to Nick. "Nick I think we found them.”

“Yes I think indeed we did.”

They walked to the counselor’s office. “We want to adopt Kacie and James.”

“That will be a deal of paper work..you can pick them up at..”

“We can wait.” They said together.


~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~
~1 Hour later ~

Kacie was on Nick’s shoulders and James was beside Nick, holding Crystal’s hand.

“So you’re our parents?” asked Kacie

“Yes we are.” Nick could feel his cup of joy overflow.

He paced back and forth. Today would be the day. He couldn’t take another day of it. He just didn’t know how to take those steps. She wasn’t supposed to be home until midnight that day. It was 6 P.M. He held his destiny in his hand. All he had to do was leave. There was only one thing holding him back: Alexia. He had a feeling deep in his stomach that wasn’t very funny. He could remember the day that his father left. This was different though. He wasn’t even sure if the child was his. He couldn’t take that kind of pressure and insecurity. This was not how he expected to live his life.

He decided that it was finally time. He got a few bags. He packed up his clothes and a few of his possessions. He looked at the pictures on their dresser. Pictures of the times that were the happiest. As it was on his wedding day, a single tear rolled down his cheek as he sat and stared at their wedding picture. He didn’t want what wasn’t his…or what he couldn’t have. He placed the manila envelope on her pillow as he walked out. He threw his stuff in the back of his car and sped away.

---

Brina walked into the house, finding it rather silent. “AJ…Are you here?” She noticed some things were gone here and there. She ran up to their room. She noticed the packet and opened it. Inside were signed divorce papers. She gasped for air. He had found out. The envelope was not empty. She emptied the contents and saw his wedding band. There was also a little note: This is the last piece that I take from your life. It’s apparent that you lied on our wedding day. You don’t need my love in your life anymore." She had blown it. She began to cry.

She had been scurrying about the house since it happened. Everyday she had given blood (although it was not necessary) since she had the same blood type as he did. If he wouldn’t have decided to do the electric on the house instead of a real electrician doing it, he would still be fine. They had put him in intensive care to make sure he would be getting enough fluids and that his burns weren’t giving him too much pain. That night, she was able to see him. She drove to the hospital as soon as she had gotten word. She had entered the hospital and went up to the main desk.

“Can you help me find a room?”

“Name?” the receptionist said, as dry as an old piece of bread.

“Richardson”

“He is in the IC Room 2.”

“Thanks”

Alison rushed down the crowded hall. She felt sad looking at all the families who waited for news on how that one special person in their lives was doing. She saw the room and entered. There was a girl with her leg burned in a real deep sleep. She stood in awe at how the girl could sleep with that much pain. The second was her husband of 3 years. He looked dazed as he lay there with bandaged arms. His head was also in a wrap, making it appear he had a mohawk. She laughed at the sight of him. He opened his eyes slightly.

“What are you laughing at?” he croaked with a grin.

“You! God Kevin! Don’t ever scare me like that again! I’ve been so worried about you.” She sat beside him and held his hand. Tears rolled down her face. He took his hand from hers and placed it on her cheek, rubbing away the tears with his thumb.

“I was scared too. I was scared I wouldn’t see you again. Oh and thanks for giving like...I don’t know 20 gallons of blood?”

They both laughed. They just stared deep into each other’s souls. She gave him a gentle kiss.

“That’s it. I’m leaving it all to you. You call the electrician for power, phone company for the phone and you get to do the plumbing all by yourself.”

“What? I don’t think so! You’ll be doing the plumbing Mister! That’s what I married you for.”

“What else?”

“Hmm... I guess we’ll find out on that one.”

They held each other tight. Kevin could possibly think of tougher times but she would always be there. At the moment, he thought of something dreadful. What if he got his hair caught on fire? He gently rubbed his head.

He couldn’t believe it. It happened all so fast. First they were coming home from her brother’s party and now they were here. He had been here too many times and was sick of the smell and colors. He could still remember…

Driving down a two-lane expressway, his wife was talking about what a great time she had.

“Jerry was really surprised wasn’t she?”

“Yeah I thought it was great.”

“Have anything planed tonight?”

“ Girl, I just wanna spend time with you.”

In an instant a car ran head on into them.

Now he waited to hear the news on how his wife was. If it wouldn’t have been for that other driver, they would be safely home by now. A doctor walked up behind him.

“Mr. Littrell?”

Brian jumped as he heard his name. “Yes?”

“Hi. I’m Doctor Carson. I have news about your wife, Tiffany. Her surgery went well. Her right lung was collapsed but we were able to reconstruct the cavity. Everything looks good except….”

“Except what?”

“When the vehicle collided into yours, it caused such an impact that it caused spinal damage. It damaged the cord from her brain to the rest of her body.”

“So…what you’re…you’re saying...”

“That she may be brain dead. Only time can tell.”

“Can I see her?”

“Oh yes...follow me.”

He walked with the doctor down the brightly lit hallways. He couldn’t stand the thought that his wife may never come back. They entered a dimly lit room, where his wife could be seen hooked up to life support. He walked over to her side. The machines worked noisily as her face remained emotionless.

“Hi honey. You’re going to make it. I know you can”

He held her hand tightly. Deep inside, he knew what he would probably have to do. In a few days, her family would come and they would discuss things. He felt so alone. The room was so still. He couldn’t breathe. Here he got out with a few minor scratches and she might die. A brief moment passed. A cold feeling brushed upon his cheek. He placed his hand there until the feeling went away. He, at that moment, couldn’t help but cry.

Howie was satisfied with his life. He had a wonderful family. Maria, who was as beautiful as the day they were married, was cooking a lovely dinner. Pollyanna looked exactly as his sister Caroline had looked. It almost scared him in a way. She had started her own singing legacy for them. Anthony was a very successful businessman. He owned a wide construction company. His wife, Tabitha, is a doctor at the nearby hospital. How they met, Howie had no idea. In the end he’d say that his whole family was successful. He was now reaching his early sixties and nothing was wrong with life. He had recently received a call from Kevin, seeing how the whole family was doing. Although all these many years, he’s still playing the big brother figure. Tomorrow, they were all going to come together and celebrate the anniversaries of all of them. Maria couldn’t wait to see Crystal again and their children. Nothing could go wrong.
Howie was sitting in the living room reading the paper when he heard a loud clamber in the kitchen.
“Maria? Are you alright Hun?”

“Yeah…I’m fine. It was just weird. I was going to put the pasta on the stove when it just suddenly felt like I didn’t even have it in my hands.” She flexed her hands as if to make sure that they were there. “I just don’t know. Strange things have been happening to me for the past month or two.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes when you are away on business, I had to call up Polly and have her come and help me. I was in such fits of coughing that at some times I couldn’t breath. It scared me half to death.”

“Maria…I’m going to take you to the hospital.”
Howie’s POV
Although it was a good thing that I took her to the hospital, it was very bad news. Maria had the disease which my sister had. She was to remain in the hospital until things had gotten better. I prayed day and night that she would come back home to me. The kids would come and see her when they could. Even Crystal stopped by to see her. She was so happy. The doctor said that she might get out of this alive. And I believe him.


He had gotten the call a few days ago. They each received the call. They were supposed to go to 143 Concrete Rd. on the 24 that month. They couldn’t believe it. AJ called him up every night and even asked if he wanted to stay with him but on the other end just got empty air. It was like he was talking to a mime at times. The whole group decided to meet Howie there earlier so they could talk and give their respects.
He sat all alone in the rows of chairs at the site. He didn’t want it to be all over the news that the ex Backstreet Boy was now alone. He wanted it to just be with family and friends. He fondled with a single red rose. It was her favorite kind of flower. Everyday now till he died he would always have a least one rose in the house. Something to remember her by.
He had heard a door slam in the distance. There were all of his friends, except for Brian and Tiff. He had wondered where they could possibly be. AJ ran up to him and gave him a great big hug.

“Hey I’m so sorry man. I guess bad things happen to the best of people don’t they?”

He had to laugh a little at AJ’s way of trying to crack a little joke.

“Yeah J. I guess so. Brian and Tiff are coming aren’t they?”

“From what we had heard yes. Where’s the kids at?”

“Oh they are coming later. No worries about that. Pollyanna is coming to sing.”
Tears came to Howie’s eyes as he thought of Pollyanna, his chance of having a grasp of Maria and Caroline at once.

Kevin and Alison walked up to him and each gave him a hug. Tears had already been flowing down her eyes. “Don’t worry Ali. She went peacefully. It was like she knew her time was up.”

“She was so lucky to have someone like you. I don’t know how she could have done it without you by her side.”

They had went and sat down next to AJ. Nick and Crystal walked up with James and Kacie. He could still see that little girl image on Kacie; James looked and acted just like his father. Although they were older with wisdom (or so he hoped) he couldn’t help but see all that they had grown up to be.

“It still seems like Aunt Maria is still here. I miss her. I’m gonna miss those ole’ shopping trips we used to take,” said Kacie with a slight sign of on coming tears.

“You with shopping…me with her singing. I never knew she could sing like that. Thanks to Dad and Auntie Maria things are gonna move smoothly now,” said James. The whole family went to sit down.

More and more people were starting to come. Howie decided that it was time for him to sit down and really absorb the situation. This was her last moment to shine. As he sat next to AJ, he could tell that he was in a distant land. He looked over to a woman with red hair past her waist, streaked with blonde. Pollyanna had arrived and was talking with the woman and they gave each other a hug, both in tears.

“That’s my baby D,” said J, his eyes welling up in tears, “That’s my little Alexia. She was mine and I can never have her back.” That moment Sabrina walked up next to her daughter and Pollyanna and gave her a hug. A man walked up beside her who looked more like a younger image of AJ. AJ turned as the whole family walked up to Howie and gave him their regards.

The service was just about to start when Howie heard over the crowd. “Don’t start that service without me and my wife! Don’t even try it!” There was Brian, running with Tiff in a wheel chair. The bumps in the lawn didn’t seem the help Tiff but to her it didn’t show any difference considering the situation. They had sat on the other side of Howie.

The service began and ran smoothly and peaceful. Tears were shed from family and friends alike. Pollyanna gave a slight surprise to the family with a beautiful song consisting of a duet with James about how Maria had changed the lives of both of them. In an instant, it seemed like the whole thing was over. People were leaving for the dinner that was arranged for after the funeral. Everyone was leaving except for Howie standing there.

“Daddy are you coming?” asked Pollyanna

“In a moment dear. Thank you so much for doing what you did here today. You look just like your mother. She will always be with you.” He rubbed his hand on her face. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and then she walked away. He then stared at the gravestone in which one day he too would be buried. He looked up at the sky with tear stained eyes. “Lord, I believe in all that you do…but why her? She didn’t…she was perfect! Now you took away the most important people that I love! How am I to live on like this?”

He started to make his way out of the graveyard and to get to the dinner hall. He had gotten into his car and sat, crying his heart out to try and make all the pain go away. He hit the steering wheel with all his might until he just gave up. He placed his head on the wheel. He really wasn’t looking for anything but he had seen a glimpse of red on the black interiored seat. There was a single read rose with a note. He picked them both up and read the note. As he did, a smile came to his face.

Howie,
You are the miracle in my life. I will always be watching over you.

He woke up with a start. He looked around in the environment, mind full of different thoughts.

‘How did I get here?’

He slowly got off the couch and walked around the grand living room.

‘ How in the hell did I get on AJ’s house?’

He suddenly heard laughter, which made him freeze: Maria’s laughter. Running toward the sound of laughter, he stepped out of the sliding glass door to see all of them standing around the poolside. Kevin and Nick were in the pool trying to get Brina, Tiff and Kacie with water guns. In lawn chairs, Ali and Maria were chatting back and forth. AJ and Brian were sitting by the bar. Maria stopped talking as she saw Howie walk out of the house.

“ Howie, baby what’s wrong? You look like you’re seen a ghost!”

“Oh Maria! My God I love you. I don’t know what I would ever, ever do without you!”

He then took her into a deep embrace and gave her a passionate kiss. Tears were rolling down his face as she looked up at him.

“What’s wrong baby? Did you have a bad ream? You must have. I know you were really tired after the conference you guys hat to attend so I let you sleep on J’s couch.”

Brian noticed how Howie was acting and wanted to scope out the situation.

“Hey what’s going on?”

“I guess I just had the most weird dream…”

They all walked toward the pool as he began to tell them all what exactly happened in his dream.

“You’re saying that I’m stupid enough to do my own electric work in my house?” said Kevin with a chuckle.

“Well you did set a fire in our apartment” Ali said with a smirk. Kevin gave her one of those “I’ll get you later” looks.

“ And I would never cheat on AJ. He’s my number one man!” Brina gently wrapped her arms around AJ.

As they all continued to discuss how bizarre his dream was, he just didn’t feel certain about anything. He was happy to know that is was the present and he had several years to love Maria.

It was all a dream…or was it? Could it be the prediction of …

The End?