“Because You Love Me”
Written by: Kasey
Copyright: 2000
This visual may not be posted, copied, distributed or
changed in any way, shape or form. It is the work of
fiction. I do not know the Backstreet Boys, they do
not
know me, I am not writing on behalf of them, nor is
this visual in any way pertaining to any BSB members
real life. It is purely the work of my mind! But
still, NOT TO BE COPIED!!


Prologue.

	Nick sat up with a start, unsure at what had woken
him. Looking around the room, his sleep blurred eyes
instantly focused on the figure of his friend in the
corner of the room. His gaze took in the phone
receiver lying on the floor, the man with his head in
his hands, the unusual air of...he could only describe
it as dejection, defeat...but whatever it was, it was
unusual when thinking about
Kevin.
	" Kev?" he was quiet, unsure if Kevin needed this
moment intruded upon.
	" I’m a father." Flat, bitter, again unlike Kevin.
	" What?" Had he heard right? It was early in the
morning, he had just woken up, Kevin was...
	" A father." Every logical explanation he could think
of just flew out the window as Kevin spoke again,
lifting his head, each syllable clear and pronounced.
	" OK..." Nick took a deep breath, not too sure what
to say, " Was that
the...I mean, did you just get the call from Katy..."
	" It’s not Katy. I mean, the mother, Katy isn’t she.
The phone call was from a lawyer. Some guy back in
Kentucky. Says...oh god. I’m a father!" Kevins’
strangled cry tore at Nick. He quickly got out of bed,
walked over to Kevin and kneeled down in front of him.
	" Kevin." Soft, yet demanding. Nick wanted answers,
not hysteria, " Look at me. Right in the eyes. See me.
Calm down, breathe deeply. Before you say one more
word, I’ll tell you this. Whatever happens, whatever
decisions you need to make, whatever you do, I will
support and accept okay? You are not alone in this.
You remember that okay?" Waiting for an answer, Nick
watched Kevin’s’ eyes carefully, watching a myriad of
emotions flash through their green depths - relief,
surprise, acceptance - and Nick was relieved when
Kevin finally nodded, taking a couple deep breaths, "
OK, start at the beginning."
	" I have a seven year old daughter."
	" OK, a girl child, not so bad right? Why was the
lawyer calling you at..." a quick look at his watch to
confirm, " Three am in the morning?"
	" He only just found me after searching for a week.
Apparently Ellas’...that’s the girls name...Ellas’
mother was killed in a car crash around a month ago.
It took the lawyer almost three weeks to realise the
man in the car wasn’t Ellas biological father, then
another week to find me."
	" Who’s the mother?" Please, not Pam, Nick prayed.
	" A woman name Janette Clarke." OK, not Pam, but who
the hell was Janette Clarke?
	" I don’t remember you ever being involved with a
woman by that name." Nonchalant, non-threatening.
	" She was one of the women I was briefly involved
with after Pam and I broke up. The relationship lasted
no more than about six weeks, but obviously more than
enough time for her to fall pregnant," Kevin muttered,
raking a hand through his hair.
	" Kevin, what happens now? To Ella?" Nick wasn’t sure
what he wanted to hear, but he hoped whatever it was,
it wouldn’t disappoint him.
	" For starters, I have to fly to Kentucky to get Ella
out of the foster home she’s been living in since the
accident. After that..." Kevin shrugged and Nick could
see he was lost, not altogether sure what to do.
	" Well, getting her out of foster care is a start.
Have you considered bringing her back here with you?"
Nick asked casually.
	" Here? You mean on tour? How can I bring a seven
year old on tour with me Nick? I cant be a father and
a singer. One or the other, that’s what I always told
myself."
	" Well, you have to make the choice now Kevin. Being
a father, being a singer...or maybe even both."
	" Both? You’ve got to be kidding right?" Kevin asked
incredulously.
	" No, I’m not. It’s not like we spend twenty-four
hours onstage ya know. You could hire a nanny, a
tutor, a governess even. That’ll take care of while
we’re rehearsing or onstage, the other times you can
be Daddy to a little girl who I’m guessing is needing
someone right now," Nick said, watching as Kevin
seemed to accept that - with resignation of course.
	" I’ll have the flight back to Kentucky to think
about it. Maybe I could see if Mama could look after
her..."
	" Kev."
	" Yeah?"
	" Get some sleep, them you can catch a flight in the
morning. Trying to work it all out now is not going to
be of any help to you at all," Nick said and Kevin
nodded slowly.
	" Good idea."
	" Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?"
	" Why?"
	" I dont know, maybe support? You might want someone
there who knows a bit about kids. Especially seven
year olds," Nick said and waited. Kevin nodded, all of
sudden looking relieved.
	" Thanks Nick, that would be very appreciated. But
what about the others?"
	" No worries, I can handle them," Nick said
confidently and slipped into bed, smiling at Kevin’s
laughter.

*****