10,000 Kisses
Chapter 111
It was now a few days later since Rachel and Suz had talked about AJ's delimma. They were in the process of getting ready for Rachel's birthday party which was going to be in some club in downtown Boston for that is where they were currently on tour at. Jordan, Joey, and Donnie had arranged the party.
"When will she be here?" Rachel asked Suz as she watched Suz finished getting dressed.
Lyndsay walked out of the bathroom smoothing down her dress, "Does this girl even know what you have gotten her into?"
"From the way she sounded on the phone when I pitched the idea to her, she didn't mind," Suz reassured them, "Besides, you guys do realize she has fallen in love with him?"
"It is quite obvious," Lyndsay chuckled.
"I think everytime they are together, they try to fight it," Rachel laughed.
As they went about finished getting dressed, they heard a knock on the door.
"Uh, oh, it is her," Lyndsay said looking through the peephole.
"Well, let her in. We don't want the guys to see her!" Suz said flinging the door open.
"Hi Tina," the three women said in unison.
"Hi girls, How you doing, Suz?" Tina said coming in and closing the door. She looked down at her friend's bulging stomach and couldn't help but smile.
"Oh god, she's fine. It is us you should be worried about," Rachel chuckled.
"Why?" Tina said settling on a chair and watching her friends get ready.
Lyndsay and Rachel continued to tell Tina the adventures that Suz has led them through in each country.
Soon, they had Tina practically rolling on the floor laughing.
They were startled when their hotel door slammed open and the guys barged in.
"What's all the laughing?" Howie asked with his arm around Kat.
Suddenly, everyone heard a loud snort and turned in that direction.
Tina sat there embarrassingly with her head down.
"Hey, Tina," Brian said.
"Hi, Brian," Tina managed to say through her laughter.
"Tina?" AJ said dumbfounded. He quickly regained his composure realized how he sounded.
"That is my name, AJ," Tina said as she stood up.
Kevin nudged Suz to get her attention. They turned to look at AJ trying to discreetly check out Tina.
"Come on guys, on to the party," Rachel said tugging Larry behind her who had just walked in the door.
Everyone left leaving AJ and Tina still staring at each other.
Finally, AJ found his voice, "Would you care to be my date for tonight?"
As an answer, Tina placed her hand in his.
As an end to a wonderful evening, Joy and Brian told everyone about their amazing news. Joy was due about 2 months after Suz at about the time of Brian's birthday. They were going to wait to get married until after the baby was born next year.
Chapter 112
It was now mid August and Suz was heading home. It had become too uncomfortable for her to travel on the bus or even a plane as she was now almost 7 months along and as big as a house, to put it mildly.
"I'm going to miss you baby," Kevin whispered in Suz's ear as he held her close, "and you too," as he rubbed her stomach.
They were waiting for her flight to be called. Rachel and Tina were accompanying Suz home. After Suz had invited Tina on tour 2 weeks ago, her and AJ had finally admitted their love for each other, after months of denying it.
"I'm going to miss you too, but look at those two," Suz said pointing towards Tina and AJ. She could see that the both of them were trying not to cry. They had just found each other and were now being separated.
Kevin chuckled, "I'm not sure if I've EVER seen AJ cry about anything, except when Dennis passed away last year, and when Caroline had died."
"I know, I know," Suz said getting up slowly as she heard their flight be called, "Baby, I have to go now."
Quickly, they said their goodbyes and stepped onto the plane.
~A few weeks later~
~Mid September~
Rachel was back at work since school had started for the children and work was becoming busier. Suz occupied her time by actually crocheting. Her family had come to visit during the month that she had been home. They had yet to actually meet Kevin but had talked to him on the phone. With the guys' schedules and her parents' schedules, it was sometimes hard to coordinate them. But they promised to come down when the baby arrived.
Suz was laying on a lounge chair outside listening to her walkman and just absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. She could occasionally feel the baby kick. Jolting her out of her thoughts, she heard the phone ringing, "Hello?"
"Suz!!" Tina said on the phone, "I'm B-O-R-E-D!!!"
Suz laughed, "Girl, you know you are welcome here! You don't even have to call. Come on over. We can think about our men together."
All Suz heard was a click in her ear.
For the next 2 weeks, Tina frequently come over after work, spending time with Suz and Rachel. The three of them began to become very close friends, talking about everything. Many of times, they had to pinch themselves wondering if everything was real.
Finally, October 1st arrived, and the air in Florida was becoming milder or so it seemed, much to Suz's relief. Tina and Rachel were both at work today, working late shifts so Suz was alone. Chrissy had just recently gotten a new job at Rachel's work so she was gone.
Suz was in the living room, watching General Hospital, when she saw the warning for another thunderstorm flash across the bottom of the TV screen. Nowadays, she didn't pay much attention to them because it seemed everyday Florida had a thunderstorm. Within seconds, faint booms of thunder could be hear. She looked down at Spunky, Tyke, and AJ's two ragamuffins when they all whimpered.
"You babies," Suz said laughing, "Come here." She patted the couch as she watched all four dogs jumped up and settle themselves around her.
Chapter 113
Suz was jolted awake by a flash of light. She sat up slowly rubbing her back. She could hear the rain pelting against the house, and the wind whipping through the trees. She realized that the storm was practically on top of the Orlando area and that it was now 5pm and almost dark outside.
Standing up, she walked around the house closing all the windows and turning the central air on. The storm had brought a wave of heavier humidity along with it. She switched a lamp or two on as she absently rubbed her stomach. She could feel the baby tumbling about in reaction to the storm.
"Boy, you really are restless tonight. You worrying about mommy, huh?" Suz said looking down at her extended stomach. 'I think I'll go take a bath,' Suz thought as she headed upstairs, after checking all the locks on the doors and windows. The dogs followed her, plopping themselves down on the cold tile bathroom floor and promptly went back to sleep.
She turned, sitting on the side of the large jacuzzi/tub, and leaned over to turn on the faucets. She turned her face up with a smile as she hard the rain pelting against the roof. Quickly, she lite some candles and flicked off the light watching as the shadows began to dance against the beautiful walls.
Suz slowly undressed, leisurely taking her time as she let her gaze slide over her pregnant body, taking it all in. Her hands swept down her chest, lifting her breasts in her hands, simply amazed at how large they had become. Her nipples had even darken and enlarged slightly in anticipation of her baby's waiting mouth. God, even at 8 months pregnant, she was so aroused. She watched through the mirror as her fingers brushed over her nipples turning them into rock hard peaks.
Her other hand continued down her stomach softly rubbing, marveling at the life growing in side of her. She shook her head at how lucky she had become in the last year. Her hand continued farther but stopped suddenly as she turned and walked over to the tub.
Gently, she sank into the tub loving the feel of the water around her. She turned the jets on the slowest speed feeling it work through her tense muscles. Once again, her hands began to play with her nipples as moans began to emit from her mouth. Her other hand reached down to the patch of dark hair between her thighs. Probing gently, she found her prize and rapidly brought herself to orgasm.
With a sigh, she laid back into the tub and laid her head back enjoying the sound of the storm in the silence of the house.
Several minutes later...
Suz jolted up in fear as she realized all four dogs were standing at the bathroom door growling lowly. She whistled to get their attention but they ignore her as they began to scratch lightly at the door, then more forcefully. Suddenly, the bathroom door was flung open and Suz screamed.
Looking up, she watched as the dogs began whimpering happily at the person standing in the doorway. Squinting her eyes, she tried to look more closely at the person, "Nick!?"
Nick pulled the baseball cap off revealing his blonde hair, "I'm sorry. We didn't mean to scare you like that." He walked over to the tub and bent down, "Are you ok?"
Suz nodded slowly still comprehending that Nick was there. She totally forgot that she was sitting in the tub naked.
"What are you doing taking a bath in this weather? Don't you know that you are not supposed to?" Nick said gently, "Come on, you are shivering now."
Nick grabbed a large towel and helped Suz step out of the tub. He quickly wrapped her in the towel and directed her towards her bedroom, "You get dressed and I'll get dressed in the other room, ok? I'm totally soaked."
Numbly, Suz nodded her head her head as she disappeared into her room.
Chapter 114
A few minutes later, Suz exited her room and made her way downstairs. She gasped as she realized AJ was sitting on the couch.
"Hi Suz," AJ said getting up and hugging her.
"Hi AJ," Suz gasped as she felt the baby somersault inside her.
"Whoa, that little bugger sure is active," AJ said sitting her down and resting his hands on her stomach.
Suz loved how all the guys took a active part in the baby's development. This baby was going to have more then just one father, Suz thought.
"It is the storm," Suz said as she cringed.
"Are you ok?" AJ asked concerned.
"Oh, I'm fine," Suz smiled weakly, "Sometimes the baby just kicks really REALLY hard." Then she laughed, "I think he or she is in training for soccer."
"Nah, this child is going to sing!" AJ said excitedly.
"Oh, yeah, what if he/she ends up with MY singing abilities?" Suz said chuckling.
"Oh," AJ said then looked away as he started thinking.
"He can be a tattoo artist, so then AJ can get 100 more tattoos," Nick said as he sat down next to Suz.
Suz and Nick laughed as AJ got this excited look on his face.
"Hey," Suz said suddenly, "Why are you guys here? And where are the rest of them, especially my hubby?"
"Oh, they cut the tour short by a week or two because of some kind of problems with overbooking the arenas, so because our flights were last minute, we unfortunately had to split up into two flights. I know that Brian, Kevin, and Howie should have been here by now. Their flight was supposed to arrive at the same time as ours," Nick said.
As if on cue, the telephone rang.
"Hello?" Suz said.
"Hi baby," Kevin said, "I miss you and I love you."
"I miss you and love you too...and so does the baby," Suz said as she rubbed her stomach again. She could feel the baby kick again almost as if to say that he/she knew daddy was on the phone.
"Did Nick and AJ get there?" Kevin said.
"Yep, they are right here, hold on," Suz said handing the phone to Nick. Nick spoke with Kevin quickly then handed the phone back to Suz.
A few minutes later, she hung up.
"This damn storm," Suz muttered.
"They will be here soon," Nick said rubbing her shoulders, "You don't want them flying if it is too dangerous, do you?"
"No, you are right, but I just miss him," Suz said snuggling down between AJ and Nick.
"We'll have a little party until they come home," Nick said, "AJ, go get us some drinks and snacks. Suz, you rest there. I'll pick out a movie, ok?"
A few minutes later, they were settled in watching Scream....for the millionth time.
Chapter 115
An hour into the movie, Suz screamed suddenly as they heard a loud boom and a crackle of lightening then all the lights went out in the whole neighborhood.
They sat in silence for a few seconds, then Nick spoke, "I'll go get some candles. AJ, you stay here with Suz."
Moments later, Nick had several candles blazing throughout the living room. There wasn't much they could do but turn on a radio that had batteries since the electricity was out. AJ and Nick began to sing along to the songs, making up different, and sometimes perverted lyrics as they went along. They started to make up dances to illustrate their lyrics. Soon, they had Suz laughing in hysterics after just a few minutes.
They were so engrossed in joking around that it was several minutes before anyone realized a phone was ringing. Knowing the electricity was out, AJ figured out that it was either his cell phone or Nicks. Nick realized it was his and answered it discovering that it was Kevin. Kevin had figured that the electricity had went out since the house phone number wasn't working. Nick briefed him on the situation and let him talk to Suz. Soon, she had hung up from Kevin and was back laughing along with Nick and AJ.
The guys started imitating the way each other walked, talked, dance, and flirted. Suz was practically crying as she laughed along with them. Nick started to copy the way that AJ moves in the "I Want It That Way" video. Then AJ began to imitate how memorized Nick was when he was playing Nintendo. Soon, Suz joined in on the act, imitating the way that Brian ALWAYS closes his eyes when he sings. Pretty soon, Nick and AJ were almost rolling on the floor laughing! The final straw was when Nick attempted to copy Howie's high falsetto voice.
Suz screamed slightly.
"Geez, Suz, it wasn't THAT scary," AJ said, "I can do better then that!"
Suz took a deep breath, then suddenly screamed again, but this time, more softly. It was almost like a whimper combined with a moan.
"Suz, Suz, look at me," Nick said kneeling in front of her urgently as he lifted her face. He could see her biting her lip and a tear slide down her face.
"What's the matter, honey?" AJ said stopping his antics and sitting on the couch next to her.
"Guys, oh god, guys," Suz said struggling through her words, "my water just broke. I'm having contractions."
Nick stood up surprised, "Oh shit! Are you sure?"
"Oh, I'm definitely sure!" Suz moaned as AJ gripped her hand.
Nick raced to his cell phone quickly dialing 911. When the operator picked up, he quickly explained the situation. The EMT on the other end explained that due to the storm there were many emergencies such as numerous fires and floods. He asked Nick that he had to see how far apart her contractions were.
Chapter 116
"How far apart are the contractions?" Nick said urgently to Suz.
Biting her lip, she thought. "About a half hour apart," Suz finally answered.
Nick supplied the information to the EMT.
"Ok, now this is what I need you to do," the EMT said, "I want you to see how far she is dilated."
"Dilated?" Nick said baffled.
AJ's head jerked up, "He means how far is her cervix dilated."
"How do you know this shit?" Nick said wondering.
"Nevermind that, ask the EMT what he wants us to do," AJ said realizing that Suz was becoming more frightened by the minute.
Hearing AJ's question, the 911operator instructed Nick what to do. Laying the phone beside him, Nick walked over to Suz, "He wants us to check your dilation."
Suz smiled weakly, "Well, you know you are going to have to take my clothes off to do that." Then she smirked, "Think you can handle that?"
AJ looked at Nick, "Listen to her joking at a time like this!"
Since she was in a bit of discomfort, AJ and Nick helped her remove her sweat pants then her underwear. They both quickly averted their eyes.
"Oh guys, the EMT is waiting for your answer," Suz said chuckling, "How come I am the only one that find this situation funny right now?"
AJ picked up the phone and started speaking with the EMT as Nick helped Suz recline on the couch gently.
"You ready?" Nick said.
"Honey, you act like you've never seen this part of a woman before," Suz said, "Just look, ok?"
Quickly, Nick looked at her cervix explaining to AJ that it wasn't dilated at all. AJ then relayed the message to the operator.
"Ok, then it is too early for her to be going to the hospital. I want you to call us back when her contractions become 15 minutes apart, ok? It will be on record, under your address, that you called and what you reported, so that whoever answers your 911call will be able to assist you," the operator said.
Thanking the operator, Nick hung up and quickly explained the situation to both Suz and AJ.
Suz began to cry softly.
"Honey, it is going to be ok," Nick said rubbing her back as she leaned against him crying slightly.
"Do you think we should call Kevin?" Nick mouthed to AJ as he heard the radio DJ announce that the storm was now officially considered a hurricane.
Chapter 117
AJ reached behind him, picking up his cell phone. After punching a few numbers, he tossed the phone angrily to the sofa, "It is dead."
Suz looked up even more frightened.
"Don't worry. I have mine," Nick offered reaching for his.
He too listened for a dial tone to only realize his was dead. 'Oh shit,' Nick mouthed to AJ. There was no way that they could now call 911 OR Kevin. And it was extremely too dangerous for any of them to venture outside.
"Your phone is dead, also, isn't it?" Suz sighed in her hands.
Nick and AJ remained silent.
"TELL ME, DAMNIT!" Suz said slowly getting up and walking towards the front window. She stop a little ways before the window, not wanting to get too close. Wrapping her arms around herself, she struggled not to cry. 'What did I do to deserve this?' She thought, 'The baby is too earlier. I still have 4 to 6 weeks left.'
"Yes, it is," Nick said softly.
"Don't worry, Suz, you are going to be ok," AJ said walking over to her. He watched as she flinched slightly at his touch on her arm. He pulled her against his side, cradling her head against his chest, "Shh, Nick and I aren't going to let anything happen to you."
"I know you wo...OUCH!" Suz yelped as she hunched over suddenly.
"Fuck, it is another contraction," Nick said looking at his watch and realizing it had only been 20 minutes since the last contraction. They were getting closer.
~With Brian, Howie, and Kevin~
"Damnit," Kevin said slamming his phone down.
"What's the matter?" Howie said as Brian said, "Is Suz ok?"
"Both AJ and Nick's phones must be dead. I can't get through to them. I hope they are ok," Kevin said sighing.
"Don't worry, cuz, you know that Nick and AJ will take care of Suzanne. I hope that Joy is ok," Brian said wondering what his fiancee was doing. "I hope that Kat is safe," Howie added pulling at his ponytail.
"I can't help but to have this strange feeling," Kevin said looking over at Brian and Howie.
~Back to Suz, AJ, and Nick~
AJ led Suz over to the couch gently. Her face was scrunched into a pure look of pain. As he had guided her over to the couch, he was surprised at the extreme tightness of muscles in her back. Slowly, he started to massage her back providing temporary relief until the contraction had passed.
After Suz sat on the couch and rested back, AJ pulled Nick into the kitchen.
"Nick, what are we going to do?" AJ said in a frightened voice.
"I don't know...I don't know. We have to be prepared for the worst, I guess," Nick said running his hands through his hair.
Chapter 118
"Oh god, Nick...you don't mean..." AJ started, "What if something happens?"
"AJ, pull yourself together. Suz is frightened as it is because Kevin isn't here. Both our phones are dead and I think by now that Kevin knows that," Nick started, "And this hurricane is getting worse."
"I know, I know. But a baby?" AJ said, "Damn, asking me to write a song in less then 5 minutes is easier!"
"Come on, lets get her upstairs and in bed. We need to get things together in case we have to suddenly become doctors," Nick said chuckling weakly when inside he was dying fast. He didn't want AJ to know how scared he was too, but he WAS glad that AJ and him were here. He didn't want to imagine Suz having been alone and going through this.
~With Brian, Howie, and Kevin~
"Damnit!" Kevin said plopping down into a lounge chair. He was aspirated beyond belief. The airport had once again postponed their flight out to Orlando for two reasons...One, the impending hurricane in Orlando had become worse, and Two, the snow in Wyoming had thickened considerable making it impossible and dangerous to take off.
"Kevin, she is fine. Believe me," Brian said.
"Listen to him," Howie said, "AJ and Nick will take care of her. They would give their own lives to save hers."
"I know...I just...I don't know..." Kevin said.
"You miss her. Don't be afraid to admit that," Brian said placing his hand over Kevin's.
"Why don't you rest a little bit. Maybe by the time you wake up, our flight will be ready," Howie suggested.
Reluctantly, Brian managed to get Kevin to lay down, quickly drifting off into sleep but tossing and turning constantly.
~Suz, AJ, and Nick~
Once they got Suz, who was only too eager, comfortable on the bed, Nick went searching for blankets and various other medical supplies...surgical nursing gloves, rubbing alcohol, ice, a pair of sterilized surgical scissors *NOTE: We really do have surgical gloves and scissors in my house because my mom is a nurse!* and anything else that Suz might need.
AJ stopped Nick in the hallway, "Are we ready to do this?"
"AJ, we don't have a choice! We might, and I think we will be, delivering her baby," Nick whispered.
"How can you be so calm about this? Usually you freak out," AJ asked.
"I have to be...for her...Did you look at her eyes tonight?" Nick asked.
AJ shook his head no.
"Then take a look. She is frightened beyond belief and she is trying not to show it. I can't let her know that I'm scared too or she is going to go to pieces!" Nick finished.
AJ opened his mouth to answer but didn't have a chance to before they heard Suz scream again. The two of them bolted towards the bedroom sprinting towards the bed. They could see her curled up on her side clutching the bedspread in both hands as her knuckles turned whiter from the pressure.
Nick looked at his watch, his eyes widening as he realized that her contractions were now only 10 minutes apart. Silently, he said a quick prayer to God asking for his guidance and help.
Chapter 119
Kevin sighed, for the millionth time, as they settled into their seats, "Finally!"
"You're telling me. I never knew it could snow so much!" Howie exclaimed.
Kevin and Brian looked at Howie and said in unison, "You've never lived in Kentucky, have you?"
Howie blushed, "Thank God!!"
"Hey!" Brian yelled attempting to swat Howie, "Though it is nice to see snow again."
"Uh hmm," Kevin muttered agreeing as his mind began to wonder.
"Don't worry," Brian said gazing at Kevin as if reading his thoughts, "She's fine."
~Back at the House~
A sweat was starting to now break out over Suz's face. AJ ran to fetch a cold compress to soothe her. He didn't want her to know that he was so scared...so very scared. It would only make her more uptight and frightened herself. AJ wasn't scared of the possibility of delivering a baby. He was scared that something would go wrong.
"Nick?" Suz whispered softly as she watched AJ dash out of the bedroom.
"Yes, honey?" Nick said rubbing her back as he felt her muscles loosen as the contraction was over. He wish that he could close his eyes and this would all be over...or a dream. Suz deserved better then this...delivering her baby in the middle of a hurricane with no electricity.
"I'm...I'm...oh jesus, I'm so scared," Suz said beginning to slowly cry which involved into intense sobbing. The contractions were becoming more painful with each passing second and the humidity in the room was beginning to collect because of the air conditioning being off.
"Suz, honey, take deep breaths. You can't have you hyperventilating or worse, passing out on us," Nick said tilting her face to his, "We are here and you have to trust AJ and I. We ARE NOT going to let anything happen to you or your baby, do you hear me?" Nick said this more for himself then for Suz's sake.
"Yes, but," Suz said.
"No buts. Do you trust us?" Nick asked searching her face.
"Yes, I trust you both," Suz said hugging Nick as another contraction started again and she gripped his neck tightly. Looking at his watch, Nick realized that they were now 10 minutes apart, instead of 15 minutes.
"Ok, now first thing is we have to get you out of your clothes. I want to check your dilation again," Nick voiced as he pulled Suz forward. He could see her reluctance at being naked in front of him despite the episode in the bathroom earlier.
AJ had entered the room also viewing the reluctance on her face, "Honey, do you trust us, like Nick asked?"
"Yes, I do," Suz said chuckling through clenched teeth, "I guess you can't very well deliver a baby with clothes on, huh?"
"Here let us help," AJ said grabbing a sheet for Suz to lay over her.
Nick slowly pealed Suz's clothes off carefully guiding her to lay back on the bed. AJ then draped the sheet to hide her breasts, stomach, and legs...for right now.
"Does anyone have a video camera?" Suz asked suddenly as her contraction finally subsided.
"A what!?" Nick exclaimed, "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I am," Suz said, "If Kevin can't be here, I still want him to see it."
Without a word, Nick ran out of the room searching for the extra video camera and tripod that he knew Kevin has bought.
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Suz smiled weakly at AJ for a brief second before she turned to gaze out the window. Silently, she said a small prayer asking for Kevin's safety in the storm. Kevin had told her that him, Brian, and Howie were stuck in the airport because of a severe snow storm. As much as she wanted him to be here, she didn't want him rushing home just for her when it wasn't safe.
"Kevin?" AJ said as he continued to wipe that sweat of Suz's face. Nick was still searching for the video camera in the other room. They could hear him curse as a box fell from a closet. "You're thinking about Kevin?" AJ asked again.
Suz turned to look at AJ. She grabbed his hand threading her fingers through his tightly. AJ gave her fingers a small squeeze. "Yes, I'm thinking about Kevin," she answered as her face brightened.
"Tell me what you are thinking," AJ said, "if you don't mind me asking."
"Not at all," Suz said, "I was thinking of even though I want him here with me now - No offense to you and Nick, of course."
"None taken," AJ said chuckling.
"As much as I want him here, I don't want him traveling when it is too dangerous. You know that he'd find any way here, even if it was endangering his life," Suz said over the wail of the whipping rain and deafening thunder.
AJ nodded as he listened to her.
"I know the birth of your child is supposed to be one of the most amazing things of a parent's life, but I want him here for our child's WHOLE life," Suz finished as she gave a lopsided grin.
"I FOUND IT!" Nick shouted as he ran back into the room. Suddenly, he tripped on the carpet sending the video camera flying. Suz looked in horror as she watched the ground and camera slowly meeting. She closed her eyes and waited for the dreaded thump. When she heard nothing for a few seconds, she slowly opened one eye only to see AJ sprawled on the carpet with the camera in his hands. Nick looked like he was about to cry. He was sitting on the ground shaking his head back and forth muttering.
"Well, Nicky boy, I saved your ass once again," AJ joked as he stood up and brushed himself off. He turned and set the video camera on the nighttable only to look back seeing that Nick had disappeared again.
AJ turned to Suz and gave her a questioning look.
"I think he was just a little upset," Suz explained.
"Why?" AJ asked.
"I think you better go ask him," Suz said already knowing the reason. Nick didn't hide his emotions as well as the thought.
Email the author: Suzybear69@aol.com