10,000 Kisses
Chapter 131
"How? What?" Kevin stuttered then he started to cry silently. He gave his son, who he had been holding since he was done feeding, back to Suz then took his daughter from Nick.
"Oh, dear," Kevin murmured as he traced her delicate, exquisite features. Slowly, she yawned and stretched then opened her eyes. His breath caught in his throat and came out in a strangled gasp as he saw the majestic emerald of her eyes. "My god, it is like a miniature me," Kevin commented softly.
Suz smiled radiantly as she watched her husband caress his daughter's arm. He had already fallen in love with her after one glance, but then again, so did she the minute she saw their children.
AJ laid the other little boy in his portable hospital crib, while Suz held her other little boy. Motioning towards Nick, the two guys crept out of the room and to the waiting room. He could see Howie and Brian on the phone with their girlfriends, or in Brian's case, his fiancee. Though Nick didn't have a doubt that Howie was long behind in proposing to Kat either. Reaching a hand in his pocket, he fingered the little velvet box that he had manage to keep with him the whole night.
"Whatcha doin?" AJ said staring at Nick strangely.
"What do you mean?" Nick asked hesitantly. He was afraid to tell the guys his intentions with Lyndsay since sometimes they still thought of him as a little kid.
"Are you ok after tonight?" AJ said laying a hand on Nick's shoulder.
Nick sank into a nearby chair wordlessly. He dropped his head into his hands and run his fingers through his hair. He could feel the sweatiness and grim on his body and hair.
"Nick, listen, Frack, you are scaring me," AJ said peering at his friend.
"I'm going to propose to Lyndsay," Nick blurted out. Howie and Brian stopped their talking and quickly said goodbye to their girlfriends for the timebeing. As soon as the road permitted, they were going to head to the hospital.
"Nick, you..." Brian started as he sat on the chair across from Nick.
"Don't!" Nick said putting his hand up, "I know you are going to say that I'm too young. But I know I'm not."
"Nick..." Howie started then stopped. Slowly he took a deep breath, "I was beginning to wonder when you were going to propose to her."
"Come again?" Nick said surprised.
Brian began to laugh, "Frack, you should see your face. Did you think that we were going to yell at you or something?"
"Well," Nick said floundering, "Actually, I did."
"Oh, man, Nick, you are not a little kid anymore. You haven't been a little kid for years," AJ said, "Tonight has proven that. If it wasn't for you, I probably would have went to pieces."
"What does he mean?" Howie said looking between Nick and AJ.
~Back in Suz's Hospital Room~
"Alexia Nikole," Suz blurted out.
"Huh?" Kevin said.
"Her name...Alexia Nikole," Suz repeated.
"Oh, Suz, that is a beautiful name," Kevin said peering down at his daughter. He was still reeling from the fact that he, no, that Suz and him had created such beautiful creatures.
"What else can I do to thank AJ and Nick?" She said.
"Thank them for what?" Kevin asked inquisitively as his eyebrows crinkled in question.
"They didn't tell you?" Suz asked surprised.
After Kevin shook his head no, Suz waved him over, "Bring Alexia with you. I think she needs to be fed."
At the same time, in two different rooms, the same story was being told...
Chapter 132
"Whoa," Kevin said at the same time that Brian and Howie answered in the same way but in a different room.
"They delivered our children?" Kevin said amazed.
Suz nodded her head, "Oh god, Kevin, I was so scared, so scared from the hurricane. And then when AJ and Nick showed up, I was so relieved. But who knew?"
Suz paused as the knot in throat kept her from continuing.
"But how did they know what to do?" Kevin asked wondering.
"You know, sometimes, Nick amazes me. No, alot of times Nick amazes me. All those times you and Brian went to the library and he tagged along, guess what he was doing?" Suz said.
"I just assumed he was reading comic books or something like that," Kevin answered finally realized that he had never fully appreciated the deepth of Nick's personality.
"Nope, he was reading books on pregnancy too, and some other medical books. That is how he knew what to do last night," Suz said.
"Was it painful?"
"Duh, how would you like something the size of a honeydew pass through your penis?" Suz murmured against Kevin's face as she ran her hands through his hair.
Kevin leaned up and began to trace the contours of her face, "I guess that was a stupid question, huh?" He continued to gaze at her intensely as their three children slept in their cribs. Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers, barely touching. Allowing her to feel the hot, stickiness of his breath on hers. "Have I told you how much I love you?" he whispered snaking his tongue out and licking her top lip.
"All the time," Suz said hungrily as she grabbed his face between her hands and slammed her lips to his. Despite giving birth to three children only a few hours before, the simpliciest thing that Kevin did could get her so hot.
~In the Lounge Room~
"Oh man, you guys did what?" Brian exclaimed.
AJ and Nick rolled their eyes and said in unison, "We delivered their children."
Soon, the questions were flying from Howie and Brian. How did they know what to do? Was there alot of blood? How long did it take? What did they do when they realized she was having triplets? Was she scared? Where they scared?
"Guys, one question at a time!" Nick said.
"I only knew what to do because of Nicky here," AJ said pointing to Nick.
Realization dawned on Brian, "You didn't read comic books when we went to the library, did you?"
"Nope," Nick simply said with a smile, "Yes, there was a considerable amount of blood. We really didn't take notice because we were so concerned about Suz."
"As for how long? A few hours," AJ added.
"And finally, yes, we were very scared. Would we be human if we weren't?" Nick concluded.
Nick felt a pair of arms wrap around him. Looking up, he was glad to see Lyndsay's face, "I always knew there was something about you."
"Nick, can I handcuff you to me until I deliver?" Joy said sitting down next to Brian.
Nick chuckled.
Kat silently walked over to Howie and climbed onto his lap and promptly fell asleep.
"What's the matter with Kat?" Howie whispered concerned.
"A cold. She's been sleeping alot," Joy offered, "She's fine now."
Off in the corner, AJ and Tina were practically screwing on one of the lounge chairs. 10,000 Kisses
Chapter 133
The whole gang watched as Suz and Kevin slept on her hospital bed.
Silently, Nick went over to their little girl and picked her up. He stroked the small patch of black hair on top of her head. Between the combination of the dark black hair and emerald eyes, this child was going to be a heartbreaker.
Suddenly, one of the little boys let out an ear piercing scream waking Suz up and causing Kevin to fall on the floor. Everyone attempted to hold their laughter in.
"I meant to do that. Really! I did," Kevin said as he rubbed his back then he laughed.
Joy went over and picked up the boy, cradling him to her chest, "I think someone is hungry."
Suz reached out her arms for her son. Everyone turned to exit the room. "Don't go," Suz said.
"Suz, are you sure, this is something private," Nick asked hesitantly as he handed the little girl to Kevin.
"I'm sure. I want you all to share in this," Suz said as she slowly brought her gown down and rested the little baby at her breast. He fumbled for a moment until he latched onto her nipple. Suz gave a small gasp as he tugged hard.
Joy leaned back against Brian. Brian wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder. She looked back gazing at his beautiful face. She smiled widely as she felt him rubbing her stomach in a soothing manner.
Kat finally spoke, "What are their names? We can't refer to these children as he or she."
Suz laughed, "Kevin, you want to do the honors?"
"That little creature in Nick's arms," Kevin started, "Her name is Alexia Nikole Richardson."
Nick and AJ looked at each other in surprise.
"Guys, it was the least we could do since you delivered her," Suz said.
"Also, Alexia Nikole is going to have both of you as godfathers," Kevin said.
"And Lyndsay and Tina as godmothers," Suz added.
"Howie, can you pick him up?" Suz indicated to her other little boy.
Howie carefully picked the baby up and cradled him in his arms.
"I want you all to meet Scott Howard Richardson," Suz said.
Howie also looked up in surprise, "But I didn't do anything!"
"Howie, you have done more for me then I think you realize!" Suz said grabbing her husband's hand.
"You are also his godfather. And Kat, you are his godmother," Kevin said.
"And now, for this little boy in my arms, his name is Thomas Jerald Richardson," Suz murmured.
"And I'm assuming you've figured it out, but you, Brian, are his godfather, and Joy, you are his godmother," Kevin concluded.
Brian walked over to his cousin and hugged him tightly, "I know your father is watching you right now and he would be very proud of your life. I know I am."
"Thank you," Kevin whispered as he felt Suz rubbing the small of his back in a comforting way.
Chapter 134
After the two cousins separated, everyone started talking at once.
"Suz, when will they let you spring out of this joint?" Tina asked.
"Everything looks fine with her and the children, so tomorrow morning," Dr. Creech said as she stood in the doorway, "And Nick and AJ, I have to commend you for the wonderful job that you did last night."
Both men started blushing.
"Especially with the one baby being breached," the doctor continued.
"What?" Suz said surprised. She looked over at Nick, "One of the babies was breached?"
Nick hesitated, "Yes, I didn't want to tell you, but we managed to turn her the right way."
"Actually, he managed," AJ said pointing to Nick.
"But you kept her calm and occupied," Nick pointed out.
"Come here," Suz motioned to Nick and AJ.
When they got close enough, she handed the baby to Kevin, and grabbed the two of them in a hug, "I don't ever want to think what would have happened if you guys weren't there. The babies and I all could have died! I love you both so much."
"We love you too, Suz," Nick said looking over at AJ.
Slowly, everyone exited the room including Kevin, who quickly went home to clean up the house and survey any damage from the hurricane.
For several hours, people trinkled in and out visiting her...Denise,Donnie, Jon, Jordan, Joe, Rachel, Chrissy, etc. Aaron came and brought a gigantic stuffed Chihuahua.
Suz just about died when she saw it. Boy, was Tyke going to have a field day with this! She could already see him sitting there growling OR trying to hump it!
Surprising her, Kevin's mother, Ann, flew down. Suz was so happy to see Ann since she was like a second mother to her, since her own parents weren't there.
"Mom!" Suz said holding her arms out to Ann. Tightly, they hugged.
"I have a surprise for you," Ann said smiling.
"What?" Suz asked.
Ann walked to the door and stuck her head out. Walking back in the room, Suz was amazed to see her mom, stepfather, and sister walk into the room. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of joyous crying.
Chapter 135
Suz had been surprised at the calmness of the media when she had left the hospital. Usually, they were raving lunatics. Silently, she had chuckled to herself. But that morning, nope, they had been as calm as the eye of a hurricane.
She could still remember the cheers when she had left the hospital and the chatting of her name, Nick's and AJ's. It seemed that everyone was aware that she had given birth. But hell, then again, we were talking about THE Backstreet Boys!
The media had portrayed Nick and AJ as heros. Well, they were heros in Suz's eyes. And always will be.
~One year later~
"Happy Birthday, dear Alexia, Thomas, and Scott. Happy Birthday to you," Everyone sang.
Suddenly, Alexia reached over and grabbed a handful of cake smacking Thomas in the face with it.
Everyone started roaring with laughter.
"I swear to god that that kid is more like her namesakes everyday," Tina said looking over at AJ and Nick.
Brian slapped Nick on the back, "I told you that you could teach Alexia to do that!"
"Nick, if you teach Crystal to do that at her first birthday party," Joy said referring to Brian and her's daughter, "I swear that you will be able to sing as high as Howie can!"
"Nick, if I didn't love you so much, I'd kill ya," Kevin said laughing as he picked up Thomas to go clean him off.
At the same time, Suz was scolding Alexia who was now beginning to pout like her Uncle Nick does.
"And I swear that if you teach this little one those tricks," Tina said chuckling as she rubbed her enlarged stomach, "I'll be sure you can't sing again."
"Aww, baby, he wasn't meaning any harm," AJ said teasingly wrapping his arms around Tina.
"I know, I know," Tina said as they kissed.
A few minutes passed as Nick and Lyndsay took Alexia in the house to clean her up. Alexia had started chatting away about what she had did to her brother.
Everyone had laughed as they heard her go on and on without taking a breath. She was certainly like her mother.
"Uh, guys, Lyndsay and I have something to tell you," Nick said proudly as he walked back into the yard with Lyndsay. He set Alexia down who ran to her Uncle Brian and held up her arms.
"We," Lyndsay started.
"are," Nick continued.
"going," Lyndsay then said.
"to be," Nick said.
Suddenly, Alexia wiggled from her uncle's arms and ran over to her Aunt Lyndsay. "BABY!" Alexia said placing her hands over Lyndsay stomach and looking over at all her aunts, uncles, and parents.
"Alexia!" Nick said surprised as he picked her up.
"I guess she outed you," Howie said giggling.
"Kids, they never cease to amaze you, huh?" Nick said looking at his niece.
"Then I guess we should tell them," Kat said looking at Howie.
"OH NO! Don't tell me you are pregnant too!" Suz said in wonderment.
"Oh no, just getting married," Kat said flashing her engagement ring.
"Well, it is about damn fucking time!" Tina said with her hands on her hips.
"We were beginning to wonder if there was something you were covering up," AJ said jokingly looking over at Howie.
Chapter 136
~Six Months Later~
"Oh man, how stupid could I be?" Kat wailed lowly as her and Tina looked over at Lyndsay.
Tina didn't say anything.
"Why didn't you guys say anything? Can you imagine how uncomfortable she probably is feeling right now? And especially in this Orlando humidity?" Kat whispered.
"Kat, don't worry about Lyndsay. Nothing has stopped her from doing what she wanted and I don't think being almost 9 months pregnant is going to stop her from attending your wedding," Tina chuckled.
Kat stood there with a hand on her hip while the other hand smoothed the side of her wedding dress. She frowned slightly, "You're right. I just have a feeling my wedding isn't going to go as smoothly as I want it to."
"Does anything concerning the Backstreet family?" Suz said walking into the church's changing room with her three children and Joy in tow, "Where's your little one, Tee?"
"He's out with there with Grandma Denise," Tina said smiling at the image of her little boy, christened Patric Michael McLean.
"Auntie Kat, Auntie Kat!!!" Alexia yelled attempting to run over to her.
"Oh no you don't, missy!" Suz said grabbing her, "We don't want to ruin Auntie Kat's dress, now do we?"
Kat bent down to Alexia's level, "You are the most beautiful flower girl."
"Thank you, Auntie Kat!" Alexia said beaming and hiding her face, "You like my hair, Auntie Kat?"
"Yes, I do. Very much. Did mommy do it?" Kat asked.
"Nope, bet you can't guess!" Alexia teased.
"Aunt Joy?"
Alexia shook her head no.
"Aunt Tina?"
Nope.
Aunt Rachel? Nope.
Aunt Chrissy? Nope.
Aunt Val? Nope.
"Ok, who did your hair?" Kat finally said aspirated.
"Uncle AJ!" Alexia said proudly.
"With a little help from my husband," Suz said laughing.
All the women looked over at Suz in surprise.
"Well, we know if the singing doesn't pan out," Tina said laughing, making reference to the numerous #1 CDs and singles the guys had AND the constant sold out tours, "then, Kevin and AJ can open up a salon!"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Chapter 137
"Who is it?" Suz called.
"Your wonderful husband," Kevin called through the door.
""Oh? Nick?" Suz holding her hand over her mouth.
Kevin opened the door and walked in, "Oh you!" then rolled his eyes.
"Oh, it is only you!" Suz said playfully as Kevin reached for her.
Slowly, he kissed her thoroughly.
"Mommy, Daddy," the triplets said going over to their parents and hugging their legs.
"Hi darlings," Kevin said bending down to his kids, "you ready?"
The three children nodded their heads yes.
"Kat, you ready?" Kevin said holding his arm out to her. Kevin was going to walk Kat down the aisle. AJ was Howie's best man while Brian, Nick, and John were ushers. Joy was Kat's matron of honor while Tina, Suz, and Lyndsay were bridemaids.
Within minutes, everyone had walked down the aisle and the ceremony had begun. Kat and Howie had written their own vows to express how much they meant to each other. Of course, Howie's was in the form of a song, accompanied by his bandmates.
"I know pronounce you Mr and Mrs Howard Dorough," the priest said just as Lyndsay cried out in pain.
"Oh shit, Oh shit," she kept repeating as she sank into the nearest pew next to Howie's mother.
"Nick!" Howie's mother shouted.
"What's the matter?" little Scott said tugging on his mother's dress.
Suz bent down to her son's level, "Aunt Lyndsay is going to have a baby."
"I'm gonna have another cousin?" Scott asked in wonderment.
"Yes, you are," Suz said picking her son up and following the rest of the bridal party.
Suz and Kevin convinced Howie and Kat to go to the reception despite them wanting to go to the hospital. They knew it could be either minutes or hours before Lyndsay gave birth.
Chapter 138
"Oh my," Nick said as the doctor placed the little baby girl on Lyndsay's stomach.
"She's beautiful," Lyndsay said, "isn't she?"
"Just like her mother," Nick smiled smoothing Lyndsay hair back.
"Nick," the nurse said jolting him out of his thoughts, "Do you want to cut the cord?"
Eagerly, Nick reached for the surgical scissors and had cut the cord before the nurse could instruct him how to.
"Wait!" the nurse said but was too late.
In wonderment, the doctor and nurse looked at the wonderful job Nick had done, "What? How?"
"Don't ask," Lyndsay said chuckling while another nurse went to weigh the baby.
Nick just rolled his eyes then leaned down to kiss his wife.
"Wow!" the nurse said bringing the baby girl back over to Nick and Lyndsay, "She weighs 9lbs even!"
"Holy God!" Nick exclaimed, "Are you sure you're are ok? Do you need anything for pain?"
Lyndsay laid her hand on his arm, "Nick, honey, I'd go through any kind of pain for you!"
Nick sighed, "I'm sorry. I just worry about you. " as he picked up her hand and rubbed it against his face.
"I know...that is one of the reason I love you so much and why you have given me a reason to love," Lyndsay said, "Now, I suggest you go call everyone. I bet you by now, since the reception is long over, that everyone is in the waiting room."
Nick smirked, "I reckon, my dear Lynds, that you are probably right. But first, what are we going to name this precious little girl?"
"How about Cassidy Jane?" Lyndsay suggested hopefully.
"That is beautiful. Very beautiful. Where did you come up with it?" Nick inquired.
"Cassidy is my mother's name and well, Jane, I figured you'd know that one," Lyndsay said.
"My mother," Nick said nodding as a tear slipped out, "Have I told you that I love you today?"
"Many of times, now go! Before they all come in here!" Lyndsay said.
Swaggering out of the room like a peacock with its feather all puffed out, Nick indeed could hear everyone as he got closer to the waiting room. Silently, he stood across from the room, in the shadows, watching his friends...all his best friends...starting with Brian.
Wow, Brian...the one who befriended Nick when they formed the group. The ONLY one who could keep up with his Nintendo addiction...The one who Nick spent weeks crying over before Brian's surgery...The one who was finally now happy and had survived with the Grace of God and a little thing called Joy!
Nick's gaze shifted to AJ. It was amazing how much AJ toned down his 'wildman' act since he had become a father....BUT, he hadn't changed completely or he wouldn't be AJ McLean. Nick remember the hard times AJ had through the years...his father's abandonment...his reappearance...the tears...the screams...the smoking...the numerous girls...until he found Tina...a woman who could dish it out just as quickly as AJ could.
A smile formed on Nick's face as he watched Howie. Now there was a guy who tried to keep peace among everyone as a war of inner turmoil raged inside his body trying to keep his emotions in check from Caroline's death...until he had finally exploded and poured his heart out to a stranger, Kat, who had been working as a waitress at a local Orlando diner. Nick could still remember how Kat said she yelled at Howie telling him to snap out of his misery or death would be knocking at his door soon also! Now, a few years after Caroline's death, Howie had come to peace with God's plans for his sister.
Finally, Nick's gaze settled on Kevin. He had to take a deep breath to control his sudden urge to cry over Kevin's VERY apparant happiness. Nick ALWAYS knew that Kevin would find eternal happiness though at times, his belief waivered and waned but NEVER disappeared! But when Suz entered Kevin's life, Nick knew she was the girl that had been appearing in his dream with Kevin. It was at that moment that Nick knew everyone would make out fine.
The minute that Nick had meet Howie, AJ, Kevin, and Brian, he knew what God's intentions were for him.
It only seemed like it was 1993 again and he was joining the Backstreet Boys...except now, it only wasn't know as the Backstreet Boys but the Backstreet Family.
Email the author: Suzybear69@aol.com