Chapter 7-

 

            It was the day before the wedding and everyone was going crazy, Brian and Melissa because they were so nervous, Kevin and Jennah because they were really busy helping with last minute arrangements, Laura and AJ because they had missed their flight to kentucky and have to wait till the next morning to get another one. Nick and Gina were still prepring for their baby that was due in less than a week.

 

Everyone was meeting at a resturant for the rehearsal dinner. Jennah was Melissas maid of honnor and Kevin was Brians best man. They decided not to have a huge bridal party and it was just the four of them. The others were there though.

 

“hi Nick, hi Gina” Melissa smiled when they walked in.

 

“hi” they both smiled giving her a hug.

 

“Gina how are you” she asked reffering to the baby.

 

“im ok” she replied “nervous though”

 

“I could imagine” she laughed

 

“what about you Melissa, you and Brian planning on any childern in the near future” Nick asked with a smirk.

 

“don’t push it Carter” she laughed walking away.

 

“I think Brian would make a good father” Gina said

 

“I think so too” Nick agreed. They walked over to where Brian was standing and they gave him hugs.

 

“hey guys, I havent seen you in a while” he smiled

 

“yeah I know, we need to keep in touch better when we have off time” Nick laughed “um AJ and Laura missed the flight so their coming tomorrow moring”

 

“figures” Brian laughed “that’s ok although I was hoping us guys could go out tonight”

 

“why sort of a bachelor party type thing” Gina wondered

 

“no im just sick of this wedding stuff” he whispered making sure Melissa didn’t hear. “a bit of advice, when you two decide to get married, elope”

 

“thanks Bri” Nick laughed

 

“were here” they heard AJ yell, they turned around and saw him and Laura walking in.

 

“how’d you guys get here” Gina asked

 

“we paid some couple to trade tickets with us” AJ laughed “but were here now so let the party begin”

 

“AJ this is a fancy rehearsal dinner” Laura said “not a party”

 

“I know Laur” he said. They stood around chatting a little more and then sat down to eat.

 

“leave a place for Howie” AJ said pulling out the chair next to him.

 

“Howies here” Kevin asked looking at AJ.

 

“yep” AJ said sounding like a little kid.

 

“ok” everyone said

 

“I want to propose a toast to the bride and groom to be, Brian Littrell and Melissa soon-to-be Littrell” Kevin said they all raised their glasses and toasted.

 

“and I would also like to propose a toast” Melissa said standing up. “to mom and dad to be Nick and Gina” they raised their glasses and toasted again.

 

“thank you” Nick and Gina smiled

 

“wait” AJ said standing up “I wanna make a toast to Howie, for being such a super friend” everyone paused for a minute but then toasted to Howie.

 

“Laura, are you at all…worried about AJ” Gina asked her quietly.

 

“not anymore, he just misses him a lot” she replied

 

            a few hours later everyone was up and talking again.

 

“Nick” Gina asked walking over to where he was talking to Kevin.

 

“what sweetie” he asked

 

“im going to go back to Brians with the girls, I think you guys are going out”

 

“ok, I'll see you later” he said putting his arms around her and giving her a hug. “I love you baby” he said “meaning both of you”

 

“I love you too” she smiled “bye” she walked away and went back to Brians with the girls.

 

            A few hours later Brian Nick AJ and Kevin were all at a pub playing pool and just having a good time.

 

“you know guys” Kevin said putting his arms over Nick and AJs shoulders “we should do things like this more often”

 

“yeah” Nick smiled

 

“but Nick, you cant because your going to have a baby soon” AJ said “Brian too because hes going to be married”

 

“wait I can still have fun even if I am married” Brian said

 

“me too” Nick whined “im still young you know”

 

“I agree with AJ” Kevin said leaning against the pool table and looking at Brian and Nick. “you guys are giving it all up, I mean why do you think I wont propose to Jennah”

 

“so your saying once our baby is here im not going to have a life” Nick asked

 

“no I didn’t say that” Kevin said “but your definitely going to have to give something up, ginas not going to let you go out every night and leave her with the baby. Your gonna have to wake up early and go to sleep early. Its gonna suck”

 

“yeah” AJ agreed “and Brian, your never gonna be with another chick, it’ll be Melissa when you go to bed, Melissa when you wake up”

 

“so what” he said “lets just play pool” not wanting the guys to ideas to start getting to him.

 

On the other hand Nick wasn’t feeling the same way as Brian. He didn’t want his life to be thrown away and he didn’t want to suddenly become a 40 year old. He made a mental note to talk to Gina later and took his shot.

 

            Melissa Jennah Laura and Gina were all sitting in the living room eating pizza and watching movies.

 

“so Melissa” Laura started “you starting to have second thoughts yet”

 

“not at all” she laughed “I know Brian and I would end up together anyways. This just makes it offical”

 

“I wish Nick and I could get married” Gina sighed

 

“why” Jennah asked

 

“because I always had this stupid idea in my head that first you get married and then you have a baby. Not that I have any regrets I just…oh nevermind”

 

“no I get what your saying, your worried that Nicks going to leave you with a baby and you think being married would make him feel committed to stay” Melissa said

 

“well sort of” Gina answered “but he better already feel committed”

 

“Gina I don’t think Nick would leave you” Laura said “hes not that type”

 

“I know but I guess I just want to be married when I have a baby, I don’t want to set a bad example for him or her”

 

“well than ask him yourself” Jennah suggested

 

“that’s not a good idea” Gina laughed “forget it”

 

“ok” they all laughed

 

            the guys were still playing pool. AJ and Kevin were drunk out of their minds and Brian and Nick were just trying to keep them out of trouble.

 

“are you ok Nick” Brian asked looking over at Nicks troubled expression.

 

“I donno Bri” Nick said quietly “I think I've been doing too much thinking lately”

 

“about what”

 

“stuff”

 

“what kind of stuff”

 

“just Gina, and the baby I guess”

 

“wanna go outside and talk, I think Kevin and AJ will be ok” Brian said looking at AJ and Kevin who were singing a song they made up called ‘ode to Howie’.

 

“ok” Nick agreed, they stood up and walked outside.             They walked to the side of the building and sat down on a bench.

 

“so whats up” Brian asked after a long silence.

 

“it’s a bunch of things” he sighed

 

“well I cant help you unless I know what the problem is”

 

“its kinda everything in my life right about now”

 

“umm hummm” Brian said so Nick knew he was still listening.

 

“I don’t know if im ready to be a father”

 

“I think you are Nick…” Brian started

 

“but Brian im only 20, im on the road constantly, and theres a million other things”

 

“Nick, you know that this is going to happen whether your ready or not. Just do the best you can and I know you’ll be fine. Its not going to be easy for you and Gina but your baby needs you and you have to be there for it. You cant be worrying about your age. Age has nothing to do with your maturity, I can tell that you’ve grown up so much just in the past couple months”

 

“you know Brian” a smile spread across Nicks face, “that made me feel a whole bunch better you have no idea”

 

Brian laughed “I hope so, just don’t pressure yourself too much with trying to be a good father. Because I know you will be” he pat Nick on the back a few times.

 

“thanks Bri” he smiled “now I know it’s the night before your wedding and everything but can you do me a huge favor”

 

“sure what is it”

 

“will you and Melissa come with me tonight”

 

“where” he asked

 

“the…” Nick went on to tell Brian where he planned on going and he agreed. They drove back to Brians house and walked in.

 

“hey boys” Jennah smiled “wheres kevy”

 

“and AJ” Laura added

 

“oh shit we left them at the bar” Nick laughed “I think you girls better go get them”

 

“fine, thanks so much for your help” Laura said sarcasticly

 

“yeah, Melissa were taking your car” Jennah said

 

“ok” Melissa replied they left. “I didn’t think you guys would be home for a while”

 

“well we have to do something important” Nick said

 

“what” Gina asked

 

“it’s a secret” he smirked “come here for a minute” he helped her up and with an encouraging smile from Brian Nick walked outside with her.

 

“what is it Nick” she asked as they walked over to a picnic table set up at the side of the house.

 

“here” he took off the sports coat he was wearing and put it over her shoulders.

 

“thanks” she said watching him pace back and fourth infront of her. “will you please stop that”

 

“sorry” he said turning and facing her. He sat down on the bench facing her and took her hands. “Gina I love you”

 

“I love you too Nick” she said with a soft smile. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers. He pulled away and then ran his hand over her cheek. “Gina I love you so much” he whispered putting his cheek right agains hers and whispering in her ear.

 

“you said that already” she giggled he pulled back and smiled. Moving back he lifted up her shirt and looked at her belly. He softly rubbed it with his hand and kissed it lightly. Pulling her shirt back down he sat back up so he was looking into her eyes. “is there a point to us being out here”

 

“yes” he said simply “this” he walked over to where there was a big box.

 

“what is it” she asked

 

he carried it over and set it down. “open it and find out”

 

she pulled open the top only to find a tiny box iside. “tricky huh” she laughed taking the box out. “its not christmas for two days”

 

“I know” he said as she took off the lid. There was a beautiful dimond ring laying in the black velvet lined box that sparkled in the moonlight. “marry me Gina” he whispered looking into her greenish eyes.

 

She started crying. “Nick…I…umm….yes” she choked out.

 

He leaned in to kiss her but her face turned pale and she grabbed his hand. “whats the matter” he asked

 

“I – I think the b-babys coming”

 

            Melissa and Brian were inside looking at Nick and Gina out the window.

 

“your really going to let them get married before us” she asked

 

“well he really wants to do it before their baby comes, and he doesn’t think its going to be another couple days like its supposed to be”

 

“so your saying its going to come early”

 

“maybe, Nick thinks so”

 

Melissa laughed “what makes him so sure”

 

“that” Brian said pointing to Gina who was now laying on the ground with Nick kneeling next to her. “call an ambulance Missy” Brian said running out.

 

“Brian call an ambulance” Nick yelled

 

“Melissas doing it” he said kneeling on the other side of Gina. “are you ok Gina”

 

“im ok” she breathed

 

“don’t worry sweetie, its going to be ok” Nick said stroking her hair. At that moment Laura and Jennah drove in with Kevin and AJ.

 

“whats going on” Laura asked

 

“ginas having a baby” Brian anwered as AJ and Kevin staggered over.

 

“aww how sweet” Kevin slured getting down on his knees and pushing Brian out of the way. AJ did the same thing to Nick.

 

“Giiiiinnnnnaaaa” AJ laughed “will you have a baby for me”

 

“no” she said

 

“pweese” he begged

 

“me too, me too” Kevin laughed

 

“get them away” Gina said, the others tried pulling them up but they wouldn’t move.

 

“Gina don’t worrry” AJ said patting her forehead “I'll get it out for ya”

 

“me too me too” Kevin said again they both moved down twards her feet.

 

“get them away get them away” Gina cried

 

“come on Kevin” Jennah said slapping his arm.

 

“you too AJ” Laura said doing the same.

 

“noooo” they both wailed. Nick grabbed Kevin by his shirt and pulled him up. He then did it to AJ and pushed them twards the house.

 

“get away from us” he yelled

 

“Nicky doesn’t like me anymore” Kevin whined

 

“me either” AJ said slumping off twards the house. The ambulance pulled in and they went wild chasing the flashes of light (*hehe I had to plug my site in there*) around the yard.

 

            The next morning Brian and Melissa woke up and smiled at eachother.

 

“were getting married today” Melissa grinned

 

“I know” Brian said dragging himself out of bed. “come on lets go see Nick and Gina before we have to start getting ready”

 

“ok” she said getting up and walking into the bathroom.

 

            Nick and Gina had been awake for a while. Mostly because Gina hurt too much to sleep and because they were very excited about their new baby.

 

“her birthday is on christmas eve” Gina smiled looking at their beautiful daughter while she slept in her fathers arms.

 

“yeah” Nick smiled “I knew she was going to come early”

 

“so did I” she reached over and ran her fingers through Nicks hair. “thank you”

 

“for what” he asked

 

“being here, and everything else”

 

“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything” he said leaning over and kissing her. A few minutes later Brian and Melissa walked in.

 

“hey” they whispered

 

“hi” Nick and Gina smiled

 

“ohhh a baby” Melissa said running over and taking her from Nick.

 

“congradulations” Brian smiled looking at the tiny baby. “it’s a girl”

 

“yeah” Nick smiled

 

“whats her name” Melissa asked

 

“Kennedy Marie” Gina replied

 

“that’s so cute” she laughed

 

“im gonna get some sleep now, you guys stay and play nice with my baby” Gina warned

 

“ohhh Gina we love the baby” Brian said Gina smiled and closed her eyes.