Beloved daughter, wife and friend, she flies among the angels now.

His thoughts took him back to the first moment that he laid eyes on her. He was back in Orlando after their first tour in Europe, visiting his old high school. As he made his way to the Performing Arts Center, he could hear a melodious voice coming from the auditorium. The room was dark, save for a few beams lighting the stage.

"Bravo", he said, clapping loudly and walking towards the stage. His voice startled her, and she strained to see where it was coming from. "That was beautiful", he told her, walking up the steps and onto the stage.

"Thank you", she said shyly, a small southern accent to her voice. "I didn't realize anyone else was here."

"I'm just visiting", he told her. "I've been out of the country for a while, so I thought I'd come back and visit the old school and all."

"That's cool", she replied, nodding. "What do you do?"

"Oh I'm in a vocal harmony group, the Backstreet Boys." He smiled at the confused look on her face. "We haven't made it big in the States yet, but we will. Oh I'm AJ by the way, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you also, I'm Whitney", she said, shaking his hand. The pair exchanged small talk for a little while, then AJ offered to take her to an early dinner. She readily accepted, and they headed to AJ's favorite, McDonald's.

From that day forward the two were inseperable. He adored her kind spririt, the fire in her eyes and the little things she did just for him. She loved his wild spirit, his individuality and all the wonderful things he did to make her feel special. She stuck with him through the bad times too-- the constant touring as the group gained recognition all over the world, and the one drunken night of passion shared with a nameless woman from the road. He tearfully confessed to her, claiming it would never happen again. It was when he was faced with losing her forever that he knew he couldn't live without her. She began coming on the road with him from time to time, until she caught the eyes and ears of their tour manager, and was quickly signed on as one of their opening acts.

Two years to the day after AJ and Whitney met, the BSB were touring in Italy. AJ told Whitney to get dressed up in her shimmery red dress, the one he loved to look at her in, and meet him on the patio of the motel. She did so and he walked up and greeted her with a single red rose and a kiss on the cheek. He himself was wearing a black tuxedo with a silky red shirt underneath. He took her hand and led her to the black stretch limo which awaited them outside. He opened the door for her, and she saw that the seats had been strewn with red and white rose petals. The driver took them to one of their favorite spots, a beautiful gazebo that overlooked the ocean, which AJ had decorated with flowers, twinklng lights and gauzy fabric that wrapped around the beams. Soft music played in the background as they sat down to a candle-lit meal. After they finished eating, the danced slowly around the gazebo, until their song, "Back At One" came on.

They stopped dancing and AJ placed a velvel cushion on a nearby bench and motioned for Whitney to sit down. As she did so, he got down on one knee, took a velvet box from his pocket and began, "Whitney, you have been a ray of light shining down on me since the day we met. It's hard for me to remember what my life was like before I knew you. I know in my heart that I want to spend the rest of my life with you -- forever and a day. Sweetheart, my angel from heaven, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, and being with me for the rest of my life?" Tears welled up in her eyes, but she shook her head no.

"No AJ, I'll be with you for the rest of mine." He smiled brightly and placed the diamond and platinum ring on her finger, then stood and kissed her passionately.

Their wedding was just 6 months later, a beautiful and extravagant affair, which all of their friends and family attended. As she walked down the aisle in her flowing white gown, she had never looked more beautiful.

Life continued as usual, touring and spending as much time together as possible. After a while, Whitney noticed she was getting tired very easily, and began feeling weak alot of the time. Eventually AJ convinced her to go to a doctor to find out what was wrong. The prognosis was grim -- she had a tumor in her brain that was spreading rapidly. They both cried as the doctor told them the news, and AJ hugged her Whitney tightly and told her,

"We're going to fight this--you're gonna be ok."

He got her the best doctors and specialists money could buy, but it just wasn't enough. Her health continued to deterioirate, she was growing weaker each day, and had trouble remembering certain things.

When the time came, Whitney wanted to spend her final days at home. Their friends and family gathered once again, this event holding a much more somber tone. They all took turns sitting up with her as she drifted further and further away. On her final day, she beckoned for AJ, who quickly came to sit beside her, gently taking her hand in his.

"I know your time is close, love, and I want you to know you will always be a part of me. You will always have a sacred place in my heart. I know the time has come for you to go and walk with our Lord, and you will be able to look out for us from Heaven..." AJ couldn't talk any longer, as his voice choked with emotion. She smiled at him softly, and he could feel her squeeze his hand ever so lightly. He leaned up to kiss her cheek, then climbed into the bed beside her and held her gently. "It's alright sweetheart, you can let go now -- I love you..." With that, she closed her eyes and took her final breath.

At the funeral, AJ was a pillar of strength, at least until everyone left the cemetary. He then knelt down and picked up a handful of the fresh dirt, letting it sift through his fingers and fall to the ground, which had become damp from his tears. He stood and placed a single white rose on her head stone, then crossed his chest and looked skyward.

"Goodbye my angel-- I love you always and forever."

As he walked away, he could hear her whisper on the wind, "I love you too..."