“Mr. Carter?” The nurse called into the waiting room. “Dr. Pryor has Aaron’s test results.”

Nick elbowed Aaron and the two of them followed the nurse back to Dr. Pryor’s office. They each took a seat in the office, waiting for the doctor to appear. Nick was shaking like a leaf. What if the doctor was right and there was something seriously wrong with his son? Nick didn’t think he could handle that.

“Hello Mr. Carter, Aaron,” the doctor’s voice interrupted Nick’s rampant thoughts. His expression was grim and Nick’s heart began pounding in his chest as he absentmindedly reached over and grabbed his young son’s hand. “I’ve got Aaron’s test results here.”

“Is he alright?” Nick asked, his voice wavering.

Dr. Pryor sighed. “I’m afraid Aaron has a disease called acute lymphocytic leukemia. It’s a disease most common in children Aaron’s age.” The doctor paused, allowing Nick to process the information he was being given. ‘The symptoms your son has been experiencing, the fatigue, the nosebleeds, and the bruising, are all conditions common to this type of leukemia.”

“Is it…is it life threatening?” Nick stuttered.

“It can be if not diagnosed in its early stages,” the doctor replied. “Hopefully, in this case, we’ve caught it early enough.”

Nick felt tears pricking his eyes and he glanced down at his oldest child. Did Aaron even have any clue what the doctor was talking about? Did he have any idea that he may possibly be dying? “What do we do next?” He rubbed his eyes tiredly.

“I’d like to get started on treatment as soon as possible,” Dr. Pryor suggested.

Nick nodded. “Of course. What do we have to do?”

“Well, the most successful way to treat the disease is through a bone marrow transplant,” the doctor explained. “We’ll need to schedule appointments for you and your other two children to be tested to see if any of you are a match for Aaron. It’s most likely that a sibling of Aaron’s will be a match.” Nick nodded, still feeling as if the wind had been knocked out of him. “Once we’ve found a match, then we’ll have to begin a high intensity program of chemotherapy. In order for the body to accept the new bone marrow, the chemo is necessary to eradicate the damaged tissue so the body won’t reject the new marrow as foreign.”

Nick swallowed hard, turning towards his son. “Air, why don’t you go back out into the playroom. I’ll be out in a few moments.” He nodded towards the nurse in the doorway, who grabbed Aaron’s hand. “Come on, Aaron. Your dad will be out in a minute.”

Nick turned around back towards the doctor. “Is he going to die, Dr. Pryor?”

Dr. Pryor sighed, heavily. “Mr. Carter, I know this seems frightening. But, from the looks of things, it looks as if we’ve caught it in time. Aaron should be fine in the long run. What I’d like to do now is run some more tests just to make sure that the disease hasn’t spread.”

Nick nodded again, barely hearing the doctor’s words. Almost as if he was in a trance he followed Dr. Pryor’s instructions: setting up a time the following day for Aaron to have more tests done and setting up a time when he, Brian, and Kayleigh could come in to be tested.

“Are they in bed?” Nick asked Brynn as she came back out on to the patio. She nodded as she sat down in between his legs in the lounge chair. “Thanks for taking care of everything for me.”

She smiled up at him. “No problem, babe.” They sat in relative silence for a while. Nick, too busy with thoughts of Aaron’s disease running through his head.

”Your son has an infection in his lungs.”

“Is he going to be alright?”

“I’m going to be honest with you. It’s touch and go right now.”

“None of this is your fault, you understand?”

“I think she’s going into shock.”

“You scared me back there.”

“What happened?”

“They gave you a sedative to calm you down. You’ve been out cold ever since.”

“He’s going to be fine, baby. I swear to you I will never let anything bad happen to either one of you.

“He’s going to be alright, Nick,” Brynn reassured him, interrupting his thoughts. “I swear to you, he’ll be fine.”

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

“What is it?” Leighanne asked the next afternoon, as soon as Brian hung up the phone. He had been talking to Nick and in the middle of the conversation, his face had gone stark white.

“It’s Aaron.” Brian collapsed on the couch, still reeling from Nick’s news. “He has leukemia.” Now it was Leighanne’s turn for her skin color to disappear. “What?!”

Brian nodded. “He was diagnosed yesterday. That’s what all of the bruising and nose bleeds were about.”

“What are they doing to treat it?” she asked, sliding closer to her husband and wrapping her arms around him. While they all adored the little boy, it was almost as if Brian had a special connection with him. He had been there for the heart-wrenching birth and then at the hospital almost every day until she was finally able to bring him home. She had made him Aaron’s godfather, knowing that she could always trust Brian.

“I don’t know.” Brian shrugged. “He didn’t really want to get into it. He wants me to call the others.”

“Here,” Leighanne handed the cordless phoen to her husband. “I’m going to go give Jane a call on the other line.” Brian nodded as he dialed AJ’s number.

“Hello?” He heard AJ answer.

“Jay? It’s me.”

“Hey Bri,” AJ smiled into the receiver. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“It’s Nick,” Brian answered. “I just got off the phone with him.”

“What’s wrong?” AJ instantly frowned. He didn’t like the sound of Brian’s voice.

“Aaron has leukemia,” Brian replied, hating to have to say that phrase again.

AJ nearly dropped the phone. “He what?!”

“Leukemia,” Brian sighed. “They just found out yesterday.”

“Shit man,” AJ breathed. “What can I do?”

“Call the other guys,” Brian instructed. “I don’t think I can handle saying it again. We’re obviously going to have to postpone recording until Aaron’s well again.”

“Sure man,” AJ replied.

“And AJ?”

“Yeah?”

“Find her.”

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

She threw her purse down on the table just as the doorbell rang. “Who the hell could that be?” she wondered aloud, making her way towards to the door to her apartment. “What are you doing here?” she asked, letting him in.

“I had a meeting a few blocks from here,” he told her, bending down and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I thought I’d stop by and see what’s for dinner.”

“I was just going to order,” she said, shrugging. “I don’t really feel like cooking tonight.”

“Sounds good to me,” he smiled, making himself comfortable on her couch while she looked around for take out menus.

“Gino’s sound alright?” She asked, as she made her way into the living room of the small apartment.

“Great!” He replied, switching the television on. The opening strains to Entertainment Tonight echoed through the speakers.

“…Music news on Britney Spears and why plans for a new Backstreet Boys album have been postponed…coming up next on ET.”

He went to change the station but she grabbed his wrist to stop him. “Leave it.”

“But I…” he began, not thinking that she should see it.

“Leave it,” she ordered, her voice full of conviction. They both watched the program until that piece of news came on.

“According to a spokesman for the Backstreet Boys, talks of a new album got underway a few weeks ago in New York. It was to have been the first album the Boys would release in nearly five years. But almost as soon as the talks began, plans have been postponed.”

Kevin’s face appeared on screen. “We’ve decided to postpone the album due to a crisis we are facing right now. Nick’s oldest son has been diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia. He is undergoing treatment as we speak. Under the circumstances, there’s no way any of us could focus on anything but helping Nick and his family get through this difficult time.”

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Carter family and the rest of the Backstreet crew.”

“You alright?” he asked her, setting his hand on her back. She had gone completely pale.

“Leukemia?” she all but whispered.

“What do you want to do?” he questioned, looking at her straight in the eyes.

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears that were threatening not to spill out. “I…I…I need to lie down,” she stuttered, before standing up and running towards her bedroom. He called out her name, trying to get to her to stop running and to talk to him but all he heard in return was the slamming of her bedroom door.

“I just saw it on t.v.,” AJ told Kevin as he and Howie walked into Kevin’s house, where Brian had already been waiting. “It was perfect.”

“Thanks,” Kevin offered a slight smile. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“I hope so,” AJ replied. “I hired a P.I. but New York is a big-ass city. It’s going to be real tough. Hopefully this’ll force her to get her ass back here sooner.”

“How’s Nick doing?” Howie asked Brian.

Brian’s face fell. “Terrible. He just found out that he’s not a match. And neither are the twins. They’re going through his family next.”

“Jesus,” AJ breathed. “What if none of them are?”

Brian shrugged. “Then they’re going to have to be put on a donor list. I told him that we’d all be tested, but it’s highly unlikely that any of us will match. But I guess it’s worth a shot.”

“What about her side of the family?” Kevin asked.

“Uh…” Brian stammered. “He hasn’t told them.”

“Jesus,” Kevin threw his hands up, exasperated. “And now they’re going to find out on television. Perfect.”

“Now’s not the time to get pissed at Nick, Kevin.” Brian glared at his cousin. “I’ll give the Marciano’s a call later and explain everything.”

“Yeah,” AJ laughed, bitterly. “Find out if they’ve heard anything from their fucking daughter.”

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Kevin glanced down at his watch. “Where’s AJ?” he asked, looking at everyone around the room.

“I called him a little while ago,” Howie explained. “He wants us to keep him informed but he can’t make it here.”

In the corner, Nick sat with his head in his hands, waiting for word from the doctor. When Aaron had woken up that morning, he had a raging fever of one hundred and five degrees. Nick immediately rushed him to the hospital, leaving Brynn to take care of the little ones. Aaron had passed out en route to the hospital and was quickly taken into the emergency room for evaluation. He had then been moved up to the children’s ward and they were waiting for Dr. Pryor to show up. “Mr. Carter?” he saw a doctor approach them.

Nick stood up. “That’s me.”

“We’ve brought Aaron’s fever down a little bit,” The doctor explained. “It’s down to about a hundred degrees now which isn’t too bad. Dr. Pryor is in with him now. He’ll be out in a few minutes to speak with you.”

“Thank you,” Nick said, quietly, collapsing back down in the chair.

Howie came over and carefully sat down next to him. “Hey. How are you doing?”

Nick shrugged, his face expressionless. “I don’t know.”

“Do you want me to do anything?” Howie asked, wanting to be of some help. Anything he could do. “Call anyone for you?”

“Could you call Brynn?” Nick looked at him like a lost little boy. “And my parents. Let them know what’s going on?”

“Sure.” Howie offered a small smile in return. He patted Nick on the back and stood up so he could go outside and use his cell phone.

The only other person in the waiting room was Kevin. He sat there watching his baby brother, not having any idea what to do for him. They couldn’t find a bone marrow donor. Everyone had been tested. Nick’s other two children, his parents and sisters, Brynn, the Littrell’s, the McLean’s, the Dorough’s, Kevin, Kristin, and their son. No one was a match. “Did you ever get in touch with Kate’s family?” he finally asked.

Nick nodded. “Brian called them and then they called me. They were tested up in Baltimore. No one’s a match. They want to come down but I managed to talk them out of it for now.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “God, Kev. There’s got to be someone out there who’s a match.”

Kevin nodded. He knew who that someone might be too. But who knew where she was? They had released news of Aaron’s disease for the purpose of drawing her back to Tampa. Surely, she’d be here for her son at a time like this. Would she really stay away knowing her own child was in danger of dying? But the news had been released over two weeks ago. And still, nothing.

AJ looked up at the building in front of him and then down at the piece of paper in his hand. This had to be it. He walked inside and over to the elevator, pressing the button for the sixteenth floor. The slow-moving elevator finally stopped at his desired floor and he stepped off and began walking to his left. He reached the end of the hall and took a deep breath, stepping up to the door in front of him. Tentatively, he reached out and knocked on the door. He could hear movement inside as someone hurried to open it. The door flung open and both of their mouths dropped open in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” They both asked at the same time.

AJ cleared his throat. “Can I come in?”

Brendan hesitated for a second and then moved aside so he could let AJ in. AJ walked in and looked around the apartment, half expecting her to materialize out of nowhere. “She’s not here,” Brendan told him, closing the door behind AJ and leading him over to the couch. “Have a seat.” AJ nodded and sat down, Brendan sitting across from him.

AJ looked around the apartment. Definitely a girl’s place. He wondered if Brendan lived here too. This apartment was so small, it had to be only a one bedroom. Did they share a room? A bed? Was Brendan the reason she walked out on her family? “I don’t live here, AJ,” Brendan stated, as if reading his mind. “We always get together on Tuesday nights for dinner. But I usually beat her home from work.”

AJ nodded. “What time does she get home usually?”

Brendan checked his watch. “She should be here in a few minutes.” He reached for the cordless phone on the table but AJ stopped him. “What?” he asked.

“Don’t,” AJ barked.

“I really can’t let her walk in here and just see you here,” Brendan pleaded. “Please, let me at least warn her.”

“She doesn’t deserve a warning,” AJ growled. “And if you call her, who’s to say she won’t run away from here too?”

Brendan reluctantly placed the phone back on the table. AJ had a point. She had run away from him already once before, a month or so ago. If she knew he was here, she probably would run again. “How’d you find her?”

“She didn’t cover her tracks as well as she thought,” AJ explained. “I’ve had a guy on the job for a while now. He located her the other day.” He paused for a second, restraining himself from unloading on Brendan. Maybe he should just wait for her to get back. Unleash all his anger on her. But getting answers from Brendan would probably be the easier way to go about it. “Why?”

“Why what?” Brendan asked, a little confused but sort of knowing where this was going.

“Why did she leave?” AJ clarified. “Does she have any idea what hell she’s put her family through?”

Brendan shook his head, sadly. “I can’t go into all of that, AJ. You’re going to have to get it out of her. It’s her place to tell you. Not mine.”

“Fine,” AJ grumbled. “But answer me this, does she know that her son may possibly be dying?” Brendan nodded, sadly. “And she still stayed away?!” AJ exploded. “Jesus Christ, it’s her son for God’s sakes. How the hell can she pretend like nothing’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Brendan replied. “She…you have no idea what’s gone on with her in the last few years, AJ. I don’t even think I could explain it to you if I wanted to. She’s been a mess.”

“Yeah, well so have Nick and his children,” AJ snapped. “He came home one day to find his life in shambles. And he still has no idea why. He’s married to woman that he loved more than anything. She walked out of his life one day, never to be heard from again. He couldn’t even find her to get a fucking divorce.”

“You don’t need to tell me all of this,” Brendan told him. “I know what’s gone on. I’m sure that Nick and those kids have been through hell. But she trusted me, AJ. There was nothing I could do. If you knew what has gone on, you would understand that.”

The sound of the key in the lock made them both whip their heads to the door. Brendan squeezed his eyes shut. God, honey, I’m so sorry…. As if in slow motion, the door opened and all of the sudden there she was. “Hey Bren…” her eyes widened as she trailed off. She blinked a few times but he was still there. She felt light-headed all of the sudden and all of the mail she had been holding dropped from her hand….

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