Before you read this you might want to read the beginning of the trilogy "Happy Birthday to Me".

 

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage

By: Kelley

I was five months pregnant when Nick decided to record his first solo album. I was seven months along when he left for his first solo tour. In Europe.

"Kelley, I'm not going. How can I leave you alone? What if something happens?"

"Nick honey, you're only going to be gone for a month. I'll still have a month left until I'm due when you get back. And nothing is going to happen, AJ's going to stay with me."

"Kel, that does nothing at all to ease my mind."

"Hey, I heard that," said AJ, walking downstairs from the guestroom. "Don't worry Nicky, you know I'll take good care of her."

"Nick the car is here," I said as I looked out the window. I promised myself I wouldn't cry until after he left, but I couldn't hold back the tears. "Kel, don't cry. I'll be back in a month."

"I'm not crying" I sniffed. "These are tears of joy, I'm so glad you're leaving. I can't wait to spend the next month sleeping alone in our bed."

"Same here, baby. There's nothing like a sleeping in a cold, empty bed to make the time go faster." I could see the tears forming in his eyes. "I'm going to miss you so much Kel" he whispered. His thumbs gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. He knelt in front of me, rubbing my swollen stomach. "I'm going to miss you too baby. You stay in there until I get home. I'll call you every night and sing you to sleep." He stood back up and captured my lips in a kiss-a hot, deep, wet, passion filled kiss. The same kind of kiss we shared last night.

The driver honked his horn and broke the spell. "I love you Nick" I sighed. "If you don't call me every night I'm going to assume you don't love me and I'll change all the locks."

"You could try that honey, but I'd break down any door in my way to get to you" he smiled as he kissed me again.

"Nick, dude you'd better get a groove on, the driver's getting out of the car and he's kind of big."

"Bye Baby." He grabbed his bags and ran out the door. I watched the view as he ran to the car. "I'm going to miss that ass of yours, Carter!" I yelled. He turned and blew me a kiss.

I shut the door and turned to AJ, my lower lip quivering like a little kid's. "Come here." He cradled me in his arms as I cried. "Damn are your hormones out of whack or what. You aren't going to cry like this all month are you?"

"Hey, you knew what you were getting into when you signed up for this little tour of duty. There's no turning back now Private! Come on, it's time to paint my toenails."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa...toenails?

"Yes, I can't reach them and I have a really cute pair of sandals that I want to wear to Kevin's tomorrow night."

"Kelley, and I say this with all the love in my heart, but there is no fucking way I'm going to paint your toenails."

"Nick does it."

"Sweetheart, there are many, many things Nicky does for you that I'm not gonna. Toenails are one of them."

"Fine" I grumbled. "Will you make me lunch?"

"That, baby doll, I can do" and he headed for the kitchen.

"Damn, that was so easy!" I smiled to myself. "By the time I'm through he'll be scrubbing the toilets too."

The phone rang late that night. "Hi baby"

"Which one of us are you talking too?"

"Both of you. Tell me what you're doing right now. I want to be able to see you in my mind."

"Close your eyes Nicky. I'm laying in bed, I've got on your green shirt, my hair is up, my glasses are on and I'm reading a book of baby names."

"God you're so beautiful. What are you wearing under the shirt?"

"Nothing."

"Oh Kel you're killing me. How am I going to make it a month without you?"

"Don't worry, I'll shave your palms when you get home" I smirked.

"And I'll do yours when you're done" he smirked right back. "Put the phone on your stomach Kel, I need to sing the youngster a song" I complied and felt our baby kick as his father sang him or her a lullaby. Nick had done this every night since I found out I was pregnant. I picked the phone back up. "What do you think about Eunice?"

"What!" Nick croaked.

"Maybe Elda? Edith?"

"Kelley, put the book down and go to sleep. You're thinking way to hard about this name thing. I'll call you tomorrow night. I love you baby."

"I love you too Nick. Sweet dreams."

"They'd only be of you."

AJ took me to get a pedicure first thing the next morning. Kevin was having a cookout that evening and though I really wanted to stay home, AJ was making me go.

"Kel, once that baby of yours comes, you're not going to be able to do anything you want. You've got to get out while you still can."

"Man you make it sound like a prison sentence. Instead of a ball and chain, I'll have junior here chained to my legs, dragging me down. Damn, I'm glad it was Nick and not you who asked me out that night. I'd hate to be your pregnant wife with you feeling this way." I was hormonal and pissed and AJ was the closest thing to take it out on. I could see the hurt in his eyes as he walked away and out the door, slamming it for good measure. "Damn! Why did I say that?" I trudged up the stairs and fell asleep on AJ's bed while I waited for him to come home.

"What are you doing in here?" I heard an angry voice from the doorway. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "I wanted to apologize and I knew you would try to avoid me. AJ I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did. I know it's not much of an excuse, but I've been afraid that Nick might be feeling a little tied down right now. I mean, he's 21, he should be out fucking everything in site and instead he's stuck with me" I burst into tears. He took me in his arms yet once again. "Here I am trying to apologize and you end up comforting me" I sniffed. "I don't deserve you, you know."

"No Kelley, you don't. It just so happens that crying pregnant women are my weakness. I can't help it; I must ease their pain. And there is no where and no woman Nick would rather be with than you. Are you ready to go yet? There are hot babes that need a little AJ to make their lives complete."

"You're not going to bring them back here are you?" I asked, completely afraid of the answer.

"Nope, any and all hot babe action will be taking place at my pad. I'll leave the phone on so you can call me if you need me."

"My, my, my, we are awfully confident this evening."

"Don't you know baby, I'm AJ McLean, superstar. I'm like a magnet. Women cannot resist my pull." I was doubled over in laughter and I'm pretty sure junior was laughing too. "Oh you mock me, but just wait, you'll see. Chicks will flock."

We made it to Kevin's and I found I was surrounded by a bevy of cute, young, skinny girls. I have never felt older and uglier. Women did flock to AJ but he never let me out of his sight. He filled my glass, got me food and made sure I was comfortable wherever I was sitting.

"Does he always hover that much?" asked Kevin after the tenth time AJ interrupted us to see if I needed anything. "Only everyday" I replied.

The longer the night went on, the more I felt like the old, married, pregnant woman. All I wanted to do was go to bed. I interrupted AJ and some tall blond who were sharing a private joke. "AJ, can I have the keys. I'm tired and I want to go home." She eyed me suspiciously. "Who is that?" she asked as she looked me up and down. I might be seven months pregnant, but I was pretty sure I could take her. She looked like she hadn't eaten in a week. "Kelley this is umm, Kim right" she nodded. "Kim, this is Kelley."

"Nice to meet you." Bitch I thought to myself. "The keys, AJ."

"Jaaaayyyy" she whined. "I thought we were going back to your place."

"Sorry, I have to drive Kelley home."

"AJ, I am perfectly capable..."

"Yeah AJ, let her drive herself home." She began to run her hand under his shirt. My eyes narrowed and I started to open my mouth. AJ had seen these signs before and clamped his hand over my mouth. "Come on Kelley, let's go!" He dragged me out to the car. "Damn AJ, why didn't you let me..."

"Sweetheart, junior is too young to be hearing language like that." The rest of the ride home was in silence. I had missed Nick's call but he left a message and a lullaby on the answering machine. I held it up to my stomach as I heard Nick's voice singing to our baby and cried when I heard it. I needed him so much right now. He always made me feel so beautiful and desirable and after tonight I needed to feel like that. AJ found me crying in the living room.

"Kel, what's wrong honey?"

"You're going to think I'm stupid." I sniffed.

"No I won't, just tell me."

My fears were getting the best of me. "I should never have gone to Kevin's tonight. I'm as big as a house, I'm a bazillion years older than everyone, I kept you from scoring with a hot babe, even though she was a bitch, I cry every ten minutes, my ankles are swollen, and I can't see my feet. All those women tonight, except Kim, were so beautiful. How can I compare" I sobbed. He held me until I calmed down, brushed my tears away, and then he kissed me softly.

"AJ what are you...."

"Shhhh" and he kissed me again, this time with passion, not tenderness and I found myself responding. Our tongues swirled around the other. "Kel, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Being pregnant just makes you more beautiful." Our lips met again and I felt his hand move to my breast, teasing my hard nipple through my shirt. That brought be to my senses.

"AJ we can't do this" I panted.

"I know" he whispered. "Goodnight Kelley."

He left me starting in amazement as he walked up the stairs. What the hell was I going to tell my husband?

My wonderful husband had been gone for two days and I was already kissing someone else. I sat on the couch, too stunned to move. What the hell was that? Did I want to kiss AJ, or did I just need to feel wanted? Was I going to tell Nick? I sat up all night trying to figure out what I was going to do. AJ found me there the next morning.

"Kelley" he whispered as he gently shook me awake.

"AJ we need to talk. What happened last night, well, it was nice. I needed to feel beautiful and you did that for me. I'm not going to tell Nick, he doesn't need to know. Besides, it's not something that's going to happen again." The words I'd rehearsed so many times last night flowed off my tongue. "Why is all your luggage sitting by the door?"

"Kelley, I did a lot of thinking last night too and I think it would be best if I stayed at my house. As much as I would like to say I regret last night, I don't and I would give anything for it to happen again." My jaw dropped. "I love you Kelley, and not in the sisterly way. Leave it to me to fall for a woman who's so madly in love with her husband." He kissed my forehead and headed for the door.

"You don't have to go..."

"Yeah baby, I do. If you need anything you call or page me and I'll on your doorstep in minutes." I followed him to the door. "AJ." He turned and just looked at me. I took his face in my hands and kissed him gently. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry for loving Nick, Kel. I'm sorry I put you through this. Bye sweetheart."

The house was empty without him, but it was kind of nice to be alone for a change. I told Nick I just got tired of having him around. The first weeks flew by as I spent my time getting the nursery ready for junior. The kid had a wardrobe that rivaled mine. Nick's mom came by every day with something new, from diapers to baby powder and I loved her for it. As for my parents, well, they knew about the baby because my sisters knew, but I never heard a word from them. I hadn't spoken to them since the day I called them and told them that Nick and I were getting married. Until my doorbell rang that day.

I waddled to the door and couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the peephole. "Mom?"

"Kelley" We looked at each other for a minute and then we both lost it. We ran into each other's arms and just held each other on my doorstep and sobbed. "Oh Kelley, I'm so sorry. I've been so stupid. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I'm just glad you're here." She put her hand on my stomach and felt junior kicking. "My baby's having a baby," she said in wonder.

We went inside and spent the next few hours making up for lost time. I know I should probably despise her, but she's my Mom, and as hard as I tried, I just couldn't hate her.

"Why now. Why not a year ago?" I had finally asked the dreaded question.

"I was so ashamed at the way I'd acted I didn't think you would want to see me. I just couldn't face you, and then Nick called last week...."

"Nick called you?"

She nodded. "He wanted to make sure we knew about the baby. He also mentioned something about how stubbornness is inherited. I believe he said 'it's not one of your daughter's better traits' and then he told me to get off my behind and make the first move" she laughed.

"He is very direct sometimes. What if I can't do this Mom? I get so scared sometimes." The tears started rolling down my face, again. "And am I always going to cry this much? I killed a fly the other day and cried because it might have had babies somewhere."

"Honey when I was pregnant with you the only time I stopped crying was when I was eating."

"How long can you stay?"

"I'll be here until tomorrow, it's all the time I could get off on such short notice. But if you'll have me, I'd like to come down after the baby is born, maybe for a week or two."

"Could you make it a month? I have a feeling I'm going to need all the help I can get."

"Anything for my baby."

We walked upstairs to the guestroom and I hugged her goodnight. I've hugged lots of people in my life, but there is no replacement for a Mom hug.

The phone rang late that night and I knew it was Nick.

"Hi baby"

I couldn't even speak, I was crying so hard. "Kelley honey, what's wrong?" Nick demanded. "Kelley, calm down and tell me what's going on."

I took a deep breath. "Oh Nick, I love you. My Mom is sleeping in our guestroom as we speak."

"I was hoping she'd come. Is everything OK." I nodded. "Kelley, I can't hear it when you nod."

"I miss you so much, Nick. How much longer?"

"Nine days. I will be home, back in your arms in nine days. I'm going to kiss you from top to bottom and back again. I can't wait to taste you baby." I could hear him moan lightly into the phone.

"Touch yourself Nick. Pretend like it's my hand, can you feel it? I can't hear if you nod, Nick." He chuckled softly. "Do you know what I'm going to do to you? I'm going to swirl my tongue over the tip of your beautiful cock and then slowly take you into my mouth just the way you like." I could hear his breathing get harsh. "I'm going to stroke you up and down, god I love the way you feel in my mouth, when you're so hard. Oh Nick you're all I think about. I want to feel your tongue on my clit, when you move it so slow I think I'll scream." "Kelley" he choked. "Oh Nicky, my nipples are so hard just thinking about you, oh I can't wait to have your hands on me and have you inside me" "Keeeellll" he moaned into the phone.

I smiled "Nick, are you OK?"

"Oh baby, how am I going to wait nine more days. I want you so much. It will be ok won't it, with junior and all?"

"I checked with the doctor last week. It will be fine."

"Talk to me Kelley, I want to hear your voice while I fall asleep. Tell me what you did today."

"I got up, took a bath, got dressed..." I rambled on for five minutes until I heard him snoring lightly. "Nick, wake up."

"Hmm, I love you Kel."

"I love you too. Sweet dreams."

"I'm only going to have naughty dreams of you tonight."

My Mom left and once again my life settled into a routine of keeping frantically busy during the day, and crushing loneliness at night. I can't even count the number of times I rolled over and reached for Nick, only to find an empty pillow. Thank god it would all end in four days. I tried to call AJ during all of this, but he wouldn't return my calls. I heard from Howie that he was keeping company with a certain tall blond named Kim. "Nothing like a willing bimbo to occupy your time" I grumbled. I kept Howie's number handy in case there was an emergency and AJ was "occupied".

I was getting huge. I felt like I should have one of those beepers, like big trucks when they back up, around my neck so people would know when I was coming. Junior was very active; hell I don't think the kid slept at all. I had a feeling he/she was going to be one of those kids who never walks, only runs. I made a mental note to ask Jane about Nick the next time I saw her.

"Beep, beep, beep, beep..." I liked to announce my presence when I was walking out to the mailbox. "Yes" I squealed as I found a package from Nick. He'd never sent me an anything before! I couldn't wait and opened it right on the spot. Inside was another box with a letter taped to it. In big red letters was "READ LETTER FIRST".

My Love,

I've said, "I love you" thousands of times, but I realized you didn't have a single love letter from me. I hope this makes it to you before I get home. I'm sitting in this anonymous hotel room and the only thing I can think about is you. I never thought love could be so painful, but sometimes I miss you so much I ache. My heart needs you close to me. I need to see your beautiful face everyday. I need to hear your voice as you talk to me. I need to hear your laugh, that loud obnoxious laugh that makes my heart soar. I need to feel the touch of your hands on my face. I need to feel you next to me when I sleep-I haven't slept all night since I left. Do you know what I miss the most? (Get your mind out of the gutter Kel!) I miss the way you lay in my arms in bed at night and the way we just talk-Just talk. I miss that closeness that I don't have with anyone else. I miss you.

I miss you.

I miss you.

I miss you.

Give my love to junior.

I love you Kelley.

N

I opened the package with tears streaming down my face. The love of my life had shipped me, from Europe, a hotel ice bucket. It was one of the best presents I had ever received. It was going on the mantel.

I was walking back up the driveway when it happened-my water broke.

I just stood there, I couldn't believe it. I still have a month left. Nick's still in Europe. I'm all alone. I'm scared to death.

I was going to meet my son or daughter today.

"Come on junior, it's time for us to get to the hospital!"

My first call was to Nick's pager, the pager we got specifically for this occasion. I found out later that he was in the middle of the last song of his show when he felt the pager go off. He stopped dead in his tracks, the band stopped playing and Nick screamed "She's having the baby!" into the Mic and ran off the stage. My second call was to my doctor who assured me that I had plenty of time to get to the hospital and that she would meet me there. The third was to AJ. I just hoped his dick was in his pants and not in Kim.

"Come on, come on pick up damn it" I mumbled. The machine picked up. "AJ, please, if you're there, pick up. My water, ohhhhhh" I groaned as the first contraction hit. "My water broke and I need..."

"Hang on baby, I'll be there in 5 minutes" he shouted and slammed down the phone. I grabbed the bag I had packed two weeks ago, locked all the doors and waited for him on the front steps. His Expedition squealed it's way into my driveway.

"Why are you sitting out here? Why are you walking, I should carry you. What the hell do you have in this bag, rocks or something? I brought some supplies in case you have the baby in the car. Holy shit, you're having the baby!" He was frantic as I walked calmly to the car.

"AJ, if you don't calm down I'm going to take the keys and drive myself" I threatened.

"Right. Ok the bag's in the back; you're in the front. I'm in the front. Let's go!"

We actually made it to the hospital in one piece. AJ parked by the emergency entrance, jumped out of the car, ran through the doors and screamed "She having the baby!" to no one in particular. I made a mental note to kick his ass later- panic is so unbecoming. I calmly got out of the car, got my bag and went to the emergency desk. A few minutes later I was on my way to my room with AJ running closely behind my wheelchair. I got settled in and waited for the doctor.

In between the time I called AJ and the time he arrived, he managed to call Kevin, Howie, and Brian. They arrived at the hospital not long after we did. Handily, they were just as frantic as AJ.

"Have you talked to Nick?" "Who's going to go in with her?" "How long is this going to take?" "Nope, have you talked to Nick?" "I'm not going in, I hate the site of blood." "Well it's not going to be me." "Maybe we should draw straws or something."

I was eight months pregnant, in labor, hell in the middle of a contraction, and the four men I considered my brothers were getting ready to draw straws to decide who was going to help me have this baby. I was pretty sure after the contraction passed I could take them all down. Hard. I picked up my water glass and threw it, breaking it against the wall. They all jumped and looked at me.

"Get the fuck out, all of you. I'm in the middle of fucking labor over here and you selfish pricks are worried about how this is affecting you. I'd rather do this by myself than have any of you help me. Get out, get out, get out!"

"Kell..."

"OUT!" I screamed. I could see the fear and guilt in their eyes as they walked out the door. I was relieved to be alone in a quiet room. I rubbed my stomach. "OK junior, it's just you and me. Don't worry, mommy's in charge now. I won't let anything hurt you. I just wish daddy was here too." My eyes filled with tears. I needed my Nicky and I needed him bad.

I had always heard that first babies take forever to be born. Apparently everything in my life was going to be the exception to the rule because after three hours of labor I was just moments away from delivery. My feet were in the stirrups, the doctor was ready to catch, I was ready to push and I was mad at the world. I couldn't wait for junior to get here, I just wished I had someone other than a total stranger to hold my hand. My wish was granted when AJ walked through the door, all suited up and ready to go, cell phone in hand.

"What happed? Did you draw the short straw?" I gasped.

"Nope, I drew all of them." He opened his other hand and revealed four straws. I couldn't have loved him any more if I tried. "Your husband is here too" He put the phone to my ear. "Nick?"

"Oh honey, I'll be there in about two hours. Are you OK?"

"Yeah baby I am. I wish you were here." I said as I started to cry.

"I know I know. Shit, they're making me hang up now. I love you Kel. Take care of junior until I get there." and the line went dead.

"OK Kelley, push!"

Twenty minutes later they put her in my arms for the first time. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen-bald as a cue ball with her daddy's big blue eyes. I had never known a love so pure and so fierce as the love I instantly felt for my daughter. "Hi baby, I'm your mommy." AJ was standing by the window, looking out. "AJ come look. Baby, this is your Uncle AJ." He walked over and sat next to us on the bed. I didn't notice the tears in his eyes at first.

"Oh Kelley, she's almost as beautiful as her mother" he choked as he gently stroked her cheek.

"AJ, what's wron..."

"I just wish I was her daddy." He kissed my forehead and walked out of the room. A little piece of my heart broke when he left, knowing that I couldn't fix what was wrong.

Kevin, Brian and Howie all slunk into the room not long after AJ left. They looked incredibly guilty, which I enjoyed. "Look baby, it's the rest of your Uncles." They crept closer to the bed. "This is Uncle Kevin, Uncle Brian and Uncle Howie. They were very bad at helping me have you, but I'm going to forgive them because I love them." They all looked very relieved. "Forgive, but not forget. I will bring it up every time I'm mad at all of you." We all laughed, breaking the last of the tension in the room.

"What are you going to name her Kel?" asked Kevin.

"I don't know yet, I have to wait until Nick gets here. Speaking of Nick, have any of you talked to him lately?"

"He landed about fifteen minutes ago. He should be here soon. Come on let's get out of here so she can feed whatever her name will be."

I fell asleep with junior in my arms. I awoke when I heard a sob and saw Nick standing in the doorway. "Nick!" I cried. By the time he reached the bed we were both crying. Nick was almost hesitant to touch the baby or me. It was almost like he didn't believe we were real. I took his hand and pulled him close, sitting him next to us on the bed. I put junior in his arms. His eyes were huge with wonder.

"Look what we did Kel. Look what we made. Kelley we're a family now." He held junior in one arm and slipped the other around my waist.

"We've always been a family Nick, we're just bigger now. We need to name this little rugrat."

"I had lots of time to think about this on the plane. How about Kathryn, after your sister, Jane, after my mom."

"Perfect." He laid Kathryn in her crib and came back to the bed.

"Now I need to say Hi to mommy." He swept me into his arms, kissing me fiercely. All the passion we felt for each other came out in that kiss. I wove my fingers through his hair and moaned in the back of my throat when I felt his tongue touch mine. "I missed you so much Kel. I'm never leaving you again. You guys are coming with me next time."

"I'm holding you to that Carter. I don't every want to sleep alone again."

"You have my word" and he kissed me again.

Our first year with Kathryn flew by. Nick and I were madly, passionately in love with her. Our every thought and action centered around her and what she was doing. She was a little sun and Nick and I were the planets revolving around her.

Our friends no longer liked to be around us. We were no longer Nick and Kelley, crazy, passionate lovers, we were Mommy and Daddy, tired, boring lovers. We became every smug, self-righteous, "my baby is better than yours" parent I'd always hated.

We were, in a word, obsessed.

Kat's first birthday rolled around and of course a small, simple affair would never do. There were more people at her party than there were at our wedding. Nick followed Kat around with the video camera and I took roll after roll of film. There were no pictures of anyone else, just our little Kat. Weeks after the party, we were still showing the pictures to everyone who stopped by, completely oblivious to everyone's disinterest.

Nick and I were smacked back into reality a few weeks later. The three of us innocently drove over to Kevin's to drop something off and noticed lots of cars in the driveway. Lots of familiar cars. "I wonder what's going on Nick?" I asked as we walked to the door. He shrugged his shoulders and rang the bell. Kevin opened the door and couldn't hide the look of shock on his face. "N-N-Nick, Kelley, uhhh, hi. What are you doing here?" He tried to close the door quickly but Nick and I could see AJ, Howie, Brian and many others talking and laughing inside.

"We just came to drop this off. We'll talk to you later." Nick grabbed my arm and we headed back to the car.

"They didn't invite us, did they Nick?"

"Nope" We drove home in silence. I kept my face towards the window, not wanting Nick to see me cry. What in the world had we done to make our friends hate us so much? Not long after we arrived at home our doorbell rang.

"What do you want Kev?" I asked suspiciously, not opening the door all the way.

"Can I talk to you Kelley, alone."

"Fine" I sighed. I stepped outside. "Would you like to tell me why it is that you have a party and invite everyone, but don't bother to invite us?" My lip was quivering and I was holding back tears.

"Kel don't cry," he said as he hugged me. "I will tell you, but you have to promise not to hate me forever." I nodded. "I'm going to be completely honest and you're not going to like what I have to say."

"Go ahead."

"Here goes. Ever since Kat was born you and Nick, well the real Kelley and Nick have disappeared. The new Nick and Kelley are, to put it bluntly, really annoying." My jaw dropped in shock. Kevin just kept going. "The only thing you two talk about is Kat. Now I realize that you're excited about her, but you guys are over the top. Did you even know that I've seen the birthday pictures five times? Have you ever noticed that when you talk to us about her our eyes glaze over and we completely tune you out? When was the last time you made a joke or exchanged some smart ass remark with me?" I tried to think back, but I couldn't come up with a thing.

"Oh man Kevin, have we really been that bad?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Why do you think I didn't invite you tonight? I miss you two. I miss the old Nick and Kelley. I miss that smart mouth of yours." I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you Kev. You'd better get back to your guests." It was his turn to look shocked.

"You're not mad?"

"Nope. I'm just glad someone finally had the balls to tell us." I kissed his cheek and sent him on his way. "Kev..." I called after him. "If you ever do not invite me over again I will make you sorry!" He laughed as he got into his car.

"Who was that?"

"Kevin. I know why we weren't invited." Nick looked at me warily. "They think we're annoying and I think they're right." He looked at me like I was crazy.

"Annoying? Why?"

"Because all we ever talk about is Kat. Screw our friends Nick, what about us? What has happened to our marriage? When was the last time we had a conversation that wasn't about Kat? Or the last time we went out to dinner, just the two of us? Or the last time we made love that lasted for more that five minutes?" I could practically hear the wheels in his head start to spin. He didn't have an answer for any of my questions. "I couldn't answer them either."

"Do you still love me?" he asked, fear in his eyes.

"Oh Nick!" I moved over and sat on his lap, taking his face in my hands. "I love you more than anything. I just miss you." I kissed his forehead. "I miss your hands on me." I kissed his eyelids. "I miss your tongue on me." I kissed his nose and murmured against his lips, "I miss your lips, god I love your lips Nicky." The long dead flame of lust and desire suddenly burned bright again as I kissed him. Ohhhhh those lips! My Nicky could turn a kiss into a mind-numbing, toe curling event. Nick laid me on the couch, pulling my legs around his waist. I pulled his shirt off, thanking god he was only wearing one today. I was desperate to feel his skin, and ran my hands down his chest, skimming his hardening nipples with my fingernails. He had my shirt off, my bra unhooked and was kissing my breasts, taking care to avoid my aching nipples. "Oh Nick, please" I moaned. "What do you want Kel? Tell me or you won't get it" he chuckled, continuing to tease me. I could feel his hot breath over my nipple and I swear they were doing their own begging. "Use your mouth, use your tongue, use you hands, ohhhhhhh I don't care, just touch me" I panted. "Here?" he asked as he lightly flicked his tongue over it. "Niiick" I arched my back, desperate for more. "Maybe here?" That tongue flicked over my other nipple. "You weren't very specific you know. Ow!" I had laced my fingers through his hair and pulled roughly, forcing his head back and forcing him to look me in the eye. I said through gritted teeth "I want you take my nipple in your mouth and I want you to suck it and lick it..." "And call it George" he finished for me. I smiled at him. "I've missed you Nick." "I've missed you too baby. Now lets see if I can meet those demands." He was just getting ready to follow my orders when Kat started crying. We looked at each other, defeated. "I'll go Nick." I grabbed my shirt and headed up the stairs.

"Oh KittyKat what's wrong? It better be good, Mommy was on the verge of getting some." I picked her up and rocked her back and forth, willing her silently to go back to sleep. I heard Nick running up the stairs. He came into Kat's room breathless.
"Pack her a bag. Mom will be here in fifteen minutes."

"What?"

"I called Mom, she's going to take Kat for the next week." My eyes got big as I looked at Nick. "Here take her and change her." I handed him Kat and began to fly around the room, gathering the toys and clothes she would need for the next week. "KittyKat, just because we're getting rid of you for a while doesn't mean that Mommy and Daddy don't love you."

We were ready in ten minutes and were standing in the driveway waiting for Jane. "Here Mom, she's changed, fed, napped, ready to roll. We owe you big time." "Yes son, I think you do" she smirked. We kissed Kat goodbye and waved as they drove away. Nick picked me up and flung me over his shoulder. "Woohoo!" I squealed as we ran back into the house. He set me down and locked the door. "What do you want to do first baby?"

"Only you Nicky. I'll race you." We looked at each other and sprinted for the bedroom.

I thought we were well on our way to happily ever after again.

I was wrong...

The End...for now

For the final part of this trilogy read "The End". Or just go here!