"Sab, I don't know what happened between us in the last months but I don't like the way our relationship is going. I was so afraid that Brian wouldn't recover that I forgot that she was not only his girlfriend but also your best friend. I should of been there for you too and I'm so ashame when I realize I wasn't. And I totally agree with you. Drinking and ignoring the kids won't get Brian back on tracks. It's been long enough and he needs to assume his responsabilities. But what I really wanted to say is that I'm sorry and that I love you more than ever."
Sabrina didn't knew what to say. Althought he seemed very sincere, she wasn't sure if she was ready to trust him again. But the thing she knew was that she wanted things to come back the way they were.
"I forgive you Nick. And I love you too."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Brian said, watching them. "Any more corny love bullshit to say before I come in the kitchen?" Sab and Nick looked at each other and chose not to respond to his aggressiveness.
"Brian, I can't take care of Delilah and Ryan today. I have some work to do. Could you please take them to day care?"
"I don't have any time for that!"
"Well, you're going to have to make some time. I'm sure the guys will wait for you for whatever you're doing today."
"Yeah B-Rok, we'll wait for you. No problem." Nick said.
After a short pause, Brian answered. "Fine, I'll go. But I might need soem help to get them ready. You know, to take their bath and with their clothes."
Sabrina smiled. I was easier than she had expected. "Sure, I'll help you."
Brian sat on a chair but immediately got up again. "Maybe I should check if they're awake. Do you mind if I go in your room?"
"Of course not."
Brian started to take Delilah and Ryan to day care each day in the morning. He would pick them up at the end of the day if it was possible, otherwise Sabrina took care of it. He also cooked them supper almost everyday and often took Ryan to the park.
"You know Frack, I feel so much better now. Being around them and taking care of them makes me feel useful and closer to Alishia."
"I'm glad for you. You seem so much happier than two weeks ago. But hurry up, we need to be at the meeting in half an hour!"
"You're right, I'll go get Ryan and Lilah." He ran upstairs and entered the toddler's room. "Ryan, are you ready? We need to go son."
"Park!"
"No, we can't go to the park now. You have to go play with your friends!"
"No! Ryan to park with daddy!"
"I'll take you tonight, promise." He took Ryan by the hand and they went to Delilah's room. Sabrina was finishing to put her little baby blue dress on her. "Oh, she looks so cute in that dress! Did you bought it?"
"Yes. I liked it too."
"Thanks Sab. For everything."
"You know I like taking care of them. There you go!" she said, putting the baby in Brian's arms. "Have a good day Ryan!" She kissed him on the cheek. He waved good bye and sent her a flying kiss.
"You guys are late again!", Kevin complained.
"Sorry! I had trouble with Ryan today. He didn't wanted me to leave."
Kevin smiled. Everyone in the group was happy that Brian was better. "It's OK. But we need to get this meeting started. It won't take long. I talked to our management yesterday and they want us to discuss our plans for the next months. You all know that it's been awhile since Millennium came out. Two years and a half now? Fans are getting impatient for a new album. Our first option is to record our fourth CD now. We have a lot material. But they told me that our fans in Asia are mad that we haven't been there to perform the Millennium songs. We're suppose to go in Europe in four months. We could go in Asia now for a month or two. They said it would be no problem to sell the tickets even if it were short notice. We'll have to do both sooner or later but they wanted to know our opinion before making any final decisions. What do you think?"
"I think it would make sense to go to Asia with the Millennium songs before starting the new album." Howie said.
"I agree. If we wait after the new CD is realeased, there'll be too many places to tour." A.J. said.
"I think it's the right thing to do. Nick? Brian?"
"It does make sense but I'd like to talk with Sab first."
"Can you call her? I was suppose to tell them our decision before noon."
"It's not the kind of thing I like to discuss on the phone. 'Hello Sab, It's me. I have to go away for two months but I wanted your permission first.' I'm not going to call but I can go see her after the meeting and I'll call you before noon. She's at the house reading scripts."
"That's fine. Thanks."
"No prob. What about you Brian?"
"I don't know. I can't leave Lilah and Ryan here and I can't take them with me."
The four others looked at each other. This was going to be a problem. "Can't you leave them with Sabrina?" Howie suggested.
"No. She has better things to do and they're my responsability."
"Why don't you hire a babysitter to come with us. She could take care of them while were busy but you would still see them in the morning and some afternoons."
Brian thought about it for a moment. "I guess that's the best thing to do. I'll find someone."
When Nick entered the living room, he found Sabrina crying. He sat beside her and lovingly put an arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong Sab?" he said softly.
"Oh, nothing…" She pointed to a pile of paper. "The story was so sad at the end… sob… it's a big project. They found the main actor and asked me to be the main actress. I'd really like to do it Nick… you should read it. It's a wonderful story!"
"Then you should do it! Honestly, I have to go on tour in Asia. It was kind of unexpected but it seems like we don't have a choice."
"When would you be leaving?"
"Probably in a week or so. I have no idea how they'll manage that but I have a feeling they had been planning it for awhile behind our backs."
"I have to be in Spain in 5 days. I'll go call them so say I accept." But before she could reach the phone, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." She opened the door and a beautiful young woman was standing on her porch. She had long light brown hair and big brown eyes. She was very thin and her skin had a marvelous tan. "Can I help you?"
Very politely, the woman said. "Yes. Can I see Brian Littrell please?"
"He's not here at this moment. Are you a fan? A reporter?"
"My name is …"
"Samantha!" Nick interrupted. "What the hell are you doing here? Brian isn't home and he doesn't want to see you!"
"Nick, you know her?" Sabrina asked him.
"Unfortunately yes. She's Brian's ex girlfriend." He turned to Sab. "Could you please leave us alone for just two minutes? It won't take more than that.
"Sure." Althought she was intrigued, Sabrina went inside the house and closed the door behind her.
"What do you want Samantha? You're not welcome here."
"I want to see my son."
"Your son? You abandonned him! You left him for adoption! And now you want to see him? I don't think so!"
"You can't stop me from seeing him!"
"Oh yes I can! Brian won't agree to let you see Ryan either. You're going to traumatize the poor child!"
"He's my son!"
"No he's not! Not anymore!"
"I made a mistake. Isn't it Brian's girlfriend who died not so long ago? I'm sure the judge will agree with me that Ryan needs a mother."
"You fuckin' bitch! Ryan has everything he needs! Brian is always there for him, as well as Sabrian, myself, the boys and many other people. Ryan doesn't need you. Now get out of here and don't come back!" Nick called the security guard and ordered him to escort her out of the property and to not let her come near the house again.
Sabrina was patiently waiting to know what was happening. "Nick, who is this girl?"
"She's Ryan biological mother. Because we all know that Alishia was his only real mother. But now she wants to see him."
"Oh no! Is she going to take him away from us?" Sabrina was starting to panick and tears appeared in her eyes. "I don't want to lose him."
"We won't. She was always so selfish and superficiel. She doesn't care about the baby. It's just the power she's after. Being Brian's child mother, it could make her look important in front of her friends. She doesn't love Ryan nor does she want to take care of him. Maybe it's also a sort of revenge because Brian dumped her. I don't know just how serious she was."
"What are we going to say to Brian?"
"We can't tell him. Not now. He's too fragile. Losing Ryan would probably kill him. Maybe she'll just forget about it.. If she comes back, we'll talk to him. But for now, promise me you'll keep this a secret."
"I promise." She closed her eyes and wished for the best.