***back at Kevin's house.***
Dee and Kevin woke up in each others arms. Things had gone well for them last night. Dee looked into Kevin's eyes, she knew right away that both of them were the happiest they had been in a very long time. Dee could feel her heart flutter as Kevin leaned in for a gentle kiss on her lips. A tingle ran through her body as he caressed her softly. She was indeed very happy, and she didn't want to let go of the moment.
The two were interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
"It is only 7:30 am, who the hell is knocking on my door?" Kevin asked, upset.
"Maybe it's important, you should go and answer it." Dee replied.
Kevin got up and wrapped his robe around him and walked to the front door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see AJ standing there.
"Hey man, I didn't mean to bother you, but I was…" he was interrupted as he saw Dee walk up next to Kevin.
"Hello AJ, nice to see you again. How have you been?" she asked politely.
"Umm, Dee, uh, hi. I am fine…and I might add that you are looking radiant this morning." AJ managed to say.
Kevin just looked at the two of them, confused. What was all this about? he asked himself.
"Well, what did ya need AJ, I was just about to take a shower and pack my bags for the trip." Kevin stated.
"Oh, I was um, just wanting to tell you that the guys wanted to meet for breakfast with everyone before we left. Meet us at Dulce Vita's in half an hour." he said. "Oh, and bye. Sorry for interrupting." he finished as he walked back down the driveway to his car.
"What was up with that?" Kevin asked curiously. He noticed Dee a little nervous, and wanted to know what was going on. "Dee, what was all that about?" he asked again, now very curious.
"Umm, nothing really. It's just that AJ and I, well, we had some good times together…but that was a long time ago. I think I was just nervous that he hated me." Dee managed to say.
"Dee, I am not going to be mad at you, you can tell me about it." Kevin said softly. "I promise, I won't get mad."
"Well, it's just that about a year ago, AJ and I became good friends. Well, he and I hit if off instantly, and things kinda happened. AJ was too much of a partier for me, and I wanted a more stable relationship," she said, nervous that she would upset Kevin with all that she was saying.
"Yes, please continue." Kevin said, even more intrigued.
"And, umm, well, AJ is AJ and he didn't want anything serious, he just wanted it for fun. Not that I didn't like that or anything, but I just wanted to know that I could come home to someone every night and then wake up next to them the next morning." she finished.
"You miss him, don't you?" Kevin questioned.
"No, not really, I mean, he is adventurous, but he isn't someone I would want to settle down with." she said simply. "Anyway, I have you and I am happy…so why in the world would I want AJ?" she said laughing at the thought.
"Well, you know, you can have him too if you want." Kevin said matter-of-factly, with a grin.
"Excuse me?" was all Dee could muster.
*****
**At Nick and Heather's house**
I could feel the tears streaming down my face as I stood staring at the ocean. The waves just rolled in, so beautiful, so calming. I had gotten up very early. Last night had been a lot of fun. By the time the night was over, ice cream and chocolate syrup covered Nick's room. I had been totally swept up in the adventure that I had forgotten about Nick leaving, until now.
I tried my best to keep my feelings hidden, as I sipped at my hot tea. I had no idea how I was going to handle having Nick away so much. I knew it was his job, but I couldn't bear to think about him traveling around the world, without me at his side. I knew that would change in a few months, but right now, I had a few things to take care of. AND, planning that wedding was part of it.
I quickly wiped away the tears as I heard Nick's footsteps draw near.
Suddenly I felt his soft hands on my shoulders. "Good morning sweetheart." he whispered in my ear.
I stayed silent. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth to say something, the tears would flood the room and I would worry Nick. However, that only backfired in my face. My silence made Nick worry more.
"Honey, are you okay?" he asked softly. "What is the matter baby, you can tell me. Honest." he said, now completely worried.
The floodgates had opened, and well, that was that.
"Nick, I don't want to lose you, I don't know if I can live without you, I don't know if I can stand to be apart from you, I don't know what I will do without your embrace…" I rambled.
"Heather, oh sweetie, it's okay. I will only be gone for a week, and then I will be back, and we will be together for a few days, and then I have to start rehearsals. That will be here, so you can come down and watch when you can. Then you can join me on the tour while we hit New England. I think you will love to see it this time of year. Now, don't worry, you have a great job to keep you busy, and well, we need to start planning this special day of ours. So, see, you will have sooo much to think about, that you will totally forget about me. And, don't forget. You can fly out every weekend to wherever we are to visit." Nick said, trying to cheer me up.
"I suppose you are right about that, except one thing Nick. I will NEVER forget about you…" I smiled.
Our conversation was interrupted by the telephone.
"Hello?" Nick greeted the caller.
Nick recognized the voice and said, "Hey B! Umm, yeah, we will be there. Dulce Vita's? Sounds great! See you then!" With that, Nick hung up the phone.
"Hey babe, that was Brian. He said that everyone wants to meet at Dulce Vita's for breakfast. Come on, it will be fun." he said as he leaned in for a soft and passionate kiss.
*****
At Dulce Vita's.
"Come on guys, we need a great concept for the new video." Kevin stated. "And Nick, NO MORE MONSTERS or SPACE ROBOTS or anything of that nature!" he finished.
"But, come on…that stuff was cool!" Nick protested, giving Kevin a nasty look.
"Well, I was thinking that since your next video was a ballad, maybe you could do a story based video…instead of just dancing and singing. You know what I mean?" I said.
They all just looked at me. I started to feel bad for ever bringing it up. "I am sorry guys, it's just that all my favorite country songs have a story behind them, and so do the videos. BUT, I am NOT suggesting you go country…NEVER!" I giggled.
"Heather, that is a great idea." Howie jumped in. "We can make a story outta the song, not that there isn't already a story behind it, but we can make the video like a mini movie. You know, the guys, the honeys, the love…" he finished with a grin.
"Yeah!" everyone yelled in unison. "Now we just have to see if the director likes the idea." Kevin finished.
We sat around for about another hour eating the delicious pastries that Dulce Vita's was famous for. After finishing, we all parted ways until it was time to meet at the airport.
*****
"Nick, will you promise to call me as soon as you get to the hotel room?" I asked worried, as I helped him fold shirts and put them into the suitcase.
"Of course I will Heather. I will tell you what, take my cell phone, and here is the number to Brian's and Howie's. Just call anytime, and I will call you as often as I can. I promise." he said softly.
I took his phone and set it in my bag. I would now carry it everywhere I went, so that Nick could reach me at anytime.
We finally finished packing his stuff and then made our way to the airport. I could feel the sadness coming on again as Nick drove us to catch his flight.
For fear that a mob would rush the guys, we were all escorted to a private entrance so that they could board the plane. The guys seemed anxious to get this part of the deal done and over with. Howie didn't like to do video shoots. He always complained that he had to get up earlier than the sun did, and he didn't like it. They all just wanted to get the video done, so they could start concentrating on the tour. The sooner they got on that plane, the sooner they got to LA and then back here.
The guys all exchanged goodbyes and hugs with Dee and I. I could feel my heart breaking…but I knew that this wouldn't last forever. I would see Nick in just a few days, and well, I could talk to him anytime I wanted.
I whispered something to him as he held me tight in his arms.
"Nick, just remember that you are my light and my life. Whenever you are lonely and blue, just look up to the stars, and I will be there. I will shine my light down upon you to guide you and be with you. Just remember that without you, I am not complete. I love you."
I could see tears form in his eyes as he kissed me and then let go of me. I couldn't hold in the tears as he walked away from me, to the plane.
"I love you Heather! I will talk to you tonight! Be good! And Dee, please take good care of her for me!" Nick yelled as he boarded the plane.
"I will!" Dee yelled back. Then she turned to me, and said, "Girl, you and I are gonna have to stick together. How about you and I head out to the mall, and go get pampered. Have you ever had a facial, manicure and pedicure done?" Dee asked with a smile.
"Well, not really, but I guess there is a first time for everything." I said, trying not to laugh.
"Then let's go…it is GIRL'S DAY OUT!" Dee said with excitement.
And with that, we went and spent the day pampering ourselves…and enjoying
every minute of it.