Chapter 82
I awoke to hear Katie crying. “Katie Lynne, mommy’s here. Everything is fine.” I said as I picked my tiny child up.
“Heather, hon, is Katie okay?” Nick asked as he rolled over.
“She’s just hungry. You go back to sleep babe. I’m just going to feed her.” I said as I turned the light back off and wandered down to the kitchen.
As I prepared the bottle for Katie Lynne, I knew that Nick wouldn’t stay in bed too long. He had this amazing ability to jump at the drop of a hat. He couldn’t stay away from daughter. If she cried, he was there. If she whimpered, he was there. And when she blinked her eyes at the sunlight, he was there.
Just as I expected, he walked in to help out. “Heather, I couldn’t sleep. Is there anything I can help with?” he offered.
“Would you mind holding her while I test the bottle?” I said with a smile.
Nick proudly took Katie Lynne in his arms and held her gently. There was always a sparkle in his eyes when he was around her. I knew that the two of them would be inseparable as she grew up. And in my heart, I knew that was a good thing, because she would always have him when she needed him.
After a few minutes, I handed the bottle to him, and he fed Katie.
“Nick, today, Dee and I are going to go looking at dresses for her wedding. She doesn’t want to design her own for the wedding, so she is going to look for one. She wants me to come along, so that I can pick the bridesmaid dresses at the same time. Did you have plans?” I asked.
“Just me and the guys were going to hang out for a while to look over some new material for the album. Are you taking Katie with you?” he asked in return.
“It’s up to you. If you want me to, I will take her with us. I am sure that Dee wouldn’t mind.” I replied.
“Well, I think it would be better is she goes with you this time. I don’t know how long we may be, and she may tire out to fast. Plus, management is getting a bit frustrated with me. I have given ever waking moment to you and Katie, and well, they say I need to take one day to work on the album.” Nick said nervously.
“Oh, I see. Don’t worry Nick, I will take her with us.” I said.
“Please don’t be mad Heather. It’s just that we are running out of time for the album. It’s almost June, and we still haven’t even picked one song for it yet. They producers need at least half of it cut by June 15. They want to start promotions on it in July, and they plan to release a single in August, so, we really have to work hard today.” he said.
“Honest hon, it’s your job. I would never be mad about that. You go and have good luck today. I think Katie and I will be just fine. Dee hasn’t had much time to visit with her, so it will be fun. Don’t worry about us at all.” I said cheerfully.
Nick smiled and then went to get ready to go to work. I showered, got dressed, and put Katie in a little flannel pj set and we were then off to go shopping with Dee.
*** *** ***
“Heather, it sure is nice to just get out like we used to. Katie is looking really good. She is so cute.” Dee said.
“Thanks, Dee. So, how are you and Kevin doing? I am sorry I haven’t been around much lately. Not feeling well from some of the treatments, and stuff, and with Katie, it’s hard to get out.” I said sadly.
“Don’t worry about it. Kevin and I are doing well. All the plans are made. September 9 is official now, unless there are problems. We wanted have the wedding sooner, but it seems like their album schedule, your surgery, and just life in general has gotten in the way a bit. But that is fine. It gives me plenty of time to finish all the details. Now, do you like lilac?” she asked with a laugh.
“Yeah, why?” I replied curiously.
“Well, I wanted the bridesmaid dresses to be a light shade of lilac. It is one of my favorite color and well, I think you all will look great in it. And, I was thinking shorter dresses…like knee length, with a silk scarf. What do you think?”
“That sounds great to me. What are you thinking for your dress? Full skirt? Short skirt? Tight fitting? What would you like?” I asked.
“Well, I would like to get a long sleek dress made of white silk. I want tiny crystal beads to be sewn down the entire bodice and scattered along the train. I want long thin sleeves and a low neckline. The veil will be full length with crystal beads also sewn all over. And I want a bouquet made of white lilies and purple orchids.” she said dreamily.
“Then, we must get to looking. I know of this great place that has a dress similar to what you are looking for.” I replied as I pushed Katie along in her carriage.
*** *** ***
“Well, Nick, have you come up with any ideas for the new album? We have a few song ideas, but we were wondering if you have had the time to come up with some?” Brian said.
“Umm, to be honest, if there is one spot on the album that I could put a song for Heather, it would be nice. Guys, she’s gonna die, you know that don’t you?” he said sadly.
“No, she’s not, Nick. Heather will get through that surgery on Friday and everything will be just fine. Don’t you worry, and don’t think about that stuff.” AJ demanded.
“Well, I am just trying to face reality here.” Nick said sharply.
“No, Nick, you’re not. You are writing her off already…she has a lot longer to go. Don’t give up. She hasn’t, so why should you?” Kevin stated.
Howie and Brian just sat there thinking. They knew what the inevitable was, but they were afraid to admit it. Howie wiped a tear from his eye as he turned away. Brian noticed, but made nothing of it.
“Well, then, it’s settled, there won’t be a song on there for her.” Nick said matter-of-factly.
The others just stared at him, then went back to the brainstorming.
*** *** ***
“Dee, would you mind watching Katie Lynne for a few hours tomorrow? I need to go and do something and I can’t let Nick know I am doing it. Would you help me out?” I asked her softly.
“Sure, but what is it that you want to do?” she asked curiously.
“Well, I am trying to get Jean Louis and Ivan to help me obtain permission to use the small recording studio over a Sound Machine Inc. to do a quick recording. It is for Nick. I am not a good singer, but it is for Nick and Katie Lynne, and something I have wanted to do for a long time.” I said proudly.
“Hey, that sounds neat. Will you let me here it too?” she asked.
“Oh yes, everyone will get a chance to hear it. I promise. But don’t tell Nick about it. Don’t even mention it to the other guys. You will all get to hear it soon.” I said as we continued to search the boutiques.
*** *** ***
After a long day at the stores and Nick’s long day at the studios, we found ourselves sitting on the couch, barely even able to think about dinner. Katie was fussy, and our stomachs were growling.
“Nick, why don’t we just order some pizza or something?” I said tiredly.
“Sounds like a plan.” he replied as he dialed the local Papa John’s.
We sat there waiting for the pizza to arrive, watching the Sixth Sense for the second time in under a week.
“You know, this is not a good movie to watch at night. You know I won’t sleep tonight.” I said shakily.
“What are you afraid of Heather? There are no dead people walking around in our house. Trust me.” he said as he go up to go to the kitchen.
He seemed to be gone for an eternity, so I got up and wandered in the same direction. When I got to the kitchen, the water was still running, and the fridge was wide open. I was soon frightened, but found my way walking towards the garage to try and find Nick.
“Nick, honey, are you in here?” I asked, scared.
There was no response. I looked around carefully throughout the house to try and find him. He was no where to be seen. My heart started to race and my mind was confused. “Nickolas, you better not be playing around. Where are you?” I asked again.
Just as the first time, there was no response. Suddenly, there was a loud bang from the garage. I stood still, frightened by what I had just heard. I, however, went in the direction of the sound, to investigate. As I rounded the corner to the garage yet again, I saw a figure standing in the shadows against the back wall.
When I turned on the light, I could see a very bloody and grey colored figure. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the light, I screamed.
“OH MY GOD!!! NICKOLAS!!!” I said as I fell to the floor.
Suddenly there was a burst of laughter and Nick came running to my side. I was shaking so hard that I couldn’t stand. Nick stood there laughing his butt off as I almost had a heart attack.
“Heather, baby. It’s okay, honey. It was me. Nothing was wrong. I was playing a prank.” he kept saying over and over, suddenly feeling guilty.
“Nickolas…” I sobbed. I was so scared that the tears were pouring from my eyes uncontrollably. “How could…could…could you do…this…to me.” I said in tears.
Nick’s expression changed to sadness. “Oh baby, I didn’t mean to scare you. It was just harmless joke that wasn’t meant as anything more. Please don’t be mad. I honestly didn’t mean to scare you that bad.” he said as he walked me back to the living room.
“I don’t want to watch this movie anymore. Can we please put something else on? Please?” I begged.
“Sure, what do you want to watch? Hell Raiser? Nightmare on Elm Street? Scream 1, 2 or 3??” he offered, trying to stiffle a giggle.
“Nickolas, I am going to slap the shit outta you the next time you do anything like that. You have no idea how bad that scared me.” I said as I plopped down on the couch.
Nick sat there trying not to laugh, but felt bad at the same time. At least we had a good laugh in the end, which lightened the mood of the evening for us. Once the pizza arrived, we relaxed again and ate every last slice. After that, we put Katie to bed and then sat on the couch watching television. Nick would lean over and kiss me passionately on the neck, and then would whisper in my ear. I was becoming increasingly aroused by this and found that it was long over due for an intimate night together.
At about 8:30 in the evening, the phone rang. Nick offered to answer it, but I jumped up to get it.
“Heather? It’s Jean Louis. I got the permission to take you over to the recording studio at Sound Machine Inc., tomorrow at 2 pm. They only have a one hour block open on the studio, so I hope you have everything in place. Did you call Tommy and Mindi and make sure they could be there?” he asked.
“I have to call them back and let them know, but I don’t see it as a problem. Thanks Jean Louis. I appreciate your help. See you there tomorrow. Good night.” I said as I hung up.
“Who was that hon?” Nick asked from the other room.
“Oh, that was a friend. She was giving me some details on some stuff. That’s all.” I lied.
I quickly dialed Tommy’s number and asked him if it would be okay to help me. Then I called Mindi and she graciously accepted. Both of them were helping me out with the music, and I would sing the few songs I had in mind. Nothing terribly detailed or fancy. It was just a few songs I really liked and wanted to put on tape for Nick and Katie. It was the one thing that I thought they would like.
I walked back into the room, and found Nick lying down on the couch watching television. “Nickolas hon, why don’t we head to the bedroom, and well, pick up where we left off yesterday.” I said slyly.
“That is the best idea I have heard in a long time.” he said with a grin. The next thing I knew, Nick was carrying me down the hallway to our bedroom and gently laying me down on the bed.
We spent the rest of the night making passionate love to each other.
It was something we had not done in such a long time, but both wanted so
very much. It felt wonderful to touch each other and to be with each
other after many months of not being able to. It was something that
definitely took our minds off the upcoming events. After that night,
our lives seemed at peace again. Things felt right for the first
time in what seemed an eternity.