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Chapter 61
“Bob why is the boat pulling up anchor and where's Nick,” asked Jane Carter.
“Don’t worry about it Jane. Everything's fine.”
“Where's Kassidy?”
“Jane,” cautioned Bob. “Relax.”
Jane looked at her ex-husband for a minute before realizing she would not get any answers. She decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. She looked around the boat. The four other BSB were in attendance with their wives. As were a couple of band members and LA Reid, the head of the Boys new label. Some of Nick’s closest non-Backstreet related friends were there. Also attending were Kassidy’s friends from Nashville and Lexington, including her boss and his wife. Angel had pointed out the husbands of Kassi’s two best friends. Jane had not expected to see James Hetfield and his wife or for that matter, Edwin McCain and his wife. Angel explained James and Nick had become good friends over the years. James help Nick pick out Kassi’s ring. Also Edwin helped Nick the night he proposed. Jane was saddened she had missed all of this. The absolute last people she expected to see were Kassidy’s former in-laws, but the whole immediate family was sitting across from her.
After a few minutes the boat dropped anchor. It was actually a yacht owned by LA Reid. He kept it down in the Keys to get away from the hustle and pressure of New York. He was more than happy to let them use it.
Everyone mingled on the lower deck for a few minutes. All anyone knew was Nick and Kassidy were getting married. They had each received the coin they used to get on the boat. They had expected it to sail them to the location of the wedding, but now they weren't so sure. The guest watched as Nick arrived in a speedboat with Aaron and his best friend Brent. They pulled along side and Bob helped them secure the smaller boat to the side of the yacht.
Andre Csillag had been the official Backstreet Boys photographer for years. While he didn’t go on the road with them much anymore, he was always there for special occasions. He had photographed all the Backstreet weddings. It was hard for him to believe this was Little Nicky getting married. He had literally watched him grow up. As Andre snapped shots of them arriving in the speedboat, his mind wandered back to when he had first photographed Nick in a tuxedo. Nick had been 15 and was all arms, legs and feet. Now he was a man, tall, strong, and confident.
“How’s it going,” greeted Nick and received replies.
“Nick were is the wedding taking place,” asked one of his friends.
“Here.”
“On the boat,” asked Lawrence Cruz, Kassidy’s boss.
“On the boat,” answered Nick with a smile. “So if you don’t mind going up to the top deck we'll get this started.”
People filed up the stairs. The BSB were last to go up. Each one hugged Nick. AJ and Grace were last.
“She’s here. Right,” asked Nick as he hugged Grace.
“I think so,” replied Grace.
AJ looked Nick up and down before speaking. “So you’re scared shitless.”
“No! I’m just afraid I’ll mess up.”
“You probably will, but Kassi won’t care.”
“Thanks Bone.”
“Don’t mention it. Now relax and remember the honeymoon is only hours away.”
The famous Carter grin appeared on Nick’s face. AJ hugged him and went up to join his wife. Aaron seated his mom and dad then came back down to wait with Nick.
Ian, Kassidy’s minister in Nashville, was performing the ceremony. He appeared from below deck and asked if Nick was ready. Nick could only nod. Ian led the way to the top deck. Once situated with his best men, Aaron and Brent, Grace took her place at the keyboard. As she began to play an original song, Kassidy and her two closest friends made their way to the main deck from below. They had been hiding below deck since the guest had started arriving. Michael and Lee helped Kassidy straighten her dress before heading up the steps ahead of her.
After they disappeared, Kassidy took a moment to look around. The captain had positioned the boat so the sun would not be in anyone’s eyes. It was not sunset, but late enough that the hottest part of the day was done. The water was calm. It was almost perfect, thought Kassidy as the bridal song began. She slowly climbed the stairs. Nick came into view and the day got perfect.
Nick’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, causing Kassidy to giggle to herself. They had both agreed to go barefoot. So he looked so cute in the black tux and bare feet. His hair had been cut the week before and was spiky. As far as Kassidy was concerned, he was the most beautiful man in the world.
Kassidy had surprised him when she wore leather the first time. At the time, he was convinced she would never look sexier or more beautiful. He was wrong. Her hair was down in soft, tousled curls. A wreath of Baby’s Breath surrounded her head. The same beaded material used as overlay on her dress was attached at the back of the wreath and stopped an inch below her hair which reached the middle of her back. The dress was a sleeveless empire style with the beaded chiffon covering the candle light white satin. Hand twisted beads were sown onto the bodice to accent it. The train was just long enough to help with the illusion she was floating rather than walking to him. She carried the rose he had given her at the rehearsal dinner. She had ordered a larger bouquet, but this single white rose symbolized their souls joining.
Nick extended his hand to her and she took it as she joined him in front of Ian. He smiled at them and motioned for the guests to sit.
“What a journey you two have had. I can say this without reservation that God truly has blessed this union. I am honored to be here and take part in your wedding,” shared Ian.
The ceremony continued. And as with most weddings, the couple was lost in each other. They were happy to share this with their friends and family, but honestly could careless if anyone was there. They exchanged traditional vows. Aaron’s hand was shaking when he handed Nick Kassidy’s ring. Nick smiled and hugged him. A tear slide down Kassidy’s cheek as she watched Nick purposefully slide the ring on her finger. He wiped the tear away as she slid his ring on. Their gaze locked and he loved the way her unshed tears sparkled in her eyes, because he knew they were happy tears. The ceremony closed with the declaration of husband and wife and a gentle kiss.
Waiters had been quietly busy on the lower deck setting up for the reception. Nick and Kassidy headed down first and went toward the bow. Nick kissed her again once there. Ian with the help of the bridal party allowed them a few moments alone. They told everyone to stay on the upper deck and away from the front railing.
“God Kass, you're so beautiful!”
“You are the most gorgeous man to ever walk this earth and I get to take you home with me.”
“Just try to leave me behind.”
“Oh Nick looked at the sky.”
Nick turned. The sun had dropped low enough in the sky to turn it into a beautiful mixture of blues, yellows, and pinks. Long streaks of white clouds were pulled through the colors.
“It is beautiful, but nothing compares to you.”
“Carter you do say all the right things at the right times,” whispered Kassidy before pulling him into another kiss.
“Hey do we have to stay up here all night,” yelled Aaron from above.
“Yes,” answered Nick with a smile. “Everyone else can come down but you're in time out.”
“Bite me Nick.”
“Aaron!”
“Sorry Mom.”
At this point everyone was laughing, Kassidy said, “Come on down folks.”
The guests quickly surrounded them. Hugs were passed out, then the celebration began. Nick had hired a DJ for the evening. The soft mellow music started and everyone enjoyed the sunset. All the traditional reception things were dealt with early. The final thing being the first dance. Kassidy had insisted she be allowed to pick the song as a surprise for Nick. She mentioned to Edwin McCain, she had picked another one of his songs, when he called to RSVP. As she pulled Nick onto the makeshift dance floor, she got a surprise as well. Edwin appeared with a guitar.
“Edwin what are you doing?”
“Kassidy did you think I'd let you dance to a recording of my song when I’m here? I think not.”
“But I didn’t invite you so you would play.”
“I know that, but I figured I sang when you got engaged so I best sing at your wedding. Now I am NOT singing on your honeymoon. Some things are just meant to be private.”
“I agree with you there,” said Nick.
“So I’m going to sing and you’re going to dance. Got it?”
“Got it,” replied Nick, pulling Kassidy in close to his body and the music began.
These are the moments
These are the moments
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
Soon enough Nick and Kassidy said goodbye to all their guests and climbed into the speedboat. They sped away into the darkness. Leaving everyone smiling and waving.
Epilogue
"Lexie go back to sleep?"
"Yeah. I looked in on your two. They're still out."
"Good. They played hard today."
"Look the men are returning," noted Grace, sitting on her lounge chair next to Kassidy.
"Think they caught anything," asked Kassidy, watching the boat pull into the dock.
"Are you kidding? Besides they didn't go out there to fish."
"I know. What do you suppose they talked about?"
"No telling with those two."
"AJ's really taken to fatherhood. I knew he had it in him all along."
"I think everyone did, but him."
"It was the same with Nick," replied Kassidy. "So are grandparents still after you for more children?"
"Yes! I can't believe them. Have you and Nick thought about having anymore?"
"Nick says no," answered Kassi with a slight shake of her head and an amused look.
"Can't blame him."
"Grace I'm fine."
"Now you are, but Kassidy you weren't fine then. Nick…we almost lost you."
"I know. I figure having the twins was God way of giving us more than one kid with only one pregnancy."
"I guess I'll have to have two the old fashion way. One at a time."
"Looks like it. So are you ready to go back out on the road?"
"Yes, but Alex and I were talking about how strange it will be to do it alone."
"I can imagine."
"We've arranged the tour so we can be in New York for Nick's next showing."
"Really? Great! Kevin and the Dorough's are flying out from LA. Brian and Leighanne are coming up from Atlanta. It will be a BSB reunion."
"Do you think they miss it," asked Grace.
"I think they do, but it's not like they will never sing together again. Just no more big tours. Besides they're happy with what they are doing now."
"True."
"What's with the serious faces," called AJ from the end of the dock.
"Realizing we have to cook," called back Grace.
"Why," asked Nick as they came up onto the deck.
"Because our men don't seem to have any catch."
"I got your catch," joked AJ.
"Alex behave," scolded Grace as she husband laid down in front of her on the lounge and placed his head in her lap.
"Now what were you really talking about?"
"Your tour, Nick's gallery show and who'll be there," replied Kassidy.
"D called again this morning. He said for us to mark off the night before opening for he and Maddy to take us out," Nick said, as he moved behind Kassidy on the lounge.
"Done," stated Kassidy, allowing Nick to wrap her up in his arms.
The two couples watched the water as the sun lowered in the sky. The children would wake up soon and the activity of dinner would begin. For now they were content to share the moment.
"I'm glad Howie can get way from the set to be there. We're planning on getting together with them when the tour stops in LA."
Nick said, "Kevin is the one who surprised me. He's working with Krystal on her new album and I didn't think he would think about leaving the studio."
"He's become more work focused since the divorce," observed AJ.
"I hope he finds someone," Grace said softly. "He deserves to be happy."
"I think he will find someone," stated Kassidy.
"Even if you have to make it happen," teased Nick, kissing his wife's neck.
"Now would I do anything like that?"
The other three on the deck responded, "yes!"
Laughing, Kassidy said, "your point?"
"Baby we love you."
"Good point," replied Kassidy.
Again the couples lapsed into an easy silence.
So much had happened since Nick and Kassidy's wedding. Kassidy had been pregnant within a month of the wedding. They were delighted to find out she was carrying twins. Kassidy had never thought about how twins ran in her family too, but they did, so having twins seemed like a fated thing. There had been problems. Fancy medical terms were attached to her condition. The official medical mumbo jumbo only meant that Kassidy almost died. However, almost was the key word. As Kassidy told Nick right after the twins were born…almost doesn't count in their lives. She was there and so were the beautiful twin boys, Kevin Jared and Michael Aaron. The boys were almost three and Alexandria Grace had recently celebrated her second birthday.
Grace had found out she was pregnant right after the boys were born. AJ had been a wreck throughout the pregnancy, but when Grace needed him, he came through like they all knew he would. A month after Lexie came into the world she was on a tour bus. The Backstreet Boys were doing their final world tour. They hadn't broken up, but had decided it was time to pursue different things. They would come together as a group and sing from time to time, mainly for charity events. It was time for them to step back and enjoy all the things they had been blessed with. While each man went off to his own thing, they remained in contact. As with any family, you move on to your life but never cut the ties and so it was with this little created family. They would be joined for all their lives and so were the lives of their loved ones.
Kassidy looked over at Grace and shared a smile.
"Nick they're smiling at each other," warned AJ.
"I see it Bone."
"Should we be nervous?"
"I don't know."
"Not this time," answered Grace. "I was just thinking back to when we first met."
"Me too," replied Kassidy.
"Are we about to have a Hallmark moment Pooh?"
Grace light thumped the top of her husband's head, before replying, "no. I just wanted to thank Kassidy for starting this adventure."
"Well thanks for letting me come along on the adventure," answered Kassidy.
"Kass the adventure isn't over," stated Nick.
"Not by a long shot," replied AJ.
"You're right," replied Grace.
"It's just taking its next turn," agreed Kassidy.
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than the love you give me
'Coz it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more*
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