Chapter 72
Before Kevin and Tyler could get out of the house, they bumped into Brian who was dressed in the white suit he wore on stage. "Hey, cuz! Whaz up?"
"I wanted to surprise Sonja with a romantic dinner but I think I’m the one who’s getting the surprise."
"We got the message with the candles and soft music but why do you say you’re the one getting the surprise?"
"I don’ know where she is. She left over an hour ago and didn’t say where she was going or when she would be back."
"Don’t worry," said Tyler. "She’ll be back. We’re going to see AJ."
"Cool. He’s REALLY down in the dumps and Lex said this morning that he was drinking heavily again."
"We’ll talk to him. Want us to stay clear all night?" asked Kevin.
"Naw...not necessary. Just call before you come home."
Tyler and Brian had never really been close despite the fact that he was Kevin’s cousin but at the moment, Tyler felt really bad for him not knowing where Sonja was. She gave him a hug and said softly, "Don’t worry. She hasn’t gone far."
"I know. Thanks, Ty," answered Brian as the sound of the back door slamming echoed through the house.
"Damn, Kristen!" they all heard Sonja rant. "Can’t get in my own damn house with all the reporters."
Sonja stopped short at the dining room door when she saw the candles and Brian dressed in his suit.
Kevin grinned, "Whaz up?"
"Ahhhhhhhhh...nothing. You getting ready to leave?" asked Sonja distracted.
"We were," said Tyler. "I take it there are reporters out
front."
"Out front, out back! They have the house surrounded and they’re shouting
questions about Kristen. Damn, can’t they see it’s fake? One month, she’s
as thin as a rail. and *poof*, she’s a ball park frank! Get real! Tyler, you
ought to kick her butt once and for all."
They all laughed because Sonja was usually fairly quiet. Tyler said, "I wish I could but I’m afraid it would cause MORE trouble."
Kevin said, "I’m going to make a statement. Maybe that will make them back off."
Brian said, "Maybe you should wait and talk to management, see what they say."
"I don’t need them to tell me how to deal with Kristen. I’m tired of all this."
All three saw the frustration in Kevin’s eyes and heard it in his voice. Tyler stood in front of him putting her hands on his sides as he looked down at her. She said softly, "Brian’s right, ‘Boo’. You should at least call management and tell them."
Kevin put his hand on the side of her face. "Baby, I’m tired of what Kristen, Joey, Pearlman, and the damn reporters are doing to you...to us. There are going to be people out there who bash you just because you’re married to me but I don’t have to let my ex-girlfriend or your ex-boyfriend or Pearlman do it. This has NOTHING to do with the group and EVERYTHING to do with you and me."
Tyler stood on her toes, kissed him tenderly, and said, "You do what you think is best, ‘Boo’."
Kevin looked at his cousin and said, "We’ll see you two later."
Out on the front porch, Kevin held up his hands to get the reporters quiet. Then he put his arm around Tyler. "I want to put an end to all these rumors that I got my ex-girlfriend pregnant. SHE IS NOT PREGNANT BY ME and I doubt very seriously that she’s pregnant AT ALL. We saw her a month ago and she showed no signs of being pregnant."
A reporter asked, "Then why did you duck the questions at the airport? Were you and Tyler trying to get your stories straight or were you telling Tyler what happened?"
"Tyler and I were just getting into town after hearing about the death of our friend’s grandmother. We weren’t prepared to deal with this. We JUST found out ourselves at the airport about Kristen’s claims."
"Tyler, how do you feel about Kristen’s claims?"
"I feel sorry for her. She’s holding on to something that has been
over for a very long time."
"How secure are you in your relationship with Kevin?"
Tyler looked up at Kevin as she said, "VERY SECURE."
Kevin kissed Tyler and then said, "I want to ask you guys a favor. Can you please leave Tyler alone? You guys have gone after her pretty hard in the past and now that she’s pregnant, she REALLY doesn’t need the stress. You can go after me all you want and I’ll give you any story you want....just leave Tyler alone."
All the reporters agreed and said, "One last picture of you two and we’ll leave?"
Kevin took Tyler in his arms kissing her deep, running her hands along her back. As the reporters got their pictures, Tyler could feel Kevin pressing against her. She was extremely turned on by it too.
When they pulled apart, Kevin grinned at her and whispered, "I want you."
One of the female reporters said, "Tyler, you’re a very lucky lady. Kevin is obviously very devoted to you."
Tyler rested her head on Kevin’s shoulder as she said, "You’re right. I am extremely lucky."
Another reporter said, "Kevin, we’ll back off. Thanks for the statement."
Jokingly, Kevin said, "Make sure you print it right."
They all laughed as they made their way to their cars and vans.
Inside, Sonja looked at Brian, "What is this, Bri?"
"I wanted to surprise you, sweetie. Why don’t you go up and change?"
Tears began to roll down Sonja’s cheeks. "Brian, I have to tell you something and it’s going to change your mind."
"Sonja, what’s wrong?"
Not able to hold back any longer, she blurted out, "I’m pregnant, Brian. If you want to leave me, I’ll understand and I won’t cause any problems."
Brian took Sonja’s hands and pulled her to him. "Sonja, that is why I planned tonight. I already knew and I’m THRILLED that I’m going to be a daddy."
"How did you know?" asked Sonja surprised.
"The doctor’s office called this morning right after Lex got here. You forgot to make your next appointment. Then all your questions about my dad and Tyler made sense."
"You aren’t mad?"
"NOT AT ALL! Sure, I’d have liked to have waited but Sonja, I love you."
"What about your dad? Brian, I’m not as tough as Tyler and it upset her."
"Don’t worry about my father. As soon as he holds his first
grandchild, he’ll come around."
"What about the wedding?"
"Don’t worry about it right now. Go change and let’s celebrate."
Sonja looked at him questioningly, "Are you sure you’re okay with this?"
Brian kissed her tenderly, "I’m positive. Go! Get ready."
Sonja smiled happily, "I’ll be back. I’ve got to get a shower."
"Don’t take too long."
Sonja ran upstairs to get ready while Brian went to the kitchen to finish getting everything ready.
When Sonja returned, Brian had the music playing and the room was lit with candles. He met her in the middle of the room with a single red rose. He took her in his arms and they began to dance to the music. As they swayed slowly, Sonja ran her fingers through the curls at the back of his neck and Brian placed light kisses along her neck.
After several songs, Brian led Sonja to the table and held the chair for her. Then he went to the kitchen and brought back their dinner. He served her and they spent the next several hours eating, dancing, holding each other, and planning the wedding.
