~*Chapter 70~*
Amy walked into her apartment and set the bags down on the counter.Then
she walked over to the answering machine and hit the button.She was surprised
to hear Nick's voice.She listened to his message,then slowly began to unpack
the groceries.
He had said they needed to talk;she had an idea about what it was
too.They hadn't spoken since their breakup two months before.She had to
admit,she really missed him.
He had left her the name and number of the hotel they were staying at.She
really wanted to talk to him,but a part of her was afraid to call.Maybe he
didn't want to get back together like she did.Maybe he was calling to say he
wanted nothing to do with her.
She don't know what possessed her to do what she did next,but she picked
up the phone and called the airport to make plane reservations for the next
day to Los Angeles.
She was going to go out to California and tell Nick how she felt about
him once and for all.She didn't care how he'd react;what she had to say
couldn't be said over the phone.
~*Chapter 71*~
Erica crawled into bed beside AJ and sighed.He wrapped his arms around
her and kissed her forehead."How you feeling?," he asked.
Erica sighed."Not too good.I don't ever remember feeling ths way when i
was pregnant with Taylor," she told him,a note of concern in her voice.
AJ kissed the top of her head."You'll be OK," he reassured her.He got out
of bed and pulled on his clothes."I need to get to the stadium.The show
starts in an hour.I'll meet you there."
After he left a few minutes later,Erica dragged herself out of bed and
got dressed.She and AJ had stayed in bed all day,talking.She loved him so
much.They were both excited about the new baby.
She hadn't been feeling well the past couple days.It was most probably
from being pregnant.But like she'd told AJ,she hadn't felt like this with
Taylor.
She was just about to head to the bathroom to take a shower when an
excruciating pain ripped through her stomach.She doubled over in pain and
gasped.She took a small step and then collapsed onto the floor.
"Help," she called out,but there was no one around to help her.
She began to cry then,and looked down and saw a puddle of blood on the
floor.Her stomach was cramping so bad that she curled into a ball.
She finally found the strength to stand up,and limped toward Howie and
Kari's room.When Kari opened the door,Erica fainted at her feet...
~*Chapter 72*~
Amy knocked on Nick's dressing room door.When he answered,a surprised
look came to his face,and he held the door open for her.
"Amy?," he asked."What are you doing here?"
She pretended to be offended."Well,hello to you too," she threw at him
and laughed.
He stepped toward her and wrapped her in his arms."I'm just surprised to
see you,that's all," he told her.He pulled away and looked down at her."How
did you know I was here?"
She smiled at him."You gave me a list of where your shows would be at
before you left,remember?"
He nodded.Suddenly a look of concern crossed his face."Is everything
OK?," he asked.
She nodded."Yeah.I just thought I'd surprise you that's all," she said.
He smiled."I'm surprised,that's for sure," he replied."Did you get my
phone message?"
She nodded."Yeah,I did.That's another reason why I'm here," she remarked.
He was about to say something when there was a knock on the dressing room
door.Howie stuck his head in the door."You ready?," he asked,then noticed
Amy."Hey!," he threw at her,and she smiled at him.
"Yeah D.I'll be there in a second," he told him.When Howie was gone,he
turned to Amy."When the show's over,we'll go back to the hotel and talk."
Amy nodded,then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek."Sounds good,"
she said,and a moment later Nick was gone.
She threw herself down in an armchair and smiled.It was a good sign he
wanted her back because he had been happy to see her.
She heard the screams as the concert began,and she closed her eyes and
relaxed for a few moments before she went to join Karen and Kelly in the
backstage area.
~*Chapter 73*~
Everyone was hanging out backstage after the show.Brian and Karen,Nick
and Amy,Kevin and Kelly,and Howie and AJ.The guys were still pumped up from
the show.
AJ threw himself into a nearby chair."I better call and check on
Erica.She hasn't been feeling too good the past couple days," he said.
Nick was just about to say something when the door flew open and Kari
rushed in.Howie saw the look on her face and ran over to her.
"Kari?What's wrong?," he asked.
She took a deep breath,and with Howie holding her hand,she turned to
AJ."It's Erica.Right after you left,she came to my room and fainted.I called
911,and she's at the hospital right now," she told him.
AJ jumped up."Is she OK?Why didn't you let me know sooner?," he
asked,panic creeping into his voice.
Kari squeezed his arm."I tried,but I couldn't reach you." She was quiet a
moment before continuing."AJ,she lost the baby."
He struggled to stay calm.Finally he said,"Let's get to the hospital.I
want to see my wife."
They gathered up all their stuff,and a few minutes later were on their
way.
~*Chapter 74*~
After talking to the doctor,AJ went in to see Erica.She was sitting up in
bed,and when she saw him,she began to cry.AJ went to her and folded her into
his arms.
"I'm sorry,AJ," she choked out.
He gazed at her and wiped her tears away with his fingers."Erica,baby,you
didn't do anything wrong.Why are you apologizing?," he asked.
She sniffed."I lost our baby.I had a feeling that something was wrong but
I didn't do anything," she told him.
"Erica,this wasn't your fault.The doctor said that your body just wasn't
ready to handle another pregnancy," he explained to her."It was too soon
after your operation."
Erica shook her head."But AJ...," she began,but he cut her off.
"But nothing.The doctor said you'll be OK,and to just give your body more
healing time,and there shouldn't be any problems next time."
She wrapped her arms around him."I was so scared AJ," she whispered.
He ran his hand up and down her back."I know you were.And I'm sorry I
wasn't there baby," he said.
He stayed with her awhile longer before going out to tell the others how
she was doing.Then he went back to her and stayed for the rest of the
night,holding her in his arms.
~*Chapter 75*~
Kari and Howie went back to their hotel,and when the door was closed,Kari
layed down on the bed and began to rub her stomach.
Howie laid down next to her and leaned over and kissed her."You OK?," he
asked.
She nodded,then sighed."I'm just tired," she told him.She continued to
rub her stomach;she was now 6 months pregnant.Suddenly she began to cry,and
Howie folded her into his arms.
"What's wrong?," he asked.
She shook her head."I just feel so bad for Erica.She was so upset when
the doctor told her she had lost the baby," she replied."She just cried and
cried.I feel bad for still having my baby and she doesn't."
Howie kissed her."Baby,I know you're upset.And it's OK to be.But Erica
will be OK," he reassured her.
Kari gave him a small smile."I know.Just ignore me.My hormones are going
crazy," she told him.Just then the baby kicked,and she let out a squeal."The
baby is kicking again."
Howie placed his hand on her stomach,and upon feeling the baby kick,he
leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.
"Only a few more months," he said.
She smiled."Thank God.No more bloated feet,mood swings,or aching back,"
she told him.
He gently began to rub her back."Does that feel good?," he asked.
She nodded."Oh yeah," she murmered.
He kissed her then."I love you," he whispered.
She returned his kiss."I love you too," she answered.
Chapters 76-79
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