~*Chapter 85*~

Kevin and Kelly were on their honeymoon in the Bahamas.They had arrived at the hotel about an hour ago,unpacked their things,and were now dancing in the moonlight shining through the window. Kelly let out a blissful sigh and once again glanced at the ring sparkling on her finger."Yesterday was the best day of my life," she told him. > He leaned down and kissed her."Me too.Now > we're together forever," he > said. > > She smiled."I like the sound of that," she > replied.She pulled his face > down to hers and they began kissing. > > They were still at it a few minutes later > when Kevin's cell phone > rang.They both groaned,and Kelly whispered," Don't > answer it." > > He pulled away from her and kissed the tip of > her nose,then reached > for his cell phone."It might be important," he said. She pretended to pout as she threw herself on the bed and said,"I'm important too.I'm your wife." He laughed,then answered the phone.A few minutes later he hung up and turned to her with a smile on his face."That was Howie.Kari had the baby," he told her. Kelly's mouth fell open."She did?That's great," she exclaimed. Kevin nodded."A boy weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz.They named him Connor Anthony Dorough," he replied.He smiled."I can't believe D's a father." Kelly sat in front of him on her knees and ran her fingers through his hair."You'll be a father someday too," she reminded him. He nodded."I know.And I can't wait until that day," he murmered,as her mouth closed over his. "Why,Mrs. Richardson,you taste VERY good," he whispered. She giggled."So do you," she tossed at him. He leaned closer and teased her lips with the tip of his tongue.Deepening the kiss,he slid his left hand into her hair and with his right hand pulled her satin nightie over her head.Then he brought his lips to the tops of her breasts and ran his tongue over the tops of each one,causing her to moan with pleasure. She reached for him and her fingers began to unbutton his shirt.Then she reached for the buckle on his pants and gazed up at him. "I want you naked," she murmered and managed to remove the belt.But he stopped her when she reached for the button on his pants. "Oh no,Mrs. Richardson.If I let you do that,it will be over faster than we want it to be.And I'm nowhere near being done with you yet," he told her. She gazed up at him."Then show me exactly what you have in mind," she purred. Without hesitating,he lifted her hand to his mouth and began to nibble on her fingertips,bathing them with his tongue,sucking on them until her eyes fluttered shut.Then he took her breasts in his hands and kissed them once again.Shifting his weight,he slowly moved down her body,lightly kissing and nipping,rubbing his hand up and down her leg. He brought his hand down and teased the patch of curls between her thighs."I'm going to make this a honeymoon you'll always remember," he whispered. She laid back and moaned when he inserted one of his fingers up inside her.A moment later,he stood up and removed the rest of his clothes.Then he laid down on top of her and thrusted his tongue into her mouth.She kissed him with passion,as she ran her hand down over his chest and stomach until her fingers found his throbbing manhood,and he let out a loud moan of pleasure. Unable to control himself any longer,he raised up so he was over her,and lifted her leg and draped it around his hip.Then he entered her,making her cry out his name. She moved her hips against his,pushing him deeper inside her.He thrusted,causing her to moan and groan with every push. When it was over,he gathered her in his arms. "You are so beautiful Kelly," he murmered,trailing kisses up and down her arm. She tunred onto her back and gazed up at him.He lowered his face to hers and they began to kiss once again.
*~Chapter 86~*
ONE MONTH LATER...Howie and Kari mingled with the guests at their wedding reception.The big day had come,and the wedding had been beautiful. Karen cried through the whole ceremony,and got teary~eyed wheneever she saw Kari at the reception. Brian squeezed her hand."That'll be you soon enough," he told her,as they stood at the refreshment table getting something to drink. Karen nodded."I know.I don't know why I'm so emotional all of a sudden," she said.She picked up a glass of punch and took a long drink. Brian gazed at her.She seemed nervous,almost distant.She hadn't been herself the past few days.He placed a hand on her arm. "Karen,is everything OK?," he asked. She nodded and set the cup down."Yeah," she said,and started to walk away. He went after her and grabbed her by the arm."You're lying,Karen.Something's bothering you.I can tell," he replied. She took a deep breath and turned to him."Brian,I've been doing alot of thinking lately,and I came to realize that I can't marry you," she blurted out. He was stunned for a moment,then squeezed her hand."Why?I thought we were right for each other," he remarked. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed."I love you Brian.You're a great guy.The thing is,I'm just not IN love with you anymore." He was confused by her sudden need to tell him how she felt."KAren,what are you talking about?When did your feelings change?," he pressed her. She looked him straight in the face."To be totally honest with you Brian,I don't think I ever really WAS in love with you.I liked you for the sweet,caring guy you are," she explained. He couldn't believe what he was hearing."Are you telling me that the past nine months that we've been together have meant nothing to you?All the times we made love,it meant nothing too?," he tossed at her. She sighed."Brian,people change.It's a part of life," she replied."And my feelings for you have changed." He held up a hand."Wait a second.Does this have anything to do with David?" When she didn't answer,he threw his hands up in frustration."I don't believe this.How could you go back to him after the way he treated you?," he exlaimed. Karen began to cry then."It's too hard to explain,Brian.I'm sorry," she said,and walked away. He went after her."So this is it?," he asked. She didn't answer him;instead she turned and ran,leaving Brian standing there totally speechless.
*~Chapter 87~*
A month passed,and Brian didn't hear a word from Karen.He thought she'd at least call to explain why she had gone back to David. One night,after returning from a get-together at Howie and Kari's place,there was a knock on his door.When he answered it,he was surprised to see Karen. She didn't wait for him to say anything,she just stepped forward and threw herself into his arms. He waited a moment to put his arms around her,and when he did he realized she was crying. When they pulled apart,he held her at arm's length."Karen,what's wrong?," he asked. She wiped away her tears."Oh Brian.David didn't change at all.He's the same way he always was," she told him. Brian led her over to the couch and they sat down.He turned to her."What happened?," he asked. She took a deep breath."Right before Howie and Kari's wedding,he called while you were out.I went and saw him,and he told me how much he missed me and how sorry he was for the way he had treated me.One thing led to another,and we wound up in bed.After that,it's like he had this hold on me,and I couldn't break away.I was so torn,Brian,because I had done that and I was still with you." Brian squeezed her hand."Did he try to hurt you again?" Karen nodded."I really,honestly thought he had changed Brian.But I came home this afternoon and found him with some blonde bimbo.He was just using me,like he always did.When he's done with me,he just tosses me aside." She took a deep breath."I'm so sorry for hurting you like I did,Brian.I've come to realize that you're the only guy I've ever cared about." She looked him straight in the face."Or loved." Brian traced his finger across her cheek."But you said..," he began. "I didn't mean it when I said I had never been in love with you.I've loved you since the moment we met," she blurted out. He folded her into his arms."You can't even begin to imagine how much I've missed you,Karen." He pulled away and gazed into her eyes."Wanna hear something crazy?I always knew you'd come back." She laughed."Oh yeah?Why is that?," she asked. He kissed the tip of her nose."Just this feeling I had,that's all," he replied.He grinned at her. She reached over and ran her fingers through his hair."Does your marriage proposal still stand?Because there's nothing I'd like better than to spend the rest of my life with you." He didn't answer her;instead he leaned over and kissed her.She wrapped her arms around him,and moaned as their kisses deepened. "Got anywhere you need to be?," he asked between kisses. She shook her head."No.Why?," she answered,a twinkle in her eyes. He moved his lips over to her neck."Can you stay tonight?," he murmered,his hands already touching her. She smiled."I thought you'd never ask," she replied.She squealed a moment later when he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Chapter 88 Amy and Nick lay exhausted in each other's arms after several hours of love-making.She leaend on her elbow and ran her hand up and down his bare chest. "Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?," she whispered,and leaned over and brushed her lips against his. He pushed her hair off her face and smiled."Yeah,but you can say it again," he replied. She placed herself on top of him and began to nibble on his neck."You're amazing," she murmered. He moaned,and flipped her over and began to travel kisses up and down her naked flesh.She moaned and held on to him. Finally he stopped and leaned on his elbow and stared down at her.He traced his finger up and down her arm."I have a question I want to ask you," he remarked. She wrapped the sheet tighter around her and urged him to continue. After a moments hesitation,he said," I was wondering how you'd feel if we became engaged?" She sat up and faced him."You want us to get married?," she breathed. He kissed her shoulder."Eventually,yes.But right now I just thought I'd find out how you feel about the idea." She returned his kiss."I love it.There's nothing I want more than to be with you forever,Nick." She paused."Are you sure you're ready to get married again?I mean,Blane's only been gone for less than a year,and I know how much you loved her." He nodded."I've given it alot of thought,Amy.And I realized how much I love you and want to be with you." He brushed his lips gently against hers."You make me so incredibly happy." They kissed for a moment,then she threw him a teasing grin."So do you have a ring to seal the deal or what?," she asked,and giggled. He laughed,then reached over and pulled a small box from the nightstand drawer.He removed the ring and took her hand in his."Amy,will you marry me?," he asked,sliding the ring onto her finger. She nodded as she leaned over and kissed him."I'd be honored,Nick," she answered. He pushed her back on the bed then,and they began their lovemaking once again.
*~Chapter 90~*
A few days later,Erica woke up feeling nauteous.She knew right away what it could be.She just didn't want to say anything to AJ until she knew for sure. She was able to get a doctor's appointment for the next afternoon,and the doctor confirmed her suspicions:she was pregnant.A little over a month.Erica found herself grinning from ear to ear.She couldn't wait to tell AJ. And when she did,he couldn't be happier.He threw his arms around her and planted kisses all over her face. "Oh Erica.I love you," he said. She gazed up at him."I had a suspicion but I wanted to wait to tell you until I was absolutely sure," she said. He went and picked up Taylor,and Erica walked over to him and wrapped her arms around them.She gazed up at Taylor. "You're gonna be a big sister," she said,tickling Taylor's stomach,and Taylor let out a giggle. AJ leaned down and they kissed."I love you," he murmered. "I love you too," she answered,and she and AJ took Taylor into the living room and played with her.
*~Chapter 91~*
The tour started up again a month later,and the guys were kept busy for the next seven months,touring all over the world and entertaining their fans. Amy and Nick had decided to wait until the touring was over to get married.When they were back in Orlando a month before touring was scheduled to end,he and Amy were finishing up dinner one night when Nick turned to her. "There's someplace I want to take you," he said,and took her hand and they hopped in his Durango. A few minutes later,they pulled up to the entrance of the cemetary,and they climbed out. She took his hand,and he led her to Blane's grave.When they reached it,he let go of her hand and kneeled down. She placed her hands on his shoulders,as he sat in silence.She kneeled down next to him. "Nick,what was she really like?," Amy asked,reading the words imprinted on the headstone:Blane Alexander Carter,Loving Wife 1977-1999. Nick smiled."She was a great person.She was always there to listen to you." He paused as tears began to form in his eyes."She wasn't just my wife,she was my best friend,Amy.When I lost her,I lost a part of myself." Amy squeezed his hand."I wish I had gotten to know her better.The one time I did meet her I had to be a bitch," she recalled. Nick recalled that too."Yeah," he said,and looked over at her. She stood up."I'll go wait in the car.That'll give you some time alone," she told him. Once Amy was gone,Nick took a deep breath."I know I haven't been here for awhile,and I apologize.You remember how crazy it is being on the road." He paused."Not a day goes by that I don't think about you,Blane.Even though I'm with Amy now,you'll always be in my heart.I'll always love you." He wiped the tears from his cheeks,then stood up. As he left the cemetary,a sense of peace fell over him.He felt as if Blane was telling him to be as happy with Amy as he had been with her.
~*Chapter 92*~
Life continued on for everyone.Amy and Nick were married a month later,and soon after Brian and Karen got married. In the middle of September,Erica gave birth to a healthy 7 lb 5 oz. boy that she and AJ named Michael Alexander.Both were happy with the new addition to the family.He looked just like AJ. Kevin and Kelly found out soon afterward that they were expecting their first child.Both were extremely happy.They had talked about having a family someday,and their wish had come true. Howie and Kari were experiencing the joys of being parents.Connor brought such joy to their lives.They hoped to have more children someday,but for now they were happy with Connor. They were all thankful every day for having each other.They had been through good times and bad,but they had always been there for each other.They knew that no matter what the future held for them,their love for each other would always be strong.
~The End~