Nick stood in the Denver International Airport, watching the planes land threw the
window. He, Brian, Leighann and Seirra had flown in about an hour ago from Atlanta. Kevin, flew in from Kentucky about 20
minutes ago. Kristen couldn't make it because she was on location shooting a film. All they were doing was sitting in the upper
lounge area waiting for AJ and Howie, who were coming in from California.
"Leave it to AJ to take the longest even though he is the closest,"Brian joked,
trying to lighten the mood. He stood up and looked out the window with Nick. "What's going through your mind Nick? You haven't
said a word since we left Atlanta."
No answer, Nick just stood there staring off into the horizon. He barely even blinked as the
sun shone in his eyes. Kevin joined Bri, and Nick at the window, placing his hand on Nick's shoulder. "Bro, I am not even
going to try to imagine what you must be going through right now. But you have to snap out of it, for yourself, for Lari and
for the baby. I am not going to chew you a new one for this, because you are already going through your own personal hell.
I do wish that you had told all of us about you and Lari from the start. Why weren't you guys open to us all on the tour about
your relationship?"
"Because we didn't want the media sinking into our lives more so then they always
have done. Lari just wanted a low-key relationship, without having to worry about the tabloids and what not. I guess that
the reason we hide it from you guys is because... it was the thrill of it. Trying not to get caught, seeing how far we could
go without you guys knowing," Nick explained. He looked down at his watch, "It's 4:17 here, they are 2 hrs. behind us right?"
He asked Brian, who nodded. "Man, I am sick of waiting. It's killing me, wondering about Lari, the baby, US, I know she will
never forgive me. I don't blame her, but why did she not tell me about the baby?"
"She is probably scared out of her mind, she is only 22, pregnant, alone and not
to mention she is still new to her celebrity. I mean you saw her at the Grammy's earlier this year. She hide behind Trish
and Kara, and had them do all the talking. She's a preformer, yes, and a great one at that, but she is terribly shy when
it comes to media junk where she is put on the spot to talk."
Nick nodded in agreement, she was probably terrified of the media making her pregnancy
miserable, with speculations of the father, rumor that tabloids always managed to some how come up with. He felt his anger
toward her subside, she was doing what she thought was best for her and the baby. But his own pride still stung.
"The ffuunn has arriivveedd, "AJ sang as he and Howie made it up the escalator to
the upper lounge area. He saw everyone looking tired and uneasy. "Come on people, lets get going. There is a new backstreet
child joining the ranks! This is a happy occasion PEOPLE!"
Howie just rolled his eyes at AJ, "He had cappachino on the plane,"
AJ laughed, "Yep, now come on. I have to call Kara, let her know we are all on our
way." He said as he whiped out his cell and speed dialed her. "Hey we are all here. How long is the drive out there? Ok,
an hour isn't so bad. You did? That is great. Ok then, I love you.... buh-bye." He hung up. "Kara said that she called
ahead and reserved 2 vans to drive us to the compound." He said as he looked up at the 5 adults and one child staring
back at him with questionable looks.
"I love you?" Leighann asked as she crossed her arms across her chest.
AJ realized his slip and pointed at Nick, "Hey, he is worse, he hide HIS relationship
and now has a kid on the way. I WAS going to tell you.. plus I don't have a kid on the way."
"Wait, that was the reason you were locking yourself in your house every few weeks?
You've been dating Kara? You've known where they have been this whole time?" Howie asked stunned.
" Yeah, she flys out to see me whenever she can. We started dating right
before the left. And since they wanted privacy I gave it to them. No, I didn't know where they all have been
hiding, Kara said that the group made the promise not to tell anyone. And she NEVER once mentioned Lari being pregnant. I
swear, I would have told you guys that. But even Kara and Trish didn't know untill about 2 and a half hours ago that Nick
here was the father."
Kevin just shook his head as he grabbed the handle of his bag, "Dear lord, this
is going to be interesting, Nick and Lari, you and Kara.... D, you got something on the side with Trish?"
Howie shook his head, "Ah no, not that I am aware of at least."
The group walked across the aiport with out causing a scene. They all hopped into
the 2 vans they were escorted to and were driving to the compound were the Fallen Angel group had retreated to. As they pulled
up to the compound an hour later they were welcomed by Kara and Trish who were standing
next to 2 Durangos at the gate.
"What is this? Private drive?" AJ asked as they all once again traded vehicles.
AJ, Nick, and Howie all rode in the one with Kara.
Kara smiled, "Well it's another mile to the houses on the compound."
"Houses?" Nick asked
She nodded, "Yeah, the compound sits on 100 acres we each have a house on it , all
three of which face eachother in the culdasack. So we are our own private neighbor hood. The property is gated all the way
around and you cannot get into the compound without the swipe card."
"Holy crap, you have this protected like Fort Knox!" Howie said bewildered.
"Well, we made some good money decisions and decided that we might as well use it. We
had the compound started while we were on tour with you guys, initially for our privacy. Then it turned into the perfect
place to keep Lari hidden when her pregnancy started to show."
Nick looked out the window as the vehicles pulled into the driveway of the middle
house in the circle. He stepped out and looked up at the house. ' August 29th, 2006 ' He thought to himself.
' This is offically the hardest day of my life.'
