The next morning Brian woke with the door bell. Thinking it was the crib people he told Leigh to stay in bed. He put on his pants and shirt and went to get the door. Passing the living room he saw it was only 7:30 in the morning. Puzzled he went to the door. He opened and in came his best friend Nick Carter. He looked at him startled but followed into the living room anyway. When he got there Nick was with his back to him. Frowning he asked.
     “Why hello to you too Nick. What are you doing here? It’s 7;30 in the morning.”
    Nick turned around with a frown in his face. “ Is there anything you want to tell me Bri?”
     “Um, actually there is something I needed to talk to you about. I was gonna tell you and the guys when we were all together but since you’re here. Why don’t you take a seat, Nick?”
    “Sure.” Nick said and sat in the couch. Brian sat on the coffee table in front of him.
    “Well, Nick. I have something serious to tell you-“ Brian started only to be cut off by Nick
    “Wait. Let me guess. Does it have to do with a certain baby girl?”
    Brian gaped at Nick. How could he have known? Had Kevin told him?
    “How.. how do you know this? Have you spoken to Kevin?” Bri asked puzzled
    “No. Brian, I haven’t spoken to Kevin.”
    “Then, how did you..?” Brian asked even more puzzled
    “It’s on the freaking paper Brian!” Nick said showing Brian the paper.
    The headlines read.
    Backstreet Boy Brian Litrell a dad?
    And beside there was a picture of himself and Anna in the park.
    “What the hell? Who wrote this?” Brian exclaimed
    “I don’t know Brian. Now, do you care to tell me who the little girl in the photo is and why is she with you?”
    “Well, Nick. It certainly isn’t what it looks like. That girl is not my child if that’s what you’re wondering. l found her on the beach and couldn’t just have left her there. I called the social care and no one was looking for her. Then I took her to the doctor and he said she was okay. Although she had a lot of scars of someone abusive. I called Kevin as soon as I found her, so he was supposed to be the only one that knows. But I see that now the whole world do, or think they do anyway.” Brian trailed off. Nick knew there was more to it then Brian was telling so he pushed.
      “Okay, Bri. I understand what happened. But what are you gonna do with her.” Brian hesitated and shifted on his spot. Nick knew the answer.
      “You want to keep her?” he asked incredulously
      “Look Nick. I know it seems crazy but I talked to Kev about this and he already told me what you’re about to. I thought very hard about it. I thought about all the lives it will affect and all the changes everyone would have to go through. And I know it won’t be easy, but for the life of me I can’t let her go.”
 Nick listened to it all in silence and when Brian finished he still didn’t say anything. He seemed to be deep in thought but Brian couldn’t take the suspense anymore.
      “Nick, please say something.”  Nick looked at Bri and sat up.
      “Well, Brian. What can I say? You seem to be pretty sure about what you want to do. You said you thought about everything. I suppose you talked to Leigh about this?” Brian nodded, Nick went on “ And I suppose you thought about the tour and our management and the fans.” Once again Brian nodded.
     “Well, I see you thought of everything then. Everything but one thing.” Brian frowned. What hadn’t he thought of? He looked at Nick questionably.
      “I have a big family you know. And in all these years I’ve lived with my family I noticed something. Being a parent isn’t easy-“ at that Brian cut Nick off.
     “I know it’s not easy Nick. But I’m willing to take a chance.”
     “I know you are Brian. But listen to me first. Okay?” Brian nodded so Nick went on.
     “Being a parent isn’t easy, not because of all the trouble the kids may cause. Or all the worries and hurt. The hard thing about being a parent is to put your kids ahead of yourself. To make the best choice for them, even if it tears you apart. You said you’ve thought of everything, but in reality you haven’t thought of the most important. What’s best for the baby. Is that the life you want to give your daughter? A different city every night, the chaos of stardom, the hectic routine you have? You have to think Bri, that that was your choice, not hers. Is it fair to her? Are you willing to let your selfishness ruin her life? That’s all I have to say buddy. I’ll be going now. Give it some more thought please?”
     Brian nodded his head and watched Nick leave. His best friend had became a man in front of his eyes and he hadn’t even noticed. He thought about what Nick said and the more he thought about it the more he knew what he had to do. With all his thinking Brian didn’t notice LeighAnne standing in the door way. When he looked up she had a frown on her face.
     “Bri. What’s wrong?” Leigh asked worried. Brian looked at her with a pained look on his face. A look of doubt. Looking into Leigh’s eyes he answered.
     “I’m about to make either the best choice or the biggest mistake of my life.”