Chapter 35

The next couple of weeks flew by. Before I knew it we were on an airplane headed to Kentucky for Thanksgiving. I was nervous the entire plane ride. I stared out the window thinking while Kevin held my hand tightly. The plane started to descend and my palms began to sweat.

"It's okay. I'll be with you the entire time," Kevin said.

"Kevin, is it okay if I just visit with your family today? I'm not ready to see my parents today," I said.

"Yes, that's fine. There's no need to rush anything," Kevin said.

"Thank you Kevin," I said.

The plane landed and we unbuckled ourselves. We grabbed our bags and got off. The rest of the guys followed behind us.

We were all having Thanksgiving together at Ann's house. Brian's parents and Ashley were also going to be there. Stacey and Lauren were also flying in later. Tina was going to be there with Nick. She had stayed on tour with us every since she surprised Nick.

We went to grab our luggage. Then we waited outside for Kevin's brothers.

"I'm so nervous," I said quietly to Kevin.

"Don't be. We're just going to see my mom," he said.

"Yeah, but she's going to ask me why I left," I said.

"Are you going to tell her? You know she'll understand," he said.

"I know she'll understand, but I also have to tell the rest of the guys. I'm just not sure how to say it," I said.

"It's okay. I'll help you," Kevin said.

"Kevin!" yelled Tim.

"Hey little bro.!" yelled Jerald Jr..

They came running up to Kevin. Both of them gave him a big hug. All three of them were so happy to see each other again. Looking at them I remembered when they were littler.

They used to pick on Kevin a lot, but they were always there for him. At night the three brothers and Papa would play football. I would watch them together from my window. They always ended up in the grass diving for the ball. They would laugh so hard that they stayed on the ground. Then they would wrestle with each other.

"Hi, Tim and Jerald," I said.

They let go of Kevin and looked at me. They had a blank expression on their faces.

"Oh my goodness," Tim said.

"Is it you?" Jerald Jr. asked.

"Yep, the little girl that you used to always call your annoying little sister," I said.

"Wow! It's great to see you," Jerald Jr. said.

"I can't believe it," Tim said.

I gave Jerald Jr. a hug and then Tim. "You guys have really grown up," I said.

"Yeah, we have," Jerald Jr. said.

"But we can't say the same for you," Tim said.

"Hey! Just because I haven't grown sine the last time you saw me, doesn't mean I haven't matured," I said.

"Whatever," said Tim.

"So you're my little bro.'s girlfriend? It's about time," Jerald Jr. said.

I smiled at him while Kevin hit him in the arm.

Jerald Jr. and Tim led all of us to their cars. Kevin, me, and Brian went with Tim in his truck. Nick, Tina, Howie, and A.J. went with Jerald Jr. in his truck.

"Mom's going to be ecstatic when she sees you," Tim said.

"I know. I can't wait to see her," I said.

"So Brian where am I taking you?" Tim asked.

"To Ashley's," Brian said.

"What's Ashley do?" I asked.

"She runs her own advertising company," Brian said.

"Oh, wow. That's cool," I said.

"Do you want to stop by and see her?" Brian asked.

"I'd love to, but I need to talk to Mama Ann first," I said. "I promise to see her later."

"Oh okay. I'll tell her that you guys will talk later," Brian said.

"Thanks," I said.

Tim stopped at Ashley's house and dropped Brian off. Then we headed to Kevin's house.

"So Tim what you have been up to?" I asked.

"Well I'm married and I have a little boy, Matt. And I'm an accountant for a newspaper association," he said.

I started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"I can't picture you being an accountant. You hated math with a passion, but yet here you are as an accountant," I said.

"What can I say? I get paid enough money and it's not so bad now," he said. "So what have you been doing?"

"Well, I live in New York with two friends of mine. And I'm a secretary for a magazine company," I said.

"Do you like it in New York?" he asked.

"It's interesting. But I miss Kentucky so much," I said.

"Yeah, I bet. I can't imagine living anywhere else," he said.

I looked out the window and began to recognize the neighborhood. I stared at the houses remembering the people that used to live in them. Then we pulled into the driveway of Kevin's house. His house hadn't changed much. Kevin got out and then helped me out. I stood there and stared across the street. I looked at my house. Everything was exactly the same. The yard looked perfect as usual and my mom still had her rose garden. She used to work on it in her spare time.

"Are you ready?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah, I was just looking. So many memories," I said as I turned away from my house.

"I know, it's okay," Kevin said as he took hold of my hand.

We walked up to the door and he opened it. Both of us walked in holding hands.

"Mom! We're home!" yelled Kevin.

Ann came running from the living room. She stopped and stared. I let go of Kevin's hand and then walked up to her and gave her a hug. Both of us began to cry as we embraced one another.

"I've missed you so much," I said though tears.

"I've missed you too," said Ann while she cried.

We stood there for the longest time hugging each other. Then Kevin came over and gave both of us a hug. She let go of me and kissed her son.

"Please sit down," she said as he began to wipe her tears away.

We went into the living room and sat down. Kevin and I sat on the couch while Ann sat across from us. She grabbed the Kleenex box and set it on the coffee table. Both of us were wiping our eyes.

"It feels like home. Just the way I remember it," I said.

"It was your home dear," she said.

"I know. Seeing all of you makes me feel like I'm with my family again," I said.

"It's so good to see you and Kevin together once again. Look at him, he's so happy," she said.

I looked at him and smiled. He bent his head down and kissed me.

"So how was your trip?" Ann asked.

"Oh it was okay. But I was nervous about coming back home," I said.

"Oh really. It wasn't because of me, I hope," she said.

"Oh no Mama. I was really anxious to see you again. It's my parents that I'm nervous about," I said.

"Because you ran away?" she questioned.

"Yeah," I said.

"Why did you?" she asked.

I turned and looked at Kevin. I wasn't sure what to do or to say. Kevin just held my hand tightly.

"What do you want to do?" Kevin asked quietly.

"I want it to be over with," I said. "No more excuses or avoiding the subject. Only the truth."

"What are you talking about sweetie?" she asked.

"Mama, I'll give you an explanation, but I also have to tell the guys. I'd like to say this only once, so can I call the guys?" I asked.

"Sure go ahead," she said.

"Thank you Mama," I said.

Then I got up and went into the kitchen. I grabbed the phone and called the guys. I called Brian first. He said that Ashley and him would be right over. Then I called Nick, Tina, A.J., and Howie. They also said they would be over soon. A.J. told me that Lauren and Stacey would be arriving soon. He said they could catch a cab to Kevin's. After I hung up I walked back out in the living room. Kevin and his mom were catching up. I sat next to him while holding his hand. Then I rested my head on his shoulder while he continued to talk to his mom. Then the phone rang. Ann got up to get it.

"So?" Kevin asked.

"They're on their way," I said.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Kevin asked.

"As long as you're by my side," I said.

"You know I will be," he said.

"I just want to start my new life with you. I want to leave the past behind me," I said.

Then Ann came back in. Just as she sat down the doorbell rang.

"Popular tonight, aren't you?" I said to Ann.

"I guess," she said as he got up to answer the door.

She got to the door and opened it. "Brian! Ashley! Come in," she said as she hugged each of them.

"Hi Ann," they said.

"Kevin and Janel are in the living room," she said.

Ashley and Brian walked into the living room. I turned my head to see who it was. Once I saw it was Ashley I ran up to her and hugged her. She began to cry.

"Oh please don't cry," I said as tears began to fill my eyes.

She let go of me and looked at me. We stared at each other for a few seconds. "I can't believe it's you," she said happily.

"Well it is. And I'm here to stay," I said.

Both of us sat down next to each other. As soon as we sat down we began to talk at the same time. Then we laughed.

"Okay, go ahead," Ashley said.

"No, it's okay. You go ahead. I'll be talking later," I said.

She began talking by asking me all sorts of questions. I answered all of them until she got the part about why I left. I told her it would be soon. Just then the door bell rang again. This time it was Nick, Tina, Howie, and A.J.. We sat down and talked. Then Jerald Jr. and Tim came down from upstairs joining us. I began to get butterflies in my stomach. All we had to wait for was Lauren and Stacey and they would be arriving any minute.

While everyone was talking I whispered to Kevin, "I don't know if I can do this."

"Yes, you can. You're strong," Kevin said.

"I love you Boo," I said.

"I love you too Pumpkin," Kevin said.

Just then the door bell rang. My heart began to beat faster. The girls came in and gave me a hug. Then they went to their men. I gave them a little while to talk to them, well actually I was stalling. Ashley was staring at me for the longest time. She was wondering what I had to say, and now she couldn't wait any longer.