Chapter 91

After Kevin and I had finished reading it, both of us began to cry.

"What's going on? Why are they crying?" A.J. asked as he tried to see from behind Nick.

"What is it? What's the matter?" Nick asked.

"Sis, what's wrong?" Lauren asked, worriedly.

"Cuz, is everything okay? What did it say?" Brian asked.

Ignoring everyone's questions, Kevin put the paper down and then pulled me into his arms. I took his face into my hands and kissed him.

"Someone say something!" yelled Stacey, always the impatient one.

Kevin and I pulled away from each other and looked at everyone's curious faces.

I smiled as I wiped my tears away. "We're having a baby boy. . .," I began.

"And a baby girl!" Kevin said, proudly.

Everyone began cheering as they shouted their congratulations. And soon everyone was hugging each other again.

"Why are you still crying?" Kevin asked a he hugged me again.

"I don't know. I'm just so happy. I can't believe that we're going to have children," I said. "I never thought you and I would have a family of our own."

"Well believe it, because you're carrying my son and daughter," he said as he kissed my forehead.

I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "I love you Boo."

"I love you too Pumpkin," Kevin said.

"Do you have the video the ultrasound?" Tina asked, excitedly.

"Yeah, it's right here," we said.

"Do you want to see it?" I asked.

"Yeah!" the girls said.

Kevin got up and put the video in.

"Look at that, Kev is already starting a video collection on his children," Brian said.

Kevin just smiled. "Gotta start early."

Soon the images appeared on the screen and everyone sat there staring at the t.v puzzled, trying to make out the figures.

Then Kevin and I began telling them what they were seeing.

"Awww! They're so cute!" exclaimed Stacey.

"You can't even see them?!" A.J. said.

"Yes you can," Stacey argued. "They're adorable."

I smiled at her. "Thanks Stacey."

"Brian, when are we going to have children? I want a baby," Ashley said as she snuggled closer to him.

"Yeah, I would love to have a child," Lauren said as she smiled at Howie.

"Uh oh, look at what you started Shorty," Brian said.

"Oops," I said, smiling at them.

Kevin got up and shut the t.v. off. Then he took my hand and pulled me up.

"Come here, I want to show you something," he said as he led me upstairs with the rest of the gang right behind us.

He stopped at a closed door that was directly across from our bedroom.

"I just want to tell you that everyone helped to contribute," he said.

"Okay," I said as I looked at him, puzzled.

"Now close your eyes," Kevin said.

"All right," I said.

Kevin opened the door and everyone went in. Then he took Janel's hand and led her inside the room.

"Can I open them now?" I asked, anxious to see what was in the room.

"Go ahead," Kevin said as he stood behind me.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the bedroom filled with tons of teddy bears. The bed, chest of drawers, and window sill all had bears resting on them, perfectly set. There was also a crib filled with more teddy bears.

"Oh, wow!" I said as I looked at all of them. "They're beautiful."

"Do you like it?" Kevin asked.

"Yes, it's wonderful," I said.

I walked over to a rocking chair that was sitting by the bed. And there on sitting on the seat were my two bears, Cozy Bear and Boo Bear.

"When did you do this?" I asked.

"While you were at work. I went to every store I could, looking for any sort of bear," he said.

"And he shipped them home for us to set up," Lauren said.

"This one is from Stacey and me," A.J. said as he handed me a bear.

I chuckled as I looked at the small bear. He had a motorcycle jacket on along with glasses. He also had a little earring in his right ear.

"He's bad to the bone! Just like me," A.J. said, proudly.

We all laughed at him.

"Thank you guys," I said.

Then I walked over to the crib that was filled with more bears.

"Who's crib is this?" I asked. "It's beautiful."

"It's mine," Kevin said. "Mom sent it here for us. But it looks like we're going to have to buy another one."

"Yep," I said happily.

Kevin came over to me and wrapped his arms around me. Then I kissed his nose.

"Aww! How cute!" A.J. exclaimed.

"It looks like our Bro. got what he wanted," Howie said.

"Yep, the only thing I wanted," Kevin said, smiling at me.

"Well, are you guys hungry? I'm sure you haven't eaten since you left New York," Lauren said. "And I want to make sure that you're taking care of yourself."

"I am, believe me. Three nutritious meals a day, and many snacks in between," I said. "But I do happen to be hungry right now. So what'd you make me, sis?"

"Lasagna and a salad, and for dessert I made Bridge Dessert," she said.

"Oh god, that sounds so good. Can I just skip dinner and have dessert?" I asked.

She smiled at me. "No. Dessert is not allowed before dinner."

"Yes, mother," I said, sarcastically.

She smiled at me and then walked out. Soon everyone else followed her.

"Hey Nick!" I said.

"Yeah?" he asked as he turned around.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" I asked.

"Sure," he said.

"We'll be down in a few minutes," I told Kevin.

"Okay," Kevin said, then he went downstairs along with the rest of the gang.

I sat down on the rocking chair holding my two bears in my lap.

"You wouldn't believe how much I actually missed these little guys," I said as Nick sat on the end of the bed facing me. "I could have really used them in New York. I needed something to comfort me."

"We were here," Nick said.

"I know," I said. "And Nick, I just want to apologize to you."

"For what?" he asked.

"For putting you in the middle," I said. "I shouldn't have called you. I should have just called a cab or something. I'm really sorry if I made things difficult between you and Kevin."

"It's okay Shorty," he said as he hugged me.

"Thanks Nicky," I said.

Once he let go, I asked, "So how bad were things with Kevin?"

He smiled. "Believe me, it was not fun being stuck with that guy on a small tour bus. Dealing with his pissy attitude was definitely a challenge. It was like walking on egg shells around him."

"He blamed you, didn't he?" I questioned.

"Yeah, at first he did, but he eventually came to his senses. He was just missing you, that's all," Nick said.

"I'm really sorry about that," I said.

"I told you it's okay. Don't worry about it," he said. "So how are you and the babies?"

"Me, my baby boy, and my baby girl are just fine," I said, smiling at him. "Do you want to feel them kick?"

"Sure," he said.

His face brightened as he felt them kick.

"Hi guys, your Uncle Nick is here. I'd just like to tell you guys that you're going to have wonderful parents and a great uncle. And as soon as you're able to hold a control, I'll be teaching you everything there is to know about playing video games."

I laughed, "Nicky, they're only about 4 and a half months old. It'll be a while."

Brian knocked on the door, letting Janel and Nick know that he was there.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

I looked at him and smiled, "Sure B."

He came over to us and sat down next to Nick, also placing his hand on my stomach.

"Did they kick?" Brian asked, excitedly.

"Uh huh," Nick said. "It was so neat."

"I know," Brian said.

"Yeah, and Nick here is already planning on teaching my kids how to play video games," I said, smiling at them.

"Go figure," Brian said. "Hey Frack, you think I could have a minute alone with Shorty?"

"Sure thing Frick," Nick said as he got up.

Once Nick left the room, Brian turned his attention to me.

"How are you Janel? I mean I know that you say you're okay physically, but I want to know how you really feel," Brian said.

"I'm fine Brian. I'm back with Kevin and soon we're going to be a family. Everything's perfect," I said.

"Are you sure? Cause I know that things must have been so difficult for you once you left, especially since none of us were there for you," he said.

"It was difficult, but somehow I managed," I said.

"Shorty, Lauren told me about that nightmare you had a while back," Brian said.

I sighed as I unconsciously held onto my bear tighter.

"I'm sorry if you didn't want me to know, but I asked her to tell me everything that was happening with you and Kevin. I had to know, because both of you are my family and I was just worried about you two," he explained.

"It's okay, Brian. I'm not angry," I said.

"Good," he said. "I just had to know how you were. I worry about you."

"I know you do, " I said.

"Why didn't you call me when you found out about. . .," he trailed off.

"About Kevin cheating?" I asked.

He shook his head yes.

"Cause I knew that you or Ashley wouldn't let me leave like I wanted to," I said.

"No, we wouldn't have. We would have you made you stay with us and work things out or something," he said. "We would have helped to comfort you any way that we could."

"And talk some sense into me I'm sure. But at the time I didn't want to listen to reason. All I knew was that I had a broken heart and I wanted to get away from the pain," I said. "Just like I did when I was a teenager."

"No, but those are two completely different situations," Brian said.

"I know. But in both instances I was running away from the pain," I said. "And the ones I loved."

"But you came back to us. And we'll always be here for you, no matter what. We're your family," Brian said.

"I don't know where I'd be without any of you. Lost, I'm pretty sure. I may not have been blessed with the perfect family as a child, but I'm blessed with the perfect family now," I said as a tear rolled down my cheek. "I can only hope that my children will have the perfect family that they deserve."

Brian leaned forward and hugged me. "Don't worry, they will. I promise you."

I rested my head on Brian's shoulder as he comforted me.

"Hey! Food's ready short stuff," A.J. said as he walked in. "Oh, sorry. You guys were having a moment."

I smiled at him as I pulled away from Brian and wiped my tears away.

"Yeah, we were! And you interrupted," Brian said.

"Well excuuuse me," A.J said.

"It's okay Bone, come on in," I said.

"I was just sent up here to let you two know that the food is ready," he said.

"Okay, we're coming," I said.

"Good, I'll save ya a seat next to me," he said.

"Uh, if you could though, I would kind of like to sit next to Boo," I said.

"I see how it is. Just cause you haven't seen me in forever means nothing to you," he said, pretending to be hurt.

I got up and gave him a hug. "You know I missed you."

"Good," he said. "And you know what? I've got some embarrassing stories of Kevin to tell you about that happened while we were on tour."

I giggled. "Do tell."

"Nope, not until you agree to sit next to me," he said.

"Okay, save a seat for me next to you and Kev," I said.

"Good, cause when I start telling you the stories, I'll need you to keep him away from me," A.J. said as he walked out.

I rolled my eyes at him, always the trouble maker.

"Let's go eat B," I said.

"Okay, but first I have another question to ask," he said.

"You're not going to make me cry again, are you?" I asked.

"No, I promise," he said.

"All right, shoot," I said.

"What happens if your little boy has eyebrows like Kevin?" Brian asked.

I lightly hit him on the arm, as I laughed. "Come on, let's go eat."

"What? It's a good question, and I want an answer. Will you make him wear a hat to cover eyebrows or somethin'?" he asked.

I laughed. "No! Of course not."

"So you'll still love him even if he has those bushy eyebrows?" Brian asked as we walked downstairs.

"Hey! I love Kevin's eyebrows. And of course I'll still love my baby boy if he has eyebrows like his dad," I said.

"Just wonderin'," Brian said as we walked into the kitchen.

I smiled at him as I took my seat in between A.J. and Kevin. A.J. just smirked at me as we began eating.