Before I start with the story I have something to say:

This story was written by Michelle, my "lil’ sister", in 2001. She could never finish the story".Michelle babe, I promised you to finish this for you and put it online. I’m sorry it took me a while, I know you will never read the end of your story, but I will tell you all when we see each other again"I miss you every day"kisses and hugs to heaven"

Chapter: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16

Chapter 1
Michelle is a hotel managers and she is still working in the hotel she started. But in the last couple off weeks everything has been going wrong: too much stress at work, barely any time off and that’s why her boyfriend broke off with her.

When everything finally seems to get too much to take she heels over head decides to take a few days off, grabs some clothes, dashes to the airport and is ready to book a last-minute flight to nowhere.

"I’d like a last-minute flight please. Some place in England would be the best." enquires Michelle. "We have a flight to London at 11pm and one to Manchester at 11.30. That’s all I’m afraid." Is the reply from the lady behind the counter.

"London, please!"

That was it. A few minutes later Michelle was in the plane, leaving everything behind that troubled her"well at least for a few days anyway.

After arriving there she books a room in a nice little hotel and then instead of going straight off to bed, takes a lovely walk along the Thames to get into the right mood for her holiday.

On the next day Michelle decides to visit the fun fair she saw on her walk the night before.

First thing she does arriving there is getting some crisps and then it’s straight to dodgem, her all time favourite.

Soon she realizes that there’s a bunch of 5 guys staring at her and after a while two of them join her speeding around and of course there’s no way they can avoid a crash with her.

After finishing the round she just gets out of her car and walks past the lads but can’t stop herself from making some comment. "Well, nice try. At least that was not the usual way to chat someone up."

"Hey wait"that""

But Michelle had already disappeared.

To round the day off in a perfect way she stops by at the pub around the corner from her hotel and immediately orders her fave drink: Kilkenny.

After two hours and not making any contact with the locals or other tourists she decides to leave when a voice behind her startles her: "Hey, I know you from somewhere!" She turns around and straight away remembers the where she had seen that face earlier on today. "Another try chatting me up" and this time alone. Congratulations!"

"Nope not trying to do that, but can I sit here with you?"

"Well, why not. Uhm by the way, what’s your name?"

"I’m Nicky, pleased to meet you. My mate’s at home, that’s why I’m here on my own. But barely ever happens really."

After a few moments of silence he goes on: "Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. What’s your name?"

"I’m Michelle. So Nicky, where you’re from? You don’t sound very British."

"I’m from Dublin in Ireland. You?" he answers putting on an extra strong Irish accent.

"Dublin is great! I’ve there for a while when I was 16, taking part in an exchange program from school. I’m from Germany by the way."

Now the ice was broken they easily found subject to chat about and did just that till late after midnight.

On the next day Michelle accepts a part time job to earn some extra money to really be able to enjoy her holiday to the fullest extend. In her spare time she spends an awful lot of time chatting online with some guy who calls himself ‘JFK’.

They’ve been chatting with each other for tow years now, but never met in person but still she’s able to talk to him about everything.

So she easily tells him that she met a guy the other day that she might start to like, but that he’s been a bit arrogant, though that may just have been because of his mates.

‘JFK’ : >Why don’t you meet up with him alone? That way you can find out what he really is like.<

>You’re so bloody funny! I neither have his address nor telephone number. So how am I supposed to do that? And besides, why couldn’t he just have your personality?!<

>Thanks a lot, honey! You just made me blush. And if you haven’t noticed, I’m in Dublin and you’re in London at the mo.<

>Well"his mate’s from Ireland as well and I don’t necessarily don’t have to stay here in London. Don’t you think after two years of chatting it’s time for us to finally meet up? So how about it?<

>Do you really think we’ll get along if we don’t have a screen and a keyboard between us?<

>Sure thing! You’re pretty nice.<

>Where?<

>We should meet in the middle. So let’s say Dublin, Temple Bar at ‘Urban Outfitters’, on Friday at 3.45pm. That Ok?<

>Ok, I’ll be there waiting for you. <

So on Friday, as fixed, she turns up at Temple Bar, but can’t believe her eyes.

In front of the shop there is the crash pilot from fun fair in London.

Although a rather unpleasant apprehension is crossing her mind, Michelle fixes a smile on her face, and walks towards him.

"Did you get lost?! Haven’t you been the one constantly bumping me at the fun fair in London?!"

"Nope, I’m not lost! I’m waiting for a friend I know from chatting." He replies.

"Oh no! That can’t be true, that guy just can’t be JFK!" is all Michelle is able to think while leaving the shop.

After a frustrating hour a rather sad looking JFK leaves the shop and heads straight into the next bar.

Michelle then is haunted by her guilty conscience, thinking that he may at least deserve a chance, and follows him.

She shyly enters the bar, takes a quick look around and after spotting him walks over to his table. "Hey, can I sit down?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Listen I’m sorry about before, but can I just ask you a question?" Michelle asks and then waits for some sort of reply. JFK just nods, so she takes all her courage together and goes on.

"Why have you been acting so different when we met in London? I mean you’re such a nice guy, but back there, I don’t know" Why are you feigning to be something you’re not? Did you just do that to impress your friends?"

He tries to explain why he did it but somehow can’t find the right words and soon prefers rather to say nothing.

Smiling Michelle says: "Well, you know that friend of mine has been right after all."

"With what?"

"Well, he said I should meet the guy and find out what he’s really like, so I did. I mean who could have guessed that you and that guy""

"Are one person? I didn’t know that you disliked me that much when we met in London."

"Well, but I did. By the way, what does JFK mean?"

"That’s my initials. My name’s Kian."

"Pleased to finally meet you in person, Kian!" she grins.

Before Michelle has to go to the airport to get her flight back to London the two of them have just about enough time to take a little stroll through the city centre.

Before finally having to say goodbye again, Michelle regrets that she’s been so unfair towards him when first meeting him at the shop, even more so when she hears what he has to say.

"Will we see each other again? Maybe you could move to Ireland, so that the distance between would not be that big."

"We’ll see, At the moment I don’t have any precise future plans anyway, so who knows."

"The parents of a friend of mine have a little café. I’m sure you could start working there. Please!"

"That’s the guy I know from the chat room. I’ll think about it, ok? And sorry that I’ve not giving you a chance at the beginning."

"It’s ok, I’ll live! Bye"

"Bye!" she replies and leaves after giving him a little peck on the cheek.

Still being on the plane she considers moving to Ireland, but then dismisses that plan, ‘cause it surly would not be a good idea to move to a different country just because of some bloke.

Back in London they continue chatting, only they now do so every night and Michelle realises that there really is something special about Kian.

>Thanks for your pictures. They’re right beside my bed and my computer, so that I can see you before I go to bed, first thing in the morning and while I’m chatting to you."<

>I feel honoured! *statringtoblush*

Chapter 2
Two months after that day in Dublin, Michelle finally brought up enough courage to move to Sligo and work at the café, the Carlton, rather than just racking her brain whether she should or shouldn’t take that step.

>It’s about time we meet up again. What do you think? <

>Great idea. What about next day after tomorrow? I mean only if that’s not too soon for you. My address is written down below, just scroll down. <

>Ok thanks, found it. I gotta go now. I’m already looking forward to meeting you. Lots of love and take care!"

After having parked her car next to a Porsche outside of Kian’s house on Saturday, she’s just about to walk to his door when he walks out and gives her a big hug.

"Wow, I’ve expecting that you’re happy to see me again, but that topped my wildest dreams!" she jokes.

"Is that you’re car?"

"Yep, do you wanna go for a ride?"

"Wow, Kian thanks! That was fantastic. I didn’t know that driving around in a car could be that much fun. But are you sure you’re parents won’t mind?" she then asks for the umpteenth time, after Kian told her that they were going to have dinner with his parents.

"Yeah don’t worry!" replies Kian and pulls the car into a stop outside his parent’s house.

‘Ok, if you say so, but I’m still feeling slightly uncomfortable." The thoughts cross Michelle minds, before she fixes a smile and along with Kian gets out of the car.

The dinner went pretty well and after saying goodbye to his parents they drive back to Kian’s place.

"Thanks a lot for dinner. I wish I could stay a bit longer, but I gotta go now."

"Ok, I’ll walk you to your car."

"Well, thanks again for the nice evening." She smiles.

"No, there’s nothing to thank me for. Thank you though. You really made me happy."

After just looking at each other for quite a while, Kian takes a deep breath. "Couldn’t you just please move to Sligo? For me?"

Michelle just looks at him a little terrified and doesn’t have a clue what to say.

"What’s wrong? Kian asks, getting a little concerned by the blank look on Michelle’s face.

"What"?" Michelle asks being pulled back into reality by Kian’s words.

"I don’t know whether that’s such a good idea, Kian. I’ll think about again, ok?" she stutters and walks backwards towards the direction where she thinks she parked her car earlier. "We’ll chat again, ok?"

"Sure thing, honey!"

After she recovered from that dizzy feeling that she got just from looking into Kian’s blue eyes, she leaves home again to check when she has to work at the Carlton.

When she’s about to leave the café she bumps into Kian and gets the shock of her live. Her brain is working a thousand miles an hour to come up with a good story. "Shit, shit shit. I’ve got to come up with something or else he will find out."

"Michelle?" Kian wonders.

"Sorry, you must be mistaking me for somebody else!" she blurts out and rushes out into the street. Thank God she was clever enough to put on a French accent.

"Sorry, my mistake." Kian stammers.

When Shane enters his parent’s café he finds a completely confused Kian.

"What’s up with you? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost."

"Yeah, I did and a very beautiful one too. But" nah, I must have been dreaming. That just can’t have happened."

"Hello, could you please try and speak English? You’re not making any sense here, mate."

"I’m chatting to that girl on the internet and I’m trying to"well actually I’m" nah, who cares! That girl there looked just like her." Kian explains

"Kian mate, I’ve told you a million times that too much chatting is bad for you." Shane says and while putting an arm casually around Kian continues: "Did you meet her yet?"

"Yep, half an hour ago, but had to go back home"to London." He sighs

Shane looks Kian up and down and smirks: "Love sick!"

"What?!"

"Yep, definitely, like a whole new person. But sorry Mister, what ever you’ve done with my best friend, I need him back, ‘cause I’ve got to tell him something."

"Very funny! What is it though?"

"We have a new waitress." Shane states.

"So?"

"And Nicky and Mark have already taken bets who will be the first going on a date with her."

"Fine!"

"Don’t you wanna beat them to it? Just come around tomorrow, she’s gonna be working."

"Nope, I’m not interested at all." Kian answers already felling a bit unnerved when Nicky enters the café.

"Hey lads! Are you up for a wild night out? Mark and Bryan will be there too."

"Sure we are, Ain’t that right, Kian?"

"Hmmm." Is all he answers and after five minutes heads home, suddenly feeling an urgent need to get to his computer.

>Hopefully you have not been sitting in front of your computer the whole time. <

>I’m not telling you! But I just can’t stop thinking of you. No matter what I do, where I go or whom I’m looking at, all I ever see are your wonderful brown eyes. <

>Thank you! But it’s the same for me. I’ve never been looking into such beautiful blue eyes before. <

>Can’t you just come back? It was such a mistake to just let you go. Please come back! <

>You’re confusing me. I’m just gonna look out of my window and think about you even more, maybe then I’m gonna be able to see you. <

After having left the Carlton, she didn’t go back home, but instead stopped by at a friend’s house, which is not too far away from Kian’s place. She just needed to be near him, and looking out of the window she does not regret that decision one single second. For seeing Kian taking off his shirt she would definitely do almost anything.

>So, did you see me? <

>Well, yeah I did and every second I’m getting more annoyed that I didn’t stay with you, ‘cause the sight of your bare chest is just"I might start to drool"sorry<

Slightly irritated Kian repeats reading the mail over and over again, but can’t really make his mind up about it.

>How do you know? Did I write that? <

>What I see simply is stunning"I’m closer than you know and closer than is good for me anyway. <

>What do you mean? Are you in my flat? <

>In thoughts I am, yeah. Listen I need to see you. Outside of your house, ok? But please put on a shirt I’m not sure I could handle anything else *blushing*<

Kian just grabs a shirt and runs outside to wait for Michelle. Arriving outside he sees her coming out of his neighbour’s house, runs across the street and puts his arms around her for tight hug.

"I can’t believe you’re really here."

"I am." she smiles.

"What are you doing here?", he stutters, still too excited to believe that Michelle’s really there.

"I just couldn’t leave, so I called my friend Sherena and she said that it wouldn’t be a problem at all if I stayed at her place for a while." She explains and points at her friend’s place.

"And where do you live?" Kian enquires.

"To be honest", three streets down there. But only since about a week. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you." Michelle explains, starting to get a bit nervous about the _expression on Kian’s face.

But all of a sudden, he brightens up and smiles at her.

"How about a drink? You’re invited. That way I can introduce you to some of my friends, if you don’t mind."

"Sounds good, let’s go."

So they both leave for Kian’s favourite pub, where Mark, Shane and Nicky are already waiting for Kian.

"You go on, I’ll find you in there in a few moments." She says, pointing in the direction of the restrooms.

"So are you over that beauty that you missed so terribly?" Shane greets his friend.

"Nope, brought her along." Kian grins.

"Huh" they all ask, just when Michelle enters the pub.

"I’m right back!" Nicky exclaims and runs towards Michelle.

"Hey Michelle!" he says, giving her his brightest smile.

"Hiya Nicky! How is it going?"

"I’m fine, thanks. I’m here with some friends, do wanna sit at our table?"

"No, thank you, but I’m looking for someone."

"What does she look like?"

"Well, HE got blond hair, blue eyes and is about your height.

"So, you’re looking for me?" Nicky smiles.

"Nope, sorry!" she states and continues to look for Kian. "There he is, I found him." She says and leaves Nicky.

She only realises that Shane’s sitting at his table as well when she’s almost there.

"Oh, hi Shane. You here too?" she asks a bit confused.

"Hey Michelle, may I introduce to you, that’s Mark, Bryan and Kian." Shane greets her.

"Hey guys, nice to meet you!" she mutters and sits down next to Kian.

"Shane, where do you know her from?"

"Well Kian, I told you that we have a new waitress, but you obviously weren’t listening, because you had in mind was that girl from the chat room."

"Hey Michelle, you can’t just walk out on me!" Nicky sulks coming back to the table.

"Of course I can! I just showed you." Michelle simply states. "Do you want me to show you again?"

"NO! But you were not looking for HIM, were you?" Nicky asks pointing at Kian.

"Yes I was! Him, and no other." she says smiling and looking at Kian.

"Why him?" Mark enquiress.

„Yeah!" Bryan and Shane agree.

"Because I came here with him."

"But it certainly didn’t look that way."

"Well, Nicky that is just because I had to go somewhere. I don’t know about you, but personally I like to use the restroom, rather than let’s say pee into a bucket that’s standing under the table."

Nicky shoots an evil look towards her and is just about to open his mouth to give some sort of comment when Michelle continues.

"I’m so glad you were just going to talk about that bet of yours as well, Nicky." And pointing at Mark and Nicky she states "You already lost the bet before it even started!"

"What?! What are you talking about?" Mark and Nicky ask at the same time.

"What was the bet about? Do you maybe wanna answer that question, Shane?" she asks sternly looking at him.

"Well" uhm, I don’t know a thing!" he stutters.

"Next time you should just make sure that you’re alone when you’re talking about stuff like that!" she says winking at them.

Bryan who has been rather quiet the whole time and was just watching the scene taking place in front of his eyes suddenly blurts out "Where do you tow know each other from?"

"That’s the girl I met in the chat room. Remember Shane, you told to just forget about her."

Shane, Nicky and Mark are all completely taken aback and can’t believe what they just heard

Kian shyly looks at Michelle and just smile, unsure about what to answer.

"Yep any objections, lads?" Michelle wants to know.

"Yes"" Nicky says, but doesn’t get any further, because kicks his shinbone.

"No, I don’t!" he then mutters.

After hours of talking and serious drinking for some of them, Michelle excuses herself "Sorry lads, but I gotta go now. I have to work tomorrow morning."

"Ok, see ya!" Mark, Shane, Nicky and Bryan yell at once.

"I’ll bring you outside." Kian offers and leaves the table with Michelle.

Outside of the bar Kian pulls Michelle to a halt and looks at her really shyly.

"Did you really mean what you said?" he whispers taking a small step towards her.

"What?"

"Well" uhm"" Kian sighs, but then softly says: "That you are my girlfriend."

"Yes." She says barely audible feeling at loss, but loud enough for Kian anyway.

Kian softly lifts up her chin so that he can look into her beautiful eyes and after what seemed like an eternity, he slowly covers the space between them and gives her a very tender kiss.

After having recovered from the overwhelming emotions that followed their first intimacy Kian again leans in and captures her lips for a second kiss, this time much more passionate.

Time seems to stand still for both of them, suddenly forgetting the world around them. Only when Bryan stumbles out of the door they separate almost breathless.

"Ups, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb ya, just wanted to check whether you’re still alive." Bryan grins.

"Thanks Bryan! You certainly know how do ruin a special moment!" Kian angrily says.

"Thanks for tonight! See you later." Michelle says and leaves after giving Kian a little peck in the cheek.

Chapter 3
Back in her flat she goes straight to her computer to chat with her best friend in Germany.

While she’s writing her mail a message pops up and covers the whole screen. At first all she can see are hearts, when she scrolls down she reads ‘Good night, sweetheart! Love, Kian’

‘He’s just the cutest thing’ she sighs.

After about an hour she is finally done telling Nicole everything that has happened in the last couple of weeks, starting from her trip to London right to that very moment outside of the pub.

On the next day about 5pm her mobile rings. "Hiya Michelle. Are you free now?" Nicole blurts out.

"Yeah why? What kind of a question is that?"

"Good, than at least you can pick me up from the airport, ‘cause I’m gonna be in Sligo in about ten minutes." Nicole explains.

"Yeah right! You’re taking the mickey out of me, right?"

"No, actually I wanted to surprise you." Nicole pouts.

About twenty minutes later the two of them are standing face to face and give each a long hug, like they haven’t been seeing each other for years.

"I sooo wanna meet your heartbreaker." Is Nicole’s first comment after they did let go off each other again. "Oh, and sure has some friends, hasn’t he?" she giggles.

"Don’t worry, that’s all sorted out already. You gonna meet the whole lot tonight, we’re going out for a drink."

"Sounds great!" Nicole grins and they both head off for Michelle’s flat happily chatting about this and that.

"Nicole, I have to go to the Carlton real quick, I won’t be long. See ya!" Michelle shouts and storms out of the flat.

When the phone rings Nicole answers it, but can’t understand a single word the person on the other end is saying.

"Well, I’m very happy for you that you’re in such a good mood, but Michelle isn’t here at the moment. If you want me to tell her something, you have to speak more slowly than before!" she answers.

"Uhm, I hope so. Just tell her I said hello, and not to forget about tonight." A slightly confused Kian stutters.

"Sure I can do that. Bye!" she answers and hangs up.

When Michelle returns about fifteen minutes later she’s soaking wet.

"Jesus, what on earth happened to you?" Nicole asks barely able to talk at all, because she can’t control her fit of laughter.

"Now that’s what I call a best friend, you just keep on laughing. I’m fine. I just met the mates of my boyfriend, but those idiots are so gonna be sorry for what they’ve done to me. Just wait until I come up with a nasty little plan to get them back and take revenge.

"Sorry for laughing but you look absolutely"" Nicole starts again, but stops at the evil look Michelle is shooting towards her. "Uhm, Kian called, he said hi and that please should remember tonight." She says instead of carrying on her former thoughts.

"Thanks!" Michelle says while walking to the bathroom and back. After about one hour she is finally content with the way she looks and slums down on the couch. "Ok, I’m ready to go."

"You’re so excited and can’t wait to get there, can you?" Nicole smiles at her friend. "What does Kian look like then?"

"He’s 178cm tall got blond hair, a stunning smile and the most amazing blue eyes I have ever seen"" Michelle starts to go into raptures.

"Ok ok, I got that! I’ll go and get myself ready now, so that we can leave as soon as possible." She laughs.

After another half an other the two of them leave the flat, Nicole now styled like she wants to turn every bloke’s head around.

Arriving at the pub they very soon find that the pub still is almost empty and that none of the lads are here yet.

"Ok, let’s go and get something to drink!" Michelle pulls her friend towards the bar when the door of the pub opens and Kian, Nicky and Mark enter.

"Wow, now that’s what I call a bunch of yummy lads!" Nicole stuns nodding towards the lads.

"Well, then be prepared, ‘cause they’re gonna come over to us." Michelle grins and almost starts to laugh at her friend’s suddenly shocked _expression.

"No, help! They didn’t hear me, did they?" Nicole whispers.

"Too late, here they come. Hiya guys, how is it going?" Michelle greets them.

"Hey darling!" Kian says and gives her a kiss.

"Get a room, all that kissing all the time." Nicky says when Shane and Bryan appear as well.

"Wow, that’s a sight. I’m speechless." Nicole murmurs when she sees Shane.

"Hiya everybody!" addresses all of them, putting on his usual bright smile.

"Who’s that lady?" Shane asks directly looking at Nicole, which almost makes her fall of the stool.

After Nicole did not manage anything apart from staring at Shane Michelle takes over:

"Everybody, this is Nicole, my best friend. Nicole, this is Mark, Nicky, Bryan Shane and Kian."

Nicole smiles in the round and shakes everybody’s hand, holding on to Shane’s much longer than is necessary.

"Sorry love, but could I please have my hand back? I might need it at some point." Shane jokes.

Nicole immediately blushes, shyly smiles and slowly lets go of his hand.

"Hey, does anybody have a clue where Kian and Michelle are?"

"They’re probably biting each other again!" Nicole grins.

"Oh boy, did you hear that? She can speak." Mark says, breaking the ice by winking at Nicole, indicating that he’s just been kidding.

"Well, can you flirt, like you can make funny comments?" Shane asks, wiggling with his eyebrows.

"Is that a request?" Nicole shoots back.

"I guess that’s open to everybody’s interpretation.

When Kian and Michelle return to the rest of the bunch, Nicole cries out: "And where have you two been?!"

A little perplex Michelle looks at Nicole. "I don’t know where you have been or what you’ve been doing, but if it is not allowed to go and chat to a friend, I’ll next time give notice of my departure."

Kian, somehow sensing the tense atmosphere, looks from one girl to the other and back and is just about to say something when Nicole beats him to it.

"Sorry, I forgot that Sherena is here as well!" Nicole mutters her apology.

"It’s ok!" replies Michelle and leaning closer to her whispers "And what do think of them?"

"Well, Shane is absolutely gorgeous. They are all really nice, but Shane"" she drifts off getting a dreamy _expression on her face.

After having received a little nudge from Michelle she goes on: "I completely fell for him, and I think he’s definitely interested." She smiles. "Oh and Kian is an absolute hotty as well. Hope you’re happy with him."

"Thanks! You wouldn’t mind if went over to him again, would you?"

Nicole just shakes her head and watches as Michelle walks over to him.

Half way there, Kian walks towards her as well, stops only inches away from her, puts his hands around her waist and stares into her eyes.

"Stop that. By now you should know how dangerous that is. I’m gonna drown in your eyes."

"I’ll catch you." Is all he says before he leans in and slightly brushes his lips against hers. "You’re so attractive!" he whispers still pulling her a little bit closer.

Michelle then puts her arms around his neck and breathes in his ear.

"You’re not going anywhere now. There’s no way you can get past me."

"I so don’t care, because I’ve got something better to do."

"And what would that be?" she smirks.

Now Kian leans in again, captures her lips again and softly kisses her. After five minutes and Michelle and Kian are still not done and are still standing in the middle of the passage. Nicky then interrupts them by pulling them aside. "If you’re not gonna stop anytime soon, and it certainly didn’t look like you were going to, then at least get out of the way, so that others can through."

After chatting to all of them, but still making sure she and Kian are not losing their physical contact, Michelle gives in to her tiredness. "Thanks lads, it was a great night, but I’m gonna head back home now and gonna dive straight into my bed." She says and then saying goodbye to the lads by pecking each of them on the cheek.

"You don’t have to come with me now. Why don’t you just stay here and come home whenever you feel like it?" she addresses Nicole.

"Nope, that’s fine. I’ll come with you now." She answers and says bye to the guys as well.

"So how was your night? You’re not mad at me, are you? I didn’t mean to ignore you all night, it’s just that Kian""

"It’s ok!" Nicole interrupts her. "And by the way I pretty much enjoyed myself. I’m so fascinated by Shane" Do you think he likes me?"

"Well, I don’t know yet, but you’ll find out soon enough."

Hearing familiar voices shouting after them, they stop and turn around only to see Kian running towards them.

A little out of breath he says: " Hi, uhm"I""

"What’s wrong, Kian?" Michelle asks a little concerned.

"I cannot just let you go last night. Well, what I want to say, I mean to ask is would you come with me to my place." He finally speaks out hopefully looking at Michelle.

Not really knowing what she should do, she looks from Kian to Nicole and back.

"Go on, I’ll find the way back to your place." Nicole says, taking the decision out of Michelle’s hands.

"I could bring you home, if that’s ok with you!" Shane offers, suddenly turning up from behind Kian.

"Uhm, no that would be great." Nicole somehow manages to answer.

After saying their goodbyes the two couples head off to their destinations.

Kian takes Michelle’s hand and together they walk towards his house, both not saying a word with the felling of nervousness and excitement starting to rouse.

After having accompanied Michelle to his room he heads back to the kitchen and a moment later is back in the room.

"Actually I wanted to offer you a bit more than that, but at least you can choose between coke and uhm coke." He jokes, hoping she wouldn’t mind.

"That’s a really tough decision, but I think I’ll take a coke please." She smiles at him, sensing that he feels as apprehensive about the situation as she does.

After having poured some coke in a glass he puts everything on a table and sits down next to Michelle on the bed.

He takes her hand and starts stroking it very softly, then lifts his head to look her directly into the eyes. He slowly reaches out and caresses her cheek, carefully lifts up her chin, leans forward and brushes his lips against hers in the sweetest kiss. Michelle can’t believe the sensation that is now running to her entire body. Kian’s lips are so soft and gentle, so she automatically leans in and starts running her hand through Kian’s hair.

Losing his initial shyness Kian becomes a little more confident and deliberately deepens the kiss by reaching behind her neck and pulling her closer.

They both fall backwards on the bed and continue their assault on each other. Breaking the kiss to come up for some air Kian softly whispers: "Can I touch you?" Michelle just pulls him towards her and claims his mouth for another deep kiss. Kian, not needing anymore encouragement, lets his hand wander to Michelle’s back and slips it under the shirt. While slowly starting to stroke up and down her back his other hand is trying unbutton the front.

This time Michelle breaks the kiss and pulls Kian up in a sitting position, then first helping Kian unbuttoning her own shirt, then suddenly feeling an urgent need to feel his bare skin against hers roughly pulls Kian’s shirt over his head.

"Ouch."

"Sorry. Need to feel your skin against my body." She whispers before the two of them lose themselves in another deep kiss. Lying back down they now both start to explore their lover’s body with their hands and kissing, licking and tasting one another with their mouths. Kian lets his head rest on Michelle’s shoulder and slightly turns it until his lips make contact with her neck and starts to drop feather light kisses on it, then going on by nibbling on it.

Kian continues kissing his way down, and after having removed her bra, begins to cover her entire upper body with soft kisses and strokes. Reaching her stomach he let his tongue dip into the belly button, then he withdraws his tongue and lets it slide up Michelle’s body. Then he goes down again, kissing and touching every spot, almost melting by the sweet taste and emotion. Not only being able to do that to Michelle, but also feeling her hands all over his body first with the softest of touches, but gradually growing more passionate and possessive is driving him almost out of his mind. Kissing his way back up he claims her mouth for a kiss and then locks his eyes with hers. They were both beyond every reasonable thought and completely lost in each other’s touches.

Kian reaches out and retrieves a condom from his bedside table. Michelle is a little bit frightened at the beginning, not knowing whether she really wants to take that step, but seeing the love in Kian’s eyes knows it will be alright. Wanting to reassure Michelle Kian gives her a tender kiss, trying to put all the love in it that he felt running through his veins.

Just by looking in each others eyes the both know, that there’s no way of turning back now and that they both at time were already desperate for they knew what would come next.

And they spent and amazingly tender but also passionate night together.

Waking up on the next morning she finds the bed empty. Feeling very disappointed, she is just about to get up when the bedroom door opens and Kian walks in with a tray.

"Hey, good morning gorgeous. You didn’t honestly think that I could leave after last night, did you?" he softly asks. Putting the tray down he gives her a soft and tender kiss. "I thought an Irish breakfast in bed would be nice." He smiles. Beaming Michelle pulls him towards him and kissing him soundly sighs: "You’re the sweetest thing!"

Around 11am, they’re interrupted by Shane and Nicole ringing at their door.

"Hey, we thought we could have lunch together, that is if you want to?" Shane asks.

"Yeah, ok. Why not." Kian answers "Come on in!"

As soon as Nicole sees Michelle she starts grinning and winks at her.

Getting a bit annoyed Michelle asks: "What’s up, do I have something in face that doesn’t belong there? Or why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nope, it’s just that I can read in your eyes that last night was something very special."

"Nonsense. Kian’s been really sweet and made me breakfast in bed. That’s all."

"I gotta talk you"alone!" Nicole says, getting excited and pulling Michelle into another room.

Kian and Shane don’t have a clue what is going on between the two girls, but choose to ignore it and rather spend their time preparing the meal.

"What?"

"It’s as simple as that. You know Kian since two and a half years now and you are a couple since four month. Well, what I want to say is"uhm, no I’ll try it another way. Do you love Kian more than anything else? Is he the one you wanna spend the rest of life with?" asks Nicole.

"Do you want me to marry him?"

"Yeah, that was kind of my idea. So?"

"Yes, I do love him and I can imagine growing old with him." Michelle states.

"So, what are you waiting for?" Nicole pushes.

"You don’t really want to know that, right? You’re thinking about Shane and you, aren’t you?" Michelle states and heads for the door.

Pulling her back Nicole apologizes: "Sorry, it’s just that you two are the perfect couple."

"Thanks. But I think I’ll take it slowly. The lads are going to be on tour again really soon. I’ll wait and see how things go. And now let’s go back to them and see what they’re up to."

"Everything alright?" Kian wants to know while putting his arms around Michelle from behind and placing a gentle kiss on her neck.

"Yeah, I think so. What have you tow been doing?"

"Lunch. I hope you’re hungry again." Kian says escorting her to the dining room, where a table is set with candles and flowers.

"Wow, that’s so romantic." Nicole whispers.

"So, what are we gonna do now?" she asks when lunch is finished.

"I don’t know about you, but"" and checking her watch continues: "I have to go to work now."

When she’s getting her stuff from Kian’s room, he walks up behind her and gives her a hug.

"Can’t you stay here? For me, please?"

"Sorry, but I can’t. And I still have to figure out what I’m gonna do without you while you’re on tour anyway." She sighs.

"I’ll just take you with me." Kian declares.

"Baby, I can’t go everywhere with you. I have a job too, you know." She explains kissing him on the nose.

"But you will be at our gig next in Dublin, won’t you?" he pleads.

"Of course I will, there’s no way I’m gonna miss out on that." She tries to reassure him and giving him a proper kiss turns to leave. "Bye everyone, see you later!" she calls and leaves.

"Hey, what’s up? You look like you’re worrying about something." Shane asks a little concerned as soon as he sees Kian.

"Nah, I’m fine!"

"Oh come on, Kian. Something is troubling you, even I can see that!" Nicole cuts in.

"I’m scared of losing Michelle while I’m on tour." Kian blurts out without even thinking about it.

"No Kian, I don’t think so. She loves you and even can imagine growing old with you. Does that sound like she’s going to leave you?!"

"Are you sure?" Kian asks desperately, suddenly feeling so hopeless.

"Yes, I’m absolutely sure. She just told me. Trust me, Kian. You mean the world to her." Nicole calms him down.

Having restored Kian’s confidence, the three of them settle down on the couch and have a very relaxing afternoon just playing some games and chatting.

"Let’s pick her up from. We could get some videos and then have a nice chilled evening just staying in. And maybe we could show the girls a tape from the last tour." Kian suggests when it is almost time for Michelle to finish work.

"Yeah, sounds good." Shane agrees and turning to Nicole adds: "But only if you girls really want to."

"I don’t see why Michelle wouldn’t want to do that and I think that’s a great idea." Nicole smiles.

"Ok, you tow stay here and I’ll go and get her." Says Kian and is out of the house within a second, not leaving Shane and Nicole a chance to answer.

Arriving at the Carlton Kian talks to Shane’s parents. "Is there a chance that I can take Michelle with me now, or does she have to work much longer?"

Shane’s mum takes a look at her watch and then looks back at Kian. "You can’t wait until she’s in your arms again, can you?"

Kian realises how his face starts to blush and therefore bends his head, staring a hole in the ground.

"Sure she can go now. Who am I to stand in the way of young love!" Shane’s mum then says.

As if on cue Michelle appears in the room, greeting Kian with a beautiful smile.

"Hey darling!" Kian says pulling into a short hug.

"So, you did survive the afternoon after all." Michelle jokes.

"Yeah, but I almost didn’t make it." Kian pouts.

Arriving at Kian’s house they find Shane and Nicole sitting in front of a huge pile of tapes.

"How old are those? You look like you’ve just fallen out of adolescence." Nicole smiles.

"We must be around eighteen or nineteen on the older ones. Oh my good Kian, can you believe that already three years have past since then?"

"No, it’s amazing how fast the time runs by! Let’s watch them then."

Already after the first couple of minutes the four of them are in hysterics, laughing so hard that their tummies hurt.

After four hours of endless laughter, Michelle, Shane and Nicole say goodbye to Kian, all heading for their own places.

Arriving at Michelle’s flat, Shane puts his arms around Nicole from the behind and then looking at Michelle all puppy eyed asks: "Can I take her with me for tonight, please?"

"Of course you can! You don’t need my permission to spend some time with your girlfriend you goofball!" Michelle laughs. "See you tomorrow then!" she adds while Shane is already pulling Nicole after him.

At Shane’s flat Nicole takes of her jacket and is really surprised when Shane turns up from the behind, blindfolding her.

"Hey, what are doing? Are we playing blind man’s buff now?"

"Nope, of course we’re not. Just let me lead the way." Shane says and taking her hand guides her towards the bedroom. Letting go of her hand he whispers: "Just stay here for a second. I’ll be right back."

"You’re funny! How am I supposed to move without seeing anything. I would just end up getting a million bruises" I already can hear the stupid jokes those friends would tell"" Nicole mumbles.

She actually did expect some sort of response from Shane, but when the room stays quiet, she starts feeling a little uneasy. "Shane?"

At this moment she can hear soft music coming out of the cd-player. Feeling Shane’s present behind her she wants to turn around. Shane stops her by putting his arms around her, then he removes the blindfold while gently kissing her neck and earlobe.

When Nicole is finally able to see again, she can’t believe her own eyes. The room is lit in the smooth light of about hundreds of tea warmers, the bed is covered with petals of roses and on the bedside table there is a bottle of Champaign.

"You’re crazy. When did you do all that?" she wonders.

"That’s my little secret." He whispers before closing the distance between them and looking Nicole directly into the eyes. After what seems to an eternity to both of them Shane leans in and kisses her, very gently at first, but gradually increasing in passion and need.

Nicole’s hand automatically start to roam over Shane’s back, seeking contact with his bare skin. But Shane stops her from going any further. He breaks the kiss, lifts her up and carefully carries her over to the bed, where he gently put her down again before joining her on the bed.

"Before we continue, there’s something I have to tell you"" Shane starts off but then stopping not trusting his voice anymore.

"What is it? You can tell me anything. You know that, right?" Nicole tries to encourage him.

"Yeah, I know. Well, darling I know that we’ve only been a couple since three months now, and you might think that it is way too early for that but I already know that you are a dream come true for me. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I wanna spent the rest of my life with you, so I wanted to asked you whether you will marry me."

Nicole is overwhelmed by Shane’s word and wipes away a lonely tear that is running down her cheek, before she closes the distance between them and claims Shane’s lips for the softest kiss. "Yes, honey!" she smiles.

Chapter 4
The following weekend it’s time to party Shane’s and Nicole’s engagement party .

Among the guests is Sylvia, a good friend neither Nicole nor Michelle have seen for ages.

"Hey Sylvia! So good to see you again." Michelle greets her and after a big hug begins to introducing some people, starting with Kian, going on to Bryan and Mark finishing off with Nicky.

"Hello, nice to meet you all!" Sylvia shyly smiles.

"Nice to meet you too!" Nicky takes over and grabbing her hand asks: "So do you know the rest of the whole lot already?"

She just warily smiles. "No, Michelle didn’t introduce me to anybody else yet."

"Well then come on! I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun tonight." Nicky beams.

Seeking help, Sylvia turns to Michelle, signalising that she didn’t do anything to get herself in that situation and that she’d rather stay with her.

But instead of helping Sylvia, Michelle just smiles: "Have fun!" and within the next second is occupied with Kian.

"Hey honey! Do you want another drink?" and without waiting for a reply offers her a glass of Champaign.

"Sure, thanks. To what are we drinking a toast to then?"

"Uhm, to Nicole’s and Shane’s engagement and to you." Kian says.

"To me?"

"Yes to you. To the most amazing and loving woman I’ve ever met." He smiles.

"Charmer!"

"Hiya! Is there the slightest possibility to ever separate the two of you?" Bryan jokes.

"Nope, it’s way too late for that!" Michelle simply states.

"Well, in that case, why don’t you just get married?"

"Nah, thanks Bryan that’s not the right thing for me." Kian declines.

"Yeah right! Everybody says that until they find themselves standing in front of the altar." Explains Bryan wiggling his eyebrows and leaves.

"Hi! I’m back!" Sylvia says a little out of breath. And then slapping Michelle adds: "Thanks for your help!"

"Well, do you know everybody now?"

"Yes, I know everybody and every single corner of that house. Thank you very much! But I have to say you and Nicole are really very lucky! You’re boyfriends are the nicest lads." Sylva admits.

"Don’t worry, Syl. One day, you’ll be that lucky as well. Maybe even sooner than you think." Michelle says giving her a quick hug.

"You’re glass is empty. Do you want another drink?" Kian asks turning to Sylvia.

"Yes, why not."

When he returns to the two girls and offers each of them a caipirinha, Michelle looks at lovingly looks at him and smiles. Pulling him into a hug she whispers: "Did I already tell you, that I don’t have to work next Friday?"

"Really? That means that you’re gonna come to our concert in Dublin." Kian beams and gives Michelle a long kiss, showing her how happy he is about being able to take her to Dublin with him.

"Is there anything to celebrate?" Shane interrupts the two of them much to Sylvia’s relief, who was already feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Yep, there is. Michelle has off next Friday, which means she’s gonna see the concert." Kian grins.

"Cool that it worked out for Michelle as well." Says Shane.

"Huh? Who is coming too?"

"Hello Kian??? Nicole of course!" Shane pouts.

"Her boss didn’t agree in the first place, but Shane and I then talked to him and now it’s ok." Michelle explains.

Soon almost every party guest has left and the whole lot start to tidy up the place.

"Is there anything I can do?" Sylvia asks, not really knowing what to do.

"Sure you can"" Nicky immediately answers, but is the interrupted by the laughter of his mates.

"Well, I think we have another love sick puppy among us now!" Mark whispers.

"Oh no God help us, bless us and save us!" Bryan says, obviously imitating Nicky, who thank God didn’t hear it.

"Only if you really want to, ‘cause you don’t have to, Syl!" says Nicole.

"Nah, no problem!"

Nicky and Sylvia are so delved into their work that they don’t realise how they both bend down to pick up the same piece of paper. Only when their hands touch, they snap out of their thoughts and smile at each other.

"I think there’s definitely something going on between them!" Michelle whispers, nodding towards Nicky and Sylvia.

"Yeah, I would not deny that." Nicole agrees.

When they’re finished tidying up they all go over to Kian’s house to watch ‘American Pie 2’, but Michelle is so tired that she soon falls asleep, lying in Kian’s arms.

"How cute is that?!" Sylvia smiles when she sees Michelle sleeping in Kian’s arms.

"Lads, I would love to bring you to the door, but it looks like you have to try your luck on your own. I can give you directions though." Kian jokes, gently kissing Michelle on her hair.

Sure no problem, Kian. Good night!" Bryan says and leaves the room, with everybody else silently following him.

"Have a save trip home, Sylvia!" Kian whispers giving her a warm smile.

"Thanks. Good luck for the two of you. You’re a great couple!" She smile back.

Out side of Kian’s house the rest of the whole say goodbye to each others as well.

"It’s been so good to see you again. You’ll come and visit us again really soon, promised?" Nicole asks hugging Sylvia.

"Yeah, I promise!" She smiles, although her eyes are filling with tears. "I better go now, before I start crying. I’ll miss you. Tell Michelle I said hi." She says and turns to leave.

"You’re not mad, we’re not bringing you to the airport, are you?" Nicole calls after her.

"No, not all. You just grab your husband to be and go home. I’m sure you have better things to do." She reassures Nicole and walks away.

Nicky is now quick to say goodbye to everybody and runs after her.

"I could bring you to the airport, if you don’t mind." He offers.

"But only if that doesn’t mean any extra trouble for you." Sylvia agrees.

"Even if it meant to go a long way round, it wouldn’t matter." Nicky states.

After arriving at the airport Sylvia picks up her ticket and while walking her to the check-in gate Nicky says: "It’s a shame that you can’t stay here any longer."

"Yeah, it really is, but it’s good that you and Michelle are good friends."

"Why?" Nicky asks a little confused.

"Because that means that we’ll see each other again at some point." She answers and smiles.

"Uhm Sylvia?"

"Yeah?"

"I have an idea. How about I pay you a flight from Berlin to Dublin. That way you could come to see us in concert next Friday. What do you think?"

"I don’t know Nicky""

"Oh, it’s ok, you don’t have to, if you don’t want to"" Nicky pouts.

"No no, it’s not that I wouldn’t want to, it’s just that I might have to work " Sylvia quickly says.

"But please!" Nicky almost begs looking at her from under lowered lashes.

"Ok, I’ll think of something." Sylvia promises, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

"Great!" Nicky beams and then pulls her into a tight hug

"I have to check in now. So could you please let go of me?" she asks, a bit afraid that Nicky might hear her heart beat at a thousands beats an hour.

"Thanks!" she sighs.

Meanwhile back at Kian’s house, he had finally managed to entangle himself from Michelle’s embrace. After bringing the remaining glasses and plates into the kitchen, he kneels in front the couch and takes a loving look at Michelle.

He decides that sleeping on the couch would not her any good, picks her up and carefully carries her upstairs to the bedroom. After putting her down he lies down besides her, pulls the cover up and gently spoons her.

Chapter 5
When Michelle and Nicole are on their way to Dublin on Thursday, Michelle receives a text message from Sylvia.

‘Can you please pick me up from the airport?’

Completely taken by surprise the two of them speed off to the airport and after welcoming their friend with a big hug, Michelle asks: "What are you doing here?"

"Surprise!" Sylvia beams.

"Nope, Nicky!" Nicole simply states.

"What?! Did I miss something here?" Michelle wants to know. "Why didn’t anybody tell me what’s been going on?" she pouts.

"There isn’t anything to tell!" Sylvia explains not quite ready to admit what she might feel for Nicky.

"Yeah there is, but if you prefer sleeping." Nicole ends the conversation and pulls her friends towards the car.

Arriving at the hotel, where the lads are already impatiently waiting for them to arrive, Sylvia gets a very warm welcome by the lads.

"Hey, so good to see you again. And a big surprise is it too."

"Well, if that’s what you wanna call it!" Nicole answers Shane, but doesn’t take her eyes of Nicky and then has to smile when she sees him blushing.

They soon start to fool around again, rolling on the floor with laughter when Michelle suddenly passes out and falls off the sofa.

It barely takes Kian a second to get at Michelle’s side. He gently pats her cheeks and whispers:

"Michelle babe, wake up please!"

When she opens her eyes he leans down and softly kisses her forehead, sighing out all the tension and apprehension he says:" Thank god!"

"Hey what’s wrong?" Michelle asks still not fully awake.

"You’re asking me? What happened to you?"

"I don’t know. Probably just a circulation disturbance. That happens from time to time." Michelle explains.

"Yeah, maybe. But we’ll still call a doctor though. Just to make sure."

So while Kian helps her back on the couch, Nicole calls and ambulance.

After five minutes the doctor arrives and after checking on Michelle decides that she should be taken to the hospital over night.

"What? What’s wrong with her?" Kian shouts when he hears the news, panic building inside of him.

"Nothing too bad. We just want to observe her. Make sure she really is ok." The doctor explains.

"OK but I’m gonna go with her!" Kian states.

"Sure, no problem."

"Hey, don’t look at me like that!" Michelle says and gently touches Kian’s cheek. "I’m still alive, and I’ll be out of here tomorrow. There’s nothing that can stop me from seeing you on stage tomorrow."

"I hope so. But I’ll stay here with you tonight. I always find hospital rooms a little scary. Don’t you?"

"Kian, you’re really sweet. But you should go back to the others. You can’t really help me here anyway. I’m tired, wanna sleep now!" she yawns.

"OK!" he sighs.

After stroking her hair for about ten minutes he softly touches her face, places a kiss on her lips and whispers: "See you tomorrow. I love you, baby!"

"Love you too!" she sighs before sleep finally claims her.

Back at the hotel the rest of the group desperately try to cheer Kian up, but they soon have to give up, realising that there’s no point.

Trying one last attempt, Nicole puts an arm around him: "She’s gonna be out of the hospital by tomorrow. You’ll see!"

"Yeah, and if I have to go and free her myself!" Mark agrees.

"You’re probably right. But still"" he sighs and while taking a seat over by the window adds:

"Don’t let me ruin your mood though!"

Keeping a worried eye on Kian, Nicole, Shane, Bryan, Mark, Nicky and Sylvia are enjoying themselves for the rest of the evening.

Unfortunately the lads have to do the sound check on the next morning, so that Nicole and Sylvia have to visit Michelle in the hospital on their own.

"Hiya sweetie, how are you doing?"

"How do you think I am, being stuck in this place?!" snaps Michelle.

"Calm down! That’s exactly why we’re here. We came to pick you up. I don’t think we should wait much longer. Could be that Kian starts killing the people around him." Sylvia jokes.

"Yeah, so are you ready to leave?" Nicole adds.

"No, sorry girls, but I can’t get out of this horrible place before the doctor comes around the next time and that won’t be before this afternoon." Michelle hissed getting more angry by the pure thought of being stuck in the hospital for a few more hours at least.

"Oh no, that can’t be true! So, what are we gonna do now?" Sylvia asked.

"Hey don’t look so sad! I’ll definitely make it to the concert. There nothing that can stop me." Michelle tries to cheer her two friends up.

"OK, but what are we gonna tell Kian? He’s been really down since you’re in here."

"Just tell him the truth"that I have to wait for the doctor."

After chatting for a couple of minutes the two girls have to go.

"Ok, see you later then!" Nicole says.

"Yeah see ya and look after Kian for, will ya?! I don’t want him to go crazy"" she smiles weakly.

As soon as the two of them enter the backstage area, Kian comes running towards them.

"Hey, where is Michelle?" he asks, not able to hide his disappointment.

"Don’t worry Ki, she promised to be here for the show." Nicole tries to calm him down.

"Yeah, and she wanted me to give you this"" Sylvia adds, leans forward and gives him a soft peck on the cheek.

"Thanks! The two of you are really sweet!" Kian smile, "but I still wish Michelle was here right now."

"We know!"

When the show starts Michelle still isn’t there, so the five lads enter the stage, without having seen her.

Just when they sing ‘I lay my love on you’ Michelle arrives at the venue; approaches the stage from the backstage area and goes over to Nicole and Sylvia, who are standing in front of the first barrier.

"Hiya! So good to see ya!" Nicole and Sylvia beam.

"Yeah, Kian almost lost it completely. Love has to be a wonderful thing!" Sylvia smiles.

"Oh come on, as if you just don’t go through that as well." Michelle is quick to counter.

"Don’t know what you’re aiming at!"

Luckily the two of them get interrupted by Bryan announcing ‘Flying without wings’, and then realise that Kian is making his way off the stage and walks directly towards them.

He pulls Michelle into a hug and whispers: "So glad you made it!"

"’Course I did! I promised, didn’t I?"

After ‘Flying without wings’ it’s time for Kian’s speech:

"Welcome to the first ever Westlife tour! I hope each and every one of is enjoying this just as much as we are. I wanna take this opportunity to thank a very special person. A person who means the world to me and showed me what real love is! My girlfriend Michelle, who I love more than anything. This next song is just for you: ‘Every little thing that you do’."

Nicky then walks over to Kian, puts an arm around him, shows a shy smile and adds:

"Thanks mate you spoke my mind. I could not have found a better way to express what I’m feeling. Sylvia- you’re more to me than just a good friend"I’ve fallen in love with you!"

When he’s done he too walks off the stage and walks towards the girls.

Sylvia immediately blushes and smiling she whispers: "I know I should say something now, but I don’t know what to say."

Indecisive what to do next Nicky just stands there looking at her, but is soon brought back to reality by Bryan.

"Mr. Nicky Byrne would you please return to the stage?!"

"Yeah, ‘cause we have a show to finish here!" Shane adds addressing the fans, who right away start screaming.

As much as Nicky would have loved to wait for an answer from Sylvia he knew that now was not the appropriate time, so he walks back on the stage and does his job.

"What on earth are you waiting for?" Michelle asks Sylvia while the three of them while they’re walking into the backstage area after the concert is over.

"What do you think I should have done. Just snog him right there, when a thousands fans are watching?!"

"Yeah, I guess you’re right" she then admits.

"Here we go, there they are!" Nicole says spotting the guys, with Nicky walking behind the other lads.

"OK, I’ll go over to Nicky now. Guess I have some making up to do." Sylvia says already walking away and then past the group.

When she approaches Nicky he stops in his tracks, gives her a weak smile and softly says:

"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that." Feeling terribly disappointed, he has to swallow hard to be able to hold back a tear that is threatening behind his eyelids.

"No, you don’t have to be... only if you didn’t mean what you said." Sylvia says while softly stroking up and down his arm. "I should be the one who has to apologise, but I just didn’t know what to say"and I couldn’t really do what I wanted to back there." She explains herself.

"What was it that you wanted to do?" Nicky asks with relit hopes.

She then just leans forward and touches his lips with the softest kiss.

"Oh no! Not another happy couple!", Mark sighs when he sees Nicky and Sylvia embracing each other.

"Yeah, you better watch out. There seems to be some kind of virus around!" Nicky laughs, walking over to the rest of the group with Sylvia’s hand in his.

"I’d definitely agree on that one." Shane nods and then turning to Michelle asks: "Say, how many friends do you actually have?"

"Why? Uhm" but I think I could find Mark a nice girlfriend as well." She grins.

"No no, only kidding. I think Mark is able to do that himself. "

"I hate to interrupt the two of you here, but Michelle could you please come with me? I need to talk."

Michelle just nods and feeling a little concerned walks away with Kian, who then suddenly stops and takes her hands in his.

"Why are so serious? Is everything all right?" she asks, now being even more worried, seeing the _expression on her boyfriend’s face.

"Everything is fine, well almost.."

"Tell me, please?" Michelle encourages him to go on.

"Well, I don’t know how you feel about us, but I just love you so much, that I wanna grow old with and have a family." Kian says shyly.

"Wow!" Michelle sighs, a tear already running down her cheek. Wiping it away and pulling Kian a little closer she softly whispers: "I’m speechless Kian, but you just made me the happiest person walking the planet. And to be honest, there’s something I really wanted to ask you for quite some time now, but I never really had enough courage to actually do it. And the things you just said, well""

"What?" Kian asks.

"I know it’s not that usual for a woman to ask that kind of question, and it probably isn’t the most romantic place, but Kian would you please marry me?"

Kian looks at her with his blue eyes that are filled with tears, pulls her tight and after whispering ‘yes’, lovingly kisses her.

Gently pulling away from Kian, Michelle asks: "Do you think that could be our little secret for a little while longer? Let’s just tell them a few days before the wedding. OK?"

"Anything you want! I’ve never been happier! And it’s all down to you." He smiles, gives her one last kiss and guides her back to the others.

After chatting about everything and nothing Bryan suddenly turn towards the newly engaged couple and blurts out: "What do the tow of you actually think of getting married?"

"Where did that question just come from?! Do you know that you’re actually scaring me sometimes, Bryan?" Michelle laughs trying to hide her real feelings of complete happiness.

"Dunno, just an idea, ‘cause Nicky and Sylvia are a couple now. Shane and Nicole are going to get married. I mean the tow of you have been an item much longer and don’t even seem to talk about it yet." He states looking at them questioningly.

"Oh Bryan, you know Kian, even if he found the right person, he’d still take very very slow, cause he’s too scared of doing anything wrong." Mark cuts in, stressing the words in an exaggerated way to make it extra clear that he doesn’t exactly approve the way Kian handles those kind of things.

"You know Mark, I think Kian’s right. Why rush into anything?" Sylvia defends him.

"You’re such a cute couple, but I’d have to agree with Mark: If we don’t drag ya to the church, you’ll never get anywhere." Shane simply adds.

"Guys, it’s been nice talking to you and it’s really sweet that you’re so worried about us and our relationship." Michelle smiles.

"Yeah!" Kian agrees, "But I think it’s time for us to go home now, you know having some quality time together."

As soon as the two of them have left the room Bryan laughs: "So they finally decided to something about their family planning!"

The rest of them just stare at him in shock. "Oh come on you lot! I’m only kidding, is it not allowed any more to pull a joke. How on earth would I know, what the two of are doing when they’re at home. And now that I come to think about, I even have to say that don’t wanna know those kind of things!" he grins.

Thanks to his clever remark Bryan ends up with a couple of cushions in his lap, which have been thrown at him by the others.

"You’re terrible Bryan. For a moment we really thought you meant what you said."

Getting oblivious to the scene that goes on around them Shane lovingly wraps an arm around Nicole starts nuzzling at the sensitive spot behind her ear. "Do you wanna go home?"

"Why? Do you have another one of your surprises planned you’re so famous for?" Nicole smiles, hoping Shane would give the right answer.

"Nope, no surprises really. I just thought we could spend the rest of the night alone, you know getting comfy on the sofa and maybe deepen this a little." He softly whispers and then gently nibbles at Nicole’s earlobe.

"Stop that! You know I’m very sensitive there!" she immediately starts to giggle.

"So you don’t wanna go home then?" Shane asks a little disappointed, already seeing all his lovely ideas wasted.

"What are you two whispering all the time?" Nicky, who had been watching them for quite some time now, rudely interrupts.

"Well Nicky, you know"you don’t have to stick your nose in everything!" Nicole snaps, shocking Nicky.

"Uhm sorry!" he says, avoiding her glance.

"Don’t be daft! You know I didn’t mean it the way I said it. It’s just that Shane and I decided to go home now." She explains to him.

"You really had me scared there for a moment. You know I think if looks could kill, I’d be lying here dead." Nicky sighs.

"You know Bryan, I think that thing about planning a family kinda seems to be contagious." Nicky jokes.

"Well, maybe you should be very careful then. Who knows, maybe you’ll the first one!" Bryan teases.

"Nope, thank you very much. I’m blond, not stupid. I know damn well how to avoid those kind of things." Nicky exclaims, grinning at Bryan.

Although Sylvia knows that Nicky didn’t realise how he just said that, it still hurt her feelings, but she decided to let it be none the less.

Chapter 6
The weeks pass by without anything dramatic happening.

Nicky and Sylvia are getting along quite well, enjoying each others company, but also spending quite some time on their, needing their space.

Shane and Nicole being as happy with each other as always, and never to be seen without the other one.

Concerning Kian and Michelle the others only knew the two of them were still alive, because they actually saw them on every work-related occasion, but apart from that never managed to get a hold of them.

Then one day at a after show party while eating dinner Kian suddenly gets up and clears his throat, trying to get everyone’s attention.

"Well everybody thanks for listening. Uhm"not because Michelle and I feel obliged to react on your guys complaints, but because we truly love each other and therefore wanna spend the rest of our lives together, Michele and I wanna invite you to our wedding"" he states.

Not quite able to believe what they just heard the rest of the table just stares at Kian, who then takes a deep breath before adding: ""in three days!" Sitting down he gently starts stoking Michelle’s hand, knowing damn well that the others gonna need at least a few minutes to let these information sink in.

After what seemed like an eternity Nicky finally manages to speak his mind: "Didn’t you guys miss out on a important step, before actually tying the knot?"

"Yeah, I thought so too!" Mark agrees, "But nevertheless, congratulations!" he says, going over to them for a big hug. Coming out of their reveries the others one by one follow Mark’s example.

"So how long have you two been engaged, if at all? Or did you just decide to get married over dinner?" Bryan jokes, but still very curious to find out all the saucy details.

"I think they’re capable of just about everything." Nicole kicks in and then adds. "But you’re not pregnant, are ya?"

"Oh no, you can forget about that right away!" Michelle is very quick to answer.

"Michelle asked me to marry her at the Dublin gig." Kian sighs, remembering the happiest moment of his life.

"Ohhh how cute is that? I can’t believe it."

"Why do you tell us so soon. I mean come on, three days, that’s all the time in the world?" Nicole jokes.

"Stop complaining! We could have waited a bit longer, you know. But we didn’t really wanna do that to you." Michelle smiles, gently hugging Kian, before they all clink their glasses for the happiness of Kian and Michelle.

"I still can’t believe you only told us today. If you had told us a little earlier we would have been able to at least get you the two of you some nice presents for your weeding. And how am I supposed to find something nice to wear for your big day with only three days left?!" Nicole whines.

"You know Kian, I think we’ve been a little too hasty. Maybe one day before the weeding would have done it as well." Michelle states.

"Oh no!!

"Yeah, imagining the whole lot running around panicing"what a picture!" Kian agrees.

"Oh yeah? Just wait until I get you!" Shane threatens and starts to chase Kian around the backstage area.

"Here we go again. Our very own kindergarten is up and about again." Sylvia jokes.

"Not quite. You forgot that Nicky is still here with us!" Michelle remarks, but catching Nicky’s glimpse immediately regrets it.

"You think you’re funny, don’t you?! What do think of taking a little shower then?" Nicky asks while throwing Michelle over his shoulder and running along the corridor with her.

"Maybe you should not have said that!" Nicole shouts after them.

"Put me down Nicky, please!" She gently asks, hoping to pacify him, but to no avail.

"Mr. Byrne, put me down this instant or I swear to God you gonna be in deep trouble!" she threatens him while kicking her feet.

"KIAN!!!" she screams, starting to realise that Nicky is not gonna let her out of this that easy.

In the showers she tries to plead with him once again, but seeing Nicky reaching for the tap, Michelle closes her eyes, expecting the worst.

In the last second she’s being pushed back and opening her eyes Michelle sees Kian being hit by an ice cold jet of water.

"Thank you! But maybe you should not have done that! You’re all wet now!" Michelle smiles at him.

"Nah, that’s okay. I don’t think that’ll be a problem."

"Why’s that?"

"Well see, this whole thing does have one advantage" now you can help me get dry." Kian grins and wriggles his eyebrows.

"What, and leave the party?"

"Exactly!" Kian states and pulls Michelle into a tight embrace.

"Uh Kian, you’re cold and wet!" Michelle complains, trying to push him away, but soon giving in, finding it impossible to resist the distance.

"See? Now we’re both cold and wet, so we should leave right now!"

Entering the showers Nicole starts to giggle. "So that’s what you get for messing with Nicky?!"

"Watch out!" Michelle tries to warn her best friend"but too late.

Nicole cries out as Nicky empties a whole bucket of water over her head.

"NICKY!!! Wait until I get you. I swear that was the last happy day of your life!" Nicole screams trying her hardest to recover from the shock.

Bryan, Shane and Mark, who have been attracted by Nicole’s screaming enter the scene and immediately start laughing at the sight in front of their eyes.

"Ok lads, it’s been a really nice evening, as always, but I think it’s time for me to go!" Michelle states and makes her way over to the door.

"Hey, are you not gonna take me with you?" Kian pouts.

"Uhm, let me see" you’re cold and wet" well yeah, come on then."

"You know you two, if you keep looking at each other like that, your clothes will be dry in no time." Bryan shouts.

"Wait for me. I have to change too!" Nicole decides.

"Are you gonna stay in the hotel for the rest of the night?" Shane holds her back.

"That kind of depends on what you are going to do." Nicole smiles, making it pretty obvious what she has in mind.

"Puh, it’s suddenly getting so hot in here. Is that because of all the drinks I already had or because of all those lovebirds around me?" Bryan enquires, trying his hardest to keep a straight face.

"Maybe you should stop running all those dirty thoughts in your head." Mark helpfully offers.

"Great now what do I do? Now that all the ladies have gone, there’s nobody left that I can annoy!" Nicky pouts.

"What’s with the cute lady over there?" Bryan say, pointing at Sylvia who had just entered the room.

"She looks pissed!" Mark whispers.

"You did not leave her alone all the time, did you?" Bryan asks worriedly.

"You better think of something" I bet you have some making up to do!"

Nicky takes a deep breath, fixes a smile on his face and walks over to Sylvia.

"Oh, how nice of you! Have you now made up your mind and decided that I’m a lady too and actually worth of your attention?" she asks full of sarcasm.

"Uhm" I’m""

"What is it, you wanted to say Nicky? You know I’m really happy for you that you get along with Michelle and Nicole so well. And maybe I’ve just been misreading things, maybe it’s just been all in my imagination. If I really meant anything to you, you would not have ignored me all night!" she calmly explains and leaves, without even giving Nicky a chance to explain.

Needing some advice, Nicky looks over to Bryan and Mark, hoping they’d come up with something useful, to get him out of this misery.

"Did I do something wrong?" Nicky asks after a while.

"No Nicky! What makes you think that?!"

"What on earth are you waiting for? Get a move on!" Mark shouts.

Following Sylvia back to the hotel, he takes a quick look around the lobby and then makes his way up to her room right away. He’s just in time and takes a hold of her arm before Sylvia slips inside.

"Wait! I wanna talk to you"!"

"Fine, but I don’t want to talk to you!" she snaps, frees herself of his hold and shuts the door in his face.

"Please"!" Nicky whispers and slides down,

Hearing laughter from Nicole’s and Shane’s room, he decides to walk over to Michelle and Kian.

Opening the door it Kian sees a very distressed Nicky standing in the corridor.

"Well, do you wanna wait for Christmas out here or are you gonna come in?"

Without a word Nicky walks by and lets himself fall on the bed.

"Hey Nicky, come on" everything will be fine again, you’ll see!" Michelle says, putting an arm around him.

Taking Michelle’s hand he sighs: "Thanks for being such a great friend!"

"Hey, what about me then?!" Kian jokes.

"You too! I know I can be such an idiot sometimes"" Nicky sobs, the tears now running down his cheeks.

After a very long night of endless discussion about Sylvia and the things Nicky had done wrong he finally falls asleep on the couch.

When he wakes up again he decides that he just has to try everything to get Sylvia to forgive him, so he writes her a little note.

Good morning darling,

I’m begging you to just give me one more chance to say I’m sorry. You mean the world to me and I love you more than anything.

I know I did not show you, but you are my life!

Always yours,

Nicky

After having ordered some breakfast he creeps over to her room, puts the tray with his note down, and after knocking on the door rushes back to Kian’s room. Leaving the door slightly ajar he tries to catch her reaction.

Hearing the knock on her door Sylvia silently prays that it’s Nicky and seeing the tray she already knows she has long forgiven him.

After waiting a couple of minutes, Nicky makes his way over to her room and again knocks.

Opening the door all Sylvia sees is a huge bouquet of red roses and then carefully glancing over it, appears Nicky’s head.

"Hey baby! Can I please come in?" he hesitantly asks.

Sylvia steps aside and simply walks back into her room.

Already seeing his hopes go down, Nicky follows quit. "Please honey, I’m sooo""

Closing the distance between them, she gently puts a finger over his lips.

"Hush" I’m sorry for overreacting. Not gonna happen again. From now on I’ll let you have your space. I won’t push this so hard again." She offers.

"No, I don’t want that" I mean. It’s all my mistake. I should not have ignored you like I did. I don’t want more space, actually I want to deepen our relationship" I won’t ever make you doubt again where we stand. I promise! I love you""

With tears in her eyes she softly kisses him. "You don’t have to say that, just because you want to make it up to me. I understand if you don’t want a real relationship, if you need your space. Maybe I just don’t fit in your world""

"No!" Nicky interrupts. "Don’t ever say that! You’re exactly what I want." Nicky tenderly says and pulling her to the bed starts making up for his mistakes and the missed night"

When they meet the rest of the bunch for lunch Sylvia and Nicky enter the restaurant hand in hand.

"Hey!!! So you tow are one item then again?" Bryan grins.

"Yep, thanks to Kian and Michelle that is. They helped me an awful lot last night. Bit where on earth are they?"

"What do you think?! Still in their room of course..." Mark smirks.

Chapter 7
"Good morning love." Kian softly whispers as Michelle opens her eyes.

"Hiya sweetie!" she replies and pulls Kian down for a good morning kiss.

"So what are we gonna do today!" he suggestively whispers.

"I know what you’re playing at, and looking at you I could think of a million things I would wanna do to you, but"!" Michelle sighs, then being interrupted by Kian soft kisses.

Gently pushing him away she gets out of bed and walks to the bathroom. Before finally closing the door behind her she turns around again: "Keep that for later, love. I better get going now, because I don’t think appearing in front of the altar without a proper wedding dress would do any good."

When they arrive at the restaurant the others are caught in a lively discussion about the appropriate gifts for the two lovebirds.

"Sorry to disturb you here..." Kian suddenly speaks up.

"Don’t be daft! Come on have a seat. What do you want to eat." Shane replies.

"Sorry again, but we have an awful lot to carry through for the wedding you know." Kian explains.

"Yeah, but we just wanted to say hi before we head into the city centre" well and make sure everything is all alright." Michelle adds turning to Nicky and Sylvia, who are once again snogging each other.

"They have been like this since they stepped foot in this place, they can’t keep their hands off each other and just that you know, I’m blaming you two!" Mark sighs.

Only when the whole table breaks down with laughter, Sylvia and Nicky let go of each other: "What? Did we miss anything?"

"Nah" you just keep going!"

"Well, I best be going now!" Michelle states and heads for the door.

"Hey, and who’s gonna help me chose the right outfit?" Kian pouts.

"Definitely not me!" Michelle smiles

"You know what? Why don’t you guys go with Kian and make sure he buys something nice." Nicole simply offers.

"Yeah, and Nicole and I go with Michelle then."

"Ok see you later then!" Kian says, gives Michelle a quick peck on the lips and leaves with Mark, Nicky, Shane and Bryan in toss.

After having been in about a million different shops, but still without any progress, Shane hits the next bench. "I can’t believe how difficult this is!" he complains.

"I’m definitely not ever getting married!" Nicky agrees.

"Yeah right!" Kian grins, "Now come let’s get going!"

The girls didn’t have any better luck and are now already in the seventh bridal shop.

"How many of those kind of shop even do exist in Dublin?!"

"I have just no idea, but if we don’t find something soon, I’ll have to get married in underwear." Michelle sobs.

"Don’t worry. There has to be one dress that is just perfect for you." Nicole tries to calm her down.

"How about this one. I think it’s fab!" Sylvia says holding a beautiful white dress in her hands.

"Wow"it really is amazing! But knowing my luck it won’t fit!"

"Shut up, Michelle! Just try it on." Sylvia begs.

"That’s it! Like it was made just for you!"

"Like a true princess!" Nicole agrees.

"Kian will get married to the most beautiful bride ever seen!" Sylvia whispers with a tear in her eye.

On their way back they run across the lads, who don’t look that happy.

"Hiya guys, how is it going?" Michelle asks, but already knowing the answer.

"Not too good, but I swear we’ll find something in the next shop." Kian says.

"Absolutely, even if I have to kill the shop assistant. They won’t get rid of us before they sold us a nice suit." Nicky explains.

"That’s a shame" but you know, if you’re really nice to me now, I might even visit you in prison. Uhm, you don’t have death penalty over here, do you?" Sylvia jokes.

Giving their loved ones a small kiss they say their goodbyes. "See you in Sligo then!"

As promised the five lads continue their hunt for something suitable to wear at the wedding, and as luck would have it in the next shop they really find what they were looking for.

"Oh god, I’m so excited. Do you think Michelle will like the way I look? Maybe we should not just buy this yet... maybe we’ll find something better." Kian asks, the panic risisng.

"NO!" comes the united reply from his mates.

"Listen, you do look really great, and I’m not just saying this, because I want to go home. I mean it. " Shane tries to calm Kian’s nerves.
"Yeah, the suit really is fanastic" if you just put a paperbag over your face, Michelle probably won’t run away"" Nicky jokes.

"Very funny! Honestly guys, this is it"right?!"

"Yep, now come on let’s pay and then head back to Sligo!" says Mark, pushing them towards the cash desk.

"Ok lads, you pay and I’ll see you at the car in a couple of minutes." Shane states and storms off.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to look at one the shops further down the street"" he says and closes the door behind him.

"What ‘s that all about?"

"I have just no idea"and I don’t think Shane cares to explain!" Kian shrugs.

Arriving at the car they already see Shane waiting.

"Ok, spill it out! What in the bag?" Bryan wants to know and almost manages to snap the bag from Shane.

"No, I don’t want to tell you just yet. You will get to know what this is about soon enough."

"Oh come on"that’s not fair!" Bryan argues.

"Lads get in the car and cut it out. I want to go home and finally take Michelle in my arms again."

"Yeah, me too!" Shane and Nicky sigh.

"Excuse me?! Why would you wanna do that?"

Hearing the others giggle he slowly realises that Shane and Nicky have not been talking about Michelle but about Nicole and Sylvia.

"Oh, ok" now let’s go please. If this goes on, I’m not gonna make it on time for the wedding." Kian sighs, at the end of his nerves.

Hours later they finally arrive at Kian’s house.

"There you are! We already were thinking about calling the police." Michelle jokes, gently taking Kian in her arms.

"Did you miss me then?"

"Nah, it’s just that Sylvia and Nicole started to get on me nerves, about those two." She answers, pointing at Nicky and Shane.

"As if! So, did you get all the stuff you need then Kian?"

"It’s perfect! You gonna love it, Michelle." Bryan ensures them.

"What about you?" Kian asks, trying to catch a glimpse into the shopping bags.

"Don’t you dare! You have to wait till your big day to see that! Mark, same for you!" Michelle warns.

"That’s great! Even more people with a secret"and nobody is telling me!" Nicky pouts.

"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?" Sylvia wants to know.

"Shane bought a present for Nicole, but he won’t tell us what it is!"

"Oh come on Shane! Please tell us!" Sylvia and Michelle beg.

"Nope! I’ll only tell her, but in my own time." Shane states.

"That’s not fair!"

"For me? What did I do to deserve that?" Nicole smiles.

"Yep, for you. And I think you know why"" Shane grins.

"Come on, tell us!"

"I wish I knew!" Nicole answers.

"What a picture! I wish you could your faces." Shane laughs.

"Stop making fun of us! Just tell us what it is, PLEASE!" Nicky begs again, desperate to have his own will.

"Oh, isn’t he cute when he’s like that?" Sylvia smiles and puts an arm around her boyfriend.

"Really?!"

""Yeah!"

And with that Nicky has forgotten about Shane’s secret and leaves the room, pulling Sylvia with him.

"I’m starving! I’ll go set the table"" Kian offers

"Don’t! I’ve got to tell you something, so I’ll invite you all out for dinner." Shane offers.

"So, after keeping your mouth shut for hours, you finally have the mercy to lift your secret?" Kian jokes.

"Well, things are definitely getting more interesting now!" says Mark, who had overheard the conversation.

"NO! It’s my invitation for dinner, so I get to chose where we’re going to. And now move!" Shane shouts after what has seemed an endless discussion about the right place.

When they arrive at their chosen restaurant and are being escorted to a wonderful decorated table Michelle whispers: "I can’t fight the felling that our Mr. Filan over there has planned this whole thing to the last detail."

"Have you secretly married her?" Bryan wonders.

"No no, don’t panic. You’re all gonna be guests at our wedding. I promise. Now stop asking questions and take a look at the meal. I hope you like it."

After the first course, Shane finally decides it’s the right time to share his secret with his best friends, and carefully clinks his glass.

"Ok, everybody to avoid that you all get even more impatient and take any serious damage from that condition, I think I am now ready to let you all know what my secret is." Shane starts and pauses, looking around the table.

"SHANE! I can’t take this anymore. I’m getting really angry. Just spill it out for heaven’s sake!" Michelle almost shouts.

"Oh, you poor thing! Mrs. Egan to be is getting angry." Nicole teases her.

"Ladies please!" Bryan calms them down, not having missed the look Michelle shot towards Nicole.

"Ok ok! Shane go on""

"Well, it’s a"" Shane starts, taking the present, which is unfortunately still wrapped in some paper, out of the box.

He then starts unwrapping it, but changes his mind.

"Nicole, I want you to unwrap it." He says handing it over.

"Shall I really?" she asks, losing herself in Shane’s eyes.

"Oh, I’m going insane here. If you don’t unwrap it right now you’ll regret it!" Michelle shouts.

"Hey, stop threatening my wife!" Shane laughs, while Nicole carefully takes off the paper.

"It’s a wonder that Nicky doesn’t crawl over the table out of curiosity." Bryan states, putting a hand on his mate’s shoulder.

"It’s not my mistake that the two of them make such a fuss about the whole thing." Nicky answers back.

"Here we go, she’s almost done!" Sylvia interrupts them.

Now everyone’s eyes are on Nicole, who still keeps it hidden.

"No, I’m not showing them!" Nicole sates with tears in her eyes.

"That too much for my nerves"" says Michelle and leaves the restaurant. After a short glance at each other Nicky and Kian go after her.

"Hey beautiful. Are you ok?" Nicky asks, already worrying about her again.

"Excuse me Nicky, but that beautiful lady is mine!" Kian warns him, but takes the sting out of his words by playfully nudging Nicky in the ribs.

"Stop being so childish"" Michelle manages to say before running off to the rest room.

"Michelle, where are you going?" they ask in unison following her inside.

When Michelle comes back out of the rest room, she walks straight into Kian’s arms, wanting a hug.

"Hey what’s wrong?"

"I don’t care anymore what Shane got for Nicole. Can we just go home? I don’t feel too good." Michelle says with a weak voice.
"Of course we can. Shall I call a doctor?"

"No doctor, just home." She sighs, leaning on to Kian.

After Kian and Michelle have left the restaurant, Nicky makes his way back the table.

"Where are the other two?" Shane asks.

"Home. They wanted me to tell you that Michelle didn’t feel good and that she doesn’t care anymore what all this is about." Nicky explains taking his seat.

"See, that’s what you get for the fuss you’re making!" Bryan giggles, trying to be funny.

"Are you now gonna tell us?" Marks asks getting more and more impatient.

"Ok"Shane and I"" Nicole says revealing Shane’s present.

"Are you kidding me?" Mark says in amazement.

"It’s a...uhm"music carrousel for a baby bed"" Nicky stutters.

"Wow! That’s great, I’m so happy for you!" Sylvia says hugging first Nicole and then Shane.

"Yeah, congratulations!" Nicky, Mark and bryan say in unison, hugging their friends as well.

"I can’t believe it, little Shaney is gonna be a daddy. " Bryan says in his baby voice.

"Well at least he’s more grown up than you are!" Nicky grins.

"How long do you already know it?" Sylvia cuts in, wanting toend that discussion before Bryan and Nicky take anything too serious.

"I already got the doctors confirmation two weeks ago, and told Shane four days ago. Excuse me for a while I better go and try to find out what’s wrong with Michelle. Maybe she’s keeping a secret as well." Nicole explains and leaves the table.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I don’t have a clue!" Sylvia sighs.

"There is not anything you’re not telling me, right?" Nicky enquires, looking slightly panicked.

"No, of course not, you deutz!" Sylvia laughs and kisses him.

"Hello?" Kian says.

"Kian? Hey, it’s me, Nicole. How is Michelle doing ?"

"I think she’s already a little better, she’s asleep on the sofa." He answers.

"So you don’t know what’s going on with her then?"

"No I don’t. I wish I knew though, ‘cause that would make me feel better." Kian sighs.

"Call us if anything happens, ok? I better go back to the others. It’s probably better for Sylvia if I don’t let her alone with those four friends of yours." Nicole says and hangs up.

Kian then immediately makes his way back into the living room, taking a seat on the armchair beside the couch.

Gently stroking Michelle’s hair he whispers: "I love you baby, don’t ever leave me."

Feeling a stinging pain in his neck, Kian wakes up a couple of hours later and hearing a sound in the kitchen, he realises that Michelle is no longer sleeping on the couch.

"Hey, how are you? I was so worried about you. Don’t you think we better should go and see a doctor?" he asks, still worried sick about her.

"I’m just hungry babe." Michelle explains and taking fish, toast and some chocolate out of the refrigerator walks back to the couch in the living room.

"Darling are you sure you’re feeling any better? Or is it normal for German girls to combine those sorts of food?"

"Only for some girls, babe. But I don’t think it’s just a German thing. I guess every girl in my condition feels at least a bit weird."

"Huh? I don’t get it. What are you playing at?"

"Well, I don’t really know how to tell you." Michelle sighs.

"Come on. You know you can tell me everything." Kian smiles encouragingly.

Michelle stops eating, walks over to Kian and takes place on his lap. "Ok, you didn’t want it any other way. It’s the famous three words that have every man going crazy." Michelle whispers.

"I love an other man? Nope, that would make five words"" Kian wonders.

"NO! I’m pregnant." Michelle sighs, not sure about Kian’s reaction.

"What?!"

"Uhm, I know we didn’t plan it, but"" Michelle starts babbling, feeling the panic rising.

"Oh my god, you and I are gonna have a baby, I’m gonna be a dad" Kian beams, the tears already showing in his eyes.

"You happy?" Michelle carefully asks.
"Happy??? No, I can’t describe how I’m feeling right now. And happy doesn’t even begin to cover it." Kian says, pulls Michelle into a tight hug and lets his tears fall freely now.

After an endless time of hugging and kissing Kian finally has his emotions under control again and after wiping his tears of happiness away asks: "How far along are you then? I mean how much longer do I have to wait until I can hold our little baby in my arms?"

"I’m only in the fourth week, honey."

Without a warning Kian gets up, causing Michelle to fall on the ground, and making his way over to the phone smiles: "I have to tell the others!"

"NO!" Michelle shouts.

"Hey Kian what’s up?" Mark answers the phone.

"Uhm"" Kian stutters, trying to think of something to get himself out of this confusing situation. Passing a questioning glance at Michelle he then slowly continues: Uhm"I wanted to know what Shane’s present was."

Michelle sighs out of relief, walks over to him and with giving him a quick kiss whispers: "Don’t tell the others yet."

"What were you saying, Mark?"

"Are you not listening?" Mark asks feeling slightly annoyed.

"No, ‘course I am!" Kian ensures.

"I said, it’s a music carrousel for a baby bed." Mark repeats waiting for Kian’s reaction.

"Wow, how cute is that. I didn’t know Shane could be like that. Well, thanks for sharing this with me. See you!"

Walking over to Michelle he puts his arms around her.
"You won’t believe what Shane did.."

"Why are you grinning like that? Tell me!"

"Shane isn’t even smart enough to use a condom like he’s supposed to."

"You’re joking?!" Michelle says and seeing Kian shake his head continues: " Don’t you think you’re a bit unfair? I mean what do you say about us then?" she asks, gently stroking her belly.

Reaching out, Kian softly covers her hand with his own and whispers: "Passing on your beauty and my intelligence!" Kian smirks.

"Oh boy, now he’s getting megalomaniac. Don’t ever let Nicole hear what you just told me, or she’ll kill you."

"It’s worth a try, don’t you think?" Kian laughs.

"Ok, Mr. intelligent"I think it’s about time to go to bed. We have an awful lot to do tomorrow."

"That’s right, but I think I’m way too excited to be able to sleep." Kian says, following her into the bedroom.

Chapter 8
When the alarm clock rings the next morning Kian is too exhausted to even hear it, so Michelle gets up first.

Half an hour later she’s downstairs in the kitchen, the breakfast already prepared.

"Do you want a cup of coffee too, babe?" she calls up.

Stumbling into the kitchen with his eyes still closed Kian sighs: "I think I need at least a bucket full of coffee to get me going."

Opening his eyes, he immediately feels guilty. Taking in the sight in front of him he sighs:

"Honey you shouldn’t have done this." And taking his seat at the breakfast table adds: "I promise from now on I’ll make the breakfast, even in bed if you want to."

"You’re sweet, but the fact that I’m pregnant doesn’t exactly mean preparing breakfast will kill me." Michelle smiles kissing him good morning.

"No buts, I’ll take even better care of you from now on, Mrs. Egan" Kian smiles, tears already threatening again.

Sharing another kiss, they completely forget about breakfast and the fact that today times is working against them.

Only when the doorbell rings, they break apart, trying to catch their breaths.

"That must be the catering and the flower service. I’ll better go and let them in." Michelle says, walking away.

"I’ll clean up the kitchen. And gorgeous, promise me to take it easy, ok?"

Michelle just smiles to herself, feeling totally overwhelmed by Kian’s love and care.

"Hello! Where do you want us to put these?" the delivery man asks.

Kian’s warning completely forgotten Michelle starts direct all the different people around: "The buffet through there please, into the kitchen. And the flowers into the garden."

After half an hour of running around, Michelle feels the panic rising inside of her, suddenly fearing that something might go wrong on her big day.

"Kian, where is the fucking phone?" she yells.

"I don’t know honey. Are you alright?" he asks worried.

"Yeah, I’m fine, Could you just make that they""

"Ok ok, just sit down here and take a rest. I’ll take care of that." Kian says, pushes her towards the armchair and after giving her the phone continues to chase various people around.

"Nicole? Hi it’s me. Where are you? I need the dress. The lads have to pick up Kian and could Sylvia please come over here and help me organise everything?" Michelle pleads.

"Calm down sweety. We’re almost there, and so are the lads." Nicole ensures her.

After only a couple of minutes the whole group walks in and finds a completely stressed out Michelle sitting in the living room.

"Hey you lucky one! Don’t worry, we’re here now and we’ll sort it all out." Sylvia says, putting an arm around her friend.

"We’ll go and get Kian, so there’s at least one thing you need to worry about,!" Bryan smiles.

"Sylvia, you know what we’ve been discussing. Can you please make sure that everybody does what they’re supposed to do? Good lord, I don’t even know where all those people are coming from"" Michelle sighs.

"Don’t worry, I got it all under control. Just relax, I’ll take care of everything down here and you go with Nicole." Sylvia explains and with that is out of the room, doing her job.

"We have to be at the church at 11am, and everybody’s gonna be here at three. The house is a mess, and it’s already past nine." Michelle almost cries.

"Sylvia’s right you know. You need to relax, you are no use to anybody if you’re having a nervous breakdown. Now come on, your dress is upstairs. Let’s get you dolled up, and I promise, you gonna be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen." Nicole says, pulling Michelle with her.

On their way up the stairs they meet the lads: "We’re on our way to Mark’s to get Kian ready." Shane explains.

Looking into Kian’s eyes, Michelle can see that he’s just as nervous as she is, and giving him one last kiss, watches him being dragged out of the house by his best friends.

"Trust me it’s normal to feel like this. I guess something would be seriously wrong if you didn’t feel nervous on your wedding day." Nicole explains.

"Nicky, do you got the rings?" Kian asks already waiting for his bride at the church.

"Oh fuck" so that’s what the vacuum cleaner swallowed yesterday." He exclaims, but seeing the desperate look in his mate’s eyes quickly adds: "No no, just kidding. See, I’ve got them right here." And retrieving the box from his pocket lets Kian see them.

As much as Michelle enjoyed the time with Nicole and Sylvia, who helped her with the dress, hair and make up, arriving at the church the old nervousness starts to take over again as the time draws nearer.

"Ok, we’re done. It’s half ten, we’re better off to the church now, so that Nicky has enough time to get used to the sight of you before he has to lead you to the altar." Nicole smiles.

Arriving at the church, Michelle is led into the pastor’s office.

"You wait here until Nicky comes to get you, ok? No wandering around in the church, ‘cause everything’s fine, nothing you need to worry about. Do you hear me?" Sylvia threatens her, before taking her seat next to Bryan, Mark and Shane.

Meanwhile Nicole walks over to Nicky.

"Hey, everything alright?" she greets him.

"God, I’m so nervous"" Nicky says fumbling with the jacket of his suit.

"Don’t be daft! This is Kian’s and Michelle’s big day, not yours, so calm down. It’s Michelle who should be in the centre of attention here, remember?"

"Yeah, you’re right. How is she holding up?"

"She’s in there. She’s nervous as hell and"" Nicole says indicating to the room, where Michelle waits, but suddenly stops in the middle of the sentence.

"Hey Kian! You look absolutely amazing!" she stuns, turning towards him.

"I’m gonna throw up, I never felt so sick in me entire life." Kian sighs.
"Ah, don’t worry, there’s absolutely no reason to be nervous." Nicky tries to be helpful.

"Oh shut up! You didn’t even pop the question yet. How on earth would you know how I am supposed to be feeling?" Kian snivels.

But before Nicky can give a reply to Kian’s reproach the music of the organ interrupts them, and Nicky outside, where Michelle by now is waiting, while Nicole has some last comforting words for Kian,.

When the door opens and Nicky leads Michelle into the church every single guest turns his head to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride. The silence that is now to be heard in the church is almost deafening and with every single step Michelle takes, Kian gets more and more overwhelmed by his feelings.

His mouth suddenly dry as a desert, his heart beating as loud as a pneumatic drill and his hands cold as ice, Kian waits until he’s finally allowed to take his bride into his arms.

When Nicky and Michelle are right in front of him he does just that, and after quickly smiling at Nicky, he and Michelle turn towards the priest.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here to join together this woman and this man in matrimony which is an honourable estate. If anyone should show just cause, why they may not be joined together in matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace.", the priest pauses and afer a couple of seconds continues with his speech: "Kian John Francis Egan, will you take Yvonne to be your wedded wife ? Will you love her, comfort her, honour her, and keep her in sickness and in health until death do you part?"

"Yes, I will!", Kian almost sobs, completely overcome by emotions.

"And Yvonne Andrea Pahlisch, will you take Kian to be your wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health until death do you part?"

"Yes I will!", Yvonne says, trying to stop her voice from quivering.

After Yvonne and Kian made their promises to each other and exchanged the rings the priest looks at the newly wed couple and announces: "You may now kiss the bride."

Swallowing hard, Kain fights back the tears that are threatening behind his eyes and then takes Yvonne’s face in both his hands and lovingly kisses her.

At the reception back in Kian and Michelle’s garden all the guests finally have the opportunity to congratulate the two of them.

After an endless stream of congratulates Michelle spots Curly in the middle of the crowd. Walking towards she stuns "What are you doing here?"

"Did you honestly think I would not be there on you special day?"

"Thanks for coming!" Michelle whispers, tears already running down face.

"Come here!" Curly says pulling her in a tight embrace.

After some time Michelle takes the microphone and addresses the guests with a speech.
"Hello everybody, I wanna thank everyone for joining Kian and me at our special day. And now may I ask all the ladies who are still single to come together in a half round."
She had hardly finished her speech loud applause is to be heard from every direction. It takes ten whole minutes until all the ladies in question are in the right position. After Michelle’s eyes have been blindfolded, she’s being turned round a few times. She throws the bride’s bouquet towards the laughing crowd of single women.

Nicole, who is in the middle of a discussion with Curly shrugs when the bride’s bouquet lands in her hands. Curly is staring and quickly hug her.
"This is so exciting. I’m so excited about when your wedding bells are gonna ring."

"Well, I bet you would just love to know that!" agrees Shane, who is just bringing a drink for Nicole.

The party goes on till the early hours of the next morning and a lot of alcohol is being drunken.

Apart from Nicole and Michelle who are sticking to their non-alcoholic drinks the rest of the gang are drowning themselves in different drinks and cocktails. Somewhere along the way Bryan realises that neither Shane nor Curly can be found anywhere.

Spotting Nicole, Michelle and Kian he walks over to them.

"Hey guys. You wouldn’t by any chance knows where Shane and Curly are, would ya?" he babbles.

"I haven’t seen them for ages", he adds at the questioning looks.

Hearing this Nicole becomes aware that she hasn’t seen Shane for quite a while either. "I thought Shane just wanted to change but if Curly is missing too"oh my god, I don’t even wanna think about it." She sobs with tears already streaming down her face.

Michelle hugs her and tries to comfort her by whispering soothing words. "I really don’t think Shane ever would cheat on you. He loves you and he is the father of your baby."
But even those words cannot calm Nicole down.

"If I find out that Shane did that to you, Nicole, he is a dead man!" Kian promises. "Because if there is one thing I hate it’s being dishonest to the ones you love", he adds.

"That’s right. There is nothing meaner than that", Mark agrees.

"I hope he didn’t but if I find out that he did that to me"he"I"he can fuck off", Nicole cries.

Mark takes her in his arms and pets her back. "I don’t think he did it either. I mean he knows what he is risking. And the man who’s cheating on you has to be a real idiot", Mark states.

Slowly she raises her head and looks deeply into Mark’s ocean blue eyes.

"I don’t get it! There’s nothing I could have said that would have made you stop crying. And along comes Mark and she stops crying", Michelle states with indignant. Nicky walks towards them and whispers to Michelle. "Make sure Nicole does not go near Shane’s car!"

"Why?" Michelle wants to know, but already knows the answer.

"Well, let’s just say I know where Curly and Shane are, but shouldn’t be."
"Oh no! That can’t be true, please tell me that you’re joking!"

"Do I look like I’m kidding?"

"When I get him, I’ll kill him! He didn’t do that for nothing. I mean she’s pregnant. What on earth does he think he’s doing?" Michelle gets upset.

Walking over to Kian she tells him the whole story then sends him over to Mark to make sure he too knows what’s going on.
"I’ll go over to Nicole again." Michelle says and with a kiss walks away.

When Kian talks to Mark he had to do his best to calm Mark down again as he is very close to explode.

Nicole takes a close at Michelle and asks: "Be honest! Do you know anything?"

"I’m sorry, honey. I’d tell you if I knew what’s going on. "Michelle answers with a weak voice.

"OK, I have to get out of here, get some fresh air, you know. Are you coming along?" Nicole sighs.

"What now? That’s not a good idea!" Mark interrupts them, coming back from the conversation with Kian.

"Why not? Some fresh air surely won’t kill me!" Nicole snaps.

And before Mark or Michelle can do anything about it, Nicole is out of the door and runs towards Shane’s BMW. Taking a deep breath, somehow trying to prepare herself what might be coming she opens the door or the car.

"You bastard"you fucking lair", Nicole yells and slaps both, Curly and Shane, in the face.

Throwing the door shut again she tries to run away. But breaking down crying her eyes out she doesn’t get very far. Michelle tries in vain to get her up from the ground. "Can one of you help me please to get Nicole inside?" Michelle addresses Bryan, Nicky, Mark and Kian.

Mark tries to get her up as well but soon has to give up because Nicole has a real tantrum and hits and kicks everybody that tries to come near her.

Minutes later Nicole lies in the spare room and cries salty tears. Michelle and Mark who are sitting next to her try to stop her crying.

"Please stop crying, he doesn’t deserves it" Mark says calmly.

"I have to get out of here, I’m sorry. I can’t stay in here much longer", Michelle says, and leaving the room, crossing Shane’s way.

"May I speak with Nicole?"

Michelle could hardly believe what she hears. "That can’t be true! You’re trying to fool me, aren’t ya? You’re crazy, you’ll never speak a single word with her again"Have you not recognised that Nicole is pregnant with your child?"" Michelle doesn’t stop anymore. When Shane wants to answer she explodes and punches him.

Bryan who comes along stops her, puts her over his shoulder and carries her away.

"You are a damn asshole, Mr Filan", Michelle screams at Shane.

In front of Kian, Bryan lets her down and grins at his best mate. "Watch your wife! Though she’s pregnant, she almost managed to kill Shane."

"What? Really?" Kian asks taken aback.

Nicole who slowly calms down goes with Mark over to Kian and Michelle. "Be happy that you weren’t here a few seconds ago", Kian smiles proudly, "Michelle nearly killed Shane!"

"Oh, that person has the courage to come here after all what he’s done? He should be lucky that I wasn’t here at that moment"; Nicole said as someone knocks on the door. Nicole who stands next to the door opens it and wishes to close it again at the same time.

"Nicole, please let me explain""

"What do you want to explain? First you fuck a friend of mine and than you think with some words the world is ok? Forget it!"

"But.. ." Shane began but the door is closed.

"You know what, I’ll go change"ehrm"something more comfortable", Michelle grins.

"And then what?" Mark wants to know.

"And then? You gonna see that Bryan can’t stop me!" Were Michelle’s last words as she leaves.

Nicole, Kian and Mark stare at each other, think about it and state together "Shane!"

Kian and Mark leave as well, take Shane at his arms and take him outdoor.

"Take your feet in your hand and run, Michelle is on the way to see you, she told us!" Kian means. "And she doesn’t wanna party with ya!" Mark agrees.

"And Curly, it’s better if you leave as well. If you wanna survive the next days", Bryan adds.

"Oh fuck, is it so damn bad, I never wanted it!" Curly says, looks down and leaves.

Nicole’s mobile rings ‘unknown call’

"Hello?" Nicole picks the phone up.

"Hey, this is Shane" please don’t hang up"let’s talk about it, please"I’m sorry"" toot, toot" toot, toot"

"What should I do? I love a man who broke my heart so coarse", says Nicole.

Mark puts his hand on her shoulder, "Don’t give up! I know Shane will regret it!"

"Yeah and then? I don’t care, I can live without him", Nicole means.

"That’s not true, I know it!" Mark replies.

"We better go to sleep, Nicole", Michelle says.

"Now that Bryan is gone, you can stay here if you want to" Kian says. "Jep, just a double room with one big bed"AND you can’t separate it." Kian grins from cheek to cheek and looks from Mark to Nicole and back.

"You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. But this night belongs to Michelle and me and nobody comes between us."

Nicole looks at Kian and can’t hinder herself of saying. "Mark isn’t Shane, who makes the most of just a thoughtful situation."

"Good night sweethearts", say Michelle and Kian.

Nicole goes in the bathroom, takes a shower and puts a long shirt on. Back to the bedroom she lays beside Mark who wears nothing but boxershorts. Looking at each other they start smiling. Nicole nestles at Mark’s shoulder, he takes her in his arms and gives her a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight sweety", he whispers.

"Pardon? Have I heard right?" Nicole wants to know, she looks deeply in his eyes and his lips come closer. Some inches before they touch her lips he stops, "Shane doesn’t know what sweet girl he loses!" Mark softly kisses her, but she pushes him away.

"Hey Mark, that’s not good!" Nicole stammer.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t want that", Mark stutters.

"It’s ok, it was my fault as well.", she pauses. "Mark? Could you please just hold me tight?", she then shyly asks.

Mark takes her friendly, but also gently in his arms.

Chapter 9
Mark is the first to awake, to be sure that he doesn’t wake Nicole up he lays beside her for some time. He watches the sunrise and as some sunbeams fall down Nicole’s face he watches her sleep. Softly and carefully he strokes some hair from her face and touches her cheek.

"Hey babe, wake up", Mark whispers.

"Now? I mean, although the night was so short, I felt so safe in your arms", Nicole says sleepy.

"It was so nice."

"Whaaat?" Nicole wants to know.

"Ay, to fall asleep and wake up beside you", Mark replies.

"Wow, I just thought"" Nicole says easily.

"No, don’t panic. I don’t won’t do anything, you don’t want me to do." Mark smiles.

‘poor boy’ Nicole thinks. She stands up and notices Mark’s looks on her back.

When she stands under the shower, she recognises that she forgot her towel.

"Mark would you please bring me my towel?" Nicole calls from the bathroom.

"Yeah, just a moment, please." He yells back.

Just a while later Mark puts the towel over the heating and leaves the bathroom again.

"Thanks", Nicole says and hears that the door is being closed.

"Yeah?" Mark asks as someone knocks on the door. Michelle looks carefully around the corner.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure you can", Nicole answers stepping out of the bathroom.

"Have ya had a great night?" Kian asks and stays in the middle of the room.

"Yeah sure", Nicole replies and takes Mark friendly, but intimately in her arms.

"Yeah I see", Michelle grins.

"Breakfast is served! Nicky and Sylvia, as well as Bryan and Yvonne are here" Kian completes.

"Ok, but is it allowed to wear some more clothes than a towel?" Nicole asks.

"I think only a towel would be fine, but there are another four people, so it would be better, if you changed", Mark grins.

"Hey honey", is Nicky happy to see Michelle and hugs her, when she enters the kitchen.

"Hello everybody!" Michelle greets the rest of the bunch when she has her feet on the ground again.

"Hello Nicky, you are always hugging everybody and anybody, he?" Kian complains.

"Oh man you’ve forgot to ask the husband, this lady is married now!" Bryan smiles.

"Ups, I’m sorry. Please forgive me!" Nicky entreats and goes down on his knees.

"Mr Byrne, stand up!" Kian says.

"Yeah, our floors are clean. You don’t have to do that", Michelle smiles.

Sylvia, Bryan, Yvonne and Kian can’t hold on for laughing. Mark enters the room and looks down on himself and then in every face in the room.

"Something wrong with me?" Mark asks.

"No, you weren’t meant, Mark", Nicole says and smiles at him.

"Ui, Did I miss something?! There’s definitely something going on between those two", says Nicky cheekily.

"Only here for a few seconds and you already have to start making stupid jokes!", complains Nicole grinning.

"That’s the way I like you" Bryan smiles at Nicole.
"OK lads, let’s start breakfast, I’m starving", Nicole says.

"Do I have any chances at all?" Nicole looks scared and with big eyes at Mark. "Well, you know"ehrm"I like you very much and you are really sweet, but I don’t know! My mind says ‘forget Shane’, but my heart is bleeding."

"I give you all the time in the world."
"Thanks Mark", Nicole replies and hugs him. In this moment Shane comes around the corner and enters the garden. "Hello you two. Nicole Darling, can we talk?" Shane asks. "Nope! Why should I, there is no use" Answers Nicole. "Shane it’s better when you leave! When the others see you here you can write your own testament" Mark says seriously. "What’s up mate. Did I disturb you chatting up my girl?" Nicole will never ever give you a chance she loves only me and she will forgive me", Shane says.

"You are damn sure, aren’t you?" Mark replies.
"Yeah I am, cause you aren’t as good looking as I am!"

Mark is upset and Nicole notice that Mark starts to explode.

"Arrogant as well! Shane, forget me and leave me in peace for the rest of my life" Nicole means.

"Ok, stay with this looser and "" Shane starts when Mark walks over to him, but before they meet Nicole stands between them.

"Please stop it! I don’t wanna see you fighting!" Nicole screams and turns to Shane. "I understand you, but you hurt me so bad that I need my space."

Shane looks deep into her eyes. "I don’t give up on so easily"I’ll fight that’s what I promise you!"

He gives her a kiss on her cheek and leaves. Nicole turns to Mark starts crying and nestles herself in Marks arms. "Don’t cry!" Nicole looks up in to Marks eyes and it happens. Mark kisses the tears from her cheek, then he softly puts his lips on hers and gives her a deep kiss. Nicole looks shyly to the ground. "I don’t know if this should happening!"

"If you want it as well what should be wrong about it?" Mark asks, puts his hand under her chin and lifts it up. "Oh Mark, if you only knew what chaos is inside of me" all my feelings go just up and down. I don’t know in or out!"

"Let me help you", Mark replies.

"You are so lovely and I feel save at your side, but"" Nicole swallows.

"But what?"

"I still love Shane and from the bottom of my heart I know that he is my big love" Nicole explains her feelings. She gives Mark a kiss on his cheek. "We can stay friends, but that’s all" Nicole continues and goes back to the house.

"Hey, sorry when I get on your nerves. But I can’t lives without you! I know I’ve done big crap" I regret it from my deepest part of my soul and I beg you to give me a second chance. Please Nicole" Shane almost sobs.

Nicole looks into Shane’s hazel green eyes and realises that he almost starts crying. "Shane"I don’t know exactly I should do, I still love you, but the trust in you is completely destroyed. How can I build it up again?" Nicole wants to know. "Believe me that was my first big mistake and also my last one. I only want you at my side and no one else. You’re my one and only and only you should be the mother of my children. Nicole, I love you"" Shane lays his hands on his shoulders. And there it is again, the warm feeling that Nicole feels every time Shane touches her. Her glance goes down to the ground, but Shane softly lifts up her chin and looks into her eyes. "Please forgive me honey. I love you and our baby." Shane slowly closes the distance between them but Nicole just stands there in shock. When she feels Shane’s soft and warm lips on hers she sweeps away on a way of emotion. The gently and shy attempt of a kiss goes quickly into a long passionate tongue kiss. Nicole looks into Shane’s eyes "I’m so happy that we talked it through" Shane starts, "I could not have stayed without you for much longer." He finishes. "Me neither" Nicole answers and nestles into his arms. "Aha"what do my blind eyes see" a voice behind them asks. Michelle and Kian wanted to look after Mark and Nicole, but meet her lying in the arms of Shane. "What do they see? Two people who became reconciled and found out that they can’t live without each other" Nicole explains. "Reconciled? You aren’t together again, are you?" Michelle asks. "Yeah you heard right. I was completely mad, but I can’t live without him", Nicole goes on. To see Michelle even more shocked, Shane now turns towards Nicole and gets a small box out of his jacket.

„I don’t know why. Why I did those things to you. What went through my mind? And I don’t know why, why I broke your heart in two?! Guess that I was blind. Baby I swear I’ll be there. Anytime you want me too, believe me I wanna grow old with you if you want me too?" Nicole swallows, tears are running down her faces and then a beaming smile lightens up her face. "Yes I will", she smiles. "If there is anyone who can understand" fine, but I don’t. Anyway, good luck my little one" Michelle shakes her head and hugs Nicole when Nicole’s mobile starts ringing. "hello?" she picks up the phone.

"Hey, it’s Curly. But please don’t hang up."

"What do you want?" Nicole sharply replies.

"I want to say I’m sorry"I am so damn sorry. I should not have done that. I could say it was because of the alcohol and this is kind of true. But I still should not have done it. You and Shane belong together. I didn’t want to hurt you so bad" Curly sobs.

"Hey stop crying please. You both hurt me so much, but I forgave Shane. So it would not be fair if I didn’t forgive you. There are always two involved. Come over and we can talk about it, if the other don’t mind" Nicole asks and looks around. Everybody shrugs their shoulder.

"They don’t."

"See you in a minute", Curly answers and hangs up.

"Hey lads looks like there is another party on the way" Kian beams.

"Party again? That can’t be true, I’m pregnant baby, you know that. Parties aren’t good for me" Michelle mumbles.

"What?" Nicole asks, "is there something I should know as you best friend?" Nicole wants to know and looks at Michelle questioningly. Kian starts babbling when Michelle holds his mouth close. Bryan joins the conversation and says, "you haven’t got a clue, have ya? Michelle and Kian will be parents."

"Kiaaaaaaaaan! I can’t tell you anything. When you are happy about something you’ve got to tell it everybody." Michelle yells.

"Oh that’s just the way it is" Shane nods.

"Two babies at the same time" Nicole says, while Shane strokes her Stomach happily smiling.

"At the end there will be a fight or how should I image the scene?" Michelle asks looking from Kian to Shane and back.

"Yeah, I will be with you in the delivery room and say something like push Michelle, push we have to win." Kian grins and cuffs Michelle’s side. Both start a friendly fight and then are disturbed by the doorbell. Nicole opens the door and looks directly in Curly’s face. Both stare at each other like they’ve never seen before.
"Hey Nicole" Curly breaks the silence, "It is a different feeling now that I am standing in front of you. I can only repeat my words from before"I am so sorry. I can’t explain why it happened." Curly goes quiet. Shane stands behind Nicole, holds her tight and gets a kiss from her.

"You know what, it hurt and I saw my love fly away"I hate to live in fight with somebody so I will forgive you, like I did forgive Shane, and give you a second chance."

"I’m so happy that you forgive me" Curly says.

"Come in" Nicole replies and holds the door open.

"Hey" and "Hello" come from different directions when Curly enters the room. They all take a seat on the chairs and on the couch.

"Oh Curly, before I forget"in two month’s time there will be a wedding again" Nicole says.
"Really? I can’t describe how happy I am for you" Curly screams, jumps up and falls into Nicole’s arms.

"Hey, I want Nicole to survive until the wedding day and not be killed by friend" Shane mutters.

Chapter 10
Days and weeks fly by. Nicole’s and Shane’s wedding comes closer. Both are workaholics for their big day:

Writing invitations, finding a place for the ceremony, organising the priest, renting a limousine, choosing the menu, cloths".and much more.

Two weeks before their big day they sent their invitations to all their family and friends:

We heartily invite you to our wedding

on October, 26th 2001.

We would be very happy if you come,

Thank you very much.

Yours, bride and groom to be

Nicole and Shane.

P.S. The wedding-eve party is

on October, 25th 2001

at the Carlton Café.

We are expecting you.

Four Days before their big day, Nicole and Shane finally buy their dresses. Nicole takes Michelle and Yvonne as her private assistants and Shane takes Bryan and Kian with him.

Walking by one bridal shop Nicole stops in front of one dress: It’s long and cream-coloured, made out of satin and silk. It has a crinoline and a beautiful long train, which is trimmed with tiny diamonds. The crown and bridal bouquet are made of white roses and orchids.
"This one or nothing" Nicole says and takes it to the dressing room.
"Are you ready girls" Nicole wants to know and walks out. Michelle and Yvonne look at their best friend and their mouths stand open.

"Wow, that’s perfect" say both of them at the same time.
"Your Shane will be the proudest man who ever walked the planet" Michelle says.
Shane and the lads don’t have to look for the perfect suit very long. They find a white suit, which makes Shane’s deep hazel green eyes shine even more, and combined with a white shirt and cream-coloured tie his outfit is complete. Going home as fast as possible, he can’t wait to tell Nicole about it.

"We better bring the bride dress to Michelle’s house, so Shane can’t find it" Yvonne says.

"Oh that’s a good idea. I know Shane, he will look for it till he found it. " Nicole smiles and agrees with Yvonne.

"Oh my god you can’t imagine how nervous I am", Nicole says and looks at Michelle and Yvonne.

"Oh yeah my dear, I know how that feeling" Michelle replies.

Michelle, Yvonne and Nicole enter the house when the lads explode with questions.
"And? Have you found one? Can I have a look?" Kian wants to know.

"Nope, you’ll see it in three days "not now and not tomorrow" Nicole grins.
"Have you guys found something suitable?" Yvonne asks back.

"Of course, darling! You know me, who’s on da road with me, will never come home with empty bags", Bryan grins from cheek to cheek.

"Oh yeah, Bryan the king of shopping streets" Yvonne teases him.

"I really have to wait three more days to see you as a bride? But I could show you my suit"" Shane wants to know and looks at her.

"Yes you will have to wait just like anybody else. We doesn’t do any exception to the rules because of you, Shane. And I don’t wanna see your suit before our big day." Nicole answers and nuzzles herself on Shane’s breast.

"Where will you be on your honeymoon?" Nicky and Mark want to know.
"We haven’t thought about it yet. At the moment it is more important to organise the wedding" Shane says, smiling lovingly at Nicole.

"Lads, what do ya think about going to the cinema and an after-cinema dinner?" Kian asks.

"Sounds great. Which movie should we watch then?" Nicky asks enthusiastically.

"We don’t have to decide that now. Let’s be spontaneous" argues Shane.

"Yep, that’s what I think too" Michelle agrees.

"Ok, let’s go" says Bryan leading the way.

After arriving at the cinema the big discussion can’t be avoided very long. Some of them want to the this film and other that. Shane then walks up to the counter and gets tickets for "She is the one" and of course he gets seats in the last row, which is just typical for a guy. Grinning the lads take their ladies by the hand and lead them inside.

"Ladies, I have the feeling that something will be happening tonight, which we are not expecting" Sylvia says.

"Yeah sure, like the two of us making out in the"" Nicky starts but is interrupted by Sylvia who steps on his foot.

"If Nicky didn’t talk such nonsense, I would say you were right, Sylvia" Yvonne is convinced and can’t hold back a smile.

Unfortunately none of the girls have seen an awful lot of the movie, because they were either distracted by the silliness of the lads or spoiled with tender caresses.

When they arrive at the Greek restaurant they are so hungry that they only concentrate on their food and for the first time tonight forget about their stupid jokes. As everybody is almost finished eating, Mark takes the opportunity to finally talk something off his chest. He gets up, takes a deep breath an says

"Lads, since we are all here together, there are some things I have to say."
Sighing he turns towards Nicole and shyly smiles.

"First of all I want to say I am sorry."

"What for?" Nicole wants to know.

"For kind of taking advantage of your grief after your argument wiv Shane. I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to."
Nicole gets up, goes over to Mark and takes him in her arms.

"We don’t need to apologise. I never held that against you" she says and pecks his cheek.

"Thank you Nicole, but now I have to say concerning another person in this room. I really thought that I had deeper feelings for Nicole but the more I thought about it over the few days the more I realised that I was just looking for a way to distract myself from the pain I felt when I found out that you, Curly, were wiv Shane. "

Curly who was just sipping at her water almost chokes and then looks up at Mark. Mark walks over to her and locking eyes with her reaches out for her hand. Once again he takes a deep breath and whispers "Hello let me know if you hear me. Hello if you want to be near let me know. And I’ll never let you go. Hey love when you ask what I feel I say love. When you ask how I know I say trust. And if that is not enough".it’s every little thing you do that makes me fall in love with you. Curly, I fall in love with you." When he finally said those words to Curly he expectantly smiles at her. But when Curly neither says nor does anything he takes all his courage together, leans forward and brushes her lips with the softest kiss. Loosing her initial shyness, Curly responds and while stroking Mark’s back deepens the kiss. Watching the scene with open mouths the rest of the group start cheer.

Chapter 11

Woken up by the early rays of the sun Shane quietly creeps out of the bedroom and prepares a wonderful breakfast for the love of his life. "Good morning" he whispers when he carries the tray to the bed.

"What’s this?" Nicole wonders.

"Breakfast in bed, the first of many more to come" Shane sweetly replies.

"Thank you" Nicole answers with tears in her eyes and then lifts up the covers a little bit for Shane to crawl in.

"I thought this would be a nice background to discuss where we want to go for our honeymoon." He says and then softly kisses her. That was not so easy as they thought it would be. After an endless discussion about whether it would be better to go to Finland for a romantic holiday, or an adventure holiday in Africa or whether they should just go to the Seychelles and relax. "No matter where we go, it will be the best two weeks of my life"", Shane smiles at Nicole and then adds: "" because this will be our first holiday as husband and wife."

In the afternoon they finally decided where they want to go and booked a lovely little cottage in Norway’s mountains and afterwards have some time to decorate the Carlton for the big party. They put paper streamers all over the place, tie a heart shaped balloon on every chair and decorate the tables with beautiful flowers and candles, they set the tables and prepare the cocktail bar. At one a.m. they are ready to leave and after hanging up a sign at the door ‘Closed due to family celebration’ they go home and straight up to bed. "Nicole?", Shane asks after a while. "Hmm?", she just murmurs. "Don’t you want to come a bit closer? I wannna hold you?", he whispers to Nicole, who hardly can be seen under her bed covers. "Sorry Shane, I didn’t mean to keep you away", she smiles and crawls to him. "It’s two thirty and I am just so tired", she yawns, already half asleep. "Night baby", Shane softly says and kisses her hair before drifting off to sleep as well.

After they had such a very long night, they take all the time in the morning to get out of bed. And after a very late breakfast meet up with the whole bunch at Kian’s house and then walk over to the Carlton Café together. After giving every guest a glass of Champaign, Shane makes a short speech, thanking every one for coming and once again telling Nicole just how much he loves her.

After a very splendid dinner, they really start to enjoy themselves" there’s dancing, singing, laughing and of course smashing a lot of porcelain. Only at five a.m. in the morning the last guests have gone home, and Nicole sinks down on one of the chairs, feeling completely exhausted. Sighing she says: "I am so happy that we don’t have to be at the church before 4 p.m. At least that means I don’t have to get up before ten tomorrow!" Shane walks over to her, reaches out for her hand and pulls her up again. "Come on, let’s go home and enjoy our last night as a non-married couple", he smiles raising his eyebrows.

Nicole looks at him in shock. "What do you mean"", she starts but is interrupted by Shane’s loving kiss. "Let me rephrase that, babe. I wasn’t emphasising the non-married bit. Believe me, there’s nothing in this world that is gonna make me happier than getting married to you. The ‘let’s enjoy the night’ was the important part", he grins, wriggles with his eyebrows and pulls Nicole into a tight embrace. "Sorry for doubting you", Nicole whispers, feeling a bit embarrassed. Kissing her, Shane gently pushes her into the direction of the cab. But even before the taxi pulls up in front of their house, Nicole is fast asleep. Shane lovingly looks at her. "My poor baby" so tired.", he whispers, takes her on his arms and carries her over to the door. Only when Shane fumbles for the keys, Nicole awakes. "What are you doing? Let me down.", Nicole says yawning.

"No wait, I almost got it." Shane replies, refusing to put her down. "Shane, I think you’re confusing something here. You’re not supposed to carry me over the doorstep until after the wedding.", Nicole smiles. "It’s ok. I’ll carry you" over the doorstep, up the stairs and straight into the bed. " "Don’t! I’m too tired to"" "I know! And I did not have any nasty thoughts in the back of my mind.", Shane calms her down and proceeds with his promise. "There you go!", he says when he gently puts Nicole into bed. "Are you not gonna crawl in as well?" "Just a minute"", he says disappearing into the bathroom. Nicole is too tired to get up again, so after quickly changing her clothes, she nuzzles under the cover and closes her eyes. When Shane gets into the bed, Nicole is already half asleep again. Carefully he pulls her into his arms and softly kisses her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Mrs. Filan!", he whispers. "I love it when you say that. I’m so sorry" but I just wanna sleep", Nicole yawns and then happily drifts off to sleep. "Don’t worry. I’ll make tomorrow, day and night, an unforgettable experience for you!", Shane promises and after one last kiss, gives in to the tiredness.

Chapter 12

When after only four hours sleep the alarm clock goes off on the next morning, Nicole can hardly refrain throwing the alarm clock at the wall.

"Fuck!", she swears as she makes her way out of the bed, but is stopped by Shane. "I know you’re tired, but smile! The most beautiful lady walking the planet is gonna become my wife today and this is the first day of the rest of our lives together", he sighs and dreamily looks at Nicole. Looking in those wonderful hazel green eyes, all the anger is immediately forgotten. "I know! Is this kind of scaring you?", Nicole wants to know, nuzzling down again. "No, absolutely not! I’m a little nervous that this day might not turn out as perfect for you as I want it to, but apart from that" no", Shane smiles and then starts kissing her. When Shane’s kisses become deeper and more demanding, his hands get a life on their own and roam all over Nicole’s body. "Shane" stop!", she heavily breaths, "there’s no time for that now. The lads should be here any minute now to pick you up" "Pick me up?!", he asks, the disappointment obvious in his voice. "Oh come on, Shane! We talked it through a million times. You know that you’re not supposed to see me in my wedding dress until we are actually in the church. And we both agreed that it therefore would be better if you spent the day at Kian’s with the rest of the lads", she tries to be reasonable. "Yeah, I know. But how am I gonna survive the day without you?!", he sulks. "You’re so sweet!", Nicole says adoringly and starts kissing him all over again. Luckily they are interrupted by the doorbell, before things get to heavy. "See, now we’re late. And it’s all your fault", she accuses him, but takes the sting out of her words by giving him the sweetest smile. "Morning lads", Shane greets Kian, Nicky, Bryan and Mark as he opens the door. "Great idea", Kian yawns. "So you guys just fell out of bed, am I right?", Bryan enthusiastically asks. "I’ll never know how Yvonne can cope with you when you’re like that in the mornings", Kian mutters. "She loves me!", Bryan simply grins and then gets at the breakfast, which is already set. "Where are your manners?", Mark asks, gently boxing Bryan’s arm, "you could at least wait for the bride."

After a quick breakfast the four lads drag Shane away from Nicole. "OK sweety. We’ll check the room for the party one last time and then make sure that this one over there looks at least somewhat acceptable", Nicky laughs pointing at Shane. "See you at the church", Nicole says goodbye to Shane with one last kiss. The lads have hardly left, the girls turn up to help Nicole get ready. "Hey! How are you doing?", Michelle asks, giving her a big hug. "I’m so nervous. See that?", Nicole asks holding out her trembling hand. "Don’t worry. You’ll be the most beautiful bride!", Sylvia calms her down. "Yeah!", Curly and Yvonne agree as on cue while Nicole is already being pushed up the stairs.

"I am so nervous!", Nicole cries. "I know! But I have just the right cure for that."; Michelle grins, revealing a bottle of Champaign. "I thought you here to help me?! And I don’t see how getting me drunk is gonna make it easier for me!", she wails. "No, come on now. We’re not getting you drunk, we just want you relax a little. And you’ll see, we’ll have you transformed in the most beautiful bride ever.", Sylvia tries to calm her down. "Ok" whatever!", Nicole finally gives in and takes a seat.

Two hours later, Nicole is in hysterics. "Oh girls" hurry up! We’re late!"

"Calm down. We’re done. And that’s just supposed to be this way. You’re the bride, you have to keep him waiting for a little bit!", Yvonne grins while the other three just nod their head.

"Don’t panic though. If we leave now, we’ll only be about ten minutes late."

Only seconds later the girls are already on their way to the church.

"Where is she?!", Shane cries as he walks up and down.

"Can you stop that?! You’re making me crazy!", Nicky complains.

"Yeah right" you’re the one who’s going crazy! It’s your bride that isn’t showing up, is it?", Shane raises his voice.

"Calm down! You’re not gonna get yourselves caught up in an argument."; Kian interrupts them. "Sorry!", Shane tries to get his nerves under control again.

"I know it’s not my wedding"; Nicky apologises, "but I’m still so excited what Sylvia is gonna look like."

"There we go, Shane!", Mark points out.

"She’s here!", Shane yells and wants to make his way out of the church.

"NO!", yell both Kian and Mark, pulling him back inside.

"You’re supposed to wait at the altar", Bryan explains, accompanying Shane.

"Wow! You’re so beautiful!" Shane whispers, when Nicole is at his side, and kissing her hand he turns to the priest.

"You look amazing too", Nicole answers, already fighting the tears.

The ceremony is wonderful and not only Shane and Nicole are touched to tears when the two of them make their promises to each other. And with the softest kiss, Shane conceals the bond between them. Under the cheers of their guests the newly wed couple leaves the church, gets straight into the car and is being driven to the location of the party. After two hours, which it took Shane and Nicole to greet every single one of their guests, they take the opportunity to dance their first dance as a married couple.

"You happy?!", Shane wants to know.

"Never been so happy in my whole life before", Nicole nods.

"Gonna make you even happier every day", Shane promises and then they drown in a loving kiss. In the early hours of the next morning, the two of them are tired of partying and can’t wait to go home. After saying their goodbyes to the few remaining guests, they make their way to the door. "Wait!", they then hear a voice behind them.

"Hey!", they greet Mark.

"Hi! Uhm.. I just once again wanna wish you all the happiness in the world. And Shane, you’re not mad at me anymore for" you know?!"

"No Mark, I’m not mad you at, and never really been. I was mad at myself more than anything else. I’m sorry though for those ugly things I said to you. I didn’t mean it. You’re not a loser"", Shane says, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Forgotten and forgiven!", Mark smiles and after pulling each of them into a tight hug, leaves them alone.

Chapter 13

"Mrs. Filan", Shane wriggles his eyebrows, "it is now time to go to bed and fulfil your duties as a married woman!", he solemnly proclaims.

"What?!", Nicole starts to laugh.

"I’m gonna make love to you now"" Shane whispers when he takes her on his arms and carries her over the doorstep and up the stairs, just like the night before.

This is an endless night for Nicole and Shane, making love over and over again, and every time it feels like the first. When it is time for them to get up and catch their flight to their honeymoon, they are both still awake. Just lying next to each other with the maximum in contact, drowning in their partners eyes.

"I wish I’d never had to get up again" ", Shane sighs.

"I wanna sleep now"", Nicole whispers, closing her eyes.

"Oh no, don’t say you’re already tired. We’re not even in our honeymoon yet"; Shane sulks, deeply kissing her again.

"You’re trying to tell me that is how it’s gonna be every night for the next two months?!", Nicole asks, opening her eyes again.

"No" every night for the rest of our lives", Shane smiles again kissing her.

"I just can’t get enough of you. Such a shame that we have to get up now if we don’t want to miss the flight, otherwise I’d be all over you again.", he then grins letting Nicole feel that he’s very aroused again.

"Ok, I need a break!", Nicole laughs, pushes him off her and flees into the bathroom. Looking down at himself, Shane let’s himself fall back into the cushions, taking in great gulps of air in order to get his feelings back under control. Having his eyes closed, he doesn’t see Nicole tiptoeing back into the bedroom. Only when she strokes his chest he opens his eyes in surprise. With one single finger she traces down his chest over the little trail of brown hair just underneath his bellybutton right to the waistband of his boxers.

"Maybe we should take this to the shower?!", she asks suggestively when she softly runs her hand over his groin.

After an rather enjoyable shower Nicole and Shane arrive at airport just about in time to catch their flight and after a three hours flight arrive at their destination.

"These two weeks will be the best of your life!", Shane promises.

"No!", Nicole shakes her head, smiling when she sees Shane’s puzzled look, "of our life!", she adds.

While Shane and Nicole enjoy their time together in almost complete solitude, Michelle and Kian use their remaining free time to buy a house and then furnish it.

"Mark, what do you think? This should be a nice spot for the fire place, shouldn’t it?", Michelle asks while she’s leading him around the house.

"Yeah, that would be perfect. The house is amazing!", Mark stuns.

"Yeah, I already love it, even though it’s only half furnished. I can’t wait to show Nicole around once she gets back from her honeymoon."

"She’ll love it" Mark says.

"Mark, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything!"

"Uhm" now don’t get me wrong, but you and Curly" I mean you""

"What?!", Mark tries to encourage her.

"You’re not just with Curly, because Nicole decided to go back to Shane, are you?", Michelle asks.

"No, I’m head over heels in love with her. I guess I liked her from the first moment on, but you know me" I was just too shy to make a move on her. And then when I saw Nicole suffering so bad, I just wanted to make her feel better. But Curly is amazing. She so sweet, funny and I just love to talk to her for hours" now that I finally had the courage to speak my mind", Mark smiles.

"I wish you and Curly will always be that happy. You’re such a good person and you deserve it!", Michelle answers and pulls him into a hug.

"We better go now and meet up with Kian. And I need your help! I need to stop him from buying every single item that has to do with babies" I don’t know where to put it anymore. We already have enough equipment for this baby and for the next two to come", Michelle laughs.

"He’s absolutely delighted. I’ve never seen him so happy.", Mark says accompanying Michelle to her car.

"Do you really want me to come? I understand if you’d rather be alone with Kian" this is a pretty private thing", Mark wants know.

"NO! I need your help. I can’t handle Kian when he’s like this."

Even though Mark and Michelle did their best to be reasonable they end up with at least a dozen shopping bags all stuffed with clothes and toys for the baby.

"Here" we have to go in here", Kian points out yet another shop.

"Kian! Where do you want to put all this stuff. We’re getting just one baby and not a complete football team!", Michelle complains.

"But""

"No buts! Michelle needs to go home and take a rest!", Mark cuts in, knowing this would be the best way to get Kian away from the shopping mile. Almost throwing the shopping bags he was carrying at Mark, Kian runs over to Michelle and looking around he brings her over to a bench. "Why didn’t you say that you weren’t feeling well?! Here" sit down. You just wait here, and I’ll bring the car round. And when we’re at home"", Kian babbles and disappears.

"I don’t know what’s worse", Michelle laughs.

"He’s not gonna let me get from the couch until tomorrow and I can consider myself lucky if he’s not calling a doctor to check on me", she shakes her head.

"Uhm" sorry. If I had seen that coming, I would have thought of another way to stop him from buying more things", Mark says apologetically.

"Nah" it is kind of sweet", Michelle says smiling.

"Ok, come on. The car is waiting just around the corner", Kian says helping Michelle up. "Mark can you bring the bags?"

"Yeah sure", he nods following them.

"You don’t mind getting a cab, do you? I don’t want Michelle to sit in the car for too long", Kian asks.

"Kian! Of course, we’ll bring him home", Michelle disagrees.

"No no, that’s fine. See you two soon then. I’m meeting up with Nicky and Sylvia in about half an hour", Mark says goodbye.

Chapter 14

"Hey" so you’re still alive, I would not have thought that!", Nicky greets Mark.

"Believe me, this was the last time I ever went on a shopping spree with Kian. I always thought you were pretty bad, but that just topped everything", Mark grins.

"I’m not so bad when it comes to shopping!", Nicky pouts.

"You know damn well what I was playing at", Mark says still laughing. "I need food!", Mark says gently rubbing his tummy.

"Ok, come on I’ll invite you. Because I’m afraid Nicky wants to check a few shops" Sylvia says guiding the two of them over to a little restaurant at the corner.

"A few shops?! Is that what Nicky told you? He’s lying", Mark states while he looking over the menu.

"Ouch!", he yells feeling a kick against his shin-bone.

"Just a few, I promise", Nicky says turning to Sylvia.

"Don’t worry. I can take it. It’s not the first time we go shopping together. I know what you get like while you’re at it.", Sylvia shrugs her shoulders.

"What do I get like?", Nicky wants to know feeling slightly annoyed.

"No reason to get pissed!", Sylvia argues giving him a kiss and then stroking his face.

"You get all excited, almost like a little child at Christmas and your eyes begin to shine even more", she explains kissing him again.

"So you’re not annoyed by it?", Nicky asks with a low voice.

"I think it’s cute", Sylvia calms him down. The two of them lose themselves in a deep kiss, forgetting that they are not alone. Nervously playing with his fork, Mark tries to look away and ignore them. When he can’t take it anymore he loudly clears his throat.

"Sorry Mark!", Sylvia smiles.

"It’s ok!", he shrugs.

"You miss her, don’t you?!", Nicky says feeling sorry for his mate.

"Huh?"

"Curly""

"Oh, yeah I do. I wish she didn’t have to go back to Germany. I mean I really like being on the phone again, but it’s just not enough. And I don’t even know when I will see her again.", Mark sadly says.

"Why don’t you visit her. We have off until Shane’s on his honeymoon. You don’t have to hang around here on your own", Nicky suggests.

"I don’t know""

"You don’t know what? I think that’s a brilliant idea", Sylvia agrees.

"Well, I don’t know whether Curly would like that", Mark admits.

"Don’t be daft! Of course she would. She misses you just as bad as you do her", Sylvia argues while they walk out on the street again.

"Are you sure?!", Mark asks still having doubts.

"Course I am!"

"Ok then!", Marks face brightens up.

"What are you waiting for then? Call the airline and get on a fucking plane to Germany", Nicky pushes him.

"You won, but I best check with Curly first", Mark gives in. Taking the phone out of Mark’s hand Nicky disappears into the next shop.

"What"", Mark protests. Minutes later Nicky returns.

"Your flight leaves 5.30 tonight. The ticket is at the desk of the airline, has to be picked up two hours before", Nicky states.

"Now go and pack!", Sylvia demands.

"Thanks you two!", Mark says and after giving them a hug goes to do what he was told.

"Now that we have brought Mark back on the right track, there’s something I want to talk to you about", Nicky says taking Sylvia’s hands in his and looking deep into her eyes.

"What is it?", she asks, having a sinking feeling in her stomach, scared that she might not be able to handle what Nicky had to say.

"OK, I don’t quite know how to say this" so I best just be straight forward", Nicky sighs, again making eye contact.

"You don’t wanna see me anymore" is that it?", Sylvia sobs turning away from him. Taking her hand, Nicky turns her around to face him.

"I don’t wanna see you only occasionally anymore. I wanted to ask you whether you could imagine to move in with me?", Nicky shyly asks looking at her from under lowered lashes. "Really?", Sylvia cries, the tears now openly falling.

"Yeah"",Nicky whispers coming closer. "So, would you?" Overcome by emotions, she’s unable to speak and just nods. Feeling a wave of relief washing over him, Nicky lifts her up and spins her around. Putting her down, he passionately kisses her. Smiling up at him, Sylvia wipes away her tears.

"Shall we look for some furniture then?", Nicky suggests.

"I want you around me day and night as soon as possible."

"Yeah, sounds good", Sylvia agrees and holding hands they go their way.

Chapter 15

When Nicole and Shane return from Finland after two wonderful weeks they right away follow the invitation of Kian and Michelle.

"Hey! It’s so good to see you again", Michelle says, pulling Nicole into a tight hug.

"Wow" this is amazing", Nicole says stunned, taking a look around the hall.

"Where are the lads?", Nicole wonders.

"You know them, Kian is probably showing Shane his new garage" and all the lovely toys he got for himself", Michelle grins.

"So tell me, I’m dying to hear about your honeymoon" and include all the saucy little details", Michelle pleads.

"Hmm" I think it’s not very likely that the lads will disturb us within the next hour or so. Under one condition though: I wanna see the rest of the house", Nicole agrees.

"OK, let’s start upstairs"", Michelle says leading Nicole up to the first floor.

"Shane’s been so sweet all the time. It was like he’s able to read my mind. I didn’t even need to say a single word, nut he’d still know what I wanted", Nicole gushes.

"And the house we had" it was in the mountain site, completely remote, not a soul around us. There was a whirlpool, a sun bed, a sauna" it was terrific! The only shame is that we didn’t get to see much of the country itself", Nicole smirks.

"Let me guess, you didn’t even leave the bedroom that often, did ya?", Michelle grins.

"Uhm" no actually Shane didn’t really mind where in the house we were" He was amazing" I can’t even describe it. Every time felt like the first time. Sometimes he was ever so gently and then other times"", Nicole tells Michelle her deepest secrets.

"I’m so happy for you", Michelle says.

"And I am for you!", Nicole answers, "but one useful advise, don’t let Shane go shopping for baby stuff on his own!"

"OK, I’ll try to remember that. But why?", Nicole says giggling.

"Shane promised he’d buy us a house here with all those things in it too", she then adds.

"That’s cool! But he better hurries up, I mean it isn’t too far along until your baby comes", Michelle objects.

"Well, you know, I don’t need all that. As long as Shane’s with me" I don’t care", Nicole answers.

"I know what you mean, but a house like that is nice""

"Jesus! I thought we were only gone for two weeks. When on earth have you been getting all this stuff?!", Nicole asks in disbelief when she enters the future room for the baby.

"If it wasn’t for me, there’d be a lot more"", Michelle smiles.

"Kian?!"

"Yeah, he’s probably been in every single shop that sells baby related items. He’d go out every day and return with at least a dozen bags. He’s so excited" so sweet", Michelle smiles.

"Ok, now we come to the most important room in this house"", Michelle announces, "the master bedroom."

Raising an eyebrow at Michelle, Nicole starts to laugh.

"I told Kian that he bought enough things for not one baby to come but for a whole football team"", Michelle explains.

"Oh boy, that was not very clever""

"Yep, and now he promised, that we would not stop until we have the football team completed" so, this is the most important room in the house!"

"Ladies? Where are you?" they then hear a voice calling from downstairs.

"Hey lads!", Michelle and Nicole say in unison when they find the lads waiting in the living room with a cup of tea.

"OK, Nicole and I have to go now!", Shane holding his hand out to Nicole.

"We do?!"

"Yeah, there are a million things I want to do before I have to get back on the road with Westlife tomorrow again", Shane smiles.

"Oh" and one could you had enough of that over the past tow weeks", Kian smirks.

"Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself, Egan!", Shane answers and turning to Nicole adds, "we could go and see an estate agent" so that find the perfect house for us as soon as possible", Shane says raising his eyebrows.

"I’d love to! See you tow tomorrow then!", Nicole says, waving Michelle and Kian goodbye.

"Wow! I would not have thought that it would be that easy and quick to find a house!", Nicole says astonished when the two of them return to their home five hours later.

"Well" to be honest, I have talked to him quite some times before and have chosen a couple of houses to look at per e-mail", Shane admits.

"You did?! How come I didn’t notice?", Nicole wonders.

"I kept it a secret, wanted to surprise you"", Shane smiles, "and when I get back from the first half of the tour, we can start moving in our new house."

"You make me the happiest woman on earth. But I’m so gonna miss you!", she says in a low voice.

"I know, I’m gonna miss you too. But you could already start choosing different pieces of furniture to keep you busy and you’ll see time will just fly by until I take you in my arms again", Shane suggests.

"What if you won’t like what I’ll choose?!"

"That won’t happen!", Shane disagrees and starts to kiss her, intending to make the last night they gonna share for some time an unforgettably one.

Early the next morning they all meet up at Kian’s house, preparing themselves for the upcoming tour.

"Mark?! Can you hear me? We have to go now!", Kian tries to get Mark back to reality.

"Sorry! I’m ready, let’s go."

"What’s with him?", Shane whispers to Michelle.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. He’s been with Curly in Munich" probably is still there in thoughts."

After long kisses goodbye, the lads finally make their way out to the car, stuffing all the bags into their bags into the boot.

"Say hi to Nicky and Sylvia!", Michelle calls after the lads.

"Sure! We’ll call as soon as we’re in Dublin!", Kian answers gets inside the car and speeds off the driveway.

"He’ll kill oneself when keeps driving like this!", Michelle shakes her head.

"What is Sylvia doing in Dublin?!", Nicole asks, her curiosity shining through.

"Oops, another thing I didn’t get to tell you yesterday. Nicky asked her to move in with him. And she agreed. She does not yet have a job here, but I think that will turn out pretty soon", Michelle explains.

"It’s amazing how much can happen in just two week’s time"; Nicole says following Michelle inside the house.

Chapter 16

While Westlife are playing their gigs in London, Michelle and Nicole decide to spent a few days in Dublin, going on extended shopping sprees and spending some time with Sylvia.

"See you soon then!", they say their goodbyes after some fantastic days together.

"We should do that more often, especially when the lads aren’t around. I had such a great time", Sylvia says letting the two of them go after they hugged.

Going back to Sligo did not turn out as easy as they thought it would be. It was raining cats and dogs and even though Michelle drove really slow, the sight was almost zero.

Pulling the car on a parking lot along the road to Sligo, they take a rest. Just when Michelle pulls the car to a halt, her mobile starts ringing.

"Hey babe!", she happily says

"Hey sweetheart, how are you?", Kian asks worried as always.

"I’m fine where are you?"

"We are just out of Dublin. I’m coming home tonight!", Kian smiles.

"That’s great" if I had known earlier, Nicole and I could have waited for you. We are only a little bit ahead of you. The weather is really ugly, so I think we won’t wait, but go on. See you at home then. I can’t wait!", Michelle says.

"Me neither!", Kian agrees, "I love you babe!"

When they pass the cross road N4/N63 the road is so slippery that she can’t keep the car under control. With squeaking tyres the car slides over the street and Michelle just about manages to bring the car to a halt, before it goes down the ditch.

"Are you OK?", Michelle asks with a shaky voice turning to Nicole.

"Yeah, I’m fine" I think", Nicole says wearily.

"I’m so sorry!", Michelle says while she tries to stir the car into the right direction again.

"That was not your fault. I’m not blaming you!", Nicole says when a truck comes out of nowhere and hits their car. Their car is being pushed by the truck a couple of metres along the road, then slides off the road and hits a tree.

Minutes later Nicole gets her consciousness back and slowly raises her hand to her aching head.

Seeing the blood on her fingers she remembers what happened and takes a panicking look around her. Seeing Michelle lying there completely lifeless, she reaches out to her and strokes her hair.

"Michelle" wake up!", she cries.

Feeling completely numb, apart from the raging headache she slowly crawls out of the car and roams the road for help.

"Can’t believe the truck driver just left us alone"", she mutters, fumbling in her bag for her mobile.

After having called an ambulance, Nicole tries to open Michelle’s door, but to no avail. Putting all her strength into it she overstrains herself and loosing consciousness again, falling to the ground. When the ambulance arrives only minutes later Nicole is still senseless. Being woken up by a voice, Nicole opens her eyes and looks at a worried face.

"What happened?"

"You had an accident"", the first-aid attendant explains.

"Michelle!", she yells and abruptly sits up.

"We’re just cutting her out of the car. Don’t worry, lie back down again" we’re doing everything we can to help her", he says, trying to calm Nicole down.

Refusing to do what she was told, Nicole desperately tries to catch a glimpse of Michelle, but instead spots the van of the lads standing somewhat along the line of waiting cars.

"My husband"", Nicole weakly says.

"Do you want us to call him?"

"No he’s there at the van"", Nicole manages to say before she breaks down.

"Ma’am, can you hear me?", the first-aid assistant asks, slightly shaking her.

"Hub?"

"Try to stay awake, ok? Talk to me" what’s your husband’s name?"

"Can you go and get him?", Nicole pleads.

"His name""

"Shane Filan", Nicole whispers and feeling incredibly tired closes her eyes again.

"Only if you stay awake!", she hears a voice coming through to her.

She then slowly opens her eyes willing to do anything that brings her Shane.

Waiting at the van, the guys begin to become restless.

"Why today, why now?", Kian mutters, "when all I want is to get home to Michelle again."

Seeing a police officer coming their way, Shane gets a sinking feeling in his stomach and nervously steps from one foot to the other.

"I know, we all just wanna go home!", Shane agrees not able to take his eyes off the officer.
"Mr. Filan?" he then hears his voice.
"Yeah?!", his voice cracks.

"I’m afraid that your wife has been involved in the accident"", the police man starts to explain.

Breaking down, Shane sits on the pavement and starts to sob, while Kian stands there completely motionless, trying to understand what the man just told them. When it reached his brain, he suddenly starts to run forward, suddenly knowing that something had happened to Michelle.

Mark meanwhile helps Shane back onto his feet.

"Shane!", he says slapping him in the face, "did you hear him? He said Nicole is fine the first-aid attendants are taking care of her."

With tears in his eyes, he turns to the police officer and then without one single word makes his way over to the ambulance, where Kian is already talking to Nicole.

Nicole" wake up! Nicole, where’s Michelle?", he tries to come to know.

"What? Why is she unconscious", Shane raises his voice and feeling the panic washing over him hugs her tightly.

"Stand back please! Give her some air to breath", the first-aid assistant demands.

"What’s wrong with her?", Shane asks with tears in her eyes.

"We’re working on it. She keeps losing her senses every few minutes. She should wake up soon again."

Just when that was said, Nicole’s eyes flutter open.

"Baby!", Shane cries lovingly stroking her cheek.

"Where’s Michelle?!", Kian now constantly repeats, even though Nicole is in no state to answer him as she again is not with them.

"We best get her to the hospital straight away! Do you want to came along sir?", Shane is addressed, but doesn’t answer.

Mark gently pushes him to the ambulance. "We’ll see you at the hospital. Don’t worry, she’ll pull through!"

"Who’s Michelle?", one of the police officers inquires.

"His wife and the girls were in the car together", Mark manages to explain, though being shocked, still somewhat able to think straight.

Now losing all of his sanity, Kian runs to the place of the accident, completely ignoring the police line. When he’s almost at the wreck he’s being hold back by a fireman.

"You can’t go near there. We’re just cutting a person out of the wreck", he explains with a even voice.

"I want to see my wife! MICHELLE!", he yells, trying to get past the fireman.

It takes another half an hour until the fire brigade have managed to get Michelle out of the completely destroyed car.

Within seconds Kian is at her side, holding her hands..

"Kian" I", she weakly whispers, under pain turning her head so that she can face him, see his beautiful ocean blue eyes.

"Shhh, don’t talk baby. Everything will be alright. I’m here with you now!", he softly whispers, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Trying to smile Kian twinkles through his tears.

"I love you, Kian. Promise you’ll never forget that!", she whispers, her voice getting lower with every word she says.

"I love you too!", Kian replies before he pushed back by someone and the watches in horror that a couple of doctors desperately try to keep Michelle alive.

Mark by now has gathered Kian in his arms, sitting down in the pavement a few metres away from the whole scenario.

A police officer then addresses the two of them: "I’m sorry, but", he says, before Kian deliberately zones out, refusing to hear what he has to say. Everything around him suddenly is in a complete blur, tears veiling his sight. Feeling completely numb, he then feels a sudden pain in his stomach.

Like in hypnosis he walks through the pouring rain, he uncovers Michelle again, breaks down on his knees, and after burying his face on Michelle shoulders hopelessly starts crying"

The end