Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 07:29:32 EST
From: Angel36745@aol.com
Subject: Falling9

  Disclaimer: I do not know the BSB I have never met the BSB. This is just
a story in other words it's not true. I do not work for anyone that has
contact with the BSB and so on this is just a story I hope you like it

  Authors note: I have noticed that not many people write BSB stories. So I
have decided that I will write as many BSB stories as I can. I might right
a few stories about different bands. But don't count on it to much. Ok I
use a few different symbol's in my story to help it. These *** mean a
character change, right after the *** a name will follow. When I am
starting a story off either from the beginning or from the start of another
chapter. I will put the name between these ***. Now I'm going to try and
stay away from using this but it has happened in the past. These (( )) mean
a note from me or a time change. Most of the time I'll just write out the
time change. But there are times when I'll get a little lazy so please
understand. I will not give my main character any weird powers like my
other stories. So this will be the first time that I'll write a normal
human story. Which mean's no Sryin's or anything else. I would also like to
add that if I start to slip to yell at me to stop. I hope you enjoy the
story. It may look like I've slipped up in here but I haven't so don't
start yelling yet. I am not having one of my super natural moments. I've
started two other stories to keep from doing that. So no yelling yet
please, unless it's nice yelling I could really use that about now. Ok I
haven't asked until now, but now I'm begging please write me. I would
really love to hear what everyone thinks so far. My e-mail should be on
this somewhere.

  Warning: This story isn't like my other stories it's a lot darker. it
involves Rape and a few other things later in the story. You've been
warned.

  Extra Note: I would like to thank Eddi for saving my sorry butt. I needed
some info and he got it for me. He also looked the story over for me and
checked for errors. I owe him a lot so I'm thanking him in here. Your a
great friend Eddi, thank you for being you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

****Raven****

  I watched as they pulled things from the room. A doctor had walked by
some minutes ago. I didn't care anymore, I had been proven right this was a
place for the dead or dying. I looked around, Nick was sobbing against
Brian. While Kevin slid down a wall, he was worse off than Nick. Richie
would have told one of the guys to help Kevin, I just knew that. So I
walked over to him and sat down beside him. He leaned on my shoulder and
let himself cry. I didn't have the strength to cry anymore, it just wasn't
there. As I had thought Jake was gone, Rosie was talking with Howie and
AJ. They were planing something in Richie's memoire. It was a nice thought,
but a little to late, he was dead. I pulled Kevin into my arms and held him
while he cried. After today I most likely wouldn't see them again. I had to
move on and quickly, I had to bury myself in work. I would always love my
brother, but I couldn't think about him. It just caused to much pain to
think about him. I looked at Angel, she looked confused, so much
innocence. It was like she didn't know he was dead, that she was waiting
for him to walk out. I myself had thought the same thing, but this wasn't a
movie. This was the real world, where people that you loved died everyday.

  Kevin kept telling me that he was sorry, I believed him. I didn't hate
him anymore, he wasn't such a bad guy. Richie could see that in everyone if
he wanted to look. I know that he wasn't perfect of a saint, but he could
see the good in everyone. It was a gift that he had, a gift he used when he
felt like it. I had tried to pull some kind of memoire up that would make
me hate him. I couldn't think of one thing that would ever make me hate
him. I couldn't even be mad at him for giving up, it hadn't been his
choice. I would find a way to make my parents suffer for the rest of their
lives. I saw my father screaming at the doctor that had walked by. Then he
started to smile and shaking his head. I could hear laughter, that was
coming from my mother. The doctor looked like he was sick, he should be. I
noticed that it was the doctor that had killed my brother. I was going to
make him pay to, I would find a way. A nurse walked by and handed me a
pamphlet. I didn't bother to look at it, I knew what it said. It was about
how to deal with the death of a loved one. I tossed the pamphlet on the
floor toward Nick, he might need it. Nick didn't bother to pick it up
either, maybe he didn't see it. It didn't matter he had his friends to help
him. I had myself, I could live with that, I had lived with it for a while.

  I found myself looking at the pamphlet more and more. There was something
about it that made me want to read it. My mind was starting to work again,
why had my father been upset with the doctor? I pulled away from Kevin and
reached out to pick the pamphlet up. It said, how to deal with a loved one
in a coma. I had to read it a few times to understand what it said. I
looked back at my brothers room, the door was open. I looked down the
hallway the doctor was still talking to my father. I slowly stood and
walked toward them. He looked up and smiled brightly must have thought I
had forgiven him. I placed my hands on his shoulders and brought my knee
into his gut. I then brought my elbow down on his back. He hit the floor
pretty hard, I just laughed at him. My mother looked scared, she had good
reason. The doctor had back up against the wall, he looked scared
too. "What were you laughing at, mother, was it my brothers death?" She was
shaking her head as I moved closer. "Your brother isn't dead, Rachel, he's
in a coma." I believed her, she didn't really have a good reason so lie. "I
thought as much, but you found something funny, what was it?" She was now
pressed against a wall, she had no where to run. "He's almost brain dead,
if his brain waves fall any further, he will be. There isn't any hope for
him, the doctor told us a week at most." I then slapped my mother across
her face as hard as I could.

  She hit the ground just as arms flew around my waist. I looked back to
see a big guard holding me. "Get your hand's off me or you'll regret it, do
you understand me?" He kept his arms around my waist, so I stomped his
foot. He let go then, never mess with a model in spiked heels. I turned
around and kicked him in his balls, he fell to the ground. I then walked
back toward the guys, I was on a mission. I looked at Angel who hadn't
moved since we had first left the room. She had a really big smile on her
face, as did AJ. That boy was weird, but I kind of liked that in him. "Come
on Nick, let's go see my brother, you have to wake sleeping beauty." He
looked confused but followed me anyway. I now believed that little girl was
an angel. I hadn't seen anyone with her since she had gotten here. I also
believed that anything could happen now, Richie was breathing on his own. I
walked into the room and looked at him, he was so bad. He was really pale
but that was normal. I pulled Nick with me until we were beside his bed. I
could hear him breathing it was like a rush of joy. "Ok that little girl
said you could wake him up with a kiss. I want you to try it, cause I don't
think that's a little girl out there." Nick just looked at me and raised an
eye brow.

  Nick slowly bent over the bed and kissed Richie on the lips. I was
waiting for his eyes to open, but nothing happened. I turned around and
went back out into the hallway, a man was moving Angel. I walked up to him
and tapped him on his shoulder. When he turned around I could tell that he
was Angel's father. So I had been so wrong, but it wasn't that bad. "I'm
sorry for bothering you sir, but could I speak with Angel?" The man looked
at me and then to his little girl. "It's ok daddy, that's Richie's sister,
Richie isn't doing so well." The man then wrapped me in his arms, I hadn't
thought that would happen. He pulled back slightly and looked into my
eyes. "Where is your brother, I would like to thank him for all he's done?"
I looked at the man, he had no clue, he was a blond, so I understood. "My
brother is in a coma, but I have hope that he'll wake up soon. I'll tell
him what you said when that happens. Now would you mind if had a little
talk with Angel?" He shook his head and left me alone with his
daughter. "Angel, how did you know that Richie would make it without life
support?" She smiled at me, I mean she really smiled. "Cause hero's don't
die, and Richie is a hero. So he can't die, he may sleep for a while, he's
tired. But he'll wake up someday, and you'll be there to see it." Then she
was gone her father had taken her down the hall.

*********Nick

  I stood over Richie's body, he was still alive. It was more than I could
ever ask for. I had tried kissing him a few more times. It hadn't worked so
I gave up, he looked more human now. I had to tell the others but something
stopped me from leaving the room. It was like I couldn't really move away
from him. I knew that I couldn't shout to them so I just stayed. I could
see rays of sunlight peaking through the window. The sun was rising, it was
a new day. Raven walked back into the room, she looked different, almost
insane. No, that wasn't the right word more like wild. Her hair was out of
place and she looked dangerous. "We have a week to wake him up, or at least
that's what the doctor said. I'm taking him back to his house. I want you
to come with me, in truth I want you all to come with me. I'll understand
if you can't you do have careers, so don't worry about me getting mad." She
was trying really hard, but I had already decided that I wasn't going to
leave his side until he wake up. The world could go to hell, my career
could die for all I cared. He had already given up so much to be with me,
now it was my turn. I knew that he wouldn't like it, but tough
cookie. "I'll go with you, but could you tell the guys real quick?" She
nodded and left me alone with Richie, still nothing had changed.

  It had been close to a mouth since we had brought Richie home. We would
feed him three times a day and move him around a little bit. Kevin had come
up with something to keep us safe. So far everything was on hold because
Brian was having some heart trouble. The world was more then glad to give
us come time off. We had found it very interesting how well everyone had
reacted. Raven was on the war path, her parents are the targets. She had
launched a full campaign to destroy them. She had gone on Rosie and told
the world about her parents. About how they had tried to kill Richie when
he was in the hospital. The world was now looking at Richie's parents with
total hate. I found it funny how people had accepted Richie. To most of
them, he was a hero for saving a little girls life. But to those who
followed his career, looked at him like he was a warrior. That he was
fighting for a better tomorrow. I knew better, he was an angel sent from
heaven to save the world. I also knew that if anyone heard me say that I
would be sent to a mental hospital. His brain waves had gotten a lot
stronger, so I had hope. All of the guys now lived in Richie's house, in
our house. They helped us do everything from cleaning to feeding Richie.

  I knew that if we wanted to keep our secret we would have to leave
soon. I didn't like the idea, but it was the truth. Raven had even told us
to go when we had to. That she could stop fighting her parents long enough
to take care of him. It was interesting to see her now. She wasn't like she
had once been, she was wild and powerful. She was a super model on a
mission to destroy her parents. She was also out to end hate and all that
came with it. All but her own hatred for her parents, it was still a good
cause. Rosie stood behind her all that way. Jake had tired to stay out of
it until Raven threatened him. Then he was pushing her ideas around
everywhere. I had laughed to myself, she was becoming a warrior in her
brother's cause. I found that Brian was sneaking out to meet someone every
night. He had found himself a boyfriend in all this madness. What I didn't
understand was why he was hiding it from us. It wasn't like we would turn
our backs on him. I decided that I would drop it until I needed to know. I
looked at Richie and found myself getting worried again. His body was
starting to get weaker every day. I wondered if there really was hope for
him to wake up. It had been so long since I had seen him smile.

  We were leaving the house today, we had to get back on tour. It had been
a few weeks's since our management threatened us. They had good reason, we
hadn't sing anything for three months. The world didn't know what was going
on, we kept it that way. Raven had all, but calmed down with her vengeance
kicking into high gear. She told us she was going to take a break until we
got back. We told her that we could be gone for months, she understood. I
had told Richie I would be back as soon as I could. His hand had moved
slightly, it had sent chills up my spine. I still had to leave, but now I
had hope that when I came back he would awaken. The limo pulled out of his
driveway slowly, it was time to work again. Raven had waved at us until we
were out of sight, I had promised to call her every day. That was a promise
I was going to make sure I kept, even if it killed me. We moved through the
airport, no one had spotted us yet. I knew this was going to be a tough
trip. I knew that I could get a phone call telling me that Richie was
dead. I couldn't handle that, it would end everything in my world. I looked
out of the window, no one there to wave too. I guess something had told me
that right before I left Richie would be there. I looked at Brian he was
having the same problem every time we got on a plane.

********Richie

  It was a beautiful dream, one I didn't want to end. I knew I was
dreaming, nothing could be this perfect. I had Nick in my arms every
second, the world knew that we loved one another. The world had taken the
news so well that nothing had really changed for Nick. That was one reason
I knew it was a dream, nothing was ever pure happiness. I couldn't seem to
end the dreams, I couldn't wake up. Then one day Nick left my dreams and I
was left alone. He had told me he would be back as soon as he could. I had
tried to reach out to him, but I couldn't get to him. That's when I decided
that it was in fact time to awaken. I couldn't live without Nick, he meant
too much to me. I pushed with ever fiber of my being. My world of dreams
shattered into a million images that I couldn't tell apart. I remembered a
line from one of my favorite movies. The dreamer must awaken, the movie was
called Dune. That's what I felt like, I had to wake up, I had to get to
Nick. I felt so weak at first, so I knew I was waking up. In the world of
dreams I had felt like nothing could touch me. I opened my eyes slowly and
looked around the room, it was so dark. I tried to talk but my voice was
gone, my mouth was so dry. I lifted my arm slowly, it took so much for such
a simple act. I let my arm fall back to the bed, I took a deep breath.

  I laid in the bed for what had to be hours, then the sun started to
rise. I could hear movement outside of my room. I looked to the door, my
sister had passed by three times. I tried to call out but my voice just
wouldn't work in anyway. My throat ached for something to drink, anything
would do. I closed my eyes and gave up, it wouldn't do any good. I had to
wait for her to come to my side before she would know. I don't know how
much time passed but she was now rubbing my head. "It's another beautiful
morning Richie, Nick called he's doing ok. He said to tell you that he
misses you with all his heart." Her hand was now on mine, so I slowly
turned it to hold hers. I opened my eyes to see her looking at my hand. Her
mouth was hanging open, she looked like a scared fish. Then her eyes
returned to my face, I tried my best to smile. Tears started streaming down
her face. Her arms wrapped around me, she lifted me off the bed. I didn't
know she was so strong. "Do you need anything water, food, anything?" I
nodded slowly then parted my lips. I made a sound, that sounded like wah,
but that's all I could force out. She nodded really quickly and ran out of
the room. She returned minutes later with a glass of water.

  After five glass of water I felt like I could talk a little. "How long
have I been out?" She looked everywhere but at me. "Five months, two weeks,
and three days." I nodded slowly, that meant my body was really weak. It
could be a lot worse, but it would take at the least two months before I
could walk. "Where's Nick?" Her mouth fell open as she grabbed the
phone. "No, I want to surprise him, so don't tell him anything. That's why
I asked I want him to come home and find me standing in the doorway." She
looked highly confused, almost sad. "I'm not out to hurt him Rav, I just
want him to be happy. I think he would be really happy if he came home with
me awake." She was nodding but she didn't look too happy with my choice. I
had plans if he wasn't here by the time I could walk. I was going to go to
him, as long as I didn't need a plane ticket that was. I was never getting
on another plane, not making the mistake twice. And if I ever have to get
on a plane again, I'm wearing a parachute. If they won't let me then I'll
kick all their asses until I get my way. "Help me sit up a little, I need
to make some phone calls." Raven nodded and pulled me up slowly. My back
was killing me, goes to show you that sleep isn't always that good for
you. She handed me the phone and I called Jake, I was going to need his
help.

  It had been three weeks, I was in a wheelchair most of the time. Raven
had been helping me so much. I still couldn't walk all that good, but now I
could stand up. I could stand for about an hour without falling. Jake had
helped me keep being awake a secret. I had called Rosie after I had heard
what had happened at the hospital. She filled me in on everything, when she
wasn't crying. I asked her to keep it on the down low, I didn't want anyone
to know. She agreed so quickly, I think she was on the same wave link I
was. Raven had been lying to Nick every time he called, which was now twice
a day. Nick wouldn't be home for another three months. In some ways I was
happy that I would be going after him. My door bell rang so rolled on over
and opened it. I looked at the woman I had learned to hate. "Nurse Joyless,
I've been waiting for you all day." I smiled as sweetly as I could, she
just walked in. I don't think the woman knew what a smile was. She was the
woman helping me get my legs back under me. She was also a slave driver
with hand the turned into a whip. I think she worked for Satan on the
weekends. I could just see her beating up old people and stealing candy
from kids. "Ok Mr. Wayne, get you lazy ass out of that chair." I frowned
and did my best to stand up again.

  I could now walk for short amounts of time. I was still a little weak,
but I was getting stronger. As much as I hated that nurse, she knew what
she was doing. Which only made it worse, I couldn't prove her wrong on
anything. I had tried for week's to find her weakness. I pouted, that
didn't work, I even tried crying, still nothing. I tried being a prick but
she just laughed at me. Then she showed me how skilled she was with
words. I had been left speechless, she could really cut into someone. So I
gave up on trying to beat her, so I just did what she asked. She told me
that if I kept it up, I'd be walking miles in a week. I had lost a lot of
the fat on my body since she had started working. Not that I had gotten
fat, just out of shape, you try sleeping for a few months. I found myself
looking in the mirror all the time. My leg had long healed from the breaks
I hadn't known about. My shoulder on the other hand still ached at night, I
was starting to get use to it. I looked out my window, it was beautiful
day. I decided to start planning my trip to see Nick. I called Jake and ask
him how I could pull it all off without getting on a plane. I also told him
that I was going to need Raven to help me. He was amazing, I had thought he
couldn't impress me. I had been proven wrong so quickly, it wasn't
funny. The one draw back, I had to get on a plane again.

********Nick

  I had been trying to call Raven all day but I still didn't get an
answer. I was starting to get worried, it wasn't like her to leave the
house. I hadn't had my cell phone on all day, she could have tried to call
me. My world was starting to spin out of control again, I couldn't let that
happen. I knew I couldn't just take off, not yet anyway. I would give her
until after the concert, then I would take off. I didn't care if it ended
my career anymore, in fact I had been thinking about quitting. It wasn't
that I wanted to give it all up, but if Richie couldn't be with me it
wasn't worth it. I wanted to be by his side at all times, I didn't want to
hide anymore. I had talked to the guys about it, they said they would stand
by me. It's what I had been hoping to hear, they would support me. I was
going to need it if things went badly. I hoped that I could continue to
sing and stay in the group, if I couldn't so be it. I was willing to give
that life up for him, he had given his up a long time ago. I looked out at
the crowd, I was going to miss this, it was just so amazing. The feeling I
got when I sang, the way they would cheer me on. It was like magic, I could
lose that now, but that was ok. I needed Richie more than I needed to
breathe, without him my life would end.

  The concert had gone great, well except for me falling on my butt. I
hadn't been thinking to clearly, who would be? Every time I ran off stage I
tried to call Raven, still no answer. I was so worried, that was until I
saw her walking toward me. My blood turned to ice, why would she come in
person? It could only be bad news, that's what it had to be. I wasn't the
only person to see Raven, the others were now at my side. "I have news
Nick, but I can't tell you here." I just nodded slowly and followed her as
she walked away. I could hear the guys right behind me, I had a feeling I
was going to need them. "You have to go through that door over there, and
you have to go alone." I looked at her and nodded, so I went to the door. I
opened it slowly, the room was pitch black. I entered with my hands
reaching out. I felt something in front of me, it was warm and strong. I
felt hands move up my body slowly, then I could feel hands on my face. I
felt lips press against mine, they were so soft. He slowly pulled away and
the lights came on. I opened my eyes to see what I had been praying
for. Richie stood before me, his smile was like a light from heaven. I fell
into his arms, he held me gently. I cried for all the time we had been
apart. "Everything is going to be ok from now on." Then his lips met mine
once again.

  I couldn't believe this was happening, it was too unreal. This had to be
a dream, no one just woke up from a coma fine. This was just something I
had made up, he couldn't be real. I looked up into his eyes, still that
intense green. His skin was really pale, and so soft. His hair had been cut
and frosted, I counted four different colors. "I'm sorry I kept you in the
dark Nick, but I wanted to surprise you. I've been awake for a while now, I
wanted you to see me walk again. So I've worked my ass off for a while, I
hope you're not mad at me." I pulled his lips to mine, I could never be mad
at him. The door behind us slowly opened. I heard Brian scream and then he
was hugging both of us. "I can't believe this, oh God when did you wake
up?" Richie just started laughing, I had never heard this kind of
laughter. It was so warm, so welcoming, it was what I had thought his
laughter should sound like. Kevin stayed at the door and just looked at
Richie. "Are you going to give me a hug or am I going to have to come after
you?" Kevin had tears falling from his eyes. Then slowly he made his way to
us, he wrapped us in his arms. He was sobbing like a little kid, it was so
touching. I had thought that would be the end of the tears, it
hadn't. Howie's eyes were red rimmed, even with him smiling. AJ had his
sunglasses on but I could see tears had fallen.

  Richie was just like he had been before he fell into a coma. "I already
had that talk with my father, it was interesting." Richie raised his
eyebrow and smiled slightly, they had planned that I guess. Brian had
gotten into a huge fight with his dad, he had won. His father had moved out
of the house days later. After Brian's mom found out what had happened she
told him to never come back. That was until she had a nice long talk with
me. She still didn't like the idea that Brian was gay, but she realized
that she loved him anyway. She then turned her anger on her husband, that's
when he moved out. We told her what she needed to know, nothing more. We
kept Kevin's secret about what he had done to Brian. We didn't think he
needed to suffer anymore than he had. He had changed a lot, he called his
doctor three times a week. AJ still had a little trouble talking to him but
that was understandable. For the most part Kevin was doing really good, I
hope that continues. Richie was talking to Brian, it was like taking a step
back in time. It was like nothing had ever changed, it felt good. Raven was
talking with Kevin, that was a change, but a good one. I wondered if this
was how everything would always be.

  I found myself holding a sleeping Richie, I feared going to sleep. I had
this thought that if I did I would wake up. I didn't want to risk losing
him, if this was a dream I would dream forever. It had been so long since I
had held him, I knew he was real. It was just that something told me to
hold on tightly. That if I didn't then I would lose him forever, it was
more than a feeling. It was like someone sending me a message to be
careful. He had managed to talk me out of coming out. I don't know how he
had done it, but he did in less then ten minutes. I had a surprise for him
this time, I was going to do it anyway. I had already made a few phone
calls. Some people weren't that happy with my choice, too bad for them. I
was going to tell Richie when he woke up, he would support me. I knew that,
but I also knew he'd make me face some facts. One that I could lose the
lifestyle I had grown use to. I could lose a large amount of fans, maybe
all of them. That I could be forgotten by the world in a few years. I
didn't care any longer, it was my choice and I knew what I needed. I needed
to be myself, no matter the cost. I needed to be with Richie all the time
without worrying if someone was watching. It may not have seemed like that
from past choices but it was true. I still remembered what Raven had said
to me that night.

  I know that she was upset with the world, but she had been honest. She
had told me what had been getting to her for a while. I just wished I could
have seen it myself, then it wouldn't have hit so hard. Her words that
night were like well placed daggers, she didn't even give me time to fight
back. She knew that Richie was willing to do anything to keep me happy. I
just wished that at that time I could have done the same. I hadn't, but now
I would, it was the only way I could go. I hoped that it wouldn't be so
bad, and without knowing it. Richie had given me hope that I could do this
without losing everything. I knew that our two worlds were really
different. He was a model and mostly only needed to look good. While on the
other hand I had to look good, sound good and keep a ton of fans. I closed
and let myself just feel him right beside me, his body was so warm. I had
missed this feeling, and I was never going to give it up again. I listened
to his even breathing, his beating heart. It was like a song of it's own,
at least to me that is. I could live with just hearing this song forever. I
would be happy to just have him with me, to know he was mine forever. It
wasn't that I hadn't known this before, it was just I feared my life in the
open. I had been told so many things over the years, by management, by my
mother. Then Richie started looking out for me, he told me that I didn't
have to give up anything.

  That had been the first time I could see something more in him. Well, not
the first but the first time I could see that I would love him forever. Now
as I held him in my arms I knew I had made the right choice. This way I
could always be with him no matter what. It wouldn't matter if it was
outside or behind closed doors. I had a surprise cooked up myself since I
now knew Richie was awake. He had made plans with Rosie to come on her
show. What he didn't know is that I was going to be there to. I had asked
if it would be ok to ask him to marry me on her show. She had just about
screamed yes into my ear. The sun was starting to rise, now, I looked over
my shoulder and watched it. I slowly fell to sleep after that, my body
couldn't handle staying up so long. I woke up hours later with Richie still
in my arms. He was awake I could tell by his breathing and moving
around. "How long have you been up?" He rolled over and smiled at me, then
kissed me. "I've been awake for four hours, and thirty minutes." I just
looked at him, how did he stay still so long? "By the way I've braided your
hair for you, but I don't know how long it'll last. I didn't have any
rubber bands to tie them." Then he started laughing as he slipped out of my
arms. I felt my head, found that he wasn't lying in any way. He had spent
the last four hours making the smallest braids in my hair. I watched him
stretch and then move toward the shower.

  I found myself sitting backstage on Rosie. Richie had no clue that I was
here, he was going to be shocked. He had the whole hour with her, she
wouldn't have it any other way. They had just went back on air, I had five
minutes to get ready. I wasn't going to lie, I was beyond nervous. This was
my changing point, this is where everything changed. I couldn't look back,
I couldn't change my mind. I heard Rosie telling Richie that someone was
here to see him. That someone had a very important question to ask him. He
looked around, he was so confused. I walked out onto the stage, my head
held high as I smiled. The crowd went wild, Richie looked like someone had
just stepped on his tail. I knew that he had already put all the pieces
together. Rosie pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly. "Are you
sure you want to do this Nick?" I could only nod, it was one thing to come
out. It was another to do it on TV, while asking the man you loved to marry
you. I could have made this a lot easier on myself, I could have come
out. Then a few months later ask Richie to marry me. I didn't feel like
asking him in a few months, I wanted to ask him now. I stood before him and
held my hand out to him, he took it slowly. I then went down on one knee
and pulled a box out of my pocket. "Richard Wayne, would you do me the
honor of being my husband?" His mouth dropped open and then the crowd went
silent.

  To Be Continued