Nate was tensed and ready. He listened to the sounds coming from above. His heart started to pound, his adrenaline getting ready to pump. His pulse thrummed in his head and wrists, and he was ready.
"You know why you guys are so lucky tonight?"
Shane. He was talking like he was talking to his best friend.
Nate's lips parted in a sly grin. He picked something up from the table beside him and went to stand next to darkly dressed man.
"Okay, Mr. Gray," the man said. "You're ready."
Nate stepped onto the platform. "Let's rock and roll," he murmured.
"We have a special…a very special…person joining us here tonight…"
The platform rose. Nate clasped his hands together, head down. As he slowly rose higher, the screams grew even more insane.
Nate looked up and grinned. He was back.
Caitlyn kept a firm hand on Caleb's shoulder, and bent down to his level.
"Daddy looks so happy," Caleb whispered in her ear.
"I know," Caitlyn agreed just as quietly. "This is something he loves to do more than anything."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Nate was speaking. "Does anyone remember me?"
Screaming…louder than ever.
Nate grinned. "Glad to hear it…Now, in my time away I've taken the time to write a special song for someone I care about very much. This is her first time hearing it…I just want to say, I hope she loves it."
Caitlyn's brow furrowed. Nate had written a song about her? For her? Huh?
The music started. Nate began to softly sing.
"Take my hand tonight
We can run so far
We can change the world to anything you want
We can talk for hours just staring at the stars
They shine down to show us
Jason and Shane joined in with the chours.
That you know when the sun forgets to shine We could run forever if you want
I'll be there to hold you through the night
And we'll be running so fast we can fly tonight
And even when we're miles and miles apart
You're still holding all of my heart
I promise it will never be dark
I know..we're inseparable
And I would not get tired
Because I'd be with you
I can tell you're listening until the very end
We have done all these things
You know when the sun forgets to shine
I'll be there to hold you through the night
We'll be runnin' so fast we can fly tonight
And even when we're miles and miles apart
You'll still be holdin' all of my heart
I promise it will never be dark
I know..we're inseparable
I would give it up
To never let you fall
Cause you know we're inseparable
I would give it all
Just to show you I'm in love
Yea you know we're inseparable
You know when the sun forgets to shine
I'll be there to hold you through the night
We'll be runnin' so fast we can fly tonight
And even when we're miles and miles apart
You'll still be holdin' all of my heart
I promise it will never be dark
I know..we're inseparable…" Nate trailed off, his eyes closing.
"Love you," he said into the mic as more screams rose in the stadium.
Caitlyn felt tears come to her eyes. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, sniffling gently.
"Are you crying, Mommy?" Caleb whispered again. He wasn't allowed to say "mommy" or "daddy" or stuff like that out loud in public, so he got away with it by whispering.
"Yes," Caitlyn sighed. "But I'm all right. I promise. You're father is just…one wonderful man."
"Mommy?"
"Yes baby,"
"Someday...I wanna be just like daddy," Caleb said.
"Oh Caleb," Caitlyn scooped him up in her arms, "Someday I you will be just as great as he is,".
"Caitlyn, that's just beautiful," Mitchie said, appearing from nowhere.
Caitlyn hugged the child even tighter and smiled.
"I know," she agreed, running her hand through Calebs curls. "Ive really missed this part of Nate..."
"You mean he didnt sing...or play guitar or anything?" Mitchie asked in disbelief.
"He did," Caitlyn murmured. "But...before Caleb." Caleb looked up at his mother in surprise. She never really spoke about before he came along in front of him. "...before I was sick."
Caleb sighed softly. He knew his mother was sick. Hed seen it, everyday, for years. When Nate was a work, Caleb would curl up in bed or on the couch next to Caitlyn, and talke to her or just keep her company. It made him sad to think that he was the cause for Caitlyns ailness. Sometimes, he wondered if he should have come at all...
"Dont be sad," he said suddenly. "I sorry."
"For what, Caleb?" Caitlyn asked in surprise.
"for hurting you," he mumbled, his lower lip trembling. Caitlyn hugged him, sighing. FOr the love of peace, the kid was five! How the hell is he supposed to know these things?!
"Its not your fault," Caitlyn said gently. "Everyone made mistakes."
"Am I a mistake?"
"What?! No! Not at all," Caitlyn said in disbelief. "You and Nate are the best things in my life. I wouldnt trade you for the world."
Mitchie listened quietly to Caitlyn and Calebs exchange, and her hand traveled, for the millionth time, down to her growing stomach. She could feel a bump now, and patted it.
Oh, she thought sadly. I hope...I hope Shane isn't mad at me....
Yes. She hadnt told him yet. She came so close to telling him, so many times a day but she just...chickened out. She was honestly afraid of his reaction..somewhere, deep down, she was certain he would be so furious, so angry that...she couldnt bear to be around him anymore.
Of course it hadn't happened yet...but would it?
"Hey, Mitchie, are you okay?"
She shook herself from her thoughts. "Great, sorry, having a flashback."
Caitlyn looked pointdly at Mitchies hand and back at her face. "Still haven't told him?" she asked gently.
"Told who what, M-Caity?" Caleb asked, calling Caitlyn by her nickname.
"Nothing, dear," Caitlyn said quickly. "Mitchie just has a...a surprise for Shane, and hasn't got around to...em, showing him yet."
"Oh."
"Tell Uncle Shane," Caleb said.
Mitchie froze. The small child couldn't possibly know that she was pregnant. Could he?
She simply nodded and smiled.
"I will, I promise Caleb," she said, ruffling his curls.
Hopefully she could keep that promise.
Shane, Nate and Jason walked off stage. Nate quickly spotted Caitlyn and Caleb and ran over. Half way there he had to resist the urge to hug and kiss both of them. He never knew where paparazzi would be lurking back stage.
"Nate, you were amazing...the song, was beautiful," Caitlyn said.
"Thanks Caity, I hoped you would like it," Nate said.
"I loved it,"
The temptation to capture her in a kiss was practicly killing him.
"Let's get out of here," he said to everyone.
They snuck out the back door, avoiding the now-insane paparatzzi and went inside the bus. Callie was sitting at the small table, looking over wedding designs. When Jason wrapped his arms around her, she smiled and asked "How did the crowd take Nates daring return?"
"They," Jason said.
"Went," Shane added.
"Insane," Nate finshed, collapsing on the old, comfortable couch with Caleb in his arms. He kissed the tots head and sighed, smiling. "I loved it. Today was probably the best day of my life."
"Hey!" Caityln and Caleb said indignately.
"Sorry," Nate chuckled. "Other than countless others i am sure i have had."
Caitlyn stretched next to him and smiled. "We were kidding," she said softly.
Nate finally got the kiss he had been waiting for. "Correction," he murmured against her lips. "Now its the best day of my life."
"Sap," Shane coughed.
"Shut up."
Mitchie had been sitting quietly throughout all of this, and now went to her bunk.
Shane watched after her, his heart splintering. He sighed.
"Callie, what did I do?" he moaned.
"Nothing, Shane," Callie said. "She is just...is just...emotional right now..." she bit her lip hard to keep from spilling any more news...the news she should have, and not Mitchie.
But life isnt fair.
Later at the hotel, Shane looked out the window of his hotel and saw Mitchie standing alone on the deck that was connected to all the suites.
"Its now, or never," he mumbled. "Talk...or dont. Now, Gray."
And he strode outside.
Mitchie didnt turn around, though he was sure she heard him.
He slipped a blanket over her shoulders.
"You seem cold," he murmured in her ear, his fingers caressing her cheek. "Are you alright?" He was close behind her, his hands still on her shoulders.
"Fine," Mitchie answered too quickly, resisting the urge to fold her hands over her stomach.
Shane was silent.
"How long do we contiune not talking?" he asked finally. "I know we broke up...but i wish we hadn't.
And now...Mitch, we dont even talk anymore. Is something wrong?"
Mitchie was silent. She leaned against him sadly, but still did not answer.
Shane sighed. "I miss you," he whispered, then turned to go.
"Shane..."
He turned again. "Yeah?"
Mitchie stared at him, biting her lip. "I..."
But she couldnt bring herself to say the dreadful words. So she slipped the blanket off, put it back in Shanes hand and went inside, leaving a heartbroken popstar behind her.
Angie: Oh-ehm-gee! PMA4 has officially started. I am so pumped. REVIEW!
Alyssa: Europe is amaying but i cant to anything without my laptop!! Miss you guyz! REVIEW!!
Mya:We're baaaaack. Isn't Caleb like uberly adorable. Review.