Tristan Trilogy- Story 3

CHAPTER 5

Amanda didn't even try to hide the fact that she was eavesdropping on Kevin's conversation with Dr. Malone. When Kevin dropped his voice and turned his back in an attempt to have a private conversation, Amanda just moved up closer to his side and stood watching him and raising her brows, questioning, when the doctor was doing the talking. Kevin rolled his eyes at her and tried to wave her away but she wouldn't budge.

"I just don't think it's a good idea." Kevin said into the receiver. "Another day or two won't matter…. But….. Well, maybe just today….I'm not hovering!…."

At that remark, Amanda began to nod vigorously, undisturbed by the 'look' Kevin threw at her.

"….Just a couple of hours….I don't know…okay….Thank you…okay…bye."

Kevin hung up the phone, glaring at Amanda.

"What did he say?" she asked.

"Why don't you tell me, Miss Nosy!" Kevin growled back.

"Shut up, Kevin. You don't scare me! I couldn't hear him - only you!"

Kevin shook his head in resignation. "He said that he was calling in a prescription for Tris and that the pharmacy would deliver it this afternoon."

"What else?" Amanda demanded.

"He said I should go on to the studio…"

"He's right!" she agreed.

"Why is he right?" Kevin asked irritably. "Jesus! What's one more day?"

"Look, Kev…" Amanda said impatiently. "…For one thing, you are hovering. For another thing, AJ told me about the meeting last week. The label's gonna watch their ass which means you'd better watch yours. Don't go giving them a reason to shut you guys out and fuck you over. And finally - and I've heard both of you say this - you want things back to normal asap. That's not gonna happen if you don't start doing 'normal' things - like going to work!"

Kevin really couldn't argue her logic. "You surprise me, Amanda… I hate to admit it, but you're making sense. That's suppose to be myjob."

"Yeah, yeah.." Amanda waved off the backhanded compliment which, coming from Kevin, was high praise. "Listen, I'll stay here until you get back, if you want." Her eyes began to dart around the room. "You do have some tequila around here, don't you?"

"Amanda…" Kevin warned.

"Jesus! I'm just kidding, Kevin! Lighten up a little! Amanda changed directions and became serious. "I know you have a lot on your mind right now - the announcement, Tristan's health, the babies, the group. Let us help you when we can. You and Tristan would do the same for any of us." Amanda began to flip her fingers at Kevin, shooing him away. "Now get out of here!" She grinned. "You'll be late! I'll call ahead and tell them you're on your way."

Kevin closed his eyes and sighed. Staying here would help nothing right now. Everything Amanda had said was true.

"Okay. I'll go.." Kevin reached into a bowl on the counter and grabbed his keys. "You know Amanda…you're okay."

"Yeah, well, forget it Kevin! You can't have me!" she laughed. "I belong to AJ!"

Kevin returned the laugh and headed for the door.

"I'll be back in a couple of hours…"

*************

It wasn't hard to tell that Nick had something on his mind. He hadn't said two words since he got to the studio. When Kevin finally arrived, he seemed almost relieved. He knew he would be getting all kinds of advice and opinions from the others but he feared it would be critical. He was hoping to have an ally in Kevin when he told his brothers what was going on. The most he wished for was a split decision.

Of course everyone wanted to know how things were going for Kevin and Tristan and that topic took up a few minutes of time. Nick was still notably silent. Kevin shot him a sideways glance, curious about Nick's distraction but not wanting to push if he didn't feel like talking. He knew, though, that they would get nothing done if Nick wasn't able to concentrate so he approached Nick's silence in a casual manner.

"How 'ya doing, Nick?" Kevin asked as he picked up some sheet music and studied the lyrics.

"He's got his drawers all knotted up about something!" AJ answered on Nick's behalf. Kevin noticed the scowl Nick gave AJ.

"That right?" Kevin said, turning a page, still reading.

"NO!" Nick shouted.

That outburst captured everyone's attention. Nick slid off of his stool and began pacing. Then he stopped abruptly and put his hands on his hips.

"Look. I may as well tell y'all something…".

Even though Nick was speaking to the group, it was Kevin's eyes that he held. Kevin knew then that his reaction to whatever was said would be important to Nick. He waited patiently.

"This is probably terrible timing but I just can't sit on it anymore…"

"Damn. You're not leaving the group, are you Nick?" Howie asked, looking a little dumbstruck.

Nick looked at Howie, surprised, and then rolled his eyes. "No…"

"What is it, Nick?" Kevin asked calmly, recapturing his gaze.

Nick took a breath, closed his eyes and let the words tumble.

"I know that y'all will think this is stupid, but I've known Holly for a year now and I'm in love with her and I asked her to marry me and she said she would and I gave her a ring and we're engaged and I think that since Kevin got married and now everybody knows, that I should be able to be engaged and let everybody know and I just thought I should tell you. That's all."

The room was silent. Nick opened his eyes and looked at the faces surrounding him. AJ, Brian and Howie stood staring at him with their mouths literally hanging open. Kevin's expression was blank. At least his mouth was closed.

"You've got to be kidding, man…" AJ laughed.. "You're still a kid! You don't know what you want!" Howie frowned.

Nick looked at Brian. They were pretty close once but Brian was shaking his head now.

"What do you want to do, Nick? Blow us completely out of the water? You don't think we have enough trouble here?" Brian said angrily.

The reaction hurt Nick. They still thought of him as a baby, incapable of serious thought or strong emotion. None of them had bothered to try and get to know Holly. Even though they had been together all this time, Nick suspected that the guys just considered her as 'Nick's Flavor of the Month'. Nick's eyes fell to the floor and rested on a pair of very large feet. They traveled slowly up two khaki covered legs to the hem of a black wifebeater and from there over crossed arms and further up to a black goatee. The face he locked onto was expressionless but the green eyes bore into him as if they were capable of reading his mind. Again, the room was filled with silence. There was still one more voice to be heard.

Finally, Kevin spoke. His voice was low and powerful.

"I don't think he's kidding, J…are 'ya Nick?"

Nick shook his head, still staring at Kevin. His apprehension was soothed with a gentle smile as Kevin continued.

"Nick's not thirteen years old anymore. He's seen enough and been around enough to know what he feels and what he's doing. He's not stupid. My parents fell in love when they were teenagers, barely driving and so did yours, Brian." he said pointedly. "Love doesn't wait for some arbitrary age. For some of us, it comes earlier than for others. My personal opinion is that the earlier the better. And as far as being 'blown out of the water'…." Brian looked away. "….I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for the trouble. I'm sorry for the publicity. I'm sorry that you guys are impacted by my personal life. But I have to say this - I'm not sorry that Tris and I married. If I could turn back time, I'd do it again." Kevin smiled as he wrapped up his closing argument. "And if Nick is even considering the possibility of marriage after all he's seen over the last year, then I say it's the real thing - go for it."

Again, things were quiet as Kevin's words were considered.

"Shit, Nick. Kev's right. You do what's best for you and your lady." AJ said . "Hell, I ain't worried about getting 'blown out of the water'! In fact, I'll take getting 'blown' any way I can…" he laughed.

"I think he's crazy." Brian snarled as if Nick wasn't present.

Brian's self-righteousness pissed Nick off. He answered Brian's insult, echoing what everyone else was thinking.

"Fuck you, Brian. You're just worried to death that Leighanne's gonna cut you off when she finds out about this. Too bad. You two have been together the longest and you still won't commit to her. You're just scared of how she's gonna feel when she finds out that 'Little Nicky' has taken the step while 'Bishop Brian' is still treading water."

"Ouch! That stings, doesn't it Brian?" AJ grinned.

"Shut up, AJ…" Brian frowned.

"Okay, okay…" Kevin stepped into the control room and started throwing switches. "We've already gotten into everybody's personal shit here. Nick's gotta do what he feels. It's his decision - not ours. Now, let's make some music…"

Nicked relaxed a little. The first step had been taken. Other steps would eventually follow. He was going to have to call Holly and tell her what he'd done before she got any calls. Hopefully, she would be relieved, too.

****************

"Who are you and what do you want?" Amanda asked suspiciously through a speaker by the front door.

The man outside jumped at the sound of Amanda's voice and began looking around, trying to locate its source.

"Uh..I'm a clerk in Bill Hathaway's office. He sent me.."

"Who?"

"Uh…Bill Hathaway… Kevin's personal attorney.."

"How the hell did you get through the gate?" Amanda wanted to know.

"Uh…Kevin gave Mr. Hathaway his code. I've used it before to deliver papers…"

"Who is it Amanda?"

Tristan ambled down the stairs, still groggy from her short nap. "He says he's from Bill Hathaway's office…"Amanda sneered, ever mindful poseurs.

Tristan looked through the peephole to see the young man. He had set his briefcase down and was holding up a business card in one hand and a Florida Driver's license in the other. Tristan opened the door.

"Can I help you? Kevin's not here at the moment…"

"Mrs. Richardson?"

Tristan hesitated. No one had called her that since the announcement had been made. She glanced down at her wedding band and then raised her head.

"Yes…"

"Oh, good." The young man smiled. "I'm just here to deliver some papers for Mr. Hathaway." He reached down, opened his briefcase and then handed Tristan a thick manila envelope. "I was to deliver these personally…"

"But I told you - Kevin isn't here right now."

"Oh.." the man smiled. "I'm sorry. These aren't for Kevin. They're for you. You need to read them over, sign or initial where indicated and send them back to Mr. Hathaway. Or call and someone will pick them up."

"But what are…"

"Good day, Mrs. Richardson…" He turned, got into his car and was gone.

Tristan took the envelope into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Amanda sat nearby, watching. After a moment Tristan smiled, shrugged her shoulders and tore open the flap on the envelope. She pulled out a file - actually a report binder which held together about twenty type-written pages. When she turned it over, her smile faded. All she could do was stare at the label on the cover.

Kevin S. Richardson/Tristan Mallory Richardson
Post-Nuptial Agreement for financial and property settlement in the event of dissolution of existing marriage.

CHAPTER 6

"TRIS!"

"Hmmm?"

Tristan finally looked up. Amanda had risen from her chair and was stepping towards the sofa. She didn't know how many times Amanda had called her but she knew that the papers that rested on her lap had gathered her undivided attention - until Amanda shouted.

"Wh..what? Tristan cocked her head and looked puzzled as if she had forgotten that she wasn't alone. She looked odd.

"What is that?" Amanda asked.

Amanda had become a little alarmed at the look that had crossed Tristan's face when she read the cover of the binder. It was hard to define her expression. All Amanda could think of was that Tristan looked as if she had been slapped. Her eyes had grown wide and wet and her mouth was slightly opened. Even her cheeks had taken on an unnatural blush as if she had been struck across the face. As was typical, Tristan tried to recover quickly. She shoved the binder back into the envelope and threw it carelessly onto the coffee table, trying to brush it off as if it were inconsequential.

"It's nothing. Just some papers I need to sign.."

"Looks like a lot of papers.." Amanda probed.

Tristan seemed to become increasingly uneasy and nervous. Whatever was in that envelope had upset her.

"Listen, Amanda…." Tristan stood and began to straighten pillows. "…Kevin will be home soon and I know you have a lot to do…"

She's asking me to leave…. "You tryin' to get rid of me, Tris?" Amanda smiled.

"No! Of course not!" Tristan blinked. "But you don't have to baby-sit me - really…"

Ii was obvious that Tristan wanted to be alone. It was equally apparent that whatever Kevin's lawyer had sent over was at the root of this sudden need for isolation. Amanda glanced at the manila envelope and then back at Tristan.

"I told Kevin I'd stay until he got back."

"Oh…"

Tristan was familiar with Amanda's stubborn streak and she knew that Amanda wouldn't be going anywhere until Kevin returned. She just couldn't stay and make small talk. She was too overwhelmed. She needed to think and she needed to be alone to do that. She couldn't throw Amanda out. The only recourse she had was to leave herself - not the house, but the room.

"Do you mind if I go take a shower before Kevin gets back? I feel a little grungy."

"Go ahead. Why is she asking my permission? It's time for my soap, anyway. I can watch it and not feel guilty if you're gone!" Amanda laughed, trying to put Tristan at ease.

As soon as Amanda heard the bedroom door close, she turned on the television and went for the envelope that Tristan had neglected to take with her. She began to carefully slide the binder out while peeking over her shoulder to the stairs. Then she turned back to the papers and scanned the label on the cover.

Jesus Christ! No wonder she was upset! She reread the label wondering for a moment if she had misunderstood.

'in the event of dissolution of existing marriage'

Amanda immediately formed a conclusion. Tristan hadn't known anything about this - it was a surprise. These papers had been drawn up without her knowledge. How humiliating! It was no wonder she looked as if she'd been slapped. In a manner of speaking she had been. Amanda opened the binder and began to read. There was a Post-It note attached to the first page that suggested Tristan show this document to her own personal lawyer before she signed it. How considerate… She doubted that Tristan even had her own personal lawyer.

Amanda perused the document quickly, still glancing towards the stairs every several seconds. She didn't want to be caught going through Tristan's personal papers. Oh, she had no qualms about reading the pages. It was the 'caught' part that concerned her. She wasn't even sure what she was reading at first but as her brain sliced through the legalese, she began to get the drift. As she turned the pages, she began to fully grasp the essentials of the agreement.

1 - There would be no alimony.

2 - Tristan would agree to forego any community property settlement. They would take out of the marriage what they brought into it.

3 - Any children born of the marriage would receive child support until they reached the age of eighteen years. The amount would be determined at the time of dissolution pending blood tests to assure that said children were fathered by Kevin Richardson.

Amanda shook her head and read that one again. What the fuck?

4 - Joint custody of said children was mandatory.

5 - All educational and medical expenses of said children would be paid by the father.

Amada felt herself sneer. How fuckin' generous…

6 - Kevin Richardson would have first refusal over the sale of any properties held jointly by them that Tristan Richardson might wish to liquidate.

7 - A 'no disclosure' agreement (located at the end of this document) would have to be signed that prohibited Tristan Richardson from publishing or being responsible for the publication of any personal revelations concerning Kevin Richardson, their marriage or the Backstreet Boys without written authorization from him or his legal counsel.

Finally, 8 - Should Kevin Richardson pre-decease Tristan Mallory Richardson, she must agree to make no further claims on his estate nor to contest his will in any way, either for her benefit or the benefit of his children.

"Jesus Christ…." Amanda mumbled.

When Tristan came back down the stairs, Amanda was sitting on a chair, staring at a soap opera. She had no idea that Amanda had never seen that program before and had no clue as to what the plot lines were. Tristan glanced at the coffee table. The envelope was where she had left it and she breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't intended to leave it there, but she had been so shocked that she hadn't been thinking.

"How's the story?" Tristan asked from the entryway. She was trying very hard to be light and casual but her throat was still tight and her voice was too high.

"Okay…" Amanda answered evenly, noticing Tristan's higher octave.

Tristan stepped to the table and quickly picked up the envelope, hoping that her anxiety would not be noticed. It slipped from her grasp and landed flat on the surface of the table, making a loud cracking sound. Amanda's eyes shot over to her as Tristan faked a smile and picked it up again. So much for tying to be inconspicuous…

"Um…I'm going into Kevin's office for a few minutes while you finish watching your show…" Tristan stammered.

Amanda turned back to the screen. She didn't want Tristan to read that agreement but what could she do? I could kill Kevin… "Okay…"

Amanda sat, neither hearing nor seeing the television. Kevin would be home soon. She couldn't help but wonder if this whole thing had been planned. Tristan obviously didn't know about this agreement and Kevin had not been home when it was delivered into her hands. Why now?

***********

"I told 'em Holly.."

Holly dropped her flute case to the floor. She had just come back from a rehearsal with the Tampa Symphony. She had reached an agreement with the company that she would work for them on a seasonal basis that was considered fulltime/part time. It was a decent compromise that kept her in the business and gave her some free time as well. Nick hadn't been thrilled with her decision to return to work but he was trying hard to be fair. Holly needed to have a 'sense of self' - something that Nick couldn't provide for her. He never wanted her to resent their relationship and was aware that resentments often came when one partner felt stifled.

"You told who what?" Holly demanded, although she thought she already knew the answer to her question.

Nick crossed his arms over his chest, striking a slightly defiant pose. "I told the guys that I had asked you to marry me and that you'd said yes."

"Oh, Nick….." Holly sighed. "I thought we were going to keep this between us. I thought that…"

"Yeah, well…" Nick cut in. "…I thought that it was time. I don't want to sit on this anymore! I figured with Kev and Tris announcing their business, now would be a good time. "

Holly's face began to turn pink and her breath caught in her throat.

"You're not telling me that MTV's going to be making an announcement about us, are you Nick? God! I'm not ready for that! I remember what happened to Tris and she and Kevin weren't even engaged! Jesus…" Holly flopped down on the sofa and the tears started.

Nick stood and watched her. He didn't know what to say. Part of him had hoped that she would glad that he decided to 'declare his intentions'. He had hoped that Holly might even think it was a romantic gesture. He was confused and a large part of him was hurt. After Kevin had made his feelings known to the others, Nick had also felt a sort of lightening - a strange sense of relief. Now here she sat blubbering about MTV, Kev and Tris, privacy….. He wasn't sure what to make of this.

"Holly!"

Nick didn't mean to shout. He was surprised to find himself a little scared about her reaction. When Holly raised her head, he studied her face carefully, trying to pinpoint her distress. His tone softened. He didn't want to seem angry - he wanted to understand. He walked over to the sofa and took a seat beside her.

"What's really the problem, Hol? The press and internet have left us alone pretty much. You haven't gotten the shit that Tris got. I don't know why, but you haven't and I'm glad about that." Nick took his thumb and gently wiped a wet streak from her face. Then he voiced his real fear. "You're not embarrassed about us, are you Holly? Are you…ashamed or something? Of me?"

Holly was perplexed. "What do you mean? Why would I be ashamed of you?"

Nick looked into his lap. "Look, Holly. I know that the musicians you work with are…well…high brow, compared to us. You probably get teased or something…"

Nick heard Holly exhale forcefully as she jumped up from the sofa. She was angry.

"Jesus, Nick! You sound like Kevin! He got all worked up about Tris and that ring and people asking her about him! Have you forgotten where all that led? What in the hell's the matter with you?"

"Don't be jumping on Kev or comparing me to him Holly!" Now Nick's anger was in full display. He was tired of her dancing around the issue. "Why doesn't your father know about us? I understand that you wanted to keep our engagement quiet for awhile, but he thinks we're 'just seeing' each other. I think that's a little too casual, don't you? How the fuck do you think that makes me feel?"

Holly found herself at a loss for words. She thought things were fine going along the way they were. The fact was that her father intimidated her. He was a strong man and Holly had always relished being the apple of his eye. She was unsure of his reaction to her being so involved with any man, but with the competition? It couldn't be good. His professional goal was to deflate the Backstreet Boys, not out of malice, but to make plenty of room for his clients. This was bound to cause some conflict between Warren Carmichael's professional and personal life and that was something he had managed to avoid up until now. She feared her father wouldn't be able to separate the two. She didn't want to lose her father or cause doubts to be cast on his ability to push 'Nsync because the daughter that he loved was involved with Nick Carter. Holly's pensiveness was interrupted when Nick stood and issued her an ultimatum. His voice was even, but anger was bubbling just below the surface.

"You have decisions you're gonna have to make, Holly. I can't make them for you and neither can 'Daddy'. I understand you may have some conflicts but, honestly baby - that's tough shit." Nick drew a breath before he continued. "Jive is having its annual bash next week - cocktails, dancing - all that fancy shit. I don't usually go but this year I'll be there. Your father will be there, too, and I plan on speaking to him. In the meantime, I'm volunteering for some promo work the label wants done. Charity stuff. Brian, Howie and me are gonna be doing a little traveling. I'm leaving in a few minutes." Nick nodded towards the door. His suitcase and a duffel bag were sitting under the window. "I'm gonna meet you at the party - I hope. I'll send you the particulars. This will give you lots of days to think about all of this and come to some decisions. I really think you need to do this alone."

Holly looked dumbfounded. When she had left the house this morning, everything seemed great. Now she felt like she had tumbled into hell.

"You…you're leaving m..me?" she whispered.

Nick stepped over to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "No..no, baby…" He stepped back and looked into her face with a gentle smile. I'm not leaving you…" he said, brushing a curl from her face. " I was gonna do this anyway. I know it's last minute but I knew that you were knee deep in rehearsals so I thought this would be a good chance to get my time in."

Nick kissed Holly lightly and turned towards the door. Before he left, he issued a final statement.

"I'm countin' on seein' you at that party next week, Holly. And when I do, I'll know what you've decided. You'll give a 'sign' or something, won't you, baby…"

Then he was gone.

********************

Tristan sat at Kevin's desk, slowly going through the document that Kevin's lawyer had sent over. She could hardly believe what she was reading. Was she really so naïve? A pre-nuptial agreement had never occurred to her, much less a post-nup. Tristan wasn't even aware that there was such a thing. She knew that Kevin had trust issues but she never thought of him as being insensitive. She knew also that he liked for things to be controlled and practical but the phrasing in this agreement seemed to be almost accusatory - as if he were expecting that she would attack him one day. She felt that little had changed as far as Kevin's insecurities went. He had demanded her trust on many different levels and she had given it, but it was a gift that he seemed unable to return.

Their pain, fears and struggles had been encapsulated into a twenty-page document. Their victories had been ignored. Surely he knew what damage this contract would do to the emotional stability they had achieved. Is that why he wasn't here when the papers came? Is that why he never mentioned this? Tristan certainly didn't need Kevin's money - she was a wealthy woman in her own right. She began to question his motives - not only for drawing up the agreement but for marrying her at all. Guilt? Up until ninety minutes ago, she had felt secure in his love and protection. Now her heart had been filled with doubt. How could he love her if he didn't trust her? Blood tests for our children?

Tristan closed the binder and let the tears fall. She didn't have the strength or will to stop them. Am I losing my mind? Kevin did love her - she knew it! She couldn't have been that wrong for all this time and he wasn't that good an actor. Their turbulent history replayed itself through her mind like an old newsreel, beginning with his search to find her at the end of 1998 and ending with his joy at the prospect of fatherhood. Tristan sat up, wiped her face and went through the agreement again. Okay, Kevin… She initialed it where indicated and signed where she was supposed to, including the 'no disclosure' agreement at the back of the binder. Then she pushed the papers back into the envelope and sat, staring at the wall, trying to make her mind blank.

A photograph that sat on Kevin's desk caught her eye. It was one of their four wedding pictures. Kevin must have taken it from the box in the hallway closet. It was the picture of just the two of them taken after the ceremony. Tristan gazed at the couple in the picture and unconsciously pushed her finger against the bottom of the silver frame. The photograph slid very easily across the surface of the polished desk. It kept sliding as she continued to push, ever so slowly. She felt almost hypnotized by the movement. Her expression never changed as the frame reached the edge of the desk and she continued to apply pressure to the corner of the sterling rectangle. Finally the picture balanced precariously, half off the desktop. Then, with one tiny shove of her finger, it fell and crashed onto the hardwood floor. The frame dented and bent, the glass shattered and pierced the paper that held their image. Tristan gazed at the mess on the floor beside her. The slice on the picture caused by the broken glass had cut the roses from her arms and an arm from Kevin's body.

Oooops….

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