* Chapter 12 *

Mariah dreaded this minute in time more than any other. She and Kevin were at the Orlando International Airport with A.J., Brian, Nick and Howie awaiting the group's departure for the second leg of the Backstreet Boys "American" tour. It seemed the fans in the U.S. and Canada had dibs on her boyfriend's time and attention for the next few months.

The final boarding call was announced for the flight and the Boys were prepared to be escorted from their waiting area to the Jetway by their security team. Mariah had said a quick goodbye to the others lingering with Howie, Brian and Leighanne, who was joining her boyfriend for the first week or so. She was trying her hardest to prolong the final minutes. Kevin took hold of her hand.

"Is Wagner all settled in?" he asked referring to her tomcat.

"He's still getting used to the place just like I am."

"I'm glad you decided to move into the house. Not only do I get a housesitter, but the added bonus of coming home to you whenever I'm away."

"Which is too often," Mariah said with a sigh.

"I know, sweetie." Kevin took her in his arms this time. "God, I just don't want to leave you."

Mariah wanted so badly to tell him not to go, but knew it was a selfish thought. As much as Kevin Richardson belonged with her, Kevin Backstreet belonged on the stage entertaining tens of thousands of screaming fans. She couldn't deny him that happiness even though it meant extended periods of pain and loneliness for her.

"At least I know you can dial a phone number and write an email," she teased.

"How can I forget? It's how this all started...just a slip of a finger," he added quietly. 'My life changed that quickly.'

"I love you, Kev."

He kissed her lips. "I love you, too, My Riah." As much as that nickname was chauvinistic, she loved it more than any other. He rarely used it - saving it for special times and increasing the meaning tenfold. It not only endured her to him but ignited similar passion in her.

"Kev?" It was Brian.

"Dammit, Bri, give me another minute." He wiped the tears from her hazel eyes. "I've never not wanted to go on tour before."

"You'll be fine, sweetie," she said caressing his check with her hand. "You will be up on stage performing in front of all those people and forget about me."

Kevin shook his head defiantly. "I won't forget. I'll be singing for you, to you no matter where I am." He placed a hand over her heart. "Listen from here, you'll hear me."

Mariah felt the tears stinging her eyes once more. "Kev..."

"No more words." His lips pressed against hers in a bittersweet kiss filled with longing and love.

Without another word, he turned and walked away not daring to look back, a gesture which Mariah understood and forgave.

***** When Mariah arrived home that evening, the message light was blinking on the answering machine. She hit the play button before leaning over to pet Wagner.

"Riah, it's Kev. We've landed in Vancouver safely. It's a bit chilly here. Thanks for making me pack all those sweaters. Baby, I miss you. Do me a favor? Record your voice on the machine, so that I can call and hear your voice even when you aren't home. I love you."

Beep.

Mariah did as she was told. Over the next weeks, she lived for the short messages he left on the machine and in her email box. She found herself devising illegitimate excuses to call his cell phone just to hear his voicemail greeting. Because of their busy schedules - Mariah had her own student recitals and concerts to plan and direct, they rarely talked live wire. Their lives were an endless game of phone tag. In her spare time, Mariah and Pollyanna Dorough planned numerous girls' night outs - and ins. Being teachers, they discovered they had so much in common and became as inseparable as sisters. Polly was at the house one evening when the phone rang.

"Could you get that? My hands are a bit wet," Mariah requested pulling her hands from the dishwater. The two women had made dinner and were now suffering through the cleanup.

"Sure," Polly dropped her towel on the counter and picked up the phone.

"Hello? Oh, hey, Kev, it's Polly. How's the tour? Yeah, Mariah's right here."

Mariah grabbed the phone. "Kev?"

"Hi, Riah. It's hard for me to believe that this isn't just some elaborate new message on the answering machine."

"Nope, this is me. It feels so good to hear your voice."

"That is always why I call, but it doesn't quite satisfy me as fully as when I'm with you."

Mariah sighed and willed the tears not to fall. She quickly switched topics. "So where are calling from today?"

"The nation's capital."

"Washington, D.C.?"

"No, Ottawa."

"Guess I should have asked you which nation?"

Kevin chuckled. "Next time I could be calling from Japan...or Uruguay."

"So other than to hear my voice, why else did you call?"

"There is no other reason but that. Guess I was just thinking about you today." He paused then amended his last sentence. "No, that's not right. I was thinking about you more than usual." Kevin remembered the shopping excursion he'd returned from an hour before.

"That's so sweet. I think about you, too, wondering when you'll be home."

"Soon. I'm not exactly sure when. I may get a few days prior to the homecoming shows in Tampa and Orlando."

"Surprise me."

Kevin's thoughts returned to the little shop he had browsed in that afternoon and to the gift that was now locked away in the hotel's safe. "I love you, Mariah," he whispered suddenly.

She couldn't help but smile. "I love you, too, Kev. I can't wait for you to come home."

Chapter 13
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