| Epilogue -- 2003 "Ladies and gentleman, please welcome our next presenters. She's been in such movies as 'Return to Love' and 'Hell Bent to Fury'. He's adored by millions of screaming fans. They make such a great couple that it's a good thing they're married! Leighanne Wallace and Brian Littrell!" Kaelyn watched with a proud smile as Brian and Leighanne walked on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards amid tumultuous applause. It had been quite a while since she'd seen either of them, because all three were busy with their individual successful careers. But through her sporadic emails with Brian and her periodic work with Kevin, she knew that the pair had mended their fences and were currently as happy as ever. Tuning back in, she focused on the stage. "Hello!" Brian waved cheerfully. "Hi New York!" Leighanne chimed in. "We're so happy to be here." "We are delighted to present the award for best new artist." Brian explained. "Gee, Brian. Do you remember winning this award so many years ago?" Leighanne asked with a well-scripted smile. "Ah, yes. I remember as if it were yesterday. Those were the good old days..." he began. "Uh oh." He stopped suddenly. "I sound like my father!" his head whipped around to face his wife. "I'm getting old, Leigh!" he wailed dramatically. Kaelyn joined in with the audience's laughter and watched as Leighanne patted Brian's shoulder comfortingly. "I know." She said. "Only this morning I had to remind you wear the same color socks!" Brian blushed as the audience laughed again. "Alright, alright. Let's move on to the nominees, shall we?" "We shall. The nominees are: Fast Eddie, Heartfire, Kaelyn Montgomery, Snow Babies, and Lexie Taylor." As Leighanne slowly listed off the nominees, clips of their videos played on the big screen behind them. Once the last clip finished, Brian picked up the envelope that sat in front of them. "And the winner is... drum roll please..." he struggled with the flap. "Kaelyn Montgomery!" he announced triumphantly. Kaelyn was frozen in her seat as everyone around her began to congratulate her. "Kaelyn, you have to go up on stage!" Jocelyn, Kaelyn's younger sister, poked her side. In a daze, Kaelyn stood up and made her way to the stage, receiving hugs and hand shakes along the way. When she reached the stage, she was hugged by a tearful Brian. "I knew you could do it Kay!" he said into her ear. "Thank you, Brian." She answered, beginning to tear up as well. Next she hugged Leighanne, who handed her the award and also congratulated her. Moving to the podium, she clutched the statuette in sweaty palms. "Oh, wow." She began breathlessly. "I can honestly say I never thought I'd be here. First and foremost I have to thank the powers-that-be for giving me a talent to work with. Then I have to thank Brian," she glanced over at her dear friend. "For kicking me in the butt and telling me to use the talent." The audience laughed as Brian mimed aiming a kick in Kaelyn's direction. "And thank you to my family, my management, my fans..." as she spoke, Kaelyn looked out into the sea of faces and thought that it had to be the happiest day of her life. |