*October 20th 2003*
“That’s it, we’re done!” Kevin announced with a sigh. He pulled the headphones off his ear and grinned at the tech in front of him. He and Brian had just listened to the playback of the last song they’d recorded. Everything had come out perfectly. “Done, and ahead of schedule too.”
“It’s a good album.” A grin spread over Brian’s face. “I’d say we did a heck of a job this time.”
“To say the least. Management should be pleased, I think.”
Brian laughed softly. “Let’s hope so. I don’t see how they couldn’t. We’ve got quite a few special songs on here this time around.” He thought of the song that AJ had written, and the one that he’d written for AJ. Both were on here. It had humbled and amazed Brian that they had taken the title of his song, Never Gone, and made it the name of the album. To hear that song put to music, to hear it sang by all of them, had made it all the more special.
Looking around the studio, Kevin gave a wry grin. No one else but the tech was in there with them. But they could hear the noise out in the cafeteria where everyone else was at. It sounded like people were singing and laughing.
Since it was close to Mikayla’s delivery date, the group was currently at the studio in Denver, not far from Brian and AJ’s house and close to Mikayla and AJ’s doctor. They didn’t want to be too far away from her OB when it came time for the baby to be born. Brian and AJ were growing more and more excited with every day.
Finishing off the album was wonderful not only because they could get it out now, but because that meant it was done before the baby was born. Apparently the others were already out there celebrating. The two cousins shared a look and a smile before silently heading out to find their friends.
Find them they did, as well as plenty of other people. The cafeteria was crowded with technicians and their band members, Mikayla, and both Howie and Nick’s girlfriends. That made Brian grin. He had been so proud when Nick had called to let him know that he and Sam had finally bit the bullet and started dating. There was no one more perfect for his friend than Sam.
All of his attention was drawn to the men standing in the center of the cafeteria, though. Nick and AJ were at the center of the crowd of people, taking turns singing. It was quickly obvious that it was a contest. Nick was currently singing a song that Brian didn’t know, but it had a pop sound to it. What had prompted this, Brian didn’t know, but he stood and watched with amusement.
Mikayla moved over to stand beside him, her hands resting on her very large stomach, a content smile curving her lips. “Nick told AJ that he could sing better than he could and that his voice had a wider range to it.” She told Brian over the noise. Her eyes twinkled with good humor. “Naturally, AJ couldn’t resist the challenge. He denied it and said he was by far the better singer. So Nick challenged him. Their ‘audience’ is the judge of who does better. So far they’re tied. Howie over there picks the genre of music and they have to come up with a song and sing it well, or they lose that round.”
Oh, that sounded like his husband all right. Brian put a hand on the small of Mikayla’s back, rubbing lightly as he watched Nick finish. AJ’s mouth curled in a mocking smile. “That the best you can do? That was adequate!” he taunted.
“Adequate? Shit, J, that rocked and you know it!”
“Blah, blah! All talk!”
Laughing, Howie stuck his hands out between them. “Nick passes this round. AJ, it’s your turn. Let’s see…” He paused for a minute to think. Then he gave his most evil grin. “Country, J. Let’s see you come up with something country.”
They obviously gave that to him, thinking that he wouldn’t be able to do it. Everyone was laughing and Nick looked smug. They had absolutely no idea. Brian watched AJ’s eyes light up. God, his husband was looking good. He’d seemed to even out lately, health wise. Occasionally he still became more tired than normal, but he was also learning the limits of what he could and couldn’t do.
They’d been surprised to find that his changing from HIV to AIDS really hadn’t effected his life too much. Yeah, it had changed his medication. Yeah, for a while life had been hard. They’d had an adjustment period for quite a few months. But now, well, now it seemed that the medicine was doing what it was supposed to. His CD4 level was hovering just below 200, which was spectacular. He hadn’t caught a single cold, and he was working out a little to try and keep his energy levels up. It seemed to be working.
Brian thought that maybe it was because of the baby Mikayla was carrying. She was due soon and he and AJ were growing more and more excited to meet their child. Having something like this to live for, something more than the love of his friends or his husband, seemed to give AJ an extra purpose in life. It gave him even more willpower to fight this disease.
As AJ started to sing, Brian was drawn from his thoughts. Not just because he loved to listen to AJ sing, or even because he liked the song, but because he wanted to watch everyone’s face as AJ sang this song.
“Aint got no tricks left up my sleeve. Aint got no reason to believe. I been looking for a sign. Love shouldn’t be so hard to find. I been sleeping on your couch. Just been laying here alone .I been doing without. Oh you been doing me wrong. Nothing left here to decide. I think it’s time for me to ride.”
The bluesy sound to the lyrics was something that both AJ and Brian loved about this song. It was Toby Keith, Time for Me to Ride, off his new album. Brian grinned as he saw the room go quiet in surprise as AJ closed his eyes and let his voice ring around the room. They’d never heard him sing the blues before and his natural rasp gave it a powerful sound.
“Put my back out on the highway. Feel that wind all in my face. Breathe some air that taste like freedom. Yeah let that be my saving grace. Somebody loved, somebody lied. I believe it’s time for me to ride. “
Mikayla tucked herself in against Brian. “Wow.” She whispered. “I’ve never heard him sing this style. He does damn good, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah.” Brian murmured back before falling silent. His attention was focused on AJ, who was throwing his all into the song.
“Should have known right from the start. I couldn’t tame your faithless heart. I could see the writing on the wall. Never been the kind to crawl. Girl you never satisfied. I believe it’s time for me to ride. Put my back out on the highway. Feel that wind all in my face. Breathe some air that taste like freedom. Yeah let that be my saving grace. Somebody loved, somebody lied. I believe it’s time for me to ride.”
Opening his eyes, AJ grinned at Nick and finished off the song.
“Yeah put my back out on the highway and feel that wind all in my face. Breathe a little air that taste like freedom. Yeah let that be my saving grace. Somebody loved, somebody lied. I believe it’s time for me to ride. Somebody loved, somebody lied. I believe it’s time for me to ride.”
When he was done he took a bow. Applause and cheers echoed around the cafeteria. AJ’s grin was a mile wide at the praise he was receiving. In that instant, Brian saw something that he hadn’t realized before. AJ was desperately missing being on stage. God, how could he not have noticed that? Sure, he’d missed being on stage like crazy, but he’d dealt with it. Still, somehow he had never stopped to think about how long it had been since they’d been on stage, and how that might make AJ feel. The one in the group who seemed to crave the screams and the lights and the music. AJ was made to be on stage. It was where he shone the most.
He drifted in his thoughts as Nick sang a song from the genre they’d given him, old rock. Maybe they should set up some kind of concert special. Not a tour, no. That would have to be something he and AJ discussed before they ever toured again. But maybe a charity special, some kind of benefit concert. Maybe as a fundraiser for the center that AJ wanted to open.
Because he was rubbing at her back still, Brian felt it when Mikayla jerked a little under his hand. He looked down at her face, forcing his other thoughts out of the way. She had her eyes closed, eyebrows drawn down in a tight line.
It only took him a second to realize what was going on. “Mikayla…” He started to say, reaching to lay his hand over hers on her stomach. She blew her breath out and opened her eyes, looking up at him with a smile. “While I break up the party here, would you go get the car please?” She was so sweet and so polite about it that Brian couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. Her drawl was thicker than normal, making her voice seem to just melt over you. She seemed perfectly at peace, despite what he knew was happening.
Brian did the only thing he could do. He kissed her cheek and hurried off to get the car. His heart seemed to be leaping into his throat. She was in labor!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Out of the corner of his eye, AJ saw Brian hurrying out the door and wondered what on earth was going on. He didn’t have long to wait to find out. His eyes drifted to Mikayla, watched as she cradled her stomach and took a deep breath before setting off toward them. Even as she walked toward the crowd, he knew. Could see it in her face. “Holy shit.” He swore.
The singing stopped and the crowd parted as AJ pushed his way past them. When he reached Mikayla, he put his hands on her cheeks, looking into her eyes. She seemed to be practically glowing. Her smile answered his unasked question. “Brian went to get the car.” She said softly.
A sense of calm seemed to settle over AJ. He felt his lips tugging up at the corners. “We better go meet him then. How far apart?”
“About seven minutes right now.”
Her words reached everyone else’s ears and it seemed that instant bedlam started when they all realized what was going on. Voices raised as people shouted back and forth. AJ just continued to smile at her. He looped his arm around her shoulders and started to lead her from the room. They had everything they needed already ready. Her bag was packed, waiting in their car, along with all the important medical paperwork. They were prepared.
People followed behind them as the two walked outside. Brian was already there, the car parked right by the door. He was holding open the back door to let her in. AJ took one look at Brian and chuckled. His husband’s hands were shaking and he was a little pale, but his face was split with a wide grin.
“Bri, climb in back with her.” AJ instructed. He could tell that Brian was in no shape to be driving.
Brian didn’t bother protesting. He just climbed in beside Mikayla, taking her hands in his once they were both buckled. Shutting the door, AJ chuckled. He looked back at his friends. “You guys know where we’re going. We’ll meet you all there, ok?” He climbed in behind the wheel as he spoke, his friends voices echoing behind him with congratulations and promises to see him there.
Adjusting his glasses, AJ started the car back up and headed out onto the road. Their baby was coming, was all he could think. Their baby was coming!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours later he and Brian were standing on either side of Mikayla’s hospital bed, dressed from head to toe in hospital gowns. AJ wore gloves, though Brian didn’t have to. It was just a precaution on AJ’s part. He held her hand with his right hand while his left was helping to brace her leg. Brian was set up exactly the same on her other side.
Her labor had progressed fast once they’d arrived. The doctor had said that was common in smaller, fit women. She was very healthy, which was a plus on their side. Already she was in the pushing stage.
Mikayla had her head thrown back against the bed, sweat matting her brow. “God, would this baby just hurry up?” she gasped out. A few of the nurses chuckled. Brian said nothing, having already learned that now was not the time to talk to Mikayla or you risked have your ears abused.
However, AJ grinned at her. Her temper had never scared him. He let go of her hand to tug at one of her sweat dampened curls. “Aw, come on now little sister. If this baby is anything like you, it’ll take it’s time just for the sheer joy of making us wait.” He teased her.
The curses she used turned the air blue and only had AJ laughing. But then another contraction hit and all of them were preoccupied with the baby. Mikayla reared up off the bed, clenching their hands tightly as she bore down under the encouragement of the doctor.
Leaning forward, AJ watched as she pushed. He saw that first bit of hair coming out. “Come on, Kay!” he cheered. “I see it! Come on girl, push!”
“Oh my God.” Brian whispered reverently as the baby’s head slid down.
Letting out a loud scream, Mikayla bore down again and the baby’s shoulders slipped free. After that, it seemed like the baby just slid right out. AJ watched in amazement as the doctor and nurses efficiently pulled the baby out, wrapping a towel around it as it opened its and tested it’s lungs. As had been decided earlier, Brian took the scissors and cut the cord for them. His hands were trembling so much he almost couldn’t do it. Oh, God. AJ felt tears on his cheeks.
A nurse lifted the wrapped and still crying baby up, placing it on Mikayla’s stomach. AJ and Brian turned toward her, each of them reaching a hand out to stroke the forehead of this beautiful baby. “Congratulations.” The nurse told them all. “You have a beautiful baby boy.”
“A boy.” AJ breathed out. His own hand was trembling. A son. They had a son. “He’s beautiful.”
The little boy was squalling, his arms twitching against the blanket. He had dark hair, almost black, and he hadn’t opened his eyes enough for them to see the color yet. But he looked healthy. One look, one touch, and AJ felt his heart squeeze. His tears kept flowing. Looking up, he saw that Brian and Mikayla were both crying as well.
They had to surrender him for a short while so that he could be weighed and measured and washed up. AJ turned to Mikayla and dropped his head, pressing his cheek against hers. “I love you, little sister.” He whispered brokenly in her ear.
One of her hands came up to cup his head while the other reached for Brian. “I love you guys too.” Then she let go of them. “Now, I’m exhausted as hell. Go visit with your son. Let me finish up in here with them and come see me when I’m settled in my room.” When they made to argue, to stay with her, she shook her head. “No, no. Go! I mean it.”
So with one last hug and kiss, they followed her orders and left her there, allowing a nurse to lead them to where their son was being cared for. “Have you two thought of a name yet?” she asked them as they walked down the hall.
AJ reached out and took hold of Brian’s hand, grinning over at him. It seemed like his heart was going to burst with the joy of this all. “Jaden Hunter Littrell.” AJ said, smiling. That was their son!
They followed the nurse into the nursery. There they found a woman waiting for them with a bundle in her arms. She didn’t seem quite sure who to hand it to at first. Grinning, AJ nudged Brian forward. While Brian gently took their son into his arms, AJ turned to the garbage and stripped his gloves off, tossing them in. Then he stepped forward, putting one arm around Brian’s shoulders and bringing his other hand up to touch those tiny little cheeks, to take hold of that small hand.
“He’s so beautiful, Alex.” Brian lifted tear filled eyes, looking to AJ. “He’s absolutely perfect.”
“That he is, honey.”
One of the nurses stepped up again, a smile on her face. “Looks like you guys have visitors at the window, here.” She told them, pointing to the side of the room. The two men saw their friends waiting. Amazed, they saw Jackie and Harold there as well. They hadn’t even thought to call them, but apparently someone had. They must have caught the first flight out to have gotten there in a few hours. How long had it been since they’d gone in? They had no idea that Mikayla had called them that morning and warned them that she was starting labor pains and suspected she’d deliver that day. They had no idea she’d known she was in labor for most the day.
The happy couple moved to the window, holding the little boy up for them all to see. He let out a loud cry when he was moved, but quieted quickly when AJ stroked his face and shushed him. He just couldn’t get enough of looking at him. “Hi there, Jaden. Hey, honey.” He whispered, kissing his forehead. “Welcome home, tid bit.”
With their family looking on, AJ buried his face against Brian’s neck and wrapped his arms around his family. This was the most perfect day in his entire life.