The day after Xmas, 2003Kevin was at Ashley's gravesite. Everything around him was still. He looked at the tombstone. Memories came flooding back to him. So much had happened in the last three years...The BSB North American tour had been a huge hit. They had done a tour in Australia, Asia, and Europe in September 2000, which had lasted four months. When it was over, they were all tired and wanted to take a few months off, but Lou and their managers wanted them out on tour again in the summer of 2001. That all changed when Nick announced that he wanted to get his solo album (which he had finished recording) out and do a tour. They had a meeting and Brian announced that he and Sue were expecting a baby in July. She wasn't having it easy and Brian didn't want her out on the road with him or home alone. So they agreed on some time off.Kevin and Christine were married in January 2001. They bought a house in Kissimmee, Florida where they lived with Emily. He thought about Emily and bit his lip. Nick's album was released in March and he went on a six-month tour. Maria hired his back-up dancers and Nick's sister Leslie, who had her first album out, was his opening act.Sue gave birth to a beautiful little girl in July of that year. They named her Kylie Ann. Unfortunately, Kylie was born with heart problems like her dad had been. She had almost died at birth and they hadn't been able to take her home for three months. It had been a difficult time for them. Nick had put his tour on hold for a month so that he and Maria could be with their friends.AJ and Howie were still single. Howie was in Texas visiting Dawn, where she was now living. He was also writing and recording songs. AJ's mom, Denise, wasn't well and AJ was in Florida with her. Christine had taken over all of Denise's work.Kevin heard a rustle of leaves and looked up. Christine and the girls were approaching. She was holding Emily's hand and carrying six month old Ashlyn in her arms. "That was a beautiful wedding," Christine said. Kevin smiled. "I still find it hard to believe that little Nicky is married now." "He's not so little anymore Kevin. He's gonna be 24 next month.""I know. But I'm 33 now and I've known Nick for 11 years. He'll always be the kid brother to me." Emily was staring at the tombstone. They knew she couldn't read what was on it, but she seemed mesmerized. Kevin and Christine looked at one another. It had been two years and it was still hard to swallow. When they had taken Emily for a routine check-up a few years earlier, the doctor had told them that the HIV virus had become AIDS. They had put Emily on all the medications, but it hadn't been enough. She had died on December 23, 2001 at the age of 10. Two days before Xmas and before Christine gave birth to their first child. They named her Emily Catherine after Emily and Christine and she was their Xmas present and their blessing. She was two now. Kevin would never forget the week leading up to Emily's death. It's like she suddenly knew something was very wrong. Or maybe very right. One day, a week before she died, Kevin walked into her room. She sat up and spoke for the first time since Ashley's death and said, "Mommy is coming to get me." She was composed and didn't shed a tear as she said it. Kevin had been stunned speechless. Her last words to Kevin had been, "I'm happy now. I'm going to be with my mom again. She'll take care of me. Take care of that new baby, daddy. She'll have my spirit and my soul. I'll that angel watching over you. I love you, daddy." She had only been 10 years old, but her words spoke wisdom beyond her years. Emily's death had been harder to take than Ashley's. Christine was staring at him. "Are you alright?" He got up and gave Ashlyn a kiss on the cheek. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about Emily." "Me, too. I miss her so much. She was so brave, Kevin." Kevin nodded. "I'm so glad that Ashley never knew that Emily was sick before she died. I know that I was wrong to her five years ago when I told her that her that Emily's test results were negative when they were actually positive, but Ashley wouldn't be resting in peace right now if she knew that Emily had Aids." "Let's go," Christine said. "Maria and Nick will wonder why we aren't at the Reception."As Christine started walking to the car, Kevin looked at the tombstone once more. It read:
ASHLEY JOHNSON NEE CATHERINE ROSE LANDERS January 2, 1971 to September 16, 1998 Beloved mother of Emily Rose "My Heart Will Stay with You," -Kevin. EMILY ROSE JOHNSON July 6, 1991 to December 23, 2001 Beloved daughter of Kevin Richardson Niece & Step-daughter of Christine Richardson "Forever an angel in our hearts."
A breeze came out of nowhere. Kevin shivered, but suddenly felt warm and safe. Something made him jerk. Emily was still staring at the tombstone. She looked up at her father, touched her heart, and said, "Emily's here. She loves you, daddy." Kevin gasped. He felt chills run up and down his spine. He started walking to the car with Emily. "K..e...v....i...n...... " He heard it, like the wind whispering his name. He dared to turn around and look. There was a bright light above the tombstone. "Ashley?""My heart will stay with you......" The light was gone. Kevin smiled. He knew.