WestFiction- "What Makes a Man" by Toni

stories

readers

authors zone

character call form

authors

www

home

[PG-13]

WHAT MAKES A MAN

by Toni

“Aww, look at my cute little angel,” Bryan said as he played with his 3-year-old girl Kyla. “From now on, you’re going to live with me here in Ireland!”

“Yay! Forever and ever with Mommy and Daddy!” she said in delight. She rested her head against her father’s shoulder and asked, “Daddy, when are you going to marry Mommy?”

He didn’t expect she’d ask something like that. So he crawled through, “Uh…which reminds me…where IS your Mommy?”

“Here I am sweeties!” 23-year-old Felicity popped as she sat beside Bryan to hold her baby. “Having fun?”

Kyla answered, “Yes, Mommy! Daddy and me just finished watching Rugrats in Paris! I like Lil very much!” then she made an impression.

“Yeah!” Bryan followed. “So, what’s up?” he asked.

Before she could answer, little Kyla yawned and said she was sleepy. She was already dressed in her little pink nightie; all cleaned up and ready to head to Dreamland. Bryan volunteered to tuck her in. Then, he went down to talk to Felicity.

He found her swinging the porch swings with a thick Manila paper on her lap. He sat beside her and kissed her softly. She pulled away. “Felicity, what’s the matter?” he asked her.

She bit her lip to prevent it from trembling as she faced him, “Bryan, I have something to tell you. Please let me talk…without interruption.” She gripped the Manila paper. “Bryan, I love you and Kyla so much. You do know it,” he nodded. “Well, I spoke to the child welfare agency this morning and I asked them what’s best for her.” Bryan leaned to her and became curious. “I asked them who would have custody on her without going to a court case and they said you could keep her if I willingly agree.” She stopped to clear her throat.

“So,” Bryan said in a trembling voice, “wh-what’s y-your decision?”

“I-I agreed to let you keep her,” she said with tears and feelings over-coming her senses. “I thought it would be better for her to be with you instead of me because…y-you’ll be marrying Leslie next year, right? She’ll have a proper family…a-and…with your jobs, you can support her and Leslie’s twins altogether.” She handed the Manila paper envelope to him and cried quietly.

“W-what’s this?” he asked without opening it.

“It’s the papers. Her birth certificate, some other important documents needed for her legitimacy, and some papers that need your signatures,” she said softly as he shifted through the documents. “They changed her surname to McFadden already. And…the rest of the story’s written on there.”

Bryan began crying too. “But why? Felicity, why? Don’t you want her to be happy? Why?” words couldn’t express the feeling he has.

“I want her to be happy! That’s why I did this. I want her to have a family! To take care of her and support her.”

“But she already has! You, me, US! You’re her mother and I’m her father! I told you that I accept the responsibility! We can raise her together!” Bryan shouted to her. “Felicity, I love you and Kyla so much! The only problem is, I-I can't marry you.”

“I know! But I can't support her! I don’t have a job and I still have school! My dad still doesn’t know that I had her! I haven't told him yet. I’m so broke that I can't even pay for apartment fee!” she shouted back. “Bryan, I love you both too! So much that my heart ached every time I part from you. I don’t know if I can endure this pain I’m about to go through.”

Bryan finished reading the 1^st page of the 18-page document. He said, “How long will you be away?”

Felicity trembled. “I cannot have any contact with Kyla for 5 years and 3 months,” she said with fear. “Bryan, I don’t know how I could cope without her…she’s my life!”

He placed the papers beside him and hugged her tight. “I don’t know how I could cope without YOU! Honey, I know I’m marrying someone else but I love you too! Please don’t leave!”

“I can't, Bryan. I’m very sorry! I’m leaving tomorrow night,” then she sank back to his arms.

He cursed in his head. He thought, “I fear this would happen. But I didn’t expect it to happen now! Kyla’s just 3 years old and she’s losing her real family! No! That cannot happen to her!” He suggested Felicity to sleep with him for the last time. But they had to sleep in the guestrooms because Leslie was in the master’s bedroom. Felicity slept in Bryan’s arms after about an hour of making love one very last time before she leaves. Bryan just watched her the whole time just like he did when they first got together that Christmas night 3 years ago. She looked like an angel with sparkling blue eyes, soft wavy brunette/blond hair and fair complexion. All of those features were passed on to their little cherub, Kyleen Louise.

Next morning, Bryan found Felicity with Kyla on the tire swing laughing. They both wore smiling faces but Bryan can see the sadness on Felicity’s. This was their last day together. Kyla doesn’t know her mommy’s leaving that night. Oh it would hurt her a lot!

Leslie and her twins Adrienne and Anthony went out to shop for new stuff. They were gone the whole day. Bryan slowly walked barefoot to the mother and child. He was still in his boxers in the chilly atmosphere of early spring. Kyla saw him and ran to his arms. Her golden curls flew behind her.

“G’mornin’ Daddy!” she said cheerfully. “You’re up late! Mommy woke up before ya!”

Bryan kissed his baby and said, “Well, Daddy was a little tired last night. Mommy and I had to do something.” Then he carried her over to Felicity. “Good morning honey!” he said to her with a quick kiss.

She chuckled. “Do you have to tell THAT to her?” she said as she gave back the kiss. “Love ya, sweetcheeks!”

“Mommy, Daddy! I love you!” Kyla popped from between them. “I hope we can be a family even for just a short while.”

“But we are, baby,” Bryan said softly. Felicity kept silent. “We’ll forever be a family. No matter what happens, we love you.”

“Thanks, Daddy!” she answered in a low voice. “But what I meant was the three of us together. We’ll be all McFaddens and we’ll live together.”

Felicity said nothing. She walked back in the house and said she had to prepare for something…her passport to America.

The day went by peacefully. Bryan and Kyla finished Final Fantasy 8 and Legend of Legaia. Felicity just played along sometimes but still crying inside.

After dinner, she took Kyla to the front porch. Bryan watched TV in a very low volume so he can eavesdrop in their conversation. Kyla babbled to her mom sounding very cheerful as usual. Then he heard her mom start talking.

“Honey, I have something to tell you,” she said. “All I want you to do is listen, okay?”

“Yes Mommy! I’ll always listen to you!” the little girl answered.

“Mommy has to go some place far away from here,” she started. Kyla’s eyes sparkled as she listened. “I’m going back to your Nana and Papa in the States. I’m going to continue college and find a job,” the little girl nodded as her mom explained to her. This was getting hard for Felicity to explain to a 3-year-old baby.

“Will you be coming back for me?” Kyla said as she nudged against her mommy’s chest. “And Daddy?”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stroked Kyla’s curls. “Of course babe! But it will take a long time. When I come back here, you’ll be a grown-up girl. Not a baby anymore.” Tears escaped her blue eyes. Kyla wiped them away with her little hands.

“Mommy? Why are you crying?” she asked as she stood up on her lap to wipe away her tears.

“It’s nothing, sweetie,” Felicity answered with a shaky voice. “I’m just sad because I’ve never been away from you for so long. Not even a day! I would lose my mind if I lose you; if can't see you. I’ll be so lonely for 5 years! The next time I see you, probably you’ll never know me. I…”

“No Mommy! That will never happen!” Kyla protested. “I know you’ll be coming back for me. I’ll never ever forget you! You’re my Mommy!” then she cried. “I just hope you stay…”

“Honey, I’m sorry!” Felicity said hugging her child tight. “But I’m doing this for you. Of course I’ll come back for you! But I want to be able to support you and me when I come back. I’ll find a job and raise money. When I’ve saved enough, I’ll take you with me! I promise! Oh baby, please stop crying. I’m sorry!”

Kyla said nothing but ran to her room. Felicity tried to follow her but she stumbled into Bryan’s arms crying. “Honey,” Bryan said kissing her forehead, “just leave her. She needs time alone. I know she’ll take it eventually.”

“Bryan, I don’t know what to do!” Felicity cried.

“Take a rest baby. I’ll talk to her.” She nodded and Bryan headed to Kyla’s room.

He found her sitting back from him looking at a picture frame containing her favorite picture of the 3 of them. She was chewing on the hand of her teddy bear named Jasshy to stop herself from crying. She used to be teased for being such a crybaby. But Bryan was always there to cheer her up. He walked to her slowly and sat beside her. Kyla sunk to her dad’s arms trying her hardest not to cry. “Now, now baby. You can let it out,” he said softly looking at the picture of them in the park and stroking her hair.

Kyla looked up at him and said in the happiest voice she can make, “No Daddy! No crying! Only crybabies cry all the time!” they laughed. “I hope this pic can happen again, Daddy. But…I think it’ll be a long time before that can happen. I’m sure going to miss Mommy loads,” she sighed. She picked up the frame and big fat tears streamed down her rosy cheeks, now pale from crying. She let them fall to the glass of the frame on their faces and bodies.

The picture did say a thousand words. It shows them in France, standing in front of a flowerbed, no one looked at the camera. Bryan and Felicity smiled at each other while Kyla smiled up at them. They looked so perfect. They were one of the moments that they prayed would never end. But here they are…facing their biggest fear…parting from each other. Kyla was never away from her mom from her birth up to now. Bryan never missed every phone call they make ever since the day they met when Westlife released ‘Swear it Again’. He never failed to give her a kiss, or sometimes a kiss over the phone when he heard Felicity was pregnant with Kyla. All of the Westlife fans tell them that they’re a perfect family. Yeah, he also thought they were.

But, their little secret suddenly burst out in public. “BRYAN WESTLIFE: “I’M SO SORRY, HONEY, BUT I CAN'T MARRY YOU…” splayed all over the papers. True, he can't. He’s dated to marry his girlfriend, former girl/boy band member, Leslie Coley. He loved Felicity with all his heart. He instantly fell in love with Kyla. But their wedding date was said and everything was prepared. He didn’t really love Leslie that much as Felicity’s and he never liked her twins. They’re pains in the a**. Their father left them because it’s just a stray pregnancy. Leslie got dead jealous of Bryan’s baby and new family so she decided to do it with her ex and try to get pregnant. She did with twins Adrienne and Anthony, a girl and a boy, both 3 years old. Because of that, Leslie’s parents moved the date earlier 1 year, on Felicity’s birthday. Felicity tried to be as calm as possible but eventually accepted the fact. Bryan took the responsibility of being a father to Kyla, baptized as Kyleen Louise Leonhart, and supporting them even though he will have a family of his own. He did and spent all his time with them…totally ignoring Leslie. In awards, he would always acknowledge the two as ‘my wife and my little angel’ or sometimes ‘my girls’. Kyla grew up knowing her real family and understanding their tight situation. She’s a smart girl! She started talking 8 months old, so as walking. She goes to nursery school at her age and she’s pretty talented.

“She never deserved this,” Bryan thought. “She’s too special to be left like this!” Words escaped his lips.

“You sayin’ somethin’, Dad?” Kyla asked as she hugged him tightly.

“I love you, Kyla. Forever…” he whispered. He kissed his baby softly while she cried quietly.

“And Mommy, too? Will you still be loving her when you get married to Ms Leslie?” she asked again. He could see how sad she was. Her blue eyes glowed like her Mom’s.

“Of course, sweetpea! I’ll always love Mommy even though she’s going far away. She gave me you and I could never thank her enough for that!” he said with a smile. An array of memories flooded his mind. Kyla sat on his lap begging him to tell her more. “She’s the best woman a guy like me could get! She was special…very special to let go! I remember, a few years ago, I was really buzzed up. So buzzed that I can’t even walk! I was sent back here to rest and take off the load for sometime. Then I met her. She took care of me until I went back to your Uncle Nicky, Shane, Mark and Kian. She’s my angel! I love her so much! Then, she gave me you…my cherub. You made me feel complete. With Mommy and you with me, I feel the whole world float around us…careless. No one in this world could ever replace the both of you.”

Kyla smiled. She yawned 2 times and said she wants to go to sleep. Bryan prepared her and tucked her in. He turned on her Reptar night-light and kissed her good night. Before he went out the door, Kyla said, “Daddy, can you tell Mommy good night and I love her? And I would wait for the day we meet again, okay?” He smiled and nodded his head. He went downstairs to look for Felicity. She was on the piano playing ‘My Love’. Her luggage was on her sides and she was crying. He slowly approached her.

“Honey, I love you,” he said softly. “Kyla said she’ll wait for the day we’ll reunite. We both love you, sweetheart…”

“I love you too, Bryan,” she cried. “Please write me whenever you can, baby.” She buried her head on Bryan’s chest. Then a car honked. She stood up and said, “I have to go. But I have to say goodbye to her. Please bring my luggage to my niece’s car. Thanks!” She walked up the stairs to Kyla’s room. She was sleeping soundly, sucking the hand of her teddy bear. She knelt down on her bedside and whispered, “Honey pie, Mommy loves you so much. I know you can’t hear me but I hope you remember me. Promise me you’ll wait until the day we meet again… I love you loads…” a tear ran down Kyla’s cheek. Then she shifted from one position to another. Felicity watched her for a few moments when Kyla faced her half awake.

She mumbled, “Love you, too, Mommy! I’ll miss you…” then she slept again. Felicity felt her heart break when she kissed her baby girl goodbye.

She went down and saw Bryan waiting by the door looking down his shoes. Her niece was closing the trunk of the car. She stopped by Bryan to give him a kiss and then went out. Bryan yanked her arm and whispered, “’Til we meet again, honey. I love you,” then he let her go.

Felicity waved goodbye to him and closed the window. Bryan faintly waved back. He sunk down the porch steps and followed the car to the curb with his tear shot eyes. He got up and sat on the sofa. Already he had stopped crying. Then, Kyla popped beside him. She buried her head to her Daddy’s chest and cried. The only words that escaped his mouth were, “’Til we meet again, honey. It’ll be a long time…”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Nicholas McFadden!” the priest proclaimed. Then they kissed. Next, they posed for pictures. But when it came to the big one, with all the family and guests taken, Kyla refused to join. She just sat on the front bench, chewing her lower lip and pinching rose petals. She’s the flower girl of their wedding…her Daddy’s wedding with her new Mommy… Leslie. Her 2 other step-brother and sister were already there waiting to have the picture taken. Leslie suggested taking the picture even without Kyla. But Bryan refused to take it without her…she’s his baby! She’s the only life left to him!

Bryan tried to reason with Kyla for fifteen minutes but eventually gave up. So they took the picture without her. Bryan can feel his heart shatter when he saw the mature sadness that was splayed on Kyla’s blue eyes as the photographer took the pictures. He didn’t even smile! Well, he did but it looked too much like the boy band-ish smile. He can't really, because of Kyla.

Ever since Felicity left, Kyla refused everything. She refused eating with Bryan, playing or just walking in parks, picnics, swimming, and even talking to anyone. She became a total loner. She often cries, breathing deeply, staying in bed, reading alone, have tantrums, and looking out the window over-looking our backyard. Bryan thought that she’s waiting for her mommy to pass by the backyard in her car and honk to her. He used to peek to her and hear her cry when she finds out that no one will come. He can't go in because Kyla will just ignore him or hide under the blankets. He would just cry and sit by her door. The only time of the day that he can talk to her is when she’s sleeping…also crying. In some times, he would sleep on her bedside holding her soft little hand but finding her still crying when she wakes up.

His heart was filled with pity when they attended her school’s family day. Everyone in her class brought their dads and moms. The hallway was filled with “Hi Mom!” and “I’m so glad you could come, Mommy!” Kyla would slowly let go of Bryan’s hand and walk to the sandbox and cry there silently. She would just smile when her friends greet her and draw circles on the sand. On time when he hugged her close, she said, “Daddy, am I a bad girl? Is God punishing be for being a stubborn little baby?” He could just shake his head and hug Kyla tight. Tears flowed like a river from his eyes.

In the program, she watched silently. Then all the children who brought their whole family with them were asked to go up the stage. So they went up except Kyla. She stayed on her seat clutching her Jasshy. 26 boys and girls all wore smiling faces. The 27^th, Kyla just watched in full envy. Her teacher, Ms. Samantha, invited her up but she refused with a wan smile. Then she would yank her Dad’s sleeve begging him to take her home.

Back in the wedding, Bryan carried Kyla to the car and told her that he wants to talk to her after the whole thing. She nodded and let go of her dad’s hand. In the reception held at the huge backyard of the McFaddens, Kyla sat with her grandparents. Bryan told his Mum and Dad to sit where he could see them because he’s too much worried about Kyla. Again, she ate a little and chewed her food very slowly. She played with the long arms of her new Wanda Wydnia doll. Bryan kept glancing at her and making a worried face.

Kyla noticed this and stood from her chair and walked to her grandparents. She said softly to her grandma, "Gramma, can I go to the garden for a while. I promise not to go far. Just to where you can still see me. Can I? Gramma? Grampa?"

The two thought for a while but Kyla's sparkling blue eyes urged them to let her. Her grandpa said to her, "Okay, sweetie. Just to the little pond. Be careful!" and he smiled. The little lass said thanks and went off.

Susan went by them and said, "Thanks for letting my little niece have some time on her own, Mum, Dad. She's under so much pressure and depression."

Kyla slowly made her way to the little pond by the daisies. She sat on a small rock and stared at her reflection on the water. Small tears blurred the picture and a family of turtles swam by. They all poked their heads above the water and tried to climb up to the shore. All three of them made it and crawled slowly to a flowerbed nearby. She whispered, "Good thing you guys are still together. Unlike me, I don’t know where Mommy is and I don’t know if Daddy still loves me." She stared back into her reflection on the rippling water.

Bryan glanced over his Mum and Dad's table again and realized that Kyla wasn’t there. He excused from his seat and went over to them. "Mum, Dad, where's Kyla?" he asked.

"Oh, son, she's by the pond outside," his Mum said. "Don’t worry. She promised not to go far."

He peeked to the garden and saw her staring on the pond. He went to the in and slowly walked to Kyla. He could hear his baby cry. Kyla kept an intent gaze at her reflection, blurring every time her tears reach the water.

Kyla watched her reflection as her mind floats. Then she saw her Daddy's reflection smiling beside her. She looked at him and tried to smile. Bryan hugged her and she cradled her head on his chest. "Daddy…" she whispered.

"Honey," Bryan whispered back as he stroked her hair with little white flowers, "let's talk. Can we?"

"Okay, Daddy," she answered sitting up and wiping her tears away.

"No, no, let me get rid of them," Daddy said as he lifted her soft face on his hand and dried all the traces of tears away. "There, all better now honey?"

"Yes, Daddy! Thank you!" she muttered with a smile. She rubbed her cheek against Bryan's and kissed him. "I love you Dad! And Mommy too…I just wish she's here…"

"Love you too, my little princess…but don’t worry. You have a new 'Mommy' now. Leslie!" Bryan exclaimed trying to cheer her up. But she still wore a frown. "I guess she doesn’t like it…" he thought.

"Daddy! I already told you bazillions of times! It's not the same without 'my mommy'. You know, Felicity Leonhart! The one who cared for me my whole life," Kyla said stomping her little feet on the wet grass.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" Bryan said pulling her back into his arms. "But she left us because she loves you. She wants you to live in a proper family. With a Daddy, a Mommy and siblings whom you can play with. A family which will support you and love you and guide you along the way. She wants you to have all of those things."

"I know Daddy! But why does she have to leave me? Why not take me with her? I'm promised her not to be a bad girl."

"Mommy, still has school. She goes to college. She has a course to finish and she has to find a job and earn money. Once she saves enough, I know she'll come back and take you. By that time, I know, she'll be married to another man and you'll have real brothers and sisters," Bryan explained further. He's not having any trouble because she's a pretty intelligent girl.

"And lose you, Dad?!" she said chewing her lower lip. "How come I can't have both of you beside me? I mean, I'm your little cupcake and I know you love me…do you Daddy?"

Bryan was shocked by the question. She always asks this question but it never did hit him as much as it hit him now. She looked at him with pleading eyes and traced on them were the cries of sadness that she was experiencing. He held her tightly and sighed. She never took her eyes off his. "Gosh! She's so beautiful!" he thought. "She really looks like Felicity, so demure, so innocent, so gorgeous, she is."

"Well, Daddy?" Kyla held tightly to Bryan. "I know you're sick of me asking the same question over and over again but I really need to know now. Do you love me Daddy?"

Bryan heaved a sigh and said, "Kyleen, you've heard me say it once, twice, a bazillion times, and I'll say it again. I love you with all my heart and soul! No one can ever replace you and Felicity in my heart forever. If I lose one of you, I'll lose my mind. I know Felicity's still here," he said touching his heart. "And of course you are too! You're my little sweet pea, cupcake, princess, pumpkin…my Kyla babe."

Kyla hugged him ever so tightly and felt so relieved. She thought she was going to lose both her parents but now, even though Felicity's in Boston, she felt that she's complete. She never felt 'love' this way before. "Thank you Daddy! I love you and Mommy too!" she exclaimed with all joy.

Bryan carried her back inside the dining area and sat her on his lap. Leslie looked very irritated because she kept signaling Bryan to take away Kyla. But he said that she's his daughter and she has every right to stay with him on his seat. So Leslie kept quiet and tried to smile.

Then, the whole party started. The bells, the doves, the wineglasses, the cake and the bouquet and ribbon tossing came. Leslie was so excited about everything. She dragged Bryan out of his chair and almost threw little Kyla off. Luckily, Daddy caught her. She stood on the chair high enough for her to see everything. Her Grampa supported her from behind.

She caught one dove and perched it on her head. The dove just flew to her and the other one to Susan. The eating of cake between the bride and groom, after giving a huge piece to Leslie, he went to Kyla and gave her a mouthful. And he put some icing on her nose. Leslie could do nothing and was avoiding making a scene so she remained calm and laughed along.

"May I request all the single teens and 20s here to proceed in the middle," the host said. In no time there were about 50 girls vying for the bouquet of white roses from Leslie. She threw them and Susan caught it.

She smiled and was about to go back to Kyla and her Dad when Bryan whispered to her, "Give Kyleen a flower willya? Tell her it's from me. Thanks! Love ya!"

"I'm just about to do that, bro," she said and kissed him on the cheek. She stood beside Kyla and handed her 3 flowers. "It's from Daddy!" she smiled. Then Kyla gave her a wet peck.

A guy named Lance whom Susan really digs caught the ribbon. At first she was shy to get near but her friends, parents, Bryan and Kyla persuaded her to go on. She bashfully gave her hand to him and walked beside her brother and new sister-in-law. The two guys gave their ladies a peck on the cheek and a tight hug. Bryan hurried over to Kyla and carried her to the middle with everyone else. He hugged her and bombarded he with sweet kisses. Everyone said, "Aww…that's so sweet!" and "What a cute little girl!" She went beet red and just smiled shyly. Bryan lifted her chin up and smiled.

The reception went until 11:00 PM. Everyone's exhausted and had a great time. The new couple had tons of gifts and some of them are for Anthony and Adrienne and Kyla. They all decided to open them up the day after. Kyla went to sleep on her Daddy's shoulder. He tucked her into her new bed and bid good night. On his way to their own room, his mobile phone rang. Felicity was on the other line. He answered it quickly.

"Hello, Bryan?" she said with a calm voice.

"Felice? Honey," he answered back.

"Hey! Well, I just want to congratulate you for…ya know!"

Bryan's uplifted spirit sank. Did she call for just that? Or something else? "Thanks, but it'll be more deserving to be congratulated if you were the one I took to the altar."

There was silence on the other line. For 3 months, this is the millionth time she called. Bryan was scared to live a life without the sound of her again. "Thanks for that compliment, Bryan," was all that she could mutter.

"By the way, honey," Bryan said, "Happy birthday! I hate to say that I don’t have a gift for you but instead I gave you heartache."

"Don’t worry about that, Bryan," she laughed. "You didn’t give me misery, I know you love me. I know Kyla loves me. And I know someone else who's going to love me also."

"Huh?" Bryan answered surprised. "Someone else? A guy?"

"Well, I'm not going to say that he's a guy right now. That's for you two to find out," she laughed again. Silence. "Say, Bryan, I have to go. I think you're tired. Bye…my Bryan babe. Send my regards to Kyla and your new family." Then she hung up.

He turned off his unit and sat on the sofa. He stared at the dancing flame of the fireplace. He remembered how happy Felice and him used to be. Too much contemplating made him hit the sack.

Leslie expected something from Bryan but he just ignored her and his excuse was, "Just wait for our honeymoon." He couldn’t sleep. He repeatedly asked himself, "Who's this person? This 'guy'? Another guy in her life? What is our problem with that? Why do we have to decipher who he is?" Fair enough. Bryan married another woman so why's Bryan hurt when she told him there's 'another one who WILL love her'?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

6 months later…

"Daddy, I'm sick," Kyla said to Bryan. "Our teacher said if you're not feeling well, go to a doctor and have a check-up thingy."

Bryan touched Kyla's forehead and she was sizzling with a fever. So he took her to the hospital and had her a check-up. The female doctor in charge, Dr. Heningway told him that she'll run some tests on her and it will take a long time. Kyla said she's not afraid and she'll be fine alone because she's friends with Dr. Heningway. So he went outside and looked around.

He stopped to look at the newborn babies in the nursery. He remembered how happy he was when he saw Kyla for the first time. He told himself, "That'll never happen again." He wasn’t sure of having a baby on Leslie. He isn't in love with Leslie at all then how can he have a perfect family with her?

The new angels were arranged in alphabetical order. Almasy, Bronine, Kinneas, Leonheart, Loire, Tilmitt…Zabach. "Wait a minute…" he thought. "Leonheart? A newborn Leonheart? Who's he?" He hailed a nurse attending to the babies. He asked her who is the mother of baby boy Leonheart. The nurse told him that the mother's confining in Room 327 and gave birth to the baby 2 days ago.

Bryan hurried to the receptionist and asked permission to enter Room 327. The secretary called the patient by intercom and told her the situation. She said yes and Bryan was given the permission to go in. On the elevator, he rubbed his cold hands. He was shivering from excitement. Is this Leonheart, Felicity Anne? Upon arriving by the door, he met the nurse he asked earlier. She was holding a little baby wrapped in blue cloth. "Must be little Leonheart," he thought. He let the nurse enter first and told her that he'll be entering after she leaves.

He never thought that it'll be so soon. He found himself walking toward a gorgeous American woman with a fragile baby cradled in her arms. She looked at him and smiled. "I wasn't expecting that you would come."

Bryan was shocked. "It's…it's…you!" he said in surprise. "Felicity!" he ran to her and hugged her.

"Bryan," she said after a kiss, "meet your little boy, Andrew Phillip." She looked at him with smiling eyes. "We went here so he can be an Irish citizen like his Daddy."

Dumfounded, he asked, "He's my baby? How? When? Where?"

Felicity chuckled. "Nine months ago, in the guestrooms, we did it. Don’t you remember?"

He thought for a few moments. "Ah! I remember now!"

"I found out about him 3 months along the way at our Calculus class. I went sick to my stomach and Mrs. Chen suggested that I go check-up. So after school, I went to the family doctor and had a Pap smear test. It stated that I was pregnant. At first, I didn’t believe it but when I told my Mom about it she requested me to have a home pregnancy test. Again, it came out positive. My Mom was thumbs-up about it not knowing that it was her 2^nd grandchild."

"How did you tell it to your father?" Bryan asked holding Andrew's hand and Felicity's. Andrew felt the gentle touch of his Daddy's hand and kinda gripped on to him.

"I told it first to my Mom. We sat down and had quality time. I told her the whole story and what I did while I was still living with you here. Of course the truth shocked her but when I showed her Kyla's picture and said that you were taking care of her, she took it and told me she was excited to see her," Felicity explained. "My Dad found out about my pregnancy when he found the box of the pregnancy test under my pillow. He mugged me with questions, which I had only few to answer. I nearly broke down. As always, he never listened to whatever I said. Fortunately, my Mom was there to back me up. She told everything to him and finally, he handled the facts. I also told him about Kyla and he told me that he wants to see her too. Now, I bet they're waiting for me to call them." She glanced at Bryan and noticed that he was playing with Andrew. "Bryan, here, hold him for me," she put the little baby in Bryan's arms.

Bryan rocked him carefully. Then tears started to flow from his eyes. His heart was jumping up and down against his chest and adrenaline was rushing through his veins. He was holding his baby boy. HIS baby boy, Andrew Philip. The baby slowly fluttered his eyes open and looked at his Daddy's. His thin and lovely lips curled to a smile and on his chubby cheeks, revealed two perfect dimples. His eyes shined in beautiful blue and his stare resembled his own. He reached out to his Daddy's hand and sucked on his finger. Bryan planted a kiss on his forehead.

Felicity felt like crying too. She asked, "So, what brought you to the hospital?"

"Kyla has a bad fever. We came here for a check-up. She's with Dr. Heningway in her office," answered Bryan.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I hope she's okay now. I want to see her badly!"

Just then, the door opened and a nurse entered. Felicity and Bryan thought that she's going to take Andrew. But to Felicity's surprise, Kyla ran from behind her.

"Mommy, Mommy!" she shouted. "Oh Mommy! How I miss you loads!" she exclaimed as she jumped on the bed. "How are you?"

Felicity hugged her little girl and poured her with sweet kisses. "I missed you loads, too baby," she said to her. Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Mommy still crying since the day we parted?" Kyla asked.

"No honey," her Mommy answered. "It's just that I saw you again and I've longed for this moment to come. At last I held you in my arms again. I love you honey!" She touched Kyla's forehead and said, "My oh my! You have a bad fever here sweetie. You gotta get some rest."

"I know Mommy! But because we met again, I'll be okay!" she answered with happiness. She touched her neck, "Here, feel. I'm all better now!"

Felicity touched her and she felt like she went back to her normal temperature. Bryan whispered her something. She caught Kyla's attention and said, "Honey, Daddy and I have someone we know you like to meet."

The little jumpy girl stood on the bed and flopped by her feet. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, "Who is it, Mommy, Daddy?"

Bryan sat beside her and sweetly said, "Your little baby brother, Andrew Philip." Kyla's eyes widened and she was awestricken. Bryan slowly put Andrew on Kyla's lap.

She put her arms around the baby. Andrew, again, put a huge smile on his face. This time, he cooed something to his big sister.

"Foooo-leee-viii," he said. Kyla babbled something back. They seem to understand each other.

Ms. Big Sister hugged Andrew tight and kissed him. "Mommy, Daddy! I'm a big sister now! I'll have someone to play with! Not those nosey twinies."

"Yes honey," Felicity said. "But I think the nurse want him to go with her."

"Huh? Take my little brother? No! I want to play with him!"

"But sweetie," Bryan nagged, "Andrew needs his baby rest. We felt the same when the nurse asked us to let her take you when you were born."

"Oh…oh okay," she finally gave up. Her sweet smile turned into a frown. Before Bryan handed Andrew to the nurse, Kyla pressed her cheek against her brother's. He pressed his lips to big sister's cheek and gave her a kiss.

"Aww…" Bryan and Felicity said in chorus. They'd wish they had a Polaroid around.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After two weeks, Felicity was released from the hospital. She planned to check-in a hotel but Bryan insisted her to stay at their house. Leslie was shocked about his idea and tried to stay hospitable. She's very irritated about the new baby around.

One time, she had a quiet word with Bryan. "Bryan, we're married, right?" she asked. Bryan nodded. "Okay, by the way, I don’t want anything bad happening. I just want to ask you…what are they doing here?"

"Well, they're my family! Kyla and Andrew are my kids and Felice is their mother. I loved her so much so why can't I love her just like I love you now?" Bryan defended.

"I know. But, I'm here. We're happily married," Leslie reasoned. "Bryan, I want to have a baby with you. I want to see and have someone who came from us. Please?"

Bryan thought. Does he love her just like he loves Felicity? Does he feel like he wants to have a child with her? No and no. He suddenly realized that he made a big mistake on marrying Leslie. He not in love with her that much. Felicity deserved being with him now. They could have a lovely life by now. He said, "No, Leslie. I mean, having a baby takes a lot of time. We're still young and we have all the time in the world to have a baby. I'm not just ready yet for you."

Leslie kept quiet, stood up and walked away. I just like her, always irritated, always want her own way. It's like it's her perfect little world where she's the boss of everything and everyone. So what if he doesn’t want it now?

Everything went well the last couple of months. Andrew started cooing and babbling some audible words and can say 'mommy', 'daddy', and 'sister'. He walked with the help of Bryan, Felice or even Kyla! Big sister was very delighted now that she has someone to play with. The twins sometimes play with them but Kyla always protected Andrew because the two are so short tempered. One time, he almost scraped his arm when they were playing ballet show in the backyard because Adrienne slipped on a rock and her feet fell on Andrew's arm. Kyla went near hysterics and shouted at Adrienne non-stop because she didn’t apologize. She was even mad about what happened.

Adrienne snorted, "Why is he sitting on the sandbox anyway? He's on my way! I can't do my spinning stuff."

Kyla just made an annoyed face and carried Andrew away to Mommy. He had a fever shortly after. She even lent Jasshy to him for his comfort. She'll always be the first one to rush upstairs when he cries. The day after, he's well again. A perfect sister-brother bond was bestowed upon them. No one could pull them apart. The first person Kyla is going to be concerned about when she wakes up is Andrew. She always pray for him and hope that he doesn’t reach the rumor status she reached. All the kids in her Kindergarten school loved him so much. So adorable, so cuddly, so cute, so genteel, so…Bryan-ish.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One day, when Bryan took his children and Felicity on a shopping spree, Felicity kind of saw Leslie entering a law office building. But she told herself maybe she's just hallucinating from the 2-hour shopping. She just ignored it.

By the time they reached home, they found Leslie talking to her former band's attorney named Atty. Stone. He was holding a thick folder and a bag full of paper. Bryan told Felicity, Kyla and Andrew to go upstairs and rest whilst he settles the condition.

Atty. Stone invited Bryan over to come and join their conversation. Once seated and drinking coffee, he started, "So Mr. McFadden, according to your wife, you are not paying much attention to her and her kids. Is this true?"

He stared into space for a few moments to collect his thoughts and said, "Yes. It is true. It's just because I have my own children to look after to and their mom… I haven't seen her for so long…I have to spend some time with them."

"But," the attorney said standing up, "if that's the case, why is the mother still living here with you and interfering with your happy married life?"

Bryan stood up and pointed a finger at the man; "You have no right what so ever to address her like that! She's not interfering with us! Actually, she's the reason why I live today. So she serves every right to be here in my house, with me and my children in my life!" His blue eyes glazed like burning coals with anger etched on each one.

The attorney couldn’t say anything else whilst Leslie kept silent. She was also burning inside. She stood up and straightly said to Bryan, "Well Bryan, the reason why he is here is because I filed a divorce case. It's all over," and walked away outside.

Felicity was sitting on the stairs eavesdropping on their conversation and crying on the same time. She went to her room and slouched on the bed. She contemplated deeply. "Am I really a burden to them?" she asked herself. "I cannot do anything right…for my children, for Bryan, for my family, even for myself! F*ck it!" She laid herself down the bed and cursed, "Dammit! I've had two stray pregnancies. I'm not finished with my college classes yet. I don’t know if my parents still trust me. I don’t know what will happen next! I've made a big b*tchy person of myself. I deserve to just go on by myself and stay away from anybody…just me…all alone…" then she cried miserably.

Meanwhile, Bryan was shocked by Leslie's divorce case. His fury was uncontrollable. He just barged upstairs to his room. He passed by Felicity's room and heard her crying. He quietly opened the door and sat by her side. Felicity clung onto him immediately. "Honey," said Bryan sweetly, "what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

She slowly sat up and sat in a hooked position. "Bryan, I think it's very advisable for me go away…away from you guys and leave you alone with your lives. I'm getting on your way, right?"

"Oh no! You're the reason why I breathe. Please don't leave us."

"But, I think Leslie's annoyed with me. With Kyla and Andrew. I know if I even deserve to live with you. I mean I have my own apartment back in America and a side line job in McDonald's and I have my parents around, I can go on by myself…away from you. At least I'm sure I'm not causing trouble," she wept.

"I don’t care if she's annoyed!" Bryan said comforting her. "She's always like that! She wants her own way all the time! She like doing things based on her rules! F*ck she could have her own world in her palms! Just don’t leave. I love you and no one can change that. Let her file her case…speak her false peace…let her end this miserable relationship so that I can be with you…with our kids. We could be a family."

Felice smiled at him and they both fell into a kiss. She straightened up and they both went to the kids' room. They found the two playing with Mr. Banana head and Betty Spaghetti. Andrew was chewing on Jasshy and Kyla was braiding Wanda Wyndia's hair. The two were having so much fun. This time, Bryan had a Polaroid in his pocket. He snapped several photos and Kyla ran to them.

"Mommy, Daddy!" the little lass said with glee, "Andrew said 'I love you'! I think it was for you guys and me!"

"Aw…really?" Felice said trying to hide her sorrow hoping that her daughter wouldn’t notice it.

"Yeah!" Then she looked a little closer at her Mom. "Mommy, you cried?"

To her embarrassment, she said, "Yes honey. But it was just because…" she paused to chuckle at Bryan, "…Daddy made me cry!"

Bryan looked at her with mischievous eyes and said, "You owe me tonight now, woman!"

Kyla made an angry, yet laughing face at him and retorted, "You shouldn’t do that again Daddy! You know we don’t want Mommy crying! If she cries, we'll cry too, right Andrew?"

The little baby said, "Ya! Mommy cry, we cry."

"Well, that's alright for now babies, no need for revenge…" Felicity assured them.

They played with them until it's time for dinner. Leslie and the twins had theirs with Atty. Stone so Felice, Kyla, Andrew and Bryan had the house for themselves. Everything looked so perfect! Bryan and his real family around a scrumptious Chicken Teriyaki dish…oh!

He looked around the dining room and saw perfection all around him. He thought, "I'll wait for the day this'll last my lifetime…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ms. Leonheart," Westlife's attorney, Atty. Ford said, "are exhibits A and B a.k.a. Kyleen Louise and Andrew Philip my client's children? If so, when are they born?"

She cleared her throat, "Yes sir. Kyleen was born April 25^th and Andrew was born July 17^th."

"Anymore questions, Mr. Ford?" the chief of justice asked.

"No, your honor, thank you," he said. "Please take your seat Ms. Leonheart. Now may I call on my next witness, Mrs. Leslie Coley - McFadden."

This was the scene a month after Leslie broke the ice about her plan. Media, fans, rallying and everything was outside the courtroom just to see or hear some peak statements about the case. The media were there mainly because they want to have a snap shot picture of Andrew AND Kyla.

Leslie made her promise and sat on the chair. Atty. Ford started, "Mrs. McFadden, I want to go straight to the point. One the first place, why did you marry my client knowing that you had kids because you were jealous of his own?"

Atty. Stone stood up, "Objection, your honor. The rules stated that no personal questions asked upon the witness."

The justice chief calmly said, "I'm sorry, Atty. Stone. Overruled. You may answer the question," he said turning to Leslie.

She was sweating and breathing heavily. "I married him because…because…" she slowly had tears in her eyes. Everyone in the room could feel the tension around them tightening every second. "…because…"

Bryan stood up, "Because of what?! F*ck it what?!"

"Because of money, dammit!" she shouted. "I married you because you had everything I want. Money, the fame I'm sure going to attain, the nice environment…atmosphere I'm going to live in, the security…everything!" She collected more of her wits. "And when Felicity had Kyla I knew you can have kids. So I told my parents to move our wedding day a year earlier so that I could be your wife sooner. I quit the band just to be with you. I had kids, my twins, because I want you to have the feeling of being complete with me. All I wanted you to be is a happy husband, a happy man for me, with me…"

Everyone in the courtroom was astounded to hear the truth of her plans. Bryan just sat down and glanced at Felicity and his kids. The jury people were whispering to each other.

The chief was also surprised. He slowly muttered, "Anymore Mrs. McFadden? Atty. Ford?"

They both said, "No sir." The two sat down and Atty. Stone was called to summon his witnesses.

"May I call on Mr. Bryan Nicholas McFadden to stand, say his peace and be tested upon by the jury."

Bryan willingly obeyed and perked himself up for the questions. He requested his band mates, family and other friends to be there for moral support because at times like these he really breaks down. "Sir."

"So Bryan," Atty. Stone said, "since the rule of asking personal questions were deleted from the ones overruled, I want to ask you ruefully enough, do you or do you not love my client, Leslie Coley?"

With all confidence, he exclaimed, "No. I love, loved and will always love someone else. And that someone else is Ms. Felicity Anne Leonheart."

"Then why did you marry Leslie when you love someone else?"

"I married her because I love my job…being in a successful pop band. Her father is our manager and her uncle is our producer. They told me I'm going to be kicked out of the band if I refuse. I thought about it for a while and said to myself if I quit the band, where am I supposed to go? How could I support Kyla and Felicity if ever I'm going to get in touch with them? I'm already 23 years old and it's a shame for me to depend on my parents again," he said straightforwardly. His friends and family's faces gave him the strength to reveal all the hidden facts. "I've hidden these from Shane, Kian, Mark and Nicky because I want it to be all in secret. I even hid it to my parents until yesterday. I don’t want another rumor or news outrage spreading out again. I've done that for my families, friends, and for myself of course."

Again shocked, the chief asked for more questions for him. Nothing more can be interrogated upon so the verdict was passed on the jury panel. They asked for several minutes and even ate up the time on the break time. Finally, after almost an hour and a half, one of them stood up and announced, "My colleagues and I have agreed upon the primary statements of the High Chair and now given a conclusion." She went to the loud speakers and said, "Leslie Coley and Bryan McFadden's marriage is now put out of advantage."

Another one of them who introduced himself as Jeff Penn explained the papers that need some signs. They were given money and the allotted time to accomplish the surname changes, legitimacy, ownership of some properties and even citizenship.

After all the signings, Leslie was assisted out of the courtroom with her attorney. Atty. Ford excused himself off. Felicity, Kyla with Andrew on hand ran to meet Bryan. They all hugged and kissed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bryan and Felicity planned marriage after her studies. She graduated with flying colors and was offered another course with a scholarship. She turned it down and stated that she wants to focus on her new family…

"Bryan, you're up late again!" Felicity McFadden told her husband Bryan.

He yawned and flopped down the dining room chairs and picked up the morning papers. Kyla and 2-year-old Andrew were watching Cow and Chicken at Cartoon Network.

Felicity was busy preparing blueberry waffles and orange smoothies. They got married 6 months ago. Everyday their bond strengthened and became more impossible to tear. She glanced at Bryan reading the paper with a grumpy serious face. She mixed him his favorite coffee smoothie and gave it to him. She gave him a sweet kiss.

Bryan kissed her back. "Um…honey, the lads and I have agreed that we'll have an over-time at Shane's today to pen some songs. Is it alright with you?"

"Okay fine, your honor," she replied sounding a little bit annoyed.

"What's the matter honey? Is there something with you?" he asked sensing her nuisance.

"Oh nothing…" she paused to touch her tummy,"…daddy…"

Bryan just chuckled but suddenly paused. Daddy? She called him 'daddy'? Really now? He slowly came to her from behind and hugged her. "Daddy? Is there something on your mind?"

Felicity laughed. "Ha! Guess, guess…"

By that time, Andrew and Kyla turned off the TV and walked to the dining room because the smell the wonderful scent of blueberry. The already know the secret. Andrew said, "You guess Mommy's secret Daddy! I'm sure you will like it!"

He smiled at his boy and gazed back to Felicity. "Daddy, daddy…hmmm," he thought. He remembered that she also called him 'daddy' once when she told him about Kyla. He smiled ear to ear and said, "Lemme guess. Another baby?"

"Nuh-uh!" Felicity said sticking her tongue out. "One more try!"

Kyla sang, "Daddy…more than that! More than that!"

For a wild guess he muttered slowly, "T-tw-twins?"

Felicity slowly smiled and slightly nodded her head. Bryan was awestricken and lifted her up. "Bryan, we're going to have a girl and a boy…just like Leslie!"

"Oh my God!" he repeatedly exclaimed. "We're going to have two more children? Goodness, I…I can't believe it!"

"Well, believe it because in seven months time, you'll see them! Now, all I want you to do is to think up names for another little girl and boy."

Kyla and Andrew shouted out names. "Blossom! Bubbles! Buttercup! Johnny! Dexter! Dee-Dee! Irvine! Ellone!" they said in chorus.

"Hey, hey, slow down guys!" Bryan said carrying Felice to his lap and massaging her tummy. "I kinda like the last two. Irvine and Ellone."

"Yeah me too," Felicity said. "Why not add one name more and those will be their names."

The two children laughed and left the decision to their parents.

Everything was quite all right now that they've started all over again. Bryan and Felicity now live a contented and happy life with their two little sweet tykes. Now they're going to have two more additions…Irvine James and Andrea Ellone Leonheart-McFadden.

08.03.2001

sign Toni's Feedback Page find out more about Toni email Toni Bryan stories- main page