By Starbearer TM

Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Trynia Merin and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

Just then Gene glanced into the audience and his eyes widen in surprise as an auburn haired woman moved up to stand next to Paul and Trynia. Trynia noticed the gentle lines of wrinkles creasing her face, and the young woman walking next to her who so closely resembled Gene. She had seen pictures of them, and realized who they were. Raina MacLaren and Jeannie, her daughter.

"Should we.... Should we DANCE? Hell, Tryn...." he started, still chuckling in amazement.

"Let's do it!' she chuckled. Paul took her arm and began swaying with her, still not taking his eyes off the stage.

"How do I DANCE to this?" she jokes.

"I don't KNOW...." he stammered, half laughing. He turned to her for a moment and looked deep into her eyes.

"C'mon pretty boy, cut a rug!" Raina shouted, nudging him as she whirls onto the dance floor with Jeannie.

"Raina!" he smiled. "I should have figured.... And Karen too, I suppose."

A shapely blond in blue gown stepped into view, smiling warmly at Paul. Tanned skin set off her ringlets of escaped hair from the updo, her skirt swishing around long legs. For a long moment, he stared at her, old feelings flashing through his head.

"Hi you" he mouthed, rubbing Trynia's back.

"That's her isn't it?" Trynia whispered.

"Yes," he whispered. "I hope you're not jealous."

"No," she smiled. "Considering I invited her."

"Thank you," Paul whispered. Karen smiled back and waved. Paul had told Trynia that he had a son with Karen, years ago, and currently that son, named Elliot, was in college. Unfortunately, father and son were not able to see each other as much as they liked for Elliot was in college back east. He looked down, feeling somewhat awkward having Karen watch him dance. Again, he met eyes with Karen almost seeking reassurance.

She smiled sweetly. Paul smiled back as she moved up next to them. The glint of a gold ring on her left hand, third finger told him she was married, and he hoped happily too. This seemed a more recent development, but she had been tight lipped as to whom.

"Let me guess," he whispered in Trynia's ear, "You had a hand in this."

"Who me?" she grinned.

He kissed her ear softly, "You are, as always, too much. And I don't deserve you..."

"Bull," she whispered back.

"But I GOT you," he laughed quietly as he nipped her.

"You do," she whispered. "Always and forever."

"Now that I like to hear," he smiled at her, as he fingered her chin. "You know what they say about wedding receptions...."

"What?" she asked.

"No matter how much fun they are, grooms just can't WAIT until they're over, if you get my meaning," he purred.

"Oh yes," she purred back, kissing him. Karen watched them with a warm smile on her face. She appeared a bit wistful, but happy for them.

"The band's back. The BAND!" Paul repeated happily.

"Suddenly I'm 20 again...and I'm going to make love to you tonight, like I'm 20," he teased quietly as he danced with her. Gene finally finished singing, and everyone clapped. He turned to the microphone.

"I look forward to it," she said softly. Paul looked at Gene, with a fake look of irritation, hands folded. His twinkling eyes gave him away, though.

"Hello out there all of you... I know it's been a LONG time for some of us," said Tony Zarella, leaning into his microphone. "And even longer for SOME of us... but we're glad to be here. A lovely lady in my life twisted my arm, and we called the guys... and we had a problem, we had no base player, but we managed to rustle one up..."

Paul listened to them talking, tapping his foot in fake irritation. Yet, he could not wipe the grin off his face. Tony poked a finger in Gene's direction, eliciting a laugh from the crowd.

"But we could use another lead singer... Considering he forgets half the damn words," Brooke added.

"You going to let me have the microphone any time soon?" Paul teased.

"Go on," urged Karen, moving up to stand next to Paul.

Paul walked up to the stage, and pushed down as he leapt up. Storming over to Gene, he grabbed the mike from his friend. He was trying to look mad, but just can't help but start laughing. Peering behind Gene, he noticed an old Gibson Explorer onstage on a rack.

"FIRST off.... Is there anyone here who actually PREFERS Gene's version of that song?" Paul said into the mike. "When the Bell rings!"

"I do!" Raina said wholeheartedly.

Paul looked at her and laughs, "OK, well is there anyone here who hasn't SLEPT with Gene who prefers that version?"

The crowd laughed. Especially when Jeannie called up, "I do!"

"Anyone NOT in the Simmons clan?" Paul looked at her and laughed again. Glancing down at his mother he called, "MOM! Do YOU prefer my version?"

"I like it!" Trynia cupped both hands around her mouth, calling up.

"And me too!" Karen added.

"THANK YOU!" he howled.

"But I also like Around the Bend!" Karen shouted.

"You wrote it with me," he blushed as he smiled at her.

"I know," she smiled back.

"I want to hear Sweet Ophelia!" Trynia calls up.

"Before I grace these yokels with my singing talents" he grins widely, "I just want to say something sort of serious to you people, and to a few in particular."

"SPEEACH! SPEEACH!" Karen yelled.

He smiled, "Now, isn't that unusual? A microphone, me and my big mouth."

"I LOVE your big mouth," Trynia said, joined by Karen at almost the exact same time. They glanced at each other and laughed.

"This is...just unbelievable...an incredible surprise. Knowing these guys and how they have real jobs and real families, I'm sure it took a lot to get them out here, and man, it's APPRECIATED!" he grinned widely.

Steve Coronel turned to Paul, looking at him carefully. He stopped for a moment and chuckles, "OK, now the girls are making comments about my mouth...I've lost my place in this damn speech."

Karen glanced up with a wistful look. Trynia noticed her and gave her a small smile. Gene grinned and leaned over to joke into the microphone, "Well you know what they say about your mouth Paul... you see what you do onstage and they wish you were the one they were doing it to..."

Paul walked over to Gene and whispered something into his ear. Gene howled wickedly. It was definitely off color. Karen chuckled and nudged Raina.

"But as I was saying..." Paul laughed, slightly red. Trynia giggled also.

"This is just the best wedding surprise anyone could possibly ever have given me, and knowing the rascals in my life, I have a pretty good idea who was involved."

"Oh DO you?" Karen called up with a laugh.

"He does, he always does," said Trynia with a mock look of irritation toward Karen. She grinned back.

"It's frustrating isn't it?" Karen answered.

"Sure is!" Trynia nodded, leaning her elbows across the stage and looking expectantly up at Paul.

"I just want to trudge through my short list of thank you's, if you people will just bear with me," said Paul, as Gene handed him the Gibson Explorer.

"Don't let US stop you," Gene muttered jokingly. Paul leaned over and again whispered something to Gene. He looked at Karen and laughed.

"God.... Where to start...my family, God bless them.... They have always been here for me, through the worst of women and through the best of them." he smiled. "And I PROMISE, more good than bad from now on, mom!"

Trynia looked to Karen, who nodded meaningfully. Paul continued his speech, shifting his weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably,

"To...umm.... The guys on stage and to all the guys and gals who have ever graced a stage with me, you've made all my dreams come true and I swear before you that that is not a line."

Trynia moved closer to Karen, who smiled at her. There was no jealousy between them, because Trynia has known of Karen from Paul.

"To the alumni of Wicked Lester...." he turned to them and indicated them with one hand. "We parted on the worst of terms, but you hopped a plane to come to my wedding and I love you like brothers."

From behind his drum set, Tony stood up and shook Paul's hand. He pulled him over and hugged him. So did Ron, and Brooke. That left Steve standing there looking at him. As Paul extended his hand he said, "And here's to making the bad taste go away..."

Silence predominated as Steve regarded him, chest heaving up and down as he took a deep breath. Paul watched him with dark, curious eyes, anxious to see what he will do. Would he have to steel himself for a tirade, or would Steve let bygones be bygones?

Steve removed his guitar, and walked over to Paul. He beckoned to him and whispered, "I was angry at you for a long time, Stanley..."

"I know," Paul whispered, away from the microphone, covering it with one hand. "And you probably had reason to be."

"But time... it's a funny thing. I mean it's been thirty years," Steve said, thrusting his hand into his pocket. "Since you and Gene kicked me out of the way..."

"Steve..." he started. "I had to give it a shot."

"I know that," he says holding up his hand. "I just didn't want to admit it... And it wasn't just you, it was Gene I was pissed at."

"Steve I'm so sorry, if there had been any other way..." Paul shook his head, closing his eyes.

"And then after a while... I just got on with my life. Even though I was still pissed..."

"Steve, I would have been pissed too.... I...I don't know what to say."

"It's taken a long time to forgive and forget. I can't forget," said Steve. "But... I think I can get used to the idea of forgiving..."

"Really?" Paul asked. "You mean it... because I always... kicked myself..."

"It's in the past Paul," said Steve.

"Thank you for coming today, Steve." Paul says quietly, "I would have never thought you would."

"Well I wasn't sure either," he said, nodding to Tony. "But a good friend of mine... suggested it was time to get over it."

"And you listened to HIM?" Paul smiled slightly.

"Yeah, go figure," Steve laughed. "And not only him... but a few other blasts from the past... who we've come to know well... and someone else..."

Paul looks out into the crowd and met his eyes with Karen's. She smiled. Steve nodded toward her, and to Trynia, "And your lovely wife..."

Taking his hand from the microphone, Paul said, "I would like to thank my friend Steve Coronel, who if it wasn't for, I'd have never met this loudmouthed opinionated pain in the butt partner of mine..."

"Feeling's mutual, kid," Gene laughed.

"And we owe you, bigtime," Paul whispered in Steve's ear. They grasped hands, shaking them firmly. A rush of relief settled over Paul, easing the ache inside.

"I also want to thank someone who once gave a thin geeky Jewish kid a chance.... And I'll always remember that," Paul said. Trynia perked her ears up, and Paul smiled again at Karen. Then he winked to Trynia as if to tell her that her turn is coming.

"You're welcome," she said.

"For Gene and Terri...what can I say to these two knuckleheads? To my best friends and most aggravating enemies all rolled up into one...no, TWO people." he chuckled. Gene glanced to Terri in the audience, who threw back her head with a laugh.

"Who can somehow manage to annoy the hell out of me, at the same time going to the ends of the earth for us, and I really and truly love and appreciate them," Paul continued.

Trynia stood closer, wondering what he would say next. He glanced down at her and smiled, "What can I say about my wonderful wife, except that if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here today... and I think that I can best explain how I feel... in a song... but since I've written so many songs about the women I've loved, it wouldn't be enough... so I'll just say this... Trynia, I love you... absolutely...."

She wiped away the tears, and glanced up at him with pride. Reaching down on one knee, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips as she leaned up. Drawing back he gave her a warm smile, and rose to stand behind the microphone again. He coughed, and composed himself, "We're going to do a little number for you here tonight. And before we go on, let us introduce ourselves... This here...this is Gene Klein...."

Gene swatted Paul on the back, and Paul jumped into thick New York gear as he waved to the man behind the drums, "And ovah thee-ahhh, that's Tony Zarella..."

Tony waved from behind the drums as Paul continued, "And you know.... You knooo-ooooo-ooow you've just GOT to meet Mr. Brooke Ostrander."

Brooke waved, from near a trumpet and some flutes. Then indicating the lead guitarist, Paul said, "And last but not least, please give it up for my long lost friend, Mr. STEVE CORONEL."

"And....on keyboards.... Standing back there, getting ALL the girls.... Mr. Ron LEEJACK!"

He waved and laughed.

"And me...well, I'm Stanley Merin Eisen," he smiled. "As of TODAY!"

"Aww damn," Trynia flushed, hiding her head in her hands as Karen rubbed her back.

"OK, you idiots, what are playing?" Paul turned to Steve and the others.

"How about sweet Ophelia, like the missus asked?" Gene asked. Paul walked over and pounded Steve on the shoulder. He knows there was some tension in the past, and he's missed him.

Steve looked to him and then pushed his guitar to his back, hugging him, "Congratulations Stanley. She's a wonderful woman."

"This song...THIS SONG...is about a girl...a beautiful girl...." Paul said, as he adjusted his guitar strap again. "And I would have named it Sweet Trynia, but well, it doesn't end too happily..."

The rest of the guys laughed, and Paul started the rhythmic line, followed by Steve's melody, and the others filled in as if no time had passed. From the side, Mr. Eisen watched them, a slight smile on his face, seeing Paul with his old friends.

Turning to Karen, Trynia asked her, "You must be Karen..."

"Karen Zarella. Congratulations, by the way. It was a beautiful wedding, even if we had to stay hidden" she smiled.

"Well you know my name," Trynia laughed. "You're Tony's wife then?"

"Tony was SO worried that Stan...errr.... Paul would see us and everything would be ruined."

"He's' so happy," Trynia laughed. "I hear that it's been years since they all spoke to each other..."

"Yes, he is. He's always had that smile that could just light up the room when he's happy," Karen reflected as Paul sang the familiar song.

"You cared about him very much... didn't you?"

"Well, let's just say, it was fun while it lasted, and not so fun, when it didn't. It was an ugly breakup, to say the least," Karen sighed, looking a bit nervous. "Stan might have mentioned me somewhere along the way. I used to hang in the same circles as he did."

"You were in Sweet Revenge," Trynia asked. "Weren't you?"

She blushed, "Yes, I was! I'm amazed that you've heard of us."

"I remember seeing your records..." Trynia laughed. "You guys were the STUFF when my sister was a teenager. And I used to steal your records to listen to..."

"Wow! An honest to God fan" she smiled.

"And then you went solo..." Trynia recounted. "And you started starring in movies..."

"There are still a few of them out there, I suppose. It was a kick!" Karen sighed, watching the guys playing.

"I remember hearing about Liz. She's a big time musician now in the club circuit," said Trynia.

"I miss those days sometimes. No money. No responsibilities. Just a bunch of friends trying to have a good time and trying to make it."

"And Trish... man I'm sorry about her..." Trynia sighed. "I heard she o'd' on coke... and was replaced by Toni... Is she doing better?"

"I don't...uhhh...actually know. We really don't keep in touch. After Toni replaced her as lead guitarist..."

"I remember you and Liz kept together as a duet... After Ray and Trish left," said Trynia. "And then you got into movies..."

"Yes, Liz is going great. I'll tell her that you asked about her. She'll get a kick out of hearing that the guys got together again and strapped on the guitars."

"Yes..." said Trynia. "I hear Marcy... Ray is a university professor in geology all these years..."

"Stanley has changed quite a bit," she said, almost to herself.

"You and Stanley were an item... weren't you? A really SERIOUS deal..."

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. I'm mumbling. Yes, Ray is doing fine as well. The big academia position and all. Still the same as she was, though!" Karen answered, slowly bobbing her head back and forth.

"And Ray and Gene were also an item too?"

"Oh, yes, she and Gene were quite a couple. Lived together for a bit, even. Some of us thought there might even be wedding bells. That was before the whole "I'll NEVER get married" thing that he does now."

"Wow... I can't imagine Gene..." Trynia muttered. "But now that he has Terri... there might be a chance..."

"So, she and Gene were glued to each other most of the time, so I suppose Stan and I kind of palled around with each other, by default." she smiled. "He's a sweetheart.... Comes from a great family...."

"You were his first serious love aren't you?" Trynia guessed. "You believed in him..."

She smiled, blushed and looked down a bit, "Sort of an awkward topic to discuss with the bride, I suppose."

"No, not at all!" Trynia reassured her. "Judging from your reaction, may I guess that you were the one that NAMED him Paul Stanley?"

"I suggested it. It just came into my head. He's the one that made it come alive, though," she laughed awkwardly.

"I always wondered what woman put the passion in him that made him believe in himself..." Trynia said. "He told me one night about the first woman he really loved... And one of the ones that was hardest for him to forget... when you parted ways."

Karen sighed and smiled, "I always...ADMIRED that side of Stan. He was so damn driven that he'd play a guitar piece over and over again until his fingers would callous. But under all that, there was such a sweet, shy side. Almost lacking confidence, if that makes sense."

"Yes... it's still there, buried..." Trynia nodded.

"He told you he loved me!" she gasps a bit. "That's very sweet of him."

"Yes... he said that he knew that he loved you... all those years ago," said Trynia. "And if he hadn't made it big, he wonders what it would have been like..."

"He's going to just freak when he hears I've married Tony. We used to joke about what a whore.... Err...womanizer he was back then. Sorry..."

"Hey, it's okay. Gene's a slut too by admission," Trynia joked. "Paul said you faced the religion issue... All those years ago..."

"And how weird is THIS?" Karen turned red and whispered. "I lost my virginity to Stan.... On Tony's bed!"

"That is weird," Trynia giggled, holding her sides. Karen laughed and pulled on her purse strap. "Karen it's an honor to meet you."

"I just recently told Tony that. He laughed his head off," Karen laughed. "Oh, it's so nice to meet you too, and it's so good to see that Stanley found someone to really make him happy. We... uh... didn't hear very nice things about his ex-wife. So, I'm glad he's found a second chance."

"Yeah... Linda... Paul said it didn't last longer then five years," said Trynia. "They met in the late eighties... and they were married till the early nineties... "But for a while they were apart... till he tried to get back together with her just 2 years ago..."

"There were days when I actually thought we might work out. I guess looking back on it, we were just too young and all the baggage that came with it was just too much to overcome," Karen sighed.

"Well it was a different time," said Trynia. "He said your parents hated him."

"Yes, and my parents couldn't stand him. Because he wasn't a good little catholic boy."

"Lord knows I've heard THAT before!" Trynia choked.

"That, and the fact that he was a cabby from Queens, who dropped out of college and played in a "ratty bar band".

"That's a shame," Trynia shook her head. "My father is still convinced Paul is a rock star with sex on the brain..."

"And NOT a doctor or lawyer or banker, or something," Karen rolled her eyes.

"My father's a doctor," Trynia sighed. "Yours?"

"Your dad would have loved mine," she smiled. "One time, Stanley brought the cab by my house to pick me up and my dad happened to be out front. He literally chased his cab up the street, cursing at him in Italian!"

"Oh good grief!" Trynia laughed. "Did he say..." and she whispers the curses in Italian to Karen.

Karen nodded, and added, "Get AWAY from my daughter, you damn long haired freak."

"And that TOO!" Trynia sighed, and wiped way a tear.

"If my dad had KNOWN I slept with him...I don't even want to think what would have happened."

"Well I'm sure they weren't nuts when you moved in with your girlfriends and told him you weren't going to college right?" Trynia asked. "Paul told me that you moved out at age 17.... And in with Liz and Trish..."

She sighed, "No, they weren't. There were MANY occasions they weren't too thrilled with me. I did finally get the courage to tell them that I thought I was in love with Stan. My mom cried and rocked on the couch, rosary in hand. My dad kept blabbering something about the Devil, and how I was sleeping with him now."

"Oh good GRIEF!" Trynia groaned. "That was the time when they were still making some of us girls wear virgin rings right?"

"Yes, it was. I got him good one time, though... He told me I was going to hell for f**cking the devil. I told him that if the Devil was good enough in bed, hell wouldn't be so bad," she chuckled.

"You know... Terri says the same thing about her parents... and Gene. It's a damn shame some of us Catholics think so little of non Catholics," she sighed, feeling the hurt of the previous day returning.

"I guess it's all going to come back to me, though, because I've got two girls, and some day, watch them do the same thing to me," Karen nodded. "But LOOK, you're his lovely bride and I have no business telling you my bed stories on your wedding day. God, where are my MANNERS?"

"No it's okay, I'm facing a dilemma myself... And it has everything to do with parents..." Trynia sighed. Karen puts her arm on Trynia's shoulders.

"Tell me..." Karen said, the look of familiarity in her blue eyes telling Trynia she already could guess the reason behind her silent sad contemplation.

"My father flipped when he found out... that I'm... well... pregnant..."

"Oh, gosh, Trynia! CONGRATULATIONS!" she said, then looked around and quieted her voice.

"Everyone knows. I'm three months along..."

"Damn, a little Stanley!" she smiled. "Look, you fight the good fight, OK? You know Stan.... PAUL... is a wonderful person, so don't let anyone, parent or NOT, tell you otherwise."

"I'm just SO excited for you! Stan, a dad!" she laughed. This is GREAT news. Damn, girl, you have SO much to look forward to. First steps. First word. First hug. Piano lessons. First kiss."

"Thank you..." Trynia says softly.

"Besides, you will have BEAUTIFUL children. Look at you! You've got the black hair thing going! You're MADE to spawn rocker children" she teased. "And maybe your nice STRAIGHT hair will tame that curly mop on Stanley's."

"Aww shaddup," Trynia laughed.

"So that your child has a fighting chance," she grinned, playing teasingly with her own curly hair. She looked out at the guys and grinned.

"My dad almost wrung Paul's neck..."

"It's his loss. My dad and yours should go BOWLING," Karen sighed.

"Yeah," Trynia sighed.

"Hang in there. It's HIS loss... Oh, jeez! They're playing Stanley the Friggin' PARROT! Can you BELIEVE this weird song?" she smiled happily in remembrance. "But any how, look...how's Stanley taking it? The husband... not the parrot..."

"Hmmm... Taking what?" Trynia asked.

"You know...the news..."

"Oh... sorry... he's THRILLED!"

"You SEE, then. Everything is going to be just fine." Karen said.

"Look at it this way, though. Your kid isn't going to remember his first few years anyway, so that day that you accidentally don't have your hand on him and he rolls off the couch? He won't remember that."

"Thank you..." Trynia breathed more easily. "But I'm scared about if I can make a good mother..."

"My first husband was a total snake, so I basically had to raise my kids all by myself. I mean, I'm no "mom". I'm just some knucklehead who knows how to play music. It's not like I'm some kind of genius. I never read a baby-rearing book. But somehow my girls turned out just fine," she smiled.

"I'm glad."

"And I'm a LOT more confident in my abilities now than I was before. Tony and I have maybe talked about trying for a baby. I'm no spring chicken, that's for sure, but we just might try. And if we do, I have no fear."

"Yeah..." Trynia laughed.

"And you'll do a GREAT job," she squeezed her hand.

Paul looks out from his latest song to see Tryn and Karen talking. He whispered to Steve, "Uh, Karen... is she married... to one of you guys?"

Steve whispered, "She's married to Tony..."

Paul bit his tongue to keep from laughing out loud, "Zarella? Are you SHITTING me?"

"Yep, for the past 5 years now. She kept quiet about it because well she wasn't sure how you'd take the news of her marryign someone from the old band... Both of them brought 2 kids to the marrage each."

He walked toward the mic to sing his part of the chorus, but shakes his head, amused, "She's 49, and reportedly trying for a third child..."

"Well, GOD love her," he whispered. "She's as beautiful as ever."

"OK, now peeeeeeeeooooople....are you enjoying our intimate little show here tonight?"

"YEAH!" Trynia yelled as everyone clapped.

"Because if you arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeee, I want to see if I can just give one more little treat before I hand it over to Mr. Microphone here, so he can play some SPECIAL songs for our bridal dance tonight."

He gathered the guys together and whispered to them. After the quick conference, he then returned to the mic. Trynia laughed and Karen smiled. "Butttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt, before you go. Before you goooo-oooooo-ooooooooooooooooooo...." he drags it out and grins at Tryn, knowing she loved it. Trynia giggled and felt desire rushing throughout her body.

"I want you all to bear with me while I play a song for my new bride. Those boys here.... They didn't write it.... They didn't produce it.... They didn't play on it.... But they're going to help me serenade her right tonight...."

"What on earth?" Trynia looked to Karen. Paul cued for the lights to dim, and walked over to pick up an acoustic guitar. Back to the microphone he strode, and teasingly tossed a few picks out into the crowd. He began to strum his acoustic absentmindedly for a bit, enjoying the fact that everyone's attention is on him. Long fingers caressed a beautiful piece from the strings, not familiar to anyone. Glad to see Paul enjoying himself so much, Karen and Trynia leaned together to watch.

Trynia narrowed her eyes, wondering what it was. Paul did not remove his eyes from the guitar, concentrating very hard and not acknowledging the audience. The room had grown totally quiet, as the spotlight is on him.

Slowly he looked up, with his dark eyes very serious. Trynia glanced at him, tears in her eyes. Looking directly at Trynia, he moved closer to the microphone.

"I want to tell you what I'm feeling inside.... I can lie to myself, but it's true..." he slowly broke into a rendition of Forever. She looked away, crying softly. The other guys in Wicked Lester stood by and watched, allowing him to play alone. Heart wrenching and lovely, the song filled the entire room. This was his moment.

Karen nudges Trynia and whispered, "He's singing just for you.... For BOTH of you...."

"Oh god it is so lovely," she shook her head. "I can't..."

"GO up there... walk out there!" she hissed. "At least go out there and kiss him when it's over."

Paul continued to sing just to her. He has not glanced out into the crowd once. "It's...FORRREEEVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEERRRRRR" he wailed soulfully. "This time I know it, there's no DOUBT in my mind...."

Trynia quickly rushed toward the stairs to the side, and Karen clapped as Trynia almost tripped over the cords of the amplifiers in her rush to get to Paul's side. Gene moved out of the way, so she stood right next to him, perched on the stool provided for him.

As the song ended, Paul softly played the final chords. Lovingly he tossed his guitar pick toward her, winking. Her makeup was smudged from her crying, standing to let him continue to have his moment. Softly he said, "That's for my lovely wife, Trynia.... And for the lovely people that will come into our lives very soon..."

With that cryptic remark, Trynia knew that he meant Paul and Paulette Junior. She staggered over to him; arms outstretched and folded him into a hug as he sat there. They swayed as she sealed his lips in a kiss, tears dripping down her cheeks. Gene came up behind them and gives her a big hug too, hamming it up a bit to try to stop her from crying.

"I love you," Trynia whispered.

"I love you too" he whispered back. The rest of the guys clustered around the couple, as Paul released her. Each in turn hugged her warmly. As Paul walks back to the mike, several people wiped their eyes, especially the mothers.

Still a bit out of breath he panted, "I.... I just want to thank everyone for coming here tonight. Obviously this is a wonderful surprise for me, to see all my old friends here (he smiles at the guys). And I promise you, ALL of you who keep bugging me about it, that Ace and Peter HAVE agreed to sing a few songs for us in a while."

Everyone cheered when Trynia walked up to take his hand.

"But in the meantime, who's in charge of this show?" he grins cutely and looked at the guys. "What's next, Ron? Some kind of dance?"

"Well you and Trynia were SUPPOSED to dance with each other when we first came on," Gene shook a finger at him.

"Nowwwwwwwwwww, I was HOPING you were going to say that," he grinned and slipped his arm around Trynia's waist.

"I think you guys should try again," Gene winked. "I'll handle things up here..."

"Now what song are we dancing to?" he whispers to Trynia, as he leapt offstage, and held his arms out to catch Trynia. She leapt down, and he lowered her to the dance floor.

"You'll see," she laughed. Suddenly he heard them playing "Love her all I can."

Paul threw back his head and laughed again, and wrapped his arm protectively around her. They began to dance once more, gesturing for everyone else to join them.

"Love Her All I Can..." he whispered. "What an APPROPRIATE song for a wedding night..."

"Hmmm," she laughed.

"It's giving me some WILD ideas here, young miss," he whispered. As he looked up, his eyes meet Karen's and he smiles. Karen smiled back from the sidelines.

"You and Terri DID make that stop at Victoria's Secret, right? I mean, the recent developments haven't CURTAILED your plans for tonight, huh?" he played with her hair.

"Maybe you should say hello to Karen," Trynia urged.

"You wouldn't mind would you?"

"Not at all..."

Moving in, Mike drifted up and asked, "can I dance with my sister, bro in law?"

"Sure... take over," Paul said, grinning at the opportunity. He kissed Trynia's cheek and wandered over to Karen.

"Care to dance?" he asked. She nervously smiled and let Paul lead her onto the dance floor.

***

In the midst of their dance, Paul looked over at Tony, and back at Karen, "He sure looks like he's changed a lot. I'm glad that things worked out for you."

"He's very different. He has two sons, and he loves my daughters..."

"I'm glad," Paul nodded. "Trynia and Aaron get along well... but I haven't had the chance to introduce her to Elliot yet..."

"I think I'd love to arrange it, if you want," Karen said. "I'm sure he'd love Tryn."

"Yes," Paul nodded. "So Tony... he's a good dad?"

"He's a better father then their natural one. And Elliot likes him, which was why I was reluctant to tell you I married Tony..."

"No hard feelings. I'm glad you've found someone who cares so much about you... as much as I once did... and still do..."

"I know, it was your love for me all those years ago that made me believe in love..." she whispered.

"Awww," Paul sighed. She kissed his cheek and he gave her a warm hug.

"Trynia and her old man are having a horrible time..." Paul sighed.

"I heard about it, and I'm so sorry," said Karen.

"Yeah, the guy especially flipped when I said I'd make a better father then he would... after he gave me the line about being old enough to be her father..." Paul rolled his eyes.

"Good one. I told Tryn about how my old man and hers were so much alike it was uncanny..."

"Oh, God. What is it with me, sweetheart? Am I THAT bad of a guy that I'm always public enemy #1 with dads around the world?" Paul groaned.

"We met again about 10 years ago," said Karen, trying to change the subject. "Tony and me. And we were friends for a while, and he helped me through the aftermath of my divorce... And then we fell in love."

He chuckled, as he snagged a glass of champagne from a passing server's tray, "No KIDDING! That's hysterical!"

"Yes," she smiled.

"I would NEVER have pictured you two..."

"I only hope that you and Trynia have the happiness you deserve..." Karen squeezed his hand.

"I know we will. I've made some terrible decisions in the past, and I'm just not going to repeat them. I'm tired of looking back with regret."

"I know. Me too..." she nodded.

"And I'm tired of wondering if it was that she was the wrong girl, or was it that I'm a crappy guy."

"And Mr. Merin has to realize you aren't the same as you were 20 years ago," said Karen. "You've grown."

"Nah, well, I'm afraid that some recent developments aren't going to help things. But he's stuck with me, though, because honestly, Karen, I'm not going away."

"Good for you," said Karen. "I wish I could give that man a piece of my mind..."

"And more and more she's going to move away from her dad and more toward me. That's natural. That's what's SUPPOSED to happen. Am I right?"

"Yes, it is," Karen nodded. "He has to let go."

"She's MUCH older then I was when we were together. He needs to get over it," Paul sighed. "I remember when Aaron was born.... My son... someone gave us a plaque that said.... The two greatest gifts that parents can give their children.... Roots and wings. He's given her roots. Now it's time.... Maybe... to strap on those wings."

"Yes... She needs to fly on her own..." said Karen.

"And she will, but he's not taking it lying down," Paul said softly. "He disowned her... and it's my fault, but I promised him I'd do ANYTHING to provide for her and the babies... and they are NOT mistakes..."

"No child should be blamed or called a mistake," Karen said firmly. "Elliot was a happy accident... wasn't he?"

"Yes he was," Paul nodded.

"I know. And it's okay," she whispered back. "She's a wonderful girl."

"Thanks for understanding..." Paul cried into her shoulder.

"Hey, she's in the past, and I know you never get over your first love..."

For a time Paul buried his head in her shoulder and let her comfort him. When the music finally ended, they parted, tears moistening their dark eyes.