Chapter 23

Everyone was at Lanie's house, when her and Shandi got there. "Shandi, look, everyone's here! Let's go in and tell them the news!" I told her. "Alright, do you think Nick will be here! I have a big crush on him! He is my favorite Backstreet Boy!" "I don't know hunny, but Lisa is going out with him. But, I'm sure he will take up with you fine." I said smiling. We got out of the car, and got her stuff out of the back seat. I was sooooo nervous. I just hope they havent been told the news yet. Lanie thought. "Are ya ready, mommy?" Shandi asked. "I sure am, Shandi girl! Let's go!" I said. I took her hand, and we walked up to the door.

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"What the hell is taking her so long?!" A.J. said, pacing back and forth. "Calm down, dude. She'll be here!! She would have called if there was something wrong!" Jenny said. Just then then the front door opened. I walked in, Shandi hiding behind me, and looked at everyone. "Where have you been?!" AJ asked. "Places," I replied, smiling. "What are you smiling about, Lanie?" Sarah asked. "Well, I have a suprise for you guys!" I blurted out. "What? I love surprises!" Lisa cried out. Shandi peeked around me. "AHHHH!!!!!" Lisa,Jenny,Sarah, and Stacey screamed. "You adopted her?!?" Lisa asked. "Yep!" Another scream came from all the girls. The guys just sat there, slightly confused as to what was going on. AJ looked the most confused. The girls were jumping up and down, and taking turns hugging Shandi, then me. The guys just sat back and watched. Finally, AJ asked: "What in the world is going on?" "Well," I started. " See, i've been trying to adopt Shandi here"- I motioned to Shandi-" and this other couple wanted her. But they changed their mind. And I signed the papers and adopted her today!!" AJ's eyes widened a bit. He looked really surprised. "That's cool," Brian said, getting up to give me a hug and meet Shandi. "Yeah!" I replied. "Hey, Nick, come here." I calmed down a little. "What?" he walked over to me. "Do me a favor would ya?" "Sure. What?" "Shandi says you're her favorite BsB. So go talk to her and give her a hug for me??" Nick smiled. "Sure. no problem,Lanie." "Thanks!" I said and watched Nick walk over to Shandi. Her eyes widened and she gave him a huge smile. He smiled back and crouched down to talk to her. He gave her a hug, kiss on the cheek and talked to her for a few minutes. Howie and Kevin congratulated me and also went to talk to Shandi. She looked like the happiest 7 year old in the world. Finally, AJ walked over to me and congratulated me with a hug. "Listen, when you get time I need to talk to you," AJ said. "Ok. I'm taking Shandi shopping tonight...." I trailed off. "I guess it can wait until you get back," AJ said. "Ok."

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"This is so cool!" Sarah said as we shopped for Shandi. "I feel like an aunt!" "Would that make Brian an uncle?" Stacey asked, and snickered. "No," Sarah said bluntly. "Hey, Lisa," I said. "What?" "You better be careful or Shandi will take your man away from you." I laughed. Lisa just smiled. "She better not!"

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All the guys were at my house when we got back. AJ was standing up, it looked like he had been pacing around. Brian, Nick, and Howie were watching tv. And Kevin was raiding my refridgerator. "Geez, if I didn't know better i'd say you guys live here!" I said to them. "Well, if you're offering, i'll stay," Nick said. "Cute. But no." Nick pretended to put as he got up and walked over to Lisa. Shandi burst through us girls and asked "Can I see my room, Mommy?" "Sure. Come on." I took her upstairs. AJ followed us up. As Shandi was exploring her new room. AJ started talking to me. "Uh, Lanie," he said. "Yeah?" " Um...How do I tell you this..?" he pondered. "Lanie, about what I said the other night. About not wanting to be in a relationship. I was wrong. I've changed my mind. Lanie, I wanna give us a try."

Sarah helped me with this chapter. Thanks girl. She is in the story too