"Like a child
Just like a child..."

Ilyssa screamed and buried herself in Kevin's hug. "It's not going to come at us, darling. It's just a fake monster." Kevin chuckled as he gently pat on her head of soft and silky hair.

Scott, on the other hand, was busy checking out the monster's features with Nick in the other side of the booth. "See it's big green eyes? It will glow in the dark!" Nick said and Scott smiled excitedly and kept leaning himself forward to the life-size monster exhibit.

"Scott, you gotta come down now before you fall into the 'monster's cave'!" Nick laughed and scooped him up from the platform and put him back down on the ground again. He looked over to the other side and saw that Kevin and Ilyssa had also come out of the 'monster booth'. Taking Scott's hand in his, he walked over to them.

Nick smiled at Kevin as he turned to face him. "So how's the exhibit? Tomorrow is the last day and they are moving this whole thing to Europe next week. I'm glad that we are able to catch it."

"The exhibit is cool, Nick. But..." Kevin paused and looked down at Ilyssa, who was still clinging onto him tightly.

Nick chuckled and moved to whisper into Kevin's ears, "I know just the way to chase her 'phobia' of monster away! Just come along with me now!" He winked at Kevin and led the way to their next destination.

...

"Table for four?" the handsome waiter asked as they entered the restaurant. The waiter was dressed smartly in his black and white outfit complete with a red bow which looks like it is tied too tight to his neck and is going to knock him out of his breath any moment.

"Yes. Erm... Could we please have a table near a window?" Kevin asked, surveying his surrounding and pretended to cough a bit at the same time to prevent himself from laughing out. Nick knew that Kevin had also noticed that too and let out a small snigger.

The waiter took a small notepad out, "Of course, Sir." and walk in front of them as he lead them to the table.

The table was a nice size for the four of them and there were not much people surrounding their area. Only a couple who was in their fifties enjoying their lunch towards their right about three tables away and a mother and her daughter having ice-creams two tables in front of theirs.

When they have settled themselves down, Kevin and Nick both open the menus on the table and scanned through the menu list. Scott, who is sitting next to Nick, tugged at his shirt's sleeve and looked up at him with puppy eyes.

"I want ice-cream!" he said, looking over to the little girl who was having a banana split. Nick laughed at the way in which how his eyes shone. Scott reminded him of how he used to use this tactic when he was still a little boy to have his parents buy him ice creams and comic books. He looked over to the table in front of them and saw that little girl had her whole mouth stained with ice cream and chuckled.

"But you will have to eat your lunch first." Kevin said and Scott turned and nodded his head eagerly at his father. While they were busy deciding what to eat, Nick managed to scribble a little note under the table and secretly slip it to the waiter without them noticing it.

After about ten minutes later, Scott started to squirm around in his seat, as he got impatient for the food to arrive. Nick noticed it and decided to do a little trick to keep the two little ones entertained before the food arrived. Kevin watched as Nick reached out for the menu and the glass of ice water. He wondered what Nick was trying to do.

"Wanna see a magic trick?" Nick asked and Scott excitedly nods his head while Ilyssa, still getting the jitters from the 'monster', only smiled a little.

"Okay, now look at this-" he said, placing the menu flatly on top of the glass of ice water. Kevin knew what he was going to do and chuckled as Nick winked back at him. He placed his palm onto the menu and pressed it tightly against the opening of the glass. "And as I turn it upside down and let go of my hand, you think it is going to fall-" Then, he turn the glass upside down and slowly let go of his hand which is holding onto the menu. "But presto! It did not!"

Nick laughed as Scott just sat there with his eyes glued to the glass with the menu stuck on it. He was also happy to know that Ilyssa had a respond more than that little smile which she gave him just now. It was now a huge one and the trick that he just did certainly keeps her mind busy from thinking about that 'monster'.

He put down the glass and removed the menu from it as he looked over to see if the waiter was coming with their food. And indeed it was.

"Smile, Scott. Your food is coming." Scott gave him a huge grin, just in time to turn and see the waiter coming over and placing their food onto the table. The waiter nodded his head slightly at Nick at the same time, indicating that he had the 'thing' ready before leaving the table. Scott then quickly used his hand and took the peas, popping them into his mouth.

Kevin looked at him and shaked his head. "Use the fork." Scott pouted his mouth but listened to his father and used it.

Nick could see that he is a little unhappy and decided to start a 'peas war'. He started by throwing a pea from his plate over at Kevin but he missed it. He cursed and Kevin looked up from his food. He smiled and mouthed 'nothing', before plunging his fork into the spaghetti, trying to look interested in his food.

Looking up once again, he saw that Kevin was concentrating on his steak and attempt to throw another pea at him. But unfortunately, Kevin happened to look up at the same time and the pea hit him straight in the nose. Nick then burst out laughing as Kevin stared blankly at him.

"Nick, this is a restaurant, you know?" Kevin said.

"Sorry, but hey - Who cares?" Nick said and kept giggling in between his words. Then, Nick had a feeling of something sliding down his face. Using his hand, he wiped it off his right cheek. He looked at his palm and inspected the product, only to find that it was a piece of small lettuce with mayonnaise on it. Kevin let out a snigger as Nick turned and faced Scott, who was now trying to pick another lettuce out of his plate and threw it at him again.

This time, Nick acted fast. He picked a pea from his plate and threw it at Scott. And the next second Kevin knew, a 'peas and lettuce' war had broken out. Ilyssa just sat quietly beside Kevin, having her lunch while enjoying the view in front of her.

"With the spirits running free
He showed me why
Oh, he did..."

----------------
Kevin's POV
----------------

I cannot believe that Nick would actually acted in this way in the public despite how child like he is. But seeing the whole scene unfold in front of me, I cannot help but felt that I could be the happiest man right now. For the person I love so much loves my children and also me at the same time. Life could never get any better than now. I was so glad that Scott and Ilyssa are able to accept him so fast too.

It is a total different case for me. I still remember the first time they call me 'Daddy'. That little precious word only came out of their mouth after two weeks I have adopt them. Miss Anderson told me that the kids are actually very fond of me, but maybe I should smile more so that the kids will know I am not that strict looking. And how true can her words be.

I admit I am stern and also act bossy around the guys. Sometimes, I even try to sit down and analyze my own thoughts and feelings. Should I act this way or talk that way? Should I always be so stone looking and expressionless?

I do not know.

People think that since I am the leader of the group, I would always have a mind of my own and never really care more about how the other four feels. But they are so wrong. And yes, I do need guidance too. I need someone to tell me when to be serious and when to relax and enjoy. It may sound stupid but to a perfectionist like me, this is the result.

Nick teaches me all of these through his thoughts and actions and is the one who bring the child in me out. I have to thank him for that. I would never be able to have Ilyssa and Scott open up to me and hear them call me 'Daddy' if not for him. I use almost every trick out of Nick's watch-me-made-a-fool-of-myself skills mainly to get the kids laugh and also to let them know that I am not as strict as I look. It works like magic.

And during one of those weeks, Nick has a party at his house to celebrate Aaron's album sales. Later on when the cake fight starts, everyone, except Bob and Jane, is running around with pieces of cakes in their hand. It is so fun, running around trying to aim the cake in your hand at the lucky person. I never join in these fights thinking that it is silly and way too old for someone like me. But surprisingly, I find myself in that crowd on that day.

You can never be too old to re-live the child in you and it can sometimes bring a little light to someone's life too.

So, Nick, thank you.

Thank you for teaching me things in ways you did not know.

Thank you for giving me a chance to love you.

Thank you for loving my children.

Thank you for this wonderful new life that you had given me.

And most of all, thank you for loving me.

Thank you.

...

"Kev? Yo!" Nick waved his hand in front of Kevin's eyes several times, trying to get his attention back.

Kevin snapped out of his thoughts at once and apologized, "Sorry. I was just thinking."

"It's okay," Nick said. "I just want to let you know that we might have been recognized. There's a bunch of girls sitting five tables behind you-"

Kevin make the motion of turning around to look and was stopped by Nick. "No! Don't turn around!" he added in quickly in a small voice. "They seemed to keep looking over here and it's not a good sign. We'd better finish the food quickly and get out of this place before we get mob. Ilyssa and Scott are here too. We don't want to get any attention for them, do we?"

Kevin nodded his head in silence. He was thinking why does Nick sounded more like their father now as Nick told the little ones to finish their food quickly.

'Now he's fighting to take over my duty already.' he thought as he chuckled and quickly finished up the food in his plate.

Fifteen minutes later, Nick looked over at Scott and Ilyssa's plates and smiled to himself. Then, he looked up and nodded to the waiter, who immediately went into the kitchen after receiving the signal.

"Okay, we are ready to go." Kevin said, looking around everyone's plates.

"Erm... Hang on a second." Nick said as the waiter carried a tray over. "We haven't foot the bills yet."

Kevin chuckled at himself. "Oh right, I forgot."

The waiter arrived at their table and placed the tray onto the table and Nick took the two packages that were on it. Kevin had no idea what they are and turned to the waiter for the bill.

"Little Ilys is scared of that monster-" Nick said, peeling off the wrapper of one of the package, revealing a monster-shaped head chocolate ice cream. "And look what I've got you? The monster! But you're going to eat it!"

Ilyssa's eyes brighten up and her smile was rich with enthusiasm this time as Nick handed her the ice cream. She took a small lick at it and then bite off a bit from the ear part.

Kevin raised his eyebrows when he heard what Nick had said and turned to look at he had got for Ilyssa when he had settled the bills. He smiled when he saw Ilyssa licking deliciously at the ice cream.

'So this is the way to chase her 'phobia' away. Nice one, Nicky.' he thought.

Nick chuckled softly, as if he were able to read Kevin's thoughts when he saw his smile. In the corner of his eye, he was aware of the look of envy on Scott's face, as Scott looks longingly at Ilyssa who was enjoying her ice cream.

"Do you want one too?" Nick asked as Scott turned and face him, nodding his head eagerly. Then, he unwrapped the other package and handed it to Scott, who happily murmured a 'thank you' to Nick before taking a long lick at it.

"Nicky-" Kevin said as he stood up. "Let's go before those pretty heads come mob us."

Nick stared at Kevin. "Oh. You think they are pretty, huh?" Nick replied, trying to sound a little disappointed as they walked quickly out of the restaurant.

Kevin smiled and shook his head, moving nearer to Nick's ears. "You know that you are more prettier than them."

"Hey! I'm a guy, ya know?" Nick said, hitting Kevin on his head.

"Ouch!" Kevin let out a realistic painful groan and Nick, being the gullible type, was taken in at once.

He quickly put his hand on Kevin's head and rubbed softly at the part where he had hit him. "I'm sorry, Kevvy! I didn't mean it... Is it really painful? I didn't hit you that hard, did I?"

Kevin chuckled, "Neh, I was just playing with you." Nick pouted his mouth. "I'm sorry, Nicky. But what I said just now is true. You're more prettier than them and I have a feeling that you'll make it to the 50 most beautiful people next year. So, don't be jealous when I say that."

"I'm not jealous!" Nick exclaimed. "And just because you were the sexiest of our group doesn't mean that I would have to be the prettiest of the group. God, I can't even see myself as beautiful..." he said, murmuring out the last sentence.

Kevin chuckled once again and agreed with him, not wanting to make a small scene in front of the mall that they are in. "Okay, okay... You're not jealous. We'd better stop this now or people are going to recognize us."

"Oops! Sorry..." Nick apologized. "Hmm... So where are we going now? We still have half of the afternoon left," he said.

Kevin glanced around the place and noticed an outdoor activity shop that sell kites. He had not done kite flying ever since fifteen. The last time when he did was with his father and Brian at their old farmhouse. How he missed those good old days when everything was about nothing but studying, playing and laughing. Knowing that he will never be able to get that feeling and moment back again, he sighed.

Nick heard Kevin sighed deeply and wanted to ask him what was wrong when he noticed that Kevin was starring at the outdoor activity shop.

Nick remembered that Brian used to tell him about his childhood, one of the fondest memories would have to be the one with Kevin and Kevin's dad. Brian told him that whenever he went out with the Richardson's, Kevin would always be the one to suggest kite flying.

Nick was really surprised.

He asked Brian how could that be possible as he always see Kevin as the serious type who would rather do something more intelligent than kite flying. Brian told him that Kevin used to be more carefree and happy-go-lucky than he was now. Comparing the present Kevin and the past one, they were two total different people. Nick guessed that it must be Kevin's dad who had changed his attitude and the way he approached life.

Jerald, Kevin's father, passed away before Kevin got his big break as a singer. Kevin was very upset that his father will never get to see his son's accomplishments or will even be there on his wedding day. The other guys have heard this line and many others for a million times. And those heartfelt words were only murmured out in Kevin's drunken state. If he were sober, he would never be so straightforward and tell anyone about his inner feelings and thoughts.

Too much troubled thoughts in one's system would be a real disaster. So, once in a while, the guys would purposely get him drunk, just to be able to let him get all the troubles that had been accumulating inside him out. Of course, Kevin did not have any idea at all. But when he got up in the morning, even though the hangover is terrible, he felt much better in his emotional feeling.

"Kev-" Nick said. "Let's go kite flying at the beach!"

Kevin turned and looked at Nick in utter bewilderment. "How in the world-"

"I just know it." Nick smiled, putting on a smug look on his face. "Now come on! Let's go get the kites!"

As soon as Scott heard this, he wasted no time and ran into the shop at once rummaging through the colorful boxes, which contains the kites. Ilyssa let go of Kevin's hand and ran after Scott too.

"Seems like even the quiet one is getting impatient too," he laughed as the both of them went into the shop after the little ones.

- Song featured: [Backstreet Boys] Like A Child

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