We lay in eachother’s arms spent. Nick was so tender. My head was resting on his chest and I was quiet. “You okay,” Nick asked softly. I took a deep breath, “Yeah, I’m okay.” I placed a kiss on his chest and cuddled closer to him. “That was nice,” I said closing my eyes. “Yeah, it was. I really missed you, babe,” Nick said. “Nick,” I said. “Yeah,” Nick replied. I paused for a moment, “I’m scared. What if the tumor turns out to be cancer?” “Don’t think like that. It won’t be, Annie. We haven’t even had children yet. I’m not going to let you go now,” Nick said. “I hope so, too. But I’m still scared,” I replied. “Don’t be. I’ll be right by your side all the way,” Nick said softly as he placed a kiss on the top of my head. His lips lingered in my hair for a bit. “I know I’ve asked this before but how did I get so lucky,” I asked. “You mean, how did I get so lucky,” Nick replied. “The Lord probably really wanted us together,” I said. “Yeah he did. And he wants us to have children,” Nick said. I looked up at Nick, “I really don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.” Nick smiled, “Hey, you better get some sleep. You’ve got an early start tomorrow.” I felt so safe in his arms as he held me tight. “Okay but we better get dressed before the nurse walks in,” I said giggling. We both got up and put our clothes back on. I crawled back into the uncomfortable hospital bed. Nick tucked me in and crawled underneath the covers with me as he pulled me to him. We both fell asleep just like that.
The next morning, the nurse came in to wake us up. “Mr. and Mrs. Carter. It’s time to wake up,” the nurse whispered softly. Nick slowly opened his eyes, “What time is it?” “It’s 6:30 in the morning,” the nurse replied. “Annie, babe. Wake up. It’s time to get you ready for surgery,” Nick said softly. “Mmmmmm,” I moaned. “Babe, come on. Open those pretty brown eyes,” Nick said. I slowly opened my eyes. “Mrs. Carter, we have to get you prepared for surgery,” the nurse said. Nick got up off the bed. I sat up in bed still very groggy. “I need to give you this shot to relax you. Then I need you to put the surgical gown and cap on,” the nurse requested. I slowly but surely did what the nurse said with Nick’s help.
Once I was ready, I began to cry quietly. Nick heard me wince, “Hey, hey. You’ll be alright. I’ll be right here.” “I am so scared Nick,” I said crying. Nick embraced me to calm me down. “Come on. You need to relax now,” Nick said as he comforted me. I gathered my composure and wiped the tears from my eyes. “You really think I’ll be fine,” I asked Nick. “Annie, I promise you. You’ll be alright. I know you will,” Nick said smiling. “I’m so nervous,” I said. “Don’t be. You are a strong woman. We’ll get through this,” Nick said. I manage to put on a small smile before a couple of the nurses wheeled in the gurney.
In the Surgery Room:
“Okay Mrs. Carter. I’m gonna put this mask on your face. I need you to breathe in deeply. Count from ten backwards slowly,” the anesthesiologist said. I shook my head and slowly began to count backwards from ten. Nick was right next to me, “Okay babe. I’ll see you in a bit. Just relax, okay,” Nick said. A single tear began to fall from my eye. Nick wiped it away as he traced kisses along my forehead. My vision began to blur and my grip on Nick’s hand tightened. Nick softly massaged my forehead as my eyes began to close. My eyelids were so heavy. Everything around me began to echo. Before I knew it, I was out.
Dr. Edwards had just walked in all scrubbed up just when I past out. He saw Nick bent over me with his lips against my forehead, crying softly. Dr. Edwards placed a hand on Nick’s shoulder, “Nick, she will be fine.” Dr. Edwards nodded his head reassuring Nick that I would be okay. “Come on Nick. Time for you to go to the waiting room. I’ll come out and let you know when she’s done,” Dr. Edwards said. He motioned one of the nurses to guide Nick out of the surgery room. As Nick walked out of the room, he looked back at me lying on the operating table. He was scared. He was really afraid.
An hour and a half had past when Dr. Edwards finally came out. Nick stood up quickly, “How is she?” “She is doing as well as expected. She did fine,” Dr. Edwards said smiling. “So when will we know whether the tumor is benign or not,” Nick asked. “Well, I sent it on down to the lab. If we don’t find out today for sure we’ll find out tomorrow,” Dr. Edwards said. “What do you think, doctor? Do you think it will be benign,” Nick asked. “I can’t really tell you, Nick. Only the test results will be able to tell us,” Dr.Edwards said, “but I’m optimistic.”
They finally wheeled me out of surgery and were taking me to recovery. Nick stood up as soon as he saw me being wheeled out. He raced to my side. I was really groggy and my eyesight was still blurry. “Annie, babe. How are you? How do you feel,” Nick asked as he stroked my forehead. I heard Nick’s voice and turned to its direction. I couldn’t see his face it was so blurry. “I can’t see your face, Nick,” I whispered. “Don’t worry. Your vision will come back once the anesthesia wears off,” Nick said. “How did I do,” I asked. “Dr. Edwards said that you did fine. You did really well,” Nick said. I was still so groggy, “So sleepy, Nick. So sleepy,” I whispered as I closed my eyes. “Go ahead and close your eyes, babe. Rest, gather your strength. I’ll be here right by your side when you wake up,” Nick said softly. I manage to put a small crack of a smile on my face, “I love you.” “And I love you,” Nick said. I finally fell asleep.
Brian had walked into my room. He saw Nick sprawled out on a chair next to my bed. He slowly placed his hand on Nick’s shoulder, “Hey Frack,” Brian whispered. Nick slowly woke up, “Hey Bri.” “How’s Annie doing,” Brian asked. “She’s doing okay. She did well in surgery,” Nick replied, “what time is it?” “It’s almost 2:00,” Brian replied. Nick looked over at me still sleeping, “She’s been asleep for a while now. Is that okay?” “She’s fine Frack. It takes a while for the anesthesia to wear off,” Brian explained, “she’ll wake up soon. Did you eat?” “No, not yet. Not since the nurse woke us up to get Annie ready for surgery,” Nick replied. “Come on. Let’s go down to the cafeteria and get something to eat,” Brian suggested. Nick nodded in approval and turn to me, “Hey sweets. I’ll be right back, okay?” Nick kissed my lips and then walked out with Brian. Nick stopped at the nurse’s station, “Can you come get me when my wife wakes up?” “Sure Mr. Carter,” the nurse said.
In the cafeteria:
“So, when do we find out about the tumor,” Brian asked. “Dr. Edwards said that if we didn’t find out today we will for sure find out tomorrow,” Nick replied. Nick was quiet and picking at his food, “Brian, I’m scared. What if the tumor is cancer, Bri?” “Nick, don’t think like that. You gotta have faith, man,” Brian replied. They were both quiet for a moment. “Has Steve been bothering her since the last time,” Brian asked. “Oh, I forgot to tell you guys. He was here the day we brought Annie in,” Nick said. “Damn, how did he know she was here,” Brian asked. “I don’t know. He must have followed us. He must have been lurking outside the gates,” Nick said. “That guy never quits does he,” Brian said. “Oh he will when I get my hands on him,” Nick said angrily balling his fist. “Nick, let the police handle it. We don’t need to have our name splashed on the front of newspapers ‘BSB MEMBER ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT,’ Brian said. “I know, I know. It’s just that,” Nick stopped his sentence in frustration. Just then, “Mr. Carter, please come to recovery. Mr. Carter to recovery.” Nick quickly got up and walked out of the cafeteria with Brian close behind.
Recovery:
“Hi, you paged me,” Nick told the nurse. “Oh yes. She’s awake now. She is asking for you,” the nurse replied with a smile. “Thanks,” Nick replied as he walked to my room. I was looking out the window from my bed when Nick and Brian came in. “Hey brown eyes. How are you,” Nick asked as he placed a kiss on my lips. “I’m fine I guess. A little twinge of pain but I’m fine,” I replied. “Hi Annie,” Brian said. “Hey Bri-Bri,” I replied. “How are you feeling,” Brian asked as he approached my bed. “I’m okay. I’m a survivor,” I said with a smile. “Yeah you are,” Nick said. Just then Dr. Edwards walked in. “Hello there Annie, Nick,” Dr. Edwards said. He looked over at Brian, “And you might be?” “Oh, Brian Littrell, sir. Nice to meet you,” Brian said as he shook Dr. Edwards’ hand. “Nice to meet you,” Dr. Edwards replied. He flipped through my chart and jotted a few things down. Then he came over to examine me, “So Annie, how are you feeling?” “I feel fine. Still a little groggy but I’m feeling good,” I replied. “Good, good. You did well through surgery,” Dr. Edwards said, “we were able to remove all of the tumor.” “Did you get the results yet,” I asked. “No, not yet. I’m hoping soon,” Dr. Edwards replied, “I will let you know as soon as I get the results. In the mean time, make sure you get some rest, okay?” “Okay,” I replied. “Okay, see you in a few,” Dr. Edwards said as he exited my room.
“Well, I guess I better get going now,” Brian said, “the guys are waiting.” “Nick, aren’t you going,” I asked. “No, he isn’t, Annie. You know better than to ask that,” Brian said with a smile. I rolled my eyes as I looked over at Brian laughing. “Alright Frack. See you later,” Brian said. “Check you later, Frick,” Nick replied.
“Nick, we forgot to ask the doctor when can I go home,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll let us know, Annie,” Nick said with a smile. “Oh Nick! I wanna go home and be with you in our new house,” I said pouting. Nick kissed my pouting lips as I responded. “See, that is why I wanna go home,” I said pouting even more. Nick laughed, “Hey, you’re the one who said the longer we wait the better.” I hit him in the arm and Nick acted as if I injured him seriously. “Come on, Nick. Quit playing,” I replied. With that, Nick and I embraced eachother.
Nick and I pulled from our embrace. “Don’t worry, Annie. We will both be home soon,” Nick said with a smile. “Not soon enough,” I replied. “Now look who is anxious,” Nick said chuckling. Dr. Edwards knocked on the door. “Dr. Edwards, hi,” I said. “Any news yet,” Nick asked. “No, not yet. Looks like we won’t find out until tomorrow,” Dr. Edwards replied. “Damn,” I muttered under my breath. Dr. Edwards chuckled when he heard me. “I know that you are very anxious to find out and very anxious to go home,” Dr. Edwards said, “but you’ll have to stay a few more days at least until your stitches heal up.” “How long will it take to heal,” I asked. “Probably another 3 days before you can go home,” he replied, “don’t worry, Annie. Before you know it you’ll be walking out of the hospital in no time.” I smiled, “Yeah I guess.” “Dr. Edwards, after she is discharged home, will she be able to join me on the last leg of our tour,” Nick asked. “Providing that she gets a lot of rest and is careful, I don’t see why not,” Dr. Edwards replied. Now that put a smile on my face.
After Dr. Edwards left my room, Nick sat in the chair next to my bed and just starred. He ran his hand down my cheek and through my hair. I lovingly took his hand and traced kisses on it, “I love you.” “I love you, too,” Nick replied. We just starred into eachother’s eyes for a while just taking in everything we felt for eachother. “Nick, as soon as I’m out of here and better, I want to start a family,” I said softly. Nick smiled, “I want to have a big family with you, Annie.” He looked down at the floor as tears welled up in his eyes. “Nick, hon, what’s wrong,” I asked. I wanted to take him in my arms but I couldn’t. Nick wiped his tears, “You know, I actually thought that I was going to loose you. After that incident at the house with the phone call from Steve. I was scared that I would loose you.” I ached for him. I wanted to surround him with my love to let him know that he would never loose me. “Nick, you will never loose me ever. I’m here for life, for the rest of our lives,” I said lovingly. Nick pulled himself forward from the chair and took my hand just rubbing his face on it. I ran my hand down his cheek and gently traced his lips with my thumb. They were so soft and warm. Our gaze lingered for a moment.
“Nick, does my parents know about all of this,” I asked worriedly. “Yeah, they know. They’ll be down later this week to see you,” Nick replied. “So you did call them. Do they know about Steve,” I asked. “No, I didn’t tell them about that,” Nick replied. “How is my Mom holding up,” I asked. “Well, she’s worried. She started to cry when I told her about the tumor they found,” Nick explained, “but I reassured her that you were going to be fine.” “What about my Dad,” I asked. “He believes that you are going to be okay,” Nick said, “I booked a private jet for them to fly down in.” “Oh Nick, that is so sweet of you,” I said. I hesitated for a moment. “What about Steve? Has the asshole been around lurking the hospital grounds,” I asked. “No, I haven’t seen him but they have increased security for this floor,” Nick replied. “I wouldn’t put it past Steve to be able to get by the security guards,” I said, “why doesn’t he just leave!?!” “We all want him to fall off the face of the earth but that isn’t gonna happen unless we hire a hitman,” Nick said. “Oh no. No hitman. Leave it to the police, Nick,” I said worriedly. “Yeah, I know,” Nick said, “I want to kill him but I won’t stoop that low.” “How did I ever manage to get involve with a psycho,” I asked. “Hey, it’s not your fault you fell for him. He charmed you is what he did,” Nick replied. “Yeah, I know but I should have known,” I said. “How are you suppose to know what kind of person he is when you first met him,” Nick asked, “it ain’t your fault. He conned you.” “Yeah and I fell for it,” I said. Nick just shook his head, “Look however you wanna look at it, you didn’t deserve what he did to you. And you don’t deserve what he’s doing to you now.” “Yeah but,” I said when Nick cut me off. “No buts about it! Now let’s stop talking about him. It’s making me angry.” “Okay. You’re right,” I replied.
The rest of the day, Nick and I just talked about having a family in our new home. We both wanted to eagerly start as soon as I was able to. “Babe, I’m gonna go home and get a few things for us,” Nick said, “I’ll be right back, okay?” “Okay. Hurry back,” I said. Nick gave me a lingering kiss before he left. As soon as he walked out of my room, two security guards posted themselves outside my room. I felt relieved and decided that I would catch a few winks before Nick got back.
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