***ANGEL IN DISGUISE***

Nick returned later to me sleeping soundly. He gazed upon my face as I slept. Dr. Edwards had walked in to check on me. “Hello Nick,” Dr. Edwards said. “Hey Dr. Edwards,” Nick replied. “How is she doing,” Dr. Edwards asked. “She’s sleeping,” Nick said. “Good. She needs the rest,” Dr. Edwards replied. He jotted a few things in my chart after he checked my vitals and my stitches. I must have been so tired that I didn’t wake up. “So, we won’t hear anything until tomorrow,” Nick asked. “Yes. I was hoping to hear today. I went ahead and put a STAT on the results,” Dr. Edwards said. “don’t worry Nick. We’ll know soon.” Dr. Edwards then walked out.

I slowly awoke to Nick brushing his lips against mine. “Mmmmmm,” I moaned as I slowly opened my eyes. I placed my hand behind his neck as I responded. “Take me home,” I whispered against his lips. Nick chuckled, “I wish I could. Don’t worry though. We’ll make up for lost time as soon as we get home.” I smiled, “What time is it?” “Almost 6 p.m.,” Nick replied, “are you hungry?” “No,” I replied. I was quiet for a while. “What’s wrong, babe,” Nick asked. “Oh nothing. I’m just tired of being here. I wanna go home,” I said frustrated. “Just a couple more days, Annie. We’ll both be home soon,” Nick replied stroking my hair. “I’m tired of these four white walls,” I said, “I feel like I’m in a mental institution.” Nick laughed, “A mental institution?” “Yeah. I’m going nuts now,” I replied. Nick hugged me as delicately as he could. “I miss you so much. You just don’t know, Nick,” I said.

Just then, the guys walk in. “Hey Annie! Whassup,” AJ asked with a smile. “Hi AJ,” I replied. “Hey little sis, how you feeling,” Kevin asked. “Not good,” I replied. “What? How come,” Brian and Howie ask. “I wanna go home,” I pouted. I was really acting like a child at that point. I couldn’t help it. I wanted out of that room. “You’ll be home soon,” Brian said. “I told her that, Bri,” Nick replies, “but she is just being a little kid.” Nick looks over at me and smiles. “Nick Carter, you wait till I get out of this bed! I’m gonna get you! Watch your back,” I said. The guys laugh. “I can’t blame her,” AJ says, “I’d go nuts in here, too.” “So, did you two hear anything about the results,” Kevin asks. “No, not until tomorrow. Dr. Edwards already put a STAT on the results. Hopefully we’ll find out in the morning,” Nick said, “I asked the doctor if Annie will be able to go with us on the last leg of the tour. I refuse to go anywhere without here after all of this. AND I don’t want Steve anywhere near her.” Nick was so protective. I found that out after we got married. And I didn't mind it much, actually I kind of liked it. “How’s the press downstairs,” Nick asked. “They’re still out there,” Brian said. “I wonder if I should go down and give a small interview,” Nick said wondering. “It might be good. It seems that the fans are concerned about Annie now,” AJ said. “WOW, they are,” Nick asked surprised, “I guess I’ll go down.” “And what are you going to tell them,” I asked. Nick noticed the irritation in my voice but he knew it was only because I had been cooped up in the hospital for a few days. “Don’t worry. I’ll just tell them what they need to know,” Nick replied placing a kiss on my head, “I’ll be right back. You guys want to come along?” “Sure,” Howie replied.

Downstairs in front of the hospital:

The reporters see Nick and the guys come out and the questions start, “Nick, how’s your wife doing? Is it cancer? What are her chances?” “Shhhhh, I’m happy to say that my wife is doing exceptionally well. She’s resting,” Nick said. “What about the tumor they found,” one reporter asked. “All the tumor was removed in surgery. They are still running tests,” Nick replied. One question was bolted out that absolutely shocked Nick and the guys, “Nick, what about the guy that raped your wife? Is he still harassing her?” Nick’s jaw dropped to the ground, “Where did you hear that?” “Well, news is news, Nick. Fans have a right to know,” the reporter said. “No one has the right to know about our private lives,” Nick said angrily shaking his head. “Sir, that is personal knowledge. No one, whether they be fans or not, has a right to that knowledge,” Brian said. “Nick you didn’t answer the question,” the reporter asked again, “is the guy who raped your wife still harassing her?” Nick’s fist balled up from the anger he felt. He knew Steve had created this by calling the press. “That asshole son of a bitch,” Nick mumbled under his breath. Kevin heard Nick mumbling, “Little bro, take it easy now. Just let it go.” “No more comments until a later time,” Howie yelled out as they walked back into the hospital. “Nick, come on! Answer the question,” the reporter yelled out. “Take it easy, Frack,” AJ said. The guys knew Nick was angry and tried to calm him down the best they could. “Nick, you need to relax. You can’t let Annie know what happened out there, that the public knows about Steve and what he did to her,” Brian said, “she doesn’t need the added stress.” “I know, Bri. But how can I protect her? Eventually she’ll either see it on t.v. or hear about it by word of mouth,” Nick said worriedly. “Well, we’ll just have to do our best not to let her know for now. We can tell her after she has recovered,” Brian said. They all agreed.

Nick and the guys went back up to my room. “So, what did you tell them,” I asked. “Just what they needed to know,” Nick replied. I noticed Nick was a little quiet. “Yeah, he just told them that you are doing exceptionally well,” Brian replied. Nick sat down in the chair next to my bed. Something was wrong and I felt it. “Nick, what’s wrong,” I asked. “Nothing,” Nick replied. “The reporters were a little rough. That’s all,” Kevin said. “Oh, how rough,” I asked. “Just asking stupid questions that they have no business asking,” Nick replied. Something was definitely wrong and I knew it. “Come on guys. What gives,” I asked. “Really babe, it’s nothing. You know how reporters are,” Nick replied smiling. “Yeah, Annie. Don’t worry. Nick gave them the information they needed,” Howie said. “Okay, but you guys are sure acting strange,” I said. “Hey, we gotta go. Nick you’ll be at rehearsals tomorrow,” AJ asked. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Nick replied. Each of the guys gave me a kiss and a hug. They were the sweetest bunch of guys. The really cared.

After the guys left, Nick was looking out the window. He was so quiet. “Babe, what’s wrong? Please tell me,” I said. “I was just thinking about you and our future,” Nick replied. Nick walked over to me. He was so quiet. “Nick, we promised eachother that we wouldn’t keep anything a secret,” I reminded him, “Something is wrong and you don’t want to tell me. If we kept a promise, then you’re breaking it.” Before I could say anything else, Nick laid a kiss on my lips. How could I not respond? We finally pulled away. “Nick, are you sure you’re alright,” I asked. “Yeah sugar, I’m fine. I just can’t wait to get you home,” Nick replied.

Dr. Edwards had just walked in. “Hey you two,” Dr. Edwards said. “Hey there,” I replied. “I wanna check your vitals and then I have some news for you,” Dr. Edwards said. Nick and I looked at eachother. It seemed like forever that Dr. Edwards was checking my vitals. Finally he took my chart and did his writing. He sat on the side of my bed opposite of where Nick was standing in an angle from him. Dr. Edwards had a serious look on his face which worried me. I looked up at Nick and could tell that he was nervous himself. “Well, I got the results and,” Dr. Edwards said, “the tumor is benign. It isn’t cancer.” A wash of relief came over me and my body began to shake. I only realized that I had started to sob. I laid my head back and placed my hands over my face as I cried tears of relief. Nick quickly embraced me and I could feel his body trembling from crying. I wrapped my arms around Nick and held him as tight as I could. “Oh my god, Nick! Oh my god,” I cried into his shoulder. I sobbed uncontrollably as Nick embraced me. Nick was speechless. All he did was cry tears of relief. After we were able to gain our composure, Nick quickly went to shake Dr. Edwards hand, “Thank you, sir. Thank you so much.” “Hey, no problem. I’m happy that things turned out the way they did,” Dr. Edwards said smiling. “So, when can I go home,” I asked eagerly. “Well, one more day and you can be discharged,” Dr. Edwards said. “WOO HOO!!!!,” I yelled out. I almost jumped out of my bed from the news. Nick held my hand tightly as he smiled. “Okay, I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow, okay,” Dr. Edwards said. “Okay,” I replied.

After Dr. Edwards left, Nick and I kissed passionately for what seemed an indefinite time. My heart started to beat through my chest. Nick was careful but tried his best to pull me as close to his body as he could. It was getting a little heated and I had to pull away, “Whoa! Babe, we need to slow down.” “Why,” Nick asked as he traced kisses on my face. “We’re not home yet,” I said giggling, “and if you don’t stop, I’m gonna have to jump you real quick.” Nick chuckled, “Go right ahead.” We just couldn’t pull away from eachother. My head was reeling and frenzied. Finally, I had to stop, “Nick, lets save it for when we get home.” Nick sighed, “Okay.” Nick planted himself next to me on the hospital bed and put his arms around me. “Now we can start our family,” Nick said as we both dreamily starred out the window. “Yeah, we’ll have millions and millions of babies,” I said giggling. “WOW, that’s a lot of babies,” Nick said. I turned around to look at him, “Nickolas Gene Carter, I want to have your children. I want to have as many children as you want.” Nick smiled down at me, “You know what I want?” “What,” I replied. “I want to have a little girl who looks just like you,” Nick said. “Don’t you want a boy to carry on the Carter name,” I asked. “Well, we can have a boy as soon as we have our little girl,” Nick replied with a smile. “That might mean that we have to try a lot,” I said giggling. “Hey, I don’t mind that. We can try as many times as we want,” Nick said with a sly grin. With that, we both embraced eachother happy that I was going home soon.

The next morning, Nick and I awoke to the noise in the hospital corridor. The sun shown brightly through the window. “One more day,” I whispered. “Yeah, tomorrow you get to go home,” Nick said smiling. Dr. Edwards walked in that morning. “Well, good morning, Annie … Nick,” Dr. Edwards said smiling. “Morning,” we both replied. “Okay, let’s check our your sutures, Annie,” Dr. Edwards said as he approached my bed. He lifted my gown to take a look. “Hmmmmm, okay, okay,” Dr. Edwards said, “looks good. It’s healing up pretty well.” “Yesssss,” I said excitedly, “so I’m going home tomorrow for sure?” “Looks that way, Annie,” Dr. Edwards said smiling. I laid my head back on my pillow and took a deep sigh. “Alright, I’ll be in and out a couple times today to check on you and to get your discharge papers ready for tomorrow morning,” Dr. Edwards said as he scribbled in my chart. “Okay,” I replied. “See you in a bit,” Dr. Edwards said as he walked out of my room.

I turned to look at Nick. He was sitting in the chair just starring at me. He had the mischievous grin on his face. “Nickolas Gene Carter, what is up with that grin on your face,” I said smiling. “Oh nothing. Just thinking of what I’m gonna do to you when we get home,” he said. “Oh and what that might be,” I asked eyeing him back. “Oh, you’ll just have to wait and see,” Nick replied, “hey, we gotta call the guys and let them know that you’re going home tomorrow.” Nick picked up the phone and started to dial. AJ answered the phone, “Whassup?” “Hey Bone, it’s Frack,” Nick said. “Hey dude,” AJ replied. “Just wanted to let you guys know, Annie is being discharged tomorrow,” Nick said happily. “Really? That’s great, man,” AJ replied smiling, “so everything is okay now?” “Yeah, everything is fine,” Nick replied. “By the way Frack.. You’ve been getting some strange calls here. I’m assuming its Steve,” AJ said concerned. “Damn that asshole,” Nick mumbled so that I wouldn’t hear. “Shit, now I know it had to have been him who called the press,” Nick whispered into the phone, “Annie does not need this from him. Not now.” “Yeah, I hear ya man,” AJ replied. “Bone, did he leave any messages,” Nick asked. “Well, one message he was laughing then he hung up,” AJ replied. Nick shook his head. I had noticed it, “Babe, what’s wrong? Why are you shaking your head?” “It’s nothing Annie. AJ is just messing with me,” Nick replied with a smile to cover up his concern. “Oh, okay. Tell him to step-off,” I said laughing. I was unaware that Steve had been calling again. Nick didn’t want me to know and he was determined to take care of the situation himself with the help of the guys. “Alright then, Bone,” Nick said, “I’ll see you all tomorrow.” “Aiight man,” AJ said. Nick hung up the phone.

“Sweetie, how are we going to get past the reporters and fans downstairs,” I asked. “We’ll have to sneak out the basement. Its the only other way out where they can’t get to us,” Nick replied. I took a long gaze at Nick and motioned him to come to me, “Come here.” Nick approached my bed, “What?” I pulled him so that he was lying beside me, facing me. I was able to lie on my side at this point since the sutures were now healing. I brushed my hand against his face, “When we get home tomorrow, we are both gonna take a long, sensuous bath together. We’ll have strawberries dipped in chocolate with some sparkling apple cider, candles everywhere in the bathroom and the bedroom,” I said. “Mmmmmm, sounds very romantic,” Nick replied with a smile and sparkle in his blue eyes. “We’ll sprinkle rose petals all over the bed, burn some good smelling incense to set the mood and we are going to make love all night long and all day the next day,” I said. “Sounds like a plan,” Nick replied as he brushed his lips against mine. I can feel him getting excited and I was getting excited just the same.

Just then, the nurse walked in with our breakfast, “Okay you two, enough,” the nurse said smiling. We both laughed. “Mmmmmm, that smells good,” I said. “Special order by none other than your husband,” the nurse replied. I looked at Nick as he got up from my bed, “And what is for breakfast?” The nurse had exited our room. Nick lifted the covers from the plates, “Let’s see, eggs, hashbrowns, sausages, some fruit, milk, orange juice, coffee, toast,” Nick said. “Yummy,” I replied eyeing the plate. I was so hungry. I hadn’t really eaten anything since before the surgery and I could feel that my appetite was coming back with a vengeance. I sat up and threw my feet off of the side of the bed. Nick placed the napkin on my lap and gave me my first bite. He was such a sweety. It was just the little things that he did that made me smile.

We both polished off the last of the fruit. “Well, I guess we should start putting some of your stuff in the suite case now,” Nick said as he wiped his mouth with the napkin. “Yeah, lets do that,” I replied smiling. Nick helped me up out of bed. That was the first time I had actually gotten up to start walking around. Before then, I only got up to go to the bathroom and then back to bed. But this time, I was walking around the room. I was jotting around like a marathon runner. “Whoa, Annie! Slow down, babe,” Nick said worriedly smiling. “Why? I feel good,” I said. “Well, okay. You feel good but babe slow down a bit,” Nick said laughing. “Okay, okay,” I replied. We went ahead and started to pack my things.