Andy was leaning over the sink pealing the potatoes when Nick waled in. She was so engrossed in what she was doing she didn't hear him enter the kitchen. She turned to yell after Aaron and almost collided with him on him way top the refrigerator, "Aar... ah... You're home early."
Nick gave her a small smile, at least, Andy thought it might have been a smile, she couldn't tell because of the cap he had pulled down over his eyes, "It went faster then I thought."
He grabbed a coke can from the refrigerator but Andy stopped him, "We're going to eat in just a minute, you odn't want to ruin your dinner."
She went back to pealing the potatoes and Nick looked at the aluminium can in his hand and back at Andy's profile. He finally sat the can back down in the refrigerator and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Do you need any help?" he asked quietly?
"You can start making the salad. The stuff is already out on the counter." Nick started towards the head of lettuce but Andy stopped him once again. "Wash your hands first." Nick looked at her and then went to the sink to do as she had said. Sha was pealing the potattoes vigorously and didn't notice the way he watched her before turning on the water. She handed him the towel and then he went back to the task he had tried to start before. Aaron and Angel came running thru just then on their way out to play with the dog, "Guys! Please, can you set the table?"
Aaron stopped and looked at her and then at the door to the outside world, "Do we have to?"
Andy was about to say they didn't when Nick spoke instead, "If you plan to eat then come set the table like Andy asked. You can play outside later."
"Ahh, man." Aaron complained as he started getting plates and napkins out.
"If we hurry do we still have time to play outside before dinner?" Angel asked helping her brother by getting the silverware.
"I see no reason why not." Andy answered as she cut the potatoes and put themin a pan on the stove.
Nick was almost done making the salad when he realized he hadn't seen his older two sisters or Monica," Where is everyone?" he asked.
"Leslie is over at a friend's slumber party, and B.J. and Monica went to the store to get ilk and butter." Andy said heading out to check the meat on the grill. She came back in a few minutes later with several sirloin steaks.
"Those smell great, where did you learn to cook like that?" Nick asked eyeing the meat.
"My mom, she was a terrific cook."
Nick caught the word 'was' but didn't say anything. The last time she had said that he found out her best friend died of cancer, could something have happened to her mom as well? In a matter of minutes B.J. and Monica were back from the store. Andy finished the mashed potatoes and everyone sat down to eat.
Monica said something to Nick that Andy didn't hear, he nodded, and removed the ball cap. His hair was a mess. B.J. and Andy tried not to laugh but it was no use. Nick turned red and ran his fingers thru his hair. Andy sat across from him and it was the first time she actually saw him have a complete conversation. He seemed more relaxed and even asked her a few qustions now and then. Things were getting along nicely, and Andy started to think that the Carter's were a very interesting family.
**
"He likes you."
"What?" Andy asked as she and B.J. were getting ready for bed. Nick and Aaron were sharing a room, and Angel was sleeping with Monica. B.J. has been assigned to the couch, or the floor but Andy said she didn't have a problem sharing a room.
"He is becoming more comfortable around you. That's a good thing. He usually doesn't always like my friends."
Andy didn't say anything. Nick was... well... She didn't know what she thought of him. He leaves, acting like she is from another planet and comes back to act like she has rabies or something. Not quite as bad as before, but not normal. If this was normal for Nick Carter, she would hate to see what unnormal was.
**
Andy woke sometime in the middle of the night to hear someone in the bathroom. She got up to see who it was and found Aaron throwing p. She grabbed a wash of cloth out of the cabinet, wet it, and handed it to him when he was finished. He moaned a thank you and wiped of his face, "Andy..... supper... was real good.... but it's... really gross... coming up."
Andy pushed the hair away from his forehead and smiled," I know, buddy. You think you're finished?"
Aaron shook his head and within minutes he was throwing up again. Andy patted him on the back and rinsed him wash rag for him. After a several minutes Aaron said he thought he was finished, "Why don't you go lay down on the couch."
"Okay..." Aaron mumbled and stumbled off. Andy cleaned up the bathroom and headed into the living room grabbing a blanket out of the hall closet as she went.
She draped the blanket over him, "Still feel bad?"
"Uh huh.... but I want something to drink."
"Okay, hold on a second." She padded into the kitchen and looked thru the refrigerator. She found a half-empty 2-liter of 7up and poured a small glass. She took a tupperware bowl out of the cabinet and went back into the lliving room.
She handed the glass to Aaron, which ha drank and sat the bowl down on the coffee table, "What's that for?" he asked.
"In case you need to upchuck again and can't make it to the bathroom."
"Oh... Can I play Nintendo?"
Andy looked at him, "I thought you were sick."
Aaron make a moaing sound, "Andy, I'm rally saick, but I think Nintendo will cure me."
Andy laughed, "I don't care , just don't wake up the whole house."
"Will you play with me?"
"Sure." she said flipping on the TV and turning the Nintendo on. They played for several minutes before Aaron reached for the bowl and the 7up appeared once more.