Chapter One
"Emilie! I am pretty!" shrieked 2-year-old Clarissa Parker, as she twirled around in her snow white, lacey, and satin filled flower girl's dress.
"You're an angel!" Emilie patted her head, as she patted her on the head.
"Nick?" was Clarissa's response, and she ran to the front, screen door.
"Maybe," Emilie answered, and Clarissa squealed. She looked out the window, to see her finacee making his way up the Parker's cement walkway.
"Emilie, we should shorten her dress about two inches," the dressmaker, Arden Fionanni, told Emilie. "We don't want Clarissa to trip. Clarissa, come over here and stand on the chair!"
"No!" Clarissa snapped, as she grasped onto the front door.
"Clarissa," Arden said again, as Nick Carter came towards the door. He opened it slowly, and reached down to pick up Clarissa. He covered her face with butterfly kisses, and then plopped a quick kiss on Emilie's forehead.
"Hi!" Nick smiled at them all, as he put Clarissa down.
"Isn't my dress pretty?" Clarissa swirled around for him, and Nick nodded.
"You look beautiful," Nick answered, and Clarissa beamed.
"Okay Clarissa, Arden wants to hem the skirt," Emilie said, as she took Clarissa's hand. She took her hand, and helped her back up onto the stool.
"How was your day?" Nick asked Emilie, as he sat down beside Clarissa on the floor.
"Busy," Emilie answered. "Arden's been here since one o'clock. Naomi just left, and Mom's been in and out. She decided to go grocery shopping, and take the twins with her."
"Sounds like fun," Nick smiled, and Emilie winked back. "AJ called. He wants to have a few people over for some drinks. I told him that you and I might just stay in."
"We can go to AJ's," Emilie nodded, as Arden stood up.
"Well, that's it," Arden put her pins and thread into her sewing box. "I'll have all the dresses done by next week. Your dress is almost done."
"Sounds great," Emilie nodded, as she stood up. "Thanks Arden. Give me a call when everything's ready to be picked up."
"Not a problem," Arden nodded, as she helped Clarissa take off her dress. "So, it's next Saturday, right?"
"Yes," Emilie replied, as she placed some plastic over Clarissa's dress.
"Where is the reception again?" Arden wanted to know.
"In the restaurant at the Cinderella Castle," Emilie answered, and Arden nodded.
"How did you manage that?" Arden asked, her eyes widening n surprise.
"I called in a few favours," Nick answered with a grin, and Arden nodded, smiling.
"Sounds fun," Arden smiled, and she headed towards the front door. Emilie went to help her out, and came back to see Clarissa sprawled on the floor, sleeping.
"She was asleep as soon as Arden took her dress off," Nick whispered, as he sat beside Clarissa, and gently stoked her forehead.
"She missed her nap today because Arden came over," Emilie whispered back, as she kneeled down beside Nick. "I'm going to put her into her bed."
"I'll carry her," Nick offered, and he gently reached down to carry her. He followed Emilie into the foyer, and up the gigantic, sprawling hallway stairs that were made of grey marble. Emilie went to the right, and headed straight into Clarissa's bedroom. Nick saw the nearly painted walls that were lined with teddy bears and rainbows. Emilie walked over to Clarissa's bed, and she took the covers down. Nick gently laid her on the bed, and Emilie gently placed the covers over Clarissa. She leaned down, and kissed her forehead.
"Let's go," Emilie whispered, and Nick and her tiptoed softly out of the room.
"She was tired," Nick observed, as Emilie slowly shut the door.
"Yeah, she was," Emilie agreed. "All this wedding excitement has gotten to her."
“It’s gotten a bit to me to,” Nick whispered into her ear, as he pulled her into his arms. They stood in the hallway, right near the front staircases, and Nick looked into Emilie’s light blue eyes.
“I hope nothing bad,” Emilie looked at him, a bit worried.
“Of course not,” Nick reassured her, as he kissed her forehead. “I’m excited because I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“So am I,” Emilie whispered back, as she took his hand. “I would have ever thought we would be getting married.”
“I did,” Nick told her, as they walked down the stairs, hand in hand. “It was like the minute I saw you. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Really?” Emilie asked, as her eyes welled up with tears. “That’s awesome!”
“Well, I love ya Em,” Nick kissed her lips lightly, and smiled at her. “Anyway, so you want to see Bone then?”
“Yeah, that would be awesome,” Emilie agreed, as they went into the kitchen. “Want a drink?”
“I’ll just have some pineapple juice, if you’ve got any,” Nick suggested, and Emilie started reaching for the refrigerator, but she stopped, when she saw one their cooks, Rosa, run into the kitchen.
“Miss. Emilie, what can I get you?” Rosa gushed, as she approached the fridge.
“That’s okay Rosa,” Emilie replied. “Nick and I were just getting a quick drink.”
“No, allow me,” Rosa chimed in, as she opened it. “What would you like?”
“Pineapple juice,” Nick shrugged his shoulders, as Emilie gave him an aggravated Look.
“Thanks Rosa,” Emilie thanked her, and she took the drinks Rosa had poured, and followed Nick out onto the pool deck.
“What’s wrong?” Nick questioned, as he slipped on his silver sunglasses, and sat by the pool.
“Rosa is,” Emilie answered, and Nick looked at her confused. “No, Rosa’s nice, but I hate all this royal treatment. I don’t like people to do things for me.”
“Well Em, did u tell your parents?” Nick asked, and Emilie shook her head.
“My parents need the help, especially with seven kids, but still,” Emilie replied, and Nick stroked her arm.
“Well, we don’t have to have any servants at our house,” Nick said. “I mean, my house, which is going to be our house soon.”
“Nick, I thought you were going to sell your house,” Emilie pointed out. “You know I want to be close to my family here in Orlando.”
“Emilie, it’s up for sale,” Nick assured her, and she nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s just I’m going to miss that house a lot. That is where, you know, we did it.”
“I know,” Emilie whispered, looking off into the distance. “Nick, I can’t believe I gave in. I wanted to wait until our wedding night, so it was special.”
“Emilie, it was special,” Nick assured her. “I mean, it was nice.”
“It was nice, but I’m scared,” she looked at him, and Nick raised his eyebrow. “I’m late.”
“I thought you were on the pill?” Nick asked her, shocked.
“Not yet,” she told him. “Nick, I didn’t think we would do it until after we were married, so I put it off.”
“I know Em,” Nick sighed, and he saw tears well up in her eyes. “Em, it’s been four weeks, almost five. Have you a pregnancy test?”
“No,” she moaned, and Nick stood up, and went to sit beside her. “I’m so scared about what it’s going to say!”
“Well, if you are, that’s wonderful,” Nick told her, as he wiped away her tears. “I love you and you love me. We’re getting married. Why not start a family early?”
“Yeah, but what the group and my schooling?” Emilie asked, and Nick looked at her.
“Well, when you’re not in school, you and the baby can come on tour with us,” Nick suggested, and Emilie nodded. “And then, while you’re at school, I’ll watch our child.”
“Well, my parents are going to be disappointed,” Emilie added, and Nick shook his head.
“No they won’t,” Nick assured her. “Your parents will be overjoyed as will mine. Look Em, we’re both mature enough to get married and live together. We are financially secure. Why not?”
“I don’t know,” Emilie shook her head, as Nick stood up.
“Look, I’ll run to the store and buy some pregnancy tests,” Nick commented, and Emilie nodded. “You keep an eye on Clarissa and I’ll be back soon.” He kissed her once more, and then headed out towards his Prowler. Emilie stood up, and watched him go, terrified to death…
*****************************************
“Martinis and tequilas?” AJ McLean, asked his fiancée Amanda Latona. “That’s all you want to make?”
“Well, this is a beach party,” Amanda answered, as she shuffled through some of AJ’s CD’s. “Let’s see, we have beach music, a volleyball net, some Hawaiian leis, and lots of ocean and sand. Why not?”
“Don’t forget the pizza,” AJ laughed, and Amanda grinned at him. “That’s not to Hawaiian, but hey, pizza rocks!”
“Why not get Hawaiian pizza with pineapples?” Amanda suggested, as she pushed a stray lock of her black hair out of her eyes.
“Gross,” AJ wrinkled his nose. “Order one pizza and then the rest all different.”
“Sounds good,” Amanda nodded, as she picked up the phone, and dialed the local pizzeria. The doorbell rang, and AJ sprinted to open it. He opened it to see Howie standing there with a bottle of wine.
“Hi Sweet D,” AJ let him in, and gave him a quick brotherly hug. “What’s the wine for?”
“Nick and Emilie,” Howie answered, as he took off his leather jacket, and AJ saw his parents were bloodshot with tears.
“What’s wrong?” AJ asked him, and Howie shook his head.
“Dalilia and I broke up,” Howie answered, and AJ looked at him in shock.
“What? When?” AJ asked, and Howie sat down on AJ’s black leather couch.
“A couple of days ago,” Howie replied, sighing. “She told me that she couldn’t handle the distance anymore and that she wasn’t ready to commit to someone.”
“In other words, she met someone else,” AJ blurted out, and Howie nodded miserably.
“Ten pizzas will be there by eight o’clock,” Amanda said, as she walked into the living room. “Hi Howie! How’s it going?”
“Hi Amanda,” Howie offered her a small smile, as they saw the front door slam open.
“Nick! What are you doing?” AJ questioned him, as the three of them looked at him surprise.
“I’m so scared,” Nick gushed out, as he collapsed on the couch.
“About what?” AJ wanted to know.
“Emilie and the baby,” Nick stuttered, and three pairs of eyes opened in shock.
“Whose baby?” Howie wanted to know.
“My baby, maybe,” Nick answered, and AJ burst out laughing.
“Your baby? Nice joke Nick!” AJ laughed again, and Nick looked at him with tears in his eyes.
“He’s serious AJ,” Amanda snapped at him, and she sat down, and put a hand on Nick’s arm.
“Wow!” Howie’s mouth dropped open. “What does Emilie say about this?”
“She’s scared what everyone’s going to think,” Nick answered, and they all nodded. “I’m scared about other things though.”
“Wait though, aren’t you happy about this?” Amanda asked, and Nick nodded.
“Hell yeah,” Nick agreed. “I love Emilie and this is probably the most wonderful thing that could happen, but I’m scared.”
“Scared about what?” AJ asked, as Amanda stood up.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go home,” Amanda told them. “Mom’s having some relatives over and she needs my help. AJ, pick me up at seven, and Nick, good luck!”
“Bye,” they waved, as AJ gave her a quick hug and a kiss. Amanda grabbed her car keys, and quickly left AJ’s house, leaving Nick with Howie and AJ.
“I’m scared about not being able to be a good enough father or husband,” Nick replied.
“Nick, that’s understandable,” Howie nodded his head. “Brian and Kevin went through that as well.”
“Well, I’d better go,” Nick stood up. “I have to go get some pregnancy tests for Emilie.”
“Want one of us to go with you?” AJ suggested, and Nick shook his head.
“Emilie and I should learn this on our own,” Nick replied, as he headed to the door. “I’ll let ya know when I find out the results.”
“Okay,” Howie nodded, as AJ patted his shoulder. Nick headed out the door, leaving AJ and Howie, staring at him in shock.
“That’s crazy,” AJ exclaimed, as he sat down beside Howie on the couch.
“Well, here comes Backstreet Baby number one,” Howie nodded.
“Yeah, and I thought Brian would be first,” AJ commented, and Howie nodded. “But Nick and Emilie? Utterly insane!”
“Well, the one thing though is that kid is going to always be protected,” Howie told AJ and AJ nodded.
“Definitely,” AJ agreed, and they smiled at each other…
Nick walked into the local Seven Eleven, with sunglasses and a hat on. He didn’t want anyone recognizing him because if they found out what he was picking up, it would be the biggest scandal of the century. Nick went to a close by aisle, and couldn’t help but feel a few teenaged girls, casting their eyes on him. He quickly found about four pregnancy tests and headed towards the cashier. He plopped them down on the counter and the guy behind the counter smiled at him.
“Got your girl knocked up?” the guy winked, as he scanned the items.
“No, my fiancée might be pregnant,” Nick answered hotly.
“Oh, interesting,” the guy teased him, as Nick handed him a twenty dollar bill. He quickly grabbed his change, and the bag, and ran to his Prowler. He popped in, and reversed in gear. He sped all the way to Emilie’s house, and sighed in relief as he noticed only Emilie’s car was in the driveway. He parked, and headed into the mansion.
“Emilie?” he yelled, and he saw her appear through the parlor room.
“AJ called,” Emilie told him. “He wanted to know how everything was.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Nick apologized. “I was just confused…”
“Nick, it’s okay,” Emilie assured him. “I don’t mind you told Howie and AJ.”
“Okay,” Nick breathed a sigh of relief, and Emilie came over to give him a reassuring hug.
“Nick, I’m sorry you’re so scared,” Emilie whispered into his ear. “But, I know you’ll make a wonderful father and an even better husband. You don’t have a thing to worry about.”
“Okay,” Nick nodded, and he pulled her into another hug. “This is only one of the reasons I love you so much.”
“Same here,” she kissed his lips. “Now, let’s try this.” She reached for the bag, and Nick handed it to her.
“There’s one thing I want to say though,” Nick told her, as she looked into his baby blue eyes. “I don’t care what the outcome of this test is, but I would love you the same no matter what the results are.”
“Thanks Baby,” Emilie whispered back, as tears appeared in her eyes. Nick brushed them away, and took her hand. He followed her upstairs, and she went to her bedroom. Nick followed her, and she went into the bathroom. Nick waited on her bed, and glanced at the pictures she had on her nightstand. He waited for about five minutes, and then Emilie reappeared at the door with the test.
“We have to wait two minutes,” Emilie told him, and Nick nodded. They waited anxiously, and Emilie asked Nick to look at the results.
“Omigod!” Nick cried, as Emilie looked with surprised eyes. He walked over to her, and sat down beside her. He took his hand, and gently stroked her stomach. “Hello Baby. You’re going to have one amazing mother.” Emilie didn’t say anything, but just gave Nick a special smile…
