Family Ties

Chapter 10

"Nick!" Mrs.Carter exclaimed clutching him in her arms. "I've missed you so much!"

Nick returned to her hug. "I've missed you, too, Mom." She led the family inside. "Hey, kids, how was the trip?"

"Great!" Aaron beamed. "Well, until I fell in the snow-"

"You FELL in the snow. How did you manage that?"

"Easily."

She turned to Angel. "And you?"

Angel crossed her arms. "Let's just say I have something I have to tell you."

Leslie shook her head. "You're gonna' love this, Mom. Definitely on my list of things to get at Christmas time."

Angel rolled her eyes. "Not funny!"

"Anyone home?" a voice called from the back.

"Dad!" Aaron shouted running to him at full speed.

The man lifted him over his shoulder. "Hey, what do you know? The clan made it in!"

He reached out to Nick. "Son! So glad to have you home this Christmas!"

Nick fought the tears that began to develop in his eyes. "Glad to be home, Dad."

Mr.Carter set Aaron to the ground turning his attention to his youngest daughter. "And do I get a hug from you?"

Angel wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "Sure!"

He faced Leslie who was standing at her mother's side. "And my other little girl?"

Leslie made her way over. Her father frowned. "Are you okay, sweetheart? Is something wrong?"

"No, Daddy."

"She might be getting a cold," Nick added.

Mrs.Carter applied her palm to her daughter's brow. "No fever. Are you feeling all right?"

"I'll be fine, Mama. I'm just sleepy."

"Why don't you go upstairs and lie down? I'll have Nick pack your luggage up later. After that scare you gave us this summer, I'm not taking any chances."

"Mom--"

"Leslie, don't argue with me."

She rolled her eyes starting up the staricase. "Yes, Mom."

*****


"Dad?" Nick asked turning away from the television set.

"Yes?"

"Why was Mom so worried about Leslie?"

"She felt guilty that she couldn't be with your sister this summer when she got sick. Even when Leslie got home your mother was still on tour with Aaron along with the other girls. It left Leslie, myself and the hundreds of animals this place showcases to ourselves. Your mom feels horrible that she was never really around for any of you, except BJ and twins after the Backstreet Boys. Considering, she always went with Aaron on tour- that left BJ and Angel to travel between tours with my company and hers, and Leslie normally with me."

"Is that why she's so close to you, Dad?"

"Oh, you noticed, too, huh? Your mother worries about it. She concerned that Leslie isn't close to her at all."

"I know the feeling, but it's great that Les has you. She trusts you, Dad. But Leslie's not the only one with relationships problems in this family. Hell, we all do! Business and family freakin' go hand in hand in this household."

Chapter 11