Chapter Six

Aaron stirred his cocoa awkardly. "So, when's this meeting gonna' start?"

Nick turned his attention away from the phone call. "Right now. Angel, let's start with you...Why have you been so cranky lately? This isn't like you."

Leslie rolled her eyes. "Nick, why in the heck do you think?"

Nick blushed. "Oh, well....um..onto another question. Why don't you want to be in Aaron's video?"

"Why should have to go be in a video just to see Aaron? Why do Mom, BJ and me have to travel to foreign places?! Why can't you and Aaron be home more often? Then we all wouldn't have to be celebrities to have a family reunion! The only time I spent with you, Nick, was on Willa's tour! And that was because I did a modeling gig! If I hadn't done that- then I wouldn't have seen you at all the entire summer!"

By the time Angel had finished speaking she found herself yet again covered in tears.

Nick outstretched his arms. "Come here."

Angel threw herself into his arms sobbing. He lifted his head. "Is that how you feel, too, Lesta?"

"No."

"No?"

"No, I realize that performing is in your blood and you live for it. I would never want you to give that up. And Aaron- it's a lot of fun for him, he needs it and it helps him keep contact with you. That's important to him."

"What about you, Leslie? You've haven't told me how you feel."

"Abandoned."

"What?"

"You heard me. Have you seen Aaron's concerts, BJ music video and Angel's fashion show?"

The blonde nodded.

"Did you see me on the 'Nick' tour? When I opened for Aaron? Have you seen my music video? Have you heard what I've prepared for the album?"

"No, I haven't."

"Why not? Why didn't you ask me to go with you on tour?"

"I don't know."

"We're not close, Nick. We never will be."

"But, Leslie...."

"No! I don't want to be close. And I don't want your sympathy!"

Aaron stood. "Stop it, Leslie! It's not his fault!"

Nick rose his hand. "She's right, Aaron. It is. I was too busy with other things that I never really thought about it."

Angel clung to his side. "And you didn't come home at Christmas. Leslie and I had a present planned out for you, too. A photo album of us, since you always say how much we've grown each time you see us."

Nick cleared his throat. "You two get prettier everytime I see 'ya!"

"Which isn't very often," Leslie added.

Nick gazed at her features. She appeared pale and withdrawn. Angel took note of her brother's actions. "Come on, Aaron, let's go play video games!"

"But I wanna' tell Nick something!"

Angel grabbed his arm dragging him along. "You can tell him later!"

Nick shifted nervously from side to side sensing the tension that lye between the two. "Leslie, would you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Sing for me."

"Why?"

"Because I've waited way too long to hear you."

"What song?" she asked stepping in front of him.

"You pick."

She paused, then began. "Open up your heart to me, And say what's on your mind-"

Nick froze. She had such power and emotion. Emotion that he never knew existed in her voice. With each word she expressed a loving content and passion. She closed her eyes gently whispering the last lyric. "I really need you tonight- Oh-Oh..." She opened her baby blues to see Nick cheering wildly. The twins applauded from the doorway where they had been listening. The teen blushed. "It wasn't anything special...."

"Yes, it was!" her older brother debated hugging her tightly. "You've been holding out on everyone!"

Angel shook her head. "No, she hasn't. She been singing that great for a long time. And she likes to play the piano and write her own songs."

Nick laughed. "Damn, this family has it all!" He pointed to each family member as he spoke. "Nick-the Backstreet Boy, Aaron- the pint-sized rapper, BJ an actress with class, Angel our covergirl and the one and only diva Leslie! I say we start our own company. What do think, guys?" Nick faced his youngest sister who sat with her arms crossed. "What is it now, Angel?"

She smiled. "You said 'damn'. In the car, you told Aaron to watch his mouth- you're being a hypocrite."

Nick sighed. "Let me re-phrase my speech. Angel Carter-lawyer in training!"