Part 51
Becca paced the terminal, waiting anxiously for the plane to taxi to a stop. She hadn't planned on meeting Nick, but when he called and said they'd be on the DLF corporate plane, she decided to surprise him. They were arriving at a secluded part of Orlando International, so the chance of being swamped by fans was almost nonexistent. Finally the doors burst open as the weary travelers dragged their carry-on bags toward the parking lot.
Brian was first, and seemed to be in an unusual rush, blushing as AJ poked at his ribs and laughed. Next were Howie and Sarah, locked in their perpetual embrace, oblivious to everyone else. Last to deplane were Nick and Kevin. They hadn't spotted her yet, so she took the chance to stand back and watch the two of them. It was odd, they seemed closer than they'd been since the wedding. Kevin had been such a jerk since her return, and she knew Nick had been upset with him. And Kevin had been distant to Nick, too. She couldn't figure it out, but for their sakes she was happy to see them getting along once again. She knew how Nick felt about him, and in spite of the annoying big brother act, Nick really did value his opinion and it had hurt him when Kevin had been so nasty to her.
AJ spotted her first. "Becster!" he called out, dropping his bags and picking her up, swinging her around and around.
"You goof!" she shrieked.
"AJ, knock it off!" Nick said, coming to her rescue. "You're lucky the morning sickness is gone, dude."
"Eww! God, thanks for the warning. Nice to see you, Bec! Now maybe Nicky will stop moaning about missing you? God, he's pathetic. Whipped. That's it, he's pus-"
"Shut UP! God, do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Nick said, pulling Becca away from him.
AJ just laughed and wagged his eyebrows at Becca who giggled, shrugging her shoulders.
"Hey, baby," he said to Becca, his tone suddenly becoming soft and seductive.
AJ held his stomach and made gagging noises until Kevin whapped him on the back of the head.
"Have some respect, Bone," he chided, giving AJ a withering look.
"Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted," he sniffed, picking up his bags and heading for the door. "See you clowns on Sunday." He grinned, waving over his shoulder.
"Sunday? What's Sunday?" she asked.
"I invited the guys over, I hope that's ok. Just a hang around, do nothing day before the tour kicks off again."
"That's cool. Sarah and Howie will already be there. I told Howie they could crash there after the benefit. It’s silly for them to drive all the way back to Cocoa Beach. We can have a pajama party!" She grinned at his statement.
"Just don't wear the ones with all the damn buttons, ok?"
Blushing she said, "They don't fit anymore anyway, Nick."
Nick leaned in to kiss her, when Kevin cleared his throat. "You two might want to get a room, Nick, this is a little more than I need to be watching." He grinned as Nick smirked and Becca blushed an even deeper shade of red. Leaning over to whisper in Becca's ear he said, "It's ok, I already know you're 'doing it'. It's … umm … obvious."
Becca groaned as Nick hugged her tightly.
Kevin laughed. "I'm outta here. See you Sunday, ok? We'll talk then. And Nick? Thanks for today, I really mean that." Patting Nick on the back, he leaned closer and kissed Becca on the cheek. "We'll talk too, Bec."
She was so surprised that she didn't even tell him goodbye.
*****
Later that evening, she was stretched out on the couch as Nick rubbed her feet. Lately her ankles had been puffy, and she had chalked it up to the Florida humidity. She was glad to be home, but being pregnant in Florida in the middle of the summer definitely had its drawbacks. But, on the other hand, she had a hunky blonde god to rub her feet and her back and wait on her hand and foot. She sighed and smiled. Life was good.
"Feel better?" Nick asked from his chosen place on the floor.
"Mmmm, much."
"Thanks for coming to get me today, I missed you." He lay his head on her thigh.
"So I gathered. What was going on with Brian, anyway?"
Nick laughed. "He caught Sarah and Howie making love in the back of the plane."
"Oh god," she groaned. "Can't they control it in public? How embarrassing."
"Aw Bec, it's not so bad. Just wait till I get you on a plane the next time." He turned to face her, wearing that irresistible smile that never failed to melt her insides.
"No. I will never do that in public, Nick." She saw him grin again. "NO!" When he snickered she knew she was doomed. She closed her eyes and flopped back on the couch.
"I had a long talk with Kevin today," he said, suddenly serious.
"What about?"
"Why didn't you tell me what he'd said to you at Sarah's wedding?"
Becca sighed and struggled to sit up. Reaching out a hand to Nick, she was grateful when he helped pull her up. "Thanks," she said smiling.
Nick just looked at her, waiting for her answer.
"There wasn't any point, Nick."
"He hurt you."
"A little," she nodded. "But he was drunk and hurting, too." She saw Nick begin to get angry again. "No, stop it, Nick. You know how he feels about Sarah, right? He's still not completely over her. Hell, maybe he never WILL be, I don’t know. And then for me to just suddenly show up again, looking like this? It was a lot to deal with in one day. I just don't want it to interfere with what you have with Kevin."
"He doesn't deserve to have you on his side, Bec, you know that?"
"Everybody deserves a friend, Nick. Are you two ok?"
"Yeah. Yeah we are. We talked all the way home today about all of it. He apologized to me for the stuff he'd said and how he treated both of us."
"Good, Nick. I don’t want to come between the two of you."
"Bec, you're not. But you're my first priority now and you always will be. I think Kevin understands that. In another week and a half we'll be married, baby. That's where my energy will be spent from now on: on you and our family that we're making."
Becca reached out to run her fingers through his hair. "I love you, Nick."
"I love you too, Bec." Crawling up beside her, he held her close, enjoying the peace and quiet of being home and knowing that soon they'd be giving it up once again for life on the road. He couldn't help but worry about how she was going to handle the changes. In the space of a week she'd be taking on a husband, planning for the birth of the baby and suddenly becoming a very public part of his life. That part had never been easy for her, and it scared him more than suddenly losing his bachelorhood and all that went with it. He smiled against her hair. Damn is this what it's like to grow up? Cool, he grinned.