Chapter 22- Epilogue

May, 2001

Malia watched as Bryan finished cleaning out his office from the doorway. "Bryan, why did you do all of this?"

"Because."

"Because you're a jerk?! Geez.."

"I'm away from you and you should be happy.," He said.

Malia smiled, "I am happy Bryan. And I hope you're happy with you're new job though."

"I'm sure I will be."

She watched as his figure walked down the hallway and around the corner. She let out a breath of relief and smiled, finally, Bryan was gone. Nearly three months after the attempt to break up Nick and Malia; he was gone.

She slung her purse over her shoulder and went to go find Nick; he was in the studio with the other guys working on their new album. She was taking a mini-vacation, as in doing nothing with the music industry, before she would go back into the studio to work on a new album.

She found the studio and walked inside quietly. Nick looked up from inside the recording booth and smiled before waving slightly at her. She smiled back and nodded he head; his grin grew wider.

Finally, it was all over. Bryan was gone. Jason was way far away gone. And her and Nick were as together as before. She was still living in her condo and he was still in his house; although he was trying to convince her to move in with him. She declined each time; they hardly saw each other anymore anyways. Nick was always at the studio, she at home or at her mom's. And soon, Nick would be on tour while she was at home.

Nick finished about 6 o'clock and left with Malia. He took her hand and the two of them walked out and towards his car. "How'd it go today?," He asked as he manuevered the car onto the main street.

"Went good. I'm just glad he's gone."

"Me too."

"And now, I can whatever I want."

He smiled over at her, "So that means you can move in with me."

"Umm no."

"Lia!"

"Nick! We've talked about this countless times."

He sighed, "Okay, fine. Anyways, so..when we head out on tour, you comin' with us?"

"I'll probably join you sometimes but I'm not going to be there every second."

"Aww, damn, why not?"

"Shut up."

He smiled, "I'm just kidding. Just as long as you come out sometimes, it'll be all good."

"I know it will be."

He parked at his house and the two of them went around the back way and down to the beach. They both took off their shoes and went for their now daily walk down the beach. The sun was just beginning to set so the sky was a brillant orange/red. "I'm gonna miss doing this.," She said.

"Doing what?"

"Our nightly walks."

"Yeah..that's true..I will too."

He pulled her closer to him and put his arm around her shoulders and she put her arm around his waist. "Just think..nobody thought a 'pop romance' would last between us."

"Well for years they've been saying we were dating; when we weren't!"

He smiled, "I know, and then when we do start to date, everyone said it'd be over within a month; then two, then three.."

"I wish they'd just leave us alone sometimes."

"Me too.."

"Know what I was thinkin'?"

"What's that Lia?"

"Well...since everyone and their dog seems to know where we BOTH live..I was thinkin' of movin' to California...my brother's going to be going to USC in the fall and he could live with me."

"All the way in California? We'd never see each other then!"

She smiled and stopped walking, forcing him to stop as well. She pulled his waist closer to her and looked up at him, "What if I told you I wanted YOU to move with me?"

He leaned down, "I'd say I'd have to think about it..."

"I know..and plus, it's not all set in stone yet. Jacob may not even go to USC, it was just a possibility."

They resumed their walk, now holding hands. "I love you Malia."

"I love you too Nicky.."

He groaned, "Why do you insist on calling me that?!"

"Cause it's sexy honey!"

He laughed, "No it's not!"

"Yeah huh!"

"No way!"

She laughed and pulled away from him, "If you don't want me to call you that anymore; you'll have to catch me!"

He watched as she ran down the beach and let her get just enough ahead of him before he took off after her. She shrieked as he grabbed her and picked her up, taking her towards the incoming tide. "Nick! DON'T!"

"Awww..afraid the manicured nails'll get mess up!?"

"No! AHHHH! NIIIICKKK!," She squealed as he dropped her into knee-deep water.

She dragged him down until he was soaking wet as well. He laughed and pulled her in between his legs and wrapped his arms around her just as the sun completely set. "I love you."

She kissed him gently, "I love you too Nicky."

He grinned, and let the whole nickname thing go. It was kinda cute...coming from her at least.

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