Two months later:
“Yo! Kate!" I heard Nick call. "There’s someone at the door for you!” I finished changing Aaron and ran down the stairs. Standing there with Nick were Brooke, Ashley, Drew, and Brooke’s boyfriend, Mike.
“Ohmigod!” I cried as I gave each of them a hug. “You guys are early! I thought I was meeting you at the airport later?” Brooke grinned:
“We ended up getting an earlier flight. Now, let me see this little guy.” I handed Aaron over to her:
“This is Aaron. And, Mike, this is Nick.” They shook hands as Brooke and Ashley fussed all over Aaron. Ashley took him from Brooke:
“He’s so adorable. God, Nick, he looks so much like you.”
“Unfortunately,” I said, sarcastically as I glanced at Nick. He made a face at me and took Aaron from Ash:
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on, little man. We gotta go see all the grandparents before I go to Bri’s.” He looked over at Drew and Mike:
“I’m going over my friend Brian’s after I drop this little guy off at my parents. Do you guys want to come? I’m sure you don’t want to hang out with the girls all night.” Drew and Mike looked at each other and shrugged:
“Sure!” They kissed their girlfriends and started to follow Nick out the door. I cleared my throat loudly:
“Ahem! Uh…Nick?” He turned around and walked back over to me:
“Sorry.” He kissed me gently:
“Love you.” I smiled:
“Love you too.” And then they were gone. I turned to Ash and Brooke:
“Well, the rest of the girls should be here in an hour or so. We can just hang around here until then.”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Nick walked into Brian’s with Mike and Drew following close behind. The rest of the BSB and my sister’s husband were already there.
“Guys, you remember Drew and this is Mike,” he said, introducing them to everyone. They all exchanged hello’s and AJ threw them each a beer. Nick eyed it carefully before handing it back to AJ:
“I don’t really think I should, man.” AJ gave it right back to him:
“Come on, Kaos. This is your last night as a free man. One night won’t kill ya!” Nick shrugged and cracked it open:
“Whatever.” The three of them sat down. Bri put his arm around Nick’s shoulder:
“So, how does it feel buddy? You ready?” Nick smiled dreamily:
“I’ve always been ready. I love her.” AJ wiped away a pretend tear:
“That’s just so sweet.” Everyone laughed. AJ took a bow:
“Seriously, though. You guys are practically married already. You live together. You sleep together. She gave birth to your child. This only makes it official.” Nick sighed:
“I still can’t believe it. Who knew a year ago that this is where we’d be today. A year ago, I didn’t care about anything. I didn’t even know she was pregnant with my kid. Let alone, if I’d ever talk to her again.” Brian patted him on the shoulder:
“You’re a lucky guy, Frack.” Everyone was quiet for a minute.
“Alright," Howie spoke up. "Enough sad talk, guys! Let’s get this party started right!” Nick laughed:
“So what’s on tap for the night?” AJ grinned evilly:
“Four words: Pizza, pornos, Corona, stripper.” Nick shook his head laughing:
“Just take it easy on me. Kate would definitely kill me if I passed out at the alter.”