“What time was her flight supposed to be in?” Brian asked as he and Nick raced through Tampa International. Nick checked the monitor to see where my gate was:
“About 45 minutes ago. She’s going to kill me.” I waited patiently outside of the gate for Nick to pick me up. I was going to kill him. I told him a million times last night when I talked to him to be there at 3:15. It was December 27th and I had gone home to Baltimore for Christmas. Nick and I were still living together and our relationship could not have been better. I had been a little apprehensive about moving in with him because we had been doing the long distance thing for so long. But there was no reason for my pensiveness. We were getting along so well. I really thought that Nick was the “one.”
I looked up and saw two familiar bodies dodging people as they ran through the airport. One short with dirty blond hair and the other, taller with a blond head. I giggled as they ran up to me all out of breath:
“Took you long enough!” Nick scooped me up in his arms and kissed me:
“I missed you so much, babygirl.” I rolled my eyes in Brian’s direction:
“I was only gone a week.” Nick put me down and kissed my forehead:
“One week too long. You’re spending Christmas with me next year.”
“Oh really, Mr. Carter?” I looked over at Brian:
“What? You didn’t miss me? I don’t even get a hug. God, some people.” Brian grabbed me and squeezed me tight:
“Oh god, Kate. I missed you so much. I can’t believe it’s only been a week since I’ve seen you.” I playfully punched him:
“Where’s the Mrs.?” He stuck his tongue out at me as we started making our way to Nick’s car:
“At Nick’s.” I sat and watched Nick as he put my bags in the car. Then I turned to Brian:
“So when ARE you going to ask her to marry you?” He stuck his tongue out at me again:
“When I’m good and ready, Miss Nosy.” I hopped in the front seat of Nick’s Durango:
“No need to get all bent out of shape over it.” Nick jumped in the driver’s seat and we were on our way back to his house.
When we pulled in the driveway, AJ’s, Kevin’s, and Howie’s cars were all there. I jumped out of the car and ran in the front door:
“Honey! I’m home!” AJ scooped me up in his arms:
“Damn girl. I missed you.” I giggled as Nick came in the house, dragging my suitcase:
“Oh baby. I missed you too.” I planted a light kiss on AJ’s lips, glancing in Nick’s direction. Nick coughed loudly:
“Hello?! Boyfriend present!” I laughed as AJ put me down and I walked in the living room:
“Hi boys and girls.” Howie’s girlfriend, Krystal, was there and so was Leighanne and Amanda, AJ’s girlfriend. Everyone said hello and we all sat down and started talking about the upcoming New Years Eve bash that AJ was throwing.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Later that night, Nick and I were at his parent’s house for dinner. Christmas was a rare time that their whole family was together, with Nick and Aaron touring and BJ modeling. As we all sat around the living room after dinner, I laughed at how Nick and Aaron were always goofing off. Seeing the two of them together, you never would’ve known that Nick was 21 years old. He didn’t act one second older than his youngest sibling.
BJ and I sat around talking about the boy situation nowadays. She looked at me, then Nick, and then me again:
“I don’t know how you put up with it.” I smiled at my boyfriend before looking at Beej:
“Put up with what?” She pointed at her older brother:
“THAT!! Look at him. He acts like he’s 12.” I giggled:
“I think it’s cute. He and Aaron just missed each other.” She rolled her eyes:
“It’s so nice when they’re not around….Just kidding.” Nick collapsed down on the couch in between us:
“Hey girls. Having fun yet?” I kissed his nose:
“Always.” Jane then walked in the room, holding a small package:
“Kate, we have a belated Christmas present for you.” I stood up:
“Aww! You didn’t have to do that.” She smiled at me:
“Don’t be silly. You’re as much a part of this family as these fools are.” I laughed as I unwrapped the present. It was an 8x10 framed picture of me and Nick, taken on the 4th of July. We were standing on their deck, Nick with his arms wrapped around me as we kissed and fireworks exploded in the sky. Tears sprung to my eyes as I hugged her:
“Thank you so much. You guys have been the best. You’re like my family away from my family.” She smiled at me:
“Anytime Kate. Hopefully soon, you’ll officially be a part of this family.” She glanced at Nick as she said that. He smiled and shrugged:
“Hey, you never know.” I giggled and Nick grabbed my hand:
“Well boys and girls, it’s getting late and Kate has to work in the morning.” I stuck my tongue out at him and then said goodbye to the rest of the Carter family.