Survivor
Chapter 23
Nick stalked over to a fallen tree and kicked the snow off of it. He sat down in a huff and propped his chin on his hands. Bailey walked to a rock a few feet away and sat down, her arms and legs crossed. Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
"You know he's not gonna take us home if he comes back and we're not speaking," Nick grumbled.
Bailey rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Bailey, look at me," Nick said. Bailey refused to comply, and she looked down at the snow on the ground. She knew if she looked at him, she might crumble.
"Fine," Nick snapped. He stood up and stomped around in the snow, waiving his arms as he spoke. "If you wanna be pig-headed and stubborn, you just go right ahead. If you can't see how much I love you... after everything I've done to try to make up with you... well, I guess there's nothing else I can do is there? If you want to be daddy's baby for the rest of your life, and believe everything he says, even when he doesn't believe YOU, that's your problem. But just remember, I never lied to you, Bailey Townsend. Never. I've never said one word to you that wasn't true. You know that. You believed me when I said I loved you. I don't understand why you can't believe me when I say that nothing happened between me and Pam. And I would never have invited her into my room. I wanted it to be you, baby. I wanted it to be you. I was hoping..."
His voice trailed off at the end of his tirade, and he sat back down.
"Daddy's baby?" Bailey said in disbelief, her eyes narrowing. "Um... Hello Kettle, this is Pot... you're black."
"What are you talking about?" Nick asked, very confused. The cold must be getting to her, he thought. She's losing it.
"You, of all people can't make a statement like that, Nick Carter. I've read all the old articles about you and your mom. You couldn't even take a whiz without asking her permission, her opinion on the matter, and her writing a tell-all book about your bathroom habits. So don't even come at me with that daddy's baby crap," Bailey said, glaring at him.
"Touche'," Nick said. "But... I put that behind me a few years ago, Bailey. I decided to grow up. I still love my mom, but I realized I can't go through life trying to please her. I decided to be my own person, and make decisions for myself. And I'm a lot happier now. Maybe you should try it."
Bailey huffed, and turned away from him. The sun was getting low in the sky, and it was getting very cold. Bailey could see her breath billowing out like smoke, and she began to shiver. Nick walked around with his hands on his hips, mumbling to himself. Bailey thought about what Nick had said. It was true. He had never lied to her before. She had never even thought that he was capable of lying to her before that horrible night. The thought had never crossed her mind. But Pam... Pam had lied to everybody since day one. Bailey was struck with the sudden realization that she was actually taking PAM'S word over Nick's. Nick... who had loved her so much he had actually gotten on his knees in front of a roomful of strangers at a party and apologized to her for something he... didn't even do. Bailey suddenly felt ashamed of herself. How could she have believed PAM over her Nicky? What a fool she had been... How could he still care for her after what she had done to him? Could he possibly still love her after she had been so horrid to him? She watched him pacing with a scowl on his face, and tears burned in her eyes. He glanced over and saw her watching him. He stopped pacing and looked into her eyes for a few seconds before joining her on the rock. He sat close, but not too close. He didn't touch her for fear that she'd recoil from him. That would hurt too much.
"Nick," Bailey said quietly, "do you still love me?"
"Bailey," Nick sighed, exasperated, "why do you think we're here? Of course I love you. I love you more than anything in the world. I'd do anything for you. And I'd do anything to make you love me again, because I think, at one time, you did."
"I still do," she whispered, afraid to look at him.
"You do?"
"Yes," she said, as the tears spilled down her cheeks. She turned and quickly embraced him. He slowly put his arms around her and closed his eyes. "Nicky, I'm so sorry I didn't believe you. I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am."
"It's ok, baby," Nick soothed, stroking her soft hair and inhaling her scent. Tea Rose... he never thought he'd smell that scent again... he missed it so much.
"Do you forgive me?" Bailey asked. "For being an idiot, I mean."
"Of course I do," Nick murmurred. "We all have our blonde moments."
"So are we ok?" she asked, pulling back and resting her forehead against his, staring into his blue eyes.
Nick smiled and kissed her nose. "I think we will be."
"I'm freezing," Bailey said, her teeth beginning to chatter. "Do you think Kevin'll be back soon?"
"I hope so," Nick said, opening his coat. He wrapped it around Bailey, pulling her inside and holding her against his warm body. She rested her head against his chest, and listened to his heartbeat through his sweatshirt. It felt so good to be back in his arms again. She couldn't imagine being without him ever again.
An hour later, just as the sun was setting, Kevin pulled up and rolled down the window.
"Are you two knuckle-heads finished arguing, or do I need to leave you out here overnight?" he chuckled.
"We're good," Nick said, smiling.
"Good," Kevin said, as he hopped out and climbed into the back seat. "You drive."
Bailey and Nick held hands all the way back to the campus. Nick parked the car and followed Bailey up the sidewalk of the sorority house. Neither of them saw Jakob crossing the street from the Kappa Alpha house with a very irritated expression on his face.
"Hey dipshit!" Jakob growled, walking up behind Nick. "I thought I told you to leave Bailey alone!"
"Aw fuck," Nick muttered, as he turned to face Jakob. The two men were just about the same height, although Jakob was easily 40lbs heavier than Nick.
"Jakob, go home," Bailey said, trying to step between them. "Nick and I worked out our differences. Your services aren't needed, thank you." Nick gently moved her aside and stared straight into Jakob's angry eyes.
"Bailey, this guy's a prick. You need to dump his worthless ass and get a real man. Or better yet, let me kick his ass, and then you won't have to worry about him anymore." Jakob snarled.
"Jake, go back to the frat house," Nick said, smirking. "You need to realize that your presence isn't needed or wanted right now."
"Oh is that right? Well, how about I beat your pansy little ass," Jakob said, stepping up to Nick, so close their chests were almost touching.
"This is ridiculous," Bailey cried. "Nick, come with me. Jakob, go home!"
"I don't think so," Nick said, standing toe-to-toe with Jakob.
"Nick! He'll kill you!" Bailey wailed.
"Nah. That's doubtful," Nick snorted, giving Jakob a little push backwards.
Jakob drew back and started to swing at Nick, but Nick caught his fist and returned with a sharp uppercut to Jakob's jaw, sending the quarterback flying. Jakob stood up and tackled Nick, his shoulder hitting Nick square in the stomach. Nick's breath was knocked out of him momentarily as Jakob fell on top of him on the ground. Nick rolled Jakob over and socked him in the eye. They continued to roll around on the grass in the front yard of the sorority, as the girls in the house ran to the windows to see what was happening.
"Oh shit!" Meaghan screamed. "Jakob and Nick are fighting!"
Leslie and Bret were studying in the living room, and Bret jumped up to see what was going on. He ran out into the front yard and pulled Bailey back to safety.
"Bret, stop them!" Bailey screamed.
"I'm not getting in the middle of that!" Bret exclaimed, knowing that both guys were much bigger than he was, and that Nick was actually holding his own against Jakob.
Kevin sat up in the backseat of the car to see what was taking Nick so long. He saw Nick and some guy rolling around on the front lawn, and he scrambled out of the car.
"NICKY!" Kevin yelled. "What the fuck?"
"They're fighting over Bailey," Leslie squealed from the front porch.
"Nick, stop it!" Kevin demanded. He stomped over and pulled Jakob roughly off of Nick. Jakob turned and punched Kevin right in the ribs, knocking the wind out of him. Kevin stumbled back, clutching his chest.
He walked over to the porch and sat down on the steps, trying to get his breath back. Bailey ran to him.
"Kevin, are you ok?" she cried, knowing that he had broken several ribs in the crash.
"I'll be ok. Just give me a minute," he gasped. He was pale, and a thin layer of sweat was forming over his forehead.
"Leslie, call the paramedics!" Bailey screamed.
"No. I'm fine," Kevin said, painfully.
"Stop talking," Bailey ordered.
"Oh you've done it now, fuckhead," Nick yelled, tackling Jakob. He punched the cheesy frat boy several times in the face, then got up to see about Kevin. Jakob laid on the ground, staring up at the sky, and trying to remember the license plate of the truck that had just run over him.
"Kev, you ok, man?" Nick asked, lifting Kevin's chin.
"Yeah. I think so," Kevin said, still trying to catch his breath. "You did good, Nicky."
"I guess it was all those years of fighting with you and AJ, huh?" Nick laughed.
"Guess so," Kevin said, trying to smile. He squeezed his eyes shut in pain. He knew at least one of his ribs was broken again.
A few minutes later, the paramedics arrived and took Kevin to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had re-broken two ribs. They kept him overnight for observation due to his recent bout with pneumonia.
"I'm gonna stay with him," Nick told Bailey, as they sat in Kevin's room. Kevin was sleeping and, thankfully, had been given something for pain.
"Ok," Bailey said, kissing his lips. "I'm going home. Call me later, ok?"
"Ok. I love you, baby," Nick said, looking up at her.
"I love you, too, Nicky," Bailey said, smiling. She walked over and kissed Kevin's cheek lightly, then pushed a lock of his dark hair out of his face.
************************************
The next day, Nick and Kevin stopped by the sorority house to see Bailey before they headed back to Atlanta. Brian and Leighanne were going to be taking care of Kevin again, much to Kevin's chagrin. They made their way up to Bailey's room and knocked.
"Come in," she called. They entered the room, and found Bailey packing a box of books. Her pale blonde hair was piled up on top of her head, and she was wearing sweats.
"Hey guys," she said, looking up at them with a bright smile on her face. "How are you feeling, Kevin?"
"I've been better," he laughed, then winced in pain as he put a hand over his ribs.
"I'm so sorry about yesterday," she said, hugging him gently. "It's all my fault."
"No it's not, darlin," Kevin said, hugging her back. "It was that stupid moron frat boy's fault."
"Are you going to press charges?" Bailey asked, looking up at Kevin.
"Nah," he replied, shaking his head. "I should have known better than to get involved."
Bailey nodded, then looked at Nick. A slow smile crossed her lips and she walked to him.
"Hey baby," she said, in her best little girl voice.
"Hey sweetheart," he said, putting his arms around her waist.
"Guess what I did?" she said, smiling up at him.
"What did you do?"
"I told daddy that we got back together, and that I believe your version of the story. I also told him that if he stays married to Pam, I won't be coming home anymore. I also told him I'm quitting the interior design program, and I'm going to nursing school," Bailey said. Nick detected a little note of sadness in her voice.
"What did he say?" Nick asked quietly.
"He cut me off," Bailey answered, looking down. "He's not paying for anything I do anymore. I'm on my own."
"What are you gonna do?" Nick asked, hugging her tightly.
"Well... I put in an application at the hospital this morning for a unit secretary position. If I'm going to be on my own, I've got to have a job. I don't know how I'm going to pay for school, but I'll find a way. I'm going to do this, Nick. I'm going to have my own life, away from daddy, and I'm going to make my own decisions," she said, her eyes set with determination.
"Oh baby, I'll take care of you," he said, kissing the top of her head.
"No, Nick. Let me do this on my own, ok? Let me try. I've never been on my own before. I've always depended on somebody to take care of me. I think I can do this. No, wait... I know I can do this."
Nick nodded. "Ok. But don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I love you, and I'd do anything for you."
"I know you would," she said, hugging him.
"Are you packing or something?" Kevin asked, looking over at the boxes.
"Yep. I can't afford to live here anymore. Leslie and I are moving into an apartment with two other girls, so it won't be so expensive. I'm quitting the sorority, too. I can't afford to pay $150 a month for dues," Bailey said, sadly.
"Baby, at least let me pay your sorority dues for you," Nick said. "These girls are your friends. You don't have to give them up."
"Nick," Bailey laughed, "if they're my friends, they'll still love me whether I'm in the sorority or not. I don't have to buy my friends. Just look at you and Kevin. You're my friends, and I didn't have to buy you."
"True. And Leslie. She's your friend," Nick agreed.
"Yep. She loves me no matter what."
"She's not the only one," Nick said, smiling. "You did all of this for me. I can't believe it."
"No," Bailey said, shaking her head. "I did it for me."
"You never cease to amaze me, Bailey Brooks Townsend," Nick said, kissing her lips softly.
*******************************************
TWO YEARS LATER
The New Year's Eve wedding of Bailey Brooks Townsend and Nickolas Gene Carter was the social event of the season. All of Nashville's elite were present, as well as an ecclectic mix of musicians, artists, and Hollywood's finest. The packed church was decorated to the hilt in magnolias and red roses.
"Come here and let me straighten your tie," Kevin said to Nick, who was staring out the window.
"Huh?"
"Nick, come here," Kevin repeated. He smiled as Nick slowly realized that someone was speaking to him.
"Oh, sorry," Nick said.
"You're not nervous or anything, are you, dawg," Kevin laughed.
"Me? Nah," Nick laughed. Kevin straightened Nick's tie and smoothed down his jacket.
"Don't sit down anymore," Kevin said. "You're wrinkling your pants."
"Ok," Nick said absentmindedly.
AJ walked into the room with a broad smile across his face. "You've got a damned beautiful bride, Nicky."
"You saw her?" Nick asked excitedly.
"Oh yeah," AJ said, nodding. "She's gorgeous."
"She's always gorgeous," Brian laughed.
"True, but she's exceptionally gorgeous tonight," AJ said. "Just wait."
*****************************
"Bailey, stop peeking," Leslie chastised, as Bailey peeked into the santuary for the four hundredth time in the past twenty minutes.
"I can't help it," Bailey whined. "I'm ready to get this show on the road."
"I know you are, honey, but just calm down," Leslie laughed.
Bailey's cell phone rang, and she jumped to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby," Nick said quietly.
"Hey you," she replied, smiling.
"Hey, what do you say we get married tonight?"
"Hmmm... well, I don't have anything else to do tonight. I guess that'd be ok," Bailey giggled.
"Great. It's a date then. How about you meet me at midnight at the First United Methodist Church. I'll be the one standing down at the altar in the tux," Nick laughed softly.
"Ok," Bailey laughed. "Nicky, I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
*******************************
Bob Townsend pulled the veil down over Bailey's face as they stood alone behind the closed doors to the sanctuary. He had changed his decision to hate Nick very soon after he caught Pam with Miguel, the pool boy. Now, the two men were as close as father and son, and Bob was very pleased that he and Bailey were getting married.
"You look beautiful, honey," Bob said, smiling at his only daughter.
"Thank you, daddy. You look very handsome," Bailey replied, her hands shaking as she picked up her bouquet.
"He'll make you very happy. I know he will."
"I know he will, too," Bailey agreed. "He's a wonderful man."
Bob nodded. "He'll take good care of you."
"I can take care of myself, daddy," Bailey laughed. Bob knew she was telling the truth. She had refused to let him take care of her anymore after he had cut her off, even though he had relented less than a week later. She had completed nursing school on her own, and was going to start on her Master's degree in the fall.
"I know you can, honey," Bob said, kissing her cheek. "Well, are you ready?"
"You have no idea how ready I am," Bailey laughed.
The chimes on the roof of the church tolled 12 times, signalling midnight... The New Year... The sanctuary doors opened, as Bailey grasped her daddy's arm and they began their journey down the aisle. A journey to a new life with the man she loved...
FIN