Nick, still holding Lori's hand, says, "Lori, go with me."
Nick and Lori enter the room. Joyce takes a glance at Lori. "I guess this must be Lori."
"Yes. Miss Thomson, nice to meet you." Nick then realizes that Joyce is looking at their rings.
"hmm... by the way Joyce, Lori is my girlfriend."
"oh I see..." Joyce replies with a fake smile on her face. "Nick, I just wanna thank you for everything you've done for me." Joyce stands up, "and good luck to you two." She leaves the room with tears in her eyes.
~ A month later -- 9:00 pm ~
It is the 1st month anniversary for Nick and Lori. They just have dinner at the Millennium Hotel. They are walking down the street, Lori holding onto a dozen of white roses Nick bought for her. At the same time, Lori's parents are walking down the same street. Her dad -- Peter Lee is reading the local newspaper, with the news of Nick solving another crime in LA on the front cover.
"So... that's the guy Lori works with. Look at him, being 'popular among girls,' the 'famous Nick Carter'? it's not such a big deal... no cops are good ones in my point of view."
"Peter, hmm... isn't that Nick Carter over there?" Lori's mom asks.
"Really..." and he notices Lori is with Nick, walking hand in hand. They walked up to Nick and Lori.
"Dad and mom?" Nick then looks at Lori surprisingly.
"Hi... Mr. and Mrs. Lee. I'm Nick Carter." Lori's mom smiles back at Nick but Peter ignores him.
"Lori... come home as soon as possible and I better get a full explanation to this!" Peter stares at Nick and walks away.
"Nick, I think I better go home now."
"Okay, I'll get you home right now."
"I'm so sorry Nick. I mean it's our first month anniversary and now I'm leaving this soon... I feel bad."
"Don't worry girl. I don't wanna cause you trouble either. It's okay."
~ In Nick's car, outside Lori's house -- 10:00 pm ~
"Bye Nick."
"Are you gonna be okay Lori?"
"Yes... don't worry Nick. I'll call you later, k?"
"k... bye Lori." Nick leans over from his seat and gives Lori a kiss.
~ Lori's house -- 10:10 pm ~
"Lori... you dad is waiting for you."
"What's up with you and that Nick Carter?" Peter is really pissed off.
"Dad and mom... Nick is my boyfriend."
"I'm not letting you going out with him. You know I hate cops. Why are you always doing things I don't like, huh? First, you became a cop. You said that's your dream, screw it! And now you're dating a cop. I think you must be brain-washed by the LAPD, aren't you?"
"Why are you always upset with whatever I do dad?"
"Coz I don't like what you're doing! What kind of daughter do I have?"
"Dad, this is my life. You've change a lot... you used to be very understanding. What's wrong with being a cop? and what's wrong with Nick being my boyfriend? It's my own life, and you just keep on stepping into it. I need my own space dad!!!" Lori rushes out the front door with tears in her eyes. She gets into her car and drives away.
~ Nick's house -- 10:25 pm ~
The door bell rings.
"I got it!" Nick opens the door.
Lori is standing outside, with tears in her eyes. Nick doesn't say anything, he just hold Lori tightly in his arms.
"Lori, come in."
'Who's that Nick?" Jane Carter asks.
"Mom... come on out. I want you to meet someone." Jane Carter comes out from the kitchen. "Mom. This is Lori, my girlfriend."
"Hi Lori... what's wrong sweetie?"
"Nothing much Mrs. Carter. Family problems... sorry for coming here all of a sudden..."
"Mom, I'm gonna take Lori upstairs."
"Okay... take good care of her, son." Jane gives Lori a friendly smile.
