~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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*The next day*
Nick layed on his bed nervously. The physiotherapist was going to be there soon and he didn't know how it would go. He was scared to death. His legs were still hurting even if he had got some medecine half an hour ago. He didn't know if he would make it. He would have to learn how to walk again... it was something big.
"Here you are my little pop star!" a woman exclaimed entering in the room. She wasn't really tall and was looking in the early 40's. She was a little chubby and had full red cheekbone. She had a warm smile that made Nick felt immediatly at ease.
"Hi..." he said.
"So you're Nick Carter? It's nice to meet you! I'm Janice and I'll be your physiotherapist... " she said happily.
"Hi... it's nice to meet you too.." Nick replied with a little smile.
"First of all... do you have any questions? I know it may be hard for you after what you lived and you can be sure I'll do my best to get your legs back as they used to. And if you want to walk again, you'll have to work too... huh?? But I'm sure you already know that ..." she said as Nick giggled because she wasn't letting him answer. "Oh I'm sorry... I often get carried away like this..." she laughed. "But do you have any questions?"
"Hum...no, not for now..."
"Great... Well, today we'll work here, in your bedroom because anyway, you can't move... But in a few days, maybe you'll be able to start working on the machines we have in the physio room... and then when it will be good, we'll do it at your house. Is it okay?"
"Yeah I can't wait to get out of here!"
"I understand.... but for now, you're stuck here....with me... Sorry!" Janice chuckled. "But we'll start right now... " she added walking to his bed. "I'm gonna just take a look at your legs and then we'll see if we can do something with these!"
After checking up his legs, she started moving them a little.
"Does it hurt?" she asked as she lift up a little his left leg.
"Yes......" Nick said holding his breath. It was hurting him badly.
"Okay... and now?" she asked lifting the right leg.
"A little... but not as much as the left..." Nick said breahting out. His right leg wasn't touched as much as the other one.
She continued to check his legs, moving them a little bit but not to hurt him too much. Nick wasn't able to move them by himself for now and it was hurting a lot. But he liked working with Janice because she was always jocking around and talking so he was forgetting a little about the pain he was feeling when she was moving his leg.
"Well, I think it will be all for now. You're doing great. I know it's painful but you're doing good. If you keep on good work like that, you'll be back on your feet soon sweetie." Janice said patting his shoulder.
"Thanks a lot..." Nick smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Now, try to rest a little. You'll have a big week!" she exclaimed before to walk away and leave the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*December 31st*
Aj was sitting quietly on the couch of the living room, trying to find the best way to ask Becky what he wanted to. He loved and he just hoped she would accept. It wasn't something big like a marriage but it was important. It was like taking another step into their relationship and it really meant a lot for him.
"Hey Babe...come here... I want to talk to you..." Aj told Becky as she walked by him. He took her hand and pulled her on his lap.
"What's up?" she asked.
"I have something to ask you..."
"Shoot!" Becky smiled.
"I know it's something important...but I really thought about it... " he paused. Becky stayed quiet so he continued. "I know I love you really much... I can almost say I never felt this way for anyone..." he added.
"I love you too..." Becky smiled, her heart starting to beat faster.
"So...I thought that we could...well I'd really like you to come and live with me..." Aj finally said.
"You're serious???" she shrieked.
"Yeah... I think we can handle each other... " Aj laughed. "And you're here most of the time anyway... and I can't think of going to sleep without you in my arms..." he added. "When you're not here...I can only think of being you and I miss you so much..."
"Really?" Becky asked softly.
"Yes..." Aj smiled. Becky looked at him lovinly, a huge smile accross her face. "So? What do you say?"
"I say... I love you baby!!!!!" she exclaimed hugging him.
"I take this as a yes..." Aj chuckled.
"Oh yeah you do!" Becky laughed.
"I love you too babe!!" he smiled, as they hugged tightly. When they pulled apart, Becky kissed him gently, wrapping her hands around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist. When they broke the kiss, they just smiled at each other, not saying a word.
"So...when do you want me to move in?" Becky asked, broking the silence.
"Whenever you want..." Aj answered. "What do you... the minute we come back from your parent's?"
"I say... the second we come back..." she smiled.
"No problem!"
"Oh my god look at the time!" Becky almost screamed. "We have to be in the airport in an hour and your things aren't packed!"
"Oh shit..." Aj laughed. "I'll go now.." he added kissing her, before to jump off the couch and run upstair.
Becky stayed laying on the couch, happiness running all in her body. She loved him so much. She never thought she could ever feel a strong feeling like this for someone. She knew she had made a great decision by accepting this invitation to live with Aj. They were all the time together and they both loved it this way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Later, in New Jersey*
"Ok I gotto warn you, it's not like your huge modern house!" Becky said as the cab turned in the familiar street.
"It's okay!" Aj laughed. "I don't care if it's big or not... "
"Alrighty then..." Becky smiled as the cab stopped. "Here we are.." she added.
Aj looked at the beautiful house standing in front of him. It did looks like his mother house. It was an old fashioned house made with large stones and there were big windows on the two side of the dark wood door.
"Well... it's a huge old house!!" Aj exclaimed as the two got off the car. They took their logages in the boot and paid the driver. Becky looked at him with a smiled and they headed to the front door.
Aj started feeling butterflies in his stomach. He didn't know why he was feeling nervous about that. Becky had told him that her parents were great people. But he really wanted to make a good impression because he loved Becky a lot and he didn't want to messed up their relationship because of bad boyfriend-parents relation. He knew she would be sad about this.
They arrived in the front door and Becky knocked softly. Two seconds later, the door opened slowly. Aj stayed surprised with what he saw. In front of him was a yound man on a wheelchair, smiling from ear to ear. He was about... twenty years old and had dark brown hair and eyes... he was looking a lot like Becky.
"BECK!!!!!!!!!" the guy shouted.
"MARKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Becky shouted back.
"Hey princess!!! I've missed you!!!" he said softly, hugging her.
"God I've missed you too!! It's so great to see you!!"
"Same here! You look fantastic!" Mark said, admiring his sister. He then looked at Aj who was standing behind her, a weak smile on his face. "And you must be Aj? Nice to meet you man!" he added, extending his hand.
"Hi!! Nice to meet you too!" Aj smiled, shaking his hand.
"This is my brother, Mark!" Becky told Aj.
"Yeah, I'm his freaky brother who check all the guy she is dating... watch your back!" Mark jocked laughing.
"I don't think you need to worry..." Aj smiled.
"Can we enter?" Becky laughed. They were still in front of the door.
"No you can't... I'm the guardian of the house... and I won't let you enter, you're too beautiful!" Mark grinned at his sister.
"Oh how sweet!" Becky laughed.
"He's right..." Aj smiled wrapping his arm around her waist.
"See, I'm not the only one who think this way... " Mark said.
"Yeah... but my head will get so big that I really won't be able to enter in the house...so stop it!" Becky laughed.
"Okay okay, come in!"
The two lovers followed Mark in the house. Aj couldn't help but smile. The house really did look like his mother's. The colors, the decorations...it was really similar. He was feeling home. They walked until they reached the kitchen, where a dark brown-haired woman was reading some cooking magazines.
"Hey mommie!" Becky said walking up to her mother.
"Becky!!!" she exclaimed hugging her daughter. "Oh my God! Look at you ... you look amazing!"
"Thanks!" Becky laughed. "Mom, I want you to meet Alex... Alex...this is my mother, Jennie!"
"Hi Mrs." Aj said politely.
"Hi son! Welcome in the family!!" Becky's mother said, hugging him. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, thanks! What about you?"
"I'm great!! It's nice to meet you Alex!"
"Same here!" Aj smiled. Becky's mother was charming. She was the kind of mother everyone would love to have. He felt at ease immediatly.
"Where's dad??" Becky asked.
"He didn't want to see you so he went away for the day..." Mark said seriously.
"Ha ha! You're so funny! You didn't change! No really...where is he?" she asked again.
"He went to the grocery store... he should be here any minute!" Jennie laughed.
"Who??" a tall man asked, entering in the room. He had dark hair too and a weird accent. He had a warm smile plastered on his face.
"Daddy!!!" Becky said hugging his dad.
"Hey my little princess!!!" his dad replied holding her tightly.
"Dad, I want you to meet Alex!" she smiled. "And this is my daddy, George!"
"Hi Mr. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Aj said, extending his hand.
"Oh but call me George! It's great to meet you ! We've heard a lot about you!"
"Oh really??" Aj asked. "Nice things I hope!"
"Don't worry about that!" George replied laughing.
As they continued talking, Aj felt so great to be a part of this family. They were a wonderful family, really close to each other. Becky's parents were really kind person with a big sense of humour. They were always jocking and laughing. They were never judging people and they were really happy for their daughter. They were sharing her passion for dancing, even though none of them had ever dance in their lives. Aj was getting along really good with Mark too. He was a good guy and it was obvious he loved his sister like anyone else. Aj didn't know that Mark and Becky were so close because she never had really talked about him... in fact, she had never really talked about her family. He knew she was talking often on the phone with her family and now he knew why.
They celebrated the new year all together, talking about things and other but mostly about the tour and how everything was working. Jennie and George were sounding really interested into the 'tour life' and how they were dealing with being away from home. They were both a little psychologist on their sides but it was great to talk with them. Later in the night...or... early in the morning... they headed to bed, in Becky's room.
"So???" Becky asked, all smile.
"You've got the best family ever... really...they are amazing!" Aj replied.
"I know! And I'm really happy. They seem to like you a lot!"
"It's the same here! I feel great around them. They are not the kind of parents who wants to know every details about my past, my family, my work... I have nothing to hide but sometime it can be hard to answer question after question...like in an interview..." Aj said.
"Yeah I know. They are not like that. They are interested in your job...as you can see.." she laughed. "But they'll never...interview you. They never did it to any of my many boyfriends..." she jocked.
"Many? How many?" Aj asked grinning.
"None of your business McLean!" she laughed.
"I don't want to know anyway!!"
With that, they layed down on the bed, wrapped in each other arms, and both fell asleep.
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*Later in the morning*
Becky woke up, feeling Aj's arm around her waist. She loved the way he felt beside her. And she couldn't help but smile at the tought of waking up every morning like this. She knew she'd be happy with him.
"Morning beautiful..." Aj said opening his eyes.
"Morning baby..." Becky replied all smile.
"Slept well?"
"I always sleep well with you!"
Aj smiled back and kissed her lightly on the lips. "What will we do today?"
They were going to leave the day after so they had a whole day for themselves.
"I don't know...I thought I could show you around my neighborhood and we can go to the movie theater... or in a club...or rent a movie and watch it with Mark..." Becky smiled.
"Everything sounds good to me!"
"Great! Oh God...it's noon!" she laughed looking at the clock beside the Queen size bed.
"So what?" Aj grinned, wrapping his arms around her.
"So nothing... " she smiled back.
They layed there for a while, but decided to get up if they wanted to do something during the day. Aj headed to take a shower and Becky walked to the kitchen, where her mother and father were sitting at the table.
"Morning!" she smiled, pouring some coffee in a cup.
"Good morning princess!" his father replied.
"Where is Mark?" Becky asked, sitting at the table, at the opposite of her father.
"Oh you know how he is... he can get up at 5pm if we don't wake him up!" her mother said.
"Yeah I know!" Becky giggled.
"Where is Alex?"
"He's in the shower... "
"Okay... look Becky..." his father started, putting down the newspaper. "Your mother and I have something really important to ask you...."
"What??" Becky asked worried.
"You know we've always support you with what you are doing and we're really proud of you... " Jennie said. "And you know how your brother likes you... and since you're gone... he's not the same.."
"What do you mean?"
"He changed... "
"He's growing up... " Becky replied.
"No... he really did changed. He's going out and come back really late... "
"Mom, he's 21 years old!" she exclaimed.
"Becky, you know with his condition, he can't do this kind of things!!" George said firmly.
"Your brother is sick... he can't go out like this with no one knowing... you know someone has to be with him all the time..." her mother added. "Since you're gone, he looks down all the time...he's often locked in his room...and depressed! And then he goes out with people he don't even know... and they are not the kind of people you'd like him to hang out with..."
"What do you want me to do???" Becky sighed, knowing full well what they were going to ask.
"We'd like you to come back....to live here. He only wants you! We've tried to help him...we asked his friends... we did all that we could to cheer him up.... but we can see that he wants you..." her father said.
"But... but..." Becky started not knowing really what to say. Tears were coming up in her eyes. She finally felt in peace with herself, knowing she would live with Aj...but now she'd have to come back in New Jersey. She didn't want this. But she loved her brother. "I don't know....."
"Becky... for your brother's sake...please do this for him." her mother begged.
"If I stay here... I will never be able to leave again! He needs to go on with his own life... I do love him but I can't stay with him forever! I have a life too!!" she cried.
"We know this sweetheart!! We understand! But ... we don't know what to do anymore... he's arrogant and come back with some girls almost everynight... we tried... we did the best that we could but... we have no idea what to do anymore!"
"I can try to talk to him but... "
"Becky!" George cut her off. "Do this for your brother...for us... we've supported you during all those years... please..." he begged.
"But... what will I do when the tour will go on again??? I can't live here forever! You know I can't! You were happy to see me leaving remember? You said it would change me to go away ... you're the one who said it!!" Becky cried.
"Look, we don't want you to stay forever... only until the tour starts again... you told us it would only be during the spring or summer... you'd only have to live with us a few months..."
"Mom, you know that if I stay here a few months and Mark feels better... when I'll leave again it will do the same thing? Can't you see?"
"Maybe not!! We can try!" her father said.
"Yeah but if it don't work?? Don't you think it will get thing worst! What if he's even more depressed because he's used to have me around! He needs to understand that I won't always be around..." Becky replied.
"Becky...please... do it for your brother... you know he loves you... and you love him... please!" her mother begged.
Becky sighed and put her face in her hands. She didn't know what to think. What Aj would think about this? Did she have a choice?
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*Meanwhile, in the Orlando's General hospital*
Nick came back to his room in the wheelchair followed by Janice. Since the last 5 last days, he had made some progress even though it didn't go enough fast for him. He really wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and he was making big efforts...maybe too much. He arrived beside his bed and jump in, only with his arms strenght.
"So??" he asked Janice.
"Well... I saw how you're working... you're doing good... " she said. Nick smiled, happy with himself. Maybe he would be out of there soon. "But... "
"But what??" he sighed.
"But you're tiring yourself Nick! You're doing a great job but don't push it... it will be worst. I know what it is, I've seen a lot of people going throught things like this... and they always try to work harder and harder so they can leave earlier... but it's not helping, I can swear!"
Nick looked at his hands, not replying. He knew she was right but he really didn't like to be stuck between four walls all day.
"Look sweety, I know how you feel... and don't worry, I'm doing my best to get you back on your feet the fastest I can... I swear! Just do what I ask you... go one step at a time...and everything will be alright..in a month you'll be okay!" Janice said softly.
"Ok.." Nick sighed.
"Good! I'll be back tomorrow!" she smiled and walked away.
"Bye!" Nick replied weakly. He layed his head on the pillow and closed his eyes, thinking about all this thing he was going through. No one was here with him. Everyone had things to do... well, it was New Year so they were all occupied somewhere. Brian hasn't came back from Kentucky yet. He was supposed to be back the next day. He missed him and he had to admit the he really needed him right now. He had called everyday but it wasn't the same thing to talk on the phone and to talk face to face. He was feeling lonely. Of course, his parents were often there but all his friends seemed to have dissapeared. Only Naomie was there but she was going to leave soon too. Right at this moment, the phone rang.
"Hello?!?" Nick said.
"Hey! How are you doing??" a female voice said.
"Um Fine...Who's this?"
"You don't reconize me?" she giggled.
"Amber????"
"Yeah...the one and only!" she sighed softly.
"Hey....um... what do you want?" he asked trying not to sound harsh. He was surprised she was calling him. He didn't really want to talk to her... he was still mad at her but in another way, things were okay with Brian now.
"Well, I've heard about your accident and I wanted to know if you were doing okay..."
"I'm okay..."
"That's good to hear..." she replied.
"Yeah.." Nick said. Silence came on the line as both of them didn't really know what to say.
"Um Nick...I just want to say that I'm sorry... " Amber finally let out.
"Sorry for what? it wasn't your fault..."
"Well...in a certain way...it was. If nothing would have happen between us..." she started but Nick cut her off.
"Listen...the past is the past. Let's just forget about all this okay?"
"Yeah okay... " she sighed. She was the only one who had lost everything into this story. She didn't have Brian and from what she had heard, he was going back with Leighanne. She was happy for him but missed him a lot. Nick had him back...he was the lucky one. She was sad but she was starting to move on, with her new carreer, new friends...
"So..what have you been up to?" Nick asked. He had pushed away his hate feelings away. Anyway, she was away now and Brian was back. He didn't know why he should be harsh and hang up. And he had someone to talk to during the time he had to kill.
She started filling with what had happened to her since she left the tour. They talked for a bit about things and other but soon Amber had to leave because she had an rehearsal.
"Well... it was nice talking to you. Take care of you." she told him nicely.
"Yeah...thanks. Bye!"
"Bye!" she said before hanging up.
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*During this time, in Kentucky*
Stacey, Kevin and Brian came back from their walk in the little neiborhood of Littletown. They had spent a lot of time together since Brian and Leighanne had arrived, the day after Christmas. Stacey was really happy Leighanne had come and during the 3 days Leighanne had stayed there, the four had spent all their time together. But since Leighanne was gone, Brian was always with Kevin and Stacey and Kevin was starting to get a little annoyed because he couldn't have some time alone with Stacey. Kevin's mother and all his family really liked Stacey and she was feeling like home. She finally had a family and it was happy it was Kevin's.
"Why are you smiley like this?" Brian laughed, staring at Stacey who was smiling from ear to ear.
"Why shouldn't I smile? I'm happy... that's all!" she replied as Kevin smiled at her and plant a little kiss on her cheek.
"Ok!" Brian giggled. "So...how do you like Kentucky by now???"
"Oh I love it!!! I would defenitly live here! It's so nice!"
"Yeah it is!" both Kevin and Brian said at the same time.
"So, when are we going horseback riding??" she asked.
"You want to go horseback riding???" Kevin asked surprised.
"Of course! Why not???" she answered.
"Kev is surprised because any of his girlfriend wanted to go horseback riding..." Brian laughed.
"Why? What is so scary?" she demanded.
"Nothing..." Kevin laughed. "I don't know why... they were all scared of horses I guess..I really have no idea!"
"There's nothing scary in a horse!!!" Stacey exclaimed.
"I know!!!" Kevin replied laughing. "I don't know why I always fall for girls who are scared of horses..."
"Hey hey... now you should say...I don't know why I always FELL for girls who WERE scared of horses... she's not like the others man!" Brian laughed pointing at Stacey.
"I know I'm not like the others! Who do you think I am???" she asked playing.
"You're the best ...the most beautiful, nice, gentle, sweet,..." Kevin started.
"Etc...etc..." Brian jocked.
"woman I know...and woman I love!!" Kevin finished taking her in his arms. Stacey smiled and kissed him softly.
"Awwww how cute!!!!" Brian said looking at the two.
"Brian please..don't you have anything to do? Like...calling Nick... or Leigh?!?!?" Kevin asked, wanting to have some time alone with Stacey.
"Hum...I should think about it..." Brian jocked. "Okay okay..I'm leaving!" he added as he left the house and walked to his parent's.
Kevin sighed and smiled as he looked at his cousin leaving. "Finally!" he whispered in Stacey's ear.
"Is it me...or you sound happy??" Stacey asked grinning.
"It's you... why would I be happy? We couldn't have some time alone since we arrived because there's always someone around... what could I ask more?" he jocked.
"Hum... me?"
"Hum...that's a good idea!" Kevin exclaimed as he kissed her. The kiss grew with passion as they both layed on the little couch in the middle of the bedroom, Kevin on the top of Stacey. His hands roaming all over her body. She unbelt his jeans as he removed her t-shirt. Soon, all the clothes were on the floor as the both still kissed on the couch.
"Are you sure no one will come in?" Stacey chuckled between two kisses.
"Yeah sure.. " Kevin smiled. He started kissing her neck and then got down to her brest and her stomach as she moaned softly. He felt the urge to feel her and for them to make one so he entered in her slowly. Their bodies moved together with rythm and they both climaxed with their different moans echoing in the living room. Kevin layed down beside her and brushed away a lock of hair from her face. They stayed laying there, wrapped in each other arms, looking into each other eyes, smiling.
Chapter 49
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