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*Back at Becky's*
After breakfast, Becky asked Aj if they could go for a while because she needed to talk to him. She haven't told him yet about her moving back with her parents. She knew this could turn into a fight and didn't want to live this in front of her parents and her brother.
They walked silently in the streets until they reached a small park.
"Are you alright?" Aj asked softly.
"Hum...I need to talk to you..." Becky answered. She took his hand and walked to a bench.
"What's wrong?" he asked with a worried look on his face.
"You know I love you really much... and I was so happy when you asked me to move in with you..." she smiled weakly, tears coming up to her eyes. "That's all I dreamed about... and now... " she paused as some tears rolled down her face. She looked up and her eyes met his. There was no reaction in his face yet so she continued. "My parents asked me to move back with them..." she finally said as she cried softly.
"But...why?" was all Aj could say. He couldn't believe she was telling him this. He knew it wasn't the end of the world but it really meant a lot that she move in with him. And now, she'd be far away, in New Jersey.
"They say that my brother is different and depressed...and that he needs me... " Becky cried.
"You? I mean...I know he loves you and all but...why you?"
"I have no idea! But they say I'll be the only one cheering him up... they say that he won't listen to anyone else... "
"But can't you just talk to him!?! You can't move back here...I need you...near me.." Aj begged.
"Aj please... don't get things worst for me... you know it's hard for me too..."
"Then why are you doing it??"
"My brother... I can't let him down... if he needs me..."
"But I need you too!!!" Aj exclaimed.
"Aj... please.." Becky begged, crying. "You know I love you... don't you?" she asked taking his face in her eyes.
"And I love you too..." Aj sighed, plunging his eyes into hers.
"It will only be for a while...I'll try to fly to Florida once in a while..and you'll be able to come here whenever you want... I'll do my best to cheer him up and come back... I swear that it's killing me to do this... " she cried.
Aj sighed sadly. He had wanted so much to live with her, to take another step in their relationship. He loved her so bad. And he could see in her eyes that what she wanted was to stay here with her family. He wrapped his arms around her and they held each other tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*At Carly's*
Howie and Carly had slept at Carly's for the night. They had passed all their Christmas vacations together and they were both really happy together. They were so happy that they had a little forgotten about Nick in the hospital. They had called him some times but didn't go see him. That's why they decided to go that day and see how he was doing. They were in the kitchen, eating lunch before to leave.
"No!" Carly shouted looking at her sister Anna.
"And why? You told me I could come with you!" Anna pouted.
"Yeah but... not today!"
"Why? You don't have a good reason! Come on... "
"Because... " Carly started. She didn't know what to say. She looked at Howie for help but he just laughed. "You're suppose to help me!!"
"Well I don't see why we shouldn't bring her with us...I think it might be fun..." Howie said as Carly looked at him with a are-you-crazy look.
"See...it might be fun..." Anna smiled proudly. Carly sighed noisily.
"Ok, I give up...you can come...but only for an hour... "
"Yoohoo!" Anna shouted all smile before to run to her bedroom.
"Why did you do this???" Carly asked turning to Howie.
"Come on baby, you know it will be funny..." Howie laughed. "And why didn't you want her to come?"
"I don't know... "
"Don't worry, it will be okay. We won't stay there all day long... if she's too annoying, we'll come back..." Howie said.
"Yeah, we'll come back..." Carly replied.
"You mad at me??" Howie asked with puppy eyes.
"Hum...I don't know.." Carly jocked before to smile. She got closer to him and plant a kiss on his lips. Howie kissed her back as they tongue started playing together.
"Are we going????" Anna asked, broking the two from their trance. Carly broke apart and sighed with annoyance. She didn't know how long she'd stay in this house but she couldn't wait to get away again on tour.
"Yeah yeah, we're leaving now..." she said, standing up.
They drove until they reached the big hospital. Anna was so excited that Carly had almost stopped in the middle of the street to turn back at home. She had to warn her like 5 times to stop jumping and asking question every 2 seconds.
"You better be nice to him... I don't even know why I brang you here and he'll probably think the same thing..." Carly said as they reached his room.
"Hey Nick!!" Howie smiled as they entered in the room.
"Hey D!" Nick said happily, giving him a hug. "Hey Carly!" he smiled doing the same. He looked at Anna for second. Not too sure if he should be happy or not to see her there. He didn't rememeber most of the day of the accident but he surely remembered Carly's sister. "Hum...Hey..."
"Anna..." this one smiled sweetly.
"Hey Anna..." Nick replied.
"So...how are you doing man??" Howie asked him as he sat on the chair next to the bed, Carly on his lap.
"I'm going okay! And you? You both look really happy.." Nick answered, looking at the two lovers all smile.
"We are!" Carly replied. "So, how is the physiotherapy doing???"
"It's okay! It was harder the first days...but now it's doing better. I can move my legs and well, I can't walk yet but maybe I will be able next week!" he smiled proudly.
"Really?? That's wonderful!!!" Carly exclaimed.
"That's good news man!" Howie said patting his shoulder.
"Yeah!" Nick replied smiling.
They continued talking about their celebration of New Year and Christmas for a bit when Carly realized that Anna hasn't talked yet...wich was pretty weird. She had a shocked look on her face and wasn't smiling a bit. Her eyes were glued to Nick's body, especially his left leg with the bandages.
"Hum... I need something to drink.. " Howie said, standing up. "Do you want anything?" he had looking at Nick and then Anna.
"No thanks..." Nick replied. Anna just shook her head, still lost in her thoughts.
"Ok I'll be back in a minute..." Howie said.
"Wait..I'll come with you..." Carly smiled as they both walked out of the room fastly.
"Did we just get the same idea?" Carly laughed as they walked in the elevator.
"I think we did.." Howie giggled.
"I'm not sure if it was a good idea though..."
"We'll see when we'll come back.."
"Yeah I guess so!" Carly giggled. "Have you seen her face? It was like she'd seen a completely different person... it was weird.."
"But it's may be hard for her...because she kinda didn't expect to see him like this... I don't know what is going on in fan's head but I know it's weird..." Howie laughed.
"Yeah ..anyway...let's go get something ..." she smiled as they walked in the cafeteria.
*Meanwhile, in Nick's room*
Since Carly and Howie left, the room was totally silent. Anna's eyes still glued to Nick like he was some kind of ghost. Nick was feeling a little uncomfortable because he didn't know what to say. He stared at her for a moment. She had a kind of sad look in her eyes as she was looking at him.
"Are you alright?" he finally said, broking the silence. She stared at him surprised that he was talking to her.
"Huh? Hum yeah yeah...uh...I'm okay!" she replied feeling stupid.
"Okay... you just look.. somewhere else.." Nick chuckled.
"Oh..no I'm here.." she smiled shyly as the silence came over the room again.
"Are you the Anna I met in Howie's club the day of the party???" Nick finally asked.
"Yeah that's me!" Anna smiled.
"You sure??"
"Uh? yeah! Why you doubt?"
"The Anna I met the day of the party wasn't that quiet.." he grinned. She stared at him for a moment and smiled.
"I guess...I'm just shocked..."
"Of what?"
"Of you being here..."
"Really?"
"I don't know what I expected but... I didn't expect that... "
"What?" Nick asked, curious.
"Well...your legs... you can't walk... the bandages..." she sighed.
"Then what did you expect??" Nick asked.
"I don't know... I guess I had the image that you're a superhero who can't be hurt.." she laughed.
"Oh well I'm not!!!!" Nick exclaimed giggling.
"I realize that now....." she smiled.
"Oh God, does my sister just had a serious conversation with Nick Carter?? Her idol??? Her dream boy?? The guy she always talk about??" Carly whispered to Howie as the two listened to the conversation behind the door.
"I think she did..." Howie smiled.
"She talked with him... without asking him a question about his personal life...I'm completely shocked..." Carly replied with wide eyes.
"See...she's not that bad..." Howie giggled.
"And... do you have a girlfriend???" Anna asked all smile, almost jumping on her seat.
"Hum...no..." Nick replied surprised by her suddent change of attitude.
"Okay! And what about your last girlfriend? Are you still talking to her??"
"Hum..no not really..." Nick replied, wishing for Carly and Howie to come back soon.
"What were you saying?" Carly asked Howie. "She'll never change.." she sighed walking in the room followed by Howie who was chuckling.
"We're back!" Howie smiled.
They sat down and continued their talk. Anna talked a bit but didn't want to interrupt them. After half an hour of talking non-stop, Carly looked at the time and decided that her and Anna should go back home because their mother would be waiting for them.
"Bye Nick! Take care of yourself!" Carly smiled before to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Bye Carly! Thanks for coming!" Nick replied. He then looked at Anna who was standing beside her sister, waiting for her to leave. "Bye Anna. It was nice seeing you again..."
"Bye.." she replied all smile. "Take care!"
"Bye baby! I'll see you later!" Howie said before to kiss Carly passionately.
"Later!" she smiled when they broke the kiss. With that, the two sisters left the room, leaving Nick and Howie alone.
"What a strange little girl...." Nick exclaimed talking about Anna.
"Yeah...well she's not that bad... I think she's kinda funny." Howie giggled. "But... I don't know if I could live with her everyday..."
"Yeah I know what you mean!" Nick laughed. "So, anything new out there??"
"Hum..not really! I don't have much news of the others because they are not in town right now... "
"Where are they all?"
"Well, as you know, Brian and Kev are in Kentucky. And Aj is in New Jersey at Becky's house..."
"Oh I see... so you don't know what is going on?"
"Not really... and even if I would like to... I'm a little busy myself..." Howie chuckled.
"That's great you know...you and Carly! You two are really cute together!"
"Thanks man! That's great! You just need to find someone and we'll all be in couple...."
"Yes... but I'm not sure if I want it right now... I'm probably not a good boyfriend in this condition.." Nick sighed looking at his leg.
"I can understand that... " Howie replied. "Take your time!"
"I'm not really in a hurry!"
"It's okay. It's not important..." Howie said. "So...do you have any news about Nam?"
"Yeah she came here a few times before she left for California! Why?"
"Like this...we didn't hear about her that's why I am asking. She seems to care for you a lot..."
"Yeah...she's a really good friend.." Nick said not getting the point of what Howie was insinuing. "It's weird because I always think that she feels responsable for what happened..."
"Really? How come?"
"I don't know...just the way she acts... "
"Maybe you should talk about it with her...because..maybe she does feel a little responsable... you kinda left the club right after her song..."
"What song??"
"You don't remember??"
"No... when ? What song?"
"What is the last thing you remember about the day of the accident?" Howie asked.
"Well...we did the decorations for your party... and then... I remember I came at night and I saw you all...but it's like really blurry and I can't remember straight...but what is the song ??"
"Naomie sang that night at the party. And you left really fast after you heard her song... you said you needed to talk to Brian..."
"Oh.. maybe that's why she's so nice..." Nick sighed with a pout.
"No !!! No Nick!" Howie shouted. "I mean...no...I don't think that's why... she just..really care for you..." he added trying to make Nick understand that she didn't just CARE for him.
"Yeah...I don't know... "
"Come on Nick. She does really care for you and we all know about that! She was really sad when you had your accident and even if she felt responsable...i'm sure she's not being nice only to repair what she've done...even if she didn't do anything..." Howie said. "Just talk about with her... and you'll see. But I'm 100% sure she's not just acting like she cares..."
"I hope you are right..."
*Back in New Jersey*
Becky and Aj had passed all the day together, trying to forget about what they would be going through. They were trying not to think and talk about it but it was obvious that it was killing them inside. Aj thought all day long about something he could do about this situation. He had been so happy during the time he thought Becky would move in with him. Now it was gone. Even if he knew she wouldn't stay there all her life...he couldn't help but be hurt about her choice. During the afternoon, something came up in his mind but he didn't know if he should talk about it with her. He decided to wait until they would go sleep that night so they could be alone to talk. They passed the evening watching movies and jocking around with Mark. He was getting along great with Aj and they didn't stop teasing Becky all night. When they finally got to bed, Aj decided to tell Becky his idea.
"Hey Beck...come here.." Aj said, taking her in his arms. She layed her head on his chest as he stroke her side slowly.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered, a single tear falling down her cheek.
"Sssshh...don't worry... it's okay... I understand.." he replied, lifting her chin and plunging her eyes into hers.
"I love you so much!"
"I love you too... " Aj started. "And that's why I thought about something..."
"What??"
"I thought that maybe... maybe your brother would like to come and live with us for a while? Maybe it would be good for him to change environment a little... live in a new city and everything..." Aj explained, hoping she'd be happy with the idea.
"Really??"
"Yeah... what do you say?"
"Oh well...it's wonderful! It's really nice from you...really.." she answered with a little smile. "But...I don't want you to feel like you have to do this... "
"I don't... I mean, of course I do it because I love you and I really want to live with you... but I like your brother... we're getting along and I think it may be good for him to be somewhere else..." Aj explained as she smiled at him.
"Maybe you are right... maybe it would be great for him to go away for a while..." Becky replied, thinking. "But... I'm not sure my parents will be okay with this..."
"Why not?"
"Because they'll be scared for him... they are so overprotective..."
"They don't seem like it..."
"They are not with me... only with Mark. I don't really know why..." Becky said.
"What does he have? I mean...what happened to him?"
"He got an accident when he was young.. He got hit by a car and 'lost' his legs... physiotherapy didn't work so he'll never be able to walk again..."
"And why do your parents are so overprotective? Beside the fact that he's in a wheelchair...he's okay right??"
"Well he got some troubles with his brain too but he has to take pills and things like that. But we have to watch him to make sure he take his medecine and everything...that's why they don't leave him alone.." Becky explained.
"Oh I see... but I think we'd be able to watch him... And maybe he's acting that way because since you left, your parents are always on his back and he's tired of that? What do you think?"
"Yeah maybe... we should talk with them tomorrow before you leave.."
"Yeah that's a good idea... but we can tell them it would be only for a few weeks... so he can change his mind a little... " Aj said.
"Yup... that's it. You're sure you'd be ready to go through this? Don't feel like you need to do it if you don't want... " Becky replied.
"I'm 100%...and I think that's the best idea I ever had." he smiled. "I love you and I want to do everything I can to be with you..."
"I love you too... I can't tell you how much!" she smiled, tears of joy in her eyes.
*The next morning*
Becky woke up early that morning, excited to tell her parents Aj's idea. She didn't know how they would react but she knew her and Aj had great arguments to take Mark with them for a while. She was wishing hard they would be okay with it because she knew she'd have fun with her brother for a few weeks. She woke Aj up and after getting dressed, they both walked in the kitchen where Becky's parents were eating breakfast.
"Good morning you two!" Jennie smiled
"Good morning!" they both replied, sitting at the table.
"Had a good sleep?"
"Yes!" Becky smiled. "Mom, dad, Aj had an idea yesterday and I would like you to let us know what you think about it..."
"Hum...sure..what is it?" her dad asked, putting the newspaper down.
"Well...he thought that maybe it'd be great for Mark to come and live with us in Florida for a week or two... so he could change his mind and I could pass some time with him..." Becky explained, not too sure of their reactions.
"Hum...I don't think...I mean..." her mother started, looking at George for some help.
"Maybe it wouldn't be good for him to go away... he's used to be here and everything..." her father said.
"And with his condition..." Jennie added.
"Forget about his condition a second! I can take care of him... you know that! Just think about how it would be some good for him to be somewhere else... to see another neighborhood...meet people... " Becky replied.
"I can swear we'd be able to take care of him and we'd make sure he's alright and have anything he needs..." Aj said.
"That's really nice from you sweetie but...I'm not sure if it would be good for him... " Jennie explained.
"Mom...think about it. Maybe he's sad and depressed because he needs some changes... and i think it would be just good for him..."
"Maybe you're right...." she sighed. She looked over her husband to see what he thought about all this.
"Princess, you know your brother needs someone to look out for him most of the time... you know he can't go by himself a lot... " her dad said.
"I think you're overreacting! He's not in THAT bad condition! If he just takes his medecine, he's alright! And he always take them because he know how if affect him if he doesn't take them. He's a big boy now you don't need to look at every move he's doing!" Becky exclaimed. "I'm sure he can take care of hiself all alone... but of course we'll take care of him if he comes with us..."
"Becky, we know why you are doing this...we know it's hard for you to get away from Alex but try to understand...it's for your brother..." his dad said.
"I'm not doing to be with Alex....well..maybe a little but when he told me his idea, I realized that he was right and that Mark needs to get away from here for a while! You're over protective on him and I think it's not good ..." Becky replied.
"We're not over protective...."
"Yes you are. Since I'm gone you're probably always looking at him to know what he's doing and who he's going out with... just let him breathe!!!" Becky almost screamed. Aj took her hand under the table to calm her a little. He knew it wouldn't be good if they started a fight.
"Don't scream at us Becky. You know we're only doing this for your brother..." her mother said.
"Look...again...we're doing this for your brother. Stop doing everything for him and let him live his life..." Becky replied.
"Okay okay... I agree with you..maybe we're too much... protective over him. You're right. Since you left, we only have one child and we don't want him to be sad or..I don't know.." George explained.
"So you're okay with it? We can take Mark with us?" Becky asked with a smile.
"I didn't say that..." her father answered. "we'll have to think about it.."
"It would only be for a week or two... " Aj said. "And of course, it's if he wants to come...we don't push him to ..."
"Ok look I got an idea... what do you say...I ask him if he prefers to come with us in Florida for some days...or if he'd like me to stay here with him? Then we'll know what he wants ..." Becky smiled.
"Okay... go ask him!" Jennie sighed.
"Oh I love you mom!!! I love you dad!!!!" she shrieked, kissing them both on the cheek. She ran to her brother's bedroom and jumped on the bed. "Come on, wake up sleepy head!!!"
"Huh?? What do you want?" Mark asked half sleeping.
"I have something to ask you..." Becky replied, laying next to him.
"Hum...what?" he asked, opening his eyes slowly.
"Okay... I talked with mom...and you have two choices!" she smiled.
"Huh ? What are you talking about?"
"Ok listen. Yesterday, mom asked me to stay here for the next months..because she says that you're acting weird..." she started.
"Bullshit..."
"Shut up, let me finish!... so, she asked me to stay here... but Aj got an idea... would you like to come with us in Florida for like...2 weeks??? You could stay with Aj and I in his huge house... " she exclaimed happily.
"Yeah..it'd be cool..." he smiled.
"You know, it could change your mind a little and get away from this house... I'm sure mom and dad are all the time looking out for you and it's probably really annoying..."
"Yes... you're right.." he sighed.
"So..what do you say?? You coming??" she asked all smile.
"Wait wait wait...you said that I have two choices...where is the other option??"
"hum well...we can forget about it since you want to come..." she replied starting to get up.
"No way I wanna know!" he smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her on the bed. "What is the other option?" he asked again as she sighed noisily.
"I stay here for like... a couple of months...with you and mom and dad... try to cheer you up...but understand that I don't want to..." she pouted. "No offense to you really...I love you and I would do anything for you to be happy but.. "
"You love Aj..." he finished for her.
"Yeah..." she smiled.
"I understand..." he replied with a smile. "I don't want to have you around if you're not happy to be here..."
"You are sooooooo great Mark!!! I love you!!" she shouted, hugging him.
"I love you too sis!" he smiled. "So, when are we leaving this damn house?"
"Woo... you really want to leave!" Becky laughed. "We'll leave today...what do you say?"
"I say ... Yoohoooooo!!" he laughed.
PART 2
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