***At Nikki's***
"Good Morning Nick!" Nikki said as she walked back into the room after taking a shower and getting dressed.
"Hey, what time is it babe?" he said as he got out of bed and walked up behind Nikki. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.
"It is almost 10 o'clock. You have to get ready! You've gotta eat breakfast and get dressed, but not in that order. Then we're going to Sean's Birthday."
"Who is Sean?" Nick asked confused.
"Sean is Nina's brother. She promised she'd go to his birthday since he is turning 16 this year."
"Oh ok. Cool. Is Brian going to be there?" Nick asked as he picked up his pants and slipped them on. Then he grabbed his shirt and slipped it on. He looked great in his baggy khakis and forest green sweater.
"That's your first question? Jeez I think Brian is taking my place!" Nikki said jokingly.
Nick smiled and leaned down to kiss her but stopped remembering he needed a toothbrush or Nikki would be totally disgusted by his breath. "I gotta go to a store."
"Ok, I'll go with you. Do you need a hat and some sunglasses or anything?" Nikki asked knowing that fans got crazy sometimes and if he didn't hide they'd totally mob him.
"No I've got all that in my car." Nick said as he put his Black skecher boots on.
"Ok, But just a warning it's not going to be easy to get out of this house without eating breakfast Nick. So you might as well eat before we go the store." Nikki said knowing her mother always made sure they all ate breakfast as much as she could.
"Ok." He said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around Nikki's waist. They both walked out of her room and out into the kitchen. "Good Morning Ms.Vaughan!" Nick said as they entered the kitchen.
"Good Morning Nick." She said smiling at Nick and Nikki. He still had his arms wrapped around her and his chin was rested on her head. It was good to see Nikki happy. She deserved to be happy. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Umm, I'll just have some toast please." He said not really feeling hungry.
"Are you sure that's all you want?" She asked trying to make sure Nikki's boyfriend didn't go hungry.
"Yes ma'am." He said respectfully.
"Ok Nikki either show him where the bread and the toaster are or make him some toast please. I would do it myself but my back is just killing me."
"It's ok, you don't have to worry about taking care of me or Nick." She said as she pulled the bread out of the fridge then walked over to the toaster and put in two slices. When they were done she pulled them out and buttered them. She walked back over to Nick and handed him his toast.
"Thank you Nikki. I knew you had to be a better cook then you were a driver!" he said jokingly.
She lightly punched his arm. "Remember Brian said I was a better driver then you!!"
"Uh huh Brian was just sucking up!" he said with a big smile across his face.
"Oh really? So you think I'm a bad driver?" She said trying to sound hurt.
"Yeah Terrible!!" he said as he wrapped one arm around her waist.
"See what I put up with Mom?" she said sighing. "So immature!" She rolled her eyes then laughed. Nick joined in and Pam just sat and smiled at the happy couple. "Well we've got to go get Nick some stuff at the store." Nikki said finally remembering they were headed to the store.
"Nikki let Nick finish his breakfast! You two can go when he is done!" she said sounding like she had when Nikki was growing up.
"I'll drive he can eat on the way there. We're going to Sean's Party today and He needs to brush his teeth and get some deodorant. Stuff like that."
"Oh ok. Well just as long as you give the boy a chance to eat!" she said smiling at Nikki. She was so proud of her daughter. She had a lot of control of situations which was good…Pam wouldn't have to worry about her getting pushed around by anybody.
"Ok, let's go." She said and grabbed Nick's free hand.
"Wish me luck Ms Vaughan! And if I don't make it back alive it was nice meeting you and your family and I want you to know I Love your daughter!!" he shouted making it sound like he was going to die or something. Nichole just smiled at him knowing that he was only joking. They got to the car and Nick got in the passengers' side while Nikki walked over to the Drivers side with the keys. He had keyless entry so she had already unlocked the doors. She got in and started the car. A couple minutes later they were at Payless and Nick had finished his breakfast. They got out and went into the store. Nick decided not to wear his glasses and hat. He was too tired to care if anybody saw him. Plus he was wrapped up in paying attention to Nikki. He wouldn't see her for a while. Thankfully he'd probably spend Thanksgiving with her. But that was different then seeing her every single day!
"Ok Nick get what you need Hun!" she said as they went back to travel kit stuff. He picked up what he needed and turned to check out. When suddenly a girl screamed behind them.
"Oh My Gosh!! It's Nick Carter!!!!! Nick!! Nick!!!" she shrieked.
"Shh!!!" he hissed not trying to sound mean but knowing if he didn't get her quite everyone in the store would know he was there.
"Can I have you autograph?? Please??" she begged trying to stay calm.
"Sure, just don't tell anyone else I'm here…k?"
"Ok, I promise!" she said as she picked up a small unofficial Backstreet Boys Book out of her basket. He took it and signed a page that had his picture on it. "Thank you So much!! You Rock!!" she said happily. Then Nick and Nikki turned and headed to the register again. This time nobody stopped them and they got there safe and sound. They checked out and went back to Nick's car. This time Nick got in the Drivers' side and Nikki in the passengers'.
They got to back to the house and Nick went in and got a shower while Nikki finally remembered she had to wrap Sean's present she had gotten him. It was a Puff Daddy CD. Sean loved Puff Daddy more then any other artist and she knew he didn't have Puffy's latest release, Forever. She took it out of her bag and wrapped it up in gift-wrap. Nick came out of the bathroom his hair was wet and needed to be combed out desperately.
"Nick come here!" she said as he came into her room. He slowly walked over to her thinking she was mad at him for something. She suddenly reached over to her dresser and grabbed her comb. "Nick sit in front of the bed." She said as she walked over to the bed and sat on it. He sat in front of her. She took her comb and brushed his hair so it was styled the way it normally was. "There that is so much better!!" she said as she got off the bed and sat in his lap. With her hand she gently push a few strands away from his eyes.
He smiled and kissed her. "Finally! I've been wanting to kiss you all morning!" he said smiling at her.
***On The Bus***
"Brian, I already miss Nikki." Nina said as she tilted her head back so she could she Brain's face.
He looked down at her and pulled her closer to him. He saw all the sadness in her eyes and wished he could fix it and make everything better. But he knew he couldn't. Nick was hurting too. Frack wasn't ready to say bye to Nikki yet. "We'll see her again! She might come back on our tour! Who knows!" he said trying to be positive.
***Later At Skateland***
"Oh my gosh! I haven't been skating in years Sean!! You didn't tell me your boss was letting you have it here!! You did this to see me fall on my butt so you could make fun of me huh?" Nikki said joking with Sean. As she skated over to him.
"Gosh Darn it! How'd you figure it out?? You weren't suppose to know that!" he said wrapping his arms around her.
She smiled. "I knew that's what you were up to Sean! I just know you love starring at my butt!" she said jokingly.
"Oh yes and whatta tight butt it is!" he said grabbing her butt.
"Jeez, I can't believe you still do that Sean. You've done that ever since I've known you." Nikki said. Then she noticed Nick was gone. "Crap! I've got to go find Nick."
"Ok, I'll see ya around." He said as he watched her skate off in search of Nick. She found him putting on his skates.
"Hey baby!!" she said as she glided over to him.
"Hey Nikki!" he said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Come on Nick let's go skate." She said taking his hand to lead him to the rink.
"Wait! I can't skate very well." He said right before his butt met the ground.
"Oh! I'm soo sorry Nick!!" she said as she skated back to him.
"It's ok,Just stay with me and I'll be fine." He said taking her hand and pulling her onto his lap then kissing her lips lightly. She smiled and then they both got up.
They headed out to the rink and there was a slow song on. It was Quit Playin Games With My Heart. Nikki smiled as they went around the rink holding hands. Nick wasn't that bad of a skater. He'd stumble every once in a while but other wise he was pretty good. After that song they went back to the sack bar area. "Nick I'm going to go find Nina. You can come with me if you want…she is probably with Brian."
"Ok, I'm coming." He said as they turned around to find Nina. They skated over to where Sean was and Nina was standing next to him.
"Nina!" Nikki shouted as she skated over to her and Brian. "Where's everybody else??" Nikki asked disappointed that nobody else came.
"They all stayed at the bus. I don't know why. But I think they didn't want to come because none of them would have had presents for Sean. But Nicola came to see you!" Nina said as she took Nina from Brian's arms.
"Ahh, somebody loves me!!" Nikki said as she kissed the top of Nicola's head.
Nick wrapped his arms around her and said, "I love ya too!" Then kissed her cheek. She smiled. She knew she was going to really miss Nick.
***Later***
"Nikki, I can't believe you and Sean haven't challenged each other to some kind of skate off yet!" Nina said knowing they always had skate offs when they went skating together.
"Well, Sean I didn't want you to lose on your birthday but it looks like Nina is seeing if I still got my skills!" Nikki said as she got up off of Nick's lap.
"Oh, It's on now baby!" he said as he stood up and skated over to the DJ booth.
"Ok! Everybody off the rink, We're going to have a skate off between our birthday Boy Sean Mckenize and our one and only Skate champion Nikki Vaughan!!"
Suddenly a fast song came on. "Speed Nikki!! Speed!" Sean shouted as he headed to the rink.
"I'll be right back yall after I beat the pants off of Sean!" she said as she skated over to the rink. She got on the Rink and took a couple laps then sped up. She had almost reached the same speed as Sean.
"Is that all you got Girl?? You getting weak!" he shouted trying to tease her. Which only made her go faster. "Ok, Ok! We'll see who will get this one." He said as the song ended. They skated over to the side after slowing down. "Hey Yall, who won that one?"
"Since I've seen this before and I know all about it. Nikki you kicked Sean's ass. Sorry Sean Hunny but it's true!" she said as she saw the look of disappointment on his face.
"It's cool! It's cool! I see you taking her side over your own Brother on his birthday! But that's cool. I see how it is!" he said trying to sound hurt. "Ok well now it's Shoot the Duck. I rock at this so be prepared to lose this one Nikki!"
"Shoot the duck?" Nick repeated confused as to what that could be.
"It's just a game." Nikki said kissing his cheek. Then she took off and did some laps around the rink.
"Come on Sean!! You gotta beat her!" a girl shouted from the outside of the rink.
"Oh everybody knows he can't be beat at shoot the duck, but now that he is taller can he do it?" One of Sean's many friends shouted from the side of the rink.
"Ok you two get ready, And dooowwnn." The DJ said into the Mic. Nikki and Sean both went down on one skate and were holding the other with the hand out in front of them. Suddenly Nikki fell backwards. Nick was about ready to run out and see if she was ok until Sean stood up and skated over to her.
"Ha!! I beat you!" he said as he held out his hand to help her up.
Nick felt a wave of jealousy take him over and he wanted to go out and kick Sean's ass for flirting with Nikki. "Nick what's wrong?" Nina asked as she looked at Nick the she looked at the Rink and immediately made the connection. "Nick you have nothing to be jealous of. Nikki and Sean have always been close just because he is my brother. She is 19 and he is only 16!! This competition stuff was just for fun to remember the 'good ole days'. We did this every weekend. This is the only thing to do in this town. So skate competitions are normal. They are rivals when it comes to skate Champ. Falling on your ass comes with it. Nothing to get bent out of shape about!"
***Later***
Finally it was time for Sean to open his presents. He did and hugged and thanked everyone. He got a car from his grandparents, and aunts and uncles as a group gift. Sean and Brian hit it off right away and ended up hanging out together a lot. Sean was also a fan of basketball and he love cracking jokes like Brian all the time. The Party pretty much ended after Sean got his car. He had just gotten his license and was dying to drive his 99' Mustang. "Bye Sean! I'm going to miss you so much!!" Nina said as she wrapped her arms around her little brother. Even if he was a lot taller then her. He was already 6'3". With a Long thin body structure.
"I'm going to miss you too Nina! You better call me ya hear girl? You didn't ever call me before and this time you better!!" he said as if warning her. He said and shook Brian's hand. "Nice to meet you Brian. You better take care of my sisters…ya hear? If ya Don't I'll know and I'll find ya!" he said trying to sound mean it but smiling while saying it. "And next time yall in town you gotta stop by and play basketball."
"Yeah man I hear ya. I promise I'll take care of Nina and Nicola. She means a lot to me." He said wrapping his arms around Nina and kissing her cheek. "And you are on for that game man."
"Hey Sean Boy you better not forget me! I get a hug too right?" Nikki said as she walked over to him. He gave her a big bear hug lifting her off the ground and spinning her around.
"Yeah, but since you are going to be here you know what that means! You gotta deal with me more often! Haha! You're stuck with me again!!!" he said flashing her his trademark smile. He was a sweet guy…also knew how to have a good time without making anyone feel bad.
"Oh Damn, I forgot about being stuck hanging out with you! Jeez! Oh well I've got other friends too." She said jokingly. After all the good-byes Sean got a couple of his friends together and left in his new car. Nina, Brian, Nick, and Nikki got into Nick's car and drove to Nikki's house. Nobody said anything on the way there. They all knew they'd have to say good bye to Nikki really soon and none of them wanted to see her go. When they got there Nick got out and opened the door for Nikki again. She got out and turned to face him. Without saying anything she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed back. "Something to remember me by." She said sadly.
"I could never forget you Nikki,We'll be together for Thanksgiving, No matter what I'm going to spend thanksgiving with you. I love you and I'm really going to miss you…I'll call you everyday that I can and I'll write to you every chance I get. We've still got email and Instant Messenger." He was trying to convince himself that everything would be fine just as much as he was trying to convince Nikki.
She already had tears welled up in her eyes when they got there and now they were spilling over. She knew she loved Nick and Nick loved her…that's why it was so hard to say good bye. "Nikki don't forget us!" Nina said breaking Nikki's trance. Nina walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I'm gonna miss you girl!!! You know this tour ain't going to be the same with you gone!! But I'll call you as much as I can. Plus you've got Sean to push around, make sure you have fun pushing him around."
Next Brian came over and gave her a quick hug. "I'll keep an eye on Nick for ya!" he said smiling.
"Just take care of him k? I will have to track you down if you let anything happen to Frack…ya hear me Frick?"
"Yeah, I'll watch out for him…Don't worry. We'll all miss you but we'll survive." He said smiling. He too was fighting back tears. He cried easy but he knew how hard it must have been on Nick and Nina they were a lot closer to Nikki. Suddenly they heard Nicola scream. She had woken up to an empty car.
"Ah, I gotta say bye to the baby too." Nikki said walking over to the car and leaning in next to Nicola. As soon as she saw somebody paying attention to her, she smiled and giggled. "Ahh, Hey Nicola!" she said as she unbuckled her and took her out of her car seat. "You guys better remember to tell me about Nicola when you call!!" she said smiling at the happy baby.
"Ok well Nina I think we should give Nick and Nikki some time here." Brian said knowing Nick wanted to talk to Nikki.
"Ok." She said walking over to Nikki. "Here I'll take Nicola." Nikki handed her the baby. And Nina gave Nikki a one handed hug. "I'll see you girl. And I'll call you as soon as we get to the next town."
"Ok. Bye Nina, Bye Nicola." She kissed the baby's head and then Nina went and got in the car. Nikki walked over to Nick.
"Nikki, I have something for you." He said as he pulled a small box from his pocket and got down on one knee. "I love you and I want you to remember me. And so I thought this would be something to make it easier to remember me." He said as he opened the box. There was a ring inside that had two small diamonds on each side and a blue stone in the middle. He took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger. Then he stood up. The blue stone was there because her favorite color was blue.
"I could never forget you!" Nikki said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She started crying again, this time she wasn't sure if it was because she was happy Nick was committed or sad because he was leaving. "You guys have got to go or you'll miss your ferry!" Nikki said realizing how much trouble they'd be in if they didn't get to the bus in time.
"Ok, We're going." He said then leaned down to give her one last kiss before he left. "I'm gonna miss you Nikki, Remember to be home around 10 am tomorrow, I'll call you then."
"I will, I promise!" she said not ready to let go of him but she did and he turned and got into his car. She stood there and watched him back out of her driveway and drive out sight.
***In The Car***
"Nick are you ok?" Brian asked knowing that he wasn't.
"Oh yes I'm just great Brian! I feel so good right now. I mean who wouldn't feel great after saying good bye to their girlfriend?" he asked sarcastically. After a while they reached the ferry dock. Nick paid and drove on. He didn't feel like doing anything so he just sat there starring out the window.
"Nick, I'm sorry. I just thought that maybe I could help. If you need anything you know you can count on me man." Brian said speaking for the first time since they had gotten on the ferry.
"Not your fault, I just don't feel like talking to anyone right now. I miss Nikki and I know I'm not going to see her until Thanksgiving. That's a lot different then being able to go to the next room in a hotel or the other bus. I hope she knows I love her." Nick replied, more thinking out loud then talking to Brian. *I can't believe she isn't on tour with us anymore…* he thought sadly to himself. Everyone else felt the same way. But they all knew they'd see her again, all except Nick whom was scared she'd leave him. *I can't believe I'm losing her.*
THE END: There will be a continuation with a squeal.
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