Chapter 19
Lunch had gone well, and Kevin got to know me. Nick was glad that his friend was finally accepting this whole relationship. The sake of the group and our relationship depended on the acceptance from everyone. If it wasn't that way, then Nick and I would have had to beat Kevin up. Actually, it was nice to know that I had some sort of family that I could depend on. Yes, I had my mom, but she and I weren't on very good terms. She was willing to let me come home when things were bad, but she didn't want it to become permanent. The guys and I had actually become great friends in such a short amount of time. All the things the magazines said about them were true. They were all sweethearts, and they never let their fame go to their heads. I was really beginning to like this.
We arrived at the conference hall. The reporters were swarming the place. Nick wrapped his arm around me and the other guys just circled around us until we safely made it through the crowd. Some of the fans were holding signs that said "BackStreet Bitch", "Murdering Hoe!" and so forth. I was really getting scared. Nick and Brian just looked at me and told me to ignore them. After we told everyone, things would be better.
"Ladies and gentleman, if you could please take your seats, the guys will be right out." a moderator said.
The crowd quieted and took their seats. The fans were not so easy going. They started screaming obscenities and threw things at us. Security finally had to escort several of them away. We sat at the table facing the crowd. Nick was the first to stand up and speak.
"Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I am sorry for all the confusion made yesterday. I know that many of you are not sure what is going on, but we are all here to clear this up. First off, let me say that the young lady you see sitting before you is Heather. She is a beautiful person and someone I love very much. I want you to all know, that yes, we are to be married soon. The date has not officially been set, but it will be before Christmas. That only leaves us about five months. So, please accept that we are in love and that this is going to happen. We are very happy together. Thank you." Nick finished.
The crowd started in on the questions. "Nick, Nick, what was it that the guy yesterday was talking about? He said that your fiancee is a MURDERER!"
"Nick, how can you love someone that is a criminal? What is all this about?" another said.
"Just tell us the dirt, you fell in love with a Prison Hoe!" another yelled.
Howie stood up, obviously annoyed by the line of questions. "Look, I think before you jump to conclusions, you ought to hear Heather out. She is one of the most loving and caring people I know. You have no right to call her names!" he said to the crowd with a strong voice.
"Dude, she is a wonderful person and friend to us all. How dare you jump to conclusions about her…let her speak!" AJ yelled. He always had a way of getting crowds attention.
"Guys, guys, it's okay. I can defend myself. I got all of you into this horrible mess, and I will get everyone out of it." I said standing up in front of the crowd. "Let me explain a few things about my life." I continued.
I preceded to tell them about my previous relationship with Scott. I told the press everything from start to finish.
"…then, after all I had done, I tried to kill myself. I didn't think that anyone in this world could ever love me after that. I felt I had no one in the world, and I just walked out into the ocean. It all happened so fast. Next thing I knew, Nick was there to rescue me. If he hadn't come along at the right time, I would not be here. I owe my life to Nick, and I owe him for giving me a second chance. Now, look, it was a terrible thing that I did. I do not condone abortion, in fact, I will never forgive myself for what I have done. But I have to move on and continue to live my life. Can't you all just accept me for who I am? I am human, like all of you in this room. We all make mistakes." I concluded as tears ran down my cheeks.
The guys began to wipe tears from their eyes and the cameras flashed. One reporter finally stood up and asked the final question.
"Nick, Heather. I apologize for how rude we can be. I hope that all works out for you two. Now, the question is, would you two every consider having children together? I mean, you don't feel the same way you did before, do you?" John Norris, of MTV said.
"John, thank you for your kind words. Yes," I looked at Nick, "we do want children in our lives, and No, I don’t feel the same as I did six months ago. I love Nick, when I looked into his eyes, I knew. I think God has created a perfect pair, he and I. He is my complement in life…and I will never let him go. He is the answers to my prayers." I finished with tears streaming down my face.
The guys all stood up and surrounded me, hugging me. Nick walked up to me and held me tight. He was so touched by what I had said. He just embraced me and then we kissed. Everyone in the room started to clap, and the two of us were snapped back to reality. We turned, faced the crowd, and started to blush. And that was the end of the press conference.
The world knew all about me, and as scary as it seemed, it wasn't all that bad. I was glad it was out of the way. Now we could just concentrate on our relationship, and the next hardest thing in my life. How was I going to deal with being a BackStreet Boys wife? How would I handle the grueling tour schedule, being away from Nick for long periods of time, and watching girls scream for Nick. I just looked at them and said,
"Guys, now you will have to teach me how to be a BackStreet Boy's wife. Please, this is very hard for me, but if we all stick together, it will work."
Nick looked at me and realized what was happening. Never once had we talked about what would happen when the tour started up again. Never had we talked about how much he would be away. "I am sorry Heather, I never stopped to think that I was dragging you into a life you are not used to. We will make it work. Honest." he looked worried.
"Don’t you worry my dear, I am not scared. It will just be different now. I have to get to know what you all do and understand that you have a job to do. You don’t want to disappoint your fans…and I will always be there to stand right behind you and support you. I love you…I love you all," I said, then looked at AJ, "and yes, AJ, I even love you." I finished as I laughed.
"Nick, now, I need to get my mind off of all this stuff. What is it you all like to do?" I asked.
"SHOPPING SPREE!!!" Howie and AJ shouted at he same time. The other three just looked at them, and realized what they were about to do.
"Oh no, Heather, you are about to shop til you drop!!" Nick said. "Be careful, AJ and Howie LOVE to shop, and they don't stop until they pass out!" he said laughing.
"I think me, Kevin and Nick will tag along, just to keep an eye on you Heather." Brian stated.
"Yeah…I want my fiancee to come home alive…hhehehe" Nick finished.
We all piled into the limo, and made our way to the biggest mall in Florida. We all got ready to disguise ourselves just enough where we could shop peacefully. We all got out and started walking to the doors.
"Heather, you need to check out this shop!" Howie said.
"No! We have to go THIS way…" AJ pleaded.
I looked at the other guys and rolled my eyes. "If I am not back in two hours…send out the Marines!!"
Nick laughed and told me to have fun. He, Brian, and Kevin went to grab a bite to eat. They decided to sit at the center court in the mall to watch us race back and forth. They couldn't help but laugh when they saw us run by, time after time. At first, I had no packages in my hands. But as time went on, Nick saw little bags being dragged all over.
I finally walked up to them, my feet tired, and very out of breath. "Man, when you all said that they liked to shop til they dropped…I never took it seriously…HELP ME!!" I yelled as Howie came racing over to grab my hand and drag me away again. Nick just looked surprised and laughed. I broke free and ran back really quick to leave a package with him.
"Here, hold this, but don't peek!" I said as I handed him a Victoria's Secret bag. "I gotta go, before AJ kidnaps me and takes me away from you forever! BYE!" and I ran off to shop some more.
"Dude, I know what Heather wants tonight, you lucky man!" Kevin teased Nick.
Nick tried to peek in the bag to see it's contents, but Brian stopped
him. "Frack, you better not peek. If what's in there is what
I think it is, you will enjoy it more later, if you know what I mean!"
Brian laughed.
Nick just turned very bright red and hide his face. "Guys, do
we HAVE to talk about my sex life??" Nick whispered.
"Sorry Frack, we are just teasing. Look, you and Heather just
have a great evening. Hint Hint." Brian finished as he and Kevin
laughed uncontrollably. Nick just turned even more embarrassed and
put his head down on the table. This whole relation ship thing was
going to be more than he expected.