Chapter 45
Nick and I had been shopping most of the day, but I just couldn’t decide on anything. Nick wanted me to be happy, but he knew that something was bothering me.
“Sweetheart, what’s the matter? You don’t seem to be having much fun.” He said soflty.
“I just can’t seem to find anything I like. This is embarrassing. I am here trying on all this stuff, but I just don’t feel good in them. You say that you like the clothes, but I just don’t feel, ya know...umm, pretty or sexy in them. I feel like a water buffalo. That’s all.” I said, feeling sad.
“Oh now, Heather. You are NOT a water buffalo. You are NOT fat, you are NOT ugly. You are a beautiful lady and personally, I like you just the way you are. Now look at me,” he said sternly, “you are going to get in that store and pick out some awesome clothes. And you are going to smile and enjoy this. Pretty please.” He said, pouting and giving those damn puppy dog eyes.
“Yes, sir. I promise.” I said with a giggle. “You know, if you give me those puppy dog eyes one more time mister, I will smack you.” I said.
“Oh really? And where will you smack me???” Nick said, enthused.
I gave him a sly look and then said, “You want to know, well, when you find me a sexy outfit to wear for you, then I will show you.”
Nick got really excited about that and dragged me through the mall. He knew exactly where to go. As I stood in front of the store, I doubted that they could help me.
“Nick, I don’t think Victoria’s Secret carries anything for pregnant women.” I sighed.
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to look, does it. They have gowns and stuff, and look, you hardly show, so, trust me...we will find you something. Trust me...we HAVE to find something for you.” Nick said, impatiently.
I walked in and a clerk asked if there was anything she could help me with. Nick looked at her and said honestly.
“Ma’am. My fiance here is looking for something sexy.” He said matter-of-factly. “However, she is four months pregnant and is feeling a bit self conscious. Do you think you have anything that will suit her?” he said in a low whisper.
I was very embarrassed and tried to turn and walk out. The salesclerk just smiled and said sweetly to me.
“Ma’am, I have just the thing for you. Sir, you just have a seat...and Ma’am, follow me.” She said politely.
I followed her to a dressing room, and she told me to get undressed. I was a bit nervous. I had no idea what she was up to. The next thing I knew, she was passing lingerie to me. The first one was a satin chemise. It had an empire waist on it, so it would hide my tummy a bit. Along the front was a cute satin bow that hung loosely down to about midbelly.
I loved the outfit, and I was hoping that Nick would too. I looked at myself in the mirror about a hundred times before I got the nerve up to step out of the dressing room to show Nick.
“Babe, I hope you like this.” I said nervously.
“Sweetheart, if you like it, that is all that matters.” Nick said patiently.
I quickly stepped out of the dressing room, and stood in front of Nick. I huge smile formed across his face as he looked at me.
“Oh Heather, that is beautiful. It is just the right thing for you.” Nick said sweetly.
“Sir, she will get a few months use of this, and she will still be able to wear it after the baby is born. I highly recommend this piece for her, what do you think?” the salesclerk asked.
“We will take it.” Nick simply answered.
The clerk then brought me several more pieces to try on. I loved them all and before long, I was walking out of the store with three bags full of lingerie and nightwear. Nick was pleased to see me smiling.
“Now, we have to get you a few outfits to wear in public. I don’t think I am willing to let you go out in those outfits we just got. I am too worried that someone might steal you from me.” Nick laughed.
I was laughing so hard that tears were pouring down my face. It had been a while since I had laughed like that. All I know was that it felt good to be happy again.
Nick took me to a few more places to get some dresses and casual wear. Although Nick wasn’t too good at coordinating himself, I felt he did a fine job of helping me. We picked out everything that I could possibly need over the next month or so. Nick knew that I would probably have to shop for a few more items as I got further along, but wasn’t worried about it like I was.
As we walked through the mall, we saw a group of girls standing near the bookstore. They were all concentrating on something in one of the girls hands. As we approached, we could hear one of them say something.
“What a bitch. She has no right. And to think that Nick had to make such a mistake. I mean, don’t you think he is a bit young to be raising a kid? He is pretty much one himself.” The girl said.
I started to feel bad about what I heard. Nick just gave me a look and told me not to get upset. It was better to just ignore it all. I couldn’t help it, maybe it was the hormones or something, but I was getting more upset as the minutes went by.
“Jeez, and to think...he could’ve found someone far better looking than her. I mean, why don’t ya just call her Scarface...” another girl laughed.
All the others around her started laughing too. None had seen Nick walk up behind them.
“I don’t think it is polite to talk about someone behind their back, miss.” Nick said firmly.
The girls whipped around to see Nickolas Gene Carter of the Backstreet Boys standing there. One girl almost passed out, while another screamed. The others just stood there with their mouths hanging to the floor.
“You may want to pick your jaw up off the floor before you try to give my fiance an apology.” Nick said.
“Uh...ummm....uh...” one girl muttered.
“That is not what I call an apology.” He said sternly.
“Nick Carter...oh my God. I can’t believe it’s you...uh...umm.” another said.
“Come on Nickolas. It’s not worth the trouble. If they were true fans of you and the guys, they would respect your decisions. It’s okay that they don’t like me.” I said, trying to sound confident.
“Heather, I will not allow my fans to treat you like that. They have to understand that I will do things in my life that may not always please them. I have the right to be happy too.” Nick pleaded with me.
“Umm, Mr. Carter, and, umm, Ms. Truesdale, umm, I apologize. I shouldn’t have said those things. You are a pretty lady Ms. Truesdale and we had no right to criticize. I am so sorry.” One girl said as she started to cry.
“Hey, don’t cry. It’s okay. But from now on, think about the things you say. They may not seem all that hurtful, but they really are.” Nick said.
“Girls, there are some things in life that aren’t always what you want them to be. You see, Nick is a very kind and generous person. He deserves to be happy, as do the other guys in the group. Please give them respect at least. You are all beautiful young ladies, and you will find happiness in your life one day too, and when it comes, you won’t want people to criticize you for it.” I said gently.
“Look, do you see that scare across Heather’s face. She is not deformed or anything. If you all don’t know why she is like that, then you shouldn’t say anything. Heather got hurt a while back ago, and it isn’t her fault. I truly believe that she is the most beautiful woman in the world.” Nick said as he squeezed my hand.
“We ARE happy for you Nick and Heather. We promise never to say nasty things like that again.” The girls said in unison.
“Well, then, maybe I should give ya something in return for your apology.” Nick said matter-of-factly.
He took the magazine from the girls and signed his name and wrote a special message to them. I never did see what he wrote, but all I know was that it sent the girls off running with excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh at how much influence he had on these teenage girls. He could probably tell them to jump off a bridge, and they would do it without a second thought. I giggled to myself as I thought about it.
After a short rest, to get me off my feet, we started on our way to the food court. I was really beginning to get hungry. As we approached, Nick asked, “What would like to eat?”
“Wendy’s. I haven’t had Wendy’s in a long time. I love their junior bacon cheeseburgers.” I said.
“Well then, Wendy’s it is.” Nick stated.
He walked up to the counter and looked at the cashier. She immediately recognized him and started to panic. It was hysterical to watch her as Nick gave her the order. She was shaking uncontrollably as she punched the keypad on the register.
“I will take a Combo #4, no tomato, with Dr. Pepper, and could you biggie size that? And, she will have a Junior bacon cheeseburger,” he said as he looked at me. “umm, make that TWO of those, biggie fries, a biggie iced tea, a bowl of chili, one potato with bacon and cheese, and a side salad.”
“Is that all sir?” the clerk asked, her voice shaking uncontrollably.
“Umm, no. I will also need a piece of paper and a pen please, if you don’t mind.” Nick finished.
The girl was looking all over for a piece of paper, but to no avail. She finally pulled out one of the paper bags for our order and handed it to Nick. Nick immediately asked the girl’s name, wrote something on the bag and then signed his name. He smiled as he handed the bag back to the cashier. She almost fainted as she realized that she had a genuine Nick Carter autograph, and on a Wendy’s bag to say the least. She was so excited, she almost gave us the wrong order.
Nick carried the food to a table and then helped me to my seat. He sat and ate his food quickly and then patiently waited for me to finish mine.
“Umm, dear, am I going to need to get a wheelbarrow out here to take you back to the car? I have never seen you eat so much.” Nick laughed.
“I am sorry, I hope I am not embarrassing you, it’s just that I am so hungry.” I said, with my mouth full.
As I was finishing up my chili, we heard a familiar voice.
“Yo dudes, what’s up?!” AJ said as he, Howie and Brian walked up to our table.
“Hey guys, what are y’all doing here?” I said.
“We got tired of listening to Kevin and Dee’s moaning. It was making us crazy.” AJ said.
“Not to mention the fact that if we had to hear that headboard hit the wall one more time, we were going to call security and embarrass the hell outta them.” Howie said.
Nick and I sat there, completely stunned. I suddenly burst out into laughter. I couldn’t control myself as I giggled and giggled. The four of the guys just watched me laugh until I almost fell out of the seat.
“Heather, Heather, calm down before you laugh yourself into having that baby five months early!” Brian joked.
“I can’t help it. I mean, Kevin seems so quiet and reserved. I can’t believe what y’all are saying.” I said in between the fits of giggles.
“Believe or not, you guys, Kevin and Dee have been going at it all afternoon and we don’t see any signs of them letting up.” Howie said.
“Well, then, I suppose we don’t want to go back to the hotel right away, do we?” Nick questioned.
“No, but I am sure we can all think of something to do for the next few hours.” Brian said.
“Let’s go see a movie. I haven’t seen a good one since Star Wars-Phantom Menace came out.” I said.
We finally settled on a movie and made our way to the theatre.
It was funny to watch as the four of them fought over who was going to
pay for my ticket, my popcorn, pickle, soda, candy bar, and ice cream.
Nick finally won out after a small argument. I just stood there and
watched them as they finally gathered up all my goodies, and then we found
our seats for the show.