Chapter 47
Nick had been gone for quite sometime. I had been asleep for over two hours, and he still wasn’t back. I started to get worried. I rang up each of the boys room, and finally, I found him in AJ’s room. There was some commotion going on as AJ got Nick to come to the phone.
“Hi sweetie. I am sorry that I left you alone, but I had to come and discuss some stuff with the boys and our management. Fortunately, I have some good news for you.” Nick said.
“Is everything okay Nick? I didn’t get you in trouble, did I?” I softly questioned.
“Oh no, hon. I just had to convince management that you and your health is more important than the next few concerts.” He said.
“Oh Nickolas, no. You can’t miss the concerts. Your fans, they will get upset. The guys need you, and so do your fans. You can’t let them down.” I protested.
“Heather, listen to me. There are plenty of concerts for the fans. The guys can do it without me, we did fine when Brian had his heart surgery, and don’t worry, I will only miss a few concerts and then I will fly out to Las Vegas for the Billboard awards. Okay?” Nick stated.
“Only if you think it is the right thing, sweetheart. Thank you so much.” I said, and then told him goodbye. I immediately fell back asleep for the rest of the afternoon.
*** *** ***
“Now look, I am not going to sit here and be told by a bunch of upper management freaks that my fiance’s wellbeing is not important. She needs me and frankly, that is what she will get. I am sure that the fans will understand. Just tell them that I am very sick, and I won’t be able to be there. Tell them that if you are worried that all this with Heather will be bad publicity.” Nick spoke angrily into the phone.
The four guys just sat and listened intently as Nick spoke firmly into the phone. They couldn’t believe that Nick would go against what management wanted. No one had ever seen Nick so dead set on his decisions. Brian smiled as he realized the Nick was beginning to take on the responsibilities of an adult, and was proud of his best friend.
Nick soon made his way back to our room and told me to get my stuff together. We were going back home to rest in Orlando. Away from all the screaming fans, the terribly Wendy’s food in Lexington, and just get some rest.
AJ, Howie, Brian and Kevin said their goodbyes as the limo left for the airport, with me and Nick inside.
“We’ll see you both in about a week. Don’t forget about the awards!” Brian called out as the limo pulled away.
Nick just waved his hand out the window and we drove off.
*** *** ***
Brian, AJ, Kevin, and Howie sat thinking about how they were going to keep the crowd from getting upset when they heard the news about Nick not being at the final few concerts. All they could think about was the fainting young ladies that would need to be hauled off on stretchers. It was not a picture they wanted to see. After an afternoon of thought, they came up with a small solution. It was a far shot, seeing as Nick didn’t want to be disturbed until the awards, but they thought they would try anyways.
Brian immediately picked up his cell and dialed our number at home. Although he knew we weren’t there yet, he decided to leave a message on the answering machine.
“Hiya Nick and Heather. I know that you all haven’t been gone even a few hours, but we already have a bit of a problem. Well, actually, the problem would be solved if you would do just a small favor for us. We would like a video message to be done so that we can show it to the fans. Maybe that will keep them from being disappointed. Please call as soon as you get in, that way we can get things going on it. We have a show tomorrow and I don’t want to disappoint eveyone. Hugs to you both, Love, Brian.” He said into the machine and then hung up.
Everyone looked at him, hoping that the idea would work. Although the group could survive without Nick for a few shows, it was a bad time, because it was the last few shows of the year, the Millennium in fact.
The guys decided that they would go out to eat and then come back and get some rest.
*** *** ***
“Heather, hon, we are home.” Nick said gently.
With a yawn, I painfully opened my eyes and realized that I was finally at home. A week of nothing but relaxation and rest. A week of nothing but Nick all to myself. I realized that I probably was being quite selfish, but hell, if he was willing to spend the time with me, then it was fine with me.
“Oh sweetheart, you have no idea how happy I am to be here.” I said in return.
Nick then helped carry all my bags and stuff in. I went immediately to the kitchen to get something to drink. I opened the fridge and soon realized that I had nothing. Since I had been away with Nick for the past few days, and Dee had been with Kevin, no one had been staying at the house. And with that, there was no food or anything worth speaking of.
“Damn, I should have known. I didn’t go shopping before I left. Oh well, I will go in a little bit. I will just order some pizza or something for dinner.” I said outloud to myself.
I slowly back out to the living room and turned on the stereo. Immediately, the house was filled with the sound of “Everybody—Backstreet’s Back”. I just couldn’t resist, so I started singing out loud. The next thing I know, I am doing the famous dance to go right along with it.
“Everybody, yeah...rock your body...yeah...Everybody, rock your body right...” I sang loudly as I danced.
As I spun around, I saw Nick leaning up against the wall watching me. Never had I been so embarrassed. Nick just smiled from ear to ear as he watched me flop down on the couch in embarrassment.
“You sounded wonderful hon. And, your dancing, well, to say the least was very fun to watch!” Nick said as he laughed.
“Gosh, I sure looked silly didn’t I? Let a mini hippo do the monster dance and you get a great show!” I giggled.
“Well, don’t worry Heather, I thought it looked great!” Nick said, trying to make light of it all.
“Thanks.” I said sarcastically.
“Umm, hon, I am going to check the message machine. Maybe my folks called, let me go and check.” Nick said as he got up.
After a few minutes, Nick returned, with a bit of disappointment in his eyes.
“Baby, what is wrong?” I asked with a worried expression.
“Brian called and said that he needed a favor. I am not sure you will be willing to do it, but, he wants us to call.” He said.
“What does he want us to do?” I questioned.
“He wants us to make a quick video message to the fans, telling them why I can’t be at the last few concerts. That way they won’t get really angry at me not being there.” Nick said, exasperated.
“Well, get him on the phone and we will talk about it.” I said, trying not to get overly excited about it.
*** *** ***
“But guys, Nick was taking the few days off to help me and to get ready for the wedding. Do you really think the fans are going to like that excuse?” I said into the speakerphone.
“Well, it is the best thing we can come up with, that way no one gets too upset that he is gone.” Howie echoed through the speaker.
“Heather, please, please, just let us do this one thing, and we promise to leave you two alone. I promise.” Brian said.
“Well, I will leave it up to Nick. It is his final decision. But, not to be mean or anything, but I draw the line at me being in the video. It is bad enough that I am taking the girls ‘babe’ from them, I don’t need hate mail or mail bombs being sent here. I can just imagine the chaos I would create if I were in that video.” I finished.
“Heather is right, she can stay out of it, but I am willing to do a brief message. Nothing overboard. We are trying to relax a little bit, and get things settled. If you could send the camera crew tonight, we will tape the message. Will that be okay?” Nick finished.
“Sure thing, we will have them there at 7:00 pm and they can be gone by about 7:30-7:45. Will that work?” Kevin asked.
“Sure, that sounds great.” Nick answered. “We’ll give you all a call later on tonight. Talk to you then!” Nick said as he hung up the phone.
“Well, hon, that was a short lived vacation. I am sorry.” He said to me apologetically.
“No need to feel bad. Mr. Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys had to do his work, but he is done for now, at least until 7:00 tonight. Right now, I have Nickolas Gene, and I expect his full attention.” I said sweetly.
Nick stood up and took me by the hands. He slowly walked me to the backdoor of the house.
“Would you care to stroll down our private beach my dear?” Nick asked with a gleam in his eye.
“I would love that.” I responded with a whisper.
We strolled down the beach as the sun slowly began to set on the horizon. Nick insisted that we just sit on the sand and watch as the sunset finished. As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, I looked over at Nick, and in the cutest little voice, told him,
“Do it again, Nicky.” (just like the LifeSaver commercial)
We both broke into laughter as we finally got up and walked back towards
the house.