Kassidy woke to sunlight streaming in the windows. She shifted and felt Nick's arm tighten around her waist. She vaguely remembered Nick carrying her in the house the night before and asking where she wanted to sleep. Obviously she said with him. She looked at his hand now lightly resting against her stomach. She reached down and traced a finger over it. His hand was large and strong, but so gentle. She always loved the feeling of her hand getting lost in his. She giggled when she noticed they were lying on top of the covers, still in the clothes they had worn the night before.

"What are you giggling about?"

"Us. We are still in our clothes from yesterday."

"I know. I didn't want wake you up again. Plus I didn't want you mad at me for undressing you without permission."

Kassidy turned over and kissed him. "Thank you." "What for?"

"Being you."

He smiled and said, "Oh OK."

Suddenly, the other residents of the house interrupted them. All the dogs were in the room and on the bed.

"Oh no. It's the attack of the loving pugs with their sidekick the boxer," laughed Kassidy.

"How did you guys get out of your room," asked Nick also laughing.

"It's my fault Nick."

"Lily come in. It's OK."

A woman, who looked to be in her fifties, stuck her head in the room. Kassidy and Nick sat up. Rocky the boxer hopped off the bed and ran to Lily, who affectionately rubbed his head.

"Lily Alvarez meet Kassidy Rivers. She tries to keep this place straight."

"Hello Ms Alvarez."

"Hello Ms River. Call me Lily."

"Lily call me Kassidy."

"Nick is this the Kass you are always talking about?"

"Um.yeah," said a blushing Nick.

"He talks about me does he," said Kassidy, getting up from the bed. "I think we need to talk."

"Kassidy," whined Nick.

"Yes," asked Kassi as she left the room with Lily.

"Nothing," he pouted.

"Suit yourself. Now Lily what exactly."

Her voice trailed off as she headed down the hall with Lily. Nick looked down to see the pugs looking at him.

"Come on puppies. Let's see what they are saying," he said as he left the room with the dogs in hot pursuit.

"I can see why Nick is so taken with you. You are beautiful, smart, and have a big heart."

"Now you're making me blush," said Kassidy. "Besides you just met me and you know all this?"

"Yes. I've been cleaning Nick's house for two years now."

"Two years? Why didn't we meet this summer."

"I spent time with my son and his wife. She was having expecting their first child and was put on bed rest. As I was saying, I know my Nick and he loves you, so you must have all those qualities."

"She does Lily," said Nick.

"Again I must apologize for letting the dogs disturb you. The house was so quiet. I thought you were gone."

"No problem. We got in late from the wedding."

"Oh yes, the wedding! How was it? Beautiful?"

Kassidy replied, "Yes it was. They were so happy."

"I always loved Howard. He is such a good boy. And Madelyn is a special girl. I'm glad they found each other. I must get to work," said Lily as she went to open the laundry room door. Nick was letting the dogs outside, but said, "Lily you really don't want to look in there."

"Heaven's Nickolas," she exclaimed when she looked inside.

"I know, but with Christmas and the wedding I didn't get a chance. Hey how was your Christmas?"

"It was wonderful! All the children made it home. Even Stephen and Connie with the new baby, Noel."

"What a beautiful name."

"Yes she was born on the first. How was your Christmas?"

"It was great," they answered.

"Now scoot and let me get to work."

"Alright Lily. Thanks," said Nick as he hugged the woman.

Nick and Kassidy headed upstairs to change clothes. Kassi hurried downstairs, when Nick got a call from his mom. She found Lily dusting the livingroom.

"Lily, you can leave the laundry. There is so much. I'll do it later."

"Kassidy I have already started it. There is a lot to do, but you did teach him something."

"Me? What?"

"He now separates everything when he puts it in the room. So I don't have to do it."

"I didn't know he did that." "You have more influence with him than you realize. It's what happens when love is involved."

"There you are," said Nick as he entered the room. "Were you talking about me again."

"Of course. How is your family," asked Kassidy.

"Their good. At least that is what mom said. Let's get out of Lily's way."

"Yes go."

"It was nice meeting you Lily," stated Kassi as she hugged the older woman.

"It was nice to finally meet you too."

"Lily you're the best," said Nick as she kissed her cheek.

A blushing Lily said, "you charmer. Get out of here!"

Nick pulled Kassidy out the backdoor and the dock. He helped her board his boat. Pulling up anchor he navigated the boat out of the canal and into the bay.

"Nick do you realize this if the first time I've ever been out on a boat with you?"

"Do you like it?"

"I love it."

"Good. Want to steer?"

"You trust me?"

"Sure. Come here."

Kassidy joined him at the wheel. As she steered Nick kept his hands on her waist. Looking out over the water was very relaxing. After an hour of sailing around the bay and out into open water, Nick dropped anchor. They sat on the deck and watched the world go by. It was a little chilly, which was normal for the last week of December. Nick pulled out two sweaters and a blanket. The sweaters were for the trip back. The blanket was for now and they snuggled close under it.

"Kass New Year's Eve is this week."

"Yeah," said Kass with a smile. "What do you want to do? If you want to go out we can."

"Nick what do you want to do?"

"I don't care. Like I said we can go out if you want." "If I don't want to go out is that OK too?" "Yes," said Nick. "That would be great. We could watch the countdown on TV and see the fireworks from the bay."

"Sounds like a plan to me." "Good."

They headed back to the house an hour later with their stomachs growling. The dogs greeted them. Lily was in the laundry room starting another load. Nick told her to take off he would finish the laundry. She hugged both of them and left.

Kassidy prepared lunch. They spent the afternoon doing the laundry and watching a movie. After the movie Nick asked Kassidy for a date. His face lit up when she said yes.

They got ready and went out to his favorite restaurant. The owner knew him and put them in a private corner. They had a good time. It was nice to spend some time together without being part of the Backstreet circus. As much fun as it was to hang out, Kassidy treasured this time with Nick. And no matter how hard she fought it, she found the place in her heart where she had kept her love for Nick stored was expanding and filling her whole heart again.

As they were waiting for desert, Nick's phone rang. He was irritated at the interruption. Kassidy watched his whole demeanor change when he found out who was calling. He was agitated as he fired questions at the person. Suddenly, Nick was off the phone and they were out the door.

"Nick talk to me."

Nick concentrated on his driving as he explained, "It was Les. She's at the airport."

"You're sister is in the Tampa Airport?"

"Yes. She had a fight with Mom and Dad."

"That's why your mom called this morning?"

"Yeah. I had a feeling something was up."

"Do you know what they fought about?"

"Lesley is accreting her independence."

"And they don't like it any better now than when you did it."

"Nope. Kassidy you know what she looks like right?"

"Yeah. She's all over the magazines. You want me to get her?" "Please."

"Nick she doesn't know me. She will never come with me." "Tell her Nick said she better get her ass out to the car. She'll come with you then."

Twenty minutes later, Kassidy walked into the airport and found the bathroom right next to the baggage claim. Lesley told Nick she would hide out in there. Lesley had found some success in the US since her debut album was released four years prior. Her real success had come in Europe and Asia. She was getting recognized more in the US since being signed to a contract with Cover Girl Make-up. Kassidy walked into the bathroom to find Lesley leaning against the wall by the sinks.

"Lesley?"

"Yeah," responded an apprehensive Lesley.

"Nick says you better get your ass in the car."

Lesley visibly relaxed and laughed; "the big butt said that huh?"

"Sure did."

They made it quickly out the door, but had to wait for Nick to circle around again. They got in and were on their way back to Nick's.

"Lesley what the hell were you thinking?"

"Hi bro. Good to see you too."

"Hi Lesley. Now what the hell were you thinking," he asked glaring at her in the rear view mirror. "I was thinking I haven't seen my brother in a really long time?"

"Ha Ha! Now tell me the real reason."

"Nick can't this wait until we get to the house? I really would like to make it there in one piece and without getting pulled over," requested Kassidy.

"OK," said a sheepish Nick as he backed off the accelerator. "You must be Kassidy."

"Why must I be?"

"Kassidy is the only person I can think of who could tell him to do something when he's pissed and have him listen."

"That a fact?"

"That's a fact."

"I'm Kassidy. Lesley it's nice to finally meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. I remember when you two first hooked up, boy was mom pissed."

"Lesley," scolded Nick.

"Oops."

Kassidy looked from Lesley to Nick, but let it drop. Nick's jaw was clenched. She let him focus on his driving. Once at the house, Kassidy took the dogs out leaving them to talk.

"Lesley."

She interrupted, "I know. What the hell was I thinking?"

"Exactly. Do mom and dad even know you're gone?"

"Check your messages and tell me."

Nick checked his voicemail. "Nothing."

"Then they don't."

"Les tell me."

"Nick they were driving me crazy! I've worked so hard in the last four years and they still keep pushing. Also whenever I tried to learn the business side they shut me down. I'm 18 and I have a right to know where my money is going. I also want to make my own decisions."

"And they're clamping down tighter."

"Oh yeah."

"I remember."

"I know you do."

"Still running away isn't helping."

"Nick I couldn't take it anymore. I needed space to think. Plus I missed you. We all do."

"I miss you guys too," said Nick.

"I needed someplace safe to run."

"I'm glad you came here. How is everyone else?"

"OK."

Nick looked at his sister saying, "Lesley what aren't you telling me?"

"Things are about to get ugly."

"Tell me."

"We all want to have our family be family and business be business."

"And?"

"I've been meeting with my attorney. I'm a legal adult and I'm ready to make some changes."

"What changes?"

"I've been interviewing some new management."

"Wow. What happened to my little sister?"

"She grew up in the same business you did and she learned by watching you."

"I take it mom and dad don't know."

"No. Nick there's more."

"What?"

"Aaron and Angel are getting ready file papers to become emancipated minors."

"WHAT?"

"Listen to me. Aaron wants to separate family and business, but the only way he can do it is to become emancipated. Angel says she's not staying there if we're all gone."

"I can't believe this is happening. I didn't know."

"How could you? When I started asking questions like you use to they got mad. I told them I would just ask you. Did you notice how suddenly Aaron and my schedules picked up? Also how we went to LA instead of coming here for Christmas?"

"Mom said it was because Kassidy was here."

"What? I'm sorry. I was just bringing you guys something to drink. I'll leave."

"Kassidy stop," exclaimed Lesley.

"It's ok Lesley. I should have waited until you guys came and found me."

"Kassidy wait. That was the excuse Mom gave Nick. Truth is she didn't want us talking to Nick. They can feel their meal tickets slipping away."

"Oh Lesley that's horrible."

"Welcome to the family."

"Kass stay," requested Nick.

Lesley finished telling them the events leading up to the fight that brought her to Tampa.

After they had talked for a few minutes, Nick's phone rang. It was his mother. She was relieved Lesley was safe. However, when Nick said they had been talking his mother got nervous. She demanded Lesley be put on the phone. The conversation quickly escalated into a fight. Lesley refused to come back and threw the phone down.

Nick talked to his mother some more. He told her to give Lesley some time. He held firm and got off the phone to find Kassidy holding a sobbing Lesley. It broke Nick's heart that his parents had not learned from their mistakes with him. They didn't even realize repeating those mistakes was slowly costing them all their children.

BJ had fallen in love with one of the guys working for Max Martin. Now she was living mostly in Sweden. Lesley was going to sever ties with them for business matters, next were Aaron and Angel.

He helped calm Lesley down and got her settled in one of the guestrooms. He found Kassidy in his room with the dogs.

"Did she go to sleep?"

"Finally."

"Poor kid."

"I can't believe my parents."

"I'm so sorry Nick," she said as her voice caught.

"Kass what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry I'm the reason you didn't get to spend Christmas with your family."

"Shh," he soothed, pulling her into his arms. "That was the excuse they gave. Kassi they didn't want me there."

She looked at him and saw so much pain in his eyes.

"Tell me how to help."

"Just hold me."

"I've got you Nick. I'm not letting go."

They sat unmoving for a few minutes. Finally, Nick took in a ragged breath and pulled back to look at her. She ran her fingers through his hair. He kissed her. They both got up and undressed. Crawling into bed, no words were needed. They just held each other as they drifted off to sleep.