We awoke the next morning. Our flight back to the US was at 2:00 p.m. I cuddle closer to him. “I don’t want to go home.” Nick smiled and hugged me tightly. After we ate breakfast we both got our luggage ready and did a quick look over the cottage to make sure that we didn’t forget anything. I walked over to the window and took one last look at the beautiful view of the beach. I was going to hate leaving this place. One of the things Nick and I had in common was our love for the beach. Just looking out into the blue sea made us forget what problems we were about to face when we got home. I knew what we would run into as soon as we got off the plane and Nick knew, too. Nick had called Brian to make sure he could arrange our arrival a quiet one, secretive to be exact. We would both be tired and wouldn’t want any cameras or reporters in our faces. Brian said that he would do the best that he can to arrange for a quiet arrival. Nick had asked Brian before they hung up what the media was like. Brian said that news had spread around that Nick had gotten married but no one knew about the age difference. Some of the fans believe this marriage to be a rumor so at that point, it wasn’t that bad. There have been some photographers and reporters at the gate of the house standing vigil. Brian had said that we would have to sneak in the back way. No one had discovered the secret gate in the back of the house.
We finally arrived in Orlando. The flight wasn’t that bad as I had slept most of the way. During the flight, I started to feel a little dizzy and nauseous. Nick was a little concerned but I told him that it was just the plane ride. I do get carsick so I figured that a plane ride was the same only in the air. We made our way down the stairs of the plane right into a waiting limo. Brian was there to meet us along with Howie. “So, how was your honeymoon you two,” Howie asked curiously. I smiled at Howie, “None of your business.” Howie laughed, “no, really how was the Bahamas?” “It was awesome guys,” Nick replied. “Blue water, white sanded beach, blue skies, clear night skies,” Nick went on. “Nick, I know you just got back and all but we’ve got rehearsals tomorrow,” Brian said. Nick looked at me. “Go ahead babe, I’ve spent a whole two weeks with you. I need a break,” I laughed. “Oh, you need a break already, huh,” Nick asked chuckling as he tickled my side. “Annie, two weeks of Nick’s face can be annoying, can’t it,” Brian asked laughing. Nick looked at Brian with an evil grin. We all just laughed. “Seriously, Annie, you don’t mind,” Nick asked. “No . . . . . of course I don’t mind. This is your job, Nick. Don’t be silly,” I replied.
We finally arrived at the house. We went in through the back way where no one would see us. Brian and Howie helped unload our luggage into the house. I was the first one to walk in when low and behold a big banner stretching across the recreation room saying ‘WELCOME BACK MR. & MRS. CARTER.’ I was so surprised. Nick followed behind me and smiled the biggest smile. All the band members and the dancers were there to wish Nick and me well. And there was food everywhere!! Although the sight of it kind of made me ill. But I just ignored the feeling. Kevin gave me a hug, “Well, how was the honeymoon?” “Wonderful,” I replied. “Yeah, it was awesome,” Nick said. I was a bit hungry even if I felt a little ill. I walked towards the table to grab something small. As I made my way to the table, I felt really dizzy. I slowed my pace and before I knew it, I was falling towards the floor. Nick saw me and rushed to catch me before I blacked out. When I came to, Nick and the guys were hovering over me. “What happened,” I asked. “You were walking across the room and you past out,” AJ replied. I tried to gather myself up but my legs gave way beneath me. “No, no . . . . don’t you dare try to stand up,” Nick said worriedly, “I’ll carry you.” Nick lifted me into his arms and carried me over to the couch. Everything in the room was spinning so much that it felt better to close my eyes. “Howie, can you get her a glass of water,” Nick asked. Howie hurriedly ran to the kitchen. I took a few sips. Nick was really worried. “I’m going to take you to the hospital,” he said. “No, no, no . . . . . I’m fine. I’m just tired, that’s all,” I replied, “I just need to get some sleep.” Nick helped me up from the couch and up to the bedroom. He laid me down gently. Nick went into the bathroom to grab a wet washcloth. “Are you sure you’re okay,” Nick asked. “Babe, I’m fine, really. I’m just tired,” I replied. “Get some rest. I’ll stay here until you fall asleep,” Nick said as he wiped my forehead. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.
We finally headed downstairs to get ‘me’ something to eat. Nick made me a sandwich out of the cold cuts, cheese and bread that were spread on platters on the table. “What do you want to drink,” Nick asked. The banner caught my eye again and I smiled. “7-Up is fine,” I replied, “my stomach was a little upset earlier.” Nick poured me the 7-Up. It was really weird because earlier I wasn’t really hungry. But I took one bite of the sandwich and I felt famished. As if I hadn’t eaten in days. Nick laughed as I downed the sandwich he made. “What,” I asked. “Slow down. You act as if you hadn’t eaten in days,” Nick chuckled. I laughed, “I guess I am making a pig out of myself, huh?” Nick shook his head as he smiled. Kevin had come down stairs. “Hey Annie, how you feelin’,” Kevin asked. “I’m okay,” I replied. “Well, if you still feel that way, you need to see the doctor,” Nick said. “Oh, I don’t need a doctor. It was the plane ride plus I hadn’t really eaten on the plane,” I replied.
That night I laid in Nick’s arms. “MMM this feels nice,” I said softly. “What does,” Nick asked. “Laying in your arms like this,” I replied. Nick pulled me closer. “How do you feel now,” Nick asked worriedly. “Stop worrying so much. I feel much better after that sandwich,” I said. “Well, you really looked pale earlier,” Nick said. “Don’t worry, I’m fine,” I replied. “Just promise me that if you still feel sick, you’ll see a doctor,” Nick said. “Nick, what are you worried about? It probably was just a little stomach flu,” I explained. “Still,” Nick replied. “Okay, okay. If I still feel like I did earlier, I’ll see a doctor. But I know I’ll be fine tomorrow,” I said. We were quiet for a bit. “Annie, remember when you finally opened up to me,” Nick asked. “Yeah.” “Well, did you tell me the whole story,” Nick asked. “Yeah, I did. Why,” I asked. “You never told me his name,” Nick said. “Nick, that’s the past. Why do you want to know his name,” I asked. “I dunno.” “His name was Steve,” I replied. Nick was quiet. “Babe, what’s wrong,” I asked. “I just can’t imagine anyone hurting someone like you, especially that way,” Nick replied. “Well, there are some sick people in this world.” Nick laid me down on the pillow. “Babe, I will never ever let anyone hurt you again,” Nick said. His eyes looked so hurt. “I know, I know,” I whispered softly. Nick bent down to kiss me. His lips brushed mine for a bit until he found them. I pulled him closer as I wrapped my arms around his neck as our lips locked. My mind whirled, my breathing became deep, and my heart began beating hard. I ran my fingers through his hair as Nick’s hands searched my body. I began to cry. Nick pulled away when he heard me whimper underneath his kisses. “What’s wrong,” he asked. I looked into those beautiful blue eyes. They were so tender, so caring. “Annie, what’s wrong,” he asked again. “Nothing . . . . I . . . I just can’t believe that I was blessed with such a wonderful man as you,” I replied. “You’ve taught me how to love again . . . . . . . . to not fear love again,” I explained. Nick hugged me and then found my lips again. That night was, I believe, the most tenderest moment since Nick and I have gotten married. And we both knew that there would be more tender moments to last a lifetime.
The next day I spent at the house. Nick and the guys had gone to rehearsals. I had gone downstairs to get some munchies. When I returned to our room, I felt that sickly feeling again. The room started to spin again like yesterday and I felt as if I was going to pass out. I sat on the edge of the bed and braced the nightstand to keep from falling over. Then this awful pain crept into my stomach. It was subtle at first but grew with intensity. My eyes began to tear from the pain. I struggled to the bathroom to the sink so that I could flush some cold water on my face. I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. I had lost color, I looked so pale. I braced the sink as I doubled over from the pain and I began to cry. I was scared and I didn’t know what was happening. I tried to gag myself but it didn’t work. I couldn’t get anything up. The pain seemed endless. Finally after ten minutes, it subsided and just in time. Nick had walked in, “Babe, are you here?” I didn’t answer at first. I quickly took a towel and wiped the sweat off my face then I combed my hair. “Annie,” Nick called. He opened the door to the bathroom. I had just freshened myself up before he walked in. “Hey, didn’t you hear me call you,” he asked. “Oh, no I didn’t. I’m sorry, hon. I was just freshening up,” I smiled. I felt the pain in my stomach again but it wasn’t as intense and I just ignored it. “So, how was rehearsals,” I asked. “Really good. We got the routines down pack,” Nick replied as he was standing in the bathroom doorway. I walked past him and into the bedroom towards the window. We had a beautiful view. Nick came up behind me and put his arms around me. “You wanna go out for dinner,” he asked. “Where? And how do we dodge the fans, reporters and photographers,” I asked. “Oh, I’ll call the restaurant and have them reserve a private dining room just for us,” he replied, “I’ll have the limo come around back.” “Oh Nick, can’t we take our own car,” I asked. “Well, if you want to be bombarded then yes we can,” he said with a smile. I turned around and gave him a passionate kiss then pulled back, “Okay, sweetie. Take the limo.” On our way to the restaurant, I realized that I dare not say anything to Nick about what had happened earlier that day. I knew that he would worry and he didn’t have to worry right now with the tour coming up. With that, I erased the memory of today from my mind.
Nick came downstairs to Howie in the front room. “Hey, how’s Annie? Is she okay,” Howie asked. “Yeah, she’s just still a little tired,” Nick replied. Howie gave Nick a ‘thinkers look’ and said, “Nick, Annie sure has been tired a lot lately. You don’t think she’s …….” Nick looked at Howie wide eyed, “Pregnant? Aww man, I never thought about that.” Howie could see that Nick was getting a little excited. “Whoa, Nick, hold on now. I’m just speculating,” Howie said. “But what if she is pregnant, D,” Nick replied. Just then, AJ walks in, “Wassup man. Where’ Annie? I haven’t seen much of her since you two got back from the Bahamas.” “She’s upstairs lying down. She hasn’t been feeling well for the past few days,” Nick replied. Aj looked at Nick and said, “Yo, Nick, man. You don’t think she’s ………” “Pregnant,” Nick replied, “Howie just mentioned that before you walked in.” Nick, you? A daddy,” AJ said with a grin. “Yeah, why not,” Nick replied. AJ chuckled. “I can be a good Daddy,” Nick said defensively. “I know, I know,” AJ replied, “I was just thinking about what it would be like have another NICK running around here.” Howie and AJ laughed. Nick looked at both of them and laughed along with them. “I’m gonna talk to her tonight,” Nick said with a smile.
I awoke an hour later to my stomach in pain. I manage to pull myself up and make my way to the bathroom. I looked into the mirror and there was that pale look again. I had lost all color. I popped a couple of Tums in my mouth. It managed to calm my stomach down a bit. I waited till I gained my composure again. I then hopped into the shower. The warm water felt so good on my skin. I let the water run down over my head and down my body. It felt relaxing. I finished showering and got into some comfortable clothes. Before I headed downstairs the phone rang again. I let it ring a couple of times before I decided to pick it up again. “Hello,” I said. No answer. “Hello,” I said again. Still no answer. I was a little ticked now. “Look, whoever this is …….,” I said as I got cut off by a familiar voice. “Annie, Annie. That’s no way to talk to the one who loves you,” the voice said. It was Steve. My skin began to crawl at the mere sound of his voice. Memories of him touching me came flooding back to me all at once it made me sick. “What do you want,” I asked through gritted teeth. “Oh, I was just calling because I miss you,” Steve said sarcastically.” “What do you really want, Steve,” I asked angrily. How dare he call me here. I was fuming. I wanted to kill him. “I’m going to tell you once and once only. Don’t you ever, ever call here again. Do you hear and understand me,” I told him angrily. . “My, my. Aren’t we in a bit of a bad mood,” he said, You haven’t forgotten our special night, have you,” he asked as he chuckled evilly. With that, I slammed the phone down. I stood there with my hand on the phone for what seemed minutes. I couldn’t believe that he had the gaul to call me here. I realized news must have spread about Nick getting married. One thing Steve was good at was snooping. How dare he call me after what he done to me I thought. I managed to calm myself down and then headed downstairs. When I got downstairs, no one was in the front room. I heard music coming from the recreation room and headed that way.
Nick met me with open arms, “Hey, how you doing, babe,” Nick asked as he hugged me. “I feel much better. Where are the guys” I replied. “Oh, Brian went out with LeighAnn, Kevin is up in his room. AJ and Howie went to a movie. You hungry,” Nick asked. “Eh, I’m not really hungry but I guess I can eat,” I replied. “You want to take the Durango and we’ll get something to eat,” Nick asked. Nick had just bought a Dodge Durango before we left for our honeymoon. “Sure. I’d like that,” I replied. I grabbed my purse and we both headed out the door.
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