Chapter Six


“Gwendalyn O’Brian soon-to-be-Carter! What are you doing up there?” Nick called from his perch at the foot of her stairs. They had to be at Brian’s house in twenty minutes, and it took them half an hour to get there from Gwen’s parents home.

“Hang on will you?!” a distant call of aggravation sounded. Nick sighed and rolled his eyes turning around to have a seat in the living room.

“Women.” Mr. O’Brian said, causing Nick to look up quickly. He thought he was alone. He smiled sheepishly at Gwen’s father and ran a hand through his unruly blond spikes.

“Sorry, sir. Its just that...” Nick laughed nervously. After all the time that had past between the first meeting between Nick and the parents of Gwendalyn, he still experienced moments of embarrassment and nervousness around her father.

“Nick...it’s okay. I have a wife, and I know how irritating it can be to wait for them to get dressed.” he said fatherly patting Nick on the back. Nick breathed a sigh of relief. Every mistake he made was followed with the dread that Mr. O’Brian would somehow forbid him from marrying his one and only daughter. He knew the thought was silly..but he couldn’t help but worry.

“They do take forever.” Nick said shaking his head, grinning at Gwen’s father.

“But, it’s all worth it isn’t it?” he responded shaking his head when he heard the sound of his name echo through the house. “There is my beloved paging me now, will you excuse me?” he asked.

“Of course, sir.” Nick said nodding his head. He watched the older man leave the front hall in search of his wife. Sighing, he shoved his hands in his Jeans’ pockets and made his way into the empty living room. Seating himself on the couch, he smiled to himself as the thoughts of meeting Mr. and Mrs. O’Brian ricocheted around in his mind...

*Flashback*
“Will you please stop that.” Gwen said swatting at Nick’s hands which were in the process of fumbling with the buttons on his black polo shirt for the hundredth time that day.

“I can’t help it!” Nick whined, batting her fingers away. “Are you sure that they won’t hate me?” he asked again, looking in the bathroom mirror.

“Nick!” Gwen sighed leaving the bathroom to perch herself on Nick’s Queen size bed.

“Gwendalyn...” he said flipping the bathroom light off as he joined her in his bedroom. He grabbed his wallet and shoved it into the back pocket of his khaki pants.

“Nickolas.” Gwen responded tossing Nick a perturbed glance.

“I just...I want them to approve of me.” he ran a hand through his hair in the now adorable habit.

“Sweetie...if I liked you enough to let you take me out, they will like you enough to let you take me out. That’s the way they are. They trust my judgment...and might I add that, my judgment kicked ass with this one.” she finished with a huge smile. Nick shook his head and grinned back.

“This is a big step.” he said seating himself next to Gwen. After only two weeks of dating, they had fallen into a comfortable relationship with one another. He reached for her hand, feeling all nervousness drift away at the touch of her soft skin.

“I know.” she whispered, her eyes glued to the navy blue bedspread draped over his wooden bed. He felt his heart tighten at her shyness. Most people found it a flaw, but he found it captivating. It only made her more desirable in his eyes.

“This means..” he paused, waiting for her to jump in. She smiled, still fascinated with the cloth beneath her.

“This means we have something worth meeting parents the for.” She giggled before raising her gaze to meet Nick’s. He smiled before bringing her hand to his lips, kissing her skin softly.

“That we do. And I am sure my parents will fall in love with you.” he said squeezing her small hand for emphasis. “Whenever the chance that you will meet them arises.” he grinned. His parents lived in California, across the country, some thousand miles from him. It was virtually impossible for them to meet the woman he was crazy about without running into trouble. But, one thing he knew for sure, he would find a way to introduce them to each other...that fact wasn’t questionable.

“We should get going, Stud. I left the house an hour ago to fetch you, not pick out your clothes, and help you get dressed.” she stood up, straightened her baby blue flowered skirt, and pulled her boyfriend up off the bed. He stopped by his dresser once more to check his hair before allowing Gwen to pull him out of the room.

“Anything I should be aware of before I meet them?” he asked. What happens if, for some reason, they didn’t like him? Would he have to stop seeing Gwen? That was something he truly didn’t want. In the past two weeks she had become extremely important to him.

“Nothing too extreme.” Gwen said, diving into descriptions of the two who raised her. Nick leaned against the arm rest in Gwen’s little Toyota, and watched her as she spoke. Words of love and admiration leaving her mouth in reference to her parents. Her father was a Contractor, her mother, an employee of ‘Butterfly’, a child daycare center in Riverview, a small town just outside of Tampa. Both were warm, loving, and very generous. They were very kind to each and every one of Gwen’s friends and previous boyfriends, not judging, rather embracing them. Gwen made sure to point out that her parents were also very excited to meet Nick. For the past two weeks, Gwen had spoken of nothing but the times she spent with Nick, and how wonderful he was.

“Just be yourself,” she instructed as she pulled her little red car into her parking space just beneath her basketball hoop. “I’ve already told them so much about you, don’t change on me now!” Nick cracked a smile at her scolding.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Nick said nodding his head at her. She rolled her eyes and ruffled his hair before getting out of the car. “Hey! I just fixed this.” he said pointing to his head.

“I didn’t ruin it..it still looks like you just rolled out of bed. No harm done.” she said giving him a cheesy smile before starting up her front steps. Nick took a deep breath, preparing himself, before joining Gwen on the porch where she was holding the door open for him.

“You first, my dear.” he said grasping the door, and placing his palm on Gwen’s back, gently leading her in the house. He entered behind her, closing the door, fumbling with the knob, in attempt to look less tense.

“Stop.” she whispered, turning quickly to pull him away from the door. He smiled and let her lead him into the now familiar kitchen. It was the same room as every other time he had been in it, late at night, post-date, with only one difference. Mrs. O’Brian was now occupying it. She glanced up as Gwen came in and broke out into a smile when she caught sight of Nick.

“Hello. You must be Nick.” she said drying her hands on a towel before making her way around the island.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. O’Brian.” he said extending his hand. He watched as Gwen’s mother shook her head, waving his hand off, and embraced him in a tight hug.

“It’s great to finally meet you, as well.” the woman said, puling back to admire him. Nick felt immediately at ease. He could tell, by glancing at Mrs. O’Brian, where Gwen had gotten her amazing looks. He mother was beautiful...for whatever age she was, and she seemed very friendly. “Dad won’t be home for another few minutes, so make yourself at home.” she said turning to Gwen. Nick caught the wink her Mrs. O’Brian sent her daughter’s way, and smiled. Gwen nodded and raised an eyebrow at Nick.

“You want to go in the living room, or stay in here??” she asked, fully aware that Nick felt at home with her mother.

“Here is fine, if we’re not going to bother your mom.” Nick said glancing at Mrs. O’Brian.

“Have a seat,” the woman said pointing to the stools across from her work area, “keep me company while I make dinner. You like lasagna?” she questioned, brushing her bangs out of her eyes as she reached for a tomato.

“Love lasagna, it smells wonderful.” Nick said seating himself in a stool before pulling the second one out for Gwen. She smiled and sat next to him.

“Why, thank you.” Mrs. O’Brian said smiling up at Nick. They made small talk for a few moments before the sound of the back door opening jolted Nick back into a bundle of nerves. Every guy knew that a girl’s father was the hardest of the two parents to meet. The whole saying: Daddy’s Little Girl.... He said a quick prayer before turning to face the back hall, awaiting the appearance of Mr. O’Brian. He didn’t have to wait long before a tall, solid man entered his view.

“Mark! Come in here and meet your daughter’s boyfriend.” Mrs. O’Brian said as soon as she saw her husband.

“Coming.” a calm voice answered. “Alright, I’m here. Hello.” He said to Nick.

“Hello, I’m Nick.” he held out his hand, again, and this time was rewarded with a handshake.

“Mark O’Brian. Nice to meet you, Nick.”

“Same here, sir.” Nick answered.

“If you all will excuse me, I think I’m going to go shower before dinner.” he said patting Nick on the back, before leaving the room.

“That went well.” Gwen said tapping her fingers on the counter-top.

“It did?” Nick asked. Mrs. O’Brian laughed lightly at his question.

“Yes, it went well. Gwen’s father had made it a habit to interrogate all the boys she brings home because there is something suspicious about them. The fact that he went straight for the pat on the back signals he approves.”

“Really?” Nick smiled. The worst was over, and he was still alive.

“Really.” Gwen whispered, resting her head on Nick’s shoulder. Nick kissed her hair softly before turning back to the meal Mrs. O’Brian was preparing.

Hours later all four sat in the O’Brian livingroom, watching television.

“So, Nick,” Gwen’s father began, “I hear you sing.”

“Well, I’m in a music group.” Nick said sitting back on the couch, fully prepared to tell the long tale of BSB.

“Gwendalyn bought your CD so we would know who you were.” Nick glanced over at a blushing Gwen, and smiled.

“Really? What did you think?”

“Good music. Not exactly my type, but very up-tempo. I’m sure you’re breaking hearts.” Mr. O’Brian said laughing. Nick nodded.

“Do you travel a lot?” Mrs. O’Brian piped in.

“Unfortunately, yes. The group is on a long break right now, it’s not often that I have this much time on my hands.” Nick admitted. He had already spoken to Gwen about his responsibilities to the group before things got too involved, but she had assured him that she was okay with him doing his own thing.

“When do you go back to the busy schedule?” Anne O’Brian pressed.

“Not for another month and a half. We begin recording in September. Most of that is done in Orlando, so I’ll be able to commute, but we also record in New York and LA.”

“That’s where you’re parents live, right?” Gwen asked at the mention of Los Angeles. Nick nodded. “Nick’s parents moved to LA to help his younger brother with his career.” Gwen said turning to her parents. “Nick lives alone.” Nick waited for a complaint, but was met with nods and smiles. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, we have a movie to make.” Gwen said standing. Nick smiled and followed, standing as well.

“It was nice meeting you, Nick.” Mrs. O’Brian said standing to give him another hug. He welcomed it, and thanked her for having him for dinner. He moved on to Gwen’s father, and shook his hand.

“Come by here anytime.” Mr. O’Brian said smiling at Nick. Gwen was waiting for Nick on the porch, and as soon as he left the confines of her home she pulled him towards her.

“Thank you.” she said kissing him. Nick returned the kiss, gladly before pulling away.

“For what?”

“Being perfect.” she whispered pulling him out into the darkness.
*End Flashback*

“Whatcha thinking about?” an angelic voice asked, bringing him out of his deep thoughts. He looked up abruptly and saw Gwen standing in front of him, ready to go.

“Nothing...” he said standing, looking her over. “You look beautiful.” he whispered leaning to kiss her softly.

“I’m just wearing jeans and a t-shirt.” she said brushing his compliment off.

“Yes, but you look beautiful in them.” Nick said grinning at her. She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed his hand.

“Come on. Let’s not be late.” she said in a sing-song voice. “Bye Mom! Bye Dad!” she called opening the front door. Faint calls were heard from within the house as the two left, heading towards Brian’s.


Chapter Six
Table of Contents
Chapter Four