Chapter 25

Mike led them outside. The icy blast of air that hit Maria the minute she walked out the door took her breath away. They wove their way to a platform that looked like the flatbed of a truck with railings on the sides. It was brightly lit and Maria could see the guys standing with Willa Ford and Dave Holmes in front of a television camera. They weren’t on the air, so they were just standing and talking. A guy who sounded like he was extremely intoxicated whistled at Maria and made a lewd comment. She gave him the finger. Alex laughed from behind her.

"You go, girl," she said. They reached the platform and went up a few steps. The guys were waving to some fans. Jacob was shivering noticeably.

"What’s wrong, Cali-boy? Too cold for you?" Maria asked.

"Warm me up," he said. Maria smiled and put her arms around him.

Alex made her way over to Erik. He smiled at her. "This is so awesome! Look at the people!" he yelled. Alex laughed.

Emily stood beside Ashley. She was so confused. She knew that she wasn’t officially ‘with’ Ashley and she didn’t want to start any rumors. She knew that Ashley liked her, but she didn’t think that he wanted it to be known that he was what? Seeing her? Ashley smiled at her and casually put his arm around her.

"Okay, guys, at midnight the cameras will be showing different shots of everyone on tonight’s show from our different camera locations. When the red light is on this camera, you’re on," a guy with a headset said. "Just go nuts!"

At approximately three minutes to twelve, the ball started to drop. Everyone watched it, their eyes glued to it. A huge counter appeared beneath it and when it was down to one minute, everyone began to count down together. Maria smiled, holding on to Jacob as the ball got closer to its final destination.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!!!" Everyone seemed to shout at the same time and all hell broke loose. Confetti literally fell from the sky. Everyone in Times Square went completely crazy.

Maria saw Alex and Erik already in a passionate lip-lock. She looked at Jacob and smiled. He crossed in front of the camera flashing his peace sign before he pulled Maria to him and kissed her deeply. Maria knew that the camera was right next to them---and that the red light was still on. At that point, however, she could care less.

Emily looked at Ashley, who grinned widely at her. "Happy New Year!" he said before leaning in and kissing her gently, but firmly on the mouth. Emily smiled and hugged him. Dan then grabbed her and it was hugs all around.

Maria and Jacob finally separated and Maria turned to see Trevor beside her. She smiled at him and leaned up to kiss him lightly on the lips. "Happy New Year," she said. He smiled. Maria had just made his night. He hugged her.

"Happy New Year, sweetheart," he said. Jacob watched them, but didn’t feel at all jealous or threatened in any way. He knew how Maria felt about him and he also knew that he had nothing to worry about. Maria was just being…Maria.

New York, New York by Frank Sinatra began blaring out of loudspeakers from somewhere and the guys all sang along.

As things settled down, the guy with the headset informed them that they would be on the air one more time after P.O.D. had performed again. Jacob looked up at the windows that looked into MTV’s studio and saw that they were already playing.

A few minutes later, the girls moved aside as the guy with the headset gave the signal that they were about to go on the air again. Luckily, the guys were only on for a minute, just reveling in what was going on around them. After Dave gave it back to Carson, O-Town was free to leave---meaning they could go inside and thaw out.

Mike C. led them back into the building. They went upstairs to collect their belongings and then they were going to head out.

"Man, I don’t want to go back to the hotel. Why don’t we go out someplace? It’s still early," Trevor said.

"I’ll go!" Dan exclaimed.

"I’m still feeling kind of…sick," Maria said, looking at Jacob, who had to hide a smile. Maria wasn’t feeling sick at all. He could tell just by the way she was looking at him that ‘sick’ wasn’t what she was feeling.

"Yeah, you should lie down," Alex told her, also noticing the look that Maria was sending Jacob. ‘She’s not sick, she’s sex-starved,’ Alex thought. "I’ll go," she added.

"I’m with her," Jacob said, pointing at Maria.

"Okay, what about you, Ashley? Emily?" Erik asked them. They looked at each other.

"I’m kinda tired. I think I’ll just hang out in the hotel room and watch a movie or something," Emily said. She was, after all, used to being alone.

"That sounds good. I actually kinda have a headache," Ashley said.

"Okay, so that’s Dan, Alex, and Erik," Trevor pointed at each of them, and then looked at the Mikes. "Which one of you would like to chaperone us?" Mike M. looked at Mike C. just as Mike C. raised his hand.

"We’ll drop off the other four and I’ll stay at the hotel as well," Mike M. said.

"Fine. Hurry up then, let’s go!" Trevor yelled as he jumped into the limo.

Jacob, Ashley, Maria, Emily and Mike M. rode the elevator in silence. It had been an amazing night. Now, they just wanted to relax.

"My room or yours?" Ashley asked Emily, who became flustered. Maria smiled at her cousin.

"Uh, I guess you can, um, come to my room. If you want," Emily said. Ashley smiled.

"Okay. I just wanna change. How about in ten minutes?" he asked. Emily nodded and looked at the floor.

"Should I even ask if you two want to join us?" Ashley asked Jacob and Maria.

"That’s okay. We’re gonna chill in our own room," Jacob said. Ashley smirked, but remained quiet. Maria noticed the smirk and hit him on the arm.

"Maria! I’m sick of you hitting and pinching me all the time! It hurts," Ashley whined. Maria just smiled and grabbed Jacob’s hand. He put his arm around her. The elevator finally came to a stop and they all got out. Mike M. told them to ‘be good’ and went to his room while the four of them made their way down the hallway.

"See you guys tomorrow," Ashley said, failing to hide yet another knowing smile. He ran before Maria could catch him. Jacob laughed and pulled her into their room.

Once inside, Jacob shrugged out of his jacket and gently pushed Maria against the wall, kissing her hungrily. Maria moaned into his mouth, her coat sliding off of her arms and to the floor. She reached up and pulled Jacob’s cap off of his head, flinging it aside. Her hands then reached for the hem of his tee shirt and pulled it up. Jacob let Maria go so that she could pull the shirt off of him. She did so, throwing it to the floor. Jacob moved in and kissed her again, his arms circling her waist, pulling her roughly against him. His hands moved up to slide the spaghetti straps of her dress down her arms. He left her mouth and kissed her bare shoulder. Maria sighed and leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes.

"Can we move into the room a little?" she asked, her breathing shallow. Jacob smiled and led her over to his bed. They had yet to turn on the lights, so it was still dark in the room. Jacob reached behind Maria and slid the zipper to her dress down. Maria allowed the dress to fall to the floor as Jacob leaned forward and captured her lips with his. His hands made their way up into her hair and he pulled out all of the clips that were holding it in place on top of her head. Maria ran her hands over Jacob’s bare torso, loving the feel of him beneath her hands.

"Are you sure you feel up to this?" Jacob asked softly against her lips. Maria nodded and Jacob moved to her neck, his goatee tickling her, making her laugh lightly. Her hands found his belt buckle and she had it unbuckled in an instant. She undid the button and zipper on his jeans and they slid off of his slim hips to the floor. Jacob stepped out of them and pulled Maria into his embrace once more.

A few minutes later, after they had shed the rest of their clothing, they slid under the covers of Jacob’s bed. Maria entwined her legs with Jacob’s as they kissed passionately. Jacob left her mouth and made his way down to her chest. Maria moaned appreciatively as Jacob drove her crazy with desire. She tangled her hands in his hair and pulled him back up to her.

"I want you, Jacob," she said, softly. Jacob smiled as he rolled her under him and positioned himself over her.

"I love you, sweetheart," he said right before he slowly entered her. Maria moaned and closed her eyes as Jacob began making love to her. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and smiled when she saw his blue, desire-filled, gaze on her.

"Don’t…look at…me…like that," she said, finding it difficult to breathe.

"Why not?" he asked as he continued to move.

"Because…I can’t…take…it." Maria moaned and cried out as Jacob brought her over the edge. He joined her a minute later and stayed where he was as he caught his breath. After a couple of minutes, he turned over and pulled Maria against him. "I love you," she said, feeling extremely satisfied. Jacob smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I just hope I don’t get sick," he told her.

"I actually hope that you do," Maria remarked and kissed his chest lightly.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"Remember when we made out in my father’s pool? It was when you were too sick to perform and I stayed at the house feeling bummed about something, I don’t remember about what. Anyway, we made out and when I went back to Connecticut for Sarah’s graduation, I got sick." Jacob laughed. Maria frowned. "It’s not funny."

"It is kinda funny," he told her. "You were the one all over me anyway, so it’s not entirely my fault that you got sick."

"Oh, like you really objected to me kissing you," Maria said, rolling her eyes. They were quiet for a few comfortable minutes.

"I never told you that I understood about you not wanting to be with me when we were at my mom’s house. It was great that you respected her enough to not want to do anything to upset her," Jacob said, softly. "I didn’t mean to make you think that you were teasing me or anything."

"I know that, Jacob," Maria told him, tightening her hold on him. "I’m glad that your mom and I got a chance to talk. She was impressed that I actually had the guts to speak to her after I mentioned that I’d been with you."

"My mom is cool. She’ll grow to love you," Jacob said. Maria smiled and leaned up to kiss him. Jacob pulled her to him, kissing her sensuously. He released her and she put her head down onto his chest and closed her eyes. Jacob stroked her hair. There was something different about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. She seemed more…serene at times, somehow…if that was a word that could be applied to Maria. Then at other times, she was moody as hell. He sighed. He was probably just imagining things. Why should he complain when everything was going so well for them right now?

Ashley knocked on Emily’s door. She opened it and quickly ran back into the room. Ashley frowned.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Watching MTV. The New Years’ show is on again and I want to see if I see me," Emily said, sitting down on her bed. Ashley laughed as he sat down on the floor, leaning against Emily’s bed. "You guys look so good on television."

"No, we don’t. I’m still not used to seeing myself on TV," Ashley said.

"Oh, that’s good coming from a guy who wants to be an actor," Emily said, rolling her eyes. Ashley looked up at her.

"I said ‘seeing myself on TV.’ The big screen is different," Ashley said.

"You really like all of the attention that you get, don’t you?" Ashley nodded.

"Yeah. I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment industry, so I have to like the attention. Sometimes it can be, like, a little too intrusive, but it’s part of the job," he said. Emily looked at her hands.

"I don’t think I could handle everyone knowing my business. I didn’t even want to tell you or anyone else about Travis, but when Sarah went all freaky, it was necessary," she told him. Ashley stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. He took one of Emily’s hands in his.

"Did I tell you that I think you’re, like, the bravest person I’ve met? I mean, to go through what you had to go through, it must’ve been so hard," Ashley said.

"You have told me something like that, but Ashley, there’s more to me than my having survived the suicide of my boyfriend. I don’t want to be pitied or have people feeling sorry for me, which is why I don’t like to tell anyone about Travis."

"I don’t pity you and I want to know more about you, but getting you to talk is, like, hard," he admitted. Emily sighed and looked at him.

"I don’t want to be involved with anyone," she said. Ashley frowned.

"What? Why?" he asked.

"Because I don’t want to give myself emotionally to someone and have them leave me." Emily looked away again.

"Just because Travis…left, doesn’t mean that I will," Ashley said. Emily sighed and lay down.

"I’m trying to convince myself of that, but it’s actually more than that. The price that comes with actually ‘dating’ you, Ashley, is very high and I’m not sure if I want to pay that price," she said. Ashley nodded.

"I see," he said, sadly. Emily sat up and looked at him.

"It’s not you, you have to believe that. I like you. What girl wouldn’t?" She laughed. "But, right now, I feel vulnerable and not ready to face all that comes with being associated with ‘Ashley of O-Town.’ I don’t want that…yet," she told him. Ashley nodded again. Suddenly, he smiled.

"What if I tried to convince you?" Emily frowned.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Ashley moved in and kissed her deeply. Taken by surprise, Emily automatically wrapped her arms around him as he continued to kiss her. Desire took over and Ashley lay her down onto the bed, his mouth never leaving hers.

After a couple of minutes, Ashley pulled back and looked down at Emily. "Well?" he asked. Emily looked into his eyes and smiled.

"I think I need some more convincing," she told him. Ashley laughed and kissed her again. It was turning out to be a better night than Ashley ever could’ve imagined.

The next morning, Maria woke up and moaned. She turned over and almost fell out of Jacob’s bed. Her stomach lurched and Maria immediately jumped from the bed and ran to the bathroom. Jacob woke up and opened his eyes in time to see Maria disappearing into the bathroom. The next sound he heard was her getting sick. He frowned.

Pulling on his boxers, Jacob got out of the bed and went over to the bathroom. Maria had pulled a towel around herself and she was rinsing out her mouth. Jacob pushed his unruly hair out of his face and leaned in the doorway.

"I thought you felt better," he said. Maria spit out the mouthwash and nodded.

"So did I. I guess this bug is never gonna go away," she said. Jacob sighed. "Don’t worry, I’ll go to the doctor before the tour starts." Maria walked past him to go back into the other room. Jacob followed.

"You’re coming?" he asked.

"I think it’d be great for my first supplement for the magazine. I could do articles on specific landmarks or places in all of the different countries you perform in. It’ll keep me busy and I’ll get to be with you," Maria said. "If I’m allowed to go, that is." Jacob pulled her into a hug.

"If I have anything to say about it, you’ll go," he told her. "I just want to make sure that you’re healthy."

"I’m fine," Maria said, pulling away from him. Jacob finally realized what had been bugging him. He didn’t want to make her mad, though, but he had to voice his suspicions.

"Maria, can I ask you something?" She nodded as she went to her suitcase to find something to wear. "Are you, you know, late?" Maria frowned.

"For what?" she asked, looking at him. Jacob squirmed where he was standing.

"Late, you know, ‘your time of the month late,’" he said. Maria almost dropped the clothes that she was holding. She laughed nervously.

"No, I mean, I don’t think so. Jacob, you have nothing to worry about. I’m on the pill. We’re fine," she said.

"Then why have you been getting sick and now you’re fine? You’ve also been moody and tired. Why is that?" he asked. Maria frowned. She headed for the bathroom.

"Jacob, it’s just a stupid virus that won’t go away. Besides, don’t you think that I would know if I were pregnant? I’m not, so drop it," she said, crossly, as she closed the bathroom door. Jacob sat down on his bed and rubbed his hands over his face. He hoped she was right because if she was pregnant…it could be a big problem.

Emily awoke and realized that she was sleeping with her head on Ashley’s chest. She turned over and blinked at the bright sunlight coming in the windows. Looking down, Emily gave a sigh of relief when she saw that she was still fully clothed. She hadn’t been drunk, but Ashley’s kisses had that kind of affect on her, so she wanted to make sure that she hadn’t done anything stupid the night before.

Slowly getting out of the bed, she grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom to shower and change. Ashley opened his eyes. Emily confused him. She wanted him, yet she didn’t want him. Which was it? He wasn’t sure and he didn’t want to do anything to scare her off because he really liked her…and his feelings for her were deepening. Sighing, Ashley closed his eyes again---and fell back asleep.

Alex moaned as she felt someone kissing her. Opening her eyes, she smiled at Erik, who was hovering over her. "It’s too early," she said, closing her eyes again.

"We have to get up. Our flight leaves in a few hours and we gotta get to the airport. If it’s not me waking you up, the Mikes will," Erik told her. Alex moaned again and pulled the sheet higher on her body.

"Find my clothes or something for me to put on," she said, shivering. Erik located his boxers and slid them on. He looked around.

"Um, there’s nothing here but your dress from last night. I’ll get you a towel from the bathroom," he said as he slid out of the bed and went into the bathroom. He returned with a towel and threw it at her.

"Erik!" she exclaimed.

"I’m gonna shower. You can go after me, but you have to get up," he said. Alex smiled at him and he leaned down to kiss her passionately. "That’s my girl." He winked before he disappeared once more into the bathroom. Alex smiled. Last night had been a total dream. She stretched. She smiled. She’d have lots of time with Erik before O-Town’s European tour. Alex couldn’t wait.

While Maria was in the shower, Jacob wandered to Dan and Trevor’s room. They were already up and were packing.

"What’s wrong? You look worried about something," Trevor remarked as he shoved a tee shirt into his bag. Jacob sat down on Dan’s bed, picking at his silver nail polish. He lay down and put his arm over his eyes.

"I think something else is wrong with Maria besides a cold," he said.

"Really? Why would you think that?" Dan asked him. Jacob sighed.

"Well, she’s been getting sick in the morning and she’s been moody and tired lately. It sounds like something besides the flu," he told them.

Trevor laughed. "Dude, it sounds like she’s pregnant." Jacob sat up and looked at him. Trevor’s smile faded, his eyes growing wide with shock. "No way." Jacob shrugged.

"Jake, haven’t you guys been, you know, careful?" Dan asked.

"Yeah. She’s on the pill…or so she told me. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting to her being sick is all. It’s probably just a cold," Jacob said, trying to convince himself of that.

"Yeah, don’t jump to conclusions or anything," Dan told him. Jacob nodded and stood up. He then left the room to do his own packing.

Dan looked at Trevor. "Man, if Maria’s pregnant…that’s a huge mess."

"No kidding," Trevor said. He didn’t blame Jacob for wanting Maria, but getting her pregnant was a big mistake. He prayed to God that Jacob was overreacting and that Maria was just suffering from a lingering flu bug.

The flight back to Orlando was a smooth one. Maria was still nervous about flying, but she had done so much of it lately, it didn’t really bother her that much anymore. Security was noticeably tighter, though, especially in New York, so their departure had taken longer than it should have. She had done some checking regarding Jacob’s suspicions about her being ‘late’ and she was a day or two late, but Maria had been late before, so she wasn’t too worried about it. She decided to make an appointment to see her doctor the minute she got back to Orlando, though.

Jacob sat next to Ashley on the flight. Maria had pretty much shrugged off his earlier suspicions and she hadn’t mentioned it, so Jacob decided to drop it, like she had told him to. She was fine now, though, so her getting sick earlier in their hotel room was a mystery to him. She was still a little congested and sneezed periodically, so her illness wasn’t gone yet. Jacob decided to stop thinking about it. It was giving him a headache.

After their plane had landed, two limos took everyone back to O-Town’s estate where the girls’ cars were. Everyone was tired from last night and from the flight, so no one really wanted to do anything special. O-Town’s schedule was filled with rehearsals starting tomorrow until the time of their departure for the European tour. Maria had asked the Mikes if she could go and they had said yes, so she just had to check with Kyle about it and finalize her plans. Alex would also go as her assistant.

"Are you coming in?" Jacob asked Maria when they had arrived at the house. Everyone was unloading their things from the limo and bringing them into the house. Alex was putting her luggage into her car.

"I think I should head home. I have to make sure Heathcliff is okay," Maria told him. Kathleen had, once again, agreed to stop by the loft and take care of the kitten for Maria.

Jacob nodded. "Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow when I get the chance," he said. Maria nodded and smiled. Jacob hugged her tightly. "Thank you for coming. It wouldn’t have been the same without you there," he told her softly.

"I’m glad I went. I wanted to be with you. I wouldn’t have been anywhere else on New Years’ Eve," Maria said. Jacob looked into her eyes and leaned forward kissing her slowly and thoroughly. They separated and Maria smiled. "I love you."