I rolled over on my bed, and the piercing red digital numbers of my alarm clock read 2:35 am. My eyes wandered over to the picture on my night table. One of Nick, my angel.

Nick was gone now. The EMC's got to us not even five minutes after he...closed his eyes. I don't remember much, my mom says thats because I'm trying to block everything out, about the last week.

I remember very little of the funeral...I do remember Brian's good bye. I remember because I cried, and cried, and cried, and no one could get me to stop. I closed my eyes and thought back...

"Nick once told me the four most important things in his life. Lauren, music, his family, and his Nintendo," this caused a few teary smiles in the audience. Brian continued, " I understood the music part, and the family thing, and a little bit of the Nintendo obsession, but I didn't fully understand the love thing until I experienced it myself. Nick and Lauren had this unbreakable bond between them…all they had to do was look at each other, and they knew what the other was thinking. They had the type of love you look for a million years, and you only find it once. The type of love that touches your soul, and makes you who you are.

I remember, once, last year, Nick and I had one of our heart to heart talks. He told me things that he never had before, and one of them was how much he loved Lauren, and how much he really needed her. I guess I had always underestimated their love before, brushed it off as the stages of puppy love, but when he told me all this, I began to understand, that he would do anything for her.

A couple of years ago, after an awards show we went to, Nick started writing a song. It was on our Millennium album as 'No One Else Comes Close.' That was...that was his song for Lauren." Brian looked up then, at me, and I started to cry.

Brian stopped for a second, as if seeing something no one else could see, then began again. "I know how much she misses him, because I love him too, and miss him beyond words. All I want to say is that Nick was the best friend and brother I could ever have, and that words can't describe the loneliness that I feel right now," Brian struggled with his last words, and as he walked back to his seat next to me, I noticed a tear streak down his face.

I rolled over once again, the clock now blinked 2:40. I couldn't sleep, hadnt been able to since the accident. I stood, shaky on my feet, and turned the radio up a little more. I had left it on, ever since I had come home from the hospitial, it was comforting to listen to something that Nick had felt and loved so much.

I walked outside unto the small porch like landing outside my french doors. I listened to the music strain, until I heard the DJ say," Here is the single from Jessica Simpson and her boyfriend Nick Lachey. Here's Where You Are."

I was turning around to turn the radio up, for some reason the song was calling me, but I hadn't even touched the doorknob before the radio was turned up. I stood, my hand slightly shaking. Someone was in the house...then I felt the wind blow gently, and something warm, and white touched my arm.

I whipped around, and saw Nick. 'You've lost it.' I though to myself.

"No, baby. It's me," Nick said, as if reading my thoughts.

"But...But-" I sputtered.

"Hey, even angels can come down every once in a while. Besides, we never did get to hear the end of this song." And Nick pulled me to him. I could lay my head down on his chest, but it wasn't solid...it was more like floating. I could feel his hands, his hair curled around my fingers, his lips on my shoulder, but it was moist air.

"Nick-" I began.

"Shhh. Listen." he said, and somehow the music became more clearer, as if he had turned it up.

There are times
When I swear I know your here
When I forget about my fears
Feeling you my dear
Watching over me
And my hope sings
Of what the furture will bring
When you wrap me in your wings
And take me where you are
Where you and I will breathe
Together once again
Well be dancing in the moonlight
Just like we used to do
And you'll be smiling back at me
Only then will I be free
When I can be
Where you are
And I can see your face
Your kiss I still can taste
Not a memory erased
Oh how I see your star shining down on me
And I'd do anything
If I could jsut be right there where you are
Now baby there are times when selfishy
I'm wishing that you were here with me
So I could wipe the tears from your eyes
And make you see
That every night while you are dreaming
I'm here to guide you from afar
And anytime I feel alone
I close my eyes and dream of where you are

"Wait a minute-Nick that's the song...that's the song," I blubbered.

He nodded, and smiled at me. "The song we were listening to in the car. I told you it was our song." He looked into my eyes and asked me how I remembered the song.

"And I can see your face; Not A memory erased..." I whispered.

He grinned down at me, and and bent over, and kissed me gently, with the touch of an angel. "Just remember the song, okay? Anytime you feel alone-"

I cut him off, and placed my finger over his lips. "I can close my eyes and dream of where you are."

He laughed.

"I've gotta go now, Laur. I'm on a busy schedule. I wish you could come with me." He smiled down, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"I wish I could go too Nick. I miss you so much. I love you."

"I love you, Lauren. I'll be waiting, baby." He leaned over and we kissed one last time. Then he gently let go, and I watched as he walked away.

I pressed my fingers to my lips, still feeling his on mine.

And I can see your face
Your kiss I still can taste...
Not A Memory erased...

¤ THE END ¤