"Hey Mel...do these shoes match with this bag?" Michelle asked, holding a pair of strappy, silver, open-toe dress shoes in her left hand, and a little black and silver beaded hand bag in her right.
"Looks good to me!!" Mel smiled, yelling over the ringing of Michelle's phone.
Michelle looked at the clock and gasped..."oh gosh he's gonna be here in less than an hour...and my hair is not even done yet! Oh, who could that be?" she realized, finally addressing the ringing that hadn't stopped.
"I'll get it Mich, now you go finish your hair."
"Oh gosh thanks..you're a life saver!!"
"Well, ya know I do what I can!" Melanie smirked, grabbing the phone from its spot on the kitchen counter.
"Hello!"
"Mich...Mel..is that you?"
"Yep it sure is...Nicky." her tone not as cheerful to find out it was Nick, who had decided not to take her to the awards.
"Umm...uhh, what are you doing at Michelle's? Shouldn't you be at home...doing...umm...whatever it is you're doing tonight?" he stumbled, searching for a reason that would explain his call to Michelle, without her being suspicious.
"I'm helping my best friend get ready for a big night with the B-rokster Brian silly...why else would I be here? And what is it that I HAVE to do tonight darlin'?" Mel asked, playing with him, still confused as to what he really wanted, cause she knew one thing...she wasn't getting the whole story.
"I well I dunno...watch us on TV? I dunno baby." His mind beginning to work again and hoped that she would let that one slide. "Besides...I was calling for Brian," he lied, "He needed to let Michelle know we're gonna be running a few minutes late...you know us, we gotta be fashionably late! It was just that he was too busy getting ready to call." God, he hoped she bought that, he didn't want her to find out that he was really calling Michelle to make sure their little plan was still gonna happen...but he needed Mel home by the time they left for the show in order for it to work.
Puzzled, "Oh okay, I'll give her the message, she's not ready yet either, she'll be thrilled for the extra time."
"Ok thanks baby...hey you're gonna be going home soon right?"
"Ya, I'm leaving in a few minutes...I wanna watch FIVE perform at the show tonight, and I don't wanna miss it." (AN: I know FIVE didn't perform at the Billboards...neither did BSB, but in my story, we're gonna use our imaginations and pretend they both did. There's a reason for it, you'll see.) She added with a laugh, "Oh yeah, then there's you...I wanna see you guys too. But Nick, why are you so concerned?" she asked a little worried this had something to do with Liz and the show.
"Oh, it's just that I wanted to call you from the show, to update you and hear your voice because i'm gonna miss you like crazy tonight baby. But you have to be home to get my call...that's all." And he knew he would miss her..it was the truth. He didn't want to have to sit with that spoiled brat, Liz all night..but that's exactly what he was being forced to do.
"Oh Nicky...of course I'll be home to hear form you." her annoyance slightly fading at his sincerity.
"Are you packed Mel? We leave tomorrow at seven AM sharp."
"Packed and ready to go Nick...I can't wait, cause I've never been with you guys on tour before. this should be VERY interesting."
"Oh...I'm so excited that you're excited. And hey...we're still on for tonight after the awards right?"
"You bet...meet me at my place when you're through with the press and all. I'll wait up, cause i wanna give you a big 'Congratulations' hug and kiss...plus its our last night here in NY, and i want to spend it with you."
"I'll be there, I promise...my stuff is all packed, with a toothbrush very accessible in my suitcase. And it'll be easier cause then we can leave straight from your place to meet the guys at the airport. I guess this is goodbye until later. I can't wait to see you baby, and I'm sorry for all this tonight..it was never my intention to..."
Mel cut him off, "I know Nick, it's ok. Good luck, not that you'll need it because you guys are winning no matter what! Have a good time...but not TOO good a time without me." she added with a small laugh, forgiveness overwhelming her.
"Nah, my good time won't start until after the show...until I'm with you."
Her heart melted as his sweet voice ended their call, counting the hours until after the awards.
***In Howie's Hotel Room***
He straightened his tie for what seemed like the tenth time that night...he just couldn't get it the way he wanted it. In fact, most of his life was like that right now. Nothing was the way he wanted it. He wanted Sel back, but didn't know if he could trust her again. He didn't feel like touring this time, but he HAD to. And now his damn tie was a mess Ok, maybe he was just a little stressed out right now.
The truth was that he was nervous and anxious. He stared into the mirror, talking aloud to himself, "Ohh gosh..is she gonna be there? SHe's got the ticket, but would she have the nerve to show? Maybe Liz spoke to her, and now she's gonna come because she heard of our conversation last week. I dunno, do i even want her there? No. Yes. NO..I dunno. Oh God, i do want you there!" he shouted, as if Selena could really hear him.
***In Brian's Room***
Brian grabbed the bottle of Safari colgne off his dresser top, and spread a bit on his neck and ear area. Michelle loved this scent, it drove her wild, especially behind his ears, and he knew it...picking the bottle up again, he put on just a little more to make sure she could smell it.
Just then, Nick walked by his room, his nose twitching at the heavy scent flowing from Brian's room. Nick walked in the room, motioning his hand in front of his nose to push away the strong smell. "Hey man..what are you trying to do...let Michelle smell you all the way from her apartment?" he joked.
Brian blushed, "Went a little overboard with the Safari...i guess...well Michelle likes it so whatever."
"Yeah I'd say so" he laughed, "Come on, you almost ready?..we gotta leave in a few minutes to pick up the girls...well, pick up Michelle and drop off Mel's surprise." He said correcting himself.
"Yeah, I'll be ready in a sec.", he responded just as Nick was leaving the room.
Brian called out, his voice strained and unsure, "Nick...umm...can I ask you something?"
***In the Kitchen of Becca's Apartment***
"Kevin...I don't want to go! You can't make me!" She yelled childishly, not feeling up for a night with the superstars and endless cameras.
"Ohh come on...It's a night out. We could use one of those...we haven't had one lately. It would take our mind off everything...and just think, you might get to meet Ricky Martin!" Kevin said enthusiastically, hoping to convince her that a night out would be good for her.
Smiling, she gave up her fight, "Ok Kev, why would i need to meet Ricky when I've got you...Mr. Sexiest Man Alive!"
Putting his finger to her lips he whispered, "Shhh, not so loud...you're making me blush. Now kiss me."
Inching closer to his stubble lined face, she softly answered, "Yes sir." Her lips brushed on his, connecting with a passion niether of them had felt since the news.
He pulled away breathless, "I'm glad I could convince you to come so easily...for a second i thought i might have to do another one of those seductive boxer dances..." he said, his voice playful and and teasing.
"Well baby," winking, Bec confessed,"There's still time."
"Gosh, i knew there was a reason why i love you so!" he teased, pulling her closer, leaning her against the kitchen table, their lips meeting furiously.
***At Anna's place***
"Baby, Baby..have you seen my hat?"
"Uh, 'J, which one? You own like a million!"
"Funny sweetie..the one that matches with these pants...the leopard one!" AJ screamed from the bathroom, where he stood gelling his slightly purplish hair.
"Oh it's on your night table 'J...where you left it last baby." she said reminding him of the obvious.
Swooping by her as he passed her in the hallway, he planted a light kiss on her cheek. "Thanks baby. i don't know what I'd do without you?"
"Go hatless I suppose!" she joked.
"Cute...now come on, we're going to be late, and you know Kev will be overly pissed if we are just a second late."
She grabbed her jacket and tossed AJ the car keys. He stood by the door waiting for her and received the throw. He gave her the 'once over'...starring at the length of her body, licking his lips...he couldn't believe how amazingly beautiful she looked at that moment. His eyes continued to travel, not realizing she was ready.
Pulling him out of his trance, she joked, "Baby, you're drooling. Just a few more hours and we'll be alone. Come on...we have later to say goodbye properly."
Shaking his head, and laughing it off as he stuttered, "Well, ya know Anna...it's your own fault for being so damn gorgeous."
Tilting her head so that a few loose curls of autumn hair escaped her hair gems, she whispered, "Remind me to thank you for that later."
***Back at Brian and Nick's Apartment***
"Yeah man, what's up?"
"Well, I've been thinking..."
"Not too hard I hope," Nick laughed at his own joke.
"No...shut up! Anyway...it's about this thing I wanna tell Michelle."
"What thing?"
"I know it's early in the relationship, but I've never felt like this before. I know that sounds corny and cliche...but it's true. I guess what I'm trying to say is...is...Have you told Mel that you love her yet?"
Nick, a little taken back at the question, made a weird face, his lips moving upward, his eyebrows squirming toward the center of hid forehead. "I um...well I...No, I haven't."
"You haven't?"
"No, I guess I just thought she knew that I did. Well I think I do...I dunno...no, I do love her. But I just haven't found the right words, the right time. You know how it is B...every time I try, I can't get those 3 little words out."
"Yes, I know exactly how you feel. But I leave tomorrow, and I don't think I can go away without her knowing."
"So, tell her tonight. But only if it feels right B...don't rush it. You're just going on tour, not vanishing forever."
"No Nick, I know it feels right cause all I wanna do is scream it to her whenever I see her. Whenever i see her wrap her chestnut curls around finger, take in the smell of her perfume, whenever i hear her voice sing our lyrics, whenever she looks at me. Every time Nick!" he said in one breath, his determination shining through.
"Then this is it Brian...tonight."
***A Half Hour Later***
Brian, Michelle, AJ, Anna, Kevin, Becca, Howie and Nick all plied into the limo. As usual, Nick demanded that he sit directly below the moon roof, even though Brian had claimed the seat minutes before. But Nick protested and said tonight he absolutly needed to take that seat in the limo. Reluctantly Brian agreed, pouting to Michelle who sat next to him, asking her to kiss away how unfair Nick was being.
"Ya know Brian," she said between kisses with a giggle, "You two are so immature!"
"Yeah I know, but that's why you love me!" He was answered with a kiss.
AJ wiggled his hand closer to Anna's leg, feeling her soft skin beneath her dress. He nuzzled at her neck, the scent of her shampoo rushing in his nose, warming him.
Kevin looked over at Becca. She was smiling. For the first time in over three weeks, she had a smile on. He let a sigh escape, one he never realized he was holding. Her eye caught his, she grinned, as he inched his hand to hers and squeezed it lightly.
Howie sat starring into space. He was so distracted lately. He wanted Sel to come, but was afraid he wouldn't know what to say to her if she did sit next to him. He went over a few possible conversation topics in his head, but as of yet, so far all he could think of was, 'How 'bout those Yankees?'. Scatch that, he definitely needed to work on that.
Nick watched the street signs fly by, going over the conversation he and Brian had minutes before. He loved Mel, and after tossing the idea back and forth in his head, he decided that she knew it. NOW. This was it, the surprise he'd been planning, hopefully she would be there.
Nick turned his head to the right, catching Michelle's eye (she was the only other one that knew of the plan), her look told him it was now or never.
Hitting the switch to roll down the driver/passenger divider, Nick shouted to their driver, "Hey make a left at this next light!"
The limo riders looked around puzzled, a chorus of "whys" and HUHs" sounding.
"Just do it...You'll see. This will only take a second."
Kevin interrupted, "Nick we're going to be.."
Nick finished, "Late, yes i know...but only like 5 minutes and it will all be worth it you'll see."
"Ok, you just better be right about that!"
The driver made the turn, as Nick dialed Mel's number. It was ringing.
"Hello!" came her familiar, sweet voice.
"Hi baby. What are you doing right now?"
"Nothing, just reading a magazine, why?"
"Okay then, give me three minutes and go to your window, the one facing the street. Promise me, 3 minutes."
"Sure Nick, but..."
He hung up, smiling secretly to himself. As the limo turned the corner at Mel's building, He unbuckled his seat belt. Brian looked at him strangely, "What the hell are you doing man?"
"I finally found the right words Bri!" He shouted, as he lifted the latch of the moon roof.
The others starred at him, worried about what the guy was gonna do next. Then it clicked in Brian's head...(better late than never right)...He knew what his little buddy was up to, as he added, "Just be careful, ok Nick."
But by that time, Nick couldn't here him. Half of his body now stuck out of the moon roof, his blond hair WILD in the rush of wind from the moving vehicle.
He saw Mel at that moment. She saw him too...not believing her own eyes. There was the man she loved, half sticking out of a limo just for her. "Thank God the limo stopped at a stop light just now," she whispered under her breath..."I want him in one piece."
He waved his hands crazily in the air, making sure she could see him. She yelled out to him, "HEY BABY...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?...BE CAREFUL!"
He shouted back, "I'M DOING SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME AGO!"
Melanie looked on puzzled, touched, and confused. She listened intently.
Shouting, his voice filled with emotion and relief, "MEL...I LOVE YOU!"