Ella walked outside onto the deck in their backyard. She scanned the property until her eyes rested on a nicely dressed Nick sitting on a bench near the pool. She sighed and walked down the stairs and walked toward him. She sat next to him and he glanced at her.
"Hey!" He exclaimed and she nodded. She intertwined her fingers with his and fixed her gaze on his eyes. She stared deeply into his eyes and shook her head.
"Tell me Nickels. Please." She whispered pleadingly. His eyes filled with tears.
"Why is almost everything going wrong Mercy?" He whispered her special nickname.
"What's wrong honey?" She asked. He took a deep breath.
"Dad is having heart troubles. They don't know what's wrong. And Nadine. It's been over 2 months but she still gets to me Mercy. She called me three days ago. It was different this time. It wasn't one of her calls when she says how much better she is without me, or how the two years were a waste but this time she told me she was wrong. She said she needed me. Needed my love."
"No Nick. She needs your money." Ella blurted.
"You don't know that Ella! You don't know!" He raised his voice.
"No but you do. You know Nick. You told me so. I know it's hard baby but you don't need her. You have the guys and family. And you have me." She replied.
"I know but it still hurts. And I missed you so much. I hate just talking through stupid phones to you. I wanted to look at your face like I am now. I wanted to know you're real and that you want to listen and help me. I needed you to make me feel special." Nick whimpered.
"You are special Nickels. You're just having a hard time. I know....I know Nicky." She whispered and pulled him close. He clung to her and wiped stray tears.
"It's hard to be happy all the time. It's hard to pretend you're happy when you're not Nicky. It hurts. I'm here now. Ok? And I'll be here while you record. I'll be with you while you guys are promoting. I'll be there for the tour. I'll be here through it all. I promise."
"I missed you. I needed that Ells." Nick smiled.
"I did too. Let's go. I'm hungry and everyone is gonna be waiting." Ella grinned and pulled him up and he followed her into the house.
"It's not funny you guys! I was so embarrassed!" Ella shouted at everyone. They were all eating in the private room Kevin reserved.
"Everyone kept coming up to me and saying nice vibes. I was so confused until I went to the office and saw my balloons with a flower pot of vibrators coming out of it. Good thing the staff didn't get pissed. And I can't believe that Howie and Kevin let you guys do that!" She said.
"It was Kevin's idea!" Nick howled as Kevin ducked behind Kristin.
"Kevin Scott. Just wait til tour. Just you wait." Ella glared at him.
"Um...guys?" Leighanne spoke up.
"What's up Leigh?" Ella replied.
"We were waiting to tell everyone until you got here so I guess this is a good time. I'm PREGNANT!" Leighanne exclaimed and everyone began cheering and hugging.
"A BABY!" Ella danced over to the couple and hugged them.
"AJ, isn't this great?!" Ella asked bouncing over to him. He smiled.
"I can't wait! They're gonna have such cute kids!" AJ replied. Ella frowned.
"What Lala?" AJ frowned back.
"Something's up." She stated.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" he answered.
"You promised you would tell me if the feeling was coming back. You said you'd tell me if it was bothering you again Alex." She said sternly.
"I'm fine Ells. Why don't you believe me?" He asked.
"Because you can't deny what's in your eyes. You promised Alex. You promised." She hissed as her eyes burned into his.
"Ella...." he started before she turned on her heel and stalked over to Nick. Nick slung his arm around her shoulder and she plastered a smile on her face.
"We should get goin' guys. We have to get up kinda early tomorrow. Well, according to Nick and AJ." Kevin laughed.
"Ella is coming with Nick and I!" Aj shouted and Nick and him pulled her out of the restaurant. They got in the car and began to drive.
"That was fun! Wasn't it guys?" Ella exclaimed breaking the silence. Nick tapped the steering wheel and looked in the mirror at AJ.
"We have to tell you something Ell. It's not good..." Nick started.
