“Nick… wake up…” Brian exclaimed cheerfully, opening the curtains in the hotel room.

“Too early… go away,” He mumbled, pulling a pillow over his ears.

”Fine… but you’re explaining to Meg why you left her at the alter,” Brian laughed.

”Ohmygod I’m getting married,” Nick suddenly yelled. He tried to get out of bed, but was entangled in the sheets and only ended up on the floor.

“Nice one,” Brian snickered.

Nick groaned, as he picked himself off the floor, untangling his legs.

“Time?” He asked, standing up.

“It’s 9:30. We have five hours to pick up the tuxes, eat lunch, get ready, and get to the church.”

“Alright. I’m going to take a quick shower, then we can go get tuxes. What time are the guys going to be here?” Nick asked, speaking of the three other Backstreet Boys and his best friend, Brent. Although Brian was the only one in the wedding, the other guys were going to come over to celebrate a little early.

“1:00,” Brian replied.

Nick grabbed an armful of clothing and ran off towards the bathroom. Once Nick was in there, and the water was running, Brian picked the phone up and dialed AJ’s number

“Yo,” AJ answered.

”Hey… just me. Give us fifteen minutes, and we’ll be gone. I left a spare room key at the desk this morning, just ask for it. He’s in room 342.”

”Ok, will-do. Remember, have him back by 11:00.”

”Yup. Talk to you later,” Brian hung up the phone, and acted innocent when Nick retreated from the bathroom.

He threw his dirtied laundry back into his suitcase, then slipped his wallet and keys into his pocket. After pulling on socks and a pair of black and white Nike shoes, he was ready to go.

“Before my stomach decides to begin eating my intestines… can we grab something to eat on the way?” Nick asked, following Brian outside to his car.

“Sure… I think there’s a Burger King around here…”

”Sounds good to me,” He replied, shutting the car door once he was in the passenger seat. Brian slid the key into the ignition and started up the car. He turned the steering wheel and pulled the car away from the curb, and began their short journey down the street.

After quickly finding the nearby Burger King, they went through the drive-through. Satisfying their hunger pains, they drove to the tuxedo shop. Once there, Brian parked his car in the tiny parking lot. On the way into the shop, they threw the remains of their breakfast away. As the glass door opened, a bell sounded, alerting the clerks of customers. They were immediately greeted by one of the clerks.

”How can I help you fellows’ today?” He asked, practically pouncing on them.

“We need to pick up five tuxes under the last name of Carter,” Nick said.

“Five?” The man asked, giving them a weird glance.

“Yes… I’m also picking up three tuxes for the other people in the bridal party,”

”Oh yes. I’ll be right back.”

Nick rolled his eyes as the man walked off.

”Are you taking Meg’s dad’s tux with us to the church?”

“Yeah… and the ones for the ushers… uhm… I forgot their names,” Nick laughed. “Meg’s cousins,”

Brian laughed. "So, how you feel about this?"

"Nervous.. excited..." Nick said as he looked at his watch. "Can't wait"

Brian smiled. "Don't worry, she’ll be yours soon enough, man."

Nick smiled at the thought as the man came back with the tuxes. Nick paid him and Brian helped him carry them out to the car. They put them over the backseat of the car and climbed in. Brian started the car and they began to drive down the road

“Did you pick up the bracelet from the jeweler?” Brian asked, stopping at a traffic light.

“I knew I’d forget something,” Nick muttered, slapping his forehead.

“Don’t worry, we have plenty of time,” Brian said, checking his watch. 11:00. Perfect. It’ll be a half hour before we get back… just in time for the party

Brian pulled into a nearby parking lot and turned around, pulling back out onto the street. Soon, they were pulling into the jewelry store parking lot. They climbed out and went into the store. Nick reached the counter, and gave the woman his receipt. She disappeared momentarily, then reappeared, holding a small black velvet box. Nick took it from her, and opened it. The shiny gold on the key-shaped charm shimmered from the lights above them.

”Think she’ll like it?” He asked, fingering the chain.

“She’ll love it. What did you get engraved on it?” Brian asked, admiring the piece of jewelry.

“Key to my heart,” Nick chuckled. He clasped the box shut and pulled his VISA credit card from his wallet. He handed it to the cashier, who took it and scanned it. She returned it to him, handing him the receipt.

"Would you like a bag for that?"

"No thanks,"

The two left the store and once again, got back into Brian's car.

"Have everything now?" Brian asked, moving the clutch.

"I believe so,"

They drove back to the hotel, and parked in the same spot as they had earlier. Nick fumbled with his hotel key as they walked towards his room. He inserted it into the lock, and turned it, making a click sound and causing the door to open. He dropped it back into his pocket and pushed the door open.

“Surprise!”

Nick jumped, startled from the sudden sound. He looked into his room, to see his closes male friends standing around the ‘living room’ of the room. His shocked look, turned into a smile.

A pizza sat on the table, decorated with small packages of ‘protection’. He eyed AJ as he got a good look at it.

“Your idea?” He asked.

”Kevin’s actually…”

Nick’s mouth dropped, as he began to laugh.

“Mr. Richardson… you of ALL people!” Nick exclaimed.

Brian passed around the package of paper plates, as people began to dish up their pizza.

“I can’t believe you guys did this,” Nick said as they began to eat. “Thank you,”

“It’s the least we could do. I mean… our little brother is getting married!” Howie said.

There was a knock on the door, and AJ jumped up to answer it, with an evil look on his face.

“Entertainment,” He laughed.

“AJ YOU DIDN’T!” Nick screeched.

“Oh, but I did,”

After an hour of ‘dancing’ girls, pizza, and soda, they cleaned up, and headed out to their cars.

Finally, they pulled into their final destination point: the church.

As Meggie sat in her dressing room at the church, her best friend Danielle, finished her hair. Meggie stared at herself in the mirror, thinking about Nick.

"There you go." Meggie’s grandmother set her bouquet down next to her and she smiled.

"Thanks Grandma." She replied. She finished putting on her makeup and stood up.

"What time is it?" She asked, searching for a clock on the wall.

"Time for you to put on your dress" Her mother replied.

As Meggie finished putting on her dress, they helped her put on her veil. She looked herself over in the mirror and began to get teary-eyed.

"Aww… Sweetheart, are you alright?" Her mom asked, wiping away her tears while trying not to smudge her makeup.

"I just can't believe I'm getting married." Meggie said, still looking into a mirror.

"And to a Backstreet Boy!" Danielle interrupted them. They laughed. There was a knock at the door and Meggie's mom walked over and opened it.

"I’d like to speak to the bride to be,” A familiar voice said.

"Of course" she said, letting him in.

"Hey.. we’re going to go wander around outside" Danielle said to Meggie.

"Thanks" She replied. Danielle gave Meggie a friendly hug and followed everyone else out.

"Hey you," Meggie said, turning to look at Brian. His voice caught in his throat. "Wow... Meg, you look beautiful."

“Thank you,” She blushed. She stood up and carefully walked over towards him. He greeted her with a hug, then a kiss on the cheek.

“How’s Nick?” She asked, slipping a satin white shoe onto her foot.

“He’s great. I’ve never seen him so happy,”

“I’ve never been so happy,” She replied, smiling.

“Well… guess I’d better get this over with.” Brian started. “Meg… from the first day you walked into Nick’s life… you’ve only brought him happiness. After meeting a few of his ex-girlfriends, I was beginning to wonder if he’d ever find the right person, but obviously, he proved me wrong. Because of him, I made a new best friend, and also, a little sister, who I love ever so dearly.” Brian looked up at her through his glistening tears.

Meggie wiped away the salty droplets from her cheek, and hugged Brian.

“I love you too, Brian. Thank you,”

A knock on the door, interrupted the two.

“Meg?” A voice called.

“Is that Nick?” Meggie asked.

”Yeah… don’t open the door all the way… you can’t see him,”

She nodded and walked to the door, leaving it slightly ajar.

“Hi baby,” She said.

”Hey… I know I’m not supposed to see you before the wedding… but I couldn’t stay away… and I have something for you,”

Nick’s hand slid through the small opening, holding a small black box.

She took it, and looked at Brian.

”Go on, open it,” He said.

She lifted the top, and gasped at what she saw. The small, golden chain lay in perfect alignment. A small, gold key charm lay connected to the chain. Pulling it from the box, she turned it over and read the engraved writing.

”Key to my heart,” She read aloud. “Aww… ohmygod… Nick.. thank you so much…”

“I have to go. Will you meet me… at the alter at 2:30?”

”I’ll think about it,” She teased.

He left, and her mother reappeared.

”It’s almost time, sweetie,”

”I’d better go. See you in a few minutes. Good luck,” Brian said, giving her one last hug as a single woman.

“Thank you. Bye Brian,”

He left, and her mother led her down the hallway to the doors, where she would enter the church.

Next Chapter
Previous Chapter
Contents
E-mail JJ
Home