California Dreamin'
Nick and Rianna had been dating for nearly four months before they made preparations to visit his parents in Los Angeles. She made arrangements for Jimmy to watch after both her pets and Nick’s. And Marcy was to watch after the club.
Once everything was ready, the couple caught their plane and headed west.
In Los Angeles, Nick’s mother was preparing a large dinner in celebration of her son visiting. Nick’s sister, BJ was just getting off of the phone with a friend when she caught the scent of her mother’s cooking in the kitchen.
“Mom, what’s the big occasion?” Jane stopped and smiled. Her hand resting on her hip.
“Your brother’s coming home. And he’s bringing his lady friend. And you wanna know something? It’s about time too. I don’t like him being over in Florida all alone like that.” BJ nodded in agreement and tossed piece of chopped celery into her mouth.
BJ was just about to go up to her room when her mother stopped her.
“Don’t get too comfortable. I need you to get dressed and drive to LAX to pick them up.” BJ rolled her eyes at the thought of having to go all the way to the airport on her day off.
Nick watched as the suitcases went by at baggage claim. He envied Rianna sitting with all of her bags on a bench nearby. She didn’t have to wear a hat and sunglasses to disguise her identity. Unlike Nick who had to try and look like a completely different person so he wouldn’t be detected in a public place. He was taken out of his thoughts as his bag rolled by.
“So, who’s coming to get us.” Rianna asked happily as Nick took a seat next to her.
“Not sure. But Mom knows what time we were due in. So, whoever will pick us up should be here soon.” He opened his mouth and Rianna put string of her Starbursts twist into it. BJ witnessed this and knew immediately who Nick’s new girlfriend was.
“How sweet.” She interrupted. Nick automatically recognized his sister’s voice and jumped up to hug her.
“Beeg!” He exclaimed. He hugged her tightly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Rianna stood to her feet, adjusted her clothes, and prepared herself for the first Carter introduction.
“BJ, this is my girl, Rianna. And baby, this is my sister BJ.” Without knowing it, both girls pondered whether they should shake hands or hug, They both came to the same conclusion and hugged.
“So, how long have you been with my dorky brother?” BJ asked.
“About four months.” BJ helped them to pick up all of their bags.
“Ah, and where’d you two meet?” BJ asked. She started walking and the couple followed with the rest of their luggage.
“I was doing choreography for one of their songs.” Rianna responded.
“Oh, so you’re a choreographer?” BJ continued her interrogation.
“No, I only did that as a favor for a friend. I actually run a nightclub and I teach dance classes.” Rianna said proudly.
“So you’re financially stable then?” BJ added in.
“Yes, I am.” Rianna replied defensively. BJ put the bags down and stopped.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t meant to pry, It’s just that I don’t want Nicky getting mixed up with another gold digger like Manda. Or Willa. Or whatever the hell she’s calling herself this week.” Rianna was relieved. BJ was only trying to protect her big brother.
“It’s ok. I don’t blame you. He told me all about her.” Nick got a little annoyed with everyone talking about him like he wasn’t around. They both sensed this and dropped the subject.
When they got to the house, Rianna’s mind went blank. Their house was even bigger than Nick’s. Then she thought about it, of course it would be. There were many more people living there.
“What do they do with all of the extra space?” She thought to herself. Nick woke up and opened the door for Rianna. Before they even got to the door, Jane was standing there on the steps welcoming them with open arms. Again, Rianna got sick to her stomach due to nervousness.
Jane looked surprised when her eyes met Rianna’s. She was so used to her son bringing home short blondes who wore far too much make-up. But Rianna was tall and dark, very beautiful. Rianna smiled and Jane was impressed by the warmth of Rianna’s expression. She opened her arms wide and accepted Rianna with a huge smile on her face.
Rianna got a chance to learn a little about each of Nick’s family members. Lesley was very friendly and bonded with Rianna right from the start. As soon as dinner was over, Lesley was sitting next to Rianna resting her head on Rianna’s shoulder.
Angel was very quiet and withdrawn. Rianna would later learn that Angel was much more active, it was just that time of the month and her stomach was crampy.
Aaron had a very close bond with his older brother. Since Nick had been away for so long, his attention was locked on Nick and no one else.
Nick’s father, Bob, was a kind man. He was very laid back and calm as though he couldn’t have a care in the world.
They all sat around talking and laughing. The Carters getting to know Rianna and bringing her into the family.
Around one in the morning, Jane decided it was time to turn in. And when Mom said it was bedtime— it was bedtime.
“Rianna, you can sleep in my room. It’s way more comfortable than the guestrooms.” She pulled Rianna toward the stairs. Nick cleared his throat.
“Uh, wait a sec Les. I get first dibs on this one.” Les thought about it for a second and remembered that they were dating and probably slept in the same bed all of the time. She let Rianna’s hand go and smiled sheepishly.
Jane looked at her son and twittled her ring finger. The diamonds on her wedding ring shimmered in the light and Nick knew exactly what she was saying. He was not to fool around with Rianna in her home without being married. He nodded, telling her that he’d behave himself.
As soon as Jane went up the stairs, Aaron made kissing faces and rubbed his hands all over his chest. Nicks smiled as if to say he was going to do exactly that with Rianna once the doors were closed. Bob saw what Aaron had done and pulled him by his collar up the stairs. Rianna looked at BJ and BJ looked back, they both knew that Nick had no intention of obeying his mother’s wishes.
Nick and Rianna went into his room and closed the door behind themselves. Nick flopped down on the bed and unbuckled his pants.
“No, uh-uh. You know damn well your mother would have a fit!” Nick shrugged and threw his jeans in the corner.
“What they don’t know won’t kill them. Rianna shook her head, still opposing.
“Someone is bound to hear.” She protested. He pulled her onto the bed and kissed her.
“Well then you have to learn not to scream.”
“I do not!” She countered. Nick fell back on the pillows and mocked her.
“Oh God! Nick! NICK! You’re so good! You’re a sex god! Oh! Ah! Uh!” He moaned in a feminine voice.
Outside the door, Jane was going to her room when she heard Nick’s screams. She grew red. BJ picked the lock to Nick’s room from her own room.
“You better quit playing like that. Mom is all puffed up out there thinking you guys are doing something naughty in here.” All three had to laugh at the whole situation. Nick looked at Rianna’s sweet face, as well as the rest of her body. And even though he was used to being with her every night, he decided to obey his mother and leave her alone.
“Alright, ok.” BJ turned to go back into her own room.
“And stop picking my damn lock Beeg!” He shouted at her, throwing a pillow at her head. Nick and Rianna changed out of their clothes and laid there in the bed talking.
“Do you like my family so far?” Nick asked in a whisper.
“I love them. And I love you even more.” Nick kissed her hair and caressed her back.
“All the leaves are brown. And the sky is gray. California dreamin’... on such a winter’s day.” Nick had grown accustomed to Rianna singing odd songs before they went to sleep. Her voice soothed him, and soon he was sleeping.
Chapter 12
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