Five years later... “Daddy! Can you buckle my shoes?”

Nick ran down the stairs. Angel was standing there, in her brand new dress Leighanne had bought her for her first day of school.

“Well, well, look who’s the new Belle of the ball.” he said, looking at her.

“Daddy, I can’t get my shoes.”

Nick chuckled and helped her buckle her shiny white dress shoes.

“Are you sure you wanted to go play in your pretty dress?” Nick asked.

“Of course Daddy, it’s my first day of first grade! I HAVE to make a good first oppression.”

Nick laughed. “Well go get ‘em, baby.”

Angel put her hands on her hips. “I’m not a baby!”

“Angie, you will ALWAYS be my baby. Even when you’re getting married, you will ALWAYS be my baby.”

The bus beeped from outside. “Daddy, I hafta go to school now.”

“Okay, I have to go somewhere later but Uncle Brian and Auntie Leigh will be here with you ok?”

“Yay! Can they bring their doggies?”

“I’ll ask, honey.”

“Yay!!! Okay Daddy see you later!”

Angel gave Nick a kiss on the cheek, hugged him and ran out the door to the bus. Nick waved to her as the bus drove off. Closing the door, he sat down on the couch and wiped his eyes. It was his daughter’s first day of school. He hadn’t sent her to preschool and kindergarten, because Brian and Leighanne home- schooled her then. But she had insisted she go to a school, because she wanted to meet new friends. After getting over his tears, Nick stood up and made himself some breakfast. The phone soon rang.

“Hello?”

“Eh...didn’t go well I see.”

“No...not really. Brian, I didn’t want to see her go. It seems like so long now.”

“Nick, she has to grow up. That’s just the way things are. So, where are you going today anyways?”

“I just have to go shopping. Uh, Angel was wondering if you could bring over the dogs.”

“Sure Nick. Well I gotta run. See ya.”

“Bye.” Nick said, hanging up the phone.

***

That afternoon Nick went shopping for a locket for Angel. He got it engraved with her name on it and it had a picture of her with Nick inside. Once he returned to his house, he found Angel watching TV with Leighanne, while Brian was making pizza in the kitchen. Angel quickly saw Nick and ran over to him.

“Daddy!” she exclaimed, jumping onto him. Nick chuckled.

“Hey Angie. How was your day?”

“Great! I made a new friend, her name is Katie! We got to play together and her mommy said I could go over there for a play-date on Saturday, if that’s okay with you!”

Nick smiled. “Alright, you can go. Where’s the school phone book honey? I need to call her mother.”

Angel ran into the kitchen and came back with the phone book. Soon the phone was ringing. “Yes, alright then, it was very nice to meet you too Mrs. Hansen, okay so I’ll have her there at noon Saturday, great thank you, bye.”

Nick hung up the phone as Angel hugged him. “Thank you Daddy, thank you!!”

“You’re welcome, baby. Hey do you smell pizza?”

Brian entered the living room. “Yeah, there’s some in the kitchen if anyone wants it. If not, I guess I’ll take it all myself..”

Nick tapped Angel. “Race ya!” he said, as he took off running with Angel behind him.

***

“Angel? Are you out of the tub yet?”

“Yeah Daddy one minute.”

Soon Angel entered her bedroom in her clean pajamas.

“Angel, I have something for you. It’s something very special, I bought something just like this for your mother when we met. Would you like to see it?”

Angel’s eyes lit up. “Yes!”

Nick put his hands in his pocket and took out the necklace. Angel smiled when she saw it.

“Daddy, it’s so pretty!” she said.

“Thank you. I will let you wear this when you turn 10. This is a very special necklace and if it’s broken, I don’t know if I can get another one.”

“Okay Daddy.” Angel yawned. “Can you sing to me like you used to?”

Nick looked at her. “You remember that?”

“Yeah. Can you sing me that song about the sun and stuff?”

“Okay, baby.” he said, clearing his throat.

“I’d walk halfway around the world, for just one kiss from you, far beyond the call of love, the sun the stars the moon, as long as your love’s there believe me, I won’t lose my way believe me, even through the darkest night you know...”

Angel started singing with him. “I’d go anywhere for you, anywhere you’d ask me to, I’d do anything for you, anything you want me to, your love as far as I can see is all I’m ever gonna need, there’s one thing for sure I know it’s true, baby I’d go anywhere for you.” Soon she was fast asleep. Nick kissed her forehead and turned off the light.

***

Ringggggggggg, Ringggggggg...

Nick turned off his PS2 and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Hello is this Mr. Carter?”

“Yes, who’s speaking?”

“This is Mrs. Wallace. I’m the principal at your daughter’s school. Something has happened.”

“What?”

“She was playing with her friend Katie on the slide, and as she was climbing the ladder she slipped and fell.”

“Oh my God...is she ok?”

“An ambulance came and took her to the hospital. If you’d like, I could come over to your house and pick you up and take you there.”

“Th-thank you.” Nick hung up the phone and instantly called Brian.

“Hello?”

“Hey man it’s Nick.”

“Oh, hey. Need us to baby-sit?”

“Um, no actually. Angel’s school just called me. They said she’s in the hospital.”

“WHAT?”

“They said she was playing on the slide and she slipped off the ladder and fell.”

“The big slide?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my God. Alright I’ll be over there as soon as I can.”

“Can you come over here now? Angel’s principal is taking me and I want you there too.”

“Alright we’ll be there in 2 minutes.”

“K bye.” Nick hung up the phone again and turned off the TV. Soon Brian and Leighanne came, followed by Mrs. Wallace. Before long they were all on the way to the hospital.

“How far did she fall?” Brian asked, breaking the silence.

“Well, Katie told us she was about to climb over the top.”

“Oh my God.” Leighanne said. “How did she look?”

“Well, she was unconscious and her arm didn’t look so good.”

Nick choked back a sob. Brian rubbed his back. “She’ll be ok.” he soothed.

***

“Angela Carter?” a nurse asked. Nick walked over to the desk.

“How is she?”

“She’s doing fine. Her left arm is fractured and we gave her a sedative for the pain. Follow me, please.”

“One minute.” Nick walked back and thanked Mrs. Wallace. She soon left. Then he turned around and followed the nurse. Before long they reached her room.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” she said, walking out. Nick took a chair next to her bed, where she was peacefully sleeping. Her arm was in a sling. Nick stroked her hair and sat back in the uncomfortable hospital chair. Just as he was dozing off, he heard a faint “Daddy?”

Nick opened his eyes and saw her awake. “Hey baby, it’s me.”

“Daddy where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital, honey. Do you remember what happened?”

“I was on the slide and my foot slipped on the ladder and I fell.”

“Yes, baby. Your arm is broken, but besides that you aren’t hurt.”

“That’s good. Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“I’m kinda sleepy.”

“I know baby, you will be. They gave you some medicine. You can go ahead and sleep if you want.”

“Okay Daddy.” Angel said, closing her eyes. Nick stood up and walked out of the room.

“How is she?” Brian asked, seeing Nick walk in the waiting room.

“She woke up, we talked and she remembers what happened, but then she told me she was sleepy so I let her sleep and left.”

“How’s her arm?” Leighanne asked.

“It’s broken, but nothing else was wrong. The doctor said all she needs is rest.”

“Thank God.” Brian said. “So when do they let her out of here?”

“Soon, hopefully.”

Brian moved his coat and let Nick sit down.

“You know, I haven’t been here ever since Kathleen...”

Leighanne rubbed his back. “I know it’s hard, but you can see Angel bringing out Kathleen’s spirit. Angel’s just like her, Nick.”

“I know.” he said.

Brian stood up. “Come on Nick let’s go get some coffee.”

Nick nodded and walked out with him.

***

Months passed. Angel recovered, and Brian and Leighanne decided to buy a house next door to Nick. On the Fourth of July, Nick’s family flew out and they had a barbecue. While Aaron was pushing Angel on the tire swing, Brian and Nick were talking in the kitchen.

“Nick, there’s something I gotta tell you.” he said.

“What’s up?” Nick asked.

“Well...Leighanne went to the doctor yesterday. She’s pregnant.”

Nick gasped. “Oh my God! Brian that’s great! So when’s the baby due?”

Brian smiled. “January.”

“Wow...soon.”

“Yeah I know. Maybe you and Angie could help us get ready?”

“Sure thing. Any names yet?”

“Well, we were thinking Cody Thomas or Jenna Michelle.”

“Those are cute.” Nick said, taking a sip of his drink.

Just then Angel came running in. “Daddy save me!!!” she yelled, grabbing onto his arm. Aaron came in with a water balloon.

“He’s gonna get me wet!” she said, hiding behind her dad.

Nick bent down to Angel and whispered in her ear. A mischievous smile appeared on his face. “Aaron, why don’t we call a truce. You give me the balloon and I give you ten bucks.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Fine.” he said, reaching out to hand Nick the balloon. Just as he was raising it up, he slammed it onto Nick’s head. Laughing, he walked out. Water dripped down Nick’s face. “This isn’t the end, Carter.” he said, trying to act evil. Angel laughed.

Later on, after the fireworks Aaron reclined in the lawn chair, sleeping. Nick and Angel walked over to him.

Angel poured whipped cream on top of him while Nick set up a bucket of chocolate sauce. Once they were done, Nick gave Angel a high-5 and walked away with her.

“Aaron it’s 11!” Jane called from the kitchen window.

Aaron woke up, noticing the whipped cream on his bare chest. “Ew...” he said, sitting up not noticing the bucket of chocolate sauce hovering over his head. Just as he stood up, the chocolate came pouring down, drenching him. Nick and Angel ran out, laughing hysterically.

“You...are...SO...dead!” Aaron yelled, chasing them.

“Run!” Nick yelled, taking off the other way. Aaron caught up to Nick and tackled him, smearing the sauce all over his face. Nick squirmed around, trying to break free. Angel came up from behind and grabbed onto Aaron, pulling him back. Nick got up and started wrestling Aaron. Jane walked out, seeing her two boys on the lawn. Angel saw her.

“Grandma!” she said, hugging her. Jane smiled.

“Come on honey, let’s leave these two MONKEYS to finish themselves off.”

Angel laughed. “Shouldn’t they go to bed too?”

“Don’t worry, they’ll tire themselves out. It happens all the time. Come on let’s go get you washed up.”

“Okay.” Angel said, walking into the house with Jane.

***

That January, Leighanne went into labor. Nick, Angel and Howie sat in the waiting room. Angel was playing her Game Boy Advanced.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk Nick...getting her obsessed with video games.” Howie said.

“Hey she likes it I didn’t influence her!” he replied.

“Sure. It’s not like she doesn’t notice the countless systems hooked up to your TV.”

Nick threw a cushion at him. “So?”

Howie laughed. “She’s got your attitude too.”

“Eh...good someone to carry along the Nick Carter sarcasm from generation to generation.”

They continued talking, hearing Angel yell remarks at the game from time to time. Soon Brian came out, wiping his forehead. Nick stood up.

“Well?”

Brian smiled. “It’s a girl.”

Nick stood up and pulled Brian into a hug. “Congratulations, dad.”

Angel turned off her Game Boy and hugged Brian. “Uncle Brian, when can we see the baby?” she asked.

“We can go now, if you want.”

“Yay!” Angel exclaimed, taking Brian’s hand. They reached the nursery. Brian pointed to a baby sleeping.

“That’s our girl, Jenna Michelle Littrell.” he said, smiling.

Angel looked in the window. “Daddy is this where I was too?”

“You sure were honey.”

“You guys wanna go see Leighanne?” Howie asked.

“Yeah good idea.”

Brian opened the door. Leighanne saw him and smiled.

“Hey guys.” she said, tired.

“Hi Auntie Leigh!” Angel smiled.

Leighanne hugged Angel. “Did you see Jenna?”

Angel nodded. “She’s a pretty baby Auntie Leigh.”

“Just like you were, honey.”

It soon got late. Angel yawned.

“Angel baby are you tired?” Nick asked.

“Nu-uh.” she replied.

“Uh-huh, sure. Come on let’s go home. We can pick up Mickey D’s on the way.”

“Okay.” Angel said, fighting back another yawn.

Nick laughed. “Say goodbye to Uncle Howie, Uncle Brian and Auntie Leigh.”

“Goodnight.” she said.

Angel curled up in Nick’s arm and they headed out.

***

The next morning Angel got up and saw Nick making pancakes.

“Good morning baby!” he said, kissing her cheek. Angel was frowning.

“Honey what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

Angel sat down. “Daddy, at the hospital yesterday every daddy and baby had a mommy with them. Was my mommy and you like that?”

Nick lowered his head. “Baby, your mommy and I were just like that. But when she was in the hospital bringing you into the world, God decided to bring her back to him.”

“So where is my mommy now? Is she still at the hospital? Can I go see her?”

Nick shook his head. “Honey, your mommy is with God up in heaven. She’s dancing on the clouds and singing with the angels. When she was with me she was the most beautiful thing, just like you are.”

“So, I’ll never see her?” she asked, tears in her eyes.

“No, no, no that’s not true.” Nick said, touching Angel’s heart. “All you have to do is look here, and Mommy’s with you all the time. You can talk to her at night too. She’ll listen.”

“But I won’t hear her.”

“You won’t hear her with your ears, but your heart will hear her. Trust me.”

“Okay daddy.” she said, hugging him. “Hey, daddy?”

“Yeah?” he asked, turning around.

“Can we go to Krispy Kreme instead this morning? I’m getting sick of your pancakes.”

Nick started laughing. “You know, I was just thinking of that. Go get dressed and we’ll go get some doughnuts.”

Angel smiled and ran up the stairs.

Part Three