Chapter 22

“Here you go my lady,” Nick said as he escorted Hannah into one of the Carter family’s boats. The engine roared as they pulled out to the horizon. With her hair blowing Hannah watched Nick as he maneuvered around the Pacific. “I could live in the ocean,” he told her. Racing back through his wake they bounced along the choppy water. After a while the engine quieted and the boat slowed down to a complete stop. Hannah watched him as he walked to the back of the boat to drop the anchor. “Now,” he wiped his hands together, “time for us.”

He lifted Hannah from her seat on the bench. As he wiped stray hairs from her face she stared into him. “Do you think it’ll always be like this?” she brushed her hand against his cheek, “so perfect?”

He kissed her finger tips, “Yes, I don’t see how anything could go wrong as long as we’re together. I love you forever, not till we tire of one another. I don’t think I could ever be bored of seeing your face. Hearing your voice. Sharing your smiles. You’re my heaven.”

A tear slid from her eyelid, “What did I do to deserve you...” she touched his lips against hers. “You’re this huge celebrity and idol of millions, with so much. Me...I’m nothing without you.”

“What are you talking about Hannah? You’re everything! Beautiful, charismatic, smart, but most importantly strong. I’ve met many girls through the years, but none of them come even close to you,” he took hold of her hands. “You’re all I want...all I’ll ever want.”

Hannah turned from him and stared out at the open sea. “It’s just I think you could do so much better.” She looked back at him, “I mean...why me? Why would you fall in love with me?’

Stepping towards her Nick leaned down and kissed her. “Because you’re the only one that makes my lips ache for a kiss. My hands long to touch you. My body quivers to be with you,” he kissed her again. “Because you make me feel alive.” Nick placed his hands upon her shoulders and looked in her deep brown eyes. “I’d do you anything for you. I want to give you everything, and that would be such a small part of what you’ve given me.”

“I don’t want anything from you Nick...you’re more than enough,” she assured him placing her hands on top of his.

“I love you Hannah, I would never hurt you.”

“I know. And I love you too.”

Hannah cuddled in Nick’s arms as they sat in the boat watching colors of pink and orange paint the sky as the sun took it’s decent into the ocean.

* * * *


Nick and Hannah jolted as the plane’s wheels hit Florida ground. That morning Jane had a prepared a special farewell breakfast and made Hannah promise that they would go shopping together for her dorm just before school started. Stepping into the isle Hannah placed her hand in Nick’s and they walked off the plane. It was a perfect day outside.

“You know, I don’t think I’m gonna unpack when I get to the house. We leave so soon for the Bahamas,” Nick said as he hopped into the driver’s side of his car in long-term parking.

“Oh that’s right! I’d completely forgotten about the Bahamas. Who all’s gonna be there?”

“Just the other guys,” Nick answered as he handed his ticket and money to the parking attendant.

“You mean I’m gonna be the only girl? I wanted to meet Leighanne and Kristen. Especially Kristen since we’re going to her wedding in just a few weeks,” she flipped on the radio and opened the sun roof letting Florida air fill the car.”

“Oh maybe they’ll be there. Who knows what they’ve got planned.”

Finally Nick pulled up to Hannah’s house. “Should I come in?”

“No, I have to tell her about the Bahamas, so it probably wouldn’t be a good time.” Hannah undid her seatbelt and opened her car door. Nick got her bags from the back for her. “Bye sweetie, I love you.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

“Love you too; I’ll call you later tonight to hear how things went.”

“Alright, bye hon.” Nick backed out of the driveway and she wheeled her bag into the house.

“Oh you’re back!” her mom jumped up from the kitchen table. “How was it?”

“It was perfect. I had a really great time.” Hannah gave her mom a hug and kiss. “Mom, could I ask permission for something else?” Her mother flashed a funny look. “Nick’s invited me to go to the Bahamas to meet some of his friends. I want to go.”

Her mother slid down into a chair, “But you just got back honey...how many vacations do you think you can have?”

The words struck Hannah. “Mom...there’s something I should probably tell you...” she said as she sunk down into another chair. Hannah explained that she was not camping for the past 5 days, but visiting UCLA. “I’m enrolled there for the fall mom.”

“You mean to tell me you flew across the country and enrolled yourself in college without so much as telling me first?!” she yelled.

“I knew you wouldn’t let me do it mom! So I did it on my own. I can still keep my full scholarship there. I signed up for classes and everything. Whether you want me to or not I’m going there this fall mom. You can’t keep me here forever!” Hannah spouted. Stunned her mother walked across the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of vodka. “Oh that’s great mom. Just great! Drown your sorrows by getting drunk! That’s all you are anymore!” she screamed rising up from the chair.

Hannah’s mother stormed over to her and swung a hard slap across her face. “How dare you talk to me like that!”

Bewildered Hannah grabbed the bottle from her mom’s other hand and threw it on the ground. Glass shattered all over the linoleum and the clear substance spread around the table. “There, if you want it so bad...lick it off the floor! But I’m tired of it Mom. I’m tired of it all...your drinking, my life...I’m getting out of here with or without your permission. I can’t help it that you’re too wasted all the time to notice that I’m changing! I’m not a little girl any more...I’m 19 years old for Christ’s sake! And…I’m going to the Bahamas. I’ll do just about anything to get away from you and your self pity.”

Hannah ran upstairs to her room and grabbed as many clothes as she could gather and put them in her other suitcase. She raced back down with her luggage thumping behind. Grabbing her car keys off the key rack and she slammed the door behind her. She threw both her suitcases in the back of her car and floored out of the driveway. “I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let her ruin my life too!”

Chapter 23
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