Chapter Nineteen
“Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday tooo yoooo-ooo. Happy Birthday
toooooooo yooouuuuuuu.” Nick whispered into Kaity’s ear. It was already 10:00 the next morning and
Kaity was still sleeping. She mumbled something in her sleep before curling closer to Nick’s warmth.
“Come on, wake up. You don’t want to sleep through your birthday.” Kaity tried to bury her head under the
covers. “Kaity....” Nick said pulling the covers down.
“Ya know? It’s my birthday. Why can’t I sleep if I want to?” Kaity asked sticking her bottom lip out.
Nick bent down and took her lip between his teeth and nibbled. “Fine. I get your point. I’m up.”
“Thank God. I thought I was gonna have to sing Happy Birthday again. You know that song has the
same four words over and over again? I was getting bored!” Nick said rolling his eyes. Kaity laughed.
“So..you’re eighteen, huh?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Kaity said lifting herself off the bed to kiss Nick on the forehead. She slid
herself out of bed, grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom. Nick grabbed his cell phone and
called Brian.
“Hello?” Emily answered.
“Em, is Brian there?” Nick asked.
“Yup, hang there for a second.” Emily said. Nick heard her muffle the phone with her shirt and call
for Brian.
“Yeah?” Brian answered moments later.
“When do you wanna meet? I wanna go over it once more, just to make sure I have it
perfect.”
“Um..wanna do it after breakfast? I think the guys can get away for a while so we can go over it.”
Brian asked.
“Sounds good. What should I tell Kaity?”
“Tell her you have to run an errand. No matter what, she’s going to assume it’s for her birthday.
Just don’t let her know what you’ll be doing, and who’ll you’ll be with.”
“Okay...will do. I gotta go, she’s coming.” Nick said turning his phone off and slipping it into his
bag next to the bed. “Done?” he asked innocently. Kaity looked at him curiously and nodded.
“It’s all yours.” she said pointing to the bathroom. Nick showered and dressed quickly and the two
of them headed downstairs for breakfast.
“Happy Eighteenth!” Emily said hugging Kaity.
“Thank ya much!” Kaity said hugging back. She received a hug and a ‘Happy Birthday’ from the
rest of the guys before they all sat down to eat. After breakfast Nick and Kaity headed back
upstairs.
“Hey, I have an errand to run, will you be okay here by yourself for a few hours?” Nick asked her.
She smiled up at him and nodded.
“Course..see you later.” she said kissing him. He gave her hand a squeeze as he caught the
elevator back down to the lobby where the rest of the guys were waiting.
“Ready Nickster?” AJ asked.
“Yeah, where should we do this? I don’t wanna use one of our rooms, she might find out about the
surprise.”
“What about my Mom’s room? She’s two floors below Kaity.” AJ suggested.
“Cool, is she up there now?” Nick asked.
“Should be. Come on.” Denise opened the door to the boys and let them borrow her room for
their surprise.
Kaity was to open her gifts at dinner that night. She decided that, since the guys had a show that
night, she would have them to her room for pizza before they left for the concert. Around 4 everyone
crowded into her and Nick’s room. They ate the pizza and told stories for about an hour before they got to
the gifts.
“This one is from Emily.” Kaity announced as she unwrapped the box. Inside were two new novels
by her favorite author.
“More of that romantic crap?” Nick complained. “Dude, you should have seen the book she was
reading last night. I swear, it was female porn! It was about this stripper who-”
“Nick...” Kaity interrupted.
“Sorry. Go on.” Nick offered.
“Thank you Emmers!” Kaity said hugging Emily. “Okay, this one is from Howie.” Kaity said ripping
the wrapping paper off the gift. “Cool! A thermal mug and tons of gourmet teas and coffees!” Kaity said
planting a kiss on Howie’s cheek. “Thank you so much. You know I can’t survive on tour without my daily
dose of caffeine.”
“Welcome.” Howie said smiling.
“Next...Kevin’s.” Kaity said pawing through a gift bag. “The Dirty Dancing Soundtrack..Kevin..how
did you know I’d love this?” she asked. Kevin nodded towards Nick. He blushed. “Awww. Thank you guys.
AJ is next.” Kaity said grabbing the package from AJ. “Temporary hair dyes? AJ....”
“Keep going.” AJ said pointing to the bag.
“Okay, a $50 gift certificate to...’Body Art Tattoo Parlor’?...A box of condoms! AJ, are you trying to
corrupt me?”
“Nah, you’re legal now, I was just giving you some stuff I thought you could use.” AJ said laughing.
“Here’s the real gift.” AJ said tossing her a box. She unwrapped it and found a new edition Discman and a
couple of her favorite CD’s, including Backstreet Boys and Millennium. “I know the kinds of shit that Nick
and Brian listen too and I figured that you could use this in times of need.”
“Thank you AJ.” Kaity said giving him a hug.
“Here you go.” Brian said shoving his gift into her hands.
“Okay...” She took the bow off of the package and stuck it on top of her head before proceeding to
tear the paper off of the box. “A calling card...”
“Yup, so you can stop racking up the minutes on Nick’s cell phone.” Brian explained.
“What? My phone?” Nick asked looking at Kaity. She smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry?” She offered.
“Yeah, sure you are. You’re lucky I love you, or you’d be in trouble.” Nick said shaking his
head.
“What else is in there?” Emily asked.
“A cell phone! Awesome!” Kaity said giving Brian a kiss. “Thank you so much!”
“You are very welcome.” Brian said putting his arm around Emily.
“Alright, I know you want the present from me...but, not quite yet. I’m saving that for later.” Nick
said. “Instead, your parents sent me a few of your gifts for you to open today.” Nick said setting out a few
boxes. Kaity tore through them, pulling out shirts and CD’s.
“Wow...this was one of the coolest birthdays.” Kaity said sitting in Nick’s lap. “Now..can I have my
present from you?”
“Nope.” Nick said smiling at her.
“Please?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, baby. That is for after the show.”
“You know? I have a puppy dog look too.” Kaity threatened.
“Don’t even think about it. You’ll get it when I give it to you. Nothing is going to change that..after
the show.” Nick said pointing his finger teasingly at Kaity.
“Unfair.” Kaity pouted.
“Nope....it’ll be worth the wait.”
“You are pure evil.” Kaity said standing up. “I have to go get ready for the show now..”
“I love you too Love Bug.” Nick called out at Kaity closed her bedroom door.
“So, Nick?” Emily began. “What do you have planned for Kaity?”
“Yeah, sure. My lips are sealed.” Nick said shooting a look at Brian.
“Damn! She’s right! You are evil.” Emily said standing up as well. She followed Kaity into the
bedroom to get ready also.
“Alright boys, are we ready to get this party started?” Nick asked standing up when Emily and
Kaity came out of the room ready for the show.
“Yup, let’s get going. We have an hour and a half before the show starts.” Brian said reaching for
Emily’s hand. Nick put his arm around Kaity and said a silent prayer that the night went as
planned.
Kaity sat in the audience waiting for something to happen. The stage had gone completely dark
and the crowd was silent, also awaiting movement. Suddenly a single spotlight shone on a figure. He
stepped out of the darkness. It was Nick.
“Ladies and gentlemen...I apologize for this delay in the show, but I would like to say a few words.”
Nick looked into the crowd, tossing them a look asking for their permission. Kaity said confused. This
wasn’t part of the show. “Thank you.” Nick said nodding his head when the response was nothing but
applause. “Today is a very special day. As you all know, there is a very special woman in my life. She is my
best friend, my girlfriend, and the love of my life. Her name is Kaity and today is her birthday.” More
applause. “So...” Nick paused. “as a gift from me to her, the guys and I have arranged a song that will
appear on our next album to perform for you tonight.”
“Oh my God.” Kaity whispered to Emily.
“In this particular song, I, unfortunately, don’t have any lyrics, but that has changed for tonight.
Brian and Howie, who sing the leads are allowing me take over tonight, so that I can sing this song straight
from my heart to the girl that I love. Are you ready?” Nick asked the crowd. Applause. “Are you ready?”
Nick asked looking down at Kaity. She nodded slightly. Kevin came out of the shadows and took a seat at
the piano. Wiggling his fingers, he placed his hands on the ivory keys. He began to play softly. The stage lit
up and the rest of the guys were seated on the steps of the stage, accompanying the music with oooo’s
and aahhhh’s. Nick took a deep breath and raised the microphone to his face. He began to sing..
Remember when
We never needed each other
The best of friends
Like sister and brother
We understood
We’d never be
Alone
Those days are gone
Now I want you so much
The night is long
And I need your touch
Don’t know what to say
Never meant to feel this way
Don’t wanna be alone tonight
What can I do to make you mine
Falling so hard, so fast this time
What did I say, what did you do
How did I fall in love with you
I hear your voice
And I start to tremble
Brings back the child
That I resemble
I cannot pretend
That we can still be friends
Don’t wanna be alone tonight
What can I do to make you mine
Falling so hard, so fast this time
What did I say, what did you do
How did I fall in love with you
I wanna say this right
And it has to be tonight
Just need you to know
I don’t wanna live this lie
I don’t wanna say goodbye
With you I wanna spend the rest of my life
What can I do to make you mine
Falling so hard, so fast this time
What did I say, what did you do
How did I fall in love with you
What can I do to make you mine
Falling so hard, so fast this time
Everything’s changed, we never knew
How did I fall in love with you
The tears fell freely down Kaity’s face. The words were perfect. The story of her and Nick’s love was
told by that song, almost as if it were a book. Nick lowered his head and smiled as the fans applauded
wildly but he wasn’t paying attention to them. His eyes were on Kaity, her beautiful face, the look in her
eyes. She smiled through her tears and clapped her hands. Taking a shy bow, Nick walked off the
stage.
“That was the most romantic thing I have ever witnessed!” Emily said into Kaity’s ear. She nodded
her head, still unable to function. She was mush...amazed...in love.
After the concert Kaity and Emily made a mad dash for the tour bus. Brian beat the girls there,
but Nick was still inside. Kaity sat wordlessly on the leather couch in the back and waited for him. She was
at a loss. How exactly would she greet him? A hug seemed to casual, yet, shoving her tongue down his
throat didn’t exactly emit a romantic aura. Basically, the only thing that she wanted to do was grab on to
him and never let go. The door to the back room opened slowly and Nick’s head poked in. Kaity looked up
and giggled.
“Come here, silly.” she said standing up. Nick walked over to her and stood in front of her, looking
down into her eyes.
“Yeah?”
“I love you.” she whispered as she caught one of his hands.
“I love you too.” he whispered back, squeezing her hand lightly.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome.” Nick said smiling shyly.
“What?” Kaity asked seeing his adorable reaction.
“I...it’s just that...I don’t know what I’m doing. Yet, everything seems to be working out perfectly.”
he explained.
“You are doing everything they way you should be. I can’t believe you sang that song for me.” Kaity
said returning to her seat on the couch. Nick followed and wrapped her in his arms.
“It’s eerie isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“The song, it was perfect for us.”
“I thought the same thing. The lyrics describe our relationship so well.” Kaity said reaching for his
hand again. He spread his fingers and allowed her to lace her fingers with is. “It’s so amazing that we are
where we are. You know?”
“Yeah...I think I know what you mean.” Nick said shifting a little bit. “Take one year ago for
instance..you were just finishing your sophomore year of high school and I was getting ready for the
Millennium tour. Neither one of us ever in a million years expected to end up here, in each other arms...I
never thought that you would love me back like you do.” Nick finished, his voice growing soft.
“I never thought that you would look at me like anything other than your best friend or sister
figure.”
“Think again.” Nick said tilting her face towards his, kissing her. “Hey..I want to give you your
present now.”
“I thought my song was my present...”
“Please, do you think that I’m that cheap? I actually went out and bought you
something.”
“Nick...you really didn’t have to. The song was enough.”
“Nope...not for my girl.” Nick said getting up and crossing the room to his bag. He retrieved the
small box and came back to sit next to Kaity. “For you. Happy Birthday.” Nick said dropping his arm
around her shoulder as she opened the small box. He rested his chin on her shoulder as she peered at the
gift.
“Nick, it’s beautiful.” she whispered pulling the delicate necklace out of the box. The chain was
thin gold and hanging from it was a small ruby heart with a larger garnet heart hanging below it. The gems
sparkled when they hit the overhead light.
“See, the smaller heart is your birthstone, and the larger one is mine.” Nick explained. He
carefully took the necklace out of Kaity’s hand and turned it over. “And I had it engraved.” he said letting
Kaity look at the gift again. Engraved on the smaller heart was Kaity’s full name, ‘Kaitlyn’, and ‘Nickolas’
was written on the other heart. Along the bottom edge of Nick’s heart, the date ‘June 23, 2000’ was
engraved.
“The day we said ‘I love you’.” Kaity whispered.
“You can wear this necklace as a symbol and proof of how much I love you.”
“Nick..I don’t need proof.” Kaity said looking up at him.
“Alright, then you can wear it as a symbol only.” Nick said smiling.
“Awww..” Kaity said getting emotional.
“No...don’t. Come on! It’s a birthday present, you don’t have to cry about it.” he complained as he
wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Shut up.” she said elbowing him lightly.
“Here, let me put it on.” Nick said holding his hands out. She handed the necklace to him and he
concentrated on getting the clasp undone. Kaity laughed. “Wha?” Nick asked, momentarily looking
up.
“You are so cute, trying to open that tiny clasp with your big hands. Guys have so much trouble
with jewelry.”
“Yeah..well it’s not my fault they make these things so small!” Nick said finally unhooking the
chain. Kaity ducked under his arm and let him refasten the clip. “Done.”
Kaity brought her hands up to touch the hearts that fell around her neck.
“Thank you.” she whispered turning to Nick.
“Anytime.” he answered pulling her into his arms. “I love you.”
“I love you too.
Chapter Twenty
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