Chapter Nine
"Nick,"I choked out, not believing that he was really in front of me.
"Hey Ang,"he smiled. He looked tired and worn out and he was holding a single black duffle bag.
I threw my arms around his neck. Nick laughed and dropped the bag he was hold, putting his arms tightly around me.
"I'm so happy to see you,"he said softly into my ear.
"Me too,"I said as I brought my lips to his for a sweet kiss. "Did you know about this when I talked to you yesterday."
"Not really, I wasn't sure if we were going to get the day off or not but as soon as I found out we did I booked a flight. Nobody was too happy that I was coming back but I needed to see you,"Nick smiled.
"Oh my god, I wasn't expecting this at all, but I'm so glad you're here,"I gushed.
"Yeah, I had to talk to you,"Nick said.
"Ok you want to go into my room?"I suggested, wondering what he had to talk to me about.
"Later,"Nick said, taking my hand.
I looked down at my sweat pants and t-shirt. I looked like a slob, I really needed to change,"I better get changed Nick ok?"
"Ok, when's your family going to be here?"Nick asked.
"In an hour,"I said. "I actually thought you were them. Ok, I'm going to get changed do you want to chill out here with Meredith for a minute or do you want to come in with me."
"Like I'm gonna pass up watching you get changed,"Nick grinned.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go,"I smiled and took his hand. We walked to my room and I shut the door. Nick put his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck.
"Did I tell you how much I missed you?"Nick asked softly.
"Yeah,"I breathed, turning around capturing his lips with mine. He let the kiss linger a little while before he broke away and his lips trailed down my neck.
"Oh god Nick, I love you,"I groaned before I realized what I said. Oh shit. That did not just come out of my mouth. I did NOT just say that. His kisses came to a halt and he looked at me, a stunned expression on his face. Oh SHIT. Why do things like that always just POP out of my freakin mouth??
"Did you just say that you loved me?"he asked me slowly, pulling away from my embrace. Oh...my...god. This isn't happening. I could feel my cheeks flame up from the embarrassment and I fought off the urge to cry. Did you ever have the feeling where you just wanted to dig a hole a crawl in it? Well this was one of those times.
"I-I-um, yeah, that's uh probably what I said,"I practically croaked out, meekly and stupidly, looking everywhere but his face. My heart was pounding in my chest and I was fidgeting with the hem on my shirt. You do NOT just go BLURTING things like that out. Just leave it to me to ruin probably the best thing that's ever happened to me.
I felt Nick's fingers underneath my chin, pushing my face up to look at his. I expected him to tell me that things were moving too fast and that we should probably not see eachother again. I was surprised to see a slight smile on his face.
I was even more shocked when these words left his mouth,"I love you too Ang. I'm so in love with you, you have no idea."
I just stared at him like an idiot with my eyes and mouth wide open.
He laughed and said,"I ain't playin. I love you. That's what I had to tell you."
"Oh my god,"was all I got out before I started rambling. "I can't believe you love me too. I didn't think you did. I can't believe you're here. Oh god Meredith was right. She was right again. I didn't think you loved me-"
He shut me up by pressing his lips against my. I relaxed into embraced and put my arms around his neck. Nick pulled me closer and we shared one of the sweetest kisses.
"Um ANGELA?? You're parents are here..."I heard Meredith call from the other room. Why did they have to be early??
I broke away from his kiss and groaned softly,"Shit I can't believe they're here. I can't even enjoy this moment for two seconds." Crap. I didn't even change. My mother would have a field day if she saw my outfit.
"Be right out!"I called to her.
"I have to change."I told Nick running to my closet, pulling out clothes like a lunatic. I felt his arms circle my waist.
"You alright?"he asked. I wasn't looking at him, but I could tell he was smiling.
"Just peachy,"I muttered, throwing off my shirt and sweat pants and slid into my hiphugging, comfortable faded blue jeans and a form fitting fushia turtleneck.
I spun around and Nick was looking at me, amused,"You sure you're alright??"
"Yeah, fine, just fine,"I said quickly. I realized I must've looked like a nut, throwing my clothes all over the place and running across the room. But he didn't know my mom.
I pulled the ponytail holder out of my hair and brushed out my long, straight brown hair,"Do I look ok? Should I change into something else or-"
"You look beautiful,"he smiled. I smiled back, almost shyly.
"Thank you,"I replied, tucking my hair behind my ears. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips before I took his hand.
"Ok Nick. I'm gonna throw you to the wolves now. Please remember not to judge me by my family,"I begged him, seriously.
He laughed like I was joking or something.
"Do you think I'm kidding? I'm not playing with you Nick,"I told him.
He rolled his eyes and smiled,"They can't be that bad."
Oh he'd see in a minute...
"Ok you'll see,"I said with a knowing shrug.
I led him out of my room to see my mom, dad, and brother all sitting at the kitchen table with Meredith chattering away.
"Hi Mom, Dad, Ant..."I said. My mom stood up. She was so annoying that sometimes I forgot how breathtaking she was. She really was beautiful with shoulder length slightly wavy dyed light brown hair and stunning blue eyes that I was totally jealous of. My mother had beautiful skin for a woman of 46 and still had her figure. The one thing I hoped I inherited from her was her ability to age well.
"Angela,"she smiled as I walked over to her. She kissed my cheek as I hugged her.
"How are you Mom?"I asked as she broke the hug and stared at me from arms length away.
"Just fine...are you getting enough sleep sweetie? You look like you're getting bags under your eyes,"she said. It was starting already.
"Vivian leave her alone,"my father demanded, standing up. My father was tall and slim with dark hair and eyes. My brother and I looked just like him. And Meredith has no shame in telling me that my dad was hot which still never failed to gross me out.
I grinned at him. I adored my father. "Hi Daddy!"
"Hey kiddo,"he replied, giving me a big hug. "Is this Nick?"
"Oh, I completely forgot. Yes, everyone this is Nick,"I said, grabbing Nick's hand.
"Hi,"he said, shaking my father's hand then my mother's and then my brother's.
"Great to meet you,"my father said warmly. "I'm John Russo."
"Oh aren't you adorable! I can't believe Angela didn't let you meet us sooner!"I mother gushed. Leave it to my mother to embarrass the hell out of me.
Nick smiled a little awkwardly,"I've been touring for a little while now. It's nice to meet you all though."
"Oh it's just lovely to meet you Nick! We're so happy that Angela finally found someone. It's been so long since she's dated someone,"my mom continued.
"Mom,"I groaned. "Stop ok?"
"Stop what Angela?"my mother asked, totally oblivious to the fact that she was embarrassing me.
"Vivian,"my father said in a warning tone.
"SO Ant, how are you bro?"I asked, changing the subject.
He shrugged and pulled the black Nike cap off of his head.
"I'm likin the hair,"I said, nodding my approval of my brother's newly cut hair.
"It's alright,"he said with another shrug.
"We just met Anthony's girlfriend Christie the other night. Pretty girl,"Mom said.
I caught Anthony's eye and he gave me a look. I guess the meeting didn't go so well and I tried to stop a laugh.
"Nick there's a football game on. Why don't you and my dad go in the living room and watch it?"I suggested. He nodded and my father and him went into the other room. I heard my father start a friendly conversation with him as they sat down.
"Angela, I think we should talk about your future,"Mom started as I sat down at the table. I hated conversations that started like this.
"I'm gonna go watch the game,"Anthony mumbled and left the table. I didn't blame him.
"Mom do we really have to talk about this today?"I asked, and shot Meredith a look. She just shrugged with a sympathetic look on her face.
"Yes Angela, I think we do,"she replied in a stern tone. I knew there was no getting out of this one.
"Ok Mom,"I gave in. "What is it?"
"Well, let's start with your job-"
"What about my job? It's how I met Nick."
"Well do you really think that waitressing is really going to be an appropriate job in the near future?"
I really hated when she got like this. I hated how she didn't think my life was good enough and that I had to change it to "meet her standards".
"My job is fine right now Mom,"my tone was rising by the minute.
"We'll see. What about settling down?"
Was she really serious?? I couldn't believe we were having this discussion. That's why she wanted to come over. To harass me.
"Mom I've been dating Nick for a month. I love him and all but we're not ready to get married. That's ridiculous. I can't believe how insane that is! How could you even bring that up right now???"I yelled. My brother, my father, and my boyfriend all turned around to stare at us.
"Don't you dare raise your voice to me Angela Marie,"Mom said in a hushed, warning voice.
"You can't just waltz in here and tell me how to live my life. I'm not you, Mom. This is my life right now and I'm happy. Can't you just let me be happy without trying to change everything?? Isn't that what's most important? That I'm happy? I live with my best friend and I have a boyfriend who loves me. I'm young and have my whole life for marriage and success. I want all that, but I want to do it at my own pace Mom."
By this time, everyone was staring at me. And rightfully so. I was screaming like a banshee. My mom just looked stunned.
"I just want what's best for you Angela,"my mom said quietly.
"I know, but I'm the only one who knows what's best for me right now,"I told her, my features softening. Ok, so I felt bad for yelling but that was a long time in the making and my mom needed to hear it.
"I didn't think you felt that way Ang,"Mom said, a slight smile on her face. She looked slightly embarrassed. I don't think I've ever seen my mom look just as she did right now. She was always so poised and in control. Now she actually looked a little vulnerable and sincerely sorry.
"I'm so sorry baby,"she whispered to me. Her blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
I felt my eyes start to tear up too. I don't think I've ever heard her say that to me either,"Thank you."
And we had a moment. It was short and I'm sure that it wouldn't be like this forever, but for a few seconds my mother and I had a moment.
"And TOUCHDOWN!!"I heard my brother howl and then loud, obnoxious cheers as only men can do during football games. And my boyfriend was a part of it all. Oh geez. I looked at my mom. She was smiling and wiping the tears from her eyes. I don't know why, but something about the way she looked right them made me want to cry.
She caught my eye and let out a little laugh,"Men!"
Meredith and I bursted out laughing and soon all three of us were cracking up at the 3 idiots on the couch.
They looked over at us and grinned.
"What?"my dad asked curiously with a smile.
That made us only laugh harder.
"I had a great time with your family tonight Jess. They're awesome people,"Nick told me, as we snuggled up that night in my bed.
"Yeah I guess they are,"I replied, sleepily.
"And just this morning you were trippin because they were comin over,"Nick smiled.
"Yeah well, my mom and I had a moment,"I shrugged, stifling a yawn. "That never happened before."
"You had to tell her how you felt and she appreciated that,"Nick told me, nuzzling his face into my neck.
"Yeah, Nick I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with me,"I said, closing my eyes. Enjoying the feeling of his body pressed up against mine.
"I wish I could Ang,"he replied. "I really, really do."
"Me too,"I said.
"I love you,"he said quietly.
I smiled happily,"Say that again."
"I,Nick Carter, am in love with Angela Russo,"he laughed.
"I love you too Nick."
I yawned again and Nick said,"Are you really that tired? Coz I got some other things in mind..."
That woke me up.
"Bring it on Carter,"I said and grinned when his lips pressed against mine.
God how I loved this man.
Chapter Ten
