December 1999
"Jess, we've been here for hours. It's just New Years Eve,"Nick whined, sinking back into the seat he was sitting in in a boutique dressing room. He had taken her to Rodeo Drive to pick out a dress for the big New Years Eve party the guys were throwing. They were inviting all their relatives, close friends, and record company executives.
"Patience is a virtue,"was her muffled reply as she struggled to get a long dress over her head.
Nick sighed dramatically and crossed his arms over his chest,"One that I don't have."
"Too bad,"Jessica said and opened the dressing room door. Nick couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"That's...that's wow..."he breathed.
Jessica smiled then turned around to show him the back. The dress seemed like it was made for her. It came down to the top of her ankles and lining the bottom was fringe. The dress had a low neckline with tiny beads lining it. The back of the dress swooped down to the very bottom of her back, and the thin straps were made out of tiny, glass beads. It was form fitting to show off her great figure.
"So you really like it?" she asked him, smoothing the dress down.
"I love it,"he smiled.
"Good coz so do I!" she exclaimed, excitedly. "See wasn't it worth the wait?"
"Well I dunno bout that,"Nick joked, getting up off of his seat. "We were dress shopping for 4 hours."
"Oh shut up. It wasn't that long,"Jessica replied.
Nick glanced at his watch,"Oh I'm sorry. 3 hours and 45 minutes. My bad."
Jessica shot him a warning look then went back into the dress room,"You better watch yourself Mister."
Nick grinned then called to her,"Need some help putting your clothes back on?"
"No Nick I'm good,"Jessica replied. Even though Nick couldn't see her, he knew she was probably rolling her eyes at him.
"You sure baby?"
"Yes Nick! Positive,"Jessica groaned. She came out of the dressing room a few minutes later in her regular clothes with the dress in one hand and her credit card in the other.
Nick took the dress from her and said,"Put your credit card away."
"Oh no, you are not going to pay for that. It's my dress and I'll pay for it,"Jessica insisted.
"No,"Nick replied simply.
"OH MY GOD!!! You're Nick Carter!" came a screech.
Nick and Jessica both turned to find two teenage girls jumping up and down excitedly.
Nick smiled,"Yeah, how are you doing."
"OH MY GOD!!!!! We're good!!!!" one of the girls replied. Jessica stiffled her giggles. The other girl was staring at dress in Nick's hands.
Nick noticed her stares and said,"Oh this is hers." He pointed to Jessica.
Jessica giggled and said,"Now Nick don't you think the world should know what you really do on weekends."
Nick turned to her, his eyes were wide. He turned to the girls and said,"She's just kidding."
"We know,"the blond girl said reassuringly. "Hey aren't you Jessica Donovan?"
"Umm yes?" Jessica said cautiously.
"Wow, I've seen pictures of you on the internet,"the brunette said matter-of-factly.
"Oh really?"Jessica said, glancing at Nick who just shrugged.
"Yeah, you're a dancer from Florida. You and Nick have been friends for a long time then you started dating,"the blond nodded.
"Oh really,"Jessica said again.
Both girls nodded,"People say you're really nice, so it's ok that you and Nick are dating."
"Well thank you,"Jessica said. Exactly much did these people know about her?
The both smiled then said,"You're welcome! Nick can we have autographs?"
"Sure, do you have a pen?"
The blond girl searched through her purse and pulled out a small pad and a pen,"Here, my name is Liz and this is Jennifer."
Nick smiled then took the pen and paper. He wrote each girl a short message then signed his name,"Here you go."
The two girls stared in awe at the notebook,"Thanks."
Liz gingerly took it back as if it would break and Nick laughed,"It's no problem. It's always nice to meet the fans."
The two girls giggled and Jennifer said,"We better be going. Thank you so much for signing this for us."
"No problem. Nice meeting you,"Nick said and gave each girl a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Liz's hand flew up to her cheek,"Wow, thanks."
Nick looked amused,"Goodbye Liz and Jen."
The girls walked out of the boutique whispering amongest themselves excitedly.
Nick rolled his eyes and laughed,"It's crazy!"
Jessica nodded in agreement,"Anyways, give me the dress right now Carter."
"Nope. Think of it as a gift,"Nick said, walking up to the counter to pay.
"Ok, I'm not gonna win this one,"Jessica sighed. "Fine. Pay for the dress. I don't care."
"Aight, good,"Nick said with a satisfied smile, handing the woman his credit card and the dress.
"Thank you Mr.Carter,"the woman said to him as she rung up the dress. She rapped it carefully and put it in a box and then a pretty, decorative bag.
Nick smiled at the lady then handed the bag to Jessica.
"Thanks Nick,"Jessica replied.
"Anytime baby,"Nick smiled then took her hand. They walked out of the boutique and into the limo where Nick's bodyguards were waiting for them. They got into the very back of the limo and it drove off.
"So you think this whole Y2K thing is gonna happen?"Nick asked.
Jessica rolled her eyes,"Oh please! Nothing's gonna happen."
"Never know,"Nick shrugged.
"Ok Nick at least we'll all die together if something happens,"Jessica smirked at him, mockingly.
"Oh be quiet,"Nick said pulling her to him. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"Ok I'll be quiet if you kiss me again,"Jessica grinned. Nick smiled then met her lips again for a heated kiss. He pulled her onto his lap so her legs were on either side of him. Nick's lips traveled down to the bottom of her neck and she groaned.
"Mr.Carter,we're at the hotel,"the driver said sheepishly.
Nick broke away from Jessica quickly and straightened up. He cleared his throat and said,"Ok thanks." He saw his bodyguards motion to him that it was clear so he took Jessica's hand and led her out of the limo. They all walked quickly into the large, posh hotel.
New Years Eve...
"Jess, you look, you look...god,I can't even talk. See you took my breath away,"Nick smiled. Jessica stood before him in her dress. Her brown hair was curled and piled on the top of her head in an elegant manner. Her makeup was done shimmery and dramatic.
Jessica smiled shyly,"Thank you Nick. You take my breath away too."
Nick laughed and got up. He held his arm out for her,"Let's go down to the ballroom. There's gonna be no press so we can relax and be ourselves."
Jessica took a hold of his arm and they left their hotel room. A few minutes later, they were in the ballroom. They were greeted with tons of friends and family.
"Look at this. That's it AJ's outdone himself. Wonder how much this little event is costing us. Howie would know, I'm going to have to ask him. AJ's no longer allowed to plan parties ever again,"Nick joked.
"It's beautiful. He did a great job,"Jessica said taking in the site of her surrounding.
"I know I was just playing. At least this will be a night we'll all remember,"Nick said.
"Isn't this gorgeous?!" Leighanne yelled coming up to the two of them, her hand linked in Brian's.
"Yeah it is. You look beautiful Leighanne!"Jessica said giving her best friend a hug.
"So do you, love,"Leighanne smiled then looked at Brian. "We have some news."
Jessica glanced at Nick and they smiled at eachother.
"We're engaged,"Brian smiled widely. Leighanne lifted up her hand to reveal a sparkling canary yellow diamond.
Jessica screamed then embraced Leighanne who screamed too.
"Women,"Nick smirked then hugged Brian,"Congratulations, man."
"Oh my god, I'm gonna cry! This is so great!" Jessica said her eyes tearing, hugging Leighanne once again. She then hugged Brian and said,"It's about time. Geez!"
Nick gave Leighanne a hug,"You take care of my buddy, ok?"
"Will do,"Leighanne smiled. Her face had a special glow to it and Jessica knew how much Brian meant to her.
"This is so great,"Jessica sighed happily.
Nick rolled his eyes playfully at his girlfriend,"Here we go..."
"Oh be quiet you,"Jessica said shoving him lightly. "I'm happy for them."
"Jess I wanted to ask you something,"Leighanne said.
"Sure,"Jessica said.
"Will you be my maid of honor?"
Jessica shrieked and practically jumped on Leighanne.
"And you thought we'd have a problem with her controlling herself,"Brian teased.
Jessica and Leighanne began talking excitedly.
Brian and Nick looked at eachother, shook their heads and said in unison,"Women!"
"Let's go dance,"Jessica said,pulling Nick with her followed by Leighanne and Brian.
During the next few hours they all mingled with everyone and danced. Everyone was so elated and happy. Kevin and Kristin also revealed that they too would be getting married. Jessica was thrilled for them also.
"Leighanne, Kristin let's go karaoke!" Jessica suggested.
"I don't sing,"Kristin said shaking her head, sipping her champaign.
"It'll be fun,"Jessica insisted."It doesn't matter if you don't sing."
"Yeah let's do it,"Leighanne aggreed. "It's only going to turn the year 2000 once. This is a special occasion."
Kristin sighed,"Fine, fine, fine. I'll do it."
Jessica smiled and the three of them went over to the dj.
"Now where are they going?" Nick asked, looking as the 3 women made their way over to the dj and say something to him.
"Oh geez, microphones are being distributed..."Brian smirked. "Why do I think this is going to be amusing?"
"You're probably right,"Kevin nodded.
Suddenly the opening notes to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun filled the room.
"Are they drunk?" Brian whispered to Kevin and Nick.
Nick stared at the 3 of them,"I don't think so..." He saw Jessica open her mouth to sing.
"I come home in the morning light, my mother says when you gonna live your life right, oh mommy dear we're not the fortunate ones and girls they wanna have fun, oh girls just wanna have fun."
"She can sing!" Brian exclaimed.
"I know,"Nick replied, his eyes glued to the girls.
Leighanne took the next part,"The phone rings in the middle of the night my father yells what you gonna do with your life, oh daddy dear you know you're still number one, but girls they wanna have fun, oh girls just wanna have-"
The other two joined in and they sang the rest of song.
Kevin smiled, shaking his head,"That was terrible!"
Brian and Nick laughed as everyone cheered. They clapped loudly and Brian whistled.
5 minutes before 12:00...
"This is so exciting!" Jessica said to Nick. The whole party was standing in front of a big TV, watching, and waiting for midnight.
Nick nodded and put his arms around Jessica,"I'm actually looking forward to that kiss at midnight."
"Oh yeah, that's always a plus,"Jessica said.
Before they knew it they were all counting down and Jessica turned to face Nick.
The whole party shouted,"10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...HAPPYNEW YEARS!"
Nick's lips captured Jessica's and he pulled her close to him. They broke apart, smiling at eachother. They went around the room and gave everyone hugs and kisses. Even tears were shed. This was a night no one would ever forget for as long as they lived.
