*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

Valondra and Nickolas walked along the beach where they had their first date in Clearwater, Florida. No matter how many times they went there every time was more special. They walked arm in arm reminiscing of the past two and a half years they’ve been together.

“I’ll never forget the way we met, Nicky,” Valondra said. “We ran right into each other.”

“Because someone was in a hurry,” Nickolas added with a smile. “I won’t mention any names.”

“I wasn’t in a hurry. It was the last day of school.”

“Whatever.” He turned and put his other arm around her. “But I thank God each day for him sending you to me.” Valondra just smiled, as he kissed her.

“I’m thankful too. And I’m not going to let Bridgett come between us.”

“I think she’s afraid of you, because I haven’t seen her.”

“Good. That’s the way it should be and stay.” She kissed him.

“Remember our first kiss?”

“How could I forget? I felt so bad.”

“And I was in so much pain.”

“I had to make it up to ya and kissing you was the first thing that came to mind.”

“I’m glad it did.” They kissed. “That can be one to tell the grandkids. Tell them how Grandma kicked Grandpa between the legs.”

Valondra just looked at him a moment then said, “Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just say grandkids as in yours and mine?”

“Yes I did.” He smiled. “I brought you here for a reason, Princess. A very important reason.”

“What is it?”

“Loni, I fell in love with you the second I saw you. At that moment I knew I’d spend the rest of my life with you. I was hoping you’d end up feeling the same way and when you did I was so happy. I love you, Valondra, and what I’m trying to say…well ask…” He took something from his pocket and took a deep breath while getting on one knee. “What I want to know, Loni, is will you marry me?” He held up the ring with the heart-shaped diamond. “Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Nick Carter?” Valondra just looked at him speechless, as he put the ring on her finger. “The other day when Brian said about us getting married I wanted to ask you right there, but this is a special moment and I wanted to do it in private. And I did.”

“Nicky, it’s beautiful.” She smiled and he stood up.

“You don’t have to decide right now. Take some time to think about it if ya want. I mean, I know we’re still young and it’s a big step.”

She smiled. “Just shut up, Nickolas. I’d…”

“Fighting already,” Bridgett interrupted and they looked. “Not a good step in a lasting relationship. Bummer, I’m heartbroken for you two.”

“Just ignore her,” Nickolas said. “Finish what you were going to say.”

“As I was saying,” Valondra began, “I’d be very…”

“Stupid if you kept him from me,” Bridgett interrupted again. “I’d have to agree. Nick and I are meant to be.”

“Nicky, I will marry you, because I love you with all my heart and soul,” Valondra replied before Bridgett interrupted again. Valondra put her arms around Nickolas and kissed him.

Nickolas kissed Valondra in return, as Bridgett said, “Ok, ok, your final kiss. Lon, leave now.”

Valondra and Nickolas ignored her, as they continued kissing. “Excuse me.” Bridgett pried them apart and put her arm around Nickolas. “You can leave now. I’m here to take care of Nick.”

Nickolas pushed Bridgett away and went to Valondra, as she said, “The only one who is leaving is you, Bridgett.”

“Now go,” Nickolas added.

“You know what’s funny,” Bridgett said. “Nick tells you he’s over me, but he has the audacity to bring you to the same beach we came to.”

“I never brought you here,” Nickolas rebutted, as Valondra took his hand.

“This is the exact same spot where Nick made love to me all night long,” Bridgett said.

“That’s a lie and you know it,” Nickolas said.

“Do you want another shiner to match the one you already got?” Valondra questioned.

“He made love to me over and over,” Bridgett said. “All night under the starry sky. He was telling me how much he loved me and would love to marry me someday.”

“I might believe that when hell freezes over,” Valondra said. “Then again I wouldn’t believe ya then either.”

“Well ya should,” Bridgett said. “You’re a fool if ya believe all the lies he tells you. He’s in love with me and always will be.”

“And you’re in love with him right?”

“Of course.”

“So you mean to tell me that you try to kill the person you love?”

“Something like that. If I couldn’t have him then I didn’t want anyone else to have him.”

“Maybe you should go back to Miami’s Juvenile Correction Institute for the Criminally Insane. Then again you’re not a juvenile anymore. They’d probably just put ya in the psych ward instead. That’s where ya should be right now. I can’t believe they left ya out.”

“They left me out on good behavior.”

“So you come and harass Nick? I thought there was a restraining order against you?”

“That was only in affect until I got my sentence.”

“It should’ve stayed in affect even after ya got out,” Nickolas said. “Let’s go, Lon.”

“Right behind ya,” Valondra said, as they started walking.

“You’ll be sorry!” Bridgett yelled after them, but neither of them looked back.

“Howie, you never answered my question from the other night,” Lillie said, as they sat on his front porch and looked up at the stars.

Howard looked at Lillie not really knowing what to say. Instead, he played dumb by asking, “What question would that be?”

“The one about us ever getting married.”

“Oh that one. Well…”

“Howard, telephone,” his mom interrupted.

“I’ll be right back,” Howard said getting up. He was once again relieved that he got a chance to avoid the subject. He walked into the parlor and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Howie, its Charisma.”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m sort of having this problem with Alex and was wondering if we could talk. You’d probably understand since you’re his best friend.”

“Sure; when?”

“Can you meet me outside NYPD tonight?”

“Right now?”

“If it’s not a problem.”

“Not at all. I’ll be right there.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll see ya then.” He heard a click and hung up the phone.

He walked back outside to Lillie and said, “Listen, Lil, that was a friend and they’re kind of in the middle of a crisis right now.”

“And they need your help,” Lillie said for him. “I understand. I’ll just go home and dream about us.”

They kissed. “I love you. Bye.”

“Bye.” He waited until Lillie was gone then got in his own car and drove to meet Charisma.

Charisma stood outside NYPD and waited for Howard. She really didn’t have a problem with Alexander, but just wanted to see Howard. She thought up a make believed problem with Alexander and then called Howard. She waited patiently for Howard to show. She really wasn’t sure what she was going to do. She wasn’t sure if she was going to continue with the Alexander problem or tell Howard the truth. She sat there thinking, but interrupted when she heard her name.

She looked up and said, “Howie!”

“Don’t be so surprised to see me,” Howard said sitting beside her. “You did invite me.”

“I know.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“What problem? There’s no problem.” She started to become nervous.

“You called and told me you were having a problem with Alex and wanted to talk.”

“I did? Of course I did.”

“So what’s wrong?”

“Um…” She stood up. “Um…”

Howard stood up himself and looked at her. “You can tell me.” He took her hands in his. “What is it?”

“Oh my…”

“Charisma, you’re hands are sweaty and you’re shaking. What’s wrong?”

“Everything.”

“Just start from the beginning.”

“I’m in love with you, Howie.” Howard just looked at her and took a deep breath; not knowing what to say.