*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“Why are you going with Nick?” Charisma asked. “Why not stay here with me?”

“Nick asked me to go,” Valondra replied putting stuff in her suitcase. “And he needs me.”

“I need you.”

“No, you need to talk to Alex, Lil, and D to straighten everything out,” Alyssa stated. “Not Lon.”

“Thank you, Lys,” Valondra said putting some more clothes in her suitcase. “I’ll be back in four weeks.”

“That’s a month away,” Charisma pointed out.

“A month with my sexy fiancé,” Valondra said smiling.

“So what? I’m having a crisis.”

“I’m not the one that was kissing Howie while with Alex. Or in love with two other guys while with Alex and one who is my best friend’s fiancé.” Charisma just looked at her. “I’m sorry this is happening to you, but I don’t know what to tell you to do. You have to work it out with Alex. He loves you very much.”

“I know. He sent me two miss you cards since he left.”

“See, he wants to work it out,” Alyssa said. “He loves you.”

“Maybe.”

“Not maybe, definitely,” Valondra said. “Before they went back on tour, Alex and I were talking, and he said that finding out about you and D broke his heart into a gazillion pieces. He said if he didn’t love you so much it wouldn’t have hurt him like it did. He wants to be with you and I know you want to be with him. Don’t ruin a good thing like I almost did back in May. You’ll hate yourself.” Charisma just looked at her. “Go call Alex and talk to him.”

“Ok. I’m going.” She got up and walked out.

“Did he really say that?” Alyssa asked.

“Yeah,” Valondra said. “Alex is madly in love with your little sister.”

“Wow! Who knew?” She picked up something and looked at Valondra smiling. “Sexy black lingerie. May I ask what for?”

“Rach got it for me since me and Nicky will be alone on the bus.”

“So she thinks something’s going to happen.”

“Apparently.”

“What about you? What do you think?” She looked at her. “Are you taking this?”

“I don’t know. I’m not even sure about what’s going to happen this next month. Nick really wants us to take the next step.”

“Sex?”

“Yeah, but I…”

“If you’re not ready he can’t force you and won’t.”

“I know. I want to, but I can’t. I want to wait until our wedding night, but I know it’ll happen before then. I don’t know if it’ll be because I’m ready or because I want to make, and keep, Nicky happy.” She sat on the bed.

“What’s your mind saying?”

“To wait.”

“What about your heart?” She sat beside her.

“To wait some days and then others to do it, because I love him.” She left out a heavy sigh. “I’ve always followed my heart when it came to Nick, but how am I supposed to now when it’s confusing me?”

“I don’t know, Loni D. Why is it bothering you so much?” She shrugged. “Because of what happened in May?” She looked at her. “Nothing happened.”

“I know.”

“Does it also have to do with the accident?” She nodded. “You’re afraid you’ll never get that chance to show Nickolas you love him.”

“Do you blame me?” She got up. “Ever since the accident my life has changed drastically. I lay awake at night for hours wondering. Wondering what’s going to happen in the morning. Wondering if Nick’s going to be ok. I’m afraid to leave him, because I don’t know what’s going to happen while I’m gone. I made him stay on the phone with me for an hour and a half while he and Bob drove down to Apollo Beach. I am so scared and paranoid. I don’t know what to do.”

“Just worry about the present right now. He’s here with you now and doesn’t plan on leaving you anytime soon. Enjoy the time you guys have together now. Don’t think about the future at this moment.” Valondra just looked at her. “I’m being serious, but if you’re going to do it then think about this next month you have together. Think about the fun you’ll have and the memories you’ll make.” She smiled. “If you do have sex use protection.”

“Duh, Alyssa. I ain’t stupid, but I doubt we’ll have sex.”

‘Nick’s here with you right now so worry about that.” She didn’t say anything and looked out the window. “Did you talk to Nick yet about the wedding?”

She looked at her. “Are you going to?”

“Hey, Princes,” Nickolas interrupted walking into the room and the two girls looked.

“Hey,” Valondra said. She looked at Alyssa then walked over to Nickolas. “I told you to call me when you left.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You never could.” She kissed him then hugged him. “I’m just glad you got here safely.”

“I’m fine. Hey, Alyssa.”

“Nick,” Alyssa said. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better. I made it up the steps without any help.”

“Good for you.”

“My baby’s getting better,” Valondra stated. “I’m glad; because I hate seeing you hurt.”

“I’m ok,” Nickolas said.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Alyssa said putting the black lingerie in the suitcase. “I have to get ready for work.”

“Alright,” Valondra said.

“See ya in a month,” Alyssa said walking out.

“Are you soon ready?” Nickolas asked.

“Yeah, let me finish up here,” Valondra said. “It’ll take me a minute.”

“Ok. Dad’s waiting downstairs.”

“One minute. That’s all I need.”

“You’re pretty good at this packing stuff.”

“Three years dating you will make someone a pro.” She smiled.

“And three years dating you will make someone crazy.” He smirked and kissed her. “Crazy for you that is.”

“You’re cute; Carter, but it ain’t why I love you.”

“Why do ya?”

“I just do. Why do you love me?”

“I just do.” He kissed her again. “Now finish up so we can go and not miss our flight.”

“Then leave me go.” She freed herself from his hold.

“I promise Kevin I’d be there for the fan conference tomorrow night and if I ain’t there it’ll give him something else to yell at me for.”

“Well, he has to take into consideration that you’re hurt.”

“But I’m not laid up in a hospital bed with a bunch of wires hooked up to me.”

“So, you’re still injured.” She closed the suitcase. “All set.” She picked up the suitcase and walked over to him.

“Let me.”

“I got it. Why do you think I’m so buff?”

‘I thought it was from kicking my ass, silly me.”

He smiled and put his arm around her. They walked out in the hall, as Charisma walked from her room with a suitcase.

‘Where are you going?”

“To see Alex,” Charisma replied. “He wants to talk.

“That’s great,” Nickolas said.

“Told ya he wanted to work it out,” Valondra stated.

“When’s your flight?” Nickolas asked. “In an hour and a half,” Charisma replied. “The same as yours. They had a few seats left so I got one.”

“You can ride with us,” Valondra said.

“Alright,” Charisma said.

“Go ahead of us,” Nickolas said.

“Ok,’ Charisma said. “I’ll take your suitcase down with your others.”

“Thanks,” Valondra said as Charisma took the suitcase and went downstairs.

“You don’t need to help,” Nickolas said. “I can manage.”

“But I want to.”

“But you don’t have to.” He smiled. “Just stay in front of me and watch.”

“Fine.” She got in front of him and went down the stairs backwards, watching Nickolas. “Showing off, huh?”

“No. I just want to show people I’m perfectly fine, ya know.”

“Not quite yet.” She smiled. “When you’re walking normal again then you’re fine. Until then you’re my patient.”

“Good.” He smiled. “I’m glad you’re coming with.”

“Same here.”

“Come on you two!” Robert yelled up the stairs. “You got a flight to catch and I have to pick up Jane, Aaron, and Angel at Tampa International.”

“I can only go so fast, dad!” Nickolas yelled back. “I’m sorry!”

“Charisma’s in a hurry too!”

“Figures,” Valondra said as they got to the bottom.

She went to walk away, but Nickolas stopped her. He put his arm around her and she left him to the door. “Are you ok?”

“I’m fine,” Nickolas said. “Just a little too much pressure on the lower back.”

“But you’re ok?” Robert asked.

“Yeah,” Nickolas replied as he and Valondra walked outside. They went to walk off the porch when they noticed Bridgett and Farah. “Just ignore them, Baby.”

“I will,” Valondra said helping him down the steps.

They walked to Robert’s jeep where Charisma was waiting patiently.

“It’s about time,” Charisma said, as Bridgett and Farah walked up.

“Nick, are you ok?” Bridgett asked as they all ignored her. “Nicky, please answer me. I’ve been worried about you.” No one said anything and Valondra helped Nickolas in the vehicle. “I’m showing concern here and you people are ignoring me.” Valondra closed the door and glared at her. She opened the back door as Bridgett said, “Nicky, please I’m really worried about you.”

“But he ain’t worried about you,” Valondra snapped. “Now leave before I have you arrested both of you.”

“We’re just showing concern,” Farah said.

“No, you’re trespassing on private property,”

Valondra stated. ‘You wouldn’t know the meaning of the word ‘concern’ if it bit you both in the ass.”

“We’re not leaving until Nick answers me,” Bridgett said.

“I have nothing to say to you,” Nickolas said not even looking at her and Valondra punched her in the face. Alyssa grabbed Valondra and stuffed her in the car.

“Go!” Alyssa said closing the door and looking at

Bridgett and Farah, as they watched Robert drive off. “And you two, I’m going to ask you nicely to leave and if I have to ask you again, I’m going to get nasty about it. So which is it? Nice or nasty?”

“Fine we’ll go,” Bridgett said. “But this ain’t over. It’s far from over.”

“I’ll be around,” Alyssa stated. “You can bet on it.” She gave a nasty grin and watched the two girls leave.