*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“Hey, guys,” Valondra said walking into the kitchen of her house later that afternoon. “What ya’ll doing here?”

“We live here,” Alyssa replied.

“Ya do?” Valondra said sarcastically and smiling. “I didn’t think ya’s did anymore.”

“You’re funny,” Charisma said.

“You guys are never here.”

“We do have boyfriends,” Lillie said. “Just like you.”

“So. I never see ya.”

“Whatever,” Alyssa said. “You’ve seen us for the past two months.”

“Your point is?”

“Nothing. Forget it. Where’s Nick?”

“With his family. Aaron’s leaving for New York tonight and he wants to spend some time with his brother so I came home.”

“Oh. Kev had some business to do.”

“Oh.” Valondra looked at Charisma and Lillie.

“Alex is with mom,” Charisma said.

“And Howie’s with Mama and Papa D,” Lillie said.

“Oh,” Valondra said sitting at the table.

“What’s wrong?” Charisma asked worried.

“Nothing,” Valondra lied and they all just looked at her.

“What is it?” Alyssa asked. Valondra looked at them. “You can tell us.”

“Nick and I almost had sex.”

“What happened?” Lillie asked.

“I couldn’t do it. We were really close too, but I pushed him away just like every other time.”

“So you’re not ready,” Alyssa said. “No biggy.”

“I am ready, but I can’t do it.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you still upset by the whole issue back in May?” Charisma asked and Valondra just looked at her. “Nothing happened, Lon. Nick loves you.”

“I know. I just…I don’t know.”

“Do you love Nick?” Lillie asked.

“Yes I love Nick. With all my heart.”

“But some thing’s stopping you from going all the way,” Charisma said. “Even though you’re ready for it. So what is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes you do,” Alyssa said.

“I don’t know.”

“Lon, I’ve known you my whole life and know when you’re lying. Tell us what it is.” She just looked at them as they looked at her. “Lon, ya can’t just ignore it. Ya have to talk about it whether it’s with us or with Nick. You’ll feel better.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Why not?” Charisma asked.

“’Cause it ain’t, alright?” She ran upstairs.

“Way to go,” Charisma said to Alyssa.

“Me? I’m not the one that brought up May,” Alyssa said. “You did knowing ho she feels about it.”

“It’s always my fault,” Charisma said. “I love you too.”

“Both of you shut up,” Valondra said standing at the bottom of the stairs. “It doesn’t matter.” She walked over to the refrigerator.

“Lon, I’m sorry,” Charisma said. “I didn’t mean…”

“Forget it. I’m sorry for snapping at you guys. You’re just trying to help.”

“We didn’t mean to pressure you,” Alyssa said.

“You didn’t. I’m just so stressed.”

“Over what?” Lillie asked.

“Everything. Nick’s mom, the wedding, my parents, remembering my lines…just everything.”

“The wedding’s in the summer,” Alyssa said.

“I know. I’m beginning to feel that it’s too soon, ya know. Nick wants to elope, Jane wants us to reconsider, the Preacher’s trying to get us to pick a new day…maybe it’s a bad idea to get married next summer and just push it back.”

“Do you really want that?” Lillie asked. “It’s been your dream to marry Nick since you saw him.”

“I know.” She smiled.

“You should talk to Nick. He is the groom after all.”

“Duh! What if he doesn’t understand?”

“He will,” Alyssa said. “When’s the wedding?”

“July.”

“You still have nine months to decide,” Charisma said.

“Yeah.”

“Talk to him,” the girls said in unison.

“I will. Sheesh. After the tours over. I don’t want him stressing out over it while on stage.”

“Always thinking about Nick first,” Alyssa said.

“I want him happy. I always put him before me.”

“Yes you do,” Charisma said.

“But there’s nothing wrong with that,” Lillie said.

“Nope,” Valondra agreed as she sat at the table again. “I’m only going to be 21 so maybe I’m too young to get married right now.”

“Do you actually believe that?” Alyssa asked and Valondra just shrugged. “If Kev wanted me to marry him right now I would.”

“That’s because you’re ready to get married. That’s all you talk about.”

“Aren’t you ready?” Charisma asked as she looked at them. “You’re not, are you?”

“No.”

“Then why did you say ‘yes’?” Alyssa asked. “Instead of ‘not right now ‘cause I’m not ready’.”

“I only said ‘yes’, because I love Nicky. Even though I wasn’t ready, and still ain’t, I said ‘yes’ to keep Nick happy.”

“Valondra.”

“What?”

“You shouldn’t leave Nick think you’re really ready to get married. It ain’t fair to him. He so wants to marry you and is looking forward to the big day.”

“I know and I feel bad. I don’t want to tell him, because he’ll be upset, but I do want to tell him so he knows.”

“So tell him,” Charisma urged. “He has a right to know.”

“I know. I just don’t want to hurt him.”

“You won’t if ya tell him the truth,” Alyssa said.

Valondra didn’t say anything. “Tell him tonight.”

She looked at her. “You can have the house to yourself tonight, call him up, and make him dinner.”

“I don’t know.”

“Do it,” Lillie said. “I’m going to be with Howie.”

“And I’ll be with Alex,” Charisma added.

“I have plans with Kevin,” Alyssa said. “So you get the house to yourself.”

“Fine,” Valondra said getting up. “But excuse me. I have lines to learn.” She ran upstairs.

“She better tell him,” Alyssa said.

“Well, it’s not our business,” Lillie said.

“She’s stubborn so she most likely won’t,” Charisma said. “I have to go though. I’ll see ya’s later.”

“See ya,” Alyssa said.

“Later,” Lillie said, as Charisma left the kitchen. “Do you think Lon will tell Nick?”

“Who knows with her? I’m hoping she does though.”

“Same here.”

“I have to get ready so excuse me.”

“Yep.” Alyssa went upstairs and Lillie went to the parlor.

“Hey, Alyssa,” Storm said when she walked from the kitchen.

“Storm, Toni,” Alyssa said hugging the two girls.

“You look nice,” Strom said.

“Thanks. Kev and I are going out.”

“Cool,” Antoinette said. “Where are the others?”

“Riz is with Alex, Lil is with D, and Lon’s in the kitchen. Ya guys can’t stay though.”

“Why not?” Storm asked.

“I told Lon she can have the house to herself tonight to talk to Nick. So she’s making supper for the two of them.”

“Ok,” Antoinette said. “We’ll take our stuff upstairs and go. Right, Storm?”

“Yep,” Storm agreed.

“Where’s J and Lance?” Alyssa asked.

“They went home,” Alyssa replied.

“Oh,” Alyssa said as there was a knock. “That must be Kev.” She walked to the door as the phone rang and Valondra walked from the kitchen.

“I thought I heard you guys,” Valondra said hugging Antoinette as Storm picked up the phone. “Did ya have fun?”

“Yeah,” Antoinette said.

“Hi, ladies,” Kevin said once inside.

“Hey,” the girls said.

“Lon, it’s for you,” Storm said handing her the phone. “It’s the Florida hospital.”

“It’s probably Nick joking around,” Valondra said taking the phone. “He’s always playing.”

“I don’t think its Nick joking around,” Storm said, as they all looked at her.

“Hello,” Valondra said into the phone.

“Is this Valondra Summers?”

“This is her.”

“Is Nick Carter your fiancé?”

“Yes he is.”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Mr. Carter has had and auto accident.”

“Excuse me?” They all looked at her.

“He was in an automobile accident.”

“Are-Are-Are-Are-Are you sure?”

“Yes I am. It would be in your best interest if you came down to the hospital immediately.”

“I understand.”

“Are you capable of driving down here on your own?”

“Yes.”

“Then come down to the Florida hospital and we’ll update you on Mr. Carter’s condition.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Alright.”

“Thank you.” She turned off the phone as the others continued looking at her.

“What is it?” Kevin asked concerned.

“Nicky was in an accident,” Valondra replied as they all just looked at her.