*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“I guess it’ll just be me and you for dinner tonight,” Valondra said putting her arms around Nickolas.

“I guess so,” Nickolas agreed.

“Trixie and Trace are working, Storm’s with Lance, Toni’s going to be with Justin, and it’s just going to be the two of us.”

“I can live with that.”

“Me too.” They kissed and the kitchen door was pushed open.

“Hey, guys,” Storm said and they stopped kissing and looked.

“Hey,” Nickolas said sighing and looked at Valondra who shrugged.

“I thought you were with Lance,” Valondra said.

“NSync had to go out of town for a few days,” Storm said.

“Oh.” The door opened and they looked to see Antoinette. “Uh, hey.”

“Hey,” Antoinette said.

“We’re joining ya for dinner if ya don’t mind,” Storm said.

“Um…” Valondra said looking at Nickolas. “We only made enough for three,” Nickolas stated and Valondra elbowed him. “I mean for two.” They looked at him.

“What do ya mean three?” Storm asked.

“Nothing,” Nickolas said calmly and walking to the refrigerator. “It was just a common mistake, ya know.” Valondra nodded.

“Yeah,” Antoinette said.

“We can make more and join ya’s,” Storm replied. “It’s no biggy.”

Nickolas rejoined Valondra at the stove and said, “Are you going to let them ruin our night, Princess?” She looked at him. “I was really looking forward to us being alone tonight and celebrating privately.”

“What are you guys having?” Storm asked and they looked.

“Um…actually, guys,” Valondra stated. “Nick and I were really looking forward to tonight alone. We haven’t had a day…or night alone together since the tour ended.” The two girls looked at them. “We have a lot of things to talk about and we’re hoping tonight we could do it.”

“Uh…ok,” Antoinette said.

“We do enjoy your company though,” Nickolas assured them. “Don’t take it the wrong way or anything.”

“No,” Storm said. “Of course not.”

“We understand,” Antoinette said.

“Good,” Valondra replied.

“Maybe tomorrow or something,” Nickolas stated. “The four of us can go out…my treat and your choice of restaurant.” They looked at each other. “You can bring Justin and Lance if ya want.”

“How can ya say no to that?” Valondra asked.

“I guess we can’t,” Antoinette said.

“Great,” Nickolas said. “Just pick the place and date and let me know.”

“Ok,” Storm said. “We can go out and eat then.”

“I want to check out that new restaurant o OBT anyway,” Antoinette stated.

“Sounds good,” Storm said as they went to walk out.

“Hey guys,” Valondra said stopping them and walking over. “It’s on me.” She reached in her pocket and got some money. “Take this.” She handed Storm a hundred dollar bill.

“We can’t,” Storm said.

“We can’t take your money,” Antoinette said.

“I’m giving it to ya,” Valondra rebutted. “No arguing. I’m making ya leave so it’s the least I can do.”

“It’s your house so you can do whatever,” Antoinette said.

“True, but…” Valondra began, “but just take the money and go get something to eat.”

“Alright,” Storm said.

“Great,” Valondra said and the two girls walked out. Valondra sighed and looked at Nickolas. “I could kill you right now.”

“Why?” Nickolas said.

“We only made enough for three.”

“Oh that.”

“Yeah that.” He grinned. “We agreed to tell our parents first.”

“Right.” She walked over to him.

“Well yours anyway, because mine ain’t talking to me yet again.”

“Just because you won’t get rid of me.”

“Exactly.” She kissed him. “And I’m not going to.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She smiled. “Maybe once they hear we’re pregnant they’ll ease up a bit.”

“I’ll believe that when it happens.”

“They will, because stress causes complications and they just stress you out. Plus they’re going to be grandparents so…”

“They already are.”

“Right.”

“It’s not going to make a difference any, because it’s your kid and they don’t like you.”

“I’m sure deep down they do.” She shook her head. “They’ll come around…my mom did after all.”

“After almost five years.”

“Ok you got a point.”

“My parents just don’t care.”

“Princess, you worry too much.” He hugged her. “I’m sure they’ll accept me now.”

“If they do it’s because you got me pregnant and they’re not going to let you abandon me and our child.”

“I wouldn’t even think it. Not after all we’ve been through.”

“You better not.” They looked at each other and he kissed her. “I’ll take that as a definite not.”

“Great.” He kissed her again. “Do you want to start with desert first?”

“After we eat.” He looked at her dumbfounded. “Desert usually comes after and I’m eating for two now.”

“That you are.” They kissed.

“You’re having a baby,” Charisma said and they looked to see her and Alexander.

“You guys can’t say anything,” Valondra said after she, Nickolas, Charisma, and Alexander were done eating supper. “Our parents don’t even know yet.”

“Your secret is safe with us,” Alexander said.

“Good,” Valondra said.

“We just found out today,” Nickolas began, “so we didn’t tell anyone yet.”

“Alright,” Charisma replied. “When are you going to tell them?”

Valondra shrugged and said, “When I start showing.” Nickolas looked at her. “I’m kidding.”

“That’s what I thought,” Nickolas said and they laughed.

“I guess the sooner the better,” Valondra stated. “No point in putting it off, ya know.”

“Yeah,” they said.

“It’s not like we can put it off anyway. We can’t choose when it happens.”

“Not exactly.”

“Yeah, we could’ve prevented it, but ya know how it is,” Nickolas stated.

“Yeah,” Alexander agreed.

“Shit happens,” Valondra replied cleaning off the supper table. “And this happened.” She sighed. “The only thing that matters is that this baby was created out of love.” Nickolas smiled.

“That’s the important thing,” Alexander said.

“Yes it is,” Nickolas stated.

“What about your wedding?” Charisma asked.

“What about it?” Valondra asked in return.

“Are you going to have it earlier, later or the day it’s set for?”

“We’re not sure yet,” Nickolas answered. “We’re going to concentrate on the baby right now.”

“That’s good,” Alexander said.

“This whole pregnant thing freaks me out,” Valondra stated. “I’m only 22; I’m too young to be a mom. I want to be a mommy, but not right now, ya know.” They nodded. “I was hoping I’d get to spend a couple years married first.”

“You regretting having sex?” Charisma asked and Nickolas looked at his fiancée.

“I’ll let ya know when I’m in labor,” Valondra said and they laughed.

“You’ll be happy afterwards,” Charisma said. “You’ll have a beautiful baby girl.”

“Yes I will,” Valondra agreed.

“Baby boy,” Nickolas corrected and Valondra shook her head. “Yeah.”

“No, Carter; we’re having a little girl and her name is going to be Jacqueline Belle Carter.”

“I don’t think so, Princess; it’s a boy. Right, Alex?”

“Of course,” Alexander agreed. “The male species rule.”

“That is so sexist,” Charisma said rolling her eyes.

“What will his name be then?” Valondra questioned her fiancée.

“His name?” Nickolas said and she nodded. “His name will be…Bryce Jordan Carter.” He smiled.

“Not bad for a last minute decision.”

“Why not Nickolas?” Alexander asked and they both shrugged.

“We’re going to tell my parents tomorrow,” Nickolas said.

“What about yours, Lon?” Charisma asked.

“I don’t know,” Valondra said. “I ain’t sure if I even want to tell them.”

“They’re your parents,” Alexander reminded her.

“Well they’re against me being with Nickolas and marrying him,” Valondra reminded him. “So why wouldn’t they be against me having his kid?”

“You do have a point,” Charisma stated.

“Yes I do,” Valondra said. “Their feelings for Nick ain’t going to change over night just because he’s giving them another grandchild. In 4 ½ years they haven’t noticed he’s a great guy so they ain’t going to notice now. It’s their loss and their problem and I’m not going to fight them to accept him in my life. I’m not my sister so therefore I’m not acknowledged and I can’t change that. Nothing I do will change that…ever.” Nobody said anything for a couple minutes and just sat there staring at the table.

“Well we have to go,” Alexander said. “We promised mom we’d stop in.”

“Alright,” Nickolas said as they all got up. “Thanks for stopping.”

“Anytime,” Charisma said. “See ya, Lon.” They hugged.

“Bye,” Valondra said and Alexander and Charisma walked out. Valondra walked over to the sink and put the dishes in the dishwasher as Nickolas looked at her.