Nick was hanging out with AJ and Howie at the mall. He was laughing at something AJ was saying when he bumped into someone and he reached out to help her stay standing.

        “I’m so sorry,” Nick said as he looked at the girl he bumped into. She looked at him and smiled.

        “It’s okay, I was looking for something in my purse and wasn’t looking where I was going,” she said.

        “I’m Nick,” Nick said.

        “I’m Brizee,” she said as they shook hands.

        “This is Howie and AJ,” Nick said. She shook their hands. She looked at Nick.

        “You guys wouldn’t be Nick, Howie, and AJ from the Backstreet Boys,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah, just keep it quiet, we just want to hang out and not have to run from fans,” AJ said.

        “No problem, you guys are entitled to quiet time,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “We better get going, Hayley’s waiting for me,” Howie said. Brizee looked at him.

        “Hayley, Hayley Wells?” Brizee asked.

        “Yeah, she’s my girlfriend,” Howie said.

        “Oh gosh, Hayley’s my best friend, we are roommates,” Brizee said.

        “And we are just meeting?” Howie said.

        “I work a lot, I have a job here at the GAP, I work long hours,” Brizee said.

        “Oh dear,” Nick said.

        “Did she set you up with a date tonight?” Howie asked. Brizee nodded.

        “Yeah, she said there was a party at Tabu and one of her boyfriend’s best friends needed a date and she thought I would be perfect for him,” Brizee said. Howie looked at Nick. Brizee looked at Nick. He raised his hand.

        “That would be me,” Nick said.

        “Wow, well I guess there is no need for introductions tonight,” Brizee said.

        “I guess we were meant to bump into each other here,” Nick said.

        “I better get going if I want to get ready, see ya,” Brizee said. She went home and saw Hayley.

        “Hey Briz,” Hayley said.

        “No need to introduce me to Nick, I met him today at the mall with AJ and Howie, well, literally bumped into him,” Brizee said.

        “Good, one less thing to do tonight, this is a surprise party for Kevin tonight,” Hayley said.

        “I know I have seen Nick on TV and all but seeing him in person, I just wanted to die, he’s so hot!” Brizee said. Hayley smiled.

        “I have a feeling things will be looking up, he is coming with Howie to pick us up and we are all riding together,” Hayley said.

        “I better start getting ready,” Brizee said. She went upstairs. She got ready to go and finished her makeup and went downstairs just as the doorbell rang. She opened the door and saw Howie and Nick standing there.

        “Hey guys, come in, Hayley should be ready,” Brizee said as they came in. Hayley came downstairs.

        “Hey baby,” Hayley said kissing Howie.

        “Hey beautiful,” Howie said. They went out the door. Brizee got her purse and keys and turned and saw Nick waiting for her. He led her out the door and she locked up the house and he held his arm out and she hooked her arm with his and they walked to the car. He helped her into the car and she slid over and he got in and Howie started the car and drove to the club. They walked in and saw everyone there. Nick introduced Brizee to Brian, his wife, Leighanne, AJ, and his girlfriend, Ali.

        “Kevin’s here,” Hayley announced. They all turned and saw Kevin come in with his wife, Kristin.

        “SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” everyone shouted. He grinned and shook his head and hugged Kristin and shook hands with Brian and he hugged Leighanne. He shook hands with AJ and hugged Ali. He shook hands with Howie and hugged Hayley. He made his way over to Nick and shook hands with him.

        “Kevin, this is Brizee, she’s my date tonight and Hayley’s best friend and roommate,” Nick said. Brizee held her hand and Kevin shook it.

        “It’s nice to meet you, happy birthday,” Brizee said.

        “Thank you and it’s nice to meet you, too,” Kevin said. Brizee and Kristin were introduced and Hayley came over and pulled them both to where Ali and Leighanne were and they started talking.

        “So, Nick, Howie said you bumped into her at the mall,” Kevin said.

        “Yeah, she was looking in her purse and I was laughing at something AJ was saying and didn’t see where I was going,” Nick said.

        “I knew she was going to be your date tonight and Hayley said she’s perfect for you, if you two end up together, I’ll be happy, you need someone like her, Nick,” Kevin said. Nick nodded.

        “Thanks, Kev, I’m already planning on a second date,” Nick said. Kevin patted him on the back and went to mingle. Nick watched Brizee talk with the girls and smiled. Brian and AJ came over and talked with him. They went and got their girls out on the dance floor. Nick went and pulled Brizee onto the dance floor. It was a slow dance and he held her close.

        “Are you having a good time?” Nick asked.

        “Yeah, I am, you’re a great guy and I’m glad I’m your date,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Do you believe in love at first sight?” Nick asked.

        “Yeah, it has happened to me,” Brizee said.

        “Same here,” Nick said. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly. She held onto him as he deepened the kiss.

Howie and Hayley were dancing when they noticed Nick and Brizee kissing on the dance floor.

        “Wow, they move fast,” Howie said.

        “I can’t believe it, I think they realized it was love at first sight,” Hayley said. They smiled as they watched their two friends kiss. Nick and Brizee broke apart and looked at each other and smiled.

        “Be my girl?” Nick asked.

        “Yes,” Brizee said. He smiled and hugged her as they continued dancing. Then the announcement came for cake and they crowded around as Kevin blew out his candles and everyone clapped. He kissed Kristin and after everyone had pieces of cake, they all went back to dancing. Nick held Brizee close.

        “You okay,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, just enjoying this,” Brizee said.

        “Me, too,” Nick said.

        “I know you guys are leaving for tour next week, Hayley told me,” Brizee said.

        “Come with us, Hayley is,” Nick said.

        “I can’t, my job, my vacation is all used up and my paycheck is paying for mine and Hayley’s house, she pays the utilities and groceries,” Brizee said.

        “Howie and I can take over payments on the house and you can come on the road and work for us, Hayley is coming to be a backup dancer, you can do the same,” Nick said. Brizee looked up at him.

        “I’m not a good dancer, I prefer slow dances,” Brizee said. Nick looked at her.

        “I don’t want to leave you behind by yourself, we just got together, I don’t want to stop now,” Nick said. Brizee looked into his eyes and sighed.

        “Can I have your phone?” Brizee asked. He handed it to her and she dialed the number of her boss.

        “Hello,” Amy said.

        “Amy, it’s Brizee, I’m sorry to call you at home,” Brizee said.

        “It’s okay, girl, sounds like you are at a party,” Amy said. Brizee leaned against Nick as he held her.

        “I am, Hayley’s boyfriend’s best friend got a surprise party and Hayley set me up on a date with one of her boyfriend’s other best friends for the party, so far it is great,” Brizee said staring into Nick’s eyes. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

        “That’s good, you deserve a good time after all you’ve been through,” Amy said.

        “I know, Hayley said he was perfect for me and she’s right, which is why I’m calling, he’s going out of town for work and he wants me to go with him, I’m going to have to quit,” Brizee said.

        “You are quitting for a guy you just met,” Amy said.

        “Amy, you know Hayley wouldn’t set me up with just anyone, she would find the right guy for me and she did just that, we need to be together to make it work, I don’t want to lose this,” Brizee said as Nick stroked her cheek.

        “Brizee, you are one of the best employees I got, I don’t want to lose you, but I know you are following your heart so it’s a leave of absence and the job is yours when you come back,” Amy said.

        “I don’t know when I will be back, but thanks for understanding,” Brizee said.

        “You’re welcome, and when you want to buy stuff at the store, it all will be 50% off of everything,” Amy said.

        “Thank you, Amy, bye,” Brizee said. She hung up and looked at Nick. He kissed her softly.

        “You okay,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, I don’t want to let this go, what we have, I want to be with you,” Brizee said hugging him. He held her to him and rested his head on hers. After the party was over, Hayley came over them.

        “I’m going to stay at Howie’s, Briz, see ya in the morning,” Hayley said.

        “Okay,” Brizee said. They went to Brizee and Hayley’s house. Nick walked her up to the door.

        “You know, I’ll sleep here so you won’t be alone,” Nick said.

        “I’ll be fine,” Brizee said.

        “Are you sure?” Nick asked.

        “Yeah,” Brizee said. He kissed her softly and rested his forehead against hers.

        “I better go,” Nick said. He handed her his number and she hugged him.

        “Stay,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and waved Howie and Hayley on. They left and Brizee and Nick went inside. She locked up the house and turned and found herself pressed against the door.

        “Hi,” Nick said. Brizee sighed as he kissed her neck.

        “Nick,” Brizee said as he pulled her close.

        “Yes,” Nick said.

        “Take me upstairs,” Brizee said. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist and he carried her upstairs and down the hall and she pointed out her room and went in and closed the door.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Brizee said.

        “I want to make love to you,” Nick said cupped her face with his hands. Brizee looked in his eyes and nodded. He kissed her softly and he slowly removed her clothes and his and they laid on the bed and he slowly and gently made love to her. They went to sleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, Nick woke up and saw Brizee gone. He got up and got dressed and went downstairs quietly and heard singing in the kitchen. He stood in the doorway and saw Brizee making breakfast and singing along with the radio. He listened and was blown away by her voice. He went and hugged her from behind.

        “Morning, gorgeous,” Nick said.

        “Morning, are you hungry,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah, for you,” Nick said kissing her neck.

        “Really,” Brizee said. She leaned back against him. He slid his hands under her shirt and cupped her breasts. She turned the stove off and the burners and he picked her up and carried her upstairs to her room and closed the door and locked it and removed their clothes and laid her on the bed and laid on top of her and he made passionate love to her. They didn’t move from the bed and laid there making love off and on for the rest of the morning. They fell asleep not hearing the front door open and close downstairs.

Howie and Hayley walked into the house and looked around. Hayley checked out the kitchen.

        “Looks like Briz started breakfast,” Hayley said. They went upstairs and saw Brizee’s door shut. She tried it and found it locked. She knocked on the door. She got no answer. She knocked again.

        “What!” Brizee called.

        “You okay,” Hayley said. Brizee snuggled up to Nick who held her close to him.

        “I’m just perfect,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her forehead.

        “Briz, is Nick in there with you?” Hayley asked.

        “Yes, he is,” Brizee said.

        “Nick, we have a meeting to get to,” Howie said. Nick groaned and got up and got dressed. Brizee got dressed and they straightened up and opened the door to face Howie and Hayley.

        “We’ll be back later,” Howie said pulling Nick down the stairs and out the door. Hayley looked in the room and looked at Brizee.

        “You guys sure moved fast, didn’t you,” Hayley said.

        “He’s the one, Hayley, you knew we would be good together, I quit my job and I’m going on the road with you guys,” Brizee said.

        “Brizee, your paycheck was paying for the house,” Hayley said.

        “Nick said he’ll take over the payments, he wanted me to come with him,” Brizee said.

        “Do you think you two need to slow things down a little,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, you set me up with him, it worked, I’m finally happy and you want me to slow down, it was love at first sight for me and Nick,” Brizee said.

        “I know, I’m just worried that it won’t work out because I really want you guys to work out,” Hayley said.

        “We will, he wants me with him, he is nothing like Matt,” Brizee said.

        “I know, I hope you guys are using protection,” Hayley said. Brizee froze. She closed her eyes.

        “Shit,” Brizee said quietly.

        “Oh god, you didn’t,” Hayley said.

        “I forgot to refill my pills,” Brizee said holding her head in her hands.

        “Oh dear, well, Nick’s a stand up guy, he won’t leave you,” Hayley said. Brizee looked at her and went and laid down on the bed and faced the window. Hayley went to shower and change and she went downstairs. She looked in Brizee’s room and saw that she hadn’t moved. She went downstairs just as Howie and Nick returned.

        “Hey, baby,” Howie said.

        “Nick, you better go to Briz, she’ll need to talk to you and it’s important, she’s lying on the bed and she hadn’t moved for a half hour,” Hayley said. Nick went upstairs. Howie looked at her.

        “What’s wrong,” Howie said.

        “It is possible that there will be a backstreet baby,” Hayley said.

        “You mean?” Howie asked.

        “They slept together and weren’t protected, Briz forgot to refill her pills, not on purpose, she never wanted to go off of them because it helped her regulate her periods,” Hayley said.

        “Oh dear,” Howie said. They went to the living room.

Nick went to Brizee’s room and closed the door and spooned up behind her on the bed.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “I messed up, Nick,” Brizee said crying.

        “What do you mean,” Nick said. Brizee sat up. Nick sat up and looked at her.

        “We didn’t have protection when we slept together,” Brizee said.

        “You aren’t on the pill?” Nick asked.

        “I was, but stupid me forgot to refill them last month, I wanted to stay on them for my periods, I’m so stupid, how could I forget that,” Brizee said. Nick sat there.

        “I won’t leave you,” Nick said.

        “I’m sorry, Nick, we just got together and it’s possible that I could become pregnant,” Brizee said.

        “We will cross that bridge when we come to it, Briz, I don’t believe in abortions and I don’t want adoption, if you become pregnant, we will do it together,” Nick said.

        “It’s too soon to tie you down,” Brizee said.

        “Let that be my choice because if I was tied down, I want it to be with you,” Nick said.

        “I just don’t want you to hate me,” Brizee said. Nick shook his head and pulled her close and held her.

        “I couldn’t hate you for this, it is my fault, I didn’t use condoms, if you get pregnant, I promise you that I will not turn my back on you and I will be there for you, I just got you in my life, I don’t want to lose you, I have not been this happy in a long time,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and rested against him.

        “I’m going to go get my pills refilled tomorrow, I don’t want you to feel restricted,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, if it happens, it happens, I just want to be with you,” Nick said.

        “Don’t leave me tonight,” Brizee said.

        “I won’t go anywhere unless you ask me to,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and kissed his cheek.

Three weeks later, they were on the road. They all had separate buses. Brizee was on Nick’s bus with him. The tour was heading to Dallas. Brizee was leaning over the toilet in the bathroom. She had thrown up for the past couple days. Nick knelt beside her and looked at her.

        “Baby,” Nick said.

        “It’s not the twenty four hour bug, that’s for sure, I think it has happened,” Brizee said.

        “Have you been pregnant before?” Nick asked.

        “No, but what else could it be,” Brizee said. She cleaned up and he helped her to the bed and she laid there. He laid beside her.

        “The next stop, we will go to the doctor,” Nick said.

        “Will you have time?” Brizee said. He kissed her forehead.

        “I’ll make time, we need to know for sure,” Nick said.

        “If I am pregnant, then what, we get married?” Brizee asked.

        “I don’t want to get married for the baby, I want it to be for love, I will ask you when the time is right,” Nick said. Brizee stroked his cheek.

        “I love you,” Brizee said.

        “I love you, too,” Nick said kissing her forehead.

        “Hold me, Nick, and never let go,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and held her close.

The tour arrived in Dallas and they pulled in front of the hotel and checked in and went to their rooms. Nick put the bags down and looked at Brizee.

        “Ready?” Nick asked.

        “Yeah,” Brizee said. They went down the hall and got on the elevator and Nick stuck his hat on and they went through the lobby and went out the door and got into a cab and went to the hospital and went in and were waiting to be seen by a doctor.

        “Brizee Hardin?” the nurse called. Brizee got up and went to her. Nick followed.

        “Sir, are you her husband?” the nurse asked.

        “I’m her boyfriend,” Nick said.

        “I would like him with me, please,” Brizee said.

        “All right, follow me,” the nurse said. They went to an examination room. Brizee changed into a gown and laid on the bed. Nick sat in a chair beside the bed. He held her hand. She smiled at him as she answered the questions the nurse was asking. The nurse left the room. Nick kissed her hand and watched her.  The door opened and a doctor came in and looked at them.

        “I’m Dr. Perry, let’s get this going,” Dr. Perry said. She examined Brizee and ran a test and left the room. Brizee looked at Nick. He held her hand.

        “I love you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. He kissed her hand and sat there watching her. He reached up and brushed her hair from her face and stroked her cheek.

        “Whatever happens, you will always have me, I will not leave you, ever, I will love you forever and always and I will never stop,” Nick said.

        “Same goes for me,” Brizee said. Dr. Perry came back in and looked at them.

        “The results are here, Brizee, you are three weeks pregnant,” Dr. Perry said. She went over what needed to be done and Brizee and Nick thanked her and got dressed.

        “She’ll be okay to travel right?” Nick asked.

        “As long as she rests a lot and sees a doctor regularly, how long are you traveling?” Dr. Perry said.

        “Four months,” Nick said.

        “I’ll make a copy of your records and you can give them to a doctor in the city you are in,” Dr. Perry said. She left the room. Brizee sat there. Nick sat with her. Dr. Perry came back in with the records and Brizee and Nick thanked her and left. They went back to the hotel where Brian, Leighanne, Howie, Hayley, AJ, and Ali were waiting for them. They came over to Brizee and Nick.

        “Briz,” Hayley said.

        “Let’s go up to Nick’s suite, all of you,” Brizee said. They all went up to Nick’s suite. Brizee sat with Nick and held his hand.

        “I’m three weeks pregnant,” Brizee said.

        “Congratulations!” Hayley said hugging her. The guys hugged Nick and Brizee. The girls hugged them.

        “Let’s get to the venue for sound checks,” Howie said. They went to the venue. They put their stuff in their dressing rooms. Brizee laid down on the couch of Nick’s dressing room.

        “Briz,” Nick said kneeling beside her.

        “Dr. Perry said lots of rest, I’m going to do that,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her softly. He stroked her stomach and smiled.

        “Our baby is in here, I’m so happy, Briz, I’ve always wanted to be a father, now it’s happening,” Nick said.

        “I love you,” Brizee said. He kissed her forehead.

        “I love you, too,” Nick said. He went to do his sound check. After he was done, he went backstage and sat down. Brian came in and sat down.

        “Hey Frack,” Brian said.

        “Hey Frick,” Nick said.

        “You okay,” Brian said.

        “Yeah, just thinking, I’m going to be a dad, Frick,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, I know, Frack, I’m here for you guys,” Brian said. Nick smiled and they did their handshake.

        “I thought everyone would go and say it’s too soon or not be happy for us,” Nick said.

        “Nick, we can’t tell you what to do, you are old enough to make your own choices, I can see how happy you are, I see the love between you and Briz, you guys are meant for each other,” Brian said.

        “I can’t lose her, Frick,” Nick said.

        “You won’t, Frack, she loves you,” Brian said.

        “Nick, Brizee is asking for you,” Leighanne said. Nick went to his dressing room and saw Brizee lying on the couch. He went and knelt down beside her.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “I’m okay, just needed to see you,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and stroked the hair from her forehead.

        “How about I snuggle with you so you can rest,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and he climbed on the couch behind her and held her so she wouldn’t fall off. She smiled and sighed. He nuzzled her neck.

        “I love you,” Nick said kissing her neck.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. He rested a hand on her stomach.

        “You have made me so happy, Briz, we’re having a baby, even thought we have only been together for three weeks, I never thought I could be this happy,” Nick said.

        “Me, either,” Brizee said smiling and resting against him. He looked down at her.

        “Have you thought about performing?” Nick asked.

        “Huh,” Brizee said.

        “I heard you sing in the kitchen, you blew me away with your voice, you were amazing, you have what it takes to be a great singer,” Nick said.

        “I don’t know, I just sing along with songs, I’m not really into becoming a singer, I just want to be with you,” Brizee said.

        “You have an amazing voice and you don’t want to share it with the world,” Nick said.

        “Nick, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m just with you to get a record deal, I don’t want to go through that and I don’t want to put you guys through that, I am not with you to get a record deal, I am with you because I love you and I want to be with you, that’s all,” Brizee said.