Nick sat there on the bleachers of Lincoln High School watching the girls get ready for their big game. They were playing for the state championship. The boys were playing after the girls. Nick sat with his teammates and best friends, Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin. Outside of school, they would hang out and sing at the underage club, the Underdog. Nick saw Brian’s girlfriend, Alicia, Howie’s girlfriend, Amy, Kevin’s girlfriend, Kristin, and AJ’s girlfriend, Amanda on the court with their best friend, Brizee. Nick really liked Brizee. They were friends but Nick wanted to be more but was afraid of admitting his feelings. He watched Brizee as she warmed up with the girls. Brian was the only one who knew of Nick’s feelings for Brizee. He looked at the crowd and looked back and saw Brizee staring at him. He smiled and waved. She waved back and made a motion that she needed to talk to him. He got up and went down to the court and she ran over to him.

        “Hey, good luck out there,” Nick said.

        “I don’t know if I can do this,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, it’s a game, just think of it as just a game, there is no championship, just a normal game and just play to win, you guys can do this,” Nick said.

        “I’m team captain, Nick, what if I fail leading them to victory,” Brizee said.

        “You won’t, there is no I in team, they can’t blame you if you guys lose, they would have to blame themselves, too, but you guys are going to win, I know it, it’s a big win day for Lincoln High, coach wants you over there, good luck and I’ll be cheering you guys on with the guys,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and ran back over to the bench. Nick went back up and sat down.

        “What’s up,” Brian said.

        “She’s nervous about the game,” Nick said.

        “Oh,” Brian said.

        “I so much wanted to hug her,” Nick said. The game began and they watched the girls fight for the title. Nick watched Brizee play and smiled and cheered when she would make a basket and she even made a few three pointers. He watched her dribble down the court and ran around the players and one player from the opposite team pushed her to the floor and started smacking her. The refs pulled her off of Brizee. Ali, Amanda, Kristin, and Amy stood around Brizee as the coach of the team yelled at the player who has been ejected from the game. The coach of the other team talked with the ref and the refs talked and went over to talk to the girls’ coach and talked with the announcer.

        “Due to the circumstances of the player’s attack on Brizee, the Maysville Panthers have forfeited the game, Lincoln High wins it by default and are your new state champions!” the announcer said. The whole place went crazy as the other team shook hands with Lincoln and went to their locker room. The Lincoln girls had their pictures taken and they went to change. The guys went down to warm up for their game. Brizee came out and saw them warming up and smiled. She saw Nick shooting baskets and the ball bounced back and rolled to where she was standing. He saw her and came over to her.

        “Hey, I told you that you would win the game,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.   

        “Only by forfeit, it wasn’t even halftime yet,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “But you won, I can’t believe that girl, what happened,” Nick said.

        “She said she didn’t like my face,” Brizee said.

        “What a bitch,” Nick said.

        “I know, I’m just glad no one went after her,” Brizee said. Nick nodded.

        “Yeah, shows how much respect Lincoln High has for the team,” Nick said.

        “I’ll be in the stands cheering you guys on,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Good, hey the guys are getting together with their girls after the game, going to the Shake Shack, wanna go?” Nick asked.

        “Don’t we all always going to the Shake Shack after the game,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah, but we will be celebrating,” Nick said.

        “Count me in,” Brizee said.

        “Cool, I gotta get back,” Nick said. He took the ball and turned to go back and she grabbed his hand and pulled him back. He looked at her.

        “Nick, wait,” Brizee said.

        “What,” Nick said. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. She pulled back.

        “Good luck out there,” Brizee said. She went up to the stands where the girls were. Nick watched her go and headed back to the guys.

        “Nick, what was that,” Kevin said.

        “I’m guessing it was for good luck,” Nick said. He shot a three pointer.

        “Nick, ask her out,” Brian said.

        “We all are going to the Shake Shack, right,” Nick said. They nodded.

        “She’s coming, too,” Nick said.

        “Tell her how you feel,” Brian said.

        “I can’t, Frick,” Nick said.

        “Fine, I will,” Brian said as he ran up to where Brizee was sitting.

        “Hey Briz,” Brian said.

        “Hey, Brian, good luck out there,” Brizee said. He kissed Alicia.

        “Thanks, I have something to tell you,” Brian said.

        “What is it,” Brizee said.

        “Nick is too shy to tell you himself, he really likes you, like more than a friend, he has for awhile now,” Brian said. Brizee looked at Nick who was sitting on the bench and leaning over watching them.

        “I feel the same way, Brian, that’s why I kissed him, I wanted him to know how I felt,” Brizee said.

        “He needs to know that,” Brian said.

        “I’ll talk to him after the game,” Brizee said. Brian nodded and kissed Alicia one more time before heading back to the guys.

        “Why did you do that,” Nick said.

        “Because you wouldn’t,” Brian said.

        “What did you tell her?” Nick asked.

        “That you like her more than a friend and she feels the same way, Nick, that’s why she kissed you,” Brian said.

        “Thanks a lot,” Nick said.

        “Nick, you need to just go for it, okay, don’t hide your feelings for her, you need to share them, don’t be shy, you guys are friends no matter what,” Brian said. Nick nodded and looked up at Brizee. She smiled at him and winked. He smiled and winked back and got ready for the game. It began and the guys went to battle for the title. Brizee cheered when Nick made a basket and smiled as she watched him play. The buzzer sounded and the game was over and Lincoln High was now the home of two state champion teams. The guys posed for pictures and shook the other teams hands and went to change. Brizee, Alicia, Amanda, Kristin, and Amy went down to the floor to wait for their guys. Brian came out and ran to Alicia. Kevin came out and ran to Kristin. AJ came out and Amanda ran to him. Amy saw Howie and ran to him. Nick came out and looked up and saw Brizee waiting for him. He walked over to her and stood there.

        “Awesome game, we did it,” Brizee said.

        “Yup,” Nick said smiling. Brizee hugged him.

        “We should go talk,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah,” Nick said. They walked out to his car.

        “Wanna ride with me to the Shake Shack?” Nick asked. Brizee nodded and got in his car. He put his bag in and got in and they went to the Shake Shack. They got a table and ordered food.

        “Brian told you about my feelings for you,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, he did, I feel the same way, Nick,” Brizee said. Nick took her hand in his and held it.

        “Be my girl?” Nick asked. Brizee smiled.

        “Yes, how about going out Friday night?” Brizee asked. Nick looked at her.

        “I can’t, the guys and I are going to the Underdog, we formed a music group and sing there Friday nights, we get paid for it,” Nick said.

        “I knew that, Ali told me, what about after?” Brizee asked.

        “Sure, Ali, Amanda, Amy, and Kris come to watch us, come with them and we’ll leave from there,” Nick said.

        “It’s a date,” Brizee said. Brian, Alicia, Amy, Howie, Kristin, Kevin, AJ, and Amanda came in. They saw them and came over.

        “Hey guys,” Brian said.

        “Hey, B,” Nick said.

        “So what’s the scoop?” Brian asked.

        “We are together, she’s coming Friday night and we are going out after the show,” Nick said.

        “Cool, I knew you guys would end up together,” Alicia said.

On Friday night, the guys were at the Underdog. The girls were in the audience. Nick looked out and saw Brizee sitting with Alicia.

        “This is Brizee’s first time watching us,” Nick said.

        “She’ll like it,” Brian said. They heard the manager’s announcement and went out and sat down. Everyone was cheering. They performed I Want It That Way. Nick watched Brizee as he sang. After the song, everyone cheered. Nick looked at Brizee. She was smiling and cheering. After a few more songs, they said goodnight and got off stage. The girls hugged them. Brizee hugged Nick.

        “That was so amazing, the songs were awesome,” Brizee said.

        “Thanks,” Nick said smiling at her.

        “So, you ready for our date,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Yeah, bye guys,” Nick said. They left and went out on their date. They went to the beach and sat down in the sand and talked.

        “So where are you going to college?” Brizee asked.

        “I got accepted UCLA, full ride, basketball scholarship, which my parents are happy about,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Brizee said.

        “They didn’t want to pay for me to go to college at a big university, I could go only if I got a scholarship,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him.

        “What about the guys?” Brizee asked.

        “All five of us are going to UCLA on scholarships, they scouted us and they couldn’t decide so all five of us got scholarships,” Nick said.

        “Amy is going to New York with Amanda, Kristin is going to Berkley, Alicia and I are going to State, we are the only ones sticking close to home,” Brizee said. Nick took her hand in his.

        “LA is only two hours away, I can come home when the schedule permits, basketball practice doesn’t start up until October, and you can always come down to visit me, you and Ali, we are just getting started, no way would I want to give this up because I’m going to UCLA, Brian and I will come back to visit you two, I swear here and now that I will not be tempted by college girls, I will not cheat or anything,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him. He held her close.

Two months later, it was summer and Brizee and Nick were closer than ever. They were to the point of making out whenever they were alone and both stated that they would wait until marriage to take the next step. Brizee sat in her bedroom, staring at a picture of her and Nick at prom. She remembered that night where he had gotten a hotel room and they spent the night making out and sleeping in each other’s arms. Nick never tried to go further than she wanted to and she knew she was totally in love with him. Her cell phone rang. She looked and smiled.

        “Hi babe,” Brizee said smiling.

        “Hey baby, I miss you,” Nick said. Nick and the guys had gone to LA to perform in some underage clubs.

        “I miss you, too, how are things going?” Brizee asked.

        “Awesome, there has been some people come up to us and ask for autographs,” Nick said.

        “That’s great, I will gladly ask for your autograph all the time,” Brizee said.

        “You have more than that, baby, you have me, all to yourself in about two hours, we are heading home,” Nick said. Brizee grinned.

        “I can’t wait, but my folks want me to stay in tonight, I’m free all day tomorrow,” Brizee said.

        “No you aren’t, you’ll be with me all day tomorrow,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

        “Like I said, I can’t wait,” Brizee said.

        “I better get going, the guys are waiting and they said I’m driving first so I will text you and let you know when I’m home,” Nick said.

        “Be careful, see you tomorrow, love you,” Brizee said.

        “I will, see you tomorrow, love you, too, bye, baby,” Nick said.

        “Bye,” Brizee said. She hung up and laid back on her bed. Her mom came in.

        “Honey,” Laura said.

        “Nick’s heading home, he’ll text me when he gets there,” Brizee said.

        “Go wait for him,” Laura said.

        “Mom,” Brizee said.

        “Honey, we know he has moved out to the guest house of his parents’ house, go wait for him, we’ll see you tomorrow night, we trust you, Brizee, we know what you have said about waiting until marriage to have sex, so go,” Laura said. Brizee hugged her mom and packed a knapsack and went to Nick’s house. His mom unlocked the guest house and hugged her and told her that she wouldn’t tell Nick she was there. Nick lived close enough for her to walk to his house. She put her bag down and laid on the bed and sighed. Two hours later, she heard a car door shut and she peeked out the window and saw Nick walking to the guest house and unlocked the door. He came in and closed the door and locked up and turned on the light and saw Brizee sitting on the bed smiling at him.

        “Hey stranger,” Brizee said. Nick’s face lit up and he closed the blinds and jumped on the bed and hugged her close and buried his face in her neck.

        “I’m so glad you are here, I missed you so much, I knew I wouldn’t sleep tonight with the thought of seeing you tomorrow,” Nick said.

        “I know, I think my mom knew because it was her idea for me to come tonight,” Brizee said.

        “So you get to stay all night long?” Nick asked. Brizee smiled and nodded. He grinned.

        “Let me get a shower first, baby,” Nick said kissing her before running into the bathroom. She laid on the bed and sighed happily. She heard the water running and thought about Nick standing in there naked. She held her head as she thought about it.  She got up and stripped as she walked to the bathroom and quietly opened the door. She saw Nick in the shower. She quietly slipped into the shower with him and hugged him from behind.

        “Oh god,” Nick said.

        “Sorry, I just wanted to join you, I hope that is okay,” Brizee said.

        “It’s more than okay, I was hoping you would,” Nick said. She smiled and he turned around and gazed at her and looked at her up and down and smiled and pulled her close.

        “Don’t worry, baby, I won’t do anything you aren’t ready for, we can shower together and make out,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him. He smiled as he felt her body against his.

        “Thank you, Nick,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply. They showered and got out and dried each other off and he wrapped a towel around his waist as she wrapped a towel around her. He picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom and nearly dropped her when he saw his mom sitting on the bed.

        “I don’t believe this,” Jane said.

        “Mom, it’s not what you think, we haven’t done anything beyond this, I swear,” Nick said.

        “Jane, we aren’t having sex, we are waiting until marriage for that step, we aren’t backing out of that commitment, I swear, please don’t tell my mom about this, I went in, there is nothing bad going on here,” Brizee said.

        “Mom, you can trust us, we aren’t going beyond making out and showering together, if it makes you feel better, next time, I’ll shower in my trunks and she in her swimsuit,” Nick said.

        “Nick, Brizee, I get it, you both are 18, technically I can’t tell you how to live your life,” Jane said. Nick hugged Brizee close to him.

        “I know, Mom,” Nick said.

        “Brizee, you are like another daughter to us, I won’t tell your mom what happened, just be careful, both of you, understand,” Jane said.

        “Yes, Mom, what brings you here,” Nick said.

        “Brian called, you guys are in the finals for the battle of the bands next Saturday,” Jane said.

        “Yes!” Nick said. Brizee hugged him.

        “I knew you guys would make it,” Brizee said. He kissed her forehead and hugged his mom and she left. He locked up and walked over to her and kissed her deeply. He lifted her up and laid her on the bed and laid on top of her and kissed her deeply as they began making out. Soon their towels were on the floor and they explored each other’s bodies with their hands. He kissed her neck as his hands caressed her breasts. She felt him against her and she felt different and she knew she wanted him so badly. She didn’t say anything until he started kissing and sucking her nipples that she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

        “Nick,” Brizee said. He stopped and looked up at her and she pulled him up and kissed him deeply.

        “Yeah, baby,” Nick said.

        “I don’t want to wait, I want you to make love to me, now,” Brizee said. He looked into her eyes.

        “Briz, are you sure,” Nick said. Brizee nodded.

        “Yes, I’m sure, I want this, I want you,” Brizee said.

        “Oh god, Briz, as much as I want this, we can’t, baby,” Nick said.

        “Why?” Brizee asked.

        “I don’t have protection, baby, I never got any because we were waiting,” Nick said. Brizee groaned.

        “Just do it, Nick, I don’t care anymore, I want you,” Brizee said. Nick sat up and shook his head.

        “I can’t, without protection, Briz, you could get pregnant and we both are not ready for that,” Nick said. Brizee sat up and came to him and kissed him.

        “If you love me, you will make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick groaned.

        “Baby, I do love you and I want to make love to you, but we can’t without protection, I’m sorry, baby,” Nick said. Brizee shook her head and got up and got dressed and grabbed her stuff.

        “Then I guess you really don’t love me, Nick,” Brizee said before going out the door. Nick laid down on the bed and held his head. He couldn’t believe what just happened. He called Brian and told him what happened.

        “I think I lost her, B,” Nick said.

        “I’ll tell Ali and she can talk to Briz, I’ll come over tomorrow, okay,” Brian said.

        “See ya,” Nick said. He hung up and laid there staring at the ceiling. He got up and got dressed in a pair of boxer shorts and a shirt and went to bed thinking of Brizee. He curled up in a ball and cried softly at the thought of losing her. The next morning, Nick laid there staring at the ceiling. There was a knock at the door. Nick got up and opened the door and saw Brian. He came in and closed the door. Nick sat down on the bed. Brian sat down beside him.

        “Ali’s over there right now talking to her,” Brian said. Nick nodded.

        “I can’t lose her, B, I love her so much,” Nick said. Brian’s cell phone rang.

        “Hey baby, what, oh, okay, love you,” Brian said. He hung up and looked at Nick.

        “What is it,” Nick said.

        “Things are not over between you two, Briz just needs time to think about things but she doesn’t want it to be over,” Brian said. Nick nodded and sat there.

A week later, Brizee went to Nick’s to talk with him. Jane told her that Nick had left with the guys for LA for the battle of the bands. She went to Ali’s and together, they headed to LA to watch the guys. They walked into the club and looked around.

        “What a turn out, Kris and the girls are here already,” Alicia said. She spotted them and walked over to the table. They sat down and Brizee looked around and saw the guys sitting at a table beside the stage. Nick was staring at the table and she made eye contact with Brian who nudged Nick. He looked up and saw her. She smiled and waved. He smiled and motioned that he loved her. She motioned the same back and he smiled. The announcer came onstage.

        “Ladies and Gentlemen, we do have an opening for a group or band if anyone is interested,” he said. Alicia smiled and ran up to talk to him and came back smiling.

        “Ali,” Brizee said.

        “We are singing,” Alicia said.

        “And if by chance we beat out the guys, they would kill us,” Brizee said.

        “This isn’t for the prizes, it’s for entertainment, the three finalists have been chosen, it’s a matter of how the judges vote on them, we are just entertaining,” Alicia said. They went to get ready. Kristin stayed seated.

        “Ladies and Gentlemen, here is Brizee, Alicia, Amy, and Amanda,” he said. With Brizee singing leading, they sang a song and Brizee sang right to Nick. After they were done, everyone cheered.  Brizee talked with the band and whispered to Ali and she smiled and got off stage and whispered to Nick. He smiled. The song started up and Nick joined her onstage in the middle of the song and they sung together.  After they were done, everyone were on their feet cheering for them. They got offstage. Nick hugged Brizee.

        “I love you,” Brizee said resting her head on his chest.

        “I love you, too, baby,” Nick said kissing her head. The girls went and sat down. The contest began. The guys went on last. They sang I Want It That Way. After they were done, the judges made their decision. Nick, Brian, Kevin, AJ, and Howie sat there waiting.

        “The winner of the battle of the bands is the Backstreet Boys!” the announcer said. The girls cheered. The guys slapped hands and hugged and shook the announcers hand.

        “Congratulations, you guys, you have won a one million dollar contract with Jive Records,” the announcer said. They got all the info and went to the girls. Brizee jumped on Nick and hugged him.

        “I’m so proud of you, baby!” Brizee said. Nick held her and buried his face in her neck.

        “Thanks, baby,” Nick said.

        “We need to talk, can we go somewhere?” Brizee asked. Nick nodded. They went to a back corner of the club and she hugged him.

        “I’m sorry, for everything, I don’t know what I was thinking,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply.

        “It’s okay, baby, I don’t care as long as I have you with me, you are everything to me, I love you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. They kissed and he hugged her to him. He took her home and walked her up to the door and kissed her goodnight.

The next day, Brizee went to Nick’s house and knocked on the door to the guesthouse. Nick opened it and saw her and smiled and she went in and he closed it and pulled her close. He locked the door and bolted it and closed the blinds and they laid on the bed and began making out. Their hands ran all over their bodies. He began kissing her neck and she smiled.

        “I was thinking,” Brizee said. Nick pulled back and looked at her.

        “What about, baby,” Nick said.

        “Tomorrow we graduate, you are having a party here tomorrow night, after everyone leaves, you and me will be here, I’m staying all night, you and me in this bed, naked,” Brizee said stroking his cheek.

        “You mean?” Nick asked.

        “Tomorrow night, I want you to make love to me, protection this time,” Brizee said. She pulled out a foil packet from her pocket and he took it.

        “Why wait until tomorrow night?” Nick asked.

        “Because I have to go in a few, shopping with the girls for dresses for the ceremony,” Brizee said.

        “Oh,” Nick said.

        “Plus, it will be special tomorrow night, it would be like us having a very private graduation party,” Brizee said. Nick crushed his mouth to hers in a deep kiss.

        “I love you, so much,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. She held onto him as he kissed her neck. Her cell phone rang. He groaned and she reached for it. He cuddled up against her back and kissed her neck as she answered the phone.

        “Hello, hey Ali, what, oh, okay, it’s fine, I think I have a dress that is still new, I wear it, okay, have a good time, bye,” Brizee said. She turned off her phone and laid there.

        “You okay, baby,” Nick said.

        “Ali decided to spend the day with Brian, her mom got a dress for her already,” Brizee said.

        “So you are free for the rest of the day?” Nick asked. She nodded and he smiled and kissed her softly.

        “How about we have a little fun,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Brizee said.

        “You still want to wait until tomorrow night?” Nick asked. Brizee nodded.

        “The longer the wait, the better it will be,” Brizee said stroking his cheek.

        “Oh Briz,” Nick said kissing her deeply. She felt him against her leg. She rolled them over and sat on top of him.

        “We could do something,” Brizee said.

        “What, baby,” Nick said. She smiled and unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down and pushed his boxers down and she smiled and took him in her mouth and sucked him.

        “Oh god, baby!” Nick said moaning as he grasped the sheets. He came inside her mouth and she swallowed every drop. She pulled away. He removed his clothes and hers and pulled her to him and kissing her deeply, tasting himself on her tongue.

        “Screw it, Nicky, make love to me!” Brizee said. He slid the condom onto his body and he slowly and gently made love to her. Afterwards, they laid there in each other’s arms.

        “Oh god, Nick, that was so amazing, when you have the chance, buy a box of condoms, I don’t ever want to stop,” Brizee said.

        “Hey, you are eighteen now, how about going to see a doctor and getting on birth control,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and rested her head on his chest.

        “I love you so much,” Brizee said.

        “I love you, too, baby,” Nick said. They got dressed. Brizee put her underwear and one of Nick’s shirts on. Nick put on his boxers and they went to sleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, they woke up and got up and Brizee put her clothes on. She hugged Nick and told him she’ll see him later at the ceremony. She went to see a doctor about birth control and she went home with a packet of pills and went to her room and put them in her nightstand.

Two months later, the guys were in the studio recording their debut album. The girls spent the day at the mall. Brizee sat there looking at her food at the food court while Amy, Amanda, Kristin, and Alicia ate.

        “Briz,” Alicia said.

        “What,” Brizee said.

        “You okay,” Amy said.

        “No, guys, I’m not,” Brizee said.

        “What’s wrong,” Amanda said.

        “I’m pregnant,” Brizee said.

        “Does Nick know?” Kristin asked.

        “No, I don’t know what to do,” Brizee said.

        “Tell Nick, you guys can talk about it, it’s his baby, too, he needs to be in the decision,” Amy said. Brizee nodded and slowly ate her food. Alicia’s phone rang.

        “Hello, hi Jackie, what, oh no, okay, we’ll be right there,” Alicia said. She hung up.

        “Ali,” Brizee said.

        “The guys were heading home from the studio, a car hit Kevin’s car as he crossed the intersection, it doesn’t look good,” Alicia said. They went to the hospital where Jane, Ann, Jackie, Denise, and Paula were waiting. Bob, Hoke, Jerald, and Harold were talking by the window of the waiting room.

        “Jackie,” Alicia said. The girls hugged the mothers of the guys they loved.

        “How’s Nick,” Brizee asked Jane.

        “Not good, the car hit the side he was on, he’s on life support, he might not make it,” Jane said. Brizee nearly collapsed as Jane held her.

        “I can’t lose him, Jane, I can’t, we can’t,” Brizee said. She sat down with Jane.

        “AJ is going to be okay, he has a concussion,” Denise said. Amanda hugged her.

        “Kevin has a concussion also, he’s going to be fine,” Ann said. Kristin hugged her.

        “Howie is going to be okay, too,” Paula said. Amy hugged her.

        “Brian’s in a coma, he was on the same side of the car as Nick was,” Jackie said. Alicia hugged her.

        “I have to see Nick, Jane, please,” Brizee said. Jane told her where he was and Brizee went down and went in and saw Nick lying there with tubes and machines hooked up to him. She cried and sat down by his bed and held his hand in hers.

        “Nicky, I’m here, you have to wake up, baby, I can’t be without you,” Brizee said crying. She kissed his hand.

Two days later, there was no change in Nick’s condition. Brizee refused to leave his side. She was alone with him at the hospital. She held his hand and watched him.

        “Nicky, I have to tell you something, I found out the morning of the accident, I’m pregnant, you are going to be a father, I can’t do this alone, I need you,” Brizee said.

        “Briz,” she heard someone say. She looked and saw Howie and Amy. She turned away and looked at Nick.

        “We heard what you said, Amy told me, I won’t tell anyone else,” Howie said.

        “I hope he hears everything I’m saying, I can’t lose him, Howie, I love him so much,” Brizee said crying. Amy hugged her.

        “I hope he wakes up, he’s one of my best friends,” Howie said.

        “Briz, you should go home and rest, Howie and I will stay here with him, he won’t be alone,” Amy said.

        “I can’t leave him,” Brizee said crying.

        “Briz, please, for Nick, and his baby,” Amy said softly. Brizee sighed and leaned up and kissed Nick’s forehead.

        “I’ll be back later, baby,” Brizee said. She hugged Howie and Amy and went home and laid down in her bed. Her mom came in and sat down and Brizee sat up and hugged her.

        “I’m praying he wakes up, sweetie,” Laura said.

        “I can’t lose him, Mama, I can’t, he is my everything,” Brizee said.

        “Sweetie, I need you to be honest with me, I’ve noticed a change in you lately, are you hiding something from me?” Laura said. Brizee burst out crying and nodded.

        “I’m sorry, Mama,” Brizee said crying.

        “Honey,” Laura said.

        “The day before graduation, Nick and I made love, it just felt so right at the time,” Brizee said crying.

        “Was there protection?” Laura asked.

        “Of course there was, and I started birth control, but I’m pregnant, Mom, it happened that first time, that was the only time we’ve done it, I was scared to tell you,” Brizee said. Laura hugged her daughter.

        “Nick doesn’t know?” Laura asked.

        “He didn’t, I told him today when I was talking to him but I don’t know if he heard me,” Brizee said crying.

        “I’m here for you, honey, always, I can’t wait to be a grandma, it’s happening sooner than expected but I am here for you and Nick,” Laura said. Brizee hugged her mother.

        “I love you, Mama,” Brizee said.

        “I love you, too, sweetheart,” Laura said.

        “I need to rest, before I go back to the hospital,” Brizee said. Laura helped her lay down and covered her up.

The next day, Brizee woke up and got up and changed her clothes and went to the bathroom and went to the hospital after eating breakfast and walked into Nick’s room and saw Jane and Bob sitting with him. Jane saw her and got up and hugged her.

        “There hasn’t been any change, Howie and Amy stayed all night, we just got here an hour ago and sent them home to rest,  I’m glad you went home and rested up,” Jane said. Brizee nodded.

        “I feel a lot better, well rested, I went home at noon and didn’t wake up until this morning,” Brizee said.

        “We have to take the girls and Aaron to their appointments, four kids that are going different places, too much for two parents,” Jane said.

        “But you love them anyways,” Brizee said.

        “Yes, we do, take care of my boy, okay,” Jane said.

        “I will,” Brizee said. Jane and Bob hugged her and left. Brizee sat down and took Nick’s hand in hers.

        “Hey baby, I’m back, rested up and good as new, now you need to wake up, I’m not leaving you for awhile,” Brizee said kissing his hand. She sang a song to him softly. She didn’t know that the head of the record company was standing there at the door and heard her singing. He knocked. She looked and saw him.

        “Can I help you?” Brizee asked.

        “I’m Barry Weiss, president of Jive Records, I was coming to see how Nick was doing and I heard you singing,” he said shaking her hand.

        “I’m Brizee, Nick’s girlfriend, he is still the same, on life support,” Brizee said.

        “We all are praying for him, I told Kevin, Howie, and AJ that we will continue when all five are ready,” Barry said. Brizee nodded.

        “Thanks, for the prayers,” Brizee said.

        “I was there at the contest and heard you singing with your friends, how come you guys didn’t enter the contest,  you would have won,” Barry said.

        “We didn’t want to take anything away from our guys, they worked hard to win, we didn’t want to do that to them, we would rather support them than take their dreams away,” Brizee said.

        “I think we can work something out if you want to,” Barry said.

        “What,” Brizee said.

        “A record deal, you girls have what it takes,” Barry said. Brizee sighed.

        “I can’t think of anything but Nick at the moment, I’m sorry, I really can’t make any decisions or anything right now,” Brizee said.

        “If you ever change your mind, here is my card,” Barry said handing it to her. She took it and put it in her pocket.

        “Thanks,” Brizee said. He left. Alicia came in and she told her what happened.

        “You did the right thing, Briz,” Alicia said.

        “I can’t think of anything but Nick and my baby,” Brizee said.

        “I know,” Alicia said.

        “Ali, what,” Brizee said.

        “I’m pregnant, too, Brian doesn’t know yet, he’s still in a coma,” Alicia said.

        “When?” Brizee asked.

        “The night of graduation,” Alicia said.

        “Oh my gosh, this is so great, I won’t have to go through this alone,” Brizee said.

        “That is what I was thinking,” Alicia said. Brizee looked at Nick and noticed something.

        “Ali, get the doctor, quick,” Brizee said. She stood up and took Nick’s hand.

        “Nicky, baby, it’s me, I’m here, wake up, baby, please,” Brizee said. Nick’s eyes opened and blinked and he looked and saw her.

        “Shhhh, they have you on life support, Ali went to get the doctor, just stay calm, babe,” Brizee said. He nodded and squeezed her hand. The doctor came in and removed the life support and checked him.

        “It’s a miracle,” the doctor said. Brizee smiled.

        “Call Jane, Ali, tell them that Nick’s awake,” Brizee said. Alicia went to make the call.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “I’m here, babe, you are going to be fine, I’m not going anywhere,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and brought her hand up and kissed it. Nick took a drink of water. The doctor left the room.

        “I love you so much,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too, I was so scared, I thought you wouldn’t wake up and I would be alone, I couldn’t be without you,” Brizee said.

        “I heard your voice, but couldn’t understand the words, I heard you singing, I thought it was an angel, but I knew it was you, my angel, you brought me back, baby,” Nick said.

        “There is something I have to tell you, it’s really important, I found out the morning of your accident,” Brizee said. She sat on the bed and Nick rested his hand on her waist and looked at her.

        “What is it,” Nick said.

        “I’m pregnant, Nick, we are having a baby, the protection didn’t work,” Brizee said.

        “A baby, our baby, oh Briz, you have no idea how happy I am, I’ve always wanted to be a father, it’s just happening a lot sooner than expected but I am happy,” Nick said. Brizee leaned down and kissed him softly. He deepened the kiss and they held onto each other. Jane and Bob came in and saw them.  Bob cleared his throat and they broke apart.

        “Mom, Dad,” Nick said. They hugged their son. Nick refused the let go of Brizee’s hand.

        “I’m so glad you’re awake, you have no idea how scared we were, we were worried about Brizee, she wouldn’t leave your side, Howie and Amy finally got her to go home and rest,” Jane said.

        “It’s good that you are awake, son, nothing has been the same,” Bob said.

        “How are the guys?” Nick asked.

        “Kevin, AJ, and Howie are fine, they had concussions but that’s all, Brian’s in a coma, he hasn’t woken up yet,” Bob said.

        “Can you check on him, please,” Nick said. Bob nodded and left the room. Jane hugged Brizee.

        “Mom, we need to tell you something, you can’t tell Dad,” Nick said.

        “What is it, oh no, you two slept together, when,” Jane said. Nick held Brizee’s hand.

        “The night before graduation, it felt so right, Mom, there was protection, but it didn’t work,” Nick said.

        “You’re pregnant,” Jane said. Brizee nodded slowly. Jane looked at them.

        “I can’t believe this,” Jane said.

        “My mom knows, she was supportive, she wasn’t mad,” Brizee said.

        “I can’t be mad either, you both are out of high school, eighteen, Brizee, I want you to completely move into the guest house with Nick, you two need to be together under the same roof,” Jane said.

        “Mom,” Nick said.

        “I mean it, your father will understand,” Jane said.

        “I don’t know what my mom will think of that, I’m her only child, she might not like me moving out,” Brizee said. Jane hugged her.

        “I’ll talk to her, you are pregnant with my grandchild, I don’t want anything to happen to you, you are like a daughter to me, you always have been,” Jane said. Brizee nodded. Bob came in.

        “Brian’s awake, he’s going to be fine,” Bob said.

        “Thank god,” Nick said.

        “And he is glad you are awake, too,” Bob said.

Two weeks later, Nick and Brian were home resting. Brizee had moved in with Nick and they both were resting in bed. Nick laid there with his head on her chest, stroking her stomach and smiling.

        “Our baby is in here, I’m so happy,” Nick said.

        “Me, too, I’m glad you are here with me,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her stomach and moved up and kissed her deeply. They snuggled up together and went to sleep. Nick’s hand was on her stomach. Jane quietly went into the guesthouse to check on them and found them asleep. She saw Nick’s hand resting on Brizee’s stomach and smiled. She couldn’t believe that her eldest was going to be a father. She got a blanket and covered them. Nick woke up and saw her.

        “Thanks, Mom,” Nick said sleepily. Jane kissed his forehead.

        “You’re welcome, honey,” Jane said.

Two months later, the guys were recording. Brizee sat at the guesthouse waiting for Nick to get home. She recently started to show in her pregnancy. Nick came in and saw her and sat down with her.

        “You okay,” Nick said.

        “I’m starting to show, my jeans are getting tight,” Brizee said.

        “Okay, it’s normal, you are pregnant, the baby is growing,” Nick said.

        “Are you still going to love me when I’m as big as a whale,” Brizee said.

        “Of course, Briz, you have our baby inside you, you will always be beautiful to me, because you are carrying our baby, created by our love,” Nick said rubbing her stomach. Brizee rested her head on his shoulder.

        “Don’t ever leave me, Nicky, I can’t be without you,” Brizee said. Nick held her close to him.

        “I won’t, baby, you have me forever and always,” Nick said. He kissed her forehead.

Two weeks later, Nick came home and found her resting on the bed. He laid down and ran his hand over her stomach.

        “Hey baby,” Nick said.

        “Hey, are you guys done?” Brizee asked.

        “Yeah, now they just have to put everything together and release it, there’s more, baby,” Nick said.

        “What is it,” Brizee said.

        “We have to go on tour, in Europe,” Nick said.

        “How long?” Brizee asked.

        “A year, baby, I told them I couldn’t do it that long, they said either go or quit,” Nick said.

        “Nicky, don’t quit, it’s okay,” Brizee said stroking his cheek. Nick kissed her hand.

        “Baby, I don’t want to leave you, in five months I’m going to be a father, I don’t want to miss anything,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and pulled out a card. Nick looked at it and looked at her.

        “Why did Barry give you his card,” Nick said. She picked up the phone and called Barry.

        “Hello,” Barry said.

        “Mr. Weiss, this is Brizee Hardin, we spoke a few months ago at the hospital,” Brizee said.

        “Ms. Hardin, yes, did you change your mind,” Barry said. Brizee looked at Nick.

        “How much do you want me and my friends,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her shoulder.

        “Ms. Hardin, we would really want you guys signed, we have a big tour coming up, we want you guys on tour with your guys,” Barry said.

        “I think that can be arranged, but did Nick share the news about me and him?” Brizee said.

        “That you are pregnant, yes, we can make sure you are well taken care of and have a doctor on call during the tour, if needed when performing, you will have a comfortable chair,” Barry said.

        “Excellent,” Brizee said.

        “I would like to see you and your friends here tomorrow morning with the guys,” Barry said.

        “Will do, thank you so much,” Brizee said.

        “No, Ms. Hardin, thank you for calling, we are so looking forward to this,” Barry said. Brizee hung up and looked at Nick.

        “What was that about,” Nick said.

        “Barry came to see you at the hospital, he said he heard me and the girls and wondered why we didn’t enter the contest because he said we would have won, I told him that it was you and the guys dream and we couldn’t take it away from you guys, he offered me and the girls a record deal, I told him that I couldn’t think of anything at the time because I was worried about you,” Brizee said.

        “Baby,” Nick said.

        “We are going with you guys and he is going to make sure I have a chair to sit in while performing and a doctor on call,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply.

        “I have to call Ali,” Brizee said. She called Alicia and told her the news. Alicia said she’ll call the others and they hung up. Brizee kissed Nick.

        “I love you so much, I can’t bear the thought of being without you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said.

The next day, the guys and girls were at the studio meeting with Barry. The girls signed and everything was set. Two weeks later, they were headed to Europe. Laura was with them along with Jane. Although Nick was old enough, Jane insisted on coming to be there for Brizee and help out if needed along with Laura. Brizee was resting on the plane. Nick sat beside her. He held her hand as he watched her sleep. Brian reached over and tugged on Nick’s arm. Nick looked at him.

        “Nick, why is she doing this,” Brian whispered.

        “Because I don’t want to miss anything, and she wants to be with me,” Nick said. Brian nodded.

        “Okay,” Brian said.

        “Hey, B, relax, you got Ali with you,” Nick said.

        “I know, I don’t know what I would do without her for a year,” Brian said.

        “You would go crazy, just like I would without Briz,” Nick said.

        “Yeah,” Brian said looking at Alicia who was asleep next to him.

        “How is she doing,” Nick said.

        “Fine, she’s going to have to perform with a chair, too, and have the same doctor, but I’m glad she’s not home alone,” Brian said.

        “My mom and Laura are here so they can look out for them,” Nick said.

        “I know,” Brian said.

The next day, they were at the venue for sound checks.

        “Now, Brizee, I want to hear you sing a song by yourself,” Barry said.

        “Okay, but Ali and Amanda are singing backup for me on this song,” Brizee said. Barry nodded. They performed the song. After they were done, everyone sat there in shock. Barry stood up.

        “Welcome to Jive Records, girls,” Barry said. Nick got onstage and hugged Brizee. Brian and AJ hugged Alicia and Amanda onstage while Kevin and Howie hugged Kristin and Amy offstage. They all went backstage after sound checks. Brizee and Nick were walking to his dressing room when she grabbed her stomach.

        “Nick,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, the baby,” Nick said.

        “No, it’s kicking,” Brizee said. Nick put his hand on her stomach and felt the kick and smiled. They went to his dressing room and closed the door and sat on the couch and held each other.

        “I love you so much, I’m glad you made that call and came with us, I would be going mad if you weren’t here,” Nick said kissing her forehead.

        “I know, I would be upset and depressed about being alone,” Brizee said. Laura and Jane came in.

        “Mom, I felt the baby kick,” Nick said. Jane and Laura smiled.

        “That’s great, honey,” Jane said. They heard a scream.

        “Jane! Laura!” Brian yelled. They went out the door and went to Brian’s dressing room. Nick helped Brizee up and they went down and saw Alicia clutching her stomach and Brian holding her.

        “Let’s get her to the hospital,” Jane said. They all went to the hospital. Nick and Brizee sat together and waited along with Kevin, Kristin, Howie, Amy, AJ, Amanda, Jane, and Laura. Brian went in with Alicia. Awhile later, Brian came out. He stood there looking at them. Nick got up and went to him. He looked at Brian and he broke down crying and Nick hugged him as Brian cried on his shoulder.

        “What happened,” Nick said.

        “Something went wrong, the baby’s gone, my baby’s gone,” Brian said crying. Nick hugged him and looked back at Brizee. She was crying softly. Laura sat down and hugged her. The next day, Brizee laid in her and Nick’s hotel room. She rubbed her stomach and felt bad for Alicia and Brian. Nick laid beside her.

        “I don’t know what to do, she’s my best friend, she lost her baby and I still have mine, why did this happen, we were so happy to be pregnant at the same time, due dates so close together, we made a lot of plans,” Brizee said.

        “I don’t know, Briz, I feel bad, too, Brian and I were looking forwards to being dads at the same time, we made plans, too,” Nick said.

        “This is my fault, I shouldn’t have made that call, she would have been home relaxing,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, we didn’t know this would happen, it could have happened back home and Brian couldn’t be there for her but here, he is there for her, they can grieve together,” Nick said. Brizee rested against him.

        “I never want anything to happen to our baby, Nick, I can’t bear it,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her forehead. That night, they were at the venue. Nick sat with Brian. Alicia was back at the hotel with Laura and Jane. Kristin was going to be filling in for Alicia onstage. Nick stood with Brizee and rested his hands on her shoulders.

        “You will do good out there, baby, I know it,” Nick said. Brizee nodded. Nick kissed her forehead.

        “I love you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. The girls went onstage and performed. After they were done, they came offstage and Brizee went into Nick’s arms.

        “You were amazing, baby,” Nick said.

        “Thanks,” Brizee said. After the guys were done, they went to shower. Brizee sat there waiting for Nick. She was in deep thought and rubbed her stomach. She felt someone sit beside her. She looked and saw Brian.

        “Hey girl,” Brian said.

        “Hi,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, it’s okay, it’s not your fault, Ali can have more babies, it’s not the end of the world for her,” Brian said.

        “I know, but we made so many plans, now I’m the only one pregnant, Nick’s the first one to be a dad, I don’t want Ali to get upset every time she sees me and my stomach,” Brizee said. Brian hugged her.

        “Ali will be fine, she’s strong, she’s resting but she’s not upset anymore, the news that she can have more babies cheered her up, she is not going to be upset with you, she is going to be the best aunt ever, she said that before I came here,” Brian said.

        “It’s not fair, why did it happen, Brian, why did Ali lose her baby and nothing happened to me,” Brizee said. Brian hugged her just as Nick came out of the showers and saw his best friend hugging his girlfriend. Nick came over and sat down.

        “Briz,” Nick said. Brizee pulled back and looked at Nick and went into his arms.

        “She’s worried that Ali will get upset when she sees Briz, Ali won’t,” Brian said. Nick kissed her forehead.

        “You should rest, baby, come on,” Nick said. They all headed back to the hotel. Brizee and Nick walked into the room. Brizee headed to the bathroom and got into the shower. Nick got in with her.

        “I thought you already had a shower?” Brizee asked.

        “I want to take one with you, baby,” Nick said.