“Thanks for asking me to come along,” Brizee said.

　　　　　　　 “I know you wouldn’t want to be here alone with them,” Emily said.　 Emily’s mother, Elizabeth, came in.

　　　　　　　 “There you two are,” Elizabeth said.

　　　　　　　 “What is it, Mom,” Emily said.

　　　　　　　 “I have a plan for you, Emily,” Elizabeth said.

　　　　　　　 “What is it,” Emily said.

　　　　　　　 “So you won’t be a problem for me anymore, you will hook up with a Backstreet Boy, get pregnant by one and married him, I think AJ would be the best bet,” Elizabeth said.

　　　　　　　 “Whatever, Mom, you know what, as soon as the tour is over, I’m moving out, my career is at the point where I am able to get a place of my own and survive and you know what, Brizee can go with me so we won’t be a problem for you and Brad anymore,” Emily said as she and Brizee went out the door. They went out the waiting limo and headed to meet the guys at the buses. The limo came to a stop and the driver opened the door and Emily and Brizee got out. They got their bags and headed to the buses. Brian, Howie, AJ, Kevin, and Nick got off the first bus and smiled.

　　　　　　　 “You must be Emily,” AJ said looking at Emily.

　　　　　　　 “Yes, I am, and this is my stepsister, Brizee,” Emily said nodding towards Brizee.

　　　　　　　 “Nice to meet you,” Brian said shaking hands with Brizee and Emily. They all got on the bus. Brian and AJ showed them where they would be sleeping. They all sat down in the entertainment part of the bus.

　　　　　　　 “So how are you two stepsisters?” AJ asked.

　　　　　　　 “My mom married her dad five years ago, from then on, it went downhill, her father and my mother are so into each other that me and Brizee cease to exist,” Emily said.

　　　　　　　 “So all you have is each other?” Brian asked.

　　　　　　　 “Pretty much,” Emily said. Brizee stared at her hands.

　　　　　　　 “Brizee, you okay?” Brian asked.

　　　　　　　 “I’m fine,” Brizee said smiling at him. Brian smiled.

Over the next few days, Emily and Brizee got to know the guys. Brizee hung out mostly with Brian and Nick. Emily hung out with AJ and Howie. They took turns hanging out with Kevin. Brizee sat with Brian and Nick, watching them play video games.　 They heard AJ shout. AJ came back with Emily behind him.

　　　　　　　 “AJ!” Emily said. Brian paused the game.

　　　　　　　 “What is going on,” Brian said.

　　　　　　　 “They are off the tour!” AJ said angrily.

　　　　　　　 “What, why!” Brian said.

　　　　　　　 “Oh no,” Brizee said softly.

　　　　　　　 “I had to be truthful, Briz, he wouldn’t stop asking me what was wrong,” Emily said.

　　　　　　　 “Briz,” Nick said.

　　　　　　　 “My wonderful stepmother had a plan that would make sure that Emily wouldn’t be a problem for her anymore,” Brizee said.

　　　　　　　 “Emily is suppose to get herself knocked up by one of us and get married,” AJ said.

　　　　　　　 “Emily doesn’t care about that plan, she wasn’t going to go through with it, she pretty much told her mother that she and I were going to move out after the tour was over so we wouldn’t be a problem anymore, AJ, Emily wasn’t going to go through with it,” Brizee said. AJ looked at Emily. AJ hugged her.

　　　　　　　 “I’m sorry,” AJ said.

　　　　　　　 “I never was going to go through with the plan, I swear,” Emily said. AJ hugged her close. They went back up front. Brizee laid down on the couch.

　　　　　　　 “Briz, you okay?” Brian asked.

　　　　　　　 “Yeah, I’m okay,” Brizee said. Brian and Nick continued playing. That night, everyone was in their bunks. Brizee laid in her bunk. She got out and went to the entertainment room and sat down on the couch. She heard a noise and looked up and saw Brian come in. He sat down beside her.

　　　　　　　 “Hey, couldn’t sleep,” Brian said. Brizee shook her head. Brian brushed her hair back from her face.

　　　　　　　 “Me, either,” Brian said. She looked at him.

　　　　　　　 “How come you couldn’t sleep?” Brizee asked.

　　　　　　　 “Because I wanted to do something and I can’t sleep until I do it,” Brian said.

　　　　　　　 “What is it?” Brizee asked.

　　　　　　　 “This,” Brian said. He kissed her softly on the lips.

The next day, Brizee sat in Emily’s dressing room. Emily came in and sat down and looked at Brizee.

“What’s up, sis,” Emily said.

“Brian and I kissed last night, we both couldn’t sleep,” Brizee said.

“So are you two together?” Emily asked.

“I don’t know,” Brizee said.

“Go talk to him, sis,” Emily said. Brizee got up and went out the door and found Brian talking with Nick.

“Hey girl,” Brian said.

“Can we talk?” Brizee asked.

“Sure,” Brian said. They went to his dressing room and went in and closed the door.

“What’s up,” Brian asked.

“Where do we stand?” Brizee asked.

“What,” Brian said.

“We kissed last night, Brian, was that it or is something going to happen?” Brizee asked.

“Brizee,” Brian said.

“Brian, I liked the kiss, I really did,” Brizee said. Brian cupped her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. She held onto him.

“Be my girl?” Brian asked. Brizee nodded and they kissed again.

That night after the show, Brizee and Emily were sitting on the bus talking when AJ ran on the bus.

“Hey girls,” AJ said.

“Hey babe,” Emily said as AJ sat next to her.

“So are you two a couple now?” Brizee asked.

“Yup,” AJ said.

“So are me and Brian,” Brizee said.

“Double date,” Emily said.

“Yup,” Brizee said. Brian and Nick came on the bus along with Kevin and Howie. The bus headed out.

“Guys, Briz and I are a couple,” Brian said sitting beside her.

“That’s great, you guys can double date with AJ and Emily,” Kevin said. Brian looked at AJ who nodded.

“That is good,” Brian said.

“Yup!” AJ said.

The next day, they were in the next city. Emily and Brizee were hanging out in her dressing room while Brian and Nick were in Brian’s dressing room playing video games. Howie poked his head in.

“Band meeting, guys,” Howie said. Brian turned the games off and they went to where Kevin and AJ were waiting.

“What’s up,” Brian said.

“We are short a dancer, Ashley just quit,” Kevin said.

“Why?” Nick said. Ashley was his dance partner onstage.

“She found out she was pregnant, she and her husband have been trying for months to have a kid and she thought she would never get pregnant so she went ahead and went on the road with us and she finds out she’s pregnant so she can’t continue,” Kevin said.

“So what do we do?” Nick asked.

“We need to find a new dance partner for you, Nick,” Kevin said.

“I’ll do it,” Brizee said from behind them. They looked at her.

“Briz, you dance?” Brian asked.

“She’s amazing, guys, give her a chance, she’s been watching the show and how it goes,” Emily said.

“Guys, you need someone, I’m not doing anything but tagging along with the tour, I might as well be doing something besides watching the show,” Brizee said.

“Let’s go see what you can do,” Kevin said. They got the rest of the dancers and went onstage and went through the moves and Brizee practiced with them. After they were done, the guys looked at each other.

“You got the job, Briz,” Kevin said. Brian hugged her.

“Now, Nick, go easy on her,” Brian said.

“I will, Frick,” Nick said.

“We’ll be fine, Brian, we are friends, right Nick,” Brizee said.

“Yup!” Nick said smiling.

That night, the show went on and Brian watched Brizee and Nick dance together and smiled on how well they performed the moves. After the show, they went to the hotel. Brizee walked into her room that she shared with Emily. She showered and put her pjs on and came out and saw Brian, Emily and AJ on the couch. She sat down next to Brian and he put his arms around her.

“Briz, I got a call from Mom, she and your dad are coming to meet us here,” Emily said.

“Why,” Brizee said.

“Probably to make sure her plan is working, I told her not to bother because the plan is dead and never going to happen but she insists on coming to see us,” Emily said.

“Just perfect,” Brizee said rolling her eyes.

“They want to come make sure the plan is going,” AJ said.

“Yeah,” Emily said.

“The plan is never going to happen anyways,” Brizee said.

“AJ, I don’t care about the plan, like I said, all I want is to be with you,” Emily said. AJ hugged her.

“How soon will they be here?” Brizee asked.

“Anytime now,” Emily said. There was a knock at the door. Emily got up and opened the door and saw her mother and stepfather standing there. They came in. Brizee stood up and looked at her father and stepmother.

“Why are you guys here,” Brizee said.

“Is that any way to talk to your father,” Brad said.

“Since when have you been my father, ever since you married Elizabeth, me and Emily don’t exist, Elizabeth went as far to tell Emily that her plan is to seduce AJ and marry him, was that plan for me, too?” Brizee asked.

“How is the plan coming along,” Elizabeth said looking at her daughter.

“Me and AJ are together, we are taking things slow, Mom, that plan is never going to happen, I am not going to do anything that will hurt AJ or do anything you say anymore, I told you that I wasn’t going to do it, as soon as the tour is over, me and Brizee are moving out, we are done with the both of you, we will move out of the house and won’t be a problem for you two anymore!” Emily said. She went into the bedroom and closed the door. AJ and Brian looked at each other.

“After everything we’ve been through, you see me as a problem, don’t you,” Brizee said.

“Brizee,” Brad said.

“No, Dad, although I’m glad you are with Elizabeth because it got me a sister, but she is not Mom, okay, no one can be Mom, you act like you don’t miss her at all!” Brizee said.

“Brizee, that’s not true, I will always love your mother, I had to move on,” Brad said.

“That means ignoring me, huh,” Brizee said.

“No, Brizee, I’m sorry, for ignoring you, I never meant to, it’s just that it’s been over nine years since we lost your mother and I wanted to move on and you look so much like her, I just couldn’t handle being around you and not being able to move on,” Brad said.

“But I am your daughter, your only child!” Brizee cried. Brad looked at Elizabeth and walked over to Brizee and took her into his arms and held her. Brizee held onto her father and cried.

“I know, you are the most important person in my life, you are my daughter, a part of me, I never will ignore you again, I want to be the best father possible,” Brad said. Elizabeth went to the bedroom and knocked on the door. Emily opened it and saw her mother. Elizabeth hugged her.

“I’m so sorry, Emily, I want to be the best mother possible for you,” Elizabeth said.

“Then no more plans, Mom, let me live how I want,” Emily said.

“As long as you let me be your mother again, I have no problem at all,” Elizabeth said. Emily hugged her.

“Dad, this is Brian,” Brizee said. Brian stood up and shook his hand.

“You take good care of my daughter, Brian,” Brad said shaking his hand. Brian nodded.

“Yes, sir,” Brian said. Emily introduced AJ to her mother.

“You take good care of my daughter and help Brian take care of my stepdaughter,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes, ma’am,” AJ said.

“So how long are you two staying?” Brizee asked.

“Well, we want to see the show tomorrow night, so we thought we would join the tour until the show is over and head home, if that’s okay?” Elizabeth said.

“That’s great, Brizee just became a backup dancer for the guys,” Emily said.

“Really?” Elizabeth said. Nick, Kevin, and Howie came in and Emily quickly introduced them to the guys.

“Yeah, Nick’s dance partner had to quit because she found out she was pregnant so she couldn’t dance anymore so they were one dancer short and I said I would do it, it’s really fun, though,” Brizee said.

“And she is amazing, she and Nick work good as a team onstage, I watched them tonight and it was like they’ve been dancing together for years, she was a quick learner,” Brian said.

“Well, do you guys have a room?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, it’s down the hall,” Elizabeth said.

“We leave at eight in the morning, you guys can ride on the bus with us,” Kevin said.

“Okay,” Brad said.

“See you all in the morning, goodnight,” Elizabeth said hugging Emily. Brad hugged Brizee and they went out the door.

The next morning, everyone met in the lobby. Brad and Elizabeth came down and checked out and they all got on the bus and headed out to the next city. They arrived and went to the venue and got ready for the show that night. Brad and Elizabeth were shown to the VIP booth where Emily joined them after she performed. They watched the show. Brad watched Brizee dance onstage.

“She’s amazing,” Brad said.

“Yeah, she is,” Elizabeth said. After the show was over, they went backstage. Brizee came out of the showers and saw her father and smiled and went and hugged him.

“You were awesome, honey,” Brad said.

“Thanks, Dad,” Brizee said. The guys came out of the showers.

“So are you guys heading out,” Emily asked.

“Yeah, we better get going, guys, the show was awesome,” Brad said.

“Thank you for coming,” Kevin said. Brad and Elizabeth hugged Emily and Brizee and left. Brian kissed Brizee. They got their stuff and headed out to the bus. They went to the next city. Brian and Brizee sat on the couch and watched a movie. Brizee leaned against Brian as he held her. Emily and AJ sat on the other couch and held each other as they watched the movie. Nick and Howie laid on their stomachs on the floor and watched the movie. Kevin came back and sat down and watched the movie. After the movie was over, they all went to their bunks and went to sleep. The next morning, Brizee woke up and got up and looked around and went to the back and saw Nick sitting there playing video games. She sat down next to him and watched him.

“Morning, girl,” Nick said.

“Morning, are you winning?” Brizee asked.

“Yup,” Nick said.

“Can I play?” Brizee asked. Nick nodded and ended his game and gave her the controller and she played the game. Brian came back and saw Brizee sitting beside Nick playing the video game while Nick watched. He sat down on the couch. Nick looked at him.

“Morning, Frick,” Nick said.

“Morning, Frack,” Brian said.

“You okay, man?” Nick asked

“I’m fine, just trying to wake up,” Brian said. Brizee smiled at him and continued playing. Nick joined her in a game and they played together and took turns winning against each other. The bus arrived in the next city and they got off the bus and went into the venue. Brian took Brizee’s hand and they went to his dressing room. He closed the door and pulled her close. She smiled as he kissed her softly. She held onto him as the kiss deepened. Brian pulled back and stared into her eyes.

“Brizee, I love you,” Brian said. Brizee looked at him.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. He smiled and kissed her. The kiss deepened and they moved to the couch and he laid on the couch with her on top and they began making out.

That night, they were onstage performing. Nick and Brizee were doing the dance for one of the songs when there was screaming from the front row and a gunshot was heard and Brizee fell into Nick’s arms and he fell down with her in his arms and he looked and saw blood on his hands and laid her on her stomach and saw blood coming from her back and he took off her jacket and held it against the wound. Security caught the shooter and took the shooter out of the arena as the guys ran over to Nick and Brizee and Brian knelt down beside him.

“Oh god no,” Brian said.

“Call 911,” Nick said. Brian called for an ambulance as Kevin knelt down beside Nick.

“Kev, find out who did this, they got the person who shot her, find out why,” Nick said. Kevin ran to find out. Nick held the jacket to the wound and Howie checked her.

“She’s still with us,” Howie said. Emily ran onstage as the fans began leaving as ordered by the staff of the arena.

“No!” Emily said kneeling down. AJ held her close. The ambulance arrived and loaded Brizee up. Emily got in with her.

“Ma’am, are you family?” one paramedic asked.

“She’s my sister, well, stepsister but we are sisters,” Emily said. He nodded and they headed to the hospital with the guys behind them. They all waited in the waiting room. The bodyguards were with them. Kevin came in.

“Kev, what did you find out?” Nick asked.

“The person who shot her was a big fan of Nick’s, she was obsessed with him and thought Brizee was in the way and that she had to be gone from his life,” Kevin said.

“But she’s not my girlfriend, she’s Brian’s,” Nick said.

“I told her that and she broke down crying and now she regrets what she did and she wants to pay for what she did,” Kevin said.

“Good,” Nick said. Kevin looked at his cousin who was sitting in a chair staring at the floor. He went and sat down.

“Hey cuz,” Kevin said.

“Who shot her,” Brian said.

“A fan of Nick’s, thought she was in the way of her being with Nick and wanted her gone, I told her that she was Nick’s dance partner but your girlfriend and now she wants to go to jail to pay for what she did,” Kevin said. Brian nodded. He saw Nick lean against the wall and close his eyes. Brian got up and went to him and hugged him.

“I’m sorry, Brian,” Nick said.

“It’s not your fault, Frack, they didn’t know the truth, the fans didn’t know that she’s my girlfriend,” Brian said.

“But the dance moves made it seem like she was my girlfriend to the fans,” Nick said.

“But that’s the way the show is, everyone thinks that Brandi’s AJ’s girl but Emily is his girl, everyone thinks that Jasmine is Howie’s girl but Leigh is, everyone thinks that Jessica is my girl but Briz is, and everyone thinks that Natalie is Kevin’s girl but Kris is, just by the way the dance moves are, there are reports that Kevin is cheating on Kristin and Howie’s cheating on Leigh, but they aren’t true,” Brian said.

“Ms. James,” a doctor said. Emily stood up.

“Yes,” Emily said.

“I’m Dr. Harris, your stepsister’s doctor,” he said.

“How is she,” Emily said as Brian, Nick, Howie, Kevin, and AJ stood behind her.

“We got the bullet out and she’s going to be fine, the bullet missed her spinal cord so she will not be paralyzed, but she’s in a coma, it hit a nerve and we repaired it,” Dr. Harris said.

“So she’s going to be okay?” Brian asked.

“Yes, hopefully she’ll wake up within the next few days,” Dr. Harris said. Emily nodded and hugged AJ.

Two days later, Brian sat at Brizee’s bedside. She was still in a coma. Nick came in and sat down next to Brian.

“Hey, Frick,” Nick said.

“Hey Frack,” Brian said.

“If you want to go rest up at the hotel, I’ll stay with her until you’ve had enough sleep,” Nick said.

“Thanks, Frack, I haven’t been sleeping well here, call me if she wakes up while I’m gone,” Brian said. Nick nodded and they did their handshake and Brian left. Nick sat down and took her hand in his.

“Hey girl, you need to get better, we all want you to get better and I miss my dance partner,” Nick said. He sat there looking at her.

“You scared me, Briz, when I heard the shot and you fell against me, I saw the blood, I was scared that you were dead, I was so relieved when you were still with us, I have to tell you something, I don’t know how or why but Briz, I’ve fallen for you, I dare not tell anyone else, they wouldn’t want me to do anything to mess up your relationship with Brian and that is the last thing I want to do, you probably can’t hear me anyways, just please come back to all of us, Em needs her sister, Brian needs you, I told him to go on back to the hotel to sleep because he’s been here with you ever since you were first here and able to have visitors and he hadn’t been sleeping well,” Nick said. He kissed her hand and looked at her. He laid his head on the bed and closed his eyes.

Nick woke up and saw Brizee lying there. He looked around the hospital room and saw he was alone and he sighed and held Brizee’s hand.

“It’s morning, Briz, another day, we all need you to come out of this,” Nick said. AJ and Emily came in.

“Nick,” AJ said.

“Hey,” Nick said.

“Nothing?” Emily asked.

“No,” Nick said.

“Nick, you okay?” Emily asked.

“I’m fine,” Nick said.

“Nick, let’s go talk, Em is staying with Briz for awhile,” AJ said. Nick got up and went out the door with AJ. They went out to a little café and sat down and ordered some lunch. AJ looked at Nick.

“What’s up, Kaos,” AJ said.

“Have you ever done something that you weren’t suppose to do,” Nick said.

“Yeah, you know that, I’m recovering still,” AJ said.

“I mean in the romance department,” Nick said.

“Yeah, Amanda, remember,” AJ said.

“I did something terrible,” Nick said.

“What is it,” AJ said.

“I fell for Brizee,” Nick said quietly.

“Nick,” AJ said.

“I know, it’s wrong, she’s with Brian and he loves her, I couldn’t help it,” Nick said.

“You know you can’t do anything about it,” AJ said.

“I know, AJ, I know that,” Nick said.

“You better not do anything to mess up their relationship,” AJ said.

“I’m not stupid, AJ, I know I can’t,” Nick said. They went back to the hospital and saw Kevin and Howie there.

“She woke up, she’s asking for you, Nick, Brian and Emily are with her,” Kevin said. Nick stood there.

“Nick, go on,” Howie said. Nick slowly walked to the room and opened the door and saw Brian and Emily by her bedside.

“Nick!” Brizee said smiling at him. He went to the bedside and she reached out to him. He hugged her.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” Nick said.

“We all are,” Brian said. Nick looked at Brizee.

“You scared me out there, Briz,” Nick said.

“Brian told me that they caught the girl who shot me, he said she thought I was your girlfriend and that I had to go,” Brizee said.

“Yeah,” Nick said.

“Emily said you stayed with me last night,” Brizee said.

“Yeah, I could tell that Brian wasn’t getting any rest so I stayed so he could go back to the hotel and rest,” Nick said.

“I didn’t want to leave you,” Brian said.

“But you need to rest, Brian, I would not be happy if I woke up and you looked like you hadn’t slept in weeks, that would not be a good thing to wake up to, I would have wanted you to get lots of rest,” Brizee said.

“I did get some rest, thanks to Nick, I didn’t want to leave you alone, I’m glad Nick offered to stay with you while I went to rest,” Brian said.

“She’s my best friend, I would have been here either way,” Nick said.

“How soon is the tour starting up?” Brizee asked.

“As soon as you are back to normal and onstage with us, there is no way I’m having another dance partner,” Nick said.

“So you guys are going to wait until I have the all clear,” Brizee said.

“Yup,” Brian said.

“It could be months,” Brizee said.

“We announced that due to the shooting, we are postponing the tour until further notice and the tickets that have sold will be good for the new dates,” Nick said.

The next day, Nick came to Brizee’s hospital room and walked in and saw her looking out the window.

“Hey Briz,” Nick said.

“Hey Nicky,” Brizee said.

“Nicky?” Nick asked.

“Sorry,” Brizee said.

“It’s okay, you can call me that,” Nick said.

“We need to talk, though,” Brizee said. Nick sat down.

“What’s up,” Nick said.

“I heard you, Nick,” Brizee said.

“What,” Nick said.

“I heard what you said before I woke up, that you’re in love with me,” Brizee said. Nick closed his eyes and hung his head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think you heard me,” Nick said softly.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry, Brizee, I shouldn’t have said anything,” Nick said.

“Nick, it’s okay, you can’t help how you feel,” Brizee said.

“I know nothing can happen, I can’t hurt Brian,” Nick said.

“I know,” Brizee said.

Three months later, Brizee was back to normal and they all were on tour. Nick still had the feelings for Brizee and they were getting stronger each day and it was more difficult to be around her and not be able to do anything but he had to think of Brian and how much their friendship meant to him. Nick went to his dressing room and went in and saw Brizee sitting there on the couch.

“Hey girl,” Nick said closing the door and sat down beside her. She rested against him and he held her.

“Brian and I had a fight, he got a letter from Leighanne wanting to meet him in Toronto, he’s considering going, AJ’s going to talk to him,” Brizee said.

“Well, they are still friends, they parted mutually due to their schedules, it was too hard for them to stay together, I’m not defending him,” Nick said.

“I know, he’s your Frick,” Brizee said.

“But you are my best friend, too,” Nick said.

“And you are mine, please don’t let him go see her,” Brizee said.

“Briz, if he wants to see her, no one can stop him, do you trust him?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, I do,” Brizee said.

“Then let him go see her, trust him, if you love him, you will let him go see her, if you would like, I will spy on them,” Nick said.

“No, I should trust him,” Brizee said.

“If he hurts you, you know you have four guys who would kick his ass if you say so,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him. She kissed his cheek and went out the door. Nick took a deep breath and put his hand on his cheek.

Brizee went to Brian’s dressing room and went in and saw him sitting there. He looked up and saw her.

“I’m sorry, I should trust you to go, I was stupid, and scared,” Brizee said. Brian got up and hugged her.

“I’m with you now, me and her are just friends,” Brian said.

“I know, got some good advice from a friend,” Brizee said.

“Nick?” Brian asked.

“Yeah, he opened my eyes,” Brizee said. Brian kissed her softly.

“So you are okay with me going to see her?” Brian asked.

“Yeah, just come back to me,” Brizee said. Brian hugged her.

“Of course,” Brian said.

Three days later, they were in Toronto and Brizee watched Brian leave to go see Leighanne. She sat in their hotel room and watched movies. She got into the shower and washed off and got out and wrapped a towel around her and walked out and saw Nick standing there.

“Sorry, Tommy let me in, I knocked a couple times,” Nick said.

“It’s okay, I’ll be right back,” Brizee said going into the bedroom and closed the door and leaned against it. She was wondering why she was feeling the way she was. Was she starting to have feelings for Nick? She got dressed and walked out and saw him sitting on the couch. She sat down beside him.

“What brings you by?” Brizee asked.

“Just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out until he came back,” Nick said.

“I was going to go to bed, actually, I’m tired,” Brizee said.

“Okay,” Nick said. He got up and went out the door. Brizee sat there. She got up and went into the bedroom and went to bed. She woke up the next morning and saw she was alone. She got up and changed and went out and saw the room empty and she opened the door and saw Tommy.

“Did Brian come back last night?” Brizee asked.

“Haven’t seen him,” Tommy said. Brizee nodded and went back in and closed the door and called Nick’s room.

“Yo,” Nick said sleepily.

“He didn’t come back last night, Nicky,” Brizee said.

“I’ll be right over,” Nick said. She hung up and sat down on the couch and held her head in her hands. She heard the lock and the door opened and Nick came in and sat down beside her and held her in his arms. She hugged him.

“I thought I could trust him,” Brizee said.

“Kevin went to find him,” Nick said. Brizee nodded. AJ, Emily, and Howie came in.

“What is up with Brian, it was just dinner,” AJ said sitting down. Emily sat down and hugged Brizee. Kevin came in.

“I found him,” Kevin said.

“Kev,” AJ said.

“In bed with Leighanne,” Kevin said.

“What!” Brizee cried.

“Was he drugged?” Nick asked.

“No, he was normal,” Kevin said.

“Oh god!” Brizee said crying. Emily hugged her.

“That asshole, how could he do this to Briz,” Nick said.

“I really let him have it, he realized that the love he had for Leighanne was never gone,” Kevin said. Brizee went and packed her stuff and came out and looked at them.

“He and I are so over,” Brizee said.

“Where are you going to stay?” Kevin asked.

“I’m going to stay with Nick, if that’s okay with him,” Brizee said.

“Of course,” Nick said. They went to his room. Brizee put her stuff in the other room and went to Nick and he held her.

“I can’t believe this,” Brizee said.

“I know, Briz, I don’t know why he would do this to you,” Nick said. Brizee hugged him. There was a knock at the door. Nick pulled away and opened the door and saw Brian standing there.

“What do you want,” Nick said.

“I want to talk to Brizee,” Brian said.

“Haven’t you hurt her enough?” Nick asked.

“Nick, please,” Brian said. Nick looked at Brizee who nodded. Nick stepped aside and Brian came in. He looked at Brizee who glared at him. Nick went into the bedroom and closed the door.

Brizee crossed her arms and glared at Brian. He looked at her.

“I’m sorry for hurting you, I know it’s over between us, I accept that, I hope that we can be at least friends someday, I know you can’t forgive me,” Brian said.

“Are you back with Leighanne?” Brizee asked.

“Yeah, I realized that I wasn’t over her,” Brian said.

“Instead of making me worry all night, you could have came back here and told me, I would have understood, I would have been upset and hurt but I would have understood,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry, I should have,” Brian said.

“Someday we can be friends, but not right now,” Brizee said.

“I understand,” Brian said.

“Since we are over, I can date whoever I want, no matter who it is,” Brizee said.

“I know Nick has feelings for you,” Brian said.

“What,” Brizee said.

“I could tell he does,” Brian said. Nick came out of the bedroom.

“What are you saying, Brian,” Nick said.

“I’m saying that if you two were to get together, that would be a good thing, you two are best friends, you dance together onstage, I would not be upset or mad if you two ended up together, even though I destroyed our relationship, Briz, I would not be angry or anything if you were with Nick,” Brian said. Brizee looked at Nick.

“Brian, please go,” Brizee said. Brian nodded and left. Brizee looked at Nick and sat down. Nick sat down.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“About what he said,” Nick said.

“I need time, Nicky, I’m sorry, he really hurt me,” Brizee said.

“I know, Briz, I just was going to tell you that I’m here for you,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him.

“I know,” Brizee said.

Two weeks later, Brizee sat backstage at one of the concerts. She sat there thinking of everything. Leighanne had joined them on tour and she and Brizee talked and became friends and Brizee told Brian they were friends now. Brian asked her if she and Nick were together. Brizee told him no. Nick came over and sat down beside her.

“Hey Briz,” Nick said.

“Hey,” Brizee said.

“You okay?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, just thinking about stuff,” Brizee said.

“What about?” Nick asked.

“Is it too late?” Brizee asked.

“For what?” Nick asked.

“You and me?” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

“No, it’s not, my feelings for you aren’t going away, they get stronger every day,” Nick said.

“Good, because I think we should try it,” Brizee said.

“Okay,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him. He stroked her cheek.

“I want to take things slow, if that’s okay?” Brizee asked.

“That’s fine, Briz, as long as we are together, I will do anything, I promise you here and now, I will never hurt you, I will not go running back to an ex-girlfriend, I will be completely devoted to you and making you happy,” Nick said. Brizee hugged him.

“Thank you,” Brizee said.

“First and foremost, you are my best friend and always will be,” Nick said. Brizee rested her head on his shoulder. She pulled back and looked at him and he looked at her. She kissed him softly. He cupped her face with his hands and returned her kiss. The kiss deepened. They pulled back and looked at each other and smiled.

“Be my girl?” Nick asked.

“Yes,” Brizee said. They went to his dressing room and closed the door and sat on the couch and kissed. Nick pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

“Wow,” Nick said smiling.

“I know,” Brizee said. He kissed her again. They got up and went out and found everyone sitting around talking.

“Everyone, Brizee and I are a couple, we are taking things slow and easy but we are officially a couple,” Nick said. They all cheered.

“Triple date?” Emily asked. AJ agreed along with Brian and Leighanne.

“Group date, Kristin and Leigh are joining us on tour,” Kevin said.

“That’s a good idea, that will give Briz and Em a chance to visit and get to know Kris and Leigh,” Brian said.

The next day, Brizee sat in Nick’s hotel room and stared out the window. Nick came out of the bedroom and saw her and came over to her and knelt down beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

“You okay?” Nick asked.

“Fine, just nervous,” Brizee said.

“Why?” Nick asked.

“Meeting Kristin and Leigh, what if they don’t like me or Emily,” Brizee said.

“What makes you think that,” Nick said.

“I don’t know,” Brizee said.

“Everything will be fine, Kev told me that he told Kristin what Brian did and she really ripped Brian a new one, same went with Leigh when Howie told her,” Nick said. The phone rang. Nick answered it.

“Yeah, hey man, okay, we’ll be down in a few, bye,” Nick said. He hung up and looked at her.

“They are here?” Brizee asked.

“Yes,” Nick said. They went down to the hotel café and saw everyone at a table and went over to them.

“Hey all,” Nick said.

“Hi Nick!” Kristin said getting up and hugging him. Leigh got up and hugged him.

“Kris, Leigh, this is Brizee,” Nick said. Brizee shook their hands.

“Nice to meet you, Brizee,” Kristin said smiling at her.

“Nice to meet you,” Leigh said smiling.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Brizee said to them. They all sat down and talked. Nick held Brizee’s hand under the table. After they were done eating and visiting, Kristin and Leigh stood up.

“Brizee, Emily, and Leighanne, let’s go shopping, have a girls day out,” Kristin said.

“Sure,” Emily said getting up. The girls gave their guys a kiss and left to go shopping. Nick sat back against his chair.

“Frack, what’s up,” Brian said.

“Briz was scared,” Nick said.

“Scared of what?” Kevin asked.

“Meeting Kris and Leigh, she wasn’t sure what kind of reception she would receive from them, I told her everything would be okay,” Nick said.

“And everything is okay, Kristin and Leigh were looking forward to meeting Brizee and Emily, they all got along great,” Kevin said.

That night, after the show, Nick and Brizee went to their hotel room and they each got showers and got into bed. Brizee sighed as Nick pulled her close to him.

“What a day,” Brizee said.

“I am guessing you had fun,” Nick said.

“Yeah, you were right, I had no reason to be worried about meeting them,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her forehead. Brizee moved and laid on top of him. He smiled at her. She kissed him softly and he cupped her cheek with his hand and deepened the kiss. He rolled them over and kissed her passionately. They were making out heavily when there was a knock at the door. Nick groaned. Brizee kissed him softly and got up and straightened her clothes and hair and went out and opened the door and saw Brad standing there.

“Hey Dad,” Brizee said. Brad hugged her.

“Emily told me what happened, how come no one called while you were in the hospital,” Brad said.

“I thought they did,” Brizee said.

“No one told me, Emily never said anything when she talked with Elizabeth,” Brad said.

“How did you find out?” Brizee asked.

“There was an article about a woman being tried for attempted murder of a backup dancer for the Backstreet Boys, I read the article to learn that it was the backup dancer who dances with Nick,” Brad said.

“I don’t know why they didn’t call you, Dad, I’m sorry you had to find out that way, I thought you would be there or talk to me about it on the phone whenever I called but you didn’t say anything so I didn’t bring it up,” Brizee said.

“I think it’s best if you come home with me,” Brad said.

“Why because of that one time,” Brizee said.

“It could happen again, only this time you really are Nick’s girlfriend,” Brad said.

“Dad, I’m fine, okay, I’m not going to quit because of one bad night, I’m not going to show the world that I got scared of being onstage because I got shot by a fan, I’m okay, Dad, I’m not going anywhere unless Nick is with me, I’m not a little girl anymore, I don’t have to go home unless I want to,” Brizee said.

“I know, honey, I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” Brad said hugging her.

“I know, Dad, I’m fine, the guys are looking out for me and Emily, Kevin’s wife, Kristin, and Howie’s girlfriend, Leigh, joined up with the tour and me, Emily, and Leighanne have been hanging with them, we just went out today shopping, had a girls day out,” Brizee said.

“You know you can call me for anything,” Brad said.

“I know, Dad,” Brad said. Nick came out of the bedroom dressed and saw them hugging and smiled. Brad saw him.

“Hi Nick,” Brad said.

“Hi Mr. Hardin,” Nick said.

“Call me Brad, Nick, you take good care of my daughter, okay,” Brad said. Nick nodded.

“I will,” Nick said. Brad hugged Brizee and shook Nick’s hand and left. Brizee locked up and pulled Nick back into the bedroom and they went to bed holding each other.

Three months later, they were back home. Brizee moved in with Nick while Emily moved in with AJ. Brizee just finished unpacking her stuff in the bedroom when she felt arms wrap around her from behind and lips on her neck.

“Hey baby,” Nick said burying his face in her neck.

“Hey,” Brizee said resting her hands on top of his.

“I love you,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. She turned in his arms and looked up at him. He smiled and kissed her deeply.

“I love kissing you,” Nick said.

“How about more than that,” Brizee said softly. Nick looked at her.

“Really?” Nick asked.

“If you want to,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply and picked her up and laid her on the bed and laid on top of her.

“God yes,” Nick said kissing her neck. They removed each other’s clothes and he reached over to grab a condom and she stopped him.

“Don’t need it,” Brizee said.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“I’m on the pill, Nicky, please make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply.

“I have one question?” Nick asked.

“I haven’t done this before,” Brizee said. Nick looked at her and kissed her softly. He grabbed the condom.

“To make it easier for you,” Nick said. He slid it on and laid between her legs and gently made love to her. He laid on top of her and kissed her deeply. She held onto him.

“I love you,” Brizee said.

“I love you, too,” Nick said. He kissed her softly before burying his face in her neck. They heard the doorbell ring. Nick groaned and got up and got dressed and went downstairs and opened it and saw Emily, AJ, Brian, Leighanne, Kevin, Kristin, Howie, and Leigh standing there.

“Hey man, we thought about a barbecue, we were going to have it at my house and my grill wouldn’t work and you have to same grill as I do,” Brian said. Nick let them in.

“Where’s my sis?” Emily asked.

“Taking a nap,” Nick said.

“Nick, you okay, man,” AJ said.

“Fine,” Nick said going upstairs. AJ looked at everyone.

“We should have called first instead of showing up,” Brian said.

“I think we interrupted something,” Kevin said. Emily went upstairs and called out to Brizee.

“Come on in, sis,” Brizee said from the bedroom. She walked in and saw Brizee sitting on the bed.

“Hey sis, we should have called instead of showing up, we are sorry, we can go so you guys can be alone,” Emily said. Nick came out of the bathroom.

“It’s okay, Em, tell the guys to get everything set up, Briz thinks it’s a good idea,” Nick said. Emily looked at Brizee who nodded.

“We know we see you guys on tour and all but when do we all get together to relax and enjoy hanging out,” Brizee said.

“Nick, you seemed mad,” Emily said.

“I was, but my girl talked some sense into me,” Nick said kissing Brizee’s forehead. They all went downstairs and went out back and got everything going. Brizee went into the kitchen to get plates and stuff. Nick came in and hugged her from behind and kissed her neck.

“I love you,” Nick said.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. She turned in his arms and hugged him. He held her close.

“After everyone leaves, we are going to bed,” Nick said softly. They got the food and took it outside. An hour later, they cleaned up the food and trash and sat outside talking. Brian stood up and cleared his throat.

“Everyone, Leighanne and I have some news, we are engaged!” Brian said. They all cheered. Brizee hugged Brian.

“Congratulations, Brian,” Brizee said

“Thanks, Briz,” Brian said.

“You thought I wouldn’t be happy for you,” Brizee said.

“A part of me thought that,” Brian said.

“Brian, I am happy for you, we are with the ones we belong with, Leighanne is your soulmate, Nick is mine,” Brizee said. Brian smiled and hugged her before going back to Leighanne. Brizee turned and saw Nick standing there smiling at her.

“You are amazing,” Nick said.

“I am?” Brizee asked.

“I thought you would be a little upset, with the past and all, but I heard what you said, we are soulmates, they are soulmates,” Nick said. Brizee hugged him.

“I never want to be without you,” Brizee said resting her head on his chest. Nick kissed the top of her head and held her close.

“I never want to be without you either,” Nick said. After everyone left, Nick locked up the house and Brizee finished cleaning up and Nick came in and picked her up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom and set her down and removed her clothes and his and laid on the bed and pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply. He moved her down and she took him into her body and he held her hips as she rode him. He ran his hands over her body and cupped her breasts and leaned up and sucked on her nipples. He sat up and flipped them over and she wrapped her legs around his waist and he went fast and hard. He felt her come around him and he cried out as he came deep inside her. He laid on top of her and kissed her deeply.

“I love you so much,” Nick said.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said.

“We are not moving from this bed,” Nick said.

“I have no problem with that,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her softly before burying his face in her neck. They went to sleep only to wake up and make love again before getting up and taking a shower and making love in the shower before getting out and drying off and getting back into bed and making love again before going to sleep for a few hours before waking up to make love off and on throughout the day. They woke up after their last lovemaking session to the phone ringing. Brizee reached over to answer it as Nick curled up behind her and kissed her shoulder.

“Hello,” Brizee said.

“Hey sis, what have you been up to?” Emily asked.

“Been busy with Nick, what’s up,” Brizee said as Nick nibbled her ears and shoulders and ran his hands down her body.

“Did you forget about this afternoon?” Emily asked.

“What was this afternoon?” Brizee asked.

“Briz, you know, our once a week get together at our folks, I’m over here now, we are getting ready to eat,” Emily said. Brizee sat up.

“Crap, okay, I’m coming,” Brizee said.

“Bring your honey,” Emily said.

“Okay,” Brizee said. She hung up and got up.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“Come on, we have to go,” Brizee said getting dressed.

“Where?” Nick asked getting up and getting dressed.

“My dad and stepmom’s, weekly get together, I forgot all about it,” Brizee said checking herself in the mirror.

“I have to go?” Nick asked.

“If you want to, I’m sure AJ’s there with Emily, if you don’t want to go, I’ll go alone,” Brizee said. Nick hugged her.

“I will go anywhere for you,” Nick said kissing her.

“Then let’s go, so we can get it over with and come back here to that bed,” Brizee said. Nick grinned and they went to her dad’s.

Brizee and Nick arrived at her dad’s house and went in and saw Brad, Elizabeth, Emily, and AJ sitting in the living room talking.

“Sorry we’re late,” Brizee said hugging her father and stepmother.

“It’s okay, honey,” Brad said.

“Now that you are here, we can get down to business here,” Elizabeth said. Brizee and Nick sat down.

“What’s going on,” Brizee said.

“AJ and I are engaged,” Emily said.

“Congratulations!” Brizee said hugging her. Nick shook AJ’s hand.

“That’s not all, we are having a double wedding with Brian and Leighanne and Leighanne and I want you to be the maid of honor,” Emily said. Brizee smiled.

“Of course I will,” Brizee said hugging her. They went in and ate dinner and talked about the wedding details. After staying for awhile longer, Nick and Brizee headed home and locked up and headed up to bed and jumped into bed and resumed their lovemaking sessions. Over the next few days, they spent most of the days in bed making love or in the shower making love. They even made love in the kitchen. Brizee laid back on the bed. Nick laid beside her.

“It’s a good thing we didn’t have anything going on the past few days, I’m exhausted,” Brizee said. Nick pulled her close.

“Sleep time, bubba,” Brizee said. Nick sighed and nodded and they closed their eyes and went to sleep.

The next morning, Brizee woke up and saw Nick looking at her smiling.

“Again?” Brizee asked. Nick grinned and began kissing her.

“I can’t get enough,” Nick said.

“We can’t, Nick, we have to meet up with Emily, AJ, Brian, and Leighanne to help them plan the wedding,” Brizee said.

“We can make it quick,” Nick said. He began kissing her neck. Brizee groaned and gave into him and he moved between her legs and pushed inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and moved with him. They heard the doorbell rang.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“They can wait, I can’t,” Nick said moving within her. She held onto him. They heard voices downstairs. Nick jumped up and pulled her into the bathroom and closed the door and locked it and they got into the shower and he lifted her up against the wall in the shower and pushed inside of her and he went fast. She held onto him and buried her face in his neck. He came spilling into her body. She came around him and moaned his name. They heard voices in the bedroom.

“Nick, Briz!” Emily called.

“We are taking a shower, Em!” Brizee called back.

“Okay, we are waiting downstairs,” Emily said. She left the room and closed the door. Nick let Brizee down and she leaned against him.

“I love you so much,” Nick said holding her close.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said.

“Briz, marry me,” Nick said. Brizee looked up at him.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“I want to be with you forever, will you marry me?” Nick asked. Brizee smiled and jumped on him and hugged him.

“Yes!” Brizee said. They kissed and made love in the shower before washing off and getting out. They dried off and got dressed and went downstairs holding hands. Brian, Leighanne, Emily, and AJ were sitting in the living room.

“Have fun in the shower, kids?” AJ asked.

“Yeah, so much fun that we are engaged!” Brizee said. Emily got up and hugged her.

“Okay, I hope you two will agree to a triple wedding,” Emily said. Brizee looked at Nick.

“Um,” Brizee said.

“Yes, we will, it seems right,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him.

“Are you sure?” Brizee asked.

“Briz, we might as well, I mean, you and Em are stepsisters, you and Leighanne and Emily are best friends, me, AJ, and Brian are best friends, plus, if the press gets word of this, instead of two weddings of having to deal with them, we just have one,” Nick said.

“That’s true,” Brian said.

“Okay, let’s get going,” Brizee said.

“You have to call your dad,” Emily said.

“Let’s stop over there,” Brizee said. They all left the house and went to Brizee’s dad’s house. They went in. Brad came in from the kitchen.

“Hi honey,” Brad said hugging Brizee.

“Dad, I have some news, Nick and I are engaged and we all decided to have a triple wedding,” Brizee said. Brad smiled and hugged her.

“Congratulations, honey, now I can give you and Emily away at the same time, to two great guys,” Brad said shaking Nick’s hand.

“Nick, I want you to take great care of my daughter, she’s the only one I have, AJ, I want you to take great care of my stepdaughter, she’s the only one I have,” Brad said shaking AJ’s hand.

“We will take great care of them, Mr. Hardin,” AJ said.

“We won’t let anything happen to them,” Nick said. They left the house and went shopping for tuxes and wedding dresses. Brizee stood there staring at a dress. She thought about Nick and how much she loved him and she thought about the past few days where they did nothing but make love all the time. She felt her skin tingling at the thought of Nick’s lips and hands all over her body. Emily came up to her and put her hand on Brizee’s shoulder.

“Sis,” Emily said. Brizee looked at her.

“What,” Brizee said.

“You okay?” Emily asked.

“I’m fine,” Brizee said.

“Thinking of Nick, aren’t you,” Emily said. Brizee nodded and smiled and sighed.

“Just think you will have him forever,” Leighanne said.

“We are lucky girls,” Brizee said.

“You bet we are,” Emily said.

“Yup,” Leighanne said smiling. Brian, Nick, and AJ came into the shop. The girls went to meet them so they don’t know what dresses they were looking at.

“You guys find tuxes?” Emily asked.

“Yup, we are all set, how are you guys coming along in here,” AJ said. Emily looked at Brizee.

“Okay, still looking, except Briz who was in dreamland,” Emily said. Nick smiled and hugged Brizee close.

“We got a call from Jeff, we have a meeting to go to,” Brian said.

“Okay, we can come back some other time to look at dresses,” Emily said. Brizee rested her head against Nick.

“You okay, baby,” Nick said.

“I don’t feel right,” Brizee said. She fell against him.

“Briz, Briz,” Nick said. Emily came over to her and checked her.

“We need to get her to the hospital,” Emily said. Nick carried her out to the car. They went to the hospital and Brizee was taken to a room. Emily was with her. Nick sat out in the waiting room with Brian, Leighanne, and AJ. An hour later, Emily came out with Brizee in a wheelchair. Nick went to her.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“Take me home, Nicky,” Brizee said softly. They went home. Nick carried Brizee up to bed and laid her down and laid beside her and held her close.

“What happened?” Nick asked.

“They said it was an allergic reaction to my birth control pills, they want me to get off of them,” Brizee said.

“Then that is what is going to happen, I don’t want to lose you,” Nick said kissing her forehead.

“So you don’t mind wearing condoms all the time?” Brizee said.

“I don’t mind a bit, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life,” Nick said stroking her cheek.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her softly and held her.

“Oh, you guys were suppose to go to a meeting,” Brizee said.

“Howie went, the guys and girls are coming over tomorrow so I won’t have to leave you,” Nick said. Brizee nodded and closed her eyes and went to sleep. Nick held her close and fell asleep.

The next day, Nick was downstairs with Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin while Kristin, Leigh, Emily, and Leighanne were upstairs with Brizee. Nick sat there staring at the wall.

“Nick,” Kevin said.

“What,” Nick said.

“Is Briz going to be okay?” Kevin asked.

“Yeah, she’s going to be fine,” Nick said.

“Okay, Jeff said we are going on tour again in a couple months, we will start out in Europe, then Japan, then to Canada, and the US, guys, it’s going to be nine months before we are home,” Howie said.

“How long before we go,” Brian said.

“We have a month before we leave, is Briz going to be better before then?” Howie asked.

“Yeah, Em said she would be back to normal after two days of rest,” AJ said.

“You mean we have to wait nine months to get married,” Nick said.

“Unless we speed up the planning,” AJ said.

“Or go to the justice of the peace and get married and continue planning for a family wedding after the tour,” Brian said.

“Brian,” Nick said.

“That might be the best thing to do,” AJ said.

“Let’s go tell the girls,” Kevin said. They went upstairs and went into the bedroom and saw the girls going over magazines on the bed. Brizee was asleep.

“How long has she been asleep?” Nick asked kissing Brizee’s forehead.

“She was asleep when we came up here,” Emily said.

“We stayed in case she woke up,” Leigh said. Brizee woke up.

“Hey guys,” Brizee said. The guys sat down.

“We have some news,” Brian said.

“We are going on tour again, for nine months, we leave in a month,” Howie said.

“What about the wedding,” Emily said.

“We came up with an idea, how about plan the wedding to take place after the tour is over, and we go to the justice of the peace before we leave,” AJ said.

“Let’s do it,” Emily said. AJ smiled.

“We can do that,” Leighanne said. Brian smiled.

“Okay,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

“We will go in a couple days,” Nick said.

“Why,” Leighanne said.

“The doctor said she can resume her normal routine after resting in bed for two days,” Emily said.

“Okay, in two days, we all will go to the justice of the peace,” Leighanne said.

Three days later, they all stood in the office of the justice of the peace with their marriage licenses. Nick held Brizee close as Elizabeth and Brad came in. Brad hugged Brizee.

“Thanks for coming, Dad,” Brizee said.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Brad said. Jane, Bob, Ginger, BJ, Leslie, Aaron, and Angel came in and hugged Nick. He introduced Brizee to them.

“Nick,” Jane said.

“Mom, I know you hadn’t met her before this, but I love her and I want to be with her for the rest of my life,” Nick said.

“Mrs. Carter, I can assure you that I love your son, as himself and not what he does, I’m not after his money, I make my own money,” Brizee said. Jane looked at her.

“What is your job?” Jane asked.

“She’s a backup dancer for us, she’s my dance partner onstage,” Nick said.

“How did you two meet?” Jane asked. Emily came over to them.

“She met them when I did, my name is Emily, I’m Brizee’s stepsister, me and Brizee joined the tour because I was opening for the guys and we got to know the guys, me and AJ got together, she got together with Brian, but they broke up and he got back together with Leighanne and Brizee and Nick hung out a lot and they got together and everything was fine after that, we all went on group dates when Leigh and Kristin joined up with the tour, all of us girls became best friends, there is no better match for your son than Brizee, they are meant for each other, she is the kind of girl you would want for your son,” Emily said.

“Jane, we all have found our soulmates, Emily is AJ’s, Leighanne is mine and Brizee is Nick’s, she is not a gold digger, she is nothing like Mandy,” Brian said.

“Okay, I just want to get to know my soon to be daughter-in-law,” Jane said. Nick hugged his mother.

“Just support me on this, okay,” Nick said.

“I do, honey, I do support you,” Jane said. Bob hugged his son. Jackie and Harold came in with Denise. The ceremony began. AJ and Emily kissed. Brian and Leighanne kissed. Nick and Brizee kissed. They all were pronounced husbands and wives. They all went to Kevin’s for a barbecue. Nick was talking with his parents.

“So you were getting married before the tour started up,” Jane said.

“Yeah, we are planning a big triple family wedding after the tour, with a real honeymoon and all,” Nick said.

“Okay, do they need any help planning?” Jane asked.

“Well, they are going to plan while we are on the road, they have nine months to get everything together, we got the church booked, and a place for the reception, the guys and I got our tuxes, the girls need to go shopping for dresses, they might need someone here to help Emily’s mom and Denise with getting everything ready,” Nick said. Jane nodded and went to talk to Brizee who was talking with Leighanne and Emily. That night, Brizee and Nick were home in bed making love for the first time as husband and wife. Nick came spilling himself inside her body. He laid on top of her and kissed her deeply. He pulled back and sat up.

“Crap, I forgot protection,” Nick said.

“It’s still safe, we have two weeks before the pills are completely out of my system,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply. He made love to her again before they went to sleep in each other’s arms.

Two months later, they were on tour in Europe. They arrived in London and checked into the hotel and waited until the time to go to the arena. Nick and Brizee collapsed on the bed kissing.

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

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. He got out a condom and removed their clothes and slid the condom on and they made love. Brizee cuddled up to him as he held her close.

“I’m glad we got married before going on tour, if any fan throws themselves at me, I can flash my ring and say I’m married,” Nick said.

“You better or I will hurt you if you cheat on me,” Brizee said.

“I couldn’t do that to you,” Nick said kissing her forehead. Brizee looked at the time.

“We better get going,” Brizee said. She got up and got dressed. Nick got up and got dressed and hugged Brizee from behind and kissed her neck. She rested against him.

“I love you with all my heart and soul and I will love you until I die,” Nick said.

“I love you, too, forever and always,” Brizee said. He kissed her deeply and they went to the arena. They were onstage practicing. After the dancers were done, they went backstage. Brizee got a drink and was talking with Emily and Leighanne when they heard a crash onstage. They ran onstage and saw the guys crowded around someone and they walked over to them and saw Nick unconscious on the stage. Brizee ran to him and knelt down.

“Nick!” Brizee said.

“He’s out cold,” Brian said checking him.

“What happened,” Emily said.

“The speakers fell and hit him in the head,” AJ said. Howie called for an ambulance.

“An ambulance is on its way,” Howie said. Jeff came onstage and Kevin told him what happened.

“I’ll postpone the shows until further notice, I’ll make sure the tickets are good for the rescheduled shows whenever they will be, the tour isn’t starting back up until he is 100%,” Jeff said. He went offstage. Brizee held Nick’s hand. Emily knelt down beside her and hugged her. The paramedics arrived and took Nick to the hospital. Brizee rode with him.

“Ma’am, are you family?” the paramedic asked as she got in.

“I’m his wife,” Brizee said. He nodded and closed the door. Brizee sat there holding his hand.

“I’m here, Nicky,” Brizee said. They arrived at the hospital and Nick was taken to the emergency room while Brizee stayed in the waiting room. Brian, Leighanne, Emily, AJ, Kevin, Kristin, Howie, and Leigh came in. Emily and Leighanne sat down beside her.

“I can’t lose him!” Brizee said. Emily hugged her. AJ sat down next to Emily. Brian sat next to Leighanne.

“He won’t leave you, Briz, he knows he’s got too much to live for,” Brian said. The doctor came out. Brizee stood up.

“Mrs. Carter, I’m Dr. Haines,” the doctor said in a French accent.

“How is he,” Brizee said.

“Maybe we should talk alone,” Dr. Haines said.

“It’s okay, they all are family to Nick,” Brizee said.

“Very well, your husband has sustained serious head injury, he is in a coma, it’s possible that he will never come out of it,” Dr. Haines said.

“So you are saying that my husband will never wake up,” Brizee said. Brian and AJ stood with her.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Carter,” Dr. Haines said.

“There is nothing you can do?” Howie asked.

“I’m sorry, I wish I could,” Dr. Haines said. Brizee stood there. Brian hugged her. She cried on his shoulder.

“Is there a way we can take him home to the states,” Kevin said.

“Come with me,” Dr. Haines said. Kevin and Howie went with him. Brizee sat down. Emily sat with her.

“This can’t be happening,” Brizee said.

“I called Jane and Bob and told them what happened, they will meet us at the hospital in Florida,” AJ said. Brizee nodded.

Two hours later, they were on a plane to the states. The guys held a press conference at the hospital explaining what happened to Nick. They told everyone that the tour was postponed indefinitely pending Nick’s recovery. Brizee talked to them about continuing without Nick but Brian said they weren’t a group without Nick. Brizee told them to not disappoint the fans who paid money for the tickets to see them. Brian, Kevin, AJ, and Howie talked and realized that they should continue the tour. They made the announcement and came up with a way for Nick to be a part of the show without being there. They would have Nick’s vocals sing his parts and show him on the screen singing the parts on the songs that there was videos for. Brizee stayed with Nick while Emily and the girls went with the guys. Brizee sat there holding Nick’s hand.

“I’m here, Nicky, I’m not going anywhere,” Brizee said kissing his hand. She heard a sound and looked and saw Jane and Bob at the doorway. She smiled at them and looked back at Nick. They came to the bedside and sat down with her.

“I can’t leave him,” Brizee said.

“We can’t either,” Jane said.

A year went by. Nick was still in a coma. Brizee was there with him every day, occasionally going home to rest up while Jane and Bob took turns until the guys returned from the tour and AJ, Brian, Kevin, and Howie took turns staying with him. Brizee had gone home to rest while Brian stayed with Nick. He was reading a magazine when he heard a sound and he saw Nick moving. He pushed the nurses button. A nurse came in and saw Nick and went to get the doctor. A doctor came in and examined him.

“He’s coming back,” the doctor said. Brian called Brizee and everyone. Nick’s eyes fluttered and opened and he looked around and saw Brian standing there.

“Frick,” Nick said weakly.

“Hey Frack, it’s good to see you awake!” Brian said.

“What happened?” Nick asked.

“We were onstage in Paris, France, practicing for a show and a speaker fell and hit you in the head, we brought you back to the states and you are in Tampa General Hospital,” Brian said.

“Paris, I thought we were in LA for a concert,” Nick said.

“No, we were in Europe,” Brian said.

“I remember being in LA for a concert,” Nick said.

“Oh boy,” Brian said.

“Brian, how long have I been here?” Nick asked.

“You’ve been in a coma for a year now, they told us you might never wake up,” Brian said. Nick saw his hand.

“Oh god, you and Briz got married,” Nick said.

“Um, no, I’m married to Leighanne,” Brian said.

“You dumped Briz for Leighanne,” Nick said.

“I cheated on her, okay, I went out with Leighanne, with Brizee’s permission, and I ended up sleeping with Leighanne,” Brian said.

“You jerk,” Nick said.

“Everything’s okay now, Brizee and I are friends, she and Leighanne are best buds, it’s all cool,” Brian said.

“So who is Brizee with now?” Nick asked. Brizee came running in and hugged him.

“Oh god, Nick, I was so scared!” Brizee said. Nick looked at Brian who nodded.

“Briz,” Brian said.

“Brian, what is it,” Brizee said.

“He has amnesia, he doesn’t remember the past year and a half, his last memory was that he was onstage in LA,” Brian said. Brizee looked at Nick and looked at Brian.

“Oh, I see, oh man, I’m sorry to hug you like that,” Brizee said.

“We are friends, Briz, it’s okay,” Nick said.

“Okay, I am just glad you are awake, we all were worried that you wouldn’t, from what the doctors said,” Brizee said. The doctor came in and checked on him.

“Mrs. Carter, your husband is going to make a full recovery and the tests came out perfect, just the amnesia but in time everything will come back to him,” the doctor said. Brizee stood there frozen. Nick looked at Brian who sighed.

“Mrs. Carter?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, you and Briz are married,” Brian said.

“Oh,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him.

“I’m sorry,” Brizee said.

“Briz, you have nothing to be sorry about, my memory will come back,” Nick said.

“Yeah,” Brizee said.

“I don’t know what to say,” Nick said.

“Just get some rest,” Brizee said. She went out the door and leaned against the wall. Brian came out and looked at her.

“Briz,” Brian said.

“I can’t do this, Brian, I can’t pretend, I can’t, I love him so much, I can’t deal with it being one sided, I can’t handle knowing that he doesn’t remember loving me,” Brizee said. She went down the hall and out the door and went home and packed up her stuff and loaded up her car just as AJ and Emily showed up.

“Briz,” Emily said.

“I can’t do it, Em, I can’t,” Brizee said crying.

“Briz, he’ll remember in time,” Emily said.

“I know, but who knows how long it will be and I can’t handle it, I can’t deal with this,” Brizee said. She got into her car and went to her father’s house. Brad and Elizabeth came out and hugged her.

“Why are you giving up,” Elizabeth said.

“I just can’t deal with the feelings being one sided, I don’t want to confuse him anymore than he is,” Brizee said. Brad hugged his daughter.

“I love him so much, Dad, and he doesn’t remember loving me,” Brizee said. Elizabeth joined the hug.

Two weeks later, Nick was released from the hospital and Brian took him home. Nick walked in and looked around.

“Briz lives here,” Nick said.

“Yeah,” Brian said. Emily and AJ came in.

“Hey, where’s Briz,” Nick said.

“She moved out,” Emily said.

“What,” Brian said.

“She said that she needed to leave to give Nick space and get back to normal without him being confused,” Emily said.

“But she should be here if she’s my wife,” Nick said.

“Nick, she just wants you to get settled in and relax and rest, she’ll come back when you are ready,” Emily said.

“She’s my wife, Emily, if I’m married to her, she should be here to help me,” Nick said. Emily called Brizee. Brizee came back and looked at Nick. He looked at her.

“Why did you leave like that,” Nick said.

“I wanted to give you space,” Brizee said.

“Isn’t marriage suppose to be for better or worse, until death do us part,” Nick said.

“I was just trying to make things easier for you,” Brizee said.

“I may not remember us being married but I do remember us being best friends, Briz, I need you here with me, okay, you can help me get back to normal,” Nick said.

“All right, I’m sorry, I thought I was doing the right thing,” Brizee said sitting down. Nick sat down next to her.

“I just want you to help me get through this,” Nick said. Brizee nodded. Emily went to get her stuff. Nick and Brizee were left alone.

Three months later, Nick’s memories were slowly coming back to him. He still did not remember getting married. Brizee was out shopping with Emily and Leighanne.

“I don’t know how much longer I can take this, he still doesn’t remember being married, I just want to grab him and kiss him but I can’t,” Brizee said.

“Maybe if you do, his memories might come back,” Emily said.

“No, he’ll push me away and go on and on about how he can’t remember being that way with me,” Brizee said. They went home. Brizee walked in and closed the door and put down her purse and keys and turned and saw Nick standing there behind her.

“Hey,” Brizee said.

“I remember everything,” Nick said. He had a weird look on his face.

“I’m so glad,” Brizee said.

“I’m sure,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“Why did you leave like that,” Nick said.

“You couldn’t remember being married to me, it was hard for me to handle that because I didn’t know what to do or say around you, I didn’t want to confuse you,” Brizee said.

“You should have been here with me, Brizee, we were married, for better or worse, til death do us part,” Nick said.

“Were?” Brizee said.

“I can’t do this anymore, how can I be with someone who ran from the marriage because I couldn’t remember, if you really loved me, you would have stayed here and fought for us, but you took off when things went bad,” Nick said.

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” Brizee said.

“You thought wrong, I got to get out of here, I’ll stay away for a few days until you move out,” Nick said.

“Why are you doing this!” Brizee cried.

“I just can’t be with someone who couldn’t fight for a marriage, you made it seem it wasn’t worth fighting for,” Nick said. He went out the door. Brizee stood there in shock. She sat down and covered her face in her hands and sobbed. She slowly got up and went upstairs and started packing her stuff. She heard the front door open and close. She heard footsteps. Emily came in with AJ.

“Hey girl, how about dinner, where’s Nick,” Emily said.

“I don’t know,” Brizee said putting clothes in a bag.

“Briz, what happened,” Emily said.

“Nick remembers everything, he’s back to normal, and wants nothing to do with me,” Brizee said.

“What,” AJ said.

“Yeah, he wants me gone, the marriage is over, he can’t be with someone who couldn’t stay and fight for the marriage,” Brizee said.

“I can’t believe him!” Emily said.

“I’ll talk to him,” AJ said.

“He’s made up his mind, AJ,” Brizee said.

“Prove that you want fight for him,” Emily said.

“Em,” Brizee said.

“Why are you giving up,” Emily said.

“I just want to give him what he wants, I don’t want it to be a fight,” Brizee said.

“He said you didn’t want to fight for the marriage, prove that you want to,” Emily said.

“Emily,” Brizee said.

“I called Nick, he is going to let you have the house, he’ll get his stuff out,” AJ said.

“Tell him he can have the house, I can’t stay here,” Brizee said.

“Briz, are you sure about this,” Emily said.

“He said it’s over, I can’t fight with him,” Brizee said. They helped her get her stuff packed up and loaded up in the cars. She took off her rings and put them on the dresser and put her key on the table in the front hall and went out the door. She went to her dad’s house. Brad and Elizabeth met her at the door and hugged her. Brad helped AJ bring her stuff in while Elizabeth and Emily comforted Brizee.

Three days later, Brizee received divorce papers and broke down crying. Elizabeth came in and hugged her.

Brian, Leighanne, Emily, AJ, Kevin, Kristin, Howie, and Leigh met at AJ and Emily’s house.

“I can’t believe him,” Brian said.

“I know, he’s being stupid,” Emily said.

“I am, huh,” Nick said from the doorway. They looked at him.

“Why are you here,” Emily said.

“Emily,” AJ said.

“No, he broke my sister’s heart, he shouldn’t be here,” Emily said.

“We were going to have a band meeting,” AJ said.

“Fine, whatever, I got to go,” Emily said.

“We’ll come with you,” Leighanne said glaring at Nick. Kristin and Leigh followed them. Nick looked at the guys.

“So you guys hate me, huh,” Nick said.

“No, Nick, we hate what you did,” Kevin said.

“Why can’t anyone understand my reason,” Nick said.

“Because the reason doesn’t make sense, she didn’t move out forever, she was going to come back as soon as you got settled in at the house after being in the hospital for a year, it did hurt that you didn’t remember being married to her, that you thought of her as a best friend, she didn’t know what to do, Nick,” Brian said.

“Yeah, she was lost, all she wanted to do was kiss you and hold you but she couldn’t because she was afraid of confusing you,” AJ said.

“It doesn’t matter, okay, what matters is that she wasn’t there to take me home from the hospital, she wasn’t there when I came home, I had to beg her to come back,” Nick said.

“Whatever, Nick, it’s your life, I hope you know what you are throwing away,” Brian said.

“She threw it away first,” Nick said.

“So she’s to blame, huh, it’s all her fault, you really are an idiot, she’s not the one who took her heart and stomped on it,” Brian said. He went out the door. Kevin, Howie, and AJ looked at each other.

“What’s his problem,” Nick said.

“The problem is that you practically did the same thing he did, broke her heart,” Kevin said. He and Howie left. Nick looked at AJ.

“J,” Nick said.

“Do you remember Brian cheating on her,” AJ said.

“Yeah,” Nick said.

“Do you recall how hurt she was,” AJ said.

“Yeah,” Nick said.

“How do you think she’s feeling now,” AJ said.

“AJ,” Nick said.

“I don’t get it, Kaos, you swore you would never break her heart and you did just that, you finally got back to normal and you threw away your marriage like it meant nothing, when you were in a coma, she never left your side until someone made her, she went home from time to time but she came back the next day, she wanted to make sure she was there every day in case you woke up, Brian had just sent her home to rest when you woke up,” AJ said. Nick sat down. Emily came home and saw them and handed Nick an envelope. Nick pulled out the papers and saw the divorce papers and saw Brizee signed them.

“I need to be alone,” Nick said. He went out the door. Emily looked at AJ and sat in his lap.

“There is no way I’m ever letting you go,” AJ said nuzzling her neck.

“Good, because I will fight to keep you with me,” Emily said.

Three weeks later, Brizee got a record deal and went on tour with Emily as her opening act. AJ, Brian, Leighanne, Kevin, and Kristin were on the road with them. Brizee was getting ready to go onstage when she saw Nick come in backstage. He didn’t notice her as he talked with Brian and AJ. Brizee went onstage and performed. Nick, Brian, Leighanne, Kevin, Kristin, and AJ went to the VIP booth to watch. Nick saw the girl onstage.

“Who is that,” Nick said. Brian looked at AJ.

“Your soon to be ex-wife,” Brian said.

“What,” Nick said.

“She’s wearing a blonde wig to hide her identity and goes by the name of Hayley,” Brian said. Nick sat there and watched Brizee perform. They watched as she sat down on a stool.

“I hope you all like this next song, it is a song that I wrote and I hope you like it,” Brizee said. She performed the song.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Song: The Climb By Miley Cyrus*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the song, everyone cheered and Brian looked at Nick. Nick got up and went out the door and went backstage. Brizee came backstage and saw him. He came over to her and kissed her deeply. Brizee pulled him to her dressing room and closed the door and locked it and looked at Nick. She sat down and removed the wig and her makeup.

“Why are you here,” Brizee said.

“I made a mistake,” Nick said.

“A mistake, you were so sure of what you wanted, me out of your life, I did what you wanted, I moved out, signed the papers, and now you are here, why is that,” Brizee said.

“I made a mistake of letting you go,” Nick said.

“You let me go, let me see, what I recall is you threw me away like I was garbage,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry, okay, I messed up, I was an idiot, I was stupid, I was a jerk, an asshole, all of it, I burned the papers,” Nick said.

“You burned them, you mean you want me back,” Brizee said.

“I will do anything to make it up to you,” Nick said. Brizee hugged him. He held her close.

“I love you so much,” Brizee said.

“I love you, too, I want you back, for good, I never want to be without you again,” Nick said. Brizee kissed him deeply.

“Don’t you ever do that again, don’t let me go,” Brizee said.

“Never again,” Nick said. He pressed her against the wall.

“Are you going to go home or stay with the tour,” Brizee said.

“I am going anywhere you go, I’m not leaving your side,” Nick said. He kissed her deeply. There was a knock at the door. Brizee opened it and saw Brian, Kevin, Leighanne, AJ, and Kristin standing there.

“You okay,” Brian said.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just great,” Brizee said. They saw Nick and came in.

“Nick,” Brian said.

“What,” Nick said. Brizee went into his arms and he held her close.

“You guys are back together,” Brian said.

“I burned the papers,” Nick said.

“About time you came to your senses,” Brian said.

“I know, can I be alone with my wife, please,” Nick said. They left and Nick closed the door and locked it and pulled Brizee close. He lifted her up and pressed her against the wall. He removed her clothes and his and made love to her. He kissed her deeply and moved to the couch and made love to her again.

“Oh god, baby, I love you,” Nick said burying his face in her neck.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said.

“I promise I will never leave you again, you are stuck with me forever and always,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

“I hope so,” Brizee said. He kissed her deeply as he made love to her once more. They went to the hotel to her room and went in and closed the door and collapsed on the bed and made love. They laid there holding each other. Brizee suddenly sat up.

“Oh god,” Brizee said. Nick sat up beside her.

“Honey,” Nick said.

“We’ve made love four times and no protection!” Brizee said. Nick held his head in his hands.

“Shit!” Nick said. He hugged her.

“I’m sorry, honey, I just wanted you so bad and the thought of having you back in my arms, I forgot,” Nick said. Brizee rested against him.

“What are we going to do, my career is taking off, I’m hiding my identity and according to the fans, Hayley is single, and to show up pregnant, that’s going to be crazy,” Brizee said.

“So you don’t want a baby,” Nick said.

“I’m not saying that, of course I do, I want lots of babies, especially if they are a part of you,” Brizee said kissing him.

“Briz, if you become pregnant, we will figure out ways to hide it, baggy shirts,” Nick said.

“I am dancing onstage, how will I explain not dancing,” Brizee said.

“We can say that you sprained your ankle and you need to stay off of it,” Nick said.

“We can figure out something,” Brizee said. She rolled over on top of him and kissed him deeply.

Three weeks later, Brizee learned she was pregnant and she told Nick and he was very happy and excited. She recorded an album and went on tour for six months, She began hiding her pregnancy under baggy shirts and she found out that dancing is good exercise for her but she did not do the usual moves that she did. Nick was with her as were Emily and AJ. After the tour was over, they all returned home and Brizee went and laid down to rest. Nick laid down with her.

“Wow, that tour was amazing, sold out concerts, did you hear everyone, they loved the songs and the shows,” Brizee said.

“You are a hit, baby,” Nick said kissing her forehead. He rested his hand on her stomach.

“And no one even noticed my stomach, these baggy shirts really hid it, at the end of the tour, there was no questions about it,” Brizee said.

“I love you,” Nick said.

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. He kissed her and they went to sleep.

Three months later, Brizee and Nick came home with their baby girl, Alicia Jane Carter. Brizee laid her down in her crib and they watched her sleep. Nick kissed her forehead.

“Thank you for our baby girl,” Nick said.

“And thank you for our baby girl,” Brizee said. They stood there watching her sleep. Brizee went to rest while Nick stood there watching his daughter sleep. Jane and Bob quietly came in.

“Hey honey,” Jane said.

“Hey Mom,” Nick said.

“How’s our little girl,” Jane whispered.

“Sleeping like an angel, isn’t she beautiful,” Nick said.

“She is very beautiful,” Jane said.

“Mom, we named her after you, we decided, her name is Alicia Jane Carter,” Nick said. Jane smiled and hugged him.

“Thank you,” Jane said.

“You are her grandmother,” Nick said.

“I can’t wait to spend time with her,” Jane said.

Sixteen years went by. Nick and Brizee had two more kids, a son born two years after Alicia, his name is Jason Robert Carter, and a daughter born two years after Jason, her name is Emma Marie Carter. Alicia came home from school with Jason and Emma.

“Mom, Dad, guess what,” Alicia said.

“What, honey,” Brizee said.

“I’m in a band!” Alicia said.

“A band,” Nick said.

“Yeah, me, Heather, Jake, Tony, and Mark, we call ourselves the Dreamers,” Alicia said.

“Really,” Brizee said.

“We are going to practice, we have a gig at Heather’s dad’s restaurant,” Alicia said.

“When?” Nick asked.

“Friday night, and Dad, you have to be there, I wrote a song just for you,” Alicia said.

“You did,” Nick said.

“Yeah, you have always been there for me, Jason, and Emma, you are an awesome father, we love you,” Alicia said hugging him. Jason and Emma hugged them. Brizee smiled.

“Okay, I’ll be there,” Nick said.

On Friday night, the band was setting up. Brian, Leighanne, their son, Baylee, AJ, Emily, their daughter Jessica, Howie, Leigh, their son, James, Kevin, Kristin, their son Mason, Brizee, Nick, Jason, and Emma were there sitting there.

“Hey everyone, we are the Dreamers, this is our first time playing with an audience and the first song is dedicated to my father, Nick,” Alicia said. They played the song and Alicia sang the song as she looked at Nick. After the song was over, she ran and hugged Nick and they went to finish the set and after they were done, everyone cheered and Heather’s dad came onstage.

“That was so amazing that every Friday night, the Dreamers will be playing here for as long as they want,” he said. Heather hugged her father as everyone cheered. The band packed up their stuff and Alicia came over to her family and she hugged everyone.

“Thank you all for coming tonight, it means a lot,” Alicia said.

“We are all family here, we want to be here for you, Ali,” Brian said.

“Thanks, Uncle Brian,” Alicia said hugging him.

The next day, Brizee was doing laundry when she felt arms around her and she looked and saw Nick smiling at her.

“The kids went to my mom’s and we are alone,” Nick said.

“And what would you like to do,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and began kissing her neck.

“I thought we could have a little fun,” Nick said. She turned in his arms and kissed him hungrily. He lifted her up on the washer and she wrapped her legs around him as he moved his lips to her neck. She threw her head back to give him better access. He removed her clothes and his and he made love to her. Afterwards, he stood there kissing her. They heard the front door open and close and Nick quickly closed the laundry room door and locked it and turned and saw Brizee sitting there smiling at him. He smiled at her and moved to her and kissed her deeply. He grabbed her bottom and lifted her off the washer and sank to the floor and pushed into her body. She held onto him as he went fast and hard. He came inside her and laid on top of her. There was a knock at the door.

“Aunt Brizee, it’s me, are you in there?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah, Jess, I’ll be right out,” Brizee said. She got up and got dressed and straightened up and went out and smiled at her.

“Hey sweetheart,” Brizee said.

“How come you locked yourself in the laundry room,” Jessica said.

“Bad habit, always locking doors,” Brizee said.

“Is Emma here?” Jessica asked.

“No, she’s at her grandma’s with Ali and Jas,” Brizee said.

“I need to talk to someone,” Jessica said.

“Well, you can talk to me,” Brizee said.

“Aunt Brizee, my mom is having an affair,” Jessica said.

“What,” Brizee said. She sat them down in the living room.

“I came home and saw her kissing someone on the couch and it wasn’t my dad,” Jessica said.

“Who was it?” Brizee asked.

“Uncle Nick,” Jessica said.

“What,” Nick said coming in.

“What,” Brizee said.

“I was kissing who?” Nick asked.

“How long ago did you see this,” Brizee said.

“Just awhile ago, I came straight here,” Jessica said.

“Did you see the guys face?” Brizee asked.

“Not really, just the hair,” Jessica said.

“Well, it wasn’t me, I’ve been home all day,” Nick said.

“Yeah, he was,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know who it was, all I saw was the hair and it looked like Uncle Nick’s hairstyle, I should have stopped it to see who it was,” Jessica said.

“Come on,” Brizee said. They went to the house and went in and saw Emily and AJ kissing.

“Mom, Dad,” Jessica said. They broke apart.

“Hi Jess, hey Briz, Nick,” Emily said.

“I want to know what’s going on,” Jessica said.

“Well, I’m kissing your mother,” AJ said.

“After she kissed someone else,” Jessica said.

“What,” AJ said.

“I came home and saw Mom kissing a guy, I went to Aunt Brizee’s and told her, at first I thought it was Uncle Nick but he’s been home all day, so what is going on, Mom,” Jessica said.

“Yeah, what is going on,” AJ said looking at Emily.

“It didn’t mean anything,” Emily said looking at her hands.

“Mom,” Jessica said.

“Who is he,” AJ said getting up.

“My ex, David,” Emily said.

“That creep?” Brizee asked.

“He wanted to get back together, I told him that I was married and in love with my husband and then he kissed me, I don’t know, I kissed back, but then I realized what was happening and I asked him to leave and never come back,” Emily said. AJ stood there.

“I need to get out of here,” AJ said. He went out the door. Nick went after him. Brizee and Jessica stood there looking at Emily.

“Mom, how could you!” Jessica said. She ran upstairs and locked herself in her bedroom.

“Emily, why,” Brizee said.

“I don’t know, I’m so stupid!” Emily said covering her face with her hands and crying. Brizee sat down and hugged her.

“But you love AJ, right,” Brizee said.

“Of course I do, he and Jess are my life, and I’m pregnant, Briz, AJ’s going to be a father again,” Emily said. AJ came in and heard what she said. He came over to her.

“You’re pregnant,” AJ said. Emily looked at him and nodded. AJ pulled her up and hugged her close.

“I love you so much, AJ, I can’t live without you,” Emily said crying.

“I forgive you, baby, I know you love me and Jess,” AJ said. Brizee and Nick went home and locked up the house.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“Yes, baby,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

“I love it when you call me that, it turns me on,” Nick said nibbling her shoulder.

“Good, because I want you to take me upstairs and make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom and closed the door and locked it and put her down and they removed each other’s clothes and laid on the bed kissing.

“I love you so much,” Nick said.

“I love you, too, let’s make another baby,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her softly. They made love off and on for the rest of the day and night. After the last time, they laid there staring at the ceiling.

“You’ve worn me out,” Brizee said.

“We wore each other out, but it was amazing,” Nick said kissing her softly. She smiled and rested her head on his chest.

“I love you, Nick, so much, I can’t imagine being without you, we have an amazing life, three awesome kids, I couldn’t ask for anything better than this, I love being your wife and being loved by you,” Brizee said. Nick looked at her and smiled and kissed her deeply.

“Ditto, baby, I love being your husband and being loved by you, too,” Nick said. He rolled on top of her and made love to her before they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next morning, Brizee woke up and saw that she was in her old bedroom at her dad’s house. She sat up and looked around and looked down and saw she had pjs on. She realized that it was all a dream. She got up and went out and saw Brad, Elizabeth, and Emily eating breakfast.

“Morning, honey,” Brad said. She sat down.

“Morning, Dad,” Brizee said.

“You okay,” Brad said.

“Fine, just had a weird dream,” Brizee said.

“So are you packed up and ready,” Emily said.

“Yeah, I am,” Brizee said. They went to meet up with the tour. Brizee looked out the window.

“Briz,” Emily said.

“I’m fine, Em,” Brizee said. They arrived and got out and saw the buses. They saw the guys waiting. They went over to them.

“Hi guys, I’m Emily and this is my stepsister, Brizee,” Emily said.

“Nice to meet you both,” Howie said. Brizee felt eyes on her and looked up and saw Nick staring at her. She smiled at him and he smiled at her. AJ started talking with Emily as they all boarded the buses. Emily and AJ sat down talking. Brizee sat down and Nick sat beside her.

“Hi there,” Nick said.

“Hi,” Brizee said. They began talking.

“How about we hang out when we get to Atlanta,” Nick said.

“Sure,” Brizee said smiling. They continued talking as the bus headed out on the road. Brizee and Emily went to the back and sat down on the couch and talked. Brizee quietly told her about the dream she had.

“That was some dream,” Emily said.

“Yeah,” Brizee said. They heard the guys yelling and went up and saw Nick sitting there with an angry look on his face. AJ had the same look. They looked up and saw them and got up and pulled them to the back and sat them down and stood in front of them.

“What’s going on,” Emily said.

“Just had an interesting phone call from a woman telling me and AJ that you two want to trap us,” Nick said.

“What?” Emily said.

“Don’t play innocent with us, okay, she said that you two are going to make sure we marry you two by getting us into bed and getting pregnant by us so we would have to marry you,” AJ said. Emily and Brizee looked at each other.

“I should have known she would do something like this,” Emily said.

“Who?” Brian said.

“My mother, she wants me to have the life she never had, marry a rich guy, have his kids, have the life of luxury,” Emily said. Brizee sat there staring at her hands.

“You have nothing to say, your mother didn’t put you up to this, Brizee,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him and stood up.

“I don’t know anything about this plan and neither does Emily, and for your information, my mother is dead, okay, she died six years ago in a car accident and then five years ago, my father married Emily’s mother, my mother would never want me to trap a guy into marriage, she believed in love and honesty and she raised me that way,” Brizee said. She pushed past them and went to her bunk and got in and closed the curtain and took a deep breath as tears ran down her cheeks.

Emily stood there looking at them. Nick and AJ looked at each other.

“We’re sorry, we got the call,” AJ said.

“I’m sorry for my mother, she goes overboard with everything and I would never go along with that plan, if she told me about that, I would have told her to fuck off,” Emily said. AJ took her hand.

“Can you forgive me,” AJ said. Emily nodded. Nick went to the bunk area and opened the curtain to Brizee’s bunk. She looked at him.

“I’m sorry,” Nick said. She got out and looked at him.

“I never would have done anything like that,” Brizee said.

“I know that now, I didn’t know what to think,” Nick said.

“I know you guys have to be careful when it comes to girls because you don’t know who is with you for what you do or who you are, Emily and I aren’t not that way, Emily got her deal on her own, because she didn’t know you guys, I sing, too, but I’m not going for a record deal because I get scared in front of an audience, I want to get to know the real Nick Carter, not the singer, the guy behind the scenes,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her forehead.

“That is the greatest thing anyone has said to me,” Nick said.

“It’s the truth,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Nick said.

“Thanks,” Brizee said. Nick went up front. Brizee sat down and smiled and sighed. Emily came into the bunk area and saw her and sat beside her.

“Everything okay?” Emily asked.

“Just great,” Brizee said. She touched her forehead.

“Briz, did you and Nick kiss?” Emily asked.

“He kissed me on my forehead,” Brizee said. Emily smiled and they talked.

The next day, the bus pulled into Atlanta and they went to the venue to practice and they were all sitting around. Brizee went to Emily’s dressing room and sat down. Emily came in and hugged her.

“I know what today is, it’s the anniversary of your mom’s death, I’m here for you, sis,” Emily said hugging her. Brizee hugged her back.

“Thanks, Em,” Brizee said.

“You going to be okay?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, I know she’s with me, can I use your guitar?” Brizee asked.

“Sure,” Emily said. She left the room and closed the door. Brizee got out Emily’s guitar and got out a song she wrote and began singing it, not knowing that Nick was standing at the door and he quietly closed the door. Brizee had her back to him as she sang the song.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Song: I Miss You By Miley Cyrus*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After she was done, Nick clapped. Brizee jumped and saw him.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you, that song was amazing,” Nick said.

“Thanks,” Brizee said. Nick sat down beside her.

“That was for your mom, wasn’t it,” Nick said. Brizee nodded.

“Six years ago today,” Brizee said. Nick stroked her cheek.

“She’s with you, in your heart,” Nick said.

“I know,” Brizee said. Nick stood up and pulled her up.

“I know you hate audiences, but how about playing that song for the guys and Emily,” Nick said.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“It’s a beautiful song, I know you don’t want a record deal, no one is forcing you, it’s just us five guys and Emily, six people,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him and nodded. They went out and got them and went onstage and they sat down on the stage and Brizee sang the song. After she was done, they clapped. Emily hugged her.

“Brizee, that was amazing, beautiful song,” Brian said.

“Thanks,” Brizee said.

“That was a great tribute to your mom,” Kevin said.

“Brizee, I know you hate crowds, but how about joining us onstage and sing the song,” Brian said.

“I can’t,” Brizee said.

“We’ll be there with you,” Howie said.

“I don’t want to ruin the show,” Brizee said.

“You won’t, it will be amazing,” AJ said. Brizee looked at them and nodded.

“Okay, but I’m not doing this to get a record deal, I just want to be backstage all the time,” Brizee said.

“We won’t pressure you, we understand,” Kevin said. AJ, Howie, Brian, and Nick nodded.

That night, the guys finished a song and then they stood there together in the center of the stage.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight, I hope you liked our new opening act, Emily, she’s amazing and talented, but there is another talented lady touring with us, she is Emily’s stepsister, she is a singer, too, but she would rather let Emily have the spotlight and she stay behind the scenes, but we asked her to come out and sing a song for you, she wrote this song in honor of her mother who passed away six years ago today, her name is Brizee, so let’s hear it for Brizee,” Brian said. Brizee came out with Emily’s guitar. Everyone was cheering. They put a stool out there and she sat down and they sat down on the stools set up beside her. Nick sat beside her. She looked at him.

“Thank you, I hope you like the song,” Brizee said. She performed the song. After she was done, the whole place went crazy. Everyone was on their feet, clapping and cheering and whistling. Brizee sat there in shock and she felt tears run down her cheeks and smiled and stood up and waved to everyone. The guys hugged her. She went backstage and Emily hugged her. The guys finished the show and came backstage and showered. Brizee and Emily sat there.

“Brizee, everyone loved the song,” Emily said.

“I’m glad,” Brizee said.

“It took a lot of courage to go out there and sing, didn’t it,” Emily said. Brizee nodded.

“But you did it, I know your mom was with you out there,” Emily said. Brizee smiled.

“I know, I felt her with me,” Brizee said. The guys came out and sat down.

“Meet and greet time,” Brian said.

“We will get out of the way,” Brizee said.

“No, you stay, Billy said that they want to see you, too,” Brian said.

“Me?” Brizee asked.

“Yeah, they all loved the song,” Brian said. The fans came in and started talking with the guys. A girl came over to Brizee.

“Hi, Brizee, right,” she said.

“Yes,” Brizee said.

“I loved the song, it was amazing, it seemed right, I know the feeling of your loss,” she said.

“Really?” Brizee asked.

“I lost my mom two years ago today,” she said.

“I’m sorry, what’s your name?” Brizee asked.

“Alissa,” she said.

“Have a seat,” Brizee said. Alissa sat down and they started talking. Two more girls came over and joined them. Emily joined them. Nick and the guys saw this and smiled. After the meet and greet was over, they headed to the hotel. Emily and Brizee went to their room. Brizee sat down.

“Wow, I guess a lot of people loved the song, the girls I talked to, they lost their mothers, too, Alissa lost her mother two years ago today, Amy lost her mother three years, and Jackie lost hers a year ago, I guess I did the right thing singing that song, it helped them,” Brizee said.

“Yeah, it did, now you should get a record deal so you can get that song out there for all the girls who lost their mothers,” Emily said.

“I can’t, I stated that I didn’t want one,” Brizee said.

“You can change your mind,” Emily said.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, unless you sing it and record it,” Brizee said. Emily sat down.

“It would be better coming from you,” Emily said. Brizee shook her head and went to her room and went to sleep. The next morning, she heard voices. She got up and changed and came out and saw Emily talking with Brian, Howie, AJ, Nick, and Kevin.

“Briz,” Emily said.

“You didn’t, Emily, tell me you didn’t call them over to talk to them about your idea,” Brizee said.

“Actually it’s a good idea,” Nick said.

“Yeah, well, I told you guys I didn’t want a record deal and I don’t want to go back on my decision,” Brizee said. Nick came over to her.

“Brizee, it’s okay, Emily told us your concerns and we will not thing that you used us to get a record deal, we want to offer you one, we can write songs for you,” Nick said.

“I have no problem writing songs, Nick, I just don’t want to be onstage by myself, I mean, it was okay last night because you guys were there with me, I can’t be onstage by myself,” Brizee said.

“You won’t be, the band will be out there,” Nick said.

“I’m not changing my mind, we can record the song and release it but no record deal, no opening for you guys, please,” Brizee said. She went to her room. Nick looked at them. He went in there.

“I’m sorry,” Nick said.

“I’m just scared of being onstage by myself, I haven’t been able to be onstage by myself with a huge audience since my mom died, I can’t do it,” Brizee said. Nick hugged her.

“It’s okay, the offer is open if you ever change your mind,” Nick said. Brizee sighed.

“Thanks,” Brizee said. She pulled back and looked up at him. He looked at her. He leaned down and kissed her softly. He pulled back and looked at her. She looked at him. He kissed her forehead and went out the door. She sat down on the bed. Emily came in and sat beside her. Brizee told her what happened. Later that day, they headed out of town. Brizee sat on the couch in the back of the bus and rested her head against the back of the couch. She grabbed Emily’s guitar and began playing a song. Nick came in and listened. After she was done, Nick sat down and looked at her. She looked at him.

“Can we talk,” Nick said.

“Sure,” Brizee said.

“About the kiss this morning, I liked it,” Nick said.

“So did I,” Brizee said.

“How about going out on a date with me when we get to Raleigh,” Nick said.

“Okay,” Brizee said.

That night, they arrived in Raleigh and went to the hotel. They all went in and went to their rooms. Emily and Brizee went to their room and put their bags down. There was a knock at the door. Brizee opened it and saw Nick smiling at her.

“Ready,” Nick said.

“We just got here,” Brizee said.

“I know,” Nick said. Brizee shrugged and went out the door and they went to hang out.

Three weeks went by and Nick and Brizee officially started dating as did Emily and AJ. The guys convinced Brizee to open for them and Emily convinced her to get a record deal. Brizee sat in Emily’s dressing room writing some songs. Nick came in and sat down and kissed her cheek.

“What do you think?” Brizee asked showing him what she wrote. He looked at it and looked at her and smiled.

“You are a very talented songwriter,” Nick said.

“You think so?” Brizee asked.

“This has to be the best song I’ve seen written, better than the ones me and the guys wrote,” Nick said.

“I don’t want to outdo you guys,” Brizee said putting the song away.

“You won’t, the guys know you are talented, the song you wrote for your mom proves it,” Nick said.

“I just don’t want to be more popular that you guys,” Brizee said.

“Don’t worry about that, Briz, it’s up to the world who they like more, we have no control over it,” Nick said.

“I don’t want you guys to hate me for it,” Brizee said. Nick cupped her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.

“We couldn’t hate you if we even wanted to, we all care about you, and Emily,” Nick said.

“Thanks,” Brizee said. He smiled and kissed her softly. The kiss deepened and he pulled her to him. She moved to where she was straddling his lap. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“Just kiss me, Nick, we can talk later,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply. She rested her hands on his shoulders and then wrapped her arms around him. He held her close to him and she felt him against her leg and pulled back.

“Oh god,” Brizee said. She quickly got up and ran out the door. She went into the bathroom and leaned against the wall. Emily came in.

“Briz, what happened,” Emily said.

“Oh god, Em, Nick and I were kissing, it was so amazing,” Brizee said. Emily stood next to her.

“What happened,” Emily said.

“We were making out, I was in his lap and I felt him against my leg and I ran into here, I’m so stupid, Em, I just wanted to rip his clothes off,” Brizee said.

“Briz, if you aren’t ready, just talk with him,” Emily said.

“Who knows what he thinks now,” Brizee said.

“He is outside waiting for you,” Emily said. Brizee went out the door and saw Nick standing there looking at her. He hugged her. She rested her head on his chest. They went to his dressing room and closed the door.

“I’m sorry for running like that,” Brizee said.

“I know why you did, it was moving too fast for you, yeah, I got turned on, and you did that, but it didn’t need to go any further, you don’t have to be scared, I will not do anything you are not ready for,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him.

“Thank you,” Brizee said.

“I have a question,” Nick said.

“Yes, I’ve slept with a guy before, I do have an ex, his name is Adam, we parted as friends because the relationship wasn’t working and the love was gone, I’m over him, been for a couple years now,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and hugged her.

“Brizee, I love you, I know we just started but it feels like I have known you forever, I’ve fallen for you big time,” Nick said.

“I feel the same way, Nick, I love you, too,” Brizee said. Nick grinned and kissed her deeply and hugged her.

“Be my girl?” Nick asked.

“Gosh yes,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and they kissed. They went out and told the guys and Emily that they were officially a couple. Emily hugged Brizee.

“See, I knew it would work out,” Emily said.

“Yeah, I’m happy,” Brizee said. AJ came over and took Emily down the hall. Brizee watched Nick talk with Brian, Kevin, and Howie.

“Brizee,” Billy said.

“Hi Billy,” Brizee said.

“There is two people here to see you and Emily,” Billy said.

“Send them in,” Brizee said knowing who it was. Billy went out the door and came back with her father and stepmother. Brizee looked at Nick. He looked at her and came over to her.

“Get Emily, my dad and her mom are here,” Brizee said. Nick nodded and went down the hall. She looked at her father who was smiling at her. She glared at him.

“Aren’t you happy to see your father?” Brad asked.

“Why should I be, after what you two did,” Brizee said. Emily came down the hall with AJ and Nick behind her. Emily stood next to Brizee as they looked at Brad and Elizabeth.

“What did we do?” Brad asked.

“Mom called the guys and told them that we were going to seduce them and get them into bed to get pregnant and force them to marry us,” Emily said. Brad looked at Elizabeth. She looked at her feet.

“Did you do that,” Brad said. Elizabeth nodded.

“Why did you do that,” Brad said.

“I wanted our girls to have a better life,” Elizabeth said.

“Emily is your daughter, Brizee is mine and I decide what’s best for my daughter and what is best for my daughter is her making her own choices, Emily can make her own choices, too, you don’t need to decide what was best for Emily, you can expect divorce papers, Elizabeth because I’m finished,” Brad said.

“Dad,” Brizee said.

“Briz, I would never go along with a plan like that, I can’t force you to do anything you wouldn’t want to do, your mom raised you right,” Brad said. Brizee hugged him.

“Mom, I want you to leave, please,” Emily said.

“Emily, I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said.

“Just go, Mom, I will talk to you when I’m ready and it’s not now,” Emily said. Elizabeth left. Brad hugged Emily.

“I’m sorry, Emily, I had no idea that she did that,” Brad said.

“Dad, you have to hear this song I wrote for Mom,” Brizee said. They went onstage and Brizee sang the song. After she was done, Brad hugged her.

“It was beautiful, I know your mom loved it,” Brad said.

“Thanks, Dad,” Brizee said hugging him. She introduced him to Nick and Brad shook his hand.

“Be good to my daughter,” Brad said.

“I will, sir,” Nick said. Brad hugged his daughter and left. Brizee pulled Nick to his dressing room and pulled him and closed the door and locked the door and pulled him close and kissed him deeply. He pressed her against the wall and held her close.

“Nick, please,” Brizee said. He pulled back and looked at her.

“What, Briz,” Nick said.

“I don’t want to wait anymore,” Brizee said. He looked at her and stroked her cheek.

“Are you sure,” Nick said.

“Make love to me, please,” Brizee said. He cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her softly.

“Not here,” Nick said.

“Let’s go to the hotel,” Brizee said.

“We can’t leave until the show tonight, but I want our first time together to be special, I need to go shopping,” Nick said.

“For what,” Brizee said.

“Some things to make our first time together special, I don’t want to rush into it, I want to take my time,” Nick said stroking her cheek.

“Nick,” Brizee said.

“I love you, okay, I want to prove it to you, in every way possible, I want to make it special and show you how much,” Nick said. Brizee sighed and nodded and hugged him.

“Plus I need to get protection,” Nick said.

“Don’t need them,” Brizee said. Nick pulled back and looked at her.

“What,” Nick said.

“I’m on the pill, Emily and I started taking them last year to help us deal with our monthly, I’m safe, if you are, too, you don’t need protection,” Brizee said.

“I’m safe, management makes us do physicals and tests every month to make sure we are clean and healthy,” Nick said.

“Then you need to do some shopping and we can have our special night,” Brizee said. Nick nodded and kissed her forehead.

“But we can make out,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and they kissed and moved over to the couch and laid on it and began making out. Soon his shirt was on the floor. He looked at her.

“Why is my shirt off?” Nick asked. Brizee shrugged.

“Well, you have to get ready for the show in a little bit,” Brizee said.

“Well, if my shirt is off, yours has to come off too,” Nick said. Brizee sighed and he pulled off her shirt and gazed at her. She was completely naked from the waist up. He kissed her softly and moved to her neck. He kissed his way down to her breasts and sucked and licked her nipples. He moved and kissed her stomach. He moved back up and kissed her deeply.

“Oh god, screw it, I have to have you now,” Nick said. Brizee nodded and he removed her pants and underwear and removed his pants and he laid between her legs and he slowly pushed inside her. She wrapped her legs around him as they moved together. She held onto him as he went faster. She gazed into his eyes. He kissed her neck. She closed her eyes and threw her head back to give him better access. He moved to her mouth and kissed her hungrily as she moaned his name as she came around him. He came spilling himself deep inside her. He laid on top of her and buried his face in her neck.

“Oh god, Briz,” Nick said.

“I know,” Brizee said.

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

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. There was a knock on the door.

“Briz, it’s me,” Emily said.

“Just a sec,” Brizee said getting up and putting her clothes on. Nick got dressed. Brizee went out and closed the door and looked at Emily.

“What’s wrong,” Brizee said.

“Let’s go to my dressing room,” Emily said. They went to her room. Nick came out of his dressing room and saw Brian and AJ.

“What’s up,” Nick said.

“What were you two doing in there,” AJ said.

“Nothing, just hanging,” Nick said. AJ looked at him.

“You got some, didn’t you,” AJ said.

“What,” Nick said.

“You and Brizee did it, didn’t you,” AJ said.

“None of your business, AJ,” Nick said.

“It is written all over your face, Kaos,” AJ said.

“We made out, okay, that’s all, anything else is none of your business,” Nick said.

“AJ!” Brizee yelled. AJ ran to Emily’s dressing room. He saw Emily crying and he went to her. Nick came in and wrapped his arms around Brizee. She leaned against him.

“What happened?” Nick asked.

“Her mother killed herself,” Brizee said softly. Nick and Brizee went back to his dressing room and closed the door and locked it. Nick hugged Brizee. She rested her head on his chest.

“I’m here for you,” Nick said.

“I know, even though my dad was going to divorce her, she was like a mother to me,” Brizee said.

“I guess you and Em will have to go back home to be there,” Nick said. Brizee nodded.

“I wish you could come with us,” Brizee said.

“We are,” AJ said. He and Emily came in with Brian, Kevin, and Howie.

“What,” Nick said.

“The tour is postponed for a few days, we can’t go on without an opening act and Em is the only one and they can’t find another, besides, we want to go support you guys,” Brian said. Brizee smiled and held onto Nick. He held her close to him.

“Good, because I was going to go with her no matter what,” Nick said kissing her forehead.

“Let’s get the show done tonight and we will head back to Florida,” Brian said.

After the show, they went back to Florida and Brizee and Emily went to the house and saw Brad sitting on the couch staring at a picture of him and Elizabeth at their wedding.

“Dad,” Brizee said. Brad got up and hugged them.

“I’m glad you guys are here,” Brad said.

“The tour was postponed for a few days so we can come back,” Brizee said.

“They postponed the tour,” Brad said.

“Well, they don’t have another opening act besides Emily and they didn’t want to hunt for another one while Emily was gone so they postponed a few shows, they will add them to the end of the tour,” Brizee said. Brad hugged Emily.

Two days later, they were at Elizabeth’s funeral. Brad and Emily asked Brizee to sing the song she wrote for her mother. Brizee went up to the front of the church. She saw Nick, Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin and she looked at Brad and Emily. She looked out at everyone.

“I wrote this song for my mom who passed away six years ago, Elizabeth was my stepmother and it seems right for her as well,” Brizee said. She sang the song. After she was done, she sat down and Emily hugged her. After the funeral and service at gravesite, they went to Brad’s house for dinner. Brizee sat in her room looking at a picture of her and her mother. Nick came in and sat down beside her and saw the picture.

“That your mom?” Nick asked. Brizee nodded.

“She’s beautiful, like you,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and leaned against him.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Brizee said.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Nick said kissing her forehead.

“Can we go to your house?” Brizee asked.

“Are you sure you want to go, I mean, don’t you want to be with your dad,” Nick said.

“He’ll understand,” Brizee said. They went downstairs and Brizee talked to her father. He hugged her and she left with Nick and they went to Nick’s house. They walked in and closed the door and locked it and Nick hugged Brizee to him.

“Okay, so we are here,” Nick said.

“I need you, Nick,” Brizee said.

“I’m here,” Nick said.

“I know that, I mean, I need you to make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick looked at her and kissed her and picked her up and carried her upstairs to his room and closed the door and collapsed on the bed kissing. They removed each other’s clothes and made love. They laid there afterwards. Brizee rested her head on Nick’s chest as he held her close.

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

“I love you, too,” Nick said.

“I never want to be without you, I promise you that I will not hurt you or betray you,” Brizee said.

“I promise you the same thing, you changed me, Briz, I’m a better person because you came into my life and you have my heart,” Nick said.

“And I will never break it,” Brizee said.

“And I’ll never break your heart,” Nick said. He kissed her softly and moved on top of her and made love to her. They laid there kissing when Nick’s cell phone rang. He picked it up and saw AJ’s number.

“Yeah, J,” Nick said.

“Hey Nick, me and Emily are on our way to Vegas, we are coming by to pick you two up,” AJ said.

“Why are you guys going there?” Nick asked.

“A mini vacation before the tour starts back up,” AJ said. He hung up. Nick hung up and got up and got dressed.

“What’s wrong,” Brizee said.

“AJ and Emily are coming to get us,” Nick said. Brizee got up and got dressed. Nick pulled her close and kissed her softly.

“What’s going on,” Brizee said.

“They are going to Vegas and want us to go with them,” Nick said.

“Why Vegas?” Brizee asked.

“He said a mini vacation,” Nick said. He looked at her.

“Oh god, they must be getting married,” Brizee said. They went downstairs and AJ and Emily came in.

“Let’s go,” AJ said.

“Are you guys getting married?” Brizee asked.

“No, we aren’t, okay, we are not ready for that step yet,” Emily said.

“Are you lying to me?” Brizee asked.

“Sis, I’ve never lied to you, why would I start now,” Emily said.

“You better not be lying,” Brizee said.

“Come on,” Emily said. They went to the airport and got on a plane to Las Vegas. The plane landed and they got into a limo and went to the Mirage. They checked in and went to their suite.

“So why are we here,” Nick said.

“A mini vacation,” AJ said.

“The truth, J,” Nick said.

“Okay, I have a surprise for Emily,” AJ said.

“What surprise, AJ,” Emily said.

“Oh no, AJ,” Brizee said.

“What,” AJ said.

“You brought her here to ask her to marry you in one of the chapels,” Brizee said. Emily looked at AJ. He sighed and hung his head.

“That’s the reason we came out here,” Emily said.

“Yeah,” AJ said.

“AJ, you told me that you wanted to come out here to check out the shows,” Emily said.

“I want to do that, too, Em, I love you so much and I don’t want to lose you, I want to be with you forever,” AJ said. Emily sat down.

“I want the same thing but I’m not ready for marriage right now, I’m sorry, what we have now just feels so right,” Emily said. AJ looked at her.

“Emily,” AJ said.

“I can’t do this again,” Emily said. AJ sat down beside her.

“What,” AJ said.

“I was with this guy, we were together as long as we were, he asked me to marry him, I said yes, on the day of the wedding, he left me standing at the altar, he couldn’t marry me because he wasn’t ready to get married, it turns out that he didn’t want to marry me, he wanted to marry the girl he was seeing behind my back, after he left the church, he picked her up and they came out here to Vegas and got married,” Emily said.

“Em, I’m sorry,” AJ said.

“I told myself that I want to make sure that the next time I’m with a guy, I want to make sure he wants to marry me and won’t leave me at the altar,” Emily said.

“I do want to marry you and I would never leave you at the altar, I can’t imagine my life without you,” AJ said. Emily looked at him.

“Let’s get married,” Emily said. AJ smiled.

“Em,” Brizee said.

“Briz, please, support us on this,” Emily said.

“I just don’t want you to regret anything,” Brizee said.

“I don’t, I love AJ and I want to be with him for the rest of my life,” Emily said.

“J,” Nick said.

“I really am sure about this, Nick, I am, I want to be with Emily for the rest of my life, I know that for sure,” AJ said. They all went to a wedding chapel. AJ and Emily got a marriage license and they got married. They all went back to the hotel and AJ and Emily got the honeymoon suite while Nick and Brizee went to their suite. Brizee sat down on the couch. Nick sat beside her.

“You okay?” Nick asked.

“I’m fine, I just hope they will be happy, but I’m worried what Brian, Howie, and Kevin will say, and my dad,” Brizee said. Nick’s cell phone rang. He looked and saw Brian’s number.

“Hey Frick,” Nick said.

“Nick, have you gone insane,” Brian said.

“What,” Nick said.

“It’s all over the news, Nick, you and AJ at a wedding chapel,” Brian said. Nick looked at Brizee.

“Shit,” Nick said.

“Why did you do it,” Brian said.

“I didn’t do it, Brian, AJ and Emily got married, not me and Briz,” Nick said.

“Why,” Brian said.

“You will have to talk to AJ when we get back to Florida,” Nick said.

“Are you heading home now?” Brian asked.

“No, tomorrow,” Nick said.

“Did you know what his plans were when you headed out there,” Brian said.

“No, all he told us was that he wanted to take a mini vacation, he told Emily he wanted to check out the shows,” Nick said.

“So no one knew he wanted to get married,” Brian said.

“No, I mean, not for sure, Briz said something about it and we confront him about it when we got here, we got the truth out of him,” Nick said.

“We are going to have a meeting at Kevin’s house tomorrow night, you both better be there,” Brian said. He hung up. Nick hung up and leaned back against the couch. She moved to straddle his lap and he rested his hands on her hips.

“He’s mad, isn’t he,” Brizee said.

“Yeah, I’m glad I’m not the one he is mad at,” Nick said.

“Yeah, I don’t want anyone to be mad at you,” Brizee said.

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

“I love you, too,” Brizee said. He cupped her cheek and pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. He held onto her as he stood up and carried her into the bedroom and closed the door and locked it and they removed each other’s clothes and they laid on the bed and he kissed her as he laid between her legs and pushed inside her. She moved with him as he went faster and harder. He kissed her neck. He sat up and pulled her up and pulled her into his lap and she took him into her body and he held her hips as she moved against him. He kissed her softly and moved down to her chest and sucked her nipples. He ran his hands up and down her body.

“Oh god, Briz,” Nick said. He laid down and she rode him. She cried out as she came around him. He came spilling himself inside of her. She laid on top of him and rested her head on his chest as they breathed heavily. He stroked her head.

“I love you, so much,” Brizee said.

“I love you, too, I never want to lose you,” Nick said.

“You won’t, I don’t want to lose you either,” Brizee said. He kissed her softly and they held each other as they went to sleep.

The next morning, they woke up to someone pounding on the door.

“Nick!” AJ said. They got up and got dressed and went out and saw AJ and Emily glaring at them.

“What, AJ,” Nick said.

“How could you tell Brian what we did,” AJ said.

“Like I had a choice, it’s all over the news, AJ,” Nick said.

“Oh god,” AJ said sitting down.

“Yeah, J, he saw the news and called me and chewed me out because he thought me and Briz got married, I couldn’t lie to him,” Nick said.

“I know, he knows you too well, if you lied to him, he would know it,” AJ said.

“I’m sorry, man, we better head back,” Nick said. They packed up and headed back to Florida. They went to Kevin’s. They walked in and saw Kristin, Leighanne, Brian, Kevin, Howie, and Leigh. The guys introduced the girls to each other. Nick sat down in a chair and pulled Brizee down on his lap and held her.

“Okay, why did you two get married?” Kevin asked.

“Because I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life and didn’t feel like waiting,” AJ said.

“I love AJ and I don’t want to be without him, ever,” Emily said.

“Em, tell them the story,” Brizee said.

“Three years ago, I was with this guy, his name was David, he asked me to marry him, I said yes, on the day of the wedding, he left me at the altar, saying he was not ready to get married, turns out that he didn’t want to marry me, he wanted to marry the girl he was seeing behind my back, he took off and got her and took her to Vegas and got married while I had to deal with the fallout of the wedding,” Emily said.

“What a jerk,” Howie said.

“He definitely was a jerk, he practically begged her to marry him,” Brizee said.

“We don’t have a choice but to support you both, we just hope you guys be happy,” Brian said.

“We are happy,” AJ said. They all went out and Brian fired up his grill. Nick and Brizee cuddled together on a lounge chair. Nick laid there holding Brizee close as she rested her head on his chest and stared at his shirt. AJ and Emily were cuddling in the lounge chair next to them. Brizee was playing with Nick’s shirt and deep in thought. Nick was talking with Howie. They all had a good time hanging out. That night, Brizee went home with Nick. He closed the door and locked up the house and saw her standing at the sliding doors looking out at the ocean.

“When the tour is over, I want to move in here with you, if that’s okay, I mean,” Brizee said. He hugged her from behind and kissed her neck and shoulders.

“Of course it’s okay, I want you here with me, I want to hold you every night when I go to sleep, and kiss you when I wake up in the morning, maybe a little lovemaking here and there,” Nick said.

“That sounds great, how about starting now,” Brizee said. Nick picked her up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom and closed the door and they removed each other’s clothes and laid on the bed and they made love off and on for the rest of the night before falling asleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, Nick woke up and saw Brizee still sleeping. He smiled and cuddled up behind her and kissed her neck and shoulders. She woke up and smiled.

“Morning, baby,” Nick said.

“Morning,” Brizee said. She turned over and he leaned over her and kissed her deeply. They were in the middle of making out when the bedroom door opened.

“Oh god, I’m sorry!” someone said. Nick looked and saw his sister, BJ standing there with Aaron.

“We rang the doorbell and no one answered so we used our key,” Aaron said.

“Give us a minute,” Nick said. They closed the door. Nick looked at Brizee and kissed her and got up and got dressed. He went downstairs and hugged them.

“What brings you two by?” Nick asked.

“Dad said you guys were home,” Aaron said.

“For a little bit, we leave tomorrow to continue the tour,” Nick said.

“Why did you guys postpone some of the dates,” Aaron said.

“Our opening act, Emily, her mother died so instead of rushing to find an opening act while she was gone, we postponed a few dates and came back, and she is AJ’s wife now,” Nick said.

“AJ got married,” BJ said.

“Yeah, they really love each other,” Nick said.

“Nick, who were you in bed with?” BJ asked.

“That’s Brizee, my girlfriend, and Emily’s stepsister,” Nick said.

“Does she sing?” Aaron asked.

“Yeah, she’s getting a record deal, and no it’s not the same thing that happened with Willa,” Nick said.

“Are you sure,” BJ said.

“Yes, he’s sure,” Brizee said from the stairs. She came over and stood beside Nick.

“I told him that I didn’t want a record deal because I was scared of being onstage, he talked with Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin, and all five of them ganged up on me, they even got Emily on their side, I am not using Nick to get a record deal, I really love your brother, more than I ever thought possible, to me, he is not Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, he is Nick Carter, a regular normal guy,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and hugged her close to him.

“We are just looking out for him, it’s nice to meet you,” BJ said shaking her hand.

“I know, you guys care about him and love him, I wish I had that,” Brizee said.

“I thought Emily’s your sister,” Aaron said.

“Stepsister, her mom married my dad, but that’s as far as it goes, I don’t have any real brothers and sisters, just a stepsister, I love her like a sister,” Brizee said.

“And the same goes for me,” Emily said as she and AJ came in.

“BJ, Aaron, this is Emily, Brizee’s stepsister and AJ’s wife,” Nick said. BJ and Aaron shook her hand.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” BJ said.

“Thanks, it’s hard, but AJ is helping me deal with it,” Emily said.

“And me,” Brizee said.

“Brizee has been there for me, as well, she knows how I feel,” Emily said.

“Your mother passed away, too?” BJ asked.

“Yeah, six years ago in a car accident,” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry,” BJ said.

“It’s okay,” Brizee said.

“You have to listen to the song she wrote for her mom,” Nick said. They sat down and Nick got his guitar and she sang the song. After she was done, BJ and Aaron nodded.

“That was an amazing song, an amazing tribute to your mother,” BJ said. Brizee nodded.

“Nick thinks I should release it as a single,” Brizee said.

“You definitely should, and it should be a tribute to all the girls out there who have lost their mothers, that song could help them,” Aaron said.

“I was thinking about it,” Brizee said.

“We better get going, we wanted to come see you before you headed back out,” BJ said.

“You guys call me, okay,” Nick said hugging them.

“We will,” BJ said. They left. Nick closed the door.

“So what’s up with you two,” Nick said.

“It is a good thing we got married,” Emily said.

“Oh Em, are you?” Brizee asked.

“Three weeks,” Emily said. Brizee hugged her. Nick shook AJ’s hand.

“Are we the first to know?” Nick asked.

“Yeah,” AJ said.

“Em, can I talk to you?” Brizee asked. She pulled Emily into the kitchen.

“Briz,” Emily said.

“I thought you were on the pill?” Brizee asked.

“I sort of ran out,” Emily said.

“You knew I had plenty, you could have asked me,” Brizee said.

“I know, I forgot, I’m sorry, okay, he used condoms all the time anyways, I guess one of them didn’t work,” Emily said.

“I just hope you guys don’t regret rushing into everything,” Brizee said. Emily looked at her.

“You are not supportive of this, are you,” Emily said.

“Emily, I am,” Brizee said.

“No, you aren’t, you may say you are but you aren’t” Emily said. She went and got AJ and they left. Brizee sat at the table and held her head in her hands. She felt hands on her shoulders. She shrugged them off and got up.

“I need to be alone,” Brizee said. She went out the back down and went down to the beach and sat down in the sand and stared out at the ocean. Nick sat down next to her.

“I know you want to be alone but you can talk to me,” Nick said.

“She said I don’t support her, I do, I’m just scared for her,” Brizee said. Nick took her hand in his.

“Briz, what’s wrong,” Nick said. She got up and pulled him into the house and sat down on the couch.

“I told you I had a boyfriend before, the real reason we broke up was because I had been pregnant and I lost the baby and I was so devastated that I didn’t want to do anything besides sit in the bedroom and stare at the wall, Adam, he got tired of the way I was acting, he went to find someone else, I never told anyone that I was pregnant,” Brizee said.

“And you are scared that Emily will lose the baby and drive AJ away,” Nick said. Brizee nodded.

“You need to tell her,” Nick said.

“She won’t talk to me now,” Brizee said. Nick sent AJ a text to come back. He hugged her.

“We will make her,” Nick said. He pulled her into his lap.

“I never want to lose you, Nick,” Brizee said.

“You won’t, I will never leave you, nothing will make me leave you,” Nick said. AJ and Emily came in.

“I don’t want to be here with an non supportive stepsister,” Emily said. Brizee looked at her.

“What’s wrong,” AJ said.

“Brizee does support you guys, Emily, she’s just scared for you,” Nick said.

“Why,” Emily said as they sat down. Nick looked at her.

“The real reason Adam and I broke up is because I drove him away,” Brizee said.

“Why,” Emily said. Brizee looked at Nick.

“She was pregnant and she lost the baby and was devastated and didn’t want to do anything besides sit in the bedroom and stare at a wall,” Nick said.

“Brizee, why didn’t you tell me, you knew I would have been there for you,” Emily said.

“I know, I couldn’t really think of anything at the time,” Brizee said. Emily got up and pulled Brizee up and hugged her.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, you could have told me when you got back to normal,” Emily said.

“I know, but I wanted to not talk about it because it was too painful for me,” Brizee said.

“Oh Briz, I’m sorry,” Emily said.

“I don’t want you to ever push AJ away, no matter what,” Brizee said. Emily hugged her.

“I won’t, I promise,” Emily said. They left. Brizee sat back down in Nick’s lap.

“I feel better now,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and began kissing her neck. She smiled and closed her eyes. His hands moved under her shirt and she moved to straddle his lap. They began making out. He removed her shirt and his. Nick stood up and held onto her as he carried her upstairs to the bedroom and they laid on the bed after removing the rest of their clothes. He kissed her softly. He began kissing her neck. The phone rang. Nick groaned and reached over and picked it up.

“Hello,” Nick said.

“Hey Frack, I have to talk to you, I’m on my way over,” Brian said.

“Okay, see ya,” Nick said. He hung up and he kissed her and quickly made love to her. He laid on top of her afterwards and kissed her.

“That was a quickie,” Brizee said.

“More later, okay, Brian’s coming and I didn’t want to wait until he was gone,” Nick said. He got up and got dressed. He sat on the bed and kissed her hungrily.

“Don’t move from this bed, as soon as he is gone, I’m unplugging the phones and locking up the house and no one can get in, not even with a key,” Nick said. He kissed her again before going downstairs. Brizee laid there under the covers and sighed and smiled.

Nick went downstairs to wait for Brian. Brian came in and sat down.

“What’s up,” Nick said.

“I am thinking of getting back together with Leighanne, I miss her, I still love her, I need your opinion,” Brian said.

“If you still love her and want her back, go for it,” Nick said.

“There’s a problem, she’s engaged to another guy,” Brian said.

“Oh boy,” Nick said.

“Yeah, and she invited me to the wedding, I met the guy and he’s nice, they seem to be really in love, but I can’t stop thinking about her, I think I made a mistake of letting her go,” Brian said.

“Didn’t you two break up because the love was gone,” Nick said.

“I thought it was, but it seems it never was, I was just too dumb to realize it, where’s Brizee, I need a girl’s opinion,” Brian said.

“Briz!” Nick called. A few minutes later, Brizee came downstairs dressed. She sat down next to Nick.

“What’s up,” Brizee said. Brian told her the story.

“What should I do?” Brian asked.

“Follow your heart, tell her how you feel, be truthful, don’t hide your true feelings,” Brizee said. Brian nodded.

“Thanks, Briz, bye guys,” Brian said. He ran out the door. Nick locked up the house and unplugged the phone line and picked her up and carried her up to the bedroom and closed the door and locked it and put his phone on vibrate. They removed each other’s clothes and spent the rest of the day and night making love off and on. After the last time, they fell asleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, Nick woke up and saw Brizee slowly waking up and that he was spooned up behind her. He smiled as he opened her legs and entered her from behind and went fast and hard and came spilling inside her. She cried out his name as she came. She turned her head and he devoured her mouth.

“Good morning,” Nick said.

“Good morning, good way to start the day,” Brizee said.

“More where that came from,” Nick said.

“Oh really,” Brizee said. He turned her over and laid between her legs and pushed inside her. He came inside her again.

“I can’t get enough of you,” Nick said kissing her softly. He got up and went to the bathroom. She heard him flush the toilet and start the shower so she got up and went in there and got into the shower with him. They began kissing. He lifted her up and pressed her against the wall and pushed inside her. He went fast and hard. She held onto him as she threw her head back and cried out his name as she came. He came spilling into her. He held her there as he kissed her deeply. He let her down and they showered and got out and dried each other off and he threw the towels down and pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

“Nick, I want to keep this going as much as you do but we should get ready to head out,” Brizee said.

“No,” Nick said kissing her neck.

“Nick, come on,” Brizee said pulling away from him. He pulled her back against him and moved her hair and kissed her neck and shoulders. He ran his hands to her breasts and squeezed them and circled the nipples with his fingers and moved down and slipped two fingers inside her. She moaned and relaxed against him as he bent her over and pushed into her body and held her hips as he went fast and hard. She cried out as she came. He came spilling into her body. She stood up and turned to him and jumped onto him and kissed him.

“You got me,” Brizee said. He smiled as he pressed her against the wall kissing her. He cupped her bottom with his hands and pushed inside her. He moved within her and came inside her. She laid her head in his shoulder.

“You can’t stop, can you,” Brizee said.

“No, I can’t, I want you all the time, like I said, can’t get enough of you,” Nick said. She felt him become hard and he moved inside her. He kissed her shoulders and moved down and sucked her nipples. He came inside her again. He let her down.

“As soon as the tour is over and you are moved into here, we aren’t moving from this house,” Nick said kissing her softly.

“Hmmm,” Brizee said. They moved into the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. She glanced at the clock and jumped up.

“We have to leave in ten minutes!” Brizee said. She got dressed. Nick got dressed. They quickly packed the bags and ran out the door and Nick plugged the phone back in and grabbed his cell and they locked up and met up with everyone else. They got on the bus and headed out. Nick and Brizee went to his bunk and got in and closed the curtain and began kissing. He slid his hands under her shirt and held them there. He moved one hand around and cupped her breast. He lifted her shirt and moved her bra and began sucking her nipples. She stopped him and fixed her shirt and looked at him.

“Later, babe,” Brizee whispered. He kissed her deeply. He slid his hand down her pants and slipped two fingers inside her. She bit her lip as he moved his fingers within her. She came all over his fingers and he pulled them out and sucked her juices off his fingers.

“You taste good, baby,” Nick whispered. She pulled him down and kissed him deeply. Their tongues met in a passionate duel. She stopped him and pushed him away and got out of the bunk and went to the back of the bus and sat down on the couch. AJ, Emily, Kevin, Brian, and Howie were in there.

“Briz, what’s wrong,” Emily said. She shook her head and pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her forehead on her knees. Nick came back and sat her and sat down next to her.

“Briz,” Nick said.

“I need to be left alone,” Brizee said quietly.

“What is wrong with you,” Nick said.

“You, okay, it’s you, that’s what’s wrong with me, I never get a break when it comes to you, you never give me time to breathe!” Brizee said. Nick stood there looking at her.

“Fine, you want time to breathe, how about this, we are done, over, you have your time to breathe!” Nick said before walking up front. Brizee sat down and crossed her arms.

“Brizee,” Emily said.

“What,” Brizee said.

“Did you want that,” Emily said.

“Right now, I don’t care,” Brizee said. Emily moved over and sat next to her.

“You just let him end things with you guys,” Emily said.

“So,” Brizee said.

“What happened,” Emily said. Brizee shook her head.

“I’m so tired and worn out, Em,” Brizee said. She went to her bunk and got in and closed the curtain and went to sleep.

They arrived in Ohio and pulled into Columbus and they went to the venue. They all got off the bus. Brizee watched Nick walk into the venue without looking at her. She knew she made a mistake. She walked to Emily’s dressing room and went in and sat down. Emily came in.

“Briz,” Emily said.

“I’ll be fine, Em,” Brizee said. Emily nodded. AJ came in with Emily’s bag. He kissed her and went to his dressing room. Emily sat down next to Brizee. Brizee started sobbing and Emily held her.

Nick sat in his dressing room staring at the walls when Brian and Kevin came in. He looked at them and looked back at the wall.

“Frack, what’s going on,” Brian said. Nick shook his head and leaned forward and held his head in his hands. Brian sat down beside him.

“I love her so much, Frick, I just wanted her all the time, I was so stupid to do that,” Nick said.

“Nick, are you saying that you shouldn’t have gotten together with her to begin with,” Kevin said.

“No, I didn’t say that, I meant wanting her all the time, it was too much at one time, I should have thought of how she felt,” Nick said.

“You two need to talk this out,” Brian said.

“I can’t now, I blew it, I really blew it, she’ll want nothing to do with me now,” Nick said.

“You won’t know until you try,” Kevin said.

“I hurt her, Kevin, told her it was over,” Nick said.

“Tell her you made a mistake, that you didn’t mean it,” Kevin said.

“I don’t know,” Nick said.

“Nick, you love her, right,” Brian said.

“Oh yeah, more than I thought possible,” Nick said.

“Then go talk to her,” Kevin said.

“She’s not ready to talk to him yet,” Emily said from the doorway.

“Emily,” Nick said.

“She is going onstage with me tonight, talk to her after, she might be ready to talk then,” Emily said. Nick looked at the walls.

“I screwed up, didn’t I,” Nick said.

“No, Nick, her reaction said it all, it didn’t bother her on the bus, but she broke down crying in the dressing room,” Emily said. Nick leaned back and rested his head against the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling. He closed his eyes as tears ran down his cheeks.

That night, Emily was onstage. She stood in the middle of the stage and looked out at the crowd.

“Please welcome my stepsister, Brizee, who is going to sing a couple of songs for you,” Emily said. Brizee came onstage. Nick, Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin were watching from backstage.

“I hope you like the songs, I wrote them,” Brizee said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Song: The Climb By Miley Cyrus*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After she was done, the crowd cheered. She smiled and Emily brought her the guitar.

“This next song, I wrote for my mother, she passed away six years ago, this song is for any girl out there who has lost their mother,” Brizee said. She performed the song. After she was done, the whole place went crazy with everyone on their feet cheering. She smiled and stood up and waved and headed backstage and saw Nick standing there in front of her. A crew member removed her microphone and she looked at Nick. She walked past him and went to Emily’s dressing room and closed the door.

Nick stood there not moving. He sat down against the wall. Brian, Howie, Kevin, and AJ stood around him. Emily had finished up and came backstage and saw them.

“AJ,” Emily said.

“He stood there as she came offstage, she didn’t talk to him and just went past him and went to your dressing room,” AJ said.

“That’s it, I’ve had it with her,” Emily said. She went to her dressing room and went in and slammed the door.

“Brizee, you will go out there and talk to him, this is gone too far, he obviously wants to work things out,” Emily said.

“He said it was over,” Brizee said.

“Well obviously he doesn’t want it to be, he wants you back, sis, he loves you, he was just giving you the space you needed,” Emily said. Brizee looked at her and shook her head.

“He broke up with me, that’s not what I wanted,” Brizee said.

“You two are going to work things out, or you can just go home,” Emily said.

“Fine,” Brizee said.

“So you’ll talk to him,” Emily said.

“No, I’ll go home,” Brizee said. She got her stuff and went out the door and walked past the guys and walked out of the venue.

Nick watched her go as Emily came up to them. He looked at her.

“Em,” AJ said.

“I told her to either talk to Nick or leave the tour, she chose to leave,” Emily said.

“Why did you give her that choice,” Nick said.

“Because I didn’t think she would actually leave, I told her that you wanted to talk to her and that you wanted her back, she said that you wanted it to be over, I told her no you didn’t want that but she said you wanted the break up,” Emily said. She got out her phone and called Brad.

“Brad, it’s Emily, Brizee is heading back home, get her and meet up with us in Indianapolis, it’s a long story,” Emily said. She told Brad everything.

“She needs to come back, Brad, they need to work things out, she can’t going into depression again, okay, bye,” Emily said. She hung up.

“He’s going to get her and bring her to Indianapolis, he is on your side, Nick, he thinks she should have stayed and talked with you,” Emily said. Nick nodded. The guys got ready to go on. After the show, they got their stuff together and got on the bus and headed out to Indianapolis. Emily got a text from Brad that he got Brizee and is bringing her back kicking and screaming. He said he recruited help to get her on the plane. He said who it was and Emily looked at Nick.

“What is it,” Nick said.

“Brad got Brizee and are meeting us there, she’s kicking and screaming and he recruited help to get her on the plane, it’s your dad, turns out that one of Brad’s golfing buddies is friends with your dad and he met your dad at the golf course and got to talking,” Emily said.

“So my dad and Brad are bringing her back,” Nick said.

“Yeah,” Emily said.

“I have an idea, I want to sing a solo tonight, guys,” Nick said.

“Which one?” Kevin asked.

“Heaven,” Nick said.

“How about Heaven and I Need You Tonight,” Emily said.

“I’ll tell the band,” Kevin said.

“Oh man, Brian, I forgot, what happened with Leighanne,” Nick said.

“She married the guy,” Brian said.

“Oh man, I’m sorry,” Nick said.

“It’s okay, she said she was over me,” Brian said.

“I know someone who would be perfect for you, Brian, she’s mine and Brizee’s best friend, her name’s Alicia, she’s the female version of you,” Emily said. Brian smiled.

“Really?” Brian said.

“Yeah, I’ll have her meet us in Chicago,” Emily said.

“Thanks, Em,” Brian said.

That night, they were at the venue in Indianapolis. Brad and Bob sat down with Brizee to watch the concert in the VIP booth.

“Why are you guys doing this,” Brizee said.

“Because Nick loves you more than anything in the world, I want my son happy and you make him that way, he didn’t mean to break up with you, he was just upset that you were pushing him away,” Bob said. Brizee sighed. They watched Emily. Then the guys came on. Brizee sat there watching them as her eyes landed on Nick. After a few songs, the stage went dark. Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin had left the stage. The music for Heaven started up and Nick sang the song. He then performed I Need You Tonight. After he was done, while the crowd cheered, Nick looked up at her and mouthed the words ‘I love you’ to Brizee before going backstage.

“I know my son, those songs were for you,” Bob said. Brizee sat there with tears running down her cheeks. She got up and ran out the door. Brad and Bob went after her and followed her to the backstage area where she found Emily. They hugged. Brizee stood there waiting for the guys to finish. She heard the last song end and they came backstage. Nick came out and saw her. She ran to him and he took her into his arms and they kissed passionately.

“I’m sorry!” Brizee said.

“I’m sorry, too, I didn’t mean to break up with you,” Nick said.

“I know, I shouldn’t have left, I was just hurt and upset that you broke things off,” Brizee said. Nick cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly.

“I will never do that again, okay, I promise you,” Nick said. He hugged her close and they knew they would never be apart. They both knew that where their heart is and that’s with each other.

The End