Time passed slowly then. Nick and I began to plan our wedding. It would be simple, quiet and small. His family and the guys who had become my family would be the only ones there. He was going to allow one photographer and afterwards he was going to let me pick three photographs to release to the press of the wedding. The fans as yet knew nothing about me and he wanted to keep it that way but I told him I didn’t want to be a secret. I loved the man he was, career and all and if that included dealing with his fans I was ready for that. There were millions of people in the world who wanted to see him happy because his music made them happy. What could it hurt to show a few pictures?
A week went by and we got most of the things done. The flowers were ordered, chairs to sit in, food for the reception, and a cake. We were going to get married on the beach at night beneath the stars. The stars that shined forever like our love regardless of whether or not they could always be seen.
Denise and I went shopping for a wedding dress and I was shocked and pleased that I found the perfect one after only four stores. The bodice was off the shoulder and had the most delicate and beautiful beadwork. The skirt was long but stopped just above my ankles and flowed around me like a silk cloud. It was perfect.
We were just about ready. All that was left was to get Nick and the guys tuxedos but they seemed perfectly capable of that. I was getting married in a week.
It was the Sunday before the wedding that Nick’s family flew into town. Meeting them was a little scary but I wasn’t too worried. They had raised the man I loved so they couldn’t be that bad.
He went to pick them up at the airport and I made dinner while I wanted for them to come home.
I was in the kitchen when I heard what sounded like a stampede coming through the front door. Sticking my head out I saw the Carters. I rushed to help them with their luggage.
“Riley, grab that one right there,” Nick said, indicating a suitcase that was slipping through his fingers. I grabbed it just as he let go. “Thanks, goldie locks,” he said, kissing me quickly.
“So this is Riley,” an older dark-haired woman said, smiling at me. She must have been Nick’s mother Jane and I smiled at her.
“Hold it guys. Put everything down and let me introduce you first,” Nick said, putting down the bags he carried. “Everyone this is my soon-to-be-wife Riley. Riley, these are my parents Jane and Bob. Those are my sisters B.J. and Leslie and those two are the twins Angel and Aaron.”
“She looks so…” Jane began but couldn’t finish.
“Healthy,” I supplied, smiling.
“Well yes,” she answered.
“I am. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Come, let’s get you all settled, dinner’s getting cold.”
We divided their things up into their rooms and then made our way back out to the kitchen. Nick helped me put the food on the table and we sat down to eat.
His family was wonderful. Though they seemed a little cautious sometimes about my health they were great. Jane and Bob seemed like good people even if they did appear a little pushy towards Nick sometimes. I was beginning to understand why he was in Florida instead of California though. B.J. and Leslie were just beautiful girls filled with hope and life. And Angel, well she was just that, an angel. I fell in love with Aaron, he was like a miniature version of his brother. He had his own kind of magic though that made him his own self. He was amazing though and in that little bit of time I had with him I wanted Nick and I to have a child together.
That night as Nick and I lay in bed together I mentioned it to him.
“Nick, do you want kids?” I asked, softly.
“Someday maybe. I used to. I don’t know anymore,” he answered, running his hands through my hair.
“Why not now?”
“Because I only want kids with your eyes and your personality and I won’t get that,” he said, softly, his voice sad.
“What if we could, Nick? What if we could find someone to carry our baby to term?”
“Riley, can we not talk about this? At least until after the wedding. I just want to marry you right now,” he said, holding me close.
I let the subject drop then, but it never left my mind.
Links to other sites on the Web
Chapter 20
Back to Fan Fiction Index
Get your own Free Home Page