"Man I can't believe that vacation is almost over and we're going back home tomorrow" Marie said, poking her fork at the plate of pancakes infront of her.
"I know, it seems like we just got here.. time flies by soo fast! Hey, do you think Tara finally told Nick?" Laura asked, taking a drink out of her orange juice.
"I think so, I know she was planning on telling him last night.." Marie replied. At that moment, Tara and Nick came downstairs into the restaurant, looking very happy.
"Hey man, can we have a seat with you guys?" Nick asked.
"Sure" Brian answered. Nick and Tara took a seat across from Brian, Laura and Marie.
"Are you guys ready to go back tomorrow?" Nick asked, looking at his menu.
"Not really, but we all have to get back home to families and such" Kevin said. He looked over at Mar and grabbed her hand.
Tara watched Kevin and Mar and saw how they were together. Obviously, they had got back together once again.
After Nick and Tara ordered their breakfasts, Nick took the opportunity to tell all of his friends their happy news.
"Well... now there we are all here... Tara and I have two very important announcements to make" he said. Nick stood up out of his chair, and stood Tara up beside him. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"First of all, Tara and I are going to have a baby" Nick said happily.
"Wow man, thats awesome!!! Congratulations!" Kevin said. He was soo much in awe of Nick.
"Congratulations Frack and Tara!!" Brian said, even though he already knew the news. He stood up and gave Nick and Tara a hug.
AJ and Karine started to clap for the happy couple.
"And second of all.. last night, I asked Tara to marry me, and she said yes! I was planning to ask her sometime over spring break, and right after she sprung her news onto me, I thought it would be the perfect timing! So... we're going to get married!" Nick said happily. He leaned down and gave Tara a kiss, while everyone clapped and shouted for them.
"My little Frack's growing up soo fast" Brian said in amazement.
"Hes soo luck that he's found the woman that he loves and wants to be with for the rest of his life" Kevin said. Seeing Nick's happiness about his engagement and the baby made Kevin feel a little sad once again, because that is something that he would like for himself.
Marie patted Kevin's leg.
"Dont worry Boo... our day will come sometime soon" Marie said. Kevin looked up at her with eager eyes.
"really? you want that?"
"Sometime soon, in the future, I would" Mar replied softly.
"Thats great news.. Mar.." Kevin said. He gave Marie a hug.
That afternoon, Nick and Tara decided that they wanted to go to the beach. Brian and Laura decided to join them, since Brian was in the mood for some snorkeling.
Karine, AJ, Mar and Kevin took off to the other half of the island to go for a hike, do some bike riding, and check out the shopping centres for some souveneirs.
"Nicky, hunny, can you put some lotion on me please? I dont want to get burnt" Tara asked kindly.
Nick looked at her and grinned.
"My pleasure.." Nick replied. He grabbed the bottle of SPF-30, and poured a little pile onto his hands. He placed his hands on her back, slowly and gently massaging the lotion into her skin.
"Brian, would you mind?" Laura asked, holding out her bottle of suntan lotion.
Brian put the book he was reading down onto his blanket, and grabbed the bottle, smiling to himself.
Like Nick, he gently massaged the lotion into Laura's skin. He gazed at her back, glad that she couldn't see him stare at her.
Brian looked up to see that Nick was watching him stare at Laura, and he turned a little red.
Nick grinned over at Brian, and then moved his eyes back to Tara.
After Brian had finished applying all of the lotion onto Laura, he stood up in the sand.
"Hey Nick, want to go get a drink?" Brian asked. He wanted to talk to his best bud.
"Sure" Nick said. He gave Tara a kiss, then stood up and followed Brian.
"What's up with them?" Laura asked, looking a little confused.
"I dont know, they're weird" Tara replied with a laugh.
"Was Nick really happy when you told him the news?"
"He was ecstatic! He was soo happy, Laura! I've never seen him that happy.. " Tara said with a smile.
"Tara... do you know much about Leigh Anne?" Laura asked.
A strange look came over Tara's face at the mentioning of Leigh Annes name.
"Yeah, I know her.." Tara said "why?"
"Shes Brians ex girlfriend, right?"
"Yeah, he broke up with her.. early January" Tara replied.
"Do you know why they broke up?"
"Why all the questions?" Tara asked.
"I was just wondering.." Laura replied, a little shy.
"Well.. Leigh Anne became too controlling, and she wouldn't let him hang out with his friends. She became really mean to the fans, and to him also.. she almost ruined his friendship with Nick" Tara replied.
"how horrible! Brian mentioned that she did some rude things, but he never really said what they were.. he doesnt deserve to be treated like that"
Tara lifted her eyes to look up Laura.
"Laura... do you like Brian?" Tara asked seriously.
Laura laid back down on her towel and looked over at Tara.
"Yeah, I do... but.. Im afraid of getting hurt, you know what I went through with Brad"
"Yeah, I remember.. I helped you through that.. Brian is definetly NOT like Brad" Tara replied.
"I dont even know if Brian likes me..."
"I think he does... but thats my opinion... I see the way he looks at you, and the way he treats you when you are around him.. I think he likes you" Tara said. Laura's expression turned into a smile.
"really think so?"
"for sure!" Tara smiled back.
"Frack man... I dont know what to do" Brian said. He kicked his feet in the sand.
"About what?" Nick asked. He paid for two soda's for him and Tara.
"Laura... I think I'm falling for her, man" Brian said. Nick looked over at Brian.
"Really? Well thats good!!" Nick replied.
"I know.. I know it is, I need someone new in my life... and she is such a sweet girl! I have a great time with her, and we have so much in common. The problem is, we're bothing getting over relationships right now, and I dont even know if she likes me"
"Why dont you ask her out, on a date.. to see how it goes" Nick suggested.
"I was thinking about that, I wanted to know your opinion on that.. "
"I think you should ask her out" Nick replied right away.
"What makes you say that?"
"Cuz, she's Tara's friend, and your my friend, and it would be neat if you two got together. And also, I think she likes you"
"Really?" Brian asked, a little excited.
"Yeah.. I do" Nick replied. He smiled at Brian, then tossed him two Cokes.
"Come on.. lets get back to our women" Nick said, running back to the beach.
"Nick, I dont want to leave Dominican.. its soo nice here" Tara whined. She rolled over in bed and looked out the window. Nick rolled over and pulled her to him.
"If I had my way, we wouldn't be leaving. Unfortunately, I have work, and we have that baby appointement, but that is a good thing!" Nick assured Tara "and just think, our next vacation together will be our honeymoon! Have any idea's where you want to go?"
"I just want to be with you.. thats all.." Tara replied.
"awww... so do I!" Nick replied. He gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
"I would kinda like to go to Jamaica, though.. I've read about it in some magazines, and it says its an excellent place for honeymooners" Tara suggested.
"That sounds great! I've always wanted to go there too.. thats once place we never went to on tour" Nick replied.
"What month would be a good time to get married in?" Tara asked Nick "I'd kind of like it to be before the baby is born, if that is okay with you.."
"Of course its alright with me! I'd marry you right this moment if that's what you wanted!"
Tara laughed and snuggled up to Nick.
"Well.. the baby is due in October... so maybe in July? or August?" Tara suggested.
"Sounds beautiful, Tara! I can't wait to marry you.." Nick said romantically. He leaned his head down to give her a kiss.
"Neither can I! I love you soo much Carter.."
"I love you soo much, Shorty" another kiss.
"We better go for a shower though, we have to head to the airport soon" Tara said, looking at the time.
"Yeah, we'll shower together... saves time.." Nick grinned at his suggestion. Tara smiled and hopped out of bed, with Nick following her into the bathroom.
The plane landed home at the Tampa International Airport at 5pm that night. Tired from the flight, AJ and Karine went straight home. Kevin invited Marie over to his house for dinner, and to spend the night. Marie accepted, and Kevin helped her load her luggage into his vehicle.
Nick and Tara packed their things into Nick's truck, and were about the leave the airport.
"Brian, Frick, you coming?" Nick shouted out.
"Yeah man.. but, I'll be home a bit later, I'm going to drop Laura off home first" Brian shouted back.
"Ok.. see you later man" Nick said. He waved at Laura and then ran back to his truck, where Tara was waiting for him.
Pulling up into Laura's driveway, Brian turned off the car engine.
"Thanks for coming on vacation with us, it was alot of fun" Brian said. He extended his arm and put it on the top of her seat.
"I should be the one thats thanking you guys for inviting me!" Laura replied "It was the best vacation ever"
"I had a great time hanging out with you.." Brian said. His voice started to turn a bit shy with nerves.
"So did I.. you're a great guy, Brian Littrell" Laura replied, smiling at him. She opened up the door to the car and stepped out. Brian got out of the drivers seat and opened up the trunk, which had her luggage in it.
"Laura, are you doing anything this weekend?" Brian asked shyly.
"Not yet.." Laura replied. She became anxious, awaiting for Brian to ask her out.
"Would you like to go out for dinner, Saturday night? Just you and me.. kind of like, a date?" Brian asked.
"I'd love to" Laura replied seriously yet softly. Brian smiled proudly, happy that he had asked her out. He helped her carry her luggage into the front of her home, and then gave her a hug.
"I'll call you.." Brian said. After Laura got into her home, he ran into his Jeep and took off back to Nick and Tara's house.