| Chapter 86 The next few days went by fast. The guys had hung out with each other, reminiscing about the old days, and laughing about everything. The girls had gone shopping, and had gotten to know each other better. Nick was sleeping more than he had the first time he had gotten out of the hospital. He didn't want to relapse again, so he was taking Ted's instructions seriously. Nick and Lyn went to the airport to see everyone off, then drove to Ted's office for his check up. It was easier saying goodbye this time. They knew they would see each other in a couple weeks for Brian and Tara's party. They walked into Ted's office and checked in with the receptionist. She led them back to a room, knowing that Nick shouldn't be sitting in the public waiting room. Lyn sat down in the chair, and grabbed a magazine, thumbing through it. Nick sat up on the exam table, then lay down on it. He tore off a piece of the paper that covered the table and threw it at Lyn, hitting her between the eyes. She looked up at him. "How long we gotta wait?" he asked. "I don't know. He's pretty busy," she signed to him, going back to her magazine. Nick went back to staring at the wall for a few minutes, then pelted her with another piece of paper. "Yes?" she asked. "I'm bored," he signed. Lyn shook her head and laughed at him, "And just what do you want me to do about it?" Nick sat up and smiled at her, "I could think of some things." Lyn's mouth dropped open and she slapped Nick across the leg with the magazine she was holding. "Ouch! What'd you do that for?" he protested. Lyn started to say something when Ted walked in the door. "Afternoon, how we feeling?" he asked. Nick looked over at Lyn, and she signed to him what Ted had said. "OK, my head itches," Nick said. "Well that's your scar healing," Ted said, looking at it. He examined Nick, and wrote some things down in his chart. "Nick, I want the nurse to take some blood. I want to make sure we have the infection beat," Ted said. Nick didn't look to happy about it, but he agreed. "Doc, when I was in the hospital you told me that I could make my decision anytime right?" Nick asked. Ted looked at him, "Yes." "I want to," Nick signed. Lyn smiled as she relayed the message. "You're sure?" Ted asked. Nick nodded his head, "I guess it wouldn't be right not to at least try." Ted smiled, "OK, I'll set up the tests with Dr. Jansen. I'll call and let you know when to come in." "OK," Nick signed. "Well everything looks good. You guys can leave after the nurse takes your blood, and I'll call you later on tonight with the results," Ted said. He gave Lyn a hug, and shook Nick's hand before he left the room. "I like your uncle," Nick signed. Lyn smiled, "Yeah, I do too." The nurse came in and took Nick's blood. When she had finished, Lyn and Nick left. They decided to go to a restaurant close by and grab a late lunch. Nick put his ball cap on when he got out of the car, not wanting to freak anyone out. They got a table in the corner, out of the way. They were enjoying their lunch, when two teenage girls came up to the table. "Excuse me," one said, "We don't mean to bother you, but this is Nick Carter isn't it?" Lyn looked over at Nick, and he nodded his head. "Yes it is," she answered. "And he's really deaf?" the other girl asked. "Yes he is," Lyn said. The girls looked heartbroken. "Could you ask him if we could have his autograph?" the first girl asked. Lyn smiled, "Yes I will." She signed to Nick, and he smiled and reached out for the paper and pen the girls were holding. He handed the paper back to the girls and smiled at them. "Tell him we love him and we'll always be his fans, no matter what he's doing," the second girl said. Lyn relayed the message. "Tell them thank you," Nick signed. Lyn told them, and the girls smiled at him and left the table. Nick watched them go back to their own table, showing the others they were with the paper with Nick's signature on it. Lyn tapped him on the hand, bringing his attention back to her. "You miss that part of it don't you?" she asked. "Some, yeah," he said. "Well, maybe the tests will work out," Lyn signed. "Maybe, but don't get your hopes up," he signed. "I know, you don't want to just in case it doesn't work," she said. He nodded his head, and finished the rest of his lunch. "You ready to go?" Lyn asked. "Yeah, I'm tired," he signed, getting up and heading for the door. Lyn followed him, paying the cashier and going out to the car. It was a short drive home, and when they got there, Nick went to bed. Lyn headed up to her office to get some work done before she had to start supper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn was sitting at her computer when the phone rang. "Hello," she said. "Hey Lyn," Tara said. "Hey, you guys home already?" Lyn asked. "Yeah, just got in. I wanted to call and see how Nick's check up went," Tara said. "It went well. Uncle Ted is suppose to call and give us his blood test results sometime tonight," Lyn said. "Good. Um, has he said anything about the other tests?" Tara asked. "Yeah, actually he brought it up. He's going to try it," Lyn said. "Great!" Tara said excited. "Tara, you can't tell anyone. Not even Brian," Lyn said. "I know, not until he finds out if it's gonna work or not. Do you know how hard this is gonna be to keep from Bri?" Tara said. "I know, but you have to. I'm not sure he's really thrilled about doing this, and he really doesn't want them to know," Lyn said. "I know. I won't say anything, I promise," Tara said. "Oh, before I forget, your order will be shipped in a few days," Lyn said. "Really? That soon, great," Tara said. "Yeah, we aim to please," Lyn said laughing. "Do you really think he's gonna like it?" Tara asked. "No, I think he's gonna love it," Lyn said. Tara smiled, "Great. I can't wait to get it." "When you do call me and let me know if it's OK," Lyn said. "I will," Tara said. Lyn could hear Brian saying something in the background. "Lyn, I need to go," Tara said. "OK, everything alright?" Lyn asked. "Yeah, everything is great. I'll call in a few days," Tara said. "OK, I'll let you know about the tests," Lyn said. "Alright, bye," Tara said, and hung up. Brian stared at Tara, "You two plotting something?" "No, what ever gave you that idea?" Tara asked, looking innocent. Brian smiled at her, "You're cute when you lie." "It's nothing you need to know right now," Tara said, getting up from his desk and walking around to the door. Brian was leaning against the door frame, blocking her way out. "Bri, I need to go unpack," Tara said, pushing against him. He wasn't moving, "Leave it. It's not going anywhere." Tara stared at him, "So, are you going to keep me prisoner in here or what?" He laughed, "That's not such a bad idea." They stared at each other for a few moments, and Tara could tell something was bothering him. "What's wrong?" she asked. "I don't know, I'm just a little down," he said. "How come?" Tara asked. "Well, we just got here and I already miss Nick. Howie said Nick's selling him his house, and moving up there. He didn't even tell me," Brian said. Tara took his hand and led him over to the couch sitting down. "Brian, he has a different life now," she said. "I know, but just because he has a different life, doesn't mean we aren't still best friends. He should've told me he was moving," Brian said. "I know, but I think he didn't know how to," she said. "Yeah, I guess. I just wish we lived closer. I'm gonna miss hanging out at his house and doing stuff all the time," he said. "Well, Howie and Kevin are here," Tara said. "Yeah, but it's not the same," Brian said. "I guess not," Tara said, "Honey, we can go see him anytime you want, and he can come here. It's not like we aren't ever gonna see him again." "I know, I'm just gonna have to get used to him not being here," he said, getting up. "Do we have anything to eat?" he asked. Tara got up and walked with him to the kitchen, looking in the frig and through the cabinets. "Not much," she said. Just then the phone rang. Brian answered it, "Hello?" "Bri, hey man," Howie said. "Hey," Brian said. "You guys haven't eaten yet have you?" Howie asked. "No, why?" Brian said. "Come over, I'm cooking," Howie said. Brian smiled, "OK, be there in a few." "K, see ya," Howie said and hung up. "Who was that?" Tara asked. "D, he's cooking, we're going," Brian said smiling. Tara laughed, "Well, let's go then." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn had just taken the casserole out of the oven when the phone rang. She reached over and answered it, "Hello." "Hi Lyn," Ted said. "Hey, how were the tests?" she asked. "They look good. I want to keep him on his medicine for another week, and do one more test," he said. "OK, what about the hearing tests?" she asked. "Can you bring him in the morning?" Ted asked. "Yeah, how long will they take?" Lyn asked. "Well, I don't want to totally exhaust him, so we're gonna spread it out over the next three days," he said. "OK, I'm sure he won't mind," she said. Nick walked into the kitchen, picking at the casserole, and burning his fingers. Lyn slapped at him with the pot holder, "Get a fork," she signed. Nick stuck his tongue out at her and smiled, getting a fork out of the drawer. "So I'll see you at nine in the morning at my office," Ted said. "OK, we'll be there," she said, and hung up. "Who was that?" Nick asked. "Uncle Ted, your blood tests were good, but he's keeping you on your medicine for another week," Lyn signed. Nick rolled his eyes, "I'm tired of taking it." "I don't care, you're still taking it," she said. "OK, what else?" he asked. "You have to go in at nine in the morning for your hearing tests, and for the next two days after that," she said. "For the next three days?" he asked. "Yes, they don't want to over exhaust you, so they're spreading them out," she said. "OK, whatever," Nick said, grabbing a plate from the cabinet and dipping himself some casserole. "After we get done at the hospital I want to take the paintings over to the gallery," Nick said. "OK, we can do that," Lyn said, sitting down at the table next to him. They ate their supper, and were putting the dishes away. "There's a good movie on tonight," Lyn said. "Ohh, what?" he asked. "Dances With Wolves," she said. Nick just looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "What's wrong with it? I love that movie," she said. "Nothing. Just that it's like 100 hours long," he said smiling. "Well, I don't see that we have anywhere we're suppose to be," she said. "OK, what time does it come on?" he asked. "Actually, right now," she said looking at the clock. Nick took her hand and they walked into the living room, finding the channel and settling in on the couch. Chapter 87 |