| Chapter 92 Lyn sat on the edge of the bed watching Nick sleep. She knew she needed to wake him up if they were gonna get to his Drs. appointment and the airport on time, but she didn't want to pull him from his peaceful slumber. It had been almost a week since the gallery opening. Nick had worked on a few more paintings, but mostly he practiced his song, wanting to sound good when he sang at the party. Lyn glanced over at the clock, knowing she had to get him up. She reached over and shook him. He blinked his eyes a couple of times and looked at her. "It's time to get up," she signed to him. Nick sat up and ran his fingers through his hair, then grabbed the aid off the nightstand and put it in. "What time is it?" he asked. "We've got about two hours before your doctors appointment," she answered. "Oh, OK," he said, getting up and stretching. Nick walked around the bed, heading for the door, "I'm gonna go work out for about thirty, then get a shower." "OK," Lyn said, as he left the room. She got up to go finish getting ready herself when the phone rang. She grabbed it, "Hello." "Hey Lyn," Tara said. "Hey, what's all that noise?" Lyn asked, hearing what sounded like machinery in the background. "Oh, that's some stuff for the party," she said. "Good grief, sounds like your building a house," Lyn said. Tara laughed, "Might as well be. Anyway, did you find my watch?" "Yeah, I've already got it packed," Lyn said. "Oh good. How's Nick, he OK to travel?" she asked. "Yes, he's doing great. He has an appointment this morning with Dr. Jansen before we leave, just a check up thing, to make sure everything is working OK," Lyn said. "Good, I can't wait to see him," Tara said. "Now remember the plan," Lyn said. "I will. You have no idea how hard this has been to keep to myself," Tara said. Lyn laughed, "Well just a couple more days and you won't have to." "Yeah, you guys are getting here around seven?" Tara asked. "Yeah, Howie is suppose to leave Nick's SUV at the airport for us, and we'll go straight to Nick's... I mean, Howie's," Lyn said. "Yeah, everyone will be here by then, and Howie is cooking for us, so let Nick know everyone will be there when you guys show up," Tara said. "OK, I'll tell him. Well I better go, so we can get everything done before we leave," Lyn said. "Alright, you guys have a safe trip, and we'll see you tonight," Tara said. "OK, bye," Lyn said, and hung up. Lyn walked out into the living room, just as Nick was coming downstairs. "Who was on the phone," he asked. "It was Tara," she said. "Oh, everything OK?" Nick asked. "Yeah, she just wanted to make sure of some stuff," Lyn said. "She didn't tell anyone did she?" Nick asked. "No, but are you sure you want to do it this way? The party isn't for two days still, you could just tell them when we get there," Lyn said. Nick shook his head, "No, let's just do it the way we planned. Besides, it'll be funny to see their faces," he said smiling. "It's gonna be funny to see their faces when they see you. You do realize how different you look, right?" Lyn said. Nick looked at himself, "I'm not that different looking." "Oh yes you are, you don't even look like the same person," she said. Nick smiled and pulled her close to him, "Well, I like this person better anyway." Lyn laughed at him, "Now go get your shower so we can leave." "What? You don't like me sweaty?" he asked. Lyn smiled, "On the contrary, I love you like this, but we are gonna be so late if you don't get with it." "OK," Nick said, pulling her into a quick kiss, then heading to his room. Lyn laughed as she went to hers, "God I love that boy." "I heard that," Nick yelled from his room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie and Kira waited at the airport. "Here's their plane," Kira said, watching through the windows as the plane taxied over to the gate. A.J. and Sarah got off first, followed by Leighanne and Gary. "Hey guys," Howie said, giving them all a hug. "Damn D, what the hell happened to your hair?" A.J. asked. Kira started laughing. Howie had his hair dyed back to its original color, except for the ends, they were still red. "What you don't like it?" Howie said, smiling. "It's kinda like Ozzy Osborne," Leighanne said. "Yeah, thought I'd try something different for a while," Howie said. "Yeah, I'd say that's different all right," Gary said, trying hard not to laugh. "You guys will see the tape when everyone gets here," Kira said, as they walked out of the airport and over to the car. "What tape?" A.J. asked. "Tara's revenge tape," Howie said. "Oh man, I can't wait," Leighanne said laughing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "OK Nick, one more and we're threw," Dr. Jansen said. Nick nodded his head, and went through one more test. Lyn watched as they quickly went through it. "OK, take off the headphones," Dr. Jansen said. Nick did as he was told. "Everything looks good. Are there any questions you have?" Dr. Jansen asked. "Yeah, when I'm in large crowds, it's like all the sound is trying to come in at once, is that normal?" Nick asked. "Yes, I'm afraid that's something that you will have to get used to. The aid does wonders in intimate settings like us carrying on a conversation, but when you get to many people involved, it has a hard time processing individual sounds," Dr. Jansen said. "So that's something that won't get any better?" Lyn asked. "No, I'm afraid it won't," he said. "So going to a concert is out of the question," Nick said. "I'm afraid so, unless you like that disorienting sound," the doctor said. "No, no I don't," Nick said. "Well if there aren't any more questions," Dr. Jansen said, "I'll see you in a month." Nick and Lyn got up, "Thanks doc." They left the office and were walking down the hall when they ran into Ted. "Hey guys, how'd the appointment go?" he asked. "Good," Lyn said. "Yeah, I'm almost good as new," Nick said. "Well, I wanted to catch you before you left," Ted said. "Yeah, we're on our way to the airport right now," Lyn said. "Nick, you haven't traveled this long since you've been here, so don't over do it. If you're tired, rest, OK?" Ted said. "I will," Nick said, shaking his hand. Lyn walked over and hugged him, "We'll be back next week." "OK, call me and let me know you guys made it OK," Ted said. "I will," Lyn said, taking Nick's hand and heading down the hallway. Ted watched them leave, smiling to himself. "Those two are a match made in heaven," he said, heading on to his office. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You guys wanna swing by and see what Brian and Tara are up to?" Howie asked. "Isn't that what got you your red hair?" A.J. asked. "Well, it's just that we've been seeing alot of delivery trucks going by," Kira said. Howie made the turn, and slowly drove by Brian's house. They all looked. There were several white unmarked delivery vans outside, but no sign of anyone. "I wonder what they're doing?" Leighanne said. "I guess we'll find out on Saturday," Gary said. "Howie, I hate to interrupt this little spy mission, but if I don't get to a bathroom, we're gonna be floating to your house," Leighanne said. "OK," Howie said, speeding up and heading down the road. Kira turned around and looked at Leighanne, "Kid doing backflips on your bladder?" Leighanne laughed, "You could say that." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn pulled into the airport, and drove past the terminals. Nick looked at her, confused, "Where are we going?" "To the plane," she said, smiling. "But don't we have to go through the terminals?" he asked. "Nope, not when you own your own plane," she said. "What? You own a plane?" Nick asked. "Actually I have two," she said. Nick watched as they pulled along side a jet. His jaw dropped, "This is your plane?" "Yeah, come on," she said, getting out of the car. Nick got out and headed to the back of the car to get their bags. "Nick, come with me, they'll get it," Lyn said, heading up the stairs. Nick watched as two men walked over and unloaded the car and started loading the plane. He then walked up the stairs and into the plane. "Oh my God, this is sweet," he said, looking around. In the front of the plane were some normal first class type seats, then going on back, there was a couple of tables, and couches, with a large screen media system. Then the galley, which was fully stocked, then in the back was a full sized bedroom with a king sized bed, complete with a huge bathroom with a shower. Lyn smiled, as Nick looked around, completely in awe. "Man, this makes the one we had for our 100 hour tour look like crap," he said. Lyn laughed, "Well I wouldn't say that." "I would," Nick said, flopping down on the bed and spreading his arms and legs out, "You didn't have to share one of these with four other guys." Lyn sat down on the edge of the bed, laughing at him. Nick looked up at her, "And just when were you gonna tell me you owned two planes?" "Oh, I thought now was a good time," she said smiling. "Excuse me, Ms. Jackson," a stewardess said. "Yes Tina," Lyn said. "We will be taking off soon, would you like fish or chicken for your meal?" she asked. Lyn looked at Nick. "Chicken," he said. "Chicken it is," Lyn said. "Yes mame, if you'll get seated and buckled in please," Tina said. Lyn pulled Nick up and headed for the couches. "Aww, I could've laid there," Nick said. "Not on my plane," she said. When they were seated, Tina called the captain on the intercom, telling him they were ready. The plane started to taxi down the runway, gaining speed, and finally taking off. Nick reached up and pulled the aid out of his ear, grimacing. "What is it?" Lyn signed. "To damn loud," Nick signed back to her. "Well, you might as well go ahead and give it to me," Lyn said, holding out her hand. Nick dropped the little machine in her hand and watched as she placed it in its case and put it in her purse. "Now you know where it is when you want it," she signed. He nodded, "I won't get it until the party." "OK," she said. They watched TV for a little while, until Tina served them their lunch. After lunch Nick felt tired, so he went back and went to sleep. Lyn read a magazine until Tina notified her that they would be landing soon. She went back to the bedroom and smiled when she saw Nick, hugging one of the pillows, asleep. She crawled up on the bed and ran her hand down his arm, and around his face. He woke up and looked at her, smiling. "We're about to land," she signed. Nick sat up, "Already?" "Honey, you've been asleep for two hours now," she said. "Oh, OK," he said. He got up and straightened his clothes, running his fingers through his hair. "Do I look OK?" he asked. "You look fine, now let's go buckle in so we can land," she said. Airport personnel were there to meet them when they got off the plane. They had unloaded their bags and had a hospitality cart there to take them to Nick's SUV. They drove them over to his car, loading their stuff in the back for them. "Remind me to travel with you more often," Nick signed. Lyn laughed, getting in the drivers seat. Nick hopped in, glad to be back in his own car. "Do you know where you're going?" he asked. "Tara gave me directions, and you can tell me if I make a wrong turn," she said starting the car and heading down the road. Two wrong turns and thirty-five minutes later they drove up Nick's drive. Lyn stopped the car, turning it off. "This is a nice house," she signed. "Yeah, I'm glad that D's getting it," he said. They got out of the car, grabbing their bags and leaving the rest of the equipment in the truck. They walked up to the door, and Nick took a deep breath before ringing the bell. "Oh my God, they're here!" Kira said, running to the door, followed by everyone else. She swung open the door, surprised at what Nick looked like. Everyone stopped, looking at him. He still hadn't gained all his weight back, but he had definitely been working out. He had gained alot of muscle, and with his hair still quite short, looked really good. "Damn Nicky, you look buff," A.J. signed. Nick laughed, "Thanks, can we come in now?" "Oh sorry," Kira said, letting them in. Everyone hugged them and ushered them into the living room. "So how are you feeling?" Brian asked. "Good," Nick said. Nick looked over and noticed Howie's hair and started laughing. "Oh you have to see the tape," Kristin said. "Tape? What tape?" Nick asked. "Brian thought of a good joke," Tara signed. Nick looked at Brian, "This should be interesting." Kira put the tape in and they all settled down to watch. By the end of it, everyone was in hysterics. Lyn had signed to Nick what was being said and he was laughing so hard he almost couldn't breathe. "I wish I'd thought of that," he finally signed. "Well, I beat you to it," Brian said. "OK guys, who's hungry," Howie said, coming out of the kitchen. They all sat down to eat, telling stories and catching up with each other. Nick told them about his gallery opening. Everyone was excited for him. Then Gary and Leighanne started in on a story about going to the doctor for the first time together. After they finished supper, Lyn helped the girls clean the kitchen, while Nick went with the guys out on the patio. "Nick you are really looking good, Lyn must be a slave driver to make you exercise like that," Kevin said. "Naw, I actually kinda like it," he said, looking out toward the pond on the back of his property. "Guys, I'm gonna take a walk, I'll be back in a little bit," Nick signed, then headed down the path. They all looked at each other, as the girls came out to join them. "Where's Nick going?" Lyn asked. "There's a pond down there," Kira said. Brian looked at Tara and she winked at him, then took off down the trail. Lyn looked at Brian. "It's OK, I think they just need to talk," he said. "OK," she said, watching Tara disappear in the darkness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tara could see Nick standing in the tall grass at the edge of the pond. She walked up to him and touched his shoulder. He jumped, and turned around. "You scared me," he signed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she said. The moon light was beaming down on them, and reflecting off the pond. "I forgot how pretty this was," Nick said. "Yeah, I miss coming here sometimes," she said. "It brings back alot of memories," he said. She looked at him, studying his eyes, "Yes it does." "Nick, are you OK? I mean with everything that's going on?" she asked. He smiled at her, "I'm more than OK. I love what you two are doing, and I love where I am. It's just that I didn't expect to have all these memories come flooding back like they are. It's a little overwhelming, but in a good way." Tara laughed, "As long as it's in a good way." Nick smiled at her, then looked out over the pond again. Tara reached over and took his hand in hers. He looked down at her. "Nick, I just want you to know that I will always have a place in my heart for you," she said. He smiled, "And I will for you too. You were my first real love, and you showed me what it was really suppose to be like. My entire relationship with Lyn I owe to you." Tara blushed, "No, you did that on your own." "But if I hadn't of been with you I wouldn't have known what I had. I would've thrown it away like I did countless times before. I'm so happy with her, and it's because of you," he said. Tara wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at him, "OK, this is getting a little to mushy," she said laughing. Nick smiled at her, "Sorry, but it's true." She reached up and hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek, "I love you, you big goof." He laughed, "I love you too, you sneaky little angel." Tara looked back toward the house, "We should probably get back before they send out a search party." "Yeah, I guess so," Nick signed, turning and offering Tara his hand. She smiled as she took it and together they walked back to the house. Chapter 93 |