| Chapter 92 Nick listened to the guys as they all made their way down to the ball room. Everyone was dressed informally. All the guys including Nick in jeans and t-shirts. Ana and Marie where wearing the traditional jump suits. He looked down at his hand resting in his lap and started picking the tail of his shirt. Ana touched his shoulder and he looked up at her. "Something wrong?" she asked. He shook his head, "Naw, I'm just nervous for some reason." She smiled, "There's nothing to be nervous about. This is just a quiet little thing, just for us." He nodded, as they rounded the corner and she guided his chair into the ball room. Everyone's jaws dropped open. The place was packed. Anthony and LaDonna were already there, and they both stood up smiling at the group. "Small huh?" Nick said, looking around. "Um ...well," Ana started, but was interrupted by the queen. "Come in, take your seats," she said. Everyone moved into the room, taking their seats at the head table. Anthony and the queen were in the middle, the guys on either side of them. Nick sat next to his mom, Ana on the other side, then Brian and Marie. Kevin, Howie and A.J. were next to Anthony. "Well ain't this fancy," A.J. said, sitting down. "Yeah, no one said anything bout inviting the entire planet," Kevin chuckled. "Well, we wanted to surprise you guys too," Anthony said, a huge grin on his face. "I think you succeeded," Howie smiled. Anthony waited a moment to let the crowd settle down, then he cleared his throat, "Thank you all for coming. This celebration is for these men sitting with me tonight. Celeste owes each and every one a great debt." The crowd applauded, and Anthony waited until they had quieted. "So before we have our meal, I have something I want to give them," he continued. All the guys glanced at each other, wondering what this was all about. Several servants came in carrying different boxes. Anthony moved out to the front of the table. "A.J., Howie, will you come down here?" he asked. The two got up and made their way to stand next to him. Two of the servants came forward, holding out their boxes. Anthony opened one and took out a silver medallion. It was on a golden ribbon, and embossed on it was an image of Celeste with two hands grasping each other in a hand shake. "For offering your services to Celeste, and risking your lives, I bestow upon you both the medallion of Friendship," he said, placing the medallion over A.J.'s head, then reaching into the other box and doing the same for Howie. Both the guys had huge smiles on their faces. The crowd erupted in applause as the two sat back down. Two more servants stepped forward. "Brian and Kevin, come please," Anthony instructed. The cousins stepped down, giving each other a smile. Anthony opened the first box pulling out a unique silver metal. On one side was a unicorn with two swords crossed behind it. On the other was a replica of Celeste as seen from space. "Kevin, for bravery on the battle field and service to Celeste, I honor you," Anthony said, nodding. Kevin bent down so the young man could place the metal on his chest. When he finished, Anthony smiled at him, before moving to the other box. He pulled out another metal. This one had a fighter against the background of an X class ship on one side and the other side once again had an image of Celeste from space. "Brian, for leadership and bravery in battle, I honor you," Anthony said, placing the metal on his chest. Brian looked down at it, then back up, a grin so wide it almost reached his ears. Once again the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The two made their way back to their seats as Anthony turned to face the table. "Nick," he said. LaDonna stood up and guided Nick's chair around the table. A servant stood next to Anthony with another box. Nick looked up at the young man and managed an embarrassed half smile. Anthony grinned at him. "Nick, I don't have the words for how much you have done for us. We took you from all you ever knew and brought you here. You didn't have to stay, but you did. We made you king. Again, you didn't have to accept, but you did. You taught us all what it means to sacrifice everything you have ... you taught me how to lead. You came and showed us that it was OK to be different..... to do things differently. You've changed Celeste forever, and we can never repay you for that. So, I am bestowing upon you the highest honor we have," Anthony said, turning to accept the golden metal. Nick blinked a few times, the brilliance of the metal, glaring in his face. On it was the royal family's crest and on the other side Celeste. Anthony carefully placed it over Nick's head, making sure the metal didn't bang against his chest. "For everything you have done, and all that you mean to us. I honor you," Anthony said, kneeling in front of him. The sound of chairs moving filled the room, and as Nick looked out his heart swelled. Every person was on their knees. He looked back up at the table, seeing the guys had also knelt. Nick felt the hot tears slide down his cheeks as he reached out and took Anthony's hand. "Thank you, my king," he said, pulling the young man to his feet. Anthony shook his head as the room got to its feet, "No, thank you .... my brother." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick leaned on the arm of his hover chair, watching the party. The meal had been served and then the tables cleared. Now the entire palace was filled with the joyful music the band was playing. Most everyone was on the dance floor, laughing and having fun. He smiled as Mason and LaDonna danced by. The love they felt for one another clearly evident on their faces. Kevin and Howie came by next, each with a young lady from the upper class on their arm. They seemed to be having fun. Next came Brian and Marie. They shared the same looks as his mother and Mason did. So in love, and not a care who saw. Nick laughed, holding his chest as A.J. danced by with two beautiful young women. He felt a nudge and looked over. Ana raised her eyebrow, "That how he is on Earth?" Nick nodded, "Yeah, J's always gotta have two of everything." Ana laughed. Nick watched her, loving the gleam in her eyes when she was happy. It'd been there since he woke up, never leaving. She caught him looking and glanced at herself, "What? I got something on me or something?" "Naw," he said, "I just love to watch you. You're so beautiful and you don't even know it." She blushed, looking quite embarrassed. The music moved into a slow song and Nick held out his free hand, "Wanna dance?" "Honey, you can't dance right now," she said. "Yeah I can, come on," he urged, "I know you wanna." She laughed, taking his hand, "Alright, but just for a minute." Nick maneuvered his chair to the edge of the dance floor then slowly stood up. Ana held his arm, helping to steady him. After a moment he looked at her and smiled, "See, piece of cake," he said, pulling her close. She rested her head lightly on his shoulder as they moved back and forth to the music. Their feet never left the same spot, the two just swaying along with the melody. Nick leaned his face against the side of her head and closed his eyes. This was heaven. It had to be. After all the hell he'd been through, this very moment was the peace he was looking for. No longer did they have to hide their feelings. They were free to love each other, no matter who saw. As weak as Nick was, he felt like he was soaring above the clouds. The music stopped and they both looked into each others eyes for a moment. Then it hit them that it was strangely quiet. Slowly they turned their heads to see the entire room watching them. It wasn't an accusing look, but each face had a smile. Nick glanced at A.J. and he gave him a the thumbs up. He tired to keep from laughing at him, as Ana looked back to him, complete embarrassment on her face. "They like us," Nick said, giving her a cheesy grin and then quickly kissing her before falling back down into his chair. "Way to go Nicky!" A.J. yelled, clapping his hands. The whole crowd laughed, then joined in the applause. Nick shook his head as Ana guided his chair back around the table, "I'm so gonna get you for that J," he muttered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tamara and Tom made their way up to the head table. "Hey Nick, we just wanted to say goodbye," Tamara said. "You're leaving?" Nick asked, "The party's just getting going." Both agents laughed. "Well, we're taking off early in the morning. Your ships are piggybacking us again," Tom said. "Oh, well, then I guess we'll see you back on earth then," Nick said. Tamara nodded, "Yeah, we should arrive a couple days before you guys do. That'll give us enough time to put the plan into motion." "OK, sounds great," Nick said, offering them both his hand, "Thanks guys for all your help." "No problem," Tom said, smiling, "Not only did you change things here, you did a number back home too." "Yeah?" Nick said, "So are they ready to hear we're out here?" Tamara held up her hands, "Ohhh no! Not yet, but I think we're getting closer. Thanks to you." "Cool," Nick said, "I always wanted to change the world," he laughed. Tom playfully slapped his shoulder, "Bet you never thought you'd change two, huh?" Nick shook his head. "Ok, we'll see you in a couple weeks then," Tamara said. "K, be careful, have a safe trip," Nick said. "You too," Tom said, as they left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ana glanced over, seeing Nick talking to the agents from Earth. "Would you like to dance?" a voice came from behind her. She turned around, "Lord DeGrafe ...um, sure." Mason smiled, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor. Ana noticed he looked like he wanted to say something. He'd open his mouth and take a breath, only to close it again. "I'm happy for you two," he finally said, "You are good for him. I'm glad you don't have to hide what you feel anymore." "Thank you," Ana said, "I love him so much." "I can see it. I don't know why I didn't pick up on it before the day of the battle, but now that I look back, I see it. You loved him before you even got here, didn't you?" he asked with a smile. Ana nodded, "I did. I didn't want to admit it, but yeah." Mason nodded, "Take care of him for us." She smiled, "I will my lord." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well my friend, this has been some celebration," Tunk said. Nick nodded, "Yeah it has. I wasn't expecting the ceremony." Tunk gave him a huge smile, "So, you can still be surprised?" he laughed. Nick chuckled, holding his chest. "You alright?" Tunk asked, his smile turning to concern. "Yeah, just can't laugh very well yet," he replied. Tunk put his hand on Nick's shoulder, "If you ever need anything from me or my people, all you have to do is call." "Thank you Tunk. You are a good friend," Nick said. "Excuse me Ambassador," LaDonna said, moving around Tunk to stand next to Nick's chair, "May I steal my son away?" Tunk bowed, "Of course your highness," he looked back up at Nick, "Have a safe journey home. I will miss you." Nick reached out and hugged him, "I'll miss you too. We'll get together the next time I'm here, K?" Tunk smiled, "I look forward to it. Goodnight," he said, turning and walking back into the crowd. LaDonna looked down at her son, "You look tired, can I take you up?" Nick looked out at the dance floor, seeing Mason and Ana still dancing. He wanted to stay until the end of the party, but he knew it would last all night, and he was exhausted. "Yeah, but have someone tell Ana I'm leaving," he said. LaDonna motioned a servant over and told the man to deliver the message. The man walked out onto the dance floor. Mason and Ana stopped dancing as the man talked to them, then both looked up. Nick waved and Ana blew him a kiss. Mason nodded and LaDonna smiled as she guided Nick's chair out of the room. The hallway was so quiet compared to the ball room. LaDonna sighed as she walked, "I can't believe you're leaving me in a couple days." Nick looked down at his lap, feeling the same way. He didn't know how he was going to say goodbye to her, even if it wasn't forever and he knew he was coming back someday. "I don't wanna leave, but I have a whole other family and friends ....." he started. She put her hand on his shoulder, "I understand Nickolas. I can't even imagine what they've been through these past few months. To think you were kidnaped and no where to be found ..... you need to go back to them." Nick reached up and held her hand that rested on his shoulder, "I know, but I'll be back, when everything settles down again." LaDonna laughed, "And when will that be? In a year or two?" Nick bit his lip, he honestly didn't know. "Nick, I'm just kidding. I don't expect you to come back in a few months. I know you have to recover, then your management will want to reschedule the tour dates you missed. Then another cd, and promotion," she said. Nick laughed and turned in his chair to look at her, "You sound like Kevin." She nodded, "He and I had a long talk. He let me in on some things, explained a little about how your business worked." "Yeah good ole Kev," Nick muttered as they reached his room. LaDonna guided his chair over to the bed and helped Nick move from it to the bed. She then retrieved his pajamas and helped him take off the sling that kept his left arm tight against his chest. Nick winced as she pulled the shirt over his head and replaced it with his pajama shirt. Then she pulled back the covers and helped ease him down into the bed, placing pillows on his left side to support his arm. "That comfortable?" she asked. He nodded, "�Thanks." The queen sat down next to him and brushed his bangs off his forehead, "When you go back, we will set you up with some transmitters. Anytime you want, you can call and talk." "Thanks mom," Nick said, his eyes shining. His mother laughed, "Don't make me call you first and ask why you never call your mother." Nick giggled, "Don't worry. That wont happen." "Good," she said, staring at him intently, "Honey, I've noticed that you've been sort of quiet since you woke up. Is there something I can help with?" Nick bit the inside of his jaw. He wasn't sure how to explain how he felt. He didn't know if he ever could. "I can't explain it. I just have this feeling," he said quietly. "Tell me," she urged. He sighed, "I don't know how. Um ... I'm not suppose to be here now. I was suppose to die, and I ..... um ...." "Baby, are you feeling guilty for living?" she asked. Nick shrugged, then regretted it as a pain shot through his chest, "Uh, I'm not sure ...... maybe. I just know that when the kings came back to the throne room, they came to take me with them. Something changed, and they didn't. Did I not do what I was suppose to? I mean, I'm not complaining, but I just wanna know. Did I screw up so bad they didn't want me anymore?" LaDonna's mouth dropped open in shock and she leaned down and hugged Nick close to her, "No sweetie, you didn't screw up. You did everything right." "Then why?" he asked, feeling tears in his eyes and not sure why they were there. His mother pulled back and looked at him, tears in her own eyes. "Honey, Mason asked for you to be spared. He begged Frederick not to take you. You had already completed the prophecy, there was no reason for you to die. Mason asked him to give you the chance he never gave us, to let you love and live," she explained. The tears spilled over Nicks cheeks as he stared at his mother, "He did?" She nodded, "Yes he did. That's why you are still with us." Nick took a moment to let that sink in. "So, Frederick and Mason, did they make up?" he asked. She smiled, "Yes. They forgave each other, because of you." "Me?" Nick asked, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "They both love you and want what's best for you. Frederick saw Mason change because of his love for you and me. Mason said he told him he was proud of him and asked him to forgive him. You, my son, have done more than the prophecy ever spoke of. You brought two men together that I thought would never see eye to eye. Now things are settled between them," she said. Nick smiled through a yawn, "I'm glad you're happy now." She smiled, "So am I. Thank you." Nick gave her a smile as his eyes drifted closed. He opened them again. "Go to sleep, you've had a long day," she soothed. He nodded, letting himself drift to sleep. LaDonna stayed with him for a long time, just watching him. She gently touched his face, "You have both your father's in you," she whispered, seeing so much of Mason and Frederick in Nick. Carefully she leaned down and kissed his forehead, "I love you," she murmured, as she got up to leave. As she reached the door, she looked back at his sleeping form. Damn she was going to miss him. Chapter 93 |