| Chapter 94 The two weeks it took the ship to reach Earth seemed to fly by. How is it that when you are going somewhere time stands still, but when you're going home, it passes in an instant? Everyone was excited as they boarded the transport. Over the past two weeks Nick had improved greatly. He was walking and had his left arm in a regular sling, rather than in the immobilizing one. He would only have to wear the sling for a few more weeks, then he could begin using his arm again. Still he got tired easily, but as time passed he would regain his strength. The ships doctor had taken a lot of time to explain to Nick just what had happened to him to cause his weakness. Nick just smiled and nodded. The medical terms meant nothing to him. All he knew was that the past Kings had taken his energy, and it would be a long time returning. His scar from his surgery was healing nicely, and much to Nick's delight, it wasn't as big or as noticeable as he thought it would be. "Man I can't believe we're here," A.J. said, looking out the window of the transport as it made its way down through the atmosphere. "Where are we anyway?" Howie asked, not recognizing the land that came into view beneath them. "I dunno," Brian replied, "Kinda looks like Europe maybe?" Nick looked out the window, not sure where they were either. "I wonder when we'll get to see our families," Kevin said, starting a whole new round of conversation. Ana looked over at Nick and squeezed his knee. He glanced over. "What's that smile for?" she asked, grinning at him. "My family. I didn't realize how much I missed them until now. I can't wait to see my brother," he replied. "I can't wait to meet them," Ana said, feeling the butterflies in her stomach. Kevin looked over and smiled, "Well, don't let mamma Carter get to you." Ana nodded, "I know, Nick's already warned me." The entire group laughed. The transport landed in a large field, and the group headed down the ramp, bags in tow. "Hey guys, welcome home," Tamara called. "Hey," Nick said, heading towards the vans. "You look better," she commented. Nick smiled, "I had a good nurse," he said, glancing at Ana. "Well, if you'll all get in, we'll head back to the hotel," Tamara said. "Is the news out yet?" Kevin asked. She shook her head, "Not yet. Your families will be here in the morning and the news is breaking tonight." "Oh joy," A.J. grinned. "Oh joy indeed," Nick said, as he stepped into the van. The pandemonium would soon ensue. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Now the story the press is getting is that Nick has been here for several months. He escaped from his captures, but in doing so was injured. He's been in the hospital all this time, and Ana was his nurse," Tom said. Marie glanced at Ana and smiled, "Told you you should have been a nurse." Ana rolled her eyes. "But if Nick's been here for months, then why didn't he contact someone?" Kevin asked. "Amnesia," Tamara said. Nick sighed, "Oh great, like that's gonna be believable. And what? I just suddenly remembered my life again?" "It's better than the alternative," Tamara said. "Which is?" Kevin asked. "The truth," Tom answered. "Ok, even if we go with the amnesia thing, it's not like people don't know who Nick is," Brian said. "Yeah, someone would have had to recognize him before now," A.J. added. "Not where we are," Tom said. "And exactly where is that?" Nick asked. "Southern France," Tamara answered. "We're in France?" Howie asked. "Yes, we thought it best since you all are speaking with a French accent now," Tom said. "We are not," Kevin laughed. "You are too," Tamara said, "Wanna hear?" Kevin waved his hand, and Tamara pulled out her tape recorder. "Ok, someone say something," she said. "Well I don't know bout anyone else, but I am definitely not speaking with a French accent," A.J. said, crossing his arms over his chest. Tamara stopped the tape then rewound it and pressed play. All the guys mouths dropped open. "Damn, well I take that back," A.J. said. "I think it sounds cool," Howie said. A.J. hit him, "You would." "Guys," Kevin said sternly, cutting off Howie's reply. Nick laughed, "Some things never change." "Ok, so back to the story," Brian said, "If Nick's been here all this time, where have we been?" "Good question," Tom said, "You've been here too. We worked some things out with INTERPOL, they have agreed to collaborate our story. Early leads brought us here, and since you guys are so close, you wanted to be where we were searching." "So, you've been here in an exclusive resort the entire time," Tamara said, "And that's how you met Marie." "I met my wife at a resort?" Brian asked. "Marie has been set up as an agent for Interpol. She was assigned to your case, and you two met that way," Tom said. "Cool, I'm a secret agent," Marie laughed. "Alright, so what about management?" Kevin asked, "If our families are on their way, then they won't be far behind." "You're right," Tom said, "Actually they're coming with your families. They already set up a press conference for tomorrow night." "But the news just broke two hours ago," A.J. said. Nick sighed, "Do I have to go?" "That's the whole reason for it. They want the world to see that you're alright," Tamara said. "So what am I suppose to say? How long was I with my kidnappers? What'd they do to me? I can't talk about any of that stuff, it never happened!" Nick yelled. Ana placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him. "Don't worry Nick, we have it all covered," Tom said. Nick glanced at the guys, "Oh yeah, whose worried?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick bit his lip. He was nervous as hell. He glanced around the room, seeing the same looks on everyone's faces. They sat in a large meeting room inside the hotel, waiting for their families to get there. They were due any minute. He watched as Brian tried to calm Marie down. She was so nervous she was visibly shaking. He didn't envy her at all. Jackie and Harold were the most loving people in all the world, but to find out their son got married to someone they didn't even meet? Well, he just didn't know how that would play out. Ana sat down next to him. "She gonna be OK?" he asked. She smiled, "I think so. Just pre meet the parents nerves." Nick looked into her dark blue eyes. He wasn't sure he was going to get used to seeing them this way. The light on Earth gave her a whole new appearance. One he wasn't used to yet. Her skin was golden, her hair a light brown, and her eyes had darkened to a deep blue. He reached up and touched her hair. "I'm still not used to this," he said. Ana laughed, "You aren't? Do you know how different you look to me?" She touched his blonde hair then ran her fingers over his face. "I love your eyes, they're so blue," she smiled. Nick grinned, leaning over and kissing her. "Nick?!" Nick looked up to see his mother, coming into the room. He stood up, seeing the rest of his family walk in. Jane stared at him, "You're really here? This isn't a dream?" Nick shook his head, "It's no dream mom." The Carters crossed the room and huddled around Nick, engulfing him in a huge hug. "We thought we'd lost you," Bob said, blinking the tears from his eyes. Ana looked over at the guys. All of them were smiling with tears in their eyes. Aaron moved to stand in front of Nick and wrapped his arms around him. The two brothers said nothing, they just held each other. Soon the other families made their way in. Ana and Marie stood back, watching. It was truly a sight. All five families were so relieved and happy to have their loved one back. The two girls seemed to fade into the woodwork as the families talked and cried. Brian cleared his throat, "Mom, Dad, there's someone I want you to meet." He walked over and took Marie by the hand, "This is Marie Lapool Littrell, my wife." The entire room fell silent, all the families eyes going from Marie to Jackie and Harold. "Y-your wife?" Jackie asked. Brian nodded, "I know this is sudden, but we've been together since I've been gone. I'm sorry you didn't get to see me get married, but we ....... I love her so much, and I just couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with her." Jackie opened her mouth, but closed it as Harold squeezed her shoulder. Marie glanced at Ana, a �help me' look on her face. Brian's parents were just staring at her in shock, and she didn't know what to do. "Brian, sont-ils bien ?" Brian, are they alright? Marie asked. He smiled at her, "Je pense they're dans le choc. Juste donnez-leur une certaine heure," I think they're in shock, just give them some time. Jackie stared at Marie, "I've heard that before." "Heard what?" Harold asked. "That language," she said. "Honey, it's French," her husband said. Jackie shook her head, "It's different." Brian and Marie stared at each other. Harold walked over and pulled Marie into a huge hug, "Welcome to the family." Marie smiled, "Thank you." Brian took his mother's hand, then Marie's, "Mom, there's some things we need to talk about." Jackie looked at her son, then to Marie as he pulled her out of the room. "Well, since we're in the surprise mode," Nick said, "Everyone, I want you to meet Ana Copeland." Ana stepped up beside Nick. He took her hand and smiled at her. Jane glared at her for a moment, "You aren't married are you?" They both laughed. "No mom, not yet anyway," he said. Ana stepped forward and extended her hand to Jane, "It's nice to finally meet you Mrs. Carter. Nick has told me so much about you." Jane glanced at Nick, as she took Ana's hand and shook it, "Well, you can't believe everything Nick says." Ana smiled, as the rest of the Carters came to greet her. Aaron nudged Nick, "She got a sister?" Nick laughed and pushed him away, "God you're still annoying!" "Yeah, but you love me," Aaron grinned. Nick nodded, "That I do kiddo." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To say the press conference and the weeks following were hell, would be putting it mildly. The guys were hounded by reporters wanting to get the inside scoop. Fans were constantly at their houses, and gifts poured in. Management was already talking about rescheduling the missed tour dates, then sending the boys back into the studio for another album. So, life was back to normal. Jackie was the only one out of all the families to hear the truth. Brian figured if she'd kept her father's secret this long, then she could keep Nick's as well. The rest bought the story the agents and the boys told them. None of them asked to much, not wanting to bring back �bad' memories for Nick. So it was left at that. The boys had all gone home to rest, but they called each other everyday. This was something new they had started, and had promised to do when they couldn't all five be together. Ana had made herself at home in Nick's house. He really didn't recognize the place anymore, but he loved what she did to it. Somehow she had decorated the place so it reminded him of Celeste. The furnishings, the colors, everything. She even went so far as to have a mural painted in their bedroom of Celeste's stars. Jane had given him �the talk' once they were home. She didn't approve of Ana, just like she hadn't approved of any of Nick's girlfriends. So Nick did what he always did .... he ignored her. The rest of the family adored Ana, and that was enough for him. He even thought Aaron had developed a little crush on her. Maybe there was some Angel in that boy after all? Nick got up from his desk and walked into the living room. Ana was in the kitchen, searching through the cabinets for something to fix for dinner. "How's the queen?" she asked. Nick smiled, "She's fine. Said to tell you hi and that she misses us." "I miss her too," Ana said, leaning against the counter, "She's the closest thing I've to a mom now." Nick nodded, walking over and taking her in his arms, kissing her neck. He looked outside to see the sun setting. "I'm gonna go out and watch, you coming?" he asked, already heading to the patio doors. "Yeah, let me get us something to drink first," she replied. Nick left the house and walked down to his private beach. He sat down and buried his toes in the warm sand. He stared off into the distant colors, entranced at how they reflected in the water. He smiled as a gentle breeze touched him. He barely noticed when Ana sat down next to him, absently taking the glass she handed him. "What is it?" she asked, seeing the look on his face. He took a deep breath and shook his head, "All my life I searched for where I fit. Where I thought I belonged. I just realized something." "What's that?" Ana asked. He glanced at her, "Everything I went through, all the searching. It lead me here." Ana stared at him for a moment, not sure she understood. Nick sat his drink down and leaned back on his elbows, staring at the sky. The first stars were peeking through the darkness. "I used to stare at these stars every night, wishing for a place that I could call mine. A place where I wouldn't be made fun of for things I did naturally. Then when I thought I found that place, it wasn't what I wished for. There I got made fun of for things that were the norm here," he laughed, "I just figured out that I'm not going to truly belong anywhere. No matter where I go, I will always be different. But now I see it as a good thing. No longer am I searching for something I already have." "So what is it you have?" she asked. He looked at her, "A home. Here I fit, and here I belong .. on Earth, with you." Ana smiled at him, leaning down and kissing him. Nick gently pulled her down to where she was laying next to him. They both stared up at the stars. Watching as each one appeared. Soon the sky was full of them. Ana reached over and took his hand, interlacing their fingers. He squeezed her hand. He let out a sigh of contentment and happiness. He was home .... and he had found where he belonged. THE END Back Back to My Stories Feedback |