| Chapter 25 The next morning everyone was to fly to Las Vegas. Then they had a day off before the last show. Kira had informed everyone that the wedding would be on their day off, it was the only time she could get the chapel she wanted. Nick had slept through the night, and Tara was letting him sleep as late as possible before waking him for the trip to the airport. All the guys were still worried about him, not being able to get the memory of what happened out of their heads. Everyone had gone and gotten their bags, meeting in Brian's room. Tara looked up at the clock, "I guess I better wake him up." The guys watched as she headed into the room. Tara walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, looking at Nick. He had a peaceful expression on his face, such the opposite of what he was feeling the night before. She sighed and reached over, placing her hand over his eyes. Nick moved, and looked over at her when she pulled her hand away. "It's morning, and we need to get to the airport pretty soon," she told him. He nodded and sat up, rubbing his face. Tara could see the emotions behind his eyes, he was devastated at what had happened. "Nick, once we get on the plane, I'll make you sleep some more, OK?" she said. He nodded his head, getting up and finding some jeans to put on. Tara sat there while he changed. They were both way past being modest with one another. Nick sat on the bed, pulling his shoes on. Tara looked at him, "Nick, say something." He looked over at her, his eyes saying volumes. "Like what? I'm mortified, devastated? That I can't imagine what would've happened if you hadn't come in? What do you want me to say?" he asked, brushing away a tear. Tara put her hand on his knee, "Nick, I understand completely. I don't want to push you to talk about it, but if you want to, I'm here, alright?" He nodded, "I know, and I don't mean to push you away. It's just that I'm so ashamed of what happened. I can't believe I let them get to me like that." "You were exhausted, and you still are," she said. "Yeah, but I can't use that as an excuse, I should've been stronger, fought them, something. Instead I just stood there and let them do it," he said, looking at the floor. Tara put her arm around Nick, pulling him down into a hug, "Once you've rested, we'll talk about this some more." Nick leaned against her, to tired to move, and not wanting to leave the comfort of her arms. Kevin stuck his head in the door, seeing them, "Um, you bout ready? The limo is here to take us to the airport." Tara nodded at him, letting Nick sit up. She grabbed his bag for him, and walked with him out of the room. Nick didn't look at the guys, instead walking all the way to the car with is head lowered. He was to ashamed to even look them in the eyes. When the car arrived at the airport, Nick got out and headed to the plane, without a word. The rest of the guys and Tara hung back, watching Nick climb the stairs and enter the jet. "What's wrong?" Brian asked, still looking at where Nick had just disappeared. "He's ashamed of what happened. Embarrassed that you guys saw him that way, and that he let it happen," Tara said. "But why? We understand that he was to tired to fight them," Howie asked. "He thinks he should have been stronger," she said. "No one could have resisted them, as tired as he was," A.J. said. Tara looked at them all, "Give him some time. He's still drained, I'm sure after he's rested a little more, he'll come around." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked through the plane, to the bedroom. He climbed onto the bed and pulled a pillow over, hugging it. He couldn't stop the tears from coming. Every time he thought about what he did, the moment in time that he turned his back on God, and let them influence him, he felt nothing but remorse and regret. His heart felt so broken, he didn't know how he was ever going to fix it. He wasn't sure he could. He asked God for forgiveness, wondering if He could forgive him for something so inexcusable. He heard the others boarding the plane, and wished Tara would hurry up and come knock him out, at least then, he wouldn't have to feel what he was feeling. Tara walked into the room, seeing Nick curled up on the bed already. She walked around the bed and sat down next to him, gently wiping the tears from his face. Nick looked up at her, "How can He forgive me for this?" "Nick, He loves you. He will always forgive you when you ask," she said, smiling at him. They felt the plane begin to move, and knew they were taxing into position to take off. "I'll wait until we're in the air, OK. No one can wake you but me, so if something happened during take off..." she started. Nick waved his hand, "I know." "Besides, you need to eat and drink something," Tara said. "I don't want anything," Nick said. "Nick, you have to take care of yourself. Part of getting your energy back is rest and nourishment," she said. Nick sighed, looking at her. "I'll go get you something," she said, getting up and leaving the room. Nick closed his eyes, wishing he could fall asleep on his own, but he couldn't. His emotions kept him up, his mind racing, replaying what happened, over and over. He bit his lower lip, trying to keep from crying again. He hated it when he cried, and it seemed like lately that was all he did. Tara came back into the room with a bottle of water and some fruit. "This was all I could find that didn't have to be cooked," she said. Nick sat up and took the water, opening it and taking a drink, "That's OK." He handed her the bottle and took the bunch of grapes from her, plucking a few off and eating them. He ate for a few minutes, feeling the plane start its run for take off. He and Tara both put a hand on the wall, bracing for the force of the plane as it rose into the air. When they finally left the ground and leveled out somewhat, they took their hands away from the wall. Tara started to hand the fruit back to Nick, but he refused, "I don't want anymore." "OK, but you have to eat something later," she said. Nick settled back down on the bed, again pulling the pillow over and hugging it. Tara started to place her hand over his eyes, when he stopped her. "Tara, will you sing to me before you do that?" he asked. "Um, I guess so," she said, a little shocked. He had never asked her to do that before. Nick smiled, "Sing that lullaby from that movie." She thought for a moment, trying to figure out just what he was talking about. "You know, the cartoon, about Moses," Nick reminded her. "Oh, The Prince of Egypt," she said. "Yeah, that one. I like that one," Nick said softly. Tara smiled at him, "OK, just for you." Hush now, my baby Be still love, don't cry Sleep like you're rocked by the stream Sleep and remember My lullaby And I'll be with you when you dream Drift on a river That flows through my arms Drift as I'm singing to you I see you smiling So peaceful and calm And holding you, I'm smiling too Here in my arms Safe from all harm, Holding you, I'm smiling too Hush now, my baby Be still love don't cry Sleep like you're rocked by the stream Sleep and remember this river lullaby And I'll be with you when you dream I'll be with you when you dream. Tara looked down, seeing that Nick had drifted to sleep. She smiled at him, then placed her hand over his eyes, and felt him drift deeper. She pulled her hand away, and stood up, turning around to see the guys standing in the doorway. She walked out and over to the couches, sitting down. All the guys following her. Brian sat down next to her, taking her hand in his, "That was beautiful, what's that from?" "A movie we used to watch when we were together," she answered. "Cool," A.J. said. "Tara, speaking of dreams. Won't he dream while he's asleep?" Kevin asked. She shook her head, "No. The state of sleep he's in is very deep, you don't dream in that state." "Well, that's good. At least we don't have to worry about him dreaming," Howie said. A.J. reached over and slapped Howie on the arm, "Dude, the only thing you should be worrying about is tying the knot tomorrow." Howie blushed, "I'm not worried about that. I'm ready for it." Brian, Tara, and Kevin all laughed. Howie looked at them, "What? I am. We've waited so long for this, it's overdue." "I know man, and I'm happy for ya," Kevin said. "Yeah, we are too," Brian stated, "But no one is really ready for marriage." "Yeah, it takes a lot of compromises and sacrifices to make it work," Tara said. Howie smiled, "Bring em on then." Song Used: River Lullaby, Amy Grant, Prince of Egypt Soundtrack. Chapter 26 |