| Chapter 19 "So, I hear you guys get to fly the coop tomorrow," Carter said. "Yeah, I can't wait," Brian replied. Carter looked at Nick, "What about you? You excited to finally get to go home?" Nick shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Well that's not very convincing," Carter laughed, "I thought you couldn't wait to get back and have some alone time with a certain brunette we all know and love." Brian laughed as Nick nodded. "So then why the sad face?" Carter asked. What if I don't like my new teacher? Nick typed. "Oh, um ...well I'm sure there are a lot of speech therapists down there Nick. If you don't like one, search until you find one you do," he replied, touched that this was what had Nick worried. What if I can't find one? What then? Nick asked. "Nick, I'm sure you'll be able to, but if you have a problem you can call me and I'll search around and find you one, alright?" Carter said. Nick sighed and shrugged his shoulders. You ever think about moving to Florida? Nick typed. Carter laughed, "No I haven't, but I'd like to visit sometime. Maybe I'll come down and you can show me all the hot spots to hit, huh?" Nick smiled, I can definitely do that. "Man you don't know what you're asking there," Brian laughed. "I'm sure Nick would take care of me," Carter said with a smile. Brian laughed even harder, "Oh yeah, I'm sure he would." Nick shot Brian a stern look, then went back to the exercise Carter had him doing. "OK now say it," Carter instructed. Nick licked his lips, "See ..... Sp aough t, spot .... rah un, run." "Very good!" Carter said, smiling at him. Nick sighed and looked up at him. "Nick, you're doing very well, you should be proud of yourself," Carter said. Nick nodded, as Carter glanced at the clock. "I hate to do this, but I promised my mom I'd meet her for dinner. I'd cancel but then I'd never hear the end of it, she doesn't think I spend enough time with her as it is," he said. Brian laughed, "Don't all moms think that?" "I think so," Carter said, gathering his things. "Nick hand me your little computer there," he said. Nick pushed it over and Carter got into the address book, typing in his information, then turned it around. "If you need me, everything's in there, email, phone, yahoo ID, OK? Drop me a line and let me know how things are going," he said. Nick smiled, reaching out and pulling Carter into a hug, "Th-th..ank ... y-y..ou." Carter smiled at him as they parted, "Your welcome. Keep working alright, and don't give up. I know you can do this. The next time I see you, I want to hear you talk to me instead of type, OK?" Nick nodded. "Goodbye Brian, give your little boy hugs for me," Carter said. "I will Carter. Thanks," Brian said. Carter turned to leave, glancing back as he left the room, "Bye." "Bye," Brian called, looking over to see Nick already curled up in bed, sobbing. "Aw Nick, it'll be OK," Brian said, trying to comfort him. He wished he could crawl out of bed and go to him, but he couldn't. Diane and Leighanne walked into the room. Diane was at Nick's side in an instant, holding him as he cried on her shoulder, "Shh baby, I know your gonna miss him." He nodded into her neck as she ran her hand up and down his back, soothing him. "Shh, calm down. You don't want to throw yourself into a seizure do you?" she asked. Nick looked up at her and shook his head, tears still sliding down his cheeks. Diane brushed them away, "Take a deep breath and lay down, OK." Nick did as she asked, feeling a little calmer. Diane leaned down and kissed his forehead, running her hand through his hair, "Close your eyes." Nick sighed, closing his eyes and concentrating on her hand in his hair. He loved the way it felt, how calming it was, but at the same time, exciting too. She took his hand in hers, squeezing gently. Nick smiled, his eyes still closed. Just the slightest touch from her sent so many emotions through him. It was exciting, calming, soothing, and safe all at the same time. He knew he'd never felt this way with anyone else, ever, and never wanted to know what it was like not to have it. He could feel himself relaxing, sleep overtaking him. He gently squeezed her hand, I love you, he thought as he drifted into a peaceful sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick and Brian spent their last night in the hospital eating pizza and watching movies. Kevin and A.J. rented a DVD player and hooked it to the TV in the room, renting several of Nick and Brian's favorite movies. They ordered pizza, laughing at the nurses reaction when the delivery guy wandered into their room. Jackie, Bob, Jane, Denise and Howies mom left early, knowing this was the guys last night together and wanting them to spend it alone. Even Kristin and Leighanne left later on, feeling like the six of them needed to be together, to say their goodbye's for a while in private. So here they all sat, the credits of the last movie playing over the screen. Kevin and A.J. sat on each side of Brian's bed, while Diane and Howie sat with Nick. They had all quieted down and were now glancing at each other, nervously. No one wanted to say it, but knew they should before morning. They knew with all the commotion of leaving the hospital and the plane ride with everyone, they wouldn't get another chance to be alone. Finally Kevin broke the silence, "Um Kristin and I are going to stay in Atlanta for a while, kinda help out until you get settled." Brian smiled at his cousin, "Thank you, that means a lot to me." "And," Howie said, "A.J. is gonna come stay with me for a while. So we'll be close in case you need us." Nick smiled, I always need you guys. Thanks!, he typed. "We'll um call before we decide to come over though," A.J. grinned, "Don't wanna interrupt anything ya know." Both Nick and Diane blushed while the others laughed. "Di, I think I speak for all of us when I say, thank you. I know we've been through this, but things would've been so different if you hadn't been there. The five of us wouldn't be sitting here, and well ..... we got you this," Kevin said, handing her a small box. Diane was shocked to say the least, "Guys, I can't ...." "Please, it's from all of us," Howie said. "A token of our appreciation," Brian said. And love, Nick typed, smiling at her. Diane looked at each one as tears threatened to spill onto her cheeks. "Open it!" A.J. said. Diane looked down at the box, her hands shaking as she opened it. She sucked in a breath, barely able to see through her tears. Inside was the most beautiful locket she'd ever seen. There was a heart on the front, ordained with five gorgeous blue sapphires and a diamond in the center. Carefully she took it from the box. "Open it up," Kevin said. She blinked away her tears and opened it, smiling when she saw a picture of the guys on one side. Then she noticed the tiny engraving on the other. "To our sister, we love you more than words can say. Thank you, Kevin, Howie, Brian, A.J. and Nick," she read aloud. "Guys, this is beautiful," she said, "Thank you so much." Kevin walked over, taking it from her hands and clasping it around her neck, "It's not much, but it's from our hearts." Diane shook her head, placing her hand over the locket, "It's to much, you shouldn't have, but thank you," she said, hugging Kevin and kissing his cheek. One by one she went to each of them, thanking them. Finally she made it back to Nick, sitting on the edge of his bed and pulling him into a hug. "Thank you baby," she whispered in his ear. Nick smiled, playing with her hair as they held each other. After a moment they pulled apart, just enough to look into each others eyes. Nick reached up and gently wiped away a tear from her cheek, then took her chin in his hand and pulled her into a kiss. Diane had to stifle the moan that threatened to escape her throat. Nick was playing with her hair as he kissed her, and it was driving her crazy. They both opened their mouths, deepening the kiss. She felt Nick's tongue graze past her lips into her mouth, exploring every inch of it. She moved her tongue to meet his, swirling around it, sucking on it gently. Nick moaned against her lips, sending electric chills throughout her entire body. "Ah hem, hello?" A.J. said. "Yoo hoo, there are four other people in here," Howie laughed, as Nick and Diane broke apart, gasping for air and completely embarrassed. They had both forgotten where they were for a moment. "Well, um ... I know someone that's probably happy to be going home," Kevin teased. Nick blushed even more, laughing. "Well it's late and we should probably all get some rest," Kevin said, "It's gonna be a long day tomorrow." Everyone settled into the chairs they had brought in to sleep in. Diane climbed into bed with Nick, letting him curl up next to her. "Everyone settled?" Kevin asked. "Yup," A.J. said, looking around. Kevin turned out the light and went to his own chair, "Night all." "Night Kev," Brian said. "Night Brian," Howie called. "Night A.J.," Kevin said. "Night Nick," A.J. said. "Night John Boy," Diane laughed. Everyone snickered. "Sorry couldn't resist," she said, "Goodnight my brothers." "Night," they all said before drifting to sleep. Chapter 20 |