| Chapter 20 Nick sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed while Bob helped him put his shoes on. He was excited to be leaving, but at the same time, he didn't want to. Over the last few weeks he'd grown accustomed to being there, to seeing Carter everyday. He was going to miss that. He'd also gotten used to all the guys being there. Now they were all going their separate ways. Sure he'd see A.J. and Howie but it was Brian he was going to miss most. He'd come to rely on Brian for encouragement and strength, and now they were gonna be thousands of miles apart. He glanced over, seeing Leighanne and Jackie dressing Brian. Brian's face grimaced in pain as they sat him up to pull his shirt over his brace. Brian saw Nick looking at him and smiled through his pain. Nick smiled back, then turned his attention back to his dad who was tying his shoes for him. "Well, I think that's it," Bob said, standing back up. Diane walked over, running her hand through Nick's still wet hair, "You doing OK?" Nick shrugged his shoulders, grabbing his little computer: I don't want to fly. "I know you don't. I don't think any of us are looking forward to it, but we have to," she said. Nick looked down, shaking his head. Diane looked at Bob and Jane for a moment, then got up, "I'll be right back." Nick watched her leave the room, wondering where she was going. After a few minutes Diane returned, followed by the doctor and a couple of orderlies with wheel chairs. "Well, I see we're all ready to go," the doctor said. "Most definitely," Brian said. The doctor handed a pharmacy bag to Brian and to Nick, "You both have a months worth of medicine and a prescription for six months after that. Take them as directed and if you have any problems call your family doctors. Also, Nick you need to make an appointment with your doctor in a couple of weeks to remove the cast on your arm. I'm sure he'll put you in a brace for a while after that." Nick nodded his understanding, becoming more and more nervous with each minute that passed. "Good luck to both of you," the doctor said. "Thank you," Brian said. "The orderlies will take you down, have a safe trip," the doctor said. Everyone gave him their thanks and he left the room. "Well, we'll go pull the cars around," Kevin said, as he, Howie and A.J. followed the doctor out. Nick watched as an orderly placed one of the wheel chairs next to Brian's bed, then literally picked him up and placed him in it. The other orderly wheeled his chair next to Nick. Nick slid off the bed onto wobbly legs. His right side was still weak but if he took things slow he could get around alright. As he stood up, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror across the room. The bruise on his forehead had gone from black and purple, to yellow and purple. His stitches could still be seen, but they were quickly dissolving, revealing a scar that was a little longer than his eyebrow. Bob placed his hand on Nick's elbow, helping to guide him into the waiting chair. "Ready?" he asked his son. Nick nodded as the orderlies wheeled them out of the room and down the hall to the elevators. As they all piled into the elevators, someone came running down the hall, "Wait!" Leighanne held the doors to the elevator as Carter rounded the corner and joined them. "You didn't ... think I'd let you leave without saying ... goodbye did you?" he asked Nick, out of breath. Nick smiled at his new friend, thankful he showed up. Carter talked with him as the elevators descended, finally opening on the ground floor. "There are a few fans outside," Carter warned. Nick and Brian shot Denise a worried look. "How'd they find out where we were?" Brian asked. "Bri, you know your fans. They know where you are before you do," Leighanne said. "Don't worry, after you guys get home and get settled I'll release a statement with some details of your injuries. Maybe that way we can head off the rumors that are gonna start when they see you two," Denise said. Nick looked down at his lap, biting his lower lip. He didn't want anyone seeing him, or knowing about his injuries, but knew it would come out eventually anyway. At least with the statement he'd have some control over it. The orderlies wheeled them to the doors, waiting for Kevin and Howie to get the cars close enough to pick them up. Carter squatted next to Nick's chair, "Here take these." Nick looked down as Carter handed him a pack of the cards they used in their exercises. I'm going to miss you, Nick typed. Carter smiled, "Me too buddy. IM me sometime OK?" Nick nodded, I will. Goodbye Carter. "Goodbye Nick, take care," Carter said, hugging him before standing up. Diane walked over and hugged him, "Bye." "Bye, take care of him for me," Carter said. "I will," she said, watching as he said his goodbyes to everyone else, then turned and walked down the hall. Nick kept his head down as they were taken outside to the cars. He could hear the fans yelling at them, then as they came into view, their collective gasp at what they saw. The only time he looked up was when he had to get out of the chair and get into the waiting car. It took him a moment to realize they were in a limo. Howie, his brother and his mom sat in the back with Nick, Diane, Bob and Jane. The rest got into a second limo, and soon they were heading to the airport. Nick rested his head on the back of the seat, keeping his eyes closed. He tried to calm himself down, but as they got closer to the airport, his fear started to overtake him. He'd always hated flying, and now.... now he didn't know how he was going to get on the plane. His mouth was dry and he was already sweating. He could feel his hands trembling, and his heart was trying to pound its way out of his chest. Diane leaned closer to him, gently running her hand up and down his arm, "Shh Nick, it'll be alright. I know your scared, but I'm right here, OK? I'm gonna take care of you." Nick took a deep breath and looked over at her. She smiled at him, and it warmed his heart. He could see the love and compassion in her eyes, and it seemed to take away some of his fear. That was until the car stopped on the tarmac and he looked out at the plane. Everyone had gotten out and they where carrying Brian up the steps into the plane, and still Nick hadn't moved. He was frozen in his seat, petrified of going anywhere near the huge machine. "Nickolas, come on," Bob said in a stern but loving voice, "It'll be alright son." Nick shook his head, his eyes pleading for his dad to let him stay in the car. Diane took Nick's hand, gently tugging on it, "It'll be alright." Nick bit his lip and let her pull him out of the car. Slowly they walked up the steps and entered the plane. He was trembling and on the verge of hyperventilating as they walked down the isle to their seats. Finally he could take it no longer and turned to run, but Bob and Kevin where behind him, blocking his escape. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to get past them. "Nick, calm down," Kevin said, taking the younger man's arm and with Bob's help backing him into his seat. Nick shook his head fervently, "N-n oooh!" Diane caught the attention of one of the flight attendants, "Can you get him a bottle of water please?" The flight attendant headed towards the galley, coming back a moment later with a cold bottle of water. She took it from her and pulled out the pills the doctor had given her before they left the hospital. "Nick, honey, take these," she urged. Nick was in his seat, Bob and Kevin holding him there as he struggled to get free. He was in full panic mode now, crying and screaming. He couldn't catch his breath, and Diane feared he'd have a seizure at any moment. "Baby, please take these, they'll help calm you down," she tried again. "Nick, don't make us force them down," Jane said in a stern voice. Nick looked up at his mom and stopped struggling. "Here open your mouth," Diane said, dropping the pills on his tongue and holding the water for him to drink. Kevin and Bob didn't let go of him until the pills started to take affect. "I think we should move him to the couch," Jane said. "Good idea," Howie said, helping Kevin and Bob get Nick out of his seat and back to the couches. They got him settled on one, just as he drifted to sleep. Diane took a pillow and blanket from a flight attendant and covered him with it, sitting down next to him. "Where'd you get those pills?" Bob asked. "I had a feeling this might happen, so I talked to the doctor before we left. He gave them to me," she answered. "How long you think he'll be out?" Kevin asked. "Probably the entire trip," she said, "They're pretty strong." Brian looked over from his place on the other couch, his heart breaking for his younger friend. He knew that somewhere deep inside, Nick did remember what happened to him, and that's what fueled his fear. Out of them all, Nick had suffered the most, and he was still suffering the emotional pain. Brian wished he could take that fear away from Nick, but knew that Nick would have to be the one to do that for himself. He felt the plane start to move and Leighanne took his hand in hers, "You doing OK?" Brian nodded, "Yeah, I'm just ready to be on the ground already." "You said it," A.J. said, clutching the arms of his seat as the plane rose into the air. "I don't think any of us will ever want to fly again," Howie said, holding his moms hand tightly. "I think you're right," Kevin agreed. Diane gently stroked Nick's hair as the plane banked and headed for Atlanta, "I know you're right." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kevin lifted Brian into his wheel chair as the plane came to a stop on the tarmac. As soon as Brian was in his chair he pushed himself over to Diane and Nick, reaching out and patting Nick's arm. "Tell him we love him and I'll call him soon, OK?" Brian said, looking down at a still sleeping Nick. "I will Brian," Diane said, reaching out to hug him, "You take care." He smiled, "I will, thank you ... for everything." She smiled back, nodding her head. Leighanne hugged her goodbye and helped push Brian down the isle. Kevin wandered over, smiling at Diane, "Well little sis, this is goodbye for a while." "Yeah, but not to long. I'll call once we get settled and help you guys set up your IM accounts," she said. "Alright, take care and don't let him get away with anything he's not suppose to," he said, hugging her. "I won't," she laughed, "Take care of your cousin." "Always," Kevin said, patting Nick on the head as he turned and exited the plane. Diane watched out the window as they got Brian down the stairs and wheeled him toward the waiting car. She could see an older man standing next to it with a toddler in his arms. Finally the toddler struggled free and ran for Brian. Leighanne scooped the little boy up and placed him in Brian's lap. Diane could see Brian's tears from where she was sitting as he held his young son in his arms. "Looks just like him doesn't he?" A.J. asked. Diane looked up, "Yeah he does, poor kid." They both laughed. A.J. sat in the floor next to Nick, looking at his young friend, "You know, Brian's gonna be alright. I mean, he just has that determined attitude that's gonna get him through, but Nick ..." Diane nodded, "He's gonna need our support and our help." "Yeah," A.J. said as the plane started to move again. Diane glanced out the window to see the car driving away. A.J. put his hand on Diane's knee, bringing her attention back to him, "I'm glad he has you to help him." "He has all of us," she said. "I know that, but he trusts you. Outta anyone he could've asked to stay with him, he wanted you. That says volumes," he said, smiling at her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Diane stood up as Bob and Howie tried to wake Nick up enough to get him off the plane. They eventually gave up on that idea and ended up carrying him off the plane and placing him in the waiting car. "We'll come down in a few days," Howie said. "Yeah, we'll call first though," A.J. said with a smile. Diane blushed a little, hugging them both, "Bye guys, see you soon." "Bye girly," A.J. said. "Goodbye, if you need anything just call us," Howie said. "I will," she said as they went to their separate cars. She climbed into the back of the limo with Bob and Jane and a very unconscious Nick. "I wonder how much longer he's gonna sleep?" Jane asked. "I dunno," Diane said, "The doctor said they where the strongest pills he had." Bob laughed, "I'll say." The hour and a half drive to Nick's house was pretty quiet. They were all tried from the trip and the long hospital stay. Once the car pulled into the drive, Diane was wide awake. Nick's house was beautiful, set right on the beach with a lush front yard. It seemed to blend with the scenery, and it looked warm and inviting. No wonder he loves it here, she thought. The car stopped in front of the house and Diane saw Nick's brother and sisters come out the front door. She couldn't believe how much Aaron had grown up since she saw him in concert a few years ago. He looked like a younger version of Nick, only with brown eyes and not as many tattoos. Bob and Jane got out of the car, greeting their children. "Aaron, help me get Nick inside please," Bob asked. "What's wrong with him?" Aaron asked, seeing his unconscious brother in the back of the car. "He freaked on the plane and we had to give him something to knock him out. It hasn't wore off yet," Bob answered as the two carried Nick into the house and up the stairs to his bedroom. Diane followed along, looking at Nick's house as they walked through it up the stairs and into the master bedroom. It was an elegant house, but was simply decorated. Unlike a lot of rich musicians that threw all their money into tricking out their house, Nick's was simple and practical. Somehow that didn't surprise her, even though Nick had always put on the rock star look while on his promotion and tours, she always knew he wasn't quite that way in real life. Once they got Nick into his bed, Jane pulled his shoes off and pulled the comforter over him. "We'll let him rest, let's all go downstairs," she said. Diane once again followed the family downstairs, feeling somewhat out of place. She knew that Bob and Jane had told everyone that she was coming to stay with Nick, but she still felt like she was intruding on their family. "Guys, this is Diane," Bob said, introducing her, "She's the one that we told you about." Aaron stepped up, "Hi, I'm Aaron." She smiled shaking his hand, "Hi." One by one they each introduced themselves, "Angel." "B.J." "Leslie." "Nice to meet you guys," Diane said, feeling like she was under some sort of microscope. Angel took her hand, "You're things came this morning. We put them in the guest room, come on I'll show you." Diane let the young girl pull her up the stairs, Leslie going with them. Aaron sat down on the couch, running his hand through his hair and sighing. "You alright?" Jane asked. He nodded, "Yeah, I just ... I wasn't expecting him to look like that." "Aaron, we told you about his injuries," Bob said. "I know, I just ... I dunno, didn't really think about it though. I mean it's Nick, nothing like this ever happens to him," Aaron said. Bob placed his hand on his youngest son's shoulder, "Unfortunately it does." "B.J. you're awfully quiet," Jane noted. She shrugged her shoulders, "Just thinking." "About?" Jane asked. "Diane, I mean what do we really know about her? Do you guys trust her?" she asked. "Yes we do. She saved your brothers life, and more importantly, he trusts her. You know how hard that is for him," Bob said. B.J. sighed, "I know dad, I know." Jane took her daughters hand, "Come on, lets go up and make her feel welcome here. She turned her entire life upside down to help your brother, so let's show her she didn't make the wrong decision." B.J. nodded, walking upstairs with her mom. Chapter 21 |