CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE ~ Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!
"So how was your vacation?" Mark asked as he met Ashley, Nicole, and Jacob at the airport. "Did y'all enjoy yourselves?"
"It's something we'd rather not talk about," Ashley said quickly, seeing the look on his sister's face.
"It's great to see you," Nicole hugged Mark. "Is everyone back now?"
"Well, it seems that Ikaika is going to be a couple days late, but other then that everyone is waiting at the house."
"Why does Ikaika get a longer vacation then the rest of us?" Jacob asked obviously upset, thinking that perhaps with a few extra days Ashley and Nicole could have patched things up with their father.
"I don't really know all the details, but Lou has been in contact with Haku, Ikaika's brother and thats the way it is."
"He's gonna miss so much, Mark. I really don't agree that this should be happening."
"Jake, I know how you feel, and I also know that many of the guys feel the same way, but right now I have strict orders to get you back to the house because Lou and one of the guys have stuff to talk to you about."
The long car ride was relatively quiet with everyone reflection on their break, and what Mark had mentioned. Nicole lay her head on Jacob's shoulder and closed her eyes drifting off into her own world as the van drove along.
"Ashley, I'm so proud of you," Mr Parker started. "I know things have changed since I was your age, and I understand your dreams and support you in whatever you do. As for you Nicole, you never seem to amaze me. You've turned out to be a beautiful young girl, whom I treasure and love dearly. Both of you have made me extremely proud, and I love you with all my heart."
"Nicole, sweetheart, wake up. It's only a dream. Everything is going to be alright. It's okay sweetheart," Nicole felt Jacob's arms wrap around her and warm tears run down her face.
"Ash, it was Dad. Our real Dad. He's watching us Ash. He's proud of us both. He said he loves us."
"Nikki," Ashley took his sister by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "You know that you were just dreaming. I'm sure that Dad is in heaven watching over us, but what you had was just a dream."
"But..."
"Nic, don't 'but' me. It's been a long week and you're exhausted. Go inside and lay down on my bed for a while. I'll wake you up later on, once we've had our group meeting. You need to relax," Ashley calmed his sister as the van pulled into their Orlando home.
"Welcome back," Lou greeted at the front door. "Come on in and take a seat around the table," he motioned. "Since everyone is here now, I can let you know that everything has been pushed back a little bit. I already talked to Ikaika, so he knows. The final five were supposed to be chosen in two weeks time, just before New Years, but I'm afraid it's going to be a couple more days. We do however have a tentative contract for y'all to sign, as well as an invitation for everyone, and a date if you wish, to join us at Planet Hollywood in Orlando for New Years Eve," Lou continued over mixed reactions. "Now, Paul, I turn the table over to you."
"Thanks Lou," Paul began, tears forming in his eyes. "I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be leaving in two days time."
"What?!" Trevor screamed, astonished at his best friends announcement. "Why?"
"Its just something that I have to do. I'm not ready to make a commitment this big, and instead of hurting everyone it's best that I leave now."
"Thank you, Paul," Lou said after a short pause. "Y'all are free to do what you like for the rest of the day, just remember that tomorrow you have to be back at Trans Con first thing!"
"Erik, can we talk, now?" Rachel asked as everyone else got up to leave the table.
"Have you made a decision?" Erik questioned.
"In fact, I have."
"Let me hear it."
"Well, I've come to the conclusion that at this point in our 'relationship' I'm not ready to give up everything I've worked so hard for at the drop of a hat, but I do really like you, and want to persue something."
"Rachel, I think you lost me."
"Erik, if you want to be with me, we're going to have to take things extremely slow. I have to make sure that this is the right thing to do before I jump into it full force."
"I understand completely, Rach. I'm just glad you didn't blow me off totally," Erik laughed as he pulled her into one of his tight bear hugs.
"I could never do that," Rachel gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now with all that said and done, I have to get over to my house to finish up some stuff. Talk to you later?"
"DEFINATELY!"
"I can't believe you're leaving," a sleepy Nicole sat up after being woke up by her brother. "Paul, after all we've been through I'm really going to miss you."
"It's best this way, guys. You may not realize it now, but in the future you'll see that what I'm doing is going to help you in the long run. I'm not ready to be part of a group, and I have a lot I have to figure out in my life before I move any firther."
"Paul, did we do something?" Trevor asked still in shock.
"No, you did nothing. This decision has nothing to do with you. You're just going to have to believe me on this one."
As Paul finished his sentence a light knock was heard at the front door and so Mike went to answer it. "Can I help you?" he asked the strange young man.
"Yes, my name is Aaron Neville. I'm hoping to find a Miss Nicole Parker-Angel. Her step-father said she lived here."