"Nicole...Nicole," Jacob said softly as he shook the sister of one of his newest best friends.
"Huh? Jacob, what are you doing here? Where did Aaron go?" Nicole asked, not realizing that she had been deeply involved in a dream before Jacob woke her up.
"Nicole, sweetie, Aaron died early this morning. I came looking for you, because your mom was worried about you. Come on, let's go back so she knows you're alright," Jacob said, taking Nicole's hand to help her to her feet.
"But...Aaron was just here. I know he was," Nicole protested. "He told me that he wanted me to be happy...even though we weren't going to be together," she added when she saw that Jacob didn't believe that she had just talked with Aaron.
"Why don't you tell me exactly what happened," Jacob suggested as he led Nicole back to the hospital.
"I needed to talk to Aaron, and I was sitting out on that rock out there," Nicole said pointing to where the rock she had been sitting on was located. "I told Aaron everything that was in my heart while I was out there...and then I came back here...and he was sitting right next to me...telling me that he was glad his parents took him off of the life support....and that he wanted me to be happy, even though he was no longer going to be there to live the lives we talked about while we were together," Nicole explained.
"Nicole, I'm sorry that you've obviously lost someone who was very special to you," Jacob said, his heart breaking as he said that, knowing that he may lose the girl who had unintentionally stolen his heart.
"Jacob, I know we've developed a relationship with each other...but, I don't know that I'm ready to be involved with anyone right now. Can we stay friends, until I can figure out what I want?" Nicole asked as they waited for the elevator to take them back to her room.
"Nicole, I would be honoured to be your friend...and if you decide later that you want to have more of a relationship with me, I'd be honoured witht that too," Jacob answered, trying to hide the tears that wanted to fall as they stepped off the elevator and walked to Nicole's room, where her mother was waiting for them. Jacob then excused himself to go and find Rachel and Ashley, while Nicole spent some time talking with her mother.
"Mom...why...why did Aaron have to die?" Nicole asked as she finally came to accept that her first love was indeed gone from her life.
"Honey, I know it's hard...but I'm sure there was a reason for Aaron's death. It doesn't help the pain you're feeling, I know...but I can't say much else about it."
"How did you deal with dad's death?" Nicole asked, finally getting the courage to ask her mom the questions that had been bothering her for many years. "How could you marry Mr. Angel after daddy died?"
"Nicole, sweetie, your dad was my high school sweetheart...and when we had you and Ashley, it seemed like our life was complete. When your dad was in the accident that took his life, I couldn't just crumble because I had lost him...I had to take care of you and Ashley. I wasn't planning on ever finding love again...but, after I met your step-father, I found myself drawn to him. I resisted...until your daddy came to me in a dream one night, telling me that he didn't want me to stop living and loving because he was gone. He also let me know that he thought that Adam would be a good husband to me and a good father to you and Ashley," Paula explained to her daughter, not realizing that Ashley, Jacob, and Rachel were standing in the door, not wanting to interrupt the special moment between mother and daughter.
"Mom, I never knew," Ashley finally said, alerting his mom and Nicole to the presence of the others in the room.
"I know you didn't, Ashley. Over the years, well, even though I constantly think of your father, well, I found it difficult to talk about him. I hoped that, well, Adam would be a good substitute father for the two of you....I know he seems kind of harsh and cold sometimes...but he doesn't want you to think because you've lost your father everything is going to be handed to you," Paula Angel tried explaining. "I see your dad in both of you all the time...and I guess not talking about him made it easier for me to deal with losing him."
"Excuse me," the doctor said as he walked in following Mrs. Angel's little speach. "I think that Nicole is ready to go home," he said after he examined her quickly.
"Alright, let's get going then," Ashley and Nicole both exclaimed, happy to be leaving the hospital.
Once everyone was situated in her car, Rachel called Mark to see if the rest of the O-Town guys were still at Trans-Con, so she could drop Ashley and Jacob off there to give them some rehearsal time. "Hey, Mark, what's up with the O-Town project?"
"They're trying to practice, but can you come over here and help me get Ashley's girlfriend to leave? She's starting to cause a scene because Ash isn't here to talk to her," Mark said.
"Good grief. I gotta take Nicole and Mrs. Angel home, but I'll drop Ash and Jacob off at T-C, Ash can deal with her himself. Just make sure that they all get home in one piece, ok?"
"Yeah, I'll do that. Are we still havin the group dinner tonight?"
"Geeeeezzzz...I forgot about that too. Yeah, but you better make sure the reservations include Mrs. Angel and Ashley's girlfriend too," Rachel replied. "I'll have the boys there in about fifteen minutes. Be prepared. Use my office for the girl problem," Rachel added before hanging up the phone. "Ok, guys, you're gonna be going to Trans-Con for the last part of dance rehearsals...and Ash, apparently your girlfriend showed up there today, and has been causing some trouble...will you please talk to her?" Rachel asked as both Ashley and Jacob protested saying that they wanted to help take care of Nicole. "Guys, we're all going for supper tonight, you'll see her then. Right now I think she needs rest more than anything else...and that is what the doctor ordered for her."