Nick�s eyes widened and a smile took over his face.
�Oh my god� he whispered and turned to a very happy Toni and Cait.
�How�d you pull it off?� He asked in astonishment
�Not easily but we had some help�� Emily said walking in with Brian, Aj, Howie, Kevin, Kristin and of course Samantha.
�Pulled it off pretty well huh too Frack.� Brian grinned and commented as he slipped an arm around Samantha�s waist.
�Let�s get this PARTAY started!!� Aj and Toni requested in unison before Nick could reply and Toni giggled. That�s right� Toni� ms.giggling-is the-root-of-all-evil giggled! Aj grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor proclaiming she was �his type of woman�. Of course she was!! Howie, Emily, Brian, Samantha, Kevin and Kristin were quick to follow leaving Cait and Nick alone. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close.
�You�re the best!� he said and she grinned.
�Yeah, Yeah, I know� So you like it?� she asked and he chuckled slightly.
�Love it is more like it!! � He said.
�I�m glad!!� she smiled.
�Come on let�s go dance� he said slipping his hand into hers.
The ten of them danced the night away, They posed for prom pictures and it was picture perfect.
Toni Kristin Cait and Emily all were situated in front row watching the show from the perfect spot in the auditorium. Howie and Brian went through the their solos and then ,of course AJ�s. Then Nick stepped out front and center for his solo. �Heaven in your eyes� Even all sweaty he was still enough to cause thousands of girls to scream at the top of their lungs. Cait laughed softly to herself and Nick motioned to security who nodded in understandment.
�I wonder what�s going on Emily yelled even though she was sitting right next to Cait it was still hard to hear.
�Yeah I wonder!� Toni grinned, that I-know-something-you-don�t-know type of grin and security approached us before I could say anything.
�Your presence is requested on stage.� James ,the security guard we all were good friends with, said to the girls. Toni and Kristin grinned knowingly and hopped up, Caitlin and Emily sat in complete bewilderment.
�Oh No!� Cait protested firmly and glared up at Nick knowing this was his doing. He was staling the audience by introducing and talking. Not that it mattered, girls screamed so loud even Nick was barely audible.
�I�ll go!! I�ll go!!� An eager young fan offered. Cait laughed and nodded.
�Yeah make her go up there!! I�m staying right here.� She said smugly. Kristin and Emily had already made their way through the crowd with Joe by their side.
�Oh yes you are Caitlin Anne!� Toni announced grabbing Cait�s Arm and tossed her towards James. Caitlin struggled the whole way. She was mostly just pissed because Toni dared to call her by her first and last name. People had been killed for less.
Once backstage she Toni, Kristin and Emily climbed the stairs leading to the stage. Once there Cait made an abrupt turn and started back towards the stairs but Emily caught her by the arm.
�Will you just come on?� Emily sighed against Cait�s glares.
�No, I�m not going up there! I don�t resemble a Backstreet Boy and therefore I stay off the stage.� She said and Emily just pushed her back towards the stage.
�Em, No! I love you!!� Cait pleaded
�Aww I bet you won�t after this�
The guys had been stalling until the girls made it on stage. Finally Brian Howie Aj Kevin escorted the girls onto the front stage. Cait�s look showed she wasn�t happy.
�Everyone meet the Backstreet Girls!� Nick called and the crowd wasn�t sure what to make of it but hey Nick had spoken so of course they screamed. Cait turned towards Toni who was laughing about something AJ had said and she saw no escape.
�Okay, close your eyes.� Nick said and Caitlin did so and everyone else was escorted off the stage.
�Open up, your heart to me� And Say what�s on your mind�.� Nick sang soothingly to her. He slowly led her to one of the stage speakers as he sang and before he reached the last line he stopped and the music stopped
�Open Your eyes� He whispered and Cait�s eyes fluttered open blinking a few times to adjust to the spotlight. Nick kneeled in front of her and and had a small square velvet box in his hand. Her eyes widened and he looked into her eyes.
�Caitlin, would you be my girlfriend?� he asked and a tear slipped down her cheek as she nodded yes. He then slipped the most beautiful ring she had ever seen on her finger. It was white gold with three small stones in it, a sapphire, an emerald and a diamond, inscripted on the inside were the words �Friendship bring into love what you bring into my life�. He slowly leaned down and inched his lips towards hers and a moment before they kissed the crowed �awwed� and Cait turned her cheek blushing and shying away burring her head into his shoulder. He laughed and kissed her cheek, then returned to the podium to finish the song.
�Because I---- see heaven in� Caitlin�s eyes�.� An enormous wave of applause and cheers engulfed the stage then she and Nick Ran off stage, And Kevin�s solo began.
-Backstage-
Toni, AJ, Brian, Emily, Howie and Kristin sat, the girls were sniffling and awing and the guys were chuckling at them. Toni grabbed a pillow of the couch and hurled it at AJ�s head.
�Come on,� AJ sighed �We all knew it was bound to happen.�
�Yeah but it was so� picture perfect.� Toni sniffed and he wrapped his arms around her.
�Your not into all that sentimental stuff are you?� He asked and she shook her head.
�So you wanna?� he asked
�I dunno�you wanna?� Toni countered
�I think it would be tight�� he said slowly.
�I wanna if you wanna.� She said simply and giggled he leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against hers.
�Awwwww�� Cait and Nick commented from the door, hand in hand.
�Cait?� A tearful Nick called into the waiting room of Tampa Memorial Hospital; she quickly looked up and stood.
�Nick,� she breathed, �How is she?� his face crumbled and she quickly wrapped him in her arms and held him close, rubbing his back gently.
�She� She� She�s gone.� his voice quavered and he sobbed into her shoulder, and her eyes filled with tears. Nick�s grandmother had been in and out of the hospital for quite a while but recently her health had taken a turn for the worst then her heart finally gave out. She had held on for so long.
�Caitlin, hunny, would you like another sandwich?� Lillian Carter asked the young girl. Caitlin grinned and shook her head no, quickly kissed her cheek.
�Thank you grandma Carter,� she said �I love you!� she added before she ran out the door.
-Later that night-
Nick and Caitlin were lying in his bed at his parent�s home. Both fully clothed and wide awake. Nick started to cry again and Caitlin turned on her side and leaned down and gently kissed his tears away.
�Baby Mine, don�t you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head so close to my heart
Never a tear baby of mine.� She lulled gently, Nick�s eyes heavied and he drifted into a light sleep.
�I love you.� He whispered
�I love you too.� She kissed his forehead and slid off the bed. She walked down the hall and lightly knocked on BJ�s door.
�Jeanie,� she asked softly as she opened the door to see a sleeping Leslie and a sleeping BJ sprawled out on her bed fast asleep. Caitlin turned off the light and softly shut the door, stepping across the hall. She opened the door to Aaron and Angel�s room, even though they both had their own rooms they preferred to sleep in the same room unless Nick was home and Aaron opted to sleep in his room. Since they were both on such busy schedules it was rare when they were together for a long period of time. Caitlin knew how much Nick hated to be away from Aaron for so long, and missed a lot of his growing up. The lights were still on and the game controllers were still on so she stepped in and turned everything off and returned it to it�s spot. She covered Angel up and then stepped up on the ladder of the bunk beds to cover Aaron up. At 12 he looked more and more like Nick everyday. His album �Aaron�s Party (come get it)� was a huge hit around the world and he had more girls screaming his name than he could shake a stick at. She had to admit though, his CD was often the main play at her apartment.
�Cat?� He whispered rubbing his eyes. She smiled at the name, bestowed upon her by Aaron and Angel when they were just starting to talk. Cait was too hard for them and so he resorted to Cat and it stuck.
�Yeah go back to sleep�� she said gently
�Mmmkay.� he mumbled rolling over. I tucked him in and then retreated quietly.
I walked downstairs and crept into the kitchen careful not to wake anyone. I turned on the light and walked to the refrigerator with a nice hot cup of coffee in mind.
�Hey Hun.� Jane said quietly and nearly scared me half to death.
�Oh my gosh mom, do you do these things to me on purpose?� I asked holding my hand to my chest I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute, She laughed softly.
�No not at all� if it�s coffee you�re after I just brewed a fresh pot of chocolate caramel.� She grinned.
�My absolute favorite!� I gushed and she smiled as I grabbed a cup and poured the steaming coffee in it, relishing in the aroma. I then took a seat beside her and she patted my hand gingerly.
�I�m so glad you�re here to visit.� She said and I smiled.
�I am too, I�m just sorry it was under these circumstances.� I sighed and I noticed her eyes moistening, I kissed her cheek.
�I�m so sorry momma.� I whispered and a tear slipped out of her eye and I placed my cup down and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her softly.
�Thank you for so much,� she said and her voice quavered. �Thank you for being here and keeping us strong and smiling, thank you for keeping Nick safe and in your heart. Thank you for being who you are and being the angel that you are. Your truly a blessing to this family hunny.� She said and then I started crying. We�d always been close but we never discussed things like this.
�Thank you for being here for me through everything� I whispered smiling through my tears. I wiped them away and laughed lightly. �I remember running to you when I got my first period. I remember running to you when I was hurt, by my bike or by a boy. You and momma have made me who I am and I could only dream to be half the mother you are to your children.� I smiled and added. �And those who aren�t.�
�Oh Cat, you�ll always be one of mine. Your momma is my best friend and I�m so happy that you share that with Nick. I don�t think he would be who he is now if it wasn�t for you always pushing him and putting him in his place.� She said and I smiled.
�Nick is my closest friend, holder of my heart, and I cherish BJ, Leslie, Angel and A-dude.� I smiled and she laughed. All that night we talked and talked and talked, I swear it must have been 4 by the time we went to sleep. I walked with her up the stairs and she walked into her room and I went back to nick�s. I could see he had kicked off his covers so I re tucked him in and lay down beside him resting my head on his chest and fell asleep.
I felt strong arms wrap around me and pull me close. I smiled and buried my head in his chest, refusing to wake up. Nick slowly ran a finger down her arm and she brushed it away and groaned.
�10 more minuets!� I declared. And he chuckled.
�Morning Sunshine� he said and I groaned again.
�No morning, no sunshine, lots of sleep� I smiled �sleep is good�� I protested and he laughed again. �Go back to sleep Nick�� I mumbled and rolled over taking refuge with the pillow.
�Come on get up!� he urged.
�No get up� Sleep� I mumbled and hit him up side the head with the pillow. I heard him make an �oof� sound and I smiled satisfactory.
�Oh that�s it!!� he said and attacked me tickling me. I finally snapped my eyes open and laughed trying to push him off.
�Nick no!! I�m sorry!!� I said between breathes and giggles.
�Nope it�s too late for sorry!� he said and continued when the door popped open and Aaron appeared with a water gun. I saw my chance and took it.
�A-Dude� get him!� I said and nick was soaked in 3 seconds flat Aaron took off down the hall then Nick went after him. Angel and Leslie ran in and crawled into the partially wet bed.
�You up now?� Angel asked.
�Do I look up?� I asked her and she nodded. �Good then let�s go make breakfast for mommy and daddy.� I said and their faces lit up. I enjoyed teaching them how to cook, and I couldn�t miss the opportunity to allow Jane and Bob to get some shut eye. The girls quietly walked downstairs and turned on the radio in the kitchen when Cait glanced out the window and her eyes widened, she quickly snatched up Nick�s game station from the living room and ran outside as the girls cheered her on from behind the window.
�Nick! Set him down or the game gets waterlogged.� Cait threatened, Nick was holding Aaron over the pool threatening to drop him, his eyes widened.
�Cait, set the game down or the kid gets it.�
�Nick let �the kid� go or your games get it!� She warned and he thought for a moment and slowly set Aaron down on the ground and he ran to Cait.
�Thanks Cat� he said before joining the girls inside. She grabbed Aaron�s water gun and slowly walked towards Nick, and he slowly walked backwards.
�Trying to harm my baby huh?� she asked still stepping forwards.
�No Not at all�� He said stepping back. She put the tip of the gun to his chest and pushed him backwards into the pool. Cheers were heard from inside and she walked in triumphantly. Nick surfaced sputtering and climbed out, looking like a drowned rat, a cute one though!
He sloshed inside and stood in the doorway of the kitchen dripping, where the girls had started breakfast and Aaron was setting up a tray to take up to Jane and Bob�s room.
�Caitlin�� he sang
�Mmmhmm?� She replied whipping the pancake batter.
�I want a hug!� He said and the girls giggled.
�I don�t think so babe.� She replied cheerfully and a moment later was pulled into a wet wet hug.
�Nick, ewww No!� she protested but he hugged her tighter and soaked her blue and white striped PJ�s. She reached her arms around him and dipped her hand into the flour back grabbing a handfull. She leaned her head up and was met with one of those carter �half grins� Caitlin smirked and puckered her lips, he leaned down and kissed her gently and she dropped the handful of flour into his hair and he pulled away quickly.
�Oh no you didn�t!� He said
�Oh yes she did!� Bj and Aaron offered, while Leslie quickly finished the eggs.
Caitlin was peacefully asleep when her phone started ringing, and it continued to ring.
�No!� Cait growled at the phone
�RING!!!!� It seemed to respond.
15 year old Caitlin pulled the pillow over her head.
�No, No phone calls!! Sleep� Cait is sleeping!� she muttered. 3 minutes passed and the phone was still ringing.
�Argh!� she grouched and picked up the phone.
�What?!� she asked grumpily
�Goodmorning Sunshine!!� Nick�s voice called cheerfully, too cheerfully.
�Damn it all to hell Nick! What do you want?� she grouched
�Do you feel like taking a trip?�
�If it involves leaving my bed? No!� She sighed and he chuckled.
�Well yeah you might need to leave it. But Florida misses you!� He said.
�Why again did you feel the need to call me at�� she paused and glanced at her alarm clock and groaned.
�3:45 in the morning?!�
�Oh yeah� �he said �sorry platinum checked in there for a moment-�
�When does he ever check out?� she cut him off
�Are you gonna listen or what?� he said smiling.
�Listening.�
�Jay, D, and I met up with Mr. Pearlman and he gave us the the go ahead with the group. He�s got a manager lined up for us and I want you to fly down here because this is the most important thing that�s happened to me and I need you here.�
�Really?!� she said excitedly almost sounding awake. �Wow this is it Nick, this is the big timers, I know you�ll make it!� she said.
Two days later Caitlin flew to Florida and Nick met her at the Airport.
�Hey!� they greeted each other with a hug
�Where is everyone?� she asked shifting her carry on from one arm to the other.
�They�re all waiting for us at Sea World� he said �Kevin was the one we decided on.� He continued knowing that was her next question.
�The one with the eyebrows?� she asked and he nodded �cute!� she finished.
�His cousin is there too, so we have to hurry so we can do an audition in front of Lou.� He said as they headed towards the baggage claim.
�Will mom be there?� She asked
�Yeah, BJ�s there too� � he sighed
�Come on Nick� she just want to support you!� Cait defended and she spotted her bag and practically lunged for it. They walked silently out of the terminal and into a waiting taxi. After about a 5 min ride they arrived at Sea World. Cait stepped out of the car and pushed her sunglasses on. She pulled her tank top down straightening out wrinkles from sitting down and ran her fingers through her hair. She knew this was just the beginning of something huge.