�Caitlin Anne Meadows!!� My mom called from the living room.
�I didn�t do it!!� I called from my bedroom and set my book down on the bed and walked downstairs.
�What?� I asked.
�Look!� She said and pointed at the TV. I turned and looked and there was Nick, Aj, Kevin, Howie, and Brian. AJ, Howie and Nick were sitting down on a couch and Kevin and Brian were sitting in chairs on either side of the couch doing an interview. My eyes widened.
�OH MY GOD!!!� I screamed and was jumping around, my mom laughed at me and we sat down and watched.
�So where do you live?� Nick was asked.
�Well I currently resign in Orlando� �Nick said
�You resign? You retiring from the Backstreet Boys already?� Brian asked and they all laughed. Nick hit himself in the forehead.
�Aww man, I always mess up!� Nick said grinning that Carter grin I knew only so well. I burst out laughing and had tears in my eyes then the phone rang.
�Hello?� I said in between laughs.
�It wasn�t that funny!� Nick defended
�Laughing my butt off! Heck yeah it was.� I said giggling.
�Is Mom laughing too?� He asked.
�Yeah she is!� I said and he sighed teasingly, I could tell he was pouting.
�Oh come on� you�ve gotta admit it was pretty funny blondie!!� I said laughing again.
�Yeah yeah yeah okay.� He said
�So why didn�t you tell me about the interview and where are you?� I asked, he had been in Europe for 6 months� today actually and I�d missed him incredibly. Especially still living in New York it was hard to see each other. Just as I asked the doorbell rang.
�Hey hold on okay? The doorbell just rang.� I said
�Hey this is a long distance call!� He said and I grinned then my mom handed me the cordless phone.
�Okay sorry.� I said switching phones then walked to the door.
�So who�s there?� he asked
�I�m about to open the door. Take a chill pill!!� I said and opened it. There stood Nick grinning with a cell phone up to his ear.
�Surprise?� He said as my eyes widened.
�OH MY GOD !!!� I screamed. I�m sure it was loud enough that the neighbors had heard, he stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it playfully.
�God Cat! You scream loud enough?!� He asked and I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. He inhaled deeply, as did I, smelling gravity I smiled to myself and closed my eyes. How lucky I was.
�I�ve missed you so much!� We said almost at the same time. I grinned.
�You gonna let me inside?� he asked letting go of me.
�No!� I said and shut the door.
�Hey!� He called still standing outside, I laughed and opened the door.
�Cait?� Asked Brian from the doorway in a concerned voice. I shook myself out of my thoughts.
�Yeah, sorry I blanked out for a moment.� I said putting on a fake smile.
�What�s wrong?� He asked stepping inside as I opened the door wider for him to step in.
�Nothing�� I said smiling again �Why do you ask?� He narrowed his eyes at me.
�I know you better than practically Nick!� He said. �You have to stop putting on this act and talk to me.� He demanded gently.
�I � I � I don�t know� I stammered and my face crumbled and I buried my face into my hand crying. Brian wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and he rubbed my back.
�Why won�t you see anyone?� He asked �Everyone is worried to death!�
�Then why are you the only one here? Why isn�t everyone else here trying to find out what�s wrong.� I asked and he was silent.
�See? I don�t feel like I fit into this perfect picture anymore. I don�t know what to do anymore. I don�t feel like� needed anymore. Like I�ve been casted aside.� I said and more tears slipped down my cheeks.
�Oh Hun!� He said and held me close just then the door burst open and we both jumped apart. Nick stood in the doorway looking as mad as I�ve ever seen him.
�What the hell is going on?!� He demanded. �Is this why you won�t talk to me?� He asked and glared at Brian.
�Come on now man� you know I wouldn�t do that to you!� Brian said looking hurt.
�Cait� Tell him!� He pleaded. I turned around and walked up the stairs, as I reached the top of the stairs I could hear Nick yelling then I winced as I heard the sound of knuckles hitting flesh. I turned and quickly hurried back down the stairs.
�What the hell is your problem Nick!?� I yelled and he looked at Brian then back to me. Brian had sat down on the couch and was holding his hand over his eye.
�What am I supposed to think? Huh? You won�t talk to me and I come over here and you and Brian are practically making out!!� He yelled back and Brian stood up.
�I was hugging her!� He defended himself.
�What business of it is yours?� I said.
�What do you mean what business of it is mine? Your my girlfriend!!� he said his face had reddened. �I don�t know what to say anymore!�
�It�s not as if you cared enough to come over here yourself! Brian is the only one who has acted truthfully worried about me. Not that there is anything to worry about!� I said looking between them.
�Then what is your problem?� he asked and I looked at him and was feeling so frustrated.
�YOU!!!� I yelled at him and he looked as if I had just punched him, I regretted the words as soon as they had been said.
�Oh my god� Nick I�m so sorry.� I said and he just walked out the door. Brian stood up and looked at me with wide eyes.
�Bad choice of words sweetie.� He said and left me alone. I heard his car reverse and leave and I sat down on the bottom step.
�What have I done?� I asked no one and it only took me a quick moment to grab my car keys and hurry out the door. I almost tripped over Nick who was sitting on my step with his head in his hands.
�Hey�� I whispered and sat down beside him. �I didn�t mean it Nicky, I�m so sorry. It�s just� sometimes I don�t know who I am anymore. I�m don�t want to be classified as just �Nick�s Girlfriend� or �Backstreet�s best friend� I mean they are both titles I love but I�m not doing anything with my life. I feel like I�m wasting away sometimes.� I said and he looked at me emotionless, he just wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap.
�I love you so much Caitlin Anne Meadows.� He said looking into her eyes.
�I love you too Nickolas Gene Carter.� She said and he kissed her softly.
�And if you EVER act like this again I�m going to hurt you!� He threatened in a soft voice and she smiled. �I�m not kidding, you have to talk to me from now on.� He continued.
�I will I promise, I�m sorry for acting so immature lately.� I said and he nodded. �You still didn�t have to punch Brian though, he was just trying to help.�
�I know, I apologized� he said and we just sat there in each others arms.
�Would you ever consider being my wife?� He asked and I pulled away from him slightly.
�Nick, we�re only 21!� I said shocked.
�Did I say now?� He asked and I smiled
�No.. you didn�t� I said and he looked at me still waiting for an answer.
�Well� yeah I guess so if Aaron doesn�t ask me first.� I said and he pouted.
�You�d choose my little brother over me?� he asked playfully.
�Hell yeah! He looks pretty damn good for a 13 year old.� I said and he made a disgusted look.
�Well� I�m sure Kadie would have something to say about that.� He said and I sighed.
�Yeah I guess so.� I said and kissed him gently. �I guess I�ll have to settle for the older version.� I said and he tickled me. �Hey NOW� None of that� I said giggling pushing his hands away.
Cait stepped out of the shower and wrapped a warm fuzzy purple towel around her body and tightened it together above her breasts so it wouldn�t fall. She walked out of the bathroom and opened her suitcase. She grabbed a white thong and slipped it on. She decided on a pair of Khaki short shorts and a purple tank top that made her dark tan seem darker. She then wrapped the towel around her hair and walked to the window and opened the curtains and below her window was about 20 fans yearning for a look of their favorite backstreet boy. She scanned her eyes over the crowd and saw a fimiliar face leaning against a tree looking pissed with bags around her. She laughed and rapped on the window to get her attention. When she got her attention she looked relieved. Cait motioned for her to hold on for a moment. She pulled the towel off her head and slipped on some black sandals. She went for the door and opened it and was met face to face with Joe. Nick had asked him to stick around and keep an eye on Cait, she�d been recognized more and more lately so he was worried. She slipped the room key into her back pocket and sighed.
�Where are we going?� He asked
�Outside.� She said simply and slipped out of the door beside him and shut the door and walked across the hall. She knocked on the door and Aaron poked his head out and grinned at her.
�What?� He asked
�That�s a good way to get torn up smartie!� Cait said and mussed his hair. �Kadie went shopping and security won�t let her through the doors.� She said and walked off down the hall and stopped at the elevators, Aaron met up with her incognito and Joe and Matt were beside them.
�Your just going to draw attention� she warned and he grinned.
�I know!!� He said and she just laughed and shook her head and threw her arm over his shoulders as they stepped inside the elevator. Joe pressed the floor button and they rode down, the doors opened and they stepped out. Cait stepped out the doors and was instantly surrounded. Aaron slipped by and grabbed Kadie and slipped her back inside with his arm around her waist. Cait grinned and shook her head and took 3 more pictures with fans then headed back inside.
�Aaron keep a better tab on your girls!!� She called.
�Sorry Cat� I�ve just got too many of them�� He said �Oww!� He said immediately afterwards �What was that for Kade!?� He asked innocently and she kissed his nose and they all walked on the elevator.
�I can�t believe you went shopping without me!� Cait said and Kadie laughed.
�I�m sorry Ms. Jackson� OoooooOooo I am for rEaL.� Aj sang from his hotel room and Cait pounded on the door.
�STOP CALLING MARISSA!!� she yelled and he shut up immediately. She grinned to herself and cuddled back down beside Nick and he pressed play on their game.
�I�m gonna beat yo ass!� Nick called and Cait rolled her eyes zooming past him again. She was the best at Mario Kart.
�Your white� you know that right?� she asked shooting a shell at him causing him to go off screen.
�Nuh uh yo! I�s be da man!� He said pouting and quitting the game.
�Yeah you do Pimp daddy!� Aaron called as he and Kadie walked in.
�Pimp daddy?!� He said with wide eyes.
�Uh yeah?� Hey we just wanted to say goodbye, I�ve got that disney concert to do.�
�Yeah lil bro.� Nick said standing and walking to him.�You be good.� They hugged tightly and Cait smiled. They were so cute together. Cait and Kadie hugged.
�Be a good girl and watch out for my A-dude!� Cait said and Kadie nodded then Aaron walked over to her and hugged her tightly.
�You�ll be back soon right?� She said and he nodded.
�I�ve got a important job to do September 10� He said and Nick and Cait grinned.
�I�ll miss you!� Nick said and they hugged again, Kadie and Cait hugged once more and Aaron and Kadie walked out hand in hand.
�They are so cute together!� She said and he nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist. �Not as cute as us though!� He said grinning that Carter grin and leaned in kissing her sweetly.
�Aww your such a sap!� Cait said and he pouted playfully, she kissed him gently and hugged him close wrapping her arms around his neck. �You have no idea how much I love you!� she said and he smiled to himself.
�You better� I can�t believe I�m wasting 7 hours for you on the 10th. When I could be playing my games!!� he said and she raised an eyebrow.
�Oh that�s okay� I�m sure Brian would be happy to help me out, He�s always been my backup.� Cait said and his eyes widened.
�You wouldn�t dare fill my spot.� He said and she grinned to herself.
�Cait I�m not going to be able to make it for the 10th� I�m so sorry!� Toni�s saddened voice revealed.
�OH Toni oni One!! You have to be there you�re my best friend! Emily already made it clear that her life was to busy and much more important than this.� Cait pleaded her eyes watering.
�I know hun I want to be there so bad but this tour is being to UN cooperative and management isn�t much help either. All their worried about is how fat their wallets are.� Toni sighed for added drama and grinned to herself popping a handful of popcorn into her mouth. Cait was going to kill her when she found out what she has up her sleeve.
�I refuse to go through with it if your not there!� Cait pouted.
�Cait babe, that�s ridiculous.� Toni said rolling her eyes and eating another handful of popcorn.
�Toni� It�s the 7th now, how can you cancel on me like this?� Cait cried and Toni winced. �I know your off being Famous and I know this will sound completely selfish but what about me?�
�Hun, I�m going to try my damndest to be there.� Toni promised emptily.
Cait, Leighanne, and Kristin sat infront of the stage in the designated area and Cait worried her ring. Only Two more days and Toni wouldn�t be there. Cait had been pissy all night and the girls found it very hard to keep their secret from her. She was so hurt. Cait was watching the guys perform �Get another Boyfriend� and she sighed.
�Cait, sweetie, calm down please!� Leighanne pleaded.
�I don�t know, what he does to make you cry,� the music boomed through the arena. �But I�ll be there to make you smile. I don�t have a fancy car but to get to you I�d walk a thousand miles.� The music stopped and a spotlight hit the stairs and there stood Toni in the same outfit as the guys just with a feminine twist to it. She was wearing a hat and she pulled it off and hit Nick with it. Everyone laughed. � I don�t care if he buys you nice things�� She walked down the steps and walked towards AJ �But do his gifts come from the heart?� She said putting her hand on his chest and then as he went to wrap her arms around him and she pushed him backwards and he grinned. When the music restarted all the guys were singing and she waved at Cait and did the rest of the song and routine with them.
�TONI!! OMG!!� Cait yelled later backstage and Cait hugged her tightly. �I�ve missed you so much I can�t believe you did that to me! I hate you!!� she said grinning and hugged her tightly again. �Thank you so much for showing up!! I know I couldn�t do this without you!� Cait said and hugged her again.
Aaron walked down the isle holding a pillow with two gold rings on it. Toni�s cousin Reesie walked down the isle passing out flowers petals like it was the most important job in the world. She was so adorable, beside me stood Toni, Leighanne and Kristen, my Matron of Honor and my two brides maids. Ten feet infront of me stood my destiny. A room filled with people I love and have been surrounded by my whole life and the love of my life, my world, my soul, my destiny. These thoughts ran through my head and I smiled, what a life I�ve lead. I turned and smiled at Toni who was already starting to tear up. I smiled reassuringly and looked to Kristin and Leighanne, they have been so wonderful to me, I know that soon their already married and I couldn�t be happier for them. My father stood beside me, solid, proud and loving. I leaned up and kissed his cheek as Toni, Leighanne and Kristin made their way down the isle. I glanced in quickly and caught sight of Nick who was standing next to Brian, his Best Man and Kevin, Howie and AJ beside them. I took a deep breath and my dad lowered my veil. This is it, I�m about to share the name of the man I love. I can�t believe this. It was the perfect fairytale wedding. I had a classic dress and a long train, Nick and the other guys were wearing classic black tuxedoes� the wedding march started. Dum Da da dum� I thought to myself and smiled. My father and I slowly made our way down the isle. Today September 10th 2000 I was getting married. I see spending the rest of our lives together. I know I�m ready for this. Yesterday I wasn�t so sure but I know it now, it feels too right. We stopped all eyes on me. Not a problem right? Wrong. My father turned to me and Mr. Carter stood up. My father lifted my veil and kissed my cheek.
�I can�t believe my baby�s all grown up!� He whispered in a quivering voice.
�I love you daddy � I whispered and he nodded and smiled, Nick stepped forward and shook his hand before he went stood beside mommy, I turned to Mr. Carter.
�Welcome to the family hunny, you always were.� He said and I smiled, I could feel myself beginning to cry so I didn�t trust myself to say anything.
�I love you daddy!� I said and he kissed my cheek and replaced my veil. I smiled at Nick and locked my arm in his. Toni stepped forward and took my bouquet of white lilies and roses.
�Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the matrimony of Nickolas Gene Carter and Caitlin Anne Meadows. � The preacher said.
�Do you, Caitlin Anne Meadows take this Man, Nickolas Gene Carter to have and to hold, through sickness and in health till death do you part?� The preacher asked.
�I do.� I said
�Do you Nickolas Gene Carter take this woman, Caitlin Anne Meadows to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health til death do you part?� Cait held her breath and closed her eyes.
�I do� Nick said and Cait exhaled deeply. Perhaps it was the moment that movie was talking about, the moment when you can exhale and everything pieces together. I had just been waiting to exhale.
�If anyone has anything against the joining of these two people then speak now or forever hold your peace.� There wasn�t a sound to be heard. Thank god.
�Then by the power invested in me. I now pronounce you man and wife.�
�You may kiss the bride" Nick flipped her veil over and leaned down and kissed her lovingly and with so much meaning it brought tears to her eyes.
"My Wife�" He whispered and Cait smiled. Everyone started clapping and stood.
"Ladies and Gentlemen� I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Gene Carter" Everyone continued to cheer and I turned and hugged Toni, Leighanne, Kristin, I quickly hugged BJ, Leslie and Angel. Toni handed me my bouquet back and Nick and I switched sides. I hugged all the guys and then Aaron. Nick and I linked arms.
"Congratulations Hunny!" Toni said and I smiled brightly. Nick and I walked down the isle.
And I walked into my new life Cait thought as she stared up at the two mud covered three year olds sharing their first kiss. Underneath was two 21 year olds covered in wedding cake, sharing their first kiss as man and wife. She felt two strong arms wrap around her waist from behind and she tilted her head and smiled. Nick kissed her behind her ear in that soft spot right behind her earlobe and she shivered slightly grinning. He rested his chin on her shoulder.
"What are you looking at Mrs. Carter?" He asked and she kissed him.
"Simply my destiny Mr. Carter." She replied and glanced between her husband and the pictures once more before Nick picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder and carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom.