�I guess so,� Nickolas agreed.
�Trixie and Trace are working, Storm�s with Lance, Toni�s going to be with Justin, and it�s just going to be the two of us.�
�I can live with that.�
�Me too.� They kissed and the kitchen door was pushed open.
�Hey, guys,� Storm said and they stopped kissing and looked.
�Hey,� Nickolas said sighing and looked at Valondra who shrugged.
�I thought you were with Lance,� Valondra said.
�NSync had to go out of town for a few days,� Storm said.
�Oh.� The door opened and they looked to see Antoinette. �Uh, hey.�
�Hey,� Antoinette said.
�We�re joining ya for dinner if ya don�t mind,� Storm said.
�Um�� Valondra said looking at Nickolas.
�We only made enough for three,� Nickolas stated and Valondra elbowed him. �I mean for two.� They looked at him.
�What do ya mean three?� Storm asked.
�Nothing,� Nickolas said calmly and walking to the refrigerator. �It was just a common mistake, ya know.� Valondra nodded.
�Yeah,� Antoinette said.
�We can make more and join ya�s,� Storm replied. �It�s no biggy.�
Nickolas rejoined Valondra at the stove and said, �Are you going to let them ruin our night, Princess?� She looked at him. �I was really looking forward to us being alone tonight and celebrating privately.�
�What are you guys having?� Storm asked and they looked.
�Um�actually, guys,� Valondra stated. �Nick and I were really looking forward to tonight alone. We haven�t had a day�or night alone together since the tour ended.� The two girls looked at them. �We have a lot of things to talk about and we�re hoping tonight we could do it.�
�Uh�ok,� Antoinette said.
�We do enjoy your company though,� Nickolas assured them. �Don�t take it the wrong way or anything.�
�No,� Storm said. �Of course not.�
�We understand,� Antoinette said.
�Good,� Valondra replied.
�Maybe tomorrow or something,� Nickolas stated. �The four of us can go out�my treat and your choice of restaurant.� They looked at each other. �You can bring Justin and Lance if ya want.�
�How can ya say no to that?� Valondra asked.
�I guess we can�t,� Antoinette said.
�Great,� Nickolas said. �Just pick the place and date and let me know.�
�Ok,� Storm said. �We can go out and eat then.�
�I want to check out that new restaurant o OBT anyway,� Antoinette stated.
�Sounds good,� Storm said as they went to walk out.
�Hey guys,� Valondra said stopping them and walking over. �It�s on me.� She reached in her pocket and got some money. �Take this.� She handed Storm a hundred dollar bill.
�We can�t,� Storm said.
�We can�t take your money,� Antoinette said.
�I�m giving it to ya,� Valondra rebutted. �No arguing. I�m making ya leave so it�s the least I can do.�
�It�s your house so you can do whatever,� Antoinette said.
�True, but�� Valondra began, �but just take the money and go get something to eat.�
�Alright,� Storm said.
�Great,� Valondra said and the two girls walked out. Valondra sighed and looked at Nickolas. �I could kill you right now.�
�Why?� Nickolas said.
�We only made enough for three.�
�Oh that.�
�Yeah that.� He grinned. �We agreed to tell our parents first.�
�Right.� She walked over to him.
�Well yours anyway, because mine ain�t talking to me yet again.�
�Just because you won�t get rid of me.�
�Exactly.� She kissed him. �And I�m not going to.�
�I�m glad to hear that.� She smiled. �Maybe once they hear we�re pregnant they�ll ease up a bit.�
�I�ll believe that when it happens.�
�They will, because stress causes complications and they just stress you out. Plus they�re going to be grandparents so��
�They already are.�
�Right.�
�It�s not going to make a difference any, because it�s your kid and they don�t like you.�
�I�m sure deep down they do.� She shook her head. �They�ll come around�my mom did after all.�
�After almost five years.�
�Ok you got a point.�
�My parents just don�t care.�
�Princess, you worry too much.� He hugged her. �I�m sure they�ll accept me now.�
�If they do it�s because you got me pregnant and they�re not going to let you abandon me and our child.�
�I wouldn�t even think it. Not after all we�ve been through.�
�You better not.� They looked at each other and he kissed her. �I�ll take that as a definite not.�
�Great.� He kissed her again. �Do you want to start with desert first?�
�After we eat.� He looked at her dumbfounded. �Desert usually comes after and I�m eating for two now.�
�That you are.� They kissed.
�You�re having a baby,� Charisma said and they looked to see her and Alexander.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�You guys can�t say anything,� Valondra said after she, Nickolas, Charisma, and Alexander were done eating supper. �Our parents don�t even know yet.�
�Your secret is safe with us,� Alexander said.
�Good,� Valondra said.
�We just found out today,� Nickolas began, �so we didn�t tell anyone yet.�
�Alright,� Charisma replied. �When are you going to tell them?�
Valondra shrugged and said, �When I start showing.� Nickolas looked at her. �I�m kidding.�
�That�s what I thought,� Nickolas said and they laughed.
�I guess the sooner the better,� Valondra stated. �No point in putting it off, ya know.�
�Yeah,� they said.
�It�s not like we can put it off anyway. We can�t choose when it happens.�
�Not exactly.�
�Yeah, we could�ve prevented it, but ya know how it is,� Nickolas stated.
�Yeah,� Alexander agreed.
�Shit happens,� Valondra replied cleaning off the supper table. �And this happened.� She sighed. �The only thing that matters is that this baby was created out of love.� Nickolas smiled.
�That�s the important thing,� Alexander said.
�Yes it is,� Nickolas stated.
�What about your wedding?� Charisma asked.
�What about it?� Valondra asked in return.
�Are you going to have it earlier, later or the day it�s set for?�
�We�re not sure yet,� Nickolas answered. �We�re going to concentrate on the baby right now.�
�That�s good,� Alexander said.
�This whole pregnant thing freaks me out,� Valondra stated. �I�m only 22; I�m too young to be a mom. I want to be a mommy, but not right now, ya know.� They nodded. �I was hoping I�d get to spend a couple years married first.�
�You regretting having sex?� Charisma asked and Nickolas looked at his fianc�e.
�I�ll let ya know when I�m in labor,� Valondra said and they laughed.
�You�ll be happy afterwards,� Charisma said. �You�ll have a beautiful baby girl.�
�Yes I will,� Valondra agreed.
�Baby boy,� Nickolas corrected and Valondra shook her head. �Yeah.�
�No, Carter; we�re having a little girl and her name is going to be Jacqueline Belle Carter.�
�I don�t think so, Princess; it�s a boy. Right, Alex?�
�Of course,� Alexander agreed. �The male species rule.�
�That is so sexist,� Charisma said rolling her eyes.
�What will his name be then?� Valondra questioned her fianc�e.
�His name?� Nickolas said and she nodded. �His name will be�Bryce Jordan Carter.� He smiled.
�Not bad for a last minute decision.�
�Why not Nickolas?� Alexander asked and they both shrugged.
�We�re going to tell my parents tomorrow,� Nickolas said.
�What about yours, Lon?� Charisma asked.
�I don�t know,� Valondra said. �I ain�t sure if I even want to tell them.�
�They�re your parents,� Alexander reminded her.
�Well they�re against me being with Nickolas and marrying him,� Valondra reminded him. �So why wouldn�t they be against me having his kid?�
�You do have a point,� Charisma stated.
�Yes I do,� Valondra said. �Their feelings for Nick ain�t going to change over night just because he�s giving them another grandchild. In 4 � years they haven�t noticed he�s a great guy so they ain�t going to notice now. It�s their loss and their problem and I�m not going to fight them to accept him in my life. I�m not my sister so therefore I�m not acknowledged and I can�t change that. Nothing I do will change that�ever.� Nobody said anything for a couple minutes and just sat there staring at the table.
�Well we have to go,� Alexander said. �We promised mom we�d stop in.�
�Alright,� Nickolas said as they all got up. �Thanks for stopping.�
�Anytime,� Charisma said. �See ya, Lon.� They hugged.
�Bye,� Valondra said and Alexander and Charisma walked out. Valondra walked over to the sink and put the dishes in the dishwasher as Nickolas looked at her.
CHAPTER 12
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