Chapter 18

Three months went by. Brizee was nine months pregnant and complaining. She sat on the couch with her feet up.

      Oh god, I want this baby out of me, I feel like a blimp, Brizee said. Brian sat down.

      You can go anytime, Briz, dont rush it, my mom said labor is painful, Brian said.

      Thanks for telling me, Brizee said.

      Just saying dont rush it, Brian said.

      I wish Nick was here, Brizee said.

      I know you do, the person who hit him is in prison now, Brian said.

      Good, Brizee said.

      You still think hes alive, Brian said.

      Jane keeps seeing me around, Aaron swore he saw Kevin in town and Nick was with him, its weird, Brizee said.  

      I know, Brian said.

      I want to go for a walk on the beach, Brizee said.

      Okay, Brian said. He helped her up and they went out to the beach. Brian stayed close to her in case something happened.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

From his hiding spot, he watched his wife and best friend walk on the beach. He wished he could be there for her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

      Brizee, you know Ill always be there for you, Brian said.

      I know, B, you are my best friend, Brizee said.

      I was wondering if you would let me adopt the baby and be the father, Brian said.

      Oh Brian, you dont have to, Ill be fine, Brizee said.

      The baby needs a father, Briz, and as much as we all want Nick here, he isnt, Brian said.

      Im not sure about this, Brian, the only father for this child is Nick, I cant replace him, my heart, it belongs to Nick, it always will, no one will have it, no one, Brizee said.

      I know, Briz, I meant a godfather, Brian said.

      Of course, you and the guys will be godfathers to the baby, Brizee said.

      Briz, I have to tell you this now, I cant hide it anymore, Im in love with you, Brian said.

      Youre what? Brizee said.

      Im in love with you, Brian said.

      Brian, I cant be with you, I dont feel that way for you, Im sorry, Brizee said.

      What about that kiss on the lips at the venue that one night, when you were leaving, Brian said.

      That was just a friendly kiss, it didnt mean anything, Brizee said. Brian kissed her softly.

      What did that tell you, Brian said.

      That if you do it again, Ill kick your ass, pregnant or not, Brizee said.

      You sure about that, Brian said.

      Yes! Brizee said glaring at him.

      I see, Ill get my stuff and get out, Brian said.

      Brian, Brizee said.

      I know where Im not wanted, Brizee, Ill just go, Brian said.

      Fine, be that way, Brizee said. Brian stormed off. Brizee stood there. She felt a pain in her stomach. She grabbed her stomach. She looked for Brian and he was gone. She slowly made her way back to the house. She went in and called out for Brian.  He came downstairs with his bags.

      Im out of here, Brian said.

      Brian, hospital, now, Brizee said holding her stomach.

      Brizee, Brian said.

      Im in labor, I need to go now! Brizee said.

He took her to the hospital and called everyone. Jane came in.

      Brian, Ill take over now, Jane said. Brian nodded and left the room. Brizee laid there.

      Mom, Im glad youre here, Brizee said.

      Me, too, sweetie, you are having Nicks baby, Jane said.

      Oh god, Mom, you wont believe it, Brians in love with me, I cant be with him because of my love for Nick, plus, I dont feel that way for Brian, god, I wish Nick was here, I miss him so much, Brizee said.

      Nick is here, Brizee, in here, Jane said pointing to her heart.

      I want to hold him and never let go, Brizee said.

      You arent the only one who missed him, Jane said.

      Brians moving out, he said he knows where hes not wanted, Brizee said.

Three hours later, Brizee sat there holding her baby. She had a baby boy. Jane smiled.

      What are you going to name him? Jane asked.

      Nickolas Robert Carter, Brizee said.

      I love it, and Bob will, too, Jane said.

That night, Brizee was sleeping. The baby was in the baby bed in the room. Brizee woke up and heard a noise and saw someone standing in the shadows.  She sat up.

      Whos there, Brizee said. The person came into the light and her eyes widened.

      Its me, Nick said.

      You cant be, youre dead, they said you were dead, Brizee said. Nick came over to her and kissed her deeply.

      Im alive, baby, Nick said.

      Where have you been! Brizee said hugging him.

      In rehab for two months, and around for the last six months, watching you, Nick said.

      You were watching me! Why didnt you come home! Brizee said. Nick sat down in the chair beside her bed.

      Kevin knew I was still alive, I was with him, he told me that something was brewing between you and Brian, so he told me to stay away and watch to see if anything would happen, god, Briz, I wanted to come home so badly, but Kevin told me this was the only way to see if you truly loved me, Nick said.

      You could have come home and asked me, I would tell you the truth! Brizee said.

      Im sorry, I wanted to but I couldnt, I stayed in the shadows, I came when you were asleep and watched you everywhere, Nick said. He got up and looked at his son.

      You missed everything, Nick, the pregnancy, Brizee said.

      Im not missing anything else, no more, Im coming home and staying there, I dont care what Kevin says, I know you love me, and I know you dont want to be with Brian, Nick said.

      You arent coming home, you can stay with Kevin, Brizee said. Nick looked at her.

      In case you have forgotten, you are my wife, and we have a son, Nick said.

      You werent here, you didnt trust me! Marriage is based on trust, without it, there is no marriage, Brizee said.

      So you saying that we are over, Nick said.

      Yes, Brizee said.

      Fine, whatever, Nick said. He walked out.

Three months later, everyone knew Nick was alive. Backstreet Boys were back together and working on a new album. Brizee was enjoying being a mother to baby Nicky. She let Nick see the baby every day but as far as she was concerned, they were over. The doorbell rang. She got up and put the baby in the playpen. She opened the door and saw Jane.

      Hey, honey, I was wondering if I could take my grandson out for the day and let you have some peace and quiet for a bit, Jane said. Brizee smiled.

      Sure, Brizee said. She got Nickys things together and Jane left with him just as Brian came up to the door.

      Hey, Brian said. She stepped aside and he came in and she closed the door. She pushed him against the door.

      Do you want me, Brian, Brizee said.

      Brizee, Brian said.

      Do you want to make love to me, Brizee said kissing his neck. Brian grabbed her and turned around and pushed her against the door.

      Brizee, what is going on, why are you saying this now, Brian said. Brizee put her hand on his crotch.

      I want you inside me, B, Brizee said.

      Briz, no, we cant, I cant, I met someone else, Briz, she was in As Long As You Love Me video, her name is Leighanne, I dont have feelings for you anymore, Brian said.

      Oh god, Im sorry, Brizee said.

      Shh, its okay, I gotta go, I just came to see how you ere doing, Brian said. He kissed her forehead and left. Brizee sat down and held her head in her hands.