Chapter Eleven


"nick~~" emma whined.

"what is it tink?" nick asked as he pulled his suitcase down the hall following brian trying to find their hotel room.

"my bag is too heavy."

"....i told you not to pack so much stuff sweetie," nick said as he stopped and turned around.

she pouted,"are you going to help me or not?"

"depends...what do i get out of it?"

"hmm...ooh...i know..." she stood on her toes and whispered something into his ear. he smirked and picked up her suitcase

brian rolled his eyes,"...not EVEN gonna ask...this is your room guys..."he said pointing to the door next to the one he was standing at.

"thanks bri..."emma said as she unlocked the door to their room. she stepped inside and looked around,"...whoa...okay...this is the biggest room that weve had so far...oooh...a balcony..."

nick rolled his eyes and followed her in. she went out the double doors onto the balcony and looked down,"...what floor are we on again?"

nick came out and stood behind her with his arms around her waist and pulled her back a little,"...16..."

"okay and im not going near the edge again," she said as the phone rang. she got out of nicks arms and went to answer the phone,"hello?"

"hey em...are you busy?" amanda asked.

"nope...why?" emma asked sitting on the edge of the bed.

"daze found out about this really big mall so we were gonna go...aj wants to come too...."

emma laughed,"ill go with you guys...hey nick...you wanna come shopping with me, daze, amanda, and aj?"

he nodded and turned on the tv,"okay...we'll go...when?"

"right now...come over to our room."

"okay...bye..."emma hung up the phone. "come on nicky...maybe i can find your christmas present while were out...unless...is there anything in particular you want?" she asked getting off the bed.

"yeah...you...wrapped in a big red bow and ONLY a big red bow..." nick said smirking at her.

she laughed,"...be careful what you wish for," she said and walked out of their room to aj and amandas.

"its not funny!!" nick said stomping is foot in frustration as emma, amanda, and daisy fell on the floor laughing.

"hes right," aj said frowning.

they had all just come back from the mall and were back up in aj and amandas room. they had almost made it safetly into the hotel when some fans spotted the guys and made a mad dash towards them. the girls called to them that they were gonna up to the room. the minute the boys stepped into the room the girls started laughing hysterically. both their shirts were torn almost completly off, nicks hair was a complete mess, and aj was holding a broken pair of sunglasses in his hand. neither guy had the hats they had been wearing.

"okay...we'll stop...girls..." daisy said looking at amanda and emma. their seriousness lasted for about five seconds before they burst out laughing again.

"we tried..."amanda said.

"yeah yeah...im gonna change," nick said and disappeared to his room while aj dug through his suitcase for another shirt.

"now hes gonna be in a mood," emma said getting off the floor and sitting on the couch.

amanda shrugged,"....we cant help it."

emma turned on the tv and they started watching some old black and white movie while daisy went back to her and kevins room. aj finished changing and wordlessly sat on the floor next to amanda. nick came back into the room, pushed emmas legs off the couch, and laid down resting his head on her lap.

she raised her eyebrows and looked down at him,"comfy?"

"very."

"just dont fall asleep...your big head weighs too much and you might make my legs numb."

"...air doesnt weigh anything em...what are you talking about?" amanda asked from the floor.

emma leaned down and kissed nick before he could make a comeback. "thats it em," aj said,"shove your tongue down his throat, that will keep him quiet."

amandas jaw dropped,"...aj!"

he started laughing,"sorry...i didnt mean to say that outloud."

emma stopped kissing nick and turned bright red. nick could tell she was embarrassed just from the way she suddenly stiffened up,"...thank you aj..."

"what? i said i was sorry, i didnt mean it."

nick rolled his eyes and sat up. he pressed his lips against emmas ear so only she could hear him,"ignore him tink. you know aj is always saying stupid things..." she relaxed a little and he smiled. "besides," he said his lips still pressed to her ear,"i didnt mind. your tongue taste like that strawberry lollipop you were sucking on earlier."

she started laughing and covered her eyes with her hand while nick smiled and lay back down, obviously proud that he had made her feel better.

"hey em, what time does your flight leave?" brian asked as they rode to the airport.

"10:30...what time is it now? if were late this is your fault bri," emma said.

emma and nick were on their way to the airport to fly to california to spend christmas week with nicks family, it would be emmas first time meeting them so she was very nervous. the rest of the guys were going to fly home and spend christmas with their families then all fly to california to spend new years with the carters.

"its 9:30...dont worry,"brian said.

they pulled up to the airport, unloaded all their bags, checked them and decided to wander a bit before they boarded the plane.

"hey nick...do you mind if i talk to emma alone for a sec?" brian asked.

nick shook his head,"ill be in the candy store," nick said and took off before they could stop him.

brian took her hand and pulled her over to a bench near the store,"what are you nervous about baby girl?" he could tell she was nervous she was twisting her hair, something she ONLY did when she was nervous.

she sat down,"is it that obvious?"

he pulled her hand out of her hair, kissed it, and let go. "i was doing it again wasnt i?" she asked.

he nodded,"so whats bothering you?"

"bri...im meeting his family...not just his parents but his WHOLE family..."

"em trust me...you have nothing to worry about. they will all love you. i promise. calm down," brian said.

"im trying, im trying," she mumbled as she heard their flight number called over the loudspeaker.

"em...tink...calm down," nick said taking her hand as they walked through the terminal into LAX.

"nick what if they dont like me? i cant have your family hating me..." emma said panicking a little.

nick pulled her to the side of the terminal so they wouldnt be in anyones way. he hugged her and kissed her the top of her head,"have i ever lied to you?"

"huh? nick...what does that have to do with anything?"

"just...yes or no?"

"...no."

"then believe me when i say that they will love you. as much as i love you," he said smiling down at her.

she smiled and took his hand,"okay...lets go..."

they walked out of the terminal and looked around for his parents. "nick!!" they heard a scream and turned around just in time to see aaron running towards them.

nick smiled and picked him up,"hey aaron!"

"i missed you, did you bring me anything?"

nick laughed,"yeah but you wont get it until christmas." he set aaron back down and put his arm around emmas waist pulling her closer,"aaron...this is emma."

aaron smiled and waved to her,"hi...i like your hair...did aj do that?" he asked noticing her dark green hair.

she smiled and nodded,"last night."

nick smiled, glad that emma had relaxed a bit,"aaron...wheres mom?"

"over there," aaron said pointing.

"ready em?" nick whispered to her.

she nodded and let him lead her over to his mom. "hi moms...i missed you," nick said hugging her tightly.

"i missed you too nick but your squeezing the life out of me," jane said.

he laughed,"sorry but i havent had a hug from my mommy in a long time," nick said in a little boy voice.

jane rolled her eyes. she glanced over his shoulder and saw emma. she pried herself away from him and pulled emma into a hug,"its nice to meet you."

emma smiled,"you too mrs. carter."

jane held her at arms length,"mrs. carter? i havent been called mrs. carter in...i dont know how long...call me jane, please."

emma smiled and nodded,"okay...its nice to meet you too jane."

"your all nick EVER talks about when he calls..."

emma blushed and nick rolled his eyes,"thank you mother...can we go get our stuff now?"

jane hooked her arm through emmas,"yes nickolas..."

he stuck his tongue out at her. emma laughed and jane rolled her eyes,"...cute nick...VERY cute..."

he smiled and nodded,"yes i know," he said as he lead them over to the baggage claim to pick up their stuff.

"nick...your dad just finished putting the hammock up!" jane called from the kitchen.

they had just finished christmas dinner. jane was in the kitchen washing dishes with bj, aaron, angel, and leslie were all upstairs digging through all their presents, and emma and nick were up in his room laying on the bed watching tv.

nick got up and peeked out the window,"come on em...lets get in the hammock before one of THEM gets it."

emma laughed and got off the bed,"...sweetie they have names."

he nodded,"just dont remember." he grabbed her hand and pulled her downstairs and out to the backyard.

"ill get in first, k?" nick asked.

emma nodded and hugged the bear that aaron had given her as a present. she loved it and hadnt let go of it the whole day. she watched as nick walked over to the hammock. he tried to step into it and that didnt work. the whole thing turned upside down, knocking him on his butt.

emma looked at him and burst out laughing,"you okay pan(short for peter pan...)?"

he nodded, stood up, wiped the dirt off his butt and tried to get on again. this time he sat down but he sat too far back and flipped over again.

"damnit!!" he yelled in frustration.

"nick..."jane called from in the house.

"sorry mom," nick called back.

emma looked at him,"we dont have to sit out here..." she said trying not to laugh.

"one more time..." he said. he sat down in the hammock and slowly slide backwards. he smiled when it didnt tip over and pulled his legs up,"k em...come on."

she walked over and slid into the hammock. he put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him,"oh yeah...i got a present for you..."

"huh? you gave me my gift already..." he had given her a gold plated picture frame with a picture of them in it.

"that was the first one..." he pulled a heart shaped box out of his pocket and handed it to her. "this is the second one..."

she leaned back against his chest and opened the box. she gasped. it was a diamond solitare on a thin gold chain,"...nick...its...wow..." she breathed.

he smiled,"so you like it?"

she nodded,"its beautiful. thank you." she turned to the side and kissed him softly.

"here...let me put it on...lift your hair up..." he reached around her, picked it up out of the box, and fastened it around her neck. he kissed the back of her neck,"okay..."

she dropped her hair back down and laid back against him. they stayed out there until the sun set and it got too cold for the both of them.

"im not wearing that..."kevin said eyeing the costume that daisy had gotten for him to wear to the costume party the boys would be performing at on new years eve.

daisy rolled her eyes,"kevin its either aladdin or romeo...romeo has to wear tights you know..."

the other four guys sat around the carter living room with amanda and emma trying not to laugh.

"daze~~" kevin whined.

daisy raised an eyebrow,"kevin scott richardson...either you pick one of these costumes or you go to this party alone."

okay okay...ill be aladdin..."kevin mumbled.

daisy smiled and kissed him on the cheek,"thank you kevy."

kevin put his arms around her,"im not wearing the hat though."

she laughed,"okay thats fine...amanda, em...show the other guys their costumes..."

"whose got mine and did you get something for tyke?" brian asked.

emma rolled her eyes and handed him a bag,"sorry i couldnt find anything in tykes size...i got you indiana jones."

brian smiled,"thats okay...tyke can wear the hat."

amanda handed howie his bag,"mobster...we thought it would absolutely perfect for you."

howie pulled out the black pinstripe suit,"oooh...can i keep this?"

amanda nodded,"we bought the suit for you."

"what about me?" aj asked.

amanda sighed,"...i couldnt find anything that i thought we would agree on so daisy picked this out...riddler," she said handing him a bag.

they guys all burst out laughing and aj smiled,"...ooh...i can dye my hair orange...what are you going as?"

amanda shook her head,"this is emmas fault...catwoman."

ajs eyes widened and he got a big grin on his face. amanda gave him one look,"dont EVEN get any ideas boy..."

"of course not," aj said smiling innocently.

nick pulled emma down on his lap,"and were going as....?"

"well i had a hard time deciding...first i thought tinkerbell and peter pan but then you would have to wear tights and i would have to wear wings and have a wand so no...so i finally decided on cinderella and prince charming," emma said.

"whose going as prince charming?" aj and brian asked at the same time.

nick gave them a look,"shut up. can i see the costumes tink?"

"you can see yours but not mine...i want you to be surprised," emma said handing him a bag.

he leaned back against the couch and pulled her back against him,"so you get to be my princess?"

she smiled and gave him a kiss,"yup."

brian rolled his eyes,"....here they go...."

"okay...we'll meet you at the party," daisy said giving kevin a kiss.

nick wrapped emma in a hug,"why cant you just come with us?"

"because we need to get ready...i promise we'll watch you guys perform on tv though. wouldnt miss that for the world," she said fixing his black suit jacket.

"wait...i want a picture..." amanda said as the limo pulled up in front of the house.

aj rolled his eyes,"its not like youve never seen us in suits before babe," aj said.

"true...but never you with orange hair. just one...."

all five guys made faces but lined up in their matching black suits. aj had a gold shirt, nick in green, brian in light blue, kevin in dark blue, and howie in dark purple.

amanda snapped the picture as jane was coming outside with aaron,"you boys look so nice...let me get my camera," she said and turned to go back insided.

"mom no...." nick said grabbing her arm,"amanda took a pic...she'll make you a copy. we have to go..."

"okay, have fun," she said giving them each a kiss on the cheek.

the girls waved and went back inside to get ready. they found the channel the show would be aired on and watched while they got dressed. they sang "thats the way i like it" which got amanda all hyped up. she was bouncing in her seat singing along.

emma held the the eyeliner pencil and rolled her eyes,"...stop! i cant do this if your bouncing..."

"i cant help it...this song always makes me hyper," amanda said.

"fine...ill do my own makeup...you tell me when your ready..." emma said.

daisy was in the bathroom changing into her jasmine costume while emma used the mirror on nicks closet door to do her makeup. when she finished she pulled all her hair, which was now dark purple and she had curled into ringlets, up into a ponytail and pinned a tiara with baby blue rhinestones on around it with janes help.

amanda finally finished watching the boys and stopped the tape,"okay...im ready...."

jane went to help daisy with her hair while emma started on amandas makeup,"not alot...i dont want alot," amanda said as emma started on her eyes.

emma dropped her hand,"look...sit still and let me do this..."

"okay okay," amanda mumbled.

daisy came out of the bathroom and did a little spin,"....well...."

both girls looked up,"wow...i think your gonna give kevin a heartattack when he sees you," amanda said.

she was wearing baby blue satin pants with a matching baby tshir that showed a little of her stomach with a baby blue jewel in her belly button. she had her hair in a long braid down her back with a baby blue headband. she blushed and smiled,"em go get ready and ill finish makeup..."

"okay, thanks," she went into and had jane help her with her costume.

daisy finished amandas makeup and let her get up to change. she was back in five minutes fully dressed in a black leather catsuit, face mask, and black platforms,"this is SO uncomfortable...."

"omg....aj is going to be in heaven...." daisy said.

amanda rolled her eyes,"thats what worries me...."

aaron came up to the room,"have you gu...whoa...."

they both laughed,"whats the matter aaron?" daisy asked.

"your going to kill all of them," aaron mumbled,"anyways, have you guys seen my mom?"

jane came out of the bathroom,"what aaron?"

"the limo is here...is emma ready? i want to see..."

emma came out of the bathroom holding her dress up off the ground. it was a long baby blue off the shoulder ball gown,"where are my shoes and gloves?"

"wow..."aaron said staring at her.

she blushed,"do i look okay? will nick like it?"

aaron nodded. "here are your shoes and gloves..." amanda said handing her a bag.

she pulled out a box with silver platforms and slipped them on along with her elbow length white gloves,"okay....how do we look?"

jane smiled,"perfect....all three of you. you better go though...the limo is waiting."

they nodded and walked downstairs,"dont kill my boys," she said giving each of them a kiss as they got in the car.

"do you have our passes?" daisy asked as they headed to the party.

"oh yeah...here," emma said pulling the passes out of a small pocket in her gown.

amanda took her pass,"em...i MUST thank you again for picking my costume," she said sarcastically.

daisy and emma laughed,"no problem...glad i could help."

they arrived at the party, got past security and went into the ballroom where the party was being held. it was decorated with silver and black streamers. as well as balloons suspended above the room in a net to be dropped at midnight.

"how are we supposed to find them..." amanda asked.

daisy was about to say something when there was a loud wolf whistle. all three girls turned in the direction of the whistle and saw brian standing at the side of the stairs with a grin on his face. he was dressed in his indiana jones costume: a pair of cargo pants with a tan shirt, leather jacket, and brown hat. he even had a whip wrapped through his belt. they walked down to him and he whistled again,"...wow..."

they laugh,"so i guess you like our costumes..." daisy said.

he nodded,"your all taken right?" they laughed and nodded,"damn...oh well...i guess i should take you to your guys..." he said and offered his arms to them.

emma took one and amanda took the other while daisy walked next to them,"you look so adorable bri," emma said.

brian smiled,"of course..." he led them backstage to a dressing room area. "everyone is in costume, we were just waiting for you..." he opened the door and let them all into the room before him.

"hey boys..." amanda said.

they all turned around from the table piled with food. "whoa..." aj said. "leather..."

amanda rolled her eyes and went over to him. aj was dressed in full riddler costume. green costume with black question marks, question mark cane, and green eye mask,"well...how do i look?"

amanda tried not to laugh,"no comment sweetie."

"wow....howie..." emma said looking at howie. he was dressed in a black pinstripe suit, with a chain wallet, black and white spectators, black shirt, black and white tie, and black hat.

howie smiled and took a small bow,"thank you, thank you."

kevin dressed as aladdin pulled daisy over to him and sat down on the couch talking to her quietly.

nick came over to emma dressed as prince charming and bowed,"hello my princess."

brian rolled his eyes,"nick...its a costume."

nick gave him a look and kissed emmas hand,"your still my princess."

emma blushed and gave him a hug,"...so when does this party start?"

"as soon as we get out there," aj said pulling amanda out of the room.

they all followed him out to the ballroom for the party. they ate and danced the whole night. as the clock was about to hit midnight a huge tv screen came on so they could watch the ball drop.

nick stood behind emma and wrapped his arms around her watching the tv screen and counting. as it hit "1" the balloons dropped from the ceiling and everyone started cheering.

he turned her around and kissed her softly,"happy new year em."

she smiled,"happy new year nick, i love you," she said softly and kissed him.


[Chapter Twelve] [True Love Home]