Hayley arrived at the venue where the Backstreet Boys were playing. She was shocked to find out that she and Nick Carter were married. She didn’t know how it happened or why. She found a marriage license with their signatures. She took it to a lawyer and he said it was real. She went backstage and saw the guys messing around. Brian saw her and he stopped. The rest of the guys looked at her. She bit her lip.

     "Can we help you, miss," Brian said.

     "Um, I need to talk to Nick," Hayley said. The guys looked at each other and Nick came forward.

     "What's this about, are you a fan?" Nick asked.

     "No, Nick, I'm your wife," Hayley said.

     "What, how?" Nick said.

     "That's just it, I don't know, I found this and I took it to a lawyer and he said it was legal," Hayley said. She showed him the marriage license. He looked over it. He showed it to Kevin.

     "Is this a trick or something," AJ said.

     "No, it's not, I swear, I didn't plan this, I am not a con-artist, I didn't do this," Hayley said.

     "There is a clause where we cant get an annulment or a divorce," Nick said.

     "I didn't see that," Hayley said looking at it.

     "We will have our lawyers look at this," Brian said.

     "Look I'm sorry about this, I just thought you should know about this, Nick, we don't have to be together, I just wanted you to know about this, I'll be going now," Hayley said.

     "What's your name," Nick said.

     "Hayley," Hayley said.

     "Last name?" Brian asked.

     "Well, obviously its Carter, guys," Nick said.

     "It was Hardin," Hayley said.

     "Well, you two are married and are stuck that way, we will have Billy go with you and you can get your stuff," Kevin said.

     "My stuff is in my car, I told my parents, they kicked me out, I was going to go find a place to stay, I just stopped to tell Nick about this and be on my way," Hayley said.

     "Your parents kicked you out?" Brian asked.

     "Yeah, they think I'm crazy, they think I had something to do with this which is not true," Hayley said.

     "This is our last concert stop, let's go back to Florida and we can show this to our lawyer," Kevin said.

Two days later, they all were at the lawyer's office in Orlando. Sam, Nick's lawyer, was looking the marriage license over.

     "Well, as far as I can see, this is real, it has the state seal, this

is real, guys," Sam said.

     "So Hayley is really my wife?" Nick asked.

     "Yes, she is," Sam said.

     "Is this legal, I mean, was this illegally done?" Hayley asked.

     "As far as I can tell, this is a legal marriage license, but I will look into it," Sam said.

     "Thanks, I think we all would appreciate that, I mean, this was something totally unexpected, this marriage license has caused me alot of pain, unexpectantly married and disowned by my parents," Hayley said.

     "I will send a letter to your parents, explaining the truth," Sam said. Hayley gave him her parents’ names and address.

     "Thank you for clearing this up for us, Sam," Nick said.

     "It's no problem, I will work on this and see what the truth behind all this is," Sam said. The guys and Hayley left the office.

     "Well, it's true," Kevin said.

     "Yeah," Hayley said.

     "Well, I guess there is only one thing to do," Nick said.

     "What's that," Hayley said.

     "Be married," Nick said.

     "I don't know, I mean, I just wanted to tell you, I didn't expect you to want it to work, I can find a place to live and a job, I'll be okay, I don't want to be claimed as a gold digger or anything, I just want to live my life without any hassles or anything," Hayley said.

     "Hayley, we are married, my mother raised me to do what I think is best, and what is best is that we work on this marriage, be a happy married couple," Nick said.

     "We hardly know each other, I mean, I know I'm a fan and all and I know you, but I don't know Nick Carter, only Nick Backstreet," Hayley said. Nick smiled.

     "Well, I can see the way you think of me," Nick said.

     "What," Hayley said.

     "You want to get to know the real Nick Carter," Nick said.

     "Well, yeah," Hayley said.

     "You don't care what I do," Nick said.

     "Nick, you do what you do because you love it, I can tell you guys do what you do because you guys love performing," Hayley said. Nick smiled at her.

     "That's true," Nick said.

Chapter 2

They arrived at Nick's house. He put their stuff down as Hayley looked around.

“Nice house," Hayley said.

"Thanks," Nick said. He turned on the TV and the weather was on.

"Hurricane Ivan is heading for the Florida Keys and possibly the state of Florida. It is a category 5 hurricane, possibly downgrading to category 4, it will hit the USA by Monday, evaluations have begun, this hurricane is extremely powerful, more powerful than Hurricane Frances, we will keep you informed," the newscaster said.

"Back in my home state, I had to worry about tornadoes, now it's hurricanes," Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

"We'll get through this," Nick said.

"Evaluations are underway, how about leaving Florida until the storm is over," Hayley said. Nick nodded.

"We could go out to my parents' house in California" Nick said. Hayley nodded and got some stuff together. They went and got the guys and their wives and got on the DLF jet and headed to California. Hayley sat there looking out the window. Leighanne and Kristin came and talked to her. When the plane landed, they got into a limo and headed to Nick's parents' house. They got out and Hayley looked at the house. Nick came up to her.

"There is nothing they can do to change anything, Hayley, they can't do anything about it, don't worry," Nick said.

"I just hope they don't hate me or anything, what if they think I did it," Hayley said.

"The guys and I know you didn't," Nick said. They went in and heard yelling.

"This is my house now!" a man yelled.

"Not according to the courts!" a woman yelled. They went in and saw his parents fighting.

"Mom, Dad," Nick said. They stopped and saw him and everyone behind him.

"Nick, this isn't a good time," Jane said.

"Mom, we didn't have a choice, Hurricane Ivan was heading towards the state of Florida and we had to evaluate," Nick said. Jane saw Hayley.

"Who are you?" Jane asked coming over and standing in front of her.

"This is Hayley, Mom," Nick said.

"Your new girlfriend?" Jane asked.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" Nick asked. Hayley looked at him. She looked at Leighanne and Kristin. The guys looked at each other.

"Did you have to bring her here?" Jane asked coldly.

"Mom, the whole state of Florida had to evaluate," Nick said.

"Where are you from, Hayley?" Jane asked.

"Missouri," Hayley said.

"Why don't you go back there, you are not welcome here," Jane said coldly. Hayley ran out the door. Leighanne and Kristin went after her.

"What is your problem!" Nick yelled.

"I don't think she should be here, she doesn't belong here!" Jane said angrily.

"She belongs where I am, Mom, she is welcome here as long as I am, I am your oldest son!" Nick said.

"I know you are, but only family is allowed in this house!" Jane said.

"Jane, shut up," Bob said.

"No, this is my house now!" Jane yelled.

"This is Nick's house now," Bob said.

"What!" Jane yelled.

"Since we couldn't decide who gets the house, Nick gets it being the eldest of our kids," Bob said.

"Hayley is family, Mom," Nick said.

"What!" Jane said.

"She is my wife, Mom," Nick said. Nick told them the story.

"She did this!" Jane said.

"No, she didn't," Nick said.

"She set this up to be married to you because she is obsessed with you!" Jane said.

"You don't know her!" Nick yelled.

"Neither do you!" Jane said.

"I know her better than you, she is not a bad person, she is not obsessed," Nick said. Leighanne and Kristin came in.

"Nick, Hayley's gone, she's going back to Missouri," Leighanne said.

"Thank god!" Jane said.

"Oh shut up, she is your daughter-in-law whether you like it or not, if Nick wants to be with her, that's his choice, not yours, it's his life, not yours, stop controlling his life and choosing who he should be with, it's his choice on who he wants to be with, we can tell that Hayley cares about him," Leighanne said.

"We know Hayley didn't have anything to do with this," Kristin said.

"The marriage had the Florida State Seal on it, so it came from Florida, not Missouri," Kevin said.

"I don't care, she is not welcome in this house, this house is mine!" Jane said.

"Guys, let's go find Hayley and go somewhere else," Nick said. He and the guys left and went to the airport and found Hayley and they got on a plane and went to Missouri.

Chapter 3

Nick went to the airport with Kevin, Brian, Leighanne, and Kristin while AJ and Howie went to find a place for them to stay. Nick saw Hayley sitting by a gate waiting for a flight to Missouri. Leighanne sat down beside her. Nick stayed out of sight but in earshot.

"Hayley, don't go," Leighanne said as Kristin sat down beside Leighanne.

"Yeah, you and Nick are married, no one, not even Jane can do anything about it," Kristin said.

"I don't want to come between him and his mother," Hayley said.

"Hayley, don't worry about Jane, she doesn't know you like we do," Leighanne said.

"You guys don't know me that well, we talked on the plane, that's all," Hayley said.

"I can tell by the first impression that you really care about Nick and the guys and would not do anything to hurt them and you wouldn't lie to them," Leighanne said.

"She is his mother and she doesn't like me, I can't stand to be around someone who doesn't like me," Hayley said.

"Hayley, she can't do anything but deal with it, she can't do anything to stop you two from being married, who cares what she thinks, it's what you think that matters," Leighanne said.

"I just can't handle knowing that his mother doesn't like me," Hayley said.

"Hayley, he doesn't care what his mother thinks, he wants this marriage to work," Kristin said.

"Okay, I won't go back to Missouri," Hayley said. Nick came over and sat down after Leighanne got up.

"Good, because I don't want you to go back, you belong here with me and the guys, and Leighanne and Kristin, you are part of our family, who cares what my mom thinks," Nick said. They were talking when the whole airport starting shaking.

"Earthquake!" someone yelled. Parts of the ceiling started falling. Everyone ran for a doorway. Nick pulled Hayley close and held her as they stood in a doorway. Suddenly the floor gave out beneath Nick and Hayley. They fell through the floor with Hayley screaming.

"Nick! Hayley!" Brian yelled. He held Leighanne tight. Kevin held Kristin tight.

Chapter 4

Nick woke up and looked around and didn't recognize where he was. He then remembered the earthquake and falling through the floor. He looked around and saw Hayley sitting up holding her head. He moved over to her.

     “Hey, you okay,” Nick said.

     “Yeah, how are we going to get out of here?” Hayley said.

     “I don’t know,” Nick said.

     “I’m scared, what if we never get out of here,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, we have to stay calm, we will, the guys know we fell through the floor, they won’t give up,” Nick said. Hayley looked up and saw the hole and saw Brian and Leighanne look down.

     “There they are!” Brian said.

     “Brian, get us out of here,” Nick called up to him.

     “We are working on it,” Brian said.

Three hours later, Nick and Hayley were out of the hole and back where everyone else was. Leighanne and Kristin hugged Hayley.

     “Thank god you are okay,” Leighanne said.

     “I was scared,” Hayley said.

     “Nick wouldn’t let anything hurt you,” Kristin said.

     “I know, I think I’m beginning to have feelings for him,” Hayley said. Leighanne smiled.

     “Maybe sometime, you two can make this marriage real, with real love and commitment, we know he cares about you a lot and does want this marriage to work, maybe it will be for real, with love,” Kristin said.

     “I don’t know what to do,” Hayley said.

     “As soon as we get back to Florida, we are going shopping and we are getting you a whole new wardrobe that will blow Nick away and make him love you,” Leighanne said.

     “Maybe it should go slowly, we are just getting to know each other,” Hayley said.

     “Girl, you are starting to have feelings for him, it’s time to speed up the process of you two having a real marriage,” Leighanne said.

     “I don’t want to rush into anything,” Hayley said. Nick came over.

     “Girls, can I have my wife back?” Nick asked before leading Hayley away.  Leighanne and Kristin looked at each other.

     “I can tell he wants a real marriage,” Leighanne said.

     “Yeah, he does,” Kristin said. They smiled and watched as Nick held Hayley close to him as he talked to Kevin.

Two weeks later, they were back in Florida and Leighanne and Kristin took Hayley shopping. They got new clothes and then took her to Kevin’s house and gave her a total makeover. Then they took her home to Nick’s house and walked in and saw the guys sitting around. They saw Leighanne and Kristin.

     “Hey, where’s Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Uh,” Leighanne said.

     “Leigh,” Brian said.

     “Um…” Leighanne said. Hayley came in and they saw her and their eyes widened. She went from straight brown hair to curly brown hair with blond highlights. She had a blue tank top on with white Capri pants and white shoes.

     “Girls, what have you done to my wife?” Nick asked.

     “We gave her a makeover, doesn’t she look great,” Leighanne said. Nick looked at Hayley.

     “Yeah, she does, but she did look great before too,” Nick said.

     “We wanted to give her a new look,” Leighanne said.

     “We got her a whole new wardrobe and everything,” Kristin said. Hayley looked at Nick.

     “What for?” Nick asked.

     “Well, we just wanted to be friendly and take her shopping and everything,” Leighanne said.

     “You can do other things to be her friend than give her a makeover and new clothes,” Nick said. Hayley ran upstairs. Leighanne looked at Kristin.

     “We did it to make her look better for you, to make you two have a real marriage,” Kristin said.

     “She looks fine the way she is, because it is how she wants to look, not how you want her to look,” Nick said before going upstairs. Leighanne and Kristin sat down.

     “You guys spent our money to get her to look different,” Brian said. Leighanne nodded.

     “We want them to have a real marriage with love and commitment, like we both have with you and Kevin,” Leighanne said. Brian sighed.

     “It should have been Hayley’s decision to have a makeover and new clothes, not yours or Kristin’s,” Brian said.

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

Nick went into the bedroom and saw Hayley sitting on the bed hugging her legs.

     “Hayley, it’s okay,” Nick said sitting on the bed.

     “I thought you would like my new look,” Hayley said.

     “You mean you like this makeover?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “I just want you to be who you want to be,” Nick said.

     “I want to be your wife,” Hayley said.

     “You are, it doesn’t matter how you look, you are still my wife,” Nick said.

     “It’s just that, Nick, never mind,” Hayley said.

     “What, Hayley, you can tell me,” Nick said.

     “I have feelings for you and I got this makeover so that you would notice me and I thought we could have a real marriage, like Kristin and Kevin and Brian and Leighanne,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, I have noticed you, it doesn’t matter how you look, it’s what’s inside you that counts, you could be dirty and wearing rags and I would still think you are beautiful,” Nick said.

     “You think I’m beautiful?” Hayley asked.

     “Yeah,” Nick said. He pulled her up and cupped her face in his hands. He leaned down and kissed her softly. The kiss deepened and they held onto each other.

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

Leighanne and Brian slowly and quietly went upstairs and looked in and saw Hayley and Nick in a heated kiss. They looked at each other and smiled and went downstairs and told Kevin, Kristin, Howie, and AJ what they saw. They all smiled.

Three months went by. Brian, Leighanne, Kristin, Kevin, Nick, and Hayley were out to dinner at Café Russe. Kristin, Hayley, and Leighanne were in the bathroom talking.

     “We have a problem, it’s AJ,” Leighanne said.

     “What is it,” Kristin said.

     “Brian told me that AJ wants you, Hayley, AJ admitted it to Brian,” Leighanne said.

     “What, but I’m married to Nick and we are happy, we are officially in love,” Hayley said.

     “He told Brian he knows that but he can’t deny his feelings for you,” Leighanne said.

     “Oh my god, I’m scared, Nick and I are getting along great, it’s getting to the point where I don’t want to be without him,” Hayley said.

     “Just don’t be alone with him, try to stay away from him,” Kristin said.

     “Okay,” Hayley said. They went out and saw Kevin sitting at the table.

     “Where did Nick and Brian go?” Leighanne asked.

     “Nick knows about AJ’s feelings for Hayley,” Kevin said.

     “Oh god,” Hayley said running out of the restaurant with Leighanne and Kristin behind her. Kevin came out after paying and they went to AJ’s house and ran in and saw Nick holding AJ against the wall.

     “How dare you have feelings for my wife!” Nick yelled.

     “I couldn’t help it!” AJ said.

     “You know she is my wife, AJ, you know she is, you don’t go after other people’s wives, especially mine, we are suppose to be friends, man!” Nick said.

     “I couldn’t help it, man, it’s not like I wanted to have feelings for her!” AJ said.

     “Nick, let me talk to AJ alone,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley,” Leighanne said.

     “I can handle it, I have nothing to hide,” Hayley said. Nick let go and went out the door. Everyone went outside. Hayley looked at AJ and shook her head.

     “I can’t believe you, AJ, you know how I feel about Nick, I don’t have any feelings for you,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, I know you are Nick’s wife, god, I wish I didn’t have these feelings for you, but I can’t help it,” AJ said.

     “You have to try to get over them, I can’t help you, I want to be faithful to my husband,” Hayley said.

     “I know, I know!” AJ said. Hayley went out the door and went over to Nick and hugged him.

     “Let’s go home,” Hayley said.

"Do you have feelings for him?" Nick asked.

"No, I don't," Hayley said. They went home.

Chapter 5

Hayley woke up the next morning and saw Nick gone. She got up and changed and went downstairs and saw him outside looking at the ocean. She went out to him.

     “Nick,” Hayley said.

     “I’m just wondering how AJ had feelings for you,” Nick said.

     “I don’t know, but I don’t have feelings for him or anyone else, just you,” Hayley said. Nick turned to her and looked at her.

     “Hayley, you can tell me anything,” Nick said.

     “I just told you that I don’t have feelings for anyone but you, I couldn’t keep anything from my husband,” Hayley said.

     “I’m just scared, that’s all, I really care about you and we are married, I’m scared that I’m going to lose you,” Nick said.

     “You are not going to lose me, Nick, we are married, and we can’t get divorced or an annulment, we are stuck in this marriage and this is where I want to be, I want to be your wife and with you,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her deeply. He rested his head against hers.

     “I’m so in love with you, Hayley,” Nick said kissing her neck. She closed her eyes, enjoying his lips on her neck. He took her inside and carried her up to their bedroom and closed the door and locked it. He put her down and looked at her. She looked up at him.

     “Make love to me, Nick, let’s make our marriage official,” Hayley said.

     “Are you sure you are ready?” Nick asked.

     “I’m very sure, make me yours,” Hayley said. He kissed her deeply as he removed her clothes and removed his and pulled her gently down on the bed and laid on top of her. He reached for protection but she stopped him.

     “Hayley,” Nick said.

     “I don’t want anything between us, I want to feel you inside me,” Hayley said. He kissed her and he gently and slowly made love to her. They laid there holding each other when they heard the doorbell rang. Nick kissed her forehead and got up and got dressed and went downstairs. Hayley got dressed and slowly went downstairs. She saw Nick standing at the front door holding some papers. He closed the door and read them. He looked at her.

     “Nick,” Hayley said.

     “We aren’t married anymore,” Nick said.

     “We aren’t?” Hayley asked.

     “No, apparently you are AJ’s wife now,” Nick said.

     “What!” Hayley cried. He handed her the papers and she read them.

     “I can’t believe this,” Hayley said. Nick went out back and went down the beach. Hayley called Brian and Leighanne. They came over and Hayley showed them the papers.

     “Do you think AJ did this to get me,” Hayley said. Brian looked at Leighanne.

     “I’m going to see how real these are, this might be a trick,” Brian said. He left. Leighanne sat Hayley down.

     “I want to be with Nick,” Hayley said.

     “I know you do,” Leighanne said.

     “God, Leighanne, Nick and I made love this morning,” Hayley said.

     “You are now more in love with him than before, I hope this is just a trick and not real,” Leighanne said.

     “Me, too, I don’t want to be with anyone but Nick,” Hayley said.

     “Hopefully, this will work out the way it should be, you married to Nick,” Leighanne said.

     “She’s married to me,” they heard someone say. They looked and saw AJ standing at the doorway.

Chapter 6

Leighanne and Hayley glared at him. Brian came in behind AJ.

     “It’s true,” Brian said.

     “Oh god!” Hayley said covering her face.

     “She has no feelings for you, AJ, she didn’t want to be with you, why did you do this, you have hurt Nick, he’s totally in love with her and you did this, you destroyed one of your best friends!” Leighanne said angrily.

     “You have ruined my life, I was perfectly happy and you have ruined it, I would never be happy with you,” Hayley cried. Nick came in and he saw AJ.

     “What are you doing here,” Nick said coldly.

     “I’m here for my wife,” AJ said.

     “I’m not going anywhere with you, asshole!” Hayley yelled.

     “You are my wife,” AJ said.

     “Not by choice!” Hayley said crying.

     “Hey, was it your choice to be married to Nick,” AJ said.

     “Yes, it was,” Nick said.

     “What,” AJ said.

     “Hayley, did you vacation in Las Vegas?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah, I was there with my parents,” Hayley said.

     “When?” Nick asked.

     “Two months before I came to tell you that we were married,” Hayley said.

     “Did you get drunk at a club?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said. Nick sat down.

     “I remember everything now, we did get married ourselves, we were just too drunk to know it,” Nick said.

     “Being drunk still wasn’t her choice, she didn’t know what she was doing,” AJ said.

     “Shut the fuck up, AJ,” Nick said.

     “No, she is my wife now,” AJ said.

     “So what, she’s supposed to give up her feelings and love for Nick and go with you?” Brian asked.

     “Yes,” AJ said. Hayley got up and punched him. He landed on the ground and looked at her, holding his cheek.

     “I would rather die than go anywhere with you, when are you going to get it, I don’t have feelings for you nor do I want to be married to you, grow up and move on, go find a way to get a divorce because there is no way in hell that I’m going to be your wife,” Hayley said angrily.

     “I’m sorry but it was the only thing I could think of to get you,” AJ said.

     “Nothing would get me, AJ, I didn’t want to be with you and I don’t have any feelings for you!” Hayley said. AJ went out the door. Hayley sat on the couch. Brian and Leighanne left. Nick sat down next to her.

     “I can’t believe we got married while we were drunk,” Hayley said.

     “Me either,” Nick said. He hugged her.

     “I don’t want to be with anyone but you,” Hayley said.

     “I don’t want to lose you,” Nick said. AJ came in.

     “Everything is back to the way it was, you two are married, here is proof, you can call and check,” AJ said. He put papers on the table and left. Nick picked them up and looked at them and he called the courthouse. He hung up and got up and locked the door and came over and picked her up and carried her upstairs and laid her on the bed. He got on top of her and removed her clothes and removed his and he made love to her. He laid beside her and pulled her close. They went to sleep holding each other.

Chapter 7

Three months went by. Hayley and Nick were deeply in love and inseparable. They had a long talk with AJ and he told them he has moved on and over any feelings he had for Hayley. Nick could tell that AJ was telling the truth. Nick was talking with Brian and Kevin. Hayley sat with Leighanne and Kristin. They were on the start of the US part of the Black and Blue tour. Hayley watched Nick. Leighanne looked at her.

     “Hayley, you are glowing,” Leighanne said.

     “I’m so in love,” Hayley said.

     “We know you are,” Kristin said.

     “And I’m two months pregnant,” Hayley said. Leighanne and Kristin smiled.

     “Does Nick know?” Leighanne asked.

     “I haven’t told him yet, but I will tonight,” Hayley said.

     “We are heading out tonight,” Kristin said.

     “I’ve planned a romantic dinner on the bus,” Hayley said. Nick came over and knelt down in front of her.

     “Hey, honey, I’m going to ride on Brian’s bus with him tonight, Leighanne can ride on our bus with you,” Nick said. Hayley looked at Leighanne.

     “I was hoping we could be on our bus together, just you and me,” Hayley said.

     “There’s plenty of time for that,” Nick said.

     “Whatever,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Just do whatever you want!” Hayley said. She went out to the bus. Nick looked at Leighanne.

     “What’s wrong with her,” Nick said.

     “She had something planned for you tonight, Nick,” Leighanne said.

     “She had a romantic night planned for you tonight,” Kristin said.

     “Oh man, I messed up, didn’t I,” Nick said.

     “Go talk to her,” Leighanne said. Nick went out to his bus and saw Hayley lying on the bed. He closed the door and locked it and laid down beside her.

     “Baby, I’m sorry,” Nick said.

     “I planned the perfect night, Nick,” Hayley said. Nick held her close.

     “And it will happen, baby, just you and me, I can hang out with Brian some other time, besides, you come first, Brian and I were going to go over some stuff for the tour, we can do that another time,” Nick said.

     “I don’t want to ruin your plans,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her neck.

     “I don’t want to ruin yours,” Nick said.

     “If you want to hang out with Brian, it’s okay, I mean, I don’t want to be the clingy wife who needs you with me all the time,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

     “Baby, I want to be with you all the time, I love you,” Nick said. He kissed her deeply.

That night, after the show, Nick got on his bus and saw candles lit and his wife sitting on the couch in a sexy dress. He smiled as he sat down next to her. After they ate dinner, they blew out the candles and went back to the back and closed the door. They laid on the bed and kissed passionately.

     “Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Yes,” Hayley said.

     “I have been thinking, how about starting a family,” Nick said.

     “You mean have a baby?” Hayley asked.

     “Yeah, I want to start trying for a baby,” Nick said. Hayley smiled.

     “We don’t need to,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her and looked at her stomach.

     “You mean?” Nick asked.

     “We’re having a baby, Nick, I’m two months along, I just found out this morning,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and hugged her.

     “That’s why you didn’t want me going with Brian, you planned a romantic dinner to tell me about the baby,” Nick said.

     “Yup,” Hayley said. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

     “I love you so much,” Nick said.

     “I love you, too,” Hayley said. They kissed and held each other. Nick rested a hand on her stomach and smiled.

Chapter 8

Three days later, the guys were talking backstage. Hayley was talking with Leighanne and Kristin when Billy brought someone backstage. Hayley looked and saw someone she knew from Missouri.

     “Billy,” Hayley said.

     “I found him out by the buses,” Billy said.

     “Hayley!” the guy said.

     “Hayley, do you know him?” Billy said.

     “Yes, I do,” Hayley said.

     “Who is this,” Nick said.

     “I’m Kyle, her husband,” the guy said.

     “That is impossible, I’m her husband,” Nick said.

     “I was her husband first,” Kyle said.

     “What!” Nick said.

     “Hayley and I got married before she went to Las Vegas, but that is all, we didn’t sleep together or live together,” Kyle said.

     “Is this true,” Nick said. Hayley looked at him and slowly nodded.

     “Why didn’t you tell me,” Nick said.

     “Because it wasn’t worth talking about,” Kyle said.

     “Wasn’t worth talking about, you two are married!” Nick said.

     “I have annulment papers here with me,” Kyle said. Nick took the papers and read them and tore them up.

     “Nick,” Hayley said.

     “Go home with your husband, I’m done,” Nick said.

     “She wants to be with you,” Kyle said.

     “I don’t want her anymore, not after this, I spent all this time thinking she was my wife when all along she was yours, you can have her because I’m through with her,” Nick said. He went to his dressing room slamming the door behind him.

     “Hayley, I’m sorry,” Kyle said.

     “I have to get out of here,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley,” Leighanne said. Hayley looked at her. Leighanne hugged her.

     “I know who you truly wanted to be with, just give it time,” Leighanne said. Kristin hugged her.

     “Keep us informed about the baby,” Kristin said. Hayley nodded and left with Kyle who took her home to her parents. She went up to the door and knocked. The door opened and her mom stood there. Her mom hugged her.

     “Oh sweetie,” Mom said.

     “Mom,” Hayley said. They hugged and her mother led her inside where her father hugged her. They sat her down and she told them everything.

     “We are going to be grandparents,” her mother said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “We will be there for you every step of the way,” her father said.

     “Thanks,” Hayley said. Her parents hugged her. There was a knock at the door. Her mother got up and opened the door and saw two cops standing there.

Chapter 9

The cops came in. Hayley looked at them. Her father sat beside her.

     “Hayley Hardin,” one cop said.

     “Yes,” Hayley said.

     “These papers are for you,” the other cop said. She took them and read them.

     “A restraining order,” Hayley said.

     “You are not to go within 100 yards of the Backstreet Boys and their wives and families,” the cop said.

     “Whose order?” Hayley asked.

     “All five guys,” the other cop said.

     “I see, then how come their wives told me to keep in touch,” Hayley said.

     “Phone,” the cop said.

     “Tell them thanks for the wonderful restraining order,” Hayley said. Her mother showed them out. Her father held her close as she cried softly.

A year later, Hayley sat there holding her daughter in her arms. She had called and talked to Leighanne and told her that she has a daughter. Leighanne told her she was going to tell Nick about his daughter. Hayley knew that Nick had a right to know but she was scared that he would sue for sole custody.

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

Leighanne went backstage of the concert in Paris where the guys were on tour. She saw Brian talking with Nick. She kissed Brian’s cheek.

     “Hey honey,” Brian said.

     “Hey, I know you guys don’t want to know but I talked to Hayley last night,” Leighanne said.

     “Is she enjoying married life,” Nick said.

     “She’s not married to Kyle, they had it annulled, two days after she got the restraining order, they went to the courthouse and got it annulled, actually she’s a mother now, to your daughter, Nick,” Leighanne said.

     “My daughter, yeah right,” Nick said.

     “Nickolas, that baby is yours and you know it, so shut up!” Leighanne said.

     “Leighanne,” Brian said.

     “Guys, she made a mistake, so what, but that baby is the innocent one, the baby didn’t do anything wrong, the baby was created by you and her, that baby needs her parents together, get rid of the stupid restraining order and be a father to that baby girl!” Leighanne said. Nick looked at her.

Chapter 10

Three days later, Hayley was holding her daughter, whom she named Alicia Marie Carter, when she heard someone knock at the door. She gently put her sleeping daughter in the bassinet and went and opened the door and saw Leighanne and Kristin. She smiled and hugged them.

     “Wait, the restraining order,” Hayley said.

     “Nick had it lifted, I got through to him, he wants to see his daughter, but don’t worry, he’s not going after custody,” Leighanne said.

     “Are you sure,” Hayley said.

     “If he does, Brian and Kevin will kick his ass,” Kristin said.

     “Kristin!” Leighanne said.

     “That’s what Kevin said,” Kristin said.

     “Come in and see the baby,” Hayley said. They came in and went to the bassinet and saw the baby and smiled.

     “She is so cute!” Leighanne said.

     “She looks like her momma,” Kristin said.

     “She has Nick’s eyes,” Hayley said.

     “Come on,” Kristin said. They got everything together and went to the airport and got on the DLF Foundation jet.

     “Does Howie mind you guys using this plane,” Hayley said.

     “It was his idea, thought it would be more comfortable for the baby,” Leighanne said.

     “I’m not sure about this,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, Nick wants this, he wants to see his baby, he wanted us to bring you and the baby to see him,” Leighanne said.

     “I’m nervous, he was so mad and never wanted to see me again,” Hayley said.

     “It’s been over a year, people grow up and people change,” Leighanne said.

A few hours later, the plane landed in Berlin and they went to the venue where the guys were. Leighanne and Kristin walked in and saw the guys.

     “Hey, where’s Hayley,” Nick said.

     “She’s here,” Leighanne said. Hayley walked in carrying the baby carrier with the baby. She put the carrier on the floor and got the baby and held the baby. The guys saw her and the baby. Nick came over to her. He looked at his daughter.

     “Can I hold her?” Nick asked.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said. Nick took the baby in his arms and looked at her. The baby looked up at him. Nick saw her eyes.

     “She has my eyes,” Nick said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said. Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin crowded around Nick and looked at the baby. Leighanne and Kristin stood with Hayley. Nick came over with the baby.

     “Can we talk in my dressing room?” Nick asked. Hayley nodded and grabbed Alicia’s baby carrier and went to his dressing room. Nick gently laid the baby in the carrier and strapped her in and set her on the couch. He sat down beside the baby and just watched her. He looked at Hayley.

     “I’m a father,” Nick said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, I am not going to sue for custody, I don’t want to take our child away from you,” Nick said.

     “Thanks,” Hayley said.

     “I was wondering if you would consider joining us on tour and coming to live with me again, so our baby girl can have both of us,” Nick said.

     “I think that’s a good idea, she needs us,” Hayley said.

     “What’s her name?” Nick asked.

     “Alicia Marie Carter, I’ve been calling her Ali,” Hayley said.

     “I like that name, I like that you gave her my last name,” Nick said.

     “You are her father,” Hayley said.

     “We can be good parents,” Nick said.

     “I know,” Hayley said.

     “From this moment on, a fresh start between us, it’s all about our little girl,” Nick said. Hayley nodded.

Chapter 11

Hayley sat in Nick’s hotel suite. She watched Nick as he held Alicia and was feeding her with the bottle.

     “She’s so perfect, so beautiful,” Nick said.

     “Yeah,” Hayley said.

     “I meant what I said, a fresh start, forget the past, focusing on the present and future, I don’t want to be anywhere without our daughter, this is what I want, to be a father, to be a family,” Nick said.

     “Family?” Hayley asked.

     “Yeah, you, me, our little girl, a family, we are a family, we may not be married, but we are a family,” Nick said. There was a knock at the door. Hayley got up and opened it and saw Kyle.

     “Kyle, what are you doing here,” Hayley said. He came in. Nick looked up at him.

     “I was coming to talk to you, your mother said you just left and told me where you were headed so I got on the next flight here, I could have called you but I wanted to come do this in person,” Kyle said.

     “What,” Hayley said.

     “Apparently, our marriage was annulled the first time we signed the papers, the person who did it wasn’t there when I went to make sure and no one knew anything so I assumed we were still married, then when the last papers went through, they called and left a message, well, I wasn’t home when they called so I called back and they informed me that they couldn’t annul a marriage that didn’t exist, and the first time we went for an annulment was two weeks before you went to Las Vegas,” Kyle said.

     “So you are saying,” Hayley said.

     “You and Nick are legally married, I had it checked out and you two are married,” Kyle said.

     “Is that the truth?” Nick asked.

     “Yes, it is, you two are married, here are the papers to prove it,” Kyle said. Hayley read them and handed them to Nick who looked at them.

     “Well, if this is from the courthouse, then it’s true,” Nick said.

     “It is,” Kyle said. Hayley hugged Kyle and he left. Hayley closed the door and sat down. Nick looked at her.

     “Well, we are definitely a family now,” Nick said. 

     “Yeah,” Hayley said. Alicia fell asleep and Nick put her in the bassinet they got. He sat down with her on the couch.

     “Hayley, I am so sorry for what I said back then,” Nick said.

     “Nick, it’s been a year,” Hayley said.

     “I haven’t stopped loving you, Hayley, there hasn’t been anyone else since you,” Nick said.

     “Ditto for me,” Hayley said. Nick stroked her cheek.

     “You still love me?” Nick asked.

     “Yes, I do,” Hayley said.

     “We can go slow or pick up where we left off,” Nick said. Hayley looked at him.

Chapter 12

Hayley looked at Nick and thought about what he said.  She looked at Ali and looked at him and took his hands in hers and stood up and he stood up and she led him to the bedroom. She sat him on the bed and stood in front of him.

     “Hayley,” Nick said. She put her finger on his lips.

     “I’ll be back,” Hayley said. She went out and got a diaper bag that was packed and picked up Ali and went out the door and knocked on Brian’s suite. Leighanne opened the door and saw her.

     “Hey girl,” Leighanne said.

     “Um, could you and Brian watch Ali tonight, I’ll explain everything in the morning,” Hayley said. Leighanne smiled and took Ali and the diaper bag. Brian came and got the bassinet that Hayley pulled along behind her.

     “Just give us a call or come and get her when you are ready,” Leighanne said.

     “Thanks,” Hayley said. She went back back to Nick’s suite and closed the door and locked it and went to the bedroom. Nick was still sitting there.

     “What did you do?” Nick asked.

     “Leighanne and Brian are watching Ali tonight, because tonight, I want to pick up where we left off,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and pulled her down on the bed and got on top of her.

     “I want to make love to you all night long,” Nick said kissing her neck.

     “I was hoping for that,” Hayley said.

     “Do we need protection?” Nick asked.

     “Do we?” Hayley asked. Nick looked at her and kissed her softly.

     “I don’t have any,” Nick said.

     “We are married and have a child, shall we try again for another one,” Hayley said.

     “I want lots of babies, Ali could have a sibling,” Nick said.

     “Then let’s make love,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her hungrily. Nick removed her shirt and pants. She laid there in her bra and panties. His hands were all over her body as he kissed her. She removed his shirt and jeans. Her hands were rubbing his back. He pulled back and gazed at her body.

     “You are so sexy,” Nick said kissing her collarbone.

     “I look different,” Hayley said.

     “You had Ali, you still look sexy,” Nick said. Hayley smiled up at him.

     “Make me yours again,” Hayley said. He removed her panties and bra. She pulled his boxers off and he slowly and gently made love to her. Nick laid on top of her afterwards and kissed her neck.

     “I love you,” Nick said.

     “I love you, too,” Hayley said. He laid beside her and pulled her close.

     “I’m never letting you go again, no matter what,” Nick said. He kissed her forehead. They went to sleep holding each other, not wanting to let go.

Chapter 13

The next morning, Hayley woke up and saw Nick sleeping. She got up quietly and got dressed and went to Brian’s suite. She knocked and Brian opened the door.

     “Hey Brian, I’m here to pick up Ali,” Hayley said.

     “Okay, Leighanne wanted to talk to you anyways,” Brian said. Leighanne came out with Ali in her arms.

     “Brian, take her so I can talk to Hayley,” Leighanne said. Brian took Ali and Leighanne dragged Hayley into the bedroom and closed the door. Leighanne sat on the bed and Hayley sat down on the bed beside her.

     “So, what happened,” Leighanne said. Hayley told her everything.

     “And last night, after I brought Ali over here, we made love all night long, Leighanne, it was so amazing, I never stopped loving Nick, and he has showed me that he has never stopped loving me,” Hayley said. Leighanne smiled.

     “Everything is the way it should me, is there another one on the way,” Leighanne said.

     “It’s possible, Nick wants lots of kids, and so do I, I want Nick’s kids, I want proof that he loves me, I want to be the mother of his children, to have little miracles created from the love me and Nick share,” Hayley said.

     “Get started, girl,” Leighanne said.

     “I think it already has, Nick wants lots of babies,” Hayley said.

     “Go get him, girl,” Leighanne said. Hayley picked up Ali and her diaper bag. Brian helped her get the bassinet over to Nick’s suite. They went in and Hayley saw something that made her heart drop. Nick was on the couch naked having sex with another woman. She dropped the diaper bag. Nick and the woman broke apart and Nick saw her standing there.

     “Hayley, this isn’t what it looks like!” Nick said grabbing his boxers. Hayley turned and walked out the door. Brian looked at Nick and picked up the diaper bag and shook his head at Nick.

     “Brian,” Nick said.

     “Just don’t, Nick, you really screwed up this time, you not only lost your wife, but you also lost your daughter,” Brian said angrily closing the door. Nick sat down. The woman got dressed and left. Nick covered his face and leaned back against the couch and stared at the ceiling. The door opened and Hayley came in and went to the bedroom and packed her stuff. Nick came in there.

     “Hayley,” Nick said. Hayley glared at him. She continued packing. He went over to her and she looked at him and slapped him hard. He put his hand on his cheek.

     “Hayley, please,” Nick said. He touched her arm and she moved away from him.

     “Don’t you dare touch me, asshole!” Hayley yelled. Nick looked at her. He grabbed her and pushed her against the wall.

     “Nick, let me go!” Hayley said.

     “No, I can’t!” Nick said. She tried to get free of his grasp but he kept a tight hold on her.

     “Let go!” Hayley yelled.

     “No!” Nick said.

     “You are hurting me!” Hayley said.

     “You are ripping my heart out!” Nick said.

     “You broke my heart!” Hayley said.

     “You broke my heart first!” Nick said.

     “Let go of me!” Hayley yelled. He threw her on the bed and pinned her down.

     “I can’t let you go, Hayley, you are my life, you and Ali, if you leave me now, you will kill me, I will have no reason to live, you hear me, no reason, I may have made a mistake, but you made a mistake first, remember!” Nick said.

     “It’s not the same, I didn’t fuck another person!” Hayley said.

     “You didn’t tell me you were married already, do you know how that made me feel, it made me feel like I was a fool, I felt used, you ripped my heart out and stomped on it!” Nick cried. Hayley looked at him.

     “You threw me away like I was trash,” Hayley said. Nick got up and stood there.

     “I don’t know what else to do, god, Hayley, I love you, you have proof, in our little girl!” Nick cried. He sat down and looked at her with tears in his eyes.

     “I’m sorry, Nick, but I can’t do this, it’s over,” Hayley said. She got her stuff together.

     “Will I get to see Ali?” Nick asked.

     “I’ll let you know,” Hayley said. She went out the door. Nick laid on the bed and curled up and cried softly. He lost the only woman he loved and his daughter.

Chapter 14

Nick laid on the couch when Kevin and Howie came in.

     “Go ahead, say it, I’m an asshole, I’ve already been called that, nothing you say will matter, I’ve messed up big time, I’ve lost my wife and daughter, my family, I have nothing,” Nick said.

     “Nick, Brian is coming over with Ali, Hayley’s leaving in two hours, you have an hour with your daughter before they leave,” Kevin said. Brian came in with Ali. Nick took her and sat down with her. Ali looked up at him. Tears filled Nick’s eyes as he held his daughter close.

     “Hey baby, you may be young to realize that I’m your daddy, I really messed up everything, I really hurt your mother, I lost her and I’m losing you, I love you so much, you are a part of me, nothing can change that, I will miss you so much,” Nick said crying. He held Ali close. When it was time for Ali to go, Nick held her close not wanting to let her go. Brian took Ali and took her to Hayley. Nick sat there on the couch, holding his head in his hands. Kevin sat beside him.

     “Kev, leave me alone,” Nick said crying. Kevin left the room. Nick laid on the couch and cried softly.

Thirteen years later, the guys were on a break and Nick was home. He hadn’t seen Ali since the day she left, but Brian gave him pictures of Ali as she was growing up. The doorbell rang. He opened the door and saw Ali standing there.

     “Ali!” Nick said.

     “You know my name,” Ali said.

     “Of course I do,” Nick said. She came in and saw her pictures.

     “You have pictures of me,” Ali said.

     “Yeah, my friend, Brian, gave me the pictures since he and his wife, Leighanne, kept in touch with your mom,” Nick said.

     “Oh don’t talk about her, I want nothing to do with her,” Ali said.

     “Why,” Nick said.

     “She kept me away from you, I grew up without knowing you, she said you ruined everything and I shouldn’t be around you and stuff, but I want to be able to see you, so I ran away and came down here, my grandma helped me,” Ali said.

     “You are here by yourself?” Nick said.

     “Yeah, I’m a teenager, I can do what I want,” Ali said.

     “You are only thirteen, Ali, you have five years before you can do what you want,” Nick said. Ali looked at him and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

     “You weren’t even a year old the last time I held you,” Nick said.

     “Don’t make me leave, Dad, please, I want to get to know you,” Ali said.

     “Your mom’s probably worried about you, I will call her and talk to her, I won’t make you leave,” Nick said. Ali gave him the number. He punched the numbers and listened until Hayley picked up.

     “Hello,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, it’s me,” Nick said.

     “Nick, oh god, is Ali with you?” Hayley said.

     “Yeah, she is, she’s fine, she told me not to make her leave and she wants to get to know me, I can’t deny that chance to her,” Nick said.

     “I’m coming to get her,” Hayley said.

     “Hayley, she is fine, she doesn’t want to go back there, I didn’t say anything to make her say that, it is what she said herself, she was denied the chance to see me and get to know me and she wants that, if you care and love her, you will let her stay with me and get to know me, because like it or not, I am her father, regardless of what I done, you kept our daughter away from me, you kept her from her father,” Nick said.

     “I’m coming to get her, Nick, whether you like it or not!” Hayley said. She hung up. Nick hung up and looked at Ali.

     “She’s coming, isn’t she,” Ali said.

     “Yeah,” Nick said.

     “I’m not going with her,” Ali said.

     “We will talk this out in person,” Nick said.

Five hours later, the doorbell rang. Ali locked herself in a room upstairs. Nick opened the door and saw Hayley. She came in and looked around.

     “Where’s my daughter?!” Hayley asked.

     “She’s fine!” Nick said closing the door.

     “Where is she!” Hayley said.

     “She’s upstairs, but you are not going to get her,” Nick said.

     “I am taking my daughter home!” Hayley said.

     “She is my daughter too!” Nick said.

     “You were never there!” Hayley said.

     “You kept her from me!” Nick said.

     “You could have came and visited!” Hayley said.

     “You could have called me and told me when I could, I called and your mother said never to call there again and don’t even think of coming to see my daughter!” Nick said.

     “I don’t want to argue about this, I just want to get my daughter and go home,” Hayley said. Nick crossed his arms.

     “Why do you want to get her away from me, is it wrong for a daughter to be with her father, is it wrong for me to see my daughter, she is a part of me, Hayley, you can’t change that!” Nick said. Hayley looked at him.

     “I’m not going anywhere with you, Mother,” Ali said from the stairs. Hayley went and pulled her daughter to the door.

     “Let go of me!” Ali said trying to pull away from her.

     “Hayley, let her go!” Nick said.

     “We are going home,” Hayley said. Nick stood in front of the door.

     “You are not leaving with my daughter, if she wants to stay and get to know me, let her,” Nick said.

     “I am her mother!” Hayley said.

     “I’m her father!” Nick said. The front door opened and Brian and Leighanne came in.

     “Hayley!” Leighanne said.

     “Brian, help me get Ali to the car so I can take her home,” Hayley said.

     “I want to stay here with my father!” Ali said trying to get loose of her mother’s grip.

     “Nick, did you do something to make Ali want to stay here,” Brian said.

     “Why am I to blame when she showed up on my doorstep wanting to get to know me, Hayley seems to want to keep her from me,” Nick said.

     “I came here because I wanted to get to know my father and I don’t want to go back with you, Mom, that was my choice, you kept me and Dad apart for a long time and I deserve to get to know him and he deserves to know me better, I don’t want to go, why can’t you get that through your head!” Ali said.

     “Ali!” Hayley said.

     “Mom, why are you so intent to keep me and my father apart?!” Ali said.

     “Your father broke up the marriage, he destroyed everything, he doesn’t deserve anything, that’s why I kept you away and why he doesn’t deserve to get to know you,” Hayley said. Brian looked at Hayley.

     “It’s been thirteen years, do you think it’s time to move on from that!” Nick said.

     “Yeah, I have,” Hayley said.

     “But you won’t let me see and know my daughter!” Nick said.

     “Like I said, you don’t deserve to,” Hayley said.

     “I can’t believe you would do that, Nick and Ali deserve to see and know each other,” Leighanne said.

     “If you were the one who did what Nick did, Nick would have shared custody with you,” Brian said.

     “Yeah,” Nick said.

     “You guys don’t understand at all,” Hayley said.

     “We don’t understand you,” Brian said.

     “I’ll sue for custody,” Nick said.

     “I will fight you with everything I have,” Hayley said.

     “Bring it on,” Nick said.

Chapter 15

Two weeks later, they were in court. Brian and Leighanne sat behind Nick.  Nick’s lawyer stood up. Her name was Emma.

     “Your honor, we are seeking sole custody of Alicia Marie Carter, who has been kept from her father by her mother for thirteen years, my client, Nickolas Carter, has admitted to having an affair which caused Hayley Carter to leave him, but she kept Alicia from her father, my client has tried to see her but Hayley’s parents told him never to call or visit again. My client is a Backstreet Boy, they are on a break now but he is ready to be the father he wants to be, now as my first witness, Miss Alicia Carter,” Emma said. Ali went and sat down on the stand.

     “Now Alicia, how did you find out about your father,” Emma said.

     “I found my birth certificate, I begged my grandmother to help me find him, when I did, she helped me pay to come down here to see him, I was mad at my mother for keeping me from my father, your honor, I want to be with my father, he deserves to get to know me like I deserve to get to know him, and I know my mother will keep me from him, I don’t want to be away from my father,” Ali said.

     “So you don’t want to be with your mother anymore,” Emma said.

     “Not after her keeping me from my father, she thought she should since she said he destroyed their marriage but I didn’t do anything wrong to be kept from my father, she might have thought it was punishment for him, but it was really punishment for me, for no reason at all, I couldn’t see my father, she wouldn’t let me, no matter what, and when I finally came down here to see him, she came down here and was trying to drag me back home like she didn’t want me near my father, she was trying to keep me from him, I don’t want that, I want to be with my father, to get to know him and for him to know me, to have that father/daughter bond that everyone has,” Ali said. She looked at the judge. After a couple of hours of talking with Nick, Hayley, Brian, and Leighanne, the judge went to her chambers to make her decision. Ali sat down behind Nick. Twenty minutes later, the judge returned. She sat down and looked at Nick and looked at Hayley.

     “This was not an easy decision, I could give you two advice and share custody, but each one has a reason to want your daughter, a tug of war between you two, but only one will leave here with Alicia, I’m granting full and sole custody to Mr. Carter, court is adjourned,” the judge said before retreating to her chambers. Ali ran up and hugged Nick. Nick looked over at Hayley who was crying. Leighanne went over to her. They hugged.

     “Brian, could you take Ali to my house,” Nick said.

     “Sure,” Brian said. They left. Nick went over to Hayley after Leighanne left.

     “It didn’t need to be like this,” Nick said. Hayley looked up at him.

     “I just wanted to protect her,” Hayley said.

     “From me, I’m guessing, Hayley, I would never do anything to hurt my own daughter, you should know that I couldn’t hurt a child, if I went on tour, she could have gone with me, Leighanne goes and she could have watched her,” Nick said.

     “Nick, not from you, from the life of a Backstreet Boy, the press and the fans,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

     “Bodyguards, Hayley, they would have protected her with their lives,” Nick said.

     “Oh god, Nick, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for keeping her from you!” Hayley said crying.

     “Then how about moving back down here and moving in with me and Ali and we can be a family,” Nick said.

     “Okay, and no, I will not take off with Ali in the middle of the night, she is your daughter, too, and deserves to be with you,” Hayley said.

Three weeks later, Hayley, Nick, and Ali were all living together. Ali was glad that she didn’t have to leave her father. She pulled her mother aside. Hayley looked at her.

     “Mom, Dad and I were talking and he said he still loves you, after all these years, he still loves you,” Ali said.

     “I still love him,” Hayley said.

     “Mom, you and Dad belong together,” Ali said smiling. Hayley looked at her daughter.

Epilogue

Ali went to stay with Brian and Leighanne. Hayley planned a night to get Nick back. Nick took Ali to Brian’s and she secretly told Ali to keep him there for awhile. An hour later, Nick returned and found candles lit and the table set. He saw Hayley.

     “Hayley,” Nick said.

     “Yes,” Hayley said. He came over to her.

     “You still love me, don’t you,” Nick said.

     “Never stopped,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her deeply.

     “Am I moving too fast?” Nick asked.

     “No, I wanted you to do that for so long,” Hayley said.

     “Can we get things back to the way they were before I screwed up?” Nick asked.

     “I was hoping we could,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her passionately and picked her up and carried her upstairs to his room and laid her on the bed. He laid beside her and they stared into each other’s eyes.

     “Make love to me, Nicky,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and kissed her tenderly and removed her clothes and his followed and he made love to her. Afterwards, they laid there holding each other and they both knew they would be together forever. They were a family and nothing could tear them apart again.

THE END!