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Biondo Sorto
07-18-06, 07:57 PM
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/mskatebloom2/Requests/beautifuldisaster.jpg
<div align="center">The Sequel to The Different Sides of Love</div>

Chapter 1
Carmen Opio sighed as she sat back and looked out at the blue sky. After her nine month stay in Europe she was finally done with her movie, ¬Crypt to Life. It had been stressful, long, hard, but she had finally decided on her last day, worth it. Ridley Scott, the director of the movie, had made the movie shoot fun despite all the technically problems and spontaneous surprises Mother Nature decided on. Despite that her career would be taking a twist starting in May, she was happy to be coming home. She never really liked L.A. all that much but it was starting to rub off on her. Her best friend and husband lived there, her brother lived there, and above all, Drew lived there.

She smiled despite the weariness that was trying to take over her. She hadn’t seen Drew in two months but she still could see his smile and his twinkling eyes. He was what made being in Europe hard. She hated the off-nights she had walking down the streets of Italy or enjoying the view of the Eiffel Tower without wishing Drew was at her side. She had seen him during Thanksgiving but that was it. He had to start Dancing with the Stars. She was happy when she got the message he had won. She hadn’t doubted his dancing ability; she still remembered the first time they met.

She sighed relief as she heard the pilot report they would be landing soon. She wanted to crawl into her home and sleep. Sleep into the nightmares of her wedding that she knew would wake her up. That was the other thing. She needed to finish planning that too, among many things. They had decided to marry in May-it was almost March now. And she still needed to do….many things. Including finding her dress.

When they finally did land and she stepped off the plane, she was surprised to see Lea waiting for her.
“What are you doing here?” she smiled surprised, giving her a friendly hug. Lea was now the size of a watermelon pumped with steroids and it was a bit awkward. They still tried their best and Lea smiled as she pulled away.
“Nick decided to surprise Renee for some getaway weekend at a vineyard or whatever. Drew had to fly to New York to go on Regis and Kelly, and was bummed that he couldn’t meet you here. So they sent the last best thing, me.”
Carmen laughed as they started toward the luggage area.
“You’re not the last best thing. You’re going to be having a beautiful baby soon and just because you look like your going to burst doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful.”
“Thanks. You look good too.”
“Thanks. As beautiful as Europe is, I missed home.”
“I bet. So, have you eaten yet? I’m craving pasta.”
Carmen smiled and shook her head.
“Pasta sounds great.”

They had decided to go the Olive Garden and when they were done, among Carmen’s persistence, had decided to both crash at Lea’s apartment. It was a decision the both of them were happy they made later on that night. Around two o’clock Carmen woke up to a loud moaning sound. Confused she staggered her way toward Lea’s room.
“Lea,” she said through sleepy yawns.
“Are you all right?”
Lea was lying on her back, squirming around the bed in sweaty sheets.
“I think…” she mumbled later, then sat up smiling at her.
“The past couple of days have been false contractions. It’s really bad tonight though…” she swam in bed again as another contraction hit.
“I’ll†¦I’ll get you some water.”
Carmen walked steadily to the kitchen, trying to wake up all of her senses. When she was younger, she had been able to experience the birthing of a baby through her cousin. She was in Hawaii and the ambulance couldn’t make it to the desolate part of the island they were on and her grandmother, along with her other cousins were to be midwives. To say the least, it had traumatized her at the age of twelve. Now all of those images were flashing through her mind. She had a feeling it was more than false contractions.
“Carmen!!” she heard moments later.
“I think I need to go to the hospital...”

The rest of the night flashed by quickly. Carmen flashing down the highway with Lea breathing heavily in the backseat of her car. Walking through the ER with her Mickey Mouse pajamas on. Having to stay by Lea’s side most of the night. Calling people in between Lea’s fits. And then, finally, the birth of their baby girl, Isabella Lachey, at 5 o’clock in the morning. Carmen insisted on not being the first person beside Lea to hold the baby but she had insisted. Drew was almost their and everyone else was on their way and Lea said if it hadn’t been for Carmen, she probably wouldn’t have gone through it. So Carmen reluctantly gave in-she still felt that this was defiantly a position Drew should be taking-but once that little girl was in her arms she fell in love. She couldn’t dream of how she had ever detested wanting a child before. Isabella was the most idyllic child anyone could ever want or have. She stayed with Lea and the baby for a short while, and then crashed the minute Cate showed up. She found a comfortable seat in the lobby stole a blanket from the room and fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up someone was lightly pushing her arm. She opened up an eye and mumbled,
“Five more minutes.”
She rolled over and was almost asleep when whoever it was came back and started to tickle her hard.
“Stop, I’m tired!!” she moaned, hitting which she later realized to be Drew, in the nose.
“I am so sorry!” she gasped when she realized where she was and who was sitting beside her. She quickly crawled over to him and he smiled, pinning her down on the coach.
“I try to say hi, I miss you love and I get socked in the nose?” he asked, tickling her again.
“I thought you were like a nosy staff member or something…stop!!” she whined as he pulled her on top of his lap.
“I did miss you.” He stated after a while. She smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.
“I missed ya too luv. How was New York?”
“The same. Busy streets and busy people. Europe.”
“Wonderful and lonely.” She said, falling into his embrace. He smiled and asked,
“Why lonely?”
“Cause I was at the most romantic spots in the world and I wasn’t with you.”
He smiled as he started to rub her back.
“I missed two important moments….I’m a horrible husband and father.”
“Shut up. A, Lea wasn’t expected until next week. B, you were just declared the best dancer in the nation. Live on a high pedestal and live the golden life. Besides, I love your child. She’s beautiful. You should be on a high pedestal right now.”
He couldn’t help but laugh.
“What about you? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m tired. I’ve missed you, but I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” he looked down at her intently and she knew what he was referring too. Their last conversation had ended on a bad note. Despite the fact that she had missed him deeply, she was afraid of Lea having the baby. Not only for her physical health concerns, but how it was going to affect the two of them as a couple. It was one thing to have it stuck in a stomach for nine months; it was another to have it with you for the rest of your life. They had ended up arguing and she had hung up with and hadn’t talked to him since. She was surprised that they both had forgotten so easily.
“Drew….I don’t know. Isabella, she’s a beautiful girl. I’m going to love her as much as a future step-mother can love her. But that’s it. Its going to suck I’m not going to have that bond with you like you’ll have with Lea because of her. But I can’t hold it against her. And I can’t hold it against Lea. And I’ve already tried holding it against you, and that doesn’t work at all. I suppose…I’m not going to try to think about it. But know it’s going to linger there. If I act a bit indifferent at times, it’s most likely because of this. But I don’t want it to be so I’m going to try to push it away.”
She looked down a bit ashamed. She had really wanted to tell him that of course it wasn’t going to be a problem. But she knew she’d be lying. And she was tired of lying to make everyone else happy.
“I understand.” He softly said after a while. She felt his lips on her forehead and smiled.
“Thanks. And I’m sorry it can’t be what you want it too.”
“Hey, that’s fine. I’d feel the same way if you were having a baby from Paul….” He drifted and she laughed, then screamed looking over her shoulder.
“Rene!!!”
She hadn’t seen her friend in exactly five months. The movie had taken a large portion of her social life away. She quickly got off of Drew’s lap and embraced her small friend in a long hug. She had really missed her. They pulled away laughing and crying and Carmen finally said,
“It’s not like I haven’t seen you in a year or so.”
“Oh, but it feels like it.”
They hugged some more when Nick came by.
“Hey stranger. Long time no see.”
She smiled at her future brother in law. He looked just as happy as Renee.
“You know me.” she smiled, walking over and giving him a long hug. She pulled back and smiled at him.
“What is this about you wanting to act?”
He smiled and shook his head.
“Its something I’m looking in too.”
“Need help, I’m only a call away.”
“Thanks.”
She turned back to Drew who was starting to drift to sleep.
“He’s tired. I know he caught a plane right after the show,” she turned toward Nick and smiled.
“How is it being an uncle?”
“Great. Isn’t she a doll?”
“She’s beautiful. Just like her mom and dad….” Carmen bit her lip and Renee looked toward Nick who in hand gave a sympathetic smile.
“I’m going to try to wake up my brother.” He said, walking off.
Carmen looked out to him, and then turned to Renee.
“How does it feel to be an aunt?”
“Cool. A bit weird but cool.”
“That’s nice.”
They were silent and Carmen sighed.
“I’m going home.”
“Why?”
“First, I’m wearing my pajama’s.”
Renee laughed and shook her head.
“Second off, I’m tired. I mean, I’m tired. It’ll just be better.”
She looked toward Drew and smiled.
“Tell Drew to call me when he’s in better condition.”
“I will.”
“It was nice seeing you again.” She gave Renee one last squeeze and headed toward the exit.

Chapter 2
“Drew, get the baby! I’m in the bathroom!”
“Drew, Carmen’s on the phone.”
“Drew, I need toilet paper!”
“Drew!!?”
Drew sighed as he walked from one end of the small apartment to the other. Finally, he grabbed his daughter and softly bounced her on his shoulder as he walked to the linen closet and grabbed a roll of toilet paper. He threw it into the bathroom and then grabbed the phone, signaling to his mom that she could hang up the other one in the kitchen.
“Hello?” he asked as he discovered Isabella’s discontent. She had an unexpected friend in her diaper.
“Hey babe. How is everything?”
He smiled despite his uncomfortable position.
“Well right now I’m trying to convince myself that I have to stay whole for my wedding.”
He heard her laugh and smiled.
“I want to shoot myself too. God forbid I shouldn’t have post-poned as many weddings plans as I’ve done.”
Drew laughed as he threw the dirty diaper into the trash.
“It’ll be fine.”
“It won’t be. Drew, it has to be perfect. Perfect. I want it to be perfect for you. We’ll be lucky to even get a church. We’ll be lucky if I look half as decent coming down the aisle.”
Drew smiled as he grabbed Isabella again and softly started to rock her to sleep.
“You’re going to be beautiful no matter what you wear. It doesn’t matter where I get married, as long as I’m married to you. Relax. Didn’t you talk to your brother about that place in Hawaii? Why don’t we just have it there?”
“Hawaii is such a….expensive place. I mean, we’re going to have to splurge….not that I mind or anything, but take into account how many people we’re going to have.”
“But a large majority of your family live out there so it mainly is my family we have to worry about. I don’t mind. I’d love to get married in Hawaii actually…”
“Fine, fine you win. I’ll call Pablo and get the details on that church and pray nothings taken that day.”
“Works with me. I have to put Isabella down for bed so I’ll call you later, all right.”
“All right. I love you.”
He smiled and whispered,
“I love you too.”

Carmen smiled over at Renee who was browsing through a bridal magazine, looking at various gowns.
“So..?” She asked as Carmen sat down beside her on her couch and started to call her brother.
“We’re getting married in Hawaii.”
“HAWAII!!?”
“Yeah. Drew wants to and I sorta wanted to too so….yeah.”
“I guess.” Renee smiled, shaking her head. Carmen chit-chatted with her brother for a while and then hung up.
“So…?”
“Pablo already had reserved it for us. Seems him and Drew already had a previous conversation and Drew had okayed it for us, just in case.”
“Those two are tricky.”
“You’re telling me. And I have to deal with the both of them for the rest of my life.” Carmen groaned as she fell back on the coach and closed her eyes. Renee laughed and threw the magazine at her.
“You can’t fall asleep. You have to plan your wedding. Say it with me, plan…”
“Let Drew and Pablo plan. They already have a large majority of the crap done.”
“Not the caterer or your bridesmaids dresses or your dress or the flowers or the table arrangements or…”
“Okay, okay.” She groaned getting up and grabbing another magazine, browsing through their food selection.
She sighed as she looked over at Renee.
“What?” Renee asked.
“Nothing.” she looked back down at the magazine, circling things and jotting them down in her planner. Renee sighed as she crawled over to her and rested her head on her shoulder.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with Drew and Isabella, does it?”
“No. No…..no, no. Absolutely not.”
They were silent and Carmen bit her lip.
“Well….maybe just a little bit.”
“What?”
“It’s just that…I haven’t seen Drew in a week. I’m not complaining or anything but I already hadn’t seen him in two months to begin with. And Lea was able to be there and support him in Dancing with the Stars and I wasn’t and I was his fiancé.”
“You came to one show.”
“One show pales in comparison to twenty.”
Renee sighed and pushed her a bit on the shoulder.
“He loves you Carm. And he understands your job. He knows that acting is really important to you now.”
“But he’s always been there to support me and I can never be there to support him when something comes up.”
Renee laughed as she lifted her head and looked up at Carmen.
“Carmen, whether you realize it or not, you are supporting him. You’ve been supporting him for the past nine months.”
“What do you mean?”
“By marrying and loving him despite the fact he just had a daughter not by you is enough for him. You don’t know how many days he thanks God that you haven’t walked out on him.”
Carmen thought about this and smiled.
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
“What would I ever do without you my dear Renee Lachey?”
“Probably keel over and die.”
“Probably.” Carmen laughed then returned her attention back to her list. Renee got up and headed for the kitchen.
“You have anything to drink in here? I’m dizzy and I’m guessing it’s because the only liquid I had today was a sip of Nick’s juice.”
“Aside from water and perhaps a little alcohol, I doubt it.”
Renee sighed as she trudged to Carmen refrigerator. Though her friend loved to cook, when she knew she wasn’t going to be home for a while food was sparse in the house. Knowing this, she was surprised to see tea and juice in her fridge, along with the alcohol beverages Carmen was referring too.
“Doubt it? You know you have Arizona Ice Tea in here?”
“No…..” there was silence and then with relief in her voice,
“I told Pablo to make Drew a spare key when I was gone. Drew must have re-stocked for me before he left. He knows I love the both of them.”
“Well aren’t you lucky.” Renee teased, grabbing a Sobe and starting to walk toward her cabinet for a glass. She unfortunately didn’t make it. Halfway there she passed out, dropping to the kitchen floor bringing her Sobe drink down with her. The sound of loud glass brought Carmen to her senses.
“Renee?”
She looked up from her planner and out toward the kitchen. She saw the light on but no answer in return.
“Renee?” she got up from her seat on the couch and started to walk toward the kitchen. She screamed when she saw Renee lying down on the floor surrounded by glass. She quickly picked up her phone and called 911.

Carmen closed her eyes as she took a sip out of her cappuccino and laid her head back. She hadn’t been in a hospital so frequently ever since she got her tonsils taken out. And that was when she was only nine. She had almost fell asleep with the coffee in her hands when she heard,
“Carmen!?”
She saw Nick running to her and forced herself to wake up from her foggy state as she got up to greet him. She had forgotten she had called him.
“Is she all right?!” he asked, breathing heavily as he reached her. Carmen shrugged.
“The doctors won’t say. One nurse hinted she was going to be fine. Suggested that it could have been dehydration or something. I’m not surprised if it wasn’t. I fairly remember her telling me that she hadn’t drank anything all day. Nothing to worry about.”
Nick nodded but didn’t seem convinced.
“She’s fine Nick. She didn’t need to go into surgery and she hadn’t had to get rushed anywhere after the doctors took her away. She’s going to be fine.”
She said this sternly and Nick sighed as he sat down. She took a seat beside him and started to rub his back.
“She had fairly good symptoms. Her pulse was fine when I checked it and the EMT’s had assured me she didn’t have any high blood or sugar levels.”
Nick looked over her and despite the circumstances smiled.
“How do you know all of this?”
Carmen gave a faint smile.
“Before I hit it big, I made my extra cash as a nurse’s assistant. My dad wanted me to have some back-up in case acting wouldn’t work and nursing sounded fun.”
Nick laughed.
“Renee always said you and Drew were one of a kind.”
“What?”
“Drew was an EMT before he came out to L.A. with me.”
“No kidding?” she raised a brow, and then laughed.
“I didn’t know that.”
“Does he know you were a nurse?”
“Hardly anybody does. My dad and my brother.”
“Renee, as always, has managed to uncover more of Carmen’s history without even realizing it.”
“That’s the magic of Renee; she’s able to solve things without realizing it.”
They both laughed and were both silent.
“Did you call Drew?”
“Yeah. He wanted to come down but I advised him against. Seeing Renee’s symptom’s, I’m positive its dehydration. I told him if it got serious I give him a call. He needs to spend time with his daughter.”
Nick nodded, and then pushed her slightly.
“You know, you’re giving him too many reason’s not to see you.”
“Ah, I didn’t have a baby so I don’t need anything.”
“People have needs despite if they have a kid or not.”
Carmen was silent then shrugged.
“I don’t know about that situation. I mean…I don’t know.”
“Well, he misses you. Promise me you’ll go and see him soon.”
“I’ll be in the way…”
“Carmen…†
“Fine.” She laughed, shaking their head. They were both interrupted when a doctor came up to them.
“Carmen Opio?”
“Yes.” She stood up and Nick was beside her seconds later.
“This must be the husband you were referring to earlier.”
“Nick Lachey.” Nick said, sticking out his hand for the doctor to shake. He took it, and then gestured for them to follow him.
“Renee wants to see the both of you.”
They walked to a room located a couple of doors down to see an exhausted Renee resting in a bed. She had an IV attached to her and was fighting sleep.
“Hey baby.” Nick smiled walking slowly to her bed.
“hey.” She smiled, grabbing his hand. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead.
“How are you?”
“Better.” She gave him a squeeze as Carmen showed up behind him.
“Hey stranger.”
“Hey Cam Cam.”
“How ya feeling?”
“Exhausted but much better.”
“I would too if I fell as hard as you did. You should see my kitchen floor. Wait you can’t seeing as you took it down with you.”
Renee gave a slight chuckle and shook her head. Carmen turned toward the doctor who was checking Renee’s charts.
“What was wrong with Renee?” she asked, wondering what had caused the sudden spell.
“Yeah? Is she free to leave soon or is this going to be a long time stay or….?” Nick sort of drifted as the doctor checked his chart again and smiled.
“Well, the cause was simple. Renee was heavily dehydrated which in turn affected-“
“I told you she was dehydrated.” Carmen stated matter of flatly to Nick, then turned back to doctor.
“Wait, affected what?”
a7xnsl98d
07-19-06, 03:21 PM
Cliffhangers already! :Big Grin:
mary
07-19-06, 03:52 PM
:Big Grin: that was really good can't wait for the next chapter
Kristen07
07-26-06, 10:21 PM
Here's my first one! There is another part coming to this.. i just thought i'd post the first part! Enjoy :)

Chapter 3, part 1

“Well, the dehydration made her suffer some other symptoms, the dominant one being dizziness, and fatigue which is also a sign of pregnancy. Have you been feeling anything else unusual lately, Renee?”
Renee thought for a moment. “Well, my back has hurt a lot more than usual the last few months and I’ve had more frequent headaches. Also my period has been late the past few months.”
“Hmm….” Dr. Danielson examined some more things. “You’re about two and a half months pregnant. Congratulations.”
Renee’s mouth dropped wide open. Pregnant? She wasn’t expecting this so soon in the marriage. Sure, she and Nick talked about having kids, but not in the immediate future.
“Wow, umm… thank you.” She said.
“We’re going to keep her here a couple more hours just to monitor her condition and make sure nothing else is wrong. If not, then she’ll be good to go. I’ll be back in a little while to check on things.”
“Allirighty, thank you Dr. Danielson.” Nick said.
“You’re welcome.” The doctor walked out of the room.
“I think I’ll visit the restroom.” Carmen said awkwardly, walking out too.
Renee and Nick exchanged a glance. “I wasn’t expecting this.” She whispered.
“I wasn’t either, but isn’t it wonderful news? We‘re going to be parents!” He asked, pushing her hair away from her face.
She nodded. Nick leaned in and they kissed.
“I’m so tired… oh my head.” She felt a little throbbing in her head.
“Is it anything to worry about?”
“No… it’s just from hitting my head on Carm’s kitchen floor.”
“Yeah, she told me you passed out. What do you remember?”
“Well, I was thirsty because I only had a little bit of your orange juice this morning. I remember walking in the kitchen towards the cupboard…And then my legs gave out on me and it seemed like everything went black. Next thing I know, I woke up here.” She sighed.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Exhausted and a little in pain… but fine other than that.”
“How’s the wedding plans going?”
Renée half rolled her eyes. “She’s such a procrastinator. There’s so much she still needs to get done. I might end up being her wedding planner.” she chuckled. “Has she talked to Drew?”
Nick nodded. “She told him not to come down. I told her that she is coming up with every reason not to see him, but she kept saying she’ll be in the way.. Yada yada”
“She’s being weird about… almost as paranoid as me.”
The door knocked on cue to avoid an awkward conversation. “Come in” Nick said.
Drew walked in. “Drew! I haven’t seen you in awhile” Renee said.
“Hey sis in law. How are you?”
“Eh, a little tired, but not too bad.” They hugged.
“Hey little bro, good to see ya.”
“Good to see you too.” They hugged quickly. Nick moved to Renee’s bed so Drew could have a chair to sit in.
“Where’s Carmen? She told me that she was here when she called not too long ago.”
“She kind of dashed out of the room a few minutes ago. She should be back, though. Her purse is here.” Renee pointed to the Coach bag beside his chair.
“Oh, allright. So, what’s the prognosis?”
“It’s nothing to be worried about. I just got really dehydrated. But I also found out that I’m pregnant.”
Drew’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s awesome! Congratulations! Another Lachey in the family.. Only this time the couple isn’t getting divorced”
She knew that Drew was referring to him and Lea.
"And miss a good roll in the hay? Believe me Drew, that is the only asset that's keeping me from running away"
Drew bursted out laughing as Nick looked at her suprised. "What?"
"You heard me Lachey" Renee smiled, giving him a challenging grin.
“I didn’t know you had a wisecrack in you, Renee.” Drew said, still laughing a little.
“Hey, I can be sarcastic with the best of them when I feel like it.”
Carmen opened the door back up. “What’s all the laughing ruckus for?”
“Someone decided not to obey your instructions and came down anyway.” Nick said.
She walked further into the room and her eyes locked on Drew. “DREW! I have missed you!”
“So have I, my dear Carmen” They exchanged a kiss and Carmen sat in Drew’s lap.
“I told you not to come here, Drew.”
He shook his head. “I couldn’t stay away. I had to see you and of course my brother and sister in law. Besides Lea was driving me a little bit crazy.”
“Can we break up the love talk here now?” Renee asked.
Carmen made a face. “I had to put with you being all kissy face with Nicko a few minutes ago, you can wait for a few minutes for me to talk to Drew alone.”
“Fine then, Carmel be that way. If you really want to be alone, then exit the premises.”
“Ok, we’ll be back.” Carmen and Drew walked out of the room.
“What has gotten into you today, babe?” Nick asked her.
She shook her head. “Nothing. Why?”
“You’re just not yourself… a lot more sarcastic.”
“Eh.. I don’t feel 100% percent right now and you know darn well when I get cranky and sick to avoid me.”
Nick nodded. “I do. I have walked into that trap one too many times.” He kissed her cheek.
A couple minutes later Carmen and Drew walked back in. The foursome had a wonderful time, talking, laughing and joking. It even made Renee forget about her crappy mood for awhile. After about an hour they left, leaving Renee and Nick alone.
“What do you want to do?” Nick asked her.
“I’m really tired. I could do with some sleep right now.” she started to yawn.
“That sounds like a good idea. I haven’t had anything to eat since this morning so I think I’ll go run down the street somewhere and get some food.”
“Don’t pass out like I did.” Renee said, jokingly hitting him.
“Ow! I won’t babe, I don’t feel anything out of the ordinary.” He said, taking her hand in his.
Renee laid her head back on the pillow. “Thank you for being here, Nick. It‘s helped me a lot”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world, baby. Now, get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
She nodded. “Ok.”
“I love you, Ren.”
“I love you, Nick.” They kissed softly and Renee was out as soon they broke away.

A few hours later, she woke up, refreshed. She still felt a little queasy, but the nap did her some good.
Nick was looking into her eyes. “Hey Serena.”
“hi” she replied softly.
“Did you have a good nap?”
She nodded. “I feel better. Has Dr. Danielson been in yet?”
“No, but a nurse came in and said he should be coming by in a few minutes.”
On cue, Dr. Danielson walked in the room. “How are you feeling now, Renee?”
“A little better. I just woke up from a nap.”
“Ok, great. Let me check a few things here.” He looked at a few charts and some of the machine that were attached to Renee’s IV. “Looks good to me. You are allowed to go home.”
“Yay!” Renee’s face brightened up a bit.
“You need to still rest within the next 24 hours and make sure you drink a lot of fluids, even if you are not thirsty. It’s very easy to relapse and land yourself back into the hospital and I’m sure you don’t want that.”
“No sir. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. It’s been a pleasure treating you. The nurse will be by in a moment to take out your Ivs and you’ll be set to go.” He shook both their hands and walked out.

10 minutes later, they arrived at the car. Nick helped her into the passenger seat and got in the driver’s seat. “What a day…”
“It has been eventful. Now what do you say we go home, cuddle on the couch, and watch a movie?” Renee asked.
“Sounds like a great idea to me.” They kissed and Nick’s started the car.
a7xnsl98d
07-28-06, 03:01 PM
I like!
Kristen07
08-06-06, 09:45 PM
The add is coming along.. but i still need to write a litte more. I'm going to try to get it done tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest :)
Kristen07
08-07-06, 09:26 PM
Here's the next one, y'all :) Please leave nice feedback and i hope you enjoy :D

~Chapter 3, part 2~

They arrived at home about a half hour later. Nick helped Renee out of the car because she still felt a slight bit dizzy. They made it into the house and walked to the kitchen.
Nick began to rummage in the fridge. “Do you want something to drink, baby?”
“Well… I guess, because you would probably make me drink something even I didn’t.” she replied from her seat at the island in the middle of their kitchen.
Nick looked at her blankly.
“Water would be just fine.” She said in a sweeter tone.
Nick got out a water bottle for her and a Miller Lite for himself. “Geez, I’m just trying to care. You’re turning into Carmen for gosh sakes.”
“No, I’m not. Just let me sleep on it and I’ll be my old self tomorrow.” She sighed as Nick handed her the water. “Thanks, Nick.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat across from her. “Aren’t you excited? We’re going to start a family. This is what we both wanted.”
More like what you wanted. Nick said right at the beginning of their marriage that he was ready for kids. It was his biggest dream in life. She told him that she wanted kids as well but wasn’t ready for them yet. She wanted to experience marriage for a few years, just the two of them before settling down. They decided put kids on the back burner and when they thought the time was right, they would try to conceive. Still, this pregnancy was a complete shock.
"I have to call Mom. And my dad.....oh, and Iris. Wait 'till everyone else finds out. they’ll be thrilled.”
Nick was already talking to himself as he wondered around the kitchen looking for something to eat for dinner. Renee sighed as she looked at him for her seat. Didn’t he understand how drastic this was for her? For all their love, she wanted to be selfish and have him a couple more years to herself.
“Your mom and dad!! And Kayleigh!” Nick started up again
Renee sighed again. This was going to be a long night. “Nick, they’ll call in good time. Let’s just find something for dinner and cuddle.”
“But I want the whole world to know that I’m going to be a father.”
“They’ll find out in due time.”
“But….but, I want them to know now. This exact moment!!”
“Nick, really. Its not that big a deal-“
“Not that big a deal? I’m going to be a father! A father. Do you realize how many years I have waited and wanted to have kids? And it’s with the woman who means the world to me?”
Renee felt a pang of guilt tug at her heart. She loved Nick but, she was making sacrifices too. Why was she feeling this way? She knew that she should be ecstatic; she was expecting a child with the man she loved more than anyone else in the world. But she couldn’t match Nick’s excitement at the moment. She shook her head violently, trying to get the feeling out. Alas, it was not working.
Nick noticed her mood and walked over to her. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I’m just not myself, Nick, that’s all.” She said.
“Don’t give me that, Ren. There is something more there.” He looked at her intently.
“It hasn’t really sunk in that I’m pregnant. I mean, I am happy about it and I want to have the happy energy that you do right now, but I can’t. I don’t have it in me.”
He nodded, but she could tell he didn’t buy her explanation 100%. “Ok.”
“But I don’t want to ruin your good mood. If you want to call your family, go right ahead.” She felt even more guilty for partially lying to him, but she didn’t feel like telling him how she really felt at the moment.
Renee heard her phone ring on the table. She slowly got up and walked over to it.

“Hello?”

“Renee? Are you busy?” Kayleigh sounded like she’d been crying.

“No, not at all, sis. What’s wrong?” Renee was alarmed. What could be wrong?

“I found out some… news a little bit ago.”

“Is it bad? Kayleigh you’re worrying me, please spit it out.” Renee said as she walked out to the back porch.

Kayleigh took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

Renee’s mouth dropped wide open. This was a shocker. How had this happened? Last time she checked, Kayleigh and Brad Fernsworth, her boyfriend, weren’t rushing into anything at the present time. “I don’t know what to say right now, Kay. I really don’t.”

“You aren’t mad, are you?”

This question dumbfounded Renee. “No, why would I be? It’s your life, hun.”

“Well you know I always value your opinion.” She let out another sob.

“I’m not going to think anything less of you, Kayleigh. You know I’m not.”

“I… Brad and I have been responsible before when it comes to sex… we always used a condom… but one night we just got too drunk and went with it. That had to be the night… oh I don’t know what to do right now, Renee.”

“Does Brad know?”

“Yes. I called him as soon as I figured it out. He was really supportive and tried to calm me down but it didn’t work. I’m so scared… what are Mom and Dad going to think?”

Renee thought about this. Their parents were strict believers in no premarital sex. Kayleigh had already violated that moral; she lost her virginity in high school to an asshole. But an actual pregnancy? Renee had an ideal reaction. “I’m sure they’ll be very disappointed but it won’t mean that they don’t love you any less.”

“You’re looking way too far on the bright side. They are going to disown me….” Her tears started to dry up.

“They are not going to do that Kayleigh LeeAnn Carlson!” Renee told her firmly. “You’re being too pessimistic. Yes, they may not take it well, but it won’t mean they will disown you and never talk to you again. They have too much love in their hearts to do that. All you can do is sit down and tell them and let them react the way that they do. This situation could have been worse, you know.”

“How could it be????? I‘m not married like you are.” Kayleigh was really confused and irritated.

“Well, you could have been raped or gotten pregnant by random idiot in a one night stand. At least you’ve been with your boyfriend for four years and you know you have a very solid relationship.”

Kayleigh chuckled, her tears drying up. “Well, I guess you’re right. Thank you so much sissy. I feel a lot better.”

“Are you going to be ok telling Mom and Dad?”

She sighed. “Yep… I’ll just tell them and hope for the best. But before I do… I need to sleep. I’ve been crying a lot and I just don’t have the strength right how.”

“Ok. I love you very very much, sis. Call me after you give them the news, ok?”

“I will. I love you, Ren. “ She hung up.

Now there was even more of a burden. She and Nick would have easily been in this same position. She needed someone one to vent her emotions to but wasn’t sure who. Carmen was somewhere with Drew probably and Nick was too high in the clouds to listen to her. She eventually decided on Krissy Gainesville, her closest friend beside Carmen. Krissy was a great listener and gave advice almost as good as a psychologist.

“Hello?”

“Hey Krissy”

“NeSe! How are ya, hun?” It felt so good to hear her smooth voice.

“I don‘t know what to feel right now, Kris. I need someone to talk to.” She sighed, slipping her hair behind her ear.

“Ok. What’s wrong?”

“Well, today has been a long day. I collapsed on Carmen’s kitchen floor. Then I woke up and the doctor told me I was dehydrated among other things so that lead to news of being pregnant. So Nick and I stayed at the hospital for a few hours. Then we came home and my sister calls. She has gotten herself pregnant by Brad.”

Krissy paused a few seconds. “Whoa… looks like you have gone through a lot. How was the hospital stay?”

“Eh…nothing to write home about. Carm and Drew came over… I slept… felt like crap.. .still do actually.” she groaned.

“So how do you feel about the pregnancy?”

“That’s what I’m struggling with right now. I know I should be happy, but I’m not. Part of me is like, this is terrible. I don’t want this now. I feel so selfish for feeling that”

“What makes you feel that way?”

“Nick told me at the beginning our marriage he was ready for kids and we can could start trying at anytime. I was a little hurt by that because it made me feel like he didn’t want to take any time to develop our relationship further, because that’s why you get married. I told him I wanted to have a few years of just the two of us and then settle down. We compromised by saying we would just put it on the backburner and try to find the right time to try. Is that selfish of me to say?” She sat down in front of the pool.

“No, not at all. A couple should allow time in the marriage to get to know each other and have their lives merge together. It’s a complete change. You aren’t alone anymore. You have someone else to constantly live with and make decisions with.”

“Exactly. I envisioned it would be just us for a few years, just to get in the groove of marriage and bond even more. Yes, we have learned a lot in the nine months we have been married, but there still is so much to explore.” She paused. “At the same time, I understand that Nick’s a little older than me and what he wants in life is already set in stone.”

“He’s not that much older than you, like only 5 years.”

“Still, to me there is a big difference in between 20’s and 30’s. 20’s you’re still trying to figure out what you want in life and trying to achieve it. In your 30’s you’ve seen a little bit more and know exactly what you want in your life in Nick’s case a family.”

“Have you told him about your feelings?”

She sighed looking back through the kitchen window. Nick was standing there making himself a sandwich for dinner. “No. Nick’s bouncing off the walls about the pregnancy. I don’t know; I don’t think he really cares about what I’m feeling right now.”

“Why do you say that?

“He was going all over the kitchen about how he’s going to be a father and really didn’t pick up on my feelings. Well, I shook my head really hard once and he came over to me but I’m not sure why…”

“Renee, he did it because he cared. You know he did. But still, you need to talk to him. Explain to him how you’re feeling and maybe resolve things.”

“I can’t do it tonight…”

“Now did I say you had to tonight? No. I’m just saying you should talk to him about it before you bottle up your pain too much and it blows way out of proportion.”

“You’re right Krissy. I should. But I know that things are going to get blown out of proportion anway.. Me and my drama queen ways enhanced by pregnancy hormones? That can’t be a good thing.” Renee half groaned and half sighed.

“You’re going to get through it, I promise. So what do you feel about Kayeligh’s pregnancy?”

“I feel even more guilty now for being pregnant. That could have easily been Nick and I. We were very cautious but still. I didn’t tell her about mine.”

“Why not?” bec

“Because she was upset and I didn’t want to burden her any more than she already was, you know? She was the most worried about telling our parents because they do not believe in premarital sex.”

“I feel her pain. My parents are the same way. I didn’t get pregnant my first time, but they were very disappointed in my actions.”

“She thought they would disown her but I reassured her they wouldn’t. Mom and Dad have too much love in their hearts to do that. It’s not a bad situation since she’s been with the guy four years, but still, it’s out of wedlock.”

“So I’m guessing you’re holding your pregnancy news is on hold for right now?”

“Yep. I’ll let that storm blow over and then I’ll reveal mine.” she sighed. “I’m getting tired. I’ll probably head inside and get to bed.”

Krissy chuckled. “It’s only 7:00 sleepyhead!”

Renee laughed as well. “I know… but I have no energy. I need sleep. Thank you for listening, though. I feel a lot better.”

“I’m glad I was able to help. Feel better soon, ok, hun?”

“I will. Buh-bye.”

“Bye.”
Biondo Sorto
08-07-06, 09:43 PM
Great add Kris, like always :P
Well, this next chapter is super duper long, I was torn in breaking it in piences but decided to leave it as is....hope you guys will enjoy :) :P
Biondo Sorto
08-08-06, 12:37 AM
Chapter 4
Carmen and Drew slowly headed out the hospital and toward their own cars an hour after they had visited Renee.
“I’m glad she’s doing fine.” Drew commented moments later.
“Yeah, me too. She scared the crap out of me when she fell. It’s a good thing that I was a nurse.”
Drew looked at her surprised, then asked,
“You were a nurse?”
“I was a nurse before I launched my career as an actress.”
“And they say the world isn’t small enough.”
Carmen laughed.
“Yeah Mr. EMT. I’m not the only person who saved lives.”
“Yeah.” He blushed, and then looked toward her.
“I’ve really missed you Cam. I wish you….had visited me.”
“I don’t want to be in the way.” Carmen said softly. Drew sighed and grabbed her to him.
“Whoever said you’d be in the way.”
Carmen started to say something, and then shrugged.
“Well, you better be off to your daughter and you’re….† She drifted off and Drew moaned, falling into the crick of her neck.
“Will you please not bring that up? For at least two seconds.”
“Its still lingers even if I don’t. Might as well not avoid the inevitable.”
“For a second, can we pretend?”
Carmen smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
“I love you Drew. I need to finish planning. I’m so flippin’ behind. I need to meet Pablo and his new……girl, whoever the dish of the week is.”
She could feel Drew’s chuckle.
“Fine….but drop by. I’m going crazy insane without you.” He began tickling her and blowing kisses on her neck.
Carmen laughed as she tried to hit him off of her.
“Stop or I’ll get hospital security on you.” She said, hitting him on his back. He kissed her one last time and pulled away.
“I was just trying to make my point.”
“Point made. Bye. I’ll try to….drop by.”
She started to turn around and Drew pulled her back to him.
“Is that it?”
“There’s nothing more to talk about it.”
“Well…I thought we could go somewhere. Pick up some coffee. Talk some more…”
“Drew, you have a child. You shouldn’t have even come down here.”
“What does that mean?” Drew asked defensively.
“It means I told you not to come down here unless Renee was seriously hurt. She isn’t. She’s doing just fine. You still came. It’s not my fault I had an agenda that didn’t include you in it today.”
Drew looked at her, a look of shock on his face.
“So now I’m not a priority in life?”
“Of course you’re a priority. It’s just that I wasn’t planning on see you today.” She started to play with one of the loose strands of her hair. Why couldn’t he understand?
“Well I’m sorry that I was worried about my sister-in-law and wanted a good enough excuse to come down and see my fiancé because I’ve missed her.”
“Drew….â€Â
“I really am sorry. I’m sorry that Lea got knocked up. Damn, you think I wanted it!!”
“I know you didn’t want it!!! I understand!!!”
“If you understand then you wouldn’t be acting this way!”
“You have no idea how much I wished I couldn’t act this way! You think I want to?!” Carmen realized that they were both yelling at each other, in the daylight, in the parking lot of a common hospital. Reporters would be swarming them soon.
“Well I don’t know!”
“Exactly. You don’t know!”
They both stared at each other, and then Drew sighed.
“I’m trying to understand.”
“I know.”
“I just don’t know. I don’t know how to handle it.” He was shaking his head and looked up at her.
“You don’t know how hard it is for me.”
Carmen looked at him shocked. For him!! Could she have a little “it was hard for her too” credit?
“You? What about me?”
“You just-“
“You think its easy being a fiancé to a man she loves all the while he has a baby too another woman who he used to love. Do you know how hard it is to fall asleep wondering if you’re sharing her bed? If you’re falling back in love? If the baby will bring you together in the future? And then yelling at yourself in sleep for lacking in this love you both created. To believe it won’t happen like it happened to your mother and your grandmother. To have history repeat itself on you? Do you know how hard that is Andrew John Lachey?!”
She was on the verge of tears now. How could he not see what she was trying to do for him? Drew shook his head, shaking away his own feelings and looking at Carmen. Carmen, who had stood faithfully beside him after all these months finally releasing her shield and allowing him to see how she did truly feel.
“Oh Carmen.” He tried to grab her hand but she quickly pulled away.
“No! I don’t want to hear anything you say. See you or feel you or, or, or, or….anything.” she turned on her heel and strode away toward her car. She got in and quickly sped up, never once looking in the rear-view mirror. Didn’t he understand?

Later on that night, after she had cancelled the meeting with her brother and finally made some progress, she gave her brother a call. The message she had left him had been above crude and she wasn’t use to blowing him off. He picked up on the first ring.
“What’s wrong?” he asked immediately. She smiled at the brotherly tone he held in his voice and sighed.
“Drew and me is what’s wrong.”
“The baby?”
She started to nod and realizing he wasn’t there with her whispered,
“Yeah.”
“Hold that thought. I’m coming to your house to see you.”
“Pablo you don’t have-“
“Shelly will understand. And if she doesn’t then she was bad news anyhow.”
Carmen smiled and softly said into the phone,
“Thank you.”
“Its nothing baby sis. I’ll be there soon.”
They hung up and Carmen decided that she might as well get a start on dinner. She debated about what to make but finally decided on burgers and home-made fries. Nothing like a pile of grease to make you feel better. She was halfway into making her meal when she heard the doorbell ring. She quickly answered it to see a clean-shaven Pablo on the other end.
“Hey brother.” She smiled at him. He smiled back and walked in. When he closed the door he turned to her and gave her a long, hard hug.
“Thanks, I needed that.” She mumbled into his chest. He smiled and kissed her forehead.
“I’ve been neglecting my little sister more than her future husband. And I haven’t seen you since you got in.”
She pulled away and he raised his nose.
“Smells like burgers. And fries.”
“Hope you feel like gaining a few pounds tonight.”
“Me? Always.” She smiled and started toward the kitchen, yelling over her shoulder,
“How did Shelly take it?”
“Shelly’s old news.
“Really?” Carmen was surprised at his statement and he shrugged, taking of his suit jacket and throwing it across a chair.
“She was a blonde [nice person] that liked to use rich men. I think I might move on to red-heads again. At least they leave something to the imagination, if you know what I mean.” He wiggled his brows and Carmen laughed.
“I have a lovable brother who is an absolute womanizer.”
“I wouldn’t call it womanizing. Just satisfying the needs of myself and others.”
“Right.” She rolled her eyes as she took the last cheeseburger off the skillet and onto a platter. Pablo was already digging through the fridge, taking out the necessary condiments.
“Hey, you were just as bad as me.”
“Maybe. Only I didn’t sleep with my dogs.”
“Dogs? That’s a low blow to us men. And of course you didn’t, with crabs and all in society…”
“Pablo! Women aren’t the only ones who seem to be fishing in the wrong seas if you know what I mean. And lately for you, it’s been more like the ocean. What a thing like that can do to your reputation…”
“Let’s just stop right there and move past this subject of sexual disease. That was the past. Let’s get on to the present.”
Carmen sighed as she took the fries out of her fryer. She turned to him as they started to prepare their meal.
“Don’t try to be evasive all about it. What happened?”
Carmen told him the whole story, from the time she came back from L.A. to the last unpleasant conversation in the parking lot.
“Cam….”
“I know. Maybe I was out of line. I understand that. But he was inconsiderate too.”
“I talked to him.”
“WHAT!” she spit out the coke she was drinking and Pablo shrugged.
“He called this afternoon, I’m assuming after your big tiff. He sounded sad and….disappointed.”
“In me?” she shot accusingly at him. He stared her back down as he replied,
“No, himself.”
Carmen pushed her empty plate away and looked at him.
“What would you have me do? Go over there and apologize?”
“You do whatever you feel like doing Cam.”
“Pablo…†Carmen whined.
“Now how about watching a movie. Does me some good.” He said getting up and heading for the kitchen.
“Change the subject then. I’ll figure it out on my own.” Carmen yelled after him.
“That’s all I wanted you to do anyways.” He yelled back.

Carmen closed her eyes as she gave three knocks to Lea’s apartment door. She still didn’t know why she was here. It had been two days since their fight. The nights were what were getting to her, sleeping with the guilt was unbearable. Moments later she was greeted by Lea’s bright face.
“Hey Carmen. I wasn’t expecting you?”
“Me either. I mean….I didn’t think I would end up here without any notice…”
“It’s fine!” Lea smiled, and then softly touched her arm.
“Come in.”
Carmen compelled, following Lea into the small apartment. She couldn’t help but smile at the small sentiments. A baby blanket here. Scattered baby clothes there. Some diapers and wipes, a few baby bottles. And then Drew’s hat.
“He’s with Isabella now.” Lea softly said, as if reading Carmen’s thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Drew….he†„¢s in Isabella’s room. You should go see him….he misses you.”
Carmen gave a small smile and asked softly,
“Where…?†
Lea pointed to the back of the apartment and Carmen threw her a grateful smile. She quietly walked to the back of the house where Drew was feeding Isabella. She knocked on the door and smiled as Drew looked up.
“Hey stranger.”
He smiled and looked back down at Isabella.
“Hey. How are you?”
“Better. How’s Isabella?”
“She won’t fall asleep.” He murmured in frustration. Carmen gave a soft chuckle and walked too him.
“Let me see her.”
“What?” Drew asked confused.
“Let me see her.” She said softly this time, leaning down and picking up the baby. Drew let her go willingly and watched as she started to rock her softly. Pretty soon he heard her softly singing.
Hush now my angel
I’ll wipe your tears dry.
Soon let sleep take you
To a place where bee’s fly.
Listen to my voice
As I sing you asleep
Where your dreams
Will take you
Away from harm dear.
Hush now my angel
Don’t be afraid to close your eyes.
I know you need sleep
So trust me inside.
Soon your thoughts will be
Filled with love and warmth
If you just let yourself
Fall asleep
Please angel
Just fall asleep.
Carmen slowly put Isabella into her crib as she took one last yawn and fell asleep.
“Where’d you learn that song?” Drew whispered, wrapping his arms around her. Carmen smiled and leaned back on me and softly answered,
“My…..mother used to sing it to me whenever I couldn’t sleep. She…..sang it to me before she died.”
She closed her eyes and slowly wiped a tear away.
“I’m sorry.” Drew suddenly said and Carmen gave a small laugh.
“Don’t be, it’s not your fault.”
“But I-“
“You didn’t know Drew.” Carmen cut him off, then turned around and looked up at him seriously.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Including our tiff. Let’s put it in the past.” She added softly.
“I missed you.” He said bluntly, and then smiled.
“Funny is it?”
“Just the way it came out….I didn’t want it to come out that way.”
Carmen smiled and gave him a soft smack.
“Come ‘ere.” Drew murmured pinning her to him and bringing his lips down on her’s. Carmen couldn’t even protest. Her arms found a way around his neck and she was kissing him just as hard. Drew picked her up and carried her to the small rocking chair in the corner of the room and Carmen started to strip away his shirt.
“Drew!” She had intended for it to come out firm and stern but it instead came out in a soft moan.
“Don’t†¦Ã¢â‚¬Â¦talk…† was all Drew managed to come out with before his lips started to travel down Carmen’s neck. His hands had already begun to travel up her shirt and it was now caressing her left breast.
“Drew…..we†¦Isabella…”
She couldn’t even finish what she was stuttering because his mouth crashed back down on her’s and she had lost herself in him. She had vowed she was going to stay abstinent until the wedding but now, being with him, she could barely think straight…..
“Drew?”
If they didn’t bring her back to her senses she didn’t know what would.
“Drew, Lea’s….sheâ₠¬â„¢s…calling.”
She knew she needed to step away now. But it was already too late. Lea was standing at the door, watching the two in surprise…and hurt?
“Drew!”
This time Carmen pulled away instantly and walked toward the window, opening it a bit to get some fresh air. Drew, who hadn’t recovered himself, looked from Carmen to Lea.
“Lea.” He sighed and Lea shook her head.
“I’m sorry.” She walked away. Carmen turned around and looked at him.
“I think I should leave.” She said after a while.
“Yeah.” Drew started to run his fingers through his hair. Carmen walked toward him and grabbed his hands.
“When are you leaving here?”
“Tomorrow. I think Lea’s settled in enough. And I missed my bed. And my fiancé.”
Carmen blushed and looked down.
“Come over tomorrow. I’ll cook dinner and we can…relax.”
“And finish what happened today?” he asked, cocking a brow and giving her a devilish grin.
“No!” Carmen said a bit too loudly. Luckily, Isabella only stirred before falling back asleep.
“No. Today shouldn’t even have happened today…” she drifted off, trying to understand what she said.
Drew smiled and hugged her, bringing her closer to him.
“I didn’t mean for it to get out of control. But lately, Cam, you’ve been doing me in crazy. And I don’t mean mentally.” He said the last part in a huskier tone and Carmen laughed.
“Sorry. I don’t try….”
“I know. You’d be amazed at all the little things that can turn me on lately.”
“Oh.” Carmen blushed and Drew laughed.
“I love you Cam. And I’ve waited this long. What are a couple more months?”
“Thank you.” She bent up and kissed him deeply, then quickly pulled away.
“It’ll be the worse of us if I don’t pull back.”
“Yeah.” He smiled again, brushing away a strand of her hair.
“I love you.” She whispered after a while.
“I love you too.”
“And I love Isabella.” She said in a baby voice, bending down and softly placing a kiss on her forehead. She turned to Drew and kissed him one more time before walking out the door and back to her own home.

It took a while for Drew to leave Isabella’s room, but when he did he wasn’t surprised to see Lea standing by the door.
“What?” he asked, prepared for any one of Lea’s outburst.
“Nothing.” she turned around and headed toward the kitchen.
“Nothing?” Drew asked bluntly, a bit surprised. That wasn’t Lea Dellacave fashion.
“Nothing at all.” She said, starting to move dishes in the sink so she could start washing them. Drew looked at her and shrugged.
“Okay.”
“No!”
Drew turned around quickly as Lea looked at him, and then sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
“So there is something.”
“Is it not obvious?”
“Well….I was just curious. You seemed fine to me.”
“I seemed…..I….would you seem fine if you walked in to see the man that you love all over another woman?!”
Drew started to say something but stopped short.
“What?”
“I…..oh, damn you Andrew!”
She stopped the soapy water and started to pour cups and bowls into the sink.
“Damn me!! Me? You’re the one that brought this upon yourself.”
“I did?!”
“Yes you did!”
“I brought another woman into your life?” she asked incredulously.
“Someone that I love deeply and who in turn feels the same. Someone who doesn’t need to run into the bed of another man when she feels uncertain about her relationship.”
Lea narrowed her eyes and muttered,
“How do you know she’s so honest to you? And if she’s not with another man she’s crying to someone about it.”
“Because she’s exactly like that. Honest. And what is wrong with a woman who finds comfort with her friends and family. Last I recalled that was the honest thing to do. She’s not like you, Lea. She doesn’t find little things like to be foolish.”
He turned around, already tired of being around her and hearing her voice.
“I know she’s not like me Drew, I get the picture. She’s beautiful and young and smart and funny.”
“Stop making her seem like a damn JC Penny model.”
“Isn’t she though?”
“NO!”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes and continued with the dishes.
“What the hell is your problem? You suddenly don’t like Carmen?”
“I don’t like a woman who is seducing a man in front of my child.”
“Our child, if I can call it that. And that woman is my fiancée.”
“How dare you!”
“How dare you!” Drew shot back. They were quiet and Drew finally said,
“It’s not like I don’t love you anymore. You hold a place in my heart Lea, you always will. But you’re not Carmen. You’ve never done to my heart what Carmen has, can, and does.”
“Is that how it is?”
“That’s how you made it. And maybe for a reason. Maybe I was supposed to find Carmen. Maybe you tearing me inside was supposed to happen. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for Carmen being there for me. And you giving me a reason to go off and find her.”
Lea’s eyes stung with tears.
“I can’t stop loving you Drew.”
“You have too. You brought that upon yourself.”
More silence filled the house.
“Sorry isn’t enough?”
“It’ll never be enough. You burned me something bad. And Carmen healed that.”
Lea nodded.
“And she didn’t seduce me in front of Isabella. She was singing her to sleep and….I missed her Lea. She’s a virgin for crying out loud. I seduced her…not the other way around.”
“I see.”
“Don’t hate her. Me, I can somewhat live with that but not Carmen. She already fills bad as it is. She hasn’t done anyone any harm.”
“Instead of taking you from me.”
Drew balled up his fist and slammed it on the counter.
“Damn, are we back to that?”
“Yes!,” Lea screamed.
“We’ll always be back to that.”
“Why? Why can’t you just let it go? I have!!”
“And that hurts too Drew. Damn it, I love you!!”
“And I don’t-“ he cut himself off and Lea shook her head.
“I see. Well, you don’t need to care for me any longer. You can leave.”
“Fine. I was beginning to do so myself.”
He turned around and headed back to the living room, grabbing the few things’ he had brought over.
“I’ll come pick up Isabella two days from now.” He briefly yelled, before slamming the door. Lea stood there, furiously washing the dishes before she fell to her knee’s and cried.
“Why, why?” Was all she could say.

Carmen woke up the next morning in a good mood. Today would be the day where she would be picking out her bridesmaid dresses. She had already decided that she wanted her wedding colors to be lilac and a soft earth green. Renee decided to go downtown with her and help her decided which bridesmaids gown she wanted along with Carmen’s other friend Naira; they both had agreed to model for her to help her better decide. She was on her way to her friend’s house when her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Baby, am I a bad man?”
Carmen laughed and shook her head, switching lanes.
“No, you’re not a bad man. You’re as honest as they come.”
“Then why do I feel like crap?”
“I don’t know honey, you tell me.”
“Me and Lea had a tiff about you yesterday.” He mumbled. Carmen sighed.
“I’m sorry.” She said softly after a while.
“It’s not your fault. It’s my entire fault. You see why I’m a bad man.”
Carmen laughed, shaking her head.
“So you were [happy]. We missed each other. I didn’t exactly push away either…”
“You tried too.”
“And you have been patient with the way I’ve handled things. I don’t know why you still want to marry me.”
“That’s easy baby, you’re funny, nice, sweet, beautiful, stubborn….”
“Well, I feel the same way about you. You have good qualities and so you screw up every once in a while. That’s life.”
“Yeah.”
She could hear his smile and parked in front of her friend’s driveway, grabbing her purse.
“Babe, I have to go. I’m about to go in and see your brother and sister in law. I’ll call you once I’ve decided on a bridesmaid dress. Maybe we can get together later on.”
“I’ll hold you to it. Bye. Love ya.”
“I love you too.” She said, hanging up and pressing the doorbell. Seconds later Nick answered.
“Hey Carm.”
“Hey Nick, how are you.” Carmen asked giving him a hug.
“Considering I’m on the road to being a father, wonderful.”
“I can tell.” Carmen laughed.
“Aww, shut-up four eyes.”
Carmen hit him in the arm as she made her way into the kitchen. She had decided to wear her glasses versus her contacts mainly because she was too lazy to put them in. Without either she was blind as a bat.
“When’d you start wearing glasses?” Nick asked seriously as he watched her take a glass out and start to pour a glass of juice.
“Since 9th grade in high school.”
“Really?”
“It started out with reading glasses in the fifth grade. My eye sight got worse and soon I became the four eyed nerd you see today.”
“You don’t look to bad.” Nicks shrugged and Carmen laughed.
“Thanks. Where’s la wife? We need to hurry so we make that eleven thirty appointment. Beside Pierre and Naira are waiting for me and there as impatient as I am.”
“Its ten fifty five Carmen.”
“I hate being late Nick.”
They both laughed at each other as Renee walked in.
“Sorry I’m so late I just had too….wearing your glasses Carmen. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen you with those on.” Renee smiled, looking over at her friend.
“Probably our senior year in high school. The only other people who’ve been able to see me this way have to be family members and Drew.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
She said, taking a swig of juice from Carmen’s glass and searching the drawer for her keys.
“Hey babe, when do you expect to be back?” Nick asked, wrapping his arms around her.
“I don’t know. Me and Carmen were planning on going to lunch with her friend Naira after the fitting and all. You know, that may take some time as it is and then lunch might be some more time. Carmen wants me to get better acquainted with Naira, since there close and all.” She said, easily stepping out of his embrace and looking through another drawer.
“We were? I do?” Carmen asked confused. Renee shot her a look and Carmen quickly insisted,
“Yeah, we were going to The Ivy.”
“Oh, well, I was thinking that maybe we could do something tonight-“
“Maybe, Carmen might need me to help plan some more. I told you she was behind.” Renee cut him off.
Carmen looked at Renee amazed but quickly agreed,
“I am behind.”
“Maybe in my purse…” Renee mumbled, walking to another part of the house.
Nick looked toward Carmen, who quickly asked,
“What the hell did you do to her?”
“Me?!” he asked bewildered.
“I haven’t seen Renee so evasive in a while…”
“I’ve done nothing to anger her. I pampered her last night….we watched a movie, ate dinner….”
“Is that all?”
“Oh, well I did call a few relatives about the pregnancy.”
“Hmm.”
Carmen thought about it and Nick sighed.
“What?” she asked immediately.
“I remember right before I called my dad. Renee was also being a little evasive, not like earlier but the same sort of attitude. She told me that she just wasn’t herself, that the pregnancy hadn’t kicked in for her yet.”
Carmen thought about this and frowned. She had an instinctual feeling that she knew why her friend was in a frenzy. It probably had to deal with the child growing in her belly. Of course, she wasn’t going to let Nick know that off the bat.
“I know that look Carm. Drew’s warned me about it. Either you’re up to something or you’re aware what’s wrong with my wife. Which one is it?” Nick asked, breaking her of her thoughts.
Carmen looked toward him and gave him a smile.
“I’ll get around to finding out what’s really behind my friend’s problem and tell you when we come back later tonight. I’ll try to bring her back before eight, maybe you can have dinner for the both of us.” she gave him a wink and he laughed.
“Now I’m your chef.”
“Of course.” Carmen laughed as Renee walked in.
“Nick? A chef?” Renee murmured, looking at the two of them. Nick looked toward Carmen who only laughed.
“Come on Renee, you already got me running behind. I was just telling hubby here that I expect dinner on the table when we come back.”
“That long?” Renee said with a small amount of hope.
“I promised to bring you home by eight. Don’t let him come after me with a gun.”
Renee laughed and shook her head and started to walk out, then stopped.
“Are we taking your car or mine?”
“I just got a new Mercedes convertible. You better bet your [arse] we’re taking mine.”
“Well, so much for wasting your time for looking for my keys. You could have told me.”
“I found it amusing.” Carmen said, giving Nick a wink. She actually wanted Renee to seem distracted so she could figure out her mood. Now that she knew she already had idea’s running through her head.
“We’re you trying to seduce my husband?” Renee asked seriously, and then laughed at the thought. Both Carmen and Nick looked at her as if she was crazy but it was Carmen who said,
“I wanted a complete fill of the Lachey clan, what can I say. Speaking of which, you can tell your brother that I won’t be seeing him today. Seems that I have more things on my agenda then I already planned.”
Their was amusement in her tone and Renee groaned as she walked out of the house.
“What did I get myself into.” She mumbled as Carmen laughed.
“And you think of ways on making her happy while we’re gone.” Carmen said and with that shut the door.
mary
08-08-06, 02:35 PM
those are both really good keep up the good work
Luv_98_Degrees
08-11-06, 10:51 PM
i love the new sequel already!! it's gonna be good ohh i can feel it! so much drama & it's funny too! love it guyss wonderfull! keep the great adds coming. :Big Grin:
Kristen07
08-15-06, 05:05 PM
I'm working on the next add as we speak so, I'm hoping it'll be up by the end of the day :)
Luv_98_Degrees
08-15-06, 05:10 PM
cooll I CAN'T WAIT! :Big Grin:
Kristen07
08-16-06, 12:25 AM
Here it is, y'all :) Please leave some lovely feedback! And check out the gorgeous banner made for us at the top of this post :)

Chapter 5

The March air blew through Renee and Carmen’s hair as they sped through the Los Angeles traffic. This was really relaxing for Renée, since she wasn’t in the best of moods. Hopefully today she could get rid of her selfish thoughts and enjoy herself.
“So are we going to anything else wedding related today besides the dress fitting?”
“Well, depends on what I feel like doing.”
“You’re so behind, though, Cam.”
“I know it… will you quit reminding me?”
“I’m just trying to make sure you give yourself the most amazing day of your life, because that’s what a wedding is.”
“I’d appreciate a little less bugging, though.”
“Ok. What’s Naira like?”
“She’s a lot like me, headstrong, sarcastic, but a little more reserved and a lot of fun.”
Renee laughed slightly. “Oh goodness, two Carmens? I’m not sure I can handle that.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. She’s very easy to get along with, unless you get on her bad side which is hard to do. I’m excited to see her, though.”
Renee hoped that Naira and Carmen didn’t gang up and leave her out in the cold. Trios were the worst numbers to hang out in because one person usually gets left out of the conversation. “I’m sure you are.”
“Don’t get down in your spirits, girl! Today is supposed to be fun!!!”
Come on Ren, snap out of this funk. You’re with Carmen now. “You’re right. It is”
Carmen pulled up in front of the studio. “Let’s go, my friend.”
“Yes, let’s go.”

They walked into a fancy studio. The walls were decorated in white and purple. Photographers were everywhere with models posing for them. Everyone looked so well dressed in designer couture. Renee felt really intimidated and underdressed in her simple pink halter and tan boho skirt.
Carmen smiled at her friends wide eyed glare. “Never seen anything like this, huh?”
“No.. I’m so intimidated, Carm.”
“Don’t be. You look fine.”
“Carmen Opio!!!!!” A female voice called out.
Carmen turned around. A tall, gorgeous woman with cascading blonde hair stood there. She had the body of most of the models there and was dressed in a gold Chanel sundress, which accented her light tan. “Naira Duelle!”
The two ran to each other and hugged. Renee stood back, letting them have their moment. She had hers with Carmen when they were in New York last year.
A tall, thin, but slight bit muscular man approached. His skin was the color of caramel with shining emerald eyes. His eyebrows were well trimmed and his teeth were perfectly white. He donned a purple and blue thin striped shirt with well tailored black pants and shiny black shoes.
“Well hello lovely lady! May I ask who you are?”
Renee turned to him. “Oh, hi. I’m Renee Lachey, one of Carmen’s best friends.”
“Don’t fret, Renee. I don’t bite. I’m Pierre Cardone, Carmen’s fashion consultant.” It is my pleasure to meet you.”
“Mine as well.” They hugged.
“Oh Naira, here she is. This is my best friend, Renee Serena Lachey, the amazing woman I have been telling you about.”
“Oh sush, Carm.” Renee was blushing already.
“Hi gorgeous! I’m so glad to meet you! Carmen has told me a lot about you.”
“Only good things, I hope.” Renee answered, hugging her.
“Don’t worry… lots of good things.” They broke away.
Pierre’s cell phone went off. He began chitchatting lovingly with someone on it that he kept calling “Dana.” He hung up after a few minutes. Renee assumed it was a woman he was talking to.
“Is Dana going to be in the wedding party” She asked.
Pierre smiled. “No, honey, because Dana would not look that cute in a wedding dress.”
Renee’s face still looked blank.
“Dresses never looked good on men” Carmen added.
“Except if you’re Dennis Rodman.” Naira cracked.
Renee’s face turned blood red as everyone else burst out laughing. “I’m so sorry Pierre… I probably sounded soooo ignorant and homophobic.’
“Don’t worry about it, I get it all the time. I think I like you even more now.”
Finally the laughter subsided. “So are you two ready to model some lovely gowns?”
“Absolutely.”
Renee nodded slightly. “I need to warn you: a gown that looks good on me now might not when the wedding rolls around. I’m three months pregnant and probably will have gained a little weight by then.”
“Not to worry, Renee, darling. That will be taken care of. Now, let’s get to the gowns. Chop, chop.” Pierre said, clapping his hands.
Renee followed Naira back to the dressing rooms where several fabulous earth green and lilac dresses awaited them on the dressing rack. “Wow, these are so gorgeous.” Naira said, examining them.
“Wow, I’ve never seen so many fancy dresses on one rack.” Renee said in slight awe.
“You’re new to this whole fashion thing, aren’t? you?” Naira asked.
“Well, I’m an average Jane, the only reason anyone would know my name is because of who my husband is.” She sighed. “Which one would you like to try on first?”
“This one. I adore this one.” Naira picked up a strapless green dress that had a silk tight midsection. How in the world would Renee be able to fit into that now, let alone when she would gain weight from her pregnancy? Oh well, she would try it on anyway.
A few minutes later, she was in the dress and she hated it from the get go. She felt like she was going to suffocate and it would fall off of her at any second. But this was Carmen‘s wedding. If she had to wear an uncomfortable dress to look pretty, she would.
Naira steeped out of her dressing room. She looked gorgeous in her dress. Renee felt an instant pang of jealousy. Why couldn’t she have that drop dead gorgeous body? Oh come on. You have a husband who loves you just the way you are. Suck it up and get out there.
She walked out where Pierre and Carmen looked on adoringly.
Aww Ren, you look absolutely beautiful."
Renee frowned down at her dress. "I don't know...."
Carmen looked behind her and saw Naira.
"Aww Naira. you look beautiful. I'm about to have the most talked about wedding of the year!"
"Carmen, I don't look that good."
"But you look do look good.”
Naira thought about this and smiled. "Yeah, you're right."
They all started laughing when Carmen noticed Renee's reserved behavior.
"What's wrong Renee?"
"It's this dress."
"Its not the only one you're going to try on. I have thousands for ya."
Renee sighed and looked down. "I'm going to be five months along by the time its your big day."
"So." Carmen and Pierre said then laughed.
"What I mean is, so what. Pregnant woman are hot. Beside, Gizy owes me one. We can find a dress for all my girlies and get yours hand made because I love ya so much."
"Are you sure....?"
"Yes Renee. And you look fine in that dress. Beautiful. Stop comparing yourself, that's my job remember? With Lea."
Renee laughed and shook her head. "Fine....fine then I guess."
"No, you know it is. Now go get your tush in that dressing room and find another dress!” Carmen instructed playfully.
“Yes, ma’am.”

The afternoon sped by rather fast. Naira and Renee modeled what seemed like hundreds of dresses, but nothing completely suited Carmen’s idea of perfection for her friends. Finally they came across a flowy light green dress with sparkles all over that hung over both women effortlessly. That one seemed like the dress. Pierre said he would call Gizy Wood, a Paris dress designer who was famous for his custom tailored dresses so he could do Renee’s. She couldn’t believe that someone would do this, but then again she couldn’t believe most of the fancy things that were in her life now.

The quartet headed for lunch at one of the “It” eateries, the Ivy in Beverly Hills. Paparazzi snapped their pictures as they went inside. That was one thing Renee would never get used to; even though her friends and husband were stars. How could they put up with stuck up idiots snapping your picture to get some good money out of it? She would never want to be a celebrity. She couldn’t imagine how they put up all the fabricated stories and invasive photographers. Oh my gosh, I hope I don’t look pregnant in this shirt.
Renee took a deep breath and shook her head. Screw the paparazzi and the media. They can scrutinize all they want. I know the truth.
Carmen, Pierre, and Naira began to engage in a heavy conversation about the latest happenings in the world of the rich and famous. This did not interest Renee one bit, so she began tuning them out.
She thought back to this morning. She couldn’t understand why she had adamantly avoided Nick like that. Usually she took advantage of every opportunity that he showered affection on her. But today she needed time away from him. The way he behaved last night hurt her a little bit. He acted like he only cared about his joy and paid no attention to what she felt. Sure, he walked over to her once, but that was probably because he felt he had to. She wanted so bad tell him how she really felt, but she was afraid he might get really defensive and accuse her of not wanting the child at all. Which was not the case; she just would have preferred more couple time. Renee Serena, you need to quit worrying. I’m sure he’d understand if you just sit him down and tell him everything you felt.
I need to quit thinking about this. I’m with friends and Pierre and Naira probably think I am the biggest recluse ever.
“EARTH TO RENEE! EARTH TO RENEE! Are you in there?”
She turned to a concerned Carmen. “Yes, I’m here. I was just thinking about something.”
“Do you…”
Renee held up her hand. “Later. Now is not the time or place.”
The quartet settled into a nice conversation with several laughs and jokes. Renee wasn’t used to some of the personality traits Naira and Pierre expressed, but she liked them all the same. They were fun, outgoing people.
“Does anyone have any celebrity crushes, even if they have a significant other?” Naira asked.
“Well, Orlando Bloom is quite attractive. His British accent is so cute, and those eyes…” Carmen sighed dreamily.
“Well… I don‘t really have any.. .except JC Chasez is kinda cute” Renee began
“You don’t need to have any other crushes. You are married to the sexiest man in the world! Those blue eyes… and hello, look at the man’s body! No guy gets any sexier than that.”
Renee almost blushed. She was not used to a man talking about her husband that way.
“I have to agree with you on that Pierre… Nick works it whenever he can.”
“And I bet a lot of it is in the bed.”
This comment made her blush ten shades of red. That kind of activity and comments were reserved for between her and Nick. “Oh gosh… I need to keep my mouth shut.”

About a half hour later, Carmen and Renee left the restaurant. “So what did you think of them?”
“I liked them very much.. Just different from what I’m used to. They are both lovable characters.” She paused. “Carm, I’m ready to talk.”
“Ok, girlie. How about we head back to my place?”
“Are you sure Drew won’t be waiting for you?”
“No… we are going to see each other today.”
They arrived at a fancy towering town home. Slowly they walked into a high class, but welcoming living room with leather furniture.
“Come sit down.” Carmen beckoned Renee to sit on a huge brown leather couch.
She did so.
“So, what is it?”
Renee took a deep breath and told Carmen everything. About how she felt ignored by Nick yesterday. How she felt that this pregnancy came too soon and the conversation she and Nick had at the beginning of the marriage. How she felt Nick didn’t want to expand their relationship.
“Why are you so scared to tell Nick all this? He seems like the type of man that’ll sit down and fully listen to everything you say.”
“I guess what it comes down to is, I’m afraid he’ll misinterpret what I say and think that I don’t want this baby. Which isn’t the case.”
“You’re over thinking, Scarene. I don’t think he would at all. If you keep this from him, it’ll drive you apart. And that’s the last thing you want. You should know that as a shrink.”
“I do.. I just… well it’s out of my system now.”
“Promise me you won’t keep doing what you did this morning and talk to him soon.”
She wasn’t sure if she was ready yet, but she knew the promise would make Carmen happy. “I promise.”

The two woman spent a few hours at Carmen’s house, relaxing, a little more wedding planning, and gossiping about nothing. They left around 7, they left to go back to Renee and Nick’s mansion.

As they pulled in, Nick opened the door and stepped outside. “Welcome back, ladies.”
“Hey Nicko. Did you do what I asked?” Carmen asked.
“Well, you didn’t exactly ask straight out, but yes, dinner is cooked and on the table.” He told her.
“Thank you. You are so kind.” Carmen in a sarcastically sweet voice and passed him into the house.
Renee slowly stood up and shut the car door. She felt her guard from this morning go up again.
“Hey babe, did you have fun today?”
She nodded slightly, avoiding his eyes. “Yeah.”
“May I have a kiss?”
Renee wasn’t in a kissing mood, but she figured she should make it up to him for not giving him one before leaving this morning. “Sure.” They kissed an awkward kiss. “I’m going to change into some different clothes
“Ok.”

Nick sighed, walking into the dinning room where Carmen had already placed herself. “Why the long face, Lachey?”
He sat down at the table. “I’m worried about Renee. She just acted the same way she did this morning. All I wanted was to give her a little affection and she pretty didn’t return it. I don’t understand why she’s doing this…”
“Hmmm to tell hubby or not?” Carmen wondered aloud with a slight smirk on her face.
“Come on, Carmen, I know you know.” Nick said in a slightly pleading tone.
“How do you, though?”
“She tells you everything.”
“Oh, ok. It’s the pregnancy. And it’s just not your normal fears.”
“Like what?”
“It’s the timing of the pregnancy. She has some issues and uncertainties with that. I’ll have her tell you exactly what, though.”
Nick nodded. “Is that all?”
“Pretty much.”
“Huh. I know it’s probably going to be a fight to get her to talk.”
“Well, don’t push too much on her. You’ve probably learned she buckles even more when people keep asking her what’s wrong.”
“The hard way, unfortunately.” Nick sighed as he heard Renee’s footsteps come down the stairs.

The three of them had a comfortable dinner together. Conversation was light but a little bit forced at times. After about an hour, Carmen took the hint to let the married couple work out their issues alone.

Renee walked up the winding stairs up to their elegant and spacious master bedroom. She could hear Nick on her heels. Great, he probably wants to talk. Well, he probably won’t get it out of me tonight.
He touched her arm but she immediately walked away from him.
Nick let out a frustrated sigh. “Renee, you can continue to be evasive all you want but I already know what's bugging you."
She stopped in her tracks. "How do you-"
"Carmen proves to be a friend in both our cases."
"Nick, I don't want to get into it right now..." she started to head for the walk in closet but Nick blocked her path.
"We need to cause its killing the both of us. Why didn't you tell me that you didn't want to have a child yet? Do you feel that you can't trust me? I mean, I know that I've made some dumb mistakes in my life, but I don’t want this baby to cause the demise of our marriage.”
Renee didn’t answer for a minute. “Ever since I found out, all I can think about is this happened too soon and I would have liked to have you all to myself for a little longer.”
“Baby, you can have me all to yourself regardless if we have a baby or not.”
“Nicholas, you know that’s not true.” She walked toward the huge window.
“How is it not true?”
“Well to begin with, you’re a singer. You have to go on tours and fly across the country, the world for that matter to promote your music. Then you come back for… a few weeks or months before having to take off again. And that’s without the baby. When I do have the baby then my time will be consumed with making sure it’s happy and doing all the frickin house wife duties. I want…..to take advantage of the little things. Us keeping able to kiss every day…cuddle alone…” She sighed deeply.
Awkward silence ensued for a few moments until Nick finally whispered with a look of astonishment “I didn’t think that it would affect you so much Renee? I’m sorry that I didn’t even consider it-” He fell onto the bed and placed his head in his hands. “I just wanted to have a family. I suppose I was being selfish.”
Renee walked over to him and shook her head. “You are not. Nick, we just have two different views in life. Mainly because I’m still a few years younger than you. I want to explore more and you’ve already figured out what you want your life to be like. It’s….not either of our faults.”
Nick looked up at her and smiled. “Is this my beautiful wife the shrink talking?”
Renee laughed and nodded. “I suppose.”
“Is that all though Renee. I want to know.”
Renee took a deep breath in and sat beside him. “Actually, what’s bothering me the most is when you told me that you were ready to start trying any time. It made me feel like you didn’t want to expand our relationship further, which to me, is one of the main reasons you get married.”
Nick looked at her, stunned. “I didn’t mean it like that at all, babe. You know that I am a big family and I was eager to start. But I really meant was that I was ready whenever you were. I should have made that more clear.”
“Also, I kind of felt like you didn’t care about my feelings last night. You just went your little happy streak.”
“I didn’t mean for it come across that way. I was just so happy because this is a dream of mine. I should have been more attentive.”
“Well, it’s all behind us now. I’m sorry I misunderstood you”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t make myself more clear and aware of your feelings. Renee, it’s ok to tell me when you’re hurt by what I say or what you’re feeling. We’re married now; there should be no secrets between us.”
“I know.. I should have earlier. Just give me some time. I’ll get used to the idea and then I’ll be excited.”
Nick nodded. “Ok.”
She laid her head on his chest. “I’m sorry I avoided you this morning.”
“It’s ok, baby. I understand why now.” Nick wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
It was moments like these that Renee really adored being married. Being able to know that even if you had trouble earlier in the day, her husband still loved her for the person she was.
They could hug and kiss each other and forget about the issue.
“I love you so much, Nick.” Renee whispered.
“I love you too, baby.” They kissed the best kiss they had shared all day. “What do you say we roll around in the way some more?”
“Hey, why not? Start it right now”
“Gladly.” They began kissing passionately, falling on bed as they did so.
Biondo Sorto
08-16-06, 12:44 AM
You already know I loved the WHOLE ADD!! Definalty worth the wait and you did my Pierre good. Thanks for mentioning Orly....my turn ;)
Biondo Sorto
08-16-06, 01:09 AM
Chapter 6
Carmen woke up the next morning to Luca licking her in the face.
“What in the…Luca, how did you get in here?”
The black Labrador barked as she started to laugh and rub his belly.
“Oh, you just want a belly rub eh?”
She looked over at her nightstand and grabbed her glasses. Then she looked over at her alarm clock and saw that it was eleven o’clock.
“I see that once again I slept in. Let’s go find Drew, kay Luca.”
She pulled herself out of bed, the big dog following her. She smiled as she walked into the kitchen and saw Drew over the stove. She walked behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Hey baby. How are you?”
Drew smiled as he grabbed her hands and turned around.
“Fine now that you’re up.”
“Oh yeah?” Carmen teased as he bent down and kissed her. It was a while before Carmen pulled away, and it was only because Drew’s hand had crept up on her backside.
“Trying to get desert, eh?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Can you hate me for trying?”
“No, I suppose not.” She kissed him again and headed toward her fridge.
“What are you cooking?”
“Sausages, grits, and eggs.”
“You’re not making too many eggs I hope. I think their nasty.” She made a face and Drew laughed.
“I didn’t know you didn’t like eggs.”
Carmen nodded as she said,
“I only like the white part of boiled eggs. I’ll cut us some fruit.”
She got out some peaches and apples and turned toward him.
“So how did your fitting go?”
“Well, I’ve finally decided on a dress. Renee met Pierre and Naira.”
“That went well, right?”
“Yeah. They all like each other which is good cause there all involved in the wedding.”
“So Pierre did agree to be a groomsman.”
“Yep.”
“That’s good. What about the other stuff?”
“Me and Renee got that all worked out yesterday night.”
“Ah. Speaking of Renee, what was up with her and Nick?”
“You’re brother can tell you’re the details but it dealt with the pregnancy.”
“Paranoid Renee creeps up again?”
“Yeah, but can’t say I blame her. I can relate in a way.”
She walked up toward him and he grabbed her.
“What are you saying?”
Carmen smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Nothing. Right now at least.”
“Oh so that’s how it is…” Drew started but was interrupted by Carmen’s lip. They started in a deep make-out section when Carmen’s phone rang. Drew groaned as he pulled away.
“Let the machine get it.” He mumbled against her lips.
“Your eggs are burning.” Carmen laughed as Drew turned to the stove and yelled as she picked up the phone.
“Carmen.”
“Hey Cam, it’s me Renee.”
“Hey Renee! Did you talk to him?”
“Yeah, yeah, everything worked out.”
Carmen started to say something sarcastic but stopped. She knew how Renee felt about her sex life, even if she was kidding.
“I see. Well, I was actually going to call and ask if tomorrow night you want to go out to dinner. To celebrate your pregnancy and all.”
“Tomorrow? Sure. I have nothing planned and I’m sure Nick is cool too.”
“All right. We’ll meet up in Può Changs. It’s this new trendy restaurant that Naira and my co-worker Katrina suggested. They have good food there.”
“Sure, I’ll run it by Nick.”
“Okay, well I have to go. Drew’s burning the eggs.”
Renee laughed and shook her head.
“You hate eggs.”
“All the reason to let them burn.”
“Bye Carmen.”
“Aloha Renee.”
She hung up the phone and looked at Drew who was dumping the eggs in the trash can.
“Guess its grits and sausages then?” she said, trying to contain her laugh. Drew looked over at her and pouted.
“You must think this is funny don’t you? And dinner tomorrow…?”
“Yeah, you’re going.”
“First you laugh at me now you force me to dinner. Come ‘ere, I’m going to make you pay.”
Carmen laughed as she ran from the kitchen, trying to run away from Drew.

Carmen looked at herself one more time in the mirror. She was running behind because of a meeting she was having with the producer on her next film. That and a photo shoot she had earlier that day promoting a new shampoo. She sighed and shrugged at herself. The short black dress was just going to have to do. She was about to head out the door when her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, um. Carmen, its Paul.” She smiled and shifted her feet.
“Hey Paul.”
She looked down at her watch and shrugged. So she’ll be a couple of minutes late. They’d get over it.
“Hey Carmen. Heard you just finished your movie.”
“Sure did.”
“Was it fun?”
“It was a lot of fun. I’m actually going to be doing another movie later on in the year.”
“Wish I had that break.”
“You loser, you did.” She laughed and started to play with her bangs.
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m about to head out and meet my future in-laws and Drew.”
“Oh,” Paul paused.
“Paul…”
“What, what. It’s some adjusting. I mean, being your friend is one thing but….”
“I love Drew Paul.”
“I know. Hey, let’s go out to lunch tomorrow. Catch up on old times. Besides I have this movie premiere I’m going to sweet talk you into going.”
“Oh Paul…,” she looked down at her watch again. Now she was pushing it.
“Fine.” She laughed.
“See ya tomorrow. Pete’s.”
“Of course. Bye.”

By the time Carmen did reach the restaurant, she was thirty minutes late.
“What took you so long?” Renee asked as Carmen slid into their dark booth beside Drew.
“Probably too busy looking at herself in the mirror.” Nick mumbled. Carmen gave him a stern look as Drew asked,
“Yeah, what took you so long?” She gave him a quick kiss and shrugged.
“Paul called. Then traffic.”
Nick spat out the small amount of water over the table and Renee threw an ice cube at her.
“What?” She asked, looking from the two of them to Drew.
“Paul, Carmen?”
“We started talking a couple of months ago. I thought Drew told you.”
She gave Drew a stare and he laughed, raising his hands.
“I forgot, I admit. With the baby and all.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She kicked him underneath the table and turned toward Renee.
“He called me on set a couple of months ago, we talked, and we’re neutral, okay.”
“I suppose.”
“We’re okay.”
“That’s what you said last time.” Nick mumbled to Renee.
“Nick.” Renee warned him. Carmen gave him another sharp look and finally asked,
“Did the waiter come by yet?”
“I already ordered you a Margarita.” Renee smiled toward her.
“Thank the lord cause right now I need a drink.”
“Why?” Drew asked curiously. Carmen started to say something but stopped herself. If Nick continued with the side marks, then she would really make him pay.
“Just one of those days.” She ended up mumbling. They continued to chit chat through their meal and Nick and Carmen had almost survived, until dessert came.
“Hey babe, you want to share that chocolate heaven thing. It looks divine.”
“What exactly is it?” Drew asked raising a brow. Carmen laughed and said,
“Nothing too toxic. Just a chocolate sponge cake with nuts covered with more chocolate and a strawberry to top it off.” Carmen started to lick her lips just thinking about it.
“That does sound divine.” Renee commented.
“Sure. If it makes you happy.” Drew smiled at her and shrugged. Carmen shook her head and bent over and whispered,
“Besides you could feed it to me.”
Drew raised a brow and started to kiss her neck when Renee hit Nick on the arm.
“How come you’re not that romantic to me anymore?”
Nick looked at her blankly and Renee rolled her eyes as she got the waiter’s attention.
“Two Chocolate Heaven cakes please.”
“Sure.” The waiter nodded and walked away.
“Well, I’ll force it out of you.” Renee said, giving him a mischievous grin.
“Aww man. Why does that promiscuous-“
“Hey!” Renee said, hitting him again. Nick gave an innocent smile as Carmen pulled away from Drew and looked at Nick.
“Promiscuous what Nick?”
Nick, surprised that she heard him, raised his shoulders and asked,
“What ever are you talking about?”
“Listen you big headed baboon. If you don’t think I don’t know about-“
“Hey babe…” Drew started but was cut off by Nick.
“Big headed baboon? I’m a big headed baboon when you’re the big haired diva that can’t even sing for her god given life.”
“Nick!” Renee started but Carmen was already throwing down her napkin and cracking her knuckles.
“I can’t sing. I can’t? When you’re the one crooning about that god forbidden blonde [nice person] if it’s not Renee. At least when I sing it has a purpose.”
“That crooning got me nominated for a Grammy.” Nick pointed out. He never corrected her in the least.
“But you’re agreeing with what I’m saying. God, if you couldn’t be the biggest thirty year old loser rooming the planet.” Carmen rolled her eyes as Drew started to suggest skipping dessert. Nick beat him to the punch however.
“I admit I sang about her when she was significant in my life but she isn’t so there’s nothing to correct. I love Renee and about half my songs portray that. Is it my fault that you can’t only sing but act-“
“Listen you big blue-eyed stubborn [happy] [arse] of a man. My acting has not only been Emmy raved but has been Golden Globe acclaimed. I’ve got more trophies under my belt for actually being good at what I’m at then you could ever dream. She may have granted you one Grammy but I got plenty of awards with no help from my past lovers.”
At this Renee, Nick, and Drew looked at Carmen surprised. Carmen knew she might have pushed the limit but there was one thing Nick shouldn’t have done and that was criticize her acting when she knew she was good.
“At least I’m not a self centered [nice person] who likes to rekindle past lovers.” Nick whispered back. This time Drew and Renee looked at the both of them.
“Hah! I’m self centered. Me? Just because I have to watch my appearance. And believe me, if it wasn’t for my damn publicist, I really wouldn’t care as much about it. I do it because my job acquires me too. I’d say you’d probably understand but with the public only knowing you as a used [nice person] of an ex-husband, you wouldn’t. And Paul is that, a friend. Why can’t you see that? Drew, the person I committed myself too can, so why can’t you? Screw it, that chocolate cake doesn’t sound all that divine to me now that I think of it.”
She grabbed her purse and started to head out. Drew looked toward her, to his brother and sighed.
“Nick…”
“What? You’re going to take that [nice person]es side too. Over flesh and blood?” Nick didn’t know why he said it but the words just slipped out of his mouth
Renee groaned as Drew walked over and socked his brother in the mouth.
“That [nice person] that you keep referring to is my fiancée. Now if you excuse me, I have to find her.”
He walked away as Renee shook her head.
“Let’s just pay and leave Nick. There’s nothing left in celebrating here.” Renee said with a disappointed voice.
Surprised at what just happened, Nick nodded as they got up and left.

Drew looked over at Carmen who was still fuming inside. He’d seen Carmen mad once, and that was when some guy at a gas station stood up some poor little girl because she was from the Middle East. She practically was cussing out the guy and was going to hit him if Drew hadn’t come out and discovered what happened. He thought that was bad but he never though he would have to be in the middle of an out between his love and his brother. When they got to her town home Carmen was out the car and at her door before Drew could even get out. When he did reach the inside of her house (she had left the door open), he was kind of afraid to walk in. She was taking of her heels and throwing them around the house. When she was done beating up the pillow she headed toward the kitchen. She opened up the fridge and started to grab a bottle of gin. Then, as if she knew that do her no good, she went for a cooler instead. She was opening and pouring herself a glass when Drew cleared her throat.
“Hey, babe...are you…, all right?”
Carmen looked toward him as if discovering him there, in her house, for the first time. She then nodded and turned her attention back to the drink, taking a sip and heading back for the fridge.
“I need the gin.” She mumbled, pouring some of it in her glass.
She then took a swig and turned toward him.
“Much better.”
“Carmen…?†
“I’m fine. I am. I just…...” she sighed falling to the floor, the glass in her hand.
“What is wrong with me?” she asked, looking up at him. It was then Drew started to realize she was crying.
“Aww babe.” He said softly, taking a seat beside her as she fell on his shoulder.
“What the hell possessed me to do that? I mean, Nick’s pushed me some but…”
“Some of things he said were out of line.” Drew remarked. Carmen looked up at him and smiled.
“But some of the things that you said were out of line too.” Carmen pouted and fell back on his shoulder.
“He just….he was insinuating so much. When I first got there he was making comments and god….he was pushing me.”
“Still Carmen…”
“Oh, you sound like my grandmother.” Carmen smiled, resting her chin on his shoulder.
“Well, in that case little missy.” Drew began in his best grandmother tone. This got Carmen laughing and she shook her head,
“I get the point Drew.”
“All right. And for the record, I punched my loud mouth brother in the mouth.”
“You did?!” Carmen asked surprised. Drew and Nick were close, Carmen knew and respected that. She wasn’t going to make Drew pick sides between her and Nick. She knew that the love he held for both were different but also to be highly valued.
“You…..did that for me?” she asked, the same surprise in her voice. Drew nodded and laughed.
“Yeah, I don’t know why. I guess he got my skin boiling a little too.”
“I guess.” Carmen nodded. She looked down at her drink and screamed,
“I have to call Renee.”
She walked, well, rather crawled to her kitchen phone and started to dial the familiar number. She was happy to hear Renee’s voice on the other end and not Nick’s.
“Hi Renee. I just wanted to see how you-“
“Carmen Laina Opio what the hell got into you?” she screamed into the phone.
“Into me?” Carmen asked surprised.
“Yes. Why did you go off and do that. I mean, Nick was so happy the past couple of days and now he’s in this huge piss fit because you-“
“I didn’t do anything he didn’t spark! He was the one that started everything, if you don’t remember. He was after all, whispering to you about it all!”
“I realize that but Carmen, listen…”
“No you listen!” Carmen shot back. Did Nick make Renee choose sides?
“Carmen you should listen from someone who is not only a friend, but a doctor when it comes to the mind and I think you should apologize to Nick.”
That really made Carmen’s flame burn.
“Listen, I understand I can be a big man about all this but that little squawky husband of yours started it. I’ll apologize for some of the things I said, that was unacceptable, but not for the way he handled the situation. I mean, it’s like one minute he loves me and all of a sudden he wants to be this bi-polar weirdo of a man. I’m not apologizing for his actions.”
“Carmen-“ Renee began in a stern voice and Carmen could hear the aggravation in her tone.
“You know, every since you found out you were pregnant your judge of character hasn’t been as perceptive as it usually is. Think about it Ren.”
With that said she hung up and threw the phone across the kitchen floor. Drew looked at her and she yelled,
“And don’t tell me I have to apologize to your lug of a brother either!” She screamed toward him, finally picking her and her glass up and walking toward her room. Drew sighed. This indeed would be a long night.

When Carmen did wake up the next morning, their was a glass of water and two pills on her nightstand. Next to them both was a letter,
Carmen,
I hope that this will take care of whatever headache you will receive in the morning. I had to go off and get Isabella, I hope that we can all get together later on in the afternoon. Call me when you wake up and I’ll see you later.
Love,
Drew
Carmen smiled as she rolled over to the night stand and grabbed the phone. After the second ring she heard,
“Hey babe.”
“How’d you know it was me?”
“I’m physic,” Drew said in a humored tone. Carmen started to laugh as he added,
“And I have caller ID.”
“What happened last night?” she groaned, leaning over for the glass and pills.
“You drank…..a lot. You drank rather too much. Then you practically beat me up.”
“I’m sorry.” Carmen apologized with a blush to her cheeks.
“It’s all right babe. What were you planning on doing today?”
“I was going to-“ Carmen cut herself as she thought about Paul. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell Drew about Paul, she just didn’t think that it was appropriate to tell him now.
“You there Cam?”
“Yeah, sorry, uhh I was going to go out and eat lunch with a friend.”
“Were you?”
“Yeah. Speaking of which,” she looked over at her alarm clock and noticed it was turning 11:20.
“I need to go and get ready. I have to leave in thirty minutes.”
“All right, calm me when you’re done.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Bye.”
She hung up with him and hurriedly headed toward her bathroom.

When Carmen did reach Pete’s, she already saw Paul looking over the menu.
“Hey loser.” She smiled walking toward him. He smiled as he got up and gave her a hug.
“How are you?”
“Eh, I could be better.” She waved her hand and took a seat.
“Well, you look beautiful.”
“I do?” she raised a brow and he smiled.
“You do.”
Carmen laughed and raised her sunglasses off her eyes.
“Well thank you. But I had one hell of a night.”
Paul was staring at her and Carmen laughed again.
“What?”
“I couldn’t tell. I mean, if you stare really hard you notice the small circles. But other than that you look flawless.”
Carmen smiled and shook her head.
“Beyond flawless. I was tempted to actually use that cover-up Renee gave me.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“All right, enough with the flirting. Did you order for us yet?”
“Yeah. I was roaming through the deserts.”
He nodded toward the drink in front of her.
“Pink lemonade with Sprite.”
“Aren’t you the smart one.” Carmen said, shaking her head. Paul smiled and shook his head.
“We ate here all the time. You always got that.”
“You’re right. What did you order me?”
“The gyro sandwich with fries and a side of dolmades.”
“And you the Greek Buffet with a large coke.”
“Of course.” He smiled.
Carmen laughed again but started to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. Though she was enjoying Paul as a friend, she envied that he knew she loved Greek food and it was a fact that Drew had yet learned. Even through her hints.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I’m just thinking…” she gave a faint smile this time and Paul sighed.
“I know you Carm, whether you like it or not.”
“It’s just Nick.” She frowned.
“What about him.”
“We got into this argument…it was stupid. I said some offensive things, well maybe a lot, but he did too you know. And I was angry; you know how I am when I’m angry.”
“You’re defiantly no helpless maiden.” Paul agreed.
“I drank a lot. Drew stayed the night, probably tolerating my ravings.”
“Well, you guys are together, you know. He should know your drunken mood swings. And all that other good jazz.” Paul shrugged.
Carmen nodded and started to play with her engagement ring. She was sure now that Paul didn’t know she was engaged. Which wasn’t a surprise. Her and Drew had kept that a secret, but they were going to tell the world. After the wedding.
“So how was dinner with the in-laws?”
“Huh?”
“Last I recalled you refer to your boyfriends parents as the “the in-laws.” So how we’re they?”
Carmen bit her lip. She remembered she did do that a lot when she and Paul dated. She had gotten close to both parents so well; she just started calling them the in-laws. It was funny. She loved Drew but she barely knew either of his parents well. She spoke to his father only during that time at the wedding. She didn’t think Cate really approved of her. Then there was Paul, Paul who she loved only as a brother and she still went on shopping trips with his mother.
“Carmen?”
“Huh, oh, sorry, well…it wasn’t exactly his parents.”
“It wasn’t?” Paul raised a brow as their food came. Carmen nodded and they started to eat. When the waiter went away Paul asked.
“So who were you with?”
“Renee and Nick.”
“Why would you call them your in-laws?”
Carmen took a large bite out of her sandwich before she looked over at Paul. He was looking at her with a large amount of curiosity and concern.
“Well…?â€Â
Carmen raised her left hand and Paul dropped his fork. They were both silent before he whispered,
“So you’re going to go off and get married?”
Carmen gave a slow nod.
“Yeah.”
“When did he propose?”
“The same night as the wedding.”
“And you accepted?”
“I couldn’t say no. I love him.”
“You didn’t even mention it.”
“Only the family knows. We don’t want anything to leak. I was going to mail you out the invitation toward the middle of March…”
She started to eat her sandwich and Paul sighed.
“Well, so much for my intentions to try to win your heart again.”
Carmen laughed and softly touched his hand.
“You still hold a special place in my heart. Paul, you’ve changed for the better. You’re making me and your daughter proud.”
Paul raised a brow. It was the first time Carmen had mentioned Meadow since they split.
“Thank you.” He whispered again, giving her hand a squeeze.
“How is she? Meadow?”
“Misses you like crazy.”
Carmen smiled. Meadow held a special place in her heart, despite the fact that she wasn’t her child. She was their since her baby years and held a special bond with the eight year old.
“She wants to go horseback riding with you again.”
Carmen laughed and shook her head.
“Actually, I wanted to ask. Would you mind if Meadow would be the flower girl for my wedding. I was torn between her and Alyssa, a friend of Drew’s kid, but I don’t really know Alyssa and Meadow is so close to me….”
She drifted and Paul smiled.
“Sure, I’ll ask if she’s up for it.”
“But tell her to keep it shush, shush. Tinker promise.”
Paul laughed at the special promise name Carmen still dubbed with Meadow.
“I will.”
“Thanks.”
She started to eat again and Paul, trying to lighten up the situation asked,
“I want you to go to my movie premiere with me.”
At this Carmen looked at him and laughed.
“And tell the media what? We’re still going out?”
Paul smiled and she threw a fry at him.
“No. If I go with you, we’re friends. You tell them you begged me to go, and that you respect my decisions with dating Drew.”
“All right, all right, I’ll kill myself in the lime light.”
“Aww, Paul. You’d do that for me?” She said, giving her best New York accent.
“Of course.”
“All right, what’s the movie?”
“Caught.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“Thriller?”
“Murder Thriller.”
“Don’t remember who you said co-starred with you….?”
“Kate Bosworth. Pierce Bronson.”
“Ah, of course. All right, sure. When’s the premiere.”
“Two days?”
“Where?”
“Somewhere in downtown Hollywood.”
“Can Drew go?”
“No.”
He looked at her seriously and Carmen nodded.
“All right. No Drew.”
How was she going to explain that and this lunch to him?
“Good.” He smiled.
Biondo Sorto
08-16-06, 11:27 AM
I just wanted to inform you guys that this story is going to be on a hiatus for a little while, just because both me and Kris have a lot of busy things in life that can not unforunatly include this story :( We'll try to have an up to date post for you soon!! :P :)
Luv_98_Degrees
08-16-06, 08:22 PM
GREAT ADDS YOU GUYS! loveee loveeeee it! yeah i understand too you two take your time. can't wait for the next adds. :Big Grin: :Big Grin:
Kristen07
11-06-06, 05:14 PM
Well y'all.. .I have gotten inspiration for this next add. But unfournately, my homework has to come first. Maybe tonight or tommorow I will start on this add maybe have something this week :)
Leslie
11-06-06, 05:15 PM
Can't wait to read it. :)
Biondo Sorto
11-09-06, 01:26 AM
I realize that it has been a long, long, long time since I've been on the board! So sorry, who knew college would take your on-line life away. The good news is, like Kris stated, that the story will be up sometime soon. I'm going to have some break time and I think Kris will so you will have something to look forward too. Thank you all for your continual support and we promise we'll make it worth your while!
Brittnee
a7xnsl98d
11-10-06, 01:18 PM
We'll try to wait as paitently as we can.....I just caught myself up!:suspicious: Great job!:bigsmile:
Kristen07
12-27-06, 02:56 PM
Hey y'all

I know it's been over a month since we have updated on our progress. I'm very sorry for the wait. :( I am working on the next one as we speak and will most likely have it either later on today or tommorrow. Then i'm sure Brit will definitely have one to follow quickly afterwards. Thank you very much for the patience:D

Much love,
Kris
a7xnsl98d
12-28-06, 03:15 PM
We're some patient folks, I think! Yay!:)
Kristen07
12-28-06, 08:47 PM
Weeeeeee! The next chapter is here! I hope y'all enjoy :)
Renee and Nick were silently watching TV one night. Nothing interesting had been on except crappy reality dating shows and pointless programs. Surprisingly, there were no that Nick wanted to watch, either. He had been in a foul mood ever since his blow up with Carmen. Renee couldn’t figure out why. He changed the subject or got on her case every time she asked.
He landed on a channel momentarily and a commercial for a movie called Crypt To Life came on. It looked like a thriller with lots of crazy plot twists and passionate love scene. It clicked in Renee’s mind: that was Carmen’s newest movie. She hoped Nick wouldn’t groan or make a stupid comment.
Unfortunately she was wrong. He grumbled and mumbled something under his breath that she didn’t hear.
“What was that, Nick?” She asked crossly.
“Nothing.” He replied half innocently.
“That didn’t sound good to me.”
“Nothing you need to know.” He avoided her gaze.
Renee’s eyebrow raised. “Nothing I need to know, eh? Are you sure you weren’t making fun of my friend?”
“Yep, I’m sure.” He turned off the TV in frustration and looked down at the coffee table. The latest copy of US Weekly lay there. “Did you buy this? I thought you weren’t going to listen to THIS BULLSHIIT”
“I bought it on impulse at the store yesterday, gosh. There’s a picture of us the stalkarazzi took a few weeks ago.”
He rolled his eyes. “Damn tabloids.” He picked it up and flipped through it.
His attitude shocked Renee. Sure, his mood hadn’t been the best over the last three days. But she didn’t expect him to lash out this much. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments.
“She’s flippin everywhere these days.” He grumbled. “That stuck up LITTLE…”
She cut him off curty. “WHAT THE HELL is your problem? You know Carm is much better than that. You’ve known her for well over a year now. What has she done to you?”
He didn’t respond and avoided her gaze again.
“ANSWER ME!”
He didn’t answer again.
“NICHOLAS SCOTT!” Renee scoffed. “Whatever, I’m not going to deal with you.” She stood up and started walking away.
“You’re just going to walk away from this, AREN’T YOU?” Nick yelled after her.
Renee stopped in her tracks and turned around. “Nicholas, I’m not in in the mood to be screamed at, pressured and having my best friend, who I love to pieces, insulted that way. I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but if you wanted to talk about this issue calmly…maybe I would have been willing to listen to you now. But since you’re yelling, I won’t.” She stormed away and up the stairs in frustration.
She arrived into the bedroom and flopped herself on the bed in frustration.
“Hello?”
“Hey Mom!”
“Hey sweetie. How are you?” Alison answered. It was nice to hear her cheery voice. At 48 years old, she looked and acted like she could be 25.
Renee sighed. “I’m flustered, Mom. A lot of things are frustrating me.”
“What’s wrong? Talk to me, vent.”
“Hubby is being a bonehead and started this whole fiasco…”
“What happened?”
“Drew, Carmen, Nick and I were out to dinner the other night. Nick had been in a foul mood that day but I didn’t think much about it. He starts picking a fight with Carmen, whispering little comments in my ear, but loud enough for her to hear. Eventually it blows up. Carmen lashes out at him… it just wasn’t pretty. We leave and at home Nick’s pissed, I call Carmen demanding that she apologize to him. She’s mad at me now because I took his side and Drew and I are in the middle of this mess.” She groaned.
“Do you know why he lashed out at Carmen?”
She shook her head. “No, he won’t tell me. I just finished yelling at him because he’s trying to put me even more in the middle than I already am.”
“Well you two need to sit down and calmly talk it out. Ask him why it happened. What does he hold against her?”
“It’s way easier said than done, Mom. He won’t listen to me. He wants to stay in his foul mood and not let me help. Which bites because it makes living with him miserable right now.”
‘It’ll pass through, hun. Give Nick time to cool off. You don’t want his grudge with Carmen to ruin your relationship, do you?”
“No…” she said timidly. “But it’s hard.
“Be patient. You should know as well as anyone that things like this take time to cool off. It hurts now but in try a day or so, try again. He’ll probably open up.”
“Ok.” She decided to go off the subject. “Has Kayleigh told you the latest news in her life?”
“Yes, she did. Her voice was shaking but I told her it was ok. We would still love her regardless. I told her that I don’t agree with it, but I’m not going to hold it against her. I hoped this wouldn’t happen to one of my daughters.”
Allison was a young mother. She and Zachary, Renee’s dad, had unprotected sex one night and conceived when they were 19. Renee was born nine months later. Both sets of parents didn’t approve and they were left on their own. It was a struggle for them to make ends meet. Still, they married two years later and happy in love to this day. “I know you don’t. You don’t want us to go through what you went through.”
“It was a living hell for us. But we finally got on our feet after a few years.The uncertainty of the whole situation was terrible. I don’t really want to dwell on it anymore, though.”
“How did Dad react?”
Allison sighed. “He wasn’t pleased. He yelled and lectured her for about a hour or so. He’s severely disappointed in her.”
She gasped. “Oh no. I didn’t think he would act that harshly.”
“Neither did I. The wounds still sting at him from our experience. But he’ll come around. It’ll take longer, but he will.”
The conversation moved on to lighter fare for awhile. Slowly Renee started to zone out.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Mom.” She wanted to avoid where this conversation was going.
“Come on, I know there is something else bothering you.”
Allison had intuitive knacks that made her able to figure out when someone was more upset than they let on. “I don’t… well I guess I can tell you. I’m pregnant.” She said halfheartedly.
“Honey, that’s wonderful news! Why are you upset about it?”
Renee heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t think this is the right time in the marriage. I planned for it to be that we would be married for a few years and then start trying. I don’t feel ready.”
“Why? You’re 27 years old. You’ve had a lot of time to be young and single. By the time I was that age, I had a seven year old daughter.”
“True. But I feel in a marriage there should be a bonding time where the husband and wife should be able to get to know each other even better than they already do, get used to living together, argue, be romantic, make love, travel… just enjoy the time to themselves. A baby would get in the way of that.”
“How far along are you?”
This question perplexed Renee a little bit. “Three months… why?”
“That won’t get in the way of your relationship for a few months. You won’t show for at least another two months. Why are you worrying about it so much?”
“Because I have the dominant worry gene in my DNA. I worry about everything; you know I do. I overanalyze, over think, dwelling over the fear a certain thing could happen.. I could go on and on down the list.”
“It’ll only get in the way if you let it, honey. You two can still make love to each other and be romantic. If anything, it should add to the romance because you are carrying a part of him inside of you.”
“That’s true. I don’t know. I need to quit these thoughts, but it’s not going to happen.”
“Talk to him, Ren. He’ll be more than willing to listen.”
“We have already. I want to talk to him now but I’m afraid he’ll chew me out.”
“Sneak up behind him and put your arms around him. Apologize and if that doesn’t do the trick... just sleep on it. That’s all you can do.”
She sighed. “Ok. Thank you for listening to me vent.”
“You’re welcome sweetheart. What are moms for? Chin up, everything will be better. If you ever have questions or vents about pregnancy just call me. I‘m here for you!”
“Thank you. I’m going to go now.”
“Love you honey, goodnight.”
“Love you.” Renee hung up, frustrated. She felt a tad better about the situation but she was still depressed. She felt terrible for yelling at Nick and now he was probably mad at her. I need to find him. She stood up and walked out of the bedroom.
She paced down the stairs and into the kitchen. She saw him standing at the island, looking deep in thought. She tip toed behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Nick.”
He didn’t respond.
“Are you mad at me, baby?”
“No” He stated coldly.
“Then talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“Not now, Renee.” He whispered, the ice in his voice melting slightly. “I promise I’ll talk but not now.”
“Ok, Nicky.” She let go, walked in front of him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’m going to bed.” She walked out of the kitchen.
Renee slowly laid down on the left side of the king size bed. She hated being the brunt of Nick’s emotional outbursts. What could be making him so moody? She had absolutely no idea.
A thought spoke to her. Maybe he ran into Jessica again…
She shook her head violently. It can’t be. She is out of our lives now. He cussed her out before we got married. But maybe he ran into… She stopped herself. No use dwelling on this now. Nothing much would be accomplished, except getting paranoid and over worried. All she could do now was sleep and wait for Nick’s explanation.
Her eyes closed and she drifted into slumber.
Biondo Sorto
12-29-06, 01:15 AM
this is a very long add.................to make up for my absence. Enjoy!

Chapter 8
Carmen was curling her hair in the mirror when she heard the front door open. She heard Drew and Pablo’s voices and sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Hey babe.” Drew yelled from the front of the house. Carmen finished with her hair and started to put her eye shadow on. She didn’t want to deal with what she knew to be the expected.
“Carmen!” Drew yelled again, this time his voice coming from her bedroom. Carmen relaxed her body. She didn’t know why she was prolonging the inevitable.
“Hey, there…..you….are. Wow.” Drew said, giving Carmen a look over.
She was wearing a short yellow sundress that was doing wonders for both her legs and her bosom.
“Now what has gotten into my fiancé’s head that she has to go off and wear something so provoking?” Drew raised a brow, walking toward her with a smile.
Carmen tried to smile as she finished with her eye make-up and turned to him.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, and then sighed. She wasn’t supposed to say that.
“Well I like it. I like it very, very, very…..” He never continued to finish with much. He had already started to kiss her neck.
“Yum, honey.” He whispered against her skin. Carmen could have died. She was deceiving a man that was crazy in love with her. Not deceiving…just not being honest. Knowing his soft kisses would lead to something more….and that he would regret them after he found out the truth, she pulled away.
“Drew, we can’t.” she said, walking out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. Drew looked toward her half amazed, half in desire (she had lovely legs), and followed her.
“What gives?”
“Nothing.” she said with what he knew to be a smile.
“Then what’s up. I thought me, you and Pablo could hang out. Help you plan the wedding and all.” He was behind her now and rubbing her shoulders.
“Uh, Drew. I…can’t. I have other plans. And I’ve finally caught up with the wedding. Well, at least where I should be at this point.”
She pulled away from him and grabbed her matching yellow purse. Now Drew raised a brow.
“Other plans?”
“Yeah.”
“Promotion?”
“Something like that.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere. Oh Drew,” she walked toward him and gave him a hard hug.
“I love you. Don’t think anything I’m doing tonight isn’t because I love you. I just….I just have to see…”
She looked up at him and his lips were on her’s in seconds. When he did pull away minutes later, he softly stroked her face.
“I love you and I know you love me. There is nothing that can separate that.”
“Yeah,” she pulled away and started putting on her heels. Drew smiled at her and was going to mention how beautiful she was when the doorbell rang.
“I got it.” Pablo yelled, then seconds later called,
“Uh….Cam. Drew?”
Drew, surprised that anyone would be coming over on his account turned to Carmen and asked,
“Expecting anyone?”
“Actually...”
“Forget it; I’ll go see who it is.” Drew shrugged, ignoring her last statement and heading toward the front of the house.
“Paul?” he asked confused, looking from Paul, to Pablo, back to Paul.
Paul realizing for the first time that both men are unaware of his arrival, sighed and attempted to hide the yellow orchid in his hand. Unfortunately for him, Pablo has long spotted and asks half in curiosity, half in amusement,
“Flowers, eh? That’s an old one Walker.”
“I know it’s her favorite.” Paul mumbled.
“What the hell is going on?” Drew asked in confusion. Why was Paul here? Where the hell was Carmen?
“You’re early for once.”
All attention was riveted to Carmen as she walked past Drew toward Paul. He smiled down at her and bended down to give her a kiss on the cheek and a long hug.
“You look beautiful, as usual. Won’t I be the lucky guy tonight?”
“It’s your movie. I’m just an add on.”
“A picture perfect add on. Ah, this is for you.”
Carmen smiled at him as he hands over the small flower.
“Thank you. There one of my favorites. How’d you know to get yellow?”
Paul blushed and shrugged.
“It just felt right I guess.”
Carmen gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and walked toward the mirror, placing the flower ever so delicately on her right ear. Then she turned toward Paul.
“Ready?” he asked the statement she was loathing to speak aloud.
“Yeah.”
Drew, who was quite and amazed by all of this, directs his gaze from Carmen to Paul,
“What the hell is going on?”
Carmen bites her lower lip and looks toward Paul. Paul understanding sighs.
“I asked Carmen to go my movie premier tonight.”
“You agreed?!” Both Drew and Pablo asked in bewilderment.
“Yeah.”
“Why? When did he ask you?”
“A couple of days ago.” Paul butted in.
“I wasn’t asking you.” Drew muttered and walked toward Carmen.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Carmen sighed and shook her head.
“I couldn’t Drew.”
“Why?”
“Because….the timing was never right and when it was you got distracted. Oh…please don’t blow this out of proportion. My publicist did say I needed to get my face out in the public…”
“You’re face is always in the damn public. Carmen, I don’t want you going with him.”
Carmen counted to ten and shook her head.
“I’m going regardless. Drew, I have to go for so many reasons. Understand that.”
She headed toward the door and looks over her shoulder,
“Watch him Pablo.”
Pablo, who was still in shock over what his little sister had started, nods. When she shut the door he turned toward Drew who was still looking at the door.
“What the hell was that?” Drew asked, still recovering from the all that has happened between him and Carmen.
“I really don’t know?” Pablo answered, unsure about his sister’s action for the first time in his life.

Carmen sighed as Paul helped her into the limo. Then he slides in beside her and they start toward downtown Hollywood.
“Are you ok?” he asked after a while.
“Fine.” She gave a short smile and continued to look out the window. Paul sighed and softly grabbed her hand.
“You really do look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry for any drama I might started or caused.”
Carmen looks toward him and gave him a small smile.
“Its not your fault. Its my own. I just….hey, its your night. I’ll stop.” She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.
“I want to see the movie. I saw trailers and it looks interesting.”
“Yeah. It should be great.”
“It should be.”
The rest of the car ride was rode in silence. Paul was still debating how to get Carmen’s spirit high by the time they arrived at the premier.
“Are you ready?”
Paul pulled his eyes away from the growing crowd of photographers and smiled at her.
“I sure hope so.”
Biondo Sorto
12-29-06, 01:16 AM
Drew continued to mumble and grumble as he started flipping through channels. He didn’t know what he had done to make Carmen feel as if she should go off and find someone else and go the movies with him. Especially since he hadn’t really done anything to spark it. He actually thought that they both were doing fine the past couple of days but obviously he was wrong.
“There isn’t any use moping about.” Pablo sighed, taking a seat beside him.
“What’d I do? What did I do that was so wrong?”
“Nothing. Carmen….she’s just weird.”
“You couldn’t tell me that.”
“I mean her and Paul. They were really close. There sort of like the boy girl version of her and Renee. They can’t help it. I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I just think he got caught up in the Hollywood hype. He hurt my sister something. But he truly does care for her.”
“Yeah, that helps.” Drew muttered, continuing to flip channels. He stopped when a picture of Carmen flashed by.
“Oh, they do always have live report in L.A. of the premiers.” Pablo commented, opening up the fresh bag of chips and taking the remote from Drew.
“Hey!”
“I wanna hear.” He laughed, raising the volume.
We are in downtown Hollywood where all the Hollywood hot shots have stepped out for the premiere, Caught, featuring Paul Walker and Pierce Bronson. For you lucky locals at home who need an update we have just talked to Kate Bosworth, also starring in the thriller, and another fan favorite Nelly Furtado. Now coming down the red carpet is Paul Walker and late beau Carmen Opio.
Drew started to reach over to Pablo who only shook his head.
“Let’s watch this.” He says in amusement.
“So Paul, how does it feel to star in this highly anticipated blockbuster?”
“It feels great. I know its going to be a really good movie and I hope other people feel the same way.”
“So, how does it feel to be walking down the red carpet with Carmen Opio who happens to be the hottest new face in Hollywood?”
“Carmen’s great!” Smiles over at Carmen who only shakes her head and starts to talk to the news reporter.
“I only came cause I lost a bet!”
“Honestly?”
“No. He asked nicely and because I’m a great friend came along.”
“That’s great. So tell me, are sparks flying between the two? And if they are, what happened to Drew?”
“Actually,”
“Paul!”
“Honestly, I asked Carmen because she’s a dear friend to me and I love her. I respect her and Drew’s relationship and would never take her from it. I know she values it and I don’t want to ruin any of that. Besides, I had to beg her to come down here!”
“Oh isn’t that the biggest….” Drew mumbles and Pablo laughs.
“So there is still a you and Drew?”
“Yes, me and Drew are still very much in love with each other. Paul asked me to come and I came but it doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with him. If I had to pick Paul or Drew it’d be Drew. I only came cause it’s a free movie!.”
“You see how she treats me. There is no love!”
“He wishes.”
“Great.”
“There you are folks. The large bond between friendship and love with Paul Walker and Carmen Opio. I hope the both of you enjoy the movie.”
“Thanks, you too.”
Pablo turned off the TV and looked toward Drew.
“You see.”
“What?”
“She loves you. Loves you. She did it out of a favor. She didn’t do because she loves Paul.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Just then Drew’s cell phone went off.
“Hello.”
“That scheming girlfriend of yours has gone too far!”
Drew sighed upon hearing his brother’s voice. He forgot about all the other factors that came with being with Carmen. The first one being Nick’s sudden discontent with her.
“What are you talking about Nick?”
“You’re not watching Carmen at the movie premiere?”
“Of course I am.”
“And your letting that........person, walk down the red carpet with her and laugh and joke and-“
“I was just trying to forget myself Nick. And yes, obviously I would have to have allowed it.”
“What the hell is your problem?”
“Nothing!”
“Bull **** nothing! I’m telling you that she’s bad news.”
“I let her out of the house with him Nick.” Drew sighed and rolled his eyes. Pablo, he was observing the situation, only laughed harder.
“She’s a two-timing, money sucking, good for nothing ***** who-“
“Listen Nick, just because Jessica was all of those things doesn’t mean Carmen is. And like she mentioned earlier, she doesn’t need anybody to make her money so I doubt she’s coming after mine.”
“Now you’re taking sides?”
“Who ever said I was siding with anyone?”
“You just did!”
“Nick.” Drew gritted through his teeth and Nick sighed.
“I’m sorry I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“I trust her okay. Despite your opinion I know Carmen wouldn’t do anything to deliberately hurt me.”
“Except parade around with her ex beau who happens to be one of Hollywood’s most loved ex-couples.”
“What?”
“I’ve been researching....”
“Nick,” Drew laughed.
“Shouldn’t you be doing other things with your time?”
“I was. I was actually looking at baby names when, out of my curiosity, decided to do some researching. Did you know that Paul and Carmen were engaged? It was a secret engagement of course, that’s why we hadn’t heard about it. Then, at the last minute, Paul pulled out.”
“Nick! Take care of Renee and the baby. If I need help with uncovering the past, I’ll ask.”
“All right. But I am here by the way.”
“I know Nick. Bye!”
Drew hung up the phone and closed his eyes. It wasn’t the fact he was mad at his brother for digging into his wife’s personal life, but the fact that he knew more than Carmen had ever let on.

Carmen smiled over at Paul as he helped her out of the limo. Slowly they walked up the steps toward her door.
“Well, I had a nice time Paul.”
“Really? Me too.” He said brusquely. Then in a softer tone he added,
“I mean, I think we should go hang out sometime tomorrow? How about it tinks?”
Carmen looked toward him as they stopped at her door and laughed. He hadn’t called her tinks ever since the last time they were together.
“I don’t think that’d be the smart thing to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I have a fiancé in there that’s probably blowing steam over what I did tonight.”
Paul sighed and shrugged.
“I forgot about him. Well, I want to spend some time with you. And so does Meadow. She’s been anticipating a call from you for some time.”
Carmen laughed and shook her head.
Biondo Sorto
12-29-06, 01:16 AM
“Well, maybe you can bring her over tomorrow. Drew’s going to have Isabella…”
“Isabella?”
“His daughter.” Carmen said, giving him a look and Paul backed away.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Wow, you attract men who have kids Carmen. Is it a sign?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Fact of the matter is, you should come over. Pablo was going to barbeque anyway so….I don’t see why it would be a problem.”
“All right then. I’ll call you and ask what time is better for the both of us to come over.”
“I’ll be expecting the call.”
She laughed, then leaned over and gave him a hugl.
“You’ve been great through all this. Thank you.”
“Hey, only because you’ve been pushing me away.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll talk to you later.”
“You said you’d be calling!”
“Right.” He blushed and she started to open the door.
“See ya later.”
“Yeah.” Paul smiled sighing, then turned around and walked away.
“That must have been some party. You’ve been away a long minute little lady.”
Carmen snapped her head at her brothers voice and smiled.
“The after party was longer then we both thought.”
“You could have left.”
“There were some people that I wanted to meet. Besides, I was talking to one of my future co-stars, all right.”
“I wasn’t implying anything Carm.”
Carmen raised a brow then laughed.
“Weren’t you Pablo?”
“It’s just….all the **** he’s put you through. Now he wants to be this super fun friend again?”
“Paul was just going through the Hollywood faze trip. Almost all celebrities do.”
“I suppose.”
“Me and Paul had a long talk throughout dinner and we’ve both come to some neutralities, all right.”
“Sure.”
“Pablo…”
“You know how I feel about a man who breaks my trust. Especially when it concerns my little sister.”
“I know. By the way, him and Meadow are coming over tonight for that barbeque your insisting on.”
“Its at my place.”
“Oh,” she pursed her lips and then gave a shrug, throwing her purse on the couch.
“Well, I’ll just tell him when he calls.”
“Meadow’s coming you said?”
“Yeah, little Maddy’s coming over. She misses me and I miss her.”
“Your not her mother.”
“As much as she see’s her real one I might as well be.”
“Still…”
“Hey, drop it, please?”
“For now.” He simply said. Carmen took that for what it was at the moment.
“Where’s Drew?”
“Drew?”
“Yeah, Drew, my fiancé…..”
“Oh, in your room.”
“What’s he doing in my room?”
“Last time I looked, getting piss drunk.”
“Really?” Carmen asked surprised. Drew drank occasionally but not to the point where he would becoming a raging drunk.
“Well, he had a beer or two. I don’t know what he’s doing. Last time I walked by he was watching something on ESPN.”
Carmen nodded and sighed. She started toward her room and stopped when she reached it. She hesitated after a while, then finally pushed the door open. There Drew was watching an old Roseanne re-run and, toward Carmen’s dismay, drinking a beer. She was hoping it was still his first.
“Hey babe.”
Drew turned around and looked toward Carmen, before returning his eyes back to the TV.
“Hey.” He gruffed after a while. Carmen walked in and noticed two other beer bottles in the trash can. So it was his third. Not so bad.
“What are you watching?”
“Roseanne.”
“Oh.”
She looked around, then took off her shoes.
“What did you do while I was gone?”
Forward she knew but she couldn’t stand Drew being mad at her. She never experienced it before and she decided it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
“Watched TV.”
He said it like he simply didn’t care about her or anything else.
“Oh.”
She started to take off her dress but decided against it. Her and Drew weren’t married yet and she probably wouldn’t raise anything from him anyway.
“Drew…”
She walked in front of the TV screen and turned it off.
“Well you at least look at me?”
Drew put his beer down, gave her a good look up and down, then got up from his spot.
“I looked at you. Happy.”
Carmen looked at him shocked. She had never got this reaction from Drew before. Now what? He was heading out the room when she yelled,
“Wait!”
Drew looked over his shoulder and raised a brow.
“What?”
“Don’t go.”
“Well, you don’t want me in here. You obviously have to get dressed. I’m tired myself and I might just head home.”
“What?” Carmen said again. She had been use to having Drew spending the night when it got past ten. She didn’t want him to leave. She had two extra guest rooms in her town home. Drew permanently had one for himself and the other for whoever stayed over.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“Well, like I said before, I’m tired Carmen.”
Carmen winced at her name. It wasn’t like Drew to fully use it, he most went by Cam, Carm, babe, luv….a multiple of names that wasn’t her full.
“Why can’t you stay here?” she asked, walking over to him.
Drew tried to turn away and reached for the doorknob. Why didn’t he want to stay? Because he loved and hated her. Because he didn’t think she loved him. Because he blamed it all on himself for making her run to Paul. Because right now he wanted to do more than just “talk” to her. He needed to get away from her because she was sending him through a frenzy of emotions.
“I can’t Carmen.”
Biondo Sorto
12-29-06, 01:17 AM
The last to this chapter, whew!

“Why not?” She was in front of him and pouting. He tried to hide his smile. There were two sort of pouts Carmen had, one she forced and one she naturally did without knowing. She was giving him the natural pout that always made him give in. It was the way she made her lips stick out…
“Carmen.” He groaned.
“Just stay.”
“Can’t you see that I’m mad at you?”
“I know you are and I understand but I want to talk to you about it.”
Drew sighed and walked back to her bed.
“You should be a damn lawyer, you know that.”
Carmen laughed and shrugged.
“I’m spoiled and like things done my way.”
“I know.”
“Drew, nothing happened between me and Paul if you want to know.”
Drew tensed up and Carmen sensed it, so she sat behind him and started to massage his shoulders.
“We went out, saw a movie together, ate dinner with some friends, talked about our future, and came home. Wait, we danced a bit too. But he didn’t move on me or try to kiss me or anything. He does respect you, whether you believe it or not.”
Drew turned around toward her and sighed.
“Why?”
“Because he says you’re the only man who treats me the way I should be treated.”
Drew couldn’t contain his smile.
“Obviously not. You went running to him.”
“I didn’t-“
“Maybe not in that sense but in a way you did.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” She sighed. Drew looked at her, surprised she admitted such a thing. Carmen had as much pride as Knight did in the twelfth century.
“Why do you say that.”
“Dammit Drew, you don’t understand how confused I’ve been. I trust that you love me and that you love Isabella and that you respect Lea and still, I’m so scared of losing you. And Paul, Paul’s done some stupid stuff but….you have to understand that me and him were real close at one point in my life.”
“Pablo’s told me some about it.”
“really?” Carmen asked surprise.
“Just that you and him were close like you and Renee.”
“Plus more. We dated for a while….well, you know…..two and half years. It was supposed to be….”
She drifted away and for a second Drew thought she would tell him about their secret engagement. He guessed wrong.
“Anyways, he did Fast and the Furious and his ego did some talking and we ended it and…..we just want to be friends, like we were before we got together seriously. I invited him to the barbeque Pablo’s having. Him and Maddy.”
She gave a small smile and Drew looked at her confused.
“Maddy?”
Carmen frowned. She forget Drew didn’t really know anything about Paul.
“Her real name is Meadow. She’s Paul’s daughter.”
“And you know this Meadow?”
Carmen surprisingly blushed and said,
“I was in the delivery room when Meadow was born. Me and Paul were just friends at the time and he had grown dependent on me. He wanted me to be there with him, his brother and sister couldn’t make it and I was the only other person he trusted. Besides, Meadow’s mother, Rebecca, was a close friend of mine. I took care of Meadow when Paul had to go out of town for movie shoots and Rebecca was busy with work. I was in between soap opera’s and commercials and found time. Rebecca and Paul ended it a year after Meadow was born but by then me and Paul had grown something close. He asked me out and I accepted.”
“Is Meadow like a daughter to you?” Drew whispered. Carmen looked at him surprised, then nodded.
“I suppose you could call it that. I mean, the child knows I’m not her real mother or anything but there are times when she calls me mom. I correct her seeing as I’m never going to be...” She let the last drift and Drew sighed.
“I don’t suppose she’ll like me any.”
“What do you mean?”
“She must like the idea of fake mommy and real daddy possibly getting back together.” he said with a large amount of bitterness in his voice.
Carmen looked at him confused the nodded knowingly.
“I never thought about that.” She frowned, then added,
“I asked her to be a flower girl in our wedding. I assumed she knew it wouldn’t be to Paul.”
“Maybe. He could have explained.”
“He would.” Carmen nodded knowingly again.
“If there’s two people in life I know Paul can’t lie to, its his mother and his daughter.”
“Oh.”
Drew was silent and Carmen looked at him.
“Now what?”
“I was going to bring Isabella.”
“So. I want to get to know the little dear more seeing as she is going to be my daughter in a couple of months.”
At that Drew smiled and looked up at her.
“You really see her as that.”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” Carmen asked dumbfoundly. Drew sighed, knowing that it was he who was thinking about all the negative thoughts Carmen might have. Of course, Carmen always had a way of surprising him.
“Do I really make it look that way?” Carmen asked silently after a while.
“Oh Cam.”Drew sighed, turning toward her and giving her a hard hug.
“Its not you......its been everything.”
“I don’t make it easy. I never had. It’s a wonder Nick hates me.”
Drew laughed and looked down at her.
“Nick just needs to deal with the fact that I love you.”
“He hasn’t. Nor will he believe that I love you back.”
“Nick has old ghost that-“
“Are you saying that that ***** Jessica is still interfering with our lives and she doesn’t even know it.” Carmen cut him off. Drew laughed and shrugged.
“You could say that.”
“I knew I should of kicked her ass when I had the chance. At least now I would have an excuse.”
Drew laughed again as he kissed her forehead.
“I think sometime in the future I might get you and my brother to talk.”
Carmen snorted which made Drew laugh harder.
“It’s a thought.”
“You should keep it that way.”
Carmen looked up at him and smiled warily.
“Are you still mad at me?”
Drew looked at her surprised.
“Isn’t it obvious I’m not.”
“Yes but...” she drifted and he bent down to kiss her. When they pulled away he whispered,
“Carmen, I’ve never meant anyone in my life who I couldn’t stay mad at. You could stab me in the heart and I doubt I would hate you any longer than I would surely die. I think you might be a weakness.”
“Really?” she raised a brow and he laughed.
“Yeah really.”
She kissed him again and this time allowed him to fall on top of her. It was then he pulled away and smiled,
“I don’t want to take advantage of you before our wedding night. And if I stay in her now, with you, looking like that...”
He looked down at her and Carmen knew she should have stopped when she had the chance. But lately the man had a way of making her submit to him with his kisses.
“I’m going to change for bed.”
“And I’m going to take a cold shower. I wasn’t lying when I said you were a weakness.”
Carmen looked down at him for the first time in life and laughed. It felt nice to to know she could make a man want her.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
a7xnsl98d
12-29-06, 10:58 AM
Thanks! After I copied and pasted the first entry and made the font bigger, it was wonderful! :laugh: Thanks, you two for a great job! :amuse: :love:
Luv_98_Degrees
01-15-07, 02:59 PM
ohhhhhh this is getting really good. awesome work!!!! please keep posting guys! thanks.
Kristen07
02-07-07, 11:22 PM
Just wanted to let y'all know this add is getting closer to done :)
Kristen07
03-02-07, 11:23 PM
A month later... the add is complete! :D I hope y'all enjoy it, this is one of my favorite adds I have written in the story. Please leave some feedback!

Chapter 9

Renee walked into the kitchen the next morning. She wanted to make breakfast for Nick since she still felt bad for yelling at him the night previous.
“What can I make that’s really good and Nick and I both like?” She rummaged through the fridge, looking at different food items before settling on French toast.
She began mixing the mixture ingredients, and then the phone rang. Hmmm, it’s really early. I wonder who’s calling.
“Hello?”
"Hey Ren, its Drew."
"Hey Drew, how have you been?"
Drew groaned heavily.
“I’ll take that as not good.”
“Have you ever dealt with Carmen when she was going through one of her anger spells?”
Oh, boy what happened? “I have and it’s not pretty.”
“Well she’s in one today.”
“Is it because of Nick?”
“Who else would it be? It’s just that, she had sort of gotten over it, or at least I thought so. We had a nice conversation about it two days ago, and then yesterday we went to Pablo’s and had a nice barbeque. But this morning she saw him flash on the TV for a split second, and she blew like a tea kettle!”
Despite the situation, Renee couldn’t help chuclking. A shriek sounded at the other end, which made her laugh harder. “What is she doing now?”
Drew spat. “Oh the usual. Tearing up my house.”
“Why your house?”
“Last night we left Pablo’s house late. My house was closer so we both crashed here. Then she got up early to make me a surprise breakfast and who does she see? My idiot brother cheesing on the TV screen. And then there was the lovely message he left on my machine basically trashing her. Needless to say, I woke up to dishes breaking and it hasn’t stopped since.”
Renee looked at the microwave clock. It was 9:00 am.
“What time was it when you woke up?”
“Seven.” Drew sighed.
Renee nodded knowingly. Nick should be happy about that fact. The past people that had pissed Carmen off took only an hour of her time.
“Renee,” Drew said in a somber manner. “I’m worried about her. And Nick.”
Renee sighed and nodded into the receiver. “Me too Drew. The bitterness these two are holding in isn’t healthy for any human being.”
Drew was silent for a moment. “Why don’t we have lunch later on? We need to figure out how these two are going to resolve their problem. I’m tired of being stuck in the middle, as I’m sure you are, and I know that whatever it is that got these two this way is bugging them too. If not, why would they waste so much time dwelling on it?”
Renee agreed with this. She’d yelled at Nick for it last night. “Ok, we’ll meet at Karaka’s. Is 1 good for you?”
“It’s fine.”
“ANDREW! Where are you?”
“I think you should go.” Renee laughed despite herself. She forgot how demanding of a person Carmen could be.
Drew sighed heavily. “I think I should. It’s never good to make the devil‘s anger increase even more. Just pray that when we meet for lunch that I’m in one piece.”
“I will. Bye and good luck.”
“Thanks. Bye.” Drew said flatly.
She hung up and turned around, surprised to be confronted with Nick standing in the doorway.
“Who was that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Renee smiled slightly and replied, “Your brother.”
“What did he want?”
“He was calling you back from the message you left him earlier.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah. Carmen’s in an anger rampage over it as we speak.”
Nick didn’t reply. She could tell he wanted to say something mean, but decided against it because of her reaction last night.
“Do you want some French toast?” Renee offered to avoid an awkward silence.
“Sure, if you made me some.”
“Of course I did, silly. Aren’t wives supposed to make nice meals for their husbands?”
She lifted two slices off the skillet and placed them on a white plate. “Here you go, hun.”
“Thank you. And since you were so nice to make this for me, I’ll tell you what’s been bothering me over the past few days.”
“Sounds like a deal to me.”
Nick walked over to the kitchen table. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Renee hadn’t drank anything yet this morning. “Just a glass of orange juice and put it on the table if you don’t mind.”
He went to the fridge and poured two glasses of orange juice. Renee joined him at the table a few minutes later with her slice of toast. She drizzled it with syrup and placed the bottle of the table. “So, what’s the deal? What’s on your mind?”
Nick paused for a few moments, pondering how to word his explanation. “I had a bad day in the studio that day. Nothing was coming out right and I got into in an argument with Larry over the phone due to frustration. I went out in a huff because I couldn’t stand it. On the way out I ran into Ashlee.”
She raised an eyebrow. “How did that go?”
“Eh, it went ok. We were civil with each other, talked about impersonal things for a few minutes. That wasn’t so bad. But the fact I saw her lead me to think about Jess.”
Renee didn’t respond. Sure, he was upset, but what caused him to lash out? And oh no, he was thinking about Jessica? Wasn’t she supposed to be out of their lives now?
“I relived the painful memories, even though I hadn’t dwelt on them much since we first met. I wondered why Jessica hurt me and evaluation what went wrong, even though I had no reason to. I put together how she got so Hollywood that I didn’t recognize her anymore. Then I associated it to Carmen and I figured she would do the same thing.”
“You know that’s not true, Nicholas.” Renee stated curtly.
“Yeah. So then dinner arrived. I was filled with so much emotion I felt like letting it out on someone. Obviously I picked the wrong person. I didn’t know what extent she would go to.”
If you only knew what your brother went through this morning. “So the fight broke out. Why have you been so secretive and jerk since then?”
Nick knew he was in trouble with her now. “I was trying to protect you and keep myself from shouting at you too. It did more harm than good, considering what‘s happened.”
“I wasn’t mad, just extremely frustrated.”
“You should have yelled more. I deserved it.” He shook his head.
Does this mean he’s going to apologize? “Do you think you’re ready to forgive her and yourself?”
He shrugged.
Awkward silence fell over them for the rest of the meal.
“Thanks for making breakfast, babe.”
Babe? Wow, that was the first time she’d heard that word in a few days. She smiled. “You’re welcome”
After breakfast cleanup, Renee went upstairs to get ready for the day. She was looking forward to lunch with Drew because of their brilliant plan they might come up with and they were good friends. They’d gotten to know each other better since she married Nick; she realized what a good human being he was. Sure, his sarcasm was razor sharp at times, but he had one of the most caring hearts in the world. Her sweetness and logic helped him out a lot too. She said a silent prayer for hoping Carmen hadn’t ripped him apart before heading in the shower.
Then she got out and put on an aqua cashmere sweater and tan pants. She left her hair down and added a touch of make up. She had to stop at the office before meeting Drew. “10:50. That should be plenty of time.” Renee picked up her purse and headed downstairs.
Nick was about to head out the door himself when she got down there. “Where are you going?”
“I need to take care of some errands. I’ll be back early evening.”
“I need to go too, I’m heading to the practice.”
“Ok.” They kissed, but it was a civil kiss. The “I’m kissing you because I have to” kind of kiss. Relations were still kind of tense between the couple.
As Renee climbed into her car, she felt a little disappointed. Yes, she knew why Nick acted the way he did, but he didn’t apologize for what he did to Carmen or how he’d been treating her the past few days. Well, his apology to Carmen was between them, but still. Renee hoped the conversation would lift the air of tension between her and her husband. They’d been known for extended goodbye kisses and “I love yous” because they didn’t want to let go of each other. Hopefully after he and Carmen would get their issue resolved, life would return to normal.
Renee parked at Karaka’s a at precisely 1 o’ clock. Drew hadn’t arrived yet, so she decided to wait for him at the front of the restaurant. Hopefully Carmen hasn’t completely ripped the poor man to shreds. She’s like taming a wild tiger when truly angry. Renee had that experience when some girl in high school betrayed her. Carmen was so consumed by anger, Renee had almost been hit.
He arrived about 5 minutes later in jeans and a wrinkled green t-shirt. He had a small scar on his arm that wasn’t there before and his face looked aggravated.
“Hey Androjo.”
He smiled slightly. That was Renée’s special nickname for him. “Hey, sis. Nice to see a smiling face for once today.”
“You look like you’ve been through a war.” They hugged.
“I have. And here’s the scar to prove it.” He pointed in the cut on his arm. “Carmen threw a glass at me while I was trying to subdue her. But once she saw it cut it me… snapped her right out of it.”
“They started walking into the restaurant. “What did she do when she realized that she hurt you?”
“She couldn’t stop crying for awhile. I reassured her everything was ok.” He sighed
“How much damage was done to the house?”
Drew pondered for a second. “Let’s see… the living room was totally trashed, a lot of plates that I didn’t care for at all were broken, and a couple glasses. The whole downstairs looked a lot like a war zone. But we cleaned a lot of it up.”
Silence ensued for a few moments as they waited for their table.
“Drew, I need to tell you something.”
“And what is that, my lovely sister in law?” Drew responded.
“My husband’s a total bonehead.” Renee whispered.
He laughed, for the first time that day. “I can agree with you on that one. Actually, you used much nicer terms than I would have.”
“Still mad at him, huh?”
“Especially after what I went through today. He and I are having a talk later.” They sat down at the table.
“Have you been to this place before, Drew?”
“No, actually. What’s good here?”
Renee scanned the menu. “It’s all Mexican, The fajitas are quite spicy but very good. The arroz con pollo is fine as well.”
Drew rose an eyebrow. “Translate?”
“Rice with chicken. I usually get a taco salad with chicken or beef if I feel like eating fat.”
“You are a dietetic eater. But you know you’ll start having to eat a little more.”
She nodded. “You know, I’ll probably get even more obsessed with eating healthy to make sure the baby is getting all the nutrients it needs. This is going to sound very shallow, but I don’t want to get fat!”
“Eh, you’re about three months now aren‘t you? Give it time. You’re going to have to gain because the child needs room to grow.”
“I know. I’m just not looking forward to that time of the pregnancy.”
The waitress came by and took their food and drink orders.
“So, what’s it been like living with Nickzilla the past week?”
“Not fun at all. He’s been a butthead and when I try to be nice or ask what’s wrong, he gets on my case. It boiled over when Carm’s movie commerical came on while we watched TV last night. He criticized her some more, and I had it. I yelled at him and walked away.”
“You did the right thing. He deserved it.”
“He did, but I felt bad afterwards. As flustered as I was, I couldn’t stay mad at him. I apologized to him and he told me would talk to me later. Then he gave me all the details of what made him snap over breakfast this morning, even though he didn’t exactly apologize of how he’s been behaving towards me.”
“You shouldn’t have, Ren. Be mean to him for once, give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“It’s not me to do that Drew. I don’t stay mad unless it’s something that really hurts me, like whats-her-name calling him again. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration…still, I’m flippin tired of this fiasco. I want my sweetheart Nick back!” She jabbed her fork into her beef taco salad.
“When you marry someone, you don’t just get the good qualities; you have the ugly ones to deal with as well. And unfortunately, Nick’s playing a Mr. Hyde act on you right now.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going that far. He’s an amazing man, as you know. He just let his anger and stubbornness get the best of him.”
Drew didn’t say anything. She could tell her sweetness was frustrating him because of what he felt.
“You’ll find it in your heart to forgive him, Drew. I know you will.”
“Has he had an attitude adjustment yet?”
“Well, it’s a step in the right direction. We talked about it over breakfast.”
“So, what’s made him such a jerk off the past few days?
Renee proceed to tell him all of the details Nick explained to her earlier.
He didn‘t answer for a moment. “Hmm, explains a lot. But I still don’t quite forgive him for going off on her like that.”
“I can see his point of view. Still, I think he could have handled it better.” She shrugged. “Beside the point, though. What do you think we should do to make sure our significant others patch up amends?”
“I’m not sure. They both have such strong personalities sometimes that we’d have to…” he trailed off.
“Lock them up in a room together and force them to talk.” She replied, as if to finish the sentence.
“Renee Lachey, you’re a genius. That’s what we have to do!” Drew exclaimed.
She chuckled, tugging at her sweater. “I wouldn’t go that far, Andrew.”
“We could try to get them over to your house.. Nah that won’t work.”
Renee thought for a few minutes. “How about you tell each of them something bad has happened, which will lead them to your house, and lock them in to talk it out.”
“I think that’ll do it. I tell you Ren, where do you get your ideas?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just smart like that.” She said with a slight chuckle and a shrug.
“I’ll tell Nick Isabella’s sick and I need his help, since he loves to spoil her.”
“And then you could tell Carmen you tripped and sprained your foot, some minor injury like that.”
“Gee thanks, Ren. You wanna cause me all the pain in the world?’ He said sarcastically.
“It’s just a suggestion.”
“I know, I’m just kidding ya. I think we got it now. Now we just need to execute this wonderful plan.”
“Tomorrow sometime, or tonight if possible?”
“Actually tonight might be good. I’ll go home, do a few things and then call them acting like some tragedy has happened. We need to meet beforehand to wait. Maybe you should leave at 7 or so and then come here, we’ll wait, our subjects will arrive and then we’ll lock them up and wait downstairs.”
“Sounds quite wonderful to me. Hopefully it won’t backfire on us.”
“It better not, or I’ll have a mental breakdown.”
She nodded. “Let’s hope you don’t, Drew, I’m sorry I laughed earlier. I’d forgotten how demanding Carmen was and I thought it was funny.”
He waved her off. “It’s fine. Just don’t tell her you did.”
“I don’t plan to, that‘s for sure. Is she mad at me?”
Drew looked at her quizzically. “You? Why would she get mad at you?”
“Because I took Nick’s side when this whole thing started.” She sipped her water.
“Naw, I think she’s so immersed in her anger for knucklehead that she forgot about it.”
“Good.”
“Thank you for meeting me today. I feel a little more sane now.”
“You’re welcome, hun. Hopefully life will improve for both of us after tonight.”
He nodded, talking a bite of his fajita. “I agree. I don’t want a repeat experience of this morning.”
“Don’t worry, those spells are few and far between. I only had to deal with it once, thankfully.”
“What happened?”
“An enemy of Carm’s in high school pissed her off… I don’t even remember what it was about. She destroyed all of her room and slammed me against the wall, hitting me a few times while I was trying to calm her down. It lasted an hour.”
“Ah, so Nick got two huh? He must be special.”
Renee gave a sarcastic chuckle. “I guess you could say that. Don’t you think you should check on her?”
“Probably so.” Drew signed the lunch bill and stood up.
“So, we’ll see each other at 7 for the plan to launch, right?”
“Exactly. “It’s been such an enjoyable lunch, though. I like spending time with just you, Renee.”
“I do, too, Drew. But just as friends.”
“Close friends.” They hugged. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Ok, I‘ll see you then.”
a7xnsl98d
03-07-07, 07:25 PM
It was good....let's see how their plan goes! :laugh:
Biondo Sorto
03-11-07, 12:04 AM
will add to this tomorrow! Sorry for the long wait!
Biondo Sorto
03-11-07, 06:14 PM
Chapter 10
Carmen pulled up to Drew’s house confused. She was concerned when she got the call that he needed her. It wasn’t like Drew to urgently call her when she was in the middle of a shoot. She sighed as she knocked on the door, and continued to knock on it when he didn’t answer after a couple of seconds.
“Hey, you got here fast. What was the…….hurry?”
Carmen pushed past him and looked around.
“Are you all right? Is Isabella all right?”
“We’re both fine. What’s wrong?”
“I got a message from my publicist that you needed me ASAP!” She yelled walking over to him and checking his temperature. He smiled and gave her a long hard kiss.
“What did you do that for? Are you sure you’re all right?” Carmen smiled up at him. He smiled back and answered,
“I’m fine right now but I won’t be in a couple of minutes.”
“Why not?” she asked. Just then his doorbell rang and Drew walked over to get it.
“What happened Drew? What’s going on, are you all right? Is Isabella all right?” Nick asked exasperated, running into the house.
“I’m fine.” Drew smiled, shutting the door.
“Then what’s up with the ASAP?” Nick asked confused. Drew nodded behind him and Nick turned around and groaned.
“You called me down here for her?” he asked. Carmen started to crack her knuckles and count to ten as Drew sighed.
“I called the both of you down here for the other. You guys were starting to get really close and now you barely care if the other dies.”
“It’d do the world a lot of good.” Carmen mumbled. Nick shot her a look as Drew sighed.
“Listen, me and Renee are the ones suffering for the hate between the two of you. Now Renee is outside with Isabella so I’m going to leave the apartment and hang out with them. Hopefully you’re not both dead when we return.”
Drew walked out the apartment and shut the door. Carmen looked at Nick who looked back at her.
“So now what?” Nick asked. Carmen looked at him, sighed, and then took a seat on one of Drew’s stools.
“We sit here for an hour not talking to each other.”
Nick looked at her and started to furrow his brows.
“You’re not even going to try to fix it?”
“Me?! Me? You’re the one who started all of this!”
“I just commented on one little thing.”
“You made a rude comment about an assumption that I’m not.”
“Well I didn’t mean to offend you but it’s a stated fact that most Hollywood-“
“No your bimbo ***** of an ex-wife may have been that way but I don’t let the glitz get to my head. I’ve just a habit of being fashionably late.”
“Right.” He smirked and Carmen slammed her fist on the counter.
“You see! You make all these assumptions about me and then you wonder why I treat you like an ass!”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have stolen my brother from Lea.”
Carmen stared at him flabbergasted.
“What?” she asked confused.
“I’m just saying….”
“I didn’t steal Drew from Lea. Drew had just broken up with her when we started seeing each other.”
“Sure and walking down the red carpet with Paul happened to be coincidental as well.”
“As coincidental as going on tour with your ex-wife! Paul asked and I agreed but both Drew and me sorted that out. You didn’t even consult with your fiancée about going on tour with Jessica. You didn’t even tell her!”
“I didn’t know how!”
“How could you not know how? Its called being frank honest with the person you love you dumb ass!”
“And then have a lot of un-necessary drama arise?”
“It was going to arise regardless of what you tried to avoid. In fact, if you would have told her from the get go then you probably could have avoided a lot of the things that did happen.”
“Well you’re not perfect yourself. Steal Drew from the love of his life and then sleep with your ex-boyfriend all because your mother and father had-“
Carmen walked up to him and socked him in the face. Nick, who was still surprised at the blow started to rub his mouth and was surprised to find blood on his upper lip. Carmen walked away from him and headed toward the den of the small town home. Nick sighed. He knew he hit a raw spot. He hadn’t meant to. He was just scared for his brother. He walked to the den where he saw Carmen sitting in the middle of room, glancing out the patio door.
“Hey Carmen.”
“There’s nothing else that needs to be discussed between you and me.” Carmen shot at him over her shoulder. Nick sighed as he walked toward her.
“I want to apologize.”
“For what? Being an inconsiderate ass hole, or a jerk off? Your pick.”
“Both.”
Carmen looked over at him surprised.
“What?”
Nick took a seat beside her and started to look out the window.
“I didn’t have to go off and say all those things about you. And I sure had no right to say that last comment.”
Carmen looked at him, then back out the window.
“Yeah, you didn’t. But that whole Drew and Lea one…that one I may have deserved. I mean, is that how everyone else feels? That I stole Drew from Lea? I know they were high school sweethearts. It’s a wonder she even tolerates me.”
Nick chuckled at her last comment but shook his head.
“No one feels that way.”
“Honestly Nick?”
Nick looked at her and bit his bottom lip and sighed.
“There are some people in the family-“
“I knew it.” Carmen said, hiding her face in her hands.
“But they don’t hate you? It’s just; we’re so used to seeing Drew and Lea together. And now they have a child together and all their dreams are coming true…” he drifted off when he started to see Carmen’s shoulders move in slow motions. It was then he realized she was crying.
“Carmen….are you? I didn’t mean too…?” He started to rub her back and Carmen cried harder.
“What am I kidding myself? There’s no way I can replace Lea. I don’t even know why I even bothered in the first place.”
This time Nick circled her in for a hug and Carmen clung on to him.
“You bothered because you love him. And he loves you. I know it’s hard to hear me say that seeing as the way I treated you but it’s the truth. Drew never acted the way he does when he was with Lea. And I’m sorry I was so hard on you. I just didn’t want Drew to give all his heart to a relationship and get burned like I did. It’s happened with us celebrities…” this time he drifted off and Carmen looked up at him.
“I understood Nick. I just don’t know why you saw it in me.”
“Well, though I hate to admit it, you are one hell of an actress and you’re getting all this attention…I just didn’t want you to change.”
“I wouldn’t have. I’ve seen what happens when you hit the big time…” This time she drifted off and Nick softly said,
“Paul?”
“Yeah.” She said softly.
Nick debated against asking but curiosity won the best of him.
“I heard about the engagement.”
Carmen looked up at him confused and finally whispered,
“Who told you about our engagement?”
“I guess a friend of Paul’s spilled the beans. I found it on an old, old, old message board. It was talking about you two and some girl named Melanie B. talked about an engagement. People assumed it was a rumor because you never went through with it.”
“Melanie is Meadow’s, Paul’s daughter, mother and Paul’s ex-girlfriend. She wasn’t keen on the two of us together. That makes some kind of sense, retaliating. I told Paul not to tell anyone.”
“So it really is true.”
“Yeah.”
“Does Drew know?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I haven’t even told Renee. No one knows with the exception of close family, and friends at the time. I didn’t want anyone to know. It was too much to deal with him getting super famous and all. He changed and….it was a part of my life I didn’t want to ever discuss.”
“But an engagement. That’s not something you can simply brush aside. Obviously there was something or you wouldn’t have said yes.”
“Yeah…..but with Paul…..”She drifted again as she rested her head on his chest. There was a sudden comfort-ness and Nick was glad that she was starting to trust him again.
“I understand.” He said after a while.
“Will you promise not to tell Drew? Or Renee. I just……I don’t want to have to explain that. Not now.”
Nick tensed up. He wasn’t one to keep secrets from his family, especially Drew and Renee. Carmen felt him tense and looked up.
“I’m going to tell them but I don’t know when. I rather be the one to tell them though instead of them hearing it from an outside source. Then I can fully explain the whole situation. I just can’t deal with that on top of the other things at the moment.”
Nick sighed and looked down at her.
“All right I promise.”
Carmen smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thanks Nick. You know on your wedding rehearsal night...I wasn’t lying when I said Renee found herself a good man.”
“Aww, you’re not too bad yourself Carm.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. They both sat back looking out the window when they both heard,
“Get off my woman Nick.”
They both turned around to see Drew, Isabella, and Renee standing at the door way. Carmen smiled and got up as Nick started to blush.
“Leave them alone Drew. They were actually getting along.”
“I don’t recall having sex on the list of ways on getting along.” Drew frowned. Carmen laughed as she wrapped her arms around Drew.
“There are only two men I truly love in life Drew and they are my dear brother and you. Nick was comforting me because he made me cry and we never really pulled away from each other and you happened to walk in.”
Drew looked from Carmen to Nick who was cuddling with Renee. Then he looked toward Carmen and handed her Isabella.
“So you made my woman cry and then you tried to make a move on her?” he asked, advancing on his older brother.
“Isn’t your daddy just a silly thing? Such a knight in shining armor. Speaking of armor, I think we need to change your diappy, someone made a little poppsy.” Carmen said, playing with Isabella and walking out the room.
“I don’t understand how that woman can handle a baby but she freaks out if she doesn’t have her credit card when we go shopping.” Renee muttered confused, following Carmen out the room. Drew looked from the door way back to Nick.
“You really weren’t putting the moves on my woman were you?”
Nick smiled and raised a brow.
“And if I was?”
“Nick, don’t push it…” Drew began rolling up his sleeves and walking toward him again.
Nick laughed and put his hands up. The fire in Drew’s eyes could kill a city if God allowed it.
“I wasn’t. I did, sadly on my part, make her cry and went to comfort her after I realized the cruelty of my words.”
“What did you say?”
Nick sighed.
“I just happened to mention you and Lea….”
“Nick. I should punch you for the hell of it.”
“I didn’t know it was such a sensitive subject.”
“It’s just like Renee and Jessica.”
Nick frowned.
“I see your point.”
“Yeah, but you also never had to deal with a baby on top of everything else. It isn’t a fun equation Nick.”
“I know and I’m sorry. Anyways I gave her a hug and we just started talking and I guess we forgot we were hugging and then you walked in.”
“Oh,” Drew said relaxing and giving him a smile.
“That over protective eh?”
“I just….I don’t even know.” Drew sighed taking a seat on the couch. Nick smiled and took a seta beside him.
“Its called love. Hey, I have an idea.”
“What?”
“Last night me and Renee were talking about going up to Radium Hot Spring, Canada to relax and unwind. Why don’t you and Carmen go with us.”
“I don’t know….” Drew began.
“Why not?”
“Well, me and Carmen haven’t hung around each other in a while.”
“Why?”
“Personal reasons.”
“I see.”
“And what about Isabella. Lea would never go about me not taking her.”
“So bring her along.”
“Lea wouldn’t go for that either.”
“Then I’ll talk to her.”
“Then mom won’t-“
“And mom. Relax, okay.”
“All right.”
The girls walked back in with a smiling Isabella and Carmen asked,
“So, who’s up for dinner?”

When they were all done, Carmen laid contently in Drew’s arms, softly swaying Isabella asleep.
“Hey babe.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. For today that is.”
He chuckled and shook his head.
“It was nothing Carm.”
Superstar
03-11-07, 07:44 PM
:wondering: Oh, Carmen better tell Drew!
Great Post:)
Kristen07
03-11-07, 08:19 PM
Yayyyyy :) Newness! I hope Drew tells Carmen about the engagement. Awwwww on the make up scene :)
Kristen07
04-29-07, 08:33 PM
Whoa.... this thread hasn't been posted in since March! I'm sorry for the long wait y'all, it's been hectic with school trying to find time to write. Thanks for your patience and please enjoy this next chapter :)

Chapter 11

Nick and Renee walked into their mansion, hand and hand.
So, how was the talk? Do you feel better now?
He nodded. It was good. Unfortunately, I made her cry and comforted her while she vented. I guess we lost track where we were. You took the hug better than Drew did.
She shrugged. I knew you were being a friend to her. What was I supposed to do, get all paranoid again?
No, I just noticed. Drews still mad at me, though. He almost hit me.
Hell come around, dont worry. She told him, smiling.
Wait a minute were you in on this? He looked over at her.
In on what? She asked innocently.
The reunion plan.
She shook her head. No
Are you sure? Your face is telling me otherwise He teased, trying to envelop her in his arms.
Maybe I did, maybe I didnt. Renee tried her best to keep a straight face and stay away from her husband, but it wasnt working so well.
You so did, babe. I know you too well.
She turned to face him. Ok, I did He called me this morning while Carmen was screaming and on her anger rampage. Then we went to lunch and planned the whole thing out.
He raised his eyebrow. Oh, so he also called to talk to you, huh?
Yep. If you answered, he probably would of cussed you out.
Thats a fact. He paused. Thank you for arranging it. It took away all the animosity between Carm and I.
Im glad. A slight jealous pang stung at her heart. Now relations between her friend and her husband were fixed. But evidently she wasnt going to get the apology she wanted. She turned away from him and began walking up the stairs.
Nick, realizing what she felt, followed her and took her hand in his. But I owe someone one more apology.
Renees heart lifted. To who?
You. He said, putting his hands on her waist. Im sorry Ive been such a jerk to you the past few days. I tried to protect you from my anger but failed miserably. Im sorry this whole thing started. Will you forgive me?
Renee pondered this. Yes, she was still a little irritated for his behavior, but now hed apologized. And as she told Drew this afternoon, she didnt stay mad at someone unless theyd committed a severe crime against her. She turned to face him. I do. Her tone was soft.
How did I end up with a wife like you? Nick put his arms around her and buried his face in her shoulder.
Because youre a wonderful man and a true sweetheart. But everyone makes mistakes. It doesnt mean I dont love you any less. She kissed the top of his head.
I love you Ren
I love you too. She kissed him again on top of his lips and smiled. Now how about we go show each other how much by making love till the sun comes up
He answered with a frisky grin of his own, picking her up and taking her up the stairs to their bedroom. Im already two steps ahead of you baby.

The sunlight peeked through window upon the couple as Renee awoke the next morning. What a beautiful day. She looked at her husband, who soundly slept next to her with his arm around her. He looked angelic, and she could hear his gentle breathing. It was simple moments like these Renee adored most about being married. How do I deserve to wake up in this mans arms every day? Lord, thank you for bringing Nick into my life. You have blessed me extravagantly with a relationship I feel I dont deserve. I love you Lord and please keep directing my life according to Your Plan. Amen. She kissed him on the forehead before slyly slipping out.

A few minutes later, she journeyed down to the kitchen. Im in a cooking mood again. Lets surprise him again with breakfast. She wandered around, looking to see what the cabinets had to offer. She wasnt sure there was anything interesting. Finally she thought she found something when the house phone rang.

Hello? she answered while getting out eggs, sausage and hash browns.

Hola Renee. Com estas? (Hi Renee. How are you?)

Renee smiled at Carmens Spanish accent and replied back, Bien gracias. Y t? (Good, thank you. And you?)

Muy bien. De hecho, su fue muy bueno. Cmo es Nicholas (Good. In fact, it was very good. How is Nicholas?)

Muy bien. (Very good)

Ah, excellente. Cualquier planes por el da? Quiero tratarle almorzar. (Ah, excellent. Do you have any plans for the day? I want to treat you to lunch.)

No, ningunos planes. Lo termina t con el espaol o soy tendr que a? (No, no plans. Are you done with the Spanish or am I going to have to do that?)

Y no respeta mi herencia? Nunca! (And disrespect my heredity? Never!)

Ah, Senorita Carmen! You never learn, do you?

No hago. (No I dont)

Renee laughed and shook her head. Im good in Spanish, Carm but not that good. You have that certain spitfire that I could never grasp.

Its the deep accent, Carmens accent became even deeper. I was always talented when it came to ze accents.

Sure, whatever. So what are you craving?

Sushi!

Arent we spanning the cultures today?

Drew wants to take Isabella out and I dont want to be the third wheel. Besides, whens the last time we had a decent meal?

Hmm you mean by ourselves? Its been awhile!

Yep. I shall see you at 1:30 at Kikis?

Sounds like a lunch to me. See you then, hun.

Ok love. Renee hung up and opened the egg carton, humming a random tune. Today was going to be a good day. She felt good for the first time in a week, her husband finally lifted his gloomy mood, and she and Carmen would have lunch later and hopefully agree to the upcoming Canada trip. Wow, Im so happy this morning I could dance around the kitchen. But I cant because breakfast will burn. She cracked an egg and let it fall into the pan.
She cooked all the food carefully. By the time she was almost done, Nick hadnt come down yet. Hes being a sleepyhead this morning. Maybe I should go wake him up.
But as if on cue, she heard his footsteps coming towards the kitchen. Something good is cooking in here.
What do you mean, me or the food? She teased.
How about both? He stood behind her.
She turned off the stove. You should be thankful you have a wife who likes to cook for you.
Now did I say that I wasnt? He put his arms around her.
No
Then why imply it? Im thankful for every characteristic you have, not just your cooking. He kissed her cheek.
I was kidding, I know you are. She turned to face him and then they met lips for a minute.

The meal was relatively uneventful. The couple talked about small things with a joke or two thrown in the mix.
After cleanup, Nick asked her, So do you have any plans for this fine day?
Well, Carm invited me to lunch.
Oh good. Are you going to suggest the trip idea to her?
Yep. Shell probably be more agreeable to it. Did you mention it to Drew?
I did, but we still are on testy waters. If you pass it on to her, she can probably convince him to go.
Sounds like a good idea. We always do the pass the message along thing, dont we? Not always. But probably more than necessary. He paused, his face falling. So, that means youre leaving soon?
Not till 1or so. She told me 1:30. So you have me for a little while and then when I get back, honey.
Thats fine. Would you mind joining me in the shower? He winked.
Mind? She raised her eyebrow. What kind of question is that? Id love too.
Do you want carried like last night?
She shook her head. Not this time. Come, lets get wet and sexy.
Absolutely.

The shower session ended up getting very steamy. A few innocent kisses turned into going all the way. Renee almost slipped but Nick was able to catch her. This misstep didnt ruin the mood at all. She found that shower sex was even steamier in some ways than just going at it in the bed because of standing up and water pouring and oozing all over them. Yet she enjoyed it just as much.

After that, Renee walked into the walk-in closet to look for something to wear. The closet was about 2,000 cubic feet but clothes between them filled up not even half of the space. Renee liked clothes but she didnt have to buy everything in sight that she liked.
She rummaged through the clothes, rejecting several choices before deciding on a vintage black and white floral print sundress that she hadnt worn yet and a black shrug to cover her shoulders and arms. She applied minimal make up and left her hair straight. Wow, I do actually look cute today. Lets go find Nicky and cuddle before leaving.

She found him sitting on the back patio, sitting in silence and gazing out at the spring scenery. He looked up at her and whistled. Woo, look at that little baby with a sundress on!
Oh, trying to pull a Justin Timberlake impression on me, Mousier Lachey? She inquired her eyebrow raised and putting emphasis on the last syllable of his name.
Failing miserably at it too. But seriously will you come sit on my lap? He replied, taking her hands in his.
She decided to play a little game with him. Not after that pick up line you just pulled on me.
Did I offend you? I didnt mean to
No She stated innocently. But its enough for me to want to stand up a little more.
Oh, I see how you are now. You dont want to sit with me anymore.
I didnt mean that at all. I just want to look at you right now.
Come on baby, please? We havent gotten that much time being romantic He got up the puppy dog eyes and lips formed in a pout. She loved it when he made that face; there was something very boyishly cute about it. Those baby blues could make her melt anytime.
Oh Nicky, how can I resist you? She turned out and sit down on his lap.
I dont know. Evidently you cant because that look works every time.
The majority of the time, yes. I find everything about you to be so irresistible though because I married you.
Youve got that addictive quality too. Its a drug I need to live on. Though I dont deserve the love you give me. If I didnt have you, Ren He sighed, drifting off and shaking his head.
Dont even think about that, baby. I love you with all my soul; I intend to be with you with eternity because you bring out the best in me. Youre the epitome of what a husband should be. She placed her hand on his cheek, looking straight into his eyes.
I love you, too, Renee. I cherish every moment weve shared together and will continue to share. They kissed softly for a minute.
Please dont be sad honey. This is going to be a good day.
He nodded. I know. It was just a moment. Im over it now.

The next few hours flew by all too quickly for the couple. They hung around the house, enjoying each others company and the fact that life was good at the moment. Now Rene had to leave to meet Carmen for lunch.
Well, I need to go see Carm now. She said.
Nicks face fell again. So soon?
Yes, Nick.
Why dont you stay here with me? Nick asked, taking her into his arms.
She was half tempted to; Nicks touch was arousing her slightly. I already promised her I would meet her. I promise I wont be than a few hours
Nick half snorted. Knowing how long you two talk? Thats not likely.
I will hurry this time! I promise
Promise?
Its a promise, Nicky. They kissed.
He chuckled. Ok, Ill really hold you to it since we kissed on it.
She smiled. I wont break it. May I go now?
He playfully sighed. I suppose Ill let you. I love you, Renee.
I love you too, Nick. They kissed again. Ill see you in a little bit, ok?
Ok, remember your promise! He let her go.
I will, baby! She walked down the few brick steps, heading towards her car. She turned around and blew him a kiss. He blew one back at her. She got in and started it up. 1:10. Crud, she might be a little bit late. She tried calling Carmens cell to see if she would answer, but she didnt.. She left a message before pulling out of the garage.

Renee arrived at the restaurant at half past one on the dot. Hopefully Carmen wouldnt be too irritated with her. She didnt like anyone being late.
She spotted her vivacious friend in a booth towards the restaurant window. Carmen waved to her and she walked up to the booth. Lo siento! Mi esposa wouldnt let me leave the house! (Im sorry! My husband)
Carmen waved her hand. Psh, dont worry about the time, youre fine. What was he doing?
Kept kissing me and trying to get me to stay. I told him Id already made plans with you. But I promised him I would only be a few hours.
Define a few
They both laughed. Youve got a point there, Carm.
Anyway, you look quite gorgeous today. Did you do anything different to your looks?
She shook her head. Not at all. I just did what I always do. I fail in comparison to you though.
Carmen looked down at her emerald halter top and tan gauchos. Psh, you be quiet dumbo! Youre one of the most gorgeous individuals I know, inside and out. Dont tell yourself any different. That dress really suits you.
Thank you. I just randomly picked it out. How did the talk go for you yesterday?
Well, as you witnessed, it went pretty well. At first I was still blinded by anger and I told him I didnt want to ever talk to him again because there was nothing else to talk about. Then he apologized and we talked things over.
It was probably hard for him to get to you, though.
She nodded. I kept my guard up for a bit. I said maybe I deserved his accusation of me stealing Drew away. He told me how the familys used to seeing Lea and Drew together, and Isabellas now making their dreams coming true. That comment made me start to cry.
I heard about that.
I know he didnt mean to hurt me. Just the thought devastated me, though. I didnt want people to think of me as a stealer. Finally though I clung to him and realized there was no reason for me not to trust him. I also told him something that Ive kept pretty secret.
She raised her eyebrow. What brought that on?
He admitted with my talent and the media attention circling around, he didnt want me to change like Jessica did. I told him I wouldnt because Id already experienced it with Paul. She sighed, gazing at the sushi in front of her. I was engaged to be married to him.
Renees jaw dropped. I didnt know that.
Its a period of my life I just rather forget about, Ren. His ego got too big, started flirting a lot of girls and partying more than he used to. Granted, I like to party but not as much as he did. He was more interested more interested in the Hollywood lifestyle than me.
Was this after you accepted?
Carmen didnt answer for a moment. Yes. Gosh, It was painful. I didnt understand and couldnt place what made him do it. But fame is powerful, Ren. It can screw up even the best of people. Paul was a wonderful boyfriend for the year that we were together.
What was the last straw?
I remember he came back to my apartment one night, drunk out of his mind. He confessed to cheating, and I screamed at him. I screamed about everything that had happened in the months previous. And I packed my bags up and left him. Didnt see him again until he entered our lives again last year.
Does Drew know about this?
She shook her head wordlessly.
Carm! He needs to! Why did you keep it a secret from him?
Well, its the same rationale you used when not telling Nick about the Bryan episode. It wasnt bothering me now and it was in the past, so why talk about it now?
Promise me youll tell him.
I promise Ren, dont worry about it, ok?
Ok. She tossed her hair over her shoulder. Are you working much soon?
Theres a few things I could throw out on the top of my head, why?
Nick came up with this idea that maybe the four of us need to take a vacation together. To relax and get to know each other even better so we wont be so quick to judge.
That was mostly him doing that. Where do you want to go?
This place called Radium Hot Spring in Canada. We could get a condo together there.
Is there a lot to do?
There's golf, skiing, shopping, fishing, hiking... a lot of fun stuff.
Sounds like a good idea. Id love to, Canada is a cool place to go to. But theres one thing. What should we do about Isabella?
You can bring her along if you want. I know it must not be easy traveling with a baby but shes more than welcome to come along.
Well consider it. Im totally game but Drew I have absolutely no clue.
You can probably convince him a heck of a lot better than either me or Nick.
She laughed. I will definitely say so. When do we leave?
In about a week and a half, and well be gone for two weeks.
Are there any reservations?
Not yet. Its on the list of tasks to be done.
Im in. Hopefully Drew will be too. Dont worry about it, hun. Ill talk to him.
Hell come around. Drew doesnt seem like someone to hate someone for too long. But when we had lunch yesterday, he tensed up every time I mentioned his name and acted pretty mean. Nick said he almost hit him.
Ill work on him, dont worry.
In which way? She teased.
Carmen gasped. Shut up Renee Serena! You know I will remain pure till the ring is put on my finger. Ive never even heard anything sexual in nature come out of your mouth! She paused. Did you get laid last night?
Maybe I did, maybe I didnt! Why would you want to know?
Youre not a overtly sexual person and never comment on this kind of thing.
Its not that; its just Nicks the only person to see that side of me to come out.
Uh huh, girl you definitely got the nookie last night. Theres no other way you would say that.
Yeah, I did. Hey, Im full of surprises. I can make comments just like everyone else, right?
She nodded and chuckled. Its just unexpected, thats all. But thats ok. I love you anyway.
Well, I think Im going to go home to my husband. I did promise him I wouldnt be long.
And engage in some more hanky panky? Carmen teased back.
Thats up to your imagination. She winked.
Carmen laughed again. Ill talk to you later, sweetie. They hugged.
Ok, love.
a7xnsl98d
04-30-07, 08:41 AM
Thanks! Great job, gals!:D
Biondo Sorto
06-28-07, 03:48 PM
*Finally, an add!

Chapter 12
Once Renee and Carmen were done with lunch, Carmen immediately drove home. From there she started to arrange the seating for the wedding and was debating where to place some of Drews family when the doorbell rang. She sighed as she threw down her pin, raising her glasses and rubbing her eyes. She smiled one she saw that it was Drew and Isabella.
We thought wed drop by to see how the lovely bride to be was doing.
Carmen smiled as she took Isabella from him, gently placing a kiss on his cheek.
The lovely bride to be is doing quite well. How are you?
Fine, now that Im here with you.
Carmen gave him a quick smile over her shoulder before taking her seat on the floor and looking at the chart again.
What are you doing? he asked, sitting on the couch behind her and rubbing her shoulders.
Trying to figure out where to place your aunts and uncles.
She frowned again before Drew took a seat beside her, picking up a pen and looking over the chart.
You got it down so far. Mind if I finish it up.
Nope, go on ahead.
She said standing up and walking toward the back of the house. Over her shoulder she announced,
Whatever you fed Sbella earlier is starting to smell.
Drew smiled as he looked over the chart, and then finally started replacing the left over names. By the time he was done, Carmen was walking back into the room bouncing a restless Isabella.
Do you think you can make a bottle? She asked once she realized that she had grabbed his attention. He smiled and nodded and walked toward the kitchen. Isabella was crying loudly by the time he returned.
Thanks luv. She smiled, taking the bottle with her freehand and gently placing it into Isabellas mouth. The baby quickly silenced and Drew smiled, shaking his head.
What?
You know, for never having a kid, youre pretty good at this baby stuff.
Carmen shrugged.
I had a ton of baby cousins when I was little. Me and Pablo were always stuck taking care of them.
Pablo?
Uh huh. Hes just as good with a baby as I am.
Huh.
There was silence and finally Carmen asked,
Drew.are you doing anything within the next following weeks.
Nothing too important. Spending time with Isabella and you mostly. Why?
WellI was thinking.and perhaps, maybe, we could got to Canada. For like a vacation. All three of us.
Huh. He raised a brow as Carmen continued, softly taking the bottle out of Isabellas mouth and rocking her back and forth.
Perhaps, possibly, maybe, we can even got with you knowRenee and Nick.
No.
It was a fast brisk answer.
Drew!
I dont want to spend time with him. None at all.
Why?
Because..he upset me a great deal.
And he apologized for that.
It still isnt enough.
It should be!
Well, it isnt.
He is your brother Drew. And you know what, if you dont go, I will not speak to you. At all.
Carmen-
Now I must put Isabella to bed.
She got up and walked toward the back of the house. Drew sighed, leaning his head back. A vacation with anyone beside Nick sounded idyllic. Nick always brought problems with him and that was the least thing he wanted to deal with at the moment. Carmen walked back to the room and picked up her chart, clearing away everything silently.
Carmen.
More silence. Finally Drew sighed.
Do you really want to go?
Carmen walked out of the room and toward the kitchen.
Gah! Why does she have to make everything so difficult?
He got up and followed her toward the kitchen where she was preparing a sandwich.
Well go. He sighed after a while.
Carmen looked up and raised a brow.
Well go. Ill talk to Nick about it.
Carmen smiled as she ran to him and jumped into his arms.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! This means so much to me! So, well be leaving a week and a half from now and we need to go shopping, and we need to figure out what we can bring for Isabella, and gah, I need to pack and- she was silenced by Drews lips and smiled once she pulled away.
What was that for? she smiled deeply.
For being wonderfully you.
Oh, Carmen knit her eyebrows together.
I was rambling again huh?
Uh huh. Its all right though.
Carmen nodded and then jumped down from him.
I need to call Renee. Theres so much to do!
She ran out of the room and Drew sighed, taking his cell phone out himself.

Howd you do it? Renee asked a week and a half later, as they sat at her house, waiting for Nick and Drew to finish loading the car.
Do what? Carmen asked, playing with Drews hat, before putting it on top of her head.
Get Nick and Drew to talk. Well, yeah.
Carmen shrugged her shoulders as she softly rocked Isabella in her carrier.
I got a way with words.
Renee raised a brow and Carmen laughed.
You know me Ren. If I want something, Ill make sure as hell that I get it.
Renee laughed and nodded.
Well Nick thanks you. Even though Drew only talks to him about the trip, its defiantly a start.
I suppose. Carmen said before Nick walked in.
You girls ready?
Renee nodded as Carmen bent down to pick up Isabella.
Do you know where her bag is? Carmen asked Nick as they started to walk outside.
Uh, I think Drew grabbed it.
Cool. Carmen said, walking toward the black SUV as Drew pulled out.
You want me to strap her in?
Sure. I need to go and find my purse.
Drew nodded and took Isabella as Carmen went back inside. Once they were all sure they had everything, they headed off.
The car ride was awkwardly silent. Carmen was playing with Isabella, Renee was doing a crossword puzzle, Drew had started to look over the pamphlet for their hotel and Nick was driving. By the time they were halfway at the airport; Carmen looked at Renee and sighed.
I cant do this anymore! she yelled, leaning over in her seat and turning on the radio. She flipped through a couple of stations and finally stopped at an old Santana song.
She started to hum the rest of the lyrics to the old when the radio caster came back on.
That was Santana in Smooth. Will be with you in a short while with some *****cat Dolls, Beyonce, and Britney Spears after this brief message-
Aye, no! Carmen said, leaning over again and flipping through stations. She stopped short when she found a familiar song and she softly started singing the lyrics to it. Drew raised a brow, turning around to look at her and Carmen raised her eyebrows.
What?
Give Me Just One Night?
Nick answered for him, looking at her briefly through the rear view mirror.
I like it, okay. And the silence is driving me crazy.
Ok. They both said in unison, return their attention back to what they were doing.
She softly started singing the lyrics to the song again, half to herself, half to Isabella. In the midst of the second verse, Renee caught on with her.
Your eyes of passion make me crazy.Your existence makes me wild, I wanna loose up your feelings, And see whats hiding inside
Carmen laughed as they both jumped into the chorus, jumping and dancing around in their seatbelts. By the time the interlude, Carmen bust out in sexy Spanish with Renee and Isabella giggling in the background. This diverted Drew from what he was reading to the back seat. There he saw Carmen finish up her sexy Spanish and both Renee and her jump into,
Give me just one, uno noche! Ill give you the time of your life.
After he got over his dazed confusion, he nudged Nick who looked toward him. Drew only pointed to the backseat where both Renee and Carmen were putting their last finishing touches to the song, now screaming at the top of their lungs and moving around crazily. Isabella was too screeching and all three bust into a fit of laughter once the song was over. Nick quickly turned off the radio and was still looking at them in amazement when Renee asked,
What?
What kind of teen concert? Drew asked, still raising his eyebrows and shaking his head.
We were bored and tired of the awkward silence. I happen to like to dance around in my underwear to that song, but I suppose the backseat of the car will do. Carmen stated matter of factly.
I really didnt want to know that. Nick said finally.
We can sing more songs, oh, I know, The Way You Want Me Too. Renee said, already starting to hum to the song.
I love that song.
Me too. Renee said.
No more music. No more singing. I cant deal with the teeny boppy stuff this early in the morning. Drew was shaking his head as he looked over at Nick who was rolling his eyes.
Perhaps when you were in a more suitable place. Like your house, in your underwear. He said.
Carmen and Renee gave him a look and he returned his eyes to the front.
Sheesh, forget I mentioned it.
Superstar
06-28-07, 08:57 PM
ohhh....I like the add!!! Can't wait for more:)