ate: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 10:00:45 -0500
Open Arms
Chapter 11
Warning: I do not know, nor have I ever known any of the Backstreet Boys or any other celebrity character contained within this story and thus I do not mean to imply anything about their sexual orientations, or lives in general. This is simply a work coming from my imagination, and I'd expect it to be taken as such. If you are in any way offended by homosexual romances and/or sex, or if you are not of legal age to be reading this, please do not continue.
A Note before reading this chapter- I deeply appreciate those of you who have continued to email me, wondering if I would ever continue Open Arms, and expressing your desire to see more. I just want to mention before I get to the newest chapters, that parts 1 to 10 were written well over a year ago, when they were originally posted. While I am finally ready and able to continue the series, time has passed not only in the Backstreet Universe but also in my own personal universe, so some writing styles/chronological details may seem just a little off (though I've tried my best to make sure that's not the case). I am working to correct it, so please bare with me, as the story will be going through a transitional period at the same time that the plot line will finally be moving forward- on a regular basis.
So now without further ado, I present you with the next chapter of Open Arms.
-Carter (nicksxtacy@sympatico.ca)
Open Arms: Chapter 11
The beating rain continued to pound against the roof while the unceasing , pouring water shattered the usually peaceful and calm surface of the ocean. Inside the house, no indication of nature's chaos could be detected, except for the muffled, rhythmic sound of the rain hitting the windows of the living room.
The large, plush chairs stood unoccupied as the blond young man lay comfortably on the lush, white carpet, his back leaning against the sofa, his legs spread before him. An oversized, soft white sweatshirt hugged the Adonis' well-defined chest and caressed his arms, giving but a slight indication of the muscles held beneath. A slightly older, but smaller man lay between Nick's jean-clad legs with his back resting against Nick's chest. As Nick's chest rose and fell with every breath, Brian could feel the strength and power beneath him as he sighed in complete happiness. Nick's head nuzzled against Brian's shoulder as their cheeks gently rubbed against each others; each one relishing the touch of their lover and feeling more loved than ever before. Nick's arms were wrapped around Brian's smaller body, cradling the baby that Brian held snuggled to his own chest.
The image that was presented to anyone who could have looked down upon the three was that of a perfect, happy family. Nick Carter lovingly holding both his husband and his son. Brian Littrell-Carter, fitting like a puzzle piece between the two loves of his life; his caring, sweet, tender Angel of a husband, Nick and his young, innocent and pure Angel of a son, Sebastian Daniel Carter. Sebastian's face carried a serene smile, because even at his tender age, he knew that the moment was perfect. Although his young body had yet to know countless sensations, he knew that the feeling of safety and love that he received from his two fathers was very special, heavenly.
As Nick began to sing, Sebastian felt the two bodies beneath him melt even closer together. His bright blue eyes mirrored Nick's so perfectly, it was impossible to not believe they were fate's gift to one another. Sebastian's tiny fingers wrapped delicately around his daddy's finger, causing Brian to smile as he felt his son's light grip on his hand. Brian watched Sebastian's eyes close as Nick's beautiful voice managed to once again, soothe their perfect child to sleep. As Nick stopped singing, he leaned forward and gently kissed his son's forehead, saying a silent prayer for the protection of his son and husband. Before straightening to his original position, Nick's lips found his husband's and they connected sweetly, as they had so many times before. The feeling within each of the three was that of supreme contentment and harmony. As the kiss ended, the loving couple returned to their snug positions as they gazed down upon their son, the one thing that had become the symbol of their eternal bond as a family.
Brian listened to the sound of his husband's heart, and as he felt the soft, even breaths of his son, he drifted slowly to sleep. Right before he slipped into unconsciousness, he heard Nick's voice, barely above a whisper, but just loud enough to touch Brian's heart, without waking their child. The words caused Brian's heart to flutter, and he fell in love, for the first time, all over again... The soft words penetrated his soul and invaded his very being, "... and when I wake up to, the touch of your head on my shoulder, you're my dream come through." As they all drifted into the deepest, most peaceful rest they had even known, the last thought on each of their minds was that they had achieved a special, heavenly, unparalleled happiness, that could only come when three hearts finally beat as one.
The roaring thunder caused Brian to sit up with a start. Instinctively, he tightened his grip around the child between his arms, and looked down to see if the child had been disturbed. As Brian looked down, he saw nothing but a pillow hugged tightly to his chest. Disoriented, Brian looked behind him, expecting to find Nick's warm body, but instead, he found only the couch that he had been leaned against. As suddenly as he had woken up, Brian realised that the perfect image in his head was just the remains of yet another dream. But why could he feel the warmth of Nick's arms around him? Was it really just the heat emanating from the fireplace? And the tune that Nick had been singing still resonating through his mind, nothing but a CD quietly playing in the background. But strangest of all, Brian could still feel Nick's lips upon his, and taste the sweetness that was Nick's kiss.
Brian stood and shook the sights, sounds and tastes that had seemed so real from his mind and set about getting ready for his trip to New York. As Brian tried to concentrate on the things that he still had to do, he was far too distracted and was not able to keep the dream from haunting him. Instead of packing, as Brian knew he should be doing, he grabbed a notebook and pen and sat down on the couch. He couldn't quite explain how he was feeling, yet the words to a song kept coming to his mind. As the pen met the paper the lyrics flowed as if they were from some song Brian had heard before, yet they weren't. Once all the words had been transcribed, Brian read them over once to himself and smiled. They truly were beautiful and perfect. Brian tore the sheet of paper from the notebook and placed it in his pocket. Never had be written a song that he felt depicted exactly how he felt. Feeling a sense of contentment, Brian picked up the phone and called Chris in New York.
"Hello?" Chris answered quietly after the first ring, almost whispering.
"Hey Chris, it's Bri. How's it going, and why are you whispering?"
"Oh hey Bri. I'm just trying to keep it down, Nicky's asleep in the next room. He's having a blast, but missing you big time. But we'll take care of that soon, won't we? Is everything still running according to plan?" Chris tried to contain his excitement - but he couldn't help but be happy to be a part of Brian's plan.
"Don't worry buddy, everything is going perfectly right. As long as you get him there on time, without him suspecting anything, it'll all be great."
"Ok Bri, as long as everything's taken care of on your end, then all's cool over here. I should get going so that I don't wake him up. Take care Brian"
"Yeah, you take care too Chris. I'll see you soon" Brian smiled as he hung up, knowing things were running smoothly. Brian found his left hand clutching the folded piece of paper in his pocket. Somehow, as unsure as he may have been, writing the song had helped him come to terms with the inner turmoil he felt and for once in his life, he felt he was headed in the right direction.
"Chris, was that Brian? Why didn't he want to speak to me?" Nick stumbled out of his hotel room in the suite he was sharing with Chris while in New York.
"Ummm, well, it wasn't Brian" Chris stumbled over the words.
"You said, `take care Brian' before you hung up! What's going on Chris? Is Bri mad at me or something? Why didn't he want to speak to me?" Nick was trying to maintain his composure but it was a battle he was at great risk of losing.
"Nick, settle down," Chris started as he put his arm around Nick's trembling shoulders."I wasn't talking to YOUR Brian, it was another friend of mine named Brian. Relax buddy! Did you sleep well" Chris drew upon his sometimes questionable acting talent to throw Nick off and change the topic- but deep down he doubted it would work.
"Chris- you're sure there's not something you're not telling me?"
"I promise Nick, there's nothing for you to worry about. Now, since you're awake, let's go get something to eat. Now go get dressed." Chris knew the mere mention of food would be the trick to getting Nick's mind off of Brian.
Nick shrugged and figured it would be much easier to just go along with what Chris was saying than to object in anyway, but he still couldn't shake the terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach which told him something was up.
The Next Day
Nick found himself humming the song over and over to himself as he enjoyed his warm shower. It was a song he had been writing during the time that he and Brian had been staying together. He had the verses written but he was just not able to find the right chorus that he felt could do the rest of the song justice. He was convinced that once complete it would be a masterpiece. It just seemed so real, so genuine. Although he knew what he wanted to say in the chorus, it was just finding the right way to put it into words that was throwing him off. As he shut the water off, Nick forced the tune of the song from his mind. Dwelling on it would not help everything fall into place, he knew, as any gifted songwriter did, fate would provide him with the inspiration when the time was right.
The tall blond walked into the bedroom, his white towel wrapped around his hips as he surveyed the scene before him. Clothes lay strewn all over the bed, the desk, the chairs and the floor. Chris had told Nick to dress nicely this evening as they were in for a special night. Although Chris was enjoying himself trying to keep the plans from Nick, Nick was not completely blind about the world around him. Nick had caught Chris snooping through his CDs and Nick knew that Mariah Carey was playing that very night at Madison Square Gardens. Nick was quick to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The secrecy and the hiding that Chris had been doing. It was all too obvious, Chris was going to take Nick to the concert, probably not so much because Nick was a fan of Mariah's but also because Chris knew how much Nick needed a distraction to take his mind off of missing Brian. "Knowing Chris," thought Nick,"I'm sure he has an entire romantic evening planned for us, leading up to the concert" As Nick got dressed for the show, coyly believing he had outwitted Chris, he had no idea the changes tonight would bring to his life.
There you have it, Chapter 11. Any comments, critiques, suggestions and/or predictions are welcome.
Carter
(nicksxtacy@sympatico.ca)