The cameras flashed on and off coming from every direction and every corner in the room. The press was calling out different things all at once making it very hard to comprehend anything that was going on at all. The Backstreet Boys were lined up at a long table taking questions. So far, most of them had steered away from the news that had come over the radio, and the guys were dreading the topic, even though it was foolish to think it wouldn't get talked about. There was an empty chair at the end of the table next to Nick, and you could easily guess who was going to be filling it in a while.

The moderator pointed to a reporter and she stood up to make herself known. She had a tape recorder in hand anticipating the answer she was about to receive. "As it was pointed out over the radio the other day, is it true of Mr. Carter's relationship with Ms. Robinson?"

The room was suddenly hushed and the guys all turned to look at Nick for the answer. You could clearly see the hesitation etched in his eyes. Slowly, he leaned in towards the microphone.

"He's gonna say 'no comment'," Brian thought and patted his friends shoulder. He was almost disappointed. Disappointed that Nick had to be put in this position and lie to the press... but he was pleasantly surprised.

"Yes, it is true, and all I'd like to say is that I'm very happy. Happier than I've been in a while," he gave the press a lopsided grin unconsciously. Whenever he talked about Jess he couldn't help but smile.

A sudden wave of flashes and questions were all lashed out at once. It actually made the guys jump back a little. Through the mix of voices you clearly heard someone yell "Congrats!".

Nick smiled and almost blushed. "Thank you," he said quietly.

The moderator of the conference stood once again and slipped back in another conference room where Jessica was sitting and watching everything on a tiny monitor. "Jess, maybe you should come out now," he said calmly and tapped Jessica's shoulder.

"Sure thing," she said and stood up, ready to make an appearance that could make or break her career.

The two of them walked briskly back to the other conference room, making sure to slip in quietly. Jessica was directed to walk straight up to the front and greet each of the guys before sitting next to Nick. She just shrugged to the order she was given. She planned on doing that anyway.

As Jessica stepped up onto the raised platform where the guys were seated the light clearly made her presence known. She shielded her eyes as she was bombarded with lights. Kevin was the first person she reached and each of the guys stood when they noticed her there. Jessica made her way down the line, giving each of her friends a hug and a kiss on the cheek, till she reached Nick.

They both stood there staring at each other as the bulbs went off all around them. Taking her hand, Nick brought it to his lips before pulling her in for a tight hug. They clung to each other as more things were shouted from the masses.

"This is so scary," Jess whispered in his ear through his blonde locks.

"It'll be ok," he reassured her and held her back so he could hold her face in the palm of his hand.

Jessica nodded and Nick kissed her forehead and there was a collective groan from the reporters. He wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of what a simple kiss on the lips could do for their articles and papers. Jessica laughed and nervously Nick sat her down and then he took his seat next to her again. She was playing with her fingers and he laughed at her before taking one of her hands and holding it in his own rubbing the back of it soothingly. Jessica sighed as a question was thrown their way.

"How long have you been carrying on this relationship with Mr. Carter and how did you manage to keep it a secret?"

"Well... " Jessica blushed. "It'll be 1 year coming up in 2 weeks and we didn't really have to try to keep it a secret. We were never spotted together or questioned about till recently," she answered, truthfully.

Next.

"Is Nick the father of your child?"

Jessica busted out into a roll of laughter after the question was asked. "Oh my... I'm sorry but he's not. My daughter, Kayci, is actually 4, but her birthday is coming up in 2 months. Even though she could pass for his child, he's not her father."

"Even though I love the little rug rat like she's my own," Nick shook his head thinking of Kayci's exuberant little face. The guys 'Awww-ed' at his comment and Nick smirked.

Another question was dealt.

"Since this is the first word of your relationship, and the world has already gotten a taste of 'Bittersweet' without using your tie-in to your significant other, how does it make you feel to know that you're accepted by your peers and the makers and listeners of the music community?"

"It's great!" Jessica grinned and bit her lip. "I've seen artists come and go who used their... friends to get to where they are, and they always eventually get found out. When the idea of recording was proposed to me, I was a little hesitant and it was actually his pushing-" she looked at Nick, "-that got me to do it. I actually told him straight up that I didn't want his help. He agreed after some pleading," she smiled.

"What kind of pleading?" some reporter yelled out and everyone laughed.

"All she has to do is the pouty lip and I'm gone," Nick confessed and there was some more laughter.

"Really?" Jessica pouted with a slight smiled etched on her face.

"Stop it!" Nick whined and looked away jokingly.

Everyone laughed again and the next question was asked.

"Are any of you in serious relationships?"

"Yes," Kevin spoke up. "I've been friends with my girlfriend forever it seems like it, and we decided to give it try and so far it's been great," he said with a smile. You could easily tell he was happy.

Howie was next to speak up. "Yes, I do have a serious relationship that I'm committed to. We've been together for a while now. Our 2 year anniversary is in about month so..." he turned and looked at AJ who was sitting next to him.

"Yes, and that's all you need to know," AJ pushed his sunglasses farther up his nose.

"Same here," Brian said and smiled to himself.

"Do you really have to ask?" Nick looked at Jessica with a certain glow to his face. The boy was completely smitten.

Next... "How do you feel about the current success of your singles?"

"It's a great feeling to know that there are people out there who respect you for your music," Kevin said.

"Exactly. If it hadn't had been as successful as it is, or if we hadn't been getting all the recognition that we are, then I would think there was something wrong," Nick added.

"What about you Ms. Robinson?"

"Me?... Well I'd have to say that it's a welcome gift. I appreciate anything that a fan can give back to me. Whether it be sales or gifts or just a hug backstage at a show. Sometimes it's enough for me just to look out into a crowd and see a sea of faces smiling back up at me. But with the added success of my single... it's just great," she squeezed Nick's hand tighter as she spoke.

"You guys have taken a lot of heat for being a quote in quote "boy band", but now you are one of the few groups that were born out of that mold to start to break it. You write and produce and you still put on a damn good show for your fans and now the fruits of your labor are starting to come back to you. What I want to know is, is all this new attention from people who never gave it to you before good or bad?"

"Well, I think I speak for all of the guys when I say any kind of... positive attention for us is good," AJ nodded while he spoke and Brian was the next to speak.

"Definitely. We've been trying for 7 years to make people understand that we are for real, and next year when people go into a music store to buy some cd's they will still be seeing new stuff by us on the racks. We plan on staying around for a while, and I think that we've pretty much proved in the last year that we are gonna last out the restricted 15 minutes of fame that so many groups like ourselves are plagued by."

"Well, thank you all for your time, but the boys and Jessica must be leaving now," the Moderator said and stood up and the others followed his lead. They stood for about 1 minute so everyone could take a sufficient number of pictures and then they walked briskly out of the conference room.

"Now, that wasn't so bad, or was it Jess?" AJ said as he slinked his arms around Jessica's waist. She turned around to face him and just stared with a voided expression. Then all of a sudden she threw her arms around his neck in a seemingly affectionate hug.

"If you ever make me do that again I'll physically and personally make sure you never have any children," she whispered in his ear but was loud enough for everyone else to hear. There were roars of laughter from the rest of the guys.

"I didn't make you do it," AJ backed up out of her strong grasp and held his arms up in the air.

Jessica coughed and made her voice sound raspy. "Hey, Jess. You're best bet would be to come to our next press conference and then you can just explain everything there. It won't be that big of a deal," she gave him a cold stare and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, sooooooorry! Damn! You'd think I'd killed someone or lost your kid or something."

"By the way, where is your kid?" Nick resumed his place at Jessica's side, holding her hand.

"With Megan. Zach was having a party for him and his friends and he invited her to come. It's really rather sweet," Jessica shrugged. "Nothing shows a girl you like her more than a day at Chuckie Cheese."

"I've never taken you to Chuckie Cheese."

"And for that, I will never truly love you," she sniffed for the added dramatic effect.

Nick looked at her pouting face, that was actually quite convincing, and caved. "I'll see you guys later," Nick said and pulled Jessica quickly out the door.

"Where are you two going?" Howie asked even though they all knew.

"To pick Kayci up from Zach's party," Nick hurried Jessica into the passengers side of his truck and ran around to the drivers side.

"I'm sure that's the only reason," Kevin laughed as he got into his 4-Runner.

"Bye, everyone," Brian said from his own vehicle. "Do you need a ride Bone or are you gonna go with Nick?"

"I'm gonna go see my Megan. Later, Rok," AJ answered as he hopped into the back seat of the already departing Durango. "In a rush, Nick?"

"I just want to make my lady feel loved," Nick said and brought her hand up to his lips as he drove.

"Since when are women possessions to the two of you?" Jessica spoke up after being silent.

"We mean it in a good way and you know it," AJ chuckled and made himself more comfortable in the back seat. "When I think about Megan, I think of this beautiful creature with an array of qualities that are so irresistible and charming that I fall for her all over again every time I see her."

"That was... poetic," Jessica concluded and squeezed Nick's hand. "You never say stuff like that about me."

"I do too. Just not to your face. You know that book in my room I never let you touch?" Jessica nodded and Nick continued on with his explanation. "Everything I think about you is in there. My hope and dreams for us, and everything I love about you."

"That's so sweet I could gag," AJ laughed.

"Please stop. I already have Sanya and Brian making comments like that. Don't add to the destruction of my sanity through continuous sarcasm."

"Who said anything about me being sarcastic?"

"Ok, now you're going to get it!" Jessica said and went to unbuckle her seat belt but Nick stopped her.

"Don't you even think of taking off that seat belt when this vehicle is in motion and you're carrying our baby inside that fragile body of yours," he said sternly.

"Sorry, Baby," she sighed and settled back into her seat. A smile began to form across Jessica's face as she went over the past events in her mind. "Did I ever tell you how much I love it when you say "our baby" and not "my" or "your" baby?"

"Yes," both AJ and Nick replied in unison and Jessica jumped slightly.

"Sorry, Baby," she sighed again.

"It's ok," both Nick and AJ said again.

"She meant me, dumb ass," Nick snorted and turned into the mall where Chuckie Cheese was conveniently placed a few stores down from the food court.

"Sorry, Baby," AJ said in a high pitched, voice as Nick parked as close to the front of the parking lot as he could get.

"Ok, NOW you frighten me, AJ," Nick said as he got out and walked to Jessica's side of the truck. He opened her door and helped her out. AJ made gagging noises as he got out and headed in to see his girlfriend.

"No one has done this for me since I was 4 feet tall," she giggled as he tickled her sides. "I feel... pampered."

"Well, expect it a lot more now," Nick said as he buried his face in her hair and lightly kissed her neck.

"Nick... please. How do you think I ended up pregnant in the first place?" she laughed when he shrugged. "Don't tell me you don't know," she wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her fingertips along the fine hairs on the back of his neck.

"Teach me," he breathed on her neck and nipped at her soft skin causing an excited moan to escape her lips.

Off the top of her head, Jessica began to say a rhyme a friend had taught her. "Love is a sensation caused by temptation. A guy sticks his location into a girls destination, to increase the population for the next generation. Do you understand my explanation or would you care for a demonstration?"

Nick stopped what he was doing, backed up, and gave Jessica an unbelieving stare. "AJ?"

"The one and only," she smirked.

"Is that really an offer for a demonstration?" he curiously maneuvered his way beside her as they walked towards the mall entrance.

"How about a rain check?" she asked as he slipped his hand into the back pocket of her jeans.

Nick, not noticed by onlookers but definitely noticed by Jessica, squeezed her backside that he had cupped through her pants. "Promise?"

"As long as you behave," she scolded Nick and glared at him with a slight smile beginning to curl on the ends of her lips.

"And what if I'm naughty?" he whispered in her ear in a voice that she had only heard a few time before him. It was deep, and throaty, with an aching and longing mixed in there somehow. It was completely and utterly sexual with a fierce hint of desire and lust.

Jessica giggled, then turned on the charm. "Then I'll just have to be rough with your punishment," she said in a catlike manner with a low growl, as they turned the corner to Chuckie Cheese and Nick slid his hand out of her pocket.

"Why do you purposely get me going when you know that there's nothing I can do about it in public?" Nick laughed and pulled her body playfully in front of his own as they entered every 7 year olds fantasy.

"Because I can," she turned around and pecked his lips before going off to find her daughter.

Nick groaned in a whiny way while he tagged along behind her, seeing as how she had his pinky in her grip. "This is so not fair."

"But that's what makes being with me fun, right?" she giggled. "I pride myself in being a challenge."

"But you know I'm always up for a challenge," he added as they passed the basketball games set up. Nick stopped as he watched a little girl with her father and he was teaching her how to shoot the ball correctly. When she made it, he picked her up and swung her around. Nick sighed and Jessica glanced at what he was intently watching and knew what was running through his mind.

"You're gonna be a great father too, ya know," she hugged him from behind.

"I hope so."

"I know so."

"How can you be so sure?" he looked down at his hands. "I'm only 20 years old. What do I know?"

"Nick... I've known you were great with kids since the first day I met you, and I haven't doubted you since... and I never will. Even when I'm gone you're goi-"

"Don't say that!" he interrupted. "Don't you ever even think like that," Nick tried to quiet himself down a little. "I don't know what I would ever do with myself if you weren't by my side," he cupped her face in his hands and didn't even care about his surroundings, but luckily no one was paying any attention.

"But Nick-"

"There's nothing to argue. So just don't, ok?" Jessica nodded to his pleading. "Good," he kissed her forehead. They both turned around to a small voice calling them.

"Nicky! Mommy!" they turned to see Kayci running at them full force with a rather large stuffed thing dragging behind her.

Nick scooped her up in his arms and held her up on his hip. "Hey, Munch kin. How's it going? What have ya got here?"

"I won this for you," she held the oversized, stuffed basketball in front of her to show Nick. "Since you like basketball so much."

"This is really for me?" he palmed it in his hand before throwing it to Jessica who was just looking on and smiling.

"Yup!"

Nick thanked her by giving Kayci a large, loud, kiss on her cheek. "Thank you!"

Kayci giggled and clapped. "Welcome. Are we going to go home now?" she asked and leaned against Nick's chest almost ready to fall asleep.

"Are you ready to go?" Jessica asked and Kayci nodded. "Did you say good bye and thank Zach for inviting you?" Kayci nodded again. "Good. Then let's go," they turned to walk out as AJ called to their backs.

"I'll get a ride with Megan!"

"We figured!" Nick and Jess yelled back and continued on their way out.

Kayci in Nick's arms and Nick holding Jessica's hand. Everything was as it should be, but their worlds were going to be turned upside down.

All too soon.

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