Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 16:02:15 -0600 From: Lee McDougal <leo1980@gay.com> Subject: "Nick's Gift" Part 5 PLEASE EMAIL ME AT leo1980@gay.com and visit http://home.gay.com/leo1980 Okay time for a long annoying intro: Well, I know you guys have been waiting a while for this part, but I have been rather distracted of late! In fact that's the very reason why I am doing this intro. My friend James is dying and I'd like to ask you to remember him and his husband Jerry in your prayers. In happier news I recently met someone! :-) He has been a wonderful distraction on all ends! I'm sure he will probably inspire me to write another story someday, but for now I'm going to concentrate on him, and my friends. Now mind you that doesn't mean you won't be hearing from me, it just means that my stories will be affected. I'll probably be working on some new projects as well...some things that won't be posted at nifty, cause they aren't of a gay nature. But as always, I will be posting stuff at my website...just don't be surprised if I don't post that much! Hugs to you all, and enjoy the final part of Nick's Gift. One more thing, as before I don't know Nick or Brian from the Backstreet Boys, even though I have had naughty thoughts of Brian... So if either of you is reading, or offended that I made you gay in my story, I apologize. Hugs to you both, wherever you may be! And by the way I thought your concert in Atlanta was excellent! COME TO ALABAMA!!!! Nick's Gift Part 5 All Good Things... That night was somewhat of whirlwind...I remember crying and laughing...but mostly I just remember that I was scared. James told me over and over that it was okay. He talked about things in the past that he felt were much worse than what I face now. Was he right? Was I just blowing things out of proportion? How should I know? I've never been in love before, like this. This was all so new to me, and it all seemed to be falling apart, at least in my mind. "Look at this way, at least you will always be friends." That was the kiss of death from James. "Oh yeah, that really makes me feel better. Why does things have to suck so bad?" I ask talking to the world more than to James. "Life is hard you know that. But it's also what we make of it! We can't control it, but we can change how we look at it. We have to change or die with the challenges it presents." James preached some obviously rehearsed speech that was probably for his own sake as much as mine. I mean he's not happy either... He's had more boyfriends than me, but he hadn't found it yet...It being that word that doesn't slip past our lips often...What's it like to be happy? I know now, it was being in Nick's arms! That's what made me happy. "I know that James, but sometimes it just seems so much easier to give up. You know that even more than me. What chance do I have of making this work? Nick will find someone else...someone that can really be with him. And then I'll be left here alone again...like always." I was really throwing a pity party now. "Then he isn't worth your time anyway! If he doesn't know how special you are, then fuck him! You're the nicest guy I know, and you deserve the best...and if Nick is not any more devoted to you than that...then he doesn't deserve you!" James suddenly speaks with a new passion I am very familiar with. I wish I was as able to speak my heart like he does. "Thanks, you're right. But it still hurts." I told him. "You're just being pessimistic anyway. You don't know Nick will cheat on you. Nick seems to really love you!" James told him. "I hope so!" I said. "And besides you're going with him. I'm not sure how yet, but we will think of something. People do it all the time. Just read the stories at nifty!" James joked. "That's true! You'd think the boys went through long meaningful relationships with guys all the time and no one ever suspects they are gay! Don't you wish life was more like those stories?" I asked James. "No, I'm glad it doesn't work that way. If love was so easy to get, it wouldn't be half as sweet. You have to stay in the real world and work for it like everyone else." James told me. "Your right, my life had become way to boybandish lately. This was a wake up call, and now I have to make the best of it. I know I care for Nick, but I have to face facts that our relationship probably won't work out." I finally spoke what was on my mind. "I know that, and you know that. But we both know that if you don't try you'll never forgive yourself." James took the rest out of my mind. "Exactly! But then again maybe we can use some of those stories we read to our advantage. What do they usually do?" I asked him. "The guys always cook up some job for them...but they spend more time in bed than doing any work a lot of times." James laughed. "That's very true! I wouldn't mind that, but I know better. What could I do? I don't have any real computer skills, besides chatting and email. I certainly can't be a bodyguard! Other than servicing Nick...I don't know what else I could do." I told him. "Well, Nick will be glad of it, but he probably won't pay you for it. Besides that'd make you a whore." James stated. "Yes, that's true. I could think of a worse job though. I mean as long as he was my only customer!" I joked. "You're too much! I don't know. You should talk to Nick and see if he can come up with anything." James finally suggested. It was the only thing I could do. I wasn't supposed to hear from Nick till tomorrow night when I was to call him. But I hoped that he would call me early instead. I really needed to talk it over, but I knew he was probably busy practicing, or doing interviews or whatever. It was around 12 when James finally left for home, and I quickly laid down and fell asleep. I was so exhausted... After I wake up, I find my way to my couch, and lay down on it. I turned on the television hoping my stomach would settle soon. After a couple mind numbing hours of watching I was able to get myself to eat a little breakfast. It helped some. I felt very lonely today. Sometimes it's worse to have someone that you can't hold, than to not have anyone at all. It just reminds you of what you can't have. But it was only temporary right? That night Nick called as planed and I told him the bad news. He was puzzled at first, but soon enough a solution was found... "Listen dear AJ says that we need another crew man...you'd be helping to set up the stage, and clean up after shows..." Nick told me. "That's good so I'll still get to be with you!" I said happily. "Yes, always my love." Nick said. The rest of the week was mostly uneventful...I said goodbye to my parents and James. James made me promise give Brian a big hug for him, and I figured I'd enjoy that some myself. That weekend was pure bliss...one of my most happy moments so far. Most of it was spent just cuddling and making love with Nick...yes we did make love. I know it was still early, but we enjoyed it all the same. But I'm getting ahead of myself, let me tell you how I got there first. Friday came and I boarded a plane for Orlando. We were going to spend the weekend there, before the boys went back on tour. My plane landed in Orlando at 5 P.M., and some guy named George picked me up. I wouldn't have known his name probably, but we got stuck in traffic for about 2 hours, so we wound up talking in order to save our sanity... It turns out he couldn't talk to me unless I talked to him first. It was part of his job description...I told him right away that I was always up for a friendly conversation. It was around 7:30 when George got us to Nick's house. I was glad to be there, and best of all I wouldn't have to meet the others till the next morning. That night I'd have Nick all to myself. "Hello babe" Nick said grabbing one of my bags, as I got out of the car. "Hey Nick!" I responded with a half hug. It was the best I could do with my hands full. Soon we got all my stuff in, and said goodbye to George. It was a little awkward at first, because I had never been in this house before. But soon Nick led me to the living room, and we laid together on the couch. "So what do you want to do tonight?" Nick asked with a smile. "Exactly what we are doing now, except with less clothes." I said smiling at him. "And a couple of extras?" Nick asked. "Of course!" I said and snuggled in closer to him. After making out for a while, we turned in early...but not for sleep. It wasn't a short-lived thing either. We just kissed and cuddled for hours, before we even took anything off...then slowly but surely, we were naked. Then we made love slowly...as if we'd never get the chance again. Memorizing each other's bodies with our mouths, hands, and body in whole became our mission that night. Soon we found where certain parts would fit, and what certain parts taste like. We did most everything sexual you can think of, but it wasn't like some smutty porn...it was love, and it was personal. That night I feel asleep in his arms, and I never wanted to let him go! The next day was a bit more normal...as we had to leave our world of love and affection, to go meet with the other boys. After a short drive, we arrived at AJ's house where we were all meeting. Once we made it in the house, Brian arrived and hugged me, and I gave him another one...For James I explained, and I swear the smile on his face was priceless. The meeting was somewhat tense at first; I was more or less given the 20/20 treatment...where was I born, what do I do for a living, what were my intentions with our Nick? Stupid stuff like that, that was really none of their business, but I played along anyway...just to keep from rocking the boat. Of course Nick and Brian had my back the whole time, and if they ever got too out of line, one of them shut them up fast. After about an hour of this, we finally got to where we could function together...not like friends, but close enough. "So are you looking forward to working Monday?" Kevin asked. "Well, if it means I can stay with Nick, sure." I responded. It seemed to please him. "I hope you can cut it, it's a lot of work." AJ said with an odd smile on his face. It was then that I realized he wanted me to fail...but I wouldn't know why till much later. Soon we all set down to lunch and after that Nick and I returned to our love nest. I knew it'd be a while till I got to spend time with him like this! We made love again, but somewhat faster this time... But it was still wonderful! The next few weeks were hell! I'd spend half the day traveling from city to city...alone cause we had to go ahead of the boys! Then the other half of the day was spent setting up that damn stage over and over again. Sure I wasn't doing it alone, but it was still a lot of work. I did get to watch parts of the show, but it was little comfort knowing that soon I'd have to take down the stage, and spend half the night making sure everything was packed up properly.... Then we had to get back on the road again. It was like...Nick who? I signed on for him, but all I had was a job...that didn't even pay that well! It had been two weeks since I had gotten a chance to actually be with Nick, and we were both so tired that all we could do was cuddle. I didn't mind that much though, at least I was with him! But that was just for our one off day, the next day it was back to the same routine. This carried on with Nick and I spending a day or 2 together here and there till it was time for the boy's Easter holiday. They were getting a whole weekend off and Nick and the guys were going back to Orlando. Nick wanted me to go with him, but I wanted to see my parents. So we went in different directions...really from there on. I was so looking forward to seeing James, Mom, and Dad...but it turned out that James was meeting up with Brian in Orlando. They were getting closer everyday, and I envied them...it seemed to me that Nick and I were drifting apart already. I had a great time seeing my parents though! My sister was even there! After the weekend was over, I returned to my `job' and life as I come to know it. It was different this time...before Nick would occasionally sneak in to give me a kiss, or a hug. Or he would call me at night while I was on the bus, to see how my day was. But nothing... He was avoiding me. I guessed that he was mad at me for not going with him, but I do have certain responsibilities and ties to my family, that I will never break. Eventually, I got him on the phone and he agreed to have a talk that weekend. It was one of those real tear-jerking moments that I would never forget. He wasn't mad at me; he was ashamed of what he had done. He had cheated on me that weekend with AJ of all people. That explained why AJ always wanted me to fail. He was in love with Nick, and Nick... He was falling for AJ as well. It wasn't that he didn't still care for me, it's just he never got to see me! And AJ was always there, and that was what he wanted and needed. I hugged and kissed him one last time, and said my good byes. I packed my stuff and was on the next flight home. I called my boss the next day to let him know I wasn't coming in Monday...or ever again. He was disappointed. Apparently I had been a good worker. That was at least one good thing! I spent the rest of the weekend talking to James, and crying some...but not a lot. I saw it coming. I just didn't think it would end quite this way. James and Brian really hit it off that Easter though, and I was glad to hear that they had made their relationship official. A few years later Brian and him were married, or whatever you'd like to call it. It was a wonderful ceremony, and I got to see Nick again...but I wasn't upset about it. I had someone with me! After I got back, Dad went to work right away with me. A month later we found a place for my bed and breakfast! It was such a wonderful place. And almost like Dad had read the future, 3 months after I started the business I met Clint. He was a bit younger than me, but a sweet heart all the same! We hit it off right away. He moved in after the first 3 months of dating. And we would never let go of each other. So all is well that ends well I suppose! And at the wedding I was happy to see that Nick and AJ were together, and happier than ever! "So how have you been?" Nick asked me at the reception. "I've been fine; I'd like you to meet Clint. We have been together over 2 years now." I said hugging him tight to me. I thought I saw Nick frown, but he said "That's great dear, I'm so happy for you! AJ and I have been doing well ourselves." "That's wonderful!" I said and with that Clint and I went to find Brian and James. We found them on the dance floor dancing close together! It was so sweet! I lead Clint out on the floor to join them. Soon we were all four dancing together as the music picked up to a fast dance. We had a blast! After we had all tuckered out we went to some chairs to sit and talk a little. "So where are you guys going on your honeymoon?" Clint asked them. "Nowhere we are staying home! I've had enough travel to do a lifetime!" Brian said laughing. "Me too!" James agreed who had been on tour with them for the last couple of years. But now the boys were retiring at last! And they were both so ready to start their lives together. "I didn't do the tour thing as long as you two, but I can certainly understand!" I said hugging them both. "Look at us Paul we are both old married women!" James joked. "Well, we never had a ceremony." I thought out loud looking at Clint. "That's cause I haven't got around to asking you yet...but since you guys are here." Clint said getting on one knee. "Will you marry me?" He said pulling out a golden ring. My heart stopped and I grabbed him up into a hug. "Of course I will!" Our love was one that would stand the tests of time! Nick's Gift turned out to be a lot more than his underwear; it was his love... He also gave me my first taste of independence. Living on the road all by myself is what really made me grow up. No matter what your dream is don't give up; cause whatever it may be that your heart desires, it be worth the effort! Someday true love will come to you...just be ready when it knocks on your door! The End I guess that was a bit unexpected...but it was better than my first idea...which was to just abandon the story, but instead I gave it an ending, it was just a lot faster than most of you probably expected.... But then again it was only supposed to be a one-part story! So it was getting out of control, he he he! I hope you enjoyed the ending, and those that are disappointed please forgive me. And to any nifty authors that read this, please don't be offended by the first part of the story. I was just playing, and after all my story is no more realistic than anyone else's! But couldn't you imagine having a similar conversation if you were indeed dating a Backstreet Boy? I know I can!