You and Me Forever {N.J}

A Christmas Carol {2}

{November 24th, 2000
Madison Square Garden
Nick- 8|Melissa- 6}

Melissa was so excited to get to go see Nick perform, she wouldn't shut up at all for days... really, days! Everywhere she went, she told people, "I'm seeing my best friend in a musical soon!" no matter if it was a stranger or not. She told everyone.

When the Jonases moved to New Jersey for Kevin Sr's job, the Wood's followed, knowing that if they had separated the two best friend's all hell would break lose.

This was the first time in a few weeks that she was seeing him, as he had been so busy with rehearsals, voice lessons, and head shot photoshoots that he could barely see his own family.

But Melissa's family walked inside the backstage entrance, with Aunt Denise in front of them, leading the way, "Ready to see him perform?" she asked the bouncing 6-year-old as they made their way towards the children's dressing room.

Melissa smiled big up at her Godmother and as soon as her little brown eyes landed on her Nicholas, she was lost in a trance. Now she may just be six, but just like how Nick had known those few years ago that... she could feel the ever-growing love between the two of them.

"Hey, Lyss." Nick waved at her, and as soon as those words left his mouth, she ran up to him, engulfing the small boy in the biggest hug. They had been apart for almost a month, but that was too long... way to long for the two young kids.

Immediately sensing there was something off about her best friend, she held him at arm's length and looked at the 8-year-old, "Nicky, is there something wrong?"

He tried his hardest to play it cool, like there was nothing going on inside his head, "Oh, Me? There's nothing wrong Lyss." he whispered, his nervous brown eyes looking down at his best friend.

"There has to be something wrong, Nicky. You're shaking and lying to me. I can tell when you lie to me." she said quietly, and reached for his hand, giving it a light squeeze.

The young boy let out a sigh, "you know me so well..." he chuckled, "what if I fall on stage? or don't sing the right note? what if I go out there the wrong costume? Lyssa, HELP!" he nervously stuttered out, his small hands holding onto her shoulders, shaking them slightly.

Melissa giggled, embracing him tightly, "You will do fine Nick. you have practiced for this for so long. Tonight is the night you will show the world that you can do this. I love you Nicky..." she blushed and chewed on her lip as she smiled at him.

Within an instant all of his worries went away, like she changed everything. All the young boy heard in her little speech was the words "I love you" it made butterflies erupt in his ever-nervous tummy, and that toothy grin appear on his face.

"I love you too Lyssa." he whispered, and pulled the small girl into his arms. After a few short seconds, he kissed the top of her hair gently, taking in the moment, hoping to never forget it.

Meanwhile Denise and Cindy were trying not to make it obvious that they were watching, and internally freaking out because they were just too damn cute. Out of everyone in the two families, they were the ones that always knew the young kids were meant to be.

Denise leaned close to her best friend, "did they just...?" she whispered, totally forgetting that her son has to be on stage in a matter of minutes.

"I think so..." Cindy mused, a grin on her face. The two loving mothers were and always will be the first supporters of Nick and Melissa's budding romance.

"Okay Nicky, we have to go get you to stage left." Denise said, not wanting to interrupt the cute moment... but she had to. "You can see your lovebug afterwards, promise."

Nick pouted, kissing the brunette's cheek one last time before following the rest of the cast out of dressing room.
----
After the show:

Melissa was so proud of her best friend, she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She hurried backstage with her Aunt, holding onto her hand tightly, as she didn't want to get separated from her.

Once again, as her little doe eyes fell on her best friend, she gasped and ran to the boy. "Nick!!" she exclaimed and ran into his arms. "You did s-so good!" she smiled, kissing his cheek.

"Okay you two lovebugs, smile for the camera." Aunt Denise grinned, the two kids smiled over at her. Nick's arm held tight to his best friend's waist, as he wanted to spend every waking moment with her.

Melissa didn't let go of Nick at all for the rest of the night, was honestly too scared too. She knew that he had many more performances in the next couple of weeks... Nick wasn't just hers any longer, she had to share him. He was a "professional" Broadway star now, and she knew that he would land any other role he was going to try for in the future.

"Mom, can Lyss spend the night tonight?" Nick asked as they made their way out to the lobby where the rest of both families were waiting for them.

Melissa's eyes lit up at his question, "Aunt Cindy and I knew you two would ask..." she laughed gently, "of course she can, you know she's always welcome in our house."

"Thanks Mom!!!" Nick exclaimed, as they found their families, which congratulated Nick on doing a job well done.
————

To celebrate a job well done, both families had gone to a nearby ice cream shop. Both Nick and Melissa would not let go of one another for anything. The curly haired lad keeping his eyes on her at some points as well.

"Okay you two, what flavor do you want?" Denise asked them, looking down at brunette kids, a grin on her face.

"I'll get whatever Nicky is getting..." the young girl responded, giggling just a little after. Her small hand came up to her lips to try and hid her embarrassment.

"Superman, please!" he exclaimed, his toothy smile gracing his lips.

Denise shook her head slightly at the child like antics from the two, before looking over to her other sons; getting their orders.

She ordered everyone's ice cream, finishing with Nick and Melissa's, "...and two child cones of Superman ice cream please."

The family sat down all together, as Nick and Melissa found a small bench to sit on, their little bums sitting so close together that you'd think that something odd was going on... but it was just normal for the two young kids.

After getting everyone ready for bed, and the family said their nightly prayers, Nick and Melissa were in the bathroom, giggling as they usually did. Nick kept smiling over at her as they brushed their teeth.

She blushed wildly and spit her toothpaste foam out, "Why are ya lookin' at me like that, Nicky?" she asked, and giggled. He just shook his head and grabbed for her tiny hand and pulled her to his bedroom. "Oh, no reason, just cause you're my best friend." he said.

She pushed him lightly, smiling wide. Their love for one another slowly increased as each day passed by. And that's the way it should be.

That night, Melissa fell asleep curled into Nick's side as he held onto her tightly, never ever wanting to let her go.