Chapter 1: A Little Bit Longer
It's two hours before the concert in Zurich, New Zealand. Joe, Kevin and Denise are up and ready, however, Nick is still asleep. Denise, the brother's mum, enters Nick's room.
''Nick? Nick, sweetheart, it is time to get up'' She said.
''*groans* Just five more minutes, Mum, please.'' Nick sounded rough, as he said this he turned his face into the pillow to muffle a couple of coughs; he hated being sick, and even worse, hated people feeling sorry for him.
''Sweetheart you know that if you are sick we can always postpone the show tonight.'' Denise began to sound worried. Nick could hear this and so tried to reassure her.
''Mum, honestly, I'm okay. Please don't worry.'' He replied as his mother felt the back of her hand across his cheek, then placed her palm up onto his forehead; blatantly checking his temperature, but he knew she meant well.
'' Look Mum, I'm okay. Okay?'' He commented as he got out of bed, and threw a black T-Shirt over his head. Nick, trying to hold a cough down, adjusted his Omni-pod, however, he could not refrain from groaning at the pain searing down his throat and in his head. He checked his blood sugar level - it was at 2.5, which is normal for Nick. This relaxed his Mum, a bit; she still wasn't too sure about his health.
'' Nick are you sure you're feeling okay? I mean, it really wouldn't make a difference If we just cancelled -''
''Seriously Mum, I'm fine. Promise.'' Nick comforted her, but knew right away that it didn't work; Denise rose her eyebrows at him, and the questioning look in her eyes was obvious on its meaning.
'' Please Nick, we all believe - and your millions of fans - that your health is much more important than doing the show tonight, or even the next few ...'' Concern flooding her voice, Nick easily noticing it.
''Mum, please? I'm fine, really, I am. Go down, I'll be there in 10 minutes.''
She threw him one last worried glance and left the room, leaving the door ajar.
Downstairs, in the dining room. Kevin and Joe are waiting at the table, Joe on the phone to his Dad and younger brother, Frankie, who are currently at home, in Los Angeles. Kevin is eating a Galaxy Chocolate bar, busy biting a piece off the bar.
'' Hey, Guys? Watch out for Nick for me today please. He's not himself; he's sick, whether with a small cold or a serious case of flu, I can't tell.'' Denise warned, noting the glances that passed between her two oldest sons.
'' Sure thing Mum.'' Seeing how worried she looked, Kevin added, ''Do you think we need to cancel tonight's show?'' he asked, concern flooding his voice.
''No. Not yet... I'm going to look out for any more signs, and then will call the doctor and see what he says. However, knowing Nick, he will try to cover it up; you know what he's like. So just look out for me please, 'cus he never handles being sick well; always trying to conquer it; praying there is a cure, just like his diabetes - but with that he can fix - where-as with flu, he has to just let it run its course.'' She replied, checking the boys understood the whole situation, and how serious it could turn out.
''That's Nick for ya. 18 and still believes he can over power sickness. Where is he anyway? Still in bed, or up?'' Joe wandered.
''He's up. He got out of bed just before I left. He checked his B.S. level, and it was normal, so it's not like he is in need of insulin or anything... but I still worry that some thing's just not right here.
