"It's not that I can't live without you. It's just that I don't even wanna try..."

She had thought about him all day, her husband Nick. He had just gotten back from tour and she wanted to go home early. The look on his face would be priceless when she showed up way before she was due home. She never left work early, except for emergencies. Well in her case it was an emergency, a sexual one they had been away from each other for well over a year which was hard on her especially since that left her with their 16 year old daughter Melanie. But she didn't mind cause they would always have girls day out and just hang out. To Mel her father could do no wrong. But she is sadly mistaken.

Back when Nick and her mother first got together he was drinking really bad, and at one point he started cheating on her. But when they got married she made him promise that the cheating would stop. She didn't mind the drinking so much, just as long as he didn't go overboard with it. And she was usually there with him when he drank, but when he was on tour who knows what he did. He could come and go as he pleased and there wasen't a damn thing she could do about it.

So with that in mind she left work not saying anything to anybody except her boss, and he understood. She got in the car and started it up she glanced at the steering wheel then at her wedding ring. Nick insisted on a big stone although she would have been just fine with a little one. She smiled thinking of when Nick had said I do and placed that ring on her finger. She loved him so much. She smiled to herself as she backed out of the parking spot and headed for home. When she got home she noticed another car in the driveway

'Hmm...must be one of Mel's friends.' Most of her friends had their licenses already, she was working on hers. She opened the door and walked inside. "Nick I'm home." She called out but no answer.

'He must be upstairs waiting for me.' She said to herself as she took off her shoes and headed upstairs. As she got closer to their bedroom door she could swear she heard moaning. She shook her head no if there's moaning then there must be.

'Deanna come on get real like Nick would ever cheat on you.' She went to go back downstairs and heard it again. "Oh yeah..." 'Wait a minute...that sounded like...' She lost her words as she opened the door and took in the sight in front her. There in their bed was her husband Nick and one of their dancers having sex. She moaned as Nick leant down and kissed her. She slammed the door which brought them both back to the real world. Nick whipped his head around to see her pissed as all hell with her arms crossed.

"Hey baby I wasn't expecting you home so soon."

"Don't you hey baby me. And you." She said pointing to the girl "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

"I...I...I'm sorry..." She managed to get out before Deanna went off on her.

"Save it Kat I've had enough of this, get out of my house. NOW!"

'What in the world...?' Mel said to herself opening her bedroom door wondering what was going on. She crept down the hall till she got to their room and put her ear to the door. 'Oh shit Dad's in trouble.'
She quickly pulled back as the door swung open and Kat ran out. Mel looked at her mother then at Nick.

"Dad how could you?"

"Mel I..." She just rolled her eyes and went back to her room

"Baby let me explain..." "Oh I'll let you explain alright right out the fucking door! Here I am getting off early to come home and see you and your here in our house, in our bedroom fucking that skank!"

"Will you calm down we have neighbors."

"I don't give a damn, this is my house too and I pay my share and if I wanna yell then damnit I'm gonna!" She screamed at him.

"Just let me explain..."

"Ok Nickolas explain."

He just stood silent looking at his wife not knowing how in the hell he was gonna explain this when he made her a promise.

"Typical Nick nothing to say, there is nothing you can say or do to make this better you know that right?"

He sighed "I know."

"Is she your new little sextoy?"

"What?"

"You heard me is she?!"

"No and don't call her that."

"When I catch her in bed, in my BED with my husband I have the right to call her whatever the fuck I want. Now I want you to get out before I beat the shit outta you."

"Deanna come on you can't fight."

"Oh really? Try me. Now get out."

Nick didn't want to argue with her so he grabbed his backpack and stuffed in some things and walked out of the bedroom. After she heard the door shut she sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands. Mel came out of her room again and heard her mom crying.

"Mom?" She walked in the room and sat next to her "Are you ok?"

"No Mel I'm not your father is a lying cheat."

Mel knew of her fathers past before she was born but she never knew that it would happen again. She thought her dad cared for her mother, maybe he didn't.

"Where did dad go?"

"Don't know and I really don't give a damn." She said yanking off her wedding ring throwing it out of the bedroom.

Mel watched as her mother cried she had never seen her so upset. Deanna broke from her daughters hold and went into the bathroom slamming the door. Mel sighed, 'now what?' She went into her room grabbed her cell and called Brian. He was like a big brother to her and she could talk to him about anything. And knowing Brian he would get to the bottom of this. She dialed Brian's number and walked around her room as she waited.

"Hello?"

"Brian hey it's Mel."

"Honey you ok? You sound a little down."

"Well if you just witnessed what happened here you'd be feeling the same as me."

"Ok what happened?"

"Well..." She began sitting on her bed as she told Brian everything that happened.

He sighed "Your father just never learns he has a wonderful woman in his life and he goes and does this. He needs a good kick in the ass if you ask me."

"Who needs a good kick in the ass?" AJ asked wanting to know what was going on.

"Nick, Mel said that he cheated on Dee with Kat."

"Kat...Kat...Oh! You mean big tits Kat?"

"Yes AJ, her."

"Well damn Nicky Boy got with her? I want details." "Not now Dee's really pissed at him."

"Why would she be piss--oh shit...she caught them didn't she?"

"Mel, I'll call you back."

"Ok." She hung up and just sat there thinking of what to do about her parents.

"Yeah she did but thats not all, she caught them doing it in hers and Nick's bed."

"Damn..."

"She came home early and found them and..." He was cut off by the sound of the door opening.

"Brian!" He heard Nick called out

"Speak of the devil. In here!" He yelled back as Nick came in the room dropping his backpack.


Lyrics: Back To Your Heart by The Backstreet Boys

'If I wasn't such a fool, right now I'd be holding you. There's nothing that I wouldn't do baby if I only knew...The words to say the road to take to find a way back to your heart. What can I do to get to you and find a way back to your heart...'


"Sit." Brian said walking to where he was "What has gotten into you, how could you do this to Deanna?"

"Wait..." Nick said looking up at Brian "Who told you?"

"Your daughter."

"Oh...I don't know..." He said looking down at the floor twirling his wedding band. He shrugged. "It just happened."

"Something like that doesn't just happen."

"You got with Kat alright! Now that's what I'm talking about."

"AJ shut up please." Brian said as he sat down next to Nick.

"That's it it's over..."

"What is?"

"Me and Dee." He sighed "I made her a promise that I wouldn't do it again."

"And you broke it, now you got Mel upset too."

"Damnit." He let his head rest on the back of the couch "Brian would you mind if I stayed here awhile? I won't be in the way."

"Sure just for a couple days which will give you time to think about how to win Deanna back."

"What's the point?"

"Your just gonna give up, give up on your marriage?"

"Why not? She said there was no way to make this up."

"Oh no my friend, where there's a will there's a way."

Nick sighed he had no idea what he was gonna do.

Days had passed since she kicked Nick out. Both were miserable without the other. She sat at home on the couch with a pillow held tightly to her stomach.

"Mom just talk to him."

"No Mel if your father's gonna learn from this then he has to make the first move."

She sighed there was no winning with this woman. "Would you mind if I went out with Carrie?"

"No go ahead just be back by 11, ok?"

"Ok...and Mom?" She said kneeling in front of her "I know Dad still loves you, he'll call."

She just looked away from her, she wanted him to call and make everything to go back to the way it was but she wanted him to learn from this. She was watching TV when the phone rang she was gonna answer it but she recognized the number, she sat and waited for the machine.

'Hey this is Deanna and Nick were kinda busy *laughter* you know what to do.'

"I really have to change that message." She said outloud as Nick started talking.

"Deanna...How are you? I miss you, I know you won't admit it but you miss me too. I love you honey you know I do. I'm sorry for what I did, I know that doesn't make things right but..." He sighed "Deanna I know your there...just pick up the phone and talk to me...please? Ok call me when you get this. I love you. Bye."

"Uh huh sure you do." She said getting up heading upstairs.

"Hey Nick me and Leighanne are gonna turn in ok?"

"Ok night Bri and thanks." Nick said from the couch.

Nick lay there staring up at the ceiling wondering how he ha dgotten into this mess. He sighed, it was useless now she would never take him back. God he missed her.


Lyrics: Back To Your Heart by The Backstreet Boys

"I beg and plead fall to my knees, to find a way back to your heart. Give me one more chance, to prove my love to you...(give you my love, my love) Cause noone one this earth, loves you like I do..."


As soon as Brian and Leighanne were upstairs there was a knock at the door.

"Melanie? what are you doing here?"

"Daddy..." She said hugging him "God I miss you."

"I miss you too."

She broke the hug. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, but how did you know I was here?"

"Come on now, I know you."

Nick smiled and looked at her she was looking more like her mother everyday. The same brown hair, glistening blue eyes, and that same radiant smile. That was her mother alright. God he missed her.

"How's your mom?"

"Like you really have to ask. Before you say anything listen...I know Mom still loves you you've been together for a long time and I want you back home."

"I know baby I wanna come home too but your mother...you know how she is."

"Yeah..." She said laughing a bit "How about if I help you to win Mom back?"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yes I would I know you two love each other you just gotta find your way back you know."

"Yeah that's true."

"So my little match maker whatcha got in mind?"

"Well I thought you could send her flowers, you know roses her favorite."

"Uh huh...but thats it flowers?"

"No I was thinking that I would set you two up."

"You are pure evil, are you sure your my daughter?"

She laughed "Yes Dad I'm sure. Ok so Wednesday night at 8 sound good?"

"Yeah I'll do anything to win your mom back."

"Uh oh..." She looked down at her watch.

"What?"

"It's almost 11 I gotta go or else Mom's gonna kill me."

"Go." Nick stood up as Mel hugged him tight "Love you."

"Love you too." She waved then left as Nick layed back on the couch.

'I love you baby.' He said to himself before drifting off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick took his daughters advice and sent her a bouquet of red roses everyday. Hoping that it would work. And each day she did the same thing, tossed them in the trash.

"Mom!" Mel screamed when she saw her mother throwing away the flowers her father had sent.

"What?" Her mother looked up as she dropped them in the trash.

"Why did you do that? Are those from Daddy?"

"Yes they are and I had to he can't win me back by sending me flowers."

"Maybe its his way of apologizing."

"Well he better come up with a way better apology." She said pushing the kitchen door open and walking out. Mel just stood there.'Dad better come up with something and fast cause Mom's just about had it.'

Another day another bouquet of flowers. Mel watched as her mother did the same as the day before. She sighed. 'Maybe Dad's really screwed up this time.'
She decided to call him and see if they could work something out.

"Dad?" Mel said when the phone picked up.

"Hey Mel, has your Mom been getting the flowers?"

"Yeah but shes been throwing them away, what now?"

"I don't know this was your idea remember?"

"Yeah I know..." She sighed "How about a blind date?"

"I don't know...how are you going to get your Mom to go along with it?"

"I don't know...hmm...how can I trick Mom into going somewhere without her getting suspicious? Ok how about this, how about we set it up at that restaurant you two like to go too and..."

"I'm liking where this is going but one question."

"Yeah?"

"Whats the plan to trick your Mom into coming?"

"Dad trust me ok? Just book the reservation I'll think of something."

"Ok and Mel? Thanks."

"Well I would like to see my parents happy you know."

"Yeah I know...I'll go do that right now and you think of a plan ok?"

"Ok bye Daddy."

"Bye Mellie." He said before hanging up using the pet name he had given her.

"Ok note to self kick Dad's butt for calling me that." She said outloud as she grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. Sure the name was cute when she was 5 but she was 16 now and Mellie just sounded...well childish right?

The phone rang as she walked to the door she waited to see if her mother would answer it which she didn't. She closed the door and the machine kicked in.

'Hey this is Deanna and Nick were kinda busy *laughter* you know what to do.'

"Deanna it's me again look you can't avoid me forever."

"Oh yes I can." She said getting up and walking into the other room.

"You still love me I know you do, just as much as I love you."


Lyrics - Back To Your Heart by The Backstreet Boys

"I don't know how it got so crazy but I'll do anything to set things right cause your love is so amazing...
Cause baby your the best thing in my life. Let me prove my love is real and make you feel the way I feel, I promise I would give the world. If only you would tell me girl..."


Who the hell was she kidding she did still love him but she wasn't going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Oh no...she would let him come crawling back. If he loved her the way he said he did he would come crawling back no doubt about it.

"Just pick up the phone and talk to me." There was a pause "Please baby I miss you so much." He sighed "Ok, I don't know what else to do. Your obviously there listening. I'll stop at nothing to get you back you hear me baby nothing. We're meant to be together and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Look I'm gonna go if you want call me I'm at Brian's. I love you."

She ran to the phone and picked it up. "Nick? Nick I'm here." All she got was a ringing letting her know that he had already hung up. "God, I miss you too Nicky..." She said putting the phone back down. She picked it up and went to dial his number.

Mel came back in and watched from the door. She got his machine.

"Nick..."

Nick sat down next to the machine listening.

"Look I was listening. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love you too and I miss you. I was just pissed and this I will never forget. So call me back if you want."

She hung up before he could pick it up and get a word in. Mel smiled as she walked in the house.

"Hey Mom, you ok?"

"Huh?" She said looking back at Mel "Yeah baby I'm fine."

"I'm gonna take you out to help you forget about Dad. Do you wanna go?"

"Sure, anything to get my mind off of him."

Mel walked upstairs to her room and noticed her mothers wedding ring still sitting where she threw it. She picked it up and looked at it.

'Don't worry Daddy Mom's gone fall in love with you all over again' She said to herself putting the ring in her pocket as she went to her room.

Nick went to the restaurant to wait for his wife and daughter, he sat at the table looking around to see if he saw them. He was nervous he didn't know what was gonna happen. All he knew is that he had to win back his wife one way or another. Mel and her mother got to the restaurant. They were seated just tables away from Nick.

Deanna looked around and spotted him. "Damn."

"What?" Mel asked turning in her chair "Oh look Dad's here." She went to get up but her mother held her arm "Mom..."

"Melanie we are going to leave right now."

"Mom come on at least talk to him."

"No I won't. Wait...your trying to set us up aren't you?"

"No why would you say that?"

"Melanie Marie don't lie to me."

Oh boy. She used the first and last name, oh boy I'm in for it now' Mel thought as she continued to look at her Mother.

"Ok fine I'm trying to set you up, but Daddy really wants to apologize and I know he's been calling and you haven't talked to him."

"Mel I can't believe you."

"But Mom he loves you."

"Oh yeah if he loves me so much then why did I catch him with Kat?"

"Mom I don't know all I know is that that man loves you, he told me so. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to get you back."

"Your father said that?"

"Yes he did please Mom take him back. I hate seeing you two fight."

"But your father hurt me."

"I know just, do this for me? Please?"

She sighed "Ok I will, for you and since you went through all this trouble to get us back together."

She got up and made her way over to Nick's table as Mel turned in her chair to watch what was about to go down.

"Hello Nick."

"Dee..." Nick said looking up at her "Hey yourself."

"Mind if I join you?"

"No not at all." He said getting up pulling her chair out so she could sit down.

"Look before anything happens I'm doing this for our daughters sake and because..." She looked at him as he leaned in to hear what she had to say "Because I love you Nick, and us being apart like this has been torture for me. And when I caught you with her I thought for sure it was over."

"I did too." He said reaching his hand out taking hers in his "I love you more than anything you know that, it's just one thing led to another and..."

She reached over and put a finger to his lips to shush him, she didn't need to hear about it anymore. "Nick what's done is done we can't change it now, but I'm willing to give you another chance. That is if I can trust you this time."

"Thats all I wanted and I promise I'll never cheat again, I mean it this time. I love you."

"I love you too Nicky." She said smiling then leant across the table to kiss him.

Mel smiled watching her parents, they truely belonged together.


Lyrics: Back To Your Heart by The Backstreet Boys

"The words to say the road to take to find a way back to your heart..."


Months later Nick had kept his promise and they were back in the married routine again, but she was at home and he was on tour. He had kept his distance from Kat, he didn't want to hurt Dee again, he made a promise and he was gonna stick to it.

"Hey Nick..."

"Hey Kat." He said trying to walk past her.

"Nick you've been ignoring me since we got back on the road. What gives?"

"I'm making amends with my wife, I don't want what happened between us to happen again."

"So your saying it was a mistake?"

"I didn't say that but yeah thats what it was."

"So all that shit you said about loving me was a lie?"

"Yeah, why are you mad?"

"Yes I am, I thought..." She looked down "I thought you loved me."

"Kat listen when I say love, alot of times I really don't mean it."

"I hope you and your wife are happy." She said before storming off.

Nick didn't even look at her. AJ had walked in just as Kat was running out.

"So Nick...Kat...KAT! Wait up..." He caught up with her "What's up babe?"

"Nick dumped me thats what."

"You two were never dating, you do know that right?"

"Yeah but thats what it feels like I was just a sextoy for him when his wife wasen't around."

"And you thought you would be more than that? Sorry babe but thats show biz for ya."

"Great, just great..." She said before walking away.

"Damn." He said watching her walk away. He shrugged and walked back in the room with Nick.

"Is she gone?"

"Yeah she's gone but she says it feels like you dumped her."

"I dumped her? We weren't even dating."

"I know but thats how she puts it."

"That girl was nothing but trouble. I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved with her."

"Yeah but you did and now shes pissed as all hell."

"Do I look like I care cause I don't, being with her was the biggest mistake I've ever made."

"But with Kat...Kat."

"I know well damn, if your so interested then why don't you get with her." Nick said walking out of the room leaving AJ by himself.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick was back home and Deanna was happier than ever. She loved him and she was willing to give him another chance. He had gone out to see Brian so she planned an evening just for them. Mel was gonna stay at a friends house, she was so happy to see her parents back together. That's the way it should be.

"So how are things with you and Dee?" Brian asked as him and Nick sat on the porch of his house.

"Were doing really good, and shes learning to trust me again."

"That's good. See? I told you she would forgive you."

"I still don't think she has, I mean it's been months since its happened and we still haven't made love, ya know?"

"She'll come around if not sooner, later."

"Yeah I know, but I've never had to go this long without it."

"And don't go to another woman for it either."

"I won't Brian. I promised her, and I'm not gonna break it again." Brian got up to go in the house and Nick's cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Nicky, are you coming home soon?"

"Yeah baby in a little bit."

"Ok good cause I got a surprise for you when you get home."

"Oh really?" Nick smiled.

"Yeah so don't be long, Love you."

"Love you." He hung up just as Brian came back out.

"Everything ok?" Brian asked sitting back down.

"Yeah...hey I'm gonna go I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Ok..." Brian said as Nick got up and went to his car. He waved to Brian and drove off. Leighanne came out "Bri where's Nick?"

"He went home, I think Dee called when I went in the house."

Nick got home 'What is she up to?' He thought as he opened the door.

"In here..." She called out as Nick followed where her voice was coming from.

There in their kitchen stood his wife clad only in a black lace nightgown. 'Oh my god' Nick said to himself taking in the sight in front of him.

"Well...are you just going to stare or are you gonna come here?" She asked playfully as Nick dropped his keys on the table and removed his jacket. When he was close enough she pulled him closer by his shirt collar.

"Come here Kaos..." She gave him a sexy smile before kissing him.

A kiss that left them both breathless. She started to get up on the counter till Nick put his hands on her hips helping her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

"I missed this..." He said keeping his hands on her hips. She traced his lips with her finger as he watched her.

"I love you."

"I love you too baby so much."

"Kiss me Nicky..." She said softly leaning in and softly kissing him which led to a even more passionate kiss.

Nick ran his hand up her nightgown pushing it up over her waist.

"I want you to make love to me right here in the kitchen, How about it?"

"Do you even have to ask?" He asked as her hand inched lower to his belt undoing it. His pants and boxers fell to the floor and she positioned herself on the edge of the counter. Nick grabbed her hips and entered her which caused her to throw her head back.

"God I've missed this...I missed you..." She moaned as Nick picked up his pace.

"Oh shit...Deanna..." He said closing his eyes.

They both looked into each others eyes as Nick's thrusts sped up. Just then they heard the door open.

"Oh shit..." Nick said stopping as she clung to him.

"Mom? Dad?"

"It's Mel I thought she was at a friend's house?"

"Guess not..." They quickly pulled apart and got dressed just as Mel came into the kitchen.

"Ok...did I interrupt something here?"

"No honey your father and I were just talking." She said looking over at Nick.

"Yeah, talking..." Nick repeated

"Ok I decided to come home."

"That's ok I'm just gonna go up to bed." She said faking a yawn hoping Nick would catch what she was onto.

"Yeah me too, night Mel."

"Night. Those two..." She giggled as she watched her parents go into the living room.

When they were out of Mel's sight she ran up the stairs with Nick following behind her. They got to the top of the stairs and Nick picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. She closed the door and lead him to the bed, both falling on it. She pulled him to her for a kiss that took them back to the moment they had just shared downstairs.

Afterwards snuggling against her drifting off to sleep he realized the words he had to say all along he was saying, those three simple words never meant more to him then they did at that moment. He whispered a sentimental 'I Love You' in her ear as he snuggled behind her falling asleep.


Lyrics: Back To Your Heart by The Backstreet Boys