Chapter 1: Going to New York
It was a sad Saturday for eight year old Kayleigh who was upset to see her twenty year old brother Nick getting ready to move out and move to New York.
She walks into Nick's bedroom to see him folding his clothes and packing them into a suitcase on his bed. Nick heard someone walk in and turns to see the little girl with a long frown sad look on her face.
"Why are you leaving?" she asked sadly. "Well New York has better opportunities for my music career" he said. "But I'll never get to see you again. I never get to see Joey and Kevy now you too it's not fair" she whined.
Nick sighs and moves his folded clothes off to the side before sitting down on his bed facing her. "Come here" he said opening out his arms to her. Kayleigh walks over to him and he takes her hands in his.
"I know how you feel and I hate leaving you but this is what's best for me and Kevin and Joe didn't want to leave either but they're both married and want to start their own families. I know you don't like that we won't be able to see each other a lot but you can always call me and I'll video chat with you whenever I can" Nick said.
"I'll miss you Nicky" the child said with tears in her eyes that sadden Nick's heart. "I'll miss you too baby but I promise as soon as I get settle you can come visit me. Doesn't that sound like fun?" he said.
Kayleigh nods her head but she still wasn't smiling. Nick touches her chin. "Can I have a smile from the princess?" he asked as he tickled her side causing her to squirm and giggle and finally smiling.
Nick smiles and lifts her up onto his lap. "Do you feel better now?" he asked. Kayleigh smiles and nods her head. "I love you Nicky" she said. Nick kisses her head "I love you too honey" hugging her close to his chest. "I need to finish packing now" he whispered reluctantly lifting her off his lap. "Ok" she said, she kisses him on his cheek and walks out of the room.
Once Nick finished packing he grabs his stuff and walks down stairs to see his parents, younger brother and sister, and his dog Elvis waiting in the foyer. "Do you have everything you need?" Denise asked as Nick stepped off the last step.
"Yep I think so" Nick said. Denise smiles and caresses her son's cheeks. "Have a safe trip and be careful" she said pulling away from him. "I will" he promised. Denise hugs him. "I love you and I want you to call me as soon as you get to New York" she said her voice shaking.
"I will mom, I love you too" Nick said. Denise pulls away and with tears in her eyes she kisses his cheek. Nick walks over to his father who was slightly holding up better than his mother.
"Have a good flight son" Paul said. "I will dad love you" Nick said hugging his father briefly. "Love you too" Paul said. Nick smiles then looks at his twelve year old brother. "You're the man of the house now Frank. Take care of Kay for me and be good for mom and dad" he said.
"I will" Frankie said and Nick hugs him. "Love you" "Love you too". Nick kisses his head then looks down at his little sister whose bottom lip was quivering and her eyes were moist with tears.
He kneels down to her height. "You going to be ok?" he asked softly. Kayleigh nods her head. Nick caresses her cheek fondly, "You have grown to be such a big girl and I'm so proud of you" Kayleigh smiles.
"You be a good girl for mommy and daddy, ok?" Nick said. "Ok" Kayleigh said. He opens his arms out to her and she fills them. "No matter how far away I am just remembered that I'll always be there for you" he whispered in her ear.
Kayleigh nods her head. Nick pulls away after a few minutes and saw tiny tears rolling down her cheeks. Nick wipes them away and kisses her. "I love you Nicky" she said.
Nick touches her forehead with his. "I love you too" he said and kisses her nose. Big Rob pokes his head through the front door. "Time to rock and roll Nick" the bodyguard said. Nick gets up and grabs his stuff.
"Bye" he said as he solemnly walks out the door. Kayleigh watches her brother walk out the door feeling as though this was the hardest thing she would ever have to do but little did she know that it wasn't even close to the challenges she'll face in the future.