yay! i love this next section. :))) and lets just say, if you're a nickluver, you should pretend you're gwen. i know you'll want to. this section almost brought my friend to tears. :)))

this chapter also starts Lily's birthday... have any of you figured out what wrong with Lily by now? i'm just gonna assume none of you have cause NONE OF YOU REVIEW!

izzi

chapter eight

Nick paced in front of his computer. It was a Saturday night, Gwen probably wasn't even online. Still… he had his guitar ready next to him.

Finally his computer 'dinged'. He was online. Nick slid into the chair, studying the screen as he searched for what could be Gwen's new screen name.

His heart skipped a beat when his eyes caught it.

there's no place like home : (

And the little person was green. Gwen was online.

Nick picked up his guitar but did not tune it, he already did earlier that afternoon and he had only limited time to do this.

Nick turned on his webcam and clicked the icon to record a video message. When he saw his own image on the screen he began to talk.

"Hey Gwen. I know it took you a while to decide to open this, but I'm glad you did," Nick started, leaving behind the rehearsed speech he had made up earlier. Somehow the words currently flowing from his mouth sounded better.

"I know you are still angry with me, and you have every right to be. What I did was horrible, and another sorry isn't going to do it. But I know what will."

Nick cleared his throat and began to play the beginning chords of his latest song. Soon he began to sing:

Hello Beautiful, how's it goin,

I hear it's wonderful, in California.

I've been missin you.

But tonight, I'm gonna fly.

Yeah tonight, I'm gonna fly!

Cause I could go across the world and see everything,

And never be satisfied.

If I couldn't see those eyes.

Hello Beautiful, it's been a long time,

Since my phone's rung, and you've been on that line,

I've been missin you.

Yeah it's true.

But tonight, I'm gonna fly.

Yeah tonight, I'm gonna fly!

Cause I could go across the world and see everything,

And never be satisfied.

If I couldn't see those eyes.

When he finished he looked back up at the camera, wrapping up his video.

"I hope you know that I meant every word of that song. I know you know I can't lie when I sing… so please. We don't have to hit it off right away, or ever again if you don't want to. But it would mean the world to me to hear your voice again. I love you."

Nick leaned forward, ending the video. He sent it to Gwen after checking to see she was still online.

He sat staring oat the screen for a moment before he remembered what he had said at the beginning of his video. It would probably take Gwen a long time to watch his message, if she even did. Finally, he got up and took his guitar back downstairs to the den.

Gwen sat at her computer in her new bedroom in her new home. California was absolutely amazing, but her screen name said it all. She missed Wycoff, New Jersey and all of her friends. Especially Lily, Alexa, Kristin, Alyssa, David, and of course three of the four Jonas boys.

Suddenly her computer make a dinging noise and an automated voice told her she had received a new video message. Gwen glanced up from her book to see who it was from.

Music à Life… juniorguitarist

Nick.

Gwen hesitated. Her first instinct was to watch the video, but that would be breaking her trend of ignoring Nick's attempts at communication. She thought for a moment, then made a decision.

She reached forward with her right hand, gently resting it on the black mouse. Sliding it across the Harry Potter mouse pad, Gwen's pointer finger clicked down on the left button, opening Nick's video.

Suddenly Nick appeared, wearing her favorite of his outfits. His hair was as neat as a mess of curly hair could get, and his dark eyes almost glowed.

Gwen sat up, her book dropping out of her lap and onto the floor. She didn't notice; she was too wrapped up in what Nick was saying.

Gwen's eyes began to water as he began to sing. She listened to the words, letting them flow through her.

She felt warm tears roll down her cheeks and drop into her lap. Gwen couldn't believe she had gone so long without this boy.

Without a second thought she reached for her house phone, dialing Nick's number. She wiped her eyes and listened to it ring, praying someone was home at the Jonas household.

"Hello?" someone asked. The voice was slightly on the higher side and a touch nasally. Gwen smiled at the familiarity.

"Cap'n Kevo?" Gwen asked.

"Gwenny the Pooh!" Kevin exclaimed. "What great turn of fate has you calling our home?"

Gwen started laughing and responded, "Is Nickers home?"

Kevin smiled and Gwen could hear it in his voice, "Yeah."

"Can I talk to him?"

Gwen heard Kevin shout up the stairs. Suddenly she realized what she was doing; who she was going to talk to for the first time in a twenty days. Her smile dropped and she glanced at the frozen image of Nick on her computer screen.

"Hello?" the voice was low, much lower than Kevin's. Gwen could tell that Kevin had withheld the information as to who was calling.

"Nick?" Gwen asked, her voice much weaker than she wanted it to be.

"Gwen?" Nick replied, his voice suddenly as weak as hers.

At the sound of his voice, especially at saying her name, Gwen's eyes started to water again. She couldn't believe she had separated herself from him for so long.

"Nick…" Gwen's voice cracked. She tried to continue. "I watched your video."

"Really?" Nick asked, "Did you like it?"

"I loved it," Gwen replied.

Nick smiled but said nothing.

"I'm so sorry," Gwen whispered.

"For what?" Nick asked, surprised.

"Ignoring you."

"Don't apologize, you had every right to. I was a horrible boyfriend, and besides ruining our relationship I ruined our friendship and broke your heart."

"What is broken can most always be mended," Gwen responded.

"That's what I tried to do with my song."

"You always have had a way with words," Gwen finished.

There was a short silence, but Nick broke it by saying his mom needed to sue the phone. They said goodbye, then right before he hung up Nick said, "I love you."

He waited, hoping this silence wasn't because Gwen had hung up. He also prayed it wasn't too soon to say what he did.

"I love you too," Gwen finally said, her smile heard in her voice.

Nick smiled and hung up the phone, falling backwards onto his bed. He sighed, then a thought came to him. He raced out of his room and downstairs to the den, tossing his mother the phone on the way.

He grabbed his guitar and his notebook, sitting down on the couch. All of a sudden he began to play from his heart, a song forming.

Take my hand tonight, we can run so far,

We can change the world, do anything we want.

We could stop for hours, just starin at the stars,

Reach on down to show us.

You know when the sun forgets to shine,

I'll be there to hold you through the night,

We'll be runnin so fast we could fly, tonight.

Even when we're miles and miles apart,

You're still holdin on to my heat,

Promise we'll never be apart, I know, we're inseparable.

We could run for hours, if you wanted to,

I would not get tired, because I'd be with you.

I'd keep singing this song, until the very end.

We'd have done all these things, yeah!

You know when the sun forgets to shine,

I'll be there to hold you through the night,

We'll be runnin so fast we could fly, tonight.

Even when we're miles and miles apart,

You're still holdin on to my heat,

Promise we'll never be apart, I know, we're inseparable.

I would give it all, never let you fall,

Cause you know, we're inseparable.

I would give it up, just to show you I'm in love,

Cause you know, we're inseparable!

"Dude," Joe said from the doorway, "What was that?"

Nick looked up at Joe, beaming. He responded, "A song."

"what's going on?" Kevin asked, appearing next to Joe.

"Nick wrote a new song in less than four minutes," Joe responded. "And it's good."

"Really?" Kevin asked, perking up.

Nick nodded. He explained, "It's about Gwen."

Joe smiled, thinking back on the lyrics. His little brother must have made up with Gwen just moments before.

"Can I hear it?" Kevin asked, walking over and sitting next to Nick.

Nick nodded, and Joe joined his brothers on the couch. Nick began to play his song again. Kevin and Joe both took sheets from the notebook next to Nick; Joe writing down lyrics and Kevin recording chord progression.

Nick just kept playing his song, so happy and inspired. He could've sat there all day singing; now that he had Gwen again.

XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD

"Wake up sleepyhead," someone cooed softly in Lily's ear.

She smiled but shook her head, not willing to open her eyes.

"Come on, Birthday Girl, you have a big day ahead of you," the voice said again. It was low and smooth, the breath it traveled on was warm against her ear.

"Go away, Joseph," Lily mumbled, swatting the air blindly.

"No way, Lillian," Joe responded, his lips hovering over her ear.

He kissed her temple, whispering, "Come on."

Lily shook her head again, so Joe moved down and pressed his lips lightly against her cheek. "Now?" he asked.

"Not yet," Lily replied.

"Alright then," Joe said, "You give me no choice."

Lily smiled, waiting for what Joe was going to do. Suddenly his perfect teeth clamped down on her ear. It was soft, but still with some force.

"Oww!" Lily shouted, many things happening at once. Her eyelids flew open as she shoved Joe backwards, sitting up at the same time.

Joe fell to the floor and began to laugh as Lily's hand went to her ear. Joe stood up, collecting himself.

"Come on, Lil, I didn't bite you that hard," Joe said. "And it did wake you up."

Lily looked at Joe, exaggerating her pain in her expression. Joe's face fell as he reached for Lily's hand.

He pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. He said, "I'm sorry, Boo. I didn't mean for it to hurt."

"That's okay," Lily responded, squeezing Joe's chest.

Joe pulled back just enough to go for a kiss. Lily stopped him, saying, "Eww, Joe. Morning breath! Let me take a shower and brush my teeth first."

Joe sighed but stepped away from Lily so she could leave to take a shower. He rand downstairs as she stepped under the hot water, so far pleased with her day. Joe waking her up? Good call, Mom. she thought.

Lily stood at her closet, rifling through her clothing to find the dress she had purchased for this day. Smiling, she pulled it out and over her head. Her dark ringlets were soaking wet, but she usually let her hair air-dry anyway so she thought nothing of it.

After applying a bit more makeup than usual, Lily ran downstairs to see their already small living room housing three extra people.

Mrs. Jonas and Lily's mom were gossiping on the couch while paying a slight bit of attention to Frankie and Lily's younger brother, Jeremy, who were playing some video game. Sitting on the floor were Joe and Lily's fourteen-year-old brother Shawn. Joe was watching Shawn do some card trick he had learned off of the internet; and Joe was genuinely amazed.

"Well I'm glad you all are having so much fun," Lily said from the doorway.

Everyone's heads turned to see Lily. She smiled and showed off her dress.

"Happy Birthday!" Jeremy and Frankie yelled simultaneously.

"Thanks," Lily said.

Joe stood up, walking up to Lily. He hugged her and put his arm around her thin waist, leading her to the kitchen.

Joe lifted Lily up and sat her on the counter. Joe stood in front of her with one hand on either side of her legs.

"and what would the birthday girl like for breakfast?" Joe asked.

Lily smiled and answered, "Just a glass of water."

Joe obliged. Lily took a gulp and set the cup down beside her on the counter. Joe stood in front of her again.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Lily suggested, "How about a kiss from the best boyfriend ever?"

Joe smiled and the two leaned together. They began to kiss and did so fro a few minutes before Jeremy and Frankie walked into the room.

"Ew, kissing. How gross," Jeremy said.

Joe pulled away from Lily and Frankie countered, "Kissing isn't gross, or they wouldn't do it all the time."

Lily laughed and Frankie and Jeremy left the kitchen. Joe leaned against the counter next to Lily.

"So where's the rest of your family?" she asked.

"Dad's at work and Kevin took Nick to get something last minute for the party," Joe explained.

"Why didn't you go with?" Lily asked.

Joe shrugged. He said, "I was told I couldn't. But it all worked out cause I got to wake you up."

"Thanks for that, by the way," Lily commented.

Joe smiled, patting her knee.

"Anytime," he responded.

yay again! now plz... REVIEW!! the more you review, the faster you'll learn what's to come of Lily's birthday! and trust me... it's exciting. :))

izzi