"Happy anniversary, Baby Girl," said Nick, giving his girlfriend, Raelene, a kiss.

"Happy anniversary, Kaos," Raelene said, kissing him back.

It was October 1, 1998, Nickolas Gene Carter's and DeAnna "Raelene" Lopez's 9 month anniversary. It was one of the few anniversaries they got the chance to spend together. In their 9 months together, they've spent 4 of their anniversaries together. Their 5th, 6th, 8th, and now their 9th.

It was all understandable, though. Ask almost any girl on this planet who Nick Carter is and you'll get a very frenzied girl. Raelene, as she is called by her friends, is considered the luckiest girl in the world because she is Nick Carter's girlfriend. Nick is a member of the world's most popular group, the Backstreet Boys. But it didn't start out that way.

Nick and Raelene met almost 6 years before, trying to start a relationship then, but things didn't work out the way they wanted it to. They decided friends was the way to go for the time being. As time passed, they had their share of problems because of stolen kisses, (un)intentional caresses, even an occasional date. In private, where no one could see them, especially Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, and AJ McLean, the rest of the Backstreet Boys as well as Nick's closest friends, who always thought Nick and Raelene were in love, they just didn't want to admit it.

Nick and the guys had been trying to make it in the music business for 2 years before they got a record deal with Jive Records in 1995. Now, they were a huge hit all over the world, as well as in their home country. It took a while for the US to catch on to the Backstreet hype, but when they did, the US welcomed them whole-heartedly.

That was a big reason why Nick and Raelene's relationship always stayed at the friendship level. Nick was always in another country or at home with his family in Ruskin, Florida. Raelene figured SHE saw him more than they did at that time. Nick usually had Rae fly out to wherever they were and spend a couple of weeks with him and the Boys.

"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked, looking at the Raelene's thoughtful expression.

"About the first time we met," she replied. "I was so glad I met you. You and the guys really helped me through a lot."

"Well, we all love you. None of us wanted anything to happen to you 'cause we care about you and we always want you to be near us. Especially me."

"That's an impossible feat when you'll be in Germany next month and more than half of December."

"Then come with us."

"You know I have school. As much as I'd love to go to Germany again, I can't afford to miss school."

"I know. The German fans would really like you to come back. They took the announcement of you being my girlfriend really well."

"I know, but if I want to graduate in June, I have to go to school. You don't want me to flunk out, do you?"

"No, of course not. It's just that I'm going to miss you. I won't have my Baby Girl to hold during the night."

"Then let's enjoy the time we have right now."

Raelene stood on her tiptoes and gave Nick a long, passionate kiss. Nick kissed her back as he picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. Actually, her room, but since they always shared a room together, both Nick's room in Ruskin, Florida, and Raelene's room in Barstow, California, became known as "their room".

Nick lay Raelene on the bed and looked down at her. 'After all these years, she's finally mine,' he thought. Raelene sat up and put her arms around Nick's neck. They both lay down on the bed, Nick on top of Raelene.

They kissed each other until they were breathless. Nick ran his hands over Raelene's body, under her shirt, and down her soft skin. Raelene's hands roamed over Nick's back and down his stomach. She lifted his shirt and helped him take it off. He unbuttoned her shirt and pushed it off her shoulders. Slowly, Nick unclasped her bra and slid the straps down her arms.

Nick stopped and looked at Raelene. She lay back with her eyes closed. Then she looked at Nick and saw him staring at her with love in his eyes.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered.

"You're not so bad yourself," Raelene said with a smile.

She began to kiss his neck, shoulders, chest, and stomach as she unzipped his jeans. The rest of their clothes fell to the floor and, together, they found themselves in a world of love.

~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~

A few hours later, Nick lay next to Raelene, watching her sleep. Sometimes, he could hardly believe the time had come for them to be together. He lightly caressed Rae's bare back. 'She looks just like an angel when she sleeps,' he thought. Nick never though it would be like this. He loved her so much, with all his heart and soul. He wasn't going to let her go this time. No, he was going to do anything and everything to keep her by his side.

He knew from the moment her saw her that day almost 6 years before, they were meant to be. But the had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get where they are now, and no matter what, they had always put their friendship first. Nick saw a 13-year-old Raelene in his mind saying, "Promise me, Nick. Now matter what, we'll always be friends." Then Nick saw a 14-year-old version of himself saying, "I promise. Nothing will ever come between us and our friendship...."