Song Info: The song in this chapter is “King Of Sorrow” by Sade from the cd “Lovers Rock”

~*Chapter 4*~ King Of Sorrow

I'm crying everyone's tears
And there inside our private war
I died the night before
And all of these remnants of joy and disaster
What am I suppose to do

Justin ran to the phone, “Hello?”

“Justin, it’s Val.” Valerie said in between tears.

“What’s wrong Val?” He asked and sighed.

“Just meet me on 16^th street, as fast as you can.”

“Ok, I’ll be there.” Justin wondered what happened that could make her cry. He drove down the road as fast as he can.

I want to cook you a soup that warms your soul
But nothing would change, nothing would change at all
It's just a day that brings it all about
Just another day and nothing's any good

The DJ's playing the same song
I have so much to do
I have to carry on
I wonder if this grief will ever let me go
I feel like I am the king of sorrow, yeah
The king of sorrow

He stopped when he saw flashing lights and Val standing talking to a cop. He jumped out as fast as he could. “Valerie what’s going on?”

“Justin, I hate to tell you this but, Aaliyah and the kids are dead, they were hit by a drunk driver, I’m so sorry.” Valerie said in between tears.

I suppose I could just walk away
Will I disappoint my future if I stay
It's just a day that brings it all about
Just another day and nothing's any good

The DJ's playing the same song
I have so much to do
I have to carry on
I wonder will this grief ever be gone
Will it ever go
I'm the king of sorrow, yeah
The king of sorrow

Justin stood there looking at her shocked. He felt soo bad. All of the things he never got to tell her. The worse part about it was he didn’t even tell her he loved her this morning. He was in such a rush to get out of there this morning. He told the girls bye, but didn’t tell her. Lately she was so depressed, more than anything she wanted to be able to be the out going person she used to be.

I'm crying everyone's tears
I have already paid for all my future sins
There's nothing anyone
Can say to take this away
It's just another day and nothing's any good

I'm the king of sorrow, yeah
King of sorrow
I'm the king of sorrow, yeah
King of sorrow

“Justin…Justin…” Aaliyah said and shook Justin and watched him sit up. “Are you alright?”

Justin smiled and pulled her down onto his lap, “Liyah, I want you to remember how much I love you.” He kissed her, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.”

Aaliyah smiled at him, “What exactly brought this on?”

“The dream I just had, it just made me realize something’s.” Justin held her, “I love you and those kids so much.”

“Mommy, can I have some sgeti o’s?” Ashleigh asked and looked at her mother with a smile.

“Sure sweetie, I’ll be downstairs in a second alright.” Aaliyah laughed and looked at Justin, “Sgeti O’s.”

Justin laughed, “So what are you doing this afternoon?” He asked.

“Well, I’m going grocery shopping, and then I’m going to go running.” She said and looked at him. “Why?”

“Well I want to go with you.” Justin smiled and ran his hands through her curly hair, “We could get Katie to watch the kids for a few hours.”

“Do you think you can last two miles?” She asked and smiled, “Because there are no breaks, you have to keep running.”

“I’m up for it.” Justin said.

“Ok, I bet you fifty dollars you can’t last a mile.” Aaliyah grinned.

“Your on.” Justin looked back at her.

~2 hours later*~

“Can we just take a little break?” Justin asked while breathing heavily.

“Oh please, I’m just getting warmed up come on.” Aaliyah rolled her eyes as she ran and when she looked back the second time she laughed and looked at Justin. “You just lost the bet.”

“You just lost the bet.” He mimicked and rolled his eyes. “Fine you win.” He laughed, “Show off.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She smiled and waited for him. “You know, I think Izzy lasts longer than you do, she at least made a mile.”

“You know, you can be so annoying.” He laughed, “My side hurts.”

“You’ll be fine, next time we can roller blade.” She laughed at the look on his face.

“Yippee..” He said sarcastically and laughed as they walked.

~*An hour later*~

“15-30,” Ashleigh yelled from the side and watched her mother and older sister run back and forth.

“You’re not going to be winning for long.” Issabell said with a smile.

“Yeah, whatever I told you that I was good with tennis.” She laughed, “And your dad knows how good I am with basketball too.”

“You know, one of these days I’m going to beat you in something.” Justin said and looked up at them from the sidelines. “Right Courtney?” He asked and watched her laugh; “I take that as a yes.”

“Your asking a two year old Justin, most of the time they drool and laugh, and sleep and whine.” Aaliyah rolled her eyes, “Alright Izzy are you ready.”

“I’ve been ready,” Issabell said with a smile.

“You need this set to win and so do I, so you better bring it this time.” Aaliyah said and smiled as she served.

Ashleigh watched them go back and forth and sighed, “Yep, Izzy you lost.” Ashleigh smiled.

“I’m going to get my revenge mommy, you just wait.” Issabell smiled.

“Well when you’re ready to bring it I’ll be ready.” Aaliyah laughed and sat down next to Justin. “You know, I never imagined having three wonderful girls and a wonderful husband and life.”

Justin smiled and looked at her, “Well I’m glad that you gave me a second chance even though you and I both know I didn’t deserve it.”

Aaliyah looked up from Courtney and smiled, “Well I’m glad I changed my mind.” She sighed when Courtney started whining. “Are you sleepy Courtie?” She asked and looked at Courtney. “I’m going to put her down for a nap.” She said and stood up.

“I’m coming with you.” Justin said and stood up with her, “I have a question.”

“And it is?” Aaliyah asked as she closed the door behind them.

“If me and you never met what do you think your life would be like?”

“Well, I would probably be living in New York, I would be single, because that’s the type of person I am, and I would still be singing and acting but I would have a lot of time for myself.” She said and laid Courtney down. “And if I had the chance I probably would live close to my mother.” She smiled down at Courtney before turning to face Justin. “Why?” She asked and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Just wondering.” He said and kissed her softly, “Just Wondering.”