Wish You Were Here!
**Disclaimer: I do not own or know Justin Timberlake or JC Chasez. (If you would like to help me out on this one... feel free to email me, ;) ). Their characters do not belong to me, nor does Lynn(Author’s note: I KNOW that Lynn’s last name is NOT Timberlake. Work with me, people.). But, all other characters belong to me. Jessica Adin, Adrian, Allyson, Allyson’s parents, and the like. Forever. The song is not mine, I wish I could write like that! That song belongs to Keith Urban. Please take the time to review my story, I really appreciate your opinions!! Thanks so much, guys.**
"Final call, flight 479. Boarding at gate C. Boston to Orlando. Final call, flight 479."
Reluctantly, the blue-eyed man stood from the uncomfortable airport chair. He smoothed his navy blue woolen sweater that she had given him for his birthday, just 4 days ago. He reached out his arms to embrace her before he left. The wool tickled her neck as she kissed his cheek.
"I love you, Allyson." He bent down a little, and kissed her lips gently, hesitant to let go.
"I love you too, Justin." She whispered.
"EEW! Kissing! Adrian, did you see that?" five year old Jessica turned away from her parents, embarrassed.
"Jessica, you be good for me, OK? Don’t forget to feed Callie."
Jessica had begged for a kitten for two years now, and Santa finally decided to surprise her with one.
Justin squatted down to Jessica’s level. He ruffled her bouncy brown hair. She had inherited her father’s tight curls, and her mother’s mahogany color. Both children had their father’s eyes.
Jessica wrapped her arms around her daddy’s neck. "I won’t, Daddy. I take good care of Callie."
Justin rose to his feet, Jessica still wrapped securely around his neck. "And be gentle with Adrian." He gestured towards the 6-month-old baby boy, sleeping peacefully in his baby carrier. It was a cold February morning, and he was wrapped snugly in several blankets, on top of his terry cloth pajamas and footies.
"Give me a kiss, Jess."
Jessica gave him a quick kiss on his lips, and released her arms from around his neck. He lowered her slowly back to the ground. He brushed a finger across his infant son’s cheek, not wanting to wake him. He kissed his index finger and pressed it to Adrian’s nose.
"You better get going, baby." Allyson picked up Justin’s briefcase from the floor and handed it to him. "You don’t need to miss your flight." Her eyes twinkled as she smiled, and then kissed him again.
"Bye Allyson, I’ll see you on Monday. I’ll be back before you know it."
"Bye, Justin." She waved to him as he walked towards the terminal. He turned around at the gate, and blew a kiss to his daughter, who was sanding on the chair, waving to him.
As the plane pulled away from the boarding tunnel, Allyson, carrying Adrian, walked over to the window, holding Jessica’s hand. She helped Jessica up onto a chair against the wall so she could watch the plane take off.
They watched the plane go down the runway, and ascend into the chilly February morning. Allyson was almost as disappointed as Justin was that she couldn’t go with him to his 20th reunion in Orlando. They had been planning it for months now; they would leave the kids with Allyson’s parents in Boston. They would go to his reunion, and then fly down to the Keys for a few romantic, relaxing days before heading back to dismal Boston. But she hadn’t been able to get off work, so Justin had to go by himself. He was going to the reunion that evening, then he would spend the next two nights at his former band mate, JC’s house. He was looking forward to spending Sunday with JC- he hadn’t seen him in years, it seemed.
"OK Jess, Daddy’s on his way to Orlando now. What do you say we go get some breakfast and then head home?"
"Can we get Burger King?"
Ever since Justin had taken Jessica to Burger King for French toast sticks one morning last summer, she never passed them up if given the opportunity for them.
"Sure, honey." Allyson held her hand as she excitedly jumped down from the chair. "I swear, Jessica, you’re going to wake up one morning, nothing more than a bowl of syrup!" she laughed.
***
"This is your captain speaking. We are currently 12 miles from Washington D.C.. We will be laying over in the DC airport to de-ice our wings. We apologize for the inconvenience."
**Good thing Allyson made me plan a few extra hours.** Justin thought to himself.
A minute or two later, Justin fastened his seat belt as the plane began to descend to the airport. The passengers were encouraged to exit the plane during the de-icing process. It was 38o outside, and since they had to turn off the engine during the process, for safety reasons, the plane was going to get very cold. They were told to return to their terminal in an hour and 15 minutes.
**Well, at least I can get something in my stomach before I get back on the plane.** he thought as he stepped off the plane.
He scanned the area for a payphone, to call Allyson. He walked through the airport a bit, and found a group of phones by the bathrooms. He took 35 cents from his pocket, and slipped it into the slot on the phone. He picked up the receiver, and dialed their number. It rang twice, and Jessica picked up.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi Jess!" he smiled at the sound of his daughter’s voice.
"Hi Daddy! Are you in Orlando yet?" he heard her yell to her mother, "Mommy, Daddy’s on the phone!" and he grinned again. He heard in the background, "Let me talk to him, honey. Go finish your French toast." They handed off the phone.
"Hey, baby." Allyson leaned against the doorframe as she watched Jessica drown her toast in syrup. "Why aren’t you on the plane?"
"I’m in DC. They had to stop to de-ice the wings, I just thought I’d call to make sure you made it home all right, with the ice and all."
"Oh, yeah, we made it just fine. Adrian slept the whole way, and all Jess could concentrate on was how close we were to Burger King."
Justin laughed as he could hear the smile in his wife’s voice. He only wished he could see it on her beautiful face. "I hate to run, but I need to grab a bite to eat before I get back on the plane. Don’t forget, Monday night at 9:30. Gate D, I think. It’s written on the calendar in the kitchen."
"I know, I won’t forget, We might be a little late, though. I don’t get off until 9."
"Oh- well, that’s alright. I’ll wait for you there."
"OK, sounds like a plan. I’ll see you on Monday."
"Bye Allyson, I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
He hung up the phone, and walked across the hall to a small cafe, where he ordered a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, and a bottle of orange juice. After eating breakfast by himself, he glanced at his watch. 8:21. He had a few minutes before he had to be back. He started walking slowly back to the plane, but turned into an airport gift shop. He was surprised to see an array of postcards from all over the country, against the back wall. Seattle, Honolulu, Chicago, Topeka, you name it. He scanned the wall for a postcard from Orlando to send home. A beautiful picture of a brilliant sunset going down over a cluster of palm trees caught his eye. He pulled it from the rack, and saw that it had "Orlando" scrawled across the bottom of the picture, in gold script.
**Perfect.**
He walked to the counter and purchased the single postcard. The cashier bagged the card, and handed it to Justin, with his receipt and change.
"Keep the change." He said, laying it back down on the counter, before he turned to leave.
He was walking back to the terminal as the announcement came on that his plane was boarding.
**Stamps!** he remembered. **Oh well.** he thought as he continued towards the plane. **Too late now. I can’t send it until I get to Orlando, anyway. I’ll buy some there.**
***
Once the plane had taken off, and was leveling out, Justin pulled the small bag from his briefcase, along with a blue pen. He wished that he had a better color to write in, but he had forgotten about that, too. He let down his tray table, and laid the postcard and pen on it. He studied the picture on the front of it. The sunset reminded him of the spectacular sunset they had watched from their balcony in the Virgin Islands, on their honeymoon. In fact, it looked exactly the same.
~*Flashback*~
"Justin, come look at this." Allyson called from their porch that overlooked the ocean. It was on the west side of the island, so they always got to see a beautiful sunset at night. But this one was really something. "Isn’t it beautiful?" she asked as Justin joined her on the porch, gesturing to the horizon that spread in front of them.
He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and brushed her hair to the side to kiss her neck. "No, you’re beautiful."
Allyson put her arms around his neck and kissed the tip of his nose, then his lips. She kissed him slowly, gently, and he returned the kiss in the same manner. He pulled away, and put his arms around her waist again. She put her back to his chest, and leaned against him as they watched the sun slip into the water. As it disappeared, it cast the clouds hovering above it miraculous shades of yellow and orange. As it sank deeper into the silent water, the hues turned to brilliant reds and purples, and then to indigo as the light faded completely. He continued to hold her to him as he softly sang their song.
"The first time I looked in your eyes I knew
I would do anything for you
The first time you touched my face I felt
What I’d never felt with anyone else
I wanna give back what you’ve given to me
I wanna witness all of your dreams
Now that you’ve shown me who I really am
I wanna be more than just your man
I wanna be the wind that fills your sails
Be the hand that lifts your veil
Be the moon that moves your tides
The sun comin’ up in your eyes
Be the wheel that never rusts
Be the spark that lights you up
All that you’ve been dreaming of and more, so much more
I wanna be your everything
When you wake up I’ll be the first you see
When it gets dark you can reach out to me
I’ll cherish your words, I’ll finish your thoughts
I’ll be your compass baby, when you get lost
I wanna be the wind that fills your sails
Be the hand that lifts your veil
Be the moon that moves your tides
The sun comin’ up in your eyes
I’ll be the wheel that never rusts
Be the spark that lights you up
All that you’ve been dreaming of and more, so much more
I wanna be your everything
Wanna be your everything..."
~*End Flashback*~
He picked up the pen, and flipped the card over, and wrote a short letter to Allyson.
"Dear Allyson-
I miss you already. I’ll see you soon. I’ll be waiting for you.
Always,
Justin"
He capped the pen, and carefully laid the card into his briefcase so that it wouldn’t get bent. He yawned, realizing for the first time how tired he was. This was the first time in awhile he had been up on a Saturday morning earlier than 7. He leaned back in his chair, and went to sleep.
***
Justin awoke to turbulence, and a plane full of frightened people. The pilot was in the middle of an announcement.
"...it’s going to be risky, but I’m going to have to try it. Please fasten your seat belts, and remain in your seats. Make sure your tray tables are in their upright and locked position." The pilot clicked off the microphone and Justin felt the plane start to descend, tossing an turning.
"Excuse me," Justin tried to stop a stewardess who was rushing to her seat. She looked over her shoulder to him, but didn’t stop.
But, Justin didn’t need anyone to tell him what was going on. He could look out the window and tell. The engine under the left wing was completely iced over, as was the wing itself.
**He’s probably going to try to make an emergency landing.** He assumed. Miles below the plane was a stretch of cornfields.
Passengers were beginning to panic. Children were crying, couples were holding each other.
**It’s just an emergency landing- right?**
~*Flashback*~
White christmas lights chased each other playfully through the pine boughs of the ornately decorated Christmas tree, providing the only light in the spacious living room, save for the glow of the dying fire.
Justin watched the fire dance in Allyson’s brown eyes, that were becoming heavier with each passing moment. She nestled her head in the nook of his shoulder, and took a deep breath. She smiled at the familiar scent of his cologne. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer to him, and pressed his lips gently to her forehead, and then to her hair. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, and smiled, knowing that he held all of his tangible happiness in his arms. She closed her eyes and lightly laid her arms around his neck.
Snow had begun to fall outside, and was shimmering in the pale moonlight.
"Looks like we’re going to have a white Christmas." He said, observing the feathery snow that was beginning to accumulate.
She opened her eyes and looked out the window. "It’s so peaceful." She rose from the couch, took Justin’s hand, and walked with him to the window. "It’s been so long since I’ve seen a white Christmas." She said, gazing at the slow, steady drift of the crystal flakes. She raised the window, and allowed a draft of cold, fresh air into the room, and with it came soft snowflakes that stuck to their eyelashes and hair. Satisfied, she closed the window and looked to Justin, still holding his hand. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her lips, slightly wet from the snow landing on them. He drew back, his eyes still closed. He gradually opened them, and, with a smile, walked to the cabinet beside the fireplace. He pulled open the cabinet door and switched on the CD player, and turned the volume down low. Soft piano music graced the air as he crossed the room to Allyson, who was still standing with her back to the window.
"May I have this dance?" he said as he approached her.
"I’d be honored." She smiled brightly as he led her by the hand back across the room, to stop in front of the fireplace.
~~Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose...~~
Justin wrapped his arms around Allyson’s waist, and rested them on her hips. She, in turn, put her arms around his neck, and laid her head on his shoulder.
~~Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimoes...~~
She once again breathed in the scent of his cologne, and felt completely content and tranquil in the loving arms of the man she trusted with all her being.
They slowly swayed back and forth in time with the beloved Christmas carol, feeling the crackling fire warm their bodies. He held her closer, feeling her gentle heart beat against his. He kissed her cheek lightly, and pulled back just enough to look her in the eye.
"I love you, Allyson." He whispered softly.
"I love you too, Justin." She returned his hushed tone, and leaned in closer. Slowly, delicately, she put her lips to his. Sweetly and passionately at the same time, and so portraying every emotion her heart had ever felt for him. They slowly stopped moving, and stood, the music still playing, kissing so tenderly and innocently, feeling their hearts, minds, and bodies connect all at once, They eventually drew away as the music faded.
Justin laid a short kiss on her lips as she opened her eyes.
"I have a confession to make." She cast him a puzzled look as he continued. "I know we promised not to get anything fancy for each other this year, but I did. This is the first, last, and only promise I’ll ever break to you." He took her by the hand and led her to the cheerfully lit Christmas tree. He released her hand, and began sifting through the numerous presents for each other and family members.
"Oh that’s OK, baby, but I don’t have anything fancy for you-"
He cut her off before she had the chance to finish apologizing. "You might be surprised what you have for me."
Still very confused, she continued. "Are you sure you want to give it to me on Christmas Eve?"
He looked up at her and grinned with a twinkle in his eye. "I honestly can’t think of a better time, darling." He found the box, and closed it in his palm. He stood, with the light from the fire reflecting in his bright, anxious eyes. He placed the small, black velvet box in her hand, and watched as she slowly untied the thin, red ribbon from around the box, and opened it. She gasped as her eyes laid on a beautiful, glistening diamond, set in a platinum band.
Justin swiftly removed the ring from the cushioned box and kneeled in front of her.
"Allyson, you know I love you with all of my heart and soul. You have opened my eyes to things in this world I never imagined, and my heart to feelings I never dreamed possible. I can think of no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with, than you." He paused, and took a breath. "Allyson, may I take you as my wife?"
He watched as an enormous grin spread across her face and her eyes lit up as she exclaimed an ecstatic "Yes!!"
He slipped the ring on her slender finger, and rose to his feet. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him with more emotion than she ever had before. He supported her weight with his arms around her back as he kissed his brand new fiancée for the first time.
~*End Flashback*~
Justin threw his hands to his ears as they burst from the rapid change in altitude.
~*Flashback*~
Justin stood by Allyson’s hospital bed, holding her hand during the painful contractions. They were getting closer and more intense, but the doctor said that if her cervix didn’t expand to 10 cm. By the next hour, they would have to do a C-section to deliver the baby. The minutes creeped by, measured in pain killers, and contractions, and she was still too small to deliver the baby naturally. So, they moved her from the hospital bed to a stretcher, and started wheeling her down the hall to the operating room. Justin walked alongside the stretcher, taking long strides to keep up with it, still holding her hand as she squeezed his.
"Justin... it’s coming, it’s coming. The baby’s coming." She could barely get her voice above a whisper.
"Just hold on, baby, we’re almost there. Just hold on."
Allyson continued huffing and puffing, sweat pouring down her face, and then released a blood-curling scream, stopping the doctor in his tracks.
"Allyson, can you feel it?" Dr Matthews turned around to face, her, his hands on the bars of the stretcher.
Allyson could only nod her head as she pursed her lips in pain.
Dr. Matthews looked under her hospital gown, saw that the cervix was still too small, and yelled to his nurse.
"Emily! Get Dr. Williamson! We need an epidural right now! They baby’s in the birth canal already, and it’s too late to do the C-section." Dr. Matthews pushed the stretcher into an empty room along the hall.
"Right away, sir." Emily disappeared around the corner.
5 minutes later, Jessica Adin Timberlake crowned, and was introduced to the world for the first time. Dr. Matthews, covered to his elbows in blood and placenta, called Justin over to cut the umbilical cord. Beaming with pride, he carried his daughter to the chrome scale, and laid her delicately onto it. The nurse weighed her, and announced to the occupants of the room, "7 pounds, 2 ounces!" She gently wrapped Jessica in a pale yellow blanket, and handed her back to Justin.
He carried the tiny baby, safely tucked in his loving arms, to Allyson. Placing Jessica into her mother’s welcoming arms, he squatted by the bedside, and kissed Allyson’s cheek.
"You hear that, darlin’?" he asked her. "7 pounds, 2 ounces. Jessica Adin Timberlake. She’s beautiful."
~*End Flashback*~
**So this is how it ends.** Justin concluded as the plane spiraled out of control towards the cornfield. Smoke was pouring from the engines.
~*Flashback*~
"Don’t forget, Monday night at 9:30. Gate D, I think. It’s written on the calendar in the kitchen."
"I know, I won’t forget. We might be a little late, though. I don’t get off until 9."
"Oh- well that’s alright. I’ll wait for you there."
~*End Flashback*~
**I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll be the first one to walk you through the gates when you get your wings.**
"I love you, Ally." He whispered as he closed his eyes.
***
"Jessica, why don’t you go to Grandma and Grandpa Timberlake’s house for awhile, sweetie. You and Adrian can go. I bet Grandma’ll even help you bake those walnut chocolate chip cookies you love so much." Allyson tried to smile for her daughter, through her tears. She bent down to hug her, and Jessica wrapped her arms tightly around her mother’s neck.
"Don’t cry, Mommy. It’s going to be OK." Jessica wiped the tears from Allyson’s face.
"I know, sweetie." She managed a smile. "I know. Now go on with Grandma and Grandpa." Ally stood up, and handed Adrian to Lynn. "I’ll come get them later tonight." She said as she dried her eyes with the sleeve of her black coat.
"Oh honey, don’t worry about it. We’ll bring them home in the morning." Lynn offered, adjusting her hold on Adrian. The baby slept peacefully all the way through the funeral, and he was just now beginning to wake up.
"Thanks so much, Lynn. I really appreciate it. If they’re any trouble... any trouble at all, just call me... I’ll come get them."
"Oh sweetie, they won’t be. Keep your head up, OK?"
Allyson watched as her children left with her parents-in-law; Adrian tucked safely in Lynn’s arms, Jessica holding her grandfather’s hand. She waited for the swarm of sympathetic friends, family, and acquaintances to trickle away from the site, and then walked to Justin’s grave and took a seat next to the large headstone, her legs stretched out next to the fresh mound of soil. She burst into tears again, as soon as she saw his name carved into the granite. It read:
Justin Randall Timberlake
Loving Husband, Devoted Father.
January 31, 1981-February 4, 2017
"And I shall dwell in the house of my God, forever."
Allyson’s tears slowed as she turned her attention to the sunset. She smiled, remembering the one she and Justin had watched together on their honeymoon. It was as if Justin was speaking to her through the sunset.
She turned back to the headstone, tracing her fingers over the cold stone, admiring the hundreds of flowers that their loved ones had placed all around his grave. A flash of laminated paper caught her eye, and she pulled a single postcard from the midst of all the flowers. It was a picture of a group of palm trees, standing in front of a spectacular sunset, much like the one that was forming now. Across the bottom, in simple gold script, it read, "Heaven."
She flipped the card over and recognized Justin’s ornate handwriting, in the same gold ink as "Heaven" on the front. Her eyes welled with fresh tears, and a feeling of serenity wrapped its arms around the moment as she read his message.
"Dear Allyson-
I miss you already. I’ll see you soon. I’ll be waiting for you.
Always,
Justin"
Email: Bsncy@aol.com
