Chapter Sixty-Six

(A Month and a Half Later – February 12, 2002)

“You’re taking her where?”

“Just to Lake Tahoe for a few days. I want some time away – just the two of us – before the tour starts and before we become parents.”

“But why take her there?” Lance continued. “There’s snow there.”

JC shrugged. “There’s snow in Utah too, yet we’re going there next week.”

Lance shook his head. “I just can’t imagine you voluntarily going somewhere where it’s cold.”

“I’ve rented a nice two level cabin and if I have my way, we won’t be leaving it at all.” JC winked.

“But you’ll have her back in time for Sunday night, right?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want her to miss her surprise birthday party.” JC paused and looked at Lance. “So you’re having the big announcement made on TRL next week, huh?”

“Yeah,” Lance started picking at his cuticles. “I figured I should let the fans know, since I’ll be flying to Russia one weekend next month.”

“Well you know we all wish you the best… just ignore any comments Chris makes.”

Lance grinned. “Chris who? I’m not even worried about what people think… it’s what I want to do and I’m not going to let anyone stop me.”

“Good for you.” JC clapped him on the back. “Laurie went for her monthly check-up and ultrasound today… I’m not impressed that I have to be here instead of with her…” JC kicked at the floor. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. We need to rehearse. Especially since Johnny is giving me the rest of the week off.”

“Do you know what you’re having yet? Or do you want to be surprised?”

“We want to be surprised.” JC smiled almost shyly at Lance.

“All right guys, break is over!” Marty Kudelka called out. He was the choreographer they had hired to replace Wade. “Let’s get going!”

JC and Lance rolled their eyes and fell into position while Chris complained from across the room.

**********

(Lake Tahoe – Later that Night)

“Josh… this is… absolutely breathtaking.” Laurie gasped as she explored the cabin.

It was a two level chalet style cabin and with a fireplace in the living room and the bedroom. It was decorated with European antiques and had floor to ceiling windows. It afforded a beautiful view of the snow-covered trees and even though it was cold outside, being with JC warmed her to the bone. JC walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his hands on her pregnant belly.

“Do you like it?” He murmured against her ear.

“I love it… and we have it until Sunday?”

“It’s all ours.” He slipped his hands underneath her oversized shirt and began to caress her stomach. “Let’s go downstairs, have something to eat and relax in front of the fire.”

JC and Laurie walked downstairs together and went into the kitchen.

“What smells so good?” She asked.

“I had someone come in earlier today and prepare one of your favorite meals.” He put a pair of oven mitts on his hands, opened the oven and withdrew the dish that was nestled inside. He placed it on the counter and removed the lid with great flourish. “Filet of Sole, just for you.”

Laurie’s mouth started to water. “I can’t eat all that… you’re going to help me… right?”

“Of course… there’s a lot here for one person…” he smirked. “Even if you are eating for two.”

“Are you implying I’m fat?” She frowned.

“Not at all.” JC walked over to her and kissed her. “You’re just pregnant and full of love for me and our child.”

“Good answer.” She smiled.

They carried their dinner into the living room and sat next to each other on the sofa. When they were finished eating, they placed their plates on the coffee table and Laurie snuggled up to JC. The only light came from the fireplace and they felt completely content in each other’s arms.

“I meant to ask how the ultrasound went today.” He said and stroked her belly.

Laurie had her eyes closed. “It went well. The nurse said the baby is forming beautifully and appears to be perfectly healthy.”

“Did you find out the sex?”

Laurie opened her eyes. “I thought you didn’t want to know?”

“I don’t.” He shrugged. “I was just wondering if the nurse accidentally mentioned it or if you saw something on the ultrasound.”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “Have you given any thought as to names yet?”

“Kind of… I’ve been thinking about it and I was wondering what you think of naming the baby after Lance?”

“The thought had crossed my mind too… it would be hard to name a girl after Lance though…” Laurie mused.

“Mmm…” JC thought. “What about Jaimie?”

“I like that.” She murmured. The fire was making her sleepy. “What about a middle name that starts with an ‘S’ so she could have the same initials as you?”

“That would work.” He moved his hand from her stomach to her arm. “But then if we have a boy, he has to have your initials.”

“We could name him Lance… and I’ve always like the name Andrew…”

“See?” JC kissed her forehead. “That’s perfect. All we need now is a middle name for our daughter.”

Laurie’s breath had become deep and even and JC realized she had fallen asleep. Carefully, without disturbing her, he picked her up into his arms and carried her upstairs and laid her gently on the bed. He kissed her forehead again and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

*********

(Several days later – February 17, 2002)

“It feels so good to be home.” Laurie leaned against JC as they walked into his house. “It’s been a wonderful week and a wonderful birthday so far.” Her eyes were sparkling and she reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.” He returned her brief kiss with a longer, lingering one. “Lance invited us over to dinner tonight, so if you want to change first, we can head over there when you’re ready.”

“Sure, just give me a couple of minutes.”

JC waited patiently by the front door as he waited for Laurie to return. His mouth dropped open when she appeared on the stairs because he had never seen her looking more beautiful, even though she was wearing a maternity outfit he had seen her in many times.

“You’re glowing.” He kissed her cheek. “I think pregnancy agrees with you.”

“I think it’s just the company.” She flirted. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

**********

Laurie was shocked when JC guided her into Lance’s house. All the guys and several of their closest friends were there to help celebrate her birthday.

“This is… just…” She started. She felt JC give her a little nudge.

“I think you need to go and talk to Lance and Michelle before you do anything else.” He winked at her and gave her a kiss.

Laurie was fortunate that she spotted Lance with Hannah and Michelle right away. They were standing at the bar and Hannah was defending Chris’ latest comments about Lance going to Russia to train for the space program.

“’Basstronaut’,” Hannah scoffed. “Like that’s not going to be done a million times.” She looked at Michelle. “Doesn’t he ever give up?”

Michelle laughed and shook her head. “If he does, I have yet to see it.”

“Well that’s encouraging.” She muttered and smiled as Laurie approached them. “Hey! How was the mini vacation?”

“It was great… Josh rented a gorgeous cabin that had a wonderful view.” She sighed happily. “And we eloped on Valentine’s Day.”

Michelle squealed. “What! You did not!”

“We did.” Laurie grinned and showed them her rings. “It was a complete surprise to me, but Josh had it all planned out…”

***Flashback***

(February 14^th, 2002)

“Did you bring the dress I asked you to bring?” JC asked. He was already dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks, shiny dress shoes and a tie. “I would like you to wear it… I have special reservations for dinner tonight.”

“Sure, just let me change… is there anything else I need to bring?”

“Just your beautiful self,” JC murmured and cupped her face in his hands. He kissed her lightly and let her go. “I’ll be waiting here for you.”

**********

“So where are we going?” Laurie asked once they were on their way.

“You’ll see.” JC gave her knee a light squeeze and kept his hand there. “It’s a surprise.”

Laurie gave JC an odd when he pulled up outside a quaint little house that looked like it had been built during the Victorian Era.

“This is just a quick stop,” he explained. “There’s someone inside that we need to talk to.”

“We?”

“Just trust me.” He smiled and held his hand out to her. They walked to the door together and JC knocked on it.

A little man, probably around the same age as JC’s father answered the door with a huge grin on his face. “Joshua Chasez and Laurie Williams… I’m so glad you could make it. Come right in.”

Laurie gave JC an odd look, but conceded when JC tugged on her hand. They were led into a room that was filled with several different kinds of flowers and the little man stood on the other side of the room with a bible in his hands.

“Josh, what…”

“Laurie…we’ve been through so much during the past ten months that I don’t think there’s any else our relationship can’t handle.” He touched her growing belly. “I would love it if you would marry me. Tonight.”

“I would love to marry you…” she whispered. “I don’t… I don’t have a ring for you though.”

“I already thought of that.” He told her and pulled an identical pair of wedding bands out of his pocket and gave her the larger one. “We can go shopping for an engagement ring when we get back… something that you really want.”

There were tears in Laurie’s eyes. “I just want you.”

JC wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her cheek. “Then let’s get married.” He turned to the man that now stood in front of them. “Reverend Matthews… we’re ready.”

***End Flashback***

“I think I was always ready for that moment,” she murmured and looked down at her ring.

Michelle squealed again and placed her hands over her heart. “Oh my… that is just so incredibly romantic!”

“I’m so happy for you two,” Hannah hugged her.

“Does this mean that I’m out of commission now?” Lance laughed.

Laurie laughed too. “Actually, Josh and I need to speak with you about something…” she started but was interrupted by Chris coming over and joining their little group.

“What’s going on over here?” He looked at Michelle. “Why do you keep squealing?”

“JC and Laurie eloped on Thursday!” She exclaimed and hugged Chris impulsively. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“Does this mean we have to give her time off work for her honeymoon?”

“Chris!” She slapped his arm. “That’s not the point… besides, I think you guys are a little too busy right now for them to go on a honeymoon.”

“I’m just sayin’…”

“Yeah and no one is listening.” Justin interrupted as he joined the group with Stacy. “What am I missing over here?”

“Ooo, can I make the announcement Laur? Please?”

“What announcement?” Joey asked. Laurie groaned and looked across the room at JC. She gave him a helpless look and he started walking over.

“What’s going on?” JC asked.

“Michelle wants to make the ‘official’ announcement. I didn’t want to tell her yes without talking to you first.”

“WHAT ANNOUNCEMENT?” Joey and Justin exclaimed in unison.

JC took Laurie’s hand into his. “Laurie and I eloped on Thursday.”

Several people laughed as their mouths dropped open. Stacy closed Justin’s. “Close your mouth dear, you’re going to catch flies.”

JC leaned down a little to whisper in Laurie’s ear, “I want to make the announcement with you, but first I want to talk to Lance.”

Laurie nodded. “Could you excuse us please? Everyone but Lance, that is.”

The small crowd dispersed and Lance was left with an apprehensive expression on his face.

“Relax Lance.” JC laughed. “Laurie and I just want to talk to you for a second.” He motioned for Laurie to go ahead.

“Josh and I were talking about baby names while we were gone and we both agreed that we would like to name our baby after you.”

Lance ducked his head and blushed. “Are you serious?”

“We want to. If it weren’t for you, we probably wouldn’t be standing here together right now. You’ve been an incredible help, sacrificing your own relationship to help us with ours…” JC told him.

“It was really nothing, I just…”

“We know.” Laurie looked from Lance to JC and back again. “If we have a girl, we’re going to name her Jaimie Shannon… and if we have a boy, we’re going to name him Lance Andrew.”

Lance suddenly enveloped JC and Laurie in a huge bear hug. He was overwhelmed. “I love you guys.”

“We umm…” JC tried to untangle himself from Lance’s grip. “Your hugs are getting as bad as Joey’s for not wanting to let go. Jeez…” JC laughed. “We also would like to make you our child’s Godfather.”

“Really?” Lance’s eyes shone with happiness.

“We can’t think of anyone else better suited for the job.”

Lance grinned. “I’d love to be Jaimie or Lance’s Godfather.” He paused. “On one condition.”

JC’s brow furrowed. “What’s that?”

Lance turned to face Laurie. “That you have the baby before I go to Russia in May.”

Laurie burst into laughter. “I’ll pass the message along.”

Chapter Sixty-Seven