Song by Edwin McCain
(Two months later – End of June, 2002)
Justin was lying on the floor in front
of Ryan’s carseat watching him sleep and frowned. “Babies are so boring… make him do something.”
“He’s only two weeks old Justin,” Michelle
laughed. “He’s not supposed to do
anything yet.”
“He’s so tiny…” He told her. “For as big as you were when you were
pregnant, I’m surprised he didn’t weigh more when he was born.”
“Thanks a lot, Justin!” Michelle
through one of the sofa pillows at him and he grinned.
“I’m playin’ and you know it.” He
stroked Ryan’s cheek gently with his finger.
“I can’t believe I’m this little guy’s Godfather…”
“At least you didn’t cry when he was
born… not like Lance when Laurie had Jaimie.”
Justin laughed. “Yeah… it’s too bad he had to go back to
Russia so soon after Ryan was born… but at least he was here for it.”
“Chris really appreciated that…” she
said softly. “Laurie will be over with
Jaimie soon, since you’re so bored with my child.”
“Nah,” Justin shook his head. “She’s not my Godchild, Ryan is. I have priorities, y’know. Where is Chris anyway?”
“He’s sleeping… Lord knows he needs it
after the stress of the last two weeks.
He’s been so incredible letting me catch up on my sleep that I figured it
was his turn… though I caught him napping on the sofa the other day with Ryan
on his chest… it was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. They were both drooling.”
“I heard my name,” Chris yawned and
came into the living room. His hair was
all over the place and he was only wearing a pair of track pants. He gave Michelle a kiss and leaned down to
pick up his son.
“Chris don’t you dare wake up that
child. I already told Justin the same
thing.”
“She was serious too… threatened my
life and everything.”
“Like that takes a lot…” Chris
muttered. “You want a beer or something
J?”
“Yeah sure, thanks.”
“They’re in the fridge.” Chris jerked
his thumb in the direction of the kitchen.
“Help yourself.”
Justin rolled his eyes and pushed
himself up off the floor. He mumbled to
himself all the way into the kitchen.
Chris sat down beside Michelle and placed his arm around her shoulders.
“How long has he been here?”
“Not long… he wanted someone to play
basketball with and I think he was going to ask you, but then he started
watching Ryan.”
“He loves that kid.”
“Yeah he does…” Michelle’s voice
trailed off as Justin came back into the room.
“Did you still want to beat Chris’ ass at basketball?”
“Hey!” Chris exclaimed a little too
loudly and Ryan jerked awake and started to cry.
“Dammit Chris…” Michelle swore. “Now I’m kicking your ass out of the house…
you too Justin… go play basketball or something while I try to get him back to
sleep.”
“Yes dear.” Chris replied meekly and
Justin followed him out to the side yard.
“Jeez… men!” Michelle picked Ryan up
and started to rock him. The doorbell
rang just as he started to fall back to sleep.
She closed her eyes and sighed, but she wasn’t angry because she knew it
would be Laurie with Jaimie.
“Hey.” Michelle said quietly as she
opened the door. “Where’s JC?”
“He’s in the studio… I didn’t want to
interrupt him.”
“Well Chris is outside with
Justin. I kicked them out of the house
because they woke up the baby.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah… it’s fine though, because I’ve
almost got him back to sleep.”
Laurie
placed Jaimie on the floor beside Ryan and took the cold glass of iced tea that
Michelle offered her.
“Wow
it’s hot out there.” Laurie wiped a bead of sweat away that was sliding down
her temple. “Damn humidity.” She sat
back. “So have you and Chris set a date
yet?”
“We’ve
talked about having a fall wedding… Chris is trying to convince me to have it
on Halloween.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh
I’m sure he’s just kidding…” Laurie’s voice trailed off when Michelle started
to shake her head. “Oh. Serious?”
“Yep.”
“Well,
since Chris has the beard horns, I guess you could dress like the bride of
Satan.” Laurie grinned.
“Laurie! I like
the beard horns! I’m just concerned
about what’s going to happen when Ryan gets a little older and starts tugging
on them.”
“That
would be funny, you’re going to have make sure that you video tape it…” Laurie
paused. “Listen… I kind of have a favor
to ask…”
“Sure,
what is it?”
“Josh
wants to take me to New York this weekend to The Plaza where we were reunited
and it’s been two months since Jaimie was born, so the doctor said it’s all
right for me to have sex again…”
“And
you want Chris and me to watch Jaimie?”
“If
you wouldn’t mind… I really don’t want to leave her because she’s still so
young and I know Ryan is only two weeks old, but it’s only for one night and
since you’re her Godmother, I wanted to ask you first.”
Michelle
hugged Laurie impulsively. “Of course
I’ll watch her. You and JC go ahead and
don’t worry about a thing.”
(That
Weekend)
JC
and Laurie sat on the balcony of The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan with their
fingers intertwined as the sun went down.
When the first stars started to twinkle in the night sky, JC spoke.
“Y’know…
more often than not, I regret marrying Alexandria, but then I can’t help but
think that if I hadn’t married her, you and I wouldn’t be here together right
now. I know we’re meant to be together,
if not now, then it would have happened a few years down the road…” He lifted
her hand and kissed it. “I know this is
right. I know this is forever. That’s
why I wanted to bring you here… because this is where we met again and this is
where my life became complete. You’ve
given me a daughter and that’s all I need.
You and Jaimie are my true loves.
Nothing else will ever compete with that. I love you Laurie.”
Laurie
didn’t even realize she was crying until JC kissed away the few stray tears
that were making their way down her face.
“Nothing
I could ever say could even start to measure up to those beautiful words… you
mean so much to me… you always have.
You and Jaimie are my life and I’d be devastated if I ever lost either
of you. I love you.”
JC
stood up and drew her into his arms. He
lowered his head and began to kiss her gently at first. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist
and ran his tongue along her lips, requesting access. She granted it easily and her hands slid slowly up his arms and
snaked around to the nape of his neck to deepen the kiss. After several minutes, JC reluctantly pulled
away. “Come on Mrs. Chasez… it’s
beginning to rain. Let’s go inside.”
***
Lying here with you –
listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the
smile upon your face
These are the moments – I
thank God that I’m alive
There are the moments –
I’ll remember all my life
I found all I waited for
And I could not ask for
more
Looking in your eyes –
seeing all I need
Everything you are is
everything to me
These are the moments – I
know heaven must exist
These are the moments – I
know all I need is this
I have all I’ve waited for
And I could not ask for
more
I could not ask for more
than this time together
I could not ask for more
than this time with you
Every prayer has been
answered
Every dream I had has come
true
And right here in this
moment
Is where I’m meant to be
Here with you, here with me
These are the moments – I
thank God that I’m alive
These are the moments –
I’ll remember all my life
I’ve got all I’ve waited
for…
And I could not ask for
more.
***
The
End
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