Chapter 11
~4 Months Later~
The tour had been long over and all the guys were taking a little break before they went back in the studio to record their fifth album. They were set to go back in exactly a month. Joey was using that time to spend with his new wife and little girl. Justin was just chillin' around the place and bothering Violet with Chris, and Lance was making another movie. JC was also taking it easy for like the first time in his life and was only going to studio to loosen up. He spent most of his time with Violet.
All of the guys found out about their relationship the last week Violet had been with them on tour and Justin was the least happy about it. But he eventually came to terms with it. His last words about the whole thing to JC was "if you hurt her, I kill you." Ever since he has been completely fine about it. Just a little overprotective as per usual.
Sarah finally found out just who J and Josh were. After a little bit of flipping out about it, she was fine. It was a little awkward at times to actually be that close to Nsync and hanging out, but Sarah adjusted, fast. She and Lance were actually hitting it off quite nicely.
As we speak, Violet and JC were actually freaking out. Violet realized something and told JC about it. He tried to remain calm but just couldn't. Pacing the room back and forth, JC bit his nails. Violet knew he was nervous because he never bit his nails.
"What are we going to do?"
Shaking her head, Violet replied. "I don't know."
"God, I thought we were careful."
"We were. Just apparently not careful enough."
Stopping in his tracks, JC sat down on the coffee table in front of Violet and grasped her
hands in his own. "Hey, calm down. We'll get through this."
"I'm not so sure." She began to cry and JC wrapped his arms around Violet in a protective
embrace. Reaching over to the phone, JC dialed his doctor's office and found out if they
could fit them in today. Much to his approval, he found out there was an opening in an
hour. Getting Violet's things together, they got into JC's jeep and he drove to the doctor's
office.
After a twenty minute wait, Violet was called in.
"Ok Ms. Emerson, put this gown on and I'll be right back. The bathroom is right through
there."
"Thank you." Violet changed quickly and sat with JC as they waited for the doctor to
return.
"Alright Ms. Emerson. I just have some routine questions for you before we begin the
procedure."
"Alright."
"When were you due to get your period?"
"Five days ago."
"And have you been feeling any cramping in your abdomen region?"
"Not more than usual."
"Ok. Have you been feeling tired lately?"
"Who wouldn't be after running a club. But actually, I have been feeling a little more
exhausted than normally."
"Ok. And have you been feeling any nausea at all during the day?"
"Not really. I mean, I wake up and feel a little sick, but that's it." JC held on to her hand
through the whole thing. Feeling more and more nervous as they came to the end of the
testing.
Violet was told she could get dressed and so she did. She and JC were now sitting there
holding hands, waiting for her test results. Both thinking the worst.
After ten more minutes of waiting, the doctor re-entered the room.
"I have your results, Ms. Emerson." Sitting up fully, Violet and JC gave her their full
attention. "What would your reaction be if I told you all the tests came up negative?"
"We'd be extremely relieved."
"That's what I figured." The look on the woman's face told Violet and JC that they didn't
want to hear what she had to say. But both knew they needed to hear it. "Well, then I'm
glad to tell you you're not pregnant."
"Oh my god! Thank you!" The older woman watched as JC and Violet hugged and kissed
each other, obviously happy with her answer.
"It's probably just stress from your job or something. Just take a few days to relax and you
should be feeling as good as new."
"Thank you Dr. Riley."
"No problem." She handed them a piece of paper. "Just give this to the woman at the
front desk. Have a good day."
"Oh we sure will now." She laughed easily. That was a huge weight lifted off their
shoulders.
~*~
Violet and JC laid in the grass in the park just talking and being lazy.
"So how do you feel?" JC asked, playing with Violet's hand.
"Great. I really don't think I'm ready to be a mother yet." She laughed a little.
"Yeah. Same here."
"You don't think you're ready to be a mommy either?" Violet teased.
"Oh you know what I mean."
"I'm just playing." Violet smacked JC lightly on the arm then resumed her position, laying
on her back with her head on his chest. "If I were pregnant, what would you want?"
"A Joshua Jr." JC smiled at the thought.
"Typical." Violet rolled her eyes.
"Alright fine miss thang! I bet you want a little girl, right?"
"You're absolutely right."
"See! Girls want girls, guys want boys!"
Looking at JC oddly, Violet smirked. "I can't help but to think of how sick that just
sounded."
"Yeah. Me too." JC shook his head as Violet laughed at him.
"So Mr. I want a Joshua Jr before a little girl. Would you actually name him that?"
"No. I think I'd name him....yeah probably." Violet couldn't help but to laugh at his face.
He looked so sweet and innocent. Yeah right, innocent.
"Ok, what about a little girl?"
"Hmm, there's a name I've always liked."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." "I've always liked Jasmine."
"Jasmine." They both said the name at the same time. Looking at one another, they smiled
and said, "Really?"
"Well, I guess that's settled then. When we have a girl, her name is Jasmine."
"That it is. But I don't really like your last name."
"Hey! You won't take it when we get married?"
"I will, I just don't want to give our children your name nor mine."
"Ok, so what do you propose we do?"
"Make one from both of ours."
"Ok, how about Chase?"
"That is just what I had in mind."
"Are you sure we're not reading each other's minds?" JC laughed before gently pressing
his lips to Violet's.
"No. But I am sure we're meant for each other."
"Now that I am sure of myself." JC nuzzled his nose against Violet's before kissing her
once again. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"You just did." Violet smiled before kissing the man deeply and passionately.
It didn't go unnoticed by JC either that Violet never said it back to him. no matter how
many times he would say it to her, she would never say it back. He wasn't trying to rush
her or anything, but they were already talking about marriage and children for Christ's
sake! JC wasn't sure how much longer he could go without hearing Violet utter those
three words he knew he needed to hear. JC wasn't stupid. He knew Violet gave her heart away once before and got it ripped to shreds and that could be why she was scared to do it again. But they've been dating for almost five months now. Maybe he was being selfish, but he needed to hear those three simple words.
"Come on. I want to take you somewhere."
"JC, it's the middle of the night. Where could you possibly want to take me?"
"You'll see. Come on." JC helped Violet up and after grabbing their things strewn out along the ground, he took her by the hand and led her back to the car. Getting in, JC drove off to destination unknown. Violet knew they were almost there when JC told her to close her eyes. As much as she didn't want to, Violet obeyed. A few minutes later she felt the car stop and heard JC get out.
Opening the passenger side door, JC grabbed Violet's hand and led her off to a place. Where? She had no idea.
"Careful. There's a few steps here."
"I swear, if I fall, you are dead."
"Oh I won't let you fall."
"You better not." Violet mumbled as JC helped her up the steps.
"Damn you're feisty tonight."
"No shit." Laughing, JC continued to lead his girlfriend down a hallway until they
reached the room he wanted. Leading Violet up a few more stairs, he positioned her in the
middle of what she assumed was a stage of some sort before leaving her to go to the
switch board.
"Ok. You can open your eyes now." Just as Violet opened her eyes, JC flipped a bunch of
switches and Violet was in awe. Only one person knew her true passion and that was
Justin. She had a strong feeling JC hit him up for information and somehow JC got
someone to let him into the theater. She had come here many times with Justin to watch
some theatrical productions. Violet just loved being around all the lights and different
acting and musical styles.
"You talked to Justin didn't you?" Her voice was small and choked back. JC knew she
was trying to hide how much this really meant to her. As much as he knew she tried to put on this whole badass cover, he knew at heart, she was still the little small town girl from Tennessee. And nothing could ever take that away.
Walking over to Violet, JC wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her
shoulder.
"I needed to know what was really your passion. What would let me into your heart."
Turning in JC's arms, Violet looked him in the eyes. "You didn't have to do this to be in
my heart. You already were. And you always will be."
"I honestly didn't think I was."
"Why on earth would you think that?"
"Because you never told me."
"I've told you."
"No. You haven't." Violet stepped away from JC and tried to think of a time when she
told JC exactly what he meant to her. And to her surprise, she couldn't think of any.
Actually, it didn't surprise her. She had let one man into her heart and he trampled all over
it. She didn't know if she could trust another man with the key to her heart. But JC was
different. He would never hurt her. He loved her too much.
Love.
Why did that word seem so foreign to her? Because she never used it. It was too hard for
her to say. It's not that she didn't love JC. She truly did, with everything she had. So why
couldn't she just say that to him?
"Vi, I need to hear it."
Shaking her head, Violet tried to keep her voice steady. "JC, I can't."
"Do you love me?"
"You know I do."
"Then say it."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I said it once before and I wanted to die when he ripped my heart out, ok? It
hurts too much to say it!"
"Violet, if you love me, just tell me. I love you, you know that. I would never hurt you
like that. Just please. I need to hear it."
Violet looked down and a sob escaped her throat. "That's what I thought." JC let go of
Violet's hands and began to walk away. When he was behind the curtain, he heard it. Very
faintly he heard Violet whisper the three words he had been longing to hear.
Turning back, JC slowly made his way back to Violet. "What did you say?"
Looking into JC's hopeful blue eyes, Violet again said, "I love you JC. I love you with
everything I am. I always have and I always will."
JC let out a loud whoop-like sound and picked Violet up, spinning her around. Kissing
her senseless, JC set her down. "I knew you loved me! See you could say it. God, I love
this woman!" JC yelled to the empty theater.
"Shh, JC! Someone will hear you." Violet whispered sharply, trying not to laugh at his
reaction.
"I don't care. I love this woman! I love Violet Emerson and she loves me! And I don't care
who knows it!" Calming down a lot, JC wrapped his arms around Violet's waist. "I love
you, Violet Emerson."
"I love you, JC Chasez."
Leaning down and claiming her lips as his own, JC felt a million feeling soaring through him. He never thought he needed to hear something so much in his life. Man was he wrong. He didn't think he could ever be happier. Violet was it for him. He would never be with another woman as long as he lived. They were forever.
Chapter 12
"D! Have you seen my earring?" Violet yelled to her roommate as she ran around the apartment.
"Uh, which one?"
"That weird black one with the design?"
"Oh yeah." With that, Dani disappeared down the hallway and into Violet's room as she
continued racing around the room trying to finish getting ready. It was funny how Violet
could explain something so strangely like that, but Danni would know exactly what she
was talking about. "Here you go."
"Thank you!" Violet took the piece of Jewelry from Dani's hand and put it in.
"Why are you so nervous about this date with Justin?"
"Well, we haven't really been alone together since JC and I began going out and, it's not
so much that I'm nervous as it is I'm excited. You get me?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"Ok. How do I look?"
"Stunning. If JC were here girl, he'd be jealous that you didn't wear that for him."
"Well, Justin bought it and told me to wear it tonight. I actually forgot I had it."
"Well still, you look positively gorgeous."
Violet smiled and hugged her friend. "Thank you." She let go of Dani and said she had to
go put her shoes on. Just as Violet entered her bedroom, there was a knock at the door.
"Hey Justin."
"Hey D. She ready yet?"
"Almost. Come on in." She stepped aside to allow Justin to enter the apartment. "Well
don't you look hot."
"Oh, thanks D."
"I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Violet."
"And what's that? Be safe?" He joked lamely.
"Haha, very funny. But no. You look nervous to be taking her out."
"I'm not nervous. I just haven't hung out with her in a while. I guess you could say I'm..."
"Excited?" She finished for him.
Justin smiled at her. "Yeah."
As violet walked out of her room and down to the living room where Justin and Dani
were waiting, she couldn't help but to think of how gorgeous her best friend looked. Not
to mention he looked about as nervous as she felt. Why did he have this effect on her?
Looking over at his best friend since they were eight years old, and he found himself
breathless and cursing out JC. Cursing him out for getting to the most beautiful woman in
his life before he did. But Justin wouldn't think about that tonight. Tonight, Violet was all
his. And they were going to have a great time.
Holding his arm out to the beautiful woman he was proud to call his best friend, he asked.
"You ready?"
"As ever." Looping her arm in his, Violet looked back at Dani. "Bye, D. See you later."
"Bye guys. Have fun." Dani waved to them as the exited the apartment.
As Justin and Violet walked down to the building's elevators, Justin looked over to
Violet. "You look absolutely breathtaking, Vi."
Blushing, Violet smiled. "Thank you. You look pretty amazing too."
"This feels like prom all over again, doesn't it?"
"I was just thinking that." Violet laughed.
"All that's missing is the corsage."
"And the hotel room." Violet added in a small voice. Justin barely heard her whisper it,
but he of course new exactly what she would have said like that.
Changing the subject, Justin said, "I have a present for you in the car."
"More surprises? Justin, why do you do this?"
"Because you deserve it." He replied simply.
Shaking her head, Violet went into the limo waiting for them. 'Why does he always have
to do that? He knows how much I hate surprises and even more when people spend
obscene amounts of money on me. Ugh! I just want to kill him sometimes.' Violet
thought to herself, but as Justin entered the vehicle, all of those feelings just melted away.
After sitting in silence for five minutes, Violet sighed and looked at Justin.
"So are you going to give it to me or not?"
"Oh, so now you want it?"
"Well, you already got it so..." She shrugged.
Justin knew she was just playing around and couldn't hold in his laughter. Leaning over,
Justin pulled out a large square box from the hidden compartment on the floor. Handing it
to Violet, Justin did that oh-so amazing lopsided grin that just drove the girls insane,
including this girl.
"What is it?" Violet asked, a little weary of what was inside.
"Just open it. You'll see."
Giving in, Violet complied. Opening the box, Justin smiled at the gasp her heard escape
from Violet's mouth. Inside the black velvet box was the most gorgeous set of jewelry
Violet had ever seen. It was a white gold necklace that had sapphires on each of the little
diamonds hanging down in front. Violet figured it had to have cost at least, at least
twelve-hundred dollars. Not to mention the matching bracelet and earrings.
"Justin, these must have cost a fortune. You shouldn't be spending that much money on
something I'll probably only wear this one night." Violet said, turning around so Justin
could put the necklace around her neck.
"I know. And don't worry about the price either. It wasn't as expensive as I know you're
thinking it was. Besides, I thought you would look perfect in them."
As he spoke, Violet had taken out the earrings she chose to wear that night and put in the
diamond/sapphire ones. Once she was done, she turned back around to face Justin.
Smiling, Justin reached over and brushed away a loose strand of hair away from her
beautiful eyes. "And I was right."
Violet could feel the rush of the blood to her cheeks and decided to change the subject.
"So, where are you taking me?"
"Now, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"
"Come on Justin." Violet whispered. "If you tell me, I promise I'll still act surprised."
"Sorry, Vi. But no means no." Folding her arms, Violet fell back to the seat of the limo.
"You're no fun."
After driving for about five more minutes, the vehicle came to a stop and the driver was
opening the door. After Justin got out, he turned around and grabbed a hold of Violet's
hand to help her out.
Violet was a little skeptical about the whole date thing once she saw all the lights and
people crowded around a building. She really wasn't one for large crowds. But this was
where Justin wanted to take her for their date, so she'd humor him for the evening. But
once she stepped outside and got a look at the sign on the huge building, all of those
feelings disappeared. Violet and Justin were standing directly in front of the Los Angeles Opera. It was the opera house Violet's favorite opera was being performed at for this one night only.
"Do you like surprises now?" Justin asked from behind the gasping woman.
Turning to look at her best friend, Violet's eyes were clouded over with confusion. And
frankly, Justin had no idea how to read them.
"Justin, this has been sold out for months. How did you get tickets?"
"Vi, I've had them for months. Since the day they went on sale."
Instead of saying anything, Violet did the only thing she could do. She threw her arms
around Justin's neck, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, Justin." She whispered into his neck.
Wrapping his arms around Violet's waist, Justin's head was swimming with thoughts.
"Anything for you, Vi."
Letting go of Justin, Violet looped her arm in his and together they walked into the
theatre to be seated.
Through out the entire opera Justin kept looking over at Violet. She was so into it. All of
her attention was focused 100% on the actors and singers there before her. And he swore
he saw tears streaming down her face at times. God he loved this woman. She was so
passionate and deep. And he was the only one who could ever completely know what lied
inside that heart of hers.
When the play was over, Violet and Justin took a little drive through Los Angeles to
Violet's favorite park. It was so spread out and there were so many trees. There was a
beautiful stream hidden between the trees. It was her favorite spot. Especially at sunset.
Justin had even brought a blanket with wine.
As they laid there on the blanket beside the stream of water, Violet laying in Justin's
arms, Justin decided to take the plunge. He needed to know if Violet ever thought of that
one night when they were younger. From her statement earlier, he assumed she had. But
he had learned his lesson from assuming. It ended up getting him into more trouble than
he liked.
"Vi, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Justin."
"Did you tell JC about the night..."
"Does he need to know?" She had guessed exactly what he was going to ask her. She
knew it was only a matter of time before his curiosity got the best of him.
"Why? Does that mean nothing to you?"
Sitting up on her knees, Violet turned around and looked into Justin's eyes sincerely. "Of
course it meant something to me, Justin. It meant something because I shared that with
you. But JC doesn't need to know about it because we both know he'll make a huge thing
of something that happened when we were eighteen."
"So that's all it is to you? Something we did because of a promise made when we were
kids?"
Looking down at her hands, Violet answered quietly. "What do you want it to be?"
"Something more." Sighing, Justin took Violet's hands in his own.
"Violet, there's something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long
time ago."
"What is it?"
"Since we were kids, since the day we met, I thought that it would always be you and me.
Violet and Justin forever. But then we started dating and I got a serious with Jen and you
got serious with..." Looking up into her hurt expression, Justin dared not say his name. "Anyway, we know every little thing about one another. And then we made that promise, the promise we kept until the very night you gave yourself to me. Violet, I don't know about you and what you felt about that night, but I was waiting for that to happen since day one. And now, seeing you with JC, it hurts so badly. I can't help but to think about how that could have been me if I had only admitted this to you when I had the chance. I feel like, all those kisses you give him, all those giggles he gets out of you, that should be me getting them." Looking away briefly, Justin continued. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, Violet, I am so in love with you. And I have been since we were little kids. And I know there's no way in hell you could ever feel the same but I had to tell you. I couldn't keep seeing you two together without you knowing how much pain it cau...." Justin was interrupted by Violet's lips upon his own. Justin could feel the wetness on her face and knew she was crying. With this kiss, hopefully they were good tears.
"Let's get outta here." Justin whispered, gasping for air. He hadn't been kissed like that a long time. Not even when with Cameron did he get kissed like that.
The two quickly gathered their things and headed back to the limo.
~*~
As Violet and Justin entered his rather large home, she felt as if she were seventeen again. Taking that last step to her womanhood.
"You want something to drink?"
"Uh, yeah. That would be nice." Justin noticed it too. She looked so nervous.
Gently putting his hand on Violet's arm, Justin rubbed up and down. "Hey, don't be so
nervous. Calm down."
"I'm sorry Justin. I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"It feels like your prom night all over again, doesn't it."
"Yeah. It really does."
"Well, just like that night. It's all up to you. Nothing has to happen, unless you want it to."
Looking up at him, Violet wondered how it was that she hadn't fallen for this man years
ago. Grabbing his hand in hers, Violet led him up to the master bedroom, Justin's
bedroom. Closing the door behind her, Violet leaned in and caught Justin in a passionate
kiss once again. Backing away from him, Violet made her way over to the stereo.
Grabbing the first CD that was in reach, Violet put it on just in time to feel Justin's strong
arms wrap around her waist. Faith Hill's 'There You'll Be' began to play through out the
room as Justin kissed the tender spot on her neck.
When I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back on these days
I'll look and see your face
You are there for me
Justin slowly put his hands to the back of her dress and unzipped it. Dropping to the floor,
Violet stepped out of the gown. She walked over to the bed and sat down in the middle of
it. Justin took off his jacket and went over to the side of the bed. Bending over, Justin
knelt down beside her. Kissing her deeply, he laid her back gently. Justin kissed his way
down her jaw and her neck to the little valley between her breasts. Violet arched her back
and Justin reached under her to unclasp her bra and throw it off to the side.
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There'll always be a place
For you all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
Well you showed me how it feels
To feel the sky within my reach
And I always will remember
All the strength you gave to me
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me
Justin slowly kissed his way down to her belly button, stopping to pay some attention to her belly button ring. He then returned to his journey south of the border. Kissing along the outline of her black lace boy cut underwear, Justin carefully pulled them down by their sides. Kissing his way back up her leg, Justin stopped when something caught his eye. Smiling, he looked up at Violet who was looking at him intently. "Well, that's new."
Smiling back at him, she replied. "Yeah, that's for me."
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There'll always be a place
For you all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always
Kissing back up her body, Violet allowed herself to undress Justin. She unbuttoned his shirt and smiled as she felt his hard abs against her hands. Justin shrugged off the shirt and threw it off to the side along with other things. As Justin leaned down to kiss Violet, she reached down and unbuckled his belt, along with his pants. She pushed them as far down with her arms as she could. Once she couldn't reach anymore, she pushed them the rest of the way down with her foot. Justin then proceeded to kick them off, landing next to her dress on the floor. Now they were both completely naked, and nothing ever felt better or more right to either one. Looking into her deep brown eyes, Justin asked one more time. "You're sure?"
Violet nodded. "Positive." And with one thrust, he was inside her, rocking them to ecstasy.
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There'll always be a place
For you all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
There you'll be
~*~
Violet quickly and quietly snuck into her apartment at eight-thirty in the morning. She didn't want to wake her roommate, whom she suspected was waiting up for her since she was asleep on the couch.
"Ya know, you ought to know by now, I'm a very light sleeper."
Violet jumped at the voice and turned around, clutching at her heart. "God, D, you scared
the shit out of me!"
"Well you shouldn't have tried to sneak past me." Looking her friend up and down, Danni
raised an eyebrow in her direction. "So, where have we been all night while your man was
calling every ten minutes seeing if you had come home yet because someone turned off
their cell phone?" She inquired, only to have Violet cover her mouth.
"Oh god. I think I'm gonna be sick." She said before running to the bathroom to puke her
guts up. Danni hopped up to see if she was alright.
"Too much to drink last night?"
"No. I just have a really bad feeling." Just the mention of her boyfriend's name made the
realization of what she had just done to him hit her like a title wave. And it was way too much for her to handle. How could she have done this? She loved JC, she knew that, everyone knew that. So why had she just slept with her best friend? It was because he made her feel loved, wanted, needed, and he said he had been in love with her since he could remember. So what was her reasoning? There was only one conclusion Violet could come to at that very moment. Looking up into the reflection of she and Danni, she told her.
"I think I'm in love with my best friend."
Chapter 13
�Hold up, what do you mean you think you�re in love with Justin?�
�Just what I said, D!� Throwing the wash cloth down into the sink she was just using to
wipe her face off, Violet went down the hallway and into her bedroom.
�What happened last night, Vi? And don�t leave anything out or I�ll be forced to kill you!� Both Danni and Violet sat down on the bed and Violet explained to her what had
went on last night between her and Justin.
�Ok, so Justin took me to see that opera I was telling you about. That just made my entire
life!�
Ok, so brownie points for Justin. Violet had been talking about that play for months.
Danni had tried getting her tickets for a late birthday present, but her attempts failed. At least Justin could get them. He was after all a celebrity.
�And then we went for a little drive and ended up going to that park with the stream. And that was where he told me he wished he was JC and he loves me. And has since basically the day we met. And I was just so...I don�t know. Caught up in the moment I guess? I was crying and he looked so sad, and he thought I didn�t feel the same way. D, I have wanted all that since we made the promise to each other. But he never knew how much it killed to know he didn�t keep his promise and I did. That was basically when I gave up on him.�
Ok, so Danni was now all caught up on the details. After Violet opening up to her and telling her exactly what that promise was they made each other, and how Violet had felt about him breaking it, Danni knew she was completely head over heels for the guy. But this was the first time in all those years that Violet had actually ever admitted it to herself. Well, out loud anyway.
�And what about JC?�
Shrugging, Violet told her the only thing she could at the time. �I don�t know. Tell him about our past I guess.�
�Are you sure you want to do that?�
�I didn�t before, but now, I think it�s best if I do.�
Danni nodded in agreement. �I�m gonna go take a shower and then take a little nap.�
Winking at Danni, Violet added, �I didn�t get much sleep last night.�
As she was walking away, Danni called to her. �You gonna tell me how good Thrusty Justy is?�
�Danni, I�ve only slept with him two nights, but that�s more than enough to know he is
the best lover anyone could ever have.�
�I knew it.� Danni laughed.
~*~
Later that night as Violet was doing her rounds at the club, she felt someone come up
behind her and wrap his arms around her. Violet was a little jumpy so she quickly turned
around to see who it had been.
�JC. What are you doing here?� She said, a little more than surprised.
�I wanted to see you. I didn�t get to see all night last night and I didn�t have the chance to
talk to you all day today.�
�Oh.� And the guilt ball in the pit of her stomach thickens. �I thought you had a lot of
work and stuff to do tonight.�
�Yeah. We rescheduled the meeting with the group.�
�Oh my god. JC Chasez actually rescheduled something? I don�t believe it.�
�Oh hush.� JC said, leaning in to give her a kiss. Violet quickly pulled away and JC
noticed she looked a little uneasy about something. �You ok?� He asked in a worried
tone.
Violet contemplated on lying to him, but knew she couldn�t. It was now or never.
Shaking her head, she replied, �No.�
�What�s wrong? Did something happen today? Oh god, did something happen last night?
I swear if Justin hurt you...�
�JC, calm down! Justin didn�t hurt me.�
�Then what is it?� Violet grabbed JC�s hand and led him up to her office so at least they
were alone in a semi-quiet place.
�JC, there�s something I really need to discuss with you. But you have to promise to hear
me out. No talking until I�m done. No interrupting me. Ok?�
�Yeah. Of course. Just, what�s going on? You�re beginning to scare me.�
�You might want to sit down for this.� Violet grabbed him by the hands and led him over
to her desk chair and sat him down. He watched as she nervously paced the office floor.
�Ok. You�re not going to like what I have to tell you. Not one bit, I�m sure of it. I don�t
even know how to tell you this, so I�m just going to come out with it from the beginning.
Ok? Ok.� Taking a deep breath, Violet looked at JC. �You know how there�s that whole
tradition saying you�re supposed to lose your virginity on the night of your senior prom?�
�Yeah.� JC shrugged. Where was she going with this? He already knew the whole story
about her losing her virginity in high school. Why was she talking about her prom?
�Well, see, you know how Justin and I grew up together?� He nodded. �Well, when we
were eight, we made a promise to each other. I mean, ok, so normally kids don�t think
about that kind of thing, but it was just different with us. We were really close and knew
about that sort of thing and we were practically living together anyway that we just
thought...�
�Violet! You�re rambling.� JC stopped her.
�Sorry.� She smiled childishly. �Basically what I�m trying to say in so many words is, when we were eight, Justin and I made a promise that we would be each other�s first. Meaning we would lose our virginity to one another on the night of our senior prom. Well, Justin didn�t keep his side of the promise.� Violet stopped and looked at JC for some sort of reaction. But all she saw were his intense blue eyes staring straight at her, so she went on. �I found out later that the reason he decided to break his promise to me was because he had thought I had already broken it with Ben. But I hadn�t.�
Ok, so that JC hadn�t been expecting. Not once had he ever heard her speak the man�s
name. He was always referred to �he who shall not be named� or �you know who� or �the
asshole who doesn�t deserve to live.� But never, ever was he referred to as Ben.
Especially by Violet.
�So, I decided I was still going to keep my end. And when Justin went to my prom with
me, 'cause obviously he didn�t have one since he was one fifth of the group, we got a
hotel room. He said nothing had to happen if I didn�t want it to. But I did want it to happen. And it did.�
�Why did you feel the need to tell me this?�
�I thought you deserved to know the truth about our past together.�
�Well, that�s understandable I guess.�
�But there�s more.� Violet quietly said. And just then, JC knew he wouldn�t like this one
little bit. Call it a hunch, but he had a feeling he was going to be very upset by the time
Violet was done talking with him. �You see, yesterday, after the opera, Justin took me to that park I love so much. While we were sitting there, he confessed some things to me. Some things that I thought only I felt.� Violet stopped for a moment and took a breath. She couldn�t believe she was about to tell JC that she had slept with his best friend last night, for the second time. �He told me how he truly felt about you and I dating.�
�How did he feel?� JC knew he really did not want to know this, but he felt like he needed to know.
�He wished everyday when he saw us together, that he were you. That he should be you. If only he had said something sooner. Then quite possibly he could be the one making me giggle every few minutes with sweet nothings whispered into my ear. Or be the one who could kiss me whenever he wanted just for the sake of acting on your feelings. But he�s not. And that kills him inside.� Violet looked straight into JC�s eyes and was almost completely scared to death of telling him this. �JC, he told me what I had been dying to hear him say to me since we were kids. And not once have I regretted giving myself to him because its what I�ve wanted for, like, ever. And then he kissed me.� Violet looked back at JC�s face and knew he was about ready to blow. �Please, say something.�
�Did you sleep with him?� He didn�t even look at her. He couldn�t.
Knowing that she had slept with his best friend while dating him, it just seemed a little
too much to take on. And quite frankly, it was pissing him off way beyond belief. See, best friends have this unwritten law. They do not date each other�s girlfriends, nor do they even let it cross their minds to sleep together. That was just a no-no. Just Violet turning her head away was enough for him to know she had turned it in shame. She had in fact slept with Justin again. And was not even going to try to deny it.
Nodding, JC quickly brushed past her exited the office. Violet stood there in shock for a moment before starting to chase after him. She called out his name until she got outside and finally stopped him.
�Will you say something to me?�
�What do you want me to say Violet?�
�I don�t know. Anything. Yell at me, hit me, dump me if you want to! Just say something,
please.�
�Fine. I�ll say something. I feel like our entire relationship was based on one big old fat
lie.�
�How do you figure?�
�Like you just wanted to make Justin jealous so you decided to date the best friend. Just
so you could get to what you really wanted.�
�That�s not true and you know that!� Violet yelled at him. How could he think that about
her? She loved Justin, yeah. But she loved JC just as much. They had been talking about
marriage and children for Christ�s sake!
�Isn�t it?� He gave her the coldest stare, Violet never felt so afraid.
�Vi, if you want me to fight him for you, you�re wasting your time. I�m not gonna do that.
It�s your life. You can live it however you want. I just don�t want to be a part of that.� He
started to walk away but Violet called after him.
�But what if I do?�
�You have history with Justin! You even just said yourself you�ve been waiting for this
since you were a kid! How can I even start to compete with that?�
�I don�t want you to.�
�Look, Violet, I wish I could just say choose. If you pick me, great, if you don�t, fine.
Whatever makes you happy. But I can�t do that. I want to be with you. You know that.
Everyone knows that! But if I�m not in your life with a future of marriage, then I can�t be
in your life at all. I�m sorry.� As a tear fell down JC�s cheek, he turned and walked away.
Away from Violet, away from everything.
Violet held herself together pretty well. Until she reached her office that is. As soon as
that door closed, Violet fell to the floor and let on the water works. She sobbed alone on
her floor for fifteen minutes before anyone decided to check in on her. They all saw what
had happened and knew that with violet, she needed a little while before talking to
anyone. Well, they figured it had been long enough.
Tommy and Shorty went into the office and Violet immediately ran into Shorty�s arms,
then Tommy�s.
�I know it�s hard. How about we get you home so you can rest?� Nodding, Violet wiped
her eyes dry, only to be followed by another spit of tears. She couldn�t think, she couldn�t
speak. All she could do was stand there, shaking and sobbing. What had she done? She
felt like she had destroyed the only chance at happiness she had.
After Tommy dropped her off at home, Violet sat with Danni and they both cried for her.
When she started to calm down some, Violet began telling Danni everything that had
happened between she and JC. She eventually fell into a restless sleep on the couch around 2:30 AM while watching Pretty Woman with Danni.
Chapter 14
Rolling over in his bed, Justin groaned when he saw that it was only one-seventeen in the
morning. Thinking he was dreaming, he closed his eyes and tried to get back to sleep. But
there it was again. The bang bang bang. He wasn�t dreaming. He was wide awake, and
there was someone at the door. Literally rolling out of his bed, Justin made his way down the hallway to the stairs, and then to his front door.
Opening the door, he was kind of surprised to see JC standing there. But it didn�t make him any less pissed that he had woken him up from his peaceful slumber. �What the fuck,
JC? You do know that some people sleep, right?�
�I didn�t come here to joke around.� Brushing past Justin, JC went into the living room.
�Sure. Just come right on in.� Justin said to the now empty porch. Following JC into the
living room, Justin plopped down on the couch. �So what�s up man?�
�You�re dick apparently.� He said rather harshly. Well, if Justin wasn�t awake before, he
certainly was now.
�Excuse me?�
�You heard me. What, you can�t keep it in your pants? Or you�re just not satisfied until
you get every girl you want, not caring who it hurts?�
�What are you....�
�How could you do this to me? I thought we were friends...brothers.�
�We are.�
�Then why the hell did you fuck Violet?� His voice was so loud and boisterous, it made
Justin jump. Never had he ever heard JC so mad the entire time he had known him.
�Friends don�t cross that line. Neither do brothers. I don�t know who you are, but it
certainly isn�t any friend of mine.�
�I�m sorry, JC but I...�
�No you�re not! If you were sorry you never would have slept with her!�
�I�m sorry I hurt you. But I had to tell her. It was killing me inside knowing that you were
in the place I had wanted to be in for so long. And I�m sorry I don�t regret it one bit.�
Nodding his head, JC stood up from the chair he had fallen into. Turning away, he looked over at Justin. �I thought I knew you, man. I thought you were my friend. But I was very wrong. I hope you two have a nice life together.� He turned away from him and made his way towards the front door.
�JC! Come on, man. Don�t leave it like this.� Justin begged. Their friendship was too strong to come to an end over a girl, wasn�t it?
�I�m not, Justin. You are.� And with that, he was gone. Justin had no idea what JC had meant by that statement, or when he was going to see his friend of over a decade again, if ever.
~*~
~2 Weeks Later~
�So when�s the last time you two talked?�
�Two weeks ago.� JC answered Joey solemnly as he played with his bracelet.
�I haven�t seen or spoken to either of them.�
�Haven�t you wanted to?�
�Of course I have, Joey! God, Justin�s one of my brothers. And Vi�I just can�t be with her
if it�s only friendship.�
�You have too much pride, you know that?�
�Yeah and it�s gonna catch up to me one day.�
Looking at JC, Joey replied quietly. �I think it already has.� Bringing his gaze back up to
his friend, JC silently agreed with him.
~*~
Violet paced her living room back forth. She had been doing it since Danni had left for
her boyfriend�s house twenty minutes earlier. She had decided she was going to make
things right with both JC and Justin, but how she was to do that, she had no idea. Ideas of
just getting together with both of them at the same time and forcing them to make up and
being with neither of them romantically ran through her head more than anything else.
But she didn�t know if she could do that. How had this happened? How could she have
let herself fall in love with both of them? Now, in the end, all them would be getting hurt,
and it was all her fault.
Going over to the phone, Violet decided to just call Justin and tell him she couldn�t be
with him. Then she would call JC and tell him the same thing. But just as she picked up
the phone, there was a knock on the door. Hoping it was one of the guys, Violet quickly
put down the phone and ran over to the door. Swinging the door open, her smile quickly
vanished and appeared a look of pure fear.
�Hello, baby.� There was that coy voice that she had feared for almost eight years. She felt like the scared little seventeen year old she use to be again. She tried to speak, but nothing would come out. All her voice was, was but a little whisper, and the only thing it would allow her to utter was the name nobody, who knew the story of her past, could ever bring themselves to say.
�Ben.�
~*~
Joey and JC had decided to shoot some pool. After discussing everything under the sun (or in Orlando�s case, moon) they could think of that had absolutely nothing to do with Violet, they were right back to where they started.
�Seriously Joe. Am I just being stubborn? Or do I have a right in not wanting to be in her
life?�
�You have a right. I mean, yes you are being a little stubborn. But you two were already
talking about kids for Christ�s sake! We all thought you and Vi were destined.�
�Yeah. But then Justin freakin� Timberlake comes along confessing his undying love for
the girl and there she goes. Fawning over the one that never was!� Not being able to hold
it in anymore, JC began pacing back and forth trying not to punch whatever came into
view. �I gave her everything! I was so alone after Bobbie and I broke up. I didn�t think I�d
get over it but there Violet was. She was like my sunshine after the rain, not trying to
sound cheesy or anything but she was! And god, I loved her more than anything. I still
love her more than anything. And I�d give any and everything I could to win her heart
over. If she wants to be with Justin, fine. Whatever makes her happy. But I will be
damned before I say it doesn�t bother the fuck outta me! Damn.�
The urge becoming too strong to hold back any longer, JC let go and his hand smashed
through Joey�s two-hundred and fifty dollar lamp.
�What the fuck man?� Joey shot up and over to his broken lamp.
�Sorry Joe. I�ll replace it.� He began running up the stairs and Joey called after him.
�Where are you going?�
�I gotta talk to her before it�s too late!�
~*~
�What are you doing here?� Violet asked wearily. She knew that at any moment her life could be in jeopardy yet again, if it wasn�t since the moment she opened the door.
�Don�t you remember, Vi?� Slowly walking towards her, Ben�s voice became very low as he spoke those two lines that gave her nightmares for years. �You can run all you want, but I will always find you.�
�How?� Her voice was a mere whisper. Never had she thought he would actually find her again. Yes, she had feared for two years he would look for her until he had found her and made her life a living hell, but she didn�t think it would actually come to be.
�You forget Violet. I�m very disappointed in you. Don�t you remember that I have my connections? You�ve hidden yourself pretty well this time, I must admit though. And for that I give you credit. But that gets thrown right out the fucking window when I stop to think about how you made me search for your ass for six years, all the while running from the goddamn police!� Him yelling caused Violet to jump. She could feel the tears threatening to fall and prayed he would just get this over with as fast as possible. But nothing ever goes the way you wish it to, does it?
�No one made you come after me! You did that all by yourself and you�ll be wishing they had caught you back then when I get through with you now.�
�No!� Running up to Violet, Ben grabbed a hold of her arm, squeezing it tight causing her more pain than she could ever remember, both physical and mental. The last thing she had ever wanted, or needed was for him to touch her again. And with the touch, brought back millions of memories of the times he felt her, he hit her, he tried raping her when she begged him to stop. �You made me come after you when I didn�t finish putting you through the hell I was put through!�
�You put yourself through that hell!� Suddenly getting a rush of courage, Violet finally
stood up to him. �I never asked to meet you! I never asked to be tortured the way you had
tortured me! And I certainly did not ask to be put in the fucking hospital for 3 weeks
because you weren�t enough of a man to know I would never cheat on you! Everything that we have been through is all your fucking fault!�
Reaching back, Ben slapped violet across the face, and hard. Not once could he remember her being so outspoken, so strongly will-powered. But her running mouth was going to get her in more trouble than she could possibly ever dream of. Grabbing her again and pulling her close to him, Ben pulled out his gun. Showing it to her, he growled, �You ever raise your voice to me again and this will be put to your head.�
Violet knew he wasn�t joking. He had taken a gun to her before. But Violet had been lucky then. This time, she wasn�t so sure if she was to have the same luck.
Hearing a knock at the door, Ben told Violet to be quiet if she knew what was good for her, and then he threw her against the wall, causing her to hit the end table as she landed.
�Not one sound!� He pointed the gun at her, and left it pointed as he opened the door a tiny bit to see one of violet�s nosy neighbors.
As violet nursed her cut head from him throwing her against the wall and hitting the end table, she listened to what they were speaking about. She could recognize the voice as Mrs. Evans. The nicest old lady you could know, but if you made too much noise at night, you were doomed.
Knowing that if she were caught she would more than likely be shot, Violet stood up, as much as she could, and ran to her bedroom. As quietly as possible, she shut the door and locked it. Looking around the bedroom in a rush, she tried to find anything that could help her get out of there. But there was nothing. She didn�t even have a phone hooked up In there and her cell phone was out in the living room in her purse. All that was there was a bathroom door and a window.
A window.
Running over to the window, Violet looked down. It was a two story drop. Could she make it? She didn�t know. But as soon as she heard Ben banging on the door and screaming for her to �open the fucking door,� she knew she had no choice. Opening the window just in time, she jumped and plummeted to the ground, breaking her ankle in the process.
�What the hell?� Ben said to himself, not understanding the amount of pain this girl was going to go through just to be rid of him. But in his mind, she was never going to be rid of him. He would always be there. There to make her pay for all the things he had endured over the years. Raising his gun, Ben pointed it at the figure limping away from the apartment building. �Violet! Stop, Violet or I'm gonna shoot!� Seeing that she was in fact getting closer to running faster than slowing down, he fired a shot at her. Seeing that he had hit her in the arm as she rounded the corner, Ben smiled to himself. She wouldn�t get too far with a broken ankle and a gun wound to the shoulder. Running out of the apartment and down to outside, Ben began chasing Violet.
~*~
�Man, will you hold up a second?� Joey yelled after JC in the hallway.
�Joey, I�m sorry to run out on you, but if I don�t tell her now I don�t think I ever will have the chance.�
�What do you mean, you don�t think you�ll have the chance? All you have to do is pick up the phone and call her or go over to her place.�
�No. I have this really bad feeling like something�s going to happen. I feel like if I don�t tell her now, she�ll never know. And I�ll never get the chance to tell her.� Looking deep into his friend�s eyes, Joey smile warmly at him.
�Go get her, man.�
�Wish me luck, Joe.�
�Break a leg.� Joey laughed. Smiling at Joey, JC ran to the front door and down the porch steps. Midway to his car though, he heard something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. It sounded as though someone were being brutally murdered. Looking toward where the cry was coming from, JC got a look of pure horror on his face.
�JC!�
�Violet?� Seeing her fall to the ground, JC bolted toward her. �Violet!�
~*~
�Oh god! What the fuck is wrong with that man? God I think I�m dying. Oh my god my back is soaked, please oh please let me make it there!� Violet�s head screamed to her as she ran the distance to Joey�s home. �Yes! It�s right there. Come on, Violet. You can make it. Just a little further.� She coaxed herself on. As much pain she was in and as scared as she was, she had to make it. The last place she wanted to die was in the middle of the street with not one person she cared about. She just prayed he was home.
And then she saw him. JC running out of Joey�s house and to his jeep. Could she get any luckier? Picking up as much speed as she could, she ran even faster. Excusing her hoarse voice from crying, Violet screamed at him.
�JC!� She knew he had heard her because he stopped running. Trying again, she saw him look towards her with a look of fear.
�Violet?�
�JC!� But it was too late. She heard the gunshot, she felt the ground on her front side and face. She felt the warm liquid pouring from both her shoulder and side now. And she felt JC�s arms envelope her shaking body.
�Violet, oh god. Violet, please stay with me.� Opening her eyes, Violet saw JC�s tears. She could feel his fear, along with her own fear and pain. But it was no longer of dying young.
�Don�t worry.� She whispered weakly. �I�m not scared of death anymore.�
�What are you scared of then?� JC whispered back through the tears.
�I�m scared of not being with you.�
�Oh god, please don�t say that. You�re not going to die. You�re not going to be away from me ever again.�
Raising her right hand to JC�s face, she tried not cry even harder. �I want you to know, that no matter what happens to my body or where I end up. I will love you, always and forever. Nothing can change that.�
�Don�t do that, don�t you dare say your goodbye�s yet. You..you�re going to make it, Vi. You have to.�
�I love you.�
The whispers stopped, the short shallow breaths stopped, and her hand fell next to her cold, limp body.
�Violet? No, Violet you cannot leave me! Violet! Come back. Come back. I love you. I need you violet. Come back.� JC cried, cradling her lifeless body as he heard the paramedics� sirens In the distance. But they were too late. She was already gone, and JC would never be able to speak to her again.
The bastard who did this was never going to see the light of day again.
Chapter 15
Pacing back and forth in the waiting room, Justin, JC, Chris, Joey, Lance and Danni all waited on any word from the doctor on Violet's condition. They had been able to revive her and went straight into surgery, that much they knew. None of them dared speak for fear of breaking down and crying. And none of them showed any acknowledgement to the fact that Violet's blood was all over JC. All they wanted was some word, some statement, or a nod even so they knew she had made it. That everything was going to be fine. None of them could bear the thought of her never being with them again. And that thought would be edged permanently into their minds until they were told differently. Finally, after two and a half hours of waiting, the doctor came out, with no promising look on his face, at all.
"How is she?"
"Is she going to live?"
"When can she go home?" These were only a few of the questions being fired at him.
Holding up his hand for them to slow down, he waited until there was silence, still the somber look on his face.
"Doctor, please. We just want to know how she is." It seemed as though Danni was the
only one who could say anything.
"I'm sorry."
"Wait, you're sorry for what exactly? That you can't tell us anything, or that..." she trailed
off, unable to say "or that she's dead."
"I'm sorry that, there was nothing we could do. She sustained too much blood loss from
the bullet wound in her left shoulder. It was too close to her heart." Unable to hold it back
any longer, Danni burst out crying, falling into Joey's arms. Holding her close, Joey tried
to comfort her as best he could as he too cried.
After wiping away as many tears as he could, Justin walked over to the doctor. "Can we
see her?"
"I'm sorry. But the police have informed me not to allow anyone into her room. They
need to do their work."
"What? That's bullshit! Everyone is allowed to see their family and friends in the hospital.
whether or not they're dead!" JC yelled at the doctor.
"Mr. Chasez, I realize you're upset and just lost someone very close to you, but I'm sorry.
You cannot go back."
"Look, I've been with Violet since she was a little kid. I don't give a shit what your policy
is or what the cops say, I am going back to say goodbye to my best friend!"
JC and Justin decided to go back without caring what he said. But they had only got so far
when they heard him yell for security. Beginning to run towards her room, they were
stopped by two rather large police officers right outside Violet's door.
"No! Let me go! Violet! Violet!" The way they were acting, JC knew something was up.
Everyone was allowed to see they're deceased friend or family. So why couldn't they? The
only thing he could come up with was, she wasn't really dead.
~*~
Sitting in the confinement of the bathroom, JC tried not bawling his eyes out. It's funny.
You're told you have to be a man your whole life, and never show emotion, never cry. But
as soon as the woman you love is gone, you can't help but let the tears flow. And you can't
get them to stop.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and in came Justin. Sitting beside his friend of
ten years, Justin found it hard to speak. He never thought something like this would
happen in a million years.
"It's weird isn't it?"
"And hard." JC whispered back.
"Insanely hard." Justin agreed. "But these people came to pay their final respects to
our...friend." What she truly was in the end, Justin had no idea. So he figured friend was
the best way to go. "The least we could do was say thank you or something. We need to
get down to the funeral."
"I know. Are they here yet?"
"Yes. They just arrived a few minutes before I came looking for you." Looking at JC,
Justin could tell it was taking everything in him not to cry. "It's ok you know."
"What is?"
"To cry."
"I just miss her so much."
"Me too, Jace. Me too." And they cried. They cried together in each other's arms for the
love they both lost, in a single moment. And it was all because of a relationship gone
wrong in the past.
~*~
"Where to begin? Violet Emerson was and always will be a free spirit. Her laugh could
brighten the darkest day. Even when she was feeling down about herself, she always
found a way to cheer others up. The Lord may have chosen to take her life, but her spirit
and soul shall live on in each of our hearts. Our separate memories of her will make her
live on forever. To me, and many of you I'm sure, Violet Emerson will live on for all
eternity."
After leaving the podium, wiping his eyes, Justin heard the sweet voice of Mrs. Emerson.
"Hello Mrs. Emerson."
"Thank you for being here, Justin."
"Violet was my best friend. I loved her with all my heart. There was nothing I would have
missed this for."
"Still, thank you. I only wish this was an open casket so I could see her one last time."
"We all do Mrs. Emer..."
"Justin, you've known me since you and Violet were children. When will you call me
Lesley?"
"Lesley." Justin gave her a weak smile. Weak, but a smile none-the-less.
"Thank you." She reciprocated the smile. "Justin, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Were you and Violet...more than friends?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Lesley."
"Justin, I may be a little slow at times, but I'm not blind or stupid. I know you're in love
with her, and have been since you met. But was there anything besides friendship going
on?"
Taken aback by the question, and statement, Justin wasn't sure what to tell her. Sure, she
was like a second mother to him, but could he really tell this woman that, yes, he was
completely and totally in love with her daughter and they had made love, a few times,
while she was still in a deep relationship with his best friend? Just as he was about to
answer the woman, JC had come over to them.
"Hello Mrs. Emerson."
"Oh, hello JC. How are you doing?"
"Ok I suppose. How about you?"
"As well as can be expected after losing your only daughter." JC nodded in
understanding. "Oh, before I forget." Reaching into her purse, JC watched as Lesley
pulled something out. "Dr. Peters asked me to take this. I think Violet would have wanted
you to take it back. To remember her by." Holding out his hand, Lesley dropped
something into it. Looking down, he saw that it was the locket he had given Violet on
their one month anniversary. It was the first time she had cried in front of him. For being
happy that is.
Looking up at Lesley, JC spoke in a soft quivering voice, trying to coax the tears back.
"Thank you. Excuse me." Then he left. Leaving Lesley alone with Justin again.
"I'm sorry about him. He's just really not good when it comes to death."
"I don't blame him, Justin. It's definitely not something to be happy about." All Justin could do was nod. "But I am just trying to remember the happier days while Violet was still with us instead of thinking about the future without her."
If only they all could understand the depth of that statement.