| Kelci thrashed around in the bed as she dreamed of the night her parents were killed. She could feel Rachel's father's arms holding her back so she couldn't run to the smashed vehicle. Tears streamed down her face as she was turned away from the scene and she pounded her small fists into the strong chest before her until she collapsed with sobs. "C, baby....shh....it's OK...It was just a dream...shh," JC's consoling words filtered through her dreamy fog and she cried harder. "Shh....baby, I'm here...come on, wake up...it was just a dream..." "No, it wasn't," she sniffed as she relaxed her fists. "If it was just a dream, they'd still be here." "Who, baby?" "My parents." "Oh....you were dreaming of them?" he asked and she nodded. "I'm sorry. I'm here for you. I got you." He knew from Rachel that the accident had been absolutely horrible and Kelci had insisted on a closed casket service after viewing the bodies with only Rachel's father. All Kelci had said was that they didn't look normal and that they should be remembered as the beautiful, happy, loving couple they were. The picture Kelci had in her room of them hugging each other had been displayed between the two caskets. "I just miss them so much." "I know..." "How do you know?! You have TWO parents right across the hall and siblings that adore you like you adore them. You know NOTHING about being completely alone!" she shouted and got out of bed. "Even when you're lonely on tour, they are just a phone call away! Don't TELL me you know how I feel!" She grabbed her swimsuit and left the room before he could even form a thought. The sun was rising as she stomped barefoot across to the pool house. She changed quickly then dove into the pool and swam 2 laps before finally clutching the side of the pool as she sobbed. She didn't hear JC approach, but didn't fight him when he pulled her from the water. "You're right." "What?" she sniffed as she met his eyes and he pulled her against his chest. "You're right. I don't know how it feels to lose both parents, but you are NOT alone. You have me." "Until you tire of me....or want ‘tour pussy'." "Hey! You know that's not true," he demanded. "Have I strayed away from you?" "Not yet." "This pessimistic attitude sucks, baby. Weren't you just comforting me a few days ago? Sayin' that we would both have to work at being together? There's no room for those negative thoughts. You have to trust me and my love for you." "I..." "Shh...We'll get through it, but I'm here for you ALWAYS. Just a phone call away." "Thank you." "There's nothing to thank me for. As far as I'm concerned, and I bet Ty would agree...not to mention my parents,...you're a Chasez by heart...even if not by name....yet," he stated quickly. "You think?" "Baby, I know. You won my Dad over with food and my Mom thinks you're sweet because you take care of me." "You take care of me, too," she pointed out as she met his gaze. "You are right now." "That's why we work. We take care of each other, but we also challenge each other, too. Give and take." He hugged her tight and she warmed from his body heat as well as his love. "Let's head inside to dry off before you catch cold and lose your voice. I don't need to be maimed," she teased and he laughed before they headed back to the condo after collecting her clothes. "You going back to sleep?" "No, I got some lyrics I need to write down." "Coffee?" "Please," he confirmed and sat on the couch. She joined him after dressing in work out clothes as the coffee brewed. She pulled her hair into a ponytail then settled into the corner of the couch with the morning news on mute, but the caption running as he scribbled on a tablet. They were content for 20 minutes until JC shifted them until she was reclined and he was using her stomach as a table. She laughed and rolled her eyes before lying still for almost another hour then hated to disturb him, but needed to head out. "Baby, I need to head out." "OK," he answered, but kept writing. "You have to let me up." "Oh, yeah." "You get so consumed when you're writing," she laughed and refilled his mug before stealing a kiss. "Thank you for being you and loving me." "My pleasure. Will you be back for breakfast?" "Yeah." "OK." ************ Two hours later, Kelci re-entered the condo in her light sweats and sports bra and came to face with all the guys, Wade, the Chasez, and some other people who looked kind of familiar. "Morning, Kelci," Johnny greeted from behind her. "Hello, Karen. Roy." "Come here and let me introduce you," JC smiled and waved her over. She was bombarded by names, faces, and handshakes. She tried to remember all the Fatones as well as Lynn and Paul Harless and finally got everyone straight. "Coffee, Kelci?" Karen asked from the kitchen counter as Brianna tugged on Kelci's hand. "I need to shower first." "You're fine," JC stated and pulled her down on his lap. "She likes her coffee black like I do." "Bri, just sit still," Joey pleaded and looked to Kelly for help, but she didn't offer. "Up," Brianna insisted with her arms outstretched to Kelci. "May I?" Kelci asked Kelly. "Please. If you'd like." "Come here, precious." The little girl squealed happily as she settled onto Kelci's lap. She laughed at the funny faces JC was making at her and even ate her Cheerios. Kelci was a whiz at the one handed thing again and even managed to spread cream cheese on her bagel while Brianna sat on her knee. "Kelci's a pro. Do you have nieces and nephews?" Lynn asked. "No, I'm an only child, but..." she started, but looked at Lance for confirmation that he was telling people. "Kelci and JC have been asked to be God-parents to Rachel and my baby," Lance announced and the mothers squealed in delight. "Another grand baby," Phyllis Fatone grinned and patted Lance's back. "Are you gonna marry her?" Janine asked and Lance grinned. "I plan to very soon. Kelci, you can't tell her." "I'll be quiet," Kelci assured and helped Brianna sip some juice. "I'm heading home on Saturday to help her move her bedroom around, but I can keep a secret. She's the one who can't." "Monkey!" Brianna announced and lunged for Justin. "I'm not a monkey, you are," he teased her then took her to tickle her. "When is Rachel coming back down here?" Lynn asked. "J, watch her head." "We're back on Monday then I go to LA on Wednesday but I'll be back on Sunday." "Oh, Josh...are you coming home on the reprieve on that next Monday?" Karen asked and Kelci felt bad about taking him away from them. "No, Kelci is taking me away." "I'm sorry. I didn't know he usually goes home. I can cancel the trip," Kelci offered, but JC refused. "No, we're going." "But they want you to come home." "They understand," he stated. "But it's not fair.." "C, stop. You won't win." "Wanna bet?" she challenged. "Only I know where we're going and I could just go alone." "But that wouldn't be fun," he pouted, lip out. "Not gonna work." "C..." Everyone laughed at the two and Wade looked at his watch. "Rehearsal starts in 15, guys," he stated and moved to stand behind Kelci, massaging her shoulders. "Are you finished for the day?" "Yeah. The weight room is free for you and J." "Cool. I gotta go so I can be there to greet the ladies." "What are you doing today, Kelci?" Karen asked. "I don't have any plans." "We women were going to do some shopping. Want to join us?" Lynn offered as Justin kissed her cheek and deposited Brianna on her lap before jogging after Wade with Chris on his tail. "Sure as long as I have time for a quick shower." "Sure, honey." "Kell, you going, too?" Joey asked. "Yep. Me and Bri are going, but I bet she needs a diaper change." "I'll do it," Lynn offered. "Kelci, are you and JC planning on having babies?" Phyllis asked, but everyone waited anxiously for the answer. "Uh...well...I'd love children eventually, but...we're still new at this couple thing....maybe in the future," she answered then looked at JC for help. "Exactly. I think we both want to be able to devote time to the child and right now, there is barely time to see each other. Give us some time and maybe we'll have a more definitive answer, MOM." "I didn't ask," Karen smirked and Roy chuckled. "Like you haven't been riding all the kids about grand babies." "Zip it, Roy." Kelci excused herself to shower and JC followed her to dress. Once inside their room, she looked up at him. "Did I do OK with the baby question?" "You were perfect. Almost like you read my thoughts," he grinned and hugged her tight. "Gonna pick up the raincoats?" "Depends on if I can get away from the Moms for a second. If not, I'll buy them in Kentucky. You'd better hurry before they think we're practicing." "Got time for tension relief?" he smirked and cupped her ass. "I don't think I could relax. Maybe after your parents leave." "Oh, man." "I need to go get naked," she said politely and his body responded against hers. "Mr. Pokey is awake." "Go now, before I can't stop myself from joining you." "OK. See you later." |