| Sunday's Make-A-Wish dinner went well into the night but the quiet celebrity event raised $15 million. It was too late to call JC when she got home so she headed straight to bed. The next morning at 11, she boarded her flight. An hour into the flight, the pilot announced that there was a small problem with their fuel gauge and they made an emergency landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After nearly 2 hours stuck in the stifling plane while the mechanics attempted to fix the part, but couldn't, the passengers were allowed to disembark and Kelci called JC. "Hiya, beautiful. I was just heading to get you." "I'm in New Mexico," she sighed. "What happened?" "There was something wrong with the fuel gauge so we landed but now they say its a problem with the fuel line. We've been on the plane here on the ground for two hours and now they say it'll be another three hours before a plane that's big enough gets here." "Awe, baby. I'm sorry," JC whispered, wanting to much to be with her. "Guess dinner's off." "We could plan on dessert." "OK," she sighed sadly. "I just..." "I know, baby." Kelci arrived at the front of the food line she was in and ordered, "Nachos and a large coke." "Any ideas for dessert?" JC asked as she paid. "Whatever you want. I don't know if they'll feed us so McDonald's might be needed on the way home." "It won't be that late. We can both snack now and eat an actual dinner when you get here." "Can you hold off until after 9?" she asked as she sat down at a small table. "I just want to be with you. I don't care what we do." "I love you. You seem to know what I need to hear." "I love you, too. So we'll plan to eat on our way home from the airport?" "Yeah, but I only have like $30 on me though." "I'll treat. You just get here," JC stated. "OK. I"ll let you go, but I'll call when we re-board." "Enjoy your snack and I'll see you soon." "Yeah. Love you. Bye!" ************ Kelci's flight landed at 9:15 that night and JC was waiting with open arms and a sexy grin. She jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. "Hiya, baby." Her only response was to squeeze him tighter for several minutes then pulled her head back to meet his eyes. With a gorgeous smile and a playful wink, he greeted her more softly with a ‘hi'. "Hi, Josh. Am I heavy?" "No, baby. You're perfect," he whispered and she slid down onto her feet. "Shall we head out?" "I checked a bag, so we need to get it." "OK." His arm slid easily around her waist as they walked and she couldn't keep her eyes off him. He looked tired, but full of excitement and spunk. "You aren't excited about our trip tomorrow are you?" she teased and both laughed. "Just a lil'. Can I have a hint as to where we're going?" "It's sunny." "I already know that." "We have to fly to get there." "Well..duh!" he mocked and she swatted him playfully. "Does anyone know where we're going?" "Johnny has the phone number for our....resort, but swears he'll only use it for emergencies. Did you pack already?" "Yeah, shorts and stuff." "Good. I picked up some sun screen." "How did your weekend go since you didn't want to talk about it yesterday?" he asked as they waited for her luggage to come out. "It was good. The proofs from the shoot look...OK to me, but the crew loved them. I have a copy of the print sheets in my bag. The green dress looks....cool, but weird. The make-up is real heavy." "Sounds cool. What about the interview?" "I think it went well. The first half was solely about the movie then we talked a little about Will and his family which brought us to you. Just some basic questions like would I turn down a part if you objected to it or do you ask my opinion on work stuff and a little about the fans," she informed. "He asked what we argue about the most and I told him whichever one of us is going to pay. He got a kick out of it." "I bet," JC chuckled and pulled her bag off the belt. "Let's get out of here." He led the way to the car then drove them to the Chinese place she knew he loved. The place was nearly empty but the staff was happy to serve the pair. They ordered sweet and sour chicken, stir fried vegetables with rice, and egg rolls then settled into a quiet conversation. "How hard did Wade kick your butt when I was gone?" "Pretty hard," he grinned as he sat back in his chair. "We are lookin' good though." "You all set to be on the stage when we get back?" "Yeah. Then it'll be about spacing and stuff." "Sounds cool...the set design you talked about sounds big. Will there be a lot of pyro? Or trap doors?" she asked then sipped her water. "Some pyro, just one pop up on the trap door and one lowering one...like an elevator." "Just be careful." "We will. Would you like to watch a dress rehearsal?" he asked. "I thought they were closed?" The waitress appeared with their food and politely asked if the pair would mind signing autographs for the 5 employees. Both happily agreed and signed the 5 order tickets before she left them to their food. "Is the venue a closed set?" Kelci repeated as she grabbed a slippery piece of chicken. "Yeah, for the most part, but we're giving Rosie O'Donnell an exclusive interview and all access since it'll be one of her last shows. J thought you could show Rosie around a little while we rehearse." "Justin did?" "Yeah, Brit will be in Germany and we thought you'd be around to do it. If you don't want to, we can ask Lynn." "No, baby, I'll do it. I WANT to do it. I was just surprised that J suggested it," she said. "I'd love to show her around as long as someone shows ME around." "Yeah. Johnny said he'd have time to introduce you to the people you'll be showing Rosie to...like hair and make-up....wardrobe....Tim Miller." "I met him. He seems nice." "He's cool. I'll leave Johnny a message to let him know that you'll do it." They finished eating then headed to the compound. They fell into bed and Kelci barely remembered to set the alarm. |