Notes:  Thanks, M, S, and C for all your help!!!  =)

 

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PART TWO

 

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Jocelyn Mitchell chewed on the end of her pen.  She looked out the window.  It was snowing.  It wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet and it was snowing.  Big, fat white flakes coming down.  The ground was almost covered.  She could still see the browning grass peeking up through the blanket of white, though.  She pulled her attention back to her computer.  Instead of opening Word, she opened Outlook Express.  For the twenty-seventh time that day.  She sighed.

 

The phone rang next to her, jolting her from her thoughts.

 

“Good morning, Edwards, Dalton and Hays, this is Jocelyn, how may I help you? … One moment please… Mmm hmm.  You’re welcome.”  She reached over and transferred the call, lowering the handset into the cradle.  She looked back at the computer.

 

 

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject:  December 14

Date:  November 20

 

JEM~

 

How are you doing?  I hope your week’s going well.  It’s Thursday… only one more day until the weekend.  I want you to relax this weekend, okay?  Thanksgiving’s next week… one week from today, actually!  I’d like to call you, if you’re going to be home.  It’s been a while since we’ve actually talked.  But the real reason for this email is something I wanted to ask you about.  We’re going to be in Chicago in three weeks.  I know that’s a ways from Minneapolis, but it’s a lot closer than Orlando.  Ha ha.  There’s a holiday party we’ve been invited to, and we need to bring dates.  I was wondering if you’d go with me.  I should probably have waited to ask you this when I talk to you on the phone, but I thought I’d give you some notice so that if you don’t want to come, you can think of a good excuse.  ha ha.  It’s a Saturday night.  We’d arrange for you and Claire to get to Chicago, and I’d also arrange for someone to watch Claire for the evening.  Think it over, at least.  You can let me know next week.

 

~JSC

 

 

Jocelyn closed the email and rested her chin in her hands, elbows propped on the desk.  Her stomach was full of butterflies, and she wasn’t sure why.  She’d been emailing back and forth with him since she’d gotten this job almost three months ago.  She’d spoken with him on the phone a handful of times, but that was hard, due to conflicting schedules and time zones.  This wasn’t just talking, though.  This was seeing.  This was traveling long distances for the sole purpose of getting together.  This was big.

 

“Ms. Mitchell?”

 

Jocelyn looked up, startled.  “Yes?”

 

“Are you going to answer your phone?”

 

“What?  Oh!”  She fumbled for the receiver.  “Good afternoon, er, morning, Edwards, Dalton and Hays, this is Jocelyn… yes.  I’m sorry, just one moment please… You’re welcome.”

 

Jocelyn looked up at Grace Edwards, feeling a blush rising to her cheeks.

 

“I’m really sorry about that.  I—”

 

“It’s quite alright.  The snow is mesmerizing.”  Jocelyn hadn’t realized she’d been staring out the window.  “I was just stopping by to see if you had the Adams report typed up yet.”

 

“Yes, I just finished it, actually.  I was about to get started typing up the Sampson dialogue.  Here—” she reached across her desk and pulled a folder from the top of a pile—“is the Adams report.  I’ll get Sampson to you as soon as possible.”

 

“Thank you.”  Grace Edwards took the file from Jocelyn.  “And Ms. Mitchell?”  Jocelyn looked up, swallowing.  “You’re doing a wonderful job here.  Thank you for being on top of things.”  Grace smiled before she turned and walked away.

 

Jocelyn let out a lungful of air.  She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath.  She scolded herself for letting her mind wander.  Twenty-seven times in the last three and a half hours.  It was almost lunchtime.  Thirty more minutes and she could spend an entire hour pondering the email she’d received at 8:00 that morning.

 

*******************

 

“Jocelyn?”

 

Jocelyn looked up from the computer.  She’d been so completely engrossed in typing up the dialogue for Grace Edwards that she hadn’t even noticed the time.

 

“You can take your lunch now.”  Julia Watson, an intern at the law firm, relieved Jocelyn for the noon hour.  Jocelyn liked Julia a lot.  Julia was a year or so younger than Jocelyn, and a semester away from graduating.  She was spending this semester getting “real life experience” before heading off to law school, a position Jocelyn herself wished she could be in.  Instead, she was answering the phones and doing grunt work all day Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.  In the afternoons of those days, she was taking her first semester of college, a full course load.  Claire attended an all-day preschool.  Jocelyn hated the fact that other adults were raising her child, but she had to admit that the staff at Happy House Learning Center was wonderful.  She had to keep reminding herself that everything she was doing was for Claire.

 

It had been a hectic three months.  Jocelyn’s week consisted of work and school, then coming home in the evenings, making dinner for Claire and herself, and then settling down to do her homework while Claire worked on anything her teacher had sent home, or colored.  Seven thirty was always Bedtime Story Time, thirty minutes Jocelyn cherished.  Then while Claire slept, Jocelyn returned to her studies until she was too exhausted to move the pen across the paper or her eyes across the page.  Weekends were completely reserved for Claire.  Jocelyn insisted on spending every minute of Saturday and Sunday with her daughter, which often resulted in her staying up until early morning to finish up schoolwork while Claire slept.  She knew she was exhausted, and was looking forward to the four-day weekend next week more than anything.

 

“Thanks so much, Julia.”  Jocelyn smiled at the younger woman and pulled the bottom drawer of her desk open.  Under a stack of mailing labels and behind a collection of hanging files was an unmarked manila file folder.  Jocelyn pulled it out and stuck it under her arm.

 

“Taking work with you on lunch?” Julia asked, her dark eyebrows almost lost in her black hair.

 

“This is personal work,” Jocelyn said with a sly grin.  Julia didn’t ask any more questions, sliding into the chair just in time for the phone to ring.

 

Jocelyn made her way into the kitchen and pulled her sack lunch out of the refrigerator.  She took her worn black pea coat out of the closet and wrapped a scarf tightly around her neck.  She pushed the door open and was met with great resistance from the fierce winter wind.  Snow whipped through her hair, sticking to her eyelashes.  She blinked and let the door close behind her, making her way to her car.  The snow was thick on the windshield, so she tossed her lunch and the folder inside, turned on the car to start the heating-up process, and started scraping the windows clean.

 

She was finally able to pull out of the parking lot, and she drove carefully into the flurries to her favorite lunchtime spot—the Minneapolis Public Library.  It was warm and quiet and there was a room in the basement off the periodicals and microfilm section where she was allowed to have food and drink.  The room was cozy, with worn couches and soft lighting, and not too many people frequented it.  She had found it by accident one day, looking for a bathroom in the middle of a long session of pouring over the microfilm machine for one of her classes.

 

Taking a bite of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Jocelyn pulled a stack of papers out of the file folder.  This stack now chronicled the last two and a half months worth of correspondences with one JC Chasez. 

 

*******************

 

“Dude, get yo lazy behind outta bed!”  Justin Timberlake hurled himself onto the mound on the bunk that was JC.

 

“What do you want, Justin?” JC asked, sleepily.  “I was dreaming.”

 

Justin pushed himself off the bunk and draped himself across the chair.  “About Joss?”

 

The smile on JC’s face was enough.

 

“Man, you got it bad,” Chris said.  “Gotcha, sucker!!”  He pushed the video game controller hard, sending Lance’s man sprawling to the ground.

 

“Aw, man!” Lance dropped his controller, defeated. 

 

“Hey, at least I’ve got someone to dream about.”

 

“Have you even talked to the girl lately?”  Chris restarted the game and Lance retrieved his controller.

 

“Not on the phone.  She’s been busy with school and work.  I emailed her this morning, though.”

 

“Email is so impersonal!” Justin chastised.  “You gotta call her, C.”

 

“I hate it when you call him ‘C’!  I always think you’re talking to me,” Chris said without taking his eyes off the TV screen.  “Take that!”

 

“Oh, no you don’t!  You’re goin’ DOWN!”  Lance concentrated on the game at hand, hardly noticing the conversation around him.  “Yes!!” 

 

“How’d you do that?”  Chris looked bewildered.

 

“Talent.  I got it, you don’t.”  Lance grinned.

 

“I wanted to email her so that she didn’t have to answer me about the holiday party right away.”

 

“Chicken!”  Justin started clucking.

 

“Shut up, dude.  I was being considerate.  That’s a word that’s not in your vocabulary.”

 

Justin scowled.  “I can be nice.”

 

***********************

 

Jocelyn remembered the first email well, but she remembered the day before it even better.  It was September fifth, just two weeks after the life-altering weekend Jocelyn had spent with five strangers—strangers who had taken her under their wings when she needed it the most.  They had shown her two days of carefree fun, been a shoulder to lean on and an open ear, they’d been wonderful to her daughter, and, at the end, they’d given her the greatest gift of all: a new beginning.

 

They’d found her the perfect apartment and the best preschool around for Claire.  Having the burden of rent lifted off her shoulders for the coming twelve months had allowed Jocelyn the freedom to find a real job, her current position with Edwards, Dalton and Hays, and to enroll in classes at the University of Minnesota.  She’d spoken with the Dean of Admissions, and he’d looked at Jocelyn’s high school transcript, heard her story, and allowed her to enroll in classes without going through the formal admissions process.  She was even able to get financial aid to cover most of her tuition and fees.

 

Since the beginning of September, Jocelyn had been saving as much of her money as she possibly could.  She’d gotten a phone installed on September the fifth. 

 

“Mommy, remember those boys who came over last year?” Claire had asked that night, right before Bedtime Story.

 

“That was just a few weeks ago, sweetie, and yes, I remember them.  Why?”

 

“I dunno.  I liked them.”

 

Jocelyn had smiled.  “I liked them, too.”  That had been the end of their conversation, and she’d read Goodnight, Moon to Claire.  After the story, though, she’d gone to the drawer in the kitchen where she’d begun keeping all kinds of odds and ends, and she’d pulled out that small scrap of paper with ten numbers scrawled on it in almost illegible handwriting.  JC’s phone number.

 

She’d sat down on the couch, paper in hand, and pondered things for a long time.  She’d promised Justin she’d call, but that had been more than two weeks earlier.  She’d only known the guys for two days.  But in those two days they’d formed an unbelievably quick and solid bond.  They’d rented her an apartment, for heaven’s sake!  She at least owed them a phone call.  A thank-you. 

 

So she’d picked up the phone… and had hung it up.  Then she’d picked it up and dialed the area code… and had hung it up.  It took her nearly twenty minutes to make it through all eleven digits, and an incredible amount of willpower to stay on the line once it started ringing.  It had been even harder for her not to hang up when a sleepy masculine voice answered.

 

“He—hello?”

 

“Is this JC?”  She’d felt her hand shaking, and had been sure her voice was doing the same.

 

“Uh…yeah, this is JC, who is this?”  He’d been sleeping.

 

“Oh, um, sorry.  This is… this is Jocelyn… Jocelyn Mitchell.  I’m really sorry if I woke you—”

 

“Jocelyn?”  He’d sounded extraordinarily alert then.

 

“Yeah, uh… I’m sorry I’m calling so late.  I forgot it’s an hour later there.  I’ll let you get back to sleep.”

 

“No!  Wait.  It’s okay.  I’ll find twenty minutes somewhere to nap tomorrow.”  He’d laughed then, and Jocelyn had almost dropped the phone. 

 

“So… I just wanted to thank you again for everything.  It’s wonderful.  Absolutely wonderful.  I just got my phone connected today, or I would have called sooner.”  She’d about smacked her forehead for that remark… it sounded desperate.

 

“I’d about given up on you, girl.  It’s not polite to make a man wait two weeks!”  He’d had that teasing tone in his voice she loved so much.  She’d relaxed then, and the conversation had gone on as if they’d been friends for years, instead of just two days half a month earlier.  They’d talked for over an hour.  She’d told him about her new job, her classes, Claire’s preschool.  He’d told her about what the other guys were up to, the tour, what he’d been filling his time with since leaving Minnesota.  When he’d realized they’d been on her phone bill the entire time, he’d gotten all flustered and offered to call her back, which had made her laugh.  She’d declined, reminding him they both needed their sleep.  He’d come up with the brilliant idea of emailing, as he knew by then that she’d been provided with an email account through work.  “Since we both have pretty full schedules, and we can email for free whenever we get a moment,” he’d rationalized.  So that’s what they’d been doing, aside from the occasionally scheduled call when they both knew they’d be free.

 

Jocelyn smiled at the memory.  She was amazed she still remembered every word of the conversation, now three months later, and thought she might try to write it down in her journal before it started escaping her. 

 

She looked down at the first paper on the pile, taking another bite of her sandwich.  She smiled, remembering the email conversation.  She began flipping through the stack of correspondences, the documentation of her relationship with one Mr. JC Chasez.  They had written on everything from politics to religion to movies and books.   One thing she knew for sure was that this was someone she could definitely spend more time getting to know, and rereading the emails reminded her of that.

 

The lunch hour was over much too quickly for Jocelyn’s taste and she groaned as she pushed herself off the couch, tucking the stack of papers back into the folder.  She’d made it through about two-thirds of their conversations, and she couldn’t wipe the silly smile off her face.  “Back to work,” she said to herself, slipping into her coat and tossing the remains of her lunch into the garbage.  She decided she might have to reread the last email, one she hadn’t yet printed, one more time before diving into her afternoon’s duties.

 

Jocelyn turned over and stretched contentedly.  She let her eyes flutter open slowly and smiled when she saw the clock.  7:49.  She had slept almost until 8:00, and that felt wonderful.  The week had gone unbelievably slowly for Jocelyn.  And she had only had to work three days.  She climbed out of bed and wrapped her robe tightly around herself, peeking out the window.  Snow covered the ground.  Gotta love Minnesota winters.

 

Jocelyn stepped into her slippers and padded into the living room where Claire was sitting on the floor playing with her *NSYNC’s #1 Fan Barbie and a Ken doll dressed only in swim trunks.  Jocelyn smiled and made a mental note to get Claire some Minnesota-style clothes for Hawaiian Vacation Ken for Christmas.  “Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart,” Jocelyn said, bending down to plant a kiss on the top of Claire’s sleep-ruffled head.

 

“Happy Thanksgiving, Mommy.” 

 

“Want some French toast for breakfast?”

 

“Mmmm, yup!”  Claire hopped up, dropping Ken, and bounded after her mother.  She climbed up into a chair while Jocelyn got the eggs, milk, bread and cinnamon out.  “At school we had a turkey feast.  The Challengers were Indians and the Explorers were pilgrims. Are we gonna eat turkey today?”  Claire was talking about the names for two of the classrooms at school.  She made her Barbie sit on the edge of the table.  Oliver, the boxer puppy Jocelyn and Claire had adopted a few months earlier, sauntered into the kitchen and laid down against the cabinets, wanting to be part of the action.

 

“We sure are.”  Jocelyn opened the refrigerator to show Claire the Butterball defrosting there.  “And mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and cornbread and green beans… Mommy’s going to be busy cooking up a storm today!”

 

Claire burst into giggles.  “You’re cooking dinner, not a storm!  Silly.”

 

“I’ll show you a storm!”  Jocelyn put down the egg beater and grabbed Claire off her chair.  “A tickle storm!”  Claire’s laughter was exactly what Jocelyn had been needing.  They both ended up on the kitchen floor in a fit of giggles and a tangle of tickling fingers.  Oliver barked.  “Okay, you got me Claire-Bear.  And if you want to eat your breakfast, you have to let me up.”  Jocelyn patted Claire’s behind affectionately as her daughter climbed off of her.

 

A few minutes later Jocelyn set two plates of steaming French toast and powdered sugar on the table.

 

Jocelyn put the turkey in the oven as soon as they finished breakfast and went to take a shower.  After her shower, she gave Claire a bath and blowdried both their hair so it would look perfect for their private Thanksgiving dinner.

 

“Come on, Claire, we have to call Grams and Gramps and wish them a happy Thanksgiving,” Jocelyn said once the two of them were dressed.  She dialed the phone number of her grandparents in Florida.

 

“Grams?  It’s Jocelyn—”

 

“Oh, darling, how are you doing?”

 

“We’re doing really well.  Claire’s really liking her preschool, and my job is going well.  How are you and Gramps?”

 

“Oh, you know how it is.  Carol and Dick, you know Carol and Dick, they live downstairs, invited us for supper the other night, and they made up a whole fancy three-course dinner!  Can you imagine?  Your grandfather and I were very impressed.  We’ve decided to have a dinner party in December and invite all the neighbors.”

 

“Oh, that sounds really nice.”  Jocelyn smiled, just picturing the trouble her grandmother would go through.

 

“How is school going, dear?”

 

“Good! School’s going well.  Finals are in two weeks already!”

 

“I’m so proud of you, Jocelyn.  Gramps and I both are.  He’s golfing today, with three of his friends from church.  We girls are going to fix supper for when they come back.  A team effort!”

 

“That sounds like fun.  It’s just Claire and me here.”

 

“Oh, I should have thought earlier to invite you girls!  We haven’t seen you or Claire in, what, three years?”

 

“Yeah, it’s been a while.  We’d love to visit you in Florida.  Maybe this spring or early on in the summer.”

 

“That would be wonderful, sweetheart.  You’re always welcome.”  Jocelyn couldn’t help but wonder how two such kind and generous people had produced her mother.  She hadn’t spoken with her mother in almost a year.  Since last Christmas, and she had the feeling then that the phone call had only been a result of Grams and Gramps’ urging.  Jocelyn knew her parents knew where she lived now, because she had sent them a letter letting them know what was going on in her life, but she hadn’t heard back.  “Have a good Turkey Day, honey!  Gramps wants to talk.”

 

“You have a great Turkey day, too…. Hi Gramps!  Grams said you’re playing golf this afternoon?”

 

“Oh, yes.  Dick, you know Dick, he’s married to Carol, they live downstairs.  Dick and Frank and Simon and I are going to hit a few balls.  Your grandmother is going to spend the afternoon laying out on the beach while Carol and Diane and Margaret fix the feast.”

 

“Oh, she is, is she?  Working on her tan?”  Jocelyn grinned and crossed her eyes at Claire.

 

“Probably.  You know your grandmother.”  Jocelyn could hear Grams in the background protesting.  Gramps laughed.  “She wants me to tell you that she will be in charge of the green bean casserole and the sweet potatoes, so the beach will have to wait for tomorrow.”

 

“I wanna talk!” Claire jumped up and down, reaching for the phone.

 

“Gramps, Claire wants to say hello.” 

 

“Oh, put her on, put her on!  I love you dear.”  She hand the phone to Claire, who grabbed it eagerly.

 

“Hi Grampy!”

 

“How’s my little jumping bean?”

 

“Good, Mommy made French toast for breakfast and she’s making a whole turkey for dinner!”

 

“That mom of yours is pretty talented, isn’t she?  Now you be good to her, you hear me?”

 

“I will.”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Promise.”

 

Jocelyn looked quizzically at Claire, who grinned.  “Love you, too, Grampy!”  Claire handed the phone back to Jocelyn and Jocelyn put it to her ear, only hearing a dial tone.  She hung it up.

 

Claire sat down to watch Miracle on 34^th Street while Jocelyn got to work on dinner.

 

“Little bit more flour,” Jocelyn instructed.  Claire was perched on one of the chairs at the table, and Jocelyn had her hands deep in the bowl of corn bread dough.  Claire shook a little bit more flour in, sending a white cloud up towards Jocelyn’s face.  They were both listening to the movie playing in the living room, and it was getting them into the holiday spirit.  Jocelyn squished the dough between her fingers.

 

The phone rang.  Jocelyn looked at her hands and at the receiver longingly.  “I’ll get it,” Claire offered, hopping off the chair.  She wasn’t nearly as full of flour as her mother was.

 

“Hello?”  Jocelyn listened expectantly.  “Yes, this is Claire.”  Claire giggled, looking at her mother.  “Happy Turkey Day…. Uh-huh…. No, silly!”  She laughed again.  Jocelyn raised her eyebrows questioningly.  “Yes…. Yes…. A big turkey!”  Jocelyn extracted her hands from the bread dough and attempted to brush some flour off of them.  “Mmm-hmmm…. Yup!”

 

“Who is it?”  Jocelyn whispered at Claire. 

 

Claire smiled.  “Really?”

 

“Let me talk.”  Jocelyn held out a floury, doughy hand.

 

“I think Mommy wants to talk,” Claire said.  “Yeah… yeah.  Bye!”

 

Claire bypassed Jocelyn’s hand and stood on tiptoes to tuck the receiver under Jocelyn’s chin.  Jocelyn bent down to make it easier for her, gripping the phone between her ear and shoulder.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hey, Joss.”

 

“Oh!”  Jocelyn was flustered and almost dropped the phone.  She clamped it tighter against her shoulder.  “Happy Thanksgiving, JC.”

 

“You sound surprised to hear from me.”

 

“I am, a little.”

 

“I told you I’d call.”

 

“I know, but I figured you’d be with your family.”

 

“I am.  It’s really good to see them, even if it’s only for four days.  But how are you doing?  I haven’t actually talked to you in over a month!”

 

“I’ve been good.  Both of us have.  Work’s going well, and I have finals starting in a week.  Little nervous about that.”  She laughed.  “What about you?  How have you been?”

 

“Good.  We’re all doing well.  We’ve been recording a lot lately, working hard on the next album.  I think it’s going to be really good.  It better be… we’ve put enough sweat and tears into it!”  He laughed, but Jocelyn could hear the love in his voice.  She smiled.  She loved that he loved making music.

 

“I can’t wait to hear it,” she said sincerely.  “I bet the new album will be incredible.”

 

“Have you even heard any of our songs that we didn’t perform at the concert?”

 

“Um, not really.  Not too many,” Jocelyn admitted, biting her bottom lip to keep from smiling.  “I have been listening to more than National Public Radio on the radio, though.  I have heard a couple songs, and they were very good.”

 

“Well, thank you.”

 

“You’re quite welcome.”  She didn’t know why she was smiling like a fool, standing there in her kitchen covered from head to toe in flour.  She even had flour on the tip of her nose.  She could see it.  “But I don’t want to take you away from your family.  We can talk anytime.  You only get to see them a few times a year.”

 

“They don’t mind.  We’re all watching Miracle on 34^th Street.”  He laughed.  “I just have to be back in time for the ending.”

 

“Funnily enough, we’ve got it on, too.  Commercial, though.”

 

She could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke.  “Great holiday classic.  I did have something to ask you, though.  Actually, I already asked you, and I was wondering if you had an answer yet.”  He’d turned a little bit more serious, almost as if he was nervous.

 

Jocelyn’s stomach knotted, too.  She knew exactly what he was talking about.  She wanted more than anything to see the guys again, to see JC again. 

 

Jocelyn forced herself to smile.  Grams always told her that you can hear a smile in your voice.  “The party?” she asked as casually as she could.

 

“Yeah.  It’s not a big deal, really.  One of the radio stations’ annual shindigs.  A chance to dress up a little, let our hair down… if you can do both at once… and have some fun before the holidays.  If you can’t come, that’s cool.  Maybe I’ll snag a fan to take with me.”  He laughed.

 

“No, I’d like to.  It sounds like fun!”  Jocelyn hoped her voice didn’t sound overly cheerful.

 

“Really?”  Yup, Grams was right.  You could hear the smile in someone’s voice.  Jocelyn’s nerves subsided enormously.

 

“Yes.  We’ll come.  Claire and I need a break, anyway, right Claire?”  Jocelyn nudged Claire with her toe and JC could hear Claire’s emphatic “yes” through the phone.  He chuckled.  “My last final is that Thursday, so I’ll really be ready to unwind.”

 

“Fantastic!  Um, I need to work out the travel arrangements and everything, so I’ll have to get back to you on that.  I guess, uh, I’ll see you in two weeks!”

 

Jocelyn hung up the phone and chewed on her lower lip, trying to suppress a smile.

 

“Ooo, where are you going?”  Julia Watson leaned on the back of Jocelyn’s chair.

 

“Thinking of taking Claire to Chicago for the weekend,” Jocelyn explained, clicking her mouse over the “airfare” option on Travelocity.com. 

 

“Oh, that’s exciting!  Has she ever been there?”

 

“Nope.  She’s actually never been out of the Minneapolis area.  The weekend I’m looking at is the weekend after finals, so it would be a good little break.”

 

Julia nodded.  Jocelyn clicked on “hotels.”  “Holiday Inns are usually pretty decent for the price, right?”

 

“Typically.  Well, girl, I’ve got to get some work done.  Have fun!  And good luck!”  Julia flashed a toothy grin Jocelyn’s way as she turned and left.

 

Jocelyn opened Outlook Express.

 

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject:  Airfare?

Date:  December 1

 

JSC~

 

I hope you had a nice break.  And that you enjoyed seeing your family.  It was really nice to hear from you!  I was doing some thinking about our little Chicago trip.  I have some money saved, and I *might* be getting a holiday bonus (although I am not counting on it, nor expecting it… just maybe hoping a little.  Hee hee), so I thought perhaps we could fly, rather than taking the bus.  The bus would be cheaper, but more of a hassle.  I was looking on the internet today, and I think I found some decent airfares.  I just need you to let me know when to come exactly, and I will make the reservations.

 

I also found a hotel we can afford… it’s a Holiday Inn.  It has an indoor pool, which I think Claire will enjoy.  I don’t know where it is in relation to where you guys are staying, but I figure it’s closer than Minneapolis!

 

Anyway, let me know the plans so that I can make arrangements.  Claire’s pretty excited.  Okay, I am too. J  Take care!

 

~JEM

 

Jocelyn read over the email and clicked “send.”

 

Jocelyn was surprised when the Outlook box flashed while she was typing up a cover letter to send to a client.  She clicked on it.

 

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject:  Re:  Airfare?

Date:  December 1

 

JEM~

 

Happy December!  The holiday season can officially begin (even though I saw the first Christmas decorations before Halloween… yeesh!)  I did have a good break, thank you!  It was great to see my family.  I hadn’t seen my sister in a while, so I’d really been looking forward to that.  It’s good to be back, though.  We were on a roll in the studio before Thanksgiving, so I’m kind of excited to get back into the swing of things.  Plus, Justin was starting to get cabin fever, I think, so hopefully he will be refreshed and ready to get down to work!

 

Now here is where I have to STOP you.  What are you doing, finding airfare and hotels online???  Jocelyn Elizabeth Mitchell, I invited you as MY date.  You are not responsible for getting yourself there OR for finding a place to stay once you are there.  Let me take care of it, okay?  Anyway, I told the guys I’d be back in the studio at 1:00, sooo… I need to get going.  But let me take care of everything.  Have a great afternoon, and I can’t wait to see you guys!

 

~JSC

 

Jocelyn smiled.  She hit “reply.”

 

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject:  Re: Airfare?

Date:  December 1

 

JSC~

 

That’s really sweet of you, but after everything you have done, please let me do this.  I can afford it now, thanks to you.  Just tell me when to come, and I will.

 

~JEM

 

Jocelyn had no sooner hit “send” and sat back to continue working on her letter than her Outlook was flashing at her again.

 

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject:  Re:  Airfare?

Date:  December 1

 

JEM~

 

You’re going to make me late getting down to the studio if you keep arguing with me! :oÞ  I’m taking care of things and that’s final.  If you go ahead and make your own reservations, you’ll just have two tickets and two hotel rooms, so you may as well save yourself the trouble.  Have a nice day! J

 

~JSC

 

Jocelyn sighed.  He was too stubborn.  But it made her smile.  It was nice knowing that he wanted to see her badly enough to go through all this trouble.  She realized she had just wasted nearly a half hour being completely unproductive, and promptly closed down Outlook so that she could concentrate fully on work.

 

“You okay?”  Jocelyn looked at Claire, who had a mixture of horror and excitement on her face.  Jocelyn herself was feeling a bit anxious, but not for the same reasons as Claire.

 

Claire nodded bravely, but slid her hand into her mother’s.

 

“Would you ladies like a blanket or pillow?” 

 

Jocelyn looked up at the friendly woman leaning down over them. 

 

“No, I think we’re alright.  Aren’t we, Claire?”  Claire nodded, her blue eyes wide.

 

“Alright, then.  We’ll be taking off in just a moment.”  The flight attendant smiled kindly before turning to ask the two men seated behind them if they cared for anything before take-off.

 

Jocelyn looked around her again.  She hadn’t flown anywhere in years.  In fact, she hadn’t been outside of the Minneapolis area in years.  She tried to think back to the last time she’d been on an airplane.  It must have been New Years of her junior year in high school when her parents had taken her to Aruba for a week.  She’d spent the week alone in the beach house and on the private beach while her parents were off at the country club or wherever they’d been.  She’d counted down to midnight with Dick Clark, the ocean sparkling and the stars twinkling just beyond the balcony behind her, the beautiful, warm sea breeze ruffling the curtains and her hair, and the only thought she’d had was that she could be doing the very same thing at home.  With friends.  That had been the story of Jocelyn’s life.  Vacations spent alone in elegant hotel rooms in exotic places she could never appreciate because she didn’t have anyone to share them with.  She treasured the memories of visiting Walt Disney World with Grams and Gramps as a child, because that was the only trip she’d been on where she’d had company the entire time.

 

Jocelyn checked Claire’s seatbelt and leaned back while the plane started to taxi.  Claire was looking out the window excitedly, watching the ground run by her faster and faster until, finally, it started to drop away.  “We’re flying, Mommy!”  Claire’s forehead was pressed against the window.

 

The plane ride was short.  Before they knew it, the Chicago skyline was in view.  Jocelyn breathed in, anxiety starting to wash over her again.  The city was beautiful, especially from this vantage point, but the view was not erasing the knowledge that, in less than two hours, she would be reacquainted with five men she had meant only once, and three months ago at that.

 

Why did these guys always seem to cause her to throw caution out the window and act spontaneously?  She was normally a very practical person, thinking first and foremost about the safety of her daughter and herself, and yet she kept seeming to find herself picking up and joining them for weekends.  At least last time they had remained in her hometown.  This time, she had gotten on a plane and flown across state lines.  What had she been thinking?  But she was teeming with excitement just the same. 

 

“Are we there?”  Claire asked, as the descent became more obvious through the pressure in their ears and the dropping of their stomachs.

 

“Yup, just about.”  Jocelyn smiled.  Claire pressed her forehead to the window once again.

 

“What time is it?” 

 

“Eleven twenty-seven.  Exactly six minutes since you asked me last time.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

“Don’t worry.  The screen said ‘on time.’  It’s supposed to land at eleven thirty-four,” Lance said logically.

 

“I know.”

 

“Hey, you’re wearing a watch!”

 

“I know.”

 

“Then why do you keep asking?”

 

JC looked at Lance, his blue eyes huge and anxious.  “Do you think she came?  You don’t think she freaked out and didn’t come, do you?”

 

“No, I don’t think she freaked out and didn’t come.  I think she’s on that plane.”  Lance pointed out the window.

 

“Oh, sweet Pete.  They’re here.”  JC breathed in deeply and adjusted his baseball cap.  “Where’d Chris go?”

 

“I think he’s in that magazine shop,” Lance said.

 

“Hey, look what I found!”  Chris bounded up, holding out a magazine excitedly.  “We’re on the cover!”

 

“Dude, why do you keep running off?”

 

“Because I was just here last night, not even twelve hours ago, and you made me come back.  I can’t handle that much sameness.”  Chris shrugged and opened the magazine.

 

The door to the gangway opened.  JC looked from Lance to Chris.  Lance grinned.  Chris crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue.  JC smiled.  Lance nudged JC and nodded towards the door.  Behind an elderly woman, three businessmen, and a woman who couldn’t even wait to get into the terminal to talk on her cell phone, were Jocelyn and Claire.  Jocelyn was looking around.  She looked nervous.

 

“She looks nervous,” Chris whispered.

 

JC smiled.  He stepped forwards.  “Hey, Claire!  Jocelyn!”

 

Jocelyn looked up and met his eyes.  Her mouth turned up into a small smile.

“JC!”  Claire broke into a run and jumped into JC’s outstretched arms.

 

“Hey, munchkin, good to see you remember me!  How ya doin?”

 

“Goooood.”  Claire drew out the word as she squeezed JC’s neck.

 

JC set her down and watched as she gave Lance a high-five and Chris a low-five.  Chris pulled his hand away before she could slap it.  That always elicited a fit of laughter from Claire.

”Look!”  Chris held his new magazine out for Claire to see.  “That’s me!”

 

JC held out his arms and Jocelyn stepped in, accepting a quick squeeze.  They stepped apart.  “How was the flight?”

 

Jocelyn tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach.  She didn’t know why she was so nervous to see these guys again.  Or maybe they were butterflies of excitement.  Either way, they were just normal guys, and she was a normal girl… and she had flown over three states to get here.

 

“It was good.  I think Claire was pretty excited.”  She smiled down at her daughter.

 

“Where’s Justin and Joey?” Claire asked, studying the magazine cover, then looking at the three men in front of her.

 

“Justin’s too obvious,” Lance said.

 

“Yeah, Justin draws a crowd no matter where he goes, disguise or not.  And Joey felt bad leaving him alone.”

 

“Right.  That was the reason he stayed behind,” Lance agreed, nodding knowingly.  To Jocelyn he whispered, “Joey had a bit of a rough night last night.”

 

“And this is what you call a disguise?”  Jocelyn flicked the bill of JC’s hat and laughed.  JC readjusted the cap protectively.

 

“Let’s go get your bags,” Chris said.

 

“Got ‘em!” Jocelyn said, hefting the duffle bag off the floor and slinging it over her shoulder.

 

“Wow, you pack light.  JC and Justin should take a lesson from you,” Chris said.

 

“You should talk,” JC said defensively.  He took the bag from Jocelyn.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Well, let’s blow this Popsicle stand then!” Chris said, scooping Claire up around her waist and wrapping her around his back, holding her under the armpits with her head and arms sticking out from under his left arm and her knees from under his right.  She grinned.

 

O’Hare International Airport took about fifteen minutes to just walk through, without stopping anywhere.  A black Lincoln Navigator was parked on the Bulls level of the parking garage.  Lance opened the door and Claire climbed in.  She settled into the bucket seat behind the driver’s seat, and Lance buckled her in.  Chris climbed past the bucket seats and sat on the back bench seat, bouncing up and down to test it.  Jocelyn got into the bucket seat beside Claire.  JC climbed into the driver’s side, and Lance walked around the side and got in the passenger seat.

 

“Home, James,” Lance said.

 

“This is such a great car!” Chris said, still bouncing as JC backed the SUV out of the parking stall.

 

“You’ve said that every time we’ve gotten into it,” Lance reminded him.

 

“But look!  Everyone gets their own climate control AND their own radio!  With headphones!”  Chris leaned forward in the seat and put a pair of headphones on Claire.  She looked at him with surprise.

 

“So where are we off to?” Jocelyn asked as JC maneuvered the car down through the parking garage.

 

“Well, we thought we’d stop back at the hotel to let you guys drop your things off, and then maybe go to Marshall Field’s?”  JC spoke over his shoulder, keeping one eye on the ramp.

 

“We thought we might take ya to eat in the Walnut Room there,” Lance said, looking around the seat so he could see Jocelyn.  “They have a huge Christmas tree, and the entire place is themed.  We checked it out last year.  It was pretty cool.”

 

“Sounds good to me!”  Jocelyn grinned and sat back against the leather seat.  She couldn’t believe she was in Chicago, sitting in a car that probably cost more than her entire net worth with three of the biggest teen heartthrobs in the world.  She couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

“What’s so funny?” JC asked, rolling down the window to pay for parking.  “Thanks.”  He smiled at the woman and rolled the window up.

 

“Lance should have driven,” Chris said, studying the woman’s face through the tinted windows as they pulled through the booth.  She had that ‘was that just who I thought it was?’ look on her face.  “He’s less recognizable.”

 

“Hey!”  Lance turned around and pouted in Chris’s direction.

 

JC pulled onto the highway, heading towards the city.  “What do you think of this weather?  Brrrr!”  There was no snow on the ground, but the wind was biting cold.

 

“I’m from Minnesota, remember?  We had six inches of snow by Thanksgiving.”

 

“JC’s forgotten what it’s like to come from the north,” Chris explained.

 

JC clicked on the stereo.

 

“This is where we’re staying?”  JC had pulled the Navigator into the valet lane at the hotel.  “The Congress Hotel.”  Jocelyn squinted up at the roof and read sign on the top of the building

 

“Yup.  The Congress.  We always stay here,” Lance told her, pulling the duffel bag from the trunk.  “We like it.”

 

“Last time we were here it was summer.  You could see Buckingham Fountain and the lake from our rooms,” JC told her. “And the Art Institute and the theatre district are right here in the neighborhood, too.  It’s too bad we only have two days here!”

 

“Wow, sounds nice,” Jocelyn said, smiling at JC’s enthusiasm for the hotel and its surrounding neighborhood.

 

Jocelyn took Claire’s hand and they followed the guys inside.  Both Jocelyn’s and Claire’s eyes were large with awe.

 

“Little C!”  Jocelyn looked up with surprise as a sunglasses-clad male came hurtling at them and scooped up her daughter from right next to her.  Then strong arms hugged her from behind.

 

“How was your flight?” Joey asked, kissing her cheek.  She squeezed his arms as a return hug, since he was still standing behind her.

 

“It was good.  Uneventful, which is usually good.”  She smiled as Justin set Claire down and engulfed her in a huge bear hug.

 

“Joss!  We missed you!” he said into her hair.

 

“We missed you, too, Justin!”

 

“Hey, I didn’t get a Jocelyn hug at the airport,” Chris said, giving Jocelyn a puppy-dog look.  “JC hogged her.”

 

“Aww,” Jocelyn said, grinning.  She opened her arms and Chris dramatically clung to her, laying his head on her shoulder.

 

“Me next!” Lance said, standing with his arms open.  Jocelyn hugged him tightly and stepped back.

 

“Wow, this place is amazing.  And it’s great to see you guys!” She couldn’t help grinning, and was pleased to see the same reaction out of all five of them.

 

“We actually wanted to introduce you to someone,” JC said, leading the group towards the elevator.  The lobby was almost empty at this hour in the middle of the day.  “She’s one of our costume directors.  She’s been around for a while and she takes care of us.  I think you’ll like her, and if you do, I was thinking that maybe she could take Claire for the evening.”  JC looked at Jocelyn, judging her reaction.

 

Justin had Claire on his shoulders and was giving her as bouncy a ride as possible.  She was loving it.

 

“Sounds good to me,” Jocelyn said, stepping onto the elevator.  She had been curious as to what Claire was going to be doing that evening.

 

“Looks like the news hasn’t leaked that we’re here,” Lance observed of their uninterrupted venture across the lobby.  The group got off the elevator on the ninth floor. 

 

Jocelyn nodded and smiled at a security guard who was thumbing idly through that day’s Chicago Tribune. 

 

The crowd paused outside one of the doors and JC knocked.  The door opened to reveal a pretty woman who looked to be in her early thirties.  Her dark hair was pulled back in a clip and she wore a cream-colored sweater that made her chocolate skin look smooth and soft.  “Hey, Mar,” JC said. 

 

“Hey guys!  And you must be Jocelyn… and you must be Claire!”  The woman smiled. 

 

“Joss, this is Marianna Cross,” JC introduced.

 

“Mari,” she corrected with a wink.  She held out her hand and Jocelyn shook it.  Just then a little head peeked from around Marianna.  “And this—” she stepped aside and brought the girl into full view— “is Michaela.”

 

Michaela’s hair was pulled up into a dozen braided ponytails all over her head.  She grinned.  She was missing her front teeth. 

 

“Mickey’s six,” Marianna said.  “How old are you, Claire?”

 

“Five,” Claire announced, holding up a hand, fingers spread wide, to demonstrate. 

 

“And Tayvion is two.  He’s napping now, though, with his dad.” 

 

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jocelyn said.  She looked at Claire and Michaela, who seemed to have taken a liking to each other.

 

“We thought we’d let Jocelyn and Claire get settled, and then head to Marshall Field’s for the afternoon,” JC told Marianna.  “Would you guys like to join us?”

 

“Actually,” Marianna said, “I think we’re going to head over to Mickey and Tay’s grandma’s house this afternoon.  I’m originally from Chicago,” she added in for Jocelyn’s benefit.  “And don’t you worry your pretty heads, we’ll be back in time to make you five presentable.”

 

“Can I play with Claire?  Pleathe?”  Michaela looked up at her mother, running her tongue over the exposed gums in the gap where her teeth would be.

 

“We’re going to Grandma’s, remember?  But if it’s alright with Jocelyn, I think Claire might come over to our room tonight when we get home, okay?”  She looked to Jocelyn, who smiled and nodded.

 

It took some doing to coax Claire away from her new friend, but soon they had made their way to their own room, changed clothes, freshened up, and were ready in the hallway to go see Chicago.

 

“We get security tagging along with us today,” Lance said, nodding at the two guys standing slightly down the hallway from them.  “Michigan Avenue ain’t no small-town Minnesota mall.” 

 

“Where’s Justin?” Chris asked.

 

“Making sure every hair is in place, I’m sure,” Joey answered.

 

“What hair?  He has no hair.”

 

“And you have no brain, but we keep you around.”

 

“Hey, I’m offended by that.”  Chris crossed his arms over his chest.

 

Ten minutes later the seven of them were piled into the Navigator.  Lance was driving.  A burgundy Buick was behind them, carrying their security, should anything happen.

 

“Should we look at the windows first, or eat first?” JC asked.

 

“Eat first,” Joey said.

 

“I wasn’t asking you,” JC retorted.  “Are you hungry?” he said to Jocelyn.

 

“A little.”

 

“Well, there will probably be a wait, so maybe we should get in line.”

 

The city was all done up for the holidays.  It was just after one, and the streets were bustling with business people getting back to work from lunch and shoppers finishing up their Christmas gifts.  They drove down State Street, where the annual “Skate on State” was set up.

 

“Ooo, ice skating!” Chris exclaimed excitedly.  “Let’s do that tomorrow!”

 

There was someone from the Salvation Army standing on nearly every corner with a red bucket and hand bell, looking for donations.  The streetlights were decorated with wreaths and garland and the trees were full of lights that Jocelyn was sure would look gorgeous come nightfall.  Lance pulled into a self-park on Randolf.

 

When they emerged from the parking structure, they all looked around in awe.  The air was brisk, but the wintry breeze was gentle.  Jocelyn adjusted Claire’s hat and scarf, and then pulled her own coat a little tighter.  She laughed as Justin yanked a wool cap down over his head and blew into his gloved hands to warm his nose.  Lance was looking a bit chilly as well, but was doing a better job at playing it off around the Northerners than Justin was.

 

Christmas music was coming from one of the buildings.  Jocelyn held Claire’s mittened hand tightly in her own as they plunged into the holiday crowds and made their way to the department store.

 

Warm air greeted them as they pushed through the doors into what was arguably the most decorated location Jocelyn had ever seen.  There were Christmas trees on pillars lining each aisle.  The theme of the year looked to be Disney’s Cinderella.  Each tree was decorated with light blue silk ribbons and ornaments that went along with the Cinderella theme.  There were also nearly life-sized statuettes of Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming, of Cinderella with the mice, of the magic pumpkin… All seven of them looked around in awe.  Cheerful Christmas music played as shoppers meandered around each other and leaned in to look at various merchandise.  No one was paying any attention to their particular group, so they made their way through the store to the lockers.

 

“Here, we can dump our coats and stuff here,” Joey said, sticking a quarter in one.  They all removed their winter wear and Joey locked the locker.  They filed after JC towards the Walnut Room, a premiere restaurant.

 

“Wait till you see the tree in here,” JC said to Jocelyn, his shoulder rubbing against hers.  “Seven,” he said to one of the attendants. 

 

“That will be about forty-five minutes,” the young man said back.

 

“If we come back then, can we be seated, or do we have to wait here?” Justin asked.

 

The man studied the five guys, not quite sure of the situation.  “Someone is supposed to wait in line, but I’ll remember you.”

 

“We want to sit by the tree,” Chris added.

 

“We’ll try our best,” the young man promised.

 

“Cool.”

 

“So, who wants to see Santa?” JC asked, grinning down at Claire.

 

“Me!”  She jumped up and down.

 

“Me too!” Chris exclaimed, raising his hand.

 

“Heck yeah!” Justin piped in.  Lance and Joey chuckled.

 

Jocelyn took a picture of Claire perched on Santa’s knee.  Then the remaining six of them huddled around and had an elf take a picture of the entire group. Jocelyn thanked Santa and his Elf and took her camera, following the guys back down to the Walnut Room.

 

“Oh, wow!” Jocelyn looked up at the mammoth Christmas tree.

 

“Is it real?” Claire asked.

 

“What do you think?” Jocelyn asked.  Claire nodded, never taking her eyes from the tree.  “Then it’s real.”

 

Gus, Jacques, and Bruno, Cinderella’s mouse friends, sped around the base of the tree in a train.  The Fairy Godmother poked her head out about halfway up the tree.  The tree was decorated with blue and silver balls, fairy wands, silk bows, and flickering candles, just to name a few.  It was multiple stories tall – the biggest Christmas tree ever to grace the inside of a building.  The entire room was breathtaking.

 

Jocelyn smiled as JC pulled her chair out. She took her seat and situated Claire’s napkin on her lap. 

 

Jocelyn ordered honey Dijon chicken.  Claire got macaroni and cheese.  Lance picked the chicken salad.  Justin got a hamburger.  JC ordered pasta.  Chris got ribs.  And Joey ordered the Field’s Special.  Enthusiastically.

 

“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Justin asked, grabbing a roll from the bread basket and trying to slice though it with a butter knife.

 

“Party’s at nine,” Lance said. 

 

“That means we arrive at nine thirty, right?” Joey asked.

 

“Wait, who are you all taking as dates?” Jocelyn asked as their food arrived.

 

The guys all looked at each other.

 

“I’m taking this really HOT chick, Tonya,” Justin volunteered, waggling his eyebrows.

 

“Yeah, Justin, tell her how you met this girl.  And tell her how old she is,” Chris said.

 

Justin shot Chris a dirty look.  “I met her in Georgia.”

 

“Justin had a little bit of a jet skiing accident,” Chris offered, glancing sideways at Justin.  Justin was scowling and concentrating on his hamburger, which was almost too big for him to get his mouth around.

 

“Well, if someone hadn’t done a donut right in front of me…” He spoke around a mouthful of burger.

 

“Justin somehow managed to fall off his jet ski, while leaving his wrist attached.”

 

“The key got stuck!  There is a safety… thing.  It wasn’t my fault!”  Justin was getting defensive, and rubbing his now-healed wrist.

 

“He had to go to the clinic.”

 

“He asked out the receptionist,” Lance piped in.

 

“She’s twenty-six,” Joey added, giving Justin a look of approval.

 

“She’s hot,” Justin said again. “Besides, Chris couldn’t even find his own date.  He had to get set up.”  Justin threw a French fry at Chris.

 

“Hey, this is a classy restaurant.  At least use food you don’t typically get at McDonald’s,” Chris said, throwing a crouton at Justin.  “And I could have gotten my own date if I’d wanted to.  I was doing Shawna a favor.”

 

“Shawna is Mari’s sister,” Justin explained.  “He hasn’t met her yet.”

 

“Well, Joey doesn’t even have a date yet!” Chris said in an odd attempt at defense.

 

“That’s where you’re wrong, my man,” Joey said, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands behind his head. 

 

“You told me on the plane you didn’t have a date!” 

 

“That was yesterday!  This is today.”

 

“Is this some clubbing girl?” Chris looked at Joey skeptically.

 

“I met Cara at Excalibur last night, yes.”  Joey started to dig into his Field’s Special, a piece of pumpernickel rye bread topped high with lettuce, hard boiled eggs, bacon, chicken, ham, cheese and Thousand Island dressing.  He wasn’t saying any more on the subject.

 

“Knew it.”  Chris leaned back, satisfied. 

 

“What about you, Lance?”  JC was asking.  Jocelyn deduced that if JC was asking, the guys didn’t know what Lance was up to.  All eyes were on him.

 

“Actually, I’m taking a girl I went to high school with.  Her name’s Michelle.”  Lance smiled.

 

“So when are you actually meeting up with all of these girls?” Jocelyn asked, cutting a piece of chicken.

 

“Eight o’clock,” Chris and Lance said together.

 

“How come they don’t arrive until this evening, and I got in this morning?”

 

Lance glanced at JC, who had a mouthful of pasta.  “You’re just lucky, I guess.”

 

It was getting dark when the gang exited the department store and headed for their car, security in tow.  Justin had bought Claire a Field’s Christmas Bear, a big, soft, white teddy bear clad in a winter cap and scarf.  There was a small crowd of people gathered around the first Christmas window outside of Marshall Field’s. 

 

The Field’s Windows were a series of display cases traditionally decorated each holiday season to tell a story.  They were known to be quite extensive and impressive.  This year the window theme, as inside, was Cinderella.

 

“Wow,” Claire breathed, pressing her mittened hands against the glass of the first window.  Onlookers had backed away to let the children, of which there were three or four, view.  One parent was reading the caption aloud.

 

“Wow is right,” Chris said, nodding his approval at the display.  They moved to the second window, which was just as impressive as the first.

 

All in all, the group was entirely impressed.  The complete story of Cinderella was told over a series of the store’s display windows, and each was done expertly and artfully.  Even their security guards looked on appreciatively. 

 

By six, all were back in the Navigator, this time with Joey at the helm, headed towards Michigan Avenue and the Congress Plaza Hotel. 

 

Jocelyn dropped Claire, Christmas Bear in tow, off at Marianna’s room before she went to get ready.  Claire was excited to have the evening to spend with Michaela, and was even more excited at the promise of heading down to the hotel’s pool.  A man, presumably Marianna’s husband, answered the door.  He was friendly, and introduced himself as Jerome.  He was holding a sleepy-looking little boy in one arm.  Tayvion was shy and hid his face in his father’s neck when Jocelyn smiled at him.

 

Michaela squeezed past her dad and grabbed Claire’s hand, attempting to pull her into the room. 

 

“Claire,” Jocelyn said, “Be good, okay?  Give me a kiss.”  Claire gave Jocelyn a quick hug and kiss and pranced after Michaela, saying something about her new bear to her friend.

 

“Thanks for watching her,” Jocelyn said.

 

“Anytime.”  Jerome smiled.  “Have a good time!”

 

Jocelyn was wrapped in a robe and attempting to tame her curling hair.  Why was it that her hair fell limply most of the time, but chose times such as this to frizz and curl?  She turned on the curling iron.  If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.  Better not to fight with natural wave.  There was a knock on her door.

 

Jocelyn pulled the door open to see Marianna standing there.  “Chris, Lance, and Joey are done.  Justin’s in the shower and JC isn’t ready for me yet.  I was wondering if I could offer my assistance on anything.”

 

Jocelyn motioned toward her head.  “Can you fix it?”

 

Mari grinned.  “Can I fix it?  Are you talking to the baddest hair stylist in the Midwest?”

 

When Marianna had finished, Jocelyn’s hair was done up in a French twist, curls cascading out the top.  Everything was held in place with a pearl-encrusted comb.  Jocelyn twisted in the mirror, holding a hand mirror in front of her, trying to catch every angle of her head.  “It’s beautiful!  Thank you!”  Mari took a peek at Jocelyn’s dress, and then did her make-up as well.

 

Marianna left to see if JC or Justin was ready for her.  Jocelyn stepped out of the robe and slipped into her dress.  It was a deep emerald that matched her eyes, with thin straps and a high waist that clung to her in just the right places and flowed loosely everywhere else.  She had felt like a princess in it when she’d worn it to her senior prom, and she felt like a princess in it now.

 

Jocelyn wasn’t sure what she should do next.  She looked at the clock beside the bed.  7:48.  Should she make her way to the lobby to meet the other girls?  She took another look at herself in the mirror and twirled, sending the skirt of her dress outwards gracefully.  She loved everything about the dress, and everything about the way she looked in it.  She was thankful to be getting another use out of it.

 

She stepped out into the hallway and was met with a whistle of approval.  She looked up to see Chris leaning casually against the wall by the elevator.  “Lookin’ good, girl.”  He smiled.

 

“You’re looking pretty good yourself,” she replied, taking in the three-piece suit with the black satin strip running up each leg.  Chris wore a cranberry shirt with a matching tie.  “Heading down to the lobby?” he asked.

 

Jocelyn nodded.  Chris held out his elbow as the elevator arrived.  Jocelyn took it and stepped into the car.

 

The lobby was full of activity.  The restaurant was teeming with people having a late dinner and the bar was starting to fill with people enjoying an early drink before heading off to wherever they were heading off to.

 

Jocelyn spotted three girls standing by the entrance to the bar.  All were dressed nicely, and Chris was leading her in that general direction.  He had dropped her arm while in the elevator, but had a hand on the small of her back.  She realized that neither one of them knew any of the four girls they would be traveling with.  “Are you by any chance Shawna?” Chris asked one of the women, putting on his best “suave” face.

 

“You must be Chris,” she said, stepping forward and offering her hand for a handshake.  Chris took it and gingerly planted a kiss on the back.  Shawna was tall and slim and a few years younger than her sister.  She looked to be in her late twenties, maybe twenty-seven if Jocelyn had to hazard a guess.  She wore a simple black dress that looked to be made for her.

 

“I’m Jocelyn,” Jocelyn said, turning to a redhead who looked to be about Jocelyn’s own age. 

 

“I’m Michelle,” the girl said shyly in a soft Southern drawl.  She had on a midnight blue gown that offset her hair nicely. 

 

“I’m Tonya.  Nice to meet all of y’all,” the other girl said, stepping forward.  Her dialect was not straight Southern, but she was definitely from the South.  She wore a bright red dress and was grinning from ear to ear.  Jocelyn couldn’t help but smile at the knowledge of where Justin had met Tonya, and she was sure she was going to like this girl.

 

No one really knew what else to say, so Jocelyn was glad when Lance stepped out of the elevator.  So far, no one in the crowded lobby had been paying them any attention.  But when Lance started walking, Jocelyn wondered why they had chosen the lobby as a meeting place.  He had to pause to sign a few autographs, be friendly with fans.

 

Joey was down next, and located his date in the bar having a bottle of water.  Bottle being the operative word.  Jocelyn wasn’t sure she’d ever seen regular water served in such a fancy glass bottle before.  Cara looked nice and friendly.  She, too, wore a black dress, with her blond hair swept up off her shoulders.  She didn’t really look like the type of person Jocelyn would have expected Joey to meet in a club, and Jocelyn suspected that Cara was a bit of an *NSYNC fan, judging by the way her eyes bulged and twinkled when she saw Joey, Chris and Lance.

 

It was almost 8:40 when Justin and JC emerged from the elevator.  And it was a good ten minutes later before they were able to make their way to the waiting party milling in a corner by the restaurant.  Justin gave Tonya a quick kiss on the cheek.

 

“Sorry, Marianna took care of Justin first, and he took forever.”  JC stood facing Jocelyn.  She could feel him look her over from head to toe, and couldn’t help but fidget a little.  He looked very handsome in a tuxedo.  “Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous,” he breathed, his eyes locking on hers.  He held out his elbow and Jocelyn slipped her arm into it.  She felt nervous excitement similar to right before the prom.  She realized that she hadn’t been on an actual date with a man since then.  Five years.  Wow.

 

The group slipped into coats and shawls and made their way outside to where the limo was waiting.  The car slid through Downtown Chicago, past the sparkling lights in the trees, through a light flurry of fine flakes.  The streets were damp with the snow, and the streetlights reflected off of them.  Just like in the movies.  The town was not asleep at this hour, as the sidewalks were busy with people heading towards the theatre or clubs or restaurants or home. 

 

The car pulled up to the curb in front of the famed Chicago Drake Hotel, a breathtakingly fancy building facing the beach and the crisp waters of Lake Michigan.  Jocelyn couldn’t help but gasp as they walked through the doors.  There were crystal chandeliers and fountains and candles and red velvet, and everything was decorated for the holidays.  Soft holiday music played, and there were plenty of people dressed as elegantly as they, milling around the lobby. 

 

The dropped their winter gear off at the Coat Check window.  JC rested his hand at the small of Jocelyn’s back.  The dress she wore laced up the back, so just the tiniest bit of her skin was exposed.  Her skin tingled where his fingers were.  Together they entered the ballroom, which was even more elegant than the lobby, if it was possible.  A giant Christmas tree stood in one corner.  There were tables around the periphery and a buffet at one end.  There was a champagne tower off to one side, and a complete open bar.  In the center of the room was a dance floor, already occupied by couples.  The chandeliers in here were huge and sparking.  This was quite a gala!

 

JC led her over to talk with a small gathering of people.  He introduced them to her, but she was so enthralled by her surroundings she hardly heard.  “Do you want something to drink?” he offered as a waiter walked by with a tray of champagne.  Jocelyn nodded, and JC took two glasses, handing her one.  She sipped it carefully. 

 

Someone tapped Jocelyn on the shoulder.  She turned to see Lance, mid-waltz, mouthing “Get on the dance floor!” at her.  She laughed and shook her head.  Who knew Lance Bass could waltz?

 

At that moment, JC turned to her and took her nearly empty glass out of her hand.  He set it, along with his, on the nearest table.  He raised one eyebrow and nodded in the direction of the dance floor.  Jocelyn smiled and nodded, slipping her hand into his.

 

Jocelyn wrapped one arm around JC’s shoulder, and his hand rested on the small of her back.  JC moved gracefully to the music.  He made every move seem effortless.  Jocelyn fell into step with him in seconds, as if they’d been dance partners for years.  She could feel his muscles working as they moved around the dance floor in an easy glide.  His fingers put slight pressure against her back as he urged her in one direction or another, and each time they did, she got goosebumps. 

 

Jocelyn was lost in JC’s eyes, in his scent.  Everything else in the room seemed to melt away.  She felt like she was in a movie and everything was moving in slow motion, the edges of the screen blurred a little.  JC pulled her a little closer and their legs brushed together.  Her stomach was pressed up against him, but her eyes never left his.  This was good.  This was right.

 

The song ended far too soon and was replaced with a much faster one.  “Doesn’t really seem the atmosphere to be bumpin’ and grindin’ in, does it?” JC said with a laugh.

 

“It’s a fast song, but I don’t think it’s that upbeat,” Jocelyn replied, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead.  JC led her to a table in the corner by the Christmas tree.  It was relatively quiet there, as the spot was as far from any food, drink, or dancing as could be within the room.

 

“Are you having fun?”

 

“Very much.”  Jocelyn smiled.  A waiter walked up to them, then, offering wine this time.  They each took a glass.  Jocelyn took a sip.  It was smooth and thick and sweet, just the way she liked it.  “I’ve never been much of a drinker,” she told JC.  “Actually, I think I’ve only had alcohol a handful of times!”

 

“Really?”  JC looked surprised.

 

“Yeah, teenage drunks aren’t the only ones who get pregnant before their eighteenth birthdays.” 

 

“I didn’t mean—”

 

Jocelyn took a breath.  “I’m sorry.  I don’t know why I said that.  I—I get a lot of flack for being a young mom, I guess.  I didn’t mean to ruin the mood.  I’m sorry.”  She took a long drink of her wine.

 

“The mood.”  JC smiled and sipped his wine, keeping his eyes locked on her over the top of his glass.

 

Jocelyn smiled, then, too.  “So do you get to go home for Christmas?”

 

“Actually, I do, but only for a couple days.  Christmas Eve is really big in my family, so I’m glad I’ll be home for that.  I’m flying home the twenty-third and back the twenty-sixth.  We’ve got a New Years Eve concert in Orlando, and we’ll have to get together and make sure we have everything down by then.”

 

“That sounds really nice.”  Jocelyn sighed longingly.  She wanted to badly to have a family to share Christmas with.

 

“What are your plans?”

 

“Just Claire, Oliver and me.  Quiet, simple.”

 

“You’re not going to see your parents?”

 

“I haven’t seen my parents in three years.  A few months after Kevin left I was having a really hard time, and I went to their house.  I had Claire with me.  They didn’t want anything to do with me.  Or her.  And that broke my heart.  How could anyone not love Claire?  I always kind of thought that once they got to know her… maybe we could be a family again.  Maybe Claire would know her grandma and grandpa.”  Jocelyn sighed.  “I still have my grandparents, Grams and Gramps, and they’re wonderful.  But they live in Florida, so I don’t see them too often.  Anyway, it’s Christmas!  We’re at a party!  You don’t want to hear my sob stories.”  She grinned and sipped her wine again.

 

JC’s eyes were full of concern.  “I’m always up for listening to you,” he said. 

 

“There’s plenty of time for talking.  Let’s dance!”  Jocelyn swallowed the last of her wine and grabbed JC by the arm, pulling him out of his chair and over to the dance floor.  The song sounded swing-ish.  Jocelyn had never swing danced before, but she jumped right in, feeling a little bolder than usual.  In moments they were both practically in hysterics, trying to imitate the couples who did know how to swing dance.  What was even funnier was the sight of Chris and Shawna, also attempting the moves.

 

Chris held Shawna’s hand and circled her, shaking his other hand in a strong jazz hand.  Shawna was playing to him, but was hardly able to control her laughter.  It made the scene all the more comical that Shawna had a good three inches on Chris, especially in her heels.

 

The song ended and they all vacated the dance floor to catch their breath.  Just then Tonya scurried up to Jocelyn and grabbed her by the arm.  “Girl, you have got to see the bathrooms in this place!”

 

Jocelyn threw a look back to JC, who was giving her an amused look.  She had to almost run to keep up with Tonya.  Tonya pulled Jocelyn across the lobby and pushed her through the bathroom door.  “Look at this place!  Go into a stall!”

 

Jocelyn complied, and gasped when she saw that each stall had its own vanity and sink.  “Wow.”

 

“You’re tellin’ me!  Crazy, isn’t it?  This whole place is somethin’ else entirely!”

 

Jocelyn, Michelle, and Shawna sat at one of the tables.  They had been chatting, but they’d fallen quiet as they’d gotten sleepier.  Chris, Lance and JC were out on the dance floor being goofy.  The girls couldn’t help but giggle at them.  They were all feeling slightly giddy from a combination of the late hour, champagne, and the atmosphere. 

 

Lance attempted to dance all suave and sexy and Chris burst into laughter, doubling over and slapping his knee.  JC decided that was a good time to try out the Irish jig, and Chris erupted into enthusiastic ballet.  Lance switched styles to something resembling hip hop and ran to the table to haul Michelle out onto the dance floor with him.  She looked back pleadingly at Jocelyn and Shawna, who grinned in her direction. 

 

JC Irish danced his way over to Jocelyn, dragging her up off her chair.  Chris noticed Shawna sitting alone, and glided over to her, throwing in a leap for effect.  The party had been emptying out for the last hour and was dwindling down to a few dozen people remaining.  Joey and Cara appeared from somewhere and joined the other guys on the dance floor.  Justin and Tonya joined the group shortly after, and the ten of them shared one last dance.

 

When the music finally ended, everyone was laughing so hard their faces hurt.  Jocelyn and JC both picked up their half-finished champagne glasses from earlier in the night, looking for something to quench their thirst. 

 

As soon as she put the glass down, Jocelyn wasn’t sure drinking champagne had been such a good idea.  She’d only had three drinks over the course of the entire night, but she hadn’t really eaten since early afternoon and she hadn’t had any alcohol in months.  She could feel it fuzzing her head a little.  She reached out and held onto JC’s arm for a bit more support.

 

“You okay?” he asked.

 

“Yep, just drank that a little fast,” she said, her cheeks warm from dancing and from the champagne.

 

JC put his arm around her waist, pulling her against his shoulder.  “Want to head back to the hotel?” he asked. 

 

“Whenever you’re ready to go,” Jocelyn said.  She looked tired, though.  It was almost two thirty in the morning.  They had partied hard and had an excellent time doing so.  Jocelyn had thoroughly enjoyed herself, and told JC so.

 

“I’m really glad!  I have to admit, I was a little nervous you wouldn’t come.”  They were at the coat check window and he handed his ticket to the attendant. 

 

“I was a little nervous about coming,” Jocelyn admitted.  “I mean, I’d only met you guys once!”

 

JC slid Jocelyn’s coat around her shoulders, then slipped into his own. 

 

“Hey, you guys want to hit the town?” Justin asked.  He looked full of energy and completely hyped up.  Tonya looked like she was up for more partying, too.

 

“Nah, I think we’re pretty exhausted,” JC said, looking at Jocelyn who nodded in agreement. 

 

“Dude, we’re in Chicago!  They’ve got a great club scene, and this is our last night here.”  Justin wiggled his eyebrows, trying to tempt them to join.

 

“We’ve been here before, and I’m sure we’ll come back,” JC said logically.  “Unless you want to go out,” he added to Jocelyn.

 

“No, I think I’ve had enough for tonight.  You can go if you want, though.”

 

“No, sleep is sounding pretty inviting right now.”

 

“Alright, man, but you’re missing out.  You ready, Joey?”  Joey and Cara took their coats from the counter and joined Justin and Tonya.  The four of them left the hotel.

 

Lance, Chris, Michelle and Shawna emerged from the ballroom, looking as beat as JC and Jocelyn felt.  The six of them made their way out of the beautiful Drake Hotel and climbed sleepily into the limousine waiting for them there.

 

Jocelyn laid her head on JC’s shoulder and closed her eyes.  He had his arm protectively around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head.

 

Jocelyn opened her eyes to a flash.

 

“Sorry.”  Chris grinned, holding up a disposable camera.  “Kodak moment.”

 

JC couldn’t believe it when he saw fans lined up inside the doors of the Congress when they pulled up at just before three in the morning.  He was tired and just wanted to go to bed, but he also was unable to force himself to just walk past these people who had obviously been waiting a long time for a glimpse of them.

 

He helped Jocelyn out of the limo and put on as alert a face as he could muster.  He knew Jocelyn was exhausted, and whispered to her “this will just take a minute.”  Jocelyn nodded, understanding, and went to plop down on a bench just inside the door.

 

“How are you folks doing?” JC asked, Chris and Lance right behind him.  One girl was crying silently, clutching a photograph to her chest.  Most of the people were fairly calm, but excited.  There were only a handful of girls there, maybe eight or nine.  The three of them signed autographs and took a couple pictures, and then gracefully extracted themselves from the small crowd.

 

Jocelyn stood, and, feeling a little dizzy, clutched JC’s waist.  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and squeezed, guiding her through the lobby.  Cameras were still going off as the fans didn’t want to miss one moment of being in the presence of three fifths of *NSYNC. 

 

“You’re really sweet to them,” Jocelyn commented as the elevator doors opened on their floor.

 

“I like meeting fans,” JC replied.  “Not many people get the opportunity to do what we do, so I’m going to live every moment of it while it lasts.  We wouldn’t be where we are without fans… especially the ones who will stay up half the night in a hotel they’re not staying in just to catch a glimpse of us.”  He smiled.  “This is one way we can thank them.”

 

“Well, it’s nice.  Not a lot of people would take time out like that.”  They were in front of Jocelyn’s room then.

 

“Are you going to be okay?” JC asked.

 

Jocelyn nodded.  “I’m just tired.”  She grinned, and fumbled with the key card.  “I had a really good time tonight, JC.  I really did.  Thank you.”

 

“I did too.  I’m so happy you came!”

 

Maybe it was the lack of sleep or maybe it was the champagne, but Jocelyn was feeling a bit friskier than she usually did.  A bit bolder.  Her eyes looking first at JC’s soft, moist lips, then his sparkling blue eyes, then his mouth again. She stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

 

If JC was surprised, he didn’t act it.  The kiss was soft, but it sent tingles all through his body.  It had been a long time since he’d felt this for someone else.  His entire life for the last few years had been so focused on music and the group that he hadn’t had a whole lot of time for a personal life.  And lately, he never knew if a girl was interested in him for him, or if she was interested in him for who he was, Pop Star Extraordinaire.  With Jocelyn, he knew it was one hundred percent genuine.  That was something he wanted to hold on to and never let go.

 

He felt her hands in the hair at the base of his neck, her fingers twisting through the strands there.  Goosebumps rose on his neck.  The kiss got hungrier, a little needier.  But sweet.  He pulled her closer to him, feeling her entire body up against his.  She fumbled with the door behind her and they were in her hotel room.  Jocelyn’s back was up against the wall and the door clicked closed, engulfing them in darkness.  Her hands ran up his hard chest, her fingers leaving traces of fire wherever they touched.  They paused at his shoulders, squeezing the skin there, then found the hair at the base of his neck again.  JC shuddered as her fingers grazed his neck, and kissed her more deeply.

 

They bumped noses, but neither one of them noticed.  JC’s hands ran down Jocelyn’s sides, resting on her hips.  He pulled her closer to him, wanting to taste more of her.  His lips left her mouth and tested her neck and collarbone.  He could feel her shaking ever so slightly against him.  Trembling.  He felt her breathe out against his cheek, and his mouth found hers again. 

 

Jocelyn kicked off her shoes, standing on her tiptoes to get as close to JC as she could.  It occurred to her that she was making out with JC Chasez.  This was a position she was sure hundreds of girls across the United States and around the world wanted to be in.  She loved the taste of his mouth.  She could still taste the champagne on him, and the saltiness of leftover sweat from dancing up a storm not too much earlier.

 

JC pulled away, breathing heavily.  He was still up against her, pinning her between his strong chest and the wall.  He looked into her eyes, adjusting to the darkness.  They were smoky and glazed a little.  “Are you okay?” he asked again, almost whispering.  Jocelyn nodded, not taking her eyes off his face.  It was a beautiful face, full of angles that played with the shadows in a way that was completely unique to him.

 

Jocelyn licked her lips, reaching up for one more kiss.  JC complied, running his fingers up her side and sending tingling chills all up and down her body.  He felt her move up against him, not able to feel close enough.  He wanted more than anything to keep her there, to stay like that forever, locked in each other’s arms. 

 

Finally, though, JC broke the kiss, peering down into Jocelyn’s huge green eyes.  Her lips were damp and parted and slightly swollen and she was staring longingly at him.  He took a step back and felt her step forward too, not willing to break the connection.  She pulled herself back, however.  She rubbed her nose, chewing on her lower lip.  Her eyes were smiling.  JC couldn’t help but notice how much clearer her eyes were now, how much more relaxed and happy she looked than she had when he’d met her in August.  He rubbed her upper arms affectionately.  “We both need to get some sleep.”

 

Jocelyn nodded, a mixture between disappointment and the knowledge that he was right written across her face.  She licked her lips.  “Good night, JC Chasez.  Do you know how redundant that is?  JC Chasez?  It should just be J Chasez.  Since the C is already there.” 

 

JC laughed.  “You’re right, Jocelyn Elizabeth Mitchell.  Did you ever notice your initials spell out Jem?”

 

“That I did,” she replied.

 

“Well, Jem, I had a wonderful night.  And we can remedy the redundancy problem by calling me Josh, if you like.  Anyway, thank you for everything.”

 

“Good night, Josh.”

 

“Good night, Jem.”  He kissed her cheek and slipped out of the room.

 

Jocelyn rolled over, tangled in a mess of sheets and blankets.  She squinted at the clock, not entirely sure she was ready to open her eyes.  It was just after nine.  Claire had surely been up for some time now.  She’d spent the night in Marianna’s room.  Tayvion had a crib to sleep in, so Michaela and Claire had shared the second bed.  Jocelyn groaned and disentangled herself, stumbling into the bathroom.  She rubbed her eyes and splashed water on her face.  She could still feel JC’s lips on hers, his hands on her.  Being there with him had felt so good.  So right.

 

She could smell his cologne in her hair as she stepped into the shower.  She almost didn’t want to wash the memories of the previous night away, but she definitely needed the shower to wake up.

 

She dried her hair and pulled on jeans and a wool sweater, then grabbed her purse and made her way down the hall to Marianna’s room.  She knocked on the door.  Marianna pulled it open.  “Good morning, Jocelyn!”  Marianna studied Jocelyn and smiled knowingly.

 

“Good morning, Mari.”  Jocelyn smiled back, hoping she sounded more chipper than she felt.  “Is Claire in here?”

 

“Jerome took the kids down to the dining room for breakfast,” Mari told her.  Jocelyn thanked Marianna and headed towards the elevator. 

 

She hit the down button and was leaning against the wall waiting for the doors to open when she heard a familiar “good morning.”

 

She turned to see JC rounding the corner, also clad in jeans and a sweater.  “Good morning, yourself.”

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

“Actually, yes.  Did you?”  She wrapped her arms around herself to keep from reaching out to touch him.

 

“Sure did.”  The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.  They rode down to the lobby in silence.

 

Jocelyn started to head for the restaurant, but JC steered her to an unmarked door.  “This is where we get to eat this morning,” he said.

 

Jocelyn pushed through the door first and had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud at what she saw there.

 

Lance, Chris, Jerome and Michelle were seated at one of the tables, watching.  And suppressing smiles.

 

Justin was at one end of the room, flanked on either side by Claire and Michaela.  He was teaching them the dance to “Bye, Bye, Bye.”  The girls were grinning from ear to ear, and the three of them were completely engrossed in the lesson.

 

Jocelyn and JC quietly made their way to the table where a platter of muffins, bagels, and other breads sat beside a bowl of fruit and pitchers of juice.  They helped themselves to food and watched the two little girls and Justin.

 

“They’ve been at this for at least a half hour,” Michelle whispered.  “The two of them are bound and determined to learn the dance.” 

 

“Maybe I should enroll Claire in dance lessons,” Jocelyn mused. 

 

“It’s out, up, out, baby, bye, bye, bye,” Justin said, demonstrating the arm movements.  Claire and Michaela repeated the moves.  “Good!”  Justin looked up and noticed Jocelyn and JC.  “They’re naturals.”

 

Jocelyn and JC clapped for the little girls, and the rest of the table joined in.

 

“Thank you, thank you,” Michaela said, curtsying.  Claire took a bow, then ran over to give her mother a kiss.

 

“How was your first sleepover party?”  Jocelyn asked, arranging Claire’s hair.

 

“Great!”

 

“Did you have fun?”

 

“Uh huh!  We got to go swimming!  In the inside pool!  It was a little scary at first, ‘cause the water was over my head, but Mari had floaties.  And then we got to watch a movie!”

 

“Atlantis was on the hotel’s Pay Per View,” Jerome informed Jocelyn.

 

“So,” JC said, digging his hands deeper in his pockets.

 

“So,” Jocelyn agreed.

 

“Sew buttons,” Claire said.

 

“That’s my line.”  Jocelyn nudged the top of Claire’s head.  They were walking along Lake Shore Drive.  The wind coming off the lake was strong, and Jocelyn knew exactly why they called this the Windy City.

 

“Isn’t Lake Michigan pretty?  It almost looks like an ocean, it’s so big.  But I hear that on a really clear day, you can just make out Michigan in the distance.  Maybe you have to be on a boat to do that.”  JC shivered as another gust of wind came off the water.  “How on earth do geese stand this weather?”  The three of them looked at four geese floating happily on the icy waters of the lake, fairly close to shore.

 

“I don’t know, but there’s a little manmade lake by my office, and it’s about half frozen.  It’s funny to watch the geese walk across the ice and just jump into the water like nothing’s strange about taking a dip in the middle of winter.”

 

“Well, there is the Polar Bear Club,” JC mused.  “Never quite had the urge to join them, but it is intriguing, don’t you think?”

 

“Intriguing it is, but ‘nuts’ would probably be my adjective of choice.” Jocelyn grinned.

 

They strolled a while longer in silence, seeing the giant Ferris wheel of Navy Pier ahead. 

 

“Oo, want to ride the Ferris wheel?” Jocelyn asked.  “I read that it’s one of the best views of Chicago you’ll get, next to the tops of the John Hancock building and Sears Tower.”

 

The trio made their way with new purpose towards the arching entryway of Navy Pier.  As they got closer, they saw a field of bronze statuettes flanking the entrance.  There were statues of children playing, a giant Radio Flyer wagon, a number of impressionistic pieces, butterflies… They spent some time walking through the garden of statues before making their way onto the pier.

 

The first stop was the promised Ferris wheel.  It towered above everything in the vicinity.  The cars were enclosed in Plexiglas and large enough to seat four or six people.  Jocelyn and Claire climbed in, and JC sat opposite them.  The wheel moved so slowly that it never stopped—people just got on and off with it in motion.  The ascent to the top was filled with interesting information about the city and the pier, narrated and pumped through speakers into the car.  They reached the top and had a breathtaking view of the city.  JC pulled out a disposable camera and took a picture of Jocelyn and Claire with the skyline as the backdrop.  Then JC handed the camera to Claire as Jocelyn slid across to sit next to him. 

 

When the ride was over, Claire was jumping up and down asking to ride the carousel.  JC laughed and bought three tickets for it as well.  They had to stand in line, and Jocelyn rubbed her arms through her coat.  JC reached out and rubbed her arms for her.  She leaned against him and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, trying to warm her a bit.  She rubbed her nose on his cheek in thanks.

 

“Ow, your nose is cold!” JC exclaimed.

 

Jocelyn laughed.  “I know!”

 

He hugged her tighter.

 

Finally the ride stopped and it was their turn.  The three of them climbed atop exotic animals and rode them around in a circle.  Jocelyn laughed out loud and let her hair fall back behind her.  She hadn’t been on a carousel in years.  She wished someone was taking a picture of this.  She felt truly happy here, at this moment. She looked over at JC, who was also laughing.  He shook his head and grinned at her.  Claire was having the time of her life, whooping like a cowgirl. Riding an ostrich. 

 

After the carousel, they went to eat lunch in the food court.  They walked through the indoor gardens for a while, and Claire tried to catch the stream of water that hopped and jumped its way from one planter to another.  JC laughed and lifted her up so that her little hand could intercept the stream of water at its peak.  Claire whooped as the spray rained down on her and JC, and JC lowered her to the ground, wiping the water droplets from his face.  He grinned at her, knowing full well that it was his own fault for picking her up.

 

All too soon, it was time to head to the airport.  The girls had said goodbye to Lance, Joey, Justin and Chris back at the hotel, and JC had possession of the Navigator for the day. 

 

“I’m so glad you came,” JC said again.  He’d told her that a lot this weekend.

 

“I am, too.”  Jocelyn smiled at him.  She felt comfortable with this man, completely at ease.  And she felt a tug in her chest with the knowledge that she was about to board a plane heading northwest while he would be boarding another plane the next morning heading southeast.  “I’m going to miss you.”  Jocelyn had weighed those words, debating with herself over whether or not to speak them.

 

JC closed his eyes and then opened them again.  He didn’t want her to leave. He didn’t want to leave.  He wanted to stay here in Chicago, where it was cold and they could just snuggle up and keep pleasant company.  “I’m going to miss you, too,” he whispered, peering into her eyes.  “And Claire.”

 

One of the flight attendants called for people requiring assistance or traveling with young children to board the plane.

 

“Thank you,” Jocelyn said, hugging JC tightly.  He stroked her hair, leaning his cheek against her head.

 

“Thank you for coming,” JC said into her hair.  He squeezed her once more and stepped back.  “And thank you for coming, too, Little C.”  He grinned down at Claire, who stepped into his arms and clung to him for a minute.  “Take care of your mom,” he whispered to the little girl.

 

“Bye JC,” Claire said as JC set her back down on the floor.  She slipped her hand into Jocelyn’s and they joined the line.  As they started through the doorway, they both turned and waved at JC.  He had one hand in his pocket and waved back with the other, smiling sadly.

 

“Home sweet home,” Jocelyn said, unlocking the door.  She turned on the light.  Oliver was lying on his cushion in front of the couch.  He lifted his head, then jumped up to greet his family.  “We missed you, Oliver!”  Jocelyn scratched the dog behind his ears.  He was elated to see them.  Claire laughed as he licked her cheek.  “Did Mrs. Whitney take good care of you?” Jocelyn asked, avoiding getting her face licked. 

 

She left Claire to play with the dog and went to the answering machine.  They’d been gone less than forty-eight hours, but the message light was flashing and the display said there were three new messages.  She pushed the button, grabbing a pencil and pad of paper.

 

“Hi Jocelyn and Claire, it’s Grams.  I was hoping to catch you before you left for your trip!  Gramps and I wanted to tell you to have a good time.  I hope you do!  If you have time, Gramps and I would love to hear all about what you two did in Chicago.  We love you both!”  Jocelyn smiled.  “Saturday, nine twenty-three a.m.” the computer voice recited.

 

Beeeeeep.

 

“Hi Jocelyn.”  Jocelyn froze, pencil posed over the paper pad.  “It’s Kevin.  I—I got your number from your mom.  I’ve been thinking about you lately, and I’d like to be a part of Claire’s life.  I would like to talk to you.  My number is 397-4589.  Give me a call, or I’ll call you.  Later.”  Jocelyn just stared at the machine.  “Sunday, three seventeen p.m.” said the machine.

 

Beeeeeep. 

 

“Hey, Joss, it’s JC.  Wanted to make sure your flight went smoothly and that you got home alright.  We’re actually heading out in a few minutes for dinner at this place called Ed Debevick’s, but I will talk to you later.  We all miss you guys!”  Jocelyn set down the pencil.  “Sunday, five thirteen p.m.”

 

Jocelyn hit rewind on the machine and listened to JC’s message again.  Then she listened to Kevin’s.  Why, after all this time, was he calling?  And what did he want with her, the woman he had walked out on four years ago?  She ran her hands through her hair.  This was not what she needed.

 

End Part 2

Part Three

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