7 AM

 

Comfortably ensconced in his warm bed, Josh slept happily. Dreaming of Andi and a future unmarred by pain, or unhappiness, he slept with a smile on his face, the pillow soft against his cheek, the comforter a welcome weight, one foot stuck out from beneath for temperature control. A sharp smack on the tushie rudely bringing him to the daylight streaming in the blinds as Andi smacked him again on the rumpus.
"Josh! It's seven o'clock, the film crew and the interviewer will be here in an hour! You need to get up! Now!" She punctuated the last statement with another smack to his backside. Normally smacks from Andi were as good as foreplay, and he smiled at the thought, but he knew this morning was different, no playtime. What a sad thought.
Grumbling, he pulled the pillow over his head and dozed off again, maybe if he ignored her, she'd go away and let him sleep.
Five minutes passed, ten minutes, just getting back to the good part of the dream...
"JOSHUA WINSLOW GROBAN!" Andi said in a loud, calm voice.
Head still under the pillow, he was instantly awake, she was using the "NO ARGUMENT" voice. Grinning, he waited til she came over to smack him in the butt again. Such a lovely girl, but sssooooooooo predictable. Andi stomped over to stand beside him, as she raised her hand to deliver the final smack to end all smacks, Josh snaked one arm out, grabbing her, dragging her under the covers with him. Squealing as he pulled her in the bed with him, she tried to keep a straight face.
"NO! Josh, NO!" Giggle escaping her, "Josh, I'm already dressed...no, Josh, come on! They'll be here in an hour! We have to get ready, you can't go on camera in your jammies!"
Smiling at her, holding her on the bed, he leaned over, kissing her sweetly on the lips.
"Why not? The Grobanites wouldn't complain." He smiled as he kissed her sweet lips again, then her collarbones, then her cleavage.
Sighing deeply, Andi was trying to stay all business, dammit, why did those lips have to be so soft? And why did he already know all her weak spots?
"Josh, come on, we have to get ready. Please, babe?" She turned her best puppy dog eyes on him.
Leaning over her, propped up on one elbow, Josh smiled, "Well, if you're sure there isn't any time. Okay."
"Good."
"But, wait,..."
She saw the look in his eyes, "Josh, no!"
"There's always time for just.."
"No!"
"...one..."
"Josh, NO!"
"...tickle!" He attacked her ribs, the most ticklish part of her body, Andi giggling and pleading him delightedly to stop, please stop, no, stop, oh, what the hell.
She grabbed him, kissing him as hard as she could. The interviewers could wait.
At ten minutes to eight, they both scrambled furiously to put themselves together for the camera crew.
"We could just not answer the door," Josh said, coming out of the bathroom, towel around him, face slathered with shaving cream.
"I told you this was a bad idea, I told you you'd regret it!" She wagged a finger at him as she made the bed, while slipping into her shoes.
"Yes, dear!" He said, smiling at her, sticking out his tongue.
She stopped one hand on her hip, "I'd smack you in the head, but if I get any closer to you they'll be waiting forever."
"Promises, promises!" Josh sighed, going back in the bathroom to finish shaving.
Andi walked into the bathroom behind him, she pinched him, making him jump.
"Hey! You trying to make me slit my throat here?"
"Payback's are tough!"
"I can't believe I agreed to be followed around by a camera crew for 12 hours."
"And you would have to agree to it on the day we're scheduled to meet with the wedding planner." Andi sat on the closed toilet to watch him. For some strange reason it was kind of sexy to watch him shave.
His eyes grew wide when she mentioned the wedding planner.
"Is that today?" He asked.
"Oh, you didn't, you did not! Josh! You forgot!?"
He laughed, "Just kidding, two o'clock, I'm picking you up at the center at 12:00 for lunch!" He snickered evilly, "I had you going, didn't I?"
Standing up, she snatched the towel off him, snapping him lightly in the hindside with it. He moved the razor away from his face, knowing what was coming, and laughed. The door bell rang.
"Be careful, you know I like the kinky stuff!" He laughed as Andi ran to get the door.
"For the love of God, put some clothes on before you come out!" She laughed as she ran for the entrance.
"That would give the Grobanites a REAL thrill!"
"More like heart failure!" She called back.
"But what a way to go!" He yelled, peeking out of the bedroom door.
Motioning him back to the bathroom, she straightened herself, and opened the front door.

 

8 AM

 

Opening the door, a smile on her face, Andi was prepared to greet the interviewer, they hadn't been told if it would be a man or a woman, so she wasn't prepared for what lay behind the door.
"Oh, my GOD!" She yelled when she opened the door, the smile quickly replaced by a look of total and utter disgust.
"Good to see you, too, Andi." Cinsia Pettigrew said sweetly, one hand on her hip, the other holding a microphone. The camera crew already filming Andi's reaction to the slimiest, lowest, most unrelenting, nuisance paparazzi that had ever walked the planet. She had begun hounding them a month after their engagement, until they'd had to file a restraining order against her when she would hide behind the bushes, just to get "up close and too personal."
Hearing Andi yell, Josh came padding out, thankfully clothed, jeans on, shirt open, barefoot, toothbrush in his mouth, no shoes on. Looking like a mildly rabid dog, he almost choked on the toothpaste when he saw Cinsia at the door.
"I'll be right back," He said to Andi, running to the bathroom to rinse out his mouth so he could help hurl expletives at Cinsia.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Cinsia asked smiling like a shark looking at fresh meat.
"Oh, I don't think so." Andi said, hoping to wither the scuzzy, little tart with a look. If God was a just and kind God, then the putrid excuse for a human being should have dropped on the spot. But no such luck.
Mouth now cleared of toothpaste and sans toothbrush, Josh hurried back to the door, shirt buttoned, and tucked in, he wasn't giving Cinsia any ammo to use against them.
"What are you doing here? The restraining order doesn't allow you any closer than 1000 feet." He said.
"Sorry, munchkins, you signed a contract with the company I work for, allowing them to hire whoever they pleased to do the interviews. They wanted me!" She finished with a self-satisfied flourish!
"Babe?" Andi squeaked at him, her lip trembling at the thought of having to spend any time at all with the barracuda of the flashbulb. But on the day they meet the wedding planner!?!
"I'm calling Brian!" He said, going inside to get his manager on the phone. Pointing at Cinsia, "Don't let her in here."
"No problem, babe!" Andi said, looking at Cinsia, "We haven't sprayed for parasites. You'll have to wait outside til we get this straightened out." She smiled ever so sweetly as she slammed the door in Cinsia's face.
Josh already on the phone, pacing back and forth through the living room, Andi walked in, totally unhappy.
"I know what time it is , Brian, do you know who's at my door with a FILM CREW! At 7 AM! Cinsia Pettigrew!"
Going up to Josh, pacing alongside him,"We don't really have to let her in here do we, babe?" She asked.
"I don"t know yet, babe, that's what I'm trying to find out. No, Brian, you're sweet cheeks, I was talking to Andi." He said, rolling his eyes at Brian's attempt to be funny.
"Not today, babe, we're supposed to meet the wedding planner today, please tell me we can postpone this thing." She pleaded.
"I'm working on it, honey. No, I was talking to Andi again." He listened, Andi pulling on his sleeve, desperate to believe that the good triumph over the slimey.
"He knows we have the restraining order, that has to count for something." Andi said, hopefully.
"He knows about the restraining order, sweetie, just...no, Brian, I've already told you, you're sweet cheeks. Can we tell her to go away or not?"
Andi pulling on his shirt, Brian talking now to someone on another line, Josh listened, hope springing eternal, until...
"What? What do you mean...I see...I don't believe this. Yeah, thanks, Brian...yeah, talk to you later." He hung up the phone. Standing in the middle of the living room, he looked down at Andi's pitiful face.
"We have to let her in."
"What are you talking about, Josh?" She said, her voice dead serious.
"We could fight it, but then we'd be in breach, and they could sue us. We have to let her in."
Moving to the sofa, they sat, side by side, looking like they'd lost their best friends.
"But...but...we have to see the wedding planner. Today!"
Andi said.
"It's just twelve hours, they follow me around til seven o'clock tonight. We can get through twelve hours with her. Can't we? I mean what could go wrong?"
Putting up a brave front, Andi looked at Josh, smiling the best smile she could muster, "Yeah, we can do this. I know we can, and it'll mostly be with you, she'll follow you around for a couple of hours, then time with the wedding planner. It'll be over before we know it. You're right, babe, we can do this. Nothing could go THAT wrong in twelve hours, right?"
"Right!" Josh said, getting off the sofa, he held out his hand, Andi took it, he pulled her into his arms. "There's nothing we can't handle if we handle it together."
"Do you believe any of that?" Andi asked.
"Not a word, let's get this over with." They moved to the door to face the human equivalent of a bag of doogie-doo.

 

9 AM

 

Going to the door together, Josh and Andi pasted plastic smiles on their faces, took deep cleansing breaths, and opened it slowly.
Leaning on the wall outside the door, Cinsia gave them a cat killed the canary grin.
"Found out we have an iron-clad agreement, did we?" The self satisfaction in her voice causing Andi's eyes to narrow dangerously.
"Won't you come in," Josh said, his best company face on.
Cinsia walked past, the camera man behind her.
"Oh, God, Josh, couldn't you afford a decent decorator?" Cinsia said as she walked into the living room, Josh and Andi right behind her, Josh had to grab Andi's hands to keep her from smacking Cinsia. Cinsia and the camera man turning as they made it look like a perfectly innocent hug.
"Where shall we set up for the questions for this hour?" Cinsia asked.
"Us on the sofa?" Josh suggested.
"And you slowly roasting on a slow-turning spit in hell?" Andi muttered under her breath, an evil smile on her face at the lovely picture.
Stifling a laugh, Josh sat down, pulling Andi down beside him. Making her sit, with her hands in her lap. His arm around her, holding the back of her shirt so she couldn't get up and kill Cinsia.
"What did you say, Andi?" Cinsia asked.
"Nothing important." Andi said.
Looking over the notes on the pad she had pulled out of the voluminous bag she carried, Cinsia spoke into the microphone.
"How long have you two been living together?"
"That's not on the approved list of questions." Josh said.
"Well, are you just going to tie my hands creatively? I can't come up with anything original?" Cinsia said, getting angry.
"Oh, no, you didn't!" Andi said, starting to come off the sofa, Josh pulling her down by the shirt.
Leaning over her making it look like he was kissing her cheek, he whispered in her ear.
"Cool it, babe! Don't let her rattle you, that's what she wants, we're playing a game."
"Right, right! Only ten more hours." Andi said, taking a deep breath.
"Well, what CAN I ask you?" Cinsia asked in the tone of a petulant child.
"How about the new album, the tour next summer, the center and all the good things that are happening there, how about some of those Cinsia?" Josh suggested, as though he were speaking to a slow-witted person.
"How about the wedding?" Cinsia asked, catching both of them off guard.
"What would you like to know?" Andi asked through clenched teeth, holding her hands in her lap, wanting so much to give this woman such a smack.
"Are you sure about this? Given the "diversity" of your backgrounds, do either of you have misgivings about your upcoming nuptials?"
"Was that a crack?" Andi asked.
"That was a crack." Josh answered Andi's question for her.
Both of their eyes narrowed now, Cinsia leaned back in her chair, beginning to feel threatened.
"Why don't I ask that another way?" She said.
"That'd be a good idea." Josh said, eyes still narrowed.
"A real good idea." Andi agreed.
The interview continued, Josh and Andi stonewalling when Cinsia tred on ground they didn't want to talk about. The hour coming to a close, the phone rang.
Andi got up to answer, Cinsia finally asking polite questions about the new album while Andi was away.
"WHAT!?" Andi's extremely loud exclamation interrupting. She laughed as they all turned to look at her, taking the phone walking backwards into the kitchen. Her muffled upset voice piquing Cinsia's over active curiosity.
"What do you see as the theme of the new...who IS she talking to in there?" Cinsia finally asked, unable to contain her need to know, even if it was none of her business.
Andi poked her head out of the kitchen.
"Josh, could I see you in here for a minute, please, babe?" She said, her voice casual and happy, Josh hearing the underlying stress.
Once inside the door, Andi grabbed his shirt, putting her head on his chest.
"Andi, what is it?" He asked, putting his arms around her.
Looking up at him, her expression one of disbelief, "Katie's been arrested for shoplifting."
"WHAT!?" He exclaimed. Andi shushing him.
"We have to go bail her out, she says it's all a mistake."
Sighing heavily, Josh hugged Andi.
"We should have stayed in bed."
"Amen."
It was now 9:59 AM.

 

10 AM

 

Headed for the LA Police Department, Juvenile division, Josh drove the Explorer, since Cinsia and the camera man had to ride with them. He and Andi rode in silence, they couldn't talk freely until they could find a moment to be alone with Katie. The camera man still filming, Cinsia was still asking questions, Josh and Andi responding with one word answers.
Josh thinking to himself, "I wonder if I could find a way to get her arrested?"
Pulling up to the station, they parked, going inside. Hoping the camera man would be refused admittance, or at least stopped from filming, Josh and Andi looked at each other when the desk sergeant didn't bat an eye.
"Hey, this IS LA." His sole response before directing them to a waiting area.
"I don't think you understood, " Josh said smiling charmingly at the sergeant. "We're here to pick her up, post bail, whatever we have to. We're her legal guardians."
"No, Mr. Groban, YOU don't understand," He turned his computer screen around, showing him Katie's name on the screen, he pointed to the status section. Speaking slowly, he explained the process to Josh.
"See, Mr. Groban, she's in booking, still being processed. When her status reads juvenile hall, or holding cell, then I can direct you, and you can go pay her fine and get her out. I will call you when it updates. In the meantime, please have a seat."
Holding on the smile, ears burning, Josh came and sat beside Andi.
"THAT was embarassing," He glanced over at Cinsia and the camera man, "And all preserved on film for the WORLD to see, how special!" He muttered.
"It's okay, babe, we just have to wait, it doesn't take long for the processing, we'll be out of here in an hour, two at the most." She patted his arm.
"You know an awful lot about the process, Andi, have you ever been arrested?" Cinsia asked, cheerfully poking the microphone in Andi's face.
Mouth pinched together, eyes scrunched up in disgust, Andi blinked for several seconds, completely astounded by the woman's lack of tact, common decency, a heart. Visions of bludgeoning her with the microphone trotting seductively into Andi's thoughts, she answered.
"I was arrested once." She said, not volunteering anything she didn't have to.
"What for?" Cinsia probed, almost salivating in anticipation of some dirt.
Josh and Andi looked at each other, matching expressions of wonder and nauseated disgust on their faces, they shook their heads. Looking at Cinsia, Andi shook her head again, and laughed, a short laugh, a chuckle of amazement. How could anyone be so unaware of their own repulsiveness?
"I don't think I'm going to answer that one." She said, politely, but firmly, not allowing her to go any further.
They all fell silent, and some time passed, but not much, a funny little man, dressed in purple tights, and a poet's blouse walked up to Josh and Andi.
"Thou beautiful maiden, may I kiss thine hand?" He asked Andi, his voice loud as if he were projecting to the back row of a theater. He bowed low, taking her right hand in his, waiting her permission.
"Of course, good sir, but may I have your name first, a lady never accepts affections from a stranger." She answered, smiling at him, winking at Josh.
"I am Sir Robin, my lady, and you are the fairest creature these world weary eyes have seen in many years."
"Why, thank you, Sir Robin, you may kiss my hand."
Looking honored, and humbled, he bent down, kissing her hands softly.
Releasing her hand and kneeling in front of Josh, he spoke in a conspiratorial voice,
"Thank you, my liege, for allowing this humble servant the audacity of your ladies affection. Give me your blessing, my lord, and I will venture forth again to slay dragons!"
"You have my blessing, Sir Robin, go forth and slay as many dragons as you can find." Josh said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Two officers came forward, leading the little man away, "Okay. Sir Robin, you got an appointment with the Royal Judge, let's go."
One of the officers looked over his shoulder, "Did he bother you? He's pretty harmless, the stairs just don't go to the top floor, you know?"
Chuckling, Josh and Andi assured them he was no bother. As they led Sir Robin away, Josh and Andi looked at each other and laughed.
"My lady." Josh said, kissing her hand.
"My liege." Andi said, giggling, leaning close to him, her cheek brushing his, touching him lightly with her lips.
"How sweet." Cinsia said, sarcastically, leaning over to the camera man, "Did you get all that?"
He nodded.
Looking at Cinsia in disgust, Josh and Andi shook their heads again.
Josh got up to talk to the desk sergeant again.
Andi checked her watch, chanting to herself, only nine more hours, only nine more hours...
It was now 10:59am.

 

11 AM

 

The computer had updated, Katie was in holding at juvenile hall, Josh, Andi and entourage had been directed, they walked that way, Josh and Andi close to each other, whispering conspiratorally.
"You know that isn't in the contract, I'm supposed to have full access to anything you talk about today!" Cinsia whined behind them, since they were keeping a brisk pace to keep ahead of the camera man.
"Public figure doesn't mean I have NO privacy!" Josh said sweetly, smiling back at Cinsia, not lessening his pace.
"This is NOT a fish bowl, dear Cinsia, we have things to discuss about our darling Katie that don't concern you." Andi added, not bothering to glance back, the hack could hang for all she cared.
"Could you slow down a little, please?" Cinsia whined, getting further behind as Josh and Andi picked up the pace.
"Not really, power walking!" Andi called back, looking this time, grinning happily as she saw Cinsia huffing and puffing to keep up.
They reached the information desk for juvie, Josh taking charge. Turning on the Groban charm, he spoke to the female sergeant at the desk, who turned out to be a fan, signing her CD for her(hey, she's a Grobanite, it never leaves her side!), he asked her sweetly about Katie, explaining they had a lot to do today and they really needed to get going.
"I'll see what I can do, Josh." She said, dreamily, then looked down at her CD, seeing the signature curly-headed smiley face, she gave a little squeal of delight, and ran back to hurry Katie's release.
"You could charm fish right into the boat, couldn't you, Joshie? Maybe you missed your calling, you could have been a world renowned defense attorney." Cinsia said, sarcasm oozing from her every pore.
"But then I would have had to defend the person who's going to kill you one day." Josh muttered, only loud enough for Andi to hear.
Andi turned red trying to smother the laugh. Finally, turning to hide her face by leaning on Josh's shoulder. Regaining control, she turned around as Katie came running out to them.
"Katie!" She exclaimed as she ran up to grab the little bugger.
Catching sight of Cinsia over Andi's shoulder, Katie's expression changed, looking as if a skunk had come in and sprayed the room.
"What's SHE doing here? She's not allowed this close to us!" Katie commented loudly, not much subtlety to this girl, no ma'am!
"She's the innterviewer for the "Day with Josh Groban"." Andi whispered, "So be good, cause I can't smack you in front of camera crews, and you know how I hate smackus interruptus!"
"Oh, man!" Katie moaned softly, as Josh hugged her too.
Speaking to Josh, eyes pleading, "Are you gonna protect me?"
"Sorry, kid, you're on your own, I'm gonna be in for it tonight, too. I'll probably do at least one thing today to deserve a smack." He grinned, patting her reassuringly on the shoulder as they walked to the sergeant at the desk.
Josh paid the fine, a not inconsiderable fine, and they left.
"It wasn't me!" Katie protested as Josh showed her the receipt, her eyes going wide at the amount of zeroes.
"It wasn't?" Andi said, disbelief in her tone.
"I swear, Andi! I was waiting for the bus, minding my own business when two other girls from St. Anne's came running out of the store on the corner. You know Achmed, he sees one girl in the uniform, he can't tell one from the other. Since he knows me, he saw me and thought I was part of it." She paused looking at Andi's face, her arms folded, one foot tapping on the ground. "Andi, I promise you, I wasn't even in the store that morning!"
They were on the sidewalk in front of the police station, Katie professing her innocence, trying to convince the extremely tough jury of Josh and Andi.
Looking from one tough expression to the other, her eyes misted up a little, Josh's expression lightened.
"I promise, I didn't do it!" She said, her voice softer.
"Okay, we'll give you a break." Josh said, hugging her, Katie grateful that at least one of her pseudo-parents was giving her the benefit of a doubt.
Andi was tougher, but she knew it took a lot to get Katie misty, so she joined them in a three way hug.
"Okay, Josh thinks you're telling the truth, so I'll let it go, THIS TIME! Don't let it happen again, young lady!" Andi said, waggling a finger in Katie's face.
"Yes, ma'am!" Katie said, grinning, the imp back again, now that she knew they believed her. "In the meantime, what do we do about Cruella DeVille?"
"We put up with her." Josh sighed, heavily, turning to walk to the Explorer, one arm around Katie, one around Andi. Katie stuck out her tongue at the camera as they walked past Cinsia.
"If you're her guardians, why doesn't she live with you?" Cinsia asked sweetly.
Taking a calming breath, Andi stopped, turning to stare Cinsia down. Once Cinsia took a step back, Andi smiled hugely.
"Because we share guardianship with Susie, who Katie lives with. We share responsibility for her, and she stays with us every other weekend. And she'll be staying with us for the summer to give Susie a break from the full time parenting chores."
"Modern parenting, how progressive, it doesn't seem to be able to keep her out of trouble." Cinsia said, a smirk on her face.
Andi started toward her, Cinsia taking another step back. Josh put an arm in front of Andi and walked up to Cinsia. Speaking calmly, "Cinsia, Katie has had a checkered past, true. We don't deny it, she has had problems, but in the last 2 years, she's gone back to school, and made the national honor society. For someone as young as she is, she is incredibly focused, she's on the debate team, AND she's a member of the student council. Personally, if she tells me she's innocent, I choose to believe her, track record or not, she's proven herself to be a valued member of society, and I'm proud to be one of her guardians. So I don't see any need to discuss this any further. Any more questions?"
Cinsia shook her head, her lips pinched together.
"Okay, then, we have to get this little lady to school, boy are you late!" Josh said lightly as he went back to Andi and Katie, the girls on either side of him, Katie beaming up at him.
"That's my "dad"!" She turned, saying it with pride, as she looked into the camera, and stuck her tongue out to spite Cinsia.
Glancing at his watch over Katie's head, Josh noted the time. It was now 10:59. Eight more hours to go.

 

12 PM

 

Pulling away from the police station, Josh headed for St.Anne's Catholic School, where Katie was a sophomore. Andi had written an excuse for her, not telling the principal why she was late, Katie ran in waving good-bye.
"Where to now, my love?" Josh asked.
"We're so far behind schedule we might as well just go to lunch, and head for the wedding planners. But I want to stop by the center, to let Susie know I won't be in til late."
"Why don't you just call?" Josh asked, "Susie can handle things."
"I've been trying, all I'm getting is a busy signal."
"That's weird."
"I know, could we drop by?"
Taking Andi's hand, he kissed it, "Sure thing, babe." He headed for the center.
As they pulled close, they saw flashing lights, not a good sign. Pulling into the drive, there was a fire engine in front, firemen, and young people, center workers, milling about looking lost. Susie spotted the Explorer and came running up as Josh came to a stop, and he and Andi got out, followed closely by Cinsia and the camera man.
"Oh, Andi, I'm so glad you're here!" She said, hugging Andi hard.
"Susie, what happened?!" Andi asked, hugging her back, surveying the center, a look of pained resignation on her face. What else could go wrong today?
Josh had gone up to the fire chief, they were talking animatedly.
"Something shorted out in the wiring in the kitchen, the extinguishers went off, and it triggered the sprinklers in the dorms. We've got a non-functional kitchen and drenched living spaces. The offices are okay, I haven't had a chance to talk to the fire chief yet."
"People are already here for lunch. What are we going to do?" Andi stood, one hand on her hip, one on her forehead trying to figure out what they could do to keep the center going.
Josh walked up, his cell phone open, talking to someone.
"It's okay babe, I've got some people coming to work on the wiring, and the extinguisher people will be here in an hour to check the system so the kitchen will be back tomorrow. We can get some sleeping bags for everyone tonight, who should we call to get food in here til tomorrow? Oh, yeah, we gotta call someone to come pull up the carpets and put in new pads."
Andi looked at Josh, blinking, he had everything organized! She smiled, putting her arms around him, she almost started crying.
"I love you!" She said.
"Hey, we can't let a little water make the center fall to pieces!"
"We can call Buppy's for food. They can set up an outdoor buffet in a couple of hours so we can feed everyone. This is gonna kill my budget!"
Josh put a hand on her chin, making her look at him.
"I got this, babe, don't worry about it. You figure out who to call about the carpets, I'm gonna call a sporting goods store and order some sleeping bags. How many do you think we'll need?"
"Normal capacity is about 70."
"Okay, go find out who we need to call about the carpets."
He turned away calling information to locate a sporting goods store.
Andi started into the center, looking back over her shoulder, she noticed Cinsia filming the whole thing. Great! Another screw-up! Stopping for a second, she noticed a strange look on Cinsia's face. Could that be concern? Shaking her head, she dismissed it, not believing someone so convinced of their own importance could possibly care about a lot of troubled kids. Glancing at her watch, she realized they'd have to call the wedding planners and tell them they'd be late.
It was 12:59, only seven more hours.

 

1 PM

 

The center would be functional, with Josh's generosity, and a lot of phone calls, they would be able to keep their doors open. In the short time it had been open, it had become a vital part of the community, even two days down could mean the difference between life and death for a lot of young people. Andi had never been more proud of Josh in her life! She beamed at him as he continued on the phone coordinating with her all the help that would be needed to get the repairs done. And he was footing the bill! She wasn't sure what she'd done to deserve someone so completely wonderful, she was just happy that he was in her life. Ending his conversation, Josh came over and hugged Andi.
"Okay, the center stays open, we gotta get going, did you call Fritz and tell him we were going to be late?"
Andi shook her head,"I'll call him in just a minute. Have you noticed that Cinsia has stayed out of our hair this whole time?" They turned to see Cinsia interviewing clients of the center.
"That's just plain weird. When did she get a heart?"
Josh said shaking his head in amazement.
"I don't..." Andi stopped, her cell phone was ringing. Pulling it out of her purse, she flipped it open and answered it.
"Hello. Yes, this is Andi Vasquez. Oh, hello, Father Thomas....Excuse me?...Katie did what?...Yes, I understand, Father...yes, we'll come get her." Closing the phone, Andi grabbed Josh's shirt, and slowly began banging her head on his shoulder.
"As amusing as this is, that hurts." Josh said, a sympathetic grin on his face, sighing heavily, since misfortune seemed to be the theme for the day, taking his life in his hands, he asked the question, "What now?"
Rubbing his shoulder where she'd been trying to beat herself unconscious, Andi looked up at him, a piteously woeful expression on her face.
"Katie got into a fight with two girls at school. They've been expelled for the day. We have to go get her."
"Is she okay?" Josh asked, Katie taking on two girls, that's my GIRL! He thought to himself.
"Father says she has a split lip and a black eye, but the other two look worse." Andi smiled despite herself.
"That's our Katie!" He said chuckling.
"She used to smack Big Tony around, the little demon's not scared of anyone!" Andi said, laughing.
"Who's Big Tony?" Cinsia asked, coming up behind them, the microphone stuck in their faces once again.
The expressions on their faces turning back to disgust, Josh and Andi looked at each other and sighed, they'd forgotten the little parasite was still with them.
"He's an old acquaintance." Andi said non-committally.
"An acquaintance? Friend, or "business"?" She asked, her eyebrows raising suggestively.
"One I'd like to introduce you to in a dark alley," Andi muttered.
"Business, but not in the way YOU were thinking." Josh answered, smiling sweetly. "Now if you would be so kind as to load up, we have to go back to St. Anne's."
Her eyebrows raising higher, a nasty little smirk plastered on her face, Cinsia was clearly enjoying their discomfort.
"Really? No rest for the wicked, I see."
A wordless expression of disgust escaping her, Andi looked at Josh, "I'm going to go tell Susie what's going on, and leave her my cell phone in case of emergency."
"Okay, babe, I got this." Stepping up to Cinsia, he looked down at her, his expression grim.
Just as she was about to slink a few steps back, he smiled, "That's so funny, Cinsia, and you have NO IDEA, just how wicked Andi and I are capable of being! I saw you talking to some of the center's clients, going for human interest? That doesn't seem to be your favorite angle."
"Don't give me the Nobel prize yet, Joshie, pain and suffering sells." She purred sarcastically.
Fake chuckling, Josh turned away to get Andi, muttering as he walked away, "If you call me Joshie, one more time, I'm strangling you with the mike cord, there's not a jury on the planet that would convict me...justifiable homicide. They'd probably give ME the Nobel prize for a great service done. Ridding the planet of blood-sucking vermin."
Reaching Andi's side, he sighed, throwing off the irritation he felt at Cinsia, "Ready to go, babe?"
"Yeah, let me see your cell, I've gotta call Fritz and tell him we'll be late, we can drop Katie here with Susie, she could use the extra pair of hands."
"Sounds good, babe, let's get going."
Looking at his watch as they pulled away from the center, it was now 1:59Pm, five more hours to go.

 

2 PM

 

Putting the radio on, so they wouldn't have to talk to Cinsia, Josh drove back to St. Anne's to pick Katie up. Smiling reassuringly at Andi who was beginning to look the worse for the wear of this trying day, he brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly, several times, til she looked at him and smiled. He winked at her, kind of a non-verbal "It'll be okay, babe." Andi nodded at him, pulling herself together, okay, so they were off schedule, everything that God and the devil could throw at them was going wrong, AND it was being filmed for the world to see. But so what, they could handle it, they'd handled worse, they could handle this. Shaking herself, Andi took a deep breath, sitting up straighter, we can do this! Seeing her pulling herself up from the inside, Josh smiled big at Andi, God, he loved this woman! He knew he could handle anything with her at his back, even Cinsia. The station they were listening to was playing disco music a song that Andi loved started playing.
"Turn it up, Josh, I love this song."
Reaching over, he turned up the sound, he knew this one too, so he started singing with it.
"Oh, the night is my world,
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters,
it's the nighttime that flatters
In the night, no control,
through the wall something's breaking.
Wearing white as you're walking
down the street of my soul."

Andi joined him, her voice not as polished as Josh's but they were having fun singing it to each other, the camera man was humming it in the back seat while he filmed, Cinsia watching them, arms folded, eyes rolling.

"You take my self, You take my self control.
You've got me living only for the night.
Before the morning comes, the story's told.
You take my self, you take my self control.
Another night, another day goes by
I never stop myself to wonder why
You help me to forget to play my role
You take my self, you take my self-control."

Starting to laugh as they sang, Josh and Andi started "couch-dancing" to the beat, the camera man joining them for the next verse, moving the camera from Josh and Andi to Cinsia and back again, as he started to boogie with them.

"I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never comes"

"Come on, Cinsia, lighten up!" The camera man said.
Josh and Andi turned in stunned silence, they'd not heard him utter a word all day! Picking up the song, they continued, Cinsia tapping the fingers of one hand in time to the music, a sour expression on her face.

"A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
This night will never go."

They all took turns doing the "Oh-oh-oh." Starting with Josh, then Andi, then the camera man, even Cinsia taking a turn, all of them smiling and laughing now, having a good time boogeying down the highway.
"Just Josh!" Andi called, and he took the next line.

"Oh, the night is my world" He pointed to Andi.
"City light painted girl." She pointed to the camera man.
"In the day nothing matters." He pointed to Cinsia.
"It's the night time that flatters." Cinsia was SMILING, a REAL smile, Josh and Andi looked at each other in astonishment.
They all sang the last two verses.

"I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never knows

"A safe night, I'm living in the forest of a dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go."

Josh and Andi pointed to the camera man who did the next round of "Oh-oh-oh's".
Then the all sang the final repeats of
"You take my self, you take my self-control."
As the song faded, they were all laughing as they pulled up to the parking lot of St. Anne's.

"Is that an auto-biographical song, Andi?" Cinsia asked sarcastically.
Taken aback, Andi looked at her, for a moment she'd let herself think of Cinsia as a human being, but here was the trashy, gossip rag queen they'd come to know and despise. Shaking her head, looking at Josh, who was also shaking his head, they got out of the Explorer to pick up Katie.
Josh glanced at his watch, it was now 2:59, only four more hours.

 

3 PM

 

Josh, Cinsia and the camera man waited in the Explorer while Andi went inside to get Katie. As they walked out to them, the conversation going on between them was animated, lots of arms waving, gesturing, and stopping to talk to each other face to face. Katie's shirt was torn, her stockings ripped, her hair disheveled, and sure enough, she had a black eye, and a split lip that was swelling up. Reaching the Explorer, Andi made Katie sit between her and Josh, she figured Cinsia had enough footage.
"You look great." Josh teased.
"Do NOT start, Josh, this has not been a good day!" Katie said, sitting between him and Andi, Andi and Josh leaned forward to look at each other, they burst out laughing.
"What?!" Katie demanded, irritated. "What?! What's so funny?"
Patting her on the shoulder, Josh chuckled, "We'll tell you later, kiddo. We've got to go." He started the engine, and pulled out.
"Oh, m'god! The wedding planners, you guys were supposed to be there an hour ago!" Katie exclaimed checking her watch.
"It's okay, we've already called to tell them we'll be late." Andi said, "We're dropping you off with Susie, she could use some help at the center."
"Good, I can kick back and relax, just help with the phones." Katie said, leaning her head back on the seat.
Josh and Andi stared straight ahead, both shaking with suppressed laughter.
"What now?!" Katie asked, frustration in her voice. "Come on, you guys, this isn't funny anymore. What?"
"Did you get some good licks in?" Josh asked, still chuckling, changing the subject.
"Yeah, it was the two girls from the store this morning. They jumped me cause they thought I ratted 'em out. I beat the crap out of them!" She said proudly.
"That's my girl!" Josh said equally proud.
"Josh! Don't encourage her!" Andi said.
"Sorry, babe. You shouldn't fight, Katie! How bad did you get em?" The last part whispered close to Katie.
"Josh!"
"Sorry,babe."
Katie leaned close to Josh, whispering in his ear.
"No! Her front teeth! Katie, girl!" Josh exclaimed, smiling.
"Josh!"
"Sorry, babe!" He grinned, keeping his eyes on the road.
Pulling into the center parking lot, Katie got a glimpse of what she was in for.
"Oh, man! What happened?"
"Susie can fill you in, you'll have plenty to do." Andi said, getting out to let Katie out, "You'd better put some ice on your lip."
"Is it getting big?" Katie asked, eyes wide, her hand going to touch, and wincing.
"Yep, it's the size of a small country already." Andi said, getting back into the Explorer.
"Bye, guys, good luck." Katie called, waving, as they pulled away.
Andi looked at her watch 3:59, only three more hours.

 

4 PM

 

Stopping the Explorer in front of Fritz & Thom's Wedding Planners, Josh, Andi, Cinsia, and the camera man got out. Met at the door by an assistant, they were ushered to Fritz's consultation area. Two golden sofas flanked a large wing back chair, a desk behind one of the sofas, and a large glass topped coffee table with albums of photos waiting for them to make their decisions. They sat, as another couple was led past them, Josh doing a double take.
"Was that Kiley Williams?" He asked Andi.
"Was it?" Andi said.
"Yeah, I think it was."
"Kiley Williams, the one you did the movie in Ireland with? Kiley Williams, one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood? Kiley Williams, one of the most temperamental divas in the history of the movies?"" Cinsia asked, smelling a story, she was almost openly drooling.
"Yeah, I think that was Kiley." Josh said.
"Did you get her on camera?" Cinsia asked the camera man.
He nodded.
"Fantastic!" Cinsia said, leaning back self-satisfied, "maybe we can get her to introduce her fiancee on camera."
"I thought you were filming me today?" Josh asked, tongue-in-cheek.
"Oh, of course, no harm in trying to find another story, though." Cinsia said, smiling cagily.
"Of course." Andi said, nodding. Looking at Josh she rolled her eyes.
Fritz came up to them, dressed in a purple suit, with a frilly shirt underneath, he rushed up to Josh and Andi fussing over them as he hugged them one at a time, kissing Andi on both cheeks. This was the first time they'd met Fritz, one of Josh's moms friends had recommended him, not knowing what to expect, they were surprised, and grateful he was not dressed like Marilyn Manson. That would have been in keeping with the kind of day they were having.
"Oh, my darlings, my darlings, sit, please sit! Now, have you anything in mind, yet?" He sat in the wing back chair, crossing his legs, grabbing one knee while listening intently.
Looking at Andi, Josh spoke for the both of them, "Well, not really, we were hoping you had some things to look at."
"Of course, of course," Reaching over them, he grabbed an album, opening it he gave it to Josh.
"Now the first wedding you'll see was Cher's last wedding."
Looking impressed, "You did Cher's last wedding?" Andi said, looking at the pictures with enthusiasm. "Look, there she is!" She pointed her out to Josh. Josh looked and nodded.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT MAKES MY BUTT LOOK FAT?!!" Kiley Williams LOUD irate voice carried over to them.
"I'm so sorry, this has never happened before in a first meeting, I do apologize." Fritz said to both Josh and Andi, clearly flustered.
"It's okay, Fritz, we know Kiley, we know how she is." Josh said.
"The second wedding you see is for Elizabeth Taylor." Fritz continued.
"REALLY!" Andi said, looking for the actress, she was her favorite! Just as she spotted her in one of the pictures, they were interrupted again by Kiley.
"YOU HAD BETTER TAKE THAT BACK, AND YOU'D BETTER DO IT RIGHT NOW!" Kiley yelled at her fiancee.
They could hear the fiancee, begging her to keep her voice down, making small apologies that they knew were not going to be enough to soothe Kiley's inflated ego.
"NO! NO! NO, YOU LITTLE WORM, I WANT AN APOLOGY, AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!" Kiley's voice was getting more shrill with every passing second.
Smiling apologetically at them, Fritz excused himself to go and assist his partner.
Andi stood up to try to see what was going on, the camera man standing across from her.
Looking down at Josh, "Maybe I should go over there, I can handle Kiley, she's scared of me."
"That's right, you never DID tell me what you said to her to make her behave." Josh said, grabbing Andi around the waist.
"And I never will." Andi said, a sly smile on her face.
The argument in the other consultation area had escalated, Josh saw something flying straight for Andi out of the corner of his eye, and pulled her down as something brown flew past them going SPLAT on the beautiful glass display case filled with crystal bride and groom toasting goblets, causing some of them to fall over.
"What was that?" Andi asked.
"Looked like a groom's cake." Josh volunteered.
"Yep, that's what it was." The camera man said, filming the whole thing.
"This could get ugly!" Cinsia said, rubbing her hands together gleefully.
Andi stood up again, "Maybe I should go over there?" She said, hoping Josh would talk her out of it.
Seeing another projectile, Josh grabbed Andi's belt, pulling her down again, "Head's up, babe." He said, starting to laugh.
Their eyes wide, Josh and Andi got down on hands and knees, crawling over to put Fritz's desk between them and any future Kiley projectiles. Cinsia and the camera man following close behind. Leaning back against the wall, they listened with amusement as Fritz, Thom and the fiancee tried to cool Kiley down enough to be able to talk to her calmly. No such luck. Josh and Andi listened, starting to laugh openly now.
"I really should try to help," Andi said between chuckles.
Laughing so hard tears were rolling down his cheeks, Josh shook his head, "Babe, if you go out there, I'll follow, cause I got your back. But I think it's a BIG mistake!"
"You think?" Andi got out between laughs, tears also coming out of her eyes.
"That woman is SERIOUSLY trying to KILL that man!" Josh said, laughing.
"Go see if you can get some footage!" Cinsia laughed, pushing the camera man, the laughter was infectious, they were all rolling on the floor. The camera man had to pause to wipe his eyes so he could see to film.
"Not a chance, Cinsia, if she finds the breakables it becomes hazardous duty!" The camera man said, all four of them roaring with laughter at that.
Josh held his stomach, starting to hurt from laughing so hard. At that moment, two toasting goblets flew past, then a guest book, a garter, and a bridal bouquet.
"It's...it's like a bridal hurricane!" He laughed, watching the objects go past.
"HURRICANE KILEY!!!" Andi roared, all of them dissolving in another round of painfully hysterical laughter.
Silence fell so suddenly, the four of them actually dared to peek over the top of the desk.
"The eye of the storm?" Andi asked, eliciting another round of laughs.
Fritz came into sight, covered with pastries in various hues of the rainbow, he walked slowly over to them, a marital shell shock victim, he blinked, lip quivering.
"Maybe we should reschedule?" He said.
The four of them fell back on the floor, helpless with laughter.
They set up another appointment with the assistant who had taken refuge behind her desk at the front when the bombardment had begun. Kiley stormed past, her fiancee looking like a walking pastry window as he slunk out behind her. They got in their limo, and sped away.
Weak with laughter, Josh, Andi and entourage piled back in the Explorer. Josh glanced at his watch, 4:59, two more hours!

 

5 PM

 

In their final hours with Cinsia and the camera man, Josh and Andi pulled up to the center to check on Susie and Katie, just in case. The parking area of the center was filled with people.
"Oh, my God!" Andi whispered. "Where did all these people come from, this is at least twice what we normally get in the kitchens in the evening!"
Getting out of the Explorer, they stood, side by side looking at the small sea of people.
"How are we going to feed all these people, I don't think we have enough food." Andi said, looking concerned.
"Then I guess we'd better order more." Josh said, sighing, "We can't turn them away. This could be the only meal some of them get for the next couple of days."
Seeing Susie and Katie serving, along with several volunteers, including Josh's mom, and his brother Chris, Andi turned to Josh. "I'm going to help, you see what you can do about getting more food here."
Josh nodded, and pulled out his cell, walking Andi through the crowd. They said hi to regulars as they walked through, Josh stopping to talk to people who recognized him. Andi continued on to the serving line, putting on an apron, and joining in. Chris gave her a hug, so did Lindy, Josh watched as they all talked and laughed while serving. Also talking and laughing with the people who passed them in the line. He watched as Cinsia directed the camera man to get shots of the line, and the center workers as they fed the multitudes who had come tonight. People sat at the rented tables, which soon filled up, more food arrived, just as they thought they would have to turn people away, people sat on the ground, all of them perfectly behaved. Josh joined Andi on the serving line when he had gotten off the phone. Young people, old people, young children, they fed them all. When the last one had filed past, Josh and Andi noticed that Cinsia and the camera man had joined the serving line. They smiled at each other, Josh hugging Andi tight. Looking down at his watch, the time was 7:59. They'd made it! The filming was over, and Cinsia was still here! On her own time! And doing something unselfish! Showing Andi the time, she stared at him in unbelief.
"She's still here!"
"I know!" Josh laughed.
"Should we tell her?"
"Let's let it go."
Andi hugged him hard, leaning back, her arms still around him.
"We made it!" She sighed.
"I don't know about you, but I don't ever want another day like this again."
"If we see something like this starting again, we'll just go back to bed." Andi laughed.
"See! You should have listened to me this morning."
"Yes, I should have taken your infinite wisdom to heart."
"That's more like it." Josh chuckled, kissing Andi on the cheek.
"I'm tired, when can we go home?"
"I guess when the caterers get all this packed up."
"Then let's help them! I'm ready to GO!"
All the center workers had the same idea, those who watched the dorms at night were excused, and the rest of them helped clean up. The camera man came up to Josh as the last of the trash was packed up, and carted away.
The camera hanging at his side, he stuck his hand out, Josh took it and shook it.
"It was a real pleasure following you and Andi around today."
"I wish I could say the same." Seeing the camera man's fallen expression, he hurried to qualify, "Not YOU! You were great! What's your name?"
"Thomas. Thanks for asking."
"Thomas, it was fun, thanks for coming."
"I'm catching a cab, so see you later, Josh."
"Okay, Thomas. Good luck!"
Two cabs pulled into the center parking lot. Andi walked up to Josh, as Cinsia walked to one of the cabs. She looked up, seeing the two of them together, she came over. Putting her hand out, she waited. Both Josh and Andi looked at it puzzled. Sighing, while rolling her eyes, Cinsia took Josh's hand and shook it, repeating the process with Andi.
"This was surprising. Really. Hope you like the broadcast."
She left. Waving from the taxi as it pulled away.
Josh and Andi waved back, looking puzzled.
"Everything okay?" Chris said, walking up to his brother.
Putting his other arm around his little brother's shoulders, the threesome walked back to the other center workers.
"Little bro, you cannot IMAGINE the kind of day we had, let me tell you."

 

One Month Later

 

It was a month to the day after Cinsia Pettigrew showed up on Josh and Andi's doorstep, an unwelcome surprise on the day from hell. In a few minutes as Josh, Andi, Jack and Lindy, Chris, Susie, and Katie all sat around the TV in Josh's living room, the special would be showing on FOX. They were all nervous, no one would say it outloud, but everyone was fidgeting, a little quiet.
"Don't forget, now." Andi said to Josh, "I get to track her down, hogtie her, and leave her on an anthill in the scorching sun, covered with honey."
"I won't forget, babe, she's toast. I'll keep lookout while you take her out." Josh said, a smile on his face.
"I get to help, too." Said Katie.
"Count me in." Said Chris, reaching over to high-five his big brother.
"Me, too." Said Susie.
"I'll bring the honey." Lindy said quietly, all of them looking at her, everyone started laughing.
"It's on!" Katie yelled, all of them falling silent to watch the program.
The titles came on, the intro, and then Cinsia talked with another reporter, and they showed footage of the horrible day. But there was something really wrong!!!! Cinsia's narration and footage showed them in a positive light! Everyone watched in stunned silence, only pausing to blink unbelievingly at each other during the commercials.
At the end of the program, Cinsia was center stage again, sitting on a stool, in a spotlight.
"I've been in this business for 15 years, I've been filming these specials for the last 5 years. I have to tell you, I've never seen so many things go wrong in one day for anyone."
She turned, looking into another camera.
"For such a young couple, they handled every situation with calm grace. And a sense of humor."
She turned again, facing the original camera.
"I have a reputation in the business, I've earned it, yet, even I was charmed by these two great kids. We're going to close tonight with the final footage of the day as they fed an unusually large crowd at the teen crisis center. There won't be any commentary, the footage needs none. Thank you , and good night."
The screen faded into scenes at the teen center. And ended.
Turning the TV off, Josh and Andi, everyone looked at each other.
"NO!!!" Andi whined. "I was gonna get to smack her around!"
"I was gonna help!" Katie adding to the whine.
"This isn't fair!" Chris said, "I hated her too, and I was only there at the center!"
The door bell rang. Josh went to answer it, opening, he found to his displeasure, Cinsia.
"Cinsia, what can I do for you?"
Hearing the hated name, Andi ran up to the door.
"Hi, Josh, Andi, did you watch the show?" She smiled.
"It was quite a surprise." Josh said.
"I gotta tell you, I was tempted to make you look like idiots, what can I say, it sells."
"What changed your mind?" Andi asked.
"It was those last couple of hours at the center. I saw how you interacted with the kids, I'm such a sucker for sentiment."She laughed at herself.
"Well, see you around kids. Have a nice life!" She said, fading into the dark night, the ill wind blowing out of their lives as quickly and as strangely as she had blown in.
Josh and Andi looked at each other, and started laughing. They went back inside, and closed the door.

 

The End