When you realize what you've wanted.

�� Chris hated to have to tell Heather that once again work called. �Even though he was no longer touring, it seemed that he was still always in the studio or working at his company.

�� "Heather?" �He looked down at her. �She had her hand inside the rim of his boxers and was sleeping peacefully on his chest. �"Sweetheart?"� He gently ran his hand down her spine to the small of her back. �She stirred slightly and moved her small tanned hands to encircle his waist. �He debated whether or not to wake her, and deciding on the latter, pulled gently out of her arms and covered her with the satin sheets on their bed. �He got dressed and quietly tip-toed to the door.

�� "Chris?" �Heather mumbled, slightly coherent to him not being next to her. �"Where are you going?"

�� "Ssh, I've got to go to work. �I'll be back later. �I promise we'll finish this, this afternoon. �Stay here." �Chris reassured her softly.

�� Chris hopped down the stairs, stopping in the doorway to the nursery. �Evangeline was trying to put Ben to sleep. Softly she murmured gently to the child, and Chris couldn't help but smile at how much Ben meant to her. �'T.J. should be seeing this, not me." �Chris thought 'Why is Justin not here in my place? �Oh, well." �He sighed and continued down the rest of the steps, looking for Justin or Lance, whoever was around. He suddenly remembered that Heather had a truck, and grabbing her keys off the kitchen table, left.

�� The studio wasn't far away, and in about ten minutes, Chris pulled up in Heather's black and silver Chevy 4x4. �She was very proud of her truck and Chris knew it. �He had bought it for her birthday two years ago when the twins were born. �Every gift he had ever given her, she cherished. �She even still had the first charm he had given her for the chain around her neck. �It was a three-leaf clover. �He chose that charm because they called him Lucky; he was Irish.

�� Slowly Heather got up out of bed. �She sat back down at her dresser and began to look over the various items sitting on top. �Gently, she picked up a picture of her and Chris. �It was an old picture, taken just after they reached their ten-month anniversary of when they started dating. �When they first started dating, neither expected it to last more than about six months, when they hit ten, J.C. was kind of weary that Chris would get restless and terminate the relationship, breaking Justin's younger sister's heart.

**Begin Flashback**

�� "Relax, J.C. �He's not gonna end it just yet. �Besides, if it does end, it'll be a mutual decision, we agreed that much." �Heather fought with J.C.

�� "But, Heath. . ." he sighed. "You're his longest girlfriend, in like, ever. �I just want you to realize, he could break it off at any time. �I want you to be prepared for the worst."

�� "Jay Cee, you make it sound like you want us to break up. �You aren't jealous are you? �I'm glad I'm his longest, maybe I've changed him." �Heather didn't want to think about Chris ever, ever leaving her.

�� "I don't, Heath. �I'm very happy for you. �I hope you stay together for a very long time. �But. . ." �J.C. quit talking as Chris stepped into the room.

**End Flashback**

�� Heather picked up a heart-shaped frame sitting on her dresser. She stood and began to straighten up her and Chris's room. Setting the frame down, she picked up her towels off the floor and sighed. She could hardly believe that it had already been three years since she and Chris had gotten married.� She remembered every aspect of their wedding like it was yesterday.

**Flashback**

�� Music drifted slowly through the elaborately decorated white chapel.� For their first wedding, Chris and Heather decided to be spontaneous and eloped, against the best wishes of her parents.� Now a few months later, she had been talked into saying I do again.

�� As `N SYNC and Gloria Estefan's duet 'Music of my Heart' played, Heather twirled around ecstatically in her silver wedding gown.� Although the bride's family usually pays for the wedding, Justin and the rest of the group chipped in and spared no expense to make their founder and first in the group to marry's wedding one to remember. In the dressing room, Heather admired her image in the wall mirror.� Her hair had curled perfectly and Tara and Evangeline looked ravishing in their matching baby blue fitted dresses.

�� "Oh, my God!� Heather, you're finally going through with it." �Tara squealed bumping Heather over and looking in the mirror as Chris and Heather's song began to play.

"He finally gave in to his friend's girlfriend
When she said there's someone you should meet.
In a crowed restaurant way cross town,
He waited impatiently.
She walked in, their eyes met and they both stared.
Right there and then, time just stood still.
For one boy, one girl,
Two hearts beating wildly, to put it mildly it was love at first sight.
He smiled, she smiled and they knew right away,
This was the day they waited for all their lives,
And for a moment the whole world revolved around
One boy and one girl."

�� Collin Raye's voice rang out through the church. �"Tara, this is not the first time I go through with this." �Heather replied humming along to the song that she hoped would fit the rest of her life like it had so far.

"In no time at all they were standing there
In the front of a little church
Among their friends and family
Repeating those sacred words.
Preacher said, 'Son, kiss your bride.'
And he raised her veil.
Like the night they met,
Time just stood still.
For one boy, one girl,
Two hearts beating wildly,
To put it mildly it was love at first sight.
He smiled, she smiled and they knew right away,
This was the day they waited for all their lives,
And for a moment the whole world revolved around
One boy and one girl."

�� "Come on Heather!� You're gonna be late!"� Eva yelled at Heather who was still singing

"He was holding her hand
When the doctor looked up and grinned,
'Congratulations, twins'"

�� At that moment, Heather rubbed her stomach and grinned stupidly.

�� "Eva, do you see what I'm seeing?"� Tara asked Evangeline, as they watched Heather.
�� "Yea, Tara.� I'm seeing it, but I don't think I believe it."� Evangeline confirmed Tara?s suspicions.� They looked at each other and grinned, the wheels in their heads turning, working on a scheme to mess with Heather.� "Heather?"

�� "You aren't pregnant right?� You can't be PREGNANT, now could you?" �Tara teased as they walked up behind Heather to drag her to walk down the aisle as Collin Raye's song ended and the wedding march started.

�� "Umm . . . well . . . �I, uh. . ." �Heather fumbled for words.� They got her.

�� "You are!"� Eva jumped in, literally.� She was jumping up and down around Heather.

�� "Okay, okay, yeah, I am.� But not a word to anyone, understand?� Not to anyone. Now let's go, the wedding march is playing."� Heather changed the subject, walking out the door and down the corridor to the main sanctuary.� She took her place at the end of the aisle as Evangeline began to walk, Justin joining her half way.� Since he was there when Chris and Heather eloped, Justin agreed to let J.C. be the best man.� Tara was already halfway down the aisle when Heather breathed again.� On cue, she walked through the double doors into the sanctuary full of people.

�� Chris watched as Heather walked down the aisle towards him.� 'Wow, she's like an angel,' he thought.� 'I can't believe she agreed to elope the first time.� I can't wait to get her home, again.' His thoughts burst as she took her place beside him at the alter.� He placed his hand around her waist and refused to let go until he absolutely had to.

�� She vaguely heard the preacher's words, just remembering that she had to repeat after him. She listened as much as she could, her eyes never drifting for more than a second or two from Chris's eyes.� Right on time, they both said 'I do,' and just like their song, they kissed with such a passion that Heather nearly fainted.� She went weak in the knees and gently Chris caught her, as the crowd went wild.

**End Flashback**

�� 'What a night that was!' �Heather and Chris thought at the same time.� They had been so perfect for each other, that they even thought the same things at the same times. Chris walked into the studio and into the office.� J.C. was sitting at the desk looking at his neon green pager and talking on his matching neon blue cellular phone.� Chris pretended to shield his eyes and waved as he walked towards the sound booth to rehearse the harmony.

�� Meanwhile, Heather got dressed, again and fixing her hair, went downstairs to get her kids.� She walked into the nursery and found Evangeline and Ben asleep in Chris's mother's padded rocker.� Gently Heather lifted Ben out of Eva's arms and put him in his bed/crib. Eva looked so peaceful, that Heather left her there.� Quietly, Heather looked into the crib that contained her twins.� Justina sat up and giggled.� She was so lively and bubbly. �Heather picked up the child and walked down into the living room.� Heather put Justina down on the fur rug and she began to play with her toys as Heather went into the kitchen to begin dinner.

**Back at the Studio**

�� "Whenever I'm weary from the battles that rage in my head, you make sense of the madness, when my sanity hangs by a thread.� I lose my way, but still you seem to understand.� Now and Forever, I will be your man." J.C.'s soprano voice rang out through the studio.� He choose a song that he sang with Tony Lucca on the Mickey Mouse Club and got permission to redo it.� Chris listened to J.C. waiting for his moments, so he could note the counts.� J.C. bounced out of the booth, his head phones in his hands. "So, Lucky, how's Heather? �Your anniversary's coming up soon isn't it?� Oh, and how's the kids?� Tara's been wanting to have one.� I told her that I love her but not yet." �J.C. and Tara, Heather's older sister had been dating for almost eleven months.� J.C. wanted to marry her, but he was too scared.� He knew she would say yes, so what scared him was a complete mystery.

*Flashback*

�� Chris shook his head.� He had been completely ready to marry Heather.� She intrigued him to no end.� She was a puzzle he wanted to put together.� Just when he thought he had her figured out, she found something new.� J.C. and Tara were the same way.� Tara completely baffled J.C. and vice-versa.

�� The two men continued to work holding small conversations and trying to sort out their own thoughts.

�� As the afternoon bustled on the two men discussed old times and what happened to make them drift apart.� It got late quick, and Chris realized Heather was still at home.� He hurried home, hoping she wouldn't be mad at him.

�� Quietly, Chris walked into the kitchen.� Heather had her head down on the table.� No one else was up.� Picking her up, he carried her upstairs.� He laid her down and climbed in next to her, there was no way he was waking her up.

�� The next morning Heather got up early and walked out onto her balcony.� She couldn't believe that after Chris promised he wouldn't be long, he came back after midnight.� Lately, it seemed as though singing with J.C. and webpage designs were more important than the family he promised to help her raise.� Heather went downstairs for coffee, upon returning upstairs, she watched Chris sleep for a little while.� Suddenly, she remembered why she married him.

To Heather, Chris was beautiful.� Not just in his handsome looks, but he was a total sweetheart and he could make her laugh, that's what she loved most.� Laughing was her favorite thing to do.� Still, she was supposed to be mad at him.� He broke two promises: one, not being long.� Two: once they were married, he promised things would settle down.� Quietly, she returned to her balcony.� The sun broke through the horizon clouds, turning the sky a distinct shade of lavender.� It reminded her of the morning Chris proposed.� Like he tried to make every thing else in her life, it was perfect.

�� "Chris!" �Heather whined trying to pull off the blindfold Chris had tied tightly around her head.� "I can't see, and I hate surprises.� Would you please undo it?" she also tugged on the cuffs around her wrists.

�� "Uh, uh.� Leave it alone.� It stays." �Chris replied grabbing her hands from her face.

"Baby . . . please. I want to see you." She told him as he guided her head under the jeep frame. "I really, really, REALLY hate surprises. Let me go. Please!"

�� "Nuh-uh.�We're gonna take a lil ride.� So, just sit there and relax." �Chris said as he pushed J.C.'s jeep door shut.� He hopped in and turned on the radio as he pulled out of the driveway.

�� "All right, you've got me handcuffed and blindfolded in this car, with crappy music playing, you could at least tell me where we are going. �I mean, come on, this is annoying. �Baby, please." she leaned over to kiss him, placing her hands in his lap, trying to massage him.

�� "No, stop, Heather." he pushed her hands out of his lap. "Not now, babes. �I'm driving." he kissed her gently on the cheek. �She turned away and pouted. �She heard the car stop and shut off. Still determined to ruin the surprise, she began fighting with the bandana again.

�� "Stop it . . . you're gonna ruin the surprise if you don't quit it."

�� "My point." she replied as he pulled her hands from her face again. "I HATE SURPRISES." �He helped her out of the car. �Immediately, she felt sand on her bare feet.

�� "Come on!" �Chris said excitedly as he pulled her toward what smelt like the water's edge.� The stinging of salt seeped through her nostrils as she tried to keep up with Chris. �Purposely, he tripped her, and she fell over backwards onto a quilt in the sand. �She laughed as she landed. �Chris sat down next to her and unlocked the cuffs.

�� "It's about time!" she joked as she untied her restraints. �"Your turn." she finished, pinning him to the blanket.

�� "So you got me, what are you gonna do now?" �Chris whispered seductively in her ear.

�� "Leave."� Heather replied plainly, as she got up and took off running for J.C.'s jeep.

�� "You little!" Chris yelled jumping up and chasing her.� Heather laughed as once again, she was knocked on her behind by Chris.� "Oh, no, you're not." he began to drag her back to the blanket.� "It took me too long to get this all planned out for you to just jet on me." Chris finished, dropping her back onto the quilt.� Only now, did she stop laughing and look around.� For almost a mile, she could see hearts carved in the sand.� They were all perfectly spaced, polka dotting the beach.

�� "Chris, did you do all this for me?� That's soo sweeeeeet.� You're such a doll." �She cooed, wrapping her arms around his neck.� He laid her back down on the blanket, kissing her softly.� That whole night, they just lay in each other?s arms, in that same exact spot.� As the sun began to rise through the dawn clouds, Chris lifted Heather out of his arms and got on his knees.

�� "Heather Katerina Kou, would you do me the honor of accepting my proposal and becoming my wife?" he asked, opening a little black velvet box and revealing a large diamond engagement band.

�� Heather smiled widely.� "Yes!� Of course!" she gasped.� Getting up on her knees, she smothered him in kisses, laughing as he leaned her back down, and they fell asleep with the rising sun.

*End Flashback*

�� Chris rolled over to pull Heather against him, and ended up kissing her pillow.� He groaned as he sat up, looking for her.� His eyes drifted to her balcony.� She was sitting on the floor, her feet dangling over the edge.� He smiled, that was her favorite spot.� He climbed out of bed hoping she wasn?t still mad at him.� He hated to see her upset, for her sparkling eyes to be damp with tears.� Slowly, Chris sat down behind her and placed his legs around her.� She leaned into his arms, never saying a word.

�� "I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear as he pulled her close.

�� "Don't apologize.� I know you couldn't help it.� Just hold me right now." she squeezed his arms and snuggled closer.

�� Chris smiled, understanding there wasn't much he could do with the kids around, but being able to hold her was enough for him.� Looking down, he realized she was asleep.� This was their moment alone, the ones he lived for.�

WELL, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

Needs, work, I know, but things are so busy that fixing old stories is one of the last things on my list.