General Announcements~ Well after a long summer hiatus I finally got it done, I'm really sorry it took so long, had a ton of things to do in terms of a new school, work, a new city and new living conditions so it's been a hectic summer for me. I just want to say thanks for all those who kept in touch and kept writing, I've greatly appreciated your comments and from some your friendship. In terms of continuing this story, I still have plans for it, but I realize it takes me a long time to get chapters done. I think it would be unfair to keep people waiting so I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide whether or not you want more of this story.
Thanks to the peeps in my life who make it what it is, you guys and gals should know who know who you are. This is fiction, doesn't imply anything about the lives of NSync and any other characters that pop into the story. Be old enough to read this and send your comments/suggestions/ideas to: SLK2308888@aol.com with the subject heading of ~This I Promise You~.
Till next time, It's Gravy Baby! = )~ Any flames will be forced to go check out a apartments with not only your parents, but your little brother and grandmother as well! Ya that's pretty bad! Lol = )~
------------------------- This I Promise You By Rick -------------------------
Chapter 7: Much Ado About Nothing
"I . . . I should be going, you've obviously made other plans," JC announced with a sigh that wrenched Justin's heart to pieces. He firmly placed the flowers in Justin's hand and gave them a parting squeeze. "Bye . . ." he whispered taking steps back slowly and deliberately.
"Josh!" Justin croaked finally, "please . . . please don't go."
"Why?" JC finally erupted, "Why the hell should I stay . . . for what? For US? Is there an US?"
"I don't know Josh . . . I hope so . . .." Justin fidgeted.
JC looked at him intently wondering if all the sacrifices he was going to make was worth it.
JC shook his head, "I don't know why I came . . .." he muttered. JC took a look at his best friend and turned away. Justin didn't know what to do, part of him was shocked that JC, the love of his life was here, here to fulfill their dreams. His thoughts were a mass of conflicting ideas; the one constant in his life that he knew was walking away . . . out of his life. Over the years JC had become Justin's rock and shield, the one thing that Justin could count on.
Without thought, fear or anxiety, he started walking toward him. He began to pick up the pace as his heart pounding faster and faster, ringing in his own ears.
"JC wait!" he shouted, his voice quivering in fear. His hand grabbed on to JC's shoulder. JC looked at him curiously, waiting for him to make a move. "You came for this," Justin whispered, looking deep in to JC's eyes. As if pulled by some magnetic force, a need to combine the purest of hearts, their heads inevitably closed toward each other. The tension and excitement of it all was noticeable for both of them, yet it had been kept away for far too long. This was the moment.
THEIR moment.
And with that, their lips touched, moreover uniting their souls. A wave of pure and utter emotion crashed over them, as if caught in the transcendence of the Aurora Borealis. Simple and sweet, the kiss intensified as their repressed feelings for each other developed into a hunger to make up for all those years wasted on what could have been. Seconds and minutes slowly elapsed, but to the star crossed lovers, it felt like an eternity. The two finally parted, softly gasping for breath. They grasped each other to steady themselves; lips tingling from a fire that was would inevitably burn deeper.
"Justin," Josh finally whispered out, eyes closed as he reminisced about the moments prior.
"Ya?" Justin questioned softly.
"I didn't come for a kiss . . ." JC stated, "I came for you. Your smile, your laugh, your heart . . . because there's nothing else in this world that I could love more than I love you," he whispered into Justin's ear. Justin was speechless, for what could he say to THE ONE man he had come to think of as the perfect person.
Coming full circle, Justin could think of nothing to say. What could he say to make Josh understand that he felt the same, if not more? Justin suddenly felt JC's soft caress on his cheek, wiping away tears that had sprung forth.
"Don't cry," JC whispered with a soft smile, carefully rubbing away the tears with his thumb as he held Justin's face in his hands.
"You love me?" Justin asked with uncertainty.
"I love you Justin and I will always love you, you're the most beautiful person inside and out that I have ever known," JC answered, kissing him on the forehead.
Justin stood mutely, trying to take the events of the day all in. He had never imagined his life being so complete as they were right at this moment; he could die happy just knowing that this great man before him loved him. It would be enough, yet he couldn't deny himself more happiness that he felt when around JC.
"Josh . . . I'm sorry that I ran away, I couldn't keep it inside anymore but I couldn't stand the possibility of you being angry at me so I hid. I hid because if you were disgusted or hated me I wouldn't able to live with myself. You're the man for me Josh, no one can take your place and I love you, I really do and I don't care what people think about us, I just care what you think about me and . . . and . . ."
"Justin," Josh hushed him by putting a finger to his lips, "just shut up and kiss me," he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Their lips met again but with a deeper hunger, gone away were their shyness, their worries. This could be real; this WAS real for their dream could now begin anew.
Yet this time this dream didn't have to end when one of them woke up, a love that had started out as a small sprout had taken strong root over time and could now flourish under the harshest of conditions.
"Oh Josh, never let go," Justin cried out, "don't let this be some dream," he begged.
"It's real Justin," JC breathed, he grabbed Justin's hand and held it to his heart, "I'm here . . . now, and I'll be here now . . . and forever, as long as you'll have me."
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away from you," Justin muttered, flashing that million-dollar smile.
"You're so beautiful when you smile, you just light up a room," JC stated, smiling back at him. "Hey, come on, I have something to show you," JC suddenly remarked grabbing Justin's hand.
"Josh! Where are we going?" Justin questioned, full of curiosity.
"You'll see," JC whispered into his ear, kissing him on the cheek. Justin smiled at him and decided to let his guard down and trust. Trust that Josh wouldn't leave wouldn't hurt him on purpose but most of all trust in them, as something more than just friends. Transcending the physical, emotional and mental boundaries that had kept them away from each other for so long.
"Josh?" Justin questioned as JC drove.
"Hmm?" JC mused, turning to face him.
"Well . . . I was just sort of wondering . . ."
"Sort of wondering what?" JC asked with amusement.
"When was the first time you knew that you . . ."
"loved you," JC finished. Justin immediately colored with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, it . . . it was just a stupid question, Justin replied as he turned away.
"Hey," JC spoke softly, gently turning Justin's head to face him. "Nothing you can ever say is stupid Justin. Justin smiled faintly and nodded. "Now to answer your question, I really can't pinpoint a time, a date, a moment. It wasn't love at first sight or anything but what we have took time to grow. Remember when we first met? It seems like such a long time ago doesn't it? I actually thought you looked kinda goofy, but you know what? Over time I got to know the real you, the one you keep hidden inside and I fell in love with the most beautiful person in the world. I love you with all of my heart Justin and nothing can ever take that away." Justin remained silent and just stared at the road.
"Josh . . . do you know when I first knew I had feelings for you?" Justin suddenly asked.
"No, when?" JC questioned with wonder.
"Remember the time when I broke my thumb? Do you know the first person I asked for? You . . . it was you. Not my mom, not my dad, but you. I don't know why I kept asking for you but I just had to see you, like you were the only one who could make everyone feel better. Maybe it was just the shock of it all but I only remember you rushing in after the nurse called for you and just looking into your eyes. They were so full of pain and worry something in me just flickered with hope that you maybe felt a tenth of how I felt about you. I dunno, I just felt like so calm and protected that nothing else mattered. The pain, the misery, the sadness. It was like nothing else existed but you and me."
"You don't know just how scared I was Justin, even if it was just a broken thumb I was frantic. I don't know what I would have done if it was something worse, but when I went into see you and saw your smiling face something just came over me, like I could go on breathing or something," JC replied. Justin grabbed his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. JC now felt the same feeling again, now he could live the life he had always dreamt of, complete and utterly happy, with Justin. With a smile, he and Justin drove along in silence.
"Justin . . . Just we're here," JC whispered, gently nibbling on Justin's ear. Justin slowly opened his eyes and smiled at JC.
"I was hoping it wasn't all just a dream," Justin sighed happily before stretching out.
"It's a dream come true babe, JC replied with an angelic grin before kissing Justin's hand. Come on, we're going to be late for your surprise," JC urged getting out of the car and coming around to help Justin out.
"Where are we?" Justin questioned with curiosity.
"I think you'll know once you see it," JC cryptically responded. He soon grabbed a blanket from the trunk of the car and grabbed Justin's hand, leading him down into the darkness. The couple soon stopped as JC spread the blanket down on to the floor. He sat down himself and pulled Justin next to him.
"Are you going to tell me what the surprise is, or am I going to have to tickle it out of ya?"
"You wouldn't."
"Don't tempt me," Justin growled devilishly.
"No come on, it's almost time," JC stated looking up at the sky which was beginning to change its hues from pitch black into gray and eventually into the sunrise. "Besides," JC said pecking Justin on the lips, "you'll love this."
"I trust you," Justin sighed gladly, closing his eyes and snuggling himself into JC's strong arms.
"Keep your eyes closed," JC whispered.
"OK," Justin replied as a gentle breeze blew on his face, causing him to sigh contentedly.
JC smiled as the sky opened up and began changing various hues of oranges, reds and yellows.
"Open your eyes," JC whispered, hugging on to Justin tightly.
"No . . ." Justin gasped.
"Isn't this just how we imagined it?" JC questioned helping both of them up.
"How is this possible?" Justin questioned, circling around at his surroundings. It was the same, everything out of their dream. The exact spot of their dream wedding, the gigantic expanse of sky, the ocean roaring softly in the background, the wildflowers billowing in the wind, all of it.
"Anything is possible when I'm with you," JC responded. JC grabbed Justin's hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "Can I have this dance?" JC questioned sweetly.
"Of course," Justin replied happily. As the two began circling around, JC softly sang their song into Justin's ear.
"I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow
Forever has now begun . . ."
To Be Continued??????
Drop me a line at SLK2308889@aol.com with the subject heading of ~ This I Promise You ~