Trials: Chapter Twenty-Five

[wa_papertigers]

May 28, 2003, continued…
"Let her go" his voice quiet.
She turned and met his eyes. "Boo, she still loves him" her voice a whisper.
"Give her time Shelby" his voice quiet. "Maybe she just needs a little space right now."
She nodded slightly. "Did you know she was there?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head slightly. "I couldn't believe it either…" he trailed off.
"I don't know why she holds so much back" Shelby's voice quiet.
Justin stepped forward linking his arms around her back. "Maybe the same reason you do sometimes Shelby" his voice quiet. She peered up at him. "So you don't worry everyone else, because you feel like you have to" he replied quietly.
"But I always tell you…eventually" her voice quiet.
He nodded slightly. "I know Shelby" he replied gently. He was quiet a moment. "Maybe she thought she didn't have to with him…and that's why it affected her so much."
"Where is she?!" JC shouted.
Lance slammed his door shut and nearly knocked JC down swinging him around. "I swear to god, if you ever do that again, I'll run you over" he stared into JC's eyes.
"Lance, now isn't…" JC started.
"Now is a perfectly good time" Lance cut him off poking JC's chest with his finger. "You're lucky I noticed…" he started.
"Fine Lance, I'm sorry alright…now let me go" he tugged himself away from Lance and turned to find Shelby and Justin staring curiously. "Where is she?" he asked his eyes scanning the area.
"JC, she needs a little space…" Justin started.
JC grabbed fists full of his shirt bringing him close. "Where is she Justin?" his voice quiet but forceful.
"Let go of me" Justin replied firmly.
JC shook his head slightly as he let him go. "Justin, please…" he started.
"She was here, then she left walking. I don't think you should go after her right now JC…" Justin started quietly.
"I have to Justin" he started away from them glancing back. "I love her" his voice faded as he turned back and continued down the street.
"Do you think…" Lance started as,
"What happened Lance?" Shelby asked quietly.
He shook his head. "He should know better" Lance grumbled as he met her eyes cautiously.
"I don't know Lance, she's…distant right now" Shelby replied quietly.
Lance shook his head slightly. "He has no idea" his voice nearly a whisper.
"What do you mean Lance?" Justin asked quietly.
He swallowed and met their eyes before sitting on the curb and looking up at the sky. "Did you know she was there that day?" his voice quiet.
"She just said so" Shelby replied quietly.
"Did she tell you she stayed in surgery with him?" he asked quietly.
"She said she was there…" Shelby glanced over at Lance. "When did you talk to her?" she asked quietly.
He shrugged slightly. "She asked me not to say anything about it…a couple months ago. JC was being a shit and she vented a little" he replied quietly.
"Lance…" Justin started quietly.
"She kept them from amputating" Lance's voice nearly a whisper.
"What?" Shelby choked out.
Lance nodded slightly. "Knees down" his voice barely audible. He was quiet a moment. "I guess she talked to Dr. Jenkins and found out you were partial to Greg and they worked on his schedule together…it was kind of her the whole time."
"Why…" Justin started.
"She had that other job, otherwise she would've taken it on herself from the beginning" Lance replied quietly. He glanced at them for a moment before his eyes trained on a pebble in the street. "She sat there with him, just holding his hand while he was in the recovery room, so he wouldn't be alone."
"Lance, do you think…" Justin started cautiously.
He nodded slightly. "I don't know that it was love at first sight, per say…but I do think they've been drawn together from the beginning" his voice quiet.
Meanwhile…
"Nadia!" he called, spotting her ahead of him.
She drew in a breath and kept walking.
"Wait Nadia!" he shouted ahead. "I need to…" he started.
She glanced back hearing the footsteps hasten. "Stop running Josh" her voice firm.
"Let me talk to you" he replied slowly slightly.
"There isn't anything to say" she replied before she started away again.
"Nadia…come on…" he started.
"You're hurting yourself" her voice trailed in the breeze as she kept walking.
"I know I am. Please stop so we can talk" he replied.
"Stop!" she shouted as she turned on her heel.
He all but froze. His breathing kept him from being perfectly still, but he didn't even dare blink.
She marched toward him and poked his chest with her finger. "You may not care but I spent a lot of time getting you back on your feet…" she started.
"Nadia" his voice nearly a whisper as he pulled her hand away from him.
She yanked her hand out of his hold. "Do not run Josh. You aren't ready" her voice quiet before she started around again.
"If you wouldn't walk away, I wouldn't have to" he started after her again.
"I'm not walking away Josh, I'm moving forward" she replied shrugging his hand off her shoulder.
"Just like that?" he questioned, his voice almost a whisper.
She turned meeting his eyes. "You lied" her voice quiet.
"Nadia…" he started.
"If not today to those girls, then you lied to me more times than I can count" she interjected.
His eyes widened on her. "If you think I've been lying about the way I feel…" he started.
"You can't hurt me unless I let you and I won't let you…I don't get hurt…" she trailed off as she turned and started away from her.
Just like your father… He hated himself for the thought and he bit his tongue not to lash back with it. "I love you Nadia" he called softly after her.
"No you don't" she shook her head slightly taking another step away from him.
"You love me" his voice quiet as he started after her.
"It will pass" she replied as she continued away from him.
He took a step back with the brunt of her statement. The coolness of her voice washed over him and his body trembled. He shook his head slightly and ran up ahead of her, taking her hands in his before lifting his eyes to hers. "You can't mean that Nadia" his voice nearly a whisper. "I still see it."
She held his eyes. "People don't tell other people they love them, and then dismiss their existence to someone else Josh. I know what I meant when I told you how I felt…I'm just not so sure about what you meant anymore" her voice quiet, all but devoid of emotion before she pulled her hands out of his, stepped aside and started walking again.
He reached out catching her arm. "Look at me Nadia" his voice quiet.
"Let go Josh" her voice quiet.
"Look at me" he breathed out.
"You can't order me around Josh…" she started.
"Please" he interjected. She turned slowly. "Look at me, I'm standing here now because of you. Look at me and tell me you don't see how I feel Nadia. Look at me and tell me you don't feel the same" his voice quiet.
Her eyes drifted over him. He sighed quietly. "I didn't mean what I said today…" he started quietly.
She took a slight step back from him. "Therein lies our problem Josh. You didn't mean what you said today? Which time? When you told me you loved me? When you told me you hate lima beans? When you told me…" she started.
"Nadia, we hadn't talked about it yet…it was my mistake, not bringing it up before but I just didn't even think…" he started.
"I'm not stupid Josh, I knew they were fans of yours…" she started quietly.
"Nadia, lets just talk about this…" he started.
"I'm looking at you Josh, like you asked" her voice quiet.
He closed his eyes a moment before opening them on her again. "Why did you ever even tell me then Nadia?" his voice a whisper. "Why did you tell me when you were going to turn away at the first thing without even hearing an explanation…" he started.
"I'm asking myself the same question" her voice quiet, cold, before she turned and walked away from him.
His breath caught in his throat. He gasped a few times before the air actually made it to his lungs filling them up, burning them. He sat on the curb. His eyes remained on her retreating form.
It was almost an hour later Chris came by and picked him up, taking him back to Justin and Shelby's.
He didn't speak a word to anyone. He merely passed them by in the yard and walked into the house, slowly taking the stairs. By the time he reached the top his knees were aching and he took only the necessary steps into the first room before he all but collapsed on the bed, burying his face under the pillow.

Two weeks later, June 11, 2003…
"Nine days" Justin met Chris' eyes.
"Don't worry…" he started.
"I have nine days and they still haven't spoken another word Chris. They're both in the wedding party…" he started frustratedly, tugging at his curls.
"Maybe it'll be good for them to see each other this way Justin" Chris tried weakly.
"Or maybe it'll be hell" Justin groaned as he fell back on the couch.
"How's Shelby?" Chris tried changing the subject.
"She's perfectly calm, I'm the mess…god Chris" he groaned. "This is going to end up a disaster…"
"What are we talking about here Justin?" Chris interjected seriously.
His eyes lifted immediately. "Not Shelby" he shook his head slightly. A smile touched his lips. "No, Shelby and I are back to…well, nearly perfect." He shrugged slightly. "But those two…" he groaned.
"Have you seen her in her gown yet?" Chris asked with a curious look.
"I'm not…" he started.
"Not Shelby you nut," Chris chuckled. "Nadia."
"Oh…" he smiled, "yeah, she looks great. The cut of her gown…I mean, it looks like it was made on her…" he trailed off.
Chris smiled. "Good."
Justin eyed him suspiciously. "Chris…" he started cautiously.
Chris laughed. "Don't worry Justin. JC will be looking and behaving his best for you and Shelby and I'm sure Nadia will do the same, if for no other reason than the fact that she has manners."
Chris and Matt's…
"Nadia" her voice quiet.
"Everything's okay?" she asked uncertainly.
"It's perfect" Shelby sighed contently.
"You look amazing" Matt smiled warmly.
Her brow furrowed. "I feel weird in this dress" she mumbled quietly.
"Why?" Shelby asked quietly, having heard her.
"Oh I don't know" she fussed with the skirt of her gown a little. "I suppose I'm just not used to wearing something like this."
Shelby and Matt glanced at each other and laughed. Nadia shrugged slightly. "Nadia, it's a bridesmaid gown, you aren't supposed to be used to wearing something like that" Matt teased with a smile.
"I know…" she trailed off.
"I can think of a dozen guys who will want a dance…" Matt started.
Nadia groaned and started for the bathroom. "I don't dance" she muttered before the door was closed.
"Do you think she's feeling a little weird about what happened?" Shelby whispered.
Matt almost laughed. "Probably" she replied gently. "But I think it helped a little that we didn't get too weird on her."
"Well I wouldn't…I mean, I still would love to see them together but I like her too much to write her off because of that" Shelby whispered.
Matt smiled knowing exactly how Shelby felt, because it was the same with her. "Maybe she'll change her mind after she sees him in a tux" Matt shrugged.
Shelby smiled. "Hey…" she started.
Nadia came out of the bathroom with the gown safely hung in the garment bag. "I know it must be strange for you two…I mean, considering what's happened. I just wanted to say thanks for still being here" her voice quiet.
Shelby laughed softly. "You're too much like us Nadia. And Matt and I…" she smiled, "we could never hold a grudge with each other…we've tried" she laughed.
JC's…
"She won't talk to me" his voice quiet.
"Josh…" he drew in a breath. "I wanted to punch you when you said that…" his voice quiet, drawing JC's eyes. "But," he sighed. "I know how difficult Nadia can be. Sometimes she just too damn quiet, won't budge an inch on letting you in and you can't blame yourself entirely" Greg's voice quiet.
JC's eyes opened wider. "Greg…" he started.
"No Josh" Greg interjected quietly. "It's not all your fault this happened. She should've at least heard you out by now."
"You don't have to say…" JC started quietly.
"Josh" Greg shook his head. "I'll deny it until I'm blue in the face so don't even try telling her I told you…because she never told me anyway, it's just something you know when you know someone as well as I know Nadia." He drew in a breath. "She still loves you Josh" his voice quiet.
"She won't even look at me" JC replied quietly.
"She can't Josh" Greg interjected quietly. "If she looks at you, she's reminded and she doesn't want to be reminded right now…don't let her go un-reminded Josh…" he started.
"Why…" JC started quietly.
"If you can't get her back, no one ever will" Greg replied quietly.
"I don't understand…" JC started.
"There are things you don't know Josh. Just trust me on this one, don't let her forget what she had and could've had with you" his voice quiet.
"I've tried…" JC started quietly.
"Don't give up" Greg interjected.

A couple days later, June 14, 2003…
"I know you're there Nadia. Please pick up, I just want to talk and try to explain" his voice quiet.
"I can explain it to your machine but I'd rather be able to hear…" he started.
"I'm here" her voice quiet. "Josh, we have to be near each other and I'll be…courteous but don't expect…" she started.
"Hear me out" he interjected.
She sighed. "Fine."
He drew in a breath. "I know you had no idea what to expect Nadia, because I never explained to you how it was for me. I forgot what it was like myself. I'd kept myself away from people for so long…And for such a long time it was practically brainwashed into my head that no one was someone. It came out of my mouth without me even thinking about it…It was my fault for not letting you know about that before…" he started.
"I know who you are Josh. I knew eventually sometime when we went out someone would recognize you and want to talk to you or whatever it is that they do…" she started.
"But I'd never talked to you about the fact that I probably would've still said the same thing…" he started. When he didn't hear her cry for an explanation he continued, "because I like my personal life to be my personal life Nadia. It never would've been because I didn't want to be seen with you or known as the other half of our relationship. It's because I've seen what happens when people know too much" his voice quiet.
"Are you still there?" he asked quietly after not hearing anything.
"Yeah, I'm here…there are a lot of things we didn't talk about, aren't there Josh?" her voice quiet.
"Just as many as we already had" he replied quietly.
"I have to go Josh, my rice is going to burn…" she trailed off.
"Nadia…" he started cautiously.
"I'm not just giving you some line…" she started.
"I'm sorry Nadia, that I hurt you" he interjected quietly.
She was quiet a moment. "I let you" her voice nearly a whisper. "I have to go."
"Nadia?" He shook his head and hung up.
Nadia's…
She pulled the pan off the burner and switched the burner off. She sighed heavily as her eyes fell on the food in front of her.
"I let you" she breathed out.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She turned slowly and met his eyes. "Tell me if I'm doing the right thing Dominic" her voice quiet.
He smiled sadly at her and hugged her tightly. "Only you know the answer to that Nadia" his voice quiet.
"I know, I'm just so…confused" she breathed out.
"Why?" he asked gently as he let her go.
"I sit here and I think about what a stupid trivial little thing it was, that I'm completely over reacting…and then I remember the way he said it" she shook her head slightly, "he didn't even have to think about it. He didn't even look at me" her voice quiet.
He was quiet a moment. "Nadia, don't let wounded pride be what that keeps you from something that could be real" he replied gently.
"It was a stupid thing wasn't it?" she asked as she shook her head slightly and leaned against him.
"Yes, but the way it made you feel wasn't stupid" he replied gently.
"He's always been good to me" her voice a whisper.
"I know" he replied quietly as he rubbed her back.
"Not too many people, let alone men understand that my two best friends are male" her voice quiet.
"That's the truth" he chuckled.
"I was never afraid to open up to him" her voice barely audible.
He pat her back before peering in her eyes. "Are you now?" he asked quietly.
"It was a stupid little thing but it still hurt" she murmured to his chest.
"It's okay to feel the pain Nadia, just don't let it overrun you" his voice gentle.
"I want to tell him…" she trailed off, murmuring to his chest.

A couple days later, June 17, 2003…
"What do you mean, she's not here?" Shelby asked with wide eyes.
"You must be Shelby" he smiled and opened the door wider for her.
She eyed him cautiously and remained on the landing. "Who are you?" she questioned.
He laughed softly. "I'm Dominic…" he started.
She shook her head. "You're Dominic?" she questioned.
"Yeah, she's went out to her place for a couple days but she told me…" he started with a smile.
"Her place?" Shelby questioned uncertainly.
He smiled. "This is my house. Nadia stays here. I travel all the time so I'm almost never in town but I still wanted a place to call home. Nadia was here and pretty much where she is is home to me so I bought a place here and she keeps it for me while I'm away. Usually just stays while I'm in town too. She's got more stuff here than I do now, not that I mind…" he smiled warmly all the while confusing her.
"Wait, wait, I lost you" Shelby shook her head slightly. "You live here?" she questioned.
"Yes" he smiled.
"And she lives here when you're not here?" Shelby asked. He nodded. "But you're hardly ever here so…" she started.
"I don't think you lost me at all" Dominic smiled.
"Then where does she live, I mean when she's not here?" Shelby asked curiously.
"She has a little cottage out on the beach. You can't really reach her there though. No phone, but she'll be back tonight. Asked me to let you know she will be here and not to worry" he smiled.
Shelby drew in a breath. "She's really okay?" she questioned, eyeing him.
"She'll be fine, she's just thinking" he replied with a reassuring nod. "By the way, congratulations on getting married. I know it's a few days away and all but I leave town tomorrow…" he trailed off.
Studios...
She looked around nervously, being completely out of her element. She straightened her top and took a breath lifting her head. She stepped toward the counter. "Excuse me…" she started.
The woman glanced up holding a finger up to her as she nodded to whoever was on the phone. "Alright, I understand. Thank you and I hope we can do business again" she hung up and sighed with relief. She lifted her eyes again, "what can I do for you?" she asked tiredly.
"I'm sorry to be of trouble but my name's Nadia Kenswick, Chris said he was calling…" she started.
She smiled and nodded. "What a character that guy" she laughed softly. "I need to see a driver's license or passport please?" her tone more serious.
"Of course" she replied as she dug into her back pocket.
The woman eyed it for a moment before smiling at her. "He's in studio 3B" she explained as she handed her ID back. "Down that hall, first left and the third door on the right" she pointed.
"Alright, thanks" she replied quietly before she started cautiously down the hall.
The door opened silently and she slipped inside unnoticed. She remained silent. A couple men sitting in front of boards with so many switches and levels she shook her head slightly at the sight.
"Alright JC, try it again" one of them spoke.
Her eyes moved slowly to him.
He nodded. His body was turned slightly away from her, his closer arm holding a headset to one ear. He was sitting on an extremely uncomfortable looking wooden stool, but she smiled at his sitting.
She hadn't even known he'd started recording another album. Shelby and Nadia must've known and not mentioned it, but it wasn't like she'd been asking about him.
The voice that rolled through the speakers was rich and full, almost pained, almost too emotional. The words nearly knocked her over.
His eyes opened to find her standing there, breathing in his voice.
He saw her hands trembling slightly. She bit her bottom lip. He closed his eyes again and just sang.
She hadn't realized her movement at all. She received strange looks from the other two men in the room but JC hadn't said anything so they didn't either.
She stepped beyond the glass that had kept them separated. Her footsteps silent, she took his hands in hers pulling him up so that he was standing. "I'm sorry" her voice a breath of a whisper tears shining in her eyes.
He touched her cheek affectionately. "I didn't mean…" he started quietly.
"Forgive me" she breathed out, her fingers tracing his jaw-line.
"I was going crazy without you" his voice a whisper as he brought her closer, an arm around her back.
"I'll never walk away again…if you still…" she started, her voice a shaky whisper.
He lifted her chin gently with his fingertips. "I love you" his voice a breath of a whisper.
"I love you too" she murmured softly, her lips a breath away from his.
His lips had just barely met hers when the clicking noise caused him to pull back.
"Josh…" she started cautiously.
He pulled her close to him, his arms wrapping around her, head bowing as though he could surround her from all sides.
"I missed this" she breathed.
One of them cleared his throat. "JC…" he started cautiously.
"Just a minute" he replied quietly, his arms tightening their hold on her.
She pulled back meeting his eyes. "Josh, did I mess this up?" her voice quiet, uncertain.
"Don't worry about it Nadia, I've done it a dozen times already, I'll do it a dozen more before we're done" he replied softly, his eyes reassuring her.
"Actually, we wanna use it" the other spoke cautiously.
JC took her hand in his and led her out of the booth. "Michael, Tucker, this is Nadia. Nadia, Michael and Tucker" he motioned to each of them.
She could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks as she shook their hands.
"Now what's this bunk about using that?" JC eyed them as though they were crazy.
Tucker smiled and motioned to Nadia. "Nadia here just put a whole new light in the song. Before we were thinking it was sounding…too much, but with all that at the end…" he started.
"All what at the end?" Nadia interjected cautiously.
"Here, have a listen" Michael replied as he punched in a few numbers on a keypad.
JC shook his head no as soon as he heard her whispered apology. "No, we'll do it the way we planned" his voice firm.
"This gives it an entirely different vibe…" Tucker started cautiously.
"It's my personal life Tuck, I don't want millions of copies of this…" he started.
"No one would know but you two…well, us four" Michael interjected cautiously.
"No" JC shook his head firmly. "I'll do it again."
"You tell him Nadia, it sounds…" Tucker started.
"I'm out of my element here…" she replied quietly.
"But you listen to music and you know what you like so…" Tucker started.
She looked to JC. He eyed Tucker silencing him. "No Tuck, I'll do it again. I do not want that in the song in any way, shape or form, got me?"
"Yeah, I got you" Tucker mumbled.
"I'm sorry" she spoke quietly.
"It's alright, we didn't really expect it to be okay anyway" Michael reassured with a smile.
JC pulled her aside, "I went by, Dominic said you were gone" his voice quiet.
"I had to think, clear my head a little" she replied quietly.
"It was your place, on the beach?" his voice almost a whisper.
She smiled. "He told you too huh?"
He nodded slightly. "I was a little surprised to find him there. Once he explained we both had a little laugh…" he trailed off.
"I don't want to keep you Josh…" she started softly.
He met her eyes. "I want you to keep me" he whispered.
"Josh…" she started quietly.
"We're gonna break for the day JC. Tomorrow morning early" Michael and Tucker started gathering things up.
"You don't have to stop on my account" her voice quiet.
They laughed. "Yes we do, besides, he won't be good to do anything now" Michael replied giving a smile.
"They're right" he whispered.
"We have things to talk about" her voice quiet.
He nodded. "And time to make up for" he whispered softly near her ear before he pulled back. "See you guys tomorrow" JC gave them a smile and led her out of the studio.
JC's…
"I should've listened to you sooner…" her voice quiet.
"I know it had to hurt Nadia…" he started quietly.
She nodded slightly. "But I should've let it go a little. I know who you are Josh. I know you as well. And from both of those, I should've known better…" she trailed off.
"Nadia" he quieted her. "I am going to do this" his voice quiet.
"I never thought you wouldn't Josh" she replied quietly. She hesitated a moment. "What'd they say?" her voice cautious.
He groaned. "They say the results they have don't tell them enough. I think they're just jerking me around…" he sighed quietly. "I have to wait awhile longer and go in for different tests" he explained.
She lifted her eyes to his, finding them full of longing and drive. "I believe you can do anything you set your heart on Josh…" she started quietly.
"But you don't want me dancing" he interjected quietly.
She was quiet a moment. "I don't want you dancing if you shouldn't be dancing" she replied quietly.
He took her hand in his. "We never talked about what would happen if…" he started quietly.
"When Josh" she interjected quietly. "When you start touring" her eyes holding his.
He nodded slightly. "I don't expect you to give up your life Nadia…I just want to remain a part of it" his voice quiet.
She leaned against him slightly. "Would I be able to visit you?" her voice barely audible.
"Whenever you wanted, for as long as you wanted…" he lifted her chin gently, taking her eyes, "You don't have to ask to be near me Nadia, because I'd always want you there. I just don't want you giving up your dream and everything you know to chase after mine" his voice a whisper.
"I'd be lost in pursuit Josh" she whispered.
"It isn't easy" he breathed out, pulling her in his lap.
"I never have been" her voice more the breath released than actually sound heard.
"Me either, where love is concerned" his fingers brushed through her hair.
"I don't wanna lose you again" she breathed out.
"You never lost me Nadia" he whispered softly.
She was quiet awhile, just being held in his arms, just being near him. "I know it was a stupid thing Josh…I just wasn't really thinking, because I know you wouldn't…" she started quietly.
"Nadia, I know" he whispered softly, reassuringly. "As soon as I realized what I'd said I felt like a total ass…" he started.
"Josh" she interjected quietly, silencing him. "Would you really never say…" she started quietly.
"Right now" he interjected quietly, knowing her question. "If asked I wouldn't deny being involved…but I wouldn't give your name or any specifics on how we met…" he drew in a breath. His voice was quiet and serious. "And it would depend on the situation if we were spotted together Nadia. If I felt it was a safe place then I wouldn't use the just a friend line…at the hospital that day I was so unprepared for…" he started.
"I know" she nodded slightly. "You tensed up."
"I know it sounded bad Nadia, I've replayed in my mind so many times…" he started quietly.
"Don't think about it anymore Josh" she interjected softly. "I don't wanna think about it anymore. We both made mistakes that day…I'd say mine was much more consequential…we can let it go, can't we?"
"It's gone" he breathed out as she snuggled closer to him.
"I feel like I'm dreaming" she whispered softly.
"This is real Nadia" he whispered.

A few days later, June 20, 2003…
Her fingers curled around the cool plastic as she yawned. "Boo?"
"I woke you up, I'm sorry…" he started quietly.
"It's okay. What's going on?" she asked with another yawn as she sat up.
"Jon said he thought you were awake…" he started.
"I've been snoozing for an hour" she mumbled through another yawn.
"You said to call and remind you…" he started with a little laugh.
"Uh huh" she nodded slightly as she turned letting her feet drop to the floor.
"Okay girlie, you have got to get up…" Matt started into the room with a smile.
"Matt's…" she started.
"I heard, I'll let you go" he replied with a chuckle.
"I'll see you…" she started.
"Soon Shelby, soon" he replied softly.
Matt laughed as Shelby hung up. "I never would've thought I'd have to drag your butt out of bed on your wedding day" Matt smiled.
"We were up late" Shelby defended.
"I know Shelby" Matt laughed softly. "Your mom's downstairs with Jon, he's showing her his tux…" she started.
"Doesn't he look adorable" Shelby smiled.
JC's…
"Justin, come on man, you can't be late…" JC started as he ducked his head back in the room.
"I know, I can't find…" he started as he rummaged though his bag again.
"What?" JC asked.
"I need those cuff…" he started.
"You gave them to Chris so you wouldn't forget them" JC reminded with a smile.
He straightened his body, scratching his head for a moment. "Are you sure, I could've sworn I saw them here…" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
JC nodded with a smile. "I'm positive, you told him you'd kill him if he lost or forgot…" he started.
Justin nodded. "Vaguely, I vaguely remember that" he mumbled as he started toward the older man.
"Do you think they're there yet?" JC asked as they started down the hall.
"Probably…" Justin started as they reached the front door.
"Hello…oh, geez you're right there" Nadia jumped slightly.
JC and Justin jumped back as well. "What are you doing here?" JC questioned.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to…" she started with a curious look.
"We're on our way" Justin replied.
"I need a hairdryer, your place was closest" she explained as she maneuvered her way past them.
"That doesn't…" Justin started cautiously.
"Nothing to worry about" she called as she continued down the hall.
"Well…" Justin started.
"Go, I'll be right behind you!" Nadia called.
Chris and Matt's…
"I can't have lost those, he'll kill me" Chris mumbled his head bent over his dresser.
"What…" Lance started.
"Justin's cufflinks. They were Shelby's dad's and I was supposed to…nevermind" he smiled. "Found 'em, let's go" he grabbed Lance's shirt and started down the hall.
"He would've killed you…" Lance started.
"I know" Chris shook his head. "I thought I put them in my pants pocket so I wouldn't forget but then I changed my mind…" he trailed off.
"Do you think they're there yet?" Joey asked as they piled into his car.
"Probably, we're running late" Lance replied as he eyed the clock.
The church, Shelby's readying room…
"Shelby" Matt smiled softly. "Don't worry, they aren't going to start without you or Justin…the minister has nothing else to do today and everyone in that building would sit all day and probably all week to see you two walk down the aisle together" her voice soothing.
Shelby nodded. "You always know what to say" she laughed lightly.
Matt laughed. "Not hardly, Chris has me tongue tied nine times out of ten" she shook her head slightly.
Shelby laughed. "Chris has himself tongue tied nine times out of ten Matt."
"They're here and the minister has the hairdryer" Nadia entered the room with a smile.
"Is everyone decent?" JC called from outside the door.
"As decent as we'll ever be" Matt laughed.
JC shook his head as he came in the room, a smile on his lips. "Justin's here, I think his mom found him so…how are you holding up?" he asked gently finding Shelby's eyes.
"I almost can't believe it's really happening today" she replied quietly.
"It's happening Shelby" he replied softly.
She drew in a breath. "What if it's all a mistake?" her voice a whisper.
He took her hands in his. "Does it feel like a mistake?" he asked gently.
"No, but…" she started.
"But nothing Shelby" JC interjected quietly. "You and Justin belong together, you always have."
The church, Justin's readying room…
"Are you out of your ever-loving mind?" Chris eyed him.
"Well…" he started weakly.
"Okay, okay" Chris breathed out. "Do you feel like you're making the biggest mistake of your life?" he asked quietly.
"No, but…" Justin started quietly.
Chris shook his head. "Then you aren't Justin. Last second cold feet. Happens to everyone. Don't worry about it, Shelby is going to say I do and you two will live happily ever after with your half dozen rugrats" he smiled.
"Ugh, six?" Justin shook his head. "I don't think so Chris, besides the fact that Shelby would shoot me dead for doing that to her, that's just insane…" he trailed off.
Chris laughed. "So how many were you thinking?" he smiled.
"Two, maybe three…" he trailed off.
"Do you feel ready?" Chris asked quietly.
"I've been ready awhile now Chris" he replied quietly as he lifted his eyes to Chris'. "I just didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea. Shelby and I have…" he started.
"Preaching to the choir Justin, I know how much you two are meant to be together" Chris smiled.
The church…
There had been no cameras allowed other than those of the professional photographer hired for the event. People filed slowly through the doors, signing the guest book, ooing and awing over the church.
He knocked softly on the door.
"Just a minute" Matt called.
"It's just me" JC called.
"I know who it is, you can't come in" Matt called.
"Just wanted to let you know almost everyone is here. Martin is getting the mom's ready" he explained.
"Alright, come in" Shelby called.
"Are you sure?" he cracked the door a sliver.
"Come in" Matt shook her head slightly.
The church, Justin's readying room…
Nadia smiled at him. "There" her voice quiet as she stepped back.
"Thanks Nadia" he smiled.
She laughed softly. "It's hard to believe that none of you could tie this…" she glanced around.
"JC left right before you got here. He tied mine" Joey shrugged.
She smiled. "I saw the mom's heading toward the sanctuary."
"Almost time" Justin smiled.
"Nadia, get out of here, I'm going to need you soon" Martin barged in.
She laughed and pat the man's back as she walked by. "Breathe Martin, breathe" she smiled as she continued on her way back to Shelby's room.
"I know, I can take the hint…" he laughed as he backed out of the room.
She stopped a moment and leaned over the railing, gazing into the fountain below.
He turned and drew in a sharp breath, stopping mid-step. His eyes drifted over her profile. Her hair in soft curls framing her face pulled back slightly by hand-crafted silver combs Dominic had given her from a tiny no name town in Ireland.
She turned and took a step back startled by him standing there.
The cut of her gown was flattering to her figure without compromising her slightly more modest style of dressing.
She drew in a breath registering who was standing in front of her. Her eyes moved over the length of his body without her conscious awareness of doing so.
He'd had his hair trimmed the week before. It didn't have the just been cut look, or awkwardness, but it looked recent. His eyes sparkling. His lips parted slightly. The slight movement of his chest as he inhaled and exhaled. The slight curve of his fingers did nothing to take from the strength in his hands. The tux tailored to every line in his body.
He drew in a breath and nodded slightly bringing her out of her daze. An almost shy smile touched her lips as she took a step toward him.
"Good god you're beautiful" he breathed out as he took a step toward her.
Her eyes locked on his as they gravitated toward each other.
"JC!" Chris hollered from down the corridor, breaking the spell cast on each other.
She could only point in the direction some part of her brain remembered she was supposed to go and all he could do was nod before she swept past him.
She leaned back against the door letting it close with her weight.
They turned to see her leaning against the door in a total daze. Matt laughed softly. "Somebody just saw JC all decked out for the first time" she smiled warmly.
"You should've warned me" Nadia breathed out as she pushed herself away from the door, blinking as though that could bring clarity, but it did nothing to fade the image in her mind.
Shelby laughed softly. "We did."
Matt grinned. Next year this could be you. "Come sit" she pat the seat beside her.
"Thanks" Nadia breathed out.
Matt laughed softly. "Think you'll make it down the aisle?" she asked gently.
Nadia nodded as Shelby laughed. "I'm more worried about him."
The church, Justin's readying room…
"You okay?" Joey asked eyeing him strangely.
He merely nodded and sighed quietly.
"What happened to you?" Chris laughed lightly.
"Nadia" he mumbled.
"That explains it" Joey laughed.
Martin barged in. "I need best men."
Chapter Twenty-Six