| My bathing suit was also two pieces, but a bright red with glitter all over it. I might as well parade around in my underwear, I thought to myself. "C'mon Watts.." I said and put my arm around her. Jake was waiting for us at the door with Watts trainer who was beaming. She introduced us all as we headed back toward our places backstage. "Congratulations." Jake and I said to him at the same time and listened as he gushed about his new baby girl. One of the stagehands came by just then. "Okay Ladies..here we go..swimsuit time.." I took of my short robe and handed it to Jake. Watts and I took our places in line with the other girls and waited. I watched as Watts did her walk across the stage and saw Zac practically drooling on his shoes. I grinned. I guess I better introduce them...I sighed to myself. I was last to cross the stage. As I walked out I saw Taylor's mouth drop slightly open and Lacey giggle and shove him gently. My eyes met his and he closed his mouth and smiled. I smiled back and finished the meat market walk, waving at the crowd before I left the stage. Watts and I and our respective trainers waited backstage a moment and then we were all called to stand together on stage as the judges announced the winners. Liz Jackson actually took third place and I held my breath as the second place winner was being announced. ".....Robin Watson." I smiled and hugged her. "And now this years' winner for the regional competition is...." I held my breath again. "Jessie Lee.." The crowd cheered and Watts smiled big and hugged me. I stepped forward to take the flowers and banner and waved at the crowd, smiling. I looked to my future family again, who were all on their feet cheering loudly. I met Tay's eyes one more time and saw him mouth, "I love you." I blew a kiss in his direction and stepped back. All of us waved to the crowd as we left the stage, as soon as we were back there Watts grabbed me and hugged me tightly. I returned it. |
| Congratulations, Jess. You were great.." she sid. "Hey now! Congrats to you too..you rocked and second still bring home the bacon.." I told her. "I know...thanks. But I will take first ahead of you one of these days." "I'll be the first one to congrtaulate you when you do. Knowing that you're stalking me will make me work harder though.." I teased. She rolled her eyes. "Don't leave without giving me your phone number and stuff Jess. I don't want to lose touch with you this time.." "Okay, but hang out, Watts. I want you to meet my future in laws...the few that are actually here anyway..." "Ok cool.." she said. "but at least let's put some clothes on. Actually I think we need to put our costumes back on to do a couple after photos and sign stuff for the kids.." We went into the dressing room and changed back in to our costumes, chatting absently. Jake was standing outside the door waiting, when we came out. I looked down and tightened my gloves, but when I looked back up Tay and the rest of them were heading my way, huge smiles plastered all over their faces. Taylor strode up to me and swung me around kissing me passionately on the mouth. I held him to me and let my hands bury themselves in his hair, returning his kiss with equal fervor. He set me down, not taking his mouth from mine and rested his hands on my bare waist, sending a pulse like an electric shock through my body. Ike cleared his throat and we slowly broke apart, looking into each other's eyes. "OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD TAY! It's only been a couple of days.." he shoved his brother out of the way and hugged me, picking me up off my feet. I hugged him back as he hollered, "WOO HOO JESSIE! You kicked some ASS! You SOOO rock!" I laughed and hugged him back. "Thanks Zac.." Then it was Ike's turn to hug me and Lacey. "Jessie," she squealed, "You were so awesome." I stepped back and looked at her puzzled. She must be spending alot of time in Zac's company lately. She grabbed my left hand and pushed the half finger of my glove back. "AND CONGRATULATIONS!" she yelled and hugged me tighly. I hugged her back and smiled. "Thanks Lace.." I turned and grabbed Watts hand and yanked her up beside me. "Everyone this is my friend Robin Watson... Watts..this is Taylor's brother Isaac and his fiancee Lacey Stevenson." they nodded and greeted her warmly. "And this is Taylor's brother, Zac." They stood there looking at each other for a long moment and I glanced at Tay. He nodded his head slightly and grinned. I rolled my eyes and grabbed Zac's shoulder. Then I tapped Watts foot with mine, so no one would see. |
| "Hi..." Zac managed to say and stuck out his hand. "Hi.." Watts took his hand and gave it a light shake. I broke the tension by asking what we were going to do. "It's still early and there's no way in hell I could just sit around or go to sleep, now.." I said. Zac brightened, "PARTYTIME!!!" he hollered and we all laughed. "Let's go to that place I was telling you about Ike...we can get some food and then dance all night. Gotta get Jess to teach me some of her moooooves." I laughed again. "Sounds good to me..I'm so damn hungry my bellybutton is rubbing a blister on my backbone.." I said. Everybody had to laugh at that one and Taylor looked at me with a raised eyebrow and a grin on his face. "Watts..you have to come with us..I know your trainer is hopping a red-eye to get home to his baby...I'm not letting you sit in a hotel room all by yourself." I told her. Lacey giggled. "You better come. She really won't take no for an answer." "Neither will I." Zac said looking right at her. "Well, with that kind of presuasion, what choice do I have?" she smiled right back at him. Taylor and Jake stayed with Watts and me while we did the photo thing and signed a few autographs |
| Taylor wound up having to sign a few autographs too, I thought it was extremely sweet, the way he treated his fans. I smiled over at him and told Jake, "We HAVE to get out of here, I am STARVING." "Okay let's go then, the others already took a cab to the hotel to get settled. We'll meet them there. Watts, you can share a cab with us.." "Thanks, Jake." "Tay..let's go, baby. I'm HUNGRY." I grinned. He grabbed my hand and led me through the crowd of people, Jake doing the same for Watts. Taylor and Jake each carried a bag, and pushed their way ahead of Watts and me outside. Jake hailed a cab as soon as we stepped out of the building, a miracle. We piled in after the guys threw our bags in the trunk. Taylor sat with his arm around me even though the ride would be short, and we all talked about some of the other performances the other girls gave. "I can't believe that Liz took third. She has ability but..." Watts said shaking her head. Jake, Tay, and I all looked at each other. |