Chapter Ten
Justin sat low in his chair as he watched Lilly and Misty talking quietly. They have been here for over and hour, and she was still with them. Her smile was bright whenever she looked at Misty or Justin. And
even though her laughter was weak, it sounded like an angel. It was as if God was giving her extra love before she joined him.
The door slightly opened and Mike's head poked in and he nodded at Justin. He quickly got up and mumbled a "Be right back," before he left the room. "Has he called?"
Mike nodded. "They left the airport, and they should be here in twenty minutes."
He let out a breath and nodded. "Okay."
"It's a good thing what you're doing, Just," he said as he patted his back. "I admire you for that."
He smiled. "Thanks, man. I don't know what it is about Lilly, but she draws you in. She's' really special."
"Justin?" Misty said as she opened the door. "Lilly wants to see you."
"Okay," he said and then nodded to Mike before he walked into the room, but then turned back when Misty didn't follow him.
"She wants to talk to you alone," she said with a smile and then left the room.
Justin turned to Lilly and smiled at her. "Are you gonna try to seduce me, Lil?"
Lilly let out a chuckle. "If I was forty-years younger, hell yes."
Justin laughed softly and then walked to her bed and sat next to her. She reached up and cupped the sides of his face. "I wanted to tell you.....that I prayed for you to come into Misty's life."
He swallowed hard. "Me?"
"Well, not by name, sweetie...but yes, YOU. Misty has had such a hard year and you are her angel, Justin."
He shook his head. "No, you're her angel."
She nodded. "Yes, maybe I was....but now God has chosen you. Misty is a hard person to know, and I can see it in her eyes that she has let you in. Don't take that for granted."
"I...I won't, Lilly," he said and then kissed her cheek. "I promise I will be there for her."
"I know you will," she said. "And you need her too, you know."
He chuckled. "Do I now?"
"Yes, you do. You may not see it now, but you will....trust me."
"I care for her," he admitted. "I DO know that."
"You don't have to tell me that...I can see that in your eyes when you look at her." Lilly then slowly pulled her other hand out of the covers and slid Justin's ring off her her thumb. "You're fingers are so big I had to wear it on my thumb."
He smiled. "Keep it, Lilly."
She shook her head. "No, sweetie," she said and then placed the ring in his hand. "This is yours. I thank you for letting me wear it and you're right....I felt safe."
Justin's eyes began to swell as he placed the ring back on his right hand. The silver band covered white slim tanline that decorated his finger and he twirled it until the cross was face up. "Thank you," he said.
A soft knock had Justin turning around and then smiled when he saw Mike with a grin on his face. He turned back to Lilly. "Now it's my turn to give you something."
But Lilly didn't answer.
Justin's heart leapt to his throat when he saw her laying lifeless with her eyes closed. "No, no, Lilly?" he asked frantically as he leaned up over her. "Lilly, please answer me."
"Justin?" Misty asked as she walked in. "What's the...Oh god."
"No, she can't go yet...not until we sing for her," he cried.
"I...I think she's gone, Justin," Misty said sadly. Lilly didn't want any machines attatched to her, so there were no beeps to signal her heart rate.
"No, not yet," he said. "Are the guys here?"
Misty nodded as she whipped a tear away from her cheek. "Yes...yes they are."
"Bring them in," he said as he hung his head low.
A few seconds later the guys walked in quietly..one by one. Joey placed a hand on Justin's back. "We're too late, Justin."
"I'm sorry man," Lance said softly.
He wanted to do this for her. He wanted to give her one last prescious gift before she left...but he was too late. Over my dead body, he thought and then turned to the guys. "Okay, ya'll ready?"
JC looked at him strangely. "But...but, I mean she's...."
"I know that, but she'll still hear us," he said softly as he looked down at her and then back at Misty. He smiled at her. "Lilly was important in Misty's life, and even though I only known her for a day, I'll never forget her."
Misty walked up to him and gave him a hug. "Thank you."
He held her tight. "I love her too, Misty."
Lance leaned toward JC. "Justin's sure been busy."
JC smiled. "Yeah, he sure has. Busy falling in love."
Justin pulled away and tucked her chin lightly, before turning to the guys. They huddled together and JC hummed softly so everyone knew the right pitch. Justin started his verse as he watched Lilly and everyonce in awhile turned to Misty. His voice was soft and it cracked with emotion as he sang the last line of his verse.
Misty stood there in awe, as she watched the five men sing to Lilly. She was amazed that the guys didn't even hesitate and flew all the way down just to sing to her. They were obviously close and cared about the
things that mattered most to one another. It was so sweet of them to do this for the woman that held her heart. She listened to JC sing his verse and his
voice was so smooth and comforting...Just like Justin's. And when they sang together it was even more powerful.
When Justin sang the last line, he quickly wiped a tear away from his cheek and walked over to the bed. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "God bless you, Lilly," he said softly and then turned to walk
away.
"Justin!" Misty gasped out a cry. "Look."
"What?" he asked and then turned to see her fingers wiggling. "Lilly?"
She let out a moan and then opened her tired eyes. "I...I had to come back and....tell you...."
Justin walked to her side and gripped her hand and Misty did the same thing on her other side. "Did you hear it Lilly?"
She smiled and nodded. "I was...standing next to you...I felt no pain."
"Oh, Lilly," Misty cried and then kissed her hand. "I don't want you to feel pain."
"I won't, baby.....let me...see all of them....let me see."
Justin turned to the guys and they slowly walked up and circled around her. "Hi Lilly," they said in unison.
She smiled. "Such..beautiful voices...ya'll
have.....and very...han....handsome."
The guys let out a soft chuckle and finally knew why this woman was so important. She left an impression on anyone she met. She was special.
"It's...time for me...to go," she finally said and then smiled at Misty. "You'll be...fine, dear."
She gave her a smile as the tears streamed down her face. "I know...I know now that you will be happy where you are."
"I will.....will you guys sing...Amazing Grace for me?"
"Sure, Lilly," Justin said and then looked at the guys and counted off.
By the time they sang the last note, Lilly had left the world again.
"Come on," Justin said as he turned Misty in his arms. "I'm gonna take you home."
She nodded and covered her mouth with a yawn. "Okay," she said and then smiled up at him. "It's been a long day."
He smiled. "Sure has."
"Hey, Justin," JC said as he trotted up to him. "We're gonna head to the hotel."
He nodded. "Okay."
"Thank you so much, guys," Misty said when the rest joined them. "I'll never forget what you did tonight. It meant so much to me....and Lilly."
"Hey, it was no problem," Chris said with a friendly wink. "Any friend of Justin's is a friend of ours."
"Bye Misty," Joey said as they walked off. "Nice meeting you."
"Bye...you too," she said and then watched them wave at her before they stepped in the elevator. She looked at Justin. "So...I take it your gonna go back with the guys?"
He gave her a wierd look. "No, I'm coming home with you," he said as he grabbed her hand and dragged her to the elevator.
"Justin," she sighed. "You don't have to...."
He cut her off by pulling her in his arms and pressing his lips to hers. "My twenty four hours isnt' up yet," he said and then nipped her bottom lip. "And I plan to use the rest of it wisely."
She stood there speechless as the elevators opened and he dragged her inside. "Um...okay," she finally managed to say.
"I know the last thing you want is to be alone," he said softly while looking at her with concern.
"No, I don't," she said and then sighed as Justin pulled her to his side. She welcomed his comfort and she felt safe. "I have to start planing the funeral arrangements."
He kissed the top of her head. "Let me know when it is."
She looked at him and smiled. "You're going to come?"
Justin smiled and then studied the ring that Lilly returned to him and laughed softly. "Wouldn't miss it."
"Thank you," she said and then reached up on her toes and kissed his rough cheek.
The doors open as he smiled down at her. "You're welcome," he said and then they walked to the limo with their fingers entwined.
"Where to?" George asked as he held open the door for them.
"Back to Misty's house," he said and then turned to Mike. "Go ahead and go back to the hotel, I'll be fine."
"You sure?" he asked warily.
"Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow."
He patted his back. "Okay, talk to you later. Bye Misty."
She smiled. "Bye Mike...take care."
He smiled. "I will...sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," she said and then they both got in the limo and George headed towards Misty's house.
Chapter Eleven