Part Eleven

    Bailey followed her grandmother through the house as they made their way up to the second floor. She opened the door that led to the attic and flipped on the switch and light flooded the stairwell. They both walked up the squeaky stairs and Maggie opened the door that was above the stairs and opened it slowly.
    She fiddled for the light and finally founded it. Bailey coughed at the dust and waved her hand in front of her face. "Man, how long has it been since you've been up here."
    "A long time," she said with a smile and then made her way through the boxes towards the brown chest that was up against a wall. "Come here, Bai."
    Bai continued to wave the dust away as she went towards her grandmother. "What's in that?" she asked as she pointed to the chest.
    Maggie smiled as she lifted it up. "Every single NSYNC merchandise I own."
    Bailey's eye's widened as she stared at the trunk full of old video tapes and magazines. "Wow," she said as she crouched down to dig around. "You must have been some fan."
    She shrugged. "Well, before I met JC I was a fan, but I wasn't obsessed, but then when I started buying lots of stuff for your mother. She was a fan too."
    Bailey smiled and then laughed as she pulled out a doll dressed in tan pants and a red sweater. "What is THIS?"
    "That is your grandfather," she chuckled as she grabbed it and tried to untangle the strings. "All the guys had one, your mother loved this doll."
    Bailey stood up and took the doll from her and stared at it. "That's one ugly doll," she laughed.
    "I know they made him look hideous," she chuckled.
    "Here, give your honey a kiss," she teased as she shoved the doll in Grams face.
    Maggie laughed as she leaned back. "Oh knock it off," she giggled and then took the doll from her.
    Bailey just laughed and then crouched down and pulled out a magazine. "Holy MOLY," she said as her eyes widened. "Is that JC??" Maggie grinned and nodded her hand. "Raaar, my grandfather was HOT." Maggie rolled her eyes and laughed. "Woah, and that's Lance right?"
    "Yep, sweet little Lance."
    "Not to shabby either," she said as she wiggled her eyes. "And who is this delicious morsel?"
    Maggie let out a laugh. "That would be Justin. The youngest of the bunch and melted teenagers hearts across the world."
    "He just melted mine...DAYUM," she said as she studied him and flipped through the magazine. "Why can't The Kryptonics look like this? They are a bunch of freaks compared to these guys."
    "Yeah, The Kryptonics were more like the Backstreet Boys."
    "What were they like?"
    "NSYNC and BSB were always competitive...at least the fans were," she said and then rummaged through a magazine. "Ah-hah, that's them."
    Bailey looked at the picture and scrunched up her face. "Ahh my eyes, my eyes!" she exclaimed as she pushed the magazine away.
    Maggie giggled like she was twenty-two again. "Hey, wanna see some tapes?"
    Bailey looked at her weird. "Gram they stopped making VCRs a long time ago."
    "I still got one," she said as she looked around the attic. "It was a TV I had in college, the VCR was attached to it."
    "Cool," she said and then looked at her watch. "I have to be ready in two hours so I can only watch one thing."
    "Hmm," Maggie said as she looked through the chest. "Oh, I got just the thing. HBO concert."
    "Score," she said with a grin. "Now I get to see my Papa C in action."
    "Do you see an electrical outlet anywhere?" Maggie asked as she looked around.
    "Umm, oh here's one," she said as she slid a box over to expose itself. "Where's the TV?"
    "It's in this box," Maggie said as she flipped it open.
    "I'll get it Gram," she said as she walked over and lifted the small TV out. "Man, a VCR....that's just weird."
    "Yeah back in the day when we didn't have DVD....actually DVD came out when I was your age," she said and then popped the tape in.
    Bailey sat on the floor as her Gram fast forward through the pre-show and when it was ready. "Did you go to this concert?"
    "Not THIS one, but the one in Orlando I did," she said as she sat on one of the boxes. "It was quite a show."
    Bailey smiled when she heard the screams coming from the audience. "Wow, that place is packed!"
    "Sold out every show," she said as the memories started to resurface. She hadn't watched this concert in ages. Last time she watched it was when Georgia was pregnant and they spent the night together. Georgia wanted to watch the concert for old time sake.
    Bailey's eyes widened when the tarp fell and saw the five guys dangling from the rafters. "Oh COOL, which one is Papa C??"
    "Middle one," she said with a grin.
    Bailey watched them get lowered to the stage as they acted like puppets. "Now I get the marionettes....was that their theme or something?"
    "Yeah, that tour was called the No Strings Attached," she told her. "They are about to sing it."
    Bailey scooted up closer to as she watched the five guys strut over the stage as they snapped their fingers. "This is way cool," she said quietly as they started to dance. "Go grandpa, shake it baby!"
    Maggie chuckled as she watched her granddaughter being entranced by the five NSYNCers. "Just wait till ya hear him sing."
    Bailey smiled at her and then turned her attention back to the TV. When JC started to sing she was completely blown away. The fact that he was able to sing that well and dance that good at the same time was just unbelievable. "They are something!" she exclaimed as she stared at her Gram in awe.
    "I know, they were great," she said as she leaned on her thighs and stared at the screen. "Such great guys too."
    "I don't have time to watch it all, but I want to hear a slow song."
    "Okay," she said. "Fast forward and I'll tell ya when to stop."
    "Okay," she said as she leaned forward and pressed the button. She hadn't gone far when her Gram told her to stop.
    "Wait, stop here...it's not a slow song but I think you'll enjoy this."
    "Okay," she said as she watched the screen and grinned when Justin walked out. "Oh there's that delicious morsel again."
    "Oh just wait," Gram teased.
    Bailey watched Justin strut out on the stage and her jaw dropped when he began beat boxing. "Holy sh..."
    "Bai, watch the language."
    She cleared her throat. "Sorry, but...wow."
    "I know," she said. "Then ending is the best...he does this thing with his hips. Killed me every time I saw it. Don't tell JC," she teased.
    "Taking it to my grave. Wow," she said again when she watched him beat box. "He's just a sex symbol and....oh dear lord look at him move those hips!"
    Maggie fanned herself. "I know."
    Bailey giggled and then fast forwarded it. "Okay now a slow song."
    "Okay stop," she said when she got to the part when they were about to sing I Drive Myself Crazy."
    "Now who's that?" Bailey asked when the dark haired man stepped out of the curtain.
    "That's Chris."
    "Ohh, the comedian right? Lance told me about him."
    "He was hilarious," she said with a chuckle. "Everyone loved Chris."
    Bailey smiled at the screen and pulled her knees up as she watched them come out one by one and start the song. It was such a beautiful song, she absolutely loved it. When JC started his verse she began to have chills as she smiled with pride. That was her grandfather, she thought proudly. He was amazing. She just hoped one day she could make it like he did.
    "His voice is amazing."
    "You're voice is like that," Maggie told her. "It's powerful and strong...like you."
    “Thanks Gram," she said with a shy smile.
    "Okay you, one more song...this one you gotta see," she said as she wiggled her brows.
    "Gram, I've never see you like this before!" she laughed as she fast forward through the concert. "You are a frisky one when it comes to them."
    "You would have been too!"
    "Okay so you got me there," she laughed and then shook her head. "The Kryptonics need to get in shape man."
    "Okay STOP," she said quickly so she wouldn't past it. "THIS is a great song."
    Bailey watched the screen and waited for the song to begin. She about died when she heard Justin sing the first chords..
    "Baby baby, we can do more then just talk we gettin freaky deak, we gettin nasty nasty...bounce with me..baby baby..."
    "Oh...my...goodness," she breathed as they she heard the words he sang. "Those kinky boys!"
    "That's nothin, just wait till your grandfather sings his lead."
    "Oh, dear I'm afraid to ask," she said and then watched the younger JC on the screen.
    "I loose my mind when your just speakin....I see you on the screen I get to freakin so get down babe..."
    "Ahhhh!!!" Bailey screamed when she saw her grandfather lick the stage. "PAPA C!"
    Maggie started to laugh so hard she had to bend over and clutch her sides. "Oh...Bai...your face...." She couldn't breath. "Your face was priceless."
    "I can't believe that......." She paused when she heard his next line..
    "I can't wait to see you touch your body girl, it's just me and you...so we can do what we gotta do."
    "Okay, that's it," she said as she shook her head and turned off the TV. "I can't deal with that anymore...that's NOT my grandfather."
    Maggie wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh he was a kinky one....and it gets better. Guess who wrote that song?"
    Bailey gapped at her Gram. "Don't tell me..."
    "Uh huh...Your Papa C wrote THAT song."
    Bailey stood up and shook her head. "That man's mind must have been in the gutter all the time," she said and then chuckled. "I want to see the whole thing sometime but I have to get ready."
    "Okay," she said with a smile.
    She helped her grandmother up and then froze. "Hey, I have a great idea."
    "What?" Maggie asked as she wiped the dust off her pants.
    She grinned. "Do a little surprise for JC and Lance."
    Maggie smiled. "What did you have in mind?"
    Bailey rubbed her hands together and told her exactly what she had on her mind.
    "So when should we do this surprise?" Maggie asked as they walked down the stairs to the second floor.
    "Hmm, how fast can you get a hold of everyone?"
    "Trust me, it won't take much convincing."
    "Okay, what about tomorrow night? After our visit with Lance."
    "I think I can handle it," she said as they got to the second floor. "I'll have Morgan come and help me get the house set up. I must say, Bailey I'm glad you thought of this little surprise. It's gonna be fun."
    "What's gonna be fun?"
    Both women turned their heads towards JC’s voice. "Um...I thought you were visiting with Lance?"
    He sighed. "Turns out that on Friday they close visiting hours at 5 and not 6. What's gonna be fun?"
    "My date with James," Bailey said with a grin and then chuckled when she remembered what she just watched. "So Papa C... I was thinking of a new song to write."
    His eyes brightened with excitement. "Really? What's gonna be about?"
    "I thought maybe you can help me," she said as she grinned up at him. "Ya see I got the tune, down but don't know what to write about."
    "How's the tune go?"
    "Oh something like this," she said and then started humming the tune to Digital Getdown and laughed out loud when his jaw dropped. "Let me know if ya think of anything, Papa C." She said and squeezed his cheek lightly before strolling down the hall singing the chorus to Digital Getdown.
    JC turned to Maggie who was covering her mouth to tried to hide her smile. "You didn't..."
    Maggie cleared her throat. "So, what do you want to do tonight?"
    "Just tell me you didn't tell her I WROTE it," he begged as he started to feel himself turn red.
    "I'm saying nothing," she said then walked up to him kissed him on the cheek and walked to her room.
    JC shook her head and managed a laugh. "Go get dressed."
    Maggie turned her head around. "Excuse me?"
    "I'm cooking tonight. Put on one of your best dresses."
    She cocked a brow. "JC, what are you planning in that head of yours."
    "You'll see," he said and then gave her a wink before he disappeared in the guest bedroom.
    Maggie shook her head in disbelief. "That man hadn't changed a bit," she said but then smiled as she walked to her closet to pick out a dress.

    Already feeling like a member of the family, James strolled through the back kitchen door to find JC dressed in an apron rummaging around the kitchen. "Papa C?"
    JC turned around from the stove. "James... hey," he said and then turned back towards it and continued to stir the noodles.
    "You cookin’ for Gram tonight?" James asked as he sat up on the kitchen stool.
    "Yep," he said as he left the noodles alone for a second since the water wasn't even boiling yet. "Treating her to a candlelight dinner."
    "Nice," he said with a smile. "Nervous?"
    He sipped at his wine he poured earlier and swallowed. "Terrified."     He chuckled. "Been awhile huh?"
    "Um... haven't dated in what? 50 years?"
    "Don't sweat it, Papa C, nothing's changed over the years."
    "I hope she likes my cooking," he said and then sighed as he turned around towards the boiling spaghetti.
    "I'm sure she will," he said.
    Right then Bailey walked into the kitchen dressed and ready. James’s jaw dropped to the floor. She was wearing a dress. It wasn't fancy, but it was the color of burgundy and it showed off her slim figure well. The straps were thin and satin and they cris-crossed in the back and the hem of the dress stopped at her mid-thighs. "Wow," he finally said as he stood up and walked to her. She smiled up at him and he leaned down and kissed her. "You look beautiful."
    "Thank you," she said as her heart started to flutter. "You don't look so bad yourself."
    James looked down at his simple khaki and orange button down outfit. "Ya think?"
    "Very nice," she said and then looked over at Papa C who was staring at her. "Hey Papa C."
    "I... uh....wow Bai," he said as she walked towards him. "You look beautiful."
    She smiled and leaned up to hug him. "You look good too. The apron totally does it for you."
    He chuckled as he pulled back. "When does the gallery start?"
    "At 7:30, but I have to be there early so we gotta go," James said after he looked at his watch.
    "Okay," she said and then kissed her grandfather on the cheek. "Tell Gram I said bye and have fun tonight."
    "I will," he said and smiled as the younger couple walked out. He turned back to the stove and grabbed two oven mitts as he moved the boiling pot to the sink and poured the noodles into the strainer and then jiggled it to get the noodles loose.
    "What ja cooking?"
    JC turned to the familiar voice and dropped the strainer back in the sink. Luckily no noodles fell out of the strainer. "I...uh...spaghetti."
    "Sounds good," she said as she walked over to the stove. "The sauce looks good."
    He shook his head out of his daze. She chose a cotton baby blue sundress to wear and it looked beautiful on her. Her silver hair was pulled back in a bun, but a few tendrils rested against the sides of her face. "Uhh, here," he finally said as he walked to the sauce and stirred it slightly before lifting the spoon to her. "Taste."
    She smiled as she leaned forward and took a bite of the sauce. "Oh wow," she said as she closed her eyes. "Did Riley teach you how to make that?"
    JC let out a laugh. "No, Joey did actually," he said as he took a bite of its own. Perfect. "We were bored one night and he wanted to teach me. He always said it was a great way to seduce the ladies."
    She cocked a brow. "You tryin to seduce me?"
    He grinned. "Maybe. How am I doing?"
    Maggie let out a laugh. "Not too bad," she finally said.
    He just grinned. "Would you like some wine?" he asked as he went to the bottle he put out earlier.
    "Sure," she smiled and sat up on one of the stools and held out her glass while he poured the red wine into it.
    He lifted his glass and gazed into his eyes. "To fate."
    She smiled softly and clinked her glass to his. "To fate," she said and watched him over the rim of the glass as they both took a sip.
    JC then leaned over and kissed her softly, slightly lingering on her lips. He leaned back and looked at her as he caressed the side of her face. "I love you darlin. You know that right?"
    Her breath caught and she beamed up at him. "I do now," she said and then kissed him again. "I love you, too. Always have. Always will."

    "That was amazing, James," Bailey beamed as they walked out of the gallery.
    "You had fun then?" he asked as he put an arm around her.
    "It was so much fun," she said with excitement. "Your paintings are incredible!"
    "Thank you," he said then all of the sudden turned her around and leaned her gently against the car. He kissed her softly and slowly before finally pulling away.
    "What was that for?" she asked breathlessly. "Not that I'm complaining."
    "For being here with me," he said and kissed her again. "For not only saying you love my work, but actually meaning it."
    Her eyes turned soft. "Of course I meant it," she said and then gave him a grin. "I bought one of your paintings."
    His eyes widened. "You did?? Which one?"
    "That small one of the ocean, with the kids playing in the surf," she said as she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I loved it and...well, it was the only one I could afford."
    James laughed and then kissed her lips and then cheek and then ran his lips along her neck. "Thanks," he breathed finally as he gripped her tighter too him. "Are you ready to go home?"
    "Hmm," she moaned when he ran his lips back up her jaw line. "Not really."
    He leaned back and looked down at her. "Good," he said with a wink. "Where do you want to go?"
    "Hmm, ya know what I have a craving for?" she asked as she licked her lips. "Ice cream."
    He chuckled. "Okay, tell you what," he said as he finally pulled away and opened the door for her. "Let's go get some ice cream and drive to the beach."
    Her eyes grew wide with excitement. "Really?"
    "Sure," he said. "We can have a romantic walk on the moonlit beach."
    "Sounds perfect," she said with a smile that made his heart melt.
    They went to Shakeys, a drive thru ice cream parlor that was open late and headed their way to the beach. James put the windows down of his 2050 forest green explorer and listened to the radio. They didn't talk at all during the drive through, but no words were needed. Occasionally James would put his ice cream in the cup holder just so he could reach out to touch her. He would place his hand on her knee and gently rub the sides of it with his thumb. He felt so content just knowing she was right there next to him.
    When they finally arrived at the beach they left their shoes in the car and threw away what was left of the ice cream. He took her hand and they made their way through the cool soft sand. The moon was shining down on the couple as they walked through the surf and gently swayed their joint hands.
    Bailey giggled as she pulled him deeper into the surf. James smiled and paused long enough to roll his pant legs up to his knees. "Did you ever do this as a kid?" she asked as she stood ankle deep in the surf.
    "What?" he asked as he watched her wiggle her feet in the wet sand.
    "See how far your feet get buried?" she asked with a grin.
    "Oh, of course," he let out a laugh as he started to wiggle his feet too. "Why I found it so entertaining is beyond me."
    "I still find it entertaining," she laughed and then let out a shriek when a bigger wave crashed against their legs causing them to get a little wet.
    "You okay?" James laugh.
    "Yeah, I'm fine," she laughed as she started to loose her balance. "The key to it is to see how long you can keep your balance."
    Just then another wave hit them and Bailey let out another shriek her arms flared. "Whoa," he laughed as he caught her arms so she wouldn't fall over into the cold water. "Don't fall that wouldn't be good."
    "Eh, got this dress at K-Mart, 50% percent off."
    James chuckled lightly as he pulled her to him. "You're something else, you know that," he said as he pulled a strand of hair out of her face. She looked beautiful with the moon shinning down on her face and the slight breeze made her hair dance all around her.
    Bailey's smile slowly faded when she saw that his eyes turned to passion and was looking down at her lips. She closed her eyes as his head dipped towards hers and she melted against him when they met. His lips were salty from the tiny water beads that formed on them. She moaned softly as she felt his tongue invade her mouth and she reached up on her toes and pulled him closer.
    James bent down softly and wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up out of the water. He continued kissing her as he carried her out of the surf and didn't put her back down until they were on the hard wet sand. The waves reached out to try to touch them, but they were just out of reach. James eased her down onto to the sand, not carrying if his hundred dollar pants would ruin. All he could think about was Bailey.
    Bailey sat down on the sand and slowly rolled her back down but never breaking the contact of James's eager lips. When her head touched the sand, James loomed over her and supported himself on his hands but slowly released the pressure so all of his weight pushed down against her. Bailey clutched his long locks and looked up at the stars while James's mouth paid loving attention to her neck. She smiled softly when she saw a shooting star streak across the sky. She knew right then that she was never going to forget that night.

    JC stared blankly at the still lit candle as Maggie was drifting off to sleep in his arms. They had spent the night talking over a romantic dinner about their life and everything that happened. Maggie told him about her life with his husband and how much he loved her and JC's daughter. She told him he treated her like she was his own and JC would be grateful to that man for the rest of his life.
    After dinner they retired to the den and JC had rummaged through CD's and had laughed when he found a CD called "Oldie's Greatest Hits" and "This I Promise You" was on there. He had put it on and pulled her in his arms and they danced together while he would sing softly to her along with his much younger voice.
    And now he was sitting on the edge of the couch and she was sprawled out next to him with her head resting against his chest. JC continued to stare at the candle as he remembered the night he had finally said goodbye to Maggie....

    JC gazed down at Riley's sleeping form as he was propped up on his elbow. He lifted a hand and grazed his fingers slowly across her soft cheek and then pushed a strand of hair out of her face. She was lying on her stomach her arm was draped over his waist as she breathed deeply. They had just made love for the first time and it was something he would always cherish. He loved her with all his heart and he was never going to let her go.
    He leaned down and kissed her temple. "Love you, Ri," he whispered and then slowly got out of bed. He padded his way over to his jeans that were thrown on the floor at some point of their lovemaking. He picked them up and fished out his wallet and walked to the fire that was still crackling with life.
    He sighed as he pulled out the folded piece of paper and slowly opened up and read it for the last time. He then kissed it and folded it back up. "Bye, darlin," he said softly and then tossed the note into the fire. He watched it blaze up and turn to ashes. It was time to let go. It was time to say goodbye.
    "JC?"
    JC turned around and his heart turned at the sight of her. She was leaning on the heel of her hand and shyly had the sheets pulled up to her chest. Her light brown hair was floating down around her and her cheeks were still flushed from making love. She looked beautiful. "Riley," he sighed as he walked to the edge of the bed and then crawled to her.
    She leaned back against the pillows as JC loomed over her. "JC baby, what's wrong?" she asked as she caressed his rough cheek.
    "Nothing, sweetie," he said and then leaned down and kissed her long and slow. "I wanna make love to you again," he breathed against her lips.
    Riley looked up at him with love in her eyes and simply nodded before she leaned up and kissed him again. "I love you, JC."
    "I love you too, Riley," he breathed.

    JC now looked down at the sleeping form in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He never thought he'd have the chance to tell Maggie how he felt that night and how he still feels now. But he did. "I love you, Maggie," he said and then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

    "Thanks again," Bailey beamed as they walked up to her house hand in hand. "I had a great time."
    "Me too," he said as he squeezed her hand before turning towards her at the door.
    "You still got sand all in your hair," she giggled as she ran her fingers through it.
    "Sweetie, I got sand in places I didn't even know sand could reach," he said bluntly.
    Bailey laughed and shook her head at him. "What am I doing with you?"
    He grinned. "Good question, you hated my guts at first."
    "So, you hated me too," she shot back and stuck out her tongue.
    "Yeah true," he said and then pulled her to him. "But I was attracted to you the first moment I saw you."
    She leaned up and kissed him on the mouth. "Me too," she whispered and then closed her eyes when his head swooped down for another kiss.
    He backed her up gently against the door and pressed his body against hers as he turned his head to the side and pried her lips with his tongue. Her moan muffled in his mouth as she reached up and clutched his sandy hair with her fists. He placed his hands on either side of her head and leaned into her as he continued to kiss her.
    Bailey sighed as he ran his lips down her neck. "If my grandparents weren't asleep upstairs I'd ask you to come up," she breathed and then arched her back when his lips nibbled on her ear.
    James groaned in frustration. "You should have never told me that, Bai," he sighed as he kissed her jaw line.
    "Only downer about living with your Gram during college," she said and then moaned against his mouth when they came down on hers.
    "Amen to that," he said and then kissed her again one last time. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
    "Yeah. Are you gonna come here before we leave to see Lance, or meet us there?"
    "I'll come by here," he said and then kissed her softly. "Night Bai."
    She kissed him. "Night James."
    He tucked her chin lightly and then winked at her before trotting back towards his car. Bailey smiled at him before she turned and walked into her house. She made sure to be quiet so she wouldn't wake up Gram and Papa C, but she stopped short when she saw them asleep on the couch. She smiled softly at the site and then walked over and slowly pulled off the blanket that was draped over the couch and covered up her grandparents. She kissed her Gram on the forehead and then smiled at JC and kissed him as well. "Love you," she whispered and then made her way up to her bedroom.

    The next morning everyone slept in. Even JC. He now seemed to be getting back his old sleeping habits ever since he's lived under this roof. No one decided to cook, so Bailey went to pick up a box of donuts and they all munched on them around the kitchen as they sipped on their coffee. JC and Bailey spent the rest of the morning at the piano, while JC helped her with the new song she was working on. Maggie snuggled up on the couch and read her book, but she didn't pay much attention to it, because she was too busy watching the two at the piano.
    James came over at 1:00 that afternoon and suggested they stop at McDonalds to get something for Pops. JC and James were talking at the door while Bailey pulled Maggie aside. "Is everything set," she said in a quiet tone.
    Maggie nodded. "Yes, a couple of friends are coming over extra early to help me decorate the place. Did you talk to the head nurse?"
    "Yeah I talked to her this morning," she said. "She's cool with it, she said it would be good for him."
    "Good," she said with a smile.
    "Hey, you ready babe?" James asked.
    "Oh yeah, let's go," she said and then turned around and gave her Gram a wink before she trotted out the door.
    "You sure you don't want to come with us?" JC asked Maggie.
    "No, I have stuff to do today, maybe some other time," she said.
    "Okay," he said and then kissed her. "Bye darlin."
    "Bye, sweetie," she said and then smiled when the door closed behind him. She rubbed her hands together as she chuckled. "It's show time!"

Part Twelve