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CHAPTER 21

Haley stayed in the hospital for the rest of the week. Parker and JC were frequent visitors usually bringing flowers or a balloon to add to her growing collection.
On Friday JC finished getting the house ready for Haley's arrival home. The doctor was going to inspect her on Saturady to see if she was well enough to go home. JC was positive that she would leave on Saturady will a full bill of health.
Parker was at Lynn's house so JC decided to visit Haley for the second time that day. He and Parker had gone earlier surprising Haley with breakfast.
As JC made his way up to Haley's room, a bouquet of lilies in his hand, he past a grievous looking girl. She had been there earlier today, sitting in the same place but this time she was crying. JC stopped and slowly lifted a lily from the bouquet. He bent down in front of the little girl; she must have been 10 or 11. Her tear-streaked face lifted slowly out of her hands as JC placed the flower on her lap. He smiled and the girl smiled too, sorta as she took the lily in her hand.
"Thank You." She whispered smelling the flower. JC stood up and started off to Haley's room. He would later learn that the girl's father had just died of a gun wound. They had lost him in the same surgery Haley had been in days earlier.
Just thinking of Haley dead made JC dreary. He thanked God that when he entered the hospital everyday he knew Haley would be in her room waiting for him, a smile to her face. JC was so busy thinking that when he turned the corner quickly he almost ran into Joey.
"Wow sorry man." Joey said as he stepped back out of JC's way. He smiled when he saw the flowers in JC's hand. "Guess Haley told you she liked lilies because I just added some to the garden in her room."
JC looked at the flowers and then back at Joey. He smiled blushing and hid them behind his back. "So did Lou talk to you about the tour?" JC asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, not to thrilled about it are ya." Joey said as they walked towards Haley's room.
JC sighed loudly. "Man, I was just getting settled in with Haley and Parker, and now I just have to leave." Joey smiled at a distressed JC who had slumped into a chair. "I haven't even told Haley yet." He mumbled.
Joey sat down next to him "Man, you are lucky. You've got Hal and Parker. Don't lose them man." JC looked up at Joey questionably. "I mean it. You don't want to leave then so well bring 'em. It's the least Lou can do for making us have to leave 5 months earlier than scheduled. He can get you guys a separate bus or whatever so y'all can have your privacy and everything."
"Oh, Joey you are the greatest!" JC shouted as he hugged his friend. "I mean, I never thought of that but it's perfect!" JC was so excited he didn't notice the people staring at him.
Joey chuckled and patted JC on the back. "Well I'm happy for ya man and I'd love to stay and chat more but I'm meeting Lauren for lunch. Don't want to be late, ya know, she might say 'no' if I am." Joey held out a box that held a ring inside. It had one diamond on it and green emeralds surrounded it.
"Good Luck" JC yelled as Joey ran down the hall to an open elevator. JC laughed at his friend and slowly opened Haley's door.
She looks so peaceful when she sleeps. So beautiful.
JC placed the lilies in a vase with the numerous others. She did have a lot of flowers but they brightened up the normally gloomy hospital room. He sat on the edge of the bed and rested his hand on top of Haley's. He sat there or a little while just taking in the sight of her sleeping figure. He heard her exhale loudly as she stirred in her sleep. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her forehead. His head lingered close to her face as her eyes opened. They were so big and brown and whenever JC stared into them he wanted to sing "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison.
"Hey baby" JC whispered as her eyelashes tickled his cheek. She yawned and smiled at him before pulling him in for another kiss. JC moved onto the bed next to Haley as she scooted over on the bed.
"Where's Parker?" Haley asked as she snuggled closer to JC.
"Staying at Lynn's. Rachel and Justin are taking care of him." JC replied as he wrapped his arms around Haley. He breathed in her familiar scent as she rested her head in the crook of his neck.
"So, looks like you've gotten some more presents. Had some visitors?" Haley positioned herself against JC so that she could look at him.
"Joey left like 20 minutes ago."
"Yeah I ran into him on the way up here. Did he show you Lauren's new rock?" Haley laughed and stared at the ring on her own finger. JC gently grabbed her hand and spun the ring around. "Hal, I've told you I'd get you another ring if you want a big one like Rachel's." Haley turned around and looked at JC, she was shocked by his statement.
"JC." Haley said as she placed her hands on both sides of his face. "I love this ring." Haley said as she looked approvingly at the silver band on her finger. He gold wedding band was next to it. "It's unique, like us. I could never have another ring." Haley caressed his cheek and smiled. Only when he smiled back did she turn around. "Lance and Sarah called me and told me to get better before they got back or else."
"Where are they again?" JC asked as he ran his fingers through Haley's hair.
"Um..I think they are at Lance's house in Mississippi."
"Oh yeah. Sarah's meeting the family. You know what that means."
"Is he gonna ask her?" Haley asked excitedly turning around to face JC, her hand on his chest.
"You are so cute and yes, he's gonna ask her." JC kissed Haley's nose and she returned to her lying position next to JC. She sighed loudly and JC turned to face her.
"Everyone's getting married." She said as she played with the belt looped through the loops on JC's pants. She stopped daydreaming and turned to face JC. "Chris and Kelly stopped by also and one other person dropped by for you." Just then the door opened and a lady walked in carrying a tray of food.
"Josh, get off Haley so she can eat her supper." JC looked up quickly recognizing the voice.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" JC asked as he stumbled out of the bed. His face was slightly flushed and Haley giggled at his perplexed expression.
"Is that the way to greet your mother?" Karen exclaimed as JC gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Lynn called me and while I was talking to her I also talked to my grandson. Since Lynn was taking care of Parker I decided that I might as well make myself useful by taking care of my daughter in law." Karen rushed around the room getting everything ready for Haley's dinner. "Hold this Josh." Karen directed as she handed him a bowl of soup. She quickly took it out of his hands and placed it on a table in front of Haley.
"Thank you Karen." Haley said as she began to slowly eat the soup.
"Please call me Mom." Haley smiled as shook her head and continued eating. Karen sank into the seat next to the window and grinned at JC. "So you guys were pretty comfy when I walked in here. Am I going to be seeing some more grandchildren?" The question surprised JC so much that he spit out all the water that he was drinking. Haley just sat up straight in her bed as her face turned a bright pink.
"Mom!" JC coughed out. Karen smiled at her son and seeing she had made them uncomfortable moved on.
"So, I saw Joey in the cafeteria, that boy is always eating!" Karen exclaimed making Haley and JC laugh. "Well, anyway he tells me that you are leaving on tour earlier than expected?" JC eyes popped open as he turned to look at Haley. She was choking on her soup. JC quickly patted her on the back.
"What?!" Haley shouted looking at JC. He smiled innocently and took her hand in his.
"I was going to tell you I just wanted it to be the right time." JC whispered.
"Well, I think now is a pretty good time." Karen said. JC glared at his mother as she stood up. "Ok, ok I'm sorry. I'll just leave you two to discuss it." Karen said as she grabbed her purse and walked out of the room. "Call me if you need anything honey." She said patting Haley's arm. Haley smiled and watched Karen walk out of the room. Her glance immediately turned back to JC as soon as the door closed.
"Sit!" she said as she moved over on the bed. JC slid next to her and pulled her on his lap carefully not to hurt the scar that was forming over her wound.
"Lou scheduled some early concerts so we have to leave in 3 weeks for Boston, Ma. I want you and Parker to come with me." JC said as he held Haley's hand against his heart. She felt it beating rapidly and she relaxed. Her fear was that he was leaving her. To hear that he wanted her to come with him was an ocean of relief splashing over her body. JC felt her relax as she leaned up against his body. "Please say that you'll come." He whispered.
"JC just to hear that you want me to come is such a relief." Haley said as she hugged herself close to him. "I thought you were going to leave again." A tear slipped down Haley's face but she didn't know why. Before it could reach the bottom of her cheek JC had wiped it away.
"Hal, baby, I'm never going to leave you and Parker again." Haley sighed and snuggled closer to him. They lay there, together, until they both fell asleep.
CHAPTER 22

As Haley entered the venue her senses perked, music flowing into her ears.
"Daddy singing!" Haley looked down and smiled at Parker as he clung to her leg. "Daddy singing!" Parker repeated again the excitement clear in his voice. Haley bent down and picked him up, carrying him to the front row seats. They waved at JC as he practiced.
Life was great. Haley and JC were together, a family with Parker. The tour had started and even though it was hard sometimes Haley enjoyed it. Parker did too. Haley knew by the way his eyes sparkled as he watched JC perform, by the way his smiled was brighter and wider everyday. And by the way his face was glowing made Haley's glow too.
They sat there watching the sound check until Parker wandered and found the soccer ball Haley had brought in with her.
"Play!" Parker exclaimed as he ran towards the door. The ball was at his feet as he kicked it ever so lightly ahead of him. Haley scooped him up as they walked out the door. She hummed the song JC had just finished singing as Parker mumbled the words.
Parker loved JC. Parker loved Haley, and music, and soccer and to Haley that was life. She brushed the stray hair away from her son's face as he continued to sing. The boy couldn't get enough music; he had 'N Sync written all over him. Haley knew it. JC knew it. Everyone knew it and sometimes it felt like Parker knew it too.
He wiggled out of Haley's arms and she laughed as he happily chased the ball she had kicked in front of him.

An hour later JC walked out of the venue, his hand shielding his eyes from the blinding sunlight. Practice was over and he was looking for Haley and Parker.
They came out this way after the 2nd break that was about 45 minutes ago.
As JC walked up the hill that led to the field behind the parking lot he heard Haley's familiar voice. "Ok, now Parker kick the ball towards the goal."
Another soccer lesson
Parker had been given a soccer ball for his 4th birthday from Justin and Rachel. Cleats and shin pads came with it so that he was all prepared for Haley's practices. She had been kicking a soccer ball around him ever since he could walk so it was only normal that the kid was a natural. When they got back to Orlando Parker would be old enough for Small Fry Soccer, Orlando's children soccer league.
"Mommy I scored!" Parker's excited voice knocked JC out of his daydream. He reached the top of the hill and looked around for the voices again. Down on the other side of the field Haley's figure could be seen swinging a smaller body around. Parker's baby laugh mixed with Haley's giggles. She placed him down and walked into the makeshift goal. Her back was to JC so she didn't see him running towards her. JC ran between the two cones that were posts of the goal and grabbed Haley's waist. He tickled her to the ground as Parker watched on delightfully standing with the ball at his feet.
"JC stop!" Haley managed to scream 'help' three times between fits of laughter. Stomping footsteps could be heard as Justin and Chris raced up to the cries.
"Oh My God! I just ran all the way up here for nothing!" Justin spat out between gulping breaths for air. Chris just laughed and flopped on the ground. By now Haley was sprawled out on the ground with JC on top of her. He was whispering to her, their faces inches apart, as Haley giggled beneath JC. Justin fell next to Chris and gazed up at the sky. An idea popped into Chris' head as Parker sat on Justin's stomach.
"Hey little man go jump on your dad for me, will ya?" Chris pushed Parker towards JC. Thinking it a game Parker eagerly jumped on top of JC.
"Oww!" JC groaned as Parker jumped on him again. Haley jolted up and stared at a hysterical Justin and Chris.
"You aren't teaching my son bad manners are you Chris?" Haley asked raising her eyebrow in suspicion. They just laughed harder, tears streaming down their cheeks.
"Come on Parker, lets go play race cars." Justin said after he composed himself. Grabbing Parker by the waist he lifted the boy over his head and placed him on his shoulders.
"Race car! Race car!" Parker chanted as he hit Justin on the head. Race cars was a new game Parker had become infatuated with on Play Station. He just loved watching Chris and Justin play.
Haley watched as her son's head disappeared as they walked down the hill, laughing at his antics. She flopped back on the soft grass and stared up at the clouds floating aimlessly across the sky.
JC lay next to her, his arm resting on her shoulder. He stared up at the sky and stated to mumble something. "Tree, cat, dog, train.." Haley rested on her elbow as she stared at JC.
"What are you doing?" she asked perplexed by him mumbling. JC glanced at her and smiled before pulling her down next to him.
"Look." JC pointed at the sky. "That cloud there. It's shaped like a train." Haley squinted as she stared up in the direction JC's finger was pointing.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "You are too cute."
"I know" he whispered in a soft sexy voice. This sent Haley into a fit of giggles. She sat up and looked around the field until the soccer ball caught her eye. She ran towards it and dribbled it back to where JC was still lying on the ground. "Looks like rain." He said as she dribbled around him. His hands were folded behind his head as he watched Haley. "You've still got skills girl." JC sat up for a better view of Haley.
"Yup." She said simply kicking the ball easily over her head and catching it. It rested on her hip as she smiled at JC. He stood up and walked towards her a raindrop fell from the sky.
"I was right. It is going to rain." He said wiping a drop off her cheek. She couldn't help but smirk as he leaned in to kiss her lips. The kiss became more passionate and Haley ran her fingers through JC's hair in an attempt to get closer to JC. As they separated JC took a deep breath controlling his hormones. His arms were still resting on Haley's hips as he looked into her eyes.
"You know. If you keep kissing me like that Parker might have a little brother or sister." Haley smiled and kissed his cheek. She wiped a hair away from his face giggling as JC nibbled on her neck. It started to rain more so they decided to go inside. As they walked on the bus, hand in hand, the cheers from the back could be heard.
"Yes! That would be one win for Justin and Parker. Zero for Chris and Joey!" They laughed to themselves shaking their heads at Justin's loud voice.
After Haley had changed into clean, dry, clothes she waited for JC. She lay down in the bunk, her eyes closed, waiting for JC to join her.
He'll be here is a minute…
Haley quickly fell into a deep sleep. When JC stepped out of the bathroom he looked around the room for Haley. Her feet were sticking out from inside the bunk so he tiptoed over.
"Hal?" he whispered. She turned over in her sleep but didn't wake. JC smiled and slipped into the bed next to her. They lay there next to each other, JC's arms wrapped around her waist. Haley turned again and rested her head on JC's chest. She smiled as she felt his chest rise with every breath. His pounding heart was loud and clear in her brain as she drifted back to sleep.

The End!

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Page Updated Tue Mar 28, 2000 12:27pm EST