Flight Delay: Chapter Two

Remembrance

“Looks that way,” she said as she took his hand cautiously. “An indefinite delay. It doesn’t look good. I am about ready to rent a car.”

“Honey, three hours in this stuff? It was bad enough getting here in a taxi.”

“Mom, he called you ‘honey’,” Sammy pointed out.

Spring shot JC a glare before she announced, “I’m sure he calls lots of people ‘honey’. Don’t you, JC?”

“Actually, I do,” JC replied. But he hadn’t meant it in that casual ‘I don’t know your name’ general way. She was the mother of his son; they had one of the most intimate connections two people could have. And he did not want her or Sammy out in a blizzard. “Just give it a little more time, okay? Beside Sammy and I have some games to try out.”

“Yeah, Mom. We got no place to be for a coupla days,” Sammy reminded her.

She wasn’t really as worried about the blizzard as she was about spending time with JC, with Sammy spending time with him. She had seen the surprise and wonder in the man’s eyes when he realized the boy was his own spawn. From that instant, JC had become protective and possessive of them.

“Listen, Spring, you look whipped. Why don’t you close your eyes and rest? Sammy and I will play some games while you try to relax.” JC urged her to sit on one of the cushions. Kneeling beside her, he tucked a blanket around her. His jacket became her pillow as she leaned against the wall. Taking a cushion, he sat beside her using one blanket to wrap around his shoulders. Placing the final cushion between his legs, he set Sammy in front of him. His blanket cocooned the boy against him. “What game looks good to start?”

Sammy picked up one about reading skills. “This one.”

Spring listened as JC patiently explained the workings of the game. She suspected he would be a wonderful father given his rough start in life and Roy Chasez’s fine example of fatherhood. At twenty-three, JC had still looked up to the man who had raised him. Now that JC knew about Sammy, what would be the consequences? She didn’t believe for a single minute that they would go their separate ways once the weather lifted. There would be repercussions.

Inhaling deeply as she closed her eyes, she was assailed with JC’s scent from his jacket. Beyond the smell of leather lay a lingering of woodsy, citrus cologne and the masculine fragrance that was JC’s alone. She remembered it from long ago...

JC glanced over at Spring with a smile. The even fall of her breath signaled she drifted off to sleep. It meant she trusted him – to watch over her and keep Sammy safe. That said volumes about their re-acquaintance.

The first time around had been the stuff of fantasy, something wonderful and rare. He’d just looked up and there she was.

It was insane. In fact the entire week planned for them was insane, JC thought as he smiled, spoke a few words to a gushing fan, and signed her No Strings Attached cd. His hand was beginning to hurt. He passed the fan off to Lance. He had to be at the top of his game with HBO filming tonight’s concert. They still had sound check once they finished the meet and greet. Tonight’s concert… Challenge for the Children the day after… Hershey the day after that…

“Hello, JC.”

The soft, gentle voice drew his eyes up to an angel’s face. He didn’t know how long he stared at her mutely. Large strangely colored eyes looked back at him. Hazel – green, gray, brown that should have looked muddy but didn’t. A circle of dark brown surrounded the irises, defining them. Clear, perfect ivory skin. Soft pink cupid’s bow mouth. That hair – damn, it was so long, nearly to her waist and the color… Deep, dark coffee brown – like thick rich espresso. She was tiny, petite, maybe five-two – And she was beginning to fidget under his stare.

JC cleared his throat make certain his voice didn’t come out as a quaver. “Angel, what are you doing in line?” he demanded quietly, as if they were old acquaintances. He rose from his chair to reach across the table for a friendly hug. “Can you stay?” he whispered for her ears only.

Clearly startled, she nodded.

“Name?”

“Mine? Spring.”

“Perfect name. Beautiful name.” He pulled back, smiling at her. “Lonnie,” he called to his ever-present bodyguard. “Find Spring a seat till we’re done here, please.”

“C, what’re you doing?” Lance hissed from the chair to JC’s right.

“Chill, man,” JC responded as he smiled up at the next fan in line.

It was difficult to keep his eyes off of Spring. JC’s eyes strayed over to her serenely sitting across the room. She was sipping a drink he’d had someone fetch her. She wasn’t dressed like the majority of people who had passed their way today. She wore a pretty, summer dress, making her look, cool, comfortable and feminine. It was like she wasn’t trying to impress anyone with her attractiveness or advertise her devotion to *NSYNC.

When she’d catch him looking at her, she would smile warmly, not a naughty ‘I’ve got you by the crotch’ smile. It was like Spring had looked into his soul and found a kindred spirit.

As much as he enjoyed met and greets, he wanted this one to be over.

Spring was swept up in the whirlwind that was JC Chasez’s life. After the meet and greet was sound check. Then some promotional spots for HBO and local radio. She found it exhausting just to keep up – especially when the other four men kept looking at her as if JC had gone off his rocker. When at last they returned to their hotel, JC took her hand in his as they made their way to his room.

Did he think she was some groupie who was willing to give her body to him just to ‘do it’ with a guy from *NSYNC? That wasn’t what she had read in his eyes, but she could be wrong. Her experience with men was limited to say the most – well, practically non-existent in her personal life…

“Relax, baby,” he told her as they entered his room. “I’m not gonna jump you.”

And she believed him, just by the sincerity she saw in his eyes.

“You’ll stay with me tonight, won’t you?”

“JC—“

Words were cut off by a soft kiss.

“Even if you don’t want me, I want to hold you tonight.”

Not want him? She did want him – and how much she did scared her. “JC, my stuff, my tickets—”

“You won’t need tickets for tonight.” He’d arrange for her to be up front for him. He didn’t care who he’d have to piss off. Spring was going to be there.

“But I’ll need to change clothes.”

He guessed he’d have to concede the point. “What hotel?” he sighed as he reached for his cellphone.

“This one. Ten of us—“

Hitting speed dial, JC called up Lonnie. “Spring needs to get her stuff. Can you take her down and get her back here?… Five minutes.” He rung off, smiling at the speechless woman. “While you’re gone I’ll grab a shower.”

“Are you usually so pushy?” she asked on a chuckle.

“No,” he blushingly confessed. “But I do believe in kismet and love at first sight.”

Love? Her eyes went wide. “But you’re dating someone…”

“It’s a contractual thing. I’ll tell you about it later.” He smoothed a hand over the length of her hair. “Spring, I need you here with me.”

And once again, she believed him.

Returning with her meager bag, Spring was greeted by the sight of JC, in a teeshirt and worn drawstring pants, asleep in the middle of the king-sized bed. It struck her how small and alone he appeared. So much like a little boy. He had that boyish quality, a sweetness, an innocence, especially in sleep. She couldn’t resist the urge to brush he fingers through his hair.

JC blinked open his eyes to Spring standing over him. “You’re too far away.” He opened his arms. “C’mere.”

“JC, I’ve never…” She blushed furiously, her eyes dropping. At twenty-three, she felt like the world’s oldest virgin at times.

“Baby, we don’t have enough time for that now anyway. Let’s just hold each other.”

“I’d like that.” She went to him, snuggling against him.

“This feels good, perfect,” JC sighed, nuzzling her hair.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you didn’t fight me on this.”

”I didn’t want to.”

“You feel it too.”

Spring nodded. “But with you being who you are… I guess I didn’t expect you to trust it.”

“I’ve waited a long time for you, Spring.”

They spend the rest of the afternoon talking. He found her unwedded mother had left her orphaned at an early age. Spring ending up spending years in foster care. He told her about his early life, his work with *NSYNC and about his supposed relationship. She was now privy to information fans and reporters would love to get their hands on.

Then they slept.

JC watched Spring sleep as Sammy continued to play his games. He had loved her fully back then.

What did he feel now?