|
Part VII
The
Real Impression Shape Of My Heart |
*This I Promise You* - A fan fiction story by Tammy "Tammtamm" Frederick © Sept. 2000, thetamm@yahoo.com (inspired by the song THIS I PROMISE YOU written by Richard Marx and sung by NSYNC - from their album NO STRINGS ATTACHED, released in 2000)
When Tara awoke the next morning, she found Joey watching her from a chair next to the bed.
"Hey sleepyhead." Joey greeted her with a daisy. He had been up since the crack of dawn.
"Hey what time is it? How long have you been up?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Not long… needed to work out and take a shower and get ready to start the day. Didn’t want to disturb you." Joey said and leaned in to kiss her. "Aida’s making us breakfast. How would you like some freshly squeezed orange juice and homemade waffles?" Joe asked.
"Sounds great. Um, where’s my dayplanner? What time do we need to be at that doctor’s office? And we have the meeting with the security firm this morning too." Tara said as she sat up.
"Slow down and wake up first, it’s not even 8:00am yet. Go on and take a shower, Aida and I will be downstairs. Do you need my help with anything?" Joey asked her. They were to expect side effects to her medication at any time. Tara stood up and assessed how she was feeling. She took his hand for morale support and walked past him to the bathroom.
"I think I’ll be alright, but maybe you should stay nearby… just in case." she suggested. He had thought about that already and had brought up some material to work on while she was in the shower.
"Don’t give it a second thought. I’ll be right here." He said and sat at the desk. Tara disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower. She began to think about what the doctor up in Pennsylvania had told her and Joey the other day that she needs to reduce stress. The mess with Kim didn’t help any and she has been putting too much pressure on herself at work. She had to slow down, maybe hire some new designers to work with, possibly sell her business. She thought a lot about what happened in the hot tub last night as well. How she loved being in Joey’s arms and how she felt she could conquer anything she had to. She also was a bit sad. She knew that he had to go back on tour in a few days and she didn’t know how soon she’d see him again.
"Tara, honey, are you alright? You’ve been in there for a half hour." Joey asked and opened the door as he knocked. He brought her out of her thoughts.
"Uh, yeah, Joe, I’m fine. I’ll be right out…" she stated and quickly washed her hair and conditioned it before getting out of the shower.
Joey waited as she walked out of the bathroom and had managed to look incredibly sexy in tan stirrup pants and a cream button big shirt and white tank top underneath. She had put her hair up under a hair claw, but he noticed right away that she was looking weak and pale.
"C’mon, let’s go get some food in you." Joey said and held out his hand to her.
"Whew, no explanations wanted as to why I took so long. Good", Tara thought to herself as she took his hand and let him lead her down to the kitchen.
"Aida, you remember Tara, don’t you?" he asked.
"Of course, hello Tara. It’s good to see you again. Joey doesn’t bring you around too often, I was beginning to feel like you didn’t like me." Aida joked.
"Oh Aida, it’s just that I’ve been so busy with my job back in Pennsylvania. It’s been hard for us both to get away." Tara responded.
"Well, breakfast is ready and out on the deck for you. I must go do some shopping. Is there anything special you would like?" She asked both of them. They both shook their heads. "Okay, I’ll be back in a little while, enjoy your breakfast." Aida said and left them.
"I’ll be right back… I forgot to give Aida some money." Joey said and kissed Tara on the cheek before running after Aida. Tara chuckled as she walked out onto the deck. Her meds were next to her plate, reminding her that something was physically wrong with her.
"Well, better to face the music than to ignore it." She said as she sat down. When Joey returned, they spent breakfast discussing the day’s events. Tiny was due at the house at 10am and then they would be on the go for a good part of the day to the doctor’s office and the meeting with the security company. Come Thursday night when Joey and Tiny left to rejoin the tour, Tara needed a bodyguard she could trust by her side. She also needed to call Trish and she wanted to see how Justin was doing. She was worried about him. More so since he opened up to her the other night.
"You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?" Joey asked when he placed his hand on her cheek.
"What? Oh, I’m sorry… I was thinking about Justin. Have you heard from him?" she asked.
"Just via emails that he arrived safely to the next stop on Brit’s tour last night and then because he was checking up on us. He sounded okay in the emails. Why?"
"I guess I just see a new dimension to him now." She said.
"I think we all do now." Joey said, "It was a faucet of him that me and the guys really hadn’t seen before."
"Really, you guys have been together for so long. I thought you guys would be able to read each other pretty well." Tara said between bites of her food.
"Sometimes we can, and sometimes we can’t. Justin can mask his feelings like the rest of us and he can blow us away like he did the other day. Sometimes he may be the youngest of us five, but there are days when it seems as if he’s the wisest." Joey said.
"Ya think?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, that boy has a great head on his shoulders. Now, if he could just get his love life in order, he’d be as happy as I am." Joey said.
"Are you really happy?" she asked him.
"I am extremely happy. I’ve got a wonderful woman in my life, I’m a member of a highly successful pop-band and I have a great house keeper that makes better waffles than I do." Joey smiled. Tara laughed. "What about you?" Joey asked her
"I’ve been thinking about that." She said and looked down at her plate. She tried to hold back the tears as she said "For the first time since Andy’s death, I am truly happy. Despite this little medical inconvenience, and what’s happening with Kim, I’m happy. And you are a big part of my happiness, Joey." She said. Joey took his napkin and dabbed her tears.
"Then why are you crying?"
"Letting go of Andy is hard but such a relief. I don’t feel like I’m betraying him anymore. These are tears of joy." Tara explained.
"You’ll see, life is going to be good for you and me, Tara. It will be." Joey said, he moved his chair so that he was sitting next to her and no longer across from her. "What is the one thing you wish right now Tara? Tell me."
"That this chemical imbalance was in check so that I could come on tour with you for a little while." She said.
"Well then, let’s call Tiny and the doctor and see if we can’t work on making that wish come true." Joey said. He pulled out his cell phone and the piece of paper that had the doctor’s office number on it. Once they moved up the appointment, he called Tiny. "We’re all set." Joey said after getting off the phone with Tiny.
"Well then, let’s get going." Tara said and stood up. She hesitated for a second before picking up some breakfast dishes and taking them inside. Both she and Joey held their breath as she just picked up one item and walked with it to the kitchen.
"Good, Joey. You didn’t hover and you didn’t panic and you didn’t baby her." Joey thought to himself. He also grabbed some items from the table and took them inside. "Aida will appreciate us helping her out like this."
"Joey, you don’t help her?" Tara asked as he helped load what he brought in into the dishwasher.
"Not usually, I’m hardly ever here." He laughed.
"Well, just because she’s the housekeeper doesn’t mean that you should live a messy life." Tara said. Joey pulled Tara close to him and he leaned in to kiss her.
"Boy, you’ll do anything to escape housework, won’t you?" she asked when she broke away.
"Not really, just wanted to kiss you. Needed to kiss you." Joey replied. Tara had to agree as she put her arm around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. When they broke away from each other she simply said "I agree." And went back to clearing off the breakfast items.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Joey! Tara!" Tiny asked when he showed up a little while later. They were wrestling in the game room. Tara was winning. Well, actually, Joey was letting her. Tiny had heard the shots of glee and laughter and followed it to the game room. "Kids… kids… kids… don’t make me come over there and tear you too apart." He laughed.
"Hey Tiny." Joey had Tara pinned and when he looked up at Tiny to greet him, Tara took that opportunity to flip him over with all the strength she could muster. She totally caught him off guard and in doing so, he landed with an Oomph out of surprise that she did that.
"Joe? You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, just stunned."
"And speechless." Tiny replied.
"You gonna let a girl do that to you? I thought I taught you better than that?" Tiny said helping him up.
"You did, you did. I let my guard down. Can’t help it." Joey explained.
"Excuses, excuses…" Tara shook her head playfully teasing him. "Good morning Tiny." She gave Tiny a hug.
"Mornin…" he replied, "You two about ready to go?".
"Yeah, just need my purse and then we can go. Excuse me gentleman." Tara said and walked passed them to retrieve her purse.
"How is she today, Joe?" Tiny asked.
"Better… Better than I’ve seen her in months." Joey said. And followed him out to the foyer. Joey looked up to the top of the stairs. "Tara?"
"Side effect… dizziness." She explained. She was sitting at the top of the stairs. Joey went up after her.
"Darn side effects." Joey said as he looked at Tara and went up to her. He walked her down the steps. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Still uneasy, but ok." She admitted.
"Okay, to the supermanmobile." He said as they walked out to the garage. He didn’t dwell on the dizzy spell and she didn’t either. They had made a promise that if she didn’t think it was serious enough to affect their plans that they wouldn’t dwell on it at all, just wait until it passed and continue on with whatever they were doing.
While driving to the doctor’s office, Joey put the radio on. The news came on the station that he stopped at.
"Ex-girlfriend of Joey Fatone, Kim Smith, has been identifed as the shooter of Marshall’s Originals offices in Philadelphia earlier this week. She has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation at this time. Current girlfriend of the NSYNC superstar has gone into seclusion with no comments to the media whatsoever. A statement released my NSYNC says that they are greatful that no one was seriously injured in this terrible incident and that they hope that Kim gets the help that she needs. Well girls, since the guys canceled their vacation, I think it’s safe to say that Joey is in seclusion with Tara and that he is now officially off the market." The DJ said.
"Did I just hear that right?" Tara turned the radio off.
"Yeah, you did."
"Why did it take something like this to get her the help that she needs?" Tara asked. Joey took one hand off the wheel and took her hand in his.
"I don’t know, honey. I just don’t know." Her cell phone rang.
"Trish?" she answered it on the first ring.
"Yeah… I’m at the office. It’s not as bad as we thought." She said into the phone.
"Did you call everyone and explain what’s happening?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, some came in to help clean up while others are talking to counselors right now. The police are done with the investigation. Hopefully we can have maintenance in here by the end of the week to fix up the walls. We’re going to have to replace a monitor and IT is on it’s way up to check out the one computer that was hit, but all in all damage doesn’t look too bad." Trish admitted.
"And how are you? Honest?" Tara asked.
"I’ve already had a session with someone and I’m doing okay. Trav took emergency leave from the Navy for me. I’ve had a few nightmares." She admitted.
"I’m…"
"Don’t you dare apoligize for Kim, Tara. This wasn’t your fault. So, how are you and Joey?"
"On our way to a doctor’s appointment. We’re doing good. Yesterday was a godsend. And thank you for helping get my Aunt up here. I know you were behind it." Tara said.
"Anytime, sis."
"Well, I don’t want to keep you. We’ll talk later?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, have a good day."
"You too Trish." Tara said and hung up.
"Everything okay up there?" Joey asked.
"Yeah… Trish has everything under control." Tara said and gave him a smile.
"So what exactly are our plans for today Joey?" Tiny asked from the back seat.
"Well, Tiny. We don’t really know what Kim is capable of. We’ve already underestimated her twice. After Tara’s doctor’s appointment and lunch, we have two security firms to meet with and that woman you recommended. Otherwise, the day’s pretty much open. Maybe we could catch a few hours with Mickey and Minnie?" Joey was trying not to laugh when he suggested Disneyworld. He just wanted to get a reaction from Tiny.
"Should I quit now, during, or after we’re mobbed?" Tiny replied with a chuckle. Tara and Joey both laughed.
"Actually Tiny, we brought you along because I promised management that I wouldn’t go anywhere without you from now on." Joey came clean.
"Okay, glad you finally told me, but I knew that already. Have you thought about what’s going to happen if you haven’t hired someone by the time we leave on Thursday? Tara, would you be coming on tour, because to be honest, I don’t want to leave you here alone and I’m just the bodyguard." Tiny put his two cents in.
"No, Tiny, I don’t think we did consider that. Maybe you could help us during the interviews this afternoon?" Tara suggested.
"Yeah, Tiny. We could use your help. I don’t have businessman Lance here for the tough questions that he’s needed for." Joey chimed in.
"Sure, I’d be willing to help." Tiny said as Joey pulled into a parking lot.
"I believe we’re here." Joey said as he turned off the engine. He turned to Tara. "Ready?" he asked her and squeezed her hand.
"I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be." She admitted and got out of the car.
Joey waited out in the waiting room with Tiny while Tara was in with the doctor. However, when it came time to do a C.A.T scan, he sang from the room next to her to soother her claustrophobia. While she was getting dressed, Joey made a mental note to record his voice for her while he was gone.
"Well, we should have the scans back in a few hours. Stay on the medication for the next week. I’ve made an appointment for you for next Tuesday with me, same time. Call me this afternoon. I’ll know if there are any abnormalities in the scans by then. Any questions?" the doctor asked. Tara and Joey asked about side effects and changing her diet and vitamins. When their questions were answered and Tara made sure she wrote the appointment down in her day planner, the doctor walked them out to the waiting room. They collected Tiny, whom was playing with some children, and went to lunch.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hey Joey? You awake?" Tara asked. When they got back after interviewing the security firms and the woman, they decided to take a nap.
"Yeah." He replied.
"What if this isn’t just a chemical imbalance? I mean, I had CAT scans today. I didn’t have them up in Pennsylvania." Tara explained as she looked up at the ceiling. Joey turned on his side to face her and answer her.
"Don’t think like that. This doctor we saw today, he was a specialist. He’s a brain specialist. Taking the CAT scan is going to help your prognosis. Worrying about this is causing stress you don’t need. Now, we’ve got you a bodyguard and security team and an assistant and we’ve got Aida. You’re going to be taken care of while I’m away. And, when you’re up to it, you’ll come hang out with me and the guys for a week here and a week there. How’s that sound?" Joey asked.
"Sounds like a good plan, but sometimes the best laid out plans don’t work." Tara said. She was still thinking about the possibility of something else being wrong with her.
"Rest baby, just rest. Don’t worry about this alright?" Joey asked as he stroked her hair.
"Okay." She said and closed her eyes. When she was asleep once again, he crept downstairs to make some phone calls. He was putting a plan in action for the following evening that would change his and Tara’s life together forever. He also called and hired a nursing agency to come once a day to check on Tara. He went out to the kitchen to talk to Aida, he wanted a quiet evening alone with Tara tonight since tomorrow would be busy and full of surprises. He got Aida to help him set up his plans for the evening. Then he made a conference call to the guys…
"Guys, I need your help. I want to propose to Tara tomorrow night and here’s what I want to do." Joey told them then went into an explanation of how he wanted to propose to Tara. The guys were all excited for him. JC and Lance were going to help him with what they could and Justin and Chris, although they could not make it to Florida for the special night, gave Joey some ideas. After he and Lance and JC made sure they all knew what they were doing, he hung up with them and called Tara’s Aunt Lin and told her the plan. They talked for a little bit before he called his parents.
"Mom, Dad… I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna ask her tomorrow night." He said.
"Good luck son!" his parents replied. They chatted for a little while before he noticed that it was almost 6pm.
"I should go… Tara still needs to call the doctor back about her scans. Love you." Joey said and ran up to the bedroom. Tara was sitting on the balcony, clutching the phone in one hand and crying. "Oh no," Joey thought, "It’s bad news." "Tara? What’s wrong?" he asked.
"The scans are fine. But, it’s my stress level, too much of it. Have to stop being superwoman." Tara said.
"Why were you crying?" Joey asked.
"Tears of relief. I was just so scared, Joey… so scared." She said. Joey sat down behind her and rocked her for a little to let her just let all the tension from how scared she was just go away. She finally calmed down and looked up at Joey. "What’s for dinner?" she asked. "You." He thought for himself and blushed. She playfully hit him as she saw him turn red.
"Oh, you mean real food." They both laughed. "Um, I dunno… let’s go see what’s in the kitchen." Joey said and helped her up. "Aida probably made us something. She usually does when I’ve had a busy day and leaves instructions on how to heat it up on the fridge." Joey explained as they walked downstairs. He took Tara the long way to the kitchen so that they’d have to walk through the dining room. As soon as they set foot on the first floor Tara knew something was up.
"Joey, what have you done?" she asked. He took out a blindfold and covered her eyes.
"Just trust me, Tara." Joey said and led her to the dining room. After he turned on the cd player, he took off her blindfold. The room was aglow in candlelight for dinner for two. Tara smiled. "God I love it when you smile." He said, "May I have this dance?" he asked. She nodded in excitement. She loved when he was romantic with her like this. They danced "Now and Forever" by Richard Marx.
Whenever I’m weary, from the battles that rage in my head
You make sense of madness, when my sanity hangs by a thread
I lose my way but still you seem to understand
Now and Forever, I will be your man.
Joey sang to her. He hated that he was about to go on tour again without her. He wanted them together every moment of every day.
Sometimes I just hold you
Too caught up in me to see
I’m holding a fortune that heaven has given to me
I’ll try to show you each and every way I can
Now and Forever, I will be your man
They danced arm in arm as closely as they possibly could, just enjoying this rare moment that they were alone.
Now I can rest my worries and always be sure
That I won’t be alone anymore
If I’d only known you were there all the time
All this time
Tara moved her head back to look in Joey’s eyes. She knew he was wearing his heart on his sleeve with her. And she knew that she could trust him with her heart and her soul. She thought that the evening was just perfect.
Until the day the ocean doesn’t touch the sand
Now and forever, I will be your man
Now and forever, I will be your man
They continued to dance while the CD player shuffled, Tara’s stomach growled.
"Alright, alright… as much as I love being in your arms like this, Joe. My stomach is protesting." Tara laughed.
"Well then, I guess we’ll just have to satisfy your stomach, won’t we?" Joey held out Tara’s chair for her and took off the lids to their dinner. Salads and pasta with chicken. Tara’s favorite.
"Joey, what did I ever do to deserve all this and you?"
"You are the first woman/girl I’ve met since all this fame to accept me for who I am and pay your own way and work at a relationship with me. You work around my schedule, you listen to me at all hours of the day and night and you never complain when we go for weeks without seeing each other, and most of all, you love me for me." Joey said. He was always so sweet and sappy with her.
"Can I be selfish right now and tell you that I wish you didn’t have to go back out on tour Thursday night?" Tara asked as she put a hand on his cheek.
"You’re being honest and that’s what matters. It’ll only be for a month this time then we’ll be home thru the holidays before we go overseas. Hopefully you can travel with us. We’ll know for sure once we stabilize your medications, right?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, I just miss you so much when you’re gone." Tara moved in to kiss him passionately.
"I know. I feel the same way." He said when they broke apart. They spent the rest of the evening feeding each other salad and pasta and dancing and kissing and just enjoying each other. They cleaned up in the dining room before falling asleep looking at the newest pictures from friends and family and reading fan mail.
Joey woke before Tara did the next morning and covered her with a blanket. She was slightly warm, but not enough to be concerned about. Joey had things to do today without Tara and the sooner he got them done, the sooner he could be back and hold her in his arms. He left a note taped to the mirror for her and went about his errands.
When Tara awoke, she noticed his side of the bed empty. She looked around the room and saw a piece of paper attached to the dresser mirror.
`Good morning, beautiful. I have some business to attend to this morning and will be back as soon as I can. I love you. See you soon, always, Joey.’
Tara smiled as she read the note. Could it be that she was lucky enough to find the second greatest love of her life? How did she get so lucky? Tara finally looked at the clock, it was nearly 10:30am. She needed to take her meds. She threw off her clothes from the day before and found a pair of boxers and one of Joey’s shirts. She went down to the kitchen with her meds, poured a glass of milk and drank it after taking a pill and swollowing it.
She took her laptop and went out to the deck. She had plugged into the wall so she could access the internet. 37 messages were waiting for her. She seperated work from personal and tackled the work matters first. As she was working, Joey arrived home. She didn’t notice him come onto the deck.
"Hey there." Joey said after a few minutes. He was watching her as she read her email and concentrated on her response back to whomever had sent the email.
"Joey, you’re back!" Tara put the laptop aside and ran to him.
"Can’t wait to do this all the time." Joey thought to himself.
"You’re up, good. How’d you sleep?" Joey asked.
"Better. Accomplish what you needed to?" she asked.
"Sure did. How about you?" Joey said.
"Just a few more emails to read thru and I’m done." She admitted.
"Your meds?"
"I have taken my meds this morning and I’m doing alright." She stated.
"Okay, How about I fix us some lunch? JC and Lance might stop by for a little while later? Is that alright?" Joey asked as they walked towards the door to the kitchen.
"Great! I can show you all some photos of the costumes for your overseas shows." Tara was happy. They kissed before Joey went into the kitchen to whip up some lunch. Tara finished work emails and was working thru her perosnal email. She saw a note from one of her online friends, Wendy.
`Hey girl, I heard what happened with J’s ex. Hope you’re okay. The gang is worried. – C.’ Tara answered `Hi C. – I’m fine. Thanks for caring. Please let everyone know. I’ll be around after Thursday Night – love T.’
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joey was so excited about what he had planned for Tara that evening, he couldn’t wait. They were going to dinner and then to a music fair that Leann Rimes was playing at that night.
JC was in charge of picking up Tara’s Aunt from the airport and Lance was in charge of videotaping the proposal.
Joey was deep in thought when Tara entered the kitchen. `God, he is so sexy’ Tara went up and kissed him which brought him out of his thought. "Lunch is ready". Joey said. `I’d rather start with desert first.’ Tara stated, shocking Joey and herself.
"Uh, honey, we can’t the guys will be here any minute." Joey explained. As much as he would love to move up to the bedroom, he had to admit that this one time, he wasn’t in the mood. Tara felt rejected. "You’re right." She replied.
"Disappointed?" Joey asked, still holding her in an embrace.
"A little." Tara admitted. "So, what’s for lunch?" Tara said looking away from him. Her hormones were in overload.
"Wait a minute." Joey said and took her face and turned it back to him so he could look her in the eye. "Tara, darling, it’s not that I don’t want you, because I do, I want you so bad. But, I want it to be uninterrupted and everlasting. No distractions. Understand?" Joey asked as he looked in her eyes.
"Yes, I do." Tara told him. `He is so sweet’, she thought.
"Let’s have some lunch." Joey said. He balanced sandwiches and two mugs in his hands while Tara carried out a bag of pretzels. They sat in the porch swing and fed each other lunch between kissing and laughing and talking.
"Ugh, you two are as bad as Chris and Dani!" Lance declared.
"Don’t you have enough bedrooms to do that?" JC chimed in. Both Tara and Joey blushed.
"Guys, we weren’t expecting you this soon." Joey admitted, because he truly wasn’t.
"Sorry. Neither of us wore a watch." JC laughed.
"It’s alright, I have some more work to do in the den." Tara volunteered. "We’ll finish this later?" she whispered into Joey’s ear as they embraced. Joey nodded. Lance offered her his hand so she could steady herself as she got off the porch swing. She thanked him before going into the den.
Joey, JC, and Lance started out working on some dance steps to their older material and practicing three-part harmony for that night. When they finished, they went into the den to take a look at the designs from Tara, but they found her asleep on the couch. Joey scooped her up and took her up to their bedroom. He softly closed the door and went back down to the guys. He looked at his watch, 3:45pm.
"Okay, JC, you should go get ready to pick up Aunt Lin." Joey looked around for where he put the video camera. He had plugged it in to charge the battery. He went over to the corner of the den that he had put it and unplugged it, putting all the peripherals and the camera in the bag after making sure he put a new tape in. "Lance, this puppy belongs to you for the evening. I can’t thank either of you enough for doing this for me and Tara."
"Stop thanking us, besides, you never know when we may need you to help us." JC joked.
"Yeah, you never know which girl JC’s gonna call up and propose to from one day to the next." Lance joined in. JC playfully slugged him in the arm.
"Look who’s talking… You and Belle are as bad as Justin and Brit, speaking of which… how are you and Belle doing?" Joey asked.
"It’s really over this time. She’s found someone new. She won’t even answer my phone messages anymore. Time to move on." Lance sighed.
"How come you haven’t told any of us?" JC asked.
"Still dealing with it, I guess."
"Lancealot… you’ve gotta stop shutting us out. You’re getting to good at hiding your feelings and someday, you’re gonna explode." Joey threw a pillow at him.
"I know, but, well, we’ve had other things on our minds lately with the tour and all, I just set the break up with Belle aside. Besides, FreeLance has taken a lot of my time when I’m here so it just never figured into conversation." Lance explained.
"Are you okay with tonight and helping me, because if you would rather bail, I’d totally understand." Joey said.
"Joe, if I wasn’t, I’d let you know. Now… What time is dinner and what time do we have to be at the music faire?’" Lance asked.
"Five Thirty dinner for me and Tara… um, we’re suppose to be there by quarter of eight. `I Need You’ is the third song of her set, that’s when I’ll ask Tara." Joey let them know the details.
"We’ll see you later. Enjoy dinner and good luck." JC said. The three men had a group hug. Joey waited until they left before he went to wake Tara. It was 4pm.
"Tara?" Joey opened the door to his bedroom to find the bed empty. Tara was on the balcony looking out at the pond.
"I’m here." She said and walked in from the balcony.
"Hey, been up long?" he asked.
"Only a few minutes. Did the guys leave?" she asked. Joey’s cell phone rang.
"Yeah just now… I need to get this." Joey explained and answered his phone. "Hello?"
"Joey, it’s Chris. I just thought of something. Can you talk?" Chris asked him.
"Not right now Chris." Joey said.
"Okay, well really quick, don’t be nervous and no superman stories. Good luck." Chris said. Joey laughed.
"Thanks man. And I’ll check on the pugs for ya." Joey said and shook his head as he hung up his phone.
"Everything ok with Chris?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, he misses his dogs. And he was checking on us. So, I was thinking… dinner at Philipe’s and a concert tonight?" Joey said as Tara walked into his waiting arms. They were always hugging and kissing and cuddling.
"Ooohhh, dinner at Philipe’s and a concert? What’s the occasion?" Tara asked.
"Just say yes and go get ready." Joey kissed her on the nose.
"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, you’re up to something Jojo and I’m loving it." Tara said.
"What should I wear?"
"Remember the first night I wanted alone time with you, you wore that purple blazer and black jeans?" Joey asked. He loved her in purple. She went over to the closet and pulled out the blazer.
"How could I forget?" Tara smiled. She grabbed a white shell and a pair of black jeans and disappeared into the bathroom while she was changing. Joey called Chris back.
"Joey?" Chris answered his phone.
"Yeah… what were you thinking?"
"You’ll see when the limo gets there. I can’t wait til later." Chris said. Joey laughed.
"Okay bud… Okay." Joey said and hung up. Joey went and pulled his outfit out for the evening and made sure he put the ring box in his blazer pocket so he wouldn’t forget. When Tara came out of the bathroom, he went in and she put just a little foundation, blush, and eyeliner on her face.
"Hey you two! You’re going to be late for your reservations." Tiny said from the stairwell at five minutes to five. Tara was just finishing french braiding her hair. Joey had come out of the bathroom looking for his blue blazer that he had just put the ring in (he had put it on the back of the bathroom door).
"We’ll be right there." Tara yelled back, "Joey, what’s wrong?" she asked him.
"I can’t find the blue blazer." Joey had a frantic look on his face that Tara didn’t understand. Tara giggled.
"You mean this one right her?" She asked and closed the door to the bathroom to show him where he had left it.
"Uh, DUH!" Joey laughed nervously.
"Joe, are you okay?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, just want tonight to be perfect." Joey explained and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "You look even more beautiful than that night." Joey complimented her.
"You really do remember…" she trailed off, she couldn’t believe he would.
"Every detail, c’mon." Joey brushed her bangs away from her eyes, took her hand in his and headed for the stairs.
"Guys! Let’s go!" Tiny said. When they got to the bottom of the stairs, Tiny handed Joey a single white rose to give to Tara. Joey didn’t know that there were more in the limo.
"This is just the beginning of a magical night, Tara. I hope we have a wonderful evening." Joey handed her the rose.
"This is a great start." Tara smiled and thanked him.
"Why do I feel like I’m chaperoning two teenagers on their first date?" Tiny commented. They all laughed and left the house. Joey had rented a stretch limousine for the evening.
"Joey, I know you’re not going to tell me why you’re doing this, but I’m going to thank you now." Tara said when he helped her into the limo. She saw more white roses on the seat next to her. And then she saw rose petals on the floor and the other seats and all over the limo.
"Just think of this as your prom that you never got to go to." Joey smiled. He was so happy the evening was starting out so great. The CD player ws playing softly as they headed out for dinner. He checked his blazer pocket again to make sure the ring box was in the pocket.
They went to Philipe’s Pop Restaurant. They enjoyed going there and usually people left them pretty much alone.
"Joey, just what are you up to?" Tara asked when they arrived. They had talked about how her fashions were becoming more and more popular her in the states, even more so since she was linked to Joey.
"Just want tonight to be special." Joey replied. He went as far as to hand his cell phone and Tara’s over to Tiny. They were not to be disturbed. Once they were seated, Tara let Joey order for them both. A few people pounced. A young couple brought their newborn over. Joey held the little girl and the parents took a picture. `Joey would make a great father." Tara thought to herself. When Tiny noticed that the waitress was returning with their food, he politely asked that everyone return to their seats. He had also noticed Tara’s quick facial expression change to one of panic.
"Tara? You okay?" he asked. She nodded. She was shoked at what she had just thought about. She felt a twinge of jealousy over that couple.
"What are you thinking about?" Joey asked her. She was looking down at her plate.
"How adorable that couple and their baby were." She admitted softly.
"We’ve never discussed children before, Tara. Is now a good time?" Joey dared to ask.
"We’ve never discussed many things relating to starting a family and having children, Joe. Kim put a damper on that issue." Tara replied. She didn’t know why she said it. She picked up a fork and poked at her food.
"Why? Why do you say that?" Joey asked. He could see that there was pain behind her words.
"The pain in your eyes and your near collapse the day she came to the house and said Vincent was your son. You were so hurt by that." She said. She looked into his eyes. "You’re still hurt by that." She told him. Joey put his fork down and reached over and placed his hand on the side of her face.
"Tara, I know you would never do that. I know that you love me for who I am and not because I have money and belong to one of the best bands in music right now. At the end of the madness, you’re the one I turn to, the one that helps me keep my feet on the ground and a level head on my shoulders. You are more important to me than anything else. What happened back then is in the past. We both know you are nothing like Kim." Joey tried to explain that she was a good person and he wanted to have children with her. Tara placed her hand over the hand he had against her face.
"We really haven’t talked about the long haul Joey. We haven’t talked about where our relationship is headed. I think we just live for the moment and whenever that moment happens. I guess what I’m saying Joey is that I’m wondering where we’re heading with the future of us. I’m sitting here jealous over another couple and their child because that’s what I want for us. Is that so wrong?" Tara asked him. She held back tears, but Joey could tell she was upset.
"No, I think it’s wonderful." Joey admitted. "Could you handle having me for your husband? Right now I’m hardly ever home and the life we’ll have will be far from normal." Joey told her.
"All I know is that lately when I’m back in PA and you’re out touring, I dream of a future with you. Whether you’re on tour or in my arms." Tara said.
"Tara, you have my heart always and I know we have a future together. I want to have children with you and I want to grow old with you and I want to do everything with you." Joey said. Tara didn’t know what else to say. She was trying not to cry. "How about we eat some of this food before it gets cold?" Joey suggested. Tara nodded and ate her dinner. Tara remembered to take her medication while she ate as well. That made Joey smile, he knew she’d be okay while he was gone and he only hoped that after tonight, she’d be busy planning their wedding.
"Joe, I didn’t mean to put a damper on our evening." Tara said after the waitress took away their dinner plates.
"You haven’t. You just helped put things in perspective, sweetheart." Joey assured her. He looked at his watch as Tiny motioned that they needed to go on to the show.
"You sure?" Tara asked. Joey was more sure than ever that he was going to propose to her.
"I’m sure. C’mon, let’s pay the bill and go to the show." Joey said. When they got to the limo, Joey brought up the Westlife import CD that he had and put on his favorite track from the CD and began singing to Tara as the limo drove off.
If I die tonight, I’d go with no regrets
If it’s in your arms I know that I was blessed
And if your eyes are the last thing that I see
Then I know the beauty heaven holds for meBut if I make it through, if I live to see the day
If I’m with you, I’ll know just what to say
The truth be told, girl you take my breath away
Every minute, every hour, every day`Cause every moment we share together
Is even better than the moment before
If every day was as good as today was
Then I can’t wait until tomorrow comesA moment in time is all that’s given you and me
A moment in time, and it’s something you should seize
So I won’t make the mistake of letting go
Everyday you’re here I’m gonna let you know
That every moment we share together
Is even better than the moment before
If every day was as good as today was
Then I can’t wait until tomorrow comesEach morning that I get up, I love you more than ever
So girl I’ll never go away, never stray
So every moment we share together
Is even better than the moment before
If every day was as good as today was
Then I can’t wait until tomorrow comesSo every moment we share together
Is even better than the moment before
If every day was as good as today was
Then I can’t wait until tomorrow comesI love, love love the moments (oh yeah)
Moments we share together
I love, love, love the moments (oh yeah)
I pray they’d last forever
I love, love, love the moments (oh yeah)
Moments we share together
I love, love, love the moments (oh yeah)
I pray they’d last forever©1999 Steve Mac/Wayne Hector, Rokstone Music/Rondor Music (London) Ltd.
- sung by Westlife, off their self-titled German Import CD.
"You are too good to me." Tara said as she blotted the tears falling from her eyes when Joey was done.
"You just do something to me Tara that I can’t explain. You let me take care of you, but you’re also very, very independent. You just make my life complete and that song basically says it all." Joey was teary eyed too. Tara leaned into Joey’s chest and they settled into a comfortable silence on the way to the concert. Tara moved to look up at him and he had this glazed look on his face. He was imaging the rest of the evening and anticipating that Tara would say yes when he proposed to her.
"Joey… earth to Joey?" Tara snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Huh?" he came back to the real world.
"Just where were you?" she laughed.
"Aw, nowhere." He replied.
"I was saying I remember when I bought the CD for you with MOMENTS on it. We had just gotten back from Aspen. You taught me how to snowboard. I was hummingthis song that night as we danced before JC and Lance spun me away." Tara said.
"Yeah, it took me a half hour to get you back," he laughed, "because I had to take off my big Superman necklace as your ransom." Joey rolled his eyes.
"But I was worth it." Tara stated.
"More and more every day." Joey admitted.
"See, if people got to see this side of you more often, you wouldn’t have that `womanizer, party animal’ moniker." Tara said.
"They wouldn’t believe it. Their idea of me is too far gone. It’s alright though. The fans I meet know the good Joey and he’s nothing like the party animal." Joey gave her a kiss. The partition came down from the front of the limo.
"We’re here. Hand check!" Tiny teased. Joey and Tara giggled as they showed him their hands. They were intertwined. Tiny just rolled his eyes and laughed.
"Have you ever seen Leann perform live before?" Joey asked Tara.
"Nope."
"You are in for one amazing evening." Joey promised.
"Okay you two. You know the routine by now. Code word is snicker." Tiny explained as he helped them out of the limo.
"Thanks Tiny." They replied. They were ushered in a backstage door to see the show and Leann. They met up with JC and Lance.
"Tara, we promised Leann that we’d do a song or two, is that alright?" Joey asked.
"Of course, you know how I love watching you move. Go out there and make me proud." Tara said. The guys sang three-part harmony to "This I Promise You" and "God Must Have Spent" before Leann opened her set.
"As always, you guys were wonderful." Tara said when they all came back to the side of the stage.
"Don’t tell Justin and Chris that." Tiny said. Laughter exploded.
"We gotta get back to our dates. We’ll see you guys later?" Lance asked.
"Sure." Joey said, giving the guys a knowing look. He patted his pocket. The ring box was safe and sound. Tara and Joey watched the show from the wings with Joey standing behind Tara with his arms wrapped around her. They stayed out of everyone’s way. After the second song, Leann began to speak. A stagehand slipped a microphone onto Joey. Tara was wondering what was going on.
"Okay gang, here comes some fan participation minutes. As you know, some members of NSYNC are here tonight and I’d like to ask one in particular to come out here with his lovely date. Joey and Tara? Would you come out here?" Leann announced. The audience applauded as Joey and Tara walked on stage.
"Hi Leann." Joey gave her a hug before turning to the audience, "Hello Orlando!" he yelled. The crowd went nuts. JC and Lance were next to Tiny in the wings. Lance had gotten one of the stage hands to go out into the front (in front of row 1) to record the segment. They both had Justin and Chris on their cell phones and Tiny had Trish on Joey’s cell phone. Tara’s Aunt Lin had ran to powder her nose. She was so nervous for her baby girl.
"Tara, enjoying the show?" Leann asked. Tara nodded. She hated being on stage, but she was next to Joey so she was alright.
"So Joe, what brings you to my show tonight other than to hear some good music?" Leann asked. That was Joey’s cue to start the band for "I NEED YOU".
"Well, I was hoping to sing with you tonight." Joey asked. A few dancers came out on stage.
"Sure, ladies and gentleman, I NEED YOU." Leann went into the song and traded verses with Joey.
Backstage, JC grabbed a microphone. He would sing the last `I NEED YOU’ as Joey got down on one knew to propose to Tara. He and Lance would then on onstage and bring out her Aunt Lin if she said yes. Leann danced with a dancer, while Joey danced with Tara. Tara was so enthralled in just her and Joey that she forgot she was on stage in front of thousands of people.
Joey could feel the butterflies mount in his stomach as it got closer to the end of the song. When he hit the last note, he began his descent to one knee. Tara knew then what he was about to do. She then heard JC’s wonderful voice sing the last `I NEED YOU’. Joey produced a ring box from his blazer pocket. Joey lifted a hand to her face as the music faded. Tears of joy were swelling up in both Tara’s eyes as well as Joey’s.
"Tara Lynn Marshall, I love you more and more with every passing day. You are my sould, my inspiration, and my soulmate. Will you marry me?" Joey’s voice cracked as he asked her. The music faire was so quiet as they waited for her answer. Leann was in tears, swept away by how romantic this moment was. Tara looked up to the sky for a moment and said "Thank you Andy", brought her eyes down to Joey’s and nodded as she said "Yes Joey Doe, I’ll marry you." Joey put the engagement ring on her finger, picked her up and swung her around. The crowd went wild.
"What’s going on?" Justin yelled into the phone.
"She said yes!" Lance screamed back above the noise. Then held the phone out past his ear because Justin was screaming WOOHOO WOOHOO. JC told Chris the good news as did Tiny to Trish.
JC and Lance ran out on stage.
"Wow, an engagement and 3 NSYNC members in my concert on one night." Leann greeted Lance and JC. "Tara, I’ve heard a lot about you from these guys since forever it seems, I’m honored to share in your special evening." Leann said. Tara asked for a microphone so she could speak. She felt she should thank Leann.
"Thanks Leann. Had I know what Joey was planning, I don’t think I’d be this terrified." Tara was literally shaking as she spoke. Joey came back to reality and remembered how stress wasn’t good for her.
"Why don’t y’all run along while I finish the show? Thanks again!" Leann gave them all hugs. The stage manager led them to Leann’s dressing room.
"Gosh, those stage lights are soooo hot." Tara said as she put a cool towel over her face. JC and Lance stood in the doorway.
"Tara, we have another surprise for you." JC said. She took the towel off to see her Auntie standing before her.
"You knew too?" Tara asked.
"Joey wanted everyone close to you away of what he was planning for tonight. You okay?" her Auntie asked. Tara was crying.
"You’re all so good to me. What did I do to deserve all of you?" Tara asked.
"Lucky roll of the dice." Lance replied.
"Could I have a few minutes alone with Joey please?" Tara asked as she stifled her cry. Everyone cleared the room and Joey got off the phone with Justin.
"Was it too much?" Joey asked.
"No, just ver unexpected, but you’ve made me very happy. Very happy." Tara said as she looked at the ring. Joey sat down next to her.
"I wanted tongith to be magical. Something to remember. Are you sure I didn’t go overboard?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, I just wanted a few minutes alone with you, my fiance. I thought we were going to have a nice, quiet evening, but we’ve had a pretty eventful one. We’ve got a lot to talk about regarding our future…" Tara said.
"Tara?" Joey interrupted her. He just wanted to kiss her.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"Shut up and kiss me." Joey said as he moved in to kiss her.