| Chris straightened the cufflinks on his tuxedo nervously. "Damn," he muttered, as one fell to the floor with a clink. JC stooped to pick it up, laughing. "Man, you gotta calm down." He grabbed Chris' sleeve and attached the cufflink for him. "Alcohol's here!" Joey called cheerfully, letting the catering staff into the small room where all 5 members of N Sync were assembled, dressing for Chris' wedding. Chris flew across the room and grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray, downing it quickly. Lance sat on the couch, examining his black dress shoes for scuffs. Justin stormed by, clad only in boxers and a tuxedo shirt. "Where the hell did that tailor go with my pants?" he complained. Lance chuckled and shrugged. Chris wandered over to the window which overlooked the grounds where the ceremony was to be held. His wife to be had chosen the old Victorian house and property mostly for it's secluded location. It overlooked a huge river and lush, green mountains. He had to admit, it was spectacular. Below, he could see the staff scurrying about, tending to last minute details. Lance joined him. "Nervous?" Chris bit on his thumbnail. "A little I guess." Lance sipped his champagne thoughtfully and stared at the scene unfolding beneath them. He had been the one to set Chris up with his fiancee two years earlier and knew all the hell the couple had been through to get to this point. A soft knock at the door sent Justin flying. "Better be my pants!" he grumbled. Instead, it was Chris' mom, hoping to steal a few minutes with her son. Justin stood aside to let her in. "My goodness," she smiled, looking Justin up and down. "I hope you plan on wearing pants!" Justin blushed and scurried for cover. Lance threw him some shorts, then gathered everyone up to leave Chris and his mom alone. Once outside, the four singers chatted nervously. "You really think everything will be okay?" Justin asked, grabbing an hor dourve off a passing tray. JC sat on a small garden bench and looked around. "There's a lot of security here. I hope they hired enough." Joey squinted in the mid morning sun. He scanned the grounds, carefully searching for signs of anything amiss. Lance was doing the same. "I think we did a good job of keeping it out of the media. I don't think he'll find her." The "he" Lance was referring to was Chris' fiancee's ex boyfriend, a burly army officer with a psychotic mind. Although never phsyically abusive, he'd been a psychological terror to both she and Chris throughout the past two years. Chris put on a brave front, but his friends knew he was scared shitless that he would discover the secret wedding plans and destroy it all. The tailor pulled up to the curb in a black Blazer and stepped out, holding Justin's pants. "About damn time!" he growled, rushing over to retrieve them. Light laughter erupted, but nothing could truly calm any of their nerves, not jokes, not alcohol, not the promise of a wonderful day. They spotted Chris' mom exit the house, and walked back inside. The security was tight, and they had to pass three checkpoints on the way back in. The four of them hurried back upstairs to their waiting friend. "Everything okay out there?" he asked, drinking another glass of champange. "I mean, security. I noticed guests arriving." Justin pulled Lance's shorts off, and dressed in his proper pants. "Hell yes, Chris," he said smoothly. "You can't even take a shit without security following you." He laughed at the thought of that scenario. JC shook his head. "Look, we've done all we can do. Now it's time for you to get married, and start the rest of your life." Chris stared at him with uncertainty. Lance paced back and forth. He was carrying the rings in his breast pocket, having been appointed one of Chris' best men, along with Justin, JC and Joey. He patted himself, just to be sure they were still there. "Hey, I'm gonna go check on your bride. Is that alright?" Chris nodded. "Yeah, and Lance, tell her I love her okay?" Lance nodded, heading for the door. "And tell her that everything is gonna be okay." Lance nodded again, his hand on the door knob. "And Lance, tell her that I can't wait to see her." Lance waited in the door way. "Anything else?" he chuckled. He watched Chris ponder the question, before shaking his head no. Lance wandered out into the hall, passing two security guards on the way. He saw three giggling bridesmaids exit the bridal suite, and knocked gently. "Who's there?" a silghtly shaky voice called. "Lance, can I come in? I bear messages from the groom." He laughed as the door opened. "Oh my...you look beautiful," he gasped. "Why Mr. Bass, are you trying to embarass me?" She reached over and hugged her friend, whom she had known since kindergarten. "So what's my message?" Lance scratched his head. "Okay, well, I miss you, I love you, everythings gonna be okay, blah, blah, blah." He ducked out of the way as she swatted at him. "Oh, you. Just wait until you get married. I'll get you back then." She turned and looked in the oval mirror, adjusting her veil. "We're almost ready," she whispered. "Better get back there." Lance nodded and grabbed the door knob. "Lance, tell him ditto for me okay?" She met his gaze in the mirror and winked excitedly. "Will do," he grinned, leaving her alone, and returning past the same two security guards, and back into the groom's room. "Did you tell her?" Chris jumped at him. He spilled some champagne on his sleeve and let out a small curse. JC appeared at his side, taking the glass out of his hand. "Dude, you are cut off! I think three glasses is enough. We'll be rolling your ass down the aisle." He placed the glass down on the tray and tilted his head. "Chris, what's on your neck?" Chris' eyes widened in horror as he sped over to the mirror, knocking Justin out of the way. He pulled the collar down revealing a nasty rash. Justin peered over his shoulder. "Hives, man." "Oh no," Chris cried. "Will they go away? Will they?" He clutched Justin's shirt and shook him until his curls bounced. "Get off me!" he laughed, pushing the groom to be away. "Hell, yeah, they'll go away, just calm yourself." Lance sighed and stared at Chris. "Look, we're going to wait downstairs. You look like you could use some time alone." Chris nodded thankfully, and sank down onto the loveseat. He watched as Joey took all the champagne glasses from the room, just in case. Chris stared at his hands. He'd never noticed just how uneven they were. It was something to do to pass the time until he met his bride downstairs. His heart swelled with love at the thought of her. She was so perfect for him. She was faithful, and pretty, and so smart. She laughed honestly at all his jokes, and assisted him with their clothing line. She never nagged, was always there for him, and loved him. Chris smiled at the thought of spending the rest of his life with her. Although none of the guys knew it, he silently dedicated This I Promise You to her everynight they performed it. It couldn't express his feelings any better for her. Quickly, a frown spread across his face. Her ex-boyfriend entered his thoughts, and Chris cringed. He got up and hurried to the window, checking out the scene below. His eyes searched the area for him, and even though he knew there were dozens of security guards patrolling, his body was still nervous. He had carefully planned security himself, with the help of his father-in-law-to be. There was no one better to have on their side, seeing as he was a retired Army officer, and knew just how to set it all up. Still, Chris had a nagging feeling in the back of his head, a dread really, that he just couldn't shake. Everyone assured him it would be fine, but they didn't really know that. If he shows up and ruins her day, I'll kill him. I swear I will. She doesn't deserve any more torture from him. I have to protect her, I have to. Chris remembered the time they were in NYC for an MTV appearance. He had taken her along to do some promotional work on their new clothing line. Her ex showed up, stalking the couple, leaving black roses at every turn, playing phychological games with them. That was nothing compared to the time the couple had decided to take a trip to Bermuda, and he'd found them, leaving cryptic messages for them, and ransacking their hotel room, twice. The guy just didn't get the hint, and several restraining orders didn't help. He always found them, always. He had even kidnapped her once for several hours while Chris was with N Sync in Japan for some shows. As soon as he'd heard, he broke his contractual obligations, and hurried home, just in time to find her returned. From that day on, he'd vowed never to let her alone again, taking her on every N Sync trip with him. He was so lucky that the guys understood. They never said a word, and welcomed her with open arms. It helped that Lance had known her since they were kids. The knock on the door startled him. He laughed in spite of himself, and peeked out. "Chris, it's showtime." Lance stood there, with Justin, JC and Joey. "Let's go!" Chris had chosen them all to be best men. He simply couldn't make a choice. It worked out fine, though, and his bride to be had chosen four of her best friends as maid's of honor. Chris took a deep breath. "Got the rings?" he asked, blinking hard. Lance patted his pocket. "Check," he said. "Okay, well, I guess, let's go." The five of them began to walk down the stairs when Joey stopped them. "Guys, wait. We have to hack." He produced a ratty old hacky sack from his pocket. "Come on, just like show time." Justin grabbed it and threw it at Joey's head. "It's not show time, it's Chris' wedding. Geesh, it's not like we're never gonna see him again. He's still in N Sync." Chris snatched it at the bottem of the stairs. "Come on J. Let's do it anyway." He pulled Lance to form a circle as the wedding photographer snapped photos. The five of them stood in a circle, and began to kick the small soft ball to one another, laughing and joking happily. When each of them had kicked it, they gathered close for a group hug. "Thanks, guys. For being my best friends, and standing up for me today. It means a lot." JC nodded, catching a whiff of emotions readying to break loose. "Ready man?" he asked, smiling. Chris nodded, and the five of them waited at the back of the white aisle runner for the music to start. The violin began to play, and the minister waved Chris and his friends down the aisle to take their places. Chris felt a lump form in his throat as he heard the bridal music start. He turned, as the guests rose from their seats, and saw his bride, beneath the lacy veil, her father on her arm. He tried to push the tears back, not wanting to look back on his wedding photos years from now, and have to admit he's a big wuss. She smiled broadly through her tears of happiness, and started down the aisle to meet her future husband. She took his hand in hers and never looked away as the ceremony continued. Finally, it was time for the vows, and Chris cleared his throat. They had agreed to write their own, and he kept it a carefully guarded secret from everyone, except Lance, who helped him come up with the idea. He inhaled deeply and began. "I've loved you forever. In lifetimes before. And I promise you never, will you hurt anymore. I give you my word, I give you my heart. This is a battle we've won. And with this vow, forever has just begun." She stared at him, recognizing the verse to This I Promise You, and began to weep. He squeezed her hand, blinking back his own tears. The minister waited for her to say her vows, had them exchange rings, then pronounced them husband and wife. Chris leaned in as his lips met his wife's in a sweet, and loving kiss. Justin was the first to notice the camoflouged stranger descend from the wooded area. He opened his mouth to warn someone, as the first shot rang out. Chris felt himself go in slow motion. He turned to see her ex-boyfriend, clad in full army gear, charging toward them with a scream. Panicked, he shoved his bride to the ground, covering her. He saw people waving their arms, screaming, chairs knocking over, and blood, so much blood. The pain was delayed, however, and eventually seared through his body. He rolled onto his side, trying in desperation to see what was going on. His eyes flickered open and shut, and he saw Lance falling to the ground next to him, terror filled eyes meeting his own. Then it was quiet. No one moved. Chris could hear a sick sucking sound coming from somewhere near him. There was just so much blood. He tried to move, but couldn't. "Oh my God, Chris!" He heard his wife's sobs, but they sounded like echos, and so far away from him. Justin? Was that Justin crying? "Someone help him, now! Please." Chris tried and tried to focus. He just felt so tired, and cold, and wet. His hand was to the left of him, and he glanced over, seeing his gold wedding band covered with red. Then she was there, holding him, clutching herself to him. Her white gown turned a ghastly red, fear and pain in her eyes. He wanted to comfort her, still confused as to what was happening. An eerie calm fell over him. His eyes closed intermittantly and he was glad he had hacked before the ceremony with his best friends. He saw their faces leaning over him and wanted to comfort them, they looked so sad. But his wife pained him the most, as her tears spilled onto his face. "Chris, baby, I love you. Stay with me. Help is coming. Chris......" Silence rang through his ears. ".....please, over here.........shot........help him......don't know....." Chris couldn't make sense of it. It was like the time they were perfoming in Georgia and his in ear monitor kept going out. Suddenly, it all clicked. He was dying, on his wedding day. The bastard had found him once more. He willed his eyes to open once more, just once more, he pleaded with God to give him that. God delivered, and his eyes fluttered open for the last time. He focused on his beautiful wife and squeezed her hand weakly. 'Til the day my life is through, this I Promise You." His eyes closed, and he could faintly hear screams. "No! No! You son of a bitch." Ahh, that's it Lance, get him, get the scumbag for me. Take care of her guys, always. He felt his heart stop, and a peacefulness settle on his body. Chris Kirkpatrick. Over and out! |
| ...and i will take you in my arms, and hold you right where you belong ... |