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Chapter 8: JC
"Hurry up Lance! I can't wait to see Kate!" I exclaim as I realize that Lance is driving under the speed limit on our way to pick up Kate and Danielle from Kate's apartment.
"What's the hurry JC? She knows we are coming and isn't going anywhere," Lance answers.
"How is that supposed to comfort me? I just haven't seen her for months!"
"Welcome to the withdrawal I've always had with Danielle when I didn't see her for months. Don't worry though, we are almost there."
"God, you drive slow!"
"Only compared to Justin. Oh, I shouldn't pick on him. He isn't here to defend himself."
"Too bad he, Joey, and Chris got stuck in Orlando doing that thing. Oh well, this week is going to be a blast!"
"Duh!"
We finally reach Kate's place and I run to the door and knock on the door. To my surprise, a little boy opens the door. He looks black but I can tell there is a mix in him. "Umm, does Kate live here?"
The little boy just looks up at me and runs away, making me wonder if I am at the right place. A girl comes to the door and asks, "Can I help you sir?"
"Well, yes. Does Kate live here? I thought this was the right place, but.-"
"Oh! You're looking for Kate! Yes, she's here. Why don't you and your friend come in? My name is Laura, by the way."
"Thanks Laura. I'm JC and this is Lance. Danielle is here too, right?"
"Yep! Come on in."
I follow her into the living room, where I am shocked to see the little boy in Kate's arms. He's laughing and she has a dazzling smile on her face, one that I can't help but respond to with my own smile. "So, who's this little guy?"
Kate looks up and sort of drops that great smile of hers a little. "JC? I didn't think you'd be this early! Well, this is Alex."
"Well hello Alex," I say, going over to where she was sitting and sitting down right next to the two. "Are you baby-sitting today Kate?"
"Well, no."
Okay... So who is this little boy to her? However, I decide to ask her about it later. "Well, if you are ready, do you want to go out to dinner now?"
"Umm, sure. Laura, do you mind watching Alex tonight? I promise we won't be too late."
Laura comes over and picks Alex up out of Kate's arms. "No problem. Don't worry about it. Alex is always a little angel, whether you are here or not. Go have fun! You deserve it."
"Thanks Laura, you're the best!" Kate exclaims, giving her friend a hug and kissing Alex good-bye. We leave Kate's place and climb into Lance's rented car, with Lance and me helping our girlfriends to get seated.
The dinner is fabulous. I don't know why, but whenever I am with Kate, everything just seems so right and perfect, like nothing else could happen to turn it into something bad. Maybe I'm being a pessimist but I have a bad feeling that something awful will happen just because it is so great.
"So, who is Alex to you?" I ask.
"He's family."
"Like a younger cousin?"
"No, like immediate family."
"Oh! An adopted little brother! He has to be since you two don't look that much alike."
Kate is silent but slightly nods her head. I wonder what's wrong with having an adopted brother. Danielle looks a little funny too.
"So JC, how was your past tour? Did Joey pull a lot of pranks?" Danielle asks, pulling my attention away from Kate's strange behavior.
"Of course he did! The tour was good but I did miss my Kate a lot," I say, picking up her hand and kissing it, earning a sweet smile from her.
"I have an idea! Why don't we go to Disneyland tomorrow, for old times sake? We could take Alex too! Even Laura if you want to Kate," Lance suggests.
Both girls look at each other with an expression that I can't interpret but nod their agreement.
Our night together ends though, and I find myself walking Kate to her door as Lance and Danielle wait in the car for me. "Kate, what's wrong?"
"What do you mean JC?"
"Something is different about you tonight, like something is bothering you."
"Nothing is. Well, I'm scared you'll stop caring about me."
"Why would I? Nothing could do that."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you."
"Kate, if there's something that is bothering you, tell me. I'll try to understand, whatever it is. I just don't want to see you this insecure about us."
"I have good reason for it. JC, I don't know how to tell you this but-" Kate starts before she is interrupted by Laura opening the front door.
"Kate! Good thing you are here! James just called and he sounds depressed. I know I agreed with you that I should really divorce his behind but I can't help but still care. I have to go to him now and I didn't want to leave Alex alone. He's watching TV in the living room. I have to go now! Bye Kate, JC!" Laura rushes out before running down the steps and jumping into her car.
"Whoa... That was a lot to say in the matter of seconds," I comment, watching her speed off into the night.
"I know. I better get inside to get Alex to bed. He's up way past his bedtime," Kate says, going into the house. I follow her and close the door behind me. She leads the way into the living room, where a little sleeping Alex is spread out on the couch. "God, he looks like such a little angel while he sleeps."
"Yep, he does. Kate, do you want me to carry him to his bedroom?" I ask.
"You would do that? That would be great JC," she says, smiling at me.
"It would be a pleasure. Let me go tell Lance to take Danielle home first."
"Actually, why don't you just stay here tonight? It's late and they may want their time together at her house anyway."
"True. I'll be right back."
I go outside and tell Lance that I'm staying with Kate, earning a smile from him and Danielle before they leave. I go back inside and pick up Alex in my arms. I can't help but smile at how angelic he really looks. I follow the lights Kate left on and find his room. She isn't anywhere to be seen so I take it upon myself to tuck him into bed. Unfortunately, Alex wakes up and sees me.
"Story please," I hear him mumble.
"Aren't you sleepy Alex?"
"Story."
I spot a book on the table nearby and pick it up, realizing that it's an old book that I read when I was little. Something about a little boy and the many dreams he has during his sleep. As I continue to read, I realize that Alex is falling back asleep and is sound asleep by the time I finish. I get up off the bed and pull the covers up to his chin, giving him a little kiss on the cheek before turning around to go find Kate. When I do though, Kate was standing in the doorway, smiling right at me.
"That was really sweet JC."
"What do you mean? I just read him a story."
"You didn't have to though. You really are good with little kids. They say they are really trusting of people but can tell more about a person than normal adults can by first sight. Interesting huh?"
"Definitely. Should I turn off the light?"
"Sure. Where did you want to sleep?"
"Wherever I can."
"Well, the couch is sort of small for you and I don't know if Laura is coming back or not. If you want, you can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep with Alex."
"No, don't do that. I don't want to displace you from your own room."
"It's okay JC."
"Well, could we compromise?"
"If you want, we could both sleep in my bed I guess," she says with a blush.
"That would be nice."
"Okay then. We better get some sleep I guess."
"Yeah. Thanks for letting me stay here Kate."
"It's fine. I'm going to go get changed."
"Do you mind if I sleep in my boxers?"
"That's okay. Whatever is most comfortable," Kate answers before leading the way to her bedroom and then going into the bathroom to change.
I strip down to my boxers and slip into the bed. When she comes out, Kate slowly approaches the bed. "Don't worry. If you aren't comfortable with this though, I can sleep on the couch."
"No, it's okay. I just have never really laid down with a guy in my bed or anywhere else for that matter before you."
"No wonder you seem nervous. Come here," I say, holding up the comforter for her to slip under.
I watch as she comes closer to me in her long, oversized t-shirt and climbs into bed. I pull her to me and give her a light kiss on the top of her head as she lays her cheek on my chest, wrapping her arms around me. I stroke her hair until her breathing pattern slows down to a constant, even pattern. Only after that do I allow my thoughts to return back to her strange behavior. I wonder what was going on inside that head of hers.
The next morning, I wake up to someone knocking on the door. Kate is still asleep in my arms so I carefully untangle myself from her and pull on the shirt I wore last night. When I open the door, I see a grinning Lance holding a bag.
"Here man, I thought you may want a change of clothes for today. You look like you were up to mischief last night. Were you?" Lance asks.
"Get a life Lance. You are starting to sound like Justin here. Thanks for the clothes. Let me get Kate and Alex up and we'll be set to go in about twenty minutes or so."
"Fine by me. I have to go pick up Danielle anyway so I'll come back. Be nice in waking her up. Women can be grouchy when you see them first thing in the morning."
"I can tell you had lots of experience with that. See you in a bit," I say, closing the door. I go into the bathroom and change before waking Kate up. I walk over to the bed, where she has rolled over to where I was sleeping, and gently shake her. She doesn't respond so I lightly kiss her exposed shoulder.
"Mmm... JC, what time is it?" she asks, slowly opening her eyes.
"Time to get up. Lance just came by and will be back to pick us up to go to Disneyland. Want me to get Alex ready so it will be faster?"
"Do you mind? That would be really sweet."
"Only if you do me something."
"What?"
"Give me a good morning kiss?"
"But I have morning breath!"
"All the better," I say, leaning down and kissing her lightly but intensely. I pull away and head down the hall to Alex's room.
Since all of Alex's things are in Kate's car, we decide to take two different cars. I drive there in Lance's rented car, following Kate with Alex and Danielle in her car. Once there, we all get out and jump onto the tram that shuttles us to the park. Alex looks so excited and animated, I can't help but smile at how immensely pumped up he is about going to Disneyland.
Once inside, we head towards the Indiana Jones ride and continue on from there. It is a lot of fun and we each take turns sitting out with Alex when he couldn't go on the ride because of his height. It is if I am seeing a whole new side of Kate when she is around Alex. She really cares about him. Something like that is rare in siblings, no matter what the circumstance.
Throughout the day, I find myself carrying Alex around on my shoulders or just holding his little hand in mine while Kate held the other one. God, today seems so perfect that I cannot even get myself to think about what it will be like when I have to leave. Interestingly enough, spending all this time with Kate and Alex has made me kind of think of children. Yes, we are young, but I think Kate does have what it takes to be a great mom. I wonder what it would be like to have a child with her.
As the sun vanishes from sight and the stars come out to twinkle down at us, I can't help but wish that the day had been longer. Alex has been a great addition to our outing and is definitely a great little guy. In a way, I feel sort of bonded with him for some reason. The time he got scared of the Beast and threw the box of popcorn he had in his hands up in the air was classic. Of course, it was entertaining for me, but I'm sure Lance didn't think so when the popcorn landed on him.
We had just reached Storyland when Danielle said, "Excuse us boys but I must use the restroom and I believe Kate does to."
"I do?" I hear Kate ask.
"Sure you do. You just told me so before the last ride."
"Oh yeah. Alex, do you need to go potty?"
"No," he replies.
"Come on sweetheart. I think JC is getting tired of holding you like that," she says, trying to coax him down from where he was on my shoulders.
"It's okay Kate. Go ahead and go. We'll be right here and I promise not to lose him," I say.
"Good! Now, let's go Kate!" Danielle exclaims, dragging Kate in the direction of what I am are the restrooms.
"What was that about?" I ask Lance.
"Like I know. Women! I swear I will never understand why they have to go to the restroom in pairs, among other things. Let's go hit the store," he answers.
"Store!" I hear Alex yell.
"Sure thing little buddy. Want Mickey ears?" I ask.
"Mickey! Yes!"
I laugh and swing him down from my shoulders. "That's one thing I definitely can fulfill. Lance, coming with us?"
"Sure, why not? Not like I'm doing anything out here," Lance says, leading the way to the Mad Hatter store.
Alex looks around at the type of hats while I keep an eye on him to see that he's okay. "So, you really are getting attached to Alex, huh?"
I look at Lance and smile. "Yeah, I guess I am. Incredible little kid, huh?"
"Be careful JC. You may just be in the mood for a family soon."
"So what? If I were to have one, I couldn't think of a greater mother to my kids than Kate."
Lance raises his eyebrow and says, "You are thinking of having children with Kate. Isn't it early?"
"So? It doesn't take numerous months to realize that she is made to be a great mother. Look at how she acts with Alex! Almost as if he was her own son."
"True. She is good with children. Does this mean marriage?"
"Who knows Lance! All I know is that I could hug you for coming up with this idea!"
"None necessary. I'm just glad that we've gotten away without being noticed too much. Look, I think Alex found his ears," Lance says, pointing at Alex who was walking to me with a traditional black Mickey Mouse ears. I take it from him and lead him towards the cashier. I pay for it and have it embroidered with the name Alex on the back like my old one had mine on it from the show. I take it from the lady and place it on his head.
He smiles up at me and gives me a big hug around my legs as he says, "Thank you JC!"
"You're welcome Alex. Let's go outside and wait for your sister."
There's a look of confusion on his face but it vanishes as he spots something outside. He lets go of my hand and starts running out of the store, with me and Lance quickly behind him. "Mommy, Mommy! Look what JC got me!"
What the hell did he just say?
"What is it Alex?" Kate asks.
"Mickey ears! Me love JC like me love Mommy," he says.
"Who's mommy Kate?" I ask, hardly believing what has just been revealed.
Danielle takes Alex into her arms as Kate straightens up and says, "I am. Alex is my son, not my adopted little brother."
How in the world could she do this? "You lied! How could you Kate? Who the hell is the father?"
"Please, JC, calm down. I didn't want to tell you because I thought you would explode just like this!"
"Well you're right. Lance, are you coming?"
"Wait, where are you going?" a confused Lance asks.
"As far away as I can from here. I can't stand to see the sight of her anymore."
"JC, come on man, wait."
"Forget it. I'm out of here," I say, taking off for the nearest exit out of this blasted park. I run out into the parking lot and hop onto the tram that is just taking off and never look back until I'm in the car and driving away, just as the fireworks from Disneyland go off. I stop the car though and watch them burst, remembering that one night with Kate on Pleasure Island. It was so perfect. I should have known that it would end like this. I'm so stupid! I start the car and take off, getting as far away from Disneyland and Kate's deceptions as I can. I look at the rear view mirror and see Disneyland get smaller and smaller. So much for the happiest place on Earth!