Justin shrugged.  "It's just this...this feeling I have.  I don't know...it's like..."  He lifted one hand, his fingers running over his short hair.  "She's avoiding me." He stated.  "Every time I call her, she has some excuse as to why we can't spend time together."  He sighed.  "I haven't seen her in over a week!  Ever since we got back from Tennessee she's been...different." 

"Different, how?" Rachel asked. 

"She's...quiet.  She's not really talking to me.  She's pulling away from me and I don't know why!  It's happening again." He murmured.  "What is it about me that scares them all away?" He asked looking over at Rachel.  "Everything's great and then...something happens and they all leave."

"Have you talked to her in the last couple days?" Rachel asked. 

Justin shook his head.  "I told you--every time I call she has some excuse.  I can't..." He stopped, scrubbing his hands over his face.  "I can't go through this again, Rachel.  Not with her." He pinched the bridge of his nose, embarrassed at the tears that were suddenly burning in his eyes. I've done it again.  He thought.  Am I destined to never have a lasting relationship?

"Look," Rachel said, scooting closer to him.  She reached out and put her hand on his knee.  "There's a lot going on right now.  Between you busy getting ready for the tour starting in a few weeks, to her being in school and working, to your guys' on--again, off--again wedding plans..." Rachel sighed.  "There's a lot going on.  Plus," she hesitated and Justin looked up at her.  "You two got engaged really quickly and this is all brand new to her.  From what I know about Aubrey you are her first real relationship." She continued.  Justin nodded.  "Put yourself in her shoes." Rachel offered.  "How would you feel if the roles were reversed?  How would you feel if the first woman you truly loved was a gigantic superstar?  How would you feel if you had spent your whole life as just a regular, normal person and then suddenly your life was thrown into the spotlight and you had to change your entire way of doing things?"

Justin blew out a breath. "I would feel...overwhelmed." He admitted, trying to put himself in Aubrey's shoes.

"Overwhelmed." Rachel nodded.  "Scared, nervous, afraid you're not going to measure up, and maybe a little bit unworthy?" Rachel added.  "Of the love and attention."

"I don't know how to make her understand." Justin replied.  "I'm the unworthy one.  I'm the one who doesn't measure up." 

"Talk to her." Rachel stated.  "When was the last time you two went out on a date?  When was the last time you two spent some quality time together doing something fun?"

"We spent all week together in Tennessee." He answered.

"Before that." Rachel replied. 

"It's been a while." Justin admitted.

"Well, there you go!" Rachel exclaimed.  "Take her out and remind her why you two are so perfect for each other."  She smiled.  "She's just scared right now, Justin." Rachel continued.  "I remember what that felt like.  You don't how intimidating it can be to suddenly find yourself involved with a celebrity--especially one that's as popular as you are.  There's a lot of...self-worth issues that come up when you're suddenly being examined and analyzed by anyone and everyone."   

"I don't care about what anyone thinks." Justin replied.

"This isn't about you." Rachel told him, shaking her head.  "This about her and you need to realize where she's coming from and what she's feeling right now.  But you can't do that unless you talk to her!  Don't just assume things, alright?"  He nodded.  "Aubrey loves you." Rachel smiled encouragingly.  "She's just...letting her fear get the best of her right now.  Everything will be okay."

"Thank you." Justin said as he sat up and put his arms around her.

"You're welcome." Rachel said, hugging him back.  "Now," Rachel continued as he pulled back and they both stood up.  "I need you to do me a favor."

"What's that?" Justin asked as they walked back towards the front door.

"I need you to help me remind JC about our appointment tomorrow afternoon with the caterer." Rachel told him.  "I don't want to nag him about it, but I don't want him to forget about it.  I figure, since you're the best man, this is one of your responsibilities." She grinned at him.  "I need you to help me to keep him on track and focused."

Justin chuckled.  "What time is he supposed to be meeting you tomorrow?"

"Two o'clock." Rachel replied as she opened the door.

"I'll do my best." Justin nodded once as he stepped outside. 

"Thank you." Rachel smiled then watched as he walked out to his Escalade and drove away.  Alrighty, one crisis averted.  She thought to herself as she pulled her cell phone from her pocket.  Why hadn't Megan called her back yet?  She was half tempted to catch the next flight to Phoenix to force her best friend to talk to her, but Rachel knew this was how Megan worked.  When she was really upset about something she pulled away and isolated herself until she was able to process everything.  She would call when she was ready to talk. 

At least I know she's alive. Rachel thought as she walked into the kitchen and looked at the mess of papers waiting for her on the table.  She had to make a decision about which shop space she wanted to put an offer in on and she was putting it off.  But time was running out.  She was going to have to start paying back on her business loan pretty soon and she didn't have any revenue coming in.  It was time to get the ball rolling.

~~~~~~~

Justin took a deep breath before reaching out and knocking at Aubrey's door later that afternoon.  After talking with Rachel, he had decided she was right.  He needed to stop assuming things and take Aubrey out--remind her that they were just a regular couple.  They needed time to be together and he needed to show her that they could have a normal life despite the popularity his chosen career garnered him.  He needed to reassure her that everything was going to be okay; that whatever it was she was afraid of, could be overcome as long as they remained open and honest with one another.    

He heard the doorknob jiggle and straightened slightly, his heart skipping.  Though they had talked on the phone almost every day, he hadn't seen his fiancée in over week and he was anxious to be able to touch and kiss her once again.  His excitement faded a bit however, when Grams opened the front door. 

"Hello." The older woman greeted him with a smile. 

"Hi." Justin answered.  "Is, uh...is Aubrey home?" He stuttered--stumbling awkwardly as if he were there on a first date. 

Grams smiled as she stepped back, opening the door wider.  "She's back in her bedroom." She replied.  "What took you so long?  That girl has been driving me crazy, moping around here all week without you."  She continued as Justin stepped into the house.  "I hope you've come to fix that." She said as she closed the front door.

Justin smiled.  "Well, that's the plan." He replied.  "I hope you don't mind if I kidnap her for a few hours."

"Take her!" Grams exclaimed, and Justin chuckled.  "As long as you bring her back with a smile on her face, I don't care how long you two are gone."

"Can I get that in writing?" Justin teased and Grams laughed. 

"Go get her." She said, shooing him down the hall.  "Second door on the left." She informed him.  "And don't let her give you any sass."

Justin couldn't help chuckling as he walked down the hallway to Aubrey's bedroom.  Grams was something else.  He hadn't spent a whole lot of time with the woman, but every time he interacted with her, he grew to like her more and more.  It gave his confidence a boost to know she was rooting for him.  He stopped outside the specified door and raised his hand.  He paused before knocking--taking a deep breath and sending a prayer of supplication heavenward.  He needed tonight to work.  Releasing the breath he had been holding, Justin tentatively knocked on Aubrey's bedroom door.

~~~~~~~

"Come in." Aubrey called at the knock to her bedroom door.  She glanced up from where she sat cross-legged on her bed in front of her laptop--her brows furrowed slightly.  Grams usually knocked and then came in--she didn't wait to be asked.  Her breath caught and her heart skipped a few beats as a familiar pair of blue eyes met hers.  "Justin." She breathed, setting aside the textbook and notepad that had been in her lap, and stood.

"Hey, pretty girl." He smiled at her.  Aubrey walked over to him and put her arms around his waist--resting her head against his chest as she hugged him tightly. 

As much as she hated herself for feeling like she was leading him on, the fact of the matter remained that she loved him.  This last week apart from him had been torture.  As Justin put his arms around her--holding her close--Aubrey hungrily soaked in the love and comfort she gained by once more being in his arms.  She took a deep breath, inhaling his familiar and intoxicating aroma.  He had a smell that was all his own, and she hadn't realized until that moment how much she had missed it.  They stayed that way--wrapped in each other's arms--for a few moments until Justin lowered his head, his lips brushing against her temple. 

"I missed you." He whispered, sending a tingle running down her spine.

"I missed you, too." She replied, tightening her arms around him. 

"I came to ask you out to dinner." He informed her. 

Aubrey pulled back and looked up at him.  "Dinner?" She questioned. 

"Yes, dinner." He replied.  "You know--the meal you usually eat after lunch but before you go to bed." His lips lifted slightly in a grin and Aubrey's heart skipped at the teasingly sparkle in his blue eyes. 

"I'm not dressed." She told him.

Justin pulled back slightly--his eyes traveling over her slowly then once more meeting hers.  "You look dressed to me." He remarked. 

"You know what I mean." Aubrey replied, slapping his arm playfully.  "I'm not ready to go out anywhere."  There was no way she was going to dinner with him with her hair up in a messy ponytail and wearing her worn-out jeans and the old, gray Army T-shirt she'd had since high school. The press had already said some nasty things about her and she didn't want to give them anymore ammo.  

"You're perfect." He insisted.  "Where we're going...it's just going to be the two of us."  Aubrey looked at him in question.  "Please?" He begged softly as he lifted one hand to cup her cheek.

"Do you promise?" She asked.

"That you're perfect?" He questioned.  "Absolutely!" He exclaimed with a grin.

Aubrey chuckled.  "No." She shook her head.  "That it's just going to be the two of us?"  He nodded.  "No paparazzi?" She asked.  "No cameras?"

"No cameras." He echoed as he lowered his head, finally placing a soft kiss to her lips.  Aubrey closed her eyes, a quiet sigh escaping her.  "Just the two of us." He promised-his warm breath fanning over her lips.

"How is that even possible?" She asked, wanting to believe him but finding it difficult.  She opened her eyes once more to look at him. 

"Trust me." He replied, his blue eyes delving into hers.  Her stomach began to quiver from the intensity of his gaze.  Justin's lips lifted into a smile a second before he pressed them against hers.  Aubrey sighed once more as she melted against him, returning his kiss fully.  "Is that a yes?" He asked, pulling back after a few moments. 

She was quiet for a moment as she looked up at him then finally nodded.  "Yes."  Again, he smiled and again he captured her mouth in a hungry kiss.  He lifted his other hand, his fingers sinking into her hair as he tilted her head to the side to deepen the kiss.  Aubrey's hands rested on his slim hips, her fingers fisting the material of his shirt as she pulled him closer and allowed him to completely ravage her mouth.

"It's been too long, Aubrey Janae..." Justin groaned as he finally came up for air--resting his forehead against hers.  Aubrey slowly opened her eyes, meeting his.  "I always seem to be waiting for you." He mused quietly as he brushed one thumb along her cheek bone.  "Let's go." He said.   

"Can you at least let me do something with my hair?" She asked. 

"No." He shook his head.  "I told you." He said, kissing the end of her nose.  "You're perfect." He pulled back to look at her.  "All you need is a sweatshirt or a jacket for later.  Maybe a blanket.  It might get cold." 

"A blanket?" She questioned.  "Where are we--" But Justin cut her off with a shake of his head and a finger against her lips.

"Don't ask questions, Aubrey Janae." He replied.  "Just trust me.  Trust me, and put this on." Aubrey watched as he pulled a long scrap of fabric from his pocket. 

"Is that a blindfold?" She asked, taking a step back.

"Ah!" Justin held up a finger and looked at her pointedly.  "I said no questions.  Now, turn around." Aubrey narrowed her eyes as she looked at him for a moment, then slowly did as he requested.  She closed her eyes as Justin put the blindfold over them and secured it at the back of her head.  "Trust me." He breathed in her ear, a shiver running down her spine as his hands ran down her arms. 

"Do I have a choice?" She asked, tilting her head to the side as he slid his fingers in between hers.  Goosebumps broke over her as he wrapped both of their arms around her--their fingers still entwined.

"Nope." He answered, placing his lips against her cheek.

Aubrey smiled as she leaned back slightly against him.  "My sweatshirt is in the closet." She told him, disappointment filling her as he released her and took a step away. "Or there's a blanket there on the end of my bed." She said, pointing towards were she knew her bed was.  She listened as Justin moved around her room.  She turned when she heard the closet door open and lifted her hand to the blindfold to peek beneath it, but Justin suddenly placed his hand over hers. 

"Uh-uh." He scolded.  "No peeking.  I'll tie you up if I have to." He threatened.

"Promise?" She asked, the word escaping her before she could stop it.  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, though it did nothing to hide her smile. 

"Girl..." Aubrey jumped slightly as Justin suddenly growled in her ear.  She giggled. 

"Justin?"

"No questions." He replied as he took her hand.  "Let's go."

~~~~~~~

"I feel ridiculous." Aubrey exclaimed.  She gripped Justin's hand tightly as he led her blindly from his truck to wherever it was he was taking her.  She stubbed the toe of her tennis shoe on a rock and bumped into him--grabbing onto his arm with her free hand.

"You okay?" He asked as he stopped walking. 

"Yeah." She nodded.  "Where are you taking me?"

"The best restaurant in town." He replied.  Aubrey could hear the smile in his voice and it made her own lips turn up. 

"However did you manage to get reservations?" She teased.

"I brought sexy back." He stated simply, and Aubrey laughed.  After a few more moments of walking, Aubrey felt the solid ground they had been on, give way to what felt like sand.  Finally, they came to a stop. 

"Can I look now?" Aubrey asked. 

"Not yet." Justin replied as he let go of her hand. 

"Am I just supposed to stand here?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Yes." He answered. 

"Did I mention, I feel ridiculous?" She questioned with a laugh.

"Nobody's here." Justin assured her with a chuckle as he placed his lips against hers in a quick kiss.  "Now be quiet for a minute."

Aubrey did as he asked, standing quietly as she listened to the sounds he was making, trying to figure out what he was doing.  She knew they were at the beach somewhere and the anticipation was starting to get to her.  When he'd shown up at her house, asking her out to dinner, she had assumed he was going to take her to some fancy restaurant somewhere in town but as she listened to him set up dinner she had a hard time containing her smile.  It made her feel special--knowing he had put so much time and thought into this whole thing. 

She felt it as he came to stand in front of her and she tipped her head up towards him.  She reached her hands out, feeling for his shoulders.  When she found them, Aubrey slowly slid her hands up to his face then--going up on her toes slightly--she pulled his head down and pressed her lips against his.  Justin reached behind her as she continued kissing him and untied the blindfold.  As they pulled apart, Aubrey blinked as she looked at him.  He leaned down and kissed her again then took her hand and pulled her over to the blanket he had taken from her bed and laid down on the sand.

Aubrey looked around as she sat down.  The strip of beach they were on was secluded--surrounded by the trees and overgrowth that separated it from the highway--and very private.  It was the perfect little hideaway and he had followed through with his promise--there wasn't a camera in sight.  "How did you find this place?" She asked as she sat down and looked out over the expanse of ocean in front of them. 

"By accident." He replied.  "I found it one day a few years ago when I was trying to get away from..." he paused.  "Everything going on around me."  Aubrey watched as Justin gazed out at the water.  "I come out here sometimes when I need time alone to think.  There aren't any fans or paparazzi around." He continued as he turned to look at her.  "I can just be me."

Aubrey leaned over and placed her lips against his.  "Thank you." She told him, putting a hand against his face.  He smiled as he pulled her back, kissing her again.  As the kiss began to heat up, Aubrey's stomach suddenly rumbled embarrassingly loud, causing Justin to pull back with a laugh.

"Hungry?" He asked with a smirk.

"Starving." She replied with a smile.  "What did you bring?" She asked, gesturing towards the duffle bag sitting next to him on the sand. 

"Food." He replied.

"Smart ass." She replied, nudging him with her shoulder.  He chuckled as he placed his hand against her face again, pressing his lips against hers once more.  "Really." Aubrey asked, pulling back once more.  "What did you bring?"

~~~~~~~~ 

Justin's eyes stayed locked on Aubrey's for a moment then he turned and opened the bag he'd brought with the food in it.  "BLT's." He told her, pulling out the sandwiches and handing one to her.

"Did you make these?" Aubrey asked. 

He nodded, glancing over at her as he pulled out the bottle of wine he'd brought.  "Here," he said, handing her one of the wine glasses he'd brought.

"Glasses?" She asked, looking at the glass and then at him in amazement.  "You really went all out here."

"I told you this was the best restaurant in town, didn't I?" He asked with a wink as he uncorked the wine.  She smiled, nodding as he held up the bottle, silently asking if she wanted some.  Justin poured some of the red liquid first into her glass, then into his, and then stuck the bottle in the sand next to him.  He turned and watched as Aubrey lifted her glass, pressing to her lips as she took a drink.  He watched her closely--the image before him suddenly reminding him of the first time he had realized he had feelings for her.  It was hard to believe that that fateful birthday party where he had sat at Rachel and JC's table, watching Aubrey sip her wine, had been only a year ago. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, breaking him from his thoughts.  "What are you thinking?"

"I was just thinking..." He paused as he scooted closer to her.  "I was thinking about your birthday last year." He admitted. 

"My birthday?" She asked setting her glass down between her legs and unwrapping the sandwich he had given her.  "Why were you thinking about that?" She asked looking over at him as she took a bite.

"I think about it a lot, actually." He confessed as he bit into his own sandwich.

"Really?" She asked and he nodded.  "Why?" She questioned. 

He took another bite before answering.  "I always wonder what would have happened if I had followed through on the thoughts and feelings I was having that night and kissed you." He told her.   

"You did kiss me." She reminded him as she took a sip of her wine. 

"Only on the cheek." He replied.

"Well, it was still a very special kiss." She told him, smiling at him.  "Good thing I'm having another birthday in a few weeks." She continued.  "And this time...you can kiss me all you want."

Justin laughed.  "Oh, I'm planning on it." He replied.  "After the party you threw for me and that tattoo you got...you're going to have a very happy birthday this year."

"Oh yeah?" She asked with an excited sparkle in her eyes.  He nodded.  "Are you going to clue me in or is it a big surprise?" She asked taking another bite of her sandwich.

Justin pursed his lips for a moment as he thought about it.  "It's a surprise." He finally said, wanting to keep his plans a secret.  After all it was only fair; she had surprised him now it was his turn to return the favor.  

"Well, I know it can't be anything too extravagant." She informed him as she picked up her wine glass again and took another sip. 

"How do you know that?" He asked, curious.

"Because you're going to be out on tour." She reminded him.

"I do have a few days off here and there." He replied.  "Plenty of time for us to..." He stopped as she looked over at him in sudden interest.  "Plenty of time for a good birthday surprise." He finished and Aubrey narrowed her eyes at him.  "Trust me." He grinned and gave her a wink.

"Okay." Aubrey giggled.  "Whatever you say." 

~~~~~~~  

They continued eating-talking and laughing-as the rest of the world went on without them.  For that hour, she was able to forget about the fact that in a matter of days now, Justin was going to be gone and she wasn't going to see him for weeks at a time.  Aubrey was able to forget about her fears and insecurities and pretend that they were just a regular, normal couple out on a date. 

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky Justin finally stood, brushing the sand from his pants. "Are we leaving?" Aubrey asked, looking up at him in disappointment.  She didn't want the evening to end.

"No." He answered.  "Unless you want to?"  She shook her head and he smiled.  "I was just going to look around and see if I could find some driftwood so we could build a fire." He told her.  "It's going to start getting cold now that the sun is setting."

"Can I help?" Aubrey asked as she stood next to him.

"Yeah." Justin nodded.  "You can find a couple of good roasting sticks." He told her. 

"Okay." Aubrey smiled. 

"Meet back here in ten minutes?" He asked.

"Deal." She nodded.  They parted with a kiss and each went in search of what they were looking for.

It took her longer than she thought to find two "roasting" sticks, but eventually, Aubrey found two that she thought Justin would approve of and made her way back to the blanket.  She stopped as she approached their picnic spot, cocking her head as she watched Justin setting up a small campfire.  For some reason it surprised her that he knew how to build a campfire, but as she continued to watch him, her lips lifted in a smile.  It was moments like this that she craved--moments when he was just a regular guy; where she could forget about the cameras always following them around and just enjoy being with him.

She watched as he took a book of matches from his back pocket.  He struck one match and lit the tinder he had gathered then leaned over the pile of wood.  A shiver ran down her spine as Aubrey watched him blow on the flames, trying to coax them to life.  That simple, innocent action suddenly caused her mouth to go dry as her body suddenly reminded her how long it had been since they had been together.  Her eyes became fixated on his lips as her mind was flooded with images and thoughts about what that beautiful mouth of his was capable of doing to her.

"Hey, pretty girl." He said, turning to look over his shoulder at her. 

Aubrey swallowed and shook her head, trying to clear it of the distracting thoughts.  "Hey." She smiled as she walked over to him.  "Will these work?" She asked, holding out the two sticks she had found.

"Perfect." He grinned.  "Come here." He said, patting the spot next to him. 

"What are these for?" She asked as she sat down next to him. 

"The marshmallows." He replied as he reached over and grabbed his duffle bag again.  Aubrey grinned.  She shivered slightly as a breeze picked up around them.  "Here." Justin said, reaching over, handing her the sweatshirt he had grabbed for her. 

"Thank you." Aubrey smiled.  She handed him the sticks and put the sweatshirt on. 

"Do you want one or two?" He asked opening the bag of marshmallows he had brought. 

"Uh..." She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs.  "Two." She told him.  She watched as he speared two and then handed her one of the sticks.  Aubrey held the stick out, over the flames, and watched as the marshmallows began to toast.  Silence fell between them as Justin held out his own stick next to her.  Aubrey pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as her thoughts began to wander.  She didn't want tonight to ever end.  She hated that she couldn't just enjoy this time with him.  Why did her thoughts always have to intrude?

"Make a wish." Justin told her quietly.

"What?" Aubrey asked, turning to look at him.

He pointed up at the sky.  "Make a wish." He said, pointing out the first star of the evening.  Aubrey closed her eyes.

~~~~~~~

Justin watched her closely.  "What did you wish for?" He asked as she opened her eyes again. 

"If I tell you, then it won't come true." She told him quietly.

"If you don't tell me, I can't help it come true." He replied, nudging her with his shoulder.  Aubrey smiled.  "Come on, Aubrey Janae..." he prodded.  "What did you wish for?"

Aubrey was quiet for a moment.  He watched as she chewed on her bottom lip.  "I wished..." she began the paused.  She sighed.  "I wished it could always be like this between us." She confessed.  Again there was silence between them as he sat there, trying to work up the courage to ask her the question he needed an answer to.

"If I ask you a question," Justin began hesitantly.  "Will you give me an honest answer?"  Aubrey turned to look at him, her expression unreadable.  She was quiet for a moment--her eyes meeting his--and he wished, once again that he were a mind reader.  He would give anything to know what she was thinking; to know what she was afraid of and to be able to give her the reassurance she needed. 

Aubrey finally nodded, giving him permission to ask his question.  Justin turned to look at the fire in front of them--unable, suddenly, to meet her gaze any longer.  He swallowed nervously then forced the words out, bracing himself against the pain he knew was sure to come with her answer. 

"Do you still want to be with me?"     

~~~~~~~

Aubrey's knees dropped at Justin's question and she dropped her gaze from looking at him.  She folded her legs beneath her and pulled the roasting stick from the fire.  Nervously, she began to pick at the toasted marshmallows--her heart beating painfully in her chest.  He had sensed her hesitancy and withdrawal this last week and was calling her on it.  Why did he have to ask that question?  She wondered. Why did he have to bring their enjoyable evening to a screeching halt?  Why couldn't they just enjoy this time together? 

Why did she have to think so hard about her answer?

"I just need an answer." He continued.  "One way or the other.  I just need to know."

Aubrey remained quiet for another minute.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I made a list." She finally told him.  "A few days ago...of the things I really want in life."

"Am I on the list?" Justin asked quietly--the vulnerability in his voice causing her to finally look at him.

"Yes." She told him. 

"But?" He questioned, sensing her hesitancy.

"But..." Aubrey took a deep breath as she looked back at the marshmallows on her stick. "I don't want everything that comes along with you." She confessed.  "And lately..." She stopped, chewing on her bottom lip-fighting against the tears that wanted to fall. "Lately, I feel like all I'm doing is leading you on."

"Aubrey, I--"

"Just," she cut him off as she held up one hand and turned to look at him again.  "Just let me talk, okay?" She asked.  He nodded.  "I never imagined living this kind of life, Justin.  I'm not cut out for it.  I'm not..."  She shook her head and closed her eyes, swallowing against the sudden lump in her throat.  "I love you." She stated as she looked at him.  "More than anything, but I hate that you're a celebrity.  I hate that we can't have a normal relationship.  I hate that I constantly doubt myself around you.  I don't want to have my picture continually in the newspaper or on TV.  I don't want everybody talking about what I wore to dinner last night or to the last awards show and how it's not what I should be wearing.  I don't like being the center of attention and I don't want to have to sit and wait patiently at home while you're off traveling the world, performing every night."

"What do you want?" Justin asked, the look in his blue eyes making her have to look away--she couldn't stand the hurt and disappointment there, knowing she had been the one to cause it.

"I want to have a normal life." She told him.  "I want to teach.  I want to have a home and a family and a husband who comes home every night and helps me put the kids to bed.  I don't want my children growing up in the spotlight--being exposed to that kind of lifestyle-and I don't know..."  She paused, fighting against her emotions.  She took a deep breath.  "I don't know if you can give me any of that." She told him, her voice cracking. 

"How do you know?" He asked, his voice strained.  "You haven't even asked me."

Aubrey turned her body so she was facing him.  "Can you give me those things, Justin?" She asked, unashamed of the tear that slipped down her cheek.  "Can you give me a normal life?"

"Yes." He stated emphatically.

"How?" She asked, incredulously.  "How in the world can you give me a normal life?  Do you know who you are?"

"I can sell the house." He told her, a desperate look in his blue eyes.  "We can move wherever you want."

"And what about your career?" She asked him.  "What about the tour?  And the guys?"

"I don't care about any of that." He insisted.  "Do you know how much money I have?  I don't have to work another day in my life if I don't want to!"

"You can't just walk away!" Aubrey insisted.  "You have the group and your record label and--" 

"I can." Justin cut her off as he reached out, putting his hands on her upper arms.  "I can and I will." He insisted, his eyes holding hers steadily.  "You just say the word."

"Justin..."

"I've done it before." He continued.  "And I'll do it again if I have to."  She shook her head.  "I don't think you're understanding me, Aubrey." He continued, before she could say anything.  "You are more important to me than anything!  You are my everything, Aubrey Janae.  If you want a normal life, then that's what I'll give you.  You want kids?  Let's start the adoption process going.  You want to move?  Let's start looking at houses.  We can move back to Tennessee or Virginia if you want to be close to your family or wherever the hell you want to move.  You want a husband who's going to be home everyday?  Let's get married and I'll stay home.  Whatever you want, tell me and I'll do it!"

Aubrey sat there looking at him, stunned.  "You...you're willing to give it all up?" She asked, her bottom lip trembling.  "For me?"  He nodded.  "Why?" 

"Because I love you!" He answered.  "Because you're the only one who truly understands me-the only one I've told all of my secrets to.  I will do anything for you, Aubrey." He continued.  "Why don't you believe me?" She looked at him, unable to stop the tears from falling.  Justin lifted both of his hands, placing them against her face.  "I love you." He breathed.  "When I put that ring on your finger it was with the promise that I would do whatever it took to make you happy; to make you smile.  If me walking away from everything will do that, then that's what I'm prepared to do." 

Aubrey sat there in stunned silence.  He was willing to walk away from everything that made him who he was?  Everything he loved?  For her?  What had she done to garner that level of devotion and commitment from him?  "Justin, I..." She trailed off, not knowing how to respond or what to say.  She hadn't expected his passionate response to her admission and had to mentally take a step back. Slowly, she was finally beginning to understand how much he truly did love her, and it took her breath away.  Why was she so afraid of loving him in return?  Why was she holding back, unwilling to completely trust him, when he was prepared to turn his back on everything and everyone tonight just to make her happy?

"I don't want you to walk away from everything." She heard herself telling him.  While a part of her was ready to jump at his offer, the logical side of her knew that he would eventually regret this decision to leave everything and in the process grow to resent her for forcing him to make this choice.  She couldn't do it.  "That's part of what makes you who you are.  I don't want to take that away from you."

"But?" He questioned. 

Aubrey shook her head.  "No, buts." She told him.  "Just a question.  Did you mean what you said about moving to Tennessee?"  He nodded.  "And...adopting?  Did you change your mind about wanting to have kids?"

"Change my mind?" He asked.  "What do you mean?"

"The first time I asked you about whether or not you ever wanted to get married and have kids you got this terrified look in your eyes and you lied to me-telling me ‘maybe.'  Do you remember?"

He looked at her for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the memory.  "It was after we had gone paint balling?  Right?" He asked.  Aubrey nodded, impressed that he had remembered.  Justin stroked his thumbs across her cheeks.  "In that case, yes.  I changed my mind.  I want to have kids, but only on one condition."

"What's that?" She asked, trying not to get her hopes up.

"Actually, I have two." He clarified.  "Number one." He dropped his hands from her face and lifted one finger in front of her.  "We first look into if there's any possibility that we," he gestured back and forth between them, "can have our own baby. And two," he continued quickly, holding up another finger when she opened her mouth to respond.  "You have to marry me first.  Call me old fashioned, but any baby we bring into our family is going to have the same last name as both of its parents."

"Have you thought about this a lot?" Aubrey questioned, taken back at his conditions.

"Some." He shrugged, his cheeks warming slightly.  Aubrey felt her lips turn up in a smile and butterflies suddenly appeared in her stomach at the knowledge that Justin had thought about having a baby with her. 

"Okay." She told him.

"Okay?" He questioned. 

"Okay." She nodded.  "I accept your conditions." A slow smile spread across Justin's face.  "I'm sorry." Aubrey offered.

"About what?" He questioned.

"About freaking out on you just now." She replied.  "I know I've been acting weird lately, and I'm sorry.  I just..." She shrugged.  "I still find it all hard to believe--the way my life has turned out.  I don't handle change very well and there have been a lot of changes recently." 

"Come here." Justin said scooting around so he was facing her, and opening his arms.  Aubrey crawled over and curled up between his legs, wrapping her arms around his waist as she laid her head against his chest.  Justin put his arms around her, holding her tightly.  "Just keep talking to me." He pled as he lowered his head, placing his lips against her forehead.  "If this is going to last we've got to work on our communication."  Aubrey nodded against him.  "And you have to trust me."  He pulled back slightly and Aubrey looked up at him.  "Do you trust me?" He asked.

Aubrey pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.  Here was the test.  She could see the question in his eyes-what was her answer going to be?  "Yes." She told him, feeling the truth of that one word throughout her entire being.  For the first time, she could honestly say that she trusted him.  They had both been brutally honest with each other tonight and because of that, Aubrey felt more secure in their relationship than she ever had.

"Then here's my next question." Justin continued.  "Will you move in with me?"

Aubrey's heart skipped a few beats and her stomach quivered at the look in his blue eyes.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and stepped off the edge of the cliff she had been walking since she had met him.  "Yes."