After what was supposed to be a couple days in LA turned into over a week, Justin was finally back in New York. It was the Friday before Halloween; and Justin, in an attempt to make up for his extended absence, gave Deana carte blanche of the costumes. 

She was working on her knitting as he walked in the door. “Hey babe,” he said, walking towards her. “I’m sorry things stretched so long. I got a lot of great stuff to add to the soundtrack, so that’s exciting. It just meant I was away longer, which sucks. How did stuff with Danielle go? I know we talked over the phone, but can I see pictures of anything?”

“Sure,” she said. Justin plopped down next to her on the couch, showing him Danielle in the dress, her in the dress she and the bridesmaids would wear.

“They’re beautiful, you’re all gonna look amazing,” Justin smiled.

“Thank God it was in her budget…” Deana said.

“Yeah, I know the dress can be hard to find.  Ya know, so I hear…”

“I know, Justin.”

“What?” he said, trying to feign innocence.

“About the dress.  I saw the price tag on the bag.  This has you written all over it.  Don’t worry, I won’t tell her.  I told her you’d be willing to help, and she refused.”

“That’s why I went through your brother.  There’s suddenly money your parents freed up to add to the fund.  Nothing outrageous, but enough it should give her closer to what she wants.”

“See, this is the man I fell in love with.  You are so willing to help others.  You’re generous, caring.  You are such an amazing man, Justin.  I love you.”

“Love you too, babe.  Oh, what are our costumes for the party tonight?”

“You sure you’re ready?” she laughed.

“Why am I suddenly afraid…”

She led him into the bedroom, going into the walk in closet.  “A giant microphone, ok… Definitely different.  Wait, what is that…?  Deana, where did you get that?”

“Your mom helped me out.  Not sure if it’s the exact outfit you wore, but pretty damn close.”

“You’re going, as ME?”

“Consider it a little payback for leaving me alone for so long.  I’ve missed you, a LOT.  I’ve been holding everything in this whole time.  I’m pretty sure at this point, any sexual contact and I’ll explode.”

“I’m holding you to that.  You really haven’t done anything for yourself this whole time?”

“It’s not as good as when you do it, there’s no connection.  So no, I normally don’t when you’re gone.  Nature may take its course every once in a while, but I don’t do anything more about it.”

“What about nature taking its course?”

“I get wet thinking about you, what I want you to do to me when you get home.  But I don’t do anything about it.  I’ve been knitting to pass the time and distract myself from you, I’m almost done with the dress, getting to the detail I want at the end.”

“I’m sorry, you don’t even touch yourself?”

“THIS is what you get hung up on?  Not that I picked some crazy costume for us, but that I haven’t had sexual release since the last time we had sex?  Really?”

“I mean, I know you’re not a prude, FAR, far from it, but… how?  I’m sorry, but as often as you came across my mind, I had to or I’d go crazy.”

“Again, it’s the connection, knowing someone else is making me feel alive, desired.  Me doing things isn’t NEARLY as effective as you doing the same thing to me.”

“What if I’m away for a month, Jesus, what about a whole tour?  That’s a fucking year at least, Deana…”

“This was just a week, Justin.  Longer stints, maybe.  Can we not talk about this?  It’s just, weird…”

“You are full of surprises, and I fully plan to see how long you can last later tonight.”

“Enough about that, tell me about work stuff…”

“It was just a lot of being in the studio, recording stuff I’ve been working on, writing, putting it all together.  Long days, but it was so much fun, I miss being in the studio like that.  It makes me wanna start putting together another album.  I’ve definitely got material and inspiration…”

“Me?  I never even thought about you writing songs about me…”

“Well, get used to it.  You’re my muse.”

Deana blushed a little.  

“There’s one part I want you in LA for, maybe while we’re there with the girls in two weeks.  Damn, time creeps up on you.  Next week is our anniversary…”

“I already have your gift,” Deana said.

“It can’t be just sex, though I’ll gladly take that, too,” Justin laughed.  

“No, I have something else.”

“I admit time slipped away that I hadn’t remembered.  I still have time to find something perfect.”

“Next week is costume karaoke, like the night we met.  Do you wanna go?”

“Should we go dressed as what we wore that night, what started it all?”

“I suppose we could.  Then turn things into a steamy roleplay when we get home.  You’re Batman, I’m the female chief of police…”

“Damn, I kinda want that NOW…” Justin chuckled.  

“All in good time.”

They got ready for the party, Justin still in slight disbelief that Deana was dressing up as him in his *NSYNC days.  He did his best to help style her accurately, feeling a strange range of emotions. 

“We wore what we were given half the time, most of which was just way too big, and that became our look.  Even by the time we could afford our own wardrobe for stuff, there were things given to us, or we’d still pick out weird shit.”

“Yeah, that long vest thing you wore with the cornrows for the MTV Movie awards, that was just a whole weird look.  The clothes under the vest, fine.  But that accessory along with your hair, no.”

“I was a cocky 19 year old. I felt like I could get away with anything, and I did, most of the time.  Though some people never let me forget things…”

“Like what?”

“Britney, Janet.  I don’t wanna talk about it right now.  Another time, but not while we’re trying to get ready for a party.”

They got to the party, and the costumes were a huge hit.  Everyone wanted pictures of them separately and together.  Deana thankfully knew a few people at the party, it being hosted by people Justin knew.  She still hung by Justin most of the time, making small talk with various people throughout the night.  Justin sent a picture to his social media team to post on Instagram the next day.

They got back to their penthouse, Justin laughing to himself.  “Does this mean I’m sleeping with a pop star tonight?”

“I don’t wanna be THAT girl, but haven’t you already done that?”

“Really?  I’m trying to be light, funny, start something, and you go THERE?”

“Sorry.  I think I need to get out of this ASAP so you aren’t creeped out.  You watching ‘you’ undress and be a woman underneath?  I’m sure that’s a total mindfuck.”

“I’ll give you a 5 minute head start, meet you on our bed?” he said, giving her a quick kiss.

“Deal.”  She headed down the hall towards their bedroom.  

…

“You did better than I thought you would,” Justin said, catching his breath.  

“I… that… wow…” Deana gasped.

“Not gonna lie, I like it when you’re speechless afterwards,” Justin smiled.  “Means I did a good job.”

“Always, babe.  You know I let you know how you’re doing the whole time.”

“I know, but after it’s all over, that you’re basically out.  Tells me it was a good experience overall.”

“Not just good, fucking amazing… every damn time.”

“I’ve got the right woman for the job.”

“I had to do more tonight, to help me last a little longer…”

“No complaints here,” he laughed lightly.

…

It was karaoke night, Deana and Justin both excited to go and recreate the night they met.  Deana already planned to sing the songs she did that night, to help further recreate that night.  They knew the night would end much differently though.  They would definitely go home together, sharing the same bed.

Somehow, Deana felt butterflies as she got ready.  It had been a while since she’d been to karaoke, she was nervous about singing in front of everyone again.  Justin was nervous too, worried that people would know who he was, being seen with Deana.

They headed to the bar, Deana going in first and sitting with Dani. “You’re really doing this?” Dani asked. 

“Why not?  You haven’t recreated a first date, special night?”

“Sure, but not detail by detail.”

“I don’t know that it’ll be detail but detail, tonight will end the way you wished it did.”

“You getting some with a hot stranger?” Dani laughed. 

“Except he’s no stranger now,” she smiled. 

She sang her First Lady Gaga song, and sure enough, a drink was sent over to her. She smiled, looking at the corner he’d been sitting in that first night. He was there again, smiling back at her, raising his glass. 

“Should I go talk to him?” Deana asked.

“I dunno, you’ve got a boyfriend…” Dani teased. 

Deana went to get up, then sat down as she heard the DJ. “Tonight we have a new singer, welcome Bruce to the stage.”  Deana’s eyes went wide. 

“What the fuck is he doing?” Deana wondered, watching him go up.

He started to sing, the song sounding familiar. It wasn’t until he got a little into the song that she knew it. 

I would not leave you in times of trouble

We never could have come this far, mmm

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times

I'll take you just the way you are

“He’s singing to you, D,” Dani whispered. “He took it old school. He could’ve gone with Bruno Mars, too.”

“People would expect that from him, it’s a similar range. That, and Billy Joel and I share a birthday.  I doubt he knows that though.”

He finished the song, looking and smiling at her, but otherwise not acknowledging her. He was playing his part well. They looked at each other throughout the night, Deana doing her second song, Justin sending her another drink. 

“That’s it, I’m going over to him,” she said, standing up from her seat. He watched her come over, a smile spreading across his face. 

“So I hear you’re the one buying me drinks,” she said. 

“What if I am?” he teased. 

She leaned close to him. “Then you are getting very lucky later, you’re taking me home.”

“Well, that answers that question.  I was hoping you’d come home with me.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m glad we agree on that. What makes you wanna take me home?”

“Well, you’re fucking hot in that costume. Showing off everything I like, I wanna see the rest of you.”

“Who doesn’t wanna sleep with Batman, get to know Bruce Wayne underneath?”

The DJ called him back up for a second song. “Stay right here,” Justin said as he walked up. He took the mic. “Hey, can I say something before we start the song?”  The DJ nodded. “A year ago today, my life was on one track. A year ago tomorrow, my life changed. This is for you baby, thank you for changing my life for the better.  Hit it.”

As she listened, the song was great, but didn’t quite fit. Once he got to the second verse, getting made sense. 

They say that the road

Ain't no place to start a family

Right down the line

It's been you and me

And lovin' a music man

Ain't always what it's supposed to be

Oh girl you stand by me

I'm forever yours, faithfully

He walked across the bar, finishing the song with Deana in his arms. 

Oh God, this is it… she thought to herself. He finished the song, kissing her deeply as the crowd cheered. “I love you baby,” he said into the mic, giving her one more kiss before heading back to the stage. 

Deana looked at Dani.  Deana pointed to her left ring finger questioningly.  Dani shrugged. She watched as Justin came back for her. “You ready to go, baby?”

“With you? I’m always ready.”