“Good, you’re all here.” Johnny Wright said to the group of men now seated in his office.

No one said a word.  He was smiling, but it was an odd smile.  It was as if he knew something they didn’t.

“You said to be here at 9, and it’s 9 now, so here we are.” Justin smirked.

“Indeed, but I also know some of you have a tendency to be late.” Johnny shot back grinning.

“Not some of us, just one of us.” Joey replied giving JC a look.

“Yeah, ok, ok. So, I am typically late, but I’m not today, so can we just get to it.” JC grumbled.

Johnny chuckled and nodded then settled onto the couch across from the group. 

“I bet you’re wondering why I brought you here.” Johnny said still chuckling a bit.

“Not really. We’ve been with you long enough to know that when you call us in, it’s typically important.” Lance said.

“Fair enough.” Johnny replied, the grin still present on his face.

“So, what’s up?” Chris chimed in.

Johnny grinned and shook his head then produced an envelope from the computer bag at his feet.

“Well, I know this is just the beginning of September and the tour doesn’t begin until January but it seems your calendar up until then is filling up fast.”

“Ok?!” Justin replied confused.

There was something about the grin on his face that just didn’t add up.  Not to mention, he was being incredibly vague, which was very atypical Johnny behavior.

“This came in the mail today…addressed to the five of you.  It’s in two weeks.”

As the words left his mouth, Johnny tossed the contents of the envelope onto the glass coffee table between them.

It was a card, an invitation to be specific.  On one side of the card, the words, “VIP Fashion Show” in large gold print.  Beneath it, in smaller black scrolled font the card read, “April Denise Couture.”

“This is a joke, right?!” JC smirked shaking his head a bit.

“No joke, it’s legit, but I should warn you…there’s more.” Johnny said nodding to the card.

“What do you mean there’s more?” Justin asked reaching for the card.

“Look at the back.” Johnny replied.

Justin turned the card over slowly in his hand, holding it so the other guys could see.

April Denise Couture presents:

The Diamonds and Pearls Collection

Sunday, September 24, 2006

7:00 p.m.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Special appearances by:  Danielle M & Michelle Renee

Dress code: Business

“Who is Michelle Renee?” Justin asked confused.

JC snorted.  “That’s Michelle’s middle name.”

Justin’s eyes widened.  “Michelle?! As in Michelle Moretti? As in my Michelle?”

JC just laughed and nodded. “That’d be her.”

“FUCK ME!” Justin whistled through his teeth.

“My thoughts exactly.” JC smirked.

“We’re going, right?!” Joey asked with a grin.

Justin chuckled.  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure as hell am not going to miss Michelle strutting down the runway.  No sir!”

“I’m going.” JC said, still shaking his head.  “I’m probably asking for punishment in doing so, but it would be worse if I didn’t.”

Lance laughed.  “Probably.”

Johnny looked to Chris, Lance and Joey.  “Gentlemen?”

Chris just laughed a bit and nodded.  “I think we have to go, just to make sure these two don’t implode.”

Johnny nodded and cracked a smile.  “Then it’s settled.  We will all go, although I am with Chris, I will be going just to make sure the two of you don’t self-combust.”

Everyone chuckled.  Justin and JC knew that the teasing was all in good fun, and in truth, given their relationship statuses it made sense.  Lexi and Michelle were definitely forces to be reckoned with.

Still smiling and shaking his head JC looked to his four group mates.  They were his “brothers.” There wasn’t one of them he couldn’t confide in completely, and when the day came, they were the ones he wanted standing by his side. 

“Umm…well…since we are all here …and since, like Johnny said, our calendar is filling up there is something I wanted to talk to you guys about…” JC stuttered nervously.

“What’s up man?” Chris asked.

The look in JC’s eyes wasn’t one the group was accustomed to from him.  He looked terrified and excited all at once.  Even Johnny noticed.

“I need your help…” JC started to explain, his smile a bit awkward.

“Everything ok?!” Joey asked his voice filled with concern.

The other four men in the room quickly exchanged looks.  Something was definitely up.

“I thought about waiting until we were on tour, but then I thought to myself “no.”  Once we are on tour things will be far too chaotic, and busy.  I don’t want this to feel rushed, or half-ass.  I want to do this right, because well, she deserves it…”

JC was rambling, meaning he was nervous, and this wasn’t just pre-tour jitters, this was serious.

“Man, I love you, but what are you going on about?” Chris replied.

JC blushed then looked up at his friends.  He was definitely going to need their help if this was going to work the way he hoped it would.

“I need your help…” JC repeated.

They all nodded.

“Yeah, you said that already…” Justin replied.

JC nodded then reached up to rub at his neck.  He didn’t quite understand why he was having such a hard time getting the words out.  These were his “brothers.” He could talk to them about anything and everything.  They were the ones that understood him better than he understood himself sometimes, but then, why was this so hard?  Probably because he was still trying to wrap his head around it.  For so long he’d been content with his life.  He’d been ok with being alone.  He didn’t need a partner.  He didn’t crave companionship, at least not until Lexi walked back into his life.  The day he’d walked into that studio his world completely changed.  In the days and weeks since then he’d come to the realization that all the one-night stands, all the failed relationships weren’t because he was against commitment or incapable of loving someone that deeply.  No, it was because there was only ever going to be one woman he cared that deeply enough about to surrender his heart to. 

In the next moment the words just came tumbling out.

 “I want to propose to Lexi…”JC said, smiling bashfully.

“Propose what?” Joey asked confused.

Lance gave his friend a look and shook his head.  “Really Joey?! Think about it.”

Joey’s eyes widened as realization set in.  Then he was all smiles.

“OH!”

“When?” Justin asked grinning.

JC sighed and shook his head.  “I don’t know.  Soon.  Before the tour.  After this Fashion show.”

“Do you have a ring yet?” Lance asked grinning.

JC blushed.  “No.  Not yet.  I was sorta hoping…you know…if you guys weren’t busy …”

Justin chuckled, shook his head and patted his older friend on the shoulder.  “No offense, I think we would all be willing, but personally, and I think the other guys would agree…that’s something you’d be much better off asking Michelle and April to help you with.”

Johnny and the other three men all nodded in agreement.

“You think so?” JC asked anxiously.

All five men grinned and nodded. 

“Absolutely!  I mean, yeah, April might be a bit harder to pin down since she is in New York and obviously busy, but I KNOW Michelle would help you.” Justin answered nodding to the invitation.

JC finally allowed his grin to take over.  “Would you guys be willing to help me with the proposal then?”

Again, all five men nodded, including Johnny, the grins on their faces equally as wide as JC’s.

“Definitely!” Chris replied.

JC let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.  “I can’t believe I’m doing this. “

Joey chuckled.  “Just wait until you have the ring…then shit will really feel real.”

“When did you decide this?” Lance asked as he grinned again and bit his lip.

JC chuckled.  “Umm…on some level I’ve been thinking about it since her birthday but I didn’t really decide until the VMA’s.  As soon as I saw her in that dress, the nervous look in her eyes.  I remembered what that felt like and that’s when I realized I wanted to be the one that shared all those moments and feelings with her.”

“Well, might I say, it’s about DAMN TIME!” Chris teased.

JC laughed and nodded.  “I know. I know.  What can I say, I’m stubborn.”

***

“What are we doing Josh?” Michelle asked from the passenger seat.

“You’ll see.” JC replied, his smile mischievous.

He was trying really hard not to give himself away, but it wasn’t easy.  He was nervous and excited and a bit nauseous all at once but he was also determined.  Truthfully, he’d never been more sure about anything in his life.  However, that didn’t mean he wasn’t scared to death.  He was.  He was just equally as determined to see this through.

Michelle made a face.  “You were cryptic on the phone, and again now, why?”

JC chuckled, his eyes straying from the road momentarily.  “Will you just trust me for once?”

“I trust you. I’m just being cautious.”

JC just smiled as he looked over at her again.

“You know, I’ve always thought of you as another sister.”

Michelle gave him a puzzled look.

“Umm…ok…you’re being weird Josh.  Why are you being weird?  What’s going on?”

“I’m not being weird.” JC chuckled.

“Yeah, you are.  It’s unnerving, stop it.” Michelle shot back.

It was then that they pulled into the parking lot of their destination.  From the outside of the building, you couldn’t tell what it was but once inside it was definitely obvious.

“We’re here.” JC said putting his car into park.

“Which is where?” Michelle asked raising an eyebrow.

JC laughed more.  “You worry too much.  C’mon.  It will make sense in a minute, I promise.”

As soon as Michelle stepped through the glass door into the building her eyes went wide.  There were glass jewelry cases everywhere and several attendants waiting to be of service.  From behind them another employee locked the front door.  They had the entire store to themselves.

“Umm…Josh…what are we doing?” Michelle managed to get out, her eyes still wide.

“I need your help ‘Chelle.”

Michelle smirked and shook her head.  “Oh, you need help, for sure, but why my help specifically?”

JC looked over at Michelle, his eyes smiling as he sighed happily.  “It’s like I said, I’ve always thought of you as another sister and well, there is no one I know that knows Lexi as well as you do.”

Michelle’s eyes widened more if possible and her mouth went dry.  Typically, she was quick with the comebacks but not this time.  This time he’d rendered her completely dumbfounded just by mentioning her sister’s name.  It was then that she realized what was happening and more importantly, why she was there.

“Wait a minute?! Woah?! Josh, are you asking me to help you pick out an engagement ring for Lexi?”

JC grinned and nodded.  “If you would, please.”

“Is this a joke?” Michelle replied, her eyes on fire.

JC chuckled and shook his head.  “No joke.  I am being completely serious.”

“So, you are proposing to my sister?” Michelle asked.

She wasn’t completely convinced.  Truthfully, she was waiting for Ashton Kutcher or her boyfriend to appear and tell her she was being Punk’d.  If she was, it wasn’t funny, but then, there was something about the look in Josh’s eyes that told her he was being sincere.

“I am.” JC said smiling.

He still felt like he needed to pinch himself just to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating.

“When?” Michelle asked bravely.

“Umm…well…I was thinking after the fashion show, not that night but maybe the day after.  I haven’t worked out the details yet.”

Michelle’s eyes went wide again.  “The day after the fashion show?!  That’s less than a week away?! So…what you’re saying is…you’re buying a ring TODAY!”

JC chuckled nervously and nodded.  “That’s the plan.”

Michelle could only giggle and shake her head.  “Well, I never thought I would see the day, but I have to say …I’m proud of you…and it’s about DAMN time.”

JC laughed.  “Your boyfriend said the same.”

Michelle smirked.  “Well, it’s the truth.”

JC nodded.  “Ok, so then, what do you say we go pick out a ring?”

Michelle looked around the shop and just shook her head and smiled.  The fact that they had the entire shop to themselves was not lost on her.

“Did you have something in mind?” Michelle asked as they walked to the nearest case.

JC blushed.  “Nope.  That’s why I brought you.”

Michelle laughed and nodded.  “You think we’ve discussed this, don’t you?”

JC grinned.  “Well, I was hoping.”

Michelle snorted. “Of course, you were.”

“Was I wrong?”

Michelle giggled.  “Yes, and no.”

“What does that mean?” JC chuckled.

“It means I will do what I can, but for the most part, this is all you.”

JC nodded.  “I’ll take whatever help I can get.”

Michelle smiled at him then looked down to the case.  There were dozens of rings, all of them gorgeous but she had no idea where to start.

“Rose gold.” Michelle said after a long, quiet moment.

“Umm…” JC stuttered.

“Lexi has always loved Rose Gold.  You should start there.”

JC smiled and looked up at the girl behind the counter.  She smiled then nodded towards one of the cases towards the back of the room. 

“We have a large selection of Rose gold settings in that back case to the left.”

“Perfect.” JC said grinning.

Together, he and Michelle approached the case and began to peruse the dozens of gorgeous rings inside.  Instantly, he knew why Alexis liked Rose Gold.  It was unique yet beautiful and elegant just like she was. 

After what seemed like an eternity JC spied a ring he wanted to take a closer look at.

“May I see that one?” He asked pointing.

The jewelry store clerk smiled and nodded then delicately lifted the ring from the case and set it on the glass countertop so JC and Michelle could get a closer look.

“It’s a 2 carat round cut diamond with a regal halo of diamonds surrounding it.  Then, there are alternating round and marquise diamonds along the 14k rose gold band.”

“It’s beautiful Josh.” Michelle managed to breathe out.

“Do you think she’ll like it?” JC asked looking to Michelle with a nervous smile.

Michelle bit her lip to keep from tearing up and nodded.  She didn’t know why she was getting so emotional all of the sudden but in that moment, she was feeling a lot.

“I think she will love it.  It’s bold, but not over the top and elegant and pretty at the same time.”

The attendant smiled.  “Do you know the ring size?”

Michelle nodded.  “Six.”

Both the jewelry store attendant and Michelle looked to JC.

He sucked in a breath, ran a hand through his hair then began to rub at his neck. 

“Am I really doing this?” He asked nervously.

Michelle smiled softly.  Now was not the time for sarcasm. 

“I don’t know, are you?”

“Am I crazy?” JC continued.

Michelle shook her head.  “You are many, many things Josh, but crazy is not one of them.”

JC cracked a smile and sighed.  “I know, it’s just …IF I do this there is no going back.”

Michelle looked up into his clear blue eyes and smiled. “Do you honestly want to go back?”

“No.”

Again, Michelle smiled up at him.  “Then I think you have your answer.”

JC looked to the jewelry clerk and grinned.  “Ok, let’s do it.  Size 6 please.”

The attendant smiled and nodded.  “When would you like to have it ready?”

JC took a breath and paused in thought.  “Is Friday too soon?”

“Friday, September 22?”

“Yes, please.” JC answered.

“Excuse me just a moment, let me go check.” The clerk said before dismissing herself briefly.

As soon as the attendant was gone Michelle turned to JC again, her smile a mile wide.

“OH MY GOD Josh! I’m so excited and happy I could cry and I have SO many questions!” Michelle squeaked.

JC just laughed.  “One step at time ‘Chelle.  Let’s get the ring taken care of first, then I will answer your questions…maybe.”

Before Michelle had the chance to respond the clerk returned, and she was all smiles.

“Yes. That date will be just fine.  All I need from you is to fill out this order form, your ID and a method of payment.”

Michelle immediately grabbed the order form and the pen and looked to JC.  He looked a little shell shocked at the moment but she didn’t blame in the least.  This was a HUGE step.

“I’ll take care of the order form, you just worry about payment.”

JC nodded and forced himself to speak.  Now that this was actually happening, he found himself a bit speechless. 

“Thanks.” He forced out quietly.

Only once they were back inside the car did either of them speak again.  Immediately upon shutting the doors to the car Michelle let out an excited squeal of delight and threw her arms around JC’s neck.

“OH MY GOD! JOSH! FINALLY! I’m getting you as my brother-in-law!” Michelle squealed.

JC chuckled, hugged her and then slowly pulled away.  “We’ll see about that, Lexi has to say “yes” first.”

Michelle grinned.  “Oh, don’t you worry about that.  She will!”

“You think so?” JC asked nervously.

Deep down, he knew she would, or at the very least he hoped but there was still that small sliver of doubt that their past would come between them again. 

Michelle’s eyes widened a bit and she looked at him.  His eyes were swimming.  She knew that look.  It was the same terrified, broken look he’d had the day he walked away eight years ago.

“Oh Josh, I KNOW it!  I’ve known you two were meant to be since that day in the Magic Kingdom.”

This time it was JC’s eyes that went wide.  “Magic Kingdom?! But…you weren’t there…”

Michelle laughed and shook her head.  “Yes, I was…you just didn’t see me. I was 9 and you were 15, of course you didn’t notice me.   I was sitting on a bench with our parents.  They were too busy chatting but I saw the whole thing. I saw you knock Lexi down and you Tony helping her get up.  I saw April come rushing over, but I also saw the way Lexi looked at you.”

“Really?!”

Michelle smiled.  “Really! 

“Wow! I had no idea.”

Michelle grinned.  “No worries.  It’s obviously working out the way it was supposed to.”

JC smiled.  “Thanks ‘Chelle. I really couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You’re welcome.  Really, I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be right now, but now, I have to ask, what’s your plan? Do you even have a plan?”

JC chuckled and nodded then blushed a bit.  “Yes and no.  I have a general idea of how I want to do this but the finer details I’m still working on.”

Michelle grinned. “SO…do I get the scoop or are your lips sealed?”

JC couldn’t help but smirk.  “Well, since I am going to need your help, you get the scoop.  Also, I’m going to need you to convince April to play along as well.”

Michelle’s jaw dropped.  If April was going to be involved then he was definitely going big.

“Spill it Chasez!” Michelle replied grinning.