August 2007

“So, umm … I was wondering if you’d be my date to the VMAs?” Justin asked.

“The VMAs.”  Emma thought out loud.

 “Hey, it’s a free trip to Vegas,” he said, “and your own hotel room.”

Emma laughed at that comment.  “Well, I appreciate that.  When is it?”

“September 9,” he answered.  “But I was thinking maybe you could come back with me to LA and come to my show on the 16th.”

“I should be able to go.”

“Should?”  Justin asked.  He really wanted to see her again and it had only been a few weeks.

“What?  You know Bryan’s not capable of being left alone.”  Emma smiled even though he couldn’t see her.  “I have to wait and see though.  You know I’ve been really busy with my business and because I just took off for a few days when you were here …”

“I understand,” Justin sounded like he was pouting.

“Come on Justin,” she started, “I haven’t said no yet.  I really do want to go, I promise.  Okay?  479 is picking up and I kind of have to be here.”

“Yeah I know, I just, I miss you.”

“I know,” Emma nodded.  It was weird how much she missed him – at least Emma thought it was – it wasn’t like they had been a couple for very long and they’d only been in each others’ presence twice.

*  *  *

September 2007

While Justin had visited Emma in July, she had tried her best to entertain him and show him her part of the world.  However, they mostly hung out at her house watching movies, listening to music, and getting to know each other better; after all, they were going to try this whole dating thing in the midst of his touring and her growing business. 

Emma had enjoyed those brief five days with him, and she was looking forward to the upcoming week.  She had worked it out so she could take off for 10 days to hang out with Justin, who was really excited about it.

Emma had just been dropped off at the hotel she would be staying at with Justin.  He had convinced her to share a suite with him and had promised that she would still have her own room and bathroom.  She walked up to the counter.  This hotel was all kinds of fancy.

“Afternoon miss,” the concierge said.

“Hi,” Emma smiled, “I need to check in.”  She pulled out the sheet of paper she had printed off with the hotel confirmation information Justin said she would need to check in.  Emma handed it to the man.  “I’m Emma Sarver.”

“Okay,” he looked at the sheet of paper and then back up at her after she saw whose name was on it.  The man typed in the confirmation number and read the screen.  “I need to see some ID.”

“Oh, yes …” Emma pulled her wallet out of the same bag she grabbed the confirmation sheet out of.  She handed him her driver’s license.

“Thank you Ms. Sarver,” he said and handed her license back.  “We always have to double check when it comes to our high-profile guests.”

“That’s all right.  Better safe, than sorry.”  She replied and put the laminated card back in its place.  Emma watched as he typed in a few more things.

“Is this your first time staying with us?”  When Emma answered ‘yes’, he explained all of the hotels amenities and services, and then he called for the bellhop to get her bag and show her to the room.

Emma sat down on the couch in the living room of the suite after the bellhop had left.  She looked around not knowing what to do with herself.  This “suite” was as big as her house.  Justin was supposed to get there in the middle of the night after his show in Washington State that night.   

Her cell phone rang, breaking the silence in the space.  Emma jumped up to answer it before voicemail picked up.  She smiled when she saw Justin’s name on the screen.

“Hi!” Emma answered.

“Are you there?”  Justin asked.

“I’m here.  This place is ridiculous Justin … it’s as big as my house.”  Emma said looking around the spacious suite again.

“It is not that big,” he responded and rolled his eyes.

“It might as well be.”

Justin laughed.  He couldn’t have been more excited to see her.  If only he could skip his show.

“So do you have any suggestions about what I should do tonight?”  Emma asked and sat back down on the couch.

“Just get some room service and chill.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day,” he answered.

“I think I might go explore some.”  She didn’t care to sit in the hotel all night and she had never been to Vegas.

“Well if you do, just be careful,” he didn’t like the thought of her walking around by herself, but knew she would do it even if he told her not to.

“I will.  What time do you think you’ll get in?” 

“Probably 4 a.m.,” he answered.  They had at least a whole 12 hours before they would see each other if Emma would be awake.  Justin and Emma talked on the phone a few more minutes before he had to go eat dinner.

Emma spent the evening exploring the Strip and getting something to eat for dinner.  When she got back, she turned the TV on and ended up falling asleep on the couch in the living area. 

Before she knew it Emma woke up to someone outside of the door.  She looked at her watch that she never took off and saw that it was a quarter after four.  Emma sat up just as the door was pushed open and Justin stepped inside.

“Thanks, I’ve got it from here,” he said to the bellhop who set his bags inside his door.  Justin pulled out his wallet and gave him a tip.  The door closed behind him and he still hadn’t seen her sitting there.

Emma wanted to see how long it would take him to see that she was awake, but she really wanted to wrap her arms around him and give him a big kiss.  He looked wiped out.

“Justin!” Emma whispered loudly.  Justin’s face lit up when he saw her sitting on the couch.  He forgot all about his bags and walked over to her.  Emma stood up so she could give him a proper hug.

“I am so happy to see you,” he lowered his head toward hers so he could kiss her.

“I’m happy to see you too,” Emma said as well after he pulled away a little.  She kept her arms around him.

“Have you been up this whole time?” Justin asked.

“No.  I feel asleep on the couch and woke up when you came in,” she answered and couldn’t help but kiss him again.  “You look tired.”  Emma reached up and ran her thumbs underneath his eyes.

“I am,” the words were followed by a yawn. 

“Well let’s go to bed.  We can talk tomorrow,” Emma said as she stepped out his embrace.

“Which room did you take?” he asked.

“That one,” Emma pointed to the one that his back was facing.

“Okay,” Justin said.  “See you in a few hours?”

“Mmhmm …” Emma nodded.  Justin kissed her again and they went their separate ways. 

*  *  *

“Is this okay to wear?” Emma asked.  She and Justin were getting ready to go to the award show.  Emma was wearing a black T-shirt for The Wedding, one of her designs of course, somewhat-tight black jeans, and her black converse shoes.

“Its fine,” Justin smiled.  “I like your hair.”

“Thanks,” she ran her fingers through the short spiky part in the back, which had enough gel in it to last the next few days.

“Is that why you were locked in the bathroom so long?”  Emma had temporarily dyed the front part of her hair, which went down to her chin, blue, and left the short part the black that it all was before.

“Uh-huh,” she nodded.

“Do you have any of it left?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she answered hesitantly.  “Why?”

“Can I use it?”  He didn’t wait for her to answer but walked into her room and then the attached bathroom.  Emma followed him.

“I suppose.”  She shrugged and stepped into the bathroom with him.  “No one’s going to give me dirty looks are they?”

“No,” he laughed.  “Dye this part.”  Justin pointed to the top of his head where he had managed to comb his hair into a faux-hawk.

“All right,” Emma grabbed the bottle of dye and he sat down on the closed toilet lid.  “This only lasts a week at the most.”

“Okay,” he smiled up at her. 

“What?”  Emma asked as she started to comb the dye into his hair.  He was just sitting there with a stupid grin on his face, watching her.

“You’re just cute,” he responded sincerely.  Emma blushed, yet kept her focus on the task at hand.

“Like it?”  Emma asked after she finished the process of dying it and reshaping the faux-hawk for him.  Justin stood up and checked himself out in the mirror.

“Sweet.”  He grinned just as the phone rang.  “Car’s here,” Justin said. “Thanks.”  He kissed her lips and walked out of the room to grab the phone.  Emma turned off the bathroom light and walked to the living room.

“Ready?”  Justin asked as he hung up the room phone.

Emma nodded and picked up her driver’s license and cell phone.  She stuck both in her front pocket.

“You’re going to bring that?”  Justin asked in reference to the phone.

“Yes,” Emma answered.  “You know I feel naked without it.”

“Naked, huh?”  Justin wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

“Shut it,” Emma shoved him playfully and rolled her eyes.  “The car’s here.”

Justin opened the door and let her walk out first.  He grabbed her hand as they walked down the hallway to the elevator, followed by a couple of his security guards.

“So I know we haven’t talked about it, but if it gets asked, which it probably will because you’re going to be right there, should I say you’re my girlfriend?”  Justin asked once they were headed to the resort where the award show was.

“Hmm …” Emma thought about it.  “Man, that’s hard you know?  Not that I don’t love the title,” she grinned.  “I just don’t want all that attention that comes with being your girlfriend.”

“Do you think I could get away with just being your ‘date’?” 

“We can try,” he just shrugged and kind of laughed.  He knew that plan more than likely would not work, but he figured it was worth a shot.

“As long as my last name is left out of it, I think I can manage,” she responded honestly. 

“Okay,” Justin said.  “And are you prepared to be in photos?”

“I am,” Emma sighed.  She was going to have to get used to this, but was thinking it might just be worth it.  Justin kissed her.  It definitely was.

“I want to tell you something, but I don’t know if this is the best time to do it,” he said quietly, only a couple of inches away from her mouth.

“What’s that?” Emma responded just as quietly.  She stared into his eyes.

“I love you,” Justin answered.  In a limo, on the way to the Video Music Awards, was not how he wanted to tell her, because she deserved a big deal, but he couldn’t keep it in any longer.  “Is that crazy?  I mean … this is only the third time we’ve seen each other.  But I just …”

“It is crazy,” Emma smiled, “but I love you too.”  Justin breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her again.  He put his hand on her cheek and brushed some of the blue strands of hair behind her ear.

“I’m glad,” he kissed her again.  “I would have done that in a completely different manner, but I couldn’t keep it in any longer.”  Justin explained as the car pulled up to a stop.

“That’s okay,” Emma was floating on cloud nine.  Yeah it was kind of crappy that they couldn’t really talk about it, but she was happy to have him say that to her and return the same feelings to him.

“Ready for the insanity?”  Justin grinned as the driver opened the door for them to step out.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Emma smiled. 

Justin gave her a quick kiss; he felt so free getting that off of his chest.  It had been what he was thinking when they were in her bathroom, and she was combing blue dye into his curls.

“We’ll talk later,” he said referring to the words they just exchanged.

“Okay,” Emma responded.  Justin squeezed her hand and then turned to slide out of the limo.  Emma followed him and was stunned by the camera flashes that were going off. 

“Told ya,” Justin smiled at her reaction.

They spent almost two hours on the red carpet while Justin talked to every reporter under the sun (only half of them asked about his hair).  Emma was happy that no one really asked who she was, and that she only had to be in a few photos with Justin, because he had insisted.

When they made it inside the auditorium, Justin held onto her hand so they wouldn’t get separated.  Every other person they walked past Justin had to stop and talk to.  He knew everyone, and there was no way Emma would remember any of them.

By the time they sat down Emma’s head was spinning.

“You know too many people,” she said.  Justin was sitting to her left, and she was sitting as close to him as she could possibly get with the armrest in the way.  “There is no way I will remember all of them.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Justin laughed.

“Do you think it would be okay if I took a picture?”  She asked him looking around the expansive space that was filling with celebrities.

“Of what?”

“Us, on my phone,” Emma answered.

“Go for it,” he answered.  Justin didn’t really care if someone said anything about it.  Emma reached into her pocket to pull out her cell phone.  Her driver’s license came fluttering out with it.

“Whoops,” she said when it fell on the floor.  Emma bent over to pick it up.  “Do you think you could put this in your wallet so I don’t lose it?”

“Sure,” Justin slid down in his seat so he could pull his wallet out of his back pocket.  He took her ID and put it in the section behind his own.

“Thank you,” Emma said as she pulled up the camera setting on her phone. “Ready?”

“Uh-huh,” Justin slipped his arm around her shoulder as she leaned her head in toward him.  Emma held up the phone and counted so he would know when she took the picture.

She looked at it.

“Juss … tiinnn …” she dragged out his name when she saw the silly face his was making in the picture.

“What?” He asked innocently.

“Redo,” she stated.  Emma retook the photo and this time he smiled nicely.  “Thank you.”

“No problem,” Justin smiled and kissed the top of her head.

Emma was reminded why she never watches MTV throughout the entire show.  Justin could tell Emma was uncomfortable, but she put on a smile for him especially when he won.

“Did you have fun tonight?”  Justin asked Emma.  They were in the car on the way back to the hotel after one of the 80 parties he had been invited to.  Justin knew she didn’t have the best time of her life.

“It could have been better,” she answered honestly.  “I’m happy that you won though.  I know everyone works hard in this business.  So I’m sure you deserve it.”

“Thanks,” Justin said.  He slid over in the seat so he was right next to her.  “Thank you for putting up with it.”

“Anything for you,” Emma smiled and reached for his hand.  “Oh, I was going to ask, there’s this musician I like, Kevin Max, and he’s going to be at some place called The Viper Room in LA on Thursday, do you think we could go?”

“Sure,” he shrugged.  “I’ll make some calls.”  Justin didn’t really care what they did as long as she was going to be there.

“Cool,” Emma rested her head on his shoulder and yawned.

*  *  *

Emma’s jaw dropped when Justin’s entire house came into her view.  Justin loved watching her reaction to some things. 

“Justin,” Emma rolled down the tinted window and stuck her head out so she could see it better.  “This is ridiculous.  What does one person need this much for?”  She sat back in the seat and looked at him. 

“Don’t know,” he replied as the SUV pulled to a stop at the front door.  Emma shook her head at his response and hopped out of the vehicle.  Justin got out behind her just as the front door opened and his dogs bolted out to greet them followed by Trace Ayala.

“Hey puppies,” Emma grinned and held out her hand for them to sniff.  When they decided she was okay and started to sniff her shoes, she reached down and patted their backs. 

“These are my babies, Buckley and Brennen,” Justin pointed to each one as they continued to bounce around their feet and greet Justin.  “What’s up dude?” Justin greeted Trace.

“Waitin’ for you,” Trace answered and turned to look at Emma. 

“Emma,” Justin grabbed her left hand, “this is Trace Ayala. Trace this is Emma Sarver.”

“Nice to meet you,” Emma reached out to shake his hand with a smile.  “Justin talks about you all the time.”

“Uh-oh …” Trace raised his eyebrows.

“It’s all good, I promise,” Emma smiled and then turned her attention back to Buckley who had decided to jump up on her.  “What?”  She asked him and placed a kiss on his head.

“Ready to go in?”  Justin asked her and grabbed Buckley’s collar so he would get down.  “If they jump up just knee ‘em … they need to learn.”  Justin started to walk so Emma followed him.  He and Trace started talking about the VMAs as they walked into the house. 

They stopped in the foyer and Emma’s jaw dropped.  Justin laughed. 

“You have the best reactions,” he stated and threw his arm over her shoulder before kissing the top of her head.

“What?  I’m just from pokey Arkansas,” she grinned up at him.  Justin couldn’t help but kiss her on the lips this time. 

When the driver walked into the foyer with their bags, Justin and Trace started to talk to him about the plans for the week. 

Emma’s eyes lit up when she saw the grand piano sitting in his living room.  She forgot all about the two dogs at her feet and walked over to it.  Her fingers ran over the smooth surface and she sat on the bench.

Justin and Trace didn’t even notice she disappeared.  Emma didn’t think he would mind if she played it, so she did.  It had been a while since she had, but it was something she would never forget.

“You play?”  Justin asked.  He sat down on the bench next to her.

“Not a lot,” Emma said and stopped playing.  “What’s that?”  She asked him noticing the pieces of paper in his hand.

“Full access passes to the show you want to go to,” Justin answered and held them up for her to see.

“Really?”  She was excited now.

“Yup,” he nodded; happy that she was happy.  “Trace got them for us.”

“Thank you Trace!”  Emma turned to face the kitchen where he was standing with a beer in his hand.

“No problem,” Trace replied.  She was a sweet Southern girl, which you wouldn’t think from her outward appearance, and he knew she would be good for Justin.

“You want a tour?”  Justin asked her.

“Sure,” Emma smiled and slid off of the bench just as her cell phone rang.  She pulled it out of her pocket and answered it.  “Trevor!”

“Hey Emmy-Leigh,” he said.  “Guess what.”

“What?”  Emma asked getting excited because he sounded excited.  Justin grinned seeing how happy she was to talk to her brother.  Trace gave Justin a weird look, and Justin mouthed ‘brother’ so Trace would know.

“We’re going on tour with Relient K.”

“Relient K?  Seriously?”  Emma could not help but squeal a little bit.  “I am so happy for you guys.  You deserve it so much Trevor.  When are ya’ll going to hit the road?”

“In November.”

“So soon?”  She asked.

“Yeah.  I think it was a last minute thing, but it’s going to be for a month just at small venues,” Trevor answered. 

“Well you have to get Thiessen to do ‘But a Breath’ on stage with you guys,” Emma said.  She walked over to the window and looked out at the vast yard behind the house.

“Do you think you could come out with us for a while?  It just works out so much easier with the merchandise and stuff.” 

“Hmm,” Emma sighed.  “I don’t know Trev.  I’ll see what I can do.  I might not be able to be there the whole time, but maybe on the weekends.  Let’s talk about it more when I get back home, okay?”

“Okay.  So are you in LA yet?”

“Yeah, we just got to Justin’s.  He was just about to show me around his house,” Emma answered.  “You should see this place, it’s ridiculous.” 

“I’m sure it is,” Trevor laughed.  “I’ll let you go Emmy.  Love you.”

“Love you too Trevor.  Bye.”  Emma hung up her cell phone and turned to look at Justin and Trace who were laughing about something in the kitchen.  Emma was really happy for her little brother and friends.

“How’s your brother?”  Justin asked when she walked up and stood next to him.

“He’s good,” she grinned.  “They’re going on tour with Relient K in November.  It’s so exciting … I mean, like, Relient K is kind of the band in Christian music.  And it’s just so cool.  Plus those guys are so sweet.  Matt Thiessen did background vocals on ‘But a Breath’.  And it’s … yeah.”  She rambled excitedly.

“That’s cool,” Justin chuckled.  “Are you ready for that tour now?”  Emma nodded and let Justin take her hand as he walked her through his monstrosity of a house.

*  *  *

Justin knocked on the bedroom door softly.  It was late and the light from the room Emma was staying in was streaming out under it.  They had spent the last couple of days traipsing around LA because Justin had some meetings and interviews to do.  Emma didn’t mind tagging along, but the rest of the time would be hers until Monday when his concert was.

“Yeah?” She asked and looked up from the book she was reading.

Justin opened the door and stuck his head in.

“You’re still up?” He asked the obvious.

“Yup.  I couldn’t sleep, so I’m reading,” Emma held up her Bible to show him.

“Can I come in?”  Emma nodded and Justin stepped inside the room.  There wasn’t anywhere for him to sit, except the bed, so he just stood there.

“You can sit,” Emma patted the empty spot on the bed next to her, “I don’t bite.”  He sat down next to her and brought his legs up onto the bed.

“Wow,” Justin said when he caught a glimpse of the highlighting, underlining and hand-written notes in the margins of her Bible.  “You really read that a lot.” 

“I read 10 chapters a day in the Old Testament and two from the New everyday.  And when I’m bored or can’t sleep – like now – I read whatever I happen on,” Emma explained.

“Read to me,” Justin said and leaned back against the headboard after adjusting the pillow, “whatever you’re reading now.”

“Okay,” Emma said and started to read aloud to him. 

Justin enjoyed listening to her read something that she was really passionate about.  He could feel every word she spoke.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?  Or what will they give in return for their life?

“‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

“Any thoughts?”  Emma asked him after she finished the section.  She was curious to hear what he might have gotten out of that.  Emma looked over at him and could tell he was thinking about it.  She left him to his thoughts and read to herself for a while longer.

“You know it’s really hard to do that,” Justin finally spoke up.  “The whole self-denial thing.”

“I know,” Emma replied and met his eyes.  “I don’t think I will ever achieve that.”

“Really?  I think you do a pretty good job,” he stated honestly. 

Emma would never agree with that statement, but they talked about it some more before eventually discussing something else.  Emma closed the Bible and turned so she could set it on the nightstand.

“Wait a sec, is that a tattoo?”  Justin asked.  He sounded shocked.  He had never seen it before because she was always fully clothed, but right now she was wearing a spaghetti-strap tank top.

“Yes,” she answered and turned to look back at him.  “Why are you so surprised?  You’ve seen the people I hang out with.”

Justin laughed.  “I know.  You’re just always so covered up.  Let me see.”  Emma obliged his request by turning back around.  The tattoo was between her shoulder blades. The Celtic cross with the words “Life is but a breath …” above it was about four inches in height and three in width.

“Isn’t that one of your brother’s songs?”  He asked.  Justin wanted to run his fingers over it, her skin looked so smooth, but he refrained because he wasn’t sure what her reaction would be.

“You’ve been listening.”  Emma stated and figured he’d looked long enough so she turned back around.

“Uh-huh.  You got any other tattoos?”  Justin asked.

“A couple,” Emma shoved the comforter and sheet off of her, and bent her legs so she could show him the ones on the back of her calves.  She moved the pajama pant legs up.  “This one is just another cross, it was my first one, and this is for the Trinity.”  Emma pointed to the one on her right leg that had three interlaced circles and the letters F, S, and HS.

“Trevor and I are going to go again in a few weeks, but I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”

“How about ‘Justin’,” he suggested.

“You’re stupid,” Emma laughed as she readjusted her pant legs.  “Besides I would never tattoo a guy’s name on my body.”

“Oh fine,” Justin pouted.  “Wanna see mine?”  He sounded like a little kid.

“I’ve seen yours,” Emma replied.  He had been walking around in just khaki shorts earlier that day, and she had a good look at more than she really needed to see.  She pushed up the sleeve on his T-shirt so she could look at the cross tattoo on his arm.  “I like this one.”

“Of course you do,” he smiled at her soft touch on his arm.  “So how’d you get so into church and God and stuff?”

“Well, you met my Dad and you know he’s a minister.  So there’s that,” Emma shrugged.  “I don’t know. God’s just always been there.  No questions asked.  I wouldn’t know any other way to live.”  She brought her hand back down to her lap.

“I admire that,” Justin replied. 

*  *  *

Emma woke up to loud breathing and the weight of Justin’s hand resting on her waist.  Even with a good foot of space between them both, she wasn’t happy that they had fallen asleep in the same bed.

“Justin,” Emma said.  He didn’t stir.

“Justin.”  She reached out and poked his arm.  Justin still didn’t stir.  It took five or six more pokes and eventually saying his name above her normal voice level to wake him up.

“What?”  He blinked and let his eyes adjust to the light that was still on.

“You need to go to your room.”  Emma said.

“Okay … just give me a second.  I need to wake up,” Justin yawned and sat up slowly so all the blood wouldn’t rush to his head.  He leaned over to give Emma a quick kiss.  “Night.”

“Night.”  Emma smiled.  Justin stood up and walked out of the room.  He pulled the door shut behind him as Emma turned the light out.  She buried herself under the covers, and she could still smell him on the pillow he had rested his head on.

*  *  *

The few days they had to do whatever they wanted Justin showed her around LA and the concert she wanted to go to.  Emma and he had enjoyed their time, and it was their last night together.  Unfortunately it wasn’t really going to be spent together because he had to perform.  She had watched his sound check and now she was in his dressing room with him.

“I’m going to go explore and find a place to stand,” Emma said.  She was bored.

“Okay,” he turned to face her.  Emma stood up and walked over to him.  She wrapped her arms around him and he returned the hug.

“Good luck,” Emma smiled and leaned up to kiss him.  “Love you.”

“Love you too,” Justin grinned and let her go.  “See you out there?”

“I’ll try and get as close to the stage as I can,” she replied and gave him another kiss.  After grabbing a bottle of water from the table, she walked out of his dressing room with a wave.

Emma explored the hallways for a while and then walked out into the arena.  The whole set up of his stage was pretty cool.  She liked it and was looking forward to seeing his show.

The arena was starting to fill up so she decided to weasel her way up to the front of the stage.  She dropped the pass she had around her neck underneath the T-shirt she was wearing so no one would bug her about it.

She struck up a conversation with a couple of girls there, and before she knew it the lights were down and Justin was on the stage.

After Justin found her in the crowd, he would glance at her whenever he was on that side.  Emma would smile.

She didn’t like a lot of the content of his show and was uncomfortable.  Emma knew he’d ask her what she thought about it, and even though she didn’t want to go down that road, she would be honest whether he liked it or not.

After the show, Emma waited for the arena to clear out before she headed backstage.  She figured that would give Justin enough time to shower and put on some clean clothes. 

When she got to his dressing room, his bodyguard let her in.  Justin was talking to a couple of people in there, and he smiled when he saw her come in the room.  Emma smiled back, but stayed out of his way until he was finished talking and everyone else cleared out of the room.

“So what’d you think?”  Justin asked.  He had a feeling it wouldn’t be the best review he’d ever have, but he wanted to know what she thought about it anyway.

“Well,” Emma let out a loud sigh.  “It was definitely interesting.”  She sat down on the couch.

“You didn’t like it?”  Justin sat down next to her.  He didn’t sound surprised.

“I liked ‘Losing My Way’ and the other slow songs,” Emma brought her legs up under her and leaned into the back of the couch.

“But seriously …” she was going to be honest.  “I know you’re a grown man, and sex sells and other hogwash like that … but come on Justin.

“Is all that really necessary?”  She asked.

Justin, yeah, he wasn’t sure what to say.  Obviously he had known that Emma wouldn’t go for 75 percent of what happened in his show.  His grandmother hadn’t even made that comment – and he was pretty sure she had those same thoughts.

“I suppose it’s not,” he shrugged, and turned so he was sitting the same way she was, but facing her.  “But the fans expect a show.”

Emma raised an eyebrow at that comment.

“So do my brother’s fans.”  She didn’t want to get into a fight a about this seeing as how it was their last night together and all.  “I just think, no I know, you can respect women better that what you display up there, because you respect me.”

Emma reached out to put her hand on his jean-clad knee.  She smiled when Justin covered her hand with his.

“Obviously you can’t change it now, and I wouldn’t expect you to.”

They were quiet for a minute while Justin absorbed what she had said.  Emma stared into his eyes and then leaned in to kiss him quickly.

“Sorry,” Emma said.  She felt kind of bad because of all the thoughts that had run through her head while watching his show, and she had just let it all out. 

“No … no,” he put his hands on her cheeks so she would keep her gaze on him.  “Don’t ever apologize for being honest.  That’s one of the reasons I love you.”

Emma smiled, glad that he wasn’t going to disown her over her feelings about the show.  She shifted closer to him so she could wrap her arms around him, in an awkward hug because of the back of the couch.  He wrapped his arms around her too.

“I love you too,” Emma said right before she kissed him.  She really didn’t want to have to leave the following day.

*  *  *

“Oh, I got you something,” Emma said.  She was getting ready to leave and had already brought her bags down from the room she stayed in.

“Okay,” Justin said.  He wasn’t sure what she would have got him, but he was excited to see what she got him.  Who didn’t like presents? 

She pulled out a plastic shopping bag from her carry-on, which was also the bag she had been dragging around with her all week.

“I got it when we were shopping the other day, and I disappeared into the bookstore,” Emma said as she handed it too him.

“Don’t take it the wrong way or anything.  I just thought it’d be nice to get you and I wanted you to have one.  Even though you already might.  And if you want you can read it or not, and we can talk about it or not.  Just whatever …” she shrugged and watched him pull the leather-bound Bible out of the plastic bag.

“That’s really nice of you Emma,” Justin said.

“You’re not insulted or anything?”  She asked and he nodded “no.”  “Good because sometimes people get weirded about gifts like that.”

“Thanks,” he wrapped his arms around her and she cuddled up to him.  “I appreciate it Emma, because it’s something that’s special to you.”  They stood there for a few minutes in each others’ arms.  “I wish we could hang out longer.”

“Me too,” Emma looked up at him, “but we both have jobs to do.”

“I know,” he pouted.

“We’ll see each other soon,” Emma said.

“Not soon enough.  I still have to go to go to Australia.”

“You’ll have fun,” she kissed him.

“No I won’t.  Because I can’t kiss you whenever I want,” Justin sighed, and Emma laughed just before his lips met hers again.  “I’ve really enjoyed this week.”

“Me too,” Emma replied.  “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

They stood together, in his foyer until the doorbell rang, signaling that the car was there to take her to the airport.  Justin sighed and kissed her cheek before walking over to open the door.

Justin let the driver in so he could get Emma’s bags and put them in the back.  Justin and Emma walked out to the car, and Justin opened the door for her.

“Are you sure you have to leave?”  He asked.

“Yes,” Emma sighed.  “I’ll call you when I get to the airport and when I get home.”

“Okay,” Justin sighed and wrapped his arms around her again.  “Be safe.  Call me, e-mail me, text me … whenever, okay?”

“Got it,” Emma said into his shoulder and then lifted her head up so she could get one last kiss in.  She was not going to cry.

“Love you,” Justin mouthed and put his hands on her cheeks so he could kiss her again.  Eventually he would have to let go, and unfortunately for the both of them she had a flight to catch.

“I have to go.”  Emma pulled away and sighed.  She got into the black car.  Justin leaned down with one hand on the roof of the car and one on the door, so that he could give her one more kiss.  “Bye.”

“Bye,” Justin said and pulled himself upright.  He closed the door for her.  Justin stepped back as the driver put the car into gear and pulled away from the front door slowly. 

He watched the car go down the drive, and before it completely disappeared the back window rolled down and Emma waved.  Justin missed her before she had even walked out of his house five minutes before.