God Bless the Broken Road

14 July 2008

Lat night was amazing. I still can’t believe they threw me a surprise party! I mean I can see where most of them can keep a secret but Joe and Frankie, man how did I miss that? I mean Frankie is like an open book and well with Joe I can usually tell when he is trying to hide something.

For instance when Jay Leno showed that tampered video of Frankie and I running from the fan; I don’t know why he tried to hide that, I personally thought it was funny when I got tackled in it.

Anyways back to last night; needless to say I was completely blown away. I couldn’t help but cry as I stood in the doorway and taking everything in. Just the thought that they cared enough; well it still blows me away…

And then there was this morning when Joe woke me up with a kiss and breakfast in bed, which he made himself. I couldn’t help but swoon, even if it was four in the morning. He told me he felt really bad for not being able to spend the day with me but he wanted to be sure to be the first to wish me happy birthday...

“There you are! We’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Kirby said as she walked up to Leigh Ann and yanked her out of her chair she ws currently occupying in the boy's dressing room.

“What for?” Leigh Ann asked as she tried to keep up with her.

“To get you ready of course,” Kirby said as she pushed Leigh Ann into the boy’s dressing room.

“For?” Leigh Ann asked with a hand on her hip.

“It’s a surprise, now hurry up; you’ve got ten minutes to shower. When you’re done your outfit is in the blue garment bag on Joe’s rack.” Kirby explained as she motioned to the rack of clothing.

Leigh Ann just shook her head as Kirby shut the door. Heading over to the rack of clothing Leigh Ann unzipped the bag and gasped at what she saw. It was a simple yet elegant knee length black dress; empire wasted strapless. It was something Leigh Ann could have seen herself picking out. Smiling to herself she hurried into the bathroom to shower; she was anxious to find out what this so called surprise was.

Fifteen minutes later Leigh Ann found her sitting in front of the boy’s vanity dressed in one of Joe’s button up shirts and a pair of Nick’s shorts as Mrs. Jonas worked on her hair and Kirby did her make up. At the sound of a knock she looked up.

“Is everyone decent?” Joe asked as he peaked his head in while covering his eyes.

Mrs. Jonas laughed, “It’s safe you can open your eyes now Joe.”

Joe grinned as he let his hand drop, “Are you almost ready?” He asked as he leaned down to plant a kiss on Leigh Ann’s lips, only to be slapped away by Kirby.

“”Don’t even think about it Jonas, I just applied that lip gloss, plus you stink and you’re all sweaty and in desperate need of a shower; now shoo, so we can finish getting her ready.” She said as she pushed him towards the bathroom.

“Yes sir boss lady sir,” Joe said as he as gave Kirby a mock salute before heading into the bathroom.

Nick just rolled his eyes at his brother’s antics, “Hey,” he said as he dropped a quick kiss on Kirby’s cheek.

As Kirby blushed he added, “Well I would have given you a hug, but like you said; I’m all sweaty.”

“Pshh that was your brother’s sweat that I didn’t like, I don’t mind yours at all.” She bravely stated.

Nick grinned;” Well in that case,” He quickly wrapped his arms around her.

Leigh Ann’s eyes met Mrs. Jonas’ through the mirror as they both grinned. It looked like it wouldn’t be too much longer before Nick was off the market as well.

Leigh Ann cleared her throat to get Nick’s attention, “So, where are we going tonight?”

Nick shrugged his shoulders as he joined Kevin on the couch, “Sorry, Leigh Ann can’t help you with that.”

Leigh Ann crossed her arms and pouted, “Can’t or wont?”

“I really can’t, Joe wouldn’t tell us what he has planned. We are as clueless to this as you are.” Nick said as he caught Leigh Ann’s eyes through the mirror.

“He’s right Leigh Ann, Joe wouldn’t tell us anything.” Kevin spoke up.

“Joe wouldn’t tell you what?” Mr. Jonas asked as he and Frankie entered the room.

“Where we’re supposed to be going tonight,” Leigh Ann stated.

“Oh that; Joseph is being quite secretive isn’t he?” Mr. Jonas asked as he ruffled Frankie’s hair.

“Well that’s because it’s supposed to be a secret and I knew if I told any of you that someone would have ended up spilling the beans.” Joe stated as he leaned against the bathroom door.

Leigh Ann looked at Joe through the mirror and couldn’t help but stare. He just looked so amazing standing there barefoot in black slacks and an unbuttoned blue dress shirt that showed off his toned chest. His hair was still wet on the ends and in her opinion he was the definition of sexy.

Catching her eye in the mirror he smiled, “Are you almost finished?” He asked.

“We’re through with her; she just needs to get dressed.” Mrs. Jonas stated as she grabbed the garment bag off the rack and handed it to Leigh Ann.”

Heading into the bathroom, Leigh Ann gave Joe a little smile.

Ten minutes later Leigh Ann stood in front of the mirror examining herself in the mirror. She loved the dress, she really did. It looked amazing on her the way it clung tightly to her curves and flowed softly from her waist, that wasn’t what bothered her; what bothered her was the noticeable scar on her back that peaked out from under the dress. Usually it didn’t bother her but today, it seemed like it was all she could focus on. It was like an ugly memento reminding her that she shouldn’t be happy.

Leaning her hands on the counter she gently shook her head to clear her thoughts. Tonight was her birthday, and she refused to be sad. Pushing off the counter she headed towards the door and pulled it open to reveal Joe mid knock.

When Joe caught sight of Leigh Ann he sucked in a breath. To him she had never looked more beautiful than she did in that moment in time and it wasn’t the dress or the make up. To him she looked beautiful no matter what. As his heart sped up and his stomach began to dance to the rhythm of butterflies he couldn’t explain what he was feeling, he just knew that the way she made him feel was something he never wanted to lose.

He gently took her hand and dropped a quick kiss on it, “You look amazing.”

Leigh Ann blushed lightly as she smiled, “Thank you; you look quite nice yourself.”

“Are you ready? He asked as he offered her his arm.

As Leigh Ann took his arm she looked around noticing for the first time that they were alone, “Where is everyone?”

“They headed back to the beach house,” He answered as he led her towards the parking lot.

“So where are we headed?” She asked as they passed up the rental car.

“You’ll see,” Joe stated as they began to walk towards the Wharf docks.

As Leigh Ann looked at all the boats in confusion Joe smirked

“I think it’s time for the blind fold now,” He stated as he pulled it from his pocket and tied it around her eyes.

As Joe lead Leigh Ann up a ramp of some sorts she took note of the sound of water crashing against something, it didn’t sound like the wooded dock she had been standing on before and for some reason she felt like she was swaying slightly.

As Joe took off her blind fold she gasped lightly. They were on a beautiful yacht and before her sat a table set for two with candle light and rose petals gently scattered around it with romantic music playing softly through the speakers. It was absolutely perfect in every way.

He gently wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her softly on the cheek, “Do you like it?”

“Oh Joe, it’s perfect in every way,” She replied shakily.

“I just wanted tonight to be special, not only because it’s your birthday or our first date, but because it’s your first official date and I just really wanted to make it special for you.”

“You’re amazing, you know that right?” She asked as she turned in his arms and kissed him.

XXXXX

Once they finished dinner they decided to sit in the sun bathing area and look out over the water. They were curled up on a chaise lounge, Leigh Ann in Joe’s lap; they were holding hands and Joe was currently tracing circles on her knuckles.

“Did you have a good birthday?” He asked.

Leigh Ann smiled as she leaned back against his chest, “I had an amazing birthday, thank you by the way.”

“You don’t have to thank me, and it’s not over yet.”

Leigh Ann quickly sat up and faced Joe, “Oh?”

“I have one last present for you,” He stated as he pulled a small box from his pocket.
Leigh Ann shook her head, “Joe, you’ve done enough; I don’t...”

“Leigh Ann I want you to have it; just open it please,” He pleaded as he handed her the box.

As she opened the box she gasped. In side the box laid a beautiful diamond heart perched on a delicate white gold chain.

“Do you like it?” He asked as she gently ran her fingers over it.

“Joe, I love it; thank you.”

Joe smiled as he took the necklace from her and placed it around her neck. As he hooked the clasp he let his fingers gently run down the bare expanse of her back; noticing the scar he gently dropped a kiss on it causing her to shiver.

As she turned towards him and smiled he brushed his hand across her cheek, “Leigh Ann, I feel more for you than I’ve ever felt for anyone before. Since the day you stepped into my life it’s changed. It was like was like I’ve been in a dream my entire life only to wake up to your face. I think you are beautiful inside and out and I don’t think I could imagine my life with out you in it. I-I think, no I know that I’m falling in love with you.”

Leigh Ann smiled as she looked at Joe’s face; she took the time to study it. The way his hair blew in the breeze, the way the shadows danced across his face as the boat gently swayed, and the way he nervously chewed his bottom lip.

“Joe, since I’ve known you, you have always been there for me. As my rock, my strength, my comfort, my protector; everything I’ve ever needed you’ve always been right there to provide it, even if it involved sitting up all night and praying with me. You picked me up when I thought I was broken beyond repair and you made whole again, you taught me how to open up and let people in. Well Joe I’ve opened my heart and I’ve let you in and I don’t think I could imagine living with out you in it.”

She laughed, “What I’m trying to say is that I falling for you too.”

Joe broke into a smile of a thousand suns as he roughly pulled her to him smashing his lips with hers.

As they lay together, hearts beating wildly placing fervent kisses on what ever expanse of skin they could reach Joe began to wonder.

Was falling really the right choice of word?