Somewhere in My Heart (10 page)

Joy pleaded, “Chris, maybe we should.  You were just telling me the other day how you will be so busy around Christmas and the first of the year.  We might not have time for one, unless we postpone our wedding.” 

He agreed, “We shouldn’t have to cancel our wedding.  Nothing is more important than that.  I’ll figure something out.” 

Billie wondered, “I had no idea that you had already set a date.  I only knew that you were engaged.  When did you decide this?” 

Joy replied, “It was right after your wedding.  I guess we figured we shouldn’t put it off any longer.  Life is too precious and I don’t want to waste any of it.  I can’t wait to be Mrs. Chris Brady.  I hope nothing will get in the way of our happiness.”

Billie agreed, “I think the worst part is over.  We all know that Chris has had ample bad luck for the both of you.  He has suffered enough.  I know how you feel, that’s how I felt about me and Ricky.” 

Joy acknowledged, “I am lucky that Chris came in to my life when he did.  He stopped me from making one of the biggest mistakes of my life.  I almost married a person that wasn’t my soul mate.” 

Billie informed, “By the way, Maria and Jason will be going on the cruise as well.” 

Chris approved, “That should be interesting.  On a side note, if the ship were to sink, could we use you as a floatation device? You know how buoyant pregnant women are.” 

Billie slightly punched him, while Joy laughed uncontrollably.  She added, “Who knows Joy, you might be joining our ranks if you decide to come along.  Then, the men will have an extra raft.” 

She argued, “I’m not so sure about that.”  Just as Billie was about to ask why she would say that, Joy got a phone call from her agent. 

When she left the room, Billie decided to ask Chris.  She inquired, “Is there something wrong?  If you don't mind me asking, is Joy unable to conceive?  Or does it have to do with not having children with Lana?”

He responded, “Why so many questions?  Where did those thoughts come from all of a sudden? I have no idea why Joy would say that.  We’ve only been engaged a few months and we haven’t discussed children yet.  It could happen; I am not ruling anything out at this point.  If she gets pregnant, I am sure we will be wonderful parents.  You see what kind of father I am to Colby.”

Billie snapped, “For a moment there, I thought you were going to be serious for once.  I also thought you were going to say something about your daughter.  How does Joy feel about that?”

He claimed, “About the same way Lana did.  I haven’t really had any problems with the mother lately. So, Joy has not formed an opinion of her yet.  But, as I said before, we haven’t brought up the topic of kids much.  But, thanks to you, we probably will now.  What is taking her so long?” 

Billie added, “If you don't mind me saying, you really should have discussed such a big topic before you got engaged."

He didn't respond. She continued, "Are you in a hurry to get rid of me?  All you have to do is tell me to leave. Not that I would.  I have to finish getting ready anyway.  Tell Joy to call me when the two of you have reached a decision about the cruise.”

Billie was feeling more comfortable being around Chris now, although he seemed to be still adjusting.  She hadn’t forgotten everything that had happened with him, but knew that he really had changed.  She could tell by his tone and by the way he looked at Joy.  She wondered if it was fate for them, the way it was for her and Ricky.  She didn’t regret being with Chris, she felt it was meant to be, what led her to meet Ricky. Everything happens for a reason,  philosophy. If she hadn’t been involved with Chris during the trial, she wouldn’t have been sent to Hawaii.  Who knows when she would have visited Hawaii, and Ricky could have already remarried.

Billie returned to see how Ricky, Maria, and Jason were getting along.  Everyone was ready to leave for the airport.  They all had to fly to Miami to board the ship. 

Ricky asked, “So, are they going to join us?” 

Billie answered, “They haven’t decided yet.  They know what time our flight leaves though.” 

Maria petitioned, “How are they doing any way?” 

Billie reassured, “I think they are okay.  Don’t worry.  I don’t think there is anything wrong.  They are acting like newlyweds that aren't married yet. And that’s saying a lot for Chris.” 

Ricky admitted, “If that’s the case, they must have been inseparable, like us.” 

Jason then said, “That reminds me, Maria.  Did we pack the sea sickness pills?”  They laughed.

Finally, they decided to go on ahead to the airport.  Billie was wondering why Joy and Chris didn’t at least call to give them an answer. 

Ricky indicated, “I know you wanted them to come.  But, we’ve waited as long as we could.  They can come with us on our next trip.  We’ll still have a good time.” 

Maria vowed, “That’s right.  I am your best friend and we all know what’s best for you.”  A few hours later, they were in Miami. 

Jason noted, “We must be very careful.  Someone might try and stuff cocaine in our luggage.” 

Maria babbled, “You’ve been watching too many Miami Vice reruns.” 

Billie asked, “Does that still come on television?” 

Maria answered, “Sometimes, but he has it on dvd.  I just hope he doesn’t get the girls in to it.”

Jason cried, “What kind of a father do you think I am?  I’m starting them off small, like with Law and Order.” 

Maria commanded, “As long as it isn’t Baywatch.” 

Jason responded, “If you have a problem with Baywatch, I wonder how you’ll feel when we’re pool side on the boat, and all the girls go by in bikinis.” 

Maria ruled, “Jason, you can look at the menu...” 

Billie advised, “Same applies to you, Ricky.”  Jason and Ricky gave their best surrender look.

Ricky and Billie had their tickets ready to get on board the boat.  Jason told them that he still had to buy his and Maria’s tickets. 

Ricky insisted, “We’ll take care of it.  Besides, you have already paid for two tickets, the ones we received from you.” 

Jason replied, “Those were a wedding gift.”

Ricky contended, “Well, these can be a gift…Merry Christmas.” 

Jason joked, “How about Happy Thanksgiving?” 

Maria cried, “Please.  I’m beginning to worry about you two.  Maybe you should share a room, and Billie and I will bunk together.”  Ricky and Jason both agreed that her suggestion was a bad idea.  They promised to behave, but Billie and Maria didn’t count on it.

Once they were settled in their rooms, the boat had already left the docks.  They looked around and decided on having dinner.  When they were finished eating, they went dancing. As Billie was dancing with Ricky, she noticed a couple dancing in the corner.  She asked Ricky if he recognized them.  He couldn’t really see them.  They danced over to Maria and Jason to see if they might know.  Once they pointed them out, they were gone.  Billie observed, “That’s odd. I wonder where they went.” 

“Looking for us?” a voice asked.  They turned around and it was Chris and Joy. 

Billie shrieked, “I thought you weren’t coming?” 

He explained, “We just grabbed another flight to Miami that left a few minutes after yours.” 

Maria questioned, “Joy, was it your idea to come, or was it Chris'?” 

She replied, “We both decided.  But, I sort of talked him in to it.  We made up our mind as soon as Billie left our place.  We would have called, but we didn’t want to ruin the surprise.  I hope you’re not upset.”

Billie assured, “No.  We’re glad you could make it.  Now, we all have a chance to get to know one another a little better.” 

Jason mumbled, “Oh no, girl talk.  It’ll be a bunch of wet hens.” 

Maria warned, “Would you like to sleep with the sharks tonight?” 

Chris advised,  “Jason, believe me, you don’t want to do that.  Take it from me.”

Later on in the evening, the guys got together to play pool and have a few beers.  Well, Chris had root beer, being sober and all.  Billie, Joy, and Maria played a game of poker. 

Maria inquired, “Doesn’t this remind you of a video that I did?” 

Joy noted, “Yeah, I was originally supposed to be in it, but had scheduling conflicts. Too bad, because that would've been great exposure for me.” 

Maria declared, “You will have plenty more opportunities to prove to the world how great a singer you are.  They already know how great you sound from the song you did with Chris.  But, since you have brought that to my attention, I think we should work on a song together.  We also have Ricky and Chris here to help us work out the details.  Who knows, maybe the four of us could do a song.”

Joy agreed, “Well, I know Chris can help because he writes and co-writes all of his songs. As for the two of us, we have never written any of our hit songs.” 

Billie, at this point, was feeling a bit left out.  She would be of little assistance in the writing songs department.  She thought of an excuse to leave the room, without them feeling guilty.  She wanted the two of them to bond anyway, and start a business deal in the process.  She also was in the mood for a hot tub soak.

She went past the steam room and entered the sauna area.  The steam was all around her and she could almost not see the hot tubs.  So, she got in the first one she came across. She wasn’t alone. 

Billie yelled, “Chris, I thought you were playing pool with the guys?” 

He assumed, “I thought you were hanging out with the girls?” 

Billie commented, “I was becoming a fifth wheel.  I also wanted to relax.  This helps my condition, if you will.” 

Chris estimated, “So, they kicked you out? Ricky and Jason kept winning and I kept losing.  So, I knew when I was being whipped.  I guess we think alike.” 

Billie proceeded, “Can I ask you something, how does Joy feel about our past?  Or have you kept that from her, too?” 

He declared, “She knows, along with most of the world by now.  She doesn’t act like it bothers her…just like I don’t have angry feelings for her ex-fiancée.  She understands that I was going through a rough time after the divorce and you were only trying to be supportive.  Things just got out of hand.  She is surprised though, that you are still talking to me.” 

Billie wondered, “Are you sure it is only Joy that is surprised?  You know that I have forgiven you for what happened.  Is it hard for you to forgive yourself?” 

Chris admitted, “Maybe it is.  I still feel awkward when we are around each other.  I am still waiting for Ricky to charge me with assault and battery.  Or for him to have his revenge for how I hurt you.  Or it could be how things ended in Hawaii.  I was way out of line and I think I need to hear it from you that all is absolved.”