Sunrise From Indigo
Champagne High: Joey
by skeabs

You hand me the bottle. You generally refused to open your own alcohol, handing me the bottle, the can, whatever. I don't mind, I like that you expect me to be there, to open things for you. I know you won't drink without me because you told me once it wasn't the same when someone else did it.

I'm laughing as I aim the cork towards the mass of bodies crowding our living room. It pops off and the bright bubbling liquid spills over into waiting cups. You are holding ours, and you hand me mine as you take a sip from yours. Our eyes meet over the rim of your flute and I feel the contact deep in my stomach. I set my glass aside, take yours and set it aside, and drag you to the middle of the crush of people, surrounding us with our friends and family.

I nod towards the stereo, getting my brother to cut the music. People begin turning towards me expectantly, and I take a few moments to pick the important ones out of the crowd.

Justin's standing next to the latest in a string of blonds. JC fidgets next to his date, Mark, his next-door neighbor. C's nervous, first date nervous. Chris and Dani stand close together in the far corner, but start moving closer when the room quiets down. We all stand in the center of the group, oddly fitting that the four men closest to my heart should be closest to me physically on this night.

I clear my throat, and begin speaking.

"Lance and I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. We still can't believe it's been four years already since we moved in. That nightmare is so vivid in my memory."

I pause for the chuckles I knew would come from our friends.

"Another year is over, and sometimes it's hard to believe all that happens in the twelve month span. Or all that doesn't happen. And how many years separate me from so many important occurrences in my life. Really, think about it. Twenty- nine years ago I was born. Seventeen years ago I met 'JC from the Mickey Mouse Club.'" I lower the fingers I used for air quotes and pause to watch the smile spread across JC's face. "Fifteen years ago I met Justin. Eleven years ago I met Chris." And you slip your hand into mine. "Ten years ago we formed Nsync. Ten years ago I met Lance. Five years ago my daughter was born. Four years ago I married Lance."

My voice breaks and I choke out the next couple lines. Tears form in your eyes, and JC, Justin, and Chris move closer, their presence forming a cohesive unit too often missing these days.

"Four years ago we decided enough was enough and dissolved our group. And four years ago we moved into this house." I stop. That was the end of my timeline. Four years since the last significant occurrence. I'm only twenty-nine. So much has happened that I feel so much older.

"I can't remember if I had a point, but if I did it was that I have never taken time for granted. I know I've been lucky. I know I'm loved, and I know I love." I raise your hand to my lips, holding it there for a few seconds as I gather my thoughts.

"I love you all. You have all been instrumental in our lives so far, and I know you'll continue to be so in the years to come. Happy New Year."

I smile as applause and well wishes ring from the corners of our house. "One minute, right?" I ask the room in general. JC, drying his eyes on Mark's sleeve, checks his watch and nods. Grabbing your hand, I drag you out to our back yard.

The moonlight catches in the pale strands of your hair and makes your skin glow. I stop us next to the pool, in front of the flowerbed I insisted on experimenting with. Your arms link around my waist, and my hands drop to the small of your back. You rest your head on my shoulder, and I lay my cheek against it. A whispered "I love you" travels across the pool, into the dark shadows on the other side.

As the words fade into the night your arms tighten around me. Raising your head, you find my eyes with your own. The tears have not yet dried, and drops of moisture bead on your lower lashes. I can feel your breath on my lips.

You look beautiful. Inhaling, you breath words out. "I wasn't looking for a lifetime with you." Your breath catches as you continue, hitching with the effort to control your emotions. "I wasn't looking for more than those few years. I love you. I love you so much." You control slips and tears course down your cheeks, and even then you're beautiful in your emotion.

My tears echo yours, coursing down my cheeks and dripping down my chin, into my shirt. From inside, we can hear the countdown begin.

"Ten…"

We both sniffle.

"Nine…"

I tighten my arms around you, pulling you closer.

"Eight…"

You pull your arms from around my waist.

"Seven…"

And settle them around my neck.

"Six…"

Leaving one hand at your back, I bring the other up.

"Five…"

And cup your face.

"Four…"

You nuzzle your cheek into my palm.

"Three…"

Your eyes close with anticipation.

"Two…"

I lean in closer.

"One…"

"Happy New Year," I breathe as I cover your lips with mine.

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