THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS

CHAPTER 10

"Mmmm...I love being lazy with you on Sundays." Rachel mumbled as she moved her body back closer to JC's in bed.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waiste and kissed her shoulder lightly. "I can get my mom and dad to take Nikky with them to the church picnic and then we can really stay in bed for the rest of the afternoon."

Rachel smiled at thought of spending the entire day in bed with her fiance. "I wish I could. I have to run a few errands today. Then I have to meet with Jerry to retrieve the rest of my things with our lawyers."

The divorce became rather ugly after Jerry found out about the paternity results. He didn't want to give her any of her belongings. He had made threats to have a bonfire with all the expensive items he had acquired for her in his backyard. The lawyers made arrangements to have them both go through what was to be split between the two of them. The only thing Jerry did not object about were Nikky's things. He personally made arrangements with JC to hand over what belonged to the baby.

"How long do you think you'll be?" JC asked as he slid his tongue across Rachel's ear lightly.

"I don't know....Not too long though." she giggled. "I'm mostly worried about all my files that are in the house. My portfolio is there. I have audition tapes that I really need to look over. You know I have that big audition in Chicago soon."

JC was barely listening to her as he continued to run his tongue along her collar bone, letting his hands slowly slide down the sides of her thighs as he gently rubbed himself into her ass. Rachel could feel herself becoming rather wet when she felt his cock growing harder and harder with each touch. Her eyes began to flutter as she struggled to talk, "....Speaking of Chicago. Are you coming with me?"

"Yeah, Joey was invited to some big Escalade show there. I said I would tag along with him while you were doing your thing. I have to make sure that Laticia can come with us so that Nikky is taken care of while we're both out."

"I talked to her yesterday about it. She said it would be fine." Rachel stretched before getting up out of bed.

JC whimpered when she moved away from his touch.

"I have to hurry up before I am late, baby. We'll have plenty of time for that later."

After finally getting out of bed himself, JC turned on the radio before putting on a pair of sweatpants and tidying up the bedroom. Jodeci's unplugged version of "Lately" was playing softly throughout the room. JC sat on the edge of the bed and started to put on a pair of socks. He then sat there and studied Rachel as she went through the closets searching desperately for something to wear. He wondered why she was taking so much time to pick out an outfit and perfume. She was only going to see Jerry. His insecurities got the best of him as his mind drifted back to when he caught Jerry and Rachel together.

Far more frequently you're wearing perfume

And with you saying 'No special place to go'

But when I ask, will you be coming back soon?

Saying you don't know, never know

I'm a man of many wishes

Hope my premonition misses

But what I really feel

My eyes won't let me hide

Cuz it always starts to cry

Cuz this time could mean good, goodbye.

JC shook his head and blocked out the visions that were running around in his head. He reminded himself that he wasn't going to go there. They had made a promise to each other that things from the past would remain in the past. He got up from the bed and headed down the hallway to make breakfast.

The doorbell rang about 45 minutes later while JC was setting the table. When he opened the door he noticed a woman standing there nervously smiling at him.

"Hi. Can I speak to Rachel please?"

Just as JC was about to ask who she was, he heard Rachel say, "Cassandra? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you. It's very important."

Rachel noticed that JC seemed curious about the woman who was standing in their doorway. "JC this is Cassandra. I met her while working on that Lifetime movie last week. Cassandra, this is my fiance, JC."

"Nice to meet you." they both said in unison as they shook each others hand.

"Could you excuse us for a minute, honey?" Rachel asked.

JC nodded and headed back towards the kitchen. He was surprised when he heard the door shut and saw both women on the other side of it.

"I thought I told you never to come here."

~~~~~~~~

"How did you get my number and address?"

"I have endless connections, Laura."

"Well I'd appreciate it if you kept this information private. What is it that you need, Jerry?"

"I just need you to sign some consent forms for some footage that we have of you and Michael in the studio and various other places. We're putting together a DVD for his album release."

Laura was very upset over the fact that Jerry had tracked her down the way he did. "Well just FedEx it to me. I'll send it back the same day."

"I also wanted to see if you and JC would get together for a few tapings. We just need some short interview clips and a mock up studio session. A lot of the video we have of you from the studio is unusable. You were cursing like a sailor."

"No. I can't. It's nothing against you at all, Jerry."

Jerry could sense the emotion in her voice. "Well, just thought I'd ask. I'll just stick with JC then."

Laura felt bad that she was being so short with him. "I'm sorry Jerry."

"It's okay, Laura. I understand."

"How have you been by the way?" she asked with concern.

As much as Jerry tried to put on a front, she knew that he was a big teddy bear down deep inside. She knew how much he adored Rachel and Nikky and knew he was having just as hard a time as she was with recent events.

Jerry slightly smiled as he turned in his chair and stared out the window. "Been okay. Trying to keep busy with work. How about yourself? Chicago treating you right?"

"Yeah, it's ok. Still haven't decided whether or not I want to make it permanent."

"I heard you got offered your own studio there."

"Who else knows?" Laura asked nervously.

"No one else knows. I talked to Frank. Why are you being so secretive these days?" he questioned.

"I need to be by myself for awhile. I don't want the attention right now from the media. I'm still surprised that they haven't tracked me down yet like you have."

"Yeah I've read all the tabloids..." They both were silent until Jerry came back and said, "Well I won't take up anymore of your time, Sweetie. I just wanted to send you over that information. I'll talk to you soon."

"Hey Jerry?" Laura called after him.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for calling."

"I was only trying to talk you into helping me out again." he lied.

"Yeah, but you didn't have to. I'm obligated to do this whether I want to or not. And you actually saying it's ok, is a really huge thing for me right now...So thanks."

Jerry smiled. "You're welcome. Just remember that time heals all wounds, Laura."

Her smile faded as she thought about the advice he had just given. "Nah...The wounds are still there. They're just below the surface."

CHAPTER 11

You look absolutely amazing." Rick said as he placed his arm out for Laura's. She fixed her dress and pulled up her elbow length black satin gloves. Her long dark red dress was reminiscent of the one Julia Roberts wore to the opera in "Pretty Woman."

Laura was very self conscious about the small bulge in her stomach. She and her mother had gone out and bought special underwear that would help minimize the growing size of her abdomen. "Remind me why are we here again?" she asked as she held onto his arm tightly.

"You were given a special invite by the curator of the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Museum."

Laura took in a deep breath as they walked through the doors into the large banquet hall at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The band was playing Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness."

When Laura and Rick reached their table her mother leaned over and said, "I think I saw that Justin boy that you know. The one who always has the weird curls in his hair and that schnoze he calls a nose."

Laura giggled at her mother's reaction to Justin. "Come on mom. Don't be mean. He's a cutie pie."

"I'm not being mean. I was just speaking my mind, Laura."

"Mrs. Charles, I think Laura doesn't want us embarrassing her tonight." Hallie whispered as she leaned up to take a sip of her water.

"Then she shouldn't have invited us." Mrs. Charles joked.

She and Hallie began to laugh lightly to themselves as Laura rolled her eyes at the both of them. While taking a sip of her water, she let her eyes scan the room before they happened upon a man who was smiling and laughing with another group of gentlemen. A smile grew across her face when she saw him and remembered how he used to smile at her that way.

She continued to stare over at the group of men talking at their table. One of them must have said something funny, because they all burst into laughter. She lightly laughed to herself when she saw one in particular double over with glee before he took a sip of his drink. He looked around the room before their eyes finally met. A smile crept across his face when he saw her for the first time in a long time. He waved and mouthed hello, before their gaze was interrupted by a familiar voice saying, "Laura, did you want the chicken or beef?"

Laura looked over at Hallie and then up at the waitress who was patiently waiting for her reply. "The chicken would be fine, thanks." she said quickly before looking back towards the gentlemen who had caught her eye earlier.

To her disappointment, he was no longer in his seat. She scanned the room but could not find him anywhere. "How's everybody doing tonight?" a voice rang out from behind her. She quickly found herself becoming extremely nervous.

JC bent down and hugged Laura's mother before she could get up to meet his embrace. "You look fabulous Mrs. Charles." JC was rather excited to see her there with Laura...Especially at an event that was dedicated solely to the music industry.

"Why thank you, Joshua." Mrs. Charles replied.

The smile faded from Laura's face when she realized that this was the same man who had been ignoring her phone calls and letters. She looked towards Hallie who was giving her a questioning look as to what the hell she was doing smiling at him of all people.

JC knelt between Laura and her mother's chair. He looked over at Laura who was looking straight ahead with her elbows on the tabled and her hands underneath her chin. JC began to stutter when he saw her dress. "You...You..You all look incredible."

JC looked over towards Hallie whose arms were crossed as she glared at him. The smile faded from his face when Laura did not speak. "Well I better get back to my table before the show starts. It was nice seeing you all again."

Once JC got back to his table Chris leaned over and asked, "She looks...healthy."

"I'm surprised she decided to show up after everything you...." Justin stopped short of completing his sentence.

All 5 men got rather quiet when Rachel returned to the table. She had noticed JC over at Laura's table earlier and had been studying him ever since. She smiled at everyone before taking her seat and leaning over kissing JC lightly on the lips.

During the show there were many artists inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Museum, along with outstanding performances by the artists themselves and those paying tribute. At about mid-show, Phil Collins made his way on stage as everyone cheered. He waited patiently for it to die down before he continued to speak. "A long time ago, I had the great pleasure of working with an incredible man. He was a talented writer, producer, musician, as well as a loving father, husband and friend."

Laura's mother gasped when she saw a picture of her husband appear on the large screen.

"Nathaniel Charles was known to most as an innovator...A magic man of sorts...." Phil went on to talk about Laura's father before they played the video on the screen. Pictures and video footage Laura had never seen played. Laura smiled to herself when she say footage of herself as a little girl with her father at various studio sessions with her dad. There were even pictures of Laura and Rachel. She and Rick laughed at one in particular where the two girls were dressed up as famous singers while her father laughed and played the piano for them. She looked over at her mother who was starring up at the large screen with tears rolling down her face. She grabbed her mother's hand and held it tightly, smiling at her as they continued to watch different interview clips of other artists paying homage to her father's career. "It gives me great pleasure to announce that Nathaniel Charles has officially been inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. I am hoping that Connie Charles or her daughter will come and say a few words on his behalf."

The spotlight went through the crowd till it reached their table where Laura and her mother were hugging one another. Mrs. Charles pushed her daughter up and told her to go ahead. Rick rushed over and pulled her chair out for her to stand. As she made her way to the stage, she waved and shook hands with various people in the audience. Phil hugged her and handed her the trophy. Laura stood there looking down at it while the audience clapped. "Oh wow...This is...This is completely unexpected." She looked over at the screen and saw a picture of her and her father when she was little sitting at the piano playing. "My father passed away when I was young and I did not get the opportunity to discover the extent of his career or how many lives he had touched in so little time. I got a chance to see things I've never seen, reminisce on memories of my father when I was just a child." Laura cleared her throat trying to choke back the tears.

JC looked over and noticed Rachel wiping her eyes and thought quietly to himself.

"It was very beautiful and sad at the same time. Up until this very moment, I never knew just how much my father was missed not only by his family and friends, but by his peers. My mother and I would like to thank those who were apart of this, and we would also like to give our deepest gratitude for this induction. I don't know what else to say...Thank you so much!"

Phil walked up and rubbed her back lightly as he leaned towards the mic and said, "As many of you already know, Laura is following in the footsteps of her father. She seems to have inherited his incredible talent along with her mother's beauty. I had the honor of working with Nathan right before he died on the soundtrack for a movie called, 'Against All Odds'."

The crowd began cheering. Phil spoke up louder as he continued to speak, "I will never forget the time that Nathan brought little Laura into the studio while we were working on the song of the same title. She sat in the corner coloring just singing her little heart out. I was suppose to perform the song this evening, but I am hoping that Laura will help me out a little like she did so many years ago."

Laura and Phil whispered back and forth to one another before she finally looked around for a place to set down the trophy. Rick jogged over to the stage and gently took it from her hand. She walked over to the mic and adjusted it before she took a few deep breaths as Phil walked over to the piano and began to play. He started off with the first verse:

How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace

When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh

You're the only one who really knew me at all

Laura couldn't help but think of how the lyrics fit so perfectly to what she was feeling. She couldn't help but look over at JC, who was staring up at her, as she started to sing.

How can you just walk away from me,

when all I can do is watch you leave

Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears

You're the only one who really knew me at all

"She does so look like she's pregnant." Joey whispered to Chris.

"She does not. Her stomach would be poking out more than it is right now." Chris argued.

JC looked over at the men talking and rolled his eyes. "Stop trying to make something out of nothing. You're worse than a couple of reporters." Justin whispered loudly before motioning for them to shut up.

Both Phil and Laura sang the chorus

So take a look at me now, there's just an empty space

And there's nothing left here to remind me,

just the memory of your face

Take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space

And you coming back to me is against the odds and that's what I've got to face

Laura tried to focus her attention away from JC as she looked over at Phil playing the piano as he continued to sing before she soon followed.

I wish I could just make you turn around,

turn around and see me cry

There's so much I need to say to you,

so many reasons why

You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space

And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face

So take a look at me now, cause there's just an empty space

Laura let her hands and her voice soar high towards the heavens, hoping that someone would hear her desperate cries. Everyone in the audience had the chills as they listened to her belt out the song.

But to wait for you, is all I can do and that's what I've got to face

Take a good look at me now, cause I'll still be standing here

And you coming back to me is against all odds

That's the chance I've gotta take

Laura looked over at JC as she sang the last few words of the song. She then closed her eyes and bowed.

Take a look at me now

Everyone in the audience stood up and cheered. Rachel looked over at noticed JC quickly wiping his eyes and he vigorously clapped for her. Right at that moment she knew that Laura and JC had something together that she never would.

CHAPTER 12

"If I may be so nosy, JC. What are you working on over there? You seem obsessed."

"Oh, it's just some music. I can't get this song out of my head for some reason. I woke up with a sudden burst of energy to work on it."

"Have a title for it yet?"

"Yeah...How Do You Keep The Music Playing..."

"Sounds nice. Good luck with that." the woman said before turning her attention back to her computer screen.

"Thanks, Gina."

JC went back to working on the song. He went over to the copy machine and made copies of the original sheet music before going back to the couch and continuing to scribble down lyrics. Gina sat and watched him as he hummed the melody and mumbled a few lyrics here and there. She watched JC trying to write with the paper against his thighs. She then started giggling as he changed positions on the couch 5 times before finally sitting on the floor and placing the sheet music on the table and frantically writing. About 10 minutes later Gina was interrupted from her game of solitaire with the ringing of the telephone.

"Jc...Jerry's ready for you now." she called over to him.

"Thanks Gina." he said as he got up and walked into Jerry's office.

JC noticed Jerry looking through files in a nearby drawer. "Have a seat, JC." Jerry said as he continued to search through the files. Jerry smiled when he found the folder he was looking for before sliding his chair back to his desk.

"How's Nikky?"

"He's good. Still a little temperamental, but hopefully he will be ok in time. The offer is still open if you want to come see him, Jerry."

"I don't think that would be the best thing for him. I don't want to add to his confusion right now."

JC dug down into his wallet and pulled out three photographs and handed them to Jerry. "Here you go."

Jerry's eyes immediately lit up when he saw the little boy staring back at him with the deepest smile across his face. "He got so big!" Jerry laughed.

JC gave him a quick update on the baby before they got into business. "I signed the consent forms that you needed." JC said as he handed him the stack of folders.

"Good...Good. When do you think we can get you to do some more tapings for us?"

"Ummm...Anytime this week. Next week I have to go to Chicago. But I'll be able to do whatever it is that you need when I get back."

"Ok." Jerry said as he starting writing the info down on his calendar.

"Is Laura going to be doing any taping with us?" JC curiously asked.

Jerry didn't look up from his writing, "No. Unfortunately she declined."

"So you've spoken to her?"

Jerry stopped writing when he noticed the curious tone in JC's voice. He smirked slightly before looking up at him. "Why are you so curious?"

"I'm not." JC lied.

He could feel the questions coming on and got off-topic as quickly as he could. He went over his schedule once more with Jerry and signed a few more papers before finally leaving. Jerry sat at his desk and checked the forms to make sure that JC had singed each page. He stumbled across three sheets of paper that were stuck to the bottom. He sat back and started reading the pages carefully before smiling and picking up the phone.

"Gina. Get me Rick Danley on the line please."

Jerry sat and waiting for Gina to connect him to one of the downstairs offices. "Yo, Rick. I need to come down there and have you play something for me. It's extremely important."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cheryl Lynn's ''Got To Be Real" blared throughout the backyard as the large crowd of people mingled amongst themselves. Rachel grabbed a wine glass from a server's tray and continued to smile and talk to JC's aunt as she showed her the rather large engagement ring. JC was in the house trying to calm Nikky down, while Laticia rushed to get his baby food.

The house was packed with friends, family, friends of friends, of other various people that JC didn't know. He was relieved when he saw Justin walking through the front door with his parents. Lynn walked over and hugged JC before taking the baby from his arms and bouncing the boy up and down to quiet his cries. Justin looked around at all the people in the house and looked over at JC with one eyebrow raised, "You know any of these people?"

JC laughed, "Naw, but they apparently know me well enough to come in here and eat up all my food."

"Speaking of food...Where is it?"

JC pointed towards the backyard and asked him to get him a soda while he was out there.

"Hi JC." a tiny voice called out from behind him.

JC turned around and smiled slightly. "Cassandra, right?"

"Yep."

"Nice to see you again."

"Congratulations." she said softly. JC pointed her towards the food and Rachel before mingling with a few more guests.

"Any fine ladies here?" Justin asked as he sat down next to JC on the patio.

"There are a few. Rachel's friend, Cassandra, isn't too bad looking. They met a few weeks ago on the set of that Lifetime thing she did."

"Which one?" Justin asked as he looked around.

"You see the one over there sitting on the edge of the pool talking to Lance? That's her." JC pointed out.

Justin immediately recognized the girl and found himself very confused. "Are you sure Rachel met her just a few weeks ago?"

"Yeah. Cause I know most of Rachel's friends and she showed up at our door unexpected. I thought she was a crazed fan or something when I saw her. Why do you ask?"

"You must be mistaken with that, cause me and Hallie saw the two of them together months ago."

JC looked over towards Cassandra and then back over at Rachel who was laughing with a few of her friends.

"Hallie spotted Rachel and was being nosey as usual...This was way back before Laura moved." Justin reiterated.

"Maybe I am mistaken." JC said before taking a sip of his soda.

~~~~~~~~~~

"What the hell are you doing here?" Rachel hissed as she grabbed Cassandra's arm and pulled her off to the side where no one was looking.

"I came to celebrate your engagement."

"Excuse me?"

"Well I assumed my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. I know you would never pass up your best buddy like that."

"Let's get one thing straight. We are not buddies." Rachel stopped talking and plastered a fake smile on her face as JC walked over towards the two women.

"Hey, baby. My mom needs you to come over and take a few pictures."

"I'll be there in a second, Hun."

"Okay. You're more than welcome to join in Cassandra." JC noted.

Cassandra put down her wine glass, "Oh that would be great. Come on, Rachel." she said as she grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

JC watched as they joined the rest of the women for pictures. Curiosity was looming in his brain as he wondered why Rachel would have told him she only met Cassandra recently. JC didn't have much time to concentrate on it during the party. He was too busy trying to entertain all him guest and please his mother with a million pictures.

Rachel and Cassandra dipped off into the house. Justin noticed the two of them and decided to say hello. Rachel introduced Cassandra to him and they spoke briefly before Rachel interrupted and told Justin she needed Cassandra's help with something. He found it odd that she was so short with him before pulling to woman into the back bedroom, but brushed it off as chaos from the party.

"I want you out of here...Now."

"Wow, Rachel. Why are we so uptight today? pre-wedding jitters?"

"You don't belong here. You weren't invited."

"Well that hurts. I come to wish my friend the best of luck in her new marriage and I get slapped in the face with the insults." Cassandra acted hurt.

"We aren't friends...Get it straight."

"Well I would have thought we were. Since we have saved each other's asses time and time again."

"A favor for a favor...That's all it was. I've helped you more than enough. So grab your jacket and get moving out my front door pronto."

"Okay...I'll just go and say a few words to JC and I'll be on my way."

Rachel grabbed Cassandra's arm. "You won't say a thing to JC."

"Who's gonna stop me? You?" Cassandra laughed.

"What do you want from me?"

"A few grand and a few encouraging words for this part I am auditioning for."

"I just gave you four thousand dollars a few weeks ago."

"Well I need more...Maybe I can go out there and ask JC for the money. Small amount to pay for all the information I hold up here." Cassandra said as she tapped the side of her head.

"You're the one that screwed up here...Not me. I saved your ass when you got my son's blood type wrong. Jerry was trying to have you fired and if given the chance he would have definitely found some way to sue you if it wasn't for me."

"Messing with paternity test results is a much bigger favor than my little screw up with blood types in a lab...And we both know your heart isn't that big. You had motives of your own when you stepped in and 'helped' me. You owe me way more than I owe you, Rachel...And your going to pay. Cough it up, or I'll be changing my career from aspiring actress to stool pigeon."

CHAPTER 13-15