A couple more months later.....
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Hope asked Destiny.
“Yes,” she said. “I can always come back if I want to. I just don’t feel I have the focus I need right now to concentrate on my studies. To be honest, becoming a lawyer doesn’t seem all that important to me anymore.”
“I know how hard it was when you lost Alex,” Hope told her. “But it’s only been three months. You should give yourself some time to readjust to your life. Alex wouldn’t want you to give up.”
“I’m not giving up, Hope,” Destiny said angrily. “Yes, it was really hard for me when Alex died. I never said I wasn’t going back. I just need a break. I want to spend more time with Lance and Hunter. They’re all I have left of Alex.”
Hope pulled Destiny into a hug as she started crying. “Dee Dee, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry that I did. It’s just that you seem to have closed yourself off to the world. You don’t talk to any of us anymore. All you do is sit at home with the twins. You don’t
go out, you don’t hang out with friends. Now that you’ve finished your seventh semester at Harvard, you want to just stop like it never happened. I’m worried about you.”
“I want to move back to Orlando for a while,” said Destiny. “Right now, I don’t feel motivated to continue with school. I’m hoping a break will help me get it back.”
“Okay, okay.” Hope went back to taping the boxes closed. “Just as long as you don’t end up doing nothing.”
“Trust me, I won’t.”
Destiny continued putting all of her and AJ’s belongings in boxes. After they were done, Destiny and Hope went out to a club. It was the clubs kareoke night. Five guys did a little tribute to the Backstreet Boys singing “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely” and dedicating it to “Mrs. McLean, whom we saw enter the club a few minutes ago.” Destiny smiled and waved to the guys onstage. The crowd got a special surprise when Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey came up on stage to sing their duet “Where You Are”.
“We would like to send this especially out to Destiny McLean,” Jessica said. “And if I wasn’t told wrong, she happens to be a big fan of mine. Is that right, Mrs. McLean?” Destiny nodded her head in agreement and raised her glass in attention. “All right, let’s do this. Ready, Nick?”
“Definitely,” Nick agreed. “From us to you, Mrs. McLean, this is our duet ‘Where You Are’.”
The audience applauded as the music started up. Destiny sat back and enjoyed the performance. She couldn’t help but shed a few tears as Jessica and Nick sang together.
Nick:
And I can see your face
Your kiss I still can taste
Not a memory erased
Jessica:
Oh, I see your star
Shining down on me
And I’d do anything
Together:
If I could just
Be right there where you are
Jessica:
Where you and I will breathe together once again
Together:
We’ll be dancing in the moonlight just like we used to do
Jessica:
And you’ll be smiling back at me
(Nick: And you’ll be smiling back at me)
Only then will I be free
Then I will be free
So take me where you are
Nick:
Now, baby, there times when selfishly
I’m wishing that you were here with me
So I could wipe your tears and make you see
(Wipe your tears)
That every night while you are dreaming
I’m here to guard you from afar
Together:
And every time I feel alone
I close me eyes and dream of where you are
Where you are
Where you and I will breathe together once again
(Nick: Where we with breathe together, baby)
We’ll be dancing in the moonlight just like we used to do
(Jessica: Oh, we’ll be dancing in the moonlight)
And you’ll be smiling back at me
(Jessica: And you’ll be smiling back at me)
Nick:
Only then will I be free
Then I will be free
Together:
Baby, I still believe
Jessica:
Oh, I got to believe
(I still believe)
Together:
I will touch you that sweet day
(That sweet day)
That you'll take me there
Jessica:
Where you are
I still believe
Nick:
Oh, I got to believe
(I still believe)
Together:
I will touch you that sweet day
(That sweet day)
That you take me there
(Where you are)
Nick:
Where you are
Oh, where you are
(I still believe)
Jessica:
Oh, I got to believe
(I still believe)
Nick:
I’ll always be waiting here
(That sweet day)
Jessica:
That sweet day, yeah
(Where you are)
Nick:
I only want to be where you are
Together:
I still believe
Everyone stood up and applauded like crazy as the music came to an end. The two smiled and bowed graciously. They walked off hand in hand. A few minutes later, Nick and Jessica were at Destiny’s table, giving her a hug.
“We are so sorry about AJ,” Jessica said. “We hope you’re doing better.”
“Thank you,” Destiny said. “Yeah, I’m doing a lot better. I’ve gotten a lot of support from my family, my friends, and from the fans. The fans have been amazing.”
“I would imagine,” Nick said. “Did you get the flowers me and Jess sent you?”
“Yes, I got them,” Destiny smiled. “Thank you so much. They were beautiful. I’m sorry I haven’t sent you guys a ‘thank you’ note or something. I’ve just been so busy with school and packing up the things at the house.....”
“That’s okay,” Jessica said. “We just wanted to brighten up your day a little.”
“What are you packing for?” asked Nick.
“I decided to take a break from school,” she explained. “I’m moving back to Orlando for a while. I also want the twins, Lance and Hunter, to be closer to their grandparents, especially Denise, Alex’s mom.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Jessica said. “I hope all goes well with your move.”
“Me, too.” Destiny studied Nick and Jessica. You could tell they were in love. It reminded of her of AJ and herself. “You know, you two are very lucky to have found the love you two seem to have. I’m really happy for you guys.”
“I feel lucky,” Nick said, smiling at Jessica. “Jessica means a lot to me. There isn’t anything I would do for her.”
“Well, just keep in mind that there are a lot of people out there that want yout to fail,” said Destiny. “I really admire you guys for being as honest with your fans as you are. My relationship with Alex had be kept a secret because of management. But as soon as the Boys got signed with ‘The Firm’, they’ve felt more free. Not that the previous management had been able to keep a lid on us girlfriends. But sometimes the fans can be a little tempestous. I received a lot of harshness for marrying Alex. We didn’t let that destroy our love. Don’t let it destroy yours.”
“My love for Nick is strong,” Jessica said. “Nothing will stop me from being with him or loving him. But thanks for the advice. We’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good.” Destiny look at her watch. “It’s getting late, I better get going. As soon as I find my sister Hope, I’m out of here.” She hugged Jessica and Nick again. “I’ll see you around sometime. If you’re ever in Orlando, come and visit me.”
“We will,” said Jessica. “Take care of yourself and the twins.”
“I will. Bye.” Destiny gave one last wave and went to find Hope.
After five minutes of searching, Destiny finally found her sister and told her it was time they left. Ten minutes later, they were walking through the door. Destiny was exhausted and went straight to bed. Usually she dreamt of AJ, but tonight she was dreamless.