June 15th, 2005
New jobs. New marriages. New babies. New houses. Ten years brings a lot of changes for people. They focus on the future and not the past. For Corey, she had no interest in revisiting her past. She was living in the now. It wasn't until she received an invitation from Warren in the mail that she thought about her high school years. The invitation was for a get together at Empire Records, a chapter in her book of life she hadn't reread in awhile. Although thinking about how much she and AJ had changed intrigued her with thinking how much her other ex-friends have changed. She got the occasional birth announcement and Christmas card, but that was about it.
For Corey and AJ, their lives drastically changed when they moved to Boston in July of 1995. They immediately fell in love with the town. They bought a very expensive studio apartment. It was lovely. Only a year into their stay there, AJ proposed to Carey. She immediately said yes. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
Corey wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life. In the beginning of her junior year, She decoded that she wanted to become a teacher. Of course, her father didn't like that choice, but she didn't care. Both her and AH were going into the teaching field now, AJ an art teacher, and Corey a health teacher.
In 1999, After their graduation, AJ and Corey were married. A year later, they welcomed their first child, Piper into the world. Parenthood agreed with them. After their high school teaching careers were on track, they bought their first house. In 2004, they welcomed their second daughter, Arwen. On Arwen's first birthday, they found out that baby number three was on his way. Life was finally perfect.
For Debra, as soon as she moved out of her home town, her life grew better. She decided to sever all ties and fly to Paris. She loved it there, but deep down in her heart she missed home. She wouldn't admit it though. It wasn't until her sophomore year at the University, she realized where her heart belonged. She was walking down the street to her favourite café when she bumped into Berko. All her feelings came back and a week later, the two of them flew back to the states and got married.
When Berk graduated with a degree in accounting in 1999, they bought a house together. It took a couple of more years for Debra to graduate because she decided to become a therapist. It was her goal to help young disturbed children through their bad times. When she graduated, Debra found out she was pregnant and nine months later, Lauria was born. It was hard to adjust to becoming a parent, but soon Debra found she could be a terrific mother.
For Lucas, his life drastically changed when he went to college and fell in love with his college English professor. She was thirteen years older than him. It wasn't a big deal until their courtship was found out. They were given an ultimatum, break up and stay there or leave the school. Lucas was too in love with Linda and dropped out only a year until graduation. Of course, Linda felt bad, but she was thankful to have her job and man. In late 1999, the two wed and 2000, Linda gave birth to Jessalyn and Autumn. Twin girls cost a lot of money Lucas soon found out and so between raising them, Lucas picked up extra shifts at Empire. Soon, those extra shifts turned into becoming assistant manager. It was a good job for Lucas because it allowed him to bring the twins with him and not pay for daycare which was too much money nowadays.
For Warren, Corey still wasn't sure what his real name was, life got normal. He worked at Empire Records with pride. Joe didn't let him slack in school and monitored when he did his work. Warren couldn't help but to get A's and B's. Warren felt so proud when he graduated high school. Only two months after graduation, Warren married his girlfriend Haley. Between classes at the local community college and working at Empire, somehow Warren and Haley managed to conceive a child. In March of 2004, Jason Scott was born. It amazed Warren how meaningful his life felt now that Jason was there.
As soon as Joe's name was put on the Empire Records lease, he proposed to Jane. He had a wonderful business and now he wanted a wonderful wife. In 1996, Joe and Jane got married. Married life was more wonderful than he had ever expected. Being able to sleep with a gorgeous woman was terrific. In 1998, Jane gave birth to Colby Rose. Joe found having a little girl very stressful, but amazing. When she said her first word, dada, the stress melted away. He realized he wanted a full house. In 2000, his second daughter Kenzie was born. Running Empire was of course amazing. Now that it was fully in his and Lucas' hands, Empire was doing amazingly well and in 2004, Joe finally welcomed a little son into his life. Cooper was born. A boy…Man, that was terrific.
Gina and Mark. Gina and Mark. Gina and Mark. Words can't even describe how much their lives changed. After seeing Gina use her amazing voice, Mark really liked his idea of his band, Marc. He ran the idea to Gina and she loved it. Marc was formed. The next three years were very hard. They played horrible gigs and made an awful demo and them one day, when they were playing a rat hole, A man by the name of Steven Forcounty saw them. That man changed their lives.
It was very over night. One night they were nobody and then the next Marc was the top band with number one single and a number one album. Gina was thrilled she had a purpose in life. In 1998, she and Steven got married. The tabloids loved it, but they loved it when Gina gave birth to their daughter Maxine in 1999 more because that was when Steven left her and dropped Marc. Mark held Gina up through out everything. Even when her second and third marriages fell apart, Mark was there to hold her hand. Mark never had luck in the love department. He focused more on his band. Now, Marc had a whole room of awards and platinum albums and both Mark and Gina knew Marc was still going on the fast track to fame.
AJ pulled the car up to the building. It was still very trashy back here. He smiled at Corey. She looked very nervous.
"I need to pee." Piper whined from the back.
"Me too." Corey groaned hauling herself out of the car.
"Daddy!" Arwen squealed as AJ unbuckled her from the car seat.
"Come on." AJ said. Corey took Piper's hand and they walked to the back door. AJ knocked on the door and opened it up, "Any one here?" He could hear children upstairs running around. Warren stepped out of the office with a large grin.
"Look who's here." He said.
"Warren." AJ gave him a quick hug, "Look at you."
"Look at you." Warren looked at Corey, "Look at you. When are you due?"
"October 12th." She smiled, "This is Piper and that is Arwen."
"Arwen. Who's the Tolkien fan?" Warren smirked. AJ blushed deeply and raised his hand.
"Me." He said.
"I figured as much." Warren said, "Come out here. We're all here, but Joe. Meet the kids and stuff."
"Cool." Corey was actually excited for this. They followed Warren out onto the floor.
"Oh. My. God." Debra's eyes widened.
"Oh. My. God." Corey grinned brightly throwing her arms around Debra, "You're gorgeous! I love how long your hair is!"
"Thanks." Debra chuckled, "God, you look good. We didn't think you were going to come."
"We weren't sure if we were either." AJ said, "Traveling with children isn't fun."
"Oh I know." Debra smiled, "Come meet mine. LAURIA!! COME HERE!!!" Corey's heart was pounding. This was over whelming. A little girl with brunette pigtails came running down the stairs panting.
"What? I'm playing with Kenzie!" She whined. Debra smiled.
"I want you to meet one of Mommy's friends." She said, "This is Corey and this is AJ."
"Hi." Lauria smiled.
"Why hello." AJ bowed. Lauria looked at Piper.
"Do you like Sponge Bob?" She asked. Piper nodded.
"Ah huh." She said.
"Then come play." Lauria smiled. Piper looked at Corey.
"Can I?" She asked.
"Of course." She said watching Piper run off. "She's darling, Debra."
"Thanks." Debra was obviously proud. "The boy's wives are over there if you want to say Hi. I think they're feeling out of place."
"Corey!!!" Gina squealed from atop the stairs. "You're pregnant!"
"You're not!" Corey laughed running over to her. "God, how are you doing, Diva?"
"Wonderful. Utterly wonderful." Gina smiled, "I saw Piper. Gorgeous."
"Thanks." Corey smiled.
"Maxine is somewhere here. Her and Joe's twins were sticking things in their noses and hiding." Gina rolled her eyes, "God, how have you been?" AJ Glanced at Debra.
"Gag me." He chuckled, "I need men."
"Mark, Berk, and Lucas are back in the listening station hiding I think." Debra said. AJ nodded handing Arwen to her. He needed a break. AJ walked down the aisle and looked into the listening booth. The men were sitting there laughing. AJ knocked on the window. Mark's eyes widened when he saw AJ.
"Christ man." he threw the door open, "You're here."
"I'm here." AJ walked into the booth, "How are you guys doing?"
"Wonderful." Lucas smiled, "Are the girls talking now stop?"
"And squealing." AJ said.
"My wife better not be squealing." Berk said.
"Is Debra the squealing type?" Mark asked. Berk smirked.
"We got Lauria some how." He winked.
"Wonderful…" Lucas chuckled shaking AJ's hand, "You meet my family?" AJ shook his head.
"I heard the twins screaming but that's about it." He said.
"Well, Autumn and Jessa always scream." Lucas said, "Four years old and just as loud as day one."
"You have another one on the way don't you?" Mark asked AJ. He nodded.
"A boy, Mason." He said.
"Mason. Very clever." Lucas said.
"Corey's idea." AJ said glancing behind him. Jane was waving them back in.
"Joe's coming." Lucas said. The men filed out.
"He's coming!" Jane said. Corey walked dup and took AJ's hand.
"Everyone has produced." She whispered.
"Not Mark." AJ winked. They stood there hearts pounding.
"Jane? You here?" Joe called out from the back.
"On the floor sweetie." She called out. Joe stepped out.
"SURPRISED!!!" Everyone yelled. Joe stood there in shock.
"Oh my god." He whispered.
"A little reunion for your birthday." Warren smiled. Joe looked at Corey and AJ. He hadn't seen them in ten years.
"Wow." he whispered.
Joe smiled as he sat at the table.
"This was a wonderful surprise." he said. AJ nodded.
"That's why we came." He said to his former boss "We've missed you."
"Really?" Joe asked.
"Well, somewhat." AJ laughed, "We have a new life now. A very busy one."
"Trust me I know. Three kids and a full time job." Joe said, "You'll find out soon enough when Mason comes."
"I know…" AJ sighed, "It's just…We love Boston, Joe."
"Well, that's good. I've never been." He said, "I sense a but."
"There is a but." AJ glanced at Corey, "She's still miserable. I don't know what it is. She has a wonderful job, a wonderful house, wonderful kids and I just don't know what to do."
"Maybe she's just going through the emotions." Joe said, "Jane gets like that some times."
"Maybe." He sighed looking up at the balcony at Gina. She was staring at the kids running around. It was so nice to see Maxine having fun. Mark walked up behind her clearing his throat.
"Hey." Gina smirked, "Have you ever seen Max this rambunctious?" Mark shook his head.
"Not really." He said standing next to her, "I can't keep my mouth closed anymore."
"What?" Gina cocked her eyebrow.
"You have terrible taste in men." He said. Gina frowned deeply.
"Jeez, thanks." She shook her head.
"I'm serious." Mark said, "You have terrible taste in men. One who left you and Maxine. One who hit you. One who ignored you."
"God!" Gina growled, "What's your problem?"
"I'm just saying. You have horrible taste in men. You need someone who will treat you and Maxine right." He said.
"Well thank you for your opinion, Casanova." Gina frowned, "You're not exactly rolling in women now are you?"
"I don't want to be rolling in women when I've fallen in love with one." Mark growled. He hated it when she got pissed off.
"Fallen in love?" Gina laughed, "That's ridiculous."
"No it's not." Mark took a step to her, "I love you, Gina. I love Maxine. I'm sick of seeing you with horrible men when you know… You know I would treat you and Maxie right." Gina stood there in shock.
"M-Me?" She stuttered. "Why?"
"I've been standing by your side for the past ten years." Mark said, "Haven't you noticed me?" Gina sighed deeply glancing down seeing Maxine grab another piece of cake.
"Yes I have." She whispered, "We're best friends."
"I know we are." Mark said taking her hand, "But I love you. I can't stand by anymore." Gina stared at him in disbelief still. "I want to kiss you."
"Y-You do?" Gina licked her lips.
"Ten years looking at your lips is driving me nuts." Mark laughed nervously. A chuckle finally came from Gina's mouth.
"Well, I don't want you going insane.." Gina said. Mark didn't hesitate. He slid his hand behind her head and pulled her lips against his. It was strange at first to be kissing Gina. A best friend was slowly turning into more. Mark turned the kiss into a deep kiss. Gina put her hands on his chest and sighed with happiness. With all the men she had been with in her life time, this kiss had been the gentlest one of them all. After a few minutes, Mark pulled away resting his forehead against hers.
"I love you, Gina." he whispered. She nodded running her tongue against her lips.
"I know you do." She smiled pulling away, "Thank you." Gina glanced back down to the floor watching her old friends play with the kids and laugh. There had been many good times shared in this place. She hoped the laughter would stay here for awhile.
