John lowered his body onto the plaid blanket laying on the wooden floor. He had just showered and changed for bed, knowing he wouldn't be going to sleep any time soon. Settling across from Joss he eyed her. The fire burned casting a glow on her smooth skin. Her hot pink silk pajama pants left her calves and ankles exposed. The thigh high matching robe was tied at her waist. She looked refreshed, her focus on the laptop in front of her. He confessed he preferred her attention be on him. He had his own plans for their first night alone.
Crossing her legs, she handed him the iPad, one brow arched challengingly. John returned the look with an equally challenging half smile. They had just finished protecting a number, who besides having been an old college friend of Harold's, was also a marriage counselor. He was so grateful for their help and protection that he gave them the keys to enjoy and weekend at his log cabin to celebrate their anniversary. The cabin really couldn't be considered that since it was a five-bedroom home fully furnished. In addition to the getaway he gave them a special game he used on the couples he was counseling.
Joss and John didn't know all that the game entailed but one rule was made known from the beginning. During the game there was to be no talking. Whatsoever.
Pushing the start button Dr. Macpherson's voice came through the speakers from the computer. "Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Reese. The game in which you are about to part take in is meant to cause you to communicate without opening your mouths. And what better way to communicate than with show tunes."
Joss's face fell. She shared a look with John. Did he just say show tunes? "Musicals tend to bring a new life to words. The object of this game is to reach down and to choose songs that express the debts of your emotions or express things that sometimes may go unsaid in your marriage. It is meant to bring a better understanding of each other and even to make you laugh.
I will simply ask a question, alternating between the two of you, and you will reply by picking a song from a musical that you feel best expresses your answer. It is okay if you don't know the songs or films being used. Harold offered a special feature allowing you to see the lyrics if you find it necessary."
The recording paused and the computer brought up a new screen giving them the option to start the questions or rehear the instructions. Joss pushed the start button.
"Let's begin. This first question will be for both of you. Jocelyn if you will answer first. What were your first thoughts after getting married?"
Joss watched her iPad. Seconds later her options appeared. She skimmed the selection, a smile tugging on her face. With a sigh she made her choice and waited for Jamie Fox and Quvenzhane Wallis's voices.
Together at last, together forever
We're tying the knot, they never can sever
I don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue,
I don't need anything but you
Joss chuckled thinking how ridiculous it would've been if she and John had broke out singing after saying I do.
John smiled at her. She knew from his face he didn't recognize the song, but he appreciated the lyrics. When the song fade John looked down. His face was blank as he stared at the bright screen. She could see his questioning gaze. John didn't recognize the songs and was unsure about which to pick. He took a few extra minutes to review the lyrics until he found the words that were the perfect fit.
Say you'll share with me one love one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me each night each morning
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me that's all I ask of you
Looking into John's eyes she gave him a soft smile, the words of the song still lingering in the room and her mind. John was going to get her to cry before the game was up. She just knew it. She blew him a kiss from where she sat. Winking John pushed the button so they could continue.
"This next question will be for you Mrs. Reese. You are a very strong and independent woman. It's obvious John needs you, but what made you realize you needed him?"
Joss's brow pinched in thought. This was a step above the last question to be sure. She hoped her choices were good. The screen shifted with new options. Joss felt John's eyes on her. She knew he was eager for her answer.
Instantly her mind and heart connected with one song that appeared. Not only did she recognize the tune from the movie Polly, but she loved the song. And it said everything that she would say herself. John waited nervously and then Phylicia Rashad's voice came over the speakers.
Don't tell me how love can slip through your hands
Don't ask me what I'm waiting for
Don't make me feel, like I'm missing the chance, the chance to have something more
Something more could only get confusing
And I would just risk losing everything I've got
Something more, like someone to belong to
Or someone to hold on to
Might change me into something that I'm not
I might become that someone I forgot
Joss sighed. She had made the right chose. God was her witness; she had not wanted to fall for John Reese. He made her feel things she had forgotten to feel. Made her want things she was afraid to want. She saw John swallow uneasily. Saw the surprise and humility written on his face. So often he felt that he was the one getting the best end of the bargain. Boy was he wrong. Reaching out he placed a hand on her knee. Before he could get too distracted Joss pointed indicating that he should take his turn.
"Thank you for patiently waiting Mr. Reese. Now to your question. Pick a song that best describes your feelings and thoughts when you first met your lovely wife?"
When the songs came up John once more found a list that he didn't recognize. He referred to the lyrics. Joss's head tilted in curiosity when she saw the satisfaction in John's eye. Then she heard the music.
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
And right here tonight
This could be the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart, the start of something new
Joss laughed outright when the song first started. Whose idea was it to use songs from High School Musical? John probably had no idea where the song even originated. But yet it was perfect. She that moment in the precinct had to have been something powerful for John. He had to have felt some sort of connection. That moment set this man on her path never to leave again. Leaning over the computer she couldn't resist placing a kiss on his cheek. He reached to grab her for a real kiss, but she slipped out of his grip.
Sitting back down she made ready for her turn. "Mrs. Reese from our conversation I gathered that there were many risks you took on to be with Mr. Reese. You even mentioned a few times, prior to your romantic involvement that you almost walked away from your association with John. What caused you to come back? Why were you never able to break away?"
Joss knew the answer, but to put it into song. She wanted to scoff at the choices. However, one did fit. It fit better than she wanted it to. She rolled her eyes knowing how corny this was going to be.
John's laugh rumbled through his chest. He recognized Olivia Newton-John's voice. Finally, a song and movie he could place.
My head is saying, fool forget him
My heart is saying, don't let go
Hold on to the end, that's what I intend to do
I'm hopelessly devoted to you…
I'm out of my head, hopelessly devoted to you
I'm hopelessly devoted to you
I'm hopelessly devoted to you
John blinked. The humor leaving. He recalled all that Joss had done for him. Every risk. When she tried to leave after Sysmanski, but let him back in. Then when she threw herself into trying to rescue him from the FBI. And of course, when she refused to leave him, knowing he could be blown to bits by a bomb vest. She had fallen just as hard for him as he had for her. And nearly just as soon. Grabbing her hand he brought it to his mouth so he could kiss her knuckles. Turning her hand over, he kissed her palm then moved lower to her wrist.
"Joh-"
He held a finger to his lips reminding her they weren't supposed to talk. Humor danced in his eyes. Joss pressed her lips together. She knew John's interest was quickly slipping from the game. She tried to take her hand back, but his grip remained firm. However, he did push the button for the next question.
"Mr. Reese I couldn't help but notice you are somewhat… shall I say beholden to your wife. You place her on a pedestal. Please explain the reason for this. What has she done for you that has created that pedestal in your mind?"
John had a song in his mind instantly. He waited hoping the song he wanted would pop up. He breathed when he found it among the list. Making his decision he watched Joss's face needing to see her reaction.
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I was a miserable youth
But somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
For here you are standing here loving me
Whether or not you should
Joss's eyes grew watery.
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must've done something good
Joss jaw worked. John knew tears were near. Before she could respond he hit another button. Joss looked up confused when another song started to play. John prompted her to listen not wanting her to miss the rest of his answer.
And at last I see the light and it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light and it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright and now the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different now that I see you
A tear escaped and she held a hand over her heart. John couldn't be happier at her reaction
He couldn't resist. He once protected a little girl who had an obsession with the film Tangled. And made him watch the movie with her. When the scene came where they sang the song, she had asked John if he knew how Rapunzel and Eugene felt. When he thought on the lyrics only one woman came to mind. And so he had entertained the girl with stories about a beautiful woman name Jocelyn that he loved the way Eugene loved Rapunzel. Since then the song had always stuck with him. And he had never had a reason to bring it up, until now.
Crawling over to him Joss settled at his side. Pulling his head down for a kiss. He wrapped her eagerly in his arms. As he made to deepen the kiss, Joss's hand reached to push the continue button. John groaned in protest.
"For some reason Harold, who was present when I prepared this game for you, seemed to be under the impression that at this point I would be interrupting you. And that I should wrap things up. I don't know if I should be offended in your losing interest in my game or delighted that it has perhaps sparked a yearning for each other and a desire for some private time in which you may share your love in a way only the two of you can."
John nibbled Joss's ear his arms tightening on her waist. Giggling Joss reached up splaying her hands in his hair.
"Assuming the latter is true I dare not try your patience. I will simply ask one more question that will require both of you to answer. Please do not make a choice, based on what you think the other will pick. If you have two different songs, they will simply play one right after the other. So I bid you goodnight in advance as I ask the final question.
Mr. and Mrs. Reese when you think of your future together, what one thought comes to mind?"
Lazily they looked at their screens. Songs and lyrics appeared. They both grinned instantly knowing their choice.
All I wanna do is be with you, be with you
There's nothing we can't do
I just want to be with you, only you
Pushing aside the iPads Joss locked her hands arund John's neck. She laughed into the kiss and so did he as the song played. It was corny. It was juvenile, but it said everything. Falling onto the pillows and blanket they continued to show their love without talking amidst the roaring fire and the fading song.
No matter where life takes us
Nothing can break us apart, you know it's true
I just want to be with you
I had so much fun writing this! I hope you enjoyed it the way I did. I listed all the songs and movies. Of course none of which belong to me. I didn't list the lyrics in the exact order in which they are in the movies. I had to shift some around slightly to better fit the story and include the parts I wanted. Thanks for reading and the reviews! It is always great to hear what you think. It motivates me to write more.
"Something New" "All I wanna Do" High School Musical
"Something More" Polly
"Together At Last" Annie 2014
"Hopelessly Devoted" Grease
"All I Ask of You" Phantom of the Opera
"At Last I see the Light" Tangled
"Something Good" Sound of Music