Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 20:45:22 -0500 From: Rin Song <rinsong@hotmail.com> Subject: Godspeed (1/1) Godspeed (1/1) by Rin Email: rinsong@hotmail.com Rating: PG Disclaimer: I don't know the members of 98 Degrees or their sexual orientation. I am making no money off of this. This is just for entertainment purposes only. ****** "They're here!" Jessica was standing in front of the window where she had been watching for the car ever since they had called to let them know they were on their way home. "Quick, hide the presents!" "Um, Nick, there might be a too many to hide, don't ya think?" Turning at Justin's comment, Nick noticed the multitude of boxes around the room. "Oh, yeah. Guess you're right. Oh well, ready everyone?" Nick walked over and opened the door to let Jeff and Drew in, grinning at everyone who had come over for this special homecoming. Everyone was excited; you could feel it in the air. Looking over at his parents, he saw his mom smile and thought his dad was going to cry. Pulling open the door, he grinned at his brother and best friend walking up the steps! "Welcome home!" "Thanks Nick, how's it been around here? Pretty quiet I hope?" Jeff was carrying two suitcases and a couple of bags on each arm. "Here, let me get those for you Jeff," Nick said, reaching for one of the bags. "You guys look exhausted." "We are," came Drew's soft reply. He came up the steps with his arms full. As he reached the top of the steps, the cloth bundle in his arm moved. "Wanna see him?" "Yeah, I do." Nick watched Drew lift the soft blue blanket and reveal the sleeping child within. "Man, he's gorgeous guys." "Thanks, let's get him inside. The winds starting to pick up." Walking into the house, Drew almost ran into Jeff who was putting down his armload of baggage. "Whoa! Jeff, babe, you gotta give me warning when you're going to do that..." Drew's voice trailed off as he looked up and saw the crowd of friends and family assembled in their living room. Hung over the fireplace was a banner that read "Welcome Home New Baby" and presents everywhere. Jeff turned and looked at Drew, smiling as he saw the tears begin to slide down Drew's face as he smiled at everyone. *********** Turning off the lights to the nursery, Jeff and Drew headed back downstairs and found both of their mothers and Jessica cleaning up the house. "You don't have to do that. We can get it in the morning," Jeff said, walking over and hugging his mother. "Thanks mom." "Oh don't worry about it. You two have had a long day, you go on to bed and we'll take care of everything." Laughing the two of them agreed and headed back up the stairs. Reaching their door, they heard the small protest from the bedroom. Looking down, Jeff saw Drew start toward the door. Reaching out, he just missed Drew's shoulder. "Drew. He's fine." "I'll just be a sec. Go on and get ready for bed." Drew walked into the bedroom and picked up his small son and rocked him in place for a moment. Then his voice picked up in a soft melody he remembered from his childhood. "Dragon tales and the water is wide, Pirate's said and lost boys fly Fish bite moonbeams every night And I love you Godspeed, little man Sweet dreams, little man Oh my love will fly you each night on angel's wings Godspeed Sweet Dreams" Singing softly for a few minutes, he placed the small sleeping body back into the crib and headed to find his own slumber. ********** "Drew! Babe, I'm home!" Jeff yelled as he came in the kitchen door. Dropping his umbrella into the umbrella stand just inside the door, he hung his jacket and ran a hand through his wet hair. The storm had come up out of nowhere and the battery in his garage door opener had decided to konk out on him, so he was a bit damp. Heading toward the living room, he was just about to call for Drew again when he saw him sitting on the couch, his finger pressed over his lips in a "shushing" gesture. Sprawled across his lap was their five-year-old son, clad in his pajamas, his bare feet pushed into the couch cushions for warmth. Smiling, he walked over and gave Drew a soft kiss hello and leaned down to give the sleeping boy a kiss of the head. As he pulled away, the small blonde head moved and bright blue eye blinked open. "Hi Dad," he murmured sleepily. "Hey Sport. Why don't you head up to bed?" "Uh-huh," he mumbled. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and headed for the stairs. "Daddy? Will you tuck me in?" Drew nodded and stood up. Turning to look at Jeff, he smiled and told him why he had still been up. "The storm scared him and he wanted to wait for you to get home. I'll be back down in a minute." Smiling at the two most important people in his life, Jeff nodded and headed into the kitchen. Grabbing two glasses and an open bottle of wine, he headed up the stairs to hear Drew's soft voice coming from their son's bedroom. "Godspeed, little man. Sweet dreams, little man. My will fly to you each night on angels wings Godspeed Sweet dreams" *********** Walking into the room, the man sees the people gathered around the bed. They're all talking in soft, hushed voices. Some of them turn as he walks closer and move aside to allow him closer. Smiling his thanks, he moves up to the bed and smiles down at the elderly man lying against the pillows. Reaching down, he takes his wrinkled hand into his own and holds it for a moment before speaking. "Hi Dad." "Hey Sport. I was waiting for you." "I know. I'm here." Fighting back the flood of tears he feels, he sits down on the bed and leans down to kiss the older man on the forehead. Pulling back a moment later, he turns and sees that everyone else is leaving the room, so that the two men can have some privacy. Turning back to the bed, his thoughts are interrupted by a fit of hacking coughs coming from the older man in the bed. Reaching across the bed, he grabs the box of tissues, pulling some from them as he helps the other sit up. "Here dad, I've got you." "No, I'm ok. Just tired." "When was the last time you actually slept?" The son asks with concern in his voice as he notices the fatigue in the aged features. "I was waiting for you." "Well, I'm here, why don't you get some sleep now." Nodding his head, he leans back and closes his eyes. After a few minutes, his breathing becomes deep and regular and the young man begins to sing softly. "Godspeed, little man Sweet dreams, little man Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings Godspeed Sweet dreams" Stopping as his voice breaks, he cries softly as he watches the only parent he has left. "He used to sing that to you as a baby." Looking up through his tears, he nods at his father. "Yeah, he did. It's one of my favorite memories." "Keep singing, please?" Nodding his head, he clears his throat and sings again softly. He lets his voice soar and sail through the room until he feels the hand he's holding in his own loosen its grip. Looking down, he sees the smile on his father's face and knows he is gone. As he rises from the bed, he leans in and kisses him softly on the forehead and whispers softly. "Godspeed Dad. Tell Daddy I love him." As he reaches the door, he looks back and the bed one last time and for a moment, he could swear that he heard two voices singing in the distance, carrying their harmony on the wind to a scared little boy to help quiet his fears. Letting the tears fall silently, he smiles and walks from the room, closing the door softly behind him. End "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" Music & Lyrics by Radney Foster Performed by the Dixie Chicks Dragon tales and the "water is wide" Pirate's sail and lost boys fly Fish bite moonbeams every night And I love you Chorus: Godspeed, little man Sweet dreams, little man Oh my love will fly To you each night on angels wings Godspeed Sweet dreams The rocket racer's all tuckered out Superman's in pajamas asleep on the couch Goodnight moon, we'll find the mouse And I love you Chorus: Godspeed, little man Sweet dreams, little man Oh my love will fly To you each night on angels wings God bless mommy and matchbox cars God bless dad and thanks for the stars God hears "Amen" wherever we are And I love you Chorus: Godspeed, little man Sweet dreams, little man Oh my love will fly To you each night on angels wings Godspeed Godspeed Godspeed Sweet dreams Random vocalization to fade