After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

33

Time flies by when they get home. Amber's time is spent moving into Joe's house in Boston and planning their wedding. She's so busy she doesn't even realize she hasn't seen Jordan since they left the ship. That was two months ago. "Hey Joe. I'm going to call Pops and invite him and Evelyn over for dinner. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah babe that's fine with me. But I'm not sure Evelyn will come with him. I don't think things are good with them right now." Amber comes into his home office. "What do you mean?"

"Amber, look you haven't been around very long. Jordan and Evelyn have a very odd relationship. They have a lot of issues. We don't get involved. Jordan gets upset if we say anything or try to give any advice. So if he says she can't make it, don't question it, okay?"

Amber can't believe what he's saying. Evelyn seemed happy whenever Amber was around. Joe explains that that's just how she is, she pretends they have a good marriage. But that it's all untrue. "Jordan and Evelyn haven't been happy in many years. They've both had several affairs. Jordan's never fallen for any of the women he's cheated with. But Evelyn did, several years back. Jordan was drinking a lot, his solo album had just dropped and Evie got pregnant. They weren't the happiest couple to begin with. She had Dante right before he went on tour with Nsync. While he was gone she started seeing someone she met at the supermarket. They carried on the affair behind Jordan's back for years. She fell in love with him, but chose to stay with Jordan because of Dante. It's been like this for so long. So we just don't talk about it anymore after all these years."

Amber's in complete shock. Jordan never let on to her that he was unhappy in his marriage. What a sad existence to not be happy with the person you chose to spend your life with. "Joe that breaks my heart. How sad for them." Joe is amazed that's her reaction. "I'm going to call him." Amber leaves the room and dials Jordan's number, he doesn't answer. She leaves him a message asking him to call her back.

It's a week before she hears back from Jordan. "Hey Pops. I feel like we haven't talked in forever. We wanted to invite you over for dinner. I need to talk to you, wedding stuff. We've moved the date up a little. Can you come by tomorrow?"

"Of course I can baby girl. Can I bring anything?"

"Just yourself. Evelyn and the boys are more than welcome to come too. But it's just going to be some boring wedding talk. Not sure the boys would enjoy it very much."

The next night Jordan shows up right on time. James is also there to Jordan's surprise. The four of them sit down to eat and Amber begins the conversation. "So Joe and I have decided to move the wedding date up to two months from now. We want to get married before the group starts rehearsals for the tour. So I've got to ask you both something. I'd like for you both to walk me down the aisle." James looks over at Jordan, then at Amber. "Sweetheart I think that would be perfect, both your Dad's giving you away. I'd be happy to share that honor with you Jordan."

Jordan's not sure what to say. He's been going through a lot of his own issues lately and this one question from his daughter brings so much joy to his heart. It's overwhelming. "James, thank you for being okay with sharing this monumental moment with me. I'm not sure I even deserve it, but I'll definitely take it. And Amber, sweetie, thank you for wanting me to be part of your special day. Nothing would make me happier than to walk you down the aisle."

Jordan excuses himself rather quickly after dinner. Amber walks him out to his car. He's been preoccupied with his phone for most of dinner. She's worried something's wrong. "Hey Pops is everything okay with you? You've been pretty quiet all night and distracted by your phone. I've hardly heard from you since the cruise. I can't help but feel there's something going on. Are we okay?" Jordan's phone vibrates again  and he check his message then looks up at Amber. "I'm sorry I've been distracted all night, I'm just working on a new business deal. Trying to get all the details just right. I'm fine, you don't need to ever worry about me. And Amber, you and I, we're wonderful." His phone buzzes again and instead of checking the message, he kisses her cheek and says, "I've got to get going. We'll talk real soon." With that he gets into his car and speeds away.

Amber's not convinced everything is fine with him. His whole demeanor was off tonight. He almost seemed a little anxious. Then she thinks maybe she's reading way too much into this. She's probably projecting because she was a little anxious about tonight. She was a little scared to ask Jordan to walk her down the aisle with her Dad. She had been scared he'd say no. She decides that's it and pushes her worries down.

Later that night, after dinner, Amber and Joe are cleaning up when those worries resurface. "Hey babe, do you think Pops seemed off tonight?"

Joe answers quickly, "No."

"You don't want to think about it first?"

Joe laughs, "I don't need to think about it. I've known Jordan most of my life. And he was acting exactly how he acts when he and Evie are on the outs. Like I told you leave it alone. If he wants to talk about it he will. If he told you he's fine, then you should believe him."

Amber's not sure how Joe can be so unconcerned. If Jordan and his wife are having problems shouldn't one of his best friends be more upset and worried. She worries that she may be the reason Joe and Jordan aren't as close and that's why Joe's not upset. She decides to call her Uncle Jon when Joe goes upstairs to get ready for bed.

"Hey Uncle Jon."

"Hey Amber."

"Can I talk to you about something?"

"You can talk to me about anything Amber. I'm always here to listen." Jon tells her.

Amber lets out a heavy sigh. "Pops came by for dinner tonight and he just seemed a little off to me. He was quiet and seemed really distracted. He kept checking his phone and then he was in a hurry to leave after dinner. I guess I had expected him to stay and talk more about the wedding since I'd asked him to walk me down the aisle with my Dad. I've barely heard from him since we got back from the cruise. It just feels like he's pushing me away. Has he said anything to you? Is he okay?"

"Amber, honey, you have to understand my brother. He's a very private person. He doesn't talk about his problems to us. Unless they concern us. Honestly he's probably having problems at home.  Which is pretty typical. If that's what is going on, he won't talk about it. It's been going on for years. He's probably staying at his other place right now. Look sweetheart, don't worry about your Pops. He's okay. I promise you this. If there was something to worry about he'd let us know. I'll call him tomorrow and check on him if that'll make you feel better."

"That would make me feel better Uncle Jon, thank you."

"You're welcome sweetie. Love you."

"Love you too Uncle Jon."