After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

38

Watching Joe sleep has become a common occurrence for Amber since they got married. He's so beautiful, she can't believe he's all hers. Forever.

Joe opens his eyes and is surprised to see his wife staring at him, "Whoa! Hey babe, are you watching me sleep?"

"Yes I am. I don't want to miss a second with you. I mean it's only six months until you go on tour. I want to savor every moment." She stares at him intently.

Joe can't help but laugh at her, "Stop that. You could come on tour with me!! It's not like we haven't been on tour together before. We don't have an opening act yet, maybe you could do it again. Want me to ask the guys?"

Amber's not sure how she feels about her husband begging the guys to let his wife be their opening act. Yes she's opened up for them before, but that was different. Then she didn't know Jordan was her father and she wasn't married to Joe. She got the job on the merits of her talent. Now she'd feel like it was charity. "I'm don't want anyone giving me something I didn't earn. Joe I don't want them feeling obligated to give your wife a job."

"Babe you know it wouldn't be like that. You're talented and we'd be lucky to have an opening act as good as you." He tries to pull her closer to him but she resists. "Joe I'm serious I don't want you asking them to let me tour with you, okay?"

"Fine, I won't ask. Now come over here and let me have my way with you. We only have two more days alone here. I don't want to waste another minute talking." This time she lets him pull her closer. Joe takes his time making love to his wife. It's slow and sensual, he savors every second. He wants to make the time they have left in Ireland incredibly memorable. He wants them to always remember their honeymoon as the best time of their lives.

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Jordan can't stop thinking about his kiss with Sara. It was indescribable, but it also felt wrong.

Jordan isn't sure what he's doing. He's separated from his wife, but still legally married. They haven't even discussed what they plan on doing yet. On top of that, he's been sleeping with Andi for the last couple of months. The last thing he should be doing is throwing a third woman into the mix. His life is already complicated enough. It's time for him to get his shit together. And until that happens, he can't let anything else happen between Sara and himself. He also thinks it's time to end things with Andi. Every time he starts to tell her though, they end up in bed together. Jordan promises himself that he will unfuck his life before they go on tour.

Maybe he'll tell her tonight after Amber and Joe's welcome home party. They got back from Ireland last night. So everyone is meeting at The Carson's house to see the happy couple. Jordan can't wait to see Amber. She's the only woman in his life that doesn't complicate it. She's like a breath of fresh air. That's when it hit him, he wants her on tour with them. What could be better than having his daughter around all the time?

Everyone's at the Carson's house when Amber and Joe arrive. Jordan can't help but feel a little suffocated. Evelyn's there with the boys. Andi's there and she keeps making little sexual innuendos to him every time they're in the same room. And Sara's there and she's not talking to him much at all. She's still upset about how he kissed her and then more or less freaked out, apologizing to her for it. It hurt her when he said it was a mistake. So yeah, Jordan's about ready to bolt, until he sees his daughter walk in.

Amber must have missed him too. After hugging her parents she throws her arms around Jordan's neck. "Hey Pops!! Thanks so much for coming."

"Oh baby girl, where else would I be tonight?" He let's go of her and looks from her to Joe. "Good to see you too Joe. How was Ireland? I hope you took lots of pictures." He and Joe share a quick hug. "Ireland was amazing. We had a great time. Looking forward to going back someday."

Amber makes the rounds, talking to everyone. She notices Jordan isn't around. Amber finds him sitting on the front porch swing. "You're missing the party Pops. Is everything okay?"

"Hey sweetheart. Yeah everything's fine. Actually that's a lie. But I don't want to put a damper on your night. I'm just so happy you're home."

Amber sits next to him on the swing. "Pops you know you can talk to me about anything. If you don't want to do so tonight, we can plan some time just the two of us. Soon."

Jordan can't help but feel somewhat better with her here. "Hey how would you feel about going on tour with us again? I think it'd be great to have you opening up for us again. I know I'd love to get to see you everyday."

Amber can't help but wonder if Joe said something to Jordan, knowing she wouldn't be able to say no to him. She decides it doesn't even matter right now. She knows if Jordan is asking her, then he really does want her there. "I think that would be amazing. If it's what the whole group wants."

"Well I know at least three votes for yes already. Your dad, your uncle and your husband. And honestly, I can't really see Donnie or Danny saying no. They both love you. But we'll talk to them before we make any decisions."

Amber takes Jordan's hand and starts swinging the swing. "Now, tell me what's going on with you. Why are you hiding out here?"

Jordan sighs, "I'm not hiding. I'm just thinking." He can see her staring at him from the corner of his eye. "I'm thinking about my life and how it's an utter mess right now. Well my personal life anyway. Evie and I are separated, I moved out not long after we got back from the cruise. And I'm trying to decide if there's anything worth saving between us. Or if I should just tell her we should get a divorce."

"I'm so sorry Pops. I really hate to hear that. But it seems like you two have been heading this direction for a while. And it's not like you'll never find someone new. I'm mean you're a good looking guy with a lot to offer a woman. You've just got to do what will make yourself happy. I'm here for you for whatever you need, no matter what you decide."

Jordan wants so badly to say "I've already met someone else who makes me happy. She makes me feel proud of myself. She's everything I've ever wanted in a woman. Sweetheart I think I'm falling for Andi." But he knows better than to say that. He's almost positive Amber would not support that relationship.