The Show Must Go On (Jaythan)

A Call In Pennsylvania

The gigs went really well. Jay was heavily absent, but we managed without him.

At least on stage.

Off stage, in bars, I found myself feeling an ache all over again.

There was no Jay. Bar with no Jay equals bad bar. He was always the life of the party, and the funniest drunk.

I missed him so much.

In the middle of a backstage rehearsal, I got a phone call. I looked at the number and my heart dropped.

"It's the hospital," I told the boys. They all crowded around.

I put it on speakerphone. "Hello?"

"Hi, I'm looking for a Nathan Sykes?" a female voice asked.

"Speaking."

"I have news about Jay McGuiness."

Her voice was so quiet and low.

We knew what that meant.

My heart slowed down, and everything was spinning. This was it. He was gone. He was dead. Forever.

"What's happened?" I managed to choke out.

"Well, his condition has changed." She paused. We all waited, bracing ourselves for the worst. "He's woken up."

We all screamed and hugged each other. I was crying all over again. Thank God, thank God.

"Amen!" Nano said. Apparently I'd said it out loud.

"He said he'll be joining you shortly. He's on the plane tomorrow, heading for Philadelphia." The nurse sounded happy.

"Oh thank you, thank you so much. Tell him we love him and we'll see him soon," I said. I hung up the phone and hugged everyone again.

He was coming! He was back! My Jay!

My heart soared and sang. What would I say when he came back? Would I tell him I loved him? Would I admit my feelings I was fighting with? Or would I just leave it be?

Jay McGuiness was coming home. That was all that was important.