Holly had just gotten home from teaching a kids' ballet class when she got his call. She was excited, but a little apprehensive, about seeing him. It had only been a few days, but becoming suddenly unsure of her future with him made every day an eternity. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, she was ready to go. She grabbed her Diva CD on her way out the door, putting Annie Lennox to the test. Okay, Annie…give me the strength to get through this.

Clay was equally nervous. He ran into the house, glancing around the living room for ways to set the proper mood. This was going to be an important night, and he wanted everything to be perfect. He opted for candlelight, pulling extra votives out of a drawer in the kitchen and setting them in a line down the center of the coffee table. The room was always full of candles, because Holly believed that a room was more welcoming when candles were burning…and tonight, he wanted her to feel more welcome than she'd ever felt in his home before. He started to light the tapers on the mantle, but realized that he needed to freshen up first…plus, he had no idea how long she'd be, and didn't want her to come in to see them dripping and sputtering. He blew out the few he'd lit, then ran upstairs.

She parked the car and closed her eyes, trying to relax for a moment before approaching his door. Her hands went up to her hair, which she'd let dry on the way over, because she didn't want to take the time to mess with it at home. Oh, this isn't too bad. A little curlier than I'd like, but it's not freaking out. No more than I am, anyway. She flipped down the visor to quickly check herself in the mirror, then looked over at Clay's front door, not knowing what she was going to find on the other side.

She grabbed her purse and keys and headed towards the door. She stood there for a moment, deciding not to use her key. It didn't seem appropriate to just walk in.

Clay had noticed her headlights as she pulled into the driveway, and he immediately got to work on lighting the candles. He finished just as she rang the doorbell, and he hit the switch on the wall to turn off the lights on his way to let her in.

His eyes began to fill with tears the second he saw her. He couldn't believe that he'd come so close to losing her over something so simple, something he hadn't realized he'd been doing. Looking at her standing on his porch in a long, gauzy skirt and a tiny white t-shirt that barely covered her stomach, with her dark eyes searching his face for a clue to the "surprise", he knew all of this was meant to be. Even the past few painful days.

"Don't cry, sweetie…you'll get me blubbering." Holly stepped inside, slipping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his shoulder. She inhaled deeply and smelled her shampoo on him, which made her smile. "I'm ready for whatever you've got planned, sugar…you just tell me what you want me to do."

He pressed his lips into her hair and hugged her tightly. "Forgive me." The words came easier than he thought they would. "And let me make things right. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do. Like I've never trusted anyone." She turned her face to meet his lips and gently kissed him. Maybe it was the candles, or the time they'd spent apart, but it felt like she was kissing him for the first time. She dreamily tipped her head to the side and savored the tenderness of his lips, a shiver running through her as the tip of his tongue touched hers. There was no urgency here, but the belief that they had the rest of their lives to stand in each other's arms.

Clay reached out to shut the door, then put his hand on the small of her back as they walked together into the living room. "I've got some wine out…if you'd like some."

She smiled and took his hand. "I'm okay. I think I'm not going to want a drink tonight. The last time I saw you, I…"

He touched his fingers to her lips. "Shhh…I don't want you to worry about that. You just let me know if you need anything." He pulled her towards the loveseat and sat down. "I want to tell you how much that message meant to me…what you said today."

She settled next to him, slipping out of her shoes and pulling her feet underneath her. "I hope it didn't upset you."

"Oh, I was a little upset…but not with you. You were telling me things I needed to hear. Everything just made sense after that." He turned to face her and slipped his hand behind her head, smoothing her hair. "I've had an interesting couple of days. There's been a lot of yelling and crying…and thinking. A lot of thinking. And when you left me that message…well, I made a decision." He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, then reached over to pick up the phone.

"What are you doing?"

He grinned at her. "I'm calling Mom."

Holly's eyes widened. "Where's that wine?" she joked. He winked at her as he stood up, putting the phone to his ear. He looked a little anxious, which made her wonder even more what he was about to do.

"Mom? Yeah, it's me. Listen, are you busy? There's something I want to talk to you about…yeah, I know it's late, but it's really important. It shouldn't take too long, okay?" He shot Holly a goofy smile and gave her a thumbs-up, which made her laugh.

"There are a lot of things I haven't told you, Mama. Most of it is normal stuff a guy doesn't tell his mother…but some of it is stuff you should probably know. Stuff about me…and my life…that's changed since I left home. Now, it's really important that you let me get all this out, because…well, it's not gonna be easy to say some of it…don't freak out, Mama, it's nothing bad…it's just…are you gonna let me tell you? Okay." He took a deep breath. "Okay. I want to tell you about Holly."

Her hands went to her face. She finally realized what he was doing. Or she thought she did.

"Holly Elizabeth Duncan is the most fascinating, most wonderful, most beautiful woman I've ever met. She's brilliant, talented, creative, caring, generous, and she makes me laugh a lot. And when she's not doing that, she's usually making me smile, which is even better. And somehow…I still don't know how…she makes me want to dance." He walked around behind the loveseat and ran his hand along her shoulders as he passed. "She's had a hard life, but she's come out of it with…with amazing strength. She's got so much integrity and character and works so hard…her business is like a family, and they all love and admire her so much. And so do I. I'm completely in awe of her."

She tried hard to stop the tears from streaming down her cheeks, but she was too overwhelmed. She picked up a pillow and hugged it to her chest.

"Mom…Mama, you've got to let me finish. It's very important that you know these things. Holly is so smart, I can hardly keep up with her. She's really independent…in fact, she's, like, beyond independent…I'm trying to get her to let me…let me help her out more, but she's not having it. She's opinionated and stubborn and…"

She smiled at him. "And a pain in the ass."

Clay laughed. "And a pain in the ass." Holly was so surprised he said it that she snorted. "What? Yeah, she's here." He cupped his hand under Holly's chin and looked into her glistening eyes. "She's right here. And she's not going anywhere. That's why you need to know all about her. She's gonna be part of our family someday…actually, you know, I think she already is. No, I haven't proposed…not officially. But I will. It's gonna happen, and, unless she's been fooling me all this time, she's gonna say yes. And she's going to be your daughter, and you're going to love her…not because I'm marrying her, but because she's an incredible person."

He sat next to her and stroked her arm as he continued. "She and I have had some really interesting discussions about faith and religion, and I've learned a lot from her. She was brought up Catholic, but she never really believed what they were teaching her…so she started studying other religions. She liked the basics of all of them, you know, but saw them all as exclusionary. Too much us versus them, as she says. So…um…she's not a big fan of organized religion, but…well, yeah, obviously, Mom. That would mean she doesn't call herself a Christian. She doesn't call herself anything in particular…except maybe an agnostic, you know, if she has to put a label on it. It's been great for me to have someone I can really talk to about faith who doesn't automatically agree with me on everything. We kinda make each other question our beliefs, and see how strong they are…no, she's not trying to change me…just like I'm not trying to change her. There are a lot of roads that all lead to the same place…and we might not be on the same one, you know, but we're going there together. One major thing we definitely agree on is that God brought us together, because together we're better and stronger than we ever were apart."

Holly shook her head in amazement. She couldn't believe he was telling his mother all of this. But what surprised her more was that Faye seemed to be listening to him.

"No…no, she's not. I mean, she wouldn't say that. She doesn't really believe in the idea of being saved. Lots of people don't, Mom. But, you know, someone's relationship with God is her own business, isn't it? And haven't you always taught me that…Mama, listen to me, I'm telling you all of this for a reason. On the one hand, it isn't any of your business, but…what do you mean, why not? Because it's my life and I get to decide who I'm gonna be with. And if you do have a problem with anything about her, you're just gonna have to get over it, because Holly is the one I've chosen…hey, I am not turning my back on you…and I'm sure as heck not turning my back on God. Okay, look…you raised me, right? You taught me everything you needed to teach me so I could go out into the world and make the right decisions…so trust me. You don't have to watch over me, and I don't need to check with you to make sure I'm doing the right thing. I've got it figured out now."

He lifted his arm and wrapped it around her as she snuggled up beside him, feeling the softness of his sweater against her face. He was thrilled that she looked so happy, and proud of himself for getting through the night without anyone's temper getting out of hand.

"My finding Holly and falling in love with her is a good thing…the best thing that ever happened to me. She may not be the picture I had in my head when I was growing up of the woman I was going to marry someday…but she's the woman I can't imagine my life without. She's not a cute little blonde Southern woman who goes to church picnics and makes fantastic barbecue…" Holly scrunched up her face. "Yeah, she doesn't like it…yet. I'll turn her around, you know, once I bring her to Raleigh, though. She's more of a…cute, statuesque, exotic-looking, dark-haired California girl who goes to big rock concerts and keeps trying to get me to eat sushi. Oh, and she used to have her eyebrow pierced, but she let that close up." She poked him in the ribs and he laughed. "And she pokes me when she thinks I'm never going to stop talking…which means she does it a lot. And I love her, Mama. I really love her. And she's got this great family…her sister and her husband and daughter…oh my God, you won't believe how amazing Emily is. I just adore her, and I've been spending so much time with her, and it's been just…it's just wonderful. I'm so happy, Mama. That's why I want the world to know about us. They always say they want me to be happy, and now they're going to find out that I am."

He looked into Holly's eyes and saw her starting to cry again. He leaned in and kissed her, not caring if his mother could hear it through the phone. Everything on the other end was quiet. "Mom? Are you still there? Oh…okay, well, I guess that was everything. I mean, unless there's anything you want to…are we…well, technically, no. She doesn't really live here with me. But…um…she does stay here a lot. Once we got to a point where…uh, where we didn't think I should go to her place any more, she just started staying with me. It's really easier, because she doesn't have pets to worry about, and I…what? Are you really asking me that? Well, okay, then…yeah, we are. What, you're gonna ask me a question and not want to hear the answer? Yes, we sleep together…oh, come on, you've gotta be…Mama, I am 28 years old, and…well, you know what? It really wasn't your business, but you asked, so I told you. And I'm not gonna lie to you, so if there's something you'd rather not know, maybe in the future you just won't ask me, okay? Anything else really personal you want to know about?"

His heart was pounding and Holly could feel his body stiffening. She rubbed his stomach and whispered, "It's okay…it's okay, sweetie…you can hang up." She was so proud of him, and she didn't want to see this conversation turn into a fight.

"Mama…Mama, listen to me…I wanted to get all this out in the open before you came out here, because I didn't want you coming here all geared up to judge Holly. You two got off on the wrong foot the other night, and I'm pretty sure it was because you were…Mom…what are you saying? I was sitting right here when you were on the phone with her, and she didn't say one thing that could have…okay, look. Here's the deal. If you're going to act like this when you come out, then…well, maybe you shouldn't come out. It's gonna be a big night for me…for us…and I'm not gonna let it get screwed up over…okay…okay, look…just think about it. You don't have to say anything tonight. Sleep on it. Just let me know by the end of the week, okay? I'm gonna go now. I'll talk to you soon, okay? Promise me you'll call…okay, good. Bye, Mom."

Clay sat the phone on the coffee table and rested his head in his hands. "Well, that went well, wouldn't you say?" Holly hugged him and kissed his shoulder. "Oh, before I forget…one more quick call." He picked up the phone again and dialed, drumming his fingers on his knee. "Nick? Yeah…um, can't really talk right now, but I wanted to tell you something. I hate it when you're right. Yeah…yes, she's right here. I'll see you tomorrow. 'Night."

"Oh…so I have Nick to thank for all this?" Holly sat back and crossed her legs, nudging his hand with her toe.

"Well, in part." He got up and walked to the mantle, picking up the remote to the stereo. "Sometimes I have to get hit with a brick or two, but I do eventually come around." He clicked a button to softly play a James Taylor song he'd picked out especially for the occasion.

There’s something in the way she moves
Or looks my way, or calls my name
That seems to leave this troubled world behind
If I’m feeling down and blue
Or troubled by some foolish game
She always seems to make me change my mind

She watched him close his eyes for a moment, as he mouthed the first few lines of the song. When he looked at her again, his eyes shining in the flickering light of the candles, she found herself feeling lightheaded. She remembered what she'd heard his fans talking about when she'd sat with them at concerts…the things he could do with his eyes that made them go weak in the knees…and began to feel a little weakened herself. Before she knew it, he was standing before her, reaching out for her to take his hand.

"Will you dance with me?"

He lifted her up and led her around the table to the space next to the fireplace. He pulled her close to him, placing their entwined hands against his chest as they swayed to the music. He kissed her softly on the forehead and whispered to her. "Thank you."

She looked up at him. "For what?"

"For loving me. For everything."

Every now and then the things I lean on lose their meaning
And I find myself careening
Into places where I should not let me go
She has the power to go where no one else can find me
Yes, and to silently remind me
Of the happiness and good times that I know, you know

She kissed him on the neck, bringing her lips close to his ear as they continued their dance. "Sugar, there's so much I have to thank you for…and I feel like I don't do it enough." Clay started to speak, but she stopped him. "Sweetie...it's my turn now. Every day of my life, I'm amazed that someone like you, someone as beautiful and decent and wonderful as you are, would even give me a second glance. Not that I didn't deserve it…but I'd given up hope. You've reminded me that there's an amazing world out there, and I was coming close to letting it go by. I don't remember how I got through a day before you, or what made me get up in the morning when I didn't have your smile to look forward to. I had my life, and I was fairly happy with it, and I loved my friends and my family…but now, I have this inspiration I'd been missing. You make me want to be more than I thought I could be. I can dream bigger than I ever allowed myself before…all because you're here with me, giving me so much love and support. And I promise…I'm going to try to be better about accepting your help. I'm just not used to being part of a team…well, not a team like this. I'm going to really try to let go of my business a little, so I can enjoy our life together…and see the world with you." She sniffled and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I love you so much, baby."

Clay squeezed his tear-filled eyes shut as he pressed his face against her shoulder. "I love you, too…I'm so glad you're home." He took a deep breath and pulled back to look at her. His hands slipped to her waist, and he glanced down at her tight t-shirt, then back up at her face. "My God, you're so beautiful." He stroked her sides with his thumbs as he slowly leaned in to kiss her.

She slid one hand over his shoulder towards his chest, trailing it along the unbuttoned neckline of his shirt to the bottom of the V-neck of his sweater. The fingers of her other hand curled into his hair as she hungrily returned his kiss. She felt him pulling her away from the fireplace, and smiled up at him as he dramatically dipped her backwards before he lay her on the long sofa against the wall, settling himself alongside her, tossing pillows on the floor to give him room to maneuver.

Holly wrapped her leg around him, stroking down the back of his calf to his bare foot, while she brought her hand to his hip, hooking her thumb into one of the beltloops on his jeans. "Pretty slick, there, hon. I suppose you think you're gonna have your filthy way with me now, huh?"

He propped himself up on one arm, and ran his other hand along her belly, pulling the hem of the shirt slightly with it. "I might. Don't rush me." His hand continued upward, over her breasts, stopping just below her throat, where he stretched out a finger to caress her collarbone. "Just a little over a week…you ready for me to show you off?" She smiled up at him. "It's not gonna be easy, you know. As much of a pain as this sneaking around has been, at least I've been able to keep you away from…all that mess."

"I know, sugar. But I'll be fine. I'm not afraid of paparazzi and tabloids and stuff. I'm a lot stronger than I look."

He grinned. "Oh, I was talking about my fans. They're merciless." He tickled her and leaned in to kiss her. Her giggles turned to moans, echoing softly in his mouth. She tugged on the waist of his jeans, pulling his hips firmly against her, and brought her knee nearly to his shoulder, her skirt falling away to reveal her long, shapely legs. Just as his hand slid under her shirt and brought goosebumps to her smooth skin, they were interrupted by distant barking.

Holly turned her head to look towards the kitchen. "Where is she?"

"I put her in her crate in the guestroom. I thought maybe we'd have a little quiet tonight, but I guess she's had enough alone time." He pushed himself up with his arms, climbing over Holly to get to his feet.

Holly giggled. "Kids. They never give you a moment's peace."

OMG, he looks soooo good. He's got on a really dark green suit with a deep plum shirt and tie, his hair is PERFECT and he was just so charming and beautiful on the red carpet. One of the chicks from ET was talking to him and I got a pretty good look at that girl with him. She's really pretty and tall, and they look like it's a real date -- I saw one shot of them when they were walking and they were holding hands!! I don't know if I can handle this. You know, if he doesn't win Favorite Male Artist, at least he should get the HOTTIE award.
: Merry

Don't forget that trophy he's there with!!
: nerdluvr

Oh man, she's pretty. I want to die. They are way cute together.
: Cruisegurrl

I saw on another board that the TV Guide channel did a quick segment where the girl was standing right there with him while he was interviewed. I think they said they talked to her, too. I'm keeping an eye out for video of that, and I'll post a link when I find it. Is it too soon for me to hate her?
: alliesmom

"Who are you wearing?"

"Who am I wearing? I really don't know! I guess I should start paying attention to stuff like that. I should have known you were gonna ask me. I just get all these suits, you know, and I pick one and I wear it. I'm not very good at knowing who designers are. I pay people to know that stuff!"

"Well, you wear the clothes very well. You do that part right."

"Well, thank you."

"And, I must say, your date is wearing a gorgeous dress…we've got to get a shot of this. Clay, you want to tell me who you're with tonight?"

"Sure, this is Holly Duncan, and I have no idea who she's wearing either!"

"Yeah, and don't ask me…I'd probably say the wrong name and get Clay in trouble."

"Okay, fair enough. But you do know who you'll be rooting for tonight, right?"

"Oh, absolutely…I've got that one down."

"She's my cheering section tonight. I've got my family and friends back at the house, but she's the one who gets to get me through all this."

"Well, good luck tonight…you both look terrific…back up to the grandstand. Who do you have up there…?"

I'm sure we'll find out about her soon enough. He's obviously been hiding her from us, and I guess he decided we can handle seeing her now. You know it's got to be serious or he wouldn't parade her around in front of us like that. Unless he's just doing it to make us crazy, in which case he's doing a bang-up job! I just hope, whoever she is, that they're really happy…and he's gonna GET SOME tonight!! (oh wait, didn't he say his family was at his house? omg, somebody send them all to a motel!!)
: J-nut

This is truly overwhelming. I have to say thank you to everyone at RCA, to Clive Davis, to everyone in my L.A. family…you know who you are…to Mom and Brett… to my Holly, for everything…to the most supportive fans anyone could ever hope to have…and to God, for this opportunity.

He looked down at the award in his hands and sighed. "Just the one at the house." He sat the heavy glass obelisk between his feet on the floor of the limo. "I can't wait to get out of this suit."

"Don't tempt me, hon. I could get you out of it right now of you'd let me." She hiked up her skirt a little and twisted herself around, putting her arm across his lap and looking him in the eye. "But I'll be a good girl. I can't be bad until we get all those people out of your house."

He traced his finger along the thin beaded shoulder strap, following the line to her cleavage. "Yeah, I kinda hope they'll be good and tired by the time we get there. It's getting late already." He moved his hand back to her shoulder, sliding it down her bare arm. "Have I told you how incredible you look tonight?"

"A few times, yeah. But feel free to tell me again. You don't get to see me dressed up all fancy like this every day…you should make the most of it."

He squinted in the dim light of the back of the limo. He reached up and found a switch over his head, and brought the interior light up slightly. It glistened off her luminescent, pale skin, which contrasted with the dark aubergine of her gown. Her deep brown hair, which was piled in soft ringlets on her head, had begun to loosen and tumble onto her shoulders, some strands tangling into her long earrings.

Clay's hand brushed against her cheek. "Incredible. I mean, you're always beautiful…but, right now…oh my God…I think I might be speechless. You know, for once." Holly smiled and looked down, blushing. "They couldn't take their eyes off of you all night. Nobody could."

"They were just wondering who the girl next to Clay Aiken was. It had nothing to do with me."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "Are you kidding? They were wondering how a dork like Clay Aiken managed to convince a woman like her to go to the show with him. Of course, they didn't realize she'd be on the arm of the big winner at the end of the night, now, did they?" His lips curled into a smirk. "How about a kiss for your Favorite Male Artist?"

She grinned mischievously. "Oh, is Sting here?" He threw his head back and laughed. She wrapped her hand behind his neck and tipped his head forward, bringing his mouth close to hers. "Come here, baby." Her voice was deep and breathy, and it sent a tingle along his spine. She leaned in towards his full, parted lips, opening her mouth just as she made contact. Clay's eyes rolled back as he tipped his head to the side, overwhelmed by the taste of her kiss. When she pulled away from him, his body went limp, and she smiled and stroked his face. "I love you, you know."

He sighed and grinned at her. "I know…and I love you. Especially if you promise to keep doing that." She kissed his nose and turned around to face forward on the seat again. He looked out the window and noticed they were about twenty minutes from his house. "I suppose we should check in…let them know we're almost there."

She reached into her purse and handed him his phone. "I wonder if Diana and Ted were able to stay. I guess it all depends on how Emily did, huh?" She put her purse on the floor and leaned back, putting her feet in his lap.

"Hey, Nick…thank you, thank you, it's an honor just to be nominated, yadda yadda…how's the party?" He smiled at Holly and caressed her ankle and calf as he talked. "Cool. We're gonna be home soon, and I just wanted to check in to see what's going on. Who's still there? Uh-huh…uh-huh…awww, let me tell her…honey, Diana's still there, they put Emily in the guestroom when she crashed. Apparently she was the life of the party!"

She beamed proudly. "She always is! Is Suzanne still there? She's opening the studio for me in the morning."

"Let me see…did Suzanne leave? Okay…yeah, she and her girlfriend left a little while ago." Holly nodded. "So, what's the coverage like? Who's talkin' about me? Okay…oh, that's not bad…no, that's nice. Yeah, I talked to a bunch of people afterwards, so I figure tomorrow I'll be all over the place. What? What's he doing? Oh, you're kidding! Tell him to cut it out! Sweetie, John got online to see what people were saying, and Nick says now he's posting stuff to get 'em all riled up."

Holly giggled and clapped. "That's my boy."

"Hey, Nick, what are they saying about my hair? That's good. A hundred percent approval so far…I guess we'll have to wait until the morning for the full results, huh?" Clay giggled and squeezed Holly's knee. "Split verdict on the suit. Well, I can't get everything right…oh, of course they liked the purple, they always do…"

She tapped his hand. "What are they saying about me?"

"How do they like Holly so far? Uh-huh…oh, that figures…right…yeah…wow, I'm impressed! He says most of the people he's seen think you're wonderful, honey. A few I hate her posts, but some of those seem to be joking. And the girls who don't like anyone who's not Kelly Clarkson, of course. But the people on E! News are calling you the mystery woman…that's kinda cool, huh?" He got quiet for a second as he turned his attention back to the phone, running his finger down her foot to play with her silver toe ring. "Wow, really? Oh, that's cool…no, I'm not that surprised, really…how could anyone not get a kick out of Emily? She sat in her lap? That’s awesome…oh, man…no, that makes me really happy. Sure, I wanna talk to her, put her on."

Holly giggled as Clay lifted her leg and kissed the top of her foot. When he placed it back on his thigh, she sighed and closed her eyes. "You're so cute. Tell them they all need to go home because America's Favorite Male Artist needs some nookie."

He smiled and ran his hand up her leg, pushing her dress with it. "Shhh…I'll do my best." He stifled a yawn and looked out the window. "Hi…thank you…are you having a good time? I hear you have a new friend…yeah, she's a doll, isn't she? Oh yeah, they're great…I'm so glad…yeah, me too…I know…I know you do…yeah, I know…she's somethin', isn't she? And now they all know. I'm so happy…it's been such a huge night, and in a little while, I'll be home with the people I love. Can't get much better than that…okay, we'll be home soon. We're pretty beat, but we're looking forward to seeing everyone. Yeah…yeah, I'm gonna go. I'll see you in a little bit. I love you, too, Mom."