The object in Jordy's pocket was about to burn a hole in it. For the millionth time, he put his hand in his pocket to check that it was still there. Amazingly, it was. There were only about 5 families in front of him in line now. It felt like it was taking an eternity to get to her. His stomach was in knots; his hands were clammy. He said a quick prayer that he wouldn't throw up and that he would remember what he had rehearsed for the last several weeks. Jordy looked over at his sisters, Sofia and Gabby. They were excited – jumping around with their posters in hand, but they weren't nearly as excited as he was. He was literally about to meet the love of his life. From the first time he laid eyes on her picture, he was enamored. He knew all of her songs by heart. He had brought 4 of his posters of her for her to sign. He had more but he wanted to play it cool.
They were nearing the front of the line. Jordy was so nervous. His heart was about to beat out of his chest. The concert had been incredible - seeing her on stage singing . . . but to be able to see her close up in person. . . "Breathe, Jordy, just breathe." he said to himself. He wished his mom was here with him. Morgan was a great nanny, but she was not his mom. He needed his mom to wrap her arms around him like she always did and tell him everything would work out as it was supposed to. She had such a calming effect on him when he would get worked up. Unfortunately, his mom had a work meeting in Chicago that had come up at the last minute and Aunt Quinn wasn't able to cover for her, so she had to go.
Just one more family ahead of them. He could hear her laugh. He could see her smile. God, was she beautiful. He started to feel weak in his knees. His posters didn't do justice to the sheer beauty of Demi Lovato. Finally they had made it to the front of line.
"Hi, guys! What are your names?" said Demi flashing a huge smile.
Jordy open his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He just stared at her. Sofia elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ouch, Sofiiiiia!" Jordy said grabbing his side.
Sofia edged herself in front of her brother. "My name is Sofia. I'm 6. This is my baby sister, Gabby. She's 4."
"I am NOT a baby!" said Gabby.
"Yes, you are. You are only 4!" said Sofia.
Demi laughed. "Well, I think you are a big girl, Gabby." Gabby smiled and stuck out her tongue out at her sister.
"And this . . ." Sofia said pointing to her brother. ". . . is my brother, Jordy. He has a crush on you. That's why he can't talk."
"SOFIA!" Jordy said. He turned a dark shade of red and pushed his sister.
Demi giggled and turned to Jordy and said, "You do, huh?" and then winked at him. "How old are you?"
"I . . . I . . . I'm 6. Sofia is my twin sister." said Jordy.
"Hmmmm . . . 6? That's a little young for me but you are adorable!" said Demi.
Jordy started to relax some and planted his feet with a little more confidence. "I'm handsome! That's what my mom says."
"Indeed you are! Is this your mom?" said Demi smiling.
"No, this is our nanny, Morgan" said Jordy.
"We brought our posters of you. Can you autograph them? Please, please, please?! Gabby and I each have 1 poster but Jordy brought 4." said Sofia.
"Absolutely! You guys are too cute!" Demi giggled.
"SOFIA!" Jordy said getting embarrassed again. He took a deep breath. It was now or never. "Can I hug you?"
"Uh, sure, just let me finish signing these posters first." Demi signed all 6 posters and handed them to Morgan. "Who all wants hugs and maybe a picture or two?"
"Me!" screamed Sofia and Gabby in unison.
"Okay come around the table."
Sofia and Gabby raced around the table and both gave Demi hugs. They were beaming. Jordy hung back and waited for the girls to finish before he approached Demi. Demi looked right into Jordy's eyes and opened her arms. He melted and ran into for the best hug of his life. She smelled so good. He could feel the warmth and genuineness of her hug. He felt so safe and loved that he wished he could stay there forever.
Demi ended the embrace. Jordy knew this was his chance. He took her hand and got down on one knee. A confused look crossed Demi's face. Jordy dug the object out of his pocket and started to talk.
"I know you have a boyfriend right now and that I'm not 18 yet, but in 12 years I will be. I bought this ring and necklace with the money I saved from my birthdays, Christmas, and doing chores around the house. I would like you to have it as a promise that I'm going to ask you on date when I turn 18. No one will ever love you like I do. I promise that I will be the best boyfriend that you could ever have."
Jordy handed the small, plain silver ring and necklace to Demi. Demi put her hand on Jordy's cheek and said, "Awwwww. That's so sweet, but I can't take this. You need to save it for someone special." Demi placed the necklace back in the center of Jordy's hand and closed his fingers around it.
"But you are special. You are very special to me" said Jordy. He felt the tears starting to well up in his eyes. He fought them back, but one escaped and ran down his cheek.
Demi felt herself tearing up as well. "Don't cry" she said in a husky whisper as she wiped away the tear. "Tell you what. You can loan me your necklace and ring until you turn 18. When you turn 18, you come and collect it from me. If I'm single, I will go out on a date with you. If I'm not, you take it back and give it to someone in your life that will appreciate it. Deal?"
"Deal!" said Jordy grinning ear to ear through his tears. He gave her another hug and then put the necklace over her head.
"Jordy and Demi sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G . . ." said Sofia giggling.
"SOFIA!" said Jordy annoyed.
Sofia grinned. "What? You know you want to!"
"Arrrrrrrgh!"
Demi smiled looking at the ring. "I guess I have some explaining to do to my boyfriend tonight."
"You tell him that he can take care of you for now, but I be grown up soon" said Jordy.
Demi laughed. "Ok – I will pass along that message. Now let's get some pictures as I have a few more fans behind you that I need to greet."
Jordy, Sofia, Gabby, and Morgan headed back to the car. Jordy was walking on air. The love of his life was going to go on a date with him in 12 years. He knew she would be waiting for him! He couldn't wait to tell his mom.
"Morgan, can we call Mom?" Jordy said.
"Sure Jordy, but let's call her from the car."
Once everyone was in the car, Jordy screamed, "Call Mom." The handsfree dialing took over. Within seconds they could hear the phone ringing on the other end.
"Hello."
"Mom?" said Jordy
"Mommmmmyyyyy!" said Sofia and Gabby.
"Hey kiddos! How was the concert?" said Santana.
"It was great! Demi sang all of our favorite songs!" said Sofia.
"Let me speak to her, Sofia" said Jordy impatiently. "Mom, Mom – I asked Demi Lovato to go on a date with me when I turn 18! And, she said yes! Can you believe it?"
Santana chuckled. "She did, huh? That's great, buddy. Sounds like she is a good judge of character."
"She did not say 'Yes.' She said she would only go with you if she wasn't with someone" said Sofia.
"Shut up, Sofia. She said yes. She won't be with anyone because she will be with me."
"She has a boyfriend and she will probably get married and be a mom soon."
"Stop saying that" said Jordy who was starting to get upset.
"Sofia, stop teasing your brother. You know how much he loves Demi. Let him be happy about this" said Santana smiling. She definitely saw some Auntie Snix potential in Sofia.
Sofia stuck her tongue out at her brother. Jordy ignored her. He had a smile plastered on his face. "She said yes. She really said yes." he thought.
"Now all we have to do is find someone for you, Mom!"
"Riiiight, Jordy. I think I'm doing just fine being single right now. Listen, I've got to finish up some work for my meeting. Everyone do what Morgan says. I can't wait to see you tomorrow night. I miss and love all of you so much."
"We love you, too, Mommy! Bye!" they all said.
Santana hung up. She cringed at the thought of being in a relationship. Brittany had ruined any possibility of that ever happening. There was no way in hell that she going to let anyone else in. The eventual pain was not worth it. She was fine, just fine. She had everything she needed – her kids, her friends, her work, and her modest life outside work. That was more than enough to fulfill her. Santana felt a pain in the pit of her stomach as she thought this. She tried to ignore it. She was fine. Everything was fine. Maybe if she kept telling herself this she would truly believe it. A tear streamed down her face as she thought of Brittany and all that she had taken from her. "Get it together, Lopez." She muttered under her breath. "Get it together." She shook her head, wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath before nestling in with her laptop for what was most likely going to be a long evening.