Susanna's POV

Who would have guessed that it's possible to stay away from the love of your life for a month. Especially when you really feel like the best thing is to break things off with him, but can't even stand to hear his name. That and the little fact that the month happened to be the remainder of November and December. Lynn and I took Lyric back home to Kentucky with us, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families. Today is December 31. That's right. New Year's Eve.

Anyways the past month has actually went ... fairly well. All things considered, that is. Since the apartment building is past living in until repairs can be done, we all had to move out. The situation was we had three places with each of Joey's bandmates. But each member could house only one of us.

Lyric had popped up first, with "I wanna live with Caleb. Your going down, Mario!" She shook her fist.

"Oh it's on, Donkey Kong!" Caleb had answered her call. Telling her he would not only dominate in Mario Cart, but Nintendo's Monopoly too.

Kelsey had laughed, "Well. Guess I better go handle that situation."

Lynn looked at Alan, then Chad. Brycie, then Fallon. "I'll stay with the Powell's. I love helping out with the girls." So with that they had left, Lynn will be a good match. She's great with kids, and Alan's girls love her too.

"So I guess that leaves us, little lady." Chad lifted one eyebrow, adopting a John Wayne-esque accent, and it totally felt like a moment straight out of a western, all we were missing was the tumbleweed and the gun duel music.

"Yep. Think you can handle it, city slicker?" I eyed him back. That was the good thing about staying with the Graham's. I could forget my problems, because Chad was always challenging me and Fallon was just such a good friend.

So for the weeks that passed things went fairy well. I actually confided in Lynn and Fallon about what had went on. Both were stunned and hurt that someone would do such a thing. Anytime I even had an inkling that Joey would be somewhere I went elsewhere. You have no idea how hard that was for me. If Joey was coming over to fight... I mean hang out with Chad, I found somewhere else to go. Girl's day. Groceries. A random walk. Anything that way I wouldn't have to face him.

And that brings us to today. It's been over a month now. I hope no one had New Year's Eve plans.

"What's up little sis?" Chad says coming into the living room where Fallon and I had been watching Say Yes To The Dress. She left to go grab something.

"What do you mean, big bro?" I look up at him, fully well knowing just what he means. Hey, I can play dumb.

"Why are you avoiding Joey like the plague?" This isn't goofy Chad, this is serious Chad. True, we bicker and play fight, but he really is like a big brother to me. And I know no matter what that I can count on him for anything.

I take a deep breath thinking about my answer. The only way is honesty. "Remember that piece of paper you found on my car windshield?"

He nods, "Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Hold on." I run to their guest room that I've temporarily adopted and come back with the paper, and every printout and anything that I got from this person that seems so out to get me. "Here. Read."

I give Chad time to look through everything. He looks up wide eyed after he finishes the last note. "Susanna... how did you keep this to yourself?"

My body tremors, and tears wet my cheeks. "It wasn't easy. But I didn't want anyone hurt. I love you all too much. So that's why I was going to leave the day of the fire. To protect every one. I don't want to cause turmoil in Anthem Lights fans."

"That's thoughtful, sis, but Joey loves you. We all love the fans, but if someone is this mean and just plain outright evil pretty much we will be fine without them. She tried to kill you, Sus. You matter to all of us too."

I hear a sniffle behind the couch where we are sitting. I turn to see Fallon batting her eyes. "Susanna." She rushes over and I end up a Susanna sandwich squished between her and Chad. I let my tears flow, and the comfortable silence wraps around me. A revelation hits me, God brought me to Nashville and to these people all for a reason and His purpose. Even if I have to take a battle stance, I will do it for Him.

As the last tear drips off my chin, I look between my two dear friends. "Thanks. Both of you for everything. I love you both so much."

"Whatever, shortie." Chad winks, coming back to humorous Chad. I know that's his way of saying he loves me too.

Fallon looks me over, I'm even standing more confident. "Your not gonna give up without a fight, are you?"

"Nope, never." I nod, I'm ready.

~ One Hour Later ~

As it turns out.... The Powell's are having a New Year's Eve celebration and we are all invited. Lyric is even bringing her boyfriend and other friends. Lynn just got here to help me with my hair and clothes. "This." Shoving an outfit in my face.

"Lynn... I'm not so sure." I say, eyeing her choice.

"I agree with Lynn." Fallon says, from doorway, dressed in her fashionably Fallon style.

So fifeteen minutes later, I find myself wearing a white and blue stripped dress, strappy silver heels, cross key necklace, and my hair is curled in flowing waves. I eye the image in the mirror. "That's me?" I say with a surprised laugh.

"Sure is." Lynn nods, then tilts her head toward the Graham living room. "I think I hear their groans from here."

Fallon laughs, "I heard it too. Let's go!"

Sure enough, Donald and Chad are sitting there in the living room chins in their hands looking bored to death. They jump to their feet when they see us and each greets his girl. I stand awkwardly, and Chad laughs. "Hey, don't be a jerk." I practically snarl.

"I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing, thinking of the look on Joey's face." Chad grins so hard I think his face might explode.

Donald literally fist pumps the air. "My little Broseph is going down." The Stamper family sure is .... different. But I can't help but think that Lynn and I found our perfect matches regardless.

We make the drive to the Powell's house and everyone is already there. The second I see Joey's motorcycle my heart is thundering like a big bass drum in my chest. Randomly, these lyrics run through my mind, 'this is my fight song, my get it right song...' I get out of the car and walk to the door, we all make our way inside and I'm searching the crowd for one set of epic blue eyes.

Then I lock on them. His jaw is slack and he's flat out staring. I can't fight the smile that breaks out on my face. I make my way through the crowd, which parts like Moses and the Red Sea, and find myself standing right in front of him. With these heels we are pretty much the same height. "Susanna." He whispers, his eyes hopeful, his voice like the melody that my heart song was missing.

"Joey." I say. I sigh, remembering my purpose. I reach out and take his hand in mine.

Tears pop from his eyes as he looks at our hands. "You don't hate me?"

"How on God's green earth could I ever do something like that?" I say leaning forward and hugging him. "We do need to talk, though. I've got to be honest about why I ran when you said you love me." I won't tell him how I feel until I get his response.

We make our way outside into the quiet backyard and talk. I tell him how everything started happening after we sang the duet in the park. He watched wide eyed, as I told him of the hateful emails, notes, and threats on my life. As I finished with the day of the fire and that I was going to leave to keep everyone safe, he pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. "I'm willing to stand up and fight this, Joey. Fight for us." I say with total confidence from my dear God above.

"I love you, Susanna." He whispers into my hair.

Before I can answer, a crack of thunder fills the air. It's quickly followed by a bright flash of lightning. We run inside just as the heavy rain begins to fall.

We inform everyone inside and we all make our way to the basement. Chairs are quickly placed around the room and Lynn and the teens quickly get to work comforting Alan and Brycie's little ones with fun and games.

I cross over to the window and look out at the raging storm. That's the thing about the south, just cause it's winter doesn't mean you won't have weather like this. I hate storms, especially one's like this. The kind that can quickly turn into a tornado.

"Love? Breathe." I hear Joey say from behind me. The words wash over me, warming me.

I sit in a metal fold up chair. If I wasn't so nervous from the storm I would be complementing Brycie on this nicely designed and decorated basement. You wouldn't even recognize it as one. Joey sees me shaking and waves a hand. "Move over here by me."

I try to move the chair, but it just moves in short, stubborn bursts. He stands picking up the chair and putting it right against his. "It'll be okay." He begins singing random parts of different Anthem Lights songs, as he pulls me close to him, my head leaning on his shoulder. He sings the full song of "Hide Your Love Away". Wow.

"Joey?" I say looking up at him. This peace in my heart, this love, this feeling that I'm right where God wants me to be. I have to tell him.

"Hmm, darling?" Joey says looking down at me, and his breath brushes against my forehead moving my hair ever so slightly. I feel his body shake just a little where his arms are around me.

"I love you, Joey Stamper." The words sound so sweet on my lips, making me wonder why I hadn't said them sooner, but thankful at the same time.

He's staring in my eyes, as he says. "I've waited my whole life for those words." And he kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and smile, thanks be to God for that storm outside. Even storms have a purpose.

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Author's Note

Hi, lovelies!!! I loved writing this chapter!!!!! Sigh!!! Oh... wait I'm in the midst of an author's note aren't I? :) This is such a dreamy chapter. I had Hide Your Love Away on repeat for the last part of the chapter. Let me tell you, boy it was hard not to get carried away in happy tears.
Oh yeah. What I was going to mention was the fact that the basement scene? Yeah, God gave that to me in a dream months ago. I was literally walking in Susanna's foot steps and it felt so real. I wrote the words down as soon as I could the next morning.
It was an amazing dream, and I knew it would be perfect. It was like I was really there experiencing everything, including where Joey is holding her close and singing softly. Yah.... awesome dream. :)
Anyways thanks so much you lovely person for reading this. I have two more chapters left of this story. I hope each and every one of you enjoy it and are blessed in a very special way! :)