Chapter Six
The next morning, Dovelyn felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Music had always been her outlet for negative feelings and stress. She had no doubts whatsoever that allowing herself to be deprived of music had contributed to her incredibly foul and depressed mood of late. She was confident that since that joy had been restored to her, courtesy of JC and *N Sync, things in her life would be different. Maybe when she got her life together, she'd take Joey up on his offer and attempt to get started in the music business.
Dovie walked downstairs to find Joey and Lance still asleep on their respective couches. Smiling to herself, she walked over and gently sat down next to Lance. He stirred when he felt her weight next to him and looked up at her lazily.
�Hey you.� he whispered, seeing that Joey was still asleep. �Is everything all right babe?�
�Everything's fine, Lance.� she replied. �In fact, everything's great. I haven't felt this good in a long time.�
Lance shot her a grin. �That's great, Dovie.�
�Shall we go make breakfast for everyone?� she asked happily. �I'm in a generous mood today.�
He stood and gave her a hug. �Whatever you want, sweetie. Whatever you want.� Together, they walked into the kitchen and began to cook a huge breakfast.
The rest of the group began drifting into the kitchen as the smell of frying bacon and pancakes drew them in. Sitting down around the table, they silently watched the couple cooking. Smiles and laughs abounded that morning as Lance and Dovelyn teased each other mercilessly. More than once, Dovie called for help from their observers, and more than once, she received only smiles in return. Finally, breakfast was ready to Dovie's satisfaction, and she joined the guys and began eating.
�Wow, D, this is really good. I didn't know you were this good of a cook!� Justin said sounding amazed.
She rolled her eyes at him. �Gee, thanks, Justy. I love you, too.�
Justin grinned at her. �Anytime.�
Laughing, she shook her head at him before turning her attention to a conversation with JC. Justin's face broke out in a smile as he watched the sparkle lighting her face as she spoke to her friend. He could see bits and pieces of the cousin he used to know coming back to him. He caught Lance's eye and grinned. Lance smiled back at him and nodded. Dovie was slowly changing. It was hard not to notice how much more open and outgoing she had become.
Dovie seemed to sense both men looking at her and glanced up with a puzzled look on her face. �What?� she asked. �Why are you both looking at me like that?�
Their response was unanimous. �Nothing.�
She stared at them in disbelief. �Nothing?� she said incredulously. �You two expect me to believe that one? You both look like the cat that ate the canary!�
Chris tried changing the subject. �Hey, Dovie, will you sing for us again?�
�You are so trying to change the subject, and it's not going to work Chris,� she said pointedly.
�Will you?� he repeated, grinning.
�You're pathetic.� she laughed. �But you're also too cute to turn down.�
�Yes!� he shouted, jumping up and down in his chair.
She grinned back at him, her eyes twinkling. �Which song?�
�You pick.�
�Okay.� Dovie leaned back into her chair to think for a moment. �All right, I've got it. I think you'll recognize it, too. I'll admit that I listened to this song often when I was having problems. Without Matt's knowing, of course.� The five men smiled at her and waited for her to begin.
When clouds above you start to pour
And all of your doubt breaks like a storm
And you don't know who you are anymore
Let me help you find what you've been searching for...The guys began smiling when they realized the song she was singing, and they joined her at the chorus.
�It's so good to hear you sing again, Dove.� JC said quietly when the song was over.
�Thanks.� she answered. �It feels good to sing again. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it.�
Lance reached over and rubbed her shoulder gently. �You'll never have to miss it again, sweetie. From now on, you sing whenever you want to.�
A small smile tipped the corner of her mouth as Dovie thought of how lucky she had been to reunite with Justin and find Lance. She reached out and hugged him tightly. Looking around the room, she smiled at her friends and tried to keep the tears from her eyes.
Joey's face showed concern as he saw she was crying. �Dove? Are you all right?�
�Yes.� she said, her voice cracking. �I just realized how lucky I really am to have you all in my life.�
The ringing of the phone broke the mood in the kitchen, and Justin quickly wiped his dampened eyes and picked it up. �Hello? Yeah, she said she had a great time. No, not at all, we were just finishing breakfast with a private concert.� he paused a moment and laughed slightly. �No, actually. Dove was giving us the concert. Yeah, she's fantastic.� Justin glanced over to his cousin, laughing again when he saw her turning red with embarrassment. �Sure, that'd be fine. All right, we'll see you then.� Justin hung up the phone and turned back to his friends, who were waiting patiently to hear what was going on.
�Well, don't just stand there Justin, tell me who I won't be able to look in the face anymore.� Dovie said smiling.
�That was Howie.� he replied. �He and the other Backstreet Boys are coming over tonight. Apparently, they want a mini-concert too.�
�Oh, Lord!� she breathed. �I have to sing in front of them, too?�
Justin turned serious. �No, you don't have to. I just figured you wouldn't mind. You never had a problem singing in front of people before.�
Her heart racing a mile a minute, Dovie tried to sort out her emotions. Part of her wanted to sing for them, but part of her was still extremely shy in front of anyone but her friends in *N Sync. She still wasn't sure about how anyone else would react to her voice anymore. Dovie looked up to see her five friends watching her nervously.
�Dovelyn? Is it okay that I invited them over to hear you?� Justin asked timidly.
Her face was flushed as she stammered a reply. �Um, I guess so.�
�Are you sure sweetie?� Lance asked. �You don't have to do anything you don't want to.�
�I want to, I just...� she trailed off as she tried to explain her feelings to them. �I guess I'm just nervous. I mean, they're the Backstreet Boys for gosh sakes!�
All six were silent for a split second, absorbing what Dovie had just said. Then the irony of her comment hit them all at once, and they began laughing wildly. It took them a few minutes to calm down, and when they did Joey spoke up.
�Gee, thanks Dove. That really makes us feel good. You think nothing of singing in front of us this morning, but you're nervous to sing for the Backsteet Boys.� This was followed by another round of laughter, and then they began cleaning up the remains of breakfast.
Around seven that night, the doorbell announced the arrival of their guests. Dovie stood in front of the mirror in her room, scrutinizing her outfit. She didn't know why her appearance mattered so much to her but she was suddenly overcome with an extreme case of nerves.
�Dovie!� she heard JC shout from downstairs. �Baby-girl, the guys are here. Come down!�
�I�ll be there in a minute!� she called, sighing as she continued to gaze into the mirror. Her eyes took in the loose sapphire tank top and denim shorts she had chosen to wear, and the messy ponytail on her head. She shrugged, and then turned to go downstairs and greet her friends.
When she reached the main floor, she stood there silently observing them. Howie, AJ, and Kevin sat on the couch with their backs to her talking quietly amongst themselves. She couldn't see Brian and Nick, or any of *N Sync, but shortly heard them talking in the kitchen, then heading toward them. They entered the room and took various seats around the room. Amazingly enough, no one had seen her standing by the stairs. She began to call out to them, and then realized there was a rather serious-sounding discussion going on among the guys that centered on her.
�Are you sure you guys don't mind?� Justin was asking.
�No, not at all.� Brian answered him. �In fact, we've already discussed it, and we all think it's a good idea.�
�Great.� JC answered happily. �We'll make sure everything gets done.�
�Wait a minute, guys.� Lance spoke up. �Don't you think we should ask Dovie how she feels about this first? I mean, this does concern her quite a bit.�
Justin was already shaking his head. �No, we can't let her know about this.�
�Why not?� Lance asked, his voice tinged with irritation at his group mate. �I would think she'd be flattered that we care about her so much.�
�You don't know my cousin, Lance. She'll be mad and say we're treating her like a child.�
Lance stood rapidly, clearly very angry. �I don't know Dove? Justin, she's my girlfriend, I think I know her a little.�
Justin stood up as well, also angry. �She's my cousin. You've known her a couple of months. I've known her my whole life. Do the math, Lance. Who do you think knows her best?�
�I think that if she knew both of you were at each other's throat because of this, she'd be mad and upset at the both of you.� JC said quietly.
Dovelyn picked that moment to let them know she was there. �I think JC wins the prize for knowing me the best. What does he get now that the contest of over?� she asked angrily. All of them turned around quickly. Both Justin and Lance looked rather guilty, the others were relieved that the verbal war was now over. The silence in the room was deafening.
�Well?� she waited for a moment. �Is anyone going to tell me what that little display was all about?� More silence greeted her, and she sighed as all the men in the room looked to the floor, the wall, the ceiling�anywhere but at her face. She tried another tactic, and focused on the one person who she could always count on to tell her the truth. �JC? What's going on? What's this all about?�
He sighed. �Well...� he began.
�JC!� Justin shouted.
She turned her murderous gaze to her cousin. �Justin, keep your mouth shut. You of all people know I hate being kept in the dark about things,� she said sharply, effectively silencing him before looking to JC once more. �JC?�
JC shot a somewhat nervous glance to his friend. He didn't want to upset Justin, but in his heart, he agreed with Lance. He felt that Dovie needed to be told of their new plan for keeping her safe.
�Jace,� she said softly. �I believe it was you who said that we have to be completely honest with each other.� She noted the look on JC's face and continued. �So, what's all this about?�
�We're just trying to keep you safe, baby-girl.� he sighed. �We will do anything it takes to keep you safe.�
�So what was your brilliant plan for that?�
�To have one of us with you at all times, or rather, to have one of us watching you all the time.� He whispered, not able to look at her.
She nodded her head. �Do you feel bad, JC?� He nodded, and she went on. �Good, because you should. All of you should...except Lance.�
Both Lance and Justin looked up at her startled. �What?� Justin yelled. �What do you mean �except Lance?� Why does he get out of this?�
�Because Justin, Lance was the only one who even suggested letting me know about your little scheme. Did it ever occur to any of you how I'd feel when I realized someone was watching me or following me around? I'd have been scared out of my mind, thinking it was Matt!� Each of the nine men she was directing her diatribe at focused his eyes on the ground, red with shame and embarrassment.
�We're sorry, Dovie.� Howie said quietly. �We were just trying to keep you safe without worrying you. We weren't thinking.�
�No, you weren't.� she agreed. �But I will admit that I'm flattered that you all care about me that much.� she turned back to Justin and Lance. �I guess both of you were right, huh?�
Justin laughed nervously, thankful that Dovie wasn't seriously mad at him. �Can you think of anything that we can do for you?�
Dovie sighed. �Just be my friend, Justin. That's what I need. Can you handle that?�
He grinned at her. �I think so.� he answered, making his way over to her for a hug. �I love you, D.�
�I love you too, Justy.� she whispered.
�Well,�AJ said, breaking the tension in the room. �Now that all that's been decided, I think it's time for Dovie to begin her concert. Personally, I'm dying to hear her sing.�
Embarrassment and uncertainty crept into Dovie's features, and she looked up at her cousin nervously. He smiled down at her gently, massaging her shoulder to try to comfort her. Focusing her attention at the occupants of the room, brightening at the looks of assurance on their faces. Sighing, she walked back over to sit next to Lance.
�What do you want me to sing?� she asked quietly.
�Whatever you want, sweetheart.� Lance answered her smoothly.
�No preferences?�
JC smiled at her. �Just yours, baby-girl.�
�Okay.� she replied. �Let me think for a minute.�
�Take your time, Dovie.� Kevin answered for the group.
They began a new conversation while Dovie tried to decide what to sing. They'll always be there for me. She thought. I need to come up with a song that let's them know I'll always be there for them as well. Suddenly, her face lit up as she realized what song she needed to sing.
Nick was the first to see the look on her face. �Dovie?� he said smiling. �You look like you just discovered a gold mine. What's up?�
�Nothing.� she replied easily. �I just figured out what I'll sing for you.�
This new information grabbed their attention instantly. �Really?� Brian said excitedly. �Which one?�
�Reba's new one, I'll Be.� she said proudly.
Lance grinned. �That is a great choice.� he agreed. �You sing Reba's songs incredibly too.�
She grinned back at him. �It's exactly how I feel about you guys.�
They all watched her attentively, their earlier conversation already forgotten as they eagerly anticipated hearing their friend sing for the first time. Dovie began quietly, and then her voice became stronger as her confidence grew.
�When darkness fall upon you heart and soul
I'll be there to shine the light for you...�Wow.� Howie breathed when she finished. �That was incredible, Dove.�
AJ nodded, agreeing with him. �You really have talent, Dove. Have you considered singing professionally?�
�No.� she answered, blushing brightly. �Though I have been told I'll have a connection if I ever decided to pursue it.� She grinned at Joey, who raised his hands innocently.
�Hey, the offer stands until whenever you want to accept it.�
�Thanks again, Joe.�
The night drew to an end shortly afterwards. Dovie gave each of the guys a hug as they left the house. They each repeated the same sentence too: �Call me if you need anything.� Dovie's heart warmed every time she heard it. She loved the feeling she got knowing that people cared for her and cared about what happened to her.
As she settled into bed that night she was somewhat startled when her bedroom door opened slightly. She peered into the darkness, trying to see who it was. Finally, the door opened fully and she watched as Lance's study frame entered the room quietly. He shut the door firmly behind him and quickly made his way to her bedside.
�Hey baby.� he whispered. �Sorry about sneaking around there. I just wanted to make sure you were awake.�
�Well, I am.� she answered. Her voice muted to match his. �What's on your mind?�
He grinned at her through the darkness. �I wanted to tell you again how much I love you. You are the best thing in my life right now.�
She smiled through sudden tears. �Lance, I... That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me,� she sniffled. �I love you, too.�
�Is there anything you need before I go?�
Dovie smiled and reached up to pull him in for a kiss. He pulled her close and deepened the kiss as she wound her arms around him. After a few minutes, Lance pulled back.
�That was understood,� he laughed softly. �I was gonna do that anyway. Anything else ma'am?�
�Yeah.� she answered. �Sing for me?�
�What song?� he asked.
�Surprise me.�
He grinned and soon Dovie was falling asleep to Lance's solo rendition of The Only Gift.
Dovie felt someone gently tugging at her shoulder early the next morning and opened her eyes to see both Lance and Justin standing over her.
�D? You awake?�
She tiredly rolled her eyes at him. �Geez, Justy, what time is it? Why are you guys up so early?�
Her cousin grinned at her. �It's five o'clock. The guys and I have to go into the studio for the day. Do you want to come?�
�No.� she replied. �I think I want to sleep in today.�
Justin nodded and gave her a hug. �Sleep well, D. If you need us, you have our numbers. The number to the studio is on the fridge.�
�Okay.�
Lance leaned in and brushed his lips to her cheek. He smiled when he realized his girlfriend was already drifting back off to sleep. �Sleep well, sweetheart,� he whispered. �Stay safe.� Dovie muttered an inaudible reply and sighed, and Lance gently eased her door shut, careful not to re-awaken her.
Dovie felt someone slide into her bed and curl up next to her sometime later. The new arrival had interrupted a very nice dream she'd been having about Lance, and she was somewhat disappointed that it was over. Then again, she thought, what's a dream when the real thing is right next to you? Dovie remained still as Lance wrapped his arms around her and cuddled closer, wanting to surprise him. She sensed rather than felt his lips coming closer to her and at the last second, she turned her head and captured his lips with hers. As he deepened the kiss, it took only seconds for Dovie to know something was very wrong. She pulled away, hoping nothing too bad had happened.
�Lance?� she said worriedly. �Baby, what's wrong?�
But it wasn't Lance's meadow-green eyes that were gazing back at her. She was startled and frightened when she saw Matt looking at her angrily. He flung her away roughly with both hands. �Lance?� he repeated furiously. �Who the hell is Lance, Dovelyn? And why would he be in your bed?�